Sometimes, what
starts as a simple, “I’ll just copy this from the Historical Society
Newsletter,” becomes more, only because the mental questions get asked. In
today’s case the mental question was, “What became of William Carman after
1836?” the answer brings in a whole new topic.
In the January 1992 Interlaken Historical Society newsletter there is an article discussing “an Act
authorizing William Carman to establish a ferry across Cayuga Lake.” There are
seven points to the legislation.
Legislation
points 1, 2, and 3 discuss 1) the landing points of the ferry: from Frog Point
in Covert, to lot 68 in Lansing, at or near Countryman’s or Woodard’s Landing,
for 12 years. 2) That a sufficient wharf be constructed at each landing place,
and that “ferry-boats, to be propelled by steam or horse power, for the
conveyance of carriages, horses, cattle, and sail-boats for the conveyance of
passengers across said lake.” 3) A penalty of $10 will be applied “for
willfully neglecting or refusing, at all proper seasons and time, …any person
or persons, their horses, carriages, goods or chattels, proper for ferriage…but
no such penalty shall be recovered in case the wind, weather or ice shall
render the crossing…dangerous or very difficult.”
Item four
outlines the payment to be made, four-wheeled coach or pleasure carriage drawn
by 2 horses or mules $1.00. Four-wheeled lumber wagon or carriage drawn by 2
horse. 75 cents, one horse wagon, 50 cents, sleigh or sled drawn by 2 horses 75
cents, one horse cutter, sleigh, sled or cart, 50 cents, even
to 6 cents per hog or sheep. Item five notes that he cannot over charge and the penalty for doing so.
Item number 6
gave Mr. Carman the sole right to transport from the Frontenac Point. “If any
person or persons shall establish a ferry across the lake within three miles of
the ferry herein granted such person or persons shall forfeit and pay to the
said William Carman, his heirs and assigns, the sum of ten dollars for each
offence: but nothing herein contained shall prevent any person from crossing
said lake in his own boat and transporting his own property.”
And the last
item, gave the legislature the right to alter, modify or repeal the act.
So there is the
nitty gritty of the whole act. Now for the “rest of the story.”
In trying to find
out what became of Mr. Carman and/or the ferry, I found a number of items
including a reference using the ferry for special transportation.
The Carman
family were pioneers in Hector, settling in the Perry City area. An article
about the Underground Railroad in this area includes information on
William. (November Calendar insert,
Interlaken Review October 29, 1964) “William Carman, who was a
member of the Society of Friends, was in charge of a station at Mecklenburg. He
operated a ferry across the lake which was used to transport fugitives from one
route of the Underground to the other across the lake. This was very valuable
because trouble could be avoided on one route by crossing over to the other.”
 |
| Map included with the Underground Railroad article. |
There is a
William Carman in the Carman cemetery at Mecklenburg, Schuyler county. No dates
are shown on Find-A-Grave for either William or his wife Pheobe. I did find the family in the census records for Hector from 1810 to
1850, and a few of the children noted in the 1850 census in later years.
Dewitt’s Diary
Wednesday May 20, 1964
Temperature 50,
misty, strong northwest wind and stones wet. Misty most of the morning. We
picked up potatoes in cellar and sprouted them. Got the corn planter ready.
Hope to plant the corn soon.
They predict
plenty of frost for tonight. I hope not with the pepper plants in the garden.
No frost so far in May this year.
Cultivated the
garden tonight. Temperature 50 before dark and very still and clear.
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