One hundred years is a long time, and we, knowing modern inventions and improvement, scarce realize the difficulties which confronted these men, either in reaching their new homes, or in maintaining an existence after arriving there. Food, clothing, furniture, everything, must be transported by wagon. One of the first requirement was a clearing where crops could be cultivated. The woods and the streams constituted the meat shop of the first corners and many and rare were the feasts procured within. But the luxuries of the present had no place among the thoughts of our forefathers, who were a strong and rugged people.

Many writers tell us our lives are nothing, only as we seek to uplift a coming race, and that we should live for the future. In the toils of the day it was doubtful if the pioneers thought what their work would give another generation. They did as they saw best, as necessity required, and we enjoy the rewards of their labors.

The region comprising Jefferson county was a highway for both British and French troops, during the French and Indian wars, as well as the scene of many interesting events during the American revolution, but as far as known, no permanent settlements were made within its boundaries until the spring of 1797, when Judge Nodiah Hubbard first visited the tract now known as Champion, and prepared the way for future settlement. It is true that Carlton island was occupied by British soldiers before this time, but only temporarily to hold it within British domain.

In 1786 Matthew Watson and William Guilland purchased the land warrant for the island of William Richardson, and located their claim there, subject to the land being found within United States domain. But is is doubtful if they occupied their possession or improved it prior to 1800.

If Mr. Hubbard was the first white settler, Lyman Ellis was a close second. Indeed, there is a possibility that he was the first. for it is said that he and Marvel Ellis visited Ellisburg the same year with a view of establishing a settlement, but it is thought he did not come until later in the season.

The county settled slowly. In 1800, there were less than 1,200 inhabitants within its borders, while in 1805 the population was estimated to have increased by only 300.

At this time Champion, or Township No. 4, as it was called was the property of Gen. Henry Champion and Col. Lemuel Storrs, both of Connecticut. In his examination of the land, Hubbard was accompanied by Col. Storrs and Silas Stow. An agreement was made whereby Hubbard became owner of considerable land within the tract and became agent for the sale of the property, but Storrs failed to keep faith and for a time the title remained uncertain.

On July 1, 1798, Hubbard Salmon Ward, and David Storr (sic) left Steuben where Hubbard’s family was located, and with 15 head of cattle, began the tedious journey over the French road toward High Falls. They traveled by land and water, and after several days of hardship reached the present site of West Carthage, where they met Surveyor Benjamin Wright and his men. Mr. Hubbard chose a pleasant spot near the center of the town for his future home, and proceeded at once to erect buildings, clear the land and plant crops. This consumed the summer, and in the fall the party returned to Steuben.

The following spring the Pioneer sent two men to make maple sugar and prepare for his arrival. Upon reaching the cabins, they found that Indians had stolen all the utensils left there, also the potatoes, which had been buried for safekeeping. One day during their temporary absence, the shanty caught fire, (they were boiling sap) and was consumed before their return. It was indeed a discouraging outlook that faced Mr. Hubbard upon his arrival at the camp that spring, but he persevered.

That summer business reverses of Col. Storrs involved the property of the settlers, but the matter was satisfactorily adjusted, but in the fall of 1799 Mr. Hubbard’s family was brought to the settlement. He was a man of unusual strength, both of body and mind, upright and honesst, who became one of the foremost men in the county, and was honored by some of the best offices within the gift of the people.

The summer of 1799 saw many settlements established in the town of Champion. Joel Mix, John and Thomas Ward, Ephraim Chamberlain, Samuel and David Starr, Solomon Ward, Joatham Mitchell, David Miller, and Pela Hubbard added their cabins to those of the pioneer, while Henry Boutin made a settlement at the present village of Carthage.

Lyman Ellis owned much of the land comprising the town of Ellisburg. In the spring of 1797, he and his brother, Marvel Ellis made a journey to the country with a view of permanent settlement. They selected a spot on land now occupied by Ellisburg village, cleared and prepared a space for cultivation and sowed wheat, which they harvested the following year.

Ellis proved an enterprising and worthy proprietor, and before the closing of the first season, had constructed a dam and erected a saw mill about three-quarters of a mile below the present village. As previously mentioned, it is claimed that the Ellis brothers were the first permanent settlers in the county, there being at least but a few weeks between their visit and that of Mr. Hubbard.

In the latter part of 1797, Caleb Ellis purchased some land on the south branch of Sandy Creek, and also emigrated to this country. Lyman Ellis employed a number of men in the construction of the dam and mill, but few of them became permanent residents. However, in the following winter, names of William B. Hicks, B. Pierce, Isaac Wodell, and a Mr. Butler, were added to the settlers at Ellisburg. High water carried away the dam in the spring, but it was at once repaired, but it was to again be destroyed in the spring of 1799, when the mill was also damaged. Ellis thereupon built a new dam on the village site, whence the saw mill was removed. A grist mill was completed in 1803.

The next settlers in Ellisburg were Robert Fulton, Elijah Richardson, William Root, Hezekiah Pierce, Chauncey Smith, Vial Salisbury, Abraham Wilcox and the two Thorntons. They came during the spring of 1798, the others mentioned having established homes during the preceding winter.

