Other St. Lawrence County, NY News Items from Pre-1850 Newspapers
Vital Record Items To See a Source citation, click on the Source # -- To see the Introduction to this document, click on the "Intro" link. Intro Index to Hidden Names
SUBJECT CITATION SOURCE PUBLICATION DATE
a fine buck Joseph McNaughton of Ogdensburg shot a six year old buck at the Eel Weir rapids of the Oswegatchie on Nov. 22, 1847. He had been seen for years, and shot at and chased by dogs, but had survived until now 11 Nov. 23, 1847
abandoned infant the Canton Democrat carried a story saying a woman abandoned a 2 week old infant in the weeds near the County Poor House.  She was apparently from Kingston, Ont., had 8 kids, no husband and a sister in the Poor House 11 Aug. 6, 1833
Annis, Nancy (Mrs.) "has eloped from my bed and board ….etc" Signed Charles Annis of Parishville, Oct. 20, 1829 13 Nov. 5, 1829
another tavern burns Henry Dart's tavern in West Potsdam, occupied by J. Bowker, burned Mar. 27, 1847 11 Mar. 30, 1847
Armstrong, Alexander a barn was raised on his farm in Lisbon Jul. 20, 1829 without the use of one drop of liquor 10 Jul. 28, 1829
arson in Oswegatchie Colen McLaren's barns and outbuildings burned Oct. 31, 1847 in the part of Oswegatchie that borders Morristown. He is a poor elderly man and is now destitute.  It appears that it was arson as no member of the family had been in the barn 11 Nov. 2, 1847
artificial legs Richard Lyman, formerly of Madrid but now of Clark, New Castle Dist. Ontario is ready to furnish artificial legs on short notice, containing all the joints necessary for ease in sitting and standing 11 Sep. 25, 1849
Asa Sprague's pension there was something of a commotion when Asa Sprague of DeKalb applied for, and received, a pension for his War of 1812 service.  The Republican defends him against the Sentinel newspaper's hints of impropriety.  Apparently, he had gotten sick while in the militia and never quite recovered, but did not apply for the pension until the 1840's 11 Oct. 13, 1846
Assistant Surgeon for the US Navy Dr. H. O. Mayo, for several years an Ogdensburg resident, has been appointed Assistant Surgeon for the US Navy.  He left Ogdensburg Apr. 29, 1846 for Boston, where he will take his post on the USS United States which is fitting out for a cruise to the coast of Africa.  He returned to Ogdensburg and held a re-union with his old friends in April, 1849 11 May 5, 1846 & May 1, 1849
baby found by road a farmer who lives about a mile from Canton found a baby boy about 2 mos. old lying by the side of the woods near the highway. He was smart and healthy and has been placed in comfortable quarters. It is assumed that the mother was hidden nearby watching for his safety. 11 May 17, 1842
Baldwin, Benjamin his farm in Potsdam burned down Jan. 9, 1845.  It was occupied by Jacob Baum Jr., who lost everything 11 Jan. 14, 1845
bankruptcies 1842 the following were listed as going bankrupt before Judge Conkling of the Northern District of the US Court:  Samuel Archibald, Francis Melhinch, and Whitman B. Haskin all of Ogdensburg, plus John Elliott of Oswegatchie 11 Mar. 22, 1842
Barber, Alvin "having been instigated by his wicked and corrupt brother, has forsaken my dwelling and left me with 2 little children without any visible means of support….." signed Catherine Barber of Canton 13 Aug. 30, 1829
Barber, Catherine Notice:  whereas Catherine my wife has for a long time conducted in such improper manner (sic) and has left my bed and board, without my consent …..etc.  signed Alvin Barber 13 Jul. 9, 1829
Barhydt, David P. Mr. Barhydt, a former resident of Ogdensburg, now lives in NYC and has written a book on Industrial Exchanges 11 Apr. 17, 1849.
Barnes, Edward a coroner's inquest was held concerning his death as reported in the Canton Advertiser Oct. 15, 1829. (he may have died as a result of being punched by Albert White) 10 Oct. 20, 1829
Batts, James residing in Canton, formerly of Ireland, requests information about his brother John Batts, last heard from in Prescott, Ont. 13 Feb. 25, 1830
beet this! Mr. Arthur McCoy of Ogdensburg grew a beet measuring 31 inches in circumference, 19 inches long and weighing 17.5 lbs.  Mr. McCoy does not put this out as a bragger, but rather as a feeler 11 Jan. 21, 1845
Bell brothers information Mrs. Mary Graham, of Oxford Township in Ontario is seeking information on her two brothers Thomas and Edward Bell.  They were from Fahan in Co. Donegal, Ireland and are supposed to be on the Ohio River 11 Sep. 17, 1844
Bell, Bela Jr. son of Capt. Bela Bell of Depeyster was injured Apr. 21, 1829.  He was chopping wood and heard a noise, when he looked up he was struck across the mouth by a 10 ft long 5 inch diameter limb. He is said to be shockingly mutilated 10 Apr. 28, 1829
Bicknell, Zebina (Mrs.) Mrs. Zebina Bicknell of Stockholm was injured when her husband put a pound and a half of gun powder in the oven to dry and went to bed.  She did not know it was there and a brick struck her arm when it went off (from the St. Lawrence Republican of Oct. 2, 1827) 10 Oct. 23, 1827
Blake, General we hear that Gen. Blake of Norfolk has been invitedby Gen. Scott to join a government exploring expedition to Oregon 1 May 14, 1845
Boynton, Charles the Northern Freeman is a new newspaper to be published in Madrid by Charles Boynton 8 Jul. 18, 1848
breach in the bank of the Oswegatchie the high water in the Oswegatchie has caused a breach in the bank near the east end of the dam, and had progressed so far by Apr. 7 as to take away part of D.C. Judson's fence, and almost to the house of Robert Weatherhead. 11 Apr. 10, 1849
bridge collapses in Canton the eastern section of the bridge connecting the island in the DeGrasse River with the mainland was swept away Jan. 11, 1843 by  freshet caused by the late thaw and heavy rains 11 Jan. 17, 1843
Buchannan, Robert a coroner's inquest was held in Ft. Covington Nov. 1, 1829 concerning the death of Robert Buchannan.  He was found dead on the road between his house and Ft. Covington.  The verdict:  he died by an act of God.  He was from Sterlingshire, Scotland and left a wife and family 10 Nov. 24, 1829
Buchannan, Thomas formerly of Ogdensburg, was a Baptist missionary in Bassa Cove West Africa in 1836 11 Sep. 13, 1836
California bound! Mr. F.B. Hitchcock starts for California Feb. 28, 1849. He was formerly a partner in the St. Lawrence Republican.  Although people in Ogdensburg will miss him, the game birds and deer will not, as he was an avid hunter.  Other members of his party according to a list in the Mar. 20 edition: E.W. Hopkins, Dr. F.W. Hopkins, James Simpson, Charles Worden, Nathaniel McCaffrey, Edwin Rees, Stebbins Andrews, Mr. Bosworth and James Beckwith.  From Franklin Co. we find E.L. Winslow and B.W. Clark and others 11 Feb. 27, 1849 & Mar. 20, 1849
Canadian soldier drowns a soldier from the garrison at Prescott, Ont. drowned Jan. 13, 1849.  He was returning across the ice late at night and fell through a hole in the ice 11 Jan. 19, 1849
Canton Democrat a new paper is announced called the Canton Democrat 11 June 25, 1833
Casey, Robert "Robert Casey, a soldier of 1812 will learn something to his advantage if he comes to the office of Gillette and Myers (in Ogdensburg) 11 Jul. 3, 1838
Catholic services Rev. (James?) Kelly, Roman Catholic pastor of St. James Church in Carthage and of its northern dependencies, announces he will celebrate Mass next Sunday at the school house in Ogdensburg opposite Mr. Gilbert's 10 May 23, 1826
Catholic temperance some members of the Ogdensburg Catholic Total Abstinence Society in July 1843 were Fr. J. C. Mackey, President, William O'Brien Vice President, plus Nicholas Cavanaugh, Matthew Murphy, Edward Dempsey, Thomas Gardiner, Michael Leonard, Joseph Delaney and Cornelius O'Leary 11 Jul. 18, 1843
cemetery in Ogdensburg the committee appointed to locate a suitable ground for a cemetery made its report to the public on June 26, 1843 at the Town Hall 11 June 27, 1843
Charles Dickens passes through Charles Dickens passed through Ogdensburg on his way to Montreal on May 10, 1842, aboard the steamer "Gildersleeve" 11 May 17, 1842
Christie, Nathan adopted a girl named Betsey Brownson (daughter of Asa and Betsey Brownson) who died in Parishville May 1, 1843  1 June 1, 1843
Circuit Court and Court of Oyer and Terminer 1839 Thomas Woonien, an Indian, was sentenced to 2 years for breaking and entering the grocery store of Frederick C. Powell in Potsdam Feb. 2, 1839 11 Feb. 19, 1839.
