New York - Chautauqua County

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Chautauqua (Lake) Institution (founded 1874)"

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Ghost Stories of Chautauqua Co.

Map of Chautauqua Co. (1895)

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This county was formed from Genesee, March 11, 1808. It lies upon the shore of Lake Erie, and is the s.w. corner co. of the State. It is centrally distant 288 mi. from Albany, and contains 1,099 sq. mi. The surface is mostly a hilly and rolling upland. A bluff, with a mean elevation of 20 ft., extends along the lake; and from its summit the land spreads out into an undulating region, gradually rising for a distance of 3 or 4 mi. This comparatively level tract is bordered by the declivities of a hilly upland, which occupies the center and s. part of the co. The highest summits are 1,000 to 1,200 feet above Lake Erie and 1,800 to 2,000 ft. above tide. The uplands are broken by several deep valleys, the principal of which are those of Chautauqua Lake and Connewango Creek. The summits of the hills, 4 to 6 mi. s. of the lake shore, from the watershed which divides the waters of Lake Erie from those of Alleghany River. The declivities upon the valleys are in many places too steep for profitable cultivation.

Connewango Creek, flowing along the E. border and receiving Cassadaga Creek and Chautauqua Outlet, is the largest stream in the Co. The other principal streams are Cattaraugus, Silver, Walnut, Canadaway, Little Cattaraugus, and Twenty Mile Creeks, flowing into Lake Erie; French and Little Brocken Straw Creeks, tributaries of Alleghany River; and Prendergast Creek, flowing into Chautauqua Lake. Besides these and their tributaries are numerous smaller streams flowing directly into Lake Erie. Chautauqua Lake is a beautiful sheet of water, 18 mi. long and 1 to 3 mi. wide, occupying a deep valley in the highland region about 10 mi. S.E. of Lake Erie. It is 726 feet above Lake Erie and 1,291 ft. above tide. The hills that surround it are 600 to 800 ft. above its surface. Its outlet forms a branch of Connewango Creek, which latter stream is a tributary of Alleghany River. Several other small lakes are located among the highlands, the principal of which are Bear, Cassadaga, Mud, and Finleys Lakes, all 700 to 900 ft. above Lake Erie.

The rocks of this Co. belong to the Portage and Chemung groups, -- the former occupying the N. half of the co. and the latter the S. half. The summits of the highest hills in the S. are crowned with conglomerate, belonging to the Catskill group and affording the only good building stone in the S. part of the Co. The sandstones of the Portage group are quarried to some extent in the N. part. Lime is obtained in limited quantities from limestone boulders and marl beds. One of the most peculiar geological features of the Co. is the numerous springs of carburetted hydrogen gas found in various localities and especially along the shore of Lake Erie. It comes from the shales of the Portage group, and at various places is turned to profitable account.

The soil upon the uplands is principally clay mixed with disintegrated shale, generally known as flat gravel; and in the valleys it is a fine quality of sandy and gravelly loam mixed with alluvium. Along the lake shore is a strip of productive clay loam. The uplands are arable to their summits, but are generally much better adapted to pasturage than tillage. The various branches of agriculture form the leading pursuits of the people. Stock and wool growing, and dairying, are largely and successfully carried on. Spring grains and fruits are also largely produced.

Manufacturers are few and unimportant and are chiefly confined to the local wants of the people. Commerce -- an important item in the business and wealth of the co. -- is chiefly concentrated at Dunkirk, which is at once an excellent harbor upon the lake and the w. terminus of the Erie R. R. The county seat is located at Mayville, in the town of Chautauqua, at the head of Chautauqua Lake. The courthouse is a fine brick edifice, erected in 1834, at a cost of $11,000. The jail is a brick building, with stone cells, on the opposite side of the street from the courthouse. The clerk's office is a fireproof brick building contiguous to the courthouse.

The poorhouse is located upon a farm of 160 acres, near De Wittville, 3 1/2 mi. S. E. from Mayville. The average number of inmates is 130, supported at a weekly cost of 44 cts. each. A school is taught 6 to 8 months in the year. The buildings are poor and dilapidated and are destitute of proper accommodations and means of ventilation.

