Gazetteer of the State of New York: embracing a comprehensive view of the geography, geology, and general history of the State, and a complete history and description of every county, city, town, village, and locality, Part 1, Part 56

Author: French, J. H. (John Homer), 1824-1888, ed. cn; Place, Frank, 1880-1959, comp
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : R. Pearsall Smith
Number of Pages: 772


USA > New York > Gazetteer of the State of New York: embracing a comprehensive view of the geography, geology, and general history of the State, and a complete history and description of every county, city, town, village, and locality, Part 1 > Part 56


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91


6,435


1289


14,747


Domestic Cloths in yards.


Afton1.


753


3.146


2,226


6,438


1,351


3.185折


98,411}


8,771}


30,609


40.714


225,645


14,000


6,109


Columbus


464


1,106


1,807


2,835


898


135


48,605


5,418


13.531


25,738


107,410


283,019;


1,360


Coventry


534


1,771


2.140


2,750


1,021


936


56,962


5,706


15,795


31,330


250,270


6,510


1,343


German.


290


826


1,160


964


361


286


16,934


3,176


5.827


11,616


123.000


700


2.358


Greene ..


848


2,822


3,603


4,090


1,640


3,272}


88,283₺


9,865}


22,634 15,931


34,093


344,045


29,226


1,109


Lincklaen


376


802


981


2,297


486


54


30,134₴


3,315₺


6.160


13,358


95.785


19,680


1,5.82%


Macdonough


374


1,009


1,535


2,143


535


177


18,274


4,4484


8.545}


16,153


164,985


1,805


3,418}


New Berlin.


645


1,363


*2,439


2,697


1,047


675₺


55,390


6,908


12,976


30,227


196.839


248,173


1,298


North Norwich


372


985


1,061


3,335


727


1,454


45,291}


3,243}


13,314


18,162


136,381


99,260


347


Norwich.


632


1,933


2.220


7,287


1,003


492


46.446


8,523


14.291


31,889


198,380


107.328


1,188}


Otselic


526


1,278


1,433


2,562


676


21


48.310% 59,623


7,766


17,028


43,924


289,502


17,100| 51.450!


2,399


Pitcher


445


1,122


1,259


4,487


585


128


29,8161


3,795₴


8.369


21,582


144,200


13,797


1,412}


Plymouth


553


1,386


1,531


4,413


643


579


47,884


5,240


13,291


27,997


155,663|


76,504


1,052


Preston


349


1,287


1,497


6,793


625


82


24.797}


4.623


9,094₺


35,255


176,953


23.380


1,4754


Sherburne


841


1,856


2,179


11,726


1,189


1,601


111.742}


6,815


15,118


47,115


208.415


92,708


694


Smithville


496


1,882


2,620


2,290


1,135


584


41,7914


7,131


11,399


32,680


319,695


13,660


3,387}


Smyrna ...


711


1,744


1,495


7,300


1,018


1,12S


63,942


5,200


13,831


27,614


145,210


39,186


2,488}


Total.


10,971 31.452 36,939 85,923 18,092 19,089} 1,018,3202 117,3704 270,542


553,554 3,990,564 1,212,544 42,652


Horses.


Working


Oxen and


Calves.


Concs.


Sheep.


Swine.


Winter.


Spring.


Tons of Hay.


Bushels of


Potatoes.


Bushels of


Apples.


Pounds


Викет.


Pounds


Cheese.


5,530₫


Guilford.


697


2,206


2,721


3,756


1,296


2,384


58,908¿


8,615


4,713}


13,612


11,116


141,505


57,300


1,772


Oxford


735


2,216


1,714


5,835


1,450


1,750


2.297


Pharsalia .. ..


330


812


1,318


1,925


506


165


26,674


4,090


9.186


11,714


114,648


es | Districts.


571


$383,045


$22,300


$405,345


Bainbridge ..


LIVE STOCK.


AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.


BUSH. OF GRAIN.


DAIRY PRODUCTS.


NAMES OF TOWNS.


Bainbridge.


41,268


451,433


17,758


892


1 Formed since 1855.


CLINTON COUNTY.


