USA > New York > Ontario County > History of Ontario Co., New York > Part 1
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1
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PRESENT COURT HOUSE OF ONTARIO COUNTY. ERECTED 1858.
THE FIRST COURT HOUSE, ERECTED 1784.
TOWN HALL. SECOND COURT HOUSE, ERECTED 1024
Digitized by
1700
HISTORY OF
ONTARIO CO.,
NEW YORK,
With Illustrations
DESCRIPTIVE OF ITS SCENERY,
Palatial Poesidences,
Public Buildings, Fine Blochs, and Important Manufactories,
FROM ORIGINAL SKETCHES BY ARTISTS OF THE HIGHEST ABILITY.
PHILADELPHIA: EVERTS, ENSIGN & EVERTS, 716 FILBERT STREET.
1878
Press Of J. B. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia, Penn's. 1876.
Press Of W. E. Morrison & Co., Ovid, New York 1976.
Digitized by
Googl!
1
F 127 f.07 TABLE OF CONTENTS. M2 1976 HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE
HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY.
INTRODUCTION
PAGE 7
CHAPTER I .- Pre-Columbian Discovery-Rival Claims to Territory of New York- Bases of Claims-English Supremacy-French Rivalry
7-9
CHAPTER II .- The Antiquities of Ontario-Traditions of the Six Nations Their Civilisation, Character, Tribal Relations, Wars, Treaties, and Fate 9-11 CHAPTER III .- Character of the Country-Conflict of Jurisdiction-Land Titles- Phelps and Gorham Purchase-Indian Treaties . 11-14
CHAPTER IV .- Line of Organisation-Concurrent Events-Early Occupants Prior to Purchase-Progress of Settlement West-Reduction of Area-Local Selections and Acquisitions during 1789
14-17
CHAPTER V .- Continuation of Settlement in 1789-Influx of Population, and Events till 1794-Town Meeting of 1791-The State Road and Cayuga Bridge CHAPTER VI .- Proprietary Changes-Pre-Emption Lines-Williamson's Ideal and the Real _. CHAPTER VIL .- Indian Restlessness-Pioneer Apprehension-Treaty of 1794-Death of Chapin
17-19
..
Bristol
238-246
South Bristol
247-252
Canadice.
253-260
: Naples
261-269
Augustine Sackett.
125
George Hickox
125
John B. Cooley
126
J. E. Chase
126
Jerome Loomis
144
Luther Whitney
150
Cheeney Whitney
150
David Barron
150
H. E. Youngs
150
Isaac VanOstran, Jr.
151
Stephen Ferguson .
158
Joseph Brown Gates
Pamelia Bishop Gates
Emmons H. Gifford
Azel Throop
188
Danforth Booth
188
CHAPTER XVIII .- Agriculture: Grains, Stock, Buildings, and Farm Statistics-Fairs -Agricultural Society-Patrons of Husbandry-Nurseries .
47-50
CHAPTER XIX .- Geology of Ontario County
50, 51
CHAPTER XX .- Political History of Ontario-Her Officials, Population, and Popular Vote
51-54
CHAPTER XXI .- Traces, Roads, and Turnpikes-Stage Lines and Mail Routes -- Post- Offices and Canals .
54-56
CHAPTER XXII .- Railroads of Ontario County : Auburn and Rochester, Batavia Branch of N. Y. Central, Northern Central, Geneva and Ithaca, Sodus Point and Southern .
56-58
CHAPTER XXIII .- Ontario Banks: State, Individual, National, and Saving
58, 59
CHAPTER XXIV .- Early and Later Manufactories and Products
59, 60
CHAPTER XXV .- Religious Denominations and Church Statistics
60-63
CHAPTER XXVI .- Literary and Benevolent Societies and Institutions
63-66
CHAPTER XXVII .- The Press of Ontario, Past and Present
66-68
CHAPTER XXVIII .- The History of Hobart College, Geneva
68-76
CHAPTER XXIX .- The Ontario Female Seminary-The Geneva Union School-The Canandaigua Academy .
76-82
CHAPTER XXX .- Ontario in the War for the Union
82-100
Col. Melancton Lewis ( Plate XVIII.)
74
David K. Crooks ( Plate XXI.)
80
Shotwell Powell (Plate XXII.)
