This company purchased, for $250, the right of way for a road from the public square to the present site of Factory Village; and of Ezekiel Jewett, for $10,000, a tract of 400 acres, with the adjacent water power; and here, during the summer of 1814, they erected a dam, and stone building (still standing) for a cotton factory, which was stocked with machinery, mostly made in Hudson, and commenced spinning in November. There was, at this time, in the country, considerable prejudice against the use of machinery, in place of hard labor; and Spafford, in the Gazetteer of New York, speaking of these, says: “The automation habits, and the immoral tendencies of these establishments, will be better understood fifty years hence.” This period has not quite elapsed, but the revolution which mechanical improvements have since wrought in the cheapness, elegance, and comfort which their products diffuse among the humbler classes, is a triumphant vindication of the useful arts. The cost of this factory amounted to $72,000. The principal care of erecting, and setting it in operation, was entrusted to Mr. Smith; and in three years the company stopped work. It was afterwards hired, and run three years longer; and subsequently sold for $7,000; and has since passed through several hands.

Perhaps no private enterprise ever gave a stronger impulse to the growth of Watertown, that the erection of the Jefferson County Cotton Mills, and no single calamity was felt more severely than their loss. They were erected by Levi Beebee, from Cooperstown, a native of Canaan, Connecticut, who came into the county in March, 1827, to select a location for a factory, and had some idea of locating at Brownville, having at that place received proposals for the sale of the hydraulic privileges on the south side of the river. While this subject was pending, he became acquainted with the rare natural facilities for manufacturing purposes which Cowen’s Island,* (*Since called Beebee’s Island. It formed a part of Jonathan Cowen’s purchase, and is said to have been offered by him to Jonathan Baker at an early period for $10. The latter offered $5, but being unable to agree, the bargain failed. They little dreamed that the little island would, within a so short a period, be worth more than their united fortunes. (Link in the Chain, by Solon Massey.) in the village of Watertown afforded, and the limitation of his offers at Brownville having expired, he effected, through the agency of William Smith, Esq., of Watertown, the purchase of the small properties which comprised most of the island, and from Mr. Le Ray, 120 acre on the north bank of the river opposite, for the nominal sum of $1500. Early in the spring he commenced the erection of a large and substantial stone building, which was completed and the water wheels and shafting inserted under the superintendence of Mr. Smith, before December of the same year. The building was 150 by 65 feet, three stories high, besides a high basement with a projection before and behind, and connected with this were several offices and store rooms, and in the vicinity two large and massive stone buildings for boarding houses. Under the main building, two wheel pits, each 24 by 32 feet and 24 feet deep were blasted in the rock, and a canal 10 feet wide, 6 deep, and 250 long, was made, which furnished water from the smaller or south branch of the river. It was intended for 10,000 spindles, of which 3000 were got in operation. A legal company was formed April 14th, 1829, under the style of the “Jefferson Cotton Mills,” having for its nominal trustees, Levi Beebee, W. T. Beebee, L. S. Beebee, E. Faunda, and Horace Hunt, it being generally understood that the first named was the real efficient party in the business. To secure the exemption from taxation which the statutes afford in certain cases, Mr. Beebee obtained, April 7th, 1830, an act of incorporation, in which himself and sons Levi S. and Washington T. were constituted a company, with a capital of $250,000 in shares of $50, and under the management of three trustees. On Sunday, July 7th, 1833, the premises were discovered on fire, and such progress had been made before discovered, that no effort was attempted further than to protect surrounding buildings. Circumstances render the conclusion inevitable, that the fire was set by an incendiary--that several gallons of varnish were used to assist in his designs, and that it was done in revenge for a real or supposed injury from the owner. The loss was estimated at $200,00, of which $25,000 were insured. Mr. Beebee subsequently removed to Maumee in Ohio, and with the remains of his property purchased a large tract in that town, and commenced building a hotel on a magnificent scale, but the walls being too slight, fell before finished, and thus completed his ruin. He died at Cleveland, September 19th, 1838, of a lingering illness, terminating in dropsy on the brain, at the age of 60. Few men among us have evinced more sagacity, industry, and perseverance, than Mr. Beebee. In early life he had been a school teacher in Herkimer County, and afterwards engaged as a merchant in Hartwick, Otsego County. In 1812, he became agent for the Hope Factory, and continued in that capacity till 1827, when he removed to Watertown. As agent, his business led him on frequent journeys to the south and west, and for several seasons he resided in New Orleans.

