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 7
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Lead ore is found in St. Lawrence, Ulster, Dutchess, Westchester, Orange, Columbia, Lewis, Jefferson, and Sullivan cos .; and in several of them the mines have been worked to some extent. The Rossie Mines, of St. Lawrence, are the only ones now wrought.5 Copper ore in the form of
New Red Sandstone.
Tertiary. Diluvial or Drift.
Quaternary.
The Taconic system is claimed by some as corresponding to the Cambrian system of Mr. Sedgwick, and by others to be newer formations changed by heat.
1 TABLE
Showing the depths of the principal Artesian wells in the State.
COUNTY.
LOCALITY.
DEPTH.
PRODUCT.
Albany ..
City.
128
Fresh water.
Cayuga ...
Montezuma.
200
Brine.
Columbia.
Ifudson.
228
Fresh water.
Delaware ....
Elk Brook.
394
Weak brine.
Jefferson ....
Watertown
127
Fresh water.
Livingston
York
50
Weak brine and gas.
New York ...
U. S. Hotel
626
Fresh water.
Bleeker St.
449
66
=
Oneida ...
Utica.
314
600
¥
¥
SO to 390
Brine.
Orleans.
Oak Orehard.
140
Weak brine.
Wayne
Savannah
250
..
=
Little Sodus and
Clyde.
400
and gas.
The deepest Artesian well in tho U. S. is at St. Louis, Mo., and is 2199 feet deep. A well at Louisville, Ky., is 2086 feet deep; ond another at Columbus, Ohio, 1900 feet deep.
: The principal mines which have been worked in the northern primitive regiou are in Warren, Essex, Clinton, St. Lawrence, and Franklin eos. So common are particles of iron in the rocks of this regiou that the iron sand upon the banks of the streams is sufficiently pure to repay tho labor of collecting for the forge. Magnetic ores are also abundant in Orange co., and mines have there been worked since the carliest periods. This ore has also been found among the igneous rocks of Rockland, Westchester, Putnam, Washiugtou, Saratoga, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, and Lewis eos.
3 The principal mines in St. Lawrence and Jefferson eos. yield this variety of ore. It is most abundant in the towns of Gouver- neur, Rossie, and Antwerp, and is there usually associated with crystalino sulphuret of iron, spathie iron, and quartz. The ar- gillaceous ore supplies the furnaces in Oneida, Oswego. and Wayne eos. It is red, and imparts a dull red enlor to whatever it comes in contact with. In the region of mines and furnaces the clothing of the laborers, the trees, fenees, and vehicles employed, are all colored by it. It is used as a paiut, under the name of " Spanish Brown."
4 Bog ore is deposited in swamps, the bottomns of which are elay, hardpan, or some other strata impervious to water. It is continually acenmnlating, so that it may be removed two or three times in a century. It has various shades of color, from yellow to a dark brown. In the primitive region it sometimes assumes a stalactital or botryonal form, with a fibrons texture and a glossy black surface. A loamy variety, when used in high furnaces, is liable to blow up. This is caused by the mass melt- ing away below, leaving a ernst above. and, as the support at last gives away. the moisture contained in the mass is suddenly con- verted into steam by the intense heat. and the liquid iron below is thrown out with great force, sometimes destroying the, fur- nace.
5 A vein has recently been opened in Orange co. that promised great richness. Lead ore is usually found in the form of sul- phurets, or galena. It is often associated with crystalized miue- rals of great beauty.
Onondaga. ...
Syracuse
400
By Manhatt'n co.
280
66
44 Ferry St.
617
Mineral water.
26
NEW YORK STATE GAZETTEER.
a sulphuret has been found in Washington, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence cos., but not in sufficient quantities to render mining profitable. Zinc ore in the form of a sulphuret, or blende, is found, associated with lead, in St. Lawrence co. Manganese, titanium, nickel, and several other metals, have been found in small quantities, though they have never been reduced except in the labora- tories of the chemist.1
Non-Metallic Minerals .- The most valuable non-metallic minerals in the State are limestone, gypsum, waterlime, pipeclay, clay and sand suitable for common and fire brick and pottery, graphite, tale, and slate. Nearly every part of the State is well supplied with building stone ; and in most of the counties extensive quarries have been worked. Lime, waterlime, and gypsum are also extensively quarried.2
Mineral Springs are numerous, and are found in nearly every co. in the State. The most celebrated of these are the salt springs of Onondaga, the medicinal springs of Saratoga, and the thermal springs of Columbia co. Sulphur and chaly beate springs arc common, and many of them have considerable notoriety for medicinal properties.3 In the w. part of the State springs emitting nitrogen and carburetted hydrogen gas are numerous. In the limestone regions of the State the water is generally more or less impregnated with carbonate and sulphate of lime; and in many places tufa is deposited in large quantities by the water. The slow dissolving of the limestone rocks has given a cavernous structure to several localities, and in others it has formed deep holes in the ground. The caves of Albany, Sehoharie, and Jefferson cos. are doubtless formed in this manner ; and the peculiar sink-holes and cratean lakes, of Onondaga arc probably formed by the breaking of the superineumbent mass into the caverns beneath.
SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.
THE SEAT OF GOVERNMENT Was originally fixed at New York City, aud remained there until the Revolution, with occasional adjournments of the General Assembly and Executive Department on account of prevailing siekness. Such of the publie records as related to the immediate interests of the crown were removed, by order of Gov. Tryon, in Dee. 1775, to the armed ship Duchess of Gordon, and remained on board till Nov. 1781, when most of them were returned to the eity.4 In June, 1776, the other public records were removed to Kingston, and, on the approach of the enemy in Oct. 1777, they were hastily taken to Rochester, Ulster county.5 They were soon afterward taken to Poughkeepsie, and in 1784 to New York. In 1797, commissioners were appointed to erect a build- ing for the records in Albany, and an order dated July 31, 1798, authorized their removal thither6 and the permanent location of the seat of Government at that place.
The State House was begun in 1803 and finished in 1807, at the joint expense of the city and county of Albany and the State of New York. The original eost exceeded $120,000, of which
1 In many of the original patents of the mountainous regions upon the lludson, reservations were made of all the gold and silver that might be found. To this day, however, these inetals have not been found ; though it is said that traces of silver have been discovered in several places.
2 The following is a list of the most important quarries in the State :-
Gypsum is found in Cayuga, Madison, Onondaga, Wayne, Or- leans, and Genesee.
Limestone is quarried in most of the counties of the State ex- cept those along the l'enn. line.
Water-Limestone is quarried in Erie, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Niagara. Onondaga, and Ulster.
Flagging is found in most of the southern counties, and in various other localities. The thin bedded sandstone of the Portage group furnishes the best varieties.
Building stone af excellent quality is found in nearly every section of the State. Granite and gneiss are extensively quarried in New York and Westchester and in the N. E. cos. of the State. The Potsdam sandstone, Black River liine- stone. the gray and Medina sandstone, and the Onondaga limestone all furnish excellent building stone. Most of the locks upon the Erie Canal are built of the last named stone. The shales of the Portage and Chemung group are sepa- rated into strata by hard, compact sandstone, excellent for building or flagging.
Marble is found and quarried in Westchester. Putnam, Dutchess, and Orange cos.
Roofing slate is quarried in Washington, Rensselaer, Columbia, and Dutchess cos.
8 The principal of these springs are those of Massena, St. Lawrence co .; Richfield. Otsego co .; Avon, Livingston co .; Sharon. Schoharie co .: New Lebanon and Stockport, Columbia co. ; Chittenango, Madison co .; and Alabama, Genesee co.
4 Six years' close confinement on shipboard damaged some of these records almost beyond remedy. The most valuable were transcribed in 1798, under the direction of commissioners appointed by law.
$ The first State Legislature, then in session, hastily adjourned and met in Jan. at Poughkeepsie. The citizens of Goshen tendered the hospitalities of their village and the use of rooms, if the Legislature chose to remove thither. In March. 1778. A concurrent resolution directed the Secretary of State and the clerks of counties to put their records into strong and light inclosures, to be ready for instant removal in case of danger. The Legislature heki its sessions at Poughkeepsie, Kingston. or Albany, as suited convenience, until 1784. when it removed to New York. Two sessions were afterward held at Poughkeepsie, and three at Albany, before the final removal to the latter place in 1747.
6 Philip Schuyler. Abraham Ten Broeck. Jeremiah Van Rena- seler. Daniel Hale, aud Teunis T. Van Vechten were appointed commissioners. The edifice stood on the site of the 'present Geological and Agricultural Ilall, and was toru down in 1855.
27
SEAT OF GOVERNMENT.