Circuit Court and Court of Oyer and Terminer and general jail delivery Feb. 1844 David C. Gray was the crier for the court and Dorus Pettibone of Stockholm was the jury foreman. Alexander McDonell was convicted of getting drunk and stabbing his wife several times with a butcher knife.  He was given 10 years in Auburn.  A man named Sweet was given 2 years for stealing a horse 11 Feb. 13, 1844
Circuit Court and Court of Oyer and Terminer Feb. 1843 John Kane was convicted of rape and got 10 years in the state prison 11 Feb. 14, 1843
Circuit Court and Court of Oyer and Terminer Jul. 1843 John C. Cook was sentenced to 2 years in state prison for stealing a horse from Massena a year ago.  John Ford was also convicted of grand larceny and got 2 years for stealing the pocket watch of Alpheus Wright of Heuvelton. 11 Jul. 18, 1843
Clarkson, Thomas Henry his father, George Clarkson of Ogdensburg, has warned everyone not to harbor his son who is still a minor but has left home 11 Aug. 28, 1849
conflagration in Ogdensburg much of downtown Ogdensburg was destroyed in a fire Apr. 16, 1839 which started in barns attached to the former Ogdensburg Hotel. Most of the buidings in the area of Ford, State and Isabela streets were damaged or destroyed 11 Apr. 23, 1839
Cooper, Michael is a runaway apprentice ae 18, 5 ft 6 in tall, stout, squint eyed, speaks French and English.  He was headed for Utica. There is a reward of 6 cents offered by his master Alexander Miller, Gouverneur 10 Aug. 11, 1818
coopers on strike Haskel & Co, millers in Ogdensburg cut the price they would give for the manufacture of barrels.  At this, the coopers in their employ promptly walked off the job.  When the price was raised back to its original level, they returned to work 11 Apr. 26, 1842
corpse found at Norfolk boys who were swimming found the body of a man, assumed to be an Irishman, in the river opposite Norfolk.  It was partly under floatwood, about 2 feet from the shore and was so decomposed it could not be identified. His clothes were a checkered frock, plaid vest, full-cloth pants, and a pair of coarse-fine boots.  He was buried in the Norfolk cemetery 11 Jul. 17, 1849
costly fire in DeKalb Jonathan Powell's barn in DeKalb was destroyed by fire Dec. 10, 1846.  The cause is suspicious, as none of the family had been in the barn with a light or fire of any kind.(much more detail in the article) 11 Dec. 22, 1846
Cotton, Betsey Ann (Mrs.) whereas my wife has left my bed and board …etc.  signed West Cotton, South Edwards, Apr. 13, 1849 11 Apr. 17, 1849.
County Court Jan. 1830 Job Elliott of Barnhart Is. was sentenced to 7 yrs hard labor at Sing Sing for perjury.  William Allen got the same sentence for burglary 10 Feb. 9, 1830
County Court July 1829 Ebenezer Hale, ae 12 or 13 was sentenced to 3 yrs and a day at Auburn Prison for house arson.  Thomas Edwards got 5 years hard labor for his second conviction for petit larceny 10 Jul. 21, 1829
County Court June 9, 1829 Hiram Simms got 4 years hard labor in the state prison for petit larceny, and John Richardson got 3 years for the same crime, second offense 10 June 9, 1829.
County Court May 1835 Leonard Collins and John Belware were sentenced to 3 years hard labor for grand larceny. John McGuire got 2 yrs for the same offense. Greene Plumb was acquitted on account of insanity and sent to the County Poor House 11 May 26, 1835
Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions Dec. 1839 John Doucette was convicted of petit larceny for stealing some suspenders from the store of H. T. Bacon and got 3 years in the state prison.  Hiram Billings was found guilty of stealing 2 shirts, and may have already done time for burning down a building in Ogdensburg.  He was sentenced to 3 years in Auburn prison.  Ebenezer Perkins was found guilty of assault and battery with intent to kill Hiram Knapp and got 5 years in Auburn.  Gideon Olin was convicted of passing counterfeits and got 5 years in prison 11 Dec. 24, 1839
Court of Common Pleas and General Sessions June 1827 Newberry Fisher was indicted for having counterfeits and intending to pass them.  His case was put off till the July court.  John Brown was indicted for grand larceny, pleaded guilty and was given 5 years hard labor in Auburn.  Angel L. McAllister was indicted for perjury and the trial was put off until the July Oyer and Terminer.  Ebenezer D. Smith, who has not been arrested yet, was indicted for assault and battery.  James Stirling, who was convicted last term of riot committed with others, was given a $30 fine and put in jail until it is paid. William McNeill was found not guilty of perjury 10 June 12, 1827
Court of Common Pleas Apr. 1844 Jonathan Heaton was the foreman of the Grand Jury.  William Tees was convicted of obtaining goods under false pretenses and Judge Fine decided to make an example of him as this was the first instance of this crime in SLC.  He was sentenced to 2 years hard labor at Auburn Prison 11 Apr. 23, 1844
Court of Common Pleas Dec. 1838 Smith Bunner of Russell was convicted of 3rd degree manslaughter for the death of Stephen Jackson. On Nov. 30, 1838, Bunner went to Samuel Moore's tavern and got drunk. When the tavern keeper would not sell him another drink, he drew a loaded rifle and struck it on the bar hard enough that it went off.  The ball went right through Jackson, and Bunner got 3 years at Auburn prison 11 Dec. 25, 1838
Court of Common Pleas Dec. 1841 Joseph LeDoux was given 2 and a half years hard labor at Auburn for stealing a horse belonging to George Ranney of Ogdensburg.   11 Dec. 28, 1841
Court of Common Pleas Dec. 1842 Daniel Adams was sentenced to 2 years at Auburn for grand larceny.  He stole a quantity of hats, caps etc from the Ogdensburg store of E. W. Benedict, for whom he worked.  Samuel Hand was also sentenced 2 years for grand larceny for stealing a horse near Cornwall.  Stephen Chatterton was convicted of stealing money from Mark Smith, a German pedlar, at the Eagle Hotel in Ogdensburg.  He was sentenced to 2 years in Auburn prison.  Edward Sharp got 2 years for his second conviction of petit larceny.  Sylvester McNeill was sentenced to 6 mos. in the county jail plus $150 fine for girdling the fruit trees of James Geekie of Ogdensburg 11 Dec. 27, 1842
Court of Common Pleas Dec. 1843 Harry Chambers got 5 years for passing counterfeits.Edward Freeman plead guilty to assault and battery on J. G. McCormick of Oak Point (Hammond) and was sentenced to 4 mos. in County Jail. Stephen McGary plead guilty to assault and battery on a constable and was also convicted of petit larceny, sentenced to 2 mos in the County Jail. Stephen Gray got 2 years at Auburn for his second offense of petit larceny 11 Dec. 26, 1843
Court of Common Pleas Dec. 1844 a man named Glasby was sentenced to Auburn prison for forgery 11 Dec. 24, 1844
Court of Common Pleas Dec. 1846 John Woodward of Norfolk was the jury foreman.  Thomas Clark and Marcus C. Woodworth were convicted of 2nd degree burglary and sentenced to 5 years in Clinton prison 11 Dec. 22, 1846
Court of Common Pleas May 1838 Robert H. Jones convicted of petit larceny and sentenced to 2 yrs in prison 11 May 22, 1838
Court of Common Pleas May 1839 Pat Riley fined $10 for riot.  Simon P. Harmon was indicted for passing counterfeits, pleaded not guilty so was bound over to the next Oyer and Terminer.  Mary Ann Gurlack set free on a charge of petit larceny for lack of evidence.  Garrett B. Hicks "had the impudence and hardihood" to plead not guilty to burglary and arson.  So a witness was called, and other evidence presented, plus his confession was read.  He got 7 years in Auburn prison 11 May 28, 1839
