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 82
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2 Among the early settlers were Amos Bronson, Saml. Amos, Richard Peck, David and Benj. Bailey, and Benj. Crispell. John T. Bray built the first tanuery, in 1791 or '92; Thaddeus Bron-
6 Among the first settlers were John Laraway and his sons John, Jonas. Derick, and Martinus, Isaac Van Alstyne, - Vrooman. John and Peter Van Loan, John Becker, and A family hy the name of Schoonmaker. The first school was taught by Mr. Banks. in 1790. Martinus Laraway kept the first inn, soon after the Revolution, and, with his brother John, erected the first gristmill.
6 The Indian name of this stream was Chough.tig-hig-nick.
335
GREENE COUNTY.
part. Windham Center, (p. v.,) on Batavia Kil, in the w. part of the town, contains 3 churches, and has a pop. of 350. Hensonville, (p. v.,) on the same stream, s. of the center of the town, contains 124 inhabitants, and Big Hollow, (p. v.,) in the s. part, 2 churches and 12 houses. East Windham and Union Society are p. offices. The first settlement was made in 1790, by Geo. Stimpson, Abijah Stone, and Inerease Claflin.1 Rev. Henry Stimpson was one of the earliest settled ministers. There are 5 churches in town.2
Acres of Land, Valuation, Population, Dwellings, Families, Freeholders, Schools, Live Stock, Agricultural Products, and Domestic Manufactures, of Greene County.
ACRES OP LAND.
VALUATION OF 1858.
POPULATION.
SCHOOLS.
NAMES OF TOWNS.
Improved.
Unimproved.
Real Estate.
Personal
Property.
Total.
Males.
Females.
No. of Dwellings.
No. of Families.
Freeholders.
No. of
Children
taught.
Ashland.
9.846₺
4,198 4.502+
499,308
54,050
553,358
1,470
1,400
438
551
343
1,046
Cairo.
22,541
10,982
555,377
8S,175
643,552
1,290
1,267
448
478
341
15
827
Catskill.
19,146₺
17,613
1,437,035
532,312 165,334
1,969,347
2,812
2.898
930
1,094
54-4
19
2,020
Coxsackie
17,6981
4,516
782,710
68,300
462,445
1,239
1,301
4S2
491
393
15
935
Greenville.
20,273}
5,535}
580,315
70,632
650,947
1,088
1,085
415
450
342
16
909
Ilalcott
7,137
4,007
84,775
9,900
94,675
246
228
86
89
79
4
207
Ilunter.
10,2641
40.456₺
135,395
10,642
146,037
833
761
258
276
207
12
785
Jewett ...
15,167
10,4682
136,200
25,620
161,820
57S
551
205
220
176
10
491
Lexington.
14,727៛
21,600
227,539
41,150
268,689
788
807
319
217
235
11
601
New Baltimore ..
18,2794
6,1244
804,599
103,820
908,4:29
1,24S
1,154
425
455
306
15
865
Prattsville.
8,784
4,854
111,200
29,250
140,450
746
842
267
290
225
8
665
Windham
14,8401
9,892
244,283
41,100
285,383
807
877
327
258
188
12
531
Total.
212,2231 150,604} $6,127.961 $1,249,7951
$7.377.756 15.591 15,546
5,409
5.707
3.951 ||161
11,869
LIVE STOCK.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.
BUSH. OF GRAIN.
DAIRY PRODUCTS.
NAMES OF TOWNS.
Horses.
Working
Calves.
1 Cowcs.
Sheep.
Sicine.
Winter.
Spring.
Tons of Hay.
Bushels of
Bushels of
Pounds
Pounds
Cheese.
Domestic Cloths in yards.
Ashland.
251
727
962
487
1.935₺
12.252
2.344%
7.524
11.366
69.815
1.025
283
Athens ..
393
349
509
164
886
4.280/
23.373
4,493}
5,099
10.935
42.776
300
262}
Cairo
714
998
1,040
1,069
1,663
13.8044
27,991
4.350
8.254
22.771
96.675
937
1,114
Catskill
713
910
1,076
1,615
1,723
12,538₺
39,337}
7,592
9.245
15,153
90.720
617
Coxsackie
635
523
791
397
1,565
8.705₺
36.0912
6.699
17.009
18,318
83.735
590
Durham
745
1.299
1,352
3,507
2.244
7.064
35,0874
3,998
5,6211
25,805
121,917
6.876
Greenville.
