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 5

Author: French, J. H. (John Homer), 1824-1888, ed. cn; Place, Frank, 1880-1959, comp
Publication date: 1859
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y. : R. Pearsall Smith
Number of Pages: 782


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 5


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


The Chittenango Republican, The Phoenix, and


The Democratic Gazette, until 1856, when it was discontinued. The De Ruyter Herald was published in 1835, by C. W. Mason. The Protestant Sentinel was brought from Schenectady to De Ruyter in Nov. 1836, aud was published by J. & C. 11. Maxon until the fall of 1837. It then passed into the hands of Wm. D. Cochran, by wbon it was issued as


The Protestant Sentinel and Seventh Day Baptist Journal. In Feb. 1840, Jocl Greene became its publisher, and changed it to


The Seventh Day Baptist Register. In 1841 it passed into the hands of James Bailey, by whom it was continued until 1545.


The National Banner was commenced at De Ruyter iu Oct. 1847, by A. C. Ifill, and continued 2 years.


The Central New Yorker was published at De Ruyter, by E. F. & C. B. Gould, from Sept. 1848, until May, 1851. The Banner of the Times was started at De Ruyter, by Walker & Hill, and continued until 1855.


The Oneida Telegraph was commen ced at Oneida. in Sept. 1$51. by D. IL. Frost. In June, 1854, it passed into the hands of John Crawford, and was changed to


The Oneida Sachem, under which name it is still puh- lished.


The Circular was established in 1852, and is published weekly at the Oneida Community.


2 The following is a list of these townships within the limits of this co. :


Nelson. No. 1. Lebanon. No. 5. Fatou .. Georgetown. . 6.


Madison. 4 3. 4. Hamilton "


Brookfield. " 19 & 20.


The Canastota Tract in this co. was granted in lien of the school lots reserved in the "Twenty Towns;" but by some ovor- sight was sold with those lands.


$ Sce page 461.


390


MADISON COUNTY.


BROOKFIELD-was formed from Paris, (Oneida co.,) March 5, 1795; and Columbus (Chenango co.) was taken off in 1805. It is the s. E. corner town of the eo. Its surface is a hilly upland, broken by the valleys of Unadilla River and Beaver Creek. Unadilla River forms the E. boundary. Beaver Creek flows through near the center, and the E. branch of the Chenango through the N. w. part. Several smaller streams take their risc in the town. The soil is a gravelly loam. Clarkville,1 (Brookfield p.o.,) incorp. April 5, 1834, contains 2 churches, the Brookfield Aca- demy, a hoe and fork manufactory, gristmill, and tannery. Pop. 578. Leonardsville (p.v.) contains 1 church, a bank, and several manufactories.2 Pop. 366. North Brookfield (p. v.) has 275 inhabitants. South Brookfield (p. o.) is a hamlet, and De Lancy' ap. o. The first settlement was made by Daniel Brown, in 1791.' The census reports 6 churches in town.5


CAZENOVIA®-was formed from Paris and Whitestown, (Oneida co.,) March 5, 1795. De Ruyter was taken off in 1798, Sullivan in 1803, Smithfield and Nelson in 1807, and a part of Fenner in 1823. It is the central town upon the w. border of the co. Its surface is a rolling upland, broken by the valleys of Chittenango and Limestone Creeks. The summits of the hills are 300 to 500 feet above the valleys. Owahgena or Cazenovia Lake, in the N. part of the town, is a beautiful sheet of water about 4 mi. long. Its outlet-Chittenango Creek-forms a part of the boundary between this town and Fenner. In its course it has a fall of several hundred feet, afford- ing a great number of valuable mill sites. At the Chittenango Fall the water plunges in a beautiful cascade perpendicularly over a ledge of limestone rock 136 feet in height. Limestone Creek flows across the s. part of the town. Hydraulie and common limestone are quarried near Chittenango Falls. The soil in the N. and central parts is a gravelly loam, and in the s. a elayey loam under- laid by hardpan. Cazenovia, (p. v.,) incorp. Feb. 7, 1810, is beautifully situated on Chittenango Creek, at the foot of Cazenovia Lake. It contains 7 churches, an academy," a bank, and several manufactories.8 Pop. 1177. New Woodstock (p. v.) contains 2 churches and 273 inhabit- ants. Chittenango Falls is a p.o. Settlement was commenced in 1793, by John Lineklaen, from Amsterdam, Holland.9 The first church (Presb.) was organized May 17, 1799, with 5 mem- bers; and the Rev. Joshua Leonard was the first pastor. The census reports 9 churches in town.10


