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 59
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WILTON-was formed from Northumberland, April 20, 1818. It lies a little N. E. of the center of the co. The Palmertown Mts., with their steep, rocky slopes and broken, forest-covered summits, extend across the N. w. corner. The center and s. w. are gently undulating, or broken by low ridges. The principal streams arc Snook Kil and Bog Mcadow and Cold Brooks. The soil in the E. and s. E. is a yellow, sandy loam resting on clay, and in some places swampy. At the foot of the Palmertown Mts. is a belt of productive gravel and clay loam. A heavy growth of white and yellow pine originally covered the plains, but little woodland now remains. Near Emersons Corners is a spring of acidulous and carbonated water, and in thic s. part of the town is a sulphur spring. Wilton (p. v.) contains 20 houses; and Emersons Corners, in the N. part of the town, is a hamlet. The first settlement was made in 1774 or '75, by Rowland Perry and his sons Samuel, John, Benj., Absalom, Roswell, Artemas, Rowland, and Joseph, from Dutchess co.14 Near the mill pond on Snook Kil are traces of Indian occupation; pestles, broken pottery, and flint arrow heads have been found in abundance. The census reports 4 churches in town. 15
1 Upon these streams are several fine cascades.
2 This spring is called the White Sulphur Spring. A few years since, a hotel and bathing house were erected here, and a amall steamer was put upon the lake. The building was burned 2 or 3 years after, and the enterprise was abandoned.
8 The American Linen Thread Manufacturing Co. was organ- ized in 1852. The number of men employed is 125.
4 Named from Jonathan Bemis, who during the Revolution kept the only inn worthy of note on the Albany & Fort Ed- ward Road.
6 Among the first settlers were John Thompson, Geo. Palmer, -- Benjamin, Dirck Swart, - Ensign, - Burlinghame, and - Abeel. The first gristmill was bullt by Geo. Palmer, before the Revolution.
6 This church was organized at Litchfield, Conn., in 1752, and in 1763 was removed to Stillwater. Rev. Robt. Campbell was the first pastor.
1 3 M. E., 2 Bap., Presb., Prot. E., and R. C. 8 The Indians called the country around the mouth of the | are employed.
Mohawk " Nach-te-nack." This town was formerly known as Half Moon Point ; and the semi-circular tract between the Hnd- son and the Mohawk was called Half Moon. Its present name originated from the fact that at the village of Waterford a ford crossed to Haver Island.
9 In 1784 the site of the village was purchased by Col. Jacobus Van Schoon, - Middlebrook, Ezra Hickock, Judge White, and several others, most of whom were from Conn .; and Flores
Bancker was employed to lay it ont into village lots. July 11. 1841, a destructive fire occurred, which destroyed 130 buildings. 10 On the 25th of March, 1794, Hezekiah Ketchum, Jacomms Van Schoonhoven, Matthew Gregory, Isaac Kecler, John Pettett, Duncan Oliphant, and Thos. Smith were constituted trustees of Half Moon Point.
11 A bridge across the Hudson at this place was built in 1804, at a cost of $50,000. The present structure, known as the "Union Bridge," was built in 1812, '13, aud '14, at a cost of $20,000.
12 A hydraulic canal } mi. in length was constructed in 1828-29, by J. F. King. Upon this canal are 2 stock and die factories, a machine shop, ax factory, twine factory, ink and lampblack factory, soap and candle factory, flouring mill. and a pearling mill. On the Champlain Canal are 3 touring mills, a foundery and machine shop, an anger factory. and a distillery. The fire engine works at this place were started in 1831. About $60,000 worth of work is turned out per annum, and 40 men
13 Bap., Cong., M. E., Presh., Prot. E., Ref. Prot. D., and R. C. 14 John Stiles. Ebenezer King, John Laing, Peter Johnson, and Jus. and Wm. McGregor settled in town in 1775; and John Boyce. Robt. Milligan, John Kendrick, and Enoch M. Place in 1784. John Laing built the first sawmill, in 1784-85, and Win. McGregor the first gristn.ill, soon after the war. Stephen King kept the first inn, and - Ostrom the first store.
16 Bap., M. E., Prot. Metb., and Union.
38
594
SARATOGA COUNTY.
Acres of Land, Valuation, Population, Dwellings, Families, Freeholders, Schools, Live Stock, Agricultural Products, and Domestic Manufactures, of Saratoga County.
ACRES OF LAND.
VALUATION OF 1858.
POPULATION.
