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 39
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CARLTON-was formed from Gaines and Ridgeway, April 13, 1822, as "Oak Orchard." 1ts name was changed in 1825. It lies on the lake shore, between Kendall and Yates, and is crossed in a N. E. direction by Oak Orchard and Johnsons Creeks. The surface is level, and the soil generally sandy. Salt water has been discovered near West Carlton.3 Carlton,6 (p. o.,) East Carlton, (p. o.,) West Carlton, (p.o.,) Waterport, (p. o.,) Kenyonville, Carlton Center, and Manilla are hamlets. Settlement was commeneed in 1803, by two brothers, James and William Walsworth,-the former at the mouth of Oak Orchard Creek, the latter on Johnsons Creek. Mat- thew Dunham and his sons Matthew, James, and Charles, from N. Y. City, settled near Johnsons Creek in the fall of 1803.7 'The first church (M. E.) was organized at West Carlton, about 1816.8
CLARENDON-was formed from Sweden, Monroe co., Feb. 23, 1821. It is the s. E. corner town of the co. The E. branch of Sandy Creek rises in the Tonawanda Swamp and flows N. Upon this stream are two waterfalls,-one at the village of Clarendon and the other in the N. part of the town. Along the line of the mountain ridge the surface is broken, and elsewhere it is gently rolling or level. The soil is a sandy loam; in the N. stony. Limestone for building purposes and hydraulic limestone have been obtained at Clarendon. Clarendon9 (p. v.) contains 2 churches, a limited number of manufactories,10 and about 30 dwellings. The first settlement was made in 1811, at the village of Clarendon, by Eldridge Farwell.11 There are now 3 churches in town.12
GAINES33-was formed from Ridgeway, Feb. 14, 1816. Barre was taken off in 1818, and a part of Carlton in 1822. It is the central town in the co. It is crossed by Otter and Marsh Creeks, branches of the Oak Orchard, and by the w. branch of Sandy Creek. The lake ridge extends E. and w. through the center. The surface is level and the soil sandy. Eagle Harbor, (p. v., ) on the Erie Canal, contains 2 churches, 2 flouring mills, and a large stave factory and cooperage. Pop. 639,-509 in Gaines and 130 in Barre. Gaines44 (p. v.) contains 2 churches and 342 inhabitants. East Gaines and West Gaines are p. offices; and Fair- haven and Gaines Basin, on the canal, are hamlets. The first settlement was made prior to 1809, by - Gilbert. Noah Burgess, Samuel Crippen, - Elliott, and Elijah Downer came in 1809.15 'The first church (Bap.) was organized in 1816.16
1 The Phipps Union Female Seminary was established in 1833. The main building was erected in 1836, and additions have been since made, until the whole ontlays have reached $20,000. The average number of pupils is about 250.
" Flouring mills, furnaces, a woolen factory, a tannery, a cabinet ware mannfactory, and a planing mill.
3 McAllister settled on the present site of the Phipps Female Seminary, near the courthouse. Among the earliest settlers were Joseph Stoddart, Reuben Clark, Joseph Ilart, and Elijah Darrow, who located in the N. part of the town ju 1812. The first death, that of Mrs. McAllister, occurred in Sept. 1811. The first sawmill was built by Wm. White in 1>16, on Sandy Creek, a little E. of Albion ; the first gristmill, in 1519, by Wm. Bradner, near the same place; and the first tavern was kept by Abraham Mattison, in 1815, at Bentons Corners, about 2 mi. s. of Albion. The first school was tanght hy Mrs. Cyrus Benton.
4 There are 7 churches in town; Presh., Bap., Prot. E., M. E., and R. C. at Albion, Cong. at Barre Center, and M. E. at Jack- sons Corners.
5 Lyman Fuller, in digging a well, bored through a stratum of rock, und obtained salt water of such strength that 2 galls. yieldled a pint of salt. The hole through the rock was plugged up, and fresh water came in from above.
6 Locally known as "Two Bridges."
: In 1504, Iflijah Hunt, Henry Lovell, Moses Root, Elijah Brown, and Job Shipmau settled in this town. The first death in town, unless it was that of a member of the Canadian family mentioned on page -, was that of a deserter from Fort Nia- gara, who was drowned in attempting to cross Johnsons Creek, about 1500. The first death of an actual settler was that of Elijah Brown, May 7, 1805. The first births were those of a pair of twins, children of James Walsworth, in 1806; and the first marriage, that of Win. Carter and Amy Huut, in 1804. The first grletmill was built on Johnsons Creek, by Matthew Duuham, in 1806; and the first store was opened in 1516, at West Carlton,
| by. Geo. Kuck. The first school was taught by Peleg IIelms, in the winter of 1810-11.
