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 26
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
PARIS15 -- was formed from Whitestown, April 10, 1792. Brookfield, Hamilton, and a part of
1 Named from Lee, Mass, whence some of the early settlerH came.
2 Sometimes called " Nisbeta Corners, " and " Lee corners. "
" Among the early settlers were David Smith, John and Benj. Spinning, Stephen and Nicholas Salisbury, Nathan Barlow, Wm. Taft, Dan. and Seth Miller, Frederic Sprague, - Hall, Jag. Young, Chas. Gifford, Elisha Parke, and - Potter. The first birthi was that of Fenner Sheldon, in 1791; the first inar- riage, that of Dan. Miller and Amy Taft ; the first death, that of Job Kaird, in 1798. David Smith built the first sawmill, at Delta, and Gen. Floyd the first gristmill, in 1796.
4 There are 4 churches in town; 2 M. E., Friends, and Union. 6 Named from William L. Marcy, since Governor of the State.
6 James, Thos., Isaac, and Jacob Wilson and - Tull were early settlers. The first death was that of Jobn Wilson, in the fall of 1793. - Camp kept the first inn, about 1810; and John F. Allen built the first mill, about 1825.
7 2 Cong .. 2 Bap., M. E., and Calv. Meth.
8 Nained from Thos. Dean, long an agent of the Brothertown Indiana.
9 The Brothertown Indians were settled previous to the Revolution on a reservation In this town and Kirkland given them by the Oneidas. They were remnants of New England. Hudson River, and Long Island Indians, who were collected toward the close of the Colonial period, and numbered, when first removed hither, about 400 sonla. Coming from many dif. ferent stocks, they adopted the English language and some of
the arts of civilized life. They were mostly scattered during the war, but afterward returned, and many of them became thrifty farmers; but the greater part acquired the vices of the whites, and a part of them sold out and went to Green Bay. In 1850 the last of the tribe bade udien to their homes and moved West, Among the early white settlers were Warren Williams, Ilezekiah Eastman, Capt. Simeon Hubbard, and Levi Baker. The first birth was that of Col. Lester Baker.
10 It was called the Hanover Society; and their edifice, after standing 40 years, was rebuilt in 1841. There are now 4 churches in town ; 2 Cong., M. E., and Univ.
11 The "Utica Cotton Mills" have a capital of $100,000, run 8,000 spindles and 150 looms and employ 190 hands, and turn out 1.800,000 yds. of cloth annually. They have a dry house, machine shop, and gas works.
12 This establishment has a capital invested of $40,000, and employs 80 hands.
13 Among the early settlers were Asahel Beach, Amos Ives, Solomon Blodget, Salmon Butler, Joel Blair. Agift Hill, - Wyman. Stephen Bushnell, Oliver Collins, Joseph Jennings, Joseph Higley, Nathan Seward, John French, - Kellogg, -- Risley - Olmstead, - Seymour, - Butler, - Ilurlbut, -- Kilborn, and - Montague. Jedediah Sanger built the first mill.
14 Presb., M. E., Prot. E., Bap., Union, and Friends.
15 Named by the inhabitants in acknowledgment of the kind- ness of Isaac Paris, a merchant of Fort Plain, who, in the year
30
466
ONEIDA COUNTY.
