No. 63.1 145 



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original occupants of this fertile valley, where corn grew almost 

 spontaneously, and game and fish were abundant, should have left it 

 with great reluctance. 



The town of Elmira lies west of, and adjoining Chemung, being- 

 separated by Butler's (now Baldwin's) creek, at the mouth of 

 which stream, on one of the largest alluvial flats along the river, the 

 celebrated battle of " Newtown," between the forces under Gen. 

 Sullivan, and the Indians commanded by Brant, took place; they 

 gallantly defended their fair inheritance, and for a brief period check- 

 ed Sullivan in his onward march, but were defeated and dispersed 

 with considerable loss. On this battle ground, one of the earliest 

 and most prominent settlements was made, and at this day, when 

 overlooking the splendid fields and luxuriant crops that are usually 

 to be seen on this battle field, we cease to wonder that those who 

 had perhaps for ages, in peace and quiet here raised and gathered 

 their corn, should have fought with a bravery not common in savage 

 warfare, in its defence. 



The next prominent settlement was Newtown, now " Elmira," 

 (the county town of Chemung.) 



In 1794, lots were laid out and the village commenced by Guy 

 Maxwell and Samuel Hepburn, on the north bank of the Chemung 

 river, which is here intersected by the Chemung canal. Elmira is 

 beautifully situated upon a fine gravelly plain, and is now a highly 

 promising village, containing about three thousand inhabitants, and 

 from its fine, healthful and advantageous situation, being surrounded 

 by a rich and highly cultivated country, bids fair to become an im- 

 portant inland city. It is the chief market, not only for this, but for 

 the adjoining counties, both in this State and Pennsylvania. 



The facilities of water communication secure to this town the salt 

 and plaster trade of northern Pennsylvania; large quantities of these 

 indispensable articles are annually sent to the latter market, down the 

 Chemung and Susquehannah rivers, in arks cheaply constructed for 

 that purpose. When the Elmira and Williamsport Rail-Road shall 

 be constructed, this will become a great mart of exchange; Pennsyl- 

 vania furnishing iron and coal, and receiving therefor salt and plas- 

 ter. 



Elmira, lying on the north side of the Chemung, has not as much 

 alluvial land as most of the towns through which the river runs. 

 The plain upon which the village stands, extending to the north line 

 of the town, is highly productive and under good cultivation; this 

 land was covered originally, chiefly with pitch or yellow pine, and in 

 the early settlement of the country was considered worthless; but 

 since the discovery of gypsum in the lake country, which is general- 

 ly used upon lands of this description, being a loam with gravel in- 

 terspersed, these have proved to be the most valuable lands in the 

 country, and are preferred by many experienced agriculturists to the 

 alluvial lands. With the aid of one bushel of plaster to the acre, a 

 fine burthen of clover is obtained, which soon makes them highly pro- 

 ductive; the wheat and hay grown upon these plains, as also upon 



[Senate No. 6.3. J T 