DE RUYTER11-was formed from Cazenovia, March 15, 1798. Georgetown was taken off in 1815, and German (Chenango eo.) in 1806. It is the s. w. corner town of the eo. Its surface con- sists of hilly upland, broken by the valley of Tioughnioga River. The summits of the hills are 400 to 500 ft. above the valleys. The principal streams are Tioughnioga River and its tributaries. The soil is a gravelly and saudy loam on the hills and alluvium in the valleys. De Ruyter, (p. v., ) ineorp. April 15, 1833, contains 3 churches, an academy,12 and several manufactories.13 Pop. 727. Sheds Corners is a p. o. The first settlers were Elijah and Elias Benjamin and Eli Colgrove, in 1793.14 The first church (Bap.) was formed by Elder Joel Butler, Nov. 5, 1799.15


EATON16-was formed from Hamilton, Feb. 6, 1807. It is an interior town, situated near the center of the eo. The surface is a rolling upland, broken by the valley of Chenango River into two ridges, whose summits are 400 to 600 ft. in height. The Chenango flows s. through the center. The outlet of the Eaton Reservoir flows through a deep, narrow ravine, and affords a large number of valuable mill sites. Hatchs Lake and Bradley Brook Reservoir, and several smaller reservoirs, are in this town. The soil is a gravelly loam, intermixed with elay in the valleys. Morrisville,17 (p. v.,) situated on Chenango River, was incorp. April 13, 1819. It contains 3


1 Named from Joseph Clark, formerly State Senator.


2 A fork mannfactory, gristmill, sawmill, and tannery.


3 Named from John De Lancy.


4 John and Elias Button, Lawton Palmer, Saml. II. Burdick, Saml. Billings, David Maine, Stephen Collins, Thos, and James Rogers, and Paul and Perry Maxon settled in the town in 1792. Stephen Hoxie, Simeon, Nathaniel, and Eleazer Brown, Henry Clark, Robert Randall, Ass Frink, Ethan, Oliver. and Phineas Babcock. Ira and Nathan Burdick, and Youman York were also early settlers. John Button built the first gristmill, in 1792; and Reuben Leonard opened the first store, in 1801. The first


school was tanght by Asa Carrier. in the winter of 1796-97. 3 2 Seventh Day Bap., 2 M. E., Bap., Univ.


6 Named from Theophilus Cazenove, the first general ageut of the llolland Land Company.


" The Oncida Conference Seminary is a large and flourishing institution. under the care of the Methodist denomination.


8 In and near Cazenovia, on Chittenango Creek, are a woolen factory, paper mill, oil mill. town clock factory, furnace, ma- chine shop. 2 gristmills, and a sawmill.


9 Archibald Bates, Win. Gillett. Wm. Miles. Benj. Pierson, Noah Taylor, Saml. 3. Forman. Ira Peck, Nathan Webb, Shubael Brooks, aud others named Tyler and Auger settled in the town


in 1793; and Joseph Simms, Isaac Moss, Gideon Freeman, and David Fay soon after. The first birth was that of a child of Noah Taylor, in 1794. John Liucklaeu built the first saw aud grist mills, in 1794.


10 2 Bap., 2 M. E., Cong., Presb., Prot. E., Union, and Univ. Il Named from Admiral De Ruyter of the Dutch Navy.


12 The De Ruyter Institute is under the care of the Seventh Day Baptist denomination.


13 2 tanneries, 2 sawmills, a gristmill, oil mill, furnace, and cabinet ware manufactory.


14 Joseph Messenger and Sam'l Thomson settled in the town in 1795. Darius Benjamin, Justus, Jeremiah, and Ebenezer Gage, and Daniel Page were also early settlers. The first birth Was that of Frederick Benjamin, about 1798: Joseph Messenger opened the first inn. in 1796; Saminel Boweu kept the first store; Joseph Rich built the first sawmill, in 1807, and the first grist- mill, in 1809. The first school was taught by Eli Gage, in the winter of 1799.


15 'T'here are 6 churches in town ; 2 Friends, and 1 each Bap., Seventh Day Bap., M. E., and Presb.


