USA > New York > The natural, statistical, and civil history of the state of New-York, v. 2 > Part 3
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Hamilton is fifty-six miles in lengthi, from north to south, and twenty- eight in breadth from east to west, and contains one thousand five hundred square miles, including water ; or nine hundred and sixty thousand acres of land. It is subdivided into three towns, and in 1820 contained about one thousand two hundred and fifty-one in- habitants. Its population is not in the table furnished me by Mr. Campbell, the deputy Secretary of State, being included under that of Montgomery. That of 1820, is taken from Dr. H. G. Spafford's Gazetteer, of 1822. The improved land, in 1820, according to the same author, amounted to only three thousand one hundred and seventy acres, which was not quite the three-hundredth part. The general elevation of the country, exclusive of mountain ranges, is. from one thousand five hundred to two thousand feet above the
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ocean. The county was set off from Montgomery in the winter of 1816. .
SCHENECTADY is bounded north-eastwardly by Saratoga, west- wardly and north-westwardly by Montgomery, westwardly and south-westwardly by Schoharie, and southwardly, or nearly so, by the same county and Albany. Its form, although not a triangle, approaches nearer it than any other. Its length on its southerly side is twenty-five miles. A line drawn through its centre, from Saratoga to Schoharie would be about twenty-four miles. On the Saratoga border it has a breadth of twenty miles, and at the op- posite border, in Duanesburgh, about four. Computing its area from the above data, &c. we have estimated it to contain two hun- dred and sixty square miles, equal to one hundred and sixty-four thousand acres of land.
Schenectady is composed of hills, champaigns and plains. - The latter are around the city, and in the directions of Albany, Ball- ston and Duanesburgh. Flint hill runs along the east side of Schoharie creek, and across the county to the Mohawk, where it ends in Rotterdam. Glenville is mostly occupied by an elevated ridge of land, extending from the county of Montgomery south-eas- terly within three miles of the city. This ridge, on the one side, descends to the level of the Mohawk flats; and on the other to that of the plains, and champaigns. The champaigns connect the hills and plains, generally speaking. Flint hill is seen to good ad- vantage from the plain on which Union college stands. The quality of the lands differs considerably. Along the Mohawk the alluvions are rich and highly productive : in the hilly tracts the lands are usually middling, occasionally good; in the champaigns and plains they are lightish, and sometims barren.
The Mohawk crosses the county in an east south-cast direction into Albany and Saratom. The Schoharie runs along its west south-westerly border four or five miles. The other streams are Norman's Kill, Sand Kill, and Aclplas. In Duanesburgh there is a pond called Maria, which is two miles in circuit.
Schenectady county contains one city and five towns; these being its subdivisions. It was raised to the rank of a county the 7th
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of March, 1809. Its population, in 1825, was twelve thousand eight hundred and seventy-six ; and its cultivated land sixty-seven thousand seven hundred and sixty-two acres. The average inhab- itants to the square mile are nearly fifty.
The city of Schenectady was founded between 1616 and 1620, by some Hollanders. It is the oldest place in the state, we be- lieve, after New-York, Albany and Kingston. In 1819, it suffered severely by a conflagration, which consumed one hundred and sev- enty buildings. The Erie canal runs through this county.
' MONTGOMERY is bounded on the east by the counties of Sar- atoga and Schenectady, on the south-cast by a part of the latter county, on the south by Schoharie and Otsego, on the west by Herkimer, and on the north by Hamilton. Its greatest length from north to south is thirty-nine miles, and its greatest breadth from east to west about thirty-seven. Making some allowances for the irreg- ularities of its outlines, which are not great, it will be found to con- tain about one thousand and eighty-eight square miles, equal to six hundred and ninety-six thousand three hundred acres of land. In 1825 its population, after deducting one thousand two hundred and fifty-one for Hamilton, amounted to thirty-nine thousand six hun- dred and fifty-one. The improved lands, including those of Ham- ilton, amounted to two hundred and forty-three thousand three hun_ dred and thirty-five acres ; we shall, however, call them two hun- dred and forty thousand. The average population to every square . mile is rather over thirty-six. But little over one third of the land is cleared. The county is subdivided into sixteen towns. Its villages are Johnstown, Caughnawaga, Amsterdam, Canajoharie, Palatine, Fort Plain, Johnsville, and Euphrata. It was erected in- to a county by the name of Tryon, March 12th, 1772; subse- quently it obtained its present name, in honour of Gen. Montgo- mery, who fell at Quebec the 31st of December, 1775.
