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A
GEOGRAPHICAL HISTORY
OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK:
EMBRACING ITS
HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, PHYSICAL FEATURES, CLIMATE,
GEOLOGY, MINERALOGY, BOTANY, ZOOLOGY,
EDUCATION, INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS, fee,
WITH A SEPARATE
MAP OF EACH COUNTY,
THE WHOLE FORMING
A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE STATE.
BY J. H. MATHER AND L. P. BROCKETT, M. D.
-S~l_ /—> c»
UTICA:
PUBLISHED BY JOHN W. FULLER & CO.
1853.
Kntoro'l according to Act of Coneress, in the year 1848, by
II. II. IIAWLEY & CO.
Dice of the District Court of the Northern District of New York.
PREFACE
This work has been prepared with great care and labor, and pre-
sents the following claims to the patronage of the people of New
York.
It gives historical sketches of the first settlement of the state, and
of each county, compiled from the most authentic sources: also the
date of the settlement of each town, in chronological order.
It presents the geography of the state, accompanied by maps of the
state, and of each county— correctly delineating the county and town
lines of boundary, and representing the localities of the most impor-
tant cities and villages.
These maps are of very great importance to the scholar and reader
of this work, aiding him in his knowledge of locality, without which
all geographical research is only superficial.
In the absence of a reference map, they serve as a substitute to a
good degree, especially in defining the boundaries of the counties and
towns ; being free from names, they are perfectly distinct to the eye.
It also gives all the most valuable particulars of the late geological
survey, not only in relation to the geology and mineralogy, but also
to the botany and zoology of the state.
To the politician it is a valuable manual, furnishing him with the
new constitution, the organization of the different departments of the
state government, the history of the land purchases, which have been
the source of much controversy in the state, and the statistics of
wealth, manufactures and population in each county.
To the friend of education, this book is valuable on account of its
full and accurate statistics of the history, progress and present con-
dition of the public schools, the normal school, the universities, col-
leges and academies in the state, together with the common school
system.*
It is emphatically a book for the family, and as such we offer
it to the people of the state of New York.
* Soon after this work went to press the office of county superintendent of schools
was abolished by the legislature.
CONTENTS.
Physical Features or New York, 13.
Boundaries, 13.
General Features, 13.
NATURAL HISTORY OF NEW YORK
Lakes, 15.
Rivers, 17.
Climate of New York, 18.
Geolooy and Mineralogy, 21.
Tabular View of the Rocks of New
York, 24.
Mineralogy, 29.
Mineral Springs, 30.
Botany, 32.
Zoology, 39.
Class II Aves — birds, 39.
Class III Reptiles, 43.
Class IV Amphibia, 43.
Class V Fishes, 43.
Class VII Crustacea, 46.
Class VIII Mollusca, 46.
Class IX Insects, 47.
Class I Mammalia, 39.
CIVIL HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
Dutch Colonial Administration, 48. Mines, 101.
Discovery and Settlement, 48. Government of New York, 102.
Director Minuit's Administration, 50. Constitution of New York, 102.
Director Van Twiller's Administra- Government of Counties, Towns,
tion, 52. and Villages, 119.
Director Kieft's Administration, 53. Public Education, 120.
Governor Stuyvesant's Administra-
tion, 58.
English Colonial Government, 62.
The State Administration, 77.
Internal Improvements, 94.
Pursuits of the People, 100.
Agriculture, 100.
Commerce, 100.
Manufactures, 101.
Origin and History of the Common
School System, 120.
Present Condition of Common
Schools. 121.
State Normal School, 123.
City School Organization, 124.
Universities, Colleges, and Acade-
mies, 126.
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY OF THE COUNTIES.
Land Purchases, 129. VI Richmond, 169.
I Albany County, 131.
II New York County, 139.
Long Island, 152.
III Kings County, 154.
IV'Queens, 159.
V Suffolk, 164.
VII Westchester, 173.
VIII Ulster, 181.
IX Dutchess, 186.
X Orange, 191.
XI Montgomery, 199.
XII Washington, 204.
XII
CONTENTS.
NTH Columbia, 209.
XIV Clinton, 214.
XV Ontario, 219.
XVI Herkimer. 223.
XVII Rensselaer, 228.
XVIII Otsego, 233.
XIX Saratoga. 239.
XX Onondaga. 248.
XXI Tioga, 254.
XXII Schoharie, 257.
XXIU Steuben, 262.
XXIV Delaware, 266.
XXV Chenango, 269.
XXVI Rockland. 273.
XXVII Oneida, 277.
XXVI II Cayuga. 286.
XXIX Essex, 290.
XXX Greene, 29o.
XXXI Genesee, 299.
XXXII St. Lawrence, 302.
XXXIII Seneca, 307.
XXXI V Lewis, 310.
XXXV Jefferson, 313.
XXXVI Allegany, 320.
Table I 417.
Table II 420.
Table III 423.
XXXVII Broome, 323.
XXXVIII Madison, 326.
XXXIX Cattaraugus, 330.
XL Chautauque, 334.
XI. 1 Cortland, 310.
XI, II Franklin, 343.
XLIII Niagara, 347.
XLIV Sullivan. 354. .
\l.\ Schenectady, 3f>7.
XLVI Putnam, 361.
XLVII Warren, 364«
XLV1I1 Oswego, 369.
XLIX Tompkins, 373.
L Erie. 377.
LI Livingston, 382.
LII Monroe, 38S.
LIU Yates, 393.
LIV Wayne. 396.
LV Orleans, 399.
LVI Chemung, 402.
LVII Fulton, 406.
LVI1I Hamilton, 4 10.
L1X Wyoming, 413.
STATISTICAL TABLES.
Table IV 430.
Table V 431.
Table VI Governors of the State, 432.
SIGNS USED ON THE MAPS,
Capital of the State.
County Seats.
Villages not County Seats.
Universities and Colleges.
~-\-\- Forts.
STATE OF NEW YORK.
TOPOGRAPHICAL GEOGRAPHY.
PHYSICAL FEATURES OF NEW YORK.
Square Miles, 45,658, (exclusive of the Lakes.) Population, 2,603,995.
Date of discovery, 1609. Valuation in 1845, $605.646, 095.
Boundaries. New York is bounded North by Lake Ontario,
the river St. Lawrence and Canada; East by Vermont, Massa-
chusetts and Connecticut ; South by the Atlantic Ocean, New
Jersey and Pennsylvania; West by Pennsylvania, Lake Erie
and the Niagara river.
Its extreme length from North to South is 310 miles; from
East to West, including Long Island, 408 miles; exclusive of
that island 340 miles. It extends from 40° 30' to 45° North
Latitude, and from 5° 05' East to 2° 55' West Longitude from
Washington.
General Features. The Hudson and Mohawk rivers natu-
rally divide the State into three sections, of unequal size.
The first comprises Long Island, and that portion of the State
lying east of the Hudson river and Lake George. The second
embraces all of the State lying north of the Mohawk and Os-
wego rivers ; and the third and largest, the vast, fertile tract,
south of those two rivers. These three sections may be called
the Eastern, Northern and Southern.
The ranges of mountains of these different sections are nu-
merous, and some of them quite elevated.
In the Eastern division, the Taghkanic range forms the east-
ern boundary of the state, from Lake Champlain to Putnam
county. At this point it turns south west ward, and the Hudson
forces a passage through it.
On the west side of the Hudson it assumes the name of the
Kittating mountains, and continues its course, into New Jersey
and Pennsylvania, under that name.
The Northern section, comprising that portion of the State
lying north of the Mohawk and Oswego rivers, has six ranges
of mountains running northeasterly.
2
16 STATE OF NEW YORK.
three good harbors, viz : Buffalo, Black Rock, and Dunkirk. The amount of ita
navigation, however, is very great, and rapidly increasing. During the autumnal
months, it is subject to storms of great violence. Area of the lake 8030 sq. miles.
Note. The amount of business on Lake Erie is much greater than that upon
p.ny other of our inland seas. In 1845 the amount of Shipping, registered, enrolled
bad licensed, for the district of Buffalo alone, was about 25,000 tons; and this
Was but a small portion of that employed upon the lake.
In 1844 more than 40,000 tons of shipping were owned by the American ports
on that lake, aside from the English shipping, and that coming from other lakes.
The increase is estimated at not less than 10 percent, per annum.
The entire lake trade of 1845 was estimated at $122,000,000, of which probably
three-fourths passed over Lake Erie.
Several of the steamers (of which there are some hundreds), employed on this
lake, are of more than 1000 tons burthen ; and for convenience and excellence of
accommodations are unrivalled.
Lake Ontario is the second in size and importance, lying upon
the northwest of the State.
It is of a very regular, elliptical form, 190 miles in length, 55 in its extreme
Width, and about 485 in circumference.
It is in some places over 600 feet in depth, having a mean depth of 492 feet,
and in every part sufficient water for the largest vessels. Its surface, is 334 feet
lower than that of Lake Erie, and 231 feet above the level of the Atlantic.
The commerce of Lake Ontario is extensive ; and its ports open usually earlier
than those of Lake Erie. Of these, the principal, lying in the state of New York,
are Oswego, Sacketts Harbor, and Port Genesee or Charlotte. It is less subject to
violent storms and heavy swells than Lake Erie. Its area is 5400 sq. miles.
Lake Champlain, forming a portion of the eastern boundary,
is a long and narrow sheet of water, of great beauty and con-
taining a number of fine islands. Of these, Valcour and Schuy-
ler, besides several smaller islets, belong to New York ; the
others to Vermont.
Its extreme length is 134 miles ; its breadth varies from 40 rods to 14 miles ;
and its depth from 54 to 282 feet. In the winter it is usually entirely closed by
ice for about two months. During the remainder of the year, large steamers
and sloops navigate its waters, richly freighted with the produce of the coimties
along its shores.
Lake George, or Horicon, named by the French, Lac Sacra-
ment, on account of the purity of its waters, lies south of Lake
Champlain.
It is two or three miles in breadth and thirty-six in length. Its surface is 243
feet above tide water. It discharges itself into Lake Champlain by a descent of
150 feet. A steamboat plies upon its waters during the summer.
The lake is surrounded by hills, towering to the height of 1200 or 1500 feet.
The numerous islands which stud its placid surface ; the transparency of its wa-
ters, which reveals the pebbles beneath, at a depth of 40 feet ; and the rich and
varied scenery which surrounds it, all combine to render it one of the most de-
lightful resorts in the state, to the invalid or the man of business.
The northern portion of the State abounds with small lakes,
seldom exceeding six or eight miles in length, and two or three
in breadth. Their number is probably not less than 200.
Some of these, among the Adirondack group of mountains, are greatly elevated.
Avalanche lake, in Essex county, is 2900 feet, Colden lake, in the same county,
2750 feet, and Racket lake, in Hamilton county, 1731 feet above tide water.
The central portion has a chain of* lakes of considerable size
and importance.
PHYSICAL FEATURES. 17
They extend through the counties of Oneida, Oswego, Onondaga, Cayuga,
Seneca, Yates, Ontario and Livingston ; and are hardly surpassed in beautiful and
picturesque scenery.
The principal lakes in this chain are Seneca, Cayuga, Oneida,
Crooked and Canandaigua.
The first four are navigated by steam and canal boats. They are generally from
300 to 600 feet deep, and from 400 to 700 feet above the surface of the Atlantic.
The other lakes, connected with this chain, are Onondaga,
Cross, Otisco, Cazenovia, Skeneateles, Owasco, Honeoye, Can-
adice and Conesus.
These are all small, but are worthy of notice, for the beautiful scenery which
surrounds them. Extensive salt springs abound on the shores of the Onondaga,
whose waters are, notwithstanding, fresh.
The only other lakes of importance are Otsego and Canade-
raga in Otsego county, and Chautauque, in Chautauque county.
Rivers. The Hudson, 320 miles in length, is the largest river
lying wholly in the State, and one of the finest navigahle streams
in the United States. It rises among the Adirondack group of
mountains, and flows almost directly South to the bay of New
York. It is navigable for steamboats of the largest size, and
sloops, to Troy, 160 miles from its mouth.
In the number and magnificence of its steamers, and in the extent of business
done upon its waters, it is probably surpassed only by the Ohio and Mississippi
rivers.
The principal branches of the Hudson are, the Hoosickonthe
east side, and the Mohawk on the west.
The Iloosick, rising in Berkshire county, Mass., runs northwest and west, and
furnishes many fine mill seats.
The Mohawk takes its rise in Oneida and Lewis counties. It pursues at first
a southerly course ; then, changing to east southeast, it forms the valley of the
Mohawk. Its length is about 130 miles.
The other tributaries of the Hudson are, on the east, Schroon
branch, the cutlet of Schroon lake ; Battenkill, Kinderhook and
Croton rivers ; on the west, Wallkill, Rondout, Esopus, Kaat-
erskill and Sacandaga, besides several smaller streams.
The St. Lawrence forms the northwestern boundary of New
York, for a hundred miles ; and is the outlet of the great Amer-
ican lakes.
It conveys to the ocean a larger body of water than any other river in the
world, except the Amazon. It is navigable for sloops as far as Ogdensburg, 00
miles from Lake Ontario. Below this point, the frequent rapids render naviga-
tion difficult and dangerous.
The Thousand Islands lie near its junction with Lake Ontario, a portion of
which, and some others belong to the United States. This group actually exceeds
1500 in number.
The Oswego is the next in importance in the State. Its
whole length is 120 miles.
Under the name of Mud creek, it rises in Ontario county, and flowing easterly
receives, through the Canandaigua outlet, the waters of Canandaigua lake. Pro-
ceeding eastwardly under the name of the Clyde, it receives the waters of Seneca
18
STATE OF NEW YORK.
and Cayuga lakes through their common outlet, and assumes the name of Seneca
river. After a still farther enlargement by the waters of Onondaga lake, it takes
the title of Oswego river; and suddenly curving towards the northwest, collects
from the Oneida river its tribute of the waters of Oneida lake, and discharges itself
into Lake Ontario. It has about 100 feet fall after assuming the name of Oswego
river, and furnishes, by its constant supply of water, valuable mill privileges.
Seven thousand square miles of territory are drained by its waters ; and, by means
of the Oswego Canal and locks, it is navigable for its whole extent.
The Allegany river, one of the sources of the Ohio, takes its
rise in Allegany county, and is navigable for steamers of small
draft from Olean, a distance of about 40 miles, to the state line.
The Susquehanna and Delaware both take their rise in this
state, and, though not navigable to any considerable extent,
afford fine seats for mills.
The other principal rivers of the state are, the Niagara, which
is the connecting link between Lakes Erie and Ontario, and
forms the celebrated falls of the same name;
The Genesee, distinguished for its immense water power,
and for being the feeder of the Genesee Valley Canal ;
It is navigable almost to Rochester, and is 145 miles in length, emptying into
Lake Ontario.
The Black, the third river in size, lying wholly in the state,
and also discharging its waters into Lake Ontario; it is 120
miles in length, and navigable for 40 miles.
The Chenango and the Chemung, important tributaries of
the Susquehanna;
The Oswegatchie, rising in Herkimer county, the principal
tributary of the St. Lawrence.
The other streams flowing into the St. Lawrence are Indian,
Grasse, Racket, St. Regis and Salmon rivers.
Chazy and Saranac are the chief streams flowing into Lake
Champlain.
CLIMATE OF NEW YORK.*
From the extent and diversity of its surface, it is impossible
to give a general description of the climate of New York, which
would apply with equal truth to each section of the state. We
can only say that it is subject to great extremes of heat and
cold ; and that, although in the same latitude, which in Europe
produces the fig, the olive and the grape, its more severe cli-
mate admits only of the culture of the hardier plants and grains.
The state, though subject to sudden and severe changes,
may be considered healthy. The number of deaths to the popu-
lation is not greater than in the other states ; nor do malignant
diseases prevail to any considerable extent.
* The facts on which this article is based have been collected from a chapter
on the climate of the state in Gordon's Gazetteer; from the reports of the Re.
gents of the University ; and from a paper in the Quarterly Journal of Agriculture.
CLIMATE.
19
In the eastern counties, consumption and other diseases of the lungs are the
prevailing maladies ; in the western counties, bilious affections are more preva-
lent. Cholera Infantum is a common and fatal disease with children in the
cities and large towns, during the summer and autumn.
It has been ascertained, by numerous observations made in this state and New
England, that an elevation of surface of 350 feet produces a diminution of heat,
equal to the addition of a degree of latitude. Hence we see the influence of our
mountain systems upon the climate of the state.
In order to present more clearly the peculiar characteristics of
the climate to the scholar, we shall divide the state into six dis-
tricts, viz. 1st, Long Island; 2d, The valley of the Hudson; 3d,
The valley of the Mohawk; 4th, The district north, and north
east of the Mohawk, extending from Lake Ontario to Lake
Champlain; 5th, The district south and south west of the valley
of the Mohawk, extending from the valley of the Hudson to
the smaller Lakes; and 6th, The country west of the smaller
Lakes.
The following table, prepared with great care, exhibits the mean, or average
temperature ; the mean annual maximum, or highest degree of heat ; the mean
annual minimum, or lowest degree of temperature ; the average annual range of
the Thermometer ; and several other particulars, which show the length and for-
wardness of the seasons, and the progress of vegetation. It contains the results
of observations made at 59 different places, for a period of 15 years.
TABLE Or THE CLIMATE OF NEW YORK.
Facts observed.
Average
Date.
No. of
Locations of
Observations.
No. of
Observations.
Robins first seen, -
Shadbush in bloom,
*Peac.h in bloom, -
Currants in bloom,
Plum in bloom, ...
Cherry in bloom,
Apple in bloom, ...
Lilac in bloom, - - -
Strawberries ripe, -
Hay harvest commenced,
Wheat harvest commenced,
First killing frost,
First fall of snow, -
March 19,
May 1,
May 2,
May 4,
May 6,
May 7,
May 15,
May 15,
June 12,
July 8,
July 25,
Wept. 23
Nov. 5,
44
48
57
5S
52
52
59
45
58
34
45
57
266
168
175
269
264
250
374
151
210
127
1S6
471
536
Mean, or average temperature,
Mean annual maximum of heat,
Mean annual minimum, below zero,
Mean ann. range of the thermometer,
40° 49'
92° 00'
1^° 00'
104° 00'
59
59
59
59
577
550
551
550
We will now proceed to consider the climate of the several districts, into which
we have divided the state, in their order.
1st District. Long Island.
The climate of this district is remarkable for the uniformity of its temperature.
The greatest heat of summer is on an average \\° less, and the greatest cold of
winter from 10° to 18° less, than in other parts of the state.
The spring is somewhat backward, trees blooming a week later than in the in-
terior of the state ; yet strawberries ripen, and the wheat harvest commences
earlier than the average of the 6tate.
* This is the average for the southern and middle portion of the state only.
20 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Frost occurs at a much later period in autumn, than in any other section. At
East Hampton, it is a full month, and at Jamaica and Flathush, nearly three
weeks, later than the average of the state.
2d District. The Valley of the Hudson.
This valley is remarkable for the great annual range of the thermometer ; the
heat of summer and the cold of winter being equally intense. The average tem-
perature of Albany is nearly 2° higher than that of the state. The extreme cold
of winter at Kinderhook, Lansingburgh, Cambridge, Salem and Granville, causes
the mercury to sink 10° lower than in the southern towns of the valley. The
spring opens a week or ten days later, at Albany, and above that city, than at the
city of New York.
3d District. Valley of the Mohawk.
The average annual temperature of this valley is 1° less than that of the state.
Northerly and easterly winds prevail in this section. The latter seems to be
a diversion of the south, or south west wind, which prevails in the valley of the
Hudson.
Utica, in this district, may be considered as a fair representative of the general
climate of the state, as its temperature is about the average temperature of the
whole state.
4th District. JYbrth and North East of the Valley of the Mohawk.
The climate of this region is characterized by a low average temperature, ex-
treme cold in winter, great range of the thermometer, backward seasons, and
early frosts.
Gouverneur, in St. Lawrence Co. reports a lower degree of temperature in
winter, and with one exception, a lower annual average of temperature, than any
other tow T n in the state, from which meteorological records have been received.
The average annual temperature of the whole district is more than 2° lower
than that of the remainder of the state.
5th District. The Region South of the Mohawk, extending to the
smaller Lakes.
The average annuaftemperature of this section is about 2° lower than that of
the state, and the autumnal frosts occur from 4 to 13 days earlier. Vegetation is
uniformly backward, yet the robin appears earlier than in other sections.
Pompey, in Onondaga county, is the coldest place reported, its annual tempera-
ture being 3h° lower than that of the state; yet the cold of winter is not so in-
tense, nor do the autumnal frosts occur as early there, as in the state generally.
6th District. That portion of the State West of the small Lakes.
The climate of this section, like that of Long Island, is characterized by uni-
formity. The mean temperature does not differ materially from that of the
whole state, but the average annual range of the thermometer is only 96°, while
that of the state is 104°.
Vegetation in the spring is somewhat in advance of the state generally, cor-
responding with that of Albany.
The prevalent local wind of this region is from the southwest. In the autumn
it is violent throughout the whole section, and frequently attended with rain ; but
on Lake Erie, probably owing to its meeting with other currents of wind, it fre-
quently manifests extraordinary fury in September and October, and occasionally
produces disastrous shipwrecks.
The extreme heat of summer is very uniform throughout the state. Only 5
places, out of 55, show a difference of over 3° from the average of the state,
which is 92°.
The average time throughout the whole state, from the blooming of the apple
tree, to the first killing frost in autumn, is 174 days. On the west end of Long
Island it is 121 days more; anc j j n gt Lawrence county 22 days less. These
are the extremes.
NATURAL HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
I. GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY.
Geology may be defined as that science which treats of the struc-
ture of the earth, and the substances which compose it.
An examination of the banks of rivers, the sides of precipices, &c.,
shows that there are two kinds, or classes of rocks; the one being de-
posited in layers, or strata, of variable thickness, are called stratified
rocks, and bear evidence of having been, at some remote period, de-
posited as a sediment, from water ; the other irregular in shape, con-
taining numerous crystals, and most of the metals in common use, and
forming the basis of the lofty mountain chains, are termed unstratified
rocks, and were undoubtedly brought, into their present form by the
action of fire, which then existed, and probably still exists, in the in-
terior of the earth.
Granite is the principal constituent of the unstratified rocks, and
probably formed the original crust of the earth. It still exists below
all the other rocks Owing, however, to violent convulsions of na-
ture, (such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, &c.,) which have
occurred since the layers above it were deposited, it has in many
places been forced up through fissures in these layers, so as to ap-
pear on the surface, or has raised them up, so as to form mountains or
hills. If these were still covered with water, or became again sub-
merged by a subsequent convulsion, new layers were again deposited,
frequently at considerable angles with the first deposit.
The figure represents such an occurrence.
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a, represents the unstratified rock upon which the layers b, b, had
been deposited in a horizontal position ; but by a convulsion of na-
ture, the whole mass had been upheaved, and the granite had forced
2*
22 STATE OF NEW YORK.
its way to the surface; being however still submerged, new layers
c, c, were deposited, at an angle of nearly 45^ with the first.
Hypersthene and primitive limestone also occur among the un-
stratified rocks.
The Stratified Rocks are divided into six orders or systems,
as they are called; viz., — beginning at the lowest strata, or those next
succeeding the unstratified rocks, we have,
I. The Primary, or Primitive System, consisting of disinte-
grated granite, deposited by the waters; and probably again modified
by the action of the subterranean heat.
The rocks, composing this system, are known as gneiss, mica schist,
and hornblende. There is no evidence of the existence of either
animal or vegetable life, during the period while this strata were de-
positing. Nearly all the metals, used in the arts, are found in these
rocks, and in the granite on which they rest.
II. The Transition System. This system embraces a great
variety of formations, and occupies a large portion of the crust of the
earth. Its lower strata consist of limestones, sandstones, and shales
or slaty rocks. Above these, is a layer of sandstone, known as the
old red sandstone, which is succeeded by a limestone, forming the
bed of the vast coal formations, which furnish so large an amount of
fuel to the world. Over these is deposited a magnesian limestone,
and another layer of red sandstone, distinguished as the new red
sandstone.
The period, when these deposits were made, was characterized by
extraordinary luxuriance of vegetable life. The coal deposits are all
of vegetable origin, and were reduced to their present form, by the
influence of heat, decay and pressure. In the rocks belonging to
this system are also found, in immense quantities, the lower orders
of animals, shell fish, snails, and a few fishes, and amphibious rep-
tiles. None of them, however, belong to species now known to be in
existence.
III. The Secondary System, composed of oolitic limestone,
greensand, and chalk. This system contains a large number of fos-
sils, both animal and vegetable. Among the former are those gigan-
tic amphibious animals, mostly belonging to the lizard and crocodile
tribes, whose skeletons, found both on this continent and in Europe,
have excited so much attention. There are also many shells, fishes,
insects, and a few quadrupeds. Several hundreds of species of plants
have been found in the secondary rocks. These fossils, vegetable
and animal, with scarcely an exception, belong to extinct species.
IV. The Tertiary System. This consists of deposits of clay,
sand and gravel, in some instances hardened into rock, but generally
containing evidence of the comparative recentness of its deposition.
It contains an immense number of fossils, both animal and vegetable;
of these about 12 per cent, have been identified as belonging to ex-
isting species, and the remainder generally bear a marked resem-
blance to plants and animals now in existence, which the fossils of
the earlier periods do not.
V. The Diluvial Deposits, called also the erratic block group.
In thi system are included the boulders, scattered so abundantly over
many sections of the earth's surface, and many of the more extensive
deposits of sand, gravel and clay, which are evidently the result of
GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY. 23
the resistless action of an overwhelming deluge. These deposits con-
tain numerous animal and vegetable forms, the greater part of which
belong to existing species, although occasionally extinct races are
found.
VI. The Alluvial Deposits, including the deltas, or earthy de-
posits at the mouths of rivers, the beds of lakes which have be-
come drained, the valleys of rivers subject to periodical inunda-
tions, the shores of oceans, seas, &c.
These also contain, in untold quantities, relics of animal and vege-
table existence, but, with very few exceptions belonging to races now
known. The gigantic mastodon has been found in these deposits.
We have been thus particular in noticing the fossils belonging to
each system, because they serve as way-marks, by the aid of which,
even the most unlettered may read the progress of the earth's history,
from the period, when it was first set in motion, avast mass of molten
granite, devoid of vegetable or animal life, to the present time, when
its green fields, and its innumerable hosts of living and moving be-
ings, attest with myriad voices, the power and wisdom of the great
Creator.
The whole of these formations do not exist in every part of the
world ; but wherever geological explorations have been made, it has
been found that the same order is observed; and, that, although
some one, or more, of these systems are absent, those which are
present follow the arrangement we have described.
In the state of New York the secondary formation is wanting,* as
well as the upper members of the transition system,* and in most
parts of the state the tertiary system.
It will be seen, by the following table, that coal is not laid down
among the formations of the state. All the formations of New York,
except the alluvial and diluvial deposits, and the beds of tertiary, on
the St. Lawrence, are below the coal measures ; the Catskill group,
which is the highest member of the transition system in New York,
being the layer immediately beneath it.
It is true that there are layers of Anthracite, an inch or two in thick-
ness, and extending over a few feet of surface, between the strata of
rocks of an earlier era, in various parts of the state ; but coal does not
exist in the state, in sufficient quantities to be of any practical value.
This deficiency, however, is abundantly made up by the vast coal
fields of Pennsylvania and Ohio, which, by means of the extended
systems of internal improvement, are rendered so easily accessible.
The prevalence of limestone in nearly all the formations is worthy
of notice, affording, as it does, the basis rock best adapted to yield the
materials for fertilizing the soil.
The table exhibits the geological formations of the state, accord-
ing to the arrangement adopted by the state geologists in their late
survey.
III., IV. and V. ofthis arrangement are comprised under the general
head of the Transition system, heretofore described.
* The existence of a small bed of oolite in Saratoga county, and the somewhat
doubtful era of the red sandstone of Rockland county, can scarcely be considered
as exceptions to this statement.
24
STATE OF NEW YORK
TABULAR VIEW OF THE ROCKS OF NEW YORK , ARRANGED IN
SYSTEMS, GROUPS AND FORMATIONS.
Systems.
Groups.
I. Alluvial.
Alluvial.
II. Diluvial.
Diluvial, including
boulders. &.c.
< 'lavs and sands.
III. Old Red
stone system.
sand
old Red sandstone, Conglomerate,
or Catskill group. Old Red sandstone.
Formations.
Erie group.
Chemung sandstones and flagstones,
Ludlowville shales.
Helderberg series,
TV. New York tran
sition system.
Helderberg limestone,
Schoharie grit.
Brown argillaceous sandstone,
Encrinal limestone,
( Iriskany sandstone,
Green shaly limestone,
Pentamerus limestone.
Ontario group,
Onondaga salt and gypseous rocks,
Limestone and green shales,
Argillaceous iron ore,
Medina sandstone, soft, green and va-
riegated.
Champlain group,
V. Taghkanic, or Ta
conic system.
Grey sandstone and conglomerate,
Lorraine shales and roofing slates,
Utica slate,
Trenton limestone,
Birdseye limestone,
Chazy limestone,
Calciferous sandrock,
Potsdam sandstone.
j Light green shales, sometimes dark and
plumbaginous.
Grey and clouded limestone,
Brown sandstone.
VI. Gneiss, or Primary
system.
VII. Superincumbent
rocks.
Gneiss, hornblende, and mica slate,
Talcose slate and steatite.
VIII. Unstratified
rocks.
Greenstone, trap and porphyry.
Granite, Hypersthene rock.
Primary limestone, serpentine,
Magnetic iron ore.
There are in the state two tracts of primary and unstratified
rocks. The first is nearly circular in form, and occupies the counties
of Essex, Warren and Hamilton, and portions of Saratoga, Fulton,
Herkimer, Oneida, Lewis, Jefferson, St. Lawrence, Franklin and
Clinton. The Black river forms its southwestern boundary, from
Wilna, in Jefferson, to Remsen, in Oneida county.
The second is in the southeastern part of the state, of a somewhat
triangular form, and comprises Putnam and Westchester, together
with the larger part of New York, and part of Rockland, Orange and
Dutchess counties.
These two sections together occupy nearly one third of the state.
GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY. 25
They contain extensive and valuable mines of iron, lead and plumba-
go, both in the northeastern and southeastern portions of the state.
Their surface is generally broken and elevated, towering up to the
height of more than a mile above tide water, in the Adirondack
group, and attaining a considerable, though less lofty altitude in the
beetling cliffs which overlook the waters of the Hudson.
The soil is less arable and fertile than in the lands of the limestone
formations, but is covered, except in the older counties, with a gigantic
growth of oak, pine and hemlock timber.
The gneiss of this system furnishes a fine building material, and
under the name of granite, is abundantly quarried for that purpose.
The serpentine, primitive limestone, and steatite, are also largely
quarried for the purposes of the arts.
These rocks abound in minerals of great interest to the mineralo-
gist. Garnet, beryl, chrysoberyl, pyroxene, sphene, tourmaline,
apatite, colophonite, scapolite, Labradorite, epidote, &c. &c.
Geologists differ in opinion, on the question, whether the Taghkanic,
or Taconic system should be ranked with the Primary, or the Transi-
tion system, it is composed of brown sandstone, limestone and green
shales, or slaty rocks. It contains some minerals, and furnishes a
fine limestone for building, but has few, or no fossils. The soil
which overlays this system is generally good, and often highly
fertile.
Its range is quite extensive, although frequently of no great width.
It comprises nearly the whole of the counties of Washington, Rens-
selaer and Columbia, part of Dutchess, Ulster, Greene, Albany and
Saratoga, and trending westward occupies a narrow tract in Schenec-
tady, Montgomery, Herkimer and Oneida, and expands more widely
in Oswego and Jefferson counties.
We next come to the New York system, as it has been appropri-
ately named, comprising, according to the table, four distinct groups.
We commence with the lowest of these, the Champlain Group.
The constituents of this group are various kinds of sandstone and
limestone, slate, conglomerate, and a peculiar stone, compounded of
lime and sandstone, and hence called calciferous (or limebearing)
sandrock.
Of these the Potsdam sandstone furnishes a beautiful and durable
building material, and is also used in the manufacture of glass, and
the preparation of sand paper. The Trenton and birdseye* limestones
are used for the purposes of the arts. The Lorraine shales, and the
Utica slate are employed for roofing, and to some extent for writing
slates. The grey sandstone and conglomerate furnish stone suitable
for grindstones.
The rocks of this group, and particularly the limestones and slates,
abound in fossils of the earlier periods ; encrinites, trilobites and nu-
merous others, unlike any of the crustaceous animals now in exist-
ence.
The soil, throughout the territory occupied by this group, is gener-
ally good, and much of it is highly fertile, being constantly enriched
by the decomposition of the limestone, slate and sandstone, which is
' This limestone receives its name from the abundance of encrinites which it
contains, which give it, when polished, an appearance somewhat resembling
birdseye maple.
26 ST.ATE OF NEW YORK.
effected by the combined action of air and water. The group occu-
pies a very considerable, but irregular territory. It appears occa-
sionally in small beds, then dips beneath the surface, and again ap-
pears, as the surface rock, over an extensive tract. In the forms of
Potsdam sandstone, calciferous sandrock, birdseye and Trenton lime-
stone, and Utica slate, it bounds the great primary region of the
northeast in every direction, varying in width from two to fifty miles.
It also makes its appearance in narrow beds on either side of the
Hudson.
The Ontario Group, which comes next in order, consists of three
distinct portions; the lowest a marly sandstone, generally soft, and
either red, green, brown, or variegated, — decomposing rapidly, when
exposed to the atmosphere, and denominated Medina sandstone ;
next, a series of soft, green, slaty rocks, also easily decomposed, and
overlaid by clayey and flinty limestones, alternating with each other,
and finally terminating in the limestone over which the Niagara
pours its resistless cataract ; and lastly a group of limestones, contain-
ing gypsum or plaster of Paris, water lime and salt, known as the
Onondaga salt group.
This group, considered with reference to practical purposes, is the
most valuable of the transition system in the state. It includes the
salt springs in Salinaand its vicinity, and at Montezuma, which yield
so large an amount of revenue to the state; the gypsum beds, which
furnish such inexhaustible resources for the fertilization of the soil,
as well as for the various purposes of the arts, to which this valuable
mineral is applied ; and the water lime, called, after its preparation,
hydraulic cement, a material indispensable to the proper construc-
tion of canals, aqueducts, cisterns, and other masonry exposed to the
action of water, and one which has proved of the greatest service in
the construction of the public works of the state.
The fossils of this group are numerous and interesting. Shells of
bivalve molluscous animals, corallines and madrepores, together with
unequivocal traces of vegetable existence, mark this era.
Its minerals are not numerous. The clayey limestones contain
iron ore ; fluor spar and selenite appear occasionally, and sulphur
springs gush up from different sections. Its soil is of unsurpassed
and perpetual fertility, being constantly enriched by the slowly
decomposing lime and gypsum. It is the granary of the state, and
before the wide prairies of the west waved with the golden grain,
it supplied nearly the whole country with bread-stuffs. The oak,
beech, maple, elm, butternut, hickory and black walnut, are the prin-
cipal forest trees. The Ontario group commences at the southwest-
ern extremity of Lake Ontario in Canada, and extends eastward with
a medium breadth of twenty miles to its termination in Montgomery
county.
The Helderberg series comprises four kinds of limestone and three
of sandstone. Of these the Helderberg limestone is extensively used
as a flagging stone, under various local names; it is also employed to
some extent as a building material; the Oriskany sandstone is also
used as a building material; it occasionally contains lime. Of the
remaining layers, one of the sandstones is dark, shaly and brittle ; the
other calcareous and abounding in fossils. Two of the limestones
contain large quantities of fossils, and derive their names from that
GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY. 27
fact ; in one the encrinite, one of the most beautiful of the crustace-
ous fossils, is predominant; in the other, the pentamcrus, whose
shell bears some resemblance, in form, to that of the common oyster.
The remaining limestone is slaty and easily decomposed.
The Helderberg limestone is cavernous, and many of its caves
have been explored for a considerable distance. They contain sta-
lactites and stalagmites of great beauty.
The principal minerals of this formation are bog iron ore, calcareous
and fluor spar, jasper, sulphate of strontian, in great abundance,
satin spar, alum, bitumen and small veins of anthracite. The soil,
overlying these rocks, is generally either a fine clay, or sand lying
upon clay. Marl occurs quite frequently. By suitable cultivation it
yields good crops of wheat and other grains. The timber is usually
oak, chestnut, hickory, pine and hemlock.
This group occupies a narrow tract, commencing in the western
part of Orange county, and passing northeasterly through Ulster to
the Hudson ; thence along the banks of that river, to Albany county,
where it turns westwardly, passes through the centre of the state im-
mediately south of the Ontario group, forming the bed of most of the
small lakes in western New York, and terminates on the shores of
Lake Erie.
The Erie Group is divisible into two portions, the lower, denomin-
ated Ludlowville shales, is composed of soft slaty rocks, alternating
with thin beds of limestone, and is easily decomposed ; the upper,
called the Chemung group, consists of thin, even beds of gray sand-
stone, with intervening shales, or beds of slate.
Some of the fossils, found in this group, possess great beauty, and
show the approach to that period of vegetable luxuriance, which
marks the coal formation. Ferns, and other vegetable fossils fre-
quently occur, and the avicula, delthyris and other shell fish, strongly
resembling some living species, are found imbedded in the rocks.
The minerals of this group are few, and of no great importance.
Petroleum, or mineral oil, called, in some parts of the state, Seneca oil,
occurs in several localities, and the shale is often so strongly impreg-
nated with it as to burn quite freely. Carburetted hydrogen, or in-
flammable gas, also issues from the surface in a number of places, and
in such quantities, as to be used, in one or two instances, for illumin-
ating villages, light houses, &c.
The soil where the Ludlowville shales form the surface rock,
though apparently rou°;h and broken, is rendered fertile by the con-
stant decomposition of the rock. It is well adapted to the culture of
wheat and other grains. As we ascend, to the more elevated surface
of the Chemung sandstone, we find a marked change in the character
of the soil; the white pine and hemlock take the place of the oak,
maple and beech of the lower lands, and attain a gigantic growth.
These lands produce the grasses luxuriantly, and, as they become
cleared, will afford pasturage to vast herds of cattle and sheep.
The Erie group covers nearly the whole of Chautauque, Cattarau-
gus, Wyoming, Allegany, Steuben, Yates, Tompkins, Chemung and
Tioga counties, together with portions of Broome, Chenango, Cort-
land, Ontario, Livingston, Genesee and Erie, as well as a narrow
tract in Sullivan, Ulster, Greene, Schoharie and Otsego counties.
This completes what, for convenience, has been termed the New
2S STATE OF NEW YORK.
York Transition system. The remaining group properly belongs to
the Transition system of the English Geologists, and is by them de-
nominated the Old Red sandstone, that rock being its principal con-
stituent. The State Geologists, from the fact of its being the pre-
dominant rock of the Catskill mountains, have given it the name of
the Catskill group.
It consists of two distinct formations, viz., the Old Red sandstone
overlying the Chemung sandstone, and the conglomerate strata, which
are immediately beneath the coal bearing limestone of Pennsylvania.
Between the layers of the former are interposed soft shales combined
with mica.
The sandstone is generally of a deep red color, and imparts the
same hue to the soil which covers it. It contains comparatively few
fossils; the scales and bones of some lizard-like fish have been dis-
covered in it.
The minerals of this group are few, and of but little importance.
Bog iron ore and calcareous spar are those most worthy of notice.
The conglomerate affords fine grindstones, and has been used to some
extent for millstones.
The soil is generally good ; the sandstone decomposing readily
under atmospheric influence, mingles with the vegetable mould and
renders it fertile. Hemlock, beech, maple, elm, basswood, butternut,
&,c. are the principal timber trees; the oak is seldom found in this
formation.
The Red sandstone of the Catskill group is mostly confined to the
vicinity of the Kaatsbergs ; occupying the county of Delaware, and
portions of Sullivan, Ulster, Greene, Otsego, Chenango and Broome;
but the conglomerate extends westward, and caps the highest hills of
the southwestern counties.
The Diluvial deposits skirt the shores of the St. Lawrence, Lake
Champlain, and the Hudson, and compose the surface of the northern
half of Long Island. They consist of a stiff blue clay beneath, a
yellowish brown clay above this, and sand on the surface. The ma-
rine shells, found in these clays, belonging in some instances to ex-
tinct species, show that these deposits were made at an earlier period
than those thrown down by rivers or oceans, in modern times. To
this svstem belong: also the boulders, scattered so wideiv over the
state.
The Alluvial deposits, consisting of gravel, sand, loam, &c. thrown
up by the waves, or deposited on the shores of lakes, and the bank?
of rivers, and still in the process of aggregation, constitute the last of
the geological formations of the state. To these belong portions of
the valleys of the rivers and lakes and the southern half of Long
Island. The soil of both these classes of deposits is usually fertile.
The class of rocks known as trap and porphyry, do not, in this state,
constitute a separate formation. They occur either in columnar masses
like the Palisades, on the west bank of the Hudson, near New York,
or in narrow veins or dikes, traversing rocks of an entirely different
constitution. They are evidently the result of the action of subterra-
nean fire. Porphyry is only found occupying a tract of a few miles
in length, on Lake Champlain.
In connexion with the Geology of the state, the "Ridge road" is
deserving of notice. This road consists of a bank of sand, gravel and
GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY. 29
other alluvia] and diluvial deposits, varying in height from 100 to 150
feet., and extending along the whole southern coast of Lake Ontario,
at a distance of six or eight miles from it, forming a natural highway.
It is said that a somewhat similar ridge exists along the northern
shore of the Lake.
That this ridge once, and at no very distant period, formed the south-
ern shore of the lake, is proved, by the existence of small sand hil-
locks, evidently heaped up by the action of the waves; by the entire
absence of Indian mounds and fortifications, on the north side of the
ridge, and their frequent appearance, immediately south of it ; and
above all, by the structure and composition of the ridge itself.
The deep channels, cut in the rocks, by many of the rivers of the
state, are also a subject of geological interest. The Hudson, St. Law-
rence, Oswego, and some of the northern streams, either have banks
regularly sloping to the water's edge, or, if they occasionally pass
through narrow and precipitous defiles, have not won for themselves
a passage, by the action of their waters upon the rocky barrier which
opposed them, but have availed themselves of a route opened by
some convulsion of nature.
Such is not the case with the Mohawk, the Chenango, the Genesee,
and the Niagara. Descending from elevated table lands, they have,
by their ceaseless flow, hewn out a channel through the shales, slates
and marly sand and limestones, in some instances 400 or 500 feet be-
low the level of the surrounding country. The constant action of the
waters upon these decomposing rocks has also caused the falls of
Niagara to recede, as some geologists conjecture, a distance of five or
six miles, and this recession is still in progress.
Mineralogy. We have already adverted to the minerals, pecu-
liar to the different formations, but a somewhat more particular de-
scription of the mineral wealth of the state seems requisite, in a work
like ours.
Among the useful metals, Iron is most abundant in New York. It
is found in five forms.
1st. The Magnetic Oxide, most abundant in Essex, Clinton,
Franklin, Warren. Orange and Putnam counties, but occurring also
in considerable quantities in Lewis, St. Lawrence and Jefferson.
This variety is adapted to the production of malleable iron and steel,
and for this purpose is superior to any in the United States, and
equal to most of the foreign ores. The quantity is immense, a single
vein (the Sandford vein in Newcomb, Essex county,) being estimated
by Prof. Emmons to contain ore sufficient to yield at least three mil-
lions of tons, of malleable iron ; several other veins, in the same neigh-
borhood, contain nearly as much more, and the mines of Orange coun-
ty, though worked for nearly a century, are still very productive.
This ore is confined to primary rocks.
2d. The Specular Oxide, found in St. Lawrence, Jefferson and
Franklin counties, imbedded in sandstone. This variety is well
adapted to castings. Though less abundant than the preceding, it is
found in large quantities.
3d. The Argillaceous ore, called also bog iron ore, found in vari-
ous parts of the state, evidently deposited by alluvial and diluvial
action, in the clay or gravel, ft is principally used for castings.
30 STATE OF NEW YORK.
4th. The Hematitic ore, frequently occurring in crystals of fantas-
tic and beautiful forms. This ore occurs extensively in Richmond,
Orange, Ulster, Putnam, Dutchess, Columbia, Warren and Wayne
counties. It is also found in smaller quantities in Rockland and
Westchester. It usually makes its appearance in the lower lime-
stones of the transition system. When combined with the magnetic
oxide, it improves its quality.
5th. The Carburet of Iron, called also Black lead, Plumbago and
graphite, occurs abundantly in Dutchess county, and in considerable
quantities in Essex and Clinton counties.
Lead is found, in immense quantities, at Rossie and its vicinity, in
St. Lawrence county, and less abundantly in the Shawangunk moun-
tains, in Sullivan and Ulster, and in Dutchess, Columbia, Lewis and
Monroe comities. It does not seem to be confined to any particular
geological era, occurring in nearly all the formations.
Zinc and Copper occur in various parts of the state, but not in
sufficient quantities to be of much practical value.
Arsenic has been discovered in Putnam county.
Manganese, in the form of manganese wad, occurs in Columbia;
Lewis and Dutchess counties, and is used to some extent for bleach-
ing. Manganesian garnet is found in New York county.
Barytes and Strontian are abundant in Schoharie and Jefferson,
and probably exist in some of the other counties.
Alum, principally in the form of efflorescence, is found in several
parts of the state.
The existence and value of the deposits of gypsum, and water lime,
has already been noticed, in speaking of the Onondaga salt group.
Serpentine and its allied minerals, soapstone,talc, carbonc.te, hy-
drate and sulphate of magnesia, (Epsom salts,) together with as-
bestus and amianthus, occur abundantly in Putnam, Orange, West-
chester, Jefferson and St. Laurence, and in considerable quantities in
Monroe, Orleans, Genesee, Albany, Cayuga, Essex, Rensselaer and
Niagara counties.
Those minerals, which are only of interest to the mineralogist, are
enumerated under the counties in which they occur.
Mineral Springs. These are of various kinds.
1. Chalybeate Springs. The most celebrated of these, are those
of Saratoga county, which are fully described in another part of the
work. There are a few, but of no great strength or notoriety, in other
parts of the state.
2. Sulphur Springs. These are widely disseminated. Those at
Avon, in Livingston county, have attained the greatest celebrity.
Those in the vicinity of Rochester, Monroe county, and Chittenango,
Madison county, are perhaps next in importance. The State Geolo-
gists report sulphur springs in twenty-eight counties of the state
3. Brine Springs occur in every part of the Onondaga salt forma-
tion, and are also found, though of less strength, in other parts of the
state. They are supposed to be impregnated by deposits of rock salt,
at some distance below the surface. Those in the towns of Salina and
Montezuma are the most important and valuable.
4. Acid Springs, or those in which the water is strongly impreg-
nated with sulphuric acid, are found in Genesee, Erie and Orleans
counties.
GEOLOGY AND MINERALOGY. 31
f>. Petrifying Springs, so highly charged with carbonate of lime
as to deposit it upon whatever the water falls, and thus give it a coat-
ing of limestone, are found in Madison and Saratoga counties.
0. Oil Springs, the waters of which are covered with a thick pelli-
cle of Petroleum, or mineral oil, are found in Cattaraugus and Allega-
ny counties.
7. Springs evolving Androgen Gas. The most celebrated of these
are those of New Lebanon, in Columbia county, and of Hoosick, in
Rensselaer county. There is also one, of some note, near Canoga, in
Seneca county.
8. Springs evolving Carburetted Hydrogen, or inflammable gas.
These abound in the neighborhood of Lake Erie, and the Niagara
river. The village of Fredonia, and the light house at Barcelona, in
Chautauque county, are illuminated by them. Springs of the same
character are also found in Dutchess, Oneida and Monroe counties.
Marl, a valuable fertilizing agent, exists in vast beds in Madison,
Monroe, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange and
Wayne counties, and in considerable abundance in Rensselaer, Wash
ington, Saratoga, Albany, Schoharie, Herkimer, Cortland, Oneida,
St. Lawrence, Niagara and Erie counties.
Peat is less widely distributed. It occurs, however, on Long Isl-
and, and in Richmond, Rockland, Orange, Sullivan, Putnam, West-
chester, Columbia, Clinton, Oneida and Cattaraugus counties. The
attention of farmers should be directed to this, on account of its value,
both for fuel, and as a manure.
The gneiss and granite of the primary region, as we have already
remarked, form elegant and durable building materials. The Pots-
dam sandstone, from its power of resisting atmospheric influence,
and the facility with which it may be cut in any desired shape, is
highly valued for building. The Chemung gray sandstone and the
red sandstone of Rockland county are also prized by builders. The
Medina sandstone is more liable to decomposition, but is used to
some extent.
The limestone formations furnish a great number of varieties of
marble, suitable not only for architectural purposes, but for the arts.
The most celebrated ornamental varieties are the black marble of
Glen's falls, which equals any of the foreign varieties ; the Ch.v/.v
black marble, considered as fully equal to the best Irish ; the varie-
gated marbles of St. Lawrence and Rockland counties; the slate and
dove colored of Otsego, Oneida and Onondaga ; the birdseye of the
Champlain group ; and the white marble of Westchester, Dutchess,
Columbia, Washington and St. Lawrence counties. The Singsing
marble is largely employed, as a building stone, in New York city.
The serpentine rocks, in several parts of the state, afford slabs, of sutli-
cient size, to be used for the manufacture of furniture. TheUtica
slate, and some of the slate formations in the northern part of the
state, furnish slates of excellent quality, both for roofing and writing.
The gray sandstones and conglomerate of the Champlain and Erie
groups, furnish grindstones of superior quality, and from the Sha-
wangunk grits, millstones have been manufactured, which compared
well with the French buhrstone.
It will be seen, by the brief sketch we have given of the Geology
and Mineralogy of the state of New York, that her mineral resources
32 STATE OF NEW YORK.
are equal to her agricultural, commercial and manufacturing facili-
ties. True, she does not possess coal, or so far as has yet been ascer-
tained, the precious metals; but the former is abundantly supplied
by the neighboring states of Pennsylvania and Ohio ; and the latter,
paradoxical as it may seem, have never conduced to the wealth, or
prosperity of any state, which has possessed them.
Her mines of iron, lead and plumbago ; her salt-springs and beds of
water lime and gypsum ; and her quarries of granite, sandstone and
marble are, to her citizens, a more valuable inheritance than the gold
and silver mines of Mexico, and will confer upon them a greater and
more lasting prosperity.
II. BOTANY.
It would be entering into a far more elaborate view of the subject
than the limits of this work permit, to trace out even an abstract of
the vegetable wealth of New York. From its geographical po-
sition, diversity of soil, surface, and climate; its holdina; a middle
place between the north and south, nearly all the great features of
the United States flora are here produced. Immense forests still oc-
cupy the uncultivated regions north and west, consisting mainly of
pine, oak and beech, while the chestnut, hickory and maple, with
a host of other less numerous, but not less valuable trees, are scat-
tered over its territory.
The mountain sides and woods are clothed with an undergrowth
of shrubs; as the whortleberry, rhododendron and mountain laurel;
under whose shade, and in the open fields, flourish hundreds of more
humble herbaceous plants, among which will be found many that are
rare and curious, as well as of great beauty and utility.
Anemone, Ranunculus, and Violets, often before the snow has en-
tirely disappeared, put forth their blossoms in every sheltered nook
of wood and meadow. These, with the cowslip (Caltha palvstris),
the woodbine (Aquilegia), bloodroot (Sanguinaria), and many of
that wide spread tribe, the Cruciferae, cr crosslike plants, serve to
mark the opening spring. As the season advances, nature assumes
much gayer colors. The beautiful blue Lupine (Lttpinus perennis),
Desmodiums, and the wild Sensitive plant (Cassia nietitans), whose
leaves close together, when touched by the hand, are frequent on
sandy soils.
Common in our swamps and boggy ground, is the Side Saddle
flower, or Hunter's cup (Sarracenia), bearing a single, nodding,
dark red flower, a wonder by itself, but more so, when viewed in
connection with the singular structure of its leaves. These are
not flat, as in other plants, but hollow, and somewhat pitcher shaped,
arranged in a circle around the base of the stem, their open mouths
turned upwards to catch the falling rains. At the orifice of each leaf
is a broad lip, furnished with short stiff hairs pointing downwards,
and forming a trap, for numerous insects, that seek the water, always
contained in them. A luckless fly once entered, it is impossible for
him to return ; and he is forced to go onwards, until dropping, he
perishes in the water beneath. Of what use, in the economy of the
plant, these dead insects are (the cup being often half filled with
BOTANY. 33
them) is not, as yet, well known ; but possibly they serve in some
degree as nutriment.
Another plant well worthy of notice for its elegance and exquisite
fragrance, is the white Pond Lily (Nymphcea odorata). The roots,
which are rough and knotty, creep along the muddy bottoms of ponds
and slow-flowing streams ; while the large round leaves, of a bright
and glossy green, cover the water above, in many instances for acres,
contrasting well with the pure white flowers. Like the primrose and
wonderful four o'clock, which almost serve to mark the hour,
Nymphaea expands its buds early in the morning, and whether the
day be clear or cloudy, before noon, regularly closes, and sinks beneath
the surface. The leaf stalks are long and flexile, varying with the
depth of water, and forming, as every wandering school boy knows,
a secure retreat for fish.
Spatter Dock, or Yellow Pond Lily (JVuphar advena), is common
in every ditch, but an allied genus (JVelumbium), or Sacred Bean, is
rare ; Big Sodus Bay, Lake Ontario, is the only known locality in
the state.
In shallow water, along the Hudson, above the Highlands, and
through the western counties, is the Va 11 is fieri a or Tape Grass, re-
markable for the peculiar spiral form of its stems, which always per-
mit the flower to float upon the surface whatever may be the rise
of tide.
Besides those just mentioned, the more frequent plants of low
grounds and margins of streams are the Iris, Sweet Flag, or Calamus
root (Acorus calamus), Yellow Lily, (Lilium Canadense), Forget-
me-not (Myosotis), whose bright blue flowers continue from early
spring till frost, Arrow leaf (Sagittaria), Cat-tail flag (Typha pa-
lustris), with numerous varieties of Rush (Juncus), and Sedges
(Carex), the last sometimes eaten by cattle, for want of more nutri-
tious food. Virgin's bower (Clematis Virginiana), a handsome in-
digenous vine creeping over bushes and fences is often cultivated for
its quick growth and abundant blossoms.
In the Lobelia tribe, we have the Cardinal Flower (L. Cardinalis),
noted for the splendor of its scarlet blossoms ; Indian Tobacco (L.
Inflata), the grand panacea of the Thompsonians ; the L. Syphi-
litica, also used by them; Water Gladiole (L. Dortmanni), much
less common than either of the preceding, and L. Nuttallii, con-
fined to the sandy swamps of Long Island.
In the deep recesses of woods and swamps, the Arum and the
Orchis tribes are met with. Of the former, Indian Turnip (Arum
triphyllum), well known for its acrid root, and Water Arum (Call a
palustris), are good examples.
The Orchids, from the strange forms and brilliant colors of their
contorted flowers, are well worth the trouble it takes to cultivate
them. Platanthera grandiflora, or tall purple Orchis, is one of
the most beautiful, although Arethusa, Pogonia, our three spe-
cies of Lady's Slipper (Cypripedium). and the graceful White Lady's
Tress, are not less deserving a place in the garden.
Plants of the great group Composites, to which the Asters and Golden-
rods belong, forming one ninth of our entire flora, are characteristic
of the autumnal vegetation. Some Asters are fine garden plants,
but, like the whole class, chiefly interesting for their gorgeous appear-
34 STATE OF NEW YORK.
ance. From the sweet scented golden-rod (Solidago odora), a fra-
grant volatile oil, sometimes used in medicine, is distilled. Yarrow
{Achillea), Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), Tansy (Tanacetum
vulgare), and some lew others are medicinal; most of the order,
however, are but weeds, as every farmer who has had his lands over-
run with Canada thistle and pigweed, can testify. The seeds of the
Sunflower (Helianthus annum) yield, under pressure, an oil similar
in quality and uses to that of linseed. Jerusalem Artichokes are
the tuberous roots of the Helianthus tuber osus. They are too
watery to be used as food. Neither of the two last are natives of the
state, but they are occasionally found in waste places near habitations.
Angelica, Sweet Cicely (Osmorrhiza), Sanicle (Sanicula), Cicuta
(Cirufa maculata), types of the order of umbelliferous plants are
well known ; Wild Carrot (Daunts carota), poisonous in its wild
state, is, when cultivated, the esculent carrot of the garden.
Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum), by a draught of which
Socrates is related to have died, with some other introduced and
native plants, as the Milkweed (Asclepias), Plantain. Canada Thistle,
Poke weed (Phytolacca decandra), Thorn Apple (Datura Stramo-
nium), Oxeye Daisy (Chrysanthemum), and Dandelion (Lconto-
don), belong to a class that might be named "wayside plants," from
their commonly occupying a position beside the roads and fences.
Plantain (Plantago major) has been called by the Indians " white
man's footstep," because it is found wherever he has placed his
dwelling; and with a faithfulness not equalled in the human race,
is constantly in his path. The more it is trodden down the wider
does it spread, and the more luxuriantly does it grow.
The Eglantine or Sweet Brier (Rosa Rubigirwsa), such a general
favorite with the old and young, is a member of the large family
Rosacece, of which our state can boast many representatives. Among
these are the Rose, seven or eight species of Blackberry (Rubus),
Strawberry (Fragaria), Fivefinger (Potentilla), (one species of
which (P. tridentata) is a little Alpine plant found only on the
summitsof the mountains), Thornbush (Crataegus), Service berry or
Shad bush (Amelayichier), Wild Plum and lofty Wild Cherry. The
last is used in cabinet work, being as dark and heavy as some infe-
rior kinds of mahogany.
Of Labiatae or the mint tribe, Spearmint, or Julep weed (Mentha
Viridis), Peppermint (M. Piperita), Penny Royal, Catnep, Balm,
(Melissa) and Mountain mint (Pycnanthemum incanum), are very
generally known.
A few of the Nightshade tribe (Solanacece), are natives of the
state, such as Bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara), deadly Nightshade
(S. Algrum), and Winter Cherry (Physalix), which are all of suspi-
cious appearance, and reputed poisonous.
Buckwheat is one of the Polygonacece ; and of the same order are
the common Sorrel (Rumex acetoselta), Water Dock (R. crispus),
and Smart weed (Polygonum).
Shrubby plants are numerous; many species are highly ornamental;
others, from their virtues, are admitted into the Pharmacopsas; others,
again, are poisonous. Of this latter class are some of the species of
Sumach (Rhus) ; the most virulent of these, is the Swamp Sumach
(Rhus venenata), simple contact with which, or mere exposure to its
BOTANY. 35
effluvium, being sufficient in many cases to cause a most painful erup-
tion on the skin. Mercury, or Poison Oak, is less active than the pre-
ceding, but sufficiently so, to cause all those who are easily affected by
vegetable poisons to shun its neighborhood. The leaves of the com-
mon Sumach (R. glabra), are used in the manufacture of morocco.
The large flowering Rose bay (Rhododendron maximum) is a
shrub from six to twelve feet in height, with broad and thick leaves,
growing in tufts from the extremities of the branches; and large
showy flowers, in dense terminal clusters. Jt is said to be the most
beautiful flowering shrub in the United States, and is sometimes
cultivated in lawns and door-yards.
The wild upright Honeysuckle {Azalea, or Rhododendron nudiflo-
rum), and the broad leaved Laurel (Kalmia latifolia) make the woods
gay by the profusion of their purple blossoms. The dwarf Laurel
(Kalmia an gust if o I ia), known also by the names sheep-poison and
lamb-kill, is a pretty little bush, but has a bad reputation, the leaves
being said to poison sheep. The last two are common in the southern
counties, while in the west the glaucous Kalmia takes their place.
The Elder (Sambucus Canadensis) and the Hazel (Corylus Amer-
icanus), prized for its nuts, which, though sweeter, do not equal in
size, the Albert of Europe, are to be seen in every coppice. Whortle-
berries are the product of several species of Vaccinhim. The ear-
liest in the market is the dwarf blue Whortleberry ( V. Pennsylva-
nica), growing in sandy woods, and on hill sides and summits of the
mountains. The Bilberry ( V. corymbosum) is frequent in swamps
and wet shady woods. The agreeably acid Cranberry, an almost
indispensable article of food, is the fruit of two species of Vaccinium,
(V. oxycoccus and V. macrocarpon). The former abounds in the
northern and western parts of the state, and the latter, which is the
common American cranberry seen in the market, is most frequent in
the south.
The banks of every stream and rivulet are fringed with the Willow
(Salix), Alder (Alnus), and Spice wood (Laurus Benzoin) This
last is a shrub easily recognized, by its smooth brittle branches and
glossy foliage. The bark has an agreeably spicy taste; and a de-
coction of the young twigs is often used, as a medicinal drink, in the
spring of the year. In the moist thickets, conspicuous from its red
fruit, is the Winter berry (Prinos), once used for the cure of fever and
ague; but, for this purpose, it is much inferior to the Dogwood (Cor-
nusflorida), which possesses many of the peculiar properties of Pe-
ruvian Bark.
Witch Hazel (Hamamelis Virginica) is, in the eyes of the super-
stitious, a most notable shrub, because, in the moment of parting
with its foliage, it puts forth a profusion of gaudy yellow blossoms,
giving to November, the counterfeited appearance of spring.
The most important vegetable productions of the state are un-
doubtedly the forest trees, of which we can boast numerous species.
The cone bearers (Coniferae), which are nearly all evergreen tree?,
are well represented in our Flora. We have no less than nine species
of Pines. Pitch Pine (Pinns rigida) forms nearly all the woodland
of Long Island, and covers a great extent of barren country, west of
Albany ; it is serviceable for little else than fuel and making charcoal.
White, or Weymouth pine (P. strobus) is met with in most parts of
36 STATE OF NEW YORK.
the state, but chiefly on the head waters of the Hudson, Delaware,
Allegany, and rivers entering into Lake Ontario: indeed nearly all
the western counties were once covered with dense forests of this
noble tree, nor can we wonder that it is rapidly disappearing beneath
the axe, when (55,000 acres must be annually cleared, to meet the
demand for lumber, i_i"h > , * ►< '0,000 feet of which are obtained from New
York alone. Hemlock Spruce (P. Canadensis) affords an inferior
kind of timber, lasting well if protected from the weather; but in
exposed situations it warps, splits and soon decays. The bark is
extensively employed in tanning, and although inferior to oak, it
makes very good leather. Balm of Gilead, or Balsam Fir (P. Bad-
samea), is not found lower than the Catskill mountains ; but is abund-
ant in the northern counties, especially among the Essex mountains.
The turpentine, sold under the name of Canada Balsam, is ob-
tained by opening the blisters which form beneath the bark. Black
Spruce (P. nigra) is employed principally for the yards and lighter
spars of vessels, for which purpose it is' admirably fitted by its light-
ness and strength. White Spruce (P. alba) is a small tree found in
swamps, and on the sides of the northern mountains, rarely south of
Catskill. The Indians split the small tough roots into fibres for
sewing their bark canoes. Tamarack (P. Pendula) differs from all
other pines, in its leaves, which fall at the approach of winter.
Belonging to the same natural family (Coniferce) are the Red Cedar
(Junipems Virgin iana), noted for its °;reat durability ; White cedar
(Cupressus Thuyoid.es) constituting the cedar swamps of Long
Island; Arbor Vitae (Thuya Occident alis), conspicuous along the
banks of the Hudson for its cone like growth ; although it is sometimes
found in swampy places, and then is known by the name of White
cedar. We have also the Yew {Taxus Canadensis), which is very
different from the yew tree of Europe, though identical in Botanical
character — with us it is a shrub of humble growth, trailing over
rocks, and found in woods, beneath the shelter of taller evergreens.
The Oaks are almost, if not quite, equal in value to the Pines, and
much more numerous, as regards species. White Oak {Quercus alba)
is always considered one of our most valuable timber trees. The
wood is of great, strength and durability , and is used when these
qualities are required, as in ship building and heavy frame work for
machinery. When sawed into plank, the wheelwright, the wagon-
maker, and indeed, almost every mechanic, uses it more or less in his
labor. Black Oak {Q. tinctoria) furnishes Quercitron bark, an
article of export, and used in dyeing; Scarlet Oak (Q. coccinea), and
Black Chestnut Oak (Q. montana), are much prized by the tanner.
Other species are Willow Oak (Q. phellos), with narrow leaves;
Chinquapin (Q. prinos), a dwarf species bearing edible acorns ;
Swamp White Oak (Q. bicofor); Mossy Cup Oak (Q. olivceformis) ;
Pin Oak (Q. paiustrLs) and Black Jack (Q. nigra); the last is indi-
genous to Long Island only.
The White Elm (U/mus Americana) is a most graceful species,
and when growing in moist rich soil one of the largest of our forest
trees. The Slippery Elm (U. fulva), a smaller tree, growing on
higher ground, is well known for the mucilaginous properties of its
inner bark. Thomas' Elm (U. raccmosa), so named from the per-
BOTANY. 37
son who first described it, is rather frequent on river banks in the
middle and western parts of the state.
Of the Ash (Fraxinus), we have only three species, the White,
Black and Grey. White Ash (F. Americana) has elastic, tough
wood, and is used in the manufacture of carriages, agricultural im-
plements, &c. From its splitting freely, it is much employed by the
cooper for hoops.
Sugar Maple (Acer saccharinum) is a large and handsome tree,
well known as furnishing the maple sug-^r which is obtained, by
boiling down the sap, procured from the trees, during the months of
February and March — Birdseye and Curled Maple are accidental
varieties in the wood of this species. Red Maple (A. rubrum),
White or Silver leaved Maple (A. dasycarpum), Mountain Maple,
or Moose wood {A. Spicatum and A. Pennsylvanicum), are the
only other species.
The Walnut tribe are valuable, both for food and timber. Black
Walnut (Juglans ?iigra), and Butternut (/. cinerea), occur in most
parts of the state. Shell bark Hickory (Carya alba) bears the com-
mon white walnut, so pleasant to crack by the winter fireside. The bark
of this tree separates in long flat, scales, with loose, detached ends,
giving the trunk a ragged appearance; Moker-nut (C. tomentosa),
Pig-nut (C . porcina) and Bitter-nut (C. «wa?-a)are the only remain-
ing New York species.
The Beech (Fagus) and Chestnut (Castanea) are both noble grow-
ing trees. The wood of the Beech is heavy and compact, but not
durable. Chestnut, on the contrary, though light and open grained,
bears exposure, for a great length of time, without decay. The Amer-
ican Chestnut is considered a variety of the European, differing only
in its smaller and sweeter nuts.
The Canoe Birch is the Betula papyracea. From the bark of this
species, which readily peels off in long thin sheets, and slips of cedar,
the Indians manufacture their canoes. The wood of the Black Birch
(Betula lenta), is considerably used in cabinet making. The Dwarf
Birch (Betula nana) is an Alpine shrub, found only on the high
mountains of Essex county. The Sycamore (Platanus), the Poplars,
and the Willows, are of little value, except as shade trees. Not so
the Locust (Robinia pseudo-acacia), a tree of rapid growth and grace-
ful form. Its wood is exceedingly hard and nearly indestructible,
and is mostly used for trenails, and gate posts, and in ship-building.
It is net a native of the state, but is cultivated for sale, and as an
ornamental tree.
The Tulip tree (Liriodendron Tulipifera) is the pride of our
northern forests for its majestic growth, symmetrical form, and hand-
some foliage. It not unfrequently rises to the height of seventy feet
without a branch, and is covered in May or June with innumerable
tulip shaped flowers. The Magnolia (Magnolia glauca) is found
only in the swamps of Long Island, and there but sparingly. Its
flowers exhale a heavy, but not unpleasant, perfume. One other spe-
cies, the Cucumber tree (M. acuminata), is not uncommon in the
western parts of the state, and is thus named from the appearance of
the seed cone.
Of vast importance, as furnishing directly or indirectly the food of
man and animals, are the grasses; and no class of plants is so widely
3
38 STATE OF NEW YORK.
distributed as this. They form the principal portion of the herbage
of the earth, giving to the hills and plains their lovely green.
Though our Flora contains many native species, only a small num-
ber are of value, our meadow grasses being, with few exceptions,
of foreign origin. The principal of these are, Timothy (Phleum pra-
tense), making the best of hay ; Sweet Vernal grass (Anthoxanthum
odoratum), which, when half withered, gives out a pleasant odor of
vanilla; Meadow grass (Poa pratensis), Blue grass (P. compressa)
and Rough grass (P. trivia/is), most of which have spread over all
our pasture grounds. Wheat (Triticutri), Rye (Secale) and Oats
(Jlvena), are extensively cultivated in all parts of the state. Zizania
aquatica, or wild rice, a favorite food of the Indians, and affording
sustenance to myriads of wild fowl, is a native of the northern coun-
ties.
The Wild Oat and Chess (Bromus), into which our farmers
wrongly believe that wheat and rye degenerate, are common. Phrag-
mites, the largest grass of the northern states, looking at a distance
like broom corn, grows by the river side, and borders of swamps and
ponds.
Some grasses are peculiar to the sands; their matted roots, form-
ing a thick sod, prevent the loose soil from being carried away, by
the water or wind. Many others, by their annual decay, aid in fertili-
zing the soil, that would otherwise be arid and unproductive.
Ferns and Fernlike plants occupy a wide extent of territory.
Most common of all is the Brake (Pteris), under cover of which the
sportsman is sure to find the rabbit, or the partridge. Maiden Hair
(Adiantimi), a delicate fern, with dark brown polished stems, is not
uncommon. The Walking; Fern (Asplenium rkizophyllum) is re-
markable for striking root from the exlremitie.s of the fronds. The
Climbing Fern (Lygodium) is the only species of the tribe, with a
twining stem, found in so high a latitude. The tall Osmunda (O. cln-
namomed) grows in large bunches, in damp woods and low grounds;
sometimes attaining the height of a man.
Club Moss (Lycopodiwn), a creeping evergreen, is in great request
at Christmas time, to form festoons and wreaths.
The Scouring Rush (Equisetum) is used for polishing wood and
metals.
In the report of the recent Geological and Botanical survey, ordered
by the legislature, the whole number of species of flowering plants,
in the state, is said to be about 1450. Of these, 1200 are herbaceous,
and 150 may be regarded as ornamental. Of woody plants there are
250 species, including about 80 that attain to the' stature of trees.
Of plants that are reputed medicinal, we have (native and natural-
ized) 1G0 species. The naturalized plants exceed 160 species.
We must here leave this short notice of New York plants, though
we have, by no means, exhausted the materials, nor even touched
upon many, that are most frequently met with, in a morning walk.
Those who would pursue the study must seek their information in
two large volumes, written by Dr. Torrey, which form the Botanical
part of the Natural History of New York.
ZOOLOGY. 39
III. ZOOLOGY.
Class I. Mammalia.
By mammalia are meant, all those animals having warm blood, a
double heart, that is, one with two auricles and two ventricles, and
bringing forth their young alive and suckling them. Being, with a
lew exceptions, four footed animals, they are frequently called quad-
rupeds. Naturalists have divided these into a number of distinct,
orders, of which on\y jive are found in this state.
These are 1st, Marsupiata, or pouched animals. One species,
only, belonging to this order, is found in the state, viz. the opossum.
2d, Carnivora, or flesh eaters. Of these we have five species of
bats ; the mole and shrew mole ; six species of shrews ; the black
bear; the raccoon ; wolverine; skunk ; fisher; weasel, or black cat,
called also Pennant's martin ; the pine martin, or American sable ;
the small and the brown weasel ; the New York ermine, or ermine
weasel; the mink, or minx otter; the common otter; the dog, about
thirty varieties, five o/ which are native; the common wolf, two va-
rieties, the grey, and the black; the panther ; the northern, or Cana-
da lynx ; the wild cat, or bay lynx ; the seal ; the hooded seal ; and
perhaps, the walrus.
3d, Rodentia, or gnawers. Among these are the grey fox ;
the red, striped, and flying squirrel; the woodchuck, or Maryland
marmot; the deer mouse, or Labrador rat; the beaver; the mus-
quash, or muskrat; the porcupine ; the Norway, or brown rat; two
species of black rat; the common mouse; the jumping mouse; six
species of meadow mice ; the grey rabbit ; and the northern, or prairie
hare.
4th, Uugulata: animals whose toes arc covered with a horny
case, or hoof. Of these, we have the hog ; the hor^e ; the ass ; the ox ;
the goat, the sheep; the American or fallow deer; the moose; the
stag, and the reindeer.
5th, Cetacea, or the whale tribe. The only species of this or-
der, known to exist in the waters of the state, are, the right whale ;
the sperm whale; the beaked whale, or rorqual; the broad nosed
whale ; the social whale, or black whale-fish, called also the howling
whale, and bottle head ; the common porpoise ; the grampus, or
thrasher, also called the blackfish whale ; and the sea porpoise.
Fossil Mammalia. Of these, but three species, it is believed, have
been found, viz, 1st the fossil elephant, of which but a single tooth
has been discovered.
2d, The American elephant, of which several teeth have been
found in Monroe county.
3d, The mastodon, frequently, but improperly, called mammoth.
Remains of this animal, and indeed skeletons nearly entire have been
discovered in some 15 or 20 localities in the state, in Orange, Ulster,
Monroe, Suffolk, Livingston, Chautauque, Albany, Cattaraugus, Gen-
esee, and Niagara counties,
Class II. Aves — Birds.
Six orders of birds are found in the state, viz. 1st, Accipitres, birds
of prey, including eagles, hawks, vultures, and owls.
2d, Passeres, birds of passage. These include most of those
40
STATE OF NEW YORK.
birds with which we are familiar, and whose departure for a more
southern clime in autumn, renders winter more cheerless, as their
return in spring:, makes the approaching summer more joyous and
delightful.
3d, Gallincp, the cock tribe, including not only our domesticated
fowls, but the wild turkey, grouse, prairie hen, «fcc.
4th, Grallcp, waders. This includes all those long legged birds
which obtain their subsistence on the borders of streams ; the plover,
crane, heron, poke, &c.
5th, Lobipedes, lobefooted birds ; the coot, dipper, &c.
6th, JVatatores, swimmers. This includes loons, gulls, gannets,
wild ducks and geese, &c.
The following catalogue embraces all the birds, of these different
orders, known to exist in the state.
Order I. Accipitres.
[Birds of prey,]
Family I. Yulturidcc.
Vulture tribe.
Turkey buzzard.
Family 2. Falconidce.
Falcon tribe.
Golden eagle.
Brown or bald eagle,
American fish hawk,
Rough legged buzzard,
Red tailed
Red shouldered "
Broad winsed "
Swallow tailed hawk,
Duck
Pigeon
American sparrow "
Slate colored "
Cooper's
American sroshawk,
Marsh harrier,
Family 3. Strizidte.
Owl tribe.
Great horned owl,
Snowy "
Hawk
Little screech "
Great grey,
Long eared
Short eared "
Barred
Acadian
American barn "
Order II. Passeres.
[Birds of passage.]
Family 1. Caprimulgida
Whippoorwill tribe.
Whippoorwill,
Nisht hawk.
Family '2 HirundinX.
Swallow tribe.
Chimney swallow,
Purple martin,
White bellied swallow,
Bank
Barn
Cliff
Family 3. Ampelidcc.
Fruit eaters.
Black throated waxwins,
Cedar bird.
Family 4. Alcedinidcz.
King fisher tribe.
Belted king fisher.
Family 5. T ' rochilida.
Humming bird tribe.
Red throated humming bird
Family 6. Certhidas.
Wren tribe.
White breasted nuthatch,
Red bellied
Brown creeper,
Varied creeping Warbler,
House Wren,
Wood
Mocking "
Marsh
Winter "
Short billed"
Family 7. Paridce.
Tomtit tribe.
Crested tit,
Black cap "
Carolina "
Family S. Si/h-iadce.
Blue bird tribe.
Golden crested kinglet,
Ruby crowned "
Blue bird.
Family 9. Merulida.
Thrush tribe.
Common mocking bird,
Brown thrush,
Cat bird,
American Robin,
Wood thrush,
Hermit
Olive backed "
Wilson's
Familv to. MotaciUidcc.
Titlark tribe.
American titlark,
New York water thrush,
$ Oven bird, or
( Golden crowned wagtail.
Family 11. Sylvicolidce.
Warblers.
Yellow throat,
Mourning Warbler,
Worm eating
Whistling
Blue winged,
Golden
Tennessee
Nashville
Orange crowned,
Mvrtle bird,
Red poll
Spotted Canada Warbler,
Spotted
Blue grey "
Blackburnian "
Bay breasted "
Black poll "
Prairie "
Blue, yellow backed "
Black throated, blue, "
Summer yellow bird,
Black throated green "
Pine
Chestnut sided "
Hemlock "
Cape May "
Kentucky, "
Hooded
Green, black capped "
Blue grey gnat-catcher,
Family 13. Muscicapida.
Fly catchers.
American redstart,
Small green crested fly
catcher,
Yellow bellied fly catcher,
Wood pewee,
Phebe bird,
Olive sided kingbird,
Great crested "
Family 13. Vireonidce.
Greenlet tribe.
Yellow throated greenlet,
Solitary
White eyed
Warbling
Red eyed
Yellow breasted chat.
Familv 14. Laniidct.
"Shrikes.
Northern butcherbird.
Family 15. Corvidce.
Crow tribe.
Blue jay,
Canada "
Magpie,
Common crow,
Raven*
Fish crow,
Family 16. Quiscalidce.
Oriole tribe.
Common crow blaukbird,
Rusty
Meadow lark.
Golden oriole,
Orchard
Red winged "
Cow bunting,
ZOOLOGY.
41
Boblink.or Ricebird.
Family 17. Fringillida:.
Finches.
Blue Grosbeak,
Rose breasted grosbeak,
Snowbird,
Fox colored sparrow,
Song ' "
^ Bay winged, "
( or irrassbird,
White throated "
White crowned"
Black throated bunting,
Yellow winged "
Varied "
Field
Ghippingbird,
Tree bunting,
Savannah "
Blue stripeil "
Seaside finch,
Quail head,
Swamp Finch,
\ Yellowbird or
£ American gold finch,
Pine finch,
Lesser redpole,
Mealy
Crested purple finch,
Cardinal Grosbeak,
\ Che wink or
\ Ground robin,
Indigo bird,
Red" "
Black winged red bird,
Lapland snow
White
Horned lark,
Pine bull finch,
American crossbill,
White winged "
Family 18. Picidcc.
[Borers.]
Woodpecker tribe.
Crested woodpecker
Red headed "
Hairy
Downy "
Yellow billed "
Red
Arctic "
Banded "
S Golden winged "
I or High hole.
Family 19. Cuculidcc.
Cuckoo tribe.
Yellow billed cuckoo,
Black
Family 20. Cohimlidcc
Pigeon tribe.
Wild Pigeon,
Carolina turtle dove.
Order III. Gallin.e.
Family 1. Phasianidcc.
Pheasant tribe.
Wild Turkey.
Introduced and domesti-
cated.
Peacock,
Guinea fowl,
Common cock.
Family 2. Tetraonidcc.
Grouse tribe,
American quail,
Common partridge,
R ufled grouse,
S Pinnated grouse,
for Heath hen, prairie hen,
Spruce grouse.
Order IV. Grall*:.
[Waders.]
Family l. Charadridce.
Plovers.
American ring plover,
Piping "
Wilson's
Kill deer
Golden "
Whistling
Turnstone "
American oyster catcher.
Family 2. Gruidce.
Crane tribe.
American crane,
Great blue heron,
Great white "
$ White crested"
?or White poke,
Blue heron,
Lousiana "
Green "
Small bittern,
American "
Black crowned night heron,
fellow "
• Family 3. Tantalidce.
Stork tribe.
White ibis,
Glossy "
Family 4. Scolopacidce,
Curlew tribe.
Long billed curlew,
Jack
Small Esquimaux "
Long legged sandpiper,
Semi-palmated "
Purple "
Buft breasted
Curlew
Black breasted "
Schinz's "
Pectoral
Red breasted "
Wilson's "
Sanderling,
Spotted sand lark,
Grey
Yellow leg,
$ Solitary Tatler
I or Jack snipe,
Varied Tatler,
Willet or stone curlew,
Marlin,
Ring tailed marlin,
\ Dowitchee or
I Red breasted snipe,
Common American snipe,
American wood cock.
Family 5. Rallida.
Rail tribe.
Salt water meadow hen,
Fresh "
Mud hen,
New York rail,
Sora "
Florida Gallinule,
Family 6. Recurvirostrida:
Avoset tribe.
Lawyer,
American Avoset.
Family 7. Phalaropodidcc.
Red Phalaropc,
\ Hyperborean lobefoot, or
I Sea goose,
Wilson's Holopode.
Order V. Lobipedes.
[Lobe footed birds ]
Family 1. Podicipidae.
Coot or Dipper tribe.
American coot,
Horned grebe or dipper,
Crested grebe,
Red necked '■
Dipper or pied dobchick.
Order VI. Natatores.
[Swimmers]
Family l, Alcidco.
Puffin tribe.
Black Guillemot,
Foolish " or Murre,
Sea Dove,
Arctic Puffin,
Razor bill,
Family 2. Colymbidai.
Loon tribe.
Great loon or diver,
Red throated loon
Family 3. Procellaridce,.
Petrels.
t Large shearwater, or
I Puffin,
Little
( Wilson's Petrel, or
( Mother Carey's chicken,
Fork tailed Petrel.
Family 4. Pelicanidco.
Pelican tribe.
Cormorant,
Double crested cormorant,
Brown Pelican,
American Gannet.
Family 5. Larida.
Gull tribe.
Black Skimmer,
Common tern,
Cayenne, "
Black
Marsh
Arctic "
Sandwich "
Roseate "
Silvery "
Winter gull,
Great black backed gull,
Common American "
Laughing
Bonaparte's
Fork tailed
\ Three toed " or
{Killiwake,
Arctic hawk gull,
Pomarine "
Family 6. Anatidcc.
Goose and Duck tribes.
Burt" breasted shelldrake,
Red
Hooded
Canvass back duck,
Red head
Broad bill
Creek
Bastard "
42 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Pied duck, t Broad billed coot, or Black duck,
Ruddy I Butter bill, £ American widgeon, or
Old wife White winged coot, I Bald pate,
Buffle headed " Wood duck, European widgeon,
Whistler, Blue winged teal, Wild goose,
Harlequin Green " Whit* 'fronted goose,
Eider Pintailed duck, Brant,
King Shoveller, or spoonbill, American swan.
Surf duck or coot, Grey duck, or Gad wall,
Class III. Reptiles.
There are but three orders of reptiles found in the state, viz.
1st, Chelonia. The turtle tribe. Among the animals belonging
to this order are. the green turtle, which, though a native of warm
climates, occasionally makes its appearance in the waters of New
York bay, and Long Island sound ; the leather turtle, a gigantic spe-
cies; the soft shell turtle found in the Mohawk, and in the lakes;
the snapping turtle; the salt water terrapin, or mud turtle; the
smooth terrapin, which resembles the preceding in its appearance
and habits ; the painted tortoise ; the spotted tortoise or speckled tur-
tle ; the, wood or fresh water terrapin; the red bellied terrapin;
Muhlenburg's tortoise ; the geographic, and the pseudo-geographic
tortoise, both distinguished by the geometric lines upon their shells;
the mud tortoise, found only in the southern counties; the musk tor-
toise, also called mud turtle, and mud terrapin; the common box, or
checkered, tortoise, also called box turtle ; and Blanding's box tor-
toise.
2d, Sauria. The lizard tribe. There are but two species of this
tribe, known to exist in this state, viz. the blue tailed skink or liz-
ard, called also the striped lizard, found in the southern counties;
and the brown swift, frequenting the woods, in every part of the state.
3d, Ophidia. The serpent tribe. Most of these are harmless,
only two species being venomous.
Of the harmless species, we have the common black snake, from
three to six feet long; the pilot black snake, or racer, found in the
Highlands and Fishkill mountains ; the chain snake, also called racer ;
the milk or chicken snake, also called house snake, checkered adder,
&c. ; the striped snake ; the ring snake, black and red, small ; thegrass
or green snake ; the brown water snake, or water adder — this snake has
its tail tipped with horn, and is frequently regarded with dread, but
without cause ; the striped water, green water, or water garter
snake ; the yellow bellied snake ; the small brown snake: the ribbon
snake; the red snake, very small, and found under stones and logs;
the hog nosed snake, called also deaf adder, spreading adder, &x
The two venomous species are, the copper head, called also red ad-
der, dumb rattlesnake, red viper, &c. ; and the northern rattlesnake.
The popular belief that the latter add a new rattle every year is erro-
neous. Instances have been known where there were forty-four of
these fibulae or rattles on the tail of a single snake, and that not of a
very large size. They are found abundantly, in the rocky and unset-
tled portions of the state. The deer and the hos; destroy them rap-
idly — the latter eating them.
ZOOLOGY. 43
Class IV. Amphibia.
Animals living both on the land, and in the water. There are but
four families of amphibia, in the state.
1st, Ranidce. The frog tribe. The following are all the species of
this family in the state: The common bull frog; the large northern bull
frog, found in lakes George and Champlain, and their tributaries ; the
spring frog, the kind most usually eaten ; the marsh or pickerel frog,
used for bait, and called also, from its spots, tis;er, and leopard frog ;
the shad frog, which makes its appearance in the early spring; the
wood frog, a very nimble animal ; the hermit spadefoot, a singular
animal, between a frog and a toad ; the common American toad, a
harmless and useful animal ; Pickering's hylodes, a very small toad;
the peeper or cricket frog, called in Savannah, the Savannah cricket;
the northern, or common tree toad ; and the squirrel tree toad.
2d, Salamandridee. The salamander tribe. These are usually,
though incorrectly, called lizards. Among them are the yellow bel-
lied salamander ; the violet colored, the red backed, the painted, the
salmon colored, the blotched, the long tailed, the granulated, the
striped back, the red, the scarlet, and the blue spotted salamander.
3d, Siren idee. The triton tribe. Of these we have the tiger tri-
ton, with a tongue like a fish; the common spotted; the dusky, and
the grey triton.
4th, Amphiumidce. The proteus tribe. The banded proteus, or
great water lizard, a very singular animal, having the body of a liz-
ard, and the gills of a fish; and the Alleghany hell-bender, another
curious amphibious animal, very voracious, and from 12 to 24 inches
in length, are the only species of this family in New York.
Class V. Fishes.
The fishes, belonging to the state, are very numerous.
Fishes are divided into two sub-classes, bony and cartilagin-
ous. The first sub-class has six orders, viz.
1st, Pectinibranchi, having gills arranged regularly, like the
teeth of a comb. This order embraces many of our common fish,
both in fresh and salt water. Those best known are the perch, bass,
bullhead, sheepshead, porgee, pilot fish, mullet, black fish or tau-
taug, cunner, sucker, mackerel, &c. &c. In all the fishes belonging
to this order the rays of the fin are bony. The same arrangement of
the gills occurs in the three succeeding orders.
2d, Abdominal, those having belly fins and ventrals. This order
includes the shad, herring, salmon, trout, catfish, pipe fish, dace,
shiner, carp, pike, pickerel, minnow, &c.
This, and the four succeeding orders, have soft rayed fins.
3d, Jugular, having shoulder fins, and ventrals attached to the
bones of the shoulder. It includes the cod, haddock, hake, halibut,
flatfish, flounder, turbot, sole, lumpfish, &c.
4th, Apodal, without fins. This order includes the eel and
conger.
5th, Lophobranchi, those having tufted gills. This order is
small, comprising two species of pipe fish and the Hudson river
sea horse.
6th, Plectngnathi, those having the gills concealed under the
44
STATE OF NEW YORK.
skin. The balloon fish, puffer, and globe fish are examples of this
order.
Sub-class II. Cartilaginous Fishes. These arc divided into
three orders, viz.
1st. Elaitheropomi, those having free gills. This order is rep-
resented in the state only by the sturgeon.
2d, Plagiostoma, those having the gills attached. This includes
the shark and ray tribes.
3d, Cyc/ostomi, those having circular openings on each side of the
neck lor respiration. This includes the lamprey, frequently called
lamper eel.
Fossil Fishes. Twenty-five species of these have been enume-
rated by the Messrs. Redfield. A number of them are extinct species.
The following catalogue contains the names of all the fishes as yet
discovered in the waters of this state:
Sub-class I. Bony Fishes.
Order I. Pectinibranchi.
[Spine rayed.]
Family 1. Percidoz.
Perch family.
American yellow perch,
Rough
Rough headed" "
Sharp nosed " "
Slender
Striped sea bass,
Ruddy
Little white
Small black
White lake
Black Huron or black bass,
Champlain pickering,
Yellow pike perch,
Grey .
Tesselate 1 darter,
Groper,
Black sea bass,
Growler,
Fresh water bass,
Black do.
Obscure do. "
Common pond fish,
Black eared "
Coachman,
Spineless perch,
Unarmed Uranoscope,
Northern Barracuta,
Cirrous Lepisoma.
Family 2. Triglidce.
Gurnard family.
Web fingered gurnard,
Red
Banded
Spinous
Sea swallow,
Common bullhead,
Brazen
Smooth browed "
Greenland
American sea raven,
Small sea scorpion,
Spotted "
Northern sebastes,
Little star gazer.
American Aspidophore,
Spotted wry mouth,
Two spined stickleback,
New York "
Four spined stickleback,
Many spined "
Family 3. Scienida.
Sheepshead family.
Lafayette,
Weakfish,
Lake sheepshead,
Silvery Corvina,
Branded
Sharpfinned "
Black sheepshead,
King fish,
Big~ drum,
Banded " '
Banded Corvina,
Speckled redmouth,
Yellow finned "
Squirrel fish,
Banded pristipoma,
Black triple tail.
Family 4. Sparidtz.
Porgee family.
Sheepshead,
Sand porgee,
Rhomboidal "
Aculeated gilthead,
$Big porgee, or
I Scup.
Family 5. Chetodontidac,
$ Banded Ephippus, or
( Three tailed porgee,
Moon fish,
Razor fish.
Family 6. Scmnbridce.
Mackerel tribe.
Spring Mackerel,
Fall
Spanish
Common tunny,
Striped bonito,
Spotted cybium,
4 Silvery hair tail, or
( Ribbon fish.
Common sword fish,
New York pilot fish,
Northern crab-eater,
Carolina lichia,
Silvery trachinote,
J Spinous " or
} Spinous dory,
Black pilot,
Southern caranx,
Yellow
Spotted caranx,
^ Hair finned blepharis, or
( Hair finned dory,
$ Rostrate argyreiose or
fDory,
Hair finned
k Blunt nosed shiner, or
(Bristly dory,
Banded seriole,
Blue fish,
Bottle headed dolphin,
Spotted lampugus,
Long finned harvest fish,
Short finned
Family 7. Teuthidec.
Surgeon.
Family 8. Atherinidce.
Dotted silverside,
Slender "
Family 9. Mugilidee.
Mullet family.
Striped mullet,
White
Rock
Spotted "
Family 10. Gobidce.
Goby family,
Sea weed blenny,
Radiated shanny,
Six banded chasmodes,
American butter fish,
Thick lipped eel pout,
Bordered " "
Sea wolf,
Variegated goby.
Family II. Lophidcc.
Toad lish family.
American angler,
Gibbous mouse fish,
Smooth "
Short nosed malthea,
Dotted
Bat
Common toad fish,
Two spined toad fish.
Family 12. Labridcc.
S Common bergall, or
f dinner,
Spotted do.
K New York tautaug, or
I Black fish.
ZOOLOGY
45
Order 11. Abdominal.
[Soft rayed fishes.)
Family 1. Siluridcc.
Catfish family.
Oceanic catfish,
Milbert's arius,
Great lake catfish,
\ Common " or
iJHorn pout— minister)
Brown catfish,
Black
Family 2. Cyprinidcc.
Carp family.
Common carp,
Gold
Variegated Bream,
New York chubsnckeri
Brilliant
Long finned
Gibbous
Round backed "
Common suckefi
Oneida
Horned
Pale
Mullet
Black
Large scaled "
New York shiner f
Black nosed dace,
Spawn eater,
Redfin,
Roach dace i
Shining
Black headed "
Silvery
Banded
Pisrmy
Bay shiner,
Corporaalen,
Sheepshead lebias,
Striped killifish,
Barred
Big " ,
Transparent minnow,
Barred
Champlain
Family 3. Esocidaz.
Pickerel family.
Muskellunge,
Common pickerelj
Varied
Federation pike,
Banded Garfish,
Bill fish,
New York flying fish,
Single bearded "
Double "
Family 4. Fistularidcc.
Pipe fish family.
American pipe fish.
Spotted pipe fish,
Family 5. Salmortidfc.
Salmon Family;
Brook trout,
Red bellied "
Lake
Mackinaw Salmon,
Common sea "
American smelt,
Spotted Troutlet,
Argentine,
Lake white fish,
Common shad salmon,
Otsego " "
Family 6. Clupidce.
Herring family.
Common herring,
Striped
Green
Little
Satin striped "
Blue
Brit,
American shad,
American Alewife,
Mossbonker,
Autumnal Herringi
Slender
Spotted shadine,
Spotted thread herring,
River moon eye,
Lake
Saury,
Western Mudfish.
Family 7. Saitridcc.
Bony Pikes.
Buffalo bony pike,
Flat nosed" "
Order III. Jugular.
Family 1. Gadidcc.
Cod family.
American cod,
Power
Tom "
Haddock,
American hake,
Plain burbot,
Spotted "
Compressed"
New York Pollack,
Green
Coal fish,
Cusk,
American Codling,
Spotted "
Familv 2. Planidcc.
Flatfish family.
Halibut,
New York flatfish,
Pigmy "
Rusty flat fish,
Toothed! "
Oblong Flounder)
Long toothed "
Spotted Turbotj
New York sole.
Family 3. CycloptcridO,,
Lump fish.
Family 4. Echineidcc.
White tailed remora,
Indian
Common "
Order IV. Apodal
Family l. AnguillideC'
Eel family,
Common eel,
New York "
Beaked
Sea
Bullhead "
American conger,
New York ophidium,
American sand launce<
Banded
Order V. LophobrancHI.
Family 1. tSyngnathida,
Banded pipe fish,
Green "
Hudson river sea horse.
Order VI. Plectognathi,
Family l. Gymnodontidce,
Balloon fish family.
Spot-striped balloon fish,
Unspotted " "
Warty
Hairy " ,!
Common puffer,
Curved
Lineated "
.Small globe fish,
Short head fish,
Family 2. Balistida,.
File fish family.
Orange file fish,
Long finned " "
Massachusetts " "
Thread " "
Long tailed unicorn fish (
Dusky balisteg.
Family 3. Ostraceonidce,
Dromedary,
Yale's trunk fish.
Sub-class II. Cartilaginous Fishes.
Order I.
Eleutheropoma. Mackerel porbeagle, Broad stin
Long tailed " Cow nose '■
American houndfish, Hedge hog "
Basking shark, Whip
Spinous dog fish, Smooth skate,
Nurse, Sea devil,
Hammer head shark,
ray,
Family Sturionidae
Lake sturgeon,
Short nosed "
Sharp " "
Order. IT. Plagiostoma.
Family 1. Sqiialidcc.
Shark Family.
Threshing shark,
Small blue "
Dusky "
Ground "
\ American angel fish, or Order III. Cyclostom!.
(Se~
Sea devil,
Common saw fish.
Family 2. Raiadcc.
Ray family,
Clear nosed ray,
Spotted sting "
Prickly " "
Family Petronyzidas.
American sea lamprey,
Bluish " r '
Small lamprey,
Colored mud lamprey,
Plain " ,r
46 STATE OF' NEW YORK.
Class VII. Crustacea.
The class Crustacea embraces those animals having a covering of a
dense calcareous substance, adapted to their form, which they usu-
ally shed every year, and which is replaced by an exudation from
the surface of the animal's body. Ten orders of this class of animals
are supposed to exist in the state, though the existence of two of the
fen is not determined With certainty.
Order 1st, Decapoda, those having ten feet, is the most numerous
and best known. It embraces the various species of crab, lobster
fresh-water lobster, and most of the prawns or shrimps. There are
in all twenty-seven species of this order.
Order 2d, Stomapoda, those having the feet converging towards
the jaWs, is less numerous, Containing but three species. It embra-
ces the opossum shrimp and the Squill.
Order 3d, Ainphipodo^ those having feet connected with both divi-
sions of the body, comprising the sand flea, beach fiea, and fresh-wa*
ter shrimp. It has but four species.
Order 4th, Loemipoda, has but two species, the whale louse and
the sea measuring worm.
Order 5th, Isopoda, is considerably numerous, containing four-
teen species. Seven of these are parasitic animals which obtain a
subsistence by attachment to other animals. Among them are the
salt and fresh-water barnacle ; two species of sow bug ; the pill bug 5
and a genus resembling the trilobite.
Order 6th, Pacilopoda^ contains five species, and embraces the
horsefoot, or king crab, go abundant on the sea coast; and parasites
peculiar to the shark, the rock bass* and the alewife.
Orders 7th and 8th, Phyllopodo and Lophyropa, are not certainly
known to exist in the state.
Orders ythandlUth, Branchiopoda and Ostrapoda* have but one
species each, and those not known, except to the zoologist.
Class VIII. Mull used.
Mollusca is the name given to the class of animals whose bodies
are encased in shells. Many of these are known bv the name of shell
fish,
There are six orders, embracing a large number of genera andspe*
cies, in the state.
The 1st order is Cephalopoda, those having the head surrounded
by feet. The cuttle fish, or squid, and the syphon formed spirula, be-
long to this order.
The 2d order is Pteropoda, having fins on each side of the mouth)
and without feet. To this order belongs the clio, the food of the
whale.
The 3d order is Gasteropoda^ having the feet Under the body.
The mollusca, belonging to this order, are very numerous in the state,
and are arranged into eight sections or subdivisions, according to the
structure of their gills or breathing apparatus.
It comprises, in addition to many species known only to the natu*
ralist, the family of slugs or snails, the animals inhabiting the turbi*
nated shells, and those which yield the famous Tyrian purple dye.
The 4th order, Acephala, those having no distinct head, is divided
ZOOLOGY. 47
into three sections, and comprises by far the greater number of shell
fish with which we are familiar.
In the 2d section, Lamellibranchia, those having leaf-like gills, of
a semicircular form, we find the oyster, scallop, bloody clam, mussel,
and the fresh-water clam and mussel.
In the third section, Conchifera, those having single and distinct
shells, we find the quahog, or common round clam, and the long clam.
The 5th and (5th orders, Cirrhopoda, those having filamentous or
thread-like feet, and Tunicata, those covered with a leathery or
membranous tunic instead of a shell, contain no species of general
interest.
The researches of the state geologists have brought to light numer-
ous genera and species of fossil mollusca, imbedded in the lime and
sand stones of the state. The most remarkable and common of these
are the various species of trilobite, the encrinite, the pentamerus, &c.
Class IX. Insects.
No full account of the insects of this state has yet appeared. The
naturalists of the adjacent states, of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania,
have described most of those, which are inhabitants of the state — and
relying upon their descriptions, we shall mention some of those best
known.
The order Coleoptera, beetles, is very numerous. In Pennsylva-
nia more than 1500 species have been discovered. The boring bee-
tle, hammering beetle, tumble bug, ground beetle, horn bug,
goldsmith beetle, and some others of brilliant colors, are the most
common.
The order Orthoptera, includes the cockroaches, crickets and grass-
hoppers, of which there are many species. The katydid, so well
known by the peculiar sound produced by its wing covers, belongs to
the latter family.
The order Homoptera comprises the locusts ; one species of these
is remarkable for remaining seventeen years in the grub state.
The order Hemiptera, bugs, comprises many of those insects inju-
rious to vegetation, particularly the May bug, the lady bug, the apple
tree blight, &c.
The order Lepidoptera, butterflies, are very numerous, probably
numbering not less than 1000 species. Among those that fly dur-
ing the day, those best known are, the small yellow winged butterfly,
and the large yellow and black butter-fly. The variety, and beauty of
their colors, attract universal attention. Some of the nocturnal spe-
cies are very large.
The order Arachnidce, spiders, though now usually considered as
a separate class, may come in here with propriety. There are proba-
bly between one and two hundred species of these in the state. Some
of them are very large, and possessed of great beauty. The long legs,
the clawed spider, the tick, mite, louse, &c,also belong to this order.
The worms of the state, and its animalcules, have not yet been
made subjects of general investigation.
CIVIL HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
DUTCH COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION.
DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT.
The bay of New York was first discovered in 1524, by Jean
de Verrazano, a Florentine in the service of France. It does
not appear, however, that Francis I. the monarch under whom
this discovery was made, ever took advantage of it, or laid claim
to the territory adjacent, in consequence of Verrazano's explor-
ation.
On the 4th of Sept. 1609, Henry Hudson, an Englishman, in
the service of the States General of Holland, again discovered
it, and ascended the river, which now bears his name, to a point
a little below the present city of Albany. His ship, or yacht,
was of about eighty tons burthen, and was called the Half Moon.
Landing in England on his return, he despatched an account
of his adventures to the Dutch East India Company, with the
request, that they would furnish him with the means of making
another voyage. The English Government, however, deter-
mining to secure his services, forbade his sailing again in the
service of Holland.
Shortly after, he received the command of a ship, with direc-
tions to explore the Northern coast of America, in the hope of
finding a North West passage. Having discovered and entered
the bay which now bears his name, his crew mutinied, and put-
ting him with some of his men into a small boat, abandoned them
to their fate. Whether they perished by the waves, by hunger,
or by the inclemency of the climate, is unknown.
The country thus discovered by Hudson, was inhabited by
numerous roving tribes of Indians, of whom the Maquaas or
Mohawks were the most formidable and warlike. The Man-
hattans, who inhabited the island on which New York is situa-
ted, were also a fierce and warlike nation. Between thirty and
forty of these tribes occupied Long Island and the country wa-
tered by the Hudson and Delaware rivers and their branches.
In 1610, a ship was sent by some merchants in Amsterdam, to
trade with the Indians of Hudson river, for furs, &c. Other
voyages were made during the succeeding years. In 1613, one
DUTCH ADMINISTRATION. 40
or two small trading forts were erected on the river ; and lour
houses were built on Manhattan Island, under the superintend-
ence of Hendrick Corstiaensen, who visited with his trading
boats every creek, inlet and bay in the vicinity, for the purpose
of securing for his employers, the furs and produce of the
country.
On the 29th of March, 1614, the States General of the United
Netherlands passed an ordinance, granting to all original discov-
erers of lands in North America, the exclusive privilege of
making four voyages to such lands as they had discovered, for
the purposes of trade. Under this ordinance, five ships were
despatched, by a company of merchants, the same year. The
command of these vessels v. as given to Adriaen Blok, Hendrick
Corstiaensen and Cornells Jacobsen Mey. They explored ex-
tensively the coast near New York.
Blok discovered and named Block Island, south of Rhode
Island, and also the East river, to which he gave the name of
Hellegat, from the Hellegat river in East Flanders.
Captain Mey proceeding southward, discovered and named
Capes May and Henlopen, or Hindlopen. On the return of these
ships, a Capt. Hendrickson was left on the coast, to prosecute
discoveries.
The tract of country extending from the Connecticut to the
Delaware river, received the name of New Netherlands ; and
the exclusive right to trade there for three years from that date,
Oct. 11, 1614, was granted to the discoverers by the States
General.
The discoverers, upon the passage of this grant, formed
themselves into a company, called the United New Netherlands
Company. This company erected, the same year, a fort and a
trading house at an island, near the head of navigation on the
Hudson, just below the present city of Albany, and garrisoned
it with ten or twelve men. Another fort was erected at the
southern point of Manhattan Island ; and men were despatched
in every direction among the Indian tribes, to induce them to
trade with the company.
In 1618, a flood in the North river, or Mauritius, as it was
called, injured the company's fort at Castle Island, near Albany,
so much that it was deemed best to remove it to another posi-
tion. Accordingly, a site was chosen on the Normanskill, or
creek, a few miles below. Here they made a treaty with the
Five Nations. The charter granted to the New Netherlands
Company, by the States General, having expired this year,
(1618,) they petitioned for its renewal, but in vain. Private
traders, principally the former partners of that company, con-
tinued, however, to visit the country for the purposes of traffic.
50 STATE OF NEW YORK.
At this period the attention of the Puritans, who afterwards
settled at Plymouth, was attracted to this fertile and beautiful
country. Having; in vain applied to England, for grants of ter-
ritory in the New World, they intimated, in the beginning of the
year 1620, to the prominent individuals concerned in the trade
to the New Netherlands, their desire to emigrate thither. This
intimation was readily and willingly received by these traders,
and a petition presented by them to the States General, for
their approval of the project. War existing, however, between
the States General and Spain, that body thought best, not to
approve this proposition.
In June, 1621, was passed the charter of the Dutch West
India Company, an armed Mercantile Association, which was
designed to extend the fame and power of the Netherlands ; and
to render them formidable upon the seas to Spain, their old and
sanguinary enemy. This charter, though not particularly
favorable to freedom, was as liberal in its provisions, as that of
any other commercial association of that period.
The West India Company having been fully organized,
sent out a ship called the New Netherlands, on the 20th of
June, 1623, to their newly acquired possessions, under the
direction ofCapt. Mey already noticed, and Adriaen Joriszen
Tienpont. The former of these, proceeded immediately to the
Delaware, then called the South, or Prince Hendrick's river,
and there established a fort, near the present town of Glouces-
ter, which he named fort Nassau. The same year a fortified
post, called Fort Orange, was erected within the limits of the
present city of Albany, a few miles above that erected in 1618,
on the Normanskill.
DIRECTOR MIXLTT'S ADMIXISTRATIOX.
In 1624, Peter Minuit, of Wesel, in Westphalia, having been
appointed director of New Netherlands, arrived in the country,
bringing with him several families of Walloons, inhabitants of
the frontier between Belgium and France.
These settled on a bay of Long Island, near Manhattan Isl-
and, called from them Wahlebocht, or the bay of the foreigners,
a name since corrupted into Wallabout. Here Sarah de Ra-
pelje, the first child of European parentage, whose birth occur-
red in the colony, was born in June, 1625.
The government of this newly established colony was vested
in the director, and a council of five, w r ho possessed supreme
executive, legislative and judicial authority in the colony.
The only other important officer of the government was the
Schout Fiscal, who filled both the offices of Sheriff and Attor-
ney General. Under the superintendence of these authorities,
the trade of the colony prospered.
DtlTCH ADMINISTRATION. 51
In 1626, Staten Island was purchased of the Indians ; and in
the same year, the island of Manhattan was bought for the
sum of twenty-four dollars. The fort, upon this latter island,
received the title of Fort Amsterdam, and the colony that of
New Amsterdam.
An affray occurred between some of Minuit's farm servants
and an Indian, in which the latter was killed. No attempts
were made to punish the murderers ; and this outrage after-
wards led to serious consequences. The exports of the colony
this year amounted to about $19,000.
In the ensuing year, 1627, amicable correspondence was
opened between the Dutch authorities at New Amsterdam,
and the Pilgrim settlers at Plymouth. In this correspondence
the English authority was set up by the Plymouth colonists
over the region watered by the Connecticut, and denied by the
Dutch.
Up to the year 1629, no colonies, properly so called, can be
■said to have been established in the New Netherlands. The
settlements were simply trading establishments, in which the
traffic in furs was the principal employment ; and the soil was
hardly cultivated in sufficient quantities to supply the wants of
the traders.
In Sept. 1628, Admiral Heyn, who had charge of the West
India Company's fleet, captured the Spanish Plate ships, con-
taining gold, silver, &c. to the value of five millions of dollars.
The directors of the company, elated by such unexpected good
fortune, were disposed to yield to any measure apparently cal-
culated to increase their wealth ; and at the meeting of the
company's council (commonly known as the XIX,) on the 7th
of June, 1626, a measure was adopted, the effects of which are
yet felt in the state.
This measure was, the passage of a grant, to certain individ-
uals, of extensive seignories, or tracts of land, with feudal
rights, giving them power over the lives and persons of their
subjects. Certain restrictions and limitations were made in
this grant, which was called " The Freedoms and Exceptions,
granted by the Assembly of the XIX, of the Priviliged West
India Company, to all such as shall plant any colonies in New
Netherlands."
Under this grant Samuel Godyn and Samuel Bloemmaert pur-
chased, soon after, a tract of land, thirty-two miles long, and two
miles wide, on the south-west side of Delaware Bay ; and on
the ISth of April, 1630, Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, a pearl mer-
chant of Amsterdam, secured a tract on the west side of the
North river, embracing the site of the present city of Albany.
