USA > New York > A gazetteer of the state of New York: comprising its topography, geology, mineral resources, civil divisions, canals, railroads and public institutions; together with general statistics; the whole alphabetically arranged. Also statistical tables of distances with a new township map of the state > Part 22
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FLORIDA, V. and p. o. War- wick, Orange co. contains about 250 inhabitants, 40 dwelling hous- es, 2 churches, 2 taverns, 5 stores, 2 grist mills and 2 saw mills.
FLOYD, t. Oneida co. situated 8 miles north of the city of Utica, and distant 100 miles from Albany, contained in 1840, 1,724 inhabi- tants. The surface is rolling; soil, clay marl well adapted to grass; along the Mohawk, which bounds it on the south, are rich alluvial flats; Nine Mile creek drains it on the eastern border. Floyd is the name of a post office.
FLUSHING, t. Queens co. situa- ted 6 miles west of North Hemp- stead court house, and distant 156 miles from Albany; contained in 1840, 4,124 inhabitants. The sur- face is mostly level, except on the south, where there is a stony ridge; soil, sandy loam, with some clay, generally well cultivated and pro- ductive. This town is bounded on the north by Long Island Sound ; Flushing bay on the west, and Little Neck bay on the east, are considerable indentations, into which flow small streams.
FLUSHING, V. and p. o. Queens co. is situated at the head of Flush- ing bay, 9 miles from the city of New-York; it was incorporated in 1837, and now contains about 2,000 inhabitants, 175 dwelling houses, 1 Episcopal, 2 Methodist and 1 Roman Catholic church, and 1 Orthodox and 1 Hicksite meeting house; the St. Thomas' Hall is an extensive institution for the educa- tion of males, and St. Ann's Hall is an institution for the education of females, both of which are in a very flourishing condition; there is also a Friend's female boarding school and several select schools in this place; 5 hotels and taverns, and 12 stores of different kinds. The Linnean Botanic Garden and Nursery, is a place of great at- traction. This village is much frequented, and is a fashionable resort for strangers during the sum- mer months, being justly celebra- ted for its schools and nursery; it has rapidly improved since its in- corporation, and is still progress- ing. There is a communication between Flushing and the city of New-York, by steamboats and stages, several times daily. St. Paul's College, situated about 2 miles north of this place, on Col- lege Point, is a celebrated and flourishing institution of learning, for the education of young men.
FLUSHING BAY, lies on the
167
FLUVANNA-FORT ANN.
south of Long Island Sound, or ience. This institution, the only East river, with which it commu- nicates ; it is 3 miles long and about 1 mile wide, and navigable for steamboats to the village of Flushing.
FLUVANNA, p. o. Ellicott, Chautauque co.
FONDA, V. and p. o. Mohawk, Montgomery co. is situated on the north side of the Mohawk river; it is the county seat of Montgomery county, and contains about 350 in- habitants, 50 dwelling houses, 1 court house and jail, 4 hotels and taverns, 5 stores, 1 flouring mill with 4 run of stone, 1 saw mill, 1 plaster mill, 1 carding machine and 1 manufactory for making threshing machines. The Utica and Schenectady railroad passes through this village, and a daily line of stages run to Johnstown and other places in Fulton county. The Fonda Hotel is a spacious and well kept public house, to which is connected a recess for the accommodation of railroad pas- sengers.
FONDA'S BUSH, V. Broadalbin, Fulton co. is situated on Fonda's Bush creek; it contains about 150 inhabitants, 25 dwelling houses, 1 tavern, 2 stores, 1 grist mill, and 1 saw mill.