Forts Johnson, Hunter, Plain, Paris, House, &c. were in this county : they were small ; very few of their remains are now to be seen.
Montgomery is diversified with mountains, hills, champaigns, plains, and vallies. Mayfield mountain, Cliphill, or as we have
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called it in the first chapter of the preceding volume, Clinton moun- tain, stretches in a south-westerly direction from the south-easterly part of Hamilton to the Mohawk river at Anthony's Nose. North- west of this there are some mountain ranges, but they subside before they reach the latter river. The Kayaderosseras range of mountains enters the county, but it soon falls to the level of the country. Flint hill on the southeast is partly in this county and partly in Schenectady. The Osquake hill courses along the southern borders of Canajoharie and Minden, passing on the one hand into Otsego and Schoharie, and on the other into Herkimer. The country on the south side of the Mohawk, and westerly of the Nose, on the north side as far as the forest, may in general be called hilly. Parts of Charlestown, most of Root, some parts of Canajoharie, Minden and Palatine may be termed champaign. That part of the county south-easterly of Clinton mountain, and between the Sacondaga and Mohawk rivers, is either champaign or plain. The country, on both sides of the Mohawk, rises as you leave the valley. The valley extends east south-east through the county. It is deep and somewhat winding.
'The lands of Montgomery, if we except those on the north-west side of Clinton mountain and north of the Black river road, are commonly good, and comprise at least three-quarters of the county. Those along the Mohawk, and in some other parts, rank with the best in the state.
Montgomery is well watered. The Mohawk holds its course through the county from west north-west to east south-east. Its Faxin tributaries are East Canada, Caroga, Cayadutta and Chuch- turneda from the north, and the Osquake, Canajoharie, and Scho- haric from the south. These water the greater part of the county. The Sacondaga crosses the north easterly. part from Hamilton to Saratoga, and receives in its way West, Stony and Sacondaga creel:s. The Erie canal runs along the Mohawk valley.
HERKIMER is bounded on the east by the counties of Montgom- cry and Hamilton, on the south by the county of Otsego, on the west by the counties of Oneida and Lewis, and on the north by the county of St. Lawrence. Its.extreme length is about ninety miles, but its breadth is much less, varying from twenty-three down to ten
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miles. Its average breadth is about eighteen miles, which would give one thousand three hundred and forty square miles, or eight hundred and fifty-two thousand four hundred and eighty acres. The northern and middle 'parts, comprising about nine hundred square miles, are still covered with woods, and do not contain fifty familes. The south- erly part, or that south of Black creek, of West Canada creek con- tains the improvements and population, or what may be called with propriety the county. The unsettled parts, owing to the poorness .and barrenness of the lands, will not be populated to any consider- able extent for many years. The population of this county, in 1825, was thirty-three thousand and forty. The number of acres of im- proved land in the same year, was one hundred eighty three thou- sand one hundred and forty-eight acres, or about three-fourteenths of the whole. The number of inhabitants to the square mile was nearly twenty-five.
That part of the county which is settled is variegated with moun- · tains, hills, champaigns and vallies. On the north is Tug hill, towards the east Fall hill, while in the west is Hassencleaver, and on the south the Osquake hill. The towns of Manheim, Warren and Columbia, are champaign. The remaining parts are in general hilly. The Mohawk valley, which extends east south-easterly through the county, has great beauty. In some places it expands a mile. On both sides, the country usually rises with considerable acclivity. The soil in general is fertile.
" The county is watered by many streams. The Mohawk, which ranks first in size, crossses the southerly part of the county in an east south-east direction. It is augmented by Myer's, Steel's, Ful- mer's and Nowadaga creeks from the south, and Staring's and West Canada creeks from the north. The latter constitutes nearly one half of the stream at the union. The West Canada crosses the county on the north side of Tug hill, and for some way forms the division line between Herkimer and Oneida. Below Trenton falls it turns to the south-east running wholly in the former county, and afterwards southerly. Nearly the whole course of this stream is in Herkimer and on its border. Black creek, north of Tug hill, falls into it.
East Canada creek, in the lower part of its course, is common to Herkimer as well as Montgomery. Spruce creek that joins it is in
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this county. . The streams of note, in the unsettled parts, are Black, Moose, Beaver and Oswegatchie rivers. The head-waters of the Susquehanna issue from the southerly part of this county.