Cazenovia, (Madison eo.,) Sherburne, (Chenango co.,) and Sangerfield, were taken off in 1795, and Kirkland in 1827. A part of Kirkland was annexed in 1839. It lies on the E. border, near the S. E. corner of the eo. Its surface is a hilly upland, broken by the valley of Sauquoit Creek. The hills bordering the valley are 200 to 400 ft. high, and their deelivities are generally steep. Sau- quoit Creek flows N. through the town, E. of the center. The soil is a sandy, calcareous loam. East Sanquoit and West Sauquoit, (Sauquoit p. o.,) contiguous villages on opposite sides of Sauquoit Creek, contain 2 churches, extensive cotton factories,1 2 paper mills in the immediate vieinity,2 2 sawmills, a gristmill, a tannery, and 690 inhabitants. Clayville, (p. v.,) near the center, contains a church, 2 furnaces, an agricultural implement manufactory,3 extensive woolen mills,4 and 817 inhabitants. Cassville, (p. v.,) near the s. border, contains a church, gristmill, tub factory, and 40 houses; Paris Hill, (Paris p. o.,) in the w. part, a church and 30 houses ; Holman City, in the E. part, a furnace, a whiffletree iron manufactory, and 12 houses. The first settlement eommeneed in 1789.5 The first church (Cong.) was formed in 1791, by Rev. Jona- than Edwards; Rev. Eliphalet Steele was the first pastor. There are now 8 churches in town.6
REMSENT-was formed from Norway, (Herkimer eo.,) March 15, 1798. A part of Steuben was annexed in 1809. It is the N. E. corner town of the eo. Its surface is an elevated upland, broken by hills and ridges and with a mean elevation of 1,200 to 2,000 ft. above tide. Black River and its tributaries drain the central and N. parts ; and West Canada Creek forms a small part of the s. E. boundary. Otter, Long, and White Lakes are in the N. part. The soil is generally a light, sandy loam. A large part of the town is still covered by the primitive forests forming a portion of the great Northern Wilderness. Remsen, (p. v.,) a station on the B. R. & U. R. R., in the s. w. eorner, contains a church, furnace, steam inill, and 510 inhabitants. Forest Port, (p.v.,) on the line of Boonville, contains 20 houses. Port Woodhull is a hamlet. The first settle- ment commenced in 1792, by Barnabas Mitehell.8 There are 12 churches in town.9
ROME-was formed from Steuben, March 4, 1796. It lies upon the Mohawk, a little w. of the eenter of the eo. Its surface is level, and some portion of the w. part is low and marshy. The Mohawk flows s. E. through the E. part, and Wood Creek flows w. through the N. w. part.10 Fish Creek forms the N. w. boundary. The soil is generally a highly productive, gravelly loam. Rome, (p. v.,) upon the Mohawk, s. E. of the center of the town, was incorp. March 26, 1819. It is a half- shire of the eo., and it contains the co. buildings, 12 churches, 4 banks, 2 newspaper offices, the Rome Academy, and several manufactories.11 It is the s. terminus of the W. R. & C. V. R. R. and of the Black River Canal, and is an important station upon the Central R. R. and the Erie Canal. Pop. 7,083. West Rome is a thickly settled suburb just w. of the limits of Rome. Stanwix, (p. v.,) a canal village, contains about 15 houses. Greens Corners is a station on the Central R. R., near the s. w. corner. Ridge Mills, near the center, contains 15 dwellings; and North Rome is a hamlet. The first settlement was made at the "Carrying Placc," before the 12French
of scarcity, 1789, supplied them with Virginia corn on a liberal | the State; and, including their children of American birthi, the credit, and finally accepted payment in such produce as they were enabled to supply.
1 The "Quaker Woolen Factory," established in 1812. In 1827 it cominenced the manufacturo of cotton, and now em- ploye 100 hands, runs 110 looms, and can inake 3.000 yards per day. The same Co. have another mill, that employs 50 hauds and runs 60 loonis.
2 These inills employ 30 hauds, and make about 1} tons of printing paper daily.
$ The manufacture of scythes was commenced in 1834. The business has since been largely increased; aud at present about $200,000 is invested in the works. Scythes, hoes, forks, and other farming tools are extensively manufactured.
4 The woolen mills were started in 1843. They manufacture hroadcloths and blankets, and employ 80 hands.
5 The first settlement was made by Capt. Rice. Among the early settlers were Benj'n Barnes and his son Benjamin, John Inmarton, Stephen Barnet, Aaron Adams. Abiel Simnions. Phineas Kellogg, Jolin and Sylvester Butler, Asa Shepard, Kirkland Griffin, and Benjamin Merrill. The first death was that of Wm. Swan, in 1790. Abner Bacon kept the first inn, and James Orton the first store. in 1802.
6 2 3I. E .. 2 Prot. E., 2 Cong., Bap., and Presb.
Named from IIenry Remsen, Patentee of Remsenburgh. The town embraces most of Reisenburgh Patent, and portions of Easton's Woodhull's, Service's, and other tracts.
Welsh number more than half the population. The first birth was that of Polly Mitchell ; and the first death, that of Capt. Peck. Broughtou White kept the first store, in 1803.