The crumbling walls of the factory still recall sad recollections of cheerful prospects blighted, and form a picture of desolation inconsistent with the busy and progressive spirit, every where apparent around them. The site of this factory is one of the most eligible in the state for hydraulic purposes.

The Watertown Cotton Mills Company, with $100,000 capital, was formed January 10th, 1834, with Isaac H. Bronson, James Fairbanks, Samuel F. Bates, John Sigourney, and Joseph Kimball, trustees.

This association is believed to have continued several years, and is now replaced by the Watertown Cotton Company, capital $12,000, formed January 7th, 1846, with E. T. Throop Martin, Daniel Lee, S. Newton Dexter, Hiram Holcomb, and John Collins, trustees. Their mill at Factory Village in Watertown, contains fifty looms, with a proportionate amount of machinery, and the premises occupied are the same that were erected for a cotton factory in 1814.

On the 10th of February, 1835, an association with a capital of $50,000 was formed by Henry D. Sewall, George Goulding, John C. Lashar, Simeon Boynton, and John Goulding, styled the Hamilton Woolen Mills. On the 10th of March of the same year, new articles were drawn up by the same parties, under the name of Hamilton Manufacturing Company, and with a capital of $100,000. During the same year, a dam and factory were built, under the agency of Mr. Sewall, a short distance above the village, which went into operation in the spring of 1836. The factory was designed for five sets of cards, with the necessary machinery. In May, 1842, it was bought by the Black River Woolen Company, which had been formed November 7th, 1836, with a capital of $50,000, the parties being Isaac H. Bronson, S. N. Dexter, O. Hungerford, John Williams, Hiram Holcomb, and Daniel Lee. These erected a factory at Factory Village, which, after it had been in successful operation several years, was burned December 22d, 1841, with a loss of from $33,000 to $36,000, of which about one-third was insured. By this fire thirty hands were thrown out of employment, and two or three narrowly escaped from the flames.

This factory is now run upon contract, by Loomis & Co., the company furnishing the mill and wool, and the contractors, the labor, dye stuffs, oil, &c., used in the manufacture. It gives employment to seventy hands.

Mr. Sewall, the founder of this factory, had in early life been engaged in trade in Boston, and subsequently, in company with Arthur Tappan, in Montreal. On the occurrence of the war, he received summary notice to leave the province, within sixty days, and he returned to Boston. He died at Watertown, June 8th, 1846, aged 59.

The Watertown Woolen Company was formed with $100,000 capital, February 4th, 1834, with I. H. Bronson, John A. Rodgers, John Williams, S. Newton Dexter, and Hiram Holcomb, trustees. A company styled the Watertown Woolen Manufacturing Company, was formed December 24th, 1835, with J. Williams, I. H. Bronson, H. Holcomb, D. Lee, and Silas Clark, trustees, and a capital of $25,000. We have not been able to learn what was effected by these, neither of which now exist.

The Williams Woolen Company was formed November 7th, 1836, with a capital of $10,000, and was for some time engaged in manufacturing negro clothes, and other coarse goods. I. H. Bronson, S. N. Dexter, J. Williams, H. Holbomb, and Charles Weber, were the parties concerned at the time of organization. The premises have been since changed to a tannery for sheep skins. The latter business has for several years been conducted by two or three establishments at Factory Village, to a considerable extent.

The first tannery on an extensive scale, was erected here by Jason Fairbanks, in 1823, which, having been burnt, was rebuilt in 1833.

In 1808, a paper mill was built above Cowen’s Mill by Gordon Caswell from Oneida County, and in 1816 sold to Holbrook and Fessenden, of Brattleboro. Other paper mills were built above, and in 1824, the firm of Knowlton & Rice commenced this business, which they have since continued. In 1832 they introduced the first machinery for making paper in the county, and have made from $30,000 to $35,000 worth of paper annually. Their works have been repeatedly burned.

The manufacture of iron into castings and machinery has for many years been carried on to a considerable extent in Watertown, the first machine shop being built by N. Wiley about 1820, and the first foundry by R. Bingham.

