Manchester was formed from Farmington, March 31, 1821, as “Burt,” and its name was changed April 16, 1822.  It lies upon the n. border of the co., e. of the center.  Its surface is nearly level in the s., but is occupied by irregular sand and gravel ridges of the drift formation in the n.  Canandaigua Outlet, Fall Creek, and Black Brook are the principal streams.  The soil is a gravelly loam and is very productive.  Hydraulic limestone is quarried on “the Outlet.”  There are 3 flouring mills in town.  Clifton Springs, (p. v.,) incorporated in 1859, a station on the N. Y. C. R. R., is situated in the e. part of the town. Pop. 340.  At this place are the celebrated Clifton Mineral Springs and an extensive water cure establishment.¹  Manchester (p. v.) contains 374 inhabitants; Shortsville (p. v.) contains 35 dwellings and a large distillery; and Port Gibson, (p. v.,) on the Erie Canal, 50 dwellings; Manchester Center (p. v.) contains 18 dwellings. Plainsville (Gypsum p. o.) contains 12 houses. Coonsville contains a flouring mill, plaster mill, and 12 houses.  The first settlement was made in 1793, by Stephen Jared, Joel Phelps and Joab Gillett.² Rev. David Irish preached in Manchester in Jan. 1797, and in Feb. following a Bap. society was organized.  There are now 8 churches in town.³ Joe Smith, the Mormon prophet, resided in this town with his father; and Mormon Hill, the place where the gold Bible was found, is situated a little n. w. of the center of the town.

Footnotes:

1.  A hotel was erected in 1806, as a dispensary; and the water cure was established in 1850, by a company organized for that purpose, with a capital of $45,000.  It has accommodations for 150 patients, and is largely patronized.  The water of the spring was analyzed in 1852, by Dr. Chilton, of N. Y., with the following result in grains to 1 quart:

• Sulphate of lime . . . . . . . . . 17.30 grs.
•     "          " magnesia . . . . . .  4.12  "
•     "          " soda . . . . . . . . . . 1.94   "
• Carbonate of lime . . . . . . . . . 2.42   "
•      "            " magnesia . . . . . .3.28   "
• Chloride of sodium . . . . . . . . .2.32   "
•      "        "  calcium . . . . . . . . .1.02   "
•      "        "  magnesia . . . . . . . .1.02   "
• Organic matter . . . . . . . . . . . . trace
•         Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33.42

2.  Nathan Pierce and John McLouth from Berkshire, Mass., settled in the town in 1795; and John Van Fleet, Jedediah Dewey, Benjamin Barney, William Mitchell and Peleg Redfield soon after. Sharon Boothe and a daughter of Joab Gillett were married in 1793.  Theophilus Short erected the first mill, at Shortsville in 1804; and the first store was opened by Nathan Burton.  Elam Crane taught the first school, in 1800.

3.  2 Bap., 3 M. E., 2 Prot. Meth., and a Univ.

Naples¹ was formed Jan. 27, 1789, as “Middletown.”  The name was changed April 6, 1808.  Italy was taken off in 1815, and a part of Springwater in 1816.  It is the extreme s. town of the co.  The surface consists of a hilly and elevated upland, broken by the narrow and deep valleys of Canandaigua and Honeoye Inlets and Grindstone Creek. The summits of the hills are 600 to 1000 feet above the surface of the lake and 1300 to 1700 feet above tide. Their declivities bordering on the streams are generally very steep.  High Point and Hatch Hill are the highest summits.  The soil upon the hills consists of clay and gravel mixed with disintegrated slate and shale; and in the valleys it is a rich, gravelly loam mixed with alluvium. Fruit growing is receiving much attention.  Peaches are produced in great abundance; and an experiment is being made in the cultivation of grapes, which promises to be successful.  Over 30 acres are now devoted to this object, and very satisfactory results have been realized.  Naples, (p. v.,) on the Canandaigua Inlet, 4 mi. from the lake, contains 5 churches and 3 flouring mills. Pop. 700. The first settlement was commenced in 1790, by a company from Berkshire co., Mass., by whom the town was purchased from Phelps and Gorham.²   The first sermon was preached by Rev. Zadock Hunn, in June, 1792.³

Footnotes:

1.  Originally called "Watkinstown," from Wm. Watkins, of Berkshire, Mass., one of the purchasers under Phelps and Gorham, and called by the Indians Nun'da-wa-o, great hill.

