USA > New York > Oneida County > History of Oneida County, New York : from 1700 to the present time, Volume I > Part 9
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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
the attacks of the English sparrow, which was unwisely introduced into this country.
The native birds of this county will soon have another introduced European bird to contend with in the struggle for existence. This is the starling, which is already very abundant in the southeastern part of the state and is rapidly spreading in different directions, so that its invasion of Oneida county cannot be long delayed.
The reptiles of Oneida county form, as in most other regions where the win- ters are long and severe, only a comparatively inconspicuous part of its fauna. Except that one species of lizard has once been taken near Utica, the true rep- tiles consist entirely of turtles or tortoises, and snakes. Though a considerable number of species of these animals have a wide distribution in the eastern states, so that they may sooner or later be found in Oneida county, yet the list of common species is not a long one. It comprises six or seven turtles, all aquatic except the wood turtle, which is often found on land at some distance from water, and the box turtle, which is a true land tortoise and inhabits dry places. The last mentioned, though protected by law, is rapidly becoming extinct, as its slow movements make it a helpless victim of forest and brush fires, as well as of its human and animal enemies.
Of the snakes there are but two venomous species, the rattlesnake and cop- perhead, which can be found in Oneida county. They are both such rarities that they need not be a cause of concern to human beings, and they should not be made an excuse for the war of extermination which most people, through ignorance and prejudice, wage upon the inoffensive species. Except the two rare species just mentioned none of the others are poisonous, though often incor- rectly reputed so. They are not merely harmless, but they constitute one of the natural checks on the multiplication of troublesome small mammals, such as field mice, and large insects, such as locusts and grasshoppers, and should be protected by the farmer instead of being destroyed at every opportunity.
The amphibians of the county include the common toad, which, in spite of its unprepossessing appearance, is most useful as a destroyer of insects, worms and slugs; tree toads; frogs, salamanders and newts; as well as the mud puppy, a large salamander-like creature, which attains a length of 18 inches or more. Since the building of the Erie canal this animal has extended its range eastward through the county and into the Hudson valley, by means of that artificial water- course.
For an inland district Oneida county is favorably situated for the occurrence of a large variety of fishes and aquatic invertebrates. The streams within its borders flow toward all the principal points of the compass, and form parts of the three great river systems, that of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence, the Hudson and the Susquehanna. In the first mentioned system of lakes and rivers a greater variety of fishes and other aquatic forms is found than in the Hudson and its tributaries, but the building of the Erie Canal opened a channel, not only for the commerce for which it was designed, but for some of the western species to invade the waters of the Hudson valley. Of this, the case of the mud puppy already mentioned is a good example. The opening of this canal, together with the practice of stocking ponds and streams with fish, native or foreign, which were not previously found in them, the killing off of less hardy species by the
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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
destruction of forests that shaded and cooled the streams, and by the pollution of the waters, and their replacement with other species better able to withstand the new conditions, have all contributed to so change the inhabitants of our waters that it is now impossible to say what was the original distribution of many of the fishes and other animals, or, in many cases, even whether a given kind is actually a native or an introduced species.
The fish and fisheries of Oneida lake are naturally the most important in the county. In former times the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar Linnaeus) occurred there in considerable size and numbers. De Kay, in the Natural History of New York (1842), states that he had "seen some from Oneida lake weighing from ten to fifteen pounds." The brook trout, (Salvelinus fontinalis Mitchill) though found in streams tributary to the lake, is rarely found in the lake itself, and neither of these fishes is included in a list of the fish inhabiting the lake at the present time, which was prepared by Mr. George F. Scriba, Superintendent of the Oneida Lake Fish Hatchery at Constantia, for the writer, through the kind- ness of the State Fish Culturist, Dr. Tarleton H. Bean. This list contains the common names of 48 fishes, not all of which can be identified in the absence of specimens for examination, as some of the names of the catfishes, shiners, suckers, and other less important forms are applied to more than one species. The list includes, however, the following fishes :
Ling, Lota maculosa (Le Sueur).
Silver bass, Roccus chrysops (Rafinesque).