$34,200 was paid by the city and $3,000 by the county of Albany. It continued to be used for city, county, and State offices aud courts until about 1832, when the State became the exclusive owner and the Capitol was fitted up for legislative and other public purposes. It stands at the head of State Street, 130 feet above the IIudson, and has in front a park of three acres inclosed by an iron fence. It is substantially built of stone faced with Nyack red freestone.1
The State Library is a fireproof building in the rear of the State Ilouse and connected with it by a long corridor. It is built of brick and iron and faced on its two fronts with brown freestone. It is already nearly filled with books, manuscripts, and maps, which the State has been collceting for many years.2
The State HIall, situated upon Eagle Street, fronting the Academy Park, was finished in 1842. It is built of cut stone, with a colonnade in front, supported by six Ionie columns, and is surmounted by a dome.3 It contains the offices of the Secretary of State, Comptroller, Treasurer, Auditor of Canal Department, Canal Appraisers, Caual Commissioners, State Engineer and Surveyor, Division En- gincers, Clerk of Court of Appeals, Superintendent of Public Instruction, Superintendent of Bank Department, Attorney General, and State Sealer of Weights and Measures.
The State Geological and Agricultural Hall, corner of State and Lodge Sts., is the depository of the specimens collceted during the geological survey, and also coutains the cabinet of the State Agricultural Society.4
1 It is 90 fect broad, 50 high, and was originally 115 feet long. In 1854, 15 feet were added to the w. end. The castern front has an lonic portico with four columns of Berkshire marble each 3 feet 8 inches in diameter and 33 feet high. The north and south fronts have cach a pediment of 65 feet base; and the doorways are decorated with columns aud angular pediments of freestone. The entrance ball is 40 by 50 feet and 16 feet high, the ceiling of which is supported by a double row of reeded columns, aud the floor is vaulted and laid with squares of Italian marble. Upon the north side of the hiall are the office of Adjutant General and the Assembly Library, and on the south side the Executive Chambers. The remainder of the | in office. There is also a small library for the use of the At- torney General; and means are annually provided for the in- crease of each of these collections, chiefly from the income of moneys known as the "Chancellors' Library Fund" and " In- terest Fund." which are kept invested by the Clerk of the Court of Appeals for this purpose.
first story is devoted to the Assembly Chamber with its lobbies and postoffice. This chamber is now 56 by 65 feet and 28 feet high. The speaker's desk is on the w. side, aud the desks of the clerks are upon each side and in front of it. Desks of members are arranged in senti-circles in front. Upon the E. side is a gallery supported by iron pillars. The ceiling is richly orna- mented in stucco. Over the Speaker's seat is a copy by Amnes of a full length portrait of Stewart's Washington. In the second story, over the entrance hall. is the Senate chamber, 40 by 50 feet and 22 feet high. The President's desk is upon the s. side, and the desks of the Senators are arranged in a circle in front. On the x. side are the library and cloak room of the Senatc, and on the s. the postoffice and room of the Sergeant at Arms. Over the President's seat is a crimson canopy, and oppo- site are the portraits of Gov. Geo. Clinton and Columbus. The latter was presented to the Senate in 1784 by Mrs. Farmer, a grand daughter of Gov. Leisler, and had been in her family 150 years. Over the Assembly lobbies is the room of the Court of Appeals, aud in the third story are the consultation rooms of this court. cominittee rooms of both houses, and part of the Senate Library. The courtroom of the Court of Appeals contains portraits of Chancellors Lansing, Sandford, Jones, and Walworth. Chief Instice Spencer, Abraham Van Vechten. and Daniel Cady. The inner Excentive Chamber has a full size portrait of Gen. La Fayette, painted when he was in the city iu 1825.
The roof of the State house is pyramidal, and from the center rises a circular cupola 20 feet in diameter, supporting a hemni- spherical dome upon 8 insulated Jonic columns. Upon the dome stands a wooden statue of Themis. 11 feet high, holding in her right band a sword and in her left a balance.
2 The State Library was founded April 21, 1818. and for nearly forty years was kept in the upper rooms of the Capitol. Its growth was comparatively slow until 1844, when its supervision was transferred from the State officers who had been ex officio trus- tees to the Regents of the University. Their Secretary. the late Dr. T. Romeyn Beck, was eminently fitted for the task of building up an institution of this character. The library at the time of the transfer contained about 10.000 vedmues. The number has increased during the subsequent 15 years to about 53.000. The present builling, erected in 1853-54. is 114 feet long by 45 broad. was built at a cost of $91.900, and opened to the public Jan. 2. 1855. The first floor is supported by stone pillars and groined arches. aml the second floor and galleries by arched Spans of iron filled with concrete. The roof. rafters. trusses. pillars, shelves, and principal doors are of iron. and the floors are pavel with colored tile. The first story is devoted to the law department. and the second story to the general library. in- einding a large number of costly presents from other Govern- ments. a valuable series of MSS. and parchments relating to our colonial and early State history, and an extensive collec- tion of medals and coins. The office of the Regents of the Uni- versity is in the hbrary building.
