Antwerp Village is 6 miles from Philadelphia, 10 from Theresa, 7 from Ox Bow, 7 from Somerville, 16 from Carthage, 8 from Sterlingville, 13 from Great Bend, and 22 from Watertown. The Potsdam and Watertown rail road, now building, passes through the village, and it has plank roads leading to Gouverneur, Rossie, Great Bend, and Carthage, each of which connect with others.

The Village of Antwerp was incorporated under the general act, in pursuance of an order of the court of sessions, and confirmed at a special election, held July 30, 1853, by a vote of 53 to 3. The limits of the corporation embrace 660 acres of land. There are in the village, churches of the Baptist, Catholic, and Presbyterian orders, three hotels, six or seven stores, a great variety of mechanics, and about 500 inhabitants.

The village of Ox Bow, near the north line of the town, is pleasantly situated on a remarkable bend of the Oswegatchie River, which gives name to the place. The first settler here was Peter Vrooman, from Johnstown, who located on the old state road, in the north part of the village, about 1803. From its being at the convergence of several important roads, which the natural features of the country compelled to pass here, it has, without other advantages, become a small village of two inns, two stores, a few mechanic shops, and forty or fifty families. It has a church, belonging to the Associate Reformed order. The scenery around this village is remarkably fine, and the shores of neighboring lakes, possess a romantic interest from the numerous problems in geology that they present. As an inviting field for the collection of minerals, this vicinity is unrivalled, and in our chapter on the mineral resources of the county, the species and varieties found here, will be enumerated. This village is on the plank road, between Antwerp and Hammond, and is the terminus of one leading to Evans’ Mills and Watertown. It is 7 miles from Rossie, 10 from Theresa, 16 from Evans’ Mills, 11 from Philadelphia, 7 from Antwerp, 4 from Somerville, and 8 from Gouverneur, by way of Wegatchie, or Church’s Mills. About half a mile from the village, on the plank road towards Evans’ Mills, (is a singular precipice of gneiss rock, sixty or seventy feet high and quite perpendicular, upon the face of which is the section of a remarkable excavation, similar to the pot holes found in lime stone rocks, and worn by the rotation of pebbles in water. The following figure from Prof. Emmon’s report on the geology of the 2nd district, represents accurately the shape of the excavation, but fails to impart an adequate idea of the grandeur of the associated scenery.

When the settlements were new, meetings were, it is said, held at the foot of this cliff, the cavity serving as a pulpit, from whence was derived the name.

For mineral wealth, Antwerp stands unrivaled in the county. Being underlaid mostly by primary rock, and the border of the lowest sedimentary formations, it affords at several points, mines that are wrought with great profit, and at others, strong indications of ores which have not been yet explored. Of minerals interesting to the man of science, but without practical value, the number is large. So much as relates to the history of these mines will be given here, while their geological relations will be detailed in on chapter on that subject.

A query was opened in a ledge of gneiss, on the old state road, between Mr. Cook’s place, and Ox Bow, in 1805, by David Coffeen, and James Parker, for the manufacture of mill stones. The business was followed more or less, a part of each year, till about 1828, during which time nearly 100 pair were made, and sold in adjoining counties, or sent westward. The price of a pair ready for hanging, was generally $100. Boulders of gneiss, were often used in making mill stones in the county, at an early day, some of which were found to answer a good purpose.

Specular iron ore, had been wrought in the adjoining town of Rossie, since 1812, and many unsuccessful expenditures had been made in this, when, in 1836, a locality was reported to have been found on an island in the midst of a swamp, on the farm of Hopestill Foster, 3 miles north of Antwerp Village. This was covered by the landlord’s reserve, but from the unsuccessful issue of all former trials in this town, Mr. Parish attached but little importance to the discovery, and for $200 sold his interest to James Sterling, and others. This, upon opening, has proved a mine of immense value, yielding ore of rich quality, and in unknown amount. The statistics of this mine can not be accurately obtained, but it has mainly supplied the furnace at Sterlingville since 1837, that at the distillery, since 1846, and for a year or two another of Sterlingsburh (sic) (Louisburgh), Lewis County, belonging to Mr. Sterling. The ore is wrought by men hired by the month, and the mine is opened to the day. It is drained by horse pumps, but from its being surrounded by swamp, will always be incommoded by water, especially when the mine is sunk to a considerable depth. It has not hitherto been necessary to elevate the ore by machinery. About a half a mile south of this, is another mine, belonging to Parish, known as the White ore bed, from the owner of the farm where it occurs. One mile from Antwerp Village, on the farm of Nathan W. Ward, is another, which has been known to exist many years, but has been only worked since 1852. From 700 to 800 tons have, it is said, been taken from this mine.