Johnny darter, Baleosoma nigrum olmsteadi (Storer), also one undeter- mined darter.
Yellow perch, Perca flavescens (Mitchill).
Wall-eyed pike, (yellow) Stizostedion vitreum (Mitchill).
Wall-eyed pike, (gray) Stizostedion canadense griseum (DeKay).
Black bass, (small-mouthed) Micropterus dolomieu (Lacépède).
Black bass, (large-mouthed) Micropterus salmoides (Lacépède).
Sunfish, (long-eared) Lepomis pallidus (Mitchill).
Sunfish, (short-eared) Eupomotis gibbosus (Linnaeus).
Calico or strawberry bass, Pomoxis sparoides (Lacépède).
Rock bass, Ambloplites rupestris (Rafinesque).
Trout perch, Percopsis guttatus (Agassiz).
Mummy chog, Fundulus diaphanus (LeSueur).
Pike, Lucius lucius (Linnaeus).
Pickerel, (grass or Cazenovia) Lucius reticulatus (LeSueur). Two varieties.
Pickerel, (banded) Lucius vermiculatus (LeSueur). .
Tullibee, Argyrosomus tullibee (Richardson).
Cisco, Argyrosomus sisco (Jordan).
Common eel, Anguilla chrysypa (Rafinesque).
German carp, Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus).
A number of species of shiners, dace and minnows, including the golden shiner, Abramis crysoleucas (Mitchill) ; the spawn eater, Notropis hudsonius (De Witt Clinton) ; the horned dace, Notropis cornutus (Mitchill) ; and buckeye shiner Notropis atherinoides (Rafinesque).
Chub or fallfish, Semotilis bullaris (Rafinesque).
Creek chub, Semotilis Atromaculatus (Mitchill).
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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
Several species of suckers, including the so-called Mullet, Erimyzon sucetta oblongus (Mitchill).
Several cat fishes, including the common Bullhead, Ameiurus nebulosus (LeSueur).
Dogfish or bowfin, Amia calva (Linnaeus).
Lamprey or Lamper eel, Petromyzon marinus unicolor (DeKay).
Among the more conspicuous aquatic invertebrates several species of craw- fishes, and a greater variety of fresh water mussels inhabit the waters of Oneida lake, than occur in those counties which are drained exclusively by the Hudson river and its tributaries.
The study of the invertebrate fauna of this state has not, however, yet pro- gressed far enough to give more than scattered and incomplete records of the occurrence of the various species in the different parts of the state, and an attempt, at the present time, to estimate the number of species in the various classes which occur in Oneida county would be based too much on inference and conjecture to be of value.
The fish that are found in Oneida county and known by their common names are as follows :
Speckled or brook trout; lake trout; pike, or great northern pike; pickerel, (Grass or Cazenovia) ; pickerel, (banded) ; pickerel, (green and black) ; the back is black and the lower half of sides green; wall eyed pike (gray) ; wall eyed pike, (yellow) ; pikeperch; yellow perch; sucker, (black) ; sucker, (stone) ; sucker, (striped or June) ; sucker, (redfin) ; mullet; carp; tullibee; com- mon cisco; sunfish, (long ear) ; sunfish (short ear); ling or lawyer; bull- head, (black) ; bullhead, (yellow) ; catfish, (black) ; catfish, (silver) ; dog- fish or bowfin; black bass, (small mouth) ; black bass, (large mouth) ; bass, (strawberry or calico) ; bass, (rock) ; bass, (silver) ; bass, (striped) ; eel, (com- mon) ; eel, (lamprey) ; salamander or lizard, (known at Constantia as dogfish, two kinds, one with black ears and one with red ears) ; golden shiner; silver shiner; buckeye shiner; common chub; lake chub; horned dace; blunt nosed minnow; chub, (same as fallfish) ; white sucker; red sided minnow; red nosed minnow ; creek chub; mummy chog; stone fish, or stone pike; pin shiner; trout perch; johnny darter; crawfish or crab, (green, hard shell in lake only) ; craw- fish or crab, (black) ; crawfish or crab, (brown).
