Rowley Registry
Published Local Histories

Philomon Chamberlain Rowley: 1-6.1225

Addison Porter Rowley: 1-7.7346

This is a small hamlet situated about two and a half miles southwest of Cortland village. There is but little business done here at the present time, although in early days the inhabitants in the vicinity
entertained anticipations that it would be a thriving business center.

In the year 1822 Nathan W. Rowley came from Catskill and occupied a tract of some four hundred acres of land which he had purchased of speculators at his own home. He built a large two story house and kept a tavern in the place until his death in 1830. The house burned in 1858. He also was the first postmaster in the place, retaining the office until his death, when it passed into the charge of his son Philemon Rowley. His successors were Darius Sanders, Enos Smith, Darius Sanders and A. P. Rowley, the present incumbent, who took office in 1861.

In 1831 Philemon Rowley built the first store in the place. He was born in 1800, on the Hudson river and was married when 24 years old, to Mary S. Curtis, a daughter of Gideon Curtis the pioneer merchant of Little York. Mr. Rowley came to South Cortland in 1826 and bought the place now owned by the heirs of Darius Sanders ; the latter was a brother of Charles Sanders the school book author. Mr. Rowley drew his goods from Albany for his store, which he conducted until the year 1833, when he went to Michigan to live. The store was then sold to Gilbert Edgcomb, after whose management for a time it was abandoned. The building was long used as a weaver's shop by David Sanders. There is now no store at South Cortland. The second store was built by W. Sturtevant in 1832, but it was used as such for only a short period.

In early years there was considerable business done here, and the
citizens were apparently justified in their hopes of it being a thriving
business center. A newspaper was published for a while--the South Cortland Luminary--and Mr. Rowley ran two four-horse stages between Cortland and Owego. Travel was heavy and the prospects were good for growth. But business was finally drawn to other sections and the hamlet has passed through the same experience of many others, sacrificing itself to aid in the growth of others more fortunately located. In 1842 a Mr. Foote built a structure where he lived and manufactured combs for six or eight years.

The grist-mill was built here in 1834 or 1835, by Gilbert Edgcomb, who had also a saw-mill on Big brook. In 1865 A. P. Rowley bought the grist-mill, which he owned until the present year, when he sold the property to Daniel McNish. The mill has not been run since 1883, and there is now none in the immediate vicinity.