By subsequent purchase, in this year and in 1637, Mr. Van
52 STATE OF NEW YOllk,
Rensselaer became proprietor of a tract of land, twenty -four
miles long, and forty-eight broad, now composing the counties
of Albany, Rensselaer, and part of the county of Columbia.
In 1630, Godyn and Bloemmaert also secured a tract, on the
opposite shore of the Delaware Bay , making a territory of sixty-
four miles in circumference. Another of the company's direct-
ors, Michael Paauw, purchased Staten Island, Jersey City and
Ahasimus, now called Harsimus, with the lands adjacent.
This colony was called Pavonia: that on the Delaware,
Zwanendal, or the valley of swans, and Mr. Van Rensselaer's,
Rensselaerwyck.
Active exertions were forthwith made to colonize these vast
estates. Colonies were sent to Rensselaerwyck and Zwanen-
dal ; and fortifications erected. Anxious, hoAvever, to partici-
pate in the very profitable trade in furs and peltries, the Pa-
troons, in the opinion of the other directors, soon transcended the
limits prescribed, in the bill of Freedoms and Exceptions.
Hence difficulties arose between the two parties, which mate-
rially embarrassed the prosperity of the infant colonies. Minuit
the director, was recalled, partly probably from the machina-
tions of Wouter Van Twiller, who, in the capacity of agent of
the company, had visited the colony two years before, (1632.)
On his way home in March, 1632, Director Minuit was forced,
by stress of weather, to put into the port of Plymouth, England.
The vessel was immediately seized, on her arrival, on a charge
of having traded and obtained her cargo in countries subject to
Her Brittanic Majesty. Considerable diplomatic correspondence
ensued between the State officers of England and the Nether-
lands ; and finally, the object of the English government, (the
assertion of their title,) having been attained, the vessel was
released.
During this period the dispute between the Patroons and the
colony continued. In the latter part of the year, the Indians in
the neighborhood of the Delaware Bay, considering themselves
injured, came suddenly upon the colony of Zwanendal, and
butchered in cold blood all the colonists, thirty -four persons in
number. The next year, Captain de Vries, the founder of the
colony, returned from Holland, and, finding himself unable to
punish the treachery of the Indians, made a peace with them.
DIRECTOR VAN TWILLER's ADMINISTRATION.
In April, 1633, Wouter Van Twiller, a relation of the Pa-
troon Van Rensselaer, having been appointed director of the
settlement, arrived at New Amsterdam. About this time also
Rev. Everardus Bogardus, the first minister, and Adam Roe-
landsen, the first schoolmaster, arrived in the colony. Van
DUTCH ADMINISTRATION. 53
Twiller seems to have been ill calculated to govern the colony,
at so stormy a period as this. Addicted to the use of intoxica-
ting liquors, he only resorted to heavier potations, when the
emergency called for sober and vigorous action.
In the early part ofhis administration, the Dutch settlements,
on the Connecticut, were established. In 1614, Adrien Blok,
one of the most enterprising captains in the employ of the New
Netherlands Company, had discovered this river, and named it
the Fresh Water River.
In 1632, Hans Encluys, one of the servants of the West India
Company, had set up the arms of the States General at Kievits
Hoeck, now Saybrook Point, thus formally taking possession of
the river. He had also purchased a tract of land, at that point,
for the company, from the Indians.
On the 8th of June, 1633, Jacob Van Curler, under the
direction of Van Twiller, purchased territory along the Con-
necticut river, embracing most of the site of the present city
of Hartford, and several of the adjacent towns, of Tattoe-
pan, chief of Sickenam (Little) River. On this territory he
erected a fort or trading post, which he fortified with two
pieces of cannon.
On the 16th of September following, a vessel commanded by
Capt. Wm. Holmes, and sent by the Plymouth Colony, who
had settled about Massachusetts Bay, ascended the Connecti-
cut. On passing the fort, Capt. Holmes was ordered to stop ;
but being in stronger force than the Dutch, he persisted ; and
proceeded, (though not without repeated protests from the
Dutch authorities at New Amsterdam,) to erect, a little above,
the frame of a house which he had brought round in his vessel.
During this and the succeeding year, the contest between
the Patroons and the Company continued to the manifest disad-
vantage of both parties.
In 1635, the English at Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay,
sent several new colonies to the Connecticut river, one of which,
under the command of Governor Winthrop, landing at Say-
brook Point, tore down the arms of the States General, and
carved a buffoon's face in its stead. They also refused to let
the Dutch land, on the tract they had purchased in 1632 ; and
erected on the very same tract, Saybrook fort.
At the present site of Springfield, Mass., Mr. Pynchon estab-
lished a trading house and a plantation: and the next year,
1636, Hooker and his followers located themselves in Hartford.
DIRECTOR KIEFT'S ADMINISTRATION.
In 1637, the mal-administration of Director Van Twiller
having come to the ears of the company, William Kieft was
54 STATE OF NEW YORK.
appointed in bis place. Director Kiefl arrived in New Amster-
dam in March, 1638, and (bund the tort greatly dilapidated; the
company's properly wretchedly managed, and every thing be-
tokening the prevalence ol disorder. Director Van Twiller,
however, had not suffered his own interests to be neglected ;
his (arms were well stocked, and his houses in good repair.
The new director began, with a strong hand, to reform abuses,
and to improve his colony ; but he was a man of headstrong
temper, who would not brook control or advice, and possessed,
at the same time, a weak and ill balanced mind. Like his pre-
decessor, he was addicted to intemperate habits.
In 1638, Peter Minuit, the first Director of the New Nether-
lands, who had, after his dismission from that station, gone
to Sweden, arrived on the coast with a Swedish colony, and
settled upon the banks of the Delaware, within the limits of the
territory claimed by the Dutch.
Having erected a fort there, which he named Fort Christina,
after the Swedish queen, Kieft protested against his course, as
an invasion of his territory : but from the weakness of his own
colony, he was obliged to content himself with protesting.
In the latter part of the year 1638, the restrictions which
hitherto had been placed, by the company, upon the trade to the
New Netherlands, were taken off, and free traffic encouraged.
This measure gave a new impulse to trade and emigration ;
new farms were taken up ; and a number of gentlemen of
wealth and distinction removed to the colony.
Persecution, too, drove many, from New England and Virginia,
to settle among the more tolerant Dutch, who, though firm in
their adherence to their own creed, did not deem it necessary
to persecute those who differed from them in religious tenets.
In the mean time the aggressive disposition of the English
settlers still continued. They founded a colony at New Haven,
notwithstanding Director Kieft's protests ; they occupied the
fertile valley of the Tunxis (Farmington) river ; and even w T ent
so far as to plough and sow the company's lands around the Fort
of Good Hope at Hartford, assaulting and severely wounding
some of the men in charge of that post, whom they found at
work in the fields.
The commander of the fort, Gysbert Op Dyck, promptly re-
monstrated against this unwarrantable procedure, but the Eng-
lish justified themselves on the ground, that as the lands were
uncultivated, and the Dutch did nothing to improve them, "it
was a sin to let such fine lands lie waste."
Not satisfied with these aggressions, the Plymouth company
proceeded to grant the whole of Long Island, to the Earl of Stir-
ling ; and a settlement was soon afterwards effected, by Lyon
Gardiner, at Gardiner's Island.
DUTCH ADMINISTRATION. 55
The Dutch, meantime, were active in establishing settlements,
at the western extremity of the island. Lands were granted to
settlers in Brooklyn, then called Breuckelen; at Gowanus, and
at Gravenzande, now called Gravesend.
In May, 1640, a company of emigrants from Lynn, Mass.,
claiming authority under the Earl of Stirling's patent, com-
menced a settlement near Cow Neck. The Director having
learned this fact, despatched the Schout, or Sheriff, with a band
of soldiers, to investigate the matter ; and, if they had actually
commenced a settlement, to take them prisoners. This was ac-
complished ; and after examination, they were dismissed, on con-
dition, that they should leave the territory of their High Mighti-
nesses, the States General.
In the autumn of the same year they returned, and founded
the town of Southampton, L. I. Other settlers, from the same
quarter, soon after founded Southold. These settlements were
not disturbed by the Dutch.
This year, a most sanguinary contest commenced, with the
Indians, which continued to disturb the colony for five years;
and had well nigh depopulated it. The causes of this war were
many. The Indians saw, with daily increasing envy and dis-
like, the heritage of their fathers occupied by strangers. The
settlers, often arrogant and selfish, deprived them of their real
or imagined rights.
In addition to this, Director Kieft, acting, as he alleged, under
instructions received from Holland, proceeded to lay a tax on
the Indian tribes for the support of the colony. This aroused
their indignation ; and unfortunately, about this time, a robbery,
committed by some of the servants of the colonists, was attrib-
uted to the Indians. Kieft's imprudent disposition led him to
send a body of soldiers, to execute summary vengeance upon
the supposed offenders. A number of them were inhumanly
butchered, and their crops destroyed.
This produced deep hostility of feeling, on the part of the
Indians ; and the following season, with the cunning character-
istic of their race, they took measures for revenge. Unexpect-
edly, they attacked Staten Island, and killed several planters.
Kieft sought satisfaction, by exciting a war between the Indian
tribes.
Early in 1642, he determined to avenge a murder, which had
been committed by one of the Indians. He accordingly called
a council of twelve men, from among the citizens of New Am-
sterdam, to aid him, in deciding upon the proper course to be
pursued. '
This council advised patience and forbearance ; and then pro-
ceeded to take up the abuses of his government, and to ask for
reforms. Kieft. soon dismissed them, forbade their meeting
56 STATE OF NEW YORK.
again, and disregarding their advice, sent a company of soldiers
to attack the Indians. They were unsuccessful in finding them,
and a hollow peace was concluded between the two parties.
This however did not long continue.
In 1643, one of the Hackensack tribe, having been robbed by
some of the Dutch, killed two of them in revenge. Kieft de-
manded the murderer, but the Indians refused to deliver him
up. At this juncture the Mohawks, the most formidable tribe,
in the territory bordering on the Hudson and the Lakes, de-
scended the river for the purpose of levying tribute from the
weaker tribes, in the neighborhood of New Amsterdam.
These, terror stricken, fled to the Dutch for protection, and
might have been won to sincere friendship, by kindness; but
having been received kindly for a few days, they left the colony,
and scattered themselves among the adjacent tribes.
It was at this period that. Kieft, forgetful of the dictates of
humanity, suffered himself to authorize a transaction which
stains, most foully, his whole administration. At a drunken
revel on the 22d of February, 1643, a petition was presented to
him by some of the most blood thirsty of the inhabitants, re-
questing him to order the extermination of these Indians, thus
deprived of a shelter and a home. Kieft readily complied, and
w T hen the season of debauchery was past, refused to recall his
order.
Two parties of soldiers were sent out at night to surprise
and destroy the unsuspecting red men. One hundred and
ten were killed, and thirty taken prisoners. Nor were these
all warriors, who were thus butchered in their sleep. Women
and children were cut to pieces, by the swords of these ruthless
exterminators ; and neither age, nor sex were spared.
The consequences, as might have been expected, were, that
the farms and buildings of the Dutch were burned by the exas-
perated Indians ; numbers of the settlers were killed ; and in a
few weeks Kieft was compelled to receive the inhabitants into
the fort, as the only place which afforded protection, against the
assaults of the savages. His course aroused the prejudices of
the people against him ; and endeavoring to throw the blame of
it upon others, he was threatened with assassination.
In the autumn of 1643, the savages united together to drive
the Dutch from New Amsterdam ; and almost daily, murders
were committed by them. Kieft was again compelled to submit
to the association of the representatives of the people, with him-
self in the government.
Having received a reinforcement, from the English settlers at
Westchester, in 1644, under the command of Capt. Underhill,
several expeditions were undertaken against their common
enemy, in which some eight hundred were slain. These re-
DUTCH ADMINISTRATION. 57
salts led the Indian tribes of Long Island, and the shore adja-
cent, (east of New Amsterdam,) to sue for peace; but it was
not of long continuance. In 1645, however, a treaty was con-
cluded, through the powerful intervention of the Mohawks, with
most of the Indian tribes.
During this whole period, from 1640 to 1645, the English colo-
nists were constantly pursuing a course of aggression, upon the
territories claimed by the Dutch. Determined to harass the
commander of the fort at Hartford, till he should be compelled
to leave his post, they neglected no means of carrying into
effect their resolution. They also proceeded to establish settle-
ments, west of the Connecticut, wherever they could obtain a
foothold.
On their southern frontier, too, the Swedes were depriving
them of their trade with the Indians, and securing the fairest
lands, watered by the Delaware and its tributaries, for their
farms, notwithstanding these had been previously purchased of
the native proprietors, by the Dutch.
The " Colonie" of Rensselaerwyck, meanwhile, removed from
these troubles, and cultivating a friendly relation with the In-
dian tribes, was peaceful and prosperous. The Patroon com-
plained, indeed, that his rents were not punctually paid; but the
number of his bouweries, or farms under cultivation, and the
amount of exports, showed conclusively, that its interests were,
on the whole, well managed.
Mindful of the religious improvement of his colonists, the Pa-
troon sent over in 1642, the Rev. Johannes Megapolensis, as
minister of the "Colonie," who labored among them efficiently
and successfully for many years.
Mr. Van Rensselaer never resided in his colony ; but confided
its management to a Commissary General, or Superintendent;
which office was filled by Arendt Van Curler or Corlaer, a
most worthy and excellent man ; and after him by Anthony de
Hooges.
The office of Schout Fiscal or Sheriff and Attorney General,
was also one of great importance, and was filled by Jacob Albert-
sen Planck, and afterwards by Adriaen Van der Donck.
In 1613, a church was erected on what is now Church street,
near Market street, or Broadway, Albany.
In 1646, the venerable Patroon, Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, died
at Amsterdam. His son Johannes succeeded him as Patroon.
v In 1647, two whales ascended the Hudson, one of which
grounded on an island at the mouth of the Mohawk, causing
great consternation among the honest burghers.
' The Assembly of the XIX. finding their colony at New Am-
sterdam decreasing in numbers and wealth, and verging towards
58 STATE OF NEW YORK.
destruction, under the mismanagement of Director Kieft, resolv-
ed to recall him ; and in 1645 appointed in his place General
Peter Stuyvesant, formerly Director of the Island of Curacoa.
G0VEKN0R STUYVESANT's ADMINISTRATION.
Peter Stuyvesant, the successor of Kieft, in the government of
New Netherlands, had been Director of the Dutch settlement at
Curacoa and the adjacent islands ; and had acquired a high
reputation for military prowess. Having been wounded in the
siege of St. Martins, in 1644, he returned to Holland for surgical
aid. In 1645, his health having been partially restored, the
West India Company appointed him Director of their colony ot
New Netherlands.
Changes, however, made at his suggestion, in the organization
of the colony, and the difference of opinion which existed between
the different chambers of the company, relative to the propriety
of these changes, prevented him from proceeding immediately
to take charge of his post ; and it was not till the 27 th of May,
1647, that he entered upon the duties of his office. Meanwhile,
the colony continued under the misrule of Director Kieft.
Though possessed of stern integrity and honesty of purpose,
yet the strict military education which he had received, had im-
pressed Governor Stuyvesant, with ideas of the necessity of
rigid discipline, which soon involved him in contentions with the
citizens. These, having tasted in their own country, some of the
blessings of freedom, and witnessing, daily, the liberty enjoyed
by their English neighbors, were desirous of making trial of a
liberal form of government.
His first controversy was with the guardians of Johannes Van
Rensselaer, son of the first Patroon, Kiliaen Van Rensselaer,
who had deceased in 1646, leaving his son Johannes, then a
minor, to the guardianship of Wouter Van Twiller, (the second
Director,) and one Van Sleightenhorst. This controversy was
kept up for a long period, and finally terminated, by a reference
to the States General.
While it was pending, in 1649 and 1650, the Gemeente, or
Commonalty of New Netherlands, instigated by Adriaen Van
der Donck,* already mentioned as the first Attorney General of
Rensselaerwyck, sent repeated remonstrances to the States
General, concerning the administration of Stuyvesant, and
earnestlv solicited his recall.
The States General, unwilling to act hastily, in a matter of so
much importance, repeatedly appointed committees to investi-
gate the charges made against him ; and on the 27th of April,
* Van der Donck seems to have been a man of considerable ability and learn-
ing, but possessed of a restless and ambitious spirit. He had, previously to this
period, created some disturbance at Rensselaerwyck. He evidently possessed
the art of enlisting the populace in bis schemes.
DUTCH ADMINISTRATION. 59
1652, passed an order for his recall. Just at this juncture, a
war with England commenced, and the States General, esteem-
ing it highly important, that their interests in the New World
should be protected, by an officer of courage and ability, on the
16th of May, rescinded their resolution of the 27th of April, and
Stuyvesant retained his station.
In order to compensate, as far as possible, for thus slighting
the wishes of the people, the States General, in 1653, granted
to the city of New Amsterdam, a charter of incorporation,
making the city officers elective, and giving them jurisdiction,
except in capital cases.
During this period the English, against whom Kieft had so
often protested, encroached still farther upon the bounds of the
Dutch. They established settlements upon the Housatonic
river, and at Greenwich, upon the main land ; and crossing over
to Long Island, organized colony after colony, upon its fertile
lands.
In vain Stuyvesant remonstrated ; in vain he attempted to
remove their settlements by force, or compelled the inhabit-
ants to swear allegiance to Holland. For every remonstrance
they had a reply ; and against the employment of force they
made threats, which the more flourishing state of their colonies,
he well knew, would enable them to fulfil. They seemed as
much offended at his resistance, as the Dutch were by their
aggressions ; and frequently, in their controversies, laid claim
to the whole territory under the king's patent, or on account of
Cabot's discovery.
Wearied with these protracted disputes, Governor Stuyve-
sant repaired to Hartford, in September, 1650, where the com-
missioners of the colonies were in session, to adjust their diffi-
culties, by a personal interview. Unsuccessful in this, he left
the settlement in the hands of four deputies, two to be chosen
by each party ; and, secure in the justice of his cause, appointed
as his commissioners, two Englishmen, Willet and Baxter.
On the 29th of September, the commissioners reported arti-
cles of agreement, relinquishing to the English, half of Long
Island, and all the lands on the Connecticut, except those actu-
ally occupied by the Dutch, and prohibiting the Connecticut col-
onists from settling within ten miles of the Hudson.
Hard as were these conditions, Stuyvesant having once agreed
to them, determined to maintain them in good faith, and obtained
their ratification, from the States General, in February, 1656.
The English government never ratified them, nor did the English
colonists pay much regard to them, in their subsequent treat-
ment of the Dutch, for in 1655 they seized, (under Cromwell's
orders,) the fort at Hartford, with all its effects ; thus termina-
ting, by force, the existence of that colony.
60 STATE OF NEW YORK.
In 1653, a charge of conspiracy between Governor Stuyve-
sant and the Indians, to massacre the inhabitants of all the New
England colonies, was falsely preferred, by Connecticut and
New Haven; and but for the firm resistance of Massachusetts,
to so iniquitous a transaction, they would have proceeded im-
mediately to destroy New Amsterdam. When this foul charge
reached the ears of Governor Stuyvesant, it met with an in-
dignant denial; a denial, to the truth of which, his whole life
gave the fullest evidence.
In 1659, Massachusetts, pretending that the agreement made
at Hartford, did not extend farther than twenty miles from the
coast, claimed the land on the Hudson, above the parallel of 42°,
and demanded the right of free navigation of that river.
On the southern frontier, too, the Swedes were not idle. To
prevent their encroachments, Stuyvesant, in 1654, erected and
garrisoned fort Casimir, on the Delaware, at the site of the
present town of New Castle. Risingh, the Swedish governor,
soon visited it ; and, having, under the guise of friendship, ob-
tained admission, treacherously possessed himself of the fort.
The West India company, indignant at this perfidious act,
sent orders to Stuyvesant, to reduce the Swedish settlements on
the Delaware. Accordingly, in September, 1655, he left New
Amsterdam, at the head of a force of nearly 700 men; and on
the 16th, Fort Casimir, and on the 25th of September, Fort
Christina, the head quarters of the Swedish governor, capitula-
ted, without bloodshed. The terms offered by the Dutch, to the
conquered, were so favorable, that most of them remained in the
colony.
During Governor Stuy vesant's absence, upon this expedition,
a large body of Indians, deeming it a favorable opportunity to
plunder, came upon the defenceless plantations, murdered a
number of the inhabitants, and robbed several farms. The re-
turn of the Governor, however, put an end to their incursions.
Fort Casimir, after its recapture, became the nucleus of a
colony, founded by the city of Amsterdam, and called New Am-
stel. The terms offered to emigrants were so favorable, that it
soon became a place of importance ; and in 1657, one Alricks,
was appointed Lieutenant Governor of that, and the other
Dutch possessions, on the Delaware.
In 1656, Governor Stuyvesant, who was a zealous and some-
what bigoted supporter of the Reformed Dutch church, impris-
oned some Lutherans, who had come into the colony, and per-
sisted in the observance of their own forms of worship. In
1658, he banished from the colony, a Lutheran preacher, who
attempted to establish a church of his own persuasion. At
Vlissingen, (now Flushing,) where the doctrines of the Qua-
kers had made some progress, he attempted, but, of course, un-
DUTCH ADMINISTRATION. 61
successfully, to eradicate them by fines, imprisonment, and ban-
ishment. Their numbers increased with their persecution.
In 1659, Lord Baltimore protested against the settlements on
the Delaware, as being within the bounds of his patent. To
this protest, Stuyvesant replied on the 6th of October, setting
forth the claims of the Dutch to the South, or Delaware river,
and its coasts.
In 1663, a body of Indians attacked Fort Esopus, now Kings-
ton, and killed sixty-five persons. Suspecting that several
tribes were leagued together in these hostilities against the colo-
nists, Stuyvesant assembled the magistrates of the adjacent
towns, to confer on the measures necessary for the defence of
the colony. Having recommended such measures as they
thought advisable, the magistrates turned their attention to the
civil condition of the colony, and urged in forcible language, upon
the governor, and the West India Company, the right of the
people to a share, in the administration of the government.
In 1653, a convention of delegates from the different towns
had met in New Amsterdam, and in similar terms had remon-
strated with the Governor and Company, against the abridge-
ment of their rights, as citizens of Holland. But Stuyvesant,
true to his military education, regarded such remonstrances, or
petitions, with little favor.
On the 30th of March, 1664, Charles II., King of England,
regardless of the rights of Holland, granted to his brother
James, Duke of Albany and York, the whole of the New Neth-
erlands. The Duke forthwith despatched Colonel Nicolls, with
three ships of war, and a sufficient force, to conquer his province.
Governor Stuyvesant hearing of their approach, attempted
to put the fort and town in a state of defence, but the sturdy
burghers, tired of an arbitrary and despotic government, refu-
sed to second his exertions. When, therefore, the fleet ap-
peared before the city, and offered favorable terms, they insisted
upon a capitulation. Governor Stuyvesant, angry at their want
of spirit, tore the letter of Colonel Nicolls in pieces before
them'; nor could he be induced to sign the articles of capitula-
tion, till the 6th of September, (1664,) two days after they were
prepared.
These terms were, perhaps, the most favorable ever offered
to a captured city. The inhabitants w T ere permitted to remain
in the colony, if they chose, upon taking the oath of allegiance
to the English crown ; to retain or dispose of their property;
to elect their own local magistrates ; and to enjoy their own
forms of religious worship. The name of the colony and city
was changed to New York.
Governor Stuyvesant, soon after the capitulation, went to
Holland, but returned to New York in a few years, and spent
the remainder of his life there.
4
62 STATE OF NEW YORK.
THE ENGLISH COLONIAL GOVERNMENT.
Colonel Nicolls having- thus acquired the peaceable posses-
sion of the New Netherlands, was appointed by the Duke, Gov-
ernor of the province, in the autumn of 1664.
He appears to have been a man of prudence, moderation, and justice ; and
though vested with almost absolute authority, used it in promoting the good of
the province. During his administration, an effort was made, but unsuccessfully,
to determine the boundary between New York and Connecticut.
In January. 1665. a law was passed; requiring the approval
and signature of the Governor, to all deeds of lands purchased
from the Indians, in order to render the titles valid. This was
necessary, as the Indians frequently sold the same tract of land
to different individuals.
On the 12th of June, 1666, Governor Nicolls granted a char-
ter to the city of New York.
In 1667, he gave place to Colonel Francis Lovelace, who held
the reins of government till 1673, when it was recaptured by
the Dutch.
Though somewhat arbitrary, and disposed to burden the people with heavy
taxes, the urbanity of his manners, and his desire for the welfare of the colony,
caused Col. Lovelace to be regarded as a good governor. In 1G70, on the petition
of the Dutch inhabitants of the colony, he granted them permission to send to
Holland for a minister, and guarantied his support from the public treasury.
On the 7th of August (.New Style) Captains Evertsen and
Binckes, the commanders of a Dutch squadron, which had been
cruising off the American coast, entered the harbor of New
York. Governor Lovelace was absent in New England ; and
the fort and city were under the command of Captain Manning.
The fort appears to have been much dilapidated, and scantily
supplied with ammunition.
The Dutch squadron demanded its immediate surrender.
Captain Manning asked for delay ; but the invaders replied that
he should have but half an hour. At the end of that period they
opened their fire upon the fort, which Captain Manning
returned, as well as he was able, until his ammunition was
exhausted. The Dutch, meantime, had succeeded in effecting a
landing upon the island, in the rear of the fort; and perceiving
that further resistance was useless, Captain Manning surren-
dered, without formal terms of capitulation.*
* The above account of the capture of New York differs materially from that
of Smith, which has been copied by all succeeding historians; but is fully sub-
stantiated by the documents obtained in England, by J. It. Brodhead, Esq. Cap-
tain Manning was not, perhaps, a very efficient officer, but he certainly did not
merit the epithets of coicard and traitor, which have been so freely bestowed
upon him. The affidavits of the witnesses in his trial, prove that his punishment
[the breaking of Ms sword over his head, and incapacitation to hold office] was
sufficiently severe for his offence.
ENGLISH ADMINISTRATION. 63
Fortunately for the city, the Dutch commanders were men of liberal feeliriszs ,
and mindful of the courteous treatment their countrymen had received in 1664,
they granted every privilege of citizens, to the inhabitants.
The name of New York, they changed to New Orange, that
of Albany to Williarrtstadt, and the fort previously called
Fort James, to William Hendrick. Captain Anthony Colve
was appointed Governor. Connecticut protested against this
invasion, but with as little success, as Governors Stuy vesant and
Kieft had formerly done, to her usurpations. By the treaty of
February 9lh, 1674, New York was restored to the English.
It was not, however, given up by the Dutch, till the following
autumn.
Some doubts existing, relative to the validity of the Duke of
York's patent, both on account of the Dutch occupation, and
the (act, that it was wrested from that nation in time of peace,
he deemed it advisable to obtain a new patent, from his brother,
in 1674.
In the autumn of this year, Major Edmond Andross, after-
wards so well known as the tyrant of New England, arrived in
New York, and assumed the office of governor.
His administration in New York seems to have been marked by few striking
events. He won neither the love nor the hatred of the citizens ; and being ab-
sent a part of the time, attending to the more refractory New England colonies,
he did not manifest, in his own state, the tyranny, which subsequently rendered
him so odious.
In 1675, Nicolaus Van Rensselaer, a younger son of the first Patroon — came 1
over to New York, with a recommendation from the Duke of York, whose
favor he had obtained, and wished to settle as minister in Albany. Niewenhyt,
who was, at the time, pastor of the Reformed Dutch church, in that city, refused
to recognize him, on the ground that he had received Episcopal ordination. Irt
the difficulty resulting from this refusal, Andross took sides, though unsuccess-
fully, with Van Rensselaer.
During Governor Andross' frequent absences, Mr. Brock-
hoist, the Lieutenant Governor, officiated.
In August, 1683, Colonel Dongan succeeded Andross in the
government of the colony ; and among his first acts, was one>
granting permission to the people to elect an assembly, con-
sisting of a council of ten persons, named by the proprietor or
his deputy, and a house of representatives, eighteen in number,
elected by the freeholders, to aid in the administration of gov-
ernment.
In this year, the ten original counties were organized.
In February, 1685, the Duke of York, on the death of his
brother Charles II., ascended the throne, under the title of
James II. Among the first acts of this bigoted and short sighted
monarch, were his instructions to Dongan, to allow no printing
press to be established in the colony.
Colonel Dongan, mindful of the necessity of keeping up friendly relations with
the powerful confederation of the Iroquois, visited them m person, and by pres-
64 STATE OF NEW YOilK.
ents and addresses, won their friendship and alliance. The Jesuit priests, sent by
the French among the Indians, wire, however, a formidable obstacle to his com-
plete success, in his negotiations with the savage tribes ; for, residing among them,
nnd conforming to their habits, they exerted a powerful influence in favor of the
I'm nch, who had been tiie hereditary enemies of the confederated tribes.
Colonel Dongan. though himself a Roman Catholic, was too shrewd a states-
man not to perceive the injurious influence exerted by the priests upon these
Indians, and accordingly attempted to prevent their continuing among the tribes.
But James, infatuated by his zeal fur Catholicism, forbade him to molest them,
and ordered that he should rather aid them, in their efforts, to convert the Indians
to the Cath die faith.
In vain. Dongan remonstrated : he only irritated his royal mast'er, and in 1688
was recalled.
Andross, who had preceded him, was designated as his suc=
cessor, and New England was added to his jurisdiction.
Preferring to locate himself, where he could more easily inspect the. conduct of
bis Xew England subjects. Governor Andross made Boston his residence, com-
mitting the care of the colony of New York, to his Lieutenant Governor, Colonel
Nicholson. The latter seems to have been much more mild in his administration
than his chief, whose enormities so exasperated the people of .Massachusetts, that,
on the arrival of the news, at Boston, of the accession of William, Prince of
'Orange, to the throne, they immediately imprisoned Andross, and sent him to
England for trial.
In New York, the intelligence of the accession of the Prince
of Orange did not, at first, produce a civil commotion. After
a short time, however, a portion of the populace selected Jacob
Leisler, a merchant of New York, of Dutch extraction, and the
senior captain of the militia, as their leader, and proclaimed
William and Mary. This movement, though popular with the
masses, was discountenanced by most of the prominent citizens,
who were unwilling to acknowledge Leisler, as a leader.
Colonel Nicholson, apprehending popular violence, escaped on
board a vessel in the harbor, and sailed lor England.
On the 3d of June, 1689, finding himself surrounded by a large
number of adherents. Leisler assumed the reins of government,
associating with himself in the cares of state, his son-in-law,
Jacob Milborne.
In the spring of 1690, Milborne, at the head of a considerable
force, went to Albany, to reduce that town [which had hitherto
remained refractory], to allegiance to the government of his fa-
ther-in-law. At his first visit he was unsuccessful , but, at a sub-
sequent period their fears of an Indian invasion, led them to
submit to his jurisdiction. His confiscation of the estates of
some of those who opposed him, excited prejudices which ter-
minated in the ruin of both Milborne and Leisler.
During Milborne\s absence at Albany, a letter from the Eng-
lish ministry arrived, addressed to " Francis Nicholson, Esq.:
or, in his absence, to such as, for the time being, take care lor
the preserving of the peace, and administering the laws, in his
majesty's province of New York, in America." This letter em-
ENGLISH ADMINISTRATION. 65
powered the person addressed, to take charge of the govern-
ment, calling in the aid of such of the inhabitants, as he should
think proper, until farther orders.
Leisler, being by popular election acting governor, very prop-
erly assumed, that this letter was addressed to himself; and
consequently, by advice of the citizens, who constituted a com-
mittee of safety, selected a council from each of the counties,
except Ulster and Albany, which had not yet submitted to his
authority.
He also summoned a convention of deputies, from those portions of the province
over which his influence extended. This convention laid some taxes, and
adopted other measures, for the temporary government of the colony; and thus,
for the first time in its existence, was the colony of New York under a free
government. The strong prejudices, however, which had been awakened by
Leisler's measures, soon produced in the minds of his adversaries, a rancor and
bitterness, which was perhaps never surpassed in the annals of any political con-
troversy.
This condition of things existed for nearly two years. To
the horrors of civil commotion, were added the miseries of for-
eign war, and hostile invasion. The French Court, being at
war with England, had placed over its colonies in Canada, the
aged but enterprising Count de Frontenac, the ablest and most
formidable governor of their American possessions.
This wjly veteran at once determined to annoy his English
neighbors, and accordingly despatched a force against Schenec-
tady, jn mid winter, which, after enduring extreme hardships,
reached that place in the dead of night, and with the utmost
barbarity, butchered its sleeping inhabitants, in cold blood.
Attempts were made to revenge this barbarous invasion, by an expedition
against Quebec, of which Sir William Phipps and Fitz-John Winthrop, afterward
governor of Connecticut, were the commanders ; but through mismanagement,
and the sickness of the troops, the expedition was unsuccessful.
Colonel Henry Slooghter, who had been appointed governor
of New York, by King William, in 1689, arrived in 1691. His
coming had been heralded, a iexv weeks before, by one Ingoldsby,
a captain of foot, who, without credentials of any kind, demanded
that the fort should be surrendered to him.
This demand, Leisler, with propriety, refused to obey ; and
when Colonel Sloughter, on his arrival, sent this same In-
goldsby, to demand the surrender of the fort, Leisler asked a
personal interview with him. His enemies, who had determined
upon his ruin, seized upon this imprudent hesitation, as evidence
of treason, and tilling the ears of the weak-minded Sloughter
with charges against him, they demanded his arrest. The next
day he surrendered the fort, and was immediately arrested, and
with his son-in-law, after a mock trial, condemned to death for
high treason.
Sloughter, however, hesitated to execute the sentence, anci
66 STATE OF NEW YORK.
wrote to the English ministry, for directions how to dispose of
them. Their enemies, thirsting for their blood, were deter-
mined not to be thus foiled, and, persuasions having failed, they
availed themselves of the known intemperate habits of the gov-
ernor, invited him to a banquet, and when he was completely
intoxicated, induced him to sign the death warrant. Ere he
was recovered from his debauch, the unfortunate prisoners
were executed. They met death with heroic fortitude, and
Leisler exhibited a martyr's spirit.
Their estates were confiscated, but their adherents were soon after pardoned,
by an act of general indemnity. The circumstances of Leisler's execution, roused
the indignation of those who had attached themselves to his party, and fur many
\-ears after, the citizens of the state were divided into Leislerians and Anti-'
Leislerians.*
In June, 1691, Colonel Sloughter went to Albany, to hold a
conference with the Indians. On his return he died, very sud-
denly, in July, 1691 ; and, until the English government could
appoint a successor, Ingoldsby, the lieutenant governor, as-
sumed the government. The only event of importance, during
his administration, was a conference with the Indians, with
whom he concluded a treaty.
In August, 1692, he was superseded by Colonel Benjamin
Fletcher, who soon exhibited the unamiable traits of his char-
acter. In his intercouse with the Indians, he fortunately suf-
fered himself to be advised by Major Peter Schuyler, a man,
whose influence over them was unbounded, and who, in his in-
terviews with them, gave them a favorable impression of the
English.
During most of Fletcher's administration, he was engaged in controversies with
the assembly, principally in regard to appropriations for his expenses. He was
empowered, by his commission, to take command of the militia of New Eng-
land, as well as of New York ; but proceeding to Hartford for this purpose, he
found himself thwarted, by the stubborn resistance of the people of Connecticut.
Richard, Earl of Bellomont, appointed in 1695, arrived as his
successor in April, 1698. He was a man of great dignity, reso-
lution and moral worth ; and was sent out by the king to take
measures for the suppression of piracy, which had at that period
reached a fearful height. For this purpose the earl, before
leaving England, at the recommendation of Mr. Livingston,
commissioned Captain William Kidd, to sail in pursuit ot* the
pirates, and endeavor to rid the seas of them.
* Historians have differed materially in their estimate of the character of
Leisler. By some he has been denounced as weak and vain; by others ex-
tolled for his firmness and integrity. It is apparent from a careful examination
of his administration, that he was a man of honesty and integrity of purpose,
but strongly prejudiced against the Roman Catholic faith, and not possessed of
those traits of character, which would quality him for a successful governor, in
the troublous times in which he lived.
Milborne was a man of considerable education, and undoubtedly possessed
greater abilities, and perhaps less integrity, than his father-in-law. It is alleged
that Leisler was %-cry much influenced by him in his measures.
ENGLISH ADMINISTRATION. 67
Captain Kidd accordingly sailed for New York in April, 1696, but after cruising
for a while, himself turned pirate, and became the most ferocious and daring of
all the ocean marauders. Returning to America, in 1701, he sold his ship, and
boldly appeared in Boston, where he was arrested, and sent to England for trial
and execution.
Lord Bellomont died in 1701, and John Nanfan, who had been
his lieutenant governor in New York, succeeded him in the
government.
The administration of Lord Bellomont is stained by the enactment of one law,
which, for its bigotry and intolerance, is deserving of notice. In 1700, a law was
passed, directing that every Catholic priest who came into the colony, should be
hanged. The design of this law was alleged to be, to prevent the Catholic priests
from exerting an influence upon the Indians, hostile to the English.
The earl, as well as Nanfan, who was his kinsman, had es-
poused the cause of the friends of Leisler, and already two dis-
tinct parties had been arrayed against each other.
In 1701, on the petition of the family of Leisler, to the queen,
the attainder was reversed, and £1000 granted his heirs, as a
compensation for their losses.
Nicholas Bayard, one of the most active of those who had procured the death
of Leisler, having attacked Governor Nanfan, and his measures in public, and ex-
hibited insubordination to the government, was arrested, in 1702, tried, convicted
of high treason, and sentenced to death. But his prosecutors did not urge his im-
mediate execution ; and on the accession of Lord Cornbury, he was liberated
from prison, and the attainder reversed.
On the 3d of May, 1702, Lord Cornbury, grandson of the
Earl of Clarendon, and first cousin to the queen, arrived as
governor.
Of all the Governors of the colony under the English crown, Lord Cornbury
received the unenviable distinction, of being the worst. Rapacious without a
parallel, he hesitated not to apply the public money to his own private purposes ;
and though notoriously vicious, yet he was so intolerant, that he sought to estab-
lish the Episcopacy at all hazards, imprisoning and prohibiting ministers of other
denominations, from exercising their functions, without his special license. He
was, moreover, as destitute of gratitude, as of courtesy, injuring those most, from
whom he had received the greatest benefits. His manners were as ignoble and
undignified, as his conduct was base, ami when this hopeful scion of royalty wan-
dered about the streets clothed as a woman, [which was a common practice with
him] the people felt that he had taken Caligula for a model.
So urgent were the complaints against him, that the queen, in
December, 1708, felt herself compelled to revoke his commission.
No sooner was he deposed from office, than his creditors put him
in jail, where he remained, till the death of his father, by eleva-
ting him to the peerage, procured his liberation. He had at-
tached himself to the Anti-Leislerian party.
He was succeeded, in December, 1708, by John, Lord Love-
lace, Baron of Hurley. The cheering hopes, to which the
appointment of this excellent man gave rise, were doomed to
sudden disappointment, as he died on the 5th of May, 1709.
He was succeeded by the lieutenant governor, Ingoldsby,
whose administration, of eleven months, is only remarkable for
68 STATE OF NEW YORK.
another unsuccessful attempt upon the French possessions in
Canada, under the direction of Colonel Nicholson. This oc-
curred in 1709.
After the failure of this attempt, Colonel Schuyler visited England with five of
the Iroquois sachems, in order to rouse the people to greater exertions, in defend-
ing the colonies.
In April, 1710, Lieutenant Governor Ingoldsby was removed
from office, and Gerardus Beekman, the senior councillor, offi-
ciated as governor, till the arrival of General Hunter, in June,
1710. Three thousand Palatines, from Germany, flying from
religious persecution in their own country, came over with
Governor Hunter.
The ensuing year, another expedition was commenced against Canada, hy land
and water. The squadron destined for its reduction was under the command of
Sir Hoveden Walker, and the troops under Brigadier General Hill. Owing to
mismanagement, they did not enter the St Lawrence sufficiently early in the
season, and having unskilful pilots, several of the ships were wrecked in that
river, and 800 soldiers lost. The whole expedition proved a failure.
As was to be expected, the assembly did not feel inclined in all cases to pay
implicit deference to the governor's mandates ; and, in the earlier years of his
administration, Governor Hunter had several unpleasant collisions with that body.
After a time, however, both parties exercised a spirit of mutual forbearance,
which made their intercourse pleasant and advantageous to the colony.
Measures were adopted, during his administration, to adjust
the boundaries between the colony and the adjacent colonies of
New Jersey and Connecticut; but no definite settlement was
made.
Few of the colonial governors resigned their office more generally beloved, or
more ardently attached to the interests of the colony, than Governor Hunter.
The address of the assembly to him, at his departure, in 1719, in its tone of affec-
tion and regard, stands forth alone, in these times of distraction, like a green and
fertile oasis, amid the shifting and arid sands of Sahara.
During the period (a little more than a year) which elapsed
between the departure of Governor Hunter, and the arrival of
his successor, Colonel Schuyler, as senior member of the coun-
cil, officiated in the place of the governor. Under his adminis-
tration, a treaty, offensive and defensive, was again concluded
with the Iroquois.
Governor Burnet arrived in September, 1720, and continued
in office till his death, in April, 1728.
One of the first acts of his administration, was one prohib-
iting the sale of goods, suitable for the Indian trade, to the
French from Quebec and Montreal.
This, though a very just and necessary measure, excited great bitterness of
feeling on the part of the merchants who were engaged in this traffic, and of
course in the minds of their adherents. They petitioned Parliament for its
repeal ; but were foiled, by the able manner in which their false statements were
exposed, by Dr. Golden, then a member of the council.
During this excitement, another transaction affected Governor Burnet's popu-
larity. He interfered, at the request of one of the parties concerned, in an ecclesi-
astical difficulty, in the French church in New York city, and of course drew
upon himself the opposition of the other party.
ENGLISH ADMINISTRATION. 69
The French in Canada, under the vigorous government of
the aged, but ambitious Count Frontenac, had formed the design
of erecting a chain of military posts to the Ohio river, and along
its banks ; thus confining the English to the coast east of the
Alleganies. In pursuance of this design, they proceeded, in
1725, though not without the most strenuous opposition, on the'
part of Governor Burnet and Colonel Schuyler, to erect a fort
on Niagara river, which they called Fort Niagara.
The next year, with equally violent opposition on the part of
the French, Governor Burnet erected Fort Oswego, at the
present site of the village of Oswego.
The new assembly convened in 1727, were of a different political complexion
from their predecessors ; and between them and the governor, there were frequent
and unpleasant contentions. These contentions continued till the period of hia
death. His fine talents, profound learning, and unaffected kindness of heart,
caused him to be esteemed even by his enemies, and his faults were entombed
with him.
Colonel Montgomery succeeded Governor Burnet, in 1728,
and remained in office till his death, which occurred in 1731.
During his government, viz., in October, 1728, the good will of
the Iroquois was secured, and they were engaged to aid in the
defence of Fort Oswego. In December, 1729, the king, con-
trary to the wishes and representations of the best citizens in
the colony, repealed the law, prohibiting the sale of Indian goods
to the French. The boundary between Connecticut and New
York was fully settled, and the line run, in May, 1731.
In July of the same year, Colonel Montgomery having de-
ceased, Rip Van Dam, the senior councillor, administered the
government, till August, 1732. During his administration, the
French erected a fort at Crcwn Point, without any resistance
on the part of the feeble and inefficient acting governor.
On the first of August, 1732, Rip Van Dam was superseded
by the arrival of Colonel Cosby, who remained in office till
March, 1736, the period of his death.
Historians have been much divided in their views of Governor Cosby. Some
represent him as an arbitrary, tyrannical and unjust ruler. Others regard him as
a man of mild manners, but necessarily driven to harsh measures, by the turbu-
lent spirits with whom he had to deal.
The act which caused the most serious difficulties in his administration, was
his demand that Rip Van Dam, who had officiated as lieutenant governor, pre-
vious to his arrival, should divide with him, the emoluments of his office. Mr.
Van Dam offered to do this, provided Governor Cosby would also divide what he
had received from the colonies, before coming to this country. Governor Cosby,
who appears to have been somewhat avaricious, refused to do this, and commen-
ced a suit against Van Dam, for the half of his salary. Mr. Van Dam attempted
to bring a counter suit, but the judges, who were in the governor's interest, de-
clined entertaining it.
The newspapers took up the controversy, £hd one, conducted by a man named
Zenger, defended Van Dam. The attacks of this journal against the governor,
provoked the latter and his council, to such a degree, that they directed copies of
the paper to be burned bv the hangman, and indicted Zenger for libel. At the
4 *-
70 STATE OF NEW YORK.
trial, his counsel. Messrs. Alexander and Smith, disputed the jurisdiction of the
court, and were stricken from the roll of attorneys in consequence.
Andrew Hamilton, of Philadelphia, was employed to defend Zenger, and the jury,
without leaving their seats, gave a verdict of acquital. Hamilton was presented with
the freedom of the city, in a gold box. as an acknowledgement of his services, in
upholding the liberties of the people, against a governor appointed by the crown.
During Governor Cosby's administration, a Latin grammar
school was founded in New York, by the assembly.
But a few days previous to his decease, Governor Cosby
suspended Rip Van Dam from the council, thereby preventing
his acting as lieutenant governor, in the event of his death.
This act had well nigh produced serious troubles in the colony ;
for Mr. Clarke, who was next in order of seniority, having as-
sumed the government. Van Dam opposed him, and himself
appointed various officers.
The two parties soon came into collision, and a civil war
seemed inevitable. Each party prepared for such a result,
when, on the very eve of a conflict, a commission arrived from
England, confirming Mr. Clarke, in the office of lieutenant gov-
ernor, and president of the council.
This, of course, left the other party no alternative but submission. Gov-
ernor Clarke exerted himself, to remove all just ground of complaint, from the
people. He sought every occasion to conciliate those who were hostile to him ;
and during the seven years he was in power, rendered himself highly popular.
In 1737, a company of Highlanders offered to settle on the
shores of Lakes Champlain and George, if they could be coun-
tenanced and aided by the assembly. As the colony would
prove an effectual barrier to the French, on the northern fron-
tier, the proposition was cheerfully met, by many of the citizens ;
but the assembly withheld the necessary aid, and the poor
colonists were obliged to leave their lands, almost in a tate of
starvation.
In 1741, occurred the Negro plot, so famous in the annals of
New York.
The evidence of the existence of such a plot seems to be meagre and insuffi-
cient. It is not improbable that a few profligate wretches, whites as well as
blacks, had meditated arson ; but the only proof of a plot to burn the city, was
the testimony of a single abandoned woman, whose statements often contradicted
each other, and were not corroborated by any of her associates. Yet such was
the alarm and infatuation of the citizens, that on this woman's testimony, 154
Negroes and twenty Whites were imprisoned, thirteen A'egroes were burned at the
stake, eighteen or twenty persons hanged, seventy transported to foreign countries,
and fifty discharged.
The people, always suspicious of the Roman Catholics, arrested and executed
several Irishmen, who professed that faith, and who happened to arrive in the
colony about this time. Among others who were hanged, was one Ury, a Cath-
olic priest, who was condemned on two charges ; one, that he was concerned in
the conspiracy, and the other, that he was a Catholic priest. The charge of con-
spiracy, he protested was untrue, nor was it proved against him.
In September, 1743, George Clinton, son of the Earl of Lin-
coln, arrived in the colony, with a commission as governor.
ENGLISH ADMINISTRATION. 71
The ensuing- year, war was declared, between England and
France, and the colonists prepared to carry it on with vigor.
In 1745, the colonies of New England and New York united
in an attack upon the French fortress, at Loui^burg ; and New
York furnished ten pieces of cannon, and £8000 towards the
expedition. It was surrendered in June, of that year.
The colonies were seriously molested, during the year 1746,
by the Indians, in the pay of the French, who attacked and re-
duced the English fort at Hoosick, and also made an incursion
upon the settlement at Saratoga, murdering and plundering all
who fell in their way. It was therefore determined to make a
vigorous attack upon the French fortresses at Crown Point and
Niagara, and also to send an army to capture Quebec. For
this purpose New York raised £40,000, and solicited aid from
England, which was promised, but not furnished. The enter-
prise proved unsuccessful.
The peace of Aix la Chapelle was concluded in 1748, and the
colony, in the prosperity which followed for a few T years, began
to recover from its losses by the wars.
In 1746, the assembly appropriated £2250. towards founding
a college.
During the years 1746 — 9, there were constant contentions, between the
governor and assembly ; but in 1750 both parties manifested a more concili-
ating spirit, and during the remainder of Governor Clinton's administration, they
were on better terms.
Governor Clinton resigned in 1753, and in October of that
year, Sir Danvers Osborne arrived, as his successor. Deeply
afflicted at the loss of an excellent and amiable wife, the cares
of the government seemed, to this unfortunate gentleman, an
intolerable burden; and on the 12th of October, 1753, five days
after his arrival, he put a period to his own existence.
Mr. De Lancy, the chief justice, was appointed lieutenant gov-
ernor, a short time previous to Governor Clinton's resignation,
and now assumed the reins of government,
Desirous of retaining the affections of the people, and disposed to side with
their representatives in those measures which were advantageous to the colony,
while at the same time he held his office at the will of the English government,
Mr. De Lancy had a difficult task to perform ; but the skill with which he concili-
ated both parties, does honor to his ability, as a statesman.
In 1754 a convention of delegates from the colonies of New
Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Penn-
sylvania, Maryland and New York, met at Albany, to devise
some plan of common defence against the French, who had
again commenced hostilities.
At this convention Dr. Franklin, afterwards so eminent in the history of the
Revolution, proposed a plan for political union, which was rejected by the provin-
cial assemblies, on the ground that it gave too much power to the crown, and by
the English government, because it gave too much power to the people.
72 STATE OF NEW YORK.
In September, 1755, Sir Charles Hardy, an admiral in the
British navy, arrived in New York, as governor. Being unac-
quainted with civil affairs, he gave the management of these to
Mr. De Lancy. In the spring of this year, the colonies had
made extensive preparations lor an attack on the enemy, but,
owing to the ignorance of the commanders of the English forces,
of the tactics of Indian warfare, the campaign was utterly un-
successful. Braddock, who was sent against Fort Du Q,uesne,
(now Pittsburgh,) was killed, and his army routed, by a small
body of Indians. Crown Point, and Niagara, both French
posts, although assailed, were not captured.
Nor was the campaign of 1756 more successful. The Eng-
lish fort at Oswego was captured, 1600 men taken prisoners,
and a large quantity of stores seized, by the French.
The campaign of 1757 was still more unsuccessful. Fort
William Henry, on Lake George, with a garrison of 3000 men,
was compelled to surrender. These repeated misfortunes awa-
kened the energies of the English.
In 1758, William Pitt (Lord Chatham) Avas placed at the
head of government, in England, and a new impulse was given
to the energies of the nation. Success soon followed. In July,
Louisburg, which at the former peace had been restored to the
French, was recaptured. Fort Frontenac, on Lake Ontario,
(now Kingston, C. W.) was captured soon after, and the
French compelled to abandon Fort Du Q,uesne. General Aber-
crombie attacked Fort Ticonderoga, but unsuccessfully.
Stimulated by this success, New York, in 1759, exerted her-
self to the utmost, and raised $625,000 in five months, and lev-
ied a force of 2680 men. Ticonderoga was captured by General
Amherst, early in the season, and Crown Point surrendered a
few days later. In July, General Prideaux invested Fort Niag-
ara, and though he was killed in the attack, Sir William John-
son, his successor in the command, succeeded in reducing it.
On the 13th of September, the brave General Wolfe laid down
his life, in the moment of victory, when the English banners
floated over the towers of Quebec.
The ensuing year the French, made an unsuccessful effort to
recapture Quebec; and on the Sth of September of that year, all
the French possessions in Canada were surrendered to the
British Government, and the French power extinguished there.
Two small islands at the mouth of the St. Lawrence, St. Pierre
and Miquelon, alone were preserved to them, of their former
vast possessions.
During the progress of these events, in July, 1760, Governor
De Lancy suddenly deceased. He was succeeded by Dr. Cad-
wallader Colden, the president of the council, who in August,
1761, was appointed Lieutenant Governor. In October of the
ENGLISH ADMINISTRATION. 73
same year, General Robert Mould on arrived, with a Governor's
commission, bat Left on the 15th of the ensuing month, to com-
mand an expedition against Martinique, and the government
again devolved upon Dr. Golden.
It was during his administration, that the difficulties between
New Hampshire and New York commenced, relative to the
territory, now known as the state of Vermont.
By the original patent, granted to the Duke of York, this tract was included.
New Hampshire, "however, claimed it under her charter; and, contending that
the charter of the Duke of York was obsolete, proceeded to make extensive grants
of land, to the settlers on the west side of the Connecticut. Emigration pro-
gressed rapidly, and in 17G3, 138 townships had been granted, by New Hamp-
shire, covering a large portion of the present state of Vermont.
Governor Colden was not the man to sit by, and tamely submit, to what he
deemed injustice to his colony. He issued a proclamation, claiming jurisdiction
as far east as the Connecticut, and ordered the sheriff to make returns to him, of
any persons, who had taken possession, under the authority of New Hampshire.
The Governor of New Hampshire issued a counter proclamation, and the mat-
ter was referred to the Crown, which decided in favor of New York. The at-
tempt to enforce this decision, and to induce the inhabitants to take out new
deeds under New York, was, with some exceptions, ineffective, and led to con-
stant hostilities between the Vermont settlers, and the government of New York.
In 1764 the news of the passage of the Stamp Act, (which
rendered all deeds, bonds, notes, &c., invalid, unless written on
stamped paper, which should pay a duty to the Crown,) excited
universal indignation among the people. An organization was
soon formed in this, as well as some of the adjacent states,
called " The Sons of Liberty," which offered the most daring re-
sistance, to this aggression upon the rights of the people.
Governor Colden attempted to enforce the act, but the at-
tempt called down the hostility of the people upon him, and but
for his age, he would undoubtedly have suffered in person. As
it was, his effigy was carried about the city, and hung upon a
gallows erected for the purpose, and his carriage and other
property destroyed.
When the stamps arrived, he was obliged to surrender them to
the city corporation, and await the action of the Governor, Sir
Henry Moore, who arrived in July, 1765, and by the advice of his
council, was deterred from attempting farther to enforce the act.
On the 1st Tuesday in October, 1765, a Congress composed
of delegates from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut,
New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland,
and South Carolina, met at New York, to take into considera-
tion, the invasion of the rights of the colonies, by the Stamp Act.
New Hampshire, Virginia, North Carolina and Georgia, did not send delegates,
but two of them expressed their sympathy with the Congress, and the others had
no meeting of their legislatures, in time to appoint delegates. This Congress
made a declaration of the rights and privileges of the colonies, and petitioned for
redress.
The Stamp Act was repealed on the ISth of March, 1766; but
74 STATE OP NEW YORK.
the offensive declaration accompanied the repeal, that " Parlia-
ment possessed the power, to bind the colonies in all cases, what-
soever."
In 1767, Charles Townsend, chancellor of the English ex-
chequer, proposed a new bill, levying duties on glass, paper,
paints and tea. This passed, and the inhabitants entered, as
they had previously done, into non-importation agreements, by
which they pledged themselves to use none of these articles,
nor, so far as it could be avoided, other articles of British manu-
facture. In 1769. five-sixths of these duties, and in 1770, all of
them, were repealed, except the duty on tea. The people of
New York, as well as of the other colonies, rigidly abstaining
from the use of this beverage, no excitement was produced; and
from 1770 to 1774 a period of calmness ensued, although the
English government and the colonists regarded each other with
jealousy.
Attempts were made, in 1767, to settle the boundary between Massachusetts
and New York. Massachusetts, under her charter, claimed to the Pacific Ocean,
and had repeatedly attempted to make settlements within the bounds of New
York. The attempt to establish these settlements, had produced collision, and in
several instances, bloodshed. Commissioners from the two colonies met at New
Haven, in October, 1767, and determined that the Massachusetts line should run
twenty miles east of Hudson river, but could not agree in regard to the manner
of running that line.
In September, 1769, Sir Henry Moore deceased. His course,
during the period in which he acted as Governor, had been pru-
dent, mild, and dignified. He had, as far as possible, abstained
from controversy with the assembly and people, interpreting his
instructions from the government in England, as liberally as lay
in his power. His death was much lamented. Governor Col-
den again occupied his place, although very much advanced in
years.
Governor Dunmore assumed the government in November,
1770 ; but his administration continued only a few months, and
was marked by no important event. He was the first Governor
supported by the Crown, a measure against which New York
protested, as calculated to make the executive independent of
the popular branch of the government. During his short con-
tinuance in office, a contest took place with the legislature, in
regard to quartering the King's troops, to wmich the assembly
were wholly averse, but to which, under the threats of the Brit-
ish government, they were obliged to submit.
Liberty poles had, at this period, been frequently erected in New York city,
and as often cut down and destroyed by the British soldiery, who entertained the
bitterest hostility to the citizens. After repeated efforts, the inhabitants erected
one upon private grounds, so frmly encased in iron, that the soldiers could not
destroy it.
ENGLISH ADMINISTRATION. 75
Lord Dunmore having been appointed Governor of Virginia,
Governor try on succeeded him on the 8th of July, 1771.
In 1772, the New Hampshire grants became a renewed source
of serious disquietude to the colony. Governor Tryon offered a
reward of fifty pounds for the apprehension of Ethan Allen,
Seth Warner, and six others of the most obnoxious of the set-
tlers ; and the New York assembly passed an act, declaring the
opposition of these citizens to the government of New York,
felony. Allen and his coadjutors, in return, hurled their defi-
ance at the Governor, and those who were sent to arrest them.
In the Spring of 1775, matters appeared to be approaching a
crisis, in regard to this territory. A collision took place, be-
tween the officers of New York, and the citizens of Westmin-
ster county, Vermont, in which one man was killed, and several
wounded. But for the occurrence of the battle of Lexington,
at this juncture, probably a serious civil war would have en-
sued.
The British government resolved, in 1773, to accomplish by
cunning, what they had failed to attain by iorce. They remit-
ted to the East India Company, the customary English duties
on tea, and permitted them to ship it for America, with only a
duty of three pence per pound, to be paid, on landing it, at any
American port. They supposed that as this would make the
price of tea lower than in England, the colonists would not ob-
ject to it; but the colonists saw, in this measure, the same prin-
ciple, against which they had been contending.
The course adopted by the different colonies, is well known. In New York, a
meeting of "The Sons of Liberty" was called, on the receipt of the intelligence,
and resolutions passed, that the tea should not be landed. Accordingly, when, in
April, 1774, the tea ship, (the Nancy, commanded by Captain Lockyier,) arrived
off Sandy Hook, the pilots, who had already received their instructions, refused
to bring her any nearer the city. The captain however came up, and was waited
upon, by a committee, who informed him, that he must return immediately to
England, with his cargo ; and for the purpose of preventing his sailors from de-
serting, a strong guard was stationed near his ship at Sandy Hook. Finding it
useless to resist, he submitted to their commands.
Meanwhile information was received that Captain Chambers, of the ship Lon-
don, a man loud in his professions of patriotism, had brought out eighteen chests
of tea, as a private venture. Being questioned by the committee, he denied it ;
but upon their assuring him, that their evidence was so strong that they should
search the ship, he confessed it, but attempted to apologize. His apologies did
not avail. His tea was emptied into the harbor forthwith, and he permitted to
withdraw. Embarking on board Lockyier's ship, he sailed for England, to hide
his shame and disgrace.
About this period a committee of observation was organized
in New York, consisting of fifty persons, who were invested
with discretionary powers, with regard to the administration of
government.
On the 5th of September, 1774, a congress from the different
7(3 STATE OF NEW YORK.
colonies, met at Philadelphia. They adopted several resolu-
tions, and prepared addresses to the King and both houses of
Parliament, and to the people of Great Britain and Canada.
To these addresses and resolutions prepared by Congress,
the assembly of New York refused to give their assent. On the
contrary, they addressed an exceedingly loyal and humble let-
ter to the King, in which they represented their grievances, but
without seeming much afflicted by them. They were undoubt-
edly influenced to this course, by Governor Try on, a man of
very popular maimers, and artful insinuating address, who had
the skill, to mould the assembly to his will.
This step of New York exerted a very important influence upon the future
destiny of the colonies; for the British .Ministry were upon the point of yielding
to their just demands, when the news of the defection of New York reached
them. Stimulated by this, they continued that course of aggression, which ulti-
mately led to the establishment of our liberties.
Governor Tryon sailed for England in April, 1774, and re-
turned in June, 1775.
In April, 1775, a provincial convention was convened at New
York, and elected delegates to the 2d Congress, which assem-
bled at. Philadelphia in May, 1775.
The news of the battle of Lexington, (Mass,) on the 19th of
April the same year, caused great excitement in the city of New
York. At the desire of the committee of observation, a com-
mittee of superintendence was elected by the citizens, consisting
of 100 of the most respectable citizens ; and the arms in the city
arsenal, and others about to be shipped to Boston, were seized.
Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and Skenesborough, (now White-
hall.) were captured in May, by Colonels Ethan Allen and
Benedict Arnold, and the entire command of Lake Champlain
obtained.
Governor Tryon returned, in June, from England and was welcomed by thfi
citizens; but his strenuous exertions to promote the royal cause, soon rendered
him unpopular, and in October, considering his personal safety endangered, he
took refuge on board the Asia, a ship of war lying in the harbor.
On the 22dof May, 1775 ; a provincial Congress was convened
at New York, and efficient measures were taken for the mili-
tary organization, and defence of the country. Two regiments
were authorized to be raised, bounties were offered lor the man-
ufacture of gunpowder and muskets in the province, fortifications
were projected at Kingsbridge and the Highlands, and Philip
Schuyler and Richard Montgomery were recommended to the
Continental Congress for appointment, the first as a Major
General, and the second as Brigadier General.
Upon the adjournment of this Congress in September, for a month, they dele-
gated their powers to a committee of safety, composed of three members from the
city, and one, from each of the other counties.
Generals Schuyler and Montgomery, at the direction of Con-
gress, undertook an expedition against Quebec, which, though
STATE ADMINISTRATION, 77
at first, promising- a favorable result, finally terminated unfortu-
nately, in the death of Montgomery, and the repulse of the army.
Many of the inhabitants of Try on county espoused the side oi
the mother country, under the direction of Sir John Johnson,
son of Sir William, already mentioned, and made preparations-
to fight against the colony. General Schuyler was ordered by
Congress to disarm them; amd calling out the Albany militia,
who rallied around his standard to the number of 3000, he pro-
ceeded into that county, and dispersed about 600 loyalists. The
loyalists on Long Island also entrenched themselves, but were
disarmed, and their leaders secured, by the Jersey militia.
These events occurred in the winter of 1775.
July 9th, 1776, the provincial Congress met at White Plains,
and took the title of" The Representatives of the State of New
York." On the first day of their meeting, they received the
Declaration of Independence, and immediately passed a resolu-
tion, approving it. Soon after, they enacted a law, that all per-
sons, residing in the state, and enjoying the protection of its
laws, who should be found guilty of aiding its enemies, shoidd
sutler death.
THE STATE OF NEW YORK.
In July, 1776, General Howe, and Admiral Howe, his brother,
the British commanders of the land and naval forces, arrived
at Staten Island. The inhabitants, at once, took the oath of alle-
giance to the British Crown, and, together with a considerable
number of loyalists, from New Jersey and Long Island, were
embodied as a part of the British forces.
At this period, the troops under Washington were unaccus-
tomed to discipline, not well clothed, nor prepared for efficient
military duty ; and consequently not to be relied upon, in a direct
battle with the highly disciplined, and well appointed troops of
England. From this fact, General Washington determined not
to risk a general action, until his forces, by constant military
exercise, and occasional skirmishes with the enemy, should ac-
quire greater confidence in their own prowess
It would have been fortunate, had he been able to maintain
this position; but unhappily, in a conflict on Brooklyn Heights,
on the 27th of August of this year, in which, at first, only a por-
tion of the army were engaged, the entire troops finally became
enlisted, and the Americans were routed with severe loss both
in killed andprisoners. As the result of this unfortunate battle,
Washington was compelled to evacuate New York city, and
retreat towards Philadelphia, with one division of his army,
while the other made its way northward, along the banks of the
78 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Hudson. This event took place on the 12th of September, 1776.
Previous to Washington's evacuating - the city of New York,
the public stores were removed to Dobb's ferry.
On the 15th of September, the American General attempted
to oppose the landing- of the British forces, at Kip's and Turtle
bays, but unsuccessfully, and with shameful demonstrations of
cowardice on the part of the American soldiery. On the 16th
of September occurred the battle of Harlaem heights, in which,
though but few troops were engaged, the action was close, and
the Americans recovered their courage and spirit. "Washington
having retreated into Westchester ( Jo., a partial action took place
at White Plains, on the 2Sth of October, in w uich the Americans
suffered some loss.
Forts Washington and Lee, the former on the upper part of
New York Island, the latter nearly opposite on the Jersey
shore, were garrisoned by the Americans; but by too small a
force to resist successfully the British troops; and on the 16th
of November, after a closely contested action, in which the ene-
my met with a severe loss, the American garrison was com-
pelled to surrender. With the remnant of his army, dispirited
and disheartened, Washington retreated towards Philadelphia;
but soon after, by his bold attack upon the Hessian forces at
Trenton, he infused new courage into his troops, retrieved his
own reputation, and turned the tide of war.
Amid all the discouragements under which the cause of liberty labored, the
New York provincial Congress did not despair. On the 23d of December, 1776,
they put forth an address to the people, the production of the gifted, patriotic,
and pure minded Jay, which was admirably adapted to encourage and animate
the zeal of the friends of freedom.
In May, 1777, Colonel Meigs, by a w T ell devised and happily
executed enterprise, took possession of, and destroyed a large
quantity of the enemy's stores at Sag Harbor, L. I., and cap-
tured ninety men. This enterprise was accomplished with a
force of only 234 men. Congress voted him a sword, for this
gallant exploit.
In January, 1777, the territory known as the New Hamp-
shire grants, assumed the title of the State of Vermont, and
soon after adopted a constitution. On the 12th of March, a con-
stitution, for the state of New York, was reported by a committee
of the provincial Congress, which, on the 20th of April, 1777,
w r as adopted.
A few of its more important provisions should be here noticed. They were,
1st, the requirement of a property qualification in the electors and the elected.
2d, The appointing power was vested in the Governor, and a council, of four per-
sons, chosen from the senate. By this council, sheriffs, coroners, justices of the
peace, judges, both of the superior and inferior courts, mayors and recorders of
the cities, and all the officers of state, were appointed. This immense amount of
patronage, thus thrown into the hands of five individuals, proved a very serious
evil. 3d, The Governor was invested with the power of proroguing the legisla-
ture when hp saw fit. This constitution was revised and amended in 1821.
STATE ADMINISTRATION. 79
On the 23d of March, 1777, a detachment of 800 British
troops landed at Peekskill", and set fire to the principal store-
houses there; but finding that a large force of Americans were
approaching, they retreated. O the 26th of April, Governor
Tryon, with 2000 troops, tories and regulars, proceeded to
Danbury, Ct., and burned eighteen nouses , and a quantity of
stores ; but was attacked by the Americans, and compelled to
retire with considerable loss.
Under the new constitution, George Clinton was elected
Governor; but, being at that time in the service of Congress,
he did not meet the assembly, at its session. John Jay was
appointed Chief Justice, C. R. Livingston, Chancellor, John
Morin Scott, Secretary of State, and Comfort Sands, Audi-
tor General.
At the adoption of the state constitution, there were fourteen counties in the
state, viz. New York, Richmond, King's, Queen's, Suffolk, Westchester, Dutchess,
Orange, Ulster, Albany, Tryon, Charlotte, Cumberland, and Gloucester. The last
two, together with part of Albany and Charlotte counties, were within the
limits of the present state of Vermont. The first six were mostly under the do-
minion of the British, the Highlands being the limit, and were governed by Gen-
eral Tryon till 1778, when he was succeeded by General Robertson. The Brit-
ish had garrisoned most of the border posts, from which they kept up a sangui-
nary and relentless warfare, upon the settlers, during the whole struggle.
General Schuyler and Rev. Mr. Kirkland were, about this
time deputed to hold a conference with the Iroquois, who, un-
der the instigation of Sir John, and Colonel Guy Johnson, and
the Butlers, as well as the famous Indian chief Brant, were
making serious ravages on the frontier settlements. As the
result of this conference, the Oneidas remained faithful to the
Americans, while the remainder of the tribes, under the influ-
ence of the Johnsons, took up arms, on the side of the British.
Determined to leave nothing undone, to effect the entire sub-
jugation of the rebel colonies, the English Ministers sent out a
well appointed army, the flower of the English soldiery, to-
gether with a numerous body of German troops, under the com-
mand of General Burgoyne, an experienced officer, of known
bravery, and of high reputation.
General Burgoyne was directed to start from Quebec, and,
scouring the country with his Indian allies, to effect a junction
with Howe, at some point on the Hudson. As this would cut
off all communication between New England and the other
colonies, it was thought, that the work of subduing that section,
would be compafatively easy.
For the purpose of effecting this object, General Burgoyne
detached Colonel St. Leger, with 1600 regular troops, tories,
and Indians, to hara?s and destroy the frontier settlements.
St Leger arrived, without opposition, before Fort Schuyler,
which he besieged.
Meantime, he despatched Sir John Johnson, with a body of
80 STATE OF NEW YORK.
tories and Indians, against General Herkimer, who was ad-
vancing to the ;ii 1 of Colonel Gansevoort, the commander of the
fort. They met at Oriskany. Herkimer's force was small and
undisciplined. The battle was a severe one; Herkimer was
wounded at the first fire ; but. the British were obliged to with-
draw, defeated. Soon after, by a successful artifice, Arnold
compelled St. Leger to raise the siege of Fort Schuyler, and re-
treat into Canada, with the loss of his Indian allies.
Burgoyne had pursued his march, with the main body of his
army, thus far, in triumph; but. soon, his fortune began to
change. The Americans, under General Schuyler, had ob-
structed his progress, from Lake Champlain to the Hudson, by
felling trees, destroying the roads, &c, so that he was necessa-
rily a long time employed, in the transportation of his artillery
and stores.
Finding that these were not sufficient, to last through the campaign, he dis-
patched Colonels Baum and Breyinan, with more than 1500 chosen troops.tr>
obtain stores at Bennington. These were met. and defeated, on the 16th of Au-
gust, 1777, by the Green Mountain boys, under General Stark, and Colonel War-
ner, and over 1 000 killed, wounded, and taken prisoners. This loss materially
impeded Burgoyne's progress, disheartened his army, and prepared the way for
his defeat and surrender.
On the 19th of September, a fierce and bloody battle was
fought between the American forces, under General Gates,
(who had now succeeded General Schuyler,) and Burgoyne's
army, which resulted in severe loss on both sides, and the
maintenance of their ground by both armies. The loss of the
British, however, was much the largest. In this contest, Gen-
eral Arnold and Colonel Morgan distinguished themselves, by
acts of the most daring personal bravery.
Burgoyne now fortified his position, and sent to Sir Henry
Clinton, for reinforcements and supplies. The American army
also entrenched themselves strongly, on Bemis' Heights, Sa-
ratoga Co. On the 7th of October, Burgoyne, finding his stores
failing, and receiving no intelligence from Sir Henry Clinton,
resolved to attack the American entrenchments, and attempt
to force his passage through to the Hudson. The battle was
a severe one, but he was defeated, with the loss of 200 killed and
wounded, and about the same number taken prisoners.
On the 17th of the same month, after repeated attempts to
escape from his perilous position, finding himself surrounded on
every side by a victorious enemy, General Burgoyne surren-
dered to General Gates, his entire army, consisting of 5792 men,
together with 5000 stands of arms, 42 field pieces, and large
quantities of ammunition. This splendid victory did much to-
wards achieving our nation's independence.
On the 17th of November following, Congress adopted the ar-
STATE ADMINISTRATION. 81
licles of confederation, for the ditlerent states* These were ap-
proved, by the legislature of New York, February 6th, 1778.
The repeated incursions of the Indians upon the frontier set-
tlements, particularly the cruel outrage at Wyoming-, called
loudly for retributive justice. But their crimes were still to as-
sume a deeper dye. In November, 1778, Colonel Alden, die
commander at Cherry Valley, received intelligence that an at-
tack was intended, upon that place. With a fatal and unac-
countable stupidity, he paid no attention to the report. On the
10th, the Indians and tories, under the command of the blood-
thirsty Walter Butler, and the Indian chieftain Brant, ap-
proached the settlement, killed Colonel Alden, butchered about
twenty of the inhabitants, mostly women and children, took
nearly forty prisoners, and, after plundering and burning all their
houses, departed.
To punish these depredations, General Sullivan, in August,
1V78, at the head of an efficient force, visited the country of the
Senecas, destroyed eighteen of their villages, laid waste their
whole territory, and most signally defeated them.
In April of the same year, Colonel Van Schaick attacked the
Onondagas, who had been the most troublesome of the border
tribes, destroyed their villages, took between thirty and forty
prisoners, and killed twelve of the Indians. These severe
blows, for a time, put these tribes in check.
On the 2Sth of September, 1778, two detachments of the
enemy's troops, sent by Sir Henry Clinton, surprised a part of
Colenel Baylor's regiment of cavalry, stationed at Tappan, by
night, and butchered sixty-seven out of one hundred and four
men, unresisting and asking for quarter.
In May, 1779, Sir Henry Clinton made an expedition in per-
son, up the Hudson, compelled the garrison at Verplanck's
Point to surrender, after a short but spirited resistance, and
took possession of Stoney Point, which was abandoned by the
Americans. At his return, he garrisoned both forts.
On the 16th of July, 1778, General Washington commis-
sioned General Anthony Wayne to storm the British fort at
Stoney Point, a strong fortress, which was the resort of tory
refugees, who sallied out occasionally, and ravaged the neigh-
boring settlements. The fort was curried at the point of the
bayonet, and with trifling loss. Owing to the weakness of the
American force, however, it was soon found necessary to aban-
don it, and it was afterwards re-occupied by the enemy.
Soon after, Major Lee made a daring and successful expe-
dition against Paulus Hook, (Powles Hook,) now Jersey City,
and captured the British garrison, consisting ef 150 men, di-
82 STATE OF NEW YORK,
reetly under the guns of the British ships of war, lying in the
Hudson river.
General Arnold had been, thus far, distinguished in the Revo-
lution, for his reckless daring, his chivalric bravery, and his ap-
parently ardent patriotism ; but amid all, the private character
of the man was known to be vicious and corrupt. His reputa-
tion was .stained by dishonesty, rapacity, and meanness. In
consequence of a severe wound, received in the last battle with
Burgoyne, he was disabled from active service, and in the sum-
mer of 1778, General Washington assigned to him the com-
mand of the city of Philadelphia. His extravagance, reckless-
ness, and dishonesty, drew down upon him the displeasure of
the citizens, who were loud in their complaints against him;
and in March, 1779, he resigned his command.
In April, he married Miss Shippen, a lady who had been a
distinguished belle, had received the attentions of the British
officers, during their occupancy of that city, and was at heart a
loyalist. Through her correspondence with some of the Brit-
ish officers, an opportunity was orlered to Arnold, to communi-
cate with the enemy ; and he finally took the resolution to sell
himself, and his country, for British gold, in order to rid himself
of his pecuniary embarrassments. To make his treachery more
valuable, in August, 1780, he solicited, and obtained the com-
mand of the strong and important post of West Point, the key
of the Hudson.
In order to settle finally the terms of his treachery, Sir Henry
Clinton despatched Major Andre, an Adjutant General in his
army, (who had been Mrs. Arnold's correspondent, and with
whom, over a feigned signature, Arnold had also corresponded,)
to have an interview with the traitor, and agree upon the de-
tails of his infamous treason. They met, made their arrange-
ments, and parted; Arnold to return to his post, and Andre to
New York.
Before reaching that city, however, the latter was arrested
by three militia men, and having been convicted by a Court
Martial, was hanged as a spy. Arnold succeeded in making
his escape, though not in surrendering the important post which
he commanded, and his base treachery was rewarded by the
British Government, with the office of a Brigadier General,
and the sum of £10,000 sterling. But he was never trusted im-
plicitly by the British, and so strong was the feeling of loathing,
on the part of the British officers, of his meanness, that many
of them refused to serve under him.
In the hope of securing him and bringing him to a just punishment ; and with
a view to save the gifted, but unfortunate Andre, from the fate he had brought
STATE ADMINISTRATION. 83
upon himself, General Washington commissioned Mr. Champe, a Sergeant Major
in Major Lee's regiment, to proceed to the British camp, professedly as a deser-
ter, and to endeavor to seize the person of Arnold. The attempt was unsuc-
cessful.
In 1780, 81, Brant, the MohaAvk chief, in conjunction with
Sir John Johnson arid Walter Butler, made several incursions
upon the frontier settlements, in the Schoharie and Mohawk
valleys. In August, a force under Colonel Marinus Willet pur-
sued and routed these marauders, and killed Butler, whose sav-
age cruelties had rendered him notorious. The remaining
scenes of the war of the Revolution, mostly occurred in the
southern states, and therefore do not come within the scope of
this historical sketch.
In 1782, the English Government resolved to relinquish the
hopeless contest with their colonies. On the 30th of November
of that year, provisional articles of peace were agreed upon;
and on the 25th of November, 1783, the British troops evacu-
ated New York, and Washing on, with his army, entered in
triumph. On the 4th of December, Washington took an affec-
tionate farewell of his officers; and after resigning to Congress,
then in session at Annapolis, Maryland, his commission, retired
to Mount Vernon, to spend the remainder of his days in retire-
ment and domestic felicity.
Events which transpired, soon after the Revolution, demon-
strated, most conclusively, that the compact, which had con-
nected the different states of the Union together, during the
war, would not suffice, to maintain that connection, in time of
peace. In 1787, therefore, in accordance with a resolution of
Congress, delegates were elected from this state to meet those
of the other states, in convention at Philadelphia, in May, to
frame a new constitution. The delegates chosen from this state,
were Messrs. Yates, Lansing, and Alexander Hamilton.
The constitution prepared by this convention was not at first satisfactory to a
majority of the citizens of New York. But the" powerful exposition and de-
fence of it, by Mr. Hamilton, John Jay and others, in the essays published under
the title of " The Federalist," tended to bring about a change of feeling, in regard
to it; and on the l 26th of July, 1788, it was ratified, in convention, by the state,
not, however, without the recommendation of several amendments, which were
not adopted.
During this period, and until 1795, George Clinton, whose
services in the Revolution had been so eminent and valuable,
held the office of Governor.
A general organization act was passed, in 1788, by the legis-
lature, dividing the state into fourteen counties, which were
subdivided into townships. The western and central portions
of the state, now free Irom the hostile inroads of savages, pros-
pered, and rapidly increased in population and wealth.
84 STATE OF NEW YORK.
In 1790, the difficulties, whieh for twenty-six years, had exist-
ed between New York and Vermont, and which had been the
cause of bloodshed and bitter hostility, between the citizens of
the two states, were amicably adjusted.
But for the patriotism and prudence of her leaders,* Vermont would probably
have been, to i his day, an integral portion of the British empire. In addition to
other and more patriotic motives, it cannot be denied that the jealousy of the in-
creasing influence of the southern states in Congress, tended to predispose New
York favorably, to a settlement
Commissioners having been appointed, by both states, in 1789,
met and reported in October, 1790, in favor of the payment, by
Vermont, to New York, of the sum of $30,000, for the extinction
of the land claims, held by the latter ; and that New York, upon
such payment, should relinquish all claims, either to land, or
jurisdiction, in Vermont, and acquiesce in her admission to the
Union. This report w T as approved by both states, and in 1791,
Vermont was received into the confederacy.
In 1791, the agriculture of the state received a new impulse, from the organi-
zation of a society for the promotion of agriculture, arts and manufactures.
The same year, a committee was appointed by the legislature, to inquire into
the most eligible method, of removing obstructions from the Hudson and Mohawk
rivers. The next year, (1792^ two companies were formed, styled the Northern
and Western Inland Lock Navigation companies, to improve the navigation of the
Hudson and Mohawk, and to connect the Oneida and Ontario lakes with the lat-
ter, and Lake Champlain with the former. For the purpose of aiding them in
this enterprise, the state became a subscriber to their stock, to the amount of
S9-2.0U0. This, though productive of no great practical results, was the first step,
in that system of internal improvement, so ably advocated and carried out, by the
genius and perseverance of l>e Witt Clinton.
During this period manufactures did not prosper; and our
country was supplied with most of the products of art, from
England and France. In 1785, Governor Clinton having de-
clined being a candidate for re-election to the office of Gover-
nor, John Jay, whose patriotic services in the Revolution, as a
statesman, have been already noticed, was chosen his successor.
The legislature, in 1796, granted to the Oneida, Cayuga,
Onondaga, and Erothertown Indians, $9852, to extinguish their
title, to certain lands previously possessed by them. In 1798,
Governor Jay was re-elected, and continued in office till 1801.
The legislature passed, in 1801, another general organization
act, by which the state w r as divided into thirty counties.
In 1801, a convention was called, by an act of the legislature, to amend the
constitution. Colojjel Aaron Burr was elected President of the convention. By
the act. under which the convention assembled, they were limited, in their
amendments, to two points : the first, as to the number of the members of each
house of the legislature, and the second, the determination of the question,
whether the right of nomination to office, should be vested exclusively in the
Governor, or in the Governor and Council jointly. The convention decided upon
the latter interpretation of the constitution.
The same year, 1801, Governor Jay having refused to be
again a candidate for office, Governor Clinton was again elect-
STATE ADMINISTRATION. S5
ed to the chief magistracy. In 1804, Governor Clinton being
elected Vice President of the United States, Morgan Lewis
was chosen as his successor. Daniel D. Tompkins succeeded
Mr. Lewis as Governor, in 1807. The same year, Albany was
made the capital of the State.
In August, 1807, Robert Fulton made his first trip with the
Clermont, the first steamboat which ever plied successfully the
waters of the World.* In this enterprise he was aided by
Robert R. Livingston, one of the most distinguished statesmen
of the state or nation.
The embargo laid this year by Congress, on all American shipping, at Mr.
Jefferson's recommendation, in order to counteract the injurious effects of the
British orders in council, and Napoleon's Berlin and Milan decrees, bore hard
upon A'evv York, and excited much opposition, for a period.
Governor Tompkins was re-elected in 1810.
The difficulties between Great Britain and oar own country,
to w T hich we have already alluded, had for several years been
the subject of anxiety and bitter feeling; and every year they
had assumed a more unpleasant character. In addition to the
injuries already inflicted by England, on our commerce, as a
neutral power, she claimed the right to search our merchant
vessels; and if her officers found on board of them, men, whom
they chose to regard as British subjects, they seized them and
compelled them to serve in their navy.
Our government remonstrated, but remonstrances proved
unavailing ; the outrage upon our national flag was repeated.
Under these circumstances our statesmen conceived that they
had no alternative, but to declare war upon that nation. Ac-
cordingly, on the 19th of June, 1812, the President, being duly
authorized by Congress, proclaimed war against Great Britain.
Deeming it of the greatest importance to subjugate the Can-
adas, and thus deprive the enemy of their strong holds, meas-
ures were taken to concentrate a large force on the northern
frontier of this state, and the eastern border of Michigan.
General Dearborne was appointed to the command of the
forces, and by his direction, General Harrison assumed the
command of the north western division, making Detroit his head-
quarters. General Stephen Van Rensselaer, having his head-
quarters at Lewistown, commanded the central division, and
the commander-in-chief, the eastern, making Plattsburg his
place of rendezvous.
* There are three other competitors for the honor of introducing steamboat
navigation to the notice of the world, viz. John Fitch, of Hartford, Conn., Robert
L. Stevens, of New York, and Mr. Evans, of Philadelphia. All undoubtedly
deserve credit for the construction of vessels propelled by steam; but it is be-
lieved that to Fulton and Livingston belongs the honor of having demonstrated the
practicability and advantages of this mode of navigation.
86 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Experience soon proved that, unfortunately, pride of opinion is sometimes
stronger than love of country. A large minority of the citizens of this, and the
adjacent states, were loud in their denunciations of the war ; and if they did not
afford direct aid to the foe, they weakened the hands, and discouraged the hearts
of those who were to contend with the enemy ; and furnished grounds of scru-
ple, by which the timorous and faint-hearted justified their cowardice. Under
such adverse influences, officers of known spirit, and tried courage, faltered in
meeting the foe, and surrendered to a force inferior to their own.
The first considerable action of the war was disgraceful to
our boasted prowess. General Hull, deputed to carry aggres-
sive war into Canada, and to take the British post at Maiden,
seemed panic-struck at the approach of the enemy. Forgetting
his former renown, as a brave soldier, he returned to Detroit
without striking a blow; and on the 16th of August, 1812,
surrendered his whole force, consisting of about 2000 troops,
occupying a strongly fortified garrison, together with the whole
territory of Michigan, to General Brock, whose entire army con-
sisted of only 700 British troops, and 600 Indians.
General Van Rensselaer, with his command, was stationed
at Lewiston, below the Falls. His troops, (principally militia,)
often urged him to give them an opportunity of displaying their
prowess by facing the enemy. Determining not to remain inac-
tive, he despatched his aid-de-camp, Lieutenant Colonel Van
Rensselaer, a brave and meritorious, but somewhat rash offi-
cer, with about 225 men, to attack the British post of Queens-
town, on the opposite shore of the Niagara river.
The attack was successful at the outset, and but for the
shameful cowardice of the troops remaining upon the American
shore, would undoubtedly have terminated in a brilliant victory.
Such were the pretended constitutional scruples of the remaining troops as to
the propriety of crossing over to the enemy's territory, that when ordered to re-
inforce Lieutenant Colonel Van Rensselaer, they preferred to see their brethren
in arms cut to pieces, rather than move to their relief; and thus nearly the
whole force which had crossed the river, were cither killed, or taken prisoners.
General Van Rensselaer, disgusted with his army, soon after
resigned his commission, and was succeeded by General Alex-
ander Smyth, of Virginia.
This officer appears to have been a mere braggart, for after issuing a pro-
clamation, announcing the wonderful deeds he intended to perform, he finally
ordered his troops into winter quarters, without accomplishing any thing.
In January, 1813, occurred the battle of the River Raisin, in
Michigan, one of the most sanguinary contests of the war. In
this conflict, the British General, Proctor, acquired lasting in-
famy from his inhumanity to the American troops, who had
surrendered ; giving them up to the savages for torture and
massacre, in violation of his solemn pledge to General Win-
chester, the American commander.
STATE ADMINISTRATION. 87
In February, 1813, Captain Forsyth, commander of the Amer-
ican forces at Ogdensburg, crossed the St. Lawrence, in pur-
suit of some prisoners whom the English had taken from his
vicinity, and succeeded in capturing some military stores and
about fifty prisoners. In revenge lor this act, the British, on
the 22d of February, 1813, crossed the St. Lawrence with a
considerable force, and took Ogdensburg. Forsyth, however,
with his forces, made good their retreat.
On the 27th of April, 1813, General Dearborne made a suc-
cessful attack upon York, now Toronto, (Canada West), aided
by the squadron of Commodore Chauncey. After a short re-
sistance, it was captured, together with a large quantity of mili-
tary stores. The force detailed for this service, consisted of
about 1700 troops, under the command of General Z. M. Pike.
The enemy, in their retreat, laid a train of combustibles to their magazine,
with the fiendish design of thus destroying the invaders. The scheme was, in
part, successful ; and the brave and noble hearted Pike was killed, by tfte explo-
sion, at the head of his troops, in the moment of triumph. The troops faltered
for a moment, but rallied instantly, and drove the foe from the field. The British
lost in this action ,in killed, wounded, and prisoners, about 750. The Americans,
about 300.
Early in May, 1813, the Americans evacuated the fort at
York. They removed to Four mile creek, a short distance
bekuv Fort Niagara, and, in connection with a force of 100 men,
who were landed from two armed schooners despatched to co-
operate with them, took possession of some military stores, at
that place, belonging to the enemy, and then proceeded in safety
to Fort Niagara.
On the 27th of May, a descent was made, by Commodore
Chauncey, upon Fort George, which surrendered, after a short
contest. The American loss in killed and wounded, was 150 :
the British, in killed, wounded, and prisoners, 3S6, beside 507
militia men, released on their parole.
On the 23d of June, General Dearborne sent Lieutenant
Colonel Boerstler with 570 men, to Beaver Dam, to disperse
a body of the enemy. When within about two miles of that
place, he was attacked by the foe, who, in ambuscade, had
awaited his approach. After a short contest, he succeeded
in driving them into an open field, and sent an express to Gen-
eral Dearborne for reinforcements ; but before they could arrive,
he was surrounded by a superior force, and compelled to sur-
render.
During the period occupied by these enterprises, the enemy
were noddle. About the last of May, Commodore Chauncey 'a
fleet having left Sackett's Harbor, for Fort George, Sir George
Prevost made a descent upon the town, with 1000 troops, but
was repulsed with considerable loss. On the 19th of June, the
British landed and burned the village of Sodus, where some
88 STATE OF NEW YORK.
military stores were deposited. On the following day, they
made an unsuccessful attempt to land at Oswego. On the 2d
of July, they again attacked Sackett's Harbor, but with no bet-
ter success than before. On the 11th, they crossed over to
Black Rock, and succeeded in capturing some stores.
Meantime, both parties were seeking to secure the exclusive
control of Lake Erie. Commodore Perry, by extraordinary
exertion, had built and equipped an American squadron of
nine vessels, carrying fifty-four guns; and Commodore Bar-
clay had prepared a British squadron of six vessels, mounting
sixty-three guns.
The two squadrons met on the 10th of September, 1813,
near the western extremity of the lake. Owing to a calm at the
commencement of the action, the Lawrence, Commodore
Perry's flag-ship, was exposed to almost the whole fire of the
enemy, and soon disabled.
At this juncture, when the foe were ready to triumph, Perry,
with four of his men, leaped into a boat, flag in hand, and a
gentle breeze springing up at the time, brought the Niagara,
to which he had transferred his flag, into action. Through the
exertions of Captain Elliot, her commander, the remainder of
the vessels were brought up, and the Niagara led the way
through the enemy's line, supported by the rest of the squadron,
pouring successive broadsides into five of their vessels. In a
short time, the entire fleet of the enemy surrendered.
Commodore Perry communicated to General Harrison the following intelligence
of his victory : " We have met the enemy, and they are ours."
This victory resulted in the evacuation of Detroit, bytheErit-
ish army, which was pursued and overtaken by General Harri-
son, on the river Thames, about eighty miles from Detroit. At
this point was fought, on the 5th of October, the battle of the
Thames, one of the most brilliant oftne campaign. At this bat-
tle, Tecumseh was killed, and the Indian force dispersed.
Preparations were now made by the American army for an
attack on Montreal ; and for this purpose, the divisions, com-
manded by Generals Wilkinson and Hampton, were ordered to
form a junction on the St. Lawrence. General Wilkinson
moved down the river with his troops, early in November, and
on the 19th of that month, a severe, but indecisive action was
fought at Williamsburgh. Both parties claimed the victory.
The American loss in killed and wounded was about 300 ; the
British, about 200. Owing to some misunderstanding, the
junction of the two divisions was not effected, and soon after,
they went into winter quarters.
In December, General McClure, commanding at Fort George,
hearing of the approach of a large British force, dismantled
STATE ADMINISTRATION. 89
and abandoned the fort, having previously burned the Canadian
village of Newark, now called Niagara.
On the 19th of this month, the British crossed the river and
carried Fort Niagara by storm ; and to revenge the burning of
Newark, they proceeded to burn Lewistown, Youngstown,
Manchester, now called Niagara Falls' Village, and the Tus-
carora Indian village. On the 30th, they crossed again, and
burned Black Rock and Buffalo. These villages were only
guarded by small bodies of militia, who could oppose no effectual
resistance to the marauders.
On the 3d of July, 1814, Generals Scott and Ripley with
about 3000 troops, crossed the Niagara river and took Fort
Erie, without opposition. The next day, General Brown ad-
vanced, with the main body of his forces to Chippeway, about
two miles south of the Falls. Here, on the 5th, General Riall,
at the head of the British army, advanced to give them battle.
The contest was severe, but resulted in favor of the Americans.
The enemy lost nearly 500 men ; our own troops, 338.
General Riall, after his defeat, withdrew to Queenstown,
and afterwards to Burlington Heights. Here he was reinforced
by General Drummond, who took the command. The enemy
appeared before the camp, just before sunset, on the 25th of
July. The American army immediately formed in the order
of battle, at Lundy's Lane, about half a mile north west from
the Falls ; and there, amid the eternal roar of Niagara, the
two infuriated hosts continued in deadly conflict, till past mid-
night.
This was the most hotly contested action of the war ; General Scott led the
advance, and first engaged a body of the enemy, greatly his superior in numbers,
for an hour. Both parties were then reinforced, and the action renewed with
greater fury than before. The British artillery was so placed upon an eminence,
as to rake every part of the American army ; and it became evident that the
result of the battle depended on the capture of that battery.
General Scott rode up to Colonel Miller and inquired, " can you storm that
battery ?" " I can try, Sir ;" was the laconic reply ; and in a few moments, he
was seen at the head of his regiment, impetuously charging upon the artillery,
his ranks thinned at every step by the cannon balls.
The enemy resisted bravely, but could not withstand the charge. Three times
they returned to the attack, but their battery was turned against them with mur-
derous force ; and no sooner did they come within its range, than the deadly
rifle, wielded with unerring aim, mowed them down by platoons.
General Drummond was himself wounded, and the army
driven from the field. The British force engaged in this battle,
was nearly one third greater than the American. The loss of
the enemy was 878 ; of the American troops, 858.
Generals Brown and Scott having both been wounded in the
battle, the command devolved on General Ripley, who thought
it prudent to retire to Fort Erie. Here, on the 4th of August,
90 STATE OF NEW YORK.
he was besieged by General Drummond, at the head of five
thousand men. Meanwhile, General Gaines arrived at the
fort and took the command, as senior officer. On the 15th, the
British made an assault on the fort, but were repulsed with the
loss of nearly 1000 men. On the 17th of September, General
Brown having recovered and taken the command, a sortie was
made from the fort, and the advanced troops of the besiegers de-
feated.
Soon after, hearing that General Izard was on his way with
reinforcements, the enemy raised the siege and returned to Fort
George. In November, Fort Erie was abandoned and dis-
mantled by the Americans, who, crossing the river, went into
winter quarters, in the neighborhood of the Lakes.
Meantime, events were occurring in the eastern part of the
state, which materially hastened the termination of the war.
General Wilkinson went into winter quarters at French Mills,
now Fort Covington. In the latter part of winter, he broke up
his encampment and removed to Plattsburg. On the 30th of
March, 1814, he penetrated into Canada, and attacked a body
of the enemy at LaColle Mills, on the Sorel river, but was re-
pulsed with some loss, and returned to Plattsburg, where he was
soon after superseded in command by General Izard.
Early in September, Sir George Prevost advanced towards
Plattsburg with an army of 14,000 men, mostly European vet-
erans, who had served under Wellington. At the same time,
Commodore Dovvnie appeared on Lake Champlain with seven-
teen sail, mounting ninety-five guns, and carrying 1020 men.
To oppose this force, General Macomb had only 1500 regular
troops, and about 2500 militia; and Commodore McDonough, a
squadron of fourteen sail, mounting eighty-six guns, and carry-
ing 820 men.
The two armies engaged in battle on Sunday, the 11th of
September. The action between the land forces and the squad-
rons commenced simultaneously. The British made the great-
est exertions to cross the Saranac, but were repulsed at every
attempt, with severe loss ; and their squadron having been cap-
tured, and mostly destroyed, they retreated precipitately, leav-
ing behind them large quantities of military stores. The entire
loss of the British, in this action, including killed, wounded, pris-
oners, and deserters, was estimated at 2500. The remaining
battles of the war were fought at the south.
On the 24th of December, 1814, the treaty of Ghent was sign-
ed by the commissioners of the two countries, and on the 17th
of February, 1815, this treaty was confirmed by the President
and Senate.
STATE ADMINISTRATION. 91
Of the events which have transpired in this state since the
war, there are so many living witnesses, that we shall give
but a brief notice. V
The canal project, which, during the war, had been forgotten,
or neglected, was soon revived. In 1816, some steps were
taken for bringing it before the legislature ; and in 1S17, the
petition of more than 100,000 citizens of the state, asking that
laws should be passed for its construction, was presented to that
body, and action taken thereon. The same year, the Erie and
Champlain canals were both commenced and vigorously pros-
ecuted to their final completion, which occurred, the latter in
1823, and the former in 1S25.
In 1817, Governor Tompkins was chosen Vice President of
the United States, and De Witt Clinton, the ardent and zealous
friend of the system of internal improvements, was elected his
successor. Governor Clinton was re-elected to the same office,
in 1820. In 1821, a convention was called by an act of the legis-
lature, to revise the constitution. This convention met at Alba-
ny on the third Tuesday of June, 1821. The result of their
deliberations, was the constitution, under which the state has
been governed up to the year 1846. This constitution was
ratified by the people, in December, 1821, by a majority of more
than 33,000.
In 1822, Mr. Clinton having declined the nomination, Joseph
C. Yates, at that time Judge of the Supreme Court, was chosen
Governor. Mr. Clinton was re-elected, however, to that office,
in 1S24; and again in 1826. In 1825, the completion of the Erie
Canal, and the union of the waters of Lake Erie and the Hud-
son, was celebrated with great rejoicings.
In 1826, the anti-masonic excitement commenced.
The circumstances which led to it were these.* William Morgan, a Royal
Arch Mason, and a printer by trade, said to be a native of Virginia, had taken up
his residence in the village of Batavia, Genesee county. Not having been suc-
cessful in business, he, probably from pecuniary considerations, determined to
publish a pamphlet, containing a disclosure of the secrets of Masonry. His in-
tentions were discovered by some of his fellow Masons, who communicated them
to others of their own and adjacent lodges.
On the 11th of September, 1826, Mr. Cheesebrough, master of a lodge of Ma-
sons at Canandaigua, Ontario county, procured a warrant from Jeffrey Chipman,
a justice of the peace in Canandaigua, to arrest Morgan on charge of stealing a
shirt and cravat. He with others then proceeded to Batavia, arrested Morgan,
and brought him to Canandaigua, before Justice Chipman, who forthwith dis-
charged him, as not guilty.
He was then arrested, on a small debt due to one Aaron Ashley, which
Cheesebrough alleged had been assigned to him. The justice rendered judgment
against Morgan for two dollars, on which, upon the oath of Cheesebrough, he in-
* The account of Morgan's abduction is abridged from Judge Hammond's Po-
litical History of New York.
92 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Btantly issued execution, and Morgan was committed to close confinement in
Canaodaigua jail.
During the night of the 12th of September, he was clandestinely taken from
jail, by a number of Masons, thrown into a covered carriage, gagged and conveyed,
on the evening of the 14th. to the Canada side of the Niagara river, thence taken
back to the American side, and left in confinement in the magazine of Fort
Niagara. He remained there till the 29th of September, in charge of Colonel
King, of Niagara county, and one Elisha Adams, at which time he disappeared,
and has never since been heard of. The almost universal impression has pre-
vailed that he was murdered at that time, by the direction of members of the
Masonic fraternity.
Measures were instantly taken to investigate this outrage ; but the committees
appointed for this purpose, found themselves constantly thwarted, by members of
the Masonic order, at this time in its most flourishing condition in this state.
This opposition to an act of justice, excited the most intense feeling, among
those members of community not connected with the Masons ; and the excite-
ment, which, in communities less influenced by moral principle, would have
prompted to deeds of violence, here found vent at the ballot box ; and for a num-
ber of years, the anti-masons of Western New York, constituted a formidable
political party.
Ere this excitement had reached its highest intensity, Gov-
ernor Clinton died, very suddenly, while conversing with some
friends, on the 11th of February, 1828. This painful event
caused a deep sensation throughout the community.
Governor Clinton, though possessing some faults, had been an able and zealous
friend of his native state. No man ever did more to promote her best interests.
Amid discouragements which would have appalled ordinary men, he steadily ad-
vocated and accomplished measures which time has proved eminently conducive
to her welfare. It is sufficient proof of his patriotic foresight, that amid the
ridicule of his associates, he dared to stake his reputation, on the success of the
system of internal improvements. He has left an enduring record of his fame in
the hearts of the people, whom his enlightened measures have endowed with
plenty and prosperity.
On the decease of Governor Clinton, General Nathaniel
Pitcher, the Lieutenant Governor, officiated the remainder of
the term. In November, 1S28, Martin Van Buren was elected
Governor, and Enos T. Throop, Lieutenant Governor. Mr.
Van Buren being appointed Secretary of State, in March,
1829, resigned his office, and Mr. Throop became acting Gov-
ernor.
During the session of the legislature, in the winter of 1828-9,
on the recommendation of Governor Van Buren, the Safety
Fund Banking Law was passed. The main features of this
law were conceived and drawn up by Joshua Forman, Esq.
and by him communicated to Governor Van Buren, who by the
aid of Thomas Olcott, Esq. of Albany, matured and presented
it to the legislature.
In the autumn of 1830, Mr. Throop w T as elected Governor of
the state. During his administration, there were a great num-
ber of applications to the legislature, for aid to construct canals
in different sections of the state, involving very large expendi-
STATE ADMIfsfiSTttATtoB?,
ttifegj and of doubtful pecuniary profit. Some of these, Govern-
or ThrOop opposed as premature and Unwise ; and his opposi-
tion to them, though probably judicious, materially affected hie
popularity and rendered his re-election improbable.
In 1832, William L. Marcy wa<3 chosen Governor, and John
Tracy, Lieutenant Governor. During the session of 1833, the
bill authorizing the construction of the Chenango canal, a work
attended with great expenditures, and which was strongly tip^
posed, passed the legislature. Mr. Marcy and Mr. Tracy were
f e-elected to office in 1S34, by a large majority.
A law was passed, in 1835, directing the enlargement and
improvement of the Ekie Canal, and the construction of double
locks. This law has involved the state in a debt of some magr^
nitu.de, but when the proposed improvements are completed;
they will unquestionably greatly increase its revenues.
At this session of the legislature, also, the bill to provide the
schools of the state with libraries, was passed ; a bill which it is
hoped, will be oi' incalculable service to its youth. Governor
Marcy and Lieutenant Governor Tracy, were, for a third time^
elected to their respective offices.
In 1838, the pecuniary depression of the country produced a
change in the politics of the state , and William H. Seward of
Orange county, was chosen Governor, and Luther Bradish of
Franklin county ^ Lieutenant Governor.
In 1840, the same gentlemen were re-elected.
In 1842, William C. Bouck, of Schoharie county, was elected
Governor.
In 1844, Silas Wright of St. Lawrence county, who for a
number of years had represented the State in the United States
Senate, was elected Governor, and Addison Gardiner of Suffolk
county, Lieutenant Governor.
In June, 1846, a convention, elected by the people, to revise
and amend the constitution of the state, commenced its session
at Albany, and in October following, reported the constitution
which is found in this work, for the action of the people in the
ensuing month of November. It was adopted by the people by
a majority of more than 20j000 votes.
In November, 1846, John Young of Livingston county, was
elected Governor and Addison Gardiner of Suffolk county,
Lieutenant Governor.
94 STATE OF fffc'w VOliii
E I
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS,
The system of Internal Improvement, in which New Yofli
has taken the lead, forms an important portion of her history,
tt i> interesting to trace the progress of the first of these mighty
I nterprises, which, in its completion, excited the astonishment
and admiration of the whole confederacy, and even of the states
of Europe.
In 1784. Christopher Colies proposed to the legislature to
improve the navigation of the Mohawk. In 1785, he received
$125, to make investigations relative to this enterprise. He
again came before the legislature in 1786, but became discour-
aged from want of success.
The subject was referred to by Governor Clinton, in his
speech to the legislature, at the opening of the session of 1791 ;
and an act passed concerning roads and inland navigation, di-
recting the commissioners of the land office; to cause the lands
between the Mohawk and Wood creek, in Herkimer county,
and between the Hudson river and Wood creek, in Washington
county, to be explored, and the probable expense of canals, be-
tween these points, estimated.
The commissioners reported in 1792, and Governor Clinton
Communicated their report, by a message, in which he consid-
ered the practicability of effecting the object oi* the legislature,
at a moderate expense, as ascertained,
Mr. Adgate, Mr. Williams, Mr. Livingston and Mr. Barker,
Were the most efficient advocates of this measure in the legisla-
ture. Mr. Elkanah Watson also wrote a number of essays on
the subject, and, this year, the Western and the Northern Inland
Lock Navigation Companies were chartered. General Schuy^
ler, Thomas Eddy, Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, Barent Bleecker,
Elkanah Watson, and Robert Bowne, were among their most
efficient advocates.
In 1796, the Western Company completed a canal, two and
three fourth miles long, at Little Falls, and another, one and
one quarter miles long, at German Flats ; and, in 1797, a canal
from the Mohawk to Wood creek, one and three-fourth miles
long, in all, less than seven miles, with nine locks.
In 1796, finding a reconstruction of their work necessary, they
employed Mr. Weston, an English engineer; and when their
canal would admit a passage from Schenectady to the Oneida
lake, they had expended nearly §450,000. The tolls, how-
ever, were so high, that lew used their canal. The Niagara
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 95
company was incorporated in 1798, to make a navigable com-
munication between Lakes Erie and Ontario. It, however,
never went into operation.
The distinguished Governeur Morris seems first to have con-
ceived the idea of a continuous canal between the Hudson and
Lake Erie. He alluded to it, in a letter to a friend, in 1800,
and communicated it to the late Simeon De Witts, the surveyor
general, in 1803. His plan, however, was, to have the canal
constructed with a uniform declivity of six inches to a mile, and
without locks, except on the slope of the Hudson. This plan
afterwards proved impracticable.
In 1807-8, Jesse Hawley, Esq., wrote a series of essays, wdiich
were published in the Genesee Messenger, urging the impor-
tance of such a canal, and its immediate construction.
In 1808, Joshua Forman presented to the legislature, his mem-
orable resolution, in which, after reciting in the preamble the
various reasons for such a step, he proposes the appointment of
a joint committee, to take into consideration the propriety of
exploring and causing to be surveyed, the most eligible and di-
rect route for a canal, to connect the waters of the Hudson and
Lake Erie, to the end that Congress may be enabled to appro-
priate the necessary sum for the construction of such a work.
This resolution passed, but so little idea had the legislature
of the sum requisite for such a survey, that they appropriated
only $600 for the purpose. The committee appointed were,
Thomas R. Gold, William W. Gilbert, Obadiah German, and
James L. Hogeboom, on the part of the house, and John Tay-
lor, John Nicholas, and Jonathan Ward, on the part of the
senate. James Geddes, Esq., at that time a land surveyor,
made the exploration and survey, under the direction of the
surveyor general, and, in 1809, reported in favor of such a
route.
In 1810, on motion of Jonas Piatt, Esq., Governeur Morris,
DeWitt Clinton, Stephen Van Rensselaer, Simeon DeWitt,
William North, Thomas Eddy, and Peter B. Porter, were ap-
pointed commissioners, to explore the whole route for inland
navigation, from the Hudson river to Lake Ontario and Lake
Erie.
De Witt Clinton, at that time a member of the senate, was induced to lend a
favorable ear to this great project, by the representations of Mr. Piatt and Mr.
Eddy, the latter of whom appears first to have advised this plan of action.
The commissioners reported, in 1811, in favor of a canal, and
estimated its cost at $5,000,000. They recommended that the
construction of it should be offered to the national government.
The same year a bill was passed, giving power to the com-
96 STATE OF NEW YORK.
missioners, (to whom were added Robert Fulton and R. R.
Livingston), to consider all matters relative to the inland navi-
gation of the state ; to make application to the general govern-
ment, and to any of the states or territories, for aid or coopera-
tion ; to ascertain on what terms loans could be obtained, and
at what price the rights of the Western Inland Lock Naviga-
tion Company could be purchased.
The general government having declined to offer aid in the
enterprise, and the adjacent states and territories affording only
their good wishes, the commissioners in 1812, proposed that the
state should construct the canal without foreign assistance ; and
a bill was passed, directing them to procure loans and grants of
land on the proposed route, but forbidding them to commence
the canal.
During the period from 1812 to 1815, the war with Great
Britain diverted all thoughts from this enterprise, to the more
ur ent one of defending their own firesides from ruthless inva-
sion ; but, when peace returned, again this great undertaking
engaged the hearts of community. The Holland Land Com-
pany had granted to the commissioners m< re than 100,000
acres of land; and individuals some 7000 or 8000 more, towards
the completion of the work.
