History of Hamilton County, NY

The following is taken from "A Gazetteer of the State of New-York Ebracing an ample Survey and Description of its Counties, Towns, Cities, Villages, Canals, Mountains, Lakes, Rivers, Creeks, and Natural Topography," by Horatio Gates Spafford, LL.D., 1824. Transcribed by Lisa Slaski.

HAMILTON COUNTY is situated from 20 to 75 miles N. of Johnstown, and is bounded N. by St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties, E. by Essex, Warren, and a small part of Saratoga County, S. by Montgomery County, W. by the County of Herkimer. Its extent N. and S. 60 miles, E. and W. 30; area 1800 square miles, or 1,152,000 acres: situated between 43 degrees 09 minutes and 44 degrees and 05 minutes N. lat., and 10 minutes W. and 50 minutes W. lon. from New-York.

The County of Hamilton was provisionally erected from the N. end of Montgomery County, by an act of the Legislature of April 12, 1816, but is not yet separately organized, still forming a part of that County, as it is to continue to do, 'until it shall contain 1288 taxable inhabitants, qualified to vote for Members of Assembly.' Byt the late Census, (1821,) the whole No. of electors is 215, and judging by the quality of the land, it will be a very long time before Hamilton will become a County, on the terms prescribed by the act above noticed. The surface of this County is elevated, as it supplies small streams for the sources of the Hudson, sends waters to the Mohawk, the Sacandaga, Black River, Indian River, Racket River, and the Saranac, or in all directions, to the Hudson, Lake Ontario, the River St. Lawrence and Lake Champlain. Traversed by mountains, abounding with swamps, and clothed with dreary forests of evergreens, the principal part of the land is of little value, and for centuries yet to come the most part of this great region must remain a wild waste for the haunt of wolves. There are some tracts of arable lands, and the forests border on the Iron region, for which they may some time or other be laid under contribution. If the wisdom of legislation should annex the northern part of Herkimer to this County, Hamilton would comprise nearly all the lands in this great State, that might be considered absolutely uninhabitable. See the 3 several Towns, pretty minutely described. The small lakes are very numerous.

In the Statistics of Montgomery County, are included the returns of this also excepting only as to the whole population, and the number of Towns. In the Census of 1820, the returns are kept separate, for Montgomery and Hamilton, but in that by this State, of 1821, both are included in one, as one County. It is, in fact, perfectly foolish and idle to describe them separately, for they are but one County, and there is no probability of their becoming 2, until long after these 2 descriptions, demanded by the folly of our excessive legislation, shall lie buried and forgotten among the rubbish of antiquity. The site for the County Buildings was designated in 1817, in the Town of Lake Pleasant, on the N. bank of the Lake of the same name. 'Jessup's river,' and the Sacandaga, are the principal streams, running southerly. The principal Lakes, are Lake Pleasant, 30 miles N. of the Fish House, connected by a Creek of a half mile in length with Round Lake; and Pezeeke, or Pezeeko L., 7 miles W. of L. Pleasant, and Elm Lake, 3 miles East. These Lakes abound with trout; and a Correspondent writes me there are fine tracts of arable lands on their margins, heavily clothed with valuable pines. A resident Correspondent writes me, since the above was written, that from the top of a mountain in L. Pleasant T., 9 Lakes may be seen at one view. The principal settlement is in L. Pleasant, 70 miles NNW. of Albany, extending around that Lake and to Elm Lake, and consists of 50 families. See Wells and Hope.

Statistics. -- Towns, 3; Post-Offices, none; Population, 1251: 229 farmers, 15 mechanics; 6 foreigners not naturalized; 1 free black, 1 slave, both males under 14 years of age: Electors, under the new Constitution, 215: area, 1800 square miles, or 1,152,000 acres: school districts, 9; schools kept 5 months in 12; public monies received in 1821, $132.73; No. of children between 5 and 15, 352; number taught that year, 308: taxable property, $306462: 3 grist mills, 5 saw mills, and 2 asheries: 988 cattle, 202 horses, 1331 sheep: 9019 yards of cloth made in families in 1821: 3164 acres of improved land

The following is taken from "Historical Collections of the State of New York," by John W. Barber and Henry Howe New York: Published for the Authors by S. Tuttle, 194 Chatham Square, 1841. Transcribed by Martha Magill.