16 Named from Gen. Wm. Eaton, commauder of the U. S. mili- tary forces in the expedition to Tripoli.


17 Named from a family of early settlers iu towu.


391


MADISON COUNTY.


churches, a newspaper office, and several manufactories.1 Pop. 715. Eaton, (p. v.,) commonly called " Log City," contains 3 churches and several manufactories.2 Pop. 510. West Eaton, (p. v.,) commonly called "Leeville," contains 2 churches, a woolen factory, sawmill, and about 40 houses; and Pratts Hollows (p. v.) 1 church and about 20 houses. Pine Woods is a p. o. Settled in 1792, by John and James Salisbury, from Vt .; but the first permanent settler was Joshua Leland, from Sherburne, Mass., in 1793.4 The first church (Presb.) was formed in 1805.5


FENNER6-was formed from Cazenovia and Smithfield, April 22, 1823. It is an interior town, lying N. w. of the center of the co. Its surface is a rolling upland. Oneida, Canascraga, and Chittenango Creeks have their sources in this town. The latter forms a part of its w. boundary. Extensive marl beds are found; and on the bank of Chittenango Creek calcareous tufa is quar- ried and burned into lime. The soil is a gravelly and elayey loam. Perryville, (p. v.,) partly in this town, contains 2 churches and 25 houses. Fenner (p.o.) is a hamlet. The first settle- ment was made about the year 1793.7 The first church (Bap.) was organized Aug. 23, 1801.8


GEORGETOWN-was formed from De Ruyter, April 7, 1815. It lies upon the s. border of the co., w. of the center. The surface is a hilly upland, broken by the valley of Otselic Creek into two ridges. The summits of the hills are 500 to 600 ft. above the valleys. The principal streams are Otselie Creek and its branches. The soil upon the hills is yellow loam, and in the valleys a gravelly alluvium. Georgetown (p. v.) contains 3 churches, and has a population of 280. The first settlement was made by Ezra Sexton, in 1804.9 Lewis Anathe Muller, a French refugce, settled in this town about 1810, and remained until the restoration of Louis Philippe.10 The first religious services were conducted by Ezra Sexton, at the house of Bethel Hurd, in 1805.11


HAMILTON-was formed from Paris, (Oneida co., ) March 5, 1795, and was named from Alexander Ilamilton. Eaton, Lebanon, and Madison were taken off in 1807. It lies upon the s. border of the co., between Lebanon and Brookfield. Its surface is a rolling upland, broken by the valleys of Chenango River and its cast branch. The soil is a gravelly loam in the valleys and a clayey loam upon the hills. Hamilton,12 (p. v.,) incorp. April 12, 1812, is situated on the Chenango Canal. It contains 4 churches, the Hamilton Academy, the Hamilton Female Seminary, 2 newspaper offices, and a bank. Pop. 1448. The Madison University, located at this place, under the care of the Baptist denomination, was incorp. March 26, 1846. It consists of a grammar school, a collegiate and a theological department. Nine professors are employed, and in 1857 31 theologieal students, 123 under-graduates, and 71 grammar school students were in attendance. The libraries connected with the university contain about 8,900 volumes.13 Earl- ville, 14 (p. v.,) on the line of Sherburne, (Chenango co.,) contains 2 churches, and has a pop. of 441, of which 233 are in this town. Poolville (p. v.) contains 2 churches and about 40 houses, and


1 A silk factory, distillery, tannery, iron foundry, machine | Jesse Jerrold, Zadock Hawks, John Gibson, - Hunt, David shop, gristmill, and sawmill. There were formerly several woolen factories in and near Morrisville, but they have been abandoned. 2 A woolen factory, a tool factory and trip hammer, distillery, tannery, gristmill, and sawmill.


8 Named from John and Matthew Pratt, early settlers.


4 John II. and Benj. Morris settled in the town in 1794; Benj. Morse, Daniel Abbey, Simeon Gillett, Levi Barney, and Elijah Hayden, in 1795; Joseph Moss. Wm. Mills, Lewis Wilson, Sain't Sinclair. Humphrey Palmer, and - McCrellis, in 1796; and Rawson Harnion, in 1797. Thos. Morris. Windsor and Ziba Co- man. Constandt. Robert, and Cyrus Avery, Joseph French, and Abiathar Gates were also carly settlers. The first birth was that of Col. Uriah Leland, Nov. 1, 1793; the first marriage, that of Lewis Wilson and Dorcas Gillett, in 1796; and the first death, that of Simeon Gillett, in 1796. Joshna Leland opened the first inn. in 1794, and erected the first saw and grist mills, in 1795. David Gaston kept the first store, in 1804. The first school was tanghit by Dr. James Pratt, in the winter of 1797-98,-the first month at the house of Joseph Moss. the second near Morrisville. the third near Log City, and the fourth near the residence of Joshna Leland.


