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 89
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
JAVA-was formed from China, April 20, 1832. It lies on the w. border of the eo., s. of the center. Its surface is an elevated region, broken by hills and the deep valleys of the streams. The highest summits are 400 to 600 ft. above the valleys and 1,000 to 1,200 ft. above Lake Erie. Buffalo Creek flows through the w. part, and receives a large number of tributaries. Catta- raugus Creek takes its rise in the E. part. Cattaraugus Lake is a small sheet of water in the s. E. part, nearly surrounded by steep hills. It forms one of the sources of Cattaraugus Creek. The soil upon the hills is a thin, dark loam underlaid by hardpan; in the valleys it is principally a gravelly loam. About 1 mi. E. of Java Village is a quarry of fine building stone. Java Vil- lage (p. v.) lies upon Buffalo Creek, in the N. w. part of the town. Pop. about 200. North Java, (p. v.,) in the N. E. corner of the town, contains a church and about 100 inhabitants. Java Center, (p. o.,) East Java, (p. o., ) in the s. E. part of the town, Curriers Corners, (Java p. o., ) in the s. w., and Williamsville, near the E. border, are hamlets. The first set- tlement was made on Lot 32, in the N. w. part of the town, in 1810, by Wm. Richardson and Timothy Kirby, from Lowell, Mass.3 The first church (R. C.) was formed in 1838.4
MIDDLEBURY-was formed from Warsaw, March 20, 1812. It lies on the N. border of the co., E. of the center. Its surface is a rolling upland, broken by the deep valleys of the streams. Oatka Creek flows through the s. E. eorner, and Little Tonawanda Creek through the w. part. A deep ravine extends E. and w. through near the center of the town, forming a natural pass between the valleys of these two streams. The hills that border upon Oatka Creek are steep and 400 to 600 ft. high. The soil is a gravelly and elayey loam. Wyoming, (p.v.,) on Oatka Creek, near the E. border of the town, contains the Middlebury Academy,5 3 churches, and 378 in- habitants. West Middlebury, (Dale p. o.,) a station on the B. & N. Y. City R. R., contains 20 dwellings. The first settlement was made by Jonas Sellick, (from Rutland co., Vt., ) in 1802, near Wrights Corners.6 There are 5 churches in town.7
ORANGEVILLE-was formed from Attica, Feb. 14, 1816. Wethersfield was taken off in 1823. It is an interior town, lying N. w. of the center of the eo. Its surface is a rolling upland, broken by deep ravines. The streams are Tonawanda Creek and its branches, draining the w ., and small branches of Oatka and East Coy Creeks, draining the E. parts of the town. The sum- mits of the highest hills are 400 to 700 ft. above the valleys. The soil is a gravelly and elayey loam underlaid by hardpan. Orangeville Center (Orangeville p. o.) contains 15 houses ; Johnsonburg, (p. v.,) on Tonawanda Creek, lies partly in Sheldon. Pop. about 100. Halls Corners (East Orangeville p. o.) is a hamlet. The first settlement was made in 1805, by John Dunean, on Lot 13, and Elisha Doty, from Cayuga eo., on Lot 12.8 The first church (Presb.) was organized by Rev. John Alexander, July 11, 1812.9
1 Nathan and Joseph Dixon, Joseph and Justice Bailey, and | Corners; the first gristmill was built by Silas Newell, in 1813, Sebetiah Ward settled previous to 1807. The first death was that of Sophia Smith, in 1817. The first school was taught by Maria Belliuger, in 1809. The first inn was kept by Lewis Wood, at Portageville, in 1824; and the first store, by Foot & Martin, the same year. The first sawmill was erected in 1812, and the first gristmill in 1820, on the river, by Mumford, Smith, & McKay.
2 The census reports 5 churches; Bap., M. E., Presb., Univ., and R. C.
8 In 1812 and '14, Chas. Richardson and Daniel H. Worcester settled at Java Village, and Charles Fox at Curriers Corners. The first mill was erected by Daniel H. Worcester. at Java Vil- lage, in 1816; the first inn was kept by Chus. Fox, at Curriers Corners, in 1818; and the first store, by Mr. Comstock, at Java ViHage. in 1820.