The N.Y. & Erie R. R. extends through Hanover and Sheridan and terminates at Dunkirk. This road opens a direct Communication with New York, and, taken in connection with the connecting railroads and vessels upon the lake, is one of the most important of the great thoroughfares between the Atlantic seaboard and the Valley of the Mississippi. The amount of freight carried ever the road is immense; and the business connected with it gives employment to thousands of men. The Buffalo & Erie R. R. extends along the lake through Hanover, Sheridan, Pomfret, Portland, Westfield, and Ripley. This forms another link in the great chain of Western travel, and connects with the Erie R. R. at Dunkirk and with the N.Y. Central at Buffalo. The proposed Erie & New York City R. R. extends through the S. part of the Co., connecting Erie, Penn., with the N.Y. & Erie R. R. at Great Valley.

In 1782 a party of British and Indians, with a train of artillery and other munitions of war, spent the months of June and July around Chautauqua Lake in constructing canoes and making other preparations to navigate Alleghany River in a contemplated attack upon Fort Pitt near Pittsburgh. Their plan was to build a dam across the outlet of the lake and descend the river upon the flood so created. The party finally returned without attempting the project.

The first settlement in the Co. was made at the mouth of Cattaraugus Creek in 1797, by Amos Sottle. Soon after making the first improvements, Sottle left, and returned in 1801, with Mr. Sidney and Capt. Rosecrantz. At the time of the first exploration of the Co. the only Indian settlement was on Connewango Creek, within the limits of the present town of Carroll. In 1802, Gen. Paine, agent for the State of Connecticut, opened a wagon road from Buffalo to Chautauqua Creek, to enable emigrants to reach the Conn. Reserve lands in Ohio. This road was soon after finished to the Penn. line. In 1804 the town of Chautauqua was formed, and embraced the entire territory now included within the limits of the Co. In April of the succeeding year the first town meeting was held, at which John McMahan was elected supervisor, and John McMahan, David Eason, and Perry G. Ellsworth were appointed the first justices of the peace. In 1806 the first mail route was established between Buffalo and Erie, Penn. The lands in the Co. were included in the Holland Purchase. A tract of 60,000 acres in the S. E. part was sold to Levi Beardsley, James O. Morse, and Alvan Stewart. In 1835 the Holland Land Company sold their outstanding contracts and unsold lands to Trumbull Cary & Co., of Batavia; and the new proprietors imposed such conditions upon the extension of contracts that the settlers rose en masse and demolished the land office at Mayville and burned the records in the public highway. In 1838 the interests of the Co. were transferred to Duer, Morrison, & Seward, and the troubles were satisfactorily settled.

ARKWRIGHT-was formed from Pomfret and Villenova, April 30,1829. A part of Pomfret was annexed in 1830. It is an interior town, lying N. E. of the center of the Co. Its surface is an elevated upland, broken and hilly in the S. W., and rolling in the N.E. The highest summit near the center, said to be the highest land in the co. -- is 1,000 to 1,200 ft. above Lake Erie. The principal streams are Canadaway and Walnut Creeks. Mud Lake, on the E. border, covers about 10 acres. The soil is a clay and gravelly loam. Upon Canadaway Creek, in the S. w. part, is a fine cascade with 22 ft. perpendicular fall. Arkwright Summit is a p.o. in the E. part of the town. Arkwright (p.o.) is a hamlet in the N. part. The first settlement was made in the N. W. corner, by Byron T. Orton, Benj. Perry, and Augustus Burnham, from the eastern part of the State, in 1807. The first religious meeting was held at the house of Aaron Wilcox, in 1810, by Rev. John Spencer. The first church (Bap.) was organized by Elder Thos. Grennel, in 1820.

BUSTI-was formed from Ellicott and Harmony, April 16, 1823. A part was annexed to Ellicott in 1845. It lies upon the S. border of the Co., E. of the center. Its surface is hilly and broken. It is drained by several small streams flowing into Chautauqua Lake, which lies along the N. border, and by others flowing E. into Connewango Creek. The soil is a clay and gravelly loam. Busti Corners (Busti p.o.) contains a church, gristmill, and sawmill. Pop. 201. The first settlement was made on Lot 61, in 1810, by John L. Frank, from Herkimer co. The first church (Cong.) was formed Aug. 30,1819; Rev. Lemuel Smith was the first minister.

