1846
January 4, 1846
John Syng Dorsey Taylor, a graduate of the University of Vermont in 1840 in the class with Henry J. Raymond, afterwards editor of the New York Times; Henry Hale of Elizabethtown and James R. Spaulding, editor of the Courier and Enquirer of New York, was appointed principal of Plattsburgh Academy and retained that position nearly all the time until 1860. An apt scholar and efficient teacher, a friend as well as an instructor, a noble hearted, pure- minded man he left the impress of his own character on all who came under his influence. He built the house, now owned by Mrs. Myron G, Baker and made it his home. Disappointed in his efforts to inaugurate a system of graded schools here, in connection with his brother Joseph W., who had been head of the school in 1857-8, he opened a school in St. Albans which they conducted successfully many years.
On Friday
evening the Methodist Church on Court Street was burned, the fire catching from
a stove pipe in the basement. “Uncle”
Robert Platt who, while living at Valcour, had contributed so generously to the
building of that church was one of the largest subscribers towards the
re-building of this.
Friday, July 10, 1846
A grand railroad convention held in Malone, at which 1,000 delegates were present. Stock was subscribed freely fifty
thousand dollars worth of which was taken in Plattsburgh.
Thursday, July 16, 1846
Leah (Webb) Smith, wife of Allen Smith, Revolutionary soldier and
pioneer, died at her home the the Beekmantown road. The Webbs came to this
country about 1700 and settled in the Mohawk Valley. After peace was
declared they went to Long Island. The Smith and Webb families came to
Plattsburgh together, Allen Smith locating opposite the McCreedys the lands of
both being heavily wooded with fine maple trees. Little dreaming that a
ledge of limestone lay under their land, the McCreedys drew the stone for their
home from a distance. Only a bridle path then led through the woods to the
grist-mill on the Saranac. The original house of the McCreedys and the
barn of Allen Smith are still standing. The Smiths had six children;
Rebecca, Isaac (who accupied the homestead), Harvey (died in Beaver Dam, Wisc.),
Richard Simeon, and Augustine.
Today In the Champlain Valley
History