Steuben County 073 



In 1789 the first white settlement was made on the present 

 site of Coming by a native of Vermont. This territory was a 

 part of the Phelps and Gorham tract, and was later owned suc- 

 cessively by Robert Morris, Charles "Williamson, and Sir William 

 Pulteney. To Captain Williamson is dne the credit of extensive 

 developments in the county. He improved the navigation of the 

 Chemung, Cohocton, and Canisteo rivers, and built bridges, roads, 

 hotels, jails, courthouses, churches, mills, sclioolhouses, and 

 theatres. 



DEVELOPMENT OF INDUSTRY 



As ashes were almost the only product that brought cash to the 

 early settlers, much attention was given to burning timber. Saw 

 mills were later erected, and extensive lumber business was begun. 

 Previous to 1800, when mills of all descriptions were found on 

 every considerable stream, saw mills, carding and cloth-dressing 

 mills, distilleries, and tanneries were numerous. 



When the land was cleared, crops of com, wheat, and other 

 grains were raised. The Canisteo River offered transportation 

 to Baltimore, which was a ready market for surplus grain, butter, 

 cheese, beef, pork, whisky, and shingles. About 1835 J. W. 

 Prentiss planted grape cuttings in the town of Pulteney, with 

 excellent success. This was the beginning of a very extensive grape 

 business in the towns of Pulteney, Urbana, and Wayne, adjoining 

 Lake Keuka. 



The lumber business being so much more profitable, agricul- 

 tural progress was slow until about 1850, when the pine timber 

 had nearly all been removed from the land. Many of the lumber- 

 men and rivermen were then attracted to the West, and a new 

 class of people from the Mohawk valley and the eastern states, 

 who were experienced farmers, bought the land. They introduced 

 new methods, planted superior grain, and raised improved live 

 stock. Considerable attention was given to the raising of young 

 cattle and stock for the eastern markets. For about twenty years 

 previous to 1900 Steuben County was one of the leading sheep- 

 raising counties in Xew York State; swine and their products 

 were of much importance for nearly a century. Both classes of 

 animals are now greatly reduced in number. 

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