CARROLL-was formed from Ellicott, March 25, 1825. Kiantone was taken off in 1853. It is the S. E. corner town in the co. Its surface is broken and hilly in the N.E. and E., and rolling in the S. and S.W. The highest summits are 900 ft. above Lake Erie. The principal stream is Connewango Creek, forming part of the w. boundary. The soil is a clay loam in the N. and E., and a gravelly loam in the S. and W. Frewsburgh, (p. v.,) in the N. W. part, contains 2 churches, a gristmill and sawmill. Pop. 400. Fentonville is a p.o. near the S.W. corner. Joseph Akins, from Rensselaer co., the first settler in town, located on Lot 29 in Jan. 1807. There are 2 churches in town; Bap. and M.E.

CHARLOTTE-was formed from Gerry, April 18, 1829. It is an interior town, lying N.E. of the center of the co. The surface is moderately hilly and divided into several ridges by the valleys of the streams. North Hill and Lake Hill, the highest points, are about 1,000 feet above Lake Erie. It is drained by Mill Creek and several tributaries. The soil is chiefly a clay loam. Charlotte Center (p. v.) contains 2 churches, a good water-power with some manufactories, and 10 dwellings; Sinclearville, (Gerry p.o.,) near the S. line, contains 4 churches, 2 grist mills, and 2 sawmills. Pop. 450. The first settlement was made near the center, in 1809, by Robt. W. Seaver and Wm. Divine, from Oneida co. The first religious meeting (Presb.) was held at Sinclearville, in 1811; and the first church (M.E.) was formed in 1816. There are now 6 churches in town.

CHAUTAUQUA-was formed from Batavia, (Genesee co.,) April 11, 1804, and embraced all the territory now included within the limits of Chautauqua co. Pomfret was taken off in 1808, Portland in 1813, Harmony in 1816, and Clymer, Ellery, and Stockton in 1821 It is an interior town, lying a little w. of the center of the co. The surface is elevated and moderately hilly, occupying the watershed between the waters of Chautauqua Lake and those of Lake Erie. Chautauqua Lake is on the E. border, and chiefly within the limits of the town. The soil is a clay loam of good quality. Mayville, (p. v.,) pleasantly located near the head of Chautauqua Lake, was incorp. April 30, 1830; it contains the co. buildings, 3 churches, the Mayville Academy, a news paper office, and a flouring mill. Pop. 501. De Wittville, (p. v.,) in the E. part, contains a church, the co. poorhouse, and 133 inhabitants; Hartfield, (p. v.,) on the lake inlet, contains a church, gristmill, sawmill, and furnace. Pop. 123. Magnolia is a p.o. on the lake, near the S. line. The first settlement was made at Mayville, in 1804, by Dr. Alexander Mclntyre. The first church (Bap.) was formed at Mayville, in 1820, by Elder Wilson.

CHERRY CREEK-was formed from Ellington, May 4, 1829. It lies on the E. border of the co., a little N. of the center. The surface is hilly in the N. W., and rolling in the S.E. Along the S. border are several small swamps. It is drained by Connewango Creek and several tributaries, flowing S. The soil is clay and a gravelly loam. Cherry Creek, (p. v.,) in the S. E. part, contains 3 churches, 2 sawmills, and a gristmill. Pop. 240. The first settlement was made on Lot 15, in 1812, by Joshua Bentley, from Rensselaer co. The first religious services were held at the house of Ward King, in 1817; the Rev. Mr. Hadley (Bap.) was the first preacher.

CLYMER-was formed from Chautauqua, Feb. 9, 1821. Mina was taken off in 1824, and French Creek in 1829. It lies upon the S. border of the Co., w. of the center. The surface is a hilly upland, broken by the valleys of Brocken Straw Creek and its tributaries. The soil is a gravelly loam. Considerable lumber is still manufactured. Clymer, (p. v.,) near the S. W. corner, contains 2 churches and 110 inhabitants. Clymer Center is a p.o. John Cleveland settled on Lot 58 in 1820. The first religious meeting (Bap.) was held at the house of Mr. Cleveland, in 1820, by Elder Powers. The first church (Bap.) was formed in 1830.

