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 2 > Part 23
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 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97
NIAGARA-was formed from Cambria, June 1, 1812, as " Schlosser;" its name was changed Feb. 14, 1816. Pendleton was taken off in 1827, and Wheatfield in 1836. It is the s. w. corner town of the co., occupying the angle made by the abrupt northerly bend of Niagara River. Its
1 This Seminary is under the charge of the " Priests of the | factory, 1 planing mill, 2 tanneries, a woolen factory, 2 machine Congregation of the Mission of St. Vincent du Paul Institution," and is designed to educate boys and young men for the priest- hood. It was incorp. in 1858. The buildings are not yet completed.
3 Among the settlers who were in the town in 1800 were Jos. and John lowell, - Middaugh, Heury Hough, Henry Mills, - McBride, Thos. Ilustler, Win. Gambol, and Fred'k Wood- man. Geo. Howell was the first child born in the town and in the co., in 1799. Middangh kept tavern in 1788, and McBride built a tannery abont 1799. The first sawmill was built by Jos. Howell, in 1808, and the first gristmill by John Gray, in 1815. The Tuscarora Reservation is in this town.
8 This was probably some time during the Revolutionary War. Brant was an Episcopalian ; and the services were usually con- ducted by some one attached to the British garrison at Ft. Nia- gara. The church was built of logs and had no belfry. The bell was hung upon a cross-bar resting iu the crotch of a tree near by.
4 Presb., Prot. E., Univ., and R. C. at Lewiston, Cong. and M. E. at Pekin, M. E. at Dickersonville, and Iudian eburch on the Reservation.
6 The principal of these quarries are along the canal, in the s. part of Lockport Village. There are also quarries about a mile E. of the village, and others a little further w. This limestone is a very excellent building material, and large quantities are shipped to distant places. The locks at this place, and numerous culverts on the canal. are built of it. A cave of small exteut exists under the village of Lockport.
" The principal quarries from which sandstone is obtained are at Rattlesnake Ilill, N. w. of the village. This stone is used principally for flagging and paving.
7 So named from there being a greater number of locks here than at any other place on the canal; and to these the village owes its origin.
8 Five flouring milla, with an aggregate of 30 run of stone, 7 Anwwills, 5 stave and shingle factories, 1 sash, door, and blind |
shops and foundries, a plow factory. a distillery, and a plaster- mill. A hydraulic canal three-fourths of a mi. long has been constructed upon the declivity of the ridge, from which the water is distributed to various manufactories. The water is taken from the upper level of the canal and returned to the lower. A con- siderable proportion of the water-power is obtained from the water taken from the lower level.
9 The " Lockport Union School"' was incorp. March 31, 1847. Connected with it is an academic department. under the super- vision of the regeuts. The number of pupils in attendance in 1856 was 742.
10 Jedediah Darling settled in the town in 1808, - Gregory in 1809, Thomas Miles, Silliman Wakeman, David Carlton, and Geo, Miller in 1810, and Alex. Freeman and John Dye in 1811. The first inn was opened by Chas. Wilbur. in 1800: the first sawmill was built by Alex. Freeman, in 1811, and the first grist- mill by Otis Hathaway, on Eighteen Mile Creek. This was a small mill, which was built in 20 days, L. A. Spaulding was then building, and soon after finished, a stone will of 7 stories iu height. Simeon Ford erected a woolen factory in 1828. The first school was taught by Olinda Moore, in the summer of 1816.
11 Bap., Cong., Friends, Lnth., 2 M. E .. 2 Presb .. 2 Prot. E., 2 R. C., Univ., and 2 Af. Meth. at Lock port Village, and Dutch Evang., Dutch Ref., Luth., 2 M. E., aud Wes. Meth. iu other parts of the town.
12 Chambers removed to Grand Island; and about the year 1825, attempting to cross Niagara River above the cataract in a skiff, he was drawn into the rapids and carried over the falls.