In 1823, G. Goulding, and in 1825, William Smith commenced the manufacture, and have since carried it on. The former of these has been engaged on Norton’s Island in making mill gearings, factory machinery, and to a less extent steam engines, and is now under the firm of Goulding, Bagley & Sewall, to a considerable extent employed in building machinery and tools for working iron. Mr. Smith has been heavily engaged in making mill gearings and castings, stoves, hollow ware, and agricultural implements. His foundry is on Beebee’s Island. In 1841, the firm of Cooper & Woodruff built, in Pamelia, opposite the site of Beebee’s factory, a foundry and machine shop, and had, after being employed upon factory machinery, mill irons, steam engines, &c., become largely engaged in the building of rail road cars. These premises were burned July 22d, 1853, occasioning a serious loss, not only to the enterprising proprietor, but to the public at large. The machine shop was 130 by 30 feet, two stories high on the ground, and three on the river. The furnace 40 by 80, the pattern and store room 40 by 50, and two stories high. They were situated directly opposite the cascade on the river. The firm of Hoard & Bradford have had, for two or three years, near the premises of the latter, a machine shop, principally for the manufacture of portable steam engines, for which their works have become quite celebrated.

Our space will not admit of the details of the different branches of industry at this place. Black River, within the numerous establishments, but at none of them in the full amount of water power used. The facility with which dams can be constructed, and the security that can be given to buildings erected upon them, from the bed of the river being solid rock, gives additional value to these privileges. The four dams were built in 1803, 1805, 1814, and 1835, and none of them have been impaired by the spring floods.

The river is crossed by three bridges, of which the lower one was first erected. Soon after the beginning at Factory Village, one was erected there; and one over the cascade, near the ruins of Beebee’s Factory, in the summer of 1836. This consisted of a single arch of timbers, and was built by Hiram Merrill, for the two towns it connects, at a cost of %764. In the fall of 1853, the present elegant bridge was erected, the old one having decayed so as to render its use unsafe.

The business of the place early centered around the Public Square, especially at its west end, and on Court and Washington streets; and in 1815, John Paddock erected a three story block, forming a part of the buildings shown in the annexed cut, which was the first edifice of its size and class in town. The corner of Washington and Arsenal streets became, at an early day, the site of a two story wooden tavern,

Watertown has been repeatedly devastated by fires, some of which produced a decided check to its prosperity, while others acted beneficially, by removing rubbish that would, otherwise, have disfigured the village for time indefinite, and from which the place recovered with an elastic energy, characteristic of a progressive age and people.

On the 7th of February, 1833, a fire occurred, which burned the extensive tannery and oil mill of Mr. J. Fairbanks; the paper mill and printing office of Knowlton & Rice, and a morocco factory and dwelling of Kitts & Carpenter; loss about $30,000.

The destruction of Beebee’s factory, July 7, 1833, has been above noticed.

On the 22d of December, 1841, the Black River Woolen Mills in Factory Village were burned; also elsewhere mentioned.

On the 21st of March, 1848, at 3 o’clock A. M., a fire occurred in an old stone shop, in the rear of the Union Mills, and a little above, which spread rapidly to the buildings on the island opposite, and to others above, which, with the bridge, were rapidly consumed; and two men, named Leonard Wright, and Levi Palmer, perished in the flames, having entered a woolen mill for the purpose of rescuing property. Among the buildings burned, were the paper mill of Knowlton & Rice, the satinet factory of Mr. Patridge, occupied by W. Conkey, a row of mechanics’ shops on the island, &c.. This fire threw many laborers and mechanics out of employment, and was seriously felt by the public. Contributions for the sufferers were raised in the village, and early $1,100 were distributed among them.

Early in the morning of May 13, 1849, a fire occurred in the rear of the American Hotel, corner of Arsenal and Washington streets, which swept over a considerable portion of the business part of the village, and consumed an immense amount of property. The American Hotel, and out buildings, Paddock’s Block, Woodruff’s Iron Block, and all the buildings on both sides of Court Street, as far down as the clerk’s office, were burned. The Episcopal Church, three printing offices, about thirty extensive stores, the post office, Black River Bank, Wooster Sherman’s Bank, Henry Keep’s Bank, town clerk’s office, Young Men’s Association, surrogate’s office, and many dwelling houses, were in the burnt district. This was by far the most disastrous fire that has occurred in the county, and nothing more fully proves the enterprise of the place than the quickness with which it recovered from the disaster. While the flames were still raging, preparations for rebuilding were made, by purchasing materials, and laborers were seen pulling the bricks, still hot, from the smouldering ruins, and laying the foundations of new and larger buildings on the site of the former. The sites of the burnt buildings were, in many instances, sold for a greater sum than the same, with the buildings on them, would have previously bought.

