COMMUNITIES IN THE TOWN OF ALEXANDRIA
BEGINNING OF ALEXANDRIA BAY
After A History of Jefferson County, by Franklin B. Hough, 1854
The village of Alexandria Bay contained by the census of Mr. Rottiers in 1850, 27 dwellings, 30 families, and 164 inhabitants.
The village in 1864, according to Stone's Topographical Atlas of Jefferson County
Early history of the village, after Jefferson County History, L. H. Everts, 1878
The site of this village was selected by Cadwallader Child,
in 1804, while surveying a road from the Friends' settlement [Philadelphia] to the St.Lawrence, as
an eligible place for a port, and accordingly a reservation of a mile square was made by
Mr. Le Ray for a village, which was surveyed out for the purpose by Edmond Tucker, about
1818. Mr. Le Ray erected a tavern and warehouse, and for many years a thriving lumber
trade was carried on, which continued as long as the supply lasted. This consisted of oak
staves and square oak and pine timber. A considerable amount of valuable timber had been
stolen from this town in common with the whole front of the State on the St. Lawrence,
before there was any one to assert the title of the proprietors. The lower wharf at this
place was built by Fuller and Walton in 1832, and the upper one by Walton and Hamblin in
1840. The port has always been a landing-place for the American steamers, and is an
important wooding station. In the last two years (1852-53) about 12,000 cords have been
sold each year.
A custom-house was established at this port in 1828, subordinate to the
Cape Vincent district, while John B. Esselstyn was in charge of that office. The deputies
here have been Hiram Davis, Azariah Walton, John W. Fuller, A. Walton, Edwin Tanner,
Martin J. Hutchins, and Ebenezer Campbell, the present incumbent. Mr. Walton held the
office for eighteen and a half years, and Mr. Campbell for fourteen years.
Among the
earliest settlers of the village were Jerre Carrier, John W. fuller, David Hunter (within
half a mile of the village), Samuel Bingham, all prior to 1820; Ira Beckwith,
------Tillotson, Henry Westcott, Chauncey Westcott, before 1825; Azariah Walton, 1828. The
place improved somewhat slowly, there being nothing but the lumber trade to sustain it.
That, however, gave the embryo village the appearance of an active and busy settlement,
which continued for many years.
The first tavern was erected by Mr. Le Ray; as before stated,
in 1818. The old building still remains a landmark of the past, having acquired a
venerable antiquity. It is now owned by Chauncey Westcott,--himself the pioneer settler of
the place,--and is by him used as a carpenter-shop and store-house.
The first log-house was erected by John W. Fuller, in 1818,
and the first frame house by Dr. Jerre Carrier, in 1820. The latter occupied the present
site of the St. Lawrence Hotel, of which, it forms a part.
The first store was erected by Messrs. Jerre Carrier and
John W. Fuller, and stood on the Point, occupying the present site of the Centennial Ice
Cream Saloon.
If you have additional information, comments, or suggestions, please contact:
Nan Dixon
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