6 'I'he census reports 8 churches in town : 3 Bap., 3 M. E., and 2 Cong.


6 Nanned from Gov. Fenner, of Rhode Island.


7 Among the early settlers were Alphens Twist and James Mnuger. from Cont., who located a mi. s. of the center, Jona- than Monger and - Page in the N. part. and Elisha Freeman. Itlmuriel Flower, Ames Webster and Amanda Manger in the s. part. The first birth was that of a child of Alphens Twist: and the first death. that of the wife of Alphens Twist. Elder Nathan Baker was the first preacher.


8 The census reports 5 churches: 3 M. E., Bap., and Prot. E.


9 Matthew Hallenbeck. Joab Bishop, John C. Paine, and Bailey Carter settled in the town in 1804. and Mitchell Atwood, Wm. Paine, Bethel Hurd, Joseph P. Harrison, and Josiah Purdy in 1505. Ebenezer Hull, Apollos Drake, Elijalı and Alfred Brown,


Parker, Philetus Stewart, Calvin Cross, Dr. Smith, Benj. Bonner, Capt. White, and - Alvord, were also early settlers. The first birth was that of Weston Paine. in 1805; and the first death, that of Mrs. Ezra Sexton, in 1807. Mitchell Atwood built the first sawmill, in 1806, and Bishop & Hunt the first gristmill, in 1807. J. C. Paine was an early innkeeper.


10 Muller settled on the hill, about 3 mi. w. of Georgetown, erected a large and spacious dwelling. laid ont extensive grounds, excavated an artificial pond, and planted great numbers of fruit trees. He attempted the establishment of a village, by erecting 2 storehonses, several dwellings, a blacksmith shop, and a grist- mill. It is supposed that he brought with him to town not less than $150,000, and that he carried away not to exceed $1500. When Bonaparte abdicated. Muller returned to France, leaving his wife and children in New York. Ile afterward returned to dispose of his property Irere. When he reached Georgetown, his house was stripped of its furniture; his stock and every movable article had disappeared; weeds covered the gardens, the walks, the roads. and fields; his village was forsaken, and the mill de- serted. The agent in whose charge he had left his property had sold every movable article and deserted the place. Muller sold the property and returned to France; and to this day no one knows who or what he was.


1) There are 3 churches in town; Bap., Presb., and Union. 12 Formerly called "Paynesrille."


13 The " Hamilton Theological Seminary" was established in 1820. under the anspices of the Baptist Education Society of the State of New York. In 1834 a collegiate course was instituted, ani the seminary assmined the name of the " Hamilton Literary and Theological Seminary;" and in 1846 the, institution was in- corp. as the Madison University. The theological department is still under the control of the Baptist Educational Society. The aggregate monber of graduates of the theological department is 302, and of the collegiate department 462.


14 Named from Jonas Eart, Canal Commissioner.


392


MADISON COUNTY.


Hubbardsville1 (p. v.) 20 houses. East Hamilton (p. o.) is a hamlet, and South Ha- milton a p. o. The first settlers were John Wells and Abner Nash, from Mass., and Patrick Shields and John Muir, from Scotland, but late from Oneida co. They located upon Chenango, near Earlville, in 1792.2 The first church (Bap.) was formed in 1796.3


LEBANON-was formed from Hamilton, Feb. 6, 1807. It is the central town upon the s. border of the co. Its surface is a hilly upland, lying between the Chenango and Otselic Rivers. The summits in the w. part are 500 to 800 ft. above the valleys. The valley of Chenango River, extending through the E. part, is about 1 mi. wide and is bordered by steep hillsides. The other streams are small brooks. The soil is a yellow loam underlaid by hardpan upon the hills and alluvium in the valleys. Lebanon (p. v.) contains 1 church, a sawmill, tannery, and 25 houses. Smiths Valley and Middleport are hamlets. The first settlement was made in 1792, by Enoch Stowell and Jonathan Bates, from Vt.5 There are 4 churches in town.6


