The First Settlers of Antwerp, New York

1888 Birds Eye View of Antwerp NY

It is doubtful whether the honor of having made the first settlement in the territory now forming the town of Antwerp belonged to Captain William Lee or to Peter Vrooman, for it appears evident that both settled during the same year, 1803, though both were then but squatters on land which they afterwards purchased. Lee located on the State road on lot No. 657, and Vrooman built his log house at the great bend of the Oswegatchie, at a point near the lower end of the present village of Ox Bow. Both these settlers opened their log dwellings as public-houses … Read more

Alexandria Township New York History and Genealogy

1864 Map of Alexandria Township New York

The first improvement in this town was made about 1811 by Le Ray, who caused a clearing to be made at Alexandria Center, to afford facilities to the first settlers, by supplying them with grain until it could be raised by themselves. He paid twelve dollars per acre with the ashes and half the first crop for these jobs, and built a log barn. In 1811 the proprietors made the Morris and Hammond road, extending from Hammond village to the Red tavern, near Theresa, where it intersected another road from the river to Philadelphia. The former was cleared four rods … Read more

Barnes Settlement Cemetery, Alexandria Bay, New York

Barnes Settlement Cemetery

View Larger Map  |  Get Directions  |  View Bird’s Eye Barnes Settlement Cemetery, on the Alexandria Center Road, seems isolated, far out in the country, with no house in sight. It covers an expanse of rolling ground well shaded with old trees, and is excellently kept. “No artificial flowers” warns a sign. Several trash barrels are posted in various places to encourage people to pick up after themselves, a large improvement over some cemeteries, where one can never find a place to deposit winter’s litter for Memorial Day clean up. This is a straight-forward cemetery to find. Take Route 26 … Read more

Adams New York Biographies – Part 1

1864 Map of Adams New York

The following 10 biographical sketches were extracted from the Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y., 1685-1890: William Thomas; Sanford S. Thomas; Peter Doxtater, Sr.; George Doxtater; Westwood, Carmi, Moses, and Jonathan Wright; Lemuel Arms; Luman Arms; Miles Cooper; Saunders B. Chapman; and Titus Bassett.

History of Adams Center, New York

1864 Map of Adams New York

This pleasant village, of 500 inhabitants, is situated on the upper lake ridge, which here forms a plain, three miles north of Adams, and ten miles by railroad from Watertown. The location is very favorable, and, being surrounded by a rich farming country, the place has become noted for its many comfortable homes, substantial business men, and beautiful streets. Settlement in this’ locality was first made in 1816, by Luman and Hiram Arms, who opened a farm just north of the village site. The place was densely timbered with cedar and the hard woods of this section, and clearings were … Read more

Brownville New York Biographies – Part 6

1864 Map of Brownville New York

The following 10 biographical sketches were extracted from the Geographical gazetteer of Jefferson county, N.Y., 1685-1890: Joseph Knowlton, William Brothers, Solomon Gould, Chauncy H. Fay, Col. Solomon Spafford, Daniel Gould, James Bauter, David Kennedy, John Lynch, and Richard Flansburg, Jr.

History of the Village of Antwerp

1888 Birds Eye View of Antwerp NY

The first settlement and improvements upon the site of the present village of Antwerp were made under the direction of General Lewis R. Morris. On the 23d of December, 1804, he had purchased a tract of forty-nine thousand two hundred and eighty acres of land within the present boundaries of the town, comprising more then two-thirds of its entire area, and including the location on which the village stands. It was not until the year 1808 that David Parrish became proprietor of a part of these lands, by purchase from Morris. In the year following his purchase (1805) General Morris … Read more

Jefferson County New York Genealogy

Jefferson County Map 1855

Jefferson County Genealogy is part of the New York American History and Genealogy Project (AHGP). This website features free genealogy and history concerning Jefferson County New York. Biographies, cemeteries, directories, genealogy, history, military records, newspaper records, old homes, and yearbooks.