History of Hamilton, New York, USA

In 1794, Samuel Payne moved southwest from Whitestone into the town of Hamilton, where he started a farm on the hill that is today’s location of Colgate University.

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In 1795, a year after his brother moved into the town of Hamilton, Elisha Payne did so as well.
He and others from Whitestone and Connecticut moved to an unsettled area just north of his brother and that settlement grew to become today's village of Hamilton. Because of Elisha Payne's interest and ability in developing the settlement, it became known as "Payne's Settlement".
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1806 - Payne's Settlement (Hamilton)
By 1806 much of the land surrounding the settlement had been cleared and replaced by orchards and farms. Salt was the accepted form of currency in the settlement.
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1808 - The opening of the Skaneateles Turnpike, which connected the village (Payne's Settlement) to western New York.

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1812 - Payne's Settlement obtained a charter incorporating the Village of Hamilton.

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1817 - (Hamilton) The village's first newspaper, the Hamilton Recorder, was started in 1817.

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1819 - (Hamilton) - Colgate University was founded in the village in 1819.

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1836 - September 28 - The first of three early season snows brought four inches of snow to Hamilton, NY

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1854 - Hamilton
Hamilton, a post-township of Madison co., N. Y., 90 miles W. of Albany. Pop., 3599.

Hamilton, a post-village in the above township, on the Chenango river and canal, about 28 miles S. W. of Utica. It contains several churches, an academy, a bank, and a theological seminary under the direction of the Baptists, and 2 newspaper offices.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1895 - (Hamilton) - "the great fire" destroyed much of the village.

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1895 - Hamilton
Hamilton, a post-village of Madison co., N.Y., in Hamilton township, on the Ontario & Western Railroad, 29 miles S.S.W. of Utica, and 37 miles S.E. of Syracuse. It contains 5 churches, a national bank, 2 newspaper offices, and the Colgate Academy. Here is the Colgate University (Baptist), which was organized in 1832, and has 20 professors, about 160 students, and a library of 10,000 volumes. This place contains also the Hamilton Theological Seminary (Baptist). Pop. in 1880, 1638; in 1890, 1744; of the town ship, in 1880, 3912; in 1890, 3923.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott

1899 - Hamilton
Hamilton was set off from Paris on March 5, 1795, and received its name in honor of Alexander Hamilton. It originally included Nos. 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the Twenty Townships, and was reduced to its present limits by the erection of Eaton, Lebanon, and Madison in 1807. It lies on the south border of the county east of the center and is bounded on the north by Madison, east by Brookfield, south by Chenango county, and west by Lebanon. It contains nearly 24,000 acres, about 20,000 of which are improved. The surface is rolling or hilly, broken by the valleys of the Chenango and its eastern branch; the former skirts the western boundary, and the latter crosses the town from northeast to southwest and unites with the main river at Earlville. These streams have numerous smaller tributaries. The town is wholly covered with the Hamilton group of rocks which have been quarried somewhat extensively for building and other purposes. The soil is rich and productive, consisting of sandy and gravelly... Read MORE...

1916
Hamilton, a banking post-village of Madison co., N.Y., in Hamilton township (town), on the Chenango Canal and on the New York, Ontario and Western R., 29 miles SW. of Utica. It is the seat of Colgate University (Baptist), which combines the Colgate Academy and the Hamilton Theological Seminary, and had, in 1900, 340 students and an extensive and important library. Pop. in 1900, 1627 ; of the town, 3744.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

Whether you're a local looking for something new or a visitor exploring the area, here's a list of places to go and things to do in Hamilton:
1. Colgate University: Hamilton is home to Colgate University, a picturesque campus with stunning architecture. You can take a leisurely stroll around the campus, visit the Colgate Bookstore, or attend some of the university's events, lectures, or sports games if they are open to the public.

2. Hamilton Farmer's Market: If you're in town on a Saturday morning (May through October), don't miss the Hamilton Farmer's Market. It's a great place to sample local produce, artisanal foods, and handmade crafts.

3. Good Nature Farm Brewery: If you enjoy craft beer, head to the Good Nature Farm Brewery. They offer a variety of beers, including IPAs, stouts, and seasonal selections. It's a fantastic spot to relax with friends and enjoy a cold one.

4. Explore the Outdoors: Hamilton is surrounded by natural beauty. You can explore local parks, go hiking, or have a picnic at the Chenango Valley State Park or Green Lakes State Park, both within a short drive.

5. Earlville Opera House:... Read MORE...