The town of Watertown received its name from Benjamin Wright, who surveyed it in 1796 and who so christened it because of its many natural water privileges, which he considered the most desirable in northern New York. Subsequent events proved the accuracy of his statement. It was these advantages, coupled with the good soil, that induced Henry Coffeen and Zachariah Butterfield to establish their homes on the site of the future city in 1800. Coffeen was a Vermonter, but came here from Oneida county. He took up land between Coffeen and Court streets of the present day, and erected his cabin on the ground now occupied by the Watertown National bank. He was one of the most active in securing the county buildings, donating the land upon which the first court house stood.

Mr. Butterfield came from New Hampshire the same year (1800) and erected his log dwelling where Washington hall now stands. He purchased a considerable tract of land between Washington and State streets, contributing a portion to the Public Square.

Nathaniel and Sevral -- (?) Harrington and Joshua Priest had visited the falls of Watertown the year previously (1799), but took up land on Dry hill, where they were the pioneers.

Mr. Coffeen and Mr. Butterfield were soon followed Jonathan Cowan, Hart and Dr. Issiah Massey and Ezekiel Jewett. The Masseys appear to have acted jointly in the purchase of lands. Their tract began near the present corner of Arsenal and the Square, and extended thence south and west. Hart Massey made his purchase in 1800. His first dwelling stood near the present entrance to the Paddock Arcade, but the later erected a frame house farther south on Washington street.

Dr. Massey moved here in 1802 and built a log tavern near the south line of the American Arcade. The same year the tavern was put up, Mr. Cowan built a dam across the river above Mill street, and the following year saw his saw mill in operation. Beebee’s island was part of his concession, and it is related how he offered the land comprising it to one Jonathan Baker for $10. Baker offered $3, but they were unable to agree and the bargain failed.

During the next two or three years new names were added to the inhabitants of Watertown, among them John Paddock, Chauncey Calhoun, Isaac Cutler, Philip Johnson, Jesse Doolittle, Joel Goodale, Medad Canfield, Aaron Keyes, J. Waite, William Huntington, John Hathaway, Paoli Wells, Seth Bailey, William Smith, Gershon Tuttle, Andrew Edmonds, Eli Rogers, Amasa Fox, Aaron Bacon and John Simmons.

Meantime, incoming settlers discovered the water power in the eastern part of the town, on a branch of Sandy Creek, and in 1801 Hart Massey erected a saw mill and a grist mill there. Capt. John Burr erected his cabin the following year and purchased the mill. Soon after Joham Foster opened a store (in which Orville Hungerford) was clerk and Rev. Ebenezer Lazelle started a distillery. The place was christened Burrville after the captain, and with its mills and stores proved a strong rival to the future city.

In the early summer of 1799 a party of explorers, comprising Nicholas Salisbury, Robert Fulton, Caleb and Daniel Ellis, Joel Guile, Abram Wilcox, John and Gideon Howard, and Elihu Phillips, passed through Ellisburgh, and following the course of Sandy creek, came down into Adams. They were well pleased with the land, and Mr. Salisbury, the leader of the party, contracted for the purchase of a considerable tract about a mile below that village. As a result of the explorers’ visit, all the parcels of land in the town were sold.

Doubt exists regardiing the first settler in Adams, for in the spring of 1800 Nicholas Salisbury and Samuel Fox cleared land and erected cabins. Salisbury left his home at Western, N. Y., with his family early in that year. An ox sled carried the family effects. The journey was made by way of Lowville and it was not until April 16 that they arrived at their future home, having spent 25 days en route. With Salisbury came Soloman Smith and son, who were employed by him. Their cabins were located a little below the present village. Fox settled three miles above the village site, where he lived for 50 years. His brother, Daniel, also came in 1800, settling on the opposite side of Sandy Creek. He lived on the farm he developed for 73 years and died in 1878 aged 102. Peter Doxtater was another of the settlers in this vicinity during the year.

One of the most prominent pioneers of this town was Elinhalet Edmunds. He and his brother, Christopher, came to this region from Vermont as early as 1798. They were hunters, and, in voyaging down Black river in a canoe upset at the falls of Watertown, losing nearly all their belongings. They set out into the county and stopped in Ellisburg. Elinhalet continuing shortly into Adams, where he became on of the foremost men of the town.

David Smith was the first settler on the site of Adams village, where he erected his cabin in 1800. The place was at first known as Smith’s Mills. Zacheus (?) Walsworth followed, and is said to have brought the frist cooking stove into the town. John Smith, Francis McKee, Consider Lowe, Jacob Kellogg, John Cole, George Houseman, Robert Merick, John Coles, David Hale, William Benton, and Francis Baker were among the other settlers of that period.

Thomas Settlement, a few miles below Adams was named from its earliest settlers, William, Benjamin, Ezra and Ira Thomas, who came there from Windham county, Vermont, in 1800. For many years the Thomas drum corps was well known throughout this section.