In 1815, those opposed to the canal were so far in the ma-
jority, as to obtain the repeal of the act authorizing the com-
missioners to borrow §5,000,000.
This was, for the time, a virtual abandonment of the canal
policy ; but, with the peace, the hopes and energies of its friends
revived, and, in 1816, D. D. Tompkins, then governor, recom-
mended the consideration of the enterprise to the legislature,
while a host of petitions, ably drawn up, and numerously signed,
were brought' before that body, praying them to proceed in this
great enterprise. Among the most forcible of these, was the
petition from New York, drawn up by DeWitt Clinton.
The report of the canal commissioners was full of interest. They recommended
the construction of the middle section first, as it would be a source of profit, and
would divert the trade from the St. Lawrence.
A bill was proposed to commence the canal immediately, but
was modified in the senate, and finally passed, giving the com-
missioners power to take the preliminary measures, such as
causing a thorough survey and estimate of the expense of the
route to be made, employing engineers, making further efforts
to obtain aid, either from the general, or state governments,
and arranging for loans and grants of land.
In 1817, a bill was passed, authorizing the immediate con-
struction of these works; although in view of their magnitude,
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 97
alternate emotions of hope and fear predominated in the minds
of the legislature. There were some who opposed the passage
of the bill. Under the new ac , Stephen Van R i sseiaer, De-
Witt Clinton, Samuel Young, Joseph Ellicott, and Myron
Holley, were appointed commissioners.
So much distrust in regard to the result of the enterprise was felt, by those
living remote from the line of the canals, that they insisted on the introduction of
a clause in the bill, levying a tax of $'250,000, upon the lands contiguous to them.
This, however, was never collected, as the means provided by the commis-
sioners, proved amply sufficient, without resorting to direct taxation.
The ground was first broken for the Erie canal, on the 4th
of July, 1817, at Rome, with appropriate ceremonies. DeWitt
Clinton, then governor of the state, was present, and took part
in the services on this interesting occasion.
In 1818, the governor congratulated the legislature on the progress of the en-
terprise, and urged them to persevere in its prosecution. Laws were passed,
during the session of this year, authorizing the construction of the Chittenango
canal, and a navigable feeder to the Erie canal ; also, the examination of Buffalo
creek, with a view to the construction of an artificial harbor on the western ter-
minus of the canal.
An act was likewise passed, improving the financial scheme
of the previous year, and authorizing the commissioners to ob-
tain a further loan of one million of dollars.
In 1819, measures were taken for the commencement of the
Oswego canal. In October, of the same year, that portion of
the Erie canal extending from Utica to Rome, was opened for
navigation ; and the Champlain canal admitted the passage of
boats. From this period all open opposition to the enterprise
ceased.
In 1820, the property, right and title of the Western Inland
Lock Navigation Company was transferred to the state, for the
sum of $150, S28. Messrs. Young, Holley, Seymour, and Bouck,
were designated as acting canal commissioners, and received a
salary for their services; v.hile the remainder of the commis-
sioners received no salary, and retained only advisory powers.
An act was passed in 1822, directing the construction of a
navigable canal, to connect the Erie canal with the Onondaga
lake and Seneca river. This, in connection with the act of 1819,
completed the plan of what was afterwards known as the Os-
wego canal.
In July, 1823, the Erie canal was navigable from Schenectady to Rochester.
The price of wheat, west of the Seneca river, in consequence of the facilities af-
forded by the canal, had already advanced fifty per cent.
In 1824, the Champlain canal was reported as finished. Acts
were passed, authorizing further loans for the completion of the
Erie canal ; for the constructionof a canal to connect Lake Cham-
98 STATE OF NEW YORK.
plain with the St. Lawrence, and for fixing the termini of the
Erie canal, at Albany and Buffalo.
Just at the close of the session, by a most ungenerous party manoeuvre, De
Witt Clinton was removed from the office of canal commissioner. This was a
short lived triumph, however, as in the succeeding autumn, he was elected gov-
ernor, by a large majority, and of course became one of the canal commissioners,
ex officio.
In 1825, Governor Clinton congratulated the legislature on the prospect of the
speedy completion of the Erie canal, and proposed the extension of the system of
internal improvements, to render the Susquehanna, the Delaware, and other rivers
in the state, navigable, thus affording facilities for bringing into market, the agri-
cultural wealth of the state.
The canal was completed in October, 1826, and on the 4th of
November, the first canal boat from Lake Erie, having reached
New York, the occasion was celebrated with rejoicings, such,
perhaps, as have seldom been equaled in this or any other state
of the union.
The different trades and professions of the city, each with suitable badges and
banners, joined in the long procession ; an immense squadron of ships, steamers,
barques. &c, assembled in the bay, to witness the ceremony of the wedding of
Lake Erie with the Atlantic ; and amid numerous ceremonies, and eloquent ora-
tions, the glad shouts of the people went up, as with one voice. Medals were
struck, commemorative of the interesting event, and forwarded to the soldiers
and officers of the revolution, and to distinguished men, in our own, and other
lands.
The whole cost of the Erie and Champlain canals was
§9,130,000 ; the canal debt, at their completion, was §7,73S,000 ;
and its interest §413,000. The income arising from tolls, the
year after the completion of the canals, was estimated at $750,-
000, exceeding, very considerably, the interest of the debt. In
1835, the debt of the canal was extinguished, mainly from the
tolls.
The year 1S26 was the commencement of the railroad policy
in the state. In that year, Stephen Van Rensselaer and others
received a charter for the construction of a railroad from Al-
bany to Schenectady, with the right of enjoying the profits of
the enterprise for fifty years.
The state reserved to itself, however, the power of purchasing the road, by
paying to the company the excess of the cost, with interest thereon, over the
profits of the work. This feature has been incorporated in all railroad charters
since granted.
In 1827, the legislature made an appropriation in aid of the
Delaware and Hudson canal, and determined on the most fea-
sible route for connecting the Erie canal and Susquehanna
river.
An act was passed in 1832, chartering a company, to con-
struct a railroad to connect the Hudson with Lake Erie, run-
ning through the lower tier of counties; and in 1836, a loan of
the public credit to the amount of $3,000,000, was granted to
the company.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS. 99
In 1833, an act was passed authorizing the construction of the
Chenango canal, a work involving a large expenditure, but
which, on its completion, opened a market to a large agricultural
region.
In 1835, it was found that the size of the Erie canal was inad-
equate to the business transacted upon it; and that the locks
were worn by use, and required enlarging, and to be made
double, to facilitate transportation. The legislature, therefore,
the same year, authorized the application of the surplus reve-
nues, arising from the tolls, to be applied to the enlargement of
the canal.
In 1836, the legislature directed the construction of the Gene-
see river and Black river canals, which were soon after com-
menced. The financial distress in 1837-8, produced some delay
and timidity in regard to internal improvements. But, in 1838.
$4,000,000 were appropiated to the enlargement of the Erie
canal, and the credit of the state loaned to the Catskill and Can-
ajoharie, the Auburn and Syracuse, and the Ithaca and Owego
railroad companies, to the amount of $8,000,000. The loan to
the New York and Erie railroad company was modified at the
same time.
Since that period, several companies have constructed rail-
roads, forming a continuous line between Albany ,and Buffalo,
and the whole distance (about 400 miles) is run in less than
twenty-four hours.
The Black River Canal is as yet incomplete, and the Genesee
Valley Canal is only finished as far as Dansville. The New
York and Erie Railroad, after long delays, is now in progress
of construction, and will be completed, probably, in two or three
years. The Harlaem Railroad is also rapidly progressing
toward Albany. It is in contemplation to unite this with the
Housatonic Railroad.
Railroads have also been projected from New York to Albany
along the Hudson liver ; from Ogdensburg to Plattsburg; from
Rome point on the Harlaem Railroad to New Haven, Conn.;
and from Buffalo to Erie, Pennsylvania.
In this connection, too, the Magnetic Telegraph should be
mentioned. Telegraph lines have been constructed from Al-
bany and Troy to Buffalo, and by way of the Housatonic Rail-
road, to New York city, and others are projected. The facili-
ties afforded for business transactions, by this instantaneous
mode of transmitting intelligence, appear almost incredible. It
fc indeed one of the most wonderful discoveries of the present age.
100 STATE OF NEW 1TOKK.
PURSUITS OF THE PEOPLE.
In three of the lour great departments of national industry, NeW
York occupies the first rank, tier fertile land's, under the skillful,
and scientific cultivation they have received, render her preeminent
in the culture of the soil ; her commerce is greater than that of any
other state of the confederacy ; her sails whiten every ?ea* and bring
the productions of every clime to her marts ; in manufactures, she
divides the palm with her sister states, Massachusetts and Pennsyl-
vania; in mining operations, though distinguished, she is inferior to
Pennsylvania, and the new states of Missouri, Wisconsin and Iowa.
1. Agriculture. New York, though usually reckoned as one of"
the grain growing states, might, from the diversity of its surface, and
the attention paid to the rearing of cattle, be ranked* with equal pro^
priety, among the grazing states. Its mountainous districts afford
rich and ample pasturage for the immense herds of cattle and sheep
which dot its hills ; and the quantity* or quality* of its dairy products*
are exceeded by no state of the union.
Herkimer, Oneida, Orange, Delaware, Jefferson, Chenango, Chau-
tauque, Onondaga. Madison, St. Lawrence, Otsego, Steuben, Dutch-
ess, Erie, Tompkins, Washington, Ulster, Westchester, Oswego*
Schoharie, Cayuga, Allegany, Cortland, Monroe, Wayne, Saratoga.,
Rensselaer and Putnam, are the most productive dairy counties.
The most prolific grain counties are Monroe, Ontario, Livingston*
Niagara, Dutchess, Columbia, Orleans, Genesee, Cayuga, Onondaga*
Wayne, Oneida, Seneca, Yates, Montgomery, Jefferson and Albany,
In most of these counties, wheat is the principal grain ; in a few, oats
and corn are the chief crops.
The state Agricultural Society, the county societies connected with
it, and the numerous and ably conducted agricultural journals, have
done much for the improvement of this department of national in-
dustry, in the state. The most improved breeds of cattle, horses*
sheep, and swine, have been imported ; every new implement of
husbandry, which possesses real value, and every improvement in
farming, is readily adopted.
Under the influence of this commendable zeal, much of that por-
tion of the soil, which is naturally sterile, has been reclaimed; the
wilderness has become like a garden, and the desert been made to
bud and blossom as the rose.
2. Commerce. In commerce, New York not only stands fore-
most among the American states, but she occupies a very high posi*
tion among the commercial nation* of the World. New York city*
her principal seaport, is second only to London in commerce, and
when her vast lake and internal commerce is added to this, it will be
seen that she has but few rivals in this department.
. New York has an extensive trade with all the commercial states of
Europe ; with Arabia, India, China, Japan, and the dependencies of
each ; with the various ports on the coast of Africa and Sotith Amer-
ica ; with New Holland, and the islands of the Pacific and Indian
oceans ; with the West Indies, and the various porJs of our own
country.
The internal commerce of the state is principally confined to the
transportation of emigrants and their furniture ; the conveyance of
PURSUITS OP THE PEOPLE. 101
the vast amount of agricultural produce of this state, and the western
.slates and territories, to tide water, and the return of goods for this
produce. This commerce has increased, with a rapidity far beyond
the expectations of the most sanguine, and is yearly increasing, at a
ratio of at least ten per cent
3. Manufactures. New York has not engaged so extensively
in the manufacture of the fibrous fabrics, (cotton., woollen and silk
goods), as Massachusetts, although the number of manufactories is
great, and annually increasing. Yet, in the preparation of those arti-
cles which first engage the attention of a new state, alter its forests
are, in a measure, cleared, and its people begin to provide for their
own necessities, she stands foremost among the manufacturing states
of the union.
In the manufacture of Hour, whether we regard the quantity or the
quality, she has no equal in the world. The manufacture of lumber
is also extensive, and for some years to come will undoubtedly in-
crease. The tanning and manufacturing of leather is largely carried
on, in some counties of the state. Salt is made in larger quantities
than in any other portion of the union, and of superior quality.
The production and manufacture of iron is becoming an important
interest, yet here she must yield the palm to Pennsylvania. Her
foundries are the largest in the United States. Distilled and malt
liquors are still produced in very large quantities, amounting to
more than five millions of dollars per annum; the amount ot
these, however, is rapidly decreasing. Brick and lime kilns are very
numerous. The other more important manufactures of the state, are
glass, soap, candles, paper, hats, caps and bonnets, machinery, hard-
ware and cutlery, carriages, wagons and sleighs, furniture, &c.
4. Mines The only mines of importance are those of iron and
lead. The ores of iron are extensively diffused throughout the state.
The magnetic oxide occurs in vast beds in the counties of Essex,
Clinton, Warren, and Franklin, and in some portions of St. Law-
rence. This is a valuable ore, and furnishes a vast proportion of the
malleable iron used in the state. The specular oxide occurs princi-
pally in St. Lawrence county, and is mainly used for castings.
There are also, in Putnam and Orange counties, mines of magnetic
oxide, and in several of the western counties, particularly those bor-
dering on lake Ontario, are large beds of argillaceous ore, which is
well adapted to castings.
The principal lead mines are those of Rossie, St. Lawrence county,
and Wurtzboro', Sullivan county, but from the abundance and cheap-
ness of the western ore, they cannot successfully compete with it
in market Sulphurets of copper and zinc have also been discovered
in considerable quantities, in St. Lawrence county, and other sec-
tions, but have not been smelted to any extent
Marble, granite, sandstone, serpentine, gypsum, ochres, the
limestone of which the hydraulic cement is made, and marl, are all
found abundantly in the state, and applied to the purposes of the
arts, of agriculture, and of architecture. The geological survey of
the state has been of great service, in developing its mineral and
agricultural resources.
The statistics of the agriculture, commerce, manufactures, and
mines of the state, are exhibited in Tables I., II., III. and IV., at the
close of this work.
102 STATE OF NEW YORK.
GOVERNMENT OF NEW YORK.
The Government of the state, like that of the United States, is di-
vided into three departments, viz. the legislative, executive and ju-
diciary.
The legislative department consists of a Senate of 32 members, and
a House of Assembly of 128, the former elected for two years, the lat-
ter for one.
The executive consists of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor,
who are the chief executive officers, and are elected by the people
fur a term of two years; and the Secretary of State, Comptroller,
Treasurer, Attorney General, State Engineer and Surveyor, holding
office for two years ; three Canal Commissioners, and three Inspec-
tors of State Prisons, holding otlicc for three years. The latter are
called administrative officers.
The judiciary comprises the Supreme Court, composed of at least
32 judges, (Jour in each of the eight districts,) a Court of Appeals,
composed of eight judges, and a County Judge for each of the coun-
ties of the state, who also, (except by special enactment to the con-
trary,) performs the duties of surrogate. There are also justices of the
peace, and judges in other courts, not of record. These judges are
all elected by the people.
Provision was made by the legislature of the state, during the ses-
sion of 1S4G, for holding a convention, to revise the constitution of
the state ; and delegates having been elected by the people, met at
Albany, about the first of June, 1S4G, and in October ensuing, reported
a revised constitution, which was adopted by the people, at the elec-
tion in November of the same year.
The following is the constitution thus adopted.
CONSTITUTION OF NEW YORK.
Adopted JVovember 3, 1840
We the people of the state of New York, grateful to Almighty God for our free-
dom, in order to secure its blessings, do establish this Constitution.
ARTICLE I.
Sec. 1. No member of this state shall be disfranchised, or deprived of any
of the rights or privileges, secured to any citizens thereof, unless by the law of the
land, or the judgment of his peers.
Sec. 2. The trial by jury, in all cases in which it has been heretofore used,
shall renin in inviolate forever. But a jury trial may be waived by the parties in
all civil cases, in the manner to be prescribed by law.
Sec. 3. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship,
without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed in this state to all
mankind ; and no person shall be rendered incompetent to be a witness on ac-
count of his opinions on matters of religious belief; but the liberty of conscience
hereby secured shall not be so construed as to excuse acts of licentiousness, or
justify practices inconsistent with the peace or safety of this state.
Sec. 4. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, un-
less when, in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require itg
suspension.
CONSTITUTION. 103
Sec. 5. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor
shall cruel and unusual punishments be inflicted, nor shall witnesses bejanreason-
ably detained.
Sec. 6. No person shall be held to answer for a capital or otherwise infamous
crime, (except in cases of impeachment, and in cases of militia when in actual
service ; and in the land and naval forces in time of war, or which this state may
keep, with consent of Congress, in time of peace ; and in cases of petit larceny,
under the regulation of the legislature.) unless on presentment or indictment of a
grand jury, and in any trial, in any court whatever, the party accused shall be al-
lowed to appear and defend in person, and with council, as in civil actions. No
person shall be subject to be twice put in jeopardy for the same offence ; nor
shall he be compelled, in any criminal case, to be a witness against himself; nor
be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law ; nor shall
private property be taken for public use without just compensation.
Sec. 7. When private property shall be taken for any public use, the compen-
sation to be made therefor, when such compensation is not made by the state,
thall be ascertained by a jury, or by not less than three commissioners, appointed
by a court of record, as shall be prescribed by law. Private roads may be opened
in the manner to be prescribed by law ; but in every case, the necessity of the
road, and the amount of all damage to be sustained by the opening thereof, shall
be first determined by a jury of freeholders, and such amount, together with the
expenses of the proceeding, shall be paid by the person to be benefited.
Sec. 8. Every citizen may freely speak, write, and publish his sentiments on
all subjects, being responsible for the abuse of that right ; and no law shall be passed
to restrain or abridge the liberty of speech, or of the press. In all criminal prosecu-
tions or indictments for libels, the truth may be given in evidence to the jury ;
and if it shall appear to the jury that the matter charged as libellous is true, and
was published with good motives, and for justifiable ends, the party shall be ac-
quitted ; and the jury shall have the right to determine the law and the fact.
Sec. 9. The assent of two-thirds of the members elected to each branch of the
legislature, shall be requisite to every bill appropriating the public moneys or
property for local or private purposes.
Sec. 10. No law shall be passed, abridging the right of the people to assemble,
and to petition the government, or any department thereof; nor shall any divorce
be granted, otherwise than by due judicial proceedings ; nor shall any lottery here-
after be authorized, or any sale of lottery tickets allowed, within this state.
Sec. 11. The people of this state, in their right of sovereignty, are deemed to
possess the original and ultimate property in and to all lands within the jurisdic-
tion of the state ; and all lands, the title to which shall fail, from a defect of heirs,
shall revert, or escheat to the people.
Sec. 12. All feudal tenures, of every description, with all their incidents, are
declared to be abolished, saving, however, all rents and services certain, which
at any time heretofore have been lawfully created or reserved.
Sec. 13. All lands within this state are declared to be allodial, so that, subject
only to the liability to escheat, the entire and absolute property is vested in the
owners, according to the nature of their respective estates.
Sec. 14. No lease or grant of agricultural land, for a longer period than twelve
years, hereafter made, in which shall be reserved any rent or service of any kind,
shall be valid.
Sec. 15. All fines, quarter sales, or other like restraints upon alienation re-
served in any grant of land, hereafter to be made, shall be void.
Sec. 16. No purchase or contract for the sale of lands in this state, mad»
since the fourteenth day of October, one thousand and seven hundred and seven-
ty-five ; or which may hereafter be made, of or with the Indians, shall be valid,
unless made under the authority, and with the consent of the legislature.
Sec. 17. Such parts of the common law, and of the acts of the legislature of
the colony of New York, as together did form the law of the said colony, on the
nineteenth day of April, one thousand, seven hundred and seventy-five, and the
resolutions of the Congress of the said colony, and of the convention of the state
104 STATE OF NEW YORK.
of New York, in force on the 20th day of April, one thousand, seven hundred
and seventy-seven, which have not since expired, or been repealed or altered,
and such acts of the legislature of tins state as are now in force, shall be and con-
tinue Hit- law of this state, subject to such alterations as the legislature shall
make concerning the same. But all such parts of the common law, and such of
the said acts, or parts thereof as are repugnant to this Constitution, are hereby
abrogated ; and the legislature, at its first session after the adoption of this Con-
stitution, shall appoint three commissioners, whose duty it shall be to reduce into
a written and systematic code, the whole body of the law of this state, or so
much and such parts thereof as to the said commissioners shall seem practicable
and expedient. And the said commissioners shall specify such alterations and
amendments therein as they shall deem proper, and they shall at all times make
report to the legislature, when called upon to do so ; and the legislature shall pass
laws, regulating the tenure of office, the filling of vacancies therein, and the com-
pensation of the said commissioners; and shall also provide for the publication
of the said code, prior to its being presented to the legislature for adoption.
■Sac. 18. All grants of land within this state, made by the King of Great Brit-
ain, or persons acting under his authority, after the fourteenth day of October,
one thousand, seven hundred and seventy-five, shall be null and void ; and nothing
contained in this Constitution shall affect any grants of land within this state, made
by the authority of the said King or his predecessors, or shall annul any charters to
bodies politic and corporate, by him or them made, before that day ; or shall affect
any such grants or charters since made by this state, or by persons acting under its
authority, or shall impair the obligation of any debts contracted by this state, or
individuals, or bodies corporate, or any other rights of property, or any suits, ac-
tions, rights of action, or other proceedings in courts of justice.
ARTICLE II.
Sec. 1. Every male citizen of the age of twenty-one years, who shall have been
a citizen for ten days, and an inhabitant of this state one year next preceding any
election, and for the last four months a resident of the county where he may
offer his vote, shall be entitled to vote at such election, in the election district of
which he shall at the time be a resident, and not elsewhere, for all officers that
now are or hereafter may be elective by the people ; but such citizen shall have
been for thirty days next preceeding the election, a resident of the district from
which the officer is to be chosen, for whom he offers his vote. But no man of
color, unless he shall have been for three years a citizen of this state, and for one
year next preceding any election shall have been seized and possessed of a free-
hold estate of the value of two hundred and fifty dollars, over and above all debts
and incumbrances charged thereon, and shall have been actually rated and paid
a tax thereon, shall be entitled to vote at such election. And no person of color
shall be subject to direct taxation unless he shall be seized and possessed of such
real estate as aforesaid.
Sec. 2. Laws may be passed, excluding from the right of suffrage, all persons
who have been, or may be, convicted of bribery, of larceny, or of any infamous
crime ; and for depriving every person who shall make, or become directly or in-
directly interested in any bet or wager depending upon the result of any election,
from the right to vote at such election.
Sec. 3. For the purpose of voting, no person shall be deemed to have gained
or lost a residence, by reason of his presence or absence, while employed in the
service of the United States ; nor while engaged in the navigation of the waters
of this state, or of the United States, or of the high seas ; nor while a student of
any seminary of learning ; nor while kept at any alms house, or other asylum, at
public expense ; nor while confined in any public prison.
See. 4. Laws shall be made for ascertaining, by proper proofs, the citizens
who shall be entitled to the right of suffrage hereby established.
Sec. 5. All elections by the citizens, shall be by ballot, except for such town
officers as may by law be directed to be otherwise chosen.
CONSTITUTION. 105
ARTICLE III.
Sec. I. The legislative power of this state shall be vested in a Senate and
Assembly.
Sec. 2. The Senate shall consist of thirty-two members, and the senators shall
be chosen for two years. The Assembly shall consist of one hundred and twen-
ty-eight members, who shall be annually elected.
Sec. 3. The state shall be divided into thirty-two districts, to be called senate
districts, each of which shall choose one senator. The districts shall be num-
bered from one to thirty-two inclusive.
District number one shall consist of the counties of Suffolk, Richmond and
Queens.
District number two shall consist of the county of Kings.
Districts number three, number four, number five, and number six, shall consist
of the city and county of New York ; and the board of supervisors of said city
and county shall, on or before the first day of May, one thousand eight hun-
dred and forty-seven, divide the said city and'eounty into the number of senate dis-
tricts to which it is entitled, as near as may be of an equal number of inhabitants,
excluding aliens and persons of color, not taxed, and consisting of convenient and
of contiguous territory ; and no assembly district shall be divided in the forma-
tion of a senate district. The board of supervisors, when they shall have com-
pleted such division, shall cause certificates thereof, stating the number and
boundaries of each district, and the population thereof, to be filed in the office of
the Secretary of State, and of the clerk of said city and county.
District number seven shall consist of the counties of Westchester, Putnam,
and Rockland.
District number eight shall consist of the counties of Dutchess and Co-
lumbia.
District number nine shall consist of the counties of Orange and Sullivan.
District number ten shajl. consist of the counties of Ulster and Greene.
District number eleven shall consist of the counties of Albany and Sche-
nectady.
District number twelve shall consist of the county of Rensselaer.
District number thirteen shall consist of the counties of Washington and
Saratoga.
District number fourteen shall consist of the counties of Warren, Essex, and
Clinton.
District number fifteen shall consist of the counties of St. Lawrence and
Franklin.
District number sixteen shall consist of the counties of Herkimer, Hamil-
ton, Fulton, and Montgomery.
District number seventeen shall consist of the counties of Schoharie and
Delaware.
District number eighteen shall consist of the counties of Otsego and Che-
nango.
District number nineteen shall consist of the county of Oneida.
District number twenty shall consist of the counties of Madison and Os-
wego.
District number twenty-one shall consist of the counties of Jefferson and
Lewis.
District number twenty-two shall consist of the county of Onondaga.
District number twenty-three shall consist of the counties of Cortland, Broome,
and Tioga.
District number twenty-four shall consist of the counties of Cayuga and
Wayne.
District number twenty-five shall consist of the counties of Tompkins, Sen-
eca, and Yates.
District number twenty-six shall consist of the counties of Steuben and
Chemung.
106 STATE OF NEW YORK.
District number twenty-seven shall consist of the county of Munroe.
District number twenty-eight shall consist of the counties of Orleans, Genesee,
and Niagara.
District number twenty-nine shall consist of the counties of Ontario and
Livingston.
District number thirty shall consist of the counties of Allegany and Wyo-
ming.
District number thirty-one shall consist of the county of Erie.
District number thirty-two shall consist of the counties of Chautauque and
Cattaraugus.
Sec. 4. An enumeration of the inhabitants of the state shall be taken, un-
der the direction of the legislature, in the year one thousand, eight hundred and
fifty -five, and at the end of every ten years thereafter; and the said districts shall
be so altered by the legislature, at the first session after the return of every enu-
meration, that each senate district shall contain, as nearly as may be, an equal
number of inhabitants, excluding aliens, and persons of color not taxed ; and shall
remain unaltered until the return of another enumeration ; and shall at all times
consist of contiguous territory ; and no county shall be divided in the formation
of a senate district, except such county shall be equitably entitled to two or more
Senators.
Sec. 5. The members of Assembly shall be apportioned among the several
counties of this state, by the legislature, as nearly as may be, according to the
number of their respective inhabitants, excluding aliens, and persons of color not
taxed, and shall be chosen by single districts.
The several boards of supervisors, in such counties or this state, as are now
entitled to more than one member of Asseblmy, shall assemble on the first Tues-
day of January next, and divide their respective counties into assembly districts,
equal to the number of members of Assembly to which such counties are now
severally entitled by law, and shall cause to be filed in the offices of the Secretary
or State, and the clerks of their respective counties, a description of such assem-
bly districts, specifying the number of each district, and the population thereof,
according to the last preceding state enumeration, as near as can be ascertained.
Each assembly district shall contain, as nearly as may be, an equal number of in-
habitants, excluding aliens, and persons of color not taxed, and shall consist of
convenient and contiguous territory ; but no town shall be divided in the forma-
tion of assembly districts.
The legislature, at its first session, after the return of every enumeration, shall
re-apportion the members of Assembly, among the several counties of this state,
in manner aforesaid, and the boards of supervisc-s, in such counties as may be
entitled, under such re-apportionment, to more than one member shall assemble,
at such time as the legislature making such re-apportionment shall prescribe, and
divide such counties into assembly districts, in the manner herein directed ; and
the apportionment and districts, so to be made, shall remain unaltered, until an-
other enumeration shall be taken, under the provisions of the preceding section.
Every county, heretofore established and separately organized, except the
county of Hamilton, shall always be entitled to one member of the Assembly, and
no new county shall be hereafter erected, unless its population shall entitle it to
a member.
The county of Hamilton shall elect with the county of Fulton, until the popu-
lation of the county of Hamilton shall, according to the ratio, be entitled to a
member.
Sec. G. The members of the legislature shall receive, for their services, a sum
not exceeding three dollars a day, from the commencement of the session ; but
such pay shall not exceed, in the aggregate, three hundred dollars for per diem
allowance, except in proceedings for impeachment. The limitation as to the ag-
gregate compensation, shall not take effect until the year one thousand, eight
hundred and forty-eight. When convened in extra session, by the Governor,
they shall receive three dollars per day. They shall also receive the sum of one
dollar for every ten miles they shall travel, in going to, and returning from, their
CONSTITUTION. 107
place of meeting, on the most usual route. The speaker of the Assembly shall,
in virtue of his ofhce, receive an additional compensation, equal to one-third of
his per diem allowance as a member.
Sec. 7. No member of the legislature shall receive any civil appointment
within this state, or to the Senate of the United States, from the Governor, the
Governor and Senate, or from the Legislature, during the term for which he shall
have been elected ; and all such appointments, and all votes given for any such
member, for any such office or appointment, shall be void.
Sec. 8. No person, being a member of Congress, or holding any judicial or
military office under the United States, shall hold a seat in the legislature. And
if any person shall, after his election as a member of the legislature, be elected
to Congress, or appointed to any office, civil or military, under the government
of the United States, his acceptance thereof shall vacate his seat.
Sec. 9. The elections of Senators and members of Assembly, pursuant to the
provisions of this Constitution, shall be held on the Tuesday succeeding the first
Monday of November, unless otherwise directed by the legislature.
Sec. 10. A majority of each house shall constitute a quorum to do business.
Each house shall determine the rules of its own proceedings, and be the judge
of the elections, returns, and qualifications of its own members; shall choose its
own officers; and the Senate shall choose a temporary president, when the Lieu-
tenant Governor shall not attend as president, or shall act as Governor.
Sec. 11. Each house shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and publish the
same, except such parts as may require secrecy. The doors of each house shall
be kept open, except when the public welfare shall require secrecy. Neither
house shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than two days.
Sec. 12. For any speech or debate, in either house of the legislature, the mem-
bers shall not be questioned in any other place.
Sec. 13. Any bill may originate in either house of the legislature, and all bills
passed by one house, may be amended by the other.
Sec. 14. The enacting clause of all bills shall be, "The people of the state of
New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows," and no law
shall be enacted except by bill.
Sec. 15. No bill shall be passed, unless by the assent of a majority of all the
members elected to each branch of the legislature, and the question upon the
final passage, shall be taken immediately upon its last reading, and the yeas and
nays entered on the journal.
Sec. 16. No private or local bill, which may be passed by the legislature, shall
embrace more than one subject, and that shall be expressed in the title.
Sec. 17. The legislature may confer upon the boards of supervisors, of the
several counties of the state, such further powers of local legislation and admin-
istration, as they shall from time to time prescribe.
ARTICLE IV.
Sec. 1. The executive power shall be vested in a Governor, who shall hold
his office for two years ; a Lieutenant Governor shall be chosen at the same time,
and for the same term.
Sec. 2. No person, except a citizen of the United States, shall be eligible to
the office of Governor ; nor shall any person be eligible to that office, who shall
not have attained the age of thirty years, and who shall not have been five years
next preceding his election, a resident within this state.
Sec. 3. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall be elected at the times
and places of choosing members of the Assembly. The persons respectively
having the highest number of votes for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, shall
be elected ; but in case two, or more, shall have an equal, and the highest, num
ber of votes for Governor, or for Lieutenant Governor, the two houses of the
legislature, at its next annual session, shall, forthwith, by joint ballot, choose one
of the said persons, so having an equal and the highest number of votes for Gov-
ernor, or Lieutenant Governor.
Sec, 4. The Governor shall be commander-in-ehief of the military and naval
108 STATE OF NEW YORK.
forces of the stale. He shall have power to convene the legislature, (or the Sen-
ate only.) on extraordinary occasions. He shall communicate, by message, to the
legislature, at every session, the condition of the state, and recommend such mat-
ters to them, as he shall judge expedient. He shall transact all necessary busi-
ness with the oiheers of government, civil and military. He shall expedite all
such measures, as may be resolved upon by the legislature, and shall take care
that the laws are faithfully executed. He shall, at stated times, receive for his
services, a compensation to be established by law, which shall neither be increas-
ed nor diminished, after his election, and during his continuance in office.
Sec. 5. The Governor shall have the power to grant reprieves, commutations
and pardons, after conviction, for all offences, except treason and cases of impeach-
ment, upon such conditions, and with such restrictions and limitations, as he may
think proper, subject to such regulations as may be provided by law. relative to the
manner of applying for pardons. I'pon conviction for treason, he shall have
power to suspend the execution of the sentence, until the case shall be reported
to the legislature, at its next meeting, when the legislature shall either pardon, or
commute the sentence, direct the execution of the sentence, or grant a further
reprieve. He shall annually communicate to the legislature, each case of re-
prieve, commutation, or- pardon, granted : stating the name of the convict, the
crime of which he was convicted, the sentence, and its date, and the date of the
commutation, pardon, or reprieve.
Sec. (5. In case of the impeachment of the Governor, or his removal from of-
fice, death, inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, resigna-
tion, or absence from the sta~e, the powers and duties of the office shall devolve
upon the Lieutenant Governor, for the residue of the term, or until the disability
shall cease. But when the Governor shall, with the consent of the legislature,
be out of the state, in time of war, at the head of the military force thereof, he
shall continue commander-in-chief of all the military force of the state.
Sec. 7. The Lieutenant Governor shall possess the same qualifications of eli-
gibility for office as the Governor. He shall be President of the Senate, but shall
only have a casting vote therein. If, during a vacancy of the office of Governor,
the Lieutenant Governor shall be impeached, displaced, resign, die, or become in-
capable of performing the duties of his office, or be absent from the state, the
President of the Senate shall act as Governor, until the vacancy be filled, or the
disability shall cease.
Sec. 8. The Lieutenant Governor shall, while acting as such, receive a com-
pensation, to be fixed by law, and which shall not be increased or diminished,
durine his continuance in office.
Sec. 9. Every bill which shall have passed the Senate and Assembly, shall, be-
fore it becomes a law, be presented to the Governor ; if he approve, he shall sign
it : but if not, he shall return it. with his objections, to that house in which it shall
have originated ; who shall enter the objections, at large, upon their journal, and
proceed to reconsider it. If. after such reconsideration, two-thirds of the mem-
bers present shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objec-
tions, to the other house, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered ; and if ap-
proved by two thirds of all the members present, it shall become a law, notwith-
standing the objections of the Governor. But in all such cases, the votes of both
houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the members,
voting for and against the bill, shall be entered on the journal of each house respec-
tively. If any bill shall not be returned by the Governor, within ten days, (Sun-
days excepted.) after it shall have been presented to him, the same shall be a law,
in like manner as if he had signed it, unless the legislature shall, by their adjourn-
ment, prevent its return ; in which case it shall not be a law.
ARTICLE V.
Sec. 1. The Secretary of State, Comptroller, Treasurer, and Attorney General,
shall be chosen at a general election, and shall hold their offices for two years.
Each of the officers in this Article named, (except the Speaker of the Assembly,)
shall, at stated times, during his continuance in office, receive for his services, a
CONSTITUTION. 109
compensation, which shall not be increased or diminished, during the term for
which he shall have been elected ; nor shall he receive, to his use, any fees or
perquisites of office, or other compensation.
Sec. 2. A State Engineer and Surveyor shall be chosen at a general election,
and shall hold his office two years, but no person shall be elected to said office
who is not a practical engineer.
Sec. 3. Three Canal Commissioners shall be chosen at the general election,
Svhich shall be held next after the adoption of this Constitution, one of whom
shall hold his office for one year, one for two years, and one for three years. The
Commissioners of the canal fund shall meet at the Capitol, on the first Monday of
January, next after such election, and determine by lot, which of said Commis-
sioners shall hold his office for one year, which for two, and which for three
years ; and there shall be elected annually, thereafter, one Canal Commissioner,
who shall hold his office for three years.
Sec. 4. Three Inspectors of State Prisons, shall be elected at the general elec-
tion, which shall be held next after the adoption of this Constitution, one of whom
shall hold his office for one year, one for two years, and one for three years.
The Governor, Secretary of State, and Comptroller, shall meet at the Capitol, on
the first Monday of January, next succeeding such election, and determine by lot,
which of said Inspectors shall hold his office for one year, which for two, and
which for three years ; and there shall be elected annually, thereafter, one Inspec-
tor of State Prisons, who shall hold his office for three years ; said Inspectors shall
have the charge and superintendence of the State Prisons, and shall appoint all
the officers therein. All vacancies in the office of such Inspector, shall be filled
by the Governor, till the next election.
Sec. 5. The Lieutenant Governor, Speaker of the Assembly, Secretary of
State, Comptroller, Treasurer, Attorney General, and State Engineer and Surveyor,
shall be the Commissioners of the Land Office.
The Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Comptroller, Treasurer, and At-
torney General, shall be the Commissioners of the canal fund.
The Canal Board shall consist of the Commissioners of the canal fund, the
State Engineer and Surveyor, and the Canal Commissioners.
Sec. 6. The powers and duties of the respective boards, and of the several
officers in this Article mentioned, shall be such as now are or hereafter may be
prescribed by law.
Sec. 7. The Treasurer may be suspended from office by the Governor, during
the recess of the Legislature, and until thirty days after the commencement of
the next session of the Legislature, whenever it shall appear to him that such
Treasurer has, in any particular, violated his duty. The Governor shall appoint
a competent person to discharge the duties of the office, during such suspension
of the Treasurer.
Sec. 8. All offices for the weighing, guaging, measuring, culling or inspecting
any merchandize, produce, manufacture or commodity, whatever, are hereby
abolished, and no such office shall hereafter be created by law ; but nothing in
this section contained, shall abrogate any office created for the purpose of pro-
tecting the public health or the interests of the State in its property, revenue,
tolls, or purchases, or of supplying the people with correct standards of weights
and measures, or shall prevent the creation of any office for such purposes here-
after.
ARTICLE VI.
Sec. 1. The Assembly shall have the power of impeachment, by the vote of
the majority of all the members elected. The court for the trial of impeach-
ments, shall be composed of the President of the Senate, the Senators, or a major
part of them, and the judges of the court of appeals, or the major part of them.
On the trial of an impeachment against the Governor, the Lieutenant-Governor
shall not act as a member of the court. No judicial officer shall exercise his,
office after he shall have been impeached, until he shall have been acquitted.
Before the trial of an impeachment, the members of the court shall take an oath
6
110 STATE OF NEW YORK.
or affirmation, truly and impartially to try the impeachment, according to evi-
dence ; and no prison shall be convicted, without the concurrence of two-thirds
of the members present. Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend
further than to removal from office, or removal from office and disqualification
to hold and enjoy any office of honor, trust or profit under this State ; but the
party impeached shall be liable to indictment, and punishment according to law.
Sec. -2. There shall be a Court of Appeals, composed of eight judges, of whom
four shall be elected by the electors of the State for eight years, and four selected
from the class of Justices of the Supreme Court having the shortest time to serve.
Provision shall be made by law, for designating one of the number elected, as
chief judge, and for selecting such Justices of the Supreme Court, from time to
time, and for so classifying those elected, that one shall be elected every second
year.
Sec. 3. There shall be a Supreme Court having general jurisdiction in law
and equity.
Sec. 4. The State shall be divided into eight judicial districts, of which the
city of New York shall be one ; the others to be bounded by county lines and to
be compact and equal in population as nearly as may be. There shall be four
Justices of the Supreme Court in each district, and as many more in the district
composed of the city of New York, as may from time to time be authorized by
law. but not to exceed in the whole such number in proportion to its population,
as shall be in conformity with the number of such judges in the residue of the state
in proportion to its population. They shall be classified so that one of the justices
of each district shall go out of office at the end of every two years. After the ex-
piration of their terms under such classification, the term of their office shall be
eight years.
Sec. 5. The Legislature shah have the same powers to alter and regulate the
jurisdiction and proceedings in law and equity, as they have heretofore possessed.
Sec. 6. Provision may be made by law for designating from time to time, one or
more of the said justices, who is not a judge of the court of appeals, to preside at
the general terms of the said court to be held in the several districts. Any three
or more of the said justices, of whom one of the said justices so designated, shall
always be one. may hold such general terms. And any one or more of the justices
may hold special terms and circuit courts, and any one of them may preside in
courts of oyer and terminer in any county.
See. 7. The judges of the court of appeals and justices of the supreme court
shall severally receive at stated times for their services, a compensation to be
established by law, which shall not be increased or diminished during their con-
tinuance in office.
Sec. 8. They shall not hold any other office or public trust. All votes for
either of them, for any elective office (except that of justice of the supreme court,
or judge of the court of appeals,) given by the Legislature or the people, shall be
void. They shall not exercise any power of appointment to public office. Any
male citizen of the age of twenty-one years, of good moral character, and who
possesses the requisite qualifications of learning and ability, shall be entitled to ad-
mission to practice in all the courts of this state.
Sec. 9. The classification of the justices of the supreme court ; the times and
place of holding the terms of the court of appeals, and of the general and special
terms of the supreme court within the several districts, and the circuit courts and
courts of oyer and terminer within the several counties, shall be provided for by
law.
Sec. 10. The testimony in equity cases shall be taken in like manner as in
cases at law.
Sec. 11. Justices of the supreme court and judges of the court of appeals,
may be removed by concurrent resolution of both Houses of the Legislature, if
two-thirds of all the members elected to the Assembly, and a majority of all the
members elected to the Senate, concur therein. All judicial officers, except those
mentioned in this section, and except justices of the peace, and judges and jus-
CONSTITUTION. ill
Uces df inferior courts not of record may be removed by tho Senate on the recom-
mendation of the Governor ; but no removal shall be made by virtue of this sec-
tion, unless the Cause thereof be entered on the journals, nor unless the pany
Complained of, shall have been served With a copy of the complaint against him,
and shall have had an opportunity of being heard in his defence. On the ques-
tion of removal, the ayes and noes shall be entered on the journals.
Sec. 12. The judges of the court of appeals shall be elected by the electors of
the state, and the justices of the supreme court by the electors cf the several judi-
cial districts, at such times as may be prescribed by law.
Sec. 13. In case the office of any judge of the court of appeals, or justice of
the supreme court, shall become vacant before the expiration of the regular term
for which he was elected, the vacancy may be filled by appointment by the Gov-
ernor, until it shall be supplied at the next general election of judges, when it shall
be filled by election for the residue of the unexpired term.
Sec. 14. There shall be elected in each of the counties of this state, except
the city and county of New York, one county judge, who shall hold his office for
four years. He shall hold the county court, and perform the duties of the office
of surrogate. The county court shall have such jurisdiction in cases arising in
justices courts, and in special cases, as the Legislature may prescribe ; but shall
have no original civil jurisdiction, except in such special cases.
The county judge, with f wo justices of the peace to be designated according to
law, may hold courts of sessions, with such criminal jurisdiction as the Legisla-
ture shall prescribe, and perform such other duties as may be required by law.
The county judge shall receive an annual salary, to be fixed by the board of
supervisors, which shall be neither increased nor diminished during his continu-
ance in office. The justices of the peace, for services in courts of sessions, shall
be paid a per diem allowance out of the county treasury.
In counties having a population exceeding forty thousand, the Legislature may
provide for the election of a separate officer to perform the duties of the office of
surrogate.
The legislature may confer equity jurisdiction, in special cases, upon the county
judge.
Inferior local courts, of civil arid criminal jurisdiction, may be established by
the Legislature in cities ; and such courts, except for the cities of New York and
Buffalo, shall have an uniform organization and jurisdiction in such cities.
Sec. 15. The Legislature may, on application of the board of supervisors, pro-
vide for the election of local officers, not to exceed two in any county, to dis-
charge the duties of county judge and of surrogate, in cases of their inability, or of
a vacancy, and to exercise such other powers, in special cases, as may be provided
by law.
Sec. 10. The Legislature may reorganize the judicial districts at the first session
after the return of every enumeration under this Constitution, in the manner pro-
vided for in the fourth section of this article and at no other time ; and they
may, at such session, increase or diminish the number of districts, but such in-
crease or diminution shall not be more than one district at any one time. Each
district shall have four justices of the Supreme Court; but no diminution of the
districts shall have the effect to remove a judge from office.
Sec. 17. The electors of the several towns, shall, at their annual town meet-
ing, and in such manner as the Legislature may direct, elect justices of the peace,
whose term of office shall be four years. In case of an election to fill a vacancy
occurring before the expiration of a full term, they shall hold for the residue of the
unexpired term. Their number and classification may be regulated by law. Jus-
tices of the peace, and judges or justices of inferior courts not of record, and their
clerks, may be removed after due notice and an opportunity of being heard in
their defence by such county, city or state courts, as may be prescribed by law,
for causes to be assigned in the order of removal.
Sec. 18. All judicial officers of cities and villages, and all such judicial offi-
cers as may be created therein by law, shall be elected at such times and in such
manner as the Legislature may direct,
1L2 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Sec. 19. Clerks of the several counties of this state shall he clerks of the Sil j
preme Court, with such powers and duties as shall be prescribed by law. A clerk
for the Court of Appeals, to be ex officio clerk of the Supreme Court, and to keep
his office at the seat of government, shall be chosen by the electors of the State ;
he shall hold his office for three years, and his compensation shall be fixed by la\v
and paid out of the public Treasury.
Sec. 20. No judicial officer, except justices of the peace, shall receive to his
<->\\n use, any fees or perquisites of office.
Sec. 2 1 . The Legislature may authorize the judgments, decrees and decisions
of any local inferior court of record of original Civil jurisdiction, established in a
city, to be removed for review directly into the Court of Appeals.
S«\ 22. The Legislature shall provide for the speedy publication of all statute
laws, and of such judicial decisions as it may deem expedient. And all laws and
judicial decisions shall be free for publication by any person.
Sec. 23. Tribunals of conciliation may be established, with such powers and
duties as may be prescribed by law, but such tribunals shall have no power to
render judgment to be obligatory on the parties, except they voluntarily submit
their matters in difference and agree to abide the judgment, or assent thereto, in
the presence of such tribunal, in such cases as shall be prescribed by law.
Sec. 24. The Legislature at its first session after the adoption of this Consti-
tution, shall provide for the appointment of three commissioners, whose duty it
shall be to revise, reform, simplify and abridge the rules and practice, pleadings,
forms and proceedings of the courts of record of this state, and to report thereon
to the Legislature, subject to their adoption and modification from time to time.
Sec. 25. The Legislature, at its first session after the adoption of this Consti-
tution, shall provide for the organization of the Court of Appeals, and for trans-
ferring to it the business pending in the Court for the Correction of Errors, and for
the allowance of writs of error and appeals to the Court of Appeals, from the judg-
ments and decrees of the present Court of Chancery and Supreme Court, and of
the courts that may be organized under this Constitution.
ARTICLE VII.
Sec. 1. After paying the expenses of collection, superintendence and ordinary
repairs, there shall be appropriated and set apart in each fiscal year, out of the
revenues of the state canals, commencing on the first day of June, one thousand
eight hundred and forty-six, the sum of one million and three hundred thousand
dollars, until the first day of June, one thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, and
from that time, the sum of one million and seven hundred thousand dollars in each,
fiscal year, as a sinking fund, to pay the interest and redeem the principal of that
part of the state debt called the canal debt, as it existed at the time first aforesaid,
and including three hundred thousand dollars then to be borrowed, until the same
shall be wholly paid ; and the principal and income of the said sinking fund shall
be sacredly applied to that purpose.
Sec. 2. After complying with the provisions of the first section of this article,
there shall be appropriated and set apart out of the surplus revenues of the state
canals, in each fiscal year, commencing on the first day of June, one thousand
eight hundred and forty-six, the sum of three hundred and fifty thousand dollars,
until the time when a sufficient sum shall have been appropriated and set apart,
under the said first section, to pay the interest and extinguish the entire principal
of the canal debt : and after that period, then the sum of one million and five hun-
dred thousand dollars in each fiscal year, as a sinking fund, to pay the interest and
redeem the principal of that part of the state debt called the General Fund debt,
including the debt for loans of the state credit to railroad companies which have
failed to pay the interest thereon, and also the contingent debt on state stocks
loaned to incorporated companies which have hitherto paid the interest thereon,
whenever and as far as any part thereof may become a charge on the Treasury
or General Fund, until the same shall be wholly paid ; and the principal and in-
come of the said last mentioned sinking fund shall be sacredly applied to the pur-
pose aforesaid ; and if the payment of any part of the moneys to the said sinking
CONSTITUTION. 113
fund shall at any time be deferred, by reason of the priority recognized in the first
section of this article, the sum so deferred, with quarterly interest thereon, at the
then current rate, shall be paid to the last mentioned sinking fund, as soon as it
can be done consistently with the just rights of the creditors holding said canal
debt.
Sec. 3. After paying the said expenses of superintendence and repairs of the
canals, and the sums appropriated by the first and second sections of this article,
there shall be paid out of the surplus revenues of the canals, to the Treasury of
the State, on or before the thirtieth day of September, in each year, for the use
and benefit of the General P'und, such sum, not exceeding two hundred thousand
dollars, as may be required to defray the necessary expenses of the state ; and the
remainder of the revenues of the said canals shall, in each fiscal year, be applied,
in such manner as the Legislature shall direct, to the completion of the Erie Ca-
nal enlargement, and the Genesee Valley and Black River canals, until the said
canals shall be completed.
If at any time after the period of eight years from the adoption of this Consti-
tution, the revenues of the state, unappropriated by this article, shall not be suffi-
cient to defray the necessary expenses of the government, without continuing or
laying a direct tax, the Legislature may, at its discretion, supply the deficiency, in
whole or in part, from the surplus revenues of the canals, after complying with
the provisions of the first two sections of this article, for paying the interest and
extinguishing the principal of the Canal and General Fund debt ; but the sum thus
appropriated from the surplus revenues of the canals shall not exceed annually
three hundred and fifty thousand dollars, including the sum of two hundred thou-
sand dollars, provided for by this section for the expenses of the government, until
the General Fund debt shall be extinguished, or until the Erie Canal Enlargement
and Genesee Valley and Black River Canals shall be completed, and after that
debt shall be paid, or the said canals shall be completed, then the sum of six hun-
dred and seventy-two thousand five hundred dollars, or so much thereof as shall
be necessary, may be annually appropriated to defray the expenses of the govern-
ment.
Sec. 4. The claims of the state against any incorporated company to pay the
interest and redeem the principal of the stock of the state, loaned or advanced to
such company, shall be fairly enforced, and not released or compromised ; and the
moneys arising from such claims shall be set apart and applied as part of the
sinking fund provided in the second section of this article. But the time limited
for the fulfillment of any condition of any release or compromise heretofore made
or provided for, may be extended by law.
Sec. 5. If the sinking funds, or either of them, provided in this article, shall
prove insufficient to enable the state, on the credit of such fund, to procure the
means to satisfy the claims of the creditors of the state, as they become payable,
the Legislature shall, by equitable taxes, so increase the revenues of the said funds
as to make them, respectively, sufficient perfectly to preserve the public faith.
Every contribution or advance to the canals, or their debt, from any source, other
than their direct revenues, shall, with quarterly interest, at the rates then cur-
rent, be repaid into the Treasury, for the use of the state, out of the canal reve-
nues, as soon as it can be done consistently with the just rights of the creditors
holding the said canal debt.
Sec. 6. The Legislature shall not sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of any of the
canals of the state ; but they shall remain the property of the state and under its
management, forever.
Sec. 7. The Legislature shall never sell or dispose of the salt springs, belong-
ing to this state. The lands contiguous thereto and which may be necessary and
convenient for the use of the salt springs, may be sold by authority of law, and
under the direction of the commissioners of the land office, for the purpose of in-
vesting the moneys arising therefrom in other lands alike convenient ; but by
such sale and purchase the aggregate quantity of these lauds shall not be dimin-
ished.
114 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Sec. 8. No moneys shall ever be paid out of the treasury of this state, or any
of its funds, or any of the funds under its management., except in pursuance of an
appropriation by law ; nor unless such payment be made within two years next
after the passage of such appropriation act : and every such law, making a new
appropriation, or continuing or reviving an appropriation, shall distinctly specify
the sum appropriate,!, and the object to which it is to be applied ; and it shall not
be sufficient for such law to refer to any other law to fix such sum.
Sec. 9. The credit of the state shall not, in any manner, be given or loaned to,
or in aid of any individual, association or corporation.
Sec. 10. The state may, to meet casual deficits or failures in revenues, or for
expenses not provided for, contract debts, but such debts, direct and contingent,
singly or in the aggregate, shall not at any time, exceed one million of dollars ; and
the moneys arising from the loans creating such debts, shall be applied to the pur-
pose for which they were obtained, or to repay the debt so contracted, and to no
other purpose whatever.
Sec. 11. In addition to the above limited power to contract debts, the state
may contract debts to repel invasion, suppress insurrection, or defend the state in
war ; but the money arising from the contracting of such debts shall be applied
to the purpose for which it was raised, or to repay such debts, and to no other
purpose whatever.
Sec. 12. Except the debts specified in the tenth and eleventh sections of this
article, no debt shall be hereafter contracted by or on behalf of this state, unless
such debt shall be authorized by a law, for some single work or object, to be dis-
tinctly specified therein ; and such law shall impose and provide for the collection
of a direct annual tax to pay, and sufficient to pay the interest on such debt as it
falls due, and also to pay and discharge the principal of such debt within eighteen
years from the tune of the contracting thereof.
No such law shall take effect until it shall, at a genera] election, have been sub-
mitted to the people, and have received a majority of all the votes cast for and
against it, at such election.
On the final passage of such bill in either house of the Legislature, the question
shall be taken by ayes and noes, to be duly entered on the journals thereof, and
shall be : " Shall this bill pass, and ought the same to receive the sanction of the
people 1"
The Legislature may at any time, after the approval of such law by the people,
if no debt shall have been contracted in pursuance thereof, repeal the same ; and
may at any time, by law, forbid the contracting of any further debt or liability
under such law ; but the tax imposed by such act. in proportion to the debt and
liability which may have been contracted, in pursuance of such law, shall remain
in force and be irrepealable, and be annually collected, until the proceeds thereof
shall have made the provision herein before specified to pay and discharge the in-
terest and principal of such debt and liability.
The money arising from any loan or stock creating such debt or liability, shall
be applied to the work or object specified in the 'act authorizing such debt or lia-
bility, or for the repayment of such debt or liability,, and for no other purpose
whatever.
No such law shall be submitted to be voted on. within three months after its
passage, or at any general election, when any other law, or any bill, or any amend-
ment to the Constitution shall be submitted to be voted for or against.
Sec. 13. Every law which imposes, continues or revives a tax, shall distinctly
state the tax and the object to which it is to be applied ; and it shall not be suffi-
cient to refer to any other law to fix such tax or object.
Sec. 14. On the final passage, in either house of the Legislature, of every act
which imposes, continues, or revives a tax, or creates a debt or charge, or makes,
continues or revives any appropriation of public or trust-money or property, or re-
leases, discharges, or commutes any claim or demand of the state, the question
shall be taken by ayes and noes, which shall be duly entered on the journals, and
three-fifths of all the members elected to either house, shall, in all such cases, be
necessary to constitute a quorum therein. ,
CONSTITUTION. 115
ARTICLE VIII.
See. 1. Corporations may be formed under general laws; but shall not bo
created by special act, except Cor municipal purposes, and in cases where in the
judgment of the Legislature, the objeets of the corporation cannot be attained un-
der general laws. All general laws and special acts passed pursuant to this sec-
tion, may be altered from time to time, or repealed.
Sec. 2. Dues from corporations shall be secured by such individual liability of
the corporators, and other means, as may be prescribed by law.
Sec. 3. The term corporations, as used in this article, shall be construed to in-
clude all associations and joint-stock companies having any of the powers or
privileges of corporations not possessed by individuals or partnerships. And all
corporations shall have the right to sue, and shall be subject to be sued, in all courts
in like cases as natural persons.
Sec. 4. The Legislature, shall have no power to pass any act granting any
special charter for banking purposes ; but corporations or associations may be
formed for such purposes under general laws.
Sec. 5. The Legislature shall have no power to pass any law sanctioning in
any manner, directly or indirectly, the suspension of specie payments, by any per-
son, association or corporation issuing bank notes of any description.
Sec. 6. The Legislature shall provide by law for the registry of all bills or
notes, issued or put in circulation as money, and shall require ample security for
the redemption of the same in specie.
Sec. 7. The stockholders in every corporation and joint-stock association for
banking purposes, issuing bank notes or any kind of paper credits to circulate as
money, after the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and fifty, shall
be individually responsible to the amount of *heir respective share or shares of
stock in any such corporation or association, for all its debts and liabilities of every
kind, contracted after the said first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and
fifty.
Sec. 8. In case of the insolvency of any bank or banking association, the bill -
holders thereof shall be entitled to preference in payment, over all other creditors
of such bank or association.
Sec. 9. It shall be the duty of the Legislature to provide for the organization
of cities and incorporated villages, and to restrict their power of taxation, assess-
ment, borrowing money, contracting debts and loaning their credit, so as to pre-
vent abuses in assessments, and in contracting debts by such municipal corpora-
tions.
ARTICLE IX.
Sec. 1. The capital of the Common School Fund ; the capital of the Literature
Fund, and the capital of the United States Deposit Fund, shall be respectively pre-
served inviolate. The revenue of the said Common School Fund shall be applied
to the support of common schools ; the revenues of the said Literature Fund shall
be applied to the support of academies, and the sum of twenty-five thousand dol-
lars of the revenues of the United States Deposit Fund shall each year be appro-
priated to and made a part of the capital of the said Common School Fund.
ARTICLE X.
Sec. 1. Sheriffs, clerks of counties, including the register and clerk of the city
and county of New York, coroners, and district attorneys, shall be chosen, by the
electors of the respective counties, once in every three years, and as often as vacan-
cies shall happen. Sheriffs shall hold no other office, and be ineligible for the next
three years after the termination of their offices. They may be required by law,
to renew their security, from time to time ; and in default of giving such new
security, their offices shall be deemed vacant. But the county shall never be made
responsible for the acts of the sheriff.
The Governor may remove any officer, in this section mentioned, within the
term for which he shall have been elected ; giving to such officer a copy of the
charges against him, and an opportunity of being heard in his defence.
116 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Sec. 2. All county officers whose election or appointment is not provided for,
by this Constitution, shall be elected by the electors of the respective counties, or
appointed by the boards of supervisors, or otitis: county authorities, as the Legisla-
ture shall direct. All city, town and village officers, whose election or appoint-
ment is not provided for by this Constitution, shall be elected by the electors, of
such cities, towns and villages, or of some division thereof, or appointed by such
authorities thereof, as the Legislature shall designate for that purpose. All other
officers whose election or appointment is not provided for by this Constitution, and
all officers whose offices may hereafter be created by law, shall be elected by the
people, or appointed, as the Legislature may direct.
Sec. .1. When the duration of any office, is not provided by this Constitution, it
may be declared by law. and if not so declared, such office shall be held, during the
pleasure of the authority making the appointment.
Sec. 4. The time of electing all officers named in this article shall be prescribed
by law.
Sec. 5. The Legislature shall provide for filling vacancies in office, and in case
of elective officers, no person appointed to fill a vacancy shall hold his office by
virtue of such appointment longer than the commencement of the political year
next succeeding the first annual election after the happening of the vacancy.
Sec. 6. The political year and legislative term, shall begin on the first day of
January ; and the Legislature shall every year assemble on the first Tuesday in
January, unless a different day shall be appointed by law.
Sec. 7. Provision shall be made by law for the removal, for misconduct or mal-
versation in office, of all officers (except judicial) whose powers and duties are not
local or legislative, and who shall be elected at general elections, and also for sup-
plying vacancies created by such removal.
Sec. 8. The Legislature may declare the cases in which any office shall be
deemed vacant, where no provision is made for that purpose in this Constitution.
ARTICLE XI.
Sec. 1. The militia of this state, shall at all times hereafter, be armed and dis-
ciplined, and in readiness for service ; but all such inhabitants of this state, of any
religious denomination whatever, as from scruples of conscience may be averse to
bearing arms, shall be excused therefrom, upon such conditions as shall be pre-
scribed by law.
Sec. 2. Militia officers shall be chosen, or appointed, as follows : — captains,
subalterns and non-commissioned officers shall chosen by the written votes of the
members of their respective companies. Field officers of regiments and separate
battalions, by the written votes of the commissioned officers of the respective regi-
ments and separate battalions ; brigadier generals and brigade inspectors, by the
field officers of their respective brigades ; major generals, brigadier generals and
commanding officers of regiments or separate battalions, shall appoint the staff
officers to their respective divisions, brigades, regiments or separate battalions.
Sec. 3. The Governor shall nominate, and with the consent of the Senate,
appoint all major generals, and the commissary general. The adjutant general and
other chiefs of staff departments, and the aids-de-camp of the commander-in-chief
shall be appointed by the Governor, and their commissions shall expire with the
time for which the Governor shall have been elected. The commissary general
shall hold his office for two years. He shall give security for the faithful execu-
tion of the duties of his office, in such manner and amount as shall be prescribed
by law.
Sec. 4. The Legislature shall, by law, direct the time and manner of electing
militia officers, and of certifying their elections to the Governor.
Sec. 5. The commissioned officers of the militia shall be commissioned by the
Governor ; and no commissioned officer shall be removed from office, unless by
the Senate on the recommendation of the Governor, stating the grounds on which
such removal is recommended, or by the decision of a court martial, pursuant to
law. The present officers of the militia shall hold their commissions subject to
removal, as before provided.
CONSTITUTION. li'7
Sec. 6. In case the mode of election and appointment of militia officers hereby
directed, shall not be found conducive to the improvement of the militia, the Le-
gislature may abolish the same, and provide by law for their appointment and
removal, if two-thirds of the members present in each house shall concur therein,
ARTICLE XII.
Sec. 1. Members of the Legislature and all officers, executive and judicial,
except such inferior officers as may be by law exempted, shall, before they enter
on the duties of their respective offices, take and subscribe the following oath or
affirmation : — -
" I do solemnly swear (or affirm, as the case may be) that I will support the
Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the state of New York ;
and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office of according
to the best of my ability."
And no other oath, declaration, or test shall be required as a qualification for any
office or public trust.
ARTICLE XIII.
Sec. 1. Any amendment or amendments to this Constitution maybe proposed
in the Senate and Assembly ; and if the same shall be agreed to by a majority of
the members elected to each of the two houses, such proposed amendment or
amenflments shall be entered on their journals, with the yeas and nays taken there-
on, and referred to the Legislature to be chosen at the next general election of
Senators, and shall be published for three months previous to the time of making
such choice, and if in the Legislature so next chosen, aforesaid, such proposed
amendment or amendments, shall be agreed to, by a majority of all the members
elected to each house, then it shall be the duty of the Legislature to submit such
proposed amendment or amendments to the people, in such manner and at such
time as the Legislature shall prescribe ; and if the people shall approve and ratify
such amendment or amendments, by a majority of the electors qualified to vote for
members of the Legislature, voting thereon, such amendment or amendments shall
become part of the constitution.
Sec. 2. At the general election to be held in the year eighteen hundred and sixty-
six, and in each twentieth year thereafter, and also at such time as the Legislature
may by law provide, the question, " Shall there be a Convention to revise the Con-
stitution, and amend the same ?" shall be decided by the electors qualified to vote
for members of the Legislature ; and in case a majority of the electors so qualified,
voting at such election, shall decide in favor of a Convention for such purpose, the
Legislature at its next session, shall provide by law for the election of delegates to
such Convention.
ARTICLE XIV.
Sec. 1. The first election of Senators and Members of Assembly, pursuant to
the provisions of this Constitution, shall be held on the Tuesday succeeding the
first Monday of November, one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven.
The Senators and Members of Assembly who may be in office on the first day of
January, one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven, shall hold their offices until
and including the thirty-first day of December following, and no longer.
Sec. 2. The first election of Governor, and Lieutenant-Governor under this
Constitution, shall be held on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday of Novem-
ber, one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight ; and the Governor and Lieutenant-
Governor in ollice when this Constitution shall take effect, shall hold their respect-
ive offices until and including the thirty-first day of December of that year.
Sec. 3. The Secretary of State, Comptroller, Treasurer, Attorney General,
District Attorney, Surveyor General, Canal Commissioners, and Inspectors of State
Prisons, in office when this Constitution shall take effect, shall hold their respective
offices until and including the thirty-first day of December, one thousand eight
hundred and forty-seven, and no longer.
Sec. 4. The first election of judges and clerk of the Court of Appeals, justices
of the Supreme Court, and countv judges, shall take place at such tune between
6*
118
STATE OF NEW YORK.
the first Tuesday of April and the second Tuesday of June, one thousand eight
hundred and forty-seven, as may be prescribed by law. The said courts shall
respectively enter upon their duties, on the first Monday of July, next thereafter ;
but the term of office of said judges, clerk and justices, as declared by this Consti-
tution, shall be deemed to commence on the first day of January, one thousand
eight hundred and forty-eight.
Sec. 5. On the first Monday of July, one thousand eight hundred and forty-
seven, jurisdiction of all suits and proceedings then pending in the present supreme
court and court of chancery, and all suits and proceedings originally commenced
and then pending in any court of common pleas, (except in the city and county of
New York,) shall become vested in the supreme court hereby established. Pro-
ceedings pending in courts of common pleas, and in suits originally commenced in
justices courts, shall be transferred to the county courts provided for in this Consti-
tution, in such manner and form, and under such regulation as shall be provided
by law. The courts of oyer and terminer hereby established, shall, in their re-
spective counties, have jurisdiction, on and after the day last mentioned, of all
indictments and proceedings then pending in the present courts of oyer and termi-
ner, and also of all indictments and proceedings then pending in the present courts
of general sessions of the peace, except in the city of New York, and except in
cases of which the courts of sessions hereby established, may lawfully take cogni-
zance ; and of such indictments and proceedings as the courts of sessions hereby
established, shall have jurisdiction, on and after the day last mentioned.
Sec. 6. The chancellor and the present supreme court shall, respectively, have
power to hear and determine any of such suits and proceedings ready on the first
Monday of July, one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven, for hearing or decis-
ion, and shall, for their services therein, be entitled to their present rates of com-
pensation, until the first day of July, one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, or
until all such suits and proceedings shall be sooner heard and determined. Mas-
ters in chancery may continue to exercise the functions of their office, in the court
of chancery, so long as the Chancellor shall continue to exercise the functions of
his office, under the provisions of this Constitution.
And the Supreme Court hereby established, shall also have power to hear and
determine such of said suits and proceedings as may be prescribed by law.
Sec. 7. in case any vacancy shall occur in the office of chancellor or justice of
the present Supreme Court, previously to the first day of July, one thousand eight
hundred and forty-eight, the Governor may nominate, and by and with the advice
and consent of the Senate, appoint a proper person to fill such vacancy. Any
judge of the court of appeals, or justice of the supreme court, elected under this
Constitution, may receive and hold such appointment.
Sec. 8. The offices of chancellor, justice of the existing supreme court, circuit
judge, vice-chancellor, assistant vice-chancellor, judge of the existing county courts
of each county, supreme court commissioner, master in chancery, examiner in
chancery, and surrogate, (except as herein otherwise provided,) are abolished from
and after the first Monday of Julv, one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven,
(1847.)
Sec. 9. The Chancellor, the justices of the present supreme court, and the
circuit judges, are hereby declared to be severally eligible to any office at the first
election under this Constitution.
Sec. 10. Sheriffs, clerks of counties, (including the register and clerk of the
city and county of New York,) and justices of the peace, and coroners, in office,
when this Constitution shall take effect, shall hold their respective offices until the
expiration of the term for which they were respectively elected.
Sec. 11. Judicial officers in office when this Constitution shall take effect, may
continue to receive such fees and perquisites of office as are now authorized by
law. untd the first day of July, one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven, not-
withstanding the provisions of the twentieth section of the sixth article of this
Constitution.
Sec. 12. All local courts established in any city or village, including the Supe-
GOVERNMENT OF COUNTIES. 119
rior Court, Common Picas, Sessions and Surrogate's Courts of the city and county
of New York, shall remain, until otherwise directed by the Legislature, with their
present powers and jurisdictions ; and the judges of such courts, and any clerks
thereof in office on the first day of January, one thousand eight hundred and forty-
seven, shall continue in office until the expiration of their terms of office, or until
the Legislature shall otherwise direct.
•Sec. 13. This Constitution shall he in force from and including the first day of
January, one thousand eight hundred and forty-seven, except as herein otherwise
provided.
Done in convention, at the capitol, in the city of Albany, the ninth day of Octo-
ber, in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-six, and of the Independence
of the United States of America, the seventy-first.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our names.
JOHN TRACY, President,
and Delegate from the county of Chenango.
James F. Starbuck, J
II. W. Strong, > Secretaries.
Fr. Skger. 1
GOVERNMENT
OF COUNTIES, TOWNS, CITIES AND VILLAGES.
Each town elects, annually, a supervisor, a town clerk, three or
five assessors, a collector, two overseers of the poor, a town superin-
tendent of common schools, not more than five constables, one sealer
of weights and measures, as manv overseers of highways as there are
road districts in the town, and as many pound masters as the electors
may deem necessary.
The supervisors of the different towns of the county, thus elected,
constitute a board, which meets annually for business, and holds spe-
cial meetings when necessary. They are authorised to receive, ex-
amine, and adjust all accounts against the county, or the several
towns, raise money to defray them, make orders concerning the cor-
porate property of the county, elect the county superintendent of
common schools, &,c.
The other officers of the counties are, the treasurer, county clerk,
sheriff, coroner, district attorney, county superintendent of common
schools, county sealer of weights and measures, road commissioners,
inspectors, &c. By the provisions of the new constitution, most of
these officers are chosen for three years.
The cities are governed by a mayor, recorder, and common council.
The latter is composed of one alderman, and one assistant alderman,
for each ward of the city. These officers have judicial powers con-
ferred on them, in offences not punishable with death. They also
perform the duties of supervisors in their respective cities.
There are nine cities in the state ; viz., New York, Albany, Trny,
Hudson, Schenectady, Utica, Buffalo, Rochester, and Brooklyn.
The incorporated villages are governed by a president and board of
trustees, usually five in number. There are about 150 incorporated
villages in the state.
120 STATE OF NEW YORK.
PUBLIC EDUCATION.
Origin and History of the Common School System.
Though less zealous in the cause of popular education than the
early settlers of New England, yet, ere the forests had been felled, or
the Indian war-whoop ceased to be heard, in the neighborhood of the
white settlements, the sturdy Hollanders began to provide for the
education of their children.
In 1633, Adam Roelandsen, the first schoolmaster of New Amster-
dam, arrived in that city. In 1642, the Patroon, Van Rensselaer,
sent over a schoolmaster for his " colonic"
The first classical school, or academy, was established in New
York city, thu teacher being sent out from Holland, by the Dutch
West India Company. In all the Dutch settlements, provision was
early made for schools.
In 16S7, a Latin school was opened in the city of New York, under
the sanction of the English government. In 1702, the first legisla-
tive action, relative to education, occurred. This act provided for
the establishment of a grammar school, and appropriated £50 per
annum, for seven years, for the support of a teacher.
Another act was passed, in 1732, to encourage a public school, in
the city and county of New York, for teaching Latin, Greek and
Mathematics.
Under this act a free school was established, and endowed with
£40 a year, for five years ; and ten scholars were to be sent from
New York, two from Albany, and one from each of the other coun-
ties, making twenty in all This school was the germ of Columbia
college.
In 1743, Rev. Mr. Dunlap, of Cherry Valley, Otsego county, estab-
lished the first grammar school in the state, west of Albany. Be-
tween 1746 and 1756, several acts were passed, authorizing the raising
of moneys, by lottery, for founding a college in New York, and, in
1754, King's college was chartered.
After the establishment of the state government, the interest of the
people was again awakened to the necessity of popular education.
On the 1st of May, 1784, an act was passed, changing the name of
King's college to Columbia college, and establishing the board of re-
gents of the university of New York.
In 1789, lands were specially set apart, in the several new town-
ships, for the promotion of literature, and the support of common
schools. The proceeds of certain lands were also appropriated, in
1790, by the regents, to the institutions under their care. Their in-
come, arising from this source, in 1792, was increased by the grant
of £1500 per annum, for five years.
In 1793, the regents, in their report, suggested the importance of
establishing schools in various parts of the state, for instructing chil-
dren in the lower branches of education. These suggestions were
renewed for the two years following, and in 1795, a common school
svstem was established.
In 1795, $50,000 annually, for five years, was appropriated from
the public revenues, for encouraging and maintaining schools, in the
PUBLIC EDUCATION, 121
various cities and towns, to be expended much as the public moneys
for schools are at the present day.
In 1801, an act was passed, authorizing the establishment of four
lotteries, to raise the sum of $25,000 each, one half to be paid to the
regents of the university, and the other to the state treasury, to be
applied for the use of common schools. This was the foundation of
the literature and common school fund.
In 1S05, the nett proceeds of 500,000 acres of the public lands,
and 3000 shares of bank stock, were appropriated as a fund for the
use of common schools, to accumulate till the interest should amount
to $50,000 per annum, after which, the interest was to be distributed,
as the legislature should direct.
In 1811, preparatory measures were taken to organize the school
system, and in 1812, an act was passed for that purpose. Gideon
Hawley, Esq., was appointed superintendent of common schools, in
1813. From 1S19 to 1827, farther appropriations of lands, stocks, and
money, for the increase of the school fund, were made , and $100,000
ordered to be annually distributed, while an equal sum should be
raised by tax.
In 183S, the sum of $165,000 per year, from the annual revenue of
the United States deposit fund, was added to the amount previously
distributed. Of this amount, $55,000 was to be expended yearly,
in the purchase of suitable books for district libraries. During this
year, the common school system was reorganized, and, with the ex-
ception of a few amendments, assumed its present form.
Present Condition of Common Schools.
Funds. By a provision of the constitution, the proceeds of all
lands belonging to the state, with the exception of such as may be
reserved for public use, or ceded to the United States, together with
the fund known as the common school fund, are declared to consti-
tute " a perpetual fund, the interest of which shall be inviolably ap-
propriated, and applied to the support of common schools, throughout
the state."
Of these state lands, as yet unsold, there remain about 350,000
acres, lying mostly in the northern part of the state, and valued at
about $175,000. These constitute the unproductive portion of the
school fund.
The productive capital of the fund amounts to upwards of two
millions of dollars, and consists of bonds, mortgages, bank and state
stocks, and money in the treasury, and yields a sufficient revenue to
admit of the annual appropriation, and distribution of $110,000 among
the several school districts.
An equal amount, viz: $110,000, was, by an act passed in 1838,
devoted to the same purpose, from the United States deposit fund.
An additional sum of $55,000, was also granted for the purchase of
district libraries ; by an act passed in 1843, this may be expended,
under certain restrictions, for maps, globes, and other school appara-
tus. The whole sum appropriated, beside the above $55,000, is
$220,000, which is applied to the payment of teachers' wages.
The year succeeding any enumeration of the inhabitants, state or
national, an apportionment of this sum is made out, among the sev-
eral counties, towns, and wards, according to their population, and
122 STATE OF NEW YORK.
the money paid over to the treasurer of each county, for distribution.
A certilied copy of the apportionment is then forwarded to each of
the county clerks, to be laid before the board of supervisors, who are
required to raise, annually, by taxation, a sum equal to that thus re-
ceived. They may also raise any additional amount, not exceeding
twice the amount of the apportionment, which the electors of any
town may vote to raise, for school purposes. The amounts thus
raised are to be paid over to the town superintendents, for distribu-
tion among the districts.
In addition to these sums, many of the towns annually receive in-
comes from local funds, arising either from the sale of school lots,
reserved in laying out new townships, in 17S9, or from bequests, &c.
In most of the large cities, large additional amounts are also raised,
under special acts, providing for the organization and support of com-
mon schools.
The aggregate amount of funds applicable to school purposes, may
be stated as follows.
Apportioned from state funds .... $275,000
Equal amount raised by taxation .... 275,000
Sums raised by voluntary vote of towns - - - 20,000
Sums raised under special acts in cities ... 200,000
Local funds 20,000
87 90,000
Amount raised on rate bills .... - ^4 50,000
Total amount annually raised; from all sources,
for common schools - - - - - $'1,240,000
This is exclusive of the large amount invested in school houses,
furniture, fuel, apparatus, text books, &c.
Districts and their officers. The entire territory of the state has
been divided into about 11,000 school districts, each averaging nearly
four square miles. The voters of each district choose three trustees,
of whom one holds his office for one year, one for two, and one for
three years, a district clerk, collector and librarian, who hold their
office one year each.
Town Superintendents. The town superintendents of common
schools are annually elected, by the people of each of the towns, at
their annual town meetings, and have the general supervision of the
common schools in their respective towns.
County Superintendents. The county superintendent is the next
officer in the gradation of the system, and is appointed, once in two
years, by the board of supervisors of each county. Either they, or
the state superintendent, may remove him from office, for neglect of
duty, or misconduct. Each county is required, by law, to have one
county superintendent, and where the number of districts exceeds
150, two maybe appointed.
These officers are charged with the general supervision of the
schools of the county, or of that section of the county, for which they
are appointed. Their compensation may not exceed $500 a year;
one half of which is paid by the county, and the other half by the
state, out of the annual surplus of the common school fund.
Within a few years past, the county superintendents, in addition
PUBLIC EDUCATION. 123
to their duties specified by law, have called periodical meetings of
the town superintendents, teachers, officers and inhabitants of dis-
tricts, for the purpose of mutual consultation, and the improvement
of the condition of the schools; they have organized and held teach-
ers' institutes, in the spring and autumn, for the purpose of prepar-
ing the teachers for the more efficient discharge of their duties.
In conjunction with the town superintendents, they select the
pupils, which the county is entitled to send to the state normal
school; and deliver familiar lectures on topics connected with public
school education, in each district, during their several visitations.
They also meet annually, in convention, for the purpose of mutual
consultation with each other, with the head of the department, and
with the friends of education, from this, and other states.
State Superintendent. The secretary of state is, by virtue of his
office, superintendent of common schools. He maintains a corres-
pondence with all the subordinate officers, and has a general over-
sight over the whole. To him are referred, for final decision, all
questions arising, relative to the common school laws, on appeal from
the decisions of the county superintendents.
He is required to report, annually, to the legislature, the condition
of the schools in the several counties, and to do all in his power to
promote the interests, and extend the benefits, of popular education
throughout the state. He appoints one of the clerks of the state de-
partment, as his deputy, who aids him in the discharge of his duties,
and who, in case of his absence, or the vacating of the office, becomes
acting superintendent.
For a full exposition of the duties of all the officers of the common
school system, reference may be had to the common school law, a
copy of which may be found in each district.
Statistics of the Common Schools. From the last annual report of
the state superintendent, made to the legislature, in January, 1S40,
we gather the following statistics :
Whole number of children between the ages of five and sixteen, in
the state, Jan., 1845, 690,914
Whole number, of all ages, under instruction the whole or a part of
the year, 1845, - - - 736,045
Average annual increase of children between the ages of five and
sixteen, since 1815, is more than 18,000
Average annual increase of children of all ages, receiving instruction, 20,549
Average number of months in which schools have been kept during
the year 1845, --------- 8
Amount of public money paid for teachers' wages in 1845, - §629,856 94
Amount paid on rate bills for the same purpose, - - - 458,127 00
Total, - $1,087,983 94
Amount expended for district libraries, $95,159 25
Number of volumes in district libraries, 1st July, 1845, - - 1,145,250
Average annual increase of volumes, ----- 100,000
Number of pupils in attendance at private and select schools in 1845, 56,058
State Normal School.
By an act, passed by the legislature of 1844, $9,600 was appropri-
ated for that year, and $10,000" annually, for five years thereafter, and
until otherwise directed by law, for the establishment and support
of a state normal school, for the instruction and practice of teachers
124 STATE OF NEW YORK.
of common schools, in the science of education, and in the art of
teaching.
This institution is located in the city of Albany, and placed under
the direction of the state superintendent of common schools, and the
regents of the university. This board appoint an executive commit-
tee, of five persons, of whom the state superintendent is one, ex offi-
cio, to superintend the general interests of the school, to carry into
effect the laws enacted for its regulation, and to report to the board
annually.
By the regulations of the executive committee, superintendent,
and board of regents, each county of the state is entitled to a number
of pupils equal to double its representation in the house of assembly,
making in all 256 pupils ; to be selected by the county and town su-
perintendents. No charge for instruction or for books is made; and
each pupil receives a sum sufficient, on a liberal estimate, to defray
his or her traveling expenses, to and from the institution.
The board of instruction consists of a principal, a professor of
mathematics, a teacher of vocal music, one of drawing, and six sub-
ordinate teachers, in the various branches, deemed requisite to the
complete preparation of teachers of common schools.
Connected with the institution are two experimental schools, com-
posed of fifty children each, between the ages of five and sixteen, and
under the general supervision of a teacher, specially appointed for
this purpose. Into these, the more advanced pupils of the normal
school pass, in succession, for a period of three or four weeks each,
to test their practical abilities, as educators, before their final grad-
uation.
No definite term of instruction is prescribed. Each pupil is re-
quired to complete a specified course of studies, to the full satisfac-
tion of the principal and board of instructors, by whom, and the ex-
ecutive committee, diplomas, setting forth that fact, are conferred,
semi-annually, in the months of March and September.
The institution is furnished with a large and well selected library,
and all the scientific apparatus requisite to a full and thorough course
of instruction, in the various branches of a sound, English education.
The number of students, of both sexes, in 1840, exceeded two
hundred.
City School Organizations.
1. City of New York. In the city of New York, the common
schools are divided into three classes, viz: 1st, Public and Primary
schools, under the care of the public school society ; 2d, Ward
schools, under the management of the commissioners, inspectors and
trustees of the respective wards; 3d, Corporate schools, conducted
by officers, elected under their respective charters.
These are all subject to the general supervision of the county su-
perintendent, and to the inspection and management of the board of
education, which consists of two commissioners, two inspectors, and
five trustees in each ward. These officers are elected by the people ;
the commissioners and inspectors hold their offices for two years,
and the trustees for five years. They all participate in the public
money, and in that raised by the general and special laws, for school
purposes.
PUBLIC EDUCATION. 125
The Public School Society was incorporated by the legislature, in
1805, and up to the year 1813, had the entire control of all the com-
mon schools in the city. They have eighteen public, and fifty-four
primary schools, beside two public and four primary schools for col-
ored children. In these schools, in 1846, 22,500 children were in-
structed, at a cost, for tuition, of a little more than $73,000.
There are three normal schools, also, under the control of this
society, intended for the instruction of the monitors, and junior
teachers of the schools; these normal schools are held on Saturday
of each week, and during a portion of the year, in the evenings of
the other days of the week. To each of the primary and public
schools, a well selected library is attached.
The ward schools occupy from twenty to twenty-five buildings,
comprising upwards of fifty schools, and having more than 25,000
children under instruction. There are, beside, thirteen corporate
schools, mostly connected with benevolent institutions, and embra-
cing; upwards of 2000 scholars.
The aggregate number of children taught in all the public schools,
during some portion of the year, exceeds fifty thousand; and it is
supposed that about 30,000 more attend the various select schools in
the city.
The amount of public money annually expended for common
schools, is as follows:
Apportioned by the state . - - $35,000 00
An equal amount raised by tax .... 35,000 00
One twentieth of one per cent, on the valuation of
real and personal property - 114,010 03
Raised under special acts - 8,360 66
Total #192,971 29
2. City of Rochester. The common schools of this city are under
the control of a board of education, consisting of two commissioners
for each ward, annually elected by the people of the several wards,
and a city superintendent, chosen by them.
The schools are entirely supported by taxation, no charge being
made for instruction or text books. There are in the city, sixteen
school houses, all substantial buildings, furnished with ample play
grounds, and other conveniences. In these edifices there are be-
tween forty and fifty schools, under the care of sixteen male, and
thirty female teachers, and comprising about 6000 children, nearly
all that are of suitable age, residing in the city.
3. City of Buffalo. The mayor and aldermen of the city are, ex
officio, commissUners of common schools; and are required annually to
appoint a city superintendent. The schools are free, being, as in Ro-
chester, entirely sustained by taxation. The number of districts is
fifteen, and the schools are under the care of fifteen male, and thirty-
six female instructors, having, in attendance, about 7000 children.
4. City of Hudson. The members of the common council are
here, also, ex officio, commissioners of common schools. They ap-
point three superintendents, who, together, constitute a board of ed-
ucation for the city. An amount, equal to four times the apportion-
ment from the state funds, is raised by tax, and the remaining ex-
126 STATE OF NEW YORK.
penses are defrayed by rate bills, against those who send to the
schools.
5. City of Brooklyn. Here, too, the common council are, from
their office, commissioners of common schools; the general manage-
ment of which is committed to a board of education, consisting of
two members from eacli district appointed by the common council.
They are divided into three classes, one of which annually goes out
of office. The schools are free, deriving their support from assess-
ments on the taxable property of the city.
6. City of Utica. The board of Commissioners for common
schools in this city, consists of six members, two of whom are elect-
ed annually. They hold their office for three years. The rate bills
may not exceed $2.00 per term. The remaining sums necessary for
the support of schools, beyond the state apportionment, are raised by
taxes.
7. City of Schenectady. The Schenectady Lancasterian school
society has the general control of public education, in this city and
receives, and disburses the public money applicable to this purpose.
S. City of Albany. The public schools of this city are under
the supervision of a board of commissioners, nine in number, ap-
pointed by the Mayor, Recorder, and such of the Regents as may re-
side in the city. The members of this board, hold office for three
years, one third going out of office each year.
The schools are not entirely free, the sum raised by tax being only
twice the amount received from the state ; but the indigent are ex-
empted from the payment of rate bills ; and a certain number of indi-
gent pupils, who have attended the district schools at least two years,
are supported at either of the academies of the city, or at the state
normal school. Instruction in vocal music is provided in all the
schools. The number of school districts is ten, and children in-
structed about 3000.
The city of Troy, and the villages of Poughkeepsie and Williams-
burgh, have separate local systems, similar to those above described.
UNIVERSITIES, COLLEGES, AND ACADEMIES.
Regents of the University. These institutions are, by law, placed
under the supervision, and subject to the visitation of a board, organ-
ized by the legislature in 17S-J, under the title of "Regents of the
University of the state of New York." This board consists of twen-
ty-one persons; of this board, the Governor and Lieutenant Gover-
nor are, ex officio, members, and the others are appointed by the le-
gislature, and hold office, during its pleasure.
Its officers are, a Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, Secretary, and
Treasurer, elected by the board. It is their duty to examine, and re-
port to the legislature, the modes of education, discipline, number
of students, course of study, funds, debts, &c, of the institutions un-
der their charge.
They are also empowered to till vacancies in the offices of presi-
dent or principal of these institutions; to confer degrees, under cer-
tain circumstances, above that of Master of Arts; to apportion the
annual income of the literature fund, among the several senate dis-
tricts; and to incorporate academies, on compliance with such terms
as they may prescribe.
PUBLIC EDUCATION. 127
The Literature Fund, appropriated to the support of this class of
institutions, amounts to $266,990 57, consisting of state, bank, and
insurance stocks, and money in the treasury, besides 0025 acres of
land, valued at $4300. It yields an annual revenue of about $75,000.
Of this amount, $40,000 is divided among the academies of the
state; $0000 to the university of the city of New York; $7000 to
Geneva college, including its medical department ; $3000 to Ham-
ilton college ; $1000 to the Albany medical college ; $2300 to Gen-
esee Wesleyan Seminary; $10,000 to the state normal school, and
the balance to the purchase of books and apparatus for the various
academies, in pursuance of the provisions of an act passed in 1S34.
Universities and Colleges. There are at present, in this state,
four incorporated universities, viz : the University of the city of New
York, organized in 1832; the Madison University, at Hamilton,
Madison county ; the Rochester University, and the Buffalo Univer-
sity ; the three latter incorporated in 1S4G.
There are also four colleges ; Columbia College, in the city of
New York ; Union College, at Schenectady ; Hamilton College, at
Clinton, Oneida county, and Geneva college, at Geneva, in Ontario
county.
In addition to these, there are five medical schools, viz ; the Col-
lege of Physicians and Surgeons in New York city ; the Medical
Department of the University of the city of New York; the Albany
Medical College'; the Medical Department of Geneva College, and
the Medical Department of the Buffalo University, organized in 1846.
Academies. There are 179 incorporated academies in the
state, comprising upwards of 25,000 pupils of both sexes. The
aggregate value of the land and buildings belonging to these institu-
tions, exceeds $1,000,000; the value of the libraries belonging to
them, $00,000, and of their apparatus, $56,000. The aggregate
amount paid for tuition, during the year 1845, was over $200,000;
the number of teachers employed, over 600; and the number of stu-
dents gratuitously instructed, over 200.
The branches of study taught, embrace, in addition to those ordi-
narily pursued in common schools, the higher departments of mathe-
matics and natural Philosophy, with their various applications to
practical uses; the languages, ancient and modern; the physical sci-
ences ; moral and intellectual philosophy ; history in its widest and
most comprehensive range; natural theology; political economy;
vocal, and occasionally, instrumental, music; drawing, and other ac-
complishments.
There are several female academies and seminaries ; among which,
the Albany Female Academy, and Female Seminary, the Troy, Rut-
gers, in the city of New York, Poughkeepsie. Amsterdam, Schenec
tady, Clinton, Utica, Auburn, OntarioatCanandaigua, Batavia, Le Roy,
Seward, and Rochester Female Seminaries, are the most prominent.
Theological Seminaries. Of these there are nine, viz: the Ham-
ilton Theological Institution, now forming a department of the Mad-
ison University, in Hamilton, Madison county, under the patronage
of the Baptist denomination, but open, without distinction, to students
of every religious denomination, designing to prepare themselves for
the gospel ministry ; the Oneida Conference Seminary, founded by
the Methodists, and located in the village of Cazenovia, Madison
128 STATE OF NEW YORK.
county ; tlie Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, at Lima, Livingston
county; Auburn Theological Seminary, (Presbyterian;) theHartwick
Theological Seminary, (Lutheran;) the Theological Seminary of the
Associate Reformed Church of New York, at Newburgh, Orange
county ; the General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Epis-
copal Church in the United States, located in New York city ; the
Union Theological Seminary, in the same city ; and the Roman Cath-
olic Ecclesiastical Seminary, at Rose Hill, in Westchester county.
( Collegiate Schools. There are seven of these institutions, located
in different sections of the state. St. John's College, a Roman Cath-
olic institution, pleasantly situated at Rose Hill, Westchester Co. t
about twelve miles from New York citv, numbers 115 pupils; St.
Paul's College, St. Thomas' Hall, and St. Ann's Hall, at Flushing,
Long Island, are under the patronage of the Protestant Episcopal de-
nomination ; the latter is specially designed for the education of
young ladies; the Poughkeepsie Collegiate School, is located in the
flourishing village of Poughkeepsie, and has a high reputation; the
Black River Literary and Religious Institute, is a well ordered and
flourishing seminary, situated at Watertown. Jefferson county, and
averages about 200 pupils; and the New Brighton Collegiate School,
situated on the heights, overlooking the village of New Brighton, on
Staten Island, six miles from New York.
GEOGRAPHY AND HISTORY
of the
COUNTIES.
LAND PURCHASES REFERRED TO IN THIS WORK.
In the description of the several counties, references are made to the Manor
vif Renssdaerwyck, the Livingston Manor, the Kayaderosseras Patent, the Har-
denburgh Patent, Phelps' and Gorham's Purchase, the Holland Land Company's
Purchase, the Pulteney estate, the Military tract, Bingham's Purchase, Morris'
estate, &c.
The first three of these, are fully described in the general historical sketch, and
in the description of the counties of Albany, Rensselaer, Columbia and Saratoga.
The Hnrdcnbargh Patent was granted at an early date to a Dutch citizen of
wealth, and comprised the larger part of Delaware and Sullivan counties.
Phelps' and Gorham's Purchase included the Holland Land Company's purchase,
the Pulteney estate, and the Morris estate.
The history of this purchase is as follows :
The second charter of Massachusetts, granted by William and Mary in 1691,
bounded the territory of that colony westwardly, by the Pacific Ocean : thus
dividing the present state of New York into two parts, separated from each other,
by a section of the width of the state of Massachusetts.
The colony of New York, under the grants made to the Duke of York and
Albany in 1664, claimed the whole extent of territory, at present included under
her jurisdiction. These conflicting claims gave rise to long and harassing dis-
putes, and protracted legal proceedings, but on the 16th of December, 1786, the
controversy was settled, by a convention between the two states, concluded at
Hartford, Conn.
By this convention, Massachusetts ceded to New York, all claim to the gov-
ernment, sovereignty, and jurisdiction, of the lands in controversy; and New
York granted to Massachusetis, the right of pre-emption, (or first purchase,) from
the Indians, and when so purchased, the fee simple of the soil, of all that part of
the state, lying west of a meitdian drawn through Seneca lake, except a tract one
mile wide, along the shores of Lake Erie, and the Niagara river ; a territory now
comprising thirteen entire counties, and the larger part of Wayne county, and
containing nearly 600,000 inhabitants.
On the first of April, 1788, the state of Massachusetts contracted to sell to
Oliver Phelps and Nathaniel Gorham, the right of pre-emption, to the whole of
this vast tract, for the sum of one million dollars, to be paid in three equal instal-
ments.
On the 8th of July, of the same year, Messrs. Phelps and Gorham made a treaty
with the Indians in the neighborhood of Canandaigua, by which the Indian title
was extinguished to the tract lying east of the Genesee river, and a tract extend-
ing twelve miles west of that river, from York, in Genesee county, northward to
the lake. This tract was confirmed to the contractors, by the Massachusetts legis-
lature, in November, 1788.
130 STATE OP NEW YORK.
In February, 1790, Messrs. Phelps and Gorhain, having paid $666,666, on the
purchase money, and being unable to pay the third instalment, at the time agreed,
proposed to the state of .Massachusetts, to surrender to the state the remaining
portion, to which the Indian title was not extinguished, and should the amount
already purchased of the Indians, prove more than one-third of the whole tract,
to pay for the excess, at the average price of the whole. This proposition war*
accepted.
On the 18th of November, 1790, Messrs. Phelps and Gorham sold to Robert
Morris, all of their tract east of the Genesee river, except the portion already sold
to settlers, and two townships reserved to themselves. The tract thus sold, con-
tained 1,264,000 acres, and Mr. Morris paid about 8-00,000 for it.
The lands surrendered to the state of Massachusetts were sold to Samuel Og-
den, and by him to Robert Morris, who extinguished the Indian title for the sum
of S100.000. Mr. Morris, by this purchase, became possessed of the greater part
of the tract, originally purchased by Messrs. Phelps and Gorham.
Mr. Morris, soon after, sold to a company formed in Holland, a portion of the
land thus purchased. compiaVinr: 3,200,000 acres, and including the present coun-
ties of Erie, Niagara, Chautauque, and Cattaraugus. This company was known
as the Holland Land Company, and their tract as the Holland Purchase, They
established a land office at Batavia, and sold the land to actual settlers. Those
lands which remained unsold, were, after a time, transferred to other associa-
tions, but by far the larger part, are now owned by the inhabitants.
The tract purchased of Phelps and Gorham, by Mr. Morris, was sold by him, to
Sir William Pulteney, and hence called the Pulteney estate. It comprised nearly
all of Steuben, Yates, and Ontario counties, the east range of townships in Alle-
gany, and the principal part of Livingston, Monroe, and Wayne counties. About
one-third of the whole tract had been sold to companies and individuals, previous to
Sir William's purchase. Mr. Williamson was appointed his agent, and opened land
offices at Geneva and Bath. To his energy, public spirit, and liberality, the peo-
ple of those counties are much indebted.
The tract lying between this estate, and the Holland purchase, was retained by
Mr. Morris, and sold by him to actual settlers. It embraced portions of Orleans,
Genesee, Wyoming, and Allegany counties, and contained 500.000 acres.
The Military tract, or rather tracts, for there were two to which this name was
applied, were bounty lands, granted by New York, to her soldiers, who had served
during the revolutionary war ; an appropriation of 600 acres was made to every
private soldier, and larger quantities to the officers.
The act, granting these lands, was passed in 1786, and the grant was made,
with the proviso, that the Indian title should first be extinguished. The lands
thus granted, comprised the present counties of Onondaga, Cortland, Tompkins,
Cayuga, Seneca, and part of Oswego, and Wayne. It contained 1,680 000 acres.
As, however, the Indian title was not immediately extinguished, the legislature,
the same year, appropriated twelve northern townships in the present counties
of Clinton, Franklin, and Essex, containing 768,000 acres, to the location of
revolutionary patents. This was called the Old Military tract. The Indian title
to the other traot, however, being extinguished in 1789, the greater part of the
bounty lands were located in Onondaga, and the adjacent counties.
Bingham's Purchase was a tract some twenty miles square, lying partly in
Broome county, and partly in the state of Pennsylvania. It was purchased by
M( -<rs. Bingham, Wilson, and Cox, of Philadelphia, in 1785. Immediately north
of this, was another purchase, made the succeeding year, by a company from
Massachusetts, and containing 230,000 acres. There were sixty proprietors in
this company.
Large tracts of land are also held in the counties of Jefferson and St. Law-
rence, by the Messrs. Yan Rensselaer, and Governeur Morris; and in different
sections of the state, by Gerrit Smith, Esq., of Peterboro, Chenango county, and
the heirs of the Messrs. Wadsworth, of Livingston county.
COUNTIES.
131
I. ALBANY COUNTY.
Square Miles, 515.
Organized, 1683.
Population, 77,268.
Valuation, 1845, 815,603,163.
TOWNS.
6. Berne, 1795
7. Guilderland, 1803.
8. Westerlo, 1815.
9. Knox, 1S22.
10. New Scotland, 1S32.
h. Norman's kill. c. Co-
e. Provost creek, f. Foxes
1. * bany, 1680.
2. V'atervliet, 17SS.
3. Rensselaerville. 1790.
4. Coeymans, 1791.
5. Bethlehem, 1793.
Mountains, g. Helderberg Hills.
Rivers, Sec. C. Hudson. F. Mohawk,
eymans creek, d. Haivnakraus kill,
creek.
Falls, b. Cohoes falls.
Cities and Villages. Albany, West Troy, Coeymans, Rensselaer-
ville, Cohoes.
Boundaries. North by Schenectady and Saratoga counties j
East by the Hudson ; South by Greene ; and West by Scho-
harie county.
132 STATE OP NEW YORK,
Surface. The surface is much varied. Along the Hudson,
extends an alluvial valley, from a fourth of a mile to a mile in
width. From this valley the land rises abruptly, 140 feet, and
thence a table land gradually ascends, to the base of the Hel-
derberg hills. Along the Mohawk, the surface is rugged and
broken.
The Helderberg hills extend through the western part of the
county, uniting, on the south, with the Catskill range.
They are from 400 to 500 feet in height, and very precipitous. Their eleva-
tion is quite uniform, displaying no isolated peaks.
Rivers and Streams. The county is well watered. Besides
the Hudson and Mohawk rivers, which partially bound it, the
Norman's kill, Coeymans creek, Haivnakraus kill, Provost
creek, Foxes' creek, Boza kill, V r lamans kill, and the Pa-
troon's creek, are the principal streams.
Most of these, as well as several smaller streams, have valuable waterfalls, af-
fording great facilities for manufacturing.
The Cohoes, or Great Falls of the Mohawk, at the village of
Cohoes, lie partly in this, and partly in Saratoga county.
The river here descends, at a single leap, 70 feet, and then pursues its way,
over the rocks, in the channel, which its waters have cut through the solid rock, to
the depth of more than 100 feet, to the Hudson. Few cataracts possess more
picturesque beauty.
Railroads. The Troy and Schenectady, and the Mohawk
and Hudson railroads, cross the northeastern section of the
county, and the Catskill and Canajoharie, the southeastern.
Climate. The climate is quite variable, being subject to
great extremes of heat and cold. Though unfavorable to those
affected with pulmonary diseases, it is considered as generally
healthy.
Geology and Mineralogy. The geological formation of the
county is transition ; graywacke and slate are the prominent
characteristics of the banks of the Hudson and Mohawk. In
the Helderbergs, are fond lime and sandstone, both abounding
in organic remains.
In the elevated table lands, lying between the Helderbergs
and the Hudson river, are thick beds of blue and yellow marl,
of clayey consistence, and destitute of fossils. They are cov-
ered with yellow sand.
Bog iron ore is found, in numerous localities, in the county. Marl, and water
limestone, also abound. There are several mineral springs, some of which con-
tain sulphuretted hydrogen, others carbonic acid gas, iron, and magnesia.
Epsom salts are found at Coeymans Landing, and petroleum in Guilderland.
In the limestone cliffs of the Helderbergs, are several extensive caverns, contain-
ing quartz and other crystals, stalactites and stalagmites of great beauty ; calcare-
ous spar, bitumen and alum also occur in the county.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. A portion of the soil is
ALBANY COUNTY. 133
fertile and productive, and most of that, which was naturally
sterile, has, by the skill of the husbandman, been made to yield
abundant returns. Considerable tracts, however, are not sus-
ceptible of cultivation.
The timber of the county is princinally pine, hemlock, oak, hickory, elm, chest-
nut, and birch.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the pursuit of a majority of the in-
habitants. This may be reckoned as one of the grain growing
counties, although not one of the most productive.
Oats, corn, rye, buckwheat, and barley, are the principal grains ; potatoes are
raised in considerable quantities. The western part is favorable to grazing, and
butter is there largely produced. The number of sheep in the county is large,
and increasing annually.
Manufactures also occupy the attention of a large number of
the citizens of the county. In 1845, these considerably exceeded
two and a half millions of dollars, of which about two millions
were produced in the city of Albany.
The principal articles manufactured were, iron ware, flour, malt liquors,
coaches and sleighs, machinery, cotton and woollen goods, brick, cordage, oil
and oil cloths.
Commerce. The navigation of the Hudson river, and the
Erie and Champlain canals, furnishes employment to large
numbers, and this commerce is increasing, in a rapid annual
ratio.
Tolls were received, in 1845, in the county, upon produce valued at about
twenty-seven millions of dollars. About thirty-five steamers, seventy tow boats,
and 630 sloops and schooners, beside scows, &c, are employed in the Albany
trade, on the Hudson. The total amount of shipping, belonging to the county,
is about 60,000 tons.
Staple Productions. Oats, corn, rye, barley, buckwheat,
butter and wool.
Schools. There are, in the county of Albany, 160 district
school houses. In 1845, schools were taught, on an average,
ten months. During that year, 14,600 children were instructed,
at an expense of about $25,000, for tuition. The district libra-
ries contained about 29,000 volumes.
There were also, in the county, the same year, 111 unincorporated private
schools, with 3,856 pupils ; three academies, and two female seminaries, with 637
pupils ; one state normal school, with 294 pupils ; and one medical college, with
114 students.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Dutch Reformed,
Baptists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics,
Friends, Unitarians, Lutherans, Congregationalists, Universal-
ists, and Jews.*
History. When Henry Hudson ascended the North river,
in 1609, he despatched Hendrick Corstiaensen, with a small
* The religious denominations are given, throughout this work, in the order
of their numbers, beginning with the most numerous.
134 STATE OP NEW YORK.
crew, in a boat, to ascertain the highest point to which that river
was navigable. Corstiaensen penetrated as far as Troy, or
Lansingburgh, but landed at the present fcite of the city of
Albany.
In 1611, or 12, he returned and erected a trading house, on
Boyd's island, a short distance below the Albany ferry. In the
ensuing spring, this was so much injured by the ice and the
freshet, that he was compelled to abandon it. He then erected
a fort, on a hill, about two miles south of Albany.
In 1623 a fort was erected near the present Fort Orange
Hotel, in the city of Albany, mounting eight large cannon.* It
was named Fort Orange, in honor of the Prince of Orange,
who, at that time, presided over the Netherlands.
This fort was intended to subserve the double purpose, of affording convenient
accommodations for the traffic with the Indians, and also of serving as a protec-
tion against sudden attacks from them. It was only occupied during the autumn,
and winter, by the traders, whose object was trade, not colonization.
In 1630, Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, a wealthy pearl merchant,
of Amsterdam, purchased, through his agents, a large tract of
land, including most of this, as well as several of the adjacent,
counties.
Over this extensive tract, he possessed all the authority of a
sovereign, and, anxious to improve it to the best advantage, he
sent a colony here, in 1631, well provided with whatever was
necessary, to commence a new settlement. To his estate he
gave the name of Rensselaer wyck.
It is believed that he never visited his colony. The administration of justice,
and the management of its financial affairs, he committed to a commissary gene-
ral. Fortunate in the selection of these, his colony prospered much more than
that at New Amsterdam, and it was to the good offices of Van Curler, or Corlaer,
the first commissary, that the colonists at New Amsterdam were indebted, more
than once, for their preservation from destruction, at the hands of the savages.
This excellent man cultivated the most friendly relations with the Indians, and so
strong was their affection for him, that, ever after, they applied the name of Cor-
laer to the governors of Xew York, as the highest title of respect.
In 1642, Mr. Van Rensselaer sent over the Rev. Johannes
Megapolensis, as minister of Rensselaerwyck, supporting him
at his own expense. The first church was erected the suc-
ceeding year, and furnished with a bell and pulpit, by the Dutch
West India Company. In 1646, the venerable patroon died, at
Amsterdam. His son Johannes, then a minor, succeeded him.
During the administration of Governor Stuyvesant, serious
difficulties occurred between him and the agent of the patroon,
which were finally referred to the states general of Holland, for
decision. After New York came into the possession of the Eng-
" Stone pieces, they are called in the original Dutch records ; meaning, ac-
cording to Judge Vanderkemp, that they were loaded with stone, instead of
iron balls. They were of very large caliber.
ALBANY COUNTY. 135
lish, the name of Beaverwyck, which had been bestowed upon
the settlement, was changed to Albany, that being one of the
titles of the Duke of York. The right of soil was confirmed to
the patroon, by a new patent, but, the government was retained
in the hands of the governor of the colony.
In 1686, Governor Dongan granted a charter to the city of
Albany, and Peter Schuyler, the friend of the Indians, was
elected the first mayor.
In 1689-90, the citizens of this county refused to submit to the
administration of Leisler and Milborne, but were at length
compelled, by the fears of an Indian invasion, to yield allegi-
ance. No sooner, however, did Colonel Sloughter arrive,
than he was welcomed by the people of this county, whose at-
tachment to Leisler had never been ardent, or sincere.
In all the treaties with the Indian tribes, the citizens of Albany bore a con-
spicuous par, and so entirely had they won the confidence of the savages, that
from the date of its settlement, the county was never invaded, by these sons of
the forest. The Schuyler family, for several generations, exerted a powerful in-
fluence over the Indians.
During the revolution, the Albany committee nobly sustained
their countrymen, in their opposition to British sway, and af-
forded aid, in troops and money, to the suffering inhabitants of
Tryon county, to assist them in repelling the frequent attacks of
the merciless horde of tories and Indians, who ravaged their
settlements.
Burgoyne had boasted, at the commencement of his campaign, that his army
should revel upon the spoils of Albany, but he only visited the city as a captive.
Sir Henry Clinton twice attempted to invade it, but met with sufficient obstacles
to prevent his success.
It became the capital of the state in 1S07. Since the intro-
duction of steamboats, and the completion of the canals, the
growth of the city and county have been rapid, and the lines of
railroads, which connect it with Boston and Buffalo, are giving
it a still greater impulse.
The extensive manor of Rensselaerwyck, occupying a territory twenty-four by
forty-eight miles in extent, descended, by entailment, to the eldest male descendant
of Kiliaen Van Rensselaer. The last proprietor was the late patroon, Stephen
Van Rensselaer, a man, whose munificent patronage of every object which could
benefit his fellow citizens, or aid in diffusing happiness among men, has embalmed
his memory.
At his death, the manor was divided between his two sons, Stephen and William
P. Van Rensselaer, the former receiving the portion west of the Hudson, and the
latter, that lying east of the river.
The lands had usually been granted on permanent leases, the rental being pay-
able in produce. Some personal services were usually required, by the terms of
the lease, but seldom exacted by the patroon. The effort, on the part of the
present proprietors, to enforce the collection of the rents, was met by strenuous
opposition, on the part of the tenants, who formed themselves into armed organiza-
tions, and in their conflict with the officers of the law, several individuals were
killed.
These organizations have, of late, assumed a political character. Both the
136 STATE OF NEW YORK.
proprietors and the tenants have sought redress from the legi>lature, but as yet
no decisive action has been taken, by that body. The inconsistency of the feudal
tenure, with the spirit of our institutions, will be admitted by all ; but there is
great difficulty in legislating justly upon the subject.
