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 81
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down and mado into canes and boxes as mementos of the event. The remains of Miss McC. are interred in the Union Cemetery. 6 The flat upon which this fort was erected is protected ou three sides by the river and a narrow bay; it was further defeuded hy a strong parapet of timber covered with earth, and with a ditch in front. A blockhouse was built upou the bluff that overlooks the poiut ; and within the flat storehouses were erected.
7 He was the first State Senator from this co. Among the first settlers were Noah Payne, from Warren co., Conn., in 1766, Timothy Buel, and the Crocker families. Nath'l Gage was living at Ft. Miller when these families arrived. The Durkee, Saun- ders, and Bell families settled in the upper part of the town. The first one of these consisted of a father and 5 sons, from R. I. These settlers first took out titles nnder Lydius, but, finding them invalid, they bought of the Schuyler proprietcrs. There is no tradition of loss to the settlers from this cause,-whence it is inferred that Col. Lydius refunded whatever he may have re- ceived. Hugh Monroe, (owner of Monroes Island,) Patrick Smith, and Dr. Jas. Smith settled at Fort Edward about 1764. The house of Patrick Smith-still standing, ¿ mi. s. of Canal Aqueduct-was the headquarters of Burgoyne and Gen. Schuy- ler at different times during the Rovolution; and it was the co. courthouse.
8 2 M. E., 2 Prot. E., Ref. Prot. D., Presh.
Tho laborers engaged in this business aro mostly Welsh. Extensive arrangements are in preparation for cutting and dressing this for a variety of ornamental and useful purposes.
10 This stream, rising among the Greeu Mts., is subject to snd- den and severe freshets, which render tho maintenance of bridges difficult and expensive.
The murder of Jane McCrea took place July 27, 1777, near a spring, and beside a venerable pine tree a little E. of the village. 11 At Granville Village are a paper mill and woolen factory. 12 Incorp. in 1849; formerly called " Bishops Corners." This tragedy was at onco reported throughout the country, and aided greatly to weaken tho influenco of the British, whiilo it 18 These grants became known by the names of the patentees, aroused the patriots to more desperate efforts in resisting the in- | as "Grants North and South Patent," "Lakes Patent," "Hutchin. vadera. The old pine tree died in 1849; and in 1853 it was cut | sons Putent," " Kelleys Patent," "Dupersons Patent," &c.
683
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
State afterward bought off his claim, for $12,000.1 The first carding machine used in the State was erected at Middle Granville, in 1808.2 The first church (Presb.) was formed April 16, 1782; the first pastor, Rev. Oliver Hitchcock, was settled in 1786; and the church was erected in 1795.3.
GREENWICHI-was formed from Argyle, March 4, 1803. It lies on the E. border of the co., in the N. angle formed by the junction of the Hudson and Batten Kil. Ranges of hills, 200 to 300 ft. above the valleys, extend through the central and eastern parts of the town. Bald Mt., near Batten Kil, is the principal peak. The declivities of the hills are so gradual that the surface appears to be rolling rather than hilly. Upon Batten Kil are two considerable falls, one of which is 75 ft. in height. The other principal streams are the Cossayuna, Rogers, and Stony Creeks and Livingston Brook. Cossayuna Lake extends into the N. E. corner of the town. The soil is a slaty and gravelly loam interspersed with patches of clay. The town is more extensively engaged in manufactures than any other in the co." Union Village,5 (Greenwich p. o.,) on the line of Easton, contains an academy and 1,173 inhabitants, 888 of whom are in Greenwich; Bald Mountain6 (p. v.) 225 inhabitants; East Greenwich (p. v.) and Center Falls each about 100 houses; and North Greenwich (p. v.) 70. Galesville (p. v.) is a manufac- turing village of about 40 houses, on the line of Easton. Battenville, (p. v.,) in the s. E. corner, contains about 200 inhabitants. Lakeville (Lake p. o.) is a hamlet. It is sup- posed that the first settlement was made by the Dutch, previous to the French War, a few families of them remaining at the time of the Revolution.7 About 1733 a large number of Scotch emigrants had come over under the promise of grants of land from Government,-which promise was not fulfilled. Jan. 5, 1763, three of these emigrants-Duncan, George, and Jas. Campbell, sons of Laughlin Campbell-petitioned for 100,000 acres; and on the 11th of Nov. following a patent of 10,000 acres was issued to the 3 brothers, their 3 sisters, (Rose Graham, Margaret Eustace, and Lily Murray,) and 4 other persons. This grant embraced about one-third of the town of Greenwich. The first church (Bap.) was organized in 1774; Rev. Leonard Bowers was the first preacher.8