2.  In Feb. 1790, Samuel, Reuben and Levi Parish, with their families, came in; and in April following, Nathan and Wm. Watkins, John Johnson, Jonathan Lee, and William Clark, with their families, 30 persons in all.  The first birth was that of Phineas P. Lee; and the first marriage, that of Benj. Clark and Thankful Watkins, in 1795.  The first sawmill was erected in 1792, by Benj. Clark and Jabez Metcalf.  Susannah Parish taught the first school, in 1792.  Myron H. Clark, late Governor of the State, was born in this town, Oct. 23, 1806.

3.  There are 5 churches in town; Bap., M. E., Presb., Wes. Meth., and Christian.

Phelps¹ was formed in 1796, under the act of Jan. 27, 1789.  A part was annexed to Lyons, (Wayne co.,) April 11, 1823. It is the n. e. corner town of the co.  Its surface is rolling, the ridges rising in gentle slopes 20 to 100 feet above the valleys. The highest point is 300 feet above Canandaigua Lake.  The soil in the e. is a sandy loam with a clay subsoil, in the n. a mixed sandy and clayey loam, and in the w. a sandy and coarse gravelly loam, all highly productive.  Canandaigua Outlet, the principal stream, flows e. and n. through the center.  Along its course are extensive quarries of gypsum and water limestone. In the town are quarries of Onondaga and corniferous limestone.  Phelps,² (p. v.,) on Flint Creek, near its junction with the Canandaigua Outlet, was incorp. Jan. 2, 1855.  It contains a union school, newspaper office, and 6 churches.  Pop. 1,278. Orleans (p. v.) is situated on Flint Creek.  Pop. 218.  Oaks Corners (p. o.) contains 15 houses.³  J. D. Robinson, from Claverack, Columbia co., settled at Phelps in 1789.⁴  Rev. S. Goodale was  the first resident preacher; he held services in schoolhouses and dwellings before any church edifice was erected.  The first church (Presb.) was built in 1804.⁵

Footnotes:
l
1.  Named from Oliver Phelps, one of the original proprietors of the town.

2.  Formerly called "Vienna".

3.  The culture of rasberries has recently been introduced in this vicinity, and promises to be successful.

4.  N. Sanborn, _________ Gould, _______ Pierce, Philetus Swift, and Elihu Granger, from Conn., settled in town in 1789; Thaddeus Oaks, Seth Dean, Oliver and Charles Humphrey, John Salisbury, Nicholas Pullen, Walter Chase, and Elias Dickinson in 1791; John Patten and David Boyd in 1792; Jonathan Melvin in 1793; and John Sherman, Joseph and Lodowick Vandemark, and John and Patrick Burnett in 1794.  Henry H. Robinson was the first child born in town; and the first marriage was that of Philetus Swift and Sally Dean, in 1793.  Thaddeus Oaks opened the first tavern, in 1793; and the first saw and grist mills were built by Seth Dean.