The pioneers of Adams were a conscientious, law-abiding class. Old

records give several instances where men were fined for unlawfully selling liquor (the fines were remitted in some instances) while in 1808, “it was voted not to collect fines for profane swearing from Dr. Eli Eastman and Ephriam Joy.”

The town of Alexandria was not settled until some time after the foregoing towns. James D. LeRay owned the lands comprising it, and in 1804 had a survey made by Wallader Child. Child suggested that the vicinity of Alexandria Bay was a favorable site for a village, and a

reservation of land a mile square was made for the proposed settlement. However, it was not until 1810 that lots were laid out. In 1811 the first improvements were made. Mr. LeRay paying $12 per acre for clearing lands, and giving the workmen half of the first crop. He erected a barn to accommodate the men, and caused a road to be built from the “Red Tavern in Theresa to Hammond.” This thoroughfare, which was afterwards closed, formed a part of the old military road.

The sale of land began in 1816, under the stipulation that settlers were to build a log house equal to 18 feet square in size 1-25 part of the land contract in one year and complete payment in seven years. The prevailing price per acre was $3. Among the first settlers were John Norton, Samuel Young, James Carnegie, William Martin, Moses George, Charles Rundlet, Elijah Root, Abraham Newman, Leicester Hoadley, Jerry Carrier and John Fuller. Norton took up his land about three miles below Redwood in 1816 and lived there until his death at the age of 102 years. Mrs. Norton reached the age of 104 years, while their son, John, attained the age of 103. The settlement of this town increased rapidly, and in five years it became necessary to set it off from Brownville and Leray, of which it originally formed a part.

Antwerp Settled in 1803.

Settlement in Antwerp was begun in 1803, when Captain William Lee and Peter Vrooman erected cabins on the road of travel between Long Falls and St. Lawrence county. Lee located on the line of the state road and Vrooman at the present village of OxBow. They were squatters, claiming no title, but, as they opened their homes to the settlers journeying past, both were not disturbed in their possessions by the agent of the property. Lee took title in 1805, but a few years later sold out to Mordecai F. Cook. Vrooman purchased his land in 1806.

The road on the line of which these pioneers settled was first opened in 1801 and extended from the east branch of the Oswegatchie to the Ox Bow, thence 13 miles to Indian river; an equal distance to the long falls, at Carthage and thence to Shaler’s, or Turin. At this time it consisted of little more than a cleared lane through the forest and was not substantially completed until five years later.

The year following the arrival of the first settlers, Daniel Sterling located a mile north of Indian river, on a farm recently owned by Bradford Sterling. The first white child born within the town was Samuel G., a son of Mr. Sterling. The same year Gen. Lewis R. Morris purchased the lands, and proceeded to settle the country. In 1806 he brought several familes in the town, including Edward Foster. John Bethel, Peter Raven and Silas Ward. The following year came Asa Hunt, Lyman Colburn, William Randall, Henry Adams and Allen Thompson. Others followed rapidly, and in 1810 it was estimated that there were upwards of 73 families within the town’s borders.

The first settler in the county north of Black River was Jacob Brown, who settled in the town of Brownville at the mouth of Philomel creek in 1799. Brown’s father was a man of wealth and position, but financial troubles befell him, he lost his fortune, and Jacob was obliged to leave his New York home and earn his way. He first went

to Ohio, then returned to this state, and for a time taught school. It was while thus engaged that he met Rudolph Tillier, agent for the Chassanis lands, who induced him to explore this territory and make a settlement if the country suited. So, with several assistants, Brown set out for High Falls in 1798. The following March he started down the river. At Long Falls the party left the boats and followed the old Clayton road for a considerable distance when they struck off towards the river, which they reached about two miles below Brownville. The roar of a waterfall drew them up to the site of the present village. Just below the falls, they found a volumnious spring discharging into the river. Brown called the stream “Philomel creek,” as he heard a nightingale or “philomela” singing near its bank.

The explorers believewd this the head of navigation on the river, and as the creek offered abundance of water power, they thought it a likely site for a village. They pitched camp and Brown made a survey of the locality. He was highly pleased with the country, and decided to make it his home. A log house was erected and a clearing made and planted. Then the pioneer sent word to his parents and family in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and on May 27 they arrived at the camp, coming via the lake. In the party were Samuel Brown and wife, parents of the pioneer, Christopher, John, Joseph, Mary (Mrs. Newland), Benjamin, Samuel, Hannah (Mrs. Skinner), William and Abbie (Mrs. Evans). George Brown and the latter’s sons, Henry and Thomas. Two of the explorer’s companions, Chambers and Ward, also decided to settle here. The entire party numbered about 20 person. Gen. Brown’s wife (nee Pamelia Williams) came to the settlement in 1800.

Jacob Brown was one of the most prominent characters in the early history of the county. He assisted materially in the settlement of the

Chassanis and LeRay tracts, and took an earnest interest in every important measure affecting the welfare of the county. During the war of 1812 he was the head of the militia force of northern New York, and commanded at the battle of Sackets Harbor. In 1821, he was made general-in-chief of the army. He died in 1828.

