71-1 [Assembly 



Es>es: county voted with Clinton, until after Vae census of ISOO'. 

 Thomas Slower was the first represt-ntative of Essex, when voting 

 independent uf Clinton. Tlie history of the industrial pursuits 

 of the county, early in the present century, attained a predomi- 

 nant interest over its civil and political annals. That is reserved 

 for a distinct department of this report. 



CHAPTER XI. 



SETTLEMENT. 



The war of 1812, although it closed many of the ordinary 

 channels of business in ill's county, accelerated its progress by 

 the new demands created lor all the products of industry 

 and agiicalture, and by the general and abundant diflfusion of 

 money it produced. 



The enemy appeared on several occasions in the waters of Es- 

 sex county, and in the summer of 1813, entered the Boquet with 

 two gallies and two barges. Landing at different points, and com- 

 mitting many wanton ravages on private property, tliey retired 

 after a slight skirmish with a body of militia near the former en- 

 trenchments of Eurgoyne. 



Tlie citizens of the county exhibited promptitude and zeal in 

 responding to the calls of p.dtriotism, during the war, and partic- 

 ularly on the approach of the British forces, in 1314 upon Platts- 

 burgh. Many of the volunteers and militia of Essex, creditably 

 participated in the events of that brief, although glorious cam- 

 paign. 



The masses of the settlers of Essex county, were of New Eng- 

 land origin, and in a congenial soil and climate, familiar to their 

 habits and experiences they implanted the usages and character- 

 istics <jf their puritan fatherland. No bounty of the state embraces 

 a population of higher intelligence, of purer morality, or more 

 industrious and frugal habits. lis early history presents only a 

 counterpart of the aspect of every new colony, where among the 

 virtuous and worthy, there always drifts from more matured 

 communities, the loose and reckless. 