HAMILTON COUNTY was provisionally erected, in 1816, from the N. end of Montgomery county, but not organized. It remained attached to Montgomery County until 1838; when, by the division of Montgomery, it became attached to Fulton county. It is not yet separately organized; though probably from its flourishing condition it will soon become detached from Fulton. It is 62 miles long N. and S., and with an average breadth, E. and W. of 30 miles; centrally distant from New York 250, and from Albany, westerly, 105 miles. This county contains 7 towns. Pop. 1,907.

The following remarks respecting this county, which is yet a wilderness and comparatively unknown, are extracted from the report of E. Emmons, Esq., one of the geologists employed by the state. "Contrary to the published accounts, and to common opinions, which are of course formed principally from those accounts, especially from Burr's and Gordon's statistics of this county, I have the pleasure of stating that it is far from being the wet, cold, swampy, and barren district which it has been represented to be. The soil is generally strong and productive; the mountains are not so elevated and steep but that the soil is preserved of sufficient thickness to their tops to secure their cultivation, and most of the marshy lands may be reclaimed by ditching; by this means they will become more valuable than the uplands for producing hay. In fine, it will be found an excellent country for grazing, raising stock, and producing butter and cheese. The strength of the soil is sufficiently tested by the heavy growth of timber, which is principally of hard wood, as beach, maple, yellow birch, butternut, and elm. The evergreens or pines, are confined mostly to the lower ranges of mountains. Some of them are of the largest growth of any in the state, and are suitable for the main shafts of the largest of the cotton mills. In the main, the county resembles the mountainous district of New England, and like these produces the same intermixture of forest trees, and has about the same adaptations for the production of the different kinds of grain, as wheat, rye, oats, peas, barley, together with fine crops of potatoes.

"The face of the country varies from hilly to mountainous. A low range of mountains cross the county between the town of Wells and Lake Pleasant; the whole width is not far from six miles. This range, in its progress northeastwardly, increases in elevation until it constitutes the highest mountain group in the state, in the towns of Moriah and Keene, in Essex county.

"The most interesting physical features in this county arise from the number and beauty of the lakes which are sprinkled liberally and picturesquely over its surface. Much has been said of the clearness of the waters of Lake George, and not without reason; if, however, the traveller will extend his wanderings to Lake Pleasant, Round, Piseco, and Racket lakes, he will find them its equals, if not its rivals. The clearness of the waters in all these lakes is owing to the primitive character of the region in which they occur. The lakes of Hamilton form a beautiful addition to the scenery of our country. Although the mountains are not so high as those of Scotland, still it will be a matter which will occasion no surprise, (when Americans shall have acquired sufficient independence to admire a thing that is American.) if these lakes do not become objects of admiration, and shall be considered as vieing with those of Scotland. Settlements are now forming on the margin of those beautiful sheets of water, and were buildings erected suitable for the accommodation of travelers, in some central place among these lakes, (which we doubt not will be the case in a short time,) our pleasure-seeking community, of whatever cast, could spend a few days or weeks with as much zest as is afforded by any of the places of public resort which are so thronged during the heat of summer. As I have already intimated, the axe has been laid at the root of the tree, and ere long where nought now greets the eye but a dense, and to all appearance impassable forest, will be seen the golden grain waving with the gentle breeze, the sleek cattle browsing on the rich pastures, and the farmer with well-stored granaries enjoying the domentic hearth." While thousands are annually emigrating to the unsettled regions of the "far west," it should be remembered that here is a tract which perhaps offers as strong inducements as the former, with the additional advantages of a near market, and of becoming ere long possessed of all the blessings of an old country.

