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 37
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RIVERS, &c. Salmon, Fall, Six Mile, and Halsey's creek are the only streams of importance. By their rapid descent. they furnish extensive and valuable hydraulic privileges.
FALLS. The most remarkable falls in this county are the Tag- hannuc, upon Halsey's creek, at the distance of one mile from Cayuga lake. The whole descent, within a short distance, is 300 feet. The water falls, in a single cascade, over a precipice 216 feet in height, with a sheet of water sixty feet wide and two feet deep. The falls around Ithaca also possess great attrac- tions to the lover of the wonders of nature. Fall creek has a descent of 438 feet within one mile. On the Cascadilla, is a fall of 100 feet, in the form of a gigantic stairway.
LAKES. Seneca lake forms a portion of the Western boun- dary of this county. while Cayuga lake indents it on the north for a distance of about eighteen miles. The scenery at the south- ern extremity of the latter is highly picturesque.
RAILROADS. The Ithaca and Owego railroad extends from Ithaca to Owego, the county seat of Tioga county. It is . twenty-nine and a half miles in length. The proposed route of the New York and Erie railroad is through this county.
CLIMATE. The climate of the county is mild and agreeable, modified in some degree, perhaps, by its proximity to the Sen- eça and Cayuga lakes. Fruits thrive here in great perfection. It is regarded as healthful.
GEOLOGY AND MINERALS. The whole county, with the ex- ception of two small tracts on the shores of the Cayuga and Seneca lakes, in the towns of Lansing and Hector, belongs to the Erie group, and consists in the north, of the Ludlowville shales, and in the south of the Chemung sandstone. The two small tracts, to which we have referred, are patches of lime- stone, belonging to the Hamilton group, which appear, beneath the sandstone, near the shores of the lake.
It has but few minerals. Marl and gypsum occur in considerable quantities. Calcareous tufa has been found, near Ithaca, investing moss, &c. and producing, in popular phraseology, petrifactions. There are two or three sulphur springs, of no great reputation, in the county.
SOIL AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS. The soil is, from the geological structure of the rocks, highly fertile, and does not re- quire, in most parts, the addition of any fertilizing agent to maintain or increase its productiveness, the decomposed rocks affording a sufficient stimulus. The hills are productive to their
375
TOMPKINS COUNTY.
summits, and afford luxuriant grazing, while the valleys yield large crops of grain. Fruit is extensively and profitably cultiva- ted. The timber consists of oak, white and yellow pine, hem- lock, beech, maple, basswood, elm, ash, poplar, cherry and chestnut.
PURSUITS. Agriculture is the pursuit of a majority of the in- habitants. Oats, corn, buckwheat, wheat and potatoes are raised in considerable quantities; the products of the dairy are very large, and much wool is grown by the farmers.
Manufactures also occupy the attention of a considerable number of the inhabitants. Flour, oil, woollen goods, lumber, leather, distilled liquors, paper and potash, are the principal articles produced. The manufactures of the county in 1945, amounted to nearly one and a half millions of dollars.
Commerce. Its commerce is quite extensive. By means of the lakes, it has a direct communication with the Erie canal, while by the Ithaca and Owego railroad the produce of the counties south of it, is brought to a market, and the manufactures of the county distributed over Tioga and Chemung counties, and northern Pennsylvania.
STAPLES. Butter, cheese, wool, oats, buckwheat, wheat and potatoes.
SCHOOLS. In 1846, there were in the county 215 district schools, which were in session an average period of eight months, furnishing instruction to 12,881 children, at an expense for tuition of $21,045. The number of volumes in the district libraries was 24,648.
There were also seventeen private schools, with 497 scholars, and two acad- emies, with 231 pupils.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. Methodists, Baptists, Presbyte- rians, Episcopalians, Congregationalists, Unitarians, Dutch Re- formed, Universalists and Friends. The whole number of churches, is seventy-four ; of clergymen, seventy-five.
