BIOS: Rich, Josiah January 2, 1780 - 1844; Ogden, Monroe co., NY

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Source:
Ogden Centennial Pioneer Reminiscences 1802-1902
compiled by Mrs. Augusta E. N. Rich
assisted by Mrs. Sarah Flagg Smith and Mr. H. H. Goff
Press of John C. Moore
Rochester, N.Y.

Author: Mrs. L. S. Nichols

Although not one of the oldest pioneers of the town of Ogden, yet he came here
in the early part of the century.  Himself and wife and a family of eight
children came from the town of Seaghiticoke, Rensselaer county, in this State,
to the village of Spencers Basin, as it was then called.  In the year 1825 
they came from Troy on a canal boat, and were a week or more on the way.  Yet
they thought it a fine and quick way to come, as they were traveling both
night and day.  That fall after they came, quite a large party chartered a
canal boat and went to Brockport to celebrate the finishing of the Erie canal. 
As the canal went through much uncleared land, and they came upon some very
large pine trees, one of the ladies said she thought that must be good land to
grow such trees.  Some of the men of the party laughed at her, and said that
was a woman's judgment; but you can now judge,  as they were on the farm now
owned by James Rich, and there is none much better in town.  Mr. Rich kept
tavern for two years on the south side of the canal, where now is Coddington's
lumber yard.  The road at that time went past the house and came out to the
Lyell road by Norman's bridge.  Then he bought the farm where Heman Rich, a
grandson, now lives, one mile west of Spencerport, and built part of the
present house and the remainder some two years after.  He also at that time
built a wagon shop.   He kept the station barn for the Merchants line of
boats; in those days they did not carry their horses on the boat, as every
boat carried passengers.  He built his house near the canal, so that
friends from the East could call on him on their way West.  He died in 1844,
survived by his wife and twelve children.  His descendants are scattered far
and wide, but of that number of children there are four still living:  Philip 
B. Rich, of Kansas; A. Brookins Rich, of St. Paul, Minnesota; James M. Rich,
and Mrs. L. S. Nichols, of  Spencerport, N.Y.