The following is taken from the "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 with Full Tables of Statistics," by J. H. French, Syracuse, N.Y.: Published by R. Pearsall Smith, 1860. Transcribed by Marcia Buffett.

This county was formed from Montgomery, Feb. 12, 1816; but its independent organization has never been fully completed.¹ It occupies the central portions of the great wilderness region in the northeast part of the State; is centrally distant 80 miles from Albany, and contains 1,745 square miles. Its surface is a rocky, mountainous, and hilly upland and is still mostly covered with the original forests. The highlands are divided into several ranges, generally distinct, but in many places sending out spurs that interlock with each other, and all extending northeast and southwest. The Schroon Range--called in Fulton Co. the Mayfield Mountains--crosses the southwest corner of Hope. This range ends upon Lake Champlain at Crown Point, the highest point being Mr. Crane, in Warren Co. The Baquet Range, parallel to the first, extends through the county between Wells and Lake Pleasant. This range terminates upon Lake Champlain at Split Rock, the highest peak being Dix Peak, in Essex County. The Adirondack Range, nest north, extends from the Mohawk, at Little Falls, NORTHEAST through Morehouse, Arietta, Long Lake, Gilman, and Wells, ending at Trembleau Point, on Lake Champlain, Mt. Marcy being the highest peak, and the highest point in the State. Its course is in a wave or undulating line occupying a space of 4 to 6 miles in width. Nest north is the Au Sable Range, extending north of the Fulton chain of lakes and Long and Racket Lakes. The highest point are Mr. Emmons, in this county, and Mr. Seward, in Franklin Co. Spurs from this range occupy the entire northern part of the county and extend into St. Lawrence and Herkimer counties.²

Within the valleys between these mountain ranges are several remarkable chains of lakes, may of them connected by considerable streams and all affording a large amount of boat navigation. These lakes are generally long and narrow, are bordered by steep banks and high mountain peaks. Their waters are clear and cold, and they form the most interesting features of the landscape. Although flowing in different directions, separated by high mountains, and extending over an area of more than 60 miles, they have a nearly uniform elevation.³ The first chain on the south, commencing in Stratford, Fulton Co., includes several small ponds in the southeast corner of Hope, several ponds in Johnsburgh, Warren Co., and Schroon and Paradox Lakes in Essex Co., The second chain embraces Jerseyfield Lake and several others in Herkimer Co., flowing south, Piseco, Round, Spy, and Ox Bow Lakes, Lake Pleasant, and a great number of smaller ones, all flowing into Sacandaga River. The third chain, lying between the two highest ranges of mountains, is composed of lakes less in extent than either of the other chains. It comprises Woodhull Reservoir and about 20 small lakes, principally in Herkimer Co., flowing into Black River; a large number of small ponds in the immediate vicinity, flowing into West Canada Creek; Indian, Square, Beaver, Wilmurt, and a dozen smaller ones, in Hamilton Co., flowing into Black and Indian Rivers; and the Indian Lakes, flowing into the Hudson. In Essex Co., this chain embraces lakes Rich, Sanford, and Henderson, and numerous others, lying near the foot of Mr. Marcy. The fourth of northern chain is the most extensive of all. It comprises Brantingham and other Lakes in Lewis Co., flowing into Moose and Black Rivers; the Fulton chain and about 20 other lakes in the northern part of Herkimer, respectively flowing into Beaver and Moose Rivers; Cranberry Lake and many others in the southern part of St. Lawrence, flowing into Oswegatchie and Grasse Rivers; Tuppers, Racket, Forked and Long Lakes, and to others, in Hamilton Co., and a large number in Franklin, flowing into Racket River; St. Regis Lake, Osgoods Pond, and numerous others, into St. Regis River; Ragged Lake, Round, and Ingraham Ponds, into Salmon River; Lake Placid, into the Au Sable; the Chateaugay Lakes, into Chateaugay River; and the Chazy Lakes, into Chazy River. All these last named lakes are in Hamilton, Franklin, Essex and Clinton counties in close proximity to each other. The streams, forming the outlets of the lakes are mostly small. The whole region being a mountainous plateau higher than the surrounding country, the streams that rise here flow in all directions and form tributaries of the St. Lawrence, Lake Champlain, the Hudson, Mohawk, and Black Rivers. Several of the rivers have the same name as the lakes which respectively form their headwaters; as the Racket, Chazy, and Cateaugay.⁴