HISTORY. The towns of Newfield, Danby, and Caroline, were purchased. of the state, by Messrs. Watkins and Flint. The remainder, (except a small portion in the northeastern part of the town of Dryden, which belonged to the ten town- ships granted to Massachusetts,) formed a portion of the Mili- tary Tract, and the settlers derived their titles through the sol- diers' patents. The county was organized in 1817, and was named in honor of the late Daniel D. Tompkins, formerly Governor of the state, and Vice President of the United States. Previous to the completion of the Erie canal, it was in a lan- guishing condition, but since the opening of the canal, its agri- cultural and manufacturing interests have greatly prospered.
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STATE OF NEW YORK.
Its early settlers were chiefly from New England. The found- ers of the town of Lansing, were Germans from Pennsylvania.
VILLAGES. ITHACA village, in the town of the same name, is the seat of justice for the county. It is situated partly on the alluvial flats bordering Cayuga lake, (from which it is about one and a half miles distant, ) and partly upon the hills, which form a natural amphitheatre around it. It is regularly laid out, its buildings are neat and tasteful, and its streets well shaded.
It is tinely located for trade, communicating freely by means of the lake and canal, with eastern and western New York, and by the railroad and the Susquehanna river, with the coal region of Pennsylvania. The completion of the Erie railroad will still further increase its facilities for business. Its lumber trade is very great.
In available hydraulic power for manufacturing purposes, it is second to no village in New York. It is already largely en- gaged in manufacturing. Here is located an incorporated acad- emy, with spacious buildings, for the instruction of both sexes, a large Lancasterian school, and numerous select schools, in a flourishing condition. Population, 4200.
Trumansburgh, in the town of Ulysses, is a flourishing vil- lage, with some manufactories. Population, 1000.
Danby, in the town of the same name, is a thriving village. Population, 500.
Dryden, in the town of the same name, Burdette, in the town of Hector, Ludlowville, in the town of Lansing, and New- field, in the town of the same name, are villages of some im- portance.
L. ERIE COUNTY.
Square miles, 876. Organized, 1821.
Population, 78,635.
Valuation, 1845, $11,831,969.
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TOWNS.
1. Newstead, 1804.
2. Aurora, 1804.
3. Clarence, 1808.
4. Buffalo, 1810.
5. Eden, 1812.
6. Concord, 1812.
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STATE OF NEW YORK.
7. Hamburgh, 1812.
15. Alden, 1823.
8. Boston, 1812.
16. Colden, 1827.
9. Amherst, 1818.
17. Lancaster, 1833.
18. Black Rock, 1837.
19. Brandt, 183S.
20. Chictawaga, 1838.
21. Tonawanda, 183S.
Rivers, &c. M. Niagara river. b. Ellicott's creek. d. Seneca.
f. Cattaraugus g. Cauquaga. h. Two Sisters. e. Cazenove.
1. Buffalo. n. Cayuga. p. Murder Creek. r. Tonawanda Creek. Lakes. L. Erie.
Islands. W. Grand Island.
Battle Fields. Lake Erie. Buffalo.
Cities and Villages. BUFFALO. Black Rock. Williamsville.
Springville. Auroraville.
BOUNDARIES. North by Niagara county ; East by Genesee and Wyoming ; South by Cattaraugus and Chautauque coun- ties ; and West by Lake Erie and Niagara river. .
SURFACE. This county lies upon the great western plain. Its northern half is level or gently undulating ; the southern is hilly, ' particularly along the streams; the dividing ridge which sepa- rates the waters flowing northward, from the tributaries of Cat- taraugus creek, passes through the southern tier of towns.
RIVERS. The county is well watered; Tonawanda creek forms its northern boundary. Its principal tributaries are Mur- der and Ellicott's, or Eleven mile, creeks. Buffalo creek, formed by the union of Seneca, Cayuga, and Cazenove creeks, waters the central portion of the county. The other streams are smaller : the principal are Cauquaga, or Eighteen mile, Two Sisters, Delaware, and Little Buffalo creeks.
