Documentary History of the State of New York, Vol. III
First Steamboat on Lake Erie. -- The first Lake Erie steamboat, was called tlie " Walk in the Water. ''^ She was launched at Black Rock, on the Niagara River, on the 28th of May, 181S, and left there on the first trip to Detroit on 23d August following, under the command of Capt. Fish. The Buffiilo Gazette in announcing her departure, says ; " In less than two hours she was ' hull to' from the shore, a distance of 15 nautical miles."
First Settlement of Buffalo. -- In 1798 there were five dwellings, one tavern and one store, all constituted of logs. In
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1801, the site was surveyed by the Holland Company {Turner's Hist. Hoi. Purchase.) and in 1803 the settlement may be said to have fairly commenced. In 1806, it was increased to sixteen dwellings, three stores and two blacksmiths' shops.
First Mail to Buffalo. -- The first mail was received in 1803 on horseback, and continued to be thus carried once every two weeks, until 1806, when a weekly route was established.
First Newspaper. -- The first newspaper published here was issued Oct. 3, 1811, and called the " Bufialo Gazette," Smith H. Salisbury & Co., printers and publishers. -- Extract of a Letter from 0. H. Marshall, Esq.., dated Buffalo, jYov. 20, 1850.
First paper in Orange Co. The paper called the " Goshen Repository" was published in that village as early as August 14th, 1788.
First paper in Newburgh. The first newspaper in this village was " The Mirror," edited by Phihp Van Home, and published on 22d September, 1796. . . . Wlien the army was here the printing was done by a press at Fishkill in Dutchess, as appears by the printed orders of the Army of that day. Samuel W Eager, JVewburgh, JVov. 25, 1850.