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, by J. H. French, Published by Pearsall Smith, Syracuse, N.Y.: 1860; pp. 307-313.

FRANKLIN COUNTY

         This county was formed from Clinton, March 11, 1808, and named in honor of Benjamin Franklin. A small portion was annexed to Essex co. March 22, 1822. It contains an area of 1,718 sq. mi., and is centrally distant 130 mi. from Albany. It lies upon the northern frontier, between St. Lawrence and Clinton counties. Its surface is mostly level in the N., undulating and hill in the center, and broken and mountainous in the S. The Au Sable Mts. occupy the S. E. portions; Mt. Seward, 5,100 feet above tide, is the highest peak. There are several other elevated peaks; but their heights have never been ascertained by actual measurement. The plateau of the central and the valleys of the s. part of the co. have an elevation of about 1,600 feet above tied. The N. W. corner, including the townships of Bombay, Fort Covington, Westville, and portions of Constable and Moira, is underlaid by calciferous sandstone. The soil upon this rock is generally a heavy clay. Next S. of this region is a belt about 8 mi. wide, extending N. E. and S. W., underlaid by Potsdam sandstone. A strip next to the calciferous sandstone, about 4 mi. wide, has a sandy soil, and the remainder a fine fertile loam, mixed with clay. The underlying rock in the central and s. portions of the co. is gneiss; and the soil is of a light, sandy nature, nearly unfit for cultivation. Upon approaching the mountainous region toward the S. the soil becomes more and more sterile, and large tracts are valuable only for their timber and iron ore. Bog iron ore is found in considerable quantities along the line of junction of the calciferous and Potsdam sandstones, and in times past it has been quite extensively used in the manufacture of bar iron.

         The co. is mostly drained by tributaries of the St. Lawrence, the principal of which are the Chateaugay, Salmon, Little Salmon, Deer, St. Regis, and Racket Rivers. The Saranac River flows through the S. E. corner. In the southern wilderness are immense numbers of lakes, some of which are several miles in extent. Their general elevation is about 1,600 feet above tide, and they are so located that slight improvements only are needed to connect them, and to form a communication between the head waters of streams flowing in opposite directions. In the N. part the people are engaged in the various branches of agriculture, the soil yielding a good return in spring grain, and in potatoes. The whole region, however, is best adapted to pasturage, and dairying forms the leading pursuit. In the central and S. parts the people are mostly engaged in lumbering. The manufacture of starch has become an important business within the last few years.[1]

The principal work of internal improvement in the co. is the Ogdensburgh R. R., (formerly Northern R.R.,) extending through Moira, Bangor, Malone, Burke, and Chateaugay. This road was completed in 1850, and has been of immense value to the co., though a total loss to the stockholders. Steamboats from the St. Lawrence land regularly at Fort Covington, and occasionally at Hogansburgh, during the summer. The Salmon River has been improved for log navigation, and a portion of the Au Sable improvement is within the limits of the co.

         The co. seat is located in Malone Village. [2] A courthouse and jail, in one building, was erected on the w. bank of Salmon River in 1811-13, and a new stone jail in 1852.[3] The co. poorhouse is located upon a farm of 110 acres, 2 mi. S.W. of the village. It was built in 1826, at a cost of $1,200 and has since been burnt and rebuilt. There are two newspapers in the co., both published at Malone.[4]

         A tract of 10 mil. by 40, on the E. side of this co., formed a part of the old Military Tract[5], a portion in the N.W. corner, of 24,000 acres, was reserved by the St. Regis Indians[6], and the remainder of the co. was included in Great Tract No. 1 of the Macomb Purchase[7]. Wm. Constable, agent and part owner of the last mentioned trace, and the executors of his estate, sold the northern part, and actively assisted in promoting settlement.[8]