THIS county was formed from Washington, Mareh 7, 1788.1 Essex was taken off in 1799. St. Lawrenec was provisionally annexed in 1801, and taken off in 1802; and Franklin was taken off in 1808. It lies upon Lake Champlain, and is the N. E. corner eo. in the State. It is centrally distant 143 mi. from Albany, and contains 1847 1,092sq. mi. The surface is generally hilly and broken, and in some parts mountainous. The Au Sable Range enters the s. w. corner from Essex co. and extends in spurs and broken ranges through more than one-half of the w. part of the eo. The highest STAL peaks along the w. border arc 3,000 to 4,000 feet above tide. These mountains have the same general characteristies as those further s. They are wild and broken, and their deelivities and summits are so covered with ragged ledges of rocks that they can produce but a seanty erop of timber and are almost inaccessible. The uplands decline toward the N .; and along the N. line of the eo. is a wide traet nearly level. Along the lake shore the surface is level or moderately uneven; and from this tract it riscs gradually but unevenly to the summits of the ridges in the interior. A large share of the central and w. portions of the co. is covered by the original forests, and is too rough to ever admit of profitable eultivation. The mountainous region in the s. w., comprising about one-third of the eo., is underlaid by gneiss, granite, and other primary roeks. A belt of Potsdam sandstone extends in a great eurve around the primary region and occupies more than one-half of the re- maining part of the eo. On the N. it extends nearly to Canada, but toward the s. it gradually diminishes, and on the s. linc it is but a few miles wide. Surrounding this, and lying next above it, is a narrow belt of ealeifcrous sand roek, outcropping on the surface, along the lake shore, between Au Sable and Salmon Rivers. The limestones next appear, occupying the N. E. corner of the eo. and outcropping along the lake from Salmon River to Rouses Point. Tertiary elay is found in a few places along the lake; and drift deposits are abundant in the N. and E. parts. Peat bogs are numerous in the N. E. part. The primitive region is exeeedingly rich in minerals. Magnetie iron ore is found in inexhaustible quantities, and of a quality cqual to the best in the world.2


Au Sable River forms most of the s. boundary. North of this are Little Sable, Salmon, Sara- nae, Little Chazy, and Great Chazy or Champlain Rivers, all flowing into Lake Champlain. English River flows N. into Canada. Upon all these streams are numerous falls, furnishing an immense amount of water-power. In the western wilderness are numerous small lakes, the principal of which are Chateaugay and Chazy Lakes, and Sampson, Taylor, and Slush Ponds. The soil along the lake is claycy, and in the interior and w. a sandy loam, best adapted to pasturage.


The people are principally engaged in stock raising, dairying, lumbering,3 mining, and in the manufacture of iron+ and starch. A large business is carried on in peltries, the wilderness still furnishing numerous valuable fur-bearing animals.5 Fish are abundant in the mountain streams and lakes, although the salmon, onec so abundant, have now nearly disappeared.6 The Northern (Ogdensburgh) R. R. extends w. from Rouses Point, on Lake Champlain, through Cham- plain, Mooers, Altona, Ellenburgh, and Clinton. The Plattsburgh & Montreal R. R. extends N. through Plattsburgh, Beekmantown, Chazy, and Mooers.


The eo. seat is located at the village of Plattsburgh, on Lake Champlain." The courthouse is a


I Named from Geo. Clinton, then Governor. When organized, [ districts, and upon them are numerous sawmills. Immense it embraced all the land on both sides of Lake Champlain, as claimed by the State of New York. The claim E. of the lake was abandoned upon the recognition of Vermont as an indepen- dent State. in 1791.


2 Clinton and Essex are the two most important mining cos. in the State The veins of iron, in extent and richness, surpass those of any other part of the world. Ore was first discovered in the " Winter" ore bed. in Au Sable, by Gro. Shaffer, in 1800. -although travelers had previously frequently noticed the im- mense quantities of iron sand upon the lake shore. The prin- cipal veins now opened are the Arnold, Rutgers, Finch, Winter. Indian. Cook, Battie, Mace, Jackson, and MeIntyre Mines, in Au Sable; the Palmer and Rutgers Mines, in Black Brook ; and the Skinner and Averill Mines, in Dannemora. Veins of greater or less richness are found in all the towns underlaid by the primary rocks.


3 An Sable and Saranac Rivers flow through valuable huuber


quantities of logs are annually floated down these streams and worked up at the mills below. Several important plank roads have been constructed in the wilderness for the special accom- modation of the lumber and iron business.


