The natural, statistical, and civil history of the state of New-York, v. 2, Part 5

Author: Macauley, James
Publication date: 1829
Publisher: New York, Gould & Banks; Albany, W. Gould and co.
Number of Pages: 960


USA > New York > The natural, statistical, and civil history of the state of New-York, v. 2 > Part 5


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


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YATES is bounded on the east by Seneca lake, on the south by Steuben, and on the west and north by Ontario. It has an average length of twenty miles from east to west, and an average breadth from north to south of twelve, and contains about two hundred and thirty square miles, equal to one hundred and forty-seven thou- sand two hundred acres of land, exclusive of the waters of Seneca and Crooked lakes.


Yates was erected January 5th, 1823. Its population in 1825,,


VOL. II. 6


42


HISTORY OF THE


was thirteen thousand two hundred and fourteen, and its improved Jand sixty thousand two hundred and fifty-five acres, being about five-elevenths.


Yates bas a diversified surface, consisting of hills, plains and val- leys. The soil is ordinarily good.


Seneca lake washes this county on the east, while Crooked lake with its bifurcations, dips into it from the south. The outlet of the latter lake, which is five or six miles in length, is entirely in the county. Its population is rather over fifty-seven for every square mile.


TOMPKINS is bounded northerly by Seneca and Cayuga, easterly by Cortland and Tioga, southerly by the latter county, and westerly by Steuben, from which it is separated by part of Seneca lake. Its length from east to west is thirty-five miles ; and its breadth fiouf north to south sixteen. Its average breadth is not over twelve miles. It contains four hundred and twenty square miles, which are equal to two hundred and sixty-eight thousand eight hundred acres of land. In 1825, its population was thirty-two thousand nine hun- dred and eighty. Its cleared land amounted in the same year to one hundred and thirty-five thousand three hundred and forty-two acres, a little over one-half. The average population for every square mile is seventy-nine. Tompkins is subdivided into ten towns. Ith- aca is the most considerable village. It was erected April 7th, 1817.


This county is considerably broken with hills, especially around the head of Cayuga lake, and thence westwardly to Seneca lake. The hills in general admit of cultivation, being covered with a good depth of soil. The vale of Ithaca, containing the village of that name, is on Cayuga inlet, or stream, falling into Cayuga lake. It is two miles broad, where it opens into the lake. It is a beautiful tract of rich land, almost environed by high hills, which rise from it like the steps of an amphitheatre. The lands of this county are, for the most part good.


Tompkins is well watered. Cayuga lake penetrates the central part some distance : Seneca lake washes it on the west ; Fall creek and some others water the eastern and middle parts.


STATE OF NEW-YORK.


CAYUGA has Oswego, Onondaga and Cortland on the east, Tomp- kins on the south, on the west Cayuga lake and outlet (which sepa- · rate it from Seneca,) and Wayne, and on the north by lake Onta- rio. Its length from south to north is fifty-eight miles, and its great- est breadth from west to east twenty-three, containing about six hundred square miles, equal to three hundred and eighty-four thou- sand acres of land. The improved land in 1825, comprehended one hundred and eighty-seven thousand four hundred and ninety-five acres, very nearly one-half of the whole. The population in the same year was forty-two thousand seven hundred and forty-three, being about seventy-one to every square mile. -


Cayuga was erected March 8th, 1799, and contains fifteen towns. Its largest villages are Auburn, Weeds Port, Bucksville, Montezuma and Aurora. Auburn, on the Owasco is a populous flourishing vil- lage, containing about four hundred houses. Weeds Port and Bucksville are on the Erie Canal, and Montezuma on a branch of the same canal.


Cayuga displays some diversity of aspect and soil. The northern, middle and western parts are either level, or champaign, and the southern and south-eastern hilly. Those parts lying eastwardly of the lake, descend towards it ; while those adjoining Seneca river and. lake 'Ontario, slope severally towards them. The land, with few exceptions, may be pronounced fertile. Cayuga is one of the best counties in the state, and is capable of supporting a dense popu- lation.