On the farm of Hiram B. Keene, a short distance from the county line, and in the same range with the great mines in Rossie, and Gouverneur, there were found about 1837, indications that led to the discovery of a mine, on land not covered by reserve. It was traced into a neighboring field, of which the land holder held the reserve, and heavy mining operations have been since conducted on both sides of the line but most extensively on that owned by Parish. The ore here dips at an angle of about forty five degrees, and is overlaid by a coarse sandstone, that is supported by huge masses of ore, left by the miners. This mine is the only one of iron in this section of the state, that is wrought under the ground by lamps. The portion first discovered, has been lately sold for $3000.

Marble of a coarse texture, but suited for many purposes of architecture, occurs in vast quantities in Antwerp, but no effort has hitherto been made to turn it to a useful account, further than as a material for lime, and a flux for iron ores. Black and variegated Rensselaerite, and Serpentine, of fine quality, occur in town, and may hereafter be brought into use as ornamental marbles. Indications of copper ore have been found, but none in profitable quantities. Potsdam sandstone of a quality suited for the lining of furnaces, has been wrought extensively for this purpose on the farm of Mr. Keene, near the north line of the town. This town has three post offices, viz: Antwerp, Ox Bow, and Bentley’s Corners, the latter being on the Ox Bow and Evans’ Mills Plank Road, four miles from the former place.

The Antwerp Delphic Library was formed March 13, 1832, with Charles B. Hoard, Wm. McAllaster, R. N. Randall, Sam Gains, and Levi Miller, trustees. It has, like most others of the class, been given up, since the formation of school district libraries.

Religious Societies. The first house of worship in town, and the second one in the county, was built of brick, in the village of Antwerp, at the sole expense of Mr. Parish, in 1816-17, and was for many years occupied by different denominations. In March, 1849, it was sold to the Catholics, for $600, and has since been used by them alone. Our statistics of the denominations in town is defective, from failure to receive facts that had been promised. *

*Page 94: PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH ANTWERP. (from the Appendix, p. 570)

The Presbyterian Church of Antwerp was formed in May, 1819, by the Rev. Isaac Clinton, at the hall of the public house kept by Captain Clewly Copeland, consisting at first of eight members. The first ordained elder was Ithamer Tuttle, and the first deacon William Randall. Mr. Clinton preached a third of the time for a year, when he was succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Dearborn, from Vermont. After him, the Rev. Calvin Wait was settled as pastor, and remained until dismissed March 9, 1823; and succeded (sic) by the Rev. James Sandford, one third of the time for a year. In the summer of 1824, the Rev. Charles G. Finney labored a third of the time for three months, during which thirty-eight were added. Deacon William Randall, Dr. Hiram Murdock, and Archibald Whitford, were in this time installed elders. In February, 1825, the church numbered fifty-six adults in communion, and in this year began the labors of the Rev. R. R. Demming, for one year. In 1830, they were supplied by the Rev. J. D. P. _____. In January, 1832, the Rev. Abel L. Crandall began labors as a stated supply and remained three years, in which time fifty-eight were added. In 1835, Rev. Henry Jones, one year, L. A. Wicks succeeded, and staid (sic) five years, during which the church prospered greatly. Several had previously joined the Mormons, and the church numbered 114 when he came. It increased 128; 41 had died, or were cut off, and when he left 201 remained. Rev. H. H. Waite began labors in the fall of 1841; was ordained and installed March 9, 1842, and remained till 1845, when Rev. J. Thompson preached nearly a year. In 1843, 67 were added. In 1847, the Rev. S. Williams, and in May, 1849, Rev. C. B. Pond, the present pastor began his labors. January 29, 1849, the church became Congregational. About 350 have been received, and its present number is about 100. The church edifice, built in 1851, cost $3,600. -- Rev. C. B. Pond.