SCHOOLS.
NAMES OF TOWNS.
Improved.
Unimproved.
Real Estate.
Personal
Property.
Total.
Males.
Females.
No. of Dwellings.
No. of Families.
Freeholders.
No. of
Children
taught.
Ballston
16,177
2,996₺
$544,356
$115,110
$659,466
1,058
1,143
385
435
343
Charlton
15,166
3,156
416,510
104,138
520.648
842
859
318
326
214
10
593
Clifton Park
23,541
5,485
637,750
230,970
868,720
1,502
1,415
429
577
424
16
1.198
Corinth
13,071
10,564
211.166
13,416
224,592
781
753
296
317
131
10
565
Day.
7,017
17,047
67,020
4.650
71,670
560
519
197
198
144
11
556
Edinburgh
13,956
25,028
119,540
9,625
129,165
629
689
255
283
283
12
577
Greenfield
28,644₺
12,7914
399,410
45,341
444,751
1,432
1,410
579
613
425
21
1,124
Hadley
7,691
13.498
69,811
6,150
75,961
626
546
222
222
112
7
360
Halfmoon.
16,550
2,837
707,225
139,600
846,825
1,659
1,656
606
603
231
12
970
Malta
14,434}
2,983₴
380,570
58,160
438,730
615
621
228
257
222
8
413
Milton
18.366}
3,885
730,685
310,143
1,040,828
2,261
2.408
751
225
261
13
1,772
Moreau ..
18,291
6,304}
343,106
31,650
374.756
1,079
1,087
360
401
264
12
867
Northumberland
13.133
5,925}
302,880
82,448
385,328
860 678
808
300
312
244
12
621
Providence
8,694
5.401
91,662
20,921
112,583
690
286
295
196
10
512
Saratoga.
19,281}
5,089}
788,885
241,458
1,030,343
1,822
2,010
692
701
374
13
1.410
Saratoga Springs
11,7404
6,386
1,346,056
789,887
2,135,943
2,951
3,356
1,013
1,239
694
10
2,399
Stillwater.
22,401
3,963
728,017
165.530
893,547
2,468
1,495
498
590
313
13
1,024
Waterford ...
3,523֏
342
543,652
391,225
934.877
1,569
1,680
498
605
226
2
1,141
Wilton ..
16.288₺
5,994
253,744
24,054
277,798
682
719
267
281
233
10
579
Total
315.7282 139,849元
9,102,609 2,829,385
11,931,994
24,282 |25,097 |
8,631
8,984
5,735
229
18.286
LIVE STOCK.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.
[NAMES OF TOWNS.
Horses.
654
912
1,020
1.906
2.038
4,241
94,071
3.236}
21.788
40.710
113,463}
18.4262
104
Charlton
705
882
956
2.276
965
2,338
90,172
3.113
13.912
23,565
65.065
805
142
Clifton Park
897
920
1,270
2.401
2.336
25,244
112,812
3.019
43.846
26,038
101.781
19.285
179
Corinth ...
421
866
602
1,425
508
1,202
35,1641
1,885}
21,507
4,900
51.580
6,600
604
Day.
222
813
380
1,184
335
274
16,977
1,706
11,292
5.761
27.775
100
745
Edinburgh
320
1,290 1.320
1.241
3,212
1,379
2,333
113,455
4,817
28,904
31.732
141,903
12.716
Hadley ..
190
733
336
961
339
7181
22,120
1.378
10,531
2.595
30.406
1,400
111
Halfmoon.
618
785
972
3.414
1,497
19,825₺
81,075
2,8151
28.522
12.652
79,735
5,090
179
Malta ..
474
751
778
3.090
1,456
11.979₴
60,6941
2,4274
19,083
19,604
77,819
13,314
75
Moreau.
532
655
745
2.350
1,123
5,792
63,675
2,018
13,701
6.131
67.695
15,270
Northumberland
581
1.057
855
1,989
1,518
5,387
97,3947
2,632}
39.599
5.489
84.705
4.857
1973
Providence
235
793
392
900
484
38
31,161
1,586
15.139
4.538
39,160
3.970
359
Saratoga
832
1,150
1,217
5,776
2,294
17,669
121,896분
4,161
67,541
13,842
103.922
4,440
1.55
Saratoga Springs.
710
457
752
1,023
1,369
6,129
36,847
1,599₴
17,758
4,345
55.710
960
535
Stillwater ..
862
1,246
1,259
4,848
2,312
22.114
84.523
3,544
32,725
15,734
101,935
13,090
199
Waterford.