ELLERY-was formed from Chautauqua, Feb. 29,1821. A part of Stockton was taken off in 1850. It is the central town in the co. The surface is hilly, the highest summits being about 400 ft. above the valleys and 1,000 ft. above Lake Erie. Chautauqua Lake forms the S. W. boundary, and into it flow several small streams, which form the principal drainage. The soil is a clay loam upon the uplands, and a gravelly loam in the valleys. Ellery Center (p. v.) contains a church and 16 dwellings. Ellery is a p.o. near the shore of the lake. The first settlements were made on the lake by Wm. Bemus and Jeremiah Griffith, from Rensselaer co., in 1806; the former located at Bemus Point, and the latter farther S. The first church (Bap.) was formed in 1809, by Elder Asa Turner, the first minister.

ELLICOTT-was formed from Pomfret, June 1, 1812. A part of Busti was taken off in 1823, Carroll in 1825, and Poland in 1832. A part of Busti was annexed in 1845. It is an interior town, lying S.E. of the center of the co. Its surface is a hilly upland, with a gentle inclination toward the S. W. The foot of Chautauqua Lake extends into the S.W. corner; and the outlet flows E. through the S. part of the town, receiving Cassadaga Creek as a tributary The soil is a sandy and gravelly loam. Jamestown, (p. v.,) located on the outlet of Chautauqua Lake, in the S. part of the town, was incorp. March 6, 1827. It contains 7 churches, the Jamestown Academy, 2 newspaper offices, 2 banks, the office of the Farmers' Insurance Company, 2 woolen factories, 2 furnaces, 2 flouring mills, and various other manufacturing establishments, and an ample water-power. Pop. 1,625. Fluvanna, (p. v.,) at the foot of the lake, near the w. line, contains a church and 14 dwellings. Levant is a p.o., on the E. border, at the junction of Cassadaga Creek with the lake outlet. Dexterville is a hamlet. The first settlement was made on the outlet of Chautauqua Lake, in 1806, by Wm. Wilson. The first church (Cong.) was formed July 6, 1816, by Rev. John Spencer, a missionary preacher from Conn. There are 12 churches in town.

ELLINGTON-was formed from Gerry, April 1, 1824. Cherry Creek was taken off in 1829. It lies upon the E. border of the Co., a little S. of the center. Its surface is an undulating and hilly upland. Clear Creek flows through near the center, and, with its tributaries, forms the principal drainage. Connewango Creek flows through the N.E. corner. The soil is a sandy and gravelly loam. Ellington, (p. v.,) near the center, contains 4 churches, the Ellington Academy, and 2 gristmills. Pop. 487. Clear Creek is a p.o. Jos. Bentley made the first settlement, on Lot 7, in 1814. The first religious services were held at the house of James Bates, in 1817, by Rev. Daniel Hadley. The F. W. Bap. denomination organized the first church.

FRENCH CREEK-was formed from Clymer, April 28, 1829. It is the S.W. corner town of the Co. The surface is hilly and broken by the deep valley of French Creek. The soil is chiefly a heavy clay loam. French Creek is a p.o. in the N. part, and Marvin a p.o. in the S. Andy Nobles, from Oswego Co., made the first settlement, on Lot 44, in 1812.11 The first religious meeting was held on Lot 46, in 1818, by Elder Ashford; and the first church (Bap.) was formed in 1821. There is no church edifice in town.

GERRY-was formed from Pomfret, June 1, 1812. Ellington was taken off in 1824, and Charlotte in 1829. It is an interior town, lying a little E. of the center of the Co. The surface is a hilly upland, the highest summits, in the N.E. corner, being 900 ft. above Lake Erie. It is drained by Cassadaga Creek and its tributaries, Mill Creek, and several smaller streams. The soil is a clay loam upon the uplands, and a sandy loam in the valleys. There are several sulphur springs in town. Upon Lot 44, S. W. of the center of the town, a gas spring has been found; and the owner, James H. Mix, uses the gas for lighting his house. Bucklins Corners, (Vermont p.o.,) in the S. part, contains 23 dwellings. The first settlement was made in 1811, by John Love, Jr. and Stephen Jones, in the N. W. part. The first religious meeting was held in the spring of 1818, by Elder Jonathan Wilson. The first religious association (M. E.) was formed in 1829, and drew the lot appropriated by the Holland Land Company for religious purposes. They erected a church a little w. from the center, the only one now in town.

