Anyone from Scipio can probably tell you what are currently the 3 main place names: Scipio Center, Scipioville and Sherwood. But there used to be lots more place names. If you are over 50, you probably recognize a few of these that are still used locally today:
Merrifield, Bolt's Corners, Mapleton, Mosher's Corners and Pope's Corners, also known as Frog's Patent.
A Patent is a term used for a specific area of land owned by someone; the land is then distributed or sold to others as in the Mohawk Valley the Burnetsfield Patent named after an early Governor.
To continue about Frog's Patent,as you might guess in the Spring mating season, the frogs and peepers were busily trying to outtalk each other and were so loud that the folks living on or near the corner of Wyckoff and Center Roads referred to it as Frog's Patent!
I took a look through the 1914 assessment book, and found a few other places that I am not familiar with. Do you know where any of them were? There was Botsford's Corners, Covey's Corners, Kinsella's Crossing, Chase's Corners just to name a few.
Let me know if you could find any of these today!
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Sandie, starting at Sherwood and going east on Sherwood Road, the intersections are Willow Corners (at Cork St.), Bolt's Corners (at Black St.), Waring's Corners (at Rt. 34), Covey's Corners (at Carter Rd.), and possibly Botsford's Corners (at Wyckoff Rd.). I don't know the old names of the remaining intersections on Sherwood Road. There used to be a schoolhouse, No. 9 on the 1875 map and No. 10 on the 1904 map, at Covey's Corners. A Covey family lived adjacent to the school in 1875. One of my uncles and his wife lived in the old schoolhouse for a short time, I think just before WWII.
Roger, this is great information. I will post some more place names for folks to figure out!
I have been working on a school house project, and in the 1914 assessment roles book, School #10 Covey District appears.
I don't suppose you have a photo of the schoolhouse? I won't be posting it here as so much of Scipio is dial-up internet access, but we will add it to our display in Town Hall and a possible booklet I continue to work towards publishing.
Sandie, it is safe to say that the old place names in the Town of Scipio all have some interesting histories that took place in their vicinities. For example, the Bolt's Corners Cornell Study Club existed for more than half a century and provided local women a forum for self-education in the domestic arts as well as literature, to say nothing of friendship and hospitality. I recently encountered an article reviewing the history of the Bolt's Corners Cornell Study Club, of which my maternal grandmother was a member from the 1920s until her death in 1953. Other women were members for even longer periods. The article follows.
"Bolt's Corners study club in existence 55 years - By IRENE C. TALLMAN - The country schoolhouse at Bolt's Corners hasn't been a schoolhouse for 40 years or so, but it once was a learning center for adults as well as kids. It was the birthplace of a Cornell Study Club that still meets the first Saturday of each month, after 55 years. It met last Saturday at The Pioneer, and 16 people attended. The centerpiece was a cake made and decorated in the style of a book. Book favors carried out the theme, and letters from former members, pictures of past events and lively recollections of club affairs were talked over. The Bolts Corners Study Club is probably one of a very few still functioning in New York State. They were started in the early 1900s as an extension project of Cornell University when the late Martha VanRensselaer, Flora Rose and Claribel Nye were the faculty of the College of Home Economics. Miss Nye used to come out to Bolt's Corners on the Shortline Railroad and meet with the neighborhood women, bringing pamphlets on child behavior, gardening, vegetable storage and other home-making subjects. Miss Nye would sometimes spend the night with some of the members, and, as one of the older members recalls, she always had interesting and intriguing games and contests up her sleeve. At first there was always homemade ice cream and cake, and later the refreshment idea grew, until Carrie Gould's 'light refreshments' were preceded by her corned beef and cabbage, and every meeting was an epicuriean's delight, with each woman bringing her own best recipe. The hostess would use her best linens, china and silver and the suppers were memorable affairs. The study club members liked their food; travel talks, music and homemaking were prime interest, too, but money did not enter in. Besides the 25 cents-a-years dues, penny collections were all that were ever taken, so that cards could be sent to members who were sad or ill. Once, though, the women decided to have a Red Cross benefit and everyone knitted afghan squares. These were sewed together and the finished afghan sold. Officers of the club this year are Mrs. Irene Bowness Welch, president; Mrs. Bertha Fisher, secretary; Mrs. Ruth Sullivan, treasurer, all of Scipio Center. The only charter member is Mrs. Carrie Gould of Salisbury, Md. Bolt's Corners on the Sherwood Road, a mile west of Route 34 was a thriving little hamlet when the Cornell Study Club was organized, but declined after Routes 34 and 34B were built. No sign is left to mark it."
