USA > New York > The natural, statistical, and civil history of the state of New-York, v. 2 > Part 4
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MHISTORY OF THE
county, and joins the Chenango. The Otselic creek empties into the Tioughnioga in . this county.
CORTLAND is bounded on the north by Onondaga, on the east by Chenango, on the south by Broome, and on the west by Tomp- kins and Cayuga. It is the most regular county in the state, being an exact oblong. Its length is twenty-four miles, and its breadth nineteen. It contains four hundred and fifty-six square miles, or two hundred and ninety-one thousand eight hundred and forty acres of land. The cultivated lands in 1825 comprised eighty-four thousand nine hundred and fifty six acres, and the population was twenty thousand two hundred and seventy-one. The improved land amounted to about two-sevenths of the whole. The average population to every square mile rather exceeded forty-four. Its principal villages are Homer, Cortland and Port Watson.
The surface of Cortland, although elevated, is in general but moderately uneven. The northern part is nearly on the height of land, between lake Ontario and the head-waters of the Susquehan- na river. The soil of this county is tolerably productive. There are no barrens, and few or no wastes.
The Tioughnioga and its branches water nearly the" whole of this county. A branch of Fall creek, of Cayuga lake, has its source in the south-westerly part of the county. The Tionghnioga is boatable with a swell as high up as Homer ..
TIOGA is bounded on the east by Broome, on the south by Pennsylvania, on the west by Steuben, and on the north by the same county and Tompkins. It is forty-one miles in length from east to west, aud from twenty-six to twenty-eight in breadth from north to south. Its medium length is forty miles, and breadth twenty-six. It contains one thousand and forty square miles, or six hundred and sixty-five thousand six hundred acres. In 1825, there were eighty-three thousand four hundred and fifty-two acres of improved land, being rather over the one-eighth. The number of inhabitants the same year was nineteen thousand nine hundred and fifty-one. The average population to every square mile is ' nineteen.
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STATE OF NEW-YORK.
: TIOGA was erected into a county February 16th, 1791. It is subdivided into nine towns.
This county is mountainous and hilly. In the southern parts, the mountains rise with considerable grandeur. In general they are rocky and barren. The hilly parts adjoin Tompkins and the head of.Seneca lake. The lands in these are usually good.
Tioga is well watered. The Susquehanna winds across the south-easterly corner of the county. Owego creek has a .south- wardly course till it is lost in the Susquehanna, In its way it forms the line between Tioga and Broome. The Catetant from Tompkins augments the Owego. The Cayuta creek is mostly in this county : its course is south-easterly. Tioga river has its way for twenty miles across the south-westerly part of the county . The inlet of Seneca lake runs northerly.
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STEUBEN .-- This county is bounded on the north by Livingston, Ontario and Yates; on the east by part of Seneca Lake, which soparates it from Seneca, Tompkins and Tioga ; on the south by Pennsylvania; and on the west by Alleghany. It is forty-one miles in length from north to south, and thirty-eight in breadth from east to west, containing one thousand five hundred and twenty square miles, equal to nine hundred sixty one thousand two hundred and eighty acres of land. The improved land in 1825 was estimated at one hundred and twelve thousand one hundred and ten acres, being over the one-eighth of the whole. The population at the same time was twenty nine thousand two hundred and forty-five, nearly thirteen to every square mile.
· The county of Steuben contains some good land, and much poor. The southern and interior parts are broken with mountains and high hills.
The valleys of Coshocton and Canisteo have considerable breadth, and contain very valuable lands, perhaps the best in the county. The Tioga valley has also some valuable lands.
Tioga is watered by the Tioga, Conhocton and Canisteo rivers, Troup's creek, and some other streams. The Tioga enters from Pennsylvania, and after winding across the south-easterly corner,
HISTORY OF THE
passes into Tioga county. The Canisteo and Coshocton have courses south-easterly till they join the Tioga.
Steuben was erected March 18th, 1796. It is subdivided into twenty-one towns.
Cataraugus is in the valley of the Alleghany and most of the county of Chautauque.
CATARAUGUS is bounded on the east by the county of Alleghany, on the south by Pennsylvania, on the west by Chautauque, and on the north by Erie and Genesee. Its length is about forty miles, and its average breadth thirty-five.