LENOX-was formed from Sullivan, March 3, 1809, and a part of Stockbridge was taken off in 1836. It is the N. E. corner town of the co. Its surface is level in the N. and moderately hilly in the s. Canastota and Cowaselon Creeks flow through the town. Oncida Creek forms its E. boundary, and Oneida Lake a part of its N. boundary. The Cowaselon Swamp occupies a portion of the N. part. The soil in the N. is alluvium and in the s. a gravelly and clayey loam. In the town are beds of gypsum and of red fossiliferous iron ore. Near Cowaselon Creek is a small sulphur spring ; and in the marsh ncar Canastota is a salt spring.7 Oneida (p. v.) is the principal station between Syracuse and Rome, on the N. Y. Central R. R. It is situated on Oneida Creek, and was incorp. June 20, 1848. It contains 5 churches, the Oneida Seminary,8 a newspaper office, and a bank. Pop. 1713. Canastota, (p. v.,) incorp. April 28, 1835, is a canal village and a station on the N. Y. Central R. R. It contains 3 churches, a newspaper office, a bank, and a manufactory of astronomical and optical instruments.9 Pop. 1081. Wampsville, (p. v.,) a station on the N. Y. Central R. R., contains 1 church and 25 houses. Pine Bush, (Bennetts Corners p. o.,) Merrelsville, (Cowaselon p. o.,) and Lenox Furnace are ham- lets. Clockville,10 (p. v., ) contains 2 churches, a woolen factory, 2 flouring mills, and a saw- mill. Pop. 279. Quality Hill (Lenox p. o.) is a thickly settled country street near Canastota. Oneida Lake (p. o.) and South Bay are hamlets. Oneida Valley (p. v.) contains 1 church and about 30 houses. Durhamville (p. v.) contains 1034 inhabitants, of whom 234 are in this town ;11 the p. office is in Oncida co. The "Oneida Community," of about 200 persons, organized upon a peculiar religious and social basis, are located upon a farm of 390 acres on Oneida Creek, 3 mi. s. of Oneida.12 The first settlement was made in 1792, by Conrad Klok and his sons Joseph, John, and Conrad.13 The census reports 14 churches in town.14


MADISON -- was formed from Hamilton, Feb. 6, 1807. It lies on the E. border of the co., s. of the center. Its surface is a rolling upland. The principal stream is Oriskany Creek. The Madison Reservoir and several smaller ponds of water are in this town. The soil consists of a gravelly loam in the valleys and a clayey loam upon the hills. Madison, (p. v.,) incorp. April 17, 1816, contains 4 churches, and has a population of 315. Bouckville15 (p. v.) contains 1 church and 35 houses, and Solsville (p. v.) 17 houses. The first settlement was made in 1793.16


1 Named from Calvin Hubbard.


2 Among the other carly settlers were Sam'l and Elisha Payne, who located upon the present sito of Hamilton Village in 1794. Theophilus and Benj. Pierco, Jonathan Olinsted, Daniel Smith, anıl Nathan Foster settled in the town in 1795, and Thomas Greenly in 1796.


3 The censns reports 10 churches in town; 4 M. E., 2 Bap., 2 Cong., Prot. E., and Univ.


+ Named from Justne Smith, a former resident.


5 Among the early settlers wero John, Charles, James, and Isaac Campbell, Thos. Hueston, Lent Bradley, Solomon Jones, Abram Webster, Dan'l Stowell, David Hartson. - Rider, Josh. Smith. Dea. Finney, David Shapley, Malchialı Hatch, Dr. Merrick. Elihn Bosworth, Benj. Hewes, andl Capt. Moore, Elisha Wheeler built the first sawmill, and Daniel Wheeler the first gristmill ; Israel Thayer kept the first store. The first school was tanght by Widow Nancy Campbell, a lady about 70 years of age. 6 Bap., Cong., M. E., and Univ.


7 At this spring a boring was once made 196 ft. deep. At that depth the anger broke, and the work was abandoned. The strength of the water at the surface was 2}º by the instrument used, and it was increased to 90,-Geol. N. Y .. III. p. 273.


8 The school was opened Sept. 29, 1858, with about 200 pupils and 5 male and + female teachers,


9 Established by Chas. A. Spencer. The microscopes and other instruments mado here have acquired merited celebrity. The equatorial telescope at Hamilton College was made here.


IC Named from Conrad Klok, who settled near this place.