         The earliest settlement in the co. was made at St. Regis, by a colony of Indians from Caughwaga, on Lake St. Louis[9], and from Oswegatchie, under Father Anthony Gordon, a Jesuit, about 1760. They are now known as St. Regis Indians, and number about 1,000, of whom 420 reside in this co., and the remainder on the N. side of the national boundary, which passes through the village.[10] During the Revolution a portion of the Indians joined the Americans; and Louis Cook, one of their number, received a colonel's commission from Gen. Washington. In the war of 1812 a part of the tribe joined the British and a part the Americans; and they are thus historically divided into British and American parties.[11] This tribe is gradually increasing in numbers, although, from their filthy habits, they are frequent sufferers from virulent epidemic diseases. They are mostly Catholics, -- a Catholic mission being supported among them. A few profess to be Methodists.[12] Two schools are sustained by the State, though they are thinly attended, and apparently of little benefit. The first white settlements were made in Chateaugay in 1796, and in other towns in the tow northern ranges in 1800-02, by emigrants from Vermont. At the commencement of the war of 1812 the population of the co. numbered about 2,500. In 1813-14 it became the seat of important military events, in the abortive attempt to invade Canada. Upon the withdrawal of the troops from French Mills in Feb. 1814, the co. was overrun by the enemy, who visited Chateaugay, Malone, and Hopkinton, and seized a considerable amount of military stores.[13] In 1832, the cholera appeared at St. Regis, spreading a panic throughout the whole region. Since the completion of the R. R., systemic efforts have been successfully  made to bring into market the valuable timer in the central and southern parts of the co.

BANGOR[14] -- was formed from Dickinson, June 15, 1812. Brandon was taken off in 1828. It is an interior town, lying N.W. of the center of the co. Its surface is gently undulating, with a general northerly inclination. The principal streams are the Little Salmon and Deer Rivers. The underlying rock is Potsdam sandstone, appearing only in the valley s of the streams. The soil is sandy in the N. and a clay and loam in the S. South Bangor, (Bangor p. o., ) North Bangor, (p. o.,) and West Bangor, (p.o.,) are small villages. The first settlement was made in 1806, and the town was rapidly settled along the Central Road and St. Lawrence Turnpike. Religious meetings were first held by Alexander Proudfit, in 1808. A Cong, society was formed at N. Bangor at a very early period.[15]

BELLMONT[16]-- was formed from Chateaugay, March 25, 1833. Franklin was taken off in 1836. It occupies a wild, rocky region on the E. border of the co., N. of the center, and has a general inclination toward the N. The Owls Head is a prominent elevation upon its W. border. Its streams are Chateaugay, Trout, and Little Trout Rivers, and the E. branch of Salmon River. Among the hills are several beautiful lakes, the principal of which are Lower Chateaugay and Ragged Lakes, and Ingraham and Round Ponds. A considerable portion of the town is unfit for agricultural purposes, and valuable only for its timber. The settlements are chiefly confined to the vicinity of an E. and W. road extending through the N. part. [17] Chateaugay Lake is a p. o. in the N. E. part. There is a Presb. society in town, formed from the church at Malone.

BOMBAY[18]--was formed from Fort Covington, March 30, 1833. It lies in the N.W. corner of the co., and one corner borders upon the St. Lawrence. The surface is generally level, and the soil is sandy in the S. and a deep, fertile, clayey loam in the N. The principal streams are the Racket, St. Regis, and Little Salmon Rivers, and Pike Creek. The St. Regis is navigable to Hogansburgh, at which place is a good water power.[19] Hogansburgh[20] (p.v) lies at the head of navigation on the St. Regis River, 2 mi. from its mouth. Pop. 250. St. Regis is an Indian village, in the Indian Reservation,[21] lying mostly in Canada. Pop. In this co. 200. Bombay Corners (Bombay p.o.) and South Bombay are hamlets. The first improvement was made in 1811, by Michael Hogan, who had acquired the title to Township No. 1 of Macomb's Purchase.[22] In 1818, Hogansburgh was laid out as a village and considerable improvements were made. In the same year a road was laid out across the Indian Reservation to Fort Covington. The title to the township passed from Hogan to Robert Oliver, of Baltimore. In 1822, settlers began to arrive quite rapidly, and in two or three years most of the land not covered by the Reservation was taken up. There are 3 churches in town; 2 M. E. and R. C. A Prot. E. church was also commenced some years since, but is not yet finished.