During the ensuing summer, the village exhibited an industry, among masons and carpenters, which had never been equaled, and the external appearance of the village has been decidedly improved.

On the 24th of September, 1850, a fire occurred on Sterling street, from which the burning shingles were wafted to the steeple of the Universalist Church, and when first noticed, had kindled a flame not larger than that of a candle; but before the place could be reached, it had enveloped the spire in flames, beyond hope of arresting it, and the building was consumed. With the utmost exertions of the firemen and citizens of the village, the fire was prevented from extending further.

On the 27th of January, 1851, Perkins’ Hotel, on the site of the Merchants’ Exchange, was burned, with a large block on Washington street, adjacent. The loss was estimated at about $25,000.

On the 16th of October, 1852, a fire occurred on the opposite, or west side of Washington street, which consumed all the buildings south of Paddock’s Block, viz: Hungerford’s Block, Citizen’s Bank, and Sherman’s Block. The loss was estimated at about $14,000, of which the greater part was insured.

Mechanics’ Row, below the Union Mills, was burned November 5, 1852; loss about $20,000, of which, between $6,000 and $7,000 were insured. From fifty to sixty mechanics were thrown out of employment; and one young man, Hudson Haddock, aged nineteen, perished in the flames while endeavoring to rescue property.

On the evening of July 23, 1853, a fire broke out in the extensive foundry, car factory and machine shop of Horace W. Woodruff, Esq., on the north bank of the river, opposite Beebee’s Island, which, with all its contents was rapidly consumed. About seventy men were thrown out of employment by this calamity, which was felt by great numbers, indirectly concerned in the works, and by the public generally.

On the night of December 11, 1853, a fire consumed the building erected for a tannery, but used as a sash and butter tub factory, on the south side of Beebee’s Island, adjoining the bridge, and owned by Messrs. Farnham & Button.

Soon after the fire of 1849, Norris M. Woodruff erected the spacious and elegant hotel, that adorns the north side of the square, and there arose, simultaneous, from the ashes of the former, a range of buildings, extending down Court Street, and on Washington Street, fronting upon the public mall, that for architectural beauty have few superiors. Prominent among these are the Paddock Buildings, including the Arcade,-- which, from its containing the post office, telegraph office, &c., has become a point of much importance. This building extends from Washington to Arcade Street, is roofed with glass, and contains, on each side, both on the ground floor and a gallery, a range of stores and offices, the whole of which are airy and well lighted. At all seasons this affords a dry and comfortable promenade, and is a place of much resort.

The engraving represents the blocks owned by L. Paddock, R. E. Hungerford, O. C. Utley, William H. Angel, and G. C. Sherman. The new Masonic Hall is represented in the last building but one, with arched windows.

The plans of these buildings, represented in the engraving, were drawn by Mr. Otis L. Wheelock, an artist resident in the village, by whom most of the new buildings, that adorn the streets of Watertown, were planned. The general features of these edifices are shown by the annexed engravings, and have, for their object, to unite an elegant exterior, with a commodious internal arrangement, and where placed in continuous blocks,

as on the Public Square and Court Street, the effect produced is very fine.

The Merchants’ Exchange, erected during the summer of 1853, by G. and W. N. Woodruff, will compare, in architectural taste and splendor, with any edifice of the class in the state. It is situated on the corner of Washington Street and the Public Square, having a front of 117½ feet on the former, and 85 feet on the latter, with a height of 60 feet. The first story is devoted to stores, the second to offices, and the third to a saloon, which, for size, convenience of arrangement, and beauty of decorations, is unsurpassed by any, except in our largest cities. This room is 65 by 85, and 30 feet high, adapted in its arrangements for concerns, theatrical exhibitions, balls, and public meetings; and its walls and ceiling are adorned by elegant fresco paintings, executed with much taste and ability, by E. H. Whitaker, of Boston. This building was erected under the plans of Mr. Wheelock, at a cost of about $25,000.

The taste which has been exhibited within two or three years, in the erection of private dwellings, can not fail of being noticed and admired by strangers; and this, if continued, will

soon render the village as conspicuous among the inland towns of the state, for the classic elegance of its private as well as its public buildings, as it already has become for the immensity of its water power, and the extraordinary combination of facilities for manufacturing purposes which it possesses.