Richmond was formed in 1796, under the act of Jan. 27, 1789, as “Pittstown.”  Its name was changed to “Honeoye” April 6, 1808, and to Richmond April 11, 1815.  A part of Canadice was annexed April 30, 1836, and parts of Bristol and South Bristol in 1848; but the latter were restored in 1852.  It lies upon the w. border of the co., s. of the center. It consists of a nearly square portion of land lying near the foot of Honeoye Lake, and a narrow strip extending along the e. shore of that lake and its inlet to the s. border of the co.¹  A wide valley occupies the center, opening toward the n., and surrounded by hills from 50 to 200 feet high on the 3 remaining sides.  The southern strip is very hilly, the summits rising 500 feet above the surface of the lake.  Honeoye and Hemlock Outlets and Egypt Brook are the principal streams.  The soil upon the lowlands is clay, upon the hills a sandy loam mixed with clay.  Much attention is given to improving the breeds of cattle and sheep; and it is the largest wool growing town in the co., and second in the State.  Honeoye, (p. v.,) at the foot of Honeoye Lake, is the business center of the town.  Pop. 244.  Richmond Mills (p. o.) and Allens Hill² (p. o.) are hamlets. This town was purchased of Phelps and Gorham by a company; and the first settlement was made by Capt. Peter Pitts and his sons William and Gideon, in 1789.³ There are 5 churches in town.⁴

Footnotes:

1.  This strip was added to the town in consequence of its position, high mountain ridges separating it from the business centers of both Canadice and South Bristol.

2.  Named in honor of Nathaniel Allen.  Mr. Allen was among the first settlers, and established the first blacksmith's shop at Allens Hill.  Subsequently he was sheriff of Ontario co.; in 1812 he was a member of the Assembly; during the War of 1812 he was army paymaster; and in 1819 he was elected member of Congress from the 21st district.

3.  In 1795, Lemuel and Cyrus Chipman, Philip Reed, Levi Blackmer, Nathaniel Harmon, Pierce Chamberlain, Asa Denison, and Isaac Adams from Vermont, settled in town.  Capt. Pitts opened the first tavern; and the first saw and grist mills were built by Thomas Morris, in 1795.  Upon the division of the lands, Capt. Pitts secured 3,000 acres at the foot of Honeoye Lake, embracing the flats and a cleared field which had been the site of an Indian village destroyed by Sullivan's army.  Louis Philippe, during his travels in this country, spent a night in the log house of Capt. Pitts; and subsequently the Duke de Liancourt and suite went from Canandaigua to make him a visit.

Seneca was formed in 1793, under the act of Jan. 27, 1789.  It is the s. e. corner town of the co., lying upon the w. shore of Seneca Lake.  The surface is beautifully rolling, the ridges rising 20 to 200 feet above the valleys.  The shores of the lake are bluffs about 100 feet above the surface of the water.  The streams are Flint and Keshong Creeks and Burralls and Castle Brooks.  The soil is a deep, rich loam, consisting of sand, gravel, and clay mixed together, the gravel predominating upon the ridges.  The soil is admirably adapted to the production of fruit trees, and the business of the nursery has become one of the leading pursuits in the town.  Two large nursery establishments are located within the limits of the village of Geneva.  Commerce and manufactures receive considerable attention.  Geneva,¹ (p. v.,) incorp. April 4, 1806, is beautifully situated at the foot of Seneca Lake.  It contains a flourishing union school,² a large private boarding school,³ 3 newspaper offices, and 9 churches.  It is also the seat of Hobart Free College.⁴  The Geneva Water Cure and Hygienic Institute is finely situated near the center of the village.  A daily line of steamers connects this place with the upper ports upon Seneca Lake.  Pop. 5,057.  Castleton, (Seneca Castle p.o.,) on Flint Creek, in the n. w. part, contains 2 churches and 35 dwellings.  Flint Creek, (p. o.,) Halls Corners, (p. o.,) and Stanleys Corners⁵ (p. o.) are hamlets.  The first settlement was commenced in 1787, upon the site of the Indian village of Kanadesaga, by immigrants from New  England.⁶  This village was situated at the foot of Seneca Lake, where Geneva now is; and for several years after Geneva had become a place of considerable importance it was called “Kanadesaga.”  An ancient fortification, known as Fort Hill, is located on lot 58.  It was covered with large forest trees upon the first settlement of the town.  Another beautiful ground, called the “Old Castle,” is about 1 mi. n. w. of Geneva.  It is covered by an Indian orchard, and the ground has never been plowed, because of a stipulation to that effect made with the Indians in the treaty of purchase.⁷  It contains an Indian burial ground; and in one corner may be traced a trench of an ancient stockaded fortification.  Here was the largest Indian settlement in Western New York, and it is still a place of much interest to the few remaining descendants of the once powerful Five Nations.  Many relics -- as stone hatchets, arrow heads, pipes, &c. -- are found in the vicinity of “Old Castle.”  As early as 1765, the Rev. Samuel Kirkland came on a mission to the Indians at Kanadesaga.⁸  The first church (Presb.) was organized in 1798; and the first settled minister was Rev. Jedediah Chapman.⁹

