THE ARCHEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF NEW YORK 529 



The fortification is distinct and plain through its whole extent, 

 except where there are appearances of original openings. For a 

 tew rods which have been plowed, upon the eastern side, there 

 are traces of the ditch visible. The top of the earthen wall is now 



3 feet or more higher in places than in the bottom of its ditch. From 

 the outside of the ditch to the inside of the embankment it averages 

 I rod, two-thirds of this width being occupied by the embankment. 

 The stump of a white pine tree, 4 feet in diameter, stands in the 

 western ditch near the north angle of the earthwork. This tree 

 apparently has had its growth since the ditch was dug; four hundred 

 annual rings were counted and years must have elapsed since it 

 ceased to grow. Upon the bank and in the ditch upon the south 

 intrenchment many trees are growing. A pine tree that once stood 

 upon the bank and was afterwards blown over showed from 230 to 

 260 rings. A small rivulet runs a distance of about 4 rods from the 

 north angle of the fort. It is about 20 feet lower than the inclosure. 

 Near this is a narrow opening in the walls, apparently designed for 

 access to the brook. Another opening appears on the southwest side 

 near the west angle. The land is level or slightly undulating, descend- 

 ing steeply about 20 feet to the east and south on the north side anrl 

 rising to the west where, at a distance of 5 rods, the ground is 10 

 feet higher than the embankment. The area inclosed within the 

 intrenchment is level, being a growth of maple and beech with 

 cherry, cucumber and white ash. All over it are the decayed relics 

 of an old pine forest. The north and south or longest diameter of 

 this work is 28 rods. It includes an area of land of about 2 acres. 

 In the center of this fortification is a singular bowl-shaped depression 



4 rods in diameter; at its lowest point it is 5 feet lower than the 

 adjacent grounds. Within this depression no trees are growing, 

 except three beeches, the largest not more than icS inches in diameter. 

 Around the cavity are many trees of large growth. As yet there 

 have been discovered no ashes or burned stones or other relics 

 in this hollow. Some pottery and stone implements have been 

 found along its eastern border, but as the ground here and in the 

 vicinity is covered with woods, but few relics of this kind have been 

 discovered. 



On the lands of the late B. F. Dennison a little north of the middle 

 of lot 46 in Gerry and about 22 rods east of the road from Sinclair- 

 ville to Jamestown, not far from a little rivulet, was an oval earth- 

 work 15 or 20 rods in diameter containing about an acre. Forty or 

 fifty years ago 5 or 6 rods of the wall were very distinct, and the 

 remainder easily traced. When the writer saw it about 5 rods only 

 were traceable. 