The enterprise which has led to the erection of water works, during the past season, has been already noticed. On the 23d of November, 1853, the pumps were set in operation, and, after working about thirty minutes, the water made its appearance in the reservoir, at an elevation of nearly two hundred feet, and distance of a mile from the village. An experiment made with a hydrant, with an inch pipe, showed that water could be thrown over the liberty pole on Factory Square, about 120 feet high, and the question appears to be settled beyond doubt that these valuable works will answer the end for which they were erected, and that the village will henceforth possess the means of controlling fires, which have so often in times past laid waste the most flourishing portions of the place.

A part of this improvement is to consist of a fountain, in the centre of the public square, on each side of which an oval park is to be laid out, and enclosed and planted with trees. The basin of the fountain is forty feet in diameter, and made of cut stone, and the jets will be supplied from a reservoir, one hundred and eighty feet above this level.

Early in 1852, measures were taken for supplying the village with gas light. Messrs. Walworth, Nason and Guild, had, by a village ordinance passed September 9, 1851, secured the exclusive privilege of supplying the village with rosin gas for ten years, and on the 28th of Feb., 1852, an association, styled the

Watertown Gas Light Company, was organized, with a capital of $20,000. In the same year the principal buildings in the business portion of the village were supplied, and during the summer of 1853, pipes were laid through many of the principal streets and to private houses. A proportionate addition was made to the manufactory, and these improvements will be extended as the wants of the public demand.

Several social libraries have been formed in this town, the first of which was the Watertown Social Library, May 14, 1805; Wm. Huntington, Corlis Hinds, Hart Massey, Henry Jewett, and Daniel Brainard, trustees. The Farmer’s Instructor, was a library company, formed June 8, 1813, with Wm. Parkinson, Davis Doty, Cyrenus Woodworth, Cyrus Butterfield, Simeon Woodruff, and Ira Delano, trustees. It was located near the line of Rutland. The Watertown Franklin Library, formed Feb. 12, 1829, with Chas. E. Clarke, Ralph Clapp, John Sigourney, Daniel Lee, Isaac H. Bronson, Clarke Rice, Otis Colwell, Henry L. Harvey, Baker Massey, Alvin Hunt, Ira Brewster, and Wm. Smith, trustees, had formed a collection of books, that were sold in February, 1834, when the society disbanded.

The Young Men’s Association, was formed by the appointment of officers, Dec. 3, `840, and the adoption of a constitution, which provided for the annual election of a president, two vice presidents, a recording and a corresponding secretary, a treasurer and eleven managers, who were to constitute together, an executive committee, appoint a librarian, and have the general charge and supervision of the interests of the association. Citizens of Watertown, between the ages of sixteen and forty, might become members, by paying $1 admission fee, and $2 annually.

On the 17th of April, 1841, an act of incorporation was passed, by which D. D. Otis, O. V. Brainard, S. S. Cady, Abraham Reamer, J. M. Clark, George R. Fairbanks, and Samuel Fairbanks, were constituted a body corporate, under the name of The Young Men’s Association, for Mutual Improvement, in the Village of Watertown, with the usual liabilities and immunities, and power to hold real and personal estate, to an amount not exceeding $10,000.

The introductory address was delivered by the Hon. Joseph Mullin, Dec. 17, 1800, and weekly lectures and debates were continued during the winter seasons. A library with about four hundred volumes, was opened, April 3, 1841, and had increased to nearly two thousand volumes, when the premises occupied by the association, were destroyed in the great fire of May 13, 1849, and no further efforts were made to revive it.

The first officers elected, were D. D. Otis, president; Orville V. Brainard, first vice president; Ithamer B. Crawe, second vice president; Joseph Mullin, corresponding secretary; W. Genet, treasurer; Geo. W. Hungerford, S. Fairbanks, James F. Starbuck, A. M. Corss, R. Barnes, J. H. Dutton, J. C. Patridge, F. W. Hubbard, K. Hannahs, M. Beebee, and T. H. Camp, managers.

Religious Societies. -- Meetings for religious worship were held by missionaries from New England, almost as soon as the town began to settle; and in 1802, there were three work shipping assemblies in this town and Rutland. On the 3d of June, 1803, a Congregational Church was formed by the Rev. Ebenezer Lazelle, at the barn of Caleb Burnham, at Burrville, consisting at first of fifteen members. Gershom Tuttle and William Fellows were appointed first deacons; and in the same summer stated meetings were held at the house of John Blevin. Missionaries sent out from the New Hampshire and Connecticut Missionary Societies, occasionally supplied the church with preaching; among whom were the Rev. B. Tyler, N. Dutton, and others. On the 25th of October, 1815, the Rev. Daniel Banks was ordained and installed the pastor of this church, and Rutland, by an ecclesiastical council convened for the purpose; the sermon being preached by the Rev. Isaac Clinton, of Lowville, and the charges given by the Rev. Enos Bliss.

