USA > New York > Clinton County > History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 1
USA > New York > Franklin County > History of Clinton and Franklin Counties, New York : with illustrations and biographical sketches of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 1
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An
₩-
Gc 274.701 C61 1136111
N
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01150 0177
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/historyofclinton00hurd
MACDONOUGH'S VICTORY ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN. AND DEFEAT OF THE BRITISH ARMY AT PLATTSBURO BY GEN ! MACOMB, SEPT. 11TH, 1811.
HISTORY
OF
CLINTON AND FRANKLIN
COUNTIES,
NEW YORK.
llustrations and Biographical Sketches
OF:
ITS PROMINENT MEN AND PIONEERS.
PHILADELPHIA : J. W. LEWIS & CO. 1880.
-
PRESS OF J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO., PHILADELPHIA.
PREFACE.
THE province of the historian is to gather the threads of the past, ere they elude forever his grasp, and weave them into a harmonious web, to which the art preservative may give immortality. Therefore he who would rescue from fast-gathering oblivion the deeds of a community, and send them on to futurity in an imperishable record, should deliver " a plain, unvarnished tale,"
" Nothing extenuate,
1136111
Nor set down aught in malice."
In such a spirit has the compiler of the following pages approached the work of detailing the history of the two counties embodied therein, and he trusts he has been fairly faithful to the task imposed.
The design of the work embodying the two counties of Clinton and Franklin was adopted, after much deliberation, as the one best adapted to produce a satisfactory record and avoid repetition. Clinton, the original county, included all our territory within its limits. The interests of both have centered in that old organization, and its history for a time is the history of Franklin also. This common interest we have endeavored to trace under the general history of the two counties. We have glanced at the discovery of the Western Continent by the Norsemen and subsequent explorers; have given a brief history of the rise and decline of the celebrated league of the Iroquois Indians, who inhabited this region prior to the advent of the white settler. A chapter is devoted to land-titles, giving a succinct account of various Indian treaties, etc., and the subsequent conflicting claims to territory within the present boundaries of this State. A history of the Revolutionary struggle, so far as it pertains to the section which we have under consideration, is next presented, followed by an exhaustive history of the war of 1812, and the invasion of Canada, known as the " Patriot War." Several chapters are devoted to internal improvements, giving a history of the various turnpikes, railroads, etc., closing with an elaborate history of Clinton and Franklin in the war of the Rebellion. Next, in the general arrangement, follows an exhaustive history of the two counties, with all their varied interests, presented in a concise and, we trust, pleasing manner. It has been our honest endeavor to trace the history of the development of this section from that period when it was in the undisputed possession of the red man to the present, and to place before the reader an authentic narrative of its rise and progress to the prominent position it now occupies among the counties of the State.
That such an undertaking is attended with no little difficulty and vexation none will deny. The aged pioneer relates events of the early settlements, while his neighbor sketches the same events with totally different outlines. Man's memory is ever at fault, while time paints a different picture upon every mind. With these the historian has to contend ; and while it has been our aim to compile an accurate history, were it devoid of all inaccuracies, that perfection would have been attained which the writer had not the faintest conception of, and which Lord Macaulay once said never could be reached.
From colonial and other documents in the State archives, from county, town, and village records, family manuscripts, printed publications, and innumerable private sources of information, we have endeavored to
3
4
PREFACE.
produce a history which should prove accurate, instructive, and in every respect worthy of the counties represented. How well we have succeeded in our task, a generous public, jealous of its reputation and honor, of its traditions and memories, of its defeats and triumphs, must now be the judge.
The following volumes were consulted in the preparation of this work : Morgan's " League of the Iroquois ;" Schoolcraft's " Notes on the Iroquois and American Indians ;" Stone's " Life of Brandt," " Life of Red Jacket," and "Life of Sir William Johnson ;" Lossing's "Field-Book of the Revolution ;" Thatcher's " American Revolution ;" .Barber's "History of New York ;" "Documentary History of New York ;" "Colonial History of New York ;" Hammond's " Political History of New York ;" Williams' " Register ;" Palmer's " History of Lake Champlain ;" Watson's " History of the Champlain Valley ;" Watson's " His- tory of Essex County ;" Hough's "History of St. Lawrence and Franklin ;" Kreutzer's "Notes and Observations made During Four Years of Service with the 98th Regiment, N. Y. V., in the War of 1861;" Spafford's "Gazetteer, 1813 ;" French's "Gazetteer, 1860;" session laws, State statutes, State and national census reports, adjutant-general's reports, muster-in and muster-out rolls, and innumerable pamphlets.