HAMPTON-was formed March 3, 1786. It lies upon the E. border of the co., N. of the center. A range of hills, about 500 ft. above the valleys and for the most part covered with forests, extends through the central and eastern parts of the town. Poultney River, separating the town from Vt., is the principal stream. Along its course is a wide intervale of fine land. The soil is a gravelly loam interspersed with clay. The intervale is alike fertilized and desolated by the frequent overflows of the stream. Hampton Corners (Hampton p. o.) contains 20 houses, and Low Hampton' (p.o.) 5. The greater part of this town was included in patents granted to Provincial officers. The N. part embraces about 2000 acres of Skenes Little Patent.10 The first settlement was made some little time before the Revolution,11 by Capt. Brooks, Col. Gideon Warren, and - Webster. The first church (Prot. E.) was built at a very early date;1: Rev. Stephen Jeweth, from N. J., was the first preacher.
HARTFORD-was formed from "Westfield," (now Fort Ann, ) March 12, 1793. It lies neal the center of the co. The s. E. section is broken and hilly, and the center and N. w. level or gently undulating. The summits of the highest hills are 500 to 700 ft. above the level of the Champlain Canal. The principal streams are East Creek and its branches. Slate and limestone of an excellent quality are found among the hills.13 The soil in the s. E. is a rich, slaty loam, and that in the N. w. a heavy clay. There are several chalybeate springs, the principal of which is
1 Capt. Dan'l Curtis, from New Lebanon, N. Y., came into town about 1780; Capt. Ebenezer Gould, from Killingly, Conn., Nath'l Spring, Asaph Cook, Tim. Allen, F. S. Hodge, Ebenezer Walker, and David Doane, settled before or about the time of the Revo- lution. - Baker kept an inn at North Granville, about 1790, and - Jenks kept a store as early as 1795. Nath'l Spring erected a gristmill at Granville, about 1787. A school was taught by Jas. Richards, in 1783, at South Granville.
1 2 It is said that this carding machine was obtained secretly from England and for some time was worked in private.
8 The census reports 10 church buildings; 2 Friends, 2 Presh., Bap., Cong., M. E., Meth. Prot., Wes. Meth., and Prot. E.
4 Batten Kil is improved by a dam of 8 ft. fall at East Green- wich, one of 9 ft. at Battenville, a dam and falls of 25 ft. at Center Falls, a dam of 8 ft. at Union Village, a fall of 40 ft. at Galesville, and a dam near the mouth of the stream. The Di-on-on-dah-O-wa Falls are not improved. There are a woolen factory, agrist, saw, and plaster mill, at East Greenwich, a manufactory of seainless bags at Battenville, a woolen factory, grist, saw, and plaster mill, at Center Falls, and mills near the mouth of the stream.
5 The first settlement in this village was made in 1781, by Joh Whipple, and it was first called " Whipple City." It was Incorp. March 29. 1809. The first cotton factory in the State was erected here in 1804, by Wm. Mowry, who had received his in- struction at the pioneer establishment of Sam'l Slater at Paw-
tucket, R. I. In this village are several mills and inachine shops and a large carriage factory.
6 This village is entirely dependent upon the manufacture of line widely known as the Bald Mt. lime. At the kilns of R. W. Lowber 100,000 bushels are annually manufactured.
7 Among the first settlers at Lakeville were Alexander Reid, John McEachron, and Robt. McNaughton; at East Greenwich, Archibald Livingston ; at Carters Pond, Asa Carter ; near Gales- ville, Abraham Lausingh, - Gale, - White, - Tefft ; and at Center Falls, Tbog. McLean, Jas. Couoly, Nathan Rogers, and Sinith Barber.
