James Fenimore Cooper

“ Of these forty-two names, twenty-three were then residents of the village, and considering the public spirit that prevailed, it is fair to suppose that this comprised at least two-thirds of the heads of families that were then to be found in the place. It will probably be safe to say, that Cooperstown contained in 1795, about thirty-five families, and quite as many houses. As the heads of families were generally young, an average of five persons to each family would be sufficiently high ”

“ A State road was laid out between Albany and Cooperstown, in 1794. This road crossed the mountain, and descended the Vision by the line that is still used as a foot-path. A bridge was then first constructed, where the present bridge now stands. 32
In 1802, the second company of the Great Western turnpike brought the present turnpike road through the village. The labors of this company sensibly improved the surface of Second street, and may be set down as the commencement of the present handsome appearance of the principal streets. The lake turnpike was constructed in 1825. ”

“ Thomas Ellison of Albany, and the Patroon, both regents of the university, visited the Cherry Valley academy, and then extended their journey to Cooperstown, where the former preached in the Court House. ”

“ During the first ten years of the existence of the village, the people depended entirely on chance for the little religious instruction they received. The emigrants to the place, more particularly those who had any property, were singularly divided as to religious faith, the Presbyterians, though the most numerous sect, being the poorest. Missionaries occasionally penetrated to this spot, and now and then a traveling Baptist, or a Methodist, preached, in a tavern, a school house, or a barn. The first regular clergyman, who had any engagement to officiate in Cooperstown, was the Rev. ”

“ The whipping post and stocks stood nearly opposite the jail door, in West street, but on the west side of the street. Porteus was banished, as well as flogged, the former punishment being used in Cooperstown. It is to be regretted that it has fallen into disuse. 31
By an article in the Otsego Herald of October 30th, it would seem that the year 1795 added much to the size of the place, no less than thirty buildings having been constructed that season. Many of these, however, were shops, offices and stores. Among others were the Brewery and Academy, already mentioned. ”

“ Mr. Le Quoy excited a good deal of interest during his stay in the place. as he was a man altogether superior to his occupation. which was little more than that of a country grocer; an interest that was much increased by the following circumstance.
Among the early settlers in Otsego county, was Mr. Lewis de Villers, a French gentleman of respectable extraction and good manners. Mr. de Villers was in Cooperstown about the year 1793, at a moment when a countryman, a Mr. Renouard, who afterwards established himself in the county, had recently reached the place. Mr. ”

“ At this period lime-ki1ns and brick-kilns existed at the outlet, owing to which circumstance, and to the diggings of the different roads, the western bank has been much defaced, it having resembled the eastern a good deal, in its native state; though a small flat always existed a little below. ”