Court of Common Pleas May 1843 John L. Overocker was sentenced to 2 years at Auburn for obtaining goods under false pretenses.  James Parker, ae 21 from Brownville in Jefferson Co. was sentenced to 2 years in the state prison for grand larceny.  Thomas Dowdall, a boy under the age of 16 plead guilty to grand larceny and was sentenced to the House of Refuge in NYC.  William C. Powers was sentenced to 15 days in the county jail for petit larceny.  O'Shea Fairbanks was convicted of assault and battery on his son and committed to the county jail for 4 months 11 May 23, 1843
Court of Common Pleas Sep. 15, 1835 convicted for riot: Alan Dawson ($50) Patrick Farley ($20) James Parker (30 days in jail).  Convicted of grand larceny William Johnson (alias William Smith, 5 yrs at Auburn) George Madison (3 yrs) Clark Norton (2 yrs).  Convicted of burglary: Peter Minett and John Carpenter (both got 3 yrs) 11 Sep. 22, 1835
Court of Common Pleas Sep. 1837 Andrew Lyon fined $50 for keeping a gambling shop. Daniel Buck fined $20 for keeping a gaming house.  Daniel Magone got 20 days in jail for assaulting his son.  William Fairbanks got 3 months in the county jail for passing an Irish farthing for a guinea.  William Erwin got 3 yrs in Auburn for breaking into a store in Norfolk and stealing money and goods.   11 Sep. 26, 1837
Court of Common Pleas Sep. 1845 Reding Durnking was convicted of passing counterfits and sentenced to 2 years hard labor at the new prison in Clinton Co. 11 Sep. 26, 1845
Court of Common Pleas, Sep. 1839 Simon P. Harmon was indicted for uttering and passing counterfeits and sentenced to 3 yrs in the state prison.  John B. Welch got the same sentence for grand larceny.  Thomas Currin, a youth of 17, pled guilty to stealing a horse in Ft. Covington and also got 3 yrs.  Ezra Russell was found guilty of manslaughter in the death of John Hill (died July 13, 1839 ae 63 and buried in East Cemetery in Depeyster) but many circumstances palliated the offense so the jury recommended his pardon in 6 mos.  Daniel Webster (not "the god-like") got 6 mos in county jail for petit larceny 11 Sep. 24, 1839
Court of Oyer and Terminer convictions Feb. 1834 John B. Foot (alias John Benton) got 5 yrs for forgery and William Tyler got the same for passing counterfeits.  John Nevins got 4 yrs for 3rd degree manslaughter. Asa Page got life for raping 2 of his own daughters, plus the 10 years he had been given for incest.  Benjamin Pearl got 3 yrs for receiving goods stolen by his 14 yr old son 11 Feb. 18, 1834
Court schedules the Court of Common Pleas meets on the 3rd Tues. of April, Sept. and Dec. at 10 AM.  The Circuit Court convenes the 3rd Tues. in Feb. and the Tues. after the 2nd Wed. in July, also at 10 AM 11 Apr. 29, 1845
Cox, Gardner of Hannawa Falls,  Pierrepont had an adopted daughter named Mercina E. Hicks who married David S. Pride of Potsdam Oct. 16, 1849 12 Oct. 17, 1849
cricket match at Brockville, Ont. the Prescott cricket team traveled to Brockville Sep. 15, 1849, and Brockville was victorious.  We Yankees are too busy making money to recreate, and the British are twice as robust as we are because they have better physical education 11 Sep. 18, 1849
Crine, Peter G. guilty of murder convicted of killing his wife Ruth G. Crine in Feb. 1835. Has 2 children ages 10 and 12.   11 Sep. 29, 1835
crossing the river the St. Lawrence River is now closed with ice so that crossing with teams is now safe for those who know the river and the ice.  The ferryman, Mr. Isaac Plumb, is always at the ready to serve patrons on both sides of the river, whether in sunshine or storm 11 Jan. 21, 1845
Cummings, A.S. his sailboat left Ogdensburg Oct. 4, 1831 headed for Brockville, when the boom gave way 9 miles out.  A blacksmith from Johnstown NY named John Martin was a passenger and attempted to swim to shore but drowned 9 Oct. 6, 1831
Curtis, Henry B. James Curtis of Canton emancipated his son Henry B. Curtis Oct. 22, 1829 13 Oct. 22, 1829
death of "Bill"  on Aug. 2, 1843, two well known hunters, Moses and William C. Leonard of Pierrepont stumbled on the corpse of a man who had recently been living in the County Poor House.  He had apparently become lost and died of hunger.  He was buried at the NE extremity of Massawepie Lake 1 Sep. 1, 1843
death of "Bill" pt. 2 George T. Wright explains that "Bill" is undoubtedly William Larkin, who strayed away from Rexford's Flats in Saratoga Co. 3 or 4 years previously. He had been married , and assigned to the lunatic asylum in Hudson NY.  When he died , he was wearing a shirt with the mark of the SLC Poor House on it. 11 Oct. 3, 1843
death of Mr. Cook a Mr. Cook of Ft. Covington died when he fell off a steamboat near Buffalo.  He was apparently destitute and friends in Ft. Covington had given him money to go to Ohio 11 Sep. 15, 1835
Deavenport, Calista "having left my bed and board …" etc  signed Lemuel Deavenport, Russell, NY 13 Nov. 18, 1830
Depeyster bear hunt A bear which has preyed upon local flocks and eluded the citizens of Depeyster for the past 3 years met his doom June 2, 1842.  He had lost 2 toes in a trap 2 years ago.  Thomas Smithers saw him on his farm and raised the alarm. Some 15 or 20 farmers formed a search party and succeeded in killing the brute by hitting him with four musket balls. His dimension:  Length 7 and a half feet, girth 4 ft 1 inch, weight 420 lbs 11 June 7, 1842
disaster averted the propeller Syracuse discovered a fire in the baggage just as it was about to leave Ogdensburg.  A passenger had packed vitriol and some acids among his clothing which had caught fire 11 May 22, 1849
Distict Court Feb, 1848 James Connor was sentenced to 6 yrs 3 mos in Dannemora for trying to kill his brother.  Thomas Short not guilty for crimes against nature. Oren N. Graves, assault with intent to rape, got 3 yrs 3 mos at Dannemora.  Peter Mashaw (Marshaw) got 5 yrs for the same charge (see his death 7/18/1848) 8 Feb. 8, 1848
District Court July 1846 Judge Conkling held a Special Term of his District Court in Canton.  John Hartel was convicted of obtaining a letter from the  Post office which was addressed to someone else.  The matter concerned a school district controversey, and he was sentenced to 4 months imprisonment.  Alanson White was given 3 years at Auburn for passing a bogus coin. (another man named ferguson was also convicted). John Blade was acquitted of smuggling charges. William Willson was also acquitted for similar charges 11 Jul. 14, 1846
District Court Oct. 1827 Gardner Howe got 3 years hard labor in Auburn for buying and receiving stolen goods.  Henry Hayden got 3 yrs and a day for petit larceny, his second offense.  Ara Rawson and his wife were convicted of keeping a disorderly house.  He got 5 days, she got 10. Pat Smith was convicted of assaulting his wife and got 10 days solitary confinement on bread and water.  James Canada got the same punishment for beating up 2 or 3 men with a sheleleigh.  He claimed he was drunk at the time 10 Oct. 16, 1827
disturbance on the St. Lawrence Canal on Aug. 7, 1845 there was a disturbance among several of the laborers on the St. Lawrence canal opposite Waddington.  A man named Fetterlee, who lives 2 or 3 miles from the works came to Williamsburg to see the circus and was attaked by several of the laborers while he was in a tavern. He was bruised severely and the police were mustered.  The militia are also called out. 11 Aug. 12, 1845
driven aground the schooner W.J. Pardee was driven aground near the head of the St. Lawrence on its way to Oswego with a load of salt.  The vessel is owned by Robbins and Lankton of Ogdensburg 11 Apr. 17, 1849.