13 -- Cotton settled in the town the same year, Burgoyne, Kemp, and Peter Hopkins in 1808, and Wm. and James Wisner in 1810, Levi Ellis built the first saw and grist mill, in 1811, for James Van Ilorn. Asa Douglas opened a store at Olcott, in 1812. The first school was taught by Bezaleal Smith, in 1815. 14 2 M. E., Bup., Univ., and Wes. Meth.
455
NIAGARA COUNTY.
surface is level. Cayuga and Gill Creeks are the principal streams. The soil is a heavy clay. Goat Island and the American part of Niagara Falls belong to this town. At Suspension Bridge, on the river bank, is a sulphur spring, which has been fitted up for the accommodation of visitors. Niagara Falls, (p. v.,) incorp. July 7, 1848, is situated on Niagara River, at the cataract. It is the terminus of the Rochester & N. F. R. R., of the N. F. & Lewiston R. R., of the Buffalo & N. F. R. R., and of the Canandaigua & N. F. R. R. It contains 5 churches, 1 newspaper office, 11 hotels, and several manufacturing establishments.1 Pop. 2,976. The village owes its ex- istence to its proximity to the great cataract. Thousands of visitors, from every part of the U. S. and from almost every country in the world, annually visit this, one of nature's greatest wonders. Nearly all the business of the community is connected with this periodical visitation, and consists of hotel keeping, livery business, and matters of a kindred nature. A large and by no means unimportant business has grown out of the sale of spar ornaments and fancy articles made by tlie Indians. Niagara City, (Suspension Bridge p.o.,) incorp. June 8, 1854, is situated on Niagara River, 2 mi. below the falls. The Rochester & N. F. R. R. connects at this place with the Lewis- ton & N. F. R. R., and with the Great Western Railway across the Suspension Bridge.2 The vil- lage contains 6 churches, a newspaper office, 15 hotels, and a charitable institution known as the De Veaux College for Destitute Orphans and Children.3 Pop. 1,365. This place participates with Niagara Falls in the business made by the annual influx of visitors to the cataract. No place of equal size on the Continent has a greater amount of hotel accommodations than these. La Salle is a p. o. at the mouth of Cayuga Creek. In the fall of 1678 the French voyageurs La Salle, Tonti, and Father Hennepin, with their companions, established themselves at the mouth of Cayuga Creek and remained until the "Griffin" was launched the following scason.4 Other places along the river were temporarily occupied by the French at different times; but the first permanent settlement was made at Schlosser in 1759, by John Stedman, accompanied by his brothers Wm. and Philip.5 The first religious services were conducted by Father Hennepin, at the time of the French sojourn at Cayuga Creek.6 There are now 12 churches in town.7
PENDLETON®-was formed from Niagara, April 16, 1827. It is the central town on the s. bcrder of the co. The surface is level or gently undulating. Tonawanda Creek forms the s. bounds of the town, and Sawyers Creek crosses the w. part. The soil is generally a clayey loam. Pendleton, (p. o.,) on Tonawanda Creek, contains 1 church and 16 dwellings. Pendleton Center, Beach Ridge, and Mapleton are p. offices. The first settlement was made in 1805, by Jacob Christman.9 There are 5 churches in town.10
PORTER11-was formed from Cambria, June 1, 1812. Wilson was taken off in 1818. It is the most westerly town on the lake shore. Its surface is level. Four Mile and Six Mile Creeks, and the w. branch of Twelve Mile Creek, cross the town in a northerly direction, and Niagara River forms its w. boundary. The soil along the lake shore is composed principally of a marly clay ; in the central and southern parts it is a sandy and gravelly loam. Besides the crops which
I A hydraulic canal has recently been constructed from a point on Niagara River about { mi. above the rapids, diagonally across the point of land upon which the village is situated, to near the river bank & mi. below the falls. Along the bank is a long basin. in which the canal terminates, and from which tho water is discharged through a great number of races into the river below. This canal is } ot a mi. long, 70 ft. wide, and 10 ft. deep, and will maintain a running stream equal in quantity to 2436 cubic ft. per second. The company by whom the canal has been built was organized March 22, 1853, with a capital of $500,000. One of the largest paper mills in the U. S., on Bath Island, was burned during the past year, (1858.)
