Submitted by Richard Palmer
Mary Simpson Smart, a lady of 92, (2009) living in the cobblestone
house in Pilgrimport, states:
"The the hamlet at the first crossroads east of Lyons, where
the eastern branch of Pilgrimport Road becomes Lock Berlin Road, was
never big enough to serve as a destination for immigrants, although
it once contained a dozen buildings. The name is derived from a
religious sect called the Pilgrims, who met at this crossroads for
Sunday services -- as well as at other sites, such as Pilgrim's
Landing in Palmyra.
" Interestinglyit seems that Bishop's Road, leading up to the
big white Bishop farmhouse, once crossed this earliest Erie Canal
over a bridge which was hump-backed, to allow boats to pass beneath it."
Also, she said:
" Many owners of wetlands cut willow withes annually, for
enterprising individual basket makers who sold their work from their
farmhouses. I remember going with my mother to buy baskets at such a
home in South Sodus -- and of course Peter Durer and his wife had a
willow camp just east of Lyons where he brought workers from
Liverpool each year to live for a few weeks in the dead of winter
cutting and steaming the bark from the surrounding swamp. "
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
WESTERN / CENTRAL New York timeline / 1750-1754
1750
February
A party of French and Indians, including Ottawa chief Pontiac, capture five English traders led by John Patton, agent to George Croghan, en route to Pickawillany, Ohio. With the exception of trader Edgar Bangen who escapes during the night, the prisoners are taken by the French to Fort Niagara.
May 10
English-Iroquois go-between William Johnson writes to New York governor George Clinton, to complain of the French governor, the Marquis de la Joinquière, who is offering rewards for the heads of traders George Croghan and Hugh Lowry.
Jun 18
De la Joinquière receives a letter from Clinton protesting the French presence at the Niagara River portage and demanding its removal.
State
Oswego's garrison threatens to disband over a lack of pay. ** Moravian missionaries arrive in the future Skaneateles area.
1751
Jun 15
Abbé François Piquet leaves northern New York's Fort Présentation (Oswegatchie) for Toronto, from there heading for the western end of Lake Ontario, seeking Indian converts.
Jun 27
Piquet arrives at Niagara.
Jul 6
Piquet leaves Niagara to return to Fort Présentation.
Jul 12
Piquet visits the falls of the Genesee River.
Jul 14
Piquet reaches Sodus Bay. He will recommend building a fort at the spot.
Jul 21
Piquet writes from Fort Présentation to French governor the Marquis de la Jonquière in Montréal, describing his recent mission to the Iroquois.
State
Swedish scientist Peter Kalm's Travels into North America is translated into English, bringing a new interest in Niagara Falls. ** Indian agent Sir William Johnson buys land surrounding Onondaga Lake from the local tribe for $15,000.
1752
Jan 1
Great Britain and the colonies officially adopt the Gregorian calendar, making January and February the beginning months of the year, rather than the final months.
Feb 21
Businessman Nathaniel Rochester is born in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
Apr 8
Diplomat and New York State landowner William Bingham is born to William and Mary Stamper Bingham in Philadelphia.
State
Seneca chief Otetiena (Red Jacket) is born in the Cayuga village of Canoga.
New Hampshire
Syracuse co-founder Ephraim Webster is born in Hampstead.
1753
October
George Clinton is replaced as Royal Governor of New York, by Sir Danvers Osborne.
The French build a wagon road across the southern tier, along the future path of Route 17. ** The maximum amount of land permitted in an individual's grant is reduced from 2000 acres to 1000.
1754
October
The marquis du Duquesne meets in Québec with an Iroquois delegation from Onondaga, come to repair relations with the French.
State
Future governor Lewis Morgan is born to Francis York Morgan and his wife Elizabeth Annesly Morgan.
Pennsylvania
Surveyor Andrew Ellicott, brother of land agent Joseph Ellicott, is born to a Quaker family in Bucks County.
© 2009 David Minor / Eagles Byte
February
A party of French and Indians, including Ottawa chief Pontiac, capture five English traders led by John Patton, agent to George Croghan, en route to Pickawillany, Ohio. With the exception of trader Edgar Bangen who escapes during the night, the prisoners are taken by the French to Fort Niagara.
May 10
English-Iroquois go-between William Johnson writes to New York governor George Clinton, to complain of the French governor, the Marquis de la Joinquière, who is offering rewards for the heads of traders George Croghan and Hugh Lowry.
Jun 18
De la Joinquière receives a letter from Clinton protesting the French presence at the Niagara River portage and demanding its removal.
State
Oswego's garrison threatens to disband over a lack of pay. ** Moravian missionaries arrive in the future Skaneateles area.
1751
Jun 15
Abbé François Piquet leaves northern New York's Fort Présentation (Oswegatchie) for Toronto, from there heading for the western end of Lake Ontario, seeking Indian converts.
Jun 27
Piquet arrives at Niagara.
Jul 6
Piquet leaves Niagara to return to Fort Présentation.
Jul 12
Piquet visits the falls of the Genesee River.
Jul 14
Piquet reaches Sodus Bay. He will recommend building a fort at the spot.
Jul 21
Piquet writes from Fort Présentation to French governor the Marquis de la Jonquière in Montréal, describing his recent mission to the Iroquois.
State
Swedish scientist Peter Kalm's Travels into North America is translated into English, bringing a new interest in Niagara Falls. ** Indian agent Sir William Johnson buys land surrounding Onondaga Lake from the local tribe for $15,000.
1752
Jan 1
Great Britain and the colonies officially adopt the Gregorian calendar, making January and February the beginning months of the year, rather than the final months.
Feb 21
Businessman Nathaniel Rochester is born in Westmoreland County, Virginia.
Apr 8
Diplomat and New York State landowner William Bingham is born to William and Mary Stamper Bingham in Philadelphia.
State
Seneca chief Otetiena (Red Jacket) is born in the Cayuga village of Canoga.
New Hampshire
Syracuse co-founder Ephraim Webster is born in Hampstead.
1753
October
George Clinton is replaced as Royal Governor of New York, by Sir Danvers Osborne.
The French build a wagon road across the southern tier, along the future path of Route 17. ** The maximum amount of land permitted in an individual's grant is reduced from 2000 acres to 1000.
1754
October
The marquis du Duquesne meets in Québec with an Iroquois delegation from Onondaga, come to repair relations with the French.
State
Future governor Lewis Morgan is born to Francis York Morgan and his wife Elizabeth Annesly Morgan.
Pennsylvania
Surveyor Andrew Ellicott, brother of land agent Joseph Ellicott, is born to a Quaker family in Bucks County.
© 2009 David Minor / Eagles Byte
Sunday, June 21, 2009
AMHERST MUSEUM VISIT
On Saturday, June 27 the New Society will visit the Amherst Museum
at 3755 Tonawanda Creek Road, Amherst, New York
We will meet at Sean Patrick's Irish Pub for lunch at 11:30 a.m.
(arrive a little earlier). Patrick's is located at 3480 Millersport Highway
in Getzville, off Transit Road. After lunch and New Society business
we will go to the museum for a private tour at 1:00 p.m. Admission
is $4.00 per person. The Amherst Museum, www.amherstmuseum.org ,
is similar to the Genesee Country Museum with numerous historic buildings.
Thanks to Gerry Muhl for making these arrangements. Please reply to
Martha Johnstone by email bluffpoint@frontiernet.net by June 23rd
if you plan to attend.
at 3755 Tonawanda Creek Road, Amherst, New York
We will meet at Sean Patrick's Irish Pub for lunch at 11:30 a.m.
(arrive a little earlier). Patrick's is located at 3480 Millersport Highway
in Getzville, off Transit Road. After lunch and New Society business
we will go to the museum for a private tour at 1:00 p.m. Admission
is $4.00 per person. The Amherst Museum, www.amherstmuseum.org ,
is similar to the Genesee Country Museum with numerous historic buildings.
Thanks to Gerry Muhl for making these arrangements. Please reply to
Martha Johnstone by email bluffpoint@frontiernet.net by June 23rd
if you plan to attend.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Erie Canal - 1822 Items
Submitted by Richard Palmer
Ontario Repository, Canandaigua July 23, 1822
Erie Canal Navigation
Utica July 9
Arrived since our last. 47 boats and one raft with 4405 barrels flour
430 barrels salt 72 do. pork 64 do ashes, 1690 bushels wheat, 42229
feet boards, 6363 gallons whiskey.