-- The Citizen-Advertiser, Auburn, Cayuga Co., NY, Thursday, 11 June 1970 http://www.fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html
Roger, I have never heard of the Cornell Study Club before. It sounds very similar to the Home Bureau to me. This is a great article, that Fulton website is nice, isn't it? I also like www.nonesuchfolks.com. I will be so glad though if Scipio ever gets access to high speed internet service.
Sandie, the Bolt's Corners Cornell Study Club may have associated itself with the Home Bureau at some point because I recall seeing a clipping that said that the Club was considering such a move. I don't know the outcome of those deliberations, however.
Bolt's Corners, on the Sherwood Road at the intersection of Indian Field Road (going south)/Black Street (going north), was the site of another important piece of social history in the Town of Scipio besides the Bolt's Corners Cornell Study Club: The Bolt's Corners School Annual Reunion and Basket Picnic. The group arranging the event was called the Old Scholars Association of Bolt's Corners School.
The first regular reunion picnic at Bolt's Corners School apparently occurred on Wednesday, 2 August 1916. The tradition prospered and continued until at least 1942, several years after the little schoolhouse closed following formation of the Emily Howland Central School at Sherwood. Picnic attendance reached 300 individuals in the peak years, making the reunion more than a passing event. It is, perhaps, hard to imagine the rich social fabric woven by such community-wide gatherings of old friends, families, and mentors from our 2008 perspective, but the large participation in the Bolt's Corners School reunions is proof of their importance to the people of Scipio and the surrounding area.
I have transcribed several representative newspaper articles on the Bolt's Corners School reunions from different periods in their history. Some of the articles list the officers of the Old Scholar's Assocation and members of the various organizing committees. Many well-known Scipio surnames appear in these lists. Readers can access additional articles using the search function at: http://www.fultonhistory.com/Fulton.html
1917 - THE SECOND ANNUAL PICNIC: "Bolts Corners School Picnic. The second annual basket picnic of the 'Old Scholars' of the Bolts Corner school was held last Saturday on the school grounds. The day was of the real picnic type with its soothing sunshine and idle, aimless winds. At about 9:30 the former pupils, teachers and friends of the school began to arrive and at the appointed time of the dinner hour fully 300 visitors sat down to the tables on the lawn — the trees serving as a background. The morning hours were agreeably passed in recalling pleasant associations and meeting old friends. After dinner was served, J. F. Gleason, president of the association, assembled the gathering and extended greetings and welcomed the old scholars to the reunion. Several of the former teachers and pupils re-related of the days they spent at the old school. The first speaker was Warren A. Burlingham, who was a former teacher and having a list of his 50 pupils called the roll, but only about one-fourth of them were present. Miss Angeline Coy, another teacher, read a composition written by one of her pupils in the early 60's. John Heffernan, the oldest representative of the school, spoke affectionately and pleasantly of his teachers. J. A. Gould spoke in a humerous vein, relating how he assisted one of his school girl friends to crawl into the schoolhouse through the space occupied by a 7 by 9 window pane. Mrs. Mary Goode Cotter acted as historian and gave the gem of the program in the form of history from the year 1890. Mrs. Cotter was a teacher for five years and has lived in the community since she taught the school. She gave in detail the history for the past 27 years. Her paper was scholarly and showed much thought from a literary standpoint. Perhaps the strongest portion was the splendid and eloquent tribute paid three former pupils, the late Harry Lacey, George Beebe and Jennie Neville Maroney. The secretary read a number of letters which were written by pupils and teachers who were unable to be present. The officers elected were: James F. Gleason of Schenectady, president. Anna Waring Kennedy, vice president. Mabel Beebe Cranson, secretary and treasurer. Mary Goode Cotter, historian. It was voted to hold the next reunion on the first Saturday in July, 1918. Those from out of town were Mr. and Mrs. George Hart, Rochester; Mr. and Mrs. Fred Whiting, Moravia; Mr. and Mrs. Warren A. Burlingham, Binghamton; Mrs. William Bishop, Seneca Falls; Mr. and Mrs. Carl L. Wolford, Weedsport; Anna W. Greene, Long Island; Ida Hart Morris, Homer; William Wiseman, Weedsport; Ella Powers Bishop, Groton; Mrs. Katherine Heffernan Owens, Syracuse; Mrs. Anna Heffernan Anderson[?], Pearl Cooke[?], Hattie Bishop Aikin and Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Gleason of Auburn."
