Originally published in 1854, this is the earliest published history of Jefferson County, New York. The author is meticulous in listing the earliest settlers, every town officer, every court action, every church formed, etc. in this county's first fifty years of growth. He includes the histories of banks, societies, academies, the War of 1812, the Patriot War and much, much more! "In the course of these inquiries, the records of the county, and the several towns; of religious and other societies; the files of local papers, and the correspondence of prominent public citizens, the records and documents of land offices, and the archives of the state of Albany, have been consulted. Every town and village has been visited by the author, and personal interviews obtained with great numbers of prominent citizens and pioneers." Numerous illustrations and portraits, an appendix, and an index to full names, places and subjects add to the value of this work.