8 There are now 5 churches in town; Bap. and Presb. at Carlton, MI. E. at West Carlton, Bap. at East Carlton, and M. E. at Kenyonville. The first religious services in town were con- ducted by " Old Mr. Steele." a M. E. preacher from Canada, somo time prior to 1810. 9 Formerly known as " Furwells Mills." 10 2 sawmills, a gristmill, and a furnace.
11 Benj. Thomas, Benajah Worden, Elisha Huntly, John Cone, Jobn Stephens, David Church, and Chauncey Robinson wero among the earliest settlers. Eldridge Farwell built the first sawmill, on Sandy Creek, in 1811, aud the first gristmill, in 1813. The first store was kept by Hiram Frisbee, in 1821; and the first school was taught by Mrs. Amanda Bills.
12 JI. E. and Uuiv. at Clarendon, and a Christian church about 1} mi. w. of Clarendon.
13 Named in honor of Gen. E. P. Gaines, through the instru- mentality of Win. J. Babbitt.
14 Incorp. by the Legislature in 1832, but never organized under the act.
15 Among the early settlers were Reubeu Rowley, Harry Wil- cox, Joseph and Aaron Adains, Robert and Cottou Leach, New- Imry Chafey, Dyer Sprague, Sammel Rosier, Wm. Burlingame, Walter Fairfield. Lansing Bailey, John Proctor, aud James Mather. The first death was that of - Gilbert, who died in or before 1809. His wife and nieer. Amy Scott, remained, and wintered a yoke of oxen and several cows npon browse cut by themselves. The first birth was that of Samuel Crippen. jr .. in 1810; and the first marriage. that of Cyrus Daniels and Elizabeth Freeman, July 4. 1812. The first iun was kept by Win. Sibley, in 1811; and the first store, by Wm. Perry. in 1815. Orin Gleason tanght the first school, ju the winter of 1813-14. Henry Drake built the first sawmill, in 1813; and the first gristmill was built by Jonathan Gates, in 1822.
16 There are G churches in town; M. E. and Wes. Meth. at
515
ORLEANS COUNTY.
KENDALL1-was taken from Murray, April 7, 1837. It lies on the lake shore,2 in the E. part of the eo., and is crossed by Bald Eagle Creek near the center, and Sandy Creek in the s. part. Its surface is level; and the soil, with the exception of a belt of clay across the s. part, is a sandy loam. There are several small salt springs in the town. Kendall (p. v.) contains 4 churches and about 25 dwellings. West Kendall (p. o.) and Kendall Mills (p.o.) are hamlets. The first settlement was made in 1812, by Samnel Bates, from Chittenden co., Vt.8 The first religious service, conducted by Elder Stephen Randall, was held in the spring of 1816.4
MURRAY-was formed from "Northampton," (now Gates, Monroe co., ) April 8, 1808. Sweden was taken off in 1813, Clarkson in 1819, and Kendall in 1837. It lies on the E. border of the eo., between Clarendon and Kendall, and is crossed by Sandy Creek, the two branches of which unite at Murray, in the N. part of the town. This stream has worn a deep channel; at Holley it is about 75 feet below the level of the land. The embankment over which the N. Y. C. R. R. crosses the gulf is one of the largest on the line of that road. The surface is generally level, except in the s. w. part, where it is rolling. The soil is mostly a sandy loam; in some parts, however, it is elayey. Near IIolley are two sulphur and several salt springs, at the latter of which salt was manu- factured previous to the opening of the eanal. The Medina sandstone approaches near the sur- face; and quarries have been opened in the neighborhood of Hulberton.5 Holley,6 (p. v., ) incorp. Sept. 3, 1850, a station on the N. Y. C. R. R., is situated in the s. part of the town, on the Erie Canal. It contains 2 churches, the Holley Academy, and several manufacturing establishments.7 Pop. 614. Hulberton (p.v.) contains 278 inhabitants; and Hindsburgh (p. v.) 167. Murray8 (p. o.) and Brockville are hamlets. Murray Depot is a R. R. station. The first settlement was made by Epaphras Mattison, prior to 1809.9 The first church (Cong.) was formed Jan. 5, 1819, by Rev. John F. Bliss.10