9 5 Calv. Meth., 3 Cong., 2 M. E., and 2 Bap.
10 Between the Mohawk and Wood Creek was a portage of about 1 mi. in length over level ground. Early in the last century propositions were made to build a road across this point ; aud in 1796 the Western Inland Navigation Co. constructed a canal between the two streams, and the route speedily became the great thoroughfare of travel. This canal was most of the way on the line of the present Erie Canal, through the village. The Indians called the place De-o-wain-sta, "a carrying place for canoes." Wood Creek was called Ka ne-go-dick. The old canal was constructed under the superintendence of Peter Colt.
11 The principal manufactories are a plow factory, foundery, planing mill, several sawuiills, and the repair shops of the W. R. & C. V. R. R.
12 The first settlers came in at an early period, but their names are unknown. John Roof and -- Brodock were engaged in the carrying trade at this place in 1760. The former was first store and inn keeper. Jedediah Phelps, Jolin Barnard. George and llenry Huntington, Joshua Hathaway, Dr. Stephen White, Roswell Fellows. Matthew Brown, sen. and jun .. Seth Rauney, David Brown, Ebenezer. Daniel W., and Thomas Wright. Thomay Selden, Solomon and John Williams, Peter Colt, Win. Colbrath, Abijalı and Clark Putnam. Caleb Reynolds, Rufus Easton, Thos. Gilbert, Moses Fish. Stephen Lampinan. Jeremiah Steves, and Jolin Niles were early settlers .- Jones's Annals, p. 372. The first birth was in the family of Jolin Roof, Aug. 28, 1769. The first sawmill was erected in 1758, and the first gristmill in 1795. A
8 Among the early settlers were John Bomter, Nath'l Rock- wood, Bettis Le Clerc, Perez Farr, and Jonalı Dayton, in 1793. In 1808, David Mound. John Gas. Griffith 1. Jones, John Oweus, and Hugh Hughes, Welsh inimigrants, settled, and were soon followed by a large immigration of their countrymen. This . State Arsenal was erected here in 1808, on the present site of St. town contains more natives of Wales than any other town in ! Peter's Church. The U. S. erected au arsenal and workshop a
467
ONEIDA COUNTY.
War of 1755. The subsequent history of the place is full of ineidents of general interest.1 The first church (Cong.) was formed Sept. 5, 1800.2
SANGERFIELD3-was formed from Paris, March 5, 1795. Bridgewater was taken off in 1797. It was transferred from Chenango to Oneida co. April 4, 1804. It is the w. town on the s. line of the co. Its surface is a moderately lilly upland, 700 to 800 ft. above the Mohawk at Utica. The streams are small, and flow N. to the Mohawk and s. to Chenango River. The soil in the valleys is a rich alluvium, and on the hills a gravelly loam. Waterville,' (p. v.,) near the N. border, contains 4 churches, a bank, an academy, a newspaper office, a saw and grist mill, distillery, and 1,109 inhabitants. Sangerfield Center (Sangerfield p. o.) contains a church and 30 houses ; and Stockwell Settlement, in the s. part, about 20 houses. The first settle- ment was commenced by Zerah Phelps, from Mass., in 1791.5 There are now 7 churches in town.6
STEUBEN' was formed from Whitestown, April 10, 1792. A part of Mexico (Oswego co.) was annexed, and Floyd and Rome were taken off, in 1796; and Leyden (Lewis co.) and Western in 1797. Parts of Steuben's Tract in Western and Remsen were annexed in 1803; and a part was annexed to Remsen in 1809. It lies in the interior, N. E. of the center of the co. Its surface is a hilly, broken upland, rising 800 to 1,200 feet above the Mohawk.8 The streams are small. Cincin- nati Creek rises in the interior, and forms part of the E. boundary. The soil is a gravelly loam ; and boulders are numerous. Quarries are worked, from which a good quality of building stone is obtained. Steuben Corners (Steuben p. o.) is a hamlet, in the s. part. Steuben Station, on the B. R. & U. R. R., is on the line of Boonville. The first settlement was commenced in 1789,9 under Baron Steuben. The census reports 7 churches in town.10
TRENTON-was formed from Schuyler, (Herkimer co.,) March 24, 1797. It lies upon the w. bank of West Canada Creek, near the center of the E. border of the co. The surface rises from the creek to the height of 400 to 600 feet ; and from the summits it spreads out into an upland broken by ridges of drift. Cincinnati Creek flows through the N. part, and Nine Mile Creek through the s. part. The soil is a sandy and clayey loam, best adapted to grazing. The celebrated Trenton - Falls, upon West Canada Creek, are within the limits of this town.11 Trenton,12 (p. v., ) upon Cincinnati Creek, at the mouth of Steuben Creek, contains 3 churches and 50 houses. Trenton Falls, (p. v.,) a short distance below the Falls, contains a church, gristmill, sawmill, and 20 houses. South Trenton, (p. v.,) upon the old Utica turnpike, contains 2 churches and 30 houses. Holland Patent, 13 (p. v., ) in the w. part of the town, is a station upon the B. R. &
little w. of the village, in 1813, under the direction of Major James Dalliba. It is still owned by the General Government, hut is not in use. In 1784, Gen. Washington came thus far on a tonr of business and pleasure. He, in company with Geo. Clinton, owned a tract of land in this co. of about 2,000 acres. comprising a part of Coxborough and Carolina Townships in the town of Westmoreland.