The following list of the birds has been prepared for this work by Mr. Egbert Bagg, of Utica, a member of American Ornithologists' Union.
Colymbus holboelli-Holboell's Grebe.
Colymbus auritus-Horned Grebe.
Podilymbus podiceps-Pied-billed Grebe.
Gavia immer-Loon.
Gavia stellata-Red-throated Loon.
Uria lomvia lomvia-Brünnich's Murre.
Rissa tridactyla tridactyla-Kittiwake.
Larus argentatus-Herring Gull.
Larus delawarenis-Ring-billed Gull.
Larus philadelphia-Bonaparte's Gull.
Sterna hirundo-Common Tern.
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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis-Black Tern. Rynchops nigra-Black Skimmer. Aestrelata hasitata-Black-capped Petrel. Phalacrocorax carbo-Cormorant. Phalacrocorax auritus auritus-Double-crested Cormorant. Mergus americanus-Merganser. Mergus serrator-Red-breasted Merganser. Lophodytes cucullatus-Hooded Merganser. Anas platyrhynchos-Mallard. Anas rubripes-Black Duck. Chaulelasmus streperus-Gadwall. Mareca americana-Baldpate.
Nettion carolinense-Green-winged Teal.
Querquedula discors-Blue-winged Teal. Spatula clypeata-Shoveller.
Dafila acuta-Pintail. Aix sponsa-Wood Duck. Marila americana-Redhead.
Marila valisineria-Canvas-back.
Marila marila-Scaup Duck. Marila affinis-Lesser Scaup Duck.
Clangula clangula americana-Golden-eye.
Charitonetta albeola-Buffle-head.
Harelda hyemalis-Old-squaw. Somateria spectabilis-King Eider. Oidemia americana-Scoter. Oidemia deglandi-White-winged Scoter.
Oidemia perspicillata-Surf Scoter.
Erismatura jamaicensis-Ruddy Duck.
Branta canadensis canadensis-Canada Goose.
Branta nigricans-Black Brant. Olor columbianus-Whistling Swan.
Botaurus lentiginosus-Bittern.
Ixobrychus exilis-Least Bittern.
Ardea herodias herodias-Great Blue Heron.
Herodias egretta-Egret. Butorides virescens virescens-Green Heron.
Nycticorax nycticorax naevius-Black-crowned Night Heron. Rallus virginianus-Virginia Rail.
Porzana carolina-Sora. Coturnicops noveboracensis-Yellow Rail. Gallinula galeata-Florida Gallinule. Fulica americana-Coot. Phalaropus fulicarius-Red Phalarope. Lobipes lobatus-Northern Phalarope. Philohela minor-Woodcock.
Gallinago delicata-Wilson's Snipe. Vol. 1-5
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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
Macrorhamphus griseus griseus-Dowitcher. Tringa canatus Knot.
Pisobia maculata-Pectoral Sandpiper.
Pisobia fusciollis-White-rumped Sandpiper.
Pisobia bairdi-Baird's Sandpiper.
Pisobia minutilla-Least Sandpiper. Pelidna alpina sakhalina-Red-backed Sandpiper.
Ereunetes pusillus-Semipalmated Sandpiper.
Calidris leucophaea-Sanderling.
Limosa haemastica-Hudsonian Godwit.
Totanus melanoleucus-Greater Yellow-legs.
Totanus flavipes-Yellow-legs.
Helodromas solitarius solitarius-Solitary Sandpiper. Bartramia longicauda-Upland Plover. Actitis macularius-Spotted Sandpiper.
Neumenius hudsonicus-Hudsonian Curlew.
Squatarola Squatarola-Black-bellied Plover.
Charadrius dominicus dominicus-Golden Plover.
Oxyechus vociferus-Killdeer.
Aegialitis semipalmata-Semipalmated Plover. Arenaria interpres interpres-Turnstone.
Colinus virginianus virginianus-Bob-white.
Bonasa umbellus umbellus-Ruffled Grouse. Ectopistes migratorius-Passenger Pigeon.
Zenaidura macroura carolinensis-Mourning Dove. Cathartes aura septentrionalis-Turkey Vulture.
