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Soon after the close of the Revolutionary War there began
the settlement of the undeveloped areas of the new nation. The lands lying
on the south side of the St. Lawrence River became important because of
their proximity to English held territories, so they were surveyed and
sold, with Alexander Macomb being the major purchaser.
Township No. 8, Edwards, in Great Tract No. 3 of Macomb's
Purchase, was patented to Daniel McCormick in 1795. He had Reuben Ashman
of Russell survey the township in 1806 and named it for his brother,
Edward. It was originally a square, but the annexation of a portion from
the town of Hermon gave it the shape it has today.
Settlement was slow because of lack of roads. Then the military
turnpike was laid through the territory in 1810-1812 by a contractor, Enos
Chapin. This construction, with the knowledge of the water power
available, was an inducement to settlement, and the first settlers, Asa
Brayton, Jr. and family arrived in January 1812.
A few others came in the years between 1812-1816. Then in 1816 Joseph
Pitcairn acquired Township No. 8. He employed Phineas Attwater as agent
for the sale of lands and promotion of settlement. Attwater was succeeded
by George Allan who came in 1819 with group of settlers from Scotland. The immigration of Scottish settlers and
migration of other adventuresome pioneers to Edwards made possible a
permanent settlement which was organized as a town on April 27, 1827. The
first meeting was held at William Martin's. The records show there were
129 taxable inhabitants; real estate valued at $51,114; no valuation for
personal property; and total taxes were $610.21.
Within the township other settlements opened as part of
Edwards, Talcville for its mines and South Edwards (Shawville) to use
its water power for mills.
People and places have changed throughout Edwards' 195 year history,
but it is still a good place to live and raise a family in 2007. During the 1976 Bicentennial year, a soft cover
history of Edwards, Edwards On The Oswegatchie, was
published. Recently, this book was reordered and copies are available to purchase at
$10.00 each. Also, the history of Trout Lake, Land of the White
Plume, is available again at $18.00 per copy. Contact the
historian to make arrangements to purchase either one of these
informative volumes.
Many genealogies of early families and, also families who came later
as industries opened, have been collected and are available at the
museum for personal research. Anyone whose roots are in Edwards and wish
to contribute their family history to the collection, the information
will be accepted gladly. Local people are always willing to give help
and reminisce on earlier generations - just ask.
The town of Edwards has eight cemeteries. Two are basically very small
family resting places - Winslow and Brayton. In the village are the old
Riverside and the newer Fairview. In the surrounding areas can be found Payne,
South Edwards, Pinney and Gates.
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