'> IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) i J ' E 1.0 I.I !lAa|21 12.5 £f 144 "^ 1^ I4£ 12.0 U& 1 '■'' 1 1.4 lim < ^ 6" - •«■ -% ^ 75 / ^5. ' V 6^ '"M ■•^fr^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. ^^1- CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical IVIicroreproductions / institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques O'^ Tachnical and Bibliographic Notaa/Notat tachniquat at bibllographiquaa Tha Inatituta haa attamptad to obtain tha boat original copy availabia for filming. Faaturaa of thia copy which may ba bibliographically uniqua. which may altar any of tha imagaa in (ha raproduction. or which may aignificantly changa tha uaual mathod of filming, ara ohackad balow. D D D D Q Colourad covara/ Couvartura da coulaur r~~| Covara damagad/ Couvartura andommag^a Covara raatorad and/or laminatad/ Couvartura raatauria at/ou palliculAa □ Covar titia miaaing/ La titra da couvartura manqua I I Colourad mapa/ Cartaa giographiquaa 9n coulaur Colourad ink (i.a. othar than blua or black)/ Encra da coulaur (i.a. autra qua blaua ou noira) I I Colourad plataa and/or illuatrationa/ Planchaa at/ou illustratlona an coulaur Bound with othar matarial/ RaliA avac d'autraa documanta Tight binding may cauaa ahadowa or diatortion along intarior margin/ La re liura aarria paut cauaar da I'ombra ou da la diatoraion la tong da la marga intiriaura Blank laavaa addad during raatoration may appaar within tha taxt. Whanavar poaaibla. thaaa hava baan omittad from filming/ II aa paut qua cartainaa pagaa blanchaa ajoutiaa lora d'una raatauratlon apparaiaaant dana la taxta. mala, loraqua cala Atait poaaibla, caa pagaa n'ont paa «t« filmAaa. Additional commanta:/ Commantairaa supplAmantairaa: Irregular pagination slightly out of focus. L'Inatitut a microfilmi la maillaur axamplaira qu'il lui a «t* poaaibla da aa procurar. Laa ditaila da cat axamplaira qui aont paut-Atra uniquaa du point da vua bibliographiqua, qui pauvant modif iar una imaga raproduita, ou qui pauvant axigar una modification dana la mAthoda normala da filmaga aont indiquAa ci-daaaoua. r~| Colourad pagaa/ Pagaa da coulaur Pagaa damagad/ Pagaa andommag^aa Pagaa raatorad and/oi Pagaa raataurAaa at/ou palliculiaa Pagaa diacolourad. atainad or foxai Pagaa dicoloriaa, tachatAaa ou piquiaa |~n Pagaa damagad/ r*n Pagaa raatorad and/or laminatad/ rjl Pagaa diacolourad. atainad or foxad/ □ Pagaa datachad/ Pagaa dAtachiaa EShowthrough/ Tranaparanca Tranaparanca Quality of prin Qualit* inigala da I'impraaainn Includaa aupplamantary matarii Comprand du material aupplAmantaira Only adition availabia/ Saula Adition diaponibia r~~| Quality of print variaa/ r~1 Includaa aupplamantary matarial/ |~~1 Only adition availabia/ Pagaa wholly or partially obacurad by errata alipa, tiaauaa. ate. hava baan rafilmad to anaura tha baat poaaibla imaga/ Laa pagaa totaiamant ou partialiamant obacurciaa par un fauillat d'arrata. una palurn. ate, ont itA filmiaa A nouvaau da facon A oNarir la maillaura imaga poaaibla. [1] - 410, 111, 412-422, 421, 424^1 p. Wrinkiad pages may film Thia itam ia fiimad at tha reduction ratio chackad balow/ Ca document eat fiimA au taux da reduction indiqui ci-dai (OX 14X 18X 22X 26X ■ 30X y\ '•*^-- 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X Th« copy fllm«d h«r« has bMn raproductd thanks to tha ganarosity of: Douglas Library Quaan's Univarsity L'axamplaira fllmi f ut raproiluit griea i la g^nAroaM da: Douglas Library Quaan's Univarsity Tha imagaa appaaring hara ara tha baat quality poaalbia consldaring tha condition and lagibility of tha original copy and in icaaping with tha filming contract spacif icationa. Original copias in printad papar covars ara filmad baginning with tha front covar and anding on tha last paga with a printad or illuatr«dtad irnpras* sion, or tiM back covar whan appropriata. All othar original copias ara illmad baginning on tita first paga with a printad or illustratad impraa- sion, and anding on tha last paga v.'ith a printad or illustratad imprassion. Tha last racordad frama on aach microfiche shall contain tha symbol — ^- (maarting "CON- TINUED"), or tha symbol ▼ (meaning "END"), whichavar appiias. Laa imagaa suh/antas ont 4t4 raproduitas avac.la piua grand soln. compta tanu da la condition at da la nattat* da l'axamplaira ftimA. at an conformity avac las conditions du contrat da flimaga. Laa axamplairas originaux dont la couvartura an paplar ast imprlmte sont filmte an commandant par la pramiar plat at an tarminant soit par la darnlAra paga qui comporta una amprainta d'Impraaaion ou d'illuatration. soit par la sacond plat, aalon la caa. Toua las autras axamplairas originaux aont fllmte an commandant par la pramlAra paga qui comporta una amprainta d'Impraaaion ou d'illustration at an tarminant par la darnlAra paga qui comporta una taiia amprainta. Un daa symbolaa suivants apparaftra sur ia darnlAra imaga da chaqua microfiche, salon ia cas: la symbols -^ signifia "A SUIVRE", ia symbols ▼ signifia "FIN". Maps, piatas. charts, ate, may ba filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right end top to bottom, aa many frames aa required. The following diagrams iiluatrata the method: i.ea cartes, pienches, tablaeux, etc., peuvent Atre filmie A dee taux da rMuction diff Arents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seui clichi, 11 est film* A partir da i'angle eupirieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en Ims, sn pranant la nombre d'imeges nAcessaire. Las diagrammes suivants illustrant ia m4thoda. 1 2 3 1 2 /''■■» "' 4 5 6 ^ , i^-j^ ^» i-^ i^j^r \ K- • ^ '.m^ »• ^S^I^S^'^t^^i^*^'' y^ :M'^x m ?iigra.red for the Ihatary.of Jrfftraan Coanly.B Y "by Pranltlm B. lloujh hv.^ •■.■■«.■ •J^ • 8ISTORY ■•> '^1 ^ JEFFE»SOJf COUNTY flrfivi StATi Cf "NE'W '¥«BK, ■■ Ij^ t*T .^poitfia MtlMI ^•M jMAfaKuii-MMMiiiii' |l8i8HM«*« *»«. >'-^k- ».!., -7 I^griveifcrthe mstory.of Jrfto.«inConnly,IIY\yPriiiili!m B. Hough #■ »."^' ■%, Sf^"' '••.' '^ ; :r-v. / _ , -J-- ' . ."•,. '^''::- ^j- i J;. «- . "' -:..^^^ ■;*>^;''" ■ -^'" -' ^j'j. .ii'-V- ^^*^" '\\ TV h -'iL^.> ''^ HISTORY or JEFFERSON COUNTY IN TBI STATE OF NEW YORK, ntOHTBl EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME. BT FRANKLIN B. HOUGH, A. M., M. D. ACTHOB or THI HOTOKT OF BT. UWKIKOI Aid) VKAinCUIf COUimiS, AMD OOMatPOIfDim Mimn or tbs hiw tou butorioai. socmT. Firrt Coontf SeaL ALBANY: JOEL MUNSELL, 78 STATE STREET. WATERTOWN, N. Y.: STERLING & RIDDELL. 1854. ^Ti.JTJ'iHX Entered, according to Act of Con^^ress, in the year 18S4, hj F&ANKLIN B. HOUGH, In the Clerk*! Office of the District Court of the United Statea for the Northern District of New TorhL -;^ I ,'.,:,^ ■»'■. I I um '^- •'V, ...t;- W^ ,1 m'. >••« t I: PREFACE. Vis, 1'^ Sixty years ago, the territory now'embraeod in the wealthy and popu- lous County of Jefferson, was an unexplored wilderness, and so little was known of its geography, that in a statistical work of that period,* Black River is said to rise ** in the high country near the sources of Canada Creek, which falls into the Mohawk River, and takes its course north west, and then north east, until it discharges itself into the Cotaraqui or Iroquois River, not far from Swegauchee; it is said to be navigable for bateaut up to the lower falls, sixty miles, which is distant from the flourishing settlement of Whitestown twenty-five miles." On none of the early French or English maps is this important stream represented. The period embraced in the following pages, is therefore mostly withiii the memory of those still living. •* The important duty of preserving local history, and recording th« minor events that attend the origin of institutions and communities, is too often neglected until a period when truth becomes blended with fable, and the original materials one by one disappear ;%', leave the analysis of events involved in an impenetrable mist of coutlk i^ting tradi- tions. In collecting the materials for this work, original sources of in- formation have been sought, where these could be reached, always pre- fering to rely upon written or published statements, rather than unaided memory. In the course of these inquiries, the records of the county, and the several towns; of religious and other societies; the files of local papers, and the correspondenC'e of prominent public citizens, the records and documents of land offices, and the archives of the state * Albany, have been consulted. Every lown and village has been vis 1 by the author, and personal interviews obtained with great numbers of promi- nent citizens and pioneers. The relative value to be attached to these several sources of information, has been carefully examined, with the earnest desire to arrive at a correct knov/ledge of the varied subjects that make up the following volume. While sectional, political, or personal interests have been carefully avoided, it has been our highest ambition • Winterbotham's View «f the AnerfawB United Stalei, 1708, vol ii, p. aXk SiSitRS ^^ Preface. to give prominence to every department of iuduatry that constitntea the preaent wealth, and promiaea the future welfare of the county. That errora may have occurred in ao great n number of namea and dbtea aa nre here given, ia probable. The indulgence of the reader ia aoliciied, in marking auch ua had been observed in the aubsequent reading of the firoofa, and which are noted at the cloae of the volume. Our acknowledgmenta are tendered to the aerveral editora of the Jef- fersonian, New York Reformer, Democratic Union, N(irthern State Jour« nal, Jefferson Democrat, and Jefflrson Farmer, for the uniform kind* nesa which haa heen evinced in calling public attention to these inquiries. To the Hon. Wm. C. Pierrepont, Elijah B. Allen, and Wm. T. Searles, for traveling facilities in collecting these data, and to thu above named gen- tlemen, and the following citizena of the county, for essential aid in fur- nishing moteriala for the work, viz: To Mesars. J. Mullin, R. Lansing, T. C. Chittenden, J. F. Starbuck, J. Clarke, Wm. Smith, O. V. Braiuard, S. and £. S. Massey, J. C. Sterling, J. Fairbanks, P. O. Keyes, L. Pad- dock, J. L. Marsh, County Clerk; Alvin Hunt, Daniel Lee, Clark Rice, Drs. A. Trowbridge and R. Goodall, and the Rev. Mesars. J. Bruyton, O. M. Hill, P. Snyder, J. \l. Stewart and J. S. Holme, of Watertown; Cbl. E. Camp, Rev. L. A. Sawyer, Rev. J. Burcbard, Meaara. T. S. Hull, E. Fields, E. M. Luff; Capt A. Ford, Capt. Wm. Vaughan and Capt. S. McNitt, of Sacketa Harbor; Dr. F. A. Knapp, of Smithville; E. Burn- ham, Dr. L. Barney and Rev. P. Morse, of Henderson ; J. R. Bates, of Ellis Village; J. D. Houghton, S. Hackley, D. Ellis, C. Littlefield and W. L. Cook, of Belleville; D. Wardwell, of Mannsville; S. D. Hungerford, W« Benton and Rev. P. C. Headley, of Adams; Rev. D. Spear, of Rodman; M. Eames, C. Hopkins, Dr. C. P. Kemlmll tyid J. Felt, of Rutland ; N. Hublwrd and A. Lathro|). of Champion ; P. S. Stewart, Dr. £. West and T. S. Hammond, of Carthage; Wm. McAllaster and Rev. C. B. Pond, of Antwerp; R. Urmiston, Jr., of Ox Bow; Wm. Fayel, of Theresa; J. Clark, of Plesais; E. G. Merrick and Rev. J. P. Jennings, of Clayton; J, N. Rottiers, of Orleans; S. D. Sloan, of Evans' Mills; O. Child, of Phila- delphia; J. B. Kirby, J. E. Brown, Wm. Lord, G. Brown, Col. J. Brad- ley, Rev. G. B. Eastman (.nd Rev. S. Holmes, of Brownville: C. V. R. Horton and Wm. Dewey, of Lyme; and John B. Esselstyn, of Cape Vin- cent To Dr. T. Komeyn Beck, of Albany, are we indebted for the nse nf the several cuts of fossils, and to H. E. Pierrepont, of Brooklyn, L H. Bron- son, of Palatka, Fl., S. A. Abbey, of Cleveland, O. ; A. Morton, of Monroe , Mich. ; D. Merritt of Salem, Mass. ; and J. H. Lord of Oswego, for interest- ing communications, and to i. W. Bostwick, of Lowville, for access to the land papers of the Low Purchase. JUbcmji, January I2th, 1854. FRANKLIN B. HOUGH. CONTENTS. y Brad- Gil. CHAPTER I. ABOBIQINAL TBAOIS, rBBMCH HISTOBY. »inS. # Embtrfo— Smunlinf — SeUurei — Declaration of wmr — Attack on Saekctt Harbor — Affair of Jijlla — Attack on Oananoqui — Cruia* of Chauncey — Tal* of Tom Garnet— Plant of attack diacuiied in Cabinet — Dearborn appointed commander-in-ehir r— Deicent upon York — Battle of Sacketa Harbor — Pri- vateering on the St. Lawrence — Exploit! of Gregory, Vaughan and Dixon — Wilkin«on*a expedition — Battle of Sandy Creek — Naval armamenta on tilt lake, 468 ■*^> CHAPTER XIV. ITINTI or 1837-lMO. Excitement from burning of the Caroline — Affair of Hickory Island — Burning of the Peel — Affair at Preicott — Sympathy for|priaonera — Release of Minora — AtUmpt tc bura the Great Britain— Patriot Bask, 019 CHAPTER XV. OIOLOOT, MIIIIBAlOaT, *0. ^ Importance of cluiification— Primary rock — Potadam aandatone — Calciferous ■andatone — Birdseye, Black River, and Trenton limeetones — Utica alate— Lorraine alate — General obaervations— Black River — Lake Ontario— Min- eral localitiea — Meteorological table, 039 , APPENDIX. Letter of Charlevoix— Petition of Joseph Bonaparte, Count Survillien— Ro- mance and poetry of the Thousand Isles — Notes on Presbyterian church in Antwerp, Associate reformed church of Ox Bow and Baptiat church of Henderson — Jason Fairbankr — Report on the pfftition for a tax for Union Literary society — Brigadier General Pike — Correspondence between Gene- ral Brown and Governor Tompkina concer: ' ^ the war of 1813 — Yon Schoultz the Patriot leader, 063 Ihdiz, 003 # A HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY. *m • m» CHAPTER I. ABORIGINAL TRACES, FRBNCH HISTORY. A passing tribute, to the memory of a race who have left but fe^ traces of their sojourn in ths territory now embraced in Jefferson county, may not be deemed inappropriate before entering into the details that make up our authentic history. There are prd- bably few who have not dwelt with peculiar interest upon the glimpses we catch through the mists of the past, of whole tribes of men that have vanished from the earth, leaving no heirs or representatives to inherit the richer blessings of our age; of nations whose part in the great drama of human life must always be the theme of conjecture; whose sages are forgotton, and whose warriors sleep unhonored in the dim obscurity of oblivion. Few are the monuments we may interrogate, dnd doubtful the interpretation of the enigmas which the scattered traces of their existence offer, nor can these furnish the basis of a well-founded conjecture of the people, or the period, or in some instahces the object with which they were related. At most, we can but offer a few facta, and leave the field of conjecture open to those who may have more ample means of comparison, and the leisure and talent to devote to this deeply interesting field of inquiry. The general inference which has been reached by those whose re- searches have been especially devoted to this study, is that none of the remains of art in this section of the state, can pretend to the antiquity that belongs to , the mound builders of the Ohio valley; that they indicate at most but a slight attainment in civilization; that they denote no further object than self defense, or simple sustenance; and. that they evince no general plans, no organized system, beyond what the necessities of the moment suggested. Further than this we know nothing. The enclosures hereafter described exhibit that similarity that leads us to believe them the work of the same race, for a common object-^pro» I 10 Aboriginal Traces. tection against a cotemporary foe; thus showing that wars arc, if not inherent in human nature, at least coeval with the first dawnings of civilization. In the town of Le Ra^, a short distance below the village of Black River, and on the road to Watertown, was formerly the trace of a trench enclosure. The work was irregularly semi- circular, inclosing about one and a quarter acres of ground, and a short distance from the bank of Black River, the side towards which was open, the ends of the embankment extending a short distance down the slope, and curving inward *' as if to prevent the flank from being turned by an enemy."* A portion of the bank and ditch outside may still be traced in the road, but the greater part has long been Ipveled by cultivation. In the fields adjacent, are the traces of hearths, numerous fragments of rude pottery, bones of animals, and stone chisels.! Human bones have also been found in the vicinity. Although the banks have been mostly leveled, yet their locality may be traced without much difficulty. .. About a mile north of this, is another and larger one, which, like the first, contains in and around it the usual Indian relics. It occupies a plain but little elevated above a flat that was once flowed by a beaver dam, making a shallow pond several acres in extent. The remains of the dam may still be traced on West Creek, which has its source not tar distant. Two trench enclosures formerly existed near Sanford's Cor- ners in Le Ray, but no trace of the original works remains. When first seen, the bank, measured from the bottom of the ditch, vas six feet high. An unusual amount of relics have been afforded by the adjacent fields, and several human skeletons, alt buried in the sitting posture, have been exhumed. Like most ethers, they were built near the banks of a stream of water, and had at irregular intervals, gateways or passages. The ground within and around was formerly a pine forest, which extended many miles in the direction of Carthage. On both sides of Perch Lake and on Linnets Island in an ad- jacent swamp, there were, when the country was first explored, u great number of mounds or barrows, supposed by some to be burial places. They present much uniformity in appearance, being circular, from two to four rods across, from two to four feet nigh, and uniformly having a depression in the centre, as if a vault had formerly existed there, which has since fallen in. When dug into, they are said to contain burnt stone, charred corn, ^Aboriginal Monuments of New York, by E. 6. Squier, Smithsonian Contributions, vol. II, art. vi, p. 23, fig. 3, pi. 3. t See Third Annual Report of Regents of the University on the Condition of the Stat« Cabinet, p. lOt. ii Aboriginal Traces. n an ad- plored, le to be arance, to four e, as if len in. d corn^ :thsonian !onditioa broken earthen, &c.; but no opportunity was afforded to the author to examine their structure. Most of them have been plowed down, but a few are said to remain on the west side of the Perch Lake in their primitive state. In Houndsfield, on the shore of Black River Bay, between Muskellunge Creek and Storrs' Harbor, is said to have existed formerly a trench enclosure of the ordinary form. We have not learned whether it is wholly or *n part preserved, nor is its extent known. Some of the largest trees of the forest grew upon and within the bank. In Water- town, on lot No. 29, about two and a half miles south-west from the village, may still be seen in an open wood, and in a fine state of preservation, the outline of a work consisting of a bank thrown up from a surrounding ditch, and evidently intended as a de- fensive work. It is on the summit of a gradually sloping terrace of Trenton Limestone, and commands a delightful prospect. Elms, three feet in diameter, are found growing upon the bank, and the decaying remains of others still larger, within and upon it, carry back tlie date of i(s construction to an ante-Columbian period. In the same range and lot, on premises owned by Anson Hungerford, Esq., and about forty rods east, there was formerly another enclosure, with gateways, the position and extent of which cannot now be ascertained, as the bank has long since been leveled by cultivation. The one first mentioned, is semi- circular, the open side facing upon the bank* Half a mile east of Burrville, on lot No. 31, was formerly a defensive work, con- sisting of a mound and ditch, running across a point between two streams near their junction, and forming by the aid of the natural banks a triangular enclosure. The plow has long ago filled the ditch and leveled the bank, leaving no trace of the work. The soil has afforded a great abundance and variety of relics, and the vicinity indicates that it had been occupied as an Indian village. W^ithin the enclosure is a boulder of gneiss, worn smooth and concave in places by the grinding of stone implements. On a point of land opposite, the author found an iron ball weighing eight ounces, and others have been picked up in the vicinity, indicating that the place must have been passed, at least, by those who kn^w the use of small otdnance, probably the French, on some of their expeditions against the Iroquois.! Mr. Squier, in his work on the ancient monuments of New Yoi k, mentions the trace of an Indian village a mile north-east of this. Near Appling post office, on the land of D. Talcott, in Adams,, near the line of Watertown, is still to be seen the trace of a . '^Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge, vol. II, an. vi, p. 30, fig. 2, pi. 2. See also N. Y. Senate Document No. 30, 1851, p. 105, plate 7. These platea are from independent surveys but are very similar. V tSenateDoc. l&U, No. 30, p. 107. Smithsonian Contrib. JI, paftyi, p. 3(1, 12 Aboriginal Tracen. work of great extent and interest. It is on the brow of the upper terrace of Trenton limestone, overlooking a vast extent of coun- tty to the west and north. The bank has an average height of three and base of ten feet, with an external ditch of corre- sponding dimensions, and there were about seven gateways or interruptions in the work, which had an elliptical form, one side bordering upon a beaver pond, and bounded by an abrupt bank, about thirty f^et high. Upon and within the work, trees of an enormous size are growing, and the decaying fragments of others carry back the origin of the work several hundred years. A great number of small pits or caches, occur wrhere provisions were stored for concealment; as shown by quantities of parched corn. Several skeletons have been exhumed here, which had been buried in a sitting posture, and its relics are the same as those above mentioned. Near the north-west corner of Rodman, on lot number two, on the farm of Jared Freeman, was formerly an interesting work, of which no trace remains,* except a boulder of gneiss, worn smoth by grinding. Before the place had been cultivated, it is said to have shown an oval double bank, with an intervening crescent-shaped space, and a short bank running down a gentle slope to a small stream, one of the sources of Stony Creek, that flows near. Several hundred bushels of burnt corn were turnrd out, over an area one rod by eight, showing that this must have been an immense magazine of food. On the farm of Jacob Heath, on lot No. 25, near the v«rest line of Rodman, and on the north bank of North Sandy Creek, a short distance above the confluence of the two main branches of that stream, there formerly existed an enclosure of the same class. It included about three acres, was overgrown with heavy timber, and furnished within and without, when plowed, a great quantity and variety of terra cotta, in fragments, but no metallic relics. Under the roots of a large maple was dug up the bones of a man of great stature, and furnished with entire rows of double teeth. On the farm of Wells Benton, half a mile from Adams Village, was an enclosure similar to the others, and affording the usual variety of relics; and another trace of an ancient work of a si- milar character is mentioned in Adams, two miles north of the village. On the farm of Peter Durfey, near Bellville, in Ellis- burgh, is still another, which, from the description given- by those who have examined it, does not differ in age or general appear- ance from others, having gateways at irregular intervals, and being guarded on one side by a natural defense. The present cemetry, a little above Ellis Village, presents the 4 trace of a work that was crescent-shaped, and, by the aid of the * Senate Do:un ent, 1851, No. 30, p. 109, where a plan is given. f Aboriginal Traces. 13 natural bank on which it was built, formed an irregular enclosure of about two acres. On the south bank of South Sandy Creek, three miles from its mouth, was a similar work, defended on one side bv an abrupt bank, and now entirely leveled by tillage. A considerable number of places occur in Ellisburgh, which must have been inhabited by the aborigines. The fertility of the soil, excellence of water, and vicinity to valuable salmon fisheries, and extensive hunting grounds, must have afibrded many attrac- tions to the savages. Probably several traces of ancient works in this section of the country may have been leveled by tillage, without exciting suspicion of their nature. Besides these, one is mentioned as having occurred near Tylerville, and another in Houndsfield, two miles from Brownville. One of the most conclusive evidences of ancient military occupation and conflict, occurs in Rutland, near the residence of Abner Tamblin, one mile from the western line of the town, and two miles from the river. It is on the summit of the Trenton limestone terrace, which forms a bold escarpment, extending down the river, and passing across the southern part of Watertown. There here occurs a slight embankment, and ditch irregularly oval, with several gateways; and along the ditch, in several places, have been found great numbers ot skeletons, almost entirely of males, and lying in great confusion, as if they had been slain in defending it. Among these bones were those of a man of co- lossal size, and lik*, nine-tenths of the others^ furnished vrith a row of dovble teeth in each jaw. This singular peculiarity, with th;tt of broad flat jaws, retreating forehead, and great prominence of the occiput, which was common to most of these skulls, may hereafter anord some clue to their history. There is said to have been found at this place by excavating, hearths, or fire places, with bones of animals, broken pottery, and imple- ments of stone, at two different levels, separated by an accumu- lation of earth and vegetable mould from one to two feet thick, as if the place had been twice occupied. So great has been the length of time since these bones have been covered, that they fall to pieces very soon after being exposed to the air. CharrcJ corn, bones, and relics, occur at both levels, but more abund- antly at the lower. At numerous places, not exhibiting traces of fortification, are found fire places, accumulations of chips, of flint, and broken pottery; as if these points had been occupied as dwellings. In several places hone fits have been found, where human remains in great numbers have been accumulated. One is mentioned as occurring near Brownville Village,* where in a space of ten or twelve feet square and four deep, a great number of skeletons were thrown. Another deposit of bones occurs in A * Srnithscnian Ccitributiona, 11, iiiirt vi, p 25. H Traces of Indian Occupation. Ellisburgh, nearly opposite an ancient work, on South Sandy Creek, near a house now occupied by J. W. Ellis; where, in dig- ging a cellar in 18 18, bones in great numbers were found. In 1842, there was found in Rutland, three miles from Watertown, under a pile of stones, about three feet high, which rested on a circular flat stone, a pit four feet square and two deep, filled with the bones of men and animals, thrown together in great confusion.* These exhibit marks of teeth as if they had been gnawed by animals. This, with the charcoal and charred corn in the vicinity, has been thought to indicate ancient massacre and pillage, in which an Indian village was destroyed and the bones of the slain afterwards collected and buried by friends. It was estimated that thirty or forty skeletons were buried here, besides parts of animals, that may have been killed for food. A custom is said to have pre- vailed among some Indian tribes, of collecting and burying at stated intervals, the bones of their dead, and some of these de- positories may have thus originated. The earthen, found around these localities, was of the coarsest and rudest character; exter- nally smooth, except where marked by lines and dots, in fantastic and ever-varying combinations of figures, and internally rough from the admixture of course sand and gravel. There was no glazing known to these primitive potters, who possessed never- theless, a certain degree of ta&te and skill; and sometimes attempted on their pipes and jars, an imitation of the human face and fantastic images of serpents and wjld animals. Uarely, metallic relics of undoubted antiquity are lound. A chisel of copper before us, is of this class; and the metal from which this, and other relics of this kind were made, was doubtless procured from Lake Superior. A fragment of a sword blade, around which the wood of a tree had grown, was found by the first settlers of Ellisburgh. Muskets, balls, hatchets, knives and other imple- ments of metal, have been at various times turned out by the plow; but none of the articles of undoubted European origin can claim an antiquity prior to the French and Indian wars. There was found several years since in the sand, at a deep cutting of the rail road, near the Poor House, an oval ball, about three inches long, which for some time was used by children as a plaything. From its lightness and hardness, it excited curiosity, and it was cut open when it was found to contain astrip of parch- ment and another ball; this latter also contained another ball and strip of parchment, in all three. One of these is preserved, and is I by 11| inches, containing, written on one side, four lines of Hebrew characters, without vowel points, quoted from Deutero- nomy xi, 13 to 21 inclusive. The case containing these was apparently made of hide, and it had been doubtless used as an * Third Rsport of Regents on Cabinet, 1850, p. 102. French Expeditiotu. \i th Sandy e, in dig- In 1842, [), under a i. circular the bones • These animals. , has been Avhich an fterwards thirty or nals, that lave pre- urying at these de- lid around ;r; exter- fantaslic lly rough s was no ed ntver- ometimes le human Uarely, chisel of hich this, procured nd which lettlers of er imple- lit by the in origin wars, kt a deep 11, about lildren as curiosity, of parch- r ball and ved, and lines of Peutero- ese was sed as an amulet, by some traveling Jew, or had been procured by the Indians as a charm, at a period not prior to the French era of our history. This section of the state, at the earliest period of authentic history, was occupi^id by the Oneidas and Onondagai^, as a hunting ground; and one or two trails were perceptible when surveyed in 1796. Occasionally the St. Regis Indians would find their way into our territory, but oftener the Massa- saugas from the north shore of the lake. The Oneidas considered them as intruders and the latter seldom allowed themselves to fall in their way, from which reason the visits of the natives were stealthy and unfkcquent, and nothing would fill the foreign Indians with apprehensions sooner than being told that the Oneidas were in the neighborhood. After the war nothing was seen or heard from them. Of our aboriginal names of places in our country but few are preserved. Mr. L. H. Morgan has given on a map, accompanying his work, entitled, The League of the IroquoiSf the following, as they are known in the Seneca dialect: Lake Ontario, Neahga. Tecarneodi. Sandy Creek, Tekadaogahe. Black River, Kahuahgo. Sackets Harbor, Gahuagojetwaraalote. fFo//* /«/an(2, Deawokedacanauda. . "^St, Lawrence, Ganowogeh. Gahunda. Indian River, Ojequack. On an ancient French map in Yale College library, Carlton Island is designated Cahihououage. A town at the m^uth of Black River, Otihanague. The St. Regis Indians name Black River JVikahionhakown or big river. In Mr. Squier's work, on the antiquities of the state, it is called Kamargo; French Creek is by the St. Regis called Jitenharakwehtare, the place where the fence or wall fell down. The Ox Bow of Oswegatchie riyer they name Onontohent_ a hill with the same river both sides. Although our territory was not actually inhabited at the time it first became known to Europeans, it is not without incident connected with the wars between the French in Canada, and the Iroquois of New York, who from an early period had been under the influence of the English. Within a very few years from the time of fir^t occupation, the French had penetrated far into the interior, explored the great lakes, discovered the Mississippi near its source, and established small ports for the double purpose of securing the fur trade, and converting to their religion the na- tives. The Dutch had conciliated the Iroquois, and their influ* ence had been transferred to the English, who succeeded them, which led to a hostile incursion by De Courcelles and De Tracy against the Mohawks in 1665-6, resulting in nothing but the murder of a few aged warriors, who preferred death to the aban- m " I' i t 11 ■i IS Englitih JecUousieg. — Negotiation. donment of their homes, and in exciting to a greater degree of insolence the Indians, \irho sometime alter, fel] upon a party of French hunters, killed several, and carried others away prisoners. Peace was subsequently gained, during which the French got the permission of the natives to erect a fort at Cataroqui (Kingston), ostensibly to protect the traders and their merchandise. The Jesuits, meanwhile, availing themselves of the peace, penetrated the settlements of the Five Nations, and acquired to some degree an influence with the Onondagas. The Senecas and Cayugas were still jealous of the French, and continued to annoy their trade, which led to a complaint* from De la Barre, governor of Canada, to Governor Dongan of New York, that these savages had plundered seven canoes, and detained fourteen French traders; to which the principal Seneca sachem returned a spirited reply, and Dongan requested the French to keep their own side of the lake.f This provoked an insolent letter from the French gov- ernor, in which he said: '* I sent Sieur Bourbon to you to advise you of the vengeance I was about to wreak for the insult inflicted on the Christian name by the Senecas and Cayugas, and you answer me about pretensions to the possessions of lands of wliich neither you nor I are judges, but our two kings who have sent us, and of which there is no question at present, having no thought of conquering countries, but of making the Christian name and the French people to be respected, and in which 1 will spill the last drop of my blood. I have great esteem for your person, and considerable desire to preserve the honor of his Britannic Ma- jesty's good graces, as well as those of my Lord the Duke of York; and I even believe that they will greatly appreciate my chastisement of those who insult you and capture you every day, as they have done this winter in Merilande. But if I was so unfortunate as that you desired to protect robbers, assassins and traitors, I could not distinguish their protectors from themselves. I pray you then to attach faith to the credit which I give S. de Calvage, to explain every thing to you; and if the Senecas and Cayugas wish your services as their intercessor, to take security from them, not in the Indian but in the European fashion, with- out which, and the honor of hearing from you, I shall attack them towards the 20th of the month of August, New Style."| A plan of operations had been previously arranged under the direction of the home government, and a negotiation with the governor of New York could have no other object than to amuse and keep inactive the English forces by professions of amity, and a declaration that they were only at war with traitors and rob- bers, common enemies of mankind. Preliminaries being settled,^ ♦Doc. Hist. N. Y. Vol. I, p. 99. fib. p. 200. ti w ■ -<.„.,; tLondon Doc. V. ^Dog. Hist. N. Y., I, p. 110. De La Barrels Expedition. V7 # De la Barre, in June; 1684, sent five or six picked soldiers, and as many luechanics to Fort Frontenac, to repair that post, and on the 9th of July left Quebec, in three divisions, at the head of 300 militia, which was increased to 650 at Montreal. The regulars and Indian allies made the entire army about 2000 men, a very powerful army for the time. From the difficulty of procuring boats and provisions, the obstruction of the rapids, and the preva- lence of south-west winds, the army was delayed till past the middle of August in arriving at Frontenac. Meanwhile, through the influence of Lamberville, a Jesuit at Onondaga, that village had become anxious that the difficulties might be settled by mediation, a course to which De la Barre was the more inclined from the shortness of provisions with which he was threatened. He had crossed with his army to La Famine,* a point favorable for hunting and fishing, 24 leagues from Onondaga, to await the result of negotiation. Here, exposed to the sultry heats ot August, and scantily supplied with provisions, most of his men were attacked with intermittent fevers, which assumed a malig- nant type, and destroyed numbers, while it incapacitated the remainder from hostile operations. Being thus situated, he hastily despatched a Christian savage to La Moine, at Onondaga, to have him hasten the departure of those whom the Iroquois had agreed to send to treat with the French governor. This was done with promptness, and on the third of September, nine deputies from Onondaga, three from Oneida and two from Cayuga, arrived from La Moine, and were courteously received by the governor, who deferred the business of the embassy till the mor- row. The Senecas, against whom especially the vengeance of the French was to have been directed, did not condescend to send representatives to the treaty, and returned an insolent answer to the invitation. They had been privately assured of assistance from Dongan, the English governor, in case they were attacked. The inclination for peace which the Onondagas, Oneidas and Cayugas evinced, may be ascribed to the ascend- ency which the Jesuits residing among them had acquired. Colden, the historian of the Five Nations, gives the following version of the speeches that were delivered on the occasion. De ■*The precise locality of La Famine admits of a little doubt. Golden sayi {Five Nation$, I, p. 64), "La Famine, by the Indians called Kaihohage, falls into the south sidte of the Cadarackui Lake, about 30 miles from Onondaga. Hungry Bay, which may be a translation of the word, is on some old maps represented as Chaumont Bay, on others Hend<>rson Bay, and on others, all within Point Peninsula and Stony Island. De Meneles, the commissary of the expedition, in a letter to the mmister {Parii Doc, II), says that the camp at La Famine was made "in places never inhabited, entirely surrounded by swamps." These render it nrobable that the locality was in Henderson or Ellisburgh, more probably in the latter town, which has extensive marshes near the lake, on both branches of Big Sandy Creek ■^1^.: 18 Speech of De la Barre. )a Barre was seated in an arm chair, the French officers making a semicircle on one side, while Ganingula, the orator of the Onondagas, with the warriors that attended him, completed the circle on the other. The arrangements being made, the French governor spoke as follows: " The kinir, my inaater, b«in|r informed that the Five Natiuni) have of- ten infringed the peuce, tiiiti ordered me lo voiiie hither, with a guard, ami to lend Oliguesae to tbu Oiiondugaa to bring the chief Sachem to my cniiip. The iiitunlion of the great king is, that ^ou and I may amoke the cahnnet of |>eflce togetlier, but ou thia condition, that you promiae me iu the name of the Seiiecas, Cayugaa, Onondagaa and Alohuwka to give entire aatiafuciioii niid reimmtioii to hia aubjecta, and for tlie future never to inoleat them. Tiie Seiiecaa, Cayuguv, Onondagaa, Oneidaa and Mohuwka' have robbed and nbuaed all the trudera that wero paaaing to tiie lilinoia and Uninmies, and other Indian nationa, the children of my king. 'J'hey have acted on theae occaaiona contrary to the treaty of peace with my prednceaaor. I am ordered, therefore, to demand aatia- tiiction, and tu tell tliem that in case of refuaal, or their plundering ua liny more, that I have expreaa ordura to declare war. Thia belt conflrma my words. The wnrriorsof the Five Nationa have conducted the Engliab into the lakea, which lielong to the king, my inaater, and b>'ought the Ebgliah among the nationa that are hia children, to deatrov tut. trade of hia aubjecta, and to withdraw theae naUona from him. They have car- ried the £ugliah thither, notwithstanding the prohibition of the late Gov- ernor of New York, who foresaw the riak that lioth they and you would run. I am willing to forget these thinga, but if ever the like ahall hap- pen for the future, I have expreaa orders to declare war against you. This belt confirma my words. Your warriors have ninde aeveral barbarous innursiona on the Illinois and Umamies ; they have massacred men, women and children, and have made many of these nations prisoners, who thought themselves safe in their villages, in time of neace. These people, who are my king's children, must not be your slaves ; you must give them their liberty, and send them back into the'- own country. If the Five Nationa shall refuse to do this, I have express orders to declare war against them. This belt confirms my words.. This is what I have to sny to Garangula, that he may carry to the Senecaa, Onondagaa, Oneidos, Cayugas and Mohawks the declaration vrhhl, lie king, my master, has commanded me to make. He doth not wish thom to force him to send a great army to Cataraqui fort to begin a war which must be fatal to them. He would be sorry that this fort, whish was the work of peace, should become the prison of your war- rioi«. We must endeavor, on both sides, to prevent such misfortunes. The French, who are the brethren and friends of the Five Nations, will never trouble their repose, provided that the satisfaction which I demand be given, and the treaties of peace be hereafter observed. I ahall be ex- tremely grieved if my words do not produce the effect which I expect from them, for then 1 ahall be obliged to join with the Governor of New York, who is commanded by his master to assist me, and bum the cas- tles of the Five Nations and destroy you. This belt confirms my words." During this harangue, Garangula kept his eyes fixed on the end of his (>ipe, and as soon as the Governor ended, he arose, and, having walked several times around the circle, returned to his place, where he spoke standing, while De la Barre remained seated: I and ^'& I ' Speech of Garangula. 'W^ ** Yonnondio, I honor you, uiid the warriors that are with me honor ou. Your interpreter lias finivhed your apeecb. I now begin mine, jly wurtlH nmlce baate to reach your ears; boarlcen to them, Yonnondio. You inuHt have believed, when you leil Quebec, tiint the aun had burnt up ull ilie IbreHta whicii render our country inacceaaible to the French, or that liie lakes bad so overflown their bunl(s that they had surrounded our coHtles, and tliat it was impoHsible for us to get out of tlieni ; yes, truly, you must have dreamed so, and the curiosity of seeing so great u wonder bus brought you so far. Now you are undeceived, since that I, and the warriors here itrcsent, are come to assure you, that the Cayugas, henecuB, Onondugas, Oneidns and Mohawks are yet alive. I thank vou, in their name, ibr bringing back into their country the calumet, which your predoreaHors received from their hands. It was happy for you that you letl under ground that murdering hatchet that has so often been dyed with the blood of the French. Hear! Yonnondio; I do not sleep! I'have my eyes open, and the sun which enligbtens me, discovers to me u great captain, at the head of a company of soldiers, who speaks as if be were dreaming. He says that be only came to the lakes to smoke on the great calumet, with the Onondagas. But Onrangula .says he sees to the contrary ; that it was to knock them on the bead, if sickness had not weakened the arms of the French. I see Yonnondio raving in a camp of sick men, whose lives the great spirit has saved, by inflicting this sickness upon them. Hear, Yonnondio! our women had taken their clubs ; our children and old men had carried their bows and arrows into the heart of your camps, if our warriors had not disarmed them, and kept them back, when your messengers came to our castles. It is done; I have said it Hear, Yonnondio ! we plundered none of the French, hut thoso that cttrried guns, powder, and balls, to the Twightwies, and Chictagicks, because those amis might have cost us our lives. Herein we follow the example of the Jesuits, who break all the kegs of rum brought to our castles, lest the drunken Indians should knock them on the bead. Our warciors have not beavers enough to pa^ for all those arms that they have taken, and our old men are not afraid of the war. This belt preserves my words. We carried the English into our lakes, to trade with the Utawawas, and Quatoghies, as the Adriondacks brought the French to our castles, to carry on a trade ivhich the English say ia theirs. We are born free ; we neither de|)end or Yonnondio, or Corlear ; we may go where we ])lease, and carry with us what we please, and buy and sell what we please. If your allies be your slaves, use them as such ; command them to receive no others but your people. This belt pre* serves my words. We knock the Twightwies and Chictagicks on the head, because they bad cut down the trees of peace, which were the limits of our country. They have hunted beaver on our lands; they have acted contrary to the customs of the Indians, for they have left none of the beavers alive; they killed both male and female; they brought the Satanas into their country, to take part with them after they had concerted ill designs against us. We have done less than either the English or French, that have usurped the lands of so many Indian na- tions, and chased them from their own country. This belt preserves iiiy words. Hear, Yonnondio, what I say is the voice of all the Five Nations. Hear what they answer: open your ears to what they speak. The Seu- ecRs, Onondagas, Cayugas, Oneidas and Mohawks say, that when they buried the hatchet at Cadaraqui, in the presence of your predecessors, in the middle of the fort, they planted the tree of peace in the same plat e, to be there carefully preserved; that in the place of arms^and am- munition of war, beavers ^ud merchandise should only enter there. ■^ l)e la Harrc Returns to Queltec. ft Henr, Yonnondio! take caro fbr the fliture, that so great a number of anldien as apiiear there, do nut nhoke the tree of peace, pluntud in su ■mall H fort. It will be a great Iohh, if, after it had ao easily v*kon root, you ahoiil'l stop its growth, and prevent its covering your country ami oum with UN hranuhes. I assure you, in the name of the Five Nations, that our warriors shall dnnce to the calumet of peace under its leaves, and lihall remain quiet ui. their mats, and shall never dig up the hatchet till their brother Yonnondio, or Corlear shall either jointly or separately, endeavor to attack the country which the Great Spirit has given to our ancestors. This belt preserves my words, and this other the authority which th« Five Nations have given me." Then addressing himself to the hiterpreter he said : ^ Take courage, you have spirit, speak, explain my words, forget nothing, tell all that your brethren and friends say to Yon- nondio, your Governor, by the mouth of Garangula, who loves you and desires you to accent this present of beaver, and take part with me in my feast, to which 1 invite you. — This present of beaver is sent lo Yot.- nondio on the part of the Five Nations." De la Barre, stunfi; with the sarcasm of this speech, of which he could not but admit the truth, hastily returned on the 6th, hitving had all the sick embarked the day before (so as not to be seen by the Indians), to the number 160 canoes and 12 flat bateaux, and on the evening of the same day arrived at Fort Frontenac, where he found that 1 10 of the number left there had departed, sick, for Montreal, whither the Governor followed the next day. At La Chine he found 45,000 lbs. of flour, which he had so much needed at La Famine. The marquis De Noti> iile succeedf d De la Barre the next year, and brought from Frnuce forces thought sufficient fbr the reduction of the Senecas, w) ich wus undertaken two years after, with a great force,* but without success; further than ravaging their country with fire, and destroying a few aged and defenseless men and women. On the 26th of July,168i8, the Iroquois, to the number of 1200, invaded the island of Montreal, without notice, and destroyed more than a thousand French, besides carrying away great numbers of prisoners for torture. In these and other expeditions, our territory must have been the scene of many events of tragic interest, but the history of the details has not come down to us. During the French nnd English war, whicL in 1?*^0 resultf ' in the complete subjection of the former, i -^'o < . again be- came alive with military qperations, auu liie principal route between Canada, and the Mohawk settlements, passed through this county. On a peninsula, called Six Town Point, a few miles from Sackets Harbor, is the trace of a slight work, in a square form with bastions at each angle and apparently a small stockade, rf-' ted d'lring this period. Between the bastions the sides were . (}. 48 \eet, and the whole affair was of a slight and transient diarCiCter. The only trace left is a slight ditch along the sides, *Cx. Hist, of i\(. Y., I, p. 193. Clarke's Hist, of Onondaga, 1, p. 267, ^c. t Trace* qf French Orrupation. 3t apparently formed by tlte viecay of the wixwJ that formed the (letense. On one side is a ^^w of inouixl", five in number, pro- bably for the mounting of cannon. The locality is about IJ milo from the end of the point on the inside, and but a few yawls frum the water's edge. The place is partly covered by a thin growth of hickory and oak,andthequiet8cenery of thespot ii* delightful. In a work entitled, Mimoires sur U Canada, there' is mvn- ti> aed the occupation of a post at the mouth of Sandy Creek, of Afhich no trace remains. ■ Meanwhile M. de Vaudreuil, not content with having destroyed the niuuitions of the enemy, and disconcerting their projects upon the inke and their upi>er posts, resolved to capture Chouogien,* to the end that the colony nught he tranquilized on tliis side, and himself left easv on the defensive, until succors might arrive fVom France. He sent f in thij direction, a detachment of 800 men, to hold the enemy In check, and watch their movements, under the command of Sieur de Viiliers, c«4)tain of the Marine, brother of M. de Fumonville. This officer was hrave and prudent, capable of executing the most perilous enterprise, and 'md olwuys given proof of courage. This officer took post near n r ver, named Aux Sables,! where he built n little fort of upright stakes, on a point where this river falls into lake Ontario. The approach wuh difficult, and concealed from view by bushes, which surrounded it, so that one could see but a short distance when on foot. He often appeared before the enemy, pillaged their munitions, and compelled them to take th*) greatest precaution in sending to Chonoguen their provisions and troopa.'' The most interesting relics of the olden time within the county, are the ruins of Fort Carlton, on Carlton or Buck's Island, called by the French Isle aux Chevreuihy about three miles from Cape Vincent and in the middle of the south channel of the St. Law- rence. The island, when first observed by our settlers, was partly cleared; it has an undulating surface, is composed of Trenton limestone, and is very fertile. The surface near its head, where the fort is situated, rises bv an easy grade to a spacious plain, fifty feet above the river, which was precipitous in front, and over- looked a small peninsula, but little elevated above the water, and affording on each side of the isthmus safe and ample coves for the anchorage of boats. On a point of this land, the government is about to construct a lighthouse. The area under the hill was completely protected by the works on the heights above, and from its great fertility afforded an abiTndance of culinary vegetables for the garrison. Traces occur, showing that cannon were planted on conspicuous points, and the trace of a submerged vharf is still seen, as are also wrecks of vessels in the bottom of the river adjacent. In the rear of the works may be seen the cemetery, but time has defaced the inscriptions upon the headstones, except ♦ Osw fgo. .. . , t In the month of March or April, 175G. I About six leagues south-west fro;n the place now called Sackett's Harbor. Nott in original. 22 Ruins of Fort Carlton. to one grave, which has the following: "J. Farrar, L. 23, F* i 1792." Forty years ago, carved oa^en planks were standing at . many of the graves. Several chimneys occur outside of the in- trenchment, and on the pepinsula, in front of the fort. About a dozen still stand within the works, which are built of stone, in a permanent and massive manner, the flues being very small, and the bases enlarged and well founded. Near the brow of the hill, is a circular well about ten feet in diameter, and st'.pposed to be at least as deep as the level of the river, but being partly filled with rubbish, this could not be determined. Here are also exca- vations, supposed to be for magazines. The plan of the fort shows it to have been after the system of Vauban, and formed three eighths of a circle of about 800 feet diameter; the abrupt face of the hill, which was doubtless protected by a stockade, not requiring those defenses, which were furnished to the rear. The ditch is excavated inrock, is 4 feet deep, and 22 wide. The covered way is 24 feet wide, the counterscarp vertical, the outer parapet 4 feet high, and the glacis formed' of materials taken from the ditch. The rampart within the ditch was of earth, and is very much dilapidated. Ravelins were made before each reentrant angle, and at the alternate salient angles, bastions were so placed as to command the fort and its various approaches, very effect- ually. No, knowledge is derived from settlers of the character, the work, or the number or size of the inclosed buildings, except that a range of wooden blockhouses within the intrenchment, was occupied by a corporal's guard, and a few invalids. The premises had fallen into decay and were entirely without defensive works; a few iron cannon were laying on the beach, or under water near the shore, and the gates had been robbed of their hinges for the iron, which had been pawned by the soldiers. The premises have at all times furnished a great abundance of relics, among which were coins, buttons, &c., whose inscriptions and devices, without exception, indicate an English origin, and a period not earlier than the French war. The figures 60, K. 8. V, IX, 34, 22, 29, 84, 21, 31, &c., which occur on the buttons found, often accompanied by the device of the thistle, anchor, crown, &c., doubtless designated the regiments to which their wearers belonged. On the declaration of war, the guard was surprised and captured without resistance, the buildings burned, and never after used as a fort. The st^te reserved the island for its supposed importance in a military point of view, in their sale to Macomb. In 1796, the surveyors of this purchase found a corporal and three men in charge, and there were four long twelve, and two six-pound cannon mounted. But little is said by historians and travelers, of this place, as it appears never to have been the theatre of History of Fori Carlton. 23 events that give interest to the former, and was not in the chan- nel commonly taken by refj;ular vessels, and therefore sehlom visited by the latter. The Duke de la Rochefoifcault Liancourl*. mentions it as follows: "During the American war, the British troops were constantly in motion, and in later times they were quartered in an island which the French called Isle au Chevreaux, and which the English have named Carlton, after Lord Dor> Chester." The island had been known to the French by this \ name from an early period, and it is mentioned as one of the / .stopping places of Count Frontenac in his expedition against / the Onondagas, as follows:t "On the 26th [July, 1696], they I took their departure, and encamped at Deer Island {Isle aux \ Chevreuils); the scouts marching continually ahead of the army. / Sieur de Luth, captain, was left in the fort [Frontenac], as com- [ mandant, with a garrison of forty men, and miisons and carpenters ] necessary for the buildings which he was recommended to hasten, y There remained only twenty-six sick in the fort, most of whom were wounded in the legs ascending the rapids. On the 27th they got to within three leagues of Riviere de la Famine [Black River], and on the 28th to the mouth of that of Onnontague. This station was used by the English during and after the revolution, and garrisoned by invalid troops. It was an import- \ ant post, as it commanded the navigation of the south channel of the St. Lawrenc while Kingston controlled the other. Although the French had ceased to command in Canada, yet their memory was cherished with affection by (he savages, who continued to receive presents and be influenced«by the French in Louisiana and their western posts. Policy, therefore, dictated that this ; place should be kept up against any time of danger that might / arise. Having carefully examined every author within reach, both English and French, we have been unable to ascertain the precise time of erection of this fort. It certainly did not exist before 1758, as it does not occur in any of the lists of stations previous to that period, but a manuscript is preserved among the Paris Documents| in the archives of the state at Albany, that throws some light upon the subject if it does not solve the mys- tery entirely. From this, it appears, that in November, 1758, the Marquis de Vaudreuil, governor of Canada, had drawn up a paper on the defenses of that country, which was then at war with the English, that was submitted to the Marquis de Mont- calm for his revision, and met with his entire approval. He proposed to send 1500 men to defend the approaches of Canada on the side of Lake Ontario, by the erection of a post to be selected ♦Travels through the United States and the Country of the Iroquois, in 1795_«_7, London, vol. I, p. 280. t Doc. Hist. N. Y., vol. I, p. 389. t Vol. XV, p. 170. \ \ Y ''--O' 24 History of Fort Carlton * at the head of the St. Lawrence, and laid out alter the plans of M. de Fontleroy, who was to be sent for that purpose. The station thus chosAi and fortified would at the same time become the head of the frontier, and entrepot for every military operation in taat quarter, instead of Frontenac, or the Bay of Niohoure, which can never be regarded as such, as the English might enter the St. Lawrence without exposing themselves, or giving any knowledge ot their passage. He proposed to build xebecs instead of barks, as better fitted for the navigation of the lake, and the transportation of supplies. The place was to be made susceptible of defense by an army, and to have magazines for stores and barracks for the lodgement of troops in the winter. A quantity of supplies was to be sent to la Presentation,* consisting of tools and implements of all kinds necessary to be used against Oswego, or in the erection of the works. Levasseur and Pellegrin, experienced shipwrights, were to be sent up from Q-sbec to advise upon all the details connected with the plan of establishing upon the lake an adequate system of defense. Canada presented at that time three frontiers; the St. Lawrence from the Atlantic, Lake Champlain and the West; each of which claimed a share of attention. It was intended that the proposed w^ork should be adequate, with those lower down, for the defense of the latter, and it was designed to put in command an active, disinterested and capable man, to accelerate the work, and render the opera- tions complete. Such a man the Chevalier de Levy was con- sidered to be, and he was accordingly named as the person to haye chief direction and command of the work. Such are the outlines of the plan, which the means within our reach have not enabled us to learn were carried out at that time, and to the ex- tent contemplated. No one cah stand upon the spot occupied by this ruin, and survey its natural advantages for defense, the ample bays for shipping which it overlooks, and the complete command of the channel which it affords, without being convinced that the site was admirably chosen, and that in the selection the projectors were guided by much discretion. With these brief remarks we shall pass to the subjects connected with Jefferson county during the period of its present settlement. ^Ogdensburgh. U \l '■.., ■:>-.iil: ■ > . CHAPTER II. ' ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, &c. The current of immigration and settlement having been di- rected into the Black River valley, about the close of the last century, the country filled up in the space of a few years with a rapidity that has been seldom equaled, and it soon became diffi- cult to meet the demands of justice, without the erection of new counties. The changes which had been previously made, so far as relates to our territory, were as follows : i Albany f formed Nov. 1, 1683 (an original county). ■ -^Tryon, " March 12, 1772, from Albany. \ ' " Montgomery i changed April 2, 1784, from Tryon. Herkimer, formed February 16, 1791, from Montgomery. Oneida, " March 15, 1798, from Herkimer. Such had been the rapidity of settlement within five or six years from its opening, that the necessity of a division of Oneida became apparent, and local interests began to operate to secure the advantages expected from the location of the public build- ings. Each section had its advocates. Nathan Sage in Red- field, Walter Martin in Martinsburg, Silas Stow and others in Lowville, Moss, Kent, Noadiah Hubbard and others in Cham- pion, Henry Coffeen in Watertown, and Jacob Brown in Brown- ville, were each intent upon the project of a county seat. Many were for having but one new county, in which case Champion had the fairest prospects of success, and indeed such had been the chances, in the opinion of several prominent citizens, that they had located there. Among these were Moss Kent, a brother of Judge Jame^ Kent, Egbert Ten Eyck, &c. To ob- tain an expression ci public opinion on this subject, three dele- gates, chosen at town meetings, from each town interested in the question, met at the house of Freedom Wright, in Harrisburgh, (Denmark), November 20th, 1804. Many went with the inten- tion of voting for one new county only, but strong local interests led to the attendance of those who so influenced the voice of the delegation that, with but one exception, they decided for ttoo new counties, and the convention united upon recommending the names of the executive officers of the state and federal governments then in office, from whence came the names of Jefferson and Lewis, from Thomas Jefferson and Morgan Lewis, both men of national celebrity. Application was accordingly made to the legislature, and on the 4tu of March 1805, Mr. Wright, in the assembly, from th« 26 Act Erecting Jeferson and Lewis Counties. committee to whom Avas referred the petitions and remonstidnces from the inhabitants of the county of Oneida, relative taa divi- sion thereof, reported, "that they had examined the facts stated, as to population and extent of territory in said county, and the inconvenience of attending county concerns, and find the &ame to be true." A division was deemed necessary, and leave was granted to bring in a bill, which was twice read the same day, and passed through the legislature without opposition, being as follows: Act, treciing Lewis and Jefferson Counties, Passed March 28, 1805. 1. " Be it enacted bythe people of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, ^hat ull that part of tlie county of Oneida, contained within the following boundn, to wit: Boginninjr at tlie southwest corner of the town of Eiiisburgh, on the easterly shore of Lake Ontario, and running along tire southerly line of said town ; thence along the easterly line thereof to the southwest corner of the town of Malta ; thence along the southerly line of the said town of Malta, and continuing the same course to the corner of townships number two, three, seven and eight; thence north' along the east line of the town of Malta aforesaid to the northeast corner thereof; thence in a direct line to the corner of the towns of Rut- land and Champion ; thepce along the line between the said town of Champion and the town of Harrisburgb, to Bhck River; thence in a direct line to the bounds of the county of St. Lawrence, to intersect the same at the corner of townships numbers seven, and eleven, in Great Tract number three, ."^f Macomb's Purchase; thence along the westerly bounds of the said county of St La^trrence to the north bounds of this state; dience westerly and southerly along said bounds, including all the islands in the River St. Lawrence, in Lake Ontario, and iu front thereof, and within this state to the place of beginning, shall be, and hereby is, erected into a separate county, and shall be called and known by the name of Jefferson. 2. ^nd be it further enacted, that all that part of the said county of Oneida, contained within the following bounds, to wit: Beginning at the south- east corner of the county of Jefferson aforesaid, thence southerly alonff the westerly line of the town of Turin to the southwest corner thereof; thence easterly along the south line of said town to the southeast corner thereof; thence north, sixty two degrees east along the southerly line of the tract of land, known by the name of Macomb's Purcliase, to the line of the county '. f Herkimer; thence north along the said last mentioned line to thf b' iinds of the county of St. Lawrence ; thence along the south weste.'.v iiR(3 of the said Itst mentioned county to the line of the county of Je t^e: >on ; and thence along the southerly and easterly boundi thereof, to ti . place of beginnitfg, shall be and hereby is erected into a separate coul i , by the name of Lewis. 3. tl all county charges were paid bv non resident taxes, and a pro- spect then existed that this Jaw would be repealed. Thej, therefore, advised the immediate erection of a jail, and it was estimated it could be built for $4,500; that $2,500 would pro- vide one better for the interests of the county than the existing system. J. Brown and A. Sackett were appointed .0 draft a petition to the legislature which procured on the 20th of Feb. a law authori;!ing a tax of $2,500 for erecting a court house and jail, and Feb. 19, 1808, a further tax of 2,500 was applied for. In 1807, Noadiah Hubbard and Zelotus Harvey were appointed a committee to meet a similar one from Lewis County, to ascertain the boundary of the two counties. William Smith, Gershom Tuttle and N. Hubbard, were appointed to build a jail after a plan to be approved by the board. It was to be 40 by 60 feet, built of* wood, and fronting eastward, and was built in 1807-8, by Wm. Rice and Joel Mix, after the plans of Wra. Smith. It contained a jail in the iirst story, and stood a little south of the present Jail. On the 30th of Jan. 1808, the superintendents were empowered " to build a sufficient tower and cupola on the centre of said building, and cover the dome of said cupola with tin, and so construct the said tower and cupola that it shall be suthciently strong and convenient so as to hang a bell, and to erect a sphere and vane, and also a suitable rod to conduct the lightning from said building." On the 5th of Oct. 1808, the accounts of the Court House audited, including extra work and services of com- mittee, amounted to $4,997.58. Wm. Smith was directed to purchase the necessary fixtures for the Court House and Jail, at an estimated cost of $262*87. In 1807 (Aug. 13), the jail liberties were first established, and deserve mention from the singular manner in which they were laid out. They covered a small space arou id the Court House, and a part of the Public Square, and included most of the houses in the village, while between these localities, along the sides of the roads, and sometimes in the centre, were paths, from four to eight feet wide, with occasional crossings, so that by carefully observing his route, turning right angles, and keeping himself in the strict ranges which the court had established, a man might visit nearly every building in the village; but if the route was by any accident obstructed by a pile of lumber, a pool of mud, or a loaded wagon, he must pass over, or through, or under; or else expose himself to the peril of losing this precarious freedom, by close imprisonment, and subjecting his bail to prosecution for the violation of his trust. In several instances, persons were thus dealt with, where they had inadvertently turned aside from the straight and narrow path, to which the statutes of that period allowed the creditor to consign bis unfortunate debtor. A map ^s 81 CUrlCt Office^ Court Hmue, and Jail of these limits, prepared by Jonas Smith, who for several years had made (iese details a subject of daily observation from ne- cessity, was prepared in July, 1811, and deposited in the clerk's office. It is interesting from its containing; the names of those who then owned houses in the village, of whom there were about fifty. These limits were maintained till Feb. 23, 1821, when an act was passed defining a rectangular area around the village as the jail limits. ~ In 1808 a series of maps was directed to be prepared by Jonas Smith, for the comptroller's office, at a cost of (100, and at the same session Messrs. Richardson, Hubbard and Hopkins, were appointed to petition the legislature for a Jaw to provide for the destruction of Canada thistles. On the 9th of October, 1815, the supervisors voted a peti'ion for a tai: • of $1000 to build a fire-proof clerk's office, and Apt:! 6, 1816, an act was passed accordingly, allowing a tax nnj exceeding $1500 for this purpose, and Ebenezer Wood, Ethel fironson and Egbert Ten Eyck were named as commissioners to build the same. The conduct of a certain senator, In substituting the name ol another man for that of Judge Brown on the committee, was most strongly condemned by a subsequent vote of the super- visors. A clerk's office was accordingly built between the pre- sent Episcopal Church and the Public Square, and was occupied until the present one was erected in 18 i^, in accordance with an act of Jan. 26, 1831. The supervisors la 1829 had appointed a committee to investigate the matter, and in 1830 had petitioned for the act, which named Daniel Wardwell, Eli West, and Ste- phen D. Sloan, commissioners for this purpose, who were em- powered to borrow on the credit of the county $1000, for the purpose, and to sell the former office and lot. In December, 1817, the Court House was injured by fire, which occasioned a meeting of the board, and $500 were voted for re- pairs. On the 9th of Feb. 1821, the Couit House and Jail were burned, and on the 12th, the supervisors met to take into con- sideration the measures necessary for the occasion. A petition was forwarded for a law authorizing a tax of $8000 to rebuild the county buildings, and a loan of $6000 for the same purpose. It was resolved to build the jail separate from the court house, and both buildings were to be of stone. Elisha Camp, Nathan Strong and John Brown, were appointed commissioners to super- intend the building. Premiums of $ 10 tor a plan of a court house, and $15 for one of a jail, were offered. An act was ac- cordingly passed, March 13, 1821, for the separate erection of these buildings, at a cost not exceeding $8000, under the direction of Eliphalet Edmonds, Henry H. Coifeen and Jabez Foster. The courts meanwhile were to be held at the brick academy, and criminals were to be sent to the Lewis County JaiL Maintenance of Pritonen. m' A loan not exceeding $6000 was authorized from the state. On the 28th of March the board met, and the plan for a jail offered by Wni. Smith, was adopted, and a resolution was passed pro- viding for solitary cells. The court house was agreed to be 44 by 48 feet, after a plan by J. H. Bishop. This necessity of an outlay for new buildings revived the question of a new site, and among others, the citizens of Saokets Harbor made diligent efibi ts, ly petition, to secure their location, but without success; and in t le same season the present Court House and a part of the present Jail were erected, which continued to be occupied until November 1848, when the Hon. Jas. M. Comstock, one of the inspectors of county and state pi isons, reported to the Hon. Robert Lansing, judge oi' the county, (he entire failure of the County Jail to meet the requirements of the statute in relation to the safety, health and proper classification of prisoners, and expressed his belief that the arrangements required by law could not be attained, without the construction of a new prison building. This report, approved by the judge, and certified by the clerk of the board, was laid before the supervisors, a committeee appointed, who visited the Jail and confirmed the report, but after repeated efforts the board failed to agree upon a resolution providing for the necessary rebuilding of the county prisoi.. This led to the issue of a writ of mandamus, by the supreme court, in December, on the motion of G. C. Sherman, requiring the board of supervisors to proceed without delay to the erection of a new jail, or the repair of the one then existing. This necessity for a new prison suggested the project of the division of the county into two jury districts, and the erection of two sets of buildings, at other places than Watertown, and the question became, for a short time, one of considerable discussion in various sections of the county. The question was settled by the erection of a* extensive addition to the Jail, two stories high, and considered adequate for the wants of the county for some time to come, at least, if the course adopted was that recommended by the board of supervisors, Oc- tober 20, 1820, as set forth in the following resolution: " Whereas the mainteiiance of prisoners, committed to the County Jail for small offences, in the manner that they have been usually sentenced, has been attended with great expense to the people of this county, and in many instances has operated to punish the county with taxes, more than the criminals for offences, and whereas some courts of special sessions have sentenced them to imprisonment upon bread and water, which lessens the expense to this county, and the same operates as a punishment more effectually than longer terms of imprisonment would in the ordinary way; the board of supervisors, therefore, recommend generally to magistrates and courts- of sessions in mittimuses, - / • I. • M '■ ■ Poor Hovm Syttem.' \ ' upon conviction of pvtty crimes, to make the length of confine- ment less, and direct the jailor to keep the offenders upon bread and water durin^i^ the time of their imprisonment. The board >vould I'ecommend in such cases that the prisoners be not sen- tenced to be kept longer than thirty days in any case, it may endanger the health ol the convicts. Resolved, That the jailer for the future, be directed not to procure any thing more expensive < for criminals than moccasins at fifty cents a pair, instead of shoes, nor procure any hats, and to purchase as little clothing as possible, and that of the poorest and least expensive kind." Previous to the adoption of the poor-house system, each town supported its own poor, and the records of the board show annual appropriations in many of the towns for that purpose, of from $50 to $800. In 1817, $50 was voted to build a town poor- house in Le Ray, and in 1822 the supervisors recommended to the several towns to take into consideration at their next annual meetings the propriety of building a poor house and house of industry for the county, as advised by an act of March 3, 1820. In April, 1825, a meeting of the board was called, and a com- mittee, consisting of Messrs. Hubbard, Hart and Stewart, was appointed to ascertain the most suitable site for erecting a poor house, and the price for which a farm could be purchased, within five miles of the Court House. The cost of buildings was limited to $2000. They were directed to advertise for proposals for purchasing a farm, if they should think proper. On the 7th of June an adjourned meeting of the supervisors met to hear the above report. After visiting the premises in a body, it was re- solved to purchase the Dudley Farm in Le Ray, five miles from Watertown, containing 150 acres, at $10 per acre. Committees were appointed to%procure titles, and to fit up the premises, which continued to be occupied for that purpose until Nov. 1832, when the supervisors \ ted a petition for the power to sell the property and borrow $4000 on the credit ol the county, for build- ing a new one on a new site, if the interests of the county re- quired it. They procured an act, January 25, 1833, granting this power, and providing for the execution of this trust, by three commissioners to be appointed by the supervisors. At their fol- lowing session, the board, after much discussion, finally agreed to erect a new poor house, on a farm of 100 acres, purchased of J. Foster, for $1500, about a mile below Watertown, north of the river, and Orville Hungerford, Joseph Graves, and Bernard Bagley, were appointed to carry the resolution into effect. The distinction between town and county poor was abolished by a vote of the supervisors in November, 1834, and this has been since several times changed. In 1832, the experiment of Chotera "Expensesi •) -f/t picking oakum was tried with a profit of 1154 the first year.. The culture the mulberry has also been atteinpt«d, but with small success. The first superintendents of the poor house, ap- pointed in 1826, were Orville Hunprerlord, Wm. S. Ely, Peter Vandes, John Hoover, and Asher Wilmot, and an equal number was annually appointed until the adoption of the present stitution. The persons elected under the general law, were Da>id Montague, Charles F. Syroonds and Phineas Hardy, in 1848; Martin J. Hutchins, 1849; Feter S.Houk, 1850; Austin Everitt, 1851. It being thought by certain ones that the general law was not the best that could be devised for the county, an effort was made in 1852, which procured on the 12th of April an act which directed but one overseer of the poor to be here- after elected in each town in this county, and the duties of overseers of the poor were conferred upon the supervisor and such overseer, in the several towns, who were to be associated together in affording relief to the indigent within certain limits, to be prescribed by the board of supervisors for each town. No superintendents of the poor were to be thereafter elected, but one is to be appointed by the board of supervisors, to hold his ofhce during their pleasure. He is to reside at the poor house, and be the keeper thereof. In case of vacancy, the county judge, clerk ard treasurer, or any two of them, are to fill the vacancy by temporary appointment until another is chosen. In the fall of 1854, and annually, afterwards, two visitors are to be appointed by the board of supervisors, to visit the poor house every two months, and examine its books and management Contracts for medicines and medical attendance, are to be made by the super- visors, individually, in the several towns, and as a board for the poor house. They have also the power of directing the manner in which supplies for the poor house shall be purchased, which directions the superintendent is obliged to follow. The provisions of this act apply to no other county than this. The board of supervisors, in accordance with powers thus conferred^ appointed Alpheus Parker, superintendent, who entered upon his duties Jan. 1, 1853. His salary was fixed at $600, by a resolution of the board, passed Nov. 1852. This system has not been in operation long enough to afford a knowledge of its merits copi- pared with the general system. Among the appropriations for benevolent purposes, may be classed the expenses resulting from the Health Law of 1832, as a guard against the ravages of the cholera, which in the several towns were as follows, viz: Adams $19*00, Alexandria $159-93, Antwerp $31-50, Brownville $60'13, Champion $2-60, Ellis- burgh $193-50, Henderson $114*35, Houndsfield $795' 12, Lor- raine $9-50, Lyme $443*08, Orleans $267-22, Pamelia $6*75, 38 Bounties for WiU Animah. — Early Courts. Rutland $ 10-00, Wilna $12-85, Philadelphia $10-60, Waterlown $167-05, LeRay $2-00, Total $2299-98. But little, if any good, resulted from this expendi.urc, as the disease scarcely appeared in the county. Of bounties for the destruction of noxious animals, every new country aflbrds examples, but in this, much less than in some others. The want of unil'ormity in the several towns, led the board of supervisors in 1808, to recommend that $5 should be made the limit of town bounties. This diversity of premiums presented a temptation for fraud, and in some instances it is said, wolves were driven from one town into another by hunters, to gain the extra sum there offered. The board has usually voted a county bounty, which from 1805 to 1819 was $10 for wolves and panthers, except that it was in 1815, 16, 17 and 18, $20 for the latter. In 1819 $10 was voted for panthers and in 1820 the same for wolves and panthers, with half price for the young. In 1821 there were no bounties granted. ' or several years after they were continued at $10, seldom amounting to more than half a dozen in a year. The first records of Courts are dated June 1807, but others must have been held earlier. An act was passed, April 1806, directing three terms of the court of common pleas to be held in this county and Lewis, since which the times uf holding courts have been repeatedly changed. Tradition says, that, after formal ad- journment, the first court, which was held in the school house, on the ground now covered by the Universalist Church, became a scene of fun and fiolic, which has since been seldom equaled. The greater part of the settlers were young or middle aged men, some indulged in habits of intemperance; the customs of the day did not discountenance practical joking, and athletic games were invariably the accompaniments of all gatherings. More- over they had been just organized, and must have business for their courts, else what the need of having courts 1 Should any one evince a disinclination to join in these proceedings, they were accused of "sneakism," and arraigned before a mock tribunal, where, guilty or not guilty, the penalty of a "quarter," was sure to be imposed for the benefit of the crowd. Among other charges was one against Esq. H.,of Rutland, a man of very sober and candid character, who was charged with stealing. Conscious of innocence, he offered to be searched, when a quantity of dough was found in both pockets of his coat. Thus implicated by cir- cumstances which he could not explain, he was fined. Another was accused of falling asleep, and fined a shilling, and another was fined a like sum for smoking in the court room. After pay- ing the penalty, he resumed his pipe, and was again arraigned, when he entered his plea that the fine was ior a pipe lUii, wuiuu %rh •*»OC if^ f.,ii ...u: Early Courts. 37 he had not finished, and this afforded a subject of legal argument for discussion, that elicited the research and ability of the lawyers present. As the avowed intention was to make business for all the new officers, one was stripped and laid out on a board, loosely covered with cloth, and a coroner sent for, who commenced a bona fide examination, that was interrupted by some one tipping over the board, when the "subject" of the hoax jumped up and fled. There had not thus far been any business for the sheriff, but this was at length made, by their finding one who had crept into the garret for concealment. He was dragged before their tribunal, where it was decided that his failing was a disease, rather than a crime, and required an enema. This "carnival" was continued the second day, and although the officers of the court affected to abstain from these frolics, yet judicial dignity offered no exemption from them, and all parties, whether willing or unwilling, were compelled to join. Companies, distinguished by personal peculiarities, were paraded under officers selected for the prominence of these traits, as "long noses," &c, while the lit- tle short men were organized into a party, and charged with the duty of "keeping the cats off." These follies may be considered puerile, but not more sq than the annual carnival in some Eu- ropean countries, and their record is interesting from illustrating the custom of the times, when athletic games were fashionable, and men seldom met in numbers without having "a regular train.** The first criminal convictions in the county, are said to have been those of Springsteel and Jones, who, having committed a burglary in Brownville, were pursued and arrested in Denmark, Lewis County. Not haVing yet had any business of this kind for their courts, some of the inhabitants rallied, and an attempt was made to detain the prisoners there for trial, but without success. The records of the court of oyer and terminer and general jail delivery commence, June 17, 1807, at which Smith Thompson was present ns justice, Augustus Sacket, Joshua Bealls, and Perley Keyes, judges, and Lyman Ellis, assistant justice. Courts continued to be held at the school house until the summer of 1809, when the Court House was opened. An Act was passed April 18, 1815, by which all free males, of legal age, worth $150, in personal property, and holding a con- tract for lands, were made qualified to serve as jurors in several counties, among others, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Franklin and Lewis. The time of meeting of the board of supervisors was by an Act of April 8, 1834, fixed at the Monday next after the general election, and the judges of the county couits were directed to meet them on Tuesday of the first week of their sessions, for the Bppoiniment of otbcers. CHAPTER IIL HISTORY OF LAND TITLES. , From time immemorial, down to a few years after the close of the revolution^ the title of lands in this section of the state, was shared in doubtful supremacy by savages and other denizens of the forest. At the earliest period of authentic history, the Iro- quois confederacy, and the Oneida nation in particular, were acknowledged to be the owners of the greater portion of our territory; which, according 1o Gautinonty, a chief of the Oswe- gatchie tribe, extended as far north as a line running from the mouth of French Creek to Split Rock on Lake Champlain; while the Oswegatchies claimed the land north, as far down the St. Lawrence as Cat Island (Louisville), where a monument had been erected by Sir John Johnson * The Oneidas, according to a map and survey by Arent Marselis, at the request of John Puncan, and by order of the surveyor general, claimed " from the ' Line of Property ' reversed, and continued from the Canada Creek, till it comes to a certain mountain called Esoiade, or the Ice Mountain, under which niountain th. t Canada Creek, oppo- site to the Old Fort Hendrick, heads; from thence running westerly to an old fort which stood on the creek, called Weter^ inghra Guentere, and which empties into the River St. Lawrence, about twelve miles below Carlton or Buck's Island, and which fort the Oneidas took from their enemies a long time ago; from thence running southerly to a rift upon the Onondaga River called Ogoutenagea, or Aguegonteneayea (a place remarkable for eels), about five miles from where the river empties out of the Oneyda Lake."! Marselis was doubtless the first surveyor in the county, and there is preserved a traverse of Hungry Bay made by him, in September, 1789, which began " at a monument or red painted post, set Up by the Indians, as a division line between the Onendago and Oneida nation;" from which it would seem that the former claimed some right on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario. To extinguish these claims, a treaty was heid at Fort Stanwix, October 22(\, 1784, with the Six Nations, by which all the country, east of a line drawn from Johnson's Landing Place on the Lake Ontario, and keeping four irUes east of the carrying path between that lake and Lake Erie, to the mouth of Tehose- roron, or Buffalo Creek, and thence south, to the north line of Pennsylvania, and down the Ohio, was ceded to the United * Special message of Gov. Lewis, Assem. Journal, 1804-5, p. 49. t Ta« Ofigiii&i Diif V6y biU aiiu fiiap ofe filSQ is tuc iiatS cngiilaSr'i offivS. Treaty with the Oneida*. ^ States. The Oneidas were represented at this treaty by two chiefs. This tribe, by a definite treaty held in September, 1788, conveyed the greater part of their lands to the state, by the following instrument, the original of which is preserved in the secretary's office,* it is on a sheet of parchment about two feet sqyare, with thirty-five seals of the parties, and appended to it is a string of wampum, made of six rows of cylindrical white and blue oeads, strung upon deer skin cords. This belt is about two inches wide and nearly two feet long. "At a Treaty held at Fort Schuyler, formerly called Fort Stanwix, in the state of New York, by His Excellency George Clinton, governor of the said State, and Wiliam Floyd, Ezra L'Hommedieu, Richard Varick, Samuel Jones, Egbert Benson, and Peter Gansevoort, Junior, (Commis- sioners, authorized for that. purpose by and on behalf of the People of the State of New York,) with the tribe or nation of Indians, called the Oneidas. It is on the 22nd day of September, 1788, covenanted and concluded as follows. Firsts the Oneidas do cede and grant, all their lands to the people of the state of New York, forever. l^concUy, of the said ceded lands, tin following tract, to wit: Beginning at the Wood Creek, opposite to the mouth of the Canada Creek, and where the line of property comes to the said Wood Creek and runs thence southerly to the northwest corner of the tract, to be granted to John Francis Pearche, thence along the westerly bounds of the said tract to the southwest corner thereof, thence to the northwest corner of the tract granted to James Dean, thence along the westerly bounds thereof to the southwest corner of the last mentioued tract, thence due south until it intersects a due west line fronr the head of the Tienadaha, or Unadilla River, thence from the said point of intersection due west, until the Deep Spring bears due north, thence due north to the Deep Spring; thence the nearest course to the Caneserage Creek, and thence along the said Creek, liio Oneida Lake, and the Wood Creek, to the place of beginning, shall be reserved for the following uses, that is to say: The lands lying to the uorthward of a line parallel to the southern line of the said leserved lands and four miles distant from the said southern line, the Oneidas ' shall hold to themselves and their posterity forever, for their own use and cultivation, but not to be sold, len^ied, ur in any other manner aliened or disposed of to others. The Oneidas may from time to time forever make leases of the lands between the said parallel line, (being the residue of the said reserved lands,) to such persons, and on such rents reserved as vhey shall deem proper, but no lease shall be for a longer term than twenty-one years from the making thereof, and no new lease shall be made, until the former lease of the same lands shall have expired. The rents shall be to the use of the Oneidas and their posterity forever. And the peo|)le of the state of New York shall, from time to time, make pro- vision by law to compel the leasees to pay the rent, and in every other respect enable the Oneidas and their posterity to have the full benefit of their right, so to make leases, and to prevent frauds on them, respecting the same. And the Oneidas, and their posterity forever, shall enjoy the free right of hunting in every partof the said ceded lauds, and of fishing in all the waters within the same, and especially there shall forever re- main ungranted by the people of the stale of New York, one half mile square at the distance of every six miles of the lands along the northern bounds of the Oneida Lake, oue half mile in breadth of the lands on 40 Treaty with the Oneidas. each side of Fish Creek,* and a convenient piece of land at the ilBhing place in the Ouondago River, about three miles from where it issues out of the Oneida Lake, and to remain as well for the Oneidas and their posterity, as for the inhabitants of said state, to land and encamp on, but, notwithstanding any reservation to the Oneidas, the people of the state may erect public works and edifices as they shall think proper, nt such Elace or places, at or near the confluence of Wood Creek and the Oneida lake, as they shall elect, and may take or appropriate for such works or buildings, lands to the extent of one square mile at each place. And further, notwithstanding any reservation of lands to the Oneidas, for their own use, the New England Indians, (now settled at Brotherton, under the Reverend Samson Occum,] and their posterity forever, and the Stock- bridge Indians and their posterity forever, and to enjoy their settlements on the lands heretofore given to them by the Oneidas for that purpose, that is to say, a tract of two miles in breadth, and three miles in length, for the New England Indiana, and a tract of six miles square, for the Stockbridge Indians. Thirdly, in consideration of the said cession and grant, the people of the state of New York do at this treaty pay to the Oneidas two thousand dollars in money, two thousand dollars in clothing, and other goods, and one thousand dollars in provisions, and also five hundred dollars in money, to be paid towards building a grist mill, and a saw mill at their village, (the receipts of which moneys, clothing, goods and provisions the Oneidas do now acknowledge, j and the people of the state of New York shall annually pay to the Oneidas, and their posterity for- ever, on the first day of June in every year, at Fort Schuyler, aforesaid, six hundred dollars in silver, but, if the Oneidas or their posterity shall at any time liereaAer elect, that the whole or any part of the said six hundred dollars shall be paid in clothing or. provisions, and give six weeks previous notice thereof to the governor of the said state for the time being, then so much of the annual payment shall for that time be in clothing or provisions, as the Oneidas and their posterity shall elect, and at the price which the Hanie shall cost the people of the state of New York at Fort Schuyler, aforesaid, and as a further consideration to the Oneidns, the people of the state of New York shall grant to the said John Francis Pearche, a tract of land ; Beginning in the line of property, at a certain cedar tree, near the road leading to Oneida, and runs from the said cedar tree southerly along the line of property two miles, then westerly at right angles to the said lineof property two miles, then north- erly at right angles to the last course two miles, and thence to the ploce of beginning, which the said John Francis Pearche, hath consented to accept from the Oneidas, in satisfaction for an injury done to him by one of their nation. And further the lands intended by the Oneidas for John T. Kirkland, and for George VV. Kirkland, being now appropriated to the use of the Oneidas, tiie people of the state of New York shall there- fore, by a grant of other lands, make compensation to the said John T. Kirkland, and George W. Kirkland. And further, that the people of the state of New York shall, as a benevolence from the Oneidas to Peter Penct, and in return for services rendered by him to their nation, grant to the same Peter Penet, of the said ceded lands, lying to the northward of the Oneida Lake, a tract of land ten miles square, wherbver he shall * This reservation gave rise to many apprehensions on the part of the pur- chasers, as it was supposed to extend into the Boylston Tract, in Lewis County. The author is not aware how this affair was settled. The reservation would, it is said, have covered 40,000 acres, if it extended the source of thut stream. The patent to Macomb made no reservations in this point, so that the diflliculty lay between the state and the Indians, Macpriated to lall there- John T. opie of the 18 to I'eter Uion, grant northward er he shall of the pur- vis County, ion would, hut stream, he difficulty >5 •lect the same. • FowiUy, the people of the state of Now York, may, in such manner ns thev shall deem proper, prevent any person, except the OneidiiB, from residing or settling on the lands so to be held by the Oneidas and their posterity, for their own use and cultivation, and if any person shall, without the consent of the people of the state of New York, comp to reside or settle on the said lands or on any other of the Inndd so ceded as aforesaid, except the lands whereof the Oneidas may make leasee, aw aforesaid, tiie OneidaH and tbeir posteritjr shall forehwith ^ive notice of such intrusions to the governor of the said state, for the time being. And further the Oneidas and their posterity forever, shall, at the request of the governor of the said state, be aiding to the people of the state of New York, in the removing of all such intruders, and in apprehending not only such intruders but also felons and all other offenders, who may happen to be on the said ceded land, to the end that such iotrudera, felons and other offenders mjiy be brought to justice. In testimony whereof, as well the sachems, chief warriors, and otheri of the said Oneidas, in behalf of their tribe, or nation, as the said governor and other commissioners of the people of the state of New York, have hereunto interchangeably set their hands and affixed their seals, the day and year first above written. Odafrhseghte, Kanaffhiveaga, Peter Utaiqxiette, Toyohagxeeanda, Shmovgh- lego, alias Anihony, Thaghniyongo, Tekeandyahkon, Olaetogou, Oneyanha^ alias Beech Tree, Thaghtaghguiaea, Gaghsaweda, Thougweaghahale, 0/ts- talale, alias Haruputrry, Thaghneghtolia, alias Hendrick, Kanaghaalughf Tha^hiweangaloha, alius Paulua, Jigwelentongwaa, alias Domine Peter^ Kahtehtotan ; Teyovghnihalk, KonwagcUot,* Joneghfliahea, alias Danitl, Jilavnatonia, alias Blackamith, Sagoyonilut, Kaakonghguea, Kanawgalet,* Thnniyeandagayon, Keanyoko, alias i)avid, Hannah Sodolk,* Hononwayele.* Oeorge Clinton, RicWd Varick, Peter Ganaevoort Jr., Wm. Floyd, Samud Jonea, Skenondonga, Ezra UHommedieu, Egbert Benson. At a treaty held at Kon-on-daigua, N. Y., Nov. 11, 1794, the United States confirmed this treaty of the Oneidas. The office of Zand Commissioners was created in 1786, and they were clothed with discretionary powers in selling the unappro- priated lands of the state. The manner in which they exercised this trust has been made the subject of severe censure. On the 22d of June, 1791, Alexander Macomb, of the city of New York, actinfir as the agent of a company said to consist of himself, D niel McCormick, and Wm. Constable, all of New York, ap- plied for the purchase of a tract of land since known as Macomb's Purchase,! embracing the greater part of Franklin, the whole of St. Lawrence, excepting the " ten towns " and Massena, the whole of Jefferson (excepting Penet's square and Tibbet's Point), the whole of Lewis, and a part of Oswego counties.' This pro- position included the islands in Lake Ontario and the St. Law- rence, fronting the tract, and excepted five per cent for roads, and all lakes of greater area than 1000 acres. The proposed price was eight pence per acre. One sixth part was payable in * Women. t Full (ietaili of this purchase, with a copy of his applications may be found in the Hist, of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties, p. 253, st stq. 4S >-.'» Penet^t Patent. li II ! ..'One year, and the residue in five equal annual instalments. If one-sixth were secured by satisfactory bonds, and paid, and another sixth in like manner secured, Macomb was to receive a patent for a sixth part, in a square, in one of the corners of the tract, and the same rule was to be observed throughout, until the whole was paid. Carlton, or Buck's Island, and the Long Sault Island, were expressly reserved to the state. This pro- position was accepted, and the surveyor-general was directed to survey the tract at the expense of Macomb. On the 10th of January, 1792, he reported that the conditions had been com- plied with, and on that day a patent* was issued to Macomb, for i,920,000 acres, reseserving 800 acres to be located by the sur- veyor-general.f This included the whole of the tract not in the present counties of Franklin and St. Lawrence, an uncertainty existing in relation to the islands in the St. Lawrence, these were patented after the national boundary had been determined, and to other parties. The reservation stipulated to Penet, was confirmed by the following proceedings of the land commissioners. '* At a meeting of the Commissioners of the Land Office of the state of New York, held at the secretary's office in the city of New York on Saturday the 8th day of August, 1789. Present, His Excellency, George Clinton, Esquire, Governor, Lewis A. Scott, Esquire, J^Secretary, Richard Varick, Esquire, Attorney General, and Gerardus Bancker, Treasurer. Resolved, That the surveyor-general be directed to lay out for Peter Penet, and at his expense, the lands ceded by the Oneida Nation to the people of this state, by their deed of cession dated the 22d day of September last, lying to the northward of Oneida Lake, a tract often miles square, wherever he shall elect the same; and further, that he lay out for John Francis Pearche, and at his expense, a tract of land stipulated by the said deed of cession to be granted to him," &c., referring to a tract two miles square in Oneida county. — Land Office Minutes, Vol. 2, p. 66. On the 19th of Nov. 1789, the following action was taken: ** The Surveyor-General, agreeable to an order of this board, of the 8th of August last, having made a return of survey for Peter Penet, of a tract of ten miles square, as elected by John Duncan, his agent (of the lands ceded by the Oneida Nation of Indians to the people of this state, by their deed of cession, dated the 22d day of Sept. 1788), lying to the northward of Oneida Lake, as by « 8ec. Office Patents, b 23, p. 160. \ This was selected on Tibbet's Point in Cape Vincent, at the outlet of the lake, which was patented to Capt. John Tibbets of Troy, and never formed a part of Macomb's Purchase. It embraced but 600 acres, as surveyed by JfAax Campbell in the fall of 1799. Titkg of Penet Square. the said return of survey filed in the secretary's office, will more fully appear. And the said John Duncan, having as agent as afore- said, made application to the board for letters patent for the same, Resolved, therefore, that the Secretary do prepare letters patent, to the said Peter Penet, for the said tract of ten miles square, accordingly, and lay them before the board for their approba- tion. — Land Office Minutes, vol. 2, p. 80. Peter Penet, by an instrument dated January 23, 1729,* made John Duncan his attorr^ey, and the latter received, November 19th, 1789, a patent,-, for a tract ten miles square, which on the 13th of July, 1790, he conveyed| for the nominal sum of five shillings to James Watson, and James Greenleaf of New York. February 26, 1795, Watson released^ to Greenleaf his half of the tract for jGICOO; the latter having, September 4th, 1797, conveyed by deed the 64,000 acres to Simon Desjardines|| for je 19,400. Desjardines conveyed to Nicholas Olive of New York, Jan- uary 29th, 1796,11 and the latter to Herman LeRoy, William Bayard, .and James Mc Evers, 44,000 acres of this tract,** in trust as joint tenants for certain heirs, of whom Mallett Prevost, was entitled to 8,000 acres; John Lewis Grenus to 12,000 acres; Henry Finguerlin, Jr., 8,000 acres. At the time of this conveyance Olive held these lands intrust, and 16,000 acres in his own right. A deed of partition between the proprietors was executed May 17th, l802,tt according to a division by bal- lot, as follows: N. Olive 16,000; J. L. Grenus 1,200; H. Fin- guerlin, Jr., 8,000; A. M. Prevost 8,000 acres, making 44,000 acres, which with 8,000 to Louis Le Guen, and 15,000 to John Wilkes previously conveyed by 01ive,J| made 64,000 acres on the whole tract. After the deed of partition, and on the 11th of June, 1802, the proprietors released to one another the quan- tity allotted to each, as follows: John Wilkes and Louis Le Guen, to Le Roy, Bayard, and McEvers, of 44,000 acres; L., B., & M., and Louis Le Guen, to John Wilkes of 12,000; and L., B., & M., and J. Wilkes to L. Le Guen of 8,000 acres.§§ Nicholas Olive, in his will, made his wife and Henry Cheriot his executors, and his widow afterwards married Simon Louis Pierre, Marquis de Cubieres of Paris, who with his wife did, May 9th, 1818, appoint L, B., and M to convey to Provost Grenus and Finguerlin, their several shares. The latter, May * Sec. office deeds 22, p. 277. || Sec. office deeds 38, p. 344. t lb. patents 21, p. 407. 1 lb. deeds 38, p. 352. : X Not recorded. ** lb, deeds 33, p. 165. $ Sec. office deeds 38, p. 350. ft Jeff. Co., deeds rec. Dec. 1 4th, 1824. It Olive conveyed, Oct. 15th, 1800, 8,000 acres to Henry Cheriot (sec. deeds 38, p. 347), and C. to John Wilkes the same, Oct. 16th, 1800 (ib. p. 432). ii Jefferson Co. deeds, ree. June isth, 1825. 44 MacornVt Purchase. V ' SOth, 1817,* directed L., B., & M. to convey to Joseph Russel! and John La Farge. Le Roy and Bayard deeded to John, Henry, and Edmund \V'ilkes, 16,000 acres September 23d, 1818,t and the latter ir John La Farge, April 14th, 1823,t having received tees, designated for removal to America, shall be the bearers of the iiiBtructions, and of the general powers of the assembly; ahall survey the land, decule upon the location of the two cities, and there prepare for the company, within three months from their arrival, a report of their examinations uiid labors, with a detailed plan of the com- mon property. Art. 5. trustees shall be chosen from among the holders of certificates. Art. G. The trustees shall decide the location of the fifty acres which •hall belong originally to each certificate, after which the holders shall have the right of choice. Art. 7. The locations shall be marked upon two registers, in the hands of the trustees in America, who shall retain one and transmit the other •■BiMUy to the general aaaembly in France. ' Chattanu Tract — Suneyt. 41 jfrt. 8. The titles directed to b« delivered to the holden of oertifieatne, who make known their wiiih, shall contain a declaration by Bieur Chas- sanis, that in his general purchase, there belongs a certain iiortion to *** as his own, in accordance with A common tide, and i social regulation of which he is a party ; this declaration shall bear the number of th« certificate, which shall remain attached, under pain of forfeiture of th« action, even though the certificate hnd lieeii previously canceled, and this title shall not be complete till utter the registration of the trustees to whom it shall be presented. ,M. 9. The trustees in America, shall lie clothed with a similar power by Sieur Chassanis, lor granting like titles to those who require it. This power sha!' he granted after u model of the declaration, for the purpose of securing unitormity of registry. Art. 10. All decisions and acts cf the company done in France, as relates to trustees, have no need of public formality when they are legaU ized by the minister or other public functionary of the United States, residing in France. Art. 11. There shall be delivered, upon demand, a duplicate of title to the holders of certificates, containing a copy of the original, and in it shall be mentioned that it is a duplicate." The agreement of Constable and Chassanis, of August 30, 1792, was canceled, and the tract reconveyed March 26, 1793, in consequence of the amount falling short, upon survey, far be- yond the expectation of all parties. On the 12th of April, 1793, Constable conveyed 210,000 acres, by deed, for je26,000, to Chassanis,* since known as The Chassanis Tracts Castorlandf or The French Company'' s Land, bounded north by No. IV of Macomb's Purchase, son h an.! west by Black River, and east by a line running norti , nine miles, from a point near the High Falls, and thence northeasterly on such a course as might include 210,000 acres. On the 11th of April, 1797, Chassanis appointed Rodolph Tillier, "member of the sovereign counsel of Berne," his attorney, "to direct and administer the properties and affairs concerning Cas- torland, to follow all which relates to the surveying and subdividing of this domain, as well as to its improveraenl, clearing, and ameiioratiun; to make the useful establishments; make all bar- gains with settlers, artists, and workmen; maki; all payments and receipts; give and take receipts; pass all title of property, to the profit of those who will have acquired lan(h forming part of Castorland; to put, or have them put in possession of the said lands; sell of these lands to the amount of ten thousand acres, either paid down for, or on credit, but in small parcels of a hun- dred or two hundred acres at most." In case of death, Nicholas Olive was to succeed him. On the 18th of February, 1797, a new agreement was made between Constable and Tillier, con- veying the Castorland trace to Chassanis, after the survey of William Cockburn & Son, of Poughkeepsie, in 1799, and giving • Oneida Dtedi, 3, M. 50 Surveys — Incident. \vith greater detail the bounds of the tract. The former convey- ances made the north and east bank of the river the boundary, but in this the centre of the channel was agreed upon.* On the 6th of March, 1800, Constable deeded to Chassanis, for one dol- lar, a tract of 30,000 acres in the eastern corner of Tract No. IV, which was afterwards subdivided into twenty-seven lots, and conveyed to James Le Ray.f Cockburn's survey divided the purchase into six very unequal tracts, formed by the intersec- tion of the principal lines and the river. The tract was subdi- vided by Charles C. Brodhead and assistants, in 1794. John Cantine, Philip R. Freys, Peter Pharoux, and Benoni Newman, were among his sun'eyors. In dividing the tract, the line run- ning north from the High Falls was assumed as the cardinal line, from which ranges were counted east and west. An east and west line, crossing the other nine miles from the Falls, was 6xed as a second cardinal, from which ranges were reckoned noi and south. The ranges extended to nineteen east, fifty-One west, twenty-seven north, and about nine south; and the lots included 450 acres each, except those on the margin. These were again subdivided into nine square lots, of fifty acres each, which were numbered from 1 to 4,828. This system of numbering has since been observed in designating the location of lands. Mr. Brodhead was a native of Pennsylvania, and had held the rank of captain in the Revolution. He was employed by Tillier, through the influence of Edward Livingston and Dr. Oliver, and while performing the survey, encountered many hardships. An obituary notice published soon after his death, which occurred within the last year, at Utica, contains the following: "In running the great lines of division his party had crossed the Black River several times, the men and instruments being ferried across. On one occasion when they had approached the river, having journeyed through the woods without noting their route by the compass, they arrived at a part of the bank which they recognized, and knew to be a safe place of passing. Making a raft of logs, they started from the bank, and began to pole across. When in the midst of the current their poles failed to reach the bottom, and simultaneous with this discovery, the noise of the waters below them revealed the horrid fact that they had mistaken their ferrying place, aud were at the head and rapidly approaching the Great Falls of the river, the passage of which threatened all but curtain death. Instantly Mr. B. ordered every man who could swim to make for the shore, and he prepared to swim for his own life. But the piteus appeals of Mr. Pharoux, a young Frenchmaan, of the party, who could not swim, arrested him, and he determined to remain with him to assist him, if possible in the awful passage of the falls. Hastily directing his men to grasp firmly to the logs of the raft, giving similar directions to Mr. Pha- roux, he then laid himself down by the side of his friend. The rait passed the dreadful liills and was dashed to pieces. Mr. Pharoux with * Oneida Deeds, 4, 279. il! Original Surveys. m several of the whites and Indians was drowned, and Mr. Brodhead him- self thrown into an eddy near the shore, whence he was drawn senseless by an Indian of the party."* • The surveyors were in their instructions .directed to note " all kinds of timber, wild meadows, useful plants, wild fruit trees, hills, swamps, creeks and objects of interest generally." The south line of Tract No. IV, was run by John Campbell and others, in August, 1794. At a very early period, a settlement was begun by Tillier and others near the High Falls, east of the river, and several families were settled. Several extensive sales were made by Chassanis, and Tillier to Frenchmen of the better class, who had held property and titles in France before the revolution. Desjardine & Co. bought 3002 acres on Point Peninsula; Odier &, Bousquet, 1500 acres on Pillar Pointj Nicholas Olive (Dec. 17, 1207t) a tract of 4050 acres north of Black River and Bay; Henry Boutin, 1000 acres around the present village of Carthage; j C. C. Brodhead, 400 acres in the presnt town of Wilna,§ and others. Among these were a conveyance dated March 31, 1801, of 1,817 half acres in scattered lots to twenty or thirty French people,|| many of them widows of persons who had acquired an interest in the New York Company. On the 1st of May, 1798, James Le Ray purchased 10,000 acres in Cortland,TF and Feb. 15, 1801, all his lands not previously sold.** Chassanis in his early sales had reserved about 600 acres' (R. 26 W. 24 and 25 N.). between the present villages of Brownville and Dexter, for the City of Basle. The appendix of a workff printed in Paris in 1801, contains a letter relating to this company which must have been written by one familiar with the country. The work from which we translate, purports to have been made from an English manuscript cast ashore on the coast of Denmark from the wreck of the ship Morning Star, and fiom its romantic style it scarcely merits notice in history. The letter is dated Sept. 4, 1800, and is as follows; * The body of this young man was afterwards found on a small island at the mouth of the river to which his name was given. Mr. J. Le Ray caused to be prepared a marble tablet to be inserted in the rocks here, with the follow- ing inscription: " To the memory of PETER PHAROUX, this Island is Consecrated." t For l,780-49. Ranges N. 27, W. 42, 43, and part of 44, since called the Ohve Tract. Sec. Office Rec, July 10, 1813, C. to Tillier. t April 2, 1798, 500 acres for £1000, and Dec. 18 1798, 500 acres. Oneida Deeds, A. 2, p. 132. ' } lb. Deeds A. p. 10, sold Oct. 26, 1797. II Oneida Deeds, 11, 233. 1 lb. Deeds F. 249, ** Jeff. Deeds C, p. 378. ft Voyage dans la haute Pennsylvanie, et dans IVtat de New York, par iin membre adcptif de la nation Oneida. Tradait et publiii par i'auieur des Lettres d'un CuUivateur Amerieain, 3 vols. ]2mo. ^^ 52 Account of the French Settlement. " This northern part of the etnte of New York, which contains the three great districts, known as Ricliland, K^tarkouy, and Castorland, is bounded on the north by the River St. Lawrence, on the west by the Ontario, on the east by the counties of Washington and Clinton, and Lake Champlain,and on the south by the new cantons of Oswego, Onon- daga, and Herkimer, is traversed nearly its entire length by Black River, which has 45 to 50 miles of navigation to its fells, situated a short dis- tance from its mouth, in the 'bay of Niahoui-^, on Lake Ontario. This river receives in its course many considerable streams and creeks, abounding in hydraulic privileges. This region is very favorably situated for access. On the one side it communicates with Canada by the St. Lawrence, with the English establishment upon the right bank of the river, as w^M as those from Kingston, in the bay of Katarokouy, on the other with Lake Ontario, by the bays of Niahour^, and Cat Fish, and lastly with the Mohawk Country, by a route just opened by Richland, Rome, and Castorville. They have surveyed another from the chief place, (Castorville ?) the first navigable waters of the Osw^gatch^e, at the con- fluence of which with the St Lawrence, Major Ford has founded a considerable establishment. Long Lake, the waters of which are nearly parallel with the Great River, offers another rouce to those who wish to go to Ford'sbourg and Lower Canada. With the exception of the mount- ains, the soil is deep and fertile, as may be judged by the height and variety of the trees that compose the forest, The country, which borders the river from our Katarakouy to the line which sepurates us from Canada, (the 45th parallel) abounds in oak, a timber the more precious, as it is rare and valuable at Montreal and Quebec. In other sections we see a mixture of elms, button wood, sugar maple, butternut, hickory, beech, water ash, and basswood. We also ^nd hemlock, white pine, and different kinds of spruce, wild cherry, and red',and white cedar. From the boughs of the spruce is made that beer so praised by Capt. Cook, and known to be the best of anti scorbutics. The sugar maple is so common in some sections as to form a third of the trees. Not only do we derive from thence all the sugar we need, but vinegar also of an excellent quality. As is the case in all northern countries this is filled with woody marshes and natural meadows, in which pasturage is hud in summer, and forage for winter. We find in many places limestone, clay, and ore of iron, very ductile, but we are still too young to think of building a furnace or large forges. It will not be so in ten years ; it is probable we shall then be in a condition to furnish to the inhabitants of Upper Canada, who, not having contracts to assure them the possession of their lands, can not think of engaging in such enterprises. We already begin to cultivate corn, wheat flax, and even hemp, since it had been observed to what height it grows on land, formerly flowed by beaver dams; but it being only the f&urth year of our settlement, the details of our progress can not be very interesting. An event, as unfortunate as unexpected, has much hindered the pros- perity of this colony. The death of a young man of much tulent, whom the Castorland Company had sent from Paris, to render a wild and hitherto unknown country flt to favor the reunion of a new born society, to divide the lands, open roads, begin the first labors, built bridges and mills, and invent machines, where man is so rare. A \ictini of his zeal, in taking the level of a bend of the river, he perished in trying to cross above tiie great falls. Ilis comradns, so unfortunate as not to be able to assist him, have collected the details of this disastrous event in a paper, which I have been unable to read without emotions, and which I send. Our rivers abound in fish, and our brooks in trout. I hare leen two ^1 Account of the French Settlement. 53 .V as it is 1 in some M rive from a t quality. '1 ' marshes , « id forage M of iron, ^ irnace or a ibali then 1 who, not ! 1, can not 1 cultivate $ to what it being ; 1 can not ff society, Iges and bis zeal, to cross able to paper, send. >en two men take 72 in a day. Of all the colonies of beavers, which inhabited this country and raised so many dams, only a few scattering families remain. We have destroyed these communities, images of happiness, in whose midst reigned the most perfect order, peace, and v'isdom,fore- sight and industry. Wolves, more cunning and warlike th'„. the former, live at our expense and as yet escape our deadly lead. It is the same with the original elk. It is only seen in this part of the state, for our hunters will soon make it disappear, for, you kno*". that, wherever man esta- , Wishes himself, this tyrant must reign ak - Among the birds we have the pheasant, drumming partridge, wild | e,^on, different kinds of ducks, geese,' and wild turkey, &c. Our chief place, situated o;. the banks of the pretty Beaver River, and from thence so appropriately named Castorville, begins to grow. It is still only, as you may justly think, but a cluster of primitive dwellings, but still it contains several families of mechanics, of which new colonies have so frequent need. Several stores, situated in favorable places, begin to have business. The Canadians, on the right bank of the river, come thither to buy the goods which they need, as well as sugar and rum, which, from the duties being less at our ports than at Quebec, are cheaper with us than with them. The vicisity of these French settlements are very useful to us, in mony respects. Cattle n< per than with us, as well as manual labor. Such are the causes o • lunication between the inhabitants of the two sides, that it is if. < .,ie for the English government to prevent it. Our colonists are, like others, a mixture of many nations; we have some, families of Scotch and Irish, but the greater number come from the northern states, which, as you know, is the "officina humani generis" of this continent. Many of the settlers have already made considerable improvemen' ;. One of these fami'I<$s from Philadelphia, besides a hun- dred acres well enclosed, has begun a manufacture of potash, where the ashes of the neighborhood are leached ; another of the Quaker sect has settled on fhe route to Kingston, where he has already built a saw mill, and a considerable manufactory of maple sugar, where he made last year about 16 quintals. The head of this family is a model of intelligence and industry; the goods which he brought, easily pror*ured him much labor at a good rate. He paid twelve dollars per acre for clearing his lands and half the ashes f besides this he furnished to the potash makers the great iron chaldrons and hand labor, and retains half of the salts, the value of which, with the first crop of wheat, pays and more all the expenses of clearing, fencing, and harvesting. The average yield per acre, being 24 to 28 bushels, and the price of wheat 6 to 8 shillings. It is easy to see that there is still a margin to cover accidents, and that the second crop is clear profit. Among tliese families we have some, who, driven from their country, by fear and tyranny, have sournt in this an asylum of peace and liberty, rather than wealth, and at least of security and of sweet repose. One of these, established on the banks of Rose Creek, came from St Domingo, where he owned a considerable plantation, and has evinced a degree of perseverance, worthy of admiration. One of the proprietors^ has a daughter, as interesting by her figure as by her industry, who adds at the same time to the economy of the household, the charms or rather the happiness of their life. Another yet is an officer, of cultivated mind, sprightly, and origin ; who, born in the burning climate of India, here his health is strengthened. He superintends the '* An acre commonly yields 200 bushels of ashes, which are worth 8 cents the bushel, t St. Mitchel* His daughter married MaraeUe, and afterwards Se Zotelie. »4 Account of the French Settlement. clearing of a tract of 1300 acres, which two sisters, French ladies, have entrusted to him, and to which he lias given the n"me of Siater'a Grove. Ho has already cleared more than 100 acres, erected a durable house, md enclosed a garden, in which he labors with assiduity, truly edifying. :le has two Canadians, of whom their ancestors were originally from the same province with himself. Far from his country, the most trifling events become at times a cause of fellow feeling, of which those who have never felt it, can have no idea. As for cattle, those raised that only bring $9 a pair, nt the end of the year, are worth $70 when they are four years old. Fat cattle, which commonly weigh 7 to 900 lbs., sell at therate of $5 per hundred. Swine living almost always in the woods, the settler can have as many as he can fatten in the fall. It should not be omitted -to give them from time to time an ear of corn each, to attach them to the clearing, and prevent them from becoming wild, for then there is no mastering their wills, for they pining for their wandering life will not fatten on whatever is given them. Butter is as dear with us as in old settled countries, and sella for a shilling a pound. We have no fear, as some think, that the vicinity of the Canadian establishments will withdraw our snttlers. The lands in Canada are all in the hands of Government of the Seigneurs. Both give gratuitously, I admit, but they give no titles,* from whence numerous difficulties arise in selling and transferring. Besides they are burdened with a considerable quit rent, the fees of transfer and removal, of escheats to the domain in default of heirs, of banaliU,^ tithes, or reservations for religion, and reserves of mines, and oak timber, restrictions, unknown in the United States, where the lands are franchises and freeholds. It is therefore probable, that sensible settlers will alwayt- prefer to so precarious an advantage, a sure possession which can L j transferred without fees or formalities. This country being boimded by the St Lawrence and the Ontario, its population will increase more rapidly than that where men can spread themselves ad infinitum, as in certain districts of Pennsylvania, upon the Oiiio, Wabash, &c. What is here called the American Katarokouy, or I, II, III and IV of Macomb's great purchase, will always be the last stage, the Ultima Thule, of this part of the state of New York, and we ourselves, the last but one round of the ladder. On this account, lands, which in 1792 were valued at from $2 to $3 per acre, have now become from $3 to $4. The banks of our great river are not the only ones where our popula- tion tends, r Already those of Swan's Creek begin to fill up. Wero it not for the death of Mr. P. vie should have been much more advanced, for it was necessary to await the arrival of another engineer to complete the great surveys and subdivisions. Our winters are cold, but less than those of New Hampshire, and the snows of this climate are beneficial in preventing the frost from injuring our grass and wheat. It is truly wonderful to see with what rapidity vegetation is developed a few days after the snows are melted. I have placed your habitation not far from the great falls, but far enough distant uot to be incommoded by thb noise, or rather uproar, which they make in falling three different stages. The picturesque view of the chain of rocks over which the waters plimge their tumultuous commotion, the natural meadows in the vicinity, the noble forests which bound the horizon ; the establishments on the opposite bank; the passage of travellers who arrive at the ferry I have formed, all contribute to render the location very interesting, and it will * This applies only to Lower Canada. t I'he right of obliging a vassal to bake in one's oven and grind at his mill. Survey of Great Tract No. IV. l)ecotne more so when cuitivation, industry, and time, shall have embel- ished this district, still so rustic and wild, and so far from resembling the groves of Thessalin. The house is solid and commodious, the garden and farm yards well enclosed. I have placed a French family over the store and am well pleased with them. I think, however, they will return to France where die ueyv governm^..t has at length banished injustice, violence and crime, and replaced them by the reign of reason, clemency and law. The fishery of the great lake (Ontario) in which I am conceited, furnishes me an abundance of shad,* salmon, and herring, and more than I want. What more can I say? I want nothing but hands. You who live in a country where there are so many useless hands and whose labors are so little productive there, why don't you send as some hundreds of those men ? The void they would occasion would be imperceptible ; here they would fill spaces that need to be animated and enlivened by their presence. What conquest would they not achieve ' • an years ! and what a differ- ence in their lot! Soon they would become freeholders and respectable heads of families. The other day a young Frenchman, my neighbor seven miles distant, and established some years upon the bank of the river, said to me : " If it is happy to enjoy repose, the fruit of one's labors and of ease after having escaped the perils of the revolution, how n'uch more so to have a partner of these enjoyments? I am expecting a friend, a brother ; it is one of those blessings which nature alone can bestow. What pleasure shall I not enjoy in poinfing out to him the traces of my first labors and in making him count the successive epochs of their progress and the stages of my prosperity! but above all to prove to him that his memory has been ever present to me. The objects which surround me I will tell him nre witnesses to the truth of this: this hill upon the right, covered with sombre pines, is designated upon my map under the name of Hippolites Absence, the creek which tra- verses my meadow under that of Brothers Creek, the old cak which I have le(t standing at the forks of the two roads, one of which leads to my bouse and the other to the river Union Creek,\ the place of my house Blooming Slope. Soon he will arrive from St. Domingo, where Toussant L'Ouverture has allowed him to collect some wreck of our fortune." On the 27th of March 1800, Tillier was succeeded in the agency by Gouverneur Morris who appointed Richard Coxe, Nov. I3th, 1801, his attorney. On the 6th of Feb. 1802, Chas- sanis executed a trust conveyance for $1 to James D. LeRay oi 220,600 acres as surveyed by Wm. Cockburn and Son, and by other instruments for nominal sums.| The lands were mostly sold to iictual settlers by Mr. LeRay as agent or principal but the c?etails would be unintelligible without a map. Chassanis died in Paris Nov. 28, 1803. David B. Ogden, G. Morris§ and many others were at an early period concerned in these titles. Macomb's Tract No. IV was surveyed by C. C Brodhead in 1796, assisted by Jonas Smith, Timothy Wheelor, Joshua Nor- throp, Elias Marvin, John Young, Isaac Le Fever, Jocob Cham- * White Fish? F. B. H. t An apparent omission in the original MSS. F, B. H. t Oneida Deeds 9. 517 to 525. { Jeff. R. 253. i The Antwerp Company** Purchase. bers. Elijah Blake, Samuel Tupper, Eliakim Hammond, and Abraham B. Smede, each with a few men as assistants, and the who! i having a general camp or rendezvous at Hungiy Bay, on the north side of Pillar Point at a place called Peck's Gove near where the Chassanis line crosses the bay. The early settlers here found huts standing, and the remains of an old oven are still visible. The journals of these surveyors, show that they suffered much from sicltness. Some of their supplies were derived from Canada, but the most from the Mohawk settlements. A few troops were stationed on Carlton Island, and thither some of their sick were sent. This tract, excepting the east corner conveyed to Chassanis, was divided into 1000 lots of 440 acres each Tex- cepting those around the border), which were numbered continu- ously. Evert Van Allen, had been employed in 1795, in survey- ing the boundaries of tract No. IV. A proposition was entertained from Lord Poultney, in 1792, for the purchase of a million of acres of Black River land, at a quarter of a dollar per acre, of which j£5000 were to be paid down, j£20,000 in one, and the same in two years, and the re- mainder as soon as the surveys were made. Constable was to guaranty against claims from the native Indians, and all other parties, and to give immediate possession. The location was to be determined by Col. Wm. Stephens Smith of New York. This bargain failed, and Poultney afterwards became largely concern- ed in lands in the Genesee Country. On the 3d of October, 1792, J^ne, the wife of A. Macomb, released her right to the lands previously conveyed.* On the 12th of April, 1793, Con- stable sold in London, with the consent of Chassanis, who had previously held a preemption claim, to Charles Michael De Wolf of the city of Antwerp, tract No. IV, for 300,000 florins, money of exchange,! and in June following, of the same year, De Wolf succeeded in negotiating his purchase at a great ad- vance, viz: for 680,000 florins, to a company of large and small capitalists, of the city of Antwerp, who subscribed to the stock in shares of 1000 florins each, and organized under the name of the .Antwerp Company. The stock was divided into 680 shares. Like most other operations of foreigners in a distant country, this company eventually proved unsuccessful, and a loss to the stockholders. Gouverneur Morris became their first agent in America, and on the 2d of January, 1800, a deed of half the tract, or 220,000 acrcs,| passed to him from Constable on account of the company, for $48,889, and on the day following the other half, of equal extent, for $46,3 15' 12 to * Se|OfRce Deedi 39, p. 332. t Oneida Office Deeds 7, p 612. t Equal to $129,386. Conveyances by Le Ray. 57 James Donatianus Le Ray de Chaumont. Tract No. IV was found by Van Allen's survey, to contain 450,000 acres, including the state reservations. A former deed from Constable to De Wolf, was canceled upon Ihe new one's being made. The division line between Morris's and Le Ray's conveyances com- menced at the N. E. corner of Penet's Square, and run on a line parallel with the county line, to the soutn line of No. IV. Mor- ris took all N. E. of this, and Le Ray the remainder. August 15th, 1802, a new division line* was agreed upon, commencing near the S. E. corner of Penet's Square, running thence to the S. corner of lot 612, thence to the W. corner of the present town of Antwerp, and along the S. W. line of that town to the S. corner of lot 337, and thence to the S. line of No. IV. A tract of 30,000 acres in the E. corner of No. IV was not included in these conveyances having been sold to Chassanis. In 1809, Morris retired from the business, his expenses and commissions absorbing 26,840 acres of land. On the 23d of December, 1804, he had sold for $62,000 to Lewis R. Morris, 49,280 acres in the present town of Antwerp.f Mr. Morris subsequently con- veyed 41 lots to Silvinus Hoard in the western part of Antwerp,| adjoining Theresa, and since known as the Cooper Tract. Abraham Cooper, from Trenton, N. Y., became interested in this tract in 1817.§ The remainder of Antwerp, excepting three ranges of lots on the S. E. side, was purchased of Morris, by David Parish, in 1808. The tract amounted to 29,033 acres, and has been settled under agents of the Parish estate. Moss Kent succeeded as agent of the Antwerp Company, and June 15th, 1809, the remainder of their unsold lands, 143,440 acres,|| were conveyed to him. He was soon succeedeil by Mr. Le Ray, and September 17th, 1810, the company sold to him for 145,000 florins, money of exchange, all their interests in lands in America. The lands with Moss Kent were reconveyed to Le Ray, June 24th, 1817,11 except 3250 acres sold to Wm. H. Harrison and T. L. Ogden in Lewis Co., December 16th, 1811. Mr. Le Ray is said to have been the owner of 126 shares in the Antwerp Company, and G. Morris of 26. The former having acquired a title to No. IV, and the Chassanis tract, removed ; d Le Raysville, where he opened a land office and proceeded to sell land to actual settlers, to a very large extent. He also effected with several Europeans, sales of considerable tracts, among whom were to Louis Augustin De Caulincourt, due de * Oneida deeds b. 10, p. 464. Jefierson deeds A, p. 358. t Jefferson deeds C, p. 63. J lb. L, 153. § lb. L, 68, II Comprising 3 ranges of lots (ex. 772) on E. side of Antwerp, and all the company's land in Diana. Jefferson deeds, rec. Nov. 1, 1809. IF Jefferson deeds, rec, Aug. 13, 1817. 6 58 Purchase of Count SurviUiers. Vi licence, October 8lh, 1805, a tract of 4,840 acres near Mil- len's Bay, being 1 1 lots which were conveyed January 28th, 1825, to Peter Francis Real, known as Count Real, chief of police under Ntipolen; to Emanuel Count De Grouchy, to Gent-ral Desf'urneaux and toothers, considerable tracts. Several citizens of New York became uflerwards concerned In these tracis, on their own account, or as agents, and extensive convey- ances were made; but as many of these were trusts not expressed, and referred to considerations not explained in the instruments of conveyance, or on record, an intelligent history of them can not be at this time obtained, with sufficient conciseness for pub- lication, should they be deemed of sufficient general interest. Among the lands conveyti; were the followir)g: To William and Gerardus Post, June 3d, 1825, for $17,000, 11,880 acres (with 3503 acres excepted) in the p-?sent towns of Wilna and Diana;* 6,500 acres were conveyed by one, and the ex'rs of the other of these, to T. S. Hammond of Cai thage, Oct. 2, 1837, by two deeds for $18,000.f To Herman Le Roy, and Wm. Bayard, for $50,000, February 9, 1820, the interest of J. Le Ray, in numerous contracts to settlers on Great Tract No. 1V.| To Francis Depau for $23,280, and, $15,000 by two con- veyances, a large tract in Alexandria, adjoining St. Lawrence County ,§ now held by L. J. Goodale of Watertown. To Cornelia Juhel, October 9th, 1821, numerous lots,1T and to many others, which without a map would be unintelligible. In 1818, Joseph Bonaparte, who in the United States assumed the title of Count de Survilliers, was induced to enter into a bargain with Le Ray, by which he agreed to receive in trust, with a warranty, the conveyance of 150,000 acres of land, in- clud" ig 74,624 acres of the Antwerp Company lands, to be taken in the most remote and unsettled portions, and at the same time Mr. Le Ray received certain diamonds and real estate, the whole rated at $120,000, and to be refunded in 1830, unless he should agree to accent Lcfore that time, the title of a part of these lands. A trust deed, with covenant and warranty, was accordingly passed^ December 21, 1818, to Peter S. Duponceau,|| the confidential agent of the count, for* 150,260 acres with the exception of such tracts not exceeding 32,260 acres as might have been conveyed or contracted to actual settlers. This deed in- cluded the greater part of Diana, two tiers of lots from the S. E. side of Antwerp, the whole of Wilna and Philadelphia, a small piece south of Black River, where it makes a node across the * Jefferson deeds, X. 108. t lb. B. 3, p. 311. tlb. 0. p. 37. § lb. O. p. 209, 211. U Jeff, mortgages A, 626, deeds N, p. 1. t lb. Q. p. 383. Cofweyancea hy'Le Ray. 59 Cbassanis line into No. IV, a tract of four lots wide and seven long from Le Ray, and nine lots from the easterly range in Tlieresa. It was recorded with a defeasance appended, in which it is declared a security for $120,000 as above staled, and it provided for an auction sale of lands, to meet this obligation* Diamonds having fallen to half their former price, the iact was made a subject of complaint; and in J8'20, the count agreed to accept 26,840 acres for the nominal sum of $40,260. These lands lay in the most remote portion of No. IV, and Mr. Le Ray, in a letter to one of the Antwerp Company, dated April 9lh, 1821, complimented the count upon his taste in selecting a "tract abounding with picturesque Ir.ndscapes, whose remote and ex- tensive forests, affording retreat to game, would enable him to establish a great hunting ground; qualities of soil, and fitness for settlers were only secondary considerations. * * * He regrets notwithstanding that thus far he has been unable to find among the 26,000 acres of land, a plateau of 200 acres of land to build his house upon, but he intends keeping up his researches this summer." The count subsequently commenced an establishment near the present village of Alpina in Diana, where a small clearing was made, but this was soon abandoned. On the 29th of October 1823, Le Ray conveyed to Wm. H. Harrison, in trust for the Antwerp Company, for $50,000, two ranges oflols in Antwerp next to Lewis County, subject to the mort- gage to Duponceau with a large amount of lands in Lewis County. Meanwhile an act was procured Nov. 27 1824, allowing Charles Joseph Xavier Knyff, Charles Joseph Geelhand Delafaille, Jean Joseph Reinier Osy, Pierre Joseph De Caters, and Jean Joseph Pinson, as trustees of the Antwerp Company, to take and hold lands, and to them Harrison conveyed the above tracts. Du- ponceau and Bonaparte subsequently released a large tract,f and took a title of 81^180 acres.| The history of these trans- actions may be traced in the recorded conveyances.^ James Le Ray, on the 31st of Dec. 1823,|| conveyed to his son Vincent, all his lands in Jefferson County, and by a similar conveyance, his lands ir. Lewis County.lT for the benefit of his creditors. Duponceau txecutcJ July 16, 1826, to Joseph Bonaparte, (who by an act of Mhich 31 1825, had been empowered to hold lands), a deed of all the rights he had required in the above conveyances.** Bonaparte by an instrument dated July 14 1832, made Joseph Raphineau his attorney, to deed lands contracted by Joseph * Lewis clerk'8 office. t Jeff. Deeds, V, 434. June S2 1825. t Jeff. Deeds, W, 174. $ lb recorded Nov. 7, 184.5. II lb T, 305. ^ Lewis Co. Deeds rec. April 13, 1824. ** Jeff. Deeds, W, 181, Lewis Deeds, 1, 16. 60 Subsequent Sdea in Tract IF. Boyer his land agent.* In June 1835, he sold to John La Farff«,t for $80,000 all the interest of Count Survilliers, in lands in tnis, and Lewis Counties. It has been said with much probability, that Count Survilliers hastened to dispose of this estate, that he mieht be the better prepared to take advantage of any fortune which the revolutions of Europe might turn up, and the political aspect of the continent at that lime, apparently favored the hopes of the Bonaparte family who have but recently regained the scep- tre of France, The Count first urged the sale upon Judge Boyer, his agent, and came within a few thousand dollars of closing a bargain. Mr. La Farge, is said to have cleared a large profit in this purchase. In October 1824, the Antwerp Company appointed J. N. Rot- tiers, their agent, to receive and convey lands, and he was directed by parties interested in claims, to commence a prosecution against Le Kay, which was done. The extreme depression in the price of land and total stop of sales which followed the completion of the Erie Canal and the opening of the westejn Stales to emigration, operated disastrously to all parties who had based their plans upon expectation of receipts from land sales; and notwithstanding the estates of Mr. Le Ray were both ex- tensive and valuable, he could not at that time encounter the combination of circumstances which bore so heavily upon ali landholders throughout the northern counties, and he found him- self compelled to apply for the benefit of the insolvent act, and 1o surrender his estates to his son, in trust for his creditors. As a justification of his course, he published for distribution among his foreign creditors a statement,! in which he vindicated in a satisfactory manner the course he had adopted, and set forth the kind and quantity of property at his disposal to meet his liabili- ties. He had at that time the following lands in this state: In Franklin county, 30,758 acres, valued at $22,500 " St. Lawrence " 73,947 « " 106,000 " Jeflferson " 143,500 " " 574,000 " Lewis " 100,000 « " 133,000 Of his Jefferson lands, one-eighth were subject to contracts of settlers, upon which were three grist mills, three saw mills, and various clearings, with buildings. At Le Raysville, were a grist mill, store houses, &c., valued at $26,000, and in Pennsylva- nia,Otsego County, and in France other properties of large amount. In closing up this business, a large amount of land was confirmed * Jeff. Deeds, rec. Feb.U, 1833. t Jeff. Deeds U, 2, 43. i Acte de Transmission, par. M. LeRayde Chaumont, aionfila dewi propTi6tes, ^c, 4to, Paris, pp. 70. ,'4 Landt SoiUh qf Black River. m >ionfiU deMt to Vincent Le Ray, and the settlement of the affairs was so man- aged as to satisfy in full, the claims of American creditors. Our account of these transactions has been necessarily brief and im- perfect, yet the attention we have given it, has convinced us that there is nothing in the matter but that will bear the closest examination. A considerable amount of the Antwerp Company's lands, re- maining in scattered parceb, was sold in 1828, by the agent to John La Farge, but tnis sale was subsequently set aside by the court of chancery,* and Feb. 15. 1836, 24,230 acres, being most of the remaining lands of the company, and situated in Theresa, Antwerp, Alexandria and Orleans, were sold to Samuel Stock- ing, of Utica, and Norris M. Woodruff, of Waterlown, for $1 per acre.f Wm. H. Harrison acted in the latter sale as the agent of the company, and the tract has been nearly all sold off by Jason Clark, Esq., of Plessis, agent of the proprietors. Mr. La Farge, on the 28th of July, 1846, sold to Chas. L. Faverger, for $48,513, a tract embracing the two eastern ranges I of lots in Antwerp, and 122 lots in Diana, excepting parts pre- 1 viously conveyed, amounting to 48,513 acres,| and a great por- i tion has since been sold in large and small tracts to settlers. There is at this time but a comparatively small part of Great Tract No. IV, in this county, but that is under cultivation, and held as freeholds by the occupants. Dr. John Binsse, of Pamelia, is the present agent of La Farge. Wm. Constable, on the 18th of Dec. 1792, conveyed to Samuel Ward, for ^100,000, 1,280,000 acres, it being the whole of Ma- I'comb's Purchase, in Nos. V, and VI, out of which was except- ed 25,000 acres sold to Wm. Inman.^ Samuel Ward, Dec. 20, 1792, conveyed to Thomas Boylston (of Boston) for je20,000, a tract,Jcommencing at the extreme southern angle of Lewis County I as now bounded; running thence to the mouth of Salmon River, * and along the lake to Black River, and up that stream to the north bounds of the present town of Leyden, and thence to the place of beginninglT the course of Black River was then supposed to be nearly direct, from the High Falls to the lake, and this tract was believed to contain about 400,000 acres, but when sur- veyed around by Wm. Cockburn & Son, 1794, it was found to include8J7,155 acres! Ward also sold 210,000 acres to John Ju- lius Angerstein, a wealthy merchant of London, which, the latter afterwards sold to Gov. John Brown, of Providence, R. L, and which has since been commonly called Brown's Tract, and is yet « Paige's Chnncery Reports, 1, p. 574, where a rehearal is declined, t Jefferson Dee;' -st, 1802. Alexandxu, taken from BroumviUe and Le Ray, April 3d, 1831. AnTwiMP, taken from Le Ray, April 5ili, 1810. BROwrfviLi,E, taken from Ltyden, April Int, 1802. CAfF ViKCBAT, taken from Lyme, April 10th, 1849. Chaupioiv, taken from Mexico, March 14th, 1800. Clattoit, taken from Orleans and Lyme, April 27th, 1833. Elubbvmb, taken from Mexico, February 22d, 1803. HENDEKSOir, tnken from EUiaburgh, February 17th, 1806. * See our aecount of Cape Vincent, t Jeffenondeedi, v. 417. ■M^ ,s^^•> ; w TowM in Jeferton County. HoDNDsriELD, taken from WaUrtoien, February 17ih. 1806. Lb Kay, tnken from BroienvUU, Feliniary 17tli, li^Oll I>*>RRAiNR, aH M^tla,* from Mexico, Mnrch 24th, 1804. Lyme, taken fi';>m B ownvUle, Mnrcli 6tli, 1818. Orleans, t«ke>; from BroumviUe, April Sd, 182L Pahblia, taken i'mm BrownviUe, April ISiii, 131D. Philaiif (.PHiA. cnkon from Le Rny, Aj);i' 3!nrch 14lh, J800, WiLNA, taken iroin Lt Eaif nnci Lcijden^ April 2(1, ISli*^. Worth, taken frotti Lorraine, Ai)rii I2th, 1848. At the lime when the county h.'^;an to sdlle, its territory was enjbraced 'n two towns of Onc-idn County, All souih ' i^latk Rivc?r was i part of Mexico, and all n ^rth of the rrer beiongeii tv-.< l*«.'yd*!n. The sulxSivisions that had preceded these, were I- iHy I*! follows: In 1788 (March 7), Whilestown vfa.s {ormed as u pair of Monigomery County, embracing all north, south, and ^'^'t, to the bounds of the state, from which, by successive divisjoa J many hundred towns have since sprung. Steuben was fonaeu April lOlh, 1792, from which Leyden was erected, March 10th, 1797, embracing besides its present limits, all east and north of the river in this county and Lewis. By the same act the town of Mexico was formed, with most of Oswego, the south part of Jefferson, and west half of Lewis for its limits, and from this town, Champion, Watertown, and Lowville, were formed, March 14th, 1800, by one actj Adams.. April 1st, 1802, and Ellisburgh, February 22d, 1803. Simeon De Witi in his map of the stat<2 east of the preemption line, published in 1802, adopted the following names to the towns in the county. Penet Square, now m Clayton and Orleans, Penet.I Great tract number four, Castorland. Purchase of the French Company, Chassanis. Bl'k R. Tract, No. I, now Houndsfield, Hesiod. Watertovm, LEQHO^ti. Rutland, Milan. Champion, Howard. Henderson, Henderson. Jldams, Aleppo. Rodman, Orpheus. Town of Ellisburgh, Minos. Boyliton Tract No. 1, now Lorraine, Axxr .? " 2, « Worth, Fenei :• But one of these has since been p' •••erv ' (( 2, (( 3, (( 4, « ^ it 6, (( 7, (C 8, * Chanr'' ; heir present names, April Ct' t A mau.:4ca|)t map of 1798 gires the name > ':%''a Square as Richtland. I Adanu. ' -■ - Adams. '"'' ■ '' '' ' Was formed from Mexico, embracing townships No. 7 and 8, on ihe 1st of April, 1802, the first town meeting being held at the house of Eliphalet Edmonds. The town derived its name from president John Adams. JSotes from the town records. — Wolf bounties of $5 were offered in 1803; of $10 from 1804 to 1814; of $16 in 1815. In «he latter year a bounty of $10 was offered for wild cats, and $1 for Ibxes. A special meeting was held December 20th, 1816,.and these bounties were rescinded. In 1818, a wolf bounty ol $10 was offered. Panther bounties of $10 offered in 1811, 1813. In 1822-3, the poor upon the town were voted to be sold at auction, to the lowest bidder. In 1823, the town voted against adopting the poor house, and house of industry, recommended by the supervisors. In 1812, a penalty of $5 voted for allowing Canada thistles to go to seed. At a special town meeting, passed November 29th, 1842, the sum of $500 was voted for repairing the state road from Rome to Sackett's Harbor in the towns of Redfield and Boylston. At the first town meeting of Adams, held March 1, 1803 the following town officers were elected: Nicholas Salisbury supervisor; Phineas Keith, clerk; D'Estaing Salisbury, John W. Smith, David Grommon, Jr., Thomas White, assessors; Isaac Baker, collector; Thomas White, David Comstock, overseers of the poor; Paul Stickney, Jacob Kellogg, Simeon Hunt, commissioners of highways; Isaac Baker, and Anson Moody, constables; Daniel Comstock, David Smith, George H. Thomas, George Cooper, fence viewers; Jacob Kellogg, Benjamin Thomas, vou7id keepers; Abraham Ripley, James Perry, Enan SalLbury, John Cowles, Consider Law, Solomon Robbins, Heze- kiah Tiffany, Thomas White, Daniel Mansfield, Asa Davis, Squire Read, Abel Palmer, overseers of highways; David Com- stock, Simeon Hunt, deer reeves. Supervisors. 1803-12, Nicholas Salisbury; 1813, Jacob Kel- logg; 1814-17, N. Salisbury; 1818-20, Eliphalet Edmonds; 1821-26, Wm. Ka *; 1827-28, Isaac Baker; 1829-30, Cyrus Eddy; iS'ii, Chi'uncey Baker; 1832, Isaac Baker; 1833, Cyrus E^ ji 1834, Wells Benton; 1835, David J. M. Howard; 1836, \.aac Baker; 1837, Jamuel Bond; 1838, D. J. M. Howard; 1839-40, John H. Whipple; 184 Robert B. Doxtater; 1842-43, Rufus Herick; 1844, Abram Sheldon; 1845-47, Joseph L. Green; 1848, Charles Potter; 1849-62, John C. Cooper; 1853, Joseph C Green. Adams, or No. 7, fell to the share of Nicholas Low, in the 73 Adanu. subdivision of the eleven towns, by ballot, and was surveyed by Benjamin Wright in 1796, into 56 lots, numbered from west to east, and from north to south, commencing nenr Henderson Bay, and ending on the line of Lorraine. Mr. Wright complained of local attractions, that rendered it impossible to run straight lines. The lots varied in contents from 240 acres to 676 acres, and the whole made an aggregate of 26,505 acres. In June, 1799, a company consisting of Nicholas Salisbury, Robert Fulton, Caleb Ellis and son Daniel, Joel Guile, Abram Wilcox, John and Gideon Howard, and Elihu Phillips, followed up the creek from Ellisburgh, through this town and Rodman, and the former was so struck with the probable fertility and value of the town that he went to New York the same fall, and purchased a tract one mile below the village. About a dozen, whose names are given in the following list, took up lands the same fall. This list is taken from the land books of Nicholas Low, in the hands of L W. Bostwick, Esq.. of Lowville, the agent under whom the town was mostly settled. 1798, Eiisha Phillips; 1799, Oct. 29, Stephen Shippey, Enon D'Estaing, Nicholas and Alex. Salisbury, Solomon Smi.h, Daniel Comstock, David Smith, Abram Ripley and Jonathan Cable; Nov. 6, Eliph't Edmonds, Alexander Dewey; Nov. 14, Geo. Cooper, Jehoida Page, Solomon Truman, John W. Smith, Francis McKee, Robert Myrick; Dec. 1, Squier Read, Daniel Fox, Zaccheus Walworth; 1800, Josiah'God- frey, Jenks Seaman, Simeon Forbes, Ebenezer Lazell, David and Stephen Grummons, Isaac Baker, Samuel Fox, Geo. Houseman, Peter Dockstader, Paul Stickney, Elias Avery, James McCumber, Russell Smith, Eben'r Brown, Amos Claflin, Joshua Comstock, Matthew Wilkie, Consider Law. In 1801, Abijah Miller, John Freeman, Josiah Godfrey, Daniel Talcott, Hezekiah Tiffany, Joseph Cook, Phineas Rose, Robert, Solomon and Asher Rob- bins, Simeon Meacham, Timothy Pond, Barnabas Wellman, Wm. Thomas, Abel Hart, Henry H. Walrodh, Chauncey and Roswell Mills. In 1802, Nathan Loveland, Cornelius Hinds, Sylvanus P. Daggart, Abel Loveland, Roswell Taylor, Roswell Coe, John Richard, David Higgens, Aaron Farr, John C. Toll, John C. Scott, James Streeter, John Kudder, Joseph Landon. In 1803, Truman and Theodore Bunce, John Jones, John Wentworth, Sylvanus Barney, James Randolph, D. G. M. Gaylord, James Henderson, Thomas James, Absalom Price, David Gardner. In 1804, Job Taylor, Eliphalet Adams, Abel Myrick. Darius Mark- ham, John C. Dickinson, John Weaver, Aaron Webster, and subsequently many others. Although in the fall of 1799, many parties were in looking for lands, yet |no settlement was made until April 16, 1800, when Nicholas Salisbury,* from YVeiit^^rn, * Mr. S. died in town, Dec. 11, 1834, aged 71. AdatM. W N. Y., found his vray into town through Lowville, by a tedious journey of 26 days, bringing with an ox team and sled, his family and goods, fording the streams with great peril, and camping at night wherever necessity compelled them. Solomon Smith and son accompanied, as hired men. John Smith, Francis McKee, Consider Law, David Smith, Peter Doxtater* and others, several with families, came into town, and begun small clearings, mostly in the valley of Sandy Creek. The terms of purchase were $3 per acre, and an obligation to clear two acres, and build a house within a certain time. A tract of 500 acres, where Adams village now is was taken up by David Smith.f who in 1800, built and got in operation a saw mill, and the same season witnessed the arrival of numeious settlers, mostly from Oneida County. Those on foot, came by way of Redfield, but this route was then impassable for teams. The first acre of clearing was cut in May and June, 1800, by Samuel Fox, three miles above the village. Mr. David Smith, where Adams Village now is, in 1801 or 1802, got in operation a very small grist mill, that superseded the stump mortars of the first season, and relieved the settlers from the long and tedious journeys to Coflf'een's Mill in Rutland, or voyages in open boats from the mouth of Sandy Creek to Kingston. From the first prominent settler at the vil- lage, the place acquired and long retairfe • the name of Smithes Mills, by M'hich it is still sometimes known by the old inhabit- ants. In 1801, Jacob Kellogg, John Cole, and many otl trs, moved in, and in the second or third following years, a flood of immi- gration soon filled up the town, which every where presented small patches of clearing, rude huts, blind paths through the forest, destined to become roads, and from every side echoed the woodman's axe, that gradually prepared the way for cultivation. The first deeds of land to actual settlers, were given Aug. 20, 1802, to George Houseman, Peter Doxtater, Francis McKie, Robert Myrick, and David Smith. In 1802, a bridge was built near Smith's Mill, which has beer swept off several times by the floods to which Sandy Creek i. peculiarly liable, and their maintenance has cost the town con- siderable expense. A tax of $500, upon the town of Adams was authorized April 13, 1839, for the purpose of building a bridge across the north branch of Big Sandy Creek at the village. The first death in town, was that of Alexander Salisbury, who' was drowned, March 21, 1801, while attempting to cross th? *Mr. ■ .. born at German Flats ; was taken prisoner by Indians, and kept thr . .>..a: served in the revolution, and died at Adams, Dec. 1, 184U, aged 93, congress in 1834, granted him a pension. t Mr. Smith died March 18, 1844, aged 73. 6 74 Adanu. creek above the dam, in a scow. The first marriage is said to have been his widow., to Daniel Ellis, June 8, 1802. In 1803, schools were ^ • "uith's mills. The first innkeeper in town, was AVI ti»>V. tie first merchant, Jesse Hale. On the ii'st oocasion in which the services of a physician were needed, in Ihe winter of 1801-2, C. Smith went on snow shoes to Western Oneida County 25 miles, through a forest, and returned the second day. This mode of communication was common from necessity at that period. Dr. Green i" na'id to have been the first physician who settled in to^ Ji. j.,'i £l 'man, located at an early day and resided till bis death, Sept. 6, 1844, aged 77. The early history of this town presents few incidents worthy of spe- cial notice. . During the war a company of Silver Grays, or old men not liable to military duty, and mostly revolutionary patri- ( IS, was formed in town, and once or twice repaired to Sackets Harbor, but were never taken into the service of government. In 1828, the sickness which prevailed so extensively in the vi- cinity of the lake, extended to this town, and proved very severe. Great numbers were attacked and many died. The location of David Smith, gradually became the centre of business, and has become one of the largest and neatest villages in the county. Adams Village is located mostly on the north bank of North Sandy Creek, near the south line of tho town, and contains a bank, a weekly newspaper, churches of the Presbyterian, Metho- dist, Baptist, and Episcopal orders, and for thrift, enterprise and progress, will compare favorably with most villages in the state. A visible impulse has been given to t by the rail road, which here receives and discharges a lar^t amount of freight for this and the adjoining towns. * .. water power of the village is ad- equate for its oidinaiy wants, and the surrounding country is remarkably fertile an.i well cultivated. The village was incor- porat d under i^ gefK.al act, b} he court of sessions, Nov. 11, 1851, and confirmed by a vote oi 79 to 51, nn the 19th of Dec. in ihe same year. The village plat includes 812 acres. An at- tempt had bfien m?!c!