FORDHAM, V. Westchester co. is situated on the line of the Har- lem railroad, where is a depot, 12} miles north of the City Hall ; here are located 1 Presbyterian church, an academy, 3 taverns, 2 stores and 30 or 40 dwelling houses .- St. John's College, a Roman Catho- lic institution, is situated near this place, on an eminence called Rose Hill; enjoying all the advantages peculiar to the country,-its pure invigorating air, its retirement and peaceful quiet, so favorable to the formation and growth of studious habits ; while at the same time its proximity to the city by means of the railroad, is a great conven-
one of its kind in the state, was first opened for the reception of students on the 24th of June, 1841 The following is an extract from their rules and regulations: " The system of government will be mild and paternal-yet firm in enforc- ing the observance of established discipline. The utmost attention will be paid not only to the intel- lectual, but also to the moral edu- cation of the pupils. As to their domestic comfort, every thing which parental affection can de- sire will be found and supplied in the assiduous attention and skilful management of the Sisters of Charity, to whom the charge of this important and highly respon- sible department is mainly confid- ed." The College edifice is large, elegant and commodious ; the grounds are extensive and in a state of high improvement. The collegiate year commences on the first Monday of September.
FORRESTBURGH, t. Sullivan co. situated 8 miles south of the village of Monticello, and distant 127 miles from Albany; contained in 1840, 433 inhabitants. The sur- face is hilly; soil, gravelly loam, producing a large growth of yel- low and white pine ; it is drained by Neversink river and some other small streams. Forrestburgh and Barryville are names of post offices.
FORRESTBURGH, V. and p. o. Sullivan co. contains about 90 in- habitants, 15 dwelling houses, 1 tavern, 1 store, 1 grist mill, 1 plas- ter mill and 4 saw mills.
FORRESTVILLE, V. and p. o. Hanover, Chautauque co. contains about 700 inhabitants, 100 dwelling houses, 1 church, 2 taverns, 4 stores, 2 grist mills, 2 saw mills, 1 clothier's works and 1 distillery.
FORT ANN, t. Washington co. situated 12 miles north of Sandy Hill, and distant 60 miles from AI- bany; contained in 1840, 3,559 in-
-
168
FORT ANN-FORT EDWARD.
habitants. The surface is in part | tories, 3 grist mills, 1 plaster mill hilly and mountainous, diversified and 3 saw mills. This was an im- portant military position during the late war with Great Britain, known as the French Mills. with valleys and plains; soil, vari- ous, sand, clay, alluvion and bare rock; it is drained by Wood creek, and in part bounded by Lake George on the west. The Cham- plain canal passes through this town, where is its summit level. Fort Ann, Comstock's Landing, Griswold's Mills, Mount Hope Fur- nace and Patten's Mills are names of post offices.
FORT ANN, V. and p. o. Fort Ann, Washington co. is situated on the line of the Champlain canal, where are three locks. It was in- corporated in 1820, and now con- tains about 500 inhabitants, 70 dwelling houses, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Baptist and 1 Methodist church, 2 taverns, 6 stores, 2 tanneries and 1 brick yard. In this place is the site of Fort Ann, erected during the old French war, in 1756; two miles south may be seen vestiges of a road made by Gen. Burgoyne, during the revolution, for the tran- sport of his cannon and baggage, when on his route to Saratoga.
FORT CLINTON. See West Point and Fort Montgomery.
FORT COLUMBUS. See Go- vernor's Island.
FORT COVINGTON, t. Frank- lin co. situated 14 miles north-west of the village of Malone, and dis- tant 223 miles from Albany; con- tained in 1840, 2,094 inhabitants. The surface is level; soil, sand and clay loam of good quality; drain- ed north by Salmon and Little Sal- mon rivers. This town is bounded on the north by the Canada line.
FORT COVINGTON, V. and p. o. Fort Covington, Franklin co. is situated on Salmon river, which is navigable from this place to the St. Lawrence river, 5 miles below; it contains about 800 inhabitants, 120 dwelling houses, 4 churches, an incorporated academy ; 3 taverns, 7 stores, 2 extensive woollen fac-
FORT EDWARD, t. Washing- ton co. situated 4 miles south of the village of Sandy Hill, and distant 47 miles from Albany; contained in 1840, 1,726 inhabitants. The surface is gently undulating; soil, sand, clay and loam of . good qual- ity; it is drained by Moseskill and some small streams flowing into the Hudson river, which bounds it on the west. Fort Edward, Fort Edward Centre and Fort . Miller are names of post offices.