239
183
248
462
1,205
4.159
.23,598
663
5,140
555
16,950
1.250
Wilton.
455
597
625
1,762
1,055
8,580
66,691
1,650
22,970
8,191
61,390
2.947
113
Total .. .....
Working
Oren and
Calves.
Cowon.
Sheep.
Swine.
Winter.
Spring.
Tons of Hay.
Bushels of
Potatoes.
Bushels of
Apples.
Pounds
Butter.
Pounds
Cheese.
Domestic
in Yards.
31,893
2.902
15,159
7.440
45,495
8.850
1.523
Galway.
736
1.602
1,346
3,032
1,590
1,203
83,823
4,515
33.687
26,846
106.990
13,865
1.279
Milton
775
979
1.170
1,416
1,709
8,169+
89,545
3.075
24,818
28,810
91.657
5.665
902
Galway
27,760+
172
420.564
44,909
465,473
1,208
1,233
451
504
401
15
924
BUSH. OF GRAIN.
DAIRY PRODUCTS.
of
Manufactures,
Greenfield
835
614
2,591
491
214
Ballston
11,293 17,991 16,778 46,018 26,003 147,601 1,357,588+ 52,743} 487,672 289.478 1,468,1364 152,9012 7.753}
13 Districts.
-
SCHENECTADY COUNTY.
THIS county was formed from Albany, March 7, 1809. It is centrally E distant 20 mi. from Albany, and contains 221 sq. mi. The greater part lies between Mohawk River and Schoharie Creek,-one town only lying N. of the Mohawk. The surface consists of the Mohawk Valley and an upland, generally much broken by ridges and isolated hills, 200 to 350 feet above the river. The highlands are the northern continuation of the Helderbergh and Schoharie Mts. The underlying rock is generally the shales of the Hudson River group, which erop out in the valleys and the bottoms of the ravines. In portions of Glenville and Duanesburgh this rock is underlaid by birdseye limestone, from which are obtained both lime and stone for building. The greater part of the surface is covered with a thick deposit of drift, consisting principally of clay in the w. part and sand in the E. The roeks erop out on the banks of the streams and form the declivities of the steeper hills. The soil in the w. part is a tenacious, clayey loam, underlaid by hardpan on the hills, and in the E. a. light, unproductive sand. The valley of the Mohawk consists of a deep, rich alluvium, well adapted to tillage, and extensively devoted to the cultivation of broomcorn.1
The principal streams are Mohawk River, Schoharic Creek, and Normans Kil, and their branches. The valleys of these streams are generally bordered by the steep declivities of the uplands, rising to a height of about 300 feet. Many of the smaller streams have worn deep gulleys in the loose drift deposits, giving to the surface a very broken character. These small streams are mostly dry in summer. The fiuc alluvial flats near Schenectady, extending 5 mi. w. on the s. side of the river, were called by the first settlers " The Bouwland."? A tract 2 mi. in extent, N. of the river, was called the "Maalwyck;"3 and a traet on both sides, 4 mi. w . of the city, was known as the " Woestina."4 A region immediately about Schenectady was called " Oron-nygh-wurrie-gughre ;" the hills s. were known as the " Fan-ta-puch-a-berg;"5 and those on both sides of the river above the city were called " Tou-ar-e-u-ne." The streams of " Hosting" were " Werf Kil,"" Zantzee Kil," and " Righelbrigh Kil."8 The valleys are best adapted to tillage and the hills to pasturage.9 Manufactures are chiefly limited to the city of Schenectady.10 In Glenville are about a dozen broom factories, employing 150 persons.
The county seat is located at Schenectady City.11 The courthouse and clerk's office are both situated on Union St .: the former contains the courtroom, jail, sheriff's and supervisors' rooms, 12 and the latter the clerk's and surrogate's offices. The poorhouse is located on a farm of 116 acres, on the Albany Road, just E. of the city. It has, on au average, about 75 inmates, and the farm yields a revenue of $1,200. There are 4 newspapers published in the co.13
1 One-half of the entire broomcorn crop of the State is raised . The Schenectady Gazette was published in 1812. by Ryor Scher within this co. A considerable portion of the broomcorn land merborn.
is annually overflowed, rendering it continually fertile; and The Schenectady County Whig was issued in 1930. by C. G. and many tracts have produced this crop alone for many years. 2 . Arable Land." A. Palmier, and was continued until 1834 The Schenectady Standard was published in 1831, by T. J. Sutherland.