82
A. J. Robison (Plate LXIV.)
172
Gilbert Willson ( Plate XC.) .
235
ILLUSTRATIONS.
VIEWS.
near or
Abbey, I. J., Residence of (Plate LXXXIV.)
facing page 225
..
228
Chase, James E., " XXXVIII.)
4
125
Antis, William,
XXVIII.)
94
Court-House of Ontario County (Frontispiece) First
title page 4
Arnold, Daniel,
LXX.) ·
190
Academy, Canandaigua
" IV.)
22
Canandaigua Academy (Plate IV.)
page 22
Betz & Nester's Brewery, Geneva ( Plate LXI.)
134, 135
Clifton Springs Sanitarium (Plate VI.)
30
Barron, David,
( " XLVI.) . ( " LI.)
=
179
Canandaigua Brewery, J. & A. MoKechnie (Plate XXV.)
=
87
Crooks, David H., Residence of (Plate XXI.)
80
Bare Hill, View of (Plate XCIII.)
247
DeGraff, John, Residence of ( " L.)
150
Case, Orestes, Residence and Stock of (Plate XCI.)
238
Doolittle, William 8., Residence of ( Plate XCV.) ( " LV.) Ellas, Mrs. A. D. L.,
158 179
Crane, George, Old Homestead ( Plate XCIV.)
250
First Court-House, erected 1794 (Frontispiece)
title page
Carriage Manufactory, M. Hayes (Plate LXXVII.)
¥
211
Ferguson, Stephen, Residence of (Plate LIV.)
page 156
Croquet Grounds, Seward French ( " LXXVIII.)
212
French, T. D., Residence of (Plate LXXV.) .
208
Chapinville Spoke-Bending and Wheel Factory (Plate LVII.) Canandaigua Lake, looking south (Plate XXXI.)
162
French, Seward, Residence of (Plate LXXVIII.) . Croquet-Grounds of (Plate LXXVIII.)
212
Cook's Point Glen, Glyph Falls
=
101
Geneva, from Seneca Lake (Plate XXXI.)
101
Coleman, Mrs. E. R., Residence of ( "
XXXII.)
107
Glyph Falls, Cook's Point Glen (Plate XXXI.)
..
101
Chamberlain, Frank O.,
XXXII.)
114
Gardner, Esq., E. W., Residence of (Plate XXXVIII.)
126
HISTORY OF THE TOWNS AND VILLAGES.
PAGE
Canandaigua Village
. 101-113
Town of Canandaigua Geneva Village Town of Genevs
= Seneca
Gorbam
152-158
Hopewell
159-163
Phelps
. 164-175
Manchester
176-188 189-196
Farmington
Victor
197-205
East Bloomfield
206-215 216-224
CHAPTER VIII .- The Pioneer; his Journeys-Early Mills-A Pioneer Court-On- tario prior to 1800-Trial of "Stiff-Armed George," and his Defense by Red Jacket
24-27 27-29
CHAPTER X .- Clearing Lands-Crops-Markets-Distilleries-Salt Works-Climate in Early Days-An Ontario Hermit
29-31
CHAPTER XL .- Biography of Notable and Distinguished Pioneers of Ontario County : Proprietors, Agents, Superintendents, Attorneys, Merchants, Ministers, and others. CHAPTER XII .- The Jesuit Missionaries-Pioneer Preachers and Churches-Schools and Teachers-Marriages, Births, Deaths, and Cemeteries
33-35
CHAPTER XIII .- Adventure, Incident, and Reminiscence Illustrative of Early Times. CHAPTER XIV .- Organization, from Ontario, of other Counties-County Buildings- First Assessment of Taxes-First Case in Surrogate's Court-The State Arsenal - The Poor Farm-Ontario in 1810
35, 36
CHAPTER XV .- Town Meetings-Celebrations-La Fayette, Joseph Smith, and John Morgan
41-43
CHAPTER XVI .- Militia-Musters-War of 1812-Meetings for Defense and Relief . 43-45 CHAPTER XVII .- Geographical : Towns, Villages, Surface, Soil, Lakes, Streams, and Springs-Fish, Squirrels, and Reptiles-An Interesting and Able Letter 45-47
Daniel Arnold
196
Allen Payne
196 215 235
John Pennell
David A. Pierpont
235
Joshua Phillips
235
Noah Ashley
236 236
Peter P. Barnard .