( in 1823, to obtain an a ;t of incorporation, but fniledj the notice of application was signed by Elibu Mcvton, David Smith, Benjamin Wright, and John Burch. The trnsteesof tlie village have been: Feb. 1852, J* ;j H.Whipple, Sam'iel Bond, Calvin Skinner, Calvin R. '^ man, nd Wells Benton. March 1S52, Jeremiah Grisworld, , 4. " hippie, C. Skinner, C. R. Totraan, W. Benton, March 1853, Thomas P. Saunders, J. H. Whipple, Justice Eddy, Wm. Grenell, Julius K. Bartlet. On the 27th of May, 1852, the village was divided into five wards, and a code of by laws adopted. A fire company was formed. May 24, 1853. About twenty-five years since, an effort was made towards establishing a female seminary here, of which Mr. Adams. 75 Thomas C. Chittenden was one of the roost active promoters. A small academic building was subsequently erected by individual enterprise, and the aid of Universalists, v/no stipulated the right of holding meetings in it on the sabbath. The building has since been generally used for private schools, under the name of the Mams Seminary, and is now occupied as a session room by the Presbyterian Society. The project of founding an academy at this place, has lately come up for discussion. The Adams Library was formed April 12, 1831, with Cyrus Eddy, Wm. Chittenden, Walter Webb, Forester Dexter, and Weils Benton, trustees. It has long since been di&solved. A Rural Cemetery Association was formed un«ler the general act, Jan. 17, 1848, of 33 citizens, who have laid out a neat and quiet ' jt, for the purpose, n( ii- the village. Adatns Centre, ten miles by rail road liom Watertown, and 3} from Adams Village, is situated on the upper lake ridge, which extends many miles southward and around into the Black River Valley. Its first growth as a village comuienced in 1818, and since the location of the rail road it has increased rapidly, con- taining in August 1853, two Seventh Day Baptist, and one Bap- tist chiirclus, 2 hotels, 4 stores, 2 carriage shops, 1 tin shop, the usi 1 variety of mechanics, and about 40 dwellings. It was foririt: ') known as Adams Five Corners. This place is 5 miles from Jmithville, 4 from Rodman, 10 from Brownville, 11 from Dexter, and 8 from Sackets Harbor. On ihe west line of the town, and partly in Henderson, is the villapf f Smithville, which derives its name from Jesse Smith, one oi I .6 most energetic and active business men, who have lived in the county, and who, from a small beginning, arose to affluence, and controlled a business, which, for extent and import- ance, has had few parallels in the country. He first settled in Rodman, when the town was new, and began life as a jobber, in clearing land and making pota^. At Smithville, he engaged in milling, distilling, and merchandise, and gradually L'jcame interested in the lumber trade, and commerce of the lakes, to a great exent. H«; removed about fifteen years since to Newark, Ohio, where he now r<'sides. Stitlement was begun here in 1804, by Daniel Hardy. In 1805, Abel Myrick, Henry Knapp, Samuel and Andrew McNitt, and soon after others located in the vicinity. The first public house was opened by D. Hardy. Brooks Harrington was the first post master. The village contains now fifty families. It has a limited water power on Stony Creek, and is surrounded by a rich dairying country. The Sackets Harbor and Ellisburgh rail road passes near Ihe village. The Smithville Library was formed Feb. 16, 1824 and dissolved in 1845, having collected 362 volumes. The first trustees were Abel L. Crandall, 76 Adanu. Henry Keith, Daniel Hall, Jr., John M. Bart, C. M. AHami, Roswell Bosworih, and Brooks Harrinp;ton. In Feb. 1827, a post office was established near the line of Watertown, and named Union Post Office; E. M. Howard first post master. It han since changed to Appling, in honor of the intrepid officer who took the chief commairl in the battle of Sandv Creek Adams, Adams Centre, and North Adams are names of the other post offices in this town. Religious Societies. The Presbyterian Church of Adams Vil- lage, was formed as a Con^regaliunal one, July 1804, by Re\'. E. Lazell, oi' 4 males, and 2 females. In 1801, divine worsihip had been established on the sabbath, and in 1802, the fiist sermon was preached by Kev. Mr. Woodward, missionary. Mr. John Taylor was hired a shor.t time after, and in 1806, Rev. Phelps was hired to preach a few months. On the 31st of July 1811, Rev. Chauncey Cook was installed first pastor, in which year 26 were added. In 1815 the pastor left, and in the spring of 1816, Mr. Burt was hired 3 months. Rev. Mr. Porter was then em- ployed 2 years, and in 1818 Rev. Enos Bliss, 6 months. In IS19, 40 were added, and in April Rev. Geo. W. Gale was employed. Oct. 25, 1819, he was installed by the St. Lawrence Presbytery, and in 1823 resigned. During Mr. Gale's ministry, a general revival of religion occurred, and in 1822, 63 united with this church, among whom was Charles G. Finney, who has since acquired a national celebrity as an evangelist, and is now presi- dent of Oberlin College. He had previously been a law student, under Judge B. Wright, and evinced an ability and sagacity, that would doubtless have made him eminent in that profession. His attention is said to have been turned to religious subjects, under the preaching of the Rev. Jedediah Burchard, who has attained a distinction not less general as a revival preacher, and of whose labors we shall have repeated occasions to mention in the following pages. The preaching of Mr. Finney has been remarkable for the boldness and originality of his logic, and the strength and clearness of bis arguments, which seldom fail to secure the undivided attention of his audience, without those extraneous aidsto excitement, which, in the hands of some, have produced analagous results. His first ministerial labors were performed in Lorraine, and, previous to his commencing his career as a revival preacher, he was employed at Evans Mills and else- where, as a stated supply. This church became Presbyterian Jan. 29, 1821, and has since so remained. On the 25th of Jan. 1825, the Rev. John Sessions was installed pastor and remained till the spring of 1830. Rev. J. Hart was hired the same fall, and in 1831, a period of great religious interest occurred, and many were added to the church. David A. Clark was in 1832 Adami. 77 installed, and left the next year. Joseph Myers, Chas. Jones, Dexter Clary, J. H. Carr, R. Richard Kirk, and P. C. Headley have since been employed, the latter being the present pastor. The First Congregational Society of Adams was formed Aug. 28, 1805, with Jacob Kellogg, Eliphalet Adams, Elijah Fox, Daniel Comstock, Preserved Redway, and Simon Meacham, trustees. A church, 30 by 40 feet, was built soon after the war, and opened 1818; it was afterward used by the Methodists, until burned about a year since. In 1826 the present church was commenced, and dedicated in 1827; cost |7000. The total number who have united with this church is about 600. A Baptist church was formed at the house of David Grommon, in September, 1802, and on the 13th of October, 1805, the Lord's Supper was first administered. In June, 1806, Elder Timothy Heath was employed, and meetings were for some time held at his house and barn; and on the 14th of December, 1824, a society was formed, with Daniel Taloott, Jacob Heath, and Asa Lewis, trustees. In the same year a church was built one mile from Adams Centre, on the state road, and in 1838, their present church was erected at a cost of about $3,000. Timothy Heath, Joshua Freeman, Charles Clark, Thomas Bright, and J. J. Teeple, have been successively employed as pastors of this church. In 1853, a portion of the members erected a meeting house at Adams Centre, and have organized a separate society. On the 30th of March, 1837, a Baptist church and society were formed at Adams village, with Jesse Wright, Hannibal Miller, and Spen- cer Woodward, trustees; but no church was built until 1847, when the present one was erected at a cost of $3,500, and dedicated in January, 1848; the Rev. Charles Clark, ^—— Hartson, and M. C. Manning, have been employed as ministers by this church. The First Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Adams, was formed October 24, 1828; the ^rst trustees being Laban Ross, Philip Younge, David Wright, Zephania Jacker, Chester McKee, Daniel Dikeman, and John Adams. For some time the Methodists occupied the edifice first erected by the Presbyterians, but this being burned, they, in the summer of 1853, erected in Adams village a house 44 by 80 feet, at a cost of about $6000, including the site. In point of elegance and taste this edifice will compare favorably with any of the dass in the county. A parsonage was built adjoining, the same season. The society had been reorganized May 14, 1838. The First Methodist Episcopal Church and Society in the vil- lage of Smilhville was formed October 31, 1844, with Horace Ivory, John Shanley, John D. Gillett, James Morton, and John Briley, trustees. A small church was'built about 1845. In 1817, one or two families of Seventh Day Baptists, removed rX- 78 i AdarM» from Berlin, N. Y., to Adams Centre, and soon held meetings. On the 5th of June 1822, Wm. B. Maxson, and David Coon, sent for the purpose from Brookfield,N. Y., ordained Wra. Green, and June 9, formed a church of 10 males and 1 1 females. Jan- uary 3, 1836 a society was formed, with Edward Whitford, Elihu Cleveland, Joseph S. Maxson, Asa L. Maxson, Benjamin Maxson, Charles Greene, Joseph (irreene, Jr., Job Spencer, and S. Burdick trustees, who erected a church at Adams Centre, soon after. This body belongs to the Central Seventh Day Baptist Association of New York. The clergy have been, Wm. Greene, Eli S. Bailey, Giles M. Langworthy, Joel Greene, Alexander Campbell, and James Summerbell; and by their report of 1853, the churdi contained 196 members. During the ministry of Mr. Campbell, the church was divided. In March, 1852, seventeen members who had withdrawn and had been excommunicated from the latter, were formed by Rev. Alexander Campbell into the Independent Seventh Day Baptist Church of Mams, who, the same year, built at a cost of $ 1,300, a church in the south part of Adams Centre Village, which was dedicated December 15, 1852. The Evangelical Seventh Day Baptist Society was formed January 3, 1853, with H. Bunce, Job Spencer, and Joel Saunders, trustees. Present number of church (August 1853), eighty-two. The Second Congregational Church of North Adams was formed by Rev. D. Spear, at the house of Roger Reed, November 1, 1809, of five males and eight femalesj and their first pastor was Edward W. Rossiter, who was installed November 11, 1818, and has been followed by Abel L. Crandall, D. Spear, Austin Putnam, P. Cook, and Lewis M. Shepard; the most of whom preached alternately here and at Smithville. The latter was installed July 19, 1848, and remained till September 5, 1850, since which there has been no minister. The Society of this church was formed at the house of Asher Robbins, December 5, 18 16, of which John Barnard, Asher Robbins, and Ruel Parsons, were trustees. January 28, 1817, Simon Read, Daniel Hall, Jr., and Amos Bos- worth, were added to trustees. The centre of the society being found to be a mile west of North Adams, a chuich was built in 1818, a on th'j stream connecting Mud and Butter- field lakes, the former of which is about 94 feet abo\e the latter, aflbniinga limited amount of water power, that had several years previous been improved by the erection of a saw and grist n.i 1 by David Smith of Adams. Foster contracted with EVancis Depau, for a tract of about 10,000 acres, as agent; borrowed several thousand dollars of Depau and the same summer erected the present glass factory, and on the 30th of Sept. 1833, the first glass was made. A village was surveyed by Thomas Clark, and named Jamesville, but Mr. Foster gave the place the present naii'C, from its similarity to Redford, his late residence, in hopes of thus being able to compete in the s.ile of glass with an estab- lishment from which he claimed to haveb^en unjustly discharged. His death, which occurred Jan .2, 1834, put a stop to operations, and the tract and improvements according to the contract, revert- ed to Depau. The factory was afterwards run by Schmauss, & Co., Gerlach & Son, ingleson, Forbes & Co., H. S. White, and from 1844 by Zeng & Co., fiorn the Clyde glass factory. This firm at first consisted of Lawrence W. De Zeng, A. Burlingame, and Theodore Hinman. The latter was succeeded by A. Salisbury, Alexandria. 83 and this firm continued operations till July 1, 1853, when a joint stock company of $12,000 capital, went into operation, entitled the Redwood Glass Manufacturing Company. The company employs about 30 men, and makes $40,000 worth of glass, annually. The glass is sorted into qualities as follows, commencing with the best; viz. Patent 1st; Patent; Lake; Cylinder; Boston. The material for these various qualities is the same, and an effort is always made to obtain the first quality, but there are so many contingencies unavoidable in the manufacture, that a con- siderable portion from each blowing belongs to the poorer quali- ti'is. The sand used in making glass is procured by calcining and crushing the Potsdam sandstone of the vicinity, which is found to afford a material well adapted to the business. The wholesale prices of glass vary from $2 to $3 per 50 feet for the small sizes. The three better qualities alone are cut to large sizes, the prices of which become more than double, as the di- mensions reach 26 by 36 inches and upwards. The labor of blowing into cylinders, flattening and cutting, is paid by the 100 feet, and wages vary with the skill and luck of the laborers, some of whom receive high wages. Redwood has, besides, a Catholic and Episcopal church, two inns, three stores, one grist- mill, two saw-mills, two wagon shops, and several other shops, with water power. In 1850 it had 58 families, and 332 inhab- itants. It is on the Military Road, 13 miles from Hammond, and distant 7 miles from Alexandria Bay, 3 from Pkssis, and 6 from Theresa. Alexandria, Alexandria Centre, Plessis and Redwood are post flffices in this town. The Alexandrian Library was formed June 2, 1823, having for its first trustees Jerre Carrier, Willard Merrick, William Merrill, Hiram Mills, Jonathan B. Thompson, Joseph Ingham, Jr., Samuel J. Bingham, Nathaniel Goodell, Jacob Elwood. It has been discontinued. This town set a commendable example by the holding of a town fair and cattle show, for the encouragement of agriiullure, in 1838 and 1839, the first of which was held at Plessis, ?ind tlie tif Tond at Theresa Falls, then in Alexandria. The nctiue of the first of these was issued in March, several months in ad- vance, and promised the distribution, as premiums, of not less than $130, the most of which was given by the land proprie- tors interested in the town. Mr. Marshall, agent of Depau, was active in originating the first fair, while the second was a popu- lar movement. They were held but two years. Religious Societies. — The First Presbyterian Church of Alex- andria was formed at Plessis, August II, 1821, by Rev. Nathaniel Button, and consisted of seven members. The clergy since em- ployed, have been the Rev. Messrs. Wm. B. Stowe, John Ses- fk Alexandria. sions, Wm. Chittenden, Lewis M. Shepard, L. Wilcox, Henry Smith, and C. W. Treadwell. It has belonged to the Water- town Presbytery since February, 1823. A union church was built in Plessis, in 1833, at a cost of $2,100, of which Francis Depau gave $1,000, the Antwerp Company $100, and citizens the balance. It is open to all denominations one quarter of the time, to Presbyterians one-half, to the Free Will Baptists one- eighth, and to the Universalists one-eighth of the time. A Congregational Society was organized at the Bay, in 1823, with J. Carrier, N. Goodale, A. Goddard, Wm. Merrill, and Jas. Carnigie, trustees. A Methodist Society was formed Dec. 22, 1835, the first trustees being Samuel J. Brooks, Alexander Mor- gan, and Benjamin Barns. This denomination has a chapel at Alexandria Centre, which was erected about 1839. St. Peter's Church (Episcopal), was formed at Redwood, Aug. 12, 1850, with Daniel Slack and Matthias Harrison, wardens; Richard Gray, L. W. DeZeng, Chas. Clark, James Wright, and Josiah Bucklee, vestrymen. Rev. Wra. Allen Fisk was at that time missionary. The present one is the Rev. B. W. Whitcher. A small Gothic church was erected in 1851, after the designs of R. Upjohn of New York. The church now reports 98 individuals. The Baptists have two organizations in town, the first of which began to report to the B. R. Association in 1830, and the second in 1833. Their last report gave 21 and 34, respectively, and neither have a house of worship. The Free Will Baptists have an organization in town, but their numbers are much reduced. St. Francis' Church (Catholic), was erected about five years since, at Redwood, and is supplied by priests from Watertown and Carthage. A Reformed Protestant Dutch Church was organized at Alex- andria Bay, under the following circumstances. In the summer of 1846, the Rev. George W. Bethune, D. D.,of Brooklyn, having occasion to spend a few days at the place, and learning that among a scattered population of 2000, on the island and main land, there was no place of woiship, and few religious opportu- nities, except one service a month by a Methodist circuit preach- er, formed the plan of organizing a church here. He called the inhabitants togt-:ther, and preached to them on the sabbath, and at the close o( the s.ervice he suggested to them the estab- lishment of a sabbath school, promising them a supply of books for the purpose. The suggestion was complied with, a school opened, 40 or 50 scholars gathered into it, and it was kept up about a year. In 1847, the Rev. Jerome A. Davenport was in- duced by Dr. Belhune to visit the place as a missionary, being partially .supported by a few friends of the mission, until, in 1850, the care was assumed by the Board of Domestic Missions, Antwerp. 85 of that order. In the fall of 1847, Mr. D. raised |1275, in New York, Brooklyn, and adjacent places, and $275 from resi- dents at the Bay. He remained three years, a considerable time abroad, soliciting aid, and in the fall of 1848 the erection of a church was begun, and May 25, 1851, it was opened for wor^- ship. It is of stone, 35 by 55 feet, and has a truncated tower 60 feet high. It will seat from 350 to 400 persons, and cost $2,821- 88, besides $170 for a bell, of which all but $286*91 was raised abroad. Since August, 1850, the Rev. Anson Du Bois has had the pastoral care of the church. On the 1st of August, 1651, the church was regularly lormeil, the Rev. Charles Wiley, D. D. being present as a committee representing the Classis of Cayuga., It consisted of 13 members, of whom 5 were males; piesent number 20. Alva Ford and James Wadsworlh were appointed elders and deacons, and the organization was named The Church of the Thousand Isles. The sites for a church and par- sonage were given by the heirs of Depau, and a parsonage was built in 1852, at a cost of $800. Antwerp. This town was formed from Le Ray, with its present limits, April 5th, 1810, to take effect on the 1st of January following. A part of Lewis County was annexed to Jefferson by the same act. The first town meeting was directed to be held at the house of Francis McAllaster. Supervisors. — 1811-7, Daniel Heaki; 1818-9, SilviusHoard; 1820--2, John Howe; 1823-4, S. Hoare direction a grist mill was built on the site of the present clothing works. The land books show the following names of setflers, with the dates of their purchase: 1805, Wra. Lee. 1806, John Bethel, John Robinson, Peter Vrooman, Edward Foster, Jr., Mary Stir- ling, Benajah Randall, John Jenisori, Peter Raven, Hopestill Foster and John i\ Foiiter. 1807, Zebulon Rockwell, Samuel Griswold, David Coffeen, Zopher Holden. 1808, Samuel Ran- dall, Zebina Bishop, Mary Bishop, Alfred Walker, Daniel Gill, Wra. Fletcher. 1809, Rich'd McAllaste.\ lexter Gibbs, Shere- biah Gibbs, Jonathan Marbles, Isaac L. .Mjichoock, Timothy Ruggles, Jesse Jacliion, T>aniel Heald, John Pease. 1810, Ainasa Sartwell, Almond Be cher, Wm. i^'letcher, Dulhan Kings- bury, Harrison Mosley. 18 11, Oliver Howell, Lemuel Hubbard, Anson Cummlngs, John White, Lwi Whoelotk. 1812, Wm. Harri, Wra. McAllaster, Daniel Sterling, Salmon While, War- ren Streeter, Wm. Randall, Elkanah Patt idge, Ira Ward, Asher Seymour, Roswell Wilder, Btnj. Goodwin, Elliot Lynde, Daniel Gill, Caleb Cheney, Henry C. Baldwin, James Briggs, Silas Brooks, Shailer Beck with, Silas Ward, Ezra Church. In 1808, David Parish,* an eminent banker of Hamburgh, made exten- sive purchases in Northern New York, incl'idirig 29,033 acres in this town. Mr. Jenison was continued ui the agency until succeeded by Sylvius Hoard. In April, 1824, ibe present agent, Mr. Wm. McAllaster was appointed. Soon after Mr. Parish had purchased, the greatest alarm was spread through the settlement of Antwerp and Rossie, by the * A biographical sketch of Mr, David ^ s given in the Hist. St. Lawrence and Fran), i ^ . 'id ^is brother George, ar« i,p. COO. m^ I « Antwerp, iniRriipresentations of a vicious minded person, vrf ^ad previ- ously been employed as an affent for selling one of m.' 'ownshius 01 St Lawrence County, anu had deliberately perpetialed a vil- liarily in the execution of his trusts, for which there was no init'ly redress. With no assignable motive but a morbid love of mischief, he visited seme of the settlers, and announced that thiy had now changed masters, and would soon know what it was to be in the hands of a tyrant; that their dues would be ex- acted with vigor, and forthwith, or they would be stripped of theii property and turned off destitute from their homos. This alarming announcement, coming from one who figured largely in public aflciirs, 8piead an alarm through the settlement, and when they \;ere shortly after viaited by Mr. Joseph Rosseel, agent of the new purchaser, the excitement was intense. He iuunediately set himself ut work in restoring confidence with the people, visited them in their houses, shared in their homely tare, entered into all their little plans and amusements, attended their parties, and by a persevering course of familial ity and kindness, soon succeeded in counteractmg the mischief which the slander- ous villian had occasioned. On the arrival of Mr. Parish, he visited every family, and as- sured them that they might depend upon any indulgence that might br 1 e.'isonably asked. The sincerity of this promise they newr fo',iin> 90 Antwerp. on its vray to market. To evade the military guard that ob- structed the road, the following stratagem was adopted. Captain B. who had charge of the company, was invited to a whist party at Cook's '^avern, three miles north of Antwerp, at which place, during the evening, a large party of boys and young men assembled, with no apparent object but to spend the evening in carousing, drinking and card playing. Brandy cir- culated freely, and the revels continued till a late hour in the night, when the captain and his party set out to return in a sleigh closely followed by the loads of tea, thickly covered by a disorderly crowd, who by singing, shouting, quarreling, and fighting, made the night hideous with unearthly discords, and would readily pass as a half drunken rabble returning from a midnight revel. The captain, who was himself rather more than half intoxicated, entered with spirit into the merriment of the others, and as the train approached the sentinels, he shouted: "Its Captain 5., let my company pass." The order was obeyed, and the disorderly mob passed on, and having got beyond reach of danger, they left the teams to pursue their course in quiet, and in due time boasted of the success of their stratagem. In Deceinber 1816, preparations were begun under direction of Parish, for the erection of a forge, on Indian River, a mile above Antwerp Village. A road, a dam, a forge, and a house, were built soon after, and the forge continued two or three years with no profit. In 1824 a distillery was commenced at the same place, and kept in operation from 1825, till the death of George Parish in 1839, running mostly during the fall, winter and spring months, and consuming from Jan. 1826 till May 1839 (except 1829, 30, during a part of which years it was not run) 72,1 14 bushels of corn, 40,074 of rye, 4,423 of rye malt, 2,370 of rye flour, 663 of barley malt, 108 of crushed barley, and 4,899 pounds of hopj, and making more than half a million of gallons of proof whiskey. From 50 to 125 head of cattle were .fattened here annually during the winter months, and in the summv^r sometimes a large number of swine. Corn and rye were purchased at from 56 ts. to a dollar a bushel, the average being about 6o cts., and barlev at xcom 75 cts. to a dollar. These works were erected an(^ superintended by Wm. McAUaster, as agent for Geo. Parish, avid afforded a home market for grain and cattle, which enabled farmers to pay for their lands much sooner than would otherwise have been possible, although the pernicious influence of this business upon the public morals, has doubtless been much greater than the benefits conferred. In 1834 a grist mill was built by Mr. Parish, near the distillery, which with the adjacent property was purchased by James Ster- ling, in 1846, and a furnace erected 28 feet square, and 32 feet Antwerp, di high, which was at first fitted for the hot, but which has since 1849 been run with the cold blast. It has been run upon ore from the Sterling mine in this town, only so much of other qua- lities of ore being used as is necessary for its proper reduction. Castings have not been made at the furnace, but a foundry has been got in operation near by, under the direction of other parties. This locality is about four miles from the mine, from which ore is drawn at 5C cts. per ton. A small village has grown up around the premises, which has acquired the local name of Sterlingburgh. There are, besides the furnace and mills, a plaster mill, and a few shops and dwellings. Antwerp Village is 6 miles from Philadelphia, 10 from The- resa, 7 from Ox Bow, 7 from Somerville, 16 from Carthage, 8 from Sterlingville, 13 from Great Bend, and 22 from Watertown. The Potsdam and Watertown rail road, now building, passes through the village, and it has plank roads Ieadii?gto Gouverneur, Rossie, Greet Bend, and Carthage, each of which connect with others The Village of Antwerp "was incorporated under the general act, in pursuance of an order of the court of sessions, and con- firmed at a special election, held July 30, 1853, by a vote of 53 to 3. The limits of the corporation embrace 660 acres of land. There are in the village, churches of the Baptist, Catholic, and Presbyterian orders, three hotels, six or seven stores, a great va- riety of mechanics,, and about 500 inhabitants. The village of Ox Boio, near the north line of the town, is pleasantly situated on a remarkable bend of the Oswegatchie River, which gives name to the place. The first settler here was Peter Vrooman, from Johnstown, who located on the old state road, in the north part of the village, about 1803. From its being at the convergen(Jfe of several important roads, which the natural features of the country compelled to pass he e, it has, without other advantages, become a small village of two inns, two stores, a few mechanic shops, and forty or fifty families. It has a church, belonging to the Associate Reformed order. The scenery around this village is remarkably fine, and the shores of neighboring lakes, possess a romantic interest from the numerous problems in geology that they present. As an inviting field for the collection of minerals, this vicinity is unrivalled, and in our chapter on the mineral resources of the county, the species and varieties found here, will be enumerated. This village is on the plank road, between Antwerp and Hammond, and is the terminus of one leading to Evans' Mills and Watertown. It is 7 miles from Rossie, 10 from Theresa, 16 from Evans' Mills, 11 from Philadelphia, 7 from Antwerp, 4 from Somerville, and 8 from Gouverneur, by way of Wegatchie, or Church's Mills. About half a mile from the 03 Antwerp. Tillage, on the plank road towards Evans' Mills, [is a singular precipice of gneiss rock, sixty or seventy feet high and quite perpendicular, upon the face of \vhich is the section of a remark- able excavation, similar to the pot holes found in lime stone rocks, and worn by the rotation of pebbles in water. The fol- lowing figure from Prof. Emmons's report on the geology of the 2nd district, represents accurately the shape of the excavation, but fails to impart an adequate idea of the grandeur of the as- sociated scenery. f i Pulpit Rock, near Ox Bow. When the settlements were new, meetings were, it is said, held at the foot of this cliff, the cavity serving as a pulpit, from whence was derived the name. For mineral wealth, Antwerp stands unrivaled in the county. Being underlaid mostly by primary rock, and the border of the lowest sedimentary formations, it allbrds at several points, mines that are wrought with great profit, aiid at others, strong indica- tions of ores which have not been yet explored. Of minerals in- teresting to the man of science, but without practical value, the number is large. So much as relates to the history of these mines will be given here, while their geological relations will be detailed in our chapter on that subject. Antwerp. 93 singular nd quite remark- me stone The fol- yy of the [.•avation, f the as- said, held |lpit, Irom le county. Ider of the |nts, mines dp; indica- erals in- /alue, the of these Vtions will A quarry was opened in a ledge of gneiss, on the old state road, between Mr. Cook's place, and Ox Bow, in 1805, by David Cof- feen, and James Parker, for the manufacture of mill stones. The business was followed more or less, a part of each year, till about 1828, during which time nearly 100 pair were made, and sold in adjoining counties, or sent westward. The price of a pair ready for hanging, was generally $100. Boulders of gneiss, were often used in making mill stones in the county, at an early day, some of which were found to answer a good purpose. Specular iron ore, had been wrought in the adjoining town of Rossie, since 1812, and many unsuccessful expenditures had been made in this, when, in 1836, a locality was reported to have been found on an island in the midst of a swamp, on the farm of Hope- still Foster, 3 miles north of Antwerp Village. This was covered by the landlord's reserve, but from the unsuccessful issue of all former trials in this town, Mr. Parish attached but little import- ance to the discovery, and for $200 sold his interest to James Sterling, and others. This, upon opening, has proved a mine of immense value, yielding ore of rich quality, and in unknown amount. The statistics of this mine can not be accurately ob- tained, but it has mainly supplied the furnace at Sterlingville since 1837, that at the distillery, since 1846, and for a year or two another at Sterlingsburh (Louisburgh), Lewis County, be- longing to Mr. Sterling. The ore is wrought by men hired by the month, and the mine is opened to the day. It is drained by horse pumps, but from its being surrounded by swamp, will always be incommoded by water, especially when the mine is sunk to a considerable depth. It has not hitherto been necessary to elevate the ore by machinery. About a half a mile south of this, is another mine, belonging to Parish, known as the White ore bed^ from the owner of the farm where it occurs. One mile from Antwerp Village, on the farm of Nathan W. Ward, is another, which has been known to exist many years, but has been only worked since 1852. From 700 to 800 tons have, it is said, been taken from this mine. On the farm of Hiram B. Keene, a short distance from the county line, and in the same range with the great mines in Ros- sie, and Gouverneur, there were found about 1837, indications that led to the discovery of a mine, on land not covered by reserve. It was traced into a neighboring field, of i^hich the land holder held the reserve, and heavy mining operations have been since conducted on both sides of the line but most extensively on that owned by Parish. The ore here dips at an angle of about forty five degrees, and is overlaid by a coarse sandstone, that is sup- ported by huge masses of ore, left by the miners. This mine is the only one of iron in this section of the state, that is wrought 94 Antwerp. under ground by lamps. The portion first discovered, has ber.i lately sold for $3000. Marble of a coarse texture, but suited for many purposes of architecture, occurs in vast quantities in Antwerp, but no ellort lias hitherto been made to turn it to a useful account, further than as a material for lime, and a flux for iron ores. Black and variegated Rensselaerite, and Serpentine, of fine quality, occur in town, and may hereafter be brought into use as ornamental marbles. Indications of copper ore have been found, but none in profitable quantities. Potsdam sandstone of a quality suited for the liring of furnaces, has been wrought extensively for this purpose on the farm of Mr. Keene, near the north line of the town. This town has three post offices, viz: Jlntwerp, Ox Bow and Bentley's Comers, the latter being on the Ox Bow and Evans' Mills Plank Iload, four miles from the former place. The Antwerp Delphic Library was formed March 13, 1832, with Charles B. Hoard, Wm. McAUaster, R. N. Randall, Sam'l Gains, and Levi Miller, trustees. It has, like most others of the class, been given up, since the formation of school district libraries. Religious Societies. The first bouse of worship in town, and the second one in the county, was built of brick, in the village qf Antwerp, at the sole expense of Mr. Parish, in 1816-17, and \^&s for many years occupied by different denominations. In March, 1849, it was sold to the Catholics, for $600, and has since been used by them alone. Our statistics of the denomina- tions in town is defective, from failure to receive facts that had been promised.* The first Presbyterian Society was formed April 29, 1819, with Silvius Hoard, John C. Foster, Wm and Samuel Randall, Smith Copeland, and Luther Conklin, trustees. A church had been formed previously, and in June, 18 19, had been received into the St. Lawrence Presbytery, on the applica- tion of Rev. Ziba Tuttle, their minister. The society was re- organized October 5, 1824, with Hiram Murdcok, Benajah and William Randall, Zebina Smith, Jeremy Stimson, and Josiah Drake, Jr., trustees. Among the clergy, here, have been Cal- vin Wait, Rufus R. Deming, and others. Charles B. Pond is the present pastor. In 1850 the society erected, in the north part of the village, an elegant church edifice, that will compare favorably with any in the county. The Ox Bow Presbyterian Society of Antwerp and Rossie, was formed May 15, 1820, with Abraham Cooper, Abraham Lewis, Reuben Streeter, James Ormiston, James Douglas, Orren Matthews, Percival Hawley, and Abner Benton, trustees. A church was formed the same * See note in appendix. BrownviUe> 96 summer, at first having about 40 members, which soon united with tht^ St. Lawrence Presbytery, then embracing this county. Ii has since united with that of Ogdensburgh. The Rev. James Sandford was installed Sept. 5, 1820, and has been employed many years. The society have no house of worship. The Methodist Chapel of the first society in Antwerp, was formed Nov. 2, 1832, with Samuel Cook, Isaac Sprague, Wm. Chalor, Daniel and Wm. Shepard, Theodore Cross, George Lum, Asher Seymour, and Daniel Brown, trustees. The Sprague's Corner Methodist society was formed Jan. 12, 1837, with Elijah Steele, Jr., Abel Goodnough, Isaac Sprague, John Brown, Wm. Howe, Martin Mitchel, and Samuel Kelsey, trustees. They the same year I uilt a chapel, at a cost of about $1,000. A Methodist society was formed at Ox Bow, May 14, 1833, with A. Lewis, Ira D. Shepherd, Wm. H. Collar, Samuel Bonfy, and Ebenezer Birdsley, trustees. They have never erected a church. A Baptist society was formed February 23, 1836, with David Manning, Obadiah Chamberlain, and Joseph Palmer, trustees, and has a church edifice in Antwerp village. An organization had been formed previously, which, in 1825, united with the Black River Association, and has since regularly reported. The Antwerp and Fowler Union Society (Baptist), was formed Sept. 11, 1838, with Amos Sheldon, Alexander Wright, J. H. Boz- worth, Leonard Pike, Ansel Clark, and Moses Burge, trustees, and soon after built a church near the county line, at Steele's Corners. A Wesleyan Methodist society was formed Sept. 1, 1845, at Sprague's Corners, with Allen Woodward, Emor Bell, and Abel Goodnough, trustees. They have a small chapel. The Associate Reformed Church of Antwerp and Rossie, was formed at the Ox Bow, May 22, 1837, with Andrew Culbertson, John Barrow, Robert Darling, James Dickson, Wm. TurnbuU, and Wm. Fleming, trustees. It was reorganized April 7, 1840. This society has a neat church edifice of stone, fronting on the . public square in the village of Ox Bow. It is principally com- posed of Scotch emigrants, many families of whom are settled in this and the adjoining town of Rossie. Brownville. Was erected from Leyden, April 1, 1802, embracing all north of Black River, from a line running from the northwest corner of Champion, N. 45** E., to the southwesterly bounds of the county of St. Lawrence. The first town meeting was directed to be held at the house of Jacob Brown. Adams and Rutland were erected by the same act. It was named afler Jacob Brown, after- wards Major General of the array, the first settler and general land agent. The first town meeting was held at the house of 96 BroumviUe. i • Samuel and Jacob Brown, and adjourned to Brownville Hotel, March 1, 1803, at which the following tow^n officers were elected: Jacob Brown, supervisor; Isaac Collins, clerk; John W. Collins, Rich'd Smith, and Peter Pratt, assessors; J. W. Collins, Ozias Preston, Samuel Starr, commissioners highways; 0. Preston, Richardson Avery, Henry A. Delamater, Samuel Brown, Benj. Brown, Wm. Rogers, Abijah Putnam, jTewcfi viewers; S. Brown, S.Siarvt overseers of the poor; S. Brown, Sanford Langworthy, Caleb J. Bates, Sylvanus Fish, H. A. Delamater, IVed'k Sprague, Geo. Waffle, Ethni Evans, puthmasters; J. W. Collins, H. A. Delamater, and S. Brown, poundmasters. Supervisors — 1803, Jacob Brown; 1804, 5, John W. Collins; 1806, 7, Jacob Brown; 1808, J. W. Collins; 1809, 10, John Brown; 1811, 12, Josiah Farrar; 1813, John Brown; 1814, Joseph Clark; 1815, John Brown; 1816, 17, Walter Cole; 1818, Geo. Brown Jr.; 18 19, 20, Hoel Lawrence; 1821-28, Walter Cole; 1829-33, Geo. Brown (of Perch River); 1834, 35, Aaron Shew; 1836, 37, Walter Cole; 1838, Mahlon P. Jackson; 1839. 40, Alanson Skinner; 1841, Wm. Lord; 1842, 43, A. Skinner; 1844, 45, Chas. B. Avery; 1846, A. Skinner; 1847, Chas. B. Averyj 1848, Arba Strong; 1849, Cyrus Allen; 1850, Tho's. L. Knapp, C.Allen, special meeting; 1851, Cyrus Allen; 1852, Samuel Middleton, 2nd; 1853, Charles K. Loom is. At a special meeting, Jan. 29, 1818, the town petitioned for a tax upon themselves of $2000, towards building a bridge at Wil- liamstown(Pamelia) Village, and another at Brownville Village. John Brown, Joseph Clark, and Thomas Loomis, were appointed commissioners for this purpose. In 1813 a law had also been massed for the erection of bridges, by a tax upon this and adjacent vns. During 15 years a poor tax has been voted, making an aggre- gate of $5,790, and in 1835 the poor money on hand was applied to schools. In 32 years, money has been raised for bridges, usually $250, per annum, and amounting to $9,050. In 1846 money was raised to build a bridge over Perch River, near its mouth, and in 1835, 1848, 49, 50, to build one at Fish Island, in the village of Dexter. Bounties on wolves of $5, were offered in 1807 — 1818; of $8 in 1821; of $10 in 1806, 8, 9, 11, 12,20; of $15 in 1804, 13, 19; of $20 inl8|15, 16; and of $25 in 1814, 17. Fox bounties of $1, in 1815,20, 21; of $250 in 1817, 19; and of 50cts. in 1833, were offered. In 1806 a bounty of 10, and in 1807 of $5 was offered for panthers. At the annual town meeting in 1820, which was held at Perch River, after electing a portion of the officers, the meeting ad- journed to the house of Edward Arnold, on Penet Square, till the Brownvilte. 97 next day. This mensure created much excitement, and those living in the southern and eastern portions of the tovrn, rallied with all their forces, attended promptly at the earliest moment of the adjourned meeting, organized, and immediately voted an- other adjournment to the house of Elias Bennet at Brownville Village, on the afternoon of the same day, where the vote for town clerk was reconsidered, and the remaining officers elected. Being thus robbed of their town meeting, the settlers on Penet's Square and in distant localities, demanded a separate organization, which was readily consented to, and all parties having met at an intorrnal meeting, or convention, at the village, agreed upon a petition to the legislature, which was acted upon, before another town meeting. The foregoing is a concise statement of the act of "stealing a town meeting,^' which gave rise to much talk at the time, and about which many fabulous stories have been re- lated. It is said that this heinous crime of robbery was made the subject of a painting, that formed a part of a traveling exhibition. At the town meeting, in 1821, the clerk read three notices for the division of the town, which were not voted. The first was to annex a part of Brownville to Pamelia; the second, a part of Brownville to he Ray, and the third to erect four new towns from Brownville and Le Ray. In 1822, a motion to annex Pa- melia to Brownville was defeated. This town was first explored, with a view of settlement, by Jacob Brown, afterwards a distinguished citizen, who, while teaching a school in New York, had met with Rodolph Tillier, the general agent for the Chassanis lands, and was induced to purchase a large tract, and become the agent for commencing a settlement, at a time when the difficulties attends cr such an en- terprise were very great. Having engaged in tHiJ business, he repaired in February, 1799, to the location of the jiTrench com- pany, at the High Falls, and made several journeys to Utica, when, having completed his arrangements, and collected provis- ions at the Long Falls, he in March, 1799, passed down the old French road, in company with three or four hired men, and hap- pening to reach the river at the mouth of Philomel Creek, he was charmed with the prospect of a water pow*»r, apparently perennial, and at once decided upon stopping hf . , He com- menced clearing land, having sent for his father'.' .amily, who started on the 22d of April, from Bucks County, Pa., and after stopping a few days at New York and Schenectady, and hiring at Ltica an extra boat, at length arrived at the location on the 17th of May, 1799, having been nearly three weeks on the road. George Brown, a relative, came on in the same company, with a part of his family, making, with the boatmen, a party of Dearly twenty. The boatmen soon returned, leaving one boat 98 Brownvitte. that served the means for communication with Kingston, from whence they derived most of their provisions, the stock left at the Long Falls having been sold. When this company had ar- rived, the first had cleared a small piece, and got up the body of a log house, twenty feet square, which occupied the site of the hay scales on the edge of the bank, in the village, and the same season they put up the body of a two-story log liouse, 25 by 30, on the ground now covered by the store of Wra. Lord. This was not, however, completed for occupation till the spring of 1801. In the fall of 1800 a saw mill was built at the mouth of Philomel Creek, the millwrights being Noah Durrin and £b- enezer Hills, and late in the fall of 1801 a grist mill was built for Mr. Brown, by Ethni Evans, afterwards the pioneer of Evans' Mills. A few goods were brought on with the first family, but in the fall of the same year, Jacob Brown went to New York, on other business, and selected a small stock better adapt- ed to the market. In 1799, a great number came in to look for lands, many of whom selected farms on Perch River, and between that place and Brownville, where they commenced small clear- ings, and made arrangements for removal with their families in the spring. Among these were John W. Collins, Richardson Avery, Nathan Parish, Horace Mathers, and others. In the summer of 1800, a great number settled, and the clearings had extended from the bank of the river nearly half a mile. The first settlers on Perch River incurred an obligation to cleara cer- tain amount of land, and build a house. The first bridge at Brownville was built at a cost of $1,000, on subscription, by Oliver Bartholomew, in the summer of 1802. It was below the present mills, at the mouth of Philomel Creek, and being swept off in a flood in 1806, was in 1807 rebuilt by the same person, at the present bridge. The village, in Sept., 1805, contained 25 houses, and was rapidly improving, and the next year a dam was first built across Black River at this place, a little below the present dam. John Brown (afterwards Judge Brown), a brother of Jacob, at an early day bought the lands adjacent to the village, south of the river, and erected mills. The mills and storu were at first owned by Jacob Brown, and his father, Samuel,* but afterwards his brother of that name became the merchant. The village for some years grew more rapidly than any in the county, and until after the location of the public buildings at Walertown, it exhibited more thrift and business than that place. Much importance was attached, at an early day, to the navigation of Black River below this place, which Avas naturally difficult, on account of a rapid at Fish Island (now Dexter's), and in 1810 an act was passed, incorporating the * S. Brown, S the first season. A hospital was established here, and troops Avere stationed in the village and vicinity at various times during that period. The greatest alarm prevailed throughout the country upon the arrival of the first tidings of war, but this soon wore away. The inhabitants living on Perch River, on receiving the newsof the war, were greatly alarmed, from their supposed exposure on the frontier, and some of the timid ones resolved to leave the coun- try. To dissuade them from this, it was proposed to build a block house, which was forthwith done by voluntary labor, but when completed, only served as a storehouse for the wheat of a neigh- bor. Some ridiculing the idea of danger, humorously proposed to post themselves on the brow of some of the limestone leX have locally >ffice of jf shops [t for its ital act, Jowley, jmas Y. kve long [ganized '^ander- |1819, it Ihe Rev. ear, the as built IS. The jiwrence, Jr. In Ithe Rev. mpleas- excep- kese pro- ceedings were carried, united in an Episcopal organization, under the Rev. Wm. Linn Keese, who had been sent by Bishop Hobart upon application being made to him for that purpose. A legal society, under the name of St Paul's Church, was formed Oct. 13, 1826, of which T. Y. Howe, and T. Loomis, were chosen wardens, and Asa Whitney, Tracy S. Knapp, Sylvester Reed, S. Brown, Wm. S. Ely, Peleg Burchard, Edmund Kirby, and Hoel Lawrence, vestrymen. Finding that the members of this society owned a majority of the stock in the church, which had been built by those of different orders, the remainder was purchased, and having been previously dedicated, by the Presbyterians, was fitted up and consecrated by the bishop, Aug. 12, 1828. Mr. Keese's successors have been Ezekiel G. Gear (Feb. 1831), A. C. Treadway (ofS. Harbor, not settled), Ferdinand Rodgers (Aug. 1837), William H. Hill, Nov. 1846, and George B. Eastman, (Oct. 1851), the present rector. In 1834, the church received from Trinity Church New York, $500. This church reported in 1853, 64 families and 292 individuals, belonging to the congre- gation, of whom 92 are communicants. ^// Saints Church in Dexter (Episcopal) was organized July 14, 1839, with John Bradley, and Gillman Wood, wardens, and Edmund Kirby, Jesse Babcock, Ora Haskill, Solon Stone, James A. Bell, Andrew Wood, Israel J. Griffin, and Robert Anderson, vestrymen. T'^ey have erected a church edifice and are com- monly supplied by the same clergyman as the church at Brown- viUe. The last report gives a total of 28 families, and 128 indi- viduals, belonging to it. The Presbyterians, on the 16th of May, 1825, organized a so- ciety with L. Gibson, S. Reed, and Wm. Clark, trustees, and in January, 1829, it was again organized. In 1832 a church edi- fice was built, at a cost of $2,000, and in ten years was burnt. In 1844 the present Presbyterian church in BrownviUe village was built, at a cost of $1,600, and in 1852 a session house ad- joining, at a cost of $350. The clergy have been, Noah W. Wells, James R. Boyd, John Sessions, E. H. Snowden, Pcxte* Clary, Calvin Yale, 0. P. Conklin, S. M. Wood and Sylvester Holmes, the latter being the present pastor of this church and one at Dexter. A Presbyterian church was organized at the latter place in 1839, by the Watertown Presbytery, of eighteen members. A society was formed Sept. 24, 1842, with Joshua Eaton, Joseph Huntington, David H. Freeman, Harvey Crocker, and Levi Smith, trustees. • A church was built in 1843-6, and the clergy have been Messrs. Conklin, Wood, Whitney and Holmes, being generally the same as those at BrownviUe. The present num- ber belonging to this church is fifty=nine, of whom eighteen are males. 108 Broumvitte. I i! !l ii mil The Brownville Baptist church (at Perch RiverV was organ- ized September 7, 1806, and at an ecclesiastical council, held at the house of John W. Collins, October 10, they were fellow- shipped by delegates from Champion, Rutland and Adams. It at first numbered ten members. Elder Sardis Little was or- dained over this church January 10, 1816, and preached many years. A society was legally organized April 25, 1825, at which Melvin Moflfatt, Walter Cole, George Brown, Nathaniel Peck, and William Webb were chosen trustees. It was reor- ganized February 1 1, 1833. In 1827 they erected their present stone church, at a cost of $2,800. Previous to 1812 they had built a log church, and in the war enclosed it with pickets, but the defense was never completed. Here the timid ones of the settlement were accustomed, in the early days of the war, to spend the night, enhancing each other's fears by relating tales of massacre, but these apprehensions were ridiculed by the more reflective, and were soon laid aside. A Baptist church was formed on Pillar Point in 1838, and the next year reported thirty members. No returns have been made from this church for the last four years. A society was formed September 22, 1838, with S. Howard, G. C. Persons, Hiram A. Bead, Solomon Ingalls, Elisha -Harris, and Samuel R. Campbell, trustees. The Moral and Religious Society of Perch River was formed March 19, 1851. Silas F. Spicer, Archibald Sternberg, John Cole, Lucius M. Webb, and Charles B. Avery, were chosen trustees. A union church w^as built in 1851 by this society, at a cost of $1,500. A Methodist society was formed in Brownville, August 3, 1829, with Joshua Heminway, Henry W. Chapman, Samuel Knapp, Isaac Meacham, William Lord, and Daniel Case, trus- tees. In 1832 they erected the present church, in the village. The first Methodist Episcopal church of Pillar Point was organ- ized January 9, 1836, the first trustees being Isaac Luther, John D. Ingerson, Smith Luther, Lyman Ackerman, and Stephen P. Brackett. It has been once or twice reorganized. The first Universalist society of Dexter was formed September 5, 1841, with John Maynard, Thomas Broadbent, Solon Stone, David Barker, Francis W. Winne, and Eleazer Parker, trustees. A church was built the same season, at a cost of about $1,300, and dedicated December 23, 1841, sermon by Rev. Pitt Morse. Rev. H. L. Hayward (January 1, 1842), was employed as the first clergyman. He was succeeded by G. S. Abbott (from No- vember, 1842, to January 1, 1846). J. Wendall, C. A. Skinner, William McNeal, Lyman Perry, and Asa Sax, have been em- ployed by the society, generally on alternate sabbaths, at sala- ries of $150 to $200. The first Universalist society of Brown- Cape Vincent. 109 ville was formed December 17, 1851, with Alanson Skinner, Henry Lord, William Lord, Lewis Maynard, George Brown, and Heman Russ, trustees. In 1852-3, they erected a church in the village of Brownville. Cape Vincent. This town was named from its principal village, and the lat- ter from Vincent Le Ray, a son of the landholder, who owned, at an early day, this town and many others in the county. It was erected from Lyme, April 10, 1849, embracing all west of a line running from the mouth of Little Fox Creek, N., 48|'' £., 646 chains; thence N. 57° £., 235*56 chains, to the town of Clayton. The first town meeting was directed to be held at the house of Jacob Berringer, at which the following officers were first elected: Frederick A. Folger, supervisor; John W. Little, clerk; William H. Webb, superintendent of schools; J. Ber- ringer, Augustus Awberton, Barney W. Payne, justices of the peace; E. Clement, collector; John H. Lawton, Adam A. Gray, assessors; Buel Fuller, commissioner highways; Francis A. Cross, overseer of poor. The Supervisors have been, in 1849, F. A. Folger; 1850-1, Robert C. Bartlett; 1852, Charles Smith; 1853, Otis P. Starkey. This town is the oldest in settlement in the county, 'Carlton Island having been occupied by a British fort for a long period before the adjacent country had been purchased and colonized. As the title of this island possesses considerable interest, we will give in this connection some details that were not noticed in the chapter on titles. The island was reserved by the state, in their cession to Macomb. A military bounty, or class right, was issued to Wm. Rich- ardson, a sergeant in the New York line of the revolutionary war. Matthew Watson and William Guilland became the pur- chasers of this right, and on the 2d of October, 1786, located the same on Carlton Island, generally. The land commissioners sanctioned this location, but inserted the condition that it should be void if the island in the division should fall to Canada. Guilland sold his right to Watson, who died leaving three child- ren, John, Margaret and Jane, two of whom (John and Jane) died without issue, leaving their sister Margaret their heir-at- law, who married one Jacob Ten Broeck, and these sold their right to Charles Smyth. This subject came before the legislature in 1821, and from the report of the committee,* it appears that previous to, and since 1786, till 1812, the island had been held by the British, so that * Asrembly Papen, Mucellaneoui, Vol. XI, P. 2ft4, Secretary'! office. no Cajm rincent' it was not in the power of the proprietor of the class right to have a survey made, according to the location, as is provided by the statute, and to sue out letters patent within the time lim- ited by law. Hence the necessity of special legislation, and the surveyor general, to whom the question was referred, advised that the title should not be prejudiced by reason of the lapse of time between the location and application for a patent. Smyth also applied for the purchase of the remainder, in all about 1200 acres, and the committee ascertaining that twelve families were located there, and that depredations were being made upon the timber, for which cause they advised a compliance with the re- quest. An act was passed March 2, 1821, directing a patent to be issued for 600 acres from the west end of the iuland. Mr. F. R. Hasler, the distinguished mathematician, who for many years had charge of the coast survey, and was then resi- ding in town on the south shore opposite, was appointed to sur- vey the island, in 1823, and from his report,* we quote the following remarks. " There are about 30 acres of old improved land near the south shore, called the King's Garden, which are very good land, the higher part is somewhat stoney, yet not impeding the plow- ing. The timber generally young, second growth, beech, maple, oak, birch, hickory, and a few pines. Value $5, without the improvements." This lot was about midway between the two extremities on the south side, and a hundred chains from the westerly point of the island. At the time of the survey there were 8 log houses and 2 shanties on the island, with 197 acres cleared, and improvements worth $1,020. The total area was 1,274 acres, mostly prized at $4 per acre. The map made by Mr. Hasler, in the state engineer and surveyor's office (No. 266) represents the outline of Fort Carlton, as it then existed, and must continue till the end of time, as the excavation that formed the moat was made in the rock. We insert here a plan and section of the fort, from a sketch made in June last, which will convey a general idea of the work. This island became after the war, an important lumberings station, the bays at the head of the island affording a convenient and sheltered place for the making up of rafts. Avery Smith, a Canadian, located here in this business in 1822, and formed a partnership with Abijah Lewis. They afterwards dissolved partnership, and continued the business separately. Schools were established here, a store opened, and * Field Book, No. 30, p. 18, State Engineer's Office. Cape Vincent. Ill up of isiness They lusiness 1(1, and twenty or thirty families settled. By an act of April 17th, 1822, a justice of the peace was directed to be appointed. Mr. — Shuiuway was the only one who held the office here. In 1824-5, the businei* of the place began to decline, and but two families were residing on the island in June, 1853. There is scarcely among the lovely scenery of the islands, a* more de- lightful spot than that occupied by the ruins here, and the fruit trees growing abundantly without cultivation in the vicinity, evince that the former occupants paid some attention to this branch of husbandry. The trees appear to have sprung from those planted by the English. The earliest settlement on the main land in this town, was made by Abijan Putnam from Rome, who in 1801, located two miles below the present village of Cape Vincent, at a place early known as Port Putnam, where he estab- lished the first ferry to Wolf Island. He was sent there for the purpose by Jacob Brown, the agent of Le Ray. One Samuel Cone, settled on the opposite shore of the island at the same time. In 1803, the state road was extended from Brownville to this place, and cut out and partly worked in the winter of 1803^ 4. In 1804, John Macombs, and Peter Sternberg, from near Little Falls, purchased Putnam's chance, laid out the plan of a village, and sold a few lots. In May 1803, John B. Esselstyn, from Montgomery, settled three miles below the present village of Cape Vincent. Daniel Spinning came from Western, la 1804, and soon after two families by the name of Smith, Jona- than Cummings, — Sheldon, and others, located near the place. In 1806, Richard M. Esselstyn, settled near Putnam's ferry with bis brother. The first work of importance done at the present village of Cape Vincent, was by Eber Kelsey, from Turin, originally from Connecticut, who in the summer of 1809, came on with about twenty men, and cleared for Le Ray a tract of 50 acres, erected a wharf, block dwelling house and tavern, a frame barn, &c.; and the same season, Richard M. Esselstyn built a house and store, and commenced trade, under the firm of J. B. & R. M. Esselstyn. Dr. Avery Ainsworth, from Vermont, built a house and store, the same season, and was the first physician who settled in this part of the county. Mr. Le Ray, from an early period, designed Cape Vincent or Gravelly Point, as it is some- times called, as the site of a village, which from its proximity to Kingston, and the facility with which the river could be crossed at all seasons, rendered a very eligible point for a com- mercial town. A mile square was surveyed and lotted in 1811, by Musgrove Evans,- one of the surveyors of Le Ray. A ferry was early established here by Kelsey, and by an act of February 20th, 1807, Peter Sternberg procured the exclusive right of ferrying 112 Cape rincent. between Carlton Island and Long Island, for a term of ten years. The ferries across the river in this; town, have generally been granted by the legislature, the rutins being fixed by the county courts. Before the establishment of a custom house, smuggling was carrjed on with impunity, especially during the embargo period, when the temptation was great, and the means of pre- vention comparatively limited. In 1809 the business of lumbering was commenced by Essel- styn and Murry, the latter from Augusta, in Canada, the timber being bought of Le Ray and exported as staves, and square timber. This business gave employment to many men, and brought a transient population to the place. In the same year several families made a permanent stand in the place. In 1810 the im- portation in vessels of staves, from the Genesee and Niagara countries, gave employment to a considerable number and brought in much money. About 200,000 staves were imported, and at the end of the season 80 or 90,000 were left. The business of building arks for the Montreal trade, is followed to some ex- tent, and in 1811, it was continued by the Esselstyns on their own account, but not so extensively. In 1812 the embargo was again laid, but the cry of war had been so long heard, that it was not dreaded, and preparations were made to raft the staves, that remained of the business of 1810, but before the embargo was to have ceased, war was declared, and the lumber was after- wards mostly used as fuel by Wilkinson's army. At this time, there were but about six families at Cape Vincent. The news of the war spread terror throughout the settlement, and this point being nearest to Kingston, was considered of much importance by Ge- neral Brown, upon whom the care of the early military operations of this place was iaid. C^pt. Farrar, had been stationed here a short time before, with a part of a company of militia, to enforce the embargo. Major John B. Esselstyn, a resident of the place, was immediately directed to assemble a body of militia, and three companies were collected and retained under his command, until Major Allen could arrive with his draft. A company of drafted militia from the Mohawk settlements, under Capt. Getm^i, and subsequently others were posted here a short time. A few days after, war had been declared, but before the news was received, the Niagara, and Ontario, two schooners, laden with flour and potash, from Queenstown to Brockville, were seized by Mr. Elijah Fields, Jr., deputy collector at Cape Vincent, and taken to Sackets Harbor, where an investigation was held; the Niagara was condemned and sold, the Ontario was released and allowed to depart. The vessels were owned by Porter & Barton, of Niagara, and were taken in our waters, without papers, and in violation of the revenue laws. Cape Vincent, 113 e news s, laden seized nt, and ;ld;the eleascd orter & papers, During the war, as would be very naturally supposed, this point being the most exposed on the whole frontier, and one of the few places then inhabited on the river, became the scene of adventures that attracted notice at the time and are still preser- ved by traditions. On a certain occasion, probably in the summer of 1813, a man by the name of Draper, who belonged to Capt. Getman's company, and served as an express to Sackets Harbor, learning that a party of Indians had been lurking on Wolf Island, solicited and obtained of Col. Dodge, at Sackets Harbor, leave (not orders) to raise a party of volunteers from the company and dislodge them. A gunboat, under Capt. Hawkins, having touched at the Cape, agreed to take them over, but not to take part in the affair. As the boat approached, a gun was fired, which put the Indians to flight. They were hastily pursued about a mile to an open field, beyond a bridge crossing a marsh, where Draper, by carelessly exposing himself to the shots of the enemy, was killed, and two others slightly wounded. The party hastily returned, leaving him; and, according to some accounts, he was scalped. This has been denied, and it is generally believed he was buried, but so slightly that the foxes dug to him, and he was afterwards again interred. A little before the attack on Sackets Harbor, a British gunboat touched at Cape Vincent, in the night, and a part of the crew having landed, heard of the presence of a party of three dragoons, who had put up for the night from Sackets Harbor. One of these, named Moore, who was an accomplished fencer, retreated to a corner of the room and kept off his assailants so effectually, that, finding it impossible to take him alive, he was shot. His comrades escaped, and the enemy returned to their boats. Two weeks later, another visit was made, a store plundered, and temporary bar- racks in the place burned. Subsequenv visits for plunder followed, and many of the inhabitants left for a less exposed situation. Late in 1813 General Wilkinson's army stopped a short time at the place. After the war, lumbering was resumed, and the opening of roads, especially the turnpike from Brownville, gave a new impulse to the settlement. Until about 1816, the settlements along the river were limited to a few points, but about this time the country around began to be taken up; new roads were opened in every direction, and for a short time, the country advanced rapidly in population and improvements, which continued till the completion of the Erie Canal. At Cape Vincent, several educated and accomplished French families located; among whom, in 1818, was Peter Francis Real, known in European history as Count Real, the chief of police under Napoleon. The change of political pros- pects in France, in a few years, recalled many celebrated exiles 114 Cape Vincent. who hnd adhered to th( fortunes of Napoleon, and fled from the disasters which overtook that dynasty* among whom were Count Keul, and others who had made this country theii rome. At about the same time, Mr. F. R. ilasler, the eminent philosopher and engineer, having become interested in real estate in this place, came here tu reside with his family, and planned the es- tablishment of a normal school, which he never perfected. The village was a favorite resort with Mr. Le Ray, and he was often accompanied by eminent foreigners, who never visited the county without becoming his guests, and sharing that refined hospitality which he knew so well how to bestow. The first visit of Le Ray to this place was in 1803, and was attended with the followinr^ incident: He was accompanied by Gouverneur Morris, and after visii \i\% Brownville, they took an open boat to continue their journey, as Mr. Morris had a wooden leg, and could not conveniently travel in the woods by the rude means of communicat ion which the country then afforded, and he was moreover very partial to sail- ing, and claimed to be especially skillful in managing water craft. On passing Cherry Island, Mr. Morris observed that ihere must be fine fishmg there, and as he had with him his French cook, and culinary apparatus, he declared he would serve his friend a better fish dinner than he had ever tasted. Mr Le Ray objected that it was s^' tting late and cloudy, and they had a great ways to run before reaching Putnam's, the first settlement on the shore. Nothing would do; Mr. Morris was as fond of good cheer as of sailing, and they stopped. They had good fishing, and a capital dinner; but it was late before they set sail again, and dark before they reached the St. Lawrence, and they were obliged to stop at Gravelly Point, two miles above Putnam's, where they pitched their tent and went to bed, for they had all the necessary implements. In the middle of the night, a fire built before the tent set it in flames; Mr Morris, thus unseason- ably disturbed, felt all around for his wooden leg, but was obliged to flee without it. The exposure to vrind and rain pro- duced in Mr. Le T^ay a violent illnes>^ ...u; he with difficulty returned to Brownville. Dr. Kirkpat' if V \-\:- jcured .'-ji Rome, and he was long confined with . . .,droi.i fever. A custom house was established here, and Cape Vincent dis- trict organized in 1818. The greatest amount of business was formerly done in winter, but since the completion of the Water- town and Rome Rail Road the business has very greatly in- creaf:ed. The collectors have been John B. Esselstyn, Jerre Cnrrier, Judah T. Ainsworth, Peleg Burchard, Gideon S. Sacket, and Alfred Fox. The ports of Alexandria Bay, Clayton, Mil- kn's Bay, Grenadier Island, Three Mile Bay, Chaumont Bay I vm Cape Vinrent. 115 ti'?; ess was Water- atly in- I, Jerre Sacket, on, Mil- ont Bay and Point Peninsula are subordinate to this, and included in the district. The prtscn ofHcers ja fills olHce ate: Altit-d Fox, collector i Charles W. Rogers, William EstM, deputy collectors, James L. Folger, L. U. Taible inspectors. In 1848 the official returns gave $91,597; in lb4U, $90,484; in 1860, !|liJO,040; and in 1851 of $94,546. A considerable amount of ship building has U^en carried on at Cape Vincent since 1819. The following is believed m be a correct list of vessels built here, the names of first roasters (when known) being given in italics. Schooners: H«nry, John Davis; V. Le Ray, do.; Lafayette, Mastin; Ainsworth, J. Be- lisle; Hannah, Peter Ingalls; O. P. Starkt-y, do.; L. Goler, Lucas; Victor, Ripley; Free Trader, Shattucic; Chief Justice Marshall, Edie; brig, Merchant, T. Pheatt; schooners, Henry Crevolin, Belisle; John E. Hunt, P. Ingalls; Napoleor , Crouch; Merchant, J. Harris; Amelia, Shattuck; Rosco^, do; Potomac, do; brig, Iowa; sloop, Elizabeth Goler, Cummim. s; brig, Patrick Henry, W. E. Ingalls; schooner, Montezuroa, Smith; Troy; Allanwick; Globe, Goler; propeller, St. Nicholas-, LtWsy schooner, Charles Smith, W. E. Ingalls; Algomah, Reid Silas Wright, Fuller; Port Henry, J. Jarvis. Application for the incorporation of the village of Capt Vin- cent, was made to the court of sessions, June 14th, 1863. A census taken on tMe 14th of April, gave a population of ]218, within the proposed limits, or312i acres. The petition to the court was signed by Jerre Carrier, Samuel Forsyth, Zebu Ion Converse and L. H. Ainsworth, and an election was held in July, which resulted in the adoption of the charter by a vote of 80 to 2. The first village election was held August 9th, 1853, at which J. Carrier, T. Peugnet, J. T. Ainsworth, J. L. Folgtr, and L. H. Ainsworth, were chosen trustees; William R. Sander^, clerk; W. J. Ingalls, C. Smith, C. Wright, assessors; R. Crary , treasurer; J. L. Gardenier, collector. The rail road company have built here, for the accommodation of an immense and rapidly increasing trade, a wharf about 3000 feet long, and two freight houses, one 35 by 600 feet, and another 35 by 100. During the last season, they have com- {)leted a grain elevator, 60 by 90 feet, and 70 feet high, for un- oading grain trom vessels, and loading upon cars, and with ample bins for the storage of grain. They have also completed a passenger depot, 50 by 200 feet, including a hotel, and are ex- tending their improvements as the wants of trade, and the increate of business demand. There runs between this rail road a si the Michigan Central, a line of propellers, consisting of the Bay Slate, Capt. A. Reed; Yorthern Michigan, Capt. J. M. Green; Jefferson, Capt. D. H. Dixon; Hercules, Capt. J. Bost- lii 116 Cape Vincent. wick; and Young America, Capt. L. W. Bancroft. These propellers were mostly built at Buffalo within the last two years, and have a tonnage of 372. They are owned by Bancroft & Co. There is also a line of steamers, consisting of the Champion, May Flower, and Highlander, running daily, in connection with trains, to all Canadian ports from Kingston to Hamilton, and a ferry leaves on the arrival of every passenger train for Kingston. The express line of the Ontario and St, Lawrence Steam Boat Company, consisting of the magnificent steamers J^ew York and Bay State, form a daily line between Ogdensburg and Levviston, from June till October, and touch both ways at this place. An appropriation of $3,000 was made, May 18th, 1826, for the erection of a light house on Tibbets* Point, at the mouth of the St. Lawrence, nearly two miles from the village, and recently measures have been adopted for the erection of another, at the head of Carlton Island. A breakwater in front of the piers at Cape Vincent, is demanded by the commercial wants of the place, and it is presumed will ere long be built by the general government who can not long neglect an improvement so obviously necessary. The village of Cape Vincent is delightfully located near the head of the St. Lawrence, on a plain that rises by a gentle slope, and is laid out in squares. It contains churches of Episcopal, Presbyterian, and Catholic orders, two wharves, besides the ample ones lately constructed by the rail road company, the usual variety of mechanics, and is the residence of many engaged in the em- ployment of the rail road, and the navigatian of the lakes. In Lake Ontario, opposite to this town, and forming a part of it, is Grenadier Island, that was patented separately from the lands on the main shore, and of the title of which there occurred some interesting negotiation. Patrick Colquhoun, in a letter before us, dated London, June 4, 1792, made to Wm. Constable, who held at that time the in- terest in Macomb's contract, a proposition, to purchase several of the islands near the confluence of the lake and river, and also the. small islands lyirig in Niauern, or Nivernois Bay, among which were Chevruelle, or Roe Buck Island,* Renard or Foxes Island, and otheis, of which the only description he possessed was drawn from Sauthier's map, which was very defective in the de- tails of this section of the state. He offered for these islands, which he represented as including about ten thousand acres, "and are said to be rocky and overgrown with juniper and other small * Carlton Island, which ha supposed was includtd in the contract. Cape Vincent. 117 so shrubs, which indicate a poverty of soil," the sum of JC400 sterl., as soon as a patent could be obtained, and ihe title deeds made out, and if any small islands, not specified in the above offer, were found to lie in the vicinity, they were to be included. In a post- script he oflered to pay one hundred per cent, on whatever these islands shall cost in the gross, when payment was made to the state of New York, according to the measurement. It is probable that the fact of Grenadier Island's being con- tracted to Macomb, was not known to the parties who presented Feb. 24, 1803, to the legislature, the following petition: "The memorial of Samuel English, and Hezekiah Barret, humbly sheweth; that whereas your memorialists did petition the honorable legislature in their last session, for a grant of a cer- tain island, lying in the Lake Ontario, between Oswego, and the head of the river St. Lawrence, belonging to the people of this state, on such terms as your honorable body should deem meet and reasonable, which island is known by the name of Grenadier Island, and is supposed to contain about 1000 acres. Your me- morialists being informed, that a bill did pass the honorable house of assembly last session in their favor, but doubts arising in the breasts of some of the members, that the Indian title might not be extinguished, the bill was finally lost. Your memorialists hav- ing made diligent inquiry, are satisfied that there is no claim upon said island, by the Indians, and that it is actually the pro- perty of this state, which induces them once more to pray, that your honorable body will grant them the said Island, and they will engage to settle the same within twelve months, after re- ceiving a grant therefor." A slight investigation was sufficient to prove, that the state had no power to convey the island, which was not done until the boundary had been finally settled. Grenadier Island, first began to be settled two or three years before the war, and in 1813 it became the rendezvous of the army and fleet of General Wilkinson, in his disastrous expedi- tion down the St. Lawrence, which both in plan, and execution, reflected unmitigated disgrace upon the American arms, an(l deserved infamy upon the chief conductors. The currents have thrown up beaches, at the east extremity of the island, in such a manner, as to form a capacious bay, which is named Basin Harbor. The shores, in common with those of the main land, afford valuable seine fisheries, and the soil is very fertile. Before a proprietor appeared to show title, it had been occupied by about fourteen families. It is now owned by parties in Clayton Village, and is occupied as an extensive dairy farm. The first settler on this island is said to have been John Mitchel, who en- dured many hardships from his isolated position and distance from .■'S\ nei ghboi rs. 118 Cape Vincent. The most disastrous accident that ever occurred on lake Onta- rio happened near The Ducks, small islands near the Cana- da shore, about forty miles above Kingston, on the morning of April 30, 1853. The upper cabin steamer Ocean Wave, built in Montreal, in 1851, and owned by the Northern Rail Road, be- ing then on her way down from Hamilton to Ogdensburgh, took 6re between one and two o'clock in the morning, and was burned. The fire took near the engine, and appeared to have been occa- sioned by the faulty construction of the boat, which had been on fire on one or two previous occasions. When the flames were discovered they were making such rapid progress, from the boat being newly painted, that the small boats could not be got out, and in less than five minutes it was enveloped in flames. The terrific scene that ensued defies description, the miserable victims having but a moment's time for deciding by which mode of death they should perish. The light attrroted the schooners Georgiana and Emblem, who, with some fishing boats from the shore, saved twenty-one persons out of forty-four, the number of the crew and passengers. The steamer Scotland came up near the wreck about sunrise, and passed without rendering assistance. According to the affidavit of the captain and crew, there was no one floating around the place at this time. The post offices in the town of Cape Vincent are, Cape Vin- cent, Millen^s Bay, and St. Lawrence. A Union Library was formed August 14, 1824, with Gideon S. Sacket, John B. Esselstyn, Danicd Smith, Stockwell Osgood, Philip P. George, Zebulon Coburn, and Roswell T. Lee, trus- tees. It was maintained several years, when it was discon- tinued. Religious Societies. The first Presbyterian society of Lyme was formed at Cape Vincent, December 22, 1824, with Benja- min Holmes, Oliver Lynch, Hezekiah H. Smith; Jedediah C. Mills, and Samuel Forsyth, trustees. A church had been previ- ously formed, which was admitted to the Presbytery in June, 1823. The Rev. J. Burchard was employed in 1824-25; Eber Childs, and David Smith were stated supplies for a few months each; Lucius Foot was hired in 1827. A stone church was built, and temporarily fitted for use, in 1832, and finished about 1840. The society received of Mr. Le Ray the lot and $400. The cost of the church was about $2,800. A bell was procured in 1852. The pews are rented annually to support the minister. St. John's Church (Episcopal) was formed with the approba- tion of Bishop De Lancey, dated December 26, 1840, by Rev. John Noble, on the 17th of January, 1841. A society was le- gally organized, January 25, 1841, the Rev. John Noble being erctor; John B. Esselstyn, and Nelson B. Williams, wardens; Champion. 119 Nelson Potter, Otis P. Starkey, Robert Bartlett, Calvin K. Pool, Judah T. Ainsworth, Robert Moore, Rice Parish, and William Esselstyn, vestrymen. A lot 8 rods by 20 was given for the purpose by O. P. Starkey, upon which a small but convenient church was erected, at a cost of $3,100, between June 1, and October 1, 1841. On the 2d day of June, 1842, it was conse- crated. The Society has since erected a parsonage opposite the church. Mr. Nobles has been succeeded by N. Watkins, April 6, 1841; Samuel H. Norton, April 13, 1846; Richard Adams, 1850; and James Abercrombie, June 23, 1852. The report of 1851 gave 53 families and 240 persons, as belonging to the church; whole number of communicants up to July, 1853, has been about 70. The first Methodist Episcopal Church in the town of Cape Vincent, was formed October 14, 1851, with William King, George Akerline, William Esselstyn, Philelus Judd, Asa S. Jones, John Hollenbeck, and John Nimras, trustees. The Catholics, in the summer of 1853, commenced the erec- tion of a church, which is not finished at the time of writing. There is a Catholic church in the French settlement, seven miles from the village. Champion. This town, embracing township number four, of the Eleven Towns, was formed from Mexico, by an act of March 14, 1800, in- cluding all that part of the present town of Denmark, north of Deer River. It received its name from General Henry Champion, of Colchester, Ct, who was one of the early proprietors of this town, and was also very extensively interested in lands in Ohio, and in the western parts of this state. Supervisors. — 1800-14, Noadiah Hubbard; 1815, Wilkes Ri- chardson; 1816, 17, Stowell Warner; 1818-20, N. Hubbard; 1821, Eseck Lewis: 1822-6, N. Hubbard; 1827, Samuel Dean. At a special town meeting in October, Eseck Lewis was chosen to fill a vacancy; 1828, 9, Henry D. Cad well; 1830-33, Otis Loomis; 1834-38, Richard Hulbut; 1839, 40, David Smith; 1841-43, John Pool, Jr.; 1844, E.Lewis; 1845, James C. Lynde; 1846, David Smith; 1847, John Pool, Jr.; 1848, Wm. Vanhosen; 1849, D. Smith; 1850, Wm. Vanhosen; 1851-3, Benajah A. Lewis. The town officers elected at the first town meeting, April 1, 1800, were Noadiah Hubbard, supervisor; Eli Church, clerks- Timothy Pool, David Coffeen and William Hadsall, assessors; Ephraim Chamberlain, constable and collector; John W^ard and Reuben Rockwood, overseers of the poor; Solomon Ward, Ama- ziah Parker, and EWhu Jones,commissioners of highways; Daniel Coffeen, Wra. Croweii, Timothy Pool and Moses Goodrich, over- ml i\ \m 120 Champion. m\ seers of highways; Levi Barns, fence viewer; Bela Hubbfru, pound master. The following is a record of the first school meetiiig in town, as it occurs on the records in the town clerk's office: " Champion, 23d October, 1800. At a regular meeting of the inhabitants of the town aforesaid, it was resolved, that there shall be a house erected near a spring, on the road now running from Noadiah Hubbard's to Daniel Coffeen's, in said town; and like- wise resolved, that said house shall be built with logs, sixteen feet one way, and twenty feet the other way. Also, resolved by said meeting, that Daniel CofTeen and Noadiah Hubbard, shall act as trustees of said school. Attest, Eli Church, Town Clerk." Champion was surveyed by Moses and Benjamin Wright, in 1797, the former subdividing, and the latter surveying around it; the area, according to M. Wright, was 26,703 acres, and by B. Wright. 25,708 acres. It was subdivided into lots of 500 acres. This town v.as the first one in which actual settlements were begun in the county, unless, perhaps Elllsburgh, which was explored with the view of settlement at about the same time. The following advertisement appeared in the Western Centinel,* June 7, 1797. " Lands for sale, lying on Black River, in the County of Herkimer, and State of New York. Forty lots of land laid out into farms, containing from 100 to 240 acres each, on Inman's Patent,f so called; in this township there is about forty actual settlers, and a good grist mill within one mile and [illegible] '*'**' on said land. This land is of an excellent soil, and the situation convenient and pleasing for set- tlers. The subscriber will remain on the land the most of the ensuing summer and fall. Terms of payment will be made to accommodate purchasers. Also township No. 4,| lying on and adjoining Black River, about thirty miles from Boon's Mills; this township is of an excellent soil; twenty actual settlers will be on this township this summer. For terms please to apply to the subscriber, who will reside on Inman's Patent, or to Capt. Noadiah Hubbard, of Steuben, who is making a settlement on said township No. 4. Also for sale a township of land lying on Black River, near Lake Ontario.^ These townships are all laid out in lots, and will be sold by large or small quantities, to suit purchasers, and the title indisputable. Also ten lots of land to be leased on first tract." Lemuel Storks. May 10, 1797. 75, 4m. • Published by Lewis tr Webb, near the post office in Whitestown, County of Herkimer. Four columns; small folio. t Leyden. t Champion, 4 Houndsiield. :";*•' Champion. 121 Settlements were commenced in this town by Noadiah Hub- bard, in 1797, the details of which we give in the following letter, which was written at our request, and can not fail of being read with interest: Champion, June, 1853. ** Dr. F. B. Hough, Dear Sir: As you requested some months since, 1 now transmit to you a few of. my recollections of the early settlement of this county. I should have complied with your request earlier had it not been for a pressure of business during the summer and autumn, and more recently not being in my usual state of health. When I consider the long lapse of time since the first settle- ment of this country to the present, and my very advanced age, I can scarcely expect to write much that will interest your read- ers; and, therefore, I give you liberty to use or not to use the simple records as you see fit. I am past the age when most men write at all, being now in my eighty-ninth year, and past events may well be supposed to be becoming dimmed by reason of age, and more like a dream than a reality; yet I have been, and am wonderfully blessed both as respects health and the possession of present memory — some of the choicest gifts of a kind t'rovidence. All the companions of my early youth and of my more mature years, have passed away, and I am left alone to tdl the tale. Yet not alone as it respects friends. Others have risen up around me to take the place, in some measure, of those that are gone. Of the friends of my early manhood's years, I often feel to ex- claim where are they? and " echo answers where are they?" Gone to that " bourne fiora whence no traveler returns." The original landholders, even, of all this region of country are passed away, and have left no trace or name save in the title deeds. I have not very many records of those early days; so full of life and bustle were they, that little time was left to record their stir- ring events; yet some I have, and when I give you dates at all, they are from memoranda made at the time. I first came to this town, Champion, in the year 1797, with Lemuel Storrs, a large landholder, when he came on for the first time to view his purchase. I was then residing in Steuben, in what is now Oneida County, but then, or shortly before, Herkimer. Mr. Storrs then hired several pack men, whose business it was to carry the necessary provisions for the expedition on their backs. This 'vas late in the autumn. We traveled on foot by what was called the French Road to the High Falls on the Black River. This road had been cut for the accommodation of the French refugees who had made a settlement at High Falls, and had then a log city. Many of these French belonged to the nobility of France, who were obliged to abandon their country 9 4 i m 122 Champion. Il iilll M i|| It *■ 1 ;:- during the revolution in 1793, but who were aAerwards permit- ted to return when the star of empire rose upon the Bonapartes. Their settlement was made upon what was called the French Tract, on the north and east side of the Black River, and extend- ing a great distance. From the High Falls we descended the river in a boat to the rapids, called Long Falls, now known as Carthage. Here we landed, and in two days explored the town- ship, then an unbroken wilderness. On our way down, Silas Stow, then a young man, and afterward known as Judge Stow, of Lowville, joined us. On the third day we reiimbarked and proceeded up the river, and it was two days hard rowing to get back again to the His^h Falls. As I believe I before mentioned, it was late in November, and the night we were obliged to be out, we encountered a severe snow storm. To protect ourselves from it in some measure, we made a shanty by setting up some crotchets, and laying on poles, and covering them with hemlock boughs. We also scattered branches upon the ground upon which to lie, and by making a rousing fire in front of our shelter, we contrived to be very comfortable. By this time our provisions were nearly exhausted, and we had before us the prospect of a hungry day. But in ascending the river we fortunately killed a duck and a partriJge; these being stripped of their feathers in the evening, I cooked them for our breakfast the next morning. I prepared them as nicely as we could with our scanty means; salt we had none. I had a little pork left; this I cut in small bits and inserted into the flesh of the fowls, when it served the double purpose of salt, and butter for basting. To cook them I set up a couple of crotched sticks, laid another across, and from it by strips of bark suspended my fowls before the fire, where they cooked most beautifully, and were all in good time partaken of by the company with rare relish. Indeed, Messrs. Storrs and Stow declared they had never eaten so good. Hunger and a limited supply gave a keenness of relish not often experienced. In due time we arrived safe and well in Steuben, from whence we had started, where I passed the winter. Mr. Storrs offered me very liberal inducements to come on here and commence a settlement; so liberal that I determined to accept them, though I may say in passing and then dismiss the subject forever, that he failed to fulfil his liberal offers. But in consideration of those offers, I left my home in Steuben the 1st of June, 1798, and started for this place, accompanied by Salmon Ward and David Starr, with fifteen head of cattle. We traveled again upon the French road, as far as it availed us. This township had been surveyed by Benjamin and Moses W^right, the year before, and this year Mr. Storrs had engaged B. W. to survey Hounsfield, and on his way there he was to mark a road to this place, and to on, if Champion. 123 precede me. I met the surveyors agreeably to appointment at a Mr. Hoadley's, and from there we came on to what is called Turin Four Corners. There was only one log house there then. From there we went west about thirty or forty rods to Zaccheus Higby's. There we laid down our maps and consulted them, and came to the conclusion to take from thence a north course. This led us up on to the top of the hill, now known as the Tug Hill. We were entirely ignorant of the face of the country, and of the most eligible route to pursue, and therefore took the one which seemed the most direct, not knowing the obstacles to be encoun- tered. We had before come down by water, and on this route there was not even a marked tree. It was the duty of the sur- veyors to precede us, mark a road and chain it. Mr. W*** started in advance of us for this purpose. It was a beautiful, clear morning and we followed on, progressing finely until the middlg of the afternoon, when we came to a great gulf, and an abund- ance of marked trees. We went over the gulf but could find no more trees marked. We then made a fire and took out the stop- pings from our bells, and suffered our cattle to feed around the fire, while we set ourselves to search for marked trees, over the gulfs and up and down, but could find no place to cross, or marks by which to determine what course the surveyors had taken. In this predicament we prepared to construct a shelter for the night of hemlock boughs, &c. The next morning the sun came up clear and bright, and I called a council. I told the men how much damage it would be to me to return, how great a loss not to proceed, and asked them if they were willing to come on. David Starr replied that he would go to h — 1, if I would. Though no way desirous of going to the latter place, even in good company, I determined to come on, if such a thing were possible, without a compass or guide. We then set ourselves to work, and felled trees, with which we made an enclosure, into which we drove our cattle, and then shoved them down the precipice, one after another; they went up slant- ingly on the other side, and much better than we got them down, so that finally they were all safely over, after much toil and trouble I then agreed to pilot the company down, took off the ox bell, and carried it in my hand, leading the way, and steered a north course by the sun and watch. We had the advantage of a bright sunshine. We had to cross a number of gulfs, and one windfall, which was the worst of all. We continued to travel upon the summit of the hill, where we found much fine table land. The cattle would travel as fast as I could lead the way. One man drove them, and another followed, axe in hand, to mark the trees, and leave traces behind us, so that if we could not advance, we could retrace our steps. m l|!r i iW.U ii'! Ill ■liiiii 1S4 Champion. We descended the hill before reaching Deer River. The lat- ter we struck and crossed above the falls — not far from where the village of Copenhagen now stands — and coming on, we succeed- ed in finding the town line, which was identified by marked trees, not far from where the toll-gate now is, on the Champion and Copenhagen Plank Road. We then changed our course, follow- ing the line to the Black River, at Long Falls, where we arrived before night. We there found Mr. W*** and men. They had not arrived more than an hour before us. When seeing us, Mr. W*** exclaimed, "How, in the name of God, have you got here?" I replied, " You scotmdrel! you ought to be burnt for leaving us so!" It was a most rascally piece of business, their leaving us as they did. But I suppose the truth was, they thought it im- possible for us ever to get through with our cattle; but this does not excuse them for not having marked the road; ^twas for that they were sent — and if others could not follow, they were not answerable; but their duty was plain before them. My boat, which I had dispatched from the High Falls, soon after arrived, with my provisions, yokes, chains, cooking utensils, &c., &c. The next day we left one to watch our effects, while the others were searching for a, desirable location. In a few days I selected the farm upon which I now live, principally for the reason that it was the centre of the township, rather than for any peculiar advantages it possessed over other portions of the town. Yet the soil has proved good, and sufficiently luxuri- ant with proper cultivation. This was what I sought, a good agricultural location, rather than one possessing hydraulic pri- vileges. Not one tree had been cut here for the purpose of ma- king a settlement, nor was there a white man settled in what is now the county of Jeflferson, when I came here. I was the first white settler in the county. I remained here through the sum- mer, and until October, engaged in making a clearing. We then returned to Steuben, where my family was, to spend the winter. During the summer, some families had come into Lowville, and Mr. Storrs had caused a road to be marked from there to the Long Falls, and by that we returned, driving our cattle home again. These had become fat, by running in the woods, during the sum- mer, and I sold them for beef. I would mention here, though rather out of place, that 1 found a living spring of pure water, a few rods before where the public house, in this place, now stands, which had its influence in deciding my location. Near it I built my first house, and there I kept " bachelor's hall" two summers, being myself " chief cook." My first habitation was a cabin, erected in a few hours' time, with the aid of my men. It was a rude structure, but served our purpose. We first set some posts, and then, having felled great trees, stripped them of the bark, Champion. 125 and, with this, covered the roof and three sides of our dwelling, the front was left opened, so that it may truly be said, we kept open house. The covering was kept firmly in its place by withes of bark. After the completion of our house, the next most ne- cessary thing, was an oven, in which to bake our bread, for bread we must have, it being the staff of life. This was soon made, with two logs for a foundation, and a flat stone thereon, the super- structure was soon reared with smaller stones, cemented together by a mortar of muck, from the side of the spring, and crowned by a flat stone. This answered my purpose as well as one of more ela- borate construction. For a door, we split out a plank of bass-wood; and for a kneading-trough, we again bad recourse to the bass- wood, from whence we cut a log of the required length and di- mensions, split it, and from one half, dug out, with an axe, and an in- strument named a howell, which we had brought for such purposes, in a short time, a trough, which answered our purpose very well. I bro't some yeast with me, to make my first batch of bread; after that, I used leaven, kept and prepared, after directions given me by ray wife, before leaving home. Whatever may be said of our cooking, in general, I am sure none ever seemed sweeter to me, or wa? eaten with a better relish by others; labor sweetened every mouthful. We had cows; a plenty of milk, &c. We sometimes washed dishes, when we could not remember what we last ate upon them, but oftener turned them the bottom side up, there to remain until wanted again. Some even pretend to say, that when our table needed scouring, we sprinkled salt upon it, and put it out for the old cow to operate upon. However that may be, I am sure, if we ever did do it, it must have come from under her scouring apparatus exceedingly white. But the whole story is rather apocryphal. Early in the spring, 1799, 1 sent on two men, to make sugar, before I came on myself. They commenced making sugar, and one day went out hunting, leaving their sugar boiling. The con- sequence was, the house took fire and burned down, with all of the little it contained. During the winter, the Indians had stolen all the cooking utensils I had left, and the potatoes which I had raised, and buried the autumn before. Thus my riches were ta- king to themselves wings, and flying away. I came on soon after. This spring, Esquire Mix and family came on; John and Thomas Ward, Ephraim Chamberlain, Samuel and David Starr, Jotham Mitchell, Salmon Ward and Beia Hubbard, David Miller, and Boutin, a Frenchman, came to Carthage. The above were all young, unmarried men, save Mix. We continued our labors through the summer of 1799, but not with that spirit which we should have done, had not a rumor reached us of the failure of Mr. Storrs, and the probability that we should lose, not only all !i-: 1 ii 126 Champion. our labor, but the money which I had advanced for my land. But I will not enter into particulars here — let it suffice that I could not afford to lose all I had done and paid, and consequently en- tered into a compromise with him, to save a moiety ot what was justly mine — of not only what I had actually paid for, but of what I was to have had, for leading the way in this first settle- ment of a new country, and subjecting myself again to all its dis- comforts and inconveniences. Consequently, in view of makiug this my permanent home, I moved my family here in the autunm of 1799. We had a very unfavorable time, to come. There had been a snow-storm, in which about six inches of snow had fallen. We were obliged to travel on horseback, the horses' I'eet balled badly: we had sloughs to go through, and altogether, it was ve- ry uncomfortable traveling in that manner, w'tli children. We arrived at Mr. Hoadley's the first night, and ou • ox-teams and goods the next day. From there, we came to thvf High Falls, where I had a boat awaiting us, which I had caused to be built for my own use. Here we embarked with all our goods and chattels, of all kinds, loading the boat to its utmost capacity, so that when all were in, it was only about four inches out of water. We spent one night at the Lowville landing, where a family were living. During the evening, there came in a number of men, wet, cold and hungry. Amor -r them, was one named Smith. He went to pull off the boots of r.ie ot his companions, which were very wet and clinging close. He pulled with all his might — the other bracing himself against him as^firmly as possible. All at once, and with unexpected suddeness, the boot came off, and poor Smith was sent, with his bare feet, into a bed of live coals. There was both music and dancing for one while. We arrived at the Long Falls, about noon, the second day from our embarkation. The weather had by this time become warm and pleasant. Our oxen arrived soon after by land, we unloaded our boat, put our wagon together, loaded it with some of our effects, set off, and, before night, reached our "wilderness home." My wife said, in view of the difficulties in getting here, that, if she had any thing as good as a cave to live in, she would not return in one year at the least. She, of choice, walked from the Falls here, a distance of four miles through the forest. We arrived on the 17th of Nov., 1799. The weather continued pleasant until the 27th, when it commenced snowing, the river soon froze over, the snow, of which a great quantity fell, and continuing io fall, lasted all winter, and we were entirely cut off from all intercourse with the world. I kept fifteen head of cattle through the winter, by browsing them, and they wintered well. Isolated though we were, yet I never passed a more comfortable winter. We had a plenty of provisions; my wheat, I had raised here, a Champion. 127 very fine crop from seed sown in the autumn of 1798, and my pork, &ti., was fatted in Oneida County, and brought here by boat. And take it all together, I perhaps settled this country as easy ay any one ever settled a new country, as completely isolated as this was at that time, and easier than I settled in Steuben, 18 miles from Utica. At that time we had to go to Utica or Whitesborough for provisions, and it always took one day to go out, and another to return, incredible as it may now seem. In the spring of 1800, I)eople began to flock into the country by hundreds, and, as my og house afforded the only accommodation for wayfaring men, we were obliged to keep them, whether we would or no; some- times, and that very often, my floors were strewn with human beings as thick as they could lie, some so near the huge fire place as not to pass unscorched; one man in particular, it was said by his companions, had his head baked, by too close a proximity to the oven. This rush continued two or three years, and was full of incident and interest, but at this distance of time I can not recall these incidents with sufficient accuracy to detail them here. The town settled rapidly with an intelligent and energetic class of people. The society was good; it might be called good any where. Perhaps there was never a more intelligent and interesting people congregated together in an obscure little inland town, than in this, within a few years from its ^rst settlement. I can not state the order of time in which they came, but the names of a few of them I will record, that in future time, when this place shall have sunk into insignificance, as it too probably will, before the greater lights arising around it, it may be known that we were once honored by having in our midst such men as Egbert Ten Eyck, afterwards first judge of the court, who was then a young lawyer, and married here to one of our beautiful maidens; Olney Pearce and wife, Hubbel and wife. Judge Moss Kent, brother of the late chancellor, Henry R. Storrs, who opened an office here, and afterwards became one of the most distinguished lawyers of the state. Dr. Baudry, a Frenchman, Drs. Durkee and Farley, and many others, too numerous to mention, as well as many ladies of grace and beauty, whom it would be invidious now to particularize. Common schools were soon established. Religious meetings were held on the sabbath, after old Deacon Carter came into the town, and in very few years, I think as early as 1805, the Rev. Nathaniel Button came. He was sent out by some missionary society^at the east, to form churches in this west- ern world, and coming to this place, was invited to remain, which he did, and continued here until the close of his valuable life, in Sept. 1852, and for the greater part of that time was the pastor of the Congregational church, which flourished under his minis- trations, and enjoyed many powerful revivals of religion. K^'as in 1823 named Cornela, but in 1831 the name was changed to Clayton, which it has since retain^^d. In the primitive patent of P. net, the creek and bay is named Weterin- f'hra Guentere, and on some old map it is named Dumas Creek. t has very generally ^ije?n known till the present time as French Creek, but it is losing this gradually. In 1825 a stone school house was built and the first school taught. An interesting article, dated March 20, 1835, and published in the Watertown Eagle, on the authority of E. C. Bancroft, A. O. Blair, E. G. Merrick, J. A. Brewster, and T. M. Reade, a committee appointed to prepare a census, and collect the history and statistics of the village of Clayton (French Creek), affords many valuable data, which become the more interesting with time, and will serve as a standard by which to compare the growth of that spirited and enterprising place. A portion of the report only can be quoted. "Less than ten years ago, the ground where now stands our village was without a single house, and was, we are informed by one of our first settlers, an almost impenetrable marsh. Now, 93 buildings (most of which are two stories high, well finished and painted), are situated on the same ground, and occupied by 73 families, making a total population of 426, which gives to it, at least, the appearance of a thriving and business little village, and we may, without detracting from the merits of our neighboring villages, say, that not one in the county can show greater im- provements in the same period of time, than our own. Although we have dated the period of the commencement of our village ten years back, yet we should observe that, although it began to settle at about that time, it did not assume any appearance of a village until the years 1829, '30, and although business to a very considerable amount was transacted prior to that time, in and about the Bay of French Creek, yet we may say, and say truly, that our village has attained its present size within a period of five years, at which time we have ascertained, that not more than 30 inhabitants resided here. This being the case, then our popula- tion, in that time, has increased near ten fold, and that increase, we believe (although we have not the means at hand to ascertain that fact), to be equal, if not greater, than the western villages in this state, in the same space of time, when their rapid growth was considered very extraordinary. In appearance and size, our village has also kept pace with its increase of population. Six years ago there were 9 buildings in this place; we now number 43 dwelling houses, 6 stores, 3 gro- ceries, 3 taverns, 1 steam furnace, capable of melting 4 tons of iron per day. 1 machine shop, 1 ship smith's shop, 1 blacksmith's shop, 3 shoe shops, 2 tailor shops, 1 chair shop, 2 cabinet shops, Clayton. 139 lame 1 the erin- 'reek, rench ithool lifihed )ft, A. ade, a aistory affords g with yrowth report ids our mtd by Now, inished pied by es to it, village, ;hboring kter im- l^lthough village )egan to nee of a a very in and truly, Period (»f ethan popula- increase, ascertain villages growth _ with its ildings in s, 3 gro- 4 tons of 5k smith's let shops. lO 1 butcher shop, 1 }>r^ "xy, a school house, 5 large and commodious wharves, and within 1 mile of the village, 3 saw mills. Efforts are now making to build a church, and from the known liberality of our citizens, we doubt not but their efforts will be, successful, and within a year an edifice, worthy of their liberality, will add, as it certainly will, both to the respectability and appearance of the place. Every branch of business as well as mechanical pur- suits which we have epumerated, appear to be in successful operation, rendering to Ihe operatives a liberal remuneration for their instruments and labor. We next come to the business transactions of the place, which are by no means inconsiderable. During the last year the actual amount of capital invested in this business, at a low estimate, is found to be $475,000. The exports to foreign markets from this port amount the last year to $275,000. The aggregate amount of merchandise and other commodities sold at this place the past year, amounts to $100,000. The tonnage of vessels (independent of the different steam boats which have entered and discharged their cargoes at this port during the same year) amounts to 60,000 tons. In 1834 there were owned in this port 7 schooners, 1 brig and 1 steam boat, making an aggregate of 1000 tons. Within four years there has been built at the ship yard in this place, up to the present year, 6 schooners, of about 100 tons each, 1 canal boat and 1 steam boat, and there are now being built 5 schooners, at an average cost '^f $4,300 each, making an expenditure of about $70,000, for ship building alone." After enumerating the peculiar facilities, aibrded by the loca- tion for trade with Kingston, and other poinist on the lake and river, they express the belief that the want of water power, hitherto felt, might be overcome by constructing a dam at the mouth of the creek, which might also serve the purpose of a bridge, the cost of which was estimated at $2,460. The report ended with the following language. "Whenever the advantages, which it has been found we pos- sess, are improved, a new impetus will necessarily be given to the business as well as the growth of our village, and were we disposed to speculate upon what our village will be five years hence, we might incur a charge of being influenced by visionary and idle prospects. But aside from any contemplated advantages, we think there are those which the place already possesses, suffi- cient to give our village still further improvements, by no means inconsiderable, both as to the business and the appearance of the place. We have that which is indispensably necessary for the growth and prosperity of all villages; and that is, a rich and fertile country, adjacent to, and around us, which is becoming well settled by industrious and worthy inhabitants. The com- 140 Clayton. !■ mercial operations on the lakes and river, are rapidly increasing, and with all our natural advantages, for the transaction of this branch of business, together with citizens of enterprise, allowing our improvements to be such only as business will warrant, ami require, we can not but think our improvements for the future Avill have a comparison with the past, and that there are induce- ments for the investment of capital and opportunities for men of business." * The business of ship building began at Clay' on in 1832, by Smith & Meriick, and has been since continued, giving employ- ment to about a hundred men. From two to ibur vessels have been built here annually, making a total of from sixty to seventy, including most of the splendid steamers of the Ontario and St. Lawrence Steam Boat Company's lines. This business began here at about the time when the burdensome tonnage duties upon the lakes, amounting almost to a prohibition, had been removed in part through ihe influence of the Hon. Joseph Hawkins of Henderson, who represented this district in Congress. From this time theiJ existed no limit to the size of vessels, but that of the locks of the Welland Canal. The first vessels built here were the Jesse Smith and Horatio Gates, in 1832. The Franklin, Jefferson, Willet, Monroe, Madison, Cleopatra, Morgiana, D. "Webster, Robert Wood, E. G. Merrick, Oneida, Western, St. Lawrence, John Cades, D. N. Barney, Niagara, Superior, Invin- cible, New York, Quebec, Manchester, Utica, Reindeer, Oneida Chief, America, Flying Cloud, Sovereign of the Lakes, Northern Light, White Cloud, White Squall, and Thousand Islands, have since been built. The principal ship builder for several years has been Mr. John Cades, and most of the vessels have been constructed for the firm of Fowler and Esselstyn. To secure the privileges of a coasting trade with Canada, which ari' granted to vessels that are built on British soil only, a ship yard was several years since opened by the same parties at the foot of Wolf or Grand Island, in Canada, and four or five miles above this port. There is also a rafting station at the same ^place, which has been established for the purpose of evading the duties to which Canadian timber would be liable, if made up into rafts, and despatched firora an American port. The steamers that have been built at Clayton, are the JVtagara, 473 tons; Cataract, 577 tons; Ontario, 832 tons; Bay State, 900 tons, and J\iew York, 994 tons. The steamers British Queen, 279 tons, and British Empire, 330 tons, with the brigs Quebec and Manchester, and other craft, have been built at Wolf Island. The aggregate amount of tonnage built for the above firm since 1849, has been nearly 8000 tons, and the business is still actively Clayton. 141 sing, this wing , and uture [luce- len of i2,by jploy- 5 have venty, nd St. began s upon moved iins of )ni this t of the re were anklin, ma, D. ern, St. , Invin- Oneida [orthern Is, have John the firm casting juilt on cned by Canada, rafting for the would raerican er Niagara, ly State, h Queen, Quebec f Island, rm since actively pursued. This ship building gives employment to a great num- ber of mechanics. The bay of French Creek has been since 1S24, a very important lumbering station for hewn timber and oak staves, which have been mostly brought here in vessels, from ' the upper lakes and from Canada, and made up into rafts for Quebec, where it was again loaded in vessels for foreign market. Some idea Uiay be formed of the magnitude of this business from the fact that a single firm, employing 300 men, sent off a raft of from 18 to 24 cribs every eight days during the season of rafting, which lasted irom midsummer till September. Staves are rafted on pine floats, 52 feet long, and holding 6000 standard pieces. A raft of oak timber required pine timber to make it buoyant enough to pass the rapids, and one of these would sometimes in- clude 100,000 cubic ieet. The time occupied in descending is three or four weeks, and Indian pilots were commonly employed in the more difficult rapids. The year 1826, was remarkable for its reverses, which ruined many lumbermen. In 1841 and 1846, Congress passed laws that checked the business of rafting Canada lumber on our shores, by requiring duties to be paid. The busi- ness that formerly centered in the bay of French CrecL., has accordingly been divided, a part going to Garden Island, near Kingston, and a part to the foot of Wolf Island. The business at present gives employment to about 100 men in making up rafts, and a fleet of eighteen vessels in bringing the timber from the upper lakes. From 60,000 to 80,000 cubic feet of hewn timber and a million of standard staves* are sent annually. Rafts are sent less frequently, but larger, now than formerly, sometimes including 35 drams, each 50 by 200 feet, which are propelled by the current, by sails, and sometimes by towing. In passing the rapids, the raft is separated into sections or drams of two cribs each, and passed singly. The business of rafting, at Clayton, is now mostly carried on by E. G. Merrick, Esq., and associates, who since 1828, have conduc^'^d a large business at this village in lumbering, ship buildiug, and merchandise. The village of Clayton is regularly laid out, and has at present a population of about 1000. It is the proposed terminus of the Black River and Utica Rail Road, is a landing for all the American steamers on the lake, and in some respects it offers inducements for business, which no other place in the county affords. The Baptists, Methodists, and Catholics, have each a church in the village. It was surveyed by Clark W. Candie in 1824, and re- surveyed in 1833 by Oliver Child. Near this village commences the head of the Thousand Isles, many of which are in sight, presenting a very picturesque ap- * A standard stave is Hi feet long, 5i inches wide, and 2 inches thick. 142 Clayton. ftearance, and directly opposite is Grindstone Island, one of the argest of the group, being upwards of live miles in length, and from two to three in breadth. Tliis ishiiul, with Wells island, and many others were claimed by the St. Regis Indians at an early day, and leased by their agent to British subjects, for long terms of years. Upon survey of the boundary in 1818, they were found to belong to our government, und in 1823, upon these islands being patented by the state, in pursuance of an agreement with Macomb, difliculties arose that threatened for a time to result in serious measures, and which have been known locally as the War of Grindstone Island, A quantity of pino timber had been cut, and prepared for rafting, which was claimed by the patentee, but was refused to be given up by those in whose possession it was. Finding it probable that any attempt to serve legal papers upon the parties alledged to be trespassers would be resisted, a detach- ment of militia from Lyme, under Capt. S. Green, was called out. The timber had mostly been passed.over into British waters, and after some firing, the party in charge of the timber dispersed. One of the militia men was accidentally killed by his own gun. The question subsequently became a subject of litigation, and was finally settled by arbitration. Another incident occured in this town, that has its parallel only in the theft of a town meeting, as related of Brownville. A saw mill had been erected in the vicinity, it is said upon a verbal agreement, which subsequently became a subject of dif- ference between Mr. La Farge, the proprietor, and the lumber- man. The latter resolved that. he would neither comply with the terms demanded, nor allow others to enjoy the fruits of his labors, and early one mornini:^ not long after, the timbers of a saw mill Were seen floating in the bay, no one professing to know how they came there and it is supposed to have been in some way connected with spiritual monifestations, more especial- ly as spirit were often brought in quantities in this place for smuggling into Canada. The islands in this vicinity have many associations connected with the war <>t J812, and affairs growing out of the Patriot movement, which will be detailed in our chapte»'3 on this subject. An engagement occurred between General Brown's advanced guard of Wilkinson's expedition, and the British at this place, late in 1813, of which we give the details elsewhere. During the embargo period of 1808, the old French Road, that had been cut through in a nearly direct line from the High Falls to the river at this point, became a thoroughfare for teams laden with potash, and this contraband trade continued with comparative impunity till the commercial restriction was removed. Penet's Square Corners on the Bay of French Creek near this Clayton. 143 place, and the proprietors of that tract anticipating that this property would possess value as the site for a , town, subdivided four of the mile squares near-j est the corner, the one on the bay into 64 lot8,| often acres each, and the three others into 161 lots of 40 acres each. In balloting for a divi< sion, each owner drew a proportionate number! of these lots, which like the large tract werel numbered from west to east and back, commen- cing at the north-west and ending at the south west corners. 7' ese subdivisions are shown in the annexed sketch. Depauvilley on Chaumont River, at the head of boat naviga- tion, and six miles above Chaumont Bay, was named from Fran- cis Depau, an importing merchant and capitalist of New York, who purchased 15 lots on Penet's Square. This place, at first, bore the name of Cat Fish Falls, by which it is still sometimes called. The creek above the place is still called Cat Fish Creek. The first improvement was begun by Simon and Jared White, who came ot> as trespassers to get out lumber, but being warned off by the agent, left a large amount of hewn timber that rotted on the ground. From this place they removed to Three Mile Point on Chaumont Bay, where, after a short sojourn, they started in May, 1817, for the west, in an open boat. The party consisted of the brothers, their mother, wives, and children, 11 in all, and had arrived in Houndsfield, a mile or two beyond Sackets Harbr- where they put up for the night. After leaving this place thty were never seen alive. There were many disso- lute sailui s an.l soldiers, lounging about the neighborhood, their boat was fomtd robbed of household goods, several hundred dol- lars in the possession of the men were gone, and their bodies exhibited unmistakable marks of violence. The children were found drowned, but the bodies of the women were never found. These circimstances, warranted the belief of robbery and mur- der, but although the excitement was intense and general, nothing occurred to settle suspicion upon ni y party sufficient to warrant an arrest. In 1816, Nathaniel Norton, Jr., who had previously been a merchant at Russia, New York, came as agent of C. H. & E. Wilkes, owners of 12,000 acres on Penet's Square, and ad- joining Depauville.* Soon after, David and Nathaniel Holbrook came to the Falls, and with their father, under a contract of Alexander Le Ray, the agent of Depau, erected a rude apology for a saw and grist mill, but upon failure of payment, the premises were sold in 1824 to Stephen Johnson and Peter Mar- * Hispower of attorney is dated June 20th, 1820. 144 Clayti on. '% 1 tin, who had located as merchants and lumbermen. At this time there were but two or three log houses and the rude mills. In 1824, Mr. Johnson built a stone mill, which in 1851 was burned, and the year following replaced by the present mills. At Depauville, and vicinity, the materials for the manufacture of water lime, exist in vast quantities, constitutinoj an important geological formation. In 1835, the manufacture of this article was commenced by Stephen Johnson of this place, Mr. King, formerly of Onondaga County, Joel Murray and Jared House of Lowvillc. Mr. Johnson was interested to the extent of one half, and two mills were fitted up for grinding it. During two years that the business continued, about 1000 barrels were made, and mostly used in the construction of cisterns in this and neighbor- ing towns. This was the first enterprise of the kind in the county. At a future time it may give employment for the indus- try of great numbers, and a profitable source of investment of capital. Depauville is 6 miles from Chauraont; 6 from La Fargeville; 8 from Clayton; 6 from Stone Mills; 9 Limerick^ and 11 from Brownville. Religious Societies. — A Methodist Society was formed in Clayton, December 20, 18.33, with Silas F. Spicer, Amos Reynolds, Willis Howard, James H. Fuller, and Amos Gillet, trustees. A society of the same denomination was formed at Depauville, November 26, 1834, with Martin Spicer, Abel F. How, Caleb Closson, Wareham Case, and Timothy O'Connor, trustees. Churches were built by each of these, here, and four miles south, toward the Perch River settlements. In 1835, a Congregational Church was formed of members residing in this town and Orleans, by the Rev. Marcus Smith of Watertown. A Free Communion Baptist church was formrd in August, 1820, by Elder Amasa Dodge, of Lowville, consisting at first of four- teen members. He was succeeded by Elders Russel Way, Jacob Overocker, Welcome Pigley, S. B. Padding, Samuel Hart, Ansel Griffith, and N. H. Abbey. The present number is 73. A so- ciety was formed August 26, 1841, with Nahum D. Williams, Phineas A. Osborn, and Helon Norton, trustees; and in Decem- ber, 1848, it was reorganized. In 1838, a union church was built of stone at Depauville, Mr. Depau contributing $500 towards its cost. The Universal ists at present own a quarter, the Free Will Baptists a half, and the Congregationalists and Baptists the remainder. It cost $2,200. In 1852, the Method- ists erected a new church at this village, at a cost of $2,400. This denomination is much the most numerous in town. The German Evangelical Lutheran Church of Clayton, and Orleans, was formed March 11^ 1841, with Henry Haas, Val- entine Baldtuff", 'and Nicholas Lehr, trustees. The Evangelical Thi nated EUishurgh. 145 nd al- Church in Clayton was formed December 21, 1841, with John Haller, Valentine Dorr, Jr., and Andrew Baltz, trustees. Both of these have erected houses of worship between Depauville and La Fargeville. The Third Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Clayton was formed October 5, 1840, with £. G. Merrick, John N. Fowler, Perry Caswell, John Wilson, Fairfield Hartford, Woodbridge C. George, and Adonijah Brush, trustees. They own a convenient and elegant church edifice in the village of Clayton. The First Baptist Society, of Clayton Village, was formed October 6, 1840, with Dillino D. Calvin, Henry ilubbert, Henry Walt, Edward Burchell, and Alpheus R. Calvin, trustees. A church was formed of seventeen members, by Rev. E. G. Blount (who has since been pastor), February 14, 1843. The first church in the village was built by Baptists and Methodists, but the former, having sold their interest in 1847, built a church at a cost of $2,000. The present number (July 1853) is 117; total, since beginning, about 200. A small Baptist church has existed sevtral years at Depauville, which was formed by Mr. Blount. The Catholics erected a church in Clayton Village in 1841, and are considerably numerous. Ellisburgh. This town, embracing Minos and Henderson (No. 6, as desig- nated on the surveyer general's map), was erected from Mexico, into a township on the 22d of Feb. 1803; the first town meeting being directed to be held at the house of Lyman Ellis, at which the fr'lowing town officers were chosen: Edward Boomer, ^wper^ visor; Lyman Ellis, clerk; Caleb Ellis and Amos B. Noyes, overseers of the poor; Jeremiah Mason, Samuel Rhodes, and Benj. Boomer, commisioners highways; Matthew Boomer, constable and collector; Abiah Jenkins, constable; John Thomas, Christopher Edmonds, and Dyer McCumber ,yenct; viewers; C. Ellis, Jeremiah Mason, Timothy Harris, Benj. Boomer, D. McCumber, Joseph Hoiley, overseers oj highways. Supervisors. — 1803, Edward Boomer; 1804, 5, Lyman Ellis; 1806, Nathaniel Wood; 1807, L. Ellis; 1808, 9, Joseph Allen; 18J0, Orimal Brewster; 1811-14, Lyman Ellis; 1815, l6,Eben- ezer Wood; 1817, L. Ellis; 1818-20, Pardon Earl; 1821, E. Wood; 1822,23, P. Earl; 1824-29, WadsworthMayhew; 1830, Daniel Wardwell; 1831-36, Jotham Bigelow; 1837, Ezra Stearns; 1838, Samuel Hackley; 1839, E. Stearns; 1840, Wm. C. Pierrepont; 1841, 42, Ezra Stearns; 1843, Wm. C. Pierrepont; 1844, John Littlefield; 1845, James Jones; 1846, 47, Wm. C. Pierrepont; 1848, 49^ John Clark; 1850, Alvah Bull: 1851, 52, James J. Steele; 1853, Alexander Dickinson. 146 Ellishurgh. I Wolf bounties of $2'50 in 1803; of $15 in 1807,8; of $10 in 181 1, 12. In 1804, 5, "Resolved, that the method of voting shall be by each person's passing round and naming the persons he would wish to elect, to fill the several offices." In l8l6^voted to build a town house. This town derives its name from Lyman Ellis, of Troy, who settled as a proprietor in 1797, and who afterwards for several years acted as an agent. He died in town, March 13, 1847, aged 87. His character is briefly summed up in his epitaph: " Modesty, honesty, and charity, adorned his walk in life." On the nth of April 1796, Marvel Ellis,* of Troy, N.Y., con- tracted with Wm. Constable, for the purchase of this town, excepting a marshy tract, each side of Sandy Creek, near the lake, which was afterwards included, and a tract of 3000 acres, in the south-west corner, sold to Brown and Eddy. The sum of $22,111*50 was paid, and a deed given, March 22, 1797, upon which a mortgage was given back upon the balance, amounting to $98,943'45. This mortgage embarrassed the early sales, and confidence was not restored, until the property had reverted to the Constable estate, some years afterwards. The greater part of the town was surveyed by Calvin Guiteau, in 1796, except the eastern part, that was surveyed by Nelson Doolittle, and the 3000 acre tract in 1800, by Benjamin Wright, of Rome; the latter, in 1808, surveyed the whole town. A proposition had been received from Moody Freeman, for the purchase of the town, but a bargain was not effected. The town, including the marshes, which in dry seasons afford wild grass, but which are often flowed, contains 54,721| acres. The field notes of Guiteau, made in 1796, contain the following memoranda. Lot 23 (three miles above Ellis Village). "About 5 chains west, from the north east corner, are falls often or twelve feet, but not perpendicular more than four or five feet, which do not obstruct the salmon, as I found many above." Lot 34 (next west of 23). "About 20 chains from the west line is a small fall in the creek, where the water is confined to a narrow channel, and then expands out, forming a depth of ten or twelve feet of water of a smooth rocky bottom, and filled with innumerable multitude of salmon, the clearness of the water being such that they may be seen in any part of it." In the early settlement of the country these fish ascended as far up as the town oi Rodman, but since the erection of dams and mills, they have scarcely appeared in Sandy Creek. In the spring of 1797, Marvel and Lyman Ellis, brothers, and both interested in the purchase, found their way into town, the * Marvel Elliidied in Utica, in 1806, aged 46; be removed there in 1803. latter same ; was c; existec invitat visited Sandy elected Man who ha mile be in oper next sp with — spring f Richard Salisbur "Thorr t mild 1 oick, an( of provis The fii Caleb El Howard. Pierce, a the instn notice th thirty ye; such oft said befc formed. To suj structed, used from and burn which wi difficulty, and the t furniture boats by On the stable as "Weh pensive; done consi 'ot a large ElUsburgh. 147 latter with the view of permanent settlement. In the fall of the same year, Caleb Ellis, having met with Lyman Ellis, at Rome, was casually introduced with the expectation that a relationship existed, but none was found; yet the interview resulted in an invitation to settle in'the new town. Caleb jtillis accordingly visited the town, and selected a farm on the south branch of Sandy Creek, at a place where one Waldo had the year previous erected a hut for hunting. Many men were employed l^ Lyman Ellis the same season, who had at its close built a dam and saw mill, three-fourths of a mile below the present site of Ellis Village, and the mill was got in operation the same fall, but was partly swept off early the next spring by a flood, in the winter of 1797-8, Wm. Hicks, with Buller afid B. Pierce, remained in town, and in the spring of 1798, Caleb Ellis and family, Robert Fulton, Elijah Richardson, Hezekiah Pierce, Chauncey Smith, Wm, Root, Vial Salisbury, Isaac Waddle, Abram Wilcox, two men by the name "Thornton, and others, came into town with Lyman Ellis, to ! mild the mill, and erect a grist mill, but nearly all were taken oick, and the pioneers were reduced to great suffering from want of provisions and necessary medical attendance. The first death in EllisbLivgh, was Mary, a young daughter of Caleb Ellis, and the first death of an adult, was that of Samantha Howard. The first birth is said to have been that of Ontario Pierce, a son of Hezekiah Pierce, in the summer of 1798. For the instruction of those who attach faith to sayings, we would notice that it is related as said by an old Indian, " that once in thirty years," there had been noticed a period of sickness among such of their number as had sojourned here. Whether this was said before or after the sickly season of 1828, we are not in- formed. To supply the place of mills, Mr. Ellis and his settlers con- structed, after models of their own de\ ice, those primitive mortars, used from necessity in B^ new settlements, and made by boring and burning a cavity into the top of a hard wood stump, over which was suspended a pestle by a spring pole. With much difficulty, during the season, the saw mill was again fitted up, and the dam rebuilt; the iron and heavy freight as well as the furniture of settlers, having been brought into town in open boats by way of Wood Creek and Oswego. On the 11th of September, 1798, Marvel Ellis wrote to Con- stable as follows: " We have a good dam across the creek, which has been ex- pensive; a good saw mill, well finished, and running, and have (lone considerable towards a grist mill. We have on the same lot a large and handsome improvement, have had a fine ciop of 148 EUisburgh. wheat, and have very fine corn. The people that are on the land, have good improvements for the time and are industrious. I in- close you an account of the small sales to the settlers, the price sold for, and what has been received, which is a small sum in proportion to what has been laid out on the land; if people would have been satisfied of having a release from the mortgage, by paying you, we should have had sufficient to have made the pre- sent payment now due. The remainder of the money due from these settlers, is due within a year. We wish you to give us some further indulgence, and something to convince people that you will release from the mortgage on receiving payment, which will enable us to make payments for the land, and make a large settlement soon." Inclosed in the foregoing was the following list, with the num- ber of acres taken up by each. Joseph Caldwell, 60; Wm. Hicks, 51; John G. Hayward, 150; Caleb Ellis, 126; Neal Salsbury, 100; Elijah Pettybone, 100; John Paddock, 50: Isaac Souther- land, 130; Asahel Humphrey, 419; Elisha Phillips, 100; Levi Root, 140; Hez Peirce, 149. . The first corn and potatoes raised in the county by the present race of settlers, was by Lyman Ellis in 1797, who also, in 1798, was probably the first to raise winter wheat. The winter of 1798-9 was one of remarkable severity. Snow fell on the 29th of Oct. and lasted till the 20 of April. A settler in town (Gideon Howard) having been to Rome, was returning when the first snow fell, and was overtaken by night in the woods near Little Sandy Creek, 6 miles from home. In the morning the snow had fallen nearly four feet, and was so light that it was impossible to travel in it. He had only provision enough to last home without obstruction, and was detained three days, endeav- oring to struggle through, having constructed a pair of snow shoes which however were of little avail. When he reached home he was nearly exhausted from fatigue and hunger. In the spring of 1799, the dam of Ellis was again swept off, and the mill partly destroyed when this and the frame of a grist mill were removed to the present village above, and the latter was got in operation about 1803. Many interesting details of the early settlement of this town and county, are given in the following extracts from the diary of James, the brother of Wm. Constable, who in 1803-4-5-6, made tours in the summer months through these northern counties, on business connected with the estate of his deceased brother, of which he was one of the executors. The original copy is owned by Henry E. Pierrepont, Esq. of Brooklyn, who has allowed us to make the following extracts. * * « we jrot got ther and no i ttian a r as we jt could »]( whicii is which di Jnst the I TJiree n Ellis beii was aboi furniture and in t family 7C 12» bein, think the We dinec my satistii We Ief( after it be, the timbei any we in other peof ' o'clock ani gone to se immediate siderable c Septembe well pleas tieard of a lay speed] doctor on i was from . encouragin lot of 50 a( also soon li hm unfinis and should strong clair Septembe) and was m •^aps, whic fine effect, either fine "'ore I am settlers, w soon reliev satisfied, settle imme of title. , lived here n I'een ^221, "pon condii though his EUisburgh. 149 * * « September 5th, 1803. "Our course was west for some time, till we got to town No. 11 fOrwell), and I began to feel interested before we got there. The country was very pleasant, fine forests of large timber, and no underwood or brush, so that although the road was no better than a rugged path, and not u creature to be seen, I felt much pleased, as we journeyed on at the rate of two and a half miles per hour. We . could not well judge of the soil, but by the timber it was covered with, which is principally maple, and beech, with a small portion of hemlock, which denotes good soil. * * * After travelling some miles, I had at lost the gratification of seeing a settler here (in No. 10, or Sandy Creek). Three men were cutting and burning large piles of enormous treej. Ellis being acquainted with them, we went and staid 'n their hut, which was about 12 tieet square, built of logs; no chimney, and but very little furniture. There were two beds, in one of which a man and wife slept, and in the other the other two men. One man was distant from his family 70 miles. They had a con' ct from B. Wright for 500 acres at 12» being first settlers, and from their appearance and character, J think the ?and well sold, for they are the right sort to settle the country. We dined on salt, pork, with good bread, butter, and chocolate, much to my satisfaction. We lelt them at 4 o'clock for EUisburgh, 9 miles distant, and soon after it l^egan to rain quite hard, and continued till we got home. From the timber and appearances of thiifi town I thought it superior in soil to any we had passed. I had the satisfaction to find that settlers and all other people find it equal to their wishes. We retired to bed about 8 ' o'clock and slept well. It was my intention the next morning to have gone to see every man in the settlement, but this was unnecessary, lor immediately after breakfast, many of them came, and some from a con- siderable distance. September Gth. Had several consultations with the settlers, who seemed well pleased with my coming, and satisfied with my explanations. I heard of a daughter of one of them who bad been seized with a fit and lay speechless for the preceeding twenty-four hours. There was no doctor on the town, and they had lo send iv/eiity miles twice, to one who was from home. This affected n^e much and determined me to propose encouraging one to settle here, when I meet the Co-ex'rs. , Perhaps a lot of 50 acres, given to one, would be well bestowed. A parson will also soon be applied for. I find Ellis's house and mills good buildings, but unfinished, but he hopes soon to com|)lete them. They are valuable and should be kept up. He will be useful here, and I think has some strong claims upon us, as I shall explain. September 7th. Went after breakfast to see Lake Ontario 5 miles distant, and was much pleased with it. A steady west gale blew up the white caps, which contrasting with the sea green color of- the water, had a fine effect. As far as the eye could reach, and the coiuitry about us either fine forests, or well cultivated. The more J sec of the town, t!ie more I am satisfied of its value. After my return I saw the rest of the settlers, who seemed to come prepared for disappointment, but were soon relieved, and afler some explanations, they went away perfectly satisfied. I am convinced this property is extremely valuable, and will settle immediately, now that they feel themselves free from the danger of title. About roads I do not know what to say. * * * Mr. Ellis has lived here nearly six yeors, and all he has received from our testator has been ^221, for commission on lunds sold. A lot was promised him upon condition of his coming to reside, but he never got a deed for it. though his mills wei-e first erected there from whence they have been 150 Ellisburgh. since removed to where they now are. He now rskn the exVs for a conveyance for the lot promised, bein^ No. 94, and for time to pay "he nuove balance, the security for wliich is ample, as his bnidin^'s ure valued at $2 000 and the title to the lot they are upon is still with the executors. I'hero are about 40 families on the town, most of them poor, but of that description of people fit to settle a new coimtry; few comforts about them, and they seem to have few wants; no liquor is to be had, and they have not }«t begun to distill, nor are there any apples to make cider, so that their only drink is water, with which they seem content. They do not hesitate about the price of $3, but paying i down is very difficult for most of them. There are good horned cattle amongst them, the horses indifferent, but the only ones fit for a new coimtry. They do not seem to regard distance, and go 9 or 10 miles backward and forward daily, over roads that are nearly impassable. I regretted much to find some cases of the lake fever, and too many of the fever and ague. I saw two families laid up with the latter, but it is admitted to have declined annually, and will, I trust, soon disappear. Tlie crops of wheat and corn are very fine. I ate of new corn on the 6th of September. 80 bushels of corn have been produced on an acre, but 50 is about the general run. They had not yet turned much of their land to meadow, as they get stifHcient hay on tiie marshes near the lake, which are considered a kind of common, though they belong to us. The town is extremely well watered by the two branches of Sandy Creek, but they ure the only constant streams,* and cnre must be taken that the lots on these waters are not all sold off, and the others lef>, fur the latter ' would not sell. Perhaps a new allotment would be advisable. September 8lh, Left Ellisburgh at 4 P. M. for Capt. Boomer's, five miles distant, where I slept. This man owned abc it 100 acres in tho town, upon which he improved about 15 acres, and the other improvements are, b lOg house, with some small buildings. He has sold tlie '.vhole for $900, receiving the great part down, the remuindei- well secured. Other instances of the value they set upon small improvements might be men- tioned, such as another man refusing $1200 for 150 acres, with little more done than the above, but they will be better detailed by conversation. September 9th, Left Boomer's to travel by the state road which [lasses from Ellistfiirgh through town 7 (Louis; now Adams), 1, 6, 7, to Redfield. * * * What I saw of No. 1 (Lorraine), is much interior to the remain- der, as Wright calls the whole a good town, and it is settling fast." The portions relating to the territory now Oswego and Lewis counties are omitted. * * * August 21s<, 1804. "Proceeded on to Ellisburgh, and fo«nd the road from Ellisburgh so extremely bad, and so seldom travelled, and another route shorter and better presents itself, so that I have, by the advice of Mr. Wright, judged it advisable to alter to tlie latter; he is ac- cordingly authorized to give 5 or 6 lots, of 50 acres each, to settlers, en- titling them to deeds afler a residence a certain time, on 10 and 11, after they have erected buildings and other improvements. The road will he nearly direct from Rome to Ellisburgh, and about 43 miles. August 03(1. Went down Sandy Creek to the lake, and foiuid the marsh covered with hay stacks, the contents of which had grown spontaneously, and there are many horses and cattle at pasture, which proves that this * This was erroneous. There are numerous perennial streams in town, and no section of the county is better watered. F. B. H. place very d of goo the pri the cr town, articio by the settlers now 60 and set soil so I Atigu served J land, an No. 1 (I pion anc the rest, hut has r 7, lias bi side of I the prese somewho Hre good The wate here, and iie pays n not alwaj Cress the No.2(W« to Mr. He it at 12ff, < nn excell Slept at B August Harrison tolerably at a midd passed, i lost by th( country by 'ion, there '•aJiy, $1 L would take fiver in a s sideiable i reninin, an desolate, 'o another, No. 4, unJe Lawrence.f Le Ray ar ws ♦This F. B. H. ^ This is e Ellisburgh. 151 ploce is of consequence. Some of it is indeed very fine, and people are very desirous of buying, but no judgment can be formed of the quantity of good and bad, and L. Ellis, is therefore to sen«l me an estimate before the price is fixed. Went to Christopher P^dmonds on the north side of the creek. He has a tine farm and has produced the best corn on the town. He expects this year a yield of about 90 bushels per acre. This article is very fine throughout the place, but the wheat has been affected by the fly and rust. The establishment has flourished generally, many setdet s have come in since last year, and more are expected. There are now 60 families, and though cases of fever and ague happen near the lake, and sometimes the lake fever, yet the country is a healthy one, and the soil so good that it will settle fast Jluguat 'iAth, Left Ellisburgh, with directions to Ellis to sell the re- served lots (9), proceeding through Louis No. 7 (Adams), whici. is good land, and will settle, nearly the whole being taken up, thence tlirough No. 1 (Houndsfield), formerly sold by Harrison and Hoffman to Cham- pion and Storrs, but which now belongs to several proprietors, among the rest, Messrs. Kemble and Houndsfield. It is a pretty good town, but has not many settlers, and the road only cut out in some places. No. 7, has been sold generally at $3. Arrive at Brownvillc, on the north side of Black River where we dine at the hotel, a building too large for the present state of the place, and not fini^^hed. The country appears somewhat stony about the rivers, and the soil not very good. There are good houses and other buildings, and a good deal of clearing done. The water very low, and Brown's mill can not work.* He has a store here, and does a good deal of business with the country people, to whom Jie pays money for their produce, sending It to Montreal, where he can not always dispose of it on his own account, by which he is a loser. Cress the river, and pass on the south side 10 miles further, through No. 2 (Watertown), belonging to Mr, Low, and No. 3 (Rutland), formerly to Mr. Henderson, but now the property of Isaac Bronson, who bought it at 12s, cash, which is considered a great bargain in this part, as it is an excellent town, and well settled. No. 2 is settling by degrees. Slept at Butterfield's on No. 3, a poor tavein in an old log house. August U5tL Pass on through No. 4 (Champion), formerly sold by Harrison and Hoffman to Champion and Storrs, a pretty good town tolerably well settled; 10 miles to the Long Falls, where we breakfasted at a middling good tavern. I find good corn universally in the country passed. The winter wheat good as usual, but that of the spring mostly lost by the insect or the rust (dew). What is raised, is used in the country by the inhabitants, and emigrants, and till there is more popula- tion, there will be none to spare for another market. It is worth, gene- rally, $1 per bushel. See the falls only at u distance, in part, as it would take much time and trouble to examine them further. Cross the river in a scow, the ferry kept by Baptiste, a Frenchman, one >f a con- siderable number who settled here some years ago; but very few now remain, and the buildings being mostly in ruins, the country appenrs desolate. Proceed on 4 miles from the river, to a log hut, then 6 rriiea to another, then 12 to a third, there being but 3 settlers on the Great Tract No. 4, unless there are some on Penet's Square adjoining the River St. Lawrence.f This tract belongs to or is under the management of Mr. Le Ray and Mr. G. Morris, and nothing has yet been done towards * This was Philomel Creek, now entirely dry except in spring and fall.— > F. B. H. t This is erroneous, the Square not being a part of No. 4. — F. B. H. 162 FMisburgh. JJi settling it; tho three people now on have a verbal promise thnt they sholl huvo the land at a fair price, os first settlers; but they ore very nnxioiia in their inquiries alter Gen. Lewis Munis, who it is uiKlerstood hits nnrlcrtook the sellins!; of 100,000 ncres. 'J'hc soil on tho road is good, but it is snid there is n j:;ood deni of had land and broken ground, in tho tract. Sleep at Lee's Tuvern, 22 miles from the fulls, with hard fare and poor lodgings. ^ug. 20. Pass on 5 miles to the Ox Bow, a remarkable bend in tho cast branch of Oswegatchie Kiver and a fine situation for a large hou^o. There is now a log hut, at which we breakfasted, and another in r ight."*** The journal of travel through the St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties and back is oinitted. Sept. 9. S !t off from Lee's, after breakfost, nnd stop at Stearns' on No. 4, 12 miles distance, then 10 i.iilus more to the Black River, which we cross at the Long I'^ulls, in a scow, and dine at Moselcy's tavern, on the south side. Tiie heat this day excessive. My companions nnd their horses suffered more than either I or my horse did. Proceeded on 10 miles further to Lowvillu, through Mr. Harrison's No. 5 (' enmark), which is very good and well settled, tho soil being very rich, and tho road (leep and muddy, especialiy for 4 or 5 miles after leaving the river, where are fewest settlers***. Squire Collins* gave us some informatioti of the local proceedings, the division of the county, and other intrigues, and with what I have heard from other quarters, it appears that Stow.f and Marti n4 have made themselves very obnoxious, and they will differ about tho division of tho county on their side of it; each will he sui)ported by opposite interests, and they will bn defeated by the management of the proprietors of Redfield, or that of Jacob Brown, of Brownville. Each of the gentlemen re(iuires a court house near to himself, and if they arc all to 1)6 gratified, Oneida must be divided into five, but there will be opposition to their wishes, nnd perhaps to any division of the county, wliich would be for tho interest of the land owners, as the extra expense would be saved." The remainder of this year's journal, and the first of the next omitted, as relating to other sections. On returning, Aug. 6, 1805, he overtook a Mr. Ford, who -was cutting out the state road in No. 7 (Redfield). " Mr. Ford had 4 or 5 hands, and expects to increase to 10 in a few days. He carries with him a house, drawn on an ox sled. It is 14 by 7 of a small scantling .ml ihht boards, but it is a sufficient protection against the weather, and a comfortable place to sleep in. His daugiiter attends to cook the provisions with them, and as his farm is at Iledtield, they get sauce (vegetables) from thence every day or two. * * * Gates' is the first wo come to on No. 1 (Lorraine), on lot No. 75; he is but badly lodged, though he hos made a good clearing. We found tiiat Mr. Wright had not passed this way, and Gates could give us no information, but he informed us there was a good road to BIr. Sweet's, on No. 2 (Worth), where we might meet with him, if he was employed in subdividing that town. We, accordingly, left the state road, and struck offcast, intending to sleep at Sweet's. What we had seen of No. 1 pleased us better than the other two towns, and this appeared to us very good for the distance of 2j miles to Sweet's, tho' no settlers were on it. No tidings of Mr. * Jonathan Collins, ofWest Turin, afterwards judge of Lewis County Court, t Silas Stow, of Lowville, first judge of Lewis Co. He was Low's agent, t Brigadier General Walter Martin, of Martinsburgh. F. B. H. if EUisburgh. 163 Wright The house was Binall, not a tavern, and full of people, ao that v/e gave up the idea of Bloc()ing there. Sweet and associates are pur- chasers of 5000 ocres, that formerly helouged to Mr. Hoffman. We were now at least 3) miles from Alger'd tavern on No. 1 (Lorraine), and it was late in the evening, but we set off in haste through an untried road, and got thereat dusk. The landlord was gone to mill, and the landlady lay sick of a fever. She requested to see one of us, and I wont to her bed- side, when she expressed her regret at not being able to attend upon us, as she has always been attentive to travellers; — that the best the house could aiford should be prepared ; that there was no wheat meal in the house, but her husband had gone for some, and the neighbors, attending her, would see to our accommodation, if we would stay. My companions concluded to go on to Mr. Hunter's, 4 or 5 miles further, but I remained, and uAer the husband returned, they got me a supper of tea, pork, and bread of Indian meal, and I went to bed in the same room with the landlady, who was indeed very sick, and attended all night, but I slept without waking. I should have preferred another situation, but it was not to be had. Alger has done but little, and does not look likely to succeed. He has not made any payment, and hopes for indulgence, but I referred him to Mr. Wright. Ho is on lot No. 34, and took up 73 acres, but has not made any payment since he came on in 1803, from which time interest is to commence. Ho has no contract. Le*i\ early next morning, and the bridge over Salmon River being car- ried (iway, I forded it. Tiie freshet in the spring was very destructive, three bridges and a mill dnm being carried off, besides other damages. * * * On the way to EUisburrrh, found many settlers since last year, and the improvement considerable; the crops of wheat excellent, and the corn good, as they have suffered little from drowth. Arrived at Ellis' at noon, to remain 2 or 3 days. The mills are in tolerably good order, but the water so low tiiey can grind only part of the day. Grists ore brought from a great distance, and in bouts from Oswego, and lower. Ellis has built a small house for himself, and a good barn. * ** Aug. 9. Went down to the lake, and being fine weather, were rowed down Sandy Creek to the mouth. The lake is higher than it has been for some years, and more of the marsh is covered, which has prevented much hay being cut. If the waters continue to rise, which they think probable, most of the marsii will be of no use. We returned from the lake, and wei'e caught in a shower before, we got to Ellis'. The first rain since leaving Schenectady. * * * A schoolhouse is now building, near Ellis' Mills, on the same lot, to be two stories high, the upper of which is to be devoted to divino service, when any minister travels that way. The town have also subscribed towards building a bridge across the creek, at the sa^Tin place, and we agreed to contribute $20 as they could not raise sufficient, but they have engaged to improve the ruad from ;)u-^ bridge to the north line of No. 10. Dr. Dresser has but two patients, ana :here is lesF, sickness than at any previous year in this season." The rroprietors had adopted the practice of giving certificates, allowing people a certain time after exploring to go for their families, before taking contracts, but it was found, that in many cases these had been transferred, and this having grown into a system of speculation, was discontinued, as they were given to assist the first real settlers, and their transfer operated against the interests of both land owners and settlers. About half of No. 1 was at this time sold. A reputed locality of iron ore was 11 154 FMiahurgh. visited on No. 6 (Redfield), which was thought upon examination to be coal, but which, from the description given, must have been the oxyde of manganese. ^ug-. 19. "Set off in the morning, nnd Mopped at Gates', on No. 1, neTHii milcB from Drake's, dates is uii intelligent mnn, and lias taken up no more land than he ran cultivate. Ho states his inability to meet his payments and hopits for iridui;.Mtnce. He >vaa told that every thing reasoiiahle would be done. Passed on to Smith's Mills, 7 miles further, but did not stop, and arrived nt Mr. Hammond's, in No. 6 (Henderson), where we got dinner, and spent the night. He is settled on Stony Creek, about H miles from what is called the Harbor; has a good log house, bujit though not iinlNlx'd, and a 8t6ne foundation, for a large barn. He has cleared consiilorable, and owns 350 acres of land. Though the report is that all the land is taken up in town, he tells us there are 6000 acres, that have not yet been surveyed. Mr. Wright expects to meet Mr. Henderson here, abotit the "iOth, to survey and to lay out a village at the Harbor. Went in tlie evening to see the Harbor, 2 miles distant, unc) bathed in it. It is formed by a peninsula on Lake Ontario, where Stony Creek empties, and tho' not a safe one, is a pretty situation. The trees are at present only felled, at some places, so that the prospect can not he judged of, but it will probably be very fine. Mr. Hopkins, the agrnt for Henderson, has begun a large house, and has gone to Vermont for his family. It narrowly escaped being burned to the ground, by a fire front a piece cleared near it in the dry weather." The price of land in this town is $3,50, which is high enough for the soil, which is very light over the rock, so that by burning a fallow, it is nearly consumed, and from the wind fulls it appears the roots of the trees can get but a slight hold on the soil, on account of the rocks. '/lug. 15, Leil Hammond's after breakfast, for Sackets Harbor, 12 miles distance. The road to Henderson's Harbor |)lain, but in consequence of the chopping, the road to the lake was stmt up, and we were obliged to take tu the woods for a mile or two, and found it difficult to get along. Saw two or three clearings before we reached the lake, and at each the road or path was almost shut up. When we reached the sho<-e found it rocky and somewhat dangerous for horses. I alighted and walked some miles, but my companions rode the whole distance. When we came to a sandy beach I moimted, and we went on pleasantly for some miles, tilh we came to a creek* emptying from a beaver dam into the lake which had the appearance of being too deep to ford, but seeing a man on the opposite side, we hailed him, and he answered to us to come on, as the water was not deep. We went on, but the water was at least 3 feet, and I was not easy in crossing. After travelling the beach a mile farther, and through the road another mile, we arrived at Sackets Harbor, which has a very pretty appearance, and promises from its situation to become of importance. A collector's ofhce is established by the United States, and Mr. Sacket, the collector, has a salary of $700. He called upon us, and we went to his house, which is quite a building, and the premises are very neat. The drouth has been very severe. He informed us that the proprietors of this town bad lately declined selling, but that the whole would sell readily at $5, Mr. Low had determined not to sell at any price, but in this we were afterwards told he was incorrect. He talks of the collector's office not being worth his attention although 1000 tons of ashes have been sent from the Harbor, and ha is quite dsirous of selling his * Bedford Creek. FAlishurgh. 