698
741
1,051
1,779
1,443
7,665¿
37.193
6.067
5.679
25,703
109.906
1.011
Ilalcott
152
496
526
1.390
200
830
11,917
1.907
1,348
2.490
60.916
1,164
Ilunter.
192
1,019
605
1,205
286|
870
3,610
2,495₴
8.264
2.5401
52.311
130
584
Jewett.
236
1.401
1,163
1.869
467
1,869
8,978
3.391
5,864}
13,611
113,520
4,928
146
Lexington.
354
1,657
1,144
2.013
591
2.449
13,1762
4.468
6.902
13.128
105,290
1,285
779
New Baltimore ..
610
517
991
1,248}
1,569
13,471₺
35,093;
5,49S}
21,789
19,361
90.589
7201
Prattsville.
239
680
750
60S
3S4
2.075
5.461}
1,834
3.536
3,380
73.780
50
385
Windham.
271
1.160
867
1.556
566
2.019
11,651}
3.386
10.536
8,253
79.980
3.657
244
Total.
6,203 12,647 12,592 19,382 14,074
79,578
301,2134 58,5244 116.871 192.814} 1,191,930
21,317 8,611}
555
584
217
235
140
503
Atliens.
10,351}
$135.080
$9,500
$144,580
1,891
1,791
592
603
432
13
1,354
23,1664
5,855
394,145
948,04
Durham ..
Oxen and
Potatoes.
Apples.
Butter.
2,079
50
1 Perez Steel and his son Perez, from Tolland. Conn., settled | Nathan Blauchard taught the first school, in 1809; Tobias Van in town in 1795, and Joshua Jones, Win. Henderson, and Lemuel Dusen built the first gristinill, in 1793; - Van Orden kept the first inn, in 1796; and Bennett Osborn built the first tau- nery, in 1822. Hitchcock (from New Haven co., Conn.) iu 1796. The first marriage was that of Daniel Perry and Mamva Hitchcock; and the first death was that of Mrs. Lemuel Hitchcock, in 1804.
2 2 Presb., 2 M. E., and Prot. E.
7 7 OG- Districts.
HAMILTON COUNTY.
eTO. THIS county was formed from Montgomery, Feb. 12, 1816; but its independent organization has never been fully completed.1 It occupies the central portions of the great wilderness region in the N. E. part of the State; is centrally distant 80 miles from Albany, and contains 1,745 sq. mi. Its surface is a rocky, mountainous, and hilly upland and is still mostly covered with the original forests. The highlands are divided into several ranges, generally distinet, SE but in many places sending out spurs that interlock with each other, and all extending N. E. and s. w. The Schroon Range-called in Fulton co. the Mayfield Mts .- erosses the s. E. corner of Hope. This range ends upon Lake Champlain at Crown Point, the highest point being Mt. Crane, in Warren eo. The Baquet Range, parallel to the first, extends through the co. between Wells and Lake Pleasant. This range terminates upon Lake Champlain at Split Rock, the highest peak being Dix Peak, in Essex eo. The Adiron- dack Range, next N., extends from the Mohawk, at Little Falls, N. E. through Morehouse, Arietta, Long Lake, Gilman, and Wells, ending at Trembleau Point, on Lake Champlain, Mt. Marey being the highest peak, and the highest point in the State. Its course is in a wave or undulating line occupying a space of 4 to 6 mii. in width. Next N. is the Au Sable Range, extending N. of the Fulton chain of lakes and Long and Racket Lakes. The highest points are Mt. Emmons, in this co., and Mt. Seward, in Franklin co. Spurs from this range occupy the entire N. part of the co. and extend into St. Lawrence and IIerkimer eos.2
Within the valleys between these mountain ranges are several remarkable chains of lakes, many of them connected by considerable streams and all affording a large amount of boat navigation. These lakes are generally long and narrow, are bordered by steep banks and high mountain peaks. Their waters are elear and cold, and they form the most interesting features of the landscape. Although flowing in different directions, separated by high mountains, and extending over an area of more than 60 mi., they have a nearly uniform elevation.3 The first chain on the s., commencing in Stratford, Fulton eo., includes several small ponds in the s. E. corner of Hope, several ponds in Johnsburgh, Warren co., and Schroon and Paradox Lakes in Essex co. The second chain em- braces Jerseyfield Lake and several others in Herkimer co., flowing s., Piseco, Round, Spy, and Ox Bow Lakes, Lake Pleasant, and a great number of smaller ones, all flowing into Sacondaga River. The third chain, lying between the two highest ranges of mountains, is composed of lakes less in extent than either of the other chains. It comprises Woodhull Reservoir and about 20 small lakes, principally in Herkimer co., flowing into Black River ; a large number of small ponds in the immediate vicinity, flowing into West Canada Creek; Indian, Square, Beaver, Wilmurt, and