Cities and Villages. Aleany city is situated on the west
bank of the Hudson, 145 miles above New York. It appears to
great advantage, from the river, rising rapidly from the
bank, and exhibiting its public buildings in bold relief. The
alluvial valley of the Hudson extends about a quarter of a mile
from the river bank. From this valley, a bluff rises abruptly,
140 feet, and, in the distance of a mile, about eighty feet more.
Upon this bluff, are situated most of the public buildings.
In 1845, the city had 116 streets and lanes. It is divided into
ten wards, each of which elect annually, an alderman and as-
sistant alderman, who together form the common council of the
city.
The public buildings are, many of them, elegant and costly.
The Capitol, erected at an expense of $$120,000, is a fine free-
stone edifice. The State Hall, built of white marble, and fire-
proof, is an elegant building, of the Ionic order, surmounted by
a dome. It cost $350,000. The City Hall stands near it, and
is also a fine Grecian structure, of white marble, surmounted
by a gilded dome. The Albany Academy, an elegant building
of Nyack freestone, opposite the state hail, cost, including the
grounds, more than $100,000.
This building, and the capitol have large parks, in front, surrounded by sub-
stantial iron fences, and planted with ornamental trees and shrubbery.
The Albany Female Academy is a chaste, marble building,
erected at a cost of about §30,000. The Albany Exchange, of
massive granite ; the Museum, of marble ; the Medical College,
of brick, and well adapted to the purposes, to which it is applied ;
the State Normal School; and the State Geological rooms, oc-
cupying the old state hall, are the other principal buildings.
Several of the churches, also, are deserving of notice for their
architectural beauty. Among these, we may mention the Mid-
dle Dutch church, on Beaver street. ; the Pearl street Baptist
church, a finely proportioned structure, in the Ionic style, and
surmounted by a splendid dome ; the Hudson street Methodist
church, one of the most chaste and beautiful models for a
church in the United States ; the Presbyterian, and Roman
Catholic churches, in Chapel street, &c, &c.
Among the hotels the Delavan House, stands preeminent for
simple grandeur and chasteness of architecture. It was comple-
ted in 1845, and cost about $200,000. The Eagle, Congress
Hall, Mansion, Townsend, American, Carlton, Stanwix Hall,
and the Franklin House, are also well conducted hotels.
ALBANY COUNTY. 137
The State Library, founded by the munificence of the state,
has an excellent collection of works on history, geography, and
general literature. An extensive law library is connected with
it. The entire collection numbers over 15,000 volumes, and is
accessible to all, without charge.
The Albany Library, founded in 1792, and now numbering
about 9,000 volumes, occupies apartments in the Albany fe-
male academy. The Albany Institute is a scientific institution,
designed to encourage attention to history, and general science,
- in the city and state. It has a valuable library, of nearly 2000
volumes, in the building of the Albany academy.
The Young Men's Association occupies a fine suite of rooms
in the exchange. It has a well conducted reading room, a
library of 3200 volumes, and sustains a course of lectures each
winter. The number of its members is over 1500. It was the
first institution of the kind in the state.
The Alms House has connected with it, a fine farm of 150
acres, cultivated by the inmates. There are in the city, two
Orphan Asylums, supported by private charity, which provide
for the support and education of about 150 children; and a num-
ber of other benevolent societies.
The Albany Academy, founded in 1813, has eight teachers,
and about 200 pupils. The Albany Female Academy, founded
in 1814, has twelve teachers, and about 275 pupils. The
Albany Female Seminary has six teachers. There are nu-
merous other schools, of considerable reputation. The public
schools have nine school houses, costing between $30,000 and
§40,000.
The Albany Medioal College is a flourishing medical school,
having an able faculty, and one of the best anatomical museums
in the United States. It has seven professors.
The State Geological Rooms, in the old state hall, contain
the splendid collection of the state geologists, arranged, in the
lower rooms, in the order of the successive strata, and in the
upper, in the order of the counties. Here, too, are specimens
of the mineral and vegetable treasures of the state, appropri-
ately arranged, and a large collection of the quadrupeds, birds,
fishes and reptiles of the state. They are open, free of expense,
to all.
At the junction of the Erie canal with the Hudson, the citi-
zens have constructed an extensive basin, to protect the boats
from the winds, and give them greater facilities for discharging
their cargoes.
The city is largely engaged in manufactures. Its iron found-
ries are among the largest in the country. More stoves are
manufactured here, than in any other city, or town, in the union.
138 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Coaches, sleighs, hats, caps, and bonnets, are also largely man-
ufactured ; the three latter articles, to the amount of nearly one
million of dollars, annually. It has extensive manufactories of
pianofortes. Leather is produced to the amount of more than
$400,000 per annum. Population in 1845, 41,139.
West Troy, in the town of Watervliet, is a thriving village,
possessing excellent hydraulic privileges, which it derives from
the surplus waters of the Erie canal. It is a convenient depot
for merchandise, from its facilities for transportation, and is
largely engaged in manufactures, having twenty-five or thirty
manufacturing establishments. The United States arsenal, es-
tablished herein IS 13, is the largest arsenal of construction, in
the United States.
Attached to the establishment, are about 100 acres of land, containing thirty-
eight buddings, for workshops and storehouses. It constantly employs about 200
officers, soldiers, and workmen, and manufactures annually, munitions of war, to
the amount of about §100,000. The grounds are enclosed by an iron fence in
front, and a wall of stone on the sides and rear.
The Erie and Champlain canals form a junction, a short dis-
tance above the village, and a bridge and two ferries connect it
with Troy. Population in 1845, about 6000.
At Neskayuna in the same township, is a community of
Shaking (Quakers, established in 1776, by Ann Lee, the founder
of the sect. This was the first Shaker establishment in the
United States.
Cohoes village, also in this town, possesses one of the finest
water privileges in the state, and its advantages for manufac-
turing, are hardly surpassed. It is estimated, that at the lowest
stage of the water, there is sufficient to run 1,000,000 spindles.
Population in 1845, over 2000.
Rensselaervillc, in the town of the same name, is situated on
Foxes creek. It has some manufactures, and about 1000 in-
habitants.*
Co ey mans is a small manufacturing village, having a good
landing, and some trade with New York. It has also some
manufactures. Population 1000.
* From this town, in 1779, Captain Deitz, and two lads named John and Robert
Brice, were taken as captives by the Indians, and suffered all the barbarities
which the malice of the savages could indict. Captain Deitz died at Montreal,
from the effect of their cruelties ; but the boys were exchanged at the close of
the war, and returned home. This is believed to have been the nearest ap-
proach made to Albany, by the Indians during the Revolution.
II. NEW YORK COUNTY.
Square Wiles, 22.
Organized, 1683.
Population, 391,223.
Valuation, 1845, $239,995,517.
The city and county are of equal extent.*
Rivers. B. East River. C. Hudson River.
a. Harlaem River, q. Spuyten Duy-
vel Creek, n. Hellgate.
Bays. A. New York Bay.
Islands, d. Randall's. p. Barn. s.
BlackwelPs. v. Governor's, e. Bed-
low's, j. Ellis'.
Forts. Castle Garden, or Castle Clin-
ton. Fort Columbus, on Governor's
island. Fort Wood, on Bedlow's
island.
Battle Fields. Kip's and Turtle Bay.
Harlaem Heights. Fort Washington.
Universities. ^Columbia College. Uni-
versity of New York.
Cities. New York City.
Boundaries. North by Westches-
ter county ; East by Westchester
county and Long Island; South by
Long Island and the waters of New
York bay; and West by New Jersey.
Its territory extends to low water mark on
the Jersey side of the Hudson, as well as to the
same point on the Long Island side of the East
river, and the Westchester side of the Harlaem.
Surface. The lower part of the
county, though originally rough and
broken, has been graded and levelled,
and now rises gradually, from the
shores of the Hudson and East riv-
ers, towards the centre of the city.
The upper part is still hilly, and has
extensive marshes.
Rivers. The East river, or strait,
and the Hudson, or North river, wash
its eastern and western shores, af-
fording fine anchorage, and sufficient
depth of water, to permit the largest
* The numbers refer to the wards.
w 1
m
M.
%@ i
r?
it #\l
:•<$ =
fc I
f,,u
-%.
12
16
n
18 1
%
B
15 \I7
8
I4-\I0
13
&e
140 STATE OF NEW YORK.
ships to come up to the wharves. The Harlaem river is a nar-
row strait, connecting by means of Spuy ten Duy vel creek, East
river with the Hudson. Several small streams w r ater the up-
per portions of the county, but none of them are of sufficient size
to be worthy of notice. The original name of the island was
Manhattan, a word of doubtful etymology, but of late years, it
has been known by the name of New York Island.
Bays. The upper, or New York bay, proper, is one of the
finest harbors in the world, affording anchorage ground suffi-
cient for the navies of the world. The lower bay, or harbor,
is also spacious, but not so completely land locked as the upper.
It furnishes, however, convenient and secure anchorage
ground.
Kip's and Turtle bays, on the east, and Striker's bay, on the
west side of the island, are small inlets, only worthy ofnotice,
for their historic interest.
Islands. Randall's, Barn, and Blackwell's islands, in the
East river, and Governor's, Bedlow's, and Ellis', in the harbor,
with some smaller islands, belong to the county.
On Governor's island are Fort Columbus, and Castle William ; on Bedlow's,
Fort Wood. There are also other fortifications, on Long Island and Staten Island,
intended, like these, for the defence of the harbor.
Climate. The climate of New York county is, from its situ-
ation, more equable than that of the inland counties, generally.
The sea breezes waft a refreshing coolness, over the heated
streets in summer, and temper the intense cold of the wintry
blasts. In healthfulness, it occupies a very high rank, among
the great cities of the world. Its ratio of deaths, to the popula-
tion, is less than that of any of the large cities of Europe.
Geology and Minerals. The rockn of this county, with the
exception of a small section at the extreme north, are primitive.
Granite characterizes the river banks, and huge boulders of it
lie scattered over the surface. Dolomite, (a species of marble),
bog iron ore, and oxide of manganese, are the principal mine-
rals, applicable to use in the arts.
Among those interesting to the mineralogist, may be enumerated fine specimens
of tremohte, pyroxene, mica, tourmaline, serpentine and amianthus. Some speci-
mens of pyrites, epidote, lamellar feldspar, stilbite, garnet, staurotide, graphite, &c,
have also been met with. Marble is abundant, and extensively quarried, in the
northern part of the island.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is generally fer-
tile, but too costly to be devoted to agricultural purposes. Gar-
dens, of considerable extent, are cultivated, in the upper part of
the island.
The island was originally well wooded, but most of the timber is now cut off.
Oak, pine, hemlock and chestnut, were the principal forest trees.
Pursuits. Manufacturing m the pursuit of a majority of the
inhabitants of the county. The articles manufactured are nu-
NEW YORK COUNTY. 141
microtis, and amounted, in 1845, as nearly as can be ascertained?
to between eighteen and twenty millions of dollars, giving
employment to more than sixty thousand persons.
Commerce. In commerce, this county surpasses every other
city or county on the continent, and is the second city in the
world, in commercial importance.
In 1845, the registered, licensed and enrolled shipping of the
county, amounted to 550,359 tons. The shipping, entered the
same year, amounted to over one million tons, and the clearan-
ces, to about the same amount.
This commerce is extended to every part of the globe. Not only do the ships
of this port visit the various ports of our own country, and Europe, but their sails
flutter in the breezes of China, and Japan ; their flag is known on the coasts of
Arabia, Persia and India, and their trade sought by the swarthy sons of Africa
and New Holland, and by the natives of the unnumbered isles, that gem the wide
expanse of the Pacific. Wherever there is an opportunity for traffic, there the
American ilag is the fir.-t unfurled.
Directly, or indirectly, this commerce furnishes the means of support, to many
thousands of her own citizens, and also to millions in other counties and states. .
The great system of internal navigation, so nobly begun and
carried on by the state, has also brought immense wealth into
the city.
The amount of produce brought to the Hudson, from all the canals, in 1845, the
greater part of which came to New York, was over forty-five millions of dollars,
and the amount, which was cleared from the Hudson river, the same year, (most
of which was from New York), was over fifty-five millions, making a total inter-
nal trade, of about one hundred millions of dollars per annum.
Agriculture is not an object of great attention. Horticulture
furnishes employment to a considerable number of persons, in
the upper part of the island.
Education. The common school system of the city of New
York has been already described. (See page 124.)
It only remains to say, that more liberal and ample provision, for furnishing a
thorough education, even to the most indigent, is nowhere made. The child of
the poorest emigrant may obtain, free of expense, if he chooses, as full instruction
in the sciences, as the son of the wealthiest citizen in the city.
In addition to the common schools, there are twenty-eight incorporated schools
and academies in the county, seventeen of which are female seminaries. These
are well conducted, and attended by large numbers. There are also several hun-
dred private and select schools, attended, it is estimated, by more than 20,000
pupils.
There are two colleges in the city ; viz : 1. Columbia College,
founded in 1754, and amply endowed. It has a president and
ten professors, 104 students, and a library of 14,000 volumes.
The grammar school, connected with it, has between 200 and
300 pupils. The college edifices are located at the foot of Park
place.
2. The University of the city of New York, located on Wash-
ington square. The university edifice is of white marble, in the
collegiate Gothic style, and is one of the finest buildings in the
7#
142 STATE OF NEW YORK.
city. Its cost was nearly $300,000. It has a president, and
eleven professors, 143 students, and a valuable library. Con-
nected with it, is a large and flourishing 1 grammar school.
A medical department is connected with the university. It is in a prosperous
condition, and occupies a fine granite building, formerly known as the Stuyvesant
Institute. This department has seven professors, 407 students, and a valuable
museum.
Besides these, there are several professional schools in the city. The College
of Physicians and Surgeons, in Crosby street, was founded in 1807, and has al-
ways maintained a high rank, among the medical schools of our country. It has
seven professors. 279 students, and an extensive and valuable museum and library.
The College of Pharmacy is a recent institution, designed for the education of
apothecaries.
The General Theological Seminary of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the
United States, occupies two elegant gothic buildings, of stone, in the upper part of
the city, has five professors, seventy students, and a library of 7300 volumes. It
Was founded in lr\9. The Union Theological Seminary of the Presbyterian
Church, situated in University Place, was founded in 1830, has six professors, 112
students, and a library of over 16,000 volumes.
ReLigioos Denominations. Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Bap-
tists, Methodist Episcopal, Dutch Reformed, Roman Catholics,
Methodists not Episcopal, Jews, Congregationalists, Lutherans,
UniversalistS; Friends, Unitarians, New Jerusalem Church,
Christians and Moravians. Number of churches 217, of cler-
gymen 282.
History. The leading facts, connected with the settlement
of New York, or New Amsterdam, as the city was called by the
Dutch, have been already stated, in the general historical
sketch. From the time of its discovery, in 1609, by Henry Hud-
son, up to the year 1625, nc permanent settlement of emigrants
seems to have been made.
Companies of adventurers had visited Manhattan Island, erected trading houses,
for carrying on the traffic in furs with the natives, and when their objects were
accomplished, had returned to Holland. A few, perhaps, fond of this roving life,
had remained, and acquired that knowledge of the Indian character, which ena-
bled them, more successfully, to secure his peltries. None, however, settled as
colonists, or procured, from its native proprietors, a title to the soil, except for the
erection of their trading houses.
In 1614. the Governor of Virginia, Sir Thomas Dale, in order
to keep the restless spirits of his colony employed, fitted out
an expedition under Captain Argall, against the French settle-
ment at Acadia, (now Nova Scotia.) Returning from his
cruise, Argall entered the bay of New York, and compelled the
few Dutch traders, whom he found there, to swear fealty to the
English crown.
After the formation of the Dutch West India Company, they
took immediate measures for establishing a permanent colony,
at this important post.
Under their fostering care, bouweries, or farms, were soon taken up, and a sub-
stantial fort being erected, the rude dwellings of the settlers began to cluster
around it.
NEW YORK COUNTY. 143
Under the administration of Minuit, it prospered and increas-
ed in population and importance. The intemperance and quar-
relsome tempers of the next two Governors. Van T wilier and
Kieft, brought serious evils upon the infant settlement. The
injustice of the latter to the Indians, having roused their enmi-
ty, had well nigh exterminated it, in 1643 and 44.
Wretchedness and want stared the colonists in the face, and
but for the vigor and energy of Governor Stuyvesant's adminis-
tration, they would perhaps have abandoned the settlement.
In 1642, the Stadt Huys, or city Hall, was erected. It was
built of stone, and was taken down in 1700. The same year,
the first church, (Dutch Reformed,) was erected in the fort.
In 1653, the city of New Amsterdam was incorporated, by the
States General of the Netherlands, and its officers were elected
by the people.
In 1653, it was rumored that the New England colonists in-
tended to attack New Amsterdam : measures were consequent-
ly taken to put the city in a state of defence ; and during that,
and the succeeding year, a palisade of boards about twelve
feet in height was erected, and an embankment of earth
thrown up against it.
Fond of their ease, however, the good citizens did not maintain their fortifica-
tions, in such perfection, as to make them of any great avail, against an invading
foe.
In 1655, Governor Stuyvesant, with the greater part of the
inhabitants of the city, capable of bearing arms, engaged in the
expedition against the Swedes, on the south, or Delaware river.
While they were absent on this expedition, the city was invaded
by the Indians, several of the bouweries plundered, and a few
killed. The Indians, however, did not venture within the city
walls. In 1656, it was laid out into streets, and then contained
120 houses, and 1000 inhabitants.
In 1664, hearing of the approach of the English fleet, Governor
Stuyvesant summoned the citizens of New Amsterdam, to aid
him in repelling the threatened invasion, but his arbitrary sway
had produced so much disaffection, that they were not averse to
any change, which promised to increase their civil and religious
privileges.
They consequently made but little preparation for the defence
of the city, and when Col. Nicolls demanded its surrender, offer-
ing favorable terms of capitulation, they insisted upon a compli-
ance with them.
In vain Governor Stuyvesant remonstrated, threatened and
refused to sign the treaty of capitulation ; the sturdy burghers
were bent on submission to English rule, and he was, at length,
compelled, though with the utmost reluctance, to affix his sig-
nature to the instrument. As has been already stated, (see
144 STATE OF NEW YORK.
page 61,) the name of the city and county was changed, imme-
diately after the capitulation, to New York, in honor of the
Duke of York.
Under the mild and beneficent administration of Colonel
Nicolls, and his successor, Governor Lovelace, the city prosper-
ed, and increased in population and wealth.
It was again captured by the Dutch, in July, 1673, and during
the administration oi Governor Colve, martial law was main-
tained. The name of the city was changed to New Orange, and
of the fort to William Hendrick.
In Oct. 1674, it was again surrendered to the English, and the^
old name of New York resumed. The assessors' valuation of
property in the city, in 1688, was £78.231. (about $320,000.) In
1690, a Congress, of the commissioners of the several colonies,
was held at New York. In 1694, there were sixty ships, twenty-
five sloops, and forty boats, belonging to the city.
In 1696, Trinity church was built. This building was burned
in 1776. The first Lutheran church was built in 1710, on the
site lately occupied by Grace church. It was erected by some
Palatines, who had fled from persecution in Germany.
In 1711, a slave market was established in Wall street, near
East river. The next year, an insurrection occurred among
the negroes, and nineteen were executed. In 1725, the first
newspaper was published in the state. It was called the New-
York Gazette. In 1732, the first stage commenced running,
between New York and Boston once a month, occupying four-
teen days in the journey. The same distance is now traversed,
by steamboat and railroad, in nine hours.
In 1740, the New York Society Library was founded. Du-
ring the tw T o succeeding years, the yellow fever prevailed in the
city, to an alarming extent. In 1741, the Negro plot, which has
been described, in the general history of the state, occurred. It
occasioned great alarm in the city, as, of the 12,000 inhabitants
it then contained, one -sixth were slaves. For the succeeding
thirty years, the growth of the city was rapid, both in wealth
and population. The New York Hospital was founded, by sub-
scription, in 1769.
In August, 1776, the city fell into the hands of the British. It
had, at this time, a population of 30,000. In September of this
year, occurred a disastrous fire, which consumed one-eighth of
the houses of the city. During their stay in the city, the British
troops destroyed all the churches, except the Episcopal, or used
them for hospitals, prisoner's barracks, or riding schools. They
evacuated the city, and General Washington entered it, in No-
vember, 1783. A large number of the lory inhabitants, left
with the British army, and their estates were confiscated.
NEW YORK COUNTY. 145
In 1788, the adoption of the new Constitution of the United
States, was celebrated by a grand procession, and in 1789,
Washington was inaugurated, as the first President, in the open
gallery of the old City Hall, facing Broad street.
In December, 1790, the population of the city was about 30,000.
Free schools were established in the city, in 1797, though not
incorporated, till 1805. In 1801, the total valuation of real estate
in the city was a little short of $22,000,000.
The erection of the present City Hall was determined on,
during the nextyear, 1802, and the corner stone laid in Septem-
ber, 1803. The population ofthe city in 1S00, was 60,000, hav-
ing doubled in ten years. In 1807, the first successful attempt
at steamboat navigation, was made on the Hudson, by Fulton
and Livingston.
In 1S10, the population of the city was 96,000, being an in-
crease of 36,000 in ten years. In 1815, the news of peace with
Great Britain, was celebrated, with great rejoicings. In 1S22,
the yellow fever made its appearance. Great consternation
was felt by the inhabitants, and large numbers left the city.
In 1826, the completion of the Erie canal called forth an ex-
traordinary triumphal procession. The population, in 1S30,
was 202,000. In 1832, the cholera raged fearfully in the city.
More than 10,000 persons fell, as its victims. In December,
1835, occurred the great fire, which destroyed property, to the
amount of nearly $1S,000,000. Severe as was this loss, the
failures in consequence, were comparatively few.
The same year, (1835,) the citizens voted to construct an
aqueduct, from the Croton river to their city, for the purpose of
supplying themselves with pure water. This magnificent en-
terprise was so far completed, in 1842, that water was introdu-
ced into the city, on the 14th of October, of that year, amid the
rejoicings ofthe inhabitants. In July, 1845, another disastrous
fire occurred, which destroyed property to the amount of about
six millions of dollars.
The only important battle, on New York island, was that of
Harlaem Heights, on the 16th of September, 1776. After the
disastrous battle of Long Island, on the 27th of August, it be-
came evident that the American army must evacuate New
York. Accordingly, Washington ordered the troops to retreat,
toAvard the north part of the island.
On Sunday, the 15th of September, the British, after station-
ing their ships in the East and North rivers, so as to cannonade
our lines, commenced landing in force, at Turtle bay : the
American troops in the vicinity fled, without making any attempt
at resistance. Meantime, several brigades of General Put-
nam's division were in the city: by his exertions, they sue-
146 STATE OF NEW YORK.
ceeded in passing the enemy, with very trifling loss. The in-
tense heat, however, proved fatal to a number.
Washington then ordered the troops to occupy the heights of
Harlaem, — a strong position. On the morning of the 16th, sev-
eral parties of the enemy appeared, on the plains, in front of the
American camp. Lieutenant Colonel Knowlton's rangers, who
had been skirmishing with an advanced party, came in and re-
ported, that a body of the enemy w 7 ere under cover of a small
eminence, at a little distance.
Willing to raise the spirits of our men, Washington detached
Colonel Knowlton with his rangers, (selected, mainly, from the
Connecticut regiments,) and Major Leitch, with three compa-
nies of choice Virginian troops, to attack them in the rear, while
a feigned attack should be made in front.
The action was successful, and greatly inspirited our troops,
but the two brave leaders, Knowlton and Leitch, fell early in
the conflict. Our loss was four or five killed, and lbrty wound-
ed ; that of the British more than twenty killed, and seventy-
eight wounded.
Description of the city. Streets, squares, &c. The city
covers the whole island. The portion which is densely built,
lies south of Twenty-third street, being about three miles in
length, and varying in breadth, from half a mile, to two and a
quarter miles. In this territory, there are over 350 streets, and
on the island more than 480.
There are a number of public squares, but not so many as the
dense population requires. The principal are ; 1st, the Battery,
a crescent shaped park, containing about eleven acres, with
gravelled walks, and grass plats, well shaded with trees. It
affords a fine view of the shipping. Castle Clinton, connected
with it by a bridge, has been transformed into a garden and am-
phitheatre, capable of containing 10,000 persons.
2d. The Bowling Green is a small ellipse, enclosed by an iron
fence, having a fine public fountain, which is made to fall over
a rude pile of rocks.
3d. The Park is a triangular area, of about eleven acres, laid
out with walks, planted with trees, and surrounded by a massive
iron fence. It contains a number of public buildings. In the
southern angle, is a magnificent fountain, playing within a basin
100 feet in diameter.
4th. Washington Square, or the Parade Ground, contains not
quite ten acres. It is neatly laid out and finely shaded.
5th. Union Place is an elliptical area, of considerable extent,
at the northern termination of Broadway, adorned with trees
and a fine fountain.
NEW YORK COUNTY. 147
Tompkins Square, and Bellevue, in the eastern part of the
city, are places of considerable resort. The latter contains the
new almshouse.
Hudson Square, or St. John's Park, belonging to Trinity-
church, is a beautiful park of four acres, highly ornamented, and
has a fountain. In the upper part of the city, several squares
are reserved, but not yet regulated.
Public Buildings. Many of these are among the finest
models of architecture in the country.
The City Hall, already referred to, located in the Park, is a
magnificent structure, and shows to great advantage. It is 216
feet long, and 105 wide.
Its architecture is Grecian, the successive stories being Ionic, Corinthian, and
Composite. The front and ends are of white marble, and the rear of brown free
stone. From the centre rises a lofty cupola, which overlooks the whole city,
where a watchman is stationed, to give the alarm of fire. It contains elegant
rooms for the Governor, the Common Council, and the Superior Court, besides
numerous offices. Its cost exceeded half a million of dollars.
The Merchant's Exchange, in Wall street, is one of the most
imposing and costly structures, on the American continent. It
is built of blue Quincy granite, and is absolutely incombustible.
Its length is 200 feet, width 144, and height seventy-seven feet,
to the top of the cornice, and 124, to the top of the dome.
On the Wall street front is a recessed portico of eighteen massive columns, each
of a single block of granite, thirty-eight feet high, four feet four inches in diameter,
and weighing about forty-three tons. The exchange or rotunda in the centre, is
capable of holding 3,000 persons, being, including the recesses, 100 feet in diame-
ter, and eighty-seven feet high to the top of the dome. The dome rests on eight
Corinthian columns, of polished Italian marble, each forty-one feet high, and four
feet eight inches in diameter. The cost of the building is estimated at $1,800,000.
The Custom House, extending from Wall to Pine streets, is
a magnificent Doric building, of white marble, after the model
of the Parthenon, at Athens.
Brick, granite and marble, are its only materials. It has a portico on each
front, of eight Doric columns, five feet eight inches in diameter, and thirty-two feet
high. The great business hall, is a circular room, surmounted by a dome, that is
supported by sixteen Corinthian pillars, each thirty feet high. The cost of the
building, including the ground, was §1,175,000. The number of officers employed
here, is 354.
The Hall of Justice, on Centre street, is a massive structure,
of Hallo well granite, in the Egyptian style of architecture, of
which it is an admirable specimen.
Its gloomy and heavy aspect, however, have acquired for it the title of " the
Egyptian tombs." Beside rooms for the Police, and other courts of the city, it
includes the House of Detention, or prison, containing 148 cells.
Churches. Trinity church, completed in 1846, is one of the
most costly and magnificent churches in America. It is con-
structed of brown sandstone, in the perpendicular Gothic style.
Its spire is 283 feet in height, and is of stone throughout.
148 STATE OP NEW YORK.
The length of the building is 192 feet, and its breadth eighty-
four.
Grace church, on Broadway, two and a half miles north of
Trinity, is a Gothic structure, of rare beauty, erected in 1845.
St. John's church, on Varick street, is one of the finest pro-
portioned churches in the city. It cost $200,000, and has a
steeple 220 feet in height.
St. Thomas' church, in Broadway, the church of the Ascen-
sion, and the church of the Transfiguration, in the upper part
of the city, are also fine edifices. The Dutch Reformed church
on Washington square, and that in Lafayette place, are good
specimens of church architecture, the former in the Gothic, and
the latter in the Grecian style.
The Scotch Presbyterian church, in Grand street, is a hand-
some edifice of the Ionic order, with a portico of six massive
columns. It cost $114,000.
The Rutger's street church, and the Duane street church,
are both well proportioned, and imposing buildings. The Beek-
man street church has a lofty and elegant steeple. The Roman
Catholic church, in Barclay street, is a substantial granite
structure.
The Roman Catholic Cathedral, in Prince street, is a very
large edifice of sandstone. The French Protestant church, in
Franklin street, is built of white marble. It is of the Ionic order.
The first Baptist church, in Broome street, is a fine Gothic
edifice, with a very imposing interior.
ThejChapel of the New York University, (usually occupied on
the Sabbath, as a place of worship,) is one of the most perfect
specimens of Gothic architecture, ever erected in this country.
Hotels. The Astor House is an immensegranite building,
with three fronts, one on Broadway, of 201 feet, another on
Barclay street, of 154 feet, and the third on Vesey street, of
1461 feet, and cost about $800,000. It contains 303 rooms.
The United States Hotel is a fine marble building, seven stories
high, containing 225 rooms, and cost $350,000.
The Franklin House, Howard's Hotel, Judson's, Rathbone's,
the City, Croton, Carlton, the Pearl street House, and many
others, are extensive and elegant buildings, furnishing ample
accommodation, for the thousands who visit the city, for busi-
ness, or pleasure.
Railroads, dec. Three lines of Railroads connect directly
with New York city : viz. the Harlaem railroad, now progress-
ing rapidly towards Albany ; the Long Island Railroad, extend-
ing from Brooklyn to Greenport, and the New Jersey, extend-
ing to Philadelphia and forming a part of the great chain
connecting with Wilmington, North Carolina. This road has
NEW YORK COUNTY. 149
several branches ; one to Morristown, and another to Patterson,
New Jersey.
Besides these, there are three others, connecting, by steam-
boats, with the city, and at no great distance from it. These
are the New York and Erie railroad, commencing at Piermont ;
the Camden and Amboy, commencing at Amboy, New Jersey,
and the Housatonic, at Bridgeport, Conn.
Lines of steamboats, also, ply between this city and Albany,
Troy, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Hudson, Catskill, and other
places on the Hudson river : Norwalk, New Haven, Hartford,
Norwich, Stonington and Providence, Newark, New Bruns-
wick, Elizabeth town, &c. as well as to the several small villa-
ges on Long Island, and Staten Island.
Steamers als 3 leave for England, every month, and lines of
packets, for London, Liverpool, Havre, New Orleans, Mobile,
and Havana, every week.
Water Works. The Croton Water Works deserve to be
considered as one of the most magnificent enterprises of modern
times. The water is brought from the Croton river, a stream
in Westchester county.
A dam 250 feet long, seventy feet wide at bottom, and seven at top, and forty
feet high, has been constructed, creating a pond five miles long. From this dam,
the aqueduct proceeds, through hills and over valleys, to the Harlaem river, which
it crosses on a massive stone bridge, 1450 feet long, erected at a cost of $900,000 ;
thence it crosses several streets, and follows the tenth Avenue down, from 151st
street to 107th street; here crossing a square, it follows the 9th Avenue, to 88th
street, where it curves and enters the receiving reservoir, in 85th street.
The aqueduct is a hollow cylinder of brick, laid in hydraulic cement. The re-
ceiving reservoir is thirty-eight miles from the Croton dam. It covers thirty-five
acres, and will contain 150 millions of gallons. From this reservoir the water is
conducted in iron pipes, along the 5th Avenue, to the distributing reservoir, on
Murray Hill, in Fortieth street.
This reservoir covers four acres, is constructed of stone and cement, is forty-
three feet high from the street, and contains twenty millions of gallons. From it,
the water is distributed over the city, in iron pipes, laid so deep under ground, as
to be secure from the frost. The supply of water is ample, both for the use of the
inhabitants, and for fires. There are 1400 fire hydrants, and 600 free hydrants.
No city in the world is befer supplied, with pure and wholesome water, than New
York.
Public Institutions of the city. The American Institute
was incorporated in 1829, for the encouragement of agriculture,
manufactures, commerce and the arts.
It has a suite of rooms in the second story of the New City Hall, where it has a
library, models for machinery, &c. It holds an annual fair, every autumn, which
is visited by not less than 20,000 persons.
The Mechanics' Institute has for its object, the instruction of
mechanics and others, in science, and the arts.
The Institute has established annual courses of popular lectures, and has a
library, reading room, museum, and collection of chemical and philosophical appar-
atus. A male and a female school have been established, under the superintend-
150 STATE OF NEW YORK.
ence of its board, the former in 1838, the latter in 1839 ; both of which, have
been eminently successful.
The American Art Union is an incorporated association, for
the promotion ot'the fine arts. Its rooms are at 322 Broadway.
The Chamber of Commerce was established for the regulation
of trade, &c. in 1768.
Scientific Societies. The most important of these are the
Lyceum of Natural History, founded in IS 18, for the advance-
ment of knowledge in Zoology, Botany, Mineralogy, Geology,
and Conchology ;
It has a large library, and extensive and valuable collections, in every depart-
ment of natural history, which are all arranged for gratuitous exhibition, at its
rooms No. 659, Broadway.
The New York Historical Society, occupying rooms in the
University building; its library is a very valuable one, of over
12,000 volumes, besides a collection of coins and medals.
The Ethnological Society, founded in 1842, for investigations
in history, languages, geography, &c. ;
The New York Medical Society comprising the great body of
the educated physicians of the city ; its object is improvement
in medical science.
The National Academy of Design, established for the benefit
of living artists. They annually exhibit a large collection of
paintings.
Libraries. The New York Society Library was established
in 1754. It has a fine building on Broadway, and a library of
40,000 volumes.
The Mercantile Library Association has a fine suite of rooms
in Clinton Hall, a library of more than 21,000 volumes, and an
elegant reading room.
The Apprentices Library at 32 Crosby street, contains 12,000
well selected volumes.
The New York Law Institute Library was established in
1828, and has a valuable library of about 3500 volumes of select
law books.
Benevolent Institutions. Hospitals. There are two hos-
pitals in the city. The New York Hospital, founded by sub-
scription, in 1769, is a noble institution. It has extensive build-
ings and grounds, and good accommodations for 250 patients.
It has ten visiting, and as many consulting physicians.
The City Hospital, at Bellevue, is supported by the Municipal
government of the city. It has accommodations for between
200 and 300 inmates, and is under the management of a physi-
cian, and several assistants.
The City Dispensary aflbrds aid to about 20,000 indigent pa-
tients annually. The Northern and Eastern Dispensaries ad-
NEW YORK COUNTY. 151
minister relief to from 5000 to 10,000 each. The New York
Eye Infirmary treats over 1000 indigent patients, for diseases of
the eye. The Bloomingdale Lunatic Asylum, located at Bloom-
ingdale, has about 200 patients. It is connected with the New-
York Hospital.
The City Lunatic Asylum, on Blackwell's Island, has from
300 to 400 indigent patients. There is also a Lunatic Asylum
on Murray's Hill, Fortieth street. The Institution for the Blind,
on the ninth Avenue, has about sixty pupils.
The Deaf and Dumb Asylum, on Fiftieth street, hasaprinci-
pal, eight professors, and not far from 150 pupils. Its buildings
are large and commodious.
There are also six Orphan Asylums in the city, and several
institutions for aged and indigent females.
Societies are also founded, for the protection and benefit of
emigrants, who throng, in such vast numbers, to the city.
From its central position, and intimate connexion with other
sections of the country, New York city has been made the head
quarters, of numerous benevolent institutions, whose measures
are intended to benefit the whole country. The most prominent
of these are the American Bible Society, the American and
Foreign Bible Society, the Methodist Book concern, the Amer-
ican Tract Society, the Home and Domestic Mission Societies,
the Seaman's Friend Society, the Society for ameliorating the
condition of the Jews, the American Temperance Union, the
Moral Reform Society, the American, and the American and
Foreign Anti-Slavery Societies, the American, and the Ameri-
can Baptist Home Mission Societies, &c. &c.
Places of Amusement. These are numerous. Beside two
museums, each containing extensive collections of curiosities,
there are several public gardens, where there are frequent ex-
hibitions, picture galleries, four large, and two or three lesser
theatres, &c. &c.
Government and Political divisions of the city. For the
purposes of government and police, the city is divided into
eighteen wards, each of which elects, annually, an alderman
and assistant alderman, who, together, form the Common
Council, and with the Mayor, administer the government of the
city.
The police of the city , whose duty it is to preserve order, ar*
rest criminals, prevent riots, felonies, and other misdemeanors,
give alarm of fires, &c, are 800 in number, and are distributed
through the wards, according to their population.
In each ward is a station house, and the police force of the ward, are under
the control of a captain of police, and two assistants. There are six police jus-
tices, who hold courts, in three different sections of the city. The whole police
force, is under the direction of a chief of police, whose rooms are in the new
City Hall in the Park.
152 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Business of Particular Streets. Wall street has become
the great rendezvous of bankers and brokers. Pearl street, of
wholesale. dry goods dealers. South street, of wholesale flour
and produce dealers. Chatham street, of dealers in clothing.
Broadway is a fashionable promenade ; and the Bowery, Grand,
and Canal streets, contain most of the retail stores.
Stores, &c. There are in the city, 1981 wholesale, and
about 4000 retail, dry goods stores, employing a capital of more
than sixty millions of dollars. There are twenty-seven banks,
with an aggregate capital of 825,563,600, besides four saving
banks.
There are sixty -seven fire and marine insurance companies,
of which twenty-two are on the mutual principle. The remain-
der have a capital of about fourteen millions of dollars. There
are twelve life insurance companies, four of them on the mutual
principle, the remainder have a capital of 819,000,000. There
were, in 1S46, 106 hotels and coffee houses.
Such is an imperfect view of the great commercial metropolis of our country.
Her growth, thus far, has outstripped the expectations, and predictions of the
most sanguine ; and judging of the future by the past, we are compelled to believe,
that ere the close of the present century, she will be, in population and commer-
cial importance, what London now is.
Her resources are unequalled, and her capacity for accommodating and sup-
porting an immense population, unsurpassed : and when the cities of the old world
have sunk to decay, Jsew York, fulfilling the promise of her youth, will flourish,
queen of cities, and mart of the world.
LONG ISLAND.
Square miles, 1448. Population, 145,119.
Long Island forms so distinct a portion of the state, that it
merits a distinct description. It extends from 40° 34' to 41° 10'
north latitude, and from 2° 58' to 5° 3' east longitude. It is
140 miles long, with an average breadth of 12 or 15 miles.
Surface. A chain of low hills divides it centrally, north of
which, the country is rough and broken, but south of it, is al-
most a perfect plain, apparently produced by the washing up
of the sand from the ocean. This surface is somewhat sterile,
but produces heavy pine timber.
Rivers, Bays, &c. There are few streams worthy of note,
on the island, although as a whole, it is well watered. The Pe-
conic, Connecticut, and Nissiquogue, are the only ones of im-
portance.
Its bays are numerous. On the southern coast, the Great
South bay extends from Hempstead to Brookhaven, a distance
of more than 70 miles. It is from two to five miles wide, and is
LONG ISLND. 153
separated from the ocean, by a beach of sand, varying in width
from a few rods to half a mile, broken only by a few narrow in-
lets, which are constantly changing in depth, with the action of
the waves.
At the eastern extremity of the island, the Great Peconicbay
has divided it into two peninsulas, of unequal length. Gardiner's
bay, between Shelter and Gardiner's island, furnishes a fine
and commodious harbor.
Smithtowm bay, on the northern shore, is an open roadstead,
of no great depth of water, and unprotected from the winds,
by projecting headlands. Huntington bay is smaller, but af-
fords a fine harbor. Hempstead harbor, Ne v York harbor,
and Jamaica bay, are the only other bays worthy of notice.
Lakes. There are numerous small lakes, or ponds, scattered
over thejsurface of the island, some of them at short distances
from the shore. They are very uniform in their height and
temperature, being seldom frozen in winter, and maintaining a
most delicious coolness in summer. Ronkonkama, Great Pond,
Fort Pond, and Success or Sacut Pond, are the principal.
Islands. A number of islands adjacent to Long Island, are
included in its territories. Of these, Shelter, Gardiner's, Plum,
Robbin's and Fisher's islands, toward the eastern extremity,
and Riker's, Coney, Barren, &c, at the southwestern, are the
principal. A part of these are inhabited.
Railroad. The Long Island railroad traverses the whole
length of the island, and furnishes to its inhabitants easy and
speedy access to New York city.
History. Previous to its discovery and settlement by the
whites, Long Island seems to have been densely populated by
Indians.
Historians have enumerated the names of fourteen or fifteen tribes, of which
the principal were the Canarsee. Rockaway, Merikoke, Marsapeague, Secatogue,
and Patchogue tribes on the south side ; the Matinecock, Nissaquogue, Setauket,
and Corchaug, on the north side ; and the Shinecock, Manhasset, and Montauk,
from the Canoe Place to Montauk Point. Of these tribes, the Canarsee were sub-
ject to the Iroquois ; the others were tributaries to the Montauks, whose sachem,
Wyandanch, was regarded as the grand sachem of the island. The Pequots,
however, had crossed over from the northern shore of the sound, and levied a
heavy tribute on these tribes ; and after that warlike people were subdued by the
English, the Long Island Indians paid tribute to the English, and sought their
alliance and protection.
The division of the Island, between the Dutch and English,
was long a bone of contention. At length, by the treaty of
Hartford, made in 1650, it was settled that the English should
hold all of the island east of Oyster bay, and that the remainder
should belong to the Dutch. After this date, the eastern part
of the island was under the government of Connecticut, till 1664,
when the Duke of York claimed it as a part of his patent.
154
STATE OF NEW YORK.
III. KINGS COUNTY
Square miles, 76.
Organized, 1683.
Population. 78,691.
Valuation in 1845, $30,750,472.
TOWNS.
1. Brooklyn, 17SS. 3. New Utrecht, 1 788. 5. Flatlands, 17SS.
2. Gravesend, 1788. 4. Flatbush, 1788. 6. Bushwick, 1788.
Rivers, &c. B. East River. E. Atlantic Ocean, r. Jamaica Bay.
i. Wallabout Bay.
Bays, &c. A. New York Bay. a. Narrows, d. Coney Island.
Forts. Hamilton. Lafayette.
Battle Fields. Battle of Long Island.
Cities and Villages. Brooklyn, Flatbush, Williamsburgh.
Boundaries. North by East river, and New York harbor;
East by Queens county ; South by the Atlantic ; West by New
York bay, and the Narrows.
Surface. On the northeast, for three or four miles back
from the East river, it is hilly. Erooklyn Heights forms the
KINGS COUNTY. 155
termination of the ridge, which runs through the island. On the
southeast, a sandy plain extends to the ocean.
Rivers, &c. There are no streams of importance. The
chief bays, or indentations of the coast, are Gravesend bay,
Gowanus cove, and the Wallabout bay. Plumb inlet, and
Rockaway inlet, on the south, communicate with several ponds
in the interior.
Geology and Mineralogy. A considerable portion of the
formation of the county is alluvial. The northern portion is
granite. Large boulders are found scattered over this, and the
adjoining counties. They are mostly granitic.
The principal minerals are hematitic iron ore, iron pyrites, lignite, porcelain
clay, magnetic iron sand, and garnet sand. There is also some peat, and a few
fossils.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil of this county
is possessed of greater natural fertility, than that of the other por-
tions of the Island, and it is highly cultiwt ed. It is well adapt-
ed to horticulture, and fruits and flowers arrive at great perfec-
tion. The grape is extensively cultivated, throughout the
county. Little timber is found.
Pursuits. Manufactures are the pursuit of a majority of the
inhabitants. The principal articles are distilled liquors, (to the
amount of $1,680,000,) cordage, iron ware, oils, flour, oilcloths,
leather, glass, ale, &c.
Agriculture, and particularly horticulture, receive considera-
ble attention. Corn, oats, butter, potatoes, fruit, and market
vegetables, are produced in large quantities.
Its commerce is large, but being included under the reports
for New York city, it is difficult to ascertain its amount with
accuracy.
Schools. There are twenty-four public schoolhouses in
the county, in which schools were taught, the whole twelve
months, in the year 1845. During that year, 8S91 children
received instruction, at an expense of $ 17,095, for teachers
wages. The libraries contained about 13,000 volumes.
The school organization of the city of Brooklyn has been already described, (see
page 126.)
There are also ninety-nine select schools, containing 3516 pupils; one acade-
my, and two female seminaries, with 150 pupils.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Dutch Reformed,
Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics, Baptists, Con-
gregationalists, Universalists, Unitarians, and Friends. Num-
ber of churches, 75, of clergymen, 85.
History. The first settlement, in this county, was made by
a small party of Walloons, or Waaloons, from the borders of
France, in 1625, on the shores of Wallabout bay, (called from
them Waalebocht or the bay of the Walloons.)
156 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Here, on the 17th of June, 1625, Sarah, eldest daughter of George Jansen de
RapaJje, was horn. She was the first child of white parents born within the limits
of the state of New York.*
Within the succeeding thirty years, settlements had been made
in Brooklyn, Flatbush, Flatlands, Gravesend, New Utrecht,
and Bushwick.f
Gravesend was settled by English emigrants, who fled from persecution in New
England. Of these, the most distinguished was the Lady Moody, and her son,
Sir Henry Moody.
These towns were each organized under a separate govern-
ment, administered by an officer, or officers, appointed by the
Director General.
None of them enjoyed any thing like a representative government, and in the
days of Governor Stuyvesant. any attempt on their part, to claim a share in its
administration, was frowned down, with the utmost severity. After New York
fell into the hands of the English, they were allowed to participate in the imper-
fect representative government of that period.
During the early part of the Revolution, Kings county was
the scene of many interesting incidents. Here occurred, on the
27th August, 1776, the battle of Long Island, which threw such
gloom upon the rising hopes of our countrymen, in the outset
of the revolutionary struggle.
The British ministry, determined, if possible, to close the war
by a single blow, had concentrated a large force in the neigh-
borhood of New York, well equipped, and furnished with all the
munitions of war.
Congress had assembled a force of near 27,000 men upon Long
Island, but thty were undisciplined militia. More than one-
fourth of them were invalids, and the remainder but scantily
supplied with guns and ammunition.
On the 22d of August, the British fleet approached the Nar-
rows, and landed the troops at Gravesend and New Utrecht,
without resistance.
Dividing here, into three sections, under the guidance of in-
habitants of these and other towns, who loved the gold of the
British, more than their own country, they proceeded, by three
distinct routes, to invest the American camp, which lay princi-
pally on Brooklyn heights.
* There is a tradition extant, that during the infancy of this Sarah Rapalje, Min-
uit, the Dutch Governor, being on a hunting excursion, with some associates,
near the Wallabout bay, entered the cabin of Rapalje, to find something to satisfy
his hunger. Finding no one at home, and no food, except an Indian dumpling,
they devoured that, when the wife of Rapalje, with her infant in her arms, en-
tered, and berated them soundly for their intrusion, and particularly, for devour-
ing the food she had reserved for her infant. The Governor, to appease her a'~
ger . promised her a milch cow, on the arrival of the ships from Holland, as a co
pensation for her dumpling. On their arrival, in addition to the cow, he gave 1
twenty morgen, (nearly forty acres,) of land, for pasturage for her cow.
t These towns were named by the Dutch, Breukelen, Midwout, Amerafoort,
Gravenzande, Nieuw Utrecht, and Boswyck.
KINGS COUNTY. 157
One division of the British army took the road lead ins: along 1
near the Narrows, another, that passing through the village of
Flatbush, and the third passed by the way of Flatlands.
Descending, on the morning of the 27th, to the village of Bed-
ford, General Clinton, who commanded one wing of the British
army, carried an important point, and an attack was made on
the three sides of the camp at once. Suitable precautions seem
not. to have been taken, by the American officers, to avoid sur-
prise, and although, when thus surrounded, they lbught brave-
ly, defeat was inevitable.
Attempting to retreat, they were driven upon the enemy's
forces on every side, and those who fought were slain, while
those who attempted to fly were made prisoners.
The loss of the Americans was variously estimated at from
1100 to 3300, in killed, wounded, and prisoners. The British
loss was less than 400. On the night of the 29th, General
Washington silently drew off his troops to New York, and from
this time till the close of the war, Kings county was in the
hands of the British.
The prison ships, in which the American prisoners of war were confined,
during the revolution, were stationed in Wallabout hay. In these ships, nearly
11,000 American citizens perished, from disease and starvation, through the in-
humanity of the British officers who had charge of them.
They were crowded into these ships in such numbers that to obtain fresh air
was impossible ; robbed of their clothing, fed upon the most loathsome and putrid
provisions, and scantily supplied even with these, allowed no drink but the most
fetid bilge water, and when sick, unattended by either physician or nurse.
Yet, amid the horrors of such a condition, the most distressing of which it is
possible for the human mind to conceive, our noble countrymen preferred death,
with all its horrors, to a traitor's life, with plenty ; and very few of them could be
persuaded to enlist in the British army, although they were assured that they
should be amply provided with food, and suitable clothing. Their heroism, and
tlic brutal inhumanity of their jailors, should go down to the latest posterity.
Cities, Villages, &c. Brooklyn city, the seat of justice for
Kings county, is situated at the west end of Long Island, direct-
ly opposite the lower portion of New York city. Its location is
a commanding and delightful one, and its growth, within a few
years past, has been rapid, beyond precedent in the state.
It is the residence of very many of the business men of New York city, who
prefer its pure air, and quiet streets, to the more crowded and bustling squares of
the great metropolis. It is remarkable for the neatness and taste displayed in its
private residences.
The city has a number of literary and scientific institutions of
a high order. The principal of these are the Brooklyn Insti-
i tute, formed by the union of the Brooklyn Apprentices' Library
^^Association, the Brooklyn Lyceum, and the City Library ; this
institution has a large library, and is in a highly flourishing
condition ; the Lyceum of Natural History, which is engaged,
with commendable zeal, in the investigation of the physical
8
-in
158 STATE OF NEW YORK.
sciences ; the Hamilton Literary Association, and the Franklin
Literary Association, both composed of young men desirous of
improvement. There are also several academies and female
seminar irs of distinction.
The United States Government have a navy yard at Walla-
boat hay. covering forty acres of ground, and well provided
with all the necessaries, for the construction of the largest ships
of the line. They are constructing a dry dock here, at an im-
mense expense. Connected with the yard, is a Naval Lyceum,
composed of officers of the United States navy, and possessing
a large library and museum.
The Greenwood Cemetery, situated in the south part of the
city, contains more than 200 acres of land. Its situation is de-
lightful, and comprises every variety of surface, which is calcu-
lated to make it attractive, as a place of repose for the dead.
The harbor of the city is extensive, and its depth sufficient to
allow the largest vessels to come to its wharves. The Atlantic
dock, now in progress of construction, is a stupendous work, and
one of the most remarkable monuments of private enterprise
and wealth, in the country. Population, 62,000.
Williamsburgh, taken from Bushwick, and organized as a
distinct town in 1840, is favorably situated for business, and
from its proximity to New York, has had a rapid growth. It is
the residence of many of the business men of the metropolis,
and is fast increasing in population and wealth. It is connected
with New York by three steam ferries. Population about
12,000.
Flatbush, in the town of the same name, is a pleasant
though small village. Erasmus Hall, located here, and incor-
porated in 17S7, is one of the oldest and most ably conducted
academies in the state. The battle of Long Island was fought
mostly within the limits of this town.
IV. aUEENS COUNTY.
Square miles, 396.
Organized, 1683.
1'opulation, 31,849.
Valuation, 1845, $11,568,350.
TOWNS.
1. Flushing, 1788. 4. Newtown, 178S.
2. Hempstead. 17S8. 5. North Hempstead, 17SS.
3. Jamaica, 17SS. d. Oyster Bay, 1788.
Rivers, Sfc. D. Long Island Sound. E. Atlantic Ocean. B. East
River.
Bays. j. Oyster Bay. r. Jamaica Bay. k. Flushing Bav. 1. Cow
Bay.
Villages. North Hemfstead, Flushing, Jamaica, Newtown.
Boundaries. North by Long Island sound and the East
river ; East by Suffolk county ; South by the Atlantic Ocean,
and West by Kings county.
Surface. The northern portion of this county is rolling, but
with no high hills. Harbor Hill, the highest elevation in the
county, is 319 feet above the ocean. The great Hempstead
plain extends through the central portion of the county.
160 STATE OP NEW YORK.
Rivers, &c. The county is well watered, but none of the
streams are of considerable size.
Bays and Harbors. These are numerous, both on the
northern and southern coasts. The principal on the north, are
Flushing, Hempstead, Little Neck, Cow, Oyster, and Cold
Spring, bays. On the south, are Jamaica, Rockaway, and part
of the Great South bay.
These bays abound with a great variety nf fish, oysters, &.C., and at certain
seasons, large numbers of wild fowl congregate here, the taking of which affords
ample amusement to the sportsman.
Islands. Riker's island, on the northern coast, Hog island,
Cow island, and several others in Jamaica bay, on the south-
ern, are the principal.
Ponds. Success, or Sacut pond, in Flushing, is the only one
worthy of special notice.
This pond is very deep, and its waters of remarkable purity and coldness.
Perch are very abundant in it. They were first put into its waters by Doctor
Samuel L. Mitchell.
Climate. Like that of the Island generally, it is mild, equa-
ble and healthy. The seasons are early, and the frosts occur
late in autumn; consequently, fruits attain great perfection.
Geology and Minerals. The geological character of the
county alluvial and diluvial, the boulders are mostly granitic. In
the southern portion of the county, there are no rocks, nor even
stones, of more than a few ounces weight. There are few min-
erals of importance.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil of the northern
portion is very fertile, and perhaps under as high cultivation as
that of any other part of the state. The southern part is sandy
and naturally sterile, but by judicious management, it has
been made to produce tolerable crops.
The timber is principally oak, hickory, chestnut, and locust in
great abundance. The latter was originally introduced from
Virginia. In the northern part, the apple, pear, peach, cherry,
&c, thrive well. Wheat, corn, and grass, are also favorite
crops.
Pursuits. Agriculture and horticulture are prominent pur-
suits of the inhabitants of this county. Large quantities of
corn and oats are raised. Butter, pork, and wool are produced
in abundance. Shrubs, fruit trees, and rare exotic plants are
sent from the numerous gardens and nurseries in the county, to
all parts of the Union.
Fishing, and fowling, are also the employments of many of the
inhabitants. Manufactures are not extensive. The most con-
siderable are flour, woollen cloths, distilled liquors, and leather.
UUEENS COUNTY. 161
The commerce of the county is confined to the coasting trade,
and carried on through the ports of Flushing, Glen's Cove, Oys-
ter Bay, and Cold Spring. Steamers ply between New York,
and Flushing, Glen's cove, and Rockaway.
Staple Productions. Corn, oats, butter, wool, fruit trees,
and flowers.
Schools. The county has seventy public schoolhouses, in
which schools were taught, in 1846, an average period of ten
months. In them 4960 children received instruction, at an ex-
pense of $15,346. The school libraries contained 13,803 vol-
umes.
Beside these there were thirty-six private schools, -with 708 pupils, four acad-
emies and three female seminaries, with l 272 pupils. One of these is a collegiate
school, of a high order.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Episcopalians, Bap-
tists, Friends, Dutch Reformed, Presbyterians, and Roman
Catholics. Total number of churches, 59, of clergymen, 43.
History. The first settlement made in this county, was at
Hempstead, by a company of emigrants from Stamford, Conn.,
in 1644. This company acknowledged the Dutch jurisdiction,
and obtained a patent from Governor Kieft. The place was
first called Hemsteede.
In the spring of 1645, a company of Englishmen who had
previously resided in Vlissingen, in Holland, emigrated to this
country, and locating themselves in Queens county, founded
the town of Flushing, called by them Vlissingen. They, too,
obtained a patent, from Governor Kieft, for their lands. Be-
tween this period and 1656, settlements were commenced ,at
Oyster bay, Newtown, and Jamaica.
A considerable number of Friends having settled in Vlissin-
gen, Governor Stuyvesant, animated by the spirit of intolerance
so prevalent at that day, issued an order requiring the people
of the town to cease giving them any countenance, or enter-
taining them.
To this order, the people of that town sent a dignified remon-
strance. Gov. Stuyvesant, however, persisted in his intolerant
measures, inflicting heavy fines, protracted imprisonment, and
severe corporeal punishment, on those who professed the Qua-
ker faith, as well as upon all who assisted or sheltered them.
Some thirteen or fourteen prominent individuals were thus
made to feel the weight of his displeasure.
One of the sufferers, having manifested more firmness than
the rest, in the avowal of his sentiments, was sent by the Gov-
ernor, a prisoner in chains, to Amsterdam. He was liberated
from confinement, and sent back by the West India Company,
and made the bearer of a letter from the company to the perse-
162 STATE OF NEW YORK.
cuting Governor, which, for the noble sentiments, in regard to
religious liberty, which it avows, deserves to be written in letters
of gold.
But the intolerant spirit of the Dutch governor did not stop
here. The Lutherans also fell under the ban of his displeasure,
and he banished them from the colony.
This bigotry did much toward rendering the people dissatisfied with the sway
of the director, and but for the incursion of the English, in 1664, they wo 'Id, in
all probabilty, have thrown off their allegiance, by a civil revolution. In the ex-
change of masters, however, there was little else than an exchange of tyrants.
Religious intolerance still prevailed, under a new form.
In 1702, Lord Cornbury, having taken refuge in Jamaica,
from yellow fever, (at that time epidemic in New York city),
occupied the residence of Rev. Mr. Hubbard, the Presbyterian
minister of the place, which was courteously tendered him, by
its occupant, as the best dwelling in the village.
With characteristic ingratitude, he dispossessed this clergy-
man of his pulpit, in which he placed an Episcopal minister,
whom, on his return to New York city, he ordered to occupy
Mr. Hubbard's parsonage. Twenty-six years elapsed, before
the Presbyterians were able to recover possession of their
church edifice.
In 1707, Lord Cornbury imprisoned two Presbyterian clergy-
men, in this county, for preaching without his license, and finally
liberated them, on the payment of a fine of $500.
During the Revolution, a majority of the inhabitants of this
county took the oath of allegiance to Great Britain. British
troops were stationed in different portions of the county, and
the people were obliged to furnish them with large quantities of
wood and provisions.
There were many, however, whose hearts beat with true loyalty to the cause
of their country, and who rejoiced, when she succeeded in throwing off the yoke
of foreign oppression.
It was rather, perhaps, the misfortune than the fault of the people of this
county, that, exposed as they were, without defence, to the hostile power of the
enemy, they yielded to a force they could not oppose.
Yet this was made a subject of reproach to them, and in 1734, a tax of
.£100.000 was levied upon the southern district, to be appropriated, as a com-
pensation, to the other parts of the state, on account of their not having been
able to take an active part in the war ; and Queens county, in addition to her se-
vere losses from the British, was obliged to atone for her own misfortunes.
Villages. North Hempstead, the seat of justice for the
county, is situated near the southern boundary of the town of
the same name. It is an inconsiderable village, and was se-
lected for the county seat, from its being the geographical cen-
tre of the county.
Flushing village, in the town of Flushing, situated at the head
of the bay of the same name, is one of the most beautiful villa-
ges in the state. It is a favorite summer residence of merchants
QUEENS COUNTY. 163
and others, from the city of New York, and has many noble
villas and country seats. Population 2500.
Its schools are highly celebrated. St. Ann's Hall, a female sem-
inary of a high order, St. Thomas' Hall, and St. Paul's college,
about three miles from the village, a collegiate school for boys,
are among the most distinguished. These schools are under
the direction of the Episcopalians. The Friends have also a
flourishing seminary, and there are several well conducted select
schools.
The nurseries and botanic gardens here, have long held the
first rank in our country. The Linnean Botanic garden was
established, by Mr. Prince, in 1750, and still maintains a high
reputation, while the new nursery of the Messrs. Prince, the
Bloodgood nursery, the Commercial garden and nursery, and
the Floral and Pomological nursery, contend with it for the palm.
In this town is still standing the Bowne mansion, where the celebrated George
Fox, the apostle of the Friends, spent much of his time. Near it stands the an-
cient and venerable oak, under the canopy of which he proclaimed his views,
with an eloquence which won many hearts.
Jamaica village, in the town of that name, is situated on the
line of the Long Island railroad, twelve miles east from the city
of Brooklyn. It is a beautiful village, with many facilities for
intercourse with the adjacent towns. The railroad company
have here a large manufactory, for the construction and repair
of their cars. It also contains Union Hall academy, an old and
flourishing institution, a female seminary of some reputation,
and several select schools. The Union race course is within
the limits of this town. Population about 2000.
Hempstead village is delightfully situated, on the southern
margin of the great Hempstead plain, in the town of the same
name. For beauty and salubrity, it has few equals. The
Hempstead seminary has a fine and costly edifice, and is in a
flourishing condition. The village is a favorite summer resort.
Population about 1800.
There are several other villages in the town. Rockaway
beach, or Far Rockaway, is a headland projecting from the
southern shore of the town, on which the restless surges of the
ocean beat, with ceaseless vehemence.
Near Rockaway is a pleasant and thriving little village.
Near the Methodist church, stands a marble monument erected
to the memory of 139 unfortunate emigrants, whose bodies were
washed ashore from the wrecks of the ships Bristol and Mexico,
in the winter of 1836-7. In these two melancholy shipwrecks
215 persons were lost.
Newtown, Astoria, Oyster Bay, Glen Cove, and Norwich, are
villages of some importance. Lloyd's neck belongs to the town
of Oyster Bay.
V. SUFFOLK COUNTY.
Square Miles, 976.
Organized, 1683.
Population, 34,579.
Valuation, 1845, $5,962,618.
TOWNS.
1. Brookhaven, 1788. G. Smithtown, 1788.
2. East Hampton, 17SS. 7. Southampton, 178S.
3. Huntington, 17S8. 8. Southold, 1788.
4. Islip, 17SS. 9. Riverhead, 1792.
5. Shelter Island, 1788.
Rivers, a. Connecticut creek, b. Nissiquogue River, c. Sampawan's
creek, d. Conesqua River, v. Peconic.
Bays, 8,-c. E. Atlantic Ocean. D. Long Island Sound, f. Great
South Bay. e. Great Peconic. g. Gardiner's, j. Smithtown. m.
Huntington's, n. Shinecock. o. Great West.
Po?ids. h. Ronkonkama.
Islands, 8{c. q. Fisher's, r. Gardiner's, s. Robbins'. t. Plumb,
u. Shelter, p. Montauk point.
Villages. Riverhead. Sag Harbor. Greenport.
Boundaries. North by Long Island Sound ; East and South
by the Atlantic Ocean ; and West by Queens county.
Surface. Toward the northern shore, the surface is hilly
and broken. The southern portion is level and sandy. There
are no hills of considerable altitude in the county. The Great
Peconic bay, extending nearly into the centre of the county, di-
vides it into two peninsulas.
Rivers. The county is not well watered. The Peconic, Con-
necticut, Nissiquogue/Sampawan's and Conesqua rivers are the
principal.
SUFFOLK COUNTY. 165
Bays, &c. The Atlantic Ocean washes its southern and
eastern shores, and Long Island sound its northern. Its most
considerable bays are Huntington, Smithtown, Gardiner's,
Great Peconic, iShinecock, Great West, and Great South bays.
Ponds. Ronkonkama pond lies at the junction of the towns
oflslip, Smithtown and Brookhaven.
Islands. Shelter, Gardiner's, Fisher's, Robbins', Plumb, and
the Gull islands on the coast belong to this county.
Climate. Similar to that of the Island generally. The pre-
vailing winds are from the southwest. The atmosphere is at
all times moist, and the cold of winter is accompanied by a de-
gree of chilliness, which renders it unpleasant. The longevity
of its inhabitants is greater, however, than that of any other
portion of the state.
Geology and Minerals. The geological formation of this
county does not differ from that of the other counties of the
island.
It is a disputed point, whether the formation of the whole county is alluvial
or not. That of the southern portion is undoubtedly so, and the immense granite
and gneiss boulders imbedded in the soil, would indicate that the northern part
might be also.
It is the opinion of many eminent geologists, that the northern portion of the
island once formed a part of the coast of Connecticut, and that it was rent from
the main, either by the force of the waves, or by some convulsion of nature.
Hematite, iron pyrites, lignite, clay, suitable for making porcelain ware, mag-
netic iron sand, and garnet, are the principal minerals.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. Portions of the soil of
this county are barren wastes of sand, producing little except
pitch pine timber. Other portions on the southern shore are
composed of sand dunes, or small hillocks of sand, affording no
sustenance to any vegetable, except an occasional tuft of coarse
grass. There are large tracts, however, of highly fertile land,
which, manured with ashes, seaweed, and the fertilizing moss-
bonker, or whitefish, yield ample crops, to repay the husband-
man for his toil.
The timber of the county is chiefly pitch pine, oak, hickory, chestnut and
locust. The bay berry, or wax myrtle, abounds in Riverhead.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the pursuit of a majority of the in-
habitants. The preparation of lumber and wood, for market,
occupies considerable attention, though less now than formerly.
Corn and oats are raised to some extent, and in some parts of
the county, there are extensive dairies.
The fisheries also afford employment to many of the inhabit-
ants. The whale fishery is extensively prosecuted from Sag
Harbor and Greenport. A considerable number of vessels are
employed in the codfisheries, and numerous smacks, &c., in the
coast fisheries. The entire amount of shipping, enrolled in this
district, in 1845, was 28,348 tons.
8*
166 STATE OF NEW YORK.
The manufactures of this county are not extensive. Flour,
woollen and cotton goods, and leather, are the most important.
Staple Productions. Oil, fish, corn and oats.
Schools. There are in the county 142 district school-houses.
The schools were maintained, in 1846, nine months ; 9117 chil-
dren received instruction, at a cost of $17,953. The district
libraries contained 19,723 volumes.
There were, in addition, forty-six select schools, with C34 pupils, seven
academies and one female seminary, attended by 119 scholars.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Presbyterians, Con-
gregationalists, Baptists, Episcopalians, Universalists and Ro-
man Catholics. There are seventy-nine churches, and eighty-
two clergymen.
History. This county was peopled mostly by emigrants from
New England, and the inhabitants have retained, in a great de-
gree, to this day, their primitive simplicity of manners and habits.
Southold was the first town settled in the county, and the first
to adopt a municipal organization, on the island. Its settlers
removed here from New Haven, and remained under the juris-
diction of that colony, until it was included in the charter of
Connecticut, in 1662, after which, it became a dependency of that
colony, till 1676, when Sir Edmund Andross insisting on his
right to jurisdiction over it, the people submitted, somewhat un-
willingly.
Southampton and East Hampton were also'included under the
government of New Haven and Connecticut, until this period.
Smithtown was purchased by Richard Smythe, of Narragan-
sett, Rhode Island, who obtained a patent from Governor An-
dross, in 1677, and removed here and founded a settlement.
Gardiner's Island was settled by Lyor Gardiner, in 1635;*
Shelter Island in 1652, by James Farrett and others ; and Brook-
haven in 1655, by emigrants, mostly from Boston.
In 1673, Colve, the Dutch governor of New Netherlands, at-
tempted to reduce these towns to subjection to the Dutch au-
thority at New Orange [New York]. This effort called forth a
sharp remonstrance from John Winthrop, the then governor of
Connecticut, and a spirited correspondence ensued, which re-
sulted in a partial compromise, on the part of the Dutch gov-
ernor.
In 1674, however, the English sway was resumed, and in
1676 the county came under the government of the colony of
New York. In 1699, the pirate Kidd secreted a portion of his
* Mr. Gardiner was a man of fine education, and exerted a powerful influ-
ence over the Indians, and the white settlers on the island. Wvandanch, the
powerful sachem of the Montauks, regarded him with the utmost reverence
and affection.
SUFFOLK COUNTY. 167
ill-gotten treasures on Gardiner's Island, in this county. These
were seized by order of the Earl of Bellomont, the same year.
During the revolution, the people of Suffolk county were de-
cidedly patriotic in their sentiments, and though under the dom-
ination of the British, they maintained their affection for their
country, and consequently suffered severely from her enemies.
It deserves to be recorded, to the honor of East Hampton, that every man in
the town, capable of bearing arms, signed a solemn pledge, on the 6th July, 1775,
not to submit to British taxation. The other towns were nearly unanimous in
their resistance to oppression.
On the 21st of May, 1777, the British having collected a con-
siderable quantity of provisions and military stores at Sag Har-
bor, General Parsons formed the design of destroying them,
and committed the enterprise to Lieutenant Colonel Meigs.
That officer proceeded directly to Guilford, but on account of
the roughness of the weather, could not embark till the 23d,
when he left Guilford, at one o'clock, P. M., with 170 men, in
thirteen whale boats. They arrived at Southold about six
o'clock, P. M., transported their boats over land to the bay, and
arrived, at twelve o'clock at night, within lour miles of Sag
Harbor. Securing their boats under a guard, they marched di-
rectly for the village, and attacking the outposts with fixed bayo-
nets, they proceeded immediately to the shipping.
An armed schooner, with twelve guns and seventy-nine men,
lying here, fired upon them for three-fourths of an hour, but
without effect. Twelve brigs and sloops, (one of which was
the vessel above referred to), 120 tons of hay, corn and oats,
ten hogsheads of rum, and a large quantity of merchandise,
were completely destroyed; six of the enemy were killed, and
ninety taken prisoners. Not one of Colonel Meigs' force was
either killed or wounded.
At two o'clock in the afternoon, he returned to Guilford, hav-
ing been absent only twenty-five hours. Congress voted a
sword to Colonel Meigs, and Washington addressed him a let-
ter of thanks, through General Parsons.
In retaliation for the capture of Major General Silliman, by
the British, in May, 1779, a party of twenty-five volunteers set
off from Bridgeport, Conn., on the 4th of November of the same
year, to capture Hon. Thomas Jones, then judge of the supreme
court, who was noted for his attachment to Great Britain.
They succeeded in their object, and captured three other pris-
oners. These were exchanged, in May, 1780, for Major Gen-
eral Silliman, and other prisoners.
On the 21st November, 1780, Major Benjamin Tallmadge at-
tempted an enterprise against Fort St. George, a British stock-
ade post near Mastic, on the southern shore of the island, in the
town of Brookhaven. Embarking at Fairfield, Conn., with
iGb
STATE OF NEW YORK.
eighty men, he crossed the sound to Old Man's harbor, where
he remained concealed through the day, and at night marched
for the fort, which he reached about two o'clock in the morning,
and carried immediately, at the point of the bayonet, taking
fifty-four prisoners, and destroying several vessels laden with
stores. On his return he stopped at Corum, and burned three
hundred tons of hay, which had been collected by the British.
He arrived at Fairfield, on the evening of the 22d, with his pris-
oners and booty, without the loss of a single man.
In October, 1781, Major Tallmadge attacked Fort Slongo,
a British post at Tredwell's bank, in Smithtown, and destroyed
it, taking a number of prisoners.
During the late war with Great Britain, the enemy repeatedly
seized vessels in Long Island sound, and on the coast, and
either wantonly destroyed them, or demanded an exorbitant
price for their ransom. In one of their incursions 'for this pur-
pose, at Riverhead, in May, 1814, they were repulsed by the
militia, with severe loss.
Villages. Riverhead, the seat of justice for the county, is a
small village on Peconic river.
Sag Harbor, the largest whaling port in the state, and the
most populous village in the county, is situated on the boundary
line between Southampton and East Hampton, the larger por-
tion of it being in the former town. Its site is sandy and sterile,
but its harbor is excellent. It was first settled in 1730.
In 1845 there were sixty-one ships and barks belonging to this
port, engaged in the whaling business, employing a capital of
more than $2,000,000, and a number of smaller vessels in the
home fisheries and coasting trade. It suffered severely, from
a disastrous fire in 1845, but was soon rebuilt, in a better man-
ner than before. Population 3621.
Green-port, the terminus of the Long Island railroad, has
sprung up since 1827, and has had a more rapid growth, than
any other village in the county. It had twelve ships, engaged
in the whaling business, in 1845. Population about 1200.
Huntington, in the town of the same name, is a small but an-
cient village, with an incorporated academy. It has a fine
harbor.
Oyster Ponds, or Orient, and Southold, are growing settle-
ments.
VI.
Square Miles, 63.
Organized, 1683.
RICHMOND COUNTY.
Population, 13,673.
Valuation, 1845, $1,373,279.
TOWNS.
1. Castleton, 17S8. 3. Southfield, 17S8.
2. Northfield, 1788. 4. YVestfield, 1788.
Bays. A. New York Bay. a. The Narrows, b Arthur Kull Sound.
c. Staten Island Sound, q. Newark Bay. w. Raritan. x. Lower
Bay.
Forts. Tompkins. Richmond.
Villages. Richmond. New Brighton. Tompkinsville. Factory-
ville.
Boundaries. North by Newark bay and Arthur Kull sound ;
East by New York bay and the Narrows ; South by the Lower
bay and Raritan bay ; and West by Staten Island sound. It em-
braces Shooter's island, and the islands of meadow on the west
side of Staten island.
Surface. Richmond county is quite elevated and much bro-
ken. There are a few miles of marsh, however, on the west-
ern coast, extending back from Newark bay. The northern
shore of the island is very bold, affording some delightful pros-
pects and beautiful sites for building, some of which are occu-
pied. The southeastern extremity is more level.
Bays, &c. New York bay on the north connects with New-
170 STATE OF NEW YORK.
ark bay by means of the Arthur Kull sound. Staten island
sound, seldom exceeding half a mile in width, bounds it for fif-
teen miles on the west. New York bay on the east is contracted
at Signal hill into the Narrows which divide it into the upper
and lower bays. That portion of the upper bay lying northeast
of the island is known as the quarantine ground, where vessels
from warm climates are obliged to lie at anchor, under quaran-
tine regulations, till permission is given by the health officer for
them to proceed to the city.
Climate. The climate is less subject to extremes than in
many sections of the state. The sea-breezes moderate alike the.
heat of summer and the cold of winter. Its inhabitants are
healthy.
Geology and Mineralogy. Staten Island is based upon prim-
itive rock, which rises near its centre into a ridge, running lon-
gitudinally through it, with a breadth of from one to tw T o miles.
Boulders of green-stone, sand-stone, gneiss, granite, &c, appear
in some sections sparingly, but on the northeast part of the
island iu considerable abundance.
Steatite, containing veins of talc, amianthus, and alabaster, covers the granite
of the ridge. This approaches in many places within one and a half feet of the
surface. Brown hematitic iron ore, of a superior quality, is abundant, as well as
a granular oxide of iron. Chalcedony, jasper, lignite, crystalized pyrites, asbestos,
amianthus, dolomite, Brucite, Gurhofite, talc and serpentine, are the other prin-
cipal minerals.
There is a single chalybeate spring, of no great strength, in the county. Ma-
rine fossils have been found in the alluvial portions of the island.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil of the county
with proper culture produces fair crops, particularly of oats,
corn and grass. Land, however, commands a high price per
acre, even when taken in farms.
Oak, hickory, walnut, and chestnut trees are abundant on the ridge, but they
are small, and chiefly of after growth.
Pursuits. The attention of the people is divided between ag-
riculture, manufactures and commerce. Manufactures are al-
most entirely confined to the dyeing and printing of cloths.
Fisheries are a source of sustenance and profit to many of its
inhabitants. Large quantities of fine oysters and clams, shad,
herring and mossbonkers, or white-fish, are annually taken
from its waters.
Many of its citizens are engaged in business in the city of New
York.
Schools. The public school-houses are fourteen. The
schools were taught in 1846 on an average ten months, and
were attended by 1915 scholars. The w T ages of teachers
amounted to S5425; the libraries contained 4462 volumes.
There are twenty-six private schools with 716 pupils.
RICHMOND COUNTY. 171
Religions denominations. Methodists, Episcopalians, Bap-
tists, Dutch Reformed and Roman Catholics. There are
twenty-one churches and twenty-four clergymen.
History. Staten Island was purchased from the Indians, in
1630, by Wouter Van T wilier, as agent for Michael Paauw,
one of the directors of the Dutch West India Company, together
with a large tract of land in Bergen county, New Jersey. Paauw
named his " Colonie" Pavonia,* probably from the abundance
of wild turkeys, regarded by the first settlers as a species of
peacock.
For some reason, Paauw seems soon to have relinquished his
claim to the island, and it reverted to the company. In January,
1639, David PieterszenDe Vries, the pioneer in the settlements
on the Delaware, commenced a colony on the island. Through
the short sighted policy of Governor Kieft, in regard to the In-
dians, their revengeful disposition was roused, and in the ab-
sence of De Vries, his colony was cut off.
In 1641, Cornells Melyn, an unprincipled adventurer, claimed
the island under an alleged grant from the West India Compa-
ny, and commenced a colony upon it, but the settlers were soon
dispersed by the Indians. In 1651, the Indians sold it again to
Augustin Herman, and in 1657, to the Baron Van Capellan,
who founded a colony, which was broken up by the Indians.
In 1655, during Governor Stuyvesant's invasion of the Swe-
dish settlements on the Delaware, the Indians made a descent
upon Staten Island, and massacred sixty-seven persons, which
must have embraced nearly the whole white population.
In 1658, Melyn obtained the exclusive title to the island, and
claiming to be independent of New Amsterdam, gave Governor
Stuyvesantand the colonists much trouble. In 1659 he convey-
ed his rights to the company.
In 1664, the county, together with the rest of the colony, fell
into the hands of the English, and soon became the home of
numerous emigrants. In 1667, the first court of justice was
established here. In 1670, it was once more purchased of the
Indians by Governor Lovelace. In 1633, it contained 200 fami-
lies. It was then organized as a county. Soon after this time
it received an accession of inhabitants from the Huguenots, who
fled from their native land on account ol persecution.
On the fourth of July, 1776, Sir William Howe seized the
island, and issued from thence his proclamations to the inhabit-
ants of Long Island ; and on the 22d of August, landed his troops
without opposition, on the Long Island shore, opposite South-
field. The island was held by the British, during the whole
' revolutionary struggle.
* Pavonia signifies the land of peacocks.
172 STATE OF NEW YORK.
On the 21st of August, 1777, Gen. Sullivan, with a force of
about 1000 men, undertook an expedition against the English
forces on Staten Island He captured about 150 prisoners, but,
from the terror of the boatmen who conveyed his troops to the
island, he was pressed by the British and thirteen of his men
killed, and the rear guard of one division numbering 136 men,
taken prisoners, before they could effect a passage to the main
land.
In November, 1777, another surprise was attempted by Gen-
eral Dickinson, and in the winter of 1779-80, a third by General
Stirling; both were unsuccessful.
Preparatory to the war of 1812, Forts Tompkins, Richmond
and Hudson, were erected at the Narrows, which completely
command the entrance to the upper bay. On Signal hill, back
of the forts, is a telegraph, communicating with New York city.
From the time that the English obtained possession of this
island, up to the year 1833, a controversy had existed between
New York and New Jersey, relative to the jurisdiction over it.
This controversy was at length happily terminated in that year,
by commissioners, who decided in favor of New York, but yield-
ed to New Jersey the jurisdiction over a portion of the adjacent
waters.
Villages, &c. Richmond, the county seat, is a small village
in the town of Westfield, near the centre of the county. Cas-
tleton, upon the Kills and New York bay, is the most hilly town
in the county. The great beauty of the prospects, the salubrity
of climate, and purity of water which its great elevation secures,
and the convenience of access to New York city, has within the
last few years much increased the value of its lands. It has
three considerable villages, all finely situated; Tompkinsville,
New Brighton and Factoryville.
Tompkinsville contains three hospitals connected with the
Quarantine department, and the country seat of the late Vice
President, D. D. Tompkins. New Brighton has a young ladies'
seminary and a boarding school for boys. It is distinguished
for its beautiful country seats. At Factoryville is an extensive
dyeing and printing establishment.
In Northjitld is located the " Sailors' Snug Harbour," founded
by Robert R. Randall, in 1801, who left for this purpose twenty-
two acres of land, in the fifteenth ward of New York city. The
principal edifice, with its wings, is 225 feet in length, and is
usually the home of about 100 infirm and aged seamen. Con-
nected with it is a farm of 160 acres. An elegant monument to
the memory of the founder fronts the edifice.
VII. WESTCHESTER COUNTY.
Square miles, 470. Population, 47,578.
Organized, 1680. Valuation, 1845, $10,030,317.
174 STATE OF NEW YORK.
TOWNS.
1. Bedford, 1735. 12. Poundridge, 17S8.
2. Cortland, 17SS. 13. Rye,1788.
3. East Chester, 1788. 14. Scarsdale, 178S.
4. Greensburgh, L788. 15. Somers, 1788.
5. Harrison, 17SS. 1(5. Westchester, 1788.
6. Mamaroneck, 17S3. 17. White Plains, 1788.
7. Mount Pleasant, 17SS. 18. Yonkers, L788.
8. New Rochelle, IT--. 19. Yorktown, 1 7S8.
9. North Castle. L7S8. 20. New Castle, 1791.
10. North Salem, 17--. 21. Lewisborough, 178S.
11. Pelham, 17--. 22. Ossinsing, 1845.
Mountains. T. Southern termination of the Matteawan mountains.
Rivers, &,-c. C. Hudson. B. East. S. Croton. a. Harlaem.
e. Bronx, d. Sawmill creek.
Bays, 8,-c. D. Long Island Sound, h. Tappan Bay. i. Haverstraw-
k. Peekskill.
Ponds, f. Croton.
Forts. Fort Schuyler.
Battle-fields. Verplank's Neck. Stoney Point. White Plains
Villages. White Plains. Bedford. Singsing. Peekskill. Tar-
rytown. Dobb's Ferry.
Boundaries. North by Putnam county; East by the state of
Connecticut and Long Island Sound; South by East river and
Harlaem river ; West by the Hudson river.
Surface. The surface of Westchester county is hilly, being
broken by numerous ridges, generally of no great elevation.
The general course of these ridges is from south-west to north-
east. The Matteawan mountains enter the north-western
corner of the county, and from thence toss the Hudson.
A high ridge, forming the watershed of the county, passes
from Mount Pleasant on the Hudson, eastward through New
Castle, Bedford, Poundridge and Salem, into Connecticut.
The south-eastern portion of this county, upon the Sound, be-
comes more level.
Rivers. &c. The East river, and Long Island Sound wash
the south-eastern shore of the county, and the Hudson the
western. The other principal streams are the Croton river,
which furnishes a supply of water to New York city, Bronx
and Sawmill rivers, and Mamaroneck creek.
Bays. Tappan. Haverstraw and Peekskill bays are only ex-
pansions of the Hudson, upon the western boundary of the
county.
Ponds. Croton Pond is a beautiful little lake, five miles in
length, formed by the Croton dam, which was erected for the
purpose of forming a reservoir, for the water conducted to New
York by the Croton aqueduct.
WESTCHESTER COUNTY. 175
Railroad. The Harlaem railroad extends through the
county to its northern boundary.
Climate. Its climate is mild and healthy.
Geology and Minerals. This county is wholly primitive in
its formation. Gneiss and primitive limestone are the prevail-
ing rocks.
The latter furnishes in vast abundance, an excellent building material, which,
under the name of Singsing marble, is extensively used in New York city, Brook-
lyn, Albany and Troy. It is liable, however, to become stained by the action of
the sea air, owing in part to its containing minute grains of iron pyrites.
Magnetic iron ore, iron and copper pyrites, green malachite, sulphuret of zinc,
galena and other lead ores, native silver in small quantities, serpentine, garnet,
beryl, apatite, tremolite, white pyroxene, chlorite, black tourmaline, Sillimanite,
monazite, Brucite, epidote and sphene, are the principal among the numerous min-
erals found within its borders. Peat is found abundantly, and of good quality, in
Bedford.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. As the county is based
upon primitive rock, its soil is naturally sterile, but by skillful
husbandry it has been rendered productive. It is not adapted
to wheat: summer crops succeed well, and by the use of plaster
it yields good returns in grass. Much of the land is devoted to
the raising of market vegetables.
The timber of the county is principally oak, chestnut, hickory, maple, &c.
Pursuits. Agriculture, and particularly Horticulture, is the
pursuit of a majority of the inhabitants. But little wheat is
raised; corn is extensively cultivated, and carried in large
quantities to New York city, in the ear.
Rye, oats, potatoes and turnips are also largely produced, as
well as the garden vegetables adapted to the New York market.
The rearing of calves, lambs, pigs and fruits for the same
market, is also a source of great profit to the agriculturists.
Butter and milk are also produced in considerable quantities.
Manufactures. The facilities for manufacturing in this
county are very generally improved, but there is not as much
variety in the manufactures as in some other counties of the
state. Iron, woollen goods, flour, leather and paper are the
principal articles.
Commerce. A considerable coasting trade is carried on be-
tween the ports on the Hudson and on the Sound, and New
York city. Much of the produce of the county is also trans-
ported to New York by the Harlaem railroad, and by steamers
on the Hudson.
Mines. Under this head we may enumerate the extensive
marble quarries at Singsing, Kingsbridge, and a copper mine
in Mount Pleasant, formerly extensively wrought, but now
abandoned.
Staple Productions. Corn, oats, rye, pork, calves, lambs,
fowls, srarden vegetables, butter and milk.
176 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Schools. There are in the county 149 district school-houses.
In 1846, schools were taught an average period of nine months,
and 8512 children received instruction, at an expense of nearly
$23,000. The number of volumes in the district libraries was
26,4S5.
The same year there were eighty-nine private schools, with 1334 scholars ; five
academies, and two female seminaries, with 196 pupils, and St. John's College, a
collegiate school, with thirteen instructors and 115 students.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Episcopalians, Pres-
byterians, Friends, Baptists, Dutch Reformed, Roman Catho-
lics. Congregationalists, and Universalis^. Total number of
churches, 111; of clergymen, 101.
History. The first settlement in this county was probably
made in 1642 or 1643, by Mr. Throgmorton, and thirty-five asso-
ciates, in the town of Westchester. Mr. Throgmorton emigra-
ted hither from New England, and commenced his settlement
with the approbation of the Dutch, who named it Eastdorp.
The promontory on which Fort Schuyler now stands, received
its name of Throg's point from this gentleman. In 164S, the
territory now included in the town of Yonkers, was granted to
Jonge Heer Van der Donk.*
The boundary line between New York and Connecticut was
the cause of almost incessant bickering during the Dutch and
the earlier part of the English colonial administration. This
settlement of Eastdorp, as well as others in this county, were
claimed by Connecticut.
In 1681, a settlement was made in Bedford, at a place called
the Hop Ground, under a Connecticut license, and in 1697, a
patent was issued for the town by the Connecticut Colonial As-
sembly. In 1700, however, the settlement was attached to New
York by order of King William. A patent was granted to
Frederick Philips, for the tract known as Philips' patent, which
was south of the Croton river, and was about twenty miles
square.
In 16S9, Governor Leisler purchased the manor of Pelham,
including the present town of that name and New Rochelle,
from the heirs of Thomas Pell, to whom it had been granted in
1666, for the Huguenots, who fled hither from France, on account
of persecution.
Governor Leisler was warmly supported in his administration
by the citizens of this county, and particularly by those of East
Chester.
In 1697, the two tracts of land, known as the Cortland manor,
lying in this county, and consisting of more than 86,000 acres,
were granted to Stephanus Van Cortland. This patent, as
* Probably Adriaen Van der Donk, the words Jonge Heer being merely the
title of the individual.
WESTCHESTER COUNTY. 177
Usual at that time, gave to the manor the right of representation
in the assembly.
Passing over the period from 1700 to 1775, during which few-
incidents of interest are recorded by historians, we find this
county deeply concerned in the events of the revolution. After
the disastrous battle of Long Island, and the evacuation of New
York city by the American army, in September, 1776, General
Washington had entrenched himself in a strong position at
Kingsbridge.
Finding it impossible to dislodge him from this post, General
Howe, the commander of the British forces determined to cut
off his communication with the eastern provinces, and then, if he
declined an engagement, to shut him up on the island of New
York, or its immediate vicinity, whence it would be impossible
for him to retire without serious loss.
Accordingly leaving a sufficient force in New York city, the
British General embarked with a large body of troops, for
Throg's point. Landing there, and having remained a few days,
to receive further reinforcements, and remove obstructions from
the roads over which he intended to pass, he marched to New
Rochelle, where he left a corps of German troops, to secure the
lower road leading to Connecticut. He, himself, proceeded
slowly and cautiously towards White Plains, the post of the
Highlands, which commanded the other road leading to the
east.
Meantime General Washington's army occupied a position
parallel to and west of the river Bronx, extending from Kings-
bridge nearly to White Plains. During the progress of the
British army, he sent out frequent parties to skirmish with the
enemy, and thus accustomed his troops to meet a foe, who had
hitherto inspired them with dread.
Upon their approach, how r ever, the American commander
called in all his troops, and took a strong position near White
Plains, on the west side of the Bronx. His right wing, being
more exposed than the remainder of the army, was protected
by a battery, erected on a hill, about a mile distant from the
camp.
On the morning of the 28th of October, the English army ad-
vanced in two columns, and having driven in the outposts, at-
tacked the American camp. Perceiving the importance of the
battery which protected the right wing of the Americans, the
British commander resolved to capture it. After a desperate
conflict and severe loss on both sides, it was carried by the
enemy.
Night put an end to the conflict. Washington improved the
interval in strengthening his entrenchments, and the next morn-
ing awaited an attack. The British general delayed for further
178 STATE OF NEW YORK.
reinforcements, and when these arrived, a storm prevented an
engagement.
Meantime, on the night of the 1st of November, Washington
abandoned his encampment, and removed to a stronger position,
near North Castle, some seven or eight miles north of White
Plains. Finding it impossible to dislodge him from this, the
British general withdrew from the pursuit, and determined to
reduce the posts, still held by the Americans, in the neighbor-
hood of New York city.
The principal of these were Fort Washington, on New York
island, and Fort Lee, on the New Jersey side of the Hudson.
Despite Washington's efforts to prevent it, he succeeded in
capturing both these forts, though not without severe loss, and
the American general was compelled to retreat, with a con-
stantly diminishing army, into New Jersey.
In March, 1777, the Americans having collected a quantity of
military stores at Peekskill, General Howe sent a powerful ar-
mament up the river, to destroy them. The American troops,
finding it impossible to defend them, set fire to the stores and
abandoned the place, leaving the British a barren victory.
In August, 1777, while General Putnam's head quarters
were at Peekskill, two noted British spies, Strang and Palmer,
were detected in the camp of the Americans, and hanged at
Oak hill, in the town of Cortland, near Peekskill village. Sir
Henry Clinton interfered in behalf of the latter, by sending a
flag of truce, demanding his release. General Putnam's reply
was characteristic ; it was as follows :
Head Quarters, 7th August, 1777.
Sir, — Nathan Palmer, a lieutenant in your king's service, was
taken in my camp as a spy, he was tried as a spy, he was con-
demned as a. spy, and you may rest assured, sir, he shall be
hanged as a spy. I have the honor to be, &c.
ISRAEL PUTNAM.
His Excellency Governor Tryon.
P. S. Afternoon. He is hanged. I. P.
With a view of making a diversion in favor of General Bur-
goyne, then closely besieged by General Gates, Sir Henry
Clinton in October, 1777, ascended the Hudson with a force of
between 3000 and 4000 troops, and landed at Verplank's point,
a short distance below Peekskill.
From thence he proceeded secretly across the river and gain-
ed the rear of forts Clinton and Montgomery, in Orange county.
By his adroit manoeuvres he succeeded in deceiving General
Putnam, and prevented his affording aid to those forts, which
might have prevented their surrender.
After the capture of the forts, the British again crossed the
Hudson, burned Continental village, where military stores to a
WESTCHESTER COUNTY. 179
considerable amount had been deposited, and proceeded up the
river to commit similar ravages upon the towns of the adjacent
counties. They were, however, soon compelled to* return to
New York.
During the whole war of the revolution, this county w r as neu-
tral ground between the two contending armies — the British
lines being generally in the neighborhood of Kingsbridge, and
those of the American army in the neighborhood of White
Plains.
The territory between these two armies was infested by a
gang of marauders attached to each army. That belonging to
the British army was principally composed of tories of the most
infamous character, who were denominated " Cowboys." The
American gang were equally unprincipled, and had received
the title of " Skinners." The inhabitants of the county were
plundered by each in turn, and dispirited by their sufferings and
losses, looked on all whom they met, as foes.
It was in this county that in September, 1780, Andre was
captured, on his return from the interview in which Arnold had
consummated his treason.
The place of his capture was in the town of Greensburgh, about a fourth of a
mile north of the village of Tarry town. The names of his captors were Isaac Van
Wart, John Paulding and David Williams. They were militia men, and had been
on an expedition to rescue some property taken the previous night by the Cowboys.
They were concealed for this object, when Andre, disguised as a citizen, passed
on the road near them, on horseback. '1 hey stopped him, and, losing his presence
of mind, he exclaimed, " Gentlemen, I hope you belong to our party." One of
them enquired, " what party V Andre replied, " the lower party." They answered
" we do," and Andre at once declared himself a British officer, on urgent business,
and begged to be suffered to proceed without delay.
Paulding then informed him that they were Americans, and Andre immediately
produced the pass with which Arnold had furnished him, and professed that his
former statement] was a falsehood, invented to enable him to escape from arrest
by the British patroles.
Their suspicions, were, however, aroused, and they insisted upon searching him,
and found papers in his stockings, proving his real character and his purposes. He
offered them immense rewards if they would permit him to escape, but in vain.
They delivered him to their commanding officer, Colonel Jamieson, then sta-
tioned at North Castle, who imprudently suffered him to apprise Arnold of his
arrest. He was tried by a court martial and sentenced to be hung as a spy, and
was accordingly executed at Tappan, October 2d, 1780.
Each of his captors were rewarded by Congress with a farm worth $1250, an
annuity of $200 for life, and an elegant silver medal with the inscription on one
side "Fidelity," and on the other "Amorvincit Patriae," — The love of country
conquers.
Villages. White Plains, one of the county seats, is a pleasant
village on the Bronx river. It has an academy and a female
seminary, both in a prosperous condition.
Bedford, the other half shire village, in the town of the same
name, is a small place, only important as being the county seat.
It has a female seminary.
ISO STATE OF NEW YORK.
Singsing, in the town of Ossinsing, is delightfully situated on
the bank of the Hudson. From the village, the prospect of Hud-
son river, forming Tappan bay, in connection with the distant
mountains, and the lofty wall of the palisades, is hardly sur-
passed by any other in the Union.
The Mount Pleasant academy and female seminary are both
excellent institutions, well located, and occupying elegant
edifices.
The Croton aqueduct bridge, a noble structure, here crosses
the Singsing creek by a single arch of eighty-eight feet span,
and is 100 feet in height.
There are several extensive quarries of marble, worked by
convicts.
The Mount Pleasant State Prison located here, on the bank of the Hudson, is an
immense marble structure. The main building is 484 feet long, forty-four wide,
and five stories high, containing 1000 cells. Connected with it are workshops of
different kinds, and apartments for the keepers, — all built of marble.
The female prison, also of marble, of the Ionic order, stands on elevated ground,
and has nearly 100 cells, besides apartments for the matron. All these buildings
were erected by the convicts.
The name given to the town, Ossinsing, is of Indian origin,
and signifies " the place of stone." Population about 2600.
Peekskill, in the town of Cortland, is pleasantly situated on
Peekskill bay, a beautiful expansion of the Hudson. It is famous
for having been the head quarters of both Washington and Put-
nam. The small one story house occupied by the latter, is still
standing. The Peekskill academy, located on Oak hill, near
the village, is situated but a short distance Irom the spot where
the tory spies, Strang and Palmer, already mentioned, were
executed. The village has some manufactures. Population,
3,000.
Tarrytown, in the town of Greensburgh, is finely situated on
the Hudson, and contains the Irving Institute, and the Green-
bank female seminary, both schools of high reputation. The
village has some trade with New York city. Population about
1000.
The capture of Andre near this village, has been already noticed. Near it too is
the far famed " Sleepy Hollow." whose legend, Washington Irving has rendered
immortal.
Mr. Irving resides about two miles below the village, in an ancient Dutch man-
sion, known as the Van Tassel house, which the former proprietor forfeited by his
adherence to the British interests.
New Rochelle is pleasantly situated on Long Island Sound,
and is a favorite resort for the fashionable from New York,
during the summer months. Its first settlers were Huguenots,
who named it from their native residence, Rochelle, in France.
Many of their descendants still reside here. It has one male
and two female boarding schools. Steamboats ply between the
village and New York, daily.
Dobtfs Ferry is only worthy of notice from its historic interest.
VIII. ULSTER COUNTY.
Square miles, 109G. Population, 48,007.
Organized, 1683. Valuation, 1845, $5,308,082.
1. Hurley, 17SS.
2. Kingston, 17S3.
3. Marbletown,1788.
4. Marlborough, 17SS.
5. New Paltz, 17S8.
6. Rochester, 1788.
7. Shawangunk, 1788.
8. Woodstock, 1788.
TOWNS.
9. Plattekill, 1S00.
10. Shandaken, 1804.
11. Wawarsing., 1806.
12. Esopus, 1811.
13. Saugerties, 1811.
14. Olive, 1823.
15. Rosendale, 1845.
16. Lloyd, 1845.
Mountains. P. Shawangunk mountains. h. Blue. i. Southern
termination of Kaatsbergs.
Rivers, fyc. C. Hudson river. V. Shawangunk. a. Esopus creek
f. Rondout. g. Wallkill river.
Falls. Honk's falls.
Lakes, k. Shin's lake.
Battle Fields. Kingston. Wawarsing.
Villages. Kingston. Rondout. Saugerties, or Ulster. New Paltz.
Wawarsing.
9
1S2 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Boundaries. North by Delaware and Greene counties ; East
by the Hudson river ; South by Orange county ; and West by
Sullivan county.
Surface. Mountainous. The Shawangunk mountains enter
the county from Orange, and traverse it in a north-easterly
direction, for nearly thirty miles, approaching the Hudson at
Kingston.
The Blue mountains, a continuation of the Allegany chain,
enter the county from Sullivan county, and spread over its west-
ern section, mingling in the northern part with the Catskill
range. They are said to rise, in some places, to the height of
2000 feet. Between these and the Shawangunk mountains, is
a broad valley through which Hows the Rondout creek.
Rivers. Beside the Hudson which washes its eastern border,
the principal streams of the county are the Wallkill and Sha-
wangunk rivers, and Esopus and Rondout creeks, with their
tributaries. The Nevisink river also takes its rise in this county.
Falls. The Rondout, at Honk's falls, descends by a suc-
cession of cascades, 200 feet, sixty feet of which is by a single
cataract.
Lakes. In the northern and western section of the county
are several small lakes or ponds. One of the most important
of these is Shin's lake, the source of one of the tributaries of
Esopus creek.
Canals. The Delaware and Hudson Canal extends through
the county.
Climate. The mountainous districts are somewhat cold and
subject to early frosts. The climate in the valleys is mild and
delightful. The county is considered salubrious.
Geology and Minerals. Nearly the whole county belongs
to the transition formation, being based upon slate, which is
overlaid with limestone. The primary rocks, particularly gran-
ite, occasionally appear on the surface, but only in beds of small
extent.
The minerals are blue limestone, containing fossils, much used as a building
material ; hydraulic lime of fine quality, and in great abundance ; excellent mar-
ble ; marl, slate, sulphur, alum, plumbago, (usually called black lead,) zinc ore,
several of the mineral pigments, millstones, said to be little inferior to the French,
peat, &c. There are also several sulphur springs of some celebrity. A number
of skeletons of the mastodon have been discovered in this county.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil varies with the
surface, being barren upon the mountains, fertile on the lower
hills, and composed of a deep vegetable mould, of exhaustless fer-
tility, in the extensive valleys. The application of marl, which
is abundant in the county, would render those portions naturally
sterile, highly productive. It is well adapted to grazing. The
ULSTER COUNTY. 1 83
timber of the county is oak, hickory, black walnut, pine and
hemlock.
Pursuits. A majority of the inhabitants are engaged in ag-
riculture. More attention is devoted to the rearing of cattle
and to the dairy, than to the grain culture, although corn, oats,
and buckwheat are raised in considerable quantities.
Manufactures are also a popular pursuit. The manufactures
of the county amounted, in 1845, to nearly two and a half mil-
lions of dollars. Leather, lumber, flour, iron, cotton and
woollen goods, hydraulic cement, oil, paper, furniture, white
lead, and distilled and malt liquors, are the principal articles
manufactured.
Commerce. The Delaware and Hudson canal brings to tide
water immense quantities of coal and lumber, most of which js
shipped for New York, and other ports. This business gives
employment to about 600 canal boats, and eighty sloops and
schooners. Several steamboats are also owned in the county,
and ply between the ports on the Hudson and New York city.
Mines. The quarries of marble and limestone furnish em-
ployment to considerable numbers.
Staple Productions. Butter, corn, oats, buckwheat, wool,
and lumber.
Schools. There were in the county, in 1846, 181 district
schoolhouses, in which schools were taught an average period
of nine months each. 11,547 children received instruction at a
cost for tuition of about $20,000. The district libraries contain-
ed 26,780 volumes.
There were in the county, the same year, forty private schools, with 811
pupils; two academies and two female seminaries with 135 pupils.
Religious Denominations. Dutch Reformed, Methodists,
Baptists, Presbyterians, Friends, Episcopalians, and Roman
Catholics. There are seventy churches, and sixty-one clergy-
men, of all denominations.
History. A trading house, or fort, was probably erected in
this county as early as 16 15 or 16, in the neighborhood of Kings-
ton. At how early a period settlements were made in other
sections of the county is uncertain. The frequent references to
the settlements at Esopus, as the vicinity of the fort was called
in the Dutch records, show that it had early become a location
of some importance.
Situated about midway between the city of New Amsterdam and the colony
of Rensselaerwyck, whose inhabitants did not always maintain the most friendly
relations with each other, and with the Indians, it was more exposed to Indian
hostilities than most of the other settlements.
In 1657, Vander Donk, the ex-attorney general, who resided
at Esopus, slew a squaw for stealing peaches from his garden,
and her tribe revenged the murder by killing several of the
184 STATE OF NEW YORK.
white settlers. From this and other causes much ill feeling
arose between the natives and the settlers, and in June, 1663,
the Indians made a descent upon the settlement, and killed and
carried captive sixty-five persons.
Circumstances rendered it probable that a conspiracy had
been formed by the Indians to extirpate the Dutch colonists.
Governor Stuyvesant summoned the magistrates of the differ-
ent towns, to consult with him relative to measures of defence.
Their views not coinciding with his own, he repaired to Esopus,
and took the field in person against the savages, who, on the
approach of Martin Crcigier, one of his captains, had fled to the
mountains.
Sending out parties of wary and experienced soldiers, Gov.
Stuyvesant not only kept them in check, but destroyed most of
their mountain fastnesses, and so far subdued them that they
asked for a truce, and, on the 15th of May following, a treaty
of peace was concluded with them.
Wawarsing and some of the adjacent towns were settled by
the Huguenots, in the latter part of the seventeenth century, or
the beginning of the eighteenth.
The convention, which formed the first constitution of the
state, met at Kingston, in a chamber of the house of Mr. James
W. Baldwin.
In October, 1777, during Sir Henry Clinton's expedition up
the Hudson, for the relief of General Burgoyne, he despatched
General Vaughan to Kingston. He landed and burned the
village, at that time the third in the state for wealth, popula-
tion, and elegance. Only one house escaped the flames. Sev-
eral tories were executed at Kingston during the Revolution.
In 1778, two men, Anderson and Osterhout, were taken cap-
tives by the Indians, and carried toward Binghamton. On
their way they succeeded in killing their captors, and, after
almost incredible hardships, returned to their houses in the
town of Wawarsing.
In May, 1779, a party of Indians descended upon a small set-
tlement of the Huguenots, on the Famine kill in Wawarsing,
and killed eleven of the inhabitants and burned several duell-
ings. They were pursued by Colonel Cortlandt with his regi-
ment, but without effect. Soon after, another family were
killed in the same vicinity.
In August, 1781, a large force of Indians and tories, some 400
or 500 in number, made an attack upon the village of Wawar-
sing, and burned and plundered it. The inhabitants had had
timely warning and were in the fort. The Indians in this expe-
dition took but one scalp, while several of their own number
were killed, and but for the tardiness of Colonel Cantine, they
ULSTER COUNTY. 185
might have been signally routed. Other similar occurrences
took place in some of the other towns of the county.
Villages. Kingston, the county seat, is pleasantly situated
on a plain, throe miles west of the landing- on the Hudson. The
Esopus creek flows through the village. It was anciently called
Esopus, and, as has been already noticed, was early settled by
the Dutch.
It was burnt by the British in 1777, but soon re-built. It has
considerable trade with New York, and some manufactures.
Its business is not concentrated upon one street, but scattered
over the whole village plat. It has a flourishing academy, and
a female seminary. Population 2500.
Rondout, also in the township of Kingston, is situated on the
Rondout creek. It is the place of deposit and shipment of the
coal and lumber, brought to the Hudson, by the Delaware and
Hudson canal. Nearly 200,000 tons of coal, and several mil-
lions of ieet of lumber, as well as large quantities of hydraulic
cement, and quick lime, are annually exported from this port.
A steam ferryboat plies between this place and Rhinebeck, in
Dutchess county, and also one to Eddyville, in this county.
The United States Government have erected a light house
here. Population about 1S00.
Eddyville, in the same town, is a small but thriving manu-
facturing village.
Ulsterville, in the town of Saugerties, is a village of recent
growth, being founded in 1826, and incorporated in 1831. Its
immense water power, derived from the falls on Esopus creek,
has rendered it one of the most flourishing manufacturing vil-
lages in the state.
There is an extensive rolling and slitting mill here, employ-
ing 250 workmen. Axes, paper, white lead, starch, and bricks
are also manufactured in large quantities. A beautiful bridge,
with one arch of 260 feet span, crosses the Esopus creek in this
village. A steamboat, and several sloops, ply between the
village and New York. Population, 2500.
New Paltz, is a small but thriving agricultural hamlet. It
has a flourishing academy. New Paltz landing, now included
in the town of Lloyd, is a pleasant, village, nine miles from the
village of New T Paltz.
Wawarsing and Naponodi, in the town of Waw T arsing, are
places of some historic interest.
IX. DUTCHESS COUNTY.
Square miles, 765.
Organized. 1683.
Population, 55.124.
Valuation, 1845, $19,784,944.
DUTCHESS COUNTY. 187
TOWNS.
1. Amenia, 17S8. 10. Stanford, 1788.
2. Beekman, 1788. 11. Dover, 1807.
3. Clinton, 1788. * 12 Redhook, 1812.
4. Fishkill, 1788. 13. Milan, 1818.
5. Northeast, 1788. 14. Hyde Park, 1821.
6. Pawling, 1788. 15. La Grange, 1821.
7. Poughkeepsie, 1778. 10. Pleasant Valley, 1821.
8. Rhinebeck, 1788. 17. Pine Plains, 1823.
V. Washington, 1788. 18. Unionvale, 1827.
Mountains. F. F.Highlands. T. Matteawan, or Fishkill Moun-
tains. U. Taghkanic range, e. Old Beacon, f. New Beacon, or
Grand Sachem.
Rivers, Creeks, &{c. C. Hudson river, a. Ten Mile creek, b.
Fishkill. c. Wappinger's.
Lakes, &{C. g. Stissing's Pond. h. Whaley's.
Villages. Poughkeepsie, Fishkill, Matteawan, Fishkill Landing,
Pleasant Valley, Hyde Park, Rhinebeck.
Boundaries. North by Columbia county ; East by the state
of Connecticut ; South by Putnam county ; and west by Hudson
river.
Surface. The surface is diversified, but generally moun-
tainous, or hilly. Two great valleys intersect the county; the
eastern bounded by the Taghkanic and the Matteawan, or Fish-
kill mountains ; the western, lying between the latter and the
high banks of the Hudson river. Beside these, there are nu-
merous rolling ridges of less elevation, running through the
valleys parallel to the mountain ranges.
The mountains rise in some places to the height of about
1700 feet. The river range presents some of the highest peaks
of the Highlands. The Old Beacon, near the Fishkill landing,
is 1471 feet, and the New Beacon,* or Grand Sachem, half a
mile farther south, 1685 feet, above tide water. The prospect
from the top of the latter is very extensive and beautiful.
Rivers, &c. The principal streams are, Ten Mile, Fishkill,
Wappinger's, and Crom Elbow creeks, with their tributaries ;
several of the smaller streams also possess valuable mill sites.