155 whole property. • • * Proceeded to Brownville, 9 miles where we dined ; found tlie water very low, niid IJrowii'H milb not nt work. The place is not materiuliy altererehond cnrtnin feionH and rnhlters, wiio, in tlie town of KlhHliur^h in miid county, being armed, und under the pretonae of hoina in tlio Hervico of tlio United Htateh, to enforo the undiargo hiWN, did tliere vinlentiv, and forcibly, enter into the dwelling house of Cuptaiu Fairfield, broke open locks, forced open doors, and robbed the h.-«id Capt. Fairfield of his property, contrary to the laws; that they refused to sub- mit to the cfi^il authority of the country, and did then und there, by force and arms, seize, bind and carry away to Oswego, ten of our fellow citi- zens, who wore commanded to attend' a civil officer in the execiitim of process on the said offenders; which citizenH have been kept since, in close confinement, in want of every comfort and convenience of life, without lawful authority, and constantly subject to insult of soldiery, who seem insensible of the rights, privileges and liberties of Americans. Feeling the spirit of freemen, and viewing this and many oth; J in arms to aid our magistrates and civil officers in the execution of lawful pro- cess against Lieut. Asa Wells, and others, who stand charged under oath of felony, be requested to dispcrHc, until another trial be made by them to apprehend the said Asa Wells. Resolved, That the magistrates and civil authorities of the neighboring counties be requested to aid us in apprehending and brinpiug to justice the said Lieut. Wells, and divers other persona concerned in the said felony. Resolved, That we will support the laws and magistrates of the coun- try, and our civil officers in the execution of lawful process. Resolved, That Augustus Socket, Jesse Hopkins, and John Cowles, Esqs., magistrates of the county, be appointed a committee to cause these reso- lutions to be published, for the information of our fellow citizens. Ausr 'TT8 Sacket,^ Jespx }i'>?KiiN8, > CommUtu, John C'^wles, j EUisburgh, Sept. 27, 1808. During the war a company of Silver Greys, composed of old men and boys, not liable to military duty, was formed in Wood's Settlement, but was not called lo serve, except to guard the beach and mouth of Sandy Creek. In the spring of 1814, a complete victory was gained with slight loss, by a detachment of troops guarding a quantity of military stores from Oswego under Lieut. Woolsey, which had entered Sandy Creek, and were attacked by a detachment from the British fleet. The details of this transaction will be given in our chapter on the war. The aboriginal remains of EUisburgh, have given occasion for 158 KUiaburgh. the weak minded to believe, thai they were in some way con- cerned with buried treasures, and this being confirmed by the supposed indications of the divining rod, led in early times to explorations fcr them, despite of the guardianship of the spirits of the murdered, who according to the most approved deraon- ologists, are ever placed sentries over concealed coff'ers. The projectors of these speculations were in some instances charged with making money out of the credulous victims of i^uperslition, by selling provisions, and in several instances, the diggers were almost frightened out of their senses by ghosts and demons; some got fleeced of substantial property in pursuit of imaginary wealth, and others lost the respect of sensible men, by the favor with which they regarded these follies. On a certain occasion in pre- paring the enchanted circle for digging, a lamb was sacrificed, to appease the guardian demons of the supposed treasure; but this act was generally regarded as a sacrilege, and did much towc;rds bringing discredit upon these heathenish orgies. It is humiliating to know, that at a period so recent, and in a locality that enjoyed the means of education as early as any in the county, such absurdities of belief in witchcraft should have prevailed, nor is consolation afforded in the fact, that in other sections, and at the present day, we daily witness the evidences of a belief in superstitions quite as absurd. Incidents might be given, and details related, of the ritual observed by these mid- night seekers for subterranean gold, but the narratives would be unprofitable, and can not be too soon forgotten. In 1828, there again occurred a sickness thj^t was remarkable for its fatality, more especially in the vicinity of the lake, where scarcely a single person escaped an attack. It continued through the summer months, which were remarkable for their intense heat, with copious showers, alternating with clear sky and hot sun. The lake was very high, and the marshes were flowed. The disease assumed the type of a malignant typhoid fever, and was very general, extending along the entire frontier, being especially severe in the vicinity of marshes and standing water. In the western part of the state, this year was distinguished by the prevalence of intermittent anu other fevers. Ellis Village (Ellisburg P. 0,), is situated mostly on the north bank of the south branch of Big Sandy Creek, about four miles from its mouth. It is the oldest village in the town, and contained, in August 1853, four stores, two inns, two flouring mills, one plaster mill, one chair shop, one tannery, one saw mill, one shingle factory, two carriage shops, four blacksmith shops, and about sixty families. P'our physicians resided in the place, and the village contained churches of the Methodist and Universalist orders. It is distant from Belleville three miles; EUishurgh. i5d Mannsville four miles; Pierrepont Manor three miles; and Wood- ville two and a half miles. Belleville, on the north bank of North Sandy Creek, three miles above Woodville, and by rail road, five from Pierrepont Manor, began as a farming settlement, by Metcalf Lee, BrafHey Freeman, Joshua Freeman, Martin Barney, James, Benjamin, and Jedediah McCumber, and a few others about 1802-3. Elder Littlefield soon after purchased, and the place being favor- ably situated for mills, gradually grew to a village. Soon after the war, at the suggestion of Calvin Clark, a merchant, a meeting ^ 'as called to select a name for the place, and a com- mittee was chosen, who selected the present, which is said to have been taken from Belleville in Canada. Before this it had been known as Hall's Mills, from Giles Hall, who in 1806, pur- chased of J. McCumber a hydraulic privilege here, and who has ever since resided in this place. The first merchant was Laban Brown; John Hawn was the first innkeeper. This place has, wiihin the last year, been brought in commu- nication with markets, by completion of the Sackets Harbor and Ellisburgh Rail Road, which has given a new impulse to its growth. It is the centre of a highly cultivated district, and one that has taken great interest in agriculture as a practical science. The Ellisburgh Agricultural Society, of which an account will b«5 given, has recently fitted up a fair ground adjacent to the village: and in no town in the county has so much emulation been evinced in agricultural pursuits as in this. The village of Belle- ville contains a Presbyterian, a Baptist, and a Methodist church, and is the seat of the Union Literary Society, an academic insti- tution, whose history and condition will be given in a future chapter. It is three miles from Ellis Village, two and a half from Woodville, six from Smithville, six from Henderson, five from Adams, and five from Pierrepont Manor. Rural Hill Post Office, a small settlement two miles west from Belleville, was formerly called Buck Hill, has two stores, one tavern, and a few dwellings. Woodville, a small village on North Sandy Creek about three miles from its mouth, formerly Wood's Settlement, was settled by Ebenezer, Ephraira, and Jacob Wood, sons of Nathaniel Wood, of Middletown, Vt, who came in to look for lands with Orimal Brewster, Simeon 'J itus, Kphraim Wood, Jr., and Hezekiah Lelfingwell, in the fall- of 1803. Messrs. E. & E. Wood pur- chased May 26, 1804, for $2,294*80, a tract of 7 54 acres, and in March, Ephraim V/ood, with a daughter and three sons, came in to reside, his brother Ebenezer remaining to settle the estate. Rev. Nathaniel Wood, their father, an old man, came on in June, 1804. Obadluh Kingsbury, Oliver Scott, and others, came the 160 Ellisburgh. same year. A small mill was built, and in 1805, got in opera- tion. In 1805 Ebenezer WooiJ, Nathaniel Wood, Jr.,* Mosely Wood, Sarauel Truesdale, and families, came in, and several young men. A field of corn planted by the Woods, on the marsh, as late as June 7, produced an immense yield, which greatly raised the reputation of the settlement, and the hopes of the settlers. Woodville, in August, 1853, contained a store, two saw mills, grist mill, two churches (Baptist and Congregational), a paper mill (built by Messrs. Clark, about seven years since), the usual variety of mechanics, and about thirty families. In 1802, Joseph Allen, with Pardon Earlf and Arnold Earl, from Galway, N. Y., came in by way of Redfield, to Adams, and thence worked their way through the forest to Bear Creek, and settled on the site of the present village of Pierrepont Manor. William Tabor, William Case, two or three families by the name of Simmons, and a few others settled for farming purposes soon after. Allen opened the first inn, and Oliver Snow the first store. Mr. P. Earl, after 1807, became a local land agent, and a man of extensive business, and in 1822 the agency of the es- tates derived by H. B. Pierrepont from William Constable, lying in Jefferson and Oswego counties, was assumed by William C. Pierrepont, his elder son, who has since resided here, and ac- quired the title of these lands. Th : village has at present an inn, two stores, a number of mechanics, and between thirty and forty dwellings. It is by plank road five miles from Adams vil- lage, two from Mannsville, and thirteen from Pulaski. The W. and R. Rail Road has a station and eating house at this place, and it here joins the Sackets Harbor and Ellisburgh Rail Road. Few villages will compare with this, for the neat and quiet aspect which it presents. It is situated on the level of the lake ridge, and commands a distant prospect of the lake. A melancholy accident occcurred near this place, on the even- in'^ of May 6, 1852, by an engine, while running backwards, coming in contact with a hand car containing a party of young ladies and gentlemen, by which three of the former were killed, and one severely injured. The hand car was taken contrary to explicit orders of the company by employees, who were at once discharged. No blame was attached to any one, except those who had allowed the hand car to be placed upon the track. Mannsville, on Mannsville, or Skinner Creek, two miles south of Pierrepont Manor, and on the line of the W. & R. R. R., began to be settled by David I. Andrus, as agent for Samuel * Reuben Wood, late governor of Ohio, and now in Valparaizo, is a son ot Nathaniel Wood. t Mr. Earl died here January 9, 1844, aged 6i. sons. EUisburgh. 161 Wardwell of Rhode Island, who had made extensive purchase here and elsewhere in town. The improvement by Andnis was slight, and the place only began to increase in 1822, when Dan- iel Wardwell came on and took charge of the purchase made several years previous by his father, an;.! Aug. i>S, 1820, and elected Nathan Barden, Isaac Burr, Vv"' • T. Fisk, Amos Hudson, Liberty Bates, and Royce March, t.ri<& ees. In. 1830 it was reorganized and the same year erected in BelieviUe, a meeting house, at a cost of about $500. A church organization was formed at the house of Nathan Barden, Dec. 18, 1829, by the Rev Jedediah Burch.nd, of five males and six females, and on the 11th of Feb. 1830, it united with the Water- town Presbytery. The successors of Mr. Burchard have been — Spencer, J. Burchard, (2nd time), O. Parker, C. B. Pond, C. W. Baker, S. Cole, J. A. Canfield, Ingersoll, J. Carlisle, and at present J. Burchard. The society is now erecting a new church edifice at a cost, besides the lot, of about $2,800. The Universalist Church of EUisburgh was formed Aug. 26, 1821, with 19 members; the present number is 50. The persons chiedy instruraental in forming it, were Isaac Mendall, Silas Emerson, John Clark, and Rev. Cornelius G. Persons. The clergy have been C. G. Persons, Chas. B.Brown, Oliver Wilcox, Luther Rice, Pitt Morse, and Alfred Peck. The society was formed Sept. 2, 1S33, with J. Mendall, Edmund M. Eldridge, Daniel Stearns, Edmund Palmer, and Richard Cheever, trustees. A Charcu was erected at Ellis Village in 1843, at a cost of $1,500. Zion CAwrc/i (Episcopal), at Pierrepont Manor, was legally organized Jan. 4, 1836; Amos C. Tread way being at the time rector. William C. Pierrepont, and Thomas Warren were chosen church wardens, and Thomas BJenking, r., Cornelius M. Tabor, Jason Marsh, Harvey Allen, Pardon Err homasE. Williamson, Robert Myrick, and John Allen were el hao ' -'.n erected the summer j ;. vio cos : $3,000, which was cor r:: reciors have been the Rev. Me . . a, Watkins, Josiah E. Bartlet, and ?1 '.. 'estrymen. A church -7 Mr. Pierrepont, at a ( Aug. 16, 1836. The '.. C. Tread way, Nathaniel Ellsworth. oJdof half to bountie offered This York, smd froi ^'':^ Henderson. 165 The Methodist Episcopal Society in Ellisburgh Village was formed March 5, 1832, with Oliver N. Snow, Benj. Charaberlin, Lyman Ellis, Jeremiah Lewis, and Hiram Mosley, trustees. In 1833 they built a church, which in 1850 was removed, repaired, and a steeple added. In 1836 a parsonage was built. The First Episcopal Methodist Church and Society in Belleville was formed May 5, 1841, having Edward Boomer, Elias Dickin- son, Thomas Ellis, Edward B. Hawes, Jesse Hubbard, Riley ChRmberlain, Hail W. Baxter, Nelson Boomer, and John 11. Hawes, trustees. They have a house of worship, and have been twice reorganized. Henderson. This town comprises number six of the eleven towns, and is the most westerly in the county, if we except the Galloo and Stony islands, which belong to Houndsfield. It was formed with its present limits, February 17th, 1806, from Ellisburgh. The first town meeting was held at the house of Reuben Putnam, March 11th, 1806, at which Jesse Hopkins was chosen supervisor^ Mark Hopkins clerk, Lodowick Salisbury, Daniel Spencer, and Emory Osgood, assessors, Elijah Williams, consta- ble and collector, John B. Carpenter, Samuel Hubbard, poor masters, Marval Danly, Asa Smith and Anthony Sprague, commissioners highways, George W. Clark, Willes Fellows, and Jedediah McCumber, fence viewers, Reuben Putnam, pound master, Israel Thomas, James Barney^ Levi Scofield, Thomas Drury, Calvin Bishop, Robert Farrel, Benjamin Barney, John B. Carpenter, William White, Simeon Porter, pa/A masters. Supervisors, 1806-10, Jesse Hopkins; 1811, James Hender- son, Jr.j 1812, Asa Smith; 1813, Mark Hopkins; 1814-5, Asa Smith; 1816, Maik Hopkins; 1817, John S. Porter; 1818, Nouh Tubbs; 1819, Asa Smith; 1820-4, Noah Tubbs; 1825-6, Caleb Harris; 1827, Jonathan Bullard; 1828-31, Caleb Harris; 1832, Peter N. Cushman; 1833-4, Caleb Harris; 1835-7, Peter N. Cushman; 1838-40, David Montague; 1841, George Jeffers; 1842-3, John Carpenter, 1844, Joseph A. Montague; 1845, William McNeil; 1846-51, Henry Green, Jr.; 1852 Washing- ton Bullard; 1853, H. Green, Jr. 1811-12, v jted that Canada thistles shall be moT/ved in the oJd of ihe moon, in June, July, and i^ugust. Penalty $5, one half to the co.i? ^lainant, one half to the overseers of poor. Wolf bounties of $10 in 1807, t 1S15 except in 1809, when $5 were offered for wolves, wild ccLs and panthers. This town fell to the share of William Henderson of New York, one of the four who bought the eleven towns of Constable, and from him it derived its name. He was accustomed to spend ^'^\ : m i ^'; f i66 Hendergon. a part of each summer here for severnl years, and remained in- terested in the title of the town till his death. There was an ancient portage from the head of Henderson Bay to Stony Creek across this town, b^ which the exposure of passing Stony Point, which ibrms a cape difficult to navigate with small boats, was avoided. At the head of the bay, there is said to be a trace, thought to be the remains of a kind of wharf or landing. The evidences of aboriginal occupation were no- ticed at one or two places in this town, and near an ancient trench enclosure there is said to have been found a golden cross, about two inches long, and furnished with a ring to be worn on the n«^ck. In our first chapter we have noticed the trace of a stockade, supposed to have been built by the French. The figure in the margin represents a plan and section of this fort. This trace oc- curs on Six Town Point, so named from its being a part of township No. 6, which extends in a narrow penihsula, that in high water be- comes an island, more than two miles into the bay, and forms in the rear a harbor, which for extent, safety, and facility of access, has not its superior on the lake. This circumstance gave value to the township, in the opinion of the early proprietors, and had a beginning been properly made and directed with suitable energy, the place might at this time have been an important commercial point. The town was surveyed into lots, in 1801, by Benjamin Wright of Rome, the plan of subdivision being similar to that of Adams, into lots and quarters. In 1805, lot No. 20, near the {)resent village of Henderson Harbor, was sun^eyed into twenty ols, or four ranges, often lots each, for the purpose of a village. The town of Henderson began to settle under the agency of Asher Miller, of Rutland, about 1802, the land books showing that Thomas Clark, Samuel Stewart, Philip Crumett, John Stafiford, and Peter Cramer, had taken up lands in this town, to the extent of 1,195 acres, on the 26th of October previous. Moses Barret, William Petty, Daniel Spencer, Capt. John Bishop and sons, Calvin,* Luther, Asa and Sylvester, Jedediah and James McCumber, Samuel Hubbard,! Elijah Williams, Levi Scofield, William Johnson, David Bronson, John and Marvel Danley, Andrew Darymple, Luman Peck, Jonathan Crapo, George W. Clark, Thomas Drury, Anthony Sprague, Daniel Forbes, Emory Osgood and many others, whose names were not procured, settled within two or three years from the opening of settlement, being mostly emigrants from New England. * Died January 24th, 18S0. aged 68. t Died July Uth, 1843, aged 83. Naples, *Dr. B. m. Henderaon. 167 On Henderson Bay, three miles east of the little village of Henderson Harbor, a Scotch settlement was formed in 1803-7, by John and Duncan Drummond, Charles and Peter Barrie, Duncan Campbell, Thomas Bell, James Crawe, Daniel Scott, and John McCraull, from Perthshire in Scotland. A store was opened by C. Barrie in 1823, in this settlement, and kept several years. Abel Shepard located in the same settlement in 1806. The first physician who settled in town was Eiias Skinner, and the second Daniel Barney,* the latter having settled in 1807. Alfred Forbes is said to have taught the first school in the winter of 1808-9. A paper before us, showing the balance due from settlers in this town, Jan. 1, 1809, contains the following names of those who were living in town, at that time: A. Jf lands at the harbor, which the proprietor had hoped to establish as a commercial port, and caused to be surveyed into a village plot to which he gave the name of JYaples. The bay, which is unsurpassed for beauty, as it is unrivaled for safety and convenience of access, was named the Bay of Naples, and high expectations were founded upon the future grr a." ^ss of this port. On the declaration of war, Sacksts Har- u > is selected as the great naval station of the lake, and both *Dr. B.died May 19, 1828. 168 Henderson. Mr. Henderson and his agent, were, it is said, being opposed to that in. '. , .'. ../Tse to having any military or naval operations undt'ff ken *. , m i , place. It iu consequence lost the opportunity which wiUi judicious management and decided natural advan- tai^i^j, it might have been secured of being a place of im;iortance. Mr. Hopkins built a house and opened a land office near the town of Naples, which he had laid out, the provisions used for his laborers being brought from Kingston, and the lumber from Ellisburgh and Sacknts '^"•' ■"•. In 1807, a small store was opened, and several unsuccessful att. .ipts were made to bring business to the place. Among other measures, Mr. Henderson procured the passage of a law for the opening of a State Road from Lowville to Henderson Harbor, uhich was laid out from Lowville into Pinckney, but never completed. He also in 1809, caused a dam and saw mill to be built on Stony Creek, near the head of navigation, but the former gave way and the enterprise resulted in a total loss. In the next season the dam was rebuilt, and a mill erected at great expense. In 1811, a negotiation was held with General Matoon, of Massachusetts, for the sale of the township, but failed on account of the prospects of war. In 1812, Mr. Hopkins erected a large sized school house at the harbor, which was to serve also as a place for religious meetings. He also commenced the building of vessels at iL j place, the fust of which was a schooner of twenty tons. Several large clear- iufjjs were made on account of Henderson, the year previous. In the year 1814, a second vessel, of forty tons, and soon after two others were built, and thf iace began to present the appearance of considerable ! '":• less. Mr. Hopkins continued in the agency until 1822, engaj^ed with varied success in a series of specula- tions, some of which were successful and some very unfortunate, whi' ), havi* jT fallen nsiderably in arrears, he was superseded in the agency, and his ii iprovements taken to apply on his liabilities. On the 25th of May, 1814, an association styled the Henderson Woolro Manufacturing Company, was formed, having Allen Kilby, Hezekiah Doc.iitle, Josepli Dickey, Tilley F. Smead and Chester Norton, its first trustees. This company never went into operation, but organ 'zm] and expendeu a considerable sura in improvements. Henderscn ' 'ge sometimes called Salisbury's Mills, from Lodowick Sali.- <.,.y, prominent citizen at an early day, is situ- ated in the vawey oi Stony Creek, and mostly on the south bank, 3^ miles from its mouth. It has three stores, an inn, two tanneries, a saw mill, a grist mill, a small woolen factory, most kinds of mechanic shops, and about sixty families. It has churches of the Methodist, Baptist, and Universalist orders. Henderson Harbor is a place one and a half miles distant from "Jg, whi down, a same cJe The J824, bj niales. i-awrenc J- Ingerd J^oane, Turner, J one-halff ^829 the! so remaiiT Henderfon. 169 Henderson Village, has less business than formerly, and consists of about a dozen houses. The shore here rises by a gentle slope to a spacious plain, and the prospect presented by the bay and islands, is one of romantic interest. Near the mouth of Stony Creek, at the head of navigation, are mills, and two or three vessels have been built here. On Stony Point, a light has been maintained since 1837, an appro- priation of $3000 having been made for its erection on the 3d of March in that year. The Henderson Social Library ^ was formed Feb. 9, 1819, of which, Percival Bullard, Peter N. Cushman, Chester Nort n, Rufus Hatch, Thomas Fobes, Allen Kilbey, and Elijah W illiams, were elected the first trustees. Jidigious Societies. — The first Baptist Church of Henderson, was formed June "H, 1806, at the house of Merril Danly by Emory Osgood, who officiated as pastor till Sept. 11, 1823. In October 1818, the members being scattered, a new church was formed from this, the parent body being the same that now wor- ships at Smithville, and the colony that of Henderson Village. The first Baptist society of Smithville was formed Septembei 9, 1823, with Henry Keith, Austin Robbins, and Ebenezer Sumner, trustees. This society in concert with the Congregationlists in 1 >32, erected a stone church at Smithville, forty four by sixty feet, at a cost of about $3000. It is still owned in equal shares by the two societies. The clergy employed since Mr. Osgood have been. Elders Elisha Morgan, Jesse Elliott, Norman Chase, J. N. Webb, Daniel D. Reed, Eliiha Sawyer, Henry Ward, Joshua Freeman, and Amasa Heath. The First Baptist society, of Henderson, was formed June 5, 182J , with Samuel Cole, Shuball Athiston, and Araasa Brown, trustees. In 1824, this society, assisted by the masonic fraternity, erected a church, the latter usinjr the second story as a lodge room. They sold their interest about 1832. In 1853, this build- ing, which stood a little south of Henderson Village, was taken down, and a new one erected near the centre of the village. The same clergy have generally been employed here- as at Smithville. The Smithville Congregational church was formed January 3, 1824, by Rev. Abel L. Craulall, of ten males, twenty-two fe- males. March 15, 1824, the church resolved to unite with the St. Lawrence Presb) tery,on the accommodation plan. Rev. Messrs. J. IngersoU, D. Spear, L. A. Sawyer, J. Covert, A. Putnam, H. Doane, George J. King, Charles Halsey, L. M. Shepard, George Turner, and Henry Budge, have since been employed, mostly one-half of the time, the remainder being at North Adams. In 1829 the church joined the Black River Association, and has since so remained. i\i<>etings were held in a school house, built with 12 170 IlenderiKm. r V the view of holding meetings, until the present church was built. The Congregational Society of Smithville was Ibrmed Septenn- ber 16, 1823, having William Gilbert, Joseph T. French, anil Daniel McNeil, trustees, who united with the Baptists in erect- ing a church as above stated. The Presbyterians, about 1820, erected a small church in Henderson Village, that has been for many years taken down, and they have no place of worship at present, in town. A soci- ety was formed on the 28th of October, 1819, with Adonijah Wheaton, Ralph French, and .Jesse Hopkins, trustees. The Methodists tirst organized a society in this town July 29, 1830, with Beebee Smith, Cyrus Hall, Amos White, Joseph J. Hatch and Calvin Bishop, trustees. The first society at the vil- lage of Henderson was formed April 9, 1844, with Harvey Crit- tenden, Amos White and Sylvanus Ward, trustees. The Metho- dists have two churches in town, one on Bishop Street, and one in the village, erected by the above societies respectively. The First Universal ist Society of Henderson was formed Janu- ary 13, 1823, with John S. Porter, Roswell Davis, and Amasa Hungerford, trustees. The Henderson Universalist Charitable Society had been formed February 5, 1819, of thirteen members, but not legally perfected till four years. In 1839 a church 40 by 60 feet was erected in the village, at a cost of $3,000, and dedicated in December, 1839. On the 9th of March, 1822, a church organization was effected by Rev. Pitt Morse, of nine- teen members. The clergy since employed have been P. Morse, C. G. Person, Seth Jones, P. Morse, L. Rice, and Alfred Peck. On the 25th of December, 1825, a society of the JSTew Jeru- salem (commonly called Sweden borgian), was formed in Ellis- burgh, at Brewster's school house, of thirteen members, in that town and Henderson, but mostly in the latter. Rev. Holland Weeks, formerly a Congregational minister, of Abington, Mass., who came into Henderson to reside in 1821, and who soon be- gan to hold meetings in school houses, was the promulgator of these doctrines in town, and preached gratuitously for many years. The meetings of the new church were kept up regularly by him, till near his death, at the school house in Henderson Village, and are still more or less regularly held, as reading meetings. The greatest number of members has been between thirty and forty; present number seventeen. The Rev. Mr. Weeks died in town July 24, 1843, aged 75 years. The first members of the New Jerusalem in this town were Holland Weeks, Joseph Dickey, Moses J. Morseman, Edward Leslie, Jeremiah Sias, Charles Stearns, Jr., John Burt Blanchard, Lucy Ann Blanchard, Alvin Wood, Lydia Wood, Ann H. Adams, Hannah M. Good- ale, and Harriet A. W^eeks. This tov from Wat, being held A propo town and j signed to 7, and ann( special mee consideratic the division the erection the next sej since chang, At the fin at the house house of J( was chosen William Bal Ambrose Pe Wilder, Johi collector} J. Supervisor ing), Elisha 1820-23, E. (special meet Hall, Jr.; 182 Newell, Jr.; Augustus For 1851, Samue Camp. 1806. *'Re hunt any wol such wolf or I bounty." " Resolved, attend a gene candidate for Hinman, Augi At a special A. Sacket, Joj represent the \ at Watertown,! of the county, f influences that Hmtnd^eld. 171 HoUNDSriELD. This township, or No. 1, of the Black River Tract, was formed from Watertown, February 17, 1806, the first town meeting being held at the house of Joseph Landon. A proposition for the formation of a new town from Water- town and Adams had been previously discussed, which was de- signed to take three ranges of lots from the north side of No. 7, and annex to No. 1, the new town to be called JVemport. A special meeting was called in Adams, to take the matter under consideration, on the 10th of November, 1803, and avote against the division was passed, but the meeting united in a petition for the erection of No. 8 into a separate town, which was done at the next session of the legislature, under the name of Harrison, since changed to Rodman. At the first town meeting held by notification of Araasa Fox, at the house of Ambrose Pease and from thence adjourned to the house of Joseph Landon, March 4, 1806, Augustus Sacket was chosen supervisor; William Waring, clerk; Amasa Fox, William Baker, Samuel Bates, Jr., Theron Hinman, assessors; Ambrose Pease, Robert Robbins, com'rs highways; Jotham Wilder, John Patrick, overseers of poor; Jeremiah Goodrich, collector; J. Goodrich, Wm. Galloway, John Root, constables. Supervisors. — 1806-8, Augustus Sacket; 1808 (special meet- ing), Elisha Carap; 1809-18, E. Camp; 1819, Hiram Steele; 1820-23, E. Camp; 1824, Daniel Hall, Jr.; 1825, E. Camp; (special meeting to fill vacancy), Wm. Baker; 1826-27, Danie' Hall, Jr.; 1828, E. Camp; 1829-41, Daniel Hall; 1842, Seth P. Newell, Jr.; 1843, Benjamin Maxon; 1844, D. Hall; 1846, Augustus Ford; 1846-47, B. Maxon; 1848-50, Jesse C. Dann; 1851, Samuel T. Hooker; 1852, J. C. Dann; 1853, Edgar B. Camp. 1806. "Resolved, Thattheinhabitantsof this town, who shall hunt any wolf or panther in this town (though he should kill such wolf or panther in any other town), shall be entitled to $10 bounty." " Resolved, That three delegates be appointed by this town to attend a general meeting of the county to nominate a suitable candidate for the legislature, at their own expense." Theron Hinman, Augustus Sacket, and Amasa Fox, appointed. At a special meeting called for the purpose, January 10, 1807, A. Sacket, John Patrick and Elisha Camp, were chosen to represent the town at a meeting of delegates from other towns, at Watertown, to take into consideration the military situation of the county. They were intrusted to protest against any undue influences that might be exercised in the meeting. 172 Huundfffield. U 1807. $10 voted as bounty for every wolf or panther which shall be killed by any inhabitant of the town, which wolf, or panther shall be started by such inhabitant within this town. A bounty of $25 voted for the greatest quantity of hemp, above five hundred weight. Elisha Camp appointed surveyor to the town. 1808. Voted not to accept the state road as a town road. 1812. Canada thistles to be destroyed, under a penalty of $1; the fines to go towards rewarding such as might discover some method of destroying them. " Resolved, that hogs be free com- moners, if yoked, the yokes to be 24 inches long by 15, and small hogs in proportion." 1815. The poor masters authorized to build a poor house for transient poor, if they thought necessary. 1824. At a special meeting, voted against the poor house system, and a remonstrance to the legislature voted. The wolf and -pan- ther bounties were continued till 1816. In 1822, 1823, 1831, a fox bounty of 50 cents was offered. In 1828, the highway com- missioners, were directed to offer as stock, the half of the cost of the bridge at Dexter, to the plank road leading from thence to Bagg's Corners, on the W. & S. H. P. R., and if refused, to petition that the bridge be made a toll bridge. This town derives its name from Ezra Houndsfield, a native of Sheffield, in England, who, about 1800, came to New York as agent for his brothers, John and Bartholomew Houndsfield, man- ufacturers and merchants of Sheffield. He engaged in the hard- ware trade, and in company with Peter Kimball, purchased in common the south half of township No. 1, or the present town of Houndsfield. This purchase was made of Harrison and Hoffman, March 10, 1801, and subsequently other and smaller purchases were made. Mr. Houndsfield was a bachelor, and died in New York, about 1817. By his will, dated April 7, 1812, he ap- pointed David A. Ogden, Edward Lynde, John Day and Thomas L. Ogden, his executors, who advertised a sale at auction of the remaining interest of the estate in town at Sackets Harbor, August 1, 1817. The executors bought in the properly and afterwards conveyed it to Bartholomew, the father of George Houndsfield, the present heir of the family, living in Sheffield. The town is said to have been named through the influence of Mr. Augustus Sacket, who was an acquaintance of Mr. Hounds- field. The latter was accustomed to spend his summers in town. From an early period of the purchase, the waters of Black River Bay were regarded as an eligible place for a commercial point, and in a work published in Paris in 1801,* the follow- ing description of it is given under the name of JViahoure. " At the bottom of this gulf Black River empties, forming a * Voyage dans la Haute Pensylvanie, et dan E'at de New York, par un irembre adoptif de la Nation Oneida. \ ' JII, ri, soS. man on 1797, i 11,134. the 14ti of Ihe a $6000 being p; Tontine off by from'Chl While ti locationJ early in natural 1 he hastej with a fJ third yej the littJel Other pa village, Fox is sa Septenib^ township] and Houif LowviJlei Oazetie,f\ excellent/ ! 'ti Houndsfield. 173 harbor sheltered from the winds and surges of tlie lake, which, during the prevalence of the south-west winds, roll like those of the ocean. The land on the right or south of this bay, is extremely fertile, and is a grove more fresh than can elsewhere be seen. That on the left, i. e. the country that extends to the north of the bay of Niahoure, as far as the St. Lawrence, and east to the Oswegatchie, is not less fertile, and the colonists begin to vie in settling it." This bay is elsewhere in the work described as comprising all the waters within Six Town Point, and Point Peninsula, which on ancient maps was named La Famine, by the French, and Hungry Bay, by the English. On some maps this term is applied to what is now known as Hen- derson Bay, and in others to Chaumont Bay. The origin of the name is imkown, unless perhaps it may have been derived from the misfortunes of De La Barre in 1684. This town, having been conveyed through Macomb and Con- stable to Harrison, Hoffman, Low, and Henderson, as related in our history of the titles, fell to the share of Harrison and Hoff- man on division, and the north part was conveyed June 13th, 1797, for $58,333-33 to Champion and Storrs, amounting to ll,134i acres,* with the town of Champion (25,708 acres). On the 14th of November, 1798, Champion and Storrs sold a portion of the above to Loomis and Tillinghast, receiving two notes of $6000 each, which, with a mortgage upon the premises, not being paid, the tract was sold by a decree of chancery, at the Tontine Coffee House in New York, June 20th, 1801, and bid off by Augustus Sacket of that city, who received a conveyance from Champion, and the assignees of Loomis and Tillinghast. While the sale was pending, Mr. Sacket having heard of the location, and inclining to engage in its purchase, made a journey early in 1801 to the place, and was so struck with the great natural advantages for a port which the place presented, that he hastened back, and having secured the purchase, returned with a few men to commence improvements. In the second and third year, he erected an ample and convenient dwelling, and the little colony received the accession of mechanics and others. Other parts of the town began to settle quite as early as the village, especially towards Biownville, near which place Amasa Fox is said to have made the first improvement in town. In September, 1802, a traveler reported about 30 families living in township No. 1. The south part of the town, sold to Kemble and Houndsfield, was first placed in the hands of Silas Stow, of LowvUle, as agent, and in an advertisement in the Columbian Gazette,f of Utica, June 11th, 1804, the land is represented as excellent, and "the flourishing state of Mr. Sacket's village, its ♦ Oneida Deeds, 6, 32. t Vol. 2. Nj l^^l 174 Houndsfield. advantages of vrater carriage and its valuable fishery, renders it one of the most inviting objects to an industrious settler." In 1805, several English families settled at Sackets Harbor, among >vhom were Samuel Luff, and sons, Edmund, Samuel, Jr., Joseph and Jesse; David Merritt, William Ashby, John Roots, Henry Metcalf, and George Slowman. Besides these, John and William Evans, Squire Reed, Amasa Hollibut, Charles Barrie, Uriah Roulison, Azariah P. Sherwin, and others. Dr. William Baker settled in 1803, and was the first physician. Ambrose Pease, and Stephen Simmons, were early innkeepers, and Loren Buss, and Hezekiab Doolittle, merchants. The place was at an early day very healthy, and from February, 1805, till January, 1809, it was remarkable that but one case of death occurred (except that of infants), and this was from an accidental discharge of a pistol by one of the men employed in preventing intercourse with Canada during the embargo. The victim of the accident was one McBride, who was killed by Julius Torrey, a negro, with whom he had been a companion for several years on a desolate island, in the South Seas, and whom for a long time he had not seen, and ^he accident was felt with great severity by him. Late in 1808, typhus fever began to appear among the citizens and a detachment of United States troops, originating with the latter, and of this sickness many died. On the 5th of March, 1809, Sacket conveyed 1700 acres, the present village of Sackets Harbor, to Cornelius Ray, William Bayard, and Michael Hogan for $30,000 Jn trust, and a few days after Ezra Houndsfield, and Peter Kemble, conveyed to the same parties their interest in the tract.* In a declaration of trust subsequently made,t the parties concerned in this purchase ap- pear to have been C. Ray, W\ Bayard, M. Hogan, Herman Le Roy, James McEvers, Joshua Waddington, James Lenox, Wil- liam Maitland, William Ogden, McLeod, Benjainin W. Rogers, Duncan P. Campbell, Samuel Boyd, Abraham Ogden, . David A. Ogden, and Thomas L. Ogden, each owning ^^gth part, except D. A. & T. L. Ogden, who together owned a -/5th part. The first three named were trustees of the others, and Mr. Elisha Camp, a brother-in-law of Mr. Sacket, who settled in the village in 1804, and has since remained a leading citizen, was appointed the resident agent, under whom the estate was sold, the last of the business being closed up about 1848 or '9. As these proprietors were mostly extensive capitalists of New York, it is to be presumed that their influence was exerted in * Jefferson Deeds, B. 260, where a map made by, William Bridge in March, 1800, is also recorded, t lb. D. 254. increas almost safety Ano second not fou of a pj one. T of ever credulo the chi It W5 and eni arouse was dis in itsell was to Houndsfield. 176 securing from the general government some portion, at Jeast, of that attention which this place has received, during and siuoe the war as a military and naval depot, but which can scarcely be said to have conferred a lasting benefit upon it. The expend- iture of several millions of dollars for labor and materials, would, in the opinion of most people, be sufficient to impart a visible impulse to the prosperity of a place, but from causes which it might be improper or foreign to our purpose to investi- gate, such has not been the case here. About 1S07, there occurred in this town, about 6 miles south from the harbor in the Price settlements, one of those incidents peculiar to a new country, and which seldom fail to exite the sympathies of a whole community, whose common wants, and mutual dependence, lead to a bond of union less observable in an old settled district. The following sketch was written by Mr. David Merritt, one of the English families, who located here in February, 1805; the occasion was the loss of a child in the woods. " The parents of the child had recently settled in the woods, half a mile from any other d welling. It was of a Lord's day evening, about sunset; the father set out to visit his nearest neigh- bor, and, unobserved by him, his son, a child of four years, fol- lowed him. The father tarried an hour or two, and returned, not having seen the little wanderer. The mother anxiously enquired for her child, supposing her husband had taken him with him; their anxiety was great, and immediate though fruitless search was made for the little fugitive. Several of the nearest neighbors were alarmed, and the night was spent to no purpose in searching for the child, On Monday a more extensive search was made by increased numbers, but in vain; and the distressed parents were almost frantic with grief and fearful apprehensions for the child's safety. Another aflSictive and sleeples.s night passed away, and the second morning beamed upon the disconsolate family, the child not found, and by this time (Tuesday), reports were in circulation of a panther's having been seen recently in the woods by some one. This circumstance gave a pungency to the grief and feelings of every sympathetic heart unknown before; and the timid and credulous were ready to abandon any further efforts to recover the child, and give the distressed parents up to despair. It was however concluded to darm a stili more extensive circle, and engage fresh volunteers in a work that must interest and arouse even the unfeeling on common occasions. A messenger was dispatched to Sackets Harbor, a distance of six miles; it was in itself an irresistible appeal to every feeling heart. To feel, was to act. It i ?3 11 ■pI Ij HI'V' PSI 1 nil, 1 H't'i 1^1^ i 1 176 HoundsfieUi. ■ii i Messrs. Luff, Ashby, Merritt, and others immediately mounted their horses, and repaired to the scene of painful anxiety; this was about eleven o'clock in the forenoon of Tuesday. When they arrived at the spot, the number present, that had collected from all quarters, was about five hundred men. A small number was immediately chosen as a committee to direct the best method of search, and they were formed in a line, extending to the right and left of the house, a mile each way. They were placed so far apart as, for every foot of ground they passed in their search, to come under their observation; and when they had marched such a given distance from the house, the left or right wing were to wheel in such a way, as would, by pursuing the same plan, have efTectually searched every spot within several miles of the house, before evening. The order of the day was, that no person should fire a gun, sound a horn, halloo, or make any needless noise, whatever; but with vigilance, and a sense of duty to the distressed parents, use every effort to recover ihi child. If the child was found alive, every person, that had a gun, v.as to fire, and every one that has a horn to sound it; on the contrary, if the child was found dead, one gun only should be fired, as a signal to the remote line to cease searching. In this way, in silence, they had msrched about two miles, when a distant gun sounded; it was an 'anxious moment. "Is the child alive?" was a thought that ran through every mind; a moment more and the hope was confirmed, for the air and forests rang with guns and horns of every description. The lines were immediately broken up, and each ran, anxious to see the little lost sheep. The dear little fellow was presented to his now overjoyed parents; a scene that overcame all present. When the little boy was found, he was sitting on a small mossy hUlock, in the middle of a swamp, surrounded by shallow water. When the man, who first approached him, extended his arms and stooped to take him up, he shrunk from him, appeared frightened, and shewed a disposition to get from him. 13ut he was much exhausted, and seized eagerly an apple that was held to him. Had he not been rescued from his situation, he probably would have died at that spot." The first mercantile operation ai Sackefs Harbor on an extensive scale, was by Sarauel F. Hooker, who in 18US commenced with a stock of $20,000 worth of goods, and in 50 days had sold $17,500 worth. The business that then opened with the brightest prospects, was the trade of potash, to Montreal, where Astor and other heavy capitalists, had placed money in the hands of agerits, for its purchase. The embargo of 1808, by withholding those along our frontier from ^ career in which they were highly pros- perous, naturally led to a spirit of evasion of the laws, and the Houndsfield. 177 difficulty of exporting this great staple of commerce, directW from the Atlantic ports to Europe, led to extnisive and systemati*, measures for forwarding to the lake and river, from the interior and southern counties of the state, and even from Nevir York, large quantities of potash. This sometimes vanished in the night, or was shipped with due formality to Ogdensburgh, where it dis- appeared, and sometimes an open course of defiance of law was attempted. In whatever way it may have escaped, it was sure of reappearing in Montreal, where it commanded the enormous suras of $200 to $320 per ton, and from whence there was no obstacle to its export to England. To check this contraband trade, two companies of regulars were stationed at Ogdensburgh, and Capt. Wra. P. Bennett, with a part of a company of artillery, and Lieut. Cross, with a few infantry, was stationed here in 1808 and a part of 1809. On the declaration of war, the United States possessed almost no means, whatever, for defensive operations on this frontier. The brig Oneida, under Lieutenant Woolsey, with an armament of 16 guns, a heavy 36 pound iron cannon, and a few smaller ones, some of which belonged to the state militia, constituted the sum of our means of defence. The British, it was well known, had been preparing for the event, one or two years at Kingston, and when the news of war arrived, had the means afloat at that place, not only of commanding the lake, but of landing whatever force they might possess, at such points as they might select, without a reasonable prospect of resistance. Col. Christopher P. Bellinger, with a body of drafted militia, had been stationed at this place, and an artillery company, under Capt. Elisha Camp, had been formed, and had offered their services for a short time, which had been accepted by General Brown. As ordnance and military stores were of first importance for the defence of the place, a meeting was called to press upon the governor the im- portance of an immediate attention to these wants, of which the following is a copy of the proceedings: Sachets Harbor, July II. 1812. "His Ex. Gov. Tompkins, Respected Sir: — The undersigned, a com- mittee appointed on the part of the officers stationed at Sackets Harbor, and the villagers, for the purpose of adopting measures of defence for tills place, beg leave to address you on this subject. We would earnestly soliiMt your attention to the exposed situation of this place, its liability to attack, and to the most expeditious means of resisting with effect any offensive operations. This place, it will be known, is the station or port from whence the brig Oneida denvesall her supplies, ;«nd the almost only harbor she can witli safety resort to from the bad ■feather of the lake. It is a village respectable for size and populatioL>, and is the easiest of access to any hostile naval force upon the lake. The English have a disposable effective naval force of at least sixty eight ,!;uns, while all our dufeuce consists of 18 guns, on hoard the Oneida, and 2 nine poundsrs on 178 Houndsfield. shore, less than one third of what may be made to bear upon us. Under these circumstances, according to the established usages of war, it would be bordering upon insanity for us not to expect that an attack will be made upon us, the troops stationed here driven from their encamp- ment, a landing effected under the cot^er of naval artillery, and the village demolished, with a large amount of property, and loss of life. And m fact we have it credibly reported, that it is the intention of our enemies to ca|)ture Captain Woolsey, and destroy the navigation on our side of the lake. Having two schooner prizes in port, besides other craft, we of course must daily expect a visit. Under this point of view, we have tor some time considered the subject, and have been awaiting with an:tious expectation the arrival of cannon and ammunition. It is far from the wish of the citizens of this place to retire from it with their families and effects and thereby scatter alar.n and dismay throughout the country at large, but we assure you honored sir, that every consideration of prudence and self perse vation would dictate the measure, did not reinforcements of artillery soon arrive. We have a very well disciplined company of artil- lery, of citizens belonging to this place, who can be rallied at a very short notice, and would in conjunction with the soldier.-* be competent to the management of a number of heavy pieces of ordnaiice besides the two 9 pounders already here. We should therefore respectfully solicit, that the two 9 pounders, and two sixes and other ordnance at the Rome Ar- senal, might with suitable fixed and other ammunition be forwarded with all possible expedition, and if 10 or 12 nines, twelves, or eighteen pounders, could be forwarded, we should consider the troops, the village and the brig Oneida, when here, as secure from attack, or if attacked would be able to give a good account of our adversaries. This place would then be a safe retreat to the Oneida, should she meet with a re- verse of fortune, as well as a safe place of refuge for the navigation of the lakes, no harbor being easily of access, or naturally more secure. At present, there is no place to which the Oneida can resort with safety, in ease of attack with a superior force. Oswego, Sodus, and Genesee River, she cannot enter with her guns aboard, and Niagara \f too much exposed We would further take the liberty of suggesting the propriety of some engineer being ordered on with instructions to erect suitable temporary batteries to he thrown up by the troops for such pieces of ordnaiice as may be stationed here. Any communication that your honor may think proper to make through Captain L. Buss, the bearer, to tlie keeper of the arsenal at Rome or other- wise, we have no doubt will be executed with fidelity and dispatch." The committee who drafted the above were Colonel Bellinger, Major Dill, Captain E. Camp, F. White, and W. Warring. During the war, Sackets Harbor became the theatre of military and naval operations on an extensive scale, the details oT which will be given in our chapter on that subject. It was twice attacked by the British, without success, and it was the station from which were fitted out the expeditions against Toronto, Fort George, &c., and the unfortunate enterprise under General Wilkinsors, in the fall of 1813. From its being the centre of operations so extensive, and the rendezvous of great numbers of sailors and soldiers, many incidents occurred that possess much interest, and scenes of vice and misery inseparable from camps, became familiar to the citizens. Houndgfield. 179 At this station about a dozen military executions were per- formed during tlie war, for repeated desertion, with the view of striking terror into the minds of the disaffected, but with the e/fect of increasing the evil. These cases were many of them young men from New England, of respectable families, who in the heat of poltical excitement had enlisted in the army, and who found themselves the victims of the wanton barbarity of officers, exposed to the severest hardships of the camp, and often ill clad, and worse fed, sometimes without shelter, and always without sympathy. Was it unnatural that under these circum- stances the memories of home, with all its comforts, and the thoughts of mothers, sisters, wives, and children, and the thou- sand associations that cluster around the domestic fireside, should come freshly to mind with a force that was irresistible 1 Seve- ral of these cases excited much sympathy, among which was that of a boy of sixteen years of age, who had been bribed with a gold watch, to open a prison door at Greenbush, and who was here arrested and convicted. Many officers and citzeris made strenuous effiarts to obtain reprieve, which were enforced by the appeals of a mother, but without effect; the agonised parent fol- lowed her child to the g«llows, and the sympathizing tears of the spectators bespoke the feeling which this rigid exercise of the iron rule of war had occasioned. To the condemned, opportunity was always given to make remarks, in which some admitted the justice of their fate, others plead the entreaties of their comrades, or the urgent necessities of home; and others, while they acknowledged their crime, sup- plicated mercy with all the eloquence which the occasion could command. Others treated their fate with indifference, or openly preferred it to a life under the circumstances. On one occasion the convict, on approaching the scaffold, scrutinized its construc- tion with the eye of a carpenter, leaped upon the platform, pushed off the hangman, and jumped off himself, but a reprieve arrived the instant after, and he was restored. The place of execution was generally in the rear of the village, where the graves were dug, and the convicts were marched to the spot, surrounded by a guard, and after kneeling by their coffins, were dispatched by the shots of several muskets, a part of vvhich only were loaded with bal- There were commonly eight men detailed for this purpose. The brutality of officers was in some instances excessive; the most extreme corporeal punishment being inflicted from the slightest causes, or from mere caj rice; and such was sometimes the bitterness of men towards officers, that in one case it is said a captain durst not lead his company in an action, for fear of being shot by his own men. Nor were there wanting incidents of a ludicrous kind, which I 180 Houndsfield. enlivened the monotony of the camp, and showed the lights, as well as the shades of the soldier's life. Abuses will sometimes work their own reform, as was illustrated in an amusing instance at this station during the war. A mess of militia soldiers had received, for their rations, a hog^s head, an article of diet not altogether available, or susceptible of fair and equal division among them. They accordingly, upon representation of the facts, procured ai other messes in the cantonment, a contribution in kind, to supply their wants for the coming week, and after the morning review, having placed upon a bier, borne on the shoul- ders of four men, their ration of pork, they marched through the village with muffled drum, and notes of the death march, to the cemetery, where it was solemnly buried with military honors. On the next occasion, they received from the commissary store a supply of edible meat, and the occasion for a similar parade did not afterwards occur. Soon after the battle of May, 1813, a breastwork of logs and earth was built around the village, one end touching the bay about half way between the harbor and Horse Isliind, and the other at the site of Madison Barracks. No opportunity was afforded subsequently for the use of these defences. The village contained at the close of the war, several block houses and can- tonments, a considerable quantity of military stores, and a large fleet of vessels that were laid up at this place; but these have gradually disappeared, until little now remains — one block house, the hull of a frigate of 120 guns, and the remains of one breast- work. A duel was fought with muskets near Madison Barracks, June 13, 1818, between two corporals of tho 2d Reg't U. S. Infantry, by which one of them was instantly killed. The surviving party was arrested and imprisoned, but the result we have not learned. During the war several duels were said to be fought here, but they did not attract particular attention with the public, by whom these acts were then differently regarded from the present. The state of society left here after the war was necessarily cor- rupt, from the numbers of dissolute soldiers, and others, who re- mained, and the malign influence of vicious examples, of which a state of war and a military cantonment invariably furnish too many instances, could not fail of leaving their pollution, which years of effort on the part of well disposed citizens could not effectually remove. The place being continued both as a naval and a military station, gave employment to many laborers on the pub- lic works, among too many of whom intemperance was a com- mon habit, which was followed by all the vices of which it is the prolific parent. Among most of the officers stationed here after the war, was a high appreciation of morality and good Houndsfield. 181 order, and to thetn in no small decree is due the first efficient efTorts towards the formation of religious societies, and the main- tenance Oi t^ular religious services on the sabbath. A short distance from the village, and forming three sides of a square that is open to the bay, are Madison Barracks, which were built between August, 1816, and October, 1819, under the direction of Thomas Tupper, D. Q. M. G., of the 2nd Infantry, at a cost of $85,000; the plan of the buildings was drawn by Wm. Smith. Considerable irregularity occurred in the issue of due bills, for labor done on these works, which was in part remedied by an act passed in 1836, "for the relief of Jesse Smith and others." It would be as inexpedient, as to numbers still living unnecessary, to particularize instances of corruption and fraud in the expenditure of funds at this place, during the war, of which the government nevtr had cognizance, but of which the public could not fail of being witness, and it may admit of ques- tion, whether the names of certain villains should be allowed to rot, or held up to the execration of honest men for all coming time. President Monroe, soon after his induction into office, undertook a tour through the northern section of the Union, to observe the condition of the frontier, and make such arrangements for its military security, as might be deemed necessary. Having reached Ogdensburgh, on the 1st of August, 1817, he was met by Major General Brown, and attended to Rossie, and Antwerp, where he was met by Mr. Le Ray, and conducted to Le Raysville. On the 3d he was waited upon by the '- mmittee of arrangements, and escorted thence by three troops c' i.o:se, under Captains Loomis, Fairbanks '-nd White, to the house f Isaac Lee, in Watertown, where he i ^ceivcti a concise tho-:gh flattering address from the citizens. He theii proceeded to Brownville, and on the 4th to Sackets Harbor. Upon arriving at the bridge, at the bounds of the village, he was saluted with nineteen guns. The bridge was tastefully fitted up with nineteen 9rches, on which were inscribed the names of the several Presio'^nts; the first arch being l ir- mounted by a living American y.agle. At its extremity, the chairman of the committee introduced to the President a number of veteran officers and soldiers of the revolution, by whom he was thus addressed: " Sir — It is with pleasure that we, a i v of the survivors of the revolu- tion, residing in this ytnrt of the comitry, welcome the arrival of the chief magistrate of the Union. It is with increased satisfaction that we recognize in him one of the number engaged in the arduous struggle of establishing the independence of the country. We have lived, sir, to see the fruits of our toils and struggles amply rej'lized, in the happiness and prosperity of our country; and, sir, we have the fullest confidence, that under your administratiou, the V ; '3 handed down to our posterity, 182 Himndsfield. i , \i unimpaireu. Like your immortal predecessor, the illtistrioiis Washington, nay you be honored by the present and future ," herations, and finally receive the rich reward with him in realms ab'/ • . ' The Presiclent received this address with expressions of cordial- ity and esteem, highly cheering and satisfactory to the veteran soldiers, in several of whom he recognized his former associates in arms, in the revolutionary w^ar. Upon passing Fort Pike, a national salute was fired, and at the hotel, to which he was conducted by Capt. King, chief marshal of the day, an address was read to him by the chairman 6f a committee of citizens. Commodore Woolsey then presented the officers of the navy, attached io his command. The public works were inspected, the troops reviewed, and in the evening the village was tastefully illuminated. The events of the late war had given importance to this place, and it became a subject of interest, to determine what works should be erected for its protection. In this the Pre- sident was aided by Major Totten, a military engineer, who had been ordered to join the suite at Burlington. On the 6th, the President embarked on board the U. S. brig Jones, under a national salute, and sailed in company with the Lady of the Lake to Niagara. For nearly ten years after the close of the war, Colonel Hugh i3i ady was stationed at the harbor, where he organized the 2d regiment of United States Infantry. He was subsequently as- '■''w,(\iA the command of the station at the Sault St. Mary, and died, at Detroit, about two years since. Captain Alden Patridge, of Middletown, Ct., the celebrated teacher of a military school at that place, in the summer of 1828, proposed to establish a military and scientific school at Madison Barracks, and Peter B. Porter, then secretary of war, on the 3d of July, announced in a letter to the citizens of Sackets Harbor, the consent of the President, to the loan of the premises, for a term of years to the trustees, who might have it in charge. This was confirmed by a joint resolution of Congress, of May 2, 1828, but nothing further was done toward efTecting this object. While Colonel Brady had command of this station, the remains of most of the officers, who had fallen in the field, or died of sickness, on the frontier, were collected and buried together, withm the pickets of Madison Barracks, doubtless with the in- tention that at a future time they should be honored with a monument, worthy of the memories of Jlmerican Citizens, who fell in the defence of the American Rights, and the vindication of our national sov^,reignty andhonor. A temporary wooden monument of pine boards, the form, ■without the substance, of a testimonial to their memory, and perhaps emblematical of the empty and perishable honors, which Iloundnjield. 183 our people are too wont to bestow upon those who deserve well of their country, was placed over the spot where these remains were buried, but which, from neglect, aiul the natural action of the elements, has tumbled down. Fi.nn the panels, which were broken and defaced, we made out, with great difUculty, the fol- lowing inscriptions: IJoRTH Side. — ^'Brigadier ^ "ra^. '^ovington, killed, Chrys ler's Field, U. C.,Mvctiber '3." ** Lieutenant Colonet Colonel '^ Harbor, 29 May, 1813." L tenant Colonel Dix," hventer.'* ' Mills, Volunteer, killed Captain JJ. Spencer, 29th E. Backus, Dragoons, killed at East Side. — ** Colonel *^ Major Johnson," *'Lieuit ., South Side, — " Lieutenani i at Sockets Harbor, 29 May, 18 i Infantry, aid-de-camp to Major General Brown, killed at Lun- dy's Lane, July 25, 1814." West Side. — " Brigadier General Z. M. Pike, killed at York U. C, 27 Jipril, 1813." " Captain Joseph Mcholson, Uth Infantry, aid-de-camp to General Pike, killed at York, U. C, 27 April, 1813." A tiew years since, the remains of Colonel Mills were removed to Albany. A prominent and attractive relic of the war at this place, is the hull of the frigate New Orleans, which had a keel of 187 feet, beam 56 feet, hold 30 feet, and a measurement of 3200 tons. She was pierced for 110 guns, and could have carried 120. The British had got out the St. Lawrence, a three deck man-of-war, of 120 guns, and this rendered it necessary to produce some ves- sel to match the enemy, and led to the commencement of this undertaking. The vessel was never launched, and has been pre- served at considerable expense by the government who have caused it to be covered by a house. She was to have been named the JVew Orleans. The Chippewa, a vessel quite as large, was building at Storr's Harbor, further up the bay, when the news of peace put a stop to the building, which had not ad- vanced so far as the New Orleans. A house was built over this also, and it was preserved many years, but finally taken down for the iron it contained. Modern improvements in navigation, and especially in the use of steam, have rendered vessels of this class, especially on this water, entirely unavailable, and the question of keeping up this vessel may be regarded as one of doubtful expediency. There are but very few ports on the lake, where a vessel drawing water to a depth that this would require could enter. About 1838, the political aspect of our northern frontier threatening collision with the English in Canada, a large num- ber of heavy iron cannon, of modern construction, and suited IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I US •u u 140 1 2.0 '•2' Bill iJi^ < 6" ► 0^ ^jf. ^/ w Oy% Photographic Sdaices Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. MSSO (716)S72-4S03 184 Hmndsjield, for a naval armament, was &ent to this place where they now remain. Previous to the war, a flourishing commerce hail sprung up on Lake Ontario, and the following vessels were engaged in trade, all of them having more or less business at Sacket's Harbor:' Genesee Packet, Capt. Obed Mayo, of Ogdensburgh; Diana, Capt. A. Montgomery; Fair American, Capt. Augustus F^rd; Collector, Capt. Samuel Dixon; Experiment, Capt. C. Holmes j Charles and Jinn, Capt. Pease; Dolphin, Capt. William Vaughan, and a few others whose names were not obtained. The Fair American is said to have been the first vessel built under the present government on this lake. She was launched at Oswego for the North Western Fur Company. Soon after the war, the schooners, Woolsey, Rambler, Farmer's Daughter, Triumph, Commodore Perry, Dolphin, &c., were advertised as running on regular lines as packets from this port Ship building, during the war, was carried on under the supervision cif Henry Eckford, who gained, and afterwards maintained, great eminence in this department. Noah Brown, and others, who began their career under him, subsequently became noted as ship builders. Ever since the war, the business of constructing trading vessels at this port has been more or less continued, but we have not been able to procure the details satisfactorily. On the 2d of March, 1799, Congress first enacted a law ap- plying to the collection of duties on Lake Ontario, by establish- ing two districts, of which all east of Genesee River was in- cluded in Oswego, and all west in ^Niagara District. On the 3d of March, 1803, another act was passed, the third section of which read as follows: " And be it further enacted: That it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, to establish, when It shall appear to him to be proper, in addition to the port of entry and delivery already established on Lake Ontario, one other port of entry and delivery on the said lake, or on the waters or rivers emptying therein, and to appoint a collector of customs, to reside and keep an ofHce thereat." In pursuance of this law, Sackets Harbor District was soon after established and has been since maintained, halving been reduced in extent by the formation of Oswegatchie District, in- cluding St. Lawrence County, March 2d, 1811, and Cape Vin- cent District, April 18th, 1818, comprising all below Point Peninsula inc^isive. The collectors at this port have been: Augustus Sacket, Hart Massay, Perley Keyes, John M. Canfield, Thomas Loomis, Danforth N. Barney, Leonard Dennison, John 0. Dickey, Otis M. Cole, Danitl McCullock and Abram Kromer. Congress passed an apprcpiiation of $3,000, May 20, 1826, for clearing out Sackets Harbor, and an equal sum May 23, Boundqfidd. 18ft in- lird icted: es, to ition .ake ake, int a soon been f, in- Vin' Point been: field, John omer. 1826, .y23, 1828, for improving the same. On the 3d of May, 1831, the sum of $4,000 was appropriated for a beacon. For improving the harbor at the mouth of Black River (Dexter) the following sums have been appropriated: July 4, 1836, $5,000; March 3, 1837, $10,000; July 7, 1838, $22,401. About 1823, a project was brought up for diverting a portion of t^e waters of Black River from the lower pond in Watertown, into Pleasant and Mill Creeks, to supply a water power to Sackets Harbor. The subject was referred by the legislature to the attorney general for his opinion, who decided, that private pcoperty had often been taken for private purposes; but from the opposition of H. H. Coffeen, O. Stone, and others, through whose lands the canal would pass, with active influence at Brownville, the measure was then defeated. In 1825, the effort was renewed, and an act passed April 20, 1825, which authorized Joseph Kimball, Amos Catlin, and Daniel Hall, Jr., to divert the sur- plus waters of the river into Pleasant and Stony Creeks, in Houndsfield, Adams, and Henderson, for hydraulic purposes. Damages to be assessed by Egbert Ten Eyck, Clark Allen, and Joseph Hawkins; and road and farm bridges were to be maintained by the company. The act was coupled with a proviso, that the waters should not be taken from any dam then existing, without the written consent of the owners; that effectually defeated the purpose, for this was next to impossible. Being still determined to prosecute the matter, a meeting was called at Sackets Harbor, February 13, 1826, at which strong resolutions urging their ne- cessities, and deprecating the proviso of the late law, were passed. The annual loss and inconvenience to farmers for want of the privilege, was estimated at from $10 to $50 each, for those on the lake shore and its vicinity; and measures were resolved upon to get the obnoxious restriction removed by a new appeal to the legislature. On the 17th of April, 1826, the act was amended; but still it was attended with difficulties that could not be surmounted. The proposition was next discussed of making the proposed canal navigable, which it was estimated could be done at a cost of $200,000 from Carthage to Sackets Harbor, and that an an- nual revenue from tolls amounting to $16,000 could be expected. An act was accordingly procured, April 15, 1828, incorporating the Jefferson County Canal Company ^ with a capital of $300,r 000, in shares of $100, in which Vincent Le Ray, Philip Schuyler, Egbert Ten Eyck, Elisha Camp, Jason Fairbanks, Levi Beebee, Arthur Bronson, John Felt and Joseph Kimball, were named the first parties. Nothing was done under this act. It being under- stood that Mr. Elisha Camp, of Sackets Harbor, was willing to assume, under certain conditions, the stock necessary for the 13 9 186 Hmmdrfield. t^it. construction of the work, a meeting was held at Watertown, December 30, 1829, at which a committee of three was appointed to confer on the propriety of the course, and learn what encour- agement would be afforded in aid of the work. fiy the act of April 28, 1839, a tax was imposed upon real estate within the village of Sackets Harbor, and on the millsites on Pleasant Creek, amounting to $3000 in two years, to be assessed in proportion to the benefits to be received, and on 20th of April, lb30, Elisha Camp was appointed a commissioner for this duty in place of Daniel Hall, resigned, and the act was extended till June of that year. A canal twenty feet wide at top and twelve at bottom, four feet deep, was made in 1830, from Huntington's Mills, two miles above the village of Watertown, to the Big Swamp, and in 1832 it was finished, supplying to the village of Sackets Harbor a valuable water power, upon which there was erected there a grist mill, two saw mills, plaster mill, paper mill, furnace, &c. The law was so framed, however, as to give rise to litigation. The greatest difficulty, however, encountered, was in maintaining the first half mile of the ditch, which was constructed along the margin of Black River, where it was liable to be washed away on one side, and filled by slides of clay and sand on the other. These difficulties finally led the work to be abandoned,, after having been in use about ten years, to the pecuniary loss of all parties concerned. On the 23d of May, 1838, a paper mill of Col. Camp, at the H" •, was burned with a loss of from $7,000 to $10,000. It b: en in operation about a yedr. A destructive fire occurred at Sackets Harbor on the morning of August 21, 1843, originating in a ware house on the wharf, as was supposed from the cinders of the steamer St Lawrence, and spreading rapidly, consumed nine buildings on the north side of Main Street, and eight upon the south side. Passing up Bayard Street, it consumed several barns and dwellings, and from the violence of the wind the flakes of burningt materials were wafted to the cupola of the Presbyterian Church, which was burned. Upon the alley or street in the rear of Main Street, a number of buildings and much property was burned. The whole number of buildings consumed was about forty; the loss over $35,000. Had this fire occurred in the night time, from its rapidity and violence, a loss of life could have scarcely been avoided. An ineffectual suit was instituted against the steam boat company. On several other oiicasions the village has suf- fered severely by fires. The village of Sackets Harbor, comprising great lots number twenty-two and fifty-four, and subdivision Tots one and two, in Houndgfield. 187 great lot tiumber fifty-two, of Houndsfield, was incorporated April 15, 1814. Elections of seven trustees were to be held on the first Tuesday of June, annually. Not less than three, nor more than five assessors were to be elected annually, together with a collector, treasurer, and as many fire wardens as the lx\» tees might direct. A president was to be chosen by the trustees from their number, and some proper person for a clerk. The bounds of the village were curtailed April 18, 1831, by the detachment of all that portion north and east of the Pleasant, or Mill Creek, which were exempt from the operation of the former act. On the 9th of May, 1840, the act was still further amended. A ferry was established across Black River Bay at an early day, and by an act of March 31, 1821, Charles Colburn and Samuel Folsom were licensed to keep it five years. On the 21st of January, 1826, Ezra C. Folsom was in like manner licensed for five years. The subject is now under the care of the courts. About 1840, a union school house, two stories high, besides a basement, was built at Sackets Harbor, on a lot at the corn^ of Broad and Washington streets, given by Mr. Ogden for the purpose. The cost was about $2,000, and it is intended for three departments. It has been taught by from three to five teachers, is supplied with a set of plilosophical apparatus, and af- fords facilities equal to those enjoyed at most academies. Schools are maintained here four terms of eleven weeks each in the year. It is the only public school within the corporation. The head teacher has generally been a graduate from college. The Gull, Snake, Great and Little Galloo, and Stony Islands lying in lake Ontario, west of this town, are considered as be- longing to it, although they all are nearer the shore of Hender- son. On Galloo island is a lighthouse. The Muskelonge Burial Ground Association of Houndsfield was formed March 31, 1849, with Frederick M Livermore, Samuel Wilder, Thomas W. Warren, Richard Hooper, John Hunt, Chatincey Smith, trustees. In 1815 (September 13), the Union Library of Sackets Har- bor was formed, with Justin Butterfield, Elisha Camp, Amos Holton, Daniel McGiven, James Goodhue, Andrew B. Cooke, and Samuel Bosworth, trustees, but was of short duration. It was succeeded by the Houndsfield Library, April 10, 1827, with Alexander W. Stow, John McMillan, Nathan Bridge, T. S. Hall, and Samuel Guthrie, trustees. About five hundred volumes were collected, but it has been long since sold. The Water- town and Houndsfield Library was formed January 11, 1831, with Eliphalet M. Howard, John C. Herrick, Chauncey D. Mor- gan, Obadiah Brainard, and Oliver Grow, trustees, which has also gone down. 186 HoumUJuU. The Young Men's Associp'.ion for Mutual Improvement in the village of Sackets Harbor, was incorporate A March 2> 1843. The persons named in the act were Augustus Ford, M. K. Stow, Walter Kimball, Edmund M. Luff, Jonathan W. Tuttle, John O. Dickey, Edward S. Robbins, Roswell C. Bosworth, and William H. H. Davis. This association, after an existence of a few months, was dissolved. Religious Societies. — ^The first regular meetings in this town were held by Edmund Luff, an English settler, who, at his own expense, erected a house, still standing, for religious services, and preached here many years without fee or reward. There being no other meetings in the place, these were generally at- tended by those of different religious faith. Mr. Luff* was a Restoration ist, approaching somewhat the doctrines of Univer- salists, and was a man very free from that narrow spirit of into- lerance, that disgraces too much of what is too often denominated religion. His pulpit was opened to clergymen of other faiths, irrespective of name, and both Catholics and Protestants en- joyed, when occasion demanded, the freedom of his house. During the war the house Was given up for public uses. The Saeket's Harbor Presbyterian Society, was formed Feb- ruary 12th, 1816, with Melancthon T. Woolsey, Samuel Bos- worth, Samuel F. Hooker, Elisha Camp, and Enoch Ely, trustees. A site for a church was given by Thomas L. Ogden, Septf^mber, 1817. In 1818, an effort was made to raise the means for building a church, which was built in this and the following year, and in the great fire of August 19th, 1843, it was burned. The Rev. Mr. Judd, and vestry of the Episcopal Church, soon after tendered the society the use of their church on Sunday afternoons, which was respectfully declined, and the session house fitted up until a new church could be built. A brick church, 48 by 64, on the corner of Broad and Main streets, was built in 1846, at a coist of $6000. A parsonage has also been purchasied. The Presbyterian Church, was formed by an effort of the officers of the army and navy, who were anxious to have religious privileges, although not members of a church. A minister was hired, and a chtwch formed, February 6th, 1817, of which several of the army and navy became mem- bers. These, on removing, formed others in distant points, at Green Bay, Sault St. Mane, &c. Rev. Samuel F. Snowden was first employed in 1816, and staid till 1826. In December, 1826, Rev. J. Burchard was employed about a year, and De- cember nth, 1827, Rev. James R.Boyd till 1830. Rev. J. Irvin, was employed in 1831, and January 6th, 1832, was in- stalled. In 1836, Rev. — Wilson was invited, and was em- * Mr. LnfT died at Sackets Harbor in 1823. Houndtfield. Il9 ployed. In 1839, Rev. — Sturges, 1 year. In July, 1841, Rev. — Payson; in October, 1841, Rev. — Townsend, ^s-ho in February, 1842, was invited to become a pastor, and remained several years. On the 29th October, 1849, Rev. Leicester A. Sawyer was called, and June 1 1th, 185U, was installed as pastor. The church has belonged to the Watertown Presbytery, since February 10th, 1819. About 1822, a small society of Universalists was form^, which continued three or four years. "■ •■■.'■■ ^ ,." . .* ChrisVs Church (Episcopal) was legally organized, At^ost 6tb, 1821, with Henry Moore Shaw, rector; Zeno Allen, and Elisha Camp, wardens; Robert M. Harrison, Samuel O. Ach- muty, William Kendall, John McCarty, Hiram Steele, Thomas J. An^el, Hiram Merril, and Thomas Y. Howe, vestrymen. A church oi^anization was formed, September 29th, 1821, and the next year a subscription was circulated to obtain the means for erecting a chuich. The corner stone was laid. May 26th, 1823, with masonic ceremonies, but was not completed till after seve-, ral years of delay. William Warr' i, Elisha Camp, William M. Kobbins, S. F. Hooker, William M. Sands, S. 0. Achinuty, and R. M. Harrison, subscribed sums of f 100 and upwards, for the erection of he church. The Rev. Messrs. M. Beardsley, \*ta. L. Keese, A. \ Tread way, — Noble, Benjamin Wright, Jr., Rufus D. Stear «, and G. Huntington, have been successively employed here as missionaries. In 1852, the church reported 44 families (79 adults, and 53 children) as belonging to the congregation, and 54 as belonging to the church. It receives a small stipend from Trinity Church, New York. The Methodists formed a legal society here. May 9tb, 183 1, with Asahel Smith, Alvah Kinney, Hiram Steele, John H. McKee, William Francis, Elijah Field, Taniel Griffin, Samu?l Whitby, and Samuel C. J. DeCamp, trustees. In 1835, it was reor- ganized, and in 1841, they erected a church at a cost of about §3000. . The Christian Church of Houndsfield was formed in 1820 of about forty members, under the Rev. Lebbeus Field. A division having occuii ;d, a new organization was effected, and in 1843 they erected near Blanchard's Corners, four miles from Water- town Village, a church, at a cost of about tH^* The Seventh Day Baptist Religious Society of the town of Houndsfield, was formed December 26th, 1847, with Benjamin Maxson, Elias Frink, John Ulter, Nathan Truman, and John Witter, trustees. In 1853, they had 41 members, mostly near th« line of Watertown. 190 'V 'S 1- I! Jt Le Ray.. Le Ray. • ,U .*:';■.»• I (Vt\'0*'.fJ. This town, enibraciog all that part of Brownville, as it pre- viously existed, lying east of Penet's Square, continued to Black River, was erected Feb. 17, 1806; the first town meeting being directed to be held at the house of Abiel SburtlefF. By an act of April 4, 1806, all that part of Leyden, in Jefferson County, was annexed to Le Ray, and by the erection of Antwerp, Wilna, Alexandria, and Philadelphia, it has been reduced to its present limits. The town derives its name from James D. Le Ray de Chaumont, the distinguished landholder, who made the town his home many years. The following officers were elected at the first town meeting, in 1807. James ^Ya\ti\\f[y supervisor j Thomas Ward, c/erA:/ John B. Bossout, Ruel Kimball, Richardson Avery, assessors; Daniel Child, Lyman Holbrook, Daniel Sterling, commissionera high- ways; Thos. Thurston, constable and collector; Joseph Child, £ldad Evans, overseers o/ the poor. Supervisors. — 1807-15, James Shurtliflf; 1816, Ruel Kimball; 1817, Ethni Evans; 1818, Alvin Herrick; 1819-26, Horatio Orvis; 1826, Wm. Palmer; 1827-29, John Macomber; 1830, Stephen D. Sloan; 1831, J. Macomber; 1832, S. D. Sloan; 1833- 35,Lybeus Hastings; 1836, Ira A. Smith; 1837, S. D. Sloan; 1838, Daniel D. Sloan; 1839-40, Joel Haworth; 1841-42, Elisha Potter; 1843, L. Hastings; 1844-5, Hez. L. Granger; 1846-7, Alfred Veber; 1848-49, Joseph Boyer; 1850, Wm. G. Comstock; 1851, Joseph Boyer; 1852-53, Alonzo M. Van Ostrand. Wolf bounties of $5, were voted in 1809, 12, 14, 16, 18; in 1818 $5 for panthers; wolf bounties of $10 in 1810, 13, 15,20; fox bounties of 50 cents voted in 1810, 16, 17, 18; of $1 in 1821. In 1817 voted that the overseers of the poor, and justices of the peace, build or hire, a work house for indigent people, and that the sum of $50 be levied for that purpose. In the summer of 1802, Benjamin Brown, a brotiier of Gen. Brown, commenced the erection of a saw mill on Pleasant Creek, in the present village of Le Ray ville. The party left Brownville, April 17, to cut a road through to this point, led by Jacob Brown, who preceded with a compass to mark the line, and after a few miles returned, leaving word that he would send on a team with provisions. From the difficulties of the route, these supplies did not arrive till the second day, when the parties had reached their destination, half famished. In July Mrs. B. Brown arrived, the first woman in the settlement, and in the fall the mill was com- pleted. At the raising, men were summoned from great distances. These occasional reunions for mutual aid, afforded in these primitive times the only opportunities which they enjoyed for Le Hay. 101 exchanging the news, comparing progress, and speculating on the probabilities of the future, nor could thirty or forty men in the prime of life, and many of them accustomed to the stimulus of ardent spirits, allow those meetings to pass without a frolic. Our chronicle relates, that on this occasion "the party was feasted upon a fine buck, that, when dressed, weighed 228 pounds." This game was very common in town at that period. The silken cord which binds two willing hearts, will sometimes chafe and irritate, as happened in this town, more than half a century since, when a lady of many advantages, having wedded a Frenchman, accustomed to the rough fare of common life, had found the hut of the backwoodsman a poor place for the enjoyment of life's comforts; in short, got sick of the bargain, and sent for a magistrate to come and untie "theknot." As this request required deliberation and council, the justice invited one or two of his neighbors to accompany him, and remembering the scripture, that "wine maketh the heart glad," took with him a bottle of Port, and repaired to the dwelling, with the design of negotiating the question, and, if possible, of settling it by mutual compromise. The ills of single life were contrasted with the discomforts of marriage, in such a light as to produce conviction in preference of the Tatter, and the parties having consented to remarriage, were again pledged for life, and the umpires returned home with an empty bottle, and a consciousness of naving merited the bless- ing upon peace makera. The current of wedded life thenceforth flowed quiet and uniform till old age, and the parties have but recently been separated by the hand of death. Scattered settlements had begun in various parts of the present town of Le Ray in 1803-4, among whom where Joseph Child, and sons Daniel, S'viel, and Moses; Benj. Kirkbride, Thos. Ward and others. Wa Cooper settled at a very early day, resided till his death, January 11, 1851. Dr. Horatio Orvis was the first practicing physician who located in town aboub 1808. Roswell Woodruff settled in 1804, about six miles from Watertown, in the direction of Evans Mills, where he purchased a large farm, and resided till his death in 1830. The first general agent from abroad, sent by Mr. Le Ray, to look after his \i is, was M. Pierre Joulin, the CurS of Chau- mont, in Franr who was one of the faithful few who would not take the constitutional oath, and was sent to America by Mr. Le Ray, to save him from the guillotine, and to have a fair prospect for providing the means for a comfortable subsistence. Joulin was loved and respected by all who knew him, and after the troubles in France had sabsided, he returned. Moss Kent was early appointed to the agency of lands, and continued in that capacity several years, living in Mr. Le Ray's 192 he Ray. family until the departure of that gentleman for Europe in 1810, when he remained >¥ith his son Vincent. When Joulin iirst met Mr. Kent, they would have been unable to communicate, had it not been that both being classical scholars, they were en- abled to converse in Latin. In 1806, Dr. Bawdry, another Frenchman, was sent by Mr. Le Ray to select the site of a house, and superintend its erection. This vicinity was probably chosen from its central position, and the locality was one of much beauty, near the edge of the pine plains, within sight of the little village of Le Haysville, and in the midst of a native growth of timber, which was carefully thinned out, and the premises adorned with every appendage that fancy could suggest. Mr. Le Ray came in with his family to reside here in 1808, and began a liberal system of settling his lands, by opening roads, building bridges and mills, and oN fering fair inducements to the first settlers of a new neighbor- hood. . If he had a fault as a land holder, it was in being over indulgent in allowing payments to pass by, and too readily list- ening to the complaints of settlers, by which both himself and his purchasers were eventually the losers. He was uniformly liberal in aiding religious societies and schools, the most of whom, on his tract, received, gratuitously, the site for buildings, and many of them substantial aid besides. About 1819, Mr. Le Ray sent a young and talented scholar of the Polytechnic School, by the name of Desjardines, who had invented a new mode of manufacturing powder, and caused to be erected, under his direction, a powder mill, a mile below Le Raysville, which run a few seasons, making a large quantity of coarse quality, which had the reputation of being " lazy " but strong, and well adapted for blasting. Its slowness gave remark to a saying " that on a time, a man having a considerable sup- ply, accidentally discovered it on fire, and, being distant from fieighbors, before it could be extinguished, it had half consumed." The mill was afterwards changed to a starch mill, for making potato starch, and the site is now occupied by Slocum's grist mill. The charcoal used was made of alder wood, carefully peeled, and charred in close iron vessels. Le Raysville continued to be the seat of the land office until about 1835, when it was removed to Carthage, since which the place has lost much of its importance. It is but a small village, and is nine miles from Watertown, three from Evans' Mills, and two from the Great %end. Evans* Mills is a small but pleasant village, situated at the junction of West and Pleasant Creeks, th« latter of which af- fords a limited Amount of water power, and is o^e mile from In- Le Ray. 193 dian River. It owes its name to Ethni Evans,* a millwright, from Hinesdale, New Hampshire, who came into the country in the employment of Jacob Brown, about 1802, and July 9, 1804, purchased of Le Ray a tract of 192 acres, for $677. About 1805 or 6, mills were commenced, and in 1809 the place con- tained but a saw and grist mill, and a small tavern. The first merchant and inn-keeper at the village was Jenison Clark. In June, 1812, the inhabitants of Evans' Mills commenced the erection of a block house, for protection against Indian mas- sacre, but the alarm subsided before the body of the house was finished, and it was never used. Several families from the Mohawk had settled here, and the traditions they possessed of savage warfare, of which some had been witnesses, doubvless originated the alarm. A post office was established here about 1823-24, which, in 1846, was c^.anged to Evansville, and in 1851, to the original name of Evans' Mills. This village, at present, contains two inns, three stores, two groceries, one hardware store, three blacksmith shops, one cabinet shop, two wagon shops, out grist mill, one saw mill, the usual variety of rr>echanics, four physi- cians, about sixty dwellings, and from SOO to 400 inhabitants. There are here churches of the Presbyterian, Baptist, Methodist, and Catholic orders. The village is three miles from Le Rays- ville, seven from Sterlingville and Philadelphia, ten from Theresa, twelve from Stone Mills, thirteen from La Fargeville, three from Pamelia Corners, eleven from Brownville, ten from Watertown, by plank road, six from Black River Village, and twelve from Carthage. The Potsdam and Watertown Rail Road will pass through the village. The Pine Plains, a very interesting feature, due to geological causes, extend into this town from Wilna, and were, when the country was first explored, covered with a most valuable growth of pine timber. Immense quantities have been cut off, and fires have run over more or less of the tract, every few years, since 18C4, so that between the two agencies they have been mostly stripped of their timber, leaving a light, barren, sandy soil, of little value. Perhaps the most destructive fire that has occurred on these plains was in July, 1849, but running fires have oc- curred in almost every season of extreme drouth. With the ex- ception of these sand plains, the town is fertile and well culti- vated. Like several adjoining towns, it is underlaid by vast quantities of water limestone, which has been manufactured to a considerable extent at one or two places. A union library was formed in May, 1810, with Abner Pas- i .-. ,. ,,' ) .,T.. ... • >, . * Jad|« Ivus died February 32, 183t, •(•d St. 194 Le Ray. ■ell, James Sburtlilf, Horatio Orvis, Ruel Kimball, Olney Pierce, Isaac Ingerson, and Jonathan Miller, trustees. Religious Societies. — The Baptist church of Le Ray was formed in 1^14, about two miles from Evans' Mills, by Elder Maltby, and in 1818 was removed to that place. A society was formed November, 1823, with E. Evans, Asa Hall, Levi Read, John Macorober, Stephen D. Sloan, and Chauncev Morse, first trustees. A church edifice was begun and nearly finished, when it was accidentally burned. Mr. Le Ray gave the society a sub- stantial donation in lumber, with the aid of which the present Baptist church at Evans' Mills was erected. Elders Matthew Wilkie, John Blodget, Thomas A. Warner, John F. Bishop, Tillinghast, Adams, Ford, N. Bishop, Ward, and others have been employed here. In 1836 the soci- ety was reorganized. The Congregational Church of Le Ray, at Evans' Mills, was formed", January 13th, 1814, at the house of Elisha Scofield, by Rev. N. Button, of Champion, of 12 members. It soon joined the Black River Association, and February 12th, 1825, became Pres- byterian. In 1841, it united with the Ogdensburgh (old school) Presbytery Rev. Ruel Kimball was employed the first ten years, and Rev. C. O. Finney 6 months, in 1825-6, since which, John Sei^sions, R. Pettibone, T. C. Hill, John Eastman, Thomas Bel- lamy, and Joseph A. Rosseel, have been employed. Mr. Eastman has alone been installed pastor. The First Associated Congrega- tional Society of the town of Le Ray was formed, March 3d, 1823, with David Burhans, Milton W. Hopkins, Clark W. Cande, Dr. Ira A. Smith, Silvenas Evans, and Silvester Kelsey, trustees. In 1826, the present church was built at a cost of $2,600, of which Mr. Le Ray gave $200. The First Reformed Church of the town of Le Ray, was formed July 13th, 1822, with Alexander H. Van Brocklin, Peter Hovee, Richard Hovee, and John C. Walrath, the first elders and deacons. This society has no house of worship. The first society of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Le Ray, was formed November 20th, 1824, with James Ward, Wil- son Pennock, Elijah Sirlth, William Taggard, P. S. Stewart, Henry Churchill, Parker Chase, John Y. Stewart, and Daniel Smith, trustees. They have been once reorganized, and have a church at Evans' Mills. The second society of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Le Ray was formed October 25th, 1824, with Francis Porter, Seneca Weed, Curtis Cory, John Humphrey, Daniel Burden, and Elijah Cory, trustees. This society has also been reorganized. A Union Church has been recently erected at Sanford's Cor- ners in this town. Lorraine. 105 The Friends have a meeting bouse between Evans' Mills and Le Raysville belonging to the Le Ray Monthly Meeting, of which denomination a more particular account will be given in our account of Philadelphia. In 1848, the Catholics erected a church at Evans' Milts (St. Michael's), the attending priest being the same as at AVatertown. LoRRAms. Was erected as Malta from Mexico, b^ an act passed March 24th, 1804, but it being found inconvenient to have two towns of the same name in the state, and there being then a Malta in Saratoga County, the name was changed to the present, April 6th, 1808, together with many others having duplicate names. By the first act of incorporation, this town was made to in- clude its present limits with those of Worth, or townships one and twOf of the Boylston Tract, and the first town meeting was directed to be held at t'lic house of John Alger, Williamstown in Oswego County, and Harrison now Rodman, in this, were formed by the same act. At the annual town meeting, legally warned, and held March 5th, 1805, at the dwelling house of John Alger, the following town officers were elected. Asa Brown, supervisor; William Hosford, clerk; Clark Allen, Or- roond Butler, Warner Flowers, assessors; 0. Butler, constable and collector; William Hunter, C. Allen, poor masters; William Hosford, Michael Foost, Asa Sweet, commissioners highways; William Lanfear, Joseph Case, Elijah Fox, fence viewers; James McKee, John Griswold, pound masters. When the country was new, deer were very common in thu region, and of course wolves, which led to the offering of bounties for their destruction for many years. Wolf bounties* of f 5 were offered in 1809, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17. 18, 19, 20; of $10 in 1806, 11. Panther bounties of $5 in 1810, 17, 19, 20; of f 10 in 1811. Fox bounties of $0-50 in 1816. In VdQQ,voted, that there be a pair of stocks erected in the tovm of Malta. Voted, that the stocks be set at the crotch of the roads near John jllger's. We can not learn that this salutary instrument of justice was ever erected. At the same town meeting voted, that swine be yoked, and ringed, and shut up in pens. In 1812 voted,'that each person, allowing Canada thistles to grow, after being notified, pay the sum of $2; that the informer shew the owner where ^aid * It has been laid, that on a certain occasion, one or more wolves were driven from Lewis County into the town, and Icilled, to secure the bounty. If so, the transaction was far more upright than the varied schemes practiced in some of the town* of Franklin County, at an early period, to procure the reward ofiered. 106 Liorraine. thistles are; that the money go to support the poor. In 18 13 this law was again passed. Supervisors.—lSOb-e, Asa Brown; 1807, Clark Allen; 1814 Elihu Gillet; 1815-24, Clark Allen; 1825r-29, John Boyden; 1830-31, Jared Gleason; 1832-35, J. Boyden; 1836-37, Loren Bashnell; l838-39,,£lisha Allen; 1840, L. Bushnell; 1841, £. Allen; 1842-43, James Gilford ; 1844, J. Boyden; 1845, E.Allen; 1846, J. Boyden; 1847, David J. Redway; 1848-51, Moses Brown; 1852, James Gifford; 1853, Willard W. Huson. The first settlement in this town was made in November 1802, by James McKee and Elijah Fox, the latter a single man. During the following winter and spring several families moved in, among whom were Comfort Stancliif, Benjamin Gates, — Cutler, — Balcom, John Alger and others. Cutler built mills about 1804. The first locations were made along the line of the state road from Rome to Brownville, and being easily accessible, was soon settled. A mail route was established at an early period; the first carrier being Simeon Parkhurst. Benjamin Gates was the first post master. This town was settled under the agency of Benjamin Wright, and others; the unsettled interests being owned by the Hon. William C. Pierrepont, of Pierrepont Manor. There were, Sept. 1, 1806, 128 settlers in this town, who had acquired evidences of title or long credit to pay for it. In quoting from the journal of James Constable, in our account of Ellisburgh, we alluded to the practice of issuing certificates to settlers. Of these the same journal remarks, August 10, 1805: " Town No. 1 was settling very fast, and indeed all that part of the country watered by Sandy Creek had got a name that brought settlers in great numbers. We find the practice of giving certificates to those people, allowing them a certain time after exploring to go for their families, before they take contracts for their lots, has been productive of speculation, and must not be continued. A Mr. Salisbury, who had formerly taken a contract, sold it to another, and bought, or procured, one of these certifi- cates, came to us, a])parently to ask indulgence, as to the time of payment, but really with a view to ascertain what our inten- tions \vere in respect to such instruments, when we explained to him that they were given to assist the first real settlers, and by no means to be transferable to second or third parties, as that led to speculation, upon the persons who ought to have indulgence, not to the speculators, who profited to the disadvantage of both the proprietors and actual settlers. We of course would oppose all such attempts, and as he had seen fit to change his situation from holding a contract under us, to speculating in certificates, which he must have known were intended only as an accoraino- Lorraine. W dation to the first parties, we could not treat with him, as the indulgence intended to them could not be transferred. Upon con- versation with Mr. Wright, we found the certificates had already occasioned some mischief, and we discovered from others that some of the holders of them had caused it to be believed that all the best part of the town was taken up, so that new comers were obliged to apply to them, or go to some other town. Mr. Wright had no books or accounts here, but supposed that about halt of the town was sold, either by contract or conditional agreement, and would average $3, though the sales were begun, and a good deal sold at $2. The lowest price now was $3, and it might at once be raised to $4, for the whole, from the great immigration to this quarter. He gave it as his opinion that it was not for our interest to hurry sales, as this town would speedily settle, and the price might be raised. We told him he should have our determination on our return from St. Lawrence County. When we were at Smith's Mills we had an application from Mr. Frost, whose mill on No. 1, has been carried away by the freshet in April, at the rising of Sandy Creek, who stated that his loss by that event had disabled him from building another mill, and be intends, after paying for his lot, to sell to David Smith, who would engage to build a mill on the same site the next season. Having told him that we wanted to see Mr. Wright at his house (Drake's), to-day, he promiset' to be there and settle his contract, but he did not come, and we find by Mr. Wright that Smith, who already holds a quantity of land in No. 1, and is the owner of the mills on Nc. 7, would be an improper person to hold that mill seat, unless. bound to build a mill immediately, because the settlers would be obliged to come to his present mills from a great distance. We accordingly left directions with Mr. Wright to settle with 'Frost, so that the mill seat did not pass to one who would not erect a mill for the accommodation of settlers. Smith owns a large property, and is a moneyed man. He is supposed to be on the look out for such opportunities, and perhaps pos- sessed of some of the certificates just alluded to, it is therefore advisable to be cautious of such people. Mr. Wright having in- information from Mr. Hunter of the probability of iron ore on lot No. on town 7, we went this afternoon to the spot, Drake, who is a blacksmith, accompanying us. We found the place designated by Hunter, which was under the roots of a large tree, blown up in a swampy place, where were some collections of a hard sub- stance, not unlike the dung of sheep, and those on the surface of the ground. We digged with stakes, but found nothing different, and after a trial [by fire at Drake's house of what we brought there, the result was an appearance of the cinders of coal rather than iron, so that we concluded Hunter was deceived by appear- 198 Lorraine. ances.* We afterwards went to see the remains of a beaver meadow, and were much entertained at it, being of large extent, and the work of these animals is surprising." Soon after the declaration of war, the following document way forwarded to General Brown: Lorraine^ July 2], 1812. "Dear Sir: Viewing our country in danger, and feeling a willingness to defend the same, sixty men assembled in this place and made choice of Joseph Wilcox, as captain; James Perry, lieutenant; Ebenezer Brown, Jr., ensign. This is therefore to desire your honor to furnish us with arms and ammunition, while you may have the assurance we shall be ready on any invasion within the county of Jetferson, at a moment's warning to defend the same. The above men met at the house of John Alger, on the ]6th inst., an|) may be considered as Silver Grays, that is men who are exempted by law from military duty. We wish you, sir, to forward the arms to this place as soon as possible, and be assured we are, with respect, your humble servants." Joseph Wilcox, Capt.; Jas. Perry, Lt.; E. Brown, Jr., Ens. This company frequently met for review and exercise, and on the occasion of the attack upon Sackets Harbor, marched for the scene of the engagement, but not in time to take part in it. The town is elevated, very uneven, and underlaid by shales, which occur here so finely developed, that the term Lorraine Shales has been applied to the formation. Being composed of alternate hard and soft strata, that yield with great facility to the disintegrating agencies of frost, atmospheric action, and run- ning water, the streams that traverse the town have worn deep gulfs, in most places impassable, and causing great inconvenience in the location of roads and building of bridges. To the lover of nature, the quiet grandeur and ever-changing beauty of these romantic chasms, afford attractions, that will repay the labor of a visit. The gulf on the south branch of Sandy Creek, is perhaps as deserving of notice as any in town. Its depth varies from one to two hundred feet, and its breadth from four to ten rods. The bottom, and in many places the sides, are overgrown with tim- ber, and the stream wanders alternately from right to left, afford- ing wherever it washes the base, a cliff, nearly vertical precipices, and of imposing grandeur. As the visitor follows the sinuous channel which the stream, through a long lapse of ages has quietly wrought deep into the bowels of the earth, the scenery constantly changes, affording an endless succession of beauties. Were it not for the gentle murmur of the brook, and the occasional trick- A. '*Thia was the black ozyde of manganese, common in this section in ■wamps— F. B. H. Lyme. 199 of to ling of the tiny stream down the mossy precipice to break the stillness of the scene, the beautiful stanza of Beattie, would be admirably appropriate: ** Thy shades, thy silence, now be mine, v Thy charms my only theme, I My haunt the hollow cliff, whose pine \ Waves o'er the gloomy stream, / Whence the scared owl, with pinions gray, Breaks from the rustling boughs, ' And down the lone vale sails away, To more profound repose." ' '' The Rural Cemetery Association of the village of Lorraine, was formed Jan. 8, 1852, by John Boyden, Aaron Brown, John Bentley, £ben Brown, Knapp Macumber, Joseph Grirashaw, Allen Pitkin, Lorenzo Reed, John Hancock, Moses Brown, Elihu Gillet, Augustus L. Baker, Sardis Abbey, Peter Hanson, Leonard A. Parker, Joel Buel, Luther Lanfear, Parley Brown. The association is managed by nine trustees. Religious Societies. — ^The Baptist Church of Lorraine was formed in 1806, of thirteen members, under the Rev. Amos Lamson, who was ordained Oct. 7. 1806, and was succeeded in 1815, by Solomon Johnson. In 1819 Benjamin W. Capron was employed, and in May 1824, Parley Brown was ordained, and labored until 1830, when he was succeeded by John F. Bishop, who labored one year. Charles B. Taylor was next employed three years. In 1838, Henry Ward commenced preaching here, was ordained Feb. 1837, and remained three years. In 1840 Elisha Robbins was employed, and in one year after, Luther Humphrey, who in July, 1842 was ordained, and continued three years. In 1845, 0. L. Crittenden commenced and labored one year. In 1850, J. F. Bishop, in 1852, Philander Persons, the present pastor, was employed- In 1830, a church edifice was built, at a cost of $1,200. The society had been formed Dec. 23, 1829, with Aaron Brown, Jr., John Fassett, Benjamin Fletcher, Jr., and James Gifford, Jr., trustees. A small Baptist Church, in the south part of the to;vn, has since been united with the church in Mannsville. The First Congregational Society in Lorraine was formed Dec. 3, 1829, with Silas Lyman, Wm. Carruth, and Alfred Webb, trustiies. A small church was erected in 1830, which has since been sold to the Methodists. Lyme. By an act of March 6, 1818, the town of Lyme was erected from Brownville, embracing the present towns of Lyme and Cape Vincent, adjacent islands, and so much of Clayton, as lies west of Penet's Square. The first town meeting was directed to be held 200 ijyvM' at the house of Luther Britton. The name was selected by Eber Kelsey, the pioneer of Cape Vincent, originally from Lyme, Ct. At the first town meeting, March 3, 1818, the following town officers were elected. Richard M. Esselstyn, supervisor; John Dayan, clerk; John B. Esselstyn, Luther Britton, and Benj. Estis, assessors; R. M. Esselstyn, James M. Craw, and Benj. T. Bliss, commissioners schools; J. B. Esselstyn, L. Britton, overseers of the poor; John M. Tremper, Eber Kelsey, and Thadeus Smith, fence viewers and pound masters; Elnathan Judd, John Dayan, and JosephRideT,commissioners highways; Alex'r Gage, Daniel Robbins, constables. Supervisors*— 1818-22, Richard M. Esselstyn; 1823, John B. Esselstyn; 1824, Willard Ainswoith; at a special meeting in Sept., J. B. Esselstyn; 1825-32, Willard Ainsworth; 1833, Otis P. Starkeyj 1834-35, Jere Carrier ; 1836, Minot Ingalis; 1837, Isaac Wells; 1838, Philip P. Gaige; 1839, Roswell T. Leej 1840, P. P. Galge; 1841, Timothy Dewey; 1842, Wm. Carlisle; 1843, Alexander Copely; 1844, Wm. 0. Howard; 1845, Theo- philus Peugnet; 1846-47, Isaac Wells; 1848, A. Copley; 1849, P. P. Gaige; 1850, Henry Cline; 1851, Ezra B. Easterly; 1852, David Ryder,- 1853, Wm. Carlisle. In 1822, a bounty of $15 was offered for wolves, and $10 for their whelps. From 1824 to 1849 inclusive, the town has voted a school tax of double the sum received of the state, except 1830, 31, when it was equal. A poor tax of $100 wasvoteH in 1818, 20, 21, 23, 33, 34; of $150 in 1819; of $200 in 1825; of $300 in 1848; of $350, at a special meeting Oct. 11, 1847; total poor tax $1,600. Ataxfgr roads and bridges of from $100 to $300 has been often voted, amounting in the 11 years, in which taxes were laid for this purpose, to $2,400. The first settlement in Lyme, was commenced by Jonas Smith, and Henry A. Delamater, agents of Le Ray, from Ulster Co., with several men, among whom were Richard M. Esselstyn, T. Wheeler, Peter Pratt, James, David and Timothy Soper, and a few others, who in the spring of 1801, came in a boat by way of Oswego, w^ith a few goods, entered Chaumont Bay,* and, by di- rection of Le Ray, ascended Chaumont River two and a half miles, and on the north bank commenced a settlement, built a double log house for a store and dwelling, and a frame building. There is said to have been an Indian trail and portage from the head of boat navigation, a short distance above this, to French Creek (about six miles), which was easily traced, when the * On old maps called Niahour6, Niaoenre, Niaoure, Nivernois, 4-c., and ii ■ometimes on old maps named Hungry Bay. Both terms were used to designate all within Point Peninsula and Ptony Point. It was probably named in honor of tht Duki dt Nivtmou, a French nobleman. country was first settled. The colony returned to winter, and the next spring came on to continue improvements, but finding their location inconvenient, and especially liable to sickness, from the malarious emanations of the stagnant stream, they were compelled to abandon it. Early in 1803, they established themselves at th^ present villageofChaumont, which the same season was surveyed into a town plat Smith and Delamater built in 1803 a saw mill, on the site of A. Copley's mill, and Samuel Britton opened a tavern in a log house, and a ware house was erected. Several families now for the first time located for permanent settlement, mostly from Ulster County, among whom were several mechanics, and young men without families, and deserters from Kingston. The settlement for a year or two prospered, but in 1806, Smith and Delamater failed in business, the settlers were greatly reduced by lake fevers, several died, and the growth of the place was checked. In 1805 a small vessel had been begun by — Jacobs, of New York, who died before it was finished. The first death had been that of T. Soper, who was drowned in 1802. A school had first been begun by Nancy Smith, in the summer of 1805, south of the bay, in the house of Jonas Smith. In 1802, Delamater cleared the first land on Point Salubrious, on a farm now owned by Harry Horton, who settled here in 18 10. The first settler on the point was James Horton from Colchester, Delaware County, in 1806, and its delightful and healthy situation, with the importance of the fisheries on iti shores, soon led it to be occupied. The sickness resulting at an early period from the noxious miasmas of Chaumont River, did not extend to this place, which suggested its present name, first applied by Mr. Le Ray. In 1805, Daniel and John Tremper, from Ulster County, settled on Point Salubrious, and Henry Thomas had located at the village of Chaumont with a store of goods. David and Joseph Rider, Silas Taft, Stephen Fisher, and others, were early settlers on Point Salubrious. From the extreme badness of the roads, the settlers of Chau- mont were obliged to depend upon a water communication with other places. Milling was tor some years procured at Sackets Harbor, and the difficulty of passing Pillar Point in rough weather was so great, that small boats were sometimes delayed a week. A case of this kind occurred in 1807, when a small party in an open boat got thus blockaded, which occasioned much distress. The first Fourth of July celebration in the county, is said to have come oflf at Chaumont in 1802, at which frQm one to two hundred mustered. The proceedings have not been recorded, further than that there was no lack of food or drink, and proba- 14 103 MjyiM' bly there Ti'as no less intemperance and disorder than has dinee disgraced similar occasions. The exercises ^^ere probably not dissimilar irom the following that occurred in Lewis County at about the same period, as described by one present. " The dawn was ushered in by a discharge of powder Irota a hole drilled in the rock, and the firing of muskets at the scattered huts of the settlers, and the inhabitants, one by one, at an early hour as- sembled at the appointed place to honor the day by a celebrtUion. Here in a shanty had been set a table of rough boards, on which was placed a number of glasses, a cake of maple sugar, a pail of water, and a jug of rum; and a fife and snare drum had been provided for the double purpose of awakening patriotism by recalling the memories of the olden time, and of drowning the discordant noises that the ardent stimulus might occasion. As most of the old men had been soldiers in the revolution, they rehearsed by turn their stories of the war, and fought over the battles of their youth; the middle aged and young joined in wrestling and other athletic games, and towards nightfall the company dispersed for their homes. We are not informed how many could the next day give a clear account of how they arrived there." At the occurrence of the war there were less than a dozen families in the settlement; Luther Britton was keeping an inn north of the bay, but with the exception of these few the coun- try north and west, to near the St. Lawrence, with but few ex- ceptions, was an unbroken wilderness. In June, 1812, with the advice of General Brown, the inhabitants begun to build a block house, on the north shore of the bay, in front of the stone house of F. Coffeen, which had been commenced in 1806, but was unfinished. During the summer the place was visited by the British, and their fort \^as demolished by the inhabitants, un- der an assurance that in this case their property should be re- spected. An iron cannon had been found on the isthmus of Point Peninsula, which Jonas Smith had purchased for two gal- lons of rum. Mr. Camp, of Sackets Harbor, subsequently pur- chased it for $8, and finally succeeded in getting it,, after one or two attempts. It was afterwards taken to Ogdensburgh, and finally captured by the British. In 1818, Musgrove Evans, who had for several years been engaged in surveying for Le Ray, came on as an agent, and with him settled quite a number of Quaker families from Phila- delphia, who gave a new impulse to the place, but finding it sickly, and it not meeting their expectations, they mostly emi- grated. In 1823, Evans removed to Michigan, and founded the town of Tecumseh. As the country gradually became cleared, the sicknesss ceased, and since 1828 (which was remarkable p>^^ Lym». S03 for malignant fevers), the district has enjoyed exemption from these evils. In 1803, a state road was laid out from Brownville to Putnam's Ferry, through the town, and on the 31st of March, 1816, an act was pa.<;sed authorizing James Le Ray de Chau- mont to build n turnpike from Cape Vincent to Perch river, at or near where the state road crossed the same, in the town of Brownville. The road was to be surveyed and laid out under the direction of Elisha Camp, Musgrove Evans, and Robert Mc- Dowell, or any two of them, and nothing in the act was to be construed so as to oblige Mr. Le Ray to build a bridge over Chaumont river. By an act of April 12, 1816, Mr. Le Ray was authorized to extend the road to the village of Brownville, the same commis- sioners being appointed as before. A turnpike was accordingly built, the crossing at Chaumont being by a ferry, until 1823, when Vincent Le Ray, and associates, procured an act (March 12th), authorizing the erection of a toll bridge, which was to be at least sixteen feet wide; built in a substantial and workmanlike manner, and provided with a draw, to allow the passage of vessels. The proprietors were not to prevent the crossing of the stream on the ice in winte)*, and were to keep a free and open passage to the river, within five rods from the bridge, and at least one rod wide. The bridge was to be com- pleted before December, 1824, and if damaged by floods, or otherwise, it was to be rebuilt by the proprietors. The act au- thorizing the bridge having expired, the period was extended twenty years, by an abt passed May 6, 1835. This work having reverted to the state, by reason of the parties in the two acts last cited, not having complied with their provisions, an act was passed April 11, 1849, authorizing the commissioners of high- ways of the town of Lyme, to borrow on the ciedit of the town, a sum of money not exceeding $5000, for the purpose of rebuild- ing the bridge, which had become impassable. The supervisors Avere directed to tax the town of Lyme, then including Cape Vincent, for the means to repay this loan, in five annual instal- ments. The comptroller was authorized to loan a sum not ex- ceeding $6000, for this purpose, out of the capital of the com- mon school fund, upon application of the supervisor and com- missioners of highways of the town, and the commissioners of the land office were directed to release whatever interest the state might have in consequence of the reversion. With the means thus acquired, an elegant and permanent stone bridge has been erected, being mostly a solid pier, with a draw to allow the passage of vessels. The turnpike was kept up until an act was procured, April 21, 1831, authorizing Mr. Le Ray to surrender it to the public, and directing it to be laid out into road districts. 104 Ljfm». Chaumont Village, in July, 1863, contained fifty dwellingUi five stores, several shops and warehouses, four saw mills (two driven by steam), a grist mill, rail road depot, and two school houses, Prsebyterian church, &.c. It is quite scattered, the for- mer business portion near the north side, at the landing, having decreased, while that near the depot has grown since the com- pletion of the rail road. The village of Three Mile Bay^ situated on the old turnpike^ three miles west from Chaumont, began to increase about 1836, and at present contains about seventy dwellings, five stores, two taverns, three warehouses, and wharves, two churches, and the usual variety of mechanics. It is situated about a mile south of thedepotof this name, on the W. and R. Railroad, and since the completion of this road, has diminished rather than increased in business. The village extends about half a mile along the turn- pike, west of Three Mile Creek, a tributary of Chaumont Bay. Three Mile Bay has been a station of some importance for ehip building. Since 1835, the following vessels, all schooners, unless otherwise designated, have been launched at the yard of Asa Wilcox, whose tonnage, in the aggregate, amounted to 6,410 1 ^ tons. They mostly varied from 1 12 to 395 tons, the latter being nearly the capacity of the locks on the Welland Canal: 1835, Florida, Elon Bronson. 1836, Pennsylvania, Kentucky. 1837, Missouri. 1838, Patriot. 1841, Asa Wilcox, Havanna. 1842, D. D. Calvin, Rucky Mountains i 1843, Cambridge, Empire (brig), Neptune. 1844, Cuba, Oregon, Ontario (brig). 1845, Milan, Hampton (brig). 1846, Clifton (propeller). Champion, Iroquois (brig), Rio Grande. 1847, Palmetto, Seminole, Portland, Acadia, H. R. Seymour (brig). ' , 1848, Saxton, Ocean (brigs). 1849, D. J. Schuyler. . -. 1852, Melrose. 1853, Hungarian (three-master). Besides these, several club boats for regettas have been built, from thirty-two to fifty feet long, some of which have repeatedly won prizes. The Star, Wave and Banner, are names of three of these prize boats. In 1836, Mr. Wilcox built the Congress, 140 tons, on Pillar Point. In 1832, S. Howard built the Mw York, 80 tons, on Point Peninsula. In 1834, O. C. Rand, built at the same place the Wm. Buckley, 112 tons; in 1836, the Bancroft, 112 tons, and in 1837, the G. C. Rand, of 112 tons. In 1843, Schuyler & .11 '5^ i>( L^m*. 906 Point the and Ier& Powers bailt at Three Mile Bay, the Cd. Potoer$, 80 tons, and Vfm. Combs, the Bogart, 80 tons. In 1844-45, £. Cline, at the same place, The Riuh^ 60 tons, and Peter Estes, the Bretztt 100 tons. The following vessels have been built at Chaumont: 1832, by Wm. Clark, the Stephen Girard, 60 tons; by Robert Masters, in 1835, the ^Ueghan, 100 tons; by S. &. A. Davis, in 1839, the R. C. Smeadj 75 tons; and by Copeley & Main, the follow- ing: In 1847, the Rip Van Winkle, 235 tons; in 1848, the Ox- ford, 244 tons. Palmyra, 180 tons; in 1851, the ^. L. Hazleton, 230 tons. Near Chaumont Bay, are important stone quarries, where in 1825-26, in 1837-40, and in 1851-53, vast quantities have been taken to Oswego, for canal locks and piers, and to that and other places for building. The quarries occur in the strata correspond- ing with the Isle Ta Motte marble of geologists, and the stone is broken by driving wedges into holes drilled in lines along the surface about six inches apart. But little powder is used, and this principally in breaking up the superficial mass to get to the solid, even-bedded layers, which alone are used. These blocks are usually dressed upon the ground, to the desired form, and loaded upon vessels at wharves, constructed for the purpose, ad* jacent to the quarries. These operations emplov the labor of from one to two hundred men, of whom those employed in break- ing the blocks from the quarry are paid by the day, and those in cutting, by the foot. The stone is sold at 25 cents per cubic yard in the quarry. The fisheries of Chaumont Bay, have afforded, from an early period, a leading pursuit for many persons living in the vicinity, and have been productive of much benefit to the locality and the public generally. The earliest enactment relating to this branch of industry commences with the century. It having been repre- sented that people from Canada, and other places, were doing injustice to the fisheries at the east end of Lake Ontario, by ob- structing the rivers and streams by seines, a law was passed March l^th, 1800, prohibiting the placing of obstructions to the passage of fish, under a penalty of $25. This was probably from representations of citizens in Ellisburgh as this was then without inhabitants. In 1808, fishing with scoop nets, called here tcaff nets begun, and has been more or less constantly practiced since. This net is about 12 feet square, stretched by two long bows crossing each other, and let down horizontally into the water, being balanced on a long poll poised on a post on the banks. When fish pass over it, the net is suddenly raised and swung round on the bank. Sometimes 300 fish or more are thus caught in a 206 Lyme. ^l night. Seinef were soon after introduced, the first one being brought from the Hudson by Daniel Treinper. These seines are from 10 to 100 rods long, from 20 to 100 feet broad, wider in the middle, and narrower at the ends, where they are attached to rods called jack stakes. To the cords along one side are attached floats, and to the other leaden sinkers, and to each staff is fixed a long rope. When used, the seine is taken nut in a boat one rope being left on shore, and when a few rods out it is allowed to run off in a wide circuit, until it is all off, when the other line is taken ashore, and both ends are drawn in by windlasses erected for the purpose, and turned by hand, or more recently sometimes by horse power. The meshes of the net which are from 1 to 1^ inches square, allow the smaller fish to escape, while the larger ones are scooped out when the seine is drawn !nto shallow water. From I to 3 hours are occupied in drawing the seine, and the products of a haul vary from to 76 barrels, the average being 6 or 7. These seine fisheries are mostly around Point Salubrious, but other places inside of the bay are foand eligible to a less extent. They are considered the property of tho»e who own the adjacent lands, and the seines are owned, and labor done, by the resident farmers, assisted by laborers who come in from adjacent towns for the purpose. The principal fish caught for market are lake herring, locally known as ciscoes and white fish, and the season for taking them usually begins about the first of November, and continues three or four weeks. This is the spawning season for these fish, and the shores are then lined with immense quantities of their ova. Seines are drawn by preference in the evening, or night. No positive data can be obtained showing the average or aggregate quantity taken, but the opinion of those most acquainted with the busi- ness is, that since 1816 about 10,000 barr&ls of herring and white fish have been caught annually. Seasons vary in the abundance of fish; it is observed that the best yields occur in high water. Of late years, the yield is less then formerly, which is attributed to the use of gill nets, and the mixture of saw dust and other matters in the water. Gill nets have been intro- duced since 1845, are from fiv to eight feet (about fifty meshes) wide, from ten to fifteen rods long, uniform in width, and fur- nii hei! with staves at the ends. These are provided with sinkers on the lower and floats on the upper side, and connected together form lines several hundred rods long. When in use they lay near the bottom, and their places are indicated by buoys. Once daily they are drawn up, and the fish removed, which sometimes amount to a barrel in ten rods. As the fish become entangled by their. gills, respiration ceases, and they are almost invariably found drownedf for which reason they arf; justly considered iofe- c; Lyme, 107 rior for food, and more liable to spoil Mrhen put up for sale. These nets are generally set in November. A small business is done early in spring, in fishing for pike in seines, gill nets, and by spearing, and the shores and coves of Chaumont Bay have long been the favorite resort ibr the disciples of Izaak Walton, who at most seasons find an ample and inviting field for the use of the trolling line and the speai ; a romantic cruise bv torch light, and inducements to lounge awav the lazy hours of day light, with reasonable hopes of a nibble. Pike, pickerel, muskelunge, perch, bass and sunfish, are caught readily by the book, and the former at all seasons. The seines used here, are generally made on the spot, of linen or cotton twine« and cost from $10U to $300. In 1818, April 15, a law was passed reouiring all fish barreled for sale in the county to be inspected and branded ; and the size of barrels and quantity of salt to be used were prescribed. In 1823, April 23, another law relating to this subject was passed; March 8, 1830, an additional inspector was appointed, and April 15, 1835, the inspection of fish was discontinued. Calvin Lin- coln was appointed inspector June 11, 1817; M. Evans, March 19, 1818; Benjamin T. Bliss, on Point Salubrious afterwards. The early laws were disregarded, but the latter strictly enforced; yet the restriction was always considered odious by the fishermen, who sought many ways of evasion and finally procured their re- moval. Religious Societies. — The first church in town was formed on Point Salubrious, by Elder Joseph Maltby, of the Baptist order, September 25, 1816. Delegates from two churches in Brown- ville, and Rutland; and one from Rodman, Le Ray, Lorraine, Henderson, Watertown, were present and twenty -six persons united. The Rev. Messrs. Thomas Morgan, A. Lawton, John J. Whitman, R. T. Smith, L. Rice, and B. C. Crandall, have been successively employed. The First Baptist Church and Soci- ety was formed March 6, 1839, with Nathaniel Wells, Richard Guile, Charles Wilcox, Henry Powers, Epenetus Cline, Isaac Wells, and Roswell Herrick, trustees. This Society built the following year, at Three Mile Bay, a church at a cost of $1800. A Free Communion Baptist Church was formed at Three Mile Bay about 1827, by Elder Amasa Dodge, but the records could not be found. On the 6th of July, 1841, ten members, being the greater por- tion, formed a Free Will Baptist Church under Elder Amasa Dodge, since whom Elders Overocker, McKoon, Paddkig, Hart, Griffith, and Abbey, have been more or less constantly employed. A society was formed December 18, 1843, with Charles LeonaiJ, Rufus H. Bartlett, Henry Leonard, William Northrup, and Ckarlea 908 OrUant. Caswell, trustees. A church was built in 1844, costing about $1,000. Present riumbet twenty-six. The Peninsula l^aptir.t Church was formed about 1834, and has never reported but twice to the association; it numbered about eighteen. The 1* irst Univcrsalist Society of Chaumont was formed Sep- tember 8, 1850, with David Bowman, Elijah Graves, and Andrew Inman, trustees. A Presbyterian Church was orpran' .• iF a. Chaumont, Aug. 31, l831,bytheRev. John Sessions ^lu I i) ' '■^ G. S. Board man, act- ing as a committee from the Pr»< ytei) ot vvttertown. It consisted of 18 members, 4 males and 14 fenn 'cs. Meetings for reading sermons, conference and p yer, wte maintained, under the di- rection of Solon Mas' v .ne of the elders, but they had no stated preaching until the :>uinmer of 1839, when for a few months Rev. Samuel W. Leonard was employed for alternate sabbaths. In the summer of 1841, Rev. Wm. Chittenden was employed for a few months in the same manner. The present pastor, the Rev. J. A. Canfield, commenced his labors on the first sabbath in September, 1842, preaching on alternate sabbaths, till the fall of 1847; since that period his whole time has been devoted to this church. A society was formed March 20, 1844, with Philip Beasom, Ozias Bauder, and Jeremiah Bennet, trustees, who erected for $1500 their present house of worship, which was dedicated on the 18th of September, 1845, and their present and only pastor was ordained and installed at the same time. There is connected with the society a flourishing sabbath school, of about 140 scholars, and a library of 410 volumes. A Methodist class was formed at Chaumont, Dec. 13, 1839, of l9 members. Meetings are held at a school house. Orleans. This town was erected from Brownville, April 3, 182], em- bracing Penet's Square, and all north of this and west of a oontn 'laticn of the line between lots No. 6 and 7 of Penet's Squait k- tht St. Lawrence. The f'rst town meeting wasdirected to ' '^ ^di.' . ,j house .tervey Boutwell. Much difficulty and •It ii'e hckil eAiSted for several years, with regard to the location of the town meetings in Brownville, that led to the erection of Orleans, which name was suggested by the celebrity which New Orleans had acquired at the close of the war. Alexandria and Philadelphia were formed by the same act. Swpcrwwor*.— 1822-23, Amos Reed; 1824-26, Wra. H. Angel; 1827, Woodbridge C. George; 1828, Jesse *^ Woodward (four years could not be procured). 1833, Chesterfield Persons, at a ipecial meeting; 1834, Wm. Martin; 1835, Peter Dillenback; C Or4ean». 1836, C. Persons; 1837, Huniel C. Rouse; 1838-89, John B. Collins; 1840, C. Persons; 1841, Pet, P. Folts; 1842, Jamei Green; 1843, Edmund M. EMridge; 1844, Abram J. Smith; 1846, Loren Bushnell; 1816, A. J. Smith; 1847, D. C. Rouse) 1848-9, John N Rottiers; 1850-53, Hiram Dewey. By an act oi Feb. 6, 1840, all that par* ♦ <" lay ton, north of Or- leans, and east of the north and south divis.(uii me, between Clayton and Orleaii!(, extended from the north-west > rner ot Orleans to ihe St. Lawrence, was attached to the latter ti< together with Eart of Wells Islami, and all the smaller islan« which would e embraced by a line, running from the U minati > of the aforr ■ said division line, between Clayton and Or/ us; t ence throu a Eel Bay around the head of Wells Islan* to the Canada Une. All that part of Alexandria, west o a lim nninp N. 42" W., th( atter town. 84i %, by persons ,p lands, there "ct listory of general, that several years '■r classes, to s they were soiBC spring a, and ap- t choose to on among pos- from the corner of Orleans, was also annexeu U) This last was rtiitored to Alexandria, A])ril 12, Improvements commenced in this town abor who came on, w ihout acquiring title, and to being no resident agent, and a partial and im the title having grf ined currency, the belief bi . > there was no legal ^wner of the tract, which, it after the war, led g eat numbers, chiefly of the p< come and select land and make locations. In governed by nothing but their own choice, select in or stream of water 11 r the vicinity of their dwelh propriating such lands to their own use, as they m. claim. These squatters had adopted a kind of regu themselves, in relation to lands, were accustomed to ■jake "• session lines," by lopping down bushes, and bougm and sold " claims" giving quit claim deeds for the same. Few p^ \)anent buildings or improvements were made, the settlers mos > living in log huts, and engaged in getting out oak staves and square timber, and in making potash or in cultivating the soil in the most slovenly and carele- s manner. As a natural consequence, this unprincipeled course invited thither crowds of adventurers from various quarters, many from the Mohawk Country; rough, hardy, and enterprising, w th nothing to lose and every thing to gain, accustomed to coarse fare and rude accummodations, yet in many respects just the class to subdue a wilderness. Schools were estrblished, a few yeais after settlement, and religious societies were organized. An account of the legal ti ties of this tract has been given, but there were sundry proceedings under false constructions and erroneous statements that deserve mention. Penet's Indiai. claim was recognized in the treaty of September 22, 1788, and on the 19th of November, 1789, a patent was issued to his attorney, 210 Orleans* John Duncan, of Schenectady, and it was subsequently conveyed repeatedly, as stated elsewhere. In 1807, John Wilkes, one of the proprietors, visited the tract, and is believed to have been the iirst of the owners who traversed it. Being unaccustomed to the fatigue of traveling in the forest, he returned home disgusted with it, and for sevirral years there was no legalized agent in the county. In 1817 (Oct. 17), the following settlers took contracts on lots numbers 66, 75, 86, 87, and 95, near Stone Mills, in which vicinity A. M. Prevost held lands, and had appointed Elisha Camp, of Sackets Harbor, as his agent. The contracts run for seven years, and the lands were rated at $5 per acre. Asa Hall, Richard Taylor, Frederick Avery, Benjamin and John Taylor, Wm. Collins, Samuel Linnel, Solomon Stowell, Lester White, Roderick C. Fraser, Wm. Collins, Jr., Leonard and Blake Baldwin, Isaac Mitchel, Johij B. Collins, John Smith, Ebenezer Eddy, Shepherd Lee, Thomas Lee, Thomas Let, Jr., Ebenezer Scoville, Wm. Guile, Wm. Larrabe, Warren Hall, Henry Arnold, Ambrose Adams and John Page. In 1818, there prevailed in many sections of the state, especially on the Holland Purchase, a clamor against those who held large tracts of land, and the records of towns in adjoining counties, show a disposition to impose heavy taxes upon non resident lands for local or private purposes. The Holland Company through fear of these intrigues, was induced to offer their lands to the state, as well as to sell them at low prices, and on long credits. Doubts had arisen of the soundness of the title derived from Penetj and January 16, 1821, Hippolyte Penet, brother of Peter Penet, of Andes, Delaware County, N. Y., sold to John S. Le Tonelier, of Schenectady, for $ 1, by quit claim, the whole tract. A suit in chancery was instituted, and this deed set aside and made void by a decretal order of the chancellor, Samuel Jones, dated August 2, 1828* The uncertaintv which these conflicting claims created in the minds of settlers, led them, about 1821, to petition the legislature for a direct grant of these lands from the state, which was referred to a select committee who reported the evidence of title, as shown by the records in the secretary's office and continued: " Your committee have also had exhibited what purports to be a copy of a deed executed on the 13th of July, 1790, by John Duncan, as the attorney of Peter Penet, to James Watson and James Greenleaf, witnessed by John Plant, but not proved or recorded, by which the tract of ten miles square is conveyed for the consideration of jC1600. There are various claims, many of them conflicting, under the last mentioned deed, which it was not necessary for your committee to investigate. From the statement they have given, they think great doubt arises Ik *.A «>. .J. fk . t%mm 'tf«a«»ua i^vsuB r^ |Mg« ouu, Orleans. 211 \vhether Penet ever legally conveyed the land in question. He vras a native of France, and died in that country, and if he left heirs they must be aliens, although your committee can not learn that he was ever married. Under all these circumstances your committee are of opinion that there are sufficient reasons in this case to justiiy further inquiry to ascertain whether the land has not escheated to this state, and they recommend^ the following resolution: Resolved, if the honorable the senate concur herein, th>/: ^he attorney-general be directed to investigate the title to the ten miles square of land granted to Peter Penet, and to institute pro- ceeedinjgs to ascertain whether the same has escheated to this state." The attorney-general made the following report: " The attorney-general, to whom was referred the petition of a number of the inhabitants of that part of the town of Brownville, in the county of Jefferson, called Penet's Square, respectfully represents: That the petitioners state that the tract of land called Penet's Square is situate in great lot No. IV, of Macomb's Purchase, and contains 64,000 acres. That the title to these lands is ' to the public generally, and to the petitioners in particular, alto- gether uncertain,' and that there are on the said tract about 320 families, or those * who have been induced to take contracts of the pretended agents of pretended proprietors;' and that great improvements have been made on the same tract of land, and that the inhabitants of the same tract are very solicitous to as- certain the real title to the same. The petitioners therefore pray, 1st, that some resolution or law may be passed that shall force those who lay claim to said tract of land, to put the evidence of their title on the records of the county of Jefferson, and 2d, that the surveyor-general, or the commissioners of the land of- fice, may be directed to report * such information as they mny possess, relative to the title of the said lands.' As to the first request of the petitioners, it is presumed that it is not expected of the attorney-general that he should give any opinion as to the propriety or expediency of granting it, but as to the second, the attorney-general has no means of ascertaining the true title to the land in question, any further than what may be derived from an examination of all records in the office of the secretary of state. The attorney-general finds in such examination that the said tract called Penet's Square is not, as the petitioners express, a part of Macomb's Purchase, but a separate tract, granted by the state to Peter Penet, by letters patent, dated the 19th of No- vember, 1789, and the whole of said tract, except 21,000, ap- pears to have been conveyed by the said Penet tc one Jch& Dum« 212 Orhatu. can, formerly of Schenectady. How the title to the above lands have been subsequently conveyed, or whether the same remains with the said Duncan, or his heirs, the attorney-general has no means of ascertaining. All of which is respectfulty submitted. ^ ThomaS C. Oakley, ^^^omey Genera/." We have been unable to learn the result of these investiga- tioris. A considerable portion of Penet's Square had become the pro- perty of John La Farge, who had been engaged in the firm of Russell & La Farse, as a merchant in Havre, and in the course of his business had purchased a portion of these lands. He sub- sequently resided several years in New Orleans, and about 1824 came on to assert his title to this tract, but the settlers had, from the previous confusion of claims, at first but little confidence in his ti. In 1824, a' meeting was held at Stone Mills, at which a committee was appointed to investigate the question, in order to decide what reliance might be placed in his claims. Mr. La Farge was of course anxious to secure public confidence, and cases soon occurred in which he was afforded the oppgrtuni- ty of proving his title in the trial of a suit which commenced as an action of ejectment, against one of the settlers, in which he procured witnesses from Schenectady and elsewhere, at great expense. In 1826, two or three persons claiming title under Hyppolyte Penet, appeared at La Fargeville, called a meeting of citizens, and stated their claims, but with no further effect than to impair the confidence of some in the pretensions of others. These pro- ceedings ended by La Farge's directing his attorney to com- mence a prosecution for slandering his title. While the tract was a part of Brownville, but little attention had been paid to the taxes, and nearly the whole had been returned as non resident. An agreement was made May 12, 1827, between John La Farge and Vinal Luce, of Albany, and Philip Schuyler of Saratoga, in which, for $75,000, and further covenants on the part of the last two. La Farge agreed to sell all the real estate, contracts, leases and certificates mentioned in an annexed schedule, subject to all arrears of taxes due, or to become due, with all sales that had been made for such arrears of taxes, with four mortgages, &c.* Under this agreement these parties came on, and com- menced acting accordingly, but legal measures ensued not neces- sary to be here detailed, and William Smith of Watertown was appointed a receiver, to take and hold moneys paid for lands, until the question of rightful ownership should be decided. The •J«Artont of wliom were of that denomination: The \\il'( of Robert Comtort was Mary; of John Townsend, JlssenatU; of Thonaas Townsend, Elizabeth; of Jason Merrick, Elizabeth; of John Strickland, Jr., Rachel; of Ezra Coinley, Sarah; of Joseph Bolton, Jane; of Stephen Roberts, June/ of John Strickland, sen., JV/ar- garet. A feat of female visiting in this town, that occurred in the summer of 1806, may be worthy of record, as illustrating the enterprise of the age, and by way of contrast with the present day. Mrs. Elizabeth and Assenath Townsend, and Mrs. Jane Roberts, on this occasion, their husbands being busy at their farms, made a visit on foot, to friends in the town of Le Ray, by way of the pine plains, a distance of eleven miles through a thick forest, and with scarcely a trace of a road, and that more traversed by wild beasts than human beings. A faithlul dog \vas their vigilant escort in the lonely journey. In returning, they were conveyed in the wagon of Joseph Child, at whose bouse they had visited. Having briefly noticed n few events connected with the first settlement of this town, ve will return to our account of the centre lot, to which allusion has been made. During fifteen years, about a quarter of the lot had been improved, under the short leases. In the summer of 1815, the Le Ray Monthly Meeting of Friends was formed, and it early became the wish of the five trustees to make this meeting the assignee of their trust, but this could not be done without an act of incorporation, which they refused to apply for. On the 11th of April, 1816, the monthly meeting appointed a committee of six, viz: Daniel Child, Richard Hallock, Joel Haworth, John Strickland, Jr., William Barber, and Joseph Child, Jr., to meet with and assist the trustees in the management of the lot, and they the same year reappointed four of the trustees, the fifth (Merrick) not being a member of their society, but continuing to act. R. Cora- fort and T. Townsend, quit claimed to C. Child, and J. Townsend, June 9th, 1823,* their interest in the centre lot, and at various periods between October 1st, 1823, and 1838, the whole 440 acres, had been leased out in about 40 lots, or parcels, at annual rents averaging less than $ 1 per acre forever. The society oc- casionally appointed committees to notice the trustees requests, and July 7th, 1825, named Edmund Tucker, Daniel Child, and J. Strickland, Jr., to procure quit claims from those named in the deed of Le Ray. They afterwards Ibund that these could * Jeffurioa Deadi. Philadelphia. 223 of not all be procured. Taylor refused to quit claim, and Stockton and Evans had died, leavinf; minor heiiu Ellis, M. Comfort, Jones, UowlamI, and the heirs of Knight, did quit claim* to the committee above named. J. Townsend, Merrick and Child, de- clined to quit claim until the ethers could be obtained. In 1828, the Quakers here became divMed by the doctrines of Elias Hicks, Tucker and Strickland oi: one side, and D. Child with the orthodox. C. Child, J. Townsend, and J. Merrick, trustees, being also with the orthodox. In 1837, D. Child quit claimed to J. Townsend and C. Child, his right. The orthodox sect have alone claimed and exercised the care of the centro lot. Ct Child, J. Townsend, and J. Merrick, wishing to be relieved from the care of the trust, applied to the monthly meeting to have successors appointed, and March 9th, 1843, Samuel G. Slocum, of Le Ray, and Robert Townsend and Naylor Child, of Philadel- phia, were named us trustees, who, August 5th, 1843, received a conveyance,! and executed a declaration of trust. N. Child in 1844 made S. G. Slocum his attorney, but this was revoked May 1st, 1845.t On the 9th of January, 1845, the Le Ray Monthly Meeting had directed the' trustees to quit claim to most of the occupants on the centre lot, for $1,250 under which direc- tion Slocum and Townsend, liavesubsequently quit claimed most of the leased lots, N. Child not concurring. The meeting adopted this course in consequence of an anti-rent movement be- ginning as early as 1835, and resulting in combination on the part of the tenants to resist the payment of rents, claiming that after building and keeping up a meeting house, the balance was to go to support a school for the use of the tenants; that they should have a voice in its manageioent, and that thry were the beneliciaries of the trust, with the power of dictating to the trustees. The origin of the anti-rent movement at this place,, may mainly be traced to the fact, that original leases had been sub- divided, subleased to several parties, and again conveyed re- peatedly, and these transfers not being legally known to the trustees, the latter claimed the right, and in one or two instances attempted to distrain tor rent the property of one of the tenants, to pay the arrears due on the lot of which he occupied but a part. This, in the view of the tenants, led to the dangerous principle that a man's property was liable to he seized for his neighbjr^s debts, and was followed by a spirit of resistance in which nearly every tenant participated. Meetings were held, articles of union were drawn up, in which they mutuahy pledged themselves to sustain legal measures until a final settlement, and I * Jefferson Deedi, A. 2, p. 121. t JtSumuk DMda, b. 77, p. 499. tJefferson Deeds, X 3, p. 23. ,! 234 Philadelphia. Jesse Smith, John F. Latimore, and Samuel Rogers, were ap- pointed a committee to represent their interests in the matter. There had been, moreover, an unwillingness on the part of the old trustees of the lot to submit an account of their expenditures, as they claimed that to them and them alone had been confided the care of the trust, and that they were amenable only to the meeting for its faithful execution. Several instances of appa- rent application of the rents to private purposes were produced, and specified in legal proceedings that ensued, and to such extent had these proceedings led, that the parties of the league pro- fessed their readiness to expend their fortunes in suits of law, rather than submit to the payment of rents. A few went farther, and threatened abuse and violence to the persons and property of Quakers, and their meeting house presented marks of depreda- tion and pollution committed in the night time. The society had in March, 1844, petitioned for a law author- izing the trustees to sell the centre lot, which was referred by the senate to the attorney general for an opinion, who decided* " thr ■ it is not competent for any court, or even the legislature itselt, to add to or diminish from the estate thereby created, or to change the nature of the trust, or to confer authority upon the trustees to convey the legal estate discharged of this trust, thus annexed to it." In consequence of this opinion the legislature declined acting, and so informed the petitioners. This opinion was sustained substantially by those of several eminent legal gentlemen. In the final settlement, about twenty-five quit claim deeds were given by the new trustees, two or three tenants, members of the meeting, declining to receive them. All arrears of rent were paid up to April 1, 1844. Whatever may be the legal force of these proceedings, they appear to be satisfactory to those most interested, and warranty deeds are freely given and received for the lands which quiet possession for the constitutional period will probably confirm. The first school was on the centre lot, and mostly supported by rents, and for several years it drew money as a school district. In 1838, dissensions having arisen from the rival claims of the district trustees and the Quakers, in the employment of teachers, a school house was built by the dis- trict, with a tax in the usual way. The income of rents formerly amounted to about $280, which made the schools free. Th; > has now been reduced to from $50 to $60. In 1805 it was agreed by the trustees of the centre lot, that J. and T. Townsend should have the use of a lot of fifteen or twenty acres of land covering the falls, free of rent, twenty years, on which to erect a mill for the benefit of the settlement. A saw * Senate Doc. 1844, No. 115, p. 3. IW Philadelphia. 225 and grist mill, under the same roof, was accordingly built in 1805, James Parker being the millwright, for the two Townsend brothers, at this place. The village slowly increased in popu- lation, and in 1827 numbered seventeen families, and about a dozen houses. It now has two inns, three stores, two saw mills, one grist mill, three wagon shops, one machine shop, two shingle machines, one cabinet maker, one cooper, three blacksmiths, one tinner,- and about fifty families. The village is six miles from Theresa, six from Antwerp, seven from Evans' Mills, four from Sterlingville, and eleven from Ox Bow. The Potsdam and Watertown Rail Road at this place, is crossed by the surveyed lines of the Utica and Rome Kail Roads, and the fine water power which Indian River here presents, will afford an eligible point for the investment of manufacturing capital. To the lover of romantic scenery, the falls and ravines below, present attractions of much interest, and in the spring floods, the scene becomes one of singular grandeur and beauty. Cyrus Dodge, an innkeeper at the village, was instantly killed by the bursting of a cannon on the 4th of July, 1829. This melancholy accident, resulting from rashly charging the piece with stones and grass, checked the festivities of the occasion and spread a gloom through the settlement. In 1807, a saw mill, known as the De Launey* Mill, was built for Le Ray, on Black Creek, a mile and a half above the present village of Sterlingville, and in 1824, a saw mill was erected at the latter place, for Edmund Tucker, by Hamblin and Crofoot, which was the first improvement here. About 1834, a second saw mill was built, adjacent to the present forge, and in 1836, there were but three dwellings in this vicinity. In 1837, the iron mines in Antwerp, on the farm of Hopestill Foster, having been discovered, and sufficiently explored to war- rant the belief of their permanence and value, Mr. JameS Sterling, who had previously been engaged in the Rosise furnace, and who had purchased an extensive interest in the mine, origin- ated the project of establishing a furnace on Black Creek, and organized a company, under the general act, Oct. 31, 1837, under the name of the Sterling Iron Company, with a capital of $20,000, in shares of $100 each. The persons named in the articles of association, were Orville Hungerford, James Sterling, George Walton, Caleb Essington, and George C. Sherman. A quarter furnace was erected, early the same year, and in June, 1837, the first blast commenced, using cold air, and from inex- perience in the management of the ore, not proving very success- ful. The first blast continued three months, and made twelve * From Mr. De L., a bookkeeper for Le Ray, since of the firm of De Launey, Luyt and Burzee, of Havre, 220 Philadelphia. tons per week. The second continued five months, at about the same rate of yield, and the third blast, commencing Sept. 10, 1838, was protracted to a year and Jif teen days, a length of time, without a parallel among the furnaces in this section of the state. At its close a public dinner was served up to the hands employed about the furnace, at the expense of ti.e proprietors. About 1838, an apparatus lor heating the air was introduced, and continued about six years, since which the cold blast has been alone used, which is found to make an iron of a better quality, and one capable of being chilled* that renders it admir- ably adapted to car wheels, for which it is mostly used. This company after continuing less than three years, was given up, aad a new one, styled the Philadelphia Iron Company, witu a capital of $15,000, was formed, under the same general act. May 19, 1840, with F. Van Ostrend, Ephraim Taylor, George Dickerson, William Skinner, and John Gates, the parties nan>ed in the articles of association. This company has also ceased to exist, but the business has been since continued, under different names, but always with James Sterling as the efficient mover, ' and it is now conducted by him and his associates, with much success. * The principal ore employed is from the Sterling Iron Mine, in Antwerp, twelve miles distant, from whence it is drawn at a cost of $'1 per ton. Bog ores from Wilna and Philadelphia, and a sl'^iy lean ore from the Fuller and Shurtliff mines in this town, near the line of Theresa, have been used to some extent. The latter is still used from necessity, as a flux only, for which, from the lime contained, it is found to be well adapted. In 1841 the furnace was rebuilt; in May 1849 it was burned, and it has been recently rebuilt. The size, when erected, was twenty six feet square, thirty two feet high, with an inside diameter of seven feet, which has been since more or less varied. It has been lined with sandstone from Louisburgh, Antwerp, and Theresa. The yield of Sterling ore is from forty to forty-five per cent, and the product of the furnace has now become from four to five tons daily. For several seasons, the furnace has been run upon contract, the proprietor furnishing the works and the ore, while the contractor supplies the labor and fuel. A forge was erected at this village, about 1839, by Caleb Essington, and has been since more or less constantly used for refining, no ore being used. '•'he iron manufacture is the leading business of Sterlingville, which is' a village of about sixty families, and has besides the * A term, used to denote the property of becoming coarsely crystaline, white, and very hard, when cast in contact with a cold metallic surfaeCk Philadelphia. 