In January, 1821, the form of government was changed to Presbyterian; the first elders being Wm. Brown, James Stone, T. Redfield, J. Van Nest, John Sawyer, Hart Massey, Wm. Huntington, Asaph Horton, and Amasa Herrick. The first deacons were T. Redfield, and Hart Massey.

Mr. Banks remained the pastor of this church until February 28, 1821, when he left for Potsdam, where he subsequently resided as a pastor, and the principal of St. Lawrence Academy, until his death in 1827. On the 12th of April, 1821, the Rev. George S. Boardman was employed; and July 26, of the same year, he was installed over this church, where he remained until March 8, 1837, when he left, and was succeeded, May 20, 1837, by the Rev. Isaac Brayton who was ordained and installed, August 31st, of the same year, and has since remained the pastor.

Three churches have sprung from this; a Congregational one in 1830, since become extinct. The second Presbyterian Church of Watertown village, 1831, and a Congregational Church at Burrville, in 1836.

The first religious corporation, under the general statute, was formed February 11, 1811, under the name of the Religious Society of Watertown, of which the trustees of first elected were Tilley Richardson,* (* Mr. Richardson died January 14, 1852, aged 93 years. He was a soldier of the revolution, and emigrated from New Hampshire, in 1802.) John Sikes, Thos. Sawyer, Hart Massey, Amos Benedict, Aaron Brown, and Wm. Fellows, trustees; and a vote was taken to erect a meeting house as soon as practicable, but the war which followed prevented. The Watertown Ecclesiastical Society was formed May 25, 1814, with Jabez Foster, Hart Massey, and Orren Stone, trustees, which, however, effected nothing; and June 27, 1811, the Watertown and Rutland Union Society had been formed, which also failed to erect a church. The brick academy erected in 1811, on the site of the First Presbyterian Church, was, with the Court House, used for several years for meetings, until 1820, when a stone edifice, occupying the site of the present Presbyterian Church on Washington Street, was erected, and on the 1st of January 1821, it was dedicated by the pastor, the sermon being preached from Isaiah Ixiv, 11.

Early in 1850, it was decided to rebuild the stone church, and in May it was demolished, and the present elegant brick church erected at its site. It is sixty-three by one hundred feet, and can seat one thousand persons. It is built after the plans and designs of Mr. Otis L. Wheelock to whom the village is indebted for the plans of most of the new public buildings. The church was dedicated April 10, 1851, the sermon being preached by the pastor, from Psalms xcc, 1. The cost of the house was bout $20,000. The church now numbers about 338 communicants.

The Second Presbyterian Church was formed July 20, 1831, by the Rev. Abel L. Crandall, and Geo. S. Boardman, a committee, appointed for the purpose, by the Watertown Presbytery. It consisted at first of twenty-one members, dismissed for that purpose from the First Church, and four from the Congregational

Church; Lewis R. Sandiforth, was chosen Ruling Elder. Pastors, James R. Boyd, installed Sept. 7, 1832; Marcus Smith, Feb. 10, 1836; Wm. E. Knox, Feb. 14, 1844; and Peter Snyder, June 20, 1848. Their church, at the corner of Factory and Mechanic Streets, was built in 1831, at a cost of about $5,500, of which Mr. Beebee, proprietor of the Jefferson Cotton Mills, contributed about $3,000. This church has received nearly 700 members; present number (June 1853) 187. About 100 members fell off within two years, by removals and other causes, resulting from the burning of the cotton mills, in 1833. The society, connected with this church, was formed Oct. 10, 1831, with Josiah W. Baker, Henry Kitts, and Geo. W. Knowlton, trustees.