RIDGEWAY11-was formed from Batavia, (Genesee eo.,) June 8, 1812. Gaines was taken off in 1816, Shelby in 1818, and Yates and a part of Carlton in 1822. It lies on the w. border of the co., between Shelby and Yates, aud is erossed by Johnsons and Oak Orchard Creeks. Upon the latter, at Medina, is a waterfall about 30 feet high; and at Jeddo and Oak Orchard, where the streams eross the lake ridge, are low waterfalls. The surface is generally level, and the soil a sandy loam. Some of the most important of the salt springs of this eo. are in this town.12 Within and near the village of Medina are extensive quarries; and large quantities of building, flagging, and paving stone are sent to Rochester, Buffalo, and other places on the canal." Me- dina, (p. v.,) ineorp. March 30, 1832, lies on the Erie Canal, mostly within this town. It is an important station on the N. Y. C. R. R., and is connected with Ridgeway on the x. and Shelby Center on the s. by the Medina & Alabama Plank Road. It contains 5 churches, an academy. " a newspaper office, and several manufactories.15 Pop. in 1855, 2,104,-in Ridgeway 1,915, in Shelby 189. Knowlesville, 16 (p. v., ) a station on the N. Y. C. R. R., situated in the E. part of the town, on the Erie Canal, contains 3 churches and several manufactories.17 Pop. 490. Oak Or- chard18 (p. v.) has a pop. of 136; Jeddo (p.v.) of 124; and Ridgeway (p. v.) of 64. North Ridgeway is a p. o. The first settlement was made by Ezra D. Barnes, from De Ruyter,
Eagle Harhor. Cong. and Presh. at Gaines. Univ. at Fairhaven, and Free Will Bap. at East Gaines.
1 Named in honor of Amos Kendall. P. M. Gen.
2 Near the mouth of Bald Eagle Creek the lake makes rapid encroachments upon the land. and whole fields have becu swept away.
" Among the carly settlers were Amos Randall, David Jones, Benj. Morse, and Nathaniel Brown, who came in 1S15. The first birth was that of Bartlett Morse, in 1816; the first mar- riage, that of James Aiken and Esther A. Bates, March 2, 1817: And the first death, that of a son of Geo. Balcom, in 1816. The first store was kept by Iliram Thompson, in 1823: the first inn, by Lyman Spicer. in 1823; and the first sawmill was built by Ammon Auger & Ebenezer Boyden, in 1819. The first school was taught by Gerdon Balcom, in 119.
4 There are 5 churches in town ; Uuiv .. Bap., Presb., and M. E. at Kendall, and M. E. at West Kendall.
6 St. Panl's Church in Buffalo is bnilt of material obtained at one of these quarries.
6 Named in honor of Myron Holley, one of the first canal commissioners.
" A gristmill, a tannery, a furnace and plow factory, and a cabinet ware mannfactory.
8 Locally known as " Sandy Creek."
9 Among the early settlers were Daniel Wait. Joshua Rock- wood, and Peleg Fisson. The first birth in town was that of Betsey Mattison, in 1-11 ; the first marriage. that of Zimri Per- rigo and Lucetta Spafford, Jan. 17, 1515: and the first death, that of Mrs. Daniel Reed, in 1814. The first inn was kept by Epaphras Mattison, in 1809; the first store. by Isaac beach, in
1$15; and the first gristmill was built by Perry & Luco. in 1816. Fanny Ferguson taught the first school, in the summer of 1814. 10 There are 4 churches in town : Bap, and Presb. at Holley, M. E. at Hulberton, and Bap. in w. part of town
11 So natued from the ridge way or road formed by the lake ridge running E. and w. through the town.
12 Salt works were erected at a spring N. of Medina by the IIol- land Land Co. as early ns 1805, and thrown open for the use of the settlers. Two roads opened by the Co. at the same time - one from the works s. to the " Old Buffalo Road," and the other E. to the "Oak Orchard Road"-were widely known as the "Salt Works Roads."
13 The principal quarries are owned by Isaac Hathaway and John Ryan. The upper layers cleave off in smooth slabs from 2 to 5 inches thick. The succeeding layers are thicker,-some of the lower ones several feet. Besides what has been sent to the larger places for building, flagging, and paving, large quanti- ties have been quarried for building bridge abntments and canal walls.
