758 Agricultural Manual 



war path, along the valley of Wood Creek — through which the 

 Champlain Canal now extends — the legions of Burgoyne moved 

 to impending ruin. 



But few native Indians remained in the county on the arrival 

 of the whites, although distinct Indian trails and numerous imple- 

 ments of their arts proved that they had formerly occupied it in 

 large numbers. 



Both French and English settlements were begun in the county 

 previous to the close of the French and Indian War, the pioneer 

 settlement heing made by the Schuylers in what is now the town 

 of Easton, more than a century after it was first explored. The 

 constant dangers to which the colonists were exposed, however, 

 led to the abandonment of Washington Comity by the English in 

 1747, after an occupation of not much more than ten years. No 

 attempt at agricultural improvement was undertaken until after 

 1760. 



Fort Edward, which was known as the " great carrying place," 

 was a very important depot for arms and rendezvous for armies 

 in the great expeditions against Canada and it served as a vast 

 hospital for the sick and wounded until 1760, when it was allowed 

 to go to decay. During the Revolution it was again occupied by 

 both British and Americans. 



Upon the advance of Burgoyne in 1777 the terrors and desola- 

 tion of war again spread over the region. Soon after the close 

 of the Revolution, however, the county was rapidly settled by emi- 

 grants from the New England States, and from Scotland and 

 Ireland. 



Fort Edward is located near the scene of the tragic death of 

 Jane McCrea, which occurred during the Revolution. This event 

 was to the colony of New York, and to Washington County espe- 

 cially, what the battle of Lexington was to the New England colo- 

 nies, as it led the inhabitants to unite more firmly against the 

 invaders. 



In the town of Fort Ann five forts were built and destroyed 

 during the early struggle for existence. The town also has the 

 distinction of manufacturing the first friction match, called the 

 " Weller Match — Blue Head." 



For ten years previous to 1823 the turnpikes were the main 

 avenues of traffic in this county. At about that time the Cham- 

 plain Canal, which is next in importance to the Erie Canal, was 