236
George Johnson
237
Luther Stanley
237
Philip Reed .
237
Francis Mason
246
William Thomas
246
George Crane
252
Elam Crane
252 58
Col. Lanson Dewey (Plate XIII.) .
near or facing page
58
Seth Stanley (Plate XIV.)
62
LIST OF PATRONS
270-276
VIEWS.
Dear er facing page 122
Ashley, Nonb,
(
LXXXVII.)
Barden, H. V., Residence of ( Plate XLV.) .
146
Catholic Church, Stanley, St. Theresa's (Plate IX.) Canandaigua Hotel (Plate X.)
42
Bray, Cyrus,
151
46
Brown, H. L. & C. P., Drill Works ( Plate LXVIII.)
"
200
200
Dunning, Wm. B., Residence of ( " XXVII.) .
92
"
Case, Billings, Residence of (Plate XCII.)
242
Crane, George, Residence of ( Plate XCIV.)
250
Empire Grain Drill Works, Manchester (Plate LXVIII.)
212
101
Digitized by
. 114-126
.127-137
138-144
145-151
West Bloomfield
Richmond
225-237
20-22
22, 23
PERSONAL SKETCHES.
CHAPTER IX .- Ontario in 1800-Timber-Animals-Furniture-Customs .
31-33
37-41
163 163 175
Elijah Hamlin
David L. Hamilton
L. B. Hotchkiss (Plate XIII.)
Canandaigua Public School Building (Plate V.)
26
145
Bonesteel, P. S., Residence of (Plate LXXII.) Bonesteel, P. S., Farm Buildings (Plate LXXII.)
256
Cooley, Capt. John B., Residence of (Plate XXXVII.)
+
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
ILLUSTRATIONS.
VIEWS.
VIEWS.
Gregory. Charles P., Residence of (Plate XLV.) .
facing page 145
View of Bare Hill (Plate XCIII.)
ngar or facing page 247
Gates, Joseph B., Residence of " LVL.)
160
Vandevort, Thomas, Residence of (Plate LXV.).
173
Giford, Emmons H., Residence of ( " LX.)
166
84 Van Ostran, Mrs. J. A., =
XLVIII.)
=
148
Hammond, Hon. S. H., Residence of (Plate XV.)
67
Valentine, late Samuel,
XXVIIL.)
94
Hickox, Capt. George, Residence of ( " XIX.)
76
Whitney, Ami,
" XV.)
=
86
Head of Canandaigua Lake (Plate XXXI.) .
101
Warth, Samuel, Store of (Plate XLIII.)
.
140
Wilson, John, Residence of ( Plate XLVII.)
147
Whitney, Cheeney, Old Home of (Plate L.)
150
Whitney, Luther, Former Home of (Plate LI.)
151
Warfield, William H., Residence of (Plate LXXI.)
194
Wheeler, S. R., Residence of (Plate LXXIV.)
207
Youngs, H. E., Residence and Mill of ( Plate XLIX.) .
149
Hemenway, Charles G., Residence of ( Plate XCV.)
256
Haff, Allen, Residence of (Plate XCV.)
256
Iron Works, New York Central ( Plate XLIII.)
140
Johnson, George,
2.30
Knapp, Henry F., Residence of ( " LVII.) '
162 74
PORTRAITS.
Dear er
Ashley, Noah
(Plate LXXXVII.)
facing page 228
Ashley, Mrs. Minerra (
228
Arnold, Daniel
LXX.) .
190
Arnold, Betsy P.
XXVIII.)
94
Barron, David
XLVI.)
..
146
Manufacturing View, Shortsville ( " XXXI.)
101
Cooley, Jobn B.
XXXVII.)
122
Marble and Granite Works, Geneva ( " XL.)
180
Chase, James R.
XXXVII.)
125
Case, Billings T.
XCII.)
242
Manufacturing View, Gorham (Plate LII.)
159
Crane, George
XCIV.) 1
250 58
Mason, W. G., Residence of (Plate LXXI.) .
194
Ferguson, Stephen
LIV.)
156
Miller, A. D.,
(Plate LXI.)
Gates, Joseph B.
LVI.)
160
Newman, A. 8.,
( " XXXII.)
Hotobkiss, L. B.