We desire to acknowledge our sincere thanks to the following persons, to whom we are under special obligations for much valuable information, which has greatly lessened our labor in the preparation of this work : Peter S. Palmer, George F. Bixby, R. R. Grant, Smith M. Wead, A. W. Lansing, J. W. Tuttle, George F. Nichols, Rev. D. T. Taylor, Mrs. Frank Palmer, Rev. Nathan Wardner, William Kreutzer, Sidney P. Bates, William A. Wheeler, A. B. Parmelee, Henry A. Paddock, F. D. Flanders, John Law, Fred. Seaver, O. P. Ames, Sidney Lawrence, William W. Paddock, and Leslie C. Wead. We desire also to acknowledge our sincere thanks to each and every one who has assisted us in the compilation of the work, and would cheerfully make personal mention of each, but it is impracticable, as the number reaches over a thousand.
PHILADELPHIA, PA., Feb. 5, 1880.
D. H. H.
1
CONTENTS.
HISTORICAL.
HISTORY OF CLINTON AND FRANKLIN COUN- TIES, NEW YORK.
CHAPTER PAGE
I .- Voyage and Discovery
9
II .- Champlain's Expedition
10
III .- The Iroquois
12
IV .- The Revolution .
14
V .- Extinction of Indian Title .
18
VI .- Land-Grants 20
VII .- IX .- The War of 1812
24-41
X .- The Patriot War . 41
XI .- Wolf-Hunting in Clinton and Franklin Counties-The Frauds of 1821 and 1822 44
XII .- The District of Champlain-Smuggling on the Frontier . 45
XIII .- Clinton Prison-Fort Blunder-Fort Montgomery 48
XIV .- XV .- Internal Improvements .
50-60
XVI .- XXV .- Military History .
61-116
HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY, NEW YORK.
XXVI .- The First Settlements . 117
XXVII .- Organization of Clinton County 117 .
XXVIII .- Political History
. 121
XXIX .- Bench and Bar 124
XXX .- The Press
130
XXXI .- Medical Society 132
LXXXVIII .- Constable 469
LXXXIX .- Dickinson
475
XXXIII .- The Common Schools
140
XXXIV .- Statistical .
. 141
XXXV .- XLII .- Plattsburgh
148-198
XLIII .- Altona.
198
XLIV .- XLV .- Ausable
205-237
XLVI .- Beekmantown
237
XLVII .- XLVIII .- Black Brook
243-258
XLIX .- LI .- Champlain 258-276
LII .- LIII .- Chazy 276-299
LIV .- Clinton
. 299
SUPPLEMENT
508
BIOGRAPHICAL.
PAGE
Col. Frank Palmer
75
George L. Clark .
129
Rev. Nathan Wardner
91
Wendell Lansing
facing 131
Gen. Stephen Moffitt .
91
Dr. James K. Platt
. 135
Col. Frederick F. Wead
107
Dr. George D. Dunham
137
Col. George F. Nichols
facing
108
Zephaniah C. Platt
facing I5I
Capt. Harry S. Ransom
Cyrenius Mead .
between 156, 157
Smith Mead
156, 157
Roswell A. Weed
facing I57
William W. Thomas
162
William Swetland
125
Almon Thomas .
164
Reuben II. Walworth, LL D.
125
Frederick L. C. Sailly
167
Winslow C. Watson
126
Matthew M. Standish
173
George W. Palmer
126
Cyrus G. Hull .
176
Peter S. Palmer . 126
Jorome B. Bailey
185
Smith M. Weed .
127
Merritt Sowles
191
Winslow C. Watson, Jr.
between 128, 129
CHAPTER PAGE
LV .- LVI .- Dannemora 304-312
LVII .- LVIII .- Ellenburgh 312-327
LIX .- LX .- Mooers
327-338
LXI .- LXII .- Peru
339-352
LXIII .- LXIV .- Saranac .