Cayuga lake washes a part of this county on the west. Owasco. is entirely in the county. A part of Cross lake is also in it. Owas- co outlet passes through Auburn, in its way to Seneca river. Its course, which is northi-westerly, is sixteen or seventeen miles. Salmon creek, which enters Cyauga lake, is in the south-west part of the county. Seneca river winds across the county in sullen si- lence. It is a dull stream. Lake Ontario washes the north end of the county, and penetrates it by Little Sodus bay, one of its inlets. The Erie canal meanders through it.


ONONDAGA is thirty-seven miles in length from north to south, and twenty-nine in breadth from cast to west, and contains cight


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HISTORY OF THE


hundred and twenty-six square miles, equal to five hundred and twenty-eight thousand six hundred and forty acres of land, of which one hundred and ninety-three thousand five hundred and eighty-two -acres were under cultivation in 1825. The population in the same year was forty-eight thousand four hundred and thirty-five, a little 'over fifty-eight for every square mile.


Onondaga is bounded on the east by Madison, on the south by 'Cortland, on the south-west and west by Cayuga, and on the 'north by Oswego. It was erected March 5th, 1794, and is subdi- vided into twelve towns. The villages of Manlius, Jamesville, On- ondaga Hollow, Onondaga Hill, Marcellus, Skaneateles, Onondaga Castle, Pompey, Syracuse, Salina, Liverpool, Geddesburg, Camil- lus, Elbridge, Jordan's Port, &c. are in this county. The six first are on the south Seneca turnpike; the seventh is south of the turn- · pike, and is an Indian village : Syracuse, Geddesburg and Jordan's Port, are on the Erie canal : Salina is on the Oswego canal, and Liverpool on the east shore of Onondaga lake.


Onondaga is divided into two parts ; the hilly, and level. The for- mer comprehends the southern and south-eastern parts. The lat- ter, the northern. The soils usually are very productive. Seneca river winds across the north-western part of the county, and meets Oneida river, at Three River point. Oneida river, in its course divides Oswego from Onondaga. Skaneateles outlet and lake wa- ter the westerly and south-westerly parts of the county. Nine · Mile, Onondaga, Butternut and Limestone creeks, water the residue of the county. The three first flow in deep valleys. The Erie canal winds through the flat part of this county.


MADISON is bounded north-eastwardly by Oneida, eastwardly by the same county and part of Otsego, southwardiy by Chenango, westwardly by Chenango and Onondaga, and northwardly by part cf Oneida and Oneida lake, which separate it from part of the lat- ter county and Oswego. Its area, after making allowances for the irregularities in its exteriors, contains six hundred and twelve square miles, equal to three hundred and ninety-one thousand six hundred and eighty acres of land, of which one hundred and seventy-six thou- sand one hundred and ninety-four acres were improved in 1825.


45


STATE OF NEW-YORK.


The population the same year was thirty-five thousand six hun- dred and forty-four, a little over fifty-eight to every square mile. The improved land falls some under seven-fifteenths.


This county, except along Oneida lake, and between it and the. Erie canal and along the canal, is hilly. The soil is commonly good. There is little, or no waste land ; the hills usually have `smooth outlines and easy ascents.


The north-west branch of the Chenango heads in this county, ^and passes off into the county of Chenango, Its course is south- 'easterly. The north-casterly branch runs through the south-eas- ¡terly part of the county. Otselic creek takes a south-westerly di- 'rection into Chenango. A branch of the Tioughnioga originates in the south-westerly part of the county and makes its way into Cort- "land. Chitteningo originates in Lincklean's lake, and descends in a · general north-westerly direction into Oneida lake. It receives Can- asaraga. After its union with Limestone creek from Onondaga, it forms the line between the latter and Madison counties to its mouth.