Lake Erie forms a portion of its western boundary.
Grand Island, in the Niagara river belongs to this county.
CLIMATE. From its proximity to the lake, the climate is moist, warmer in winter and cooler in summer, than some other portions of the state. The vegetation is from eight to ten days earlier than in the same parallels in the eastern part of the state.
GEOLOGY AND MINERALS. The Onondaga salt group, (lime- stone,) is the basis rock of this county. It appears on the sur- face in the northern tier of towns. The Helderberg series suc- ceed this in the towns of Buffalo, Chictawaga, Lancaster and Alden, and these in their turn give place to the Hamilton group of limestones. In the southern half of the county, the Casha- qua, or Ludlowville shales, and the Chemung sandstones form the surface rocks.
10. Holland. 1818.
11. Wales, 1818.
12. Collins, 1821.
13. Evans, 1821.
14. Sardinia, 1821.
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ERIE COUNTY.
The limestone Is extensively quarried in the neighborhood of Niagara river and the Lake. It is not, however, generally susceptible of a high polish, but makes a fine building material, when hammer-dressed. Water limestone is found on Grand Island. Petroleum springs rise a few miles southeast of Cayuga creek. Iron pyrites, copper ores in small quantities, and water limestone are the principal minerals. There is a sulphur spring about four miles from Buffalo, and one on Grand Island, containing free sulphuric acid in a very diluted state. The bitumin- ous shale, in which the petroleum springs rise, is so thoroughly impregnated with bitumen that it burns freely when ignited. Geodes, or masses of impure lime- stone, exhibiting fantastic and singular fornis, occur in this as well as in some of the other counties.
SOIL AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS. The soil is generally good, consisting of warm, sandy, gravelly loam, occasionally mingled with clay, and well adapted to wheat ; in the southern part it is more clayey, and is very productive of grass.
The timber is large and abundant in the southern part, con- sisting of oak, becch, maple, linden, elm, ash, poplar, hemlock, white pine, butternut, black walnut, wild cherry, &c. In the north it is principally diminutive oaks and underwood. The peach and other fruits attain extraordinary size and per- fection.
PURSUITS. Agriculture is the pursuit of a majority of the in- habitants. The culture of grain and of grass occupy nearly equal attention.
Manufactures also form the occupation of a large number of the inhabitants. Flour, lumber, cloths, iron, leather, malt liquors, distilled liquors and potash, are the principal articles manufactured. The flour mills produced, in 1845, flour to the value of more than a million of dollars. The entire value of the manufactures of the county, during the same year, was over $2.300,000.
The commerce of Erie county is very extensive. Buffalo and Black Rock, the principal lake ports, carry on a large trade with all the states situated upon the upper lakes, and with Canada. The shipping of these ports amounted, in 1845, to 25,000 tons. In addition to this, the immense quantities of produce, manufac- tures and furniture transported on the Erie canal and its branch- es, are here transhipped.
STAPLE PRODUCTIONS. Butter, cheese, oats, wheat, corn, wool, beef and pork.
SCHOOLS. There are in the county 291 school districts. In 1846, the schools were taught on an average eight months. The same year, 24,523 children received instruction at an ex- pense of $30,539. The district school libraries contained 31,032 volumes.
There were fifty-seven private schools, with 1304 pupils ; and three acade- mies, with 244 students. The school system of Buffalo has been already descri- bed, (see page 125.)
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STATE OF NEW YORK.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. Baptists, Methodists, Presbyte- rians, Congregationalists, Roman Catholics, Friends, Episco- palians, Universalists, Dutch Reformed, Unitarians and Lu- therans. There are in the county ninety-four churches, and one hundred and twenty-five clergymen, of all denominations.
HISTORY. The whole county, except a strip a mile wide, on the Niagara river, is within the limits of the Holland Land Company's purchase.
