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Welcome to None Such Folks, my website for items of genealogical and general historical interest about my ancestral home.  The name "None Such" refers specifically to the hamlet of Sempronius Village in southern Cayuga County, New York, however some of the information you will  find here overflows into the surrounding area including the towns of Sempronius, Summer Hill, Locke, Moravia, and Niles as well as various parts of Cortland County.

Most of the material presented here is original, meaning that it includes images and / or transcriptions of documents that have been passed down through my family over many years, or in some cases my interpretation of family relationships and history.

What / or Where is Sempronius?

"SEMPRONIUS was formed March 9, 1799, and a part annexed to Marcellus, (Onondaga Co.,) March 24, 1804, and Moravia and Niles, March 20, 1833.  It lies on Skaneateles Lake, in the south-east part of the County.  From the valley formed by the lake and inlet, the hills rise abruptly to a height of 800 to 1000 feet, and from their summits the surface spreads out into a rolling and hilly upland, the highest points being 1,700 feet above tide.  Mill Brook, flowing west, Bear Swamp Brook, north, and Fall Brook, south, have worn deep valleys in the drift deposits and shales.  The soil is a good quality and clayey, sandy and gravelly loam, mixed with disintegrated slated and limestone.

"Dresserville, (p.v.) on Mill Brook, in the south part, contains about 30 dwellings; Vansville (Sempronius p.o.) is a small village.  Glen Haven, (p.o.) is a celebrated water cure establishment near the head of Skaneateles Lake.  It is beautifully situated in the midst of romantic scenery, and is supplied with pure, soft, spring water.

"The first settlement was made in 1794, by Ezekiel Sayles, Jotham Bassett and Seth Burgess.  Benj. Sayles was the first child born, in 1794.  The first marriage was that of Samuel Rice and Matilda Summerston, and the first death that of Samuel Rice.  Cyrus Powers taught the first school, in 1800; John Husted kept the first inn and store, and Artemus Dresser erected the first mill.  The first church, (Baptist,) was formed February 29, 1798, Rev. John Lasure being the first preacher.

"The census of 1865 gives the town an area of 16,079 acres."

(From Hamilton Child's Gazetteer and Business Directory of Cayuga County N.Y. for 1867-8)

I hope that you find something useful here, either because it helps you find your own roots, or because it is just interesting.  Please let me know if you have any suggestions, feedback or just want to compare notes about our None Such Folks.

Roger Phillips 

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Copyright © 2003-2007 Roger W. Phillips  Last modified: 04/05/07