Circus Hudsonius-Marsh Hawk. Accipiter cooperi-Copper's Hawk.
Accipiter velox-Sharp-shinned Hawk.
Astur atricapillus atricapillus-Goshawk. Buteo borealis borealis-Red-tailed Hawk. Buteo lineatus lineatus-Red-shouldered Hawk.
Buteo platypterus-Broad-winged Hawk. Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis-Rough-legged Hawk. Aquila chrysaëtos-Golden Eagle. Haliaeetus leucocephalus leucocephalus-Bald Eagle.
Falco peregrinus anatumi-Duck Hawk. Falco columbarius columbarius-Pigeon Hawk. Falco sparverius sparverius-Sparrow Hawk. Pandion haliaëtus carolinensis-Osprey. Aluco pratincola-Barn Owl. Asio Wilsonianus-Long-eared Owl. Asio flammeus-Short-eared Owl. Strix varia varia-Barred Owl. Scotiaptex nebulosa nebulosa-Great Gray Owl. Cryptoglaux acadica acadica-Saw-whet Owl. Otus asio asio-Screech Owl.
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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
Bubo virginianus virginianus-Great Horned Owl. Nyctea nyctea-Snowy Owl. Surnia ulula caparoch-Hawk Owl. Coccyzus americanus americanus-Yellow-billed Cuckoo. Coccyzus erythrophthalmus-Black-billed Cuckoo. Ceryle alcyon-Belted Kingfisher. Dryobates villosus villosus-Hairy Woodpecker. Deyobates pubescens medianus-Downy Woodpecker. Picoides arcticus-Arctic Three-toed Woodpecker. Picoides americanus americanus-Three-toed Woodpecker. Sphyrapicus varius varius-Yellow-bellied Sapsucker. Phloeotomus pileatus pileatus-Pileated Woodpecker. Melanerpes erthocephalus-Red-headed Woodpecker. Centurus carolinus-Red-bellied Woodpecker. Colaptes auratus auratus-Flicker. Antrostomus vociferus vociferus-Whip-poor-Will. Chordeiles virginianus virginianus-Nighthawk. Chaetura pelagica-Chimney Swift. Archilochus colubris-Ruby-throated Hummingbird.
Tyrannus tyrannus-Kingbird. Myiarchus crinitus-Crested Flycatcher. Sayornis phoebe-Phoebe.
Nuttallornis borealis-Olive-sided Flycatcher.
Empidonax flaviventris-Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.
Empidonax trailli alnorum-Alder Flycatcher. Empidonax minimus-Least Flycatcher. Myiochanes virens-Wood Pewee. Otocoris alpestris alpestris-Horned Lark. Otocoris alpestris praticola-Prairie Horned Lark. Cyanocitta cristata cristata-Blue Jay. Perisoreus canadensis canadensis-Canada Jay.
Corvus corax principallis-Northern Raven.
Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos-Crow. Dolichonyx oryzivorus-Bobolink. Molothrus ater ater-Cowbird.
Agelaius phoeniceus phoeniceus-Red-winged Blackbird. Sturnella magna magna-Meadowlark. Icterus spurius-Orchard Oriole. Icterus galbula-Baltimore Oriole. Euphagus carolinus-Rusty Blackbird.
Quiscalus quiscala aeneus-Bronzed Grackle. Hcsperiphona vespertina vespertina-Evening Grosbeak. Pinicola enucleator leucura-Pine Grosbeak. Carpodacus purpureus purpureus-Purple Finch. Loxia curvirostra minor-Crossbill. Loxia leucoptera-White-winged Crossbill. Acanthis linaria linaria-Redpoll.
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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
Astragalinus tristis tristis-Goldfinch.
Spinus pinus-Pine Siskin.
Plectrophenax nivalis nivalis-Snow Bunting.
Proecetes gramineus gramineus-Vesper Sparrow. Passerculus sandwichensis savanna-Savannah Sparrow. Ammodramus savannarum australis-Grasshopper Sparrow.
Passerherbulus nelsoni nelsoni-Nelson's Sparrow. Zonotrichia leucophrys leucophrys-White-crowned Sparrow.