FORT EDWARD, V. and p. o. Fort Edward, Washington co. is situated on the east side of the Hudson river and on the line of the Champlain canal ; it contains about 500 inhabitants,80 dwelling houses, 1 church, 2 taverns, 6 stores and groceries, and 1 grist mill. This village contains the site of old Fort Edward, erected in 1755, and is celebrated as being the place where Miss Jane McCrea was murdered by Indians during the revolutionary war .: This vicinity having been celebrated during the old French and Revolutionary wars, as the theatre of military exploits and savage murder, we subjoin the following extract :- " The remains of Fort Edward are still to be seen in the very centre of the ro- mantic little village which now bears its name. At a short dis- tance north, the place is shown where Miss McCrea was murdered by the Indians. Tradition has ac- curately preserved the location of that most bloody and most melan- choly deed. She was on her way to join an officer in the British army to whom she was to be mar- ried. She committed herself, against the remonstrance of her friends, to a party of Indians as the safest escort in those times
169
FORT EDWARD CENTRE-FORTIFICATIONS.
They met another party at this | 70 guns, 42, 32 and 24 pounders. place, sent by the anxious and ex- pecting bridegroom, and an alter- cation ensued in reference to the promised reward; in the midst of which they were attacked by a party of whites. When the con- flict was over she was found toma- kawked and scalped. Her lover was overwhelmed with grief, and survived but a short time."
FORT EDWARD CENTRE, P. o. Fort Edward, Washington co.
FORT GEORGE. See Cald- well.
FORT GIBSON. See Ellis' Is- land.
FORT HAMILTON, V. and p. o. New-Utrecht, Kings co .; here is an extensive and strong fortification, situated on the extreme western end of Long Island, adjoining the "Narrows," through which is the main entrance from the ocean to the harbor of New-York, and which at this place is about one mile wide. The position of the fort is well adapted, in co-operation with Fort La Fayette in the channel and Fort Richmond upon the opposite shore of Staten Island, to constitute a complete defence of the passage. Fort Hamilton is constructed of solid granite walls of great thick- ness, and pierced for about 75 guns of 24 and 32 lbs. caliber; and which from their position are designed for defence as well on the land as the sea-side of the fort. A redoubt is also constructed about 200 yards in advance of the fort, on the land side, so as to prevent an enemy landing upon the beach, between the fort and Coney Island. It is completely defiled from the neighboring hills, which might otherwise be occupied by an ene- my. Fort La Fayette, (or Fort Diamond,) is situated in the stream about 250 yards from Fort Hamil- ton and is a necessary appendage thereof. It is built of solid free- stone masonry and mounts about
These erections were planned by the eminent French Engineer, Gen. Bernard, and are well calcu- lated for the purpose of harbor de- fence. They have been greatly neglected for several years and are consequently much less effective than before-but are now under- going repairs, and are at present occupied by a small military force. Congress having lately made am- ple appropriations for the purpose. An effective garrison would require nearly 2,000 men, a small part of that number only are now there. The settlement at this place con- sists of some 15 or 20 dwelling houses, 1 church, 2 stores, 1 tav- ern and a boarding house for sum- mer entertainment only; it is plea- santly situated and commands a full view of the Lowerbay and the Atlantic ocean.
FORT HUNTER, p. o. Florida, Montgomery co. Here are still vi- sible the remains of Fort Hunter, distinguished in Colonial history.