HANOVER-was formed from Pomfret, June 1,1812. Villenova was taken off in 1823, and a part of Sheridan in 1827. It lies upon Lake Erie, in the N.E. corner of the Co. A part of Cattaraugus Indian Reservation lies in the N.E. part of the town. The surface along the lake is level or undulating, and in the center and S. it is hilly, with an inclination toward the N. Cattaraugus Creek forms a portion of the N. boundary. Silver Creek flows in a N. W. direction through the town into Lake Erie, receiving Walnut Creek at its mouth, and several other tributaries. The soil is clay and gravelly loam. Silver Creek, (p. v. ) upon the lake shore, at the mouth of Silver Creek, was incorp. June 8, 1848 it contains 2 churches, 1 bank, a weekly newspaper office, 2 mills, 2 tanneries, and various other manufacturing' establishments. Pop. 652. Lake vessels were formerly built at this place,-the first by Ira Fairchild in 1816. Irving, (p. v.,) on Cattaraugus Creek, near its entrance into the lake, contains 2 churches, a gristmill, and 2 sawmills. Pop. 404. At the mouth of the creek is a harbor admitting of the entrance of vessels. Smith Mills, (p. v.,) a little S. from the center, contains a flourishing mill, a distillery, and 22 dwellings. Forestville, (p. v.,) in the S.W. part, was incorp April 4, 1849. It contains 2 churches, 2 gristmills, and 2 sawmills. Pop. 540. It is a station on the N.Y. & Erie R.R. Nashville, (p. v.,) in the S.E. part, contains 2 churches and 26 dwellings. Hanover is a hamlet. Amos Cottle settled at the mouth of Cattaraugus Creek in 1797. The first religions meetings (Bap.) were held by Rev. Joy Hardy, in 1811; and the first church (M.E.) was organized in 1816, at Forestville.

HARMONY-was taken from Chautauqua, Feb. 14, 1816. A part of Busti was taken off in 1823. It lies upon the S. border of the Co., a little w. of the center. The surface is a moderately hilly upland, the highest summits being about 900 ft. above Lake Erie. Chautauqua Lake drains the N. E. boundary. It is drained by Goose Creek and several smaller streams, flowing N. into the lake, and by Little Brocken Straw Creek, flowing S. to Penn. The soil is clay, yellow and gravelly loam. Quarries of a fine quality of sandstone for building purposes are found in several localities. AshvilIe (Harmony p. o.) on Goose Creek, near Chautauqua Lake, contains 3 churches, a gristmill and sawmill. Pop. 247. Panama, (p. v.,) upon Little Brocken Straw Creek, near the center, contains 4 churches and 500 inhabitants. Blockville (p. v.) contains 20 dwellings. Stedman is a p.o. in the N. part of the town. The first settlement was made on Lot 43, in 1806, by Reuben Slayton, from Otsego co. The first religions meeting (Bap.) was held in a schoolhouse at Blockville, by Rev. Simon Browers.

KIANTONE-was formed from Carroll, Nov. 16, 1853. It lies upon the S. border of the co., E. of the center. The surface is undulating in the E., and hilly in the w. The highest summits are about 100 ft. above Chautauqua Lake. Connewango Creek forms the greater part of the E. boundary. Kiantone and Stillwater Creeks are the other principal streams. The soil is a clay loam intermixed with gravel. Kiantone (p. v.) contains about 20 dwellings. The first settlement was made on Lot 1, in 1807, by Robt. Russel The first religious meeting was held at the house of Joseph Akins, in 1814, by Rev. Mr. Smith; and the first church (Cong.) was formed in 1815. There are 3 churches in town; Cong., M. E., and Univ.

MINA-was taken from Clymer, March 23,1824. Sherman was taken off in 1832. It is the central town upon the w. border of the Co. Its surface is rolling and hilly. The principal streams are French and several smaller creeks, flowing S. and w. Findleys Lake is a fine sheet of water in the S. W. part. The soil is a clay and gravelly loam. Mina Corners, (Mina p.o.,) a little E. of the center, contains 15 dwellings; and Findley's Lake, (p. v.,) near the outlet of the lake, 20 dwellings. Friends is a p.o. in the S. W. part. The first settlement was made on Lot 52, in 1816, by Alex. Finley, from Penn., originally from Ireland. The first religious services (Ref. Prot. D) were held in the barn of Benj. Hazen, by Rev. Mr. Bradley, in 1826. The first and only church (Ref. Prot. D.) was formed in 1853, and the church edifice was erected in 1857.