8 The census reports 9 churches; 3 Bap., 3 M. E., Cong., Ref. Prot. D., and Asso. Presb.
9 A paper mill here manufactures annually 240,000 lbs. of wrapping paper.
10 This patent of 9000 acres was granted July 6. 1771.
11 Among the early settlers were Sam'l Bernan. Peter P'. French, --- Hyde, Benj. Rice, Rufus Hotchkiss, and Jason Kellogg French & Beman kept the first store, and the former the first inn. Rev. Wm. Miller, originator of the belief that the second advent of Christ would take place in 1543, resided in this town. 12 The first religious society formed was MI. E. The census ro- ports + churches ; Bap., M. E., Prot. E., and Sec. Advent.
13 Lime for local use was made in this part of the town.
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684
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
upon the farm of Alvin Briggs, near the center. Among the limestone ridges in the N. part are several small caves. North Hartford (Hartford p. o.) contains about 300 inhabitants; South Hartford (p. v.) 150; and Log Village 50. This town embraecs the Provincial Patent, granted, May 2, 1764, to 26 commissioned officers of the N. Y. Infantry.1 Settlement was not com- menced until after the Revolution.' The first church (Bap.) was built in 1789.3
HEBRON -- was formed March 23, 1786, and named from IIebron, Conn. It lics near the center of the E. border of the co. A broad mountain range extends through the center, occupying nearly one-half of its entire surface, and a series of high hills extends through the E. and w. sections. The summits of the highlands are 300 to 500 ft. above the valleys and are mostly crowned with forests. The ranges of hills are separated by the valleys of Black Creek and its principal w. branch. The soil is a sandy and slaty loam, of a light, porous nature, easy of culti- vation, and well adapted to resist the extremes of wet and drouth. In the hilly regions is con- siderable rocky waste land. In the N. and E. are extensive and valuable quarries of slate. North Hebron5 (p. v.) contains the North Hebron Institute and 12 houses ; East Hebron (Hebron p. o.) 12 houses; West Hebron (p. v.) the West Hebron Classical School and 40 houses ; Belcher® (p. v.) 20 houses; and Slateville (p.o.) 8. This town was embraced in patents granted to officers and privates who had served in the French War,-mostly to Scotch Highlanders belonging to the 77th Regt. of Foot. These grants were made so long after the war that those who were entitled to them never appeared to claim them. The first settlements appear to have been made before the Revolution. There are two academic institutions in town. The first church (Asso. Ref. Presb.) was organized in 1780;7 Rev. Dr. Gray was the first pastor.
JACKSON-was formed from Cambridge, April 17, 1815. It lies on the E. border of the co., s. of the center. The N. branch of the Taghkaniek Range occupies the E. portion of the town, and several parallel ranges extend through the central and w. portions, rendering the entire surface very hilly. The summits of the hills are 300 to 800 ft. above the valleys and are generally erowned with forests. The declivities are often steep and rocky. The principal streams are Batten Kil and a branch of Owl Creek. In the valley between the hills that border immediately upon Batten Kil and those farther w. are several small lakes, known as Long, Big, Dead, and Little Ponds. These lakes are beautiful sheets of water, surrounded by hills, forests, and fine cultivated farms. The soil is a slaty loam and very productive. Jackson Center (Jackson p. o.) contains 16 houses ; Colla, (p. v.,) on the line of Cambridge, about 30 houses; and Anaquassacook 12. Por- tions of this town and White Creek were embraced in the Anaquassacook Patent of 10,000 aercs, granted May 11, 1762.8 'The first settlers were James Irvine, Peter Magill, and John Miller, all of whom located in the s. part of the town.º The only church (Ref. Prot. D.) in town was organized Dec. 31, 1833; Rev. Jas. W. Stewart was the first pastor. Geo. Law, one of the projectors and pro- prietors of the California line of steamships, was a native of this town.