352-367
LXV .- Schuyler Falls
. 367
HISTORY OF FRANKLIN COUNTY, NEW YORK.
LXVI .- First Settlements . 375
LXVII .- Organization of the County 375
LXVIII -Political History 381
LXIX .- Bench and Bar 383
LXX .- The Press
388
L.XXI .- Medical Societies . 390
LXXII .- Societies 391
LXXIII .- The Common Schools 393
LXXIV .- Statistical .
394
LXXV .- LXXX .- Malone . 401, 432
LXXXI .- Bangor 432
LXXXII .- Belmont .
438
LXXXIII .- Bombay .
445
LXXXIV .- Brandon 449
LXXXV .- Burke
450
LXXXVI .- LXXXVII .- Chateaugay 455-469
XC .- Duane
479
XCI .- XCII .- Fort Covington
480-489
XCIII .- Franklin
489
XCIV .- Harrietstown 492
XCV .- Moira 492
XCVI .- Westville 496
XCVII .- Brighton 497
XCVIII .- The Adirondacks 497
J. Douglas Woodward
124, 125
Jolın Palmer
124
.
*
Moss K. Platt
192
.
112
George M. Beckwith .
between 124, 125
PAGE
5
XXXII .- Agricultural Society-Bible Society 138
6
CONTENTS.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
PAGE
PAGE
Joseph W. Tuttle
193
F. Amos Bowrn .
facing
364
Andrew Williams
195
George Parsons
365
Samuel F. Vilas .
196
John Huse .
366
Shepard P. Bowen
196
Lewis Lyon
. 366
Lucretia M. Davidson
197
Ira B. Vaughan .
367
James T. Mead .
facing 203
Peter Weaver
facing 368
Smith Wood
204
Jared M. Taylor
between 368, 369
David Bradford .
204
Richard H. Emery Chauncey Turner
Jacob Broadwell .
373
Edmund Kingsland
234
David Broadwell
. 374
Nelson Kingsland
235
Junius B. Weaver
. 374
Willis Mould
236 .
John Hutton
facing
383
Hon. Henry McFadden
facing 237
Horace A. Taylor
384
James F. Barnes
238
William P. Cantwell
385
Nathan Mason .
between 238, 239
Henry A. Paddock
386
David R. Parsons
240, 241
Frederick P. Allen
388
Jacob Reynolds .
240,241
Sidney P. Bates, M.D.
between 390, 391
Jacob Reynolds, Jr.
240,241
James S. Phillips, M.D.
390, 391
Capt. N. H. Mooney
241
Calvin Skinuer, M.D.
391
John B. Bertrand
242
Gideon C. Cotton
between 402, 403
Darius W. Marsh
242
Jchial Berry
facing
406
John Rca .
between 242, 243
Martin L. Parlin
408
James Rogers
257
Harvey Whipple
410
Albert Chapman
between 258, 259
J. B. Broughton
414
Lewuel North
260,261
Uriah D. Meeker
66
417
Levi R. Waters .
facing 264
Hon. William A. Wheeler
422
Caleb Leonard
between 266, 267
Samuel C. Wead
423
Ephraim Smith .
266, 267
Isaac Parker
424
Daniel G. Dodge
275
Rev. Ashbel Parmelee, D.D.
425
George Dudley .
276
facing 432
Charles M. Corpron
276
433
William Atwood .
between 280, 281
Leonard Fish
between 434, 435
Levi Atwood
facing 282
William Plumb .
434, 435
Asa Stiles .
" 283
Dr. Ira A. Darling
436
The Hedding Family .
283
. 437
Amasa B. Wood .
between 284, 285
Elijah A. Hyde .
. 438
Dr. William S. Housinger .
facing 286
George Winkley
between 440, 441
Horace Slosson .
288
Elijah M. Hedding
442, 443
Oliver N. Bullis .
297
William McRobert
facing 445
George McFadden, Jr.
298
Samuel Barlow .
.
.
448
Capt. George G. Brown
299
George L. Sargeant
facing 449
John W. Havens
facing 312
Gideon and George T. Collins
456
Aaron Sawyer .
between 318, 319
H. S. Farnsworth
between 458, 459
Luther S. Carter
323
Augustus Douglass
458, 459
H. H. Rust, M.D.
324
Artemas Earle
460, 461
Eben McPherson
324
Selden Phelps
460, 461
Lyman Sheldon .