a dozen smaller ones, in Hamilton co., flowing into Black and Indian Rivers; and the Indian Lakes, flowing into the Hudson. In Essex co. this chain embraces Lakes Rich, Sanford, and Henderson, and numerous others, lying near the foot of Mt. Marcy. The fourth or N. chain is the most extensive of all. It com- prises Brantingham and other Lakes in Lewis co., flowing into Moose and Black Rivers; the Fulton chain and about 20 other lakes in the N. part of Herkimer, respectively flowing into Beaver and Moose Rivers; Cranberry Lake and many others in the s. part of St. Lawrence, flowing into Oswe- gatchie and Grasse Rivers; Tuppers, Racket, Forked, and Long Lakes, and 50 others, in Hamilton co., and a large number in Franklin, flowing into Racket River; St. Regis Lake, Osgoods Pond, and numerous others, into St. Regis River; Ragged Lake, Round and Ingraham Ponds, into Salmon River; Lake Placid, into the Au Sable; the Chateaugay Lakes, into Chatcaugay River ; and the Chazy Lakes, into Chazy River. All these last named lakes are in Hamilton, Franklin,
1 Named in honor of Alexander Hamilton. The territory was | this tract of land runs a chain of mountains, which, from Lake included in Herkimer co. Feb. 16, 1791, but was re-annexed to Montgomery March 31, 1797. It can complete its organization when it has a sufficient population to entitle it to a member of Assembly. It remained appended to Montgomery until 1838, when it was annexed to Fulton on the erection of the latter co. Conrts were established in 1837.
" This region was called by the natives Coughsarage, "the dismal wilderness." The following entry on a map published about the period of the Revolution, or soon after, gives the pre- vuiling opinion of that day concerning these lands :- "Through
Champlain on one side and the river St. Lawrence on the other side, show their tops always white with snow; but altho' this one unfavorable circumstance has hitherto secured it from the claws of the harpy land jobbers, yet no doubt it is as fertile as the land on the east skle of the lake, and will in future fur- nish a comfortable retreat for many industrions families."
3 The eighth lake in the x. chain, flowing w., is 1,678 feet above tide; Racket Lake, 2 mi. N., flowing R., 1,745 feet; the Upper Saranac, flowing E., 1,567 feet ; and Lake Sanford, flow- ing y., 1,826 feet.
336
337
HAMILTON COUNTY.
Essex, and Clinton eos., in elose proximity to eaeli other. The streams, forming the outlets of the lakes, are mostly small. The whole region being a mountainous plateau higher than the surround ing country, the streams that rise here flow in all directions and form tributaries of the St. Lawrence, Lake Champlain, the Hudson, Mohawk, and Black Rivers. Several of the rivers have the same name as the lakes which respectively form their headwaters; as the Raeket, Chazy, and Chateaugay.1
This whole region is primitive, the roek being principally gneiss. Caleiferous sandstone and Trenton limestone are found upon Saeondaga River. White limestone is also found in several localities. Peat is found in great abundance in the vlaies, or natural meadows, which extend along the valleys. Iron ore and graphite are both found,-though no surveys have been made to aseer- tain their extent. A large amount of labor has been expended in mining for silver; with what suceess is unknown. The soil is a light, sandy loam, and, except in the valleys, is not suseeptible of profitable eultivation. The mountain sides are covered with a thin growth of forest trees, and when eleared seem incapable of supporting vegetation. The valleys at first are produetive, but, being deficient in lime, as soon as the vegetable mold is exhausted they become barren.
The county seat is located at Sageville, in the town of Lake Pleasant.2 The eo. buildings, con- sisting of a courthouse, jail, and elerk's office, were ereeted in 1840. Each town supports its own poor, and the eo. poor are provided for by the Superintendent at the most convenient place. There has never been a paper printed within the eo.3 The publie works are entirely prospective." Most of the territory of the eo. is included in the Totten and Crossfield Purchase of 1773.5 Grants within the limits of the eo. were made in colonial times to Sir Jeffrey Amherst, IIenry Balfour, and Thomas Palmer. Arthursboro, in Morehouse, was granted to Arthur Noble. The first settlement was made about 1790.