The Library, formerly known as the "Chancellors' Library,"
[ was divided in 1849, and, with additions since made, now forms two public libraries, called the " Libraries of the Court of Ap- peals," one of which is located at Syracuse and the other at Rochester. They consist chiefly of law books, and are in charge of librarians appointed by the Regents and paid by the State. There is also a sinall library, for reference, in the consultation room of the Court of Appeals. Each of the judges of the su- preme Court and the Vice Chancellor of the Second District, under the late Constitution, held libraries owned by the State, which are for the use of the four judges of the Court of Appeals elected by the people of the State at large, and their successors
8 This building is 138 by SS feet and 65 feet high. The ceilings of the baseineut and of the two principal stories are groiucd arches, and all the rooms, excepting in the attic story, are fireproof. The basement and attie are cach 19 fect, and the two principal stories cach 22 feet, high. The building cost about $350,000.
4 In 1542 the old State Ilall was converted into a geological hall, and rooms were assigued in the same building to the State Agricultural Society. The old building was torn down, and the present Geological and Agricultural Ihall erected in its place, in the summer of 1855. The Agricultural Rooms were dedicated Feb. 12, 1857, and the Cabinet was opened to the public Feb. 22, 1858. The present building is of brick, and is 4 stories high, besides the basement. In the rear is a spacious wing, of the same height as the main building. It contains a lecture room, tbe spacious geological cabinet, and the rooms of the State Geological Society. The basement is occupied by a taxiderinist and a jani- tor. The building itself is subject to the order of the Commis- sioners of the Land Office. The Cabinet originated in the Geo- logical Survey, and in extent and value it ranks among the first in America. Within the past year a series of English fossils has been given to the State by the British Government ; and a valu- able collection of shells, embracing several thousand species, has been recently presented and arranged by Philip P. Carpenter, an English naturalist. The Museum is designed to embrace a complete representation of the geological formations of the State, with their accompanying minerals and fossils, and of its entire native flora and fauna. The birds and quadrupeds are preserved by a skilful taxidermist, with the attitudes and appearance of life: and the reptiles and fishes are principally preserved in al- cohol. Connected with this cabinet is a historical and anti- quarian department. embracing numerous aboriginal antiquities and specimens of modern Indian art, relics of battle fields, and other objects of historical interest. The whole is under the charge of a curator appointed by the Regents. The museum of the State Agricultural Society, in a separate department of the building. contains a large collection of obsolete and modern im- plements of husbandry, specimens of agricultural and mechanical products. models of fruits, samples of grains and soils, drawings illustrating subjects connected with the useful arts; and it is designed to include au extensive collection of insects. made with especial reference to showing their intlneuce upon the fruit and grain crops of the State. The entomological department is in charge of Dr. Asa Fitch, who has been for several years employed by the society in studying the habits of destructive insects, with the view to ascertaining the means of preventing their ravages. The whole of these collections are open to the public on every weekday except holidays. The meetings of the Executive Com- mittee of the State Agricultural Society, and the winter fairs, are held iu their rooms in this building.
STATE GOVERNMENT.
THE State Government consists of the Legislative, Executive, Judicial, and Administrative Departments ; the powers and duties of the several officers being defined by the Constitution and regulated by law.
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT.
The State Legislature is composed of a Scnate and Assembly.
The SENATE consists of 32 members, chosen by single districts every two years, the whole number being chosen at once. The Lieut. Governor is ex officio President of the Senate, and has a cast- ing vote in case of a tie. The Senate appoints a President pro tem., who presides in the absence of the Lieut. Governor, and becomes ex officio Lieut. Governor in case of a vacancy in that office. The Senate with the Judges of the Court of Appeals forms a court for the trial of impeachments, and it ratifies or rejects the nomi- nations of the Governor to a great number of offices.
The Senate elects the following officers : a clerk, sergeant-at- arms, assistant sergeant-at-arms, doorkeeper and assistants, libra- rian, and such other officers as may be deemed necessary.1
The ASSEMBLY consists of 128 members, elected annually by single districts. The districts are re-apportioned once in ten years, after the State census is taken. The Speaker, or Pre- siding Officer of the Assembly, is elected by the members from their number, and usually appoints all committecs. All bills upon financial matters must originate in the Assembly.
The Assembly clects the following officers : a Speaker, clerk, sergeant-at-arms, doorkeeper and two assistants. The Speaker appoints an assistant sergeant-at-arms, a postmaster and assist- ant, a janitor, kccper of the Assembly chamber, and several doorkeepers and pages.2
1 The sergeant-at-arms is also librarian. The clerk appoints his deputies and assistants, and the President appoints a janitor, superintendent of the Senate cliamber, and pages. Committees are usually appointed by the Lieut. Gov. The appointments are made for two years. About half a dozen reporters are admitted to seats within the Senate chamber. Standing committees in the Senate consist of 3 members.