2 Tbe Niagara Suspension Bridge, which crosses the river at this place, was commenced in 1852 and finished in 1855. It is 821 ft. in length from center to center of the towers, and 247 ft. above the water. It has 2 floors, -the lower for a carriage way, and the upper for a rail way, upon which + rails are so laid as to make tracks of 3 different gauges. The cost of the structure was about $400,000, and the stock of the company $500,000. The first line was got across the river at this place by the aid of a kite. With this a larger cord was drawn over; and finally a rope. upon which pulleys could be run, bearing the wires of which the bridge is composed. The chief engineer was John A. Roebling.
3 The De Veaux College was established according to the pro- visions of the will of Samuel De Veaux, who bequeathed for that purpose personal property to the amount of $154,432 and real estate valued at $36,213, besides 330 acres of inalienable land. The building was erected in 1855-56. It is built of stone, has 2 stories and an attic above the ground story, and a front of 100 ft., with a depth of 54 ft. The members of the school are supplied by the institution with food, clothing, and books. By the pro-
visions of the will of Mr. De Veaux, the president of the college mist always be a clergyman of the Prot. E. Church, and the institute itself under the control of the Diocese of Western New York. Members of the school are appointed by the board of trustees, the children of parents belonging to the Prot. E. Church having the preference. When once received, the children are under the sole charge of the trustees until they attain their ma- jority. See Senate Doc. 1858, No. 118. The college reports an nually to the Legislature.
4 See page 452.
6 During the period of English occupancy a small settlement grew up at Schlosser. There were, besides the Stedman house, (which was a large and spacious 2{ story building.) about 15 other dwellings. The Stedinans moved away in 1795 and left Jesse Ware in possession. Judge Augustus Porter settled at Schlosser in 1806. The first sawmill was built by John Stedman. The first school was taught by Ezekiel Hill, in 1807. 6 In his account of their sojourn Father Hennepin says, "I had one but especially designed for observing prayers in holy- days and Sundays."
7 Bap., Presh., Prot. E., M. E., and R. C. at Niagara Falls, Cong., D. Ref. D., Evang., Prot. E., Presb., and M. E. at Niagara City, and M. E. at Cayuga Creek.
8 Named from Sylvester Pendleton Clark, Ex-Gov. of Grand Island.
" Among the first settlers were Martin Van Slyke and John and Adam Fulmer. The first death was that of Martin Van Slyke, in 1814. S. P. Clark kept the first inn. in 1822, and Jerry Jenks the first store, the same year. The first school was taught by - Dawson, in the winter of 1816.
10 2 M. E., Presb., Inth., and R. C.
11 Named from Judge Augustus Porter.
456
NIAGARA COUNTY.