227 furnace and forge, two taverns, two stores, two saw mills, and several mechanic shops. It is; by plank road seven and a half miles from Antwerp, and five from Great Bend; and by common roads, four miles from Philadelphia, five from Le Raysville, six from Evans' Mills, fourteen liom Watertown and ten from Carthage. In the village of Sterlingville is a copious chalybeate spring, slightly sulphurous, and possessing, without a doubt, medicinal properties; but it has never been brought into use. A post office was established here in February, 1839, with George Walton first post master. The other post offices in this town, are Phila- delphia, Whitney's Corners, on the plank road from Ox Bow to Evans' Mills, and Pogeland, on the plank road between Antwerp and Sterlingville. The Philadelphia Library was formed September 13, 1831, with Edmund Tucker, Alvah Murdock, Henry W. Marshall, Joel Haworth, John F. Lattimore, Samuel Rogers, Azel Danforth, Weeden Mosher, and John R. Taylor, trustees. Religious Societies. — ^The Friends organized meetings here soon after their settlement: and in 1809, built on the centre lot a small frame meeting house, which in 1827, was set apart for 'a school, and ihe present meeting house was built, 30 by 50 feet, at a cost of $800, under the direction of Edmund Tucker, J. iStrickland, Jr., J. Townsend, and C. Child. The Indian River Preparative, of the Le Ray Monthly Meeting, occupies this house. The Baptist Church of Philadelphia was formpd by ten mem- bers November 5, 1840; since which the following ministers have been employed, viz: John Stephens, John Wilder, Charles H. Havens, S. L. Bulas, J. F. Bishop, and Henry Ward. A Society was formed December 14, 1840, with Elias Roberts, Walter Colton, Jesse Smith, E. D. Woodward, and Henry York, trustees. The Congregational Church of Philadelphia was formed of thirteen members by the Rev. N. Dutton, of Champion, in the winter of 1840-1, and continued to employ him for several years. The society cf this church was formed February 8, 1841, with Nelson Ackert, Milo Shattuck, Abiah Ford, Peter Bethel, and Alvah Murdock, trustees. These two societies, in 1841, erected a Union church, each owning an equal share; cost, $1,600. A Methodist society was formed March 9, 1839, with William Powell, George Sim, Theodore Cross, Charles R. Sweet, and Stephen Pest, trustees. They have a church at Philadelphia, built soon after the society was formed. A second society of the Methodists was formed March 6, 1844, with Sterling Graves, Richard Crabb, Benjamin Allen, and Nelson Cbadwick, trustees, who have also a house of worship &€ar the line of Antwerp. II i Mi h: < I 1^1 !i^ 228 Rodman. St. Nicholas church (Catholic) was built at Sterlingville, in 1838-39, at a cost of about $800; the site being given by La Farge. The priest resides at Carthage. Rodman. This town, embracing its present limits and a part of Pinck- ney, or township No. 8, and part of No. 9, of the Black River Tract, was erected under the name of Harrison, from Adams, March 24, 1804, the first town meeting being directed to be held at the house of Simeon Hunt. The name was derived from Richard Harrison, of New York, an eminent lawyer and an asso- ciate in several large purchases in this and adjoining counties, but it was found inconvenient to have a name so near like Harris- burgh, previously existing in Lewis County, and on the 6th of April, 1808, the name was changed to the present. We have been unable to ascertain from whence it was derived. By an act of February 12, 1808, township No. 9 was erected into a separate town, under the name of Pinckney, and the county line was changed to pass around that town instead of across it. Nov. 4, 1804, a special town meeting was held, to choose delegates to attend a convention at Denmark to consult on meas- ures for the division of the County of Oneida. William Rice, Cyrus H. Stone and Simeon Hunt, were appointed. At the first town meeting of Harrison, held at the house of Simeon Hunt, Thomas White was chosen supervisor, George H. Thomas, clerk; Ozias H. Rawson, Cyrus H. Stone, William Rice, assessors; Jonathan Davis, Robert Stuart, poor masters; David Nikles, S. Hunt, Calvin Clifford, commissioners of highways; Peter Yandes, constable and collector; George H. Thomas, John Fassett,yence vitwers; S. Hunt, pound master. A special town meeting, held for the purpose, September 12, 1805, chose Wm. Rice a committee to wait on the court house commissioners, and represent the interests of the town. On the 12th of January, 1807, Wm. Rice, Cyrus H. Stone and Ebenezer Moody, were chosen delegates at a special meeting to meet a convention at the house of Joseph Clark, in Watertown, on the 13th inst., to fake into consideration the military situation of the county. Wolf bounties of $ 10 were offered in 1806, 7, 8. In 1806 and 1814, laws requiring Canada thistles to be cut. In 1823 voted against poor house. In 1826, voted to let Wm. Glass's wile have the use of a cow, the cow being secured to the town. Supervisors. — 1805, Thomas White; 1806-9, Jonathan Davis; 1810-11, Enoch Murry; 1812, Samuel C. Kanaday; 1814, Abel Cole; 1815 and 1830, Nathan Strong; 1831-32, William M. Winslow; 1833-36, Ora Cooley; 1837, George Gates; 1838, N. Strong; 1839-40, Thomas Wait; 1841, Ora Cooley; 1842, Rodman. 229 Henry C. Strong; 1843, Herman Strong; 1844-45, H. C. Strong; 1846, Wra. Gill; 1847, Dennis M. Wait; lb48-49, Benjamin F. Hunt; 1850, Alanson Tibbetts; 1851-52, George Gates; 1853, Ora Cooley. This town was first opened for settlement by Harrison and Hoffman, under Silas Stow, of Lowville, as agent, in 1801, hav- ing been surveyed by Joseph Crary the year previous. It was divided into 5t> lots, and these were subdivided into quarters. The land was generally sold for $3*50 per acre. In 1801, Anson and Ebenezer Moody, Jonathan, Noah, and Aaron Davis, Ben- jamin Thomas, William Rice, Simeon Hunt, and perhaps a few others came in, and commenced small clearings, and in Septem- ber Mrs. E. Moody came in to reside, being the first woman that settled in town. This family occupied a log house which A. Moody had erected that season. In the fall, the first birth oc- curred, it being a son of E. Moody, who was named Walter Harrison Moody. He died at the age of 3 years, and is believed to have been the first death in town. His father, in accordance with a promise of Mr. Harrison, received 50 acres of land. Roads along Sandy Creek and to Burrville were opened in 1801, September 4th, 1802, Timothy Greenly from Litchfield, New York, bought of Harrison and Hoffman 2669J acres in the south- east corner of the town at eighteen shillings per acre, and the second season after removed by way of Redfield. He was a prominent citizen, and died February 19th, 1852, aged 84. William Rice erected at Rodman Village a saw mill in 1804, and in 1806 a grist mill. Simeon Hunt was the first inn keeper. Bridges were not completed over Sandy Creek until 1809. The books of the land holders show the following additional names of those who contracted for land under date of December 1st, 1804. Jesse Smith, afterwards the founder of Smithville, Aaron Moody, Horace Townsend, Thomas White, Joseph Nickles, Arnold Stone, Nathan Whiteman, Avery Wallsworth, Joseph Dana, Titus King, Noah Davis, Thadrick Case, Leonard Fare- well, Joshua Finney, John Vaughan, Leonard Barker. On the 25th of March, 1805, Buell and Westcott, Nathan Freeman. In August, Hawks and French, Pierce and Lampson, Wright Mead, &c. During the years 1803-6, the town settled with great rapidity, and the pioneers sufTered no further hardships than fall to the lot of all emigrants. In 1813, sixty deaths oc- curred in town, mostly within three months, and from the pre- vailing epidemic. With this exception the town has not suffered from the sickness that has prevailed in other towns nearer the lake. Its feeling of mutual dependence and a willingness to divide the burthens and misfortunes of life, is spoken of as 230 Hodman. having existed to an unusual degree in the early settlement of the town, in evidence of which, the custom is said to have prevailed, it any one was sick and unable to attend to his fields, his work'was always kept up even with those around him, and if one chanced to kill a deer, then very common in town, the venison was uniformly divided with neighbors. The kindest feeling has ever existed between the several religious societies. A school was iirst opened in town by Miss M. Nobles, in Anson Moody's barn, in the summer of 1803. The alarm of the first attack on Sackets Harbor, reached this town on the sabbath, and created a great excitement. On the >\\y following, there was formed a Silver Grey company, of men l ot required to perform military duty. Nathan Strong was chosen captain, Simeon Hunt, lieutenant, and Sheldon Hopkins, ensign. It numbered about 60 men, and on one occasion repaired to Sackets Harbor, but was never armed or called into service. In the drafts upon the militia during the war, this town sustained its full share, and but few persons left through fear. The Silver Greys, in their articles of association, agreed to i&arch to any place, within 50 miles of home. The earlier surveyors and settlers noticed in a small flat at the bottom of the Gulf Stream, a ravine in this town, growing in great luxuriance, a variety of plants which are common around dwellings, and introduced for medicinal purpost^s, as tansy, mints, balm, &c. The question of their origin, and the time and manner of their introduction is a matter of curiosity, but was never ascertained. No appearances but these indicated that the place had been formerly inhabited. Rodman Village, in the valley north of Sandy Creek, five miles above Adarns, is built mostly on the south bank, and has two taverns, four stores, a Methodist and a Congregational church, a seminary, and about forty-five dwellings, with the usual variety of mechanics' shops. During a considerable part of the year, it has hydraulic power for mills, but in the summer months this is to some extent supplied by steam. In 1816, a mail route was established, and Nathan Strong was appointed first postmaster. In 1840, a seminary of wood, two stories high, with a porch in front, and a cupola, was built by voluntary subscriptions, at a cost of about $1,200. The land was conveyed in trust to the trustees of the Harrison Society, for the purpose of a school, by the heirs of Nathan Strong, and for several years a select school has been maintained here. On the 8th of December 1840, the name of Rodman Union Seminary, was adopted, and Jan. 5th, 1841, a constitution was formed, and thirteen trustees chosen. Zoar is a hamlet on Sandy Creek, one mile above Kodraan Village, where there is a Baptist church, inn, store, a few shops, and about twenty dwellings. Rodman. 231 Whitesville (East Rodman, post office), is on Sandy Creek, about five miles above Rodman Village. It derives its name from Thomas Wiiite, uho in 1802 settled there from Litcldield, N. Y. He wasfor several years a sub agent for the town, and in 1803 built the first grist mill in town. He removed westward, about 1810. At this place is a small village, consisting of a store, grist mill, a few shops, and a small cluster of dwellings. Religious Societies. — The first religious service in town, was conducted in the summer of 1802, by Rev. Mr. Woodward, a missionary, who on a week day preached to a small audience, at the hut of Anson Moody. The Congregational Church of Rodman, was formed by Rev. EbenezerLazelle, of Watertown, Sept. 22, 1805. Occasional preaching only was had until the second sabbath in Aug. 1808, when the Rev. David Spear,* first preached, and was soon em- ployed. In Sept. 1809, he was installed, has since, with two or three years' interval, continued the pastor until the present time. The first number was 9, total 521; present number (August. 1S53), 210. In 1809, July 17th, the Harrison Society, belonging with this church, was formed, with Reuben Tremain, James Loomis, Asa Davis, Simeon Hunt, Jonathan Wyman and D. Eastman, trustees. The society was reorganized, April, 24, 1834, and in 1815 built a church 38 by 50 feet. In 1850 this was replaced by the present church, which was dedicated in March, 1851; it is 40 by 61 feet. From 1809 to 1821, was a period of religious interest, and in 1821-23, were great accessions. In the spring of 1811, about six or eight Baptists in town, agreed to hold meetings on the sabbath, as often as convenient, and to invite such preachersas might be procured to attend, among whom was Joseph Maltby, who on the 27tli of March, 1812, formed, at the house of Benjamin Cole, a church of nine males and thirteen females. These, on the lOlh of June, were duly fellowshiped, by a council convened for the purpose by delegates from Rutland First Church (Elder Solomon Johnson), Adams (Elder Timothy Heath), and Watertown (Elders Gill and Mor- gan), and, Mr. Maltby was duly ordained as pastor. Isaac Benjamin, Joseph Cornell, Daniel Peck, and others have since been employed. This church was alterwards formed as a branch of the Adams Church, and in November 1844, it was reorganized as a separate church, on a petition signed by about 50 members. In 1822, a church was erected at Zoar, and Dec. 11th, 1822, a society was formed with Arnold Stone, Levi Heath, and Elisha * It is seldom that we meet with an instance in which the pastoral relation Las been so long maintained by one person. Mr. Spear was born in Rupert, Vt., .Tune, 1781, and studied with Rev. John B. Preston, of his native place. Since the above date he has resided here, and no better evidence of esteem and regard, earned by a lifetime of daily precept, by example, could be adduced. ay p. 233 Rutland. Cook, trustees. On the 6th of Oct. 1846, this was reorganized, with P. W. Dyer, John Nichols, and John W. Wait, trustees. The First Methodist Society in Rodman, was formed Aug. 6, 1829, with John Adams, Jonathan Boyington, Ebenezer Black- stone, Arthur Robbins, Anson Moody, Epaphras Moody, Wra. Buttcrfield, Daniel Kinney, and Chauncey Davis, trustees. This society has a church, two miles below Whitesville. The First Methodist Episcopal Society, in Rodman Village, was formed March, 1843, with Elam Cooley, Hiram Buell, John Buell, James W. Brown, Winson D. Allport, Alanson Kinney, Isaac Jenks, Freeman Tuttle, and Almanzor Tibbets, trustees. A church was built in 1849. The Second Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in Rodman, was formed Dec. 10, 1841. Green Budlong, Hiram Buel, Allen Parker, Orris Buel, Joseph S. Rising, Jesse Spencer, Abel Case, Jacob Vroraan, and Hervy Kello^jg, were elected trustees. Rutland. This town, embracing its present limits,, or township No. 3, of the Black River Tract, was taken April 1, 1802, from Water- town; the first town meeting being held at the house of David CoflTeen. The first town officers chosen, were David Coflfeen, supervisor; Jacob A. Williams, clerk; Abel Sherman,* Zelotus Harvey, Wm. Coffeen, assessors; Levi Heath, Solomon Thompson, Gershom Tuttle, commissioners highways; Benj. Edde, constable and col- lector; besides two pound masters, three fence viewers, twelve path masters, three deer reeves, six hog reeves, and a committee of three to settle accounts with Watertown. Wolf bounties of $10 were offered in 1803, 7, 8, 14, and of $15, in 1805-6. Fox bounties of $0-50, in 1816, and of $1, in 1818. In 1811-12 a law was passed,. requiring Canada thistles to be cut, "at the full moon in June, July, and August," under a penalty of $1. Suvervisors.— 1803, David Coffeen; 1804-5, CI i ft French; 1806,' Ethel Bronson; 1807, Zelotus Harvey; 1808, Hugh Hen- derson. At a special meeting in April, Ethel Bronson, to fill vacancy; 1809-13, Judah Williams. In Ju]y 1813, Jonathan Smiley, to fill vacancy; 1814-20, J. Smiley; 1821-23, Ethel Bronson; 1824-26, Amos Stebbins; 1827-35, Joseph Graves; 1836, John Felt; 1837-40, Geo. White; 1841-42, Aaron W. Potter- 1843, J. Graves; 1844, David Howland; 1845, Gardner Towne; 1846-47, Merril Coburn; 1848-49, Asa Clark, Jr.; 1850-52, Martin L. Graves; 1853, John A. Sherman. * Dr. Abel Sherman, the first sberifT, was a native of Brimfield, Mass., and removed to Clinton, Oneida County, from whence, in 1803, he settled in the agency of his brother's estates in this county till his death in 1825, and in September, Major George White, an active and urominent. citizen, who had lived in town almost since its first settlement, w as appointed, and continued till the lands were sold, and accounts settled with the proprietor. On the 13th of April, 1846, the last of the lands were sold, it being an island near the village of Black River. Most of the settlers enumerated in the previous list, came in and commenced improvements immediately. Dr. Hugh Henderson was the first physician; the first death was the wife of Francis Towne. The first inn was kept by Levi Butterfieid, near the centre of the town, at what is now generally called Rutland Village. The county map of Burr gives the name of this place as Brooksvilhy from Curtis G. Brooks, an early and prominent sett]cr,but it has never been known by this among the inhabitants. The first grist mill in town, and in the county, was erected in 1800 by David CofTeen, who had received a gift of ten acres (to be confirmed when the mill was finished) at the present village of FeWs Mills, and on Mill Creek near its mouth. This prim- itive mill was indeed rude and humble, but very useful for the settlements throughout the county. It was got in operation in March 1801, and was resorted to from great distances. The millwright was Samuel Parker, and the first pair of mill stones was made from boulders of gneiss, found in the vicinity. This mill opened a new era in the business of milling, which had been previously accomplished by pounding in stump mortars rudely scooped out. This was the first improvement in this place, and the next season a saw mill was erected. CofTeen, subsequently sold to Wolcott Hubb^l, and the latter to Barnabas Eldridge. The property passed from him to Barnabas La Grange, and in 1813, to John Felt, from whom the place derives its present name. In 1808, a bridge was built to the Island, and soon after anofher to the north bank, which was swept off in 1811. In 1821, a dam was built across Black River, and the present stone grist mill was erected the year after. In 1823-4, a saw mill was built on the island, and in 1842 another and larger one lower done, since which time a very extensive business of lum- bering has been carried on at this place, from two to three millions of feet of pine having been sent to market annually. The Pine Plains which are immediately adjacent on the north bank of the III i 'Mi m Rutland. river furnished for many years the logs for supplying these mills, but this source having been mostly exhausted, they are now principally derived from the forests in the eastern part of Lewis County, being floated down in the spring flood. This business at this place may be said to have nearly ended. Felt's Mills is a place of considerable business, having besides three saw mills, a grist mill, and a variety of manufacturing establishments with water power, an inn, several stores, a Union Church, and about fifty dwellings. The church belongs to Methodists, Baptists, and Universalists, and was erected in in 1848. This place is by plank .road eight miles from Water- town and two from the Gr i Bend. By an act of April 1st, .o41, the island at Felt's Mills was taken from Le Ray, and annexed to Rutland. The Felt's Mills Burial Ground Association was formed March 29th, 1852;^ with Oliver A. Tooker, Henry W. Chapman, Elijah Graves, Samuel Felt, Hugh Roberts, and Joshua Roberts, trustees. Tylerville (East Rutland P. 0.), is situated in a narrow val- ley, on Sandy Creek, and at an early day it acquired some im- portance from its being the seat of a small woolen factory, that was erected by The Rutland Woolen Manufacturing Company, formed September 25th, 1811, with a capital of $25,000, and the following parties as signers of the articles, the first three being trustees. Ethel Rronson, Dartfiel Eames . Jojiah^Tyler, Thomas Hill, Abel Doolittle, Eber Ingalsbey an^ ^ohn'Oaks. * * The first settlement at this place began in the spring of 1805, by Erastus Lathrop and Nathaniel Frink, from Norway, N. Y., the former of whom erected a grist mill, and the latter a saw mm. Josiah and Frederick Tyler were early settlers, and from them the village derives its name. Joel Webb, \bel Doolittle, and others settled here at an early period. The woolen factory established here was the first in the county. A building for carding and spinning by water, and another for hand looms were built at this place in 1812, and got in operation during the fol- lowing winter. High prices were necessarily 'paid for wool, which embarrassed their operations, and on the 13th of April, 1814, an act was passed allowing $5,000 to be loaned from the state treasury to Ethel Bronson, in behalf of the company, secu- rity being given. September 19, 1817, the machinery was sold at auction to Dgniel Eames for $400,,and it has since^been ui^ed < as a cloth dressing works, until within ten years'. Alwul eighty per cent of stock was paid in, and most of those concerned lost money in the business. Since the discontinuance of these opera- tions the place has not grown, and it has but about thirty families. Black River village and post office, locally known as Lock- Rutland. 239 b^ portf is situated two and a half miles below Felt's Mills, on both sides of Black River, in Rutland and Le Ray. Improvements commenced here in 1806, by the erection of a saw mill by Isaac and Harvey Cleveland. The mill being destroyed by the flood of 1807, was rebuilt the same season. There was at this place, in 1818, but one house. About 1815, Andrew Middleton and Christopher Poor erected a mill at some distance below the pres- ent village, where a branch of Black River issues from a subter- ranean passage, and affords a mill privilege. About 1810 there was erected a grist mill, and the place being one that affords an extraordinary amount of water power, has become the centre of considerable business, having at present three saw mills, a grist mill, two butter tub factories, a chair factory, a tannery, two shingle factorieis, a wagon shop, a machine shop, two inns, &c. There are several very available, but at present unoccupied water privileges on Black River, the whole of which could be repeatedly used below the village. This town deserves honora- ble mention, for the interest that has been manifested in support- ing district schools. In 1836, school district No. 4, erected on a road between the middle and south roads, the elegant school house represented in the accompanying engraving, at a cost of about $1,000. The project was originated and mostly sustained by Moses Eames, Cliff games , (jardher Townep Alexander Warner, Horace Tyler, and B. F. Hunt, who were subsequently joined by H. Hopkins. This district has ' found it for their interest to employ well qualified teachers, and the school has for several years been under the supervision of Miss C. M. Johnson (a grad- uate of the State Normal School), to whom it owes much of its popularity. The trustees have also taken care to provide appa- ratus, and all those appendages that tend to the promotion of the health, comfort, and mental improvement of scholars. The ex- ample has been followed by several other districts, and has ex- cited an emulation in the highest degree beneficial. The repu- tation of these schools has drawn students from a distance, and the enlightened policy with which they have been conducted is worthy of general imitation. "fun- The Model School Bmie.^, M) Rutland. ^^ Rutland is one of the best dairying towns in the county, if not in the state. It is situated on the summit of the Trenton limestone formation, and although to one entering it from Watertown, it appears elevated, it is less so than the country further east and south, and one cause of its peculiar fitness for grazing, is, doubtless, in the abundance and excellence of its springs of water. From the brow of the hills that overlook the country north and west, to great distances, the most magnifi- cent prospect is presented, the country below being quite level, in one direction bounded by the lake, and in the other it extends off towards St. Lawrence County, until lost in the distance The traces of ancient works which this town affords, indicate that it was formerly inhabited by the native Indians in considerable numbers, but their cabins had nearly or quite disappeared from this, in common with most other parts of the county, before the present settlements commenced. There are several deeply interesting geological features in this town, which are due to the latest, and, ii.)deed, almost the last, of the agencies which have modified the iVs surface. Across the northern part of the town, nearly r v . •> with Black River, and about two miles distant, is Rutlu.u' Hollow, a remarkable valley, worn in the limestone, like the valley of a river, but en- tirely destitute of any running stream that could have produced it. Near the middle is a marshy spot, from which the water flows off in both directions, and then appear;^ to be continued across Watertown, Houndsfield, Adams, and Henderson, to the lake, although in some places interrupted, and scarcely perceptible. Along the edge of the terrace of limestone which underlies the town, and at an elevation of nearly four hundred fleet above the lake, is distinctly to be observed the trace of an ancient beach, {)roving that the lake once washed these bluffs, and covered the ow country north and west. Both of these features in geology will be again noticed. Near the south-west border of this town, are the Burrville Cos- cades, which consist of four separate falls, leaping into one basin, from the elevated table land above. The first two descend a per- pendicular distance of forty-five feet, and the last two a distance of twenty to thirty feet, by a gradual descent, over shelving lime- stone rock. These streams, uniting at this point, form the North Sandy Creek. Standing at the foot of the fall, the semicircular basin, fringed with foliage of varied hues, and resounding with the music of the waterfalls, the scene in summer is one of sur- passing loveliness, and when swollen by spring floods, one of singular grandeur. The spot is much resorted to, and is said by tourists to excel, in quiet, yet majestic beauty, any scenery in the state. It is narrated that a Mr. Lampson fell from the top of the highest fall to the bottom, and escaped uni.ijured. Rutland. 911 On the farm of Dr. C. P. Kimball, near Burrville, is a remark- ably copious spring, the same that is mentioned by the Rev. John Taylor, in an early missionary tour through the country.* The Rutland Farmers* Library was incorporated Nov. 11, 1806, the first trustees being, Ethel Bronson, Hugh Henderson, Abel '^^..icrman, Daniel Eames. and Curtis Mallory. - Religious Societies.-^'tAeeiings for religious worship were first held at the house of Raphael Porter. The first Congrega- tional church w^s organized Jan. 12, 1808, by the Rev. — La- throp, a missionary, from Vermont, consisting of ten members, viiti., David Tyler, Amos Mallory, Thomas Converse and wife, Timothy Tamblin and wife, Samuel Porter and wife, and Wil- liam Parkinson and wife, Amos Mallory and David Tyler, were afterwards chosen deacons. The whole number received as communicants up to Nov. 6, 1853, has been 320; present num- ber 100. The First Religious Society of Rutland was formed Feb. 8, 1808, and Ethel Brunson, Timothy Tamblin, John Read, Thomas Converse, and Ebenezer Hay ward, were elected trustees. It may be mentioned as indicative of the strict Puritanism of the early fathers of the church, that Amos Mallory was objecte(* to for the office of deacon, on account of not having a wife, a de ficiency which is contrary to the letter of the law. We are not in- formed whether they required him to qualify for the office by com- plying with the scriptural advice on this subject. The first pruden- tial committee was formed Oct. 26, 1815, consisting of David Tyler, Amos Mallory, Ethel Bronson, Jonas Bronson, Levi Hall, and Rev. Daniel Banks, the latter of whom became the first pas- tor, and was brdained over this church and that of Watertown, October 26, 1815. Previous to him the clergy had been, the Rev.*Messrs. — Lathrop, 1808, Enos Bliss, 1810, — ^Leaven- worth, 1813. On the 20th Jan., 1824, the Rev. Adams W. Piatt was ordained, and remained till July, 1829, when he dis» solved his connection with the church. On the 24th of Feb- ruary, 1824, the church numbered 87 members, the total up to that time having been 116, of whom 23 had united by letter, and 77 by prof jssion. Of the latter, 30 joined in 1817, and 18 in 1822-3. On the 22d December, 1823, it was resolved to unite with the Presbytery, retaining the former plan of government, but placing themselves under their watch and can. This was done Jan. 20, 1824. In 18 {5, July 5, the Rev. David Spear was employed for a stated time; in 1838, Rev. Morton; and in 1839 the Rev. J. H. Rice. On the 25th of November, 1841, the Rev. Hiram Doane was installed over the church. Rev. James Douglas was * Documentaiy History of New* York, vol. iii., p. 1144. 243 Rutland. in September, 1850, employed for one year, at the end^of which time he left to fill a professorship to which he had been promoted in Genesee College, Lima, N. Y. In his absence, the Rev. Hen- ry Budge was employed for one year, and in May, 1863, Prof. James Douglass, having resigned his chair as professor, received a unanimous call from the church and society to become their pastor, and in September, of the same year, ^as ordained and installed over the church. For a series of years, meetings were held in a school house, until the first church was erected in 1819, opposite the residence of Henry Hopkins. The old site was exchanged for a new one, upon which the present edifice was erected, in 1841. It has a bell, a good in- strument for the choir, and an am- ple session room in the basement. There is a flour- ishing sabbath school connected with the church, numbering about 100 scholars, and a library of 600 volumes. The Ladies' Sewing Circle contributes about $60 per year to char- itable purposes, and contributions to other benevolent objects, during the past year, have amounted to $160. We are indebted to Mr. Charles Hopkins, of Yale College, for most of the above statistics. The North Rutland Baptist Church was formed from one that had been disbanded July 22, 1837; reorganized by a council September 27, following, with twenty-eight members. In June, 1836, they were received by the Black River Association, under the charge of Elder Alvah D. Freeman, who remained till Sep- tember 14, 1839. In December, I839, Justus Taylor succeeded, and May 7, 1840, was dismissed. Elder Sardis Little begun June 20, 1840, and continued till January 6, 1842. Elder John Wilder remained -from May 21, 1842, till May 1, 1847, when Elder Sylvester Davis supplied the desk occasionally until April 29, 1848, when Elder D. D. Reed succeeded till March, 1860. In the summer of 1850, Elder Hartshorn was employed, and sii 36 August 1st, 1850, Elder Lorenzo Rice. Total number up Congregational Church, Therega. 243 begun John when April 3850. and )er up to the present time, 138; dismissed by letter, 65; excluded, 8; restored, 1; died, 11; present number 56. A church was erected near the residence ot Dea. Fuller, in the north part of the town, in 1821, at a cost of $1200, aud on the 6th of January, 1842, by the advice of a council, adopted by the church, it was voted unanimously to remove the location to the Great Bend, which was accordingly done, and a new church, derived, so far as prac- ticable, from the old, was erected at the latter place, as stated on page 135 of this work. The Baptist Society of South Rutland was formed November 11, 1833, James Brown, Steven Brainard, and Milo Maltby, trustees. This society, in concert with the Methodists and Uni- versalists, in 1843 erected a union church, the only one in the village of Tylerville. A Baptist church was formed at Lockport, in 1837, and the next year joined the association and reported thirty-nine mem- bers. It never had a meeting house, and has ceased to report. The Methodists erected, several years since, a church in Rut- land Hollow, but we have not been able to procure its statistics^. The Methodist Episcopal Society of Black River was formed April 9, 1845, with Thomas H. Scott, Bildad Woodward, Henry Scott, William P. Treadway, and David Dexter, trustees. ■ r ':^'- /Z. ThEEESA. This town was erected by an act of April 15th, 1841, from Alexandria, with its present limits, the first town meeting being directed to be held at the house of Marcius B. Ashley, in the village of Theresa. An election was held May 11th, to fill vacancies occasioned by the act, those elected at the last meeting in Alexandria, being still the incumbents in the towns in which they resided, till the expiration of their terms. Supervisors. — 1841, Alexander Salisbury; 1842-3, John D. Davison; 1844-5, Archibald Fisher; 1846, Jesse Kelsey; 1847-8, Zalmon Pool, Jr.; 1849-50, Anson Ranney; 1851, P. D. BuUard; 1852-3, A. Ramsey. This town was named after the daughter of J. Le Ray, who married the Marquis de Gouvello, and resides in France. The Falls on Indian River in this town, were early marked as an eligible point for a village, and about 1810, Mr. Le Ray caused several ''jobs" to be cleared in town, one of one hun- dred acres on the James Shurtliff farm, a mile end a quarter south of the falls, another of forty acres, nearer the falls, at the forks of the roads near Mr. J. Fayel's residence, and one or two others in this town, and Alexandria. He also caused a saw mill to be erected at the Falls, at which many thousand feet of lum- ber were made, and sent down to Rossie and Ogdensburgb. 244 Theresa. The vitLT which soon ensued checked these improvements, and leA a large quantity of lumber on the premises, much of which rotted on the ground. The clearings having been seeded with grass, were occupied in the summer of 1813, as pasturage for a herd of sixty cattle, twenty horses, and about four hundred and fifty sheep, of which Capt. John Hoover, and ^ hired man (John A. Evans) were employed as keepers. The hazard attending the trust may be inferred from the fact that the clearing was surrounded by a dense forest, which extended to the St. Law- rence, and to a great distance to the east, west, and south, the nearest neighbor being at Evans' Mills, 9 miles, and Friends Settlement, 7 miles distant, to the former of which, a blind path led through the woods. Should the enemy make an incursion in force, the only chance of safety was in a strongly built log house, which had been erected for the storage of wheat, and which they had fitted for hasty barricades, should these be necessary; nor was this frontier station without incident. On the occasion of the affair of Goose Creek, in July, 18 13, which we have more fully detailed in its place, Capt. Hoover rallied his com- pany in Le Ray, and took part in the action, which for the number engaged, conferred as much honor upon the American name as any that occurred in the war. The prisoners vcere marched past the little camp on their way to Sackets Harbor, and Capt. H. resumed his lonely vigil with no society but his wife, and hired man, a few trusty guns, and a plenty of ammu- nition. A few days after, near sunset, being out a short distance in the border of the woods that separated the two clearings, in which were the stock he was watching, he noticed five of the enemy cautiously approaching, who, without noticing him, crept into a barn on the premises, to spend the night Not doubting but that they had come to spy out the weakness of the place, he returned, and securely fastened himself in his bouse, and at dawn crept out with his gun to watch their movements, and perhaps attempt some achievement if circumstances favored. Having taken a station a few rods from the clearing near the present corners of the roads, at the house of Mr. Fayel, he soon perceived the five soldiers approaching, and challehged them after the manner of a sentinel, demanding who they were, to which they replied '* friends." He then ordered them to ad- vance, and lay down their arms, upon which two approached, and the others fled. These two he assured " should not be mo- lested by his regiment," if they continued orderly and quiet, and having disarmed them, and mounted them upon horses, him- self fully armed, riding behind on a spirited horse, he ccnducted them to the camp at Sackets Harbor. In 1814, a bridge was built at the High Falls (Theresa), and Therdia. 345 to about 1818, a reservation of 1000 acres, vras surveyed for Mr. Le Ray; by Musgrove Evans. In 1819, a grist mill was erected for Le Ray, and in 1819, a tavern, ' which the next year was burned. The town began to open for. settlement at about this time, and the first inhabitants were not exposed to the incon- veniences of distant mills, as these were among the earliest im* provements. In an original map of the village, are the names of the following as first purchasers of lots. Azariah Walton (5 acres on the east bank at the falls), Ebenezer Lull, Samuel Hall, Mrs. Keeler, E. F. Cook, M. Huntington, H. Money, G. Locke and P. Lehman. Mr. Lull opened the first store here in 1820. Among the first settlers in town were James Shurtliff,* Anson Cheeseraan, Marcius 6. Ashley, Col. Bull, and others. Dr. James Brooks settled as the first physician in 1822, and died the next year. The village of Theresa, on the west bank of Indian River, at the High Falls, possesses an immense water power, which has been but partially improved. There were in September, 1853, 2 grist mills with nine run of stones, 3 saw mills, 2 furnaces and shops, 1 machine shop, 1 plaster mill, 1 shingle mill, 1 wagon shop, 1 clothing works, 2 cabinet shops, 4 dry good stores, 4 groceries and drug stores, 2 inns, 1 marble shop, 1 tin shop, 1 tannery, 6 shoe shops, 4 blacksmith shops, 2 tailors, 2 saddlers, 1 goldsmith, and about 600 inhabitants. There were 5 phy- sicians, 2 lawyers, and churches of the Presbyterian, Episcopal, and Metliodist orders. The census of 1850, gave 101 houses, 104 families, and 516 inhabitants. The lower fall is said to be 62^ feet, and the total fall within a quarter of a mile about 85 feet. The still water at the foot of the falls is, according to Brojdbead's report, 66 feet above the St. Lawrence at Ogdens- burgh. From this place to Rossie, it is still water, and flows a considerable extent of swamp, which in certain seasons have occasioned sickness along the borders. There being no further obstruction to the draining of these drowned lands, than a reef of rocks adjacent to the old lead furnace at Rossie, the legislature was petitioned for the powers necessary for their removal An act was accordingly passed on tae 10th of April, 1850, appoint- ing A. Fisher a.d Abram Morrow of Thercaa, and George W* Clark of Alexandria, commissioners to remove the obstructions in Indian River that were alledged to cause sickness by flowing lands in the towns of Theresa and Rossie. The damages caused by the removal of these obstructions, with the cost of removal were to be assessed upon the lands to be benefited. The work not being effected under this act, another was passed. By an act of April 12th, 1852, Archibald Fisher, of Theresa, * Mr. S. died at Plessis, August let, 1S46, sged ?8. 346 Therega. I I and Lawrence W. DeZeng of Redwood, in this county, and Abel P. Morse of Hammond were appointed commissioners to drain certain wet lands on Indian River in Rossie and Theresa, by removing a certain ledge of rocks at the smelting works to the depth ot five feet, with other obstructions within three quar- ters of a mile below, including the dam at the Dayton Falls. Damages were to be assessed and paid by an assessment upon the lands to be benefited. Nothing has hitherto been accomplish- ed under the act, difficulties having occurred, it is said, in failing to agree with Mr. Parish upon the terms to be paid for the losses that will result to him in the water power in Rossie. A furnace was built near Mill Seat Lake, about one and a half miles from Redwood, in 1847, by Joseph C. Budd, Wm. Bones, and Samuel T. Hooker; the latter becoming an associate, while building. It was started in the fall of 1848, and run nine weeks, making «.wo tons a day; a second blast was run in the spring of 1849, of fourteen weeks, making three and a half tons a day, and a third blast in the spring of 1850, of fourteen weeks, making six tons a day. Since this time the furnace has laid idle. At the first two blasts the furnace was principally supplied by ore from the vicinity, with a little from the mines near the line of Philadelphia and Theresa. The third blast was with ores from the Kearney, Thompson, Sterling, and Shurtliff ore beds. The furnace is 3U feet square, 35 feet high, 8 feet 8 inches inside diameter, and cost with fixtures about $8000. It was supplied by the hot blast, and two tewels. No castings were made on the premises. The town is underlaid by primary rock and Potsdam sandstone, the former exhibiting a succession of hills and deep valleys, while the latter presents a more uniform surface. Accumulation^ of drift cover these rocks in many places, but the soil is generally fertile. The most remarkable feature in town is the number and romantic beauty of its lakes. In this and adjoining towns there are, within a radius of ten miles, nearly twenty lakes, of which Muskelunge, Red, Moose, Hyde, Mill Seat, Thompson, Sixbot-y, Grass, Mud, and Butterfield lakes are wholly or in part in this town. Most of them are surrounded on ou: or more s'des by bold rocky shores, with deep bays, prolonged iii woody swamps, and with rocky islands, densely covered with woou. These ro- mantic sheets of water, form delightful places of resort to the pleasure-seeking and sporting, where both fish and wild fowl afford attractive objects of pursuit, while the shores, overhanging cliffs, and tangled ravines, offer a perfect paradise to the geologist, and the mineral collector. The islands and shores of Muskelunge and Butterfield Lakes, in particular, are celebrated fjor the variety and number of their mineral productions. Most of these lakes are Watertown. 247 bovy, this es by amps, ro- the fowl apparently fed by springs, and one of them, (Thompson's Laice) has neither visible inlet nor outlet, yet abounds in fish. It is probable that the wild primitive portion of the county, may hereafter become one of interest for mining purposes, as the geological features of the section do not differ i'rom those of the adjoining town of Rossie, which has attained much celebrity for its lead mines. The indications of copper, and the well esta- blished fact of the presence of iron ore, favor this inference. Religious Societies. — ^The Presbyterian Church of Theresa, was formed May 8, 1825, at the house of Abraham Morrow, of four males and eight females. The clergy have been Wm. B. Stowe, Roswell Pettibone, Lewis M. Shepard, Wm. Chittenden, Leemand Wilcox, Revilo Cone, Harvey Smith, W. Chittenden, and Chas. W. Treadwell. A society was formed Dec. 22, 1836, with James Shurtliff, Anson Ranney, and Nathan M. Howe, trustees; and these, with tlie Methodists, built in 1836-8, a church, which was completed at a cost of $1,800, and dedicated by the Rev. R. Pettibone and — Peck, of the two denominations, in Sept. 1838. In 1849, the Methodists having sold their interest in the Union church, formed a society, and built a chapel, at a cost of about $2^200, which was completed and dedicated Sept. 14, 1850. A class had been formed in 1827. St. James* Church, of Theresa (Episcopal), was organized July 16, 1848, the place having been previously occupied by Rev. W. A. Fisk, as a mission, about a year. In 1850 there was re- ported a growing regard for the service, and an increase of ntimbers, and in the same summer was begun the erection of a Gothic church, after the plans of R. Upjohn, of N. Y., which was finished at a cost of $2,600, and consecrated Aug. 7, 1851. The incorporation of the church was obtained July 16, 1848, in which Horace Parker, and Daniel Parker, were named first wardens; and Willet R. Jarvis, P. B. Salisbury, Franklin Parker, Thomas Robinson, A. M. Ferris, E. W. Lewis, S. L. George, and Joseph Fayel, vestrymen. The number of communicants was fifteen in 1850; nineteen in 1851; twenty-five in 1852. In erecting tht.r edifice, this society received $250, from Trinity Church, N. Y., $125, from Hon. Wm. C. Pierrepont, and several sums of $25 each, from others in the county. Mr. Fish was succeeded by Rev. B. W. Whitcher, the present missionary. WXtertown. This town was organized from Mexico, by the same act that created Champion, and other towns. March 14, 1800, the first town meeting being directed at the house of Asher Miller, who resided near what is now the centre of the town of Rutland. In the general statute describing the several towns of the state, passed April 7, 1801, we find the following: 248 Watertoum. Leyden. " And all that part of the said county of Oneida, bounded easterly by Remsen, southerly by Steuben, and westerly by Camden, Turin, Lowville, Champion, Watertown, and the west bounds of the state; and northerly by the county of Clinton, shall be and continue a town by the name of Leyden." [This would era- brace the present town of Leyden, with the whole of Lewis Coun- ty, east of Black River, and all of JelTerson County, north of the same.] Watertovm. " And all that part of the said county of Oneida, known and distinguished by townships, Nos. 1, 2, and 3, in a tract of Jand belonging to Henry Champion, and others, which said townships are bounded northerly by the Black River, westerly by Hungry Bay, so called, and southerly by townships Nos. 6, 7, 8, and 9, and easterly by township No. 4, all in the same tract, shall be and continue a town by the name of Watertown." The name of the town was, doubtless, suggested by the extra- ordinary amount and convenience of its water power, for which it will compare favorably with any place in the state. To this cause may be mainly attnbuted its early and rapid growth, and the superiority in wealth and business which it enjoys, far be- yond any other place in the county. By the erection of Rutland and Houndsfield, the original limits of the town have been reduced^ to their present. A fire, which consumed the early records of the town, has prevented us from obtaining many interesting facts, which the town book is said to have contained. The following list of supervisors is taken in part from the records of the board, which begin with the organ- ization of the county in 1805. Supervisors.— 1H05-8, Corlis Hinds; 1809-10, Tilley Richard- son; 1811, Wm. Smith; 1812-9, Egbert Ten Eyck; 1820-6, Titus Ives; 1827, Jabez Foster; 1828, Titus Ives; 1829, Daniel Lee; 1830-4, Henry H. Coffeen; 1835-7, Orville Hungerford; 1838- 40, Joel Woodworth; 1841-2, 0. Hungerford, 1843-5; John Winslow; 1846-7, Orville V. Brainard; 1848, Geo. C. Sherman; 1849,Adviel Ely; 1850 Kilborn Hannahs; 1851, O. Hunger- ford; 1852, Robert Lansing; 1853, David D. Otis. This town was surveyed by Benjamin Wright, in 1796, into fifty-two lots, of from 450 to 625 acres, having a total area of 26,485 acres. A subsequent survey by Robert McDowell gave 26,667 acres. In 1801 it was subdivided by Joseph Crary, under the direction of Silas Stow. A mortgage upon this town, in common with Low and Company's Purchase, was canceled by William and Ann Constable, and the President and Directors of the Bank of New-York, March 18, 1802. Upon the division of these towns, this, with Adams and Lowville, fell td the share of '^yjlc-c\-rijirT^' ■''■"• • fVatertoum. 249 ee; 38- oho [nan; of Nicholas Low, under whom it has been settled. The first acent employed was Silas Stow, who was followed in 1804 by M. S. Miller, and in March, 1806, the latter was succeeded by Isaac W. Bostwick, Esq., all of Lowville. The lands in this town have long since been sold out, and nearly or quite settled up and con- veyed, as freeholds. It will be interesting to notice the remarks of Wm. Wright on the survey of this town into lots, which are given with more detail than in his general report, from having surveyed the boundaries of the towns only, and which we have given on page 65. " Township No. 2, on Black River, is situated about three miles from the mouth df the river. This river is navigable for bateaux about one-and-three-quarters miles, but yet with considerable difficulty, it may be ascended two-and-a-half miles. The soil of this ton'nship is excellent in general, and, indeed, there is very little but what might be truly called first quality. Timber — ma- ple, beach, bass, elm, ash, butternut, and some pine, of excellent quality. There are excellent mill seats along Black River, where they are noted on the map, and many more, which it is impossible to note with certainty, as the river the whole distance on the town is very rapid, except at the north-east corner, for about three-quar- ters of a mile. The river is very rocky along the whole distance, and appears to be a bed of limestone rocks. Along the banks of Black River, opposite No. 2 township, is cedar and hemlock, and, in some places, white pine, for about twenty or thirty rods, and from thence it rises to very handsome land, and tim- bered with maple, bass, beech, &c. At the north-west corner is some flat rock, which lies about eight inches under the surface, and which is full of large cracks, open about ten or twelve inches." Of the lots upon which the village of Wu.ertown has been built, he remarked: 7. "This is a very good lot, and has excellent mill seats on the river, without expensive dams, and with the greatest safety to the mills. 8. This is a very good lot, and is well timbered; has fine mill seats, and land of the first quality; some few stone and some pine timber. 9. (Above village.) This is an excellent lot, some beautiful land along the east line, and some pine timber on the south; some maple, beech, bass, elm, and iron wood. 10. (Corner lot.) This is an excellent lot; has a fine flat along the beach, which is very fine soil." Settlements commenced in Watertown, in March, 1800, at n - 260 Watertown. which time Henry Coflfeen,* and l^achariah ButterBeld, having the fall previous visited the town and purchased farms, removed with their families from Schuyler, Oneida County, and began improvements on the site of Watertown Village. Coifeen was the first to arrive, having penetrated from Lowville through the woods, with his family and household goods drawn on an ox sled. He had Tturchased parts jf lots 2, 3, 13, 21, and 166 acres on the wesv 'v part of lot No. 7, now covered by Watertown Village. He ejected his hut on the ground just west of the hnn Blocks and Butteriield settled on, the spot now covered by the Merchants* Exchange, newly erected on the corner of Washington Street and the Public Square. Oliver Bartholomew! arrived in town, in March, 1800, and settled one and a half miles from the present village of Brownville. Simeon and Benjamin Woodruff, and others visited the town, with the view of settlement, and in the ensuing winter but three families wintered in town, viz: Coffeen, Bartholomew, and Butterfield. The land books of Mr. Low show the following list of purchasers, of which there may be some who were not actual settlers. 1799, May 16, John Whitney, 460 acres on lot 8, at $2-50 per acre; this probably reverted. In Oct., E. Allen, Silas Alden, S. and B. Woorlruff, Jas. Rogers, 0. Bartholomew, Thos. Delano, Elisha Gustin, Z. Butterfield. In 1800, Heman Pellit, Thos. and John Sawyer, John Blevan, Abram Fisk, Wm. Lampson, Joseph Tuttle, N. Jewett, J. Wait, Abram Jewett, Hart Massey, Joseph Wadley, Jonathan Bentley, J, Sikes, S. Norris, Chas. Galloway, Jonathan Talcott, Josiah Bentley, Frend Dayton, John Patrick, David Bent, Luther Demming, Ephraim Edwards, Tilson Bar- rows, Thomas Butterfield, J. and L. Stebbins, Asaph Mather, Benj. Allen, E. Lazelle, Henry Jewett, Lewis Drury, S. Fay, — Stanley, James Glass, Ira Brown, W. P. and N. Crandall, Calvin Brown, Aaron Bacon, Bennet Rice, Thos. H. Biddlecom. During the following season, many of these persons, v Uo were mostly from Oneida County, settled, and in 1802, J anathan Cowen| began the erection of a grist mill, at the bridge that crosses to Beebe's Island. The extraordinary water power which this place presented, afforded ground for the expectation, that it would become the centre of a great amount of business. The first deeds were given August 20, 1802, to Elijah Allen, Jotham Ives * A native of Vermont, but for several years a resident of Schuyler, Oneida County. t Deacon Bartholomew was bom in Connecticut, October 20, 1757; served through the Revolution; settled in Oneida County in 1794, and died in Water- town, June 18, 1850. In 1803 he assisted in forming one of the first Baptist Churches in the County. t Cowen was a mill wright, and an uncle of Judge Eseck Cowen, of Saratoga County. He died near Evans* Mills, November 27, 1840, at the age of 80. fVateriotm. 251 were ithan that Iwhich Ihat it first Ives Ihuyler, David Bent, Ezra Parker, William Parker, Joseph Tuttle, and Joseph Moors. During the first summer of the settlement, it being entirely impossible to procure grinding at any mills, nearer than Canada, a stump standmg on the Public Square, a few rods east of the All erican Hotel, had been formed into a mortar, and with a spring pole and pestle attached, served the purpose of a grain mill to the settlement. This primitive implement, suggestive of rustic life, and the privations of a now colony, relieved the pioneers, in some degree, from the necessity of long journeys to uiill, through a pathless forest. The hardships of this early pe> riod had a tendency to create a unity of feeling and sympathy from the strong s^nse of mutual dependence which it engendered, and which is recalled by the few survivors of the period, with emotions of gratitude, for the manifest mercies of Providence. These hardy a enturerr ivere mostly poor. They possessed few of the comforts of life, ^ ot they had few wants. The needful ar- ticles of the househol ( \rere mostly made by their own hands, and artificial grades ol society vt '^re unknown. The first death of the settlenr.ti "sthus describtiJ by *J. P. Fitch, in the preface of the first vi 'agf, directory, publislied in 1840: " Late at the close of a still sultry day, in summer, Mrs. I. Thornton, the wife of one of the young setUers, gave the alarm that her husband had not returned from the forest, whither he had gone in the afternoon, to procure a piece of timber. Imme- diately every man in the settlement answered to the call, and hastened to the place designated for meeting, to concer^a plan for search. Here all armed themselves with torches of lighted pine knots, or birch bark, and calling every gun in the place into use for firing alarms, and signals, started out in small companies into the forest, in all directions. After a search of several hours, the preconcerted signal gun announced that the " lost was Tm'^^." All hurried to the spot, and upon the ground where r" stands the Black River Institute, crushed beneath a tree which he had felled, lay the lifeless body of their companion. He was laid upon a bier hastily prepared for the occasion, and con- veyed through the gloom of midnight, by the light of their torch- es, back to his house. What must have been the emotion of the bereaved young widow, when the mangled corpse of her husband, so suddenly fallen a victim to death, was brought in and laid before her! She did not, however, mourn alone. As the remains were borne to their last resting place — the first grave that was opened in Trinity Churchyard — it needed no sable emblems of mourning to tell of the grief that hung dark around every heart. Each one of the little company, as he returned from performing the last duties to his departed companion,/e/^ as if from his own II 253 Watertoum. < It I'l family one had been taken. A similar incident occurred a short time after, in the death of a child which was killed by the falling of a tree, on the present site of the court-house; thus designating with blood, as one can imagine, the location of the halls of Jus- tice, and Science, in our village, and consecrating the ground of each by a human sacrifice." In 1802 an inn was opened by Dr. Isaiah Massey, and settlers began to lorato in every part of the town, which, in September of that year, numbered 70 or 80 families. A dam was built by Oowan in 1802, and in 1803, he got in operation a small grist mill. During two or three succeeding years, John Paddock, Chauncey Calhoun, Philo Johnson, Jesse Doolittle, William Smith, Medad Canfield, Aaron Keyes, Wm. Huntington,* John Hathaway, Seth Bailey, Oershon Tuttle, and others, several of whom were mechanics, joined the settlement, and at a very early day, a school house was built on the site of the UniversaUst Church, which served also as a place of religious meetings. In 1805, John Paddock and William Smith opened the first store in the plaee, their goods being brought from Utica in wagons. An idea may be had of the hardships of that period, compared with modern facilities, from the fact that in March, 1807, seventeen sleighs, laden with goods for Smith and Paddock, were 23 days in gettirg from Oneida County to Watertown, by way of Redfield. The snows were in some places seven feet deep, and the valleys almost impassable, from wild torrents resulting from the melting of snows. The winter had been remarkable for its severity, and the deslructive spring floods. Many incidents connected with the early settlement of this town, have been published in the Jiff'ersonian, over the sig- nature of A Link in the Chain, which were written by Mr. Solon Massey, whose father. Hart Massey, we have frequent occasion to mention as a pioneer and prominent citizen of the county. We regret our inability to publish more extended ex- tracts from these interesting articles, but take the liberty of using the following, which will give some idea of the perils that surround the first settlers of a new country. Lost in the Woods. — ^To any person who realises what a dense howling wilderness this country was, at the time of its first occupation by our fathers, it will not be surprising that there were instances, rather frequent, of persons being lost in tht woods. The natural divisions of hill and dale, or upland and lowland, in this comparative level country, afforded but few landmarks to the unlucky wight who happened to get at fault in his reckon- '* Died at Watertown, May 11, 1842, aged 85. He was a native of Tolland, Ct. In 1784 he removed to N. H., and in 1804, to Watertown. Watertoum. 253 ings, and even those who were best acquainted with the natural scenery of the trackless forest, immediately surrounding our settlement, were sometimes compelled to experience the startling reality of being lost in the woods; which was indicated by find- ing themselves following a circle — coming round and round and round again, to the same starting point, in spite of all their ef- forts to follow out a continuous straight course. This liability to be lost was so well understood, that whenever any member of the family was longer away in the forest than was expected, the alarm was given, and a rally made of all the men and boys in the different settlements in the vicinity, and a general and systematic search instituted with preconcerted sig- nals. And yet the liability to get lost did not deter or prevent fre- quent intercourse with the woods. The forest was the " long pasture " where the cows lived in summer, and where they had to be hunted over long ranges of upland, or of swale and beaver meadow, as their fancy or necessity led them to forage for them- selves. It was the botanic garden where a long list of medicinal plants were found, which were relied upon as preventives of the diseases that were incident to our new country, or as a sov- ereign balm for every wound with which we might be afflicted for the time being. It ::vr,s the place for berrying for a great variety of fruits and benies in their season — the great range from which we hunted out our natural crooked scythe snaths, our crotched trees for ha/rows and cart tongues, our axe helves, ox yoke and ox bow timber, broom sticks, &c., &c.; and, finally, it was the great hunting ground for a variety of wild game, with which to supply our tables with meat, in the absence of domes- tic animals, for food. Woods was the rule, clearings the ex- ceptions. One incident among a great many others, connected with be- ing lost in the woods, may be transcribed from the earliest tradi- tional history of our town, and which is something as follows: Capt. James Parker owned and occupied a large body of land (now a farm) on the Brownville road, at present occupied in part by his son James. He had a large family of sturdy boys, the oldest of whom, at the time our tradition dates, was fourteen to sixteen years of age. The old gentleman, like many others of our enterprising settlers, was clearing up a large farm, and, for the purpose of making the most out of his ashes, had small pot- ash works, where he worked them into potash or black salts. In the process of manufacture, it seems he wanted some hem- lock gum, and at the same time wanted some groceries from the little place ycleped a store here in the village. So handing the hero of our story a silver dollar, be bid him take his axe ^A a 254 Watertown. bag, and on his way to or from the store to procure some gum. With this errand and equipment he started, alter dinner, on his "way to this place; he proceeded as far as the foot of the Folts Hill (H. H. Coffeen's late residence), where, stretching away to the south was an abundance of hemlock timber,' and intent on performing the hardest and most dijfficult part of his task first, and not wishing to risk losing the dollar, he struck his axe into a large tree and loosening a chip he carefully deposited the coin in the cavity between the loosened chip and the body of the tree for safe keeping, intending to come back to that starting point with his axe and bag, and leave them* there in their turn, while he run up to the store and back. Well, after a while he found himself sufficiently provided with gum, and started off at a kind of Indian lope for the place where he had left the dollar, passing in his way a spring of water, up- on the surface of which was a thick yellow scum, resembling iron rust. On, on, on he traveled, sweating under his load, and with the lurking suspicion that something was wrong, he didn't know what. After a good while, however, and when he knew he must have traveled more than any distance that could possi- bly have been between the last gum tree and the one containing his dollar, he made a full halt for the purpose of a reckoning. One thing was very certain — that he had traveled faster coming back than when going, and had been longer about it. That had a bad look ! then he thought it curious there should have been three of those iron ore springs, looking so nearly alike ! And finally, the more he soliloquized the more he satisfied himself that he was lost. What added not a little to his perplexity was, that twilight was already spreading her mantle upon the forest. It would therefore be necessary for him to select where he would spend the night, so far as there was any choice of a sheltered place in the woods. He was not long in finding a large standing tree that afforded just the nook he wanted, between two roots that stood well out on either side, nrnl having ensconced himself in a sitting posture, with his baci, ^^ainst the tree, and the axe be- tween his knees, he prepared to face any danger that might offer, and to sleep away the long hours of night. He would have telegraphed the folks at home that he was safe, if he could. He hoped they would not be much alarmed. But they were though, and after sunset the old gentleman got uneasy and started out the way that he should come, just to meet him — if he was safe — but with a kind of presentiment, to succor him if in trouble. He kept on, occasionally stopping to listen, and sweating with apprehension, and imagining a whole catalogue of mishaps that might have befallen him — whether he had lost his way — or had Watertown. 255 maimed himself with the axe— or a tree had fallen upon him — or, what was certainly possible, some \venous wild beast had devoured him — all was a matter of painful doubt, fear, and un- certainty. It was not, however, until after he had reached the village, and found by enquiry that his boy had not been there, that his fearful forebodings of some horrid evil were confirmed. Giving the alarm here, and begging of the good people to ral- ly quick and meet such persons as he should succeed in obtain- ing from Brownville, he hastened home in such a state of mind as can be better imagined than described. Until his arrival home^ the family had not partaken very much of his own alarm, but now, what a sad and sorrowful company are they, as hurriedly they make the necessary preparation, with pine knots and birch bark for torches, horns and guns for sig- nals, and refreshments for the missing boy if he should be found, and for the kind neighbors who were in all probability to be in the woods all night. In due time, a large company of men and boys were assembled, and having organized into bands, with preconcerted signals, they struck on into the forest, while the mother and sisters of the missing boy sat in the open door of their lonely tenement to await the slow and tedious result, and so as to be in a situa- tion to catch the first sound of any signal guns announcing the fate of him they loved. Thus passed the first half of the night. The hunt proceeded with great fidelity, so that every rod of the ground was inspect- ed, the horns sounding at regular intervals of time, so as to pre- serve the line of march, or to catch ♦he rir of the boy if perad- venture he was alive. The party had proceeded on carefully, until within a few rods of where the hero of the play kept his night vigil, b^fof his dreams were disturbed and he sufB/'iently awake to knov^ hat it was for his benefit that the horns were sounded j but a fairly awake, he was not long in vacating his quiet retreat, and arresting the further progress of the search, by presenting him- self in propria personce^ with his axe on his shoulder and gum bag under his arm, before the satisfied cavalcade. Bang ! hang ! bang ! rung out in quick succession upon the night air, reverberating to each extremity of the long line of weary hunters, the preconcerted signal, which notified the quick ear of the listening mother and sisters that Ellick was safe. There was more joy manifested that night over the boy that was found than overfall them that went not astray. A Link in the Chain. '«;|ft n !'/ 'i '*■• ;'*» 356 Watertouin. A Man shot ^ his Friend. — ^In the fa", cf 1801, there was a man, whose name was Dayton, who obtained a contract for a piece of land, lying south of the road to Brownville, za you climb the Folts Hill. He built a small Jog house in the woods, near the present road, and was keeping bachelor's hall, through the months of September and October of that year, with no other companion than a young man who was brother to his wife. He was intending to remove his family here in the spring, but, as it turned out, he lacked the fortitude and courage which were requisite for pioneer life. While thus living, an event occurred, which, for the time be- ing, quickened the pulses of the entire community, and which seemed more like tragedy than any previous occurrence in our brief history. There was a project for a squirrel hunt, among the scattered inhabitants of the several neighborhoods, and Dayton and his brother-in-law were expecting to participate in the general war against the squirrels and other vermin, who were likely to get more than a fair proportion of the first corn crop ever cultivated in these wilds — though they themselves had no cornfields. And here we remark by the way, how unselfish men become, as soon as they get beyond the eld settlements. Mutual dependence soon exerts a softening influence upon the human heart, and the sym- pathies flow out without stint as often as the sufferings present themselves for aid or sympathy. This, probably, is the clue to that proverbial happiness, which in all ^qes and in^ all countries, dates back to the pioneer settlements in a new country. With the purpose of having his gun in readiness for the ap- proaching hunt, JMr. Dayton took it down one evening, from its plac^ over-head, and sitting down before the blazing fire, laid it across his knees, preparatory to taking off the lock and oiling its pinions, so as to insure a smart motion of the hammer spring. He was not aware that it contained a full charge of powder and shot, or that it was loaded at all ; but carelessly held the muzzle towards his friend, who was sitting in the oilier corner : f the fire-place, keeping up a cheerful light, by timely contributions of light, dry combustibles, to the open fire. It is probable that he pulled the trigger without thought or uotlve; but what was his horror and amazement, when his piece discharged, with a report that was almost deafening, filling the room with smoke, and when he heard his companion fall to the flocr^ exclaiming **/ am shot ! I am shot /" They had no light but the open fire, and the smoke was so thick and suffocating that no examination could be made. It was all uncertain, what the extent of the injury might be; but knowing that Doctor Isaiah Massey bad recently arrived from Watertown. 257 Vennont to share our fortunes with us, and that he was hoarding at our village tavern, it was agreed that Dayton should find his way through the dark pine woods which intervened, and bring the doctor. My father had some corn collected from his field, and with the male :!uembers of his family — ^kind men and boarders — doctor included, was in the house Hog barn), husking; and my mother was keeping her night vigils alone in the house, when her ear detected the quick, hurried step of Mr. Dayton, as he rushed into the door, exclaiming, " / have killed my brother, and war»i the doctor r* As soon as he was sufficiently composed to state his case understandingly, he was directed to the husking party> for the doctor, while my mother, as if by instinct, set herself about preparing some clean linen rags, for bandages and lint, and some tallow candles for lights, with which our young Esculapius was soon on his way, on horseback and alone, to answer to the first case of surgery and gun shot wounds which had presented itself in his pioneer practice. '' He was evidently a good deal flurried, as he struck into the woods in advance of his guide, to endeavor to thread his dubi- ous way; and he was frequently heard to say, afterwards, that it was the greatest trial his nerves had ever endured. For aught he knew (and in the circumstances of the case, as narrated by the affrighted Dayton, a thing quite probable), his patient was already dead, and stiffened in his gore, an object frightful enough, to be visite'" "^one, by broad day light; how much more, in the dim light of any embers which might be left in that lonely house in the woods. His near approach to the house, which he after a while suc- ceeded in finding, did not alleviate his feelings much; for now, the case must he met, whatever may be its developments. The idea of stumbling over a dead man, in his efforts to strike a light, o- ; f groping about the room in search of a mutilated hu- man bciiig, was all his nerves would bear, and he trembled in his stirrups. H6 however grew ashamed of his fear, and, after listening a moment at the door, tapped gently for admittance : there was no answer. He lifteu the latch and pressed his weif ht against tHe door, but it was fasiened on the inside. He knoc! . :gain. ' vVho is there ?" sait^ '»- young man. "The doctor.*- '*Wait a minute and I will oj. •; the door,** said he, as he crawled off his couch and proceeded to take away the barrier'!? with which he had fastened the door. Hf ^ologized for th.; Ui ly, by say- ing that he had heard that wcivcii were attract •: • j the smell of blood, and that finding himself bleeding pretty profusely, he had thought it prudent to fasten himself in. 958 fVatertoum' It proved to he a case of no imminent danger, after all. The charge of shut irom the gun had penetrated the fleshy part of thf: thsgb of the yovxig man, and after a proper dressing, for ■which tLf :brethought of my mother had amply .provided them, the youtig doctor mo :)u ; ' his horse and returned to the village, Avh ;.f; he seen w. 'jee(i« i! ii allrying the fears of the community, by his professional opiiwon that he would recover, with proper care. A Link in the Chain. A Wolf Story of Early Times. — In the brief history that I wrote out for yo r ptper two or three weeks ago, from the e (riy traditions of our town, describing a scene, which was almost a tragf :'", between a Mr. Dayton and his brother-in-law, at the foot of i!j Fohs Hill, on the Brownville road, I stated, that the unmnded man had taken the precaution to fasten his door on the inside, so as to prevent the ingress of wolves who might be attracted hy the smell of blood, while Mr, Dayton was after the doctor. I know it is somewhat difficult for the present generation to comprehend the situation of peril in which scattering families were placed at that early day, or that there was any real and positive danger of molestation by the wolves; and, therefore, I shsiill transcribe another incident, in the traditions of early men and early times, which will tend to correct any doubts upon that sutnect. The late Hon. Jotham Ives was among the early emigrants into this town. He arrived here in 1801, and located his home, where he lived to amass a large landed property, and where he died, recently, near the place called Field Settlement. In the fall of 1802, he had a number of hogs fattened, and at killing time he employed a Mr. Knowlton, an old. white-haired man of sixty years or more, who was somewhat skilled in butch- ering, to assist him. Knowlton liveu ^bo<-t three-fourths of a mile from Mr. Ives, in the near neighborhood of the present residence of Mr. Jamf s Brintnall, where he had a little clearing, or what was perhaps more appropriately called, in backwooc^ phrase, a chopping, and which was surrounded by a temporary brush fence. Between himself and Mr. Ives there was no road; and nothing but a line of marked trees to designate \'ie little fbo^;ath which meandered through the dct; . uavK;, and \\\ many p1;» :,5 wangled forest, which stretched c:. almost interroirrjbly on 6':- band.. 'i . butchering over, and supper disposed of, it was agreed '< t: there was time to cut up the pork, and Mr. Knowlton con- . iled to stay and assist in doing so. At a late hour, the whole >ork was finally completed, and Mr. Know Hon was generously 7t^.\ fVatertown. 259 for many jbly on compensated for his valued services, in addition to which he was made welcome to a couple of the hogs' plucks, to carry home to his family. But as he was about to leave for home, Mrs. Ives suggested the hazard of passing through the woods, at that late hour, with the smell of blood upon his clothes, and invited him to stay all night; to which Knowlton answered, that he could not think of being away from his family all night, as they would be alarmed for his safety, being unable to account for his absence; that, as for the wolves, though they might prowl around his path, they would not dare to molest him. Now Mr. Ives was a man of great muscular power, and would not fear a regiment of wolves himself, and though he assured Mr. Knowlton that he might stay in welcome, yet he scouted the idea of danger from the sneaking cowardly wolves; he advised him, however, that in case he should be followed by them, to leave the plucks for them to quarrel over, while he should hurry on home. The colloquy being ended, Knowlton finally took his leave with a pluck in each hand, and struck into the woods, to endea- vor to follow out his little foot path. He had not proceeded far, however, before a sharp and startling sound, a fearful howl, rang oat upon the night air, evidently betokening the near neighbor- hood of a prowling wolf on his right, which was answered from another quarter, and then another, in quick succession, until the path, that he had traveled but a moment before, seemed to be alive with hungry seekers after blood. He had yet no fears for his personal safety, and had no thought of cowardice; but yet he confessed that there was something dismal in the thought of being alone and entirely unarmed, at such a time, and in such a place, groping and feeling his dubi- ous way in such close proximity to a padc of ravenous wild beasts; and he soon found himself quickening his pace, while ever and anon he instinctively cast a wistful eye over his shoulder, and into the recesses of the thick woods on either hand. It was not long, however, that any doubt remained about his being the object of their pursuit, as his quick ear detected the galloping movement of a troop of pattering feet on his track, and it was becoming more and more a question of interest with him how the chase would terminate. He hoped, when he reflected that he was nearing his own habitation every moment, and his path was becoming plainer, and he was able to make better progress. But the odds was with them, for they were lighter of foot, and could see a great deal better than he could in the gloom of the forest; but, more than all, they were so many, and were mad with hunger, and 260 fVatertown. were becoming more and more desperate every moment. On, on, on, the ola man strode, resolutely, and with a strength and speed which would have surprised him at any other time, even by daylight, but which seeined slow enough, now in the time of Lis extremity. If he could but keep them at bay a little longer, and until he could clear the dark woods and get the benefit of the compara> tively open light uf his chopping, or lay his hand upon some strong hand spike, or sled stake, or billet of wood, he might still hope to defend himself successfully, or escape frum their hungry jaws. Straining every nerve, he bounded on v« ard with such agility as only desperation and love of life afford ; but the distance between him and his pursuers was not lessened by all his efforts; and before he reached the brush fence that surrounded his peaceful home, he felt that his time had nearly come, when he bethought himself of the parting advice of his friend Ives. He acted upon the suggestion, and immediately hurled one of the plucks into their midst; in the next moment he was on the home side of his brush fence, and they were fighting over the paltry price with which he had purchased his own safety. It may be safely assumed that he did not wait to witness the result of the civil war which he had occasioned, but that as soon as possible he found himself on the inside of his rude domicil, with the door fastened on the inside. Mr. Knowlton lived many years afler the event which I have narrated, and died a natural death; 'and the woods which were the scene of our story have long since been cleared away, and the wolves are only known as figuring in the history of the olden time. A Link in the Chain. In lo03, a bridge was built below the village near the court house, by Henry Qbffeen and Andrew Edmunds, over which the state road afterwards passed, and in 1805 the dam was built below the bridge, at which, the same year, a saw mill was built on the north side, and in 1806 a grist mill by Seth Bailey and Gershom Tuttle. A saw mill was built on the Watertown side by R. & T. Potter, a little below, and a saw and grist mill soon after by H. H. Coffeen, since which time many mills have been erected along the river. It is a singular fact that the village of Watertown, in common with the whole county of Jefferson, while it vies in wealth and enterprise with the most favored portions of the state, owes very little if any thing to imported capital. In m?st instances the wealth now existing has been acquired c < - spot, by those who at an early period were thrown upon •.!. a own immediate ^exertium. i .r support, aD<^ ^rom the ashes of the timber that fVatertoum. 361 covered the land, and the first "rops which the virgin soil yielded in kind profusion, they received that first impulse which, second- ed by industry, prudence, and sagacity, has not failed in bringing its reward. With a strong conviction that the place wouM at a future time become an important village, Jonathan Cowen, Henry Coffeen, Zechariah ButterAeld, Jesse Doolittle, Medad Canfield, Aaron Keyes, Hart Massey and Isaiah Massey, who owned property adjoining the present public square and Wash- ington street in Watertown, held, early in 1805, an informal meeting, and agreed to give forever to the public for a public mall a piece of land twelve rods wide, and twenty-eight long, and another running south at right angles to this, nine rods wide, and about thirty-two long. They then directed to be made by John Simons, a surveyor, a map of the premises, which was done, and deposited in the town clerk's ofhce, but this was after- wards lost. An attempt was subsequently made to resume the title, and sell portions of the public square, but the question having come into the courts, was decided by Judge Nathan Williams in favor of the public, as Mr. Cowen, the claimant, although he had never deeded land on the public square, yet he had acknowledged its existence, by bounding certain convey-, ances upon it.* In the same year, the site of the court housa was determined by the commissioners appointed by the governor for that purpose, ot without the most active influences being used at Brownvillo and it is said to have been located in its present site, at some «. . ;e below the business portion of the village, by way of coL.^u'Dise. BurrvUk, on a branch of Sandy Creek, deri^fes its name from John Burr, and several sons,! who first settled here abor*^ 1802. The place was considered very valuable for its water pr . and here the first mills in Watertown were erected in accordai. « Ith an agreement between Silas Stow, agent for Low, the proprietor, and Hart Massey, dated June 1st, 1801, by which they were to build during that season, a saw mill, and corn mill, to be owned equally between them. The latter was to furnish three acres of land and erect *'^« mills, antl the former to furnish provisions, irons, millstone expenses generally, the expenses to be equalized at the end of building. They were accordingly built that summer, and soon sold to Mr. Burr. They proved highly useful to the surrounding country, whose settlement they greatly promoted. The frame of the grist mill is still used. Field's Settlement, in the west part of the town, adjoining Houndsfield, derives its name from Elijah Fields, from Woodstock, Vermont, who with a family of nine sons and three daughters, hat *.See Paige's Chancenr Reports, iv, p. 510. t Thtodon Barr, a celebnted bridge builder, wu a eon of John Burr. 262 fVatertown. 1% mostly of mature years, and some of them with families, settled here in 1805. Jotham, Titus,* and Joel Ives, three brothers, had located in the vicinity four years previous. Near the centrt of the town. Major Allen, Aaron Brown, Corlis Hinds, Tilley Richardson, Reuben Scott, James and Eli Rogers, Benjamin Green, and others, and near Burrville, the Hungerford families, Caleb and Nathaniel Burnham and many more. An act of 1808, directed 500 stand of arms to be deposited at Champion, the destination of which was by an act of March 27th, 1809, changed to Watertown, and an arsenal erected in that year. The arsenal was built under the direction of Hart Massey, Esq., collector of the district of Sackets Harbor, at an expense of $1,940*99. It has given its name to the street on which it stands, which was previously called Columbia Street, and was maintained by the state as an arsenal, until sold under the act of April 9th, 1850. The brick of which it was built were furnished by Abraham Jewett, at cost of $339'63; the stone were cut by Thaddeus Smith and Joseph Cook, ai a cost of $110*80, and the lime L; David Stafford and Benjamin Goodale, at 22 cents per bushel. In Watertown as in other sections, the manufacture of potash formed the first means of realizing cash, and many paid in whole or in part for their lands by this means. In 1806, $3,500j in 1807, $t)': 0; and in ISU8, 9000 worth of this staple was ex- changed, the market being . hat time v. Montreal. In 1810, the firm of Paddock and tmith purchased 2S00 barrels, averaging $40 per barrel, makinc for that period the enormous aggregate of $112,000. The ciii argo which preceded the war did not prevent but rather increased the trade, by the high prices that it created, but the declaration oC r entirely prostrated that, and every other energy of the couatry, except that the military operations of that period required large supplies of provisions and forage forlhe armies on this frontier. At Water- town, bodies of troops were stationed for short periods, and the sick were often sent thither for that attendance which could not be secured at Sackets Harbor. In 1811, the citizens had adopted measures for securing the benefits of an academy, and erected on the s'le of the First Presbyterian Church, a brick building for that purj/ose, which will be again mentioned in our account uf academies. This building was used as a hospital for a consider- able time. Soon after the war, there occurred in this village an event which excited extraordinary interest throughout the country, and of which many- accounts have been published, more or less ap- * Dr. Titus Ives died February 12th, 1847 of apoplexy, aged 69. Jotham Ives settled in 1800, and is said to have raised the first crop of wheat in town. fVatetioum. 263 proxitnating to the truth, but none to our knowledge giving the full and correct details. Had the subject depended upon us alone, to give it publicity, it might have been properly passed over, as one of those events that should be forgotten, in charity to the memory of the dead, and feelings of surviving relatives, but as it has been so often repeated that we do not imagine it in our power to give it wider notoriety, and knowing that the public would expect a notice of the event, we have labored to procure a correct ver- sion. The narrative may effect a useful purpose, bv exhibiting the extent to which one error leading to another will betray one, at the same time serving as an instructive lesson to warn against any deviation ^'rom the path of honor, or the listening to suggestions that compromise principle. Samuel Whittlesey, originally from Tolland, Ct, had removed, about 1807, to VVatertown, and engaged in business as a lawyer. On the 12th of February, 1811, he received the appointment of district-attorney for the territory comprised in Lewis, Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties, and on the 9th of February, 1813, he was superseded by the appointment of Amos Benedict, who had preceded him. Events connected with this, led to some sympathy for him, and the office of brigade-paymaster, which had been tendered to Mr. Jason Fairbanks, wus by him declined in favor of Whittlesey, and he, with Perley Keyes, became secu- rity for the honest discharge of the duties of the office. At the close of the war, f large amount of money being due to the drafted militia, for services on the frontier, Whittlesey went to New York, accompanied by his wife, to obtain the money, and received at the Mechanics' Bank in that city, $30,000, in one, two, three, five and ten dollar bills, with which he started to re- turn. At Schenectady, as was afterwards learned, his wife* re- {)orted theraselved robbed of $8,700, an occurrence which great- y distressed and alarmed him, but she advised him not to make it public at that moment, as they might otherwise better take steps that might lead to its recovery, and on the way home, she in an arl.Mil and gradual manner persuaded him, that if they * This vicious woman had got her husband embroiled in repeated difficulties in Connecticut, and for these he had been compelled to remove. During the war, Lieut. Col. Tuttle, being taken sick at Sackets Harbor, was sent to Wa- tertown and placed in Whittlesey's family for nursing. He grew worse, and died very soon after, under suspicioua circumstances, and although he was sup- itosed to have large sums of money, none was found, Mrs. Whittlesey, not ong after, had money to let. Numerous anecdotes are related which prove her to have been exceedingly vain, penurious and vicious. With decided abilities, and a good education, she possessed a moral depravity, and evinced the absence of those virtues that adorn the sex, to a degree that has been seldom equalled. Her treatment to a domestic had been so barbarous as to call for the interfer- ence of the humane ; her ostentatious airs disgusted whoever came into her presence, and her licentious tongue embroiled her neighborhood in quarrels. 264 Watertoum. should report the robbery of a part of the money, no one would believe it, as a thief would have taken the whole, if any. In short (to use a homelv proverb), she urged that they might as well "die /or an old sheep as a lamb" and keep the rest, as they would inevitably be accused of taking a part. Her artifice, en- forced by the necessities of the case, tooK effect, and he suffered himself to become the dupe of his wife, who was doubtless the chief contriver of the movements which followed. Accordingly, on his reaching home he gave out word that his money had been procured, and would be paid over as soon as the necessary pa- pers and pay-roll could be prepared. In a few days, having set- tled his arrangements, he started for Trenton, on horseback, with his portmanteaus filled, stopping at various places on his way, to announce that on a given day he would return, to pay to those entitled their dues, and in several instances evinced a careless- ness about the custody of his baggage, that excited remark from inn-keepers and others. On arriving at Billings' tavern, at Trenton, he assembled several persons to whom money was due, and proceeded to pay them, but upon opening his portmanteau, he, to the dismay of himself and others, found that they had been ripped open, and that the money w^as gone! With a pitia- ble lamentation and well-affected sorrow he bewailed this rob- bery, instantly despatched messengers in quest of the thief, offer- ed $2,000 reward for his apprehension, and advertised in staring handbills throughout the country, in hopes of gaining some clue that would enable him to recover his treasure. In this anxiety he was joined by hundreds of others, who had been thus indefi- nitely delayed in the receipt of their needed and rightful dues, but although there was no lack of zeal in these efforts, yet no- thing occurred upon which to settle suspicion, and with a heavy heart, and many a sigh and tear, he returned home, and related to his family and friends, his ruin. As a natural consequence, the event became at once the absorbing theme of the country, for great numbers were effected in their pecuniary concerns by it, and none more than the two endorsers to the securities of \Vhittlesey. These gentlemen, who were shrewd, practical, and very observing men, immediately began to interrogate him, singly and alone, into the circumstances of the journey and the robbery, and Fairbanks in particular, whose trade as a saddler led him to be minutely observant of the qualities and appear- ances of leather, made a careful examination of the incisions in the portmanteau, of which there were two, tracing upon pa- j)er their exact size and shape, and, upon close inspection, no- ticed pin holes in the margin, as if they had been mended up. Upon comparing the accounts which each had separately obtain- ed in a long and searching conversation, these men became con- fVatertoum. I S85 vinced that the money had not been stolen in the manner alleged, but that it was still in the possession of Whittlesey and his wife. To get possession of this money was their next care, anil, after long consultation, it was agreed that the only way to do this, was to gnin the confidence of the family, and defend them man- fully against the insinuations that came from all quarters, that the money was still in town. In this they succeeded admirably, and from the declarations which they made in public and m firivate, which found their way directly back to ihe family, the tttter were convinced that, although the whole world were against them in their misfortunes, yet they had the satisfaction to know that the two men who were the most interested, were still by their side. To gain some fact that would lead to a knowledge of the place of deposit, Messrs. Fairbanks and Keyes agreed to listen at the window of the sleeping room of those suspected, which was in a chamber, and overlooked the roof of a piazza. Accordingly, after dark one would call upon the fam- ily and detain them in conversation, while the other mounted a ladder and placed himself where he could overhear what was said within, and although they thus became convinced that the money was still in their possession, no opinion could be formed about the hiding place. Security upon their real estate was de- manded, and readily given. A son of the family held a commission in the navy, and was on the point of sailing for the Mediterranean, and it was sus- pected that the money might thus bp ve been sent off; to ascertain taking a criminal to the quirks which satisfied lowledge of the affair, ackages taken. He a nad not been opened I with blocks of wood which, Mr. Fairbanks, under p. ?. state prison, went to New Y • u i him that the son was inno' r /a) and ascertained at the bank : > .» o had been told by Whittle? y, tin', tl.r when stolen, and by maki> :^ cxj I'rii - of the same dimensions, tlitj icauiiy ascertained that bundles of that size could not be got through an aperture of the size reported, and that instead of a seven it required a nineteen inch slit in the leather to allow of their being extracted. Some facts were gleaned at Albany, that shed further light, among which it was noticed that Mrs. W. at her late visits (although generally very penurious in her trades) had been very profuse in her expenses. After a ten-days' absence, Mr. F. returned; his partner having listened nights meanwhile, and the intelligence gained by eave dropping, although it failed to disclose the locality of the lost money, confirmed their suspicions. As goods were being boxed up at Whittlesey's house at a late hour in the night, and the daughters had already been sent on to Sackets Harbor, it was feared that the family would soon leave; decisive measures were 18 266 fVatertown. resolved upon to recover the money, the ingenuity and boldness of which evince the sagacity and energy of the parties. Some method to decoy Whittlesey from home, and frighten him by threats, mutilation or torture, into a confession, was discussed, but as the latter might cause an uncontrollable hemorrhage, it was resolved to try the effect of drowning. Some experiments were made, on their own persons, of the effect of submersion of the head, and Dr. Sherwood, a physician of the village, was con- sulted on the time life would remain under water. Having agreed upon a plan, on the evening before its execution, they re- paired to a lonely place about a mile south of the village, screened from the sight of houses by a gentle rise of ground, and where a spring issued from the bank and flowed off through a miry slough, in which, a little below, they built a dam of turf, that formed a shallow pool. It was arranged that Mr. Fairbanks should call upon Whittlesey, to confer with him on some means of removing the suspicions ^^hich the public had settled upon him, by obtaining certificates of character from leading citizens, and officers of the army,* and that the two were to repair to Mr. Keyes's house, which was not far from the spring. Mr. Keyes was to be absent repairing his fence, and to leave word with his wife, that if any one enquired for him, to send them into the field where he was at work. Neither had made confiilants in their suspicions or their plans, except that Mr. Keyes thought it necessary to reveal them to his son, P, Gardner Keyes, then seventeen years of age, whose assistance he might need, in keep- ing up appearances, and in whose sagacity, and fidelity in keeping a secret he could rely. Accordingly, on the morning of July 17 (1815), Mr. Keyes, telling his wife that the cattle had broken into his grain, shouldered his axe, and went out to repair the fence which was thrown down, and Mr. Fairbanks called upon Whittlesey, en- gaged him in conversation as usual, and without exciting the slightest suspicion, induced him to go up lo see his partner, whom they found in a distant part of the field at work. Calling him to them, they repaired as if casually to the spring, where, after some trifling remark, they explicitly charged him with the rob- bery, gave their reasons for thinking so, and told him that if he did n9t instantly disclose the locality of the money, the pool be- fore him should be his grave. This sudden and unexpected •charge frightened their victim; but with a look of innocence he exclaimed, " I know nothing of the matter." This was no sooner said, than he was rudely seized by Mr. Keyes and plunged head foremost into the pool, and after some seconds withdrawn. Being again interrogated, and assured th&t if the money were i<^3toredj no legal proceedings would be instituted; he again pro- ' 'ill"" >Vi— Watertown. 267 tested his innocence, and was a second time plunged in, held under several moments, and again withdrawn, but this time insen- sible, and ibr one or two minutes it was doubtful whether their threats had not been executed; but he soon evinced signs of life, and so far recovered as to be able to sit up and to speak. Per- haps nothing but the certain knowledge of his guilt, which they possessed, would have induced them to proceed further; hut they were men of firmness, and resolved to exhaust their resource of expedients, rightly judging that a guilty conscience could not long hold out against the prospect of speedy death. He was ac- cordingly addressed by Mr. Keyes in tones and emphasis of sober earnest, and exhorted for the last time, to save himself from being hurried before the tribunal of heaven, laden with guilt — to disclose at once. In feeble tones he reasserted his innocence, and was again collared and plunged in, but this time his body only was immersed. It had been agreed in his hearing, that Fairbanks (being without a family) should remain to accomplish the work, by treading him into the bottom of the slough, while Keyes was to retire, so that neither could be a witness of murder if apprC' hended; and that on a given day they were to meet in Kingston. Keyes paid over about ninety dollars to bear expenses of travel, and was about to leave, when the wretched man, seeing these serious arrangements, nnd at lenp^th believing them to be an awful reality, exclaimed, "I'll tell yo.. all I know about it!" Upon this, he was withdrawn, and when a little recovered, he confessed, that all but about $9,000 (which he now, for the first time, stated to have been stolen at Schenectady) would be found either under a hearth, at his house, or quilted into a pair of drawers in his wife's possession. Mr. Keyes, leaving their prisoner in charge of his associate, started for the house, and was seen by his wife, coming across the fields, covered with mud, and, to use the words of the latter, " Looking like a murderer;" and although in feeble health, and scarcely able to walk, she met him at the door, and enquired with alarm, " What have you been doing?" He briefly replied, " We have had the old fellow under water, and made him own where the money is;" and hastily pro- ceeding to the village, related in few words to his friends, Dr. Paul Hutchinson, and John M. Canfield, the facts, and with them repaired to the house of Whittlesey. Seeing them approach, Mrs. Whittlesey fled to her chamber; and on their knocking for admission, she replied, that she was changing her dress, and would meet them shortly. As it was not the time or place for the observance of etiquette, Mr. Keyes rudely burst open the door, and entering, found her reclining on the bed. Disregard- ing her expostulations of impropriety, he rudely proceeded to searcVi, and soon found between the straw and feather bed, upon ' * m 1 i9 1 r 99 I 1 ^H I IM 1 ii IH i i',r "Ji^H IB <';jf i iM| 11 ;?« 1 |l ■I II 2(8 fVaterfown.' which she lay, a quilted garment, when she exclaimed, " You've got it! My God, have I come to this!" The drawers bore the initials of Col. Tuttle, who had died in that house, under very suspicious circumstances; were fitted with two sets of but- tons, for either the husband or wife to wear, and contained about thirty parcels of bills, laNeledt "For my dear son C ,250 . of 5;" " For my dear daughter E , 150 of 3;" &c., amount- ing to $15,000 to her five children; the remainder being reserved for her own use. The garment also contained a most extraor- dinary document, which might be called her Wilt, and about which she expressed the most urgent solicitude, imploring that it might be destroyed, by the earnest appeal that, " You have children as well as me/" It was soon after published in the papers, and was as follows: " It is my last and dying request, that my children shall have all the money that is contained in the papers which have their names on, which is three thousand dollars for each; and let there be pains and caution, and a gr( jt length of time taken to ex- change it in. God and my owii heart knows the misery I have suffered in consequence of it, and that it was much against my will that it should be done. I have' put all that is in the same bank by it, that I had from prudence, and a great number of years been gathering Mp; and when I used to meet with bills on that bank in your possession, or when I could, I used to ex- change others for them, as I supposed it was the best, and would be the most permanent bank. You know the reason of your tak- ing this was, that we supposed that from the lock of the small trunk being broken, and the large one being all loose, and the nails out, that we were robbed on the road of $8,700. You know that I always told you, that I believed it was done in the yard, where you, as I told you then, put the wagon imprudently in Schenectady. Oh! how much misery am I born to see, through all your improper conduct, which I am forced to con- ceal from the view of the world, for thr sake of ray beloved offsprings' credit, and whereby I have got enemies undeservedly, while the nubile opinion was in your favor! But it fully evinces what false judgments the world mokes. Oh! the God who tries the hearts, and searches the reins of the children of men, knows, that the kind of misery which I have suffered, and which has riled and soured my temper, and has made me appear cross and morose to the public eye, has all proceeded from you, and fixed in my countenance the mark of an ill-natured dispo- sition, which was naturally formed for loves, friendships, and all other refined sensations. How have I falsified the truth, that you might appear to every advantage, at the risk and ill-opinion of the sensible world towards myself, when my conscience was telling ma I was dointr wronir: and which, with evervthing else Watertown. 269 God of and pear yon, spo- and that nion ■was else that I have suffered since I have been a married woman, has ■worn me down and kept rae out of health; and now, oh! now, this last act is bringing me to ray grave fast. I consented, because you had placed me in the situation you did. In the first place you were delinquent in the payment to government of eighteen or nineteen hundred dollars. Then this almost $9,000 missing, I found when you come to settle, that you never could make it good without sacrificing me and my children, was the reason I consented to the proposal. I did you the justice to believe that if the last sum had not been missing, that you would not have done as you did; but I am miserable! God grant that ray dear children may never fall into the like error, that their father has, and their poor unfortunate mother consented to! May the Al- mighty forgive us both, for I freely forgive you all you have made me suffer." The money being counted, and to their surprise found to em- brace a part of the sum supposed to be stolen, Mr. Keyes went back to release Whittlesey. The latter, meanwhile, had related the circumstances of the robbery, and anxiously enquired whether, if the whole was not found, they would still execute their pur- pose; to which Mr. Fairbanks replied in a manner truly character- istic, "that vdll depend on circumstances" No one was more sur- prised than Whittlesey himself, to learn that most of the money was found, and that he had bee \ robbed at Schenectady hy his own wife. He begged hard to be released on the spot, but it was feared he would commit suicide, and he was told that he must be delivered up to the public as sound as he was taken, and was led home. The fame of this discovery soon spread, and it was with difficulty that the villagers were restrained from evin- ciug their joy by the discharge of cannon. Mr. Whittlesey was led home, and placed with guard in the room with his wife, until further search; and here the most bitter criminations were exchanged, each charging the other with the crime, and the wife upbraiding the husband with covvardicfe, in revealing the secret. The guard being withdrawn in the confusion that ensued, Mrs. Whittlesey passed from the house, and was seen by a person at a distance, tu cross the cemetery, of Trinity church, where on passing the grave of a son, she paused, faltered, and fell back, overwhelmed with awful emotion; but a moment after, gathering new energy, she hastened on, rushed down the high bank near the ice cave, aud plunged into the river. Her body was found floating near the lower bridge, and efforts were made to recover life, but it was extinct! With a remarkable familiarity with death, she had years be- fore prepared her own shroud, and chosen the text* and psalm • II Corinthiana, v, I. m*it^^BB ^Hufl SHIt H > tfm^D III HJii SB^'1 f' 'Sn fli'' m w 'km Iw' nm ■ H '^ «'9H| ilHi III !i' i}70 ff^atertown. she wished to have used at her funeral; but the Rev. Mr. Panks, who officiated on th,e occasion, not deeming these applicable to the case, selected the sixth commandment, for a text, and a hymn in Watt's Collection, commencing with, " Beath, 'tis a melancholy day." She was buried beside her son, and near Colonel Tuttle, whom she is supposed to have poisoned. Her husband remained in town nearly a year, and then removed to Indiana, where he afterwards became a justice, and a county judge, and by an ex- emplary life won the respect of community; and although the details of this affair followed him, yet the censure of opinion rested upon the wife. He has been dead many" years. The sympathies of the public were not withheld from the children of this lamiiy, who were thus cast penniless and disgraced upon the world. Many details connected with the affair we have not given; among whir'- were several attempts to throw suspicion upon innocent parties by depositing money on their premises, writing anonymous letters, &c., which serve but to aggravate the crime, by betraying the existence of a depravity on the part of the chief contriver in the scheme, which has seldom or never been equaled. The marked bills, amounting to $400, had been dropped on the road to Sackets Harbor, and w^ere found by Mr. Gale, who prudently carried them to a witness, counted and sealed them, and after the disclosure brought them forward. Mr. Whittlesey stated that he expected some one would find and use the money, when he could swear to the marks, and implicate the finder. Mr. Gale, upon hearing this, was affected to tears, and exclaimed. " Mr. Whittlesey, is it possible, you would have been so wicked as to have sworn me tu state prison for being honest!'" Congress, on the 11th of January, 1821, passed an act di- recting the secretary of the treasury to cancel and surrender the bond given by Whittlesey, and endorsed by Fairbanks & Keyes, on condition of the latter giving another, payable with interest in two years. To give interest to this account, we offer the portrait of one of the parties, engraved from a recent daguerreotype; and in the appendix will insert some anecdotes illustrative of the peculiar characteristics of Mr. Fairbanks, whose public life and promi- nent business operations have made him extensively known. The village of Wtertown was incorporated April 5, 1816. The act provided for the election of five trustees, who Avere to possess the powers and immunities usually vested in similar cor- porations. These extended to the formation of a fire department, the construction of water works, regulation of markets, streets, ■k^ ■$■ 'jy-.-.' ;--;ja.iV™-arl' ■«ivj<#"-'' 'V 816. re to 1 cor- lent, leets, // 0a,>7y^- / ■ . rA-l A. \ If I 870 ^yatf-ftown. ato vvi«i»l»»HVK« %f'*'r--3^ m. h«9 t'eneAal; but the Rev. Air. Banks, ^8l»*l»ii^' ■;c«tei<'*!, fiot deernintj; .tJ)ese applii-Aijlt; to tfe^^ . f-^^J% '(^inmand'iiunt, lor a itxt, and a " Death, 'tit » B»elancholy day.'' ..^m^ '■^■■Jfi buried besiue h*;r roo, «nd near Colonel Tuttlc, whow! ^jt'^ supposed to Imi«|I ^isontd. Her husband remained m %i>)^{ nearly a yenr, a«dl U«n> it-rnovtd to Iri(iif».'i, where fen -sciUj-warcb U;cariic a j«* yet ibi; cinsuie ox opifii' rt!Sled upon the wife. H« fe** ?=s*a dead uiauy* years: i. sympathies of the public wws l» to a witness, counted seah;d thenx, and alter the disclosiure brought ihcin forward. Whittlesey stated tlmt h« expected some on« wauld iind <;*- tht; motf^y, when he 'Could swear to the marks, and imp thf {ifhier. M)f» jCiaUij upon hearing tiiis, was affected to : ai)dexcivnju« iff? «^ UT^JSfj-^.viisg jj^utosr, payable ^tih n-msf'- in two yestiiv. To give iiilere.st to ift,*^ *2«"^«fl \9t cffcr the portrn t* m6 ■*;* of tile parties-, engraved ir',.r?. » f - ,/^4 !^».i,"je; rc^'ty^x* • imji - %- appendix .vilJ jnsict -jvnue anefd-j-^ i}h«''**rative oi the jv?. ■.'ft^ characteristics of iVir, Fairbanks, whiwe pijbiic lite am^ ^^ nent business operations liave rsjiide i'tiu exteasjvfj} knffWij The village of VVptertown \va.s incorporate^i Apiil > wfe»#. The act provided for tixe eiectioi; ot" live trti*iUr<-s, who ■^fmnhf-^ posssess the po-wers and iuiujunities niinaUy */ tred in »»»»!%; -*'• ^.'orgtions. These extended to *ln< fijtinriti.>u vt u liredciix'^i^-'-' - *hf coi4r action of in*i»tv works, regulnttou ol markeW, *v">t ..• Vi lii4.tlesey, is it possible, you \vo\iii 4j^«» *'Auna Jue to state prisorx fo ^m^ '■■'■ •-ifriTed by; CSitiie from iDa|uertco'-VV° ^i 0- i •1 'i-fl ■!t •lis' 1»lfl' &c.; th( ' measure! the supj lector, ai exceed in occur on one of t clerk. 1 appoint I enforce, ; tions wh was coos tlon of tl On the bounds o of April, further ai empower to impro^ water to election \ granting visions oi The villai by which] to be divi assessors, were to b( there are and the p The fir in May, officers w Pearce, A Reuben ( Micah St Samuel '* Henry, Ji Trustees {Tl 1816, anus W. 1817, Jason Fai 1818, Gonilalfi. 1 Watertown. 273 &c.; the building of hay scales, supervision of weights and measures, and whatever related to the preservation of health, or the suppression of nuisances. Three assessors, a treasurer, col- lector, and five fire wardens were to be also elected. Fines, not exceeding $25, might be imposed. The annual election was to occur on the first Monday of May, and the trustees were to choose one of their number for president, and some proper person for clerk. The president, with the advice of the trustees, was to appoint a company, not exceeding twenty, of firemen, and to enforce, in the name of the trustees, the ordinances and regula- tions which they might establish. The village of Watertown was constituted one road district, and exempted from the jurisdic- tion of the town commissioners. On the 7th of April, 1820, an act was passed altering the bounds of the village, and amending the charter; and on the 17th of April, 1826, and 26th of April, 1^31, the charter was still further amended. On the 22d of March, 1832, the trustees were empowered, by an act, to borrow a sum not exceeding $2,000, to improve the fire department of the village, and supply it with water to be used in fires, and April 21, 1832, the doings at an election were confirmed. An act was passed April 23, 1835, granting additional powers to the trustees, repealing former pro- visions of the charter, and authorizing the erection of a market. The village charter was amended by an act of April 16, 1852, by which its bound? were increased, the district included directed to be divided into from five to seven wards. A president, three assessors, a clerk, treasurer, collector, and two police constables, were to be elected annually, and one trustee to each ward, of which there are five. Elections are held on the first Monday of March, and the powers and duties of the trustees were much extended. The first village election was held at the house of Isaac Lee, in May, 18 16, David Bucklin, Esq., presiding, and the following officers were chosen: Timothy Burr, Egbert Ten Eyck, Olney Pearce, Marianus W. Gilbert, and Norris M. Woodruff, trustees; Reuben Goodale, WilMam Smith, Orville Hungerford, assessors; Micah Sterling, treasurer; Seth Otis, collector; Jabez Foster, Samuel Watson, Jr., Rufus Backus, William Fletcher, Joseph Henry, ^re wardens. ♦ Trustees of the village of Watertown since its incorporation. {The one elected president is placed first in Italics.) 1816, Timothy Burr, Egbert Ten Eyck, Olney Pearce, Mari- anus W. Gilbert, Norris M. Woodruff. 1817, Isaac Lee, Silas Marvin, Wm. Tanner, Andrew Newell, Jason Fairbanks. 1818, Orin Stone, Wm. Smith, Chauncey Calhoun, Reuben GoodalCi Dyer Huntinstcn. **i 974 Watertown. 18 1*), William Smith, Orin Stone, Cbauncey Calhoun, Reuben Gaodale, Dyer Huntington. 1820, Egbert Ten Eyck, Marianus W. Gilbert,* David W. Bucklin, Andrew Newell, N. M. WoodrulF. 1821, Olney Pearce, Andrew Newell, James Q. Adams, Charles E. Clarke, David W. Bucklin. 1822, David W. Bucklin, Calvin McKnight, Marianus W. Gilbert, Dyer Huntington, Adriel Ely. 1823, Orville Hungerford, Dyer Huntington, John Sigourney, James Q. Adams, Loveland Paddock. 1824, Orville Hunger/ord, Dyer Huntington, Silas Marvin, John Sigourney, Norris M. WoodrufF. 1825, Olney Pearce, Noah W. Kiniston, Marianus W. Gil- bert, Andrew Newell, John SafTord. 1826, Olney Pearce, Marianus W. Gilbert, Noah W. Kiniston, Andrew Newell, John SafTord. 1827, JVorris M. Woodruff', Marianus W. Gilbert, Orin Stone, William D. Ford, Cbauncey Calhoun. 1828, Morris M. Woodruff, Chauncey Calhoun, Loveland Paddock, Jeremiah Holt, John Sigourney. 1829, J^orris M. Woodruff, Dyer Huntington, John Sigourney, Robert Lansing, Isaac H. Bronson. 1830, JVorris M. Woooruff, Dyer Huntington, John Sigourney, Robert Lansing, Isaac H. Bronson. 1831, JVorris M. Woodruff, Dyer Huntington, Nathaniel Wi- ley, Otis Colwell, Rufus Sherman. 1832, Jason Fairbanks, Alanson Tubbs, Isaac H. Bronson, Milton Carpenter, Marianus W. Gilbert. 1833, Orville Hunger/ord, Marianus W. Gilbert, John Clarke, Philo C. Walton, Henry H. Coffeen. 1834, Orville Hunger/ord, Henry H. Coffeen, Marianus W. Gilbert, Nathaniel Wiley, Luther G. Hoyt. 1835, Orville Hunger/ord, Henry H. Coffeen, Marianus W. Gilbert, Nathaniel Wiley, David D. Otis. 1836, Jason Fairbanks, Hiram Holcomb, Frederick W. White, Robert Lansing, Marianus W. Gilbert. 1837, Dyer Huntington, Marianus W. Gilbert, Daniel Lee, Reuben Goodale, Lewis R. Sandiibrth. 1838, Dyer Huntington, Reuben Goodale, Daniel Lee, Mari- anus W. Gilbert, John C. Lasher. 1839, David D. Otis, Freeman Murray, Marianus W. Gilbert, Otis Colwell, William H. Robinson. 1840, George C. Sherman, Orville Hungerford, Otis Colwell, William H. Robinson, Freeman Murray. * Appointed December 1, 1820, in place of Ten Eyck^ resigned. IVatertown. 275 r Huntington, David rgdBurr, C. Col well, 1841, \Villiam Wood, George Burt, Orville Hungerford, Stephen Boon, Jr., William Ragan. 1842, William 11. Robinson, Loveland Paddock, Calvin Wright, Kilborn Hannahs, Peter S. Houk. 1843, William H. Robinson, Daniel Lee, John D. Crowner, Loveland Paddock, Nathaniel Wiley. 1844, Benjamin Cory, Daniel Lee, D. Olis, Winslow Partridge. l8'lb,Di/er Huntington, G. C. To; :j , Orville V. Brainard. 1846, Orville V. Brainard. C. Colwell, Horace W. Woodruff, V. W. Hubbard, John F. Hutchinson. 1847, Stephen Boon, John Sigourney, Gilbert Woodruff, H. W. Woodruff, L Munson. 1848, Peter S. Hov/c, John C. Lasher, Nehemiah Van Ness, H. W. Woodruff, Stephen Boon. 1849, David D. Otis, Nathaniel Farnhani, Calvin Auborn, J. H. Napier, Peter Haas. 1850, David D. Otis, C. Colwell, Pierson Mundy, N. Farnham, Marcus Hungerford. 1851, Joshua Moore, Jr., Peter Horr, K. Hannahs, John H. Napier, Isaac H. Fisk. 1852, Kilborn Hannahs, C. H. Wright, O.^V. Brainard, L Munson, J. M. Clark. 1853, Joseph Mullin, president; William A. Luomis, B aja- min Cory, Abner Baker, Charles Clarke, PhiloL. Scovil,.nd cleaminess were recommended as the most efficient preventives of the dis- ease. One trustee, one fire warden, one physician, and three citizens, were appointed in each ward to t^e efficient measures for enforcing sanitary regulations. A special meeting of citizens convened at Barson's Hotel, on the next day, and after the read- ing of several papers from Albany, Ogdensburgh, and Prescott, a *' committee of health," consisting of twelve persons, w&i appointed, and Drs. Trowbridge, Crawe, Wright, Green, Good- ate, Sykes, Tagg, and Safford, were named as a committee to consult with (he hr.tl^L committee. The state and national legis- latures were petitioned for a law preventing the landing of foreigners, rad for powers similar to those given to cities. The surrounding towns and villages were invited to codperate in the adoption of sanitary measures. Three days after the passage of the act of June 22d, for the preservation of the public health, the following persons, viz: Marianus W. Gilbert, Levi BeeDee, John Sigourney, Orville Hungerford, William Smith, Norris M. Woodrulr, and Peleg Burchard, were appointed a board ot health, and Dr. I. B. Crawe, was elected health officer. . On the 3d of May, 1833, a board of health was again ap- I IVatertoun. 277 pointed, consisting of William Smith, Levi Beebee, P. Bur- chard, N. M. Woodruff, and John Sigoumey; Dr. I. B. Grawe, health officer. On intelligence being received from Montreal of the reap- pearance (^f the cholera, a special meeting of trustees was called, August ]st, 1834, and a new board of health appointed. ' In compliance wUh an act of 1882, revived by the legislature, April 16tn, 1849, am! in pursuance of the proclamation of the governor, the trustees of Watert'^wn, June 19th, 1849, organized a board of health, to adopt sanitary regulations as preventives of the Asiatic cholera, then ravaging some sections of the Union. A census of Watertown, taken in April 1827, gave 1098 males, and 941 females, a gain of 500 in two years. There were 321 buildings, of which 224 were dwellings; 3 stone churches (Methodist, Universal ist, and Presbyterian); court house, and jail; clerk's office; arsenal; 1 cotton factory with 1300 spindles, another (Beebee's) then building; I woolen factory; 3 paper mills; 3 lar[;e tanneries; 3 flouring mills; 1 furnace; 1 nail factory; 2 machine shops; 2 fulling mills; 3 carding machines; 2 distilleries; 1 ashery; 2 pail factories; 1 sash factory; 2 chair factories; 1 hat factory; 4 wagon shops; 2 paint shops; 4 cabi- net and joiner shops; 8 blacksmiths; 4 tailor shops; 7 shoe shops; 3 saddle and harness shops; 8 taverns; 15 dry good stores; 2 hardware stores; 2 hat stores; 2 book stores; 2 leather stores; 1 paint store; 2 druggists; 2 jewelers; 2.weekly paper^; 7 public schools; 6 physicians, and 10 lawyers. In 1829; an association was formed for boring for water on Factory Square, and a hole two and a half inches in diameter was drilled to the depth of 127 feet, when water was obtained that rose to the surface, and having been tubed, has since dis- charged (except in very dry seasons, when it requirts pumping) a copious volume of water, slightly charged with suly^hur and iron. The cost of the work was about $800. On Sewail's Island, a similar well was bored, which at eighty feet discharged water and inflammable gas; but upon being sunk further, these were both lost. An act was passed April 10, 1826, incorporating the Water- town Water Company, but nothing was effected. An act was again passed April 11, 1845, by which L. Pad- dock, Timothy Dewey, F. W. Hubbard, N. M. Woodruff, and 0. Hungerford, and their associates, were incorporated as the Water- town Water Works Company, but these did not attempt the erection of water works. On the 22d of March, 1853^ Loveland Paddock, George C. Sherman, Isaac 11. Fisk, William H. Angel, and Howell Cooper, were incorporated as the Water Commissioners of the Village 978 fVaUrtoum. of Watertowns who were to be divided into classes, so that one should be annually elected, commencing en the first Monday of June, 1856. Before entering upon their duties, they wer.e to give a joint bond of $60,000, and were empowered to borrow, on the credit of the village, a sum not exceeding $50,000 for a term of not less than twenty, nor more than thirty years, paya- ble in five installments, with seven per cent interest, for the purpose of erecting watev works in the village. The above commissioners, soon after their appointment, contracted with J. G. Wells for a pump house and reservoir; the latter to be 150, by 250 feet, at the water line, and 12 feet deep; (o be lined with clay, covered with gravel, and divided by two walls six feet apart; the vacancy being filled with layers of gravel and sand, through which the water is filtered in passing from the receiving to the distributing side of the reservoir. The pump house, lo- cated on Black River, near the cotton factory, in the upper part of Uie Tillage* was to be 28 by 40 feet, and 17 feet high, entirely fire proof. The machinery was contracted for by Hoard & Bradford; and the pipes, from the pumps to the reservoir, and the main distributing, pipes, were furnished and laid by J. Ball & Co., of New York. They are of sheet iron, lined and coated with cement, and warranted to last five years. For the reservoir,' the commissioners purchased of John C. Sterling a lot of six acres, about a mile south>east of the village, on the brow of a limestone ridge, 180 feet above the public square. The site is beautiful and commanding, and when the improve- ments contemplated here are completed, the pl^ 'ill become one of great resort from the village. A lot, v enty acres, has, with characteristic liberality, been prescnten lo the village by Mr. Sterling, adjoining the reservoir, and designed for a public park. .It was coupled with no condition, except that it should, within a given time, be enclosed and laid out as a public ground. This, the village authorities have engaged to do; and should the future growth of the place be such as present prospects warrant, the premises will, ere long, become an attract- ive appendage to what must soon become the City of Watertoum. The extraordinary prices to which cotton fabrics had arisen, led to the formation of the Black River Cotton and Woolen Manufacturing Company^ which was formed December 28, 18 13, with a capital of % 100,000, in 1000 shares. The following persons signed the original articles; the first four being trustees. Hart Massey was named a trustees, but was not a sul^riber to the articles: William Smith, Jabez Foster, Marinus W. Gilbert, John Paddock, Egbert Ten Eyck, Amos Benedict, William Tanner, Jason Fairbanks, Perley Keyes. fVatertoion- 279 This company purchased, for #260, the right of way for a road from the public siquare to the present site of Factory Village; and pf Ezekiel Jewett, for $10,000, a tract of 400 acres, \vith the adjacent water power; and Kere, during the summer of 1814, they erectet) a dam, and a stone l)ui]ding (still standing) for a ' cotton factory, which was stocked with machinery, mostly made in Hudson, and commenced spinning in November. There was, at thif time, in the country, considerable prejudice against the use of machinery, in place of hard labor; and Spafford, in the Ga* zetteer of New York, speaking of these, says: ** The automaton habits, and the immoral tendencies of these establishments, will be better understood fifty years hence." This period has not quite elapsed, but the revolution which mechanical improvements have since wrought in the cheapness, elegance, and comfort which their products diffusii among the humbler classes, is a triumphant vindication of the useful art& The cost of this factory amounted to $72,000. The principal care of erecting, and setting it in operation, was entrusted to Mr. Smith; and in three years the company stopped work. It was afterwards hired, and run three years longer, and subsequently sold for $7,000; and has since passed through several hands. Perhaps no private enterprise ever gave a stronger impulse to the growth of Watertown, than the erection of the Jefferson Cotton Millsy and '^o single calamity was felt more severely than their loss. They were erected by Levi Beebee, from Coopers- town, a native of Canaan, Connecticut, who>came into the county in March, 1827, to select a location for a factory, and had some idea of locating at Brownville, having at that place received proposals for the sale of the hydraulic privileges on the south side of the river. While this subject was pending, he became acquainted with the rare natural facilities for manu- facturing purposes which Cowen's Island,* in the village of Watertown afforded, and the limitation of his offers at Brown- ville having expired, he effected, through the agency of William Smith, Esq., of Watertown, the purchase of the small proper- ties which comprised most of the island, and from Mr. Le Ray, 120 acres on the north bank of the river opposite, for the nomi- nal sum of $1600. Early in the spring he commenced the erection of a large and substantial stone building, which was completed and the water wheels and shafting inserted under the superintendence of Mr. Smith, before December of the same * Since called Btthu^i Island. It formed a part of Jonathan Cowen'a pnr- ehaie. and it laid to have been offered by him to Jonathan Baker at an early period for $10. The latter offered $5, but, being unabl a ;u agr\''^.i ■ l/i-.<^'!i:i^'-:- First PrssbyUrian Church, Watertown, SAM Watertaun. Church ; Lewis R. Sandiforth, was chosen Ruling Elder. Pastors, James R. Boyd, installed Sept. 7, 1832; Marcus Smith, Feb. 10, 1836; Wm. £. Knox, Feb. 14, 1844; and Peter Snyder, June 20, 1848. Their church, at the corner of Factory and Mechanic Streets, was built in 1831, at a cost of about $5,600, of which Mr. Beebee, proprietor of the Jefferson Cotton Mills, centributed about $3,000. This church has received nearly 700 members; present number (June 1853) 187. About 100 members fell off vrithin two yearn, by removals and other causes, resulting from the burning of the cotton mills, in 1833. The society, connected with this church, was formed Oct. 10, 1831, with Josiah W. Baker, Henry Kitts, and Geo. W. Knowlton, trustees. Trinity Church. The first Episcopal service was performed in the town of Watertown, early in 1812, at the old school house, on the site of the present Universalist Church, by the Rev. Da- niel Nash, of Otsego County. In 1826, it was asain performed by the late Bishop Hobart, in the Presbyterian Churco, and the same year the Rev. William Lynn Keese, stationed at Brown- ville, preached occasionally, here and at Sackets Harbor. On the 31st of May, 1828, a legal organization was effected, under the Rev. Joshua M. Rogers, of Turin, of which Ira Wright, and Wm. D. Ford, were church toardens, and Wm. Cowen, Samuel McClure, Philo S. Johnson, Loveland Paddock, Forrester Dexter, Henry L. Harvey, Henry Bronson, Wm. McCullock, and Walter Woodward, were vestrymen. Mr. Rogers continued to attend every fourth Sunday for some time. In 1829, they engaged the pastoral labors of the Rev. Hiram Adams, then a missionary of the united parishes of Watertown and Sackets Harbor, at which places he preached on alternate sabbaths. Services were at first held at the Court House. In 1S29, a Sunday school was opened, having at first sixteen scholars, and two teachers, and for four years, not more than twenty-five scholars were assembled. In 1830, a subscription was circulated to obtain the means to erect a church, and a petition for aid was forwarded to Trinity Church, New York; but these efforts failed, and the parish was several months without religious services, except^ occasionally, by the Rev. Mr. Gear, the successor of Mr. Keese, at Brown- viUe. In the fall of 1831, the Rev. Mr. Salmon was hired six months, but remained a year, and in February, 1832, the efforts to raise means for building a church, were resumed with vigor. A lot was secured, but the sum was still short of that necessary, -when Henry D. Sewall, engaged to build the house on the sub- scription, and take the sum to be received from the sale of pews to pay the balance. A wooden church was accordingly com- menced in the spring of 1832, and finished externally the same year. In June 1833, Trinity Church, New York, gave 1 1,000, fVatertmDn* S96 to the society, on condition that the edifice should be of atone, nnd, when done, free from debt. As the building was already up, the condition, prescribing the material, was modified. In 1833, Samuel Brown, of Brownville, raised $600, for this church, in New York, and O. C. Sherman contributed liberally towards its completion, by giving the building of a church in Ellisburgh, of which he had acquired the title, on condition that the church Hhould be furnished with an organ and a bell; both of which were procured in August, of the same year. The church being com- pleted, was consecrated on the 18th of September, 1833. The frame of vhis building was 40 by 60 feet, with a square tower of 16 feet base, projecting 8 feet from the front, with a belfry formed by two parallelograms, crowning each other, with recessed corners, two feet square, above which arose an octa- gonal tinned spire,tapering to a point at 100 feet from the ground. The church had two windows in the front, and four on each side, with semicircular tops. The external design and details of the tower were modelled from a church in Cambridge;, Mass. It. 1834, Mr. Gear, of Brownville, was employed a part of the time, und in 1835, the Rev. — Hickox, of Rochester, was called, and the church prospered much under his labors. From May, 1837, till April, 1839, the Rev. Charles Ackley was employed, and in September, of the latter year, the Rev. John F. Fish wasengageno fyihta. by > ..icent Le Hay,* from whom the titles in Carthage Village, and vicinity, have been sirxe derived. The place which had previously been known as the Long Falls, was, on the erection of a post office, called Carthage. In 1806, David Cii)^ei2nf built a grist mill on the west ranic, and constructed a dam partly across the river, and this was subsequently completed b\ those owning the forge, >i<.c., on the east bank. A forge was built in 1816, above the Site of the furnace, afterwards built, which was burned the same year; and soon after, James Barney, Fran- cis Lloyd, and Nathan Brown, from Fort Ann, New York, hav- ing leased, for ten years, the water power, with privileges of ore, coal, &,c., erected a forge in the lower part of the villaffe, which was got into successful operation, making chiefly mill irons and anchors. This business gave the first impulse to the growth, of the place, but Mr. Barney having soon after died, the property reverted to Le Ray. The purchase money for lands sold by the Antwerp Company having been invested in United States stocks, was subsequently realized by the company in money, and on the 20th of May, 1816, loaned to Mr. Le Ray for the purpose of buildinff a furnace, and opening a road between the furnace and the St. Lawrence, with such other improvements as might be Decenary to enhance ' the value of their remaining lands. The Alexandria road, i^nd other communications, were opened ac- cordingly; and in 1819, a blast furnace was erected under the supervision of Claudius S. ^uilliard. A refining forge, with two additional fires, was bir.lt in 1820-1, and in the fall of 1820 the furnace was got in oneration, making in 10 weeks, 141 tons of iron. The stack was 30 feet square at the base, 24 feet high; inside diameter from 7 to 10 feet. At first, bog ore was used, which was procured from swamps in this county, and from near the river in Lewis County. Ferrigenous bowlders of gneiss were at first employed as a flux. About 1838, specular ores from St. Lawrence County, and from Antwerp and Philadelphia in this county, beean to be used, either alone or mixed with bog ores. From the beginning till 1836, cold air was used in the blast, when an imperfect apparatusfor heating the pi" wa*) introduced; and in 1840, a more efficient heating appautv.'^ ;>»:> employed. In 1845, the cold blast was again used. VrM . is have been four times burned, and the accident «. as ^ blowing up," had several times liappened, being caused by the clogging up of damp loomy ores, below which a cavity will form. When the supports below melt away, the inass above falls, and the dampness in the ore being subjected to a sudden and intense . rJ, k changed instantly into steam, and explodes with ter- < .74&'.«on Deecln, J'ber P, p. 811. t M\. Coffeen iiits! ^^ Cuthtgt, Jannuy 30tli, 1839. ^ilna. aoi rific violence. The accicient is known only where bog ores tre used alone. Upon usid) rock ores 'he height of the iumaca was increased to 38 feel, und two tewela or pipes for air were used instead of one. The Kearney ore was drawn 2i miles, and cost from $l'25to $2r25 on the ba ik, and about |3 lor tiiawing. The ore from the Shurtliff bed, in Philadelphia, 17 miles distant, cost f 1*60 to f 2 for drawing, 60 cents for rai!>ing, and 60 cents for the ore. It was worked alone sometime; yielded about 36 i er cent, and made • very hard metal, known as " cold short." / '.\i Carthage furnace produced from 2 to 3 tons of iron daily, iutm 8 to 10 months a year, until 1846, when it was abandoned, and has so fallen into decay that it would require rebuilding throuffhout to be used. It belongs to the Antwerp Company. Nail works were erected in 1828, and continued about ten years; the nails being made from bar iron. In 1846, an extensive nail factory and rolling mill were built, by Hiram McCollom, which have since been continued, and in 1849-60, an extt nsive building by the same for a factory, which has not been | ut in operation. The state road to the Oswegatchie, opened in 1802-6, afforled the principal avenue to St. Lawrence County, and made t his point a thoroughfare of much importance, as through it must pass «11 the travel to the central and southeKi parts of the state. The St. Lawrence turnpike, built in 1812-13, added another avenue to the northern settlements, and made the erection of 9 bridge necessary. An act was passed, June 8, 1812, authorizing Russell Attwater and associates, "to build a toll bridge, over Black River, at the place where the state road^ leading to Oswegatchie, crosses the same, being at the bead of the Long Falls, in Champion* in the county oif Jefferson." The principal party in this enterprise, is understood to have been David Parish, the eminent fina^ier and extensive purchaser of northern lands. The act required the bridge to be sixteen feet wide, well built, and completed before No- vember, 1813. Before opening, it was to be examined by the road commissioners of Champion; and the act was to continue in force twenty years. If damaged, and not repaired within twelve months, it was to revert to the state. A bridge was accordragly erected in 1812, the architect being Ezra Church, and maintained till 1829. On the 28th dapf March, 1829, the act was extended twenty years, ajs the bridge was so decayed that it required to be rebuilt Earlyin 1829, an effort was m^de to secure by subscription the means of building a free bridge; 9. meeting of ibe towns was called, and the piers of the toll bridge were p >rchased for $600. . At this time, those interested in the lower part of the village, among whom the most acUve was ii! !l|i XI' *, f 302 mina. Joseph C. Eudd, started a project of erecting a bridge across the river, among the islands, which abound in the river at the Long Falls, and this project, aided by Mr. Le Ray and others, led to the erection of a passage across the river, by five bridges, thrown from island to island. At the nextspring flood, this bridge was injured, but it was again repaired. The next flood so injured the work, that it was never repaired, and it soon mostly fell into ruin. The upper bridge, on the former side, through the influence of Dr. Eli West and others, was built by subscription the same summer (1829), as a free bridge, at a cost of $1,600, and lasted eleven years, when, in 1840, it being found necessary to rebuild, a meeting of Champion and Wilna was called, which procured an act. May 7, allowing a loan from the school fund of $2,500 to Champion, $750 toLe Ray, $2,000 to Wilna, $750 toPamelia, for bridges; among others, this. The loan was to be repaid by eight installments, with legal interest. A covered bridge was built, at a cost of $5,000, which lasted till 1853, when prepara- tions had been made to rebuild, and the contract was let An act was passed, April 11, 1853, assuming it as a state work, on the ground that it was over a portion of the river, which is acknowledged to be a part of the Black River Canal. During the summer and fall of 1853, a substantial bridge was built by the state. * Within ten years from the first improvement in this town, settlements had begun along the main road north, and inns had been opened by Alfred Freeman, at the Checkered House, and Henry Lewis, nine miles from the river. Few farms were located before the war. The iron business, with the several branches of industry which it fostered, with the advantages of a valuable water power, and the vicinity of an early settled district, on the opposite side of the river, gave a gradual growth to the village of Carthage. The prospective advantages which the Black River Canal promised to this point, have created hopes of future importance, and in some instances led to investments and specu- lations in real estate, to an extent that the event did not warrant; yet, there are few localities, that combine so many elements of prosperity as this. The canal, though so long delayed as to have, lost much of its importance, is now as certain of speedy com- pletion as the Empire State is of existence, and will afford a slow but cheap and certain access to markets, for lumber and mineral products. Three rail roads, one or more of which appear certain of being soon opened, will afford at all seasons a ready communi- cation with central markets; and an unlimited water power, and fertile region around, present a combination of advantages, which can not fail of being greatly improved. The hydraulic power of Carthage is but partially occupied, mond. fVUna. 303 and supplies 2 axe factories, 2 cupola furnaces, 1 rolling mill, and nail factory, 1 large tannery (erected in 1830, by Nimocks & Peftk), 2 saw mills, 1 grist mill, 1 forge, and several establish- ments tor planing, turning, &c. There are, in the village, churches of the Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, and Presbyterian order, and from 1000 to 1200 inhabitants. In 1850 the census gave 800. In 1842, a building was erected by Harrison Miller, for an academy, and has since been held as private property, and occupied as a high school. It is now owned by Mr. B. F. Bush, and is in successful operation. The Village of Carthage was incorporated May 26, 1841. The bounds were made to begin at a point south 45° east thirty chains, from the south corner of the stone nail factory; thence north 45° east sixty chains; thence north 45° wesf sixty chains; thence south 45^ west to the line between Champion and Wilna, and thence to the place of beginning. The charter is after the model of that of the village of Seneca Falls, and provides for the election of five trustees. The first village trustees elected were, in 1841, Virgil Brooks (president), Sue! Gilbert, EbenezerHodgkins, Amos Choate, and Walter Nimocks. In June, Elijah Horr elected in place of Nimocks. In July, 1841, a fire company of twenty persons was formed, of which Samuel A. Budd was chosen captain. Another company was formed, in place of this, Aug. 2, 1842, called the Washington Fire Company. The following persons have since been elected trustees; the one first named in each year, in italics, being chosen president. 1842. Virgil Brooks, Amos Choate, Elijah Horr, Eben. Hodg- m kins, William Blodget. i 1843. Hiram McCollom, Joseph C. Budd, Theodore S. Ham- mond, Samuel J. Davis, Alvah H. Johnson. 1844. Hiram McCollom, Joseph C. Budd, J. P. Hodgkins, Kellogg E. Parker, Clark Dodge. 1845. Eli PFe^^ Hiram McCollom, Clark Dodge, Suel Gilbert, Amos Choate. 1846. Eli West, Hiram McCollom, Amos Choate, Samuel A. Budd, Samuel J. Davis. 1847. Hiram McCollom, Eli West, Clark Dodge, Suel Gil- bert, Seth L. King. 1848. Hiram McCollom, Alvah H. Johnson, Clark Dodge, Seth L. King, Suel Gilbert. 1849. Hiram McCollom, Clark Dodge, Suel Gilbert, R.Rice, S P. Davis. 1850. Patrick S. Stewart, Walter Nimocks, Horace Hooker, Hiram L. Chambers. 1851. John B. Johnson, R, Rice, Joseph Guyot, Charles H. Kimball. 'm- Crowner, xvimor 304 fVilna, 1852. EH We$ty H. C. Rice, Joho Hewit, Samuel C. Hopkins, Seth French. 1863. FAi West, John S. Edwards, Herman Rulison, Walter Nimocks, Charles H. Kimball. Near the extreiae eastern edge of this town, on Indian River, and nine miles by the nearest road from Carthage, is the little village of JVaturtU Bridge. A reservation, of a mile square, had been made here, and a village plat surveyed by Edmund Tucker. Improvements commenced here in 1818. In 1819 and 1820, mills were erected; the early settlers being Zebina Chaffee, Arnold Burr, Abel Bingham, Teunis Allen, Stephen Nutting, Charles R. Knight, and others. Bingham opened the first store in 1820, and Knight the first inn m 1821 and 1822. After the purchase of a large tract in this vicinity, by Count Survilliers, he caused a framed house to be built here, for his summer residence, and on one or two summers, he made a short sojourn at this place, 'riie village derives its name from the fact, that, in dry seasons, the water of the river finds its way by a subterranean passage, under a mass of white lime stone, that here constitutes the rock at the surface. In floods, the excess flows in an open channel on the surface, over which a bridge passes. From the soluble character of this , rock it has been worn into grottos of some interest, which, in low water, may be entered a short distance, and here, as else* where along the junction of the white or primary lime stone and the gneiss rock, there occurs a great variety of minerals, which afford an inviting field of research, and will be more fully de- scribed in our account of the mineralogy of the county. • (Somewhat extensive operations for copper mining were under- taken in the fall of 1847, by a Boston company, under the direction of Bigelow, in the town of Wilna, about two miles from the village of Natural Bridge. Carthagenian Library was formed M^ 12, 1818. Sylvian BuUard, David Wright, Nathan Brown, Lanis Ceffeen, Ebene- Ker Sabins, Seth Hooker, John Wait, Elijah Fulton, Walter Nimocks, S. E. D. Angelis, John Hodgkin, and John D. Belmot, were elected first trustees. The collection of this society, amount- ing to 500 volumes, was sold at auction June 14, 1845. Religious Societies. — A Catholic church (St. James') was built in 1819, at a cost of $2,000, on a lot of three acres, given by Le Ray, who also contributed largely to its erection. A society was formed July 20, 1821, with Claudius S. Quilliard, Edward Oalvin, John Tuley, James and Vincent Le Ray, John Daley, and James Welch, first trustees. The priests have been, the Rev. Messrs. John Farnham, James Salmon, Fitz Simmons, M. Kelley, M. Gilbride, McFarlane, M. Powers, John Galla- gan, and Morris Roach. , ^ fVorth. 306 First Baptist Society of Carthage was formed February 9, 1839, with Joel Miller, Joseph P. Ellis, Theodore S. Hammond, Harvey Farrington, Jeremiah Lauphear, John Chase, Alvah H. Johnson, Samuel W. Gilbert, and Hiram Lauphear, trustees. A church was built the next summer, at a cost of about #4,000. A church organization had been previously effected, which.be- gan to report to the association in 1833, and continued seven years, as the church of Wilna. That of Carthage began in 1840 to report to the association. The First Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in Carthage, was formed November 28, 1839, with Allen Peck, Elijah Horr, Hiram Chambers, Nelson Ruioson, Joel Miller, Ebeaezer Wheeler, Willard Barrett, William L. Chambers, and Joel P. Rice, trustees. A church was built the next summer. A Methodist Episcopal Society was formed at Natural Bridge, and, about 1840, erected a church. , The Methodist Episcopal Church at Wood's Settlement (Wil- na) was formed March 26, 1849, with Jonathan Wood, Peter Hanson, and Samuel Barnum, trustees. The First Presbyterian Society in Carthage was formed No- vember 11, 1861, with Hiram McCollom, John Hewitt, and Suel Gilbert, trustees. Rev. H. Doane is the present pastor of this church, and H. H. Waite the staled supply of the former. A Presbyterian Church was formed at Natural Bridge, and a society formed, July tl3, 1840, with John Camcross, John J. Lasher, and Lewis Decker, trustees. A church was soon begun, but not finished for several years. This Church belongs to the Ogdensburgh (Old School) presbytery. The Presbyterians have a small church edifice at Carthage. Worth. This town was erected from Lorraine, May 2, 1848; the first election being held b* the school house at Wilcox's Comers. It comprises town No. 2, of Boylston's Tract. At a special town meeting, held in Lorraine, in February, 1810, the division of the town was unanimously voted; but numbers of settlers in this part having left soon after, it was not divided. Supervisors.— 18^-9, Albert S. Gillett; 1850, Riley W. Green; 1851, Jonathan M. Ackley; 1852, Riley W. Green; 1853, John M. Ackley. The name of the town was selected by a committee chosen for that purpose. Wellington, and Rose- ville, were proposed, but rejected. The eastern portion of the town was divided up among the early proprietors of the Black River Tract, to make their propor- tions equal. These tracts, reckoned from the north to the south, ^'ere: Harrison and Hoffman, 1283; Henderson, 649; Low, 306 ' Worth. 1576; William Constable, 947; the remainder to Harrison, and Hoffman, 22,004 acres. The town was, in part, surveyed in November, 1801, and May, 1802, under the direction of Abel French, by Joseph Crary. Portions have been sold for their taxes, and several duplicate numbers occur in the numbering of the lots, that have occasioned much difficulty. The town derives its name from General W. J. Worth, of the United States army, who became personally known in the county, during the patriot disturbances in 1838-40. Settlements commenced under the agency of Abel French, of Denmark, an early and prominent agent, originally from Albany. In passing through Herkimer Counry, he succeeded in interesting a company of citizens, residing in Litchfield, to purchase, in common, a large tract in this town, for the purpose of settlement. A committee, consisting of Timothy Greenly, Joseph Wilcox, and Elihu Gillet, having visited the tract, and found its location and advantages worthy of attention, concluded, on the 22d of July, 1802, a contract, with French, the agent of Daniel McCormick and Charles Smith, by which they agreed to pay $7,622 for the north-west quarter of No. 2. A deed was afterwards executed to them, in trust, for themselves and their associates, and a mort- gage given. The tract was divided into lots, and drawn by bal- lot by the company, who paid over money as they might be able, to the above committee, and received bonds for the delivery of deeds, when the purchase money should have enabled them to produce a clear title. The company consisted, besides the above, ot Asaph Case, Leonard Bullock, W. Flower, Eli Gillet, Lodwick Edwards, John Griswold, Ezekiel Chever, Phineas Rose, Joel Caulkins, Abram Ford, Nathan Matoon, Asa Sweet, John Pinear, Phineas Stevens, Elijah and David Richmond, John and William Sagas, John Houghtailing, and perhaps a few others, neighbors in Her- kimer County, and mostly natives of Connecticut. A few settled in 1802, and most of the others in 1803, coming in by way of the state road and Redfield, with ox teams, and working their way through to their destination, with great difficulty. When this was fairly reached, their labors were but begun; and pro- visions must be obtained at a distance, with no roads but obscure paths, and no vehicles but drays formed from the crotch of a tree, and drawn by oxen. In 1805, a rude saw and grist mill, under one roof, was got in operation; and in 1806, the first school was taught in a log barn, by an elderly woman named Brown. The Methodists held meetings from an early period, and are at present the only religious organization in town. Settlements were com- menced near a small branch of South Sandy Creek, which is generally known as Wilcox's Corners, the seat of WorthvilU Post Office. This is about one mile from the south line of Rod- Internal Improvement*. ,307 man, and two miles from the corner of Pinckney. The settlements had made considerable progress, when the rumors of war, that filled the country with alarm, induced nearly every settler east of the Corners, for a distance of three miles, to abandon the town, and retire to a more interior place. This, with the cold seasons that followed, nearly annihilated the .settlement, which was abandoned to a common; the mortgage was foreclosed, and the greater part of the land reverted to the proprietors. To those who remained, a reasonable clemency was extended, and the foreclosure, upon the whole, did no injury to the town. In 1845, an edifice, for the purpose of schools and meetings, ,, was built at the Corners; and during the last five years, the town has rapidly, increased in population in the south part. About one quarter of the town, along the east and south line, is still a forest, and a considerable portion bears the aspect of a new country. From its great elevation, it is somewhat liable to frosts and deep snows; but it is well watered, and the soil is found to be finely adapted to grazing, and much less liable to drouth than the flat country, underlayed by limestone, nearer the lake and north of Black River. The surfade is undulating, and less broken by gulphs than Lorraine. The rock is Lorraine shale, in some places covered by drift; and several sulphur springs occur in town. vt: •"•,,r CHAPTER V. INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT)?. It is instructive to trace the rise and progress of those improve- ments and means of communication, by the aid of which, a country has arisen in the brief space of half a century, from a howling wilderness to a fertile and highly cultivated district, producing from its soil all the necessaries of life, and affording by the exchange of its surplus products every means of enjoy- ment which civilization has invented, or the most refined con- dition of social life required. The following petition from Arthur Noble and Baron Steuben to the legislature in 1791, is probably the first that was ever offered for the benefit of this section of the state. "To the Honorable the Legislature of the State of New York. , The petition of the subscribers humbly sheweth: That a line of 308 French Road. road from the Little Falls, on the Mohawk River, to the falls on the Black River, which runs into Lake Ontario, would be attended with infinite advantages to this state, not only by opening a trade with the flourishing settlement of Ca- daroque, and that part of Canada, by which all goods and mer- chandize could be transported from New York for half the ex- Eense that they are by the present route by the river 8t. lawrence, but that it would, likewise, very much enhance the value of a large tract of land that this state has to dispose of, on and near the said river, and very much facilitate the settle- ment of that country. That it is humbly submitted to the legis- liture to appoint commissioners to explore, lay out and have said road made, and to appropriate a sum of tmonev or lands for that purpose, the distance being between fifty and sixty miles; and your petitioners, as in duty bound, will pray. Arthur Noble. - Steuben." The committee to whom was referred the petition of Arthur Noble and William Baron de Steuben, report: that the prayer of their petition ought to be granted, and that a bill be prepared and brought in, authorizing the commissioners of the land office to set apart a tract of land for the purpose of defraying the expense in exploring, laying out, and opening a road from the Little Falls, on the Mohawk River, to the falls on the Black River, or in such direction as to the said commissioners shall seem most conducive to the interests of the state. We have not been able to ascertain that this was done. Jacob Brown, at a very early day, had taken active measures for continuing the road which the French settlers had opened to the High Falls, while forming their settlement at the latter place, down the %est side of the Black River valley to the St. Lawrence. The first settlers had found their way into the coun- try by using the navigable channel of the Black River, from the High Falls to the present village of Carthage, or by the tedious and perilous navigation of the lake, by way of Oswego. In anticipation of settlement, Rodolph Tillier had caused to be opened, at the expense of the French Company, a route from the High Falls, east of Black River, to near the Great Bend, from which it continued in a line nearly direct to the present village of Clayton. A branch from this diverged to the head of naviga- tion on Black River Bay, but these roads, although cleared and the 6tumps removed, had no bridges, and, consequently, were of no use to the early settlers. It is said, as an evidence of tfaf*incom- petence of this agent for efliecting these improvements, that upon its being represented to him that bridges were indispensaUe to ^I'i^^ The Onoegatchie Iftoad. 309 the road, he replied; — that he had reserved ffty dollars for that very purpose. This road fell entirely into disuse, and it is doubtful whether a rod of it is now traveled. The first tra- velled road in the county north of Black River, owes its origin to Judge Nathan Ford, of Ogdensburgh, whose indomitaole energy enabled him to encounter the dimculties of a new settle- ment, with a success seldom equaled. He was a man eminently distinguished for his zeal and enterprise in wha'ever related to internal improvements, and the public welfare in general. In his correspondence with the landholders of Macomb s Purchase, he frequently urged the matter in the most forcible language, and as these letters will serve not only to convey an idea of the times, but also of the characteristics of the man, we will make from them a few extracts. To Stephen Van Rensselaer he wrote, December 30, 1799: " You will allow me the liberty of stating my ideas upon the utility of a road being cut through from some part of their town- ships upon the St. Lawrence to the Mohawk River. If this could be made a state object, it would be productive of two good ef- fects to the proprietors: — first, it would save them a considerable sum of money; and, second, it would hold out an idea to those * who intend to emigrate, of the real value of this country, a strong evidence of which would be the legislature's interesting itself. If Mr. Brown has succeeded in getting the road to old John- stown, I take it that half of the expense is over, for I do not be- lieve it is above fifty or fifty-five miles from here to get to where that begins. It is, in my opinion, unreasonable to expect any very heavy and important settlements to be made, unless there is a road which will shorten the distance to Albany. I have taken much pain& to ascertain the probable distance to Albany, and I dare venture it as an opinion that it will not overrun 160 miles from this very spot. I am confident it will fall rather short than other- wise. This road, once cut out, will immediately be settled upon, and if it should be nothing more than a winter road at first, the advantage would be immense. The difficulty of getting to this country with families is be- yond what is generally supposed. The present road through the Chateaugay country accommodates the few who emigrate from the upper part of Vermont, but the immense flood of people who emigrate to the westward, go there because they have no choice. This rouj once opened as contemplated, the emigration would soon turn this way, not only because the distance would be less than to thttOenesee, but also because the lands are better and more advantageously situated. If the legislature will not take up the business, I am fully of opinion the proprietors will find their aC' ' \ 9m The Onoegatchie Road* count in cutting out the road at their own expense. I should suppose those who own in the Big Purchase would unite partially in tne thing, for that land can never settle until a roaa is cut. The traveling and commerce which go to Albany from Upper Canada, will far surpass the most sang|iine idea. I am confident the farmer from this country will take his produce as easily to Albany as he can to Montreal, and he is sure of going to a bet- ter market. Over and above this (which is a sufficient Reason for inducing them this way), is, that generally speaking, those ' who have settled on the opposite side of the St. Lawrence, are from the North anii Mohawk rivers, and their connections are there. So thev have a double advantage of seeing their friends and doing their business upon more advantageous principles. Vast numbers of the most leading farmers in that country, have assured me they vrould go to Albany in preference to Montreal, if it took them three days longer. I am confident the commerce that would flow into Albany through the medium of this road, would very soon reimburse the state for the expense. Those who live on our own side of the river, are compelled from necessity to trade at Montreal. This is the case with myself. My incli- nation is to trade to Albany, but it is impossible. It is highly politic to prevent if possible, the commerce of this country from » falling into a regular system through Montreal; for when people once form mercantile connections, it is vastly difficult to divert and turn the current into a new channel. I see no rational mode but having the road cut, to secure to Albany so desirable an ob- ject. I havi! taken the liberty of stating my ideas upon this subject, which, if they should meet yours, I trust and hope you will take such steps as will secure a benefit to the state, as well as promote the interest of the proprietors and settlers. Concerning this survey. Ford wrote, Sept. 27, 1801, to Thomas L. Ogden, as follows: " Dear Sir. — I have most impatiently waited until the present time, to give you that information upon the subject of the road, which I know you are anxious to receive. It is but a few days since Edsal finished the survey; and Capt. Tibbet's setting out for Schenectady to-morrow, affords me the earliest opportunity I have had. From the east branch of Oswegatchie Lake, to the Ox Bow, and from there on to the High Falls, Edsal runs a line agreeable to the plan proposed by Mr. Morris, and I am sorry to add, soon after leaving the Ox Bow, he came to a most intolerable swampy and ridgy ground, growing worse and worse as he progressed, and, before he reached the High Falls, became so perfectly confident of the impracticability or a road, as well as the impossibility of settlement, that he abandoned the idea, went to Castorville, and from thence to the head of the Long Falls. ■ik ■i^hi'J^'ii^iiki^&ii^^JLi:^^:^^^!,-^::^ ^^ 7^9 diwegatchie Road,, n. From the information I had been able to collect from various^ quarters, I was apprehensive it would be impossible to obtain our object by that route, in consequence of which, I directed Edsal, in case he should find it as he really has, to go to the head of the Long Falls, and run a line from there to the Ox Bow, and I am happy to tell you, that an excellent road may be had that way, and without adding to the distance. And a further advan- tage arises, by crossing the Black River, at the Long /alls, is, we fall into the Black River road, which saves us the expense of cutting 30 miles. This I view as a great object, particularly so, as our distance is not increased thereby. How far Mr. Morris will feel disposed to go on in the subscription he has made, I do not know, but I do not doubt he will still do what is generous, for the French lands will be as well, nay, better accommodated by the road, running as it does, than it would by going to the High Falls. I shall write him fully upon the subject, and when you see him, I. wish you to converse with him about it. I have contracted with Edsal for making the road from Louis- ville to the east branch of Black Lake, at 16 dollars per mile; the road to be cut and cleared one rod, cradle-knolls and sides of ridges to be leveled; small crossways and bridges over small streams to be made. I have also contracted for 8 miles of the road beyond east branch, west, at the same terms, and expect to contract for the whole soon. Where it falls into the road already cut in Madrid and Louisville, deduction is to be made, as much as the cutting those roads cost In running through Lisbon, and going to the north of the Big Swamp, the introduction into, and through Madrid, will be along the road already cut, and I think it no more than propei;, to allow you upon your subscription, the price that road has cost you. If I am not very much mistaken, you told me it was not of much consequence to you, if it should happen to be the case. I am of opinion, it will be more advantageous to you, to have the road there, than where you first talked of. I wish I could have the road come as nigh to me, as it does to you. From the west line of Madrid, to the E?