325
Daniel S. Coonley
facing 462
John Haughran .
325
Oel Sunderlin
between 466, 467
John B. Sabre
326
Cyrus Merrill
466, 467
Abel Knapp
facing 328
Daniel Goodspeed
. 468
Stephen K. Smith
between 342, 343
Hon. Henry B. Smith
468
Job and Pliny Sherman, M.D.
344, 345
Geo. B. R. Gove .
faciug 480
Richard Keese .
. 351
J. W. Kimball
"
482
George E. Hallock
. 352
William Gillis .
484
Thomas Ward
facing 355
Chandler Ellsworth
between 486, 487
Walter F. Davidson
between 356, 357
S. E. Blood .
facing 488
E. J. Pickett
facing 358
Dr. Dana H. Stevens .
492
Elijah R. Stanton
360
Henry N. Brush .
16
494
James Littlejohn
361
Capt. John S. Stone
362
Joseph P. Hadley
= 496
.
372
Rufus Prescott
facing 211
373
Daniel Dodge
232
.
.
Henry D. Graves
257
Gardner A. Childs
413
Wells S. Dickinson
Hiram Taylor
.
Solon Reynolds .
317
Aruna S. Bryant
457
Clinton P. Sheldon
66
.
7
CONTENTS.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
Macdonough's Victory on Lake Champlain (Frontis.)
facing title.
Map of the Battle of Valcour Island .
16
Rouse's Point and Vicinity .
.
50
Portrait of Col. Frank Palmer (steel) facing 75
Gen. Stephen Moffitt (steel) "
91
66 Col. Frederick F. Wead (steel) 107
Col. George F. Nichols 66
108
66 Capt. Harry S. Ransom 112
CLINTON COUNTY.
Map of Clinton County
facing 117
Portrait of George M. Beckwith
between 124, 125
J. Douglas Woodward 124, 125
Smith M. Weed (steel) facing 127
Peter S. Palmer 127
" The Poplars," Summer Residence of Smith M. Weed facing
128
Portrait of Winslow C. Watson, Jr. . between 128, 129
Portrait of George L. Clark
facing 129
Wendell Lansing
131
George D. Dunham (steel) 66
137
PLATTSBURGH.
Street View, showing Court-House, Episcopal Church, etc.,
facing 148
Residence of C. E. M. Edwards
148
Portrait of Zephaniah C. Platt .
66
151
Residence of S. F. Vilas
152
S. P. Bowen . 154
Portraits of Cyrenius and Smith Mead between 156, 157
Portrait of Roswell A. Weed facing 157
View of the Plattsburgh Academy
. 158
Residence of G. H. Beckwith
facing 160
Portrait of William W. Thomas
162
Almon Thomas
66
164
F. L. C. Sailly .
167
St. John's Roman Catholic Church, and portrait of Rev. R. J. Maloney . facing 168
Saranac Horse-Nail Company's Works 66 170
Residence of W. W. Hartwell (cast and west views) between 172, 173
Portrait of Matthew M. Standish facing 173
" Prospect Hill," Residence of Merritt Sowles
174
Portrait of Cyrus G. Hull .
" 176
View in Plattsburgh Cemetery
. 180
Plan of Graves of the Slain, and Inscriptions
. 181
Portrait of Jerome B. Bailey
facing 185
View of Fouquet House
.
.
185
Portrait of Merritt Sowles (steel)
facing 191
66 192
Androw Williams (stecl)
facing 195
S. F. Viłas
between 196, 197
Shepard P. Bowen
196, 197
ALTONA.
Residonce of David Bradford (with portraits)
facing 198
Portrait of Jamos T. Moad and Wifo
Smith Wood
204
AUSABLE.
Portrait of Rufus Prescott
facing 211
Daniol Dodgo (steel)
" 232
between 234, 235
234, 235
facing 236
BEEKMANTOWN.
PAGE
Portrait of Hon. Henry McFadden facing 237
Portraits of Jeremiah and Jas. F. Barnes . 238 .
