Early Settlement of Sidney Plains, Delaware Co., NY

 Early Settlement of Sidney Plains

Chenango Union, Norwich, NY, June 16, 1869

The following interesting account of the early settlement of Sidney Plains [Delaware Co., NY] is taken from William S. Johnston's History of the Susquehanna Valley:

Sidney Plains is a beautiful village located in northwest corner of Sidney, in Delaware county, New York.

Rev. Wm. Johnston and family were the first settlers in that section of country in 1772.  they came from Schenectady, N.Y.  Mr. Johnston made a purchase of 500 acres of land of Goldsboro, Banyard and others, at one dollar per acre.  In June 1775, Brant the great Indian chief and warrior came with 110 Indians all painted ready for battle.  They told the Johnston's they would give them twenty-four hours to leave, or they would be all tomahawk'd and scalped.  Brant said he was fighting for King George the 3d, he should do his duty.

The Johnston's left their log houses and went to Cherry Valley, N.Y.  In 1784, after the war of the Revolution, they returned to their former place of residence.

Sidney derived its name from Sir Sidney Smith, a British Admiral, who had gained great notoriety for his victories in the English navy on the Atlantic Ocean.

On Sidney Plains was an ancient Fort of about two acres, made by the Indians in an ancient period of time.  It had been ditched on three sides, and stockaded.  Gen. Scott or President Grant could not have made a better location.

The first bridge was built on the Susquehanna, at Sidney Plains, in 1807 by John Avery, Phineas Bennett and Capt. Hugh Johnston, a toll bridge.  A Mr. Hunt was the architect.

The first church built at Sidney Plains was in 1808 (a Presbyterian church).  It was built by subscription.  Col. Witter Johnston was the main agent in building.  Henry Evans and Joseph I. Lord were the architects. 

The first rafting or lumbering on the East Branch, at Susquehanna, was in 1796, the lumber was pine shingles.  It was rafted in 12 feet long bunches.  Capt. David McMaster and Joseph Hannom were the first men that ever sailed the raft on the rapid old Susquehanna.   Harrisburg and Columbia, Pa., were then their market towns.  Their shingles brought them ten dollars a thousand by count, all in specie.

The first school taught at Sidney Plains was in 1790, by Miss Anna Dodge, at two dollars per week.  She was not to be excelled in teaching.  She kept grand order without flogging or punishment, by kindness, presents and argument.

The first sawmill built at Sidney Plains was in 1776 by McGinnis & Son's on what is now Car's creek; the old dam is to be seen at this day.

The first grist mill was built in Sidney, in 1777, by John Car on Car's creek; one of his mill stones is yet to be seen at Sidney Plains.

The old burying ground or graveyard at Sidney Plains is almost as sacred as the tomb of Mahomet.  There sleep in death the first settlers of Old Susquehanna. The Johnstons, the Averys, Bradleys, the Smiths, the Newtons.  peace to their shades!

The first man or corpse interred at Sidney Plains was in 1774, an Indian who committed suicide by eating the poison root of Musquash; he was disappointed in a love affair and preferred death to life.  If he could not have his choice of one of the fair daughters of old mother Eve.