BRANDON[23]--was formed from Bangor, Jan. 23, 1828. It lies W. of the center of the co., and embraces a territory 6 to 8 mi. wide and 47 mi. long, extending to the S. border of the co. The N part is moderately hilly, and has a general inclination toward the N; the S. part is broken and mountainous, and mostly unfit for cultivation. The principal streams are the Little Salmon, Deer, F. Branch of the St. Regis, and Racket Rivers, all flowing across the town in a N. W. direction. A great number of lakes and ponds lie among the mountains in the central and southern parts. The waters of the Saranac Lake and Stony Creek Pond are separated only by a narrow strip of land, forming the only portage for canoes between Lake Champlain and the Racket River. The soil is generally light and sandy and poorly adapted to cultivation. Along the river courses and borders of the lakes the soil may be cultivated at some future period. The settlements are confined to the extreme N. border. Within the past few years the lumber trade has received considerable attention here, and large numbers of pine logs have been floated down the Racket River. The first settlement was made in 1820.[24] There is no village, p. o., or church in town.

BURKE[25]--was formed from Chateaugay, April 26, 1844. It lies on the N. border of the co., E. of the center. Its surface is undulating and has a general inclination toward the N. It is watered by Trout and Little Trout Rivers. A swamp extends along the N. border. The soil is clay, sand, and loam. Burke (p. o) is a hamlet on Little Trout River. Burke Hollow, (Andrusville p. o.) is a small village on the 0. R. R. North Burke is a p. o. The first settlement was made in 1796-98, by Jehial Barnum, Noah Lee, and others. There are 3 churches in town.[26]

CHATEAUGAY[27]--was formed from Champlain, March 15, 1799. "Harrison" (now Malone) was taken off in 1805, Bellmont in 1833, and Burke in 1844. A part was annexed to Jay, (Essex co.,) in 1822. The surface is rolling, with a northerly inclination. The principal streams are the Chateaugay River and its branches. The river has worn a deep channel through the drift deposits and Potsdam sandstone, forming a wild and peculiar feature in the landscape.[28] Half a mi. E. of the village of Chateaugay is an intermitting spring, rising from the sand, sometimes flowing in sufficient quantities to carry a mill, and at others perfectly dry. It has no regular periods of intermission, sometimes flowing steadily one or two years, and again only a few weeks. Bubbles of nitrogen gas are emitted with the water. There is a constant gas spring 1 mi. N. 5. of this. The soil is a clayey loam interspersed with clay. Chateaugay[29] (p. v.) lies on the plain, a little E. of the deep, narrow valley of the Chateaugay River.[30] Pop. 360. The first settlement was commenced in 1796, at the village, and was the first in the co.[31] Within the next five years many families came in from Vermont. In 1812 a blockhouse was built for protection against invasions by the enemy. In the fall of 1813, Gen. Hampton was encamped here for several weeks, with a force designed to co-operate with Gen. Wilkinson in the invasion of Canada; but late in Nov., he returned to Plattsburgh without accomplishing his object. In the spring of 1814 the enemy invaded the place, pressed teams, and took away a considerable amount of provisions left by the American army. There are 4 churches in town.[32]

CONSTABLE[33]--was formed from "Harrison," (now Malone,) March 13, 1807. Fort Covington was taken off in 1817, and Westville in 1829. The surface is rolling, with a northerly inclination. The streams are Trout River and its tributary Little Trout River. The soil is principally a light, sandy loam. A strip of sand lies along the S. border, and of swamp along the N. Constable (W. Constable p. o.) is a small village upon Trout River. Trout River (p. o.) is a hamlet near the N. line, and East Constable is a p. o. The first settlement was commenced near the S. line, in 1800.[34] The first church (Presb., organized as Cong.) was formed in 1817."[35]

