Townships
Of
Steuben County
New York


Addison

 

Hornellsville

 

Avoca

 

Howard

 

Bath

 

Jasper

 

Bradford

 

Lindley

 

Cameron

 

Prattsburgh

 

Campbell

 

Pulteney

 

Canisteo

 

Rathbone

 

Caton

 

Thurston

 

Cohocton

 

Troupsburg

 

Corning

 

Tuscarora

 

Dansville

 

Urbana

 

Erwin

 

Wayland

 

Fremont

 

Wayne

 

Greenwood

 

West Union

 

Hartsville

 

Wheeler

 

Hornby

 

Woodhull

 

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 619.

STEUBEN COUNTY.
     THIS county was formed from Ontario, March 18, 1796, and named in honor of Baron Steuben. The 7th Range of townships was annexed to Allegany ??. March 11, 1808, the part in the fork of Crooked Lake to Ontario ??. Feb. 25, 1814, a part of Dansville to Livingston ??. Feb. 15, 1822, and a part to Schuyler ??. April 7, 1854. It lies upon the s. border of the State, considerably w. of the center, is centrally distant 188 mi. from Albany, and contains 1425 sq. mi. Its surface mostly consiste of ridges and high, rolling uplands, forming the northern continuation of the Alleghany Mts. The watershed between Lake Ontario and Susquehanna River extends from Allegany ??. eastward across the N. part of the ??. The deep valley of Crooked Lake breaks the continuity of the highlands and extends 17 mi. s. w. from the head of the lake, connecting with the Conhocton Valley at Bath, and forming one of the numerous natural passes between the southern valleys and the basin of Lake Ontario. The highlands occupying the s.w. corner of the ??. also form a portion of the watershed, being drained by branches of Canisteo River on the E. and of Genesee River on the w. The highest summits in the ??. are about 2,500 feet above tide. 1 
     The upland region has nearly a uniform elevation, with a slight inclination toward the N. It is intersected by numerous deep valleys, which have evidently been excavated by the action of water. 2 The formation of the steep hillsides which border upon these valleys is such as to prove conclusively that they were once united, and that a wide, rolling plateau spread over the region now so irregular and broken. The principal of these valleys are those of Canisteo and Conhocton Rivers, extending nearly N. W. and S. E. through the ??. From these valleys numerous others diverge at nearly right angles and branch off into countless deep, crooked ravines, intersecting the plateau in every direction. The hills that border upon these valleys are usually steep and 300 to 600 feet high. Conhocton River flows S. E. through near the center of the ??. In high water it was once navigable for arks 14 mi. above Bath. It receives from the S. W. Neils, Bennetts, Campbells, Stockton, Michigan, and Stephens Creeks, and from the N. E. Twelve Mile, Ten Mile, Five Mile, (or Kanona,) Mud, 3 and Meads Creeks. Cauisteo River flows through a valley S. W.of the Conhocton and nearly parallel to it. In freshets it rises 6 to 8 feet, and is then navigable for boats and arks about 40 mi. Its chief tributaries are Canacadea, Crosby, Purdy, Bennetts, Col. Bills, and Tuscarora Creeks, all from the S. W. Tioga River rises in Penn., flows N. through a deep, wild mountain valley, and unites with the Canisteo at Erwin, and with the Conhocton at Painted Post, from the latter place the combined stream taking the name of Chemung River. 4 Canaseraga Creek, flowing N., drains the N. W. corner of the ??.; and several small streams rising in the S. W. corner form branches of Genesee River. Crooked Lake lies along the N. E. border, in a deep valley nearly surrounded by steep hills 500 to 800 feet high. Little Lake lies in a shallow valley along the E. border of the town of Wayne. It discharges its waters S. into Mud Lake, and through Mud Creek into Conhocton River. Loon Lake, in Wayland, lies in a valley which is the southern continuation of the valley of Hemlock Lake in Livingston ??. Still further S., in the same valley, is Mud Lake, a small sheet of water, the outlet of which flows S. and empties into the Conhocton.
     The shales and sandstones of the Portage group outcrop in all the deep ravines in the N. part of the ??. and in the W. bank of Crooked Lake. Elsewhere, the Chemung group composes most of the surface rocks. Near the State Line the highest hills are capped with a coarse, silicious conglomerate, which forms the floor of the coal measures. 5 A feeble brine spring is found at La Grange,