The Fishkill is about twenty miles in length. Wappinger's creek
is about thirty-five miles long.
Climate. The climate is agreeable and healthful, though,
from the elevations of some portions of the county, it is colder
than some of the adjacent counties.
Geology and Mineralogy. The eastern part of the county
is primitive. Granite and gneiss are the prevailing constituents.
* These mountains received their names from the signal fires lit upon their tops
durius? the Revolution.
188 STATE OF NEW YORK.
West of these, the country belongs to the Taconic system;
slate and limestone being the principal underlying rocks, and
frequently cropping out upon the surface.
The county abounds in minerals. Iron ore, of rare purity and in extraordi-
nary abundance, exists on the western slopes of the mountains; both the herna-
tiiic and magnetic ores occur in the county. Lead and zinc are also found in
considerable quantities. Graphite, or black lead, is obtained in great abundance
from a mine in Fishkill. Marble, peat, and marl, are found in almost every part
of the county. Garnet, green actinolite, talc, anthophyllite, granular epidote, and
Gibbsite are the other principal minerals.
In Dover is a cavern which, from its almost perfect Gothic arch, has received
the name of "the Stone Church."
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil in general, is
very fertile, though portions of the mountainous districts are
somewhat sterile.
Gypsum is too much relied upon as a fertilizing agent, while the equally valu-
able lime and marl upon, and beneath the soil are neglected; a beneficial change
is however taking place in this respect. The timber is principally oak and chest-
nut with some hickory. The county is well adapted to the rearing of cattle and
sheep, and the culture of grain.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the pursuit of a majority of the in-
habitants of this county. In the production of corn and oats, it
stands first in the state, and maintains a respectable rank in the
production of other grains. In the growth of wool and the pro-
duction of butter, it occupies a high rank; in, the number of
its swine too it exceeds any other county in the state. Flax and
potatoes are also raised in great abundance.
Manufactures. Dutchess county is extensively engaged in
manufactures. The most important articles are cotton and
woollen goods, including prints, iron ware, flour, malt liquors,
cordage, leather, oil, paper, &c. The entire value of manufac-
tured products in 1S45, exceeded two and half millions of dol-
lars.
Commerce. The whale fishery is prosecuted from Pough-
keepsie, and employs several large ships. Some eight or ten
steamboats, and a considerable number of sloops, schooners and
barges, are employed in the coasting trade.
Mines, fyc. In Beekman, Dover, Fishkill, and Pawling, are
extensive iron mines; in Fishkill a large mine of Plumbago; in
Dover extensive quarries of white and black marble; and in
Poughkeepsie numerous and extensive lime-kilns.
Staples. Corn, oats, butter, wool, beef, and pork.
Schools. In tlte county are 210 district school-houses, in
which, in 1846, schools were maintained an average period of
nine months. 12,854 children received instruction at an ex-
pense for tuition ol* about $27,962. The district libraries con-
tained about 28,000 volumes.
There were also in the county, eighty-three private schools, with 1155 scholars;
four academies, and two female seminaries, with 2£l8 pupils, and one collegiate
school, with about 120 pupils.
DUTCHESS COUNTY. 189
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Friends, Baptists,
Presbyterians, Dutch Reformed, Episcopalians, Congregation-
alists, Roman Catholics, Universaliste, and Unitarians. There
are 103 churches, and ninety-lour clergymen of all denominations
in the county.
History. The precise period when Dutchess county was
first settled, does not seem to be satisfactorily ascertained. The
first settlement was made at Fishkill, by the Dutch. In 1683,
the number of its inhabitants was sufficient to authorize its or-
ganization, as a separate county. It was however very small,
and, for nearly 20 years, was considered in the light of a depen-
dency upon Ulster county.
In 1689, its inhabitants, like those of Ulster, took part against
Leisler, but afterward submitted to his administration.
A large tract, extending from the Hudson to "the Oblong,"
and some eight or ten miles In width, comprising part of the
towns of Hyde Park. Pleasant Valley, Washington, and Ame-
nia, was granted to nine proprietors at a very early date, prob-
ably about the commencement of the eighteenth century. It
was called the " Great Nine Partners."
In 1711, one Richard Sackett. lived on this tract, and with hie
family remained the only settlers upon it till 1724, when some
German families, from the East Camp, on Livingston's Manor,
in Columbia county, removed here,
In 1702, the first house was built inPoughkeepsieby Myndert
Van Kleek, a Dutchman, and one of the early emigrants to the
county.
In 1731, the boundary difficulties which hail long existed be^
tween New York and Connecticut, were terminated by a com"
promise; Connecticut relinquishing to New York a tract called
" the Oblong," lying mostly in this county, and containing about
60,000 acres, in consideration for which, she received a tract on
the southwestern corner of her territory, extending into West-
chester county.
Two patents were issued for "the Oblong," one in London
the day after the settlement, to Sir Joseph Eyles and others,
the other in New York, some few months later, to Hawley
& Co. These two patents were the subject of much litigation,
and the source of no small amount of party animosity.
In 1741, several families from Connecticut emigrated to the
northern part of the county. About the same time a considera-
ble number of Friends from Long Island settled in the eastern
section.
In tiie troublous times which preceded the Revolution, Dutch"
ess county took the side of liberty, and furnished from among
her citizens, some of the most brilliant and useful actors in that
9*
190 STATE OF NEW YORK.
fearful conflict. Such were Montgomery, the hero of Quebec ,
the Schencks, and others of imperishable renown.
During the revolutionary war, a part of the American army
were stationed for a considerable time at Fishkill, under the
command of General Putnam, and afterwards of General Par-
sons. Their barracks were about half a mile south of the
village.*
Villages. Poughkeepsie, the county seat, in the town of the
same name, is finely situated on the elevated bank of the
Hudson, about equally distant from New York and Albany.
During the Revolution, and after its close, the legislature of the
state frequently held its sessions here. The convention of the
state, which adopted the Federal Constitution, also met here in
17S8. The building occupied by that body has since been used
as a brewery.
Poughkeepsie is regularly laid out, and has many elegant pub-
lic and private buildings. It has considerable commerce with
New York and other home ports.
It is also largely engaged in manufactures. Of these, ma-
chinery, malt liquors, flour, carpets, cutlery, fire arms, silk,
pins, iron and brass ware, sash and blinds, and bricks in large
quantities and of superior quality, and the principal.
The Poughkeepsie collegiate school is a fine institution, un-
surpassed in the beauty of its situation, and the elegance of its
edifice. This building is 77 by 137 feet, modeled after the Par-
thenon at Athens, and surrounded by a massive colonnade.
Its cost, exclusive ol the extensive and beautiful grounds, was
$40,000. The Dutchess county academy, also located in the
village, is an excellent chartered institution. Beside these there
are four female seminaries. Population about 9000.
Fishkilt Landing, in the town of Fishkill, is situated on the
Hudson, directly opposite Newburgh. It has much delightful
scenery, and is a place of considerable trade. Population about
1000. '
Fislikill Village, in the same town, is a picturesque and beau-
tiful hamlet. The Fislikill academy, located here, is a flourish-
ing chartered institution. Population S00.
Mo lira wan, in the same township, is an important manufactur-
ing village. Large quantities of moleskins, beaverteens, and fus-
tians are produced here. It has also an extensive iron and
brass foundry, several machine shops, flouring mills, and other
manufactories. The Highland Gymnasium, a celebrated board-
ing school for boys, is located here. Population about 2000.
* In the old stone church in the town of Fishkill, Enoch Crosby the pedlar
epy, [the "Harvey Birch" of Cooper's novel, "The Spy,"] was confined, and
from thence he made his escape in an extraordinary and "mysterious manner.
ORANGE COUNTY.
191
Glenham And Franklindale, in the same town, are flourish-
ing manufacturing villages.
Pleasant Valley, on Wappinger's creek, in the town of the
same name, is a manufacturing village of some importance. It
is principally engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods.
Population 700.
Hyde Park is a beautiful village, situated on the Hudson, and
has some commerce and manufactures. Population 700.
Rhinebeck, in the town of the same name, is a large and thri-
ving village, with several manufactories. The Rhinebeck acad-
emy is a highly flourishing institution. Population 1300.
X. ORANGE COUNTY.
Square Miles, 760.
Offcanized, 1G83.
Population, 52,227.
Valuation, 1845, $11,319,430.
1. Cornwall, 17S8.
2. Goshen, 1788.
3. Minisink, 17SS.
4. Montgomery, 1738.
TOWNS
5
6,
7
8
Newburgh, 1788.
New Windsor, 1788.
Wallkill, 178S.
Warwick, 1788.
192 STATE OF NEW YORK.
9. Deer Park, 1" 13. Mount Hope, 1825.
10. Blooming Grove, 1799. 14. Hamptonburgh, 1S30.
11. Monroe, 1799. 15. Chester, 1845.
12. Crawford, IS23.
Mountains, fyc. T. Matteawan. P. Shawangunk. d. Bare. e.
Ci iw's Nest. f. Butter Hill.
Rivers, 8fC. C. Hudson. EI, Delaware. R. Nevisink. V. Shaw-
angunk. g. Wallkill. a. Murderer's Creek.
Lakes, 8fc. i. Long Pond. h. Drowned Lands.
Forts. West Point. Clinton. Montgomery.
Battle Fields. Minisink. Montgomery and Clinton.
Colleges. West Point Military Academy.
Villages. Newburgh. Goshen. West Point. Montgomery.
Boundaries. North by Sullivan and Ulster counties ; East by
Hudson river and Rockland county ; South by Rockland county
and the state of New Jersey; and west by Sullivan count}" and
the Delaware river.
Surface. Mountains, hills and plains diversity the surface of
this county. The Matteawan mountains, or Highlands, cross
its southeastern border diagonally; the Shawangunk range
stretches along its western boundary; and, parallel to them,
run a chain of low hills called Comfort hills. Between these
and the Highlands extends a level valley, with occasional
marshes.
Upon the banks of the Hudson, in this county, are some of
the highest points of the Highlands. Bare mountain is 1350
feet, the Crow's Nest 1418 feet, and Butter Hill 1529 feet above
tide water. The eastern face of the latter is an almost perpen-
dicular precipice.
Rivers. Beside the Hudson, which forms a portion of its
eastern boundary, the principal streams are the Wallkill (or
Waallrill), the Shawangunk and Nevisink rivers, and Murder-
er's creek. The Wallkill. for about twenty miles of its course,
Hows through a marsh, known as the "Drowned lands." The
Delaware river just touches a portion of the western boundary.
Ponds. In the south part of the county are several ponds of
considerable size. Long pond, on the New Jersey line, is the
largest, and is some nine miles in length.
Railroads and Canals. The New York and Erie railroad
passes through the county, affording a daily communication
with New York city, while the Delaware and Hudson canal
crosses its western border.
Climate. The climate of the county is mild and agreeable,
In the vicinity of the Drowmed lands, fevers prevail in autumn ;
ORANGE COUNTY. 193
but the county generally is remarkably healthy. The spring
opens about two weeks earlier than in the counties west of it.
Geology and Minerals. The southeastern portion of the
county, including the Highlands, is of primitive formation, and
contains granite, sienite, hornblende, and primitive limestone.
The remainder belongs to the transition system, being chiefly
composed of slate, limestone and graywacke, of which the first
and last are mostly found on the hills, and the second underlying
the valleys. The Shawangunk mountains are composed moslly
of graywacke, in which the millstone grit prevails.
It abounds in minerals of rarity and value. In the towns of
Monroe and Canterbury, are vast beds of magnetic iron ore.
Hematitic iron ore is also abundant and of excellent quality.
Among the minerals of interest may be enumerated spinel (a species of ruby)
of extraordinary beauty ; line Labradorite, a new mineral ; Ilmenile, a rare and
interesting mineral, found more abundantly here than in any other known local-
ity ; zircon, apatite, fibrous epidote, tourmaline, serpentine, Clintonite, Bottonite,
scapolite, idiocrase, Bucholzite, white iron pyrites, sphene, pyroxene, hair brown
hornblende, and many others of less importance. Their principal localities are in
the towns of Monroe, Cornwall, Warwick and Deer Park. Excellent peat is found
in the Drowned Lands and other low lands.
Bones of the Mastodon have been discovered in several places in this county.
An entire skeleton of this gigantic animal, by far the most perfect hitherto dis-
covered, was disinterred in Coldenham, in 1845. The locality had evidently once
been a marsh, and the animal, in attempting to cross it, had sunk in the mud. and
was unable to extricate himself. His length is stated at thirty-three feet ; length
of tusks ten feet ; length of skull three feet ten inches ; weight of head and tusks
692 pounds ; weight of all the bones 2002. The contents of the stomach were
found within the skeleton, consisting of crushed twigs, &c.
This skeleton is now in the museum of the Harvard University. The skeleton
of the Mastodon, in Peale's museum, Philadelphia, was taken from the town of
Montgomery, in this county, and bones of others have been discovered in Chester
and other towns.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is chiefly clay
and gravelly loam, and is for the most part fertile, but better
adapted to grazing than to the culture of grain, except the allu-
vial lands in the southern part. The vast marsh of the Drowned
lands, when drained, furnishes a soil of great depth and fertility,
and is annually covered with the most luxuriant vegetation.
The timber of the county is principally oak, chestnut, hickory, maple, black-
walnut, elm, &c. The county produces apples and other fruit in perfection, and
a great variety of the natural grasses. Owing to the rapid and precipitous
course of the Wallkill, before entering the Drowned Lands, and its sluggish pro-
gress through them, many plants, belonging to a more southern climate, are found
here.*
Pursuits. Agriculture mainly engages the attention of the
inhabitants. Orange county stands in the first rank among the
dairy counties of the state. More than 4,100,000 pounds of but-
* The first treatise on the Botany of New York, and we believe the first botanical
work by an American author, was the Plantse Coldenhaniioe, by Governor Col-
den, of Coldenham, near Newburgh. It was published at Upsal, in Sweden, in 1744.
194 STATE OF NEW YORK.
ter were made in 1845, and about seven and a half millions of
quarts of milk sent to New York city, the same year. Large
quantities of wool and pork are produced. Considerable atten-
tion is also paid to the raising of corn, oats, rye and buckwheat.
Horticulture, and especially market gardening, is receiving
increased attention.
Manufacture* also furnish employment to a considerable num-
ber of the citizens of the county. The principal articles are cot-
ton and woollen goods, flour, distilled and malt liquors, leather,
iron, oil cloth and paper. In 1845, these amounted to nearly
§2,000,000 in value.
Newburgh has considerable commerce with New York.
Much of the produce of the county is also transported to that
city by means of the Delaware and Hudson canal and the Erie
railroad.
Mines. The iron mines in the towns of Monroe and Corn-
wall, are scarcely surpassed in value by any others in the state.
Iron mines were worked in the county as early as 1751.
Staple Productions. Butter, milk, pork, wool, corn and oats.
Schools. There are in the county ISO district school-houses.
The average length of the schools, in 1846, was nine months.
11,847 children received instruction, at a cost, for tuition, of
§26,672. There were in the district libraries 27,629 volumes.
In addition to these, there were in the county seventy-two private schools, with
1335 scholars, eight academies, and one female seminary, with 528 pupils, and one
military academy, with about 250 cadets.
Religious Denominations. Presbyterians, Methodists, Dutch
Reformed, Baptists, Friends, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics
and Congregationalists. There are ninety churches and ninety-
five clergymen of all denominations.
History. It seems to be uncertain at what date the first set-
tlements were made in this county ; but from the early date of
the settlement at Esopus, (Kingston), in the adjacent county of
Ulster, and the advantages afforded by the soil and surface of
Orange, both to the agriculturalist and the trapper, it may be
reasonably concluded, that the Dutch emigrants located them-
selves in the county, at a very early period.
In 1659, the mineral wealth of the county had been so far ex-
plored Ihat mines of copper were extensively wrought, probably
either in Deerpark or Minisink. The ore was exported to Hol-
land, and with it a large quantity of iron pyrites, which the in-
habitants of the county mistook for gold.
In 1669 a bloody battle was fought, in the town of Minisink,
between the whites and Indians.
The county was organized in 16S3, and then included Rock-
ORANGE COUNTY. 195
land. A delegate from the county sat in the colonial house of
assembly, organized for the first time that year.
In 1689 the citizens embraced the cause of Leisler, and sent
deputies to a convention called by him. Under the colonial
government the delegates from Orange county were remarka-
ble for their firm adherence to the principles of liberty. At the
commencement of the revolution, a majority of the people em-
barked with zeal in the cause of their country.
Early in the revolution, Forts Clinton and Montgomery were
erected, by the Americans, in the southeast part of this county.
They were separated from each other by a small stream, the
boundary line between two towns ; Fort Clinton being in Mon-
roe, and Fort Montgomery in Cornwall.
They wei e intended to prevent the British from ascending
the river, and in addition to other obstructions in the river, an
iron chain was extended from Fort Montgomery to a point on
the opposite side, in the county of Putnam. These fortifications
were under the command of Gen. Israel Putnam.
In October, 1777, Sir Henry Clinton, being determined to af-
ford succor to General Burgoyne, ascended the river with a
force of more than 3000 troops, attacked and carried by storm
both these forts, after a brave and prolonged resistance on the
part of the garrison (which consisted of only 600 men), and,
breaking the chain, proceeded up the river. The British lost in
this attack about 250 men, and the garrisons nearly the same
number.
The ensuing year the fort and batteries at West point, (a
much more eligible position) were erected,* and a larger chain
stretched across the Hudson, from that fortress to Constitution
Island, under the direction of Captain Machin.
The construction of the lbrt and batteries was entrusted, it is
said, to French engineers, belonging to the army of Count Ro-
chambeau. The work was superintended by Kosciusko, a Polish
nobleman, of thorough military education, whose love of liberty
had led him to espouse the cause of our country.
After the erection of this fortress, and the extension of the
new chain across the river, the British never attempted to pass
it. The possession of so important a post, was to them, how-
ever, an object of great solicitude ; and, in 1780, they had well
nigh accomplished it. The command of it had been assigned to
* The site of the fort at West Point was selected by General Putnam, and
the first ground broken for the fortification in January, 1778, by General Par-
sons, when the snow lay on the earth two feet deep. It was mainly by the
strenuous exertions and great personal popularity of Gov. George Clinton, that
She materials for its construction were obtained.
1 ( ^6 STATE OF NEW YORK.
General Arnold, in the autumn of 1779, and it was here that his
infamous treason was consummated. Suitable measures were
taken, alter the discovery of his treachery, to secure it.
In July, 1779. a party of Indians and tories, under Brant, made
an attack on the village of Minisink, burning ten houses and
several other buildings, and killing and capturing a number of
the inhabitants. Those who wore able to escape fled to Goshen ;
where the militia of that and the adjacent towns soon collected,
to pursue the enemy, and recapture the prisoners and spoils.
Aware of the subtle character of his foe, Colonel Tusten,
their commander, opposed the pursuit, until a larger force should
be collected ; but his prudent foresight was regarded as cow--
ardice, and it was decided to proceed immediately. The wary
Brant had expected pursuit ; and. when he ascertained that the
militia were approaching, he stationed a part of his troops in am-
buscade in such a position, as to enable him to surround them,
Thus hemmed in by a superior force, this unfortunate band
fought bravely, but in vain; death met them on every side; and
of about ISO men, in the full vigor of life, who started upon that
expedition, but thirty escaped from the tomahawks of the enemy.
Mosl of these were from the principal families of the county.
Goshen, in particular, suffered severely ; forty-four of her best
citizens being slain. A monument was erected to their memory
on the anniversary of the battle, July 22, 1S22.
The American army, never well supplied, either with food or
clothing, during the revolution, were, at its close, in a state of
gre.it destitution. They were paid in a depreciated and almost
worthless currency, and the apathy of congress, in delaying to
make suitable provisions to reward their toils and sacrifices,
disposed them to revolt.
To prevent so dangerous an event, and at the same time to
secure justice for his suffering troops, Washington remained
with them in winter quarters at Newburgh, during the winter
of 1782-3. The house which he occupied, as his head quarters,
is yet standing, and is now the residence of the Hasbrouck
family.
The officers of the army, early in the winter, addressed a
memorial to congress, stating their necessities, and asking for
just compensation. Early in March, 1783, a communication
was received from their committee, informing them that their
requests had not been granted.
On the 10th of March, an anonymous notice was circulated,
calling a meeting of the officers on the following day, " to see
what measures should be adopted to obtain that redress of
grievances which they seem to have solicited in vain."
ORANGE COUNTY. 197
The same day an anonymous paper, written with extraordi-
nary ability, and admirably calculated to excite the passions and
rouse the indignation of the officers, against the continental
congress, was put in circulation.
The writer, — professing to be himself a sharer in their suffer-
ings, depicted, in strong terms, their deplorable condition, and
the shameful negligence of congress; and exhorted them "to
suspect the man who would advise to more moderation and
longer forbearance," to threaten the congress in the event of
peace, with civil war — and, if war continued, with an abandon-
ment of their country to its liite.
This eloquent, but dangerous paper (written, as was subse-
quently ascertained, by Major John Armstrong, afterward secre-
tary of war, at the instigation of General Gates,) had well nigh
produced the most serious consequences. It required all Wash-
ington's prudence and firmness to check the rising spirit of rebel-
lion incited by it.
To prevent the ill effects of a meeting, assembling under the
influence of so much excitement, he issued a general order, dis-
approving of the meeting on the 11th, and calling one on the
15th of March.
The anonymous writer seized on this incident, to address an-
other letter to the officers,* insinuating that the commander-in-
ch ie f sympathized in their views, and was only restrained, by
motives of delicacy, from openly expressing that sympathy.
This opinion Washington labored privately to remove, by
conversation with the officers, and, at the meeting on the 15th,
General Gates being in the chair, he openly canvassed the prop-
ositions contained in the anonymous address, showed their
folly and wickedness, and so far changed the current of popular
opinion, that the officers voted unanimously, that "they viewed
with abhorrence, and would reject with disdain, the infamous
propositions" contained in that address. Thus narrowly did the
country escape the horrible calamity of anarchy and civil war.
Villages. Newburgh, the larger of the two shire villages of
the county, was first settled by German emigrants, in 1701, and
named by them from Newburgh. in Germany. The bank of the
Hudson, on which it is situated, is quite steep, rising 300 feet in
a short distance. When seen from the river, the village pre-
sents a fine appearance.
It has many neat public and private buildings, and considera-
ble trade ; although a portion of that, which formerly centred
here, now reaches New York by the New York and Erie rail-
road, and the Delaware and Hudson canal. Two or three
' This and the preceding address are usually termed the " Newburgh letters."
198 STATE OF NEW" YORK.
steamboats, and several sloops and schooners, ply regularly be-
tween the village and New York. It has a flourishing academy,
a high school, and two female seminaries.
In the village and town, are eighteen or twenty manufacto-
ries. The steam cotton mill, at, the village, is said, in extent
and perfection, to equal any single cotton mill in the United
States. Population about 6000.
Goshen, the other hall-shire village, is justly celebrated for
the product of its dairies. The New York and Erie railroad
passes through it. The Fanner's Hall academy is a nourishing
chartered institution, and has a female seminary connected with
it. Population about 1000.
Middletown, in the town of Wallkill, is a new and flourishing
village, on the line of the railroad. It has a large iron foundry.
Population about 1400.
West Point, in the town of Cornwall, is worthy of notice, not
only lor its important lbrtress, to which we have already ad-
verted, but as the seat of the United States Military Academy,
established here, in March, 1S02. The object of this institution,
is to prepare young men for officers in the army.
The course of instruction is very thorough, the discipline
rigid, and the examinations severe. The months of July and
August, in each year, are devoted solely to military exercises ;
for which purpose, the cadets leave their barracks, and encamp
in tents on the plain, under the regular police and discipline of
an army, in time of war.
The course of study comprises, the Latin and French lan-
guages, an extended course of mathematics, civil engineering,
and the art of fortification. The term of study is four years;
and so rigorous are the examinations and discipline, that only
about one third of those who enter, complete the course of
study, and graduate. The number of instructors is thirty-four ;
of cadets, about 250. They are entirely supported by the United
States government.
Three monuments have been erected here ; one to the mem-
ory of the Polish hero Kosciusko, whose garden is still shown
on the premises ; another to Colonel Wood, an early graduate
of the institution, who fell at the sortie of Fort Erie, in 1814 ;
and a third, to the deceased officers and cadets of the academy.
Population of the village, about 900.
Canterbury . in the town of Cornwall, and Montgomery, in the
town of the same name, are thriving villages, and are engaged,
to some extent, in manufactures.
Walden, in Montgomery, is a manufacturing village. Ches-
ter, in the town of the same name, is a noted mart for the sale
of live stock. Here, too, is an academy of some reputation.
XI. MONTGOMERY COUNTY.
Square Miles, 350.
Organized, 1772.
Popuation, 29,643.
Validation, 1845, $3,096,270.
TOWNS
.
6.
Minden, 179S.
7.
Glen, 1823.
8.
Root, 1823.
0.
Mohawk, 1S37.
10.
St. Johnsville, 1S37
Range.
e. Anthony's Nose
1. Canajoharie, 17SS.
2. Charleston, 178S.
3. Palatine, 1788.
4. Amsterdam, 1793.
5. Florida, 1793.
Mountains. J J. Au Sable Range, e. Anthony's Nose. f. Flint
Hill. j. Otsquaga Hills.
Rivers and Creeks. F. Mohawk River. AA. Schoharie Creek, b.
Cayaduta. c. Bowman's or Canajoharie. d. Otsquaga. h. East
Canada, i. Garuga.
Battle Field. Stone Arabia.
Villages. Fonda. Amsterdam. Canajoharie. Fort Plain.
Boundaries. North by Fulton ; East by Saratoga and Sche-
nectady ; South by Schenectady, Schoharie and Otsego ; and
West by Herkimer, counties.
Surface. Hilly and somewhat mountainous. The valley of
the Mohawk forms the central portion of the county, while on
the north and south, the hills attain a considerable elevation.
The Au Sable range enters the county from the north, and
forms, on the banks of the Mohawk, the peak known as Antho-
ny's Nose. Crossing the river, this range terminates in the
town of Root.
Flint hill occupies the southeastern part, bordering on Sehe-
2U0 STATE OF NEW YORK.
nectady county. In tlie southwest are the Otsquaga hills.
Tlie valleys of the Mohawk, and some of its tributaries, spread
out in fertile alluvial plains or flats.
Rivers. The county is well watered. The Mohawk river,
East Canada, Schoharie, Bowman's, Otsquaga, Garoga and
Cayaduta creeks, are the principal streams.
Canals and Railroads. The Erie canal runs along the
south side of the Mohawk', and the Utica and Schenectady rail-
road upon the north.
The climate resembles that of the valley of the Mohawk
generally. It is mild and healthful.
Geology and Minerals. The surface rocks of tl is county
all belong to the transition formation. In the southern part,
the Lorraine shales, and Hudson river group, (the Taconic sys-
tem of Prof. Emmons,) are predominant. Along the Mohawk,
the Utica slate prevails, and is accompanied by a narrow tract
of the Trenton limestone. North of this, the Onondaga salt
rocks are seen on the surface.
Pearl spar, calc spar, sulphate of barytes. calcareous tufa, brown spar, quartz
crystals, agate, chalcedony, garnet, sulplmrets of zinc and lead, and oxide of tita-
nium, are the principal minerals. As yet, none of these have been obtained in
sufficient quantities to be of any practical value. In the town of Root, is a large
cavern, called Mitchell's cave, containing fourteen apartments, some of them 500
feet below the surface, and profusely adorned with stalactites and stalagmites.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is generally
productive, consisting of a gravelly or clayey loam, frequently
mingled with disintegrated lime or slate. Grass and grains of
all descriptions flourish. The forests are composed chiefly of
oak, beech, ash, maple, and hemlock.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the leading pursuit of the inhabi-
tants. Considerable grain is raised, and much attention paid
to the products of the dairy.
The manufactures of the county are limited, consisting mainly
of flour, distilled liquors, leather, and woollen goods.
Tlie commerce of the county is confined to the transportation
of its produce upon the Erie canal, and the Utica and Schenec-
tady railroad.
Staple Productions. Oats, corn, barley, potatoes, butter,
cheese and wool.
Schools. In 1846, there were in the county 118 public schools,
with 8604 scholars. The annual term of instruction in these
schools averaged nine months, and the amount expended for
tuition was $15,369. The district libraries contained 18,043
volumes.
There were also in the county, eleven select schools, with 135 pupils; three
academies, and one female seminary, with ^14 students.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 20l
Religious Denominations. Dutch Reformed, Methodists,
Presbyterians, Baptists, Universalists, Episcopalians, Unitari-
ans, and Friends. There are in the county forty-three churches,
and forty-six clergymen of all denominations.
History. The English Episcopalians commenced missions
among the Mohawks in this county as early as 1702. The first
settlements were made in 1713, or about that time, by German
emigrants, a portion of the same band who settled Schoharie
county, and by other persons from Albany and Schenectady
counties.
It had been the home of the Mohawks, whose three castles
were all, it is believed, within the limits of this county. In Jan-
uary, 1693, the French, whose hatred to the Iroquois was invet-
erate, made a descent upon these castles, and captured them all.
The Indians at Schenectady sent to Albany for assistance to
pursue the enemy. Colonel Peter Schuyler, the friend of the
Indians, with a body of militia, started lor the pursuit, overtook
the French, and had a severe skirmish with them. The French
lost fifty-nine in killed and wounded. It is related that the In-
dians ate the bodies of the Frenchmen whom they killed.
Fort Hunter, a somewhat important military post in early
times, was erected in 1710, at the junction of the Mohawk and
Schoharie rivers, in the town of Florida, by Capt. John Scott.
A chapel was erected near the fort which was endowed by
Queen Anne, and hence called Q,ueen Anne's chapel. A stone
parsonage was also erected near it, to which was attached a
glebe of 300 acres, the gift of the Indians.
The fort having become dilapidated at the time of the Revo-
lution, the chapel was fortified, and called Fort Hunter. It
was taken down about the year 1S20, to make room for the Erie
canal.
The first settlement in the town of Amsterdam was made in
1716, by the widow and children of Philip Groat of Rotterdam,
who was drowned in the Mohawk, near Schenectady, on his
way thither.
In 1722, colonies had been extended along the Mohawk as far
as the German Flats, in the county of Herkimer ; but few of the
settlers, however, had located far from the river.
The subsequent growth and prosperity of the present county
of Montgomery, are due, in a great measure, to the enterprise
of Sir William Johnson.*
* This extraordinary man was born in Ireland, in 1714, of highly respectable pa-
rentage. His uncle, Admiral Warren, had acquired a title to a tract of some
15,000 acres, in the present town of Florida, and sent young Johnson over to act
as his agent for the disposal of it, about the year 1735.
Soon after amving in the colony, he was appointed by (he British Government,
202
STATE OP NEW YORK.
During the Revolution, this county, (then called Try on coun-
ty, and embracing all that part of the state, lying east of a meri-
dian, drawn through the centre of Schoharie county,) suffered
severely from the repeated incursions of the tories and Indians,
led by Sir John Johnson, the bloodthirsty Walter Butler, and
the Mohawk chieftain Brant.
Scarcely a settlement, on either side of the Mohawk, escaped
partial or entire destruction; and few families, who had es-
poused the cause of their country, but were called to mourn
over friends and relatives, inhumanly butchered by these sav-
age warriors. Neither age nor sex were spared ; neither
beauty, wealth, accomplishments, nor amiability of character,
served to shield the unfortunate settlers from the tomahawk
and the scalping knife.
The towns of Fort Plain, Canajoharie, Palatine, Glen, and
Root suffered most severely ; many of those who escaped death,
being carried into a long and distressing captivity.
At Stone Arabia, a severe and bloody conflict took place in
October, 17S0, between Sir John Johnson, and the garrison of
Fort Paris, (a stockade fort in Stone Arabia.) General Robert
Van Rensselaer, of Claverack, (Columbia county,) was in the
rear of the enemy, with a force of nearly 1000 men, and ordered
Colonel Brown, the commander of the fort, to attack them in
front, while he pressed upon their rear.
i
agent for the Iroquois, or Six Nations. Having acquired their language, and adopt-
ed to a considerable extent their dress and habits, lie soon obtained great influ-
ence over them, and was chosen one of their head sachems. This power he used
in such a way as to secure their attachment to the British Government, and at
the same time to advance his own personal interests.
During the French wars, lie was active as an officer, and in 1757, the troops under
his command, at Lake George, having repulsed and defeated the French force un-
der Baron Diesk.au, he was knighted by the King, and received a donation of
£5000 sterling.
In 1759, General Prideaux being killed at. the siege of Fort Niagara, Sir William,
who was second in command, assumed the direction of the forces, and carried the
fortress. In 1760, he led a body of 1000 Indians against Montreal, and was active
in an eminent station at the surrender of Canada.
He was twice married. By his first wife, (a German woman.) he had one son
and two daughters. His son succeeded to his title as Sir John Johnson. His
daughters were married to Colonel Guy Johnson, (a distant relative of the bar-
onet,) and to Colonel Daniel Claus. Hi's second wife was Molly Brant, sister of
the celebrated Mohawk chieftain, by whom he had several children.
His first residence was in the town of Amsterdam, about three miles west of the
village. It is a massive stone edifice, and is to this day called Fort Johnson. About
ten years before his death, he erected a building, which he named Johnson Hall,
within the limits of Fulton county, where he resided the remainder of his life.
Fort Johnson, after this period, was occupied by his son, Sir John Johnson.
He also erected houses for his sons-in-law, Colonel Guy Johnson and Colonel
Claus, in the town of Amsterdam.
Sir William Johnson died very suddenly, in July, 1774, not without suspicion of
suicide.
His son and successor, as well as his sons-in law, and indeed his whole family,
embraced the side of the British, in the Revolution. Sir John was the scourge of
the Mohawk and Schoharie valleys, during that contest. After the revolution,
their estates were confiscated.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY. 203
Sir John's force did not amount to more than 500 men, while
that of Colonel Brown was about 200, arid had General Van
Rensselaer fulfilled his part of the duty, the whole British force
might have been captured ; but through his negligence and cow-
ardice, if not treachery, the brave troops of Colonel Brown
were suffered to contend, single handed, with the enemy, till
they were nearly all slaughtered, while General Van Rensse-
laer's troops were within hearing of the action, but were not
suffered by him, to alibrd aid to their suffering brethren, or to
pursue the enemy, on their retreat, when, as was afterwards
acknowledged by them, they would have surrendered, had they
had the opportunity.
A relationship by marriage, which existed between General
Van Rensselaer and Sir John Johnson, is supposed to have been
the cause of this disgraceful conduct on the part of the former.
Montgomery county received its present name, (in honor of
the brave hero of Quebec,) in 1784, soon after which, a large
portion of its territory was formed into other counties, and this
process of curtailment has continued, till from being the largest,
it has become one of the smallest counties in the state.
Villages. Fonda, the county seat, is a small but pleasant
village, in the town of Mohawk. It has some manufactures.
Population 400.
Amsterdam was incorporated in 1S30. It is situated in the
town of the same name, on the north bank of the Mohawk, and
connected with the little village of Port Jackson, on the Erie
canal, by a fine and substantial bridge. It has a flourishing
academy, and female seminary, and several manufacturing es-
tablishments. Population 1700.
Canajoharie is a thriving village, in the town of the same
name, located on the south bank of the Mohawk. It was incor-
porated in 1829, and has a well conducted academy. Here is
an extensive quarry, from whence is obtained an excellent qual-
ity of limestone, much used in the construction of locks on the
Erie Canal. The village is the proposed terminus of" the Cats-
kill and Canajoharie railroad, which is partly finished. Popu-
lation 1300.
Fort Plain, in the town of Minden, was incorporated in 1S34,
and is a place of considerable business. Heretoo ; are extensive
limestone quarries. Population 1400.
Caughnawaga, in the town of Mohaw 7 k, is principally worthy
of notice for its stone church, now converted into an academy.
This venerable building was erected in 1763, by voluntary con-
tribution.
XTT. WASHINGTON COUNTY.
Square miles, 807.
Organized, 1772;
Population, 40.554.
Valuation, 1845, $5,991,847.
TOWNS.
1. Argyle, 1788.
2. Cambridge, 17 — .
3. Eastern, 1788.
4- Fort Ann, 178S.
5. Granville, 17 — .
6. Hampton, 1788.
7. Hebron, 1788.
8. Kingsbury, 1788.
9. Salem. 1788.
10. Whitehall, 17--.
11. Hartford, 17--.
12. Greenwich, 1803.
13. Putnam, 1S06.
14. White Creek, 1815.
15. Jackson, IS 15.
16. Fort Edward, 1818.
17. Dresden, 1822.
Mountains. U. Taghkanic range.
Y. Peterborough range, 1.
French, or Luzerne mountains.
Hirers, &,-c. C. Hudson river, a.
Wood creek, b. Pawlet river.
c. Poultnev, or Fair Haven riv-
er, d. Batten kill. f. Black
creek, g. White creek, k.
Hoosick river, i. Moses kill.
Falls. Baker's tails. Great falls.
Lakes. W. Lake Champlain.
X. Lake Georue. j. Big Pond.
Forts. Fort Edward. Fort Ann.
Battle Fields. Kin°;sburv. Fort
Ann. Whitehall.
T T i/lages. Salem, Sandy Hill,
Fort Edward, Whitehall, Union
village, White Creek.
Boundaries. North by Essex county and the state of Ver-
mont ; East by Vermont ; South by Rensselaer county ; West
by Saratoga and Warren counties, and Lake George.
Surface. Three distinct ranges of mountains are found in
WASHINGTON COUNTY. 205
this county ; viz. the Taghkanie, extending' along; its eastern
boundary, with an average width of about five miles ; the Peter-
borough, with a variable height, running from north to south,
through the centre of the county, broken through by the Hoo-
sick, Pawlet, and Poultney rivers, and the Batten kill, and
maintaining a breadth of from six to eight miles ; spurs of this
ridge extend toward the river in Greenwich and Easton; and
lastly, the Pabnertown range, here taking the name of French,
or Luzerne mountains, and occupying the narrow peninsula
which separates Lake George from Lake Champlain.
These ranges, interspersed with occasional valleys, render
the face of the county diversified and picturesque.
Rivers, &c. The county is abundantly watered. Beside
the Hudson, the principal streams are, the Hoosick, Pawlet,
and Poultney, or Fair Haven rivers, Batten kill, Wood creek,
Moses kill, White and Owl creeks.
Falls. Baker's falls, on the Hudson, have an almost per-
pendicular descent of fifty feet, at the village of Sandy Hill.
Great falls, on the Batten kill, have a total descent of sixty
feet, in the towns of Easton and Greenwich.
Lakes. Lakes George and Champlain form portions of the
boundary of this county. Long Lake, in Argyle, is three or four
miles in length.
Canals. The Champlain canal crosses the Hudson at Green-
wich, and connects with Lake Champlain at Whitehall, fur-
nishing 32 miles of navigation in this county.
Climate. Cold, but healthful. The spring opens some two
weeks later than in Orange, Dutchess, and the lower counties
on the Hudson.
Geology and Minerals. The northern part of the county is
primitive, and the underlying rock chiefly granite. On the
shores of the lakes there is an admixture, and apparent confu-
sion of all the formations, probably the result of some convul-
sion of nature. In the southern part of the county, the rocks
are principally transition, intermixed with occasional patches of
primitive. Limestone, graywacke, nnd slate, alternate upon
the surface in this section.
Magnetic and hematitic iron ore, marl, lime, marble, water lime, graphite, lam-
ellar pyroxene, massive feldspar, and epidote, are the principal minerals of the
county.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is generally
good, and produces fine crops of wheat, but is better adapted to
grazing than the culture of grain. The principal timber is oak,
hickory, chestnut, maple, butternut, pine, and hemlock.
Pursuits. The people are, for the most part, engaged in ag-
ricultural pursuits. Oats, corn, flax, and potatoes are largely
10
206 STATE OF NEW YORK.
raised, and considerable quantities of wheat, rye. and barley.
Butter, cheese, wool, and pork are produced in great abundance.
In the quantity of wool grown, it was, in 1345, the second
county in the state.
Manufactures are increasing- in importance. Flour, lumber,
cotton and woollen goods, leather, and iron, are the principal
articles manufactured.
Com merer. The Champlain and Hudson canal affords a con-
venient mode of transportation to the produce of the county,
which is well improved. The tolls received on produce pass-
im: through this county in 1845, were about $70,000.
Staple Productions. The staples of the county are pota-
toes, oats, corn, flax, butter, cheese, wool, and pork.
Schools. The county contained, in 1846, 246 district school-
houses, in which were taught 13.414 children, at an expense of
$16,950 for tuition. The schools were maintained, on an aver-
age, eight months each. Number of volumes in the district
libraries, 27,656.
It had also twenty-two select schools, with 3:27 scholars, and five academies,
with 345 pupils.
Religious Denominations. Presbyterians. Methodists, Bap-
tists, Congregationalists. Episcopalians, Roman Catholics, and
Universalists. Churches, eighty-eight. Clergymen, seventy-
two.
History. The first settlement in the county was made at
Argyle, in 1742, by eighty-three families of Highlanders, who
emigrated from Scotland, under the direction of Capt. Laughlin
Campbell, who had obtained a grant of 30,000 acres from Gov-
ernor Clarke. These emigrants were intended to serve as
defenders of the frontier, from incursions of the French and
Indians.
As they were scantily provided with food and clothing, appli-
cation was made to the colonial legislature for aid, till they
should be able to sustain themselves. This the house of assem-
bly refused to grant, on the ground, it is said, that they had
discovered that the Governor and Surveyor General insisted
upon their fees and a share of the lands.
Captain Campbell sought redress, but in vain, and with the
remnant of his fortune, purchased a small farm in the province.
His unfortunate followers were rescued from starvation, by en-
listing in an expedition against Carthagena.
In 1755, Fort Edward was erected, by Generals Lyman and
Johnson, and in 1756, Fort Ann.
Salem was settled the same year, by two companies of emi-
grants, one from Scotland and Ireland, the other from New
WASHINGTON COUNTY. 207
England. In 1764, Alexander Turner and others, who had re-
ceived a grant in 1761, settled in the town of Salem. Not far
from the same period, settlements were made in Kingsbury.
In 1758, an obstinate and bloody battle occurred, between a
body of 500 American troops, under the command of Major
(afterwards General,) Putnam and Major Rogers, and a party
of French and Indians, under the command of a French officer,
by the name of Molaire. The battle ground was two miles
north of the village of Kingsbury.
The French commander had stationed a part of his troops in
ambuscade for the Americans, and hoped to surprise them ; but
Putnam, with the coolness which always characterized him,
maintained his position, and a fearful conflict ensued. Putnam
was taken captive by the Indians, but the bravery of the Ameri-
can Iroops prevailed, and they finally routed the enemy, who
left ninety dead behind them. The Indians bore off Putnam as
a prisoner, to Canada, inflicting on him the most cruel tortures;
and but for the interposition of the French commander, would
have burned him at the stake.
In May, 1775, Whitehall, then called Skenesborough, from
its first settler, Major Skene, was seized by a detachment of
volunteers from Connecticut. In 1777, the American force sta-
tioned there, not being sufficient to protect it against Burgoyne,
the fort, stores, and a large number of batteaux loaded with
provisions, w T ere burned by the Americans, to prevent their fall-
ing into his hands.
In July, 1777, a severe skirmish took place at Fort Ann, be-
tween the 8th British regiment and a body of 400 or 500 invalid
American troops, under the command of Colonel Long. The
British suffered severely, and would have been taken or de-
stroyed but for the want of ammunition on the part of the
Americans.
On the 27th of July, 1777, Miss Jane McCrea was murdered
by the Indians near Fort Edward.*
* The following version of this tragical affair is compiled from Neilson's " Bur-
goyne's Campaign," and is professedly derived from the most authentic sources.
It will be seen that it differs materially from the accounts heretofore published.
Miss McCrea was the daughterof a New Jersey clergyman, and had come, some
years before, to reside with her brother on the west bank of the Hudson, five or
six miles below Fort Edward. David Jones, her suitor, resided about five miles
above, on the same side of the river. Ho had embraced the royal cause, and was
in the army of Burgoyne. On the 26th of July, 1777, Miss McCrea came from her
brother's to the house of Peter Freel, who lived close under the walls of Fort Ed-
ward, on a visit. She remained there over night, and the next morning went to
the house of Mrs. McNeil, afterwards Mrs. Campbell, a cousin of General Frazer,
who was at that time in Burgoyne*s army. This house was at a distance of about
eighty rods from the fort. While at the' house of Mrs. McNeil, the commander
of the fort sent out a party of fifty men, to reconnoitre the position of the enemy.
When about a mile fiom the fort, this party fell into an ambuscade of Indians, about
^08 STATE OF 1 NEW YORK.
Villages. Sandy Hill, in the town of Kingsbury, is a half
shire village of this county. It was incorporated in 1810. The
village is well laid out, the streets enclosing a triangular area
in the centre of the village, which was once the scene of Indian
barbarities. The Hudson furnishes an immense water power
which is but partially improved. Population 1200.
Salem, the other half shire village, was incorporated in 1803.
It is situated in the midst, of a fertile agricultural region, and is
celebrated as a mart lor wool. The Washington Academy is
an old institution, and has sent out a considerable number of
eminent scholars. Population S00.
Whitehall, in the town of the same name, is eligibly situated
at the foot of Lake Champlain, of which it is one of the princi-
pal ports. It is connected with the Hudson river by means of
the Champlain canal, as well as by several lines of stages run-
ning to Troy, Albany, and Saratoga; and with Montreal by
steamers which ply daily upon the lake. Thus favorably situ-
ated for commerce, its growth has been rapid and healthful.
Population about 2500.
Union Village, situated in the towns of Greenwich andEas-
ton, is a thriving and pleasant manufacturing village, with a
flourishing academy, and a number of large manufactories.
Population 1400.
North White Creek is a pleasant village, in the town of White
Creek, in the midst of an agricultural region. It is a great mart
for wool. Population 750.
Cambridge, in the town of the same name, is the seat of
Washington Academy, a flourishing and highly popular insti-
tution.
Fort Edward and Fort Ann are small villages, worthy of no-
tice principally on account of their historic interest.
200 in number, and fled towards the foil. The Indians pursued and killed eight-
een of their number. As they passed the house of Mrs. McNeil, six of the In-
dians rushed in and seized Mrs. McNeil and Miss McCrea, and hurried with them
to the main body of the Indians. Both of the ladies were placed upon horses,
which they had probably stolen from the vicinity.
As they ascended a hill about a mile from the fort, Miss McCrea was shot by one
of the Indians, and fell from her horse. The savage who shot her, scalped her,
and having secured the most valuable articles of her clothing, rolled her body
down the declivity of the hill. On the ensuing day her body, and that of a young
American officer who had also been killed by the Indians, were found and buried
near a small creek about three miles from Fort Edward, by the Americans from
the fort. Mrs. McNeil was not killed, but plundered of most of her clothing, and
brought to the British camp. Jones, Miss McCrea's suitor, had never sent for her,
nor is it certain that he knew that she was in the vicinity of the fort. He is re-
Corted to have been killed at the battle of Bemis' Heights, on the 19th of Septem-
er following.
XIII. COLUMBIA COUNTY.
Fquare miles, (124.
Organized, 178G.
Population, 41,416.
Valuation, 1845, $8,925,423.
210 STATE OF NEW YORK.
TOWNS.
1. Hudson, 1785. 11. Taghkanic, 1803.
2. Canaan, 1788. 12 Austerlitz, 1818.
3. Claverack, 1788. 13. Ghent, 1818.
4. Clermont, 1788. 14. New Lebanon, 1S18.
5. Germantown, 17SS. 15. Stuyvesant, Lb - 23.
6. Hillsdale, 17 — . 16. Copake, 1824.
7. Kinderkook, 17SS. 17. Gallatin, 1S30.
8. Livingston, 1788. IS. Stockport, 1833.
9. Chatham, 1795. 19. Greenport, 1S3U.
10. Ancram, 1803.
Mountains. U. Taghkanic range.
Rivers and Creeks. C. Hudson river, b. Claverack creek, c. Co-
pake, d. Ancram. g. Roelitf Jansen's. h. Vallitje. i. Kinder-
hook.
Falls. Kinderhook falls.
Lakes and Ponds, k. Copake lake. 1. Charlotte. m. Fish,
j. Whiting's pond.
Villages. Hudson. Kinderhook. New Lebanon. Valatie, or
Vallitje. Columbiaville.
Boundaries. North by Rensselaer county ; East by the state
of Massachusetts and Dutchess county ; South by Dutchess
county ; and West by the Hudson river.
Surface. The surface of Columbia county is greatly varied,
but may be regarded as composed of two long and broken val-
leys, on the east of which the Taghkanic range forms a natural
boundary between the county and the state ot Massachusetts ;
the high banks of the Hudson form the western boundary, and
the Peterborough mountains constitute the dividing ridge
through the centre of the county.
The western valley rises on the north and south, causing its
waters to flow towards the centre : while the eastern, being
highest in the centre, sends its streams north and south. The
western valley being much the broadest, gives the county the
form of a basin, retaining all the waters that rise in it, and dis-
charging them into the Hudson, through the Kinderhook and
Roeliff Jansen's creeks.
Rivers. The Hudson is the principal river ; the other
streams ol the county are Kinderhook, Claverack, Copake,
Roeliff Jansen's and Vallitje creeks.
Lakes. Fish, Whiting's pond, Copake and Charlotte, are
the only lakes worthy of notice.
Railroads. The Hudson and Berkshire, and the Great
W 7 estern railroad pass through the county ; and the route of
the Harlaem railroad is laid out through it.
Climate. The climate varies with the surface. In the val-
leys it is mild and pleasant, with early seasons; on the moun-
COLUMBIA COUNTY. 211
tains, it is colder and more backward. The county is regarded
as very healthy.
Geology and Minerals. The Taghkanic mountains, in the
eastern part of the county, arc primitive, and composed mainly
of granite, and granular Limestone. The remainder of the
county is transition, and its principal rocks are graywacke and
blue limestone, below which, for the most part, lies a bed of
slate.
The minerals are, iron ore of superior quality, lead ore, sulpliuret of copper,
oxide of manganese, sulpliuret of zinc, heavy spar, peat, marl and marble.
There are several mineral springs, both sulphurous and chalybeate, in the county.
Those at Lebanon are much frequented, and considered as possessing valuable
medicinal properties.* The sulphur springs in the town of Stockport are attract-
ing considerable attention.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. Portions of the county
are highly fertile, while others are less productive. The marl
and lime which abound in the county, furnish ample means for
enriching it, to the highest degree of productiveness. The
timber of the county is principally pitch pine, hickory, oak, ma-
ple, elm and chestnut.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the leading pursuit. Much atten-
tion is given to the culture of grain and the rearing of cattle.
The growth of wool is very large.
Manufacture* are also an important pursuit in the county.
The principal articles are cotton and woollen fabrics, including
prints, flour, iron and brass ware.
C mmerce. An active trade is carried on from Hudson and
the other river towns of the county, with New York and other
home ports, employing a number of steamers, sloops and
barges. The produce of the inland towns finds its way to a
market by the railroads.
Mines. There are some iron mines in the county.
Staple Productions. Oats, potatoes, corn, rye, butter,
cheese and wool.
Schools. In 1846, there were in the county, 184 district
school-houses, in which schools were taught, an average period
of nine months. 11,275 scholars received instruction, at an ex-
pense for tuition, of about $22,033. The district libraries num-
bered 22,540 volumes.
There were, the same year, in the county, twenty-six select schools, with 435
pupils, and four academies with 238 students.
* The following is the late Dr. Meade's analysis of the waters of the New-
Lebanon spring.
Two quarts of water contain grs.
Muriate of lime, 1
Of gases. Nitrogen gas, 13 cubic inches. Muriate of soda, (common salt,) 1 3-4
Atmospheric air, 8 " u Sulphate of lime, 11-2
— Carbonate of lime, 3-4
21
2 1.2 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Dutch Reformed,
Baptists, Presbyterians, Friends, Episcopalians, Jews, Luther-
ans, Shakers, Universalists, Congregationalists, Unitarians,
and Roman Catholics. The whole number of churches is sev-
enty-four ; of clergymen, sixt\ .
History. Tins county was originally a portion of two man-
ors. The manor of Rensselaerwyck included all except the
seven southernmost towns, which constituted the manor of Liv-
ingston, granted in 16S4-, 16S5, and 1686, and confirmed to the
proprietor in 1714.
In 1710, a company of seventy German families, part of those
sent over by Queen Anne, settled in the present town of Ger-
mantown, which they called East Camp. In 1725, an arrange-
ment having been made between George I. and the proprietor
of the Livingston manor, a tract of 6000 acres was secured to
them, of which forty acres were to be reserved for the use of a
church and school, and the remainder divided equally among
the inhabitants.
The other six towns, Clermont, Livingston, Taghkanic, Gal-
latin, Copake, and Ancram, still constitute the Livingston
manor. The leases are generally long, and the rents payable
in produce. The northern towns, mostly belong to the manor
of Rensselaerwyck.
Difficulties have frequently occurred between the proprietors
of these manors and their tenants. In 1766, the military forces
were called out to quell the disturbances in the town of Clav-
erack, in the Rensselaer manor, and a conflict ensued in which
several lives were lost. Similar occurrences have taken place
within a year or two past.
The county was mostly settled by Swedish and Dutch emi-
grants, with the exception of Germantown, already mentioned,
and Hudson, which was founded in 17S3, by enterprising citizens
of Rhode Island and Nantucket.
The manorial system has perhaps prevented, in some degree,
the full development of the capabilities of the county ; yet it has,
with slight exceptions, uniformly enjoyed a high degree of pros-
perity.
Villages. Hudson city, the capital of he county, is pleas-
antly situated on the banks of the Hudson, here about fifty
feet above the level of the river. It was formerly largely en-
gaged in commerce, but the interests of this, as well as all our
other commercial ports, were greatly injured by the action of
the French and English, relative to neutral vessels, and the
coarse necessarily adopted by our government in return, prior
to the late war with Great Britain.
After recovering from the severe losses occasioned by these
events, the citizens of Hudson engaged in the whale fishery,
COLUMBIA COUNTY. 213
but with indifferent success. The coasting trade is prosecuted
to some extent.
There are some manufactories here, principally of sperm oil
and candles, malt liquors, iron, and carriages. The Hudson
Academy is an old chartered institution, and the Hudson Female
Seminary, is a new and flourishing school. The Hudson Luna-
tic Asylum is a private institution, but well conducted, and en-
joying a large amount of patronage.
The city is supplied with excellent water, by means of an
aqueduct. The Hudson and Berkshire railroad adds materially
to the business facilities of the city. Population, 5,657.
Valatie is an important manufacturing village, in the town of
Kinderhook, situated at the junction of the Valatie (a corruption
of Vallitje) and Kinderhook creeks; here are four large cotton
mills, two iron foundries, and several other manufactories.
Population, 1600.
Kinderk ok village, in the town of the same name, is delight-
fully situated on a plain, five miles east of the Hudson. It has
several manufactories, and a flourishing incorporated academy.
It is the birth place of ex-President Van Buren, and his beauti-
ful country seat, Lindenwald, is about two miles south of the
village. Population, 1500.
Columbiaville, in the town of Stockport, is a manufacturing
village of some importance. Its manufactures consist mainly
of cotton sheetings. The Hudson River Seminary, a manual
labor institution, is located here. There are in the town of
Stockport, several other manufacturing villages. The principal
are Glencadia, Springville, Hudson Print Works, and Chitten-
den's Falls.
New Lebanon Shaker Village, in the town of New Lebanon,
called by the inhabitants the " Village of the Millennial Church,"
is situated on the west eide of the Taghkanic mountains. This
is one of the largest settlements of this singular people. They
have here a very large church, arched over throughout its en-
tire extent ; ten dwelling houses for their families, or commu-
nities, which consist of from 60 to 150 persons each, and nu-
merous workshops and manufactories. Their grounds are
highly cultivated, and their society prosperous and wealthy.
This settlement was founded a few years after that at Neskayu-
na, noticed under Albany county. Population about 600.
Two and a half miles from this village, are the New Lebanon
springs, which are a fashionable resort for invalids and pleasure
seekers, during the summer ; the scenery here is very delightful.
10*
XIV. CLINTON COUNTY
Square miles, 933.
Organized, 1788.
Population, 31.278.
Valuation, 1845, §1,666.140.
1. Plattsbur^h, 17S5.
2. Champlain, 178S.
3. Peru, 1792.
4. Chazy, 1804.
5. Mooers, 1804.
6. Beekmantown, 1820.
TOWNS.
7. Ellenburgh, 1830.
8. Saranac, 1834.
9. An Sable, 1837.
10. Blackbrook,lS37.
11. Clinton, 1842.
CLINTON COUNTY. 215
Mountains. JJ. Au Sable range. GG. Chateaugay. 1. Lyon,
m. Rand Hill.
Elvers, a. Great Chazy. b. Little Chazy. c. English, d. Sal-
mon, e. Little Au Sable, i. Au Sable, j. Saranac.
Falls. Sheffield.
Lakes. W. Lake Champlain. g. Chateaugay. h. Chazy.
Battle Fields. Plattsburgh. Lake Champlain.
Villages. Plattsburoh. Chazy. Redford. Clinton. Peru.
Boundaries. North by Canada East ; East by Lake Cham-
plain ; South by Essex county ; and West by Franklin county.
Surface. A plain, about eight miles in width, extends along
the eastern border of this county, inclining gently to Lake
Champlain. West of this, the surface becomes hilly and
broken, giving rise to the Au Sable range of mountains ; still
farther west, the Chateaugay, which have their origin in Can-
ada, rear their lofty and wooded ridges. Their course is from
north-east to south-west.
Rivers. The principal rivers in the county are the Au Sa-
ble, Saranac, Great Chazy, Little Chazy, English, Salmon,
and Little Au Sable.
Falls. The Au Sable has a number of falls within a few-
miles of its mouth. At Birmingham, the water plunges over a
precipice eighty feet in height, and then flows through a ravine
of two miles in length, and an average width of fifty feet, with
perpendicular walls of granite from seventy-five to 150 feet
high. The Saranac has also a number of falls, three of them
exceeding in perpendicular descent, forty feet each.
Lakes. Lake Champlain w T ashes the eastern border of the
county. The other principal lakes are Chateaugay and Chazy.
Climate. In common with the northern counties generally,
it has a rigorous climate. The winters are long, and snow falls
to a great depth.
Geology and Mineralogy. The county is wholly of primi-
tive formation, except a narrow strip of* limestone, along the
shore of the lake. Hypersthene, granite and gneiss, are the
prevailing rocks.
Iron is the most abundant and valuable mineral. Both bog and magnetic ores
occur in large quantities. Black marble is found near Plattsburgh, of excellent
quality. Peat is very plentiful. In Beekmantown, is a sulphur spring, and also
one of carbonated water.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. In the level section upon
the lake, the soil is principally a clayey loam, and is very pro-
ductive. As the country rises, it becomes less fertile.
The summer crops are best adapted to the soil.
The forests are covered with a dense growth of timber, of oak, pine, maple,
hemlock, &c. Large quantities of sugar are produced from the maple.
216 STATE OP" NEW YORK.
Pursuits. The inhabitants are for the most part engaged in
agricultural pursuits. Some grain is raised, but the rearing of
cattle and sheep is a more favorite and profitable business.
The preparation of lumber for market also furnishes employ-
ment to many of the citizens.
Manufactures are increasing in importance, but are, at pres-
ent, chiefly limited to the manufacture of pig and bar iron, nails,
glass, flour, lumber, and woollen goods.
Commerce, The shipping of the Champlain district amount-
ed, in 1S45, to 3192 tons, the greater part of which is owned in
this county. Several steamers ply on the lake, as well as
sloops, schooners. &c.
Alines. There are extensive iron mines in the county. The
marble quarries, near Plattsburgh, are in high repute.
Staples. Butter, cheese, beef, pork, corn and potatoes.
Schools. 13S district schools were maintained in the county
an average period of six months, in 1S46. JBS95S was expend-
ed tor the instruction oi 8056 children. The school libraries
numbered 14,460 volumes.
There were also in the county, nineteen private schools, with 527 pupils, and
three incorporated academies with 191 students.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Presbyterians, Con-
gregationalists, Baptists, Roman Catholics, Friends, and Epis-
copalians. There are thirty-three churches and forty-five cler-
gymen of all denominations.
History. At the close of the French war, this county was
visited by numerous speculators, in quest of pine and oak tim-
ber ; but no permanent settlements were established till 1765,
or 1766, when a grant having been made to two officers of the
British Navy, Messrs. Stewart and Freswell, of 2000 acres of
land, in two tracts, one situated in Plattsburgh, and the other
in Peru, a few families removed here, but were soon driven off
by the revolutionary war. The descendants of one of them,
however, (Mr. Hay,) still occupy his property.
Grants were also made previous to the revolution, to two
gentlemen named Beekman and Deane, with each of whom
several partners were associated. A settlement was made in
Deane's patent, in 176S, (though not by purchase from him,) by
Mr. James Framboise. Being driven out by the enemy in
1776, he served in the American army through the war, and, in
1784, returned to his farm, which is still held by his family.
A German nobleman, Count Vredenburg, who had married
a lady of the Queen's household, in England, obtained a grant
of 30,000 acres of land, which he located on Cumberland bay, in
the present, town of Plattsburgh. He resided here, in great
CLINTON COUNTY. 217
splendor, for several years, previous to the revolution, at the
commencement of which he sent his family to Montreal, but re-
mained himself, for some time, on his estate, and at length mys-
teriously disappeared. It was supposed, that he was robbed and
murdered. His house, and a saw mill which he had erected,
some three miles from his residence, were burned, at the time
of his disappearance.
In July, 1783, Lieutenant (afterwards Major General) Ben-
jamin Mooers, with two other officers, and eight men, ascended
the Hudson in a boat, from Fishkill landing, and, taking the
route by way of Lake George, and Lake Champlain, reached
Point au Roche, nine miles abo^e Plattsburgh, on the 10th of
August, and commenced a settlement.
In 17S4, Judge Zephaniah Piatt, and several others, who had
formed a company, for the purchase of military warrants, loca-
ted their lands on Cumberland bay, and laid out the town of
Plattsburgh, reserving ten lots, of 100 acres each, as gifts to
the first ten settlers, who should remove thither, with their
families, and another hundred acre lot for the fir^t male child,
born in the settlement.
These gifts were soon claimed, and the settlement prospered
steadily from this period. During the late war with Great
Britain, one of its severest battles occurred within the limits of
this county — we allude to the battle of Plattsburgh, and the
simultaneous naval conflict, between the squadrons of Commo-
dore Downie and Commodore McDonough, on the 11th of Sep-
tember, 1814.
In this battle, a force of 1500 regulars, and about 2500 militia,
under General Macomb, defeated and routed a force of 14,000
well appointed, and veteran troops, the victors of a hundred
battle fields ; and the squadron, under the command of Commo-
dore McDonough, destroyed a force, considerably its superior,
on the lake. The loss of the British land forces, was more than
2000, in killed, wounded, prisoners, and deserters; that of the
Americans, not more than 150.
On the lake, the English loss was about 1000, in killed, wound-
ed, and prisoners ; that of the Americans, 1 10. The British
commander, Commodore Downie, was killed, in the naval
action.
The mineral wealth of this county, and its vast forests of val-
uable timber, will undoubtedly continue to attract emigrants
hither, and no where will industry receive a more ample reward.
Villages. Plattsburgh, in the town of the same name, is the
county seat, and is situated at the head of Cumberland bay. It
has numerous manufactories, and is the proposed terminus of
218 STATE OF NEW YORK.
the Ogdensburgh and Lake Champlain railroad ; several rail-
roads are now in the course of construction, which will probably
connect this road with Boston, and other ports on the Atlantic.
Plattsburgh is a United States military post, and the govern-
ment have erected extensive stone barracks here, and a perma-
nent breakwater for the protection of the harbor.
The Saranac here furnishes a fine water power, descending
by a succession of falls, about forty feet. The manufactures of
the village are principally cotton and woollen goods. Popula-
tion. 2500.
Near the village are the ruins of the temporary barracks and breast works,
occupied by the troops of Genera! Macomb, during the late war with Great Brit-
ain. One mile north of these is the hou%e»occupied by the British commander,
General Prevost. as his head quarters, during the siege. Between this and the
village, the marks of cannon shot can still be seen on the trees and other
objects. At a distance of about five miles from the village, on a hill overlooking
the village of Beekmantown. is the spot where the British troops met the first
repulse in their approach to Plattsburgh. on the 6th of September. In this skir-
mish, several of the British officers and about 100 men were killed. The British
camp was north of the Saranac river.
Clintonville, on the Au Sable river, situated partly in this
and partly in Essex county, is a thriving village, largely enga-
ged in the various manufactures of bar and rolled iron, nails,
chain cables, &c. which are produced here, in large quantities.
The Arnold Hill mine, near the village, furnishes magnetic iron
ore of very superior quality. Population, 1000.
Peru is a flourishing village, in the town of the same name.
Population, 900.
Redford, in the town of Saranac, is famous for its manufac-
ture of crown glass, which is of superior quality. Population,
700.
Chazy is a small, but thriving village, in the town of the same
name. It has some manufactures. The Chazy black marble,
quarried near this village, bears a high reputation.
Champlain, in the town of the same name, is a village ofsome
importance. The village of Keeseville, on both sides of the Au
Sable, is partly located in this town, and, in point of importance,
is only second to Plattsburgh. ft is more particularly described
in Essex county.
XV. ONTARIO COUNTY.
Square Miles, 617.
Organized, 1789.
Population, 42,592.
Valuation, 1845, $12,624,438.
TOWNS.
9. Seneca, 1789.
10. Victor, 1812.
11. Manchester, 1821.
12. Hopewell, 1822.
13. (anadice, 1829.
14. West Bloomfield,' 1S33.
15. South Bloomfield, 1836.
1. Bristol, 1789.
2. Canandaigua, 17S9.
3. East Bloomfield, 1789.
4. Farmington, 1789.
5. Gorham, 17S9.
G. Naples, 1789.
7. Phelps, 1789.
8. Richmond, 1789.
Rivers, a. Mud Creek, b. Canandaigua Outlet, c. Flint Creek, d.
Honeoye.
Lakes. BB. Seneca, h. Canandaigua.
or Canadice. g. Hemlock.
Geneva.
Canandaigua.
e. Honeove. f. Caneadea
Colleges.
Villages.
Geneva. Vienna. Port Gibson.
Boundaries. North by Monroe and Wayne counties ; East
by Seneca county and Seneca lake ; South by Yates and Steu-
ben counties ; and West by Livingston and Monroe counties.
220 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Surface. The surface of Ontario county is diversified, being
naturally divided by a north and south line, taking the Canan-
daigua lake in its course. The whole eastern portion is spread
out in beautiful plains ani gentle undulations. The western
portion compri.-es numerous swells of rich rolling land, inter-
spersed with fertile vales. In the southwestern portion of the
county, these swells form some bold elevations, towering into
highlands, having an altitude of twelve or fourteen hundred
feet.
Rivers. Mud creek, Canandaigua outlet, Flint creek and
Honeoye, are the principal streams.
Lakes. Canandaigua lake is fourteen miles long, from one
to two broad, and surrounded by diversified and beautiful
scenery. The other lakes are Seneca, Honeoye, Caneadea
and Hemlock.
Canals. The Erie canal just touches the county at Port
Gibson, and the Seneca and Cayuga canal commences at
Geneva.
Railroads. The Auburn and Rochester railroad has a cir-
cuitous course, from east to west, through the county.
Climate. The climate is mild and equable.
In some sections remittent and intermittent fevers prevail in autumn, but the
county, as a whole, is decidedly healthy. It is well adapted to the growth and
perfection of the peach, apple and other fruits.
Geology and Minerals. Slate is the underlying rock of the
county, but it is generally covered with limestone, and, on the
higher hills, with graywacke. In the southern part, the clay
slate sometimes appears on the surface. In the west it alter-
nates with the limestone, forming an excellent soil. The
county lies mostly within the limits of the Ontario group.
Water lime, gypsum and marl are abundant. Iron ore is also found in large
quantities. Sulphur springs exist in Manchester. One of the most interesting
features in the mineralogical history of this county, is the carburetted hydrogen
or inflammable gas. in Bristol and Canandaigua.
The gas forces its way through fissures in the rocks, and in Bristol through the
waters of a stream, where it is most abundant : when lighted it burns with a
steady, brilliant flame, till extinguished by storms, or by design. The gas has the
odor of pit coal, and burns without smoke, but deposits a small quantity of bitu-
minous lampblack. The hillocks where it appears are destitute of verdure, and
no plant will live within its influence. There are similar springs in East Bloom-
field and Richmond.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The constituents of the
soil render it quite fertile, and the northern and central towns
are peculiarly adapted to the raising of wheat and other grains.
It also yields grass and fruits abundantly.
The timber is principally oak, chestnut, hickory, with beech, maple, and some
pine in the southern part.
ONTARIO COUNTY. 221
Pursuits. The people generally are engaged in tilling the
earth, and find a rich return for their toil, in the abundance it
produces. More wheat is raised in this county, than in any
other in the state. It also produces more wool. All kinds of
fruit congenial to the climate, are produced in large quantities.
The manufactures of the county are limited, as it has com-
paratively little water power. They are chiefly flour, the va-
rious woollen fabrics, leather, malt and distilled liquors.
Its commerce is confined to the transportation of its produce,
and that principally on the Seneca lake.
Staples. These are, wheat, wool, oats, barley and butter.
Schools. In 184G, there were 220 district schools, which
were taught an average period of eight months, and contained
14,617 pupils. The amount paid for tuition was $21,519. There
were 27,106 volumes in the school libraries.
There were in addition, thirty-five select schools, with TOG scholars, two acad-
emies, and one female seminary, with 246 pupils, and one college with eight pro-
fessors, and, including both departments, 260 students.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Baptists, Presbyte-
rians, Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Friends, Universal-
ists, Dutch Reformed, Unitarians and Roman Catholics. To-
tal churches seventy-six — clergymen ninety-five.
History. The whole of this county, as well as the counties
of Steuben, Genesee, Allegany, Niagara, Chautauque, Monroe,
Livingston, Erie, Yates, and the western half of Wayne and
Orleans, was included in the lands ceded by New York to Mas-
sachusetts, and by that state to Messrs. Gorham and Phelps,
in 1737.
In 1788 Oliver Phelps, one of the proprietors, left Granville,
Massachusetts, to explore this far distant and unknown coun-
try, amid the tearful adieus of his family and friends, who
parted with him, not expecting his return.
On his arrival at Canandaigua, he assembled the chiefs of
the Six Nations, and purchased from them "heir title to two
and a half millions of acres of land. In 17S9, he opened, at
Canandaigua, the first land office in America, for the sale of
forest lands to settlers.
His system of surveys by townships was subsequently adopt-
ed by the United States government, in their surveys of new
lands. Almost the whole of the lands of this county were thus
sold (o actual settlers, a large proportion of whom were from
New England.
With a soil of extraordinary fertility, and a thrifty and indus-
trious population; possessing scenery of unrivaled beauty, and
removed from the danger of hostile incursions, the growth of
222 STATE OF NEW YORK.
this county has been rapid and prosperous, since its first set-
tlement.
Villages. Canandaigua village in the town of Canandaigua,
was laid out by Messrs. Gorham and Phelps, in 1788, and is the
county seat. It is delightfully situated, on an ascent, at the
northern extremity of the lake of the same name, commanding
a fine view of that beautiful sheet of water. Its buildings, many
of them handsome, are principally situated on a single broad
street, running north and south, and are surrounded by highly
cultivated gardens.
The Canandaigua academy, located here, was founded by the
munificence of Messrs. Gorham and Phelps, and is amply sus-
tained by the liberality of the inhabitants. It is also the seat of
the Ontario female seminary, an ancient and respectable insti-
tution. Population about 3000.
Geneva, in the town of Seneca, was founded by Messrs. An-
nin and Barton, in 1794. In the beauty of its situation, it is
unrivaled among the many beautiful villages of western New
York. Situated at the northwest extremity of Seneca lake, its
principal street runs parallel with the shore of the lake, at an
elevation of about 100 feet, and from many of its residences ter-
raced gardens extend to the banks of the lake.
It has some manufactures, but is chiefly distinguished for its
refined society, and for the advantages it affords as a retreat for
the scholar, the retired merchant, or the gentleman of fortune.
The college, here, has an able corps of instructors, and is rising
in reputation and usefulness. In beauty of location it is not
surpassed by any institution in the United States. It has a
flourishing medical department. There is also in this village a
female seminary. Population about 4000.
East and West Vienna, in the town of Phelps, are thriving
villages, situated one mile distant from each other, on the out-
let of Canandaigua lake. They are in the midst of a fine agri-
cultural region and have some manufactories. East Vienna
has a female seminary. The Auburn and Rochester railroad
passes through the village. Population 1500.
Bushville, partly in this county and partly in Yates, is a vil-
lage of some importance. Population about 800.
Port Gibson, in the town of Manchester, is the only place
where the Erie canal touches the county.
XVI. HERKIMER COUNTY.
1.
2.
3.
4.
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Square Miles, 1370.
Population, 37,4-24.
Organized, 1791.
Valuation, 1845, $6,572,473.
TOWNS.
German Flats, 17SS.
Herkimer, 17SS.
Schuyler, 1792.
Norway, 1792.
5. Fairfield, 1796
0. Frankfort, 1790.
Litchfield, 1796.
Warren, 1796.
Manheim, 1797.
Newport, 1806.
Russia, 1806.
Columbia, 181.
Winfield, 1816.
14. Danube, 1817.
15. Salisbury, 1817.
16. Ohio, 1823.
17. Stark, 182S.
18. Little Falls, 1829.
19. Wilmurt, 1837.
Mountains. GG. Chateaugay. j.
Otsquaga. i. Hassencleaver.
Rivers. F. Mohawk. a. Black.
h. East Canada Creek, f. West
Canada Creek, b. Beaver, c.
Moose.
Falls, g. Trenton, t. Little.
Lanes, d. Moose.
Villages. Herkimer. Little
Falls. Fairfield.
Boundaries. North by St.
Lawrence county; East by
Hamilton, Fulton and Mont-
gomery ; South by Otsego ; and
West by Oneida and Lewis
counties.
Surface. The surface is di-
versified, and crossed by moun-
tains in every direction. The
Chateaugay range enters the
224 STATE OF NEW YORK.
county from the northeast, and runs southwest and unites with
the Otsquaga Hills, which form the dividing- ridge between the
Mohawk and Susquehanna.
This ridge is broken through, by the Mohawk river, at Little
Falls. It varies in height from 700 to 1200 feet. The Otsquaga
Hills run from east to west, extending across the whole south-
ern portion of the county. They are about 1000 feet high.
Between the Chateaugay mountains and the western line of
the county, are the Highlands of Black river, which are broken
through by West Canada creek. The Hassencleaver moun-
tain, an isolated summit, having a base of eight or nine miles,
and a height of 800 or 1000 feet, also occupies its central
portion.
The northern portion is elevated and rugged, but has not
been thoroughly explored. The dividing ridge, between the
waters of the St. Lawrence and the Mohawk, crosses it.
Rivers. The Mohawk passes through the county from east
to west. Its principal tributaries are the East Canada and
West Canada creeks. The latter, in a course of sixty miles,
mils 1220 feet, or on an average twenty-three feet to the mile.
The Black, Moose, Beaver, and the head waters of the Oswe-
gatchie river, all aid in draining the northern portion of the
county.
Falls. The Little Falls, at the village of that name, on the
Mohawk, deserve notice. They received their name in contra-
distinction to the Great Falls of the Mohawk, at Cohoes. They
extend, upon the river, three-fourths of a mile, the fall in that
distance being forty-two feet, divided into two rapids, each of
nearly a fourth of a mile in length, and separated by a stretch
of deep water.
The beauty of the fall is very much increased by the depth of the river bed,
below the adjacent banks of the defile, through which it passes. This defile is
about 100 rods wide, two miles in length, and rises from 360 to 400 feet above the
river, which has worn for itself this deep channel through the crumbling rocks,
which compose the mountain. The scenery is highly picturesque and beautiful.
Trenton Falls, on the West Canada creek, are described un-
der Oneida county.
Lakes. There are numerous small lakes scattered over the
northern part of the county, among which Moose lake is the
largest.
Canals and Railroads. The Erie canal, and the Utica and
Schenectady railroad, pass through the county, on either side
of the Mohawk.
Climate. The climate, owing to the numerous mountains, is
cold, but healthy.
Geology and Minerals. The northern part of the county is
HERKIMER COUNTY. 225
primitive, the rocks being either granite or gneiss. On the bor-
ders of the East and West Canada creeks, as well as in some
other sections, this is overlaid with limestone and slate. South
of the Mohawk, the prevailing rock is slate, covered with sand-
stone, or limestone, except at Fort hill, where the granite again
makes its appearance.
Its minerals are quartz, crystals of rare size and beauty, heavy spar, calcare-
ous spar, pearl and brown spar, sulphuret of zinc, galena, iron and copper pyrites,
bog iron ore, fibrous celestine, tourmaline, and anthracite, though not in sufficient
quantities to be of any practical value. Fossils, of great beauty and perfection, are
found in the vicinity of Trenton falls, and petrifactions on the Otsquaga creek, in
the town of Stark.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is generally
arable, and some portions of it highly productive. It is better
adapted to grass than to grain. The northern portion is said to
be barren and unproducti/e.
The timber is principally oak, hemlock, pine, beech, chestnut, black birch, hick-
ory, butternut, elm and maple. Pine and hemlock are abundant in the northern
section.
Pursuits, Agriculture is the pursuit of a majority of the in-
habitants. From the hilly character of the surface, more atten-
tion is necessarily paid to grazing, than to the culture of grain,
and Herkimer stands in the front rank of grazing counties. Its
cheese is particularly celebrated, and almost one fourth of the
whole amount produced in the state, is made in this county.
More than eight millions of pounds mere made in 1845. It also
ranks high in the production of butter, wool and pork.
Some attention is paid to manufactures, for which the water
falls of the principal streams afford fine facilities. The principal
articles are leather, cotton and woollen goods, flour, lumber and
paper.
The transportation of its produce upon the Erie canal, consti-
tutes the only commerce of the county.
Staples. Cheese, butter and wool.
Schools. There are 200 public school -houses, in which schools
were taught, in 1845, an average period of eight months, and
11,800 children received instruction, at a cost, for tuition, of
$15,459. The district libraries numbered 22,750 volumes.
The county has also thirty-three select schools, with 442 pupils, three academies,
and one female seminary, attended by 321 pupils.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Baptists, Dutch Re-
formed, Universalists, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Epis-
copalians, Roman Catholics, Unitarians and Jews.
History. A tract of land, twelve miles square, lying between
the East and West Canada creeks, in this county, constituted
the royal grant, which Sir William Johnson obtained of old
King Hendrick, and which was afterwards confirmed by the
226 STATE OF NEW YORE.
king of England.* Another of 94,000 acres, lying in the north-
ern part of the county, was granted in 1770, and called the Jer-
sey field patent.
The fertile tract now known as the German Flats, was
patented by a company of German Lutherans, in 1725. It con-
sisted of a little more than 9000 acres of excellent land. Their
residence was called Burnet's field, after Governor Burnet. A
church was erected here, previous to the revolution, and a par-
sonage of stone, which having been fortified, received the name
of Fort Herkimer.
In common with the adjacent counties of Montgomery, Ful-
ton, Otsego, Oneida and Schoharie, Herkimer suffered from
the incursions of the savages and tories, during the revolution-
ary contest. The brave old general whose name it perpetuates,
died at his residence, in Danube, in this county, in August,
1777, of wounds received at the battle of Oriskany.
In 1778, the village of Herkimer was burned by the Indians
and tories, under the direction of the Mohawk chieftain, Erant.
Fortunately their approach had been discovered by the inhabit-
ants, who fled to Forts Dayton and Herkimer, for protection.
Two individuals, however, were killed, every house and barn
destroyed, and the cattle, horses and sheep driven away by the
Indians.
In 1780, a party of Indians and tories visited Little Falls, for
the purpose of destroying the mills there, which were of great
importance to the inhabitants. They accomplished their object,
killed one man, and took five or six prisoners. Two of the oc-
cupants of one of the mills, concealed themselves in the race-
way, beneath the water wheel, and after the conflagration of
the mill, and the departure of the Indians, made their escape.
Villages. Herkimer, the county seat, is handsomely situa-
ted in the valley of the Mohawk, in the town of the same name.
It has a fine hydraulic power, sufficient to drive a large amount
of machinery. The academy here is in a flourishing condition.
The county buildings are on the most improved models, com-
bining security and comfort. Population about 1000.
Little Falls, situated on both sides the Mohawk, in the town
of that name, is celebrated for the beauty of its scenery. It is
* The way in which this land was obtained, was said to be the following. Sir
William having received, from England, several rich suits of uniform, the old
Sachem, Hendrick, visited him soon after, and spent the night. In the morning
he came to Sir William and said, " Me dream last night." " And what did you
dream V inquired the baronet. " Me dream you give me one fine suit of clothes,''
was the reply. The baronet, of course, complied with his request.
Not long after, he returned the visit, and in the morning, said to his Indian
host, " I dreamed last night." "Ah," said the Indian, " What did you dream V
"I dreamed," replied Sir William, "that you gave me such a piece of land,"
(describing it). "Well," said the old Sachem, "Me give it you. but me no
dream with you again ; you dream too hard for me."
HERKIMER COUNTY. 227
largely engaged in manufactures, and has an academy for the
education of both sexes, for which the citizens have erected a
noble granite edifice. Its houses, mostly of stone, are remark-
able for their neat and substantial appearance.
He. e is a deep cut on the canal, of two miles, through solid
rock, which presented an obstacle to the Erie canal, only sur-
passed by that at Lockport. The canal constructed by the
Western Inland Lock Navigation Company, in 1802, is' con-
nected with the Erie canal at this place, by a magnificent aque-
duct of white marble. The finest quartz crystals in the United
States are found here. Population about 3000.
Fairfield is a pleasant rural village, the seat of an academy
of considerable distinction. The college of physicians and sur-
geons, of the western district, was formerly located here, and
occupied a fine building. This medical school, though formerly
highly popular, has recently been discontinued.
Mohawk, in the town of German Flats, is situated on the
line of the canal. It is a flourishing village, and furnishes a
good market for the produce of this section of the county. Pop-
ulation S00.
Newport, in the town of the same name, is a thriving village,
with considerable manufactures. Population about 600.
Frankfort, in the town of the same name, has some manufac-
tures. Population 600.
Middleville, in the town of Fairfield, Winton, in the town of
Salisbury, and Russia, in the town of the same name, are vil-
lages of some importance.
XVII. RENSSELAER COUNTY.
Jiquare Miles, 626.
Organized, 1791.
Population, 62,338.
Valuation, 1845, §12,624,258.
1. Hoosick, 1788.
2. Pittstown, 1788.
3. Scaghticoke, 1788.
4. Stephentovvn, 1788
5. Petersburgh, 1791.
6. Greenbush, 1792.
7. Schodac, 1795.
Mountains
Y. Peterborough
TOWNS.
8. Troy City, 1796.
9. Nassau, 1806.
10. Berlin, 1806.
11. Brunswick, 1S07.
12. Grafton, 1807.
13. Lansinburgh, 1S07.
14. Sand Lake.
g. Williamstown.
RENSSELAER COUNTY. 229
Rivers and Creeks. C. Hudson River, k. Hoosick. b. Tomhenick
Creek, i. Kinderhook. h. Vallitje. e. Wynantskill. f. Poes-
tenkill.
Falls. Hoosiek.
Villages. Troy City. Greenbush. Lansingburgh. Scaghticoke
Hoosick Falls.
Boundaries. North by Washington county; East by the
states of Massachusetts and Vermont ; South by Columbia
county ; and West by the Hudson river.
Surface. The surface of the county is diversified. From
the valley of the Hudson it rises, somewhat precipitously, more
than 200 feet. Thence the county is rolling, to the base of the
Peterborough mountains. These mountains attain their high-
est elevation near the centre of the county, subsiding into mod-
erate hills, at the northern and southern extremities. This
ridge is separated from the Taghkanic range, here called the
Williamstown mountains, by a valley from one to three miles
in width.
Rivers. This county is abundantly watered. Beside the
Hudson, its principal streams are, the Hoosick river, Tom-
henick, Kinderhook and Vallitje creeks, Wynantskill, and Po-
estenkill.
Railroads. The Western Railroad, which connects Boston
and Albany, terminates at East Albany. The Troy and Green-
bush Railroad connects this with Troy. The Troy and Sara-
toga, and the Troy and Schenectady Railroads, both terminate
in this county. They cross the Hudson at Troy, on a noble
bridge, 1650 feet in length.
Climate. The climate of the county is mild, but exposed to
great extremes oftemperature. It is considered healthful.
Geology and Minerals. The county is wholly of the trans-
ition formation. The basis rock is clay slate, upon which is
imposed limestone, graywacke, and some red sandstone.
Roofing slate is extensively quarried in Hoosick, Stephentown, and Troy. Iron
is found in several places, but is little wrought. Marl, of superior quality, is
abundant in Sand Lake, and Scaghticoke. Epsom salts are found in Lansingburgh ;
in the same vicinity are quartz crystals of great beauty. There are several sul-
phur springs in the county.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. There is considerable
variety in the soil, but a loam, composed of sand and clay, and
quite fertile, extends over the greater part of the county. Con-
siderable tracts are well adapted to wheat, but grass and sum-
mer crops succeed better in the uplands, in the northern and
eastern sections. The principal timber is oak, hemlock, spruce,
chestnut, and hickory.
Pursuits. Agriculture is extensively and profitably pursued.
The productions of the dairy are large. The rearing of cattle,
11
230 STATE OF NEW YORK.
horses, and sheep, receives much attention. It is the largest
flax growing county in the state.
The Manufactures of the county are numerous and varied.
The principal articles are flour, cotton and woollen goods,
various kinds of iron ware, leather, carriages and sleighs,
railroad cars, malt and distilled liquors, oil, &c.
Commerce. The commerce of the county is quite extensive,
and is carried on principally through the ports of Troy, Lan-
singburgh, and Greenbush.
Staples. Flax, oats, potatoes, corn, butter and wool.
Schools. In 1S46 ; there were in the county, 192 district
school-houses, in which schools were maintained an average pe-
riod of nine months, and 13,040 children received instruction.
The wages of teachers amounted to $21,83 . The number of
volumes in the district libraries was 26,921.
There were also seventy-five private schools, with 19-23 pupils, six academies
and two female seminaries, with 556 students, and the Rensselaer Institute.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Presbyterians, Bap-
tists, Dutch Reformed, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics, Uni-
versalists, Unitarians, Friends, and Congregationalists. There
are ninety-five churches, and eighty clergymen.
History. All the towns of this county, except Scaghticoke,
Pittstown, Hoosick, the i orth part of Lansingburgh. and part of
Troy, belong to the Manor of Rensselaerwyck. The farms are
generally rented at the rate often bushels of wheat for the hun-
dred acres.
Pittstown was probably settled at an earlier period than any
other portion of the county, emigrants having located there in
1650.
Scaghticoke was also settled by Dutch and German families
at an early period, probably about 1700. The first settlement
on the present site of Troy, was made in 1720, by Derick Van-
derheyden. He obtained a lease of 490 acres, now constituting
the most densely populated portion of the city, for three and
three-quarters bushels of wheat and four fat fowls annually.
His descendants continued to occupy the land, and from them
it assumed the name of Vanderheyden's ferry, which it con-
tinued to bear till 1789, when the more classic appellation of
" Troy" w r as substituted lor it.
On the 16th August, J 777, a portion of the battle of Benning-
ton was fought within the limits of Hoosick, in this county.
A cantonment was erected at Greenbush, for the United
States troops, during the late war with Great Britain.
Cities and Villages. Troy City, the seat of justice for the
county, is pleasantly situated on the Hudson, six miles north of
Albany. It was laid out in 17S9, and made the county seat in
RENSSELAER COUNTY. 231
1791. It is well built, with wide and well shaded streets. The
court house, and several of the other public buildings, exhibit
great architectural merit.
It is largely engaged in manufactures of almost every descrip-
tion ; cast and bar iron, nails, cotton and v\ oollen goods, coaches,
sleighs, wagons, railroad cars, flour, distilled and malt liquors,
leather, cordage, steam engines, machinery, &c, are the
principal. The entire value of its manufactures exceeds
$4,000,000 per annum.
The schools of Troy have long maintained a high rank. The
Rensselaer Institute, founded by, and named after, the late Pa-
troon, is an excellent practical school, designed to furnish young
men with a thorough mathematical education, and to fit them
for the practice of civil engineering.
The Troy Female Seminary, begun in Middlebury, Vermont,
in 1814, and removed to Troy in 1821, has long rauked among
the first institutions of its kind in the country. Nearly 6000 pu-
pils have been educated in it, many of whom have afterwards
become teachers in various parts of the Union.
Its former and present principals, have won for themselves
the highest reputation a- instructors. It has twenty-four teach-
ers and other officers, and more than 200 pupils.
The Troy Academy is also an excellent institution.
The Lyceum of Natural History has a fine library and cabi-
net, and is well conducted. The Young Men's Association pos-
sess a large and well selected library, a cabinet and reading
room, and sustain a course of lectures annually.
The city is connected with Schenectady, Saratoga, and East
Albany, by railroads, and by means of the last with the great
Western Railroad to Boston. Excellent McAdamized roads
have also been constructed to Albany and to Bennington ; the
Erie and Champlain canals, here forming the Junction canal,
bring immense quantities of lumber and produce to the city, and
receive in return manufactured goods.
The commerce of the city is quite large. Three large and
seven or eight smaller steamboats, about sixty sloops and
schooners, and twenty-five or thirty barges, are owned here,
and employed in transporting produce and manufactured arti-
cles to New York. There are also several lines of packets ply-
ing to other ports, together with a large number of packet and
freight boats, on the Erie and Champlain canals. Population
25,000.
The village of West Troy, on the west bank of the Hudson,
though in another county, may almost be considered a suburb
232 STATE OP NEW YORK.
of Troy, with which it is connected by a fine bridge and two
ferries.
Lansingburgh, in the town of the same name, is three miles
north of Troy. It was settled before that city, and was for a
considerable period the more important village. It has exten-
sive manufactories. By means of a lock, in the state dam across
the Hudson, sloops ascend the river to the village. The Lan-
singburgh Academy was one of the first institutions of the kind
established in the state. The village is one of the oldest in the
state, having been organized in 1771, and incorporated in 1787.
Population 3500.
Scaghticoke Point, in the town of Scaghticoke, is a thriving
manufacturing village ; cotton, linen, and hemp goods, powder,
and powder kegs, are largely manufactured here. Popula-
tion 1400.
Greenbushiz a thriving village in the town of the same name,
opposite the city of Albany. The great Western railroad, and
the Troy and Greenbush railroad terminate here. The United
States barracks, erected in 1814, were on an eminence about a
mile southeast of the village. They were very extensive, having
been intended for the accommodation of 5000 troops, but are now
in ruins. Population 1200.
Hoosick Falls, in the town of Hoosick, is a thriving manufac-
turing village. Population 500.
Nassau and Berlin, in the towns of the same names, are vil-
lages of some importance.
Schodac Landing, in the town of Schodac, is a thriving
village.
XVIII. OTSEGO COUNTY.
Square miles, 892.
Organized, 1791.
Population, 50,509.
Valuation, 1845, $5,408,040.
TOWNS
1.
Otsego, 1788.
12.
Middlefield, 1797.
2.
Cherry Valley, 1791.
13.
Exeter, 1799.
3.
Richfield, 1792.
14.
Plainfield, 1799
4.
Unadilla, 1792.
15.
Hartwick, 1802.
5.
Burlington, 1792.
16.
New Lisbon, 1806
6.
Butternuts, 1796.
17.
Decatur, 1803.
7.
Mil lord, 179G.
18.
Edmeston, 1808.
8.
Oneonta, 1796.
19.
Maryland, 1808.
9.
Pittsfield, 1797.
20.
Westford, 1808.
10.
Springfield, 1797.
21.
Laurens, 1810.
11.
Worcester, 1797.
22.
Otego, 1822.
Mountains, m. Kaatsbergs.
n. Mount Independence.
234 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Rivers. II. Unadilla. G. Susquehanna, b. Butternut creek, c.
Otsdewa. d. Otego. e. Otsego, f. Cherry Valley, g. Schene-
vas. h. Elk.
Lakes, i. Summit, j. C maderaga or Schuyler, k. Otsego.
Battle Fields. Cherry Valley.
Villages. Cooperstown. Cherry Valley.
Boundaries. North by Oneida, Herkimer and Montgomery
counties; East by Schoharie and Delaware; South by Dela-
ware; and West by Madison and Chenango ((.unties.
Surface. The surface is greatly diversified by mountains,
hills, valleys and plains. The Kaatsbergs extend along its
eastern border, connecting, a little above Cherry Valley vil-
lage, with Mount Independence, whose summit, more than 2000
feet above tide water, affords a noble prospect, o x ening, in some
directions, nearly 100 miles in extent.
At this elevation, a narrow table land ru s along the northern
confines of the county, forming the western continuation of the
Kaatsbergs, and decliens gradually toward the south, divided,
however, by the streams, into numerous high ridges and deep
valleys.
There are six principal valleys thus formed, viz. Cherry Val-
ley, the valley of the Elk creek, that of Schenevas creek, the
valleys of the Otego and Butternut creeks, and of the Unadilla
river. The direction of these valleys is generally south-south-
westerly.
Rivers. This county is well watered. The Susquehanna,
which forms nearly half its southern boundary, is the principal
stream. It takes its rise in Summit lake, whose waters also
discharge, in seasons of flood, into the Mohawk. Its course
through the county is placid, the descent, in the distance of
forty-five miles, probably not exceeding five feet to the mile.
The Unadilla, a branch of the Susquehannah, washes the
eastern border of the county. The Cherry Valley creek, on
whose banks such deeds of blood were committed, in the early
settlement of the county, is also a tributary of the Susquehanna,
as are the Schenevas, Otego, Otsdewa, and Butternut creeks.
Lakes. Otsego lake is nine miles long, and from one to three
w T ide. The hills which encircle it are elevated from 400 to 500
feet above its surface. This lake is 1188 feet above tide water.
The purity of its waters, and the rich and varied scenery which
surrounds it render it an attractive summer resort.
Canaderaga, or Schuyler's lake, is a beautiful sheet of water,
five miles long, and from one to two wide.
Summit lake is the source of the Susquehanna. It is a
OTSEGO COUNTY. 235
small body of water, but has an altitude, above tide water, of
1346 feet.
Cromhorn pond, on the Cromhorn mountain, in Maryland, is
three miles circumference, and is one of the highest ponds in the
state.
Climate. Owing to the elevation of t! is county the cli'nate
is cooler than in some other portions of the state. The diver-
sity of its surface insures a perf ct drainage, and renders it
highly salubrious.
Geology and Minerals. This county belongs to the transi-
tion system. It is underlaid with clay slate, over which is
graywacke slate, sandstone, and in the north limestone.
In Cherry Valley and Springfield, gray marble of good quality is found. It is
susceptible of a high polish, and abounds with animal fossils. Magnesia is one
of its constituents. The graywacke also furnishes an excellent building material.
There are some sulphur springs in the county ; that at Richfield is highly impreg -
nated, and often visited for its medicinal qualities.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is very fertile.
The timber of this section i^ principally oak, white pine, hem-
lock, beech and maple. Oats, corn, barley, wheat, hops and
potatoes are the principal crops.
Pursuits. Agriculture, particularly the rearing of cattle,
horses and sheep, and manufactures are the principal pursuits.
There are no mines, but some extensive marble quarries near
Cherry Valley.
The Susquehanna is the only navigable stream in the counts,
and is mainly used for the transportation of lumber, of which
considerable quantities are sent to market annually.
The manufactures of the county are numerous, and increas-
ing in quantity and value with great rapidity. The most impor-
tant are flour, lumber, cotton and woollen goods, (including
prints,) leather, iron, &c. In 1845, they exceeded $1,100,000
in value.
Staple Productions. Wool, beef, pork, butter, cheese, and
lumber, are the principal productions.
Schools. There were in the county, in 1846, 316 district
school-houses, in which schools w r ere taught an average period
of eight months ; 16,859 scholars were instructed during the
year, at an expense for tuition of about $ 19,385. The district
libraries contained 31,366 volumes.
There were the same year, in the county, thrity-nine private schools, with 652
pupils, and three academies with 223 students.
Religious Denominations. Baptists, Methodists, Presbyte-
rians, Episcopalians, Congregationalists, Friends, Universal-
ists, and Unitarians. There were, in 1S45, eighty-eight
churches of all denominations, and ninety-eight clergymen.
236
STATE OF NEW YORK.
History. The early history of this county contains many
events of thrilling interest. The first settlement in the county,
was made in 1739, by Mr. John Lindesay, a Scotch gentleman
of some fortune and distinction, who, in conjunction with three
other gentlemen, had obtained a patent for a tract of S000 acres,
in the present town of Cherry Valley. The place for several
years was called Lindesay's Bush.
Mr. Lindesay sedulously cultivated the friendship of the Mo-
hawks, with whom this section was a favorite hunting ground,
and soon had reason to rejoice that he had done so, for in the
winter of 1740, his stock of provisions was exhausted, and on
account of the depth of the snow, he was unable to procure sup-
plies from the distant settlements, but the friendly Indians
brought lbod on their backs, and thus administered to his wants.
In 1741, by the persuasion of Mr. Lindesay, Rev. Samuel
Dunlap, an Irish clergyman of education and talent, was in-
duced to emigrate, with several of his friends, to the number in
all of about thirty persons, to this county. Soon alter their ar-
rival, provision was made for the erection of a church, a school-
house, and a grist and saw-mill.
Mr. Dunlap opened, in 1743, a classical school for boys, the
first in the state west of Albany.
The settlement progressed but slowly for the next ten years.
Mr. Lindesay was not well adapted to the management of an
infant settlement, and after expending his fortune in the enter-
prise, necessity compelled him to abandon it. He entered the
army, and died in New York, after serving a few years as
lieutenant.
A few years later, small settlements were made at Spring-
field, Middlefield, Laurens and Otego.
In 1772, when the county of Tryon was formed, the whole
population of Cherry Valley was somewhat less than three hun-
dred ; and of the entire western portion of the state, (Tryon
county comprising all that portion of the state lying west of a
line drawn through the centre of Schoharie,) but a few thou-
sands.
A number of the inhabitants had served in the French war,
and had suffered from the hostile incursions of the Indians.
During the Revolution, the inhabitants of this county, as well
as those of the frontier settlements generally, were agitated
with fear of the tories and Indians, but though often alarmed,
they did not suffer from the devastating effects of the border
wars, in their own settlements, till the autumn of 1778.
Rumors of an intended attack of the Indians and tories hav-
ing reached the inhabitants in the spring, they fortified the
church, and Colonel Alden, with a portion of an eastern regi-
OTSEGO COUNTY. 23f
merit, was stationed to defend the settlement. The summer,
and two of the autumn months passed, without the appearance
of the enemy, and believing themselves secure, the farmers left
the fort, and returned to their homes.
On the 6th of November, Colonel Alden received intelligence
from Fort Schuyler, of the approach of a large force of Indians
and tories toward Cherry Valley ; on the dissemination of this
intelligence, the settlers requested permission to remove into
the tort, or at least to deposit their most valuable property there,
Colo: el Alden denied both requests, and with the most crim-
inal apathy, considering the report unfounded, took no efficient
measures to ascertain its truth. He stationed scouts in differ-
ent districts, but they, actuated by the same feelings with their
commander, kindled a fire, lay down to sleep, and were all cap*
tured by the enemy.
On the night of the 10th of November, 1778, the enemy, un-
der command of the brutal Walter Butler, and Brant, the Mo-
hawk chieftain, encamped within one mile of the fort, and on
the morning of the 11th, approached it.
Colonel Alden, in addition to his other imprudences, had
lodged the officers of his garrison in different houses in the
neighborhood. By means of their prisoners, the enemy discov-
ered in which houses they were lodged, and took them all
captives.
Colonel Alden himself was not in the fort, and on receiving
intelligence of the commencement of the attack, was still incred-
ulous, but ordered the guard to be called in, and went toward
the fort. Dearly did he pay for his apathy and incredulity ; he
was among the first victims of the cruel massacre which now
took place.
The family of Mr. Robert Wells, «onsisting of twelve per-
sons, were all murdered in cold blood, and one of the tories
boasted that he had killed Mr. Wells while at prayer.
The wife and one daughter of the Rev. Mr. Dunlap, the har-
dy pioneer of the settlement, already mentioned, were also sa-
crificed, and himself only spared through the importunity of an
Indian. The wife and four children of Mr. Mitchell, were also
inhumanly butchered by the wretches. Thirty -two of the
inhabitants, mostly women and children, and sixteen continental
soldiers were killed, and a large number made prisoners; all the
houses and other.buildings of the settlement were burned ; and
the sun, which that morning looked on a quiet and happy vil-
lage, in that beautiful valley, shed its last rays that evening
upon smouldering ruins, and lifeless corses weltering in their
A conference was held at Unadilla in this county, between
General Herkimer and Brant, the year previous to this massa-
11*
238 STATE OP NEW YORK.
'•re, in which the General attempted, though unsuccessfully, to
dissuade the Indians from taking part in the contest.
Since the close of the Revolution, the progress of this county
has been rapid, and its quiet undisturbed by the war whoop of
the Indian, or the battle-cry of the white warrior.
Villages, &c. Cooperstown, the county seat, is a village in
the town of Otsego. It is situated at the southern extremity of
Otsego Lake, and in the beauty of its scenery, and the salubrity
of its climate, has few equals among the lovely villages of cen-
tral New York.
The town is largely engaged in the manufacture of cotton
goods and paper. Population 1400.
Cherry Valley, whose thrilling story has already been naf-
rated, received its name from its situation, and the great abun-
dance of the wild cherry in its vicinity. It is a pleasant village,
situated in a delightful valley.
The Cherry Valley Academy, a flourishing chartered insti-
tution, is located here. Population 1100.
Hartwick is principally distinguished for its Lutheran Theo-
logical and Classical Seminary, a nourishing and well conducted
institution.
Springfield, so called from a large, deep spring in the town,
has an agreeably diversified surface, and comprises several vil-
lages. It has some quarries of very good marble.
Sctlt-spring-ville has its name from a small brine spring near
it, from which salt was manufactured during the Revolution.
It is worthy of notice for its distance from the great salt springs
of the state, and its elevation above tide water.
The Chyle is a noted limestone sink, in this town, eighty
yards in circuit and about twelve feet deep ; it is oval in form,
After rains or thaws, it is filled with water, which gradually
discharges itself by small orilices below, giving the water a
whirling motion.
Unadilla is pleasantly situated on the Susquehanna. It has
two fine covered bridges, each 250 feet in length, resting on
three arches. It has also conserable lumber trade. A species of
sandstone is quarried here for grindstones. Population about
800.
Gilbertsville, on the Butternut creek, is a thriving manufac-
turing village, and has a flourishing academy.
XIX. SARATOGA COUNTY.
Square miles, 800.
Organized, 1791.
Population, 41,477.
Valuation, 1845, $6,643,513.
240 STATE OF NEW YORK.
TOWNS.
1. Ballstown, 1788. 11. Edinburgh, 1801.
2. Halfmoon, 1788. 12. Hadley, 1801.
3. Saratoga, 1788. 13. Malta, 1802.
4. Stillwater, 1788. 14, Moreau, 1805.
5. Charlton, 1792. 15. Waterford, 1816.
6. Galway, 1792. 16. Corinth, 1818.
7. Milton, 1792. I". Wilton. 1818.
8. Greenfield, 17<>3. IS. Day, 1819.
9. Providence, 1796. 19. Saratoga Springs, 1819.
10. Northumberland, 17'.--. I I. Clifton -park, 1828.
Mountain?, m. Palmertown Mountains. EE. Kayaderosseras.
Rivers. C Hudson River. F. Mohawk, a. Sacandaga. e. Kaya-
derosseras or Fish Creek.
Falls, b. Cohoes. k. Hadley. n. Glens, o. Bakers.
Lakes, f. Saratoga. u r . Round, h. Long. i. Owl.
Battle Fields. Bemis' Heights. Schuylerville.
Villages. Ballston Spa. Saratoga Springs. Waterford. Schuy-
lerville. Mcchanicsville.
Boundaries. North by Warren county; East by Hudson
River ; South by Albany and Schenectady; and West by Mont-
gomery, Fulton, and Hamilton counties.
Surface. The surface of this county is much diversified and
may be divided into mountainous, hilly, and plain lands. The
Palmer town mountains enter the county a few miles west ol
Glen's Falls, and sink to its general level near Saratoga Springs.
The Kayaderosseras range crosses the northwestern corner,
and is broken through, in the town of Day, by the Sacandaga
river. South of that town, a lateral spur, extending in a south-
erly direction, unites with Flint Hill of Schenectady county.
The hilly portion lies east of the mountains, while the level em-
braces the eastern and southeastern sections of the county.
Rivers. The Hudson is the main river, forming its eastern
and a large portion of its northern boundary line. It receives in
its course, from this county, the Sacandaga, Fish creek, and the
Mohawk river which waters it on the south.
Falls. The " Great Falls" of the Hudson are formed by the
Palmertown mountains crossing this river in the town of Co-
rinth. After a rapid of a mile and a descent of thirty feet, the
river has a perpendicular fall of thirty feet more. There is a
remarkable sluice 120 yards above, twelve yards long and four
wide, through which the great body of the water flows with
great velocity. Parts of Glen's, Baker's, and Cohoes falls are
also in this county, particular descriptions of which are given
under Warren and Albany counties.
Lakes. Saratoga lake, at the junction of the towns of Malta,
SARATOGA COUNTY. 241
Stillwater, Saratoga and Saratoga Springs, is nine miles long
and three wide.
The shore immediately around the lake is marshy, rendering
it inaccessible except in a f-w plac s; the country back rises
into lofty ridges and forms a vast m phitheatre of picture.- que and
cultivated landscape. The fine fish which inhabit its waters,
and the game that frequent its banks, ar objects of much attrac-
tion to the spor sman. The visito to the neighboring springs
often resort her , and find ample accommodations at the public
houses on the western shore. A steamboat plies its waters.
Snake Hill projects into the lake from the east, and lises 200
feet above i .- su i ce.
Round lal<,e, four miles in circumference, Long lake, in the
town of Ballstown, five miles long and one wide, (a beautiful
sheet of water, abundantly supplied with fish,) and Owl lake,
are the other lakes worthy of notice.
The Champlain canal runs through the eastern border of the
county.
Climate. The county is subject to extreme > of heat and
cold. The sandy nature of the soil, in the eastern and southern
sections, renders the heat of summer intense, while, its location
at the junction of the Mohawk and Hudson valleys, causes the
cold of winter to be equally severe. It is ho a ever considered
healthy. The principal diseases are of a pulmonary nature.
Geology and Minerals. This county comprises primitive,
transition, and alluvial formations, and affords to the geologist
a rare field of observation and interest. The mountains are
primitive in their formation, consisting principally of gneiss,
granite, and hypersthene. Fragments of these rocks, corres-
ponding with those in place, in the form of boulders and peb-
bles, are scattered over the whole county. The transition for-
mation borders the primitive, upon the east and south, and ap-
pears in the valley between the great mountain ridges. It con-
sists of pudding stone, sandstone, limestone, argillaceous and
graywacke slate, and graywacke. The argillaceous slate, a
fragile and crumbling rock, underlies the greater part of the
county not included in the primitive region.
At the southern termination of Palmertown mountains, two
miles north of Saratoga Springs, occurs a bed of oolitic lime-
stone, extending across the valley which separates the Palmer-
town from the Kayaderosseras mountains. It is the only known
locality of this formation in the state.
The diluvial and alluvial deposites include the pine plains, ex-
tending from the northern to the southern limits of the county.
They also cover the transition formation, and border the streams.
They consist of sand, clay, marl, and rounded fragments of
242
STATE OP NEW YORK.
stone, and in many portions of the county are deposited to an
unknown depth.
Bog iron ore, magnesia, chrysoberyl, granite, tourmaline, mica, feldspar, apa-
tite, and graphite or black lead, are the principal minerals.
But the most remarkable of the mineral productions of this
county, are its springs. These are principally acidulous, saline
and chalybeate ; there are however a few sulphurous waters.
There are fifty or sixty of the acidulated mineral springs.
They are quite uniform in their temperature, being generally
about 50° Fahrenheit. Their composition is also very similar.
They contain carbonic acid, and atmospheric air, from thirty-
five to forty cubic inches to the pint of water ; and from thirty-
five to seventy-five grains of solid matter, consisting of chloride
of sodium, (common salt.) carbonates of soda, magnesia, lime,
and iron, and generally iodine and bromine in minute quantities.