are common to all parts of this eo., considerable quantities of apples, peaches, and other fruits are raised. Youngstown,1 (p. v.,) incorp. Aug. 22, 1854, is situated on Niagara River, about one mi. from its mouth. It contains 3 churches and has a pop. of 768. Ransomville,? (p. v.,) in the s. E. part of the town, contains 2 churches. Pop. 195. East Porter is a p. o. Fort Niagara' is situated on the lake shore, at the mouth of Niagara River. Transient settlements were made at very early periods by the French at Ft. Niagara ; but no permanent settlement was niade until the early part of the present century." There are 7 churches in town.5
ROYALTON6-was formed from Hartland, April 5, 1817, and a part of Lockport was taken off in 1824. It is the s. E. corner town of the eo. The surface is generally level or undulating, except in the N. part, where the mountain ridge crosses the town. Johnsons, Eighteen Mile, and Mud Creeks take their rise in this town, and the Tonawanda forms its s. boundary. The soil is a clayey loam. Middleport (p. v.) incorporated in 1858, lies partly in Ilartland, but principally in the N. E. part of this town. It is situated upon the Erie Canal, and is a station on the R. & N. F. R. R. It contains 5 churches and has a pop. of 689, (586 in Royalton, 103 in Hartland.) Gasport,8 (p. v.,) situated on the canal near Eighteen Mile Creek, is a station on the R. & N. F. R. R. It contains 1 church and an academy.9 Pop. 273. Orangeport, (p. v.,) on the canal, in the N. w. part of the town, has a pop. of 224; Royalton, (p. v.,) in the central part, of 168: and Reynales Basin, (p. v.,) on the canal, of 132. Locust Tree and South Royal- ton are p. offices. McNalls Corners is a hamlet in the w. part. The first settlement was made in 1803, by Thos. Slayton and Gad Warner.1º The first religious services were held in 1806; the first religious society (Christian) was organized in 1817, and the first church edifice was built the same year.11 There are 12 churches in town.12
SOMERSET-was formed from Hartland, Feb. 8, 1823, and a part of Newfane was taken off in 1824. It is the most eastern town upon the lake shore. The surface is level. Gokleu Ilill and Fish Creeks cross the town in a N. E. direction. The soil is generally a sandy loam ; but in some places it is clayey. Near the mouth of Fish Creek is a small salt spring, from which salt was formerly inade. Somerset, (p. v.,) N. of the center of the town, contains 3 churches aud about 30 dwellings. County Line, on the line of Orleans co., and Lake Road and West Somer- set, are p. offices. The first settlement was made in 1810, by Jacob Fitts and Zacharias Pat- terson.13 The first religious services were conducted by Daniel Shepardson, in 1816, aud the first church (Bap.) was organized in 1820. There are 5 churches in town.14
WHEATFIELD-was formed from Niagara, May 12, 1836. It is the most southerly town in the co., and lies partly on Niagara River and partly on Tonawanda Creek. The surface is level or gently undulating. Cayuga and Sawyers Creeks cross the town, the former in the western part and the latter in the eastern. The soil is generally a hard, clayey loam, difficult to cultivate. About a mi. E. of Tonawanda is a sour spring, and about 2 mi. N. a sulphur spring. A considerable part of the town is yet unimproved. The greater proportion of the population consists of immi- grants from Prussia and other parts of Germany.15 Bergholtz,16 (p. v.,) near the center of the town, contains 1 church and about 80 houses ; Martinsville, (p. v., ) in the s. E. part, 1 church
1 Named from John Young, the first merchant at the place.
2 Named front Clark Ransom, one of the carly settlers. 8 See pages, 45, 452.
4 John Lloyd, who was a soldier stationed at Fort Niagara in 1799, settled in town in 1801, 3 mi. from the fort. Silas Hopkins settled in 1802, Thos. Brown, Elijah Doty, John Clement, and John Waterhouse, in 1803, and John Brown in 1805. Rohert Gurosett kept the first inn, and John Young the first store, in 1808. John Clapsaddle built the first sawmill, in 1816, and tho first gristmill, in 1817. The first school was taught by Wm. "Cogswell. in the winter of 1806.
5 3 M. E .. Bap., Presb., Wes. Meth., and R. C.
6 Named from Royalton, Vt.
7 So named from ita being midway on the canal between " Newport"' (now Albion) and Lock port.
8 So called from the fact that gas escapes from the earth here. This gas is inflam mable; and at one time it was conveyed throughi iron pipes from the spring to a store, which was lighted by it. 9 Founded in 1854.