-- The Genoa Tribune, Genoa, Cayuga Co., NY, Friday, 6 July 1917
1919 - THE FOURTH PICNIC: "BOLT'S CORNERS REUNION DRAWS FROM ALL PARTS - (Special to The Citizen.) - Moravia, June 30.- The annual reunion and picnic of old scholars of Bolt's Corners School near Merrifield was held on Saturday. This school is one of the first to be founded in the county and each year a very interesting gathering of old pupils is held. For a number of years former Mayor Charles W. Brister was a teacher there. The former pupils of the school are scattered all over the United States, living in nearly every state. The principal remarks of the day were made by James Gleason, now principal of the Schenectady High School, who was a former pupil of Mr. Brister. The officers of the association are James Gleason, president; vice president, Anna Waring Kennedy, Merrifield; secretary and treasurer, Mabel Beebe Cranson, Merrifield; historian, Mary Goode Cotter, Merrifield. The Reception Committee consisted of Mrs. Carrie Bowen, Mrs. Katherine Bowness, Mrs. Mortie Clark, Mrs. Marion Hartnett, Mrs. Minnie Sherman, Miss Genevieve Bowness, John Heffernan Sr., Glenn Smith, Jerry Murphy, David Beebe, Dennis Lacy and Calvin Bishop."
-- The Auburn Citizen, Auburn, Cayuga Co, NY, Monday, 30 June 1919
1926 - THE ELEVENTH PICNIC: "BOLT'S SCHOOL - REUNION HELD - Several Auburnians were among the old time teachers and pupils at the Bolt's corners school attending the annual school reunion Saturday. The reunion was a community affair with program of singing, addresses, games and dinner. Officers of the school association are Mertie Williamson Cleek, president; Elsa K. Mosher, vice president; Libbie Gould Becker, secretary and treasurer; Mary Goode Cotter, historian. Members of the various committees included: Elizabeth Lacey, Carrie Gould, Anna Wheat, Elsa Wheat, Nellie Kanaley, Genevieve Conaty, Margaret Smith, Mrs. John Beebee, Rose Powers, D H. Gray, W. D. Kennedy, S. T. Carson, G. A. Gould, Dennis Lacey. Mrs. Ellen Brennan, Volney Mosher, Robert Hunter, Mr. and Mrs. C. O. Peckham, Nettie Gray, Irene Bowness, Margaret Kanaley, Elizabeth Cook, Lillis Cranson, Alice VanOrman, Lolhs[Lois?] Clark, Eva Flynn. Mollie and Alma Lacey, Mrs. Thomas Neville, Anna Kennedy, Fred Wood, Bessie Purdy, Dey oGodman [Dey Goodman?], Mary Blanchard of Groton, Harriet Akin and Elizabeth Rolling of Auburn. Mortimer Silcox and Thomas Neville of Moravia.