^st Branch •"' ■'^■**'' (Oswegatchie River), is _. 13miles. From East Branch to Ox Bow, 26 *« ^ From Ox Bow to West Branch of Oswegatchie Lake "' ^^ (Indian River), 13 " ' From West Branch to head ofLong Falls (Carthage^ 13 '* From Lons Falls to Shaler's (Turin), (is good road) 30 " '^ From Shaler's to Albany, through tne Royal Grant and Old Johnstown, 90 ** / Carried forward, , -- 186 *' •■ i 31$ Th« Otwegatchit Road. ' ^ drought forward 185mUea. Allow, that I may not be correct in the last state- ment (thou^ih I am pretty sure), 6 ** •190 miles. There will be the croiswaying and the bridging to be done; these two things will cost considerable, but running the road as I have laid it out, will cost us certainly not more than half as much as it would to go by the High Falls. £dsal says, he is confident, that the road from Ox Bow to High Falls, would not be made for a much larger sum than S,000 dollars, and then it would be through a country which would not settle; now, we have a fine country all the way. Tuttle has paid the money, and Edsal thinks he will be able to furnish part ot the draft you save roe. I shall not want it ail this fall, unless the fall should he a very fine one, in which case I hope to see the greai^r part of the business of cutting done. I have put thepetition upon the sub- ject of the county, into the hands of Turner and Tibbet, for signatures, who say they will do all in their power to promote the thing. I shall bring it to Albany with me. I hope I shall have the pleasure of meeting you this winter at Albany, and I hope you will in the mean time do all in vour power to help the thing forward. I expected to have heard from you, upon the subject of the road 't ^m Salmon River to the townships. Pray, has the Patroon consented to our road, and subscribed, or does he still cast a languishing eye to Schroon Laket Be pleased to make my respects to Mrs. Ogden and your family. Believe me to he with every wish for your nealth and happinefls. Your humble servant, Thwnas L. Ogden, Esq., New York." N. Ford. ■ This road from Salmon River, referred to, was a part of a qrstem of roads that originated with George Scriba* Nathan Sage, and others, of Oswego Countv, that was designed to ex- tend from the Salt Works to Redfield, and thence through as directly as possible to Champion and St. Lawrence County. A letter by Nathan Sage, before us, on this subiect, to Judge Hubbard, of Champion, at a later period (October 24, 1810), says: ^The ^rst object is, to open the shortest route to the Salt Springs, and a communication to the Gepesee country, and those parts * Thate diitai^i are found to be, h follows: Oswegatchie River at Heu- velton, to Ox Bow, nearly aa above stated. From Ox Bow to Indian River. 7 noiles; from thence to Carthage, 16i miles; from thence to Shaler's old eettlemeot, (now Coa at a bl fviUe), 3? miles. Th§ Oiwegatchu Road. 313 adjacent to them. The people south and weat are very anxioua for this road, and will use oil their influence. Mr. Scriba haa petitions in circulation in those sections. I shall put some in circulation here, and hope you will endeavor to do all you can in your section. I look on this road as of the greatest importance to this part of the state, and make no doubt that if subscribers are obtained, and some uareful influential roan be employed to attend, an<] your members influence themselves, aid can be got by a lottery for this purpose." In a letter to Gouverneui Morris, dated September 27, 1801, Ml . Ford recapitulates the substance of the previous one to Off- deb, apologizes for the necessity of going to the Long Falls, instead of through the French lands, and adds: " You will be pleased to vay how, and in what proportion, the liberal subscription you have made shall be applied. I lament that the country through to the High Falls is so bad. Should , the road be cut through, the country will not admit of s^tiement) consequently, the object that way roust be abandoned. I have presumed you would not wholly withdraw your patronage, because there are vour own lands, as well as part of the French lands, which will oe materially benefited. I have contracted for about onr^half the road from Louisville to the Long Falls, and I expect to close a contract for the remainder very shortly. The great object of a road to this country to uj all, and that route being the most practicable one, h is induced me to hazard the completion of it upon the subscr >tions we have obtained. I wish there had been a sura subscribed that would have justified a wider and better road; but so it is, and we roust make the best of k. My contract is to cut out trees eighteen inches and under,*— «ixteen and a half feet wide, cradle knolls, and side hills to be dug down, small croasways and small bridges over small runs to be made, and stumps to be cut so low as not to obstruct a wheel, and large trees to be girdled. For doing this, I give sixteen dollars per mile. Bridges and crossways are a separate thing, and must be the subject of future contracts. I hope to have much of the road finished this fall. " From the lower line of Louisville to the East Branch, which the road crosses about 3} miles from the Forks (site of the vil- lage of Heuvelton), 33 miles; from East Branch to Ox Bow, 26; from Ox Bow to head of Long Falls, 26; from Long Falls to Shaler's, 30; from Shaler's to Albany, by the way of the Royal Grant and Johnstown, 90. I possibly may not be correct in the last distance, but I am pretty confident I am; but allow 5 miles^ p;ives 210 miles. This is the distance upon this route to Alba- ny, by which your land is brought within 170 miles of Albany; .rf*>f, !**■*> 314 i The OuMgaiehie Road. which, I will venture to my, is the luoei practicable route that will be had to that city, from the St. Lawrence. ! am, sir, as ever, your bumble seryant, N. FOKD. Tke Hon, 0. Morris, Esq." To Samuel Ogden, Mr. Ford wrote, October CO, 1801: " Dear Sir. — I wrote you the 27th of last month, which I hope you have received. In that I told you I was pushing at the road, and it gives me much pleasure, that, by a little extra- ordinary exertion, I shall get the whole of it so far completed, that I intend finding my way through with a sleigh this winter. If I could have but one month longer I would have it all bridged; but the season is too far advanced and forbids my attempting it. I have spared no pains to get the road on the best ground. I was not satisfied witfi Edsal's first return of the road, and sent him back to explore the ground again, between the Ox Bow and the head of the Long Falls; the result of which was better ground, and four miles saved in distance. My intention is to set out in January, with as many sleighs as I can muster, and break the road through, and advertise the thing in all the northern papers, so as to get people traveling through this winter. The present opportunity only gives me time to tell you how much I am. Yours, N. FoBD." To T. L. Ogden, on the same dats, he wrote: *' I wrote you the 27th of last month, which I hope you have received. In that I told you what were my prospects about the road, &c. The present opportunity affords me only time to tell you, I shall have the whole so far completed, that I expect to blunder through it this winter, with a sleigh, and I hope to induce many to follow the example. In order to get the road in as much forwardness as I hkve, has required much exertion; but the at- taining of the desired object is a gratification, which will atone for a little slavery." To Samuel Ogden, Mr. Ford wrote, November 29, 1801. " It is with pleasure I announce to you my having finished cutting the road, and all the logs are turned, excepting about eight miles, and the party goes out to-morrow morning to finish that; after which I think the road may be said to be passable for sleighs, although there is considerable digging yet to be done, as well as crossways. If I could have had three weeks longer, I could now have pronounced it one of the best roads in any new country. I have nad crossways made over the worst places, and a bridge over the west branch of Black Lake (Indian River), eighty feet long, I (Oswe, tail rai Ifll which I putting which Howevi that wj ice will From tl to this f rond thr Albany, A litt exertion this wini The re holders, known ai proved ir country d were wui a subseqt with the spring to parsimon; tbero my' It was. for this w ated for t cent adde wich, anc County of in St. Lav and Nathi were appt proved Ian the above thought pi it into the of the lott( he filled by The summ( of the roai wrote: Th9 Otwegatchie Road. aifi long, and I should have had the bridge orer the east branch (Oswegati hie Hiver), but 1 was fearful of being caught by the tall raiiiR. That is a bridge which must be twelve rods long. If I live ill I have my health next summer, I will have that a road, which shitll be drove with loaded wagons, for I have no idea of putting with snch a thing as they have made through Chatauguay, which scarcely deserves the name of an apology for a road. However, I do not know, but it will be good enough for the use that will be made of it, after ours becomes finished. I expect the ice will serve as a bridge over the East Branch, this winter. From the East Branch, where the road crosses, I have cut a road to this place, and about the 1st of January I intend to break the rond through to the Long Falls (Carthage), and find my way to Albanv, by this new route. A little extraordinary exertion has made the i^oad, and a little exertion will break it, for I am determined to have it traveled this winter, by which we shall gain one year." The road was at first opened by a subscription among the land holders, and its continuation through Lewis County was long known as the Oswegatchie road. The sums raised by these means proved inadequate to build the road of the character which the country demanded; and narrow, sectional, and local jealousies were iound to embarrass the enterprise. Of these, Mr. Ford, in a subsequent letter, says: " If I could have effected any thing with the proprietors, as to the road, it would have given a great spring to emigration; but they conducted themselves with such parsimony, that 1 abandoned the thing to its fate, after leaving them my proposition." It was next attempted, with success, to obtain state patronage for this work; and on the 9th of April, 1804, a lottery was cre- ated for the purpose of raising the sum of $22,000, with ten per cent added, for expenses to construct a road from Troy to Green- wich, and " from, or near the head of the Long Falls, in the County of Oneida, to the mills of Nathan Ford, at Oswegatchie, in St. Lawrence County." The latter was to be six rods wide, and Nathan Ford, Alexander J. Turner, and Joseph Edsell, were appointed commissioners for making it. Owners of im- proved lands might require payment for damages. #12,000 of the above sum was appropriated for this road. If any person thought proper to advance money for either road, he might pav it into the treasury, to be repaid with interest out of the avails of the lottery. Vacancies in the office of commissioners were to be filled by the governor. They were to be paid $1*50 per day. The summer of 1805 was devoted to the location and opening of the road, and on the 26th of October, 1805, Judge Ford wrote: - ^ ,. 21 ■ . "■ : ■" ''" 316 The Oswegatchie Road. n ^\ " I have just returned from laying out the State Road between Ogdensburgh and the Long Falls upon Black River, and I am happy to tell you we have made great alterations (from the old road), for the better, also as well as shortening the distance. This business took roe nine days, and roost of the time it was stormy, disagreeable weather. The difBculty 1 find in forming a plan how our lottery money can be laid out to the best advantage, makes' me wish for some abler head than mine, to consult, or those with whom I am associated in the commission. To contract by the mile is very difficult, and to contract by the job, compre- hending the whole distance, is still worse. After consulting and turning the business in all the ways and shapes it is capable of, I proposed to my colleague the propriety of employing a man of reputation, who had weight of character equal to the procuring of thirty good hands to be paid by the month, and he to super- intend the business; the superintendent to be handsomely paid, and he to carry on and conduct the business under the direction of the commissioners. This plan we jiave adopted, and I trust I have found a man who is fully competent to ne task,* and we shall make our engagements to begin on the 25th of May. I hope nothing will interfere, which will obstruct our progressing. I am sorry to say I am not wholly without my fears, although I durst not whisper such an idea. You would be astonished to see how much pains are taken to counteract this object, by those who are settling lands to the east of us; and you would be equally astonished to see the exertion there is now making to get loads in every direction to Lake Champlain. Their exertion is by no means fruitless, for they have worked through with several. This 1, however, am happy to see; notwithstanding it produces Jo us a temporary evil, it will eventually be a thing which can not fail to produce to us solid advantages; because, through these avenues, we shall ultimately reap as great advantages as they will. All that can be said of the thing is, they are now enjoying the first fruits." An act was passed March 26, 1803, for opening and improving certain great roads of the state, with the proceeds of a lottery, to be drawn under the supervision of Philip Ten Eyck, Thomas Storm, William Henderson, Mathias B. Tallmadge, and Jacobus Van Schoonhovin. The fund, so raised, was intended to be chiefly applied to the opening of roads in the Black River country, and was limited to $41,500. The following sections will give more fully the intentions of the act. " ^nrf be it further enacted: That it shall be lawful for the person administering the government of this state, by and with * David Sejrmour, of Springfield, Vt., the father of George N. Seymour, Esq., of Ogdensburgh. The Otwegatchie Road. 317 the advice and consent of the council of appointment, to appoint three or more commissioners, to open and improve the road as laid out by Peter Colt and Nathan Sage, from Rome to Brown- vilie, on the Black River; and that the said commissioners so appointed, shall extend the said road, from Brownville to the St. Lawrence River, so as to have the best ground for a road, and the most convenient ferry across the said water to Kingstown, in the province of Upper Canada. iMnd be it further enacted: That it shall be lawful for the per- son administering the government of this state, by and with the consent of the council of appointment, to appoint three or more commissioners, to lay out and improve a road from within two miles from . Preston's tavern, in the town of Steuben; thenc^ to within three miles of the High Falls of Black River; thence through the towns of Turin, Lowville, Champion, Rutland, Wa- tertown, and Brownville, so as to intersect the aforesaid road, between the Black River and the south bounds of great No. IV, of Macomb's Purchase. *dnd be it further enacted: That it shall be lawful for the per- son administering the government of this state, by and with the advice and consent of the council of appointment, to appoint one or more, not exceeding three commissioners, to lay out a road from within two miles of Preston's TaVern, in the town of Steuben, as aforesaid, to Johnstown, or as near Johnstown as the nature of the ground and the general interests of the Black River country require; and, that when this part of the road shall have been so laid out, the commissioners, for laying out, opening, and improving the road through the Black River country, generally, shall open and improve it." Of the avails of this lottery, $10,000 were applied for opening a road through Washington, Essex, and Clinton counties to the province line, and $1,500 for a bridge over the west branch of the Hudson. Nathan Sage, Henry Huntington, and Jacob Brown, were ap- pointed commissioners for opening the road above mentioned, passing through Redfield, and these were, by an act passed April 9, 1804, authorized and empowered to make such deviations on said route as they deemed proper, notwithstanding the provision in the original act. On the 25th of February, 1805, Henry McNeil, George Doo- little, and Bill Smith, were appointed to lay out a road in as direct a route as practicable, from Whitesboro through Deerfield and Floyd, to Turin to intersect the state road that runs along the Black River. Jacob Brown, Walter Martin, and Peter Schuyler, were appoin- ted under the act of March 26th 1803, to " the iuau 318 State Roads. W:- t ■ through the Black River valley, which has since, until recently, been known as the State Road, and $30,000 were expended un« der that act. Silas Stow acted a short time as one of the com- missioners, both on the Black River and the Johnstown section, with Brown, Martin, and Schuyler. ! ^> An ..ct of April 8, 1808, Augustus Sacket, David I. Andrus, and John Meacham were empowered to lay out a public road four rods wide, commencing at such place in Brownvillc or Houndsfield as shall, in the opinion of the con:.nissioners, best unite with the great road leading from Rome to the river St. Lawrence at Putman's Firry, and pursuing such route as in their opinion shall best accommodate the public in general, to the vil- lage of Salina. By an act of April 2, 1813, the surveyor-general was "au- thorized and required to sell and dispose of so much of the unap- propriated lands of this state, on a credit of twelve months, lying in the county of Oneida, called the Fish Creek Land, as shall raise the sum of $4,000, and the same is hereby appropriated for im- proving the road from Sackets Harbor, on Lake Ontario, to the village of Rome, in the county of Oneida, being the road hereto- fore laid out by commissioners appointed by the state, and pay the same over to Henry Huntington, Clark Allen and Dan Taft, who are hereby appointed superintendents to take charge of the expenditures of the said sum, for the objects aforesaid." These men were required to give security to double the amount of the trust, and were to be paid two dollars per day. The road thus opened, subsequently became a stage route, and one of the principal avenues into the county, and it repeatedly became an object of state legislation and patronage. In 1807, active efforts were made in Oneida and Lewis counties, to obtain a lottery for improving the road from Whitesboro to Utica, but failed in consequence of the number of similar applications from other localities. An act was passed April 1, 1814, appointing William Smith, George Brayton and Benjamin Wright to lay out a road from Salina to Smitu's Mills (Adams), to intersect at that place, the State Road from Rome, through Redfield and Lorraine, to Brown- ville. The sum of $5,000, derived from duties on salt and a tax on the adjacent lands that were to receive direct and inrmediate benefit from the road, were applied for its construction. The road was completed to Adams, and was long known as the Salt Point Road, or State Road. On the 17th of April, 1816, a State Ro<.d was directed to be laid out by Robert Mc I)owell,Eben Lucas, and Abel Cole, from Lowville to Henderson Harbor, which was surveyed, but the whole of it was not opened. It was principally designed to be- State Roads. 319 nefit lands in Pinckney and the other thinly settled townships, but never became of public importance. It was to be opened with moneys derive;! from taxes on adjacent lands. A road from French Creek to Watertown was, by an act of April 1, 1824, directed to be made under the direction of Amos Stebbins, Azariah Doane and Henry H. Coffeen. It was to be opened and worked as a public road in the towns through which it passed, it being expected that the commissioners) would secure its location in such a manner as to secure the public interests only. An act of April 18, 1828, provided for improving the public road between Canton and Antwerp by a tax on lands to be bene- fited. By an act of April 19, 1834, Loren Bailey, Azariah Walton, and Eldridge G. Merrick were appointed to lay out a road along the St. Lawrence, from near the line of Lyme and Clayton ^o Chippewa Bay, in Hammond. The cost, not exceeding $100 per mile, was to be taxed to adjacent lands; and in 1836, 1838, and 1839 the act was amended and extended. A State Road from Carthage to Lake Champlain was, by an act of April 4, 1841, authorized to be laid out by Nelson J. Beach of Lewis County, David Judd of Essex, and Nathan In- gerson of Jefferson Counties. The act was amended April 18, 1843, April 30, 1844, and April 15, 1847, and the road has been surveyed and opened the whole distance. Much of it lays through an uninhabited forest. The enterprise of individual proprietors led, at an early day, to the opening of extended lines of roads, among which was the Morgs and Hammond Road, the Alexandria Road, &c. The tour of President Monroe in 1817 probably led to the project of uniting the two prominent military stations of Plattsburgh and Sackets Harbor by a military road, which was soon after be- gun. A report of John C. Calhoun, then Secretary of War, dated January 7, 1819, mentions this among other national works then in progress. The labor was done by relief parties of soldiers from these garrisons, who received an extra allowance of fifteen cents, and a gill of whiskey daily. The western extremity ty, from Sackets Harbor, through Brownville, Pamelia Four Corners, and Redwood to Hammond, and from Plattsburgh to the east line of Franklin County, only were completed. The care of the general government ended with the opening of these roads, and the portion in this county has been maintained as a town road. Turnpikes. — ^The Oneida and Jefferson Turnpike Company was incorporated April 8, 1808, for the purpose of making a road, by the most eligible route, from the house of James Trycn, in ^^i 320 Turnpikes. Rome, by way of David Butler's, in Redfield, and the south branch of Sandy Creek, in Malta (Lorraine) and thence to Putnam's Ferry, (two miles below Cape Vincent), on the St. Lawrence. The persons named in the act were Nathan Sage, Peter Colt, Augus- tus Sacket, Jacob Brown, David Smith, and Eliphalet Edmonds. Capital, 4700 shares of $25 each. A company with the same name, and a capital of $20,000, was chartered May 3, 1834, and amended April 13, 1835, but never got into efficient operation. The commissioners named w^ere Elisha Camp, Thomas C. Chitten- den, Clark Allen, Ira Seymour, Nelson Darley, and Alanson Bennet. The St. Lawrence Turnpike Company, formed April 5, 18 10, of twenty-nine leading land holders of northern New York, headed by J. Le Ray, built, in 1812-13, a turnpike from a point 5^ miles north of Carthage to Bangor, Franklin County. They were in 18>13 released from completing the termination which had origi- nally been intended to be the Long Falls and Malone. The road was opened under the supervision of Russell Attwater, and built from the proceeds of lands subscribed for its construction along tbe route. During the war it was a source of great profit, but afterwards felt into disuse, and tbe company were, by an act of April 17, 1827, allowed to abandon it to the public. The Ogdensburgh Turnpike Company, formed June 8, 1812, capital, $50,000, and mainly sustained by David Parish, soon after built a'turnpike from Carthage to Ogdensburgh by way of An- twerp, Rossie and Morristown. This was also, by an act of April 1826, surrendered to the public. Few persons better deserve honorable mention for their liberality in contributing to public improvement, than David Parish, whose share of expense in opening the Ogdensburgh turnpike was $40,000, and in tne St. Lawrence, upwards of $10,000. Mr. Le Ray is also equally de- serving of remembrance as the early and constant benefactor of these improvements, and his expenditures on these were doubt- less greater than those of any other person. By an act passed March 30, 1811, the governor was to ap- point commissioners to lay out two turnpikes. One of these was from Lwville, by way of Munger's Mills (Copenha- and Watertown, to Brownville; the other from Munger's Sacketts Harbor. The former of these was to be called the Black River and Sackets Harbor Turnpike^ with a capital of $37,500, in shares of twenty-five dollars each. Daniel Kelley, John Paddock, and John Brown, with their associates, were to constitute the company. Elisha Camp, Corlis Hinds, and Thomas M. Converse, were to constitute a company under the name of the Sacketts Harbor Turnpike Company, for building the latter, with a capital of $20,000, in shares of twenty dollars each. Neither of these roads were built. Turnpikes. 321 On the 13th of February, 1812, Mr. Le Ray addressed the following memorial to the Legislature: " To the Honorable, the Legislature of the State of New York: The petition of James Le Ray, de Chaumont, respectfully sheweth: That the St. Lawrence Turnpike Road, leading from the Black River to the town of Malone, in Franklin County, is now opened the whole of the distance, and it is expected will be completed in the course of this year. That a direct road, lead- ing from the Black River, opposite the village of Watertown, and intersecting the river St. Lawrence, in the town of Le Ray, would, in the opinion of your petilioners, greatly promote the public convenience; that the country through which such road would have to pass, is in a great measure unsettled, and the set- tlement and improvement of which would be much promoted by a good road. Your petitioners would also beg leave further to represent, that the road leading from the village of Chaumo'ht to the village of Cape Vincent, on the river l^t. Lawrence, oppo- site Kingston, in Upper Canada, a distance of about eleven miles, passes through a very level and an unsettled tract of coun- try, and is at present much out of repair, and during the greater part of the year so miry as to be almost impassable; that by reason of this road being in such situation, persons traveling through the Black River country, to Upper Canada, are obliged, during the summer season, to submit to the inconvenience and risk of (uossing Lake Ontario — a navigation by no means safe, especially in'open boats; that in case the said road was so im- proved that it could be safely and conveniently passed by horses and carriages at all seasons of the year, the public convenience, as well as the settlement and cultivation of that part of the country, would, in the opinion of your petitioner, be greatly promoted. Your petitioner therefore humbly requests your honorable body to authorize him, by law, to make a turnpike road, from, the village of Chaumont, in the town of Brownville, to the village of Cape Vincent, on the river St. Lawrence, and from the Black River, opposite the village of Watertown, to intersect the St. Lawrence Turnpike Road, at or near where the same crosses the Indian River, in the town of Le Ray; upon such conditions, and under such limitations and restrictions, as you, in your wisdom, shall think fit to impose. And he, as in duty bounds will ever pray, &c James Le Ray de Chamount, J ,,, J ^. By his Attorney, V. Le Ray de Chamount." The war which soon ensued diverted attention for a time from this improvement; but, on the 31st of March, 1815, an act was fif 322 Ptank Road«. passed, empowering Le Rav to build the Cape Vincent Turnpike from that place to Perch River. Elisha Camp, Musgrove Evans, and Robert Mc Dowel were named commissioners ior locating it in such a manner as to best promote the public interests; the usual provisions were made, as with companies, to obtain the right oi'way, and Mr. LeP.ay was not compelled to build a bridge over Chaumont River. On the 12th of April, 1816, he was allow- ed to extend the road to Brownville village. By an act of April 21, 1831, this road was surrendered to the public, and with it ended the era of turnpikes in Jefferson County. < PtANK Roads. — Measures were taken for building plnnk roads soon after the passage of the general law. The first one built was from Watertovm to Sacketa Harbor ^ ten miles of which (the half toward Watertown) was inspected June 13, 1848, and the remainder 10th of August. The company had been formed Au- gust 7, 1847. The tirst plank road inspectors were appointed November 17, 1847, and were William Wood, Samuel Boyden and Walter Collins. During 1849-50-1, numerous roads were constructed, which will be named in the order of their connection and locality. The Lotoville and Carthage Plank Road, one mile ten rods, in this county, inspected August 4, 1849; the Carthage and An- twerp Plank Road, first four miles finished September 21, 1849; the whole, sixteen and one-fourth miles, inspected November 13, 1849 J survey recorded May 11, 1849. The Sterlinghush and JVorth Wilna Plank Road, just built, and connecting the last road with the village of Louisburgh, or Sterlinghush, in Lewis County; the articles of association dated May 10th 1853. The Gouvemeur, Somerville and jlntwei'p Plank Road, survey re- corded August 27, 1849; five miles, seventy-two chains and sev- enty links of this road in this county inspected November 14, 1849. A continuous line of plank roads connect this with Og- densburgh, Canton, and the depot of Canton and Madrid, on the Northern Rail Road. One mile from Antwerp Village, this road connects with the Hammond, Rossie and Antwerp Plank Road, which was formed January 23, 1850; seven miles in this county inspected October 24, 1850; length twenty miles, pass- ing through Rossie Village, mostly on the line of the Ogdensburgh Turnpike, and connecting by plank road with the village and port of Morristown. Several very expensive grading and rock cut- ting occurs on this road* At the Village of Ox Bow, in An- twerp, it connects with the Evans' Mills and Ox Bow Plank Road, 17 miles long; recorded February 27, 1852; completed in June, 1852. The Pamelia and Evan's Mills Plank Road con- tinues this route to Watertown, nine and three-fourths miles long; completed June 15, 1850. Antwerp is connected with Water- Plank Roads. 323 town by the following roaiis: The Antwerp, Sterlingville and Great Bend Plank Road, formed December 6, 1848,|twelve and three-eighths miles long, completc liminary survey; a concession of the right of way was solicited-, and the public generally was invoked to lend aid to this measure, so indispensable to the prosperity of the country. The committee K}& k! }' 326 Watertown and Rome Rail Road. ;Arere: William Smith, G. C. Sherman and I. H. Branson, of Watertown, J. H. Wells, of Pulaski, and Lemuel Freeman, of Williamstown, who employed Mr. William Dewey to make a survey from Watertown to Rome, which was done, with the aid of Robert F. Livingston and James Roberts, and the results reported in September, 1836. The distance of the line surveyed, which passed through Pulaski, was seventy-six miles, forty-five chains; the cost, with the strap rail then used, was estimated at $6,460'29 per mile, and the whole cost, with nine turnouts, $512,615*95. There was no estimate made of station houses, and other appendages. On the 22d of August, fan informal meeting was hold at Watertown, to report the progress of the survey, and raise means to complete it. The press, in reporting these proceedings, awarded especial and merited praise to Mr. William Smith, for the energetic and dis- interested manner in which he was engaged in this measure. The report of the engineer was received at Pulaski, September 22, and a committor of three, in each town, appointed to solicit subscriptions. The zeal and ability with which Mr. Dewey performed this survey, deserve especial commendation; but the project was destined this time to fail in achievement, and the crisis in the money market, which followed in the wake of spec- ulation that ensued, precluding all idea of progress, the rail road project was allowed to slumber for nearly ten years. At an early stage of these movements, an anxiety was felt in the towns of Brown ville and Lyme, then including Cape Vin- cent, to secure the continuation of the road, and on the 13th of May, 1836, an act was passed, incorporating the WcUertown and Cape Vincent Rail Road, with a capital of $50,000, and the following commissioners were named to receive stock, and organize the company: Jerre Carrier, Henry Ains\^orth, Roswell T. Lee, Samuel Lockwood, Edmund Kirby^ George C. Sherman, Isaac H. Bronson, and John Williams; who, in the fall of the same year, also employed Mr. William Dewey to survey the line. This was accomplished with the aid of Robert F. Living- ston and L. N. Bow^lsby, and estimated as feasible at $65,429*29 for grading, by the cheapest route, and the total cost of grading and superstructure was placed at $145,965*88. Grades were found, not exceeding thirtyrthree feet per mile, and the distance surveyed, twenty-five miles and nineteen chains. Stock to the amount of the capital was nominally subscribed, mostly in the localities to be directly benefited, but nothing further was done, and this project, as distinct from the former, was allowed to expire. In 1836, a charter was granted for a rail road in Canada, from Hamilton to Sandwich, and from Toronto to Sarnia, but both charters expired, and in 1845 both were renewed. In Septem- Watertoum and Rome Rail Road. m ber, 1845, Sir Allen McNab, procured, in London, subscriptions to the former, of $5,500,000, of which $750,000 were paid down. This was the beginning of that system of Canadian rail ronds, which may be said to form a connecting link with this, by lines of steamers, and to constitute a part of the same ' system. In the spring of 1844, at a time when the attention of the pub- lic was not directed to this object, and it bad apparently been forgotten, Mr. Dewey, who had taken nn active part in the form er surveys, began writing articles tor the Black River Journal as communications or editorials, and in some cases by quoting from exchange papers, extracts elucidating the advantages of railroads, he endeavored to revive the public interest in this mea- sure. In July, 1844, two thousand copies of a pamphlet entitled, " Suggestions urging the construction of a Kail Road from Rome to Watertown," were printed and distributed by him.* The sub- ject gradually became the topic of conversation, and early in 1845 a meeting was held at Cape Vincent, which, on the 1st of May, was followed by one at Mechanics' Hall in Watertown, upon a call of eighty-six citizens, at which a committee of cor- respoiv ience was chosen, and the delegation from the county in the Legislature were instructed to use their influence in securing a renewal of the charter.' Meetings were soon after held at other places, which passed strong resolutions, and numerous com- mittees were appointed to excite public 'attention to the object. On the 2d of August a meeting was held at Rome, and at Water- town on the 29th; a large assemblage from Oswego, Jefferson and Oneida Counties met at the Agricultural Hall and passed strong resolutions in favor of immediate action towards the con- struction of the road. On the 19th of September, pursuant to a call signed by two hundred influential citizens of Kingston, a meeting was held in that city, at which the Mayor, Thomas H. Robinson, presided. The proposed railroad to R'^me met with the cordial approbation of the meeting, and u proposition was entertained lor procuring a charter for the Wolf Island, Kings- ton and Toronto Rail Road to form with one from the latter place to Sandwich a continuous line to Detroit. The subscriptions to stock having amounted to $925,000, and as the charter of the road would expire in May following, the commissioners issued a circular December 26th, 1846, calling upon stock holders for authority to transfer their subscriptions to sections Nos. 1, 3, 2, from Cape Vincent to Salmon River, not with a view of con- structing these first, but to enable the company to organize and choose directors, by whom the affairs of the road could be more effectually managed. No intention was expressed of commencing work on the road until enough was secured to complete it. •See not* in the appendis, • ' .2:1 ti> 328 ^ 7Vatertown and Rome Rail Road. ' On the 10th of February, 1847, a numerous and enthusiastic rail roud meeting (having been several times adjourned^ met at the Universalist church, Watertnwn. The Hon. VVilliara C. Pierrepont presided, O. V. Brainard, S Buckley, Jerre Carrier and John Whipple, were chosen vice presidents; John A. Sherinai, J. H. Fisk, J. N. Rottiers, and John Binsse, secretaries. Spirit- ed addresses were made, and a series of forcible resolutions passed in favor of the speedy commencement of the work. In March, 1847, it was announced that a sufficient amount of stock had been taken, or transferred, to build section, one and two, and on the 6th of April the stockholders completed their organization by electing the following persons directors, viz: S. JV. Dexter, Charles liiccy William C. Pierrepont, Robert B. Doxtater, John 11. Whipple, Orville Hiingerford, J\Wris M. Woodruff', William Smith, S. Buckley, Edmund Kirby, Jerre Carrier, Theophilus Peugnet, and Clarice Rice. Orville Hungerford was chosen president ; Clarke Rice, ^ecre- tary, and Orville V. Brainard treasurer. Immediately after their election, the directors proceeded to obtain a renewal of the charter, with leave to increase tlteir cap* ital for the purpose of laying a heavier rail than was originally intended. A committee was sent to Boston and New York to solicit stock, but mostly without success, and a new effort was made at home. The proposed advantages of the road to the country were eloquently^ set forth in a circular, by thedirectors, da- ted August 20, 1847; and an urgent appeal made to the public for aid. The sum of $150,000 was at this time needed. A suf- ficient sum having been subscribed to save the charter, a meet- ing of the stock holders was held at th« Court House, on the 21st of March, 1848. After several addresses by those who had been actively engaged in prosecuting the work, among whom were 0. Hungerford, Clarke Rice, William Smith, William Dewey, L. J. Goodale and others. Mr. Lord, from the committee on reso- lutions, repf^'-ted as follows: " Whereas, subscriptions for stock in the Watertown, Rome and Cape Vincent Rail Road have been obtained, sufficient in amount to authorize the organization of the entire line, thus dis- pensing with the division into sections; and whereas, the stock- holders consider this coiitemplated improvement of vital import- ance to the northern section of the state, through which it will pass, and that the business from the country, from the lakes and from Canada, which will be drawn to it, must render the stock valuable; therefore: Resdved, That the entire line of the road, from Rome to Cape Vince it, be considered one and indivisible, and that the faith of this company is pledged to use all lawful and proper means for fVatertoum and Rome Rail Road. 329 its speedy completion, and that the directors be, and they are hereby requested to pass a resolution, fixing the northern termi- nus of the rond at Cape Vincent, and enter the same in the books oi the company. Resolved, ThHt the directors proceed without delay to the speedy construction of s»id road, as indicated by the charter, from Home to Cape Vincent. Hesolvedy That we, will sustain said directors, in prosecuting such project, to our utmost liabilities, and with all our influence, and that we will exert every effort in our power to aid them in procurinnr the balance of means requisite to the full accomplish- uient of said object. Resolved, That in commencing a work of such magnitude, in anticipation of the great benelits which must result to our agri- cultural, manufacturing and other interests, we should not hesi- tate nor permit seeming difHculties to retard our progress, but PERSEVERE, Until all obstacles are overcome and the road com- pleted." These resolutions were enthusiastically passed. On the of 24th April, 1848, the directors employed Isaac W. Crane, of Troy, a civil engineer, to re-survey the route, who, the same day, organized three parties, under the charge of Charles F. Smith, Octave Blanc and Henry Van VIect, and about the middle of July the field work of the survey was completed. The summit was found to be onlv 190 feet alcove Rome, the heavust grades towards the sno'li b< mg thirty, and towards the north thirty-five feet per .,iie. The estimated cost of superstructure was $6,062.40 p^r mile, and the total of grading, bridging and fencing, $442,940.(»J. The entire cost of the road, including engines, cars, depots, land, damages, &c., was estimated at $1,260,620. The viewing committee of the County Agricullural Society, in their report of September, 1848, say of the vast importance of this road: — "The farming and other interests are at this time making vigorous efforts to raise funds to construct a rail road from Cape Vincent to Rome. We are fully satisfied of its practicability, and feel safe in saying, that now is the time to put forth united efforts for securing this all-important object. We are too apt tO' act as though our influence was of no account in the accom- plishment of great public improvements. Is it estimated that there are 720,000 acres in the county of JefTerson. It is not a low estimate to make the benefits of the road, if it were construct- ed, to reckon the increased value of the products of the soil for the first five years at $1 per acre? Is it too much to calculate that by the first five years operation of the road, the value of the \i¥\ • s 330 i ■^. PFatertown and Rome Rail Road. fv u\ soil will be increased $1 per acre? Now add the increased value of the first five years products of the soil ($720,000), to the increased value of the soil (720,000), and we have $1,440,000, an amount sufficient to construct the entire road. But it is thought, by those competent to judge, that if $500,000 were subscribed in this county, the remainder could be easily obtained in the cities. Farmers of Jefferson ! can we long slumber when such high interests are at stake, and neglect to come forth with united strength and reap the golden harvest that already waves in the breeze! Already a favorable charter is secured; capable and faithful officers are elected; over $300,000 of the stock is taken in the county. All we now lack is at once to take an amount of stock equal to the direct and immediate benefit we shall receive, and its speedy construction is rendered certain." In November, 1848, work was commenced at Rome, and soon after at other important points, and the road was so far completed, as to allow the passage of trains to Camden, in the fall of 1849. On the 10th of April, 1851, the Hon. Wm. C. Pierrepont, was chosen president, in place of Orville Hungerford, deceased, and on the same day a resolution was passed for extending a branch of the road, from the located line up the river bank, into the village of Watertown. On the 28th of May, 1851, the road was completed to Pierre- pont Manor, and a large party from Watertown, Rome, and other sections, assembled to telebrate the era of the entrance of the first rail road train into Jefferson County. The occasion passed off much to the enjoyment of all parties, which was greatly en- hanced by the elegant hospitality of Mr. Pierrepont, the president. The first engine reached Watertown, September 5, at eleven o'clock in the night, and on the 24th of the same month, its completion to that place was again celebrated with festivities, which, in their profusion, evinced the cordiality with which the citizens of that thriving village, welcomed the completion of this long desired improvement. On the 20th of November it was finished to Chaumont, and in April, 1852, to Cape Vincent; the cars commencing regular trips on the first of May. The contract for building the road, was taken by Phelps, Matoon and Barnes, of Springfield, Massachusetts. The rails are from the manufactory of Guest & Co., Wales, and not a single ba» has broken, since the road has been in operation. The company, to obtain the means of completing the road, has issued three classes of bonds, the first on the 1st of July, 1850, for $400,000, payable from 1858 to 1868, at the rate of $40,000 a year; the second, July 1. 1851, of $250,000, one half of which has been converted into stock; and the third, of $200,000, which was SQAti nfVor cnnVArfpil intrt sfnr.lr. Watertown and Rome Rail Road, 831 The following statistical table gives the principal data con- cerning this road. It is derived from the official map, deposited in the state-engineer's office. Length in miles. | Total Acres. Length in miles of grades. Town*. Main track. Straight Line. Curved Line. Level. Ascent South. Descent South. Cape Vincent. 5.9826 5.2224 .7602 65.856 .9585 3.1582 1.8650 Lyme, 7.2674 7.2138 .0536 68.205 1 .9928 2.3356 2.9300 Brownville,. . . 8.6799 7.4589 1.2210 77.473 2.0114 4.5242 2.1443 Pamelia, 1.7879 1 .0248 .763, 26.120 .7218 .8765 .1896 Watertown,... 6.8843 5.2210 1.6633 84.590 1.8875 4.2754 .7214 Adams, 7.1212 5.0422 2.079 83.890! 1.1811 4.5329 1.4073 Elhsburgh, . . . 9.4391 8.2610 1.1981 87.240 1.0991 3.5837 4.7763 Sandy Creek,.. 5.2793 4.6973 .5820 45.I60! 1.2905 .7538 3.5360 Richland, .... 2.S818 2.3773 .2045 25.490 .0922 1.4292 1 .0604 Albion, 7.5227 5.1516 2.3712 77.010: I. 0112 3.8688 2.C427 Williamstown, 7.6720 5.0993 2.5727 75.816| .1360 2.8831 4.G529 Amboy, .4839 .2112 .2727 4.893 .4839 Camden, 11.1428 7.8447 3.2981 06.120 2.7678 i.6706 6.7044 AnnsvilUe, . . 5.3244 3.5449 1.7795 65.566 1.0252 1.6010 2.6982 Rome, 8.5360 7.082L' 75.4525 1.4538 20.2728 100.965 3.4259 2.7974 2.3127 Total 95.7253 i 1188.997- 19.6012 38.2904 37.8339 Elevations above tide. — Rome, 442 feet; Annsville, 430*24; Fish Creek (bridge), Taberg Station, 4 16'44; McConnelsville, 482j Camden, 523-5; West Camden. 538 ;* Will iamstown, 682-86; Kassoag,625 36; Sand Banks, 5S0; Pineville,546; Centreville, 552-2; Richland Depot, 524-3; Sandy Creek, 556-9; Pierrepont Manor, 587-8; Adams, 596; Centre, 600; Watertown, 409*8; Black River, Bridge, 401; Brownville, 327-5; Limerick, 322*3; Chaumont, 289-2; Chaumont Bridge, 269; Three Mile Bay, 306-3; St. Lawrence River, at Cape Vincent, 250 feet. The lat- ter is derived from the survey ot the engineer of the road, and diSers from other measurements, several feet. Upon Burr's State Map, the elevation of Lake Ontario, above tide, is staled to be 234 feet, while the recent Canadian rail road surveys make 238J feet. In connection with this road, and in a measure forming a part of it, is the project, now nearly completed, of con- structing a canal across a narrow part of Wolf, or Long Island, between two bays that form deep indentations upon its opposite sides, and which will afford a communication, nearly direct, be- tween Cape Vincent and Kingston, by which canal boats and small craft from the Rideau Canal, and Bay of Quinte, can pass at all times when the navigation is open, without encountering the risks of weathering the exposed points at the head of the 22 " 332 fVatfrtoum and Rome Rati Road. island, which, from heing opposite to the open lake, are liable to accident in rough weather. The contract was let for j£ 14,000, to Joseph Millner, and the stock is said to be principally owned in Kingston. In our account of Cape Vincent, page 1 15, we noticed the extent and number of warehouses, &c., appertaining to this road. There are also depots, built in a substantial manner, at Three Mile Bay, Chaumont, Limerick, Brownville, Watertown, Adams Centre, Adams, Pierrepont Manor, and Mannsville, in Jefferson County; Sandy Creek, Richland, Sand Banks, Kassoag, and Williams- town, in Oswego County; and West Camden, Camden, McCon- nelsvilie, laberg, and Rome, in Oneida County. Those at the two extremities of the road, and at Watertown, are of ample size; and additions are, from time to time, made to the others, as the wants of the road require. At Pierrepont Manor, an exten- sive eating house has been fitted up, affording the usual refresh- ments served at restaurants, except spirituous liquors. Over a mile .of depot ground has been secured on the Erie Canal, at Rome, for lumber yards and other purposes. Since the road was Hrst completed, in May, 1852, trains have been run daily (Sundays excepted) with great precision, and hitherto without accident resulting in loss or injury to the person of a single passenger. The directors of the road, in their report of 1852, mainly attrib- ute this regularity, and exemption from accident, to the energy and ability of J. L. Grant, assistant superintendent, and master mechanic; to which may b& added, that the arrangements adopted by the late Robert B. Doxtater, the first superintendent, which have been ably continued by Mr. J. Collamer, his succes- sor, have done much to secure these results. The engineers, conductors, and others in the employ of the corbpany, have evinced a care and interest, in the discharge of their duties, that entitle them to especial commendation. It would be a delicate and invidious task, to particularize those who have evinced an early and abiding interest in the suq- cess of this improvement. Many we have mentioned in connec- tion with the above account, some of whom pledged large subscriptions, when the profits of the investment were uncertain, and others, without the means of aiding, pecuniarily, were not the less serviceable by the zeal wi^h which they labored to excite and maintain that interest in the improvement, so essential to its ultimate success. The result has justified the most sanguine anticipation of its friends, and added immensely to the wealth of the country through which it passes. Few roads in the country, of the extent and cost of this, will compare with it in the value of its stock, or the success which has attended its operations. . ' * .•^. Watertoum and Rome Rail Road. 833 The following are the stsitistical returns of this road for the year 1852 and 1853, ending September 30. Of the former year but four months are embraced: Capital stock, ns by charter, Amount of stock subscribed and paid, September 30, Amount of funded debt, . . . Amount of floating debt, . ... Cost of grading and masonry to Sept4^ -•* 30, 1853, Bridges, «... . . Superstructure, including iron, . . , Passenger and freight stations, &c., . Engine and car houses, shops and fixtures, Land, land damages and fences, Locomotives and fixtures, and snow plows, Passenger and luggage cars. Freight and other cars, .... Engineering and agencies, .... Total cost of road ^ -^"ifth of road, . ... ' Vth of double track, . . nVhjlit of rail per yard on main track, i:vum'ber of engine nouses and shops, j Engines, ..... . $1,500,000 1853, 1,346,075 514,000 234,518 ^01,346 42,150 587,249 98,991 41,222 160^229 113,528 28,033 192,230 43,013 1852. 131,672 51,834 12},982 3,940,965 60,949 3,604,084 Miles run by passenger trains, Freight ti^ins. Number of passengers carried in carp, Carried one mile, . . . Xonsof freight carried in cars, . - Carried one mile, . . Average speed passenger trains, including stops, per hour, In motion, . , ... Freight trains in motfon, . . . Average weight of passenger trains, exclusive of passengen baggage, in tons, Average weight of freight trains, exclusive of freight in tons, Product of the forest in tons, . . . Animals, .... Vegetable food, . . . . Other agricultural products. Manufactures, , . ... Merchandize, ..... Other articles, .... Expense of maintaining road, . $30,409 Exposes of repairs of amchinery, . 1 1,862 Ezpensesof operating the road, . . 66,181 Receipts from passengers, . 110,635 From freight, .... 104,497 From other sources, . . . . 8,260 Payments for transportation expenses, . 108,446 Interest, . . . . 23,680 Dividends, . , . 81,513 $1,957,992 96mi]er 8i 56 lbs. 5- 18 1868. 155,251 85,788 172,500 5,328,273 107,801 6,683,662 22 27 15 66 200 41,868 11,950 19,425 4,142 10,570 12,748 7,098 $40,418 244233 . 97,157 145,392 179,827 9,682 161,808 41,519 127-609 and « li i| V U .^J 'iii -I J'. ZBA Sockets Harbor and EUisburgh Rail Road. In the summer of 1851, the projectof a rail road from Water- town to Potsdam being undei* discussion, it-was agreed by the Watertown and Rome Rail Road Company, that if the new route would be undertaken, they would construct a branch from their present depot, up into the central part of the village. The lat- ter was commenced in 1853, and is so far advanced that it will be in use early next season. The right to taking private property for a road way, as is enjoyed by new roads, was confirmed by an act of the session of 1853, and the requisite permission has been granted by the village authorities. A depot is to bc^ constructed adjacent to the Woodruff House, when this work, and the Pots- dam and Watertown roads are completed. Sockets Harbor and Ellisburgh Rail Road. — As early as May 15, 1837, a company was chartei^ed, styled the " Trenton and Sackets Harbor Rail Road Company," capital $600,000, in which James Hough, Herman Terry, Luther Guitteau, Elisha Camp, M. K. Stow, Thomas S. Hall, Jason Fairbanks, Piatt Williams, Ashley Davenport, Chester Buck, Samuel Allen, Noah M. Harger and Arphaxed Loomis were named commissioners to receive subscriptions for stock, but effected nothing. In the fall of 1848, the present road began to be discussed, with a view of connecting with the Watertown and Rome Railroad, at Adams or Piferrepont Manor. The opinion was expressed, that if the road from the harbor to one of these points was opened by the time that the other had reached it from Rome, the latter would not be continued to Watertown and Cape Vincent. Acting upon this belief, strenuous efforts were made to secure the means for prosecuting the work, and May 23, 1850, the organization was completed, and Willard Dodge, Jesse C. Dann, Samuel T. Hooker, Augustus Ford, Marcellus R. Patrick, David Hunter, C. C. Symonds, Elisha Camp, Dyer N. Burnham, Samuel Hack- ley, Green Packer, F. Wooley, and Henry Green, Jr., were cho- sen first directors. A survey had been made by Bryant C Tilden, in 1840, and an act procured April 9, of that year, declaring the work of sufficient public utility to warrant the taking of private property for its construction, and the company was empowered to consolidate with any road with which it connected, on such terms as might be agreed upon. Soon after the company was formed, the present connection with the other road was decided upon, and a contract made w^ith Thomas Stetson, of Boston, to build the road for $150,000 — one-third in cash, one-third in stock, as the road progressed, and one-third in cash when the work was done. The road was re-surveyed by Calvin Brown, and work was begun; but the contractor failed to complete his agreement, and the work was let to Barker and Hoes, who did likewise. The company, after spending .ieveral thousand dol- i' Pctsdam and fVatertown Rail Road. 335 lars in small Jobs of grading, subsequently let the work to Phelps, Matoon and Barns, of Springfield, the builders of the connecting road, by whom it has been completed. By a resolution of the board of directors, passed August 20, 1850, bonds, to the extent of $160,000, were directed to be issued, redeemable in 1862, with semi-annual interest. On the 14th of November, 1850, ten mil"«t bad been graded, and on the 18th of January, 1851, but three miles of grading remained. In the returns to the state- engineer, dated December 24, 1852, $201,319'62 are reported as expended, and three-fourths of a mile of track laid. The road was finally completed with a heavy rail, ant' opened for the .regular passage of trains on the 1st day of June, 1853. The capital of the company is $175,000. ijength, eighteen miles; least radius of curve, 1,910 fee* highest grade, forty feet per mile. Trains pass over.the road twice daily in each direction, in connection with the treins going south, on the Watertown and Rome Rail Road, and with the steamers of the Ontario and St. Lawrence Steam Boat Company, both up and down Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence. An act passed by the late Con- gress, granting for the rail road the privilege of extending a wharf from the present depot, at Sackets Harbor (at the steam boat landing), in front of Madison Barracks, to the U- S. Hos- pital, that will afford, when completed, abundant facilities for transferring lumber and freight from vessels to the cars. Sackets Harbor is acknowledged to possess the best harbor now in use on the lake, always safe and easy of access, and sheltered from storms; and an inspection of the map will show that^this rail ."oad affords a communication about twenty-five miles nearer to Rome than by way of Cape Vincent. Smithville, Hen^ derson and Belleville are stations on this road. The project is now in discussion of continuing the line to Pulaski and Syracuse. Some knowledge of the commerce of Sackets Harbor, for a few years before the completion of this road, from the records of the Custom House, which show that during 1846 the exports coast- wise amounted to $ 1,106 ,986 '75, and abroflU to $75,345-80. The imports coastwise were $1,550,909, and abroad, $1,851*67. The aggregate tonnage, December 31, 1646, was 4,994|f, and had increased in 1846, l,669f | tons. The Potsdam and Watertown Rail Road, now in course of grading, is to be about seventy-six miles in length, and is to ex- tend from the Watertown and Rome Rail Road, in the village of Watertown, through to Evans' Mills, Philadelphia, Antwerp, Gouverneur, Canton and Potsdam Villages, to the North- ern Railroad at North Potsdam, or Raquetteville. The location of the Northern Rail Road, from Ogdensburgh to Rouse's Point, gave great dissatisfaction to citizens of Pots- SiRl H';-:i m ..\\ 336 Pottdam ano ^''atertown Rail Road* dam and Canton, who imagined that their villages had claims which had been entirely neglected. That rail road was built, and has been controlled by parties interested in New England roads, and forming a part of tne gigantic system of which Boston has made itself a centre, and the principle object of its builders was to g^et a direct route from Lake Champlain to the foot of naviga- tion on the St. Lawrence. The project of a branch to Potsdam was first discussed not long after the final location of the Northern Road; but nothing was done until July, 1851, when a convention of citizens along the proposed line met at Watertowu, at which a committee was ap> pointed to raise the funds necessary for a survey, and Edward H. Brodhead was employed to examine and report the feasibility and expense of the road. This gentleman had been previously engaged in canal surveys for the state through the same section, and was well acquainted with the natural features of the country, and the route best adapted for the road. The survey was com- pleted the same fall, and on the 8th of January, 1862, a meeting was held at Gouvcrneur to receive the report and decide upon an organization. There had been ibund no point where the depth of filling would exceed thirty feet, or^of cutting twenty feet, nor would the line in any place deviate from a straight line more than three miles. The grades were found not to ex- ceed thirty-seven feet, and with one exception, the shortest radius of curve was 2000 feet. The statistics which had been collected by the committee, gave tkj following number of tons, of freight, which several of the towns on the route would afford annually: Canton, 14,000; Hermon, 2,917; Gouverneur, 15,016; Pots- dam, 54,506; Hermon and Russell, 4,000; Jefferson County, 63,- 058. Making an aggregate of 103,497 tons. A company was formed the same day (January 8, 1852), un- der the general act, to continue 150 years, with a capital of $780,000, and the following persons were designated as first direc- tors, viz: Eli Farewen, Orville V. Brainard and Hiram Holcomb, of Waterlown; William McAllaster, of Antwerp; Edwin Dodge and William E. Sterling, of Gouverneur; Orville Page and Bar- zillai Hodskin, of Canton; Zenas Clark, Joseph H. Sanford. Samuel Partridge and William W. Goulding, of Potsdam. The record in the secretary's office shows the following num- ber of shares of $100 each, originally taken in the severaltowns to organize: Watertown31, Antwerp 33, Rossie 14, Gouverneur 120, Herman 2, Edward 1, Canton 150, Potsdam 268, Ogdens- burgh 1. These subscriptions were not secured without strenu- ous efforts; and on the 7th of April, 1851, an act was procured, allowing the company to exercise the powers of the general act, Sockets Harbor and Saratoga Rail Road. 337 whenever $5000 per mile should be subscribed. In October, 1852, the company contracted with Phelps, Matoon and Barnes, the builders of the other two roads in the county, by whom the labor is to be completed in 1854. The present directors, elected February 2, 1853, are A. M. Adsit, of Collon; J. H. Sanford, Z. Clark, S. Partridge and W. W. Goulding, of Potsdam; £. < Miner and B. Hodskin, ofCanton;W.£. Stirling and E. Dodge, of Gouverneur; Hiram B. Reen,of Antwerp; H. Holcomb,0. V. Brainard and H. Cooper, of Watertown. The Hon. Edwin Dodge, of Gouverneur, has been the president of the company • since its organization. Henry L. Knowles, of Potsdam, is the f present secretary, and Daniel Lee, of Watertown, the trecsurer. The Sackets Harbor and Saratoga Rail Ro,ad Company was in- • corporated by an act of April 10, 1848, by which Elisha Camp, Jesse C. Dann, Augustus Ford, Thomas S. Hall, Samuel T. Hooker and Dyer N. Burnbam, of Sackets Harbor; Francis Seger ' and Dean S. Howard, of Lewis County; Edward Edwards, Thomas J. Marvin, Gideon M. Davidson and Lebbeus Booth, of Saratoga County; Hiram McCoUom and Patrick S. Stewart, of Carthage; John Felt, of Felt's Mills, and Charles E. Clarke, of Great Bend, were empowered, with their associates, to con- struct a rail road from Sackets Harbor, by way of Carthage, and through from thence, in the most direci and eligible route, to .Saratoga County. Upon paying into the state treasury the sum of $5,000, the company was to have for three years the pre-emp- tion right of 250,000 acres of state lands, in tracts of not more than 2000, nor less than 1000 acres, not adjacent, but with intervals of at least 1000 acres, for which, so often as $25,000 was expended east of Carthage, and five cents per acre paid into the treasury, the comptroller w^as to issue deeds of 25,000 acres, and for like amounts for similar expenditures until the whole amount of 250,000 acres should have been conveyed. The $5,000 to be first paid was to be credited on the lands. By an act passed March 29, 1851, the provisions of the general rail road act were applied to this, and the limifation of the organiza- tion extended one year. On the 10th of January, 1852, a company w^as formed at Al- bany, .accordingly, with a capital of $2,500,000, of whi^h the trustees first named in the articles of association were P. S. Stewart, of Carthage; C. E. Clarke, of Great Bend; Anson Blake, of Brooklyn; Lyman R. Lyon, of Greig; T. P. Ballou, of Vtica; Robert Spicer, of West Milton; Otis Clapp and Francis Tukey, of Boston; Alva Crocker and Ivers Philips, of Fitch- burgh. Mr. Clapp was chosen president. Thirteen individuals of Boston subscribed fifty shares each; at Fitchburgh one hun- dred, and at Georgetown fifty shares; and in Saratoga, Lewis ■ 1 ^j?i rm I 838 Socket* Harbor and Saratoga Rail Road and Jefferson Counties sums of less amount. On the 15th of April, 1853, an act was passed confirming the validity of the or- ' ganization. In the summer of 1851, a preliminary survey was made by Bryant P. Tilden, Jr., which gave the length of the route 160 , miled, and the probable cost of the construction, with equipments, as $3,669,045, and during the last season surveying parti^ have been engaged in exploring new routes, in hopes of finding im- : proved grades, and the location of the road has not yc' been made. It is said, that no grade will exceed thirty-five feet per mile, and that there are no deep rock cuttings or expensive crradings and bridges on the entire line. By a circular, dated February 7, 1853, a committee, consisting of Messrs. Clarke, Stewart, and Lvon, called upon the proprietors of lands in the wil- derness through which this road will pass, to contribute one-third of these lands to effect this object, assuming that «he remaining two-thirds will become far more valuable'in consequence. This has been done to a great extent, and the donation from the state was based on tlie same principle. This road may also be considered a Boston project, and should the proposed tunnel through the Hoosic Mountain be constructei!, it will form a more direct communication between the great lakes and the sea board, «than any now existing. The vast amount of timber and mineral products which it will open to market, with the directness of its route for through freight, and the immense landed estate upon which the company is based, are features which render the friends of this road confident, that it will be soon built, and become an object of profit to them- selves, as it will assuredly be of immense benefit to the country. In December, 1852, the.'plan of a railroad, from some point on the jentral line, through the Black River valley to the St. Law- rence, began to be discussed, and a meeting to be held at Low- ville, January 8, 1853, signed by thirty-four prominent citizens of Lewis County, appeared in the Xforthern Journal of Lowville, the week previous. T'^is luceting was accordingly held. A com- mittee of five persons in each county interested was appointed to collect statistics and facts to report to future raeetmgs, of which one was appointed at Theresa, on the 20th, and another at Boonville, on the 26th of the same month. The meeting at Boonville was attended by those representing the claims of Herkimer, Utica, and Rome, for the southern ter- minus, but the weight of interests represented was in favor of the first of these, and a company was formed under the name of the Btack River Rail Road Company, with a capital of $1,200,000, for the purpose of building a road from Clayton, on Uie St Lawrence, by way of Carthage and the west side of the Rail Roach through the Black River VaXley. 339 Blsck River, to the valley of West Canada Creek, to Herkimer, a distance of about 120 miles. The directors named were Benia« inin Carver, Harvey Doolittle and Linus Yale, ofHerkimerCoiin* ty; Jonah Howe, Matthew Beecher, and Philip M. Schuyler, of Oneida County; £la Merriara, Seth Miller, Moses M. Smith, Wm. L. Easton, and John Benedict, of Lewis County; and Sa- muel J. Davis, and Lewis T. Ford, of Jefferson County. It may be here noticed, that seventeen years' previous (May 21, 1836), a company of the same name had been chartered by a special act to build a road from Clayton to Carthage. A pre- liminary survey was made the same year by K. F. Livingston, and the route passed through Evan's Mills, and La Fargeville, was thirty-one miles in length, and was estimated to cost )$ 226,015*62. Nothing but a survey was attempted. Carthage was found by these measurements to be 473 feet above the St. Lawrence, at Clayton. This effort on the part of Herkimer im- mediately excited a spirit of rivalry at Utica and Rome, and three days after the Boonville meeting, viz: January 29, 1853, the Blaok River and Utica Rail Road Company was organized with a capital of $1,000,000, for the purpose of building a road from that city to Clayton, a distance of about one hundred miles. The directors named were T. S. Faxton, Spencer Kellogg, John Butteriield, Martin Hart, Alfred Chtirchill, James V. P. Gardi- ner, Benjamin F. Ray, James S. Lynch, Wm. H. Terry, Hugh Crocker, Harvey Barnard, Jonathan R. Warner, and John D. Leland, all of Utica, except the last named, who is of Deerfield. T. S. Faxton was chosen president, and J. S. Lynch secretary. Daniel C. Jenne was employed to survey a route, and report the proper estimates of cost. On the 8th of March, a meeting was held at Lowville, at which a committee of three from each town, interested in the line from Boonville to the St. Lawrence, was appointed to exa- mine the claims of the three southern points. Mr. Jenne re- ported the results of a survey from Utica to Boonville, and esti- mated the cost, witi> equipment, at $20,000 per mile; am'' Mr. Octave Blanc, who had been engaged on a preliminary survey for Rome, also reported the result of his operation south of i)oonviiio;and Mr. Woostcr, of Herkimer, read the survey made by Mr. Je.vis, in 1837, for the Herkimer and Trenton Railway. After hearing these several reports, the general committee found themselves unable to decide the question, and having ap- pointed a sub-committee of eight, consisting of A. H. Barnes, of Martinsburgh; A. Joy, of Clayton; H. Dewey, of Orleans; Wm. L. Easton, of Lowville; ElaMerriam, ofLeyden; N. Inger- soll, of Le Ray ; S. Sylvester, of Copenhagen; and A. A. Goodale, of West Turin, to visit these several places proposed, as points 340 Rail Roads through the Black River Vattey. of junction with the central road, and report at the meeting to be adjourned to Carthage, on the 22d instant. This meeting at Lowville was continued two days, and h most active spirit of rivalry was exibited by the delegates from the southern sections. At the Carthage meeting, great anxiety was felt in the expected report of the sub-committee, and nearly every member of the general committee was present. A resolution wat adopted by them, that a majority of two-thirds should be required to decide upon the termination of the road. The committee of eight re ported, that, having met and organized at Rome on the 14th, they resolved cpon a series of questions to be proposed to the rail road committees oi Rome, Utica, and Herkimer, to ascertain the cost per acre of fifteen ur twenty acres for a depot, on the heel path side of the canal, and at least one half mile Fong, and the amount of stock that would be pledged for each, by persons south of Boonville. It was found that a connection could readily be obtained with the central road, and spirit of liberality and accommodation was evinced by the officers of that line. At Rome, a delegation, consisting of Messrs. Foster, Stryker, Doty, Comstock, Hopkins, and others, presented the claims and preferences of tha. place; stated that the requisite amount of land oould be bought at a price not exceeding $250 per acre, and pledged at least $300,000, in private subscriptions, besides what might be obtained from the village corporation, which it was supposed would amount to $150,000 more. The survey of Mr. Blanc had been continued since the meeting at Lowville, on the 8th, down the'valley of the Lansing Kill, as far as Stringer's Creek Aqueduct, and it was found that the 48 feet grade did not exceed 7*91 miles, in reaching the flats, instead of 8^ miles, as stated ifk a former report. The distance to Boonville was found to be 23 miles. ' ; At Utica, the committee was received by Messrs. Kellogg, Ferry, Churchill, and others. It was found that a sufficient quantity of depot ground could be purchased on the berme side and tow path side, at $200 per acre. The sum of $250,000 was guaranteed by individuals of Utica, and $100,000 was expected to be raised between that city and Boonville. A further sum from private means, of $50,000, and $250,000 more from ,city bonds was also expected, making $650,000. A detailed report was received from Mr. Jenne, the engineer, on the subject of forming a connection with the canal, and several plans were pointed out by which that object could be effected. The committee also visited Herkimer, but as it was understood that that place had withdrawn its claims for the terminus, and that the company had been disbanded, no report was made upon that station. These facts the sub-committee submitted without Ogdentburgh, Clayton and Rome Rail Road. 341 expressing their preference of the claims of either. The gene- ral committee was in session two days at Carthage, engaged in discussing the merits of the rival stations, but the two-third rule which tbev had imposed upon themselves, prevented the requi- site majority from being obtained. The first ballot was*22 for Utica, 22 for Rome, and 2 for Herkimer; and Rome afterwards gained » small majority, but finding it impossible to agree, the committee was discharged, and an association styled the Og- densburgh, Clayton, and Rome Rail Road Company was im- -. mediately announced as in the field, ^nd pledged to build a road from Rome to Denmark, and thence to the St. Lawrence, at Mor- ristown, and Ogdensburgh, with a branch to Clayton. The Og- densbui'qrh and Clayton Rail Road Company was formed Febru- ary 19,1853, with a capital of $2,000,000, and the following gentlemen as its directors, viz: Henry A. Foster, John Stryker, Edward Huntington, and Alva Mudge, of Rome; Elijah B. Al- len, and Henry Van Rensselaer, of Ogdensburgh; Augustus Chapman, of Morristown; Wm. Wm. L. Easton, of Lowville; Seth Miller, of West Turin; Alanson H. Barnes, of Martins- burgh; Sidney Sylvester, of Denmark; SamuelJ. Davis, of Wil- na; and Jason Clark, of Plessis. Henry A. Foster was chosen president; Elijah B. Allen, vice-president; James L. Leonard, of Lowville, treasurer; Roland S. Doty, of Rome, secretary; Bloomfield J. Beach, of Rome, attorney for the county of Onei- da; and Octave Blanc, engineer. At a meeting held at Watertown, April 21, a code of by-laws was adopted, and the following resolutions passed: " Resolved, That it is our intention to construct a rail road, from the central line of rail road, and Erie Canal, in the village of Rome, to the River St. Lawrence, in the village of Clayton, and also to said River St. Lawrence, in the village of Ogdens- burgh, and touching the river at Morristown, so as to con- nect with the Northern Ogdensburgh Rail Road, and the Grand Trunk Rail Road, the By Town and Prescott Rail Road, and the proposed Pembroke and Brockville Rail Road in Canada. Resolved, That in lowness of summit, easy grade, cheapness in cost of construction, facility of connection with the central line of rail road, and the Erie Canal, and in having its termina- tion at such points, as to command the business of the country, and of Canada, this road has decided advantages over any other proposed line of rail road from the St. Lr.wrence River to the said central line, and canal, and can and will he built; and that we unanimously pledge ourselves to the stockholders and to each other, to push forward the enterprise to completion and without delay." This claim of superiority is, of course, contested by the rival > iiii v-* 342 . Black River and Utiea Rail Road. route, as well as that now tinitihed. The plan of connecting Og- densburgh with some other road, by a line south-west from that place, hud come up for discussion, while the Potsdam and Wa> tertown Kail Road was in course of organization, but nothing was then etifcted. It was next pioposed to connect that place with the road last named, in the town of De Kalb, but the present pro- ject has fuptTceded there. Both the Utica and the Rome routes have L n surveyed and located, and the most active eflforts have been made to secure subscriptions along the liqes of each, which, from Boonville to Theresa, a distance of about sixty miles, nearly coincide, and repeatedly cross each other. Both routes have been let to res- ponsible parties, and subscriptions sulHcient to warrant the un- dertaking have been secured by each. An act was passed May 27, 1853, making it lawful for the common council of the city of Utica to borrow, on the faith and credit of that city, any sum of money not exceeding $250,000, for a term not exceeding twenty years, for the purpose of aiding the construction of this road. Before this act could take effect, it was to be submitted to the tax paying voters of the city, at a special meeting to be held for th^ purpose. On the same day, a similar power was granted to the trustees of the village of Ilotne, to the extent of raising $ 150,000, for the Ogdensburgh, Carthage and Rome Rail Road, the bonds to bear the corporate seal of the village, and their management to be entrusted to Roland S. Doty, Harvy Brayton, William L. Howland, Gordon L. Bissell and £ri Seymour, who were styled the " Commissioners of the Rail Road Fund of Rome." Both of these acts have since been confirmed by large majorities at elections held for that purpose. Several prominent capitalists and citizens of the village of Og- densburgh haVe decided upon an application to the legislature for a similar power, to issue the bonds oftheir corporation for $100,000, and there is little doubt that such a measure would be sanctioned by the citizens, if submitted to their votes. There has long been a want of sympathy at that place, in the welfare of the Northern Rail Road, owing to the control which has been exercised by the Boston proprietors, and there seems to be a desire to secure a di- rect communication by rail road, independent of the one now con- structed. The ceremony of breaking ground for the Black River and Utica Rail Road took place at Utica, August 27, at which ad- dresses were delivered by Governor Seymour, ex-Governor Hunt, and other distinguished gentlemen, and the occasion was cele- brated by military parade and general festivities. This road was contracted August 10, to be graded in 1854. The Rome road was let November 7, to be graded and ready for the super* Black River Company. 843 structure September 1, 1854, and work upon this has also been commenced. Thei active spirit of rivalry that has characterized these two companies, and the determination which has been evinced by each, render it probable that one or both of thr'tn will be built; nor has it been determined, at the time of our writing, whether a union will not be effected from Boonville to Theresa, between which points th? routes of the two roads nearly coincide. A line has been surveyed by the Utica company, from near Philadelphia to Rossie, and south of Black Lake to Ugdens- burgh; and an eligible route is said to have been found. The prevailing direction of the valleys correspond with that of this route. TsLEoaAPHS. — In 1860, O'Reiley's Merchants* Line of t 'le- graph, operating on the Bain principle, was erected alonr the stage road, from Oswego, by way of Pulaski, Adams, W ater- town, and Theresa, to Ogdensburgh, at each of which, offices were opened. It was subsequently purchased by the Morse line, and on the 1st of February, 1803, the principle paten ' by Professor Morse, was adopted. During the summer of 1 ioo a telegraph was built by citizens of Sackets Harbor, ak.ig the direct plank road from Watertown to that place. Water Communication. — The incorporation of a company for improving the navigation of Black River to Brownville Village, has been noticed on page 99. The river was declared a public highway, from High Falls to Carthage, by an act passed March 16, 1831, which also authorized road commissioners to forbid the crossing of bridges faster than a walk, within fifty miles of its mouth. On the 28th of March, 1828, the Black River Canal Company was formed. This company organized, and caused a survey of a canal to be made, from Rome to the High Falls, by Alfred Cruger,^ut did nothing more. Th- may be considered the first step towa.ds the Black River Can.'/. The route had been noticed in the governor's message, in 1625, among many others, and t^e first proposition was to construct a navigable com- munication from the Erie Canal, at Herkimer, to the head waters of Black River, and thence to Ogdensburgh. The former act having expired, another was passed, April 17, 1832, incorpora- ting the Black River Company for the purpose of connecting, by rail roads, or canals, the Erie Canal, at Rome, or Herkimer, with Ogdensburgh, Cape Vincent, or Sackets Harbor, including the improvement of Black River, from the High Falls to Carthage for steam navigation. The capital was limited to $900,000, in shares of $50 each; and one or more of the following sections was to be completed within three years, viz: From the Erie Canal to High Falls; from the latter through Watertowu to ifil'^ -\\ 344 Black River Canal. Sackets Harbor; from Carthage to Sackets Harbor; from the river at Carthage to Cape Vincent; from Carthage to Ogdens- burgh, or the improvement of the river above Carthage for steam boat navigation. The persons named in the act, were Vincent le Ray de Ctiaumont, Eli West, Samuel Allen, £la Collins, John W. Martin, Jerre Carrier, Elisha Camp, John Brown, Abram Parish, Charles A. Mann, George Varigh, Ralph Clapp, John Felt, Isaac W. Bostwick, Homer Collins, Jamf^r.McVickar, Peter Schuyler, George Brayton, and Benjamin P. Jobnson. This company was so far organized as to build a steam boat on Black River, at Carthage, which was called the Cornelia. It was bu'lt in 1832, by Paul Boynton, for the company, at a cost of $6,000 with a keel 90 ieet long, and a breadth, across the guards, of 22 feet. She had two upright, high pressure engines, of ten horse power each, built by N. Starbuck & Son, of Troy. Being found to draw 100 much water, one engine was taken out. The first trip was September 22, 1832, to Lowville, where she grounded, and was got off with much difficulty. The boat continued to riiu, the ensuing season, to the High Falls, with an hourly 6peed of six ana one half miles, frequently getting aground, and proving to be too large for the river, and, eventually, nearly a total loss to the proprietors, of whom, Mr. Le Ray was the prin- cipal. A thrilling incident occurred on the first trip of this boat to the Falls. The man at the tiller wishing to show the party on board, and the spectators on shore, the qualities of his craft, st'^ered up so near under the falls, that, as he turned, the spray from the torrent deluged the deck, and the boat, itself, came within a few feet of being brought under the fall. Fortunately there was a heavy pressure of steam up at the moment, and they escaped with a tiioroiigh drenching. This attempt proved the practicability of navigating the river forty-two and a half miles; but no subsequent attempt was made until the summer of 1853, when the Enterprise, a canal boat, temporarily fitted up by G. H. Gould, for the purpose, with a stern wheel, was rigged out at the High Falls, and made a few trips. , On the 22d of April, 1834, an act was passed^ authorizing the survey of a canal, from >ip1ow the High Falls to the Erie Canal, with a navigable feeder, and an improvement of the river to Carth- age. Having ascertained tha feasibility of this route, on the 19th of April, 1836, an act was pa;<;sed, providing for the construction of the Black River Canal, and Erit Canal Feeder, of which the river was to be a part. Work was soon after commenced, and more or less, except during the " suspension," prosecuted since, till at present we almost realize this long expected, and long deferred communication with the great markets; which, from being anticipated by rail roads, will possess much less im- Black River Canal 845 portance than was formerly attached to it. Stil], for the lumber and mineral products of a portion of the county, it will afford a valuable exit, and will contribute to the public welfare. Many interesting topographical details have been obtained in the course of these surveys, which possess permanent interest. The following is a concisie description of the canals, as given in the report of the state engineer and surveyor for 1861 (p. 77): "This canal diverges from the Erie Canal, at the village of Rome, Oneida County, following up the valley of the Mohawk River and its tributary, the Lansing Kill, to the summit level, a distance of twenty-three miles; thence crossing the dividing ridge between the Mohawk and Black Rivers, about two miles, to the village of Boonville; thence descends into the valley of the Black River, and at the distance of ten and one-third miles it enters said river below the Hii^h Falls, in the county of Lewis; thence it follows the river, by slack water navigation, a distance of forty-two and one-half miles, to Ihe village of Car- thage, in the county of Jefferson, making the whole length of the canal and river about seventy-eight miles. A navigable feeder, of ten miles in length, is constructed from the Black River, entering the canal at the village of Boonville, which is designed for a feeder to the Black River Canal, and also for the Erie Canal. Add to the canal, river and feeder, two miles of navigation on the reservoir above the State Dam, making in all ninety miles of navigation, when the whole work is finished. From Rome to Boonville, a distance of twenty-five miles, there are seventy locks, overcoming an elevation of six hundred and ninety-three feet, which are distributed as follows: Five single locks of eight feet lift, three of nine feet, forty-six often feet, four of eleven fe«t, one of twelve feet, two combinations of three each of ten feet, and one combination of five locks, each ten feet lift. There are also located, on this part of the canal, four aqueducts, eight culverts, seven waste-weirs, seventeen road bridges, eighteen farm bridges, one dam and bulk-head, eighteen lock houses built, and three to build, and a feeder and guard-lock at Delta, yet to be built. From Boonville to the High Falls, a distance of ten and one- third miles, there are located thirty-nine locks, with a descent of three hundred and eighty-rix feet, the lifts of which are as fol- lows: Four single locks of nine feet lift, ten often feet, one of ten and one-half feet, one of eleven and -one-half feet, one of twelve feet; one combination of four locks, each nihe feet; two combinations of four, each ten feet; one combination of three, each ten feet; one combination of three, with two of ten feet and one of four feet; one combination of two, of eleven feet^ and one combination of two, of twelve feet. ,;; ' i fftfi HI : W 111 346 Black River Canal. . ' f - There are, also, one aqueduct, seven culverts, one waste-weir, six road bridges, sixteen farm bridges, two change bridges, and one dam, located on this part of the canal, and when brought into use, eleven lock houses will be required. On the Black River Feeder, from Boonviile, to and including the reservoir on the Black Kiver, a distance of twelve miles, there are located, one guard-lock, three culverts, three waste- weirs, ten road bridges, two farm bridges, one tow-path bridge, one dam, one lock house, and six stop-gates. On the Black River, between High Falls and Carthage, a distance of forty-two and one-half miles, are located, one dam at Carthage, and two draw bridges, one at Illingworths, and the other at Beach's Landing. On the whole line of canal, feeder and river, there will be one hundred and nine locks, five aqueducts, eleven waste-weirs, eighteen culverts, thirty-three road bridges, thirty-six farm bridges, three change and tow-path bridges, two guard-locks, one dam and bulk-head, three dams, thirty-three lock houses, six stop-gates, two draw bridges, and the Delta feeder." At the time when the work was suspended, in 1842, the sec- tion work south of Boonviile was mostly done, except on five sections; forty -seven locks were mostly finished, except framing and hanging gates, and a large amount of other work was more or less completed; but during the five years that the labor was suspended, a great part of the timb^y was so injured as to be- come almost useless. North of Boonviile, about six miles of section work had been let, of which two were completed, and the others well advanced. Two locks were nearly finished, and the feeder had been about half done. Two culverts were built upon it, and the materials in part delivered for the guard-lock and dam. The value of materials on hand, at that time, was $60,383-86, of which $20,000 worth weri made available, and the remainder was a loss to the state. In 1851, the canal had been brought into use as far as Port Leyden, and such is the forwardness of the remainder, that its coni|)letion to Carthage appears not distant. During the dry season of 1849, all the water at the head of the feeder was used, and still there was a deficiency of 7000 cubic feet per minute. This led to a plan for ensuring a supply by constructing dams at the outlets of some of the lakes above this point which receive the drainage of many thousand acres. The descent of Black River from the High Falls to Carthage is 9^ feet in low water, and 23 feet in high water; as at such times the rise at the former place is 22 feet, and at Carthage but eight feet. The quantity of water passing the falls at its lowest stage is about 30,000 cubic feet per minute, and is not Black River Canal. 347 maferially increased until it receives the Otter and Tiid^endence Creeks. Among the several plans that were proposed to im- prove the channel, that of constructing a dam and lock near In- dependence Creek, is said to have been decided upon. A dam is also to be built at the village of Carthage above the present dam, where the river is about 700 feet wide, and from three to four feet deep in low water, with a rock bottom. In 1837, the project of extending the Black River Canal from Carthage to Ogdensburgh, or some point on the St. Lawrence, began to be discussed; and in the fall of 1838 meetings were held at Watertown, Evans' Mills, Theresa, and other places. Petitions, memorials, and statistics, were forwarded to the legis- lature, and on the 2d of May, 1839, a bill was passed author- izing a survey of the several routes proposed. This labor was entrusted to Edward H. Brodhead, who, in the summer of 1839, surveyed a route from Carthage to Clayton, from Carthage to Sackets Harbor, from Carthage to Ox Bow, and thence, by im- proving the Or'vegatchie, to Ogdensburgh. and another branch of this route to Gouverneur, and thence near the river to Ogdens- burgh. By these surveys, Carthage was found to be 480 feet above the lake. These surveys created a lively interest through- out the central and northern parts of the county, and a conven- tion from St. Lawrence and a part of Jefferson Counties met at Gouverneur on the 27th of June, 1839, at which, a series of reso- lutions was passed, reasserting the claims of northern New York upon a share of the state patronage, and the wants of this sec- tion for a cheap and direct access to market. The report of Mr. Brodhead, with an accompanying map, was submitted to the legislature in 1840,* and provision was made for the selection of one of the routes surveyed, by three disinterested men from the 1st, 2d and 3d, or 8tli, senate districts; but a change of policy in relation to the minor public works, which also suspended the larger, put an end to the discussion by postponing it indefinitely. The experience at present had in relation to railways renders it probable that the subject of a canal beyond Carthage will never be revived. On the 12th of April, 1848, the Black River Steam Boat Com- pany was chartered for fifteen years, with a capita^ of $25,000, to build one or more boats to navigate the river, subject to such tolls as might be imposed. The persons named in the act were Amos Buck, Harrison Blodget, Hiram McCollom, Dean S. How- ard, Lyman R. Lyon, Alburn Foster, Alfred Lathrop, Walter Nimocks,Eli West, Charles Day an, James Smith, Wm. F. Strong, * Anembly Documents, 1840, No. 233. * 88 !fif 348 Navigation of the Lakes. Elijah Horr and Reuben Rice. A subscription was circulated, but nothing uas accomplished by this company. By an act of April 15, 18 16, the Osvvegatchie was declared a highway, irom its mouth to Streeter's Mills, the present village of Wegatchie. On the 6th of April, 1853, Indian River was declared a public highway for floating logs in Antwerp, Phila- delphia, Le Ray, and Theresa, and the u^^ual penalties were imposed lor obstructing the channel. , ; From the earliest period of our existence as a state, the St. Lawrence was regarded as a natural outlet for the great chain of inland lakes, for which it served, in a great measure, as the channel of trade, until the construction of the Erie Canal. Both the French and the English had built vessels on this lake, while the supremacy of its waters v«ras with them. A small but thriving commerce had arisen before the war, and during that period a formidable naval tbrce sprang into existence, that was opposed by a similar one, fitted out at Kingston; and the hostile fleets upon Lake Ontario, at the close of the war, were increasing in number of sail, and amount of force, with a rapidity that has had few parallels in naval annals. At the conclusion of peace, these fleets were gradually broken up, or converted to commercial purposes, and, almost iromediatel) after, the application of steam to navigation, which had already assumed importance on the Hudson and other waters, began to be applied to the lakes. The subject having been examined in the summer and fall cf 1815, articles of agreement were drawn up, dated January 2, 1816, between Harriet Fulton, and Wm. Cutting, of New York, executors of Robert Fulton, and Robert R. Livingston, and Edward P. Livingston, of Clermont, owne''s of the right and privilege of steam boat navigation in the state, by special act of the legislature, on the one part; and Charles Smyth, Joseph C. Yates, Thomas C. Duane, and David Boyd, on the other part, by which the latter acquired the sole right to navigate boats and vessels (steam ships and vessels of war excepted) by steam, on all or any of the waters of Lake Ontario, within the state of New York, and the fuHand entire, and exclusive right, of employing in the navigation of the same waters such inventions and im- provements, in the navigation of boats by steam or fire, to which the grantors, or any of them, had or hereafter might have right or title by patent, &c. It was provided and stipulated, that but one boat should be employed at a time on any route to be established on the said waters, by virtue of this contract, without the consent in writing of the grantors, and until the nei proceeds of the said on? boat should exceed twenty per cent per annum. One boat was to be Steam Navigation on Lake Ontario, 349 built )vithin two years. The grantees paid ten dollars on the execution of the agreement, and covenanted to pay, annually, on the first of January (deducting $1,500 from the gross receipts of each year, and the current expenses of running the boat), one half of all moneys received above twelve per cent on the investment. The $1,500 was to be withdrawn, annually, until it should amount to $12,000, which was to constitute a sinking fund for rebuilding the boat. Should the grantees acquire from the British government any privileges for the navigation of the lake, they were to be shared equally by the contracting parties, and these privileges were not transferable. Application was to be made for the incorporation of an association, to be styled the Ontario Steam Boat Company, with a capital of $200,000. On the 6th of February, 1816, a petition from Charles Smyth, David Boyd, £ri Lusher, Abraham Van Santvoord, John J. De Graff, and their associates, was presented, in which the essential facts, above stated, were given, and an act of incorporation solicited. A bill was prepared and passed the house, by a vote of 76 to 40, but did not become a law, in consequence of the early adjournment of the legislature. On the 16th of August, of the same year, Eri Lusher, and Charles Smyth, became, by assign- ment of De Ora{f and Boyd, partners in the enterprise, and a boat was commenced at Sackets Harbor, the same summer, after the model of the Sea Horse, then running on the Sound near New York. She was 110 feet long, 24 feet wide, and eight feet deep, -.h0 ■■■, . ..^..;•.4 ■'. Fint Steam Boat on the Great Lake$ T810. measuring S37 tons. The boilers are said to have been seventeen feet long and three and a half feet in diameter, with a cross head engine, and cylinder of twenty inches diameter, and three feet stroke; wheels eleven feet four inches across, and capacity of en- gine, twenty-one horse power. The following application for an act of incorporation, is 'h ' f. I t yjii~^ ,A v,j I V'%i &i n B60 Steam Navigation on Lake Ontario. without date, but waii drawn up in December, 1S!(), far iW lei- sioa of the legislature next ensuing. " To the HonoiMe the Legislature of the SlaU u/.^few York: The petition of Charles Smyth, of the city of Aik^nv, and £)'i Lusher, of the cily of Schencctudy, wiio,togt b..%'i wit!; Majw ,• G«> nerai Jacob Brov« n, are i\\*i proprietors of the <>xclusive right to the navigationot the America n waters of Lake Ontario by steam or 6re, most humbly f howet^: tt That your petitioners, with M. T. Woolsey, SanuelF. Hooker, Hunter Crane, and Elisha Camp, l^qui es, hri ve lately awiutnitied a steam boat at Sacke'.a Harbor; thai they are desirous o? ob- taining aa act of incorporation for a ;'ompanv, under \i ^^iyh of the Lake Ontario Steam Beat Ctsnpiuiy, with a ca^iital uf *; vo bitnd'od thoui^and (iollars, and powt-r to ostablisibi branches at LinvJsv. .J Gerjf see River, Oswego, Sackets Harbor, Cape Vin- cciif' a^iu Ogdeijsburghj that whatever reasons may be urged egKin^it steam boats in other parts of the country, on Lake Onta- rio, they can not fail of producing the best effects, as instead of Injuring the villages on its banks, they will materially tend to promote their increase and prosperity; th^il the cost of a boat so far exceeds the means which mercantile men, generally, can now command, that your petitioners are unable lo build any further, and for obvious reasons, they can not induce large capitalists to embark with them without an act of incorporation; that the English in the province of Upper Canada have constructed a steam boat of seven hundred tons burthen, avowedly for the purpose of engrosf ing the business of both sides of the lake; that independent of the wealth of the individuals composing that association, the provincial government has promised them every encouragement, and has actually passed an order in council, impos- ing a duty of two dollars and fifty cents per ton on all American vessels above one hundred tons burthen, by which means the steam beat of vour petitioners, exceeding two hundred tons, is effectually excluded from the Canadian waters, while the Eng- lish boat may freely navigate ours, in which no such tonnage duty exists. It is well known to your petitioners and to every man acquaint- ed with the commerce of the Jakes, that an establishment of thiw nature will be of very great benefit to th: inhabitants of the western country. The delays which now < • ar in the transport- ation of property destined for Detroit 9 ■'\e settlements on Lake F****;, would be, in a great mea*iure, ' r ad, and with them the ob' ions frequently made by nn. >■ * : j from that quiirter to extern . .purchases in Albany and nv vork. The navy department of the Unties nates, apparently influ- Steam Navigation on Lake Ontario. «}1 enced by an opinion of the great utility of steam boats on Lake Ontario, generously directed a sufficiency of timber from the na- val depot to be delivered to the agent of one of your petitioners, upon his paying therefor a reasonable sum of money. The boat is now built, and if the experiment succeed, it is the intention of your petitioners to grant privileges to as many associations on the American shore as apply for a right. They therefore hum- bly entreat that your honorable body will be pleased to grant them the charter prayed for, or, if that should be deemed improper, such an act of incorporation as will enable them to dispense the advantages of steam navigation to their fellow citizens from Lewiston to Ogdensburgh. And as in duty bound, V i if Your petitioners will ever pray. ' .'I , (Signed) Charles Smyth. Eri Lusher. This application did not succeed. Early in 1817, the steamer Ontario was completed and performed her first trip, being every where greeted with the most lively demonstrations of joy. Bon- fires, illuminations, andmutualcongratulationsof friends, bespoke the satisfaction with which this achievement was regarded, and the event was hailed as a new era in the commerce of the lakes. Weekly trips from Ogdensburgh to Lewiston were first attempted, but on the first of July, 1817, the owners advertised, that finding the trip of about 600 miles, too extensive to be performed within that time, it would be altered to ten days. The fare through w&s fixed at $ 15. Capt. Francis Mallaby, U. S. N., was her first master. The Ontario continued to run, seldom exceeding five miles an hour, until 1832, when she was broken up at 0»wego. The monopoly of steam navigation on the waters of the state, granted bj repeated acts of the legislature to Robert R. Lit- ip'^^iton and Robert Fulton, gave rise to much litigation; and, in in a suit of OgiJen against Gibbons, commenced in the Court of Chancery, ^September 27, 1819, it was decided in favor of the grant.* An appeal was made to the Court of Errors,t and the case was finally decided in the Supreme Court of the United States,} in February, lv^-?4, that the act was " repugnant to the clause ui' *ht Cunsiitution of the United States, which authorises l^ongress to reg'hte commerce, so far as the said acts pro- hibit vessels, licensed according to the laws of the United States, for carrying on the coasti}<^ trade, from navigating the said waters by means of fire or steam." ♦ .Tohnson's Chancery Reports, iv, 148. I Wheaton's Reports, is, 1 . t Cowen's Reports, iii, 713. t 1 !;■ '^t-^^K 862 Steam BoaU.— Wreck qf the Martha Ogden. f The Ontario was the first steamer built on abater subject to a swell, and determined the interesting problem that steam boats were«dapted to the navigation of open seas, as well as sheltered rivers. The Fronienac was built soon after, at Kingston, and the next season the first steamer appeared on Lake Erie. The Martha Ogden was built in 1819, at Sackets Harbor, and continued in use until lost in 1832, under the following circum- stances: The boat (William Vaughan, master) had left Oswego on the afternoon of November 12, when she encountered a gale, and being unable to regain the port, started for Sackets Harbor; but a leak having sprung, the fires were put out, and her sails were raised. The wind, which in the afternoon had been S. W., veered to W. N. W., then N. W., and lastly N., which prevented her from doubling Stony Point. Both anchors were thrown out in eight and a half fathoms, which held from 4 till 11 f. m., when they successively parted, and she soon after struck and bilged in ten feet of water. There were on board six hands, and twenty-two passengers. With much peril, a man at length reached the (bore, eight rods from the boat, rallied the inhabit- ants, built fires, and in the morning a line was passed to the shore, and the whole company on board were safely drawn ashore in a three-hushel basket, rigged upon a line, with a Dutch harness. Captain Vaughan was the last one to leave the wreck, which went to pieces during the day. She was owned by S. & L. Denison, of Sackets Harbor, and proved a total loss. This wreck occurred at Nutting's Bay, on the coast of Henderson. The Sophia, Robbins, Black Hawk (afterward the Dolphip), Brownville (afterwards the William Jivery), Charles Carroll, (afterwards the jjmenca), and Paul Pry, were steamers on the lake and river, built at an early period end previous to 1834. On the 28th of January, 1831, an act was passed constituting Joseph Denison and his associates a corporate body, under the name of the Ontario and St, Lavorence Steam Boat Company, with a capital of $100,000, and limited in duration to May 1st, ]850. The owners of the Ontario and Martha Ogden, hereto- fore employed in navigating the lake and river, 'were entitled to the amount of the appraised value of those boats. The affairs of the company were to be managed by fifteen directors, of whom the first were to be Joseph Denison, Edward BronSon, Gerrit Smith, Elias Trowbridge, Theopilus S. Morgan, Richard L. De Zeng, Horatio N. Walton, Josinh T. Marshall, John T. Trowbridge, Frederick Bushnell, Elisha Camp, Jacob Arnold, William Baron,* John C. Bush, and Samuel Denison. The stock- holders were jointly and severally liable for the d^bts contracted * *'BueB,*' ia tht Mt{ probtUy WiUiam Smm. Steam J^avigation on Lake Ontario, 363 by the corporation, and persons having demands against the company might sue any stockholder or director for the recovery of the same. The place of business of the company was to be fixed at Oswego, and its transactions limited solely to the navi- gal ion of the Ontario and River St. Lawrence. This company built at Ogdensburgh the steamer United States, which for size and amount of accommodation, far surpassed any boat that had been Sreviously run by Americans on this water. She was launched in November, 1831, and came out on htr first trip July 1st, 1832, under the command of Eiias Trowbridge. Her dimensions were as follows: length, 142 feet; width, 26 feet beam, and 55 feet overall; depth of hold 10 feet; engines, low pressure, with a 40 inch cylinder and 8 feet stroke. Cost, $56,000. She con- tinued running on the through line, from Ogdensburgh to Lew- iston, till 1838, when, having become obnoxious to the Canadians from the use made of her at the affair at the Wind-mill, near Prescott, she was run upon the lake only afterwards, until 1843, when she was broken up at Oswego, and her engines transferred to the Rochester. The following boats have since been built on this lake: Oswego, at that place, 1833, 286 tons. After running six years her engines were transferred to the St, Lawrence. Jack Douming, built at Carthage in 1834, by Paul Boy./oh, and drawn on wheels to Sackets Harbor — very small. Aft"r- wards a ferry boat. Oneida, of 227 tons, built at Oswego in 1836; A. Smith first master; owned by Henry Fitzhugh of Oswego, £. B. Allen and G.' N. Seymour of Ogdensburgh. In 1845 fitted up as a sail ves- sel, and lost at Lake Erie. Telegraph, 196 tons, built at Dexter, in 1836; owned by parties at Utica, Watertown and Sackets Harbor; afterwards changed to a sail vessel, and burnt on Lake St. Clair. Express, built at Pultneyville, in 1839 — H. N. Throop, first master and part owner. Laid up in 1850. St. Lawrence, 402 tons, enrolled at Oswego, in 1839; rebuilt in 1844, and increased to 434 tons; cost $50,000. Laid t; „ Clayton, in 1850. Length 180 feet, beam 23 feet, hold 11 feet. George Clinton and President, small boats, built at Oswego, about 1842. John Marshall, a small steamer wrecked in a storm off the mouth of Sandy Creek, October 18, 1844. Several other boats, of minor class, have at various times run upon the lake arii! "^l Lawrence River. . orporation that built the steamer United States, never attei pted any other boat. About 1842, a stock company, styled the Ontario Steam and Canal Boat Companyt was formed at I ' i';1i 364 Steam Navigation on Lake Ontario, Oswego, and in that year built the Lady of the Lake, of 4?3 tons, which was used on the through line until 1852, when she was chartered n« a ferry, from Cape Vincont to Kingston, in connec ' I itVi tV>. lail road. She was the first American boat on ^^i - watf, • h stete-rooras on the upper deck. The Rocnester was built at Oswego, by the same company, in l^l*), of 364 tons, and run on the through line till 1848, since which she has run from Lewihton to Hamilton. The Magara, of 433 tons, built at French Creek, by the ^t. Lawrence Steam Boat Comjtf^i', which had been formed soon after that at Oswego. Vl.iu uoat is sl'U in use in the American Mail Line; has a length of 182 feet; beam, 21\ feet; total breadth, 47 feet; depth of hold, 7^ feet. The engine was built at the Archimedes Works, in New York, and has a cylinder 40 inches in diameter, with 11 feet stroke; wheels, 30 feet in diameter. The Cataract, built at Clayton, in 1847, measures 677 tons; length of keel, 202 feet; breadth of beam, 27^ feet; across the guards, 48 feet; depth of hold, 10 feet; wheels, 30 feet in di- ameter. Engines, oy H. R. Dunham & Co., Archimedes Works, New York; cylinder 44 inches in diameter, and a stroke of 11 feet; cost about $60,000. Commanded, in 1847-8, by James Van Cleve; in 1849-51, by R. B. Chapman, and 'n 1852-3, by A. D.Kilby. Ontario, was built in 1847, at Clayton. Extreme length, 240i feet; breadth of beam, 32 feet, and over all, 64 § feet; depth of hold, 12 feet. Engine, by T.[F. Secor & Co., New York; cylinder, 50 inches in '' ameter, and 11 feet stroke. Ton- nage, 900. Cost, $80,000. Bay State, built at Clayton, and came out on her lirst trip in June, 1849, with James Van Cleve, master, the first season. She has a tonnage of 9'^5, and the following dimensions, viz: Length, 222 f.et; breat. a of beam, 31| feet, and over all, 58 feet; depth of hold, 12 ftet. Engines from Archimedes Works, New York, with cylinder 56 inches in diameter, and 11 feet stroke. V^'Iioels, 32 feet in diameter The JVortherner, built at Oswego, by G. S. Wee103 390 The grades of qualification in 1801, in the two towns then comprising the county, were as follows: Champion, worth JCIGO and upwards, one; worth less than j£20, but renting pro- perty worth 40s. per ann.,75. Watertown, worth JEIOO and up- wards, two; vorth less than je20, but renting property worth 40 «. per annum, 132. In 1807 the result was as follows: TOWHB. AdatTiS BrownvUle...... Champion Elliaburgh Harrison Henderson £100. £20-100. 10 ». 132 25 6 34 24 123 138 38 6 88 4 4 146 70 20 57 49 22 Towns . Houndsfield . . Le Ra^ Malta Rutland Watertown . . Total.... £100. £20-100. 47 36 22 18 3 193 21 54 6 835 219 40 f. The census of 1810, gave.the following returns of manufqictures in this county: i!ii; !H :fi: K. 'fi!.; ,!"■ '-h S6B •,%»■ Sti:ttgtici> ^'h, ii Cotton goods made in ftmilies, vardd (av. 32 ots.),. Flaxen goods made in families, yds. (av. 37) cts.),. . . . Blended and unnamed cloths, yds. (av. 35 cts.), Woolen goods made in families, yds. (av. 87i cts.),. . . Looms,. 1,393 106,623 1,475 51,013 660 35,000 40,000 1,000 50 9 16 9,650 32,000 25,600 900 Carding machines 5, pounds carded (av. 50 cts. per lb.), Fulling mills 8, yards fulled (av. $1-25 per yd), Hattenes 2, hats made (av. $2-50), Furnaces 2, tons of iron (av. from $100 to $120 per ton),. Trip hammers, • • Tanneries, ^ Hides tanned 750 (av. $4*25 each), calfskins 1,000 (&v. $M2 each.) Oil mills 3, gallons made (av. $1-25), Distilleries 16, gallons made (av. 80 cts.), Breweries 2, gallons made (av. 17 cts.), Paper mills 1, reams made (av. $3.), > The census of 1814, taken in pursuance of an act passed Apri) 15, of that year, gave the following results: Total population in the thirteen towns, 18,564 Electors, with freeholds of the value of £100, , 1,039 Electors, with freeholds worth from £20 to £100, 107 Electors, not freeholders, renting tenements worth 40«. per ann., 1,641 Free white males, under IG years of age, . . 5,367 Free white males, of the age of 18 and under 45, 3,376 Free white males, of 45 years and upwards, < . 716 Free white females, under 18 years, .5,204 Free white females, of the age of 18 and under 45, 2,954 Free white females, of 45 years and upwards 700 All other free persons, 217 £!{ave«(Brownville 1, Houndsfield 18, Le Ray 4, Watertown 5, Wilna2), •. 30 No statistics but those of population were taken at this time. The national census of 1820, gave the following returns: 3,005 White males under 10, .... 5,692 White males from 10 to 16, 2,459 «♦ " " 16 to 18, 700 " «• « 16 to 26, includ'g heads of families, 3,831 White males from 26 to 45, includ'gheads of families, 4,143 White males, 45 and upw'ds, includ'g heads of families, 1,574 White females under 10, .. 5,521 White females from 10 to 16, 2,397 «' ' « " 16 to 26, includ'g heads of families. White females from 26 to 45, includ'g heeds of families, 3,040 White females of 45 and up- wards, including heads of fi«milies, 1,250 Foreigners not naturalized,. 787 Persons eng'd in agriculture, 134 " " manufactures, 1,603 Slaves (Antwerp 4, Le Ray 1) 5 Colored males, free, ....... 79 Colored females, free 63 Statistics of agriculture and manufactures were taken in 1820, but we are not aware that they were printed in detail by separate counties. The several state censuses, taken in 1825, 1835, and 1845, give the following numbers of the different classes of population, and statistics of agriculture and manufaetu -^ in this county. Mar. feiR. Vnmar. " Statiitict. 359 Male*, FemalM, Sub't Mil'y duty, Voters AUens, Panpen, Col. penona not taxed, " «' taied, " '• voters^ Mar. fern, under 4S, Uomar. " 16-45,. " " under 10, Mar. year previoui ,. . Birtba male*, " «' frmalei, " ... Deaths malef, '*.... " females,".... Asres improved land. Neat cattle, HoraeM, 1835. 1S35. 81,832 97,140 19,818 25,808 6,060 4669 8,153 10,498 1,030 1,7)8 187 89 153 195 IS U 8 • • •• ■ 5,490 6,918 2,V43 4,063 0,657 11,992 332 395 069 1,068 000 1,017 281 355 SIS 378 173,147 958.348 44,rj0 70,737 8,072 16.813 04,999 33,334 6,803 13,772 2,040 147 168 9 6 .8,399 5,4^-5 13,495 749 1,203 1,025 354 430 386.789 85,934 10,39' Sheep Hogs, Yd*, fulled cl.yr. pre " flannel &c " linen, coiton tie. Gristmills, (taw mills Oil milU, Fulling mills Carding machines... . Cotton factories, Woolen factories, Iron works, Trip-hammers, Distilleries, Asheries, Tanneries, Glass factories, Rope factories, Breweries, 1885. 96,408 38,290 76,814 101,122 130,2;i9 54' 107 4 34 39 3 a IB 7 30 149 1835. 184S. 114,371 57.696 77.043 09,438 08,055 47 134 3 28 27 9 10 12 13 43 30 1 1 3 184,536 53,068 80,135 113,104 70,304 54 168 9 96 fe 9 la 81 u 6 ""49 1 9 « 'J The census of 1830 and 1840 gave the following returns from Jeiferson County: 1830. 1840. Males. Females. Males. Females. IVh'fAM iinHfir •)« •••>•...•.• 4,361 3,901 3,211 2,599 4,376 3,042 1,872 1,030 474 195 47 2 2 65 4,074 3,698 3,053 2,716 4,152 2,440 1,641 830 417 176 4 4 • • ■ • 74 4,855 4,615 3,907 3,647 5,083 3,687 2,606 1,567 838 351 79 11 • • • • 70 4,638 4,217 3,623 3,677 « 6 to 10 « 10 " 15 u 15 «« 20 « 20 " 30 5531 M 30 ** 40 3,462 2,184 a 40 «« 50 - 50 " 60 1,408 727 " fiO •* 70... « 70 " 80 299 « 80 " 90. « 90 «100. ..i " over 100 96 7 Colored pereons 71 From the census of 1840, we derive the following: iron — Cast iron furnaces, 6 J tons. .«••.•«••••• 1,166 Forges — mill, 1 ; tons . . 80 Tens of fuel consumed in furnaces 1,869 Men employed 256 Capital invested $59,000 Lewi— Smelting house, 1; pounds 300,000 Capital invested, o $10,000 JFbFMt— Value of lumber. $247,448 Tons pot and pearlasb. 1,006 Vnlue of furs and skins Other products of the forest Men employed « JUanufadurts — Machinery made Men employed Manufactures of motal . Men employed Marble, value Bricks and limo Men en.ployed' I* « I • tt • • • $25 $15,854 131 $35,000 48 $22,000 ' 18 $30 $11,732 32 \mi m ■•■ i |-*-'4(f-* I- i. !'S(Ji 360 Statiiticg. Total mnnufact'ing cap- ital ]Too2— Fulling mills Woolen innnufactoriea. Value manufactured . . . Persons employed Capital invested CoMon— Factories, 1 ; s|)in- dles Value manufactured . . . Persons employed Capital invested Tobacco — Manufactured . . Persons employed Hals,fyc. — Value niauufnc- turcd Value straw bonnets. . . Persons employed Capital invested Letdher — Tanneries Sides of sole leather tanned Sides of upper leather tanned Men em|>Ioyed Capital invested Other manufac. leather Value manufactured. . . Capital invested Soap and Candles— Pouada of soap Tallow candles, lbs. . . . Men employed Capital invested DislUled and FermttUed Li- quora — Distilleries... . Gallons produced Breweries $14,301 22 11 $205,300 292 $273,800 1,000 $16,000 40 $10,000 $1,000 3 $13,350 $),000 32 $7,000 31 10,448 22,340 143 $88,200 29 $98,800 $19,400 19,700 34,640 5 $3,000 9 313,344 b Gallons produced 64,000 Men employed 31 Capitol invested $37,500 Medicinal Drugs, Paints,ffe $1,500 Paper — Manufactory, 1; value made $10,000 Printing, ifc, — OfBces... 4 Binderies f • 1 Weekly papers 5 Men employed 28 Capital invested $15,300 Cordage — Rope walk, 1; value made $8,000 Men employed 5 >Carrut|^e«,^e— Value m'de |$44,400 Men employed 76 Capital invested $20,150 MUls — Flouring mills .... 8 Barrels of flour made. . 11,900 Gristmill 34 Sawmills 109 •Oil Mills 4 Vclne of manufactures $299,514 Men employed J77 Capitrl invested $194,200 Fumuure — Value made.. $24^250 Men employed 42 Capital invested $9,340 Houses — Built of wood year previous 147 Brick and stone houses fi3 Men employed 318 Value of buildings .... $223,790 All other manufactures not enumerated $74,493 Capital invested ...... $22,358 Total manufacturing ca'p- ital $721,249 The census of 1845 gave many details, for which the former ones afford no means of comparison, viz: Natives of New York, 50,582 u u M M « New England,.. 7,528 " Other Stotes,... 557 " Gr. Britain and provinces,.... 4,209 " France, 424 " Germany, 425 Natives of other Europeon Counties, 99 Children, between 5and 16, 18,619 ** attend. Com. Sch. 15,659 " " Priv. " 623 « " Academ.. 73 •* •* Colleges,. 14 Baptist Churche >,..•• Episcopal Presbyterian Congregational Methodist Catholic Dutch Reform. Unitarian Jewish Quakers Academies, .... Common Schools, 357 Cost of Coram. Schools, $74,927-70 " *« other improvem., $3,041'10 « (i (( II II u II II II 19 6 16 9 24 5 3 2 1 2 1 ,;<««(f>> Statitticg. Yl ' 361 Piipil>,t •••<•' •*•••* •*•••• 35.761 Average attendance,^ 9,'J86 Priviite Schools, 26 " Pupils, 620 Mechanics, 3,369 Attorneys, 48 Physicians, 102 Clergy, 106 Salary, ,,»,,,.,.\.i... $98,040-30 Merchants, 200 Maniifncturers, 2S3 Farmers 11,002 Inns, 118 Wholesale stores,. ...' 3 Retail stores, :. 161 Groceries, 57 Barley, Peas, JD6lin8j» • • • • • » • Buck Wheat, . . Turnips, ACRES. 11,007 10,079 660 2,882 1.59 BUSHELS. 159,872 153,374 6,974 42,128 18,538 ACRES. Wheot Charv.;,' 32,949 Corn, I 17,432 Rye, 9,989 Oats, 26,462 Potatoes, ' 8,028 BCSHELS. 421,819 467,230 55,457 709,232 1,235,139 Flax, 1,106 acres.— 208.545 pounds. Cows milked, 41,360. Pounds cf Butter, 3,080,767. Pounds of Cheese 3,802,314. The census of 1850 not having' been published, we are una- ble to give more than the following statistics: Total population 68,1.53 Males 34,748 Females 33,223 Colored(m.90, r.92), 182 United Slates born. . . 60,28 1 Foreign born 7,872 Deaths year prev. JuiiC 1 572 Marriages " " " 773 Averages per month . . . $12 Personb over 20 who can not read 1,577 Do. foreigneri? t:99 Dwelling houses 11,926 Families. 12,235 Farms 5,500 Mnnufnctiiring capital, $1,443,002 Raw material used .... $ 1 ,452,345 Value of product $2,657,9&3 M.^-les employed 2,094 Females " 391 Nutrtber of churches. . . 89 Number of children at- tending schools 18,605 Acres of improved land 418,540 Of the place of nativity of our citizens, the census of 1850 gives the following: New York 53,199 Maine 88 New Hampshire 816 Vermont.. 2,055 Massachusetts . . 1,877 Rhode Island... 338 Connecticut ... 1,369 New Jersey.... 169 Pennsylvania... 163 Delaware 8 Maryland 14 Dist. Columbia.. 8 Virginia 11 North Carolina.. 1 South Carolina . . 1 Georgia 1 Louisiana 3 Ohio 60 Michigan 42 Illinois 27 Other states.... 31 h'ngland 1,047 Ireland 3,546 Scotland 284 Wales 55 Germany 585 France 401 Holland 3 Italy 6 Switzerland .... 65 PruhHia 1 British America 3,830 West Indies.... 1 Othar countries. 17 Unknown 52 The following list of revolutionary pensioners, and (heir wid" cws, living in the county, in 1840, wil' be read with interest. 1 'I i\ i ' V » 1 'I^ t Revolutionary Petmonen. From some inadvertence, Watertown and Champion do not occur on the official list from which we copy. The ages and place of residence of each are given: Jldamt — ^Peter Doxtater, 88; Lucy Thompson, 73; Cynithia White, 77; John Merriam. 84; Abel Bassett, 80; Danforth Doty, 86. Alexandria — George Rappole, 89; William Garter, 83; Dan- iel .Whorry, 76; ikiith Patten, 80; Ephraim Hogert, 84; Peter Lutz, 76; Abram Newman, 81. Antwerp — Lydia Turner, 76; Noah French, 86; Martha Clark, 76; Josiah Drake, 78. Brotonville — John Baxter, 88; Walter W^ilson, 86; Selah Burton, 79; David Rimiston, 93; John P. Beecher, 78. , Clayton — Solomon Ingalls, 90; Hosea Randolph, 7^, Lydia Dixon, 86; Amos Richards, 82; James Bothell, Bi; Maiy Da- vis, 73; Abraham Joy, 78; James Rankin, 83; ThomiA Fet- terly, 76. Ellisburgh — Solomon Tracey, 81 ; Jonathan Fiah, 83 ; Stepheu Lindsley, 81; Mrs. Deuse, 80; Bryant Eddy, 79; Jonathan Matteson, 78; Ri^fus Richardson, 79; Abel Porter, 80; Samuel Hubbard, 79; James Gault, 83; Simeon Russell, 84; Samuel Mixer, 82; Levi Smith, 86; Abiezar Philips, 81; Thomas Worden, 82; Simeon Russell, 89; Ebenezer Wallace, 79; Ste- phen Hicks, 86; Henry H. Fall, 90. Henderson — John Pettiugell, 73; Ebenezer. Sawyer, 86; Abijah Stickney, 82; John Carter, 78: John Morris, 81; Ste- phen Hawkins, 82. Houndsfield — Jared Olcott, 81; Charles Ripley, 76; Sumner Adams, 66; Solomon Livermore, 78; Anna Dorchester, 79; Elias Taylor, 72; Thomas Cole, 72; Julius Terrey, 64; Ebene- zer Philips, 80. Le iitfy— Timothy Tamblin, 83; Joel Dodge, 79; Hiel Truesden, 78; Ezekiel Lyman, 80; William Rogers, 83; Han- nah Harwick, 81; Elizabeth Ainstcd, 74; Elisha Scofield, — . Lorraine — ^Jacob Weaver, 83; Benjamin Fletcher, 80; Caleb Tift, 81. Lyme — Samuel J. Mills, 81; Jacob H. Oveij, 83; Nicholas Smith, 86; Prudence Hodges, 7*^^; Lucretia Marsh, 84; Felix Powell, 77. Orleans — ^Joseph Rhodes, 78; Adolphus Picket, 79; William Colins, 80; John Monk, 89; Moses Limon, 78; Elizabeth Rix- ford, 76; Nicholas Smith, 86; Elizabeth Bairet, 80; Caleb Willis. 78; M. Contreman, 70. Pame/ia— J. Gloyd, 85. Philadelphia — Editha Taylor, 84; James Hewitt, 77; Jona- than Carr, 83; Isaac Hurd, 79. " ,• .-■-w;,^: ,;i?:»,^^..;;::::.:Z:;;^.. .; Pogt Houtes. 363 Rodvmn — Ephraisn Wright. 73? To^r. Russell j Elijah Mcin- tosh, 78. Rutland — Mary I>arney, 74; Samuel Dunham, 88. Wilna — Peter Brown, 88; Stephen Shew, 79; Josiah Hurl- bert, 79; Solomon Cleaveland, 86. Very few of the above persons are now living, and the last will soon have disappeared from among us. Post Routes in the County, and Dates of Formation^ by Acts of Congress. Jipril 21, 1806. From Harrisbureh, through Williamstown (De Kalb),Ogdensburgh, Potsdam, Cbateaugay, to Plattsburgh. From Rome, through RedBeld, Adams, by Smith's Mills, to Sackets Harbor, and from thence to Chemangh? .4pn7 28, 1810. From Utica, by Whitestown, Rome, Cam- den, Adams, and Sackets Harbor, to Brownville. From Utica, by Trenton, Steuben, Leyden, Turin, Lowville, Harrisburgh, Ox BoWjDe Kalb, Canton, Ogdensburgh, Lisbon, Hamilton (Wad- dington), Madrid,Potsdam, Chesterfield (Lawrence), Malone and Chetango (Cbateaugay), to Plattsburgh. From Harrisburgh, by Champion, Watertown, and Brownville, to Port Putnam. April 30, 1816. From Williamstown, by Richland, Ellis- burgh, and Henderson, to Sackets Harbor. From Brownville to Cape Vincent. April 20, IS 18. From Denmark, by Le Raysville, to Wilna. March 3, 1821. From Turin, by Harrisburgh, Copenhagen, Tylerville, Pinckney, and Rodman, to Adams. From Water- town, by Le Raysville, to Antwerp. May 8, 1822. From Champion to Alexandria, by Felt's Mills, Le Raysville, Evans' Mills, Theresa and Plessis. March 3, 1825. From Watertown, by Adams and Manns- ville, to Sandy Creek, and from thence, by Richland, &c., to Syracuse. March 2, 1827. From Ellisburgh, by Smithville, to Sackets Harbor. May 24, 1828. From Watertown, by Evans' Mills, Phila- delphia, Antwerp, Gouverneur, De Kalb, and Heuville, to Og- densburgh. June 15, 1832. From W^atertown, by Brownville, La Farge- ville,to Cornelia, at the mouth of French Creek; thence, by De- pauville, to Brownville. From Heuville, by De Peyster, to Ox Bow. July 2, 1836. From Watertown, by Burrville, to Rodman. From Carthage, through Great Bend, Le Raysville, Felt's Mills, Lockport, and Huntington's Mills, to Watertowh. From The- resa, by the Glass Works and South Hammond, to Hammond. 24 II I 1.5:1 'I iw m ^1 364 Po9t Officeg. July 7, 1838. From New Haven, by Port Ontario and Lind- seyville, to £llisburgh. August 31, 1842. From North Adams, through Field's Set- tlement, to Watertown. March 3, 1845. From Wilna, by Natural Bridge, to Diana. March 3, 1847. From Antwerp, by Shingle Creek, Fowler, Fullerville, Edwards, and Russell, to Canton. August 14, 1848. From Copenhagen, by Boynton's Corners, Worthville, and Jacksonville, to Lorraine. From La Farge- ville, by Sbantyville, Parker Settlement, Theresa, Ox Bow, and Wegatchie, to Gouverneur. September 27, 1850. From Pierrepont Manor to Sackets Harbor, by rail road. From Adams Centre to Sackets Harbor, on the direct road. From Natural Bridge to Diana. From Evans' Mills to Ox Bow. From Lowville, by Harrisburgh and Pinckney, to Rodman. March 3, 1851. From Great Bend, by Evaas' Mills, to French Creek (Clayton). Post Offices. — The following is a list of the post offices now existing in the several towns in Jefferson County: Adams. Adams, Adams Centre, Appling, North Adams, Smithville (on line of Henderson). Alexandria. Alexandria, Alexandria Centre, Plessis, Redwood. Antwerp. Antwerp, Bentley's Corners, Ox Bow. Broumville. Brownville, Dexter, Limerick, Perch River, Pillar Point. Cape Vincent. Cape Vincent, Millen's Bay, Saint Lawrence. Champion. Champion, Great Bend, Champion South Road. Clayton. Clayton (formerly Cornelia), Depauville. Ellisburgh. Belleville, Ellisburgh, Mannsville, Pierrepont Manor, Rural Hill, Woodville. Henderson. Henderson (formerly Naples), Robert's Comers. Houndsfield. E. Houndsfield, Sackets Harbor, Sto well's Corners. Le Ray. Evans' Mills, Le Raysville, Sandford's Corners. Lorraine. Lorraine. Lyme. Chaumont, Point Peninsula, Three Mile Bay. Orleans, La Fargeville, Omar, Orleans Four Corners, Stone Mills. Pamelia. Paraelia Four Corners. Philaaelphia. Philadelphia, Pogeland, Sterlingville, Whit- ney's Corners. Rodman. East Rodman, Rodman. Rutland. Black River, Felt's Mills, Rutland, South Rutland. Theresa. Military Road, Theresa, West Theresa. Watertovm. Burr's Mills, Watertown. Wilna. Carthage, Natural Bridge, North Wilna, Wilna. Worth. Worthville. Liit of PuUic Officert. 366 CHAPTER VII. LIST OF PUBLIC OFFICERS. '' ' i i Congressional Districts. — By an act of March 20, 1804, Her- kimer, Oneida and St. Lawrence were made the 15th. The act of erection made Jeiferson and Lewis a part of this, and April 8, 1808, Herkimer, Lewis, Jefferson and Si. Lawrence were made the 10th. On the 10th of June, 1812, Lewis, Jefferson and St. Lawrence were made the 18th; April 17, 1822, Oswego, Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence, the 20th, entitled to two members; June 29, 1832, Jefferson the 18th; September 6, 1842, Jefferson the 19th; and July 10, 1851, Jefferson and Lewis the 23d. Members of Congress, with the years when they were elected. 1806— William Kirk Patrick. 180g_john Nicholson. 1810— Silas Stow. 1812-14— Moss Kent. 1816— David A. Ogilen. 1818— William D. Ford. 1820— Micah Sterling. 1822— Ela Collins. Nicoli Fosdick, Egbert Ten Eyck. iQo« J Silas Wright, ^°^ < Rudolph Bunner. 1824 1828 1830 1832- Joseph Hawkins, George Fisher. Daniel Wardwell, Charles Dayun. — Daniel Wardwell. 1836 — Isaac H. Bronson. 1838-40— Thomas C. Chittenden. 1842-4— Orville Hungertord. 1846- Joseph Mullin. 1848— Charles E. Clarke. 1850-Willard Ives. 1852— Caleb Lyon. The candidates who were run against these in the several years, and not elected, were: 1806, John Nicholson; 1808, Moss Kent; 1810, Simon Ford; 1812, Perley Keyes; 1814, Samuel Whittlesey; 1816, Ela Collins; 1818, Horatio Orvis; 1820, Perley Keyes; 1822, Egbert Ten Eyck; 1824, Daniel Hugunin, Jr., Horace Allen; 1826, Elisha Camp, Nicoli Fos- dick; 1828, Silas Wright, Perley Keyes; 1830, Chester Buck, George Fisher; 1832, Daniel Lee; 1834, Jesse Smith; 1836, Elisha Camp; 1838, Isaac H. Bronson; 1840, Alpheus S. Green? 1842, Eldridge G. Merrick; 1844, John Bradley; 1846, Orville Hungerford; 1848, Willard Ives; 1850, Charles E. Clark, Jesse C. Dann; 1852, Pearson Mundy. Assembly Districts. — By an act of March 31st, 1802, Oneida and St. Lawrence were allowed ybwr members in Assembly. On the 1st of April, 1808, Jefferson was allowed two, and on the 12th of April, 1822 three, which has since been the number. ii-'ii Itfct.iS * S: 366 List of PuMic Officers. Jl»»mblymtn<—lti 1805, Joseph Jennings, George Bray ton, and Joseph Kirklaud, from Oneida county, when divided. 1815, E. Bronson, M. Hopkins, 1816, Amos Stebbins, Abel Cole. 1817, A. Stebbins, Eben. Wood. 1818, Abel Cole, Horatio Orvis. 1819, CSeo. Brown, Jr., J. Cowles. 1820, H. Steele, C. McKnight 1831, Amos Stebbins, R. Goodale. 1822, G. Andrus, J. B. Esselstyn. 1806, Henry Coffeen. 1807, Moss Kent. 1808, Lewis Graves. 1809, Corlis Hinds, D. I. Andrus. 1810-1, Moss Kent, E. Bronson. 1812, D. I. Andrus, John Durkee. 1813, E. Ten Eyck, Clark Allen. 1814, E. Brov don, Clark Allen. 1823-5, Richard Goodale, George White, John B. Esselstyn. 1826-8, David W. Bucklin, Daniel Wardwell, Aipheus S. Greene. 1829, Jerre Carrier, Titus Ives, Fleury Keith. 1830, Aaron Brown, Curtis G. Brooks, Charles Orvis. 1831, Walter Cole, Fleury Keith, Joseph C. Budd. 1832, William H. Angel, Philip Maxwell, Nathan Strong. 1833, Jotham Ives, John Burcn, William H. Angel. 1834, William H. Angel, Eli West, Calvin McKnight 1835, Charles Strong, Eli Farwell, Calvin Clark. 1836, Lowrey Barney, Otis P. Starkey, Richard Hulbert. 1837, Jotham Bigelow, Richard Hulhert, John W. Tamblin. 1838, Daniel Wardwell, Richard Hulbert, John W. Tamblin. 1839, Calvin Clark, Charles E. Clarke, Philip Gage. 1840, Calvin Clark, Charles E. Clarke, Stephen Johnson. 1841, William C. Pierrepont, Joseph Webb, William McAllaster. 1842, Elihu McNeil, Elihu C. Church, John W. Tamblin. 1843, Elihu C. Church, Joseph Graves, Job Lamson. 1844, Samuel Bond, William Carlisle, Eli West. 1845, Edward S. Salisbury, Azel W. Danforth, Lysander H. Brown. 1S46, Levi Miller, Henderson Hnwk, Elihu M. McNeil. 1847, John Boyden, John D. Davidson, Samuel J. Davis. Jefferson County, under the new constitution, was divided into three assembly districts as follows: The First District, comprises, Watertown, Henderson, Adams, EUisburgh, Lorraine, Roduan, Houndsfield, and Worth. The Second District, comprises, Rutland, Champion, Wilna, Philadelphia, Antwerp, Le Ray, Theresa, and Alexandria. The Third District, comprises, Brownville, Lyme, Cape Vin- cent, Clayton, Pamelia, and Orleans. The members have since been: 1848, 1 8t, Benjamin Maxson, 2d, Harvey D. Parker, 3d Fleury Keitb. 1849, 1st, George Gates, 2d, John L. Marsh, 3d, Bernard Bagley. 1850, 1st, John Winslow, 2d, Joel Haworth, 3d, Alfred Fox. 1851, 1 St, William A. Gilbert, 2d John Pool, Jr., 3d, Lorin Busbnell. 1852, 1st, William A, Gilbert, 2d, Merril Colburn, 3d William Rouse. 1853, 1st, James GifTord, 2d, Dewitt C. West, 3d, Charles Smith. 1854, 1st, Calvin Littlefield, 2d, Jesse E. Willis,* 3d, William Dewey. Delegates to the ccnvntion of 1821. — Egbert Ten Eyck, and Horace Steele. To the convention, of 1846. — Aipheus S. Greene, Azel Danforth, and Elihu M. McNeil. * The county canvassers awarded the election to Alden Adams, on account of a clerical error in the returns from Antwerp. The question will be settled by the legislature. ( Liit of Public Officert. 367 Jefferson County formed a part of the 6/4 Senatorial District, under the late ronstitution, and candidates vfere elected on a general ticket. . ;ow forms, with Lewis, the 21st district, from which the following senators have been elected: 1848, John W. Tamblin; 1850, Alanson Skinner (Caleb Lyon to fill vacancy); 1862, Ashley Davenport; 1864, Robert Lansing. County Clerks. — By annual appointment of governor and council, before 1821, since which time they have been elected triennially. Henry Coffeen, April 3d, 1806; Egbert Ten Eyck, March 6th, 1807; Benjamin Skinner, February 3d, 1811; Richard M. Esselstyn, February 28th, 181^; B. Skinner, February 16th, 1816; George Andrus, June 3d, 1820; Henry H. Sherwood, A>arch 6th, 1821, who was elected and held the office one term, \i' -^er the late constitution; Peleg Burchard, 1828 (4 terms); Daniel Lee, 1840; Charles B. Hoard, 1843; James G. Lynde, 1846; Isaac Munson, 1849; John L. Marsh, 1862. Sheriff's. — By appointment before 1821, by election since. Abel Sherman, April 6th, 1806; Perley Keyes, March 16th, 1808; David L Andrus, March 16th, 1812; John Paddock, February 23d, 1813; David L Andrus, Februarjr 16, 1816; Joseph Clark, February 26th, 1818; Amasa Trowbridge, March 6th, 1819; Jason Fairbanks, February 12th, 1821, and elected under the late constitution one term; Henry H. Coffeen, 1826; John Fay, 1828; Heman Millard, 1831; Chauncey Baker, 1834; Abner Baker, 1837; Albert P. Bray^^n, 1840; Herman Strong, 1843; Walter Collins, 1846; Rufu.-^ Herrick, 1849; John R. Rouse, 1862. Surrogates." By appointment previous to 1847, by election since. Benjamin Skini er, April 13th, 1806; John M. Canfield, March 16th, 1811; Elisha Camp, February 28th, 1813; David Perry, June 27th, 1816; Lyman Munson, April 2d, 1816; Ben- jamin Wright, February 26th, 1820: \i. Munson, February 13th, 1821; B. Wright, March 27th, 18£7; John Clarke, February 28th, 1840; Nathaniel B. Wardwell, February 28th, 1844, who held till his death, February 15tb, 1847, when John Clarke was appointed; Lysander H. Brown, June, 1847 (elected); James R. A. Perkins, November, 1861. Local officer to discharge the duties of Surrogate. — George W. Hungerford, 1849, Isaac Van Vleck 1851. The seal of the surrogate of the county consists of the words "Jefferson County Surrogate Seal" in a circle, around the words " The End," in the centre. County Treasurers. — By appointment of supervisors, till the adoption of the present constitut* . f^ince which time they have f Hi V:'. .■'ij I ,« i » ' lijl I' It i i 368 Lift qf Public Officer*. bet i. (voted by the people. Benjamin Skinner, October 1, 1805; Joseph Clark, October 7, 1807; William S u : \\, October 20, 18 13; Marianus W. Gilbert, October 17, l^j^Jj Jasrn Fairbanks, November 20, 1828; Thomas Baker, November 16, 1838; Aiiriel Ely, November 1840; John Sigourney, November 1842; Wil- liam H. Robinson, November 1843; Silas Clark, November 1846. William Smith, elected 1848; Silas Clark, do. 1861. Circuit Judgesy under the late constitution, appointed by the governor and senate. 6th district: Nathan Williams, April 21, 1823; Hiram Denio,May 6, 1834; Philo Gridley, July 16, 1838; S. Beardsley, was appointed in 1834, and J. H. Bronson, in 1838, but neither served. First Judges, Augustus Sacket, February 26, 1807; Moss Kent, February 26, 1810; Abel Cole, February 26, 1818; Egbert Ten Eyck, November 14, 1820; Calvin McKnight, Jan- uary 29. 1829: Thomas C. Chittenden, February 28, 1840; Cal- vin Skinner, January 25, 1845; Robert Lansing (elected) June 1847; William C. Thompson (elected) November 1861. Judges. Under the first constitution, the following persons held thisolBce with the year of their^r^^ appointment: 1805, Joshua Bealls, Perley Keyes; 1806, Isaac Conklin, Augustus Sacket; 1800, Joseph Clark, Lyman Ellis, Thomas White; 1811, John Durkee; 1812, Eliphalet Edmonds; 1813, £ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1.1 1.25 ■tt Ui2 12.2 Ul lli 7] 7. ^5W J^ 7 /A // ■^ 7 HiDtographic Sciences Corporalion 23 WEST MAIN STREBT WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716)872-4503 v^% 370 Ligt of Public Officers, Pearson Mundy, in 1843; Samuel W. Gilbert, in 1844; Samuel J. DaviS;, in 1845; James White, Thomas Benjamin, Jacob Cramer, John W. Fuller, :n 1346; Andrew Comwell, in 1847; Abraham Schuyler, Thomsd Benjamin, Horace P. Mitchell, in 1849; Jesse Davis, in 1850; A. Schuyler, Aaron Eddy, Patrick Keon, in 1852; Lyman £. Hungerford, in 1853. Loan Commissioners. — 1808, Gershom Tuttle, Amos Stebbins; 1810, Henry H. Sherwood, in place of Stebbins; 1818, Daniel £ames, in place of Tuttle; 1822, Seth Otis, in place of Eames; 1829, Curtis G. Brooks, in place of Sherwood; 1835, Joseph Graves, in place of Brooks; 1839, Daniel Eames, in place of Otis; 1840, Albert P. Lewis, in place of Graves; 1843, Joel Woodworth, in place of Lewis; Martin L. Graves, in place of Eames. M. L. Graves and Joel Woodworth were commissioners when this fund was consolidated with thn United States deposit fund in 1850. United States Deposit Ftmd. — ^The principal of this fund, deposited in Jefferson County, was $130,779'06, and the com- missioners have been as follows: April 28, 1837, Jason Marsh, John Macomber; February 28, 1840, Edward B. Hawes, in place of Marsh; January 12, 1841, Oliver Child, in place of Macomber; April 4, 18 13, Moses Brown, in place of Child; Rufus H. King, iu place of Hawes; February 29, 1848, Nathan Ingersou, in place of Brown; Weils Benton, in place of King; February 28, 1852, Philander Smith, in place of Benton; Solon Massey, in place of Ingersou. At the revision of the constitution in 1846, there were the following officers in the county, who were appointed by the go- vernor, viz: a first judge, four judges of county courts, a surrogate, four masters in chancery, three examiners in chancery, eleven notaries public, two supreme court commissioners, two corumis- sioners of loans, two commissioners United States loan, two in- spectors of beef, one inspector of lumber. The several questions that have been submitted to the popular vote in the .ounty, resulted as follows: For convention of 1821, : 3,432 For no convention, 119 For the adoption of the constitution of 1821, 1,953 Against the adoption of the constitution of 1821, 1,144 1826. For election of justices of the peace, 4,702 Against election of justices of the peace, 1 1846. For the amended constitution, 6,603 Against the amended constitution, 1,712 For equal suffrage to colored persons, 2,791 Against equal suffrage to colored persons, 4,536 Rdative Stfength of Political Parties. 371 1846, May. For license,.. 4,012 For no license, 6,644 1849. For the free school law, - _ 5,997 Against the free school law, 3,312 1860. For the repeal of the free school law, 6,064 Against the repeal of the free school lav-> 3,969 In May, 1846, Champion, Pamelia and Theresa voted for license, and the remainder of the county far no licei%se. The majorities for license in the towns : i which it wai voted, amounted to 78; and in those that voted asainst, 1,700. In 1847, Hen- derson and Lorraine gave small majorities ^br no licensef in Pamelia no vote was taken, and in all the other towns license was voted with aggregate majorities of 1612 over 81. To convey a Imowledge of the relative strength of the po- litical parties since the county was settled, we select the vote for governor, as the one best calculated to represent that object, being hiaa influenced by personal considerations than that for persons residing in the district. The elected candidate is given in Italics. 1801, George Clinton, 66. Stephen Van Rensselaer, 66. 1804, Morgan Lewis, in Oneida County, 2,165; Aaron Burr, 1,782. The following are for Jefferson County. 1807, Daniel D. Tompkins, 766; Morgan Lewis, 616. 1810, Daniel D. Tompkins, 1,076; John Broome, 1,077. 1813, Daniel D. Tompkins, 733; Stephen Van Rensselaer, 796. 1816, Daniel D. Tompkins, 908; Rufus King, 868. 1817, Dewitt Clinton, 961; Peter B. Porter. 1820, Devntt Clinton, 762; Daniel D. Tompkins, 795. 1822, Dewitt C/tWcn (nearly unanimous^; Solomon South- wick (the returns of this year could not be found). 1824, Dewitt Clinton, 2,779; Samuel Young, 3,619. 1826, Dewitt Clinton, 2,900; William B. Rocheste., 2,902. 1828, M Van Buren, 3,328; Smith Thompson, 1,763; S. Southwick, 2204. 1830, Enos T. Throop, 3,706; Francis Granger, 3,054. 1832, Wm. L.Marcy, 4,363; Francis Granger, 4,418. 1834, Wm. L. Marcy, 4,558; Wm. H. Seward, 4,433. 1836, Wm. L. Marcy, 4,643; Jesse Buel, 3,439; Isaac S. Smith, 135. 1838, Wm. H. Seward, 4,082; Wm. L. Marcy, 4,946. 1840, Wm. H. Seward, 6,196; Wm. C. Bouck, 5,737; Gerrit Smith, 59. 1842, Wm. C. Bouck, 5,636; Luther Bradish, 4,774; Alvin Stewart, 292. 1844, Silas Wright, 6,341; Millard Fillmore, 5,671; Alvin Stewart, 717. 372 The Periodical Preu. 1846, John Young, 4,798j Silas Wright, 5,295: Henry Bradley, 748. b » / 1848, Hamilton Fish, 4,858; Reuben H. Walworth, 2,627; John A. Dix, 4,326; William Godell, 24. 1850, Washington Hunt, 4,905; Horatio Seymour, 5,756. 1852, Horatio Seymour, 6,496; Washington Hunt, 5,752. < • » > I CHAPTER VIII. THE PERIODICAL PRESS. The Black River Gazette, was the pioneer paper, north of Utica. It began at Martinsburgh, March 10, 1807, under the patroilage of Gen. Walter Martin, and was continued by James B. Bobbins, a year. It was republican in politics. The American Eagle was begun at Watertown, by Henry Coffeen, Abram Taylor, printer, about 1809, also republican; but an acrostic, that was published inadvertently, brought ridicule upon the name, and it was soon changed. It was purchased in January, 1812, by Jairus Rich; its name was changed to the American Advocate, and by him it was issued several years. In 1817, Seth A. &Dorepbus Abbey, owners cf a job office, in Albany, concluded to start a paper, somewhere . D. Abbey, and John H. Lord, Jr., a journeyman in the offic ft of Oswego) accordingly, removed to Watertown. The press of* Mr. Rich, being at the time of their arrival under a sheriff 's levy, was bought, and soon after the Jefferson and Lewis Gazette appeared in the spring of 1817. It was of the royal size (20 by 26 inches), republican in politics, according to the light then had, and issued at two dollars per annum, until April, 1819, when it was stopped. Seth A. Abbey then commenced the Independent Republican, which was issued weekly, until February, 1825, w[hen the house and office of the publisher were burned. It was, however, revived in May, 1828, as the Independent Republican and Jlntimasonic Recorder, of five columns, two dollars per annum, and continued till 1830. In June, 1830, S. A. & D. Abbey established the Oswego Palladium, in the name of Chauncey Abbey, a younger brother, which, in a few months, was sold to John H. iJord, Jr., and by him continued many years. Mr. Perly Keyes, the leader of the democracy in the county, procured the Watertown Freeman, to be started by W. Wood- ward, January 27, 1824. It was folio, five columns, the pages J^swspapers. 373 20 by 24 inches, and delivered for $2*60 by the carrier. A. L. Smith was afterwards editor, and during the campaign of 1832 it supported Jackson. Early in October, 1833, the name was changed to the Democratic Standard. It continued to be published by Smith till July 29, 1835, when it was united with the Watertown Eagle, and became the Eagle and Standard. For some time previous, although of the same politics, these two papers were hostile to each other, and the points on which they contended divided the democratic party in the county. Thursday*s Post was commenced October 19, 1826, at Water- town, by Theron Parsons & Co., at $2*60 delivered by the carrier, and $2 by mail; five columns weekly; politics, Clintonian; sixty- six numbers were published, the last being January 17, 1828. The press was then sold to Henry L. Harvey, who, the next week (January 24,) commenced The Registery with the same terms, size, and politics. Mr. Harvey had commenced a paper, called The Genius of Philanthropy, previously, a temperance paper, weekly, folio, but of the quarto shape, which afterwards united with the Waiertown Register, both names being retained. On the 1st of May, 1830, Benjamin Cory became a partner in the paper, and May 15, the name became The Watertovm Register and General Advertiser. In May, 1831, Cory became sole propri- etor and publisher. In the fall of that year, from being neutral in politics, it adopted the creed of the party that sustained General Root for governor, and subsequently became the organ of the whig party in the county. September 19, the latter part of the name was dropped, and on the 25th of March, 1835, its name was changed to The Aorth .American, with John Haxton, editor, for the first six months. This was a paper of six columns to the page, folio; published at $2*50 per annum to village subscribers. It was continued under this name till September, 1839, when its name was restored to the Watertovm Register, under the direc- tion of H. S. Noble; the size, terms, and politics, remaining un- changed. Joel Qreene was afterwards taken into the partnership, and he, subsequently, became the proprietor. There had been several changes of publishers. In March, 1842, the editor and publisher was William H. Hough. Mr. Greene continued the paper as the Black River Journal, from the spring of 1843 till August 1846, and by him it was considerably enlarged. Terms $2; circulation 1,600. In the spring of 1846, Mr. Greene commenced publishing the Daily Journal, which failed to meet the expectations of the publisher, who changed it to the Watertown Journal, a small tri-weekly folio, of four columns to the page, at $3 per annum. This tri- weekly, was continued until the press was sold, and the name changed to the following. It is said to have been well patron- ized. lib. " 5='Tew?^™r"'?pf f 374 Jfewapap^a. 7%e Jforthem State Journal, by Ambrose W. Clark, was begun August 26, 1846, and like its predecessors has been con- sidered the organ of the whig party in the county. In August 1848, O. W. Smith, and H. S. Noble (the latter formerly en- gaged in the Watertown Register), became the publishers, under the firm of Smith & Noble. John Fayel, subsequently became a partner, and, September 18, Mr. Clark again became one of the publishers, since which time the paper nas been conducted by Clark & Fayel. The terms have been reduced to f 1'50 by mail, and $2 by the carrier. The Censor, an antimasonic paper, was commenced by The- ron Parsons, at Adams, July 1, 1828, and continued until Janu- ary 13, 1829, when it was removed to Watertown. It was a small weekly folio, five columns to the page, and published at |2'60 to village subscribers, or |2 by mail. To clubo of thirteen or more $1*50. It was published by Parsons at Watertown, from January 27, 1829, till June 8, 1830, when Enoch Ely Camp, was announced as the editor. He is said to have been more or less concerned in the paper from the beginning. The bitterness of party spirit was at tne time excessive, and its enemies, hav- ing christened it The Cancer, its name w.as changed by Camp to the ^ntitnasonic Sun. It was afterwards publislied thirty nine weeks by Dr. R. Goodale, commencing December 13, 1830, as The Constellation, and subsequently it passed into the hands of Abner Morton, now of Monroe, Michigan, who edarged it to six columns, called it the Jefferson Reporter, and published from September 11, 1832, till January 21, 1834, when he removed west, taking bis press. Elder Joel Greene, after selling the Journal, proposed to issue at Sackets Harbor and Kingston, a paper called the .J^Torthem Luminary, one number of which ap- peared. It was neutral in politics, and to be devoted to religion, temperance, agricultural matters, slavery, &c., but some disap- pointment in the editorial department prevented its continuance, and in January, 1847, he began the Watertoton Spectator, a pa- per devoted to the license question, and temperance reform, six columns to the page, $2 by the carrier, or $1*50 by mail. At the end of the second year it was stopped, with the view of enlargement, when it was prevented by the great fire of 1849, whicn destroyed the form on the press. TheJVew York Reformer, was commenced August 29, 1850, by Lotus Ingalls, A. H. Burdick, and L. M. Stowell, under the firm of Ingalls, Burdick & Co. Lotus Ingalls, and Solon Massey editors. Terms $1; weekly, six columns, neutral in politics, devoted to temperance reform and general intelligence. At the time of its beginning the Free School question was before the public, and it entered warmly into the support of that measure. Newspapert. 375 In O'itober, William Oland Bourne, of New York, became an asso- ciate editor, and at the end of the first year it was enlarged to seven columns. This paper was originally designed to be the organ of the Sons of Temperance, but was founded and has been sustained by individual enterprise. It is still continued with much success. The Waterioum Eaitle was commenced by J. Calhoun, Sep- tember 11th, 1832, folio, weekly, six columns to the page, at t2'60 per annum, delivered to village subscribers. Politics democratic. On the 28th of March, 1833, Alvin Hunt became an associate editor, and in August, the latter purchased the in- terest of Calhoun, and continued the paper till July, 29th, 1836, when, in pursuance of the recommendation of a committee of a republican coQvention, it was united with the Democratic Stand- ard, under the title of the Eagle and Standard, and edited by Alvin Hunt, and Asahel L Smith, the former editors of these papera. The committee published an address to the republican party of the county, in the first number of the new series, in which they commended it 1 1 the support of the party. In Octo- ber, 1836, Mr. Smith withdrew from the concern. This paper on the 30th of November, 1837, was changed to the Jeffersonian, under which name or. that of the Watertovm Jeffersonian, it has continued without change of politics till the present time. On the 15th of December, 1851, Mr. Hunt became associated with John W. Tamblin, and March 15th, 1853, Mr. J. C. Hatch took the place of the latter, and in September Tamblin succeeded Hatch. The paper is now published by Hunt & Tamblin, at $1*50 per annum. The Daily Jeffersonian was begun at this office May 10th, 1851, and continued two and a half years. There was published at this office by Mr. Hunt, during the campaign of 1840, a small sheet at 25 cents, edited by a com- mittee of young men, apd devoted to the support of the demo- cratic party. It was cidled JTie Aurora. The Democratic Union, a democratic paper, was commenced August 29th, 1846; seven columns, folio, $1'50 per annum, pub- lished by Thomas Andrews and James H. Swindells, and edited by Lysander H. Brown. A prominent object at the time of its starting, was the defeat of the " no license question," which at that time divided the public. In the second number, Andrews became sole publisher. On the 15th of April, 1847, Stephen Martin became an associate publisher with Lysander H. Brown as the editor. On the 2d of September, John A. Haddock took the place of Martin as publisher, and in June, 1848, Mr. L. H. Brown withdrew from the paper, which was continued under the editorial charge of J. C. Hatch. The 376 Newtpaperi. politics of the paper were changed at the lame time, from the support of Cass to that of Van Buren, for the presidency. It subsequently passed into the hands of Charles A. Stevens, and John A. Haddock. In the great fire of May 14th, 1849, the office was destroyed, but in two weeks the paper was resumed. On the 12th of September, 1849, the paper was enlarged to elffht columns, and on the 10th of April following reduced to its original size. On its enlargement, Haddock became its pub- lisher and proprietor, and on the 15th of October, 1861, Lysan- der H. Brown again became connected with the paper, and continued with Haddock until November, when he becanie sole Eublisher. Since January, 19th, 1863, it has been published by u H. Brown and £. R. Pollard. Besides these, there have appeared the following, generally from the press of the regularly established papers of the county. The Herald of Salvation, a Universalist Magazine, by Rev. Pitt Morse, 1822-3, semi-monthly, 8 vo., 12.00 per annum. First year printed by S. A. Abbey, second b^ W. Woodward, first number November 30th, 1822. It was united with a magazine in Phila- delphia. The Monitor, a small folio, cap size, quarterly, be- g inning January 1st, 1830, and devoted to the record of the enevolent societies of the Presbyterian and Congregational churches. The Student, one year, monthly, beginning August 1st, 1837, quarto form, four pages to a number, edited by the stu- dents of the B. R. L & R. Institute, printed by B. Cory, and made '«f original papers by the students. Price 50 cents. The V ii ^ Jefferson, summer and fall of 1828, Clintonian, small weekly folio, quarto form, four columns to the page, edited by a committee of young men, printed by Harvey & Hunt. Terms 25 cents. The Veto, a small campaign paper, three columns, Suarto form, anti-masonic, begun September, 1832; terms 1 lilling. The Spirit of '76, edited by a committee of young men, printed by B. Cory, three months in 1834, small folio, four columns to the page, terms 25 cents. The Patriot and Democrat, a small folio, campaign paper, four columns to the page, was commenced October 20, 1838, and seven numbers were issued. It supported the democratic nomin- ations on the state ticket, Ezekiel Lewis, for congress, and C. Parsons, W. C. George and S. Bobbins for assembly. Printed by Randall D. Rice, for a committee, at Watertown. When first issued designed to be permanent, and the terms were fixed at t2, Set' annum. The Pioneer Phalanx and Independent Magazine, vo., in covers, ppv24, 75 cents per annum. Edited by A. C. S. Bailey, and begun November, 1843, monthly; and it is believed but one number was issued. It was to be organ of the Fourier association in Watertown. The Sinai and Calvary Reporter, Newipapera. 2m Quarterly, 8vo., Rev. Joseph A. Livingston; begun Oct. 1862; nrst number at Watertown, second number at Oouverneur. The first paper at Sackets Harbor vras commenced by George Camp, March, 17, 1817, under the name of the Sackets Har^ Gazette, It was federal in politics, five columns to the page, at $2 per annum. Its name was the second year changed to The Sockets Harbor Gazette and Advertiser, In February 1820, Matthew M. Cole became the editor, and February 9, 1821, he changed its name to the Jefferson Republican, under which name it was continued a year or more. In the spring of 1824, Truman W. Has- call, commenced the Freeman*s Advocate, of the same size, terms and politics, which was discontinued in December, 1828. The Courier, and the Sackets Harbor Courier, and one or two other papers, whose names could not be procured, were afterwards published by J. Howe. The Courier, in the canvass of 1832, supported West and. Granger. The Jefferson County Whig was begun at Sackets Harbor, September 7, 1837, by Edward H. Purdy, and the Sackets Harbor Journal, by £. M. Luff, pub- lisher, D. M. Burnham, editor, was commenced in its place, 10th October, 1838. Mr. Luff conducted the paper, C. Woodward beinff the printer, from April 17, 1839, till the spring of 1841. TheHarrisonian, a small campaign paper, was published by Luff, in the summer and fall of 1840. The press was at this time and for several years previous, owned by a company of citi/ens of the village. Joel Greene, in the spring of 1841, succeeded as publisher, and soon enlarged it to imperial size and procured new type. At the end of the second year he disposed of his interest to Calvin Green, who in the same year discontinued it. In the spring of 1843, Joel Greene bought of Herman No- ble the Watertown Register, and having previously openet an office for the publication of the Mack River Journal, commenced the publication of the latter at Sackets Harbor and Watertown, the printing being done at Watertown, to which place the press had been removed. This paper was of the present size of our village papers (28 by 36 inches), terms two dollars per annum, weekly, and in politics whig. In 1846, the establisnmf nt was sold to A. W. Clark, who began publishing the JVbrthen rotate Journal, as above stated. There was no paper publishe A the Harbor, from this time till the 20th of March, 1848, when the Sackets Harbor Observer was commenced by 0. H. Harris. This was whig in politics; seven columns; terms $1*50 and was con- tinued four years without change, when the name was altered to The Jefferson Farmer, a neutral paper, under which it is still published. J. D. Huntington was employed to publish this pa- per the second year, Mr. Harris continuing the editor. The Jefferson County Democrat was l^gun by J. C. Hatch, "iT^^Tw^iT^rr" S78 Hittory qf Academiet. Mt Adams, June 527th, 1844, and published by him three vears, when E. J. Clark succeeded as publisher, and has since contmued. In 1848, it supported Van fiuren, and is democratic in politics. 