drowning in Lisbon an Englishman drowned at the Galloo Mills in Lisbon Feb. 18, 1846.  He and two others were in a canoe with a load of oats heading to the island when the canoe overturned 11 Feb. 24, 1846
Edwardsville PO a new Post Office has been established in the Town of Morristown called Edwardsville 11 June 6, 1837
election day fire in Madrid village Mr. Haskell's hotel, barn and sheds, along with the house and store of Silas Clark, and a tailor shop were all destroyed by fire in Madrid Village Apr. 27, 1847.  Most of the men were absent, being election day, and the ladies of the village were responsible for protecting the surrounding buildings 11 May 4, 1847
escaped prisoners caught Marcus Woodworth and Benjamin Cahoon escaped from the jail Oct. 25, 1846 by leaping the picket fence of the jail yard. They were pursued by Dep. Sheriff R. C. Jackson to Lisbon, where they crossed the river at Red Mills.  They were captured again at 10 PM Oct. 26, and put safely back in the jail. (Woodworth was convicted in Dec. 1846 and sentenced to 5 years.  Cahoon escaped again the next February) 11 Oct. 27, 1846
expensive elopement Roderick C. Phippen of Stockholm was sued by Fanny L. MacAuley in Circuit Court. When he lived in Crown Point, he borrowed one dollar from her brother for marriage costs, then eloped to SLC that night.  The brother-in-law was awarded $500 plus costs 1 Feb. 11, 1846
fire at the Stone Store a spark from a steamboat funnel landed on a doorway of the stone Store owned by Mr. Parish on Water St. in Ogdensburg.  Quick work prevented the fire from spreading 11 Apr. 17, 1849.
fire destroys Ogden mansion fire destroyed "Ellerslie" the mansion of Col. Gouverneur Ogden near Waddington Mar. 1, 1843.  The family had gone to church, it being Ash Wednesday.  Most of the furniture was saved and moved to his house in Ogdensburg 11 Mar. 7, 1843
fire in Ogdensburg four buildings were destroyed by fire in Ogdensburg Jan. 19, 1846.  It started in Wm. C. Brown's large wooden building on the west side of the Oswegatchie in which Norcross and Sawtelle had a match factory. The fire started there and damaged three other buildings.  A Mr. Baker severely fractured his knee whe the roof collapsed on him and 2 others.  He may be disabled for life. 11 Jan. 20, 1846
five drown in Chaumont Bay two men named Foreman, along with a Mr. Collins, his wife and child, all drowned in Chaumont Bay in Lake Ontario.  They were crossing from North Shore to Pt. Peninsula when their skiff overturned (from the Sackets Harbor Courier dated Oct. 15, 1833) 11 Oct. 29, 1833
Four men hurt in Madrid a group of men returning from a squirrel hunt in the Village of Madrid all got on the landing of the carding mill there, which collapsed and sent them into the Grasse River.  Four were hurt:  Tirdale Cole, Collins R. Pierce, Joseph Hallock and Noble Freeman (who broke his leg) 10 May 1, 1827
Franklin Co. Poor House destroyed the Franklin Co. Poor House in Malone was destroyed by fire June 17, 1845, and an aged woman named Hobbs was overlooked in removing the inmates and perished 11 June 24, 1845
Franklin Gazette moves the Franklin Gazette newspaper has moved from Ft. Covington to Malone, and has been published with new type 11 Oct. 12, 1847
Freando, Joseph ran away from his master, Frederick Coady, Jan. 18, 1840 11 Jan. 28, 1840
Frisbee, Lucia A. "my wife, by the advice of her parents, refuses to live with me…" signed Auger G(aylord). Frisbee, Stockholm 13 Oct. 1, 1829
Ft. Covington lightning William H. Spafford, nephew of Rev. Spafford, and Ezra B. Eastman, son of H. Eastman of Ogdensburg, were nearly killed Aug. 3, 1833 when lightning struck the druggist/bookstore in Ft. Covington 11 Aug. 6, 1833
giant squash Pelaeiah Allen of Ogdensburg raised a summer squash which was  2ft 4 inches long, 11 and a half inches thick and weighing 43 lbs. 11 Oct. 3, 1843
Gillette, Edward R. was emancipated by his father Daniel B. Gillette of Canton 13 Sep. 30, 1828
Goodman, Hannah (Mrs.) "has comitted adultery and eloped from my bed and board"  signed  Jonas Goodman of Madrid 13 June 25, 1829
Gowdy, Margaret (Mrs.) has left my bed and board etc. signed Lorenzo Gowdy of Morristown Dec. 21, 1844 11 Jan. 7, 1845
grateful for benefactors on Jan. 16, 1844, Rev. Anson W. Cummings of the Gouverneur Wesleyan Seminary was entering Richville when his horse became frightened by the careless firing of a gun in the street.  While the horse was running full speed, his sleigh overturned and he was thown head-first onto the ice that had accumulated near a well.  Mr. Lynde, the hotelkeeper, brought him into his place and summoned Dr. Morton.  Neither would later accept pay for their good deeds. 11 Jan. 23, 1844
great blizzard of 1845 most inhabitants agree that the storm of Feb. 4-5, 1845 was the heaviest snowfall ever seen in this part of the country 11 Feb. 11, 1845
Great Windfall of 1845 a dreadful tornado ripped through the southern part of the county on Sep. 20, 1845.  It touched down a mile east of Antwerp. and ripped through the Towns of Fowler and Edwards, leaving a path of total destruction almost a mile wide, but with no reported deaths 11 Sep. 30, 1845 & Oct. 7, 1845
hanging in Brockville the Brockville Recorder of Apr. 27, 1847 says that 2 men are to be hanged there on may 27.  They are Antoine Russell for felony, and William Fox for murder 11 May 11, 1847
Hannah Burch arrested Hannah Burch, a Canadian with 6 or 7 children, was arrested for petty theft in Ogdensburg and sentenced to 30 days in the county jail.  She had pretended to gather some articles to buy at a store,  and had slipped a silk dress pattern into her pocket.  She was arrested on the steamboat Niagara as it left Ogdensburg. 11 Oct. 5, 1847
Heuvel re-named the Post Office at Heuvel has been re-named "Heuvelton" 9 Jan. 12, 1832
Hewes, William began two newspapers in Potsdam in 1830.  First, "The "Patriot" was anti-Masonic, and the second was "The Minurviad" 13 Apr. 8, 1830 & Dec. 9, 1830
Hicks, Garrett B. arrested Garrett B. Hicks, ae 25-30, broke into Benjamin Holmes' store in Stockholm on Feb. 2, 1839.  He stole some clothes and set the place on fire.  He was arrested and confessed 11 Feb. 19, 1839.
Holts of DeKalb may have a windfall the Holt family, some of whom live in DeKalb are taking measures to secure a large property said to be left to them in England.  A family meeting has been called in Hampton CT 11 Mar. 6, 1849
hot weather causing fires the weather has been so hat and dry this month that there are many fires around, even in ground that is normally swampy 11 Jul. 17, 1849
Hotron, Orrin this is to notify the public that Orrin Horton who is bound to me by indenture has left without my consent.  This is to warn others not to hire him and any wages due him shall be paid to me. Lewis Marsh, Stockholm Apr. 24, 1849 12 Apr. 25, 1849
Howe, Socrates a horse thief, broke out of jail in Ogdensburg.  He was 25-30 yrs old and 5 ft 10 inches tall 10 Sep. 18, 1827
Huet, Orra Orra Huet of Pierrepont emancipated his son Henry Huet 12 Apr. 7, 1847
Huxey, William ae 17, left his father's house in Canton Feb. 8, 1829 and has not been heard from for 10 months.  His father was C. Huxey 13 Feb.  1829
Indian boy killed by panther a number of Indians were camped at Black Lake and a boy of 12 went off by himself to go hunting.  His father heard a gun go off and went to investigate.  He found his son in the clutches of a panther.  The man killed the panther but the boy later died 11 Feb. 16, 1836
infanticide Louisa B. Barber, apparently gave birth in a tavern about 2 miles south of Watertown on Mar. 5, 1828 and put the baby in the fireplace, where it died and partially burned.  She is being held at the jail in Watertown 10 Mar. 18, 1828
Irish boy drowns on May 17, 1832 a boy of about 10 yrs old, child of a poor Irish woman, fell from the boom a few rods above the Oswegatchie dam, got carried over the dam and drowned 9 May 24, 1832
jailbreak $125 reward has been offered to anyone knowing the whereabouts of the five prisoners who escaped from the county jail Feb. 6, 1847: George Perry, Benjamin Cahoon, Washington Meacham, George Blair and William Harrison (note: Cahoon had also escaped the previous October) 11 Feb. 9, 1847
Jesse Goss' Tavern the tavern in Madrid Village owned by the heirs of the late Jesse Goss burned Dec. 11, 1829 13 Dec. 17, 1829
Johnson, Cyrene of Ogdensburg, had some articles stolen by a Canadian called Charles Maka, who lived at French Settlements near Ogdensburg, a place which was known as "a receptacle for all things stolen on earth" 10 Dec. 8, 1829
Joseph Platt's house burned the dwelling house of Joseph Platt in Lisbon burned June 20, 1843 There was no insurance, but some furniture was saved. The calamity will be felt because Mr. P. is in comparatively moderate circunstances 11 June 27, 1843