4 The census reports 4 churches; Cong., M. E., F. W. Bap., and R. C.
6 This academy was founded mainly by the efforts and libe- rality of several of the first settlers of the village. Its main building was erected by subscription, in 1817. It now has some endowments, and is under the charge of the Baptist de- nomination. For many years it was considered the first insti- totion w. of the Genesee River, and still maintains a high repu- tation.
6 In 1903 a number of immigrants from Vt. settled in the town. among whom were Renben Chamberlain. Jabez Warren, Frederick Gilbert. Sterling Sburns, and Israel M. Dewey. The | and Friends.
first storr was kept by Edwin Potumin. in 1810, near Wrights
near Wyoming Village; the first sawmill, by A. Worden, in 1809, at West Middlebury ; Amzi Wright kept the first inn, at Wrights Corners, in 1806. In May, 1817, Artemus Shattuck, a citizen of this town, went into the woods, a distance from home, to chop. While cutting off a log that had been partially split open, his foot was canght in the crack, and he hung for a long time suspended by his foot and partially supported by one hand. Despairing of receiving aid, and entirely nuable to extricate himself, he finally unjointed his aukle with his pocket knife, made a crutch of a crooked stick, and started for the house. le was found abont dark, and carried to the house. where bis leg was amputated by a surgeon. Ile recovered, became a Bap. minister, and lived many years.
7 2 Bap., and I each F. W. Bap., Presh .. and M. E.
8 Lemmel Chase and James Sayer settled about the same time, and Seth und Adial Sherwood, Silas Merrifield. and Asahel Wird in 1806; Truman Lewis and a number of other families in 1807. The first child born was a son of Seth Sherwood. in 1807; the first marringe was that of Adial Sherwood and Miss Wood, in 1809; mnd the first death, that of Mrs. James Sayer. Corinna Lewis and Mary MeKnight commenced the first schools, May 1, 1811; Isaac Moore kept the first inn. in Is1], at the Center ; and Silas Hubbard the first store, in 1814, at the same place. Robert Hopkins erected the first sawmill, in 1810, and Levi Jolinson the first gristmill. in 1817.
9 The census reports 4 churches; Presb., Bap., Ref. Prot. D.,
715
WYOMING COUNTY.
PERRY --- was formed from Leicester, (Livingston co.,) Marel 11, 1814. A part of Covington was taken off in 1817, and Castile in 1821. It lies on the E. border of the co., N. of the center. Its surface is level or gently rolling. Its streams are small brooks and ereeks. The foot of Silver Lake lies along the s. border. Perry, (p. v.,) upon the outlet of Silver Lake, was incorp. iu 1829. It contains the Perry Academy,2 a newspaper office, a bank, a woolen factory, 3 flouring mills, and several churches. Pop. 935. Perry Center (p. v.) contains a church and 40 dwellings.8 West Perry is a hamlet. The first settlement was made in 1806, on Lot 28, by Josiah Williams, from Vt." The first religious services were held at Perry Center, in Dec. 1813, by Rev. Mr. Herrick, (Bap.,) when he was retreating from Buffalo. The first church (Presb.) was organized at the Center, by Rev. Oliver Ayer and Silas Hubbard, Juue 28, 1814.5
PIKE6-was formed from Nunda, (Livingston co.,) March 6, 1818. Eagle was taken off ir 1823, and a part of Genesee Falls in 1846. It lies on the s. border of the co., E. of thic center. Its surface is a hilly and broken upland. East Coy Creek flows s. through the E. part, aud Wiscoy Creek s. E. through the center. Enory Hill, the highest point, is about 100 ft. above the R. R. at Castile, and the lowest point, in the s. E. corner, is 200 ft. below the R. R. The soil is a gravelly and elayey loam. There are several quarries of building stone in town. Pike, (p. v.,) on Wiseoy Creek, near the center, was incorp. Aug. 11, 1848. It contains the Genesee Conference Seminary,' an iron foundery, a flouring mill, a woolen factory, and 3 churches. Pop. 581. East Pike, (p. v.,) on East Coy Creek, contains a church, a flouring mill, an extensive paper mill, and 50 dwellings. Pike Five Corners, Griffiths Corners, and East Coy (p. o.) are hamlets. The first settlement was made in 1806, by Peter Granger, Eli Griffith, Asaliel New- comb, Phineas Harvey, and Caleb Powers, all from Whitehall, N. Y.8 The first church was formed, Sept. 25, 1821, at Pike Village.