Cleared same time 35 boats with 90 tons merchandise, 16 do. Mill
machinery, passengers &c
====
(At this time, this portion of the canal was only open between
Irondequoit and Lyons)
Western Farmer, Palmyra, N.Y., April 24, 1822
PACKET BOAT
The Elegant and Superb Packet Boat MYRON HOLLEY, has commenced
running on the Canal. Parties of pleasure can be accommodated either
with a trip to Lyons, or to the Irondequoit Embankment. This work is
now in successful progression, and presents to view a scene as novel
and grand and interesting to every beholder.
The Boat can leave this place in the morning, and visit either
of the above places and return in the evening, or remain over night,
as best suits the passengers.
SEYMOUR SCOVELL.
Palmyra, April 23, 1822.
N.B. The Boat will soon commence running on her regular trips
in connection with the passage Boats on the Middle Section, after
which time it will not be so convenient to accommodate parties.
Ontario Repository, Canandaigua July 23, 1822
Erie Canal Navigation
Utica July 9
Arrived since our last. 47 boats and one raft with 4405 barrels flour
430 barrels salt 72 do. pork 64 do ashes, 1690 bushels wheat, 42229
feet boards, 6363 gallons whiskey.
Cleared same time 35 boats with 90 tons merchandise, 16 do. Mill
machinery, passengers &c
====
(At this time, this portion of the canal was only open between
Irondequoit and Lyons)
Western Farmer, Palmyra, N.Y., April 24, 1822
PACKET BOAT
The Elegant and Superb Packet Boat MYRON HOLLEY, has commenced
running on the Canal. Parties of pleasure can be accommodated either
with a trip to Lyons, or to the Irondequoit Embankment. This work is
now in successful progression, and presents to view a scene as novel
and grand and interesting to every beholder.
The Boat can leave this place in the morning, and visit either
of the above places and return in the evening, or remain over night,
as best suits the passengers.
SEYMOUR SCOVELL.
Palmyra, April 23, 1822.
N.B. The Boat will soon commence running on her regular trips
in connection with the passage Boats on the Middle Section, after
which time it will not be so convenient to accommodate parties.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Picky, Picky, Picky
© 2007 David Minor / Eagles Byte¬
Fowler and his Philadelphia friend disembark from their steamboat at midday and set out to procure transportation to carry them about 25 miles inland. Four dollars hires them a light wagon, a driver and a pair of horses and they set out. Fowler describes the first part of their journey. “After traveling over twelve miles of very bad road, through a barren, rocky, half cleared, uninteresting country, we arrived at Montgomery, a village with a few pretty good houses and stores, and, perhaps, about 800 inhabitants.”
The village, named for Revolutionary general Richard Montgomery, who had a home back down on the river, had at one time been called Ward’s Bridge; early settler and miller James Ward having built a bridge here over the Walkill River.
Fowler writes, “As we drove along we observed many persons cutting and carrying their hay, in the midst of stumps and stones, and where an English farmer would have deemed it utterly impracticable to have performed either operation.” Our traveler was being a bit too critical. In his 1982 book Common Landscape of America author John R. Stilgoe explains, “A husbandman needed not one but several fields, and he needed them immediately. He needed one for corn or wheat, another for meadow, and a third for pasture. He had no time to create one perfectly tilled field free of stumps, roots and rocks; he had little enough time to create three filled with girdled trees, especially if he had located far from natural grassland and needed hay for winter fodder.”
Not realizing all this, Fowler goes on to say that if he hadn’t seen decent farmland on Long Island he would have had rather less of a good opinion of agriculture in the state. He’s not terribly impressed with the Catskill-area livestock either, finding the cattle inferior, the sheep rather common and the pigs, “perfectly hideous; their heads large, legs long, sides very flat, and bristled along the back like a wild boar.”
Our disapproving friend and his Philadelphia companion finally arrive at their destination near today’s Bloomingburgh, Sullivan County’s first seat (but not to be incorporated for another three years) having encountered, “various stops and hindrances.” The friend has made visits to the area before but hasn’t mentioned any relatives in the area, so it’s a bit of surprise to Fowler, when they pull up to a farmhouse and the friend addresses the man as “uncle”. Fowler soon learns that it’s a all-purpose salutation used for male elders.
Even though most of the family has probably turned in for the night not too long before, all are soon up and making the travelers welcome. Obviously starved for diversion, everyone seems prepared to sit up half the night, discussing politics and religion. “ . . . and we had pretty much settled some abstruse points in both ere we had been half an hour in the house.” And everyone had plenty of questions about news from the outside. Fowler admits he could have continued this far into the night had he known what awaited for him when he turned in. He concludes his notes for the day, “What, the bugs again . . . Bear with me, reader, though I can hardly bear with myself - ‘tis even so.” We’ve borne with him on the subject before; I think this time we’ll leave him to suffer alone. Then pick him up the next morning - next time.
Fowler and his Philadelphia friend disembark from their steamboat at midday and set out to procure transportation to carry them about 25 miles inland. Four dollars hires them a light wagon, a driver and a pair of horses and they set out. Fowler describes the first part of their journey. “After traveling over twelve miles of very bad road, through a barren, rocky, half cleared, uninteresting country, we arrived at Montgomery, a village with a few pretty good houses and stores, and, perhaps, about 800 inhabitants.”
The village, named for Revolutionary general Richard Montgomery, who had a home back down on the river, had at one time been called Ward’s Bridge; early settler and miller James Ward having built a bridge here over the Walkill River.
Fowler writes, “As we drove along we observed many persons cutting and carrying their hay, in the midst of stumps and stones, and where an English farmer would have deemed it utterly impracticable to have performed either operation.” Our traveler was being a bit too critical. In his 1982 book Common Landscape of America author John R. Stilgoe explains, “A husbandman needed not one but several fields, and he needed them immediately. He needed one for corn or wheat, another for meadow, and a third for pasture. He had no time to create one perfectly tilled field free of stumps, roots and rocks; he had little enough time to create three filled with girdled trees, especially if he had located far from natural grassland and needed hay for winter fodder.”
Not realizing all this, Fowler goes on to say that if he hadn’t seen decent farmland on Long Island he would have had rather less of a good opinion of agriculture in the state. He’s not terribly impressed with the Catskill-area livestock either, finding the cattle inferior, the sheep rather common and the pigs, “perfectly hideous; their heads large, legs long, sides very flat, and bristled along the back like a wild boar.”
Our disapproving friend and his Philadelphia companion finally arrive at their destination near today’s Bloomingburgh, Sullivan County’s first seat (but not to be incorporated for another three years) having encountered, “various stops and hindrances.” The friend has made visits to the area before but hasn’t mentioned any relatives in the area, so it’s a bit of surprise to Fowler, when they pull up to a farmhouse and the friend addresses the man as “uncle”. Fowler soon learns that it’s a all-purpose salutation used for male elders.
Even though most of the family has probably turned in for the night not too long before, all are soon up and making the travelers welcome. Obviously starved for diversion, everyone seems prepared to sit up half the night, discussing politics and religion. “ . . . and we had pretty much settled some abstruse points in both ere we had been half an hour in the house.” And everyone had plenty of questions about news from the outside. Fowler admits he could have continued this far into the night had he known what awaited for him when he turned in. He concludes his notes for the day, “What, the bugs again . . . Bear with me, reader, though I can hardly bear with myself - ‘tis even so.” We’ve borne with him on the subject before; I think this time we’ll leave him to suffer alone. Then pick him up the next morning - next time.
Friday, June 12, 2009
CIVIL WAR ROUNDTABLE - AUTHOR TALK
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The Genesee Valley Civil War Roundtable
Presents Thomas M. McFarland on “Rivers to Cross”
Thomas McFarland will speak on his new Civil War book “Rivers to Cross” which follows Corliss,
an Irish immigrant, through the Civil War and his subsequent trip west to become a cowboy.
The program takes place at the American Legion, through the front entrance, 53 West Main Street,
LeRoy at 7:30 PM.
Discussion period to follow. The author will have copies of the book for sale and will sign them.
New members Welcome!
The Genesee Valley Civil War Roundtable
Presents Thomas M. McFarland on “Rivers to Cross”
Thomas McFarland will speak on his new Civil War book “Rivers to Cross” which follows Corliss,
an Irish immigrant, through the Civil War and his subsequent trip west to become a cowboy.
The program takes place at the American Legion, through the front entrance, 53 West Main Street,
LeRoy at 7:30 PM.
Discussion period to follow. The author will have copies of the book for sale and will sign them.
New members Welcome!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
ERIE CANAL OPENING - 1823
Submitted by Richard Palmer
Lyons Advertiser
July 9,1823
Erie Canal
The Albany Daily Advertiser states that the navigation of the Western Canal is now open
from Schenectady to Rochester, a distance of 200 miles. On Thursday the water was let in,
to a moderate depth, as far down as Schenectady, and a light boat came thro from the
west to this city. It is reserved as a joyous ceremony and a source of felicitation on the
approaching anniversary, to let in the water to the usual depth of four feet, when loaded
boats are expected to arrive from the west.
