Image and text from Otsego county New York Geographical and Historical
by Edwin F Bacon, Ph B. 1902 Oneonta NY
| Page 63. UNADILLA. Area 28,349 Acres. Population 2,601. This township was formed from Otsego in 1792. It lies at the confluence of the Susquehanna and the Unadilla, and is watered by the many tributaries of thise rivers. It is believed to have been settled to some extent before the Revolution, but where or by whom is not known. Like all other parts of the county, it filled up rapidly as soon as peace permitted. Unadilla village dates from about 1790, but its early importance was due to the construction in 1802 of the Catskill and Susquehanna turnpike, an important highway which terminated here, the point being known as "Wattles' Ferry", from Sluman Wattles, a leading pioneer in that region. The village was on lands of the "Wallace patent." Among the first settlers were Aaron Axtell, the village blacksmith, who purchased the first lot; Solomon Martin, a soldier of the Revolution and of the war of 1812, sheriff of the county and member of assembly, from whom Martin brook was named; Daniel Bissell and his kinsman, Guido L. Bissell; Dr. Gordon Huntington, the leading physician of that region and member of assembly from 1805 to 1809; Joseph S. Bragg, whose son Edward S. Bragg became brigadier general in the Rebellion and a congressman from Wisconsin; Moses Axtell, one of the "Boston tea party" and a hero of Lexington and Bunker Hill; Stephen Benton, a landholder and merchant; Captain Uriah Hanford, William Wilmot, the first cabinet-maker, Samuel Crooker, the four Cone brothers Dr. Adanijah, Daniel, Gilbert and Gardner, who, with their descendants, have had an important share in the development of the village; Elisha Luther, John Fiske, a soldier of 1812, Whitney Bacon, David finch, Henry Ogden, who was member of assembly in 1820, Niel Robinson, John Eels, justice of the peace and supervisor, and Calvin and Lorin Gates, who purchased land here about 1810. Among influential citizens of a later date were Sherman Page, an able lawyer, member of assembly in 1827, member of the 23rd and 24th congress and associate judge of the county; Major Christopher D. Fellows, who from his advent in the village at the age of fourteen to that of ninety-three, "was an active and intelligent force in nearly all that advanced the interests of the place," Dr. Gaius Leonard Halsey, author of the "Reminiscenses" included in "The Pioneers of Unadilla" by his son Francis W. Halsey; Clark I. Hayes, whom farmers have to thank for improved breeds of farm stock throughout this valley; Eli C. Belknap, a leading lawyer; and Arnold B. Watso, than whom no more useful man has ever lived in Unadilla. Alike in educational, religious and financial affairs he was among the first and best. Ebenezer Gregory came from Gilbertsville to Unadilla Center, where he built the stone house that is still standing. He reared four sons and four daughters, who with their descendants have contributed much to the social and business life of Unadilla. Among the early proprietors in the vicinity of Sand Hill, in the eastern part of the township, were Daniel Buckley, John and Aaron Sisson, Samuel Merriman and Elisha Lathrop. John Sisson came as early as 1790 and settled in the vicinity afterwards called Sisson Hill. In the same vicinity were Captain Seth Rowley, a veteran of the Revolution and Captain Elisha Saunders, who was both physician and soldier, and who was killed at the battle of Queenstown in 1812. Unadilla is pleasantly situated on the north bank of the Susquehanna river, and on the line of the Albany & Susquehanna railroad, 99 miles from Albany and 44 from Binghamton. It has a superior system of water works, with reservoirs 150 feet above the village, and an electric light plant furnishing 26 arc lights for the streets, with incandescent lights for the stores and dwellings. It is a manufacturing place of some importance, having a large milk condensery, a carriage factory making the superior Hanford carriages and wagons, a large tailoring establishment and several cigar factories. It is one of the most attractive villages on the line of the railroad, being noted for its wide and shady streets, its beautiful river view, its handsome residences and its well kept private grounds. VILLAGES: There are three villages in this township, viz.: Unadilla (population 1,172), Unadilla Center (population 73), and Wells Bridge (population 165). Rockdale, on the Unadilla river, is mostly in Chenango county. SCHOOLS: Number of districts 18, teachers 21, children of school age 44 [sic]. The Unadilla Union Free School and Academy, which in 1894 succeeded the former academy, has a large, modern building with superior sanitary arrangements, city water and electric lights. It ranks as a High School under the university of the State of New York. Its course of instruction includes the natural sciences, ancient and modern languages, and teachers' training class. It has a library of over 2,000 volumes, besides reference books. The Academic department prepares for college and grants regents' diplomas. The faculty consists of a principal and eight assistants. CHURCHES: At Unadilla, Baptist, Episcopal, Methodist, and Presbyterian. At Wells Bridge, Baptist and Methodist. At Unadilla Center, Methodist, and a Methodist church at Sand Hill, in the eastern part. NEWSPAPERS: The Unadilla Times, a weekly paper, established in 1854. Transcribed by Karen Flanders Eddy. KARENE1@webtv.net |