July 4, 1846 only 2 Revolutionary soldiers joined in the celebration of Independence Day this year in Ogdensburg: Thomas Lee and _______  Bromaghim.  Mr. Joseph Fields, another living in this town, was unable to attend. Just a few years ago, there were 10 or 12 present.  Mr. Emmanuel Drake, another veteran, attended the festivities at Stone's Corners, Hammond 11 Jul. 7, 1846
Kelsey, Samuel his 10 month old baby in Somerville had swallowed a sewing needle and somehow it escaped the intestine and got lodged in its leg.  Dr. Samuel C. Wait of Gouverneur extracted it 11 Mar. 8, 1836
Kinney, George W. "this is to certify that my son George W. Kinney Jr. utterly refuses to be under my control by word and deed" 6 Feb. 12, 1840
Lewis Co. murderer Lawrence McCarty was convicted in Martinsburg murdering his father in law in Nov. 1838 11 June 25, 1839
lightning kills 3 in Louisville an elderly man named Carr and 2 daughters of a Mr. Dodd or Doud were killed Sep. 11, 1846 during a lightning storm.  The girls were ages 4 and 15, and all victims were in their beds at the time of the storm 11 Sep. 15, 1846
Louis Charboneau escapes Louis Charboneau was convicted of grand larceny in Malone in July 1842 and sentenced to 3 years in state prison.  The Franklin Co. sheriff was taking him to Auburn prison and they stopped for the night at the Exchange Hotel in ogdensburg.  Somehow, the prisoner escaped at night even though he was chained hand and foot. The prisoner was seen in Lisbon a few nights later, and Alexander Martin of Lisbon had a horse stolen, perhaps by Charboneau 11 Jul. 19, 1842
Lowell factory girls the Plattsburgh Republican reports that 100 girls passed through there en route to Lowell MA, and about 50 more 2 weeks ago. Within the past year over 400 have gone from the counties of  Franklin, Clinton and St. Lawrence. "Verily, this looks like ruin" 11 Aug. 3, 1847
Lytle, Capt. John and the British Capt. John Lytle of Lisbon had a rather tense encounter with the British near Prescott when he went over to collect money due him for a horse.  This was because of the Patriot War 11 Apr. 10, 1838
mail route the mail from Ogdensburg now goes to Denmark in Lewis Co. via Morristown and Hammond 11 Oct. 8, 1833
mail route begins starting July 1, 1847 there will be a mail route running from Canton, Russell, Edwards, Fullerville, Fowler, Shingle Creek, and Antwerp. 11 June 22, 1847
making fun of an Indian "We are informed that on Sunday last (ie May 17, 1846) an Indian, an old soaker, who had got so much liquor into his head as to produce an attack of delirium, made an effort to hang himself. The spot selected was very romantic, it being on the bank of the St. Lawrence, in the vicinity of an old ashery and large piles of steamboat wood. Having procured a rope, he mounted the wood pile and made one end fast to a stick of wood, then descending he attached the other to his neck, when he threw himself backwards, to tighten the rope and launch off into the unknown future. Unfortunately, his backwards movement was too heavy and down came the stick of wood smash against his shins, when he jumped up, mad as blazes & rubbing his shins, giving a whoop and untying the rope, he mizzled, and has not been seen since" 11 May 19, 1846
Maltby, George having been apprenticed to me Feb. 17, 1842 until he reaches his 21st birthday in 1852, has absconded and I forbid anyone from hiring or harboring him. signed Richard Brown, Madrid Mar. 13, 1849 11 Mar. 13, 1849
man survives ice tragedy the French Mills Republican of Jan. 30, 1828 carried a story about four people crossing the St. Lawrence on foot, becoming lost, and a man, woman and girl died.  One man survived 10 Feb. 5(?), 1828
Mason, Comer with a wife and child, he left Parishville May 16, 1829 and went to Frankfort in Herkimer Co.  He left his family there and said he was going to find work in Utica.  Nothing has been heard of him since. Any information about him is requested by his wife, who has now returned to Parishville 13 Nov. 26, 1829
McCrea, Alexander the family of Alexander McCrea in Franklin Co.was spared injury when lightning entered the dining room and destroyed it while they were in that room.  (from the Franklin Republican) 10 Jul. 14, 1829
McDonald, Archibald an Irishman, attempted to kill his wife in Madrid Village Jan. 10, 1844 by stabbing her several times with a butcher knife 1 Jan. 15, 1844
McFadden, James the house, carriage house and woodshed of James McFadden in Lisbon were all destroyed by fire May 16, 1842. 11 May 24, 1842
Merrigan, Patrick he came to the US from Co. Tipperary in May 1848 and was working on the railroad near Madrid Village.  His sister has now come to the US and wishes to find him.  Any information can be sent to Patrick Dillon of Ogdensburg or to John Brady of Black Lake 11 Nov. 13, 1849.
militia accidents accidents have occurred from the culpable and disgraceful practice of firing at the doors of militia officers on the morning of the annual militia drill.  For example, in Depeyster a musket exploded and tore a man's hand off 9 Sep. 8, 1831
militia court martial Schuyler F. Judd, Lt. Col. commanding the 123rd Militia, announces the convening of a court martial on Sep. 28, 1846.  The purpose of the court is to try all delinquents.  The court will consist of Capt. Rufus Washburn, Lt. John Seaman and Lt. Thomas C. Atcheson and will convene at the house of L. Sayers in the Town of Oswegatchie 11 Aug. 11, 1846
militia duty "now is the time to walk up and pay your commutation money gentlemen.  The first of August is close on hand, after which you will have to train or pay a fine of $3.  There is no dodging the point this year:  Either train or pay up."  Commutation cost 75 cents 12 Jul. 25, 1849
militia elections election for Field Officers was held at DeKalb Apr. 17, 1849 with the following results:  Colonel, Schuyler F. Judd; Lt. Col,  John W. Tate; Major,  Jacob H. Bellinger 11 Apr. 24, 1849.
Mills, _______ (boy) a boy named Mills, ae about 16 was killed when he was run over by some dirt cars Jul.19, 1848 at the railroad excavation.  He was attempting to attach a horse to the cars near the foot of a descent and was thrown onto the track and crushed 8 Jul. 25, 1848
ministers' tiff Rev. Joel J. Emmes sued Rev. Peter D. Gorrie in the Court of Common Pleas in December 1841 for slander.  He won the case and $75.  In April, 1842, Rev. Gorrie defended himself in the paper 11 Apr.19, 1842  & Apr. 26, 1842
missing issues the St. Lawrence Republican is missing the issues of Apr. 13 and May 5, 1846.  Anyone who has one of these which they could give to the paper for their files would be in their debt 11 Mar. 30, 1847
Montague, Philetus of Pierrepont, signed a card of thanks to his friends in Potsdam and Pierrepont for their help in his obtaining one of Prof. B. F. Palmer's Patented Premium Artificial Legs 12 Feb. 28, 1849
more new papers a Whig paper is to be published in Canton called the Engineer and Tariff Advocate, published by Charles Boynton.  Also, the Frontier Sentinel has begun in Ogdensburg by Foote and Seeley, "on the smoldering fires of the Ogdensburgh Times" 11 Mar. 19, 1844
Morris, Lincoln a 2 yr old son of his was badly burned in Ogdensburg Dec. 3, 1829 when his clothes caught fire.  His four yr old brother tried to douse the flames but was not strong enough to lift the bucket (more details in article) 13 Dec. 3, 1829
Mr. McKay from Montreal a Mr. McKay from Montreal, who had been to Perth, Ont.stopped at Williamsburgh, opposite Waddington, and took off most of his clothes.  He left his hat, watch and money on the edge of the ice, and plunged into the river.  He floated on his face 30 rods, then disappeared from sight  and drowned. His body was found by an Indian near St. Regis on Apr. 19, 1844. 11 Feb. 20, 1844 & Apr. 30, 1844
Mr. Redington injured the Hon. George Redington, a representative of St. Lawrence Co. was injured on his return from Albany when the stage overturned near Boonville Apr. 25, 1843.  He broke one of his arms but returned safely to his home in Waddington 11 May 16, 1843
Mr. Shed from SLC a list of those missing from the steamboat "North America" which blew up near Buffalo (no date given) includes a Mr. Shed of SLC (possibly Ira Shead?) 11 June 26, 1838
Mrs. Dexter's house burned Mrs. Dexter's dwelling in Heuvelton burned along with all its contents Apr. 30, 1843 11 May 2, 1843
Mrs. Green survives ordeal in woods a Mrs. Green and her baby were lost in the woods near Ft. Covington for almost 6 days but survived 11 Nov. 12, 1833
Myers brothers arrested William Myers and Samuel Shaw got into a fight in the Town of Watson, Lewis Co. Sep. 4, 1829 and Shaw got cut up quite badly.  Wiiliam and his brother Isaac Myers were put in jail to await trial 10 Sep. 8, 1829
name change a notice in the St. Lawrence Mercury says that Richard, Henry and Samuel G. Bull have permission to change theuir surname to Gordon.  The order lists the reason for the change.  J.R. Bull, of the Chicago Dollar Newspaper is also of the same family, but was not mentioned in the order 11 Jan. 22, 1850.