1 Fort Williams, on the Mohawk, and Fort Bull, on Wood Creek, were built on the line between Albany and Oswego about 1725. Fort Bull was surprised by M. De Lery and a party of French and Indiaus, numbering 362 men, March 27, 1756. The English lost the fort and all the stores which it contained, and 90 men. Forts Williams and Craven, located on the Mo- hawk, just below Rome, were destroyed by Gen. Webb in 1756, after the reduction of Oswego by the French. Fort Stanwix Was hegun July 23. 1758. by Brigadier Gen. John Stanwix, of the royal army. It was a square work, with bastions at the corners, and stood a few rods s. of the present park in the village. It was of earth and timber. surrounded by a ditch and mounted with heavy cannon. In June, 1776, Col. Dayton took possession of it and named it Fort Schuyler. It was besieged in 1777 by St. Leger. Within the last few years the ground upon which the fort stood has been leveled; and not a vestige of it now remains. Fort Newport was a small square fort on Wood Creek, built in the French War. An octagonal blockhouse was built about 1795. during the alarm from Western Indian wars.
2 The census reports 17 churches : 5 Calv. Meth., 2 Bap .. 2 M. E., 2 Presb., 2 R. C., Ev. Lnth, Germ. Meth .. Prot. E., and Eniv.
3 Named from Jedediah Sanger the pioneer of Now Hartford, who gave 50 acres of land to the first church. This town is No. 20 of the Chenango 20 Townships. and. together with No. 18 and part of 19, was purchased in 1790-91 by Michael Myers, J. Sanger, and John J. Morgan, for 3 shillings and 3 shillings 3 pence per acre. Much of it was settled under perpetual leases.
4 Called by the Indians Ska-na-wis. " Large Swamp."
6 - Hale and wife, and Nathan Gurney, came in in 1792; and Benj. White, Phineas Owen, Sylvanns Dyer, Asahel Bellows. Nathaniel Ford, Henry Knowlton, Jonathan Stratton, -- Clark, Col. David Norton, and about 30 others. in 1794. The first birth was that of a daughter of '%. Phelps, in 1792; the first marriage, that of Sylvanus Dyer and Hannah Norton ; and the first death, that of Syhil Knowlton. Polly Dyer tanght the first school; and .Justus and Ebenezer Hale kept the first inn and store. The Arst store in Waterville was kept by Sylvanus Dyer, in 1793.
6 2 Cong., M. E., Prot. E., Presb., Bap .. and R. C. 7 Named from Baron Stenben. In May. 1756. the Legislature granted him 16,000 acres iu this town. He settled soon after, huilt a log house, and collected a colony of tenants. but did not live to see his contemplated improvements carried out. He was struck by paralysis Nov. 25, 1799, and died 3 days after. He was wrapped in his cloak and laid in the earth with his star of knighthood upon his breast. Shortly before La Fayette's visit in 1826. his remains were taken up and re-interred under a tablet upon raised masonry. Ilis property was mostly bequeathed to Wm. North and Benj. Walker, his aids. His library was given to a young man named Mulligan. Col. Walker gave a Welsh Bap. Society a lease of 50 acres of land, 5 of which was woodland, around the grave. with no other rent than the obligation to keep this woodland fenced and the range of animals prevented therein. This condition is carefully observed.
