706 [Assembly 



empire over the territory. Brambles and weeds infested the land, 

 the roads had become impassable, the fences and bridges were 

 prostrated and decayed. Much of the former tolls of the colony 

 were to be renewed. 



The personal history of Mr. Gilliland, so intimately interwoven 

 with the settlement and progress of the county, demands atten- 

 tion. 



In common with an innumerable class of patriots, who had 

 freely lavi:^hed their fortunes upon tlie country in the hour of 

 trial cind effort, the peace of '83 found Mr. Gilliland deeply em- 

 barrasicd in his pecuniary affairs. 



The acquisition of an estate of 30,000 acres upon the borders 

 of Cliampiain, with the disbursements incident to its improve- 

 ment, had involved the expenditure of a large amount of his 

 means. 



He had lived in great comparative affluence and splendor, dis- 

 pensing munificent charities and a generous hospitality. Driven 

 from his home by a ruthless invader, his estates were wasted^ 

 and for several years abandoned and unproductive.* 



In tlie progress of the war he had been reduced almost to indi- 

 gence and destitution. Arnold in^-his progress through the lake, 

 with characteristic rapacity and violence, had ravaged the pro- 

 perty of Mr. Gilliland. He appealed to Congiess for remunera- 

 tion of his advances, and indemnity for his various losses, but the 

 exhausted treasury of the country could afford no relief. 



Beturning to his wide possessions, he saw them wasted and de- 

 solate. Abandoning his loncj cherished purpose of erecting his 

 property into a manorial estate, he decided to sell his lands in 

 fee. The first purcha?ers were Joseph Sheldon and Abraham 

 Aiken, of Dutchess county, who went into the occupation of their 

 lots in March, 1784, and were the pioneer settlers under the new 

 arrangement, in the limits of the present town of Willsboro. 



During that spring fourteen other families purchased and occu- 

 pied farms, and several other individuals bought lots, and com- 

 menced im^ rovements. 



I 



t 



♦oee Memoiial in Appendix. 