Nash, James a laborer who had lived in Ogdensburg about a year was badly hurt May 18, 1829 .  He was backing a wagon load of chips to the river about 30 rods below the court house in Ogdensburg, and the horses overturned the wagon with him on it.  He was shockingly bruised and his life is dispaired of.  He has a wife and four children 10 May 19, 1829
new common school system a new system was put into place in 1842 for the qualifying of teachers.  The new plan will help save money in the estimated 400 common school districts in the county 11 Dec. 13, 1842
new County Clerk John L. Russell was nominated to be the County Clerk until the next general election. He is completing the term of the late Alvin Low who died in June 11 Jul. 18, 1843
new lighthouse $4500 has been appropriated for a lighthouse in Ogdensburg 11 Feb. 18, 1834
new mail route the mail from Ogdensburg to Malone now goes 3 times a week by the southern route (ie Canton, Potsdam, Parishville, Hopkinton, Nicholville, Dickinson and Bangor).  Two days a week it will go through Canton, Potsdam, Stockholm, Lawrence, Moira and North Bangor 1 Jul. 16, 1845
New Ogdensburg Cemetery a lot has been purchased on the east bank of the Oswegatchie about a half mile above the dam. The ground is very suitable for a burying ground as it is high and dry, far preferable to the watery seclusion to which the dead have heretofore been consigned 11 Aug. 3, 1847
new partnership Mr. E.B. Allen announces that he has taken in his sons David and Walter B. Allen into partnership, and that they will continue to do business at 3-4 Water St. in Ogdensburg 11 Apr. 10, 1849
new Post office in Lisbon a new Post Office has been established in the Town of Lisbon 7 and a half miles from Ogdensburg on the mail road to Canton.  It is to be called "Flackville" 11 Jul. 27, 1847
news about Thomas Coyle his wife, Ann Coyle, says he left Ogdensburg for Rome, NY about 7 weeks ago and she has not heard from him since.  Any information on his whereabouts would be appreciated 11 Nov. 13, 1849
Nichols, Abigail was convicted of arson and sentenced to 3 years in Auburn Prison 10 Feb. 12, 1828
Northern Cabinet and Literary Depository the editor announced that the new volume will be delayed for a few weeks.  (The paper was finally issued in Potsdam instead of Canton on Mar. 5, 1845) 11 Dec. 24, 1844 & Mar. 11, 1845
Northern New Yorker a new newspaper has been started in Gouverneur by Messrs. Goodrich and Wilson.  This makes 5 newspapers being published in the county 11 May 1, 1849
Northern State Road commisioners were appointed Sep. 13, 1827 to lay out a new State road beginning at Port Kent on Lake Champlain, going through Keeseville, Russia Iron Works, etc following a route explored by them last June 10 Sep. 18, 1827
Northern Telegraph a new newspaper has been received which is being published in Canton, called the Northern Telegraph 9 Jul. 19, 1832
Ogdensburg Forum this newspaper has been enlarged and is now published by A. Tyler and son 11 May 22, 1849
Ogdensburg-Heuvelton Plank Road the road is now almost completed, except for a mile and a half stretch in the middle. The toll house has been built, but no tolls are to be chrged until it is finished.  A report Sep. 18, 1849 says the road is now complete, and toll gate in place a mile and a half from Ogdensburg.  The toll is 10 cents.  David Simpson has been contracted to extend the road 3 miles towards DeKalb 11 Jul. 24, 1849. & Sep. 18, 1849
Olin, Gideon arrested a fellow calling himself Gideon Olin was arrested in Potsdam during the last week of Sep. 1839 by Dep. Sheriff Elderkin for passing counterfits. $400 in spurious money was seized. He has been kidnapping Negroes from the South, and gentlemen from there have a $2000 reward for him. He is a tall, dark, black hair, good looking man about 30 11 Oct. 1, 1839
Oliver, John missing John Oliver, ae 40 left home Mar. 31, 1839 and has not been seen since.  He is 6 ft tall, light complexion, wearing home-made grey pants, coat and a large fur cap.  His wife seeks any information 11 Apr. 9, 1839
one cent reward a 12 yr old boy named Isaac Spafford, but lately calling himself Isaac Fuller, ran away from Stilman Fuller of Brasher Iron Works in April 1842.  He offered a one cent reward for his return 11 Apr. 19, 1842
Osborn, Fanny having left my bed without just cause or provocation and neglects to conform to the duties imposed by the marriage contract …etc. signed Alonzo Osborn, DeKalb Dec. 4, 1840 11 Dec. 8, 1840
panther killed in Canton animal tracks were spotted in the road SW of Canton Nov. 26, 1842.  N. Hodson, J. E. Clark and W. Comins followed the track 4 miles and shot the panther.  They dragged it back to town and were treated as heroes 11 Nov. 29, 1842
Patriot War captives lists several "prisoners of Prescott" who were released from Ft. Henry and sent to Sackets Harbor.  Some were pardoned and some had never been arraigned 6 Aug. 8, 1839
Patriot War former POW's arrive in Watertown four prisoners arrived in Watertown from Van Dieman's Land via the Sandwich Islands on Mar. 23, 1846.  They were part of a group pardoned a year ago, and parted company with 5 of their comrades in Utica. They are all in destitute circumstances 11 Mar. 31, 1846
Patriot War POW to be released another list of POWs to be released soon includes Hiram W. Barlow of SLC 11 Apr. 30, 1839
Patriot War POW's an article written by two former prisoners lists men still being held by the British on the penal colony of Van Dieman's Island in the Pacific 1 Mar. 1, 1844
Patriot War POW's escape 15 prisoners being held at Ft. Henry near Kingston escaped and 13 of them made it to safety in Watertown 11 Aug. 7, 1838
Patriot War POW's listed the prisoners taken at Prescott are listed along with ages and residences.  Issue of Jan. 1, 1839 lists trial details including those for Culver S. Clark, 18, of Franklin Co., Andrew Richardson of SLC, Hiram W. Barton 19, of SLC and Jeff Norris of VT but lately of Rossie Village 11 Nov. 27, 1838 and Jan. 1, 1839
Patriot War POW's release statement after they are set free at Sackets Harbor some of the released POWs from Ft. Henry near Kingston signed a statement discouraging other Americans from attacking Canada.  Among the signers were John Thompson of Morristown and Andrew Richardson of Rossie 11 Apr. 23, 1839
Patriot War prisoner re-united with his parents John Thomas, one of the Patriots taken prisoner at the Windmill in 1838, arrived in Ogdensburg June 8, 1846, having sailed from California to Chile, thence to NYC where he arrived June 5. He was warmly greeted by his friends after a separation of 8 years.  On June 10, 1846, a number of friends accompanied him to his father's house in Madrid Village 11 June 16, 1846
Patriot War prisoners in Hawaii on May 16, 1845, 26 prisoners from Van Dieman's Land penal colony landed in Honolulu in the Sandwich Islands on the whaling ship Steiglitz and were seeking passage to the US.  They include John Thomas (of Madrid) and Edward A. Wilson, both of SLC. Thet had been captured in 1838 at the Windmill near Prescott, Ont.  Robert G. Collins who is also from SLC and was released at the same time (April 1844) does not appear to be with them.  11 Sep. 2, 1845
Payne, David C.  a package containing $1930 from Martinsburg NY going to Prescott never made it.  Officials supected David C. Payne , a temporary worker at the Ogdensburg PO.  He had gone to Somerville 2 weeks earlier and was intending to go to Michigan.  Bishop Perkins, the Disrict Attorney for SLC took a steamer to Sacketts Harbor and found him there. Also arrested was his brother Welcome Payne of Antwerp.  $1087 was recovered 11 Apr. 28, 1835
petition for road tax in 1843, citizens of SLC petitioned the State to allow certain lands to be taxed so as to improve the old State road in Depeyster, Macomb and Rossie 11 Jan. 31, 1843
petition to pardon  William Houghton of Macomb has made a petition for the Governor of NY to pardon Philander Smith who was convicted in the Oyer and Terminer Court of Sept. 1846 of passing counterfeit money and sentenced to 5 years in Dannemora 11 Aug. 21, 1849
phony counterfeiter a man named Johnson in Parishville was accused of passing counterfeit notes and was arrested and sent to jail in Ogdensburg.  By the time he got there, it was determined that the notes were genuine.  The people in Parishville admitted that they thought it was counterfeit because of the way HE looked, not the money 10 Nov. 13, 1827
Pierce, Isaac injured June 5, 1827 when a loaded wagon ran over him.  The wagon upset on the brow of the (river?) bank, and severely injured one of the horses 10 June 12, 1827
Plattsburgh Republican the editor of the Plattsburgh Republican has adopted the English custom of announcing births.  He has the perfect right to do it and it all may be very proper, but to us it has the "odor of nationality" about it enough to make a hoss break his bridle 11 Jul. 5, 1842
Poor House children the Superintendent of the County Poor House gives notice that there are boys and girls ages 5-10 who are active and healthy whom he will bind out as apprentices or servants 9 Feb. 16, 1832
Poor house stats. At the end of 1847, there were 137 people in the county Poor House in Canton. 193 people were admitted in 1848, plus 7 births.  20 people died, and 15 were either put on trial or bound out. 17 left without permission and 177 were discharged.  All total then is 108 remaining at the end of 1848. They include 11 insane, 5 idiots, 7 blind and 3 deaf and dumb.  The school was in session 41 weeks with about 75 children attending 11 Mar. 27, 1849
Port Kent Road the Northern Road to Port Kent has been surveyed and leveled after 26 days of labor by a party from Port Kent.  From the wharf at Port Kent to Hopkinton is 74 miles 10 Oct. 23, 1827
Port Kent Road contracts bids for the road from Port Kent to Hopkinton were let June 1, 1829.  52 miles still need to be built 10 June 9, 1829.