KINGSBURY-was incorp. by patent May 11, 1762, and recognized as a town by the State Government March 23, 1786. It lies on the w. border of the co., N. of the center. Nearly all of its surface is level or gently undulating. A range of hills, rising about 150 ft. above the valleys, occupies the extreme E. edge of the town. The principal streams are the Hudson, in the s. w. corner ; Wood Creek, upon the E. border ; Halfway Brook, in the N. w. corner, and Moss Brook. At Bakers Falls,10 upon the Hudson, the river shoots down a steep desecnt of ledges, in all 76 ft. in 60 rods, forming a scene of great beauty, and affording an extensive water-power. The soil along the valley of Wood Creek is a hard, stiff elay; in the other parts of the town, a sandy or gravelly loam. There are extensive quarries of limestone in town, furnishing an excellent building material; from these quarries was obtained the stone for the locks on the Champlain & IIudson
I This patent contained 26,000 acres, each officer receiving 1,000 acres.
2 Col. John Buck, Manning Bull, Stephen and Asa Bump, Jolin and Edward Ingalls, and Nathan and Sam'l Taylor were among the first settlers. Aaron and Eber Ingoldsbee, from Boylston, Mass .. came in 1782, and Timothy Stocking, Ebenezer Smith. and John Paine in 1784. A school was taught in 1790, at North Hartford, by Thos. Paine, from Conu. A gristmill was built of logs at an early date.
8 The census reports 4 churches in town; M. E. Bap., Cong., and Union.
+ During the Revolution, and for some time after, the place was known as " Black Creek."
" Locally known as " Munros Meadows."
" Locally known as " Bedlam."
7 The census reporte 7 churches; 2 M. E., 2 Sec. Advent, Bap., Asso. Presb., and Asso. Ref. Presb.
8 This patent was granted to Ryer, Jacob, Freeman, and W. M. Schermerhorn, Johannes, Nicholas, and Peter Quackenboss, Thos. and John Smith, and Joseph Jansen, all of Schenectady.
9 Among the settlers on the Anaquassacook were llugh Thompson and Ebenezer Billings, and near the ponds John McLean and Jonathan Conger. A schoolhouse was built in 1780, a little w. of Peter Hill's residence. An inn was kept by Isaac Murray about 1790. John McGill built a store of logs, in 1781, on the site of the present residence of Peter Hill.
10 Named from Albert Baker, the second settler in town.
685
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
Canal. Manufacturing is carried on to a considerable extent.1 Sandy Hill? (p. v.) has a popu- lation of 1,260. Moss Street contains 25 houses; Kingsbury (p. v.) 25; Pattens Mills (p. v.) 20; Dunhams Basin 10; Vaughns Corners 12; Adamsville (p.o.) 12; Langdons Corners 5; and Smiths Basin (p.o.) 8. Kingsbury Patent, containing 26,000 aeres, was granted to Jas. Bradshaw and 22 others, from Conn., May 11, 1762. The first settlers were James Bradshaw, Albert Baker, and his sons Albert and Charles, from New York City.3 A sawmill was built at Bakers Falls before the Revolution, and a gristmill in 1807. The town was the scene of many an adventure during the French War, and the settlement was entirely broken up during the Revolution. Traces of a road eut by Burgoyne's army are still visible near Kings- bury. The first minister was Franeis Baylor, a Moravian, about 1776. Meetings were held by the Prot. Epis. and the Bap. in 1795.5 Several noted men have been residents of this town.6
PUTNAM-was formed from "Westfield," (now Fort Ann,) Feb. 28, 1806. Dresden was set, off in 1822. This town lies in the extreme N. end of the co., upon the mountainous peninsula between Lakes George and Champlain. The mountains are divided into two separate ranges by the valleys of Mill and Charter Brooks. The w. range of mountains rises abruptly from the surface of Lake George, and in the s. part of the town attains an elevation of 900 to 1,000 ft. above the surface of the lake. The greater part of the surface is rocky, broken, and unfit for cultivation; but seetions of arable land extend along the valleys of the small streams and the borders of Lake Champlain, The soil is generally a hard, gravelly loam. Graphite of a fine quality is found in abundance. X small pond lies among the mountains, on the w. side of the town, 300 feet above Lake George. Putnam Corners, (Putnam p. o.,) containing about 10 houses, is the only village. The tilla- ble lands were mostly granted to privates of the N. Y. Provincial regiments, and feeble settle- ments had probably commeneed before the Revolution.8 The first church (Asso. Presb.) was built in 1801;9 Rev. James Miller, from Scotland, was the first pastor. A private academy at Putnam Corners was established in 1854.