º
SHIELDON-was formed from Batavia, (Genesee co.,) March 19, 1808. Attica was taken off in 1811, and Bennington and China in 1818. Its surfaec is a rolling upland, 400 to 600 ft. above the valleys. Tonawanda Creek flows through the E. and several tributaries of Buffalo Creek through the w. part. The soul upon the hills is a thin, dark loam underlaid by hardpan, and in the valleys a gravelly loam. Strykersville, (p. v.,) in the s. w. corner of the town, contains several mills, 2 churches, and about 400 inhabitants. Varysburgh,10 (p. v., ) in the N. E., upon Tonawanda Creek, contains 2 churches and 20 dwellings. Sheldon (p. o.) and North Sheldon (p. o.) are hamlets. Johnsonburgh (p. v.) is on the line of Orangeville. The first settlement was made in the N. part, in 1804, by Roswell Turner, agent of Phelps and Chipman, the original purchasers of the town.11 The first religious meeting (Bap.) was held at the house of Roswell Turner, by Rev. Mr. Spencer. The first church was formed at the Center, in 1808.12
WARSAW-was formed from Batavia, (Genesee co.,) March 19, 1808. Middlebury was taken off in 1812, and Gainesville in 1814. It is an interior town, lying N. E. of the center of the co. Its surface is a broken upland, divided into two ridges by the valley of Oatka Creek. The declivities of the hills are steep, and their summits 700 to 1,000 ft. above the valleys. Upon Mill Brook, a small tributary of Oatka Creek, is a perpendicular fall of 105 ft. Warsaw, (p. v.,) the co. seat, was incorp. April 17, 1843. It lies in the valley of Oatka Creck, at the center of the
1 Named from Commodore O. II. Perry.
2 The academy buildings were erected by subscription of the inhabitants, and cost $12,000. This school has been offered to the State for a normal school.
8 An academy was sustained here for several years.
4 Among the first settlers were Seth Canfield, Samuel and Nath'l Howard, Amos Smith, Phicol M. Ward, and Amos Otis,- mostly from New England. The first death was that of Nancy Williams. in 1$15. The first school was taught at Perry Cen- ter, in 1813. by Antt Mann. from Mass. The first inn was kept hy Amos Smith, a little E. of the Center, in 1811; the first store, hy
1 T. & J. C. Edgerley ; and the first mill was erected at Perry Vil- lage, by John Hamersley, in 1812.
5 The census reports 7 churches; 2 Bap., 2 M. E., and 1 each Pre-b .. Cong., and Univ. 6 Named from Gen. Zebulon Montgomery Pike.
7 The seminary buildings were erected in 1856, at a cost of Stimmt: they have accommodations for 300 students. The pro- perty is held by a board of trustees, and is under the patronage of the F. W. Bap. denomination.
8 The first child born was Louisa, daughter of Asahel New- comb. in Ang. 1806: the first marriage was that of Russell II. Retton and Susannah Olin, Feh. 25. 1809; and the first deaths were those of twin children of Phineas Harvey. In the spring
school was taught by Miss Beulah Abell, (from Washington co.,) in the summer of 1809. Eli Griffith kept the first inn, at Pike Village, in 1808, and Tilly Parker the first store. in 1810. at the same place. Eli Griffith built the first sawmill, in 1809, and the first gristmnill, in 1810, a little above Pike Village.