Oneida creek rises also in this county, and flows easterly to Onei- da county, where it changes its direction to north north-westerly and constitutes the boundary on this side between Madison and Oneida. Oneida lake is partly in this county. The Erie canal crosses the 'county from west to east.


Madison was erected March 21st, 1806, and is now subdivided 'into thirteen towns. Its villages of note are Cazenovia, Eaton, Morrisville, Hamilton, Peterborough, Chitteningo, Canasaraga, and 'Canestota. The latter is on the Canal. Chitteningo is on a branch canal.


The counties of Madison, Onondaga, Cortland, Cayuga, Tomp- kins, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Yates Livingston, Monroe, Gene- see, Orleans, Niagara, and Erie may be termed the granaries of the state. Only thirty-eight years have elapsed since actual settle- ments were made,and these counties now, in populousness and wealth, surpass most of the old counties. The march of improve- ment has been immense, and may be attributed in a great measure to the richness of the lands, and the enterprise of the farmers.


OsWEGO is bounded northwardly by Jefferson, eastwardly by


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46


HISTORY OF THE


Lewis and Oneida, southwardly by part of Oneida lake and the county of Onondaga, westwardly by Cayuga, and north-westwardly by lake Ontario. It is thirty-seven miles in length from east to west, and thirty from north to south .. These are the extremes. Its area does not differ much from nine hundred and eighty square rules, or six hundred and twenty-four thousand two hundred acres of land. In 1825, its population was seventeen thousand eight hun- dred and seventy-five, being a fraction over eighteen for every square mile. The improved land in the same year comprised fifty- two thousand three hundred and ninety-two acres, almost one- twelfth of the whole.


Oswego was erected March 11th, 1816, and is now subdivided into fourteen towns. Its villages, which are considerable, are Os- wego, on the shore of lake Ontario; Oswego.Falls, on Oswego river ; and Pulaski, on Salmon river. Oswego, during the two last years, has had a rapid growth, and is now one of the most thri- ving villages in the western country.


This county is divided into the plain, chan paign, and hilly tracts. The plains are along lakes Ontario and Oneida, and the latter's outlet, and Oswego river, alinost to the Falls : the champaign em- braces the intermediate space, and the south-westerly part : the hills occupy the north-easterly part.


Oswego river has its course across the south-western part of the county. . The northern part is watered by Big Salmon river, which runs across it from Lewis. The interior is mostly watered by Little Salmon river. Oneida lake and outlet are on the south, and water those parts adjoining them.


The lands in Oswego are generally middling, occasionally fertile.


Forts Oswego and Brewington were in this county. The for- mer was at the mouth of Oswego river : it was made a military station in 1722. The latter was at the outlet of Oneida lake. Oswego was taken in 1756 by the French, under the Marquis de Montcalm, and demolished. It was subsequently rebuilt. At pre- sent it is in ruins.


JEFFERSON is bounded westwardly by lake Ontario, north-west-


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"47


STATE OF NEW-YORK.


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wardly by the St. Lawrence, north-eastwardly by the county of St. Lawrence, south-eastwardly and eastwardly by Lewis, and southwardly by Oswego. Its greatest length from north-east to south-west is forty-eight miles, and its greatest breadth in an oppo- site direction, is thirty-six. Its outlines have considerable irreg- ularity, especially on the side of lake Ontario, which indents it with bays and inlets, It contains not far from one thousand one hundred and fifty square miles, or seven hundred and thirty-six thousand acres of land. In 1825 its inhabitants amounted to forty- one thousand six hundred and fifty, rather over thirty-six for every square mile. There were one hundred and seventy-three thousand one hundred and forty-one acres of improved land in the same year, being nearly the one-fourth part of the whole.


Jefferson was erected March 28th, 1805 ; and is now subdivided into nineteen towns. Watertown, Sacket's Harbour, Adams, Brownville and Carthage are the principal villages. Sacket's Harbour is on Hungry Bay, and is a port of entry. Watertown on Black river, is a manufacturing village.