XIII.)
58
Hickox, Capt. George
XXVIII.)
94
Johnson, George
LXXXVIII.)
230
Map of (Plate II.)
page 7
Lincoln, William E.
« XCIIL.) .
247
Lincoln, Mrs. W. E.
XVIII.)
74 96
Phelps and Gorham Purchase, Map of ( Plate III.)
pago 18 26
Loomis, Mrs. Hannab H. (Plate LV.)
158
Martin, Mra. Lucinda 8. Pierpont, David A.
XII.) .
..
XXII.)
82
Potter's Marble Works, Geneva (Plate XL.)
130
Powell, I. M.
XXIII.)
1
83
Pennell, John, Residence of (Plato LXXXIX.)
Payne, Mrs. Allen
4
LXXXIX.)
232 232 154, 155
Randall, N. W., .
" XXX.)
98
Robeon, Phoebe
154, 155
Roy, Isaao,
" LXIII.) .
171
Roy, Isaso
LXIII.)
171
Robison, A. J.,
( " LXIV.)
172 227
Reed, Mra. Philia G.
..
227
&t. Theresa's Catholic Church, Stanley (Plate IX.)
Smokett, Col. Augustine
XVIL)
.€
72 72
Seskett, Col. Augustine, Residence of ( Plate XVII.)
72
Stanley, Mrs. Lydia
226
Smith's Blook, William (XXVII.)
92
Thomas, William
XXIX.)
XLII.)
138
Smith & Co.'s Store, Geneva, Interior of (Plate XL.)
130
Throop, Asel
LXVIL)
176 148
Spoke-Bending Factory, Chapinville ( Plate L'VII.)
162
Van Ostran, Julia A.
163
Vandevort, Thomas
LXV.)
173
Sherman, E. W., "
( " LXII.)
Salisbury, B. F., ( " LXVI.)
Whorrall, Mrs. Jas.
126
Sheldon, Gardner L., Residence of (Plate LXXI.)
194
Wilson, Joba
XLVII.)
147
Soldiers' Monument, East Bloom field (Plate 1,XXIII.)
206
147
Simmons, Col. Sardis, Residence of (Plate LXXXIII.) Button, Req., S. H., " XCVI.)
222 264
Town Hall, Erected 1824 (Frontispiece)
title page
Whitney, Cheeney
L.)
150
Tillotson, L. H.,
1 XXXII.)
Tooker, Brastas,
( " XLII.)
..
138
Whitney, Hannah L.
151
Throop & Sons, Asel, : " LXVII.)
176
Youngs, H. R.
149
Tobey, F. N.,
( " LXXX.) .
«
215
Youngs, Mrs. M.
149
7
Mason, Francis, Residence of (Plate XVI.) .
70
MoKechnie, J. & A., Brewery of (Plate XXV.) James, Residence of ( " XXIV.) 4
RR
Barron, Mrs. Sarah
Crooks, David H.
XXI.)
50
Maltman, Esq., John, Residence of (Plate XXXV.)
118
Cooley, Mrs. Catherine(
122
Martin, Jacob, Residence of (Plate LVII.) .
162
Martin, Mrs. L. 8., Residence of (Plate LXXXV.)
226
Case, Mrs. B. T.
242
Mansfeld, Alonso, Residence of ( Plate LXXXI.)
216
Crane, Mrs. G.
Dewey, Col. Lanson
XIII.)
Maple Grove, T. D. French (Plate LXXV.)
208
Ferguson, Mri. S.
4
156
Miller, Silas,
«
( " LXXXIL.)
220
Gatos, Mrs. J. B.
160
New York Central Iron Works (Plate XLIII.)
Ontario County Court-House, Present (Frontispiece) 4
" First 1
Oaks, Nathan, Residence of ( Plate XXVI.) .
Olmsted, Sophia L., Residence of (Plate LVLI.)
162
Present Court-House of Ontario County (Frontispiece)
title page
1
XXIX.)
Public School Building, Canandaigua ( " V.)
38
LXXXV.)
226 54
Powell, I. M.,
1 i
XXIII.) XXXVI.)
120
Powell, Mrs. 8.
82
Pritchard, Dr. G. C., Residence of (Plate LIX.) Payne, late Allen, Residence of ( Plate LXIX.)
Payne, Allen
LXIX.)