" The census reports 4 churches; 2 M. E., and 1 each Cong and Bap.
10 Named from Wm. Vary, one of the first settlers.
11 Mr. Turner was the father of O. Turner, Esq., anthor of the Ilistory of the Ilolland Purchase, Phelps and Gorhams Pur- chase, &c. Among the other early settlers were Robert Carr and David Howard, in 1805; Seth Gates, Lemuel Castle. Levi Street, Marvin Brace, Stephen Welton, (from Eastern New York,) and Uriah Persons, (from Penn.,) in 1806. The more recent set- tlements In the town have been made mostly by German immi- grants. The first child born was Chipman Phelps Turner, in 1805: the first marriage was that of Justin Loomis and Folly Rolph, in 1807; and the first death. that of David Hoard, who was killed by the falling of a limb of a tree, in 1805. The first school was taught at North Sheldon. by Polly Bolph. in 1807; the first inn was kept hy Roswell Turner, in 1806, at North Sheldon. Wm. Vary built the first sawmill, in 1806, and the first gristmill, in 1808. at Varysburgh.
12 The census reports 8 churches; 2 M. E., and 1 each Presb., of 150 .. Mr. llarvey died the succeeding autumn. The first | Cong,, Bap., F. W. Bap., Ref. Prot. D., and R. C.
716
WYOMING COUNTY.
town. Besides the co. buildings, it contains 5 churches, an academy,1 2 newspaper offices, a bank, an insurance company and office, and several important manufactories.2 Pop. 1,200. South Warsaw (p. o.) is a hamlet. East Warsaw is a p. o. The first scttlement was made at Warsaw Village, by Elizur Webster, in 1803.8 The first church (Cong.) was organized July 14, 1808; Rev. John Lindsley was the first preacher. Their church edifice was built in 1817, and is still occupied.‘
WETHERSFIELD-was formed from Orangeville, April 12, 1823. It is an interior town, lying s. w. of the center of the co. Its surface is a rolling upland. Tonawanda, East Coy, and Wiscoy Creeks all take their rise in this town. Wethersfield Springs, (p. v.,) in the N. E. corner, contains 3 churches and 25 dwellings. Hermitage, (p. v.,) on the E. border of the town, contains 2 churches and 20 dwellings. Smiths Corners (Wethersfield p. o.) is a hamlet. The first settlement was made on Lot 11, in 1810, by Lewis Hancock, Guy Morgan, and Calvin Clifford, from Jefferson co.5 Rev. Mr. Boomer (Bap.) was the first preacher.6
Acres of Land, Valuation, Population, Dwellings, Families, Freeholders, Schools, Live Stock, Agricultural Products, and Domestic Manufactures, of Wyoming 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.
Districts.
Children
taught.
Attica
16,432
8,628
$636,112
$111,350
$747,462
1,327
1,352
500
540
406
13
957
Bennington
22,377
13.110
455,430
18,611
474,041
1.301
1,254
512
545
493
16
941
Castile
17,970₺
5,755
771,060
84,303
855,363
1,185
1,158
472
408
374
14
826
China ....
15,756
13,583
500.246
47,800
548,046
1,051
1.057
345
389
316
13
800
Covington
12,344}
2,980 9,923
307,008
7,175
314,183
733
657
264
283
215
10
588
Gainesville
14,128}
6,290
462,024
50,550
512,574
884
869
350
361
312
10
634
Java
17.996
11,709
423,362
22,315
445,677
1,187
1,108
408
422
383
12
992
Middlebury
15,500
4,603
493,092
75,530
568,622
904
883
351
376
323
15
690
Orangeville
14,336
6,464
300,722
30,098
330,820
730
711
251
244
231
3
459
Perry
17,984
4,771
738,719
126,875
865,594
1,253
1,307
490
532
384
13
801
Pike
11,084
5.930
399,268
23,700
422,968
9.30
957
351
370
280
10
741
Sheldon
17,795
11,656
382,299
35,400
417,699
1,347
1,319
495
519
432
15
1,225
Warsaw
16,442
4,782
740,790
148,650
889,440
1,393
1,401
510
525
452
16
1,049
Wethersfield.