Zonotrichia albicollis-White-throated Sparrow.
Spizella monticola monticola-Tree Sparrow.
Spizella passerina passerina-Chipping Sparrow.
Spizella pusilla pusilla-Field Sparrow. Junco hyemalis hyemalis-Slate-colored Junco.
Melospiza melodia melodia-Song Sparrow.
Melospiza lincolni lincolni-Lincoln's Sparrow.
Melospiza georgiana-Swamp Sparrow. Passerella iliaca iliaca-Fox Sparrow.
Pipilo erythrophthalmus erythrophthalmus-Towhee.
Zamelodia ludoviciana-Rose-breasted Grosbeak.
Guiraca caerulea caerulea-Blue Grosbeak.
Passerina cyanea-Indigo Bunting.
Piranga erythromelas-Scarlet Tanager.
Progne subsis subsis-Purple Martin.
Petrochelidon lunifrons lunifrons-Cliff Swallow.
Hirundo erythrogastra-Barn Swallow.
Iridoprocne bicolor-Tree Swallow. Riparia riparia-Bank Swallow.
Stelgidopteryx serripennis Rough-winged Swallow. Bombycilla garrula-Bohemian Waxwing.
Bombycilla cedrorum-Cedar Waxwing. Lanius borealis-Northern Shrike. Lanius ludovicianus migrans-Migrant Shrike. Vireosylva olivacea-Red-eyed Vireo.
Vireosylva philadelphica-Philadephia Vireo.
Vireosylva gilva gilva-Warbling Vireo. Lanivireo flavifrons-Yellow-throated Vireo. Lanivireo solitarius solitarius-Blue-headed Vireo. Mniotilta varia-Black and White Warbler.
Vermivora rubricapilla rubricapilla-Nashville Warbler. Vermivora celata celata-Orange-crowned Warbler. Vermivora peregrina-Tennessee Warbler. Compsothlypis americana usneae-Northern Parula Warbler. Dendroica tigrina-Cape May Warbler.
Dendroica aestiva aestiva-Yellow Warbler. Dendroica caerulescens caerulescens-Black-throated Blue Warbler.
Dendroica coronata-Myrtle Warbler.
Dendroica magnolia-Magnolia Warbler.
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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
Dendroica cerulea-Cerulean Warbler.
Dendroica pennsylvanica-Chestnut-sided Warbler. Dendroica castanea-Bay-breasted Warbler. Dendroica striata-Black-poll Warbler.
Dendroica fusca-Blackburnian Warbler. Dendroica virens-Black-throated Green Warbler.
Dendroica vigorsi-Pine Warbler. Dendroica palmarum hypochrysea-Yellow Palm Warbler. Seiurus aurocapillus-Oven-bird.
Seiurus noveboracensis noveboracensis-Water-Thrush. Seiurus motacilla-Louisiana Water-Thrush. Oporornis agilis-Connecticut Warbler. Oporornis philadelphia-Mourning Warbler. Geothlypis trichas trichas-Maryland Yellow-throat. Icteria virens virens-Yellow-breasted Chat. Wilsonia citrina-Hooded Warbler. Wilsonia pusilla pusilla-Wilson's Warbler.
Wilsonia canadensis-Canada Warbler. Setophaga ruticilla-Redstart. Anthus rubescens-Pipit. Dumetella carolinensis-Catbird. Toxostoma rufum-Brown Thrasher.
Troglodytes aedon aëdon-House Wren. Nannus hiemalis hiemalis-Winter. Wren. Telmatodytes palustris palustris-Long-billed Marsh Wren. Certhia familiaris americana-Brown Creeper.
Sitta carolinensis carolinensis-White-breasted Nuthatch. Sitta canadensis-Red-breasted Nuthatch. Penthestes atricapillus atricapillus-Chickadee.
Penthestes hudsonicus hudsonicus-Hudsonian Chickadee.
