Snippets of the Past
"Downtown Chemung", a narrative by former resident Mike Tuccinardi
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Page 51 “Ausburn Towner” Famine — In the autumn of 1789 there was an unusual occurrence in the valley. A famine prevailed throughout the county! It was occa- sioned by a severe frost the preceding spring that destroyed the crops that were expected to be har- vested. It created great suffering and for many years was referred to as an event to be remembered with something like horror. The people lived on a certain sort of wild bean; which they boiled, and on the most nutritious roots they could dig from the ground. Relief came when the rye began to form. Two young men died from eating to excess of this green rye. |
Page 51 “Ausburn Towner” Showing settlement up river from The Town of Chemung - The Grissels, David and Elijah, who were very active in the affairs in Southport, building grist-mills and sawmills. Their descendants now spell the name Griswold. Then the five Smiths, beginning with Timothy, a large family of influence and importance. Barnabus Tuthill and his son Samuel, on what is now Maple Avenue, in Elmira. John McHenry and John and William Fitzsimmons, near neighbors to the Tuthills. David Beckwith and Gen. Seth Marvin, farther up Seely Creek. Jonathan S. Conkling, James, Jonas, and Ebenezer Sayre, Mordecai Rickey, and Jacob Westlake, making the way clearer for Horseheads. And in Big Flats, Christian Minier, David Reynolds, Tunis Dolson, Caleb Gardner, Clark Winans, James McNulty, and Green Bentley. Peter Swartwood, the father of Gen. Jacob Swartwood, Joel Thomas, Isaac and Emanuel Ennis, Samuel, Cornelius and Peter Westbrook, John, David, and William Hill, made the beginnings in Van Ettenville. * There was considerable unoccupied land at that time, as their report shows, although a large portion was taken up, showing how rapidly the settlers came into the county. They surveyed 207,656 acres. Of these, 28,300 acres were military locations, 159,186 were disposed of to settlers, and 20,170 acres were vacant. The settlers paid eighteen pence an acre, which is about equal to the half dollar of today. |