Joseph Jaqueth

Joseph Jaqueth died in 1872 at 74 years of age. In 1830 NY state recognized the liverpool community by passing an act of incorporation. That same year Joseph Jaqueth was elected for first village president. His first years in office were not easy ones. In 1830 the area was hit by a locust plague. The locust stripped the green from all growing things. In 1832 the cholera epidemic hit. Then there was a hog cholera epidemic which caused the death of a large number of animals in Onondaga county, the epidemic being the most severe in the town of salina.

Since the village board often needed funds to undertake village improvements projects, and it had no dependable source of income, it was often required to levy taxes. Such taxes would have to be approved by the voting residents. In 1834, for example, the village board requested a tax of $8 for road and sidewalk improvement. In 1853 there was a mini-tax revolt as six propositions costing a total of $500 were voted down.

License fees were also a source of village income. In 1830 a grocery store paid a $5 license fee; by 1832 the fee was $15. In 1843 a liquor license was $8.

Fines were were another source of income.

$5 for yelling fire- when there was no fire.

$2 fine for an open fire closer than 20 rods to any building.

.50 fine to the owner of a “loose goose.”

It would appear that being the president of the village board was an Interesting job for Joseph Jaqueth and those that followed him. For Joseph his life was not totally taken with village business as this news item attests:

“Daring Burglary,--- We understand that one of the most daring burglaries was committed on Monday morning about 4 o’clock, in Liverpool, in breaking open the house of Joseph Jaqueth. Esq., by some bold and daring burglars, who took therefrom his safe, and carried it on to the street in front of the house. Here they tried to load it onto a wagon but in the attempt they broke the plank on which they were rolling it, and down it came. They then blew open the safe by powder. The noise of the explosion woke the family, and on getting up to see what was the matter. They found all the doors of the house open, and the safe missing. On going to the front door, the burglars cried out, “if one of you stir out the doors we´ll murder the whole family.” The burglars then made their escape, having disturbed nothing in the safe, or taking anything else out of the house. The safe contained no money.” Journal 1859.

Transcribed by: Noah C. Nick A. Ian H.