FORTIFICATIONS; there are now several fortifications erecting and repairing, for the defence of the city of New-York and other exposed situations in the state, by the United States government. The defence of the Commercial Emporium being of the first impor- tance, Congress has recently made appropriations for completing Fort Schuyler on Throg's Point; which when finished, in connection with a battery on the Long Island shore, will completely defend that en- trance from the approach of an enemy by water. The works at the "Narrows" are also now so far advanced and fortified as ťo render a pass at this point very hazardous to an invading fleet; and if they should effect a landing be- yond these fortifications, they would have to traverse some 15 or 20 miles before they could reach the city which delay would afford am-
170
FORT LA FAYETTE-FORT NIAGARA.
ple time to prepare for defence, if ever such an event should occur. Owing to a want of the above defen- ces, the city was captured by the Bri- tish during the Revolutionary war, after a sanguinary conflict on Long Island, in 1776, when the Americans were defeated. An outer defence or water battery, is projected to be erected on the east bank and middle ground, near Sandy Hook, for the protection of the Lower bay of New-York; which it is supposed, when finished, will afford ample defence in connection with works already in progress and finished. Fort Ontario, situated at the mouth of the Oswego river, has recently undergone extensive repairs & been put in complete defence, and is a safeguard to the harbor and village of Oswego. It is also proposed to erect extensive works at or near the city of Buffalo, for the protec- tion of that importont inland depot of commerce and trade.
FORT LA FAYETTE. See Fort Hamilton.
FORT MILLER, V. and p. o. Fort Edward, Washington co. is situated on the east side of the Hudson river, where is a fall of about 20 feet, and a state dam of 8 feet in heighth, the water here being taken out of the river to feed the Champlain canal, which pas- ses through this place; it contains about 300 inhabitants, 40 dwelling houses, 1 church, 2 taverns, 5 stores and groceries, 1 grist mill, 1 saw mill and 1 fulling mill and carding machine.
FORT MONTGOMERY, and old Fort Clinton, of revolutiona- ry memory, stood on the west side of the Hudson river, 6 miles be- low West Point ; they were situat- ed on elevated ground overlooking the river, and were separated by a creek and ravine, which is now the dividing line between the towns of Cornwall and Monroe. These forts were deemed almost impregnable,
being erected for the defence of the river pass at this point, which was also obstructed by chevaux-de- frise, boom and chains. On the 6th of Oct. 1777, they were attack- ed by a superior British force under Sir Henry Clinton, and captured after a sharp resistance; the gar- rison of 600 men being overpower- ed by a disiplined army of 3,000 men. The works were resolutely defended until dark, when the ene- my effected an entrance at several places, there not being a sufficient number of soldiers in the fort to man the lines.
FORT NIAGARA, lies in the town of Porter, Niagara county, at the entrance of Niagara river into Lake Ontario, and directly opposite Fort George in Canada. In 1679, M. De Salle, the explorer of the Mississippi, in the service of France, enclosed by pallisades the spot on which the fort was here built in 1725. In 1759 it was ta- ken by the British under Sir Wm. Johnson, in whose hands it remain- ed until 1796, when it was evacua- ted and given up to the United States. On the 19th of December, 1813, it was again taken by the British by surprise; and in March, 1815, again surrendered to the Americans. This old fort is as much noted for its being the thea- tre of tyranny and crime as for the scene of military exploits. While in the hands of the French, there is no doubt of its having been at times used as a prison ; in its close and impregnable dungeons, where light was not admitted, for many years there remained clear traces of the ready instruments for execu- tion or for murder. During the war of the revolution it was the head quarters of all that was barbarous, unrelenting and cruel ; this being the chief rendezvous of a savage horde that carried death and de- struction into the remote American settlements. Of late years, the
171
FORT PLAIN-FORT TICONDEROGA.
abduction of Wm. Morgan, who ever since it was first occupied and was taken from the jail in Canan- fortified by them in 1756; the fort was at first named Fort Carillon, daigua, and conveyed for more than 100 miles, through a populous ' but afterwards called Fort Ticon- country and lodged in the maga- zine at Fort Niagara; where he was kept for 3 or 4 days, and then supposed to have been inhumanly murdered, has justly tended to con- tinue its reputation for being the scene of tyranny and murder.