11 See page 470. 12 This community was organized in 1847, under .John II. Noyes, with whom their peculiar religions and social tenets mostly originated. They form a general comninnity, holding a common interest in all things. The relation of the sexes is placed, not, like that of civilized society, on the basis of law and constraint, neither on the opposite one of mere freedom, but on that of " inspiration." They are principally engaged in garden- ing. the nursery business, milling, and the manufacture of steel traps, sewing silk, traveling bags, cravats, and palmleaf hats. The Circular, a weekly paper, is published by the: Communists. 13 The Forlwses, Bnyas, and Snyders were the early settlers, 14 5 M. E .. 5 Presb., 2 Bap., Cong., and R. C.


15 Named from Gov. Bonck ; formerly called "Johnsrille."


16 Samnel and Francis Clemens, Stephen F. Blackstone, John Niles, Seth Snow and his son Seth, Win. and David Blair, Jaures Collister, Daniel Perkins, Henry W. and Israel Bond, Elijah Blodget, Amos and Jesse Maynard, and Joel Crawford. settled in the town in 1793; Gen, Erastus Cleveland, Thos. Mellen. Abial Hatch, Jas, MeChenation, Geo .. Chas,, and Job Peckhand. Benj. Simmonds. Sylvester Woodward. Elijah Thompson, Sam'l Jones, Jas, and Alex. White, Enther, Abial, and Ephraim Clough, and Jonathan Sloan, were also early settlers, The first births in town were those of Marerna Collister and Stephen Blackstone, both in 1794. Gen. Clevelandl built the first gristmill and kept the first store. Henry W. Boud built the first sawmill, in 1793. Sanı'l Clemens was an early innkeeper.


393


MADISON COUNTY.


The first church (Cong.) was organized in 1795, and the Rev. Ezra Woodworth was the first pastor.1


NELSON-was formed from Cazenovia, March 13, 1807. It is an interior town, lying s. w. of the center of the co. Its surface consists of a rolling upland. The principal stream is Chitte- nango Creek. The Erieville and Eaton reservoirs are in this town. The soil is generally a gravelly loam. Erieville (p. v.) contains 3 churches and 191 inhabitants, and Nelson Flats (Nelson p. o.) 2 churches and 146 inhabitants. The first settlement was made in 1794, by Asa and Jede- diah Jackson.2 The census reports 5 churches in town.8


SMITHFIELD-was formed from Cazenovia, March 13, 1807. Fenner was taken off in 1823, and a part of Stockbridge in 1836. It is an interior town, lying N. of the center of the co. Its surface is a hilly and rolling upland. The principal streams are Cowaselon and Oneida Creeks. The soil is a sandy and gravelly loam. Limestone and gypsum are obtained in the N. E. corner. Near Siloam is a small sulphur spring. Peterboro,4 (p. v.,) on Oneida Creek, near the eenter, contains 3 churches and the Peterboro Academy. Pop. 350. Siloam (p. o.) is a hamlet. Thc first settler was Jasper Alesworth, in 1795.5 Judge Greene C. Bronson resided in this town for several years; and IIon. Gerrit Smith now resides in Peterboro. In 1858, Wm. Evans, of Boston, donated to this town the sum of $10,000, to be invested, and the proceeds devoted to the relief and support of the destitute and needy.6 There are 3 churches in town.7


STOCKBRIDGE-named from the Stockbridge Indians-was formed from Vernon and Augusta (Oneida co.) and Smithfield and Lenox, May 20, 1836. It lies upon the E. border of the co., N. of the eenter. Its surface is a rolling upland, broken by the deep valley of Oneida Creek, which extends in a N. and s. direction through near the center of the town. The summits of the hills are 500 to 800 ft. above the valley. The falls of Oneida Creek consist of a succession of rapids and low falls, affording numerous valuable mill sites.8 Oriskany Creek takes its rise in the s. part. The soil is a elayey and gravelly loam. Limestone is extensively quarried from the ledges that erop out upon the hillsides. Hydraulic limestone is also quarried near the falls of Oneida Creek. Gypsum is obtained near Cooks Corners. In this town are an ancient burial place and the ruins of an old fortification.9 Munnsville,10 (p. v., ) on Oneida Creek, contains 1 church and several manufactories.11 Pop. 287. Knoxville12 (Stockbridge p. o.) contains 3 churches, and has a population of 138. Cooks Corners (p. v.) contains 1 church, a plaster mill, and about 15 houses. The first settlement was made in 1791.13 A mission church was erected on the Indian Reservation, near Cooks Corners, about 1800.14




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