1817
Friday, January 9, 1817
Was dedicated the Church built in 1816 at the
cost of $23,000 for the " First Congregational Society " ( Unitarian )
of Burlington. It was furnished with a bell, clock and organ. The dedicatory
hymn was offered by Deacon Jacob Williams; the prayer was offered by John
Foster, D. D.; while the sermon from the text " Holiness becometh thy house
O Lord forever, " was preached by the Rev. John Pierce, afterwards of
Brookline, Mass.
Wednesday, January 15, 1817
The old homestead at Basin Harbor was burned and with its burning came memories of
its builder, Platt Rogers, the famous road-maker and one of the patriarchs of Plattsburgh; of his Dutch bride, Eyda Wiltse of
Dutchess county, who came here in 1789; of the day, ten years later when the remains of her husband were brought home from
Plattsburgh to be laid in the family plot; of their daughter, Ida and her husband, John Winans, builder in 1808 of the fist
steamboat on the lake and second in the world; memories of the birth of the fist grand-child, Platt Rogers Halstead; of frequent
visits and entertainment of Macdonough, and his officers and men, among them Joseph Barron and lastly, that last visit of William
Gilliland and its fatal termination. her detachments of troops having arrived Wilkinson repaired to Plattsburgh in person while
the camp at French Mills was broken up and all magazines and provisions forwarded to Lake Champlain.
Thursday, January 16, 1817
Clinton County Medical Society met at Holt's, innkeeper, in the town of Plattsburgh. Dr. Jas. Wood joined the society and was
elected President, B. J. Mooers, Vice-President; Oliver Davidson, Secretary. At this meeting the first action was taken in
regard to irregular practice.
Friday, January 24, 1817
A large portion of the inhabitants are much distressed for want
of bread, whilst the poorer and laboring class are absolutely destitute of the
means of obtaining it at the high prices it sell for."
Peter Sailly to the Secretary of the Treasury.
Wednesday, January 29, 1817
Lake Champlain closed by ice.
In the town of
Lewis, Essex County, N.Y., was born Edgar P., the sixth and youngest child of
Gen. Luman Wadhams and his wife, Lucy Prindle. At an academy in Shoreham,
Vt., the future first bishop of Ogdensburgh prepared for Middlebury College from
which he was graduated with honors in 1838 and from which college he received
the degree of LL.D. a short time before his death.
Saturday, July 26, 1817
At twelve o'clock, President Monroe arrived at Clumberland Head on
the steamboat Phoenis and was conveyed to the wharf in the village in Col
Atkinson's barge. From the wharf he was escorted to Isreal Green's Inn, by
a company of the U.S. Infantry, under Capt. Newman S. Clark. Capt.
Sperry's company of horse and the the Plattsburgh Rifles. At the hotel,
Reuben H. Walworth, on behalf of the corporation, delivered an address of
welcome. As the President passed into the house, the young ladies from
Miss Cook's and Miss Forrence's schools strewed flowers in his path. In
the evening, the President attended a party at the home of Capt. Sidney Smith of
the Navy.
Sunday, July 27, 1817
President Monroe attended services in the Presbyterian church and
took tea at Judge Delord's. On the invitation of the President, Col.
Melancton Smith dined with him at Israel Green's Inn.
Monday, July 28, 1817
At ten o'clock in the forenoon, President Monroe started for
Sackett's Harbor, under escort of Capt. Sperry's company. At two o'clock a
point in the road, leading through the primeval forest, thirteen miles distant,
was reached, where a bower had been erected and a repast provided for his party.
The money used had been intended for the purchase of a fire-engine, but a
President does not visit Plattsburgh every year.