In two years at farthest from this time the whole line of the Great Western Canal will be
completed from Buffalo to Albany; and on the 4th July, 1825, the interesting ceremony
of celebrating the junction, or as the late Mr. Granger used to say, the nuptials of
Lake Erie and the Hudson, will take place. On that day, which will be the proudest
in our annals, the banks of the Canal will be lined with cannon, and , covered with
an immense multitude, when a grand feu de joie will be fired, and the shouts of
spectators ring from the River to the Lake.- (Statesman)
Lyons Advertiser
July 9,1823
Erie Canal
The Albany Daily Advertiser states that the navigation of the Western Canal is now open
from Schenectady to Rochester, a distance of 200 miles. On Thursday the water was let in,
to a moderate depth, as far down as Schenectady, and a light boat came thro from the
west to this city. It is reserved as a joyous ceremony and a source of felicitation on the
approaching anniversary, to let in the water to the usual depth of four feet, when loaded
boats are expected to arrive from the west.
In two years at farthest from this time the whole line of the Great Western Canal will be
completed from Buffalo to Albany; and on the 4th July, 1825, the interesting ceremony
of celebrating the junction, or as the late Mr. Granger used to say, the nuptials of
Lake Erie and the Hudson, will take place. On that day, which will be the proudest
in our annals, the banks of the Canal will be lined with cannon, and , covered with
an immense multitude, when a grand feu de joie will be fired, and the shouts of
spectators ring from the River to the Lake.- (Statesman)
Sunday, June 7, 2009
WESTERN / CENTRAL NEW YORK TIMELINE / 1735-1749
1735
Ganiodaio (Handsome Lake), half-brother of Cornplanter, is born.
1736
Mar 10
Governor William Cosby dies of consumption.
1737
Apr 9
A closed council of Iroquois chiefs is called at Onondaga to decide the fate of the Delaware, who signed away Iroquois land to the Proprietors of Pennsylvania. Iroquois chief Canassatego condemns them to move from their homes immediately to Pennsylvania's Wyoming and Shamokin valleys, and to never trade land again. Some move on to the Ohio country, away from Iroquois power.
1738
The approximate date two Iroquois are said to have been trapped on Goat Island at Niagara Falls when their canoe drifts near the cataract. They are rescued by soldiers after nine days on the island.
1739
May 3
U. S. canal engineer Christopher Colles is born in Dublin.
Jul 26
Future governor George Clinton is born at Little Britain, Ulster (later Orange) County.
1740
Jan 10
The British purchase a 20-by-30-mile tract of land on Lake Ontario’s Irondequoit Bay, but do not settle it.
1741
State
The Montauk Indian population has dwindled to 32 families, about 160 people. ** Lieutenant Governor George Clarke pays the Senecas £100 (about $250) for all lands six miles east of Irondequoit Bay as well as twenty miles west and thirty miles south.
Northeast
The 1741-1742 winter is a severe one.
Pennsylvania
Andrew Ellicott, grandfather of surveyor and land speculator Joseph Ellicott, dies of pleurisy, leaving behind five sons, including Jo, father of the Ellicott brothers.
1742
State
Future governor John Taylor is born in New York City.
1743
Jul 12
New York State land speculator Jeremiah Wadsworth is born to the Reverend Daniel and Abigail Talcott Wadsworth in Hartford Township, Connecticut.
State
Governor George Clinton takes office.
Indian Captives
The approximate date Mary Jemison is born to Thomas and Jane Erwin Jemison aboard the ship Mary William bound for Philadelphia from Ireland.
1745
Indians
At Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the Six Nations cede their land in the Ohio Valley north of the river to commissioners from New York, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. The Iroquois are given £800 in Pennsylvania currency, £300 in gold, control of several southern tribes and passage through the colony to attack the Catawba and the Cherokee.
State
The approximate date Avon co-founder Doctor Timothy Hosmer is born in Connecticut.
1747
Sep 30
Big Flats pioneer Christian Myneer (Minier) is born in Heidelberg, Pennsylvania, to Johann Georg Myneer and Marie Elizabeth Strunk Myneer.
State
Daniel Joncaire Sieur de Chabert visits Indians in the Black Rock area.
1748
Apr 11
Colonial Indian agent William Johnson, Mississaugi chief Tiyanoga, fifty volunteers and 13 Mohawks leave Mount Johnson on a 200-mile swing through Iroquois country.
Apr 23
Johnson and Tiyanoga arrive at Onondaga. In council Johnson hears Chief Red Hand’s concern that the British show no signs of an attack on Canada and that the tribes have neglected their own interests for two years while waiting for action. He promises to reply in the morning.
Apr 24
Johnson tries to convince the chiefs to not travel to Montréal to retrieve their captives, but to let the English government exchange them for French prisoners, even though he has no authorization for such an offer. They promise him an answer the following day.
Apr 25
The reply comes from Chief Canassatego. The Iroquois will let Johnson try to exchange French prisoners for their fellow tribesmen.
Apr 26
Johnson and Tiyanoga leave Onondaga for Mount Johnson.
Aug 10
Johnson writes to governor Clinton, reports the Indians have all left Mount Johnson with the exception of the Seneca Grota Younga, who stayed behind to have an ulcerous leg tended to.
Oct 14
Governor George Clinton demands that the salaries of governors and other officers be granted for a five-year term, rather than annually.
Oct 19
The New York assembly assures Clinton they will provide for all reasonable expenses, but not a five-year lump sum.
1749
Apr 28
William Johnson returns to Mount Johnson after a five-week tour of Iroquois villages, where he found the more western tribes wary of English promises. He dispatches a report to Governor George Clinton.
Jun 2
Antoine-Louis Rouillé, Comte de Jouy, French colonial minister, writes to Canadian governor, the Marquis de Galissonière from Versailles, backing his plan to use the natives to destroy Fort Oswego. He then writes to Galissonière’s upcoming successor Jacques Pierre de Taffanel, the Marquis de Jonquière, still in France, encouraging the future use of the Iroquois. ** Galissonière issues orders to officer Pierre-Joseph Céloron de Bienville to lead a force to the Ohio Valley, burying tin sheets carrying the French coast-of-arms along the way.
July
Céloron de Bienville and his party, traveling across the western part of the state, reach Fort Niagara. They will proceed to the Ohio Valley via Chautauqua Lake, depositing lead markers at each important river mouth.
Jul 25
Céloron reaches Kanaouagon (today’s Conewangeo) Creek.
Oct 17
North American land office agent Paolo Busti is born in Milan, Italy.
Oct 21
New York State land agent and politician Oliver Phelps is born in Poquonock, Connecticut.
Nov 3
Cayuga chief Sacanghtradeya brings William Johnson one of Céloron’s plates.
Nov 4
Johnson throws a feast for Sacanghtradeya, Tiyanoga, Wascaugh, Nichus and close to 300 other angry warriors. He successfully counters claims that the English and French have made an alliance against the Iroquois.
State
William Johnson writes to Governor George Clinton proposing a settlement on Irondequoit Bay, to shut out the French trying to buy English land. ** 193 Indian canoes bring 1,385 packs of fur to Oswego to trade with the British. In modern currency the pelts would be worth nearly $2,000,000.
© 2009 David Minor / Eagles Byte
Ganiodaio (Handsome Lake), half-brother of Cornplanter, is born.
1736
Mar 10
Governor William Cosby dies of consumption.
1737
Apr 9
A closed council of Iroquois chiefs is called at Onondaga to decide the fate of the Delaware, who signed away Iroquois land to the Proprietors of Pennsylvania. Iroquois chief Canassatego condemns them to move from their homes immediately to Pennsylvania's Wyoming and Shamokin valleys, and to never trade land again. Some move on to the Ohio country, away from Iroquois power.
1738
The approximate date two Iroquois are said to have been trapped on Goat Island at Niagara Falls when their canoe drifts near the cataract. They are rescued by soldiers after nine days on the island.
1739
May 3
U. S. canal engineer Christopher Colles is born in Dublin.
Jul 26
Future governor George Clinton is born at Little Britain, Ulster (later Orange) County.
1740
Jan 10
The British purchase a 20-by-30-mile tract of land on Lake Ontario’s Irondequoit Bay, but do not settle it.
1741
State
The Montauk Indian population has dwindled to 32 families, about 160 people. ** Lieutenant Governor George Clarke pays the Senecas £100 (about $250) for all lands six miles east of Irondequoit Bay as well as twenty miles west and thirty miles south.
Northeast
The 1741-1742 winter is a severe one.