8 Starrs Ilill is the highest point in the co. On a clear day, Lake Ontario, parts of 7 counties, and the buildings of Hamilton College can be seen from its summit.
9 Samuel Sizer. Capt. Simeon Fuller, and David Starr were early settlers. The first birth was that of Stephen Brooks. jr .; and the first marriage, that of William Case and - Platt. The town was extensively settled by Welsh immigrants. A religious magazine, (Welsh,) " Y Cenhadwr Americanidd," is published in town. 10 2 M. E., 2 Cong .. 2 Bap .. and Calv. Moth.
11 This favorite place of resort was first brought to public notice by John Sherman, proprietor of the first juiblic hotel for visitors, erected in 1922. The falls are less interesting fr in the volume of water and height of fall than for the prewfur wild- ness of the surrounding scenery. The ravine through which the stream flows is worn through the Trenton limestone to the depth of 70 to 200 ft. The sides are nearly perpendicular: and the water descends by 5 distinct cascades a total depth of 200 ft. in the space of half a mile. The Indian names Ka-na-ta. "dark brown water." and Kuy-a-ho-ra. " slanting water," have been applied to this place. Trenton Village was called One-tia dah- que. "in the bone."
12 Incorp. April 19. 1819, as " Oldenbarnevelt !. " and chanzed April 26, 1833, to its present name. Its first name was given by Boon, in memory of a Dutch patriot and statesmau who per- ished on the scaffold in 1619. aged 82 .- Jones's Oneida.p. 449.
18 Named from Henry, Lord Holland. patentee of 20,000 acres, principally in this town. lle sold to Seth and llorace Jolinson aud Andrew Cragie.
468
ONEIDA COUNTY.
U. R. R. It contains 6 churches, the Holland Patent Academy, and 353 inhabitants. Pros- pect, (p. v.,) on West Canada Creek, above the Falls, contains 2 churches, Prospect Academy, an extensive sawmill, a tannery, and 60 houses. Stittsville, (p. v.,) on the line of Marey, in the s. w. corner of the town, contains a church, cotton factory, sawmill, tannery, and about 40 houses. It is a station upon the B. R. & U. R. R. Settlement was commeneed in 1793, by Gerrit Boon, from Holland.1 The first church (Presb.) was formed soon after; Rev. - Fish was the first pastor.2
TH
0
UTICA'-was incorp. as a village April 3, 1798. It was formed as a town, from Whitestown, April 7, 1817, and was incorp. as a city Feb. 13, 1832. It lies upon the s. bank of the Mohawk, on the E. border of the co. A wide intervale extends along the river ; and from it the surface rises in gradual slopes toward the s. w. It lies upon the Erie Canal, and is the N. terminus of the Chenango Canal. It is an important station upon the N. Y. C. R. R., and the s. terminus of the B. R. & U. R. R. It is the center of one of the best agricultural sections of the State; and its trade is extensive. It is largely engaged in manu- factures, among which are cotton and woolen goods, millstones, screws, musical instruments, telegraphie apparatus, and a great variety of other artieles.4
The City Hall is a fine, large, brick building on Genesee St., s. of the eanal. It contains a large publie hall, common couneil room, and rooms for the several city officers.
The Public Schools are under the charge of a Superintendent and Board of Education. They are graded, and include all departments from the primary to a thorough academie course. They employ 45 teachers,-6 males and 39 females. The whole number of children between the ages of 4 and 21 is 8,000, of which 3,226, or 40 per eent., attend school during some portion of the year. The total expenses of the schools for 1858 were $15,546.82. The number of volumes in the distriet libraries is 3,018.
The Utica Academy, long an independent school, now constitutes the Iligh School of the publie school system of the eity.
The Utica Female Academy is a flourishing institution, situated between Washington St. and Broadway, near Genesee St. It was founded in 1837, and its property is valued at $25,000.
The Academy of the Assumption is under the care of the Brothers of the Christian Sehools.