189 189
Quick & Co., J. A., Flouring Mill of ( Plate XLIII.)
140
Reference Map of Ontario County (Plate II.)
7
Pennell, Mrs. Sarah
Robson, William
4 LIII.) . 1.
LXIV.)
172
Reed, Col. Wheeler
LXXXVI.)
227
Sanitarium, Clifton Springs ( " VI.)
30
Stanley, Seth
XIV.) .
62
Smith, W. T., Home Grounds of (Plate XI.) Stanley, Seth, Residence of (Plate XIV.)
Backett, Mrs. Augustine Stanley, Luther
LXXXV.)
.. 226
Salisbury, Joseph F., Residence of (Plate XXVI.)
90
Sutton, 8. H.
4 XCVI.)
264 96
Shortsville, Manufacturing View ( Plate XXXI.)
101 116
Tucker, Mrs. Erastus
138
Stekoe & Wilson, Gorham, Manufactories of (Plate LIL.)
152
Van Ostran, Issao
XLVIIL.)
148
Smith, Lucas, Residence of ( Plate LVIII.)
163
Vandevort, Mrs. Ella Whorrall, James
XXXIX.) 1
) 5
xc.) ·
235
Thomas, William, Residence of (Plate XXIX.)
page
Whitney, Mrs. Olive Whitney, Luther
")
150
107
LI.)
151
XLIX.)
179
Hygienic Institute, Geneva (Plate VII.)
Van Sickle, G.,
=
" LXVIIL)
=
Herendeen, W. A., Residence of (Plate XXX.)
98
Willow Bruok, Residence of Jas. MoKechnie (Plate XXIV.) Whorrall, Jaunes,
(Plate XXXIX.)
126
Holbrook, Lewis, Residence of (Plate LXI.)
168
170
210
211
214
Hamlin, Philo, « " LXXX.)
215
Hamilton, D. L., Residence of (Plate LXXXIV.)
225
Johnson, William, Residence of (Plate LXVI.) (" LXXXVIII.)
Lewis, Col. Melanoton, " ( " XVIII.)
Loomis, Heirs of Jerome, Residence of (Plate XXIX.)
96
Latting, Jacob, Residence of (Plate LVIII.)
163
Lincoln, William E.," ( " XCIII.)
247
Map of Phelps and Gorham Purchase (Plate III.)
18
190
Booth, Danforth
87
146
: Alex., 4
Means, late Joseph, Residence of (Plate XLIV.).
142
107 140 title page
Johnson, Mra. George (
280
Lewis, Col. Melanoton ( Loomis, Jerome
Loomis, Judge Chester (Plate LV.)
168
Presbyterian Church and Parsonage, Seneca (Plate VIII.) Pierpont, D. A., Residence of (Plate XII.) . Potter, Dr. John W., " XX.)
78
Phillips, Capt. Joshua
83
Powell, Shotwell
Padelford, H.,
"
14
83
164
Powell, Mrs. Edith
189
232
Rogers, II. B., Residence of (Plate XXVII.)
Robson, William,
LIII.) .
154, 155
Robison, A. J.
Reed, Wheeler,
"
" LXXXVI.)
42 50, 51
Tucker, Erastus
Beckett, F. A., Residence of ( Plate XXXIV.)
Smith & Son, Hopewell, Flour- and Grist-Mill (Plate LVIII.)
170 174
126
Wilson, Mrs. Sarab C. Wilson, Mrs. Jane Wilson, Gilbert
147
Digitized by
67
Howe, M.D., John Q., Residence of ( Plate LXIL) Holcomb, H., Residence of (Plate LXXVI.)
Hayes, M., Residence and Carriage Manufactory (Plate LXXVII.) Hodge, H. L., Residence of (Plate LXXIX.)
174
Map of Ontario County (Plate II.)
..
250
148
90
247
54
Pennell, John
)
178
4
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HISTORY
OF
ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
BY PROF. W. H. McINTOSH.
History is the ledger of human existence; an epitome of individual and social progress; a letterea pano- rams of the past. It credits established fact, gives permanence to valuable knowledge, and preserves the foot-prints of a transitory age. Authentic in the main, it is glorious in its object-to preserve for future generations a knowledge of obligations to their predecessors.
INTRODUCTION.