Pennsylvania
Andrew Ellicott, grandfather of surveyor and land speculator Joseph Ellicott, dies of pleurisy, leaving behind five sons, including Jo, father of the Ellicott brothers.
1742
State
Future governor John Taylor is born in New York City.
1743
Jul 12
New York State land speculator Jeremiah Wadsworth is born to the Reverend Daniel and Abigail Talcott Wadsworth in Hartford Township, Connecticut.
State
Governor George Clinton takes office.
Indian Captives
The approximate date Mary Jemison is born to Thomas and Jane Erwin Jemison aboard the ship Mary William bound for Philadelphia from Ireland.
1745
Indians
At Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the Six Nations cede their land in the Ohio Valley north of the river to commissioners from New York, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. The Iroquois are given £800 in Pennsylvania currency, £300 in gold, control of several southern tribes and passage through the colony to attack the Catawba and the Cherokee.
State
The approximate date Avon co-founder Doctor Timothy Hosmer is born in Connecticut.
1747
Sep 30
Big Flats pioneer Christian Myneer (Minier) is born in Heidelberg, Pennsylvania, to Johann Georg Myneer and Marie Elizabeth Strunk Myneer.
State
Daniel Joncaire Sieur de Chabert visits Indians in the Black Rock area.
1748
Apr 11
Colonial Indian agent William Johnson, Mississaugi chief Tiyanoga, fifty volunteers and 13 Mohawks leave Mount Johnson on a 200-mile swing through Iroquois country.
Apr 23
Johnson and Tiyanoga arrive at Onondaga. In council Johnson hears Chief Red Hand’s concern that the British show no signs of an attack on Canada and that the tribes have neglected their own interests for two years while waiting for action. He promises to reply in the morning.
Apr 24
Johnson tries to convince the chiefs to not travel to Montréal to retrieve their captives, but to let the English government exchange them for French prisoners, even though he has no authorization for such an offer. They promise him an answer the following day.
Apr 25
The reply comes from Chief Canassatego. The Iroquois will let Johnson try to exchange French prisoners for their fellow tribesmen.
Apr 26
Johnson and Tiyanoga leave Onondaga for Mount Johnson.
Aug 10
Johnson writes to governor Clinton, reports the Indians have all left Mount Johnson with the exception of the Seneca Grota Younga, who stayed behind to have an ulcerous leg tended to.
Oct 14
Governor George Clinton demands that the salaries of governors and other officers be granted for a five-year term, rather than annually.
Oct 19
The New York assembly assures Clinton they will provide for all reasonable expenses, but not a five-year lump sum.
1749
Apr 28
William Johnson returns to Mount Johnson after a five-week tour of Iroquois villages, where he found the more western tribes wary of English promises. He dispatches a report to Governor George Clinton.
Jun 2
Antoine-Louis Rouillé, Comte de Jouy, French colonial minister, writes to Canadian governor, the Marquis de Galissonière from Versailles, backing his plan to use the natives to destroy Fort Oswego. He then writes to Galissonière’s upcoming successor Jacques Pierre de Taffanel, the Marquis de Jonquière, still in France, encouraging the future use of the Iroquois. ** Galissonière issues orders to officer Pierre-Joseph Céloron de Bienville to lead a force to the Ohio Valley, burying tin sheets carrying the French coast-of-arms along the way.
July
Céloron de Bienville and his party, traveling across the western part of the state, reach Fort Niagara. They will proceed to the Ohio Valley via Chautauqua Lake, depositing lead markers at each important river mouth.
Jul 25
Céloron reaches Kanaouagon (today’s Conewangeo) Creek.
Oct 17
North American land office agent Paolo Busti is born in Milan, Italy.
Oct 21
New York State land agent and politician Oliver Phelps is born in Poquonock, Connecticut.
Nov 3
Cayuga chief Sacanghtradeya brings William Johnson one of Céloron’s plates.
Nov 4
Johnson throws a feast for Sacanghtradeya, Tiyanoga, Wascaugh, Nichus and close to 300 other angry warriors. He successfully counters claims that the English and French have made an alliance against the Iroquois.
State
William Johnson writes to Governor George Clinton proposing a settlement on Irondequoit Bay, to shut out the French trying to buy English land. ** 193 Indian canoes bring 1,385 packs of fur to Oswego to trade with the British. In modern currency the pelts would be worth nearly $2,000,000.
© 2009 David Minor / Eagles Byte
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
CANAL TIMES CENTRAL REGION
Rendering of mural to be created in downtown Syracuse on the First Niagara Bank building.
Canal-related mural set for downtown Syracuse
by Richard Palmer
SYRACUSE - Work on a mural depicting Clinton Square in Erie Canal days is
slated to be painted on the north wall of First Niagara Bank at 126 N. Salina St.,
across the street from the Post-Standard building.
The bank commissioned Corky Goss of Syracuse, who has done more than
25 such murals across the state, to do this one. Goss said it will not be
completed until next year as he can only work on it on weekends. This is
so not as to interfere with the daily operation of the drive-in teller window.
Goss's company is called "Art in Public Places," and his partner is Chip Miller,
a teacher at C.W. Baker High School in Baldwinsville. Financing for the mural
also comes from an organization called "Adapt Central New York," and
several other groups.
The wall has been cleaned and primed to receive the mural. The plan is to have
it completed by the summer of 2010. Goss will also be working on a series
of murals for the village of Newark. He does murals on both private
and public property.
Goss has done several murals in other canal communities including
Lyons and Clyde. "It's really taking off," he said, with plans for other
murals being made in Rochester and the nearby community of Greece.
Meanwhile, several other artists have already or are about to create
additional murals along the canal system.
Friday, May 29, 2009
STEUBEN COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Craig Braack, the Allegany County Historian, is giving a slide show
talk on "Women in the Civil War" on June 6, at the Lutheran Church in
Cohocton, sponsored by the Steuben County Historical Society. The 12:30
luncheon before the talk costs $12 for soup, sandwiches, dessert and
beverages, and requires prepayment and a reservation sent to the SCHS,
PO Box 349, Bath, NY, 14810. The program starts at 1:15, and is free
and open to the public.
For further information –
cline_museum@yahoo.com
talk on "Women in the Civil War" on June 6, at the Lutheran Church in
Cohocton, sponsored by the Steuben County Historical Society. The 12:30
luncheon before the talk costs $12 for soup, sandwiches, dessert and
beverages, and requires prepayment and a reservation sent to the SCHS,
PO Box 349, Bath, NY, 14810. The program starts at 1:15, and is free
and open to the public.
For further information –
cline_museum@yahoo.com
Monday, May 25, 2009
No, Not the Actor
© 2007 David Minor / Eagles Byte
Just across the river from West Point lie the two settlements of Nelsonville and Marysville, to be incorporated in 1846 as Cold Spring. Being home to West Point Foundry, there’s always something going on. This year several buildings are going up, including Our Lady Chapel, to be used for workers’ worship services, and another structure to used for educating the foundry’s apprentices and the children of the workers.
But the big excitement is a project nearing completion this August as John Fowler steams by, a project that will help revolutionize travel (this IS a revolutionary river valley after all). Finishing touches are being applied, as The Best Friend of Charleston is completed. The four-and-a-half-ton locomotive with four drive wheels connected by outer rods to the vertical boiler, ordered by South Carolina businessman E. L. Miller, is ready to move out. Two months from now it will be shipped by the steamboat Niagara for eventual use on the Charleston and Hamburg Railroad. By the coming winter it will be making regular runs from Charleston, inland to Hamburg (near the Atlanta, Georgia, area). Atlanta will handle the commercial competition handily, as you might surmise.
A short way north of West Point, just beyond the looming Storm King Mountain, lies the village of Cornwall, where construction of a Methodist Church is taking place on a hill that will later overlook the town hall.
The next pair of villages looking at each other across the river, are Newburgh (on the west side) and Fishkill. Fowler only mentions Newburgh in any detail, probably his vessel put in on that shore of the river. He describes it as an incorporated village of about 600 houses, with a population of close to 4,000. “From its situation it commands an extensive intercourse and trade with the country on the west, and, by means of the Hudson River, with New York.” Although the place has a growing number of manufactories, much of the trade he mentions is due to the shipping industry that’s growing up here on the river. This year the owner of the steamer Baltimore, forwarding merchant Christopher Reeve has taken on a new partner named David Crawford, who is buying a half interest in the vessel. Crawford, who will soon operate an entire fleet of boats from a wharf on Montgomery Street, has started construction of a house here, which can be visited in the 21st century, as the home of Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands.
And for those with no talent for making money like Crawford can and does, the village is in the process of building the Orange County Poorhouse, this year of 1830, at a cost of $12,000.