FORT PLAIN, V. and p. o. Min- den, Montgomery co. is situated on the south side of the Mohawk river, on the line of the Erie canal; it was incorporated in 1834, and now contains about 1,400 inhabi- tants, 200 dwelling houses, 1 bank- ing house, 1 Reformed Dutch and 1 Universalist church, 3 taverns, 16 stores and groceries, 1 grist mill, 1 saw mill, 1 plaster mill, 1 furnace, 1 distillery and a stone quarry, from which are quarried large quantities of stone used in constructing locks for the Erie ca- nal, for building and other pur- poses. A daily line of stages run from this place to Cherry Valley, Cooperstown and Sharon Springs, in Schoharie county.
FORT PUTNAM. See West Point.
FORT RICHMOND. See Sta- ten Island.
FORT SCHUYLER. See Throg's Point and Utica.
FORT STANWIX. See village of Rome.
FORTSVILLE, p. o. Moreau, Saratoga co.
FORT TICONDEROGA; the ruins of this old fortification are situated in the town of Ticondero- ga, Essex co. on the west side of Lake Champlain, at the entrance of the outlet of Lake George. This place was originally called Che-on-der-o-ga by the Indians, signifying, in their language, noise; its name was afterwards slightly changed by the French into its pre- sent appellation, which it has borne
deroga, by the English and Ame- ricans. This fortification cost the French government a large sum of ¡ money, and was considered very strong both by nature and art; it stands on a point of land, elevated 70 feet above the waters of Lake Champlain, being surrounded on three sides by water, and on the north-west it was defended by strong breast works. Mount In- dependence, on the opposite or east side of the lake, was also fortified, and some of the intrenchments are still visible, elevated 110 feet above the lake, and overlooks the penin- sula of Ticonderoga. After seve- ral sanguinary conflicts in this vi- cinity and under the very walls of the fort, in which combats, several thousand lives were sacrificed; this important military position was tamely evacuated by the French in 1759, and given up to the British army under Lord Amherst; who retained possession until it was taken by surprise by Col. Ethan Allen, of the American army, in 1775. He entered the fort through a subterraneous passage from the south, extending to the lake; sur- prising the commandant in his bed before he was aware of his danger, and in his characteristic way re- quired the officer to surrender. He asked to whom? " Why, to Je- hovah and the Continental Con- gress, to be sure;" was his laconic reply. In 1777, the British army, under Gen. Burgoyne,on their route to Saratoga, appeared in array be- fore Ticonderoga, when Gen. St. Clair, the American commander, was forced to evacuate, the enemy having erected a battery on Mount Defiance, in the rear, elevated 720 feet above the lake, which over- looked and completely commanded this fortification, which was before
172
FORT TOMPKINS-FRANKLIN.
considered almost impregnable; it | situated 22 miles south of the vil- then remained in the hands of the lage of Canton, and distant 186 miles from Albany; contained in 1840, 1,752 inhabitants. The sur- face is somewhat uneven ; soil, chiefly clay and sandy loam, of good quality, and heavily timbered; drained by the Oswegatchie river and some of its tributaries. Fow- ler, Fullersville and Shingle Creek are names of post offices. Little York is the name of a village. British until the close of the war. Since that time it has been suffered to go to decay, and now presents one of the most interesting ruins of the kind in this country, and is annually visited by a great number of travellers. Near by, on the lake shore, is situated a well kept hotel for the accommodation of visiters, where steamboats, during the season of navigation, daily FOWLERSVILLE, p. o. York, Livingston co. land and receive passengers.
FORT TOMPKINS. See Staten Island.
FORT WASHINGTON, the site of which is situated on elevated ground on New-York Island, 10 miles north of the City Hall, and nearly opposite Fort Lee, in New- Jersey; was taken by the British in 1776, after the capture of the city of New-York. It was attacked by an overpowering force and carried at the point of the bayonet ; the re- treat of the Americans being cut off in every direction, they were slaughtered in great numbers by foreign mercenaries, the " Hes- sians," or held in captivity during the war, on board the noted prison ships, stationed in the Wallabout bay ; where hundreds died of star- vation and pestilence.