" The iron manufactured is principally in the form of blooms. 5 Hunting is pursued as a business to some extent ; and during the sumuiner large numbers of amateur hunters from the cities flock to the wilderness for recreation and amusement. .


6 So abundant were salmon that 30 years ago 100 bis. were mmmally taken in the co .; and from its importance to the carly settler's this tish was taken as n device for the first co. seal.


7 The first court was held Oct. 28, 1788. A blockhouse erected at the time of the alarm occasioned by the defeat of St. Clair by the Indians was used for the first jail. A courthouse and jail of wood was erected in 1802-03. and burned in 1814 by the in- vading British army. A new one rrected soon after was burned in 1sat, and the present one was erected on its site. The first


232


233


CLINTON COUNTY.


substantial brick building, with a stone basement, fronting the public square and river. The jail, a stone building in rear of the courthouse, affords no accommodations for the classification of prisoners, and is destitute of means of ventilation. The elerk's office is a fireproof briek building on an adja- cent lot. The poorhouse is located in Beekmantown, 4 mi. N. of Plattsburgh. It has an average of 65 inmates, supported at a weekly cost of $1.00 each. The farm-90 aeres-yields a revenue of $800.1


Four weekly newspapers are published in the co.2


The first white man that ever visited this co. was Samuel Champlain, in 1609, under the auspiees of the French. From that time until the final surrender of Canada in 1760, the French elaimed and held this region of country, and the lands were mostly occupied by parties holding title under French grants.3


At the close of the war in 1760, settlement rapidly spread down the lake shore. By the terms of the treaty between England and France, the French settlers were to be secured in their rights ; but the Government of New York made conflicting grants, which gave rise to controversies and quarrels and seriously retarded the progress of settlement. A few families were scattered along the shore previous to the Revolution ; but the expedition of Burgoyne in 1777 broke up every settlement in the co. An important naval engagement took place Sept. 11, 1776, in the strait between Val- cour Island and the w. shore, between the British and American forees, without any decisive results. The confliet was renewed on the 13th, and the American vessels were nearly all run ashore on the Vt. side and burned.4


Settlements were made at all the principal places bordering upon the lake within 10 years after the elose of the Revolution. Point Au Fer was occupied by the British until 1796, when, in com- mon with several other posts along the N. frontier, it was surrendered to the Americans.5 During the same year the St. Regis Indians ceded their claims to the State. The embargo of 1808 was openly violated, and many severe encounters took place between the revenue officers and organized bands of smugglers.6 Several attempts were made by lawless bands to seize the collectors and revenue officers, but without success. During the last war with Great Britain this eo. was the seat of important military transactions, and along its frontiers and upon the adjacent waters of the lake many skirmishes and engagements took place.7


co. officers were Chas. Platt, First Judge; Josiah Throop and | The Plattsburgh Sentinel, and is still published.


Chas. Hay, Judges : Robt. Cochran, Peter Sailly. Wm. McAuley, and Pliny Moore, Assistant Justices ; Theodorus Platt, Surrogate; Beuj. Mooers, Sheriff ; and Melancthon Lloyd Woolsey, Clerk.


1 The Senate Committee of 1857 report that "this house is a very poor one, indifferently kept, and a disgrace to the co." The rooms were filthy and not at all ventilated; and the water sup- plied to the establishment is furuished from springs into which drains from the barnyard and privies empty. No school Is taught; and the children are not admitted to the publie seltools. The Supervisors have authorized a loan of $4,000 for rebuilding this establishment.


2 The American Monitor was established at Plattsburgh in 1807 by W. Nichols and Sam'l Lowell, and continued a short time.


The Plattsburgh Republican was hegun in July, 1811, by - Reynolds. In 1813 Azariah C. Flagg became publisher, and continued it until 1826. It was subsequently under the charge of II. C. Miller and Wm. Land. In Aug. 1833, it passed into the hands of Roby G. Stone, by whom it is still continned.


The Northern Herald was begun April 10, 1813, by Fred. C. Powell. In 1515 it was changed to


The Plattsburgh Herald, and soon after it was discontinued. The Northern Intelligencer was begun at Plattsburgh in May, 1821. by Fred R. Allen. In 1832 it was united with The Aurora Borealis, which was established in 1828, the com- bined papers taking the name of the


Plattsburgh Aurora. It was continned hnt a short time.


The Democratic Press was published at Plattsburgh in 1834 hy J. K. Averill.