ARIETTA6-was formed from Lake Pleasant, May 13, 1836. A part of Long Lake was taken off in 1837. It extends from the s. w. border northward nearly across the eo., a little w. of the eenter. Its surface is much broken, and it contains a great number of wild, picturesque lakes. Of these, Raeket and Forked Lakes, in the N. part, and Piseeo,7 in the s., are the most important. The principal streams are the w. and s. branches of Saeondaga River. A considerable amount of lumbering is carried ou.8 Piseco, formerly a p. o., and onee a busy village of some 250 inhabit- ants, is now nearly deserted, and contains but 4 families.9 There is no p. o. in town. The first settler was Shadrack Dunning, at the E. end of Piseeo Lake, in 1827, aud David Woolworth, in the s. part, about the same time. Rensselaer Van Rensselaer, of Albany, settled in 1834.10
GILMANIL -- was formed from Wells, April 23, 1839. A part was annexed to Wells in 1858. It is an interior town, extending in a long, narrow strip near the E. border of the eo. Its surface is mueh broken by mountains and diversified by small lakes. Several of the highest peaks in the eo. are in this town; but their elevations have never been aseertained. It is the least populous town in the State. Gilman (p.o.) is in the s. border. Most of the settlers are in the s. part, a few only living on the extreme N. border, quite isolated from their fellow townsmen. Philip Rhine- lander, a wealthy merchant of New York, began the first settlement.12
1 If this system of naming lakes could he extended, it would greatly assist those who wish to understand the geography of this region. To make it complete, the eighth lake in the Fulton chain should be named Moose Lake: Cranberry Pond, Oswe- gatchie Lake; Messewepie Pond, Grasse Lake; Ragged Lake, Salmon; Colden Lake, Hudson; and Piseco Lake, Sacondaga; and then the direction of the flow of the waters would be at once apparent from the names of the lakes.
2 The first co. officers were Richard Peck, First Judge ; Saml. Call, County Clerk ; James Harris, Sheriff; G. R. Parburt, Dis- trict Attorney ; and Thos. H. Kline, Surrogate.
3 The Hamilton County Sentinel, printed at Johnstown and edited at Sageville, was started in 1845 by Clark & Thayer. It was subsequently in the hands of Clark & Holmes, and is now issued by Clark & Fish.
4 The route of the Ontario & Hudson R. R., fromn Saratoga to Jackets Harbor, extends through the N. part of the co. The ronte is located; but no grading has been done within the co. Several surveys have been made to test the practicability of converting Piseco Lake with Lake Pleasant. the Fulton chain with Racket Lake, and Racket River with the Upper Saranac Lake. for the purpose of forming a slack water navigation through the co. These schemes have been pronounced feasible. Con- siderable sums have been expended upon some of the streams so that logs might be floated down.
5 A large share of this tract bas reverted to the State hy es- cheat, confiscation, and tax sales. It was purchased. at the re- quest and expense of Josepu Totten, Stephen Crossfield, and others, from the Mohawk aud Canajobarie Indians, at Johusons
Hall, in July, 1773. It was estimated to contain 800,000 acres. -Council Minutes, XXXI, p. 31.
It was surveyed by Ebenezer Jessup and associates.
6 Named by Rensselaer Van Rensselaer, in honor of his mother.
7 Named by Joshua Brown, a surveyor, from an Indian chief of his acquaintance. It is about 5 mi. long and 1 to 1} wide. It is one of the most picturesque sheets of water in the co. Tho mountains around it are over 500 feet above its surface.
8 Henry Devereaux, some years since, began lumbering on a large scale in the s. part, and built a tram R. R. some 8 or 10 mi. long. He also spent many thousand dollars in buildings and machinery; but the enterprise proved a failure.
9 In 1838 Andrew K. Morehouse, an extensive landholder, built at this place a gristmill, sawmill, machine shop. a large hotel and boarding house, and some half dozen dwellings. Strong inducements were offered to settlers; but they became dissatisfied with the title, and one by one dropped off. In 1843 he again tried to retrieve his fortunes hy the formation of a joint stock Co. and induced some 200 settlers to come in. Some returned the same day ; others remained a werk or a month.