FORT WILLIAM HENRY. See Caldwell.
FORT WOOD. See Bedlow's Island.
FOSTERDALE, p. o. Cochecton, Sullivan co.
FOSTERVILLE, p. o. Aurelius, Cayuga co.
Fox CREEK, rises in Albany co. and flows west into Schoharie, where it empties into the Schoha- rie creek.
Fox ISLAND, lies at the foot of Lake Ontario, and is attached to the town of Lyme, Jefferson co.
FRANKFORT, [. Herkimer co. situated 7 miles west of the village of Herkimer, and distant S7 miles from Albany; contained in 1840, 3,096 inhabitants. The surface on the south is hilly and broken; upon the north in the valley of the Mo- hawk are fertile flats. Frankfort, Frankfort Bridge and Frank- fort Hill, are names of post offi- ces.
FRANKFORT, V. and p. o. Frankfort, Herkimer co. is situa- ted on the south side of the Mo- hawk river, on the line of the Erie canal; it contains about 500 inha- bitants, 100 dwelling houses, 1 Dutch Reformed and 1 Baptist church ; 2 taverns, 8 stores and groceries, 1 woollen factory, 1 grist mill, 1 saw mill, 1 distillery
FOWLER, t. St. Lawrence co. | and 1 tannery.
FRANKLIN COUNTY, taken from Clinton in 1808, is centrally distant 160 miles from Albany ; it is bounded on the north by Lower Canada, east by Clinton county, south by Essex and Hamilton counties, and on the west by St. Lawrence county. The surface of this county on the south and in the middle parts is hilly and mountainous ; on the north either quite level, or gently undulating. The soil is various, much of it sandy loam, and very productive. In the southern part, the hills and mountains are barren, or covered with dwarf shrubbery ; but like the highlands of Essex and Clinton, known as the Adirondack
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FRANKLIN-FRANKLINVILLE.
Mountains, abound in the purest and most superior quality of iron ore. The forests are covered with a heavy growth of beech, maple, elm, cedar, hemlock and a large growth of pine. In this county are nume- rous lakes and ponds ; the most important are the Upper and Lower Saranac lakes, from which flow: a number of streams, mostly into the St. Lawrence river, which touches its north-west corner. Chateau- gay, Salmon, Trout, Deer, St. Regis and Racket rivers, all run north and north-west into the St. Lawrence ; while the Saranac river rises in this county, and runs north-east into Lake Champlain. Its area is about 1,527 square miles, or 977,388 acres.
The following are the names of the towns in Franklin county, and the population in 1840, with the exception of Harrietstown, which was taken from Duane in 1841.
Bangor,
1,239 | Fort Covington, 2,094
Belmont,
472
Bombay,
1,446
Brandon, 531
Chateaugay, 2,824
Constable,
1,122
Dickinson,
1,005
Duane, .
324
FRANKLIN, t. Franklin co. si- tuated 25 miles south-east of the village of Malone, and distant 187 miles from Albany ; contained in 1840, 192 inhabitants. The sur- face is hilly and mountainous; soil, various ; it contains several small lakes, and is drained by the Sara- nac river and its tributaries on the east, and by Salmon river on the north. Merrillsville is the name of a post office.
FRANKLIN, t. Delaware co. si- tuated 12 miles west of the village of Delhi, and distant 93 miles from Albany; contained in 1840, 3,025 inhabitants. The surface is bro- ken by Oleout creek and its branches ; soil, reddish loam, fer- tile and well timbered. Franklin, East Franklin and North Franklin are names of post offices.
FRANKLIN, V. & p. o. Franklin, Delaware co. contains about 700 in- habitants, 100 dwelling houses, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Baptist & 1 Metho- dist church; an incorporated acade- my called the Franklin Institute; 2 taverns and 6 stores; in the vicinity are 1 grist mill, 1 saw mill, 1 ful- ling mill and carding machine.
Franklin, .
192
MALONE,
3,229
Moira,. 962
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