Post Office at Pope's Mills a new PO has been established, with Russell Covell as Postmaster 11 Jul. 24, 1849.
Potsdam Universalist Church is to be dedicated Sep. 19, 1839. 11 Sep. 10, 1839
practical jokes the Mercury complains loudly about praksters submitting names of people and claiming that they had been married.  The paper states that from now on, all marriage notices must be in writing and signed 12 Oct. 27, 1847
Prior men die in Pierrepont the Canton stage driver, Mr. Fuller, reports that 2 men named Prior died Feb. 4, 1845 in the Town of Pierrepont.  They were on a deer hunt, and became exhausted.  One brother survived the ordeal 11 Feb. 11, 1845
record calving John Russell of Black Lake said that on June 3, 1845 a cow of his only 13 and a half months old gave birth to a 51 lb calf 11 Jun. 10, 1845
Rev. Darwin Mott son of Dr. James Mott of Waddington, will preach at the Universalist Church (ie the old courthouse) in Ogdensburg Feb. 19, 1843 11 Feb. 14, 1843
Rev. Waggoner moves on Rev. W.H. Waggoner, of the Universalist Church in Canton has   decided to accept an invitation to become the pastor at the First Universalist Society of Troy NY. He has been in this county 6 years, officiating in Canton and Potsdam. 11 Nov. 3, 1846
Revolutionary toasts Two Revolutionary soldiers made toasts at the Independence Day celebrations.  E. Holman toasted Andrew Jackson, and Maj. Shaw toasted Silas Wright Jr. 11 Jul. 11, 1837
Reynolds, Hezekiah his house in Stockholm was destroyed by fire Dec. 11, 1849.  Nothing was saved and he had no insurance. It was believed to have started by ashes in a front stoop to the house 12 Dec. 19, 1849
Road from Hopkinton a road is to be made from Hopkinton to Lake Champlain 10 Apr. 27, 1827
Robinson, John W. son of John Robinson of Canton "…having proved an unfaithful and disobedient child" ran away and his father disavowed any of his debts or actions Mar. 10, 1828 13 Mar. 26, 1828
Rose, Justin O. gets his emancipation Ephraim H. Rose of Russell gave his son Justin his "time" on Sep. 25, 1844 11 Oct. 1, 1844
Rosseel, Joseph A. ordained at Morristown at the annual meeting of the Presbytery of Ogdensburg 8 Jan. 14, 1845
Rosseel, Joseph A. ordained at Morristown on Jan. 8, 1845, at the annual meeting of the Presbytery of Ogdensburg 11 Jan. 14, 1845
Rowley, Abijah held a coroner's inquest Mar. 28, 1835 over a body found floating in the St. Lawrence River with no ID.  Jury said accidental drowning 11 Mar. 31, 1835
runners vs. wheels although thte Republican delights in the 4 inches of snow one week and how it has made sleighing possible, it laments the thaw on Dec. 27, which made wheels faster again than runners 11 Dec. 22, 1846 & Dec. 29, 1846
Shaw, Ana (Mrs.) "having left my bed and board etc." signed Joseph Shaw of Pierrepont, Feb. 16, 1849 12 Mar. 21, 1849
Sheriff and his deputies in 1847 Josiah Waid  is sheriff and the following is a list of his deputies in the different areas of the county: Rollin C. Jackson, Canton; O.G. Barnum, Gouverneur; Otis Farrar, Lawrence; Col. John Thomas, Madrid village; S. Wheeler. Waddington; Martin P. Crowley, Massena; P.V. Lankton (undersheriff), Ogdensburg, Silas Hickock, Potsdam 11 Mar. 30, 1847
Simpson, Margaret ae 14 left the house of H. C. Searle in Ogdensburg the evening of May 15, 1840 and has not been heard of since.  She was wearing a blue calico dress, a green silk bonnet and had her hair cut short on the neck. 11 May 26, 1840
soda fountain craze July of 1847 was one of the hottest on record, with Lincoln Morris's thermometer in Ogdensburg reaching 98 degrees on July 9.  His soda fountain proved to be a big hit.  The water comes up cool and sparkling from under the marble slab, and he even has a way to bottle and cork the beverage 11 Jul. 13, 1847
Spencer, Joseph the family of Joseph Spencer of Malone narrowly escaped death by lightning on Apr. 30, 1848.  The chimney was struck in the middle of the night, shooting out bricks and mortar, tore out the floor, broke windows etc. Spencer's bed was torn to fragments but no one was hurt 8 May 2, 1848
St. Jule, Antoine age about 43, left Hawkesbury Que. in about Feb. or Mar., 1840 and went to the River DeGrasse., where he left his family and and came to Ft. Covington looking for work.  Not finding any, he then went to Prescott, Ont. He has left his wife and children in Ft. Covington in a state of destitution, and they request information on his whereabouts 11 June 30, 1840
St. Lawrence Canal the St. Lawrence Canal will soon be in condition for the passage of river steamers.  Going downstream, they will run the Long Sault rapids to Coteau du Lac, then return upriver by the canal 11 June 27, 1843
St. Lawrence Democrat a new newspaper is about to be started in Canton, edited by a committee in Ogdensburg.  Mr. Van Rensselaer is to be the proprietor (from the Franklin Gazette) 11 Sep. 8, 1840
St. Patrick effigy someone hung up an uncouth emblem of St. Patrick last Saturday night in Ogdensburg."it is wrong, all wrong" 11 Mar. 19, 1844
stagecoach accident the wife of Judge John Fine and also Mr. Edwin Clarke, both of Ogdensburg were injured when a stage overturned near Glens Falls Aug. 29, 1846.  Mrs. Fine was very badly hurt, and had been on her way to Philadelphia.  Judge Fine and a daughter immediately headed to Glens Falls. 11 Sep. 8, 1846
stagecoach accident (version 1) the east bound stage fell through the bridge over the Grasse River in Canton on Jul. 7, 1843.  The horses were hurt, but all the passengers escaped without serious injury.  This was a trap the people of Canton had set for years  1 Jul. 15, 1843
stagecoach accident (version 2) the eastbound stage, while crossing the river at Canton, fell through the temporary bridge, drowning one horse, but all passengers unhurt. The editor complains of the condition of the turnpike from Ogdensburg to Canton especially the first 3 or 4 miles from Ogdensburg 11 Jul. 11, 1843
stagecoach schedule the stage now leaves Ogdensburg for Ft. Covington 3 times a week going through Waddington, Potsdam, and Massena Springs. It intersects the Ogdensburg-Plattsburgh line at Potsdam.  It costs $1 from Waddington to Massena, and $3 from there to Ft. Covington 10 Sep. 8, 1829
stagecoach to Keeseville there is a new stagecoach line from Keeseville to Hopkinton, intersecting the Plattsburgh-Ogdensburg line there at Hopkinton 11 Oct. 15, 1833
steamboat "Rossie" the new steamboat "Rossie" will be making trips from Rossie to Lyons Bay starting Jul. 10, 1837 11 Jul. 4, 1837
Stevens boys run away Albert and Elijah Stevens ran away from their father's home in Lisbon, and he published a warning not to employ them as they were minors and all their wages belonged to him.  Signed Elijah Stevens, Oct. 9, 1843 11 Oct. 10, 1843
Stockwell, Benajah of Eden NY but formerly of St. Albans VT, was arrested in Ogdensburg with $700 of counterfeit money, and convicted in September to serve 2 years in State Prison 11 Jul. 25, 1837 and Sep. 26, 1837
struck by lightning a woman in Madrid was struck and killed by lightning May 28, 1845.  Two other people in the house were unhurt. 11 June 3, 1845
suicide an Irishman committed suicide in Canton last week by taking opium.  Intemperance is assigned as the cause 11 Nov. 13, 1849.