The Whig was started at Plattsburgh in 1835 hy G. W. Platt. In 1838 it was changed to tlie


Clinton County Whig. After several changes of ownership, in Oct. 1855, it was changed to


The Plattsburgh Express, published by Albert G. Carver, and is still continued by him.


The Berean Guide was published a short time at Beekmantown in 1837 hy Rev. Mr. Bailey.


The Free. Democrat was published in 1848 by Oliver Ilart.


The Northern Lancet, mo., was begun in 1849 by Dr. Horace Nelson. It was soon changed to


The Lancet, and was contimed till 1856.


The Champlain Bracon was commenced in 1850 by Ketchum & Averill. In 1852 it was sold to D. Turner, of Keeseville, who changed it to


The Rouses Point Advertiser, under which name it i- still published.


The Cottage Gazette was published in 1851 by Arthur C. Nelson. The American Sentinel was started Jan. 10, 1855, by Warren Dow. It was soon changed to


3 The Governor General and Intendant, on the 10th, 11th, and 12th days of April. 1733. granted 3 seigniories within the present limits of Champlain and Chazy, each 3 leagnes in depth and fronting upon Lake Champlain. The first, granted to Hugues Jacques Pean. Sieur de Liviandiere, captain in the marines, ex- tended from Clazy River 2} leagues northward; the second was granted to Sieur Migeon de la Ganchritère, also a captain in the marines, and the third to Sienr de St. Vincent, jr., an ensign In the marines; each grant being 2 leagues in front. These grants were ensigned forever, in fief and seigniory, with the right of superlor, mean, and inferior jurisdiction, (haute, moyenne, et basse justice,) with the right of hunting, fishing, and Indian trade, subject to the performance of fealty and homage at the Castle of St. Louis, in Quebec, agreeable to the eustom of Paris followed in Canada. They were conditioned to the preservation by tenants of the oak-timber fit for the royal navy, the reserva- tion of mines and highways to the crown, and the use of the beaches to fishermen unless actually occupied by the seiguior. The patentees might grant concessions to tenants, subject to the customary cens et rentes and dnes, for each arpent of land in front by 40 arpents in depth. If used for military purposea, materials for the erection of fortifications and firewood for the use of gar- risons were to he given without charge, and the grant was to be submitted for the royal approbation within one year. The grantees having failed to make improvements on the 10th of May, 1741, all these grants were declared to have reverted to his majesty's domain. On the lot of Nov., 1752, a seigniory of 2} leagues in front by 3 in depth, and ineluding Chazy River, waa granted to the Sieur Bedou, councellor in the Superior Conncil of Quebec, under conditions like those of Pean .- Titles and Docs. relating to the Seignorial Tenure.


4 This engagement was one of the most gallant fought during the war, and, although resulting disastrously, it reflected no dishonor on the American arms. The American forces. com- manded by Benedict Arnold. consisted of 1 sloop, 2 schooners, 4 galleys, and 8 gondolas, with 84 guns and 144 swivels ; and the British foree, commanded by Capt. Thos. Pringles, of 1 ship, 2 schooners, 1 razee. 1 gondola, 20 ganboats, and 28 long boaty, with 89 guns and 697 men. The American loss was 80 to 90, and the British about the same. The Americans saved them- selves by running their vessels aground and swimming ashore.


6 Judge Pliny Moore, who settled in Champlain in 1785, Was visited on the 1st of every month by a British corporal and file of men, from Point Au Fer, to notify him that his claim under the State would not be recognized: bnt no attention was paid to these repeated warnings .- Palmer's Hist. Lake Champlain. p. 152. 6 In 1808 two Government officers were killed in attempting to seize a smuggling vessel called the Black Snake.


" The following is a brief chronologieal list of the most im portant events of the war connected with this co.


234


CLINTON COUNTY.