This whole region is primitive, the rock being principally gneiss. Calciferous sandstone and Trenton limestone are found upon Sacandaga River. White limestone is also found in several localities. Peat is found in great abundance in the vallies, or natural meadows, which extend along the valleys. Iron ore and graphite are both found, --though no surveys have been made to ascertain their extent. A large amount of labor has been expended in mining for silver, with what success is unknown. The soil is a light, sandy loam and, except in the valleys, is not susceptible of profitable cultivation. The mountain sides are covered with a thin growth of forest trees, and when cleared seem incapable of supporting vegetation. The valleys at first are productive, but, being deficient in lime, as soon as the vegetable mold is exhausted they become barren.

The county seat is located at Sageville, in the town of Lake Pleasant.⁵ The county buildings, consisting of a courthouse, jail, and clerk's office, were erected in 1840. Each town supports its own poor, and the county poor are provided for by the Superintendent at the most convenient place. There has never been a paper printed within the county.⁶ The public works are entirely prospective.⁷ Most of the territory of the county is included in the Totten and Crossfield Purchase of 1773.⁸ Grants within the limits of the county were made in colonial times to Sir Jeffrey Amherst, Henry Balfour, and Thomas Palmer. Arthursboro, in Morehouse, was granted to Arthur Noble. The first settlement was made about 1790.

1. Named in honor of Alexander Hamilton. The territory was included in Herkimer Co. Feb 16, 1791, but was re-annexed to Montgomery March 31, 1797. It can complete its organization when it has a sufficient population to entitle it to a member of Assembly. It remained appended to Montgomery until 1838, when it was annexed to Fulton on the erection of the latter county. Courts were established in 1837.

2. This region was called by the natives Coughsarage, “the dismal wilderness.” The following entry on a map published about the period of the Revolution, or soon after, gives the prevailing opinion of that day concerning these lands:--”Through this tract of land runs a chain of mountains, which, from Lake Champlain on one side and the river St. Lawrence on the other side, show their tops always white with snow; but although this one unfavorable circumstance has hitherto secured it from the claws of the harpy land jobbers, yet no doubt it is as fertile as the land on the east side of the lake, and will in future furnish a comfortable retreat for many industrious families.”

3. The eighth lake in the northern chain, flowing west, is 1,678 feet above tide; Racket Lake, 2 miles north, flowing east, 1,745 feet; the Upper Saranac, flowing east, 1,567 feet; and Lake Sanford, flowing south 1, 826 feet.

4. If this system of naming lakes could be extended, it would greatly assist those who wish to understand the geography of this region. to make it complete, the eighth lake in the Fulton chain should be named Moose Lake; Cranberry Pond, Oswegatchie Lake; Messewepie pond, Grasse Lake; Ragged Lake, Sacondaga’ and then the direction of the flow of the waters would be at once apparent from the names of the lakes.

5. The first county officers were: Richard Peck, first Judge; Samuel Call, County Clerk; James Harris, Sheriff; G.R. Parburt, District Attorney; and Thomas H. Kline, Surrogate.

6. The Hamilton County Sentinel, printed at Johnstown and edited at Sageville, was started in 1845 by Clark & Thayer. It was subsequently in the hands of Clark & Holmes, and is now issued by Clark & Fish.