One or two of the springs contain but slight traces of iron, and
iodine in larger quantities.
The principal springs are the Congress, Washington, Put-
nam's, the Pavilion, Iodine, and Union springs at Saratoga; the
Public Well, the New Washington, and the Park springs at
Ballston Spte.. The analysis of several is subjoined.*
* The following is an analysis of one gallon (two hundred and thirty-one cubic
inches,) of water from the following springs.
Congress Spring.
Chloride of sodium
Carbonate of soda
" lime
" magnesia
" iron
Sulphate of soda
Iodide of sodium ^
Bromide of potassium \
Silica -
Alumina -
Grains.
363.829
7.200
86.143
78.621
.841
.651
5.920
.472
- .321
Total grains
543.998
Carbonic acid gas
Atmospheric air
* * t> • .
Gaseous contents
284.65
- 5.41
290.06
Iodine Spring.
Chloride of sodium
Carbonate of lime
•
Grains.
137.
26.
" iron
- • •
1.
" magnesia
" soda -
Hydriodate of soda, or Iodine ....
75.
2.
3.5
Carbonic acid gas
Atmospheric air
Total grains
244.5
330.
4.
Cubic inches 334-
SARATOGA COUNTY. 243
Their virtues were known to the Indians, but they carefully
Concealed them from the whites. In 1767, their affection for
Sir William Johnson, who had been a long time ill, led them to
communicate them to him. They guided him to the High Rock
spring, in the town of Saratoga Springs, and the use of the
mineral waters for a few weeks, completely restored his health.
In 1773, the first attempt was made to establish a house for
the accommodation of visitors. It was unsuccessful. The fol-
lowing year, one John Arnold established a rude tavern near
the High Rock spring. He was succeeded by one Norton, who.
during the Revolution, abandoned his tavern and joined the
British army. After several changes, it passed into the hands
of a Mr. Bryant, who must be regarded as the first permanent
settler.
In 1733, General Schuyler opened a road to the High Rock
spring* from Fish creek, and the succeeding year built a small
frame house near that spring, where he spent five or six weeks
every summer, during the remainder of his life.
Vegetable Productions. The soil upon the mountainous
portion is light and barren, and on the plains, excepting some
alluvial bottoms, which are highly fertile, sandy and productive
Pavilion Fountain.
Grains*
Chloride of sodium ..... 226.53
Carbonate of magnesia - 62.50
" lime ' * * •• * 60.24
" soda - 4.70
Oxide of iron, .»•*»- 3.10
Iodide of sodium ? _ _ s ^ -2 75
Bromide of potassium ^
Silica ... .... .62
Alumina .25
Total grains 361.74
Carbonic acid sis - 480.01
Atmospheric ait •..»»» 8.09
Total cubic inches 488.10
NEW WASHINGTON SPRING, AT BALLSTON SPA.
Grains .
Chloride of sodium - - - - - - 89.83
Bi-carbonate of soda ----- 18.057
Bi-carbonate of magnesia ----- 42.012
Carbonate of lime »»..*.. 41.51
Hydriodate of soda *• •» * • • 0.7
Carbonate of iron <.._„. 3,71
Silex and alumina -.--.- 1.25
Solid contents in one gallon 197.099
The gas which it emits in great abundance is pure carbonic acid, probably com*
bined with a small quantity of atmospheric air.
* This High Rock spring is enclosed in a conical rock of tufa (lime) about four
feet high and twenty-seven feet in circumference at its base. The water in this is
eeven feet eight inches in depth, and rises within two feet four inches of the top.
244 STATE OF NEW YORK.
of light crops. The timber of the uplands is oak, hickory, and
chestnut; of the plains, maple, beech, ash, elm, white and yel-
low pine.
Pursuits. The people are mainly engaged in agriculture,
and large quantities of grain are annually produced. Most of
the improved lands are under a careful and profitable cultiva-
tion.
Manufactures. These are chiefly confined to the southern
section, yet they form an increasingly important interest. Flour,
lumber, cotton and woollen goods, and iron, are the leading
articles.
Staple Productions. Oats, potatoes, corn, and butter.
Schools. There were 216 public schools, taught on an aver-
age eight months, during the year 1S46, having in attendance
11,714 scholars, and paying their teachers §16,005. The num-
ber of volumes in the district libraries is 25,532.
The number of private schools is forty -four, attended by 898 pupils. There
are also four academies and one female seminary, with 208 students.
Religious Denominations. Methodist-, Baptists, Presbyte-
rians, Episcopalians, Dutch Reformed, Congregationalietg,
Friends, Unitarians, Universalists, and Roman Catholics. The
number of churches of ah denominations is ninety-six, of cler-
gymen, eighty-nine.
History. The settlements in this county were made at a
very early date.
Van Schaick's patent, comprising the town of Waterford and
the adjacent country ; the Saratoga patent north of this, embra-
cing a tract six miles square on the Hudson, and the Apple
patent lying on the Mohawk and extending three miles back
into the woods towards Ballston lake, were granted about the
year 1700.
The patent of Kayaderosseras, embracing nearly the whole
of the county not previously conveyed, was granted in 1702, to
a company of thirteen individuals, of whom David Schuyler and
Robert Livingston were the most, prominent.
The exact date of the first settlement on the other patents ia
uncertain ; on the Kayaderosseras they were made as early as
1715.
In 1747, the Indians from Canada attacked the settlement at
Fish Creek, now Schuylerville, burned the village, and killed
thirty families. After the conquest of Canada, settlements
were rapidly made, but confined, for some years, to the neigh-
borhood of the Hudson and Mohawk rivers.
Much of the land in this county is still holden under the an-
nual rent of fifteen or twenty cents per acre, payable to the
SARATOGA COUNTY. 245
successors of the company to whom the Kayaderosseras patent
was granted.
This county is particularly distinguish 'd lb the events of
General Burgoyne's campaign in 1777, and his surrender which
took place within its limits. The general circumstances con-
nected with this campaign have been already narrated ; but a
more particular notice of some of the events which transpired
in this county may with propriety be introduced here.
After the defeat of Colonels Baum and Breyman at Benning-
ton, General Burgoyne had employed his troops in transport
ing military stores from Ticonderoga to Fort Edward, until the
12thofSepte ber.
Meanwhile General Schuyler, who had retreated from Fort
Edward to Stillwater, and thence to the islands at the mouth of
the Mohawk, had received considerable reinforcements. On
the 19th of August, he was superseded by General Gates, who
decided to return to Stillwater, which place he reached with his
army on the 9th of September. He immediately selected a
strong position on Bemis' Heights, and proceeded to fortify his
camp.
On the 13th and 14th, Burgoyne crossed the Hudson and
encamped on the heights and plains of Saratoga. On the 17th
he approached within four miles of the American camp, and on
the 19th advanced against the left wing of the American army,
designing if possible to drive them from their position. The ac-
tion, at first partial, at length became general, and both sides
being repeatedly reinforced, the conflict continued till night.
The English remained near the battle field ; the Americans
retired in good order to their cam]), but short distance from
the scene of carnage. Both parties' claimed the victory ; the
English because they held the battle ground; the Americans
because they had maintained their position. The British loss,
however, was considerably greater than that of the Americans,
and in their circumstances, to fight without a decisive victory,
was defeat.
The day after this battle, General Burgoyne took a position
almost wathin cannon shot of the American camp, fortified his
right wing, and extended his left t the r . Both parties re-
tained their position until the 7th of October ; Burgoyne in the
hope of receiving aid from Sir Henry Clinton, to whom he had
sent the most pressing entreaties for assistance ; and General
Gates in the confidence of receiving new reinforcements daily.
Receiving no further intelligence from Sir Henry, and find-
ing himself compelled to diminish the rations of his soldiers, the
British General determined to test again the strength of his
adversary.
246 STATE OP NEW YORK.
Accordingly he selected 15P0 choice troops, whom he com-
manded in person, aided by three of his bravest generals. With
these he advanced to the attack, while a corps of rangers, In-
dians, and provincials were ordered to take a circuitous route,
and show themselves in the rear of the American camp.
General Gates perceived the design of the enemy and made
such an arrangement of his forces as effectually to defeat Gen-
eral Burgoyne's project ; while at the same time, he despatched
Colonel Morgan with his corps to a wood which commanded the
right flank of the enemy.
Having succeeded in reaching this, unperceived by the Brit-
ish, Colonel Morgan awaited t moment when they were en-
gaged with the American force in front to pour a deadly and
incessant fire upon their right flank.
Meantime, General Gates ordered another division to inter-
cept the retreat of the enemy to their camp. In the attempt to
prevent this movement General Frazer, one of Burgoyne's most
efficient officers was mortally w 7 ounded, and the artillery corps
routed. Finding the fortune of the day against him, the British
General retreated to his ca closely pressed by the Ameri-
can army headed by the impetuous Arnold, who, with more
than his usual, rashness forced their entrenchments ; but being
wounded and having his horse killed under him, was compelled
to retire. That portion of the British camp occupied by the
German troops, was carried by a Massachusetts regiment be-
longing to Arnold's division.
Darkness put an end to the conflict. The advantage gained by
the Americans was decisive. The loss of the British in killed,
wounded, and prisoners was heavy, and among the number
were several officers of distinction. Their camp too w T as pene-
trated by the enemy.
During the night Burgoyne withdrew with his army to a
stronger position on the river heights. Aw r are that his adver-
sary would soon be compelled to surrender from w r ant of provi-
sions, General Gates did not risk another assault, but contented
himself with posting strong bodies of troops at every avenue by
which retreat was possible, and aw T aited the result.
Burgoyne attempted a retreat, but could only reach the heights
of Saratoga near Schuylerville, w T here he encamped. Strong
bodies of American troops guarded the Hudson and forbade the
effort to cross. Driven to desperation, he determined as a last
resource to abandon every thing except the arms and provisions
wiiich his soldiers could carry, and crossing at or above Fort
Edward, press on by forced marches to Fort George.
General Gates had foreseen and prepared for this movement ;
in addition to the strong guards placed at the fords of the Hud-
SARATOGA COUNTY. 247
son, he had formed an entrenched camp on the high grounds
between Fort Edward and Fort George. On learning this fact,
the British General found himself compelled to surrender, and
accordingly on the 17th of October the treaty of capitulation
was signed, and the British army piled their arms on the plains
of Saratoga, east of the village of Schuyierville.
Congress awarded to General Gates and his army their
thanks, and presented him with a medal of gold, struck in com-
memoration of the event.
Villages. Ballston Spa, in the town of Milton, the seat of
justice for the county, is pleasantly situated, and is celebrated
for its mineral waters, which are similar in character to those
of Saratoga. It has a number of manufactories, and consider-
able business. It is connected with Schenectady, Troy, and
Saratoga Springs, by railroad. Population, 1500.
Saratoga Springs, situated on a sandy plain, in the town of
the same name, is one of the most noted watering places in the
world. Broadway, its principal street, is wide and shady, and
during the summer, constantly thronged with the gay and fash-
ionable, who resort hither for pleasure and relaxation. It has
several fine hotels, which during the summer are crowded with
visitors. There are also several academies and female semin-
aries, and some manufactories. It is connected with Tr y and
Schenectady by railroad. Population, 3500.
There are eighteen or twenty springs in the town, of which Congress, Put-
nam's, Pavilion, Iodine, Hamilton, and Flat rock, are the principal. They are
regarded as efficacious in bilious and scrofulous diseases.
Waterford, at the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson
rivers, and at the head of sloop navigation on the latter, com-
bines to a great extent, the advantages of railroad, river and
canal transportation, and hydraulic power. It is largely engaged
in manufactures, which, with its agricultural products, annually
amount to between one and two millions of dollars. A bridge
800 feet in length connects it with Lansingburgh. The Wa-
terford sand used lor castings, is esteemed the best in the
country. Population, about 1800.
Mechanicsville is a small but thriving manufacturing village,
in the town of Stillwater. Population, 600.
Stillwater, in the town of the same name, is distinguished for
the battles fought between General Gates and Burgoyne, near
Bemis' Heights, in 1777, and Schuyierville, in the town of Sar-
atoga, for the surrender of the latter, which took place a short
distance east of that village.
XX. ONONDAGA COUNTY.
Square miles, 711. Population, 70.175.
Organized, 17D4. Valuation, 1845, $15,540,164.
TOWN'S
1.
Lysander, 1789.
10.
Cicero, 1807.
2.
Manlius, 1789.
11.
Salina, 1809.
3.
Marcellus, 17S9.
12.
Spaftbrd, 1811.
•1.
Onondaga, 17S9.
13.
Lafayette, 1825.
5.
Pompev, 1789.
14.
Clay, 1S27.
0.
Fabius, 1798.
15.
Elbridge, 1829.
7.
Camillus, 1799.
16.
Van Buren , 1829.
8.
Tully, 1803.
17.
Skeneateles, 1830.
9.
Otsego, 1S0C.
18.
De Witt, 1835.
ONONDAGA COUNTY. 249
Rivers, a. Oswego River, d. Chittenango Creek, c. Onondaga,
b. Limestone, e. Nine Mile. j. Oneida river, k. Seneca.
Lakes. f. Skeneateles. Z. Oneida. g. Onondaga, h. Otisco.
i. Cross.
Villages. Syracuse. Manlius. Skeneateles. Salina. Geddes.
Jordan.
Boundaries. North by Oswego county and Oneida lake ;
East by Madison county ; South by Cortland ; and West by
Cayuga counties.
Surface. The northern portion of the county is level; the
southern hilly, but arable.
The watershed, or height of land dividing the northern and
southern waters of the state, passes through the southern por-
tion of this county.
Rivers. The Seneca, or Oswego river, with its tributaries,
drains most of the north-western portion. The other principal
streams, flowing northward, are the Oneida River, Chittenan-
go, Limestone, Butternut, Onondaga, and Nine Mile Creeks.
The Tioughnioga and Cold Creeks, running southward, have
their source in this county.
Lakes. Oneida lake forms a portion of the northeastern
boundary. Skeneateles lake, lying mostly in this county, is a
beautiful sheet of water, surrounded by picturesque scenery, an J
abounding in fish. Its trout are particularly celebrated for their
size and abundance. The lake is fifteen miles in length, and
from hall* a mile to one mile in width.
Onondaga lake, situated toward the centre of the county, is
eight miles long, and from two to four wide. It abounds in fish.
Most of the salt springs are near its banks.
Otisco and Cross are the only other lakes of importance.
Climate. The climate of this county is mild and agreeable,
more uniform than in some other parts of the state. The dis-
eases of the county are principally of a bilious type.
Geology and Minerals. The northern portion of the county
is comprised in that geological formation known as the Ontario
group or division, consisting of marly sandstone, soft green
shales, and the gypsum and salt rocks, (limestone,) known as the
Onondaga salt group. South of this, limestone containing gyp-
sum predominates, and still farther south, slate is the prevailing
rock.
Salt is the most valuable and abundant mineral production of this county. The
salt is obtained from springs, (probably charged with salt from some deep seated
locality of tbe mineral,) in the town of Salina.
Oxide of iron, gypsum, marl, water limestone, or hydraulic cement, selenite,
fibrous gypsum, fluor spar, and serpentine, are also found in the county. Sulphur
springs exist in Manlius and many other parts of the county. The marble from
250 STATE OF NEW YORK.
the abundance of encrinites and other fossils which it contains, presents a beau-
tiful birdseye appearance, which renders it a valuable building material.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is a calcareous
loam, intermingled with vegetable mould, and is highly fertile.
Maple, bass wood, beech, hemlock and pine, are the principal
forest trees of the county.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the occupation of a majority of the-
inhabitants. The soil of the county seems equally well adapted
to grazing and the culture of grain. Large quantities of all the
grains, as well as flax, potatoes, and other vegetables are raised.
In 1845, more barley was raised in this county than in any other
in the state. Large quantities of butter, cheese, wool and pork,
are. also produced.
The county is also largely engaged in ma?i>/f<;ctures. In
1845, they amounted to nearly two and a half millions of dollars,
consisting principally of flour, lumber, cotton and woollen goods,
iron, distilled and malt liquors, leather and paper.
Commerce. The junction of the Oswego and Erie canals, in
this county, gives it a somewhat extensive commerce, both with
the Hudson river and the Lakes. The tolls received at Salina,
in 1845, amounted to over $52,000, indicating a business of
more than §2,000, 000.
Mines. Under this head may be included the salt works in
the town of Salina. At five different points in this town, salt is
produced by the evaporation of brine from the springs.*
In 1840, the amount of salt thus manufactured was 2,622,305
bushels. The springs belong to the state, which receives two
mills per bushel for pumping the water, and six cents per bushel
duty on the salt. Nearly 11,000 men are employed in the busi-
ness.
The production of hydraulic cement, so largely used in canals
and cisterns, which is extensively prosecuted in this county, also
belongs to the head of mines.
Staple Productions. Salt, butter, barley, oats, wheat,
wool, and hydraulic cement.
Schools. There were in this county in 1846, 304 school dis-
tricts. The schools are taught on an average eight months
each. $30,857 W as expended for the tuition of 24,325 children.
The district libraries contained 37,5S6 volumes. There were
also in this county thirty-six unincorporated private and select
* The concentration of the brine is accomplished in two ways, viz. 1st, by solar
evaporation, for which purpose large 6hallow vats are constructed, and provided
with movable roofs, to protect them from rains ; 2d, by boiling, which is accom-
plished by means of immense shallow boders. Crystallization takes place, though
in different degrees, by both processes ; in the former, the crystals are larger,
and the variety known in the markets, as coarse salt, is produced. The latter pro-
duces the fine or table salt.
ONONDAGA COUNTY. 251
schools, with 693 pupils, and seven aca ^emies, with 33S pupils.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Baptists, Presbyte-
rians, Episcopalians, Congregationaliets, Roman Catholics,
Dutch Reformed, Unitarians, Jews, Universalists, and Friends.
History. In the town of Pompey, a stone was found some
years since, about fourteen inches long, twelve broad, and eight
thick. It had a figure of a serpent entwined about a tree, and
this inscription.
Leo X De
VIx 1520-
r-,
L. S.
t n
This inscription has been interpreted — Leo X. by the grace
(or will) of God, sixth year of his pon ficate, 1520. L. S. the
initials of the person buried, (as it was undoubtedly a sepulchral
monument,) — the cross, an indication that he was a Catholic,
and the character n perhaps a rude intimation that he belonged
to the masonic fraternity. The date is correct, Leo X. having
been elected Pope in 1513-1 4. It seems probable that some
Spanish adventurers, in quest of gold or silver, lured by the
report of the salt springs, and hoping to find there the object of
their search, had wandered hither from Florida, which had been
discovered and explored in 1502. One of the number dying
here, his companions erected this simple memorial to mark
the place of his burial.
In 1655, Father Dablon, a French Jesuit, established himself
at one of the Onondaga villages, in the present town of Salina,
as a missionary. The succeeding year, the governor of the
French possessions in Canada, at his request, sent a colony of
fifty men, under the command of the SieurDupuys, to settle on
the banks of the Onondaga Lake.
For a time the Indians were friendly, but at length they be-
came hostile, and the colonists were compelled to escape by
stealth. Having secretly prepared boats sufficient to transport
themselves and their effects, one of their number succeeded in
inducing the Indians to make a feast, and when, after a hearty
repast, all had sunk into a profound slumber, he and his comrades
availed themselves of the opportunity to escape, and ere the
Indians had awaked, they were beyond their reach.
In 1666, a French settlement was formed, in the northwestern
part of the town of Pompey, and flourished Tor three years,
when a party of Spaniards arrived in the village, and quarrel-
ing with the French, instigated the natives to destroy them.
The Indians, looking with no favorable eye on either, destroyed
both, leaving not a survivor to tell the manner of their death.
In the Onondaga Hollow, in the town of Onondaga, formerly
stood the town, castle, and council house, of the Onondaga
252 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Indians, the mo>t formidable and highly civilized tribe of the
Iroquois confederacy. Here the great council fire was always
kept burning, and all matters of importance to the interests of
the confederacy were decided. All the leagues and treaties
with the whites were made here, and from this tribe was select-
ed the grand Sachem, or principal civil chief, while the Mo-
hawks furnished the principal war chiefs.
Garangula, Thurensera, Decanesora, and Sadekanaghtie,
were the most celebrated among their orators, in their early in-
tercourse with the whites.
Black Kettle was the most renowned of their warriors, and
more than once he carried war and devastation among the
French settlements, even to the gates of their citadels. He
was treacherously murdered in 1697, by a party of Algonquins,
at the instigation of the French.
In 1696, Count Frontenac, with his usual subtlety, attempted
to seduce the Five Nations from their good faith toward the Eng-
lish, and induce them to form a separate treaty of peace with the
French. Failing in this, he determined to avenge himself on
the Onondagas, whom he regarded as the principal instigators of
the opposition to his wishes. Accordingly on the ninth of July,
1696, he set out on an expedition against them, with a large force.
The Onondagas, not receiving seasonable succors from the
other members of the confederacy, and finding themselves,
(though numbering about 1500 warriors,) unable to cope single
handed with so formidable a force, abandoned and set fire to
their dwellings, and left to the French commander a barren
victory.
The Onondagas, after the return of the French, repossessed
themselves of their beautiful valley and reared again their coun-
cil house and castle. They were the fast friends of the English,
and under the direction of Sir John Johnson, took part with them
in the revolution. In consequence of their predatory incursions,
Colonel Van Schaick was despatched by General James Clin-
ton, to lay waste their towns. As before, they retired at the ap-
proach of the invading force, and destroyed their town and cas-
tle; only one of their number was slain.
In a few weeks after, they revenged this attack, by an invasion
of the settlement . of Cobelskill, Schoharie county, in which they
butchered several of the unarmed inhabitants. During the late
war with Great. Britain, they took up arms on the side of the
Americans.
The first permanent white settler in the county w r as a Mr.
Webster, who came here in 17S6, and settled in Onondaga
Hollow, intermarrying with the Indians. In 1788, he obtained
permission from the Indians for Messrs. Danforth and Tyler to
ONONDAGA COUNTY. 253
establish themselves in the same valley. This county was
originally part of the Military Tract. In the spring of 17SS, set-
tlements were made in several towns of the county. In 1790,
Manlius was settled. Since the commencement of the present
century, the growth of the county has been very rapid.
^ ,: i-*GE3. SviJA use, the county seat, is situated in the town
of Salina, on the Erie canal, at its junction with the Oswego
canal. It was incorporated in 1825, and owes its rapid growth
to the facilities for trade afforded by the canals, and to the ex-
tensive salt springs in its neighborhood.
From half a million to a million of bushels of salt are annually
produced here ; beside iron ware, leather, machinery, flour, &c
Population, nearly 10,000.
It has several extensive and well conducted hotels ; its public
schools are of a high order; and its substantial buildings and
numerous manufactories indicate the enterprise of its inhab-
itants.
Salina, in the same town, possesses the most productive salt
springs in the state, yielding from one to two millions of bushels
annually. Its population is about 3000.
Gertdes and Liverpool, in the same township, the former on
the Erie, and the latter on the Oswego canal, are thriving vil-
lages, containing productive salt springs.
Skeneatele-i, in the town of the same name, is pleasantly
situated at the foot of Skeneateles lake. Its site commands
a fine view of the lake, for a distance of seven or eight miles.
Its growth has not been rapid, but healthy, and it is one of the
most flourishing villages of the county. Population, about 1500-
Manlius, in the town of the same name, is situated on the
Cherry Valley turnpike. It has a flourishing incorporated acad-
emy, several manulactories, and about 1200 inhabitants.
Jo dan, in the town of Elbridge, is situated on the Erie canal,
and is engaged to some extent in manufactures. Population,
about 1200.
Onondaga Hollow, in the town of Onondaga, is pleasantly
situated on the great western turnpike, four miles south of Syra-
cuse. The Onondaga academy located here, is an old and
flourishing institution. Population, about 800.
About three miles south of the village is the Onondaga Indian
reservation, where reside the remnant of that once powerful tribe.
The legislature, in April, 1846, granted the sum of $300 for
the erection of a school-house for the children belonging to this
reservation, and a well conducted school is now maintained
there.
Fayetteville, in the town of Manlius, has an incorporated
academy, and is a thriving village. Population, 900.
12
XXI. TIOGA COUNTY.
Square miles, 500. Population, 22,456.
Organized, 17U4- Valuation, 1845,81,80-1,211.
TOWNS.
6. Newark, 2823.
7. Barton, 1S24.
8. Nichols, 1824.
9. Richford, 1833.
1. Owego, 1792.
2. Tioga, 1800.
3. Spencer, 2 806.
4. Berkshire, 1S0S.
6. Candor, 1811.
Rivers, fyc. G. Susquehanna. a. West Owego Creek.
Owego. c. Cattotong. d. Cayuta.
Villages. Owego. Rushville.
b. East
Boundaries. North by Tompkins and Cortland; East by
Broome ; South by the State of Pennsylvania ; and West by
Chemung and Tompkins counties.
TIOGA COUNTY. 265
Surface* This, like the other counties bordering on the)
Pennsylvania line, is elevated. Apparently it was once level,
but it is now cut into hills and valleys by the eastern branch of"
the Susquehanna, and its tributaries, which affords abundance
of water for the convenience of the farmer, and in many in-
stances, it may be used for manufacturing purposes. On either
(side of the Susquehanna, are lofty swells of heavy rolling land,
yet the creeks are frequently skirted with broad valleys.
Rivers. The Susquehanna, having a south-west course
through the southern part, and its branches the East and West
Owego, Cattotong and Cayuta creeks, flowing southerly, are
the principal streams of the county.
Railroads. The New York and Erie railroad will probably
pass through the valley of the Susquehanna. The Ithaca and
Owego railroad is already in operation, connecting the two
villages whose name it bears.
Climate. The county has a low temperature, owing to the
elevation of its surface. It is regarded as healthy.
Geology and Minerals. This county lies wholly within the
Chemung sandstone formation, except a small tract of the old
red sandstone upon its southern border.
Its minerals are few. Marl is found in the town of Spencer, which is burned
for lime. There are several sulphur springs in the county.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is mostly fertile,
consisting of a light gravelly loam, with occasional patches of
marl and clay. Grass succeeds better than grain in the high-
lands, but the valleys yield large crops of wheat and corn, while
the other crops thrive almost every where. White pine, hem-
lock, spruce, oak, maple, and beech are the principal timber, and
have a dense growth. Maple sugar is produced in considerable
quantities.
Pursuits. Agri culture. The people are for the most part
engaged in agricultural pursuits. Some grain is raised, and
considerable attention paid to the products of the dairy.
Manufactures. The only manufactures of importance are
those of lumber and flour.
Commerce. The products of the county find their way to
market, by the Susquehanna river, and the Ithaca and Owego
railroad.
Staple Productions. Oats, corn, potatoes, wheat and butter.
Schools. This county has 139 district schools, taught in
1846, an average period of eight months each, having 8291
scholars, and paying their teachers over $9,329. The school
libraries contained, the same year, 12,744 volumes.
$56 STATE OP NEW YORK.
It has nine private schools, with 294 pupils, and one academy, with 125 stu-
dents.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Baptists, Congre-
gationalists, Presbyterians, and Episcopalians. The entire
number of churches is thirty-two, of clergyman, forty-two.
History. Tioga county was taken from Montgomery county
in 1694. Its name signifies a point or promontory in the river,
a junction of waters. It was the Seneca name for the Chemung
river.
The towns of Richford, Berkshire and Newark were part of
the tract known as the <; Massachusetts ten townships," which
were ceded to that state by New York.
Barton, Tioga, Owego, and Nichols, were granted by the
state to military claimants. Considerable portions of these
townships were sold at eighteen cents per acre.
The countv was settled by emigrants from New Hampshire,
Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and
Pennsylvania. The fir^t settlement was made in 17S5, at.
Owego r by James McMaster and William Taylor, who cleared,
the first season, tenor fifteen acres, and raised a crop of corn
from the same land.
A few years after its first settlement, there was a great fam-
ine in this section of country. It occurred just before harvest-^
ing, and for six weeks the inhabitants- were without bread of
any kind. Meanwhile they subsisted principally upon roots,
and though they became very much emaciated and feeble, none
died of hunger. It was occasioned by the arrival of a greater
number of settlers than usual, and a scarcity in Wyoming that
season. Famine is at present little dreaded in this region.
Villages. Owego Village, in the town of Owego, is pleas-
antly situated on the north side of the Susquehanna, and is the
county town. It was commenced in 1785, and laid out into
lots in 1794 or 1795. It is advantageously situated for trade,
has a large water power, and by means of the Ithaca and Owe-
go railroad, and the Susquehanna river, a ready access to
market.
Besides the court house, jail, and county clerk's office, it has
four churches, an incorporated academy, and a number of stores
and manufactories. A bridge a fourth of a mile in length
crosses the Susquehanna at this place.
This village takes its name from the Owego creek, which
empties into the Susquehanna near it. Population 2500.
Rushville or Nichols Village, in the town of Nichols, Can-
dor, Newark, Richjie.d, and Spencer, in the towns of the same
names are all thriving villages.
XXII. SCHOHARIE COUNTY.
Square miles, 621.
Organized, 1795.
Population, 32,488.
Valuation in 1845, .$1,804,165.
TOWNS.
1. Schoharie, 17SS.
2. Blenheim, 1797.
3. Broome, 1797.
4. Cobleskill, 1707.
5. Middleburgh, 1797.
6. Sharon, 1797.
7. Jefferson, 1803.
8. Carlisle, 1807.
9. Summit, 1S19.
10. Fulton, 1828.
11. Conesville, 1S3G.
12. Seward, 1840.
13. Wright, 1846.
14. Esperance, 184(3.
Kaatsbergs.
Mountains, m.
Rivers, fyc. A A. Schoharie Creek, c. Cobleskill. f. Foxes Creek.
258
STATE OP NEW YORK.
Lakes, $t. e. The Vly.
Battle Fields. Cobleskill. Middleburgh.
Villages. Schoharie. Esperance.
Boundaries. North by Montgomery and Schenectady; East
by Schenectady and Albany ; South by Delaware and Greene,
and West by Delaware and Otsego counties.
Surface. Mountainous. The county is divided into two un-
equal sections by the Schoharie kill or creek. The main branch
of the Kaatsbergs or Catskill mountains cross the south part of
the county, through Broome, Blenheim, Jefferson, and Summit,
to the line of Otsego county, broken through, however, by the
Schoharie creek.
A spur from the same range passes northward, through
Broome, Middleburgh, and Schoharie, into Schenectady and
Montgomery counties. This spur is called the Middleberg,
from its position between the Helderbergs and the main range
of the Kaatsbergs.
The mountains west of Schoharie creek maintain an eleva-
tion of from 2000 to 2600 feet. The Middleberg is 1700 feet
high, at its most elevated portion, in the south part of the
county, but declines gradually towards the east, lill it mingles
with the Helderbergs.
Rivers and Creeks. The Schoharie creek with its tribu-
taries, the Cobleskill, Foxes and Breakabeen creeks, are the
principal streams in the county.
Bowman's creek, and the Catskill and Charlotte rivers, also
take their rise in this county.
In the town of Middleburgh is a large marsh, called the Vlaie
or Vly, which is the source of the Catskill.
Climate. From the elevation of its surface, the climate of
Schoharie county is cold, but healthlul.
Geology and Minerals. The rocks of this county are tran-
sition, consisting of slate, graywacke, and limestone. The lat-
ter, however, predominates, and is generally the surface rock
of the county. Portions of the Helderberg series, and the Erie
and Catskill groups occupy the county. The last two are con-
fined to the southern part.
Water limestone is found in great abundance in the northern and central por-
tions of the county.
On the west side of Schoharie creek, in the town of Schoharie, are found beds
of massive strontianite, of extraordinary beauty. It was regarded by the inhabi-
tants as marble for many years. Arragonite. heavy spar, and calcareous spar, are
also found in the water lime formation. Portions of the water limestone have been
excavated for lithographic stones, and are said to be equal in quality to the German.
Fine specimens of fibrous sulphate of barytes and carbonate of lime are found
in Carlisle, and fibrous celestine, and crystallized iron pyrites, in Schoharie. Bog
SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 259
iron ore occurs in the same vicinity. Calcareous tufa abounds on the side of the
mountains. Anhydrous sulphate of lime lias been discovered in Sharon.
Gebhard's cavern, or Ball's cave, in the town of Schoharie, contains numerous
apartments abounding in stalactites and stalagmites of great beauty; some of the
apartments are large and magnificent.
Otsgaragee cavern, in the same town, has numerous large apartments, highly
decorated with spars and stalactites. There are other caves in the vicinity, of
Jess extent.
There are several sulphur springs ; those at Sharon have attained considerable
notoriety.
Soil and Vegetable Produ ;tions. The flats in the valley
of Schoharie cree ;. are among the most fertile lands in the
state. The county generally is ferti'e, and some sections are
adapted to wheat ; some portion of the southern towns is ster-
ile and sandy.
The timber co •gists of oak, maple, elm, linden, ash, poplar,
hickory, walnut, white pine, and hemlock. The two latter
prevail i \ he southern part of the county.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the employment o{ a majority of
the inhabitants. Oats, rye, barley, wheat, corn, buckwheat,
peas, potatoes, and flax, are raised in large quantities, and
butter and wool produced to a very considerable extent.
Manufactures generally have not attained any great impor-
tance. The facilities afforded by the hemlock forests, have led
to the extensive tanning of leather. The quantity prepared in
the county, in 1845, exceeded in value $400,000. Flour and
lumber are also manufactured to some extent
The county has no commerce and no mines.
The Staple Productions are oats, rye, barley, wheat, corn,
peas, butter, and wool.
Schools. There are in the county, 184 school-houses. In
1846, schools were taught, on an average, nine months; 11,043
children received instruction, at an expense for tuition of S 13,726.
The district, libraries contained 17,985 volumes.
There were also in the county, twenty-five private schools, with 334 scholars,
and two academies with ninety-four pupils.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans,
Dutch Reformed, Presbyterians, Unitarians, and Universalists.
Number of churches fifty-eight, of clergymen fifty-six.
History. The first white settlements in this county were
made in the spring of 1711.
The benevolent Queen Anne formed the design of establish-
ing a colony of Germans, the families of German soldiers who
had served in the English wars, in her transatlantic posses-
sions. She accordingly sent them over to New York, and
thence to Albany, and permitted them to select for themselves,
from the unoccupied lands of New York, a tract suited to their
260 STATE OF NEW YORK.
tastes. They selected the valley of the Schoharie, and the
Queen's agent accordingly purchased for them, about 20,000
acres of fertile land, along that creek.
Industrious and frugal, these hardy settlers soo i acquired a
competence, and perhaps in no part of the stat , ; t the com-
mencement of the roubles which preceded the Revolution,
could there have been found a more peaceful and ha py settle-
ment. Highly cultivated farms, and substantial dwellings greet-
ed the eve of the traveller in every direction.
But in those exciting time?, differences of opinion prevailed,
and when the conflict came on, the citizens of Schohaire county
were found arrayed in hostility against each other, and, oft
times, members of the same family met in deadly strife.
The patriots of Schoharie county seemed, in an especial man-
ner, to have excited the hostility of the enemy. Again and
again did the marauding hordes of tories and Indians, under
the command of Sir John Johnson, Brant, and the infamous
Walter Butler, descend upon the farms of the hapless citizens,
murdering and scalping all whom they met, without regard to
age or sex, plundering and burning their dwellings, and making
that fertile and beautiful valley a desolate and gloomy waste.
On the 1st of June, 1778, a bloody conflict took place at Cob-
leskill, in which about fifty whites, regular troops and militia,
contended with a force of 350 Indians, under the command of
Brant, until twenty-two of their number were killed, and eight
or ten more severely wounded.
A short distance from Middleburgh village are still visible the
remains of the old Middle Fort, which was quite noted in the
annals of the border wars in this county. On the 17th ol Octo-
ber, 1780, it w T as attacked by Sir John Johnson with a force of
800 tories and Indians.
The garrison of the fort consisted of about tw T o hundred con-
tinental troops, and between one and two hundred militia.
Their supply of ammunition was scanty, and ihe commander of
the fort, Major YVoolsey, entirely unfitted for his station.
The garrison, however, determined to defend the fort to the
last, and when Major Woolsey proposed to surrender, they op-
posed it, and as he v*as so much overcome with fear as to be a
subject of derision to the garrison, Colonel Vrooman, a militia
officer in the fort, took ihe command.
After continuing the attack through the greater part of the
day, without effect, Sir John withdrew down the valley of the
Schoharie, burning all the houses and other buildings in his
route. In this action the loss of the British was heavy, while
SCHOHARIE COUNTY. 261
that of the garrison was but four wounded, two of whom after-
ward died.
There were two other forts in Schoharie county, the Upper,
five miles southeast from the middle, on the Schoharie creek, in
the town of Fulton ; and the Lower, near the village of Scho-
harie.
Many other incidents connected with these incursions are
deeply interesting, but pertaining only to individual conflicts,
must necessarily be omitted.
Justice, however, requires that we should notice, in passing, the brave and
fearless Schoharie rifleman, Timothy Murphy, whose services to the cause of
freedom were numerous, and rendered with a cheerfulness and devotion worthy
of all praise. Such was his skill in the use of his rifle, that the foeman who
came within its range, was always sure to '"bite the dust."
After the Revolution, quiet was restored, and the beautiful
valley of the Schoharie was soon again lined with farms and
dwellings, which indicated the thrift and competency of their
owners.
The German language is still spoken by many of the older in-
habitants, but their children receive an English education.
Villages, &c. Schoharie, in the town of the same name, is
a small village situated in the midst of a region rich in mine-
rals. Its public buildings are neat and substantial. Population
about 500.
Esperance, the only incorporated village in the county, is in
the town of the same name. It has some manufactures. Pop-
ulation about 500.
Sharon Springs, in the town of Sharon, and near the boun-
dary line of Schoharie, Otsego, and Montgomery counties, has
recently become a place of fashionable resort. The sulphur wa-
ters are said strongly to resemble those of the White Sul-
phur springs of Virginia. There is also a chalybeate spring
here. The Pavilion, a fine hotel, was erected in 1836, and
during the season is usually thronged with visitors.*
* The following is Dr. Chilton's analysis of the waters of these springs.
Grains.
Sulphate of magnesia, (Epsom salts.) - 42.40
" lime - - - - - 111.62
Chloride of sodium ----- 2.24
" masmesia 2.40
Hydrosulphuret of sodium
" calcium
2.28
Total 160.94
Sulphuretted hvdrogen gas, 16 cubic inches.
12*
XXIII. STEUBEN COUNTY.
Square Miles. 1400.
Organized, 1796.
Population, 51,679.
Valuation, 1845, $6,172,414.
1. Addison, 179G.
2. Bath, 179'").
3. Canisteo, 1796.
4. Dansville, 1796.
5. Painted Post, 1796.
6. Wayne, 179fi.
7. Reading, 1806.
8. Pulteney, 180S.
9. Troupsburg, 180S.
10. Conhocton, 1812.
11. Howard. IS 12.
12. Orange, 1813.
13. Pittsburgh, 1813.
14. Hornellsville, 1820.
15. Wheeler, 1820.
16. Cameron, 1822.
TOWNS.
17. Tvrone, 1 S 2 2 .
IS. Urbana, 1822.
19. Ervvin, 1826.
20. Hornby, 1826.
21. Jasper, 1827.
2-2. Greenwood, 1S27.
23 Woodhull, 1828.
21. Campbell, 1831.
25. Bradford, 1S37.
26. Lindley, 1837.
27. Caton, 1837.
28. Avoca, 1843.
29. Hartsville, 1843.
30. Thurston, 1843.
31. West Union, 1S43.
STEUBEN COUNTY. 263
Rivers, 0. Chemung river, a. Canistco. b. Conhocton. c. Ben-
nett's creek, d. Tuscarora. j. Mud. k. Five Mile. I. Twelve
Mile. q. Cowanesqua. r. Canascraga. s. Tioga river.
Lakes. BB. Seneca, m. Crooked, n. Little, o. Mud. p. Loon.
Villages. Bath. Corning. Painted Post. Hammondsport. Hor-
nellsville.
Boundaries. North by Livingston, Ontario and Yates coun-
ties ; East by Seneca lake and Chemung county ; South by the
State of Pennsylvania; and West by Livingston and Allegany
counties.
Surface. This county belongs to the great table land, which
extends through the southern tier of counties ; owing, however,
to the perishable character of the rocks on which it is based,
the rivers have worn deep valleys, whose precipitous banks,
frequently 400 or 500 feet in height, give it a greatly diversified
surface. The general elevation of the table land is about 1500
feet above tide water. An irregular ridge on the west sepa-
rates the waters of the Susquehanna from those of Genesee
river.
Rivers. The principal stream of the county is the Chemung?
formed by the union of the Tioga, the Canisteo, and the Con-
hocton. The name of the river means " a horn in the water,"
and is said to be derived from an immense horn or tusk which
protruded from the bank of the river many years since. These
streams are navigable during the freshet season. Their prin-
cipal tributaries are Bennett's and Tuscarora creeks, of the
Canisteo ; and Mud, Five Mile and Twelve Mile creeks, of
the Conhocton. The only other streams of any size are the
Canascraga and Cowanesqua.
Lakes. Seneca lake forms the eastern boundary of the
county for about eight miles. Crooked lake extends into it from
Yates for about the same distance. Little, Mud and Loon are
the names of the other lakes. The latter has a subterranean
outlet half a mile long.
Railroads. The Corning and Blossburg railroad entering
the county from the south, terminates at Corning, which is sit-
uated at the head of the navigable feeder of the Chemung ca-
nal. The New York and Erie railroad will pass through this
county.
Climate. The surface is so much elevated that the winters
are generally cold and severe, and the seasons backward. Tne
county, however, is generally healthy.
Geology and Minerals. The surface rock of this county,
to the depth of nearly 1000 feet, is the Chemung group of sand-
264 STATE OF NEW YORK.
stones and shales. It lias some beds of bog iron ore, and several
sulphur springs.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. Most of the soil is pro-
ductive. The uplands are well adapted to grazing. The allu-
vial flats of the Chemung river comprise the richest lands in
the county, and arc said to exceed those of the Mohawk in fer-
tility.
The county north of the Conhocton river, and east of Five
Mile creek, is covered chiefly with oak, chesnut, hickory, black
walnut, yellow and white pine timber; between the Canisteo
and Conhocton, beech, maple, white pine, and hemlock, are the
prevailing forest trees, except a narrow tract on the Canisteo,
where oak prevails. South of the Canisteo, beech, maple,
white pine, and hemlock, are predominant. The oak and yel-
low pine lands produce excellent wheat; the other lands are
better adapted to grass.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the chief pursuit. Grain is largely
produced on the alluvial lands. Great numbers of cattle and
sheep are raised on the table lands. The lumber business is
an important branch of industry.
Manufactures are increasing in importance. Lumber is
largely manufactured in the southern part of the county. Flour,
leather, and fulled cloths, are also produced in considerable
quantities.
The Commerce of the county, by means of the spring naviga-
tion of the rivers, the navigable feeder of the Chemung canal,
and the facilities afforded by the Corning and Blossburg railroad,
is quite large and increasing.
Staple Productions. Wheat, oats, corn, potatoes, butter,
wool, and lumber.
Schools. In this county there were, in 1846, 326 district
schoolhouses, in which schools were maintained an average
period of seven months. The number of scholars in attendance
was 19,771, and the sum expended lor their tuition §20,918.
The district libraries contained 30,125 volumes.
There were also twenty-four private schools, with G26 pupils, and one acade-
my and one female seminary, with 148 students.
Religious Denomin ations. Methodists, Presbyterians, Bap-
tists. Episcopalians, Universalists, Unitarians, and Roman
Catholics. There are seventy-five churches, and 1 14 clergymen
of all denominations, in the county.
History. This county is indebted to the enterprsie and en-
ergy of Mr. Charles Williamson, the agent of the Pulteney
estate, for its early settlement and rapid growth. Finding emi-
grants unwilling to settle upon the elevated lands of this county,
while the more alluring flats of the Genesee remained in mar-
STEUBEN COUNTY. 265
ket, he resolved himself to set the example of emigration to
this section. Accordingly, in 1792, with two companions, he
cut his way through the forests, and located at Bath. In 1795,
the population in the vicinity had increased so rapidly, that Mr.
Williamson established a theatre at his new settlement. The
succeeding year, the county was organized, and named alter
Baron Steuben, the Prussian General. The same year a news-
paper was established at Bath, and called the Bath Gazette.
The population of the county at this time was about 800. The
wmole county, except the town of Reading, belonged to the Pul-
teney estate. The emigrants were mostly from Pennsylvania,
except in the town of Prattsburgh, which was settled by New
Englanders.
In the present town of Ervvin, formerly stood the Painted
Post, so famous in our early Indian annals, erected by an In-
dian chief, (probably during the first French war,) to com-
memorate his victory over the whites, and the number of scalps
and prisoners, he had taken.
Villages. Bath, the county seat, was laid out by Mr. Wil-
liamson in 1792. It is on the north bank of the Conhocton, has
regular and parallel streets and two public squares, and is re-
garded as one of the most pleasant villages of western New
York. Here is a flourishing female seminary. Population 1500.
Corning, situated on the south side of the Chemung river in
the town of Painted Post, is admirably located for trade, being
at the junction of the Corning and Blossburg railroad, with the
navigable feeder of the Chemung canal, and also on the pro-
posed route of the New York and Erie railroad. Its coal trade
is already very great, and its growth has been rapid. Popula-
tion 1200.
Hammonds port, situated at the southern termination of
Crooked lake in the town of Urbana, is a thriving village. A
steamboat plies between this place and Penn Yan. It has also
a communication with New York, by means of the Crooked
and Seneca lakes, Cayuga, Seneca, and Erie canals. Popu-
lation 1000.
Painted Post, in the town of Erwin, is a flourishing village
at the junction of the Conhocton and Tioga rivers. It has a
large amount of hydraulic power, which is in part applied to
manufacturing purposes. The painted post above described,
is in this village. Population 600.
Hornellsville is a village of considerable importance, situated
on the Canisteo in the town of the same name.
XXIV. DELAWARE COUNTY.
Square miles, 1362.
Organized, 1797.
Population, 36,990.
Valuation, 1845, $3,478,012.
r-^X
1. Harpersfield, 173S.
2. Middletown, 1789.
3- Colchester, 1792.
Stamford, 1792.
Franklin, 1792.
Walton, 1797.
Delhi, 1798.
Roxburv, 1799.
Kortright, 1793.
TOWNS.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Meredith, 1500.
Sidney, 1801.
Tompkins, ISOtj.
Hancock, 1S0G.
Masonville, 1811,
Davenport, 1817.
Andes, 1819.
Bovina, 1820.
Hampden, 1825.
Mountains, h. Blue. m. Kaatsberg. u. Pine.
Rivers. G. Susquehanna. H. Delaware, a. Mohawks or West
Branch Delaware, i. Little Delaware river, j. Papachton Branch.
k. Big Beaver kill. q. Oleout creek, r. Charlotte river.
Villages. Delht. Franklin. Hobart. Deposit. Walton.
DELAWARE COUNTY. 267
Boundaries. North by Otsego and Schoharie; East by
Schoharie and Greene ; South by Ulster and Sullivan, and the
state of Pennsylvania; and West by Pennsylvania, Broome and
Chenango counties.
Surface. Delaware county has three distinct ranges of
mountains passing through it from southwest to northeast, ren-
dering its surface very rough and broken. The southeast ridge
is a continuation of a range of the Kaatsbergs. The second
ridge runs between the Papachton and the Mohawk branch of
the Delaware river; while the third, from twelve to eighteen
miles in width, is bounded by the Charlotte river and the Sus-
quehanna. The two latter are collectively known as the Blue
mountains. A part of the eastern ridge has received the name
of the Pine mountains. The surface of the summits and sides
of the hills are extremely irregular, and broken by numerous
streams.
Rivers. The Mohawks, or main branch of the Delaware, has
its source in Schoharie county, running thence in a southwest-
erly direction nearly 70 miles, through the center of the coun-
ty, to Port Deposit, where it takes a southeasterly course, and
forms the boundary line between New York and Pennsylvania.
Its principal tributaries are the Little Delaware and the Papach-
ton branch; the latter is sixty-five miles long and receives the
Big Beaver kill. The Charlotte and Susquehanna form portions
of the northern boundary.
Rrilroads. The New York and Erie railroad is in process
of construction, through the southeast corner of the county.
Climate. The climate of this county is subject to sudden
and extreme changes of temperature, yet it is not unfrienuly to
health. The cold is severe in winter.
Geology and Mineralogy. The .surface rock of this county
is the old red sandstone of the Catskill group underlaid by the
shales and sandstone of the Portage and Chemung group.
Its minerals are few. Bog iron ore has been discovered in considerable beds ;
copper extensively diffused, but in small quantities. There are several mineral
springs, and a brine spring near Delhi.
Vegetable Productions. The soil is as varied as the sur-
face, but generally of a good quality. On the hills it is a sandy
loam, and in some places stoney. In the valleys is a rich deep
mould, and of lasting fertility. It is better adapted to grass
than the raising of grain. The county is densely timbered
with beech, birch, maple, ash, elm, basswood, pine, wild
cherry, butternut, hemlock, and small quantities of oak.
Pursuits. Agriculture chiefly engages the attention of the
people of this county ; considerable quantities of grain are
produced, and it is exceeded by few counties in the number of
cattle reared. It is second only to Oneida in the manufacture
of butter.
268 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Manufactures. The water-power of this county is abun-
dant, but little improved. Its principal manufactured articles
are leather, flour, lumber, and lulled cloths. The lumber is
floated to market on the Delaware and Susquehanna rivers.
The Commerce of the county is not large, its rivers being
only navigable in the spring.
Staple Productions. Butter and cheese, oats, potatoes,
rye, wool, and lumber. Increased facilities for conveying them
to market will be afforded by the railroad now constructing.
Schools. In 1846, there were 2S8 public schools in session,
on an average, seven months each, expending for tuition
$>14,013, and numbering 12,501 pupils. The district libraries
contained 24,027 volumes.
There are twenty-three unincorporated private schools, attended by 342 schol-
ars, and two incorporated academies with 124 students.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Presbyterians, Con-
gregationalists. Baptists, Episcopalians, Dutch Reformed, and
Unitarians. The whole number of churches, is fifty-eight, of
clergymen seventy-seven.
History. The county, west of the Mohawks branch, was ori-
ginally held by several proprietors, but east of that river was
comprised in the Hanlenburgh patent. In 1768, William, John,
Alexander, and Joseph Harper, with eighteen others, obtained
a patent for 22,000 acres ot land within its limits. The Har-
pers soon after moved from Cherry Valley, and founded the set-
tlement of Harpersfield.
In the spring of 1780, a party of Indians and tories under the
command of Brant, destroyed this settlement. Most of the in-
habitants had previously fled, a few only remained to make su-
gar. Several of these were killed, and nineteen made prison-
ers and carried to Niagara. After the war the place was re-
built, and Colonel John Harper, who had distinguished himself
by his bravery and humanity during the war, spent the remain-
der of his days there.
Villages. Delhi village is the county seat, and contains, be-
sides the county buildings, two churches, an academy, and a
number of manufactories. Population 800.
Frunklin is the seat of the Delaware Institute, incorporated
April 25, 1835. Population 700.
Hoburt, in the town of Stamford, is a village of some impor-
. tance. It has some manufactories.
Deposit, in the town of Tompkins, is a great lumber mart.
Much of the lumber which is floated down the Delaware dur-
ing the spring freshets is deposited here. It is on the proposed
route of the New York and Erie railroad. Population 600.
Walton, in the town of the same name, is a small but thriv-
ing village on the Delaware.
XXV. CHENANGO COUNTY.
Square miles, 804.
Organized, 1793.
Population, 39.000.
Valuation, 1815, 84,133,256.
1. Eainbridge, 1791.
2. Norwich, 1793.
3. Oxford, 1793,
TOWNS.
4. Greene, 1798.
5. Columbus, 1805.
6. Coventry, 1806.
270 STATE OF NEW YORK.
7. German, 1806. 14. Smyrna, 1S0S.
8. Pharsalia, 1806. 15. Guilford, IS 13.
9. Plymouth, 1806. 16. McDonough, 1816.
10. Preston, 1806. 17. Otselic, 1817.
11. Sherburne, 1806. 18. Linklaem, 1S23.
12. Smithville, 1806. 19. Pitcher, 1827.
13. New Berlin, 1837.
Rivers. II. Unadilla river. CC. Chenango. G. Susquehanna,
h. Otselic. a. Geneganslette creek, e. Canasawacta.
Villages. Norwich. Oxford. Sherburne.
Boundaries. North by Madison county ; East by Otsego and
Delaware; South by Broome ; and West by Broome and Cort-
land counties.
Surface. This county is comprised in the expensive table
land, which occupies so large a portion of southern and western
New York. The force and velocity of its principal streams,
however, have cut deep and broad channels through the rocks,
and thus formed wide and beautiful alluvial valleys, giving the
county an apparently diversified surface. The table land be-
tween the Unadilla and Chenango rivers is 1630 feet above tide
water.
Rivers. The Chenango, a beautiful stream, and its tributa-
ries, the principal of which are the Geneganslette and Canasa-
wacta, drain the central portion of the county. The Unadilla
washes its eastern border, while the Susquehanna crosses its
southeastern, and the Otselic its northwestern corner.
Canals. The Chenango Canal passes through the county
in the broad valley of the Chenango river, furnishing a conven-
ient outlet for its abundant produce.
Climate. Mild, healthful, and pleasant.
Geology and Minerals. The western part of this county
belongs to the Chemung sandstone group; the eastern part to
the old red sandstone of the Catskill group, and a small tract at
the north to the limestone of the Helderberg series.
There are few minerals in the county, the geological formations not being
favorable to their production. There are two or three sulphur springs which
have some reputation in the treatment of cutaneous diseases.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil on the table
lands is admirably adapted to grazing ; in the alluvial valleys it
is a rich, gravelly loam, yielding abundant crops of grain. The
principal forest trees are beech, maple, basswood, elm, butter-
nut, black cherry, and in the south, hemlock and pine.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the leading pursuit. Great atten-
tion is paid to the rearing of cattle, horses and sheep. Butter
CHENANGO COUNTY. 271
and cheese are largely produced, particularly in the southern
towns. The county ranks among the first in the state in the
production of butter, cheese, wool and flax.
Manufactures are receiving- increasing attention. At pres-
ent, however, the most important are those of flour, lumber,
leather, fulled cloths, and cotton and woollen goods.
The commerce of the county, through the medium of the
Chenango canal, and the Susquehanna river, is large and con-
stantly increasing.
Staple Productions. Butter, cheese, wool, flax and oats.
Schools. In 1846, there were in the county 287 district
school-houses, in which schools were maintained an average
period of seven months, at an expense for tuition of $ 16,283 ;
14,750 scholars attended these schools. The district libraries
contained 26,59S volumes.
There were also thirty-five select schools, attended by G58 pupils, and four
incorporated academies, with 416 students.
Religious Denominations. Baptists, Methodists, Congre-
gationalists, Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Universalists, and
Friends. The entire number of churches, is eighty-three; of
clergymen, ninety-four.
History. Chenango was formed from the counties of Tioga
and Herkimer, in 1798. The first settlement was made in Ox-
ford, in 1790; another was made at Bainbridge, in 1791. The
latter township was granted by the state of New York, to Ver-
mont, as a compensation for losses of individuals who had suffer-
ed on account of grants made by the state of Vermont, before
the settlement of her difficulties with New York. Most of the
early settlers of the county were from New England, and a
majority of them from Connecticut.
The first settlers in the village of Greene, were a party of
French emigrants, some of whom were men of distinction in
their own country. After some years, however, owing to pecu-
niary difficulties, they became discouraged, and removed to
Pennsylvania. An academy was established and incorporated
at Oxford, in 1794. The town of Sherburne was settled by a
party of twenty families, from Connecticut, who organized
themselves into a church before emigrating. They arrived at
their location on Thursday, and by the succeeding Sabbath had
erected a log meeting-house, in which they met for worship,
and it is said that not a Sabbath has since passed without divine
service.
Antiquities. In the town of Greene is a remarkable mound,
which, before it was disturbed by the plough or spade, was
about seven feet high, and nearly forty feet in diameter. It
272 STATE OF NEW YORK.
contained human bones, flint arrow-heads, and utensils of the
natives ; and was pi obably the place where the slain of some
sanguinary battle had been entombed. In Oxford, are the re-
mains ol a fort, about three-fourths of an acre in extent. Trees
of more than 200 years' growth were standing on this fort when
it was first discovered. Its position was admirably calculated
for defence. When or by whom it was erected is unknown.
The Indian traditions on this subject are by no means definite.
Villages. Norwich, in the town of the same name, is the
seat of justice for the county. It is pleasantly situated on a
neck of land formed by the Canasawacta creek and the river.
It is surrounded by a rich agricultural district, whose produce
finds here a ready market. The Chenango canal connects it
with Utica and Binghamton. It has a considerable number of
manufactories. Here is a flourishing academy, and a female
seminary. Population, 1000.
Oxford, in the. town of the same name, is situated on both
sides of the Chenango. It is in the midst of a fine agricultural
country, and has considerable trade. The academy here is an
old and flourishing one, founded in 1794. Population, 1300.
Sherburne, in the town of thcsame name, is a pleasant incor-
porated village, on the line of the canal. It has a chartered
academy, and considerable trade. Population, 700.
Greene, in the town of the same name is a flourishing village,
situated on the Chenango river and Canal. It has considerable
manufactures. Population, 800.
Neu^Berlin and Bairibridge, in the towns of the sams names,
are thriving and important villages.
Smithville and Smyrna, are also villages of some importance,
XXVL ROCKLAND COUNTY.
Square miles, 172.
Organized, 1798.
Population, 13,741.
Valuation, 1845, $2,424,553.
TOWNS.
1. Haverstraw, 17S8. 3. Clarkstown, 1791.
2. Orangetown, 17SS. 4. Ramapo, 1791.
Mountains. T. Matteawan. d. Clostcr. e. Nyack Hills, f. Dim-
derberg.
Rivers. C. Hudson, c. Hackensack. a. Ramapo. Saddle.
Forts. Stony Point.
Villages, New City. Haverstraw. Piermont
274 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Boundaries. North by Orange county ; East by Hudson
river ; South by New Jersey ; and West by New Jersey and
Orange county.
Surface. The surface of this county is very much broken,
rising in the west and north-west into the Highlands, or Mat-
teawan ridge. The Closter mountain, or Palisade range, enters
from Bergen, New Jersey, and receding on the west, forms the
Nyack Hills. The summits of some of these rise to the height
of 1000 feet. Between these hills and the Highlands, is a valley
formed by the Saddle river. Dunderberg and Caldwell moun-
tains, are in the north part, opposite Peekskill.
Rivers. Rockland county sends forth the Hackensack river
and its branches, draining the Nyack valley, and Saddle river,
a tributary of the Passaic. The Ramapo, also a tributary of
the Passaic, crosses the county in the town of Ramapo.
Climate. The climate of this county is healthy ; agreeable
in summer, but cold in winter.
Minerals and Geologv. The Nyack Hills belong to the
Catskill group, being based on red sandstone and capped
w T ith greenstone. The Palisades are composed entirely of trap
rock. The Matteawan range is primitive ; granite, gneiss, mica,
feldspar, hornblende, &c. are its principal constituents. South
of the Highlands, the whole country is underlaid with red sand-
stone, supposed by some of the Geologists to be the new red
sandstone.
Limestone is abundant in the valleys, and magnetic iron ore in (he hills. The
other principal minerals are calcareous spar, serpentine, actinolite, zinc ore,
green and red copper ores, datholite, stilbite, asbestus, Prehnite, Thompsonite, &c.
Vegetable Productions. Notwithstanding the roughness
of the surface, the soil is rich and highly cultivated, amply re-
warding the labor of the husbandman. This county is well
adapted to the culture of both grass and grains.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the leading pursuit, particularly in
the more fertile valleys.
Manufactures are also carried on to some extent. Iron wire,
nails, sheet iron, and lead, cotton and woollen fabrics are the
principal articles.
Commerce. Some shipping is owned on the Hudson, by the
inhabitants of the county, of whom a considerable number are
engaged in commercial pursuits. Ice is extensively exported
to New T York from this county.
Staple Productions. These are corn, potatoes, oats, buck-
wheat, rye, and ice.
Schools. In this county, there were in 1846, thirty-nine com-
mon schools, averaging nine months' instruction each, at an ex-
ROCKLAND COUNTY. 275
pense of about $7271, and having 2501 pupils. The district
libraries numbered 6418 volumes.
There are eight private schools, numbering 149 scholars.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Dutch Reformed,
Presbyterians, Baptists and Friends. The number of churches,
of all denominations, is thirty-two ; of ministers, twenty.
History. This county originally belonged to Orange, and
many of the early settlements were made within its limits,
Orangetown was originally the county seat, before its division,
and remained so till 1737, when Goshen, now in Orange county,
was made a half shire town. In 1774, the court-house and jail
in Orangetown being burned, the county seat was removed to
New City. During the revolution, this little county was the
scene of many thrilling events.
On the 27th of September, 1778. Colonel Baylor, the com-
mander of a troop of cavalry, had crossed the Hackensack with
his regiment, and taken post at Tappan; on the night of the
28th, they were surprised by a British force, under General
Gray, who attacked them in a barn, where they had their quar-
ters, and sixty-seven out of one hundred and four privates were
butchered. The orders of the British guard were to give no
quarter ; about forty were made prisoners through the human-
ity of one of the British captains. After the capture of Forts
Montgomery and Clinton, (the latter of which was in the limits
of this county,) by Sir Henry Clinton, in 1777, General Wash-
ington directed a fortification to be built at Stoney Point, a com-
manding promontory on the Hudson, and another at Verplank's
Point, opposite the former, on the east bank of the Hudson; —
the latter was first completed, and both were garrisoned by the
Americans.
In May, 1779, Sir Henry Clinton ascended the river ; the for-
tress at Stoney Point being unfinished, the garrison abandoned
it at his approach, and the garrison at Verplank's Point, or Fort
Fayette, as it was called, being surrounded by a superior force,
were compelled to surrender. Sir Henry immediately caused
both forts to be strongly fortified, and manned them with efficient
garrisons. General Washington determined to recover them,
and accordingly despatched General Wayne, with a sufficient
corps oflight infantry, on the fifteenth of July, to storm the fortress
at Stoney Point. The hill on which the fortress was erected,
extends into the Hudson, and is surrounded by it on three sides.
The other side was a deep morass, passable only at one point,
and this enfiladed by the batteries of the fort. A passage to the
fortress was also practicable at low water, along the beach, but
this too was commanded by the guns of the fort.
276 STATE OP NEW YORK.
Notwithstanding these obstacles, Wayne and his brave asso-
ciates commenced the attack a little after nightfall of the six-
teenth of July, with unloaded muskets and fixed bayonets, and
notwithstanding the terrible fire of the enemy, the two columns
which had taken the two routes above described, met in the
centre of the fort. The British garrison was captured with a
loss to the Americans of fiffeen killed and eighty-three wound-
ed, and to the British of sixty -three killed, and 543 taken pris-
oners, beside military stores to the value of nearly .$160,000.
The subsequent attack upon Fort Fayette on Verplank's Point,
was unsuccessful, and on this account a larger force than could
be spared from the American army, being required to defend
Stoney Po >*, it was abandoned, and soon after occupied by
Sir Henry Clinton, who retained it during a considerable period.
In 1780, the trial and imprisonment of Andre took place in the
village of Nyack, in this county. He was tried in the old Dutch
church, since torn down, and confined in the ancient, stone man-
sion adjacent. His execut took place at a distance of about a
quarter of a mile from the village, not far from the New Jersey
line. He was buried near the place of his execution. In 1831,
his remains were disinterred, by order of the Duke of York, un-
der the superintendence of Mr. Buchanan, the English consul
at New York, and transmitted to England.
Dobbs' Ferry, in this county, was also a place of considerable
importance during the revolution. Washington's head quarters
were for a time near this hamlet.
New City, in the town of Clarkstown, contains the court-
house, jail, and county offices. It is a mere hamlet.
Piermont, on the Hudson, in the town of Orangetown, is a
village of recent growth, and is principally distinguished is the
eastern terminus of the New York and Erie railroad. This route
of travel is connected w T ith the city of New York by a regular
line of steamboats. A larger amount of milk is probably sent
to New York from this port than from any other on the river.
The steamboat pier is about one mile in length. The Palisades
terminate here in a steep and precipitous bluff. Population,
1400.
Hauerstraw, in the town of the same name, is a thriving vil-
lage on the river, engaged in the coasting trade with New York.
The fortress of Stoney Point was in the limits of this town.
Nyack, a village in Orangetown, is handsomely situated on
Tappan bay, skirted by the Nyack hills on the west. Its celeb-
rity as the place where Major Andre was executed, has been
before noticed. Population, about 1000.
XXVII. ONEIDA COUNTY.
Square miles, 1101. Population. 84,776.
Valuation, $11,807,289.
Organized, 1798.
TOWNS.
1. Whitestown, 17SS.
2. Steuben, 1789.
3. Paris, 1792.
4. Westmoreland, 1792.
5. Sangerfield, 1795.
13
6. Floyd, 1796.
7. Rome, 1796.
8. Bridgewater, 1797.
9. Western, 1797.
10. Trenton. 1797.
278 STAT E OF NEW YORK.
1L. Augusta, 1703. 19. Vienna, 1807.
12. Deerfield, 1798. 20. Lee, 1S11.
13. Remsen, 1798. 21. Utica, 1S17.
14. Camden. 1799. 22. Marshall, 1819.
15. Vernon, 1S02. 23. Annsville, 1823.
16. Verona, isi i-2. 24. Kirkland, 1827.
17. Boonville, 1805. 25. New Hartford, 1827.
IS. Florence, 1805. 26. Marcy, 1832.
27. Ava, 1846.
Mountains. V. Highlands of Black River, i. llassencleaver moun-
tains.
Rivers and Creeks F. Mohawk river, a. Black, c. Saghdaquida,
or Sauquoit creels". d. Lansing's. e. Wood. f. West Canada,
j. Oneida, k. Oriskany. s. Fish. t. West branch of Fish.
Falls, g. Trenton Fal's.
Lakes. Z. Oneida.
Battle Fields. Fort Schuyler. Oriskany Creek.
Forts. Fort Stanwix. Fort Schuyler.
Colleges. Hamilton College, in Kirkland.
Cities and Villages. Utica. Rome. Whitesboro'. Clinton.
Trenton Falls. Oriskany. Waterville.
Boundaries. North by Lewis and Oswego counties ; East
by Herkimer ; South by Madison and Otsego ; and West by
Madison and Oswego counties.
Surface. Oneida county has a diversified surface. The
valley of Oneida Lake extends eastward nearly forty miles,
through the centre of the county, and the streams which water
the county so abundantly, flow for the most part, through broad
and beautiful valleys. The Highlands of Black river rise to an
elevation of about SOOfeet, in the northeastern part of the coun-
ty, and in the eastern section the Hassencleaver has an eleva-
tion of 1200 feet. In the southern part, a ridge of no great height
divides the waters of the Mohawk from those of the Susque-
hanna.
Rivers, &c. The Mohawk and Black rivers, Lansing's,
Fish, Oriskany, Oneida, Saghdaquida, Wood and West Canada
creeks, are the principal streams. Several of these furnish, by
their rapid descent, valuable hydraulic power.
Falls. Trenton Falls, on West Canada creek, are much
celebrated for their picturesque beauty, and the wild and roman-
tic scenery which surrounds them. The whole descent is 312
feet, and this is accomplished by six distinct falls, all within a
distance of two miles.
Lakes. The Oneida Lake forms part of the western bounda-
ry of the county. Its shores are low and swampy. Its waters
abound with excellent fish.
ONEIDA COUNTY. 279
Canals and Railroads. The Erie canal passes through the
central portion of the county. In its whole course through this
and the adjacent county of Madison, there are no locks. The
Oneida Lake canal connects the Erie canal with Oneida Lake ;
the Chenango canal extends from the Erie canal at Utica, to
Binghamton, in Broome county ; the Black river canal is de-
signed to connect the Erie canal with Black river.
The Utica and Schenectady, and Syracuse and Utica railroads
pass through this county.
Climate. The climate is generally mild and quite uniform.
The temperature is about an average of that of the state.
Geology and Minerals. From its extent and situation this
county embraces a greater variety of geological formations than
almost any other in the state The primary system occupies
that portion of the county east of Black river. It consists prin-
cipally of granite, and Black river and Trenton limestone.
Bordering upon these we find the Utica slate and the Hudson
river group of shales and sandstone. To these succeed the
Oneida slate, which indeed is found in almost every part of the
county ; the Clinton and Lockport groups of limestone, rich in
fossils ; the Onondaga salt group, consisting here mainly of red
and green shales ; the Helderberg limestones ; the Oriskany
sandstone, forming the surface rock of the valleys of the Sagh-
daquida, Oriskany, Skenandoa and Oneida creeks; the Marcel-
lus shales appearing at a few points in the extreme southern
part of the county ; and the Hamilton group of limestones.
Argillaceous iron ore, gypsum, water limestone peat, marl, calcareous spar,
coccolite, blende, or sulphuret of zinc, and tabular spar, are the principal miner-
als. There are numerous mineral springs, mostly sulphurous, in the county.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is every where
productive, and in the valleys possesses extraordinary fertility.
The crops, both of grass and grain, are abundant, and the county
ranks among the first in the state, in its agricultural products.
Hops are very successfully and extensively cultivated. The
timber of the county is principally maple, beech, birch, elm,
black walnut, and basswood, with some oak, hemlock, and pine.
Large quantities of sugar are manufactured from the maple.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the pursuit of a majority of the in-
habitants. Nearly equal attention is paid to the culture of grain
and to the rearing of cattle, horses and sheep. Wheat is not
produced in so large quantities as in some of the more western
counties, but oats, corn, barley, hops and potatoes are largely
cultivated. In 1S45, nearly four millions of pounds of butter,
and more than three millions of pounds of cheese were made in
the county. The clip of wool was also very large.
2S0 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Manufactures are also a prominent pursuit, being prosecuted
to a greater extent than in any other county in the state, except
Kings and New York. Cotton and woollen goods are largely
manufactured. Flour, lumber, distilled liquors, leather and iron
ware, are also produced in very considerable quantities. In
1845, the manufactures of the county amounted to nearly
§4,000,000.
Commerce. The commercial relations of Oneida county are
quite extensive. The Erie canal allbrds the means of trans-
portation for its abundant produce ; the Oneida lake canal opens
a route to Lake Ontario ; the Chenango canal brings the agri-
cultural productions of the southern counties hither, on their
way to tide water ; and the completion of the Black river canal
will also add largely to the commerce of the county.
Staple Productions. Butter, cheese, oats, barley, corn,
hops, potatoes, wool and sugar.
Schools. There were in the county in 1S46, 399 district
school-houses, in which schools were taught an average period
of eight months each. 23,735 children received instruction, at
an expense for tuition of §29,063. The district libraries con-
tained 23,983 volumes. There were also eighty-seven unin-
corporated select schools, with 912 scholars, ten academies and
four female seminaries, with 624 pupils, and one college with
nine professors and 126 students.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Baptists, Congre-
gationalists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics,
Friends, Universalists, Dutch Reformed and Unitarians. The
total number of churches in 1845, was 160; of clergymen, 202.
History. This county was the home of the Oneida Indians,
one of the bravest tribes of the Iroquois, and the only one which,
during the revolution, maintained friendly relations with the
United States.
During the French war (in 1758) forts were erected at Rome
and at Utica ; the former was called Fort Stanwix, the latter
Fort Schuyler. Fort Stanwix, on the present site of Rome,
was, from its situation at the portage between Wood creek and
the Mohawk river, a post of considerable importance, and was
fortified at an expense of more than £->250,000. At the com-
mencement of the revolution, however, it was very much dilap-
idated.
In 1766, Rev. Samuel Kirkland, a native of Connecticut, and
a graduate of Princeton college, New Jersey, settled among the
Oneidas, as a missionary. Through his influence they were
restrained from engaging on the side of the British during the
war of the revolution.
ONEIDA COUNTY. 281
Mr. Kirkland remained among the Indians during the war,
was interpreter to the American officers who visited them, and
officiated as chaplain to the army during Sullivan's campaign.
After the revolution he settled again in Oneida county, and the
legislature of the state granted him the township of Kirkland,
as an acknowledgement of his valuable services to the state of
his adoption.
Judge Dean, the efficient Indian agent during the revolution,
was also an early settler. He was a native of New England,
but spent several years of his boyhood among the Oneida In-
dians, by whom he w r as adopted. He subsequently graduated
at Dartmouth college, intending to become a missionary to that
tribe.
The demand for his services during the revolution prevented
his fulfilling that intention, and he accepted the office of Indian
agent and interpreter, and in that capacity rendered efficient
aid to the American cause. The Oneidas granted him, at the
close of the war, a tract of land on Wood creek about two miles
square, which he subsequently exchanged for a similar tract in
Westmoreland. On the extinction of the Indian title, in 17S8,
the latter was confirmed to him by the state, and he resided
upon it during the remainder of his life.*
* Two or three years after Judge Dean's removal to Westmoreland, an incident
occurred which furnishes a parallel to the often related rescue of Captain John
Smith, by Pocahontas.
It was a custom among the Indians, that when one of their number had been
murdered by a member of another tribe, the blood of some one of the offending
tribe must be shed, as an atonement for the offence. The same custom extended
to their intercourse with the whites.
At this period, an Oneida Indian had been killed by some unknown white man,
who had escaped. The chiefs assembled to determine what was to be done.
After several days consultation, they decided that the life of Mr. Dean must be
forfeiled, as an atonement for the murder.
Accordingly, the chiefs, eighteen in number, came to his dwelling at midnight,
and informed him that they had decided to sacrifice him for the murder of their
brother, and that he must now prepare to die. In vain he remonstrated, pleading
his past services to their tribe, and urging that he was an adopted son of the
Oneidas, and therefore not liable to such a doom. In vain did he represent the
hapless condition of his wife and helpless babes.
The old chiefs heard him patiently, but their decision was unalterable. He
had nearly abandoned all hope of escape, when his attention was arrested by the
pattering of a footstep without the door. Soon the latch was raised and a squaw
entered ; she was the wife of the senior chief, and in Mr. Dean's boyhood, had
adopted him as her son.
The entrance of a woman into a solemn council was, according to Indian eti-
quette, at war with all propriety. The chiefs however remained silent. Soon
another Lame, a sister of the first, and the wife of another chief; and presently a
third, also the wife of a chief. -Each stood near the door in silence, closely wrap-
ped in her blanket.
At length the presiding chief bid them " begone." The squaw who first entered,
replied, that they must first change their determination, and not kill the good white
man, her adopted son. The command to go was repeated, when each of the
squaws threw otf their blankets, and brandishing a knife in their extended hands,
declared that they would destroy themselves, if one hair of the white man's head
was touched. The chiefs were astonished at the whole proceeding, and regarding
it as an evident interposition of the Great Spirit in his behalf, reversed their
decree, and Mr. Dean's life was sp:tred.
282 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Some years previous to the revolution two men named Roof
and Brodock established themselves in the vicinity of Rome, and
were engaged in the carrying trade. They were compelled to
leave during the revolution, but afterward returned and re-
sumed their farms.
Early in the summer of 1777, news hvaing reached the county
that an expedition was intended against the settlements in the
Mohawk valley, under the command of General St. Leger,
Fort Stanwix at Rome, was repaired, garrisoned, supplied with
provisions, and its name changed to Fort Schuyler.
On the 2d of August, 1777, the garrison consisted of 750 men,
under the command of Colonel Gansevoort, and they had suffi-
cient ammunition and provisions for a six weeks' siege. At that
time the fort was invested by General St. Leger, who demanded
its surrender. The demand was indignantly spurned by the
garrison. Hearing of the investment of the fort, General Her-
kimer assembled about 800 militia, and hastened to relieve the
beseiged garrison. On the evening of the 5th of August, he
arrived at Oriskany creek, and despatched two expresses to
Col. Gansevoort, notifying him of his approach, and requesting
him to make a sally from the fort at the time of his intended
attack.
These expresses arrived safely on the forenoon of the 6th,
and a signal cannon having been fired, Colonel Marinus
Willet, the second in command, sallied from the fort with
250 men, and succeeded in carrying the camps of Sir John John-
son and the Indians, capturing their stores, baggage, ammuni-
tion, &c, without the loss of a single man.
The attack of General Herkimer was less fortunate. St.
Leger having heard of his approach, stationed a force in ambus-
cade on his route. The militia, heedless and self confident,
rushed on till their vanguard were surrounded by the enemy.
Those in the rear then fled, but the remainder fought with the
utmost desperation. Their assailants were mostly Indians and
loyalists, and in many cases the two parties were personally
known to each other, and private hate was added to national
hostility. Rage supplied the place of arms; no quarter was
asked or given on either side. Early in the battle General
Herkimer was wounded; but seating himself on his saddle, and
leaning against the trunk of a tree, he continued to order the
battle with the utmost composure. The conflict continued for
six hours ; at the end of that time the tories and Indians retreat-
ed, leaving the militia masters of the field. The loss in killed
and wounded on both sides was very great. That of the
Americans was nearly 200 killed, and about the same number
wounded.
After this battle, St. Leger again summoned the fort, but was
ONEIDA COUNTY. 283
again defied. Finding, however, that they must be reinforced
or eventually surrender, Col. A\ iliet and Lieut. Stockwell, of
the garrison, volunteered to go to the head quarters of General
Schuyler, at Stillwater, and obtain aid.
They left the garrison on the night of the 10th of August,
creeping on their hands and knees through the enemy's camp,
and after numerous hair breadth escapes, succeeded in reaching
Gen. Schuyler's camp and procuring the necessary assistance.
General Learned and General Arnold were despatched on
this service. The latter, hastening on in advance with 900
troops, captured a tory refugee named Han Yost Schuyler,
whom by promises and threats he induced to go to the camp of
St Leger, and alarm the Indians by exaggerating the number
of his troops. A friendly Oneida Indian was also sent on the
same errand. The stratagem was successful. The Indians,
already dissatisfied, abandoned St. Leger at once, on receiving
the intelligence of Arnold's approach, and thus deserted, he
raised the siege and retreated with the utmost haste, the Indians
plundering his troops whenever they found opportunity.
One of the most prominent of the early settlers of this county
was Judge White, the founder of Whiteslown. He was a na-
tive of Middletown, Connecticut, and one of the proprietors of
the Saghdaquida patent. He removed here in 1784, with his
family.
In 1788 the town of Whites town was laid out, and comprised
all that part of the state lying w T est of a line drawn north and
south through the city of Utica, a tract of country now contain-
ing more than 1,100,000 inhabitants. The same year a treaty
was made with the Oneidas, by which they ceded to the state
the whole of their lands, except a few trifling reservations.
Judge White lived to see the wilderness where he had first
located himself, densely populated, and the privations of the
settlers exchanged for plenty.* Judge Sanger was another of
the early settlers w r ho located in New Hartford.
The town of Steuben was granted by the state to Baron Steu-
ben, for his services during the revolution. He resided here
during the latter part of his life, and was buried here.
* A little incident which occurred soon after the war, illustrates the Indian
character very forcibly. An old Oneida chief named Han Verry, who, during the
revolution, had acted with the British, but who was quite friendly to Judge White,
came one day with his wife and a mulatto woman to his house, and asked permis-
sion to take the little grand-daughter el' the judge home to his cabin for the night,
making it a test of the strength of bis friendship. Judge White consented, con-
sidering it best to manifest confidence m the Indian, although he felt many mis-
givings, and the motberof the child could hardly be prevailed on to part with it.
The succeeding day was one of deep anxiety to the family of the judge— but just
at sunset the Indian and his squaw reappeared with the child, clad in a complete
Indian dress.
The confidence which the judge manifested in them, secured their warm and
permanent friendship.
284 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Cities and Villages. Utica, situated on the south side of
the Mohawk, on the site of old Fort Schuyler, is a thriving and
business city, in the midst of one of the most fertile and wealthy
sections of the state, having a central location. Its locality being
on a gentle declivity to the north, commands a beautiful pros-
pect of the Mohawk valley. The streets are spacious, and the
buildings neat and commodious. Being connected with Albany
and Troy, and with Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo by rail-
road and canal ; with Bingham ton by the Chenango canal, and
by stages, with the northern and southern counties of the state,
it is the centre of an extensive business. It is also engaged in
manufactures. Several large steam mills have, recently been
erected for the manufacture ol'cotton and woollen goods.
The New York State Lunatic Asylum, located here, is a noble
institution, and when completed will surpass in extent and conve-
nience any other in the United States. A farm of 160 acres is
attached to it. The Utica Academy, and the Utica Female Sem-
inary, are both excellent institutions, and have a high reputa-
tion. The Young Men's Association possess a good library
and have maintained a course of lectures for some years. The
museum contains a fine collection of curiosities and antiquities.
The early growth of Utica was slow; in 1794 it contained but
three or four houses. It was incorporated as a village in 1798,
and received its present name. It was chartered as a city in
1832. Population 12,190.
Rome, on the site of Fort Stanwix (the new Fort Schuyler)
is situated at the junction of the Black river and Erie canals.
The Utica and Syracuse railroad also passes through it. The
village has some manufactories, and is largely engaged in the
forwarding trade. The United States government have an ar-
senal, magazine, and a number of workshops here. The Rome
Female Seminary is well sustained. Population 2800.
Whitesboro 5 , in the town of Whitestown, also a county seat,
was incorporated in IS 13. It is a pleasant village, finely deco-
rated with shade trees, and is engaged in the manufacture of
cotton goods. It has also a very large flouring mill and an ex-
tensive pail and tab manufactory.
The Whitesboro' Academy is a large and flourishing institu-
tion. The Oneida Institute, a manual labor school of a high
order, intended tor a boarding school, is also located here ; con-
nected with it is a farm of 114 acres. The students are re-
quired to labor three hours per day. Population 2000.
Oriskany is a large manufacturing village in the same town.
Broadcloths and cassimeres are the principal articles of manu-
facture. Population 1200.
New York Mills ^ in the same town is an important village
UNEIDA COUNTY. 283
largely engaged in the manufacture of cotton goods. Popula-
tion 1000,
Watervfflf'i in the town of Sangerfield, is a thriving village*
engaged in the manufacture of woollen goods, carriage springs*
starch, and musical instruments. Population 1000.
Trenton Falls is a small village, worthy of notice for the
picturesque and beautiful falls on the West Canada creek, from
which it derives its name. Trenton, in the town of the same
name, is a somewhat larger village, incorporated in 1819.
Clinton, in the town of Kirkland, is pleasantly situated on the
Oriskany creek, nine miles from Utica. The literary institu-
tions of this village and its vicinity, have given it a wide celeb- 3
rity. Hamilton College, situated a mile west of the village,
was founded by the exertions of the venerable Kirkland, and is
now in a prosperous condition. It has four fine stone edifices.
The Clinton Liberal Institute is a chartered institution. The
edifice is of stone, ninety-six by fifty-two feet, and four stories
high above the basement, for the male department, and a smaller
building for the female department. It is conducted by six
teachers. There is a firm attached to this institution, for the
benefit of such students as may desire to defray the expense of
their education by manual labor.
The Clinton Grammar school, and the Clinton Domestic
seminary, a female institution of some note, are also located
here. In the vicinity are several manufactories. Population
800.
New Hartford, in the town of the same name, and Oriskany
Fails, in the town of Augusta, are flourishing manufacturing
villages.
Vernon, in the town of Vernon, Sauquoit, in the town of Pa-
ris, and Hampton, in the town of Westmoreland, are thriving
villages.
Oneida Caslleton, a post village in the town of Vernon, oc-
cupies the place where the councils of the Six Nations were
formerly held, — the large white walnut trees under which they
assembled are still standing in full vigor, and often, by the au-
tumnal blasts, sing the requiem of that almost annihilated race
of the aborigines.
13*
\ \ \ lit. CAYUGA COUNTY,
Square Miles, 648. Population, 49,663.
Organized, 1799. Valuation, 1845, $9,760,050-
CAYUGA COUNTY. 287
TOWN*
1. Aurelius, 1789, 12. Conquest, 1821.
2. Geneva, 1789. 13. Summer Hill, 1821.
3. Scipio, 1789. I 1. Victory, 1821.
4. Sempronius, 17S9, 15. Ira, 1821.
5. Brutus. 1802. 16. Auburn, 1823.
6. Cato, 1802. 17. Fleming, 1823.
7. Locke, 1802. 18. Springport, 1823,
8. Owasco, 1S02. 19. Venice, 1823.
9. Sennet, 1807. 20. Ledyard, 1823.
10. Mentz, 1S08. 21. Moravia, 1833,
11. Stirling, 1812. 22. Niles, 1S33.
Rivers, a. Owasco Outlet, b. Salmon Creek, c. Owasco Inlet, e.
Little Sodus Creek, k. Seneca.
Lakes, 8fc. J. Lake Ontario. DD. Cayuga, d. Owasca, f. Skene-
ateles. g. Duck. i. Cross. 1. Little Sodus Bay.
Villages. Auburn. Aurora, Cayuga, Montezuma. Moravia.
Boundaries. North by Lake Ontario; East by Oswego, On-
ondaga and Cortland counties; South by Tompkins county;
West by Cayuga lake, and Seneca and Wayne counties.
Surface. The southern section of the county has an irregular
surface, rising into ridges on the shores of Cayuga and Owasco
lakes. Poplar ridge, the watershed of the county, is between
these two lakes, and has an elevation of 600 feet. The north-
ern part is comparatively level, yet has a rolling appearance, in
consequence of numerous gravelly hills, which seem like mounds
formed by art.
Rivers. The principal streams are the Seneca river, Salmon
and Little Sodus creeks. The Seneca has a very sluggish
course through a marshy country.
Lakes. Cayuga lake on the western border, Skeneateles on
the eastern, and Owasco in the centre, are the largest lakes.
Besides these it has Cross, Duck and Otter lakes, and Lock
pond.
Bays. Little Sodus bay is an inlet of Lake Ontario.
Canals. The Erie canal crosses the county a few miles dis-
tant from the Seneca river, and parallel with it.
Railroads. The great line of Railroad between Albany and
Buffalo also passes through this county.
Climate. Mild and temperate, much moderated by the nu-
merous bodies of water around and within it. It is regarded
as salubrious.
Geology and Mineralogy. This county embraces quite a
variety of formations. On the borders of Lake Ontario is found
the Medina sandstone ; immediately south of this the Clinton,
288 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Niagara and Onondaga limestone groups ; next the Helderberg
series, and in the extreme southern part of the county, the Lud-
lowville .-buy rocks.
Gypsum, water limestone, sulphate of Barytes, Epsom salts, fiuor spar, sulphate
of iron, ami pure sulphur are the principal minerals.
Petroleum or mineral oil is found on Cayuga lake. Valuable brine springs
occur in Montgomery. Here are also sulphur springs, and a chalybeate spring has
been discovered in the town of Sennet.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil of this county,
in consequence of its peculiar geological structure, is rich, and
its lands are among the most fertile and highly cultivated in
the state. Wheal yields the most abundant crops; and fruits
thrive in great perfection. The timber consists of oak. beech,
butternut, elm, poplar, basswood, pine and hemlock.
Pursuits. The attention of the inhabitants is chiefly turned
to agriculture. Large quantities of the various kinds of grain
and wool are annually produced, and considerable numbers of
eattle reared.
Manufactures. The principal articles of manufacture are
flour, woollen and cotton goods, leather and lumber. Salt is
manufactured in considerable quantities.
Commerce. It has a considerable amount of commerce — be-
ing connected by the Cayuga lake with the southern counties —
by the Erie canal and Auburn and Syracuse railroad with the
Hudson and Lake Erie, and by the Cayuga and Seneca canal
with the Seneca lake, and the country bordering on it.
The Staples of the county are wheat and other grains, pota-
toes, batter and wool.
Schools. The common schools, in 1846, numbered 256.
They were taught an average period of eight months, attended
by 16,781 scholars, at an expense for tuition of nearly $21,312.
The number of volumes in the school libraries was 29,718.
The number of private schools was thirty-five, having in attendance 658 pu-
pils. It has also four academies and one female seminary, with 386 scholars, and
one theological seminary with seventy-one students.
Religious Denominations. Baptists, Presbyterians, Meth-
odists, Friends, Universalists. Congregaticnalists, Episcopali-
ans, Dutch Reformed, Unitarians, and Roman Catholics.
There are in all seventy-seven churches and eighty clergymen.
History. The first settlements in this county were made in
Aurelius, Genoa and Scipio, about the time the Indian title was
extinguished, in 17S9. The first settlement at Auburn was
made in 1793, by Col. John L. Hardenburg, from whom it was
named Hardenburg's corners. It received its present name in
1805.
In Moravia, settlements were commenced in 1794. At that
CAYUGA COUNTY. 289
time there were still some Indians residing on the flats. The
county has had a rapid and prosperous growth, and in its zeal
ibr public improvements ranks among the first counties in the
state.
Villages. Atjbcrn, the shire town of the county, and one of
the most flourishing villages in the state, is situated on the out-
let of Ovvasco lake. Though irregularly laid out, its streets are
spacious, and many of its buildings elegant. Besides the county
buildings, it contains seven churches, a male and a female sem-
inary, and the Auburn Theological seminary, under the control
of the Presbyterians, which has four professors, seventy-one
students, and a library of 5000 volumes.
The Auburn State Prison, located here, is a massive granite
building, erected at an expense of over half a million of dol-
lars. The main building has a front of 276 feet, and is three
stories high besides the basement. The two wings, one on
either end, are each 242 feet long, and forty-five wide. The
whole is enclosed by a solid stone wall, from sixteen to forty feet
high, and three feet thick. The number of prisoners is about
700, who labor in work shops during the day, and are confined
in separate cells at night. Population 6171.
Moravia is a thriving incorporated village, in the town of the
same name. The Moravian Institute is a chartered institution
of some note. Population 600.
Aurora, in the town of Ledyard, lies upon the Cayuga lake,
and is hardly surpassed in the beauty of its location, by any vil-
lage in western New York. The Cayuga academy is a
flourishing institution. Steamboats stop here several times a
day on their route between Ithaca and Cayuga bridge. Popu-
lation 500.
Cayuga is a pleasant village on the eastern bank of the Cayuga
lake. A daily line of steamboats plies between this place and
Ithaca, connecting the Ithaca and Owego and the Auburn and
Rochester railroads. A toll bridge, and a railroad bridge, each
of them upwards of a mile in length, here cross the Cayuga lake.
Montezuma. A number of saline springs are here found,
from which salt of the best and purest quality has been manu-
factured ever since the earliest settlement of the country. The
Montezuma marshes commence about a mile west of the village,
and are known as the Paradise of musquitoes. Population 700.
Weedsport is a thriving village on the canal in the town of
Benton. It has a large amount of business. Population 800.
Port Byron, in the town of Mentz, is a large village, on the
Erie canal. It has one of the largest flouring establistments in
the state, beside several other manufactories. Population 1000.
XXIX. ESSEX COUNTY.
Square Miles, 1162,
Organized, 1799.
Population, 25,102.
Valuation, 1845, $1,483,136.
1. Crown Point, 1788.
2. Willsborough, 1738.
3. Jay, 1790.
4. Elizabethtown, 1798.
5. Chesterfield, 1802.
6. Schroon, 1804.
7. Ticonderoga, 1804.
8. Minerva, 1804.
TOWNS.
9. Esses, 1805.
10. Lewis, 1805.
11. Moriah, 1808.
12. Keene, 1808.
13. VVestport, 1815.
14. Wilmington, 4821
15. Newcomb, 1828.
16. St. Arrnand, 1844.
ESSEX COUNTY. 291
Mountains. EE. Rayaderosseras. GG. Chateaugay. HH. Clinton.
JJ. Au Sable.
Peaks, g. White Face, k Mount McMartin. m. Mount Mcln*
tyre. n. Mount Marcy. o. Mount Defiance, (in Ticonderoga),
Rivers. C. Hudson, a. Bouquet, c. Boreas, d. Indian, e. Adiron-
dack, f. Schroon. i. Au Sable, j. Saranac. q. West Branch.
Lakes. W. Champlain. 1. Schroon. r. Paradox, s. Pharaoh, t,
Crane Pond. u. Harries Lake. v. Rich. w. Delia, h. Teralt.
y. Sanford. z. Placid. ^ Auger Pond. b ; Warm. <» Rattlesnake.
i^Black. |i Long.
Forts. Ticonderoga. CrovVn Point.
Villages. Elizabethtown. Westport. Keeseville. Ticonde-
roga. Essex.
Boundaries. North by Franklin and Clinton counties ; East
by Lake Champlain ; South by Warren county ; and West by
Hamilton and Franklin counties.
Surface. The surface of this county is mountainous. Three
distinct ranges cross it, and a fourth touches its western bound-
ary. The Kayaderosseras range, beginning at Crown Point,
passes over the southeastern towns. The Clinton range ex-
tends through the central portion, the Au Sable passes through
the northwest section, and the Chateaugay forms a portion of
the northwestern boundary.
In the towns of Keene, Newcomb, and Moriah, a group of
lofty peaks, known as the Adirondack group, extends from the
Au Sable to the Clinton range. Mounts Marcy, Mclntire, Mc-
Martin, Dial mountain and White face, are the principal of
these peaks. Mount Marcy is 5467 feet, or more than a mile,
above tide water, Mount Mclntire 5183, White face 4S55, and
Dial mountain 4900 feet high.
It is a characteristic of the mountains of this county, that their
sides are precipitous and broken. Between the ranges of the
mountains are extensive valleys, through which flow large
streams.
The Adirondack pass, about five miles from the Adirondack iron works, de-
mands a cursory notice. At an elevation of some 2500 feet above tide water, a
narrow gorge extends quite through the mountain, whose massive perpendicular
Walls a thousand feet in height, rear themselves on either hand in gloomy sub-
limity, as if proudly defying the puny art of man. The pass is nearly a mile in
length, and rises in height from 500 to 1000 feet.
Rivers. The principal rivers of the county are the Au Sable,
the Saranac, the Bouquet, the Hudson and the Schroon, with
their tributaries, and Putnam creek.
Lakes. No county in the state probably possesses so great a
number of lakes and ponds as Essex. The character of its sur-
292 STATE OF NEW YORK.
face is such as to produce this result; in its deep chasms and
mountain gorges, its ravines and dells, bounded by walls of ever
during granite, the waters which fall upon the hills, or the
product of the melting snows upon its lofty peaks, gather and
remain, till they have attained sufficient height to overflow the
barriers which restrain them.
It is said that there are in the county nearly one hundred lakes
and ponds of considerable size. Of these the most important
are Schroon, Paradox, Teralt, Rich, Harries, Delia, Sanford,
Pharaoh and Placid lakes, and Augur pond.
( 'limate. The temperature is low, particularly on the moun-
tains. In the valleys it is more mild, but the frosts are early
and severe. It is not well adapted to the raising of fruit, or
those grains and crops which require a long summer.
Geology and Minerals. The rocks in this county are pri-
mary, with the exception of a narrow belt of transition on Lake
Champlain. They are principally hypersthene, granite, pri-
mary limestone, gneiss, hornblende, and magnetic iron ore.
Iron is found in immense quantities in almost every part of the county. The
principal veins are the Penfield, the Adirondack ores, and the Sanford vein. The
latter is estimated to contain at least 3,000.000 tons of pure iron. It is in fact a
mass of pure iron ore, unmixed with rock or earth. The iron of this county, in
all the qualities which render that metal valuable, is unsurpassed by any in the
United States, and being situated in a densely wooded country, and with a con-
venient access to the lake, can be smelted and conveyed to market as advantage-
ously as any in the country.
There are in the county, and particularly on the shores of the lakes, fossil veg-
etables and shells. The other principal minerals are Plumbago, marble of the
Verd Antique variety, Labradorite, calcareous spar, pyroxere, hornblende, serpen-
tine, scapolite, tabular spar, Brucite, apatite, tourmaline, sphene, colophomte,
graphite, zircon, garnet, epsom salts, porcelain clay, and pearl spar.
Vegetable Productions. Soil, &g. The soil, though broken.
is rich and fertile. The timber is very abundant, and of large
size, sonsisting of white and black oak, white and yellow pine,-
maple, beech, hemlock, poplar, walnut, butternut, birch, ash,
elm, bass wood, cherry, fir, spruce, &c.
Upon Mount Marcy, the gigantic beech and hemlock gradually diminish in size
to mere shrubs, and the former, unable to sustain the weight of its stem, creeps
on the rocky surface of its elevated summit. The forests abound with game, and
the waters with fish.
Pursuits. A majority of the inhabitants are devoted to agri~
cultural pursuits. The greater part of the county is adapted
to grazing, and in some of the valleys grain succeeds well. Po-
tatoes, oats, together with some wheat, corn and rye are
grown. Butter and wool are produced in considerable quan-
tities.
The preparation of lumber lor market is a prominent pursuit
ESSEX COUNTY. 293
with the inhabitants. The amount of lumber and timber ex-
ported is very large.
Amons; the manufactures, that of iron is the most impor-
tant; it is smelted from the ore in large quantities.
The commerce of the county upon the lakes is very consider-
able, and every year increasing.
Staples. Iron, lumber, butter, wool, and potatoes.
Schools. There were in the county, in 1346, 167 school-
houses, in which 7925 children were taught an average period
of six months, at an expense for tuition of $8758. The district
libraries contained 13,774 volumes.
There were also in the county twenty private schools, with 270 pupils, and two
academies, with ninety students.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Congregationalists,
Baptists, Presbyterians, Roman Catholics, and Universalists.
The number of churches of all denominations in the county is
forty-two, and of clergymen, twenty-nine.
History. In 1731 a fort, called Fort St. Frederick, was
erected by the French, at Crown Point, on the bank of Lake
Champlain ; it was aftenvard blown up, but the place was again
fortified, and retained as a military post.
In 1756, the French erected Fort Ticonderoga, named by
them Carillon. In 1758, General Abercrombie, with a large
force, composed of British and provincial troops, attacked the
fortress, but was repulsed, with the loss of nearly 2000 killed
and wounded. Among the former was Lord Howe, who was
universally beloved by the troops.
In 1759, both Ticonderoga and Crown Point were abandoned
by the French, on the approach of the English forces. The
British general garrisoned Ticonderoga, and caused a fort to be
erected at Crown Point, which was likewise garrisoned by
English troops.
In 1775, both fortresses were captured by a corps of Connec-
ticut and Vermont volunteers, under the command of Colonels
Ethan Allen,* Seth Warner and Benedict Arnold. Crown
Point was evacuated the next year.
On the eleventh of October, 1776, the disastrous expedition
against Canada was terminated, by the capture of the lake fleet,
under the command of General Arnold, near Crown Point.
In July, 1777, Ticonderoga was besieged by General Bur-
goyne; with great labor and difficulty that officer succeeded in
* It is related that when Colonel Allen, who hud rushed into Fort Ticonderoga,
sword in hand, ordered the commander of the fort to surrender, he enquired "by
what authority I" Colonel Allen immediately replied, " I demand it in the name
ol the great Jehovah and the continental congress."
294 STATE OP NEW" YORK.
erecting a battery upon Mount Defiance, which overlooked and
enfiladed the fort. General St. Clair, its commander, was thus
compelled either to surrender, or evacuate the fort immediately.
He chose the latter alternative, and made his escape, though
with some loss. It was then garrisoned by the British.
In October, 1777, the garrison, hearing of General Bur-
goyne's surrender, returned precipitately to Canada. Neither
of the fortresses have since been occupied.
This county was chiefly settled by emigrants from Vermont,
and other New England states. Considerable portions of it are
yet covered with the primeval forests.
Villages. Elizabethtown is a small village, situated in the
midst of beautiful and picturesque mountain scenery. It is the
county seat. Population 350.
Keeseville, lying upon both sides of the Au Sable river, and
being partly in this county and partly in Clinton, is a large and
flourishing manufacturing village. Iron, and woollen and cotton
goods, are largely manufactured here. It has also flouring mills,
saw mills, a brewery, machine shop, tannery, &c. The falls of
the Au Sable give it a fine water power. Here is an incorpo-
rated academy. Population 2200.
}Yestport is a thriving village on the lake. It has a flourish-
ing incorporated academy. Population 700.
Ticonderoga, about two miles from the old fort of that name,
is well situated for manufactures, having a valuable and exten-
sive water power, very uniform in its supply, and being advan-
tageously situated for commerce. Population 700.
Ess<-x is a thriving village and has some commerce. Popu-
lation 700.
JVillsborousrh, in the town of the same name, Au Sable
Forks and Jayrille, in the town of Jay, are growing and impor-
tant villages.
XXX. GREENE COUNTY.
Square Miles, 583.
Organized, 1800.
Population, 31,957.
Valuation, 1845, $2,9(59,573.
1. Catskill, 1788.
2. Coxsackie, 1788.
Durham, 1790.
Windham, 1798.
Cairo, 1803.
Greenville, 1S03.
TOWNS.
7. Athens, 1805.
3.
4.
5.
8. New Baltimore, 1811.
9. Hunter, 1813.
10. Lexington, 1813.
11. Prattsville, 1S33.
Mountains, i. Catskill. u. Pine.
Rivers. AA. Schoharie kill. C. Hudson.
Kaaters kill. g. Bataviakill.
Falls. On the Kaaters kill east branch, three falls.
Villages.
a. Catskill Creek, d.
Catskill. Coxsackie. Athens. New Baltimore.
Boundaries. North by Schoharie and Albany ; East by Hud-
son river; South by Ulster ; West by Delaware and Schoharie
counties.
Surface. The county of Greene has a very hilly and moun-
tainous surface. The Catskill mountains running centrally
through the county, divide it into two sections, of which the
eastern and northern is the most arable.
296 STATE OF NEW YORK.
The eastern fronts of the mountains are precipitous, while
upon the west their declivities are more gentle. The Pine
mountain, or Kaatshergs, form the southwestern boundary.
The principal peaks of the Cat skill mountains are Round Top
and High Peak, which have elevations from 3000 to 3800 feet
above tide water.
Rivers. The principal streams are Catskill creek, Kaatcrs-
kill, Schoharie kill, and Batavia kill. The Hudson forms its
eastern boundary.
Climate. This county has much diversity of climate. The
peaks of the mountains are covered with snow nearly a month
later than the valleys, and the summer is shorter, but when
vegetation commences, it is more rapid than near the Hudson.
Geologv and Mineralogy. The transition and red sand-
stone formations prevail in this county. The predominant rocks
of the Catskill division are conglomerates, red and gray shales,
slates, slaty and coarse grits ; greenish gray and chocolate col-
ored gray sandstone, known as the Catskill or North river flag
stone, is abundant. The Helderberg range, consisting of water
and common limestone and pyritous slate, predominates in the
north portion of the county. The Hudson river group, compo-
sed of slate, shales, shaly and thick bedded grits occupies the
eastern and southeastern part.
Copper, lead, zinc iron and coal, have been found in small quantities. Calca-
reous spar and quartz crystals also occur.
Vegetable Productions. The mountains are sterile — the
uplands produce excellent grass, while the valleys are rich,
yielding good crops of grain. The timber consists of oak, hick-
ory, cherry, soft and sugar maple, and on the hills beech, birch,
and in some places, spruce and hemlock. In the mountainous
districts the trees are of great size.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the principal pursuit of the inhab-
itants. Comparatively little grain is raised. The products of
the dairy are large. Many of the farmers are turning their at-
tention to wool growing, for which the county is well adapted.
Manufactures. Leather is manufactured to a greater amount
than in any other county in the state. The other manufactures
are flour, lumber, paper, fulled cloths, &c.
Commerce. Catskill, Athens, Coxsackie and New Baltimore,
are largely engaged in the coasting trade.
The Staple Productions of the county are butter, oats, corn
and buckwheat.
Schools. There were in this county, in 1S46, 170 common
schools, giving instruction to 9071 children, an average period
of eight months each, at an expense for tuition of $13,147. The
district libraries contained 19,713 volumes.
GREENE COUNTY. 297
There were also thirty-three select school;?, with C>01 scholars; four academies
and one female seminary, with seventy-seven students.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Presbyterians, Bap-
tists, Dutch Reformed, Episcopalians, Friends, Roman Catho-
lics, Lutherans, and Unitarians. There are in the county, sixty-
four churches, and sixty-four clergymen.
History. Greene county was settled in the latter part of the
seventeenth century, by the Dutch. Cairo and Coxsackie were
the principal settlements. Shortly before and after the revolu-
tion, many families removed from New England into the county,
and a majority of the present inhabitants claim a puritan de-
scent.
It is a matter of regret that so little effort has been made to
investigate the early history of a county, undoubtedly possessing
so much historic interest.
The Hardenburgh patent comprises most of the towns of
Windham and Lexington.
Athens was laid out in part, in 1790, by Edward Brockholst
Livingston, and E. C. Goodrich.
Villages. Catskill village, in the town of the same name,
was incorporated in 1806. It is the seat of justice of the county,
situated on die left bank of the Catskill creek, nearly one mile
from the Hudson, and is principally built upon a single street,
about half a mile in extent.
It is aportibr steamboats and sloops, the creek being naviga-
ble from a short distance above the village, to the Hudson,
opening a direct communication with the city of New York.
This village is sustained by a wealthy farming community in
its own, and adjoining counties; also by a considerable manu-
facturing interest.
In the b"usiness season of the year, Main street, and the
wharves indicate great activity in trade and commerce.
The prospect of the Hudson from this village is obscured by a
high bluff running parallel with the river, yet this bluff affords
desirable sites for residences, some of which are occupied and
highly improved.
The location of this village is important, being the terminus
of a number of stage routes, some of which communicate with
the valley of the Susquehanna. Its public buildings are neat,
and its general appearance that of industry. It has an academy,
and a select school for young ladies. Population 3000.
Athens, in the town of the same name, pleasantly situated
opposite the city of Hudson, was incorporated in 1805, — it is ex-
tensively engaged in manufactures, especially of brick and lime.
298 STATE OF NEW YORK.
A considerable number of sloops are owned here, which ply to
and from New York. A steam ferry connects it with the city
of Hudson. Population 1500.
Co.rsackie Landing, in the town of Coxsackie, is a thriving
village, engaged in the coasting trade, and in the manufacture
of brick. It 1ms an academy of some note. Population 1500.
Prattsville, lying on the Schoharie kill, manufactures more
leather than any town in the United States. It received its
name from Hon. Zadoc Pratt, who established extensive tan-
neries here. The village is also engaged in other manufactures.
Population 1200.
The " Mountain House," so widely celebrated as a summer
resort for travellers, is within the limits of the town of Hunter.
It is situated on the Pine Orchard, a peak of the Catskill
mountains, twelve miles from the village of Catskill, and at an
elevation of 2212 feet above the Hudson.
The prospect from this point is one of the most extensive and
beautiful in the world. The majestic Hudson, with its green
islets, its numerous sails, its cities, villages, and highly culti-
vated farms, is visible, on a clear day, for sixty miles in extent,
while in the distance, the dim outlines of the Taghkanic moun-
tains bound the horizon.
About two miles west of the " Mountain House" are the
Kaaters kill Falls, upon a stream issuing from two lakes in the
rear of the hotel. The waters leap over a perpendicular bar-
rier, 175 feet, and pausing momentarily upon a rocky ledge,"
plunge down eighty -five feet more, and are hid from the view,
in the dark ravine through which they seek the valley of the
Catskill.
The scenery around, the deep green forests, the rugged cliffs,
covered with ivy and summer foliage, and the extended pros-
pect, add to the sublimity of the waterfall, and render this one
of the most picturesque and magnificent scenes in nature.
New Baltimore, Cairo and Coxsackie are villages of some
importance, in the towms of the same names.
XXXI. GENESEE COUNTY.
Square miles, 473. Population. 28,845.
Organized, 1802. Valuation, 1845, $5,873,385.
1. Batavia, 1802.
2. Alexander, 1812.
3. Bethany, 1812.
4. Le Rov, 1812.
5. Pembroke, 1812.
6. Bergen, 1818.
7. Byron, 1820.
Creeks, b. Black creek, c. Allen's
Falls on Allen's Creek in Le Roy.
Villages. Batavia. Le Roy.
TOWNS.
8. Elba, 1820.
9. Stafford, 1820.
10. Alabama, 1826.
11. Darien, 1S32.
12. Oak fie Id, 1842.
13. Pavilion, 1842.
d. Oak Orchard, r. Tonawanda.
Boundaries. North by Orleans and Monroe ; East by Mon-
roe and Livingston; South by Wyoming; West by Erie and
Niagara.
Surface. The surface of this county may be considered as a
table land, inclined toward the north, and divided into two sec-
tions. The first embraces the northern portion, from five to
eight miles in breadth, and includes the Tonaw T anda swamp.
