592 [Assembly 



of the present beautiful village of Essex. James Gilliland, a 

 brother of the proprietor, and in after years a distinguished officer 

 in the American army, settled on a lot on the north bank of the 

 Boquet. This stream, at the time of Gilliland's colonization of 

 its shores, and for a subsequent period of several years, was a 

 conspicuous landmark in tlje country. 



The site and tlie water power of the village of Port Henry, 

 was granted in 1766, to Benjamin Porter, a miller. It is sup- 

 posed a milling establishment was erected by him and aban- 

 doned or destroyed before or during the -Re volution. When 

 tranquility was restored after that event, he returned to the 

 scene, and in connection with a Robert Lewis, of Albany, rebuilt 

 the mills. The ruins of these structures existed until a recent 

 date.* 



CHAPTER VII. 



TO THE REVOLUTION. 



Ko prominent event, distinguished the annals of these settle- 

 ments for several years. Their agricultural and industrial im- 

 provement continued to advance, the colony gradually increased 

 in population, flourishing mills were erected, and other con- 

 veniences and refinements of civilized life were introduced. 

 Schools were early established. The position of the first school 

 house is still pointed out. Occasional religious services were en- 

 joyed. I cannot ascertain the existence, in the early epoch of the 

 settlement, of the stated administration of religious ordinances, 

 although a clergyman named George Henry, accompanied Mr. 

 Gilliland with the first body of emigrants. 



Albany county was divided in 1772, and the northern' section, 

 embracing both sides of Lake Champlain, was organized into a 

 new county, which received the name of Charlotte. 



* Moet of the facts and incident-s in tbe colonization of this region^ for which I am indebted 

 ix) Mr. Sheldon, whose ancestors were among the earliest emigrants after the Revolution, wero 

 derived from them, Mr. Gilliland, the son of the proprietor, and other aged settlers. Many 

 of th&ae facts I hare corrobOTated myself, from equally reliable sources. 