10 Eli Rood, of Saratoga, settled on the beech flats s. E. of Piseco Lake; R. Dibble and Seth Whitman near the foot of the lake; and Zadock Ross, from Clifton Park. s. of the lake. The first hirth was that of Miss M. M. Dunning, Aug. 28. 1829; the first marriage, that of Amos Dunning and Ann Eliza Plummer; and the first death, that of Seth Whitman. A school was taught by Ann E. Plummer, in 1833.
11 Named from John M. Gilman, an early settler, from N. H. 12 Mr. Rhinelander cleared 300 acres for a stock farm, and built
22
338
HAMILTON COUNTY.
HOPE !- was formed from Wells, April 15, 1818. A part of Lake Pleasant was annexed May 10, 1847. It lics upon Sacondaga River, in the s. E. corner of the co. Its surface is broken and mountainous. It is the most populous town in the co., and the settlements are chiefly in the E. part. The w. portion is still a wilderness, known only to hunters. The mountains are very irre- gular; but in general they extend upon both sides of the river, and, as usual in this region, have their longest slope to the s. w. The principal tributary of the Sacondaga is East Stony Creek ; and the main range of mountains lies between this stream and the river.2 Lumbering and tanning are extensively carried on. Hope Center, Benson, and Benson Center are p. offices. Hope Falls (p. o.) is a hamlet. Settlement was begun in 1790, in the s. border of the town.3
INDIAN LAKE-was formed from Gilman, Long Lake, and Wells, Nov. 13, 1858. It lies upon the E. border of the co., N. of the center.4
LAKE PLEASANT-was formed from Jolinstown, Fulton co., May 26, 1812. Parts of Stafford, Johnstown, and Salisbury were annexed at the time of the formation of Hamilton co. Morehouse was taken off in 1835, Arietta in 1836, and a part of Long Lake in 1837. A part was annexed to Hope in 1847, and a part to Wells in 1858. It is the central town of the co., and in- cludes a long tract extending from N. to s. to within a few mi. of each extremity of the co. Its surface is broken and mountainous, and most of it is still a wilderness. Lake Pleasant, from which it derives its namne, is about 4 mi. long by 1 wide. Round Lake, } mi. from this, is very irregular in form, and about 1} mi. across in the widest part.5 The Eckford chain of lakes, in the N. part, are in the midst of wild mountain solitudes. The upper of these is named Janet Lake.6 The principal streams in the s. are the N. and w. branches of the Sacondaga, and in the N. the Racket and its tributaries. A mine of graphite has been opencd 4 mi. N. of Sageville. Limestone mixed with silex and mica, from which quicklime is obtained, is found s. of Lake Pleasant. Lumbering and shingle making are carried on to a considerable extent. Lake Pleasant, (p.o.,) at the foot of the lake, contains a hotel and 2 dwellings. Sageville7 (p.v.) is situated on a beautiful elevation 50 feet above Lake Pleasant8 and Round Lake, about one-fourth of a mi. distant from each. It contains the co. buildings, a large hotel, a church, and several dwellings. Settlement was commenced about 1795, by Joseph Spier, of Columbia co.9 Meetings were first held by Rev. Elisha Yale; and the first settled minister was Rev. Ryan Bristol.
LONG LAKE-was formed from Arietta, Lake Pleasant, Morehouse, and Wells, May 4, 1837. It extends across the N. end of the co., and is named from the principal lake within its borders. Its surface is very broken, and numerous small lakes are scattered through its forests. Settlement was begun in Township 21, a few years before the date of its organization.10 There is no p. o. in town.
MOREHOUSE !- was formed from Lake Pleasant, April 13, 1835. A part of Long Lake was taken off in 1837. It extends along the w. border of the co., from the s. extremity to Long Lake.
a costly mansion on Elm Lake, in Township 9, several mi. dis- tant from neighbors. He remained here until the death of his wife, in 1818 or '19, and soon after, being struck with paralysis. was obliged to return to New York. The property, after repeated sales, is now owned by Dr. Elliott, an oculist of New York City. Gilman and his sons were the next settlers. John Carter, An- drew Morrison, Samuel Johnson. jr., Wm. B. Peck, Wm. Orcutt, and others were early settlers. Mrs. Rhinelander was the first person that died. Susan Gilman tanght the first school, in 1823. No inn has ever been licensed in town.