The log house, which first served as a residence for the Browns, and also as a tavern, was about 20 feet square. In 1801 they completed a two-story house, which was used as a store by Brown and his father. Later Gen. Brown erected a large two-story stone house, which is still standing, being known as Kirby Mansion, from the general’s son-in-law, Col. Edmund Kirby, a hero of the Mexican war.

The same year that Brown located at Philomel creek, Richardson Avery, John W. Collins, Nathan Parish and Horace Mathers also made settlements in the town. The lands along Perch River were regarded as the most desirable. The total population of the town (which then included considerable more territory than at present) by the end of the year has been estimated at about 40 persons, and increased to about 200 during the succeeding three years. In 1800 Brown erected a saw mill at the mouth of the creek, and the following fall also built a grist mill there. During the same year Charles Welch and Otis Britton began cutting a road from the village to the ferry at Chaumont, but were compelled to abandon the work that winter. Welch was married the next year, and returned to the town with his bride (Miss Eunice Cole), and settled near the Crouch farm. Their son, Charles, was the first child born north of the Black River.

The pioneer of the town of Cape Vincent was Capt. Abijah Putnam, who came from Rome in 1801. A fort had been erected on Carlton

Island, included within the town, in 1777, a British supply depot having been maintained there from 1775. British troops were stationed there for some time.

Putnam erected his cabin four miles below the present village of Cape Vincent, at a point later known as Millen’s Bay. He established a ferry between Port Putnam, as it was called, and Wolf Island, and made plans and surveys for a village near his home. But in 1804, before any considerable settlement had been made, he sold the property to John Macomb and Peter Sternberg and moved away.

The construction of the state road from Brownville to Port Putnam in this year gave an added impulse to settlement. Among those who established homes at that time were Jonathan Cummings, Daniel Spinning, Elnathan Judd, Norman Wadsworth and John N. Esselstyne. Other early settlers along the river were: Eddy Cole, Caleb Lobdell, Avery Smith, William Hollenbeck, Charles Gillette, Orison and Zimri Butterfield, Daniel Nichol, Abner and Barrett Hubbard, Samuel Britton and Soper, Smith and Phelps.

Macomb and Sternberg continued the village scheme. They laid out a tract in the form of a parallelogram, with a central public square of five or six acres. A sapce was reserved for public buildings at the upper side of the tract facing the river. The streets parellel with the river were named from first to seventh in regular order, while seven other streets, christened Green, Montgomery, Herkimer, Washington,

Jefferson, Clinton and Hancock streets, intersected them at right angles. The village, however, never attracted more than a dozen or 15 families, and about 1811 was abandoned for a new settlement at “Gravelly Point,” founded by James LeRay, and named Cape Vincent in honor of his son.

The new village settled slowly. In 1815 it contained but seven dwelling houses. The first attempt to improve the site was in 1809, when Eber Kelsey came from Turin and cleared a 50-acre tract for LeRay and erected a wharf, dwelling house, tavern and a large frame barn. The same year Richard M. Esselstyn built a house and opened a store. John Matthews, “Uncle” Naab, Eber Kelsey, Dr. Avery Ainsworth and Nathan Lake were among the first settlers. The firm of Esselstyn & Murray commenced the manufacture of staves in 1809, giving employment to many men. They shipped their product down the river. The next year saw nearly 200,000 staves imported from the western part of the state, which led to building arks to transport them to Montreal. In 1813 (?) the embargo act stopped this traffic.

The first white occupants of Clayton were undoubtedly lumber thieves, who cut from the land much of its choicest timber. In 1799, a surveying party found a small log hut, evidentally one of their habaitations, on the site of Clayton village. The first settlements in the vicinity of the present village was made about 1802 by one Capt. Bartlett, who was sent, probably by the owner of the land, Governeur Morris, to maintain a ferry between Bartlett’s Point, as it was called, and Gananoque. He only remained a year or two. In the winter of 1802-4 Smith & Selamater, agents for the proprietor, began the erection of a sawmill near the mouth of Wheeler (probably Carpenter) creek. The venture, however, proved unsuccessful.

About 1806 squatters took possession of Penet’s square, where lands were thought to be free. The land was soon stripped of its trees and farms opened. But the settlers had no title and many left when pay was demanded by the proprietor. Simon and Jared White were among the first squatters, but later moved to Lyme. During the embargo period the vicinity of French creek was a rendezvous for smugglers.

Very little was done towards settling until after the war. In 1816 Nathaniel , jr., sent as agent for Wilkes, who owned a tract adjoining Depau’s, settled in the town. David and Nathaniel Holbrook, with their father, came to Depauville, or Catfish Falls, as it was then called, the same year and began the erection of a saw and gristmill. Phineas Osborn located about three miles northwest of the falls the following year, and the next year Jerry Carter and father settled near Clayton Centre. James D. Gloyd took up his home in the town in 1819, while in 1820 came Adam Fry from Lewis county. The population at this time has been estimated at 1,000, it having increased rapidly after the war.