7. The route of the Ontario and Hudson Railroad, from Saratoga to Sackets Harbor, extends through the northern part of the county. The route is located, but no grading has been done within the county. Several surveys have been made to test the practicability of connecting Piseco Lake with Lake Pleasant, the Fulton chain with Racket Lake, and Racket River with the Upper Saranac Lake, for the purpose of forming a slackwater navigation through the county. These schemes have been pronounced feasible. Considerable sums have been expended upon some of the streams so that logs might be floated down.

8. A large share of this tract has reverted to the State by escheat, confiscation, and tax sales. It was purchased at the request and expense of Joseph Totten, Stephen Crossfield, and others from the Mohawk and Canajoharie Indians, at Johnsons Hall in July 1773. It was estimated to contain 800,000 acres. It was surveyed by Ebenezer Jessup and associates.

The following is taken from the "Gazetteer of the State of New York; Embracing a Comprehensive Account of the History and Statistics of the State with Geological and Topographical Descriptions," by Franklin B. Hough, Albany, N.Y.: Andrew Boyd, 394 and 196 Broadway, 1872. Transcribed by Martha Magill.

The county was named from Gen. Alexander Hamilton, and formed form Montgomery, Feb. 12, 1816. A small part of Fulton co. was annexed April 6, 1860. It is associated with Fulton co. in the election of Assemblyman, and for many years after first organization was attached to Montgomery co., to which it was then adjacent. Separate courts were not established until 1837. It occupies the central portions of the great wilderness region in the N.E. part of the State; is centrally distant 80 miles from Albany, and contains 1,745 sq. mi. Its surface is a rocky, mountainous, and hilly upland, and is still mostly covered with the original forests. The highlands are divided into several ranges, generally distinct, but in many places sending out spurs that interlock with each other, and all extending N.E. and S.W. The Schroon Range - called in Fulton co. the Mayfield Mts. - crosses the S.E. corner of Hope. This range ends upon Lake Champlain at Crown Point, the highest point being Mt. Crane, in Warren co. The Boquet Range, parallel to the first, extends through the co. between Wells and Lake Pleasant. This range terminates upon Lake Champlain at Split Rock, the highest peak being Dix Peak, in Essex co. The Adirondack Range, next N., extends from the Mohawk, at Little Falls, N.E. through Morehouse, Arietta, Long Lake, Gilman, and Wells, ending at Trembleau Point, on Lake Champlain, Mt. Marcy being the highest peak, and the highest point in the State. Its course is in a wave or undulating line occupying a space of 4 to 6 mi. in width. Next N. is the Au Sable Range, extending No. of the Fulton chain of lakes and Long and Racket Lakes. The highest points are Mt. Emmons, in this co., and Mr. Seward, in Franklin co. Spurs from this range occupy the entire N. part of the co. and extend into St. Lawrence and Herkimer cos.¹