12,820}
9.655}
330,577
50,150
380,727
734
7:28
276
291
246
10
549
Total
241,6542 |122,764}
7,652,002
873,232
8,525,234 16,189
15,959
6,041
6,285
5,208
190 11,872
Domestic clothe, in Yard's.
Attica
592
1,318
1,354
5,203
744
10,276
39,212}
5,205
11,364
40.530
54,785 145,950
346
Bennington.
806
2,098
1,355
9,743
699
5,981
67,082
6,410
15.261
20,781
90,896
14,618
1.297
Castile.
871
1,434
887
6,825
1,281 108,259}
68,278₺
2,597
13,027
19,079
97,002
7,171
1,185
China
619
2,164
1,326
4,837
615
208
69,871៛
4,683}
15.724
6,694
123,976
25,100
1,761
Covington.
585
710
448
7,451
581
60,321
31,589
2,130
5,782
10.735
56,920
3,945
291
Eagle.
556
1.317
832
4,708
514
967
68.181}
2.808
17,509
5,790
77,838
16,986
1,130
Gainesville.
694
1,235
752
7,522
766
17,7884
62.494₺
2.437
13,806
24,396
76,267
15,720;
433
Genesee Falls.
183
404
261
1,832
299
12,988
24.991
934
4,479
7,449
14,485
100
104
JAVA ..
687
2,179
1,168
993
11,531
851
66,078₺
53,5021
4,360
9,153
35,499
81,770
74,025
164
Orangeville,
501
1,195
1,58
2,303
590
4,298
32.890
4,605
10,902
19,248
63,010
273,150
946
Perry
953
1,349
899
8,551
1,023
60.625
60,955
2,8341
17,203
29,524 21,016
73,887
28,617
336
Sheldon.
623
2,209
1,602
5,607
841
3,611
64,176}
5,859
12,940
25,649
121,962
67,310
1.146
Warsaw.
789
1,237
975
2,095
816
18,744
36.800₺
4,043
14,700
33,288
88,076
27,505
456
Wethersfield ..
528
1,183
1,035
3,506
559
4.9461
56,089}
2,8964
11,131
10,650
76,724
65,140
1,886
Total.
10,358
22,311 16,737 93,365 11.674 1385.276
878,4141 58.42141203.932 323,290 1,333,948 823,105 17,173
I It was incorp. by the regents in 1853, and is under the management of a village board of education.
2 Sash and blinds, horse rakes, carriages, and waterproof oil blacking.
8 In the same year, Wm. Webster, Shubael Morris, Amos Kin- ney, Elijah Cutting, and Joseph Palmer settled in the s. part of the town, and Josiah Hovey in the N. part. The first det- tlers were mostly from New England. The first child born was Eliza Webster, in 1804; the first marriage was that of Silas C. Fargo and Catharine Whiting; and the first death. that of an infant son of Sterling Stearns, in 1804. The first death of an adult was that of Dwight Noble, in 1808. The first school was taught by Samuel Mc Whorter, in 1807. Elizur | Prot. E., M. E., and Christian.
Webster kept the first inn, in 1809; and Absalom Green and Dan'l Shaw, the first store, in the same year. Solomon Morris built the first gristmill, in 1808.
4 The census reporte 6 churches; Presb., Cong., Bap., F. W. Bap., Prot. E., and M. E.
6 .Johu W. Parry, from Oneida co., settled at Wethersfield Springs in the fall of 1810, and built the first house at that place. The first school was taught by O. Martin. The first gristmill was erected by James Cravath, in 1812, on East Coy Creek; and the first sawmill, by Calvin Clifford, on the same creek, in 1810.