Our other traveler, William Gorgas, stops in at Newburgh also, but he does give a mention to Fishkill, across the river. “where Matteawan factory is situated. This gives employment to 300 persons with 50 looms & 1,000 or 1,500 yard of cotton made out of the wool particularly stripes and gingham per day–From this place there is a fine sloping bank along the river.”
It’s at this point in the river that Fowler decides to take a break and detour inland for a while. Until next time . . .
Just across the river from West Point lie the two settlements of Nelsonville and Marysville, to be incorporated in 1846 as Cold Spring. Being home to West Point Foundry, there’s always something going on. This year several buildings are going up, including Our Lady Chapel, to be used for workers’ worship services, and another structure to used for educating the foundry’s apprentices and the children of the workers.
But the big excitement is a project nearing completion this August as John Fowler steams by, a project that will help revolutionize travel (this IS a revolutionary river valley after all). Finishing touches are being applied, as The Best Friend of Charleston is completed. The four-and-a-half-ton locomotive with four drive wheels connected by outer rods to the vertical boiler, ordered by South Carolina businessman E. L. Miller, is ready to move out. Two months from now it will be shipped by the steamboat Niagara for eventual use on the Charleston and Hamburg Railroad. By the coming winter it will be making regular runs from Charleston, inland to Hamburg (near the Atlanta, Georgia, area). Atlanta will handle the commercial competition handily, as you might surmise.
A short way north of West Point, just beyond the looming Storm King Mountain, lies the village of Cornwall, where construction of a Methodist Church is taking place on a hill that will later overlook the town hall.
The next pair of villages looking at each other across the river, are Newburgh (on the west side) and Fishkill. Fowler only mentions Newburgh in any detail, probably his vessel put in on that shore of the river. He describes it as an incorporated village of about 600 houses, with a population of close to 4,000. “From its situation it commands an extensive intercourse and trade with the country on the west, and, by means of the Hudson River, with New York.” Although the place has a growing number of manufactories, much of the trade he mentions is due to the shipping industry that’s growing up here on the river. This year the owner of the steamer Baltimore, forwarding merchant Christopher Reeve has taken on a new partner named David Crawford, who is buying a half interest in the vessel. Crawford, who will soon operate an entire fleet of boats from a wharf on Montgomery Street, has started construction of a house here, which can be visited in the 21st century, as the home of Historical Society of Newburgh Bay and the Highlands.
And for those with no talent for making money like Crawford can and does, the village is in the process of building the Orange County Poorhouse, this year of 1830, at a cost of $12,000.
Our other traveler, William Gorgas, stops in at Newburgh also, but he does give a mention to Fishkill, across the river. “where Matteawan factory is situated. This gives employment to 300 persons with 50 looms & 1,000 or 1,500 yard of cotton made out of the wool particularly stripes and gingham per day–From this place there is a fine sloping bank along the river.”
It’s at this point in the river that Fowler decides to take a break and detour inland for a while. Until next time . . .
Friday, May 22, 2009
WPA ART GALLERY EXCURSION
Hello New Society members (and wanna-bes):
The May meeting will be on Saturday, May 30. We will meet at 10:15 a.m.
at the WPA Art Gallery on the Livingston County Campus in Mount Morris.
Lunch will follow at the Genesee River Hotel in Mount Morris at 11:45.
Lunch choices are: Monte Cristo sandwich at $11.46, Philly Cheese Steak
sandwich at $12.74, or Oriental Chicken salad at $12.74. Tax and tip are included.
If you are planning to attend, please notify Alberta Dunn of your choice for lunch
by May 27, either at bertd02@rochester.rr.com or (585) 243-2281.
Directions to the WPA Art Gallery from the center of Mount Morris:
take Route 36 North (Main Street) one block, turn left at the Livingston
County Campus, and park behind Building #4.
Martha Johnstone
[any questions? e-mail David Minor at dminor@eznet.net ]
The May meeting will be on Saturday, May 30. We will meet at 10:15 a.m.
at the WPA Art Gallery on the Livingston County Campus in Mount Morris.
Lunch will follow at the Genesee River Hotel in Mount Morris at 11:45.
Lunch choices are: Monte Cristo sandwich at $11.46, Philly Cheese Steak
sandwich at $12.74, or Oriental Chicken salad at $12.74. Tax and tip are included.
If you are planning to attend, please notify Alberta Dunn of your choice for lunch
by May 27, either at bertd02@rochester.rr.com or (585) 243-2281.
Directions to the WPA Art Gallery from the center of Mount Morris:
take Route 36 North (Main Street) one block, turn left at the Livingston
County Campus, and park behind Building #4.
Martha Johnstone
[any questions? e-mail David Minor at dminor@eznet.net ]
Thursday, May 21, 2009
THE ORIGIN OF “SWAIN”
By Richard Palmer
Swain was once fairly well known as a railroad junction point – predominated by the Erie and the Pittsburg, Shawmut & Northern and its predecessors, as well as for a branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Over the years the hamlet has also been known as Swains and Swainsville. Today, it is home to a popular ski resort, and has about 300 residents.
Swain sprang into existence after the coming of the railroad. This line was chartered as the Attica & Hornellsville on May 14, 1845 and reorganized as the Buffalo & New York City Railroad on April 15, 1851. It was opened between what was then called Hornellsville and Portageville on Jan. 22, 1852, and to Attica on May 3, 1852.
Swain was a typical small community with a few houses, a general store, and a sawmill. A post office was established there after the railroad was built and was located in the railroad depot built by Samuel Swain, which he later sold to the railroad.
The two-story structure was destroyed by fire on Feb. 10, 1880. It was a large, two-story structure. The station agent, J. J. Benchley, his wife and child who lived in the rear of the depot, barely escaped with their lives. At the time the fire broke out, John Stuart, the telegraph operator, was on duty. He discovered the fire at about 4 a.m. The building also housed the freight office and served as the local general store and post office, and also served as the town hall. It was completely destroyed by fire. At the time, 800 bushels of grain were stored in the freight section. Cause of the fire was an overheated stovepipe.
The place was named for Mr. Swain who was born in Northword, N. H. in 1809 and came to Oakland, just west of Nunda, in 1818, which was then known as Messenger’s Hollow. He moved from there to Nunda in 1825, to Swains in 1856, and back to Nunda in 1870. In 1828 he and Lindsay Joslyn built a grist mill on Mill Street. Swain also was involved in the development of a woolen mill in Nunda.
Mr. Swain was on the building committee for the local Baptist Church, as well as serving on the board of trustees for many years. About 1844 he purchased about 9,000 acres of land in Allegany county. He was one of the leading proponents for the railroad and granted a right of way through his property to the railroad. He ultimately served on the railroad company’s board of directors. He also represented the town of Grove on the Allegany County Board of Supervisors. He also served as a Justice of the Peace for eight years, and was also the local tax collector. In the early days he used his talents as a surveyor to lay out local real estate lots.
Mr. Swain took an active role in the development of the Rochester, Nunda and Pennsylvania Railroad and was elected a director and vice president in 1871. Benjamin F. Dow of York was elected president. At the time of his death on Feb. 7, 1885, he served on the Nunda Village Board of Trustees. He was survived by his wife, Clara; two sons, Samuel Jr., and Charles; and three daughters, Julia, Anna and Kittie; and his 81-year-old brother, Alfred. He had a mansion on Massachusetts Street in Nunda.
Sources: Nunda News, Feb. 4, 1885, Feb. 9, 1956; Buffalo Courier, Feb. 11, 1880; P. 302, History of Allegany County, N.Y., F.W. Beers & Co., New York, 1879; “Between the Ocean and the Lakes,” 1899, by Harold T. Mott.
Swain was once fairly well known as a railroad junction point – predominated by the Erie and the Pittsburg, Shawmut & Northern and its predecessors, as well as for a branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Over the years the hamlet has also been known as Swains and Swainsville. Today, it is home to a popular ski resort, and has about 300 residents.
Swain sprang into existence after the coming of the railroad. This line was chartered as the Attica & Hornellsville on May 14, 1845 and reorganized as the Buffalo & New York City Railroad on April 15, 1851. It was opened between what was then called Hornellsville and Portageville on Jan. 22, 1852, and to Attica on May 3, 1852.
Swain was a typical small community with a few houses, a general store, and a sawmill. A post office was established there after the railroad was built and was located in the railroad depot built by Samuel Swain, which he later sold to the railroad.
The two-story structure was destroyed by fire on Feb. 10, 1880. It was a large, two-story structure. The station agent, J. J. Benchley, his wife and child who lived in the rear of the depot, barely escaped with their lives. At the time the fire broke out, John Stuart, the telegraph operator, was on duty. He discovered the fire at about 4 a.m. The building also housed the freight office and served as the local general store and post office, and also served as the town hall. It was completely destroyed by fire. At the time, 800 bushels of grain were stored in the freight section. Cause of the fire was an overheated stovepipe.