Herkimer was erected February 16th, 1791. It is subdivided into seventeen towns. Its villages are Little Falls, Herkimer, and Frankfort on the Mohawk; Middleville and Newport on West Can- ada creek, and Fairfield. i
. Forts Herkimer and Dayton were in this county. The former stood in German flats, and the latter where the village of Herkimer is built.
The Erie canal runs through this county on the south side of the Mohawk.
ONEIDA is bounded eastwardly by Herkimer, southwardly by parts of Otsego and Madison, westwardly by part of Madison, Oneida lake, and part of Oswego, and northwardly by Lewis.
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This county is very irregular in its outlines. Its length from north to south is forty-seven miles, and its breadth from east to west forty-six ; and the area about one thousand one hundred and twenty square miles, being equal to seven hundred and sixteen thousand eight hundred acres of land. In 1825, Oneida contained fifty-sev- en thousand eight hundred and forty-seven inhabitants, being rather over fifty-two to every square mile. The improved land, at the same. time, amounted to two hundred and twenty-four thousand nine hundred and nineteen acres, some under one third.
Oneida was formed into a county March 15th, 1798. It is subdi- vided into twenty-two towns. Its villages are Utica, Whitesboro, Oriskany, Rome and Deerfield, on the Mohawk; New Hartford on the Sauquait ; Manchester and Clinton on the Oriskany ; Vernon on the Skanando, and Trenton on the Lowville road. Utica is one of the largest and handsomest towns in the state, its population being eight thousand.
Fort Schuyler was at Utica, and Fort Stanwix at Rome. The latter is noted for sustaining a siege in the revolution. Colonels Gansevoort and Willet commanded there. During the siege, the Mohawk militia, while on their march to relieve the fort, were to-
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tally defeated by a detachment of the British army, a little the other side of the village of Oriskany.
Oneida has diversity of aspect. The Highlands of Black river, and Hassencleaver mountain, traverse and pervade the northerly parts. Paris, Clinton, Stockbridge, and some other hills, ad- vance from the south. " Paris subsides near New Hartford, but Clinton crosses the great western road. Between these hills are fine valleys. The residue of the county, comprising the space between the hills, Hassencleaver and the Highlands, and south- westerly of them, as far as Oneida lake and Oneida creek, is ei- ther level,- or conveniently undulating. The southerly and south- westerly parts of this county, have fertile soils. The northerly and north-easterly parts, although containing comparatively no barrens, have less favoured soils.
The Mohawk, which heads in Lewis, winds through the mid- land parts of the county. Sauquait and Oriskany enter the Mo- hawk from the south, and Deerfield from the north. Oneida creek, which falls into Oneida lake, is common to this county and Ma- dison. Skanando, is a branch of the latter stream. Fisk creek empties into Oneida lake. Wood creek joins it. The Mohawk river, Oneida, and Fish creeks, with their branches, water up- wards of three-quarters of the county. Black river and West Canada creek, with their branches, water the north-easterly part. The Erie canal passes through this county.
SCHOHARIE is bounded eastwardly by Albany, south-eastwardly by Greene, south-westwardly by Delaware, westwardly by Otsego, and northwardly by Montgomery, and north-eastwardly by Sche- nectady. Its greatest length, from north to south, is twenty-eight miles, and breadth from east to west, twenty-seven. . Taking its length, and averaging its breadth, at twenty-two miles, it will be found to contain six hundred and sixteen square miles, equal to three hundred'and ninety-four thousand two hundred and forty acres. The lands under cultivation comprised one hundred and forty- three thousand four hundred and sixty acres in 1825. The pop- ulation, the same year, was twenty-five thousand nine hundred and twenty-six, rather over forty to each square mile. The ratio of
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the improved land to the whole is as fourteen to thirty-nine, some- thing over one-third.
Schoharie was established a county April 6th, 1795. It is sub- divided into ten towns. Its villages are Schoharie, and Esperance.
This county is in general mountainous. The lofty Kaatskills cross it on the south, while branches of the same mountains stretch north- erly along the creek that gives the county its name. That on the east side passes off into Schenectady, while that on the west side stops near the court house. Cobuskill mountain, on the south side of the creek of that name, extends from the confines of Otsego to Scho- harie creek. The hilly parts comprise the towns of Sharon, Car- lisle, and parts of Gobus kill and Schoharie. These towns are along the state road, except Cobus kill, and are in the northerly part of the county. The hilly parts and the valley along Schoharie creek are generally, fertile, but the mountainous parts are usually moderately productive, or barren.