6 The census reports 6 churches; 2 Bap., and 1 each Cong.,
NAMES OF TOWNS.
Horses.
Working
Oren and
Calves.
Cows.
Sheep.
Swine.
Winter.
Spring.
Tons of Hay.
Bushels of
Potatoes.
Bushels of
Apples.
Pounds
Butter.
Pounds
Cheese.
430
Genesee Falls
5,772}
2,925
239.470
9,350
248,820
560
538
218
225
145
4
190
Eagle.
12,916
471,823
31,375
503,198
670
660
248
255
216
10
LIVE STOCK.
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS.
BUSH. OF GRAIN.
DAIRY PRODUCTS.
90,358₺
3.995
16,520
12,962
131,090
42,050
3,747
Middlebury.
769
1,111
924
4,856
568
6,443
51,97 1
2,624
14,431
105,260
15,718
1.945
Pike
602
1,470
6,795
927
3,741
No. of
YATES COUNTY.
THIS county was formed from Ontario, Feb. 5, 1823, and named OF from Joseph C. Yates, then governor. Barrington and Starkey SEAL were added from Steuben, April 6, 1824. It is centrally distant 172 mi. from Albany, and contains an area of 1,370 sq. mi. Its surface consists of a series of ridges extending from Steuben co. in a northerly direction, and gradually declining from a height of about 1,700 ft. above tide, upon the s. border, to a level of the'undu- lating region near the foot of Seneca Lake. The first or most eastern of these ridges lies between Seneca and Crooked Lakes, and occu- pies the towns of Barrington, Starkey, Milo, Torrey, and a part of Benton. The highest summit is about 900 ft. above Crooked Lake and 1,200 above Seneca. The slopes are generally gradual and the inclination uniform. The second ridge occupies the high peninsula between the two branches of Crooked Lake, and extends N. through Jerusalem, finally losing itself in the rolling upland of Benton. The s. part of this ridge is known as "Bluff Point," from its abrupt termi- nation. It is about 400 ft. above the lake. The third range lies between the w. branch of Crooked Lake and Flint Creek, and occupies the w. part of Jerusalem, the E. part of Italy, and the s. E. part of Potter. The highest summits in the s. are about 700 ft. above the lake. A fourth XATE ridge lies between the valleys of Flint Creck and West River, and extends N. through the w. part of Potter. A fifth range occupies that portion of Middlesex lying between West River Hollow and Canandaigua Lake. The declivities of the last two ranges are mostly very stccp; and their summits are 800 to 1,000 ft. above the valleys. The uplands, except in the extreme w. part, are smooth and arable to their summits. The valleys between them are wide and exceedingly fertile, and the N. part of the co. is a fine rolling region.
The lowest rocks in the co. are the upper serics of the Hamilton shalcs, cropping out on the lower course of the Crooked Lake Outlet. Next above these, upon the same stream, appear the Tully limestone, Genesee slate, and Portage groups. The first of the three, furnishing lime, is the most valuable mineral in the co. The Portage group near Penn Yan furnishes a good quality of flagging stone, and is extensively quarried for that purpose. The shales and sandstone of the Chemung group occupy the summits in the s. part of the co .; calcareous tufa is found upon Crooked Lake Outlet, and marl in the swamps near the foot of tlic lake. Iron pyrites have been found in considerable quantities at Bluff Point. The soil for the most part consists of a fine quality of gravelly loam, intermixed with clay and the disintegrated shales of the Portage group. It is well adapted to either tillage or pasturage.
The principal streams in the co. are Crooked Lake Outlet, Keshong Creek, Big Strcam, Rock Stream, Flint Creek, and West River. Seneca Lake, forming the E. boundary of the co., is 447 ft. above tide, and Canandaigua Lake, forming a part of the w. boundary, 668 ft. Crooked Lake,' near the center, two-thirds of it lying within the co., is 718 ft. above tide and is 18 mi. in length. Its N. part is divided by Bluff Point into two branches, each of which is from one to two mi. wide. Owing to the depredations of the midge winter wheat is less grown than formerly, while spring grains, root crops, stock, wool, and fruit are much more extensively and profitably produeed. The outlet of Crooked Lake affords large water power for manufacturing purposes,-as yet but slightly improved.