The southern parts of this county are hilly and broken, and the northern level, or somewhat diversified. The lands in the former are generally poor, and in some instances barren : those in the latter are middling, occasionally fertile. The Alleghany has about fifty miles of its course in this county and enters from Pennsylvania, and leaves it for the same state. Olean, and several other streams, fall into it. Cataraugus creek flows between this county and Erie. Some part of the Connewango is in this county.
Cataraugus contains one thousand and four hundred square miles, equal to eight hundred and ninety-six thousand acres of land. The cleared lands in 1825, were twenty-two thousand four hundred and ninety-eight acres; being about the fortieth part of the whole. Its population the same year was eight thousand six hundred and forty, being about six to every square mile.
The county is subdivided into fourteen towns. It was erected March 11, 1808.
CHAUTAUQUE is bounded on the east by Cataraugus, on the south by Pennsylvania, on the west by the Pennsylvania Triangle, on the north-west by lake Erie, and on the north by the courty of Erie. Its greatest length is forty-one miles, and its greatest breadth thirty-seven. It contains about eight hundred and twenty square miles, equal to five hundred and twenty-four thousand and eight hundred acres of land.
" Its surface is generally undulating, but no where mountainous. As you go south from lake Erie you ascend for about 'eight miles,
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and in this distance attain the height of about seven hundred feet. . . The country then descends moderately to the south ; and this sum- mit divides the waters which fall into the Alleghany from those fall- ing into lake Erie. Nearly on this summit is lake Chautauqua, which is eighteen miles long, and from one to two broad. The principal streams of the county are the Conewongo, Cosdaga, French, Broken Straw, and Still-water creeks. These run south- erly into the Alleghany. Canadaway, Silver, and Walnut creeks descend into lake Erie.
The soil is generally a strong loam, remarkably adapted to the. culture of grain. The vale of Conewongo is in this county, and is in some places seven or eight miles broad."
The above is taken from a letter wrote by James O. Morse, Esq. of Cherry Valley, in which that getleman gives a description of the county.
Chautauqua was erected March 11, 1808. It is subdivided into cleven towns. Its inhabitants, in 1825, were twenty thousand six hundred and forty. The land under cultivation amounted to sixty- seven thousand seven hundred and eighty-five acres. Its popu- Iation for every square mile is rather over twenty-five.
The counties in the basin of the St. Lawrence are Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Alleghany, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Yates, Tompkins, Seneca, Wayne, Cayuga, Onondaga, Madison, Oswe- go, Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence, Frauklin, Clinton, and Es -. sex.
These counties are divided into, first, such as are along lakes Erie and Ontario : second, such as are in the valley of Genesee ri- ver : third, such as are situated along Seneca river, and its conflu- ents : fourth, those on Black river: fifth, those along the St. Lawrence : and sixth, such as border on Lake Champlain.
ERIE, situated mostly along the lake of that name, is bounded on the east by Genesee, on the south by Cattaraugus and Chautauqua, on the west by lake Erie and Niagara river, and on. the north by Niagara. It is forty-four miles in length from north to south, and thirty in breadth from east to west, and contains about seven hun- dred and twenty square miles, equal to four hundred and sixty thou- FOL. II. 5
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HISTORY OF THE
sand eight hundred acres of land. It is subdivided into thirteen towns. The improved land, in 1825, was seventy-five thousand . . six hundred and twenty-six acres, and the population twenty-four thousand three-hundred and sixteen. The cultivated land was very nearly the one sixth part of the whole. The number of inhab- itants to the square mile was about thirty-four. Erie was erected the 2nd of April, 1821.
Erie does not exhibit much variety of aspect. The middle and northern parts are flat, or gently waving, while the southern rises into moderate hills. Grand Isle, and some other islands in the river Niagara belong to this county. The soil in general is good. Erie is well watered by Cattaraugus, Eighteen mile, Buffalo, Sene- ica, Cazenovia, Ellicott and Tonnawanta creeks. Lake Erie and "Niagara river lave it on the west, Cattaraugus on the south, and Tonnawanta on the north. The former divides it from Cattaraugus county and the latter from Niagara county. Buffalo and its bran- ches water the middle parts of the county. The Erie canal com- mences at Black rock in this county, and runs along the margin of · Niagara river to Tonnawanta creek.
The chief villages are Buffalo and Black Rock. The former is one of the most promising in the western country. It is con- nected with the Frie canal by a branch, extending to Black Rock harbour.