Its settlement dates since the commencement of the present century. Buffalo, the first town in the present limits of the county, was laid out in 1801, but its increase was very slow until 1812, when it became a military post. In December, 1813, the British made a descent upon this county, and burned Buffalo and Black Rock. These villages were soon rebuilt.
In 1816-17, a number of persons from Canada and the United States took possession of Grand Island, in Niagara river, now forming a portion of the town of Tonawanda, and dividing the land between themselves, gave out that they were an independ- ent community, and amenable to neither government. After the question of the boundary was settled, they were expelled by force, under the authority of a law of the state; their houses being destroyed by the sheriff and posse of Erie county.
In 1825, > ajor Noah, of New York, a learned Jew, and editor of a newspaper in that city, formed the design of building a city of refuge, upon that island, colonizing it with Jews, and making it a resting place for that dispersed people. He erected a mon- ument, which is still in existence, upon the island. But the Eu- ropean Rabbins did not sanction the scheme, and it failed of' completion.
Red Jacket, Sagoyouwatha, or Keeper Awake, as his name signifies, the most eloquent and intelligent of his nation, was one . of the chiefs of the Senecas, and resided on the Buffalo reserva- tion. He was warmly attached to his tribe, and opposed the whites with the utmostdaring, until he saw that resistance was vain. He died in 1832.
Mary Jemison, the Seneca white woman, was buried in this reservation.
The completion of the Erie canal, in 1825, brought a vast tide of emigration into this county, and it has now become the fourth county in the state in population.
CITIES AND VILLAGES. BUFFALO city, the county seat of Erie county, as has been already stated, is a city of modern growth, laid out at the commencement of the present century, and con- tained in 1817, but one hundred houses. It owes its growth to its advantageous commercial position on the lake, rendering it the depot of the immense quantities of produce, which find their
381
ERIE COUNTY.
way through that channel, from the boundless prairies of the west, to tide water, and to the great western railroad which connects with Boston.
In 1845, the amount of produce coming from other states by way of Buffalo, was 233,135 tons, of which 118,614 tons were flour. Probably about one half this amount of goods, furniture, &c. was shipped at Buffalo, for other states. The tolls receiv- ed at Buffalo, in 1845, amounted to $482,000.
The harbor of Buffalo is spacious and convenient for vessels of light draught : it is obstructed by the ice in the spring, till a later period than the ports on the Canada side. It has been proposed to construct a ship canal across the isthmus, from the lake to Buffalo creek, which would in a measure obviate this difficulty.
The United States government have expended nearly $100,000 in the improvement of this harbor, the construction of a mole, pier, &c. and the erection of a light house. Considera- ble sums have also been expended, for the same purpose, by the citizens. Buffalo is largely engaged in manufactures of various descriptions. The present population of the city is somewhat over 30,000. It was chartered as a city in 1832.
Black Rock, a village in the town of the same name, is about three miles north of Buffalo, on the Niagara river. The harbor is formed by an immense stone pier, or mole, more than a mile in length. By means of this the Erie canal is supplied with wa- ter for nearly half its length. This work was erected by the state of New York, at an expense of $300,000. It also furnishes a fine water power, which is employed for flouring mills, saw- mills, &c. Black Rock is extensively engaged in manufactures. The lower or northern terminus of the Erie canal is here : the town increases rapidly in population, and now numbers about 5000 inhabitants. It was burned by the British in December, 1813.
Auroraville, in the town of Aurora, possesses fine water power on the Cazenove creek, as yet, however, not fully im- proved. The Aurora seminary is a flourishing institution. Population, 1000.
Williamsville, in the town of Amherst, is a thriving village. Large quantities of water lime, (hydraulic cement,) are manu- factured here. Population, about 1000.
Springville is a flourishing manufacturing village, in the town of Concord. It has a number of factories, and an incorpo- rated academy. Population, 1200.