SALEM-was formed by patent Aug. 7, 1764, and was recognized by statute March 23, 1786. It lies on the E. border of the eo., s. of the center. Its surface consists of moderately elevated ridges, separated by narrow valleys, all extending in a N. E. and s. w. direction. The hills are usually bordered by gradual slopes and their summits are erowned with forests. There is very little waste land in town. Batten Kil, forming the s. boundary, and Black, White, and Trout Creeks, are the principal streams. Lyttles Pond, in the N. part of the town, is a beautiful sheet of water lying in a basin among the hills and surrounded by forests. The soil is a rich, slaty or gravelly loam. Salem, (p.v.,) incorp. April 4, 1803, has 832 inhabitants ; Shushan (p. v.) about 25 houses ; and Eagleville, (East Salem p. o.,) Clapps Mills, and Fitches Point have each 40 to 50 inhabitants. James Turner and Joshua Conkey, from Pelham, Mass., were the first settlers, in 1761. They were joined, the next year, by Hamilton MeCollister. In 1764 a patent of 25,000 acres was obtained,-one-half owned by a company of New England settlers and the other by Oliver De Lancey and Peter Du Bois, two Government officials.10 These last sold their share to Rev. Thos. Clark and his company of Irish and Scotch immigrants at a perpetual rent of one shilling per acre.11 The Camden Tract, on the E. part of the town, was granted to captains
1 The dam at Sandy Hill, across the Hudson, 1,200 ft. long and | Henry C. Martindale, of Sandy Hill. Lient. Gov. Pitcher, for 10 ft. high, furnishes water-power for several mills and a woolen some time Acting Governor, was a citizen of this town. Hon. Wm. P. Lee, late Chief Justice and Chancellor of the Sandwich Islands, was a native of Sandy Hill. factory. At Bakers Falls there are a paper mill and 2 gristmills. The lumber business of the town is very extensive and im- portant, the sawmills being supplied with logs floated down 7 Named in honor of Gen. Israel Putnam, who in this vicinity, as major in the colonial service, performed some of his most daring exploits. from the Upper Hudson. There are also iu town establishments for the manufacture of pianos, steam engines, portable saw- mills, &c.
" This village has been a half-shire town since 1807. It was incorp. March 9, 1810.
8 Amoug the other first settlers were Michael Hoffnagle, Solo- mon King. Oliver Colvin. and Nehemiah Seely.
4 At one time 17 soldiers were taken prisoners by the Indians and carried to the present site of Sandy Hill Village. They were seated on a log, in a row, when their captors deliberately began to tomahawk theni, taking them in order from one end of the log. When all were killed but one, (John Quackenboss, of Albany,) a squaw claimed him, and his life was spared. He returned after a few years of captivity, and resided near Hoo- sick, in Cambridge. In Ang. 1758, Majs. Putnam and Rogers encountered a party of French and Indians in this town, during which engagement Putnam was made prisoner. The enemy were finally compelled to withdraw. with a loss of 90 men.
6 The census reports 9 churches; 3 Bap., 3 M. E., Prcsh., Prot. E., and R. C.
8 The first sawmill was erected by Robt Cummings, in 1802, on Mill Creek, 1 mi. from Lake Champlain. The first child born was James Jennings, in 1803; the first death was that of Anne Thompson, in 1804. Robt. Patterson kept the first school, in 1804. Many of the first settlers were Scotch, aud among them were Obadiah Blake, Robt. Cummings, John Blair, Win. Hutton, George Easton, Pelatiah Bngbee, John Butterfield, aud Josiah Clark.
9 There are 2 churches; Asso. Presh., and F. W. Bap.
10 This patent was surveyed into 308 lots, and a large pine lot was reserved for the common benefit, and cut up into sinall lots for division; 3 lots near the center of the town were set apart to support the minister and schoolmaster.
