Scrapbook Clippings About Old Plessis

 

The Old Church at Plessis

Built in 1833, the “Old Church” is Plessis’ oldest structure standing today. Long disused, it has been presented to the Town of Plessis by the owners, to be modernized and used as a community hall.

The settlement of Plessis was begun through the energy of LeRay de Chaumont, who owned the adjacent land. In 1817 he built a grist mill as an inducement to settlers to locate there. His venture succeeded as people began to locate in the vicinity. Trade started. The church was built. The early story of Plessis is the story of most pioneer efforts in settling a new country.

The gradual growth and importance of the whole north country is a part of the history of this bank. During its hundred years of service to this area, it has played no small part in making this section of the state a better place in which to live and work.

 

 

Plessis in ‘66

Ernest G. Cook, historian, town of
Theresa, in the Thousand Island Sun
(Alexandria Bay): (no date on the clipping)

The village of Plessis in the year 1866 was an important business center of the town of Alexandria, according to the Jefferson County Directory, published by Hamilton Child. The directory gives the population of Plessis as being 250, which is only 58 under the population given to Alexandria Bay at that year. At that time Plessis had three physicians listed, while Alexandria Bay had only one. Here are the business places listed:

Blacksmiths, William K. Peck, Lewis place; boots and shoes, George L. Roof, M. Randall; butter and produce, Jason Clark; carriage-maker, Silas G. Norton, Henry I. Scott; clergymen, Rev. Henry O. Tilden, (M.E.); Rev. John Crawford, Rev. Thomas Ploto (sic); collector of taxes, William Forbes, for the county, Sheldon Moak; deputy U. S. Internal revenue; Constables, William Forbes; dress makers, Mrs. Philanda Comstock, Mrs. Almeda Shaver.

General merchants, John S. Vanderburgh, Joseph Fayel, Alexander Augsbury, Ferdinand Fairman; grist mill, Jason Clark; groceries, Daniel Roof, Matthew Avery; hides and leather, Melanchton J. Storm; hotel, Amaziah P. Ellis; justice of the peace, Jason Clark; land agent, Jason Clark; lumber dealer, Horace G. Hoyt; milliners, Mrs. Louisa Hind, Mrs. Philanda Comstock, Miss Almeda Shaver; painter, Henry L. Scott; physicians, Dr. Lloyd S. Lewis, Dr. Sheldon Moak; Dr. Eber S. Carlisle, postmaster, Morgan Augusbury, with Alexandria Morgan as deputy; saw mills, Jason Clark; Horace G. Hoyt; shingle mills, Jason Clark, Horace G. Hoyt; surveyor, Henry L. Scott; tailor, Jonas C. Biddleman; undertaker, Horace G. Hoyt.


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