14 The Medina Academy was incorp. in 1843, and is both an academy and a common school. participating in both the htera- ture and common school funds. The average number of pupils is 400.
16 5 ftonring and grist mills, with an aggregate of 22 run of stone. 2 oil mills, 2 iron founderies, 2 sash and blind factories, a tanmery. and a machine shop.
16 Named after Des. - Knowles. one of the earliest settlers 17 A steam sawmill, steam gristmill, tannery. and plaster will 16 At Oak Orchard is a distillery.
516
ORLEANS COUNTY.
Madison co., N. Y., in 1809.1 The first church (Presb.) was formed at Oak Orchard in 1817, by Rev. Jedediah Fairbanks.2
SHIELBY3-was formed from Ridgeway, March 6, 1818. It is the s. w. corner town of the co. Johnsons Creck and a branch of the Oak Orchard take their rise in this town, and the Oak Orchard crosses it through the center. Upon the latter stream, at Shelby Center, is a fall, affording a valuable water-power. The surface is undulating; and the soil a mixture of sand, elay, and lime. The Tonawanda Swamp occupies the s. part. Shelby. (Shelby Center p. o.) contains 1 church and several manufactories ;5 Millville (p. v.) contains 3 churches, the Millville Academy, and about 45 dwellings. East Shelby (p. o.) and Shelby Basin (p. o.) are hamlets; and West Shelby is a p. office. Medina is partly in this town. The remains of Indian fortifications have been discovered in this town. The first settlement was made by Alex. Coon, from Rensselaer co., in 1810.6 The first church (Bap.) was formed July 25, 1818.7
YATES®-was formed from Ridgeway, April 17, 1822, as " Northton;" its name was changed the following year. It is the most westerly town upon the lake shore. It is crossed by Johnsons Creek and two smaller streams. Marsh Creek and Four Mile Creek have their whole course in the town. The surface is level, except along Johnsons Creek, where it is undulating; the soil in the s. is a sandy loam, and along the lake claycy. Lyndonville (p. v.) contains 3 churches and several manufactorics. Pop. 242. Yates Center (Yates p. o.) contains 1 church and the Yates Academy. Pop. 191. County Line (p.o.) is on the w. linc of the town. George Houseman, from Adams, Jefferson co., settled in this town in 1809, and John Eaton, from Penn., in 1810.º There are now 6 churches in town.10
Acres of Land, Valuation, Population, Dwellings, Families, Freeholders, Schools, Live Stock, Agricultural Products, and Domestic Manufactures, of Orleans County.
ACRES OF LAND.
VALUATION OF 185S.
POPULATION.
SCHOOLS.
NAMES OF TOWNS.
Improved.
Unimproved.
Real Estate.
Personal
Property.
Total.
Males.
Females.
No. of Dwellings.
No. of Families.
Freeholders.
No. of Districts.
Children
tauyht.
Barre.
34,7601
13.893
$2,417,118
$310,693
$2,727,811
3.428
1,223
1,142
888
25
2,372
Carlton.
21,330
5,6231
888,673
27,720
916,393
1,233
460
466
364
17
1,039
Clarendon.
15,080₴
11,350
711,951
97,569
809.520
918
831
336
350
258
10
713
Gaines.
14,082
3,845
741,834
77,300
819,134
1,193
461
493
322
12
860
Kendall.
16,297
4.940
551,947
70,287
622,234
909
375
381
306
10
693
Murray
16,387
4.786號
740,509
189.791
930,300
1.470
1,406
519
552
391
12
1,017
Ridgeway
24.386
6,798g
1,641,397
201,540
1,842,937|
2,793
2,433
933
977
779
18
2.013
Shelby
20,573}
6,913
1,043,007
71,900
1,114,907
1,593
1,453
593
205
395
15
999
Y'ates ...
19,052
4,177
729,387
79,600
808,987
1,023
973
399
427
322
13
808
Total
181,948₺
62,326g
9,465,823
1,126,400 10,592,223 14.772 13,663
5,299
4,993 1
4,025 132 10,514
LIVE STOCK.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.
NAMES OF TOWNS.
Working
Oren and
Calves.
Chios.
Sheep.
Sicine.
Winter.
Spring.
Tons of Hay.
Bushels of
+ Potatoes.
Bushels of Apples.
Pounds
Butter.
Pounds
Cheese.