Residence of James F. Barnes (double page)
between 238, 239
Nathan Mason (with portraits) 238, 239
66 Darius W. Marsh .
facing 240 .
Portraits of David R. Parsons and Wife
between 240, 241
Residence of Mrs. David R. Parsons . 240,241
240,241
Portraits of Jacob and Martin Reynolds
240,241
John and Jacob Reynolds
. 241
Residence of John B. Bertrand (with portrait) facing 242
John Rea (with portrait)
between 242, 243
Ira Rowlson .
facing 243
. BLACK BROOK.
Portrait of James Rogers (steel)
facing
252
John Rogers
254
Henry D. Graves (steel) .
257
CHAMPLAIN.
Portrait of Albert Chapman
between 258, 259
Residence of the late A. Chapman 258,259
Lemuel North
260,261
Portraits of Lemuel and Abijah North
260,261
facing 262 Residence of George Dudley (with portrait) Portraits of Levi R. Waters and Wife 264
Caleb Leonard and Wife . between 266, 267
Ephraim Smith and Wife 266, 267
Portrait of Daniel G. Dodge (steel) . facing 275
Residence of Chas. M. Corpron (with portraits)
276
CHAZY.
Portrait of William Atwood
between 280, 281
Portraits of William Atwood, Jr., and Wife 280, 281
Residence of William Atwood, Jr. facing 281
Portraits of Levi Atwood and Wife
282
Asa Stiles and Wife
66 283
Residence of Amasa B. Wood (with portrait) Portrait of Dr. Wm. S. Honsinger Horace Slosson
facing 286
288
Residence of O. N. Bullis (with portraits) .
297
Portraits of George McFadden aud Wife .
298
Residence of Capt. G. G. Brown (with portraits) facing 299
ELLENBURGH.
Portrait of John W. Havens
facing 312
Residence of H. H. Rust (with portrait)
314
Portrait of Lyman Sheldon
Aaron Sawyer .
317
" Clinton P. Sheldon between 318, 319
Residence of Mrs. C. P. Sheldon 318, 319
John Hangran (with portrait) facing 320
Luther S. Carter (with portrait) 323
Portrait of Eben MePhorson
325
John B. Sabro .
. 326
MOOERS.
Portrait of Abel Knapp
facing 328
PERU.
Residonco of Hon. Goorge Halloek (with portrait) . facing 339
Stephen K. Smith (with portrait) . between 342, 343
T. E. Shorman
" 344, 345
Portraits of Job and Dr. Pliny Shorman
..
344, 345
.
Moss K. Platt
Joseph W. Tuttle
. 193
.
203
66 Edmund Kingsland (steol).
Nelson Kingsland
Willis Mould
between 284, 285
314
Portrait of Capt. N. H. Mooney
8
CONTENTS.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
SARANAC.
Residence of Ira B. Vaughan (with portrait)
John Huse (with portrait)
Portrait of Thomas Ward .
Bowen & Signor's Iron-Works
356
Residence of W. F. Davidson (with portraits)
Portraits of Richard and E. J. Pickett
John, and E. R. Stanton, and Wife
Portrait of James Littlejohn
Capt. John S. Stone.
F. A. Bowrn
George Parsons (steel)'
Lewis Lyon . 366
SCHUYLER FALLS.
Residence of Junius B. Weaver
facing 367
Portrait of Peter Weaver .
368
Residence and Manufactories of Jared M. Taylor (with portraits)
between 368, 369
Residence and Mills of Chauncey Turner (with portraits)
between 370, 371
Residence of R. H. Emery (with portraits)
Jacob Broadwell (with portrait) .
373
Dewitt C. Broadwell (with portraits) 374
FRANKLIN COUNTY.
Outline Plan of Franklin County
facing 375
View of the Court-House and County Buildings 378
Portrait of John Hutton .
Horace A. Taylor
Henry A. Paddock
387
F. P. Allen
389
Dr. Sidney P. Bates
between 390, 391
66
Dr. James S. Phillips
390, 391
MALONE.
Residence of A. W. Ferguson
.
facing 401
06 G. C. Cotton (with portraits)
between 402, 403
Calvin Skinner, M.D. (with portrait) facing 404
"
. 406
Academy and Central School Building . 410 .