The place was named for Mr. Swain who was born in Northword, N. H. in 1809 and came to Oakland, just west of Nunda, in 1818, which was then known as Messenger’s Hollow. He moved from there to Nunda in 1825, to Swains in 1856, and back to Nunda in 1870. In 1828 he and Lindsay Joslyn built a grist mill on Mill Street. Swain also was involved in the development of a woolen mill in Nunda.
Mr. Swain was on the building committee for the local Baptist Church, as well as serving on the board of trustees for many years. About 1844 he purchased about 9,000 acres of land in Allegany county. He was one of the leading proponents for the railroad and granted a right of way through his property to the railroad. He ultimately served on the railroad company’s board of directors. He also represented the town of Grove on the Allegany County Board of Supervisors. He also served as a Justice of the Peace for eight years, and was also the local tax collector. In the early days he used his talents as a surveyor to lay out local real estate lots.
Mr. Swain took an active role in the development of the Rochester, Nunda and Pennsylvania Railroad and was elected a director and vice president in 1871. Benjamin F. Dow of York was elected president. At the time of his death on Feb. 7, 1885, he served on the Nunda Village Board of Trustees. He was survived by his wife, Clara; two sons, Samuel Jr., and Charles; and three daughters, Julia, Anna and Kittie; and his 81-year-old brother, Alfred. He had a mansion on Massachusetts Street in Nunda.
Sources: Nunda News, Feb. 4, 1885, Feb. 9, 1956; Buffalo Courier, Feb. 11, 1880; P. 302, History of Allegany County, N.Y., F.W. Beers & Co., New York, 1879; “Between the Ocean and the Lakes,” 1899, by Harold T. Mott.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
WESTERN / CENTRAL NEW YORK TIMELINE / 1725 - 1734
1725
Governor William Burnet builds the future Fort Oswego, on Lake Ontario. ** Immigrants from the German Palatine settle in the western Mohawk Valley on a patent granted by Governor Burnet, among them John Jost and Catherine Herkimer, parents of future General Nicholas Herkimer.
1726
The “Castle”, a stone fortification, is built on the Niagara River — the nucleus of Fort Niagara.
1727
History of the Five Indian Nations, by Doctor Cadwallader Colden, is published in London.
1728
Royal governor of New York and New Jersey William Burnet is transferred to Massachusetts.
1729
Sep 7
Former New York governor and current governor of New England William Burnet dies in Boston at the age of 40.
1730
A channel is dug through an oxbow on Wood Creek, the first canal in the state.
England
The approximate date Devonshire woolens manufacturer Andrew Ellicott, great-grandfather of New York land agent Joseph Ellicott, emigrates to America with his eldest son, leaving a wife and two other children behind.
1732
William Cosby is appointed Royal Governor.
1734
Jan 24
U. S. financier and land speculator Robert Morris is born in Liverpool, England.
© 2009 David Minor / Eagles Byte
Governor William Burnet builds the future Fort Oswego, on Lake Ontario. ** Immigrants from the German Palatine settle in the western Mohawk Valley on a patent granted by Governor Burnet, among them John Jost and Catherine Herkimer, parents of future General Nicholas Herkimer.
1726
The “Castle”, a stone fortification, is built on the Niagara River — the nucleus of Fort Niagara.
1727
History of the Five Indian Nations, by Doctor Cadwallader Colden, is published in London.
1728
Royal governor of New York and New Jersey William Burnet is transferred to Massachusetts.
1729
Sep 7
Former New York governor and current governor of New England William Burnet dies in Boston at the age of 40.
1730
A channel is dug through an oxbow on Wood Creek, the first canal in the state.
England
The approximate date Devonshire woolens manufacturer Andrew Ellicott, great-grandfather of New York land agent Joseph Ellicott, emigrates to America with his eldest son, leaving a wife and two other children behind.
1732
William Cosby is appointed Royal Governor.
1734
Jan 24
U. S. financier and land speculator Robert Morris is born in Liverpool, England.
© 2009 David Minor / Eagles Byte
Monday, May 18, 2009
OAKWOOD CEMETERY TOUR
The Historic Oakwood Cemetery
Preservation Association,
Syracuse, New York,
announces the first cemetery tour
of the 2009 season.
Sunday, May 24, 2 o'clock:
"From the Ground Up: Design of the 150-Year-Old
Cemetery."
Professor George W. Curry of
E.S.F. will lead a tour focusing on the
designed as well as the natural aspects
of Oakwood Cemetery.
Enter at the Comstock Avenue gate,
follow the signs. For a complete summer
schedule, go to:
http://localhistory.morrisville.edu/oakwoodtours.html
For more information, call (315) 682-6312
Kindest regards,
Sue Greenhagen, Technical Services Librarian
Box 902, Morrisville State College Library
Morrisville, NY 13408
(315) 684-6055
Preservation Association,
Syracuse, New York,
announces the first cemetery tour
of the 2009 season.
Sunday, May 24, 2 o'clock:
"From the Ground Up: Design of the 150-Year-Old
Cemetery."
Professor George W. Curry of
E.S.F. will lead a tour focusing on the
designed as well as the natural aspects
of Oakwood Cemetery.
Enter at the Comstock Avenue gate,
follow the signs. For a complete summer
schedule, go to:
http://localhistory.morrisville.edu/oakwoodtours.html
For more information, call (315) 682-6312
Kindest regards,
Sue Greenhagen, Technical Services Librarian
Box 902, Morrisville State College Library
Morrisville, NY 13408
(315) 684-6055
Saturday, May 16, 2009
WAYNE COUNTY MAP CLUB
The members of our Map Club met on Tues. April 21st and 10 people
attended. The Sanborn maps were discussed and Edson Ennis gave a
presentation on the Lyons Sanborn maps. Edson discussed how 17 of
these sheets were very important maps. The orientation of the canal
and the changes that it went through, the businesses that butted up
against the canal and how they changed through the years were also
noted and discussed. It is interesting to note that the earliest
Sanborn maps were of Geneva, NY and were made for insurance purposes
to better assess property values and insurance claims. 12,000
communities were mapped. Our next meeting is focused on Macedon with
some Palmyra maps included.
The next meeting of the Museum’s Historic Map Club
will be Tuesday May 19 at 7 p.m.
Our program will be Macedon maps.
All are welcome
Please call 315-946-4943 for more information
Wayne County Historical Society
Museum of Wayne County History
21 Butternut Street
Lyons, NY 14489
Phone: 315-946-4943
Fax: 315-946-0069
www.waynehistory.org
Email: info@waynehistory.org
attended. The Sanborn maps were discussed and Edson Ennis gave a
presentation on the Lyons Sanborn maps. Edson discussed how 17 of
these sheets were very important maps. The orientation of the canal
and the changes that it went through, the businesses that butted up
against the canal and how they changed through the years were also
noted and discussed. It is interesting to note that the earliest
Sanborn maps were of Geneva, NY and were made for insurance purposes
to better assess property values and insurance claims. 12,000
communities were mapped. Our next meeting is focused on Macedon with
some Palmyra maps included.
The next meeting of the Museum’s Historic Map Club
will be Tuesday May 19 at 7 p.m.
Our program will be Macedon maps.
All are welcome
Please call 315-946-4943 for more information
Wayne County Historical Society
Museum of Wayne County History
21 Butternut Street
Lyons, NY 14489
Phone: 315-946-4943
Fax: 315-946-0069
www.waynehistory.org
Email: info@waynehistory.org
Friday, May 15, 2009
HOMEWRECK
In recognition of National Historic Preservation Month
The Village of Pittsford and Historic Pittsford
Enthusiastically offer the following program:
CHANGE FOR THE WORSER:
HOW TO RUIN AND OLD HOUSE
Slide presentations by
Architectural Historian Jean France and
Village Mayor Bob Corby
Wednesday May 20th, 7:00 PM
Pittsford Community Library
24 State Street
Open to the public and free of charge
The Village of Pittsford and Historic Pittsford
Enthusiastically offer the following program:
CHANGE FOR THE WORSER:
HOW TO RUIN AND OLD HOUSE
Slide presentations by
Architectural Historian Jean France and
Village Mayor Bob Corby
Wednesday May 20th, 7:00 PM
Pittsford Community Library
24 State Street
Open to the public and free of charge
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Miller Suffrage Scrapbooks
Catch the Suffrage Spirit: Sampling the Miller Suffrage
Scrapbooks," a lecture by Rosemary Fry Plakas
Tuesday, May 19, 2009, 7:30pm
Admission: Free
Lochland School, 1065 Lochland Rd (Rt. 14S), Geneva, NY
Lecturer To Speak on the Miller Suffrage Scrapbooks at the Lochland School
Geneva, N.Y.: The Geneva Historical Society is pleased to have Library
of Congress Curator, Rosemary Fry Plakas, present the lecture, "Catch
the Suffrage Spirit: Sampling the Miller Suffrage Scrapbooks" at the
Lochland School on May 19, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. The program is based on
Plakas' research into the seven Miller scrapbooks, 1897-1911, in the
National American Woman Suffrage Association Collection in the Rare Book
Division at the Library of Congress. These scrapbooks document the
pioneering leadership of Elizabeth Smith Miller and Anne Fitzhugh Miller
in the suffrage movement in Geneva, Ontario County, and the state of New
York, as well as their contributions at the national and international
level. Their preserved programs, newspaper clippings, letters,
photographs, pins, and ribbons trace the activities of the Geneva
Political Equality Club, where local women and men worked together to
broaden awareness of the positive benefits of woman suffrage, while
encouraging a better understanding of public affairs and the
responsibilities of citizenship.