Swan, Avery tried for polygamy he married a woman in Montpelier, VT, then after 2 yrs married widow Rosetta McDonald of Malone, then he abandoned her 2 weeks later and married Eliza LeCompt of Waddington. He was sentenced to 5 years in the state prison 11 Sep. 26, 1837
Swan, Catherine (Mrs.) "whereas my wife refuses to live with me …etc"  signed James Swan, Canton, Sep. 16, 1830 13 Sep. 23, 1830
tables turned "wheras the conduct of my husband Alexander Percy is such as to render it impossible for me to live with him in peace, as man and wife should live, I have therefore left his bed and board…..etc" signed Jane Percy, Oswegatchie 11 Dec. 8, 1846
Tallman, Simeon  of Ogdensburg was shot in the side by accident Sep. 5, 1831 while a man tried to fit a flint into a musket at militia drill. "His recovery is doubtful" 9 Sep. 8, 1831
Thanksgiving 1846 Thanksgiving will be Thurs. Nov. 26, 1846 11 Nov. 24, 1846
Thanksgiving, 1844 December 12, 1844 was celebrated as Thanksgiving Day in NYS (from a marriage notice on that day) 11 Jan. 14, 1845
the 998 Islands the St. Lawrence River is so high now that two of the 1000 Islands broke loose from their moorings and floated down to Ogdensburg.  The first landed on Jul. 20, 1837, and the second anchored near Mr. Creighton's brewery in the lower part of Ogdensburg on Jul. 22, 1837 11 Jul. 25, 1837
the community steps in  on Jul. 31, 1846, Austin Rose's only cow died when she fell through a bridge.  He is a poor but worthy working man in Ogdensburg, and this news brought tears to his household.  However, several citizens chipped in and raised enough money for him to buy another cow 11 Aug. 4, 1846
The Northern Cabinet announcing a new semi-monthly paper to be published in Canton by Charles Boynton.  It will be called the "Northern Cabinet and Literary Depository" 11 Dec. 6, 1842
the railroad is coming! ground was broken at Mile Point below Ogdensburg and a parcel of hands were also at work near Madrid Village 11 Nov. 16, 1847
Thompson, William F. Peter S. Thompson emancipated his son William in Pierrepont, in consideration of payment of $20, Mar. 9, 1849 12 Mar. 14, 1849
three die near Loon Lake a coroner's inquest was held near Loon Lake about 15 miles from Duane in Franklin Co. near the new state road.  Jacob H. Church, Willard Thompson and Thomas Conley (all from Chesterfield NY) drowned Sep. 28, 1829.  A fourth man survived when their canoe upset on the lake (from the Franklin Telegraph of Oct. 1, 1829) 10 Oct. 6, 1829
three small children die in blaze on Mar. 6, 1828, a man and wife in Massena left their 3 small children in the house, which caught fire. When they returned, one was already dead, the others badly burned.  One died in a few hours and one lingered until Mar. 8, 1828.(quoted from the Potsdam American ) 10 Mar. 11, 1828
Toothaker, Samuel information is wanted on Samuel Toothaker who recently left the Poor House in Canton and is supposedly deranged.  Signed by Allen Toothaker of Pitcairn 1 Sep. 15, 1843
Trial of William Pierce in Malone William Pierce, ae 16 was tried and convicted of murdering his father Oliver Pierce in Moira in January 1839.  He struck him in the chest with an axe when they got into a fight about getting a horse to ride to spelling school. He was sentenced to be hanged Sept. 2, 1839 (Gov. Seward commuted his sentence to life in prison) 11 Jul. 16, 1839
triplets born in Lawrenceville Mrs. Liba Chase delivered triplets in Lawrenceville, all girls, on  Apr. 11, 1843 11 May 2, 1843
two laborers hurt two Frenchman were hurt while engaged in blasting in Harvey Thomas' stone quarry in Bussingville, on the SW side of the Oswegatchie River.  The powder went off as they were charging the rock 11 June 21, 1842
Universalist conference the Universalists are having a conference in Madrid Sep. 13-14, 1843. On the second day, the new Universalist church will be dedicated, with a sermon by Rev. W. H. Waggoner. Also, Rev. Darwin Mott is to be ordained by Rev. Job Potter 11 Sep. 5, 1843
Uriah Selleck my wife having left my bed and board…. etc Parishville, Oct. 20, 1846 11 Oct. 27, 1846
van de Wart, Adeline left my service without cause or provocation June 24, 1840.  Signed Duncan McMartin, Oswegatchie 11 June 30, 1840
Van Koughnet house burns the house of John Van Koughnet near Black Lake burned along with all its contents Dec. 4, 1842 11 Dec. 6, 1842
van Rensselaer fire a large anmount of property and livestock was destroyed by a fire on the premises of Henry van Rensselaer Dec. 27, 1846 near Ogdensburg (more details in the article) 11 Dec. 29, 1846
Vital Records for 1848 according to numbers recorded in the County Clerk's office in Canton, here are the vital records for 1848:  total births: 1746 (918 males and 828 females);  marriages: 407;  deaths:739 (363 males, 376 females). number of births over deaths: 1007 11 Apr. 10, 1849
W.W. Webster's tavern burns W. W. Webster's tavern in Stockholm burned Mar. 16, 1847 together with most of its contents 11 Mar. 23, 1847
Wait, Luther was emancipated by his father Henry Wait in October 1825 2 Oct. 27, 1825
Washburnville P.O. the Postmaster General has declared thet the P. O. at Washburnville shall be re-named "Macomb" 11 June 7, 1842
Wells, Alfred 2 children of his, one 3 and one 4 yrs old died from eating matches at their home in Heuvelton.  One died Apr. 21, 1849 and the other Apr. 26. 12 May 2, 1849
West Potsdam PO West Potsdam Post Office has been re-named Smith's corners, and Benjamin Lane is the new Postmaster 11 Jul. 24, 1849.
westward emigration about 20 families from the interior towns of SLC and Franklin Co. left for the west (ie Michigan, Illinois and Indiana) on the steamer "United States" bound for Niagara 11 May 7, 1833
Wheelock's chimney Mr. Otis Wheelock of Watertown has obtained a patent on a cast iron chimney that only weighs 175 lbs. per storey 11 Apr. 24, 1849.
White, Albert may have caused the death of Edward Barnes who died in Canton Oct. 9, 1829.  He punched him at a husking party 13 Oct. 15, 1829
Whiting, Lucy (Mrs.) "having left my bed and board etc." signed John Whiting of Louisville 12 Apr. 7, 1847
Whitney's mill burns the 3 storey grist mill of Lucius Whitney in Lawrenceville was completely destroyed by fire Jan. 12, 1847.  The St. Lawrence County Mutual insurance company immediately paid on his claim 11 Jan. 19, 1847
Wiley, Joseph Jr. was emancipated by his father Sep. 30, 1830 13 Sep. 30, 1830
Yale, Lloyd his 5 yr old son in West Potsdam got a bean stuck in his ear.  Dr. Cole gave him some chloroform and extracted it without a whimper from the boy (from an advertisement) 12 May 2, 1849
Young, Philander Philander D. Young was ordained as a minister of the gospel by the Presbytery of Ogdensburg, June 16, 1846 11 June 23, 1846