The township of Henderson was surveyed and subdivided into lots in 1801and Asher Miller appointed agent for William Henderson, its owner. That fall a number of sales of lands were made, but no permanent settlers were effected until the next year. The region along the lake shore attracted New England colonists and during the next three years several journeyed to the wilderness to found homes. Among the first purchasers and settlements were Samuel Stewart, Thomas Clark, Philip Crumnett (?), John Stafford, Peter Cramer, Moses Barrett, Daniel Spencer and William Petty.

The pioneer was undoubtedly a trapper, David Bronson, who came in the early eighties and built a log cabin near the center of the town. High water troubled him here during flood time, and he removed to Bishop street, as it is now known, where he planted the first orchard of the entire region.

Between 1808 and 1809 a colony of Scotchmen made settlements on the bay shore some three miles northeast of Henderson Harbor village. The new comers, nearly all from Pertshire, Scotland, comprised John and Duncan Drummond, Charles and Peter Berris, Thomas Bell, Duncan Campbell, James Crowe, Daniel Scott and John McCardl. During the winter of 1803-4 only ten remained in the town, while in 1806 the population included 70 families.

In 1805 Jesse Hopkins succeeded to the land agency, and soon after that date caused a 25-acre tract of land to be cleared at the harbor, established a village, which was christened Naples, and later became known as Henderson Harbor. The owner refused to permit any military or naval operations there during 1812-14, thereby somewhat

blighting the future of the village, which grew very slowly.

The honor of being the pioneer of Hounsfield seems to have fallen to Amasa Fox, who settled in the northern part of the town near Muskalonge creek in 1800. Augustus Sacket acquired the title to the land the following year, and came at once to his newly acquired territory, bringing with him a number of employees, erected a sawmill

and a fine residence at Sackets Harbor, including those of Samuel Luff, David Merritt, William Ashby, John Root, Henry Metcalf and George Sloman. The inhabitants of the town of Hounsfield increased rapidly during the next five years, at the expiration of which time it contained 226 voters with requisite property qualifications.

The settlement and development of LeRay was accomplished under the direction of its owner, James D. LeRay, and his agents. Benjamin Brown was the pioneer, visiting the tract in the fall of 1801 in quest of a mill site. He located on Pleasant creek, at the town of LeRaysville. That year he cleared a space and cut timber for the dam, but the severe winter which followed obliged him to return to Brownville. The following spring a road, surveyed by Gen. Brown, was cut through from Brownville, and work on the dam and mill resumed. The “raising” of this structure was a notable event of the time, attended by delegations from various points in the county. A log house was also built, and here, the next July, Brown brought his bride.

Brown was the only settler in 1802, but the following year witnessed the arrival of several pioneers, prominent among them being Joseph Child and his sons, Daniel, Samuel and Moses from Pennsylvania and Thomas Ward, Daniel Coffeen, William Cooper, John Petty and Robert Sixbury. The Child family located between Brown’s mill and Watertown; Ward settled between LeRaysville, and Evans Mills, while Coffeen’s improvements were located below Evans Mills. Later Coffeen moved near the present village of Sterlingville. Sixbury and Hoover bought Coffeen’s tract in the vicinity of Evans, but the former removed to the north part of the town. He died in 1875, aged, it is claimed, 112 years. Cooper came to the town from Pamelia, and erected his cabin between LeRaysville and Ingerson’s. Roswell Woodruff was another pioneer of 1804, first settling at Sanfords Corners. Benjamin Kirkbride also located a mile southeast of Evans Mills during the same year.

In 1806, LeRay sent Dr. Baudry to the town, the object being to select a site for a residence. A spot justs within the hamlet of LeRaysville was chosen, and here a commodious dwelling was built, replaced in 1825 with a still more pretentious mansion. LeRay came here in 1808.

The settlement of Lorraine was begun in the fall of 1802 by James McKee and Elijah Fox, brothers-in-law, who came originally from Vermont to Oneida county, and thence to Lorraine, where they erected a cabin on the line of the old state road as laid out two years later. During the winter they made a substantial clearing, but Fox sold his interest to McKee and returned to Oneida, where he married. That spring he again came to Lorraine, and settled on the Fox homestead, as it was later known.

The news of settlement in this part Mexico, as the town was then called, attracted a large number of families to Lorraine, and two years after the first settlement, it became necessary to create a new town in Oneida county, to which Lorraine was then a part. This township was created under the original name of Malta. To the new comers, McKee threw open his home as a tavern. The influx continued. In 1806 there were 128 families, in the town, while the next year the territory contained 161 legal voters. The construction of the state road from Rome to Brownville had much to do with the increase in population.

Among the pioneers of 1803 were Comfort Stanclift, Benjamin Gates, Seth Cutler, Clark Allen and John Alger, who located on the site of Lorraine village. Alger later established a tavern at the forks of the road, where a public house was kept for many years. The Brown family, of whom Aaron is regarded as the pioneer, also came in 1803 or 1804, from Washington county. By 1810 Lorraine was fairly well settled.