In the summer of 1814, Sir Geo. Provost, Gov. of Canada, made extensive preparations for an invasion of the country along Lake Champlain. Toward the last of Aug. a land force of 14,000 men assembled on the frontier and eommeneed their mareh, supported by a formidable fleet under Commodore Downie. Gen. Macomb, who commanded the Americans, had a force of less than 3,000 ; but, as the invading army drew nigh, he was continually re-inforced by volunteors and militia.1 The American fleet, under the command of Commodore MaeDonough, took position in Cumberland Bay, awaiting the attack of the British. On Sunday morning, Sept. 11, a simul- taneous attack was made by the British land and naval forees, and a bloody and desperate battle ensued. At the end of 2 hours Commodore Downie's flag struek, and nearly the whole British fleet fell into the hands of the Americans.2 The eannonade was continued upon the shore until night, when the British slowly and sullenly retreated and in a few days returned to Canada.8 These engagements were justly considered among the most brilliant that occurred during tho war,


1812, Sept. 1 .- Gen. Bloomfield, with 8,000 troops, prepared to | 1814, Sept. 11 .- Naval engagement in Cumberland Bay, result- attack Canada.


Sept. 16 .- Troops consisting of 3,000 regulars and 2,000 militia, under Gen. Dearborn, encamped with- in a half mile of the Canada line.


Sept. 20 .- Guardhouse at La Cole surprised; but, as plans of attack were frustrated, the troops retired to Plattsburgh for winter quarters.


1813, Feh .- Two brigades marched to Sackets Ilarhor, leaving the w. side of the lake entirely un- protected till Sept.


Juue 2 .- Naval engagement near Ash Island, Canada, between an American force, under Lieut. Sidney Smith, and several British gunhoats, resulting in the loss of the American sloops Growler and Eagle and 112 men. The ves- sols were subsequently re-captured.


July 31 .- A British force of 1,400 men, under Col. Murray, made a descent upon Plattsburgh and de- stroyed a large amount of public and private property.


4 Sept. 19 .- A body of 3,000 American troops, under Gen. Hampton. concentrated at Cumberland Head and started on an expedition against Canada. Sept. 21 .- After remaining one day in Canada, the Gen. changed his plan, and, ostensibly on his way to Montreal, he marched to Chatcaugay, and there remained idlo 26 days.


Oct. 1 .- A small party of American militia surprised a picket guard at Odeltown, Canada.


Oct. 11 .- Col. Isaac Clark, with 110 men, crossed the lake from Champlain, attacked a party of British at Missisco Bay, killed 9, wounded 14, and took 101 prisoners.


Nov .- A party of Vt. militia crossed the lake and placed themselves under General Hampton. The Gov. of Vt. ordered them to return; but they refused to obey.


Dec. 1 .- A British naval force, consisting of 6 armed galleys, under Capt. Pring, entered the lake and burned an empty storehouse near Rouses Point. In the report of Sir George Provost, this building was converted into a large magazine of stores at Plattsburgh.


1814, Jan. 18 .- A detachment of infantry from Plattsburgh arrived upon the frontier, soon followed hy another body of troops, under Gen. Wilkinson.


" March 30 .- Under the direction of Gen. Wilkinson, Maj. Forsyth attacked a gristmill at La Cole, hut was repnlsed with a loss of 104 In killed and wounded. The British loss was 56.


" May 9 .- A British naval force, consisting of 5 sloops and 13 row-galleys, under Capt. Pring, were re- pulsed iu an attack upon Otter Creek, in Vt. On their retreat they entered Baquet River, but were attacked by a body of uillitia, aud nearly all the men in the rear galley were killed or wounded.


June 24 .- Lieut. Col. Forsyth, with 70 riflemen, entered Canada, and was attacked by a British force of 200 men. He effected his retreat with little loss, hut a few days after was killed iu another skirmish.


Aug. 20 .- Gen. Izard, with the greater part of the Amerl- ean force, left Champlain, leaving the im- mense amount of military stores at Platts- burgh In charge of Gen. Macomh, at the head of 3,400 men, 1,400 of whom were sick. Aug. 30 .- Gen. Brisbane, with the advance guard of the British army. took possession of Champlain. Sept. 3 .- Sir Geo. Provost, Gov. of Canada, at the head of 14,000 men, advanced s. from Champlain, arriving within 8 mi. of Plattsburgh on the evening of the 5th.


Sept. 6 .- Skirinish at Cutvers Hill, And the first attack on Plattsburgh. in which the British lost 200 men and the Americans 45.


BRITISH.


Frigate Confiance, Capt. Downie.


300


39


83


Brig Linnet, Capt. Pring.


120


16


41 10


14


Sloop Chub, Lieut. McGhee .. Finch, " Hicks.


45


11


6


10


45


11


2


Galleys Sir Jas. Feo, Sir Geo. Provost, Sir Sidney Beckwith, Broke, and Murray (each 2 guns).