NIAGARA is bounded on the east by Orleans and Genesee, on the south by Tonnawanta creek, which separates it from Erie, on the west by Niagara river, and on the north by lake Ontario. It is twenty-eight miles in length from east to west, and nineteen in breadth from north to south, and contains about five hundred square miles, equal to three hundred and twenty thousand acres of land. Its improved lands in 1825, were forty-two thousand and fifty-two acres, and its population fourteen thousand and sixty-nine. : The average population to the square mile is twenty-eight. The cultivated lands are somewhat over the one-eighth part of the whole.
Niagara was erected March 11th, 1808. It is subdivided into eleven towns. Its villages are Lockport, Lewistown, and Youngs-
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STATE OF NEW-YORK.
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town. Fort Niagara is at the mouth of the river of the same name.
The French established a military post here in 1679. It was taken in 1759.
Niagara comprises a part of the great western plain. The mountain ridge, or steep that crosses the river Niagara, divides it into two parts. This ridge has only one declivity, and that looks towards lake Ontario. The county, therefore, consists of two parts ; the lower and the upper : the first ends at the foot of the ridge ; and the second at Tonnawanta. The soil of this county is generally good.
The ridge road, a natural causeway, runs through this county from east to west on the lower plain.
. Niagara is washed on the north by lake Ontario. It has on the west Niagara river, and on the south Tonnawanta creek. The celebrated Falls, bearing the name of the county, are partly in it. The Erie canal crosses the south-easterly part of the county.
ORLEANS, which was established November 11th, 1824, is , twenty-four miles in length from east to west, and about fifteen in breadth from north to south. Its superfices do not vary materially from three hundred and fifty square miles, or two hundred and thirty thousand four hundred acres of land. In the year 1825, its population was fourteen thousand four hundred and sixty, which gives forty-one to every square mile. The improved lands were fifty-one thousand three hundred and sixty-eight acres.
Orleans is bounded on the north by lake Ontario, on the east by Monroe, on the south by Genesee, and on the west by Niagara. It .. is uniform in its outlines, being nearly a parallelogram.
Orleans, like Niagara, is divided into two plains by the mountain ridge, or steep. The ascent from the lake to the steep, and from the steep southerly is very easy. The ridge road runs westwardly through the county. The soils are mostly clays, and argillaceous loams, and are very productive.
Oak Orchard, and Sandy creeks are the only streams of moment, and these are not large. Both rise in Genesee. Tonnawanta cros-
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HISTORY OF THE
ses the south-west corner. The Erie canal pursues an easterly course through this county. Orleans is subdivided into nine towns. ..
GENESEE, which also comprises a portion of the great western plain, is bounded on the east by Monroe and Livingston, on the south by Alleghany and Cattaraugus, on the west by Erie, and on the north by Orleans. It is forty-four miles in length from north to south, and twenty-five in breadth from east to west, containing about nine hundred and eighty square miles, equal to six hundred and twenty-seven thousand two hundred acres of land. In 1825, the population was forty thousand nine hundred and five. The average number of inhabitants was forty-two for every square mile. The improved land comprised one hundred and seventy thousand four · hundred and forty acres, being some over the one fourth part. Genesee is subdivided into twenty-two towns. Its principal villages are Batavia and Leroy. It was erected March 30, 1802.
The northern and middle parts of this county are in general level: we find little diversity of aspect before we approach the counties of * Alleghany and Cattaraugus. The southern steep extends eastward- , ly through this county, and in some respect divides it into two plains. The lands of this county are commonly fertile.
Genesee is watered by Genesee river, Tonnawanta and Allen's creeks, and some other streams. The Genesee river crosses the south-easterly corner of the county. Tonnawanta creek rises in the south-west part of the county, and takes a north-easterly course to Batavia, where it turns and runs north-westerly into Orleans. Its course by its windings is about forty miles. Allen's creek orig- inates in the south part of the county, and pursues a north-easterly direction into Monroe. Cattaraugus has its course near that of Tonnawanta and proceeds westwardly into lake Erie. The Seneca and Cayuga branches of Buffalo also head in the western part of the county, and enter Erie.
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ALLEGHANY is bounded on the east by Steuben, on the south by Pennsylvania, on the west by Cattaraugus, and on the north by Gen- esee and Livingston. It is forty-four miles in length from north to south, and twenty-eight in breadth from east to west, and contains:
STATE OF NEW-YORK. 37
twelve hundred square miles, equal to seven hundred and sixty-eight thousand acres of land. Its improved lands amounted to only sixty one thousand seven hundred and six acres in 1825, and its popula- tion to eighteen thousand one hundred and sixty-four. The impro- ved lands fall short of the one-twelfth part of the whole. The number of inhabitants to the square mile goes rather over fifteen.