Trinity Church. The first Episcopal service was performed in the town of Watertown, early in 1812, at the old school house, on the site of the present Universalist Church, by the Rev. Daniel Nash, of Otsego County. In 1826, it was again performed by the late Bishop Hobart, in the Presbyterian Church, and the same year the Rev. William Lynn Keese, stationed at Brownville, preached occasionally, here and at Sackets Harbor. On the 31st of May, 1828, a legal organization was effected, under the Rev. Joshua M. Rogers, of Turin, of which Ira Wright, and Wm. D. Ford, were church wardens, and Wm. Cowen, Samuel McClure, Philo S. Johnson, Loveland Paddock, Forrester Dexter, Henry L. Harvey, Henry Bronson, Wm. McCullock, and Walter Woodward, were vestrymen. Mr. Rogers continued to attend every fourth Sunday for some time. In 1829, they engaged the pastoral labors of Rev. Hiram Adams, then a missionary of the united parishes of Watertown and Sackets Harbor, at which places he preached on alternate sabbaths. Services were at first held at the Court House. In 1829, a sunday (sic) school was opened, having at first sixteen scholars, and two teachers, and for four years, not more than twenty-five scholars were assembled.

In 1830, a subscription was circulated to obtain the means to erect a church, and a petition for aid was forwarded to Trinity Church, New York; but these efforts failed, and the parish was several months without religious services, except, occasionally, by the Rev. Mr. Gear, the successor of Mr. Keese, at Brownville. In the fall of 1831, the Rev. Mr. Salmon was hired six months, but remained a year and in February, 1832, the efforts to raise means for building a church were resumed with vigor. A lot was secured, but the sum was still short of that necessary, when Henry D. Sewall, engaged to build the house on the subscription, and take the sum to be received from the sale of pews to pay the balance. A wooden church was accordingly commenced in the spring of 1832, and finished externally the same year. In June 1833, Trinity Church, New York, gave $1,000, to the society, on condition that the edifice should be of stone, and, when done, free from debt. As the building was already up, the condition, prescribing the material, was modified. In 1833, Samuel Brown, of Brownville, raised $600, for this church, in New York, and G. C. Sherman contributed liberally towards its completion, by giving the building of a church in Ellisburgh, of which he had acquired the title, on condition that the church should be furnished with an organ and a bell; both of which were procured in August, of the same year. The church being completed, was consecrated on the 18th of September, 1833.

The frame of this building was 40 by 60 feet, with a square tower of 16 feet base, projecting 8 feet from the front, with a belfry formed by two parallelograms, crowning each other, with recessed corners, two feet square, above which arose an octagonal tinned spire, tapering to a point at 100 feet from the ground. The church had two windows in the front, and four on each side, with semicircular tops. The external design and details of the tower were modelled from a church in Cambridge, Mass. In 1834, Mr. Gear, of Brownville, was employed a part of the time, and in 1835, the Rev. ___ Hickox, of Rochester, was called, and the church prospered much under his labors. From May, 1837, till April, 1839, the Rev. Charles Ackley was employed, and in September of the latter year, the Rev. John F. Fish was engaged and remained until Sept. 22, 1844. During his ministry, the numbers of the church increased from 56 to 134; there were 94 confirmations, 127 baptisms, 142 marriages, and 55 burials.

In January, 1845, the Rev. Dr. Wm. M., Carmichael was employed and remained about a year, when he was succeeded in August 1846, by the Rev. Levi W. Norton, who continued the rector till the spring of 1853. On the 17th of July, 1853, the Rev. Geo. Morgan Hill was employed, and the parish is now in a very flourishing state, exhibiting in October, 1853, the following statistics: --

Families comprising the congregation, . . 170

Present number of communicants, . . 175

There is a flourishing Sunday School of 20 teachers and 80 pupils.

The church originally erected was burned in the memorable fire of May 13, 1849, and on the 14th of May 1850, the corner stone of the present edifice was laid, with religious services, by the Episcopal clergy of the county. The building is after the plans of Mr. R. Upjohn, of New York, and is purely gothic. The dimensions of the nave are 50 by 100 feet; those of the church, 25, by 21 feet. The tower which rises from an angle of the building, is 160 feet high, and the whole cost from $12,000 to $16000 (sic), and can accommodate 1,000 worshipers. It was consecrated by Bishop De Lancy, January 23, 1851.

The building committee were L. Paddock, R. G. Vaughan, B. Bagley, Joel Blood, and Hiram Merrill.

The building stands on the north side of Court-street, near the county clerk’s office. The society received towards its erection, $600 from Trinity Church, New York. We are indebted for most of the facts relating to the early organization of this church, to an Easter memorial, preached by the Rev. J. F. Fish, March 27, 1842, and published soon after in the Jeffersonian.