Regulus satrapa satrapa-Golden-crowned Kinglet. Regulus calendula calendula-Ruby-crowned Kinglet. Hylocichla mustelina-Wood Thrush. Hylocichla fuscescens fuscescens-Veery. Hylocichla aliciae aliciae-Gray-cheeked Thrush. Hylocichla ustulata swainsoni-Olive-backed Thrush. Hylocichla guttata pallasi-Hermit Thrush. Planesticus migratorius migratorius-Robin. Sialia sialis sialis-Bluebird.
CHAPTER X
POLITICAL HISTORY 1698-1812
The Earl of Bellomont was made Governor of the colony, and arrived in New York City in 1698. He was a man of ability, and ruled with fairness and good judgment.
Then followed several governors, good and bad, until the arrival of William Cosby in 1732. Governor Cosby is closely identified with the subject of this history, from the fact that in 1732 he acquired what is known as Cosby's Manor, upon which a large portion of the city of Utica stands. Rip Van Dam was the acting governor of the colony of New York when Cosby arrived, and, as he and Cosby held opposite views politically, two parties arose in the colony, one, the aristocratic party, siding with the governor, called the Tory party, and the liberal party, siding with Cosby, was known as the Whig party. This distinc- tion existed before any of the colonists advocated independence of the colonies, but after the declaration of independence, the term "Tory" was used to desig- nate those who were with the King, and the term "Whig" to designate those who cast their lots with the revolutionists.
The Revolutionary war had substantially depopulated the upper Mohawk valley, and from the close of the war down to the organization of the county no great events occurred within the territory which afterward became Oneida county.
Sullivan's campaign was not strictly an affair of Oneida county, yet his army passed through the county, chastised the Indians, burned their villages and their grain, and it was said of this campaign that he found the Indian country a garden and left it a desert.
In the year 1784 the Father of his Country visited Fort Stanwix, but there is nothing written that can be found concerning the particulars or object of his visit. It is probable that the visit was solely to see the grounds where so important events had transpired during the Revolutionary war as those within the upper Mohawk valley. A council between the officers of the state and of the general government and the Iroquois Indian Nations occurred in this year at Fort Stanwix. The great chiefs, Brant, Red Jacket, Cornplanter, and other of their chiefs, met Governor Clinton and the representatives of the gen- eral government, and a treaty covering some disputed points was made with the government, but no land was ceded either to the government or to the state. Another council was held at Fort Stanwix in 1788. This is known as the Great Council with the Indians, and it resulted in the treaty with the Iroquois Nations by which they ceded to the white men the territory, except the Oneida Reserva- tion, with other, now called Oneida county. This Council occurred in August
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O. E. ELMER. AT THE TIME OF HIS DEATH, 1905, SUPPOSED TO BE THE OLDEST MAN IN AMERICA ; IT IS CLAIMED HE WAS 119 YEARS OF AGE
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HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
and September of that year. Governor Clinton and a number of distinguished personages represented the state, and prominent chiefs of the Iroquois Nations and other prominent men cared for the interests of the Indians. A great num- ber of spectators from the Indian Nations assembled to witness the ceremony and join in the festivities which occurred; it is said there were thousands of Indians present upon this occasion. Before this, designing white men had planned to obtain long leases of the Indian lands, as title could not be obtained under the laws of the state. These designing men had sent their emissaries among the Indians, and by presents and the use of fire water had so far worked upon them as to require a great effort upon the part of the state authorities to prevent the accomplishment of their purpose. Governor Clinton determined to frustrate their plans. He sent his agents among the Indians to counteract the influence of the others, and called this great Council to consummate his pur- pose of saving the Indians from fraud and the lands for the State of New York. For this he is entitled to great credit. His efforts were entirely successful, the treaty having been agreed upon and ratified at Fort Stanwix June 16, 1790.