Schoharie is mainly watered by Schoharie creek and its branches. The sources of Delaware river and Catskill creek are in this county.
In this, and the following section, we shall describe the counties in the basin of the Delaware.
SULLIVAN is bounded north-eastwardly by Ulster, south-east- wardly by Orange, south-westwardly by Delaware river, which se- parates it from Pennsylvania, and north-westwardly by Delaware. Its greatest length, froin north-west to south-east, is forty-five miles; and its greatest breadth, from north-east to south-west, thirty-seven. Its contents, after deducting for the irregularities in its outlines, are about nine hundred square miles, or five hundred and seventy- six thousand acres of land. The improved land, in 1825, amoun- ted to forty-one thousand six hundred and seventy-seven acres, a little over the one-fourteenth of the whole. The population, the same year, was ten thousand three hundred and seventy-three, ra- ther over eleven for every square mile.
Sullivan is very much broken with inountains. The Blue moun- tains, and several other ridges, cross it from south-west to north- east; and, with their branches, overspread the greater part. The lands, except in some of the vallies are poor and barren.
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The Delaware runs along the south-westerly side of the county for upwards of forty miles. Neversink river, which rises in Ulster, flows across it into Orange. Basler's kill also has part of its course .. in this county. It falls into the Neversink after entering Orange. The Mongaup, after a southerly course of twenty-five miles, falls into the Delaware. Beaver kill, from Ulster, winds across the north-westerly corner, in its way to Delaware county. The Run- dout bas its source in this county. It passes into Ulster. Besides the streams noticed, there are some others; but we shall have to omit them on account of their minor importance.,
-"Sullivan is subdivided into nine towns It was erected into a county the 27th of March, 1809. The Hudson and Delaware canal has some part of its course in this county. It may be a means of adding to its population. 'The Erie canal has had such a tendency. Several flourishing villages have sprung up since its location and construction, which had not an existence before. Such are the benign effects of internal improvements.
DELAWARE is bounded north-eastwardly by Schoharie, east- wardly by Greene, south-eastwardly by Ulster and Sullivan, south- westwardly by Delaware river, which separates it from Pennsylva- nia, westwardly by Broome and Chenango, and north-westwardly by Otsego. Its greatest length, from north-east to south-west, is fifty-three miles, and its greatest breadth, from north-west to south- east, thirty-eight. It contains about one thousand five hun- dred square miles, equal to nine hundred and sixty thousand acres of land. The cultivated lands, in 1825, were one hundred and fifty-seven thousand eight hundred and forty-two acres ; very nearly one-sixth. The same year the population was twenty-nine thousand five hundred and sixty-five ; rather over nineteen to every square mile. Delaware is subdivided into seventeen towns. It was made.a county the 10th of March, 1797.
Delaware may be called mountainous. The: Kaatskill mountains overspread the north-easterly part of this county. Along the rivers Papachton and Delaware are mountain ranges stretching south- westerly. The mountains of this county are, for the most part,
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covered with a good depth of soil. Between and among the moun- tain chains are many rich valleys.
Delaware river traverses the county lengthwise, in a south-wes- terly direction, to Broome, dividing it into two nearly equal parts: Here it turns, making a large sweep, dividing this county from Broome, and takes a south-easterly direction, separating it from Pennsylvania. Little Delaware, and other streams join it. The Papachton flows throughout the whole of the south=easterly part of : the county, in a south=westerly direction, and then unites with the Delaware. Charlotte and Susquehanna rivers, on the northwest, from the boundary of the county. Delaware and Papachton rivers, with their branches, water most of the county:
The counties situated in the basin of the Susquehanna next claim our attention. They are Otsego, Chenango, Broome, Cortland, Tioga; and Steuben. Otsego is on the Susquehanna proper ; Broome is mostly on that river ; Chenango is chiefly on Chenango river; Cortland is mainly on the Tioughnioga ; Tioga is on the Susquehanna and Tioga rivers ; and Steuben is on the latter river, Conhocton and Canisteo: These counties are hilly and mountain- ous.