Within the valleys between these mountain ranges are several remarkable chains of lakes, many of them connected by streams, affording boat navigation. These lakes are generally long and narrow; are bordered by steep banks and high mountain peaks. Their waters are clear and cold, and they form the most interesting features of the landscape. Although flowing in different directions, separated by high mountains, and extending over an area of more than 60 mi., they have a nearly uniform elevation.² The first chain on the S., commencing in Stratford, Fulton co., includes several small ponds in the S.E. corner of Hope, several ponds in Johnsburgh, Warren co., and Schroon and Paradox Lakes, in Essex co. The second chain embraces Jerseyfield Lake, and several others, in Herkimer co., flowing so., Piseco, Round, Spy, and Ox Bow Lakes, Lake Pleasant, and a great number of smaller ones, all flowing into Sacondaga River. The third chain, lying between the two highest ranges of mountains, is composed of lakes less in extent than either of the other chains. It comprises Woodhull Reservoir, and about 20 small lakes, principally in Herkimer co., flowing into Black River; a large number of small ponds in the immediate vicinity, flowing into West Canada Creek; Indian, Square, Beaver, Wilmurt, and a dozen smaller ones, in Hamilton co., flowing into Black and Indian Rivers; and the Indian Lakes, flowing into the Hudson. In Essex co., this chain embraces Lakes Rich, Sanford, and Henderson, and numerous others, lying near the foot of Mt. Marcy. The fourth, or N. chain, is the most extensive of all. It comprises Brantingham and other lakes in Lewis co., flowing into Moose and Black Rivers; the Fulton chain, and about 20 other lakes in the N. part of Herkimer, respectively flowing into Beaver and Moose Rivers; Cranberry Lake, and many others in the S. part of St. Lawrence, flowing into Oswegatchie and Grasse Rivers; Tuppers, Racket, Forked, and Long Lakes, and 50 others, in Hamilton co., and a large number in Franklin, flowing into Racket River; St. Regis Lake, Osgoods Pond, and numerous others, into St. Regis River; Ragged Lake, Round and Ingraham Ponds, into Salmon River; Lake Placid, into the Au Sable; the Chateaugay Lakes, into Chahteaugay River; and the Chazy Lakes, into Chazy River. All these last named lakes are in Hamilton, Franklin, Essex, and Clinton cos., in close proximity to each other. The streams, forming the outlets of the lakes, are mostly small. The whole region being a mountainous plateau higher than the surrounding county, the streams that rise here flow in all directions, and form tributaries of the St. Lawrence, Lake Champlain, the Hudson, Mohawk, and Black Rivers. Several of the rivers have the same name as the lakes which respectively form their head-waters; as the Racket, Chazy, and Chateaugay.

This whole region is underlaid by the lower crystaline rocks, principally gneiss. Calciferous sandstone and Trenton limestone are found upon Sacondaga River. White limestone is also found in several localities. Peat is found in great abundance in the vlaies, or natural meadows, which extend along the valleys. Iron ore and graphite are both found -though no surveys have been made to ascertain their extent. Silly traditions of silver and other precious metals have amused the ignorant, and led to waste of time in barren search. The soil is a light, sandy loam, and, except in the valleys, is not susceptible of profitable cultivation. The mountain sides are covered with a thin growth of forest trees, and when cleared seem incapable of supporting vegetation. The valleys are more productive, and best adapted to grazing.

The county seat is located at Sageville, in the town of Lake Pleasant. The co. buildings, consisting of a courthouse, jail, and clerk's office, were erected in 1840. Each town supports its own poor, and the co. poor are provided for by the Superintendent at the most convenient place. There have never been a paper printed within the co. No public works have been opened into this co., except a few common roads. The abandoned "Sacketts Harbor and Saratoga R.R." was located across the co., and others have been more recently surveyed, but nothing done toward construction. Most of the territory of the co. is included in the Totten and Crossfield Purchase of 1773. Grants within the limits of the co. were made in colonial times to Sir Jeffrey Amherst, Henry Balfour, and Thomas Palmer. Arthursboro, in Morehouse, was granted to Arthur Noble. The first settlement was made about 1790.

In the late war the 97th Regiment included part of a company from this co. Under orders issued July 7, 1862, volunteers enlisted in this Senatorial District were to be organized at Fonda, where the 115th and the 153rd Regiments N.Y. Vols. were formed.

1. This region was called by the natives Coughsarage, "the dismal wilderness." The following entry on a map published about the period of the Revolution, or soon afater gives the prevailing opinion of that day concerning these lands:- "Through this tract of land runs a chain of mountains, which, from Lake Champlain on one side and the river St. Lawrence on the other side, show their tops always white with snow; but altho' this one unfavorable circumstance has hitherto secured it from the claws of the harpy land jobbers, yet no doubt it is as fertile as the land on the east side of the lake, and will in future furnish a comfortable retreat for many industrious families."