10 in yards.
Barre ..
1,937
2.655
1,845 16.579
3.615
90,573
164.0551
6.696₴
37.415
66,000
184,996
31.116
1,142}
Carlton
1,063
1,673
907.12.452
1,450
44,954
76.5781
3,5324
14.532
31.092
93.261
8,730 1.1074
Clarendon.
870
1,172
870
4,805
1,278
36.782
58,037 €
2,926
10.822
25.966
85,251
10,687
383
Gaines.
639
1.119
6,842
972
21,817₺
56.2441
3.270분
12.295
29,372
90,317
6.555
79
Kendall ..
798
1,633
871 |10.577
1,459
8,868
95,234₺
3,391
19.597
16,216
77.035
5,375
886
Murray
807
1,318
731
5,703
1,079'
26,863
56.145
3.1761
9.587
19.697
66,851
8,942
786
Ridgeway.
1,538
1,923
1,246:11,402
2.144
53.822
93,784
4,879
28,181
32,417
115,124
17,719
2704
Shelby.
1,058
1,483
967|10.648
2,092
59,2961
106,871
3,7981
23.955
40,8241
112,570
11,404
8234
Yates.
930
1,515
844 12.277
1.003
34.750
56,590
2,949}
15,483
20.197
86,60S
9,770
846
Total ..
9,640 14,491
8,921 91,285 15,692 379,726
763,5424 34,6204 171.867 281,7814
912,013 110.29816.324
1 Eli More, Israel Douglas, Dyer Sprague, Otis Turner, Dr. | the first death, that of Wm. Bennett, Oct. 4, 1812. The first W'm. White, David Hooker, and S. B. Murdock were among the sawmill was built by Joseph Ellicott, on Oak Orchard Creek. in 1812, and the first gristmill, in 1813. The first inn was kept by David Timmerman, in 1816; and the first store, by Christian Groff. in 1818. Cornelins Ashton taught the first school, in the winter of 1815-16. first settlers. The first wawinill was built by the Holland Land C. as early as 1805, to encourage settlement. The first print- mill was built by Otis Turner and Dr. White, in 1812; and the first tavern was opened in 1810, by Eli More. Lucy Judson tanght the first school.
" There are now 9 churches in town; Prot. E., Bap., M. E., Presb., and R. C. at Medina, Presb., M. E .. and Bap. at Knowles- vill ... and Univ. at Ridgeway. 3 Named in honor of Gov. Shelby. " tienerally known as " Shelly Center," and at an early day called " Barnegat."
5 2 llonring and grist mills. I paper mill. 1 tannery, 1 carding mill, and 2 sawmills.
6 Eleazar Frary, Henry and Robert Garter, David Demara, Joseph Ellicott, and Win. Bermett were among the earliest set- tiers. The first larth was that of Adn Coon. Feb. 14, 1811; and
7 There are 9 churches in town ; 4 M. E., 1 Presb., 1 Quaker, 1 Christian. 1 Bap,, nod 1 F. W. Bap.
8 Named in honor of Gov. Yates.
9 The first marriage in town was that of Geo. Honseman, jr. and Sally Covert, in 1817 : and the first death, that of Mrs. Gro. Houseman, Fr., in Dec. 1813. The first inn was kept by Samuel Tappen, at Yates Center. in 1825; and the first store, by Moore & Ilough, in 1824. The first school was tanght by Josiah Perry, in 1819.
10 Presh., M. E .. and Christian at Lyndonville, Bap. at Yates Center, Wes. Meth. on E. town line, and M. E. on co. line.
Domestic Cloths
BUSH, OF GRAIN.
DAIRY PRODUCTS.
Horses.
3,369 1,096
1,339 975
OSWEGO COUNTY.
THIS county was formed from Oneida and Onondaga, March 1, GO 1816.1 It is situated upon the s. E. extremity of Lake Ontario, centrally distant 135 ini. from Albany, and contains an area of 1,038 sq. mi. Its surface is generally level or gently undulating. A series of bluffs 20 to 40 feet high border immediately upon the lake ; SEAL and from their tops the land stretches out in long and gradual slopes, occasionally broken by the valleys of the river courses. The general inclination is northerly, as indicated by the drainage, though the summits of the ridges within half a mi. of the lake have about the same altitude as those upon the s. border of the co. A low ridge extending in an easterly and westerly direction, from 3 to 5 mi. N. of Oneida Lake, forms the watershed between Lakes Ontario and Oneida In the E. part of the co. this ridge turns northward and unites with the system of highlands which separates Lake Ontario and the valley of Black River. The highest point of this range, in the town of Redfield, is 1,200 to 1,500 feet above tide.
