This is the story of the era when the premier cheesemaking region of the United States was in Central New York, chiefly in the Mohawk Valley. Here it was that Jesse Williams set up the first cheese factory in 1851 in Oneida County. Here too, Prof. Xerxes A. Willard championed the cause of higher standards in cheesemaking and became the nation's most respected spokesman for the "associated dairies" concept. This book includes reproductions of three rare primary documents about the history of cheesemaking in New York State in the 19th century. Many illustrations help tell the story. A list of suggested readings for additional information is included.