7 erms #1*60; six columns to the page. Thfa Theresa Chronicle was puolished at Theresa six months and two weeks, commencing January 14, 1848. Edited by E. C. Burt; terms tl'60; weekly; seven columns to the page; demo- cratic in politics. The last two numbers were of halfthe original size. The press was subsequently removed to Madrid, St. Law- rence county, and is now used at Canton in publishing the Canton Independent. Tne Carthagenian, a weekly whig paper, devoted to the advocacy of the Black River Canal, was oegan December 19, 1839, by David Johnson, who, on the 18th of June, 1840, was succeeded as editor by William H. Houeh. It had six columns to the page, and was issued at f 2'50 bv the carrier, or $2 by mail. The press was principally owned by Hiram Mc Collom. In April, 1843, the name was changed to the Black River Times, W. H. Hough, editor, terms (|1 per annum, which was continued for some time. January 1, 1847; Myron F. Willson commenced a semi-monthly neutralpaper, styled The Peace's Press; in the third number, W. H. Colston became associate editor, and in September, L. Jones. It was of brief continuance. In 1849, the press was removed to Governeur, and used in printing The J^Torthem J^Teto Yorker^ and it was afterwards taken to Potsdam, where it now is. CHAPTEE IX. HISTORY OF ACADEMIES. The earliest movement towards the establishment of a public seminary in the county, was made in 1810. In that year a sub- scription was drawn up, $2,600 signed, a lot bought of Judge Keyes, for the site of an ^academy, on the ground now occupied by the First Presbyterian Church, in Watertown, and a plain two storv brick building, about 32 by 40, erected thereon for academical purposes. The war which soon occurred, defeat- ed this movement, and the building was taken and occupied by the United States government as a hospital during^ that period, llidory qf Academies. 379 the sum of $400 being allowed to Mr. Keyes for its use. A large debt having accrued, it was appraised at about $1000, sold on a mortgage, and bought by the trustees of the First Presbyte- rian Church, who erected on the lot, a little in front of the former building, the stone church which has recently been replaced by the present elegant church on Washington street. On the 2d of May, 1835, the Watertoton Academy was incor- porated, by which Micah Sterling, Henry D. Sewall, Thomas Baker, Reuben Goodale,OrvilleHungerford, Alpheus S. Greene, Egbert Ten Eyck, Justin Butteriield, William Smith, Jason Fairbanks, Joseph Goodale, Loveland Paddock, Joseph Kimble, George S. Boardman, and John Saflfbrd, and their successors, were incorporated as trustees of an academy, with power to hold real estate not exceeding an annual income of $6000, and pos- sessing the usual corporate powers of similar bodies This academy was never received under the visitation of the Regents. A large stone building was erected in a grove, a little south of the vulage, which was first opened for the reception of stu- dents, September 19th, 1832. Micah Sterling, Egbert Ten Eyck, Orville Hungerford, Jason Fairbanks, Loveland Paddock, Norris M. Woodrul*, and Henry D. Sewall, each subscribed ten shares; nine others took five each; one, took four shares; five, three shares; nineteen, two shares; and twenty-six, one share each. In their first circular, th^ trustees said: " It has too long been a subject of reproach to our community, that, while other interests were flourishing, the interests of education were neglected. Among us there has been no seminary for the education of boys, above the ordinary district school, and the consequence has been, that parents have sent their children abroad, at a very heavy expense, or brought them up in comparative ignorance at home. But this reproach, so far, at least, as regards a provision for the • means for acquiring knowledge?, is about'to be done away. An elegant and commodious building has been erected and prepared, and measures, we trust, will soon be taken, to furnish a suitable philosophical apparatus. * * * The building stands in a pleasant grove near the village and yet retired from its bustle, on elevated ground, commanding an agreeable prospect. The sub- scribers are happy to announce that Mr. La Rue P. Thompson has been induced to take charge of this institution as principal, and well qualified assistance will be employed as soon as the number of students offering shall render it expedient." Mr. Thompson was succeeded by Samuel Belding, and the latter by Joseph Mullin. In 1836, a joint effort was made by the Watertown Presbytery and the Black River Association, towards the establishment of a 26 ! ft I m F---BHr^?-"Tp-=F'- 380 Hittonf of Academiet. literary institution, wtiich while it should avoid a sectarian dis- cipline, would be surrounded by a salutary relif^ious and moral influence. At the meeting of the Presbytery held at Brownville, February 8, 1836, the following resolution was unanimously passed after discussion: "Resolved^ That a committee of Ave, consisting of three roin> isters and two elders, be appointed to confer with a committee from the Black River Association, on the expediency of estab- lishing a religious and literary school, in this region, and to re- port to this body, as soon as may be convenient." The Rev. Messrs. Smith, Hoyt, and E. H. Snowden, and Messrs. Camp, and Grenell, were appointed this committee. A special meeting was convened, at the Second Church in Watertown, March Slst, to consider the subject of establishing a seminary, and a joint committee of the two bodies agreed upon a report, which was adopted, and was as follows: " Your committee were instructed to ht'iaz in a report, to the two eeeleaiastical bodies, on the expediency of establishing a literary and re- ligious institution for the education of the young, to suggest their views as to the pibn of its location, the character of the school, the mode of commencing it, and the outlines of its constitudon. These several con- siderations have been before your committee, and the following has been the result of their deliberations. At every step of our investigation, we hnve had an increased convic- tion of the importance of organizing an institution fur the education of our children, of a decided religious character. We need a school in which the authenticity and inspiration of the Bible shall be taught; in which the truths and duties of the Christian religion shall be inculcated, and in which the moral virtues may be cultivated in such a way as to form a dignified character, guarded against the errors and vices of the world, in which our children shall have all the security thrown around them that they can enjoy under the pious and parental roof. Your committee feel, that the churches have too long slept over this subject, many of us have often committed our sons and daughters to the 'instruction of those who have not aided, but retarded us in redeeming our pledge which we gave in consecrating them to God. We wish our children trained in the Christian religion, in the doctrines and duties of the gospel ; we therefore deem it expedient, that an institution be erected, calculated to secure the foregoing objects. Your committee are unani- mously of the opinion, that the people of the counties of Jefferson and Lewis, and a part of Upper Canada, are the population whose conveni- ence is principally to be consulted in the location of the institution. We deem it inexpedient to put up the location at auction. The enter- prise we consider too sacred, and aside from the alienation of feeling which might result from competition, and those complaints which might embarrass the fellowship and cooperation of its friends, we think that it ought to be located in the most convenient and acceptable place. Your committee, therefore, unanimously advise, that its locadon be in or near the village of Watertown." Jason Clark, Esq., and Rev. G. S. Boardman were appointed to procure an act of incorporation. Jason Clark, of Plessis, J. Hiitory qf Academiei. S81 H. Whipple, of Adams, and E. Camp, of Sackets Harbor, were appointed to select a site. Application was accordingly made, which procured the passage of an act (May 25, 1836) for the incorporation of the Black River Literary and Rklioious In- stitute. Its first trustees were, Marcus Smith, James H. Mon- roe, £li Farwell, Jason Clark, George S. Boardman, Hart Massey, Rowel! Kinney, Crafts P. Kimball, Elisha Camp, Lewis A. Wicks, Henry Jones, George W. Knowlton, Ebenezer H. Snow- den, John Covert, E. M. Adams, Elisha P. Cook, David Spear, Charles B. Pond, Artemas Crittenden, John A. Cathcart, David Granger, Abel L. Crandall, Roswell Pettibone, and William Chittenden. These trustees were authorized to establish n seminary of learning in Watertown, whose annual income should not exceed $4000, and who were to elect the faculty, and supply vacancies in their board. On the 4th of June, the trustees met, and adopt- ed a constitution which provides among other rules, that the board of trustees shall consist of six clergymen, and six laymen, of each denomination in charge of the institution, and in supply- ing vacancies, the rule was to be observed, that a person of the same class and sect, should be elected, and that the Presbytery, or the Association, as the case might be, should have the sole right of nominating the candidate. The faculty was to consist of a principal, vice principal, preceptors, and as many assistant teachers as the board might deem necessary, and a board of visitors was to be appointed annually, to attend all examinations, to hear, adjudge and determine all appeals fro>^ the decisions of the faculty, to advise, and to administer the formula of confession of faith, and the pledge of religious fidelity to the faculty. A male and a female department were instituted, to be kept in sepumte buildings, at a conveinent distance from each other, and under the government of the same principal. This article did not pre- vent attendance at recitations and public lectures together under the direction of the teachers. Persons subscribing $50 might elect one pupil, for a term of ten years, and in the same propor- tion for a larger sum. The seal adopted by the trustees was the letter I, in a circle. The following persons were elected the first faculty, Rev. James R. Boyd, pnnc/pa/, Rev. John Covert, vice principal, Mrs. Covert, preceptress. The Rev. Messrs. Marcus Smith, and S. F. Snow- den, of the Presbytery, and N. Dutton, and J. H. Monroe, of the Association, were appointed the first visitors. The lot still oc- cupied by the institution, on the corner of State and Mechanic streets was purchased for $4,500, a wooden building 528 by 56 feet, for students, and other improvements wee erected, and in the spring of 1837, was commenced the erection of a building of r i1 / 382 Itisfory of Acndemiea. 11 I !' i;, stone and brick, 40 by 75 feet, two stories high, besides the basement, at a cost of $6,500. The corner stone of this edifice was laid with religious ceremonies on the 5th of June, 1838, in the presence of a large audience, among whom was Governor Marcy. After prayer by the Kev. I. Brayton, addresses were delivered by the Rev. George S. Boardman, antl Mr.rcus Smith. Among the articles deposited imder the corner stone, were copies of the village papers, by-laws, map, assessment roll of 1832, catalogues, and reports; a history of the institution, list of trus- tees, teachers and donors, &c. The inauguration of the faculty occurred on the 13th of Sep- tember, 1836; it was received under the visitation of the Regents, on the 30lhof Jantiary, 1838, and has since shared in the distri- bution of the literature fund. Many of the holders of stock in the old stone academy, assigned their interest to the new institu- tion, and on the last of November, 1838, 120 shares had been thus transferred, which was afterwards increased to 176 shares. On the 19th of February, 1841, an act was passed, in accordance with the request of the trustees, dissolving the corporation of the Watertown Academy. In February, 1841, Mr. Covert was dismissed at his own request, that he might engage in a new institi>l;on in Colum- bus, O., and John C. Sterling was elected in his place. In July 1841, Rev. Calvin Yale was employed as a teacher. Mr. Archi- bald Whitford, who had been employed as a teacher of mathe- matics from the beginning of the institution, continued to fill that station with eminent success until December, 1844. He was afterwards employed as a collecting agent. A special meeting of the trustees was called, February 23d, 1846, at which was voted an application for a change of name, which was granted by the legislature on the 12th of May follow- ing, when it was changed to the Jefferson County Institute. At the annual meeting, July 23d, 1846, a resolution of the Black River Association was concurred in, in which the by-laws were so far amended as to require the principal only to be a minister or member of the Congregational or Presbyterian church, in good standing, but that the other teachers be selected without this restriction by a committee of the trustees appointed by the board for that purpose, of which the principal shall always be a member. In January, 1847, a portion of the real estate previously occupied as a boarding house was sold to liqui- date the debts of the institution. These premises were the same now occupied by the State Street Methodist Church. Mr. Boyd, who had fdled the office of principal of the insti- tution from the beginning, resigned June 29, 1848, with the design of again engaging in the ministry. Mr. D. M. Linsley was next employed, and continued the MM % 382 TV H Li, I fkmy (tf jitaidmdmi^ stot? m^ '^i.^'k, m W ;r f«et, two stofb* w^ ■'^mmmk '^^ ^ < '*f of #ft»'^K TIi« comer nam <^ tbit iy fs^^(i^«H«t ««r«^e»or<4«» on the A^'ef Jutnti liHI lb ^l^^iswmw */ H i»f)^. au*iieiw>», at«otw w)iv4rnor ****Pl ^ il|!ii(|^,ile^|«^ ww!vr thtp corner sTone, wc^e copi^ M m'nm^ mpm, fey-ifaiiK ««»)»x j«*»*iw»f0t roll of imi f^m^^s, «ixif jr«ports; a hmnt} nl th« }iM«rtar«» &,% ^J* ****^"**"" **^ *^ ^*^^^*? <*fcurr«d ofj ft)« I3th of S*p- OB Ojcr 3y wT ib« j^ohf^m of iftoeir i» tb* okt stone acad instU«*faw*, *'«{«ttl*«N#1ft iS^ ^, --f- ^ia|L -Jfr^'r -4- t,4. I'J. .' mtDuHvir or w^^t?*^ f** chnrt^, in good rjfjcipa{ of th-* h\*< tution from (he ' eginniug, resigned June :Jf), ]84»{, Ai^ .,5t«. de-jign of again engagiiijis: in the ministry, Mr. D. M. Litidey was next employed, and cont»«a*#- iisf - 'H' f\^-'^-^.^ )iitioe..«f '^ r. f^ ^.i.'- i i-^i i>t, ;*) wbK'ii th/^ feV'f*'^ • ' ' • " 'w4jri:<> i^al '■ Infill. #1 'i;'::!;:'"^' ,','#'■,•'- ■'/', 'i f;f> ."'*. t i ^- <. • "'■■ • A ''■:"• %:^ '1i i'- •i;*4»j ■^ f '>"'■;■ ;• '. ' -jj^ ••,-:«*■■■ -.-fc^ •^.••v princ melee A. P •natur elocut rian; E. Pa Miss Miss Trow A r* female This ii -W :■■*... .. M-'- ■-^3^* Mr •in.. ' •■;;:, "^ Union Literary Society, Belleville. 385 principal until the spring of 1863, when the Rev. Alvan Par- melee was employed. The present faculty consists of the Rev. A. Parmelee, principal; Rev. James H. Carrutb, teacher of natural sciences; David L. Parmelee, teacher of languages and elocution; Avery S. Walker, teacher of mathematics and libra- rian; George D. Mann, teacher of instrumental music; Miss A. E. Parmelee, preceptress and teacher of English literature; Miss H. M. Searle, teacher of French, drawing and fainting; Miss L. M. Hastings, teacher of primary department; Amasa Trowbridge, M. D., lecturer on anatomy and physiology. A recent catalogue gives the names of 264 male, and 258 female pupils attending during the year ending December, 1853. This institution was never more flourishing than at present. It is one of the academies selected for instruction of teachers for district schools. The official returns of the trustees to the Re- gents of the University give the following statistics: Yean. Literature money. Tuition. ; Student* Years. Literature money. Tuition. Students 1837 $159-35 $2,800 155* 1845 $253-35 $2,325 304 1838 365-96 3,106 320* 1846 165-74 1,701 20^ 1839 466-22 3,576 225* 1847 204-15 1,686 233 1840 567-02 3,580 225* 1848 265-90 1,570 182 1841 306-41 r,393 228* 1849 266-44 1,656 307 1842 260-00 3,406 160* 1850 323-80 2,239 382 1843 233-32 2,879 126* 1851 339-60 1,805 353 1844 230-52 2,644 403 1852 452-71 2,818 387 Total, 4,850 49 41,184 The Union Literary Society, at Belleville, in Ellisburgh, was originated by the efforts of the Rev. Joshua Bradley, a Baptist clergyman, who, about 1824,t began to labor to interest the pub- lic in the cause of education, and drew up a plan upon the manual labor system, which, he represented, would combine all the advantages that an academy could bestow, and afford a re- venue from its earnings to sufficiently remunerate the stockhold- ers. With this expectation, stock was subscribed, a lot given by Giles Hall, and on the 13th of April, 1826, an act of incorpo- ration was obtained, by which, Jotham Bigelow, Orin Howard, James W. Kennedy, John Hagedorn, Amos Heald, Peter N. Cushman, Wesson Thomas, Pardon Earl, Samuel S. Haws, Ed- • The number of students attending at date of report. t The records of this academy, previous to 1840, were lost from the gross carelessness 'of the clerk, which prevents that precision of dates from being attained which might be desired. mi 'm': 386 Union Literary Society^ BeUeviUe. ward Boomer, Sidney Houghton, Benjamin Barney, Samuel Boyden, Ebehezer Webster, Israel Kellogg, Jr., Jesse Hubbard, Hiram Taylor, Henry Green, Rufus Hatch, Charles B. Pond, Calvin Clark, John Barney, 1st, Samuel Pierce, and Godfrey W. Barney, Avere constituted, with such as might associate with them, a body corporate, to have perpetual succession, and limited in their powers to the support of an academic school; the yearly income of their estate might not exceed $5,000. The number of their trustees from 24 to 30, to be elected annually, or until others are chosen. Elections to be held on the first Wednesday of November, and ihe payment of five dollars entitled to one vote. Some disappointment was felt, from there not being inserted a provision for dividends from avails of the land, rents of rooms, and otherwise, as was anticipated; but though there Wtis no chance of profits, they still felt a lively interest for the welfare of the school, and put forth their best energies to sustain it, for the benefit of the place, and of the pupils who attended. While preparations for building were pending, a school was commenced by Mr. H. H. Haff, under the direction of Mr. Bradley, which was taught for a time in a private house at Mather's Mills, one mile above Belleville, and afterwards in the Baptist church. The location of the institution having been settled with some difficulty, from the struggle of rival interests, the erection was commenced in 1829, and on the first of January, 1830, the pre- sent academic building was dedicated. On the 5th of the same month, it was received under the visitation of the Regents, upon the application of the trustees, and Benjamin Durfee, Nahum Houghton, James McCumber, Henry Shaver, Jesse Brewster, Matthew Green, Thomas Clark, Amos Pratt, Daniel Wait, Cul- ver Clark, Jotham Littlefield, Wadsworth Mayhew, and Charles Avery, who had contributed to its erection. Charles Avery, now a professor in Hamilton College, was ap- pointed principal, and for a time the academy flourished to a degree that justified the highest expectation of its friends, and attracted great numbers of students from distant parts of the county. Mr. Isaac Slater served as assistant the first year, and William D. Waterman the second, at the end of which Mr. Averv was succeeded by Mr. La Rue Thompson, who staid two years, and was followed by George W. Eaton, who remained a year. Joseph Muliin and H. H. Barney were next employed; the first, for one, the other for two years, when the school was for some time closed. In 1837, Mr. T. C. Hill was employed a year, when the building was closed by the mortgagee. Efforts were then made throughout the town to free the institution from debt, and in this the llev. J. Burchard took an especial interest, and these efforts were attended with success. I I 10 'i w^m u ■■i.M if II PI 388 , Orleans Academy. The Rev. G. J. King was next employed as nrincipal, and at the end of a year, he associated with Richard Ellis as joint prin- cipal, and in a few months was succeeded by the latter. He filled that station about three years. Orsemus Cole, R. Ellis, Calvin Littlefield, Geo. Ramsay, John P. Houehton, and J. Dunbar Houghton, have since been employed; the latter having been for the last two years the principal. This institution is in a highly flourishing condition, and enjoys to a great degree the merited confidence of the public. Early in 1831, a petition was made for a tax upon the county, in aid of the institution, which procured a favorable report,* and a bill for that purpose, but which failed to become a law. The library of the Savcrtian Society, connected with this academy, was formed under the general act, April 12, 1833, with Edward Kellogg, Thomas J. Field, CM. Elbridge, Roswell Barber, 0. S. Harmon, Wm. T. Searles, L. H. Brown, and Allen Nims, trustees, which was continued till 1848. There is belonging to the academy, a small library, and a fine collection of apparatus, for illustrating the physical sciences. The building was designed to embrace a steward's department, which is not now maintained, and contains, besides recitation and school rooms, about a dozen apartments for students. The money received from the literature fund, and tuition, and the number of students for each year, are shown in the following table, derived from the official reports of the trustees to the Regents of the University: Literature No. of Literature No. of Years. Money. Tuition. studHs Yearn. Money. Tuition. stud'tS' 1829.... $189-00 $1,370 00 1843. . $250-02 $670'00 53t 1830.... 132- 24 769 -96 30t 1844... 136-44 350-00 110 1831.... 166-46 920-00 52t 1845... 161-78 266-00 86 1832.... 101-10 393-63 35t 1846... 151-45 326-00 95 1833.... 4.5-69 450-00 26t 1847... 229-31 530-00 118 1834.... 83-83 500-00 60t 1848... 249-95 675-00 138 1835.... 70-80 460 00 53t 1849... 205.89 447-00 97 1836.... 70-00 400-00 30t 1850... 169-72 180-00 89 1837.... 42-40 425-00 30 f 1851... 196-40 253-00 120 1841.... 297-82 307-50 1,000-00 750-00 82t 60t 1852... Total.. 164-28 3,427-10 703-00 188 1842.... 11,738-59 The Orleans .Academy, first began to be discussed, in August 1850, on the 12th of which month a meeting was convened at the Baptist Church, in La Fargeville, several plans were proposed, and a room was temporarily fitted up for a school, Mr. Burton * Assembly Documents, 1831, vol. 3, No. 263. t Numbers of students attending at date of report. BrownviUe Female Seminary. 389 B. Townsend, being the first teacher. In the summer of 1851, a wooden building, 40 by 70, and two stories high, was commenced and partly finished, when, on the 16th of July 1861, it was blown down in a gale, but rebuilt the same season. It stands on a lot of one acre adjoining the Congregational Church. Its cost has been about $2,600, and the sulwcription is in shares of $10 each. An application to the Regents was made, January 27, 1852, and on the 6th of February, a charter was granted, allowing the school to share in the literature fund, upon freeing itself from debt, and acquiring an estate of not less than $2,600. The trus- tees first named were Lewis T. Ford, Loren Bushnell, John N. Rottiers, Elisha Sawyer, John Tallman, Hiram DeweV) Brainard Everett, John Foot, Hiram Mitchell, Eldridge O. IVlerrick, Lu- ther Lamson, Edgar W. Beedle, Daniel Richardson, David J. Dewev, Hiram P. Dillenback, John Hill, Henry Erwin, Russel B. Biddlecom, Nathan Elmer, Ashley Tanner, James Green, Rufus Smith, Parley Brown, and David Joy. The trustees have not hitherto reported, or become entitled to a share of the litera- ture fund. The subscriptions due the coming year, with another effort that will be made, are hoped to free it from debt. It has the nucleus of a library and apparatus, and the schools taught here have averaged about 40 pupils. It is at present under the charge of the Rev. E. Sawyer. The Brotonville Female Seminary was formed in pursuance of articles dated October 15, 1849, by which subscriptions, in shares of $50, were to be taken for the purpose of raising a capi- tal of $3,000, for the above object. This has since been doubled. There were, at first, about twenty-four holders of stock, but these have since been reduced to half that number. The principal share holders at present (July, 1853) are William Lord, 12; G. Lord, 10; J.Bradley, 10; the Kirby family, 10; J. E. Brown, 4; and a few others. On the 28th November, 1849, it was chartered by the Regents, but it has never reported, nor shared in the literature fund of the state. The first preceptress was Miss Mary F. Bloomfield, who was succeeded by Miss H. M. Foster, and it is now under the charge of Rev. George B. Eastman. The seminary was opened May 1, 1850. It embraces both a boarding and day school. .■;! 390 Societiet and Ajuociationt. CHAPTER X. SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS. Religions. — Many of the older churches in the county were formed by missionaries, sent out by the New England societies. Among the more early of these was the Rev. James W. Wood- ward, who, in 1802, spent four months in these settlements. In his report, he acknowledged $1, collected in Adams, flAy cents in Watertown, $3'47i in Rutland, $1*60 in Champion, and twenty-five cents in firownville. Nathaniel Dutton, John Taylor, and R. Phelps, from the Hampshire society, and Ira Hart and Lathrop Thompson, from Connecticut; E. Lazelle, David R. Dixon, Oliver Leavitt, David Spear. Oliver Alger, Bennet Taylor, and others, were among the early missionaries of the county. Watertown Presbytery — The Synod of Albany, ac Utica, October 3, 1816, formed the Presbytery of St. LawrencCy from that of Oneida, the Rev. Messrs. James Murdock, Isaac Clinton, Samuel F. Snowden, Jedulhan Higby, and David Banks, with the congregations at Martinsburgh and Ogdensburgh, comprised the new body, which embraced Lewis, Jefferson, and the most of St Lawrence counties. The first meeting was held at Martins- burgh, October 31, 1816. In January, 1822, the Ogdemburgh Presbytery was set off, including the county of St. Lawrence, and the first meeting being directed to be held at DeKalb. At the February session, 182;", at Champion, the following resolution was pasf.ed: " Thfit it be recommended to each member of the Presbytery, to use his influence in the society where he belongs, that certain fields Of; set apart and sown or planted with some valuable crop, and cultivated in the best manner, and that the avails of said field, together with the free-will offerings or donations from mechanics or merchants, be appropriated to the missionary, Bible and educational funds, equally, or to one of them only, as the donor shall desire, and that the said avails bf transmitted to the deposit at Watertown, or any other place which may hereafter be appointed.'* In September, 1824, the subject of establishing a Domestic Missionary Society, and a Sabbath School Union, came up for action, but both these were postponed. The Presbytery subse- quently resolved itself into a Benevolent Association, and recom- mended the formation of auxiliaries in the several churches. In 1830, the name was changed to the Watertoton Presbytery. The Presby to this presby drew. A compend gives the folio church, with church united Harbor, 15; Watertown, 9 1823, Sackets ofhcers; 1824 Leyden, 1st, 4 Cape Vincent, Adams, 25; 1 to Presbyteria religious exci churches. Th to the meeting the revivals of larly active at ney, at Anlw acquired a ver In the sumr ligious reviva ings" were hel conversion, an These proceed of the citizens 2,1831, at wh made, and re: ments on this pure religion day were dene The Black on the first Tu gates from chi Denmark, Chs Lorraine. Al After diligent tics of this bo( Methodist I at present eml is one, and thi New York, G( it was formed 17, 1841. Gi Gardner Bake Religiouu A§iocitUion». 391 The Presbyterian church in Kingston for many years belonged to this presbytery. At the February meeting of 1834, it with- drew. A compendium drawn up bv order of the Presbytery in 1828, gives the following facts in relation to religious revivals in that churchi with the numbers added. 1815, Lowville, 1st and 2d church united, 25 added; 1817, Rutland, 30; 1818, Sackets Harbor, 15; 18l9,Adams,65; 1820, Sackets Harbor, 70; 1821, Watertown, 93; 1822, Rutland, 20, Adams, 62, Brownville, 20; 1823, Sackets Harbor, 25, mostly from the army, and families of ofhcers; 1824, Lowville, 1st 95, 2d 16, Martinsburgh, 23, Leyden, l8t,42, Ellisburgh, 20, Denmark, 1st and 2d united, 30, Cape Vincent, 30, Antwerp, 35, Le Ray, 30, Orleans, 15; 1826, Adams, 25; 1827, Watertown, 29, Smithville, 25; total added to Presbyterian churches, 840. The above years were noted for religious excitements, and great numbers united with other churches. The authority above quoted attributes much of this to the meeting of the Albany Synod at Brownville in 1820. In the revivals of 1824, the Rev. Jedediah Burchard, was particu- larly active at Ellisburgh and Cape Vincent, and Charles G. Fin- ney, at Antwerp, Le Ray, Brownville, &c. Both have since acquired a very unusual degree of celebrity as Evangelists. In the summer of 1831, there occurred another series of re- ligious revivals throughout the country, and "protracted meet- ings" were held in nearly every village. Great numbers professed conversion, and all the evangelical churches received accessions. These proceedings were strongly discountenanced by a portion of the citizens, and led to a convention at the court house, July 2, 1831, at which addresses deprecating these excitements were made, and resolutions were published expresf;ing their senti- ments on this subject. In these, a conscientious approval of pure religion was avowed, but the popular excitements of the day were denounced as whirlwinds of moral desolation. The Black River Association (Congregational) was formed on the first Tuesday of September, 1807, at Lowville, by dele- gates from churches at East and West Leyden, Turin, Lowville, ^Denmark, Champion, Rutland, Watertown, Rodman, Adams and Lorraine. About 1851, the name was changed to Consociation. After diligent enquiries, we have failed to obtain further statis- tics of this body. Methodist Episcopal Societies. — The Black River Conference at present embraces about a dozen counties, of which Jefferson is one, and this territory has successively formed a part of the New York, Genesee, and Oneida conferences. As it now exists it was formed in 1836. This conference was incorporated April 17, 1841. George Gary, John Dempster, Nathaniel Salisbury, Gardner Baker, William S. Bow^dish, Isaac Stone, and Lewis s.n P^'ttffioiu AtMuctatiatu. ■ 1 r Whitcomb heinjt named 'he firot trustees. It may hold ri^nl estutc not exceeding $20,UU0, and possess u clear yearly iticoiue not exceeding)^ 10,000, from real and personal property. Districts. — The county has been a part of Albany, Cayuga, Oneida, and i31ack K'ver districts, and at present is compriM.'(l in the Adams, Watei town, and Ogdensburgh districts, which were formed as follows: Black River, 1820; Gouverneur, 1839; Watertown, 1840 (embracing the county); Adams, 1844; Og- densburgh, 1852. The presiding elders of these have been; Black River District, 1820, K. M. Kverts; 1824, Daniel Barns; 1826, Goodwin Stoddard; 1827, Nathaniel Salisbury; 1832, Josiah Keyes; 1833, J. Dempster; 1836, i). Baker. Gouvern- eur District, 1839, W. S. Bowdish. Watertown District, 1' 40, N. Salisbury; 1842, Lewis Whitcomb; 1844, N. Salisbury, 1845, L. Whitcomb; 1849, G. Baker. Mams District, 1844, Lewis Whitcomb; 1845, N. Salisbury; 1847, J. Stone; 1848, George C. Woodruff; 1850, George Gary; 1863, J. Phelps. Ogdemburgh District, 1852, H. Shepard. Until 1815, the entire county, with extensive territory besides, formed but one circuit, and was supplied by one or two preach- ers, who, in the performance of their duties, were required to make long and tedious journeys through the scattered settlements. There was formed in 1804 the Black River Circuit. The preachers appointed wivf . 1804, Griifm Sweet, Asa Cunimings; 1805, G. Sweet, Seymour Ensign; 1806, Matthew Van Duzeu, William Vredenburj^h, 1807; Datus Ensign, 1808; MathewVaa Duzen, Luther Bishop; 1809, L. Bishop; William Jewett; 1810, Joseph Willis, Chandley Lambert; 1811, William Snow, Truman Gillet; 1812, Joseph Kinkead ; 18 13, Isaac Puffer, Goodwin Stod- dard; 1814, C. Lambert; 1815, Ira Fairbanks, Jason Hazen. In 18 15 Sandy Creek Circuit, embracing a part of the county, was formed, and James Bowen appointed. Circuits have since been established, as follows. Those marked (f ) have been super- ceded. 1818, Wntertown.t 1821, Indian River.f 182(i, Le Ray and Watertuwn.f 1827, Cope Vincent. 1829, Le Ray and Carthace.f 1829, Brownville and S. Hartrar.f 1829, Adams. 1832, Theresa. 18:i3, Antwerp. 18?4, Pulaski and Mannsville.f tf<<6, a nhage. 8:^f^, Mannsville. :.8.3t , Rodman. Jii3'^, Natural 13tr;dge. 1639, Evans' Alilla. 1840, Dexter ! .1 Pillar Pointf 1810, PhiJaaftlijl.ii.. 1842, Pillar 'V.iuu 1842, Belh < 1842, HendersoD. 1842, EllisburKh. 1846, Three Mile Bay. 1847, Smithvilie. 1848, Pamelia Corners. 1848, Depauville. 1849, Watertown, Arsenal street 18'f.^ ti' . missionaries had begun to labor in this section, among whom Peter P. Root and Stephen Parsons were prominent. In SlO, the missionary limits of this body were defmed, as north uf Black River to include Le Ray, and the new settlements in St. Lawrence and Oswegatchie, and south to include Mexico on the Salmon River, and the new settlements contiguous there *o. Solomon Johnson, Emory Osgood, and Martin E. Cook, were to spend the ensuing year, 5 weeks each, and Amos Lamson .) weeks. In 1818, an association of 84 ladies in Hendprion, styled The United Female Society in Henderson, formed for the purpose of promoting foreign missions, memorialixed the association and forwarded $88*74 to aid in this purpose. This example was followed by others, and in 1817 reports were re- f'.eived from the Henderson and Ellisburgh Missionary Society, the Female Mission Society in Ijorraine, the Female Mite Society in Rutland, the Female Society in Brownville, the Baptist Female Society in Rodman, and the Female Mite Society in Ellisburgh, who, with the churches, contributed $243*79 for missions. In the same year the Black River Baptist Missionary Society was formed. In 1818, several auxiliaries to this were organized, which had but a short duration. In 1818-9, Elder Solomon Johnson was employed several months in missionary labors in St. Lawrence and Franklin counties. The missionary society, up to 1844, had received $7,837, of which more than $2000 had been applied to foreign missions, and the balance spent in this and neighboring counties. The Jefferson Union .Association existed 4 years, an«l in 1838 went down. From 1815 to 1819, 516 had been added to the churches, and in 1821, 373 more. In 1825, four or five hundred, and in l8'U-4, more than 1,500. It was during ihis period that Elder Jacob Knapp first began preaching as an evangr.list, and in this county commenced that series of protracted meetings with the Baptist churches, that has since rendered his name cele- brated. The excitements raised by his labors were here generally transient ano followed by a reaction. By the report of 1853, there were 26 churches in Jeffersc i, 7 in Lewis, and 1 in Oneida, belonging to this a&oociation. The year previous 37 395 Religious Associations. had been baptized, 11 received by letter, 6 restored, 115 dis- missed, 34 excluded, 42 died. Present number, 2,927. Churches in this county exist at Adams (Davis' Corners), Adams Centre, Adams Village, 2 in Alexandria, Antwerp, Steele's Corners, Belleville, Carthage, Clayton, Depauville, Great Bend, Hender- son, La Fargeville, Lorraine, Le Ray, Lyme, Mannsville, Perch River, Philadelphia, Rodman, Smithville, Tylerville, Woodville, Watertown, and North Wilna. On the 28th of January, 1820, Martin E. Cook, Sardis Little, Emery Osgood and others were incorporated as the Black River Baptist Missionary Society. The first meeting was to be held at the brick school house, near Elisha Morgan's, in Rutland, The Free Communion Baptist Black River Yearly Meeting, was organized and adopted a constitution in September, 1880, although meetings had been held previously. The limits of this body were defined as bounded west by the Genesee River, south by the Mohawk, and east by the East Canada Creek, embracing the country north of Utica within these limits. In 1831, this body reported churches in Alexandria, Lyme, and Orleans, where societies had mostly been formed by settlers from Russia, New York, where the sect was by far the most numerous. Subsequent minutes report societies at Houndsfield, Clayton, and Philadel- phia. This body has since been merged in the Freewill Baptist Church. The Black River Branch .Association of Universalists, was formed in pursuance of a resolution of the Western Association of June, 1823, and in accordance with a request made at a con- vention of members from the societies of Watertown, Rutland, Brownville, Henderson, Ellisburgh, and Richland, assembled at Watertown, January 8, 1823. It at first included St. Lawrence Co., but by a resolution of 1829, its limits were defined as embracing Lewis, Jefferson, and Oswego counties. On the formation of the New York State Convention of Universalists, in 1825, the name of this was changed to the Black River Jlssociation, whose annual meetings are held on the third Wednesday, and Thursday of June. It at present has societies in Brownville, Carthage, Champion, Dexter, Ellisburgh, Henderson, Lyme, Pamelia, Rutland, and Watertown. Sunday Schools were first established by this sect at Watertown, in 1830, and now exist at Dexter, Ellisburgh, Henderson, and Watertown. The Le Ray Monthly Meeting of Friends, was formed in 1816, and consists of the Le Ray (formerly Pleasant Creek) and Indian River (Philadelphia); Preparative Meetings with Lowville, and Lee, it forms the Le Ray Quarterly Meeting, which belongs to the Jfew York Yearly Meeting. In 1828, the doctrines of Elias Hicks, divided the Friends here as elsewhere, but the latter have for some belongec the meet Le Rays Friends I 25 faraili Luthei followinf! Frankear Dox as County 8; to yield tl labors. River am God wro Churches Mills; bu respecting churches ' members ' On the I3i River, con Mills. iM (now Orle of thirty-t A church the year 1! commodioi that at Sto worship ol contracted some $l,7i church edif crated to G is owned w at the cost at $50 J th! resigned his winter or sj short interv present past ing as are ti auxiliaries whom they i The Bibl 29, 1817, 8 Religious Association*. 396 for some time discontinued meetings. The property of the society belonged to the Orthodox branch, although the Hicksites used the meeting houses for their worship. That at Le Ray (between Le Raysville and Evans' Mills) was built in 1816, and that at Friends Settlement in 1828. The Le Ray Preparative numbers 25 families and parts of families, and that of Indian River less. Lutherans. — We are indebted to the Rev. F. Shipherd for the following notice of this sect. " In the year 1838 the Synod of the Frankean Evangelic Lutheran Church sent the Rev. Henry L. Dox as their missionnry, to select any portion of Jefferson County as his field of labor, which he mighn think most likely to yield the peaceable fruits of righteousness in return for his labors. Acting under this commission, he located at Perch River and Stone Mills. He was ' but a youth and ruddy,' but God wrought most astonishing changes through his ministry. Churches were soon organized at Perch River and at Stone Mills; but no record is found which furnishes the particulars respecting their formation. On the 23d of May, 1840, these two churches were blended into one, by mutual agreement, and sixty members were enrolled as constituting the church at Stone Mills. On the 13th of November, 1852, a church was organized at Perch River, consisting of 32 members, leaving 66 remaining at Stone Mills. Mr. Dox also preached with great success at Shanty ville (now Orleans Four Corners), and organized a church, consisting of thirty-three members. The present number is eighty-eight. A church edifice, of stone, was erected at Stone Mills, about the year 1835, at an expense of some $1,500. A very neat and commodious house for worship was built at Perch River, like that at Stone Mills, on the union principle, and dedicated to the worship of God. February 19, 1852, Mr. Charles B. Avery contracted to build it for $1,340, but is said to have expended some $1,700 upon it. On the following sabbath a beautiful church edifice, very much like that at Perch River, was conse- crated to God's service at Orleans Four Corners. This building is owned wholly by the Lutheran congregation, and was erected at the cost of $1,250. The lot on which it stands, was valued at $50; that at Perch River, at $86. Mr. Dox seems to have resigned his charge to the Rev. George W. Hemperly, in the winter or spring of 1841, who retained this charge, with two short intervals, for more than ten years. Fayette Shipherd, the present pastor, commenced his labors in May, 1852. Unpretend- ing as are these Lutheran churches, they are deemed important auxiliaries in the reform and salvation of the multitudes with whom they are surrounded." The Bible Society of Jefferson County was formed January 29, 1817, at the Academy iu Watertown. The first officers J 1 f is-i m Benevolent AssociattoM. elected were Ethel 6ronson,pren(2e7if, Rev. Samuel F. Snowden, vice president, Rev. Nathaniel Dutton, second vice president y Rev. Daniel Banks, corresponding secretary, Timothy Burr, recording secretary, Egbert Ten E.yc\i, treasurer, Micah Ster- ling, auditor, and fifteen directors. An address was issued to the public, and measures taken for supplying destitute families. A systematic visitation of families was instituted, and at the Janu- ary meeting, 1824, it was reported that up to that time 681 Bibles, and 457Testaments had been distributed. The sum received had been $516-78, and $348*67, had been paid. Ten towrt as- sociations had been formed ; viz. in Adams, Champion, Sackets Harbor, Rodman, Brownville, Orleans, Antwerp, Le Ray, Water- town, and Ellisburgh. Previous to September 20th, 1832, the following additional auxiliaries had been formed: Chaumont, Cape Vincent, Rutland, Houndsfield, Perch River, Philadelphia, Evans' Mills, Alexandria, Smithville, North Adams. In 1834, an effort was made to raise $300, to purchase Bibles for foreign distribution, besides supplying the county. The meetings of the society have been maintained annually, and by a provision in the constitution, a director is appointed in each town in the county. It is believed that the town societies are mostly given up. The Jefferson County Union for promoting the observance of the Christian Sabbath, was formed August 5, 1828, having Levi Beebee, president, S. F. Snowden, Calvin McKnight, Daniel "Ward well, vice president, Horace ll\int,treasurer, John Sessions, secretary. Its business was to be conducted by a board of twelve managers, and its constitution was signed by sixty-eight promi- nent citizens. Its objects were to discountenance traveling, or secular business upon the first day of the week, and its annual meetings were to be held in August. After existing a short time as an auxiliary ^of the General Union, it ceased to keep up an organization. The union of the Watertown Presbytery and Black River Association, formed in 1829, and providing for a joint support of a plan of benevolent operations, was dissolved{in August, 1834. These associations were abandoned by a formal vote of the Pres- bytery, August 25, 1835. Temperance and other societies have been formed at different times, many of which were soon aban- doned. The Jefferson County Society, for the promotion of temperance in the use of ardent spirits, held its first anniversary at Watertown, August 5, 1824, and was the first of these. A meeting of the judges of the county courts, officers thereof, members of the bar, and students at law, assembled at the court house in Watertown, February 26th, 1834, and organized them- selves into a temperance society. Hon. John Macomber was elected president, B. Wright, 1st vice president, Zeno Allen, 2d vice pr den, ar sons pr The state s purpose was sti be coJJe spirits which h to be he Carson ardent s] Anasi was forn purpose, of associ schools. town, an treasurer. delivered effect effi( and the v of educatj sident i J Alfred hi Daniel He Barney, ir mas Knap in Clayton Pameliaj Ray; Ruf, presidents; surer; B. Dr. A. Tro This assc in Novemb appointing hew, of Ada Jngly name( appointed ii in place of 1 into two dis that WiJna received the southern dist Benevolent Associations. 397 vice president, P. Burchard, secretary y J. Steele, T, C. Chitteu- den, and J. Butterfield, executive committee. Most of the per- sons present signed a temperance pledge. Tke Jefferson County Temperance Society, auxiliary to the state society, was formed by a convention assembled for the purpose in January in 1846. The iormation of town societies was strongly recommended, statistics of intemperance, &c., to be collected, and strong elibrts made to stop the sale of ardent spirits by withholding licenses by vote at a popular election, which had been a short time previously directed by the legislature to be held. Measures have recently been taken to establish a Carson League, for enforcing the laws regulating the sale of ardent spirits. An association, called the Jefferson County Education Society, was formed by a convention assembled at the courthouse for the purpose, September?, 1835, forming a part of a general system of associations for the promotion of improvements in common schools. Its officers were a president, a vice president in each town, and an executive committee of five, a secretary and a treasurer. Quarterly meetings were to be held, annual addresses delivered and efforts made in the several towns to carry into effect efficient measures lor the employment of qualified teachers, and the various improvements, calculated to elevate the standard of education. The officers first elected were Wm. Ruger, pre- sident ; J. Mullin, in Watertown; Joseph Graves, in Rutland; Alfred Lathrop, in Champion; Herman Strong, in Rodman; Daniel Howard, in Adams; John Boyden, in Lorraine; Hiram Barney, in EUisburgh; Forrester Dexter, in Houndsfield; Tho- mas Knapp, in Brownville; Dr. Wood, in Lyme; E. G. Merrick, in Clayton; William Martin, in Alexandria; A. M. Harger, in Pamelia; E.Tucker, in Philadelphia; Elisha Steele, Jr.^ in Le Ray; Rufus H. King, in Antwerp; Ell" West, in Wilna, vice •presidents; Peleg Burchard, secretary; Egbert Ten Eyck, trea- surer; B. A. Hickox, Dr. Reuben Goodale, Justin Butterfield, Dr. A. Trowbridge, and Charles Mason, executive committee. This association was of short continuance. The supervisors, in November, 1841, by a vote of eighteen to nine, agreed upon appointing two county superintendents of schools, and Ira May- hew, of Adams, and Henry D. Sewall, of Pamelia, were accord- ingly named for that office. In 1842, Lysander H. Brown was appointed in place of Sewall, and, in 1843, Porter Montgomery in place of Mayhew. In the same year the county was divided into two districts, the dividing line being Black River, excepting that W^ilna was attached to the southern portion, Mr. Brown received the charge of the northern and Mr. Montgomery of the southern district. In 1844 this division was abolished^ and Mr. 26 II 898 Aid to the Greeks and Irish Relief. I! I Montgomery received the charge of all the schools in the county. In 1845, Erwin S. Barnes was appointed, and held his office un- til it was abolished by an act of the legislature. At the adoption of the free school law, a special meeting of the supervisors was held, December 26, 1849, and the treasurer was authorized by a resolution to borrow of the state, on the credit of the county, the sum of $7,1 12*59, to be applied to the use of common schools. This loan was sanctioned by a special act, passed April 10, 1850, and directed to be made from the capital of the school fund, to be repaid the next year by a tax upon the county. At the first election on the free school law, about sixty- five per cent of all the votes were for the law; and in the follow- ing election, sixty per cent voted for its repeal. In 1849, active efforts were made to sustain the law by its friends, and a con- vention met at Watertown in October, at which resolutions were passed warmly commending the spirit of the act, and an address was published urging the electors to support it. The several candidates for .assembly were interrogated upon their views on this subject. The struggle of the Greeks for independence excited the sympathies of our citizens in common with other sections of the state, and on the 19th of December, 1826, a meeting was held at D. Hungerford's hotel, in Watertown, to express their interest in the measure. The supervisor, town clerk, and assessors of each town, were solicited to act as a committee for collecting subscriptions in their several towns, and remitting the same to the county committee; Elisha Camp, Jason Fairbanks, Benjamin Wright, V. Le Ray, and 0. Hungerford, were appointed a com- mittee to cause the funds received to be applied for the objects intended. Circulars were addressed to other county clerks, re- questing a similar action. Contributions for the Greeks were collected in March, 1828, at Watertown, as follows: Presbyterian church, $6 1'57; IJniver- salist church, $32-00; Baptist church, $17'61; Sunday school, $24; Watertown Chapter, No. 59 (Masonic), $50. Other col- lections were made soon after and forwarded, and several meet- ings were held. A meeting of citizens of Watertown was held February 23, 1847, to take measures for the relief of the Irish, who were starving from the failure of the potato crop, upon which they mainly relied for food. The meeting organized, and appointed a committee, who prepared and published a stirring appeal to the citizens of the county, and urged the contribution of money, provisions, and clothing. A subscription of $375 was at once collected, and measures were taken to have collections taken up jn the churches, in aid of this charitable fund. The store of L. kee, Isa m^' Jefferson County Medical Society, 399 Paddock, Esq., the treasurer, was designated as the place of de- posit for the money or articles collected. About $3,000 worth was sent from the county for this object. The Jefferson County Medical Society was formed December 17, 1806; by a meeting of the physicians of the county, held in pursuance of an act incorporating medical societies. John Dur- kee, Isaac Magoon, David B. Ripley, Isaiah Massey, Jabez Kingsbury, Benjamin Farlie, James D. Seisco, Ozias H. Rawson, Daniel Barney, Eli Eastman, H. Wilcox, Elias Skinner, and Hugh Henderson, were present, and united in the organization. The first officers were, John Durkee, president; Daniel Barney, vice president; Hugh Henderson, secretary; Isaiah Massey, treasurer; Benjamin Farlie, Eli Eastman, and Hugh Henderson, censors; H. Henderson, delegate to the state society. August 11, 1807, a committee was appointed to enquire whether any unauthorized persons were practicing medicine, and to prosecute them if so. July 4, 1809, a committee of six was ap- pointed to report the number of quacks and unlicensed physicians. On the 13th of March, 1810, they reported nineteen names. A code of medical ethics was published by the society in 1829. At the July session, in 1830, a central committee of five, and one from each town, was appointed to take a medical topograph- ical survey of the county; but this measure was not carried into eflfect. During many years it was the custom of the society to oflTer prizes for essays on given subjects. The list of members has been destroyed by fire, and the following names of those ad- mitted by resolution is not perfect, but the best that can now be obtained. The year when each was elected is subjoined to his name; they are arranged alphabetically. Ephraitn Adams, 1823; E. M. Adams, 1828; Jesse Ayres, 1829; Jo- seph Bagg, 1821; La Mont Bagg, 1829; William Baker, 1807; Jameii K. Bates, 1829; William J. Bates, 1824; C. Barge, 1829; Daniel Barney, 1826; Joshua Beals, Jr., 1807; Abner Benton, 1828; Daniel Brainard, 1807; Brewster, 1820; James Brooks, 1822; William H. Buchan- nan, 1817; Joshua J. Barrett, 1810; John M. Burton, 1818; H. W. Bushnell, 1828; Nathan Chever, 1810; Joseph N. Clark, 1819; Joseph Clary, 1811; W. G. Comstock, 1843; Caleb Corp, 1828; John Cowen, 1811; Ithainer B. Crawe, 1822; Benjamin Cuehman, 1818; O. W.Cush- man, 1828; John D. Davison, 1828; William H. H. Davis, 1841; Walter Dewey, 1838; Foster Dexter, 1838; David Dickerson, 1828; H. S. Dick- enson, 1835; Joel Dresser, 1807; John Durkee, 1806; E. Dutton, 1815; Pelatiah Dwight, 1828; Chester Eastman, 1835; Eli Eastman, 1806; Amos Ellis, 1839; Jonathan Ellis, 1831; Alfred Ely, 1817; Benjamin Farlie, 1806; Elkanah French, 1828; William J. Fish, 1826; Samuel Gaines, 1831; Charles Goodale, 1841; Reuben Goodale, 1813; Simon Goodel, 1848; A. W. Gray, 1828; Alpheus S. Green, 1817; Joseph Green, 1807; Kilborn Hannahs, 1837; Curtis Haven. 1822; Hugh Hen- derson, 1806; John M. Henderson, 1810; H. H. Hills, 1828; S. Hough- ton. 1816; Amasa How, 1811; S. W. Hunt, 1831; Paul Hutchinson, 1809; Isaac Jenks, 1828; Jones, 1898; Converse Johnson lano. '^ 400 Medical History. John P. Johnson, 1828; C. P. Kimball, 1814; D. S. Kimball, 1828; Jabez Kingsbury, 1806; Isaac Magoon, 1800; Frederick P. Markham, 1814; J. iVfarsh, 181(>; Klisha Matthews, 1808; Isuiah Massey, 1806; E. R. Maxson, 1846; Philip Maxwell, 1828; Hiram Mills, 1H26; Alpheiis Morse, 1818; Hennr J. Munson, 1829; Alvah Miirdock, 1829; Nel- son, 1819; Isaac ofney, 1812; Charlns Orvis, 1826; Horatiu Orvis, 1807; Amos Page, 1819; Almond Pitcher, 1828; Caleb Preston, 1828; SSam- uel Randall, 1817 ;OziaBH. Kawsom, 1806; David Ripley, 1806; William Robinson, 1812; Ralph Rogers, 1820; William Y. V. Rosa, 1843; G.S. Sacket, 1828; James D. Seisco, 1806; Stephen Seymour, 1830; Abel Sher- man, 1807 ; Henry H.Sherwood, 1808 ; Jonathan Sherwood, 1818 ; William J. Sikes, 1828; Ira A. Smith, 1820; S. W. Sole, 1841 ; John Safford, 1811 ; Gordon P. Spencer, 1828; Russell Steel, 1810; Aaron Sumner, 1831; Benjamin Tractor, 1842; A masa Trowbridge, 1809; William R.Trow- bridge, 1846; Samuel Tucker^ 1828; Noah Tubbs, 1811; William E. Tyler, 1843; Rufus S. Waite,1820; Walter Webb, 1823; James A. Wells, .1621 ; Eli West; Isaac Weston, 1807; Samuel Whetmore, 1828; H. Wilcox, 1806; William H. Wiser, 1833; Isaac S. Wood, 1810; Caleb Woodward, 1826; Ira Wright, 1828; A. M. Van Ostrand, 1843. The diseases which have occurred in our county can scarcely be said to offer any peculiarity worthy of remark. Few sections are more generally healthy, or less exposed to local causes of disease. The sickness of 1798, and of 1828, have been noticed on pages 80, 147, 158, and 202. The lake and river shore, and the borders of Perch and Indian rivers, have been in some dry seasons subject to intermittent fevers; but less now than formerly. The vicinity of Natural Bridge, in Wilna, is thought to pre- sent endemical causes ofbronchocele, a malady somewhat common there. The spring of 1813 was remarkable for the prevalence of an eiiidemiCfpneumoniatyphoides vihich having prevailed in the east- ern portions of the union, during the previous winter, first ap- peared in the county about the 8th of March, and raged with great severity till the 1st of May. Some idea of its prevalence may be judged from the experience of a single physician* who in the ordinary limits of his practice, met in that period with 330 cases, of which 13 were fatal. Its appearance was a little earlier in Lewis county, and later at Watertown than at Rutland. The attack was generally sudden, and the fate of the patient was often decided within a few hours; in about one third of the cases, the disease attacked the head, and in the remainder the lungs. It was epidemic, but not contagious, and in its course it spread over a wide extent of country. No exemptions of age, sex, or condition, were noticed. Other epidemics of less fatality have been observed, but statistics are wanting concerning them. In 1822-3, a very fatal but limited sickness from a local cause occurred in Rutland, and in the winter of 1844-5 a similar but moie fatal * Dr. C. P. Kemball, of Rutland, from whom many interesting facts have been received. Jefferson County Agricultural Society. 401 and prevalent sickness occurred in Antwerp, of which many died. Tiic cholera has on the several occasions of its return spread an alarm through the county, but fortunately never vis- ited our border except perhaps in a few scattered cases. The Agricultural Society of Jefferson County. — As the till- age of the soil has been and must necessarily continue to be, the principal source of wealth in the county, every measure tend- ing to the promotion of this object, is especially deserving of notice. Such was the feeling that in 1817 prompted to the form- ation of an agricultural society, which has ever since continued in active and efficient operation, surviving every other county society in the state that originated at an early period, and at present exerting a beneficial influence comparable with the most flourishing. The first act for the encouragement of agriculture or manufac- tures that operated in the county, was passed April 8, 1808, giving eighty dollars premium to the one who should produce the best specimen of woolen cloth of uniform texture and quality not less than thirty yards long. The award was to be made by the judges of the court of common pleas, and paid by the comp- troller. Mr. Le Ray, having imported some line wool sheep, thus afforded the material, and specimens were produced by Hart Massey and Noadiah Hubbard, which were so nearly alike in quality that the premium was divided between them. Some ir- regularity in application made a special act necessary, which was passed March 19, 1810. The Jefferson County Agricultural Society was formed at the house of Isaac Lee, in Watertown, October 25, 1817, at which J. D. LeRay was chosen president; Jacob Brown, Jirst vice pnsident; Ethel Bronson, second vice president; Egbert Ten Eyck, secretary; Oren Stone, treasurer, and one in each town as a local committee, viz: William M. Lord, Houndsjield; Hart Massey, Watertoion; George White, Rutland; Noadiah Hub- bard, Champion; Ahiza Smith, Henderson; Eliphalet Edmonds, Mams; Nathan Strong, Rodman; Ebenezer Wood, Ellishurgh; Clark Allen, Lorraine; John B. Esselstyn, Lyme; Walter B. Cole, Brownville; Roswell Woodruff, Le Ray; Silvius Hoard, Antwerp; Thomas Brayton, Wilna. This was the second county society in the state, that of Otsego county being the first. The first in the Union is said to have been that cf Berkshire county, Massachusetts, after which the most of those that followed have been modeled. Mr. Elkanah Watson, who may be said to have been its founder, gives the following account of its origin:* In the fall of 1807, having procured the first pair of merino * History of Agricultural Societies on the modern Berkshire system p. 110 lit y/ 402 Jeff&TBon County Agricultural Society. sheep that had appeared in that county, if not in the state, which, although defective in grade, were far superior to any that had been before seen, he was induced to notify an exhibition under the great elm tree, in the public square, in Pittsfield, of these two sheep, on a certain day. Many farmers, and even women,were exci- ted by curiosity to attend this first, novel, and humble exhibition, and its projector giving to his reasoning the rule-of*three form, thus argued to himself. If two animals : are capable of exciting so much attention : : what would be the effect on a larger scale, with larger animals* This little incident subsequently led to other and more extensive operations in the line of exhibitions, until the sphere of their influence has come to embrace the en- tire range of domestic industry; exciting emulation in the lowJy cottage and among the humble classes, as well as with the more opulent, and diffusing the republican principle of equality, by elevating and dignifying the pursuits of the laboring classes. The following is a copy of the first articles of association, of our county society : " 1. The objects of this society are, the promotion and improve- ment of agricultural and rural economy. 2. Every member of this society shall subscribe these articles, or a copy thereof, and pay, at the time of subscribing, one dollar to the treasury for the use of the society; he shall also pay in like manner, on or before the second Tuesday of October, one dollar, annually, so long as he continues a member, and when- ever a member chooses to withdraw, he shall have liberty so to do on giving notice in writing to the secretary, and paying all arrears and dues, including the current year. 3. The officers of the society shall consist of a president, two vice presidents, a secretary, and a treasurer, to be chosen by bal- lot, and such other officers as the by-laws shall direct. 4. The next meeting of the society shall be on the last Mon- day of December next, at the house of Isaac Lee; at which meet- ing, and at any future stated meeting of the society, the members present shall have power to make such laws and regulations as they shall deem expedient, for carrying into effect the objects of this society. 5. No salary or pecuniary reward shall be allowed to any of- ficer, or committee of this society, for discharging their official duties." The by-laws provided for two stated meetings annually, on the first Mondays of March and October; at the first of which, the officers were to be elected, and at the latter a fair was to be held. The general affairs of the society were vested in a committee, consisting of the president, secretary, and five mem- bers; and a committee of three members was to be appointed in '■• 37V- ■ »-#•>! Jefferson County Agricultural Society. 4ou each town, to distribute seeds, plants, scions, books, &c., and to receive and transmit meritorious communications to the central body. Honorary members were to be admitted on a two-third vote. A viewing committee of five, to judge on the improve- ments and cultivation of lands; a committee of produce, nine in number, to judge on the quantity and quality of produce, and an inspecting committee, of nine, for domesti'. animals, were to be annually appointed by the executive committee. The first address before the society was delivered by Le Ray de Chaumont. After alluding to the interest he had felt on this subject, and the part he had taken in the first settlement of Ot- sego county, in 1785, he adds: " It has now the honor to take the lead in establishing in this great state the first agricultural society. I mention this example more particularly as being by a greater analogy with us, more easy to follow, and to excite a noble and profitable emula- tion. * • • The object of our society, and its more direct business is, to encourage every branch of agriculture, and rural economy, best adapted to our soil and climate, by a well digested combination of science and practice; to promote inquiries and receive information the most useful to agriculture; to suggest experiments and improvements which may tend to the ameliora- tion and prosperity of agriculture, and, of course, our manufac- tures, of which they are the aliment and support. By premiums, We excite a spirit of generous pride and emulation, a desire to gain a knowledge of the most profitable and practical husbandry; to get the best breeds of domestic animals; to more neatly culti- vate our farms; to raise the cleanest and best crops; in a word, to make agriculture more systematic, lucrative, and respectable." From this quotation it was evident, that at that period, the advantages to be derived from association were fully appreciated, and the experience of nearly forty years has done little more than to confirm the views of these pioneer founders of the society. The venerable John Adams, ex*president of the United States, received, with others, a copy of the proceedings of the first meet- ing, and he thus wrote: QuiNCT, February 12, 1818. Sir, — "I hove received and read with pleasure an address to the Agricultural Society of Jefferson County, in the state of New York, and as I know not from whom it came, who should I thank for it but its author? I rejoice in every new society which has agriculture for its object, and see with delight thut the spirit is spreading through the United States. If 1 could worship any of the heathen gods, it would be old Saturn, because I believe him to be only an allegorical personification of Agriculture, and the children he devoured, to be only his own grapes and figs, apples and penrs, wheat and barley. I agree with you in the main in every sentiment, particularly relative to grapes and corn; yet we can not have perfect roast beef, uor perfect roast spare-rib, nor perfect X) 404 Jiiferson County Agricultural Society. poultry, without ninizo. We muBt therefore Bncriflce n little luxury to a grent deul of puhhc {(ood. From the style of tliiH ntldresB I should not have Huspectod i' to have been written by uny other thun u native of thia country. Thirty-nine yearu ago, I little thought 1 Bhonid live to see the heir-appnrent to the princely palaceH and garden of Puasy, my fellow citizen in the republican wilderneas of America, laying the foundation for more ample domainn and perhaps more splendid palaces. I observed the motto ot the Hotel de Valentinnis, which I hud then the honor to inhabit, "aesta bene, non se move" — If you stand well, standstill. But you have proved the maxim not to b j infallible; and I rejoice in it. Your sincere well wisher and humble servant, Le Ray de Chaumont. John Adams.** At the first meeting, upon motion of Ethel Bronson, a com- mittee of nine persons, styled a Committee of Manufactures, >vas added to those previously existing. The First Cattle IShow and Fair of the society war, held on the 28th and 29th of September, 1818. The first day was devot- ed to the exhibition of stock, and domestic manufacture, and in receiving communications on various subjects presented by the occasion. Governor Clinton, General Stephen Van Rensselaer, Colonel Jenkins, G. Parish, and other distinguished strangers, were present on the stand with the officers of the society. The pens for cattle were arranged in a circle, the platform in the centre, and the domestic manufactures were displayed in the Court House. In the course of the afternoon, Mr. Koswell Wood- ruff exhibited a cart drawn by sevente» a yoke of oxen and steers, the product of his own farm ; Judge Huboard and Colonel Harris, of Champion, exhibited a cart drawn by fifteen yoke of veryfinefat cattle,andthe otficersofthe society dined at the house of Butler Ranney, where extensive preparations had been made for the occasion. On the 29th, a plowing match came off with horse and ox teams, after which a procession was formed, which preceded by a band of music attached to the 2d Regt. U. S. Infantry, marched to the Court House, while a salute was fired at the Arsenal, under .the direction of Major Masters. An ad- dress was delivered by J. D. Le Ray de Chaumont, the president of the society, which was followed by one by De Witt Clinton, then governor of the state. Believing that the latter will be read with peculiar interest, we here insert it. ''Independent of the very flattering references which have been made in the very able address just delivered, and which demand my sincere acknowledgments, it would be diflicult for me to refrain from express- ing the high gratification which I have derived from the first exhibition of this respectable association. When we recollect that scarcely twenty years have passed away, since the first inhabitant erected his hut in this county, and when we see that it now contains flourishing villages, and a considerable [)opidation, cha- racterized as the proceedings of this day evince, by intelligent views and well-directed exertions; that its soil is uncommonly fertile, and its cli- BeaB, an ments oi will be ment of entirely Youh perity. of popu Agriculti cimpreh land, lab( the eart and inch appreciat the guarc activity, Bublime Jefferson County Agricultural Society. 405 mate eminently BaUibriouii, and when we connidor that with the natural advuntagea which ilow from ita extenaivo connection with our inturior ■eaa, and the artificial t'uciiities which it will derive from the improve-' menla of our internal navigation, the marketa of the north and aouth will be open to its productiona; we must be persuaded that the attain- ment of fullness of population, and exuberance of wealth, dependa entirely upon yourselves. You have, gentlemen, wisely chosen the true road which leads to pros- perity. Agriculture is the source of subHistence ; subsistence is the basis of popidntion ; and population is the foundation of prosperity and power. Agriculture is also the parent of individuol and national opulence. It cimprehends in its operations all the sources of wealth. It employs land, labor, and capital. It comprises the cultivation of all the fruits of the earth ; embraces almost every method of obtaining food for labor, and includes the raising of domeHtic (.niniuls, because that employment is necessarily identified with the cultivation of vegetable foo(f. And as the prosperity of a country essentially depends upon the quantity of sur- plus produce derived from the noil, and as the amount ot the materials of subsistence will always be regulated by the exertions of agriculturists, it is evident that its benefits in these respects can not be too highly appreciated. But when we further reflect, that it is favorable to exercise, the guardian of health — to contemplation, the parent of wisdom — to activity, the friend of virtue; and (to adopt the emphatic language of a sublime poet) to that * SwMt peace which goodneu boMma over,' we must all admit, that as it was the first, it is also the best. Among the various measures adopted for the promotion of this pursuit, and its invariable companion, domestic maiiufiictures, the most effectual is the establishment of societies for the collection and diffusion of informa- tion, and for the excitement of industry and emulation. This plan has been adopted in this county, and a wise legislature will cherish such institutions with extraordinary patronage. It is pleasing to see at the head of this establishment disunguished men, applying with so much public spirit, the giAs of nature, the endowments of education, and the bounties of fortune, to the improvement of this favored region. It is gratifying to perceive men who have encircled themselves with high renown, and elevated the character of their country, planting the olive by the laurel, and cultivat- ing the arts of peace with the same ability with which they directed the storm of war. And it is a subject of high felicitation to witness this confederacy of scientific and practical men ; to behold the experienced agriculturist, and the enlightened professional man, combining their powers in favor of agriculture and domestit- manufactures, and devising ways and means to promote the public prosperity. There was a period of danger, when the e}'es of the people of this state were directed with peculiar anxiety to this region : when you passed with honor through the diflUculties with which you were environed, and vindicated the character of America at the point of the sword. On this day the public eye is fixed on you with equal attention, to view the pros- perity of your agriculture and the wide spreading and fur extending progress of your useful improvements; and lam happy to suy that there will be no disappointment. The distinguished gentlemen who have united with me in this visit also unite with me in this expression of approba- tion. We offer you our best acknowledgments for your friendly invita- tion and cordial reception, and we huinbly implore the blessings of the Almighty on you individually and collectively, and on the inhabitants in general of this flourishing county." I I w N Ml 406 Jefferton County Agricultural Society. The first viewin^^ committee in 1818, consisted of Samuel Brown, Jiiines Parker, Simeon Hunt, Curtis G. Brooks, and Sam- uel Evans, who visited nine towns, examined seventy-live subjects, and awarded twenty-two premiums in cups, (goblets, and spoons, worth $128. Three |)rt'iniums in plate, worth $25, were award- ed on the plowing match: eighteen premiums on stock >vorth $156, and fourteen on domestic manufactures, worth $93, were awarded. At the close of the exercises, the society adjourned to attend the sale of the premium ox, which had been presented to the society by its worthy president. It was sold in small parcels, and amounted to $619. On the 7th of April 1819, the sura of $10,000 for two jrears, was applied by law to the encouragem(>nt of county societies for the promotion of agriculture, and domestic manufactures, of which sum this county received $200. Under this act, the presidents of county societies assembled at Albany, formed a board of Agri- culture. Of this board, Mr. Le Ray, was elected vice president. No provision being made for a continuance beyond two years; many county societies disbanded, but this continued in operation, and held regular meetings, and fairs. On the 28th of March, 1828, an act was passed incorporating Le Ray de Chaumont, Perley Keyes, Elisha Camp, Peter N. Cushman, Egbert Ten Eyck, Rodney Burt, Daniel Eames,Micah Sterling, Noadiah Hubbard, Orville Hungerford, George White, Hiram Merrill, John Brown, Curtis Golden, Samuel C. Kennedy, Ezekiel Jewett, Albert Brayton, Samuel Brown, John B. Essel- styn, Abijah Farwell, Edmund Kirby, V. Le Ray de Chaumont, Alfred Freeman, Simeon Hunt, Stoel Warner, Asa Carter, Jona- than Graves, William Doxtater, Clark Allen, Liberty Bates, and such as might join them, as the Jefferson County Jigricultural Society. J. Le Ray, was named first presidents^ P. Keyes, E. Camp, and P. N. Cushman, vice president, O. Hungerford trea- surer, E. Ten Eyck, secretary. Elections were to be held on the last Tuesday of Septembi. % and the income was limited to $5,000. Under this act the society continued to hold annual fairs, with one or two exceptions, until reorganized under the general act of 1841. In March, 1830, members of the society, then the only one of the class existing in the state, petitioned the legislature for the power of offering premiums for horses of the best speed, and that the racing of horses for such premiums might be allowed under proper regulations, and restrictions. The petitioners set forth; that the rearing of horses is much attended to in the country; " That the value of horses in market, depends much upon their speed and activity; but, that owing to the restrictions now ex- isting by law, it is impossible properly to test the speed of horses Jeffenon County AgricuUural Society. 407 at home, aii)l consequently they can not command that price in market which they uould commami could their value be known. The soil )f the county is well adapted to the growing of grains both fine und coarse; but, inconsequence of the distance from the markets of the state, those productions will not bear trans* portation, so that the farmers are compelled to resort to the rais- ing of live stock, as almost the only resource for money in the county."* This petition met with a favorable report from the committee to whom it was referred, but failed to procure a law authorizing a race course. A convention for the formation of a State Agricultural Society, met at Albany, P^ebruary 14, 1832, of which Le Ray de Chau- mont was chosen president. The other delegates from Jefferson County were Orville Hungerford, V. Le Ray de Chauruont, Ed- mund Kirby, Jason Fairbanks, Isaac H. Bronson, Perley Keyes, Robert Lansing, Nathan Strong, Philip Maxwell, and Robert Nichols. The icsult of this convention was the formation of a state society, having for its objects to improve the condition of agriculture, horticulture, and the household arts. Besides the usual officers of such organizations, it had a general committee, the members of which were to be located in the several counties, and be equal to the representation in the assembly. Those ap- pointed in Jefferson County were V. Le Ray de Chaumont, Ed- mund Kirby, and Egbert Ten Eyck. By this act no provision was made for county societies. In December, 1833, the Jefferson County Society addressed a me- morial, urging this object and calling attention to their own county, in proof of the beneficial results of these organizations, as shown in improved breeds of stock, in the general practice of better and more systematic husbandry, and in a wholesome spirit of emulation, imparting value to farms and respectability to farmers. An anxious desire for an extension of these benefits induced this application, in which of the two plans, which had been before the legislature at its former session, one of which provided for the establishment of agricultural schools, and the other for county and state societies, they expressed their prefer- ence for the latter, as at that time more extensively useful. The committee who signed this memorial, were J. Le Ray de Chau- mont, E. Ten Eyck, E. Kirby, George White , Olney Pearce, and Orville Hungerford. On the 5th of May, 1841, an act for the encouragement of agricultural societies was passed, by which this was to receive $183, for five years, and on the 19th of June of that year a new organization was completed. In the summer of 1843, the society erected in the rear of the court house a hall, 105 by 50 feet, at * Assembly Documents, 1830, vol. iv, No. 308. 408 Ellisburgh Agricultural Society. a cost of $1,000, for the holding of fairs. On the 24th of August, 1851, the executive committee resolved to purchase ten acres of land on the Brownville road, about half a mile west of the rail road, which has been enclosed, and the building origin- ally built near the court house removed and fitted up, with additions for the permanent use of the society. Great credit is due to the forecast of the executive committee, in thus securing a most eligible site for the annual fairs of the society. The Ellisburgh Agricultural Society was organized March 8, 1849, the first officers being Alvah Bull, president; Mason Salisbury, A. G. Earl, vice presidents; William T. Searles, re- cording secretary; Samuel Hackley, corresponding secretary; Green Packer, James Brodie, A. F. Wood, M. Stearns, M. S. Wood, T. Shepard, executive committee. At its first organization, it was designed to apply to the town of Ellisburgh only, and was instituted and sustained by a num- ber of spirited agriculturists who were desirous of promoting a competition in the rearing of stock and the details of farm hus- bandry in general, but who found it difficult to attend the fairs of the county society, or to excite through them that local in- terest and emulation so desirable to attain. Comparatively, but few had attended the fairs at Watertown, and the benefits of association scarcely extended to the more re- mote sections of the county. This society has held one fair annually since its organization, viz: at Ellis Village in 1849 and 1850; at Belleville in 1851; at Ellis Village in 1852, and at Belleville in 1853. By a resolution of January 8, 1853, the citizens of Adams and Henderson were allowed to compete for premiums, but all meet- ings were to be held in Ellisburgh, and on the 10th of March, 1853, an eligible lot, partly in a cleared field and partly in an open wood, was leased from William T. Searls for ten years, the first six years being free of rent, on condition that the premises should be enclosed in a high board fence, and the remaining four to be paid at the rate of ten dollars per annum. The subjects for premiums embrace the various classes of domestic animals, agricultural implements, the produce of the field, the orchard, the dairy and the i^aiden, household manufactures and miscella- neous articles; and the money with which these premiums are paid is derived from the annual contributions of members. The officers for 1853 were Mason Salisbury president; John C. Cooper, Henry Green. Jr., vice presidents; Calvin Littlefield, recording secretary; B. K. Hawes, corresponding secretary ; John Clark, treasurer; V. C. W'arner, Nelson Boomer, Ferendez Brown, C. B. Eastman, James F. Converse, Jabez Hunting, S. D. Hungerford, A. E. W\'bster, and George Clark, executive committee. The in tht count) premi citizei Masonic Associationg. 409 The Cape Vincent Town Agricultural Society was formed in the spring of 1850, liaving in view the same objects as the county society, limiting its operations to the town, and offering premiums. In December, 1852, its rules were altered to allow citizens of Lyme, Clayton and Wolf Island, to compete for pre- miums. Its oiiicers are, a president, two vice presidents, a recording and corresponding secretary, and treasurer, who form an executive committee. Memberships fifty cents annually. About $100 have been given each year for premiums. Its offi- cers have been as follows: presidents, John B. Esselstyn, Wil- lard Ainsworth, RoswellT. Lee, and Charles Smith; recording secretaries, Robert Bartlet, John W. Little, Nelson B. Williams; corresponding secretary, L. H. Ainsworth; treasurers, N. B. Williams, Sidney W. Ainsworth, William Esselstyn, Thomas B. Raymond. The society is at presont in a very flourishing condition, and will doubtless be productive of much geod. Associations for Mutual Benefit. — Masonic. — The first lodge formed in the county was at Sackets Harbor, in 1805, styled the Sackets Harbor Lodge, with Augustus Sacket, Jenks Simmons, and Squire Reed, successively masrers. In the war it was suspend- ed, and in 1818, Athol Lodge, No. 308, was formed, with Hiram Steele, master. It continued until 1827. Sackets Harbor Lodge, No. 135, was formed May 28, 1848, with Smuel Lyons master, and is still continued. Eastern Light Lodge, No. 136, was formed at Watertown, June 17, 1806, the first officers being Powell Hall.M., S. C. Ken- nedy, S. W., Zelotus Harvey, J. W., Benjamin Allen, T., Isaiah Massey, S., Hart Massey, S. D., Josiah Farrar, J. D., Benjamin Pool, S. S., Samuel Foster, J. S., Andrew Bassenger, Tyler. The masters have been: 1806, P. Hall; 1807. S. C. Kennedy; 1809, C. McKnight; 1813, Isaiah Massey; 1814, Isaac Lee, till November 15, 1815, when the charter was surrendered, and June 5, 1817, a new one was granted for Watertown Lodge, No. 289, under which the masters have been, 1815, I. Lee; 1819, Dyer Huntington; 1821, Abner Baker, Jr.; 1823, David W. Bucklin; 1824, A. Baker, Jr.; 1826, Isaac H. Bronson; 1827, L B. Crawe; 1829, L H. Bronson; 1832, Asher N. Corss. The charter being foriitMted, was restored in 1835, when William H. Shumway was chosen master; 1836, A. N. Corss; 1844, W. H. Shumway; 1845, Calvin Auborn; 1846, Lysander H. Brown; 1848, P. Horr; 1849, L. H. Brown; 1850, A. D. Button; 1851, Randolph Barns. In 1840, the number was changed to 49. Champion Lodge, No. 146, was opened March 26th, 1807, at the house of Edward Buttricks, in the village, the first officers being Zelotus Harvey, M.; John Pardee, S. W.; Reuben Tread- way, J. W.; Noadiah Hubbard, T.; Jinson Clark, S; William 1 ii' 410 Masonic Associations. Coffeen, S. D.; Timothy Jackson, J. D.; Asa Harris, Aaron Palmer, stewardsj Daniel Coffeen, tyler. The Masters have been: 1807, Z. Harvey; 1808, William Coffeen; 1809, Aaron Palmer; 1811, N. Hubbard; 1812, Fairchild Hubbard; 1813, Asher Wilmott; 1814, A. Palmer; 1817, Sylvester Meriam; 1818, A. Palmer; 1819, Alexander Copley; 1820, Samuel Dean; 1821, A. Palmer; 1822, Eli West; 1823, S. Dean; 1824, E. West; 1826, S. Dean; 1826, Ward Hubbard. In August, 1827, the last regular meeting under the old charter was held, and there being a considerable amount of funds on hand, these were applied to the erection of the present stone academy in Champion Village, in 1834, of which the building committee were Noadiah Hubbard, John P. Johnson, Levi Ellis, Solomon Hopkins and Hubby Dorwin. The lodge, with a new charter, No. 29, opened December 19th, 1836. The masters have since been: 1836, J. P. Johnson; 1837, Ward Hubbard; 1843, Samuel A. Budd; 1846, W. Hubbard; 1847, Albert L. White; 1848, Seth Merrill; 1850, W. Hubbard; 1861, William A. Hollister. The lodge room is in the upper story of the academy. Rising Sun Lodge, No. 124, was formed at Adams, about 1806, the first master being Robert Merrick. During the anti- masonic excitement the lodge went down. It has been lately revived with the same name and number. Washingto7i Lodge, No. 256, was foi»^.3d at Henderson, March 10th, 1816, with Emory Osgood, M.; Noah Tubbs, S. W.; Daniel Leonard, J. W. In 1824, it contributed half the expense of erecting a Baptist church, the second story being fitted for a lodge room. About 1832 it sold out to the society and was given up. Orion Lodge, No. 286, was formed at Woodvllle October 27th, 1817, with Martin E. Cook, M.; Oliver Scott, S. W.; Ebenezer Wood, J. W. It was afterwards removed to Ellis Village, and, about 1827, abandoned. Brownville Lodge, No. 318, was installed March 31st, 1819, by Isaac Lee acting as G. M.; A. Trowbridge, D. G. M. Its masters have been Sylvester Reed, Peleg Burchard, James Mc- Kenzie, Hoel Lawrence, Warren Skinner, S. Reed. From 1827 till 1839 the meetings were discontinued, when the charter was revived as No. 53. The masters have since been Aianson Skinner, Richard Buckmaster, Arba Strong, John N. Cole, A. Skinner, R. Buckmaster, Charles K. Loomis, Horace Skinner, and Morrison C. Loomis. Cape Vincent Lodge, No. 344, was installed July 10th, 1822, by Isaac Lee. The petition in December previous was signed by John B. and R. M. Esselstyn, Ehiathan Jiidd, Zebulon Con- verse, Elisha Johnson, Henry Ainsworth, James Buckley, bridofp Masonic Associations. Ill Andrew Estes, William Palmer, John Nash, Count Real, Joseph Cross, S. P. Sheldon, Samuel Doxsee, Willis Merritt, and D. Slo- cura. The first officers were J. B. Esselstyn, M.j E. Judd, S. W.; Z. Converse, J. W.J R. M. Esselstyn, S.; H. Ainsworth,T. During the anti-masonic excitement the lodge was broken up, and the present year a new one has been formed that was installed July 28th, 1853. Union Lodge, No. 397, was formed March 24th, 1824, at Rodman, with Levi Heath, M.; William P. McKinstrey, S. W.; Philon Parker, J. W. Mr. McKinstrey succeeded as master, when in 1827 it was dissolved. The by-laws were signed by 43 members. Mexandria Lodge, No. 383, was formed in 1824, at Theresa, the successive masters being William Storm, Dr. John D. Davi- son, and Archibald Fisher. It went down in 1827 or 1828. On the 2 1st of June, 1850, Theresa Lodge, No. 174, was chartered, with J. D. Davison, M.; John Moak, S. W.; and John Dillen- back, J. W. J. Moak, succeeded as master. The Queen of Sheba Lodge, John Howe, M., was formed at Antwerp, a few years before the rise of anti-masonry, and went down in that period. The .Antwerp Lodge was instituted 1847. Carthage Lodge was installed July 11, 1826, the address be- ing delivered by Isaac Clinton, of Lowville. The officers were, Eli West, M.; Thotras Brayton, S. W.; N, Starks, J. W. In June, 1849, it was revived as No. 158, with E. West, M.j Joseph Crowner, S. W.; K. E. Parker, J. W. Herman Lodge, was instituted at Evans' Mills, in tii^-'^^'^", capital was in- M©«fci-r-; creased from $80,- 000 to $200,000, and commissioners appointed to re- ceive subscrip- tions in shares of ten dollars each. In 1837, an inef- fectual effort was made to get this act repealed. In 1828 it became one of the safetv fund banks, and its dividends since 1830 have aver- aged ten per cent. Its presidents have been, John Paddock, 1816; Frederick White, to fill vacancy; Jabez Foster, 1817-19; Ethel Bronson, 1820-5; Jabez Foster, 1825-6; Perley Keyes, from 1826-33; Micah Sterling, 1833-4; Orville Hungerford, 1834-45; Norris M. Woodruff, 1845-54. Cashiers, James Wood, 1816-20; 0. Hungerford, 1820-33; Orville V. Brainard, 1833-54. On the 21st of October, 1853, articles of association of a bank of the above name, were filed in the secretary's office, to take effect on the expiration of the charter, and continue about fifty years, with $400,000 capital, and the following directors: N. ^. Woodruff, G. C. Sherman, R. Lansing, Eli Farwell, T. H. Camp, J. H. Fish, A. Ely, O. V. Brainard, William C. Pierre- pont, M. Coburn and D. D. Otis. A public meeting was held at Watertown, November 27th, 1832, at which strong resolutions were passed in favor of the formation of a new bank, and a committee consisting of J. Fair- banks, N. M. Woodruff, L. Paddock, E. Ten Eyck, John Fay, L. Beebee, J. Sigourney, William Ruger, and L. G. Hoyt, were ap- pointed to draft a petition for a charter for an institution to be called the Watertown Bank. In this petition it was set forth that an increase of bank capital was necessary to meet the f rowing wants of the county. The natural advantages offered y the lake and St. Lawrence for commerce, and by Black River for manufactures, with the high susceptibility of the soil for agricultural improvement, were adduced in support of the ap- AatociaJted Banks. 417 plication. The measure xailed of accomplishment, and a second bank was not established at Watertown until after the passage of the general banking law in 1838. Some of those, however, who took an active part in this movement, joined in establishing the Sachets Harbor Bank, which was incorporated April 28th, 1834, with a capital of $200,000, in shares of $50 each, and a limitation of existence to January 1st, 1865. Thomas Loomis, Jesse Smith, Daniel Wardwell, Thomas J. Angel, Azariah Walton, Joseph Sheldon, Woodbridge C. George, Henry H. CofTeen, and Noadiah Hubbard, were named commissioners for receiving subscriptions for stock, and the corporation had the usual powers, immunities, and restrictions of such institutions. Its affairs were to be managed by 13 directors, elected annually on the 2d Tuesday of June, by ballot, who were to choose one of their number president. The charter of the Sackets Harbor Bank came before the legislature for repeal in April, 1837, upon a com- plaint that its ofhcers had received and paid out certain checks of a business firm, contrary to the provision of the law prohibit- ing the circulation of bills less than $5. The bill for repeal having pasjed the assembly April 7th, large public meetings were held at Watertown, Brownville, Sacketts Harbor and elsewhere, calling upon the senate to prevent its passage. It was apprehended that the sudden withdrawal of so large a sum from the circulation of the county, would seriously derange its business, and the bank and its officers were defended against the calumnies that had been circulated. These effort? proved unavail- ing, and the bill for repeal became a law May 12<^^h, 1838, the directors being appointed trustees, until others were appointed to settle its affairs.* On the 17th of April, 1837, the charter was restored,! and, March 25th, 1852, an act was passed authorizing a change of its place of business to Buffalo, upon the concur- rence of two-thirds of its directors. This measure had been several years contemplated, and repeated applications had been made to the legislature, which had been defeated. The act was at length procured without the knowledge of many citizens who had previously opposed it. Associated Banks. — A meeting of citizens of the county was held in December, 1838, for the purpose of organizing a bank under the general law. O. Hungerford, L. Paddock, N. M. Woodruff, W. H. Angel, and H. D. Sewall, were appointed to arrange the articles of association. The Bank of Watertowny Was accordingly formed, commencing operationa January 26, 1839, with $ 100,000 capital, the first president being L. Pad- * Affidavits and statements on the subject occur in Assembly Document*, 1838, numbers 243, 245, 296, 297, 298. t Report of committee with statement*. A*Bemb]y Document* 1838, v. N <. 278. I M 418 Individual Banks. dock, and the first cashier William H. i\ngel. The presidents have been L. Pacldoclc, Willard Ives, John L. Goldsraid, and T. C. Chittenden. It is at present principally owned by William H. Angel, and on the 25th of November 1853, its capital was reported at $47,779. The Watertow7i Bank and Loan Company commenced ope- ration January 20, 1839, with a capital of $100,000, in equal shares, by G. C. Sherman and Noadiah Hubbard. The Merchants' Exchange Bank, organized January, 1849, Tras designed to transact a business of loan and deposit, without the issue of its own bills, by using specie and the bills of other banks. All but one per cent of its capital was held by G. C. Sherman, but the bank was never got in efficient operation and has been merged in the last. Bladk River Bank, was opened May 25, 1844, with $100,000 capital, of which L. Paddock owned nine tenths, the remainder being held by Oscar and Edwin L. Paddock. Union Bank, at Watertown, was opened August 18, 1822, with a cipital of $100,000, the principal parties on the articles of association in the order of their interest, being Henry Keep, George S. Goodale, N. M. Woodruff, Walter N. Woodrulf, Abner Baker, who subscribed $2000 and upwards, Washington Genet, Orin C. Utley, L. Paddock, Daniel Lee, J. H. Button, and £. Q. Sewell subscribed $1000 each, and others to less sums. iNDivmuAL Banks. — Wooster Sherman's Bank, Watertown, opened January 8, 1812. Henry Keep's Bank, Watertown, opened September 28, 1847, discontinued. Mechanics' Bank, Watertown, by Henry Keep, begun Sep- tember 17, 1851, has no office for discount and deposit. Cap- ital $20,000. Citizens* Bank, established by Keep at Watertown, August 1, 1850, alterwards removed to Oguensburgh, and in August, 1852, at Fulton, Oswego County. Frontier Bank, established by Keep at Watertown. Removed in the spring of 1851, to Potsdam. Hungerford Bank, by Solon D. Hungerford, opened at Adams October 31, 1845. Articles of association under the general law were filed September 17, 1853, with the same name, and the capital increased from $50,000 to $125,000. The first directors under the new form were S. D. Hungerford, pre- sident, M. R. Patrick, vice president, Jeremiah Griswold, and Philander Smith, of Adams, Alonzo Bradner, of New York, Samuel Wardwell, of Rome, Roswell Kinney, of Mannsville, George Gates, of Rodman, and N. M. Wardwell, of Pulaski, di- rectors; George W. Bonds, cashier. Biographical Noticet. 419 State Bank at Sockets Harltor, owned by £. B. Camp, capital $50,000. Begun business May 17, 1852. Bank of Cartftage^ovfned by Hiram McCollom, begun July 17, 1852. Capital, November 25, 1863, $18,600. In January, 1838, an attempt was made to establish an asso- ciated bank at Carthage, with $100,000 capital. On the 7th of January, 1839, $30,000 had been subscribed, and on the 22(1 of February, an election of officers occurred, but nothing further was done. The Jefferson County Mutual Insurance Company was formed by a special act, March 8, 1836, by which Alpbeus S. Greene, Juson Fairbanks, Orville Hungerford, George C. Sherman, Eli Farwell, Norris M. Woodrutl', Thomas Loomis, Isaac H. Bronson, John SafTord, Edmond Kirby, William Boom, Joel Woodworth, and Joseph Sheldon and their associates, were incorporated during a period of twenty years. The directors named in the act met on the 17th of March, elected Norris M. WoodrufT, president; A. S. Greene, vice president; Robert Lansing, secre- tary; N. M. Woodruff, A. S. Greene, J. Fairbanks, G. C. Sher- man and £. Farwell, executive committee. The affairs of thl^ coiipany have been closed several years. The Jlgricultural Mutual Insurance Company, at Evans' Mills, completed its organization March 12, 1853, undtr the general law, with a capital of $100,000. On the 13th of Octo- ber, they numbered between 700 and 800 policies, on farm property only. No losses had been sustained, and a cash fund of $3000 had been acquired, after paying expenses. The first officers were Alden Adams, president; Isaac Munson, vice presi- dent; W. P. Babcock, Wolcott Steele, Joseph Fayel, Evelin F. Carter and Ira Beaman, directors; L. Paddock, treasurer; U. A. Wright, secretary; Earl B. Fowler, general agent. CHAPTER XII. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES. The following biographical notices embrace but a part of the subjects which we would have gladly included, had the data been accessible. There is, perhaps, no duty more delicate to the historian, than to speak of those who have but recently acted upon the stage of life; whose associates are still livingj whose acts yet exist in their consequences, and whose claim upon 1i 4S0 Mnjar Oenerat Brawn. the re^i^ard of the future can not properly be determined until time shall have settled the merits of actions by existing in their results. We should have regarded our labor as unfuiished, had we failed to record our tribute of respect to the memories of those who took a leading part in the business of the county during the hrst half century of its existence, and who laid the foundations of society, organized the institutions, and planned the improvements which have given prosperity to the present, and promise infinite advantages to the future. With societies, as with individuals, character is, to a great degree, formed in early life, or, to use the poetic figure; " Just u the twig ii bent, the tree's inclined," and we shall always find those, in every community, who have impressed their own characters upon public movements, and given direction to the current that time will only confirm and strengthen. In this chapter we shall include only those who are deceased; and must acknowledge the imperfection of several ar- ticles, from want of authentic materials. Amos Benedict, one of the earliest lawyers at Watertown, was a native of Middlebury, Ct. graduated at Yale College in 18U0, studied law with Tappan Reeve, of Litchfield, and settled in Watertown in 1807. He was the second district attorney, a leading member of the bar, and died about the period of the ■war. Ethel Bronson, a native of Connecticut, removed to Rutland in 1805, and assumed the agency of that town and a part of Hen- derson, of which his brother had become the purchaser. He was thrice elected to the legislature, a.id held for many years the office of judge of the county court. At the time of his death, in 1825, he was president of the Jefferson County Bank. He was not ambitious for public office; but in those qualities that make a good citizen, a kind neighbor, and a valued friend, he was preeminent. He was kind and liberal, almost to a fault; yet public spirited, and enterprising, and possessing a cha- racter marked with integrity and probity; he was beloved by his friends, and respected by all who knew him. Major Genkhal Jacob Brown was born in Falls Township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, on the banks of the Delaware, and within sightof the city of Trenton, on the 9th of May, 1775, and was the fourth descendant of George Brown, an English immi- grant, who had settled in the province two years before the arrival of Penn. The descent from this emigrant was by Sam- uel, John, and Samuel, Bi own, all of them Quakers, and by pro- fession, farmers. His father had married a daughter of Joseph Wright, a celebrated Quaker preacher, and she possessed a degree «N»ti Major General Brown. 421 of intelligence and strength of mind seldom equaled; qualities which were developed in her son at an early period, and shone con- spicuously through lite. The fnmily consisted of John (afterwards Judge Brown of Brownville), Jaco6, Joseph, Mary (Mrs. Newland, of Fishkill, deceased), Benjamin, Samuel (Major Brown, formerly of Brown- villeV Hannah (Mrs. B. Skinner, still living), William, Abi (Mrs. M. Lvans) and Joseph. Samuel Brown, his father, possessed a considerable estate, and gave his family the beneht of such in- struction as the vicinity afforded, and for one or two seasons, Jacou, with his brother John, attended an academy at Trenton, and his education was completed at the winter's tire, at home, where he kept a small school for instructing the younger mem- bers of th^ family. An unfortunate speculation had deprived his father of the means of affording him a finished education, and, at the age of sixteen, he found himself reduced to the necessity of looking out for himself, and he even conceived the idea of retrieving the tor- tunes of his family, and from that moment set himself assiduous- ly to the work." From eighteen to twenty-one, he was employed to teach a large school in Crosswicks, New Jersey, and having qualified himself for the duties of a land surveyor, he spent one year in the Miami country, in Ohio, to which section his father had conceived the idea of removing, but he returned in 1798, and was again induced to take « ) nrge of a Quaker school in New York. It being a periof' political excitement, he frequently took a part in these di>cussions, and in one of them, he formed an ac- quaintance wiih Oouverneur Morris, which subsequently ripened into a warm fritendship. He, about the same time, became ac- quainted \v >th Rodolph Tillier, the agent of the Cliassanis compa- ny, who made with him a journey to his father's house, and con- cluded a bargain with S. Brown for the purchase of a large tract at two dollars per acre. In February, 1799. having given up his school, he started for his future home, the location of which had not been definitely fixed, and arrived at the Fi nch Settlement, at the high falls on Black River, between which place and Utica he made several journeys during the winter, and brought in a quantity of provisions preparatory to his final removal to a loca- tion he had decided upon forming, at the head of navigation of Black River. In March, as soon as the river was clear of ice, he launched a boat upon its swollen and angry waters, and floated down to the Long Falls. From thence, in company with Chambers, Thomas Ward and a few hired men, he took the route of the French Road, then nearly opened, and when he sup- posed they had gone far enough, struck off towards the river, which *NatioMl Portrait Gallery of Distinguished Americans, part xx. 422 Major General Brown. he happened to reach at the present village of Brownville. He was here so struck with the unexpected advantages offered by the fall at the mouth of the Philomel Creek, then swollen by spring floods, that he resolved to make his stand here, where the water-power appeared sufficient for every purpose required, and the river, with some improvements below, could be navigated by boats. On the 27th of May, he was joined by his father's family, who came by the tedious navigation of the Mohawk, Oneida Lake, Oswego, and Lake Ontario. He commenced at once clear- ing lands, and the next year erecting mills, &c., the details of which are given in our history of Brownville. In September and October, 1799, he, w ith his brother Samuel, surveyed the townships of Hague and Cambray, in St. Lawrence County, and until the opening of a land office at Le Raysville, in 1807, he acted as the agent of Mr. Le Ray, in the settlement of his lands in Brownville and adjacent towns. As the opening of roads is one of the first and most direct methods of promoting new settle- ments, this subject early engaged his attention, and he was mainly instrumental in procuring the construction of the state roads, one in 1801, from Redfield by way of Adams, and one from Utica by the Black River valley. Of both of these he was appointed a commissioner for locating and opening, and he succeeded in getting them both to terminate at his location, in Brownville, where himself, his father and brothers, had opened a store, built mills, commenced the manufacture of potash, which found a ready market in Kingston and Montreal, and made extensive clearings for raising grain. In 1804, the question of forming one or more new counties from Oneida, became the absorbing theme, and a convention was held at Denmark, Nov. 20, 1804, to decide upon the application, at which most of the delegates are said to have gone prepared to vote for one county, but from the influence of Mr. Brown, and Gen. Martin, of Martinsburgh, were induced to apply for the erection of two new counties. In locating the county seat, the most active efforts were made in each county, Martinsburgh and Lowville being tlie rivals in Lewis, and Watertown and Brownville in Jefferson. Mr. Brown was the principal advocate of the latter, but the mass of settlement was then in the southern towns, and the portion north of Biack River was known to be low, level, and (in a state of nature) much of it swampy. The settlements that had been begun at that early day, at Perch River, Chaumont, and on the St. Lawrence, were visited by severe sickness, and the idea was entertained, or at least held forth to the commissioners who located the site, that it could never be inhabited. Mr. Brown next endeavored to procure the location on the north bank of the Major General Brown. 421 river, near Walertown, and made liberal offers of land, for the public use, but the perseverance and intrigues of Mr. Coffeen and others, succeeded in tixing the site at its present location. After the opening of the land office at Le Raysville, Mr. Brown continued for two or three years devoted to his private affairs, and meanwhile received unsolicited, commissions of cap- tain, and of colonel of the 108th regiment of militia. His pro- motion in the line of military life, is said to have arisen from his avowed aversion to frequent and expensive military parades in time of peace, calling off the inhabitants from their labors in the fields, and encouraging habits of intemperance which in those days were too frequently the accompaniment of such gatherings. His views on the subject of militia organizations, approached more nearly to our present system; and in selecting him for of- fice, the people were convinced, that while he omitted nothing conducive to the public safety, he would cause them no needless expense of time and money tor parades. In his public and pri- vate conduct, and daily life, they saw him in possession of sa- gacity and intelligence, that led them to place confidence in his resources, should emergencies call for their exercise, and the in- tegrity of his private life convinced them, that the public trusts with which he might be honored, would be faithfully preserved. Our foreign relations at that time foreboded collision, and the cloud of war that darkened the political horizon, and filled the timid with alarms, gave a well-grounded expectation that a cri- sis was approaching, although it was uncertain which of the two great powers of Europe would declare against us, and the parties that divided our people, were far from being harmonious in opinions of the relative expediency of hostilities with either. The opinion of Mr. Brown on this subject may be gathered from the following letter to the governor written upon the receipt of his commission as Brigadier General of militia. Brownville, July 27, 181 1 . Dear Sir, — "Having received my commission as Geaeral, for which I thanlc you, I have now to solicit your Exelleucy, that, in case of war, your Excellency will order me upon duty. It shall be my humble en- deavor not to disappoint the just expectations of my friends. Situated on the confines of the British Empire, I have viewed with some solici- tude the state of our relations with that power, and this solicitude induces me thus to address your Excellency. I am not one of those that believe a war with Great Britain is the best tiling that can happen to tny country. I believe that a war with the tyrant of the continent, some time past, would have been produced, and the honor of this nation preserved in an amicable adjustment of difficulties with the man-stealers of the ocean. As we are now surrounded by togs and whirlpools, none, save Cod and the pilot, can say which course it is best to steer. But to my humble vision, it appears, that we must fight a battle with both belligerants, or cease to prate about national honor, and national sovereignty, and na- tional dignity. Your Excellency will be so good as to remember, thai I ■at ^<^ 424 Major General Brown. am the frontier General in the state of New York, Canadawards. I am serious in my application to be upon duty, if there is war/ and your friendship will lay me under great obligations. Yours truly, Hia ExceUmcy D. D. Tompldna. Jacob Brown." On the declaration of war, Gen. Brown was appointed, by Gov. Tompkins, to the command of the militia on the frontier, from Os- wego to St. Regis, and spent the summer in organizing and direct- ing the military movements at Sackets Harbor, Cape Vincent, and various points along the St. Lawrence below; nor did this sea- son pass without incident to call into exercise those traits of de- cision, energy, and tact, which were signally displayed at a later period in the war. His first duty, was to quiet the alarm which the first tidings of hostilities occasioned, for which purpose, he traversed most of the settlements of the county, held little meet- ings of the inhabitants, and, by his representations and advice, succeeded, to a great degree, in restoring confidence, and pro- curing the adoption of measures calculated to be effectual in case of urgent neeH « \c'riati)ity of uUent whr.-: Iiii*^ i«fcv t-# •^ vi.iiM i» wlkt«h h« roicbt aojiiy. A; ihr Agr Id KfcT^aw*'**, >k u .' »i(i»» o^ OtforrsiU Wnflbington mnI La Fayelii. «i^ ,.s>r V - >u ^; .4 ),is fiither, l,n FHyitte wn» no pl«»ft«d with tint |im# %^^t ««^ |tM utt. Hit youth prevKtitrd bin ' ota vtuiftioif lb f ♦Jipjf and kin hrt of country froru sticeptinj; Um i«vti«o \«K« .' iL« rnycite to visit France, Rud etigai^t; in a iuor>»t(r*> fn^ iA» H« 8it>a of himself in a voiumc vi iitch h« puUUtii'mM>fihT»'tnt'r>l of lb« rt'V^^jPwitfc*)*. »ry Mar, ai>d <*'. »is cIohc htnf ifi«t «rrivf(f mI UihI t^vfi ^kKaff". 'nM'' tied n.tt (o ahooldcr my ' ' '< -•wtt af« alive to all thr M«> ^ in^r evwnt* of thi- (liiy. Jiv. -• • -'Jti rtf a levolutionary ^.••. who was a member of thv ^r.i': H/*»}flr!i.irt', I had an (u^ttst: v.. of acquiring conMidtirnbk- ):ioHtK«i h>fo^j»iion, fo\ in.i< <> as well as itiaaiing thxt apini of patriuitam vfUklt >«:>■* ^ . terisiic of thtj tinu's. * • » The same spirit whi«;!* ^.' . our ancoston^ in acquiring iht- privii(»"«s n'« erijoy, h jk tial to their contiuuance as it \va*> to thttr rtttainniMi*. '■*• youth of this country can not be too often rpmind»»d ol •<;,, ^bips am! trials of various kinds, which their fori'^svth'jf -mnd throuffh ^vhinh they are now enjoying' li*-? !i-i»o»;T«. . bles^sinsrs Heaven has at M'>fe f«f man.'' Mt. Hnjikf'^^. cftrw M"-*^*, fi-(Vftn v-hh x.-, aevtral j»»« «'T« <■' > A f IN ■*«*-*' • •Mf i»*%* nevttr rIioW'. family circU ■wait tl|A? 1 ■,.•'■ of 8s«-»i,.-^rl''^.,vi'- ■ ' J.S ., .; . ■ ■ *(wit «|#v* Jn ltl»)JJv,i>t-.»«p.*v'-v-' * .■ ■ , '•■■■- 'i '^,^ after varJOTis iw^i' ••■ •' ■.. ' ^*- ., derson, he was uiii.'i-. ' ' .,1 town he evinced gtf'i , . and the public general!?. » roeans tpwa«ls measurts U'i<: ,: :f> ihi; >♦••: r' •• « hap.s his greatest error aros« t: ^ru .e ir*. -^ adhered, to his federal cretfl, ard op{H>se operations in Henderson Harbor, vi-hv'h a place an iaportanc^ that it 'fiU iW>« !»«,..>. .. , ♦ P»Utel*i Manual, «tiM*t*Mng tiifHag nuA revolttt» -TTtrjr t^F** i: -T^Sr*?!?"!; rtf •* k. / ISuii'ii •A-fii 4 ri 43a h i Krw^Sfw?" %si» jMoiTncil up hf #!«"«. iuul were " ,. wM iitear fln«l soumf, . no*,, ■:; i r It ia his iiiivate &tfiii;t< bt iSfWMiUi .Hi{ iiiany victories nutu (*'. 'Vjafduu His plaii* w»ir« ■• ■ . !q**fi;a, bU inrtues*'^*' wm «*«r^ft»'^'-< wtlnnii eiiort, and i* baUui wishcut w'kfe? /ei*. * *\ * ^'^ his private '^■■ ^ was extaiplary, gener0*a» f f^i'^liPii^* In his pubii- uientji, munlHcent. Iiistii«*4f,«» # J%ij(5:i«'i on Accounts, ;^nd tin- ouiiiifii?! tact, and al-.ii . • raised fiim high *«> tU*- tjstimatjoa oC his as..v • sossioii, he was.jtiaced on ihat Pi< that of Ways and Means, r:' he hud JW^H>!'- '. ' ' * • . the jJowKitl* highly *-^r :• , rati c'jn * . ■ Ixw: •»*'•. 1^r • * ,*-v #!j*'jfc--uh and to ^ ■. ■• • vorth, New Uawp.^^w. •j iirtcen he left tV ««i'.v „ , ;-.v,--^, an tbt- ■■ > y4%; s^* fr'^^;vjt-^^4t<'''*«3'"th Ih* .^''V:- reai, iVom •vhtnc.*: he p»-{>':«*- %r"«5;' town, where La- .'»it*-Mriardi( livM: ^'/*>jg| .'gfev-.-- •■'^■. , River. Alter stntu' advantages ol cth* tiHcalUfU. »;^»t («;#!'««; slrentfth ot tnind nml ci*«ftt?ics« %^- },*^^;,^+**-''jj .% the confidence ot' the ft- iiu^ti' '^: x^^'^'-^ii^'-^V-'^r ardent suppgrt»r, odu held *«««'• •Wii^,V'> S'i^ -i^ jiuuge 01 the coui.ty cettrt, sb***^* ■,::>«*<«, >. /#:•' ,^-u;:m^. .»? \^ : ;i(- ^^ ,'! • U m >i^i Colonel Edmund Kirhy, 439 in 1814 was a member of the council of appointment. His active political course made him obnoxious to the opposite party, who, from his influence among his own, named him the king; but among his political friends he was warmly esteemed. The estimate they formed of his character, will be seen in the follow- ing extract from a letter from Silas Wright, Jr., A. C Flagg, E. Croswell and William L. Marcy, to Martin Van Buren, dated Albany, March 15, 1830, recommending liim for the office of Governor of Wisconsin Territory, then about to be erected: " The political activity and firiiinesB of Judge Keyes, for n long series of years, and indeed during his whole life of policioul action, has been only equaled by the remarkable clearness and torce of his native mind. In this state, there are few men whose services fur his friends in our heated and frequent conflicts, are to be remembered with more f;ratiindo or less of regret than his. We are fully sensible that Uy his undeviatiiig attachment to his party and his friends, he has incurred to a marked de- gree the hostility of our political enemies, and that all his private as well ns public acts have been the subject of scrutiny as persecuting as it has been unprincipled. But the best evidence which could be offered in his favor, is the fact, that during and in the midst of the most bitter of his political persecutions, he has been repeatedly returned to our legisla- ture, and twice to the highest branch of it, and from a district where the best republican candidates had often failed of their election. * * We do not urge him as a man learned in books, but when we say what your own observation has often proved to you, that he has never been a member of our legislature without gaining an influence equal to that of any fellow member, and that he has at the expiration of every term lefl that body with a public character for talents and sagacity perceptibly rai-ied, and with a hold upon the feelings of his political friends decided- ly strengthened, we can not fear accusations of want of capacity for the ofRce we ask for him. We know him to be a plain, unassuming farmer, with a mere country education. But when with these limited advanta- ges, he has proved himself more than equal to his associates in public life, the inference would seem to follow, that he can not be so profoundly ignornnt op to disgrace those who repose confidence in him. He is in truth a plain, unlearned man, but with a sound, strong mind, and in the practical exercise of an unusual share of common sense. These are qualificationR without which learning is of little use, and with which a moderate share of learning may make a very respectable and a very use- ful man," An apopletic stroke prevented his applying for this office. He died at Wa^ertown, May 13, 1834. 'ldmund Ktasv was a son of Ephraim Kirby, an officer in the Utiolution, & .member of the order of Cincinnati, and afterwards Judge of the Sl^ eme Court of Connecticut. He was born at Litchfield, Conn., April IS 1794, and entered the army in 1812 as lieutenant, andservr.: during the war upon the northern and western frontiers. From 1815 to 1820, he was stationed at Detroit, and in the latter year he joined Major General Brown at lirownville, as an aid-de-camp. From 1821 to 1823, he dis- 440 Colonel Edmund Kirby. charged the duties of adjutant general at Washington, and in 1S24, was appointed to the pay department, and again loolc post at Brownville. From 1832 to 1640, he was engaged in the Black Hawk, Creek and Seminole wars: in which he was actively employed, as well in the fuUiilmentot'his duty, as the exercise of humanity to the sick and wounded, for whom he voluntarily en- countered many dangers. During the Mexican War, he was chief of the pay department, and disbursed many millionsof dol- lars. A volunteer aid to General Taylor at the storming of Monterey, and in like capacity to General Scott at Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Cherubuseo, Chepultepec and the Mex- ican Capital, he was ever distinguished for courage, bravery, and devotion to his country's cause. Returning with health impaired, from hardships of a war in a tropical climate, he was received by the citizens of Jeflerson County with demonstrations of regard, as sincere as they were deserved, but the seeds of disease had been too deeply planted in his constitution, and he died at Avon Springs, New York, whither he had resorted lor relief, on the 20th of August, 1849. His remains were brought back to Brownville and interred in the village cemetery with military honors, and a plain but durable shaft cf Quincy granite, has been placed to his memory. It is about eight feet high, and bears the following inscription: West Side — *^Col. Edmund Kirby , Born in Litchfield, Conn., April 18, 1846, died at Avon Springs, JV. Y., of disease con' traded during the Mexican War." North Stoe— " War of 1812, Black Hawk War." South Side — ** Creek War, Mexican War." In the various relations of private life, Col. Kirby evinced those traits that elevate and adorn the human character, and the citizens of Jefferson County, will long remember with gratitude the aid and encouragement which they received from him in promoting an interest in agriculture, manufactures, and internal improve- ments, to which he was zealously devoted during many years of residence among them. The Agricultural Society received his cordial support, and he was oiieof the founders and an extensive owner of the manufacturing village of Dexter. He married a daughter of Major General Brown, and subsequently purchased his family estate in the village of Brownville, which is still owned by his heirs. The executive committee of the Agricultural Society have re- corded the following tribute to his memory.* " It is with feelings of deep regret and sorrow that we drop any names from our roll of brotherhood. One however has fallen from our midst the present season. Col. Edmuxu KriBY is one *Ti«Bwotion8 of the State Agricultural Society, 1848, p j07. J. Le Ray de Chaumont. 441 of those honored names that should not be forgotten. In 1843 he was elected president of this society, and ever felt a deep in- terest in its advancement. Uis private virtues are written in our hearts; his public deeds will bear the scrutiny of all who shall peruse the pages of their country's history. We are justly proud of him as a member of this iralernity, as our countiymati, and as a member of our community. He was one of us, and no interest of ours was of small moment to his benevolent heart. i\s regards our present prosperity, like the patriach of old, he desirt d to see our day; he saw it and was glad. He has fallen lull of honors, and lamented especially by those who shaied the ho- nor of his acquaintance and iriendship. And fellow citizens when we have labored long and faithtully tor the advancement of the interests of our countiy, our common country, may we die as he died — at peace with GotI and all the world." James Donatien Le Ray De Chaumont was born November 13, 1760, at Chaumont, on the Loire, between Blois and Tours. He was educated partly in his family by a preceptress, and partly at the celebrated college of Juilly, near Paris. When he lett this, he found himself in the circles of Paris, and of the court, which the birth, and oiBcial places of his father gave him a right to enter. He was seduced by neither; and his views wire eaily bent towards serious subjects, by \^e coursewhich his father pur- sued with regard to American afliairs. The commissioners S'nt by the united colonies, couhl not be received openly by theFrer , i' Court. M. de Chaumont, Sen., espousing warmly the cause of American Independence, determined to abandon public lite (al- though at that moment his friend and neighbor in the country, the Due de Choiseul,offeie(l him a seat in the ministry which he was about forming), in order, as a private individual, to serve as intermediary between the government antl the commissioners. He lent to them a house situated in his paik at Passy, and Franklin particularly occupied it several years. From that house were writ- ten all his letters dated Passy. This created a great and agreeable intimacy between the American Philosopher and M. ^' ' ' .'- mont's family. Young M. de C. improved this to learn j.iigji&h and acquaint himself with American affairs. His father gave more substantial aid to the Americans. He sent a cargo of powder to Boston to the care of the French consul general, Mr. Kolker, to whom he wrote to claim nothing, if the Americans were not successful. He afterwards sent large equipments to La Fayette's army, and in various ways consecrated a i^reat part ■y' n s large fortune to the American cause. He equii)ped ships I join Paul Jones' squadron, and was appointed by the French and American Governments to superintend the equipment and management of the combined fleet. His son went with him to I' )l mm 1%*! 442 J. Le Ray de Chaumont. L'Oricnt tn that business, and seconded him throughout the ex- pedition. But thi ■ ■ t^'i tuUances required the settlement of accounts, whicli \hi\ (liMc u'li currencies of the states, the depreciation of the ]/tij)er uiouey, &c.. rendered dithcult and complicated. M. de Cliiiumont, then (17H5) only 25 years of age, saw that this business required personal attention, lie obtained, with great diffi- culty, from hislather, leave to go to America. He tore himself from the seductions of the most elccf""* court of Europe, and even from the prospect of a I. • i! iuiji. luarriagt , .\nd sailed for America. Franklin, whose friendship and esteem he had gained, in a high degre»>, gave him warm letters. All his energy, and early-dis- played talents, however, could not master so many impediments. Year after year, he was detained by new dilhculties. Franklin helj)ed him with all his power. It was not, however, until 1790 that he could obtain a settlement, and he arrived in France just in time to save his father from the most painful consequences of these long delays. During this stay in America, M. de Chaumont became ac- q";iinted with the first men there, and particularly with two, who had a great influence upon his subsequent course. One was Count de La Forest, consul general of France; the oti 'T, Gouver- neur Morris. They both s[)()ke to him with great wiu-mth of the great speculations, which might be made, in wild lands, in the state of New York. He bought, with the former, a small tract in Otsego County, where he built the first saw mill, and where he sent, as his agent, the cele^ ated Judge Cooper, father of the great writer. With Gouvernea/ Morris he made large purchases in the state of New York. In 1790, having lately married a daughter of Charles Coxe, Esq., of New Jersey, he returned to France with his wife. He ! id previously been naturalized. After having L j'u most painfull} ngaged in endeavoring to arrange the difficulties in which his faiiier had been drawn, he was appointed to go to Algiers,* to negotiate a treat) of peace and commerce with the dfV) nut having karned in Sw tzerland, that the life of his father was threatened, he returned, post haste, to Paris. He proceeded without stopping to the sitting of the committee, and there, by his firmness, and e. by a bold threat to tne president, he obtained on the xiv it tht liberty of his father, whom they had put in jail as ;. ' li'. i', although he had never quitted his chateau. In 1799, M. de Chaumont accompanied his wife to Hamburgh, who returned to America, on account of her health, with her two youngest children, in company of Gouverneur Morris, late * Spark's Life of Gouverneur Morris, ii, 402. February 22, 1794. His instructions were dated •v*- /^yP/y/r^^<^nftt i^/^ y:. " " ■'■'■ •" i iitin^,,^^^ ) .;< I'll ih t :>\ M it i<':.l,'1 I I '*: I / i 'i\ \^:^\ m i i'(H- -aia. m% 442 J. JjC Hay dv Chaumont. >n^ wptamiM htm U >w i!.») only :25 ¥«•«"» ♦>* •Sjc, ^aw d^ .*'»ji. I.; . > - in time to ;av • bis father iiuu. those lung ticlays. During this star in /\uu'm *, quaintcd with Mh- f mvn '"^ bad a great' influence upon i . , Oount (If La Furr>8t, coftMi gpiliMii) ot I'fMfie; ih(! <^' neur Morri<( gr«at sjit.'< "i'"' ' ^ f< • n);ht b»» made, »w ■.= '> < ^ !^ht, with thv fr'-- u;i( ■ .milt \\si' -i ■' r- >^' .aiont ' i:? paiUia.iarly wi*' IttwMj^dt courw- I'V M.^f »j »Vr to him withf.'r :i« i : Utwv ? I d I \i ti his tathc* '- j.^oceedtd (."^ '■ there, by iii.s ti •. .. he obfaitJMl <)B lb« -■ hud put in jail fu"? k.-. his chateau. In 1790, M, a* C'h4u who returqctl ♦' ' two youngest t( ♦■.»r " >,' prr- ;. Whoi: f \u* n»'ver i\- vif'cto HarQl»' bfcaith, w/' ru;T Morri- I '1 ^V?U//a(^^^-^ ■ i' I >;'i '« ^^'i|:| ,h] ' f ''i- I «^|^i lit **1 ! 1 l.t 'n :^' "YV, ■r- 'S ambas'jadoi refused the mont, in on appointed I several yea of tiie nutu In 1S02, company w upon his lai by the agen self afterwa May, 1807, in the mana a French do had engage( had confide( very difficul from the cc persons resi himself, how and chose a M. de Ch the house bii and with th( he spent the when he left son to mana the chancelh of his lands, various facto tract of land acquainted; Marshal Gro misfortune o poor, and ha( attentions of In 1812, tl and De Witt M. Le Ray d millions of d Ray went to Uni;ed States then ssnt, to Launay, who Ray, and aisc engineer, W( /. Le Ray de Chaumont. 445 ambas'iador. The cure of Chaumont was of the party; he had refused the oath prescibed by the revolutionists, and M. de Chau- mont, in order to save him, and to provide for his support, had appointed him to an agency in America. He remained there several years, and became the object of the veneration and love of the numerous persons with whom he had relations. In 1S02, M. de Chaumont sailed from Havre, for America, in company with William Short, late minister to France. He went upon his lands in Jefferson County, where settlements were begun by the agency of Jacob Brown, who so highly distinguished him- self afterwards. He returned in 1804, and left France again in May, 1807, with his oldest son, who, from that time, assisted him in the management of his business. He had, the year before, sent a French doctor, of considerable ability and experience, whom he had engaged, for several years, to reside with him on his lands, and had confided to him the choice of the particular spot. This was very difficult and delicate, from the large range open to him, and from the conflicting interests and interference of the different persons residing on various parts of the tract. He acquitted himself, however, of this trust with wonderful foresight and skill, and chose a retired spot in the town of Le Ray. M. de Chaumont went, in 1808, to make a flnal settlement in the house built by the doctor, and entered it before it was finished, and with the logs of the clearing yet burning at his door. There he spent the greater part of the time till the spring of 1810, when he left for France with his family, leaving only his oldest son to manage his affairs with an agent. Moss Kent, brother of the chancellor. In France he busied himself with the settlement of his lands. He sent French gentlemen of talents, to establish various factories. The events of 1815 caused him to sell a large tract of land to Joseph Buonaparte, with whom he had long been acqua inted ; and smaller ones to Count Real, the due de Vincence Marshal Grouchy, &c. During his stay in France, he had the misfortune of losing his wife, whose health had always been poor, and had been kept up only by the indefatigable care and attentions of M. de Chaumont. In 1812, the board of internal navigation — Gouverneur Morris and De Witt Clinton, president and vice president — appointed M. Le Ray de Chaumont, to negotiate in Europe a loan of six millions of dollars, for the contemplated Erie Canal. Mr. Le Ray went to Switzerland, where the declaration of war by the United States, against England, deterred the capitalists. He then sent, to feel the Belgian bankers, his friend Mr. J. B. de Launay, whom the commissioners had sent out to assist Mr. Le Ray, and also to procure in England the services of the eminent engineer, Weston. The report having been favorable, Mr. Le ■:i. i 446 J' he Ray de Chaumont. Ray went to Belgium. The hopes of peace, however, were vanishing. The letilection of Mr. Madison made the continuance of the war certain, ami the bankers gave a definitive refusal. In 1816, he married his daughter to a French gentleman of great distinction, the Marquis de Gouvello; and they both came with him to America, where they spent a year, and returned to Fr,"nce. M. de Chaumont now resided mostly on his lands, spending a part of the year in New Yoik. He went on with in- creased force with the settlement of his lands and the improve- ment of the country, building saw mills, making roads, carrying on his iron works, &.c. In 1832, M. de Chaumont returned to France, leaving to settle his business, his son, who joined him next year. He made a last voyage to America in 1836, spending the summer tliere, and returned to France, where he was called by his daughter settled there, and by two sisters who had no children. Surrounded and cherished by his family, he spent his tinie nartly in Paris, partly in the country or in travehng, his minds'.il' bent towards Ameri- ca, and seizing every opportunity of being useful to his adopted country. At the age of SO, full of health and vigor, his mind unimpaired, he was suddenly taken with ar. inflammation on the chest, which caused his death in five days — December 31, 1840. M. Le Ray de Chaumont had a strong mind, a sound judg- ment, great penetration of men and things, a warm and aiftc- tionate heart, a noble soul: he was guided through life by those high and chivalrous feelings of integrity, which were so shrewd- ly discovered in him by Robert Morris, when, at the age of "25, he was chosen by him as um|)ite between himself and M. de Chaumont, Sen., in a contested business. He never meddled actively in politics, which, added to the other traits of his cha- racter, made him respected and beloved by men of all parties, both in France and in America. He received warm proofs of these feelings at various limes, and particularly from the citizens of Jclffrson County, during the last years of his stay among tl.em. The counties of Jefferson and Lewis owe much of their prosper. '♦^y to his liberal and enlightened management. He greatly improved the breed of sheep, by bringing Merinos from his flock in France, which was picked in the celebrated shef p fold of Rambouillet, where the original Spanish breed had been greatly meliorated. He also paid great attention to improving the breed of horses, atitl labored to diff'use a taste for the rearing of ornamental pliuts, tn promote the culture of the vine in gardens, and of li.^mp and the mulberry. The care which he bestowed in the se- lection and adorning of his villa at Le Raysville, which for many Hart Massey. 447 years was the seat of a refined hospitality bespeaking the afflu- ent and accomplished French gentleman, prove him to have possessed on these matters a judicious and correct taste. His household, including agents, clerks, surveyors, and employees, formed of itself a small community. He will long be gratefully remembered by the citizens of Jef- ferson county, for his public spirited improvements, his dignified and courteous manner, and the sympathy he never failed to ex- press in whatever concerned the public welfare. Hart Massey, the third son of Deacon Jonathan Massey, and one of a family of eight sons and three daughters, was born in Salem, N. H., December 5, 1771. In 1792, he removed with his father's family to Windsor, Vt., and in 1795 married and settled in a new town called Saltash, now Lyme, an elevated and sterile forest, from whence, in 1800, he emigrated to Watertown, where he purchased ninety acres of land fronting on Washington street, and to which he soon added another one hundred acres adjoin- ing, and on the ground of the present railroad depot. His first dwelling stood on the site of the Arcade, and at an early day he sold, in lots, the part of his land Irotitingon Washington street. The first religious meetings in the village were held at his house, on the Sabbath next after the arrival of his family, in March, ISOl. On the 13th of July, 1808, he was appointed colonel and inspector, having previously held the office ot quarter mas- ter in Colonel Abijah Putnam's regiment, and adjutant to Colo- nel Gurshon Tuttle. He held the office of collector of the port and district of Sackets Harbor, during the embargo and non- intercourse period, and the war, when the whole frontier of the country was to be watched, and in the exercise of this trust was subjected to peculiar trials and diffictillies, from the opposition of those, who, Irorn the violence of party spirit, deemed it merito- rious to evade the laws, and embarrass Ihe operations of govern- ment, in the prosecution of measures to which they were op- posed.* At the close of his services as collector, he retired to private life, but alA'ays evinced a lively interest in whatever tended to the improvement of the town and county, and was particularly active and useful in founding and supporting the county Agri- cultural Society, of which he was for several years the president. In educational and religious matters, he was also an efficient actor. On several occasions he was appointed to minor county offices, and in 1820, was made a couniy judge. In these various capacities, he won the respect and esteem of the public, and proved himself the possessor of a sound, discriminating and *The official papers of Judge Massey have beei State Library, at Albany. bound, and placed in the ,1 ,f: :■; I;: .ml 1^ ,.^ii^ m 'i-''i: 448 Hezekidh B. Pierrepont. vigorous mind. His death occurred near the close of March, 1853. He was temperate ami regular in his habits, and in the observance of religous duties, and till the day of his death main- tained a patriarchal supervision of his family of nine children. John Paddock, an elder brother of Loveiand Paddock, Esq., the well known banker of Watertown, settled in that place in 8105, as a merchant, in company with William Smith, still living. Theirs, was the pioneer mercantile enterprise in the village, and much the most extensive that had then been undertaken in the county. In 18 10, he removed to Brownville, and engaged largely in trade, with several partners, and during two years of the war was sheriff. Upon the establishment of a bank, he labored strenously in favor of its location at Brownville, but failing in this, concurred in the selection of Adams as its seat. He died in December, 1816, at Brownville. Hezekiah Bekrs Pierrepont, who was largely concerned in the early land sales of Macom.b's Purchase, and an extensive proprietor in this county, was born in New Haven, Connecticut, November 3, 1768, and was a descendant ol the Rev. James Pierrepont, the first settled minister in that colony. The town plat, apportioned to his ancestor at the first settlement of the place, has been retained and occupied by the family ever since. Being ot Norman descent, his name is French. The subject of this notice commenced his studies with a view to a profession, but, being of an active and business turn of mind, he left Yale College before graduating, and entered the oHice of his uncle, Isaac Beers, Esq., and in 1790 went to New York, where, after spending a few months in the custom house, he associated himself with Messrs, Watson & Greenleaf, and as their agent removed to Philadelphia, where success attended his business. In 1793, he entered into partnership with William Leffinwell, and engaged in European trade, in the pursuit of which he went to France. The restrictions '.ipon trade and the liability to seizure, consequent upon the war between France and England, led to his abandonment of trade with France, and to his embarking in that with India and China, which countries he visited in his own ship, named The Confederacy. On his return from India, his ship was boarded by a French privateer, taken possession of, and ci rrled to France, wherp she was con- demned and sold, contrary to our treaty stipulations and the laws of nations. Our government, in its treaty with France, assumed this claim and many similar ones, known as Claims for French spoliations, pr'^r to 1800, for which satisfaction has never yet been given, though congress has been appealed to, during fifty years, and has admitted their justice, by twenty-one reports in their favor. While in Paris, Mr. Pierrepont was a witness of the 'KS«w KM U'i- 448 tui; •■' ■■»,' * if-" ■' Hezekiah B. Pierrepont. ::X sione of March. ^ #;»V t;^ bis dtatl: RiMijw "♦♦it^iroi' Watertowfr at^^^jf^A in that placo iy ,rS;:v-'>^( .')r!,r*Sii|ftaft>(i larger f vflrtrx c:J the \sw ■5jw.^, he Jabri>«^y • ii^\ ijrtjt faiJiiiiT ■ t -^.«Whv 'Vk'i ■■!;»!!, «i&vj}, lie Jifeti ,o ■v. ^>;*» ij^ jMonc'or tin.* : ■.4if4'*« »^iiMf pp^ ^i■^^v^■n, (''onue4 '•■• November 3, 17G8. *m4 «vw? f; iJ^Sf, v.,;,;, ,«i .ij jht' R<-'v, I: . Picrrt'pont, liip first. f»rffW ;iuu»H(tv- .<» rfeftt f.-^cny. '^'" plaf, appostionw to H«* y tivjfstoj xA '.}," .«•»*. N^rMlfc-nntf/ place, has b*ie« ^'^!;t'^«S -iiwl iyfyMf^.A i?v r^>'*<' tftii)«lv <>.<*!■ ik-intr ol N' s *?>:;" {n tc> a pmression.f !;;&.i';. ■'.'r\iif ■*!' nn activ* •»- f.<' ''"ft Yiil*' r"'s*S«!^- 'Hiitr* _r»Ya<{uatin'|, r..^'-:^ ^Ji*' v«jnk\ hh)^-: tesfct*, %4,^ ami *?:'''"-■'' V'V,,^ > •■'/ ■, ■ . -'' '■:. 'if rest rii. '*n-^- V •■.•.■■u ;jf(S- VV'i'S',, ;)H«,.". :'■' i8, .-■'' ■-■■ to fi>* ''■'-••v ■•■'■■> -.i he vi-''*- '■•' • retuif. 'V'-'' T ; tak'.'n p'!v> .' V dernnei! ;. f. -i of nations • * • this rlaiir: .(?!■: ;»• ' "-t. crivMi, >■• -.1 ■•rt<-, - v.. t^i! ■■ ; . ■ .u .-v;f. in «»" ff*^"ii, (or wh.- their favor. While in Pans, Mr. rierrepum wua a «.i»^v I I • i iHiifi;:^ . ]»■ .. :i".:[H!:ii 'Ri ;»;}'■ c:^^:^, 'O /'!■'.' }'.V, 7. _ iw n.um i ui n i ■'■•■■'#' -■-■-•^T^Ty^-T i^W^ftrvy^zi^rr- Auguttut Sachet. 451 violent excesses of the French Revolution. He subsequently spent two years in Enf 'n ntl, and traveled on the continent. After an absence of seven y. vj, he returned to New York, and married Anna Maria, daughter of William Constable. He the same year retired from commerce, and purchased his estate on Brooklyn Heights, at a time when Brooklyn was a small village, and con- tained but twenty-six freeholders. Here he established a factory of gin. which was attended with great success, and the article he manufactured attained a high reputation. But upon the death of Mr. Constable he became so much engaged as his executor, in the management of the extensive tracts of land of his estate, in this and the neighboring counties, that he abandoned his fac- tory and gave his entire attention to the settlement and improve- ment of these lands and of others, belonging to himself, in the towns 0.' Pierrepont, Stockholm and Louisville, in St. Lawrence County. He afterwards made large additions to his lands by purchases from the Constable estate and others, and became the owner of about half a million of acres. He annually, from the year 1803, till the time of his death, made a tour of these lands in the summer, and laid out and made many roads, turnpikes, and ex- tensive settlements. Some incidents connected with his visits to this county, are related in thediary of James Constable, extracts from which we have inserted in our account of Ellisburgh, which town has since been inherited by his son William C, who had charge of his lands in the counties of Oswego and Jefferson, while his son Henry E. took charge of those in Lewis, St. Lawrence, and Franklin. Mr. Pierrepont was distingu'hed for great energy and decision of charrcter, and for his compi' Sensive and sound judgment. He antinipaUu at an early dpy the destined growth of our country, and the co;isequent appreciation of real estate, and perseveringly adhered to his judgment, through the periods of war, and the various fluctuations we experienced during the first third of this century, and lived to see his hopeful views fully realized. Augustus Sacket, the pioneer of Sackets Harbor, was born in the city of New York, November 10, 1769, where ho received his education, and acquired the profession of law. In 1801, having purchased a tract in Houndsfield, he came on and began the first settlement at that place, and comiuen'^ed its improvement with much energy. Upon the formation of a collection district, he was appointed the first collector, and at th, organization of the county court was made first judge. In 1809, having sold his property in this county, he removed to Jamaica, L. I., from whence, in 1812, he went to Meadville, Pa., ha ing there pur- chased 300,000 acres of land. He soop turned to New York city. a i! i k 462 George Jiliite. anil in 1820 '.\^ went to Rutherford Coun(y, N. C, having be- come it.ttrestfd in u large tract of land in tha: v.te. l)y a stiUequent transaction he became interested in Ih^' i.siunds of the St. Lawrence, and returned to Sackets Harbor, and in 1827 re- iiioved to Newburgh. In these varied changes and transactions in laid speculations, he was ultimately very unfortunate. He died at Albany, April 29, 1827, of a sudden sickness, while on his way to this county. MicAH SfERLiNO, was bom in Lyme, Ct., November 5, 1784, entered Yale College in 1800, and graduated in 1804. He was a classmate of John C. Calhoun, and the friendship there formed lasteJ through life. After attending a course of law lec- tures in Litr:hfield, Ct., he studied law with Judge Williams, of Utica, and alter residing a year in Adams, removed about 1809 to VValertown, where he resided till his death. In 1821, he was elected to congress, and in 1836 to the stale senate. He died April 11, 1844, of scarlet fever, the same day wi:h Egbert Ten Eyck. The directors of the Jetterson County Bank, ol whom he had been one, and the members of the bar, passed resolutions expressing their respect for his memory. His character is thus summed up by the writer of an obituary notice: •'Of the public character of Mr. Sterling, the journals of con- gress an'' the senate, bear faithful testimony. Possessing talents of a hi',j,h order, a mind well disciplined by education and reflec- tion, t'!rii;u'n!iy industrious and persevering, energetic, patriotic, anci i!;.(e.'-ii, his career, as a public man, was no less brilliant and honorab!t'> ihan useful to the public, wliich it was his greatest glory to serve. But few men have passed through more trying political scenes; and but few, like him, could better command the respect of his opponents. In the private relations of life, the character of Mr. Sterling was most exemplary. Habitually dignified in his manners, he insensibly won the respect of all with whom he associated." Egbert Ten Eyck was born April 18, 1779, at Schodack, Rensselaer Co., N. Y ; was educated at Williams College, and studied law at Albany. At an early day, he settled in Cham- pion, and soon after at Watertown. In 1822, he was member of the Constitutional Convention, and in 1823 was elected to congress. He was five years first judge of the county court, and for a long time secretary of the agricultural society, of which he was an active and useful member. He died, April 11, 1844, at Watertown. George White, was born >n Hatfield, Mass., Oct 10, 1775, and was a son of Sirneon White. At 18, he removed to Tren- ton, where he married, and in 1800 to Rutland, where he resided till his death, March 9, 1853. On the 25th of March, 1814, he 'r^' Benjamin Wright. 453 '^''hing manhood when vas a time to inspire i.ui}y enterprise. New \vs *vere to be made; by those who should Enlightened Europe was appointed a major of the 76th regiment of Infantry, and in 1823-5, was member of assembly. For several years, he was the agent of Rutland. Benjamin Wright. — Although the subjecf of this notice never resided in the county, yet his intimate connection with its sur- veys and agencies, entitle him to a place in the history of the county. Thay were fortunate, who " ere the federal government was organize youthful genius, and cherish a boff'' ■ and fertile regions were to be ( and a mighty influence was to be vc lead in these great works of civil iza^ shed its lustre over the new world, and indicated the true paths to national greatness and individual prosperity. The United States opened the fairest field that ever invited the cultivation of virtuous men. And among those who seized the occasion and have reared to themselves lasting monuments by their public services, a conspicuous place will be reserved for the name of Benjamin Wright, the chief engineer of the Erie Canal, and one of the originators of the first official act in relation to this splendid work. He was born in the town of Wethersfield, Conn., October 10th, 1770. From his early childhood, young Wright manifested an unusual degree of interest in the studies which relate to surveying and mensuration, stimulated, no doubt, by the example of Washing- ton, who had laid the foundation of his fortune and his fame, by his early enterprise and industry as a surveyor of new lands. At the age of sixteen, he found the means of gratifying his peculiar taste and extending his knowledge of his favorite studies. He was sent to live with an uncle at Plymouth, in Litchfield County, where he had access to the best books and instruments which could then be obtained by country surveyors. Along with his growing knowledge of the surveyor's art, he imbibed the spirit of western emigration, which was then beginning to carry the hardy sons of New England into the fertile valley of the Mohawk, and the productive regions of the Genesee. Great inducements were held out to young men, qualified to survey lands and make up the contents of title deeds. His spirit was imparted to his father's family, prompting them to leave their home in Wethersfield, and plant themselves near Fort Slanwix, now called Rome, in Oneida County. The part of the town where they established themselves, still retains the name of Wright's settlement. Fort Stanwix was then the western border of civilization, the very frontier settlement of New York. It was a small clearing, 29 '!■!'; Jl ' iJV 'v{l 1(1 IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 1.1 lAiiM 12.5 Ui lii 12.2 S 124 ■" £^ no 12.0 i£o |: 11.25 III j.4 - 6" 1.6 r- Y 454 Benjamin fVrigh. in the midst of a dense and widespread forest, far remote from any other white inhabitants. The only roads were the remains 01 a military road, opened during the revolutionary war, the paths of the hunter, the surveyor, or the natives of the forest. In 1789, the subject of our sketch, then in his nineteenth year, having packed up all the books, diaps and instruments he had been able to purchase, set off, to join his father, who had a little preceded him. For a short time, Mr. Wright assisted his father and brothers in clearing a field and rearing a log cabin; but his knowledge of the surveyor's art soon became known to the set- tlers, and he began to find employment in his favorite work. The original proprietors of the soil, in his immediate neighbor- hood, had caused the lands to be laid out in lots of five hundred acres. But these dimensions exceeded the ability of the newly arriving settlers; they rarely purchased more than a half or a fourth of one of these lots; so tliat the surveyor was to be em- ployed as often as a new-comer made his appearance in the set- tlement. By means of these surveys, and access to such maps and descriptions as he could obtain, he became possessed of valuable knowledge relating to the general features and comparative value as to soil, timber and water power, of extensive tracts of coun- try around Fort Stanwix. He now gave up all his time to his studies, except when in the field; he procured from abroad the best books, maps, and instruments; and by patient toil over the slate and the drawing boards, he embodied his daily observa- tions in accurate topographical maps and descriptions. All parties acquiesced in the correctness of his surveys. His de- scriptions and estimates became authorities in all questions of boundaries; and he found abundant occupation. From the year 1792 to 1796, he had laid out, into farms, five hundred thousand acres, in the county of Oneida. From this period to 1801, he was employed in surveying the central and northern counties of this state-r-that part known 3« Macomb's Purchase — and considerable portions of Franklin and Jefferson counti«>3. This was a period of great fatigue and hardship For weeks in succession, his parties pitched their tents in the t.ackless forests, far from the habitations of white men, — the form of the savage the only one encountered by day, and the fierce wolf and panther hovering around them by night., kept at bay only by their circling camp fires. With steady and indomitable industry he pursued his way, deterred by i^o difficul- ties, when in the performance of his engagements. These severe labors might seem unfriendly to'scientific pursuits; but in truth they were not so. He was acquiring that extensive topographi- cal knowledge and habit of observation, which he was enabled. Benjamin Wright. 455 in his subsequent life, to turn to such great benefit to his adopted state. In the year 1798, he paid a visit to the home of his youth, and married the daughter of the Rev. Simon Waterman, pastor of the church at Plymouth. Litchfield County. Returning to Fort Stanwix, Mr. Wright took up his residence in the imme- diate vicinity of the fort, in what is ncvr the village of Rome. Here he became the agent for the sale of the lands of many of the large proprietors, for whom he had made such extensive surveys; and the heirs o:' these grea': estates bear a uniform testimony to the ability and fidelity with which he fulfilled his trust. These agencies did not, however, prevent him taking an active part in the affairs of the county in which he lived. The wilderness which he had entered in 1789 bad now be- come a rural district of considerable agricultural wealth. The surplus products of the soil sought a market at a distance of more than one hundred miles over roads which scarcely deserved the name. Hence the necessity of greater facilities of transport, and the Western Inland Lock Navigation Company was organ- ized for the purpose of connecting the waters of Wood Creek with the Mohawk River, by means of a short canal, and also to construct such locks and channels around the rapids of the Mo- hawk in Herkimer County as would make practicable the de- scent and ascent of the river by loaded bateaux. In the year 1803, the entire survey of the Mohawk was made by Mr. Wright, and a portion of two years was spent in the service of the com- pany, making plans and estimates, which their poverty never permitted them to execute beyond the previous improvements at Little Falls on the Mohawk, and those at Rome and in the channel of Wood Creek, made about the year 1795. The waters of the latter, flowing past Rome on the westerly side, pursue their way to Oneida Lake, and thence, through Lake Ontario, into the St. Lawrence; while those c! the Mohawk, pass- ing on the east side, are emptied into the Hudson River, and thence into the Atlantic below New York. This very peculiar feature of the country at Rome, with not more than about a doz- en feet elevation between the two streams indicated the improve- ments undertaken by the before-mentioned company. These works, although of great benefit, did not meet the rapidly increas- ing exigencies of the country. The survey made by Mr. Wright of the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, for the Western Inland Navigation Company, would lead his thoughts most naturally to the importance of a more extended communication by a naviga- ble canal between the great lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. In 1807 we find him a member of assembly from Oneida County, him- self and colleague, General McNeil, lodging at the same house ^66 Benjamin fVright. Tvith Judge Forman, a member from Onondaga County. Mr. Wright was then a subscriber to Rees' Encyclopedia, a very large and extensive work, then furnished to subscribers through Messrs. Webster & Skinner of Albany. One evening during the session, Mr. Wright brought in with him the volume just then issued, which contained the article, Canalf. Opening to this, a discussion ensued, resulting in the agreement that Judge Forman should, on the fol- lowing morning, February 4, 1808, present a resolution which Mr. Wright should second, appropriating one thousand dollars to the survey of a canal between Lake Erie and the Hudson River. This resolution passed the assembly. In the senate the appropriation was reduced to the sum of six hundred dollars and theii passed. (See journal of the assembly session, 1807-8.) Thus originated the first official act in relation to the great and noble scheme of internal improvement since carried into such successful operation in the state of New York — a movement which like an electric shock communicated its mighty influence to the surrounding states, and, in a brief space, our country leaped as it were from youth to conscious manhood ! Every one, without exceptions, who was personally acquainted with the subject of this sketch, will bear unhesitating testimony to his exceeding modesty and shrinking from aught like public honors or notoriety. Scarcely a word ever escaped him which could be construed into a wish to assert his own claims to merit in the originating of this great work, or even in the promotion of it in any manner. A candid, discrimina^'ng public will at once rightly estimate the weight to be gi\ » Mr. Wright's previous position and occupation, having a ^ .y surveyed one- third of the route. Under these circumstances, we feel author- ized in awarding to Judge Wright an equal merit with Judge Forman in this measure. That the idea of a canal had been for several years expressed by others is well known. The claim here supported for Mr. Wright is limited to the originating of the first legislative steps towards the accomplishment of this splendid work, which may be said to have created the Great West, by opening her broad prairies and fertile valleys to the great markets, and inviting the industrious emigrant to reap the golden harvest which a bountiful nature bestowed, with but little labor. The report of Judge Geddes, who made the first survey, led, in 1810, to the appointment of a board of canal commissioners, and to an appropriation for additional surveys. The canal com- missioners after examining the route from Lake Erie, reported in favor of a canal through the whole distance, unbroken by locks, on an inclined plane of six inches to the mile. This report was referred to Mr. Wright and Mr. Geddes, who reported against Benjamin fVrigkt. 457 it. The war with Great Britain intervened, and prevented any progress in, while it furnished irresistible evidence of the neces- sity of such a work of internal navigation. But in 1816, a canal board was efficiently organized, and Mr. Geddes and Mr. Wright were charged with constructing the canal — the former with the western, and the latter with the eastern section — and from that time forth the work proceeded under their direction to its completion, in the year 1825. It may be mentioned, that Mr. Wright had, during the war, been appointed one of the judges for the county where he resided, but from his office, as well as from all his other employments, he withdrew on receiv- ing the appointment of canal engineer. Although the services rendered by Mr. Wright in the con- struction of the Erie Canal, constitute his principal claim to be remembered by posterity, he was also consulting or chief engi- neer of a number of other internal improvements, of the highest importance to the material interests of the United States; such as the Farmington Canal, in Connecticut; the Blackstone Canal, in Rhode Island; the Chesapeake and Ohio Canals, the James River and Kanawha Canal, the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, the Delaware and Hudson Canal, the Harlem Rail Road, the Welland Canal, in Canada; the New York and Erie Rail Road, the Tioga Rail Road, the Chicago and Illinois River Canal. In 1835 he visited Cuba, to consult as to a rail road from Havana to the interior of the Island, and his approval of the projected road decided its construction. Mr. Wright died in the city of New York, which had been his residence during several fears, on the 24th of August, 1842, in the 72d year of his age. t may be added, that in all the various enterprises in which he was connected, Mr. Wright sustained the same reputation of zeal, industry, and probity, avoiding the reality, and ever escap- ing the suspicion of ever using the opportunities afforded him by his station, for any undue advantage of his own fortune. iW Hmin ^Rawi 1 ','■ ij 458 rAflWirver known on this fivntier. There is scarcely a place from the Oswegatuhie to Sandy Creek, a distance of 110 miles, but that the ice is good. Sleighs pass at Sackets Harbor ten miles from shore, and all the force I can raise IS not sufficient to stop them. They appear determined to evade the laws at the risk of their lives. More particularly at Oswegatchie, I am informed, they have entered into a combination, not to entertain, nor even suffer any other force to be stationed in that vicinity, and their threats are handed out, that, if I, or any other officer should come there again, they will take a raw hide to them, which they declare they have prepared for that purpose. These threats don't terrify me. I only mention them to let you know their unprincipled determination. The regular troops, and the inhabitants at that station, have a mutual understanding. If the troops that are there, are not called away, it will be in vain to send any more, without sending enough to over- power them and the inhabitants. * * The militia, stationed on the Oswegatchie, are thirty miles this way from the post, at the place where the roads branch off to various paits of St. Lawrence County.