The year before McKee and Fox emigrated to Lorraine, LeRay undertook the settlement of the present town of Lyme. He engaged Jonas Smith and Henry A. Delamater to undertake the sale of lands west of Penet’s square, and in 1801 they came from Ulster county, accompanied by several companions, among whom were Richard M. Esselstyn of Claverack, Peter Pratt, T. Wheeler and James, David and Timothy Soper. They went to Chaumont bay from Oswego by boat, and sailed up the Chaumont river about two and one-half miles, where they landed and erected a large double log home and a frame building. A short distance above their settlement was the head of navigation at that time, and from here a trail led 12 miles to Clayton or French creek. The pioneers returned east during the winter, but came back the following spring. The location was found to be poor, the river overflowing a considerable section of lowland, occasioning much sickness. So they abandoned the proposed settlement and established themselves at the present village of Chaumont early in 1802.

A few settlers from Ulster county reinforced the colony during the season, and a tavern and store, kept by Henry Thomas, was erected. Smith and Delamater built a sawmill on the present site of the Copley mill in 1802, when Delamater also cleared a tract of land on Point Salubrious (said to have received its name from LeRay, from the uniformity of its temperature).

Daniel and John Tremper were probably the first settlers in the last mentioned locality, where it is supposed they located in 1805. The next year Henry Horton came from Delaware county and took up lands on the point.

In 1820, two years after the town was set off from Brownville, of which it originally formed a part, the population was estimated at over 1,700.

Of the several proprietors of Penet’s square, which included the whole of the present town of Orleans, was John Wilkie (Please see a link below to a letter received from a Wilkie descendant), who owned 12,000 acres purchased from Nicholas Olive. He came to the tract in 1802, but not relishing life in the wilderness, abandoned the idea of settling there. Squatters had taken possession of the property the year previously and several were then located within its borders. The first to come was Roderick Frasier, who established himself in a log hut about two miles north of Stone Mills. Peter Pratt came from Lyme the next year and made a clearing south of that village. The news of “free lands” (for Penet’s square was at that time so considered by many) spread through the Mohawk valley during the next few years, and there were many settlers of whom no record remains, as they moved away when pressed for pay by LaFarge, who severed his title in 1824.

Having disposed of the squatters, LaFarge induced local settlement, which increased so rapidly that in 1825 there were 3,541 inhabitants in the town. The first settlement on the site of Lafargeville was made by Dr. Ruben Andrus and Benjamin Page, both of Vermont, who erected log houses there in 1816. In the fall of that year Andrus built a sawmill near that place. Other early settlers in this vicinity were Moses Darby, Eli Bergon, Peter Cook and his sons Horace, Hiram, Hial and Harvey, Maj. Earl and son Lyman, Charles Cummins and Dr. Cushman, all coming during 1817.

The history of pioneer life in Pamelia is embarrassed by the absence of authentic records. Until 1819 the town formed a part of Brownville, and its early records are closely allied with those of its neighbor. The credit of being the first settlers, is usually given Boshart and Kitts, who are supposed to have settled within the town in 1799. But their stay was short, and nothing further is known of the settlements until 1804, when one Makepeace (probably Thomas) established a permanent home in the northern part of the tract. It is thought that several families also settled along the river, but their names are not known. In 1805 a Mr. Hare, whose Christian name is not given, settled back from the river, within the present city limits. Others soon followed, among them the Parish and Gould families and located in the northwest part of the town, as did Philip and Elijah Ainsworth, Isaac and Jacob Meacham, Caleb Bates and William Morse and Jacob Lowell. In the northwest part, near Pamelia Four Corners, were Curtis Goulding, Henry Becker. Aaron Dresser and Alvin Twing, Stephan Farr, Obadiah Rhodes and Benjamin Cole. Smith Scoville came to the town before 1811 and opened a public house. At the close of the war of 1812, it is said there were 50 families within Pamelia.

Jason Brown, the pioneer of Brownville, was the direct cause of the settlement of Philadelphia. He knew the character and quality of the lands in that region, and informed his friends in Pennsylvania. The result was that in 1808 Joseph Child, sr., Moses Moon and the latter’s son, James Moon, visited the tract and later Child and Moses Comfort purchased lots 629-32, located between the Chassanis line north of Black River village and extending northeast towards LeRaysville. Their report was so satisfactory that a company was organized in Pennsylvania to purchase lots in the region. On Feb. 16, 1804, LeRay sold to the company 7,040 acres at $8 per acre, payable in five annual installments, with 6 per cent interest, 10 per cent discount being allowed for cash payment. He caused a rectangular tract containing about 1,000 acres to be laid out, with its center at the present village of Philadelphia. From this LeRay reserved eight lots near the center, thus selling the company the required amount of land. The purchasers comprising the company were Abram Stockton and Charles Ellis of Burlington, N. J., and Mordecai Taylor, Robert Comfort, Thomas and John Townsend, Israel Knight, Benjamin Rowland, Cadwallader Child, Moses Comfort, John Jones, David Evans and Jason Merrrick, all of Montgomery, Philadelphia and Bucks counties, Pennsylvania. With the exception of Merrick, all were Quakers.