     1 The following elevations have been determined, principally by actual surveys: Crooked Lake, 718 feet; Corning, 926; Village of Bath, 1,090; Hornellsville, 1,150; Arkport, 1,194; summit between Mud Lake And Bath, 1,570; summit between Bath and Arkport, 1,840; summit between Arkport and Angelica. 2,062; Troupsburgh Hills, 2,500. 
     2 Those valleys must have been excavated by more powerful currents of water than now flow through them; and their formation belongs to the drift period of geology. 
     3 Mud Creek is the outlet of Mud Lake, in Schuyler ??. At the first settlement of the ??. this stream was navigable, and arks were floated from Mud Lake down the creek and the Conhocton to the Susquehanna, and thence to the Baltimore market. Since the clearing of the forests, this steam has entirely failed for purposes of navigation, and now, in summer, it is almost dry.
     4 These streams were all much larger before the destruction of the forests. In time of high water the early settlers describe them as being "full from hill to hill." 
     5 The rocks of this ??. are generally of a shaly nature and not fit for use. There are a few exceptions, however. One mi. N. of Bath is a stratum, 3 feet thick, of a tough, argillo-calcareous rock, forming an excellent building stone. In Woodhull, Canlsteo, and Jasper the sandstone ledges furnish an excellent quality of grindstones. At Arkport, In Dansville, and Troupsburgh are mari beds, from which lime is manufactured. - Geol. 4th Dist., pp. 483, 484.
Page 620.
and sulphur springs in Campbell, Jasper, and Urbana. The soil in general is composed of detritus of the adjacent rocks, and is better adapted to grazing than tillage. Upon the intervales along the larger streams the soil is a fertile alluvium. The extensive flats upon the Chemung are among the finest agricultural lands in the State. Agriculture forms the chief occupation of the people. Grain is largely produced on the alluvial lands, and stock is extensively raised on the uplands. Stock and wool growing and dairying are the principal branches of agriculture pursued. Lumbering is still extensively carried on, - though it is gradually decreasing. The manufactures are principally confined to lumber, articles of wood, and the heavier and coarser products neccessary to an agricultural region.
     The co. is divided into the northern and southern Jury Districts, the co. buildings being respectively situated at Bath and Corning. 1 The courthouse at Bath is a commodious brick building, erected in 1828. 2 The jail is built of wood and closely surrounded by other buildings. The cells for prisoners are in the basement, and are not provided with any means of ventilation. Its arrangements show a culpable neglect and an entire disregard of the general sentiments of the co. and of the age. The co. clerk's office is permanently located at Bath. The courthouse at Corning is a fine brick edifice, erected in 1853-54 at a cost of $14,000. The jail at Corning was erected at the same time. The courts are held alternately at Bath and Corning. The co. poorhouse is located upon a farm of 214 acres about 2 mi. N. E. of Bath Village. 3 The average number of inmates is 75; and they are supported at an average weekly cost of $1.00 each. The farm yields a revenue of about $2,000. No instruction is afforded; but the children of proper age are bound out.
     The New York & Erie R. R. enters the co. from Chemung and extends along the valleys of the Chemung, Tioga, and Canisteo Rivers to Hornellsville, and the Canacadea to the w. border of the co. It passes through Corning, Erwin, Addison, Rathbone, Cameron, Canisteo, and Hornellsville. 4 The Buffalo, N. Y. & E. R. R. extends N. W. from Corning up the Conhocton Valley, through Erwin, Campbell, Bath, Avoca, Cohocton, and Wayland, to the N. border of the co. This road intersects the Genesee Valley R. R. at Avon, the N. Y. Central at Batavia, the Buffalo & New York City at Attica, and the N. Y. & Erie at Corning. The Hornellsville Division of the Buffalo, New York & Erie R. R. extends N. W. up the valley of the Canisteo from Hornellsville, passing through that town and the S. W. corner of Dansville. The Blossburg & Corning R. R. extends from Corning, through Erwin and Lindley, s. along the Tioga Valley to the Blossburg Coal region. Crooked Lake is navigated by stream and canal boats, and forms a link in the chain of the internal water communication of the State. It is united with the Erie Canal at Montezuma by Cooked Lake Canal, Seneca Lake, and the Cayuga and Seneca Canals. The Chemung Canal navigable feeder extends from Corning E. to Horseheads, in Chemung co. Considerable lumber is floated down the rivers and finds a market at Philadelphia and Baltimore. These various works of internal improvement afford ample facilities for the transportation of goods and passengers, and bring the farm products of the co. into close proximity to the Eastern markets.
     Six newspapers are published in the co.
     1 Upon the organization of the co., in 1796, the co. buildings were located at Bath. A wood courthouse, one and a half stories high with two wings, was erected the same year. It was removed in 1828 and the present brick courthouse erected. About the time of the erection of the first courthouse, a jail was built of hewn logs, which was superseded by the erection of the present jail in 1845. By an act of the Legislatures, passed July 19, 1853, the co. was divided into two jury districts, and the co. buildings for the southern district were located at Corning.
