 |
|
Comments on "The Big Barn" by Florence Lyon Merriam, daughter of Lyman R. Lyon (written in the 1920's)
"I was too young to imbibe some of the knowledge you crave, but will put you wise, as in my power lies.
Lyman R was a fairly strong architect as well as a civil engineer. In his early days technique was not as fully taught as in later years. I never heard of any other architect except himself. It was the product of his own brain.
I remember hearing him say that he was tired of building barns, and that it was expensive to keep in repair so many roofs...that he would build one sufficient to house one hundred head of milking cows and the hay and other crops, beside the young stock, also the oxen of which there were several. All lumber and forest labor was performed by oxen because they didn't get nervous and frightened like horses in deep snow.
All those large hand hewn timbers were hemlock, cut from the farm woods, which were heavily timbered in those days. My Dad set up a steam mill about where the corn crip was built in after years...all the timber used was manufactured in that small mill. All the stone was cut in the Whittlesey quarry and drawn across Black River on the ice, which you can eaisly see reduced the distance considerable. The superior quality of sand (not too fine) was found in the excavation of the cellar. >H>P> Gould's grandfather, Christopher Gould, also <rs. O>E> Davis & Mrs. Alice Payne's father, Adan Schell worked on the barn. There were also 3 sons of Adam Schell..Harris, Hiram and Herrick. The last there were of an age to be drafted into the Civil War which developed in 1861.
I remember when the great frames were hoisted upright and fastened into place and one of the young men rode upon that perilous trip because it was considered very high in those days. I think the frames were all raised and held in place before the boys went off to way. Then Lyman R. met his greatest problem. He was a very stron abolitionist...would not have detained a single man but it left the job handicapped. Only old men and boys too young to be allowed to join the army were left to do the work. I think it was 1868 before it was finished. Slowly, laboriously and at great expense was it completed...but he saw the desire of his heart accomplished.
Lyman R. paid $2500 for an Ayrshire bull and I remember the great beauty of the red and white cows Walter Edmonds referrs to in his book "The Big Barn". The great factor was the power to drive the load of hay and grain upthose steep inclines and drop the grain down into the mows, before the invention of modern farm machinery like hay forks etc. On the east side,looking over the beaver meadow, the building was four stories in height.
One other matter..in those early days, liquor flowed freely..always ready for funerals or weddings. No social event took place without it. There was much danger attendant upon the event and my father & mother would have no liquor. Coffee was served by the gallon and doughnuts by the bushel. It was estimated that 500 men were present that day. It was a compliment to be invited to a raising..including work and danger."
Florence Lyon Merriam passed away in 1931.
|
|
 |