On the coast of lake Ontario, and along the St. Lawrence, are levels ; in the interior, champaigns ; and in the south-eastern parts hills. The lands universally decline towards the lake and St. Lawrence. The lands of this county are with very few exceptions, good.


Black river severs Jefferson into two parts ; the larger, being northerly of that river. Its course after entering on the side of Lewis, is first north-westerly and then westerly. It opens into Hungry Bay, about four miles north-east of Sacket's Harbour. About forty miles of the course of Indian river is in this county. It waters the south-easterly part, making several large sweeps. After its entrance from Lewis on the south-east, it changes its direc- tion to the north-cast, afterwards to the south-west, then to the north-east, and lastly to the east, when it enters St. Lawrence coun- ty. In one place it approaches within six miles of Black river. Perch creek and Chaumont river fall into Chaumont bay. They are small streams. Big Sandy creek holds a south-westerly course across the southern part of the county. Its source is in Lewis. The St. Lawrence washes the north-west side of the county, and


48


, HISTORY OF THE


lake Ontario the west. Hungry, Chaumont and Henderson bays: are considerable sheets of water.


LEWIS is bounded on the north-east by the county of St. Lawrence, on the east by the county of Herkimer, on the south-east and south by the county of Oneida, on the west by parts of Oswego and Jef- ferson, and on the north-west by the latter county. Its greatest length from north to south is fifty-one miles, and its greatest breadth from. . east to west, forty. After making deductions for the difference in its. length and breadth, it will be found to contain about one thousand two, hundred and forty square miles, equal to seven hundred and ninety -. three thousand six hundred acres of land ; of which only forty-seven thousand were improved in 1825, not quite the one-sixteenth. The number of inhabitants the same year was eleven thousand six hun- dred and sixty-nine, being rather over nine to every square mile. Lewis is subdivided into nine towns, and contains the villages of. Martinsburg and Lowville.


This county is divided into the hilly and mountainous tracts .. The former is south south-westwardly of Black river, and contains. the settlements, if we except some very small parts. The lands. in this tract are usually cultivable, and are often good. In the mountainous tract there are, comparatively speaking no good lands,, and not much that is suitable for cultivation. Several attempts have been made to settle it; but hitherto they have proved abortive. Those parts of Herkimer, adjoining this tract, we are assured, are equally poor, if not more so, and are absolutely without inhab- itants.


Black river enters this county from the north-easterly corner of Oneida, and pursues a north north-westerly course to Jefferson, dividing it nearly midway. The improved parts are traversed by Deer creek, and some other streams that descend into Black river .. The mountainous tract is watered by Moose, Beaver, and some other streams falling into the latter river. Indian river makes its. way into the Oswegatchie through Jefferson.


ST. LAWRENCE, which is the largest county in the state in re -- spect of territory, is bounded on the east by Franklin, on the


49


STATE OF NEW-YORK.


south by Hamilton and Herkimer, on the south-west by Lewis and Jefferson and on the north-west by the St. Lawrence river, which divides it from Canada. Its greatest length from east to west is sixty-six miles, and its greatest breadth from north to south sixty- four. Its area however, in square miles is only about two thousand six hundred and fifty. Its form is not unlike the end of a barn. It contains one million six hundred and ninety-six thousand acres of land, of which only one hundred and four thousand one hundred and thirty-five acres were cleared in 1825, not quite the one-sixteenth part. Its population the same year was twenty seven thousand five hundred and ninety-five, being nearly ten and a half to every square mile.


St. Lawrence was erected March 3rd, 1802, and is subdivided in to eighteen towns. It contains the villages of Ogdensburgh, Can- ton, Russia, Potsdam, Madrid, Lewisville, &c.