The county seat is located at the village of Penn Yan,2 on the line of Milo and Benton.8 The - first courthouse4 and jail combined was erected in 1824; and in 1834 it was burned. In 1835 a new brick courthouse was built, on a public square, at a cost of $12,000. A jail, detached, was erected the same season. The latter was destroyed by fire in Feb. 1857, and was rebuilt the same year, at a cost of $10,200. A clerk's office was erected some years previous, upon the public square
1 Called by the Indians O-go-ya-ga, a promontory projecting | H. Bennett, Co. Clerk ; James P. Robinson, Sheriff; and Abra- Into the lake.
2 The commissioners who located the co. seat, were John Sut- ton, of Tompkins co., George H. Feeter, of Herkuner co, and Joseph B. Walton, of Otsego co.
8 The first court was held at the house of Asa Cole, in Penn Yan, on the first Tuesday in June, 1823. The first board of su- pervisors met at the same place. The first co. officers were Wil- liam M. Oliver, First Judge ; James Taylor, Dist. Atty .; Abraham
ham P. Vosburgh, Surrogate.
+ John Sutton, of Tompkins, Geo. HI. Feeter, of Herkimer, and Joseph B. Walton, of Otsego cos., were appointed commissioners to locate the co. buildings, and Wm. Shattuck, of Benton, Geo .. Sherman and Samuel Stewart, of Milo, to erect them. The courts were to be held at the house of Asa Cole until the court house was finished.
-
717
718
YATES COUNTY.
with the other publie buildings, near the center of the village. The eo. poorhouse is located on a farm of 123 aeres in the town of Jerusalem, about 5 mi. s. w. of Penn Yan.1 The average number of inmates is 86, and they are supported at a weekly cost of $1 40 each. A school is taught in the house during a portion of the year, and religious services are held occasionally. The Crookcd Lake Canal extends along the outlet of Crooked Lake, and cntcrs Seneca Lake at Dresden. It opens a direet water communication with Yates co. and the N. portion of Steuben, and affords an easy and cheap means of transportation. The Elmira, Jefferson & Canandaigua R. R. extends through the co., E. of the center, connecting with the N. Y. C. R. R. at the N. terminus and with the N. Y. & E. R. R. at the s. These two works of internal improvement fur- nish market facilities equal to those generally enjoyed by the interior eos. of the State.
Three newspapers are published in the co.2
The early history of this eo. is intimately associated with the history of the "Friends," a religious sect founded by Jemima Wilkinson.8 This singular woman took the name of the "Universal Friend," and was regarded as a prophet by her followers, among whom were persons of respeeta- bility, wealth, and influence. At a general meeting of the sect, in Conn., in 1786, it was resolved to emigrate to some unsettled region and found a colony where they might live in peace and in the undisturbed enjoyment of their religious opinions. Three of their number were delegated to seek out a proper location." They proceeded to Penn., went up the Susquehanna River, and fol- lowed the route of Gen. Sullivan to Seneca Lake, where they finally determined to locate. In June, 1787, 25 "Friends" set out for the land of promise by the way of the Mohawk Valley. They settled about 1 mi. s. of the present village of Dresden, the location being fixed upon from its elose proximity to the fine waterfalls upon Crooked Lake Outlet.6 During the fall they prepared the land, and in the following season sowed it with winter wheat, which they harvested in 1789; and this was the first wheat erop raised in Western N. Y. In 1789, Wm. Potter and Thos. Hathaway, two of their number, purchased of the State 14,000 aeres of land lying between Seneca Lake and the Pre-emption Line, and subsequently Thos. Hathaway and Benedict Robinson purchased the town Jerusalem of Phelps and Gorham.6 In 1789, Jemima and a large number of her followers
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.