In May, 1804, Child, Taylor and Evans came to the newly acquired territory for the purpose of surveying roads into the purchase. The party also lincluded Michael Coffeen, Solomon Parker, Robert Sixbury, and another whose name is not given. Childs consulted Jacob Brown at Brownville before starting the work. The result was the road from LeRaysville to Philadelphia and another to Alexandria Bay. This finished, Child and his nephews, Samuel and Thomas Ward, made a small clearing on lot 611 (?), which he had drawn (the members so acquired thier lots), and erected a small cabin on the bank of a creek a mile and a half south of the village site. This was the first improvement in the town, but Child was not the first settlers, for he did not remain through the winter. The latter credit must be given John Petty, who erected a cabin in the town that same year and lived in his new home through the winter. His lands were at Strickland Corners near Sterlingville. Daniel Coffeen also made improvements that fall, but did not settle until the following spring.

One of the most needed improvements at the proposed settlement was a saw and grist mill, and to induce the erection of such. Thomas and John Townsend were given the use for 29 years of a 15 or 20-acre tract of land at the falls on Indian river. In 1805 the Townsends began work on the mills, which were soon completed, as were houses for the settlers. The same year came Robert Comfort, Thomas Coxe, Benjamin and Thomas Gilbert, Daniel Roberts and Warren and Andrew Foster. The first public house in the town was Comfort’s dwelling, which was located near the east end of the bridge. Joseph Bolton took possession of the tavern in 1807. Two years later, Strickland purchased the mill property. Josiah Walton was another early comer, while Jason Merrick, a member of the company, arrived in 1806. The next year came Stephen Roberts, and Benjamin Gilbert.

When he disposed of the lots to the company, LeRay donated the middle lot (No. 611) for the support of a meeting house and school. While it was a most generous act on the proprietor’s part, it nevertheless caused no end of trouble to the Quakers. The management of this tract, which contained about 440 acres, was intrusted to a committee, which on Feb. 1, 1805, determined to lay it out in plots of ten acres each and rent to persons who would clear the land and build a log house 18 feet square in four years, in compensation for which the tenant should have the free use of the land for ten years. Comfort, Child, the Townsends and Merrick were appointed to direct this work. During the first ten years there was less than ten settlements made, and in 1815 the trustees applied to the monthly meeting of Friends to assist them. This could not be done with an act of the legislature, and an application of such character was inconsistent with their teachings. A committee was appointed to confer with the trustees, and the land leased out in about 40 lots. The company continued to control the property, though with more or less discord between themselves and tenants, until 1845, when the January meeting directed the trustees to quit-claim most of the tenants of the parcels they held for the gross sum of $1,350. This stopped the anti-rent troubles which originated about 1835 from the repeated conveying of leases without the knowledge of the trustees who frequently determined (?) against tenants whose leasehold interest had been transferred to a subsequent occupant. A church was erected on the property in 1810.

The settlement of Rodman was brought about under the direction of Silas Stowe, agent for Harrison & Hoffman, the proprietors, who induced Anson and Ebenezer Moody, Jonathan, Noah, Asa and Aaron Davis, Simeon Bent, Benjamin Thomas and William Rice to locate there during the spring and summer of 1801. All cleared small parcels of land for crops and erected log dwellings. Mrs. Ebenezer Moody came in September of that year and was the first woman in the town, while her son, Walter Harrison Moody, born a few months after her arrival, was the first child. Harrison had promised 100 acres of land to the first child born in the town, and a few years later, after the child’s death at the age of 8, conveyed 50 acres to its father.

Roads were built along both sides of Sandy creek, one extending north to Burrville, affording communication with Watertown, while another was opened about the same time (1801) to Adams. More pioneers invaded the territory in search of homes, among the arrivals of the following year being Timothy Greenly, Reuben Smith, Daniel Todd, Thomas White and Ariel Edwards. In 1803 came William Dodge, John Peck, John Fascett and Caleb Woodward. During this year, William Rice erected a saw mill on Sandy creek, and two years later built the first grist mill in the town. That settlement increased rapidly after that date can be seen from the fact that in 1807 Rodman contained 308 qualified voters.

Establishing Homes in Rutland.

Asher Miller was the agent for William Henderson, owner of the land comprising the present town of Rutland. And in July, 1799, he caused a road to be constructed from Black River village to the center of the town. Near the southern terminus of this road, on the shore of Rutland lake, he established his home on lands purchased by himself. During the four years he resided there, he disposed of 17,340 acres of land, and induced settlement by a class of sturdy New England Yankees. Lands were sold to 115 purchasers, nearly all of whom later became residents. In 1808, Mr. Miller was succeeded in the agency by Abel French, who also proved an energetic, proficient developer.

Miller was the pioneer of the town. He was followed in 1800 by Ezekiel Andres, who came from Utica with a family of nine children. The same year David Coffeen erected the first grist mill on the site of Felts Mills, and the next year put up a new saw mill.