Portrait of Harvey Whipple
facing
410
Portrait of Chandler Ellsworth
"
486, 487
Portrait of S. E. Blood
facing 488
MOIRA.
Portrait of Dr. Dana H. Stevens
facing 492
66 Henry N. Brush
494
WESTVILLE.
Portraits of Joseph P. Hadley and Wife and Son
.
facing 496
THE ADIRONDACK REGION.
Portrait of A. A. Smith (steel) .
.
facing 497
Paul Smith's of the Adirondacks (double page)
between 504, 505
Church of St. John in the Wilderness
PAGE
Portraits of William and Caroline Plumb . between 434, 435
Portrait of Dr. Ira A. Darling (stcel) 436, 437
Residence of Ira A. Darling 436, 437 Portrait of Solon Reynolds
. 437 Residence of E. A. Hyde (with portrait) facing 438 .
BELMONT.
Portraits of George and Tamson Winkley . between 440, 441
Residence of Frank Winkley
.
J. W. Merrill (with portraits)
442, 443
Portraits of Elijah M. and Emeroy N. Hedding 442, 443
BOMBAY.
Portraits of William McRobert and Wife .
facing
445
Residence of Samuel Barlow (with portrait)
448
BRANDON.
Portraits of George L. Sargeant and Wife .
facing 449
CHATEAUGAY.
Old Homestead of Col. Thomas Smith
facing
455
facing 372 Portrait of Judge Gideon Collins
456
Portraits of Philip and Aruna S. Bryant
. 457
Portrait of Dr. H. S. Farnsworth
between 458, 459
Augustus Douglass 458, 459
Portraits of Artemas Earle and Wife
Selden Phelps and Wife .
460, 461
Portrait of D. S. Coonley .
facing 462
Chateaugay Academy and Union Free School
between 464, 465
Portraits of Oel Sunderlin and Wife . 466, 467
Portraits of Cyrus Merrill and Wife 466, 467
Portrait of Daniel Goodspeed
.
468
Portrait of Hon. Henry B. Smith (steel) . facing 468
DUANE.
Duane House, W. J. Ayers, Proprietor
facing
479
Portrait of T. V. Page
.
480
FORT COVINGTON.
Portrait of Geo. B. R. Gove
facing 480
Hon. J. W. Kimball . 482
Dr. William Gillis
484
Residences of Sidney and Chandler Ellsworth between 486, 487
Portraits of Gardner A. Childs and Wife
413
J. B. Broughton and Wife, and Rachel Broughton
facing
414
Portrait of Uriah D. Meeker
417
Hon. Wm. A. Wheeler
422
Samuel C. Wead (steel)
423
Isaac Parker
425
Rev. Ashbel Parmelee, D.D. 426
BANGOR.
Portrait of Hon. Wells S. Dickinson .
facing 432
Portraits of Hiram Taylor and Wife .
433
Leonard Fish and Wife .
PAGE
facing 352
354
355
between 356, 357
facing 358
360
361
362
364
66
365
between 434, 435
383
384
Portrait of Jehial Berry
Martin L. Parlin
408
460, 461
.
504, 505
440, 441
HISTORY
OF
CLINTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES, NEW YORK.
BY DUANE HAMILTON HURD.
CHAPTER I. VOYAGE AND DISCOVERY.
The New World-First discovered in Anno Domini 986-The Norse- men-Herjulfson-Lief Erickson and his Adventures-Thorwald Erickson-His Death-Thorstein Erickson-Thorfinn Karlsefne- Christopher Columbus-John Verrazzani-John Cabot-Spanish, French, and English Claims to Territory -- The French and Indian War-Treaty of Peace.