It was during the year 1790 that the county of Herkimer was created from Montgomery, and included the territory now Oneida county with much more territory. It was also during this year that the Genesee Road was begun, and the first mail route was established between Utica and Canajoharie. A United States census was also taken during this year, and it showed that between the Fording Place at the foot of Genesee street, Utica, and the county of Ontario, there were 6,891 inhabitants. The Puritans, or as they were called, the Yankees, who had settled in the Valley, advocated the division of Herkimer county, but it was opposed by the Dutch. The Yankee, however, prevailed, and the county of Oneida was formed March 15, 1798. Changes were made about this time in regard to towns, and St. Lawrence, Lewis and Jefferson counties were carved out of Oneida, as is noted elsewhere. There were some settlements made in different parts of the territory by those who had the courage to defy hardships for what they saw in the future. Hugh White and family of Middletown, Ct., settled in Whitestown as early as June 5, 1784. There had been some other settlements at Fort Stanwix and in Deerfield, also in some other localities, but these were not permanent. Some of these settlers, having been driven out by the war, returned after peace was established. This was notably the case with George J. Weaver, Mark Damuth and Christian Reall, who settled in Deerfield in 1773, and returned in 1784. Courts had been held in New Hartford, (then Whitestown) and Fort Stanwix, schools had been established to some extent, and something had been done in the way of the improvement of roads and the building of bridges. It is stated on the authority of Mr. Jones, father of Pomroy Jones, author of "Annals of Oneida County," that as late as 1787 there were at old Fort Schuyler (now Utica) three houses, seven at Whites- boro, three at Oriskany, four at Fort Stanwix (Rome) and three at West- moreland, most of which were huts. It is evident that soon after this there was quite an increase of immigration to this locality, for soon after 1800 there were in Utica about 70 buildings and about 50 in Rome.
It cannot be said that there was any political history of the county before its legal existence, yet there had been political divisions among the settlers
,
72
HISTORY OF ONEIDA COUNTY
from the earliest period. Soon after the United States government was fully established the political parties divided on different lines than those which existed before the war. The Tories, who remained in the vicinity, were dis- credited, and in some instances were ostracized to such an extent that they finally left the country. The terms "Whig" and "Tory" were no longer used to designate the political parties, but they were known as the Federal party and the Republican party. The Federalists were the followers of Alexander Hamilton, and believed in the concentration of power in the central govern- ment. The Republicans were led by Thomas Jefferson, and advocated the retain- ing of many of the powers in the people and in the states, as such, which the Federalists would give to the general government. This division existed be- fore Oneida county was organized, and at that time John Jay, a Federalist, was governor. Prior to the separation of the colonies from the mother country the people had very little to do with either the colonial or county government, but after the creation of the state of New York, and in 1777, the Provincial Congress adopted a state constitution. This was done without submitting it to the people. The Congress adopted the constitution, and it was accepted by the people as their act. This constitution left with the people many privileges that they did not have before, and these rights were general, except as restricted by the constitution of the United States and of the State of New York, although suf- frage was restricted to those having a property qualification. In the early history of the county the Federalists had a majority of the voters, but when St. Lawrence county was taken off in 1802 the Republicans were in the majority, but when Lewis and Jefferson counties were set off in 1805, the Federalists again found themselves in a majority. The opposition of the Federal party to the war of 1812 greatly weakened that party, and it faded away until, in 1819, it had virtually disbanded. A portion of the party joined the Demo- crats, the other portion followed Clinton, and were called Clintonians, and they constituted a majority of the voters in the county. There were some political events between the close of the Revolutionary war and 1810. It seems that the village of Hampton in the village of Westmoreland was the political center of the county, and the important meetings and conventions of the respective parties were generally held there. At this time it is extremely dif- ficult to obtain reliable information in regard to events during that period, but from fragmentary files of ancient newspapers some facts worthy of record are attainable. The first state election in which Oneida county played an important part was in 1810, when Jonas Platt, a resident of Whitesboro, was the Fed- eralist candidate for governor against Daniel D. Tompkins, who, at that time, filled the executive chair of state. Mr. Platt was one of the foremost lawyers of the state, and a sketch of his life is found in another chapter. Although he was defeated in the campaign of 1810, he carried the county by a vote of 2,376 against 1,899. It will be remembered that prior to 1822 general elections were held on the last Tuesday of April, and they might continue for five days. From that time until 1842 general elections were held on the first Monday of November, but on April 5, 1842, a statute was passed making the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November the day for holding general elections, although for some time afterward town elections were held in March. The fact that elections
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