Separated from this by a rocky ridge, the second gradually rises
to the southern boundary of the county.
Rivers. The general direction of its streams is north-east
and north-west, of which Tonawanda, Allen's, (so called after
300
STATE OF NEW YORK.
Indian Allen who had his residence in this neighborhood,) Oak
Orchard, Black and Murder Creeks, are the principal.
Railroads. The Tonawanda railroad, entering the county
in the town of Bergen, has a southward course through Bata-
via, to Attica. The Batavia and Rochester connects this with
the eastern lines.
Climate. Mild, temperate and equable. At the early set-
tlement of the county, intermittent and remittent fevers prevail-
ed, but they are now very rare.
Geology and Mineralogy. The whole county is comprised
in the transition formation. Its principal rocks art the different
varieties of limestone, sandstone and calciferous and marly
slate.
The minerals are few in number ; the most important are gypsum, argillaceous
iron ore, marl and peat.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is chiefly a
sandy or gravelly loam, highly productive in grass, summer
crops, and especially in wheat. The timber of the county is
oak, elm, beach, maple, birch, &c. The maple is very abun-
dant, yielding large quantities of sugar.
Pursuits. The inhabitants are principally employed in agri-
culture. Wheat is extensively raised.
Manufactures. Flour, lumber, leather, woollen cloths, and
potash, are the principal articles of manufacture.
Commerce. The railroads furnish the principal means of
transportation within the county.
Staples. Wheat, potatoes, oats, wool, corn and butter.
Schools. The county, in 1S46, contained 166 district schools,
which were in session an average period of nine months each,
and were attended by 9,316 scholars. $12,506 was paid to
teachers, and the libraries contained 19,458 volumes.
There were also seventeen private schools, attended by 431 pupils; three
academies, and two female seminaries, with 3G0 students.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Baptists, Presbyte-
rians, Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Universalists, Unita-
rians and Friends. The total number of churches is fifty; of
clergymen, sixty-seven.
History. Nearly the whole of this county lies within the
Holland Land Company's purchase, from whom the present
inhabitants hold their titles. Some small tracts in the southern
part of the county, still belong to the successors of that com-
pany.
A tract of 87,000 acres, comprising the towns of Sweden and
Clarkson, in Monroe county, and part of Bergenand Le Roy, in
GENESEE COUNTY. 301
this county, and known as the Triangle tract, was sold by Rob-
ert Morris, to Messrs. Le Roy, Bayard and McEvers.
The first settlement in the county was at Batavia, about the
commencement of the presenl century. The Holland Land
Company erected their laud office here in L801. In October,
1804, the settlement contained from twenty to thirty houses,
mostly built of logs. It was at that time very sickly. The fer-
tility of its soil and its adaptation to the culture of grain, caused
a rapid immigration, and it was organized as a county, in 1802.
It then comprised, however, the present counties of Allegany,
Chautauque, Niagara, Erie, Catt ir ug s, Orleans, Wyoming,
and the western portions of Monroe and Livingston.
Villages. Batavia village, the county seat, was incorpo-
rated in 1S23. It is laid out in a plat, two miles square, and has
over 300 buildings, a female seminary, the office of the Holland
Land Company, and a number of manufactories.
Le Roy. in the town of Le Roy. is a thriving village, situated
on Allen's Creek, and incorporated in 1834. The village lots
are spacious, and the dwellings are generally built of stone, pre-
senting a very neat appearance. The rapid growth of this vil-
• lage is due to the hydraulic power of the creek, which has three
considerable falls.
The first fall at the village, is eighteen feet, the second about
a mile below, twenty-seven feet, and the third within two miles,
eighty feet, affording great facilities for manufacturing purposes.
A number of sites are occupied by flour, oil, and other mills.
It is a remarkable fact that much of the water of this creek
disappears before it reaches the highest fall, which is supposed
to supply the Caledonia spring in the adjoining town, in Livings-
ton county. It lias about 2000 inhabit-ants. Here is a flourish-
ing female seminary.
Alexander is a village of some importance, in the town of the
same name. It has an incorporated classical school. Popula-
tion, 500.
14
XXXII. ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY.
Square miles, 2,717.
Organized, 1802.
Population, 62,354.
Valuation, 1845, §3,645,208.
TOWN'S
1.
Lisbon, 1S01.
15.
Parishville, 1814.
2.
Oswe^atchie, 1802.
16.
Pierrepont, 1814.
3.
Madrid, 1802.
17.
Fowler, 1816.
4.
Massena, 1802.
IS.
Morristown, 1821
5.
Hopkinton, 1805.
19.
Norfolk, 1822.
6.
Brasher, 1S05.
20.
De Pevster, 1825.
7.
Canton, 1805.
21.
Edwards, 1827.
8.
Russel,1805.
22.
Hammond, 1827.
9.
De Kalb, 1806.
23.
Lawrence, 1828.
10.
Potsdam, 1806.
24.
Hermon. 1S30.
11.
Stockholm, 1806.
25.
Pitcairn, 1837.
12.
Gouverneur, 1810.
26.
Fine, 1842.
13.
Louisville, 1810.
27.
Colton, 1842.
14.
Rossie, 1813.
28.
Macomb, 1842.
ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 303
Mountains. PP. Highlands of St. Lawrence county.
Rivers. I. St. Lawrence, a. Oswegatchie. b. Indian, c. Grasse.
d. Racket, e. St. Regis, f. Deer. g. East branch Oswegatchie:
h. West branch Oswegatchie.
Lakes, k. Black.
Falls. On the St. Regis, in Brasher, Hopkinton and Parishville,
On the Racket, at Potsdam, Coiton and St. Regis. On the Grasse,
at Canton and Pierrepont. On the Oswegatchie, at Canton and
Rossie.
Forts. Ogdensburgh.
Battle Fields. Ogdensburgh.
Villages. Canton. Ogdensburgh. Rossie. Brasher's falls. Pots*
dam. Gouverneur. Waddington. Massena. Norfolk.
Boundaries. North by the river St. Lawrence ; East by
Franklin county ; South by Hamilton and Herkimer ; and West
by Lewis and Jefferson counties, and the St. Lawrence river.
Surface. The surface of this county is agreeably diversified;
Along the bank of the St. Lawrence river, for a distance of
seventy -five miles in length, and from thirty to forty in breadth,
the county consists of gentle swells, broad valleys, or extensive
plains. Farther south it rises into hills, and finally assumes
a mountainous character, in the southeast, where are situated
the Highlands of the St. Lawrence.
Rivers. The principal streams of the county besides the St.
Lawrence, are the St. Regis, Racket, Grasse, Indian, Oswe-
gatchie and Deer rivers, which by their long and circuitous
courses and numerous tributaries, abundantly water it. A nat-
ural canal, six miles long, connects the Oswegatchie and Grasse
rivers, in the town of Canton,
Falls. Most of these streams have numerous falls or rapids,
furnishing a large amount of water power.
Lakes. Black Lake is the only one of importance. There
are many extensive marshes.
Climate. The climate is less variable than in most counties
ol the state. The air is clear, and the seasons uniform, compen-
sating for the severe cold of winter, and contributing to the
health of its inhabitants.
Geology and Minerals. That portion of the county lying
along the St. Law r rence, for a width often or fifteen miles, be-
longs to the tertiary, or rather the alluvial formation, consisting
of clay and gravel; this is succeeded, at a distance of fifteen or
twenty miles from the river, by a belt of Potsdam sandstone,
running nearly parallel to the St. Lawrence, and varying in
width from five to ten miles ; the remainder of the county be-
long* wholly to the primary formation, and consists of hypers-
thene, gneies, granite and primitive limestone,
304 STATE OP NEW YORK.
The Potsdam sandstone forms one of the finest building materials in the world.
Specular Iron ore is found in this county in immense quantities, and is largely
manufactured. The magnetic and bog iron ores are also quite abundant. Gra-
phite or black It ad is found in several localities. Lead exists in vast quantities in
the neighborhood of Rossie. Zinc and copper occur frequently. .Marble, ser-
pentine, and other forms of carbonate of lime are deposited in various parts of
the county : steatite or soapstone is plentiful. The other principal minerals are
phosphate of lime, sulphate of barytes, quartz crystals, Brucite, talc, pyroxene,
hornblende, asbestus, feldspar, albite Labradorite, mica, spinel, tourmaline, zircon,
Babingtonite and sphene.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The greater portion of
the land is of excellent quality. The soil consists of a dark veg-
etable mould, often underlaid with lime and marl, and is very
productive of grasses, grains, &c. Much of the county is yet
covered with dense forests of oak, beech, maple, basswood, but-
ternut, ash, elm, hemlock, white and Norway pine. In the
marshes white cedar, tamarack and black ash, are the principal
trees. From the maple, large quantities of sugar are manufac-
tured.
Pursuits. The people are chiefly engaged in agriculture.
Great numbers of cattle are reared, and much attention paid to
the products of the dairy. They are be omit g interested in
manufactures, which at present are mostly limited to flour,
lumber, lulled cloths, potash and leather.
Commerce. The commerce of the county is increasing in
value and importance. Ogdensburgh is the principal port.
The shipping of the Oswegatchie district amounted, in 1S45, to
about 1500 tons.
Staple Productions. Butter, cheese, potatoes, oats, corn,
peas, wheat, sugar, wool, potash and lumber.
Schools. There were 402 common schools in the county in
1846, taught an average period of seven months each, and
attended by 22,203 children. The teachers were paid §22,023.
The libraries contained 33,191 volumes.
The number of select schools was twenty-three, with 303 scholars ; of acade-
mies, four, with 346 students.
Religious Denominations. Presbyterians, Methodists, Con-
gregationalists, Baptists, Episcopalians, Universalists and Ro-
man Catholics. Total number of churches, seventy-five ; of
clergymen, 125.
History. The French erected a fort at Oswegatchie, in this
county before 1740, which they named Fort Presentation.
This fort was captured by General Amherst, in 1760.
The first permanent settlement in the county seems to have
been made in 1796, by Judge Nathan Ford, at Oswegatchie.
At that time the Oswegatchie Indians had a village near his
settlement, and attempted several times to drive him away, but
without success. The next settlement was made at Canton, by
ST. LAWRENCE COUNTY. 305
Mr. Stillman Foot, in 1799. These were soon succeeded by
others, mostly from Now England, and a line of settlements
was speedily formed along the river. Much of the land in the
county is held ly the [Vies . Van R nssclaer, Gouverneur
Morris and other wealthy capitalists.
During the late war with Great Britain, some interesting in-
cidents occurred in this county. On the second of October,
1812, the British, in retaliation for the destruction of a large
quantity of their stores at Gananoque, Canada, by Captain For-
syth, commenced a heavy cannonade upon Ogdensburgh, from
their batteries at Pres ott, a Canadian village, on the opposite
bank of the St. Lawrence. They continued the cannonade for
two days, and on Sunday, the fourth of October, attempted to
storm the town.
For this purpose, about 1000 men were embarked in forty
boats ; as they approached the American shore, General Brown
ordered his troops to fire upon them. They did so, and for two
hours the British attempted to land, but the galling fire of the
Americans was too severe to be endured, and at length they
were compelled to retreat to Prescott, with the loss of three
boats and a number of men. The American force engaged in
this contest, was only about 400 m n.
On the twenty-first of February, 1813, the British again attack-
ed Ogdensburgh with a large force, and, though encountering the
most determined resistanc ', succeeded in driving out the Amer-
ican troops, and capturing the village.
Two schooners, two gunboats and the soldiers' barracks were
destroyed, and the enemy returned to Canada. The army of
General Wilkinson embarked fo • the campaign of the autumn
of 1813, from Morristown, in this county. Since the war, the
increase of population in this county has been exceedingly rapid.
Its population has nearly quadrupled in twenty-five years; and
from its extraordinary facilities for manufactures, mining and
agriculture, its future growth must necessarily be rapid.
In 1838, this county and the Canada shore opposite, was the
scene of some of the exploits of the Canada Patriots, (so called.)
The battle of Prescott was fought at Windmill Point, nearly
opposite Ogdensburgh, and several of the citizens of New York,
who had aided " the Patriots," were taken prisoners and execu-
ted, and others banished to Van Dieman's Land...
Antiquities. In the town of Gouverneur, is an ancient Indian
fortification, consisting of an embankment, enclosing three acres,
and containing some remains of rude sculpture.
Villages. Canton village is the county seat. It is situated
on Grasse river, and contains besides the county buildings, an
306 STATE OF NEW YORK.
academy, and some manufactories. A fine wooden bridge, with
three piers, crosses the river here. Population. 1300.
Ogdensburgh, in the town of Oswegatchie, and at the mouth
of Oswegatchie river, was incorporated in 1S17. It is a flour-
ishing village of about 4000 inhabitants. It has an academy in
a very prosperous condition. It is at the foot of sloop naviga-
tion on the St. Lawrence, and is the terminus of the proposed
Ogdensburgh and Plattsburgh railroad.
Potsdam, incorporated in 1S31. is the seat of the St. Law-
rence academy, a chartered institution, with two large stone
edifices, each four stories high. It has also several manufacto-
ries. Population, 1200.
Rossi e is celebrated for its valuable and inexhaustible lead
mines. Population, S00.
Brashpr^s Falls, on the rapids of Deer river, is finely situated
for manufacturing purposes.
Waddington is a manufacturing village in the town of Madrid.
It was incorporated in 1839, and is rapidly increasing in popu-
lation. A bridge connects it with Ogden's island, in the St.
Lawrence. Population, 600.
Gouverneur is the coldest place in the state. Here is located
the Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary. Population, 600.
XXXIII. SENECA COUNTY.
Square miles, 308.
Population, 24,972.
Organized, 1804.
Valuation, 1845, $5,674,034.
TOWNS.
Ovid, 17S9.
Romulus, 1789.
Fayette, 1S00.
Junius, 1803.
Covert, 1817.
Lodi, 1826.
Seneca Falls, 1829.
Tyre, 1829.
9. Waterloo, 1S29.
10. Varick, 1830.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Rivers. c. Clyde. k.
Seneca.
Lakes. BB. Seneca. DD.
Cayuga.
Falls. Seneca.
Villages. Waterloo.
Ovid Seneca Falls.
Boundaries. North
by Wayne county ; East
by Cayuga county and
Cayuga Lake ; South by
Tompkins county ; and
West by Seneca Lake
and Ontario county.
Surface. The surface
of this county rises from
the lakes, which bound
it on either side, to an altitude of 1200 or 1300 feet above tide
water, and presents a pleasing diversity of beautiful valleys and
hills.
Rivers. The Seneca outlet is the principal stream, connect-
ing Seneca and Cayuga lakes. The Clyde crosses its north-
eastern corner.
Falls. The Seneca outlet has a descent of forty-seven feet,
at the village of Seneca Falls.
Lakes. The lnkes are Seneca and Cayuga,
30S STATE OF NEW YORK.
Canals. The Erie canal passes through the town of Tyre,
in the north-east corner of this county, and the Cayuga and
teca canal crosses the county, through the towns of Seneca
and Waterloo, connecting the waters of the Seneca and Cayuga
I. kes, and the Erie canal, at Montezuma.
Railroads. The Auburn and Rochester railroad passes
through this county, most of the distance running parallel with
Seneca outlet and canal.
Climate. Mild and temperate. The situation of the county
between two considerable bodies of water, prevents the long
continuance of snow in winter, and essentially modifies the
climate. It is considered healthy.
Geology and Minerals. The rocks of the northern section
of this county, belong to the Onondaga salt group : those of the
central, to the Helderberg limestones; and the southern to the
Ludlowville shales of the Erie group.
Gypsum, or plaster of Paris is found in extensive beds near Seneca falls, and is
largely exported. Variegated marble occurs near Seneca lake. Petroleum or
Seneca oil is found tloating on tbe Seneca lake, and on springs near it. A pool
twenty feet in diameter, near Cayuga, constantly gives off nitrogen gas in large
quantities.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is mostly a
calcareous loam and mould of excellent quality, and well
adapted to wheat and grass. Fruit is cultivated to a consider-
able extent, and attains great perfection. Oak, maple, beech,
elm, butternut, and in the highlands, pine and hemlock, are the
principal forest trees.
Pursuits. The people are largely engaged in the culture of
wheat and grass, and the rearing of cattle.
Manufactures are increasing. The principal articles are
flour, cotton and woollen goods, distilled liquors, and leather.
Commi rce. The county has considerable commerce, both by
way of the Seneca and Cayuga lakes, and by the Erie canal.
Gypsum and agricultural products are largely exported.
Staple Productions. Wheat, oats, corn, hops, plaster of
Paris, wool and butter.
Schools. In 1846, there were 110 common schools, taught.
on an average, nine months each, and attended by 8065 chil-
dren. The teachers' wanes amounted to $13,023, and the dis-
trict libraries to 14,95b volumes.
There were also twenty-two select schools, with 298 scholars, and three acad-
-. with 248 stud
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Presbyterians, Bap-
tists, Dutch Reformed, Episcopalians, Friends, and Roman
Catholics. The whole number of churches is thirty-eight, of
clergymen, forty-six.
S E N E C A COU N T Y . oU9
History. The first settlers in Seneca county were Messrs.
Horatio Jones arid Lawrence Van Clief, who located them-
selves at Seneca Falls, in 1784 or 1785. Mr. James Bennel
settled at. West Cayuga, in 1787. Colonel Mynderse, who es-
tablished himself in Seneca Falls in 1795, founded the village of
that name in 1816.
The county belonged to the Military Tract, granted to the sol-
diers of the state, by the legislature, and the land titles are de-
rived from them. The Indian title to these lands was not ex-
tinguished till 1789. Its growth has been rapid since its first
settlement.
Villages. Waterloo village, in the town of Waterloo, is a
half shire town, lying on the north side of the Seneca outlet, and
incorporated in 1824. It is a very flourishing manufacturing vil-
lage, containing, besides the county buildings, a number of
churches and a chartered academy, occupying a fine building,
and amply provided with apparatus for the illustration of the
natural sciences. Large quantities of limestone are quarried
in the vicinity. The Cayuga and Seneca canal, and the Au-
burn and Rochester railroad, both pass through the village.
Population 3200.
Ovid, a half shire village, was incorporated in 1816. It is sit-
uated on elevated ground, about midway between the lakes, and
commands a fine and widely extended prospect. It has a char-
tered academy. Population 700.
Seneca iY///* was incorporated in 1S31, and, like Waterloo,
is situated on the Seneca outlet, the canal and railroad. It de-
rives an abundant hydraulic power from the Seneca outlet, the
water of which is constant and steady, and is applied exten-
sively to manufacturing purposes, by means of four dams hav-
ing a total fall of forty-seven feet. A flourishing academy is
located at this village. Population 3000.
14^
XXIV. LEWIS COUNTY.
Square miles, 1122.
Organized, i i3 n. r >.
Population, 20,218.
Valuation, 1845, $1,675,000.
TOWNS.
1. Leyden, 1797.
2. Lowville, 1800.
3. Turin, 1800.
4. Harrisburg, 1S03.
5. Martinsburgh, 1803,
0. Denmark, 1807.
LEWIS COUNTY. 311
7. Pinckney, 1808. 11. West Turin, 1830.
8. Watson, 1821 12. Croghan, 1842.
9. Greig, 1828. 13. Osceola, L842.
10. Diana, 1830.
Rivers, a. Black, b. Beaver, c. Moose, e. Independence Creek,
f. Deer. g. Otter, i. Fish. j. Salmon, k. Indian. h. West
branch of Oswegatchie.
Lakes, o. Fish.
Falls, Falls on the Black river, at Denmark and Greig.
Villages. Martinsburg. Lowville. Copenhagen.
Boundaries. North by Jefferson and St. Lawrence counties;
East by Herkimer ; South by Oneida, and West by Oswego
and Jefferson counties.
Surface. The county is divided by the Black river into two
nearly equal sections. The eastern ascends somewhat rapidly,
from the river, to the mountainous region on its eastern line.
The western is rolling and frequently hilly, rising from the Black
river, for six or eight miles, and then inclining to the south and
west. Broad alluvial flats are found along the Black river.
Rivers. Black and Beaver rivers, Independence, Moose,
Deer, Otter, Fish, Salmon, and Indian creeks, and the west
branch of the Oswegatchie, are the principal streams.
Falls. Black river has a fall of sixty -three feet, in the town
of Ley den, and Deer creek of 175 feet, in the town of Denmark.
Canal. The Black river canal, when finished, will unite with
Black river just below the high falls at Leyden.
Climate. The climate of Lewis county is cold, but healthy.
The winters are long, but the uniformity of the temperature
renders them less unpleasant, than would be expected.
Geology and Minerals. The country east of the Black
river is primitive in its character. The rock underlying this
portion of the county, and frequently appearing on the surface,
is granite. West of the river, the whole county is underlaid
with a fine compact limestone, which appears every where,
on the borders of the streams. The Utica slate also occupies
a narrow belt in the western part of the county.
Iron ore is very abundant and of a superior quality ; lead ore, fealena,) also
occurs in considerable quantities. The other minerals worthy of notice are, sul-
phuret of zinc, (blende.) very beautiful quartz crystals, scapr-nte, tabular spar,
green cocolite, feldspar, sphene, crystallized pyrites, calcareous and rluor spar,
manganese, and Rensselaerite. Probably few counties in the state are richer in
mineral wealth.
Soil and Vegetable Productions The soil is various,
composed of a fertile alluvium, or a gravelly, sandy, and clayey
loam. It is susceptible of a profitable cultivation, and furnishes
fine grazing. The timber is principally pine, spruce, hemlock^
312 S T A T E O F N E W YORK.
beech, maple, elm, ash, with some white oak and walnut. The
eastern section still has extensive forests. From the maple,
are manufactured considerable quantities of sugar.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the chief employment of the inhab-
itants: the products of the dairy are large.
Manufactures. The county lias abundant water power, but
as yet it is hut little improved. Flour, lumber, leather, and
fulled cloths, are the chief articles of manufacture.
mnerce. There is little or no commerce : the completion
of the Black River canal will aid materially in bringing the pro-
duce of their rich and fertile lands to market.
The Staples of the county are ' and cheese, wool, po-
tatoes, oats, and wheat. Considerable quantities of barley,
buckwheat, flax, hops, and sugar, are also produced.
iools. The district school-houses in the county, in 1S46,
were 150 in number, in winch were instructed 6139 pupils.
The average length of the schools was seven months. The
i- idiers wages, Sj>6l96; the number of volumes in the district
libraries. 11,886. There were six private schools with eighty-
three scholars, and one academy with sixty-two pupils.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Baptists. Presbyte-
rians. Congregationalists. Universalists, Roman Catholics,
Episcopalians, and Friends. The total number of churches is
thirty-seven, of clergymen, forty-four.
History. The whole of this county was originally owned
by Alexander Macomb. The western part was afterward
sold to a company of capitalists in Xew York city, and the east-
ern to a French company at Paris. The first settlers were
pioneers from Connecticut and Massachusetts, who made their
way. in 1797. from Utica and Fort Stanwix, (now Rome.) at
that time small settlements, by a line of marked trees, to the
falls of Black river, and from thence to the town of Lowville,
where they established themselves. Their families followed,
the succeeding winter, through snow so deep as to make it
necessary to break paths for the cattle and teams, while moth-
ers, shod with snow-shoes, bore their infants in their arms.
For some time after, the farmers were obliged to go forty miles
to mill, carrying their grain upon their shoulders.
Villages. Martixsbueg, in the town of the same name, con-
tains the county buildings, a female seminary, and a number of
factories. Population 800.
Lowville is a village of some business in the town of Low-
ville. It has an incorporated academy. Population 800.
Copenhagen, in the town of Denmark, is situated on both
sides of Deer river. It is a flourishing village, and engaged in
manufactures. Population about 500.
XXXV. JEFFERS' >N COUNTY,
Square miles, 1 125.
( irganized, 180.3.
Population. 64,999.
Valuation. 1815, $,0,536,651.
1. Ellisburgh, 1797.
2. Champion, 1800.
3. Houndsfield, 1800.
4. Watertown, 1800.
TOWNS.
5. Wilna, 1800.
6. Adams, 1802.
7. Brownville, 1802.
8. Rutland, 1802.
314 STATE OF NEW YORK.
9. Lorraine, 1S04. 15. Pamclia, 1819.
10. Rodman, 1804. 16. Alexandria, 1821.
11. Le Ray, 1806. 17. Orleans, 1821.
12. Henderson, 1806. 18. Philadelphia, 1821.
13. Antwerp, 1816. 19. Clayton, 1S32.
14. Lyme, IS 17. 20. Theresa, 1S42.
Rivers and Creeks. I. St. Lawrence River, a. Black River, b.
Indian River, d. Chaumont Creek, e. Perch, f. Stoney. g.
Sandy.
Lakes, ^'c. J. Ontario, i. Perch, j. Yellow, k. Hungry Bay. 1.
Black River, m. Chaumont Bay.
Islands, n. Gallop Island, o. Stoney. p. Grenadier, q. Fox r.
Carlton, s. Grindstone, t. Wells.
Falls. On the Indian river. On the Black river at Champion,
Rutland, and Watertown. Long Falls, Wilna.
Forts. Sacketts Harbor.
Villages. Watertown. Sacketts Harbor. Brownville. Cornelia.
Carthage.
Boundaries. North by the St. Lawrence River, and St.
Lawrence county ; East by Lewis county ; South by Oswego
county, and West by Lake Ontario.
Surface. The surface of Jefferson county may be divided
into two terraces, the broader of which is on the northwest.
The Ridge Road, extending from the Niagara river, at a dis-
tance of from six to ten miles from the lake, and undoubtedly
indicating the ancient limits of Lake Ontario, is here about 100
feet in height. The surface between this and the lake is level
or gently undulating. From this ridge the county has a gentle
descent toward the southeast, where an elevated ridge crosses
it, and gives it a broken and hilly appearance.
Rivers. The chief streams of the county, besides the St.
Lawrence, are the Black and Indian rivers, Chaumont, Perch,
Stoney, and Sandy creeks.
Falls. There is a series of falls in the Black river, com-
mencing at the Long falls in Carthage.
Lakes. The chief lakes are Ontario, Perch, and Yellow.
Bays. Hungry, Black River, and Chaumont bays are inden-
tations of greater or less extent, upon the lake coast.
Islands. Along its western line are situated Gallop, Stoney,
Fox, Grenadier, Carlton, Grindstone, and Wells islands.
Climate. Equable and healthy. The winters are cold, but
without sudden changes. The summer heats are moderated
by the lake breezes.
Geology and Minerals. The primary formation is confined
to two or three small districts in the county, principally in the
JEFFERSON COUNT V. 315
north and northeast part. In Alexandria, there is a small tract
where the primitive rocks are near the surface. They are
granite, primitive limestone, gneiss, and hornblende. The
greater part of the county, however, belongs to the transition
formation.
The order of arrangement of the rocks of this formation, here, is the following, be-
ginning at the northern part of the county : Potsdam sandstone, extending to a point
a little south of Theresa falls ; calciferous sand rock and birdseye limestone, ap-
pearing as far south as the Black river ; Trenton limestone, extending through
Houndsfield, Adams, Watertown, and Rutland, and succeeded by a narrow belt of
the Utica slate ; this is followed by the Lorraine shales, lying in Rodman, Lor-
raine, and Pinckney. In the southern line of towns, the gray sandstone occurs in
small quantities.
Bog iron ore, spathic iron, specular iron, arragonite, cacoxene, pyrites, celes-
tine, terenite, tremolite, flunr spar, green malachite, tourmaline, strontianite, idio-
crase, apatite, pyroxene, and massive heavy spar, tufa, peat, and graphite in six
sided tablets, are the principal minerals.
There is a cave in the town of Pamelia, nearly opposite Watertown, contain-
ing a number of apartments, and some fine spars. It has been explored for
nearly half a mile.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is generally a
fertile sandy loam, with some clay and gravel, and susceptible
of a high degree of cultivation. In the basin on the northwest,
wheat grows abundantly, but the higher lands in the southeast
are more favorable to grazing. The forests abound with oak,
maple, beech, birch, walnut, ash, elm, hemlock, pine, tamarack,
and red and white cedar. The cranberry grows abundantly in
the swamps, and forms an article of export.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the leading pursuit of the people.
Great numbers of r.attle and swine are reared for the east-
ern market ; the products of the dairy are very large. Pota-
toes, oats, corn, wheat, rye, barley, and flax are produced in
great abundance, and the wool-growing interest is not neg-
lected. The county ranks among the first for agricultural pro-
ducts in the state.
The manufactures of the county are extensive and rapidly
increasing. The principal articles are flour, lumber, iron,
leather, distilled liquors, potash, and woollen goods. The
value of articles manufactured in the county in 1845, was nearly
$2,000,000.
The commerce of this county is large and constantly increas-
ing. About one half of its produce finds its way to a market
down the St. Lawrence ; the remainder through the Oswego
and Erie canals, enters the Hudson, or through the Welland
and Western canals, and the great lakes,, is distributed over the
Mississippi valley. The shipping of this county amounts to
about 5000 tons. The completion of the Black River canal will
310 STATE OF NEW YORK.
open a more ready and convenient conveyance for the produce
of portions of the county.
Staple Productions. Butter and cheese, potatoes, oats,
corn, wheal, wool, flax, barley, and peas.
Schools. There were 368 district schools in the county, in
18-46. Tin 1 average length of the school? was seven months-
number of scholars, 22.866 — amount of teachers' wanes. $524,141
—and number of volumes in the Bchool libraries, 37,552.
There are also fifty-four private schools, with 1089 scholars, and two acade-
mies, with 173 pupils.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Baptists. Presbyte-
rians. Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Universalists, Roman
Catholics, Dutch Reformed, Unitarians, Friends, and Jews.
There are ninety-two churches, and 106 clergymen of all de-
nominations in the county.
History. The first settlement made in this county by whites,
was at Ellisburgh, in 1793, by Mr. Lyman Ellis. The next was
at Champion, not long after, by settlers from Connecticut. The
third was at Watertown, in 1800, by Mr. Henry Coffin, of New-
Hampshire. In the succeeding year, emigrants from New Eng-
land settled in Adams, Rodman. Brownville, and Hound sfield ;
and the year after in Sacketts Harbor and Rutland. Mounds
and fortifications of great antiquity, and exhibiting a high de-
gree of architectural skill, are scattered over every part of the
county.
At the commencement of the late war with Great. Britain,
Sacketts Harbor was selected as the principal naval depot of the
lake frontier, on account of the excellency of its harbor.
On the twenty-second and twenty-third of April, 1813, General
Dearborn, with a force of 1700 men, embarked from this port,
to attack York, (now Toronto,) Canada West. The assault on
York was successful, though the brave General Pike, by whom
it was led, lost his life by the explosion of the magazine. But
the withdrawal of so large a body of troops from Sacketts Har-
bor, left the important military stores there exposed: and as
might have been expected, the British forces at Kingston,
availed themselves of the opportunity, to make a descent upon
that village.
On the twenty-eighth of May, 1813, they appeared off the
harbor, with four ships, one brig, two schooners, two gun boats,
and thirty-three flat bottomed boats, containing in all 1200
troops. The alarm of their approach had been given, and Gen-
eral Brown had made every exertion in his power to defend the
harbor. The British suffered themselves to delay, in the at-
tempt to capture some boats, coming from Oswego with troops,
and thus the militia from the vicinity had time to assemble ; but
JEFFERSON COUNTY. 3.17
not more than 1000 troops could be collected in all, of whom
more than 500 were raw militia, and about 200 more, invalids.
General Brown arranged the militia behind a breast work,
hastily thrown up, to oppose the landing of the enemy. In the
rear of these lie had stationed a part of the regular troops.
The regular artillerists occupied Fort Tompkins, and Lieuten-
ant Chauncey, with a small corps, defended the naval stores at
Navy Point.
The British made an effort to land, but were at first repulsed
with severe loss ; but after the second fire, the militia became
panic struck, and abandoning their breast work, fled in the ut-
most confusion. Colonel Mills, their commander, was killed in
the attempt to rally them.
Meantime the enemy effected a landing, and commenced their
march towards the village, but met with the most desperate op-
position. Finding, however, that he was likely to be overpow-
ered by tli!- 1 superior force of the enemy. General Brown con-
certed a stratagem which gained him the day, and compelled
the enemy to retreat. Learning that the militia, whose flight
had prevented success in the onset, were still in the neighbor-
hood, he hastened to them, put himself at their head, ordered
them to follow him, and passing silently through a distant wood,
in the direction of the enemy's boats, induced the British com-
mander to believe that he intended to cut off his retreat.
Alarmed at this, and believing the American force superior to
his own, in point of numbers, the British general withdrew his
forces with the utmost precipitation, leaving his dead and
wounded behind him. He was not pursued, because pursuit
would have exhibited the weakness of the American force.
While the battle was at its height, intelligence was brought
to Lieutenant Chauncey, that the Americans were about to sur-
render, and accordingly he, in compliance with his orders, set
fire to the stores and shipping, to prevenl their falling into the
hands of the enemy. Learning his error, however, he made
the utmost effort to arrest the flames, and succeeded in saving
a considerable portion. The British loss was severe in this ac-
tion, three of their field officers being killed, and not less than
150 wounded, killed and prisoners. The American loss was
about the same in number.
Alter reir ating to their shipping, the British demanded the
surrender of the village, which was promptly refused.
On the thirtieth of May, 1814, a number of boats coming from
Oswego, with cannon ami rigging lor the new vessels building
at Sacketts Harbor, and well manned with sailors, riHemen and.
Indians, were pursued into Henderson harbor, by five British
gunboats, manned with about 200 English marines and sailors.
318
STATE OF NEW YORK.
Captain Woolsey, of the American navy, had command of the
American boats, and landing as quickly as possible, stationed
a part of his riflemen and Indians in ambuscade on each side of
the road, and placed a small body of militia in front of the land-
ing, to contest the passage of the enemy. His stratagem was
successful. The British rushed on, and the militia fled before
them, but the party in ambush poured upon them so deadly
a fire as to compel them to surrender, with the loss of twenty
killed, and forty or fifty wounded. The number of prisoners was
137. Five gunboats, armed with heavy cannon, were also cap-
tured.
After the war, the extraordinary facilities afforded by the
county, for sustaining an abundant population, gave it a rapid
growth, and it is now one of the largest counties in the state.
Its population quadrupled between 1310 and 1S40, and is still
fast increasing.
Villages. Watertown, the seat of justice fur the county, is
a large and flourishing manulacturing village, situated at the
falls of the Black river.
Perhaps no village in the United States possesses more ex-
tensive and easily available hydraulic privileges.
The Black river here has a fall in the space of a mile, of
eighty-eight feet, over seven artificial dams and five natural
cascades, each of which can be used for manufacturing purposes.
The volume of water is estimated at 10,000 cubic feet per
second — being sufficient to keep in motion more than one million
of spindles. But a small portion of this immense water power,
is employed ; yet the manufactories of cotton and woollen
goods, flour, leather, paper, machinery, pumps, sash, wagons,
and carriages are extensive.
The Jefferson County Institute, located here, is a highly
flourishing and well conducted seminary. It has about 180
pupils. There are several other schools of considerable repu-
tation.
The village has also a " Young Men's Association for Lite-
rary Improvement,'' which is in a flourishing condition, and has
accumulated a respectable library. Population 4200.
Sacketts Harbor, in the town of Houndsfield, is an important
village, having one of the best harbors on Lake Ontario. It has
also some manufactories, propelled by water power, furnished
by a canal, extending from the Black river, near Watertown,
to the lake at this place.
The United States government has erected extensive stone
barracks here for troops. They occupy a lot of about forty
acres, surrounded by a fence, on three sides, and the fourth
open to the water. In the military burial ground, attached to
JEFFERSON COUNTY. 319
the barracks, is a monument to the brave and lamented Gene-
ral Pike, and others, who fell on the northern frontier, during the
late war with Great Britain.
The government has also a ship yard, and ship houses, in
one of which is the frame of a ship of the line, commenced
during the war of 1812.
During the war, Sacketts Harbor increased with great rapid-
ity; but at its close, it experienced a decline, from which, how-
ever, it has revived, amid the general prosperity of the county.
Population 2000.
Brownville, in the town of the same name, is a thriving man-
ufacturing village, situated on the Black river, four miles below
Watertown. Population 1000.
Dexter, in the town of Brownville, is a growing and impor-
tant village. Its harbor has been improved by the United States
government, and it has now considerable commerce and some
manufactures. Population 1000.
Adams, in the town of Adams, is situated on both sides of
Sandy creek, which here affords a good water power. It has a
young ladies seminary, in a flourishing condition. Population
800.
Carthage, in the town of Wilna, is a village of considerable
importance. A large quantity of iron is annually manufactured
here. Population 600.
In the same town is a natural bridge, twelve feet in width,
and six feet above the water, extending over the Indian river.
There is a small settlement near it.
Cape Vincent, at the head of the St. Lawrence, is a lake port
of some importance.
Belleville and Ellisburgh, both in the town of Ellisburgh, are
thriving villages.
XXXVI. ALLEGANY COUNTY
Square Miles, about 1050.
Organized, 1806.
Population, 31,611.
Valuation. 1845, .$4,337,756.
1. Angelica, 1805.
2. Alfred, 1808.
3. Caneadea, 1808.
4. Ossian, 1808.
TOWNS.
5. Friendship, IS 15.
6. Centreville, 1819.
7. Independence, 1S21.
S. Cuba, 1822.
ALLEGANY COUNTY. 321
0. Hume, 1822. 18. Grove, 1827.
10. Allen, 1823. 19. Rushford, 1827.
11. Scio, 1823. 20. Birdsall, 1829.
12. Andover, 1824. 21. Amitv, 1830.
13. Belfast, 1821. 22. Genesee, 1830
II. Almond, 1825. 23. Clarksville, 1835.
15. Bolivar, 1825. 24. West Almond, 1835.
16. New Hudson, 1825. 25. Granger, 1837.
17. Burns, 1820. 26. Wirt, 1837.
Rivers. N. Genesee River, e. Angelica Creek, i. Black, j. Cold.
o. Canascraga. p. Little Genesee.
Villages. Angelica. Friendship. Cuba. Rushford.
Boundaries. North by Wyoming and Livingston; East by
Steuben; South by the state of Pennsylvania, and West by Cat-
taraugus county.
Surface. This county forms a portion of the elevated table
land which extends through the southern tier of counties, but
the deep channels, worn in the rocks which underlie the county,
by the Genesee and other streams, and the long narrow valleys
thus formed, give its otherwise level surface, a broken appear-
ance. The height of the table land is from 1200 to 2000 feet
above tide wat i . It declines gradually toward the north.
Rivers. The principal streams are the Genesee river, An
gelica, Black, Cold, Canascraga and Little Genesee creeks.
Canal. The Genesee valley canal has been commenced, but
is not yet completed.
Railroad. The line of the New York and Erie Railroad has
been laid out across its southern portion.
Climate. The elevation of the surface produces a low tem-
perature. The winters are long, and the snows heavy. The
county is generally healthy.
Geology and Minerals. This county lies wholly within the
Chemung sandstone formation, though the tops of some of the
highest hills are capped with the old red sandstone, and con-
glomerate of the Catskill groups.
Like the rest of this formation, it possesses few minerals of interest. There is,
however, some bog iron ore and hydrate of manganese, associated with calca-
reous tufa. At Cuba is a petroleum, or Seneca oil spring, which has attracted
considerable attention. The shales of this vicinity are all bituminous.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. Much of the soil of the
county is fertile, consisting of a clayey and sandy loam; but it is
generally moist, and better adapted to grass than grain. The
forests are quite dense, and the timber is of large size, consisting
of oak, maple, beech, basswood, ash, elm, hemlock, white and
yellow pine.
322 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Pursuits. The people are mainly devoted to Agricultural
pursuits, particularly to raising cattle and sheep. The products
of the dairy are quite large.
Manufactures are principally confined to lumber, flour, lulled
cloths, leather, oil and potash.
Commerce. The county has little commerce.
Staple Productions. Butter, cheese, oats, potatoes, wheat
and wool.
Schools. In 1846, there were in the county, 234 district
schools, averaging seven months' instruction each, expending
for tuition, $13,979, and attended by 13,946 children. The libra-
ries contained 20,595 volumes.
The number of private schools was eight, with 142 scholars; of academies
two. with 229 pupils.
Religious Denominations. Baptists, Methodists, Presbyte-
rians, Congregationalists, Episcopalians and Unitarians. Total
number of churches sixty, of clergymen, eighty-seven.
History. Allegany county was taken from Genesee, April
seventh, 1806. The two western tier of towns are within the
Holland Land Company's purchase. The interest of that com-
pany has been purchased by another, since formed. The rest
of the county is comprised in the tract constituting the Morris
estate.
It was first settled by Philip Church, in 1804, In 1838 a
remarkable tornado passed over the western section; of a dense
forest of 400 or 500 acres, scarcely a single tree escaped unin-
jured. The wind for the space of twenty miles left traces of its
devastation, yet, strange to tell, though several individuals were
buried under the ruins of their houses, none lost their lives.
In 1846, the towns of Eagle, Pike, Portage and Nunda, were
taken from this county and added to Wyoming and Livingston
counties.
Villages. Angelica, located in the town of the same name,
is the county seat. It is a pleasant village and has some man-
ufactures. Population 1000.
Cuba is a flourishing village. In this place is a spring, from
the surface of which is collected the famed Seneca oil, so much
used for rheumatism and sprains. It was highly valued by the
Indians, and a square mile around the spring has been set apart
for the Senecas. Population 800.
Friendship is a village of considerable importance, on the
proposed route of the Erie railroad. Population 800.
Rushford is a thriving and important village. It is increasing
in population quite raipidly. Population 1000,
XXXVII. BROOME COUNTY.
Square Miles, 627. Population, 25,808.
Organized, 1800. Valuation, 1845, $2,087,167.
TOWNS.
1. Chenango, 1721. 7. Vestal, 1S23.
2. Union, 1731. 8. Conklin, 1824.
3. Lisle, 1801. 9. Barker, 1831.
4. Windsor, 1807. 10. Nanticoke, 1831.
5. Sandford, 1821. 11. Triangle, 183J.
6. Colesville, 1821.
Mountains, e. Oquaga. f. Binghamton. g. Randolph.
Rivers. CC. Chenango River. G. Susquehanna River,
nioga River, a. Nanticoke Creek, h. Otselic.
Villages. Binghamton.
Q.
Tiough-
Boundaries. Bounded North by Cortland and Chenango ;
East by Delaware; South by the state of Pennsylvania, and
West by Tioga county.
Surface. This county forms the eastern termination of the
great table land of the southern tier of counties. Like the other
portions of this elevated plain, its surface is much broken by nu-
merous streams, which have worn deep valleys through the soft
and perishable sandstones which underlie it. The general ele-
o.
24 STATE OF NEW YORK.
vation of the surface is from 1400 to 1600 feet above tide water,
and the valleys are depressed from 300 to 400 feet below this
level. In the eastern part the Randolph, Binghamton and
Oquaga mountains rise above the general level. The Susque-
hanna sweeps around the base of the latter, making a very ex-
tensive bend.
Rivers. The Susquehanna, Chenango, Otselic, Tioughnioga
and west branch of the Delaware, are the principal rivers of the
county.
Canal. The Chenango canal enters the county with the
Chenango river, and terminates at Binghamton.
Railroad. The route of the New York and Erie railroad has
been laid out through the comity.
Climate. The climate is salubrious, but from the great ele-
vation of the county, necessarily cool. Large bodies of snow
fall during the winter, and continue late in the spring.
Geology and Minerals. The eastern and southern parts of
the county belong to the Catskill group, and are composed prin-
cipally of the old red s ndstone a d conglomerate — the western
is comprised in the Chemung group, and consists mostly of grey
sandstone and slaie.
Specimens of garnet, tourmaline, agate, porphyry, jasper. &c have heen col-
lected from the pebbles on the banks of the Susquehanna and Chenango rivers.
There are several sulphur and one or two brine springs.
Soil and Vegetable Proddctions. The broken character of
the soil renders the county generally better adapted to grazing
than to the culture of grain, in the valleys of the streams, oats
and corn thrive well, and wheat is raised to some extent. The
principal timber trees are the white and pitch pine, oak, beech,
maple and hickory. Much of the surface of the county is yet
covered with wood.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the chief pursuit of the inhabitants.
Much attention is paid to the products of the dairy. Some grain
is also raised, and summer crops thrive well.
Manufactures. The water power of its many streams fur-
nishes abundant facilities for manufacturing purposes, which
the people of this county are beginning to improve. The New
York and Erie railroad will, when opened, give a new impetus
to its manufacturing interests, by affording increased facilities
for transportation.
Lumber and flour, fulled cloths and leather, constitute the
chief articles of manufacture.
Staple Productions. Butter, oats, corn and potatoes.
Schools. There are in the county 170 district schools, which
in 1846, averaged seven months instruction each. $8676 was
BROOME COUNTY. 325
paid for tuition; and the school libraries contained 13,S00 vol-
umes. The number of children taught was 8285.
There are sixteen select schools, attended by 1G6 pupils; and one academy,
with 2 I -J students.
Religious Denominations. Presbyterians, Baptists, Congre-
gationalists. Episcopalians, Universalists and Roman Catholics.
There are forty-six churches, and sixty-one ministers, of all de-
nominations, in the county.
History. During Sullivan's campaign, in 1779,he encamped
at or near the present site of Binghamton, in this county, for
several days, awaiting the arrival of the detachment under the
command of General James Clinton. No settlement was made
in the county, however, till 1787, when Captain Joseph Leonard
removed here from Wyoming, Pennsylvania. He was soon
followed by Colonel William Rowe, who emigrated from Con-
necticut.
The land in the southern part of the county had been granted
a few years previously, to Mr. Bingham, an eminent banker of
Philadelphia, associated with whom was a Mr. Cox ; and that
now composing the northern towns of the county, was purcha-
sed in 1786, or perhaps earlier, by a company from Massachu-
setts. The amount of land belonging to this company was
230,000 acres. Having obtained a grant from the Massachu-
setts legislature, (this being a portion of the ten townships ceded
to Massachusetts by New York,) they purchased the title from
the Indians, by a treaty, concluded at the Forks of the Che-
nango.
By the enterprise and good management of General Whitney,
the agent of Mr. Bingham, the settlements flourished and in-
creased rapidly in population. In 1806, Broome county was set
off from Tioga, as a separate county, and named in honor of
John Broome, at that time Lieutenant Governor of the state.
A large proportion of the emigrants were from New England,
and probably a majority from Connecticut.
Villages. Binghamton, formerly Chenango Point, is the
shire town of the county. It is rapidly increasing in business,
and has become already an important inland town. It is much
engaged in manufactures, and furnishes a ready market for the
produce of the surrounding country, which is mostly shipped by
canal to the Hudson, and by the Susquehanna to Philadelphia.
The New York and Eric railroad will soon be opened to this
place, and contribute still farther to its prosperity. Toll bridges
constructed of wood, cross the Chenango and Susquehanna
rivers, from this village. Population, nearly 4000.
Chenango Forks, Windsor and Harpersville are villages of
some importance.
15
XXXVIII. MADISON COUNTY,
Square miles, 582.
Organized, 1806.
Population, 40.987.
Valuation, 1845, $6,490,881.
TOWNS.
1. Brookfield, 1795.
2. Cazenovia, 1795.
3. De Ruvter, 1798.
4. Hamilton, 1801.
5. Sullivan, 1803.
6. Eaton, 1807.
8. Madison, 1807.
9. Nelson, 1807.
10. Smithfield, 1807.
11. Lenox, 1809.
12. Georgetown, 1815.
13. Fenner, 1823.
14. Stockbridge, 1839.
II. Unadilla. k. Oriskany Creek,
d. Chittenango.
j. Oneida.
7. Lebanon, 1807.
Rivers, <Sfc. CC. Chenango river
a. Cowasalon. b. Canaseraga.
Lakes. Z. Oneida, e. Cazenovia, or Linklaen.
Marshes, f. Great Swamp.
Universities. Madison University.
Villages. Morrisville. Hamilton. Cazenovia. Canastota. Chit-
tenango.
Boundaries. North by Oneida Lake; East by Oneida and
Otsego counties; South by Chenango county, and West by
Onondaga and Cortland counties.
MADISON COt/NTY. 82?
Surface. Diversified, and generally hilly, except where the
great swamp extends for a distance of eight or ten miles, along
the borders of Oneida Lake.
The elevated ridge or watershed, which divides the waters of
the Susquehanna from those flowing north, crosses this county
near its centre. The hills are, however, generally rounded,
and susceptible of cultivation. This ridge is about 1500 feet
above tide water.
Rivers. On the south, the county is drained by the Chenan-
go, Otselic and Unadilla rivers. On the north by the Oriskany,
Oneida, Cowasalon, Chittenango, and Canaseraga creeks.
The Erie and Chenango canals pass through the county.
Lakes. Oneida Lake forms the northern boundary of the
county; Cazenovia, or Linklaen lake, called by the natives
Haugena, is a beautiful sheet of water, four miles long by
one broad, surrounded by a fine waving country. There are
several small ponds on the dividing ridge.
Climate. Healthful, but cool, and very subject to untimely
frosts.
Geology and Minerals. Slate is the basis rock of the coun-
ty. It is, however, overlaid for the most part with limestone, of
that formation denominated the Onondaga salt group. Along
the Oneida Lake, sandstone appears, and is found in bould-
ers throughout the county. Fresh water limestone, containing
fresh water shells, is found near the great swamp.
Argillaceous iron ore occurs in large quantities, in Lenox, and is used for
castings; water lime and gypsum are abundant in Sullivan and Lenox , sulphur
and brine springs are found in the same towns, and in the former is a magnesian
ppring, and several others so highly charged with carbonate of lime as to form
incrustations on whatever is cast into them. Marl exists in large quantities, in
the northern part of the county.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is generally
fertile ; in the valleys highly so : adapted to grain in the north,
and to grazing in the south.
The timber is similar to that of the adjacent counties, consisting principally of
hemlock, maple and beech. The sugar maple is abundant, and yields large quan-
tities of sugar. In the great swamp, cedar, tamarack, &c. are the principal trees.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the principal pursuit of the inhabit-
ants, whose attention is divided between the culture of grain
and the rearing of stock.
Hops, oats, corn and barley, are more largely cultivated than
wheat.
Manufactures are considerably extensive, for which the fine
water power of the Chittenango and other streams, furnishes
ample facilities. Flour, lumber, woollen goods, distilled liquors,
leather, iron and potash, are the principal articles manufactured.
The commerce of the county is confined to the transportation
"d2S STATE OP NEW YORK.
of its produce and manufactures, upon the Erie and Chenango
canals.
Staple Productions, Hops, cheese, butter, wool, oats, sugar 1
and potashi
Schools. There are in the county 234 district school- houses.
The schools were taught in 1846 an average period of eight
months ; 13,523 children received instruction at an expense of
S 15,721. There were 26,456 volumes in the district libraries.
There were, also, in the county, forty-three private schools, with 1072 pupils,
arid four academies, with 198 pupils. There is one University in the county,
chartered in 1846, and called Madison University. It has in all its departments
209 students.
Religious Denominations. Baptists, Methodists, Congrega-
tionalists. Presbyterians, Universalists, Friends, Dutch Reform-
ed, and Episcopalians.
There are eighty-one churches, and ninety-four clergymen,
of all denominations, in the county.
History. Madison county originally formed a part of Che-
nango county, from which it was taken in 1S06> The first set-
tlement in the county was made at the village of Eaton, in the
town of the same name, by Mr. Joseph Morse, in 1790»
In 1793, Colonel John Linklaen, agent for a company in Hoi*
land, set lied in Cazenovia. This Holland Company owned a
large portion of the county, and their agent sold most of it to
New England settlers. The growth of the county was not
rapid until the completion of the Erie and Chenango canals
by which a market was opened for its produce.
Villages. Morrisville, in the town of Ea f on, is the seat of
justice for the county. It is situated on the Cherry Valley turn-
pike. It was settled principally by emigrants from Connecticut,
and has some manufactories. Population, about 800.
Eaton, another village in the same town, has a number of
manufactories. Population, about 700.
Cazenovia village, in the town of the same name, is pleasantly
situated on the south-eastern margin of Linklaen lake. It is
well laid out, and has some manufactures and considerable
trade. The Oneida Conference Seminary, located here, is
under the direction of the Methodist Episcopal church, and is a
flourishing and well conducted institution. Here is also a high
school and a seminary for young ladies. The village contains
nearly 2000 inhabitants.
Hamilton village, in the town of the same name, is principally
noted as the seat of Madison University, formerly the Hamilton
Literary and Theological Institution. This institution was in*
corporated in 1819, and commenced operations in 1820. It
received a charter as an University in 1846. It is well endow-
MADISON COUNTY.
329
ed, has an able corps of professors, and is in a highly prosper-
ous condition.
There is also an academy of some distinction, in the village.
Population, about 1600.
Chittenango, in the town of Sullivan, is largely engaged in
the manufacture of water-lime, or hydraulic cement. It has
also other manufactures. There is a sulphur spring of some
note, one mile south of the village. It has also other springs,
charged with carbonate of lime, and celebrated for their petri-
fying quality.
In this village is an academy, under the patronage of the
Dutch Reformed Church. Population, 1000.
Canastota, in the town of Lenox, is a thriving and busy vil-
lage, on the canal and railroad. It derives its name from the
Indian appellation, given to a cluster of pines, which united their
branches over the creek, which passes through the village. In
this village is a high school of some celebrity. Population,
about 1300.
De Ruyter is a small but pleasant village, in the town of the
same name. Here is located the " De Ruyter Institute," a
flourishing literary institution, under the direction of the Sev-
enth Day Baptists. Population, 500.
Madison, in the town of the same name, is a thriving village.
Population, 600.
Clockville, in the town of Lenox, and Bridgeport, in the
town of Sullivan, are villages of some importance.
XXXIX. CATTARAUGUS COUNTY
Square miles, 1232.
Organized, 1808.
Population. 30.369.
Valuation. 1845, §3,035,315.
TOWNS
1.
Olean, 1S0S.
15.
Machias, 1S27.
2.
Farmersville, 1S12.
1G.
Napoli, 1S2S.
3.
Franklinville, IS 12.
17.
Lyndon, 1S29.
4.
Perrvsbur^h, IS 14.
IS.
New Albion, 1830.
5.
Great Vallev, 1818.
19.
Mansfield, 1830.
6.
Little Vallev, 1818.
20.
Burton, 1831.
7.
Ellicottville, 1820.
21.
Leon, 1832.
8.
Yorkshire, 1S20.
22.
Davton, 1835.
9.
Freedom, 1820.
23.
Persia, 1835.
10.
Hinsdale, 1S20.
24.
Cold Spring, 1837.
11.
Connewango, 1S23.
25.
Humphrey, 1837.
12.
Otto, 1S23.
26.
Portville, 1838.
13.
Ashford, IS24.
27.
Carrollton,l842.
14.
Randolph, 1S26.
28.
Rice, 1846.
CATTARAUGUS COUNTY. 331
Rivers. K. Allegany, s. Connewango Creek, b. Oil. c. Great
Valley. e. Cold Spring. f. Cattaraugus, g. South Branch,
n. Ischua.
Lakes. 1. Lime. m. Ischua Creek Reservoir.
Villages. Ellicottviule. Olean. Hinsdale. Lodi.
Boundaries. North by the counties of Erie and Wyoming;
East by Allegany county; South by the state of Pennsylvania,
and West by Chautauque county.
Surface. The surface of the county is elevated and much
broken. The high grounds in its centre divide the waters of
the Allegany from those of the Chautauque Creek. The valley
of the Allegany river is from one to two miles in breadth, and
has a depression of 700 or 800 feet below the general surface of
the county. North of this river, the land rises for fifteen or
twenty miles, and attains the summit of the very irregular ridge
which commences at Perrysburgh, on the north-west, and ter-
minates at Farmersville, on the east.
Rivers. The Allegany river, Cattaraugus, Oil, Great Val-
ley, Cold Spring, South Branch, Connewango and Ischua
creeks, are the principal streams of the county.
Lakes. Its lakes are Lime lake and Ischua creek reservoir.
Railroads. The line of the New York and Erie railroad
crosses the southern part of the county.
Climate. From the elevation of the surface, the climate is
cold but healthful.
Geology and Mineralogy. This county is wholly within the
Erie group. In the northern part, the Ludlowville slate is the
surface rock, with occasional alternations of limestone. In the
central and southern portions, the Chemung sandstone predom-
inates. On the highest points in the county, the conglomerate
of the Catskill group is occasionally found.
The Rock City, situated seven miles from Ellicottville, and
near the line between Great and Little valley, is a remarkable
natural curiosity.
The rock here is conglomerate, and by the removal and disin-
tegration of portions of it, large masses from fifteen to thirty-five
feet high, have been left standing isolated, and are separated by
alleys and passages of various widths. The whole area covered
by these blocks is over one hundred acres. The scene is in the
highest degree imposing., and impresses upon the beholder the
conviction that the name has not been improperly chosen.
The minerals are not numerous; the most valuable are, peat, marl, bog iron
ore and manganese. There are also some saline and sulphur springs ; petroleum
or mineral oil, similar to the Seneca all, found in Cuba, Allegany county, has been
discovered at Freedom.
32 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is well adapted
to grazing. Grain thrives better in the northern section than
in the southern.
Probably no region of equal extent in the United States has
produced more valuable timber. The forest trees consist chiefly
of pine, oak, hickory, ash, elm, linden, chestnut, walnut, beech,
maple and hemlock. The maple is abundant, and affords large
quantities of sugar.
Pursuits. The people of this county are an agricultural
community, paying more attention however, to the productions
of the dairy, and the rearing of cattle, than to the raising of
grain.
Manufactures. These are in their infancy, and chiefly con-
fined to lumber, flour, fulled cloths, and leather.
The manufacture of lumber is prosecuted to a greater extent
than in any other county in the siate, 200 million feet being
exported from the county annually.
Commerce. The Allegany is navigable for arks and small
steamboats, at high water, to Olean; large quantities of lumber
are exported from this county to Pittsburgh and Cincinnati, by
this channel.
Its staples are lumber, potatoes, oats, butter and cheese.
Schools. The county had, in 1S46, 234 district schools, which
were in session an average period of six months each. The
number of children taught was 11.914; the amount paid for
tuition $10,870, and the number of volumes in the district libra-
ries, 16,087.
There were twelve select schools, with 'J64 scholars.
Religious Denominations. Baptists, Methodists, Presbyte-
rians. Episcopalians, Congregationalists, and Unitarians. The
number of churches of all denominations, is thirty ; of clergymen,
sixty-seven.
History. This county belonged originally to the Holland
Land Company's purchase, and the titles of most of the inhabit-
ants are derived from that Company. The first settlement in
the county was made early in the present century, at Olean, by
Major Hoops, of Albany, who named it. after General Hamilton,
" Hamilton on the Allegany."
The next settlement was in the present town of Persia, in
1813. The growth of the county has been quite rapid. Corn-
planter and Big Kettle or Ganoth-jowanch, two of the most dis-
tinguished of the Seneca chiefs, resided in this county.
A tract along the Allegany river, extending through the
towns of Cold Spring, Little Valley, Great Valley and Carroll-
ton, is still held as a reservation by the Indians.
CATTARAUGUS COUNTY. 333
The Society of Friends in Philadelphia, have taken great
pains to instruct the Indians of this county, in the arts of civili-
zation, sending instructors among them, and establishing settle-
ments in the vicinity. Some of the Indians are now quite
wealthy, owning well stocked farms, and large saw mills.
Villages. Ellicottville, the county seat, is situated in the
town of the same name. It was incorporated in 1837, and con-
tains besides the county buildings two extensive land offices.
The scenery around the village is beautiful. The town receiv-
ed its name from Joseph Ellicott, late principal agent of the
Holland Land Company. Population, 800.
Loili is a thriving manufacturing village on Cattaraugus
creek, in the towns of Persia and Collins, in Cattaraugus and
Erie counties. The water power is abundant, and only in part
occupied. Population, 900.
At Hinsdale, is to be the junction of the New York and Erie
railroad, and the Genesee Valley canal. The state is construct-
ing a large basin here. An incorporated academy is located in
this village. Population, 600.
Olean is advantageously situated on the north side of the Al-
legany river, in the town of the same name. Large quantities
of lumber and other produce are annually exported from this
place. It is to be the terminus of the Genesee Valley canal.
Population, 500.
Frankl invi lie, in the town of the same name, is a thriving
village, and has some manufactories. Population, 600.
Cadiz, in the same town, is a village of some importance.
15*
XL. CHAUTAUaUE COUNTY.
Square Miles, 1017. Population, 46.548.
Organized, 1808.
Valuation, 1845, $4,586,982.
1. Chautauque, 1S04.
2. Pomfret, 1808.
3. Ellicott, 1S12.
4. Gerry, 1812.
5. Hanover, 1S12.
6. Portland, 1S13.
7. Harmony, 1816.
8. Ripley, 1817.
9. Clvmer, 1821.
10. EUerv, 1821.
11. Stockton, 1821.
12. Busti, 1823.
I'u W i\ ^ .
13. Villenova, 1823.
14. Mina, 1824.
15. Ellington, 1825.
16. Carroll, 1825.
17. Sheridan, 1827.
18. French Creek, 1329.
19. Charlotte, 1829.
20. Westfield, 1829.
21. Cherry Creek, 1329.
22. Arkwright, 1329.
23. Poland, 1832.
24. Sherman, 1332.
€HAUTA*JQ.UE COUNTY. 335
Rivers, a. Twenty Mile Creek, b. Chautauque. c. Canadawa. d.
Walnut, c. Silver, f. Cattaraugus, g. Chautauque Outlet, h.
Casadaga Creek, j. French. k.Connewango.
Lakes. L. Erie. o. Chautauque. p. Casadaga. q. Bear. r. Finley.
Villages. Mayvuxk. Jamestown. Westfield. Dunkirk. Fre-
donia. Fayette. Van Buren.
Boundaries, North by Lake Erie and Erie county ; East by
Cattaraugus county ; South and West by Pennsylvania.
Surface. The surface is hilly and elevated. Through its
central portion, at a distance of from three to six miles from
Lake Erie, and nearly parallel with it, runs the dividing ridge
which separates the waters of the lakes from those discharging
into the Gull" of Mexico. This ridge is elevated from 800 to
1400 feet above tide water. From this altitude it declines to the
northwest, toward the lake, and on the southeast toward the
Connewango creek and the Allegany river. The land lying on
Lake Erie is a rich and fertile alluvium. The hills throughout
the county are nowhere precipitous, but capable of cultivation
to their summits.
Rivers and Creeks. The principal streams are the Conne-
wango creek, which drains the eastern and southeastern por-
tions of the county, and uniting with the waters of the Chau-
tauque outlet, in Poland, forms the Connewango river; Catta-
raugus creek, which separates this county from Erie ; Silver,
Walnut, Canadawa, Chautauque, Twenty Mile, North and
South branches of French creek, Great and Little Broken
Straw and Casadaga creeks. Most of these streams furnish
valuable mill privileges.
Lakes. Lake Erie forms the northwestern boundary of the
county. Chautauque lake, which gives its name to the county,
was so called by the Indians from its form ; the Indian name
Chautauqua signifying a pack tied in the middle.
It is a beautiful sheet of water, eighteen miles long, and from
one to five in width. It is 726 feet above Lake Erie, and 1291
above tide water. Its waters are remarkable for their clear-
ness and purity, and are abundantly stocked with fish. Two
steamers ply upon it. It is probably the highest body of water
in the world, navigated by steam.
The Casadaga lakes, three in number, each about a mile in
extent ; Bear lake, and Finley's lake, are the only other lakes in
the county.
Railroads. The New York and Erie Railroad will pass
through this county, and terminate at Dunkirk. Several other
railroads have been chartered, but have not been constructed.
336 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Climate. The county has a high reputation for the salu-
brity of its climate. Fruits thrive well here, and attain great
perfection both of size and flavor. From the elevation of its
surface, the winters are long, but the cold is somewhat mode-
rated by the proximity of the lake.
Geology and Minerals. This county belongs entirely to the
Chemung sandstone group. The rocks of the county consist of
alternate layers of sandstone and slaty rocks. In Harmony,
Carroll, and some other sections, this sandstone furnishes a fine
building material. The crest of the dividing ridge is occasion-
ally crowned with the conglomerate of the Catskill group.
Bog iron ore has been found in several localities, but in no great quantity.
Shell marl is abundant in the vicinity of the Casadaga lakes. Alum and copperas
are spontaneously formed in the town of Sheridan.
Mineral Springs. Sulphur springs are quite numerous in the neighborhood of
Lake Erie. One in Mma is considerably visited. The inflammable springs, or
those containing earburetted hydrogen gas, are worthy of notice. There are a
number of these along the shores of Lake Erie. The village of Fredonia, in the
town of Pomfret, is lighted by this natural gas. It also furnishes material for the
light house at Barcelona, and might be employed in the same way at numerous
other points alon<; the shores of the lake. Jt is entirely free from any unpleasant
odor.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is generally
very good. The section on the shores of Lake Erie, extending
back for a distance of three or four miles, is a rich alluvium,
highly fertile, and well adapted to grains and fruit. The up-
lands are better fitted for grass, and yield abundant crops.
The timber of the county is oak, maple, beech, black walnut,
butternut, hickory, with some pine and hemlock.
On Walnut creek, about a mile from its mouth, formerly Siood a black walnut
tree, 150 feet in height, thirty-six feet in circumference at its base, and tapering
regularly eighty feet, to the first limb. This enormous tree was blown down m
18-22. It was supposed to be more than 500 years old. The butt, nine feet in
length was excavated, and used for a grocery, at Buffalo. When the Erie canal
was opened, it was transported to New York and exhibited to thousands.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the pursuit of a majority of the
inhabitants. More attention is paid to the rearing of stock and
the produce of the dairy, than to the culture of grain. The
principal grains cultivated are corn, oats, wheat, and some
barley and buckwheat. Large quantities of flax and potatoes,
are also raised. In the latter crop it occupied a high rank
among the counties of the state.
Manufactures. The county is not very largely engaged in
manufactures. Flour, lumber, leather and iron, are the princi-
pal articles, and their entire value is between' $700 000 and
$800,000.
Commerce. The county has some commerce. Van Buren,
Dunkirk, Barcelona and Portland are its principal harbors.
CHAUTAUQ.UE COUNTY. 337
Staple Productions. Butter, cheese, wool, pork, potatoes,
flax, corn and oats.
Schools. There are in the county 30S public schools. In
1846, schools were taught an average period of seven months —
18,376 children received instruction, at a cost of $17,581. The
district libraries contained 30,010 volumes.
There are in the county thirty-one unincorporated schools, with 562 pupils ;
and rive academies, attended by 326 students.
Religious Denominations. Baptists, Methodists, Congrega-
tionalists, Presbyterians, Unitarians, Episcopalians, Universal-
ists and Friends. There are seventy-three churches, and 106
clergymen, of all denominations.
History. Tradition relates that the French early established
a post at Portland, in this county ; but at what time is not cer-
tainly known. The only Indian settlement within the limits of
the county, when first explored, was in the present town of
Carroll, on the Connewango creek.
In 17S2, a party, consisting of about S00 British and Indians,
with a train of artillery and other munitions of war, spent the
months of June and July around Chautauque lake, constructing
canoes, and making other preparations to descend the Allegany
liver and attack Fort Pitt, now Pittsburgh. For this purpose
they obstructed the channel of the Chautauque outlet, in order
to raise the waters of the lake.
The first purchase of lands made in this county, for the pur-
pose of settlement, was in 1801, in the town of Ripley, by Gen.
John McMahan. No settlement was effected, however, till
1802, when Col. James McMahan, brother of the general, loca-
ted himself in the town of Westfield. The same year Edward
McHenry settled in the same neighborhood.
in 1796 one Amos Sot tie had located in Hanover, but re-
moved in 1800 from the county, and did not return for several
years. John McHenry, born in 1S02, was the first child of white
parents born in the county.
The privations of the early settlers were very great. Often
they were compelled to subsist upon the precarious products of
the chase, for months, without tasting bread or other provisions.
In 1804, the first town was constituted, and embraced the
whole of the present county. In 1808 the county was provis-
ionally organized ; but not having a sufficient number of inhabit-
ants to entitle it to a separate organization, it remained attached
to Genesee county till 1811.
The whole of this county was included in the Holland Land
Company's purchase, and from that company and its successors,
the titles to the property were derived,
338 STATE OF NEW YORK.
During the war of IS 12, the lake coast was several times in-
vaded by small parties of the enemy, who, however, never ac-
complished any feats of valor in the county. A party of British
landed at Dunkirk, in 1813, to deposite some property which
they had plundered from the coast above. Twelve of the boat's
crew deserted, immediately on landing, leaving only the officer
who commanded the boat, and a single sailor, whom the militia
soon compelled to return to their vessel.
In 1814, an armed schooner pursued some lake boats into
Canadawa creek, and attempted to capture them, but was re-
pulsed by the militia. About 200 of the Chautauque militia
were called out by Governor Tompkins, for the defence of Buf-
falo ; undisciplined and unaccustomed to withstand regular
troops, they fled early in the action, but were pursued, and a
number killed and scalped by the Indians. Ten or twelve of the
citizens of the county fell in this retreat, and others were se-
verely w T ounded. After the close of the war, the growth of the
county was extraordinarily rapid.
In 1835 the Holland Land Company sold out the lands, to-
gether with the outstanding and expired contracts, to Trum-
bull, Carey and others of Batavia. They had made a like sale
of their lands in Genesee county, and the new company had
compelled such of the settlers as were unable to complete the
payments on their farms, to pay an additional sum per acre, as
the price of forbearance. This exaction was known as the
Genesee taritf. It soon became generally understood, that the
principles of this tariff were to be applied to Chautauque county.
Meetings were held by the citizens who felt themselves ag-
grieved, and definite information demanded from the company,
as to their intentions.
After some delay the company announced their determination
to exact the principal and compound interest from all who
would immediately pay for their lands, and to require 25 per
cent, advance from those who asked for an extension of time in
payment.
These exactions, at this period, would have deprived many of
the settlers of their farms, and reduced them to ruin.
Upon learning the demands of the company, resolutions were
passed by the citizens, denouncing their course and declaring
their determination not to submit to it. On the sixth of Febru-
ary, 1836, a mass of people, mostly from the interior towns,
assembled at Barnhart's inn, about two miles from Mayville,
about four o'clock in the afternoon, armed with axes, crow-
bars, &c. ; and having organized, proceeded to Mayville, about
eight o'clock in the evening. They attacked the office of the
Land Company, demolished the wood building, and finally
chautauq.uk count y. 339
forced open the stone vault, containing the company's books
and papers, carried them to Barnhart's, and burned them in
the highway.
From this time, till 1838, all intercourse between the Land
Company and the settlers ceased. In that year a sale was ef-
fected of the property, to Messrs. Duer, Morrison and Seward,
(late governor of the state,) and by them an office was opened
in Westfield, and the outstanding claims adjusted to the satis-
faction of all parties.
Villages. Mayville, the county seat, is a flourishing village,
in the town of Chautauque. It was incorporated in 1830. It is
beautifully situated, commanding a fine view of the lake. Its
public buildings are neat and substantial.
The Mayville academy w T as incorporated in 1834, and is a
well conducted institution. A steamboat plies between this vil-
lage and Jamestown, daily, during the summer. Population 500.
Jamestown, situated on the outlet of Chautauque lake, in the
town of Ellicott, is the largest village in the county. It has a
fine hydraulic power, which is extensively used in manufac-
turing. Lumber, wooden ware, sash, lath, flour, cloth, &c,
are manufactured here. The Jamestown academy was incor-
ported in 1836, and is in a prosperous condition. This village
was incorporated in 1827. Population 1700.
Fredonia is a beautiful village, in the town of Pomfret, four
miles from Lake Erie. It has some trade, but is chiefly remark-
able lor its inflammable spring, which furnishes a sufficient
quantity of gas to light the village brilliantly. It was incorpo-
rated in 1829. The academy here, established in 1824, was the
first in the county, and sustains a high reputation. Popula-
tion 1000.
West field, in the town of the same name, incorporated in
1833, is situated on Chautauque creek, one and a half miles
from Lake Erie. It is a thriving, busy village, and has a fine
academy, incorporated in 1837. Population 1000.
Dunkirk, on Lake Erie, in the town of Pomfret, has been
designated as the western terminus of the New York and
Erie railroad. It is a village of some business. The United
States government have expended about !$S0,000 in the im-
provement of its harbor, which is now commodious for vessels
drawing eight or nine feet water. It is open usually somewhat
earlier than that of Buffalo. Population 1000.
Fayette, at the mouth of Silver creek, in the town of Hano-
ver, has a good steamboat landing, and some trade. Pop. 700.
Portland has a good harbor. Barcelona has a light house,
illuminated with the gas evolved from an inflammable spring
near it.
XLI. CORTLAND COUNTY.
Square Miles, 500.
Organized, 1808.
Population, 25,087.
Valuation, 1845, §2,318,208.
1. Homer, 1794.
2. Solon, 1798.
3. Virgil, 1804.
4. Cincinnatus, 1804.
5. Preble, 1808.
6. Truxton, 1808.
TOWNS.
8. Freetown, 1818.
9. Marathon, 1818.
10. Willett, 1818.
11. Cortland vi He, 1829.
12. Hartford, 1845.
13. Lapeer, 1S45.
7. Scott, 1815.
Rivers. Q. Tioughnioga. a. Cold Creek, h. Otselic.
Villages. Cortland. Homer.
Boundaries. North by Onondaga county ; East by Madison
and Chenango; South by Broome and Tioga; and West by
Tompkins and Cayuga counties.
The surface is elevated, and gently sloping to the south,
CORTLAND COUNTY. 341
forming- a part of the high central section of the state. Its
northern boundary lies on the watershed, or dividing ridge be-
tween the waters flowing into Lake Ontario, and the tributa-
ries of the Susquehanna river. The broad valleys of the
streams, and the rounded and fertile hills, give the surface an
agreeably diversified aspect.
Rivers. The Tioughnioga, rising near its northern boundary,
with its tributaries, waters nearly the whole county. The Ot-
selic, its main branch, drains the southeastern section. Both
streams are navigable for small boats, when swollen by the
heavy rains of spring and autumn.
Climate. Healthy and equable. From the elevation of its
surface, ihe winters are long and much snow tails.
Geology and Minerals. Slate is the basis rock of the county.
On the north this is covered with Onondaga limestone, or the
limestone and slate of the Helderberg series. On the south
and east the Chemung sandstone and shale are the surface
rocks.
The minerals of the county are salt, bog iron ore, and marl. There are also
some sulphuretted hydrogen springs.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is generally a
gravelly loam, intermingled with the disintegrated lime and
elate, and is quite fertile, yielding good crops of grass and grain.
The timber is chiefly oak, maple, beech, basswood, butternut,
elm, and chestnut. Groves of pine and hemlock are found in
the southern part of the county.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the principal pursuit of the inhab-
itants. Much attention is paid to the rearing of cattle; consid-
erable quantities of grain are also raised. The products of the
dairy are large.
Manufactures are increasing in imporlance in the county.
The principal articles are flour, lumber, cotton and woollen
goods, leather and potash.
Staple Productions. Butter, cheese, wool, oats, corn, and
flax. Considerable quantities of wheat, barley, buckwheat, po-
tatoes, and pork are also produced.
Schools. The whole number of district, schools in the county
is 180. In 1846, these were taught, on an average, seven
months, and 9,273 children received instruction during the year
at an expense of $9470. The district school libraries contained
15.197 volumes.
There are in the county twenty-eight private schools, with 443 pupils, and two
academies with 233 scholars.
Religious Denominations. Baptists, Methodists, Presbyte-
rians, Congregationalists, and Episcopalians. There are in the
342
STATE OP NEW YORK.
county forty-five churches, and fifty-four clergymen of all de-
nominations.
History. Cortland county comprises a portion of the Military
Tract, or lands given by the state of New York to her Revolu-
tionary soldiers. It was principally settled by emigrants from
the eastern states, who removed here after the Revolution.
Homer, the oldest town, was organized in 1794.
The county received its name from General Peter Van Cort-
landt, who was a large landholder here. It was taken from
Onondaga in 1808.
Villages. Cortland, in the town of Cortlandville, is the
largest village, and the seat of justice for the county. It is
pleasantly situated on the north branch of the Tioughnioga, and
has a number of fine public buildings. The Cortland female
seminary is a flourishing institution.
The private residences of the citizens are neat, and many of
them elegant. Population 1500.
Homer, in the town of the same name, is a beautiful and
thriving village on the Tioughnioga. It has an old and flour-
ishing academy of high reputation, with six teachers, and de-
partments for both sexes. In 1S46, a large and enthusiastic
meeting of its alumni and friends was held, attended with ap-
propriate exercises.
The village is one of the most beautiful in central New York.
It is considerably engaged in manufactures. The churches,
four in number, and the academy, occupy a public square six
acres in extent. Population 1400.
Truxton and Virgil, in the towns of the same names, are
villages of some importance. The former has some manufac-
tures.
XLII. FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Square miles, 1557.
Organized, 1808.
Population. 18,69-2.
Valuation, 1.--45, $11,584,970.
344 STATE OF NEW YORK.
TOWNS.
1. Malone, 1805. 9 Duane, 1828.
2. Chateaugay, 1805. 10. Westville, 1829.
3. Constable," 1807. 11. Belmont, 1833.
4. Dickinson, 18(J8. 12. Bombay, 1833.
5. Bangor, 1812. 13. Franklin, 1838.
0. Fort Covington, 1S13. 1-1. Burke, 1843.
7. Moira, 1827. 15. Harrietstown, 1S43.
8. Brandon, 1828.
Mountains. GG. Chateaugay. g. Seward, h. Adirondack.
Rivers, a. Deer. b. Salmon, c. Trout, d. Chateaugay. e. St.
Regis, f. Racket, i. Saranac.
Lakes, i. Upper Saranac. 1. Lower Saranac. k. Tupper.
Forts. Covington.
Villages. Malonk. Fort Covington.
Boundaries. North by Canada East ; East by Clinton and
Essex counties; south by Essex and Hamilton counties, and
West by St. Lawrence county.
Surface. Elevated and mountainous, in the southern and
southeastern sections, where the Chateaugay range crosses it ;
elsewhere it is undulating or level. Mount Seward, and the
Adirondack group, are peaks of this range. Mount Seward has
never been ascended, but its height is computed at about 5000
feet.
Numerous lakes are formed in the valleys of the mountain
ranges.
Rivers. The principal rivers are Salmon, Trout, Chateau-
gay, St. Regis, Deer, Racket, and Saranac.
Lakes. Upper and Lower Saranac, Tupper, and numerous
others of less importance.
Climate. The high latitude, and elevated surface of this
county render the climate rigorous. The winters are long and
severe.
Geology and Minerals. The mountainous district is prin-
cipally of the primitive formation, and is composed of hypers-
thene, granite and gneiss. The two latter, indeed, form the
surface rocks of a large part of the county. The transition for-
mation, however, extends over the northern slope of the county,
and is mainly composed of the Potsdam sandstone, very fine
specimens of which are quarried in Malone, Chateaugay, Moira,
and Bangor. In the northeast corner of Franklin township, the
calciferous sand rock makes its appearance.
The principal minerals are magnetic iron ore, found in Franklin, Duane, and
Malone townships, purple scapolite, green pyroxene, graphite in six sided tables,
bog iron ore, tufa, peat, and massive pyrites.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil of the north-
FRANKLIN COUNTY. 345
ern towns is probably equal infertility to any in the state. The
southern townships are less productive. It is mainly a sandy
loam, occasionally mixed with clay, and much of it encumbered
with stone.
It is not well adapted to wheat, but grass, oats, barley, corn,
and the esculent roots, thrive luxuriantly.
The forests, which cover the central and southern portions,
are very dense, and consist of white and yellow pine, hemlock,
oak, beech, birch, basswood, elm, and white cedar.
Pursuits* Agriculture is the employment of the greater part
of the inhabitants, and their attention is particularly directed to
the raising of cattle, and the cultivation of summer crops. The
preparation of lumber for market, is also the occupation of a
considerable number of the citizens of the county. There is
some commerce on the Salmon river, the only navigable stream,
and a few mines. The iron ores already mentioned will eventu-
ally furnish employment to considerable numbers.
Staples. Potatoes, oats, wheat, corn, butter and wool.
Schools. In 1846, there were 120 district schools in the
county, in which 6190 scholars were taught The schools w r ere
maintained an average period of seven months, and $6,041 ex-
pended for tuition. The district libraries contained 10,230
volumes.
There were also seven select schools, with seventy-four pupils, and two acade-
mies, with 113 students.
Religious Denominations. Presbyterians, Roman Catho-
lics, Baptists, Universalists, Episcopalians, and Congregation-
alists. There are twenty churches, and twenty-nine ministers
of all denominations.
History. This county w T as the home of the St. Regis tribe
of Indians, who, under the direction of the French, were so
often engaged in hostile incursions upon the colonies of New
England and New York, in the latter part of the seventeenth
and commencement of the eighteenth centuries. The tribe
have still a reservation of eleven miles in length and three in
breadth, in the county, lying in the towns of Bombay and Fort
Covington.
A daughter of Rev. John Williams, of Deerfield, Massachu-
setts, who, with his family, was taken captive by this tribe in
1704, remained with the Indians, after her father's return, mar-
ried one of the chiefs, and one of her descendants was a few
years since chief of the tribe.
The first settlers w r ere Canadians, who located at French
Mills, now Fort Covington about the year 1800.
In April, 1804, Messrs. Benjamin Roberts, of Winchester,
346 STATE OP NEW YORK.
Vermont, William Bailey, and Nathan Beman, commenced a
settlement at Chateaugay.
Soon after, Mr. Nathan Wood, of Vermont, settled in Ma-
lone. Constable was settled about the same time.
The first standard captured from the enemy, in the late war
with Great Britain, was taken at Bombay, by Major G. D,
Young-, a native of Connecticut, on the 22d of October, 1812.
Major Young was commandant of a detachment of the Troy
volunteers stationed at French Mills, (now Fort Covington,)
and having learned that a party of the enemy had arrived at
the village of St. Regis, and that more were shortly expected,
resolved to surprise them before they could be reinforced. He
accordingly marched a detachment in the night to the vicinity
of the village, surrounded the enemy, and captured forty pris-
oners, with their arms, equipments, &c, one stand of colors,
and two batteaux, without the loss of a single man.
A skirmish took place on the 25th of October, 1813, at Cha-
teaugay, between the British light troops and Indians, and a
detachment of American troops, under General Izard, in
which the latter were repulsed with the loss of fifty men.
In February, 1814, a detachment of British and Indians, num-
bering about 2300 men, made an incursion into Malone, and
penetrated as far as Chateaugay Four Corners, when, hear-
ing of the approach of American troops, they retreated in great
confusion, suffering severely in their flight, from a storm of
snow and hail. Upwards of 200 men deserted during this
retreat.
Fort Covington, in this county, was erected during the last
war, and a part of the army wintered here in 1813 — 14.
Villages. Malone, in the town of the same name, is the
seat of justice for the county. It is situated on both sides of
the Salmon river, wdiich here furnishes a large amount of water
power, and is surrounded by a fertile country. In the vicinity
are extensive veins of valuable iron ore. The village has
several manufactories of cotton goods, leather, scythes, pails,
&c. The Franklin academy, located here, is in a flourishing
condition. Population 1000.
Fort Covington, located at the head of navigation, on Sal-
mon river, is a flourishing village, largely employed in the lum-
ber trade, and has an incorporated academy and several manu-
factories. The fort here was an important military post during
the war. The village was then known as the "French
Mills." It received its present name in honor of General Cov-
ington, who was slain at the battle of Williamsburgh, Novem-
ber 13th, 1813. Population 1000,
XLI1I. NIAGARA COUNTY.
Square miles, 484,
Organized, 1808.
Papulation, 34,550.
Valuation, 1845, $4,926,089.
TOWNS
1.
•J
3.
4.
5.
6.
Cambria, 1808.
Hartland, 1812.
Niagara, 1812.
Porter, 1812.
Lewiston, 1813.
Rovalton, 1817.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
Wilson, 1818.
Somerset, 1823.
Lockport, 1824,
Newfane, 1824.
Pendleton, 1827.
Wheatfield, 1829.
R
ivers, fyc. M. Niagara
son's, c. Tuscarora.
River, a. E
f. Howel's.
ighteen Mile Creek
r. Tonawanda.
b. John-
Falh. SS. Niagara Falls.
Lakes. J. Lake Ontario.
Battle Fields. Niagara.
Forts. Niagara. Schlosser.
Villages. Lockport. Lewiston. Niagara Falls Village. Youngg-
town.
Boundaries. North by Lake Ontario ; East by Orleans and
Genesee counties ; South by Erie county, and West by Niagara
river.
348 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Surface. Like most of the other counties lying on Lake On-
tario, Niagara county is divided by the Ridge Road and the
mountain ridge, into three terraces, of which the two northern-
most rise gradually from the lake shore to the mountain ridge;
while the southern declines almost imperceptibly toward Tona-
wanda creek. The surface is therefore generally quite level,
having no more than sufficient inequality to secure its effectual
drainage.
Rivers. The county is well watered. Besides Niagara riv-
er, which forms its western boundary, the principal streams are
Tonawanda creek, which divides it from Erie county, Tusca-
rora, Eighteen Mile, Johnson's and Howel's creeks, falling into
Lake Ontario ; and Cayuga creek, a tributary of Niagara river.
Falls. This county, conjointly with Niagara district, Can-
ada West, includes the world renowned cataract of Niagara,
To portray fully the wonders of this stupendous waterfall, exceeds the powers
of the human mind, and requires a language commensurate with its grandeur and
'' magnificence. We shall therefore only attempt to describe the different elements
which combine to render it the most extraordinary of natural wonders, and leave
it to the imagination of the reader to group them into one harmonious whole,
although nothing but an actual view of the falls, from several points, can give any
adequate conception of its surpassing beauty and sublimity.
For a distance of three-fourths of a mile above the falls, the river, over two
miles in breadth, hurries forward in a succession of rapids, whose roar, combined
with that of the cataract, may sometimes be heard for a distance of twenty miles.
The descent accomplished by these rapids, is between fifty and sixty feet, and
their imposing grandeur strikes the beholder with admiration and awe. As the
waters approach the fall, the width of the river is compressed to about half a
mile. Here it suddenly turns to the eastward, making almost a right angle in its
course, and. immediately below the falls, is contracted to a width of only seventy-
six rods. In consequence of this bend, the view of the cataract from the Ameri-
can side is more in profile than that on the Canada side, where a short distance
below the falls a front view is presented, giving the visitor at a glance an idea of
its vast magnificence.
Just above the falls, in the middle of the river, lies Goat or Iris Island, half a
mile long, and about one-fourth of a mile wide, containing seventy-five acres.
This has been connected with several adjacent small islands, by bridges, and these
asain with the American shore. Iris island is heavily timbered, and has a num-
ber of fine walks, and a large garden.
It extends over the cataract, and presents a wall of perpendicular rock, sepa-
rating the crescent or Canadian fall, from the American portion of the cataract.
This latter is again divided by Luna island, a small islet. There are thus three
distinct cascades, one on the Canadian, and two on the American side.
The lower fall, or that nearest the American shore, is more than 300 yards in
width, and 164 feet in height. The central fall, extending from Luna to Iris isl-
and, has the same height, but is only twenty yards in breadth. Roth have a
gentle curve in their outline.
From the comparative shallowness of the waters on the American side, they
are constantly dashed into foam, ere they reach the precipice.
On the Canadian side of Iris island, is the great Horse Shoe or Crescent fall,
over which pour seven-eights of the volume of water composing this mighty
stream. It is about 700 yards in width, and 158 feet in height. The deep green
of its billows is only relieved by the crests of white foam which surmount them.
To the spectator, standing on Iris island, the cataract is veiled in a cloud of almost
NIAGARA COUNTY. 349
impenetrable mist, and all attempts to explore its apparently unfathomable depths
seem futile. But in the clear sunlight, this mist is the source of new surprise and
admiration; the rainbow, "the crescent of the abyss," with its everchanging hues,
spans the impenetrable cloud, and adds new beauty to the scene. The view
from Table rock, on the Canadian side, is more distinct, and gives the spectator
a better comparative view of the three falls.
Terrapin Bridge, 300 feet from Goat island, extends ten feet over the falls, and
near its end, in the water, and upon the edge of the precipice, a stone tower,
forty-five feet high, has been erected. The view of the fall from the top of this
tower is very grand, but requires some steadiness of nerve.
The banks of the river below the precipice constitute an almost perpendicular
wall, nearly 200 feet in height, requiring artificial means for descending to the
water's edge. For this purpose, three staircases have been erected. The first
is on the main land, on the American side, giving access to the ferry. Recently
a railway, moved by hydraulic power, has been constructed, to facilitate the de-
scent. The river is crossed in safety in a row boat, propelled by a single person.
A second staircase was erected in 1829, on the perpendicular face of Iris isl-
and, at the expense of the late Nicholas Biddle. A rude but strong flight of com-
mon steps leads down a steep declivity of about forty feet, to the head of the Biddle
stair case, which is in the form of a hexagon, enclosing triangularsteps, that wind
spirally round a large and solid oaken shaft. The descent accomplished by these
is about 80 feet. Paths lead from the foot of these stairs, to the river brink, to
the verge of the British fall, and to the Central fall, and the Cave of the Winds
behind it.
The third staircase is on the Canadian side, and conducts the visitor under the
overhanging ledge of Table rock. Here he will find a path leading under the
Great Crescent fall, by which, if he chooses to venture, he may pass, for a dis-
tance of about 150 feet, behind this vast mass of waters.
The depth of the river, a short distance below the cataract, is 250 feet. The
quantity of water poured over the falls has been variously estimated. Dr. Dwight
computed it at more than 100 millions of tons per hour.
About three miles below the falls, is a whirlpool, produced by the projection of
a rocky promontory, against which the waters of the river have, for ages, hurled
their angry billows in vain. In this whirlpool, timber and the dead bodies of men
or animals, which have been precipitated over the cataract, are often retained for
days, and sometimes for weeks, ere they pass the narrow outlet. About a mile
below this is a deep ravine, where formerly there was another whirlpool, but the
waters, after centuries of unceasing action, wrought out for themselves a more
quiet passage. This gloomy dell was. some seventy-five or eighty years since, the
scene of a fearful tragedy, which will be related in the historical sketch of the
county. It is called " the devil's hole."
Lakes. Lake Ontario forms the northern boundary of the
county.
Canals. The Erie canal passes through the southeastern
and sout tern p >r ons of the county.
Railroads. The Buffalo and Niagara falls railroad connects
Niagara falls with the lines of railroad from Albany. There is
also a railroad connecting Lockport and Niagara falls with a
branch extending to Lewiston.
Climate. Owing to the vicinity of the lakes, the climate is
mild and equable. It is considered healthful. Here, as in Erie
county, fruits flourish in greater perfection, and vegetation is
earlier than in the same parallels in the eastern counties.
Geology and Minerals. The Medina sandstone is the basis
rock of the county, and makes its appearance near the Lake
16
350 STATE OF NEW YORK.
shore; above this appears the Clinton group of limestones; the
Niagara group forms the surface rock of the second terrace, and
abounds in fossils ; the Onondaga salt group appears as the sur-
face rock of the third terrace, and contains as usual large quan-
tities of gypsum, and numerous brine springs.
Bog iron ore is found in various parts of The county : copper, in minute quan-
tities, has been discovered near Lockport ; sulphate of strontian, calcareous spar,
anhydrous sulphate of lime, selenite, pearl spar, and occasionally rluor spar, and
sulphuret of zinc, are found at Lockport. Sulphur springs are numerous ; some
of them have considerable reputation. The brine springs are too weak to be of
much practical value. There is also a chalybeate spring, and one emitting car-
buretted hydrogen gas, in sufficient quantity to maintain a steady flame. Shell
marl is found in the swamps.
Sou. and Vegetable Productions. The soil is highly fertile,
yielding grains and grasses in abundance. Fruit is cultivated
here in great perfection. The timber is mainly oak, beech, ma-
ple, tamarack, ash, &c.
Pursuits. A majority of the inhabitants are engaged in agri-
cuUw al pursuits. The culture of wheat and the other grains,
occupies the attention of most of the farmers of the county.
Butter and wool are also produced in considerable quantities.
The manuf.ctures of the county are numerous, and constant-
ly increasing in value and importance. Flour is manufactured
in large quantities. Lumber, cotton and woollen goods, iron
ware, potash and leather, are the other principal articles pro-
duced. Their value, in 1845, was nearly two millions of dollars.
Commerce. The commerce of the county is quite extensive,
both on the lake and on the canal. Lewiston is the principal
port on the Niagara river.
Staple Productions. Wheat is the great staple of this
county. The other principal agricultural products, are oats,
corn, potatoes, peas, butter and wool.
Schools. In 1846, there were in the county 158 district
school-houses, in which schools were maintained an average
period of eight months each. 11,919 children received instruc-
tion, at an expense for tuition of § 15,034. The number of vol-
umes in the district libraries was 16,612.
822 pupils were instructed in twenty-nine select schools. There were also in
the county one academy, and one female seminary, with 185 students.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Presbyterians, Bap-
tists, Episcopalians, Friends, Congregationalists, Universalists,
Dutch Reformed, Lutherans, and Roman Catholics. There
are fifty churches and fifty-nine clergymen of all denominations,
in the county.
History. In 1697, M. de la Salle erected a palisade fort at
or near the site of Fort Niagara.
In 1712, the Tuscarora Indians removed to this county from
• NIAGARA COUNTY. 351
North Carolina, and united themselves with the Iroquois con-
federacy, which thenceforth assumed the name of" the Six Na-
tions." They still hold a reservation of about 5000 acres,
lying- in the town of Lewiston. They are about 200 in number,
and are mostly in prosperous circumstances. They have a
church and school, both under the direction of the American
Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.
In 1725, the French erected a fort at the mouth of the Niagara
river, in this county, in pursuance of their design of connecting
their Canadian settlements with those on the Mississippi, by a
chain of military posts.
Here their efficient emissaries, the Jesuit missionaries, won
the affections of the simple hearted red men, by their ready
compliance with their dress and customs ; and extolling the
power and grandeur of the French monarchs, incited them to
deeds of aggression and bloodshed against the English. Not
long after the erection of this fort, a stockade fortress, since
known as old Fort Schlosser, situated about a mile above the
falls, was also erected.
In 1759, Fort Niagara was captured from the French, by the
British army, under the command of Sir William Johnson. It
was rebuilt and garrisoned anew the same year.
During the revolution, it was held by the British, and from
its time-stained walls, issued numerous bands of Indians and
tories, bound on expeditions of bloody revenge, or lawless plun-
der, to the hapless valleys of the Schoharie and Mohawk. To
this place, too, they brought the prisoners and scalps they had
taken, to claim the reward which a British ministry offered for
these evidences of their own inhumanity.
In 1796, this fort was surrendered to the United States. At
that time there was but one white family, beside the occupants
of the fort, within the present limits of the county.
During the late war with Great Britain, the American garri-
son, consisting of 370 men, w r ere surprised by an unexpected
attack 1'rom a force of more than 1200 British troops, who cross-
ed the river, and after a brief but severe struggle, captured the
fort. Sixty -five of the garrison were killed, and twenty-seven
pieces of ordnance, with a large quantity of military stores, fell
into the hands of the captors. In March, 1815, it was again
surrendered to the United States. On the 14th of September,
1826, Morgan, of antimasonic notoriety, was confined in the
magazine of the fort.
There can be no doubt that during its occupancy by the French, it was occa-
sionally used as a prison for state offenders ; and from that time to the close of
the revolution, deeds of crime and blood were committed there, which the light
of the judgment day alone will reveal.
352 STATE OF NEW YORK.
On the 17th of September, 1763, a company of troops, num-
bering with the teamsters, about 175 men, were escorting a
quantity of stores to Fort Schlosser, and had reached the ravine
known as the Devil's Hole, on the Niagara river, when they
were beset by a party of Sene a Indiana who were then in the
French interest, and all but two murdered, or dashed to pieces
in their fall over the precipice.
One, a drummer, was saved by the strap of his drum being
caught in the branches of a tree, in hi? fall; the other, a man by
the name of Stedman, being well mounted, forced his way
through the hostile crowd and fled, at the utmost speed of his
horse, to Fort Schlosser. His clothes were riddled with balls,
but he was unhurt. The Indians considered his escape as mirac-
ulous, and gave him a large tract of land, embracing all that he
had rode over in his flight.
In December, 1813, the British burned Lewiston, Youngs-
town, Manchester, (now Niagara Falls village,) and the Tusca-
rora Indian village, alleging the burning of Newark, in Canada
West, by the Americans, as an excuse for their barbarity.
Early in December, 1837, after the failure of the attack of the
11 Canadian patriots," (so called,) on Toronto, McKenzie and
Sutherland, two of their leaders, who had escaped to the Uni-
ted States, together with some twenty-five of their adherents,
took possession of Navy island, in the Niagara river, above the
Falls, and remained there nearly a month, bidding defiance to
the Jritish troops, who were congregated on the Canadian
shore, to the number of 3000 or 4000 men.
The ranks of the "patriots" were constantly reinforced by
volunteers from the American frontier, until they numbered
about 600. The British fired upon them, and killed one man;
the fire was returned, and preparations made to cross into Can-
ada, when by the interposition of General Scott, the island was
evacuated, and the patriot army dispersed.
It was during the occupation of this island, that Mr. Wells,
of Buffalo, the proprietor of a small steamboat, called the Car-
oline, formed the project of running his steamer as a ferry boat,
between Navy island and old Fort Schlosser, in order to accom-
modate the numbers who wished to pass and repass daily.
Accordingly, on the 29th of December, the boat commenced
running, and having made several trips during the day, was
moored at night, beside the wharf at Schlosser. Numbers,
who had been attracted by curiosity to the place, were unable
to obtain lodgings at the tavern, the only dwelling in the vicinity,
and sought accommodations on board the boat.
About midnight, the watch on board the steamer observed
a boat approaching ; he hailed, but before he could give the
NIAGARA COUNTY. 353
alarm, a body of armed men from Canada, rushed on board,
crying " cut them down, give no quarter;" no resistance was
made on board the boat ; all who could do so, escaped to the
shore. Five persons were known to be killed.
The boat was cut from her moorings, towed out into the
stream, set on fire, and suffered to drift down the river, and over
the falls. It was supposed that several persons were on board
at the time she went over the cataract. This outrage produced
great excitement on the frontier, and had w T ell nigh involved
our government in a war with Great Britain.
Villages. Lockport, the county seat, is a large and busy
village in the town of the same name. It was founded in 1821,
and incorporated in 1829. The Erie canal here descends, by
five massive double locks, sixty feet. Before reaching these
locks, in its progress eastward, the canal passes, for several
miles, through a deep cutting of limestone, where the walls
of rock, on either hand, rise twenty or thirty feet above the
level of the canal. The descent of the canal furnishes an im-
mense water power, which is partially improved. The village
has a great variety of manufactures. Several very large flour
mills are in operation. Population, 6800.
Niagara Falls Village, is a beautiful and thriving place,
deriving much of its importance from its proximity to the cata-
ract. It has been proposed to devote the w r aters of the Niagara
at this place, to manufacturing purposes, but it is to be hoped
that such a project may never be carried into execution. Popu-
lation, 1000.
Lewiston, in the town of the same name, has considerable
trade with Osw r ego, and other ports on Lake Ontario. Here is
also a ferry across the Niagara river, to Q,ueenstown. It is the
head of steamboat navigation on the river. Population, 900.
Youngstown is a thriving little village in the town of Porter.
It has a good steamboat landing, and is connected with the vil-
lage of Niagara, in Canada, by a steam ferry. Population, 700.
Middlepurf, in the town of Royalton, is a village of some im-
portance.
XLIV. SULLIVAN COUNTY.
Square miles, 919.
Organized, 1809.
Population, 18,727.
Valuation, 1845, $1,468,283.
TOWNS.
Bethel, 1809.
Fallsburgh, 1S2G.
Cochecton, 1828.
Forrestbureh, 1S3S.
Collikoon,]842.
1. Mamakatinir, 179S. 7.
2. Lumberland, 1798. 8.
3. Nevisink, 1798. 9.
4. Rockland, 1798. 10.
5. Thompson, 1804. 11.
6. Liberty, 1807.
Mountains. P. Shawangunk mountains.
Rivers. H. Delaware river. R. Nevisink. a. Collikoon. e. Mon-
gaup. g. Bashe'skill. k. Beaver kill. i. Little Beaver kill.
Falls. On the Mongaup and Nevisink, Fallsburgh andForrestburgh.
Lakes, h. White Lake. 1. Long Pond. m. Round, n. Sand.
Canals. Delaware and Hudson canal.
Villages. Monticello.
burgh. Cochecton.
Bloomingsburgh.
Wurtzborough.
Falls-
SULLIVAN COUNTY. 355
Boundaries. North by Delaware and Ulster counties ; East
by Ulster and Orange ; South by Orange county and the Dela-
ware river ; and West by the Delaware river.
Surface. Hilly and mountainous. The Shawangunk moun-
tains occupy the eastern section of the county. The western lace
of these mountains is precipitous, but they descend by a gentle
declivity on the east. The remainder of the county has an ele-
vated surface, divided into numerous ridges, by the streams
which intersect it
Rivers. The Delaware forms the south-western boundary of
the county ; the other principal streams are the Collikoon, Mon-
gaup and Nevisink rivers, Bashe's, Beaver and Little Beaver
kills.
Lakes. The county abounds with small lakes, among which
are White Lake, Long Pond, Round Fond, and Sand Pond.
Canals. The Delaware and Hudson canal passes through
the valley of Bashe's kill.
Climate. Cold but healthy. Vegetation is about, two weeks
later than in Ulster and Orange counties. In some parts of the
county frost occurs every month.
Geology and Minerals. This county comprises several
geological formations of interest. The western half, and a por-
tion of the northern section, belong to the old red sandstone
formation, or Catskill group ; the central and southern porti jns
are composed of the Chemung sandstone and shales ; as we
proceed eastward we encounter successively the limestones of
the Hamilton group, the Helderberg limestones, the gray Sha-
wangunk sandstone and grit, which forms the largest portion of
the surface rock of the county; and the Hudson river slate.
The number of minerals is not large. In the vicinity of Wurtzborough, and in
other parts of the county, mines of lead ore have been opened, which promise to
be productive and valuable. Crystallized iron and copper pyrites, sulphuret of
zinc, and quartz crystals of great beauty, have been found in connection with the
lead at these localities. The red sandstone affords, in some places, a fine building
material.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil of the uplands
is fertile and well adapted to the production of the grasses and
more hardy grains. In the valley of the Delaware it is cold and
wet. The county is well adapted to grazing. The timber con-
sists principally of pine, hemlock, beech, maple, linden, oak and
tulip tree. But little more than one tenth of the soil is under
cultivation.
Pursuits. The people of this county are mostly devoted to
agriculture. But little grain is raised, and that principally
corn, oats and buckwheat. The products of the dairy receive
considerable attention.
Manufactures. Leather and lumber are extensively manu-
356 STATE OF NEW YORK.
factored. The latter finds its way to market by the Delaware
river.
Commerce. The Delaware and Hudson canal furnishes an
easy mode of transportation for the produce of the eastern sec-
tion of the county. The Delaware river is navigable in the
spring, and immense quantities of lumber are rafted down it.
Mines. There are lead mines near Wurtzborough, in the
town of Mamakating.
Staples. Oats, corn, butter, beef, pork, lumber and leather.
Schools. In 1846, there were in the county, 118 district
school-houses, in which 6328 children were instructed at an ex-
pense for tuition, of $8793. The schools were in session an
average period of eight months each. The district libraries
contained 10,379 volumes.
There were also eight select schools, with 178 scholars, and one academy with
thirteen pupils.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Presbyterians, Dutch
Reformed, Baptists, Congregationalists, Episcopalians, and
Friends. Total number of churches, twenty-eight ; of clergy-
men, twenty-three.
History. In 1777, or 1778, several persons having been killed
by the Indians in Rochester, Ulster county, the commander of
the garrison at Honkhill, in Wawarsing, who had two or three
hundred troops under his command, determined to intercept the
Indians on their return, and punish them for their barbarities.
He accordingly called for volunteers, and Lieutenant John Gra-
hams offered his services. They were accepted, and with a
lieutenant's guard, consisting of twenty men, he made his way
to a place since called Grahamsville, in the town of Nevisink.
Unpracticed in the arts of Indian warfare, they were no match
for their wily foes. The Indians decoyed them from their posi-
tion, induced them to waste their fire upon a single Indian, and
then shot them down, and scalped them. But three of the num-
ber escaped to carry to the garrison the intelligence of the loss
of their comrades.
The town of Mamakating belonged to the Minisink patent,
and was settled by the Dutch at an early period. The remain-
der of the county belonged to the Hardenburgh patent, and was
not occupied till near the commencement of the present century.
The emigrants, with the exception of those who located at
Mamakating, were mostly from the eastern states. The county
was named in honor of General Sullivan, of revolutionary
memory.
Villages. Monticello, in the town of Thompson, was found-
ed in 1804, by Messrs. S. F.andJ. P. Jones, and made the county
seat at the organization of the county in 1809. Population, 700.
Bloomingsburgh is a pleasant village, in the town of Mama-
SCHENECTADY COUNTY.
357
kating. It is in the midst of a fine agricultural country. It has
an academy. Population, 600.
Wurtzborough, in the same town, is a nourishing village,
named after the projector of the Delaware and Hudson canal.
Near the village is a lead mine of considerable importance.
Population, 500.
I liberty, Fullsburgh and Cocheclon, in the towns of the same
names, are villages of considerable importance.
XLV. SCHENECTADY COUNTY.
Square miles, 186.
Organized, 1809.
Population, 16,630.
Valuation, 1845, $2,739,421.
1. Schenectady, 1G84.
2. Princeton, 1 70S.
3. Duanesburgh, 1801.
Rivers. AA. Schoharie kill.
Lakes, e. Maria.
Cities and Villages. Schenectady
TOWNS.
4. Neskayuna, 1809.
5. Glenville, 1820.
6. Rotterdam, 1820.
F. Mohawk river, a. Norman's kill.
Duanesburgh.
Rotterdam.
Boundaries. North by Montgomery and Saratoga ; East by
Saratoga ; South by Albany and Schoharie ; and West by Scho-
harie, counties.
Surface. The surface of Schenectady county is agreeably
diversified with hills, plains and valleys. Flint hill extends
16*
358 STATE OF NEW YORK.
through a part of the southern section, and a spur of the Kaya-
derosseras range passes through the town of Glenville, nearly to
Schenectady. On the banks of the rivers are extensive flats.
Rivers. The Mohawk, Schoharie kill and Norman's kill, are
the principal streams.
Lakes. Lake Maria is a small body of water in Duanesburgh.
Canals. The Erie canal crosses the Mohawk near the east-
ern line of the county, and passes along the south west bank of
that river.
Railroads. It has four lines of railroads, the Mohawk and
Hudson, Troy, Saratoga and Utica railroads, all centering in
the city of Schenectady.
Climate. The climate of this county is mild and salubrious,
but subject to considerable extremes of temperature.
Geology and Minerals. The Hudson river group, consisting
of grits and shales, or slaty rocks, is the prevailing surface rock
of this county. The Utica slaie makes its appearance in the
neighborhood of Glenville. The whole county is overlaid by
clay and gravel, to the depth of from fifty to one hundred feet.
I Bog iron ore occurs near the line of Albany county. There are several local-
ities of calcareous spar, one of which resembles arragonite. Quartz crystals and
common jasper are also found in the county.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is various. The
extensive alluvial tracts along the Mohawk and other streams,
are exceedingly fertile. The hills and plains are either a light
sandy or clay loam, less fertile, and sometimes barren.
Pine and oak are the principal forest trees.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the leading pursuit of the inhabit-
ants. Wheat and barley are extensively raised. The rearing
of cattle occupies some attention.
Manufactures are quite limited. Flour, cotton goods, iron
and leather are the principal articles.
Commerce. By means of its canal and railroads this county
enjoys ample facilities for the transportation of its produce.
Staple Productions. Oats, potatoes, corn, barley, rye, buck-
wheat, wheat, butter and cheese.
Schools. This county had in 1846, seventy-five common
schools, with 3614 pupils. They were taught an average pe-
riod of eight months, at an expense of .^4960. The district
libraries numbered 7115 volumes.
There were two select schools, with twenty-two scholars ; an academy with
108 pupils, and a college, with eleven professors and 242 students.
Religious Denominations. Dutch Reformed, Presbyterians,
Methodists, Baptists, Episcopalians, Universalists, Roman
Catholics and Friends. The whole number of churches is
twenty-four, of clergymen, thirty-four.