" WHERE once frowned a forest, a garden is smiling; the meadow and moor- land are marshes no more," and the agencies by which these changes have been accomplished within the recollection of a few venerable men, sole survivors of a former generation, form the subject of our investigation. Although a brief period of time has elapsed since the first intrepid settlers made their appearance in the Genesee country, a vast change has remained unchronicled, and there is little ex- tant to inform the people to whom they are under obligations for many privileges. The present year revives the dormant pride of origin, and pulpit and press are active in supplying popular demand. But these efforts are ephemeral ; the address is forgotten, the paper is destroyed, and only by systematized effort in book form can the history of Ontario be preserved. Sources of information are various ; many different fountains have contributed to enlarge the current of record from its origin in vague traditions to the known and established events of the present.
Again, the nations of the old world, adventuring in frail barks upon the broad Atlantic, are seen exploring the bays and rivers of another continent, eager for treasure, and patient in search of a water route to the commerce of the Indies. The aboriginal meets them at the threshold of his forest domain, imbibes their vices, feels their power, and bars their progress westward. The Iroquois, in coun- cils of the tribe and league, foreshadow a republic by a coming race of mingled nations, and, repelling invasion, roll back the tide of war, and sweep a province, with torch and knife, well-nigh from existence.
England asserts supremacy upon the Hudson, becomes the victor in the struggle for ascendency with France, and inaugurates oppression upon her colonies, re- sulting in the War of Independence. The Six Nations ally themselves with the royal governors against the treacherous French, and lay waste with many a foray the fringe of colonial settlement. The massacres of Cherry Valley and Wyoming are followed by the famous march of Sullivan, whose cannon warned the villagers of the confederacy of his approach, whose soldiery destroyed their fields and habitations. States and General Government raise conflicting claims to lands they do not own. Vast tracts are purchased and offered to settlement at nominal rates. A tide of immigration is received ; a county is formed with the area of a State, and a town with the territory of a county. Villages spring up, and farms are surveyed and occupied. The machinery of local government is instituted by town meetings, treaties are held, and the foundation of educational institutions laid. Roads are cut through the foresta, and taverns established on their route. Led by a spirit of adventure, or earnest in seeking a home, hundreds of New England and Eastern New York people make the journey to the Phelps and Gorham pur- chase, and, delighted with the soil and climate, landscape, and future prospect, buy them homes, and thereon pass their days. As population increases, by the for- mation of new counties, area diminishes. Rude public buildings are superseded by others commensurate with progress. Newspapers are founded, and banks chartered, stage lines organized, and postal facilities afforded. Great Britain usurps authority, and the Republic, declaring war, brings home to the people engaged in clearing their lands the terrors of civilized and savage warfare. Buffalo is burned, and by regiments the aroused people rally to repel the foe. Sickness, and lack of markets, discourage some, but do not daunt the many. An exodus to Michigan is more than supplied by arrivals from the East. The Erie Canal is projected and completed. The Albany and Rochester Railroad marks the advent of rapid trans-
portation, and, having passed the pioneer and settler periods, the population had turned attention to what pursuit best entertained their fancy, when the storm of civil war darkened the land, and threatened dissolution. The men of Ontario were no laggards at Lincoln's call, and none more brave than they upon the battle- field.
To fill the outline given; to delineate the forest-life; to call the roll of early settlers, and to render them the meed of well-won honor, are objects worthy of labor,-pleasurable for perusal.
In a region rich in romance, once abounding in game, and occupied by a per- tially civilized race; in a land of beautiful hill-encircled lakes, noble foresta, and alluvial soil; and in a State whose wealth, commerce, and political power have been acknowledged in the appellation of the " Empire State," are yet living scores of the sons and daughters of the old pioneers, who have witnessed the gradations from log cabin to stately mansion ; from poverty to opulence; from a savage wild, traversed only by the Indian path, to an enlightened community, diversified by farm and village, stream and lake, and eminently noted for the culture and social rank of its citizens. Relics from the battle-field-a broken musket, a battered canteen, the fragment of a shell-are valued from association, and the lives of those who felled the original forest, gave boundaries and organization to towns, established initial enterprise, and fostered the interests of school and church, are an heir-loom to those following them. Every department of labor presents a field for investigation. Success is seen to have been evolved from failure, and retro- gression from neglect. Not a century has transpired since the first white man's cabin was erected in the forest west of the capital; no evidence exists to-day but that the country has been inhabited for ages. The study of Ontario, comprising a lordly domain, and giving of her lands to establish other and rival counties, while holding her own in generous rivalry, is a theme of no ordinary interest to her citizens; it traces no rise from obscurity of individual or community to arro- gant dominion and lawless rapine, but the gradual changes wrought by industry, whereby a sturdy yeomanry, descendants of exiles for religious freedom, sought homes in a distant forest, there endured hardships, reared their families, and lived to see their wildest fancies realised.