225


10


Galleys Wellington, Tecumseh, Drum- mond, Simcoe, and 4 names un- known (each 1 gun).


360


8


Total.


1,095


95


57


109


-


Men.


Guns.


Killed.


88 Wounded.


Brig Eagle, Capt. Henlyn .....


150


20


13


29 20


Schooner Ticonderoga, Lient. Cassin. Sloop Preble, Lieut. Chas. Bndd ..


110


17


6


6


30


7


2


Galleys Allen, Burrows, Borer, Nettle, Viper, and Centipede (each 1 long 24 and 1 Columbian) ..


210


12


Galleys Ludlow, Wilmer, Alwin, and Bullard (each 1 12 ponnd).


140


4


Total ..


852


86


49


55


Flagship Saratoga, Com. Macdonough ...


212


26


29


The action lasted 23 hours. The British galleys lowered their colors; but, not being pursued, they escaped, as did also a store- ship which lay near the point of Cumberland Head during the engagement. The loss upon the euery's galleys was not ascer- tained, hut was large; and the total British loss was one-fifth of their whole numher. Iu their retreat the British left behind them a vast quantity of provisions, tents, camp equipage, and ammunition, together with their sick and wounded. The British and American officers were buried separately near the center of the village cemetery; and the sailors and marines of both fleets side by side in one common grave, on Crab Island. Some time after, the sister-in-law of Com. Geo. Downle placed a tablet over his grave; and on the anniversary of the battle, in 1843, the citizens of Plattsburgh and the Clinton Co. Military Association erected plain marble monuments at the unmarked graves of Lient. G. W. Runk, Lieut. Peter Gamble, Lient. John Stansbury, Sailing Master Rogers Carter, Midshipman J. M. Baldwin, and Pilot Joseph Barrow of the American navy ; and Col. Willington, Ensign J. Chapman, Lieut. R. Kingsbury, Boatswain Chas. Jackson, Capt. Purchase, Capt. Alex. Anderson, (marines,) Acting Capt. Wm. Pant, and Midshipman V. M. Guun, of the British Army and navy.


8 Sir Geo. Provost, In his official report, says, "This unlooked for event deprived me of the co-operation of the fleet. without which the further prosecution of the service was become imprac- ticable. I did not hesitate to arrest the course of the troops ad- vancing to the attack, because tho most complete success would have been nnavailing, and the possession of the enemy's works offered no advantage to compensate for the loss we must have sustained iu acquiring possession of them."


ing in the complete victory of the Americans; and an attack upon the American landworks, which was repulsed. The British army re- treated during the following night.


Sept. 24 .- Last division of the British army retired to Canada.


1 Gov. Chittenden of Vt. issued a proclamation calling upon the militia to rally and repel the invasion ; and large numbers promptly responded to the call and repaired to the camp. The call upon Washington and Warren cos. was answered by 350 more men than had ever mustered at an inspection or review.


2 The comparative strength and loss of the two parties ou the lake were as follows :-


AMERICAN.


Vessels.


235


CLINTON COUNTY.


aud they served to partially obliterate the disgrace that attached to most of the movements that were planned and executed along the N. frontier. The immense sums of money expended within the co. during the war greatly stimulated its industry ; and although Plattsburgh was twice in the hands of the enemy and partly burned, still business prospered. At the close of the war the ex- eitement subsided, and a commercial re-action followed that entirely prostrated business. Upon the completion of the Champlain Canal in 1823, business again revived ; and a new impulse has again been given to it by the railroads and plank roads since constructed. In 1838-40 the co. shared the intense excitement attending the " Patriot Wars," and several encounters between the insurgents and the military authorities took place in the neighboring parts of Canada.


The lands in this eo. were mostly granted in comparatively small patents. The w. portion embraces 4 townships of the Old Military Tract. A traet of 231,540 aeres in the N. E. and central parts of the co. was included in the lands granted by the Legislature of New York to the refugees from Canada and Nova Scotia at the close of the Revolution.1 These lands were divided into 80 and 420 acre lots, except 5,000 acres, which was divided into 15 equal parts, which were granted to the officers and privates among these refugees. Considerable land lying along the lake was granted in small traets to English officers who served during the French War. Among the principal remaining patents were Platt's, Livingston's, Beekman's, Duerville, Dean's, and Graves.




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