. Alleghany is subdivided into sixteen towns. It was erected April 7th, 1806. The principal villages are Nunda and Angelica. The surface of this county is elevated, and considerably roughened with hills, many of which are sharp and steep. The country on and near the Pennsylvania border often exceeds two thousand feet in elevation above the ocean. At Nunda the elevation of the bed of Genesee river, immediately above the upper fall at that place, is about seven hundred and thirty feet. The soil, in some places, is rich, but generally speaking, middling or poor.
Tl. Genesee, in its way from Pennsylvania to lake Ontario, runs through the whole county, dividing it into two parts, of nearly equal size., Its course is first north-westerly, and then north north-easterly. Owaga, a, branch of the Alleghany river, crosses the south-westerly corner of the county from Pennsylvania, and enters Cattaraugus. Olean flows south-westerly into the latter county. The Canisteo, a branch of Tioga river, flows into Steuben on the east. . Canasa- raga creek, which heads in Alleghany, takes a north-easterly course into Livingston.
LIVINGSTON is bounded on the north by Monroe, on the east by Ontario, on the south by Steuben and Alleghany, and on the west by Genesce. It is twenty-six miles in length from south to north. and twenty in breadth from west to east, containing about four hun- dred square miles, exclusive of the waters of Canesus and Hem- lock lakes, equal to two hundred and fifty-six thousand acres of land. The improved lands in 1825, were one hundred and thirteen thousand five hundred and seventy-six acres, some over two-fifths of the whole. The number of inhabitants in the same year was twenty-three thousand eight hundred and sixty. The average pop- ulation for every square mile was nearly sixty.
Livingston comprehends the country on both sides of the Gene-
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see river. The western and middle parts are either level, (or gen- ty rolling, and decline towards the river, while the eastern and southern are diversified with hills, that generally have easy accliv- ities.
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The extensive and beautiful vale of Genesee, containing the cel- ebrated flats, is mostly in this county. In some places it is four , miles broad. The lands of this county are rich, and equal those of the most favoured counties in the state. .
Genesee enters the south-westerly part of this county, aud runs north north-easterly through it into Monroe. Its course, without taking into the estimate its windings, is about twenty-three miles. It flows through the flats in beautiful curves and reaches, and is navigable for boats. Canasaraga creek holds a north-westerly course from the south-easterly corner of the county, till it has join- ed the Genesee. The outlet of Canesus also falls into the same river. The outlets of Hemlock and Honeyoe lakes water the north-easterly part of this county. Hemlock and Canesus lakes are in this county.
Livingston was erected Feburary 23rd,. 1821, and is subdivided into fourteen towns. Its villages are Geneseo, Caledonia, Avon, &c.
MONROE is bounded northwardly by lake Ontario, eastwardly by Wayne and Ontario, southwardly by Ontario and Livingston, and westwardly by Genesee and Orleans. It is thirty-five miles in length from east to west, and twenty-four in breadth from north to south, and contains five hundred and seventy square miles, or three hundred and sixty-four thousand eight hundred acres of land. The outlines of this county, without any apparent 'necessity, are very irregular. In truth, this may be remarked in relation to ma- ny of our counties.
The western, middle and northern parts of this county are level, or nearly so, being part of the great western plain. The south- eastern is very moderately uneven, and may be termed champaign. The country rises from the shore of lake Ontario by easy grada- tions. The ridge road, or former beach of the lake, stretches
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STATE OF NEW-YORK.
through the county from east to west The soil of this county is good.
". Monroe is washed on the north by lake Ontario, and indented . by Irondequot and Braddock's bays. Genesee river crosses it from .
Livingston, dividing into two nearly equal parts. Salmon and Sandy creeks, two small streams falling into Braddock's bay, water the north-westerly part ; Allen's creek, and the outlet of Hemlock lake, the southerly ; and Irondequot, the easterly parts.
Monroe was erected February 23rd, 1821, and is now subdivi- ded into sixteen towns. Its villages are Rochester, Carthage, Clarkson, Brockville, Pittsford, Penfield, and Falltown. Brock- ville, Rochester, and Pittsford are on the Canal. Rochester is the largest village in the state, its population exceeding eleven thou- sand. The Erie canal runs from east to west through this county.