John Felt, founder of this hamlet began his improvements in 1818. Samuel Porter and Dr. Hugh Henderson, Dr. Abel Sherman, were also early settlers, coming in 1809. Sherman was from Oneida county. After this year settlement increased rapidly, and in 1803 nine farms on the ’hollow road’ were occupied by John Eddy, John Coats, William Newton, Morgan Stark, Stanly Weeks, Robert Adams and three brothers named Malthy. The first public house in the town was opened by Levi Butterfield in 1808.

Theresa was one of the latest towns in which settlement was made. Capt. John Hoover and John A. Evans were probably the first white residents, coming in 1813, to watch a herd of sheep belonging to Proprietor LeRay, and that had been sent to graze in the clearings. Benjamin Wright, the surveyor, had acquainted LeRay with the nature of the country and upon this information the latter resolved to form a settlement, and caused a road to be opened from Evans Mills. He also had a mill started at the falls in 1810-11. In 1812 a 40-acre tract was cleared on the J. P. Douglas place of later years, while the following year a 100-acre tract was opened. The clearings were then sown with grass seed, forming an excellent pasturage for the 300 sheep, 60 cattle and 20 horses kept there in 1813. During a threatened attack by the British on the frontier in 1813, Capt. Hoover returned to LeRay and assembled his company. The occupancy of both Hoover and Evans was but temporary.

The story is told how five British soldiers entered Hoover’s barn at the falls to spend the night. The captain observed them and slipping out in the morning, hid in a clump of brushes. When the enemy emerged from the building he challenged them. Three ran but the others surrendered, thinking themselves surrounded, and the doughty captain conducted them in triumph to Sackets Harbor.

There was no permanent settlement in the town until 1817 when James Shurtliff, Anson Cheeseman and Col. Sinesa Ball located there. The first built his cabin in the clearing, soon afterwards opening his house for the accommodation of travelers. Ball settled on the old military road, two miles west of the falls. Cheeseman, who came in the fall, was connected with the construction of the saw mill, and assisted in the erection of the grist mill the next year. The settlers of 1818 were Benjamin Barnes, Jesse Doolittle, Curley Smith and Zalmon Pool. Barnes located east of the river above the upper falls, Doolittle about a mile from the falls, and Smith at the lower falls, where he started a blacksmith shop. Sylvester Bodman and Dudley Chapman were among the arrivals of 1820. Theresa continued to grow as rapidly as its neighbors, but owing to the later start, the population was not as large as some of the other towns at a corresponding date. In 1840 the number of inhabitants was about 2,000.

The honor of having made the first improvements in the town of Wilna falls to Henry Boutin, who purchased 1,000 acres of land from the French company and made a clearing on the site of the village of Carthage as early1796. He made his home there for a few years, but met his death in the treacherous waters of the river. Boutin was assisted in making his clearing by several employes, but their names are not known. In 1799 Jean Baptist Hossout came to the locality, and after Boutin’s death, remained alone at the Long Falls. He maintained a ferry across the river, and also kept a hotel. The ferry was in operation until the construction of a bridge across the river at that point in 1812-13. Another pioneer was David Coffeen, who settled there in 1806. James Barney, Francis Lloyd, Nathan Brown and Claudius S. Quillard were among the pioneers.

On July 7, 1815, LeRay was appointed administrator of the Boutin estate. The property was purchased at auction by Vincent LeRay, who was a prominent factor in the early history of the town. He caused the village of Carthage to be surveyed and opened a land office there. But despite the efforts of the proprietors, the population did not increase as rapidly as might have been expected. In 1814 Wilna contained 261 inhabitants.

Abel French, one of the early and energetic land agents of Worth, was instrumental in the settlement of that township. His representations of the land resulted in the formation of a company of prospective purchasers at Litchfield. The members of the company were Timothy Greenly, Joseph Wilcox, Elihu Gillett, Asaph Case, Leonard Bullock, W. Flower, Eli Gillet, Lodwick Edwards, John Griswold, Ezekiel Chever, Phineas Case, Joel Caukins, Abram Ford, Nathan Mattoon, Asa Sweet, John Pincar, Phineas Stevens, Elijah and David Richmond, John and William Sagas and John Houghtalling. The first three members were appointed a committee to investigate the land. Their report was favorable and a tract comprising much of the town, was purchased for $7,662. Through the efforts of French, Bullock and Case settled on lots 7 and 8 in 1802, when the first improvements in the town was made. Bullock began the erection of a grist mill on Sandy Creek in 1808, but did not complete the work. Other pioneers of 1802 were Elihu Gillet and John Houghtalling, who also located on the company’s lands. Joseph Wilcox came the next year, locating on land he had drawn in the northwest part of the town, where he died in 1839. Timothy Greenly, an Englishman by birth, came in 1803.

During the succeeding years a few more of the purchasers also settled in the town. A combination saw and grist mill erected on Sandy Creek by Joshua Miles in 1810 increased the desirability of the location and undoubtedly drew a few settlers.

Such, briefly, is the history of the first settlement of the various towns composing Jefferson county. The devoted roll of the pioneers paved the way for the future settlement that made possible the formation of the county, whose centennial we are this year called to celebrate.