CHAPTER L
PRE-COLUMBIAN DISCOVERY-RIVAL CLAIMS TO TERRITORY OF NEW YORK -BASES OF CLAIMS-ENGLISH SUPREMACY-FRENCH RIVALRY.
EMPIRES had arisen, matured, and fallen, and other empires followed them. Ages had passed away, and the broad Atlantic was a dreaded barrier, and the con- tinent to the west an unknown region. Then, as now, the Falls of Niagara poured their masses of water over the precipice of the ever-lengthening canon with solemn reverberations amid the unbroken forest, and the noble Hudson swept past the Palisades on its way to the ocean; but the people who traversed these regions have left behind them little to indicate their existence, save the mounds which cover the bones of their dead. Believing in the common origin of man, the thoughtful can but ruminate upon the problem of Indian occupation. When and how came they upon this continent ? What was their progress in arts and civili- sation ? Had no advance been made by successive generations, or had they risen and then fallen to the savage state ? Nature asserts her sway in contest with cul- tivation, and the highest state of civilisation may have been extinguished by the leveling influences of time. Leaving origin to conjecture, races were found
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HISTORY OF ONTARIO COUNTY, NEW YORK.
ranging from savage to civilized state, and Aztecs of Mexico, Peruvians of South America, and, far later, the Iroquois of New York, were seen as tillers of soil, architects of village hut to city temple, and numbered by thousands.
Various claims are put forth regarding the honors of first discovery of America. Eric, a Northman, emigrating from Iceland, settled in Greenland in 986. Various voyages were subsequently made by his descendants to a country they called Vinland, but, if true, resulted in no permanent effectual possession. Spanish Arabians date a discovery by them in 1140; the Venetians, in 1436; but not till 1492 do we enter upon the authentic and substantiated. During that year Christopher Columbus, while in the service of Spain, sailing westward, discovered land off the east coast of Florida, and opened a highway over the broad Atlantic. "Confining exploration and conquest to the regions of the Gulf of Mexico and the Mississippi, Spain left the barren and unprofitable northward coast to the investi- gation of other powers.
Three nations claimed an ownership in the territory embraced in part by the present State of New York. They founded their title in the rights of discovery and occupation, and severally yielded only to the supremacy acquired by force of arms. That heterogeneous and hostile colonies should eventually unite to form part of such a nation as the United States, may well cause the most thoughtless to ponder upon our present and our future. Authorized by letters patent from Henry VII., John Cabot, a Venetian, accompanied by his son Sebastian, set out on a voyage of discovery. He touched the coast on June 24, 1497, and called the country Newfoundland. To him is ascribed the honor of being the first to see the continent of North America. Sailing southward, with occasional land- ings, Cabot reached the capes of Chesapeake Bay, and then returned to England. In 1498, Sebastian Cabot, returning, explored the coast from Newfoundland to Florida, and hence the English claim to territory eleven degrees in width, and extending from ocean to ocean. Francis I., of France, emulating the enterprise of Spain and England, sent out upon a voyage of discovery John Verrazzani, a Florentine, who thrice visited America, coursed along the coast a distance of over two thousand miles, in frail vessels, trafficked with the natives, and was the first European whose feet trod the soil of New Netherlands. Returning in safety, he gave an account of his exploration, and although he failed in finding a northwest route to the East Indies, he established for France a claim in the New World. To Holland we are indebted for the germ of New York. This nation, essentially commercial, formed a company for purposes of traffic and colonization in Africa and America, to which association was given the name of East India Company. This company engaged Henry Hudson, an adventurous navigator, to seek a northern passage to India. Two voyages were fruitless, yet, in the service of the Dutch East India Company, he made a third, which has rendered his name im- mortal.
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