10 Joslma Slayton. - Elsworth, Louden Andrews, And Alex. Haskins settled in town in 1804. Stephen Bughy, Stephen Hoyt, and Sam'l Capon. in 1905, and Barnum Treadwell in 1806. The first birth was that of Dan'l Vaughn; the first marriage, that of Henry Elsworth and Polly Cornish. in the spring of 1810; And the first death, that of - Elsworth, in 1804. Gad Warner built the first sawmill, in 1817. Tho first tavern was opened in J809, by -- Fisk.
11 This was one of the first churches upon the Holland Pur-|
chase. It was painted red, and was called " The Red Meeting House."
12 3 M. E .. Bap., Christian, Cong., F.W. Bap., Luth., Presb., R. C., Univ., and Wes. Metli.
13 Archibald Whitton, Philip Fitts, and Truman and David Mndgett settled in the town the same year. The first birth was that of Delilah Fitts, in 1811; the first marriage, that of John Sherwood and Rebecca Mead, in 1817; and the first death, that of Philip Fitts, in 1814. Josiah S. Bailey opened the first inn, in 1817, And Jos. M. Carpenter the first store, in 1823. The first saw- mill was built by John Randolph, in 1822, and the first gristmill by Archibald McDowell, in 1826. The first school was taught by Marston Sherwood, in the winter of 1817.
14 2 Bap., Friends. Presb., and M. E.
15 They nearly all cultivate the soil; but their farms are usually very small, consisting generally of not more than 5 to 10 Heres. They retain in a great measure their own manners. cus- toms, and nationality. They have their own churches and schools: their pastors and schoolmasters came from Germany with thein. and derman is the language of the, pulpit and the schoolroom. Their houses are nearly all one story. rough framed buildings, unclapboarded, and filled in with unburned bricks. Several of them are built of hewn logs, the crevices filled with clay; and some are clapboarded on the gable ends down as far As the level of the caves.
16 These villages were named from places of the same names in Germany.
457
NIAGARA COUNTY.
and about 60 houses; Johnsburg, in the central part, 1 church and about 50 houses; and Walmore,1 (p. v.,) in the N. w. corner of the town, 2 churches and 12 houses. These are straggling German villages. Shawnee, (p. v.,) in the N. E. corner of the town, contains 1 church and 15 houscs. Tonawanda, (p. v.,) on the line of Erie co., lics partly within this town. The first settlement was made by Geo. Van Slyke, in 1802, at the mouth of Tonawanda Creek.2 There are 7 churches in town.3
WILSON4-was formed from Porter, April 10, 1818, and a part of Newfanc was taken off in 1824. It is situated on the lake shore, N. w. of the center of the co. The surface is level. The E. branch of Twelve Mile Creek5 crosses the town near the center, and the w. branch in the N. w. part. The soil is a sandy and clayey loam. Wilson, (p. v.,) incorp. June 25, 1858, is situated on the E. side of Twelve Mile Creek, near its mouth. It contains 3 churches and the Wilson Collegiate Institute. Pop. 666. East Wilson, South Wilson, and North Wilson are p. offices. The first settlement was made in 1810, by Stephen Sheldon, Reuben Wilson, - Goodman, John Eastman, and Gilbert Purdy.6 The first church (Presb.) was organized Jan. 18, 1819. There are now 3 churches in town ; Bap., Presb., and M. E.
Aeres of Land, Valuation, Population, Dwellings, Families, Freeholders, Schools, Live Stock, Agricultural Products, and Domestie Manufactures, of Niagara County.
ACRES OF LAND.
VALUATION OF 1858.
POPULATION.
SCHOOLS.
NAMES OF TOWNS.
Improved.
Unimproved.
Real Estate.
Personal
Property.
Total.
Males.
Females.
No. of Dicellinga.
No. of Families.
Freeholders.
No. of
Children
taught.
Cambria
17,214
5.767
$760,557
$47.890
$808,447
1,125
1.091
392
407
287
12
727
Hartland
20,8364
9,600
839.722
41.300
881,022
1,527
1.506
608
642
523
18
1,160
Lewiston.