POLAND-was formed from Ellicott, April 9,1832. It lies on the E. border of the Co., s. of the center. Its surface is a hilly upland, divided into several distinct ridges. The principal streams are Connewango and Cassadaga Creeks, which form a junction near the S. line. The soil is a clay and sandy loam. Considerable lumber is still manufactured. Falconer, (p. v.,) on Connewango Creek, contains a church, gristmill, sawmill, and 23 dwellings. Poland Center is a p.o. The first settlement was made at Falconer, on the Connewango, in 1805, by Dr. Thos. R. Kennedy, from Meadville, Penn. A church (Union)-the only one in town-is located at Falconer.

POMFRET-was formed from Chautauqua, March 11, 1808. Ellicott, Gerry, and Hanover were taken off in 1812, a part of Sheridan in 1827, and parts of Arkwright in 1829 and '30. It lies upon Lake Erie, a little E. of the center of the Co. A strip of comparatively level land extends along the lake, and the remaining part of the surface is a rolling upland, the higher summits being 700 to 800 ft. above the lake. It is principally drained by Canadaway Creek and several smaller streams flowing into the lake. Several small branches of Cassadaga Creek take their rise in the S. part. The soil is a clay and gravelly loam. Quarries of excellent building stone are found along the lake shore. Dunkirk, (p. v.,) on Lake Erie, was incorp. May 15,1837. It is a commercial port upon the lake, and the w. terminus of the N. Y. & Erie R. R. It has a fine harbor, and commodious wharves and warehouses for the accommodation of the large amount of commerce that centers here during the season of navigation. The R. R. company have also extensive warehouses, work and repair shops, and accommodations for an immense freighting business. The port is the most important one on the lake between Buffalo and Cleveland; and regular lines of steam propellers run in connection with the R. R. The village contains a bank, 4 churches, 2 newspaper offices, a union school, several machine shops and furnaces, and a brewery and distillery. Pop. 4,754. Fredonia, (p. v.,) upon Canadaway Creek, 3 mi. S. of Dunkirk, was incorp. May 2, 1829. It contains 4 churches, the Fredonia Academy, 2 banks., 2 weekly newspapers, 3 flouring mills, 2 furnaces, and various other manufacturing establishments. The celebrated "Fredonia Garden Seeds" are raised and put up at this place. Pop. 2,004. Laona, (p. v.,) on Saw Creek, near the E. border, contains 2 churches, a paper mill, saw and grist mill, and 406 inhabitants. Brigham, in the S. part, is a p.o. Shumla is a hamlet, near the S. E. corner. David Eason and Thomas McClintock, from Penn., settled at Fredonia, in 1804. The first church (Bap.) was organized Oct. 20, 1808, at the house of Judge Cushing.

PORTLAND-was formed from Chautauqua, April 9, 1813. Ripley was taken off in 1817, and a part of Westfield in 1829. It lies upon Lake Erie, a little w. of the center of the Co. Its surface is level along the lake shore, but broken and hilly in the center and W. Its streams are small creeks and brooks flowing into Lake Erie. The soil is a clay and gravelly loam. Centerville, (Portland p. o.,) near the center, contains 2 churches and 233 inhabitants. Salem, (Brockton p.o.,) in the N. E. part, contains 2 churches and 258 inhabitants. The first settlement was made a little w. of the center, by Capt. Jas. Dunn, in 1805. The first religious meeting was held at the house of Capt. Dunn, in 1810, by Rev. John Spencer, who afterward organized the first church (Cong.) in 1817.

RIPLEY-was formed from Portland, March 1,1817. A part of Westfield was taken off in 1829. It lies upon Lake Erie, in the N. W. corner of the Co. Its source is level along the lake shore, and broken and hilly in the S.E. The highest summits are is 800 ft. above the lake. It is drained by Twenty Mile Creek and its tributaries and a large number of small streams flowing into the lake. The soil is a clay and gravelly loam. Along the lake shore are several valuable stone quarries. Quincy, (Ripley p.o.,) about 1 mi. E. of the lake, contains 2 churches and 289 inhabitants. State Line is a station on the B. & E. R. R. Josiah Farnsworth, from the E. part of the State, settled at Quincy in 1804. The first religious services (Bap.) were held at the house of Nathan Wisner, by Rev. Samuel Wisner, in 1806; the first church (Presb.) was formed in 1820.