11 The New England aud Scotch settlers were mixed together in their settlements, and often on alternate farus; aud, in con- sequence of the rivalry between the two parties of proprietors, the town was speedily settled. The New Englanders wished to call the town "White Creek," and the Scotch "New Perth;" and
" Gov. Wright received his legal education at the office of each name was strongly insisted on.
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686
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
and lieutenants in the Provincial army. Rev. Thomas Clark was the first minister.1 The Salem Washington Academy was incorp. Feb. 15, 1791.ª
WHITE CREEK'-was formed from Cambridge, April 17, 1815. It is the s. E. corner town of the co. The surface of the s. portion is gently rolling, and the central and N. portions are occupied by the Taghkanick Mts. The summits of these mountains are rocky and broken and covered with forests, and their sides are bounded by abrupt declivities and perpendicular ledges. The principal streams are Hoosick River, Owl Kil, Pumpkin Ilook,4 Center, White, and Little White Creeks. The upper course of Owl Kil is through a deep and narrow valley abounding with pictur- esque views. A small vein of lead has been discovered three-fourths of a mi. E. of Posts Corners. The soil is a fine quality of gravelly loam. More sheep are raised in this town than in any other in the co. Garden seeds and flax are largely cultivated. North White Creek (p. v.) adjoins Cam- bridge. White Creek, (p. o.,) Posts Corners, Center White Creek, (p. o.,) Ash Grove, Dorrs Corners, Pumpkin Hook, and Martindale Corners are hamlets. The Walloomsac Patent, lying partly in this town, on the s., was settled by the Dutch. Among the other grants were the Bain, Embury, Grant and Campbell, and Lake and Van Cuyler, Patents. A colony of Irish Methodists settled near Ash Grove about 1770; and here was organized the second M. E. church in America,5 by Thos. Ashton (from whom the locality was named) and Rev. Philip Embury. James and Thos. Morrison made the first settlement, near White Creek.6
WHITEHALL'-was incorp. by patent Nov. 12, 1763, as " Skenesborough."8 Its name was changed March 23, 1786. It lies at the s. extremity of Lake Champlain. Its surface is moun- tainous in the w. and level and undulating in the center and E. Saddle Mt., upon the w. border, is nearly 900 ft. above the surface of the lake. The principal streams are Wood Creek, Mettowee (or Pawlet) and Poultney Rivers. Upon Wood Creek, near its mouth, is a fall which furnishes a valuable water-power. The soil of the greater part of the town is a hard, stiff clay and is best adapted to grazing. Considerable manufacturing is carried on in town.º Whitehall (p. v.) is situated near the mouth of Wood Creek, on Lake Champlain. The R. R., canal, and lake trade give this place commercial importance. The Whitehall Academy is in the E. part of the village. Pop. 3,225. This town was the scene of stirring military events during the French War.10 The first settler was Maj. Skene, who located here, with 30 families, in 1761. Nominally associating 24 others with himself, he obtained a patent of 25,000 acres, March 13, 1765; and a patent of 9,000 acres in the town of Hampton and Whitehall, July 6, 1771, known as Skene's Little Patent. About 1770 he built a massive stone house and barn, a forge, and one or two sawmills. He also built a sloop upon the lake, and a road, known as " Skenes Road," 30 mi. through the wilderness toward Salem. Ile appears to have been a man of great energy of character, and he endeavored to secure solid and permanent advantages to the infant settlement.11 Upon the approach of the Revolution, Maj. Skene espoused the royalist cause, and his house was taken by the Americans in May, 1775.12 In 1776 an American garrison was stationed here, and a small fleet was fitted
1 Rev. Thos. Clark (Asso. Presh.) was the first minister; and his church, formed in Ireland, was transplanted without re- organization. In 1769 a Presh. society was formed, Rev. John Harford first pastor. Their church, then unfinished, was forti- fied by Capt. Jos. MeCracken in 1777, and soon after was burned by the enemy. There are now 7 churches in town ; 2 M. E., Asso. Presb., Asso. Ref. Presh., F. W. Bap., Presh., and Morav.
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