Capturing the History of SUNY Plattsburgh’s Student Nightlife Scene in the 1980s and 1990s

Items

• Blockhouse Marker on Bear Swamp Road, Peru, Clinton Co. N.Y.
  Peru Blockhouse Cemetery Marker, Bear Swamp Road, Peru, Clinton Co., N.Y.
• Isaac Finch joins First Baptist Church of Dover, Dutchess Co. N.Y.
  Record shows when Isaac Finch was received as a member into the First Baptist Church of Dover, Dutchess Co., N.Y.
• Isaac Finch mortgage to Melancton Smith and John Bleecker
  Isaac Finch purchases land from Melancton Smith and John Bleecker on March 6, 1811 for Lot Number 7 for $124.67.
• The History of Clinton County Compiled From Data Gathered In 1880
  First Settlers of Town of Peru Followed Indian Trails Into Wilderness—Many Built Log Cabins on Little Ausable River—Pioneers Came as Early as 1790—Number Came From Dutchess County—Early Inhabitants Listed by Districts
• The History of Clinton County Compiled From Data Gathered In 1880
  Data on Town of Ausable Continued —- Religious History Covered, Giving Details of Formation of Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Catholic And Episcopal Churches and Dividing of Parishes — Freshet of 1856 Is Described — Many From Town Served in Civil War.
• Gerrit Smith
  Abolitionist and philanthropist Gerrit Smith spoke at First Keeseville Baptist Church on June 7, 1845
• Frederick Douglass
  Frederick Douglass visited Keeseville in 1843
• Isaac Finch Military Record 1813
  Isaac Finch Military Payroll Record Capt. John Cantine Co. of Lt. Col. George Fleming 11 Sept. 1813-11 Oct. 1813
• Isaac Finch, Military Record 7 October 1777
  Payroll of the First Division, Continental Troops Under the command of Capt. Rufus Herrick
• Battle of Plattsburgh
  Battle of Plattsburgh by the late artist Lee Hunt. From the History of Peru, page 351, are some interesting facts on those members of the Church who served in the War of 1812. Isaac Finch of Jay, N.Y. , became a Major. "During the War of 1812, the press-gangs seized teams of John taylor, Elisha Arnold, Elisha Button, Stephen Keese, and others with a special view to the transportation of troops to Sackett's Harbor." Taylor and Button were members of this church. David Cochran became a Captain, and Elisha Button a lieutenant.
• St. John the Baptist Church
• Stephen Keese Smith Farm Hiding Place
  New York State Assembly Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay) talks with Jacqueline Madison, president of the North Country Underground Railroad Historical Association, inside of the root cellar where Underground Railroad Conductor and Quaker Stephen Keese Smith hid freedom seekers in Peru, NY, during the night before transporting them to Noadiah Moore in Champlain.
• Eleanor Arthur Spaulding, author of A History of the First Baptist Church of Keeseville, N.Y. 1788 --- 1968
  Mrs. Eleanor A. Spaulding (standing right) with Mrs. Cora Stafford (standing left) and Mrs. Grace Arnold (seated). The photograph was taken in the home of Eleanor Spaulding, Peru, N.Y. These ladies collected and edited and wrote two volumes of Peru History, "A Collection of Articles and Local History by J. Warren Harkness and Others."
• Sign from First Baptist Church of Keeseville, Front Street
  This bespoke wooden sign graced the exterior door of the First Baptist Church of Keeseville on Front Street.
• One of two time capsules from First Baptist Church of Keeseville, Front Street
  This time capsule was found when the First Baptist Church of Keeseville was razed on Front Street.
• First Baptist Church of Keeseville, Front Street, razed.
• First Baptist Church of Keeseville, Front Street, Mid-century
• From First Baptist Church of Keeseville to Church of St. John de Baptiste, Keeseville, N.Y.
  :The old building was sold to the St. Jean de Baptiste Society in 1853 for about $1,200. The church was used by that Society until 1901, when it was moved across the street and became the St. John's Hall. Upon looking closely, ath the Hall, one can see how the architecture of the old one resembles the church downtown..