DICKINSON[36]--was formed from "Harrison," (now Malone,) April 4, 1808. Bangor was taken off in 1812, and Moira in 1828. It lies on the W. border of the co., and is 47 mi. in length. The N. part is rolling and hilly, and has a soil of sandy loam of good quality; the central and S. parts are mostly sterile and rocky mountain regions. It is watered by the same streams as Brandon, and among the hills are great numbers of small lakes. Dickinson (p. o.) is on the St. Lawrence Turnpike. East Dickinson and Dickinson Center are p. offices. Thomasville is a small settlement on Deer River, founded by John Thomas in 1839. The principal settlements are in the N. part.[37] There are in town 2 churches; M. E. and F. W. Bap.

DUANE[38]---was formed from Malone, Jan. 24, 1828. Harrietstown was taken off in 1841. Brighton was taken off in 1858. It is an interior town, lying S. E. of the center of the co. Its surface is broken and mountainous, and the soil is light and sandy. Much the greater part of the town is unfit for cultivation. The principal streams are the Deer River and the a. branch of St. Regis River. Magnetic iron ore has been found in considerable quantities. There is no village in town. Duane is a p. o. Jas. Duane, of Schenectady, son-in-law of Wm. Constable, acquired by marriage the title to this town, and began settlement here in 1823-24. A forge was built in 1828, and a high furnace in 1838, both of which were run a few years and supplied with ore found in the town.[39] After making about 600 tons of iron, the works were abandoned, with the loss of the entire capital invested in them. There is but one church (M. B.) in town.

FORT COVINGTON[40]--was formed from Constable, Feb. 28, 1817. Bombay was taken off in 1833. It lies on the N. border of the co, W. of the center. Its surface is level, or gently undulating. Salmon River, the principal stream, is navigable to Fort Covington Village. The soil in the N. is a rich, clayey loam, and in the S. a light, sandy loam. Fort Covington[41] (p. v.) is situated in the N. W. part of the town, upon Salmon River. Pop. 894. The first settlements were made by French families, about 1796, around "French Mills." Settlers from Vt. began to arrive about 1800.[42] Much of the timber near Salmon River was stolen before this, and sold in the Montreal market. Soon after the battle of Cryslers Field the American army passed up Salmon River and took up winter quarters at "French Mills."[43] In Feb. the place was evacuated,[44] and immediately taken possession of by the enemy.[45] The Fort Covington Academy, incorp. April 21, 1831, has been changed to a district school. The census reports 4 churches.[46]

FRANKLIN[47]--was formed from Bellmont, May 20, 1836. It lies on the E. border of the co., S. of the center. Its surface is broken and mountainous, and it has an elevation of 1200 to 2000 feet above tide. The principal streams are the Saranac, which flows across the S. E. corner, and the head branches of the Salmon River. Among the mountains are numerous ponds and lakes. The soil is sandy, and scarcely fit for agricultural purposes, except along the streams. Iron ore abounds, and has been worked to some extent. The settlements are mostly confined to the S. E. corner, and the people are chiefly engaged in lumbering. The old Port Kent and Hopkinton Road passes diagonally through the town, and a plank road extends from Franklin Falls to Keeseville. Franklin Falls[48] (p.v.) contains 12 houses, and Vermontville 20. Alder Brook and Merrillsville are p. offices. The first settlement was made at Franklin Falls, in 1827, at which time a forge and sawmill were erected."[49] In town are 5 large gang sawmills, and several small manufactories of buckskin leather, mittens and gloves. There are 2 churches in town, M. E. and R. C.