The rocks of this co. consist of the Lorraine shales, in the extreme N. part, on the lake; the gray sandstone,2 extending from the N. E. corner to near the center, its southern limits being marked by a line drawn due E. from Oswego River about 1 mi. from its mouth; the Medina or red sand- stone, bordering on the last, and comprising more than one-third of the area of the co .; and the Clinton group of shales, slate, and sandstone, occupying the extreme s. border. These rocks are exposed only in the N. E. part and along the river courses, being generally covered with a thick mass of drift and alluvial deposits, consisting of sand, gravel, and clay. The gray sandstone is hard and compact, and is little affected by the action of the elements; hence the disintegration is slight, and the soil upon it is thin and poor. The Lorraine shales are easily disintegrated, and form the basis of the strongest and richest soils in the co. The red sandstone crops out on the banks of all the streams which flow through the region which it occupies. It is extensively quarried for building stone, though it is more easily acted upon by the elements than the gray sandstone. Weak brine springs are found associated with this red sandstone throughout the co. The Clinton group, occupying the entire s. border, consists of parallel layers or beds of shale and red and gray sandstone. This is the same geological formation in which is found the principal iron ore beds of Penn. and Oneida co .; and throughout the formation in this co. iron ore is found.
The drainage of the w. and s. parts of the co. is principally through Oswego River, and of the N. and E. portions through Salmon River and a great number of smaller streams that flow directly into the lake. Oswego River is formed by the junction of Seneca and Oneida Rivers at Three River Point. It is 23 mi. in length, and falls 128 feet in its course, in several distinct falls, each of which furnishes an excellent water-power. Oneida River, forming the outlet of Oneida Lake, is 18 mi. in length, and falls about 123 feet in its course. Salmon River and other streams flowing into the E. extremity of the lake all have successions of rapids and cascades, which furnish to that portion of the co. an abundance of water-power. The principal bodies of water are Lakes Ontario and Oneida. The former, constituting the x. w. boundary, presents an almost unbroken coast line for a distance of 40 mi. within the limits of the co. Little Sandy Pond, in the town of Sandy Creek, is the only considerable indentation. The mouth of Oswego River furnishes a valuable harbor, the only one of importance in the co. Oneida Lake, constituting a portion of the s. boundary, is 1413 feet above Lake Ontario.3 It is one link in the chain of the internal water communication of the State. A considerable portion of the land in its immediate vicinity is marsky. Iron ore beds and a fine quartz sand, used in the manufacture of glass, are found upon its N. shores. The soil found in the shale and sandstone region has already been noticed. The drift and alluvial deposits which cover the greater portion of the co. furnish a great variety of soil. The sandy portions are light and weak, while the clayey portions are hard, tough, and unyielding in many places. Where these are mixed, a rich, deep soil is the result. Along the E. border of the eo, are great quantities of limestone boulders, which essen.
1 Its name was derived from the Indian On-ti ah-an-tagne. The | ? This gray sandstone has been used for grindstones. early French explorers called it "C'honaquen." The portion lying E. of Oswego River was taken from Ducida, and that lying w. from Onondaga. The Onondaga portion embraced the township of Han- Dibal and 33 lots of Lysateler, belonging to the Military Tract.
3 This height is that given by the State Geologists. Joseph E. Bloomfield. Civil Engineer of Oswego co., who has made sever.d surveys through this region. makes the height of Oneida Lake 124 feet above Lake Ontario.
517
518
OSWEGO COUNTY.
tially modify the soil of that region. The marshes are generally composed of beds of black muck and other vegetable matter, and form the richest kind of natural meadow when drained and cultivated.
Agriculture, manufactures, and commerce about equally engage the attention of the people. Stock raising and dairying are the principal branches of agriculture; spring grains and wool are also extensively produced.1 The commerce is mostly concentrated at Oswego City, and is carried on by means of the lake, the Oswego Canal, and the R. R. The manufactures consist of flour, lumber, barrels,2 starch, and a variety of other articles. The amount of flour annually manufactured is greater than in any other co. in the State. The principal mills are at Oswego City, Fulton, and vicinity.
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