• First Baptist Church of Keeseville, Front Street
  Wednesday, Dec. 25, 1850 Voted that there be a committee appointed to examine the propriety of moving the meeting house down in the village. "We are building a new meeting house, which we hope to dedicate to God by the latter part of November. Nov. 16, 1851 The church commenced worship in the vestry of their meeting house. the pastor preached a dedication sermon, from Exodus 20:24 "An Altar of earth thou shalt made unto me ... all places where I record my name i will come unto thee, and I will bless thee." The Essex County history dated 1885 states that there was once a tannery on the present site of the Baptist Church. From the history of the Baptist Church printed in the Minutes of the Association for the year 1862, it states "On the 13th of November, the Church commenced worship in the vestry of their new house." The dedicatory services seemingly was not dedicated until the church was complete. Jan. 14th, 1852 The new Meeting house was this day dedicated to God, sermon by the pastor. The Association Minute Book, gives the date as Jan. 25th, 1852. Our historians write of the new edifice: ?Measure were taken for the erection of a more centrally located house of worship. In all Mr. Baber's clear head, tender heart, and strong hand was manifest. Plans and specifications by a New York architect were submitted, accepted and the new house went up. It was a model of convenience and comfort, and seemingly perfect acoustic properties, any speaker could desire. Artists from Boston frescoed the walls. It was a thing of grace and beauty from the culture tasted and practical knowledge of Mr. Baber. From the Association Minute book of 1862, there is further information concerning the new building. "It was supplied with a baptistry and the arrangements throughout were pleasant and convenient." In notes that LAB added to the history, is "The original cost of our present house of worship was seven thousand dollars.. Organ was one thousand." The Association Minute Book states, "An organ costing $1,000 has since been been presented by James Pilling, Esq." In the records of dees back in this time, the occupation of the persons owning the land is given, a gentlemen, or a farmer. "Esq." would indicate that he was gentleman, son of means.
• First Baptist Church of Keeseville, original location
  "In the meantime, the desire for a public house of worship was growing among the people. But to accomplish it, was a seemingly insuperable task. The numbers of settlers was increasing but the majority of them were poor. Actual cash was scarce. People bartered one article for another, and paid for things in produce. People of the Methodist faith had come in and there was quite a sprinkling of Congregationalists here and there. It was decided to build a house of worship and to concede ownership to that denomination which contributed the most toward its erection. The house was built. It cost $3,000. It was built in what was then regarded as a central location and was publicly dedicated to the Worship of God October, 1826, the Rev. John A. Dodge from Monton, Vt., and father of our honored Senior Deacon (Daniel Dodge, 1861) preached the sermon on the occasion. Test 1 Cor. :31 "For the fashion of this world passeth away."
• Marjorie Lansing Porter with portrait of Wendell Lansing
  Marjorie Lansing Porter served as Historian for Clinton and Essex Counties, and she was also the City of Plattsburgh Historian. She was a Founding Member of the Adirondack History Museum. She is the great-granddaughter of Wendell Lansing, the Founder and First Editor of the Essex County Republican. Marjorie was a journalist for more than 40 years following in her ancestors' steps at the Essex County Republican and other area newsoutlets
• Stephen Keese Smith Farm
  This property was originally owned by John Haff, who was a Peru settler and slave owner. He deeded this property to his son, The Rev. Abraham Haff, a Methodist Minister, who became and Abolitionist. Rev. Abraham sold the farm to Quaker Stephen Keese Smith, who was an Underground Railroad conductor along with Wendell Lansing, Samuel and Catherine Keese and Noadiah Moore to name a few.
• Isaac Finch Gravesite
  In 1787, Isaac Finch from Washington, Dutchess County, New York, who with his wife (Abigail) was a member of the Baptist Church in Dover, under the care of Rev. Mr. Gano, visited the region on an exploring expedition. He sailed from Whitehall (Skenesborough 1775) in a small sloop, and disembarked at the point later called Peru Landing. There were only six inhabitants in the town, viz: Robert Cochran and Nathan Mallory on the Lake Shore; Moses Dickson, Jabez Allen, John and Lot Elmore between the two rivers; Edward Everett and John Stanton in the Union. (The "Union" was not then as it cam into being about a year or so later. The "Union" was and is about six or seven miles from the lake shore). Having concluded to settle at this place, Mr. Finch returned the following year 1788 with his family, among who was his son, William, then a lad of twelve years old. It was the season of great scarcity. Having located on a spot about a mile west of Perul Landing, a part which is now used as burying ground, (Block House Cemetery at the east end of the Bear Swamp Road leading to the Lake from Peru Village), he immediately commenced holding prayer meetings.
• St. John Baptist Church today
  St. John Baptist Church, Catholic Community of Keeseville
• First Baptist Church of Keeseville Marker
  Pomeroy Foundation Marker erected by Anderson Falls Historical Society