The Statc Lunatic Asylum is located upon a large lot on an eminence near the w. line of the city. It receives insane persons subject to eo. charge, where there is a reasonable prospect of relief, and such others as its accommodations will admit. Until recently it has received insane eonviets; but this elass will hercafter be sent to the asylum built for that purpose at Auburn. The average number of inmates during the last 16 years has been 381 annually.5
1 Boon was an enterprising pioneer and agent of the Holland | Land Company, the same that purchased in Western New York. Alone, or with Le Roy, Bayard, Mc Evers. and Busti, he purchased in trust for that company 46,057 acres of Outhoudt's Patent. 6.026 of Stenben's Patent. 1,200 of Machin's Patent, and 23,609 of Servis's Patent. The last named, lying mostly in this town, was granted in 1768 to Peter Servis and 24 others for the benefit of Sir Win. Johnson. This tract was conveyed by the trustees above named to the Holland Company in 1Sol. Among the other early settlers were Col. Adam G. Mappa. Dr. Fr. A. Vander- kemp, Judge John Storrs, Col. Robert Hicks, Peter Schuyler, John P. Little, Cheney and John Garrett, Wm. Rollo. Col. Thos. Ilieks, Edward Hugbes. and Hugh Thomas. Boon returned to Iloiland, where he died many years after. The first child born was Adam Parker. in 1796; the first marriage, that of Jacob Joyce and Widow Peck; and the first death, that of - Nelson, in 1795.
" The census reports 15 churches; 4 M. E., 3 Bap., 2 Presb., (O. S .. ) Bap .. Cong .. Caly. Meth., Prot. E., Union, and Unita.
3 The Indians called the locality Ya-nun-da-da-sis, or U-nun- da-ga-ges. " around the hill." After an old steckade, built in early times, was razed, it was called Teva-dah-ah-to-da-gue, " ruin of fort."
4 The Eagle Mills give employment to 120 hands, and produce 1,500,000 yards of cotton cloth annually.
The Flin Strum fatto Mills employ 330 hands, and produce 1,100 yds, of cotton cloth daily.
The Utica Winken Mills employ 150 hands, and use 350,000 Ibs. of wool in the manufacture of cassimeres annually.
The Utica Steam Walen Co. gives employment to 250 hands, and uses 1.800 lbs. of wool per day.
The Ulica Server Manufacturing Co. employs 50 hands, and turns out goods to the amount of $60,000 annually.
The Utica Millstone Manufactory and Plaster Mills give em- ployment to 50 men, and turn out $60,000 worth of products annually.
The city also contains extensive manufactories of starch, flour, clothing, organs, pianos, castings, machinery, stone ware, fire brick, carpets, oilcloths, leather, lumber, heer, and cigars.
6 An asylum of this kind was recommended by the Governor in 1880, aud was annually urged by its friends, until an act was passed, March 10, 1836, appointing 3 commissioners to purchase a site not exceeding $10,000 in valne, and to contract for build- ing. N. Dayton, C. McVean, and R. Withers were appointed; and in 1837 a farin of 130 acres was bought at the joint expense of the State and tho citizens of Utica, ($6,300 of $16,300,) and in that year Wmn. Clarke, Francis E. Spinner, and Elam Lynds were appointed commissioners to erect buildings. The hrst plan (prepared by Clarke) embraced 4 buildings. each 550 feet long, facing outward, connected by open verandas, and in- closing a court of about 13 acres. The main building was erected and tho foundations were laid, when the plan was re- duced and attention given to finishing the main building. By act of April 7, 1842, the asylumn was put in charge of 9 managers, appointed for a term of 3 years each by the Gov. and Senate, a majority of whom must reside within 5 mi. of the asylum. Dr. Amariah Brigham was chosen Superintendent, and upon his death (Sept. 8, 1849) Dr. Nathan D. Benedict suc- ceeded. The present Superintendent is Dr. John P. Gray, who was appointed in 1853.
The building was partially destroyed by a fire set by one of the inmates July 14, 1857. The walls remained standing, and the premises have been refitted withont interruption of opera- tions, and with improvements far exceeding in safety and con- venience those that were destroyed. The sum of $68,742 was granted in 1858 to rebuild the premises; and the labor is now
469
ONEIDA COUNTY.
Besides the foregoing institutions, there are in the city 10 private schools, 5 banks, and 24 churches.1
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.