This county is divided into the champaign, hilly and mountainous tracts. The first, comprises the country along the river St. Law- rence ; the second, the interior ; and the third, the residue. The soils of this county are various, presenting every kind, from the richest to the poorest. Those of the champaign tract, however, are usually good. The St. Lawrence washes the north-westerly side of the county throughout its whole extent, being about seventy miles. The Oswegatchie, a very considerable river, with its branches, waters the westerly and south-westerly parts of the coun- ty ; while the middle and easterly parts are watered by the Grass Racket, and St. Regis, with their branches.


Fort Oswegatchie, the La Gallette of the French, was in this coun- ty, at the mouth of Oswegatchie river.


FRANKLIN is bounded on the north by the province of Lower Canada, on the east by Clinton and Essex on the south by part of the latter county and Hamilton, and on the west by the St. Law rence. The eastern and southern parts are mountainous, and the re_ muining champaign and hilly. Franklin is watered by Salmon, St. Regis, Chateaugue, Chazy and Saranack rivers, and some other streams. The lands in the north-western part of the county, are re- spectable in quality, and sometimes even fertile.


Franklin is fifty-four miles in length from north to south, and thirty VOL. II. 6


60


HISTORY OF THE


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in breadth from east to west, and contains one thousand seven hun- dredand ten square miles, equal to one million and ninety-four thou- sand four hundred acres of land. Of these only thirty thousand and eighty-eight were improved in 1825. not quite the one-thirty- sixth part. The population the same year was seven thousand nine hundred and seventy-eight, being between four and five to the square mile.


Franklin was erected March 11th, 1808. It is subdivided into nine towns.


CLINTON is bounded on the north by the province of Lower Cana- da, on the east by lake Champlain, on the south by Essex, and on the west by Franklin. It is forty five miles in length from north to south, and thirty-six in breadth from east to west, and contains one thousand one hundred and seventy square miles, equal to seven hun- dred and forty-eight thousand eight hundred acres of land. The improved land in 1825, amounted to sixty two thousand three hun- dred and fifty-one acres, being almost the one-twelfth. The pop- ulation at the same time, was fourteen thousand four hundred and eighty-six, some thing over twelve for every square mile.


Clinton was erected March 7th, 1788. It is subdivided into six towns. Plattsburg is the largest village.


Clinton is divided into three tracts ; the level, the hilly, and mountainous. The first is on the east, and adjoins lake Champlain the second, is in the middle ; and the third in the west. The land in the first is generally good. The Great Chazy risesin the county of Franklin, and runs north north-easterly almost to the Canada border, when it turns and flows south-easterly, and soon after falls into lake Champlain. The Little Chazy, which has its course en- tirely in the county, enters the lake, a short way to the south. The two Chazies water most of the northerly half of the county. The Saranack enters on the side of Franklin, and holds a north .- easterly course to lake Champlain. The Sable forms a part of the boundary between Clinton and Essex. These, with some other small streams, water the southerly half of the county, Lake Champlain washes the county on the east for nearly forty miles. It is considerably indented with bays.


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51


STATE OF NEW-YORK.


Essex lies southerly of Clinton, and is bounded on the north by that county, on the east by lake Champlain, on the south by, Warren, and on the west by Hamilton and Franklin. It is fifty-five miles in length from north to south, and forty-six in breadth from east to west, and contains one thousand eight hundred and fifty square miles, equal to one million one hundred and seventy-six thousand acres of land. It was erected March 1st, 1799, and is subdivided into fifteen towns. Its population in 1825, was fifteen thousand nine hundred and ninety-three, beign nearly nine for every square mile. The improved lands the same year were seventy-seven thousand five hundred and ninety acres, rather over the one-fifteenth.


Essex is traversed by the Clinton, Sable, and some other moun- tain ranges, and may be termed mountainous. Between the moun- tains there are several valleys of considerable extent. The lands of this county are in general, poor and barren. In the valley, and along lake Champlain, we occasionally find some small tracts that are fer- tile. This county abounds with iron ore, which will hereafter be a great source of wealth.