OTSEGO is bounded northwardly by Oneida, Herkimer and Montgomery; eastwardly by Schoharie, south south-eastwardly by Delaware and Schoharic, and westwardly by Chenango and Ma- dison. Its length, on the borders of Delaware and Schoharie, is forty-five miles, and its breadth, in an opposite direction thirty-six. It contains about eight hundred and fifty-square miles, or five hun- dred and forty-four thousand acres of land, of which two hundred and sixty-eight thousand nine hundred and seventy-nine acres are improved, being almost one-half of the whole. In 1825 the popula- tion was forty-seven thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight, rather over fifty-six to every square mile. Otsego is subdivided into twenty-two towns. Its principal villages are Cooperstown, Cherry · Valley, Butternuts, Burlington, and Unadilla. It was created into a county February 16, 1791.
Otsego is diversified with mountains, hills and valleys, and even with some small champaigns. The hills usually rise on or near ite.
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'eastern and northern borders, and extend south-westerly and south- erly, conforming their courses to the rivers and streams. Every ri- ver and creek has its valley and hills. The hills in general gain elevation as they advance along those streams. The lands in this county are commonly productive, and are among the most improv- able in the state. There are, comparatively speaking, no barrens, and but little land which cannot be cultivated. Otsego is one of · the best grazing counties in the state. Along Otego and But- ternat creeks, and Unadilla river, are some rich flats.
Thre principal streams in this county are the Susquehanna river, Otego, Wharton and Butternut creeks. The first issues out of Otsego lake, and pursues a southerly course till it meets Charlotte river, when it is south-westerly. The second is about thirty miles long, and runs southerly into Susquehanna. The third and fourth have south-westerly courses, and fall into the Unadilla. Char- lotte is common to Otsego and Delaware to its union, and then the Susquehanna belongs in common to both counties. The Unadilla divides Otsego from Madison and Chenango. Otsego and Schuy- ler's lakes are in this county. They are beautiful sheets of water. Crumhorn pond, on the mountain of that name, is also in this county.
CHENANGO is bounded eastwardly by Otsego and Delaware, southwardly by Broome, and westwardly by a part of the same county and Cortland, and northwardly by Madison. Its greatest length is forty miles and a half, and its breadth thirty. It contains about eight hundred and forty square miles, equal to five hundred and thirty-seven thousand six hundred acres of land. Of these one hundred and seventy-eight thousand five hundred and eighty acres were under cultivation in 1825, being almost one third. At the same time the population was thirty-four thousand two hundred and fifteen, being very nearly forty-one for every square mile.
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Chenango was erected into a county March 15, 1798. It is sub- divided into seventeen towns. Its chief villages are Oxford, Nor- wich, Sherburne, Bainbridge, and New Berlin.
Chenango is diversified with hills and vallies, which range with the streams. The principal hills are along Unadilla and Chenango river, and Otselic creek. These, in the main, extend from north-east to
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south-west, and gain height as they advance. They are mostly sus- ceptible of tillage. The valley of the Chenango occupies nearly the middle of the county. It has considerable breadth, great beauty, and contains much good land. The lands along Unadilla are also good. The valley of Otselic is partly in this county, and partly in Cortland.
The Chenango river runs in a general south-westerly direction through the county. The Unadilla flows along the east side, and forms the division line betwen Chenango and Otsego. The Sus- quehanna has its course across the south-easterly part of the county, and Otselic across the north-westerly part. These streams, where they cross, have south-westerly directions. Like Otsego, Chenango has an elevated surface.
BROOME is bounded on the east by Delaware, on the south by Pennsylvania, on the west by Tioga, and on the north by Cortland and Chenango. Its length. on the Pennsylvania line is forty-two miles ; its breadth is various ; on the Tioga boundary it is twenty- eight miles, and on that of Delaware only thirteen ; midway it is seventeen. It contains eight hundred and forty square miles, equal to five hundred and thirty-seven thousand six hundred acres of land. Its population in 1825, was thirteen thousand eight hun- dred and ninety-three, being about sixteen and a half for every square mile. The lands under improvement, at the same time, were sixty thousand four hundred and six acres, not quite three- sixteenths. Broome is subdivided into ten towns. It was erec- ted March 28th, 1806.
Much of this county is covered with mountains and hills. The land is commonly poor, and sometimes barren. Along the Sus- quehanna and some other streams there are, however, some fer- tile alluvions and good uplands. The Susquehanna crosses the eastern part of this county into Pennsylvania, and soon after returns into it, making a very large sweep in its way, called the Great Bend. It then pursues a north-westerly, and afterwards a westerly course, passing off into Tioga. The Chenango has a south-westerly course of fourteen miles-before it unites with the Susquehanna. The Tioughnioga flows across the north-easterly parts of this
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