(resumption of Antwerp text - p. 94) The first Presbyterian Society was formed April 29, 1819, with Silvius Hoard, John C. Foster, Wm. and Samuel Randall, Smith Copeland, and Luther Conklin, trustees. A church had been formed previously, and in June, 1819, had been received into the St. Lawrence Presbytery, on the application of Rev. Ziba Tuttle, their minister. The society was reorganized October 5, 1824, with Hiram Murdock, Benajah and William Randall, Zebina Smith, Jeremy Stimson, and Josiah Drake, Jr., trustees. Among the clergy, here, have been Calvin Wait, Rufus R. Deming, and others. Charles B. Pond is the present pastor. In 1850 the society erected, in the north part of the village, an elegant church edifice, that will compare favorably with any in the county. The Ox Bow Presbyterian Society of Antwerp and Rossie, was formed May 15, 1820, with Abraham Cooper, Abraham Lewis, Reuben Streeter, James Ormiston, James Douglas, Orren Matthews, Percival Hawley, and Abner Benton, trustees. A church was formed the same summer, at first having about 40 members, which soon united with the St. Lawrence Presbytery, then embracing this county. It has since united with that of Ogdensburgh (sic). The Rev. James Sandford was installed Sept. 5, 1820, and has been employed many years. The society have no house of worship. The Methodist Chapel of the first society in Antwerp, was formed Nov. 2, 1832, with Samuel Cook, Isaac Sprague, Wm. Chalor, Daniel and Wm. Shepard, Theodore Cross, George Lum, Asher Seymour, and Daniel Brown, trustees. The Sprague’s Corner Methodist society was formed Jan. 12, 1837, with Elijah Steele, Jr., Abel Goodnough, Isaac Sprague, John Brown, Wm. Howe, Martin Mitchel, and Samuel Kelsey, trustees. They the same year built a chapel, at a cost of about $1,000. A Methodist society was formed at Ox Bow, May 14, 1833, with A. Lewis, Ira D. Shepherd, Wm. H. Collar, Samuel Bonfy, and Ebenezer Birdsley, trustees. The have never erected a church.

A Baptist society was formed February 23, 1836, with David Manning, Obadiah Chamberlain, and Joseph Palmer, trustees, and has a church edifice in Antwerp village. An organization had been formed previously, which, in 1825, united with the Black River Association, and has since regularly reported. The Antwerp and Fowler Union Society (Baptist), was formed Sept. 11, 1838, with Amos Sheldon, Alexander Wright, J. H. Bozworth, Leonard Pike, Ansel Clark, and Moses Burge, trustees, and soon after built a church near the county line, at Steele’s Corners.

A Wesleyan Methodist society was formed Sept. 1, 1845, at Sprague’s Corners, with Allen Woodward, Emor Bell, and Abel Goodnough, trustees. They have a small chapel.

The Associate Reformed Church of Antwerp and Rossie, was formed at the Ox Bow, May 22, 1837, with Andrew Culbertson, John Barrow, Robert Darling, James Dickson, Wm. Turnbull, and Wm. Fleming, trustees. It was reorganized April 7, 1840. This society has a neat church edifice of stone, fronting on the public square in the village of Ox Bow. It is principally composed of Scotch emigrants, many families of whom are settled in this and the adjoining town of Rossie.

*Page 95: ASSOCIATE REFORMED CHURCH, OX BOW. (from the Appendix, p. 571)

The following notice of the Associate Reformed Church of Ox Bow, was received too late for insertion in its proper place:

“The first church in this village was organized under the General Assembly, in the year of our Lord 1820. The membership consisted chiefly of persons from the south of Scotland, who had settled here in 1818-19, and numbered about 40. Their first pastor was the Rev. Mr. Sandford, from the Eastern States, who continued with them until 1830. Mr. Sandford afterwards labored for a time in the east, and again returned to Ox Bow, where he still resides on a small farm of his own, enjoying a calm sun-set on the Bend of the Oswegatchie. For seven years subsequent to 1830, this society was ministered to successively (sic) by the Rev. Messrs. McGregor, Stowell, Nicol, and others. The doctrine and qualifications of several of the unmentioned ones did not by any means meet the religious views and desire of the large majority of the congregation, who accordingly left the Assembly and came under the wing of the Associated Reformed, or United Presbyterian body in 1837. The Rev. Mr. White was the first who labored among them in their new connection; he continued a little over a year. About this time, 1838, the present church edifice was built, at a cost of $2,500. Next came the late Rev. Alexander Proudfit, of Salem, N. Y.; who supplied the greater part of the year. Next came Rev. James Williamson, who remained as stated supply upward of ten years; after him several successive probationers; and, lastly, the present incumbent, Rev. J. S. Cowper, their first settled pastor since they left the General Assembly in 1837, that being previous to the division of that body into old and new schools.

Mr. C. was born in Scotland, and educated in Schenectady, Newburgh and Edinburgh, commenced his labors on the first Sabbath of January, 1852, the membership was then about 100; it is now about 160.

The sum raised last year for missionary purposes amounted to upwards of $220.

There are four Sabbath schools in the bounds of the congregation, with an average attendance of fifty in each; there is also a Bible class.”