Essex is well watered by lakes, rivers, and creeks. The Sara- nack, Sable and Boquet, with their branches, water the northerly parts of the county. The southern is watered by the Hudson and Schroon, and their branches, and some streams running into lake Champlain. On the east lake Champlain laves it for fifty-five miles.


Crown Point, and Ticonderoga are in the county, on the shore of lake Champlain. The former is in the south-east corner, and the latter about fifteen miles to the north: they were built by the French. The British and Colonial army, amounting to 16,000 men, were defeated in 1758 at the lines of Ticonderoga, in attempt- ing to storm them. In 1760, the French abandoned it, and the British took possession. The Americans captured it in 1775, and in 1777 evacuated it on the approach of Gen. Burgoyne. They however, retook it the same year.


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HISTORY OF THE


STATISTICAL TABLES, WITH EXPLANATORY REMARKS, &c. &c. NO. T.


A Statistical Table of the several Counties in the State ; their Su- perfices in square miles and acres ; the quantity of improved Land ; the Population, and the average number of Inhabitants to the square mile.


1. The Maritime Counties.


Counties.


Square Miles.


Land


improved Land.


tion.


square mile.


Suffolk,


800


512,000


167,886


23,695


30


Queens,


355


227,000


144,893


20,331


57


Kings,


81


52,160


24,427


14,679


180


Richmond,


77


49,280


22,178


5,932


77


New-York,


22


14,080


5,785


166,086


Total,


1335


854,520


365,384


230,723


173


The improved land in these counties comprise a litte over three- sevenths of the whole. Taking the maritime together they contain considerable poor land, and some barrens.


2. The Counties within the basin of the Hudson, or very nearly so.


Square . Acres of No. of acres of Popula- No. to every


Counties.


Miles.


Land.


improved Land.


tion.


square mile.


Westchester,


500


320,000


239,458


33,131


66


Putnam, ,


250


160,000


79,921


11,866


47


Dutchess,


850


544,000


368.471


46,698


55


Columbia,


580


371,200


264,164


37,970


65


Rensselaer,


600


384,000


234,469


44,065


65


Washington,


920


538,800


252,795


39,280


42


Rockland,


150


96,000


45,127


8,016


44


Orange,


600


384,000


243,611


41,732


70


Ulster,


950'


608,000


160,451


32,015


32


Greene,


600


384,000


142,007


26,229


43


Albany,


484


309,760


191,500


42,821


88


Saratoga,


900


576,000


253,953


36,295


47


Warren,


1000


640,000


52,347


10,906


11


Hamilton,


1500


900,000


3,170


1,251


1


Schenectady,


260


164,000


67,762


12,876


50


Montgomery,


1088


696,300


240,000


39,651


36


Herkimer,


1340


852,480


183,198


33,040


25


Oneida,


1120


716,800


224,919


57,847


52


Schobarie,


616


394,240


143,460


25,926


40


Total, 14,308


9,157,120


'3,390,884


581,615


41


Acres of No. of acres of Popula- No. to every


53


STATE OF NEW-YORK.


3. The Counties within the basin of the Delaware, or very nearly so.


Counties.


Square · Miles.


Acres of Land.


improved Land.


tion.


square mile.


Sullivan,


900


576,000


41,677


10,373


11


Delaware,


1500


960,000


157,842


29,565 -


19


Total,


2400


1,536,000


199,519


39,938


16


4. Counties within the basin of the Susquehanna, or nearly so.


Acres of No. of acres of Popula- No. to every


Counties,


Square Miles.


Land.


improved Land.


tion.


square mile.


Otsego,


850


544,000


268,979


47,898


56


Chenango,


840


537,600


178,580


34,215


41


Broome,


840


537,600


60,406


13,893


17


Cortland,


456 .


291,840


' 84,956


20,271


44


Tioga,


1040


665,600


83,452


19,951


19


Steuben,


1520


972,800


112,110


29,245


19




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