3 " Whirl-back," from the tortuous course of the Mohawk. 4 " Wilderness."
5 Mixed Indian and Dutch, signifying "John-ear-of-corn-hill." 6 " Paint Creek." from the yellow earth along the banks.
7 " Sea-Sand Creek." 8 "' Rail-bridge Creck."
" At an early period the Mohawk Valley was celebrated for its large wheat crops; but now very little is raised. 10 See page 598.
" By the terms of the act making Schenectady the co. Feat. the courthouse was to be built at the expense of the city. The first county officers were Gerrit S. Veeder. First Judge ; Peter V. Veeder, Clerk ; Jas. V. S. Rider, Sheriff; and Wm. J. Teller, Surrogate.
12 The first courts were held in the City Hall, and afterward in the West College.
13 The following is a nearly complete list of the newspapers in the co. :-
The Western Spectator was issued prior to 1807.
The Schenectady Cabinet was commenced in Jan. 1809, by Isaac, The Antiquarian and General Review. mo .. was started in 1845. by Rev. W. Arthur. and continued 2 years.
Riggs. In 1850 it passed into the hands of S. S. Riggs, who continued it until 1857.
The Western. Budget was issued a short time in 1809.
The Mohawk Advertiser was pub. in 1810 hy R. Schermerhorn. i The Floriad, Svo, mo., was published in 1811.
The Schenectady Democrat was begun in 1828, by C. G. and A. Palmer. T. W. Flagg became its publisher m 1837, and the same year it was changed to
The Reflector and Schenectady Democrat. It has been successively published by G. Yates. 1. 1. Kin- caid, and A. A. Keyser, and is now onblished by Fred W. Hoffman.
The Censor was published in 1834, by the students of Union Colleg. The Parthenon. mo., was polished in 1946-17 by the colleg. students.
The Moharker was published in 1835, by Riggs & Negri-
The Protestant Sentinel was commenced in 1855. la Hev John Maxson, and continued 2 years.
The Wreath was started in 1535, by W. H. Burkich. and cor tinned 1 year.
Freedom's Nntindt was issued during the campaign of 1810, by Stephen S Riegs.
The Scroll. mo., was published a short time in 1549.
The Schenectady Democrat was founded in 1853. by Wm. M. Colbourne and W. N. Clark, and since 1857 ft has been published by Alex. J. Thompson.
595
596
SCHENECTADY COUNTY.
The great flat upon the Mohawk w. of "Fort Orange," and where the city of Seheneetady now stands, was bought of the natives in July, 1661, in the name of Arent Van Corlear ;1 and settlement was commeneed during the same year. It was under the charge of 5 commissioners until Nov. 1, 1684, when Gov. Dongan granted a patent confirming previous rights and extending the territory.2 On the night between the 8th and 9th of Feb. 1690, N.S.,' the settlement-then consisting of about 80 houses-was surprised by a party of about 300 French and Indians, and nearly every house was burned. Sixty-three persons were killed, and 27 were carried to Canada as prisoners. The night was intensely cold, and the nearest place of refuge was Albany, to which a few escaped after much suffering.4 In 1702 R. Schermerhorn became sole trustee; and in 1705 a new patent was issued, conferring certain township privileges. On the 23d of Oet. 1765, the place was created a borough, with the rights and immunities ineident to these corporations.5 From 1726 to the Revolution the township of Schenectady sent a representative to the General Assembly. During the war the village was fortified and garrisoned at the public expense, and many families from the Upper Mohawk sought protection here from the incursions of the tories and Indians.6 For several years after 1779 a large number of friendly Oneida and Tuscarora families, driven from their homes by the hostile tribes, were supported in this vicinity at the expense of the General Government. At the return of peace the settlement shared in the general prosperity. A new impulse was given to business by the improvements effected by the Western Inland Navigation Co., which enabled large boats to make longer voyages." Upon the completion of the Erie Canal the Mohawk navigation was entirely superseded. For several years after the completion of the R. R. from Albany in 1831, large quantities of merchandise were sent here to be shipped on the canal, saving the delay of the eir- cuitous route and numerous loeks on the canal between Sehencetady and Troy.8 In 1832 a R. R. was built to Saratoga, in 1835, to Utica, and in 1843, to Troy. In 1849 several plank roads were built, which since have been mostly abandoned.