HARRIETSTOWN[50]--was formed from Duane, March 19,1841. It is the S. a. corner town of the co. Its surface is very rocky and mountainous, and its soil alight, sandy loam, generally unfit for cultivation. Mt. Seward lies along the S. border.[51] It is the least populous and wealthy town in the co. It is principally drained by the Saranac. Among the mountains are a great number of small lakes, the principal of which are the Lower Saranac, Big Clear, and St. Regis. There are no villages or churches in town. Saranac Lake, on the line of Essex cc., is a p. o. The first settlers located on the North West Bay Road, about 1812.[52]

MALONE[53]--was formed from Chateaugay, March 2, 1805, as "Harrison." The name was changed to "Ezraville," April 5, 1808, and to Malone, June 10, 1812. Constable was taken off in 1807, Dickinson in 1808, and Duane in 1828. It is an interior town, lying N. of the geographical center of the co. and S. of the center of population. Its surface is level in the N. and broken and hilly in the S. The principal stream is the Salmon River, which flows northerly through the town in a deep valley worn by its waters, and nearly its whole course in town is a succession of rapids and cascades. Along the N. border are extensive pine plains. The soil in the N., where not covered by light drift deposits, is fertile and well improved, but in the s. it is sandy and unproductive. An iron ore, from which a paint resembling sienna is manufactured, has been discovered in the S. part. Potsdam sandstone, of an excellent quality for building, has been extensively quarried near the village. Malone,[54](p. Y.,) the co. seat, and the only incorp. village in the co., is pleasantly situated on Salmon River. Pop. 1993. It is the seat of the Franklin Academy,[55] and is the most important intermediate station upon the Ogdensburgh R. R.[56] The village is supplied with spring water by an incorp. company.[57] Titusville (p. o.) is a small village at the Great Falls, on Salmon River in the S. part of the town.[58] The first settlements were made near Malone Village, about the beginning of the present century, by emigrants from Vt.[59] An arsenal was built at the village in 1812, and sold in 1850.[60] In 1813-14 the place was visited and plundered by the British. The first church (Cong.) was formed in 1806-07, by Ebenozer Hibbard and Amos Pettengill. Rev. Ashbel Parmelee was the first pastor, and the first settled minister in the co.[61]

MOIRA[62]--was formed from Dickinson, April 15, 1828. It lies on the W. border of the co., N. of the center. The surface is generally level, with a slight inclination toward the N. The principal streams are Little Salmon River and Lawrence Brook. The soil is a sandy loam, generally fertile. Moira Corners (Moira p.  o.) is a small village near the center. Brushs Mills,[63] (p. o.,) on Little Salmon River, is an important wooding station on the R. R. This town fell to the share of Gilchrist and Fowler, upon apportionment, and was first settled by Appleton Foote, as agent, in 1803.[64] Luther Bradish," Robert Watts, and Peter Kean afterward became the owners respectively of the x., middle, and s. thirds of the town. There are 3 churches in town[65]

WESTVILLE[66]--was formed from Constable, April 25, 1829. It lies near the center of the N. border of the co. The surface is nearly level, with a slight inclination toward the N. It is drained by Salmon River, upon which are several falls, affording a good supply of water power. The soil is a fertile, clayey loam. Bog iron ore, found on the s. border, has been used to some extent in forges in the town. A sulphur spring, of some local notoriety, lies near the center of the N. border. Westville (W. Constable p. o.) is a small village on Salmon River. This town was held by the Constable family; and for many years Wm. Bailey, of Chateaugay, and Albon Mann, were agents. In 1822 the unsold portions were sold to Edward Ellice, of London. The first settlements commenced about 1800, by emigrants from Vt.[67] There are 4 churches in town.[68]

BRIGHTON--was formed from Duane, Nov. ___, 1858. It embraces Township 18 and the S. half of Township 15 of Great Township No. 1 of Macomb's Purchase. The settlements are chiefly in the E. part. The inhabitants are mostly engaged in lumbering. There is no village or p. o. in town. (This town was formed after the remainder of the letter-press of this co. was stereotyped; and hence it is inserted in this place.)