* The psople in the vicinity of their station are hostile, and refuse to accommodate them with any thing, even to admit them into thuir houses. They are in a suffering condition, and the snow is thre« feet deep. I shall go to their assistance soon, and furnish them with such things as they are in want of, to keep them from suffering. They are poorly armed, without blankets or cooking utensils, or even without shelter, except hemlock boughs, but, notwithstanding their distressed situation, they stop the illicit trade on that road. It is with difficul^, that I get any assistance for the conveyance of property to the public store. If I have not armed men with me, the inhabitants will assemble in the night, and take the property trom me. There are some who wish to support the laws, but they are so unpopular that they shrink from their duty. My life and the lives of my deputies are threatened daily; what will be the fate of us, God only knows." This open and bold defiance of laws, was not entirely due to a mercenary spirit, but to political rancor and a practical opposi- tion to a law which they declared unconstitutional and void. An open defiance to the law was attempted at Oswego, in the summer of 1808, it is said, in part, by citizens of this county, which was boldly planned but badly executed. One morning, about ten boats, with sixty armed men, entered that harbor, and from an intimation that was given by one of their number, it was learned that they designed to forcibly seize a quantity of flour that had been detained by the collector, Mr. Burt, or to use their own language, '* to clear out the place or burn it;'* A message was at once sent to hasten on a company of dragoons at Onondaga, who arrived within half a dozen miles * In the town of Antwerp, ont mile north nf tlie village. 460 The War of 1812 15. and encamped. Learning that the hour of Up. m. -was agreed upon for ^* a scrape," the detachment was hastened forward, and arrived a few mmutes before the signal was given. Hearing the music of the approaching company, the insolent marauders instantly fled to the woods, leaving their boats in charge of the collector. The great price to which ashes arose led for a short time to extensive clearings for this object as labor was far better rewarded in this, than in the ordinary pursuits of husbandry. On the 1st of March, 1809, the embargo gave place to a non- intercourse law, which expired in May, 1810. On the 4th of April, 1812, an embargo was again laid, which rendered renewed vigilance necessary; but this time, a more efficient system of means was at hand. In Maj', 1812, the Lord Nelson, a British schooner, bound for Niagara, and laden with flour and merchandise from Kingston, being found in American waters, in the lake, was captured by Woolsey, brought into Sackets Harbor, and condemnea as a law- ful prize. Among the goods taken and offered at auction, was a quantity of plate, jewelry, wearing apparel, and household articles cf rich materials, belonging to a lady of Queenstown, newly married, but not on board ; and these articles, although of great intrinsic value, were inestimably precious to the owner, as family relics and keepsakes. These, Commodore Woolsey, with true courtesy, proposed to restore, and the suggestion was seconded by the hearty acclamation of his gallant sailors, who ( ^'l to relinquish their claim; but others, from sordid and oral motives, insisted that the sale should go on, and under- took to compete in the bids, which gradually arose to three, four, and five hundred dollars. At this moment, the gallant Woolsey, determined not to be baffled in his design, suddenly raised his bid io Jive thousand, which at once ended the contest, amid the cheers of his men, and to the discomfit of his opponents. The property, he promptly forwarded to the owner, and the govern- ment sanctioned his course by discharging him from the obliga- tion.* The vessel was owned by Crooks, of Niagara, who afterwards got a reversal of the adjudication. The Lord Nelson was changed to the Scourge, and was afterwards recaptured by the enemy. On the 14th day of June, the schooner Ontario, Capt. Charles Sweet, was seized at Cape Vincent for an alleged violation of the revenue laws, but discharged on the 22d. The schooner Ni- agara, was seized at about the same time, and afterwards sold for a like cause. ♦ A different version of this anecdote is given by Cooper, in his Lives of Bistinvuished Naval Officers, vol. ii, p. 136. We give the account as related to us by Captain Augustus Ford, of Sackets Harbor; who, since 1795, has bMB famiUwr with whatever ucoiuMcted with the navigation of lake Ontario. The fVar qf 181i-l6. 461 r. The state legislature, acting on the spirit which led the gene- ral government to take the steps above related, on the 12th of February, 1808, directed that 500 stand of arms should be de- posited at Champion. Governor Tompkins, in a letter to Noa- diah Hubbard, of Champion, of February 27, 1809, announced that of the above 360 sets of accoutrements, 7500 rounds of fixed ammunition, &c., had been for some time at Utica, awaiting some place of deposit, which was not however provided, and their destination was, by an act of March 27, 1809, changed to Watertown, where an arsenal was built that year, under the di- rection of Ifart Massey. The street on which it was located wa" called Columbia Street^ previous to this time, when its name was changed to Jlrsenal Street. It was maintained as a state arsenal, until sold under tne act of April 19, 1850. By an act of Congress, passed April 10, 1812, the president was authorized to raise a body of 100,000 minute men, of which proportion New York was to furnish 13,500. Colonel Christopher P. Bellinger, from Montgomery County, was stationed at the harbor in May, with a regiment drafted under the act just mentioned, and remained three months. A portion of his command was stationed at Cape Vincent, and was very efficient in enforcing the embargo. War having been for years anticipated, was declared June 18, 1812, by a vote of 79 to 49, in the house, and of 19 to 15 in the senate; Silas Stow then representing this district and voting in the negative. The event was first announced in a letter from Governor Tompkins to Brigadier General Jacob Brown, of the militia, dated June 23, in which he was empowered to reinforce Colonel Bellinger, with the militia of Lewis, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence counties, and to arm and equip them at the si '. irsenals at Russell and Watertown, if occasion required. Colon* 1 Benedict, of DeKalb, St. Lawrence Co., was ordered to turn out immedi- ately, to guard the frontiers from Ogdensburgh to St. Regis. In reply, General Brown urged the speedy forwarding of arms and munitions, and that a force should be posted at Cape Vincent and Ogdensburgh, which could be concentrated at a few hours notice, should decisive measures be necessary, '^bis letter con- tained the following sentiments. " Your Excelle' / will bear in mind, that this is a very new country; that V . population is light, and generally poor, though very respectable for so new a country, and that, if any more men are called from their homes, the crops which now promise a very abundant harvest must perish on the ground. I mention this to your Excellency, as the county expects it at my hands, and much more than my feeble abilities can accomplish; but no considerations of this nature shall deter me, for a moment, from calling out every man in the 1 y 402 The fVar of 1812-16. i county, if its defence requires it, though, for the present, I must hope that the force coming on, will render such a measure unne- cessary. I pray God that our government will act with that decision and energy which becomes a gallant people." On the first announcement of war, some families hastily pre- pared to leave the country, to which they were impelled in part by fugitives of the same class from St. Lawrence, but to the credit of the county the number of these timid ones was com- paratively small, and several who had removed returned. The fear of Indian massacre, which the memories of the revolution suggested, was in general the impelling cause, although they could scarcely define the source from whence these dreaded mau- rauders would come, or adduce a consistent argument to justify their apprehension. The news of the war had scarcely reached this frontier, when hostilities were begun in a small way, by Abner Hubbard, a revolutionary soldier, who, without authority, and with only the aid of a man and a boy, made a descent upon Fort Carleton, near Cape Vincent, and, without firing a gun, took the garrison, consisting of three invalid men and two women, prisoners. The next day a boat was sent to the island for the stores, and the buildings were afterwards burned. This proceeding being known at Kingston, an attempt was made to detain a citizen from Brownvilie, who was in town on commercial busi- ness, but being forewarned by a friend, he escaped. On the 29th of .^Afoail, a fleet of trading vessels, that had been caught at Og- densburgh, and were attempting to ascend the river to the lake, were pursued by a party of provincial militia. Two of the vessels. The Sophia and Island Packet, were burned, and the remainder returned in great confusion to Ogdensburgh, where they created the greatest alarm. This occurred near the foot of the Thousand Islands. On the 2d of July, the scouts of General Brown brought in a man, found between Indian River and the St. Lawrence, who was taken for a spy, but proved to be an American, and con- firmed the account of the burning of the vessels, slating that there were about thirty persons aboard, mostly families moving; and that the most of their effects were burned. It was appre- hended that the enemy were about to fortify the islands, and thus command the river. A few days before the news of war was received, a large quantity of small arms was forwarded by the governor to this frontier, consisting of two thousand muskets, and a corresponding quantity of munitions, which were mostly sent on to the Russell Arsenal, in Lawrence County, escorted by the detachment from Lewis County. A considerable body of militia from Jefferson County, was assembled at Cape Vincent, together with a portion of the force of Colonel Bellinger, as it was con- sidered advisable to keep Kingston in as great a state of alarm as enen and It ^ The fFar of 1812-ib. 463 as possible. At this point was the great naval station of the enemy, where for one or two years arii)«|vei|g||MH||ui building, and from whence alone an attack copC be reaionl^^expected. It was apprehended that an attempt would be made by the British, to destroy or take our vessels at Ogdensburgh, and the Oneida, Lord Nelson, and other vessels at Sackets Harbor. To be in readiness for any attack, the governor was importuned to forward cannon from the state arsenals, and the assurance was given, that a good account would be rendered of the enemy, should they attempt any expedition to our shores. On the 1 Ith of July a rumor was spread, that Lieutenant Woolsey, with the brig Ontida, had been taken by the enemy, which brought General Brown to the Harbor, but the report proved groundless. There had MHiKed two brass nine pounders, but no nine-pound shot. On Sunday, the 19th of July, 1812, Captain \voolesy, of the Oneida, discovered from the mast hepd of his brig, five sail of the enemy beating up the harbor, viz: the Royal George, 24 guns; the Seneca, 18; Prince Regent, 22; Earl of Moira, 20; and Simcoe. The Oneida attempted to gain the lake, but fail- ing, returned, and was moored outside of the point, where the ship-house now is, with one broadside of nine guns to tb 3 enemy, while the others were take out and hastily placed on a breast- work on the shore, near which, on the day previous, a 32 pounder (intended for the Oneida, but found too heavy) had been mount- ed on a pivot, upon a mound about six feet high. Alarm guns were fired, and expresses sent to call in the neighboring militia, who did not, however, arrive in time to render assistance, but who, in the course of the day, came in to the number of 3000. The British had, early in the morning, captured a boat laden with flour from Cape Vincent, and the crew were set on shore, and sent with the message " that all they wanted was the brig Oneida, and the Lord Nelson (a vessel taken a little before for a violation of the revenue), and that they would burn the village if there was a single shot fired at them." The enemy had been misinformed about the defences of the place, and especially of the 32 pounder, and supposed there was nothing to be feared in the way of ordnance. The force at that time in town was, be- sides the crew of the Oneida, the regiment of Colonel Bellinger, a volunteer company of artillery under Captain Camp, and a few militia. Captain Woolsey, leaving his brig in charge of a lieutenant, took the general command on shore, the 32 pounder being in charge of Mr. William Vaughan, sailing master, and the other guns under that of Captain Camp. There were no shot in town larger than 24 pound balls, which were used (with the aid of patches formed of carpets), in the 32 pounder. By the time these arrangements were made, the enemy had arrived within !' ['.'• i t [ % i I •' ■^T^'Tf-i'f ■. 464 The fVar 0/1812-15. gun shot, was b«gu nearly in front of the battery, when the action ^te^yi^hot ^bein^r from the 32 pounder on the mound; yf^^^^mha shout of laughter was heard from the fleet, at the supposed imbecile attempt at resistance. The fire was returned briskly, and continued for two hours, all of the enemy's balls but one or two, falling against the rocks at the foot of the bluff, where our force was stationed. One ball fell near by, and plowed up the ground for some distance. It was caught up jast as it had spent its force, by a man who came running in and shouting that he had " caught them out;" and so it proved, for from its commanding position, it was seen that our big gun had every advantage, and that several of its shots told with effect. Towards the close of the action, as the Royal George, the flag ship, was wearing to give another broadside, a 2^ pound shot struck her stern, and raked her whole length, killing eight men, and doing much damage, j^pon lliis the signal of retreat was given, and the whole fleet bore away for Kingston without cere- mony. At this, the band on shore struck up the national tune of Yankee Dco 472 T^fTaro/ 1812-15. Indies, his cart and oxen remaining in the streets, and himself unable to send a single word home, to relieve the dreadful anxi- ety that his protracted absence would occasion. During seven long weary years he was detained abroad, with- out exchanging one letter with home, or knowing whether those most dear were dead or living; when, at length, sun-burnt by tropical heat, and, by hard service, so worn and haggard as scarcely to be recognized, he was landed at Liverpool, and paid his hard-earned wages, which he had carefully saved by avoid- ing all those vices that sailors too frequently acquire; and, with a light heart, set his face homeward, wondering what the changes of seven ^ears might have wrought in his home. On the approach of night, fearing to call at an inn, lest his dress and appearance should excite suspicion that he was a de- serter from the navy, he crept into a nook, under a stack of straw, and spent the night. In the morning, there being a dense fog, and not knowing the course he was going, he fell into the midst of another press gang, who, in spite of entreaties, again carried him to the fleet, and he was soon under way to the coast of South America. After several years, finding an opportunity, he reached the shore, and f!ed; crossed the Andes, and, at length, reaching another port, and finding no other opportunity of leaving, he enlisted in an American ship of war for a few months, and soon after sailed for the United States. His crew were soon detailed for service on lake Ontario, and he arrived at Sackets Harbor, in the fall of 1812, and became one of the crew of the Oneida, un- der Woolsey. Here our informant became acquainted with him, it having been twenty years since he was first abducted, during which time not one word had been received from home. He was of a kind, cheerful, and obliging disposition; was strictly temperate, used no profane language, and was made captain of the forecastle, from the entire confidence that was placed in his capacity and fidelity. In short, Tom Garnet was the universal favorite of the brig, and both officers and men became strongly attached to him for his kindness of heart, intelligence, and moral worth. On the morning before the fleet of Chauncey sailed to meet the enemy near Kingston, Tom related to his comrades a dream he had the night before, in which he thought his wife appeared to him, as a disembodied spirit, in heaven, with a son, whom he had never seen, and told him that he would soon join them. His story was treated with levity; but the calm and serious earnest- ness with which he related it, and the evident conviction he felt of its reality, checked that hilarity that might otherwise have attended the announcement that he was to be the first man killed on board the fleet. He proceeded to divide his wardrobe among The War of 1812-15. 473 his companions, and gave instructions about the the little pro- perty he possessed, as would one to whom death was a certain doom; yet his cheerfulness and alacrity was unabated, and, al- though he evidently believed in the presentiment he expressed, he seemed to be exhilarated with the welcome prospect of meeting the long-lost and dear partner of early hopes blasted, the object on which his memories had centered, and the only one for whom he had desired to live. Chauncey's fleet sailed, and engaged the enemy's batteries in the harbor of Kingston, as above related; the first shot from which was a nine pound ball that crossed the deck of ^he Oneida, and passed through the body of Tom Garnet, at his post. He fell instantly dead, with the same smile upon his countenance that habit had impressed. This singular coin- cidence, and verification of presentiment, is so well attested by authentic witnesses that it merits the attention of the curious. On the 26th of November, the ship Madison was launched at Sackets Harbor, having been built in forty-five days. Fort Tomp- kins had been built during the simmer previous, and stood on the plain fronting the bay, near the present ship-house. Temporary barracks had also been fitted up, under the directions of Major Darby Noon. Late in November, the fleet attempted to gain the head of the lake, but was driven back in a gale, the Growl- er was dismasted, and the fleet greatly endangered by the ice. Early in December, the navigation closed for the season, and the winter was spent on both sides of the lake in active prepa- rations for the ensuing campaign. " In the cuurse of the autumn, the Americans had increased their force to eleven sail, ten of which were the small schooners bought from the merchants, and fitted with gun-boat armaments, without quarters. In addition to the vessds already named, were the Ontario, Scourge, Fair American, and Asp. Neither of the ten were fit to cruise, and an ordinary eighteen-gun brig ought to have been able to cope with them all, in a good working breeze, in close quarters. At long shot, however, and in smooth water, they were not without a certain efliciency. As was proved in the end, in attacking bat- teries and in covering descents, they were even found to be ex- ceedingly serviceable." — Cooper's J^aval History. In the cabinet at Washington, a plan of operations against Canada in the ensuing season, began to be discussed early in February, and an attack upon Kingston was to make an early and prominent part of these moveuients. The general outline of the campaign was communicated to General Dearborn, the com- mander-in-chief, on the 10th of February, which directed 4,000 t roops to be assembled at Sackets Harbor, and 3,000 at Buffalo. The former of these was to be landed at Kingston, and after secur- incr that clace and the shinninrf tonroceedtoYorkiWiththeYisw ; \ 474 The War o/ 1812-16. of seizing the stores there collected, and the two frigates said to be there building. Towards the close of the month, General Brown received orders to call out several hundred militia, and Colonel Pike, then stationed on Lake Champlain, was directed to proceed, with four hundred of his command, in sleighs, by the nearest and best route, to Sackets Harbor. Captain Forsyth, having been driven out of Ogdensburgh on the 22d of February, soon after joined the forces at the harbor. Had Chauncey ar« rived in season, an attack upon Kingston, by crossing on the ice, would have been attempted; but he was detained several weeks in New York, and his presence was deemed necessary in this enterprise. General Dearborn arrived about the first of March, where he was informed that Sir George Prevost, having adjourned the provincial parliament, and arrived in Kingston, was making active preparations for offensive measures; that a force had been collected from Quebec, Montreal and Upper Canada, of from six to eight thousand men, and that an attack from Kingston might be shortly expected. An express was sent to hasten on the troops destined for the place, and the militia were hastily assem- bled to repel any a:*^^tack that might be made. The force of every description, «c Sackets Harbor on the 3d of March, was about 3,000 men. On the 9th, General Dearborn thus wrote to the secretary of war: Sir: "Ihave not yet had the honor of a visit from Sir G. Prevost. His whole force is concentrated at Kingston, probably amounting to six or seven thousand, about three thousand of whom are regular troops. The ice is good and we expect him every day, and every measure for preventing a surprise is in constant activity. The troops from Green- bush (upwards of 400) have arrived. I have heard nothing from Pike ; he should have been here yesterday. I have sent three expresses to meet him ; neither has returned. I have suspicions of the express em- ployed by the quarter master general to convey the orders to Pike. The earliest measures were taken to convey a duplicate of his orders. I hope to hear from him to day. His arrival with 800 good troops would be very important at this time. The enemy are apprized of his movement. I begin to entertain some doubts whether Sir George will venture to attack us; but shall not relax iii being prepared to give him a decent reception. I should feel easier if Pike should arrive in season. I am in want of officers of experience. My whole force, exclusive of seamen and marines, who will be confined to the vessels, and have no share in the action, until my force shall be worsted, amounts to nearly 3,000, exclusive of 450 militia, at Brownville, and on the rond, leading from Kingston by land. Within two or three days I may have UOO more militia, from Rome and Uticn. The ice will not probably be passable more than from six to ten days longer ; it is not usually passable after the 15th of March. This unexpected movement of the enemy will effectually oppose the movements on our part, and I shall not deem it advisable to order Chandler to move at pre- sent. As soon as the fall of this place shall be decided, we shall be able to The fVar qf ISlflr-U. 473 determine on other measures. If we hold this place, we will command the lake, and be able to act in concert with the troops at Niagara, while Chandler's brigade, with such other troops as may pssemble in Vermont, may induce a return of a considerable part ot those troops that have leA Lower Canada. When I ordered Pike to move, I directed General Chandler to have the provision at Plattsburgh moved to Burlington. There was a small {>roportion of our magazines at Plattsburgh ; they are principally at Bur* ington and Whitehall." By the 14th, the apprehensions of attack had nearly subsided, and General Dearborn again Avrote : " From the most recent and probable information I have obtained, I am induced to believe that Sir George Prevost thinks it is too late to attack this place. He undoubtedly meditated a coup-de-main against the shipping here. All the apprehension is now at Kingston. Sir George has visited York and Niagara, and returned to Montreal. Several bodies of troops have passed up from Montreal ; but such precautions have been taken to prevent their number being ascertained, as to render it impos- sible to form any accurate opinion of their forces, or even to imagine very nearly what they amoimt to. From various sources I am perfectly satisfied, that tliey a>'e not in sufficient force to attack this place, knowing, as they do, tiiat we have collected a fine body of troops iVom Greenbusn and Plattsburgh, and that the militia have been called in. We are probably just strong enough on each side to defend, but not in BUfficient Ibrce to hazard an offensive movement. The difference of attacking and being attacked, as it regards the contiguous posts of Kings- ton and Sackets Harbor, can not be estimated at less than three or four thousand men, arising from the circumstance of militia acting only on the defensive. I have ordered General Chandler with the 9th, 21st and 95th regiments to march for this place; Clark's regiment, and a company of artil^ry to be \et\ at Burlington, for the present, where the regiment will be filled in a few weeks. I have ordered the recruits for the three regiments that will march for this place, to be sent to Greenbush, and Colonel Larned is ordered there to receive them with Backus' dis- mounted dragoons, and other detachments from Pittsfield. On the 15th of March, a council of war was jield, composed of the principal officers on the station, and the attack upon King- ston was formally abandoned until the cooperation of the fleet could be secured. The naval preparations necessary for the ac- complishment of these plans were actively prosecuted under the direction of Mr. Eckford, the president having, on the 3d of March, directed six sloops of war to be built on the la^<;es, and as many to be bought as might be needed for the service, and the sum of $900,000 was appropriated for this object. Se- veral ships on the ocean were laid up in our Atlantic ports, and their crews transferred to the lakes; the pay of seamen was ad- vanced twenty-five per cent, and the chief energies of the nation appeared to be directed to this frontier, as the probable theatre of momentous events in the coming campaign. On the 14th of April, the enemy launched two large vessels, and their naval forces received large accessions from the British nect 476 The fTflro/ 18 12-1&. On the 7th of April, the brig Jefferson was launched at Sack- eta Harbor, and on the 10th, the brig Jones. On the 9th, the keel of the General Pike was laid. The force on the 1st of March was said to number nearly 5,000 regulars and twelve months' volunteers, with 1,300 sailors, and 2,000 militia. On the 28th of March, the troops maneuvered on the ice; and on the middle of April, the ice had disappeared from the lake. On the 19th, the Growler sailed out to reconnoitre. Brigadier General John Chandler had arrived early in the month, and the forces assembled were thought sufficient to justify an attack upon the enemy. The post at York, at which place it was understood several vessels were building, was thought to offer an eligible point for beginning operations, and if taken would give us the command of the lake, from whence our forces could proceed to attack Fort George by land and water, while the troops at Buffalo should cross over and carr^ forts Erie and Chippewa, and join the army at Fort George, from whence the combined forces might concentrate upon Kingston without the apprehension of an ene- my in the rear. The opinion of the secretary of war on this subject is expressed in a letter to Gen. Dearborn, of March 29th: "The alteration of the plan of campaign, so as to make Kingston the last object, instead of making it the first, would appear to be necessary, or at least proper, but the force assigned to the attack of the upper posts is believed to be too small. Accident may prevent a cooperation of the corps of Buffalo. That sent from Sackets Harbor should have in itself the power of reducing forts George and Erie, and holding in check the militia who may be sent to support them. The ships can give little aid in the business, except merely in covering the landing. Double the number you propose sending would not be too many. Various considerations recommend the employment of a large and decisive force, and none that I can tliink of dissuade from it. If our first step in the campaign, and in the qnarter from which most is expected, should fail, the dis- grace of our arms will be complete. The public will lose all confidence in us, and we shall even cease to have any in our- selves. The party who first opens a campaign has many ad- vantages over his antagonist, all of whioh, however, are the result of his being able to carry his whole force against a part of the enemy's. Washington carried his whole force against the Hessians in New Jersey, and, beating them, recovered that moral strength, that self-confidence, he had lost by many preceding disasters. We are now in that state of prostration that he was in, after he had crossed the Delaware; but like him, we may soon get on our lee The War o/1813-16. 477 legs again, if ive are able to give some hard blows at the open- ing of the campaign. In this we can not fail, provided the iorce we employ against his western posts be suihciently heavy. They roust stand or fall by their own strength. They are perfectly isolated, and out of the reach of reiinforcements; send, therefore, a force that shall overwhelm them, that shall leave nothing to chance. If I had not another motive, I would carry my whole strength, merely that their first service should be a successful one. The good effects of this will be felt throughout the cam- paign. I have hastened to give you these thoughts, under a full con- viction of their usefulness; and shall only add, that there is no drawback upon this policy. When the fleet and army are gone, we have nothing at Sackets Harbor to guard, nor will the place present an object to the enemy. How then would it read, that we had lost our object on the Niagara, while we had another brigade at Sackets Harbor doing nothing?" On the 22d of April, about 1,700 troops under the immediate charge of General Z. M. Pike, were embarked on board the fleet of Commodore Chauncey, the whole being directed by General Dearborn. On the 25th, the fleet sailed, the destination being unknown to the most of those on board. On the day the expedition left Sackets Harbor, the following Brigade Order was issued by General Pike: " When the debarkation shall take place on the enemy's shore, Major Forsyth's light troopi, formed in four platoons, shall be first landed. They will advance a small distance from the shore, and form the chain to cover the landing of the troops. They will not fire, unless they dis- cover the approach of a body of the enemy, but will make pmoner* of every person who may be passing, and sen -J to the general. They will be followed by the regimental platoons of thles the savage allies of our enemies may have given us, the general confidently hopes, that the blood of an unresisting or yielding enemy, will never stain the weapons of the soldiers of his column. The unoffending citizens of Canada are many of them our own coun- trymen, and the poor Canadians have been forced into the war. Their property, therefore, must be held sacred; and any «oUier who shall so far neglect the honor of his profession as to be guilty of plundering the inhabitants, shall, if convicted, be punished with death. But the com- manding general assures the troops, that should they capture a large quantity of public stores, he will use his best ondeavors to procure them a reward from his government. This order shall In read at the heod of '3.1011 "o'n» =nd even officer shall carry a copy, in order that he la: y H i.nv ..oment reier to it, and give explanations to his subordinatcb. All those found in arms in the enemy's country, shall be treated as enemies; but those who are peaceably following the pursuits of their va- rious vocations, friends — and their property respected." York, now the city of Toronto, and then the capital of Upper Cantmia, is situated on the north shore of the lake, a little west of Wii meridian of Niagara, and was founded by Governor Sim- Li)!) , in 1793. as the provincial capital. It is situated on a small bay, formed jy a low, narrow, sandy peninsula, stretching from Ih III ii; ; III Th0 pyar o/ 1812-15. 479 the east in an obllqH'^ directiou, ^or about six miles, anj termi- nating in a curved puint, nearly a mile' west of the town, opposite the site of the barracks. It then had about thrt^e hundred houses, built mostly of wood, and nui ly buildings belonging tn govern- ment. The following account of the capture of the place, we derive from a letter written on the special injunction of Gener.O Pike, by one of his companions in arras, who fell wounded b) his side. It was published soon after in the Aurora, and other papers: *' Without the honor of a personal acquaintance, 1 address you at the particular order of the late General Pike, after he had been mortally wounded; his words were exactly these: [ an mortally vjounded; my ribs and back are stove in; write my friend D , and tell him what you know of the battle, and comfort my — . Some things else he said, on which I shall again write you; and many things he said for your rar have es- caped me, through the severity of my own bruises. As an order from General Pike, while living, was an obligation 'f duty for me to obey, I shall hardly disregard his injunctions, e\ en though we have parted forever. We embarked on the 22d and 23d of April, but the weather being stormy, we returned into port, and sailed again on the 25th, and arrived at York, in Upper Canada, on the 27th, about seven o'clock, a. m., and immediately prepared to . land ( pposite the old site of Fort Toronto. A body of British grenadiers were paraded on the shore, and the Glengary Fencibles, a corps which bad been disciplined with great pains, for six months pa l, ap- peared at another point. Bodies of Indians were percci > ed in large groups, in different directions, and a considerable number in some woods and underwoods on our leeward flank, .'bout the site of the old French fort of Toronto, of which scarcel} any vestiges at present remain, we could discern a few horsemen, who we perceived afterwards moving into the town, where stong field worKs had been thrown up to oppose our landing. As , :)on as the horsemen had entered the town, we saw the Indians n ov- ing in gangs along the skirts of the woods, under the direct on of British ofTiceFs, taking posts at stations pointed out to them, apparently calculated with some skill as to the point at which the water and the weather must compel us to land. After these Indians, acting as tirailleurs, were thus disposed, we perceived very distinctly, the regulars moving out of their works in open columns of platoons, and marching along the bank in that order. When they reached the plain of the old forr, Toronto, they were wheeled off by heads of platoons into the woods, and soon appeared in the same order below the plain, just at the position where our troops were under the necessity of !!i 480 The fVar of 1812-15. landing. Major Forsyth and his excellent and gallant rifle corps, who had been placed in two large bateaux, pulled un- dauntedly towards the clear ground, where he had been ordered to land; but he was forced by the strength of the wind, a con- siderable distance below his destined point. The fire of musket- ry and rifles here commenced from the shore; the enemy being within a few feet of the water, and in a considerable degree masked by the woods and copse. Here Major Forsyth ordered his men to rest for a few moments upon their oars, and soon opened a galling fire upon the enemy. In the moment while Forsyth's men were lying on their oars, and priming, General Pike was standing on the deck, and impatient at the apparent pause of an instant, and seeing that the rifle corps had been driven by the wind beyond the point at which they were to have embarked, he exclaimed: 'By ! I can't stay here any longer!' and addressing himself to his staff", 'come, jump into the boat,' which we immediately did; the commodore having reserved a boat specially for him and his suite. The lit- tle coxswain was ordered immediately to steer for the middle of the fray, and the balls whistled gloriously around; probably their number was owing to seeing so many officers in the same boat; but we laughed at their clumsy efforts as we pressed for- ward with well-pulled oars. The infantry had, according to orders, embarked at the same time, and formed platoons as they reached the shore. The ge- neral took command of the first platoon he reached, and formed it below, and ordered the whole to prepare for a charge as soon as we reached the top of the bank. We proceeded in high spir- its, and mounted the bank under a volley of their musketry and rifle shot; b\it we had not time to form our platoon completely, when the British grenadiers showed us their backs. At the very moment of their turning tail upon us, the sound of Forsyth's bu- gles was heard with peculiar delight, as it was the indication of his success. The effect of the bugle upon the nerves of the British Indian allies was electric; for they no sooner heard it than they gave a diabolical yell, and fled in all directions. The Glengary corps skirmished with Forsyth's, while the infantry were landing, and Brigade-Major Hunter formed the troops for action as they landed and reached the plain. The volunteer corps, commanded by Colonel Maclure, flanked the reserve, and the light artillery, commanded by Major Eustis, acting as infan- try, covered the left. It is proper to state in this place, the gallant and masterly co- operation of Commodore Chauncey, and the naval squadron under his command. He sent his schooners, mounting heavy metal, to cover the landing, and kept up so well-directed, and in 01 to The War of 1812^15. 481 incessant a fire of grape on the woods, as to effectually cover our right flank and afl'ord us great facility in forming our pla- toons, besides producing the utmost consternation arpong the Indians. A shot from one of the schooners killed a horse under the aid of the British general; but owing to the shallowness of the water, neither the ship nor the brig could be brought in to participate in the action; but the commodore himself was, through the whole of the action, in his boat, encouraging, and giving orders to the different schooners. The navy lost two gallant midshipmen, and about twenty seamen were killed and wounded in the service of landing us. The troops ordered to land by General Pike, when he went on shore, were the three companies of Captain Hopsock (who was mortally wounded in the boat). Captain Scott, and Captain Young, of the 15th regiment, United States infantry, all under the command of Major King, of the same re- giment (the same who gallantly distinguished himself at Queens- town). Their orders were to reinforce Major Forsyth, and effect a landing, and they were forbidden to load or use powder. The riflemen of Forsyth, as the infantry came up, opened a heavy and effectual fire upon the enemy, and the three companies landed in the most complete style. The enemy gave way before our troops could come to the bayonet's point, and were pursued up the bank by our troops. At the top of the bank a fresh body of British grenadiers (said to be the 8th, or king's grenadiers) made a formidable charge upon this column of ours, and com- pelled us, for an instant, to retire; but our troops instantly ral- lied and returned to the charge, and with the most complete success. Not a man of the grenadiers escaped our fire or charge; and our troops, just reinforced by the remainder of the 15th, remained undisturbed masters of the bank. This reinforcement brought the colors of the 15th, which accompanied the platoon of Captain Steele. The enemy presented a fresh front; the troops were instantly formed for the charge by Major King, who gave them Yankee Doodle; but the enemy did not like our music, nor our pikes, any better than our rifles; they gave way, and fled in the utmost disorder. As soon as our force were all landed and collected, we were formed into platoons, and marched in that order towards the en- emy's works, flanked by the rifle corps. Our march was by the lake road, in sections; but the route was so much intersected by streams and rivulets, the bridges, over which, had been destroyed by the enemy as they retreated, that we were considerably re- tarded in our progress. We collected logs, and, by severe efforts, at length, contrived to pass over one field piece and a howitzer, which were placed at the bead of our column- in charge of I I- lii u I \W' 483 The War of 1812-15. Captain Fanning, of the 3d artillery, and thus we proceeded through a spacious wood, as we merged from which, we were saluted by a battery of 24 pounders; but, except some pikes broken and some bayonets bent, these guns gave us no annoyance. The general then ordered one of his aids (Frazer) and a ser- geant, to proceed to the right of the battery, in order to discover how many men were in the works. We did so, and reported to him the number, and that they were spiking their own guns towards the shipping. The general immediately ordered Captain Walworth, of the 16th, with his company of grenadiers, to make the assault. Wal- worth gallantly ordered his men to trail arms, and advanced at the accelerated pace, but at the moment they were ordered to recover^ and charge the enemy, the enemy broke in the utmost confusion, leaving" several men wounded, on the ground, which they abandoned. We then proceeded in admirable order on a gradual ascent, when a fire was opened upon us of round and cannister, from the quarters of the British governor. The gene- ral here ordered the troops to lie close, while the artillery batte- ry under Major Eustis was brought to the front, and silenced the enemy's battery. The firing very soon ceased altogether, and we were expect- ing a flag of surrender, at the very moment when a terrible ex- plosion of the British magazine took place.* The explosion was stupendous and awful, and at the instant the common sup- position was a subterranean mine. The general had just aided in removing a wounded man, with his own hands, and sat down on a stump with a British sergeant we had taken prisoner, whom the general, with Captain Nicholson and myself, were examin- ing, when the explosion took place. The general, Captain Nich- olson and the British sergeant, were all mortally wounded; and I was so much injured in the general crash, that it is surprising how I survived; probably I owe my escape to the corpulency of the British sergeant, whose body was thrown upon mine by the concussion. Brigade-Major Hunt, assisted by Lieutenant Colonel Mitchell, of the third artillery, who acted as a volunteer on the expedi- tion, formed the troops, and were ready to give or receive a charge, in five minutes after the explosion. The wounds of General Pike were of such a nature as to dis- qua'-fy him from all further service, and the command devolved on Colonel Pearce of the 16th infantry, as the senior officer, who sent a flag demanding an immediate surrender at discretion. They made only one stipulation, which was granted without hesi- * The magazine contained 500 barrels of powder, many cart loads of stone, and an immense quantity of iron shells and shot. The fVar of 1812-15. 483 tation — that private property should be respected. The British general made his escape, and a body of regular troops with hira — in what direction I have not heard. When the surgeons were carrying their wounded general and his aids from the field, our troops, which had just formed, gave a tremendous huzza! The general turned his head anxiously, to enquirewhatthat was for; asergeant,who accompanied him, said — The British union-jack is coming down, General; the stars are go- ing up; — he heaved a heavy sigh of ecstacy, and smiled, even amidst the anguish which must have been inseparable from the state of his wounds. He was carried on board the Pert schooner, together with his aid-de-camp, Frazer, and thence on board the commodore's ship, accompanied by the commodore, who came to attend him. On board the commodore's ship his gallant spirit fled, another Montgomery in fate; not, indeed, perishing by the valor of a gallant foe, but falling, even in the arms of victory, by the barbarous revenge of a baffled and defeated enemy. As the general was breathing his last, the British standard was brought to him; he made a sign to have it placed under his head, and died without a groan, though his sufferings must have been extremely severe. General Pike's body was embalmed at York, and conveyed to Sackets Harbor, where it was interred in the magazine of Fort Tompkins, with all the stately pomp of military honor, amidst the regrets of every good man. Captain Nicholson, of Mary- land (an inestimable young man, who was killed by his side), his beloved aid and pupil, was buried in the same grave, and at the same time, by order of the commanding general, in testimony of his respect for the deceased." General Sheaffe commanded the British troops, militia and Indians. Previous to the explosion the enemy had retired into the town, except a party of regulars, who were a little too lat2, and it is said that about forty of them were killed by the ex- plosion. General Sheaffe moved off with the regulars, leaving the commanding officer of the militia to make such terms of surrender as he could. No resistance was offered after the ex- plosion. The Duke of Gloucester, in port undergoing repairs, and seve- ral gun boats, with an immense quantity of provisions and naval stores, were the fruits of this capture. A large ship on the stocks and nearly planked up, and a quantity of naval stores were fired by the enemy upon their retreat. There not being a sufficient number of transports to remove the prisoners, about five hundred were released upon their parol. General Sheaffe's baggage and papers fell into the hands of General Dearborn; and a human scalp was found suspended, with the mace, over the chair of the sneaker, in the leerislative council chamber. I J ?■*■■■ W: .. Ifll 1 1: ;: ' 484 The War of 1812-16. The following account of killed and wounded was ^oon after published: By the Americans, in the battle, 14 killed and 32 wounded; by the explosion, 38 killed and 222 wounded; by the British, 200 killed and wounded. 700 prisoners of militia, and 50 regulars. Of the navy, 11 sailors were killed and 14 wounded. General Boyd was soon after assigned the command of the brigade of General Pike. The government barracks, &c., were destroyed. The terms of surrender were as follows : " I'hat the troops, regular and militia, at this post, and the na- val officers and seamen, shall be surrendered prisoners of war. The troops, regular and militia, to ground their arms immedi- ately on parade, and the naval officers and seamen to be imme- diately surrendered. That all public stores, naval and military, shall be immediately given up to the commanding officers of the army and navy of the United States; that all private property shall be guaranteed to the citizens of the town of York; that all papers belonging to the civil officers shall be retained by them; that such surgeons as may be procured to attend the wounded of the British regulars, and Canadian militia, shall not be considered prisoners of war. That one lieutenant colonel, one major, thirteen captains, nine lieutenants, eleven ensigns, one quarter master, one deputy ad- jutant general of the militia, nineteen sergeants, four corporals, and two hundred and four rank and file; of the field train depart- ment, Wra. Dunbar; of the provincial navy. Captain Frs. Gover- neaux. Lieutenant Green, Midshipmen John Ridout, Louis Baupre ; Clerk James Langdon, one boatswain, fifteen naval artificers, of his majesty's regular troops; Lieutenant de Koven, one sergeant- major; and of the royal artillery, one bombardier and three gunners, shall be surrendered as prisoners of war, and accounted for in the exchange of prisoners, between the United States and Great Britain." Having taken on board all the naval stores that could be trans- ported, the place was evacuated, and the army was taken to Nia- gara. Chauncey returned to Sackets Harbor on the I3th of May, and, having taken on board 350 troops, sailed on the 22d for Niagara, where he arrived on the 25th. The descent upon York provoked the resentment of the enemy, who, knowing that Sackets Harbor had been weakened by the withdrawal of troops to the Niagara, planned an attack upon the former, well knowing that the capture or destruction of the vessels there building, and the stores collected, would at once give them the supremacy in the campaign, and effectually sup- press any further offensive operations of the Americans for ome time. The fVar of 1812-15. 485 Sackets Harbor was at this time but poorly prepared for de- fense. Fort Tompkins, occupying the site of the present resi- dence of the commanding officer of the station, was manned by about two hundred dismounted dragoons, under Colonel Backus, a detachment of forty or fifty artillerists, under Lieutenant Ket- chum, and seventy or eighty infantry invalids, recruits, and parts of companies. A little east of the village was Fort Volunteer, a slight work that had been chiefly erected by a company of exempts. General Dearborn had written to Brigadier General Brown, to assume the command, and make provisions for a de- fense, which letter was not answered, from motives of delicacy towards Colonel Backus, but preparations were made for resist- ance, if required. Between the village and Horse Island, a mile distant, was a thin wood that had been partly cut over, and was filled with brush, logs, and stumps. Opposite the island was a clearing of about four acres, and the island itself, which embraces twenty-nine acres, and lies at the entrance of the bay, was covered with a growth of timber, and at that time connected with the main land by a bar, that afforded a crossing, nearly or quite dry. The beach opposite, was composed, then as now, of a ridge of gravel, which at that time made a natural breastwork, four or five feet high. A short distance back, and further south on the shore, a strip of woods extended, which had been obstructed as much as possible several days previous, by felling trees in every direction. The enemy having n^ade preparations at Kingston for an at- tack, embarked 1,200 men, under Sir George Prevost, on the evening of May 27th, on board the ships Wolfe, a new vessel of 24 guns; the Royal George, 24 guns; the brig Earl of Moira, 18 guns; and the schooners Pn'nce Regent, Simcoe and Seneca, mounting each several guns; two gun boats, and about forty barges, under Sir James L. Yeo ; and on the following morning (Friday, May 28th) appeared in the offing, having been dis- covered by the schooner Lady of the Lake, that had been cruising on the lake, to watch the motions of the enemy. As this vessel came in, signal guns were fired, and upon her arrival Colonel Backus dispatched an express to General Brown, who, since the expiration of his six months' term, had been re- siding on his farm in Brownville, eight miles from the harbor. He immediately repaired to that place, and issued summary or- ders for rallying the neighboring militia, and preparing the place for defence. Alarm guns were fired, and dragoons dispatched in every direction to hasten the arrival of succor, and especially that of Colonel Tuttle, who was known to be advancing with several hundred regulars. No landing was attempted by the enemy on the 28th, their attention being drawn off by " fleet of 31 '' hV h' n ! 1! "II ill 486 The War of 1812-15. American barges from Oswego, of which twelve were taken, their crews having fled to the woods, and seven, by outsailing the enemy, got safely into port, thus increasing the disposable force of General Brown. These recruits proved to be a part of a regiment of infantry under Colonel Aspinwall, on his way by water from Oswego to Sackets Harbor, who did not discover the enemy until he was doubling Six Town Point. As the route of those that landed was very circuitous, they did not arrive until nine o'clock in the evening. The militia soon began to assemble, and as fast as they arrived they were armed, and sent to Horse Island, which was the point at which the enemy were expected to land. The number that came in during the day, was about 600, fresh from their homes, and without discipline, experience or organization, and although not wanting in patriotism or courage, yet lacked that assurance which an acquaintance with military affairs can alone confer. These, with about 300 regulars, and 100 of Aspinwall's party, fatigued with their day's march, comprised the force by which the enemy were to be opposed. The night was spent by General Brown in making disposi- tions for the attack, which circumstances rendered highly pro- bable would be made where the militia had been posted. The shore, for most of the way between this place and the village, is an abrupt precipice, fifteen or twenty feet high; and the fleet, to land above the village, must have to pass the batteries on shore, and would require a favorable wind. During the night the ene- my landed about forty Indians, under Lieutenant Anderson, on the main land in Henderson Bay, with the view of attacking the rear of the militia, and towards morning the militia were with- drawn from the island to the shore opposite. Camp fires had been built along the shore early in the evening, but these were ordered to be put out. About four hundred militia, with a six pounder, under Colonel Mills, of the Albany volunteers, were stationed near the shore opposite the island, with orders to reserve their fire until the enemy should approach within pistol shot. The remainder of the militia under Colonel Gershora Tuttle, were posted in the edge of the woods, back of the clearing, and Colonel Backus, with his dismounted dragoons, was stationed in the skirt of the woods near the village, with orders to advance through the woods towards Horse Island, the moment it was known that the enemy had landed. Colonel Aspinwall, with his men, was posted to the left of Backus; and the artillerists under Lieutenant Ketchum were stationed in Fort Tompkins, with no other armament than a 32 pounder, mounted on a pivot. The militia on the shore were directed that, in case of being driven from their position. The War of 1812-16. 487 they should fall back into the woods, and annoy the right flank of the enemy, as he advanced towards the town. Colonel Tut- tle was directed, in the same event, to attack their rear, and de- stroy their boats. The night was spent in making these arrange- ments, and all parties anxiously awaited the approach of day. The morning of the 29th dawned beautifully clear and calm. Not a breath of air ruffled the placid surface of the lake, and there existed that peculiar state of density and uniformity in the atmosphere, in which sounds are propagated to a great distance, as is sometimes noticed before a storm; and the report of small arms in the action which followed, was heard with remarkable distinctness on the hills in Rutland, while the discharge of can- non echoed clear and far over the country, to distances since un- paralleled, and was heard through Lewis, and even in Oneida County. This very naturally excited throughout the country the greatest anxiety and alarm, and the solicitude of families for the fate of fathers, husbands and sons, who had been hastily sum- moned from home, was such as could scarcely endure the sus- pense which it occasioned. The calm prevented the enemy from bringing their vessels to co-operate in the attack, and was one of the causes that influ- enced their subsequent retreat. As soon as it was light, the ene- my were seen approaching in thirty-three large boats, under cover of gun boats, directing their course to the outside of the island, where they landed and formed without opposition; but in cross- ing the bar that connected it with the main land, they encoun- tered a galling fire, and lost several in killed and wounded, which they subsequently carried off. As the landing was being effect- ed, the heavy gun in Fort Tompkins was brought to bear with considerable effect upon the enemy's column. The fire of the militia was at first well directed and deadly, and was answered by discharges of musketry and by two small cannon loaded with grape shot; but Colonel Mills, who was sta- tioned a short distance towards the village, with his cannon, fell early in the engagement, and his dea'I, with the unaccustomed whistling of balls that cut down the branches of the trees around them, struck with terror the inexperienced militia, and without waiting to return the fire or recover from the panic, they turned and fled towards the town in the greatest confusion. This retreat was not entirely general. Caotain Samuel McNitt, who had been stationed with his company on the extreme left of the flanking party of the militia, not noticing the movements of his comrades, continued his firing after some moments longer, and before he was aware he found himself and his party alone, and in danger of being cut off by the enemy. General Brown, finding himself nearly alone, with no support but this company, retired towards the village, U, fV ] m/VTnr,'"yrv!'^7^' 488 The War qf 1812-16. directing those that could be rallied to annoy the advancing column of the enemy as much as possible. The enemy having gained the beach and dispersed the militia, formed in good order, and marched towards the town. They were soon met by the troops of Colonel Backus, who had advanced to dispute their progress, and who gallantly en- countered and returned their fire, retiring slowly before them through the half cleared woods. General Brown had succeeded in rallying about a hundred militia, with the aid of Caleb West- cott, a citizen, and others, and had joined the detachment of Backus; but at this juncture, happening to look towards the ship- yard, he was surprised to see huge volumes of smoke issuing from the store houses that contained the spoils of York. Not knowing but that the enemy might have gained his rear, he has- tened to the spot, and ascertained that the disastrous panic of the militia had been communicated to those in charge, and a report had reached Lieutenant Chauncey of the navy, that all was lost, and upon the faith of this rumor he had given orders to fire the buildings, an act which the most extreme and desperate issue of affairs could alone justify. Learning the cause of the confla- gration, and somewhat relieved by the knowledge that the ene- my were still but on one side, he returned, giving directions to Lieutenant Ketchum in Fort Tompkins, to maintain that post as long as the heat of the flames would permit. The regulars of Colonel Backus felt their courage renewed, upon learning the nature of the accident that had given a natural alarm, and con- tinued steadilv to oppose the advance of the enemy, who had now gained the clearing next the village. Very soon after, Colonel Backus fell, mortally wounded, and was borne off the field; his troops taking possession of some log barracks, and continuing their resistance. The enemy had throughout evinced great courage and cool- ness, and were under the immediate command of Captain Gray, of the quarter-master general's departmenc, who was advancing in front of the ranks, and walking backwards, waving bis sword for his troops to follow^, and shouting, Come on, boys; the day is ours! Remember York! when he suddenly fell, wounded, and immediately expired. At this moment, the signal for retreat was given from the fleet, and the enemy hastily retreated to their boats. This re- treat is said to have been in part caused by hearing a report of small arms on the right, from the rallied militia, but which the enemy mistook for a reinforcement of 450 regulars which they had learned was advancing under Colonel Tuttle, and was then within a mile of the place. Their arrival would at once put an end to the contest, by giving us the advantage of numbers. The #»'£. The rVar of 1812-16. 489 enemy on their retreat removed a part of their wounded, and, having re-embarked, they at about 10 o'clock sent a flag demand- ing a surrender of the place which they had been unable to cap- ture, and were of course refused. They however were promised that decent attention should be paid to the dead, and humane treatment to the wounded. They shortly afte' sent anoihcr ilag requesting to send surgeons to their wounded, which was denied, as tliey still seemed not to have abandoned the attack, and were laying by in their barges; but shortly after, they put of!' to the fleet, which lay about nve miles from the town, and made sail for Kingston. Both Sir George Prevnst and Sir James Yeo are said to have landed during the engagement. The loss of the British was 150 in killed and wounded; 25 of their privates were found dead, 2 captains and 20 privates were wounded, and, including the wounded, 2 captains, 1 ensign and 32 privates were taken prisoners. Our loss was 150 Killed, wounded and missing. The enemy took a few prisoners, and one man was found killed and scalped in the woods by the In- dians. The flames of the burning stores wee subdued as quickly as ftossible, but not till they had consumed half a million of dol- ars' worth of property. The ship Pike, then on the stocks, was saved. The prize schooner, the Duke of Gloucester, was saved by Lieutenant Talman, of the army, who boarded it, extinguishing the fire, and brought her from under the flames of the store houses. This heroic conduct will be appreciated when it is known that a large quantity of gunpowder was on board. The schooners Fair American and the Pert, cut their cables and retreated up the river, and several of the guns on Navy Point were spiked. Had it not been for this disastrous mistake, our success would have been complete. Colonel Backus survived eight days, and hopes of his recovery were entertained, but mortification super- vened. We will close our account of this battle, by giving the official reports of the commanding officei's of the two armies: « Sackets Harbor, May 29, 1813. Dear Sir: We were attacked at the dawn of this day, by a British regular force of at least 900 men, most probably 1,200. They made good their landing at Horse Island. The enemy's fleet consisted of two ships, four schooners, and thirty large open boats. We are completely victor- ious. The enemy lost a considerable number of killed and wounded on the field, and among the number, several officers of distinction. After having reembarked, they sent a flag, desiring us to have their killed and wounded attended to. I made them satisfied on that subject. Jhnericans wiU be distinguished for humanity and bravery. Our loss is not numerous, but serious from the great worth of those who have fallen. Colonel Mills was shot dead at the commencement of the action, and Colonel^ Backus, of the 1st regiment of light dragoons, nobly fell at the head of the regiment, as victory was declaring for us. I will not presume to Hi H'WfJ 490 The fVar of 1812-16. prniM this regiment. Their gnllont conduct on this day merit! much more than praise. The new iihip, nnd Commodore Chniincey'a prize, iht Duke of Gloueetter, are yet safe in Sacli ind. Knowing that Lieutenant Colonel Backus, an officer of the Pirei regiment of dragoons, and of experience, was here, I hesitated, as J. would do no net which might wound his feelings. In the night of the 37{h I received a note from this ofBcer, by Maior Swan, deputy quarter-m.ipter-general, joining in the request already made by Major General Dearborn. J could no longer hesitate, und accordingly arrived at this post early in the morning of tlio 28th. These circumstances will explain how I come to be in command upon this octrasion. Knowing well the ground, my ar- rangements for defence, in the event of en attack, were soon made. In the course of the morning of the 28th, Lieutenant Chauncey, of the navy, came in from the lake, firing gunr ?t alarm. Those of the same character, intended to bring in the miliria, were fired from the posts. The enemy's fleet soon after appeared, accompanied b^ a large number of l)oats. Believing that he would laud on the penmsulo, commonly called Horse Island, I determined to meet him at the water's edge with Much militia as I could collect, and the Albany volnnteurs, under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Mills; Lieutenant Colonel backus, with the regulars, formed a second line ; the care of Fort Tompkins was committed to the regular artillerists and »ome volunteers, and that of Navy Point to Lieutenant Chouncey of the navy. If driven from my position. Lieutenant Colonel Backus was ordered to advance and meet the head of the enemy's column, while rallying my corps. I was to full on its flanks. If unable here to resist the enemy's attack, Lieutenant Chauncey was in that case to destroy the stores, &c., and retire to the south shore of the bay, east of Fort Volunteer, while I proceeded to occupy that fort as our dernier resort. In the course of the 27th and during the nights of the 28th and 29th ultimo, a considerable militia force came in, and were ord"rcd to the water side near Horse Island, on whicii was Lieutenant Colonel Mills ond his volunteers. Our strength at this point was now 500 men — all anxious for battle, as far as (trofession would go. Tiie moment it was light enough to discover the approach of the enemy, we found his ships in line between Horse Island and Stony Point, and in a few minutes afterwards, 33 large boats, filled with troops, came off to the Larger In- dian or Garden Island, under cover of the Are of his gun boats. My orders were, that the troops should lie close and reserve their Are till the enemy had approached so near that every shot might hit its object. It is, however, impossible to execute such orders with raw troops urioc- customed to subordination. My orders were in this case disobeyed. The whole line fired, ood not without effect— but in the tnonieut while I was c u c c c b Ci 2 The War of 1812-16. 491 contemnlatinff this, to my utter aatoniahment, they rose from their cover and fled. Colonel Mills fell gallantly in brave but in vain endeavors to ■top his men. I was personally more fortunate. Gathering together oliout 100 militio, under the immediate command of Cajitain M'Nitt of that corps, we threw ourselves on the rear u( the enemy's flank, and I trust, did some execution. It was durin^f this last movement tliat the regulars under Colonel Buckus first engaged the enemy, nor was it long before they defeated him. Hurrying to this point of action, I found the battle still raging, but with obvious advantage on our side. The result of the action, so glorious for the officers and soldiers of the regular army, has already been commu- nicated in letter of the 29tli. Had not General Provost retreated most rapidly under the guns of bis vessels, he would never have returned to Kingston. One thing in this business is to be seriously regretted. In the midst of the conflict, fire was ordered to bo set to the navy barrocks and stores. This was owing to the infamous conduct of those who brought informa- tion to Lieutenant Chauncey, that the battle was lost, and that to prevent the stores from falling into the enemy's hands, they must be destroyed. The enemy's force consisted of 1,000 picked men, led by Sir George Provost in person. Their fleet consisted of the new ship Wolfe, the Royal George, the Prince Regent, Earl of Moira, two armed HchoonQra, and their gun and other boats. Of the officers who distinguished themselves, I can not but repeat the name of Lieutenant Colonel Backus, who, praised be God ! yet lives. Captain M'Nitt's conduct was noble; he well deserves to be placed in the regular army. Major Swan, of the army, served as my adjutant general, and was highly useful. Lieutenant Chauncey is a brave and Honorable man. To him no blame can attach for what happened at the Navy Point. He was deceived. Lieutenant Colonel Tuttle was in march for this post, but with every exertion was unable to reach it in time to take part in the action. This is felt by the Colonel and every officer of his detachment as a misfortune. At the moment I am closing this communication, Commodore Chaun- cey has arrived with his squadron. This renders my longer stay here unnecessary. I shall therefore immediately return to my home. I am, sir, with the highest respect, &c. Jacob Brown, Brigadier General of the N. Y. Militia. Hon. John ^mutrong Secretary of nar. Report of the killed, wounded and missing in the action of the 29th May, 1813, at Sacket's Harbor. KVied. — 20 privates, regulcrs, and 1 volunteer. Jfounded. — 1 lieutenant colunel, 3 second lieutenants, 1 ensign, 7 non- commisaiouediofficers, 2 musicians and 68 privates, regulars ; and 1 musi- cian, and 2 privates, volunteers. Mi3sin^.—2 non-commissioned officers, 7 privates, regulars; 1 non- commissioned officer, 1 musician, and 15 privates, volunteers. .Aggregate loss. — 110 regulars and 21 volunteers; number not known, but not to exceed 25 militia. Total 156. About 400 of the regular troops sustained the heat of the action; these consisted chiefly of the Ist regiment of light dragoons, some of the 9th, 2l8t, and a few of the 23d infantry, 3d and light artillery. \'' m il 492 The ^Var of 18ia-16. Report of the enemy's lost in the action of the SOth May, 1813, at SackotH llurbor. Adjutant General Gray, Colonel Moody, Major £dward*, 1 coptaio, •nd ^5 rank and file foiincl dead in the lielil. 3 captains and 30 rank ond file found wounded iu the field. 3 captains, 1 onsitfii and 33 rank and file made prisoners. In addition to tlie above, many were killed and wounded in their boats by tho militia and Albiiny volunteors, while eft(!ctiu({ u luiiding; a number were likewisu carried oil' llio fiuld by the uuuuiy, previous to the conimeucemeut of his retreot Head Quartkrs, Kinoston, \ Ji^ukmt Gentral'8 Office, 20th May, 1813. $ General Orders: His Excellency, the cominandur of the forces, considers it uii act of justice duo to tho detachment placed under the command of Col. Baynes, to express his entire approbation of their con- duct in the recent attack made upon Sockets Harbor at day break on the morning of the SOth inst. The regularity and patient firmness exhibited by the troops under circuniHtauces ot peculiar privation and fatigue, have been exceeded only by their intrepid gallantry in action, forcing a passage at the point of the bayonet, through a thickly wooded country, affording strong positions to the enemy, but not affording a single spot of cleared grou nd favorable for the operations of the troops. The woods were filled with infantry, supported by field pieces; and an incessant, heavy and destructive fire from a numerous and almost invincible foe, did not arrest the determined advance of the troops, who, af\er taking three field pieces, six pounders, from the enemy, drove them in a spirit- ed charge to seek shelter within the block-houses of his enclosed forts, and induced him to set fire to his store-tiouses. Unfortunately, light and adverse winds prevented the cooperation of the larger vessels of the fleet. The gun boats under the direction of Capt Miilcaster rendered every assistance in their power, to support the landing and advance of the troops, but proved unequal to silence the guns of the enemy's batteries, or to have any effect on their block-house, and it being found impracti- cable, without their assistance and the cooperation of the ships, to carry their fort by assault, the troops were reluctantly ordered to leave a beaten enemy, whom they hnd driven before them for upwards of three hours, and who did not venture to offer the slightest opposition to the reembarkatiou of the troops, which was effected with perfect order. The grenadier company of the 100th regiment, commanded by Capt. Burke, to which was a uched a subaltern's detachment of the Royal i^cotts, led the column with undaunted gallantry, supported by a detach- ment of tho King's, under Major Evans, which nobly upheld the high established character of tliot distinguished corps. The detachment of the 104th regiment, under Mojor Moodie, behaved with the utmost gallantry and spirit, and their example was followed by Capt. McPherson's com- pany of the Glengary light infantry. The detachment of Canadian Vol- tigeurs under Major Harriot, behaved with a degree of spirit and stead- iness BO as to justify expectation of their becoming a highly useful and valuable corps. The two divisions of the detachment were most ably commanded by Col. Young of the King's, and Major Drummond of the 104th regiment. Commodore Sir James Yeo conducted the brigades of boats to the attack, ond accompanying the troopH on their advtiuce, directed the op- eration of the ^un-boatH. The enemy liud a few days before received strong reintbrccmeuts of troops, by the report of the prisoners, and a The War qf 1812-15. 493 corpa or Ave hundred men arrived the night preceding the attack ; and from ev«i)d, from the head of the lake, but last from York, bound for Kingston. Sackets Harbor had for several weeks been alive with the bustle of preparation for the approaching descent upon Canada. A great number of armed boats and transports were built, and %tf-, large quantities of supplies were collected. Immediately after Wilkinson's arrival, he waited upon the secretary of war and remonstrated against making an attack upon Kingston. The secretary differed from this opinion, but appointed a meeting on the 5th to hear the opinions and arguments on this subject. The chief objection against this attack arose from the apprehension of delays, and the lateness of the season. Much correspondence ensued, in which various modes of operation were proposed, and several days in a season already too late for operations of this class and magnitude, were trifled away to no purpose. Gen- eral Wilkinson had been sick at fort George, and was still unwell. At this late season of the year, when, with no other enemy but the weather, it would seem the extremity of folly to attempt the navigation of the lake in open boats, from the peril arising from sudden tempests, it was decided to pass the enemy's lleet and array, and descend upon Montreal, allowing the enemy the privilege of attacking on his own territory in both front and rear, with an intimate knowledge of the country and its resour- ces, and every advantage that a skillful commander could have desired, had the selection of circumstances been left to him. Viewed in its proper light, the expedition may be justly con- sidered an outrage upon reason and common sense, and justly entitled to the odium which has been attached to it and its imbecile commander; and in its results it forms one of the dark- est pages of American history. Our forces were first to be assembled at Grenadier Island, and on the 16th of October Hampton was ordered by Wilkinson to ad- vance to the mouth of the Chateaugay, or any other point that might better favor the junction of the two armies, and hold the enemy in check. On the 12th, the plan of encampment and order of battle on the opposite page was issued, for which we are indebted to Dr. Amasa Trowbridge of Watertown, who attended the expedition as a surgeon, and was present at several of the engagements on the Niagara frontier in the ensuing campaign. ■X The War of 1812-15. 603 1. Third hrigade. 2. First Brigade. ■■""■"! j i^'gf^' ifi E^;;^^ FfMT'^ '|"|"|"i' E TI i ^u] 4. 5. C. 7. 8. 9. IXrat Divition, Major General Moroan Lewis. 10. Fottrtk Brigade. 11. Second Brigade. 12. Less "^^"^-^ rv^'-^'^i lull R'>'J?--"'^ K^^vv^r!^ t^S^liMiili 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. Ryiemen. LlJDDI QQQD Second Diviaion. Reserve. Rijlemen. DDDDE DODO Park. i|ii|ii|ii|ii|ii|ii|ti|i [^U 1. Mnjor Pitt's artillery, 2. Ciipt Leonard's " 3. Lt. Col. Eustis' " 4. Colonel Pearce, I61I1,. . . . 377 5. Lieut. Col. Cutting, 25th, 502 (i. Lieut. Col. Aspinwiill, 9th, 468 7. Colonel Preston, 12th,... 361) 8. Major Huykc, 13th, 391 9. Colonel Bissel, 5th, 5.53 10. Capt. Brook's artillery. ll.Cnpt. " 12. Capt. Arcr.ci'd " 13. Lieut. Colonel Dix, 14th, 267 14. Colonrt Ripley, 21s:.,... 632 15. Lieut. Col. Upham, 15th, 449 16. Colonel , 459 17. Colonel Brndy, 462 18. Brevet Colonel Miller,.. 368 This order was to be the same, where the ground would per- mit, with the exception, that in battle, the rifle corps was to act on the flanks, or in advance of the first line, and the cavalry to take post on the flanks of the second line. Both of these corps were to encamp generally with the reserve. On the I6th October, at noon, orders were issued for the heavy, light, and flying artillery, commanded by Colonels Por- ter, Eustis and Macomb, and the fourth brigade, commanded by Brigadier General Swartwout, of the infantry, to embark, and proceed immediately to Bjisin Harbor, in Grenadier Island. At six p. M. the whole embarked, and put off with a favorable wind, the transports mostly consisting of scows, Durham boats, common lake sail boats, and bateaux; containing besides offi- cers andsoidiersj ordnance, ammunition, hospital stores, baggage, and two months' provisions for the troops. Ac unpardonable ■M ? 604 The War of 1812-16. '* negligence was evinced during these, and the following move- mentSj in the custody and sale Keeping of the supplies, immense quantities of which were ultimately lost. There was a deficien- cy of experienced pilots, and the men in the boats were mostly unaccustomed to (heir management, either in good or bad weather, and particularly in a dark night, and, in passing points of land where they were unacquainted with the soundings and currents, and at a season when sudder and violent tem- pests are liable to arise without warning. The wind and weather favored untifone o'clock a. m., when the boats appeared to be much scattered; some had landed on Pillar Point, and Point Peninsula; some had entered Chaumont Bay, and other inlets; others had landed on Cherry, Stony and Horse islands, and others stood off for Kingston, where one boat, with an officer and ten men, is said to have arrived in safety. Several boats landed on Lon^ Island, in British territory, and some safely reached their destination at Basin Harbor. At half fiast two the wind shifted nearly ahead, and blew fresh from the ake, by which many boats got in the rear, and discovering lights on the shore, attempted to reach them, in which some suc- ceeded. It soon began to rain, and the wind increased to a gale, in which the boats and scows which had landed, were drifted and beaten on the shore, which in some places was rough and rocky, while others, still on the lake, made the first point of land they could discover, to save themselves. The morning disclosed a scene of desolation truly distressing. The shores of the islands and main land were strewn with broken and sunken boats, and the day was spent in unloading such as could be reached, and in endeavoring to save sur;h perishable articles as could be found, the gale continuing through that day and the following night. On tne ISth, the wind having abated, several boats were got off from the rocks, and arrived at Basin Harbor, but on the next day the storm increased, and several boats that had attempted to gain their rendezvous, were driven back upon the shores. On the 20th the day was favorable, and many of the sound boats reached Basin Harbor. The brigades of Generals Brown, Boyd, and Covington which had encamped at Henderson Harbor, arrived at Grenadier Island on the 20fh. Of the flotilla that had left Sackets Harbor, fifteen large boats were entirely lost; many others, with several scows were much damaged, and a large quantity of bread was destroyed. The troops remained encamped on the island until the 1st of November, engaged in repairing the boats and making prepara- tions to descend the St. Lawrence. The weather meanwhile continued stormy, and snow fell to the depth of ten inches. Many of the regulars were from the southern states, and unac- The War of IS 12- 16. 606 customed to the severitv of a northern winter, and in this expe- dition, especially at a later period, sulfered cxtretnelv from the rigor of the climate, which produced a frightful mortality among them. On the 28lh, 19G of the sick were put on board a schooner, and sent to Sackets Harbor. Wilkinson arrived on the 27th, and finding a large body still in the rear, wrecked or stranded, returned to Sackets Harbor to order a supply of winter cloth- ing and shoes, for the troops on the island, some of whom were nearly destitute. He observed many fires of troops along the shore, but the wind was so violent that he could not communicate with them. On the 23d, Colonel Cole arrived with 200 men, of the 12th regiment, and sailed for the rendezvous, and the Growler was sent to Oswego for Colonels Randolph and Scott, who were expected there, and as many men as the vessel could carry. The general returned the same day to Grenadier Island and arrived ofT the island at eight in the evening, the weather continuing boisterous during this night and the day following, with fre- quent rains and heavy gales, so that a landing could not be effected until the 25th. In the intervals of the gale, opportunities were watched to slip detachments of boats into the St. Lawrence, but so treach- erous were the lulls of the tempest, that great peril was encoun- tered in passing from Grenadier Island to Cape Vincent, a distance of nine miles. Many boats were driven asUore and much provisions and clothing were lost. General Brown was ordered to take command of the advance and post himself at French Creek, where the detachments were ordered to rendez- vous. The Growler arrived at Grenadier Island on the 31st, with 230 men of the 20th regiment, and on the 2d of November, Chauncey took a position to protect the south channel, where it was apprehended the enemy would enter and occupy Fort Carlton, which, with some repairs, woJu have effectually com- manded that channel, and compelled the American army to winter on Lake Ontario, or run the gauntlet under the batteries of Kingston. Perhaps no point on the river is so admirably adapted for a strong military post, as the head of Carlton Is- land, and it has been justly called the Gibraltar of this pass- age. On the evening of the 1st of November, the enemy having observed the concentration of our forces at French Creek, attacked General Brown about sunset with two brigs, two schooners, and several boats laden with infantry. The encampment of Brown was a short distance up the creek, and he had caused a battery of three eighteen-pounders to be erected on Bartlet's Point, a short distance above, which, from its elevation, gave it a superi- i m I nmAV.^ wwm\ . v>.» 506 " The fVar of 1812-15. * .'■5;; _ orlty over that of the enemy. This battery was under the com- mand of Captain McPherson, of the light artillery, and was served with such etl'ect that the assailants soon dropped down the current beyond its reach. The next morning the attack was re- i^' iiewed without success, and one of the brigs was with diilicully towed off by the Mjuadron. Our loss was two killed and four wounded; that of the enemy, much more. On the the 5th, Gen- eral Wilkinson, having collected his tempest-tossed flotilla, passed down the river to below Morristown and encamped. It IS not in our province to follow the details of this disastrous ex- pedition. The secretary of war proceeded by land as fnr as Antwerp, from whence, on the 27th of October, he returned. The batteries ut Prescott were passed in the night, and on the 11th of November was fought the battle of Cnrysler's Field; soon after which, the American flotilla entered Salmon River, and took up winter quarters at French Mills, now Fort Coving- ton.* During much of this time, General Wilkinson was con- fined to his CiU)in, and, it has been said by some, was intoxicated. On the 11th, General Hampton informed Wilkinson of his ina- bility to meet him at St. Regis, and announced his intention to return to Lake Champlain, whiph was dune. In February, the camp at French Mills was broken up. Brown (who, on the 24th of January, 1814, had been promoted to the rank of major general), conducting a part of the army to Sackets Harbor, and the commander-in-cnief the remainder tq Platlsburgh. This inglorious issue of events on the northern frontier excited the murmurs of the nation, and Generals Hampton and Wilkin- son were arraigned before courts martial, the latter being re- moved from command, and succeeded by General Izard. To return to the operations of the American fleet on Lake On- tario, in the fall of 1813: On ihe 2d of November, the Pike and other armed vessels passed dov\n the St. Lawrence to the foot of Long Mand, where they remained several days, when they re- rurned on (he 12th, with the view of laying up at Sackets Har- bor; but a litter from the secretary of war was received, direct- ing Chaunrey to sail to the head of the lake, and transport the army of General Harrison to the harbor, for its defence against any attempt that might be made from Kingston. The wind be- ing fair, he sailed immediately, and the third day after embarked the troops. A violent snow storm and east wfnd ensued, which lasted three days, scattered the fleet, and, had it continued a day longer, most of our vessels must have perished with their crews. Some of them lost their masts, some sails, one her rudder, and many men were washed overboard; others rode out the gale and landed on the enemy's lee shore. At length, after great peril, * Sm History 9i St. L»wr«fiM and Fraaldia CeuntiM, p«fw 037i flfifi* •^w v-« The War of 181-2-15. 607 •i It M « M ti the fleet all arrived at Sackets Harbor, excepting one vessel tliat was ilrlven on shore in the Niagara River, (ieneral Harrison, Hoon after his arrival at the harbor, resigned his command. The winter was devoted to the prosi cation of ship building, which the large addition made to the British tlett at Kingston, was thought to render necessary. The crews of the vessels em- ployed themselves in erecting fortifications, under the direction of Captain Crane, who was left in command in the absence of Chauncey. Circumstances render it probable that the enemy •ere kept informed of our movements by si)ies, which led to an advertisement in April, by Chauncey, offering $500 reward for the apprehension of eac' . The ingenuity and boldness of some of these informers was i iinarkable. The official returns of the department, on the 4th of March, 1814, gave the following as the list of vessels then on this sta- tion, with the denomination and number of guns of each, and names of commanders: Ship Oeneral Pike, Isaac Chaimcoy, Commoilore, ^24 guni " .^fiK/iton, Wiliiiim M. Criino, Master, Coinmnndant,.... 'iO Brig Oneida, Thonius Brown, Liviitennnt, CunuiinnHunt, 10 Schooner Sylph, Melnncthon T. VVoolsey, Master, Cuminanilant, 14 " Governor Tompkins, St. Clair Elliott, Midshipman, Commandant, G Hamilton '8 Growler,. 5 Pert, finnw 1 1'] W. Adams, Lieutenant, Commandiitii,. 3 Co>' ,sl, Henry Wells, Liouteuant, Commundtint,. . . 2 Fmr ^Imerican, Wolcott Chauncey, Lieutenant, Com- nmndnnt, • 3 Oniitrio, John Stevens, Sailing Muster, 2 ^8^, Philander A.Jones, Lieutenant, Commandant,. !2 * Julia, 2 • Elizabeth 1 " Ztu/u o/* Me XioAe, Mervin P. Mix, 1 « Buinb vessel, Mary. As soon as the ice broke up, the Lady of the Lake was sent out to cruise, and on the 24th of April run close into Kingston harbor and showed her colors which wtic answered by the ene- my's fleet and batteries. Their fleet appeared to be nearly ready for a cruise. On the night of the 25th, Lieutenant Dudley with two guard boats fell in with three of the enemy's in the bay, who were hailed, but not being properly answered, were fired upon when the latter fled. A reinforcement was hastily obtained but noth- ing was seen or found of the enemy except six barrels of pow- der, slung in pairs to be carried on the shoulders of men, and doubtless intended to fire our vessels stealthily. This accounted for their hasty retreat when fired upon, for fear of accidental evploiioik This insidious plaa of the eaemjr could scared/ ••V, ' '■"$■ ^ illllli 608 The War of 1812-15. have succeeded, as, besides two lines of guard boats, all the ap- proaches were secured by booms, and a marine guard boat, and numerous sentinels were posted near. The guns of the Madison that was close to the stern of the Superior, were kept loaded with canister and bags of musket balls, to rake under if neces- < sary. The ariUaments of the small vessels were abandoned early in the season, and they were used mostly as transports. On the 1st of May, the frigate Superior (66 guns), built in eighty days, was launched, and the day after there occurred an incident w i h well-nigh led to serious consequences. The ship carpenters aud sailors, having no interests in common with the soldiers, had acquired a feeling of mutual hostility, and on this occasion, there had been an unusual degree of convivial excess in celebrat- ing the launch. A dragoon, being assaulted by two or three carpenters, fled for protection to a sentinel placed over a store house, and with the obstinacy and insolence of half drunken men, they were persisting in the pursuit, in which one of their number was shot, and the remainder fled. This at once led to the most intense excitement. The ship carpenters, with axes, and adzes, hastily rallied, with the sailors, armed with boarding pikes and cutlasses, who, forming in a solid body, marched in pursuit of the sentinel. The troops were hastily formed in a hollow square around him and drawn up in the street, where they stood prepared to meet and repel any attack, and the former had advanced to within a few yards, and were yelling and bran- dishing their weapons in the wildest phrensy of rage, when Eckford, Chauncey and Brown, hastened to the spot, threw themselves between the parties, and by a well-timed and judi- cious appeal, checked the advance, and soon persuaded the car- penters to desist, on the assurance that the sentinel should be impartially tried, and suitably punished, if convicted. He was taken to Watertown, an examination held, and he was sent to a distant station to be out of their reach. The Mohawk and Jones were still on the stocks, the armament of which, as well as that of the Superior, must be transported through Wood Creek and Oswego rivers, as the roads through the Black River valley were nearly impassable from mud. This the enemy well knew, and were also informed that the rigging and armament of these vessels was on its way to Oswego. To possess these suppliesjjwould be equivalent to the destruction of our squadron, as without them the new ships could not appear on the lake, nor could the fleet of the pre- vious year venture out in the presence of the greatly increased naval armament of the enemy, with the slightest hopes of suc- cess. This descent upon Oswego was therefore planned with The War of 1812-15. 509 \ great foresi<;ht, and had its execution been as successful as its conception was bold and masterly, the beam of fortune must have prepoiuleriited v\'ith the Uritish, ami the results of this cam- paign aiii;lit have been as disnsirous, as those of the previous year had l)een dbgnive/'dl, to the American arn»s. This fact be- ing remembeied, will enable us to duly estimate tbe value of the services which rescued this property from the grasp of the ene- my, and secured the ^ April 30th, with four companies of heavy, and one of light ar- tillery, serving as infantry. Of cannon, the fort had but iive old guns, three of which had lost their trunions. Platforms and pickets were repaired, and the place was hastily put in as good a state of defence as possible; when the enemy appeared, on the 5th of May, with a force of four ships, three brigs, and a num- ber of gun-boats. A cannonade was begun and returned with much spirit, and a landing attempted, but not accomplished, when the enemy stood off from the shore for better anchorage. One or two of the enemy's boats were picked up, and guards were stationed at various points along the shore. At day break on the 6th, the fleet again approached the village, and after a lire of three hours, landed six hundred of DeWaterville's regiment, six hundred marines, two companies of the Glengary corps, and three hundred and fifty seamen, who took possession of the public stores, burned the old barracks, and returned on board their fleet on the morning of the seventh. The land forces were under Gen- n al Drummond, and the fleet under Commodore Yeo. The naval stores were then at Oswego Falls (now Fulton), but Colonel Mitchel having retired in that direction, destroying the bridges, and filling the roads with timber after him, the enemy thought it inexpedient to follow, and soon after the fleet returned to its sta- tion near the Galloo Islands, to blockade the passage of the stores, which it was known must pass in that vicinity. These stores, under the charge of Lieutenant VVoolsey, and escorted by Major D. Appling,* of 1st rifle regiment, with a company of one hundred and fifty men, left Oswego on the evening of the 28th of May, in nineteen boats, in the hope of gaining Stony Creek unmolested, from whence there would be but three miles of land carriage for the heavy ordnance and stores, to Henderson Har- bor, twelve miles from Sackets Harbor. The evening being dark * Applinj? was a young ofRcer from Georgia, who, on the occasion alwye re- lated, first rendered himself conspicuous for his personal valor. For this, on the same day, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He s^ubse- quently acted a conspicuous part in the battle of Flattsburgh. A post oince ia the town of Adams bears his name. , r"' !i 'i*vM':f m The PVar of 1812-15. and rainy, the brigade of boats rowed all night, and at dawn on Sunday morning raet a party of Oneida Indians, under com- mand of Lietunant Hill, of the rifle regiment at Sahiion river, and at noon, May 29»h, entered Sandy Creek, except one boat, which from the misfortune or treachery of its pilot, fell into the hands of the enemy. This boat contained one cable, and two twenty-four pounders; and from those on board the enemy learned the particulars of the expedition, and of the force by which it was escorted. Upon entering Sandy Creek, Lieuten- ant Woolsey sent an express to notify Commodore Chauncey of his ar/ival, and couriers were despatched in various directions to rally teams to get the stores removed by land to their destination. The boats were run up the south branch of the creek, till they grounded, a distance of two miles from its mouth. The lake is here, for a great distance, bordered by a low ridge of sand hills, slightly wooded, behind which is a marsh with open ponds. Through this marsh, which is destitute of trees or bushes, and at that time vt^as partly flowed from high water, the two branches of Sandy Creek meander, and unite but a few yards from their mouth, where then, as now, a solitary family dwelt. On Monday morning, a lookout boat in charge of Lieutenant Pierce, discovered the enemy making for the creek, and commu- nicated the news to Lieutenant Woolsey who, at dawn, dispatched messengers to call in the neighboring militia, and made hasty arrangements to meet the enemy, who were seen soon af- ter sunrise to enter the creek with three gun-boats, three cutters and one gig, and commenced a cannonade with a sixty-eight pounder in the direction of the flotilla of Lieutenant Woolsey, the masts of which were visible in the distance across a bend in the creek. These shots were directed in part against a thick wood, that extended on the north side of the south branch to nearly half a mile below the boats, in the edge of which, front- ing the open marsh, the rifle company of Major Appling was concealed behind a brush and log fence, entirely unobserved by the enemy. At nine o'clock, Captain Harris, with a squadron of dragoons, and Captain Melvin, with a company of light ar- tillery, and two six-pounders, arrived. This reinforcement was directed to halt a short distance in rear of the boats, as the force best calculated for a bush fight was already on the ground they could occupy with the best advantage. Meanwhile, the cannon were posted in a position where they could be used with effect if necessary, and the fences thrqwn down, that the dragoons might maneuvre without obstruction. The enemy slowly ad- vanced up the creek and landed on the south side, but finding it impossible to proceed, on account of the slimy condition of the inarsb. thev re-embarked aod proceeded ca to nitiiiu MUOUl ?5l The fVar of 1812-15. 511 twenty rods of the woods, where they landed, and formed on Ihe north bank, at a place now occupied by a store house, and which afforded the first solid ground for marching. The advanc- ing column, headed by Mr. Hoare, a mids^ 'pman of the British navy, had approached to within ten rods of the ambush, when, on a signal,'the riflemen of Major Appling arose from their con- cealment and fired. Seve"')! fell dead, and their leader fell pierced with eleven ball oo sudden and efiectual was this movement, that it threw .tne enemy into confusion, and, after a five of a few minutes, the order was given to charge, upon uhich the rifle men rushed forward with loud cheers, holding their rifles in the position of charged bayonets. The result was the surrender of the enemy at discretion. This was scarcely done, when the Indians, true to their character as savages, came furiously on, yelling and brandishing their weapons, and were with the greatest difficulty prevented from m'ardering the dis- armed prisoners; and, indeed, it has been generally believed that one or two British officers were mortally wounded after they had yielded. The enemy were commanded by Captains Popham and Spilsbury, and their loss was nineteen killed, fifty wounded, and 133 taken prisoners. A few landed on the south bank and fled, but were pursued, and not one escaped to report their de- f""at. Among the prisoners were twenty-seven marines, 106 sailors, with two post captains, four lieutenants of the navy, one captain of marines, two lieutenants and two midshipmen. The captain of marines and one midshipman died of their wounds. Popham is said to have been an old acquaintance of Woolsey's, and as he came forward to surrender his sword, the latter ex- claimed, " Why, Popham ! what on earth are you doing in this creek?" After some indifferent reply, and a survey of our force, he replied, " Well, Woolsey, this is the first time 1 ever heard of riflemen charging bayonets!" At the moment after the first fire, the enemy had attempted to retreat, but the recoil of their heavy ordnance had forced the stern of their larger boats into the mud, and they found it impossible. Upon this they attempted to throw overboard their armament, and succeeded ;n getting out one brass piece, but were prevented from further mischief by our men. Our loss was one Indian killed and one rifleman wounded. On the morning of the battle. Captain Smith was ordered on, with 120 marines, and Colonel Mitchell, with 300 artillery and infantry, who did not arrive in time. to participate in the engagement. The same was the case of the neighboring militia, who soon after arrived in great numbers. The conduct of Lieutenants Mcintosh, Calhoun, McFarland, Armstrong, and Smith, and of Ensign Austin, who were under MajoF Appliugi was especialiy ccmuiGudcu in his cluciax repofis ': f 612 Tlw fVar of 1812-15. of the engagement. The dead were buried, the prisoners marched tO( Sackets Harbor; measures were taken to erect sheers for unloading the heavy freight, and, at 5 p. m., Woolsey was relieved by Captain Kidgeley, whom Chuuncey had seiic fur llie purpose. The official report of Lieutenant Woolsey, acknovvled^^es the un- remitted exertions of Lieutenant Pierce, Sailinasl^-r Vaughan, and Midshipmen linrt, Mackey, and Canton, in the alFair. The roads were then new, and almost impassable, and the labor of removing the guns, cables, and rigging, was one of no ordinary magnitude. Tliere were, when the ilolilla lelt Uswego, twenty-one long 32 pounders, ten 24 pounders, three 42 pounder carronades, ten cables, and a quantity of shot, and other articles. A cable and two guns had been lost in the boat that fell in with the enemy, and tlie prizes taken in the creek were one 24 pounder, a 68 pound car- ronade, with several smaller cannon, and a ccmsiderable amount of small arras, and ammunition. Such was the industry displayed in this labor, that on Thursday there remained nothing but one large cable, which it was found extremely dithcult to load on any vehicle, as it could not be divided, and a sufficient number of teams could not be advantageously attached td it. In this dilemma, the idea was suggested of bearing it upon the shoulders of men, and the proposal was cheerfully adopted by the citizens, who had assembled to assist in these operations. They were accordingly arranged in the order of their stature, and at the word of com- mand shouldered the ponderous cable, and took up their line of march for Sackets Harbor, about 20 miles distant, being as near together as they could conveniently walk. This novel procession passed by way of Ellis Village and Smithville, and on the second day reached the Harbor. As they approached the town, the sailors came out to meet them, and with loud cheers relieved them of their burden, and marched triumphantly into the village. On the day after the action, Sir James L. Yeo was informed by a flag that his expedition had been cut off, but he continued to blockade the passage for some time. In about ten days, the coast being clear, the boats and prizes were taken around by water to Sackets Harbor. During no time in the war was a more complete victory gained at loss expense of blood than this. The enemy acknowledged their defeat in the following official order. Montreal, June 7, 3814. " It is with extreme regret, we have to acquaint the public with the unfortunate result of a gallaiU enterprise by the boats of our squadron on Lake Ontario, under the command of Captains Popham and Spilsbury, of the royal navy, against a flotilla of the enemy's craft, laden with naval stores, which had got into Sandy Creek, on its way from Oswego t Sackets Harbor. On the morning of the 20th ultimo, a large boat, with two 24 pound- The War of 1812-15. 613 ers and a 19j) inch cable for the enemy's new ship, was captured by our squadron, having sailed from OswegO the evening before with 15 [18] others. Captains Popham and Spilsbury, with two gun boats, atid some smaller craft, having on beard about two- hundred seamen and marines, entered the creek on the morning of the 30th, where the enemy's flotilla were afterwards disco- vered. Parties were landed on each side of the creek and pro- ceeded, together with the boats, without opposition, to within a quarter of a mile of the enemy, when suddenly a considerable ibrce, consisting of 150 rifleraen, nearly 200 Indians, and a numerous body of militia and cavalry, attacked and soon over- powered our small party, whose gallant resistance to such num- bers proving unavailing . surrender became indispensable to save our brave men from certain death. Our loss on the occa- sion was 19 killed and 50 wounded. Mr. Boan, master's mate of the Montreal, and Lieutenants Cox and Knight of the marines, are severely wounded. The boats also fell into the bands of the enemy." Just previous to this event, the enemy's fleet was as follows: Ship Prince Regent, 58 long sixty-eight and thirty-two po'nd- ers. Captain O'Connor, 500 men. Ship Princess Charlotte, 42 guns, Captain Mulcaster, from 300 to 400 men. Ship Montreal (late Wolfe), 24 guns, Captain Downie. " J^iagara (late Royal George), 21 guns. Captain Popham. Brig Star (late Melville), 16 guns, Captain Cover. " Charwell (late Earl of Moira), 15 guns, Captain Dobbs. Schooner Magnet (late Sidney Smith), 12 guns. "JSTetty (Beresford), 10 guns. Lieutenant Owens. Gunboats, Lnis, Cleopatra, JVinon, JVelly, Regent, Thunderer, Wellington, Retaiiaiion, Black Snake, and Dreadnought, each with one gun. During the season, the Saint Lavrrence, a frigate of 102 guns, made her appearance on the lake. About the middle cf May, reonforcements began to arrive at Sackets Harbor from the sea board. The Macedonian was laid up in thejlhara^ and Mr. Rodgers, her first lieutenant, with the crew, arrived from the 11th to the 21st, and Captain Elliot, on the 12th of May. Captain Trenchard reached the station on the 15th. The enemy raised the blockade June 5, and on the 11th, the Mohawk, a frigate of 44 guns, was launched at Sack- ets Harbor, having been but 34 days in building.* * Henry Eckford, the energetic ship builder, who directed this department, acquired a large fortune in the war, but was subsequently reduced by some unfortunate stock operations. He diedat Constantinople, November 12. 1832, where, for several years, he had been chief director of the dock yards in the Turkish Empire. No higher compliment to hit talents could be paid, than that cf the sultan, who in speaking uf him said, that, Mtntrica miut b» CiBBAT, if U could span iuch men at Eckford. ifii 614 The War of 1812-15. The crew of the Congress, 38, repairing at Portsmouth, began to arrive in the middle of June, and the British fleet recei.ed ^arge accessions to its naval force. The care that they evinced in the selection of officers for this lake, indicates the importance they attached to its control, and the industry that both nations displayed in the fitting out of large vessels, seemed to portend a mighty struggle for its supremacy. There occurred, meanwhile, some operations on a minor scale that demand our notice. With the view of cutting off some of the detachments of boats, that were ascending the St. Lawrence with supplies, Chauncey about the middle of June, directed Lieutenant Francis H. Grego- ry to take three gigs, with their crews, and secrete himself among the Thousand Islands, to watch for some opportunity to surprise and bring off, or destroy some of these brigades of loaded boats. This expedition consisted of Lieutenant Gregory, William Vaughan,* and Samuel Dixon, sailing masters, and eighteen men, armed with rifles, pistols and cutlasses. They saw two brigades of boats passing up but full of troops and too strong to attack, and another passing down and not worth taking. Gun-boats were found stationed about once in six miles and a system of tele- graphs erected on the heights, so that intelligence could be con- veyed with great dispatch. On the 19th, the party were laying close under the Canada shore, four miles be!ow Alexandria Bay, and near Bald Island, when a gun-boat was coming down under easv sail, but nearer the middle of the channel. Upon seein^r the boats, an officer with one or two men, was sent in a skiff that was in tow, to make inquiries of them, supposing them to be Canadians. Upon approaching, Gregory hailed the strangers, demanding their surrender, which from necessity was obeyed; but those on board seeing the movement opened a fire, which was returned. The vessel was soon taken and found to be the Black Snake, or No. 9, Captain Landon, with one eighteen pounder, and 18 men, chiefly royal marines. The prize was taken in tow and when a mile and a half below French Creek was met by a British gun-boat. Finding escape impossible, the prisoners and small arms were taken out and their prize scuttled. The enemy arrived soon after, but not being able to save it from * William Vaughan, was born August 15, 1776, at Wilkesbarrie, Pa,, and in 1794 first visited Canada, while Oswego, Fort Carlton, and Oswcgatchie, were he|d by the British, and in crossing the lake was required to take out a British jiassport between American ports. In 1797, he again returned, and soon after engaged in lake navigation. In 1812, he was employed as sailing master, and was prominent and active in that capacity through the war. He subsequently resumed the mariner's life, and was successively master of the steamers Sophia, Ontario, Brownville, William Avery, Telegraph, and Martha OgJen on Lakt Ontario. He has for many years resided at Sacksti Harbor, as sailing master, under pay of government. The War of 1812-15. 515 sinking pursued Gregory's party several miles. Night coming on, he escaped, reached Grenadier Island late in the evening, and the next day arrived safe at Sackets Harbor with his prisoners. The commodore, in his official report, warmly recommended Gregory, Vaughan and Dixon, to the notice of the department, for their activity zeal and success in the cruise. Congress, by an act passed May 4, 1834, awarded Gregory and his men $3,000 for this service. On the 26th of June, Chauncey, finding that the capture of the Black Snake had created a considerable uneasiness with the. enemy, resolved upon disturbing them in another quarter, and sent Lieutenant Gregory, with Vaughan and Dixon, ;i the two largest gigs, to Nicholas Island (about seven miles from- Presque Isle Harbor), to lie in wait for some transports, expected to be sent past that place, for York and Fort George. If they did not pass within three or four days, they were ordered to land at Pres- que Isle, and burn a large schooner, then on the stocks. The day after they arrived on the coast, Gregory discovered a vessel which he was about to attack, but was hindered by the appearance of a gun boat, both of which stood in for Presque Isle Harbor. He immediately secreted himself, and at night sent a boat to take off one of the inhabitants, from whom he learned that his presence upon the coast was known, and had occasioned the sending of two expresses to Kingston. To anticipate any preparations for resistance, he at once landed, placed guards at the houses to pre- vent alarm, and set fire to the vessel, which was stout, well built, fitted for fourteen guns, and nearly ready to launch. When the vessel and a small building that contained the stores intended for the vessel, were consumed, Gregory reeinbarked, without having allowed his men to enter a house, crossed to Oswego, and arrived at Sackets Harbor on the 6th of July. On the 9th of August, Abram Shoemaker, with his brother and a Mr. Sergeant, in a boat, bound from Oswego to Sackets Harbor, was attacked off Stony Point by a British barge, under a lieutenant of marines, and after a valiant resistance was cap- tured. After securing the prize, the lieutenant sent all his men to join another boat's crew, except four, which number he deemed sufficient to secure her. Seizing a proper moment, and without waiting for a concerted signal, Shoemaker pushed the lieutenant overboard,,knocked down a sailor, and, calling upon his comrades to help, soon found himself the master of the boat, but severely wounded by a cutlass. The movement being seen by the other boat, they were obliged to abandon their prize, and succeeded in reaching Sackets Harbor, in a small boat. While these minor operations were occurring at this end of the lake, the American army, on the Niagara frontier, was act- ^, v-- I i -t;.^, JT-T-" r^-, u: 616 The PVar of 1812-15. ively engaged in those aggressive movements which gave cele- brity to the names of Brown, Porter, Scott, Miller, Ripley, and others, and conferred honor upon our national character for valor. General Gaines remained at Sackets Harbor, from whom Major General Brown received word, on the 23d of July, that the fleet was in that port, and that the commodore was sick. The riflemen and a battering train of artillery were much needed on the Nia- gara frontier, but the American squadron did not get vnder way before the close of the month. On the 31st of July, the SuperioTf 62 (Commodore Chauncey), Lieutenant Elton; Moliaw/c, 42, Captain Jones; Pike, 28, Captain Crane; Madison, 24, Captain Trenchard; y<^er^on, 22, Captain Ridgely; Jones, 22, Lieutenant Woolsey ; Sylph, 14, Captain Elliot; Oneida, 16, Lieutenant Commodore Brown; and Lady of the Lake, a cruiser, sailed, and arrived off Niagara, August 5th. On the 7th. his majesty's brig Melville, 14 guns, was chased ashore about lOur miles from Nia- gara, when she was fired by the enemy, and in a little time blew up. General Izard arrived September 16th, with 4,000 men, at Sackets Harbor from Lake Champlain, by the circuitous route of the Mohawk and Black River valleys, and on the 19th, 3,000 men embarked, but a gale prevented their sailing until the 21st. On the next day they landed at the Genesee River, and reached Batavia on the 26th. By an order of September 27th, from the secretary of war, he was directed to take the command of the Niagara frontier. A body of artillery, under LieutenantColonel Mitchell, and two battalions of infantry (the 13th, under Major Malcolm, and the 45th, under Major Brevoot) were left to defend the harbor. The command was soon after assumed by General ^Jrown. On the 30th of September, a gig belonging to the Su- perior, with an officer and four men, captured several boats at . the head of the St. Lawrence, laden with a valuable cargo of goods bound for Kingston, and brought it into Sackets Harbor. Great apprehenrloi." were felt in the fall of this year for the safety of the harbor, which led to an application to the execu- tive for aid. Colonel Washington Irving, aid-de-camp to the Governor, arrived at this station October 5, 1814, with orders to the commanding officer to make such requisitions on the militia as he might deem necessary. After consultation with Colonel Mitchell, General Collins called the militia, en masse, from the counties of Herkimer, Oneida, Lewis, and Jefferson. The two former produced about 2,500 men, the latter not more than 400, which made the force at the harbor between five and six thou- sand men. Great difficulty M'as experienced from the want of suitable quarters for so great a body. Many were quartered in dwellings and barns, and from twenty to thirty were often as- signed to a single room. The discomforts attending these accom- "''^ l*"- ave cele- pley, and for valor, om Major : the fleet e riflemen the Nia- nder way SuperioTf iw/c, 42, , Captain lieutenant lieutenant liled, and sty's brig from Nia- ittle time ) men, at s route of th, 3,000 the 21st. i reached from the (I of the ilColonel er Major to defend General » the Su- boats at cargo of larbor. for the le execu- to the orders to e militia Colonel jfrom the The two lan 400, six thou- want of rtered in iften as- e accom- The War of 1812-15. • ^v^ 617 modations very naturally excited uneasiness, and at the expira- tion of the draft, it was apprehended that the militia* '.vould be with di^culty prevented from going home, and that it would become necessary to supply their places by regulars. The ap- prehensions were not justified by the events that followed, and the milita were allowed to return home. Two frigates of the largest class were begun, one on Navy Point, in Sackets Har- bor, to be called the JVcto Orleans, and another of the same class at Storr's Harbor, farther up the bay, to be called the Chippewa, were begun and their hulls partly completed, when the news of peace put a stop to the work. An agreement was entered into ai Washington, in April, 1817, between Richard Rush, at that time secretary of state, and Charles Bagot, his Britannic majesty's envoy, to the effect that but one vessel of not more than one hundred tons burden, and armed with one eighteen pound cannon, should bemaintaind on li>kes Ontario and Champlain, and this having been approved between the two governmenis, was notified by a proclamation by .lames Monroe, president, date J April 28, 1818. The Lady of the Lake, with three pivot guns on deck, and the brig Jones, with eighteen guns on deck, were kept up till this treaty, the Pike, Jefferson, Mohawk, Madison, Superior, and Sylph, having been dismantled soon after the peace. The Jones, and fifleeii barges, were in 1816 reported in good onler. Most of these vessels were covered with a roof, but in the annual returns of the department, were successively marked " much decayed," " sunk," *' useless," &c., until March 3, 1824, when an act was passed directing all the public vessels on lakes Erie and Ontario, ex- cept the ships-of-the-line New Orleans and Chippewa, then on the stocks under cover, to be sold, and the avails to be applied to the repair and building of sloops of war. Until this act, the Lady of the Lake, with one pivot gun, had been kept up. Of all this formi k, strongly built of logs, forming a square, with a block house at each corner; it is loopholed on every side, and capable of making a powerful resistence; twenty>five hundred men have been accommodated in it. A little further westward, another fort presents itself, built of earth, and strong- ly palisaded, having in the centre of it a block house, one story high; it mounts twenty eight guns. Midway between these two works is a powder magazine, enclosed within a very strong picketing. By the side of the road that leads to Henderson Harbor, stands Fort Virginia, a square work, with bastions at the angles, cov- ered with strong line of palisades, but no ditch; it is armed with sixteen guns, and has a block house in the middle of it.* Fort Chauncey is a small circular tower, covered with plank, and loopholed for the use of musketry, intended ibr a small arm de- fence only. It is situated a small distance from the village, and commands the road that leads to Sandy Creek. In addition to those works of strength, there are several blor.k houses in differ- ent situations, that altogether render the place very secure, and capable of resisting a powerful attack; indeed, from recent events, the Americans have attached much importance to it, and with their accustomed celerity have spared no exertions to ren- der it formidable." The revenue cutter Jefferson was built by government at Os- wego, for public service on Lake Ontario, in the sumn>er of 1844. She was 162 feet long, 24 feet beam, pierced for sixteen guns, with one long sixty-eight on a pivot on deck. She was built of iron by Messrs. Knapp & Co., of Pittsburgh, after the model of the Princeton, and to be propelled by steam on the same principle.f She was to be commanded by Lieuten- ant Charles W. Bennet, of the revenue service. After service on the lake one or two seasons, this vessel passed down the St. Lawrence, and has since been upon the high seas. * This block bouse is still standing. It is square, and two stories high, with the second story placed obliquely across the first, so as to leave its cor* ners over-hanging, while the corners of the first story are covered by roofs. The roof slopes from the centre to each side. tBy screw wheels in stern. The Eventt oj 1837-40. 619 CHAPTER XIV. ! >' niE EVENTS OF 1837-1840. i '' The aoortive attempt to revolutionize the Canadas, generally denominated the Patriot ^f'ar, has claims to our notice, from the fttct that JelFerson County was the theatre of excitement, and the scene of follies and excesses that for some time became the ab< sorbing theme of discussion throughout the country, and called into exercise the military force nf the country, to suppress these indications of sympathy with measures that threatened to disturb our amicable relations with a neighboring government. Without attempting a discussion of the origin or merits of this movement, we shall limit ourselves to a recital of the events that transpired in the county, ur with which our citizens were di- rectly interested. The burning of the steamer Caroline, near Niagara Falls, on the 29lh of December, 1837, by a band of men from Canada, aroused a general indignation throughout the country, and our citizens, everywhere, irrespective of party, held meetings to denounce the act, and to call upon the executive to provide for the protection of our shores against invasion by subjects of a foreign power. In accordance with this feeling, congress, on the 30th of Jan- uary, 1838, ai)propriated $6'25,000 i'or the protection of the northern frontier, and calling out militia or volunteers, or adopt- ing such other measures as might be deemed necessary by the secretary of war, under the direction of the president. On the same day a circular was issued at Watertown, signed by six well known citizens, asking contributions in money, provisions, and clothing, in aid of the political refugees from Canada, who had taken shelter among us. They disclaimed any intention of aid- ing the revolutionary movements, and professed to be law-abiding and order-loving citizens. Meanwhile, secret clubs, known as Hunter Lodges, had been instituted in most of the villages, at which plans for invading Canada were discussed, moneys raised for procuring arms ar>u ammunition, companies enlisted, intelligence communicated in circulars and by cypher, and an arbitrary system of names for the several officers in the proposed service was agreed upon, to pre- vent detection. Preparations were made for an attack upon Canada while the St. Lawrence was still bridged with ice, and Kingston was selected as a point upon which an enterprise was to be undertaken. ^ !f 1 I I mm ■fe 610 the EMntt of 1837-40. 11: On the night of the ]9lh of February, the state arsenal at Watertown was entered, and four hundred stand of arms were stolen by persons who were supposed to be concernrd in these movements. A reward of $250 was offered for the apprehen- sion of the authors of this outrage, bu* failed to procure the intelligence sufficient to warrant their an t. A portion of tlie stolen property was afterwards recovered. The arsenals at Ba- tavia, and Elizabethtuwn were also plundered, and with these, and other means, a supply of arms and ammunition sufficient for exten- sive military operations were collected and concealed. On Tues- day, February 20, in the afternoon and evening, forces began to / arrive at Clayton (French Creek), with a supply of arms and / munitions, consisting, it is said, of 4,000 stand of arms, 20 bar- '^ rels of cartridges, 500 long pikes, and some provisions. Several hundred men under General Rensselaer Van Rensselaer arrived in sleighs, from various places in this and adjoining counties, ( with the avowed design of making a lodgment at Gananoqui from whence an attack was to be attempted upon Kingston. The day following was intensely cold, and the men suffered much from exposure. There was little discipline, and less organiza- tion among this promiscuous assemblage; and even among those who affected the command, there was a mutual jealousy, and a want of energy and decision, which a conscious sense of recti- tude, and high conviction of duty can alone inspire. A portion rf these repaired, on foot and in sleighs, to Hickory Island, on the British side of the channel, about seven miles from Clayton. It is said that McKenzie was here dissatisfied that Van Rensselaer was to command, which threw a damper on the whole affair. On calling for volunteers to proceed, eighty-three appeared at the first, seventy-one at the second, and thirty-five at the third call; then, acting upon the maxim of " every man for himself," • this motley band dispersed; the officers, with the utmost difficulty, retaining a sufficient number to remove the arms they had taken over. It would seem that very little was to be apprehended from such invasions; yet the rumor of this movement, reaching Kingston, occasioned some uneasiness, and preparations were made to resist any attack that might be made, or act on the of- fensive should the occasion require it. From the Kingston papers, we learn that Colonel Cubitf, R. A., commandant, and Lieutenant Colonel Bonnycastle, com- manding the militia of that post, aided by the magistrates, organ- ized a force of 1600, a part of whom took a strong position on Wolf Island. Arrangements were made to attack the invaders at their rendezvous, but before the morning of the 23d dawned, the patriot chieftain had fled, like Ben-hadad the Syrian,* with * II King!, vii. The Eoentt qf 1837-iO. 621 no one in pursuit, and leaving in his haste a part of the weapons and supplies he had carried into the territory of his enemy. This panic is said to have been enhanced by the declaration of a militia ca[)tain, of the war of ]812 who passed up and down the crowd, and proclained with a loud voice, that oe/ore morning they would be all massacred/ The thought of this awful iate gave wjngs to their flight, and, in an incredibly short space of time, the new recruits were dispersed to their homes, and the village was relieved of their prtsence. The next day, a British patty visited the island, and found among other things H quantity of broken iron, intended to have been used as slugs, instead of grape shot. Two citizens of Clayton (John Packard and George Hulsen- berg) were captured and lodged in Kingston jail. Soon after this aft'air, two companies of militia were call'd out and stationed at Cape Vincent, and about half a dozen ic Clayton, where they remained several weeks, to intercept luy other expedition that might be fittc' out against C& . 'h. On the 10th of March, an act was passed by c< ngiss, em- powering ** the several collectors, naval omceiu, surveyors, inspectors of customs, the marshals and deputy marshals of the United States, and every other officer who might be specially empowered by the president, to seize and detain any vessel, or any arms, or munitions of war, which may be provided, or prepared for any military expedition or enterprise against the territory or domin. ions of any foreign prince or state, or of any colony, district or people adjacent to the United States." On the night between the 29th and 30th of May, 1838, the British steamer Sir Robert Peel was plundered and burned at Well's Island, under the following circumstances. This boat was owned by David E. 0. Ford, of P- ickville, Jonas Jones, of Toronto, William Bacon, of Ogdensbt "'», each a quarter, and the other quarter by George Sherwood and Henry Jones, trus- tees of the creditors of Horace Billings & Co., of Brockville. She was built at the latter place at a cost of $44,000, and first came out in June, 1837. She was 160 feet long and 30 feet beam, and was commanded by John B. Armstrong. She was then on her w ay from Prescott to Toronto, with nineteen passen- gers, and had left Brockville in the evening, which was dark and rainy, and arrived at McDonnel's wharf, on the south side of Well's Island, in Clayton, at midnight, for the purpose of taking on wood. Threats of vliolence had been intimated, and before the steamer had left Brockville, it was hinted to one on board that there was danger of an attack, but this threat was not regarded. The passengiers w«re asleep in the cabioi and the crew had been en- 1 ' m i ! I' I ^ ',. 11 ? f!'j!- A 3 622 The Events of 1837-40. s gaged about two hours in taking on wood, when a company of twenty-two men, disguised, and painted like savages, and armed with inuskels and bayonets, rushed on board, yelling, and shout- ing" remember the Caroline !" drove the passengers and crew to the shore, allowing but a hasty opportunity lor removing a small part of the baggage, and towards morning, having cast off the boat into the stream, to abuut thirty rods distance, set it on fire. The scene of confusion and alarm which this midnight attack occasioned among the passengers, can be better imagined than described. Some of them fled to the shore in their night clothes, and a considerable portion of their baggage was lost. After the boat Avas filed in several places, the party, including Thomas Scott, a passenger (a surgeon, who had remained to dress a wound), got into two long boats, and steered for Abel's Island, four miles from Wells's Island, where they arrived about sunrise. He stated that there were twenty-two persons beside himself and the wounded man in the two boaii. These brigands were known to each other by fictitious names, as Tecuraseh, Sir William W^allace, Judge Lynch, Captain Crocket, Nelson, Captain Crocker, Bolivar, and Admiral Benbo. Several thousand dollars in one package, and also smaller sums, were taken from the boat, with various articles of clothing. The only house in the vicinity of the wharf was the woodman's shanty, where the passengeis found shelter until five o'clock in the morn- ing, when the Oneida, Captain Smith, came down on her regular trip, and finding the distressed situation of these unfortunate per- sons, returned with them to Kingston. It is said to have been the intention of those who took the Peel, to have captured with her aid the steamer Great Britain the next day, and to have cruised with these steamers on the lake, and transport troops and supplies for the patriot service. The acknowledged leader of this infamous outrage, was Wil- liam Johnston, better known as Bill Johnston, who, since the war with Great Britain, had been known on the lines as a vin- dictive enemy to Canada, and at a moment's notice ready for any broil that might afford him an opportunity for revenging the in- juries he claimed to have received from that government. He was born at Three Rivers, L. C, Feb 1st., 1782, and from 1784 till 1812 lived near Kingston. He was here employed as a gro- cer, and at the occurrence of the war was connected with a mili- tary company, but was seized on a charge of insubordination, and lodged in jail, from which he escaped, and fled to the Ameri- can shore. Me was soon employed as a spy, and on one occasion robbetl the Briti.sh mail, containing important official tlespatches, which he safely brought to ihc isilitary comnaandant at Sackets The Events of 1837-40. 523 m: J \¥i- sok the ritain on the service, js VVil- nce the a vln- orany the in- t. He in 1784 s a gro- amili- nation, Ameri- ccasion atches, 0_ .1- t- OUUKCIS on of C, ,o« ed I htf la- ais % red bat ne, elh \^a. ral vas H : ■ iii V. ) ) 522 The Events of 1837-40. K :« <««mH4H|f^> . The Events of 1837-40. 623 Harbor. In another of his adventures, he was cast on the Canada shore, and his companions allowed to return; but not wishing to run the hazard of a disclosure, he concealed himself, and finally escaped with much peril. His familiarity with the geography of Canada, made him particularly serviceable in pro- curing intelligence. At a recent interview, Johnston assured the author, that he had been promised 160 men by a Cleveland committee who had planned the capture, and that the assailants numbered but thirteen men. Governor Marc^ immediately hastened to the county upon receipt of the news, and on the 4th of .June offered a reward of $500 for Johnston, $250 each for David McLeod, Samuel C. Frey, and Robert Smith, alleged to be concerned in the destruc- tion of the Peel, and $100, each, for others who might be convicted of the same offience. In a letter from Watertown, dated June 3, to th" secretary of war, he advised the co-operation of our government with that of Canada, in pursuing the offenders. On the 2d of June, the Earl of Durham, captain general of the British military forces in Canada, issued from Quebec a procla- mation, offering a reward of J£ 1,000, for the conviction of any person actually engaged in, or directly aiding and abetting this outrage. The inhabitants were assured that a sufficient military force should be immediately concentrated at such points as shall be best able to protect the frontiers from aggression; and the United States government was called upon tovindicate her laws, and enforce the neutrality of her borders. Her majesty's sub- jects were exhorted to abstain from acts of retaliation. His Excellency Lieutenant Colonel Sir John Colburn, arrived at Brockville on the 5th, to direct personally any measures that might be deemed necessary. Several arrests were made the next day, and on the 7th of June, "Wm. Anderson, James Potts, Nathan Lee, Chester Warner, Seth Warner, Wm. Smith, Marshall W, Forward, Wm. S. Nichols, and Henry Hunter, all, but Lee, Canadians, were in jail at Wa- tertown, charged with having shared in this affair. Several others were afterwards committed, and for several days it was thought necessary to guard the jail contaii ing the prisoners, as threats of attempt at rescue had been made. . On the 23d of June, the trial of these prisoners commenced at Watertown, with that of Anderson, who was indicted for arson, upon six counts; the first of which expressed that crime in the highest degree. This trial was conducted before John P. Cush- man, one of the circuit judges, Calvin McKnight, Benjamin Wright, and others, and excited extraordinary interest. When submitted to the jury, the latter, after a deliberation of two hours, brought in a verdict of not guilty. Ah 'I '. H^ -.4 624 The Events of 1837-40. On the 13th of December, seven prisoners were, for want of witnesses from Canada, discharged from confinement, but not from indictment. Immediately after news of this reached Washington, Major General Macomb was dispatched to Sackets Harbor, to take such measures as the exigencies of the occasion required. On the 20th of June he sent word to Sir John Colborne, or the officer commanding at Kingston, inviting his co-operation in a search among the Thousand Islands for the persons who had plundered and burned the Peel; and about a week afterwards, Colonel Dundas, of the British army, commandant at Kingston, and Captain Sandora of the royal navy, crossed to hold an inter- view, which resulted i:i an agreement for a joint effort to be made on the 2d ot July, to arrest the parties. After a search of several days, their retreat was discovered; but in their attempt to take the outlaws, all but two escaped. The gang consisted of but eight men at that time, of whom, Johnston whs one; they were well supplied with arms and ammunition, and had a fast- rowing boat. These efforts, to arrest the leader of the expedition, were fruitless, and he was not captured till after the affa>r at Prescott, late in the ensuing autumn. The immediate command of the frontier was given, on the 2Sth, to Lieutenant Colonel Cummings, of the 2d infantry, and subsequently to Colonel Worth. The steamer Telegraph was chartered by our government, and several steamers were fitte(3 up by the Canadian authorities, for the protection of the borders. Congress, on the 7lh of July, appropriated $20,000 for the de- fense of the St. Lawrence line. On the 11th of November, the steamer United States touched at Sackets Harbor, on her downward trip, having on board 150 male passengers with little baggage; and many circumstances oc- curred <"->Jculated to excite suspicion that they wery engaged on some military expedition. Their number was here Increased by twenty or thirty more, and at Cape Vincent by ten or eleven. On arriving a little below Millen's Bay, she overtook the Char- lotte of Oswego, and the Charlotte of Toronto, two schooners that had left Oswego on the 10th, while the United States was in port, which vessels were taken in tow, one on each side, with which she continued down the river. As soon appeared, the?e vessels contained munitions of war, and the great numbers of men, who, with the passengers on board the steamer, were mostly destinefl for a descent upon Prescott. It is not within our litnitsto detail the events that ensued, and the melancholy issue of the memorable battle at Windmill Point,* * This expedition is fully described in our History of St. Lawiencc and Franklin countiea, pp. 66 1-07 4k The Events of 1837-40. ^vhich revolutionized public opinion on the subject, by revealing the consequences to which these measures were tending. It also had a salutary influence upon the public luind, by disclosing the cowardice and treachery of ihose who had been I'oremost in pro- moting the expedition, but who shrunk from the test of leaden bullets, and fled; leaving the unfortunate victims of fbeir dupli- city, the majority of whom were youth under age, to atone with their blood, or with long, bitter years of exile, for their indiscre- tion. Bill Johnston was captured November 17, and conveyed to Auburn, where he escaped. He was afterwards recaptured by William Vaughan ^about seven miks north of New London, and ten from Rome) by whom he was delivered to tiie United Stales marshal and lodged in jail at Albany. He escaped from thence, and was for some time obliged to avoid the pursuit of civil offi- cers. After tranquility had been restored, he returned to quiet life, at the village of Clayton, and, by the present administra- tion, has been appointed keeper of RJck Island Light, that shines on the spot where the Peel was burned. The patriot prisoners, under the command of Von Schoultz, a Polish exile, who had seen much military service in his native country, were conveyed to Fort Henry, at Kingston, and tried by a court martial, that begun its session November 26, 1838. The rule adopted by this court was to execute all of the officers that were known to be such, try and sentence the rest, reprieve the minors, and banish the. remainder to the penal colony of Van Dieman's Land. It is probable that they were induced to relax somewhat from the rigor with which they begun, from the feel- ing which the issue of the expedition had occasioned in the States, and the disposition that was everywhere evinced to dis- countenance further aggression. In Jefferson county, meetings were held at Cape Vincent, December 1£ ; ; at Sackets Harbor on the 2 1st; at Depauville and Ellis Village on the 27th, and at La Fargeville on the 31st, at which contributions were made for supplying the wants of the prisoners, conciliatory speeches were delivered, and resolutions passed, and published in the papers, discouraging any f'!-';,fr agitation of a question that threatened to embroil the two nations in a war. and make their territory the theatre of a sanguinary struggle. Several gentlemei '- >m abroad were especially active in quieting this excitemni, of whom Judge Gridiey and Joshua A. Spencer, of Utica, were pro- minent. The grand jury, at the December term of the county court, as a body, published a short manifesto, deprecating the continuance of the secret associations, and a meeting was held at the court house in pursuance of a notice from the bench, on the evening of December 18th, to promote the peace and harmony of the frontier^ r -+•- yed i«^cret messengers to visit the states, gain access to the hunter lodgPHj and ketp them infortried of every movement on fool, sv'th th«.' preparations mad':, and persons engaged in these mpas'.ues. The meeting was addresfcd by J. A. Spencer, Esq , of Ulica, Judge Gridley, l; .i, Saavui Beardsley, Attorney General R. Hulbert, T. C. Ohktier.tlen, E. Camp, William Smith, and Daniel Wardwell, V ho urged the importance of sustaining our laws and adopting immediate, but pacific measures for preserving tranquility, ar- resting further agitation and mitigating the fate of the prisoners in Kingston. At an adjourned meeiing, held next day, the fol- lowing resolutions were passed, whiclj are believed to embody the sentiment of the majority of our citizens: " Resolved- That we regard the preservation of peace with Great Britain, as all important to the best interests of the Ameri- can and British nations; but that we have no reason to expect its long continuance, unless our citizens refrain from hostile in- vasions of, or intermeddling with, his territories. Resolved, That we feel a deep seated desire to maintain and preserve the {greatest freedom of intercourse and the most friendly relations with our neighbors of Canada; and that the best evi- dence we can give of our sincerity will be, to do unto them, as they do unto us — leave them to enjoy the government of their choice. Resolved. That the inhabitantsof our frontier are loudiy called upon by every consideration of justice and sound policy, to exert themselves to the utmost of their power, to prevent all hostile invasion into the neighboring Canadian provinces, by bands of armed men from our borders, and that we pledge ourselves to our government, and to each other, i ;tlfuliy and fearlessly to discharge this sacred and too-long ne* "'ed duty. Resolved, That any movements inj ! * ■ to Canada, are open, fla^r^nt violations, alike of int-^'-nat: • i law, of the enactments oftiU Congress of the United Star 'f the Canadian Provincial Pivj-'nent, and that our mini: and judicial tribunals should De and ready to condemn every and ■'■ olficers, civil magistrat<" ,, ilant and prompt to arrest, •:h^ ition of our laws. The Events of 1837-40. 527 Resolved, That there is too much reason to believe, that many of our citizens have formed themselves into secret lodges, or socie- ties, under the sanction of extra-judicial oaths, for the purpose of promoting the organization and armament of bands of men, to invade the Canadas, and that we earnestly call upon these mis- guided citizens every where, and at once, to disband. Resolved, That we regard the late attack on Prescott as char- acterized alike by rashness, weakness, and folly; and that while we pointedly condemn and rebuke those engaged in it, we feel called upon to express our solemn conviction that most, if not all of them, were influenced by misrepresentation, and acting under a delusion as strange and unaccountable as is has been disastrous and fatal, without any feelings of hostility towards our Canadian neighbors, but under the expectation and belief, that instead of fighting with, they would be hailed by them, as the champions of liberty, and received with open arms and heart-felt greetings. Resolved, That we, in common with all our countrymen, feel a deep commiseration for our misguided citizens, captured near Prescott, and now in confinement at Fort Henry, in Canada, and that while we acknowledge the right of the provincial authori- ties to condemn according to the laws of their country, in the exercise of this authority we hope to see justice tempered with mercy, and expect to witness magnanimous treatment towards these unfortunate men,' worthy of a brave and generous people." Delegations were sent from various places to Kingston, to ob- tain some mitigation of the fate of the prisoners, among which were the Hon. John Fine, and C. G. Myers, of Ogdensburgh, the persons above named from this county, and numerous relatives of the patriot captives, who were treated with civility, and shown a!' the indulgence that under the circumstances could be ex- tended. Von Schoultz, Daniel George, Dorephus Abbey, Dun- can Anderson, Christopher Buckley, Sylvester A. Lawton, Joel Peeler, Russell Phelps, Sylvanus Sweet, and Martin Woodruff, were hung; eighteen were released, fifty-eight pardoned, sixty transported, three were acquitted, four turned Queen's evidence, and of ten we have been unable to ascertain their fate.* Tne Court Martial adjourned from January 4ih, till February SGtli. A mass meeting, consisting of from two thousand to three thousa . :! persons, assembled in front of the court house, February 23d, under the impression that more executions were about to take place at King- on, and resolutions less conciliatory than those of the former meeting were passed. On the 8th of April, 1839, the British steamer Commodore Barrie, under the orders of Col. A. McDonell, sheriff of Midland * For a list of these prisoners, with the fate of each, see history of St. Lawreac-e and Franklia Counties, p. i"73. -i ' 11 1 1 i; c;. a b28 The Events of 1837-40. District, Upper Canada, arrived at Sackets Harbor, with twenty- two prisoners, pardoned by the lieutenant governor. The ina(i;is- trates of the village were sent for, and the colonel informed them what had been done for the prisoneid, and earnestly hoped, that it would have h happy etTect in allaying the existing excitement. This was met by an answer expressing, in warm terms, their sense of gratitude for this exercise of clemency, and the thanks of our citizens to the government. The pardoned prisoners, before separating for their homes, drew up and signed a paper express- ing their obligation to the Canadian government, for the clemency shown, and urging pacific measures in future. On the 27th of April, thirty-seven more prisoners arrived at Sackets Harbor. On the 6th of June, 1840, an infamous attempt was made at Oswego, to burn the British steamer Great Britain, by conveying on board a trunk, charged with explosive and combustible mater- ials. The explosion took place, doing considerable injury, but the flames were soon arrested. Lett and Defoe, two Canadian refugees, were arrested, (charged with this outrage, and a confes- sion was obtained, in which the design of burning the vessel was avowed, with the hope of renewing irritation between the two governments. The trunks contained copal, turpentine, nitre, and powder, packed in cotton, to which a fuse was attached. With this, closed the active measures of disturbance on our border, but the irritation was slow to subside, and restless sp'rits were found, who labored to excite a broil between the two na- tions, without success. For one or two years a steamer was kept in commission on the lake, and troops were stationed at Madison Barracks still later. That some were honest and believed them- selves patriotic in this affair, may be admitted, while it can not be denied that the majority thirsted for power, wealth or plunder, according as they were actuated by ambition or avarice. Among the humbugs connected with this speculation, was the* plan of a bank, the ostensible object of which was, first, to " aid the cause of liberty," by loans to the President of the Conven- tion, for the patriotic service, after which loans were to be made to individuals, for private business. The capital was at first only $7,500,000, in shares of $50 each, but it was designed to be ex- tended, so as " to allow every individual on the continent to hold one share." The whole wealth, revenue, and resources of the patriot dominions (that they had, or that they may hereafter have dominion over), were pledged for the faithful repayment of the sums subscribed, with interest. Subscriptions were taken of sixpence a week, or half a dollar every two months. " The vignette of the bills are to be heads of «hc late martyrs to the cause of liberty in Canada; the headof Mauhe'^s on the left end of the bill, the head ojf Lount in the centre with the words, Gedogxfi Mineralogy^ ^c. b?^ in a semi -circle over it, The Murdered; Death or Victory; on the margins of the bills will be the words Lilerty, Equality, FraternUy. The name of the bank will be the Republican Bank of Canada." We have no statistics of the dividends of this institution, but have been Hssured that there were such — the capital being di- vided among zjew. On the 6th of September, 1841, the prevalence of the secret clubs called forth a proclamation from President Tyler, for their suppression. i 'i ■■■(': CHAPTER XY. GEOLOGY, MINERALOGY, &c. To an agricultural populucion, like that which f&r'^s the basis of society in Jefferson County, rfiere are none of the f.i , .cal sciences which have stronger claims to attention than ^ecicgy, and its allied branches, mineralogy and chemistry, for it is these that teach the character and capabilities of the soil, and the train of causes which, acting harmoniously through long periods of time, compared with which, the historic eras of man are but as moments, have gradually prepared the earth's surface for his support; given form and beauty to its hills and plains; scooped out the valleys through which rivers find their way to the sea, and placed stores of metallic wealth within reach of his labors. Nor have these agencies failed to record their actio'' in the traces they have left, as enduring as time, yet easily it. • > ed, md abundantly rewarding such as will but observe them. There can not be a pursuit more engaging, or better calculated to impart a true knowledge of the grandeur and harmony of nature's works, and a devout reverence for their Author. Such is the intimate relation between the soil and the rock from which it has been derived, and usually with ♦hat by which it is immediately underlaid, that a definite knowledge of its capabilities can scarcely be had without an acquaintance with the latter. Besides this, we are indebted to mineral products for so many articles of necessity, to say nothing of conveniences and luxuries in life, that their relations, and the indications which ii 530 Primary Rocki. lead (o their occurience, become subjects of necessary know- le(l|»o ! llspensible to our civilization, nnd eminently deserving of t-ntx... 1 inent. Allhough lor extent and variety of mineral jToducis, our country will not compare with some others, yet the field of useful observation and practical research is far from be- ing barren, and there does not occur an acre but that yields ma- terials for profitable thought, and some trace worthy of notice. Geologists divide rocks into two great classes, named from their relative ages, />rt?i"i "2 i.diwntari/ or secondary; the first never presentiiig tr.;v;ts(*f organic remains but from their crys- taline character, an stone, when laid in the furnace, are exposed to the hre, and become slightly fused, forming a glazing to the surface. It is seldom that a material is found so finely adapted to this pur- Iiose. For the manufacture of glass the stone is calcined in cilns and crushed and sifted, when it affords a sand of much whiteness, and eminently suitable for the purpose. This rock is generally overlaid by a fertile soil, but this is more due to the accidental deposition of drift than the disinte- gration of the rock itself, lor surh is scarcely be found to have yieldtd to that have covered many oiher rocks and scratched surfaces given by diluvial attrition are almost uni- formly preserved, and wherever this formation appears at the surface, it presents a hardness and sharpness of outline strongly indicative of its capacity to resist decay. Un this account it should be selected when possible, for the piers of bridges, the foundation of houses, and other structure where permanence and solidity are required. A very peculiar feature is presented by the margin of this rock, which, by tlie practiced eye, may be detected at a distance, and which strongly distinguishes it from all others. The outline is generally an abrupt escarpment, sometimes extending with much regularity for miles, occasion- ally broken by broad ragged ravines, or existing as outstanding insular masses, and always presenting, along the foot of the preci- pice, huge masses of rock that have fallen from above. The most remarkable terrace of this kind begins on the north shore of Black Lake, in Morristown, and extends through Hammond into Alexandria, much of the distance near the line of the Military Koad, and other instances are common throughout the region underlaid by this rock. Next, in the ascending series, is a rock which, in this part of the state, constitutes a thin but level formation, and from its being a sandy limestone, has been named calci/erous sandstone. It is generally an open, porous texture, much discolored by iron, and, occasionally, like some strata of the sandstone beneath it, filled with small masses of incoherent sand, that easily falls out, leav- ing irregular cells. It is this rock that contains the beautiful quartz crystals, for which Middleville and the vicinity of Rockton, in Heikimer County have become celebrated. It appears as the sur- face rock between Antwerp and Carthagej between the Checkered House, in Wilna, and the Natural Bridge; between Antwerp and Sterlingville; and, in Theresa, Alexandria, Orleans, and Clayton. I'i Calciferoiu Sandttone. 533 art of being It is , and, filled leav- autiful cklon, le sur- keretl p and ayton. It is valueless as a building material, from its coarse, rotten text- ure, and want of regular fracture. In many places it is fdled with the forms of marine plants, ^vhich, though obscure, are con- clusive, and appear to have been like some still existing, with thick, succulent, hollow stems. Shells are less common, and are but imperfectly preserved, constituting seven genera, and about a dozen species. In the annexed cut, fig. 1 is the ^ Ophelitea levata, 2, 0. complanata, and 3 a cri- noidal plate, found with the others.* Of the pro- bable condition of the earth's surface when this rock was forming, Professor Hall has made the following re- marks:! " During the progress of this formation, and towards its close, a considerable number of forms of animal life appear to have been called into existence. We have passed from that condition of the earth unfavorable to animal development, and we per- ceive the gradual change, which, in the next period, presents us with swarms of animated existences. If we can, in imagina- tion, allow ourselves to go back to the preceding epoch — to fancy the earth enveloped in one waste of ocean, save, perhaps, a few rocky peaks; when the natural agitation of the waters by the winds was increased by volcanic or igneous outburstin^" while the rocky points were abraded, and thence fine sand r pebbles spread over the bed of the ocean, we behold lite, sti u gling into existence in this stormy period, only manifested in fragile yet enduring form of the little Lingula, while an ap rently rootless, leafless plant, is the representative of the veg^ table kingdom. Look forward from this period to a gradual change — a more congenial element to the inhabitants of the ocean comes, in the form of calcareous matter, and new organisms are gradually called into existence. Still the heated waters bear their burden of silex in solution, and now they permeate every portion of this habitation of the new-born vitality, destroying the living, en- veloping the dead in a sileciuus paste, and preventing that development of numbers which awaits only a more congenial condition." Next above this rock is the Chazy Limestone, that occurs highly developed, and abounding in organic remains, but, accord- ing to Professor Emmons, does not appear in the Black River * Vanuxen's Geological Report, p. 36; Hall's Paloeontology, i, 11. f Palmontology of New York, i, 5. 34 11' Itt i ■ ■('■ \ ^- 1 ikl 534 Birdseye Limegtone. valley. The next rock there, is the Birds-Eye Limestone, vi\Ach. includes the close-grained, hard, and thick-bedded strata, in which the layers of water lime stone occur in Le Ray, Paraelia, Orleans, Brownville and Clayton. The properties which give it value as a hydraulic cement, are uncertain, as upon analysis it is found to contain variable proportions of silica, alumina and magnesia. In manufacturing, it is calcined, crushed and ground in a mill. Its color is usually bluish and light gray, weathering to an ashen gray; its fracture is more or less flinty, with many crystaline points, and its fossils few and seldom obtained, except on the weathered surface. Its characteristic fossil, in the man- ner in which its vertical stems divide and interlace with each other, presents features totally distinct from any known analogy, either in marine plants, or the zoophytes. These stems are filled with crystaline matter, and often make up a great part of its mass. It has received from Professor Hall the generic name of Phytopsis* of which there are two species, P. tubulosum and P. cellulosum, both of which occur abundantly in this county. Phytopsis tubulosum. The latter presents diverging masses like roots, and is not so generally crystaline. "When polished, this rock present an ap- pearance which has given it the name, and in quarrying it readi- ly breaks into regular masses. Its brittleness, when struck with a smart blow, prevents it being useful as a marble. Some layers make a good lime, and on the weathered surface there often is seen a toothed appearance, like the sutures of a skull, which is attribute dto fibrous crystals of sulphate of strontia, that have been dissolved out. This forms the surface rock over a considerable extent of Cape Vincent, Lyme, Brownville, Paru i ia, Le Ray, and Wilna. The part that overlies the yellow .'sh or \. ^ter lime strata, abounds ' I a!d£ntology ui new jtuiK, i, oo. Black River Limestone. 535 in nodules of flint, that everywhere stand in relief npon the weathered surface. These are thoup;ht to be the fossil remains of sponges, or othfr forms of animal life, analagous. These masses of flint often contain shells, corals, crinoidea, and obscure traces of other organic bodies, that flourished in the seas in which this rock was deposited. Perhaps the most striking of Orihoceras multicameratum. these fossils is the above, which is very common. Specimens are found of shells of a class analagous, of the enormous length of ten feet, and breadth of twelve inches.* Besides the obscure fossil whose doubtful nature we have above noticed,! six genera, and about a dozen species have been described. The Black River limestone, in the classification of Professor Hall, and the Isle LaMotte marble in that of Professor Emmons are interposed between the rock last named and the Trenton limestone. It is a well-defined mass of greyish-blue limestone, in this county not exceeding ten feet in thickness, but in its fossils clearly distinct from the strata above and below it. Five genera and six species of corals, and five genera and ten spe- cies of cephalopoda, are described in the State Palaeontology, as occurring in this rock. The following figures represent a small coral, of the natural size and magnified: lot so ap- eadi- with layers [en is |ch is have Int of ^ilna. )unds m Stidopora labyrinlhica. 1. Natural size upon n weathered surface. 2. Vertical section, showing the ascending ar.d anastomosing branches. * Report of Professor Emmons on the Geology of the 2d District, p, 382, t See Fhyioptis ceUuiotum, p. 534. IV Black River Limestone. 3. Enlarged branch of No. 1. 4. Surface apparently unworn, 'with oblique rSdgei between the rows of cells. 5. Surfbce of a branch somewhat worn. The delicacy of markings upon the sur- faces of some of these corals, when seen magnified, is beautiful; and their differences afford the ground of classification of fami- lies and the generic and specific distinc- tions. I ^ Stictopora ratnoaa, nature! size and enlarged.* Another coral is of frequent oc- currence in the Black River lime- stone, which is here represented in the margin. It is sometimes seen of the size of half a bushel, and in the Mohawk valley much larger. It is commonly mistaken by the un- observing, (or petrified honey comb, which in some respects if resembles. Columnaria alveolata^ a fossil coral. It is this formation that contains the caverns of W atertown, Pam«lia and Brownville, concerning which many fabulous ac- counts have been told. We have endeavored to obtain authen- tic information on this subject by a personal examination. In Pamelia, opposite the village of Watertown, and in the im- mediate vicinity of the cascade, is a cavern that has attained quite a notoriety, and will amply repay the curious visitor who may undertake to explore it. It was discovered in the spring of 1822, and for a short time was exhibited for pay. The opening is in a natural depression, and by a sloping passage leadn to a chamber about twenty feet below the surface, from which ave- nues lead in various directions, frequently communicating with each other, and forming a labyrinth of much intricacy. When • Hall's Palajontology of New York, i, 50. f lb. p. 51. c s c a b g ii n tj 81 Caverns in the Black River Limegtone. 