Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. III

Most of the people from Connecticut. Visited a f.rt 1 ^ miles from the river. No --This fort was built in y^ same manner with the others. It stands upon ye east side of a marsli, which was evidently once a pond. The w^all begins upon the top of the bank, and is 300 paces round to the bank, where it ends. Tl^-e base of the angle is 120 paces-- probably tlie bank was picketed. It has several gateways. In this trench tliere is one dend tree, that is almost ready to fall to pieces, which measures 4^ in diameter ; and many trees stand upon ye banks of this ditch 4 feet diameter. The land here is the first rate -- and in tliis tow^n there has been no sickness since they began to settle -- except in one or two instances of persons who had been down to tlie lake in the unhealthy season.

The fact is, that all this country is a ricli meadow it is made ground for many feet from the surface. Tliere is now^ before me a field of corn equal to any I ever saw in Deerfield meadow^, tho' dunged -- no plough, or harrow^, has ever been on the land -- nor has it been hoed but twice, and then slightly. Every thing which is put into the ground grows as rank as i)ossible ; but the people are yet very poor -- liaving been on but 2 years. Deer, salmon and trout very plenty. Tliis is 8 miles in a direct line from the lake. Salmon run up every freshet, and ye people can easily take them with spears.

But 3 families in this town the winter before the last. I find by intelligent i>eople in whom I may confide, and wiio have seen tliem, that there are 2 other forts in this quarter.