THE New World, or Western Continent, was first dis- covered by white men A.D. 986. Herjulfson, a Norse nav- igator, in sailing from Iccland to Greenland, was driven by a storm to the coast of Labrador, or, as some historians seem fit to claim, to Newfoundland. The coasts of the new land being low, rocky, and otherwise uninviting, no landing was attempted. Thus Herjulfson first saw the new land, but it was reserved for other explorers to set foot upon its territory. The Norsemen returned to Greenland with won- derful stories of the land that they had seen, but no fur- ther attempt was made at discovery,
After the lapse of a few years an Icelandic captain, named Lief Erickson, who was possessed of a remarkable spirit of adventure, resolved to discover, if possible, the country concerning which Herjulfson and his companions had related such fabulous accounts, and in the year 1001 landed upon the shores of Labrador. He pursued his course southwest along the coast, and, finding the country pleasant and attractive, protracted his visit, and finally reached the territory embraced within the present State of Massachu- setts, where the intrepid explorers remained one year. They proceeded along the coast bordering upon Long Island Sound, and it is claimed that the persevering band found their way to New York harbor. Whether these hardy ex- plorers sct foot upon the soil of New York is of but little consequence, as voyages were subsequently made to these shores, and discoveries carried as far south as Virginia.
The return of the adventurers to their native country, with a description of the land through which they had passed, stimulated others with a desire to sec the new country, and in 1002, Thorwald Erickson, a brother of the former explorer, made a voyage to the coast of Maine, and as said to have ended his days in the vicinity of the present town of Fall River, Mass.
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In 1005, Thorstein Erickson, another brother, with a band of adventurers, landed upon our shores, and was fol- lowed in 1007 by Thorfinn Karlsefne, a celebrated mari- ner, who proceeded along the coast as far as Virginia.
The Norsemen were simply an erratic band of rovers. They made no settlements nor left any records of impor- tance concerning their discoveries. No real good whatever resulted from their voyages. The enthusiasm excited by first discovery gradually subsided, and, as there were no spoils in the wilderness to fall prey to the Norse freebooters or pirates, the further occupaney of the country was aban- doned, and the shadows which had been dispelled for a moment again gathered in; the curtain which had been lifted was again lowered from sky to ocean, and the New World still lay hidden in the misty future. Until recently historians have been ineredulous on the subject of the Norse discovery, but the fact is now generally conceded. We are in possession of no more reliable information than Hum- boldt's " Cosmos," but that may be eited as conclusive. " We are here on historical ground. By the critical and highly praiseworthy efforts of Professor Rafn, in the Royal So- ciety of Antiquaries in Copenhagen, the signs and docu- ments in regard to the expedition of the Norsemen to Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, or Vinland, have been pub- lished and satisfactorily commented upon. The discovery of the northern part of America by the Norsemen cannot be disputed. The length, of the voyage, the direction in which they sailed, the time of the sun's rising and setting are accurately given. While the caliphate of Bagdad was still flourishing, America was discovered about the year 1001 by Lief, the son of Eric the Red, at the latitude of forty-one and a half degrees north."
A period of four hundred and ninety-two years had elapsed from Lief Erickson's discovery, when Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa, Italy, touched upon an island, subsequently called San Salvador, and, planting the banner of Castile, formally claimed possession of the land in the name of the noble Isabella, Queen of Spain. He returned to Spain, and subsequently made two successive voyages to the New World, cach of which was fraught with great and lasting benefit to civilized Europe. In justice to Co- lumbus, this land should have borne his name, but through
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HISTORY OF CLINTON AND FRANKLIN COUNTIES, NEW YORK.
the artifice of a Florentine navigator, named Americo Ves- pucci, he was robbed of the honor, and it was bestowed on Vespucci, the least worthy of the many adventurers.
Not alone to Spain was left the control of the country which the genius and success of Columbus had brought to the knowledge of the world. France, ever regarding with a jealous eye the success of her formidable neighbor, was not slow to profit by the discoveries of Columbus. As early as 1504 the Normandy fishermen began to ply their vocation on the banks of Newfoundland, and in 1508 a number of the aborigines were taken to France. In 1523 a voyage of discovery was planned under the auspices of Francis I., and the command of the expedition was given John Verrazzani, a native of Florence. After a perilous voyage he discovered the mainland in the latitude of Wil- mington. After a sojourn of a few days he headed his vessel northward and sailed along the coast of Delaware and New Jersey, entered the harbor of New York, touched Massachusetts and Mainc, and continued his course along the coast of Newfoundland. At several points the enter- prising Florentine landed and opened a traffic with the In- dians, being always received with every evidence of friend- ship. He returned to France and published an account of his remarkable discoveries, and, naming the country New France, boldly asserted his claims to the sea-girt coast in the name of Francis I.
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