January 1

1806    Ben.  Benj.  Mooers, his home being then on Cumberland Head near the mouth of Dead Creek, gave as a New Year’s gift to his Negro girl “Ann” her freedom.

1809 Occurred the marriage of Smith Mead, who came to this country in 1807, to Hannah, daughter of John Roberts of So. Plattsburgh, a soldier of the Revolution, who, with his father, John Sr., and his brothers, Peter, Benjamin, Christopher and William, with his brother-in-law, Nathan Beman, participated in the battles of Hubbardton, Bennington and Saratoga; was also at the taking of Ti.

1814  “Squire” John G. and his wife Margaret O. Savage Freligh, was born a daughter, Margaret Anne, destined to become the wife of Hon. Moss Kent Platt.

1818  Theodorus Bailey, son of Judge Wm. Bailey of Chateaugay and Plattsburgh, entered the navy as midshipman.

1860   At her home, present site of County Clerk’s office, died Helen Hascall, daughter of Ralph and Mary Sterne Hascall, of Essex, and wife of Judge Lemuel Stetson.  The Stetson Memorial Chapel presented to Trinity church by her only surviving son, Francis Lynde Stetson of New York, perpetuates her memory.

1864 In the evening, at his home on Cumberland avenue, at the age of 82, died William Swetland, by general consent “the greatest lawyer in Northern New York.”

Disabled by paralysis for many years, symptoms of congestion of the lungs appeared on New Year’s morning.  To his physician, hastily summoned, he said “Doctor, this is all of earth, I am content!”

1869 “The Burlington Times,” a morning daily, merged in “The Free Press.”

1894 In Albany, died Hon. Wm. Platt Mooers of Plattsburgth, oldest and only surviving son of Dr. Benj. J. Mooers and grandson of both John Mooers, brother of Gen. Benj., and of Elder William Pitt Platt all pioneers.

 Today In the Champlain Valley History