     2 The first co. officers were William Kersey, First Judge; Abraham Bradley and Eleazur Lindley, Associate Judges; Geo. D. Cooper, co. Clerk; William Dunn, Sheriff; and Stephen Ross, Surrogate.
     3 This establishment consisted of 3 buildings, - one of brick and two of wood - containing altogether 31 rooms. In Sept. 1859, the two frame buildings were burned, and 6 persons, inmates of the establishment perished in the flames.
     4 This road was opened to Corning, Jan. 1, 1850, and to Hornellsville, Sept. 3 of the same year.
Page 621
Steuben ??. was all included in the Phelps and Gorham Purchase. It wae sold by Phelps and Gorham to Robert Morris, who conveyed it to Sir Wm. Pulteney and others, in London. The territory wae surveyed into townships and lots by Wm. Bull, for the Pulteney estate, in 1792-93. Sales were made by townships, at 18 and 20 cts. per acre. The first settlements were made in 1787-90, by immigrants from Wyoming, Penn., who located upon Chemung River, in the S. E. part of the ??. These early settlers were originally from Conn. About 1790, settlements commenced in the W. part, adjoining Yates ??. In 1792-93, Capt. Chas. Williamson,1 agent of the Pulteney estate, commenced a settlement at Bath. He was accompanied by a large number of Scotch and German immigrants; and under his energetic and liberal policy the settlement progressed with great rapidity. The greater part of the early settlers came from Penn. by way of Susquehanna and Chemung Rivers. Subsequently large numbers came from Eastern New York, New England, and New Jersey.2 The ??. was divided by the Court of General Sessions, in 1796, into 6 towns, viz.: Bath, Canisteo, Dansville, Fredericton, Middletown, and Painted Post, comprising the territory now forming 31 towns of this ??. and parts of Allegany, Yates, Livingston, and Schuyler cos. In 1790 the population was 168; in 1800 it was 1,788; and in 1855, 62,965. In extent of territory and in agricultural wealth it now ranks among the first cos. in the State. 3
     1 Capt. Williamson was a Scotchman, and an officer in the British 24th regiment of Infantry during the period of the Revolution; but he did not serve in the war, In consequence of having been made a prisoner by the French while crossing the Atlantic.
     2 "A large proportion of the first settlers upon the Canisteo were from Penn., and had within them a goodly infusion of that
boisterous spirit and love of rough play for which the free and manly sons of the backwoods are everywhere famous. On the
Susquehanna frontier, before the Revolution, had arisen an athletic, scuffling, wrestling race, lovers of hard blows, sharp
shooters, and runners, who delighted in nothing more than in those ancient sports by which the backs and limbs of all stout hearted youths have been tested since the days of Hercules, The eating of bears, the drinking of grog, the devouring of hominy, venison, and all the invigorating diet of the frontiers, the hewing down of forests, the paddling of canoes, the fighting of savages, all combined to form a generation of yeomen and foresters daring, rude, and free. Canisteo was a sprout from this stout stock, and on the generous river flats flourished with amazing vigor. Every thing that could eat, drink, and wrestle was welcome,—Turk or Tuscarora, Anak or Anthropophagus, Blue Board or Blunderbors. A 'back hold' with a Ghoul would not have been declined, nor a drinking match with a Berserkir. Since the Centaurs never has there been better specimen of a 'half horse' tribe. To many of the settlers in other parts of the country, who emigrated from the decorous civilization of the East and South, these boisterous foreigners were objects of astonishment. When 'Canesteer' went abroad, the public soon found it out. On the Conhocton they were known to some as the Six Nations, and, to the amusement and wonder of young Europeans, would sometimes visit at Bath, being of a social disposition, and sit all day, 'singing, telling stories, and drinking grog and never get drunk, nayther.' To the staid and devout they were Arabs,—cannibals. Intercourse between the scattered settlements of the colony was, of course, limited mainly to visits of necessity; but rumor took the fair fame of Canisteo in hand, and gave the settlement a notoriety through all the land which few 'rising villages' even of the present day, enjoy. It was pretty well understood over all the country that beyond the mountains of Steuben, in the midst of the most rugged district of the wilderness, lay a corn growing valley, which had been taken possession of by some vociferous tribe, whether of Mamelukes or Tartars no one could precisely say, whose whooping and obstreperous laughter was heard far and wide, suprising the solitudes."—McMaster's Hist. Steuben co, pp.56-7-8.
     3 This ??. sympathized to some extent in the hostile feeling that prevailed throughout the Holland Land Company's Purchase toward its European proprietors a few years since; but in no instance were the processes of the courts seriously impeded or effectually resisted, and juries have never returned to render for the proprietors as the facts warranted. There was doubtless little interest felt by the foreign owners in this estate beyond that of realizing the greatest sum possible from their lands; and the heavy burden of debts, interest, assignments, and back payments, perhaps not always borne with patience, have been gradually discharged, until but a comparatively small amount remains.