Although less well-known than her cousin Elizabeth Cady Stanton,
Elizabeth Smith Miller and her daughter Anne Miller were significant
financial supporters of the woman suffrage movement and close to many
national suffrage activists. In addition, Elizabeth designed the
rational dress that came to be known as the Bloomer costume. She lived
in Geneva, in the lakefront home that is now the Lochland School, from
1869 until her death in 1911. The Millers brought national and
international suffrage activists to Geneva each year to speak to the
Geneva Political Equality Club, including Stanton, Susan B. Anthony,
Lucy Stone, Carrie Chapman Catt, and Emmeline Pankhurst. Anne Miller
founded the Club in 1897. By 1907, the Geneva Club boasted 400 members
and was the largest in the state.
Each year, after a winter of speakers and study groups, the Club's
concluding event was an elegant fund raising party the Millers held on
the piazza of their home. In honor of this tradition, the Society is
holding Ms. Plakas' lecture in the administration building on the
grounds of the Lochland School, 1065 Lochland Road/Route 14 South. For
those interested, there will be a tour of the house at 7 p.m., preceding
the lecture.
Rosemary Fry Plakas is the American History Specialist/Curator of Rare
Americana, in the Rare Book and Special Collections Division of the
Library of Congress. Her responsibilities there include collection
development and digitization, conservation and bibliographic control
recommendation, and interpretation of rare collections through
presentations, publications, and exhibitions. She has a BA from Park
University in Missouri and an MA in American Studies from the University
of Wyoming. She has been at the Library of Congress since 1985 and
concentrates on developing the Library's African American and women's
history collections.
This program is funded by a grant from the New York Council for the
Humanities and is also supported in part by the Samuel B. Williams Fund
for programs in the Humanities. For more information about the lecture,
call the Geneva Historical Society at 315-789-5151.
The New York Council for the Humanities is a private, nonprofit
organization dedicated to helping all New Yorkers lead vibrant
intellectual lives by strengthening traditions of cultural literacy,
critical inquiry and civic participation.
Geneva Historical Society
543 South Main St
Geneva, NY 14456
315-789-5151
info@genevahistoricalsociety.com
Scrapbooks," a lecture by Rosemary Fry Plakas
Tuesday, May 19, 2009, 7:30pm
Admission: Free
Lochland School, 1065 Lochland Rd (Rt. 14S), Geneva, NY
Lecturer To Speak on the Miller Suffrage Scrapbooks at the Lochland School
Geneva, N.Y.: The Geneva Historical Society is pleased to have Library
of Congress Curator, Rosemary Fry Plakas, present the lecture, "Catch
the Suffrage Spirit: Sampling the Miller Suffrage Scrapbooks" at the
Lochland School on May 19, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. The program is based on
Plakas' research into the seven Miller scrapbooks, 1897-1911, in the
National American Woman Suffrage Association Collection in the Rare Book
Division at the Library of Congress. These scrapbooks document the
pioneering leadership of Elizabeth Smith Miller and Anne Fitzhugh Miller
in the suffrage movement in Geneva, Ontario County, and the state of New
York, as well as their contributions at the national and international
level. Their preserved programs, newspaper clippings, letters,
photographs, pins, and ribbons trace the activities of the Geneva
Political Equality Club, where local women and men worked together to
broaden awareness of the positive benefits of woman suffrage, while
encouraging a better understanding of public affairs and the
responsibilities of citizenship.
Although less well-known than her cousin Elizabeth Cady Stanton,
Elizabeth Smith Miller and her daughter Anne Miller were significant
financial supporters of the woman suffrage movement and close to many
national suffrage activists. In addition, Elizabeth designed the
rational dress that came to be known as the Bloomer costume. She lived
in Geneva, in the lakefront home that is now the Lochland School, from
1869 until her death in 1911. The Millers brought national and
international suffrage activists to Geneva each year to speak to the
Geneva Political Equality Club, including Stanton, Susan B. Anthony,
Lucy Stone, Carrie Chapman Catt, and Emmeline Pankhurst. Anne Miller
founded the Club in 1897. By 1907, the Geneva Club boasted 400 members
and was the largest in the state.
Each year, after a winter of speakers and study groups, the Club's
concluding event was an elegant fund raising party the Millers held on
the piazza of their home. In honor of this tradition, the Society is
holding Ms. Plakas' lecture in the administration building on the
grounds of the Lochland School, 1065 Lochland Road/Route 14 South. For
those interested, there will be a tour of the house at 7 p.m., preceding
the lecture.
Rosemary Fry Plakas is the American History Specialist/Curator of Rare
Americana, in the Rare Book and Special Collections Division of the
Library of Congress. Her responsibilities there include collection
development and digitization, conservation and bibliographic control
recommendation, and interpretation of rare collections through
presentations, publications, and exhibitions. She has a BA from Park
University in Missouri and an MA in American Studies from the University
of Wyoming. She has been at the Library of Congress since 1985 and
concentrates on developing the Library's African American and women's
history collections.
This program is funded by a grant from the New York Council for the
Humanities and is also supported in part by the Samuel B. Williams Fund
for programs in the Humanities. For more information about the lecture,
call the Geneva Historical Society at 315-789-5151.
The New York Council for the Humanities is a private, nonprofit
organization dedicated to helping all New Yorkers lead vibrant
intellectual lives by strengthening traditions of cultural literacy,
critical inquiry and civic participation.
Geneva Historical Society
543 South Main St
Geneva, NY 14456
315-789-5151
info@genevahistoricalsociety.com
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Canal Item from the Lyons Advertiser - 1822
Submitted by Richard Palmer
July 19, 1822
From the Daily Advertiser (N.Y.)
Grand Canal
We are informed by a gentleman who has just returned from a visit to Buffalo and Niagara Falls,
that he traveled 160 miles in the new convenient passage boats, on the Erie canal viz:
From Little Falls to Utica - 22 mile
Utica to Montezuma, by Rome, Syracuse and Weed’s Basin - 96 miles
Crossing from Montezuma over the Seneca river and the Cayuga marshes - 6 miles
and up the river Clyde - 6 ½ miles ,
to Blockhouse he again takes the canal and passing the flourishing villages
of Lyons and Palmyra to Hartwell’s basin - 42 miles
----------------------------------------------------------
160 miles
On this route are already seven passage-boats with good accommodations, and hundreds of other boats, transporting, immense quantities of produce, to Utica; and such is the stock in this state that there are now 100,000 barrels of flour alone on the banks of the canal, that cannot be transported for want of boats, many of which are now building, that cost from $100 to 400 each, and carry from 150 to 400 barrels. These boats have taken freight from Montezuma to Utica, a distance of nearly 100 miles, at the extremely low rate of 5 cents per cwt., or one dollar per ton, which is about one tenth of the former rate of transporting the same distance by wagons; in this case the owners of the goods paid the tolls, which, however, are very trifling.
The passage boats are drawn by three horses, tandem rigged; the other boats, by one or two horses according to the size of the boat - a boy rides the rear horse and travels from 3 to 4 miles per hour. Passengers leaving Utica at 8 o’clock, reach Weed’s Basin 87 miles the next morning at 7 o’clock traveling all night. The charge is only 4 cents per mile, which includes board and lodging both which are as good, if not better, than at the taverns on the road. This is ans rapid as the stages travel, much less expensive , no risk of life or limb and no fatigue on dust attending.
The Grand canal is nearly finished from Schenectady to Little Falls, 56 miles from Montezuma to Clyde, or Block House, 13 miles- and from Heartwell’s Basin to Genesee River, and from thence to Brockport 60 miles all of which, it is said, will be filled and boats allowed to pass, on or before the first day of October next making 260 to270 miles through one of the richest and most valuable parts, of the state of New York. Numerous emigrants from the hardy and industrious northern and eastern hive, are to be seen transporting themselves and their families, to settle on the lands bordering on the canal.