In 1825, Monroe contained thirty-nine thousand one hundred and eight inhabitants. Its present population is nearly fifty thou- sand ; the increase of Rochester alone, having been almost seven thousand since the census of 1825. The improved lands in 1825, were one hundred and thirty-six thousand seven hundred and twelve acres, being nearly three-eighths of the whole. The popu- lation amounted to about seventy for every square mile.
ONTARIO is bounded on the north by Monroe and Wayne, on the east by Seneca and Yates, on the south by the latter county and Steuben, and on the west by Livingston and Monroe. It is about thirty-five miles in extent from east to west, and about twenty-nine from north to south, containing about seven hundred and twenty- five square miles, equal to four hundred and sixty-four thousand acres of land. In 1825, the lands under improvement were one hundred and eighty-three thousand three hundred and fifty-one acres, some uuder three-tenths of the whole. The population the same year was thirty-nine thousand four hundred and twenty-two, which gives an average of about fifty-four to every square mile.
Ontario is subdivided into eighteen towns. Its villages of most note are Geneva and Canandaigua. Both are beautifully situated, and are large and thriving. This county was erected January 27th, 1789.
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The eastern and northern parts of Ontario, are mostly cham- paign : the southern and western are in general, diversified with hills of easy ascent, plains and valleys. The lands are commonly very productive. There are no barrens, or wastes.
Canandaigua outlet is the largest stream in the county. Its course is northerly and north-easterly into Wayne. The next is Mud creek, which heads in the south-western corner of the county. Its direction is northerly and north-easterly till it enters Wayne. I: waters the western parts of the county. Flint creek rises near the inlet of Crooked lake, and pursues a northerly course till its esit in Canandaigua outlet. Canandaigua, Honeyoe and Caneadea lakes, are in this ,county. Canandaigua lake, and its outlet, water the middle part of the county. The Erie canal runs a short distance in this county.
WAYNE is bounded on the east by Cayuga, on the south by Sen- eca and Ontario, on the west by Monroe, and on the north by lake Ontario. It is thirty-two miles in length from north to south. I:s area comprises five hundred and twelve square miles, equal to three hundred and twenty-seven thousand six hundred acres of land: ninety-one thousand four hundred and forty-three acres were im- proved in 1825 .. The number of inhabitants, were then twenty- six thousand seven hundred and sixty-one, being fifty-two to every square mile. Wayne was erected April 11, 1822, and is now sub- divided into eleven towns. The villages of Lyons, Palmyra and ' Sodus are the most considerable. The two former are on the ca- nal, and the latter on great Sodus bay.
The middle and southerly parts of Wayne are, with few excep- tions, champaign. The northern is a plain that descends to lake Ontario. The ancient beach of lake Ontario extends eastward!y through this plain. The lands are good.
Lake Ontario washes the whole extent of the county on the north. Great Sodus, Little Sodus, Port bays, and other bays indent the coast.
Canandaigua outlet, or river, soon after it enters this county, is joined by Mud creek at Lyons. From thence its course is south- eastwardly in the main, but very crooked to Cayuga county. Med
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STATE OF NEW-YORK.
creek has an easterly course, after its entrance from Ontario, of sixteen miles, in a straight line. Its bed is very tortuous. The valleys along Canandaigua river and Mud creek have considerable breadth : that along the former expands into a vale. The lands in both, are good.
SENECA has Wayne on the north, Cayuga outlet and lake on the east, Tompkins on the south, and Seneca lake and Ontario county. on the west. It is thirty-two miles in length from north to south, and on an average eleven in breadth from east to west, and con -. tains about three hundred and fifty-two square miles, equal, to 'two hundred and twenty-five thousand acres of land. In 1825, the lands under improvement amounted to ninety-four thousand one hundred and forty-five acres, rather over two-fifths. The popu -- lation in the same year was twenty thousand one hundred and sixty- nine, some over fifty-seven to every square mile.
Seneca was erected the 24th of March, 1804, and is subdivided: into six towns. Seneca Falls, Waterloo and Ovid are the principal, villages.
The surface of this county is either level or moderately uneven. The level part is along Seneca outlet, and thence northerly. The. soils of this county, generally speaking, are not excelled by those of any other county in the state. = +
Seneca outlet, which runs across the county in an east north-east- erly direction, is the only streams of any note. Seneca and Cayuga lakes wash this county on the west and east, northerly to their out- lets. The canal winds across the north-eastern corner of the county.
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