637 im- ained who ngof ening tu a ave- with iVhen first observed it was beautifully adorned with curtains and dra- pery of lime, deposited from the ceaseless dripping of water charged with that mineral. In some of the remote chambers and avenues, these deposits, of dazzling whiteness, still exist in great profusion, but the wanton depredations of visitors has done much towards destroying those that occurred in the more fre- quented part of the cavern. In numerous instances, huge tables of rock have fallen from the roof, allowing a passage both above and below them. The texture of the deposits varies from the consistence of mortar to a compactness sutficient to give a ring- ing sound when struck with a hammer; but by far the greater part is of^at soft friable quality of snowy whiteness, which is usually denominated agaric mineral. The pendent masses are usually flat with their sides waved, and edges serrated, and the surface below them is often beautifully formed into basins and cells, usually filled with limpid water. Occasionally the masses from above, meeting those from below, form pillars of great size. Slight dams of tufa are of frequent occurrence, forming shallow pools of water, and lime-sediment. Altogether, from its conven- ience of access, safety and beauty, this place is well worthy of attention. Conflicting accounts existing in relation to the ex- tent of this cavern, the author, in company with a friend, explored it with a view of ascertaining this point, and was only able to penetrate about seventy fathoms from the chamber at the foot of the outlet. The temperature of the water in June was 43'', and, in winter it never freezes. It probably varies but little with external changes. On the north bank of Black River, opposite Factory Village, in Wa'ertown, are several caves of limited extent, which offer no calcareous incrustations of interest. The principal of these opens at its two enJs upoi? the river hzuk. They are chiefly interesting from the evideace they furnish of having been formed by water running along the natural seams in the rocks. Cn the south bank of the river, in Watertown Village, and under the termination of Jackson street, is the entrance of li cave, which was first explored in the summer of 1838, and is said to have been traced nearly 500 feet. It affords calcareous concretions, of a peculiar variety, externally resembling pisoliiej and formed by the agglutination of spheroidal granules of car- bonate of lime. It is known as the ice cave, from the occurrence of ice in the summer months, which almost obstructs its passa- ges. Towards autumn, the rocks above become warmed, and the ice melts, nor does the freezing process become establijihed till near spring. From the slow tr^-nsraission of heat, the seasons thus become reversed in this cavern. A current of cold air is- sues from over this mass of subterraRca IQSf WuiCu, whctl iuft 638 Characteristics of the Inferior Limestones. \ air is warm and damp, becomes a dense fop. When the tem- perature in the shade ^vas 92°, that at the mouth of this cave has been noticed to be 32°. In the town of Waterlown, near the bank of the river, and about a mile from the village of IBrownville, there occurs in a wood a sunken place, around and in the vicinity of which are numerous avenues, leading under ground, and communicating with each other by innumerable passages. Almost every natural seam in the rock, has been widened into a space large enough to admit of the passage of a man, and sometimes opening into wide and lofty halls, of which several are found radiating from a central point. The form of these subterranean vsrffts is that of the gothic arch, springing from the floor and forming an acute angle above. The extreme distance that this cave can be traced, is less than thirty rods. It affords no calcareous deposits of interest, and its only peculiarity consists in the numerous projecting masses of flint on the wallc, which have resisted the decomposing action to which the rock has yielded. The floor of the cave is generally covered with mud or water. On the west bank of Perch river, near the village of Limerick, is a cavern which, after passing twenty-four yards, opens into an external passage, from whence, descending to a level about thirty feet beiow the surface, it proceeds sixty-three yards fur- ther through a passage in some places quite lofty and flat roofed, to a low horizontal chamber, beyond which, by creeping, one can proceed to a distance of one hundred and fifty-four yards from the entrance to the extremity. It differs from all the oth- ers above described, in having- no lateral passage, nor does it afford calcareous deposits. There probably exists other cav- erns in the county, but analogy would lead us to the belief that they are of limited extent. So far as observed, they agree in affording evidence of having been worn by running water in early times, and in occurring in the same stratum. The Ormo- ceras, Endoceras, and other fossils characteristic of the rock are seen exposed in relief on the walls of the caves in many in- stances. It is to be observed of the strata that intervene between the water lime and the Trenton limestone, that from their soluble nature the natural seams have generally been widened into open chasms, and tliat from this cause streams of water often find their way under ground in dry seasons. Although generally horizon- tal, the strata are occasionally disturbed by upheavals, as is seen at several places along the line of the railroad between Chan- mont and Cape Vincent. These disturbances are generally limited to a few rods, and often to a few yards. These rocks often afibrd an excellent building material, and are quarried ex- s 1 i r r a a a fi Trc:iio,i, Limestone. 539 tensively ac Chaumont for locks and other public works. The black marble of Glen's Falls is derived from strata correspond- ing with the upper portion of these. The next rock above those above described, is named the Tren- ton iimestone, which mostly constitutes the rock underlying the soil in Champion, Rutland, Watertown, Houndsfield, Henderson, Ellisburgh, Adams, and a part of Rodman and Brownville. In extent, thickness, number of fossil remains and economical im- portance, it far surpasses the others. It underlies extensive dis- tricts in the western states, where it is recognized by its charac- teristic fossils; and as a material for building and the manufac- ture of linte, it has few superiors. Its color is usually gray, and its fracture more or less crystaline, occurring usually in strata nearly or quite horizontal, and often separated by thin layers of 8, 9a, 9b, 10c, 13e, Pleurotomaria ■ 16, Murchwonia gracilis • of Trenton limestone. do shale. Many of its fossils are common with the slates ah^vi. At the time when the first volume of the State Palaeontology was issued, there had been described 188 species peculiar to this rock J 20, common with this and the Hudson River group (Lor- raine Shales); 2 with it and the Utica slate, 6 with it and the above two, 3 with it and the Black River limestones, and one with all the birdseye to the Hudson River fhales inclusive. Fossil plants of the lower orders are somewhat common, but are limited to a few species. Of corals, the number is greater, and of these none are more common than ihat represented by figure 1, of the annexed cut: 11 <'Ss| 540 Trenton Limestone. U \ 1. Chetetea Itfcoperdon. 2. ItepteBna deltoidea. 3. Isotelas gigas. 3a, Slictapora acuta. 3b. The same magnified. Fig. 3a represents a leaf-like, branching coral, very comraon. The whole number of species of zoophytes found in this rock, is about 20. Of that singular class of animals called trilobi- tes, of v;hich there are at present but few living analogies, the Tren- ton limestone furnishes several species, of which fig. 3, on this page, is one. This class of fossil remains is obscure and rare in the rocks beneath, but here becomes well developed and affords our most reliable criterion by which to idenlily the Trenton limestone in distant localities. Th;j animal possessed the power of coiling up into a ball, and of flattening itself out, as shown in the fol- lowing cuts, in which 3a, 36, are coiled snecimens, and 9c a side view of one that is flat. Detached portions are of frequent occurrence; the head, tail, and parts of the body being often found separately. this ocks most in iling fol- 9c a ucnt fteti Trenton Limestone. The following are figures of the Calymene senaria. 9a^ 641 Of shells, this rock affords a very great variety, but our space will only admit of a few, the following being selected fi'om the engravings prepared for the Natural History of the State. From the numbers being en- graved on some of the blocks, they can not be arranged in numerical order on a page of the size of this. These have been fully described and classified by the gentlemen engaged in the geological survey of the state, and by Prof. Hall, to whose department they particularly belonged. The thickness of this rock can not be less than five hundred feet. Its stratification is generally nearly horizontal, and dis- turbances when they occur, are usually quite limited. In some placts it contains veins of calcite, and of heavy spar, the latter, in Adams, being associated with fluor spar. This form- ation in Lowville and Martinsburgh, Lewis County, contains metallic ores, in small quantities in veins, that have a general east and west course. The sulphurets of lead, zinc, and iron, occur at the lead mines in Martinsburgh, in lamina or layers, deposited upon each other, of which the succession, counting from the walls of the vein towards the centre, is invariably the same. Thia gives probability to the theory, that these metals mJiy have been deposited by electrical currents, as it would be difficult on any other supposition, to account for the symmetrical recurrence of the layers. Cavities in fossils are not unfrequently lint d with crystals of calcite, and more rarely with fluor spar zhi trssaoliie. lit, 542 Trenton Limestone. u I , 3, 4, Plurotomaria lenticularis. 5, P. rotvioides; base of shell. 2, 6d, 6e, 14a, 146, 15 species of Murchiaonia. 7, 8, 9, BelUrophon profundus (Em.) 10, LeptCEna sericea. II, Orthis driatula, 12, O. tatudinuana. Utica Slate. 643 of 1.) Restli; ' ^pon the Trenton limestone, with which, in the bed of Sandy Cieek, in Rodman, it is seen in contact, is a soft black slate, readily crumbling to fragments under the action of frost, and divided by vertical parallel seams into regular masses. From ils occurrence in the hills north of Utica, it has been called Utica slate. It has not been found applicable to any useful purpose, although experiments have been made to test its value as a lithic paint. Where sulphuret of iron could be procured, the manufacture of alum might be attempted with prospect of success. 1, Cab/mene Beckti. 3, Orthonota . 5, Avicula . % Modiohpna anodorUoides^ 4,JVticula ? 6, Lingula quadrala. Fossils are common, but less numerous in this rock than in those below it. Sev- eral of these are com- mon in the rocks above and below this. The trilobite here figured is the only one known in this slate, but is found both above and be- low. lyHend af Cal men: Beckii, 2, Graptohlnus^ frislis. i, Trocholiles ammonius The Graptolithus is numerous both in individuals and species in the shales on the Hudson River. Being often compressed, their true nature was for some time unknown,* and they were classed with plants by some riters. When preserved in cal- careous matter, their true nature becomes more apparent, and show them lo have been animals of the lower orders, with a semi-calcareous body and a corticiform covering. ^ In some pla- ces, ihese fossils are 'replaced by iron pyrites, that in fresh speci- mens possesses a b.ight metallic lusture, but which soon tarnish and crumble by expt . c Sulphui springs are of frequent oc- I' ii * PtleeontoloKT of New lurk. 368, 64 Lorraine Shale». currence in this rock, and native snipper ic sometimes noticed encrusting the surfaces in ravines, Adhere waters charged with sulphureted hydrogen have been exposed to vegetable action. Covering this formation, and con^itituting the superficial rock of Lorraine, Worth, and part of Hodman, is a series consisting of alternating layers of sbulc and slate, some of which are highly 1 , Trintieleus concentricut, '\ Ltptana dettoidea. 2, Ltptctna altemata, 4, Modiolopaia nwdiolaria. fo'-siliferous, and others entirely destitute of organic remains. Those that serve to distinguish it from the formations beneath are the annexed, which are rea- dily recognized, and almost al- ways present. From the re- markable development of this rock in Lorraine, it has received the name of Lorraine Shales. For a similar reason it is known elsewhere as the Hudson River group, from iis forming the highly inclined shales that occur, of enormous thickness, in the valley of the Hudson. This rock is nearly worthless for any use- ful purpose, although at Pulaski and elsewhere, layers are found that are adapted for building. The mineral springs of Saratoga arise from this rock. Having thus briefly enumerated the lead- ing geciogical features of the county, some generalizations of Ike several rocky formations may be m^Ai. ], Jlmbonychia radinta, % Joint uf the Gh/plocrinus de- eadadylus, a criuoiduuii 'oiiBil v y common. 3, Cjrtolitei ornaiu$. n Lorraine ShaJet. — General Obtervatlons. 646 To one accustomed to close and careful observation, the fea- tures of a country and the contour of its hills, afford a reli^^ble means of opinion on the character of llie subjacent rock. There pertains to each of these in this county a peculiarity of profile, when exposed in tbe brow of hills, that is as constant and as vnmistakeable as any c' iss hcnom, na offered to the observa- tion of geologists ; ai d tl,. 'Ctive features arise from the greater or less facility with w ■; several rocks yield to dis integrating forces. The posed, and offering litth water, present a rounded jut worn deep, winding gulphs, tht tod .*'ites be'ng easily decom- ^ to the action of*^ running unning streams have here _.i which the channels mean- der, washing alternately the right bank and the left, affording a succession of crumbling precipices, often of romantic beauty, and spreading over the plains, wnere they issue from the hills, the broken materials brought down from the ravines. The rock is every where covered with soil, derived from its own disintegra- tion, and is inclined to clay, from which cause, when level, there is a tendency to the formation of swamps, from the impermeable character of this material. The soil is generally fertile, and es- pecially adapted to grazing. Wherever diluvial action has ex- isted, it has worn, with little difficulty, broad valleys, and re- moved immense quantities of the detritus to other places. These shales form a ridge of highlands, extending from this county, through Oswego, Lewis, Oneida, and Herkimer counties, being known, in Lewis, as Tug Hill. The margin of this ele- vated tract is worn into deep ravines, but when the head of these is reached, the country becomes level, and sometimes swampy, with frequent beaver meadows. The streams are sluggish and miry, and the water highly discolored, probably from the pre- sence of the black oxyde of manganese, that is of frequent occur- rence in the swamps, and is found coating the bowlders, exposed to running water. The junction between the Utica slate and Trenton limestone, is generally concealed by deep deposits, brought down from the upper formation. The change, where observed in the bed of Sandy Creek, is well defined, there being no blending of the two rocks. Along the base of the slate is usually a strip of clay, a few rods in width, but continuing for considerable distances. The thickness of these shales in the ridge of highlands extending towards Utica, can not be less than five hundred feet. Local disturbances are but seldom seen, and the stratification is usually horizontal. Pebbles from the lower rocks are occasionally noticed, and ob- scure traces of organic remains, that have not been described. The limestone occurs in terraces, with steep, but not precipitous margins, the whole of which is covered with a soil, derived from 1^ Rl '■' ^, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I IU|28 |2^ Uj ■•■■ ■■■ ^ Ug 12.0 IL25 i 1.4 m i 1.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STRUT WIBSTER.N.Y. MStO (716) •73-4503 v ■<^ 546 Chneral Observations. its own decomposition, where not protected by drift. The soil is inclined to be thin^ and consequently liable to be affected with drouth, but is extremely fertile, and alike adapted to grass and grain. The richest and best portions of Jefferson county, if not in the state, are underlaid by this rock. Running streams, when small, do not wear ravines, but fall down the slope of the terra- ces, in pretty cascades, broken into foam, and noisy from the numerous points of resistance which they meet. BtarrviUe Cascades. The Burrville Cascades have been noticed on page 240, and are among ♦he most romantic and pleasing which the country af- ford'^. Streams, if large, and especially if liable to be swollen irlo impetuous torrents, wear gulphs of short extent into the plains from which they flow, ami where these rocks form the bed of streams, the latter have worn channels of sufficient depth to <;ontain the ordinary volume of the stream only; where the sur- face has been protected by a drift deposit, but not often else- where, it presents the marks «f attrition of the drift period; springs are of frequent occurrence, oftener near the foot of the terraces, and the water is limpid, but unfit for washing, from be- ing charged with lime. The calciferous sandstone presents a flat country, with few valleys, and tthose but a f(.'W feet below the level of the adjacent General Observations. 647 ^jis.\v; plains. The rock is covered viiih a very thin soil, derived from its own decomposition, but one of much richness, from the pres- ence'of lime. It seldom descends by a gentle slope into the val- .eys, but presents a shelving ledge, very peculiar to this rock, in this section of the state. Swamps, when they occur, are bordered with this sharp margin of rock, and Lave a deep soil, as if they had ancientijr been lakes. When springs exist, they are com- monly l^ard Irom the lime which the rock contains. The Potsdam sandstone generally presents a level surface, but more liable to upheavals, and is covered with soil entirely brought from other formations, and varies in quality with sources from which it has been derived. Where not covered with drift, as occurs near Plessis, it is a barren rock, which, although exposed from time immemorial to the action of the elements, still pre- serves the traces of diluvial abrasion. This rock never presents a fertile slope into the valleys, but is bordered with abrupt pre- cipices, at the foot of which are pi)ed huge masses, that have tumbled from the face of the ledge. The primitive rocks of the county present a constant succession Qf abrupt rounded ridges, scantily covered in the state of nature with timber, and, when cleared, with a thin soil, with intervening valleys of considerable fertility, that have received their soil from the wash of the hills. The nature and amount of soil varies with the rock, and is abundant and fertile, where limestone and feldspar abound, as its constituents, but much less so, where the chief element is quartz. It was observed by Mr. Wright, when surveying the townships of St. Lawrence County, and the same fact is observable to some extent in this, where from its less ex- tent, but few opportunities are afforded for observing it, that the south slope of the hills is more abrupt than the north, as if they had been more upheaved. The prevailinp: dip of the strata of gneiss is towards the north or north west, where observed in this county. Drift deposits occur promiscuously over rocks of every age, covering them unequally with transported materials, and when occurring in hills, presenting that rounded and conical outline often seen in snow drifts. Having been deposited in moving water, wherever a sheltered point or conflicting curren(s favored, they were subject to all the dynamic laws which modify the motions of solids moving in fluids. These deposits may be distinguished from soil underlaid by rock, by the endless variety of rounded outline which they present, and are invariably covered with vegetation. About a third of the county, in its central part, lies in the valley of Black River, the remainder being drained by Sandy Creek, In- dian River, and the minor streams running into the lake and • ■''.^~:-- 548 Black Rivept 'i *i: ^. St. Lawrence. E. H. Brodhead* estimated its roluine at lor water, at 94,000 cubic feet per minute; that of the Oswegatchie being 20,000, and of Indian River 3,000.t The river descends 480 feet between Carthage and the lake, giving a power equal to 135,360 horses, working eight hours a day. In this distance, at the present time,*lbe water passes over thirteen dams, at none of which the entire amount of water is used; and at mcwt of them but a very small portion is employed. Although Indian River, and iseveral of its tributaries, and the two branches of Sandy Creek, and other streams of less note, afford at many points eligible sites for hydraulic purposes, yet their aggregate is far below that afforded by Black River, which, at a future time, will doubtless be improved to an extent infinitely surpassing the most sanguine anticipations of the present age. This river has proved somewhat subject to floods, which requires the exercise of care in locating buildings upon its banks; but from its bed being generally rock, ample meaas are available for the security of dams which have been seldom or never swept off. From the extent and number of the lakes tnat exist near the sources of this river, and its tributaries, in the primary region of Levris and Herkimer counties, no apprehension need be felt that the opposite extreme of drouth will necessarily occur in future, for, by constructing dams and sluices at the outlets of these lakes, they may be cheaply converted into immense reservoirs to retain the spring floods resulting from the melting of winter snows, and equalize the discharge through the dr nson; thus serving the double purpose of preventing excf freshets, or extreme drouth. The greatest freshet known, occurred in the spring of 1807, from the melting of spring snows. In 1SI8, in May, 1833, in 1839, 1841, and 1843, were heavy spring floods. Lake Ontario has makiy features in its geology of engaging interest. Its length is 172 miles, and greatest breadth 5?f miles. According to the chart of Captain A. Ford, U. S. N., its greatest depth is 95 fathoms, and its elevation above tide bemg but 234 feet,^ it would still be a lake, if the outlet was deepened so as to allow the tide to flow up to it. The east end of the lake is, to some extent, bordered by low sand hills, behind which, are marshes; the south shore is moderately elevated, the north and north-west more elevated, and much of the way rocky. Its wa- ters are subject to changes of level, that occupy several years, but appear to be governed by no other causes than the unequal sup- ply from tributaries. Low water is said to have occurred in * Report of Bluk River Canal exter.«ion, Auetn. Doc, 1840, No. 933, p. 36, 40. tlb. p. 36. X On Burr^ Sute Map, the height of the lake ii itated to be S34 feet} the Canadian rail road lunreys give S381 fe«t. Lake Ridgea. 649 1803, 1804, 1808 to 1811; 1822 to 1828; 1844 to 18cO. High water is mentioned in 1798, 1805 to 1807; 1812 to 1819; 1829 to 1831; 1837 to 1839; 1852, 1853. Middling height in 1820, 1821, 1832 to 1836; 1840, 1841, 1851. The change of level is about five feet. Charlevoix, in 1721, noticed a periodical flux and reflux of the lake, recurring at intervals of a few minutes, and by him ascribed to springs at the bottom of the lake, and the shock of rivers discharging into it. This flow is probably caused by the prevalence of distant winds, that at times create a swell at one end of the lake when it is calm at the other. It is further noticed, that long prevailing gales from the west, from the friction upon the surface, cause the waters to rise several feet at the east end. It was from a similar cause, that a serious inundation occurred on Lake £rie, at Buffalo, in the fall of 1844. Water spouts have been often seen on the lake, usually in the summer or fall, and in showery 6ckle weather. They are ac- companied by black clouds and a roaring sound. When they strike the land, they prove to be tornadoes, tearing up the trees and strewing their track with ruin. The mirage is a phenomenon, frequent in bright, sunny weather in summer and fall, elevating distant objects by refraction, and bringing ^hem nearer. Some remarkable instances have been noticed. The most common form of this illusion, consists in raising distant objects a little into the air, the sky seeming to extend under them. That the lake once flowed over a large portion of the county, at a very recent geological period, is proved by the elevated lake ridges, which extend from Oswego County, through Ellisburgh, Adams, Watertown, and Rutland. Mr. William Dewey, in sur- veying the rail road route, in 1836, thus mentions them: "We found the summit of the highest ridge to be about 400 feet [more exactly 390 feel] above Lake Ontario.* Its formation oftiers a curious subject for geological investigation. It is remarkably uniform, and is supposed, in past ages, to have constituted the shores of some great inland sea, whose surface lay far above those mighty forests and fertile plains that now form some of the rich- est portions of our state. Frequently, three or four successive ridges are plainly developed, varying in level from fifteen to twenty feet. * * * In the course of our explorations, from possess- ing a knowledge of their elevation, these ridges were a sure guide to determine the relative heights of different points that occurred on the route. A more beautiful site for the location of P- tha ^The author is indebted to C. inqairiea. 35 y. R. Horton, of Chaumont, for theao / 650 Lake Ridges. — Queries. v' a rail road could not be desired, than the summit of these ridgis, vrere not the uniformity of their course frequently broken by sharp angles, and interrupted at intervals by deep gullies, caused by the action of small streams carrying away the very light ma- terial of which they are composed. The slope from the ridges, in many places, is regular and gradual, until the elevation is re- duced to 300 feet above the lalce, when it becomes broken and unsuitable for our purpose. This ridge, we found to extend on the line of our survey about thirty miles from the point where we were first enabled to avail ourselves of its advantage." Along the brow of the first hill, in going east from Watertown, this ridge is cut through in making the plank road, and the beach, with its piles of bowlders below it, may be traced each way from this place very easily. Along the side of the slope of limestone rock, which approaches Black River, below the village of Lockport, may be seen, plainly marked, the traces of an ancient beach, at two or three different levels. The lime- stone must here have formed a bold shore to the lake. A curious occurrence of red cedar timber on a small hill in Pamelia, about three miles north of Watertown, was mentioned to the author by Mr. John Felt, who ingeniously suggested that, as the margin of the hill was a bed of smooth gravel, and as this timber occurs on islands in the lake, and almost nowhere else in the country, that this spot might then have been an island. Endless speculations might be made on the extent of this form- er lake, and the causes that have wrought the ^change. The subject is too extended for our discussion ; but the following ques- tions at once arise, and would need to be first settled. Rome is on a summit, from whence the waters flow by Wood Creel' and the Mohawk, in opposite directions. It is but thirty-two feet higher than Watertown. The lake ridges are 232 feet above Water- town. Queries. Did the lake then flow through the Mohawk Valley? Did it then cover the country down to the Noses, on the Mohawk, and the highlands of Quebec? Earthquakes have several times occurred in this section of the country. One is recorded in Canada, February 6, 1663, and is related as most terrific and awful. The ice in the St. Lawrence was broken up, the earth was violently shaken, houses thrown down, and such was the tumult of the elements, that many be- lieved that the end of the world was coming. Several times, since the settlement of the country, slight shocks have been felt. On the 12th of March, 1853, at 2 o'clock a. m., a shock occurred that was felt in Lewis and parts of Jefferson Counties. It com- menced with a rumbling sound that lasted about a minute and a half, and was attended with a deep rolling thunder. It is credi- bly related that, in Champion, the snow, then covered by a strong crust, was found broken into fissures by the movement FaUey*. — Dri/i Agencies. 551 If the id is lence own be- lli) es, felt, itrred :ora- [nd a Iredi- Irong Several remarkable valleys occur in the county, that must be attributed to causes that have long since ceased to operate. That of Rutland Hollow, parallel with Black River, has been no- ticed.* It is continued across the towns of Watertown, Hounds- field and Henderson, by way of Smithville, to the lake, having both of its sides composed of Trenton limestone. It >' probable that it was formed by the same agencies that have removed the Trenton from over the lower limestones, north of Black River; transported vast quantities of loose materials from the distant primary regions, and deposited them as bowlders, gravel, hard- pan, sand and clays, promiscuously over the other formations. The surface rock, where of sufficient hardness to resist decay, or where protected by superficial deposits, often presents a po- lished and grooved appearance, and at no locality is this more wonderfully shown, than at the rail road bridge, below Water- town Village. The grooves are here widened and deepened into troughs, that obliquely cross he bed of the riveij^ having their surfaces polished and scratched, showing that the rock was then as firm and unyielding as now. These furrows are from one to three feet deep, and from five to ten feet wide. Mineral Localities. Anthracite has been observed in minute quantities, glazing the surface and lining the cavities of fossils in the Trenton lime- stone at Watertown. In minute quantites and thin seams it has also been noticed in Utica slate, in the south-western border of the county. Apatite (phosphate of lime) is rarely found in small crystals near Ox Bow, in white limestone, with pargasite, &c. On But- terfield Lake it occurs massive. It is also found near Grass Lake, in Theresa. A most remarkable locality of this mineral occurs in Rossie, near this lake. When in quantity, it is prized as a fertilizing agent, being in chemical composition analagous to burnt bones. It is also used in assaying gold and silver. Azurite (blue carb. copper) occurs with the green carbonate (coating copper pyrites and staining other minerals) on an island in Muscalunge Lake, Theresa. Ca/a7e (carbonate of lime), besides forming a principal constit- uent of white and secondary limestone, occurs often crystalized in groups of great beauty, at Ox Bow, and on the banks of Vrooman Lake. Huge crystals, some nearly transparent and tinged of a delicate pink, were found on the farm of Mr. Benton, many years since, and the locality here still affords many inte- resting forms. This mineral, crystalized, is common throughout the district of the white limestone, usually occupying cavities in the rock; and it has been observed that those of the same locality, present striking points of resemblance in modification. * See a notice of thit valley on page 240. "Tfivn»rff.»ffipT5'.--i*i?*t?i J- 5513 Mineral Localitie». Veins of \rhite spar are common in fossil iferous limestones, and the cavities of fossils are very often lined ^vith crystals. It occurs also in minute veins in shale. Tufa is found in a few limestone springs, and agaric mineral abounds in the caves in Pamelia, opposite Watertown. Marl occurs in Pleasant Lake, Champion. Satin spar occurs near Ox Bow, not far from Pulpit Rock. Celestine (sulphate of strontia) is said to occur in Trenton limestone, in disseminated nodules. The quantity must be small, and its existence is somewhat uncertain. Chakodite. Under this name has been described, by Professor C. U. Shepard, of New Haven,* a mineral which had previously been considered cacoxene.f It occurs in minue globular and stellar groups, on surfaces of specular iron ore, of a yellow color, fibrouL texture, and so slightly coherent as to be easily broken by contact vith a solid body. Surfaces covered with this mineral are frequently obtained at the Sterling iron mine, in Antwerp, at which locality alone, in this section of the state, it has been found. It Is interesting for its rarity more than its splendor. Sometimes it occurs of a delicate green and brown color. Chondrodite has been observed in small quantities, with spi- nel, in Antwerp. Chlorite has been detected in bowlders, but is not common. Copper pyrites has been found at several localities in Ant- werp, adjacent to Vrooman Lake, and near the Ox Bow, and ..so about three miles from Natural Bridge, in Wilna, where it , as wrought to some extent, late in the lall of 1847, by a Bos- ton company. It was examined chemically by Professor C. T. Jackson, of Boston, and is said to have yielded a small per cent- age of tin. Besides this, it was mixed with iron pyrites to a considerable extent. This mineral has not hitherto been found in sufficient quantities to pay the cost of mining in this section of the state. Dolomite occurs often disseminated in white limestone, where, from its ability to resist solution, it remains in relief upon the weathered surface, in prominent masses. Pearl spar is found at Ox Bow, coating crystals of calcite. Ankerite has been attrib- uted to the iron mines of this county, but we have never been able to distinguish it from spathic iron. Epidote, in granular masses, disseminated in bowlders of green stone, is of frequent occurrence. It has not been found in situ in the county. Feldspar (orthoclase), besides forming a common ingredient in gneiss, often occurs, highly crystalized, in Antwerp, and The- * Proceedings of American Association, Albany, 1851, p. 232. t N. Y. Geological Rep., 1840, p. 110. Dr. Beck's Min. Rep., p. 403. Dana^s Mineralogy, 3d ed., p. 232, ^c. Mineral Locaiitiea. 553 m resa, near Grass Lake, &c. Porphyry occurs in bowlders and trap, and greenstone both in bowlders and dikes. The latter occur with peculiar interest and variety in Antwerp, between Vrooraan and Muscalunge lakes. Dikes, of great width, are ob- served in the neighboring town ot'Rossie. Fluor Spar. The most remarkable locality of this mineral in the state was discovered about fifteen years since, on the east bank of Muscalunge Lake, in Theresa, in a vein of considerable width, with calcite, and heavy spar. Cubic crystals, a foot in di- ameter, quite transparent and Yielding by cleavage an octahedron, were procured here. The larger specimens were commonly rough externally, but the smaller ones were smooth and transpa- rent, and groups of these crystals of great beauty and interest were procured. The locality was purchased with the view of working it as a flux, but nothing was done in this line, and good specimens can now only be procured with much labor, expense and danger. The color of the mineral here was generally pale green and sometimes deep erccn. With heavy spar, in Adams, green crystals occur of small size, and it is more abundantly diffused in a massive state. Rarely, cavities in fossils in the Trenton limestone, are lined with small crystals of this mineral. Garnet is common in bowlders, but does not here occur else- where. Graphite (black lead) occurs in minute scales, to a small ex- tent, in the white limestone of Antwerp. Heavy spar (sulphate of barytes). One of the most interest- ing localities of this mineral in the state, occurs on Pillar Point, in Brownville, on the shore facing Chaurao^i' Bay and Cherry Island. It occupies a vein in Trenton limt.''; ii8, from one to two feet thick, and is chiefly interesting for the delicate alterna- tions of color, in zones and bands, which become apparent upon the polished surface. It has been wrought to a considerable extent as a material for lithic paint, but has lately been purchased from its supposed importance in indicating the existence of metallic ores, although none have hitherto been observed in its vicinity. In Antwerp, about a mile east from the ^ Bow, on the farm of Robert Dean, occurs an interesting localiiy of this mineral, in a cavity or vein of white limestone. From the great abundance of vermicular cavities and pores, it is very light, and the cavi- ties often present globular surfaces, studded with crystals. From the presence of iron, the mineral is much stained with the yellow oxyde of that metal; but where it has not been exposed to the weather, it is sometimes white. No metallic associates have been noticed here. In the town of Theresa, an interesting locality of highly ^-f^ 554 Mineral Localitie*. crystalinc heavy 5pnr, which has been suspected to contain stron- tia, occurs. Be'^utiful specimens have been obtained here. The banks of Muskelunge Lake aiford small but elegant crystals. In Adams, near the north border, and about two miles north-west from Adams Centre depot, on the farms of Calvin Warrener, H. Colton and others, is a very remarkable locality of this mineral. A ragged and very irregular vein has here been traced more than a mile, nearly east and west, in a hill of Trenton limestone, that rises on three sides to a commandint;; height, and overlooks the country north and west to a great distance. About eight years since, it came to the notice of a paint manufacturing com- pany in Brownville, and about fifty tons have been removed for that purpose, on a ten years lease, giving fifty cents per perch, tribute. A perch weighs two tons, and when prepared, makes 52,5UU pounds of paint. The mineral in Adams is much mingled with the limestone, through which it sends thin veins, and de- tached masses of the latter frequently occur imbedded. Its struc- ture is compact, color white or flesh colored, and inclined to as- sume the peculiar waved and contorted appearance, common at the Pillar Point locality. Cavities are of frequent occurrence, which are usually lined with faces of minute bladed crystals, and it is associated sparingly with calcite, but more commonly with fluorspar disseminated through it, and often cryslalized. Heavy spar has been extensively used at Brownville, to adulterate white lead. It is prepared by crushing, washing, steaming in zinc vats with sulphuric acid, again washing, and grinding in a stone mill in water, till it can be strained through a fine bolting cloth, when it is dried and ground in oil with white lead. This manu- facture has been abandoned, and will not probably be resumed. Hornblende. Besides being a common constituent of gneiss, nu- merous varieties of this rock occur in bowlders and rocky strata, among which arc the following: Amphibole (basaltic horn- blende) is found in bowlders in crystals, firmly imbedded in trap and green stone. Tremolite is found in bowlders of white lime- stone, and, occasionally, in small quantities in Antwerp and in AVilna, near Nalural Bridge. Diallage is rarely found in bowl- ders of chloritic slate. Pargasite, in beautiful green crystals, occurs in white limestone at numerous localities near Ox Bow, and in a neighborhood known as New Connecticut, in Antwerp, near the Ox Bow. It is commonly found with apatite, crystal- ized feldspar and sphene. The crystals are small, but usually well defined, and so:netimes occur in radiating clusters. Ami- anthus and Ashestus are found in minute quantities in bowlders of serpentine. The latter also occurs half a mile from Theresa Village. Besides these varieties, hornblende is found in bowlders, coarsely crystaline, slaty, and compact, and of the latter a vari- Mineral Localitie», 666 I- W, •P» cty containing grains of garr.et is extremely tough. Ttiis min- eral does not of itself occur in rocky masses in our county, and the source iroin whence these bowlders are derived must be distant. Idocrase^ in small brown crystals, occurs occasionally on the banks of Vrooman Lake, near Ox Bow. It has been found in larger crystals, in bowlders, in Antwerp. Iron Pyrites (sulphurct of iron) occurs in the iron mines of Antwerp, in Wilna, Theresa, Alexandria, and more rarely in thin veins and grains in Trtnton limestone. Its most inter- esting form is seen in Utica su.e, where it is found replacing the substance of organic remains, which, when first removeo, possess the lustre and color of brass, but soon decompose in the air. From the character of our gei .ogy, this mineral can scarcely be expected to occur in profitable quantities for the manufacture of copperas, alum or soda ash, in the county. From its golden splendor, it has often been mistaken for that metal. It has been found in veins of spar, in Trenton limestone, in nodules with a radiating fibrous texture. This is the mundic of Cornish miners. Labradoriie (opalescent feldspar) is occasionally found in bowlders, but less commonly than in St. Lawrence county. Limonite. Bog iron ores are common in swamps in Wilna, and aiijacent to the river above, where they have been exten- sively used in making iron. They occur in the form of an earthy loam, coarse granules, and solid masses, the latter often containing the forms of roots and leaves, which have had their substance replaced by this ore. In some instances, this ore will become replaced, when exhausted, by a fresh deposit from springs. Ochre occurs in Champion and other towns, in small quantities. Magnetite- Magnetic iron ore, in crystaline blades, dissemi- nated in gneiss, has been observed in the town of Alexandria, in sufflcient abundance to lead to the belief that it might be wrought with profit. It is a common ingredient in that rock, and its disintegration affords the black magnetic writing sand, frequently met with on the banks of rivers and lakes. When abundant, this is one of the most valuable ores of iron. The primative region of Alexandria and Wilna may perhaps be found to contain it in profitable quantities. Malachite (green carbonate of copper) is found in small quan- tities, investing other minerals, at Muscalunge Lake, Theresa. Milterite{su]phuTet of nickel) was first noticed by the author [American Journal of Science, 2d series, vol. ix., *287], in 1848, at the Sterling iron mine, in Antwerp, occurring in delicate needle-shaped prisms, in cavities of iron ore, associated with 666 Mineral Localities. spathic iron, chalcodite, nnd iron pyrites. This delicate and very rare mineral is crystalized in hexasonal prisms, the largest of which are one sixtieth of an inch in diameter, and about half an inch long, usually radiating from a central point in tuits, like the down of the thistle, and it has the color and splendor of gold. Sometimes both ends are attached, but more commonly one end is free, and by successive diminutions, becomes ex- cessively attenuated and very flexible. Muscovite (mica) occurs rarely in bowlders of granite. JVopthia? While excavating the wheel pits of the Jeflerson cotton mills at Watertown, the limestone was found in one place to contain in a cavity about a gill of a yellowish oily fluid, which emitted a strong bituminous odor, and burned freely. Other in- stances have been mentioned, but on uncertain authority, and in no case has an opportunity occurred of applying decisive tests. Phlogopite. This mica occurs frequently in the white lime- stone, but not in sufficient quantity or in plates of a size that give it interest or value. It is found on an island in Mill Seat Lake, in small quantities and at a few localities near Ox Bow. At Vrooman Lake a highly crystalized variety occurs, in which sharply defined prisms and groups of crystals are found in great abundance. When these crystals are cleaved, the plates pre- sent, by transmitted light, a dove brown color, but they are sel- dom found transparent, of any considerable size. By some strange accident, the town of Henderson has been often quoted as a locality of mica. None can occur here, as it is entirely un- derlaid by Trenton limestone. The white limestone is seldom found in quantity without containing this mineral. "^Pyroxene, is common in our primitive rocks. On Grass lake, in Theresa it is found white and crystalized, in groups. Near Ox Bow, it has been found in small quantities and near Natural Bridge, in large black crystals, with sphene &c., Coccolite oc- curs in the same vicinity imbedded in Wollastonite, and rarely in bowlders. Quartz. This abundant mineral, besides forming the greatest proportion of primary rock, and almost the sole material of sand- stone, is rarely found crystalized. On Butterfield lake, and at several localities in Antwerp, it is found in crystals. At Natural Bridge, chalcedony, occurs in nodules in white limestone. Flint is a common associate of the Black River limestone. Agate in small quantities is found in Wilna, near Natural Bridge. Jasper and basanite, are very rarely found as pebbles in the drift form- ations. Scapnlile is rarely found in detached crystals, imbedded in white limestone, in Antwerp. Adjacent to, nnd perhaps within, the town of Wilna, near Natural Bridge, the variety J^uttalliUf Mineral Localitiet. 657 est kl- at ral Snt in per Im- in I'm, itef in fused crystals of a pearly gray color,occurs with pyroxene and sphene. It is sometimes massive, and admits of cleava(j;e. A mineral named terenitey by Professor Kinmons,* and by him at- tributed to Antwerp, is since considered but a variety of scapolile. We are not aware as it has been found by any one but himself. It was said to be associated with calcite and foliated graphite, in a vein of white limestone. Serpentine is of frequent occurrence in nodules, in white lime- stone, in Antwerp, but it is far less abundant than in St. Law- rence County. It is various shades of green, and its weathered surface becomes white. It has not hitherto been found in this county of sutKcient quantity and quality to be of economical value, and it is chiefly interesting from thecrystaline form wliich it sometimes assumes. It is said to thus occurf two miles south- vrest of Ox Bow, but we have not been able to learn the precise locality. A mineral allied to this, and named by Profe^oor Em- mons Rensselaerite,\ but by later authors considered steatitic pseudoroorph, occurs in great abundance in Antwerp and The- resa, where it assumes colors varying from white, through gray, to black, and a texture from finely granular to coarsely cryst al- ine and cleavable. It has been made into inkstands and other ornaments, and from the ease with which it may be wrought, and the facility with which it receives a polish, it has been thought that it would prove available as an ornamental marble. An ex- tensive locality of the jet black and tine-grained variety, occurs on Butlerfield lake, and a cc^oariy was a few years since about to be formed for working it, out the projector having been acci- dentally drowned, nothing further was done. It is doubtful whether, from its softness, this mineral could be turned to a val- uable account as a marble. It is seldom that there occurs so wide a range of color and texture as in this mineral. It some- times is crystalized in forms imitative of scapolite, serpentine, &c.^ It was denominated by Professor Beck steatitic pyroxene^ from its hardness being like one, and its cleavage and crystaliza- tion like the other. Specular Iron. — The red oxyde of iron constitutes the princi- pal ore of this metal in Antwerp, Philadelphia and Theresa, and may be said to be the principal ore of northern New York. In geological situation it is intermediate between the primary and Potsdam sandstone, wherever noticed in the county, and is invariably associated with a brittle, variegated mineral, which has been n^^ed dysyntribite,** but which recent analysesff indi- * Assembly Doc, 1837, No. 161, p. 154. t Beck's Mineralogy of N. Y., p. 274. t Assem. 1837, No. 161, p. 154. 4 Beck's Mm. N. Y., 277, p. 397. ♦* Report of the American Asso- ciation forthe Advancement of Sci- ence, vol. iv, p. 311. tt American Journal of Science, Sd ur., xvi, p. 50. 658 Mineral Localities. cate to be a rock of indefinite composition, closely related to agalmatolite, and varying much in its proportions of alumina, magnesia, lime, and the alkalies. In the geological report of Professor Emmons,* it is named serpentine. It has usually seams, which, when fractured, present a smooth, glazed and striated surface, as is often seen in coal shales, as if the mass had been slipped under heavy pressure. In some form or other, this mineral is associated with the ore in every locality where the lat- ter has been noticed in this county, St. Lawrence and Lewis, as if it were a necessary associate, and sometimes in such quantities, as. to displace the ore, to theserious loss of the miners who have to re- move large masses of it. Besides this nondescript mineral, specular ore is associated with calcite, spathic iron, chalcoditc, quartz, Millerite, and, more rarely, heavy spar. In richness, it varies from ten to fifty per cent, in the large way, and it is seldom found to work well in the furnace, requiring a mixture of bog ores or limestone, or of ores of different quality, to reduce with the greatest advantage. At each mme, there is a peculiarity of structure and association that enables one accustomed to ores to distinguish them from the others, with facility- In Theresa, this ore was procured during the working of the furnace near Red- wood in considerable quantity. It has been found on an island in Muskelunge lake with heavy spar and green and blue mala- chite but too much mingled with iron pyrites to be useful. In the edge of Philadelphia, adjoining Theresa, and on farms owned by Loren Fuller and Abial Shurlliff, there occurs a body of specular iron ore between the gneiss and Potsdam sandstone, which has been used to the extent of several hundred tons at Carthage, Antwerp, Redwood and Sterlingville. When wrought alone, it makes an iron known to founders as cold short, and from its mixture with lime, is found to be very useful as a flux in assisting in the reduction of other ores. It occurs of a reddish brown color and shaly texture and is associated with calcite in botryoidal concretions, rarely with crystals of sulphate of barytes and abundantly with the serpentine looking mineral. These mines have been traced a considerable distance but have been only partially wrought, the first operations having commenced about 1838. A tribute of 50 cents per ton is paid for the privi- hge of working these mines and the ores are drawn to Sterling- ville, 7 miles, for an average price of 75 cents, to Carthage, 17 miles, for $2, and to Antwerp, 10 miles, for $1 per ton. It is now pricipally used as a flux to the ore of the Sterling mine. The mines which have been wrought with most profit in northern New York, are, the Kearney mine in the extreme south- west corner of Gouverneur, and the mines of George Parish adja- * Geology, 2d DisUict, p. 378, f c. Mineral Localitiett. 559 }een icetl rivi- inc;- 17 [t is It in luth- Idja- cent, in Rossie.* In this same range, about a mile distant and quarter of a mile from the county line, in Antwerp, and but a short distance from the line of the Potsdam and Watertown Rail Road, there was discovered in 1837, a deposit of iron ore, which has been wrought by Mr. Parish with much profit. It is the only mine of the specular ore in northern New York in which the excavations have been continued beyond the light of day, ren- dering lamps necessary. As the ore descends obliquely, the overhanging masses of rock are supported by huge masses of ore left as pillars at suitable intervals. The mine has been drained by an adit, and the thickness of the stratum at right angles to its plane varies from six to thirty feet. Several attempts have been made to reach the ore by sinking shafts, but hitherto without success, and it is row raised by being drawn up an inclined Elain by a rude hi'"';e power. No minerals of interest have itherto been found at this iron mine. The ore has proved of an excellent .quality, and has been exclusively used at the Rossie Iron Works. The sandstone here presents a brecciated appear- ance, which the author has no where else observed, and is con- siderably stained with iron. Adjacent to, and forming a part of this, is the Thompson mine, on the farm of Hiram Keene, where ore was observed before it had been detected on the adjoininjj Premises. Not being covered by a mineral reserve, this mine ecame the property of Mr. Keene who sold his right to other parties, and it subsequently became a subject of litigation in the county courts under the belief that it was worthless. In 1849 about 1000 tons had been taken from it. The mine dips at an angle of about 45^ below the sandstone. The ore is of a good quality and has been worked both in furnaces and for- ges'. The most extensive iron mine now worked in the county is called the Sterling Mine, from its owner James Sterling, in the same range and geological relation as the lasit. It was dis- covered about 1836, and mining operations were soon after com- menced and have been since continued with but little interrup- tion, principally for supplying the furnaces at Sterlingville and near Antwerp. Lately it has been taken to Louisburgh and these three furnaces are now principally supplied by this mine. It forms an island in a swnmp about halfway between Antwerp and Somerville and a quarter of a mile east of the plank road. On the east, the swamp is bordered by a ledge of gneiss and on the west by Potsdam sandstone, and the mine furnishes a greater variety of minerals of scientific interest than any other in this section of the state. We have not been able to procure reliable statistics of the amount of ore produced by this mine. Half a mile further south there was opened by Mr. Parish the * History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Countiei, p. 683. 560 Mineral Localities. White ore bed on the premises of Mr. Guy White, in August, 1848. It had been observed five or six years previous on the eastern and southern end of a knoll capped with sandstone and in the immediate vicinity of gneis rock. About 150 perch of ore had been raised in October, 1848. It has since been ■wrought for the furnace of Messrs. Skinner and Blish at Wegat- chie. No mineral associates of interest have been observed here. About a mile from the village of Antwerp and in a relation cor- responding with the others, there has been opened within the last year still another mine, on the land of Mr. Ward, but it has not been sufficiently explored to afford a knowledge of its extent or value. There are thus seven or eight mines in a range includ- ing those in Philadelphit; apparently coeval in age and pro- duced by a common cause, and it is in the highest degree proba- ble that there will hereafter be opened other mines in this region of equal if not superior interest. About two miles from Ox Bow, in Antwerp, and near the plank road to Evans' Mills occurs the Weeks' ore bed, belonging to Mr. Parish. It has been princi- pally used at Rossie as a flux and is considered of but little rich- ness by itself. It has no mineral associates of interest, is of a dull red color and slaty texture, resembling the ore of Philadel- phia. Sphene (scilecio-calcareousoxyde of titanium) is found in white limestone with pargasite, in Antwerp, near Ox Bow. It is of a pale red color, and in minute quantities. It also occurs in large, iinely-fornxed and sharply-defined crystals, near Natural Bridge. In Diana, near the county line, occurs one of the finest localities of this mineral known. It has been defined as Ledererite, but is considered but a variety of this mineral. Spinel, of a pale red color, and crystals sometimes half an inch in diameter, but usually much smaller, has been observed at Vrooman Lake, near Ox Bow, and four miles from that place towards Theresa. It is imbedded in white limestone, and accom- panied with chondrodite in small quantities. This mineral re- sembles, in many respects, the ruby and saphire. Talc is sometimes noticed in bowlders in small quantities. Tourmaline is occasionally found in gneiss, in Antwerp and Theresa, and is found occasionally in bowlders; but the finest locality in northern New York exists on Bald Island, about three miles from Alexandria Bay, where it exists in huge striat- ed prisms, in such quantities as to convey the belief that it would lead to cOal, and induced the commencement of mining operations, under circumstances that the slightest acquaintance with geology would have discountenanced. This affords but one instance among many, of the utility of this science in directing exnendituips for minintr in the ritrht channel, and in preventing an outlay for the attainment of impossibilitieB. I li Meteorological Observations. 561 ting Iting Wad (earthy manganese) has been noticed in swamps, in Watertown and elsewhere. Wollastonite (tabular spar) occurs with angite and coccolite, at Natural Bridge. Delicate fibrous varieties have been found in bowlders in VVilna. Meteorological observations were made at the academy in Belleville during the years 1830-31-33-34-35-36-42-43-44, in pursuance of the requisition of the Regents of the University, and these returns of nine-years constitute the only observations of the kind we possess in the county. They gave the following results: MONTHS. January, February,.. ■ March, April, May, June July August September,. . October, November,. . December, . , Mean, iX.ln 16.04 THERMOMETER. 2.5. lU 19. 5(- ao.oo 4(!.U(i 55 01 (i3.3(i 08.15 1)0.5!- G3.0£ :)l.5! 41. Ot- •JO. I( •W.31 27.97 30.24 50.01 38.88 'iO.OO 71.15 05.80 10.44 16.37 ia.74 i5.08 98 —28 -34 —22 14 2 2S 3! 3( 1! K — 1 — 3( -3' 87 92 94 04 05 72 59 08 71 04 00 92 134 BBSULTANT OF WINDS. 8. 810 10' W. .S.51 10 W S. 53 38 W. S.49 09 W. S.51 00 W. S.59 03 W. S.OO 41 W. S. 74 27 W. S 53 36 W. S.5S 58 W, S. 64 44 W, S.45 J5 W 8 WEATHER, MEAN RES. 6.05 4.47 8.31 7.52 11.19 13.5:) 10. •?2 9.52 5.75 7.83 4.5! 4.40 S.59''05,W.| 20 I 7. Of 10 11 13.0018.00 12.17 16.05 14.50 10.50 17.11 12.M) 18.5013.50 19. iin 10.44 2-J.7ft 8.92 10.0511.95 15. ;0 14.50 13.8917.11 8.28 21.7; 9.22 21.76 1.99 1.83 1.'48 1.96 2.45 2.48 3.90 2.60 4.02 4.0(1 2.80 2 12 15.9115.14 2.55 22.99 12 17.83 16.46 13 36 10.85 12.03 22.28 26.66 23.40 31). 20 30.02 25.74 19.08 Highest degree, July 10, 1834, and August 5, 1839, 98". Lowest degree, December 16, 1835, 35". Extreme range in nine years, 133». Mean monthly range,, 744". Greniest monilily range, in March. Least monthly range, in July. Drient month, March. AVetlvat month September. Total fall of raiu and si\ow in nine years, 22 feet, 11.90 inches. EXPLANATIONS. 1, Mean temperature, 1st hnlf. 2, « " 2d half. 3, Highest degree observed. 4, Lowest " " 5, Extreme range. 6, Mean direction of winds. 7, Percentage of this direction. 8, Dnys,-mean direction. 9, Clear days. 10, Cloudy days. 11, Itain gage,-tnonth]y mean. 12, Total ttiJI o( rain and snow, in inches. This station is situated in the valley of North Sandy Creek; the surrounding country is undulating, with no high hills, and is but little sheltered from the winds of the lake, which probably influence its temperature and other features of its climate. The memorable tornado of September 20, 1845, which swept through the great forest of St. Lawrence, Franklin & Clinton coun- ties, originated in the town of Antwerp, but did not begin to do much execution till it entered the town of Fowler.* On the 9th of September previous, a tornado of less extent, having a parallel course, passed over Lewis county. The great tornado was at- tendet. by an earthquake on the north shore of lake Ontario. * See History of St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, p. 698. • g V tc ai to ca th so ou Ih an Til n th( the for the lre( the Appendix. 563 APPENDIX. Page 23. LETTER OF CHARLEVOIX. Father Charlevoix, a Jesuit, who in 1720 and 1721 visited the North American French colonies by order of the king of France, addressed the following letter to the duchess de Lesdiguieres, from Hungry Bay. It possesses interest from its conveying a knowledge of our border a century and a third ago. We have translated what relates to the journey.* Bay of Famine, I6th May, 1721. "Madame: Here am I, detained by a contrary wind, which may continue a long time, and keep me more than a day, in one of the worst places in the world. I therefore attempt to keep off ennui by writing to you. There are passing here constantly great armies of pigeons, which we name turtles; if jne of them would take charge of my letters you might know perhaps the news, befr-e I can get away; but the savages have no aversion to dressing these birds for food, as do the Arabs and many other people. 1 embarked on the 141 h, at precisely the same hour that I had arrived at the town of Catarocoui. I had but six leagus to go, to gain the Isle aux Chevreuils, where there is a fine port, which can receive large barques; but my Canadians had not visited their canoe, of which the sun had melted the pitch in many places, 80 that it let in water at all points, and we were compelled to lose nearly two hours for repairs, in one of the islands at the outlet of lake Ontario. We sailed thence at ten o'clock in the morning, without being able to reach Isle au Chevreuil, and were forced to spend the night very unpleasantly. I noticed here, for the first time, the vines in the woods. There were also small lizards, that climb to the tops of the trees. I have not made this remark because they are only observed in these places, for I am told they occur as far as Mexico. The vines have a very large stock, and bear many grapes; but ■the berries are very small, and not much larger than a pea, and for this reason it is not worth tilling and cultivating. When ripe, they are eaten by the bears, who seek them on the highest trees. As for the birds, they would soon perform the vintage of the whole forest. ■^Kistoirs de la Nouvelle Fraaee, 4to, F«ri», i. iii, p. 204. 664 Appendix. I left yesterday at an early hour, and at eleven in the morning stopped at the Galloo Islands, three leagues from Deer Island, at 43^ degrees of latitude. I re-embaiked a little after noon, and accomplished a voyage of a league and a half, to reach Poi7it de la Traverse; if 1 had coasted along the main land to this place, from that where I passed the night, I should have had more than forty leagues to make, and should have been obliged to t^ke this course had not the lake been calm; for when it is agitated, the waves are as great as on the open sea. It is not even possible to coast along when the wind is blowing off shore. From the point of Galloo Islands, we can see to the west the river Chouguen, otherwise called the river of the Ononta- gue, which is distant fourteen leagues. As the lake was tranquil, with no appearance of foul weather, and a gentle breeze from the east was blowing, that barely filled our sail, I resolved to steer direct for this river with the view of saving fifteen or twenty leagues of circuit. My aittendants, more experienced than 1, deemed the attempt hazardous, but from complaisance yielded to my advice. The beauty of the country, which was passing on my left, did not tempt me any more than the salmon and quantities of other excellent fish, which they take in six fine rivers, which are two or three leagues from one another. We steered off then large, and in four hours found ourselves in a place we repented; for the wind arose suddenly, and we heartily wished ourselves near the shore. We turned towards the nearest, from which we were still three leagues distant, and had much difficulty in reaching it. At length, at seven o'clock in the evening, we landed in the Bay of Famine, thus named from the Marc uis de la Barre, the governor general cf New France, losing nearly all his army, by hunger and sickness, in going to war with the Iroquois. It was high time that we landed, for the wind was very strong, and the waves so great, that we should not have dared to pass the Seine in Paris, opposite the Louvre, at such a time. In short, this place is very proper to destroy an army, who could only depend upon the chase, and upon fishing, for subsistence: besides which the air appears very unwholsome. But nothing is finer than the forests, which cover all the shores of the lake. The white and red oaks, tower almost to the clouds; there is also a tree of the largest class, of which the wood is hard but brittle, much resembling that of the plane tree, and of which the leaves have five angles, of the ordinary size, of a fine green above and whitish beneath. They give it the name of cotonnier* because in a little case not larger than an India chestnut there is contained a kind of cotton, but this is good for nothing. * Covered with down t evidently the Platanus oeddentalii, or button>wood. Appendix. 665 leen er* ere lood. In walking upon the shore of the lake, I noticed that it has sensibly receded here. It is noticed that in the space of half a league in breadth, the land is much more low and sandy than beyond. I have also noticed in this lake, and they assure me the same occurs in all the others, almost continually a kind of ebb and flow: the rocks which are near the bank are covered and exposed several times within a quarter of an hour, although the surface of the lake is very calm, and there is no wind. After some reflection, I imagine that this must come from springs that exist in the bottom ot the lakes, and from the shock of currents of rivers which enter from all sides and which cause the intermittent movements. But can you believe, madame, that at this season, and at the 43d degree of latitude, there are still no leaves on the trees, al- though we sometimes have as much heat as you have in July? This doubtless is because the earth has been covered with snow for many months, and has not yet been sufficiently warmed to open the pores of the roots, and cause the sap to rise. As for the rest, the Great and Little Famine scarcely deserve the name of rivers; these are mere brooks, especially the latter, yet they abound in fish. There are here eagles of prodigious size; my people destroyed the nest of one that made a cart load of slicks, and two ycung unfledged eagles which were as large as the largest turkey-hens. They ate ihem and found them very good. I return to Cataroqui, where, the night I spent there, I was a witness to a very curious spectacle. About ten or eleven o'clock at night, as I was about to retire, I heard a cry which they told me was the war-cry, and soon af- ter I saw a band of Missisagues enter the fort, singing. For some years, these savages have been constantly engaged in the war which the Iroquois have carried on with the Cherokees, a numerous people who inhabit a fine country south of Lake Erie, and from that time, their young men have had uncontrollable itching for war. Three or four of these braves, equipped as if for a masquerade, with faces painted, so as to inspire horror, and followed by all the savages who dwell around the fort, after having gone through all the cabins, singing their war songs, to the sound of Chickikoe (a kind of gourd containing little peb- bles), came to do the sarae thing in the apartments of the fort, in honor of the commandant and the officers. I acknowledge to you, madam, that this ceremony has in it something that inspires horror, when seen for the first time, and I had never before felt so sensibly as then, that I was among barbarians. Their songs are always dismal and gloomy, but here they were to the last degree horrid, occasioned, perhaps, only by the darkness of night, and the apparatus of their festival, 36 536 Appendix. k.i for such it is with the Indians. This invitation was to the Iroquois, who, finding the war with the Cherokees becoming tedious, required deliberation, and every one returned home. It seems, madam, that in these songs, they invoke the god of war, whom the Hurons call Jireskoui, and the Iroquois Jigreskoue. I do not know what name the Algonquins give him; but is it not a little remarkable that the Greek word Ap>]c (^re«), which is Mars, and the god of war in all those countries which follow the theology of Homer, should be the root from whence several terms which relate to war in the Huron and Iroquois languages seem to be derived? Jiregouen signifies to make war, and is thus conjugated: Jarego, 1 make war; Sarego, you make war; JiregOy he makes war. Moreover, Areskoui is not only the Mars of these people, he is also the sovereign of the gods, or, as they say, the Great Spirit, the creator and master of the world, the genius M'ho governs all things; but it is principally in military expedi- tions that they invoke him, as if the attribute that does him most honor was that of the god of armies. His name is the war-cry before combat, and in heat of engagement; in marching they often repeat it, as if fot* mutual encouragement and to implore his assistance. To raise the hatchet, is to declare war. Every person has the right to do it, and nothing can be said against him, unless it be among the Hurons and Iroquois, where the matrons command and prohibit war, as pleases them; we shall see how far their authority extends in these nations. But if a matron wishes to engage any one who does not depend on her, to raise a war party to appease the manes of her husband, son, or near relation, or to procure prisoners to replace those in her cabin, of whom death or captivity has deprived her, she must make him a present of a belt of wampum, which invitation is seldom ineffectual. * * * Page 58. JOSEPH BONAPARTE. The following, is the petition that procured the act of natural- ization of Count Survilliers. It is preserved in French and English, in the Assembly papers, vol. xii, pp. 37-41, Secretary's office: "To the Honorable, the Legislature of the State qfJVew York: Joseph Bonaparte, Count de Survilliers, respectfully repre- sents: That he arrived in the State of New York about ten years since, and having the desire to bring his family and fortune to the said state, he made engagements with some proprietors for the purchase of 100,000 acres of land: he paid the value of said lands, but could not obtain a title for them, as the existing laws were opposed to it. He had, therefore, to be contented with a ■«*' Appendix. 667 simple mortgage. Availing himself of a law promulgated at the same time by a neighboring state, in favor of aliens, he fixed his residence there, on lands which he was authorized to hold, leaving New York after having remained there more than twelve months. At this time, he is obliged by peculiar circumstances, either to sell his mortgage, or to become the proprietor of the land, and persisting in his desire to acquire property in the State of New York, and to spend there a part of the year, which he thinks can not fail to be beneficial to the numerous settlers already established on these lands, and increase their number, upon the consideration that a neighboring government rapidly increases its population by the encouragement given to aliens, and not be- ing of the number of those who would wish to abandon this land of hospitality, where the best rights of man prevail, but never- theless bound to his own country by duties which misfortune renders more sacred, and being unable, as many others have done, he avails himself of the law which offers him the honor- able and precious title of an American citizen; and presuming that he will find in the State of New York, the same condescen- sion and kindness he has met with in other states of the union, the subscriber prays the legislature will grant to him the right to possess and hold lauds in the State of New York. (Signed) Joseph Bonaparte, Count de Survilliers." Page 84. THE THOUSAND ISLANDS. Several of the early travelers describe, in romantic terms, the beauty of this group of islands; but no language is adequate to convey a just idea of the charming variety, that they prese n to the traveler. The following extract is from Weld's Journal (1799), and gives a truthful description, due allowance being made for the changes which cultivation and settlement have made: " About eight o'clock the next, and eighth morning of our voyage, we entered the last lake before you come to that of On- tario, called the Lake of a Thousand Islands, on account of the multiplicity of them which it contains. Many of these islands are scarcely larger than a bateau, and none of them, except such as are situated at the upper and lower extremities of the lake, appeared to me to contain more than fifteen English acres each. They are all covered with wood, even to the very smallest. The trees on these last are stunted in their growth, but the larger islands produce as fine timber as is to be found on the main shores of the lake. Many of these islands are situated so closely to- gether, that It would be easy to throw a pebble from one to the # 668 Appendix. other, notwithstanding' which circumstance, the passage between them is perfectly safe and comracKlious for bateaux, and between some of them that are even thus close to each other, is water sufficient for a frigate. The water is uncommonly clear, as it is in every part of tne river, from Lake St. Francis upwards: be- tween that lake and the Utawas River downwards, it is disco- lored, as I have before observetl, by passing over beds of marl. The shores of all these islands under our notice are rocky; most of them rise very boldly, and some exhibit perpendicular masses of rock towards the water, upwards of twenty feet high. The scenery presented to view in sailing between these islands is beautiful in the highest degree. Sometimes, after passing through a narrow strait, you fmd yourself in a basin, land-lockeuon every side, that appears to havu no communication with the lake, ex- cept by the passage through which you entered; you are looking about, perhaps, for an outlet to enable you to proceed, thinking at last to see some little channel which will just admit your ba- teau, when on a sudden an expanded sheet of W8t<>r opens upon joUf whose boundary is the horizon alone; again in a few minutes you find yourself land-locked, and again a spacious pass- age as suddenly presents itself; at other times, when in the mid- dle of one of these basins, between a cluster of islands, a dozen different channels, like so many noble rivers, meet the eye, per- haps equally unexpectedly, and on each side the islands appear regularly retiring till they sink from the sight in the distance. Every minute, during the passage of this lake, the prospect varies. The numerous Indian hunting encampments on the different islands, with the smoke of their fires rising up between the trees, added considerably to the beauty of the scenery as we passed it. The lake of a Thousand Islands is twenty five miles in length, and about six in breadth. From its upper end to Kingston, at vihich place we arrived early in the evening, the distance is fifteen miles. The length of time required to ascend the River St. Law- rence, from Montreal to Kingston, is commonly found to be abon* seven days. If the wind should be strong and very favorable, the passage may be performed in a less time; but should it, on the contrary, be adverse, and blow very strong, the passage will be protracted somewhat longer; an adverse or favorable wind, however, seldom makes a difference of more than three days in the length of the passage upwards, as in each case it is necessa- ry to work the bateau along by means of poles for the creater part of the way. The passage downwards is performed m two or three days, according to the wind. The current is so strong, that a contrary wind seldom lengthens the passage in that direo tion more than a day." Appendix. 669 ill in a- er to g* :0 The following lines, by Caleb Lyon, of Lyonstdale, nre meri- torious as a production of the fancy, and will be read with in- terest: i The Tlioiirand lalos, the Thourand Iitlei, Dimpled, the wave around thoni Rinilua, Kissed l>y n thoiiaond red-lippod flowers, CJremnicd by a thoiiHand emerald bowers, A thoiiBund birds their praises wake. By rocky ({lade and plumy brake, A thousand cedars' fra|{ant shade Fall whore the Indians' children pinyed; And fancy's dream my heart beguiles, While singing thee, the Thousand Isles. ' No vestal virgin guardii their groves. No Cupid breathes of Cypri-in loves, No Satyr's form at eve is seen. No Dryad peeps the trees between. No Venus rises from their shore. No loved Adonis, red with gore. No pale Endymion wooed to sleep. No brave Leander breasts their deep, No Qanymede — no Pleiades — Theirs are a New World's memories. Tlie 6ag of France fii-st o'er them hung. The muss was said, the vespers sung. The freres of Jesus hailed the strands, As blessed Virgin Mary's lands ; And red men mutely heard, surprised. Their heathen names all Christianized. Next floated a banner with cross and crown, ^Twas Freedom's eagle plucked it down, lletaining its pure and crimson dyes With the stare of thair own, their native skies. There St. Lawrence gentlest flows. There the south wind softest blows, 'J'here the lilies whitest bloom. There the birch bath leafiest gloom, There the red deer feed in spring. There doth glitter wood duck's wing, There leap the muscalunge at morn. There the loon's night song is borne, There is the fisherman's [luradise. With trolling skifiTat red sunrise. The Thousand Isles, the Thousand Isles, Their charm from every care beguiles; Titian alone hath grace to paint The triumph of their patron saint. Whose waves return on memory's tide, La Salle and Piquet side by side. Proud Frontenac and bold Champloin 'J'here act their wanderings o'er again ; . And while the golden sunlight smiles, fiigrioM sfaali greet «bee, ThouwRd bks. • i 670 Appendix. Thomas Moore, the Irish poet, early in the centur) , traveled on the 6f. Lawrence, and his Canadian Boat Song, is familiar to all admirers of his writings. The magnificent scenery of this noble river, naturuiJy excited the enthusiasm of a temperment formed for the perception of the beauties which are so strii^ingiy reflected in his poetry. The boatmen were accustomed to beguile the tedium of rowing by singing; their voices being perfectly in tune together, and the whole joining in the chorus. Of the effect of this he says: " Without tnat charm which association gives to every little memorial of scenes or feelings that are past, the melody may perhaps be thought common and trifline; iur I remember when we had entered at sunset upon one of ^iiosc beautiful lakes, into which the St. Lawrence so grandly and un- expectedly opens, I have heard this simple air, with a pleasure which the finest compositions of the first masters have never given me; and now there is not a note of it, which does not recall to my memory the dip of our oars in the St. Lawrence, the flight of our boat down the rapids, and all those new and fanciful impressions to which my heart was alive during the Yihoiie of this interesting voyage.'' CANADIAN BOAT SONG. .1 .. i egimm cantut Aorfufur.— Quninuuir. Faintly as tolls the evening chime Out voices keep tune, ana our oors keep time: Soon OS the woods on shore look dim, We'll sing at St. Ann's our parting hymn. Kow, brothers, row, the stream runs ihst. The rapids are near and the day-iigbt'a past. Why should we yet our snil unfurl ? There is not a breath the bhie wave to curl! But, when the wind blows off the shore. Oh ! sweetly we'll rest on our weary onr. Blow, breezes, blow, the stream runs fast. The ropids are near and the doy-rqiht'i' past! Utawa's t>(le! this trembling moon, Shall see us float over thy kur- '■■■ '^.H' . : Saint of this green isle! hear yeit. Oh ! grant us cool heavens and favoring airs. Blow, breezes, blow, the stream runs fast. The rapids ai-e near and the day4 Appendix. 677 try ought not to be behind in the pleasing employment of giving fftcilities to the poor and industrious young men of our state, thereby enabling them to sustain situations in life which they otherwise could not do, because the avail of their labor at such institutions, during vacation from study, go to defray the expen- ses of that study. All distinction is here abolished; the rich and the poor young man is subjected to the same labor and re- strictions, and that foolish pride of superiority, so foreign to republicans, melts away under the influence of such an equal state of things. Your committee agree with the petitioners, that legislative aid may be properly extended to such an institution, and therefore ask leave to introduce a bill." Page 479. BRIGADIER GENERAL Z. M. PIKE. The following notice of this worthy officer, who fell in the attack upon York, is prepared from a more extended article that was published soon alter his death. Through the munificence of our government, his memory has been honored by a monument at Sackets Harbor,* that formerly bore his name, with those of Covington, Backus, Mills, and many others. Zebulon Montgomery Pike w^as born at Lamberton, N. J. January 5, 1779, at an early day received a commission, became familiar with military life, and warmly attached to the service. Feeling the want of an education, he applied himself to the task of self culture, and without the aid of teachers acquired a lair classical and general education. He cherished from an early period a habit of mental discipline, and the tenor of his thoughts may be inferred from a memorandum written by him, on a blank page of a favorite volume. " Should my country call for the sacrifice of that life which has been devoted to her service from early youth, most willingly shall she receive it. The sod which covers the brave, shall be moistened by the tears of love and friendship: but if T fail far from my friends, and from you, my Clara, remember, — that * the choicest tears which are ever shed, are those that bedew the un- buried head of a soldier,' and when these eyes shall meet the eyes of our young let the pages of this little book be im- pressed on his mind, as the gift of a father who had nothing to bequeath but his honor, and let these maxims be ever present to his mind, as he rises form youth to manhood: — 1. Preserve your honor free from hlemish. 2. Be always ready to die for your country.'* In 1805, Pike was selected by government tc explore the * Of pine boards, sow nearly rotten and thrown dov/n, p. 1S2. — Author, 578 Appendix. sourcfc of the Mississippi in the newly acquired territory of Louis- iana, and the following year, was sent for a similar purpose into the interior of Louisiana. On the occurrence of the war, he was stationed on the northern frontier, and early in 1813, was pro- moted to a Brigadier General. Having spent a portion of ihe winter of 18 12-3, at Plattsburgh, he was ordered to join General Dearborn at Sackets Harbor, to which place he inarched by the inland rou^e through St. Lawrence County toward spring. The sentiment of a letter written to his father near Cincinnati on the day before he sailed on the expedition, is expressive of the finest sentiments of patriotism and honor. " I embark to-morrow in the fleet at Sackets Harbor, at the head of a column of 1500 choice troops, on a secret expedition. If success attends ray steps, honor and glory await ray name; if defeat, still shall it be said: We died like brave men; and con- ferred honor, even in death, on the American name. Should I be the happy raortal, destined to turn the scale of war, will you not rejoice, O My Father! May Heaven be pro- pitious, and smile on the cause of ray country. But if wc are destined to fall, may ray fall be like Wolfe's — to sleep in the arms of victory." A thirst for railitary adventure must be distinguished from patriotism, and in forraing an estimate of the merits of character, and in examining the motives which actuated th«> conduct and guided the life of General Pike, we can not withhold from him the credit of being influenced by the latter. It is upon those, governed by sentiments expressed in the above extracts, that our country must depend for defence against foreign aggression and domestic commotion, and without which our liberties are but an empty name, and liable to be seized upon by ambitious despots or intriguing demagogues. It is a stain upon our national chan* acter, that our government allows the graves of the officers who fell on our northern frontier during the war, to remain unnoted by any monument, or other memorial of acknowledgment of their merit; not even by a tablet, which our humblest citizens afford as a token of affection to the memory of their dead. Page 462. The following interesting letters from the correspondence of General Brown relate to events connected with the county, in early part of the campaign of 18 12, and will be read with in- terest: ' .^ Appendix* 679 an )OtS lar- ^ho }ted of sens J of , in in- GOVERNOR TOMPKINS TO GENERAL BROWN. Albany, June 23, 1812. Sir: War is declared between the United Kingdoms of Great Britain and Ireland and its dependencies, and the United States of America and the territories thereof. This event will call forth the energies of every friend of his country, and more especially of those officers who are assigned to command the military forces. You will have received the General Order assigning you to the command of one of the brigades detached from the militia of this State, in anticipation of the event which is now announced. Our militia law makes provision for calling out the brigade you now command, in case of invasion, and you are hereby empowered to leinforce Col. Bellinger with the mili- tia detachment from Jefferson, Lewis and St. Lawrence Counties, and to arm them and equip them at the State Arsenals at Russell and at Watertown, if in your opinion the safety of the in- habitants, or any important object to be accomplished shall re- quire it. I place much reliance on your abilities and valor in protecting our frontier inhabitants until the arrival of further troops and supplies, which will be forwarded with the utmost practicable expedition. I am respectfully your obedient servant, Daniel D. Tompkins. Gen, Jacob Brown, P. S. Let Col. Benedict turn out with the St. Lawrence de-. tachment immediately, to guard the frontier from Ogdensburgh to St. Regis. Station them as may be best calculated for that purpose. They may arm from the Russell Arsenal. general brown to governor TOMPKINS. Brownville, June 25, 1812. Dear Sir: Your order of the 23d instant was delivered me this day about 10 o'clock. For this additional proof of your confidence in assigning to me the command of a brigade, you have my earnest acknowledgments. I humbly pray God that I may do my duty. This county must be sacrificed, provided it should be assailed by the force now in Kingston, unless we are provided with the means of defence. We will try to keep them at bay until the necessary supplies arrive, which may Heaven and our country grant speedily. I am, &c., Jacob Brown. His Excellency, D. D. Tompkins. %:. 580 Appendix. cJ'jf Bkownville, June 26, 1812. Dear Sir: In the course of yesterday ami last night \ ascer- tained, ns I am induced to believe, that the news of the Declara- tion of War against Great Britain, had not been received at Kingston, and by my express I ordered the officer at Cape Vin- cent to prevent all passing, and, if possible, all communication. Perhaps we can keep the news from this post a day or two. Within one hour after the arrival of Mr. Whigton, I had ex- presses on their way to every Colonel in the counties of Lewis, JelFerson and St. Lawrence, excepting Col. Cox, and iiis orders I sent by Whigton. The men of tliis county are now assembling; in the course of to-day and next duy I trust that I shall have them at Sackets Harbor. Those from the county of licwis shall be on with all possible speed, and Col. Benedict has the neces- sary orders for the county of St. Lawrence, and I know that he is of the stutfto do his duty. Our situation as to arms and am- munition will be explained to you by Mr. Whigton; it will be concealed from the enemy as much as possible. We rely with confidence that our country will supply us with the means of defence without any delay. I assure every one that wagons in great numbers are on the way "with munitions of war in great abundance. I observe that Col. Bellinger was not advised by your Excel- lency of my being assigned to the command of a brigade. I humbly submit to your Excellency if it would not be proper that it should be done. My opinion is that a strong detachment should at once be marched on to Cape Vincent, directly opposite to Kingston. A force from Cape Vincent and Ogdensburgh can be concentrated at any time by the aid of boats in 24 hours. From Sackets Harbor they can not advance with so much certain- ty or facility; at the same time a respectable force should be kept up at Sackets Harbor. Your Excellency will bear in mind that this is a very new country; that the population is light and generally poor, though very respectable for so pew a country, and that if any more men are called from their homes, the crops which now promise a very abundant harvest, must perish on the ground. I mention this to your Excellency as the country expects it at ray hands, and much more than my feeble abilities can accomplish: but no considera- tion of this nature shall deter me for a moment from calling out every man in the country if its defence requires it, though I must for the present hope that the force coming on will render such a measure unnecessary. I pray God that our Government will act with that decision and energy which becomes a gallant people. I am respectfully and humbly yours, Jacob Brown. » Appendix. 581 act )le. P. S. I pray your Excellency lo give Col. Gursham Tuttle the command of a regiment if it has not been done, and your Excellency can consider it for the good of the service. His Excellency D. D. Tompkins. Brownvii.e, June 29, 1812. Dear Sir: Being solicitous to know with certainty the state of the preparations designed for the safety of this county, I have dispatched Hart Massey, Esq., for that purpose — he being a man in whom you can place confidence. Being deeply impressed with the weight of responsibility that rests upon me, I am so- licitous, among other things, that your Excellency will give me all the aid by instructions that the nature of my situation will admit. 1 almost assure myself that the munitions of war arc at hand so as to enable the inhabitants of this county to sell their lives, if they are to be lost; but this is a subject of so much mo> ment that 1 can not rest until the people actually have arms and ammunition. Many families are pressing on towards the old settlements, and unless we are immediately supplied lean not say to what extent this disgrace will extend. Your Excellency will probably be surprised at this intelligence. I am loth to state it, and my soul sickens to see a gallant people thus situated. Many of the guns frcm the arsenal are in the most wretched^^- condition, and many more totally unfit for use. What powderl^ij* we have — which by the way is very little — is not fit for such a * y business as we are engaged in, or for any other but to makc,^ squibs. ^^^ War is not only declared, but actually commenced along this border. Some of our people, without orders, and in fact without consulting with any person in the service, captured the little garrison on Carlton Island, and the prisoners are now on their way to Sackets Harbor. For the particulars, I must refer you to Mr. Massey who knows whatever hafj transpired in the county. I am very much in want of Col. Stone, and all the other offi- cers who are detached for my brigade. Until the return of my brother from the county of St. Lawrence, last evening, I had no person near me on whom I could with safety call. There is much uneasiness at Sackets Harbor for the want of pay. These poor fellows have but a pittance for their services, and that pittance they want. Col. Bellinger is, I am persuaded, a brave officer and a worthy man; upon the whole I am very much pleased with him as a man. I have to recommend particularly to your Excellency, John M. Canfield, as Paymiister to my Brigade. I know no man more worthy of confidence, and to him it would be a very plea- sant berth in these times. 37 582 Appendix. I have given the command at Cape Vincent, for the present, to John B. Esselstyn, and I should be gratified if your Excellency would assign him to a command as Major, which rank he holds in the militia at present. Your Excellency may count with certainty upon every Indian '< throughout British America being perfectly armed and prepared/ for the combat. / Yours resi^ectfully, Jacob Bkown. To Gov. Tompkins. Brownville, July 2, 1812. Dear Sir: It is with great pleasure that 1 inform your Excel- lency that the perturbation produced by the declarition of war is subsiding for the present. I have traversed the most of the settlements in the county, had little meetings of the inhabitants, and was much gratified by the manly spirit discovered by most. I advised all those who were disposed to abandon their country in the b'^nr of danger, never to return, &c. Most of those who had started are returning to their habitations. The moment I can put arms in their hands '• your Excellency will, I trust, hear no more of such disgraceful conduct from this quarter. I must take the liberty of again reminding your Excellency that Cape Vincent and Ogdensbur^';h are, in my humble opin- ion, the points at which your princ.'^.al force should be assem- bled. Sackets Harbor is too far from the line, as 1 can have no idea of our Government declaring war against Great Britain without the conquest of Canada. Our honor and interest and everything demands it. For Heaven's sake, let our country put forth its strength, and Canada must fall, and that at once, to Quebec, and we shall no longer be subject to the disgrace of defending our country against Canada and the perpetual alarm of a savage foe. Col. Bellinger would, in my humble opinion, be much more useful on the St. Lawrence; his force can at present have no ac- tive duty where they are. They are now greatly wanted on the St. Lawrence, and will be, until the arrival of reintbrcements. As yet I have heard of no reinforcements being on the way, and until this moment I have heard of no more arms or ammunition. By a letter from Judge Attwater I have, whilst writing, learned that arms would probably be in Denmark by to-morrow evening; ■what quantity he does not say. ^Without ordnance ,^your Excel- lency will perceive that Ogdensburgh and Cape Vincent, and all our places along the St. Lawrence and the Lake, will be in dan- ger of being destroyed. I should suppose that our country would not be willing to submit to such disgrace. I had proceeded thus far when Lieut. Col. Benedict's letter. Appendix. C'o3 ill !r. 'together with that of Judge Richards', arrived. I send a copy of Benedict's and the Judge's letter, that you may have a view of the war in that quarter. Whatever my worthy and gallant friend Benedict may say, I say, that the British will not take possession of Ogdensburgh without the loss of many lives. If the British make their approach with ordnance, Benedict will, to be sure, be unhappily situated; but in any situation your Excellency may rely upon his doing his duly, and I think all honorable men must mourn that he can not meet the enemy on equal terms. I will write your Excellency again when I see what are(the amount of my munitions of war)by the teams about which Judge Attwater speaks. ^ Yours respectfully and sincerely, Jacob Brown. P. S. We are greatly in want of pistols and swords, and if your Excellency could have some forwarded for the use of men disposed to use them, on their paying for them, or giving good security, they would be essentially useful. His Excellency D. D. Tompkins. Brownville, July 3, 1812. Dear Sir: Since writing you yesterday, some of my scouts brought in a man supposed by them to be a spy; he, however, turns out to be a good Yankee, who was making the best of his way home. He was found in the woods a little to the west of Indian River, and six or eight miles from the St. Lawrence. He states that he saw the people who were taken from the ves- sels that were burned, that there were 30 of them, and among them several women and children — parts of families moving— that everything on board the vessels, even their very clothes, were burned. This riian's story is to be relied on, as he has re- spectable friends in this village who vouch for his veracity. Major Noon has just been wiih me; he passed from Ogdens- burgh to Cape Vincent since this burning, and confirms the whole account. I Rpprehend the British contemplate fortifying the Narrows from island to island, so as to command the river. This must be prevented, and for this and other objects we are greatly in want of ordnance, and some men to use them with success. I have to state to your Excellency that at the moment when the greatest alarm existed among the good people of this county, Capt. Camp and company proffered their services for the defence of the country for thirty days. I saw that it could but have the most happy effect, and accepted their services. Had I any au- thority so to do? At that moment I supposed that I had; upon reflection, I fear that I have not. If I have exceeded my authori- 684 Appendix. ty, I trust your Excellency will excuse me and inform me what is to be (lone with such a business. As I have not heard from Col. Stone, and as I consider it of the fust importance to have mure force on the St. Lawrence, I have ordered Col. Bellinger to detach one hundred men to Cape Vincent under the command of his second Major. It will be done to>morrow. I feel much delicacy in interfering in any way with Col. Bellinger, but Albany is a great way otl, and I am persuaded that our force will be much more serviceable at the St. Lawrence. My opinion is decidedly for pressing to the line. The force under Col. Bellinger is the principal force in the country, and I should suppose that it was to be used at this time. Your Excellency will explain to me the relation in which I stand to Col. Bellinger. He is one of the best of men. From the situation of our county, the first and second detach- ment must, I should suppose, to be useful, act together, and that very ne^r the St. Lawrence. It may be desirable to press down the St. Lawrence to the aid of Cfol. Benedict before the force gets on from the old counties. Upon the whole, I pray your Excellency to sanction what I have done, and to be more explicit with your orders in future. My object is the complete and perfect defence of this country for the present, and if I can but effect this I shall hope to meet with the approbation of the Commander-in-Chief, though my conduct may be a little irregular. As I am collecting a consider- able force on the St. Lawrence, where an enemy may scon be met, I have taken the liberty to employ a surgeon on whom re- liance may be placed. Dr. Amasa Trowbridge is the man. He is very respectable as a surgeon, and I pray your Excellency to approve my choice and forward the tools he wants. Yours respectfully, Jacob Brown. His Excellency D, D. Tompkins. GOVERNOR TOMPKINS TO GENERAL BROWN. Albany, June 20, 1812. ^ Dear Sir: By Judge Attwater I forwarded the following arti- cles for the troops under your command: 1,000 muskets; 520 ,'^ cartridge boxes; 15,000 musket cartridges, 18 to the pound; 10,- 000 do., 16 to the pound; a ton of lead; 10,300 musket bullets, 18 to the pound; 56 rifles; 40 casks of powder; 1,000 flints; 2 brass nine pounders; 2 pair staffs, spongers, rammers, port-fire, stocks, &c.; 2 setts of horse harness; 1,500 cannon balls for six pounders; 1,500 three pounders, and some camp kettles, slow match and buck shot. In addition thereto, there is now boxing, and will leave before sunset, with Major Edmunds, a Revolution- ary officer, 1,000 muskets, 100 cartridge boxes, fixed ammunition, y' 2 ^ / I / Appendix. camp kettles, powder, &c., and I have directed 9 pound balls to be eijst ut the tbundrv in French Creei< [supposed to be Talier^]. I shall order these things on with the greatest expedition, and shall add some knapsacks. Tents have not arrived from New York. The want of them has distressed me beyontl measure. The moment they come, you shall be supplied as fast as horses can carry them. When the whole supplies arrive, you will have 2,000 muskets, and ammunition, &c., m your command — a supply, for your post alone greater than the whole United States posses- sed at the comm«ncemcnt of the Revolution. Our hands will be full; but be in good spirits, cheer the iniiab« itants, and you may rely upon my devoting the exertions of every man to aid you. You are at liberty to order Colonel Stone with volunteers, or the detachment from Oneida County. In great haste, Yours respectfully, Daniel D. Tompkins. General Brown. P. S. Major General Van Rensselaer, or some other general officer will be ordered to assist and advise in your operations as soon as I can supply you with tents. Let some men be making cartridges at the Arsenal. Cartridge paper goes on, pistols also. Remember that the Tower Hill and Hamburg muskets are cali- bre 16 to a pound, and the French and new muskets 18 to a pound. You have both kinds of ammunition. Dont let them be confounded. Beownville, July 6, 1812. Dear Sir: Yours by Mr. Massey was received the 4th instant, early in the morning. I am satisfied. My great anxiety was for arms and ammunition. Those by Judge Attwater have nearly all gone on to St. Lawrence County. Those by Major Ed- munds 1 am expecting every hour. Since my tour among the inhabitants of tnis county, their conduct appears to be more manly. We have no divisions among us. Party with us is dead. As it was possible that Colonel Benedict might be pressed, and as it is of the first importance that what vessels we have should be preserved, I have sent the detachments from Lewis [County] to Ogdensburgh. And to keep them in as much alarm as possible at Kingston, I have stationed the detachment from this county at Cape Vincent, and at ray request, a considerable part of the force under Colonel Bellinger is now also there. I consider it of the first importance at present to keep Kingston, the seat of British power in Upper Canada, as much alarmed as possible, and for this purpose, 1 have deemed it my duty to make as great a display of force at Cape Vincent, as my means wquI'1 t^' 586 Appendix. permit. The British armed vessels remain at Kingston, and I am assured that they are arming several others that are now there. Your Excellency ^'ill s:.>e the course I have pursued in relation to Colonel Bellinger, and the disposition I have made of the means in my power, and your Excellency will instruct me ac- cordingly. The more I have seen of Colonel Bellinger, the more I am pleased with him. He is disposed to do every thing for the best. Nothing of importance has occurred along our lines since I last wrote your Excellency. A few six and nine pounder pieces of ordnance at Ogdensburgh and at Sackets Harbor, I should consider of importance. The roads are so bad to Ogdensburgh, that six pounder pieces only should be sent there. The six pounders from this county have gone on to Ogdensburgh; the nines are here. Not knowing who all the officers are that are assigned to my brigade, I have to request your Excellency to order them to me. Colonel Stone has received my orders, and I take it for granted that he is on his way with his regiment. As this is nil new business, your Excellency will perceive how much I stand in need of my Quarter Master. Let him make his appearance forthwith. If Seymour does not like his berth, I would recommend to your Excellency a very valuable young officer, General Martin's Aid — Captain John Safford.* If there is any opening, he wouhl be happy to be employed, and 1 should be happy to have such men with me. Yours respectfully, Jacob Brown. His Excellency D. D. Tompkins. Brownville, Julyl, 1812. Dear Sir: Since writing you yesterday, I have ascertained that the Royal George, Duke of Kent, Prince Regent, and Earl of Moira, were all in the bight of Kingston harbor on the 7th, in the morning, completely equipped and manned; and that the British were fitting up, as armed vessels, every bottom that they could command on the lake. Your Excellency must not be sur- prised if they should attempt to destroy every vessel we have on the lake, and you will perceive that without ordnance it will be diff.cult to prevent them. It is, I should suppose, very important to preserve the eight fine vessels we have now at Oswegatchie. With ordnance, I should hope to get these vessels up the river, or be able to de- fend them where they are. Colonel Stone has not yet arrived, nor one single field-officer, • Tha Ui« Dr. John Safford, of Waleitowo. Appendix. 587 or one single man south of Lewis County. The detachment from Lewis County are all with Colonel Benedict. I intend to RO to the county of St. Lawrence the moment I can get hold of Colonel Stone Hnd get him settled down at his post at Cape Vincent. * * #*###* I will try and keep them alarmed &t Kingston as much and as long as possible. Yours respectfully, Jacob Brown, Brigadier General. His Excellency D. D. Tompkins. Albany, July 6, 1812. Dear Sir: I enclose you a letter for Bellinger, placing hina under your command. I also send you a copy of a letter I have received from David A. Ogden, of St. Lawrence County, and have requested the bearer of it, to show you my answer to Mr Ogden, and the list enclosed in it. I have left it unsealed for that purpose. You will station at Heuvelton and other places towards the St. Regis settlement such force and supplies as a judicious regard to the security of the whole frontier will enable you. 1 am, dear sir, respectfully. Your obedient servant, Daniel D. Tompkins. General Jacob Brown. Brownville, July 10, 1812. Dear Sir: * # * j enclose you Colonel Ben- edict's letter of the 6th July, from which you will see the temper of the people in that (St. Lawrence) County. I have ordered Colonel Benedict to defend the eight vessels to the last extremity, unless he should hear that Woolsey had fallen. My object is to have the vessels armed, if the government will do it, and pre- serve Woolsey. You must suppose that I will pay no attention to county reso- lutions on the present question. 1 shall leave the good county of Jefferson in a few days for St. Lawrence. The people of that county are, I am told, abandoning it in a most shameful manner. They stand firm, as yet, in Jefferson. Will the government con- tend fur the dominion of the lake, or is Woolsey to be sacrificed? Have tiie goodness to let me know your Excellency's opinion on this subject. If the Oneida is to be preserved, the government must speedily furnish guns to arm and men to man our other vessels. Yours respectfully, Jacob Brown. His Excellency D. D. Tompkins. •\\ 588 Appendix. ./ ..f*- ^ Sackets Harbor, July 11, 1812. Dear Sir: I was called, very early this morning by an alarm, to this place. It was rumored that Woolsey, with the Oneida, had fallen into the hands of the enemy. I do not believe it, and as yet I have seen no enemy. Some may suppose it imprudent fot Woolsey to remain out. They are wrong; it is his only chance. Here he can not stay with any safety, as we have no battery to shield him from a superior force. He may probably dodge their fleet on the broad lake, and take a shot at them one at a time. He, so far, has my entire confidence and esteem, and I would to God it was in my power to give him the assistance he merits. I pray your Excellency to let me know specifically what aid is to be expected for Woolsey, for until I know that he is to be abandoned, I will protect our other vessels to the utmost of ray means. We have the 9 lb. cannon at this place, but not a single 9 lb. /'..jllflU 1 know and feel the effects of your Excellency's zeal for ^-'''''the honor and interest of the country, and I have written you so much on the subject of munitions of war that really I am almost ashamed to trouble you any nK)re; but at the earnest solicitation of the inhabitants of this place, I must again say, that M'ithout the means of arming our vessels, the lake and river will most probably soon be at the command of the :nemy,and in that case, Oswego, Ogdensburgh, Sackets Harbor and Cape Vincent, will be at the mercy of the enemy's shipping, unless we are well sup- lied with ordnance for the defence of these places. And I pray your Excellency to believe me when I say that it will cost the nation twice as much to defend our frontier for twelve months, as it would to conquer the Canadas to Quebec in six. I am very much disgusted with the manner in which the mili- tia turn out from the old counties. One company has at length arrived from Whitestown, which ought to contain 75 non-com- missioned oflicers and privates; it really contains only 36. Another from Paris, which ought to contain 52, really contains but 32. This will not be submitted to if we have any govern- ment. I have sent Col. Stone back to bring on every man liable to come that he can find, and I pray your Excellency to order a new draft to make up the deficiency. It is hard and unjust that the men of these new counties, who marched at the word of com- mand should be thus treated. There is scarcely a man that was drafted from the counties of Lewis, Jefferson or St. Lawrence, either dead or sick. I am sending ot. the detachments as they arrive to St. Lawrence, and shall until I can make that county feel safe. I shall go there myself in a day or two. I am greatly in want of a quarter-master of brigade, competent to do his duty. I should much like Martin's aid — Capt. SalTbrd I believe his oame is'— I know his conduct better than his Qamei >* Appendix. 589 The officers of the regular army are attempting to enlist the drafted men. I have no objections if it is regular and the plea- sure of the commander-in-chief; but with my present impres- sions I shall not permit it unless my consent is asked, and that of my colonels, for I know of no authority that any officer in the regular service has to command me, or those under my command, short of a general. On this subject, I pray your Excellency to instruct me specifically, for I wish to go straight, particularly on these subjects, and I shall expect your Excellency to point the road. It shall be traveled. Yours sincerely, Jacob Brown, Brigadier General. His Excellency, D. 1), Tompkins. Albany, July 10, 1812. Dear Sir: Mr. Thomas leaves this to-morrow morning, for the purpose of attending to the business of Mr. Goodsee, and enquir- ing into the complaints. A copy of the contract he takes with hinij which will show you what are the rights of the contractor and of the officers respectively. I perceive by your letter to Mather and Thorne, you mention that, perhaps, one thousand troops will be at OgJensburgh. If so, I am fearful that you are concentrating, at that point, a greater force than will be neces- sary for mere protection, and beyond its relative proportion of the detachments. The towns along the river, towards St. Regis, must be attended to. I have this day forwarded onehun^ dred rauskets, to be deposited at Martinsburgh, with cartridge boxes, although I deem any fear there, as i»; the tov.'ns on the north part of that county, totally groundless. I have also sent two hundred and fifty muskets and ammunition, for defence of Rutland, Mexico, Scriba, &c., along the lake shore between Sackets Harbor and Oswego. I have also forwarded to Water- town, for the use of the St. Lawrence frontier and the troops in Jefferson, one hundred tents, fifty camp kettles, ^c, to be at your disposal. There are now landing from sloops, seventy pieces of artillery, IS's, 12's and other calibre, which I expect will be for- warded on, when General Dearborn comes to this place. Allow me to remark, that a less number of men, with healthy accom- modations, good arms and ammunition, and vigilant officers to_ discipline them, are a more efficient protection than a greater number unaccommodated, straightened for provisions, and hud- dled together in confusion. Major General Van Rensselaer leaves this on Monday morning, for the frontier; but whether he will visit Niagara, or Black River first, I can not now say. I am, dear sir, your obedient servant, General Brown. Dani£L D. Tompkins. 'OH- 1/ 590 Appendix. P. S. I confirm your acceptance of the services of Camp and his company. It appears to me that Bellinger's and Storr's re- giments will be a surplus expense for the Jefferson frontier, and as they are all under your command they are to be distributed as the whole frontier may require. I had rather Bellinger's corps should remain in Jefferson until their pay is sent on, which will be in a day or two. Sackets Harbor, August 4, 1812. Dear Sir: Samuel C. Kanady, Esq., of this county, from the encouragement which I have given him, has raised a company of riflemen, and wishes to be employed by the government in any service that may be necessary. He has proceeded under the act of 6th February, 1812, for raising fifty thousand volunteers. Neither Mr. Kanady or either of the officers under him have any commissions, and he is solicitous to know from your Excellency, Avhether it would be possible for them to get commissions, and have their services accepted. From my acquaintance with Mr. Kanady, I have the fullest confidence in his valor and patriotism, and I think he would do honor to the service. The other officers are Rufus Willard, Lieutenant; J. Eddy Cole, Ensign. Your Excellency will be pleased, with all convenient speed, to inform me of the course Mr. Kanady should pursue. He and his com- pany have signed the articles of association, according to the requirement of the act. They expect to be armed and equipped by the government. I remain yours, &c., Jacob Brown, Brig. Gen. His Excellency, the Governor. Sackets Harbor, .August 5, 1812. Dear Sir: I have the pleasure of enclosing your Excellency an account, by an eye witness, of the action between the Julia, an American gun hoot, and two British ships of war, an Earl and a Duke, aided by a land battery. The Julia is ordered to remain at Ogdensburgh, the better to secure our vessels in that harbor. Will the government of the United States furnish us with ordnance, so as to enable us to defend this place and the brig Oneida, against any force the enemy may bring against us, and to command the narrows of the St. Lawrence, until this govern- ment g-c^* ready to make a descent upon Canada. The Royal George and Prince Regent are now cruising off this harbor. I expect to havedifficulty with Colonel Bellinger's regiment, if it is not discharged at the expiration of the three months. Will your Excellency instruct me on this subject. I consider this the most important station on the lake, and it i» verv desirable that a ^ Appendix. 591 colonel of some military accomplishment, should be stationed here. Colonel Myers, of Herkimer, is the sort of a man I should prefer. By the advice of the Major General, I have kopt Cap- tain Camp in the service. His company is disbanded, and I have given him a supply of men from Bellinger's regiment, to manage the cannon. This, I trust, will meet your Excellency's approbation. We v;ant some companies of artillery very much. It is not proper, that those that have be.°n drafted should be or- dered into the service along these lines. Yours, respectfully, Jacob Brown, Brig. Gen. P. S. The good of the service requires that Captain Camp's company should be paid off. Will your Excellency please order it to be done? I hope your Excellency will take some notice of Lieutenant Wells, and the gallant crew of the Julia. His Excellency^ the Governor. Page 525. NEILS SZOLTERCKI VON SCHOULTZ. The melancholy fate of Von Schoultz excited the commisera- tion of an extended circle; and his conduct, from the time of his capture till the moment of his exit, was such as to heighten our esteem for his character. He plead guilty of the charges alleged against him, and made no effort to screen himself from the con- sequences into which betrayed confidence had led him. An ex- ile from unhappy Poland, a descendant from an ancient and noble family, and a witness of the oppression and tyranny of Russian despotism towards his native country, he was too easily led into a sympathy for the alleged sufferings of Canada; and, from his experience in military affairs, was entrusted with the expedition which came to a disastrous issue, near Prescott. He had landed in New York in 1836, and after visiting numerous places without a settled purpose, chance led him to the village of Salina, where he became engaged in some chemical researches. Uuringi the short period that intervened between his sentence and his execution, he employed himself in writing a vindication of his character, which closes with the following language: " Misrepresentation and deception led me to embrace a cause which l^then believed just and righteous^ but now find them the mere instigatloTi' of cowardly and designing demagogues. I could fiave been influenced by ho motfve but that lo^e oT liberty, that desire to resist oppression, which is innate in the heart of every true Pole. It is said 1 was led on by the hope of plunder; the promise of reward! What were their paltry acres, and their traitors' gold to mei ivho have more than enough of thii 592 Appendix, "world's wealtri, since I have lost every object with whom it would have been ray joy to share it? We were told the people groaned under the rod of military despotism. Had I not seen in my native land the peasant in his Held, aye and the noble in his hall, insulted, smitten to the earth, by a hireling soldiery? We were told that the people waited to receive us — that thousands would rally around our standard whenever it was unfurled in the land which we came to liberate. The indignation with which we were repelled from these shores, the united bravery of citizens and soldiers, is the best answer to the aspersion. * * * My trial is over; witnesses have been examined, and the evidence adduced against me is thought sufficient for my condemnation. In the eye of the world, my sentence will be considered just. Fallible man may- err, but God knoweth the heart! A brigand! a pirate! these are hard names, which once would have aroused my soul to in- dignation; but that time is past. * • * To-morrow, I am told, is the time fixed for my execution. I would that I could die a soldier's death! and yet it matters not. I rejoice I have few who will bewail my fate — none who can feel humiliated by my ignominy. I have but a short very short time to prepare for that hour and make pcftce with the righteous being whom we have all offended. I shall dispose of my worldly effects so as to make the best reparation in my power for the evil I have unwittingly caused. To the families of the unfortunate men who were killed at Windmill Point, I leave a legacy, though they suffered from a chance shot of the militia, not, as has been said, from our cool and deliberate aim. I trust my memory will be cleared from the charge of inhumanity. I paid every possible attention to the wounded prisoners who fell in my power, and I placed sen- tries over the body of Lieutenant Johnson, a brave and gallant yo'mg officer, to protect him from indignity. I have one favor only to request; it is, that my poor remains may be delivered to a friend whom I will name, to be buried on his own estate. The British government, I trust, have too much generosity to refuse this trifling boon. May God forgive those whose evil councils have brought me to this untimely end; I will die in charity with all mankind. The miniature of my lost Therese, my first and only love, still rests upon my heart, and in this dark and solemn hour, she seems to smile on me as she was wont in happier days. I pray that it may be buried with me!" He was 31 years of age. His father held a major's commis- sion at the battle of Warsaw, and he had himself arisen to the same rank. INDEX. Aboriginal traett, remarlcg uimh, ; In Lo Ray, 10; IIouii<'' : nt Orlcnna, 3S8. Ad, erectiiiK Juttvraon and lAiwis Counties, 26, Adamn, I'rusldvnt, letter of, 403. town of, 71; tIIIhko, 74; centre, 75; North, 76; fieminary, 76; library, 76. Addrena, to citizens of county, on embarKO, 167; to I'refiident Monroe, 181; of Governor Clin- ton, 404. Agaric mineral, found in caverns, 637. Agreement, bctwwm United States and Oroat Jtritnin conccrnInK vcbncIh, 617. Agricultural, InHurunce Company, 410. societies, town, 83. 408 : stalistlci, 368 to 361 ; county, 401 ; state, 407. .4u<, to suflvrers by fire at Watertown, 234; to Orwks, 298; to Irisli, 208. Alexandria, 19; Bay. 81,221; Agricultural So- ciety, 83; Vle88is,82; Redwood. 82. Allen, K, B., president of Steamboat Co., 366. Altitudes of stations, W. and U. Rail Road, 331. Ameriran forces on lalje, sec Fleet, Amulet, Hebrew, account of, 14. Awiermn, William, trial of, 623. Angerstein, John Julius, purchase of, 61. Anthracite, 5.'jl. Anti-rent movement in Philadelphia, 223, Antwerp, town of, 86; block house, 86; ngency, 87 ; formerly named Indian Jiiver, 87 ; vil- laKC,87 ; Ox Bow. 01; mines in, 93; library, 94; distillerv, 00; furnace, 00; millstone quarry, 03; Presbyterian Church, 570; As- Bociati* Reformed Churcli at Ox Bow, 671; ■ Company formed. 66; Morris, agent, 66; Moss Kent, agent, 57 ; Le Ray, agent, 67 ; William H. Harrison, agent of, 60 ; names of trustees, 69 ; act for relief of, 59 ; J. N. Rottiers, agent, 60; see Constable, James, diary of, 152, 155. Apatit* (phosphate of lime), 551. Appling, Major D., battle of Sandy Creek, 600. — — post office, 76. Apprentices, Mr. Fairbanks' system with, 673. Apprnpriation fur defense of frontier, 519. Arcade, at Watertown, 287. Area of the several towns south of Black River, see survey of, 64. Armistice, in August and September, 1812, 466. Arms, sent to Champion, 4K0; to St. I^wrence County, 462; collected at Clayton, 520. Armstrong, Uen. John, secretary of war, letter to, 474. Arsenal built at Watertown, 262, 461 ; robbed, 620; sold. 262. Arttsian well, Watertown, 277. Articles of association, agricultural society, 402. of surrender at York, 484. Amnwall, Col., shares in battle of Sackets Har- bor, 486. Assemblu Districts, 366, 366. jfenihcrs of. 366. Associated Jianks, 417. Associations. See Krench Company, Antwerp Company, Religious Societies, Baptist, Con- gregntional, Univcrsalist, &c. Altttck upon Sackets Harbor, 463. upon York, 477. Attorney (*7i«rai, report of, onPenBt'stltIe,211. Auctiim of cargo of Lord Nelson, incident, 460. Muritc (blue carb. of ooppar), 561 Sachu, Col,, In command at Sockets Harbor. 485 ; death of, 480. Bald Island, exploit near, 614. locality of tourmaline, 560. Banks I'harteriHl, 416 to 417; associated, 417; in- dividual, 41N; I'ntriiit, 628. Hani.- ttf' Hirlliage,il». Bank n, 417. Baptist AsKociation, 393; Missionary Societies, 303 ; Free Cummuuion, .'595 ; Free Will, ;*6. Barracks, built by U. Noon, 4t3. Madison, 181. Barllett's Jtrint, 137, 105. Hasle, city of, proposri. Sec French Company. Battle. See York. Sockets Uarlior, Flan. &c,; of Chrysler's Field, Sundy t'rti'k. Windmill. Bawdry, Dr., agency of, 192. Bayard, Wm., Stw I'enet's Square, 43. purchased by, 58, B^ly State, steamer, 364, 360. Beavers, account of, 53. lkrl>ee)s tUtnn t\xctnry. 270 ; burned, 280. Bell, Wm., purchapc of, »)3. /fcH«i7/p, village of. 160; academy, 386. Jieltinger.Col., stationed at Sackets Harbor, 17T, 461, 680 to 592. his men discharged, 466. Benedict, Amos, notice of, 420. Benedict, Col., called out with regiment, 416. Bcthune, Br., establishes church at Alexandrl* Uay,84. Bible Society, Svtknon County, 306. Binsse, Dr. John, agency of, 61, 213. JHographical Xoticeji.iVi. Birdseye limeslnne., 534 ; fossils, 684. Black Julius, 464. Bonajmrte, Joseph (Count Survilliers). purchase by, 68 ; receives mortgage, 68 ; Rapnineau, his agent, 59; Uoyer, local agent, 60; motives for selling, 60; establishment at Natural bridge, 304 Bonds, Rail Road, 330, Xi& Bimeints, several remains of, 13, Boslwick; Isaac W., agency of, 63, 64, 72, 229, 249. Boundary, survey of, 68. Bounds of county altered, 28. Boutin, Henry, purchases at Ix>nK Falls, 61, 290. Bowlsby, h. N. rail road surveys by, 326. 7A)i/;*ton, Thomas, purcliase, 61 ; sales, 62. Bradu, Col. Hugh, stationed at S. Harbor, 182. Bradley, Kcv. Joshua, originates movement for academy, 385. Breaktvater, at Cape A'incent, proposed, 116. Bridges, 73, 08, 131, 203, 216, 217, 237, 244, 260, 301. 314. Brigade orders of landing at York, 477. British account of battle of S. Harbor, 492. Empire, steamer. 140. 366. Queen, steamer, 140, 356. force on lake, see Fleet. Brndliead, Charles C.. surveys French Tract, SO; surveys number IV, 55. E. H., surveys canal extension, 347. Branson, Kthcl, agency of, 234 ; notice of, 420. Dr. Isaac, purchase by, 2.14. Broum,, .lacob. Major General, settles at Brown- ville'. 97 ; road commispioner, 308, 317 ; con- cerned in steam boat. .'iSO ; nctice of, 420 ; letters of, 423. 424, 465, 4t)7; tcstimoriials to, 427: commands frontier, 46l; cduiniands at Oguensburgh, 468 ; at battle of Sackets lUi- bor, 480; correspondence, 578 to 682. Jolm, govomor of R. I. tract, 61. I 694 Index. Browne, Robert, purcham by, 62. Urawneiltf, uri; strllii fur town mmilnn, 06; Rettlumont, U7 ; vnrl/ Krnwlh.UM; imvlKstloD of nv«r,UO; atcaniur L'ruwnv ilo, til): Uoniiital Bt, lUU; alarm of war, lUU; v IIukc, lUl; truii- tuud of, lul ; eiittim comphny. Oil : lend works, lo;i; wwilun faeU)ry buriii, 10,'; iHixltT. 104; Limerick, loft; I'onh rivm- lUH: Moflutt- Tiliu, 1011; library, lOU ; roUdiou.: mcietiuii, lOtt ; avmlnury, ilHU. BUtek Kivrr vnlley, avttlrment of, 25; ualfs. 56; nnviKUiinn cumpnny, Dh ; falla of, 132 ; r».i;x! to HBokftx Ilarlxtr, IHf) ; wntorpower, 283, 548 ; road, Ull>; (Junal ConiiMiiy, U43: de, jriptlon ofc-unai. ^5; volume of rlvor, 648; improve- meutfi suiigcated, 548 ; frvtiheta, 54H. • Aasocitttion (OonKregational), U91. . Hank. 418. AoHociation, Daptiat Wa. UnivOTKallat, .'iH5. • Canal vxtoasion, 'Mi, 347; ateam boat company, 347. ' a higbwair, 348. 630. - Coni«r«nc«, 3U1 ; diatrict, 301 ; clrouit, 392. ' limeatonu, 636 ; foaaila, 636 ; cavema in, ' Literary and HollKioua Initituta, aee Jef- fcraon County Inntituu;. ' llall Itond planned and abandoned, 338. . a d UticnlUkil l(oadorKaDized,:)3U; mon- ey may be borrowed, 342 ; work beuun, 342. < Tract, purchaae of, 62 ; divifliou of, 63 ; aur- voy of, 64. ■ viilase, liockport, 238. BlMk Uiiek Tillafie burnt, 501. Black Snake gunboat (»ptured, 514,616. Blanc, Octiwe, survevH on R.R., 329, ;t39. BUxk lloutea crertcd by Inhabitanta, 86,100, los, 1U3, 202. ik^e Sacketa Harbor. Boats seized on St. Lar, enoe, 616. See Dlzon, Oregory,4c. Bucks hland. Fort Carlton, 21. See Carlton Inland. Biijfulo TillaKO burnt, 501. Burclmnl, Rev. Jedwlinh, 76, 164, 386, 391. Burchard, I'l-lcg, notice of, 428. Burial Asiociatwns. See Cemetery Aasociatlona. Burutl, of officers killed in the war at Sacketa Harbor, 182. Burning i(f, Caroline. 519; of tbe Sir Robert I'ctil, 522; Attimipt ut, of, steamer, 628. Burrcillt Cascailrs. 240, 646. Tillage of, 261. Cabintt, plan of campaign, in 1813, 473, 497. Cable, carried on men's shouldem from Sandy Creek, 512. Caciaf.ne, locality of. 652. CaUifiruui saniUlmie, 632; earth's condition when formed, 533 ; iossils of, 533 ; extent, 634 ; features and soil of, 546. Calcite (calcareous spar), 661 ; tufa, marl, satin H|iiir, 562. Camp, Elisha, agency of, 63, 210 ; patentee of isliiuds, 68, 61) ; roncomed In steajuers, 360, 352. yce .^83, 591. Campaign, plan of, 473. Canada Boat Song, Moore. 570. Oinada lliiMles, jictitlon of siiperrisors, 32. CUnnJj, Sarkets Harbor. 185; company, 185: Wolf Island, 331 ; Black liiver Company, 343 ; incorporated, 344; described, .345. Cannon, found on Isthmus of Point Peninsula, 202. CUpf Vincent, town of, 109; events of war, 113; vexscis at, 115; Rail Road Station, 115; Agri- cultunil society, 409. Carlton, fort, see Fort Carlton; island, reserved by state, 51 ; patented, 79 ; history of r-atent, 109; proposed light at, 116; taken, 46|. Cariiline, steamer, burned, ,')19. Carthage, village of. 300 ; furnace, 300 ; water liower, :102; trustees. 303 ; bank of, 419. Cascadf, nt BurrviUe, 546. (hstnrland. Sec French Company. Ctflorville. See French Company, 63; road past, 310. Cataract, steamer. 354. Oit f\sh Creek, 143. QU/toUc ISeminarv, at La FargevUIe, 213. Otttle Show, flnt county, 404. Chulincourt, Louis Augustin de, purchaafd by, 57. Chvtms. in Black River limestone, 636. Cedar, timber, isolated locality of, 550. tWhratiuii, Urst Fourth of July, 201 ; rail road, 3;io. Crlf>.tine (sulphate of strontla), 552. Omeleru Asmmatiims, Adnuis, 75; Dexter, 106; Muskelungc. 187.199; Felts Mills, 2:18. On«u«, of >\ut4>rt<>wn, 1827, 277; Statiatici of oiateand National, 357. Centre lot. See I'bllHcleliibla, 223. Ceittinel, West4Tn, advertisement from, 120. Vertijicattt, for laud, practice of, l53 ; evUi of, 1U6. Oemiin of lands to the United States, 69. Cluxmpiun, Uen. Henry, purchajwd by, 63, 64, 131, 173; letter of, l!U. Champion, town of, 119 ; letter of Judge Hub- bard, 121 ; Ureat Bend, 131 ; West Carthage, 132 ; arms to be sent to, 460. Chalcndite uncoxciie;, 552, Chandler, Brigadier Ueuerol, arriTei at Saeketa Harlior, 476. Charlevoix, remark of, on flux of waters in lake, 649; letter of, 663. Charles and Ann, schooner, changed to QoT- ernor Tompkins, 4U7. Charlotte, two schooners, in patriot service, 624. Cliuumont, tirst settlement of, 200 ; village, 204; tIsherieB, 206, Chaunceu, Commodore Isaac, cruise In the fall of 1812,469; In attack on York, 480 ; quelU riot, 608. , Lieutenant W., fires naval storw, 488, Chazu limestone, 633. Cherry Island patented, 69. Chevreuii, laleau, see Fort Carlton, 21. Child lost In the woods, 175. Chippewa, frigate, at Storrs' Harbor, 183. Chlorite, 552. Chlor(tform discovered by Dr. Guthrie, 431. Clu>lera, expenses of, 35 ; notice of, 401. Cliondrodite, locality of, 552. Chrysler's field, battle of, 606. Circuit judges, 368. Circuits of Alethodist Church, 392. Citizens' Bank, 418. Clark, .lason, agency Claylon, town of, I|5; Depauville, 143; tttt Block River und Utica ItailRoad; patriota rally at, 620. Chussanis, Peter, purchase of, 45; death of, 65; see French Company. Clerks, list of county, 367. Clerk's dlHce built, 32. Clinton, IM.': Witt, address by, 404. Oickbum, survey by, 55, 61. Ciilamer, sufierinteudent of rail road, 832. Collectors of customs at Sackets Harbor, 184. at Capo Vincent, 114. OV/fdor, schooner, changed to Pert, 467. OMins, Qencral Oliver, calls outthumil\tia,616. Chlquhoun, Patrick, purchase of, 46. , iiroposnls of, 116. Columbia Street, former nameof Arsenal Street, 461. , Cbmmad8. neni «am Ant- Ittle- vlcr, ('. eutor of hit brolhei < Mtat«, 63; dluf of, 148, lUH. 0>tistaUi, WaUam, purrhiuie of, 41; nclls to ChawiuiiU, 46; propunltluuN with Lonl i'ult- nvv, St); kcIIh tu Antwurp rniiipnny, 60; miIIa to Wiinl, Ul ; HulMi'- coiiTnyul to, 02: wIIh HIack lUvur tract, 62; oxiK'UtorH or c»t8lo of, OU. CriiitracUirii uii roll rondH, UUO. Oxiper, Abram, purcliHM) by, 67. J. Fonnlmoro, rumorKi of, on erulM of Ohsuncey, 471. Cnpptr pyntm, 652, Vuralt, fouU of Ulnck RlTcr llmentone, 636, 636 ; of TTOntonLlmeBtonu, 639, 640. Cbmtlia, steamor, on Black Kiver, 344 ; incident, 344. Owwiir*, 869. Vorporalvmt of Utlca and Rome may Iwrrow money for rail roaila, 342. Cbm, large yields of, 161. Cbttim .factories, BrownvUle, 102; Watertown, 2S1; B«)be«'(i,'i79. Cnunca nf War, 475, 498, 502. Cbuntu (ifficet, lIstH of, 367-370. ■ ■ ■ seat, commissionerg for locatinc, 29. Cbuntift, vnyioun to JelfersoD, 26; act cn.-<r/w, attempts to ourn steamer, 528. De.la iiurre, uxp^tion of, 17; speech of, 18; re- turns to Montreal, 20. Delegaten to constitutional convention, 366. IMe,matfr, Henry A., agency of, ;M0. Depau, Prancit. See Peuct's Squire, 44 ; pur- chase in Alexandria, 58. Dfixtuvilk, vlllaKp o( 143. Depots at Capo Vincent, 116; W. and B. rail road, 332. Deict.nt of Black River between falls and Car- thBae,34d. Deterter ahoi in Orleans. 214. Desertifms, executions for, 179. Desfumeaux, General, purchngo by, 58. Xk-vardines, Simon. Sco Ponet'a Square, 43; student, erects powder mill, 192. De. WaterviUe., part of regiment taken, 602. />euiei/, Timothy, notice of, 42?t. William, mil road survey by, 326 ; articles written by, U27 ; note, 576. De H!-y, Charles Sliohael. 56. Dexter, yiUage of, 104 ; appropriations for piers at, 185. Diana, schooner changed to Hamilton, 467. Diary of James Constable, 148. Dimuck, Captain, privateering cruise, 494. Diseases, notice of, 400. Distances, early report on, 311. District Attorneys, 369. Districts, collection. See Custom Houses. Methodist, 392. Divitiim qf (hnntie.^, 25. Dixon, Samuel, pi-ivateerlng cruise, 494, 514, 615. Dodge, ilea. R., to re-enforce Sackets Harbor, 466; takes command at Sackets Harbor, 468, Pole, James, agenrr of, 166. IMtimile, 552. Donation of lands to Sacketa Harbor and Sara- toga rail road, X\H. DonliUle, Ocorgc, lload Commissioner, 317. Voxtater, Robert II., Superintendent rail road, ■'132 ; notice of, 420. Oru/Hii of Militia, 461. Uraymm, incident with sh'.n carpentars, 608. Draper, .Sorguant, killed, ".l3. I>rijt, deposits of, 647 ; features, 647 ; agenciea. Drouth, notices of 164. Drumnumri, vessel captured, 602. Duhoit, BiHlinp, foumiH a seminary, 213. Duel at Madison llarracks, ISO. Dukt ,Ws 3/iV/j, village of 2.37. Female Seminary at Brownville, 389. Firrv at Cape Vincent. Ill ; Sacketa Harbor, 187. FielU's Nettlement,-2<\i. Fine, Hon. John, visiffl Kingston, 527. Finney, Rev. Charles G., 76, 106, 391. Fire$, at SackeM Harbor, 186; Watertown, 284. 596 Index. Fiih, klndR taken Ibr market, 207. finh Itliimi, lo< ki tit.W. i'iihrrirt, 6ft lott, 117, UI2; at Chaumont, 306. Flat Hixk, mx I'IchhIk, ^'i. i'/crf. Anmriiim, on lake. Ml nn812,409, 473; «l>iln« «>f l!)i;i, •75, 47U. 4117 ; In full of 1813, »(M); III 1814, 5(17; iiHllHfur NiuKira, 616; to be roiliiciHl tuonii vohh'I, 517. • of vvmoIh ut Uuili-niil>uruh, 4M, Hritidh, on lake in th« Tall of 1812, 400; iprInK of ISia. 475; In 1814, 513. FUmr ittMr, 553. Flux oJ watpm on lako, 54B. Fintltrny, M. dm, Hont to lay out Fort Carlton, 24. Fmt, AuuuHtUM, note on. 471. .Niilimn, U'ttur to Morrlii, 136.; lett«rii on roiulx. 309, 31U, 312, 313, 314, 310. Firpf*. nt Antwerp, IH); atdterlintfvUle,226; at CiirlhuKiN 3y, 518. OeorKo, raptured, 443;operatioiui at, 600 ; KnrrlxoiieiJ, 6UI. I'lk«, .118. Toiiipkinii, 485, 617. VIvKlnln, 518. Voliinlwr, 485,618. Firtijiatlidiis, Indian, ' i5; p*i Six town Point, 20. 100; on Carlton iHlaad,iieo Fort Carlton; at .Sacketa ilnrhor, 180. FissiU jf mlclf«muii tinndntone, S33; Cbaty, .MCI; hirdneye, 534; Trenton llmeatone, 636; Uticaalatv, 543; Lorrainu ithaleii, 544. Ihnlfr, Jalwii, notice of, 430. Fmiidr^, Woodruff's, cut of, 280. Fmnlmn at Watertown. 290; Arteaian, 277. Fturrier Antndalion, 414. thurlh itf Julu, tint oelobratlon, 201. >»ix. rrulmot'494, Frrf thmiiiunlon Haplint, yearly meetlnK, 395. FreMifti, ill Blnck Itlvor. .S4S. Prfiich, Abel, aijeniy nf, 234, 300. Freiich Creek, Indiun fort at, 38,136; rnttle- niunt of, 137 ; Indian name of, 138 ; action of, 505. JVene/i, discoveriea of, 15; Do la Barre'n expedi- tion, 17; conquest of, 20 ; fort on Six Town I'oint, 20 ; Fort Carlton, 21 ; occupy Sandy Crock, 21. French Company, Ramo, early notice of, 53; yield of crops, 63 ; ndvautaKi*ii of location, 64; climate. 54; ilescrlpllon of fulls, 1)4; flslicrieH, 65 ; death of ChasiiauiH, 55 ; see Lc Kay, settle- ment of, 121 ; road, see Frcncb n>ad ; articles of association of, 40 ; titles to tie Klyen, 40 ; cortlticatos liow Kiven, 40 ; payments, how to be made, 47; division of, 48; Kovemmcnt of, 48; boundiof,49; aKoncies, 49; surveys, 6U; Instructions to surveyors, 51 ; settlement at Illxh Falls, 61; Tilliur, aKent, 61; sales on tract, 6 1 ; romantic account from Creveoot'iir's work, 51 ; reservation for cities, 51 ; Castor- viUo, 53 ; account of several settlers, 63 ; early prices, 63 ; tieavors, 53. FrUndf H'tiknifiU. Soo Philadelphia. , society of, 395. FrigatM, New Orleans and Chippewa, 183. Fronten 'C, steamer, 362. Frmdirr Biink, 418. FuWm, I^ivinKston and, see Ontario steamer. Fur Irnde., Canadian, route of, 128, 308. Furnaces at Antwerp, 90; CarthaKo, 132, 300; .SterlinRville, 225; Theresa, 240; lined with sandstone, 631. Oainu, Gen., commands at Sacketa Harbor, 616. 6'uHoo Island, patent of, 69. (•amt, wild, early notice of, 53. Ounnnoqui, Forsyth's attack of, 467; patriota' rally near, 52(1. Garanfluia, speech of 19, O'lrifJ (nilnerbl), 553. O'arnfl. Tom, tale of, 411. Gas Ihmpanu, Watertown, 290. GtiMiMe /tacAxt, sch'r, chaognd toConquatt, 467. Gteton, Rcneral obMrvatlona, 639; claulflra- tlim, 530; gneiss, 53U; primary rocki, 630; I'otsdnin sandstone, 531. Ofiirgt i linlim, steamer, 353. (lilliert, Marlanus \i„ notice of, 430. (till ntti, recent use of, 200, (ilan, i|ualitli-s of, made at nesals for purchase, llO; Wilklnion'a ren- deiivous at, W'i, Gridley, ,liidxe I'liilo, eflbrti of, to quiet patriot movements, 625, 520, GrindMime hland, patent of, 08, 142. Grim'ing, of rocks by drift agencies, 661. Growlrr, thu experiment, 4U7; captured, 467; rcciipturiH-l, 501. Grnurliy, Kmanuel Count de (Marahall), pur- chase by, 58. Guillurd, William, locate* claM right, on Carl- ton Island, 109. Gu(/h, in Lorraine, 198. Gutt\Straim In Hodman, 230. Guthrie, Dr. Samuel, notice of, 431. Hamilton, British name of schooner Julia. 601; American schooner Uianu, oliuiigud to, 467, manufucturiiiK company, 281. Hampton, Qeneral, plan of movementa for, 467; .m Hamnumd, T. 9., iiurchaso by, 58. JIarrison, llichaiu, a purchaser of Black River Tract, 62. (leneral AVilltam II., arrives at Sacketa Harbor, 506. William H., agency of, 59, 61. //rtl, end- age, of, at, 137. /JD((f«on ffiViT fhnUt. R44. JItiiiijir/iiril llank, 4lH. . Ofvlllo. prcniili'iit of rail road Co., 328; iintlit) (if, 41li''i. Uiingiii /*iv, MiM' Hay of Fnmlnr. Iliiiitfr ItnliifK. .'illi, .'iSi. Hiiiiliiiuliiti, lijcr, iiiillci" of. JIl'i. Huilraiitic power ol iXiuk KIvit, 283, 302. /cc caiv, Walortown, 637. Imvrrtimnit, a taloof nrlll^h, 471. Jmliiiii rcniiiliiH, H-Ili; iiiiiiii'h of plarcs, ITi : H|u'itIi of (iiiniiitrulii, Iv); Irvnty, 3U; iiHUin of Kri'iiili cnH'k, liis. Jnili(W IIkI hliiiid, imti'iitii), (!n. Imliiin A'l ivr, cnrl y iiiiiiii' of Antwerp. 87; ob- Ntriiotlouti to III) ri'muvfU, 'Hi ; a liiKhwuy, :t4s. Jndiriiluni liittiki, 418. IiulHflridl A»tnriiiti, (11, fl2, iiwcn'/i/iVi/M, forinor, on wwKtuu monument, 183. Jn>jx'<]li)rs of Anil. 207. Jmiiliriil roniiiiiitMioner, 300. JmUlute. .Ti-fTerHoii Comity. 379. 386. Imuranre. (Aimjxiiiit*. .IcnerRon County, 410. AKrirnlttirnI, 41». Inlfrnul Mnimmmrutt, 307. /m/i. rollef to, ;tlt8. Jr||lnKc of, 213, jAike Oiitiirio.vxU'Ut.tM: ctiigcs of water. 548 ; »nlerh.|«>iit^ 5 HI; mlrutje, o49; ancient c»- icni <»i. 04i*. /-"/.<». In llhTO'n. 240, /,(' Miiiiir, niiftNldiiury. notice of, 17, Lamlriimmisiinncrs' nffln.. (icuhd. 41 ; conTOy lo Minonili. 41 : idnvey UIhihIk, Ih. 1,0ml f.Jhir. U' lliiv V. Ht2, ^"'■m' ^'^' *'" "" '"'''* '"''"•'""'"■)■• 231, 291, I'lid veins of. In Trenton llm.stune, .Ml, /-<■«(/ ioiii-Kh, llri,nnvllli., in;:. Uoxrt, in periielult). iitti Hipliil, •.'!«. ;:'.'2 y.-'./,'.///, town (if, Hit); Imidcnl, ltd; „f|l,,. at. -•.1^*""" ,'"'""! '"''': I'l'"" I''"'!"-, Ili3| Kinllily niecthm. 222, oO.'i, 192 nid -— .[iinieM l»„ Hile» by. fi5. 57; iiurdinfp bv, iiii.Sc Kcttlcnicnt (It cftiile lY. i)l; liiddin't, 114: Kc III" lit l,c llavhvilli'. 192; |Hilliiii for riiiKl. .I'.l ; see liirniiikei.; iiKrl( ullual MKlety, canal limn. lety, 415; SHrkul- &(■.; not Ice of, 441 I me. 44(1. - — — Vincent, purdiaiien by. CI, I.r Uaysrille, piiipcrtj of l.e lliiv at, CO, Le Hoy. Ilemiiin, kcc IVnct's ii(iunre, 43; pur- ibiiKCM in iiunilicr IV., ,'i8. , . i-ur //.«. atteniptH In l.urn ntciiiiier. 528. /<■ Iniirlivr. .lolin y.. clnlni of, 210. Lrvatsmr, Kn-ndi hhipwrlubt, to lie sent to fort Carlton. 24. ifiV/. Cbevaller, plan of, for fortlfj Ing the St l.iiwrence. 24, Zi^iciX (Jen. Morgan, arrives atSnckets Hnrlior, Limleii, former lioiinils of, 70. 248, 290. ii/iranVn. kikIiiI. 75, Sil, Kill. ;ls, \-M. 102. ICO 187. 1»:!, 227. 241, 290, 304, 3SH. Licinae, votes on. 371. Liuht /AiiiKi J. cession of Innds for, 69 ; sunken VS'S^l ' ''.'."''','•'! '■"'"'• ll"i 'n Uoundslield, IVi, IS, : Itock Island, 214. Liinerivk, village of, 105. Limrfli.nr, Vhtrty, 5;i3; 1 1rilseye, 534; lilack Iliver. 535; Trettfon, 639; features and soil of, 54tl, Limonilr (I'ogiron ore), 555. Link in the Chain, (luotation fVom articles en- titled. 2li. Maititiiii Hu'nuki lit Snrki'tK llnrhtir, 181, 617, Maontiiif Hi Viirk, i'X|i|imIuii oI, Vs'i. M'luiiiiiif (iiinuni'll'' Inin iin<), liib. Mini lilt,' III Hli'iiiiirrK, ^U'lA. Jliiliiiliiii (u^'<'ll^nrtl inprHir), MA. MfiiiiiiniK, Iliilct'lKlvi' III flivt. Wll. Miiiiiimiine, iixjiliMiJ', iiiitli^il, WV, 197. MiiiiiiniW: \m. Miiiinfiiinrirn, iif ninrliliii'ry, Ac, IffiJ, Jliirlilt, III AiitwiTii, Ii4, Miirii/, iliiviTtiiir, vlxllii I'liiinly, ri'JJI. Miiriili; An'iit, tlr»l mirvi')!"""' '""nty, .18. Miiiiha Oiiili'ii, Kti'iiiniT, wrti knt, 1162. Miiiiiit, (It'll. \V.. rimil iiuiiiiilioiliiiiur, U17. ^lAii'V Ami, viMM'l, i'H|>hiri't |irliN, .Icirrrwiii cnniity, UOO; lint Of liii'inU'rH, :IIIU; iiiilicrH, MW. Mrrliiiil. to illMfouniKii iiHtriut moTrmontn, 626, .'.211, .')27. nitl roBil, .1.18, 3.W: koo W. A H. R., *o. Mfxilirri. of CoiiKniHH, IlC'i ; nf AMM-iiilily, 380. Mfrilitmti/ Kriliinioe Hiiiil,:4\H. MirihiiiitiC Hrrluiiif/i', Wiitcrtiiwn. 2S0. Mrrrilt, Dariit. iiamitlvo of rlillil lout. 176. Mrliilir ivi'iiD, In Trt'iitiiii liinvKtuiio, 641. Mfliiinitiiaiidl tHiilc. 6lil . Mdhmlitt HnimtijHil WK-lotU'R, 301 ; confercnrp, aid; illfitrictK, [iVi; cinuitm SUi; preiiidlng fllilCTH. ;!«2. J/fjiW), houniln of In 18(10, 70. .*/iVi(ixe>^iiti(inH at .Hiicki''"' llarhor, 19 HchiHil. )iro|MiiH!d ut t. 304u Mirii^enw Uiix' (Intiiriii, o4<.(. JU imiimarits, rmrly, 3UU; DodetiM for MOding, 3m». MojTulh'Wf. Tlllaor (il. 100. Mimiwk, Vf^wi'l. 5i)x. Monry, dixirinu. in KlllHlmrKli. 168. J/oWfi/ stolciiliy Wl.iltlfwy, -2(13. Mnniiiwlii of ntcnintxiatH, ««« OtitArio Bteamer. ^onnif, tour nf I • r-i-sidenl, IS] Mmiiimint iiropomil to tiiu mciiiurf of I'iksand iithoni, IK-.'. MiK'ff. 'FhoniuK, Cnnailiun lioat Sons, MiKiri', killed ut ('up<( V., ll:j. Mirritand lliimminiil rmui, 70. ;il;> Mirris, (JouviTiu'iir, auent uf Antwerp Com- pany, 6ll; inrtilcnt of.journ«y, 114; (»noen.- \n\i roadH. all.;il4, aiU. Mirri.i. U'wIh K.. purchuso by, 57 ; undertaketi to Ki'ttli! Antwerp. 87. Mnrturn, rude wooden, 12f). 147. Muiiilie (nulpliiirel of iron), 135. Miiiiif'tms removed from Smdj; Creek, 612. MuxiitiU (mini of Kniniten), ."kiO. Murmm llliir, burning of, IIM, 366, fhhl AW/(/ic.«, WK'telleK (if, 4)2 (l/liurf, public, lint nf, ;i(;f), dt/il'im', title of. In IsliiiiiN, i'8; in Sarkcta Ilar- Imr, 172: lottei'M to, aio, 312, 314, t^ttlrnfliuiyli, attack U|hiii, 424, 4(18, l)l/ili'n>l)iiiiili, I'liiijidit iiml linme R, H., 341; rexohillonii of, ;t41 : money may Ut borrowwl for, 343. Ofiilfir, Jolin, DrltUh lioiindary com.. 08. tHive, Nicholad. M'e I'enet'it ^ perty at the port of, 460, 7fi(/.liicouib'!i, 4], 4c. I'enot'i, 42. lutriilfif, Caiitaiu A., propones to eitablisha military wdiool, 182. ntlritit iihr, 619. JM, nteamer, bumeil, 621. JMIefirin, French xtiipwright, to be icnt to Fort Carlton, 24. iV»(!f, iVtcr, Ktipnlation In treaty for,40; nquare laid out, 42; appointD Duncan hU attorney, 43; chain of title, 4.1; called Hichlaiid, 62; lumlM'ring on. 137 : Hquattem, 209. tknet, I'etor, title investigated, 211j attorney general'H report, 211. /Viic/, HIppolvte, dnlma of, 210, Ifmionera in 1840, 302. l\rch Hirer . alarm of war at, 100; former sick- nesaon, 105; channel improved, 106, rfriiKlicalii, lint of, 372. J^'rpeliitil Leases attempted, 222. 7Wn^ic(//ioH('i/-wm6,«o.'alled, a fossil corn), 636. J'haroux, I'oter, death of, 50, 62 ; his body found, 61 ; tablet to bis memory by Le Bay, 61. Index. 699 ; to Fort PItrUu. Mnl,iiii. Idwniif, 'JIT; H'tlliil liy O'lnkcr". 'JIS; I).' I,imii.-)V Mill. aj;i ; MorlliiBVlllu, Jlift. rhhuiufiutr (uilcH cirwlilm llllli'Hliim'). ftii". V/iyiiii,, ImIiii .liihiiHMii, I'linvi'jiiiin'i. of, tV^, i'lijjtiriaiit, lUt uf, luiMiilxira uf louiitv MK'ioty, WW. J'liri-', M. •.i'onaiit, (ll«ci>Tc«ri» oiii'niy. .MO. i'ltrniKiiU Maiuii; UK) : ruU miul, (I'lubratlon at, .•MtO. J'iii-riiKDil, 1l('r,i'klnli II., iiun'liamt n(, I'.'l; nil t'xuc'uti'i' of VV. ('.'« twtiiti', I'll; imiL'iilHi of iiov- cnil Ih'iiiiiIk, III) ; iicitk'» uf, 44S. ■ Wlllliini C, lltluuf, ua, lutl; iiroKUunt of inllnin-l, ;i;tt). J'iri-.i nt Di'xUT, iiii|iriiprliitl(iiiii for. IS.'i, J'il.i. ('i)l(iM(il /.. M.. iiiDVi-H to Hurki'tH llnrJior. 471: IiHkiiiIo iinlor of attiuk on York. 4*7: li'lli'i- writli'ii, III r«i'.i<.iit of. 4711: ili'iilh.4x!l; )iiourii|iliti'iil iiotr, moiiuiuoiit iiroponuU, 18:^, 7 ill. ohlii, viiiiliiiHtl, 4U0. J'hir riiiiiiH, I'XtiMit of, 11)3, 237. i •'•III, of Kort Ciirlton. 1 10; of fort on Six Town I'oiiit, lilH; of Wllklnxnii'H rni'iiniiinii'iit, 5o:i. 7'/>i/i of (li-ncriil llrowii.for wur lu Lauudu, 4;^. J'Idiil, KiHtih, lint of, Ai-i, J'tcmis, vll!ii|i((' of. S'J. J'litwlif ii>li(tm. Cu|italu, vuiiturttl at Sandr Crook, MI, .'il.'l. J^'imliiliim, ulnlliitli'H of. X)7. J\irlfr, (ii'Dural I'ulurU., boundary commlmlon- .T, IW. l^trl J'lilnum, In Capo Vino-nt. 111. i'tet'iulrru, »i. fjiwii'm-c WatvrtuwD, 300; hil- torlt'ul i'oni|"''iiliui, \'t\, J're.iCfUt.hnfiy ,iii-, .i.,. J're^enliii' |i|)iirniii rnse of, 471. J'rewli'ii , , .iiiuT, .'LW. J'rrMiu,, -hierf. Mi'lUodlst, 372. J I'M" n. » i|inp»'r, il72. J'remisi Mr lliHirifi', iirrlTcs In Kingston, 474; »tt«n-k •>« Siu'ki't.i llarlwr, 485. J^iiyf, (>»«i'ly, of u'rnlii mid cattlo, S3, 54, riiHuirn riKlif, wlO, o47. Primnfrs. iiiHiiiti'imiicii of, ,13, of INfl, trial of, ,'i2.'l : piitrlot, 627. — patriot, M'nt to WackftB lliirbor, 827. Primlimnn. on Ht. Ijawri'iii'u, 4!I4, J'lnrhinuitiiin, of (Inv. Murcy, 623. i'ivi/u//,')'s. linvH of. ;i.')0. J'rnixrlii. wlzutl ilurtiiK tho war, 458. J'lililir iijfiefi-f, lint of. ;lll5. J'lilliil rijcl,; iioltci- of. (12. J'lilliifi/. proiiosltioiiH for piircliiiro, 50, J'lmiiU of tliosu eouccruod in burning tlio Pool, 624. Pyruxene, 556, Qiinhr Sftncmml. Tlllapro of, 217. Quart:, loiiililio.s of, 560. VuiUiunt, ClaudlUH S., agency of, 300. TfniV llnath, sco Watortown and lionic 324 ; SnikL'tiiUarlKjraiidKllMiurKh. .334; Hackotc Ilarlmr and .Saratoga, 307 ; I'olHdam and Wa- t«rtowii, 335, 4c. Ravinen in I^orralnu shales, 108. PadvimU, villngc of, 82. Pencitf, of proiKTty geized under embargo, 458. Merfuue Cutter. .Icffiirson. 618. Jifnimls, reliniouB, 301. Sw tho several towns. Jil'iiiltitintiiiri/ peminnerf, 402. Jiewuril offered for plunderers of Peel, ,''.23. Hich, .Iiiirus, encounter with piiiither, 80. Jtiilinnlmn, Williiim.Bclassn.htitirtucd tt. V:'/jMT.'£\i>; Wlilli.HVllle.2;il; note, 672. Jiiiini, Hcii roaiN; lull roiid prnjirt. ^I'l'.i. - — ^— corpijiHlioii, limy Imrrow inoiicy, 342. /i'«ii*v/, .loMi [ill, Bgi'iicy of I'ariKh eKiali' In Ant- werp, 8S, Unliii-rt, ,lolin \.. iigent of Antwerp Co., CO. It'iiiIrA i-iirveyeil for canal, i)47. /i'nriil mil, 160. i^///(iHi/, town of, 2'12; agencies, 234; Inclilents, *16; wrcHtlllig, 2.'ltl; loiiipaiiy of eM iiuiin, 2.10; KelfH.MIIIi<,2:W: T)lervllle,2;!8; I'm l.iry .'I'.i; lllack Itlver Villaue. 2:i.S: si'b(;iil, and t*aratog» rail roiid.3::7. village, Hetlliii, 174, 170; defense of, 177 J hiiportance In war, 178; exwntlons at 170; incident, 170; Monroe's visit, IHl; duel. IKO; liarriicks. 181 ; vessels at, Ix.'tM'anal, 185: (Ire, IKO; charter, 180; ferry, 187; union school, 187: llbriiry, 187 ; Y. M. Asso., 188; in war, 486 to 617. Siiai; Nallmii, letter on road, 312; com'r, 817. iSuhiwn Hirer, road to, 312 Sull-W(irh», road from, .'!' ' 118. >iiitiir, I'otsdiini. 631 ralclferons. 532. Suntlij Crrek, French |h »t at. 21 ; battle of, 167 ; uioutii of, 101 ; marshes. 101 ; wrecks at, lol; survey of, 102 ; bnllle of. 609. Siilm spar, li»-alltles of. 652. Siutlp found in legislative ball at York, 4S3. Si'.ti ixiliU' . 660, MiimU, .». religious, rw each town; sco religious MM'iellcs. Srcnmlary rnrk, 6.'!0. tSecrcl criH^lUitms against Sackets Harbor, 493, 607 .<«.•;,/ .tncirtien, 409 ; patriot, 619. Sine ./w/icriVjt, set,' fisheries. 206. M'uure. of proiHTty under embargo, 458. S'll.irk; Earl of, purchase of. 03. Seiii iiari/, AiUtmH, 76; llrownville. 388 ; Cath- I. u; nt lia Kargeville, 213; Koduiun, 230. Serjientitic. 667. Hi; iitli Jhiij Jiaplists, Adama, 'i', 78; Hounds- flelil, 180. Srwall, Henry D.. factory of Hamilton Co.. C81, Hymnur. David, agent for making road, 310. Shales. I/irraine, 644. Sheaffe. (Jeneral, commands at Y'ork, 483. Sherriffs, list of. 307. S'liihhuihliufi, 116.141,204,205. . Sliiiis, at fai'kcts Harbor, 18;!. S'lipcarjienliri. iiuilent with. iiOS, Uliiiemaler, Abrpm. exp':^it of "'6. Sickiieii, prevailing, SO, 147, 160, 168, 201, 221, Silitr Grayx, companies of exempts, in Adams, 74; Kllisburgh, 1,67; Lorruino, 198 ; RodmMl 230; Kutland, 23U. ■«> 600 Index* Sir llnbcrt IM, (<(<'nlncr, Intmctl. 621, to 62-J. •S/x 'JhjoHJ'iihil, truce ul'u work un, 2U ; plan, ICO. «SV.cWi>H«, Iiidinn, of Krciit size, 1:!. iSlale, L'tirii, bVi; fviiturcs and soil of, 545. SltJiM- (if iirininry rotk», 647. Smith, Cliiirli's, riJI roiid survey by, ^29. .Ti'HK!, Tri, 'Zl'J. JiinnH, nt?«nnv of, 200. M'illiain, rucc-lver for Ponot Sauaro, 212 ; aid in rnil hmmI ackuowliHlgi'd, :I20. WilHam StoVL'iui, to lo. >ii'mu',ii. iSmji tif 'l\int>erann\ divisions of, 113. iSiphia, Te.sMol burned, 402. JUjmtr, Hev. David, an early missionary, 135, 2:J1, 390, Specular Iron, 557 ; geological place of, 557 ; mines, 557, 558. Sjxnar, Joshua A., efforts of, to quiet patriot iiuestlons, 525, 520, Spjlslmry, Oapt., capturtd at Sandy Creek, 611, ,'•13, Spiijirr, gun boat, captured, 494. JS'phene, 5ij0. iiiuiitkrs on I'enet fnuaro, 209. St. Dnminan, pettlers from. 53, 54, St. lAiwrenee Itiver, ini|iort»nee of, 2o, 318; sle^mers, 353. See Tliousaiiii Isles. St. Viticent cle Hiul. seminary, 213. State BinK- at Sad.ets Ilarlmr. 41tt. Slate JInadf. 203. See Oswegntehie. .^l4 to .319. Slatiinix on Watertowii iind Uomu rail road, 3;i2, !i.33; elevations of, liiU. Stalistif^ 01 Watertown and Rome rail road, .331 ; of I'otsdnm and Watcrtown rail road, .330; from ccnsus«!s, 357 : of academies, 3S6. 3S8. StfMHerf, American lines of 115. 348; Canadian, 350 : attempt to firedreat llritain, 528 ; Brown- ville,«3: Ocean Wave burnt, 118 ; at Clayton, 141 : Cornelia. 344. Steamboat companies. Black Biver. 347 ; Ontario, 349; St. Ijawrunce, .354: Ontario and St, Law- rence, 352 ; success of, 355. See steamers. Sterling irmi mine, 9.3. Sterling, Micah. notice of. 4,52. Sterlihflville, village and iron works, 225. Steiiiien. Baron. )K'tition for road. ;!07. (StcAnci/, Col. Paul, militia drawn from regiment of, 458. Stocks to lie crcctcil in Lorraine, 195, StocMno. Samuel, purchase of, 01. S'om Mills, village of, 214. Sttnte quarries, at Chaumont village, 205. Stony himitl, patented, 09. Stoini l^iint, wreck of steamer near. 352. *or«,l.emuel.pu.chnseof,t';i-4,120, 121,131,17.3. Skni), Sllns, agency of, e;j, 173, 229; roud com- missioner. 319 ; vote of, 401. Sultan, Turkish compliment of. to Eckford, 513, Simlien Unci; liglil-house on, SI. Siiiwintenilents of scliools, 397, Siii>eriiir. armed frigate, 50S, S,tpervisiir.i. first meeting of, 30 : doings of, 30, 3ti ; lists of, see the tlrst pariigraplw in the several towns: time of meeting, 37, Surrender of York, terms of, 484. A'«rr'/|7(i<<'.«. list of, 307. (Surivi/x, first. 3S ; of .Macomb's purchase, 42; of French lands. 50 ; (."ockhurn's 56 ; of tract No. IV. Van Allen's. ,57; of 11, Wright, 04; of Crary, 300, St'e Bail llnnd, 4c, Surrej/nrs of t'roncli lands, 50 ; of tract No, IV, 50; of Black Biver Tract. 04, S'irrillierii, Count (.lovepb Bonaparte), 60, Swedenlioroians, society of, 170, liiljle, statistical rail road, 331; ccnHUa, 357, 359, 3i!0. 3 11 : of aemlemies, 3S5, 3S8, T.dc, loca'iticjt of, to. 3\tx, set^ county buildings, bridges; petition for academy, 38!i ; fur Hchools, 398; guDoral in war, 497. {a/ilor, Hcv, .Tohn. early missionary. 76, 300. Ji'Jer/raphs, lines of, a43 ; steamers, il53. iKuiperunec swiety, county. 3911, 397. /!■» KucI,; Kirhert, notice of, 452, lerrares, of llinesinne rockji, 545, 'J'luoliigical seminaru, Catholk:, 213. 7 //. /r.OT, town of. 243; hiciilent, 244; village, 21i); tiitls, 245; furnace, '240; lakes, 240, Tlwusumt Miimls. fViWKry of, 81, 141; church of, 84: jKHitryof, 5011. Threr Mile liay, village of, 204; vessels built at, '2t)4, Tililjets, (leorge. agency of, 150, lillier, 7i'(W(i/j)/i, agent of Frc'uch Co,, 49, 299; is HuccewKil by tiouv, .Morris, 55 ; acquaintance with Brown, 97, TimlK-r, &c„ of eleven towns, 64 ; steali' >f, 81, 130. ' Titles, primitive, 38 ; Oneiila and other T .i, 3S : set! French comiiany, Antwerp company, renet. Black itiver tract, islands, &c, TompLiHs, Oov, Daniel D^ letters from, 420; see appendix : letters to, 177. 4'i:!, 424, 420, 4ia, 4iiO, 407, 4,80, ,517; see appendix; visitu Sack- vU llarlior, 4ii8. Fort, at Sackots Harbor, 468. Tornadiies, 501. Toronto, see York. Tour of President Monroe, 181. Tnnrmaliiie, otiO. Totcis, survey of eleven, 84 ; sec Adama, Aiox> andria. Arc, Agricultural Societies, S3, 408. (lutes of erection of tlie several, 69. names given by the iiroprietors, 70. meeting, st(>aling of, 90, Trad,; length of rail road, 331, Tracts, of .Macomli's punliase, 44; fca Black lliver, French Co,. Boylstou, Constable, &o. Tre/tsurerr. county, 307. Treat!/ with Onciilas, 39. Trenltm limistone, 539; extent, 539; fosslli), 5,39: thickness, 54; veins in, 541, Tn(i Hill, composed of slate, 545, Turin, road to, from Wbllestown, 317. Turnpil.e^, Oneida and .(cU'erson, 319; St. T.avr. r(!iice. 320; Cape \incent, 203, 321; Ogdeng- burgh, 3'20, TulIU: Col, O,, postof, in battle of Sackets Har- bor, 480. United States boundary survey, 68. , cession of land to, 09. deposit fund, 370, , steamer, 353, 5l4, I'nion Bank, 418, , Jefferson tJounty Sabbath, 306. Literary S(X'icty, 3,S5, school of Sackets Uorhor, 187. Unirersali.sts:' association. 395. I'pjiilin, R,, plan of church l)y. 295. I lira city bonds for rail i-oart, 342, Utica slate, 543 ; fossils, 543 ; features, and soil of, 645, Vallei/, rcmorkalJe, In Rutland, 240. Valleys of Jeirerson County, 547, 551. Valuation of towns in 1805, Van 7^(';»ssc/«tr, l{(!nsselaer, at Ilickorr Island, 520. .— . Stephen, letter to. 300. I'dii r/(irt, surveys on rail roiid, 329. Vaudreuil, M, de, takes postntSnndy Creek, 21, Vauahan, Captain William, ;i52, 51'2, 154; note on, 514, 510, Veins qf lead, in Trenton limestone, 541. Vessels. burn(Hl by (^nerny, 462, to bo r I'r('(i»)yt4!ry, 390. — — village, 270; truHtecfi,273; cemetery, 275 ; hoard of Tieullh, 270; census In 1827, 27.; Ar- tesian well, 277; factories, 278 ; extraordinary water iwwor, 283 ; public square, 2S3 ; Arcs, 284; ar(»de, 287; eleganooof iiublicbulldinKS, 289;fountnhis, 290. • yoiiiii; ineii'H association, 290. Wakrtown and tJape Viiuxnt H. R., incornorai)- eil, 32ii. M'atf.rtown ami Rome. R, K., oi-lKln, .124; leiris- latinn on, 324 ; surveys of, 32.'). 32(5; iwmpiiny orKanlzed, 327; road Iwuiin, 328; officers cho- sen, 328 ; api>eal of aKricultural society, 329; opened, 3.10^ bonds, 330 ; statistics, 331 ; ele- vations. :t3l ; stations, 332; husiuess of, 338 ; suu^css of, ;!:!2. WcttMH, James, see Penel's Square, 43, 210. ■ Mattlu^w. purchases a class ris^ht, 109. Well, Artesian, Watertown, 277. IJT-W, Isaac, Jr» note on Thousand Islands, 667. Wells, Asa, affair of, 156, 459. Island, 68 ; extent of, 81. Wed Carlhaae., 132. Whedoch; (). L, plans by, 287. 289, 292, 207. White, family of, muitlercd, 143. Major tieorge, agency of, 23T, notice of, 452. Wliitestown, tonaar bounds of, 70; rood from, 317. . W/iitemTle, vlllBKoof, 231 Whitiieii's (l;mcr«,'227. Whiltlefey, Samuel, robV)cry of, 203; Mr. yal*- bank's remarks on, 574. Wilcnx't Oirnen, post ofllce of, 30& W,lke*, see Tenet's Squans 43. iri7',i)Mon, Ueneral, appointed to command of frontier, 497. array of, arrives ot Sackcts Harbor, 601 ; disastrous Issue of expedition, 502. army of, at Cape Vinct^nt, ll;i; Grenadier Island. u03; result of expedition, 506. W7/io»i.'i' Woolen Company, 282. H77h«, town of, 299; Carthage, 300, 303; fui> uare, ;tOO; Natural Ilridge. 304. Windmill, Imttle of, 524; prisoners, 527; note on Von Schoultz, 501. Wilf, Charles Michael do. See Antwerp Com- pany, 66. Island, ship building at, 141; rail road, 327 ; canal, 331. story. See « Link In the Chain," 258. Wiilluslonih (tabular spnr), 510. Wn(JdrllJ^', Norrls M., purchase of, 61. Wiodwmxl, Kcv. James, au early missionary, 76, 3(H). Wiifxlville, 159. Wnnleit factories at Dexter, 104; Henderson, 168; Rutland, 238; Watertown, 278. Wxilnei/, Melaiu'tlion T.. builds brig Oneida, 173; affair of 8audy Creek, 509; incident at auction, 460. Worth, Colonel, stationed at Sackots llarbor, 524. Tlorf/i, town of, 305. If n'c/.'ft on the EUisburgh coast, 161 ; of steam- er Martha Ogtlcn, 352. WriglU, Ik'iijamin. of Rome, surveys of, 64, 72, 120, 146, 1U6, 196. 2.13, 249 ; i-oad commbioner, 319; agencies of, 190; notice of, 453. }^>>, Sir .Tames L., commands British fleet, 489, .501, 512. lor/.-, attack planncj, 476; fleet sails, 477; Brigade order of attack, 477 ; description of, 478; attack on, 479; termsof surrender, 484; rotaliHtion, 484, evacuated. 484. l'oi(?il7 Men'ii AsfnciatUm at Sackets Uarbor, 188 ; Watertown, 290. Zoar, vilage, in Rodman, 230l E RRATA. Page. (( It It 43, 8th line from top, for 1729, read 17S9. 51, 22(1 line from top, for Cortland, read Cattorland. 53, 2d line from bottom of text, for origin, read original. 69, 7th line from top, for Mdancton' L,, read Mdanclhon T. 77, 8d line from bottom, for Britey, read Bailey. 88, Gth line from lop, for vigor, read rigor. 143. The figure near the top of this page should be turned so that the finer divisions would be in the upper left hand corner. 164, last line, for E. C, read C. B. 192, 22d line from bottom, for 1819, read 1813. 240, 7th line from top, for Wm. , read Mr. 327, 0th line from bottom, for I, 3, 2, read 1 and 2. 389, 23d line from top, for Van Fled, read Van J^eck. 334, I3th line from bottom, for 1840, read 1850. 523. The number designating this page accidentally omitted. ,fe