Merchants residing in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Lexington and Louisville, and in Michigan and Indiana, will soon get their goods transported for 1-4 the price that they now pay, and save as much or more in the breakage and damage now unavoidable in wagons, besides the saving of half or two thirds in time: which in fact, is extending the credit on their goods.
Emigrants and their families must prefer the canal to any other route, on every account, expense, time health, comfort &c.
The amount of toll already received at the office in Utica this spring exceeds the sum paid the whole of last year, and it is supposed it will amount to 50 to 60,000 dollars.
July 19, 1822
From the Daily Advertiser (N.Y.)
Grand Canal
We are informed by a gentleman who has just returned from a visit to Buffalo and Niagara Falls,
that he traveled 160 miles in the new convenient passage boats, on the Erie canal viz:
From Little Falls to Utica - 22 mile
Utica to Montezuma, by Rome, Syracuse and Weed’s Basin - 96 miles
Crossing from Montezuma over the Seneca river and the Cayuga marshes - 6 miles
and up the river Clyde - 6 ½ miles ,
to Blockhouse he again takes the canal and passing the flourishing villages
of Lyons and Palmyra to Hartwell’s basin - 42 miles
----------------------------------------------------------
160 miles
On this route are already seven passage-boats with good accommodations, and hundreds of other boats, transporting, immense quantities of produce, to Utica; and such is the stock in this state that there are now 100,000 barrels of flour alone on the banks of the canal, that cannot be transported for want of boats, many of which are now building, that cost from $100 to 400 each, and carry from 150 to 400 barrels. These boats have taken freight from Montezuma to Utica, a distance of nearly 100 miles, at the extremely low rate of 5 cents per cwt., or one dollar per ton, which is about one tenth of the former rate of transporting the same distance by wagons; in this case the owners of the goods paid the tolls, which, however, are very trifling.
The passage boats are drawn by three horses, tandem rigged; the other boats, by one or two horses according to the size of the boat - a boy rides the rear horse and travels from 3 to 4 miles per hour. Passengers leaving Utica at 8 o’clock, reach Weed’s Basin 87 miles the next morning at 7 o’clock traveling all night. The charge is only 4 cents per mile, which includes board and lodging both which are as good, if not better, than at the taverns on the road. This is ans rapid as the stages travel, much less expensive , no risk of life or limb and no fatigue on dust attending.
The Grand canal is nearly finished from Schenectady to Little Falls, 56 miles from Montezuma to Clyde, or Block House, 13 miles- and from Heartwell’s Basin to Genesee River, and from thence to Brockport 60 miles all of which, it is said, will be filled and boats allowed to pass, on or before the first day of October next making 260 to270 miles through one of the richest and most valuable parts, of the state of New York. Numerous emigrants from the hardy and industrious northern and eastern hive, are to be seen transporting themselves and their families, to settle on the lands bordering on the canal.
Merchants residing in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Lexington and Louisville, and in Michigan and Indiana, will soon get their goods transported for 1-4 the price that they now pay, and save as much or more in the breakage and damage now unavoidable in wagons, besides the saving of half or two thirds in time: which in fact, is extending the credit on their goods.
Emigrants and their families must prefer the canal to any other route, on every account, expense, time health, comfort &c.
The amount of toll already received at the office in Utica this spring exceeds the sum paid the whole of last year, and it is supposed it will amount to 50 to 60,000 dollars.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Getting to the Point Again
© 2007 David Minor / Eagles Byte
Sing Sing Prison drops behind on the steamboat Albany’s starboard side. Just to the north, on the same side, the Croton River enters the Hudson with Croton Point immediately beyond, jutting out into the river. Our English traveler John Fowler leaves the Tappan Zee behind and enters Haverstraw Bay, another wide spot in the river.
Around this time businessman John W. Frost is starting a brickyard in the village of Croton. The fields in the area will provide abundant straw for the process, the hills of yellow and blue clay deposits on both side of the bay provide the raw materials and the region will become a source for much of the building supplies used up and down the valley. The Croton area will eventually support 34 brickyards.
The community on the opposite shore, will soon outdo its neighbor, becoming the Brickmaking Capital of the World in the 1850s; by 1864 employing over a thousand men, and turning out 150,000,000 bricks a year. Its last brickyard will close in 1933. The unnamed community will soon gain the moniker Samsondale when an entrepreneur named Elisha Peck brings machinery here this year from England for the building of a rolling mill. He had arrived aboard the ship Samson and will dub the area Samsondale. It will soon take the name of its township and become Haverstraw.
The Albany continues on to the north, out of the bay and, passing Peekskill, enters into the highlands of the Hudson, running between Bear Mountain and Anthony’s Nose (supposedly named for an over-endowed Dutchman; whose story was made famous by Washington Irving). Then, as the river begins widening again, the military academy at West Point appears to the west.
Things will not have changed much since James Stuart’s visit a year previously. This year Fowler tells us the 250 cadets are between the ages of 14 and 22, the cost of each amounting to $336 annually (you may remember from last week that the cost of building Sing Sing was $333 per convict) and that the yearly operating budget is $115,000. “The cadets are instructed in all the practical minutiae of tactics; comprehending the lowest duties of the private soldier, as well as the highest duties of the officer.” They also spend six to eight weeks a year in the field, learning the ins and outs of encampment.
Fowler also mentions the 64-room West Point Hotel that had opened just previously to Stuart’s visit. He’s especially taken with its, “extensive piazzas, forming a delightful promenade . . . its rear is upon the Hudson, and presents a fine view up the river through the Highlands.”
William Gorgas, our Pennsylvania traveler, this same year puts the number of students at 650, rather than 250. Perhaps something got lost in someone’s transcriptions or, perhaps Fowler is counting only the first-year students. Even later, in U. S., Grant’s time, his graduating class numbered 39, so Fowler’s figure seems more accurate. One last thing - about five weeks before Fowler’s visit a young gent from Baltimore entered the Point - poet by the name of Edgar Allen Poe.
Sing Sing Prison drops behind on the steamboat Albany’s starboard side. Just to the north, on the same side, the Croton River enters the Hudson with Croton Point immediately beyond, jutting out into the river. Our English traveler John Fowler leaves the Tappan Zee behind and enters Haverstraw Bay, another wide spot in the river.
Around this time businessman John W. Frost is starting a brickyard in the village of Croton. The fields in the area will provide abundant straw for the process, the hills of yellow and blue clay deposits on both side of the bay provide the raw materials and the region will become a source for much of the building supplies used up and down the valley. The Croton area will eventually support 34 brickyards.
The community on the opposite shore, will soon outdo its neighbor, becoming the Brickmaking Capital of the World in the 1850s; by 1864 employing over a thousand men, and turning out 150,000,000 bricks a year. Its last brickyard will close in 1933. The unnamed community will soon gain the moniker Samsondale when an entrepreneur named Elisha Peck brings machinery here this year from England for the building of a rolling mill. He had arrived aboard the ship Samson and will dub the area Samsondale. It will soon take the name of its township and become Haverstraw.
The Albany continues on to the north, out of the bay and, passing Peekskill, enters into the highlands of the Hudson, running between Bear Mountain and Anthony’s Nose (supposedly named for an over-endowed Dutchman; whose story was made famous by Washington Irving). Then, as the river begins widening again, the military academy at West Point appears to the west.
Things will not have changed much since James Stuart’s visit a year previously. This year Fowler tells us the 250 cadets are between the ages of 14 and 22, the cost of each amounting to $336 annually (you may remember from last week that the cost of building Sing Sing was $333 per convict) and that the yearly operating budget is $115,000. “The cadets are instructed in all the practical minutiae of tactics; comprehending the lowest duties of the private soldier, as well as the highest duties of the officer.” They also spend six to eight weeks a year in the field, learning the ins and outs of encampment.
Fowler also mentions the 64-room West Point Hotel that had opened just previously to Stuart’s visit. He’s especially taken with its, “extensive piazzas, forming a delightful promenade . . . its rear is upon the Hudson, and presents a fine view up the river through the Highlands.”
William Gorgas, our Pennsylvania traveler, this same year puts the number of students at 650, rather than 250. Perhaps something got lost in someone’s transcriptions or, perhaps Fowler is counting only the first-year students. Even later, in U. S., Grant’s time, his graduating class numbered 39, so Fowler’s figure seems more accurate. One last thing - about five weeks before Fowler’s visit a young gent from Baltimore entered the Point - poet by the name of Edgar Allen Poe.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