-- The Auburn Citizen, Auburn, Cayuga Co, NY, Monday, 2 August 1926
1934 - THE NINETEENTH PICNIC: "They Meet at Bolts Corners School - A magnet for residents of Cayuga County as well as visitors from various parts of New York State, Dakotas, Arkansas and Canada, the picnic of the Old Scholars Association held at Bolts Corners School in Merrifield, Saturday, was one of the most largely attended over a period of several years. Many of the old 'grads,' some of whom are more than 80 years of age, attended this annual get-together. The event began in the morning and the big dinner was served at noon. The tables, erected on the lawn of the school yard, under the large maple trees, were laden with home-cooked foods. Community singing was enjoyed, including the school song which was sung by the graduates with more vim and vigor than ever before. Supt. of Schools Clyde D. Myers gave an interesting account of the history of the school. The entertainment program included a recitation by little Alice Coiley, a reading by Mrs. Lola Gray, a duet by the Misses Marjorie Mosher and Mary Nolan, reminiscences by Mrs. Mertie Clark, a talk on 'Nature's Study' by Prof. E. L. Palmer of Cornell University, a recitation by George Adams, 85; a talk on the school system in the City of Rochester by Prof. L. P. Wager of the Madison High School faculty, music by Mrs. Charles Chase, and a talk by Rev. Casper R. Gregory of Scipioville who spoke on 'The Value of Outdoor Gatherings.' Letters from Charles Brister of Auburn and Miss Ellen Simkin, former teachers, expressing regrets at their inability to attend the 1934 event, were read. Mr. Brister taught at the Bolts Corners School 59 years ago and many of his former pupils listened intently to his letter. The program was closed with the singing of 'America' by the entire gathering. Committees Were Active - Officers of the association are President, David A. Beebee; vice president Ellen Gleason Brennan; treasurer and secretary, Katherine Kanalley; historian, Mary Goode Cotter. The committees in charge were: Decoration Committee: Nettie Gray, chairman; Eunice Allen, Marjorie Mosher, Alma Lacey, Mary Nolan, Blanche Murphy, Mildred Murphy, Barbara Bishop, Mary Quinn. Ice Cream: Austin Comstock, Clinton Mosher, Edward [NOTE: Should be Edwin - R. A. Post] Bishop, Dennis Donovan. Reception Committee: Mr. and Mrs. George Groom, Mrs. Gray, Volney Mosher, Mrs. B. Bowness, Mr. and Mrs. John Neville, Frank Blair, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Coomber, Frank Flynn, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Clark, Mrs. Mabel Cranson, Glenn D. Smith, Fred Wood, Mrs. Katherine Bowness. Mrs. Gertrude Pec[k]ham is in charge of the music. Mrs. Mary Goode Cotter, historian, is in charge of speaking. Mrs. Carrie Gould, chairman; Mrs. Elisabeth Lacy, Mrs. Nellie Kanalley, Mrs. Elsie Mosher, Mrs. Katherine Nolan, Mrs. Bessie Bishop, Mrs. Isabel Dorman, Mrs. Florence Beebee, Mrs. Lewis Murphy, Mrs. Luella Comstock, Mrs. Fred Wood, Mrs. Marion Hartnett."
-- The Citizen-Advertiser, Auburn, Cayuga Co., NY, Wednesday, 1 August 1934
1942 - THE TWENTY-SEVENTH (possibly last) PICNIC: Old Scholars Of Bolts Corners Summoned Again - With their purpose to lay aside for a few hours the problems and perplexities attendant upon the war in which the nation is engaged and to recall happier events of their school days, members of the Old Scholars Association of Bolts Corner School at Merrifield, will gather for their 27th annual reunion on Saturday, August 1, under the friendly shade of the wide-spreading trees that adorn the pretty grounds. All former students of the school who can possibly arrange to attend this year's reunion are being urged to be present. A well known speaker will be heard. Charles Reed, who has won many amateur contests, will be present to entertain with violin and voice. A bountiful dinner will be enjoyed at noon. Officers of the association are: President, Elizabeth Neville Coiley, Moravia; first vice president, Gertrude Gleason Coiley, Union Springs; second vice president Paul Murphy, Scipio Center, now in the United States military service; secretary and treasurer, Lillis Carson [NOTE: Should be Cranson - R. A. Post] Birdsall, Scipio Center; historian, Mary Goode Cotter, Scipio Center. A number of present day Auburnians attended the historic Bolts Corners School. The late Charles W. Brister, at one time mayor of Auburn, taught at the school in years gone by."
-- The Citizen-Advertiser, Auburn, Cayuga Co, NY, ca. Tuesday, 28 July 1942
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