SHERIDAN-was formed from Pomfret and Hanover, April 16, 1827. It lies upon the shore of Lake Erie, E. of the center of the Co. The surface is level in the N. W., and hilly in the S.E., with a gradual inclination toward the lake. A nearly perpendicular bluff, 50 to 200 ft. high, extends along the lake shore. It is drained by Scotts Creek, and several smaller streams, flowing into Lake Erie. The soil is a clay loam, mixed in some parts with gravel. Sheridan Center (p. v.) contains 2 churches and 20 dwellings. The first settlements were made on Lot 17, at the center, by Francis Webber, from Mass., in 1804. The first religious meeting (Presb.) was held at the house of Orsamus Holmes, by Rev. John Spencer, in 1807 ; and the first church (Presb.) was organized by Mr. Spencer, in 1816.

SHERMAN-was formed from Mina, April 17,1832. It is an interior town, lying S. W. of the center of the Co. The surface is rolling and hilly, broken by the deep ravines of the streams. It is drained by French Creek and its tributaries. The soil is clay and sandy loam. Considerable lumber is manufactured in the town. Sherman, (p. v.,) in the N., contains 4 churches, a gristmill, sawmill, and several manufacturing establishments. Pop. 401. Center Sherman is a p.o. Pleasant Valley and Waits Corners are hamlets. In 1824,10 Alanson Weed settled on Lot 31. The first religious meeting (Bap.) was held at the house of Jonathan Reynolds, by Elder Spencer; and the first church (Cong.) was formed in 1826.

STOCKTON-was formed from Chautauqua, Feb. 9,1821. A part of Ellery was annexed in 1850. It is an interior town, lying a little N. of the center of the Co. Its surface is a rolling and hilly upland. Cassadaga and Bear Lakes, two small bodies of water near the N. border, give rise to Cassadaga and Bear Creeks. These streams unite in the S. part of the town. The soil upon the upland is a clay loam, and in the valleys a sandy loam. Delanti, (Stockton p.o.,) near the center, contains 3 churches, a grist and saw-mill, and 180 inhabitants. Cassadaga, (p. v.,) upon Cassadaga Lake, in the N. E. corner, contains a church, a sawmill, and 151 inhabitants. South Stockton, in the S.E. part, and Oregon, in the S., are p. offices. The first settlement was made in the S. part of the town, in 1810, by Shadrack Scofield, David Waterbury, and Henry Walker, from Saratoga Co. The first church (Bap.) was organized in the S. part, in 1815.

VILLENOVA-was taken from Hanover, Jan. 24, 1823. A part of Arkwright was taken off in 1829. It lies upon the E. border of the Co., N. of the center. Its surface is rolling in the S.E., and broken and hilly in the center and N. The highest summit is 900 ft. above Lake Erie. Two small lakes -- one on the N. and the other on the w. border -- form the sources of the two branches of Connewango Creek, which unite in the s.w. corner. The soil is a clay and gravelly loam. Omar, (Hamlet p.o.,) a little s. w. of the center, contains 2 churches, a grist and saw mill, and 181 inhabitants. Villenova is a p.o. at Connewango Forks, in the S.E. part. The first settlement was made in 1810, on Lot 3, by Daniel Whipple, from Herkimer Co., originally from Mass. The first religious meeting was held by Rev. Mr. Dunham; and the first church (M.E.) was formed in 1812. There are 3 churches in town; M. E., Wes. Meth., and F.W. Bap.

WESTFIELD-was formed from Portland and Ripley, March 19, 1829. It lies upon Lake Erie, w. of the center of the Co. The surface is level or rolling along the lake, and hilly in the center and S. It is drained by Chautauqua and Little Chautauqua Creeks and several smaller streams flowing into the lake. The soil is a clay and gravelly loam. Westfield, (p. v.,) upon Chautauqua Creek, about 2 mi. from the lake, was incorp. April 19, 1833. It contains 4 churches, 2 banks, a weekly newspaper, the Westfield Academy, an agricultural implement factory, a hardware factory, woolen factory, cotton mill, and 3 flouring mills. Pop. 1,433. Barcelona, (p. v.,) a port of entry upon the lake, contains 169 inhabitants. Volusia is a p.o. in the S. part of the town. The first settlement was made in 1801, by Edward McHenry, from Penn. The first church (Presb.) was organized in 1807, by Rev. John Linsley.