DUANESBURGII9-was erected as a township, by patent, March 13, 1765, and it was first recognized as a town March 22, 1788. It lies in the s. E. corner of the co. Its surface consists of an upland, broken by the narrow valleys and gulleys of small streams. Schoharie Creek forms a portion of its w. boundary, and Normans Kil flows through the s. part. The hills that border upon these streams are steep, and in some places rocky. The other principal streams are Corrys Brook, Chuetenunda Creek, and Bozen Kil. Maria Pond and Featherstons Lake are 2 small bodies of water in the N. E. part, about 250 feet above the canal. The soil is principally a stiff, clay loam, with a slight intermixture of gravel. It is best adapted to pasturage. Duanesburgh (p. v.) contains about a dozen houses, Quaker Street10 (p. v.) 30, Mariaville1 (p. v.) 20, and Bramans Corners (p. v.) 18. Eatons Cor- ners is a hamlet. Large tracts in this town were purchased by different parties between 1736 and 1770,12 but no active measures of settlement were taken till about the time of its organization in 1765. During that year Duane, who had become an extensive proprietor, con-
The Schenectady Morning Star, started Feh. 24, 1854, by W. M. Chadbourne and W. N. Clark, was changed in 1854 to
The Evening Star, da., now published by W. M. Col- bourne.
The Schenectady Republican has been published since Sept. 1857, by Colbourne & Landon.
The Schenectady Daily News was started in April, 1859, by Frederic Hoffman.
1 The grantors were 4 Mohawk chiefs, named Cantuque, Sonareetsie. Aiadane, and Sodachdrasse. This grant was con- firmed the next year, and the tract was surveyed in 1664. The inhabitants of Fort Orange, wishing to monopolize the Indian trade, presented to the settlers, before the land was received from the surveyor, a written pledge to abstain from trading with the Indians. A remonstrance against this injustice was signed by the following early settlers, viz. : A. Van Corlear, Philip Hendrickson, Sanders Lendertsen Glen, Simon Volcrertsen, l'jeter Soghmaekelyk, Tennis Cornelissen, Marte Cornelise, Wil- Jem Teller, Bastiaen De Winter for Catalyn, widow of Arent Andries de Voss, Pieter Jacobse Borsboom, Pieter Danielse Van Olinda, Jan Barentse Wemp, and Jaques Cornelise. Their re- sistance occasioned several years' delay in the survey of the lands.
2 Win. Teller, Ryer Schermerhorn, Sweer Tunison, Jan Van Eps, and Myndert Wemp were appointed trustees under this grant. The tract embraced the present city, aud the towns of Glenville. Rotterdam. and part of Niskayuna.
8 Previous to 1752 time was reckoned in England by "Old Style," the year commencing on the 25th of March. All dates previous to that time. between Jan. 1 and March 25, are reckoned in 1 year by "Old Style," and in the following year by "New | sided several years in this town. Style."
4 Colden's Five Nations, 3d ed., I. p. 120.
5 Tbis and West Chester were the only boroughs in the colony.
6 The place was never visited by a hostile army after 1690. The colonial statutes contain frequent provisions for the re- building, repairs. and supplies of this fort.
7 This company cleared the river of impediments to navigation as much as possible, built a lock at Little Falls, and in 1796 built a short canal connecting the Upper Mohawk with Wood Creek, which flows into Oneida Lake, opening a direct water communication with the chain of lakes in the interior of the State, and with Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence. The boats employed, called " Durham boats," were propelled up stream by setting poles, and were floated down by the current.
8 This business was stopped by the repeal of the statute pro- hibiting the R. R. from carrying freight w. of this place.
9 Named from James Duane, the principal proprietor. It was first joined with Schoharie, as "the united district of Duanes- burgh and Schoharie." It was made a separate district, March '24, 1772. Mr. Duane took an active part in public affairs during the Revolution and the earlier years of the State Government, and was a liberal benefactor of the town.
