[From: PP. 133-34, 411, 522, 523. History of Madison County, State of New York by Mrs. L.M. Hammond, Truair, Smith Co., Syracuse, N.Y. 1872]
View of canal at Oxford in 1841
The Chenango Canal, connecting the Erie Canal at Utica with the Susquehanna River at Binghamton, was chartered Feb. 3, 1833. The project of building this canal had been discussed since 1826. Governor Bouck was an uncompromising friend of the measure. Henry Seymour, Rufus Bacon, James Eldredge, John G.Stower, Sands Higginbotham, Moses Maynard, Lot Clark, Julius Pond and Thomas Wylie, men who were widely known and influential throughout central New York, were advocates of the Chenango Canal. The work was begun in 1833 and finished in 1836 at an aggregate cost of $l,737,703.
The Canal is supplied by the Chenango River and 7 reservoirs which lie in the south and east part of Madison County, viz:-Madison Brook, Woodman's Lake,Leland's Pond, Bradley's Brook, Hatch's Lake, Eaton Brook and Lebanon Reservoirs. It extends to and up the valley of the Oriskany Creek to the summit level in the town of Madison, and down the valley of the Susquehanna River. From Utica to the summit it rises 706 feet by 76 locks, and from thence it descends to the Susquehanna by 38 locks, 303 feet. It is 97 miles long. Of its 114 locks, two are stone and the remainder are composite.*
The Utica & Oxford Turnpike long ago dispensed with its numerous taverns, as they lost their revenue when the Chenango Canal was built, for Utica and Oxford and the intervening villages transferred their transportation from the heavy wagons to the canal boats. Now, the Utica, Chenango & Susquehanna Valley Railroad, having found the easy grades along the route of the old turnpike, is performing more than the work of both canal and turnpike. This railroad opens to communication with the world a rich agricultural country in which eastern and southern Hamilton has its share.Today the number of canal boats plying upon the Canal has greatly lessened.
From 1834 to 1837 during the building of the Canal, great activity in trade prevailed. More than a score of stores and shops suddenly found existence, which were, however, not permanent institutions. Some of the old and permanent firms increased largely, and some very fine buildings were erected by them, which are still an ornament to the village (of Hamilton). Of the 3 large storehouses which were once a source of great revenue, but one is in operation, and this doing but little business.
The Chenango Canal has done much for the town of Madison as well as for the county at large, and other sections through which it passes. In its incipiency the prominent men of Madison, Chenango and Broome Counties particularly, labored long and earnestly to obtain legislation in its behalf.
It is said that the Canal never had anyone in the works of more untiring vigilance than Capt. Daniel Lewis. No barrier, no weather, hot or cold, rain or snow, wind, mud, darkness or tempest, would deter him from duty or cause him to release the care essential to protection of the Canal. Lantern in hand, he examined the banks. In case it was necessary, the midnight found him and his squad of men out at work. Ten, twelve and more miles were thus traversed at any and all hours by this trusty servant...for 17 years...when he passed on to higher trusts confided to him by the Syracuse & Utica Railroad, as Department Superintendent. He was born in Washington County in 1798, came with his father Eleazer Lewis. He died in February, 1872.
*New York State Gazetteer of 1860, P. 60
Chenango American, Green, N.Y.
Thursday, August 4, 1892
Concerning the Chenango Canal
The youths and children of today as they pass through the beautiful valley of the Chenango, along fair carriage roads or over steel rails, and seeing ruins of bridges, locks and aqueducts, may wonder why the Chenango canal was constructed.
By looking back 56 years we find the people of the valley isolated from those places which were located along the navigable rivers, and the Erie canal.
The time had come when better facilities for the marketing of farm products, and the bringing in of merchant goods were demanded.
By constructing a canal ninety-seven miles, Utica and Binghamton and intervening towns could be placed in living communication with the business world.
The act of New York State Legislature of February 22d, 1833, authorizing the construction of the Chenango canal was the means of opening and developing the Chenango valley, which in these hurrying days should not be forgotten.
While financially it was ever a constant source of expense to the state, it was an unspeakable blessing, because it accomplished more for the real prosperity of that portion of the state than any other event in its history.
The first contract for the construction of the Chenango canal, extended from Sherburne to Greene, and was let in in July 1834. The canal was completed its entire length in October, 1836. The total cost was $73,838,411, which was $50,000 more than the estimates.
The number of locks was 114, and in size they were 90x15 feet, and cost on an average $8,000 each. From Utica to Solsville, twenty-three miles, there were 76 locks, by which a boat was raised 694 feet and six inches higher than when it entered the canal at Utica, and as it sailed into Sherburne it was 94 feet lower than at Solsville, Norwich 116 feet, Oxford 189 feet, Greene 215 feet, and at Binghamton 318 feet below the summit level.
Although the old canal has served its purpose, and passed into history, it is pleasant to recall the years of its activity and the pleasures of a ride on the packet Norwich, or Orion which made daily trips between Norwich and Binghamton. The boat Norwich was transferred to the Erie and is known as the D. D. Winston. The boat has been rebuilt and enlarged, furnished with steam power, and makes daily trips between Mohawk and Utica.
Some not very old now remember Captain Wheaten Loomis, as holding the tiller with one hand, he waved a graceful adieu with the other, as his gallant craft left its moorings at the Lewis & Gilman store house, in Greene, in the sunny days of our boyhood.
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