Footnotes:

1.  This village is justly celebrated for the beauty of its situation; and perhaps no village in the co. in this respect has been so generally and enthusiastically praised by tourists.  For many years it was one of the leading business places in Central N. Y.; but the completion of the R. R. lines has turned a large share of the business into other channels.

2.  This union school was one of the first established in the State, and for a long time was taken as a model in establishing others.  It early contained an academic department that enjoyed an excellent reputation.  The schools of the village are now graded, and embrace a complete common school and academic union.

3.  The Walnut Hill Seminary, for boys, is a flourishing institution of its kind.

4.  Formerly Geneva College.  It was incorp. in 1825, and was established mainly through the influence of Bishop Hobart, whose name it bears.  A medical department was organized in 1836.  The trustees and members of the College Faculty are generally members of the Prot. Epis. church.  From the beginning, however, the college has been equally open to all; and it is now free to all, no charge being made for tuition and room rent.  It has now two large buildings for the use of students --one for libraries and lecture rooms, one for a chapel -- and a spacious building for the use of the medical department.  The college has a president, 4 professors, an assistant professor, and a resident fellow, who takes part in the business of instruction; and the medical department has a Faculty of 6 professors.  In 1859 the number of students in the free classes was 85.  The aggregate value of the college property is about $160,000.  The college buildings are beautifully situated in the s. part of the village, on a bluff which overlooks Seneca Lake.  The college grounds contain above 12 acres.  In 1858 the whole number of graduates in arts was 246 and in medicine 520.

5.  Gorham Station on the E. J. & C. R. R.

6.  Among the first settlers were Horatio Jones, Asa Ransom, Lark Jennings, Dr. Benton, Peter Ryckman, Peter Bortte, Col. Seth Reed, and Dominick Debartzch, and Indian trader.  Jonathan Whitney, Jonathan Oaks, Benjamin Tuttle, Phineas Stone, and John Reed settled in 1788 and '89; Solomon and William Gates, Thomas Densmore, Solomon Weaver, and Oliver Whitmore in 1790, and Adam, Christian, Christopher, and George Fisher in 1791. Lark Jennings kept the first tavern, in 1788; the first gristmill was erected by Cornelius Roberts; and the first sawmill, by P. B. Wisner, in 1798.  The first marriage was that of Dr. Joel Prescott and Miss Phila Reed; and the first school was taught by Samuel Wheaton, in 1792.

7.  For many years after this purchase the Indians came regularly at plowing time and watched this orchard, to see that the stipulation was not broken.

8.  Subsequently Mr. Kirkland was commissioned by the State of Mass. to treat with the Indians; and he conducted the treaty of purchase between them and Phelps and Gorham, in 1788; and afterward he acted as Indian agent for 30 years at Canandaigua.