Tonawanda is a new town, comprising Grand Island and a portion of the main land, as well as some other small islands. The island was purchased some years since by a company called
17*
STATE OF NEW YORK.
the East Boston Company, who erected here extensive saw- mills, for the purpose of preparing ship timber, but in the gen- eral depression of business in 1836-7, they were forced to sus . pend operations. The village of Whitehaven was built mainly by this company.
LI. LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
Square miles, about 563. Organized, 1821.
Population, 37,345. Valuation, 1845, $8,572,869.
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LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
TOWNS.
1. Avon, 1789.
9 Groveland, 1812.
2. Geneseo, 1789.
10. Springwater, 1810.
3. Lima, 1789.
11. Mount Morris, 1818.
4. Sparta, 1789.
12. Conesus, 1819.
5. Caledonia, 1802.
13. York, 1S19.
6. Leicester, 1802.
14. Portage, 1827.
7. Livonia, 1808.
15. North Dansville, 1846.
8. Nunda, 1808.
16. West Sparta, 1846.
Rivers. N. Genesee. a. Cashaqua. b. Conesus Outlet. c. Out- let of Hemlock Lake. d. Honeoye Creek. r. Canascraga.
Lakes. f. Conesus. g. Hemlock.
Battle Fields. Beardstown.
Villages. GENE EO. Mount Morris. Dansville. Avon Springs. Portageville. Nunda. Moscow. Lima
BOUNDARIES. North by Monroe; East by Ontario ; South by Allegany and Steuben; and West by Wyoming and Genesee counties.
SURFACE. This county is situated on the northern slope of the great dividing ridge which separates the tributaries of the Susquehanna and Ohio, from the waters flowing into the lake.
The southern portion of the county is about 800 feet above Lake Ontario, and the descent toward the lake, though for the most part gradual, is divided into two terraces, the one, nearly on a line with the Portage falls, in Wyoming county ; the other, a continuation of the mountain ridge of Ontario. This inclined plane is, however, intersected by the valley of the Genesee river, which, with a width o from two to four miles, has a depth, in the southern | art of the county, of not less than 400 feet. A ridge of still greater elevation, traverses the section between the Conesus and Hemlock lakes, bearing northeast.
RIVERS. The Genesee river is the great stream of this coun- ty, and receives all the waters which rise in, or flow through it. Its principal tributaries are the Canascraga and Cashaqua creeks, and the outlets of the Conesus and Hemlock lakes.
The Honeoye outlet forms a portion of the eastern boundary of the county.
LAKES. Conesus and Hemlock are the only lakes of impor- tance in the county. The former is nine miles long and nearly a mile broad. It is well stocked with fish, and is said to be more than 300 feet deep.
Hemlock lake is six miles long and one mile wide. It lies partly in Ontario county.
CLIMATE. The climate is mild and temperate ; more uniform than in some other sections of the state. It is regarded as very healthful,
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STATE OF NEW YORK.
GEOLOGY AND MINERALS. About two-thirds of the county, upon the north, belong to the Ontario group, consisting princi- pally of the limestone of the Onondaga salt group, which, in some cases, approaches very near the surface. In the southern portion, the Ludlowville and Cashaqua shales are the prevail- ing rocks, though intermingled with limestone.
Bog iron ore occurs in the county. Gypsum is abundant. Some brine springs have been discovered, though not of great value. The sulphur springs of Avon* have a high and deserved celebrity, in numerous diseases, and rank among the best sulphur springs in the United States.
SOIL AND VEGETABLE PRODUCTIONS. The soil is generally highly fertile, and well adapted to the growth of grain. In the north it consists principally of sandy loam, intermingled with de- composed limestone, which renders it perpetually fertile.
In the north, the oak prevails, but is occasionally intersper sed with other timber ; in the south, oak, maple, elm, basswood, but- ternut, walnut, ash, hemlock, white pine, &c., are the principal forest trees.
