USA > New York > A geographical history of the state of New York: embracing its history, government, physical features, climate, geology, mineralogy, botany, zoology, education, internal improvements, &c., with a separate map of each county > Part 26
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Lakes. f. Saratoga. g. Round. h. Long. i. Owl.
Battle Fields. Bemis' Heights. Schuylerville.
Villages. BALLSTON SPA. Saratoga Springs. Waterford. Schuy- lerville. Mechanicsville.
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 Palmertown mountains enter the county a few miles west of 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,
241
SARATOGA COUNTY.
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 few places ; the country back rises into lofty ridges and forms a vast amphitheatre . fpicturesque and cultivated landscape. The fine fish which inhabit its waters, and the game that frequent its banks, ard objects of much attrac- tion to the spor sman. The visitor's to the neighboring springs often resort her , and find ample accommodations at the public houses on the western shorc. A steamboat plies its waters.
Snake Hill projects into the lake from the east, and rises 200 feet above i s su l' ce.
Round lake, 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 extremes 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 however 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 hypersthenc. 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 OF 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 50º 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 Spa. 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.
Grains.
Chloride of sodium
363.829
Carbonate of soda
7.200
lime
86.143
magnesia
78.621
iron
.841
Sulphate of soda
.651
Iodide of sodium
5.920
Bromide of potassium 5
Silica
.472
Alumina
.321
Total grains
543.998
Carbonic acid gas
284.65
Atmospheric air
5.41
Gaseous contents
290.06
IODINE SPRING.
Chloride of sodium
137.
Carbonate of lime
26.
66
magnesia
75.
soda
2.
Hydriodate of soda, or Iodinc
3.5
Total grains
244.5
Carbonic acid gas
330.
Atmospheric air
4
Cubic inches
334
Grains.
iron
1.
243
BARATOGA COUNTY.
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 1783, 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
226.5S
Carbonate of magnesia
62.50
66
lime
60.24
soda
4.70
Oxide of iron,
3.10
Iodide of sodium
2.75
Bromide of potassium
Silica
. . 62
Alumina
.25
Total grains
361.74
Carbonic acid gas
480.01
Atmospheric air
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 inagnesia
42.042
Carbonate of lime
41.51
Hydriedate 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 · veven 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 1846, 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. Methodists, Baptists, Presbyte- rians, Episcopalians, Dutch Reformed, Congregationalists, Friends, Unitarians, Universalists, and Roman Catholics. The number of churches of all 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 is 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
245
SARATOGA COUNTY.
successors of the company to whom the Kayaderosseras patent was granted.
This county is particularly distinguished for 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 12th of September.
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 camp, but a 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 within cannon shot of the American camp, fortified his right wing, and extended his left t the r ver. 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 OF NEW YORK.
Accordingly he selected 1500 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 o cered 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 e 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 wounded, and the artillery corps routed. Finding the fortune of the day against him, the British General retreated to his ca np. 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 was pene- trated by the enemy.
During the night Burgoyne withdrew with his army to a stronger position on the river heights. Aware that his adver- sary would soon be compelled to surrender from want 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 awaited the result.
· Burgoyne attempted a retreat, but could only reach the heights of Saratoga near Schuylerville, where 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 which 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-
247
SARATOGA COUNTY.
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, cast of the village of Schuyler ville.
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 Troy and Schenectady by railroad. Population, 3500.
There are eigliteen 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 for castings, is estcemed 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 Schuylerville, in the town of Sar- atoga, for the surrender of the latter, which took place a short distance cast of that village.
XX. ONONDAGA COUNTY.
Square miles, 711. Organized, 1794. *
Population, 70,175. Valuation, 1845, $15,540,164.
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TOWNS.
1. Lysander, 1789.
2. Manlius, 1789.
3. Marcellus, 1789.
4. Onondaga, 1789.
5. Pompey, 1789.
6. Fabius, 1798.
7. Camillus, 1799.
8. Tully, 1803.
9. Otsego, 1806.
10. Cicero, 1807.
11. Salina, 1809.
12. Spafford, 1811.
13. Lafayette, 1825.
14. Clay, 1827.
15. Elbridge, 1829.
16. Van Buren, 1829.
17. Skeneateles, 1830.
18. De Witt, 1835.
2
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249
ONONDAGA COUNTY.
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, and abounding in fish. Its trout are particularly celebrated for their size and abundance. The lake is fifteen miles in length, and from half 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 the 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, basswood, 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 manufactures. 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 was 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. Ist, by solar evaporation, for which purpose large shallow 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 boilers. 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.
251
ONONDAGA COUNTY.
schools, with 693 pupils, and seven aca : "ni, with 338 pupils.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. Methodists, Baptists, Presbyte- rians, Episcopalians, Congregationalists, 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.
VIx 1520- - tree &c
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