15,812
6,519₴
724.371
67.732
792,103
1,665
1.595
530
581
250
13
1,214
Lockport
21,8134
13,5$4}
2,689,229
474.400 32.065
850.247
1.641
1,523
618
619
340
16
1.217
Niagara
6,7544
6,088 6,1694
420.049
27,100
447,149
972
854
374
359
272'
8
772
Porter.
14.014
5,721
597.597
21.550
619.147
1,362
1.291
484
484
336.
11
979
Royalton
27,7484
12,968
1,253.211
102,791
1,356.002
2,598
2.332
905
931
600
21
1,561
Somerset.
18,202
5,313
555,161
38.950
594,111
952
971
379
378
275'
14
780
Wheatfield.
10,7681
10,937
866,310
833,800
1,700.110
1.641
1,511
616
675
522
1.070
Wilson.
21,768
8.269}
802,867
27.104
829,971
1.739
1,553
650
622
492
17
1.25S
Total
207,043; 101.110 |
11,775,382
1.999,382 13.774.764 24,810
23.472
8.698
8,951
5.979 | 165
17.725
LIVE STOCK.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.
NAMES OF TOWNS.
Поглел.
Working
O.ren and
Calves.
Co108.
Sheep.
Svine.
Winter.
Spring.
Tons of Hay.
Bushels of
Potatoes.
Bushels of
Pounds
Butter.
Pounds
Cheese.
Domestic Cloths, in yards.
Canıbria
946
1,768
1,018
5,316
1,369
67,773
89,816
3.499
22.343
35.352
98.077 12.280
211
Hartland.
1.301
1,696
1,196
9,090
2.221
20,201
88,124
3,8014
33.865
22,514
110.450 12.353
2,182
Lewiston.
2.79S
1,151
746
5,034
1,418
68.238
63,962
3.436
18.884
26.900
76.322
405
775
Lockport.
1,634
1,555
1,540
6,834
3,207
59,320+
120.453분
5.400
29.513
30,191
124,265
4.170
707
Newfane.
1,177
1,837
1,082
8,243
2,031
56,661
94,506%
3.342}
29,714
15,441
91.246
3,460
1.218
Niagara.
562
535
485
800
848 932
28,540
62.968}
1.627
8,526
6,939
46.434
1.351
469
Porter
824
1,054
720
5,327
1,389
69,291
47,7974
2.893}
18,724
19,868
66,779
3.697
12
Royalton
1,635
1,900
1,479 12,450
2,701
41,480₺
171,280
6,337₴
30,874¿
49,217
154,271 17,813
2,498
Somerset.
966
1,376
816
9,929
1,514
38,021
54,593₺
2.453}
21,927 ₺
18,065
70.063
6,711
1,214₺
Wheatfield
606
992
887
2,028
1,566
35,090
68,305
2.5954
19.475
4,629
50.515
820
574
Wilson ....
1,293
1,853
1,151
11,197
2,569
84.672
103,288
4,056
34,697
20,947
127,499
8,383
1,506}
Total
14,334 16,530 11,708 78,359 21,765 590,925
1.002,271
41,1174 275,448
255,997 1,038,307 71.443
11,499
1 See note 16, p. 456.
2 John Harvey and - Walton settled in the town in 1807, and Geo. Burgher, Jacob Stoner, and Wm. Scott, in 1809. James Field kept the first inn, in 1808, and Judge Wilkinson the first store. in 1822. The first sawmill was built by Col. Jobn Sweeney, iu 1825.
84 Evang. Luth., Bap., M. E., and Mennonite.
4 Named from Reuben Wilson, one of the earliest settlers, and the first supervisor.
5 In 1811, about 4 mi. from the mouth of this creek, in the lake,
a few rods from the shore, Mr. Goodman found a 4 1b. French swivel, loaded with a ball and 3 grape shot. A large pile of bul- lets nud considerable quantities of ballast iron were subsequently found on the shore near by.
