Gazetteer of
the State of New York: Embracing a Comprehensive View of the Geography, Geology,
And General History of the State, and a Complete History and Description of
Every County, City, Town, Village, and Locality. With Full Tables Of Statistics.
By J. H. French. Syracuse, N.Y.: Published By R. Pearsall Smith
1860.
Page 623.
CATON -- was formed
from "Painted Post," (now Corning,) as "Wormly," March 28, 1839, and
its name was changed April 3, 1840. It is the S.E. corner town of the co.
Its surface is a rolling upland, more nearly level than most towns in the co.
A considerable portion is yet covered with forests. The streams are small
brooks, flowing northward. The soil is a clayey and shaly loam. Lumber is
extensively manufactured. Caton, (p. v.,) near
the center of the town, contains 3 churches and 34 houses. A temporary
settlement was made in town in 1814, by Joseph and Charles Wolcott; but the
first permanent settlement was made in 1819, by Isaac Rowley, from Bradford co.,
Penn. 9 The first church (Presb.) was organized in
1832; and the Rev. Benj. Harron was the first settled pastor. 10
9 Stephen and Simeon Hurd settled in the town
in 1821; Solomon Tarbox in 1822; and E. P. Babcock, Edward Robbins, and Henry
Miner in 1823. The first birth was that of Shepard Hurd; the first marriage,
that of Oliver Woodworth and Elizabeth Hurd; and the first death, that of a
child of John Rowe. Bennett Bruce built the first gristmill; Samuel Wormly kept
the first inn, and W. D. Gilbert the first store, and Edward Robbins taught
the first school. 10 The census reports 3
churches; Presb, Bap., and M. E.