The Universalist Society was formed at the Court House, April 26, 1820, by a meeting assembled on the call of twelve citizens. Levi Buttefrield, Chauncey Calhoun, Henry Caswell, Simeon Scheeles, and Darius Doty, were chosen first trustees. A legal society was formed January 3, 1825, of which Joseph Sheldon, Reuben Goodale, Jehiel M. Howell, Jonathan Baker, and Eliot Makepeace, were the first trustees. This society in 1824, built a stone church on the site of the present one, at a cost of about $7,000, which was dedicated Nov. 10, 1824, and burned September 29, 1850. The present church was erected in 1851-2, at a cost of from $9,000 to $10,000, and dedicated November 4, 1852. A church organization was formed June 21, 1823, of 14 members, under Rev. Pitt Morse, the first clergyman, who remained until 1825, and after a year’s absence again sustained the charge of the society for many years. He was succeeded by Rev. Wm. H. Waggoner, who remained four years. Rev. H. Boynton was next employed, and has been succeeded by the Rev. John H. Stewart, the present clergyman. During the time that Mr. Boynton remained, the church organization was given up, and has not been resumed.

The church fronts upon the public square, near its south east corner, and is after the plans of O. L. Wheelock, of this village.

A Baptist church was formed in the town of Watertown, at a very early day. In 1809, it reported 38; in 1810, 59; in 1819, it numbered 121. The church at the village, is said to have been organized, under the supervision of Elder Norman Guiteau, May 29th, 1823, of seventeen members. The succession of pastors have been, Jacob Knapp, John Miller, Charles Clark, L. T. Ford, W. J. Crane, John A. Nash, and J. S. Holme, the present pastor. A society was formed, Oct. 13, 1827, in Factory Village, with Lemuel L. Grady, Caleb S. Henderson, and Harvey Farrington, trustees, who erected in 1828, the church now occupied by the Catholics. In 1837, having sold this, they erected a church of wood, at the east end of the Public Square, at the corner of State Street, which was dedicated January 10, 1838, and burned March 8, 1846. The present one was soon after erected on the same ground, and has recently been enlarged and much improved in internal organization.

The Methodist Episcopal denomination, at an early day, organized a class, and November 27, 1821, a society, with Jonathan Cowen, Titus Ives, John Collins, Thomas Potter, and Henry H. Coffeen, trustees. On the 9th of Dec. 1822, and Dec. 20, 1824, it was reorganized, and subsequently erected on Arsenal Street a stone church, since taken down; and, from the increase of numbers, the Methodists thought proper to form two new societies. The Society of the State Street Methodist Episcopal Church, of Watertown, was formed January 29, 1849, with Thomas Baker, A. J. Peck, H. Scovill, S. K. Carter, A. Cook, Geo. Porter, Edmond Davis, J. M. Sigourney, and I. Huckins, trustees, who the same year erected the elegant church, adjoining the Jefferson County Institute, and represented in our engraving of that seminary.

The present Arsenal Street Methodist Church, was built in the summer of 1851.

The Burrville Society in Watertown, was formed Oct. 14, 1833, Craft. P. Kemble, Geo. W. Jinks, and Elnathan Lucas, being trustees, and subsequently erected a union church, at a cost of about $l,500.

St. Mary’s Church, Watertown (Catholic), was purchased from the Baptists, and mass was first said in it, July 4, 1838, by Rev. Michael Gilbride, the first resident priest. He has been succeeded by Rev. Philip Gillick, Rev. R. O’Dowde, Rev. ___ McFarland, and Rev. ___ Fenniley, the present priest.

The United Baptist and Presbyterian Society of Watertown, was formed Dec. 1, 1823; Orni Stowell, Jason Richard, and Samuel F. Ballard, were chosen trustees.

The Second Orthodox Congregational Society in Watertown, was formed by citizens of Houndsfield, Adams and Watertown, Jan. 5, 1842, with S. F. Ballard, Chancey Read, and Elisha Read, trustees. Neither of these societies erected places of worship.

The First Wesleyan Methodist Church of Watertown, was formed Dec. 19, 1848, with Peter Baltuff, Charles Bostwick, Elim Holcomb, Richard Frayar, and Francis J. J. Blodget, trustees. This society occupies a part of the old stone building, erected by the trustees of the Watertown Academy.

The Christian denomination, have on organization in the village.