SENATE DISTRICTS.
1. Queens, Richmond, and Suffolk Counties.
2. 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 7th, 11th, 13th, and 19th Wards of Brooklyn.
3. 6th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 12th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th. and 18th Wards of Brooklyn, and the towns of Kings County.
4. 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7tb, 8th, and 14th Wards of New York.
5. 10th, 11th, 13th, and 17th Wards of New York.
6. 9th, 15th, 16th, and 18th Wards of New York.
7. 12th, 19th, 20th, 21st, and 22d Wards of New York.
8. Putnam, Rockland, and Westchester Counties.
9. Orange and Sullivan Counties.
10. Greene and Ulster Counties.
11. Columbia and Dutchess Counties.
12. Rensselaer and Washington Couutics.
13. Albany County.
14. Delaware, Schenectady, and Schoharie Counties.
15. Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, and Saratoga Counties.
16. Clinton, Essex, and Warren Counties.
17. Franklin and St. Lawrence Counties.
18. Jefferson and Lewis Counties.
19. Oneida County.
20. Herkimer und Otsego Counties.
21. Oswego County.
22. Onondaga County.
23. Chenango, Cortland, And Madison Counties.
24. Broome, Tioga and Tompkins Conuties.
25. Cayuga and Wayne Counties.
26. Ontario, Seneca, and Yates Counties.
27. Chemung. Schuyler, and Steubeu Counties.
98. Monroe County.
29. Gencsee, Niagara. and Orleans Countics.
30. Allegany, Livingston, and Wyoming Counties.
31. Erie County.
32. Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties.
2 The clerk appoints his assistants and deputies, a librarian and assistant, a bank clerk, and a clerk's messenger. These officers are appointed for the session, except pages, who are changed in the middle of each session. Standing committees of the Assembly cousist of 5 members, except those upon Ways and Means, the Judiciary, and Canals, each of which has 7 members. About 20 reporters are admitted and provided with seats within the bar. They usually share with members in extra appropriations for books, and in the privilege of mailing documents at the public expense.
ASSEMBLY DISTRICTS.
[Those Counties not enumerated in this list form but one District. Fulton and Hamilton form oue District.]
ALBANY COUNTY .- FOUR DISTRICTS.
1. 1st Ward of Albany, Bethlehem, Coeymans, New Scotland, Rensselaerville, and Westerlo.
2. 9th and 10th Wards of Albany, Bern, Guilderland, and Knox.
3. 2d, 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 8th Wards of Albany.
4. 7th Ward of Albany aud Watervliet.
ALLEGANY COUNTY .- TWO DISTRICTS.
1. Allen, Almond, Angelica, Belfast, Birdsall, Burns, Caneaden, Centerville, Granger, Grove, Hume, New Indson, Rushford, and West Almond.
2. Alfred, Alma, Amity, Andover, Bolivar, Clarksville. Cuba, Friendship, Genesee, Independence, Scio, Ward, Wellsville, Willing, and Wirt.
CATTARAUGUS COUNTY .- Two DISTRICTS.
1. Allegany, Ashford, Carrolton, Elgin, Farmersville, Franklin- ville, Freedom, Hinsdale, Humphrey, Ischua, Machiar, Oleau, Portville, and Yorkshire.
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STATE GOVERNMENT.
The sessions of the Legislature commence on the first Tuesday in January, and members can only receive pay for 100 days. The business of each year begins de novo; but if an extra session is called by the Governor, bills are taken up where they were left at the last previous adjourn- ment. Each house decides upon the qualifications of its own members; and both houses must concur in the election of U. S. Senators, Regents of the University, and Superintendent of Public Instruction. Bills, except measures of finance, may originate in either house, and must be
2. Bucktooth, Coldspring, Connewango, Dayton, Ellicottville, East Otto, Great Valley, Leon, Little Valley, Mansfield, Napoli, New Albion, Otto, Perrysburgh, Persia, Randolph, and South Valley.
CAYUGA COUNTY .- TWO DISTRICT8.
1. Brutos, Cato, Conqnest, Ira, Mentz, Monteznma, Sennett, Sterling, Throop, Victory, and the 1st and 4th Wards of Auburn.
2. Aurelius, Fleming, Genoa, Ledyard, Locke, Moravia, Niles, Owasco, Scipio, Sempronius, Springport, Summer Hill, Venice, and the 2d and 3d Wards of Auhurn.
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