2. The eighth lake in the N. chain, flowing W. is 1,678 feet above tide; Racket Lake, 2 mi. N., flowing E., 1,745 feet; the upper Saranac, flowing E., 1,567 feet; and Lake Sanford, flowing S., 1,826 feet.

TOTAL POPULATION
TOWNS	1860	1865	1870
Arietta	98	82	139
Benson	380	315	320
Hope	745	621	698
Indian Lake	256	174	202
Lake Pleasant	356	280	318
Long Lake	223	270	280
Morehouse	228	219	186
Wells	738	692	817
TOTAL	3,024	2,652	2,960

Watertown Daily Times
Saturday Afternoon
4 Feb 1905

Hamilton County To Go
It Is Soon To Be Merged With Fulton County
-------
Is the Place of Recreation for Many Men of Great Wealth and Has Many Natural Beauties
-------

Hamilton county, which it is said, is to be wiped off the map of New York state by merging it with Fulton county, is the third largest political division of the state. It contains 1,986,683 acres, which are divided into nine large townships. The assessed valuation of the real estate is given in the Red Book as $3,615,640, and the personal property as $28,666. The town taxes in the last report were $73,761.14, and the county tax was $29,114.44. The population is about 5,000, and the voting population not far from 1,500.

Hamilton county was erected in 1816. It contains numerous lakes, a large number of very fine mountains, extensive forests and great quantities of iron ore. The agricultural products are small, as the soil is generally sterile, and the chief industries are lumbering and tanning. There are 22 postoffices in the county, but most of these are meer points at which summer visitors get their mail. Lake Pleasant, which is the county seat, is one of the largest towns, and that has a population of about 1,000. Wells is another of the larger towns, and at that place two weekly papers are printed.

For many years the county attracted little attention, but some years ago a number of very wealthy men, including the late Collis P. Huntington, Timothy L. Woodruff, Alfred G. Vanderbilt, H. Walter Webb, J. Pierpont Morgan, the late William C. Whitney and W. West Durant, saw that there were opportunities to purchase some of the very finest Adirondack lands at a comparatively small cost in Hamilton county. They took over large tracts in the vicinity of Raquette Lake, the upper end of Fourth Lake and the upper lakes in the Fulton Chain. A railroad was extended in from Clearwater, on the Mohawk & Malone, running to Raquette Lake. From there through to Blue Mountain Lake there is a communication by water. Such splendid bodies of water as Long Lake, Raquette Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, Little Tupper Lake, Long Lake West, Lake Kora, Indian Lake, Piseco Lake, Brandeth Lake, the smaller lakes of the Fulton Chain, and hundreds of small lakes lie wholly within Hamilton county, and the shores of most of them were secured by the large non-resident land owners named above and by others, including a part of the preserve of the Adirondack League club and a great portion of the Nehasane Park preserved of H. Walter Webb.

Across the northwest corner runs about ten miles of the Mohawk & Malone railroad of the Clearwater & Raquette Lake railroad has six or eight miles of track in Hamilton county, being that portion lying east of Eagle Bay station on Fourth Lake. There is no railroad connection with any part of Fulton county except by taking the Mohawk & Malone to Utica, thence on the Central-Hudson to Fonda and thence north to Fulton county, which is a roundabout way of considerable distance. People from the northern half of Hamilton county who would be compelled to visit the county seat if it were located in Fulton county, would have to travel about 280 miles by rail for the round trip, and long distances by wagon or sleigh. From Lake Pleasant, the present county seat of Hamilton county, there would be a 35-mile drive to Northville and a railroad trip of another 30 miles.

Towns	Pop.	Imp. land	Villages, Post Offices, &c.
Hope	608	1187	25 miles NNE. of Johnstown; Sacandaga River
Lake Pleasant	312	718	20 to 75 miles N. of Johnstown; Elm L., and L. Pleasant
Wells	331	1259	30 to 75 miles NNE. of Johnstown; Pezeeko Lake
Total	1251	3164