South Bristol was formed from Bristol, March 8, 1838.  It lies upon the w. shore of Canandaigua Lake, s. w. of the center of the co.  The surface consists of an elevated upland, divided into 4 ranges by the valleys of Grindstone and Mud Creeks and Egypt Brook.  The summits of the ridges are about 1000 feet above the lake, and the declivities are very steep.  The bluffs upon the lake shore are 300 to 400 feet high.  The soil is a mixture of clay and disintegrated slate.  Although the soil is rich and productive, the hilly character of the town has tended to retard its settlement.  Cold Spring (South Bristol p. o.) is a hamlet about a mi. from Canandaigua Lake.  Frost Hill is a hamlet in the w. part.  Gamaliel Wilder, from Mass., purchased this township from Phelps and Gorham, and settled at Wilburs Point, on Canandaigua Lake, in 1789.¹  An Indian orchard on the lake shore at this point induced him to settle here.  Rev. Mr. Rolph was the first settled minister.  There is now but 1 church (Presb.) in town.

Footnotes:

Victor was formed from Bloomfield, May 26, 1812.  It is the n. w. corner town of the co.  The n. part is occupied by the drift ridges, which rise 50 to 150 feet above the general surface.  A ridge of 100 to 280 feet in height extends across the s. part in a general e. and w. direction. The principal streams are Irondequoit, Mud, Hog Hollow, and Fish Creeks, and Trout Brook.  The soil in the center and n. is a light, sandy and gravelly loam, but in the s. e. it is principally clay.  It is particularly adapted to the cultivation of potatoes and root crops. Victor,¹ (p. v.,) near the center, contains about 75 dwellings.  The Indian village of Gannagaro, which was destroyed by the Marquis de Nonville, was situated near this place. Fishers (p. o.) is a station on the N. Y. C. R. R., in the w. part; and East Victor is a hamlet, on Mud Creek.  The first settlement was commenced in 1789, by immigrants from Stockbridge, Mass. Among the first were Enos and Jared Boughton, and Jacob Lobdell.² Rev. Reuben Parmelee, from Goshen, the first settled minister, came to the town in 1798.³

Footnotes:

1.  Called by the Indians Ga-o'sa-ga-o, in the basswood country.

2.  Levi Boughton and Rufus Dryer settled at Boughton Hill, in 1790.  The first birth was that of Frederick Boughton, in June, 1791; and the first marriage, that of Zebulon Norton and Miss Boughton.  The first tavern was opened at Boughton Hill, by Hezekiah Boughton, in 1792; and the first sawmill was built the same year, by Enos and Jared Boughton.

West Bloomfield was formed from Bloomfield, Feb. 11, 1833.  It lies upon the w. border of the co., n. of the center.  A ridge 200 to 300 feet high, forming the declivity of a southern terrace, extends across the n. part. The surface is gently undulating.  The soil is a deep, rich, gravelly loam mixed with clay.  In the s. part there is a spring of inflammable or carburetted hydrogen gas.  Tile and earthenware are manufactured to some extent in town.  West Bloomfield (p. v.) is a village of 350 inhabitants,¹ situated 1 1/2 mi. s. of the W. Bloomfield Station, on the N. Y. C. R. R.  North Bloomfield, (p. v.,) on the Honeoye Outlet, and Millers Corners, (Taylorsville p. o.,) in the e. part, are R. R. stations.  The territory forming this town was purchased by Amos Hall,² Robert Taft, Nathan Marvin, and Ebenezer Curtis; and the first settlement was made by them in 1789.³  The first religious services were held in 1793.⁴

Footnotes:

1.  Called by the Indians Ga-nun'da-ak, village on a hilltop.

2.  Mr. Hall was from Guilford, Conn.  He took the first census of Ontario co., in 1790; represented the co. in Assembly, in 1798; and was Major General of militia in the War of 1812.

3.  John P. Sears, Peregrine Gardner, Clark Peck, Jasper Marvin, Samuel Miller, John Algur, and S. Thayer settled in the town in 1789-90.  Benjamin Gardner, with his sons John and Peregrine, are supposed to have been the first settlers.  The first birth was that of Lucinda Gardner, in Sept. 1791.  Jasper P. Sears kept the first inn, and Royal Hendee the first store.  The first sawmill was built by Ebenezer Curtis; and the first gristmill, by Reuben Thayer.