1 There are 2 large tanneries in town, and several sawmills.
2 These mountains are entirely primitive, and incline to the hypersthene and feldspathic varieties.
8 Gideon and Jeremiah Olmstead, from Mass., were tho first settlers. Issachar Robinson, Peter Wager, Asa Deville, Jacob Houck, John Graff, and Elisha Wright settled about 1791-92, a little N. of the center of the town. Zadock BR88, - Conklin, Elkanah, Amos, and Isaac Mason came into the E. part in 1605. The first birth was that of Lucinda Olmstead: and the first death, that of Mrs. Conklin, about 1800. - Wilson, a Scotch- man. kept the first school.
" This town has been formed since the statistics were collected; and its description and history are included in those of the towns from which it was formed.
5 The summit level between Round Lake and Little Long Lake is but a few feet above the water. In wet seasons water runs both ways. and 25 mi. of blackwater navigation might be made at comparatively small expense. Round Lake flows into the N. branch of the Sacondaga, and Little Long Lake Into the w. branch,-80 that, after running 25 and 35 mi. respectively, their waters again unite.
6 Named from Mrs. James E. De Kay, by Dr. Emmons, while !
making the geological survey of the 2d district. She was the danghter of Henry Eckford, the celebrated shipbuilder, from whoin the chain of lakes was named.
7 Known for several years as " Lake Pleasant," until changed through the agency of Hezekiah Sage, of Chittenango, who built a large hotel and attempted to establish an extensive business there. Efforts have been made to procure a change of the pre- sent name, but without success.
8 A few years since, Abraham R. Lawrence, of New York City, built a large liotel for summer resort at the head of Lake Pleasant. As a speculation it proved a failure.
Benj. Macomber, John Barnes, Joseph Davis, Joshna and Jonathan Rich, Jeste Callop, Caleb Nichols, Geo. Wright, Ephraim Page, Daniel Fish, Henry Burton, Lemuel Holmes, and B. Sater- lee settled in town before 1806. The first birth was that of Olivia Spier, in 1806; and the second, that of Eleanor Macomber, who died a missionary in Burmah. Geo. Wright kept the first inn, In 1806, and Wm. B. Peck the first store, in 1817. A saw- mill was built by - Foster, in 1795; and a gristmill, by Joseph Spier, in 1797.
10 David Keller, James Sargent, Owen Skinner, Zenas Parker Joel Plumley, and John Cunningham were first settlers. The first death occurred in 1838. A school was first taught in 1840 by Lucina Bissell. There are now 3 schools in town. A Cong church was formed in 1842, by Rev. John Todd, of Pittsfield, Mass., and placed under the chargo of Rev. M. Parker. This is the most secluded town in the State. It is usually reached from Essex co., to which the settlers resort for their mails and trade. Schroon River p.o., Essex co., is the nearest and most convenlent office for receiving mails.
11 Named from the first settler.
339
HAMILTON COUNTY.
Its surface is hilly and mountainous. In the several valleys which extend across the town are numerous lakes. Jerseyfield Lake, upon the s. border, is thic principal lake in the s. part. The 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th lakes of the Fulton chain, in the N. part, discharge their waters into Moose River. Jones, Deer, Goose, and several other lakes flow into West Canada Creck. Morehouse- ville, in the s. part, is a p.o. The Arthurboro Patent was mostly within the limits of this town. The tract of 50,000 acres purchased by Jonathan Lawrence was also partly in this town.1 The first settlement was commenced, under the agency of Andrew K. Morehouse, in 1833.2
WELLS'-was formed from Mayfield and Northampton, Fulton co., May 28, 1805. Hope was taken off in 1818, a part of Long Lake in 1837, and Gilman in 1839. A part of Mayfield was annexed June 19, 1812; parts of Mayfield and Northampton in 1816; and parts of Gilman and Lake Pleasant in 1858. It lies along the E. border of the co. and forms a part of the hunting grounds of Northern N. Y. Its s. part is inhabited by a few families on Indian Lake. It is intersected by mountain ranges separated by deep, narrow valleys. The highest peaks are 2,000 to 2,500 fect high and are covered by masses of naked rock. The three branches of the Sacondaga unite in the s. part, forming a large stream. Jessup and Cedar Rivers, in the N., are large streams. Indian Lake is a sheet of water about 6 mi. long; and further N. is a cluster of small lakes flowing into the Hudson. There are numerous other small lakes in other parts, known only to hunters. The soil is light and sandy. Calciferous sandstone appears in situ above Wells Village. Wells (p. v.) contains a large tannery, gristmill, sawmill, and 15 dwellings; Pickleville, one-half mi. above, contains 2 churches and 15 dwellings. Settlement began in 1798.4
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