SCHENECTADY COUNTY. 359
History. This county was one of the first settled in the
state. Previous to the year 1620 several Dutch traders estab-
lished themselves here, to traffic with the Indians for furs.
The first grant of lands was made in 1661, to Arendt Van
Corlaer and others, on condition that they purchased the soil from
the natives. The deed was obtained in 1672, and signed by
four Mohawk chiefs. It comprised a part of the present city of
Schenectady.
In November, 1665, Governor Nichols granted to Mr. Alex-
ander Lindsay Glen, a Scotch gentleman of ancient and noble
descent, a tract lying on the Mohawk, and comprising most of
the present town of Glenville. Mr. Glen resided for a number
of years in Albany and Schenectady, and in 1690 removed to
his patent, where, in 1713, he erected a country seat, which he
named Scotia, and which is still standing.
According to tradition, Neskayuna was settled in 1640. A
patent for land in this town was granted to Harmon Vedder, in
1664.
On the eighth of February, 1690, the village of Schenectady,
then containing sixty-three houses and a church, was burned,
and sixty-three of its inhabitants murdered, twenty-seven car-
ried captive, and others perished, from the severity of the sea-
son, in the attempt to escape.
The marauders who thus rushed upon the sleeping and de-
fenceless inhabitants, like wolves upon the sheep fold, were a
party of 200 Frenchmen and about fifty Indians, from Canada,
who had nearly perished from hunger and cold in their murder-
ous expedition.
Having plundered and destroyed the village, they commenced
their return, but were pursued by the Albany militia and the
Indians friendly to the English, and twenty-five of their number
killed.
In 174S, the Canadian Indians made'another hostile incursion
into the county, and killed a Mr. Daniel Toll, who had gone
about three miles from Schenectady, in search of some stray
horses. On receiving intelligence of his murder, about sixty
young men, from Schenectady, started in quest of the enemy.
They were soon surprised by a party of Indians in ambush, and
more than half their number were killed. The remainder suc-
ceeded in reaching a house near by, where they kept the enemy
at bay, till the Schenectady militia came to their aid, when the
Indians fled and returned to Canada. Thirty-two young men,
of the best families of Schenectady, fell in this affray.
The county was, with few exceptions, settled by the Dutch,
and remained a part of Albany county until 1809.
360 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Citie3 and Villages. Schenectady city, the seat of justice
for the county, is situated on the south branch of the Mohawk
river, fifteen miles northwest of Albany. As has been already
stated, it was founded at a very early peri d.
Previous to the construction of the Erie canal, it was a place
of very considerable business, as goods intended for the western
trade were shipped upon the Mohawk at this place. After the
completion of the canal, most of this trade was transferred to
Albany; but the numerous railroads which now center here,
have given it a new impulse, and its business and population
have materially increased within a few years past.
The city has some manufactories — the principal are flour,
paper, cotton goods, iron, leather, tobacco, malt liquors, &c.
Population 6555.
Union College, which is located here, was founded in 1795,
and received its name from the fact that its founders were mem-
bers of different religious denominations. It has a corps of
eleven professors, and three principal edifices, two of brick and
one of stone. Its apparatus is very complete, and its library
large and valuable. It is amply endowed, and has property to
the amount of $450,000. Attached to the college building is a
&act of land, 250 acres in extent, a part of which is laid out in
walks and pleasure grounds. Its situation is highly picturesque.
Rotterdam is a small manufacturing village, in the town of
the same name.
Duanesburgh is a village of some importance.
XLVI. PUTNAM COUNTY.
Square Miles, 216.
Organized, 1812.
Population, 13.258.
Valuation, 1845, 82,929,318.
TOWNS.
4. Patterson, 1795.
5. Southeast, 1795.
6. Putnam Valley, 1838.
U. Taghkanic Range.
c. Anthony's Nose. d. Sugar Loaf. e. Bull Hill. f. Break-
neck Hill.
Rivers. C. Hudson River. S. Croton. b. Peekskill.
La/ees, Sfc. Mahopack Pond. i. Shaw's Pond.
Carmel. Cold Spring.
1. Kent, 1788.
2. Philipstown, 17S8.
3. Carmel. 1795.
Mountains. FF. Highlands
Peaks
Villages
Boundaries. North by Dutchess county ; East by the state
of Connecticut ; South by Westchester county, and West by
the Hudson river.
Surface. Putnam is one of the most mountainous counties
in the state. The hills are not, however, generally abrupt or
precipitous, but rounded and susceptible of cultivation almost
to their summits. It is well adapted to grazing.
The Highlands extend across the western part of the county.
The range commences at the river, in the southwest corner of
Philipstown, and takes a northeasterly course, extending into
Dutchess county. In Philipstown there are several considera-
ble peaks, the most prominent of which are Anthony's Nose,
Sugar Loaf, Eull Hill, Breakneck Hill, and High Peak. The
highest of these peaks is 1580 feet above the level of the Hudson.
In the eastern part the Taghkanic range extends through the
count , from north to south.
Rivers. Beside the Hudson, which forms the western bound-
ary of the county, the Croton river and its branches, and the
Peekskill, are the only streams worthy of notice.
362
STATE OF NEW YORK.
Lakes. Mahopack and Shaw's ponds, in the town of Car-
mel, are the only bodies of water of importance. The first is
nine miles in circumference, and has two islands ; the other is
much smaller in extent.
The climate is healthful, though cool.
Geology and Minerals. This county belongs to the south-
eastern primitive district of the state. Granite, gneiss, and
primitive limestone are the principal rocks. In the town of Pat-
terson, and at several other points in the county, beds of trans-
ition limestone occur. They are, however, of small extent.
The principal minerals of this county are iron ore, of the magnetic and hema-
titic varieties, in great abundance, and of superior quality ; copperas, arsenic,
copper ores, chrome iron ore, serpentine, asbestus, dolomite, tremolite, pyroxene,
scapolite, epidote, zircon, sphene, albite, graphite, peat, and phosphate of lime.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. As might be expected
from its geological character, the timber is principally oak,
chestnut, ash, maple, hickory, &c The soil is perhaps natu-
rally sterile, but treated with plaster, produces luxuriant crops
of blue grass, herds-grass, and clover. The appearance of the
farms indicate that the owners are possessed of competence.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the principal pursuit of the inhab-
itants. Considerable attention is paid to the dairy, and to the
rearing of cattle, sheep, swine and fowls. Much of the pro-
duce exposed for sale in theNew York markets is brought from
this county.
Manufactures receive some attention.
The West Point foundry, at Cold Spring, is the largest in the
United States, and employs more than four hundred men.
There are one or two other foundries in the county. The other
manufactures are of comparatively little importance. There
are iron mines in Philipstown, Putnam Valley and Southeast.
Commerce. There is but one good landing on the Hudson in
this county, that of Cold Spring. Some commerce is carried
on from this point.
Staple Productions. Butter, beef, wool and mutton are
the principal staples. Calves, lambs, fowls, &c, are also car-
ried to the New York market in large quantities.
Schools. There are in the county sixty -three public schools.
In 1846, these schools were taught on an average nine months ;
3245 children received instruction, at an expense of $6562. The
libraries of the district contained 8618 volumes. There were
also, ten private schools, with 124 pupils.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Baptists, Presbyte-
rians, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics and Friends.
History. This county was settled at an early period, but re-
mained attached to Dutchess till 1812. At the base of the Sugar
PUTNAM COUNTY. 363
Loaf, in Philipstown, stands Beverly house, formerly the resi-
dence of Col. Beverly Robinson, a loyalist, who, during the rev-
olution, went with his family to New York, and thence to Great
Britain. His estate was confiscated by the legislature, and his
family banished. This house was the head quarters of General
Putnam, General Parsons, and the traitor Arnold. It was here
that Arnold received the intelligence, that his treason was re-
vealed, and from the landing on this estate he made his escape
on board the British sloop Vulture.
From the foot of the peak called Anthony's Nose, to Fort
Montgomery, a chain and boom were stretched, by order of the
continental congress, in the autumn of 1776, for the purpose of
obstructing navigation, and preventing the enemy from ascend-
ing the Hudson. This chain was broken the same year, by the
British.
In 1778, Captain Machin, the engineer who had constructed
the former chain, superintended the making of another, of twice
its diameter, which extended from West Point, to a battery at
Constitution Island. This was never broken by the enemy, but
was taken up every autumn, and replaced in the spring. It
weighed 1S6 tons.
Villages. Carmel, in the town of the same name, is the seat
of justice for the county. In picturesque beauty, and healthful-
ness of situation, Carmel is surpassed by few villages in the
state. Declining gradually to the shore of Shaw's lake, a beau-
tiful sheet of water, it presents one of the loveliest landscapes
on which the eye can rest. Population 350.
Cold Spring-, on the bank of the Hudson, in Philipstown,
is a thriving village, supported mainly by the mammoth iron
foundry, about a mile from the landing. Population 1500.
Southeast is a well watered and fertile town. Joe's Hill, a
noted eminence, extends west from Connecticut, into the centre
of the town.
Iron ore is abundant in this town, and of good quality. There
are several ponds of considerable size.
XLVII. WARREN COUNTY.
Square Miles, 912.
Organized, 1813.
Population, 14,908.
Valuation, 1845, $976,433.
TOWNS.
1. Queensburgh, 1788.
2. Luzerne, 1792.
3. Athol, about 1800.
4. Bolton, about 1805.
Johnsburgh, 1805.
5.
0. Hague, 1807.
7. Chester, about 1S09.
8. Caldwell, 1810.
9. Warrensburgh, 1813.
10. Horicon, 1838.
Mountains. EE. Kayaderosseras. HH. Clinton, m. Luzerne,
Rivers. C. Hudson, e. Jessup's Creek, f. Schroon Branch.
Lakes. X. George. 1. Schroon. d. Brant.
Falls, k. Hadley. n. Glen's, o. Baker's.
Battle Field. Caldwell.
Fort. Fort George.
Villages. Caldwell. Glen's Falls.
WARREN COUNTY. 365
Boundaries. North by Essex ; East by Washington ; South
by Saratoga, and West by Hamilton county.
Surface. This county, with the exception of a small portion
on the south, has a very elevated and rugged surface. The Lu-
zerne or Palmertown range of mountains traverses the eastern
section, the Kayaderosseras the central, and the Clinton range
the western portion of the county. Many of their summits at-
tain an altitude of from 800 to 1200 feet. The towns of War-
rensburgh and Luzerne, are comparatively level.
Rivers. The Hudson, Schroon Branch and Jessup's creek, are
the principal streams. They have a southerly direction through
the county.
Falls. Hadley, Jessup's, and Glen's falls, are on the Hudson.
Lakes. Lake George, which has already been described, and
Schroon lake are the most important.
Climate. Cold but healthy.
Geology and Minerals. With the exception of a small bed
of Trenton limestone, in the valleys in the southeast part of the
county, the whole county is primitive — composed of gneiss, with
some hypersthene, granite and primitive limestone. Serpentine
is also found in veins between the predominant rocks.
Iron is considerably abundant. The magnetic ore is frequent, but does not
occur in large masses ; porcelain clay, black marble of very fine quality, (from
the vicinity of Glen's Falls,) verd antique, black lead or graphite, and peat, are the
most important of the useful minerals. Besides these, fluor, zircon, pyrites, mas-
sive feldspar, tourmaline, rutile, rhomb spar, quartz crystals of great beauty, ..nd
calcareous spar occur in several localities.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil of the greater
part of the county is sterile. Some fertile land, however, is
found in the narrow valleys, and in the level portions above
mentioned. A heavy growth of timber covers its hills, consist-
ing of pine, spruce, fir, cedar, oak, maple, beech, elm and ash.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the leading pursuit; but the settle-
ments are sparse, and in many sections the gigantic timber
is not yet felled. Many of the inhabitants are engaged in pre-
paring lumber for market. The county seems to be very well
adapted to grazing; corn, oats and potatoes also succeed well.
The manufactures are those common to a new country >
lumber, leather, potash, flour and fulled cloths. At Glen's Falls,
marble is also largely manufactured. The quantity of lumber
sent to market, from this county is very great.
The commerce of the county is mostly confined to the trans-
portation of its own productions to market, by the Champlain
canal.
The Staples are lumber, corn, potatoes, oats, butter and
wool.
366 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Schools. In 1846, there were 115 district schools, sustained
an average period of six months each, and at an expense for
teachers wages of !$4S69. The number of scholars was 4993,
and of volumes in the school libraries 7951. There were eleven
private schools, with 525 scholars, and one academy, with
ninety-five pupils.
Religious Denominations. Baptists, Methodists, Presbyte-
rians, Friends, Universalists, and Episcopalians. The whole
number of churches is twenty-eight, of clergymen, thirty-four.
History. In the French war of 1754—63, a number of inter-
esting events occured in this county.
In August, 1755, General Johnson, (afterwards Sir William,)
led a force of about 5000 troops, including 1000 Indians, under
the command ol Hendrick, the celebrated Mohawk chieftain, to
attack Crown Point. About the last of the month he encamped
at the south end of Lake George, and made preparations to
convey his troops, by water, to the foot of the Lake. The Ba-
ron Dieskau, the commander of the French forces, meantime,
had descended the lake in search of his antagonist. On the 8th
of September, General Johnson received intelligence of his ap-
proach, and despatched Colonel Williams, with 1200 men, to
attack him.
Taking advantage of the dense forests, Dieskau had formed
his troops in a crescent, and Williams erelong found himself
surrounded by the enemy. He soon fell, as did Hendrick, both
fighting with the utmost bravery. Lieutenant Colonel Whiting,
of New Haven, Connecticut, the second in command, ordered
a retreat, which he conducted with such skill and intrepidity,
that his troops returned to the camp without disorder, and took
their places in the ranks.
Dieskau pressed on in pursuit, but halting his men, to arrange
them for the onset upon the English camp, the English forces
recovered their firmness and awaited his attack without dis-
order. The Indians, in the employ of the French, were soon
driven off by the cannon, and fled.
Dieskau led up the main body of his troops, but in vain ; they
were repulsed again and again, and after an obstinate action of
five hours, the English, leaping over the breastwork, engaged
the French hand to hand, and soon put them to flight. Dies-
kau was mortally wounded and taken prisoner. The loss of
the French was very severe. The British commander. Gene-
ral Johnson, was wounded in the early part of the conflict, and
resigned the command to General Lyman.
For this success, the first which had attended the English
arms during the war, General Johnson was rewarded with a
baronetcy and a donation of £5000.
WARREN COUNTY. 367
The day following the battle, a detach" ent from Fort Ed-
ward attacked the fugitives of Dieskau's army, on French moun-
tain, and killed the greater part of them.
Sir William did not proceed after this vi t y to Crown Point,
which if attacked might have been easily carried, but satisfied
himself with erecting and fortifying Fort William Henry at the
head of Lake George.
In August, 1757, this fort was taken by the Marquis de Mont-
calm, the commander of the French forces. Colonel Monroe,
who commanded the garrison, made a brave resistance, but the
failure of General Webb to send him reinforcements, and the
want of ammunition, at length compelled him to capitulate,
which he did on the most honorable terms.
No sooner, however, had the French obtained possession of
the fort, than the terms of capitulation were most shamefully
broken; the Indians rushed upon the defenceless troops, and
plundered and murdered them without resistance. Montcalm
had promised an escort, but it was withheld, and they were
compelled to flee, as best they might, from the murderous as-
saults of savages thirsting for blood. The wounded and the
women and children were the first to fall victims to their bar-
barity, but the more able-bodied did m t escape. It was com-
puted that nearly 1500 were thus butchered.
The fort was destroyed by Montcalm. Fort George was
erected as a substitute for it, on a more commanding site, but
was never the scene of any important action. Burgoyne de-
posited most of his stores here in 1777.
Many interesting incidents also occurred during the French
war, along the shores of the Horicon lake. At Sabbath-duy
Point, in 1756, a party of Provincial troops defeated a force of
French and Indians, who attacked them. Here, too, Lord Am-
herst, with his army, stopped on a Sabbath morning for re-
freshment.
Rogers' Rock, is noted as the place where that bold and fear-
less partizan eluded the pursuit of the Indians, and gave them
the impression that he had escaped down the face of the pre-
cipice.
The name of Piersoivs Island, marks the spot where Eng-
lish i risoners were confined during the French war. Howe's
Point, the spot where that brave and much lamented young
nobleman landed, immediately previous to the battle of Ticon-
deroga, in which he was slain.
The first settlement in the county was made about 1770, at
Luzerne and Queensburgh. Johnsburgh was settled in 1790.
The Jessup patent, in the southern part of the county, com-
368 STATE OF NEW YORK.
prised 40,000 acres of land. It was granted in 1774, to a large
company. The town of Caldwell was founded by Mr. James
Caldwell, a large landed proprietor. In most parts of the
county the population is sparse.
Villages. Caldwell, the shire town of the county, is de-
lightfully situated on the southern extremity of Lake George.
It abounds with interesting associations connected with the
early history of this county. Population 300.
Blo> dy Pond, a short distance southeast of the village, com-
memorates by its name the bloody conflict of September 6th,
1755. The bodies of nearly 1000 of the slain, mostly French-
men, were thrown into it.
Glen's Falls, located on the north bank of the Hudson, in
the town of Queensburgh, was incorporated in 1839. It is
largely engaged in the manufacture of marble, lime, and lum-
ber. The marble is found on both sides of the river, and is
highly prized for the beauty of its color, (black) and its free-
dom from flaws. The falls at this place have a total descent of
fifty feet, affording great hydraulic power, and presenting a
picturesque and beautitul landscape. A bridge 600 leet in length
crosses the river just above the falls. The navigable feeder
of the Champlain canal passes through the village. Here is
an incorporated academy, and a female seminary. Population
2500.
Chester, in the town of the same name, is a pleasant village,
situated in the midst of a fertile country. The " Slone Bridge"
in the northern part of the town of Chester, is a great natural
curiosity. The stream which it crosses, enters the county from
Essex, about thirty rods above the bridge, where it falls over a
rocky precipice into a natural basin ; thence, turning to the east,
it divides into two branches; the northern passing under anarch
of granite forty feet high and about eighty feet chord, diminish-
ing in size as the stream descends ; this branch may be followed
156 feet from the entrance ; the southern and larger branch forces
its way through the rock, by a passage which is explored with
great difficulty, being at times narrow and confined, and at
others opening into caverns of great depth, and thirty or forty
feet in diameter. At the distance of 247 feet from the entrance,
the two streams, having united during their subterranean pas-
sage, again make their appearance, beneath a precipice fifty-
four feet high, which terminates the bridge. The arch on this
side is five feet hierh and ten wide.
XLVIII. OSWEGO COUNTY.
Square miles, 923.
Organized, 1816.
Population, 48,441.
Valuation, 1845, §5,332,085.
1. Mexico, 1792.
2. Red field, 1800.
3. Williamstown, 1804.
4. Volney, 1806.
5. Hannibal, 1806.
6. Richland, 1807.
7. Constantia, 1808.
8. Scriba, 1811.
9. New Haven, 1813,
10. Orwell, 1817.
11. Oswego, 1818.
Rivers, a. Oswego River.
TOWNS.
12. Granby, 1818.
13. Hastings, 1825.
14. Albion, 1825.
15. Sandy Creek, 1S25.
J 6. Bo vision, 182S.
17. Parish, 1828.
18. Amboy, 1830.
19. Palermo, 1832.
20. Schroeppel, 1832.
21. West Monroe, 1833.
22. Greenboro, 1814.
i. Oneida Outlet, b. Little Sandv Creek.
c. Salmon River, d. Salmon Creek, e. Deer Creek
Falls.
Lakes and Bays. J. Ontario,
f. Little andy Creek Bay.
Battle Fields. Sacketts Harbor
Forts. Oswego. Ontario.
Villages, Pulaski. Oswego.
Z. Oneida, k. Fish.
Fulton. Mexico.
h. Oswego
I. Mexico Bay.
370 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Boundaries. North by Lake Ontario and Jefferson county ;
East by Lewis and Oneida; South by Oneida Lake, Onondaga
and Cayuga counties, and West by Cayuga and Lake Ontario.
Surface. The southeastern, southern and western portions
of the county are level, the interior rolling, and the northern
portion rising into hills. A ridge, 110 feet in height, runs wes-
terly through the county, about eight miles north of the south-
ern boundary, forming the watershed or dividing line between
the northern and southern waters. The Oswego breaks through
this at the great falls at Fulton in the town of Volney.
Rivers. The Oswego is the principal river of the county.
The other important streams are Salmon river, Salmon creek,
Little Sandy and Catfish creeks, flowing into Lake Ontario;
Scriba and Bay creeks, flowing into Oneida Lake, and Scott
and Black creeks, tributaries ol the Oswego. The west branch
of Fish creek, from Oneida county, drains some of the eastern
towns of this county.
Lakes, Bays, &c. Lake Ontario washes the whole north-
western boundary of the county. Oneida lake forms nearly one-
third of its southern boundary. Fish lake, and several other
small ponds add to its picturesque beauty. Mexico bay is an
indentation of Lake Ontario some ten miles broad. Little
Sandy Creek bay is a small land-locked inlet from the lake
in the northwestern part of the county.
The Oswego canal, which connects the Erie canal with Lake
Ontario, passesthrough the southwestern portion of the county,
following the valley of the Oswego river.
Climate. The climate, influenced by its proximity to the
lake, is more uniform than in some of the other counties. Fruits
thrive well. It is considered healthful.
Geology and Minerals. The geological formations of
this county are v ry simple. The basis rock is a slaty sand-
stone, making its appearance on the surface in the northwest
section of the county. Grey sandstone overlies this on the east,
extending into Lewis county. Red sandstone comes next in
order, and covers the southern portion of the county, except a
narrow strip along the south border. The Clinton group,
(limestone,) occurs in several sections of the county, but is gen-
erally thickly covered with alluvial deposits.
The county has no minerals of importance. There is a single locality of bog
iron ore, and some weak brine springs, in the red sandstone formation.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is generally
rich and fertile, but better adapted to grazing than the growing
of grain. The timber is oak, pine, beech, basswood, ash, but-
ternut and hemlock. The grass crops are very large and of fine
quality.
OSWEGO COUNTY. 371
Pursuits. Agriculture is the pursuit of a majority of the in-
habitants. The culture of grain and the rearing of cattle,
sheep, and swine, each receive a large share of attention. The
county is usually reckoned one of the first of the grazing coun-
ties. Oats and corn are raised to a greater extent than wheat.
Manufactures. Some attention is paid to manufactures, and
such is the amount and convenience of the hydraulic power of
the county, that we may anticipate a great increase in this re-
spect, when the county becomes more fully settled. At present,
flour, leather, and fulled cloths, are the principal articles pro-
duced.
Comm.erce. The commerce of this county is large, Oswego
being one af the best ports on Lake Ontario. Much of the Can-
ada trade enters the state from this direction, as well as that
from Lake Erie by the Welland canal. The commerce on the
canal is also very large.*
Staple Productions. Butter, c'eese, wool and oats.
Schools. There are 272 district school-houses in the county.
In 1846, schools were taught on an average eight months.
17,143 children received instruction, at an expense of $17,838.
The district libraries contained 24,511 volumes.
There were in the county, twenty-two private schools, with 403 pupils, and three
academies, with 178 students.
Religious Denominations. Baptists, Methodists, Presbyte-
rians, Congregationalists, Episcopalians, Dutch Reformed, and
Roman Catholics. There are fifty-two churches, and seventy-
two clergymen of all denominations in the county.
History. In 1722, under the direction of Governor Burnet,
a trading hous was erected at Oswego, on the east side of the
river. In 1726, in order to prevent the encroachment of the
French, Governor Burnet erected old Fort Oswego, on the
west side of the river. In 1755, Fort Ontario, on the east side
of the river, was constructed, under the direction of Governor
Shirley. On the 14th ol August, 1756, both these forts, with a
garrison of 1600 men, and a large quantity of ammunition, were
surrendered to the French, under Montcalm, who had be-
sieged them with a well appointed force of 5000 men, and met
with stubborn and long continued resistance.
In 1759, the pentagonal fort, called Fort Oswego, was built.
The post was surrendered to the United States, by the British
Government, by the treaty of 1794.
During the late war, its garrison, commanded by Lieutenant
* TABLE OF COMMERCE OF OSwEGO COUNTY.
Tonnage enrolled and licensed, 1845, - - - tons, 11,410
Flour shipped at Oswego, 1845, - - - - ' 44.560
Property snipped for other states by way of Oswego, " 71,416
Tolls on the Oswego canal, 1845, ..." $58,347
372 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Colonel Mitchell, with an effective force of less than 300 men,
sustained an attack from the British force, which consisted of
more than 3000 troops, for two days, and fi lly retreated in
good order, with a loss during the whole conflict of ly forty-
four in killed and wounded, while the loss of the enemy was
235. The Briti h, chagrined at their want ui success, e acua-
ted the fort in about twelve hours.
Fort Oswego, on the east i , of f1 e river, occupies a station
a little north of Fort Ontario, and has recently been repaired
by the United States government. It is one of the most impor-
tant military pos:s on the lake.
The settlement of the county did not commence till after the
Revolution. The towns west of Oswego river belonged to the
Military Tract, and were granted by the state to officers and
soldiers of the New York line.
The townships on the east side of the river constitute a part
of " Scriba's patent." These lands were originally granted by
the state to Nicholas Roosevelt, of New York, but he not com-
plyi ith the terms of the purchase, a large portion of them
were sold to George Scriba, a native of Germany, and then an
opule merchant in New York. The town of Richland, part
f Volney, and about o le half of Scriba, were purchased by
Messrs. Alexander Hamilton, J. Lawrence, and J. B. Church.
Villages. Oswego village, si.uated o Oi sides of the
Oswego river, in the towns of Oswego and Scriba, is the half
shire town of the county. As the terminus of the Oswego ca-
nal, it is a place of considerable importance, having an exten-
sive forwarding trade. It has an inexhausti »le water power,
and is largely engaged in manufactures. Its flour m lis are of
great size. The harbor is artificial, and is formed by two piers,
extendin from the mouth of the river, one 1250 feet long, the
other 250. These were erected by the general government, at
an expense of $93,000. The village is regularly laid out and
well built. Population about 5000.
Pulaski, the other county seat, is a small but thriving village,
in the town of Richland. It has valuable water privileges, as
yet but partially improved. Population 800.
Mexico, in the town of the same name, is a thriving village,
situated on Salmon creek. It has some manufactures, and an
academy of some note. Population 600.
Orwed. The falls of the Salmon river at this place are wor-
thy of notice. The stream is about ten rods wide, and after
rushing over rocks for about tw T o miles, plunges perpendicularly
107 feet. The banks of the stream are eighty feet high above
the falls, and about 200 below them.
Fulton is a large and busy village, in the town of Volney, en-
gaged in manufactures, for which the falls in the Oswego, fur-
nish ample facilities. Population 2400.
XLIX. TOMPKINS COUNTY.
Square Miles, 580.
Organized, 1817.
Population, 38,168.
Valuation, 1845, $4,001,719.
TOWNS.
1. Ulysses, 1801.
2. Dryden, 1803.
3. Caroline, 1811.
4. Danby, 1811.
5. Newfield, 1811.
Rivers, a. Fall Creek
Falls.
9.
10.
b. Salmon.
f. Taghannuc falls in Ulysses.
6. Hector, 1812.
7. Groton, 1817.
8. Lansing, 1817.
Enfield, 1821.
Ithaca. 1821.
c. Six Mile. e. Halsey's.
Falls at Ithaca.
Lakes. BB. Seneca. DD. Cayuga.
Villages. Ithaca. Trumansburgh.
Boundaries. North by Seneca and Cayuga counties ; East
by Cortland and Tioga; South by Tioga and Chemung, and
West by Chemung county and Seneca lake.
Surface. Tompkins county forms a portion of the great table
land of Western New York. Its southern portion is most ele-
17
374 STATE OF NEW YORK.
rated, rising from 1200 to 1400 feet above tide water while on
the shore* of Cayuga and Seneca lakes it is 800 or 900 feet
lower. 500 feet of this depression, however, occurs within two
miles of the lakes, where the streams running: northward fall
over the ledge of the Chemung sandstone, which forms the limit
of the highest terrace of the table land.
Rivers, &c. Salmon, Fall, Six Mile, and Halsey's creek are
the only streams of importance. By their rapid descent, they
furnish' extensive and valuable hydraulic privileges.
Falls. The most remarkable (alls in this county are the Tag-
hannuc, upon Halsey's creek, at the distance of one mile from
Cayuga lake. The whole descent, within a short distance, is
300 feet. The water falls, in a single cascade, over a precipice
216 feet in height, with a sheet of water sixty feet wide and two
feet deep. The falls around Ithaca also possess great attrac-
tions to the lover of the wonders of nature. Fall creek has a
descent of 438 feet within one mile. On the Cascadilla, is a fall
of 100 feet, in the form of a gigantic stairway.
Lakes. Seneca lake forms a portion of the Western boun-
dary of this county, while Cayuga lake indents it on the north
for a distance of about eighteen miles. The scenery at the south-
ern extremity of the latter is highly picturesque.
Railroads. The Ithaca and Owego railroad extends from
Ithaca to Owego, the county seat of Tioga county. It, is
twenty-nine and a half miles in length. The proposed route of
the New York and Erie railroad is through this county.
Climate. The climate of the county is mild and agreeable,
modified in some degree, perhaps, by its proximity to the Sen-
eca and Cayuga lakes. Fruits thrive here in great perfection.
It is regarded as healthful.
Geology and Minerals. The whole county, with the ex-
ception of two small tracts on the shores of the Cayuga and
Seneca lakes, in the towns of Lansing and Hector, belongs to
the Erie group, and consists in the north, of the Ludlowville
shales, and in the south of the Chemung sandstone. The two
small tracts, to which we have referred, are patches of lime-
stone, belonging to the Hamilton group, which appear, beneath
the sandstone, near the shores of the lake.
It has but few minerals. Marl and gypsum occur in considerable quantities.
Calcareous tufa has been found, near Ithaca, investing moss, &c. and producing, in
popular phraseology, petrifactions. There are two or three sulphur springs, of no
great reputation, in the county.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is, from the
geological structure of the rocks, highly fertile, and does not re-
quire, in most parts, the addition of any fertilizing agent to
maintain or increase its productiveness, the decomposed rocks
affording a sufficient stimulus. The hills are productive to their
TOMPKINS COUNTY. 375
Bumniits, and afford luxuriant grazing, while the valleys yield
large crops of grain. Fruit is extensively and profitably cultiva-
ted. The timber consists of oak, white and yellow pine, hem-
lock, beech, maple, basswood, elm, ash, poplar, cherry and
chestnut.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the pursuit of a majority of the in*
habitants. Oats, corn, buckwheat, wheat and potatoes are
raised in considerable quantities ; the products of the dairy are
very large, and much wool is grown by the farmers.
Manufactures also occupy the attention of a considerable
number of the inhabitants. Flour, oil, woollen goods, lumber,
leather, distilled liquors, paper and potash, are the principal
articles produced. The manufactures of the county in 1S45,
amounted to nearly one and a half millions of dollars.
Commerce. Its commerce is quite extensive. By means of
the lakes, it has a direct communication with the Erie canal,
while by the Ithaca and Owego railroad the produce of the
counties south of it, is brought to a market, and the manufactures
of the county distributed over Tioga and Chemung counties,
and northern Pennsylvania.
Staples. Butter, cheese, wool, oats, buckwheat, wheat and
potatoes.
Schools. In 1846, there were in the county 215 district
schools, which were in session an average period of eight
months, furnishing instruction to 12,881 children, at an expense
for tuition of $21,045. The number of volumes in the district
libraries was 24,648.
There were also seventeen private schools, with 407 scholars, and two acad-
emies, with 231 pupils.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Baptists, Presbyte-
rians, Episcopalians, Congregationalists, Unitarians, Dutch Re-
formed, Universalists and Friends. The whole number of
churches, is seventy-four ; of clergymen, seventy-five.
History. The towns of Newfield, Danby, and Caroline,
were purchased of the state, by Messrs. Watkins and Flint.
The remainder, (except a small portion in the northeastern
part of the town of Dryden, which belonged to the ten town-
ships granted to Massachusetts,) formed a portion of the Mili-
tary Tract, and the settlers derived their titles through the sol-
diers' patents. The county was organized in 1817, and was
named in honor of the late Daniel D. Tompkins, formerly
Governor of the state, and Vice President of the United States.
Previous to the completion of the Erie canal, it was in a lan-
guishing condition, but since the opening of the canal, its agri-
cultural and manufacturing interests have greatly prospered.
3?6 STATE OP NEW YORK.
Its early settlers were chiefly from New England. The found-
ers of the town of Lansing - , were Germans from Pennsylvania.
Villages. Ithaca village, in the town of the game name, is
the seat of justice for the county. It is situated partly on the
alluvial flats bordering Cayuga lake, (from which it is about one
and a half miles distant,) and partly upon the hills, which form a
natural amphitheatre around it. It is regularly laid out, its
buildings are neat and tasteful, and its streets well shaded.
It is finely located lor trade, communicating freely by means of
the lake and canal, with eastern and western New York, and
by the railroad and the Susquehanna river, with the coal region
of Pennsylvania. The completion of the Erie railroad will still
further increase its facilities for business. Its lumber trade is
very great.
In available hydraulic power for manufacturing purposes, it
is second to no village in New York. It is already largely en-
gaged in manufacturing. Here is located an incorporated acad-
emy, with spacious buildings, for the instruction of both sexes,
a large Lancaster ian school, and numerous select schools, in a
flourishing condition. Population, 4200.
Trumansburgh) in the town of Ulysses, is a flourishing vil-
lage, with some manufactories. Population, 1000.
Danby, in the town of the same name, is a thriving village.
Population, 500.
Drydm, in the town of the same name, Burdette, in the
town of Hector, Ludlowville, in the town of Lansing, and New-
field, in the town of the same name, are villages of some im-
portance.
L. ERIE COUNTY.
Square miles, 876. Population, 78,635.
Organized, 1821.
Valuation, 1845, $11,831,969.
1. Newstead,1804.
2. Aurora, 1S04.
3. Clarence, 1808.
TOWNS.
4. Buffalo, 1810.
5. Eden, 1812.
G. Concord, 1812.
378 STATE OF NEW YORK.
7. Hamburgh, 1812. 15. Alden, 1823.
8. Boston, 1812. ]6. Colden, 1S27.
9. Amherst, 1>18. 17. Lancaster, 1833.
10. Holland. l^lS. IS. Black Rock, 1837.
11. Wales, 1S13. 19. Brandt, 1838.
12. Collins, 1821. 20. Chictawaga, 1833.
13. Evans, 1821. 21. Tonawanda, 1838.
14. Sardinia, 1821.
Rivers, &fc. M. Niagara river, b. Ellicott's creek, d. Seneca.
f. Cattaraugus g. CauquauM. h. Two Sisters, e. Cazenove.
1. Buffalo, n. Cayuga, p. .Murder Creek, r. Tonawanda Creek.
Lakes. L. Erie.
Islands. W. Grand Island.
Battle Fields. Lake Erie. Buffalo.
Cities and Villages. Buffalo. Black Rock. Williamsville.
Springville. Auroraville.
Boundaries. North by Niagara county ; East by Genesee
and Wyoming ; South by Cattaraugus and Chautauque coun-
ties ; and West by Lake Erie and Niagara river.
Surface. This county lies upon the great western plain. Its
northern half is level or gently undulating ; the southern is hilly,
particularly along the streams; the dividing ridge which sepa-
rates the waters flowing northward, from the tributaries of Cat-
taraugus creek, passes through the southern tier of towns.
Rivers. The county is well watered ; Tonawanda creek
forms its northern boundary. Its principal tributaries are Mur-
der and Ellicott's, or Eleven mile, creeks. Buffalo creek, formed
by the union of Seneca, Cayuga, and Cazenove creeks, waters
the central portion of the county. The other streams are
smaller: the principal are Cauquaga, or Eighteen mile, Two
Sisters, Delaware, and Little Buffalo creeks.
Lake Erie forms a portion of its western boundary.
Grand Island, in the Niagara river belongs to this county.
Climate. From its proximity to the lake, the climate is
moist, warmer in winter and cooler in summer, than some other
portions of the state. The vegetation is from eight to ten days
earlier than in the same parallels in the eastern part of the
state.
Geology and Minerals. The Onondaga salt group, (lime-
stone,) is the basis rock of this county. It appears on the sur-
face in the northern tier of towns. The Helderberg series suc-
ceed this in the towns of Buffalo, Chictawaga, Lancaster and
Alden, and these in their turn give place to the Hamilton group
of limestones. In the southern half of the county, the Casha-
qua, or Ludlowville shales, and the Chemung sandstones form
the surface rocks.
ERIE COUNTY. 379
The limestone is extensively quarried in the neighborhood of Niagara river and
the Lake. It is not, however, generally susceptible of a high polish, but makes a
fine building material, when hammer-dressed. Water limestone is found on
Grand Island. Petroleum springs rise a few miles southeast of Cayuga creek.
Iron pyrites, copper ores in small quantities, and water limestone are the principal
minerals. There is a sulphur spring about four miles from Buffalo, and one on
Grand Island, containing free sulphuric acid in a very diluted state. The bitumin-
ous shale, in which the petroleum springs rise, is so thoroughly impregnated with
bitumen that it burns freely when ignited. Geodes, or masses of impure lime-
stone, exhibiting fantastic and singular forms, occur in this as well as in some of
the other counties.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is generally
good, consisting of warm, sandy, gravelly loam, occasionally
mingled with clay, and well adapted to wheat ; in the southern
part it is more clayey, and is very productive of grass.
The timber is large and abundant in the southern part, con-
sisting of oak, beech, maple, linden, elm, ash, poplar, hemlock,
white pine, butternut, black walnut, wild cherry, &c. In the
north it is principally diminutive oaks and underwood. The
peach and other fruits attain extraordinary size and per-
fection.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the pursuit of a majority of the in-
habitants. The culture of grain and of grass occupy nearly
equal attention.
Manufactures also form the occupation of a large number of
the inhabitants. Flour, lumber, cloths, iron, leather, malt
liquors, distilled liquors and potash, are the principal articles
manufactured. The flour mills produced, in 1845, flour to the
value of more than a million of dollars. The entire value of the
manufactures of the county, during the same year, was over
$2,300,000.
The commerce of Erie county is very extensive. Buffalo and
Black Rock, the principal lake ports, carry on a large trade with
all the states situated upon the upper lakes, and with Canada.
The shipping of these ports amounted, in 1845, to 25,000 tons.
In addition to this, the immense quantities of produce, manufac-
tures and furniture transported on the Erie canal and its branch-
es, are here transhipped.
Staple Productions. Butter, cheese, oats, wheat, corn,
wool, beef and pork.
Schools. There are in the county 291 school districts. In
1846, the schools were taught on an average eight months.
The same year, 24,523 children received instruction at an ex-
pense of $30,539. The district school libraries contained 31,032
volumes.
There were fifty-seven private schools, with 1304 pupils; and three acade-
mies, with 244 students. The school system of Buffalo has been already descri-
bed, (see page 125.)
380 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Religious Denominations. Baptists, Methodists, Presbyte-
rians, Congregationalists, Roman Catholics, Friends, Episco-
palians, Universalists, Dutch Reformed, Unitarians and Lu-
therans. There are in the county ninety-four churches, and
one hundred and twenty-five clergymen, of all denominations.
History. The whole county, except a strip a mile wide, on
the Niagara river, is within the limits of the Holland Land
Company's purchase.
Its settlement dates since the commencement of the present,
century. Buffalo, the first town in the present limits of the
county, was laid out in 1S01, but its increase was very slow until
1812, when it became a military post. In December, 1813, the
British made a descent upon this county, and burned Buffalo
and Black Rock. These villages were soon rebuilt.
In 1816-17, a number of persons from Canada and the United
States took possession of Grand Island, in Niagara river, now
forming a portion of the town of Tonawanda, and dividing the
land between themselves, gave out that they were an independ-
ent community, and amenable to neither government. After
the question of the boundary was settled, they w r ere expelled by
force, under the authority of a law of the state ; their houses
being destroyed by the sheriff and posse of Erie county.
In 1825, ajor Noah, of New York, a learned Jew, and editor
of a newspaper in that city, formed the design of building a city
of refuge, upon that island, colonizing it with Jews, and making
it a resting place for that dispersed people. He erected a mon-
ument, which is still in existence, upon the island. But the Eu-
ropean Rabbins did not sanction the scheme, and it failed of
completion.
Red Jacket, Sagoyouwatha, or Keeper Awake, as his name
signifies, the most eloquent and intelligent of his nation, was one
of the chiefs of the Senecas, and resided on the Buffalo reserva-
tion. He was warmly attached to his tribe, and opposed the
whites with the utmostdaring, until he saw that resistance was
vain. He died in 1832.
Mary Jemison, the Seneca white woman, was buried in this
reservation.
The completion of the Erie canal, in 1S25, brought a vast tide
of emigration into this county, and it has now become the fourth
county in the state in population.
Cities and Villages. Buffalo city, the county seat of Erie
county, as has been already stated, is a city of modern growth,
laid out at the commencement of the present century, and con-
tained in 1817, but one hundred houses. It owes its growth to
its advantageous commercial position on the lake, rendering it
the depot of the immense quantities of produce, which find their
ERIE COUNTY. 381
way through that channel, from the boundless prairies of the
west, to tide water, and to the great western railroad which
connects with Boston.
In 1845, the amount of produce coming from other states by
way of Buffalo, was 233,135 tons, of which 118,614 tons were
flour. Probably about one half this amount of goods, furniture,
&c. was shipped at Buffalo, for other states. The tolls receiv-
ed at Buffalo, in 1845, amounted to $482,000.
The harbor of Buffalo is spacious and convenient for vessels
of light draught : it is obstructed by the ice in the spring, till a
later period than the ports on the Canada side. It has been
proposed to construct a ship canal across the isthmus, from the
lake to Buffalo creek, which would in a measure obviate this
difficulty.
The United States government have expended nearly
$100,000 in the improvement of this harbor, the construction of
a mole, pier, &c. and the erection of a light house. Considera-
ble sums have also been expended, for the same purpose, by the
citizens. Buffalo is largely engaged in manufactures of various
descriptions. The present population of the city is somewhat
over 30,000. It was chartered as a city in 1832.
Black Rock, a village in the town of the same name, is about
three miles north of Buffalo, on the Niagara river. The harbor
is formed by an immense stone pier, or mole, more than a mile
in length. By means of this the Erie canal is supplied with wa-
ter for nearly half its length. This work was erected by the
state of New York, at an expense of $300,000. It also furnishes
a fine water power, which is employed for flouring mills, saw-
mills, &c. Black Rock is extensively engaged in manufactures.
The lower or northern terminus of the Erie canal is here : the
town increases rapidly in population, and now numbers about
5000 inhabitants. It was burned by the British in December,
1813.
Auroraville, in the town of Aurora, possesses fine water
power on the Cazenove creek, as yet, however, not fully im-
proved. The Aurora seminary is a flourishing institution.
Population, 1000.
Williamsville, in the town of Amherst, is a thriving village.
Large quantities of water lime, (hydraulic cement,) are manu-
factured here. Population, about 1000.
Spr^ingville is a flourishing manufacturing village, in the
town of Concord. It has a number of factories, and an incorpo-
rated academy. Population, 1200.
Tivnawanda is a new town, comprising Grand Island and a
portion of the main land, as well as some other small islands.
The island was purchased some years since by a company called
17*
STATE OF NEW YORK.
the East Boston Company, who erected here extensive saw-
mills, for the purpose of preparing ship timber, but in the gen-
eral depression of business in 1836-7, they were forced to sus
pend operations. The village of Whitehaven was built mainly
by this company.
LI. LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Square miles, about 563.
Organized, 1821.
Population, 37,345.
Valuation, 1845, $8,572,869.
LIVINGSTON COUNTY. 383
TOWNS.
1. Avon, 17S9. 9. Groveland, 1812.
2. Geneseo, 1789. 10. Springwater, 1816.
3. Lima, 17S9. 11. Mount Morris, 1818.
4. Sparta, 1789. 12. Conesus, 1819.
5. Caledonia, 1802. 13. York, 181'.).
0. Leicester, 1802. 14. Portage, 1827.
7. Livonia, 1808. 15. North Dansville, 1846.
8. Nunda, 1808. 10. West Sparta, lS4fi.
Rivers. N. Genesee, a. Cashaqua. I). Conesus Outlet, c. Out-
let of Hemlock Lake, d. Honeoye Creek, r. Canascraga.
Lakes, f. Conesus. l t . Hemlock.
Battle Fields. Beardstown.
Villages. Gene eo. Mount Morris. Dansville. Avon Springs.
Portageville. Nunda. Moscow. Lima.
Boundaries. North by Monroe ; East by Ontario ; South by
Allegany and Steuben ; and West by Wyoming and Genesee
counties.
Surface. This county is situated on the northern slope of
the great dividing ridge which separates the tributaries of the
Susquehanna and Ohio, from the waters flowing into the lake.
The southern portion of the county is about 800 feet above
Lake Ontario, and the descent toward the lake, though lor the
most part gradual, is divided into two terraces, the one, nearly on
a line with the Portage falls, in Wyoming county ; the other, a
continuation of the mountain ridge of Ontario. This inclined
plane is, how r ever, intersected by the valley of the Genesee river,
which, with a width o ' from two to four miles, has a depth, in
the southern part of the county, of not less than 400 feet. A
ridge of still greater elevation, traverses the section between
the Conesus and Hemlock lakes, bearing northeast.
Rivers. The Genesee river is the great stream of this coun-
ty, and receives all the waters wdiich rise in, or flow through it.
Its principal tributaries are the Canascraga and Cashaqua
creeks, and the outlets of the Conesus and Hemlock lakes.
The Honeoye outlet forms a portion of the eastern boundary
of the county.
Lakes. Conesus and Hemlock are the only lakes of impor-
tance in the county. The former is nine miles long and nearly
a mile broad. It is well stocked with fish, and is said to be more
than 300 feet deep.
Hemlock lake is six miles long and one mile wide. It lies
partly in Ontario county.
Climate. The climate is mild and temperate ; more uniform
than in some other sections of the state. It is regarded as very
healthful.
384
STATE OF NEW YORK.
Geology and Minerals. About two-thirds of the county,
upon the north, belong to the Ontario group, consisting princi-
pally of the limestone of the Onondaga salt group, which, in
some cases, approaches very near the surface. In the southern
portion, the Ludlowville and Cashaqua shales are the prevail-
ing rocks, though intermingled with limestone.
Bog iron ore occurs in the county. Gypsum is abundant. Some brine springs
have been discovered, though not of great value. The sulphur springs of Avon*
have a high and deserved celebrity, in numerous diseases, and rank among the
best sulphur springs in the United States.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is generally
highly fertile, and well adapted to the growth of grain. In the
north it consists principally of sandy loam, intermingled with de-
composed limestone, which renders it perpetually fertile.
In the north, the oak prevails, but is occasionally interspersed
with other timber ; in the south, oak, maple, elm, basswood, but-
ternut, walnut, ash, hemlock, white pine. &c, are the principal
forest trees.
Pursuits. Agriculture. The culture of grain, and the rear-
ing of cattle and swine, form the principal pursuits of the inhab-
itants of this county. Manufactures are, however, rising in
* The following are analyses of the sulphur springs of Avon. That of the Up-
per spring was made by Professor Hadley, of Fairfield, and that of the Lower, by
Dr. S. Salisbury, Jr. of Avon.
UPPER SPRING.
Carbonate of lime,
Sulphate of lime, -
" magnesia,
" soda,
Muriate of soda,
Amount of saline ingredients.
One gallon contains per volume.
Sulphuretted Hydrogen,
Carbonic acid gas, ....
Gases,
LOWER SPRINC
Carbonate of lime, -
Chloride of calcium,
Sulphate of lime,
" magnesia.
M soda,
Amount of saline ingredients,
Carbonic acid gas,
Sulphuretted hydrogen,
Nitrogen,
Oxygen, -
Grains.
8
84
10
16
18.4
136.4
cub. in.
12
5.6
17.6
Grains.
29.33
8.41
57.44
49.61
1373
153.52
cub. in.
3.92
10.02
5.42
56
Gases,
19.92
LIVINGSTON COUNTY. 385
importance. The principal articles manufactured are flour, pa-
per, lumber, distilled liquors, cloths, &c.
Commerce. The Genesee Valley canal furnishes a conven-
ient mode of transportation, lor the produce of the county, to tide
water. There are no mines in the county.
Staple Productions. Wheat, pork, and cattle are the great
staples of the county. Large quantities of butter, wool, oats,
and corn are also exported. Hemp and flax are grown largely
in the Genesee valley.
Schools. There are 193 school-houses in this county. The
schools were taught, on an average, nine months during the
year 1846, and 12,677 children were instructed, at an expense of
$19,502. There were 25, 121 volumes in the district libraries.
There were twenty-four private schools, with ] 36 pupils, and three academies,
with 165 students.
Religious Denominations. Presbyterians, Methodists, Bap-
tists, Episcopalians, Dutch Reformed, Universalists, Unitari-
ans, Congregationalists, Lutherans, Roman Catholics, and
Jews. There are seventy-two churches, and ninety-two cler-
gymen of all denominations.
History. The banks of the Genesee river in this county,
were the favorite residence of the Seneca Indians, for a long
period before the white man had trod that beautiful valley. In
civilization, this tribe were more advanced than the Indians gen-
erally, and were considered foremost in the arts of peace, among
the allied tribes. They cultivated their fields, built cabins for
themselves, and when they could not obtain a supply of food
from the forests or the lakes, looked to the products of their
soil for sustenance.
In 1687, the Marquis de Nonville, governor of Canada, en-
raged at the firm adherence of this tribe to the English, collect-
ed a large force of French and Indians, and commenced an ex-
pedition against them. Following the course of the Genesee,
he approached their villages with the intention of destroying
them, and subjecting the captives he might take to the torture;
but the wily Senecas were too crafty for the French commander.
They stationed 500 warriors in ambuscade on his route, and
having thrown his troops into disorder, by a well directed vol-
ley of musketry, rushed upon them, tomahawk in hand. The
battle was fierce and bloody ; the Senecas were at length re-
pulsed, but not without severe loss on the part of the French.
De Nonville could not be persuaded to follow them till the next
day, and then found that they had destroyed their villages, and
removed their wives and children beyond his reach. Two old
men, all that remained, were carried away, killed and eaten by
his savage allies.
385 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Ue Nonvillc returned to Canada, establishing - , in his route, a
fort at Niagara, which he garrisoned with 100 men. This tort
was so closely invested by the Indians, that e ghty-eight out. of
the hundred perished from starvation, and bui for the aid of a
partv of friendly Indians, the rest would have shared the same
fate.
In 1779, General Sullivan terminated his campaign on the
banks of the Genesee, in this cou ty, alter sending- a detach-
ment to Little Beardstown, now Leicester. It was in this town
that the brave Lieutenant Boyd met with his melancholy fate,
being executed with the most horrible tortures by the Indians,
at the instigation of the infamous Butler, after his life had been
guarantied by Brant.
Ebenezer Allen, known as Indian Allen, the first miller of
Rochester, a monster of wickedness, settled here soon after the
revolution, but in a few years removed.
The principal founders and benefactors of the county w T ere
William and James Wadsworth, who emigrated from Connec-
ticut in 1790. They purchased large tracts of land, which, by
the rapid tide of immigration, soon became very valuable. Many
of the early settlers w r ere from Connecticut, and their enterprise
and industry has made them wealthy.
Villages. Geneseo, in the tow r n of the same name, is the
seat of justice for the county. It is pleasantly situated, about a
mile from the river, on the terrace back of the flats. It is well
built, and has considerable trade. The Geneseo academy, for-
merly the Livingston county high school, of which Mr. Wads-
worth was the chief benefactor, is located here. It has a spa-
cious building, and is well endowed.
In this town are situated the Wadsworth farms, located on
the broad alluvial flats of the Genesee, and celebrated for their
fertility and superior cultivation. The mansion of the late
James Wadsworth is, perhaps, unsurpassed in the state for the
beauty of its location. Population 1600.
Avon, in the town of the same name, has become a favorite
resort of late for invalids and pleasure seekers, from all sec-
tions of the country. The healing virtues of its justly cele-
brated springs w T ere known to the Senecas, long before the
country was visited by the whites. Red Jacket, a distinguished
Seneca chief, w r as accustomed to resort to them. Population
800.
Upon the Genesee flats in this town, the Mechoacan, wild potatoe vine, or man
of the ground, (Convolvulus panduratus.) is found abundantly. It has a large
bulbous root, three or four feet in length, and frequently six or eight inches in di-
ameter. It is a mild cathartic, resembling rhubarb in its effects.
There is a pond on the fiats irregularly circular in fonn, a neck of land runs into
it and expands within the circle, and upon this are remains of Indian fortifications.
LIVINGSTON COUNTY. 387
Lima, situated in the town of the same name, is a beautiful
village, remarkable for the neatness of its dwellings. The Gen-
esee Wesleyan seminary, located here, is under the control of
the Methodists. It was incorporated in 1834, and placed under
the visitation of the Regents of the Univerisi y in 1836. It is
well endowed, and in a highly flourishing condition. Popula-
tion 600.
Mount Morris, in the town of the same name, is a finely sit-
uated, thriving village, settled in 1804, by emigrants from Con-
necticut. It is considerably engaged in manufactures. Popula-
tion 1400.
Dansville, in the town of North Dansville, at the head of the
Genesee valley, ibrty-five miles from Rochester, is a large,
thriving and busy village. It is extensively engaged in manu-
factures, and has an abundant supply of hydraulic power. Pa-
per, flour, leather, iron, cloth, and lumber, in large quantities, are
among its principal manufactures. A branch of the Genesee
Valley canal extends to this village. Population 1800.
Nunda, in the town of the same name, on the proposed
line of the Genesee Valley canal, is a place of considerable
business. It has a flourishing academy, and several manu-
factories. The town in which it is situated was annexed to
Livingston county, by the legislature, in 1846. Population
1100.
Portageville is in the town of Portage, on the west bank of
the Genesee river, where it enters the gorge, and is surrounded
by beautiful and picturesque scenery. It has great facilities lor
manufacturing. This town, like the preceding, was taken
from Allegany in 1846. The falls and tunnel here are worthy
of notice. Population about 1000.
LII. MONROE COUNTY.
Square miles, 607.
Organized, 1821.
Population, 70,899.
Valuation, 1845, $14,351,436.
Chili, 1S02.
Gates, 1802.
Greece, 1802.
Parma, 1808.
Rit^a, 180S.
Pehfield, 1810.
Mendon, 1812.
Perrinton, 1812.
Sweden, 1813.
Brighton, 1814.
TOWNS.
11. Pittsford, 1814.
12. Ogden, 1817.
13. Rochester, 1817.
14. Henrietta, 1818.
Rush, ISIS.
Clarkson, 1819.
Wheatland, 1821.
Irondequoit, 1837.
Webster, 1838.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
<>.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Rivers. N. Genesee, a. Sandy Creek, b. Black Creek. C. Allen.
d. Honeoye. e Salmon, f. Little Salmon, h. Irondequoit.
Falls, p. Genesee Falls. Honeoye Falls.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
MONROE COUNTY.
389
Lakes and Bays. J. Ontario, i. Teoronto, or Irondequoit Bay. j.
Braddock's Bay. k. Duck Pond. 1. Long Pond.
Cities and Villages. Rochester. Pittsl'ord. Brockport.
Boundaries. North by Lake Ontario ; East by Wayne coun-
ty; South by Ontario and Livingston counties, and West by
Genesee and Orleans counties.
Surface. This county, like Orleans and Niagara, is divided
into terraces by the Ridge-Road, and the mountain ridge, which
cross it from east to west. The surface as a whole declines
gradually towards the lake. The terrace, at Rochester, is 270
feet above Lake Ontario, and sixty-four feet below the upper
terrace, which is nearly on a level with Lake Erie.
On the shores of Irondequoit bay, and Irondequoit creek, are numerous conical
sand hills, sometimes single, at others united, and rising to an average height of
200 feet.
Rivers. The Genesee is the principal stream. Its tribu-
taries are the Honeoye creek, from the east, and Black, and
Allen's creeks, from the West.
Sandy, Salmon, Little Salmon, Rush, and Irondequoit creeks,
flow directly into the lake.
Bays. Teoronto or Irondequoit Bay, Duck Pond, Long Pond,
and Braddock's, or Bradlow's Bay, are the principal of the nu-
merous inlets of e lake, upon the coast of this county.
The name of the first (Teoronto) is of Indian origin, and signifies " the place
where the waves gasp and expire."
Climate. The climate of this county, influenced by the near-
ness to the lake, is mild and equable, and the thermometer
has a less average range, than in most parts oi the state. Pul-
monary affections are, however, becoming increasingly preva-
lent.
Geology and Minerals. The basis rock of the county is the
Medina sandstone, which is widely expanded, and makes its ap-
pearance at the surface along the shore of the lake. Above this
lies the Clinton group, thinner than in Wayne ; next the Niag-
ara group, abounding in fossils ; next the Onondaga salt group,
which is well developed in some parts of the county, and con-
tains numerous beds of gypsum.
There are several salt springs in the county, but the brine is not sufficiently
strong to render them valuable. Sulphur springs are numerous, but few of them
are visited. The Monroe springs, five miles from Rochester, are the most cele-
brated. There are also springs strongly impregnated with sulphur in the town of
Ogden. There is n mineral spring at Riga containing iron.
Marl is abundant in Wheatland, Chili, and Riga. Gypsum occurs in largo
quantities in Wheatland. A bod of argillaceous iron ore extends from the Gen-
esee river to the eastern limit of the county, but it is little worked.
lilende and galena, the sulphurets of lead and zinc, are also found in the county
in small quantities. Fire stone, a magnesian earth used for lining stoves and
390 STATE OF NEW YORK.
fire-places, Is found abundantly in Ogden and Sweden. There is some limestone
suitable for building.
Son. and Vegetable Productions. The soil is gravelly
loam, usually of great depth , and by the aid of disintegrated
limestone, is rendered perpetually fertile.
Ti e timber is mainly oak, beech, and maple, frequently very
dense, but in the oak openings more sparse. In the swamps
arc black oak, pine, and tamarack.
The Genesee wheal, so abundantly raised in this county, is found, on analysis,
to contain more saccharine matter than that of the southern status, and to com-
bine with less water in the composition of bread. The superiority of its Hour is
well known to need remark.
Pursuits. Agriculture holds a high rank among the pur-
suits of the people of this county. It is the largest grain county
in the state. In 1845, there were raised in the county 1,338,000
bushels of wheat, besides large quantities of other grains.
Manufactures are also in a highly flourishing condition.
The county contains, perhaps, the largest flouring mills in the
world, and produces hour annually to the value of more than
two and a half mi lions of dollars. Lumber, cloths, iron, pa-
per, and leather are also extensively manufactured.
C mmerce. A steamer plies on t ie Genesee, between Ro-
chester and Avon, in Livingston county. Steamers from the
lake ascend the Genesee to Carthage, which is the port of Ro-
chester : the Erie canal receives a large portion of its immense
freights from this county. There are no mines of importance.
The Staple Production is wheat. Considerable quantities
of butter, wool, and pork are also produced.
Schools. There are in the county 240 school-houses. The
schools were taught, during the year 1846, an average period
of nine months. 19,448 children received instruction, at a cost
of S33, ( J01. The libraries of the districts contained 34,468 vol-
umes.
There were sixteen private schools in the county, attended by 297 children, and
it academies and female seminaries, with 432 pupils.
The organization of the Rochester city schools has been described at page 125.
Tin- Rochi ster university was incorporated in 18-lti.
Religious Denominations. Baptists, Methodists, Presby-
terians. Congregationalists, Friends, Universalists, Episcopa-
lians, Roman Catholics, Unitarians, Dutch Reformed, and Lu-
tberans.
History. This county was settled principally by emigrants
from New England, with a few from other states, and other
sections of New York.
In 1726, a station was established at Teoronto or Ironde-
quoit bay, to secure the Indian trade.
In 1796, the first permanent settlement was made at Han-
ford's landing, where was erected the first house in this county,
MONROE COUNTY. 391
west of Genesee river. Indian Allen, so notorious in the his-
tory of this region, erected a grist mill and saw mill on the
hundred acre lot on which part of the city of Rochester now
stands, in 1789, receiving a deed of a hundred acres of land ad-
joining, from Messrs. Phelps and Gorham, the proprietors, for
his encouragement.
In a few years, these decayed and were abandoned. Roches-
ter was not settled till 1811, and was laid out as a village in
1812.
In 1813, the Seneca Indians held a great sacrifice and thanks-
giving of several days continuance, on the present site of Ro-
chester.
The terror inspired by the incursions of the British and their
savage allies, during the late war, prevented the rapid settle-
ment of the county.* After the close of that war, however, its
growth was astonishingly rapid. The completion of the Erie
canal, by opening a market for the productions of its fertile soil,
gave a new impulse to its prosperity, and it is now one of the
most populous counties in the state.
Cities and Villages. Rochester city lies on both sides of
the Genesee river, seven miles from Lake Ontario. It is finely
situated and handsomely built. The streets are generally wide
and well paved. The two sections of the city are connected by
several bridges, and by the splendid aqueduct of the Erie canal.
It has many fine edifices, among its charchee and public build-
ings-
* In 1814, Sir James Yeo, with thirteen vessels of various sizes, appeared off the
mouth of the Genesee river, threatening the destruction of the infant settlement.
There were but thirty-three people in Rochester capable of bearing arms. They
assembled, together with the few who could he gathered from the other settlements,
and hurried down to the mouth of the river. The militia were undisciplined and
not in uniform, but they were brave and determined. They were inarched and
counter-marched through the woods, in order to deceive the enemy in regard to
their numbers. Presently an officer was senl from the British fleet with a flag of
truce. Hi.' was received by ten of the most soldier like of the militia, who, in order
to be ready for action, kept fast hold of the triggers of their muskets. The Brit-
ish officer expressing his surprise at this, the officer, to rectify his mistake, order-
ed his men to ground arms. This astonished the British officer still more, and
believing their ignorance to be feigned, he hurried back to the fleet, fully satisfied
that a plot was laid for them.
In the afternoon of the same day another officer was sent with a flag of truce,
the object of the enemy being, if possible, to obtain the provisions stored there,
without endangering their own safety. Captain Francis Rrown was deputed with
a guard to receive the flag. The officer was still suspicious, and finally asked that
the military stores and provisions should be given up, on the condition that the set-
tlements were spared l>y Sir James Yeo. " No," was the prompt reply of the
patriotic Brown, " Blood knee deep first." While this parley was in progress, an
American officer with his staff, on their return from Fort Niagara, weir accident-
ally seen, passing from one wooded point to another. This confirmed the suspi-
cions of the British officer, and on his return to the fleet, a vigorous attack was
made upon the woods with bomb shells and balls, which were returned with some
effect by a rusty old six pounder, which had been furbished and remounted for
the occasion.
After a few hours. Admiral Yeo slipped his cables and ran down to Pulteneyville,
where, to his mortification, he learned how he had been outwitted by a handful of
militia.
392 STATE OF NEW YORK.
This city owes its rapid growth to the vast hydraulic power
created by the falls of the Genesee river, which amount to 268
feel within the bounds of the city, there being three falls of
ninety-six, twenty, and 105 feet, besides rapids. The passage
of the Erie canal through the city, and the navigability of the
Genesee river, above and below the falls, render it a central
point for the immense trade of the fertile counties by which it is
surounded.
ester was laid out in 1812 by Nathaniel Rochester,
Charles Carrol and William Fitzhugh, and received the name
of the senior proprietor. In 1816 it numbered but 331 inhabit-
ants ; and in 1S17 it was incorporated as a village, under the
name of Rochesterville. In lS34it received a charter as a city,
and now (1846) has a population of more than 25,000 inhab-
itants.*
The quantity, as well as the quality of the flour manufactured
here, entitle the city to rank among the first flour markets in the
world. Between one and two millions of dollars are invested
in this business.
Brockport, a village in the town of Sweden, is pleasantly sit-
uated on the line of the canal. It has a large trade, particularly
in grain. The collegiate school edifice, erected by the citizens
at an expense of S 25, 000, is a noble stone building, five stories
high. Population 2000.
Wheatland is appropriately named; the fertility of its soil
and its adaptation to the culture of grain is such as to render it
the granary of the county. It is rich also in gypsum and marl.
Scottsvilte, in this town, was founded by Isaac Scott, in 1800.
It is a thriving village, and has some manufactures. Popula-
tion 600.
Mumfordsville and Garbellsmills are small villages in the
town.
West Mendon, in the town of Mendon, is a manufacturing
village of some importance.
Port Genesee, at the mouth of the Genesee river, in the
town of Greece, has a customhouse, lighthouse, several large
warehouses, &c. Its harbor is good, having thirty feet water
within the bar. It has some trade.
Pittsfbrd, in the town of the same name, is a thriving village
on the canal. Population 800.
* About the commencement of the present century, it was proposed in the leg-
islature of New York, to build a bridge across the Genesee river, at the present
site of Rochester. The project was strongly opposed, and one member remarked
that it was "a Godforsaken place, inhabited only by muskrats, and visited only
by straggling trappers, through which neither man nor beast could gallop without
fear of starvation, or fever and ague."
Square miles, 320.
Organized, 1823.
LIII. YATES COUNTY.
Population, 20,777.
Valuation, $4,207,936.
TOWNS
1. Jerusalem, 17S9.
2. Middlesex, 17S9.
3. Benton, 1803.
4. Italy, 1815.
Rivers, a. Crooked Lake Outlet
f. West.
Lakes. BB. Seneca, h. Canandaigua. m. Crooked.
Villages. Penn Yan. Rushville. Bellona. Dresden.
5. Milo, 1818.
6. Barrington, 1822.
7. Starkey, 1824.
8. Potter, 1832.
c. Big Stream, e. Flint Creek.
Boundaries. North by Ontario county ; East by Seneca lake ;
South by Steuben county, and West by Crooked and Cananda-
igua lakes, and Ontario county.
Surface. The surface of this county is greatly elevated. It
lies on the northern declivity of the ridge which separates the
waters of the Susquehanna from those flowing into the lakes
and the St. Lawrence. The southern extremity of the county
is elevated from 1200 to 1300 feet above tide water, and in the
town of Barrington attains the height of 1600 feet. From this
height it descends to the surface of the Canandaigua and Sen-
eca lakes— the former of which is 670, and the latter about 420
feet above the level of the ocean.
394 STATE OF NEW YORK.
The hills, however, are never abrupt, but generally gently
\\ i\ [rig, and rounded at their summits.
Rivers and Creeks. The principal streams of the county are
Flint creek. Crooked lake outlet, connecting Crooked and Sen-
lakes; West river, a tributary of Canandaigua lake, and
Big and Rock streams flowing into Seneca lake. The Crooked
lake canal follows the course of the outlet.
Lakes. Seneca lake forms the entire eastern boundary of the
county. Two-thirds of Crooked lak€ lie within its limits, and
Canandaigua lake forms its northwestern boundary.
< Jlimate. The climate is temperate and healthful, and for the
cultivation of fruit is not surpassed by that of any county in the
« rEOLOGY and Minerals. The Ludlowville shale is the pre-
vailing rock, and approaches the surface in the southern part
of the county. The soil above this is a marly clay, highly
fertile, and particularly favorable to grass crops. The northern
portion of ihe county belongs to the great central limestone for-
mation, but the limestone alternates with slate.
£ ilphate of iron (copperas) is found native in the eastern part of the county.
There is a valuable sulphur spring near the foot of Crooked lake. An infiamma-
Me gas spring has been discovered near Rushville. and a very productive brine
spring has been found at the Big stream falls, near Dundee, in the town of Starkey.
Vegetable Productions. The timber of the county is large,
but not so dense as in some other sections. It consists of oak,
hickory, chestnut, black and white walnut, wild cherry, maple,
beech, linden, poplar, ash, &c. The apple, pear, plum, cherry,
melons and grapes, are all very successfully cultivated here.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the pursuit of a majority of the in-
habitants— the elevated and diversified surface of the county
renders it well adapted to grazing. In portions of it, however,
grain is successfully cultivated.
Manufactures are attracting some attention. The principal
articles manufactured are flour, lumber, woollen cloths, oil, dis-
tilled liquors and leather.
The commerce of the county is confined to lake and canal nav-
igation, and is not very extensive. There are no mines of im-
portance.
Staple Productions. Wheat, oats, corn, barley, butter,
wool and pork.
Schools. There are in the county 106 public school houses.
In these, schools were taught an average period of seven months,
in 1846. The number of volumes in the district libraries is
13,644 ; 6536 children were instructed during the year, at an
expense of $S789.
There were in the county eighteen private schools, with 218 pupils, and one
aeademy, with twenty-six scholars.
YATES COUNTY.
395
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Baptists, Presbyte-
ians, Episcopalians, Congregationalists and Dutch Reformed.
There are forty- five churches, and forty-one clergymen, of all
denominations, in the county.
History. This county was entirely included in the Massa-
chusetts grant, and formed a portion of the Pulteney estate.
The first inhabitants were from New England and Pennsylvania.
This county was the residence of the celebrated Jemima Wil-
kinson, during- the latter part of her life.*
Villages, &c. Penn Yan, the seat of justice for the county,
is a village in the town of Milo. It is pleasantly situated at the
foot of Crooked lake, and received its name from the circum-
stance that its original inhabitants were Pennsylvanians and
Yankees, in equal numbers. Population 2500. t
Jerusalem, one of the earliest settled towns in the county,
is fertile and well cultivated. BlurF point is a high bold tongue
of land extending between the arms of Crooked lake. The
landscape, which spreads itself before the beholder, from this
lofty headland, is one of the most picturesque and beautiful
afforded by the scenery of the smaller lakes.
Starkey is a hilly but well watered town. The falls of Big
stream, in this town, are worthy of the attention, both of the ge-
ologist and traveller. The stream, after dashing over a rapid
half a mile in length, leaps down 140 feet, into a basin eight or
teifrods in diameter, from whence its foaming waters find their
way to the lake, by a channel some eighty rods in length.
Dundee is a busy and thriving village in the town of Starkey.
It has some manufactures. Population 1000.
* Jemima Wilkinson, or as she styled herself, the '' Universal Friend," was
born in Cumberland. Rhode Island, about the year 1753. She was educated
anion? the Friends. When about twenty-three years of age, she was taken sick,
and during her illness an apparent suspension of life occurred. After her recov-
ery she professed to have been raised from the dead, and to have been invested
with divine attributes, and authority to instruct mankind in religion. She also pre-
tended to foretell future events, and to possess the power to heal the sick and to
w r ork miracles ; and if any person who made application to her was not healed,
she ascribed it to a want of faith. She asserted that those who refused to believe
her claims, would be forever punished for their incredulity. She possessed ex-
traordinary beauty, and though illiterate, discovered great tact in maintaining her
extraordinary pretensions. Her memory was said to be very retentive. She set-
tled at Milo, in this county, with her followers, in 1790, and subsequently removed
to Bluff Point, where she died, in 1S19. The settlement at Milo numbered about
forty familes, and was then the largest in the whole Genesee country. A few of
her disciples still remain at Bluff Point.
L1V. WAYNE COUNTY.
Square milrs. 572.
Organized, 18 2 3.
Population. 42,515.
Valuation, 1845, $6,818,533.
TO WNS.
9. Savannah, 1824.
10. Arcadia, 1825.
11. Marion, 1825.
12. Butler, 1826.
Huron, 1826.
Rose, 1826.
Walworth, 1829.
13
14
15
1. Palmyra, 1789.
2. Sodus, 1789.
3. Williamson, 1802.
4. Ontario, 18 7.
5. Wolcott, 1807.
6. Lvons, 1811.
7. Galen, 1812.
8. Macedon, 1823.
Rivers, <$•<*. a. Mud Creek, b. Canandaie;ua River, c. Clyde.
Lakes and Bays. J. Ontario, d. Sodus Bay. e. Port Bay. f. East
Bay. h. Crusoe Lake.
I'il 1 ages. Lyons. Palmyra. Newark. Clyde. Pulteneyville.
Boundaries. North by Lake Ontario; East by Cayuga
county ; South by Seneca and Ontario, and West by Monroe.
Surface. The surface is much diversified. The Ridge Road
extends through the county, from east to west, at a distance of
from four to eight miles from the shore of Lake Ontario, and at
an elevation of 140 feet above it. North of this road, the descent
to the lake is gradual and nearly uniform ; south of it, and ex-
tending to the mountain ridge, the surface is raised into low
hills of gravel and sand, seemingly by the action of the waves of
tht lake, which, perhaps, at some remote period, covered this
whole region.
The mountain ridge forms, here, the watershed of the county ,
WAYNE COUNTY. 397
dividing the waters which flow into the lake from those which
run southerly.
Rivers. The principal streams of the county are Mud creek
and the Canandaigua river or outlet. The length of each of
these streams is about fifty miles. They unite in the town of
Lyons and form the Clyde, a tributary of the Seneca river.
Bays. The lake coast is indented by three considerable bays,
viz: Sodus bay, Port bay and East bay. The first of these af-
fords a very good harbor lor vessels of light draft.
Crusoe lake, in the town of Savannah, is a shallow pond, one
and a half miles in circumference.
Climate. The temperature is rendered agreeable by the ex-
tent of surface exposed to the lake. The county is generally
considered healthy.
Geology and Minerals. The Medina sandstone appears on
the surface along the shore of the lake. As the land rises, this
is succeeded by the Clinton, Niagara and Onondaga groups — all
limestones. South of the Ridge-Road, the county is traversed
by numerous long, narrow, parallel ridges of sand and gravel,
from twenty-five to thirty feet high.
Lenticular iron ore and bog iron ore are found in considerable quantities.
Gypsum, marl, gypseous marl, and water limestone are abundant. Sulphur springs
and weak brine springs occur in several localities. The latter were formerly of
considerable importance. In 1810, 50,000 bushels of salt were manufactured
from them. In Wolcott, specimens of heavy spar have been discovered.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil of this county is
very fertile, and experience has proved, that the process of cul-
tivation renders it increasingly so, by producing disintegration
and decomposition of the earths of which it is composed. The
timber is similar to that of the other counties on the lake, con-
sisting of beech, maple, elm, black and white oak, white walnut,
some hemlock and pine, black and white ash, &c.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the principal pursuit of the inhabit-
ants. The diversity of the surface renders grazing and the
culture of grain nearly equally profitable, and both are practiced
extensively.
Manufactures are increasing in importance in the county.
Large quantities of flour and lumber are produced, and the
manufactures of iron, glass, leather, distilled and malt liquors,
pot and pearl ashes, employ a considerable amount oi'capital.
The commerce of the county is not large, vessels of light draft
only being able to cross the bar, at the mouth of the Sodus bay,
on which the principal landings are situated.
There are some iron mines, or quarries, as they are denom-
inated, in which considerable quantities of the lenticular iron ore
are obtained.
18
398 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Staple Productions. Wheat, corn, oats, potatoes, flax,
wool, butter, cheese and pork.
ls. The whole number of school-houses in the county
[ B 227. The public schools were maintained on an aver-
age eight months during the year 1846; 15,296 children re-
ceived instruction, at a cost of $17,635 tor tuition. The district
libraries contained 25,760 volumes.
There were in the county thirty one private schools, with 871 pupils.
ugious Denominations. Methodists, Baptists, Presbyte-
rian-. Friends. Episcopalians, Congregationalists, Dutch Re-
formed. Universalists, Unitarians and Lutherans. There are
in the county seventy-two churches, and eighty-nine clergymen,
of all denominations.
1 Iistory. The settlement of this county dates since the revo-
lution. About two-thirds of its territory, including one quarter
of the towns of Galen, Rose and Huron, and all west of these,
was included in the Massachusetts grant to Messrs. Phelps and
Gorham. and formed a part of the Pulteney estate. The other
third belonged to the Military Tract. The emigrants were
from New England, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, England, Scot-
land, and Germany. During the late war with Great Britain,
Sodus, and Pulteneyville, (a village in the town- of William-
son.) were invaded by the British, and the former burnt. They
were repulsed in each instance, before obtaining the provisions,
which were the object of their incursions.
In 1829 or 30, the Mormon delusion originated at Palmyra, in
this county. Joseph Smith, the reputed prophet and founder of
that system, resided in the town of Manchester, in Ontario
county, and his leading disciple, Martin Harris, was a thrifty
farmer of Palmyra. By money furnished by this man, Smith
was enabled to publish the first edition of the book of Mormon,
or the Mormon Bible, as it has since been called. In the autumn
of 1830, Smith removed to Kirtland, Ohio, afterward to Mis-
souri, and finally to Nauvoo, Illinois.
Villages. Lyons, the county seat, is a pleasant village in
the town of the same name. It was first settled in June, 1798,
by Mr. Van Wickle and about forty other emigrants from New
Jersey and Maryland. It has a fine hydraulic power, obtained
by a canal of half a mile in length, from the Canandaigua out-
let. The mill privileges afforded by this canal are well im-
proved. The High school here is an excellent institution, sur-
passed by few academies in the state. Population about 2000.
Palmyra, one of the earliest settled towns in the county, has
a village of the same name within its limits, situated on the Erie
canal. It is a place of considerable business, and extensively
engaged in the lumber trade. It is considered one of the most
ORLEANS COUNTY. 399
beautiful villages on the canal. Its streets are ornamented with
fine shade trees. Here is an incorporated academy. Pop. 2200.
Clyde, on the river of the same name, a village in the town of
Galen, is a thriving, busy place. It has a number of manufac-
tories. The high school here is incorporated and comprises two
school districts, which have united for greater efficiency. It is
in a flourishing condition. Population 1200.
Sodus contains within its limits the principal harbor of the
county. At the mouth of the bay in this town, the United States
government have erected a pier, a mile in length, for the im-
provement of the harbor. The town was burned during the late
war with Great Britain. Population about 500.
Pidteneyville, a village on Lake Ontario, in the town of
Williamson, was also invaded by the British, but their fears of
the American riflemen prevented them from doing much injury.
Population 500.
LV. ORLEANS COUNTY.
Square Miles, 372. Population, 25,845.
Organized, 1824. Valuation, 1845, $4,761,054,
1. Murray, 1S08.
2. Rid^eway, 1812.
3. Gaines, 1816.
4. Barre, 1818.
5. Shelby, 1818.
TOWNS.
6. Clarendon, 1821.
7. Carlton, 1822.
8. Yates, 1822.
9. Kendall, 1839.
400 STATE OF NEW YORK.
RiverSySfc. a. Sandy Creek, b. Johnson's, d. Oak Orchard.
Lakes. J. Ontario, c. Jefierson.
tillages. Albion. Medina.
Boundaries. North by Lake Ontario ; East by Monroe coun-
ty ; South by Genesee, and West by Niagara, counties.
Surface. The county has three distinct terraces, the first
rising gradually from the shore of the lake, to the height of 130
feet, is about seven or eight miles broad, and is terminated by
the Ridge-Road. The second, from one to three miles in
breadth, ri^es from the ridge more precipitously, to about the
same height, and is terminated by a ledge. The third extends
into Genesee county ; its ascent, of about 140 feet, is quite rapid.
The elevation of this highest terrace above the lake, is, there-
fore, about 400 feet.
Rivers and Creeks. Oak Orchard, Johnson's, and Sandy
creeks, are the only streams of importance in the county. The
first is about fifty miles in length.
By an open aqueduct four and a half miles in length, cut for most of the distance
through solid rock, the canal commissioners have turned the upper waters of
the Tonawanda creek into Oak Orchard creek, thus increasing the volume of the
latter, and rendering it more valuable for hydraulic purposes, and for supplying the
feeder of the Erie canal.
Lakes. There are no lakes or ponds of any importance in the
county. Jefferson lake, in the town of Murray, is the largest,
but does not contain more than fifty acres.
Marshes. The great Tonawanda Swamp, which extends
over portions of Genesee and Niagara counties, lies partly in
this county. It is twenty-five miles in length from east to west,
and from two to seven in breadth. It is bounded on all sides by
plains a little elevated above its surface.
Climate. The exposure of the whole northern boundary of
the county to the lake, has the effect of producing a more uni-
formly mild climate, than that of some of the more southern
counties. The county is generally considered healthy.
Geology and Minerals. In the northern portion of the
county, the Medina sandstone prevails, affording in many places,
an admirable material for building. In the central and southern
portions, the Niagara, Clinton and Onondaga limestones form
the surface rock.
The mineral productions are principally bog iron ore, and some brine and sul-
phur springs.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is mostly clay
and argillaceous loam, and is highly fertile. The timber of the
county, is beech, maple, linden, elm, red, black and white oak,
ORLEANS COUNTY. 401
hickory, hemlock, pine, black and white ash, &c. The southern
part of the county is more heavily wooded than the northern.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the principal pursuit, and the atten-
tion of the farmers is divided between the culture of grain and
the rearing 1 of cattle. The county, however, may properly be
ranked among the grain counties.
Manufactures receive some attention, particularly those of
flour, lumber, leather, fulled cloths, iron, and distilled liquors.
There is but one harbor on the lake, and very little commerce,
nor are there any mines of importance.
The Staple Productions of the county are wheat, oats, corn,
potatoes and lumber ; a considerable quantity of butter and
cheese are also produced.
Schools. There are in the county 134 public schools, taught,
during the year 1846, an average period of eight months. In
these schools, 9841 children received instruction, at an expense
for tuition of $11,226. The district libraries contained 16,895
volumes.
There were in the county the same year, sixteen private schools, with 313
pupils ; three academies and one female seminary, with 330 students.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Baptists, Presbyte-
rians, Unitarians, Universalists. Episcopalians, Congregation-
alists, Friends, and Dutch Reformed.
There are forty-one churches, and fifty-nine clergymen, of all
denominations, in the county.
History. This county was first settled by emigrants from
New England. It was all included in the grant to Massachu-
setts ; the towns ofBarre, Carlton, Gaines, Ridgeway, Shelby,
and Yates were comprised in the Holland Land Company's
purchase ; whilst Murray, Clarendon, and Kendall, belonged to
the Pulteney estate.
Mun^ay, the oldest town in the county, was organized in 180S,
In a settlement so recent, there is of course little of historical
interest.
In Ridgeway and its vicinity are remains of Indian fortifica-
tions.
Villages. Albion, a village in the town ofBarre, is the seat
of justice for the county. It is pleasantly situated upon the
canal, near the centre of the county.
A flourishing female seminary is here located, and an incor-
porated academy. It is surrounded by a rich and fertile coun-
try, and is a neat and thriving village. Population, 1600.
Holley is a pleasant village in the town of Murray. It has
some manufactures. A short distance east of the village, is the
Holley embankment, one of the largest on the canal, elevated
seventy-six feet above the creek. Population 400.
402
STATE OF NEW YORK.
\fedina, a thriving village in the town of Murray, was incor-
porated in 1S:>2. It has some manufactures. Population, 1200.
Knowlesville, in the same town, is a growing village. Popu-
lation. 600.
Gaines, in the town of the same name, has an incorporated
academy. Population, 700.
LVI. CHEMUNG COUNTY.
Square Miles, 530. Population. 23,689.
Organized, 1836. Valuation, 1845, $-2,464,634.
1. Chemung, 1701.
2. Elmira, 1792.
3. Catharines, 1798.
4. Big Flats, 1822.
5. Erin, 1822.
TOWNS.
6. Southport, 1S22.
7. Catlin, 1823.
8. Veteran, 1823.
9. Cayuta, 1824.
10. Dix, 1835.
CHEMUNG COUNTY. 403
Rivers. 0. Chemung, b. Newtown Creek, c. Catharine's, d.
Cayuta.
Battle Fields. Elmira.
Villages. Elmira. Havana.
Boundaries. North by Steuben and Tompkins; East by
Tompkins and Tioga; South by the state of Pennsylvania; and
West by Steuben county.
Surface. This county forms part of the great table land ex-
tending- from the counties of Ulster and Greene, to the vicinity
of Lake Erie. Its mean elevation is about J 600 feet above tide
water, but the northern portion declines gradually toward Sen-
eca Lake, whose waters are but 456 feet above the level of the
ocean. The streams which pass through the county divide this
otherwise level surface into ridges, their banks being very high
and precipitous.
Rivers. The Chemung or Tioga river is the principal stream
of the county. The other streams are, Cayuta Creek, forming
part of the eastern boundary, Wynkoop, Baldwin's and New-
town Creeks, tributaries of the Chemung, and Catharine's
Creek, an inlet of Seneca Lake.
Lakes. Cayuta Lake, in the northeastern part, is the only
pond of importance in the county. Seneca Lake forms a portion
of the northern boundary.
Canals. The Chemung canal connects the village of Elmira
•with Seneca Lake.
Railroads. The route of the New York and Erie railroad is
laid out through this county.
Climate. The climate, like that of the table land generally,
is cool, but salubrious. The vicinity of Seneca Lake exerts
some influence in modifying it.
Geology and Minerals. The basis rock is secondary gray-
wacke slate, sometimes mingled with shale, at others compact,
and forming fine building stone. It is covered witli a fine, close
grained sandstone. In the northern part of the county are beds
of limestone. The surface rocks belong to the Chemung sand-
stone, except a small tract around Seneca Lake, where the
Helderberg limestone makes its appearance.
The mineral productions of Chemung county are lew, and generally unimpor-
tant. There is some marl, in various parts of the county, and gypsum in Catlia-
rines and Catlin.
Vegetable Productions. The soil is generally fertile; the
pine plains in the towns of Big Flats and Elmira, which were
formerly deemed worthless, are found by the application of
plaster, to yield abundant crops The timber of the county is
white pine, hemlcck, spruce, oak, maple, elm, beech, ash, linden,
4(>l STATE OF NEW YORK.
&c. The maple is very abundant, and yields large quantities of
sugar.
i ue soil of the uplands is better adapted to grass than grain,
but the valleys yield abundantly the various grains, peas, beans
and hops.
Pursuits. The people of the county are mostly devoted to
agriculture; attention being paid to grazing in the uplands,
and to the growing of grain in the more fertile valleys.
Manufactures are also increasing in importance. Flour,
lumber, cloth, iron and leather, are the principal articles.
The opening of a navigable communication between the Hud-
son and Susquehanna, through ihe Seneca Lake and Erie
canal, by means of the Chemung canal, has opened a market to
the inhabitants of Chemung county, and been productive of ex-
trusive inland commerce.
The Corning and Blossburg railroad, which pours a portion
of the mineral wealth of Pennsylvania into New York, has also
been of great advantage to the county.
Staple Productions. Oats, wheat, corn, buckwheat, butter,
and cheese.
Schools. There are in the county 128 schools, maintained
during the year 1S46, an average period of -even months,
affording instruction to 7962 children, at an expense lor tuition
of $10,336. The district libraries contained 12,197 volumes.
There were in the county, the same year, twenty four unincorporated private
Bchools, with 283 scholars, and one academy and one female seminary, with 134
pupils.
Religious Denominations. Methodists, Presbyterians, Bap-
tists, Episcopalians, and Friends. There are twenty-six
churches, and forty-one clergymen, of all denominations.
History. The first white settlers in this county located in
Elmira, Southport and Big Flats, between 1786 and 1792,
hi ving become acquainted with the country while engaged in
General Sullivan's expedition, in 1779. They were mostly
from Pennsylvania, and from Orange county in this state. Cat-
lin. Catharines, and Veteran, were settled soon after, by emi-
grants from Connecticut; Erin by Dutch and Scotch emigrants
from New Jersey and Delaware county ; and Chemung by emi-
grants from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. During General
Sullivan's campaign in 1779, of which we have spoken in the
historical sketch id' the state, he encountered the enemy's force,
consisting of somewhat more than 1000 Indians and tories, under
Brant and Colonels Butler and Johnson, at Elmira, in this county.
The battle which ensued, called " the battle of the Chemung,"
was a severe and bloody one. It terminated in the defeat of
the enemy, and the destruction of their towns. The land in this
CHEMUNG COUNTY. 405
county was sold to the settlers, in 1788, at eighteen cents per
acre.
Villages, &c. Elmira, the county seat, is admirably situated
for the purposes of trade, being in the midst of a fertile valley of
considerable extent, and connected with Pennsylvania and Ma-
ryland, by means of the Susquehanna river, and with almost
every part of New York, by the Chemung canal. It is also on the
route of the New York and Erie railroad, and from its commer-
cial facilities, must eventually become a place of considerable
importance. The first settler in the town was Colonel John
Hendy , a veteran who had served under General Sullivan. He
united, in a remarkable degree, extraordinary courage and great
physical power, and in his conflicts with the Indians, often ex-
hibited both. Population, 3300.
In 1790, a treaty was negotiated at this place between the
Indian tribes and the United States. Over 1000 Indians were
present, and among them most of the principal chiefs. In 1797,
Elmira was visited by Louis Phillippe, the present king of the
French, accompanied by the Duke de Nemours, and the Duke
de Berri. They had travelled on foot from Canandaigua to
Elmira, a distance of seventy miles. Mr. Tower, whom they
visited, fitted up an ark or flat boat, on board which he conveyed
them to Harrisburg.
The village has an incorporated academy and female semin-
ary, both in a prosperous condition. There is also a mechanics'
association, which has a commodious hall and a public library.
It is largely engaged in the manufacture and exportation of
lumber, ten million feet of marketable planks and boards being
exported annually.
Chemung, the earliest organized town in the county, has a
hilly and broken surface, but much of it is fertile. In the south
part of the town, is a mound called " Spanish hill," which but
for its extent might be considered a work of art. It is elevated
110 feet above and near the river's brink, and has upon its sum-
mit vestiges of fortifications which display much skill and judg-
ment. The entrenchments are regular and command the bed
of the river. By whom they were constructed is unknown.
Catharines, one of the early settled towns, was named after
Catharine Montour, the wife of an Indian sachem. This ex-
traordinary woman was a native of Canada, a half breed, and
had been carried into the Seneca country when only ten years
of age, and adopted by one of its families. She possessed a
good address and had great influence with her tribe, frequently
accompanying the chiefs to Philadelphia and other places where
treaties were made. Her town, consisting of thirty houses and
18*
406
STATE OP NEW YORK.
farms in a high state of cultivation, was destroyed by General
Sullivan, in 1779.
Havana, in the town of Catharines, is a thriving village on
the Chemung canal. It has some manufactures. Population,
1000.
Fairport, formerly called Horseheads, from the fret that
General Sullivan here killed some seventy or eighty of his pack
horses, to prevent their fulling into the hand of the Indians, is a
thriving village in the town of Elmira. It is considerably en-
gaged in the lumber trade. Population, 600.
Millport, in the town of Veteran, is a village of some import-
ance. It has a fine hydraulic power. Population, 500.
LVII.
Square miles, 500.
Organized, 1838.
FULTON COUNTY.
Population, 18,579.
Valuation, 1845, $1,308,724.
1. Broadalbin, 1793.
2. Mayfield, 1793.
3. Johnstown, 1798.
4. Northampton, 1801,
5. Stratford, 1805.
TOWN8.
6. Oppenheira, 1S08.
7. Ephrata, 1827.
8. Bleeker, 1831.
9. Perth, 1838.
10. Garoga, 1843.
Mountains. EE. Kayaderosseras. JJ. Au Sable range,
field mountain. 1. Klip Hill.
k. May-
FULTON COUNTY. 407
Rivers, a. Sacandaga. c. Cayaduta or Little Canada Creek, f.
Fish. h. East Canada, i. Garoga.
Lakes, m. Fish Lake. n. Garoga Lakes.
Battle Fields. Johnstown.
Villages. Johnstown. Kingsborough.
Boundaries. North by Hamilton county ; East by Saratoga
county ; South by Montgomery county, and West by Herkimer
county.
Surface. Mountainous. The Kayaderosseras and Au Sable
ranges traverse the county. Mayfield mountain and Klip hill
are local names given to spurs of these ranges.
Rivers. On the east the county is drained by Sacandaga
river and its branches, West Stoney and Mayfield creeks. On
the south by Chuctenunda, Cayaduta, Garoga and Zimmer-
man's creeks, all flowing into the Mohawk, and on the west by
East Canada Creek and its tributaries, Ayres, Fish and Sprite
Creeks.
Lakes. Fish Lake and the Garoga Lakes are the only con-
siderable sheets of water in the county.
Climate. Healthful, but from the elevation of much of the
surface, cool.
Geology and Minerals. The rocks of the northern part of
the county are primitive, consisting o^ gneiss, in some of its
forms. As we approach nearer the Mohawk, the calciferous or
earlier limestone makes its appearance, particularly in the east-
ern part of the county. In Mayfield, the limestone denominated
by Geologists, birdseye, is found, and on the southern limits of
the county, the Trenton limestone.
The county does not appear to be rich in minerals. Mica, garnet, green feld-
spar, and porphyritic gneiss, are the principal yet discovered. Quartz, in fine
transparent crystals, occurs in the southern part of the county.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil of the southern
portion of the county is rich and fertile, and well adapted to
grain. Oak, hickory, ash, maple, &c. are the principal forest
trees. In th northern part of the county the hemlock and oak
are found, and the land is less fertile.
Pursuits. Agriculture is the pursuit of a majority of the
inhabitants. In the southern towns a considerable quantity of
grain is raised ; in the northern, more attention is paid to the
rearing of cattle, sheep and swine, and to the products of the
dairy.
Manufactures also form an important pursuit in the county,
and are annually increasing in value. The principal articles of
manufacture are leather, (for which the hemlock forests of the
408 STATS OF NEW YORK.
northern portion afford great facilities,) buckskin gloves and
mittens, which are made here in larger quantities than any
where else in the United Stales; Hour, lumber and paper.
There is no commerce from the want of navigable streams.
There are no mines.
The Staple Productions are butter, cheese, wool, oats, rye,
flax, potatoes and corn.
Schools. There are 105 public schools in the county. The
average number of months during which schools are maintained
is seven. The expenses of public school instruction in 1846,
were $7168, and the number of scholars 5593. The district li-
braries contained 11,292 volumes. Three private schools had
nineteen pupils, and two academies eighty-five scholars.
Religious Denominations. Presbyterians, Methodists, Bap-
tists, Dutch Reformed, Unitarians, Episcopalians and Univer-
salists. There are in the county thirty two churches, and
twenty-nine clergymen, of all denominations.
History. The first settlements in this county, appear to have
been made by German emigrants, in 1724, at Oppenheim and
Ephrata. The settlements about Johnstown were made be-
tween 1760 and 1770, through the influence of Sir William
Johnson and his family. In 1764 or 1765, Sir William erected
the residence known as Johnson Hall, one mile west of the vil-
lage of Johnstown, and resided there till his death. A sketch of
his life has already been given, under Montgomery county.
The possessions of the baronet in this, as well as in Montgom-
ery county, were confiscated after the revolution, and sold.
On Sunday, the 21st of May, 1780, Sir John Johnson made
an incursion into Johnstown, and burned thirty-three houses
killed eleven persons and wounded a number more. Colonel
Visscher, one of those who were wounded, was scalped and left
for dead, but finally recovered.
In October, 1781, the battle of Johnstown was fought, on the
Hall Farm, in Johnstown.
A body of tories and Indians, about 700 in number, under the
command of the inhuman Ross and Walter Butler, had made
a descent upon the valley of the Mohawk, to plunder and butcher
its inhabitants. They had proceeded thus far, marking their
course with fire and blood, when Colonel Marinus Willet, with
a body of Mohawk valley troops, attacked them, and after a se-
vere action compelled them to retreat. They were closely pur-
sued, and it was during their flight, that the infamous Butler
met with the fate he so justly merited, at the hand of an Oneida
Indian.* The loss of the Americans, in this conflict, was about
* It is related that when Butler was wounded, and the Oneida Indian who had
shot him. rushed upon him, tomahawk in hand, the wretch, who had never shown
FULTON COUNTY. 409
forty. Nearly the same number of the enemy were killed, and
about fifty taken prisoners.
Villages. Johnstown is a fine and thriving village, in the
town of the same name. Its location was selected by Sir Will-
iam Johnson, and several of its public edifices erected by him.
It has a flourishing academy, the bell of which was the gift of*
Queen Anne, to a chapel called after her, which was destroyed
during the revolution. It is the county seat. Population 1000.
Kingsboro* is another village in the same township, famous
for the manufacture of deerskin gloves and mittens. It has an
academy of some note. Population 400.
Glocersville, in the same township, is also celebrated for the
manufacture of mittens, gloves and moccasins, of buckskin.
Population 400.
At the confluence of Mayfield creek with the Sacandaga river,
is the Fish House village, so named from Sir William John-
son's summer residence, which stood at this point, and at which
he was accustomed to spend a considerable portion of each sum-
mer, in hunting, fishing and rural amusements.
About 1000 acres of the Vlaie, or great marsh, extending over
some 5000 acres, lie in this vicinity, and afford a valuable range
for cattle in the dry season, and a fine fishing and hunting
ground for the sportsman.
Rawsonville, in the town of Broadalbin, is a village of some
importance. Population 500.
mercy to any, however innocent and helpless, who had implored it at his hands,
begged for quarter "from the Indian. " Me give you Sherry valley quarters," was
the broken reply of the savage ; alluding to the bloody massacre of Cherry valley,
in which Butler had acted so conspicuous a part. With this answer, he buried
his tomahawk in the brain of the murderer.
LVIII. HAMILTON COUNTY.
Square Milrs, 1064. Population, 1882.
Organized, 1835. Valuation, 1845, $330,228.
HAMILTON COUNTY. 411
TOWNS.
1. Wells, 1S05. 5. Arietta, 1837.
2. Lake Pleasant, 1812. 6. Long Lake, 1838.
3. Hope, 1818. 7. Oilman, 1839.
4. Morehouse, 1835.
Mountains. EE. Kayaderosseras. GG. Chateaugay. HH. Clinton
range. J J. Au Sable range.
Rivers, a. Sacandaga. b. Oxbow, c. Moose, d. Indian, f. West
Canada Creek.
Lakes, h. Teralt. j. Long. k. Oxbow. 1. Piseco. n. Pleasant.
Villages. Piseco. Lake Pleasant.
Boundaries. North by St. Lawrence and Franklin counties ;
East by Essex Warren and Saratoga ; South by Fulton and
Herkimer, and West by Herkimer, counties.
Surface. The surface of this county is mountainous, four
chains of mountains traversing it, viz : the Kayaderosseras,
Clinton, Chateaugay and Au Sable ranges. Much of it is cov-
ered with dense lorests and lakes, presenting to the eye an ap-
pearance very similar, probably, to that of New England, two
hundred years ago. The hills are generally susceptible of cul-
tivation, the soil being strong and productive, and considerable
tracts as arable and fertile as the timber lands of the west.
Rivers. The principal streams which drain the county are
the Racket, Indian, Sacandaga, Oxbow, Moose and Beaver
rivers, and West Canada creek.
Lakes and Ponds. These are almost innumerable, and in
the purity of their waters, the picturesque and majestic scenery
which surrounds them, the abundance of trout and other fish
which they afford, are equal to any in the world.
Long, Indian, Racket, Transparent, Clinch, Crotchet, Pleas-
ant, Round, Piseco, Elm, Oxbow, Beaver and Squaw lakes, are
the principal. The forests abound with deer and other game,
not excepting panthers, bears, catamounts and wolves.
Climate. From its elevation, as well as the density of its
forests, the ©limate is cold, and the winters long.
Geology and Minerals. The county belongs almost entirely
to the great northeastern primitive formation ; and its rocks are
mainly granite, gneiss and hypersthene.
Iron has been discovered, and probably the other metals and
minerals of a primitive country exist. The ore of iron discov-
ered is the magnetic, and of excellent quality.
Vegetable Productions. The timber is principally beech,
maple, black birch, butternut and elm; the lower range of hills
412 STATE OF NEW YORK,
produces pines of gigantic growth. Portions of the county are
well adapted to the culture of grain.
Pursuits. The inhabitants are mostly devoted to agricultu-
ral pursuits and fishing. The county possesses much land suit-
able lor grazing.
The manufactures are principally domestic.
Staple Productions. Butter, cheese, lumber, corn, oats,
buckwheat and potatoes.
Schools. There are twenty-six schools in the county, at-
tended by 090 children. The number of months in which schools
were taught, during the year 1S46, was five, and the amount
paid for teacher's wages $677. The number of volumes in the
district libraries was 1043.
There is one private school in the county.
Religious Denominations. Baptists and Methodists. There
are three churches and three clergymen, of all denominations,
in the county.
History. Very little can be said of the early history of this
county. The first settlers probably removed from the counties
of Montgomery and Fulton, into the wilderness. The first town
was organized in 1805. In some sections of the county consid-
erable bodies of Welch emigrants have located themselves.
Villages. Piseco, on the Piseco lake, in Arietta, has been
designated as the county seat. It is a small but pleasant vil-
lage.
Lake Pleasant, on the lake of the same name, is a small vil-
lage. It is a lavorite resort tor sportsmen and anglers.
LIX. WYOMING COUNTY.
Square Miles about 590. Population, 31,526.
Organized, 1841. Valuation,* 1845, $3,652,782.
TOWNS.
1. Sheldon, 1803. 9. Attica, 1821.
2 Middleburv, 1812. 10. Castile, 1821.
3. Gainesville, 1814. 11. Wethersfieid, 1823.
4. Perry, 1814. 12. Eagle, 1823.
5. Orangeville, 1816. 13. Pike, 1827.
(>. Covington, 1817. 14. Warsaw, 1828.
7. Bennington, 1818. 15. Java, 1832.
8. China, 1818. 16. Genesee Falls, 1846.
Rivers. N. Genesee River, c. Allen's Creek, d. Seneca,
raugus. g. Nnnskoy. n. Cayuga.
Portage Falls.
Silver.
Warsaw. Attica. Genesee Falls. Perry.
f. Catta-
Falls. s.
Lakes, i.
Villages.
Boundaries. North by Genesee ; East by Livingston ; South
by Allegany and Cattaraugus ; and West b y Erie.
* This sum is exclusive of the three towns of Eagle, Tike and Genesee Falls,
added in 1846, from Allegany county.
414 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Surface. This county occupies, for the most part, the second
of those elevated tableaux, or plains, which stretch from Lake
Ontario to the southern border of the state, and which are divi-
ded from each other by steep and almost perpendicular precipi-
ces. The table land on which most of Wyoming cou i y lies,
commences with the ledge, which runs through the southern
towns of Genesee county, and over which the waters of Allen's
creek are precipitated in Le Roy, and rises wit i an ascent not
exceeding ten or twelve feet to the mile, to the ledge over which
the Genesee river falls, at Portage ville.
There are no mountain ridges in the county, and the declivity
of the land is but just sufficient to drain it.
Rivers. The Genesee river forms the southeastern bound-
ary of the county, for a distance of nearly twenty miles, and in
its fall over the ledge, at Genesee falls, furnishes a valuable hy-
draulic power.
The other principal streams of the county are Allen's creek,
(named from the ferocious villain known, for many years, in this
region, as Indian Allen,) Tonawanda, Cayuga, Seneca, Wis-
koy, and Nunskoy creeks.
Lake. Silver lake, lying partly in Perry and partly in Cas-
tile, is a beautiful little sheet of water, five eighths of a mile
wide, and three miles long, elevated several hundred feet above
the Genesee river.
The climate is generally salubrious. The prevailing diseases
are of a bilious type.
Geology and Minerals. The county lies almost entirely
within the bounds of the Erie group. In the north the Ludlow-
ville shales predominate. In the south the Chemung sandstone
is the prevailing rock.
Carbonate of lime, crystallized in fantastic and sometimes beautiful forms,* sul-
phate of lime, or gypsum, and iron pyrites are abundant. There is some sulphate
of barytes, and small seams of anthracite, but, as might be expected in the geo-
logical formation of this section, in too small quantities to be of any practical
value.
The fossils are mainly vegetable, consisting mostly of fucoides, or mosses.
There are also, in some portions of the county, fossil shells, but not in great
variety.
Soil and Vegetable Productions. The soil is generally fer-
tile, particularly along the Genesee valley. The forest trees of
this county are, in the north part, the beech, maple, hemlock
and elm, with some oak. In the southern portion, pine, bass-
wood and ash.
The principal crops are oats, wheat, potatoes, corn, flax,
barley, peas and buckwheat.
Among the most singular of these forms are masses, weighing from ten to Ihree
hundred pounds, bearing a striking resemblance, in form, to the turtle. Their
homogeneous structure, and some peculiarities in their form, preclude the sup.
position that they are fossil animal remains.
WYOMING COUNTY. 415
Pursuits. Agriculture is the principal pursuit. The eastern
and northern towns are largely engaged in the culture of grain,
particularly wheat and oats. The southern towns are better
adapted to grazing.
Manufactures are increasing in the county, but as yet are in
their infancy. Flour, leather, lumber, pot and pearl ashes, and
woollen goods are the principal articles. The entire value of
the goods manufactured in the county, in 1845, was estimated
at $4 12,000.
There are no mines or quarries, of importance, in the county.
The Genesee river canal, affords a convenient mode of trans-
portation for the produce of the eastern towns of the county.
Staple Productions. Oats, wheat, potatoes, butter, cheese,
wool, beef, pork and lumber.
Schools. There were, in 1846, 198 district schools, in this
county. The average amount of instruction given in these was
eight months. 20,479 volumes were reported in the district
school libraries; and $12,946 was the amount paid for the in-
strucii hi of 11,517 children.
There were also eight private and select schools, with 220 pupils, in the
county, and three incorporated seminaries, with 132 students.
Religious [ enovinations. Baptists, Methodists, Presbyte-
rians, Co gregationalists, Universalists, Episcopalians, Roman
Catholics and Dutch Reformed. There are in the county fifty-
four churches and sixty-four clergymen, of all denominations.
History. The first settler in this county was Mr. Elizur
Webster, who removed from New England, and settled in the
present town of Warsaw, in 1803. His daughter, (now the
wife of Hon. A. W. Young of this county,) was the first child
born in the county. Many of the early settlers were from
Washington and the adjacent counties in Vermont. These
generally settled in the vicinity of Warsaw.
As a part of the Genesee valley, its fertility attracted a host of
emigrants to its borders, and though the youngest county in the
state in its organization, it occupies a middle rank in population.
Much of the land was formerly owned by the Holland Land
Company, but it has, within a few years been very generally
purchased by actual settlers.
The Gardeau tract, or flats, was a tract of about 10,000 acres,
lying on the Genesee river, partly in the town of Castile, which
the Indians reserved in a treaty with Robert Morris, in 1797,
as a gift to the Seneca white woman, Mary Jemison.*
* This extraordinary woman was a native of Ireland, and was taken prisoner
by the Indians, when a child twelve or thirteen years of age. She was adopted
by an Indian family, and embraced the Indian faith, habits and customs. She was
416 STATE OF NEW YORK.
Wyoming county formed part of Genesee county, till 1841,
when it was organized as a separate county, and, in 1846, the
towns of Eagle and Pike, and that portion of Portage lying west
of Genesee river, were taken from Allegany county and an-
nexed to it. The last town received the name of Genesee Falls.
Villages, &c. Warsaw, the county seat, in the town of the
same name, was settled by emigrants from New England, who
were highly intelligent and religious, and to this day it is charac-
terized by the intelligence and morality of its inhabitants. It is
situated in the midst of a fine agricultural district, and has some
manufactures. The first church edifice erected west of the
Genesee river, was standing in Warsaw a few years since.
Population 800.
Perry is a thriving and busy town, considerably engaged in
manufactures. There are two villages in the town, Perry and
Perry Centre. There is an academy at Perry, of some note,
and a number ofmanufacturing establishments. Population 1200.
At Perry Centre a literary institution, called the Perry Centre
Institute, has recently been established.
Middlebury has a flourishing academy, incorporated in 1817,
located in the village of Wyoming, which is situated in a pleas-
ant valley, and has a population of about 600.
Genesee Falls, in the town of the same name, formerly called
Portiigeville, is situated at the falls of the Genesee river, one of
the most romantic and interesting locations in western New
York. In the space of two miles there are three distinct falls,
of 60, 90, and 110 feet, each possessing beauties of a character
peculiar to itself. The banks of the river tower up in stupend-
ous perpendicular walls, more than 400 feet in height, and are
crowned with gigantic evergreens, which, from their venerable
appearance, seem to have maintained their position for ages.
Notwithstanding the immense depth to which the bed of the
river has been worn, its turns are short and graceful, giving the
admiring visitor new, though limited views, at every stage of
his progress.
In June, 1817, a land slide of about fifteen acres took place
from the side of a hill in this town, into the river, which for some
time completely dammed it, leaving a perpendicular bank more
than 100 feet in height.
The hydraulic power furnished by the falls of the Genesee, is
improved to a considerable extent. Population 800.
married rw ce to Indian chiefs, and died in September, 1S33, at the ageof ninety or
ninety-one years. Since her death, most of her extensive property has been sold
by her heirs.
STATISTICAL TABLES
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