10 Boots and shoes, wagons, and sash and blinds, are manu factured here.
11 Named from a danghter of James Duane.
12 Among the purchasers were Thos. Freeman, in 1736, Timo- thy Bagley, in 1737, A. P. and William Cosby, in 1738, Walter Butler, in 1739, and Jonathan Brewer, in 1770. Wm. North, an officer of the Revolution, married a daughter of Duane and re-
597
SCHENECTADY COUNTY.
tracted with 20 Germans from Penn., of whom 16 came on and made a permanent settlement.1 The first church (Christs Ch., Prot. E.) was formed Aug. 3, 1795, and the church edifice was erected by Judge Duane. Rev. David Belden was the first rector.2
GLENVILLE3-was formed from Schenectady, April 14, 1820. It is the only town in the co. N. of the Mohawk. The central and w. parts are occupied by rugged and wooded hills abruptly rising from the valley of the river to a height of 300 feet. The E. part is nearly level. The streams are Crabbs Kil, Chaugh-ta-noon-da, Aalplaats,4 and Jan Wemps Creeks, and Verf Kil. The soil among the hills is a stiff elay, underlaid by hardpan, with an oeea- sional outcrop of slate; and in the E. part it is a sandy and gravelly loam. The Mohawk intervales are very fertile, and are chiefly devoted to the culture of broomcorn. Glenville (p. v.) con- tains 2 churches and 20 houses, Scotia5 (p. v.) 2 churches and 266 inhabitants, Reeseville 12 bouses and a broom factory, and High Falls 13 houses, a grist mill, and woolen factory. Hoffmans Ferry6 (p. o.) is a hamlet and station upon the N. Y. C. R. R. East Glen- ville is a p. o. Bridges connect this town with Schenectady and Niskayuna. Settlements were made about 1665, and were among the earliest in the eo." The Sanders House, in this town, was spared by the enemy when Schenectady was destroyed.8 There are 5 churches in town.º
NISKAYUNA10-was formed from Watervliet, (Albany co.,) March 7, 1809. A part of Schenectady was annexed in 1853. It lies upon the Mohawk, in the E. part of the co. Its surface is mostly upland, terminating in steep bluffs upon the river valley. The intervales are very rich and productive. A strip of land about I mi. wide, extending back from the summits of the bluffs, has a hard, elay soil, and a considerable portion of it is swampy and unfit for cultivation. Further s. the soil is sandy. Watervliet Center (p. o) is within the limits of this town. Niska- yuna is a hamlet in the s. E. corner. The first settlements were made about 1640.11 The canal crosses the Mohawk into this town upon a magnificent stone aqueduct.12 There is 1 church (Ref. Prot. D.) in town.
PRINCETOWN13 __ was formed from Schenectady, March 26, 1798. It lies a little w. of the center of the eo. Its surface consists of a broken upland, gently deseending toward the s. E. The streams are Normans Kil in the s. and Zantzee Kil in the x.14 The soil is a heavy elay loam, underlaid by hardpan, and is best adapted to grazing. Princetown (p. o.) is a hamlet. The town was chiefly conveyed to Geo. Ingoldsby and Aaron Bradt, in 1737. Wm. Corry afterward became owner, and formed a settlement, which was long known as " Corrysbush." The town was thinly settled at the time of the Revolution. The Princetown Academy, a Presb. institution, was opened here. on an extensive seale, in 1853, and was discontinued in 1856. There are a Presb. and a Ref. Prot. D. church in town.
ROTTERDAM-was formed from Schenectady, April 14, 1820. A part of the eity was annexed in 1853. It lies near the center of the eo., upon the s. bank of the Mohawk. The surface consists of a broken, hilly region in the N. w., a level intervale extending from the eenter toward the s., and a high plain in the E. The soil upon the w. hills is a tough clay, underlaid by shale, which frequently erops out. The central valley or plain, 5 mi. in extent, was called by the Dutch the " Bouwlandt." The soil is a deep alluvium. The E. plateau is sandy and barren. Rotter- dam, Mohawkville, and Factory ville are hamlets.15 Settlements were first made about 1661.16 The first church was organized Aug. 29, 1800; Rev. Thos. Romeyn was the first pastor.17
1 The tract embraced about 60.000 acres, and the lands were rented at the rate of $15 per 100 acres, on long lenses. The agents of Sir Wm. Johnson excited a prejudice against these lands which retarded their settlement.
Presb., and Quaker.
" There are in town 5 other churches; Cameronian. Bap., Univ., 8 Named from the original patentee. 4 . Eel Place." 6 Locally pronounced " Sco-chy."
6 Harmanns Vedder established a ferry here about 1790, and it was called Vedders Ferry until 1535, when it was bought by John Hoffman and the name was changed.
7 In 1665 the country around Scotia was granted to Sanders Lendertsen Glen, a native of Scotland, who removed to Holland in 1645 on account of religious persecutions. After several years there spent in mercantile pursuits, he migrated to " Noig Nitherlands."" Van Slycks Island was granted to Jaques Van Slyck. Nov. 13. 1662 .- Barber's Hist. Coll.
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