6 The first birth was that of Warren Wilson, in 1811. Joshna Williams and Daniel Sheldon built the first sawmill, in 1815, and Reuben and Luther Wilson the first gristmill. in 1824 Benj. Douglas opened the first store, in 1817, and T. T. Upton the first inn, in 1818. The first school was an evening school for adults, taught by Luther Wilson during Jan. aud Feb. 1817.
22,386
132
Pendleton
592
813
588
2,111
21,637
37,1762
1,675%
6.905
5,934
2,286
1,613
18
5,011
Newfane.
22,268₺
10,173
1,448,126
284.700
1,732,826
2.913
2.544
SOS
967
439
1.986
Pendleton.
9,843}
818,182
3,163,629
6,675
6,711
2,364
Di5|Districts.
BUSH. OF GRAIN.
DAIRY PRODUCTS.
Apples.
ONEIDA COUNTY.
THIS county was formed from Herkimer, March 15, 1798. Lewis (DA and Jefferson were taken off in 1805, and a part of Oswego in 1816. Portions were annexed to Clinton in 1801 and to Madison in 1836. A portion of Chenango was annexed in 1804.1 It lies Scal ncar the center of the State, 100 mi. from Albany, and contains 1,215 sq. mi. A broad valley, nearly level, extends E. and w. through the center of the co., and from it, both N. and s., the surface rises into a broken and hilly region. The highlands which occupy the W 8. part are arranged in ridges extending N. and s., the highest sum- mits, on the s. border, being 600 to 1,000 ft. above the valley of the Mohawk. North of the central valley the surface rises abruptly to a height of 800 to 1,200 ft., and spreads out into a nearly level plateau, broken by the ravines of the streams. The E. part of the central valley is drained by the Mohawk, flowing E., and the w. part by Wood Creek, flowing w. This valley affords a natural road from the Hudson to the great lakes, and is the lowest pass through the Appalachian Mt. system. The Mohawk rises upon the N. border of the co., and flows in a southerly direction to Rome, and thence s. E. to the E. border of the co. Its principal tributaries from the N. are Nine Mile Creek and Lansing Kil, and from the s. Sauquoit and Oriskany Creeks. Black River flows across the N. E. corner of the co. East Canada Creek forms a portion of the E. boundary ; the head branches of the Unadilla and Chenango drain the s. border, and Oneida, Wood, and Fish Creeks drain the w. part. Oneida Lake, extending several mi. along the w. border, is the only large body of water in the co. In the extreme N. E. corner are scveral small lakes and ponds.
The rocks of this co. include nearly the whole scries lying between the gneiss, which covers the N. E. part, and the Hamilton group, which outcrops on the s. hills. The Trenton limestone, Utica slate, Oneida conglomerate, and Clinton group have received their names from being so distinctly developed in this co. Of useful minerals the co. has the lenticular clay iron ore of the Clinton group, bog ore in the swamps near Oneida Lake, and, probably, magnetic ore in the N. E. part. Marl and peat have been found in some places. Waterlime and gypsum quarries have been wrought to some extent. Building stone in great variety and of superior quality has been exten- sively quarried. Mineral springs are found in several places. The soil in the N. E., derived from the disintegration of the primitive rocks, is light and sandy, and is capable of producing only a scanty vegetation. This region is sparsely settled, and is not capable of supporting many in- habitants. The central valley is one of the most fertile portions of the State. The soil is a fine quality of sandy and gravelly loam and alluvium, finely tempercd with lime and gypsum. The highland region s. of the river has a soil composed of clay and sandy and gravelly loam, and is best adapted to pasturage. The richness and diversity of the soil make this co. one of the best agricultural regions of the State. The people are chiefly engaged in agriculture, the principal branches of which are grain raising in the valleys and dairying and stock raising upon the hills. Hops are largely cultivated in the s. towns. The manufactures of the co. are extensive, though principally confined to Utica and the villages along Oriskany and Sauquoit Creeks.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.