PURSUITS. Agriculture. The culture of grain, and the rear- ing of cattle and swine, form the principal pursuits of the inhab- itants of this county. Manufactures are, however, rising in
* The following are analyses of the sulphur springs of Avon. That of the Up- per spring was made by Professor Hadley, of Fairfield, and that of the Lower, by Dr. S. Salisbury, Jr. of Avon.
UPPER SPRING.
Grains.
Carbonate of lime,
8
Sulphate of lime,
84
magnesia,
10
66 soda,
16
Muriate of soda,
18.4
Amount of saline ingredients.
136.4
One gallon contains per volume.
Sulphuretted Hydrogen,
cub. in. 12
Carbonic acid gas, .
5.6
Gases,
17.6
LOWER SPRING
Grains.
Carbonate of lime, -
29.33
Chloride of calcium,
8.41
Sulphate of lime,
57.44
magnesia.
49.61
soda,
13.73
Amount of saline ingredients, 158.52
cub. in.
Carbonic acid gas,
3.92
Sulphuretted hydrogen,
10.02
Nitrogen,
5.42
Oxygen, -
56
Gases, 19.92
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LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
importance. The principal articles manufactured are flour, pa- per, lumber, distilled liquors, cloths, &c.
Commerce. The Genesee Valley canal furnishes a conven- ient mode of transportation, for the produce of the county, to tide water. There are no mines in the county.
STAPLE PRODUCTIONS. Wheat, pork, and cattle are the great staples of the county. Large quantities of butter, wool, oats, and corn are also exported. Hemp and flax are grown largely in the Genesee valley.
SCHOOLS. There are 193 school-houses in this county. The schools were taught, on an average, nine months during the year 1846, and 12,677 children were instructed, at an expense of $19,502. There were 25, 121 volumes in the district libraries.
There were twenty-four private schools, with 136 pupils, and three academies, with 165 students.
RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. Presbyterians, Methodists, Bap- tists, Episcopalians, Dutch Reformed, Universalists, Unitari- ans, Congregationalists, Lutherans, Roman Catholics, and Jews. There are seventy-two churches, and ninety-two cler- gymen of all denominations.
HISTORY. The banks of the Genesee river in this county, were the favorite residence of the Seneca Indians, for a long period before the white man had trod that beautiful valley. In civilization, this tribe were more advanced than the Indians gen- erally, and were considered foremost in the arts of peace, among the allied tribes. They cultivated their fields, built cabins for themselves, and when they could not obtain a supply of food from the forests or the lakes, looked to the products of their soil for sustenance.
In 1687, the Marquis de Nonville, governor of Canada, en- raged at the firm adherence of this tribe to the English, collect. ed a large force of French and Indians, and commenced an ex- pedition against them. Following the course of the Genesee, he approached their villages with the intention of destroying them, and subjecting the captives he might take to the torture; but the wily Senecas were too crafty for the French commander. They stationed 500 warriors in ambuscade on his route, and having thrown his troops into disorder, by a well directed vol- ley of musketry, rushed upon them, tomahawk in hand. The battle was fierce and bloody; the Senecas were at length re- pulsed, but not without severe loss on the part of the French. De Nonville could not be persuaded to follow them till the next day, and then found that they had destroyed their villages, and removed their wives and children beyond his reach. Two old men, all that remained, were carried away, killed and eaten by his savage allies.
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STATE OF NEW YORK.
De Nonville returned to Canada, establishing, in his route, a fort at Niagara, which he garrisoned with 100 men. This fort was so closely invested by the Indianis, that eighty-eight out of the hundred perished from starvation, and but for the aid of a party of friendly Indians, the rest would have shared the same fate.
In 1779, General Sullivan terminated his campaign on the banks of the Genesee, in this county, after sending a detach- ment to Little Beardstown, now Leicester. It was in this town that the brave Lieutenant Boyd met with his melancholy fate, being executed with the most horrible tortures by the Indians, at the instigation of the infamous Butler, after his life had been guarantied by Brant.
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