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History of Durham, New York, USA
Journey back in time to Durham, New York, USA
Visit Durham, New York, USA. Discover its history. Learn about the people who lived there through stories, old newspaper articles, pictures, postcards and genealogy.
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The area where Durham now stands was settled around 1755. Durham was known as the "Town of Freehold" in 1790. In 1805, the town's name was changed to "Durham", named after the many settlers who came from Durham, Connecticut.
Durham contains the following villages/ sections: Cornwallville, Durso Corner, East Durham, East Windham, Hervey Street, Mount Pisgah, Oak, Hill, Sunside, South Durham, West Durham.
There is MUCH more to discover about Durham, New York, USA. Read on!
Old Photos, Pictures, Advertisements and Postcards from Durham, New York, USA
History, News and Stories of Durham, New York, USA

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1788 - Baptist Church started at Durham
In the year of 1788, Deacon Obed Hervey and others settled in Hervey Street. They belonged to the Baptist church of North East, Dutchess county.... Read MORE...
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1846 - Murder near East Durham
Early in August 1846, Robert James, a drover, was murdered by Patrick Flynn, near East Durham. The trial was conducted in behalf of the people by... Read MORE...
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1846 - Death by scythe
August 24th 1846, Florentine Humphrey of West Durham, and another young man, were mowing in the field, when, by some means, the scythe of the young... Read MORE...
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1854 - Durham
Durham, a post-township of Greene county, New York, on Catskill creek, 80 miles S. W. from Albany. Population, 2600.
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.
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1857 - Snow Storm
In April 1857, the town was visited by a fearful snow-storm. Snow fell from four to six feet deep, and very damp and heavy. The glue factory was... Read MORE...
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1859
DURHAM, a township of Greene co., in the state of New York, 36 m. SW of Albany. It presents a rugged surface, and is watered by Catskill river and... Read MORE...
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1861 - Drownings
James Donnelly was swept away by high water and drowned, on the night of November 3rd 1861. He went into one of the buildings connected with the... Read MORE...
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1869 - Flood
The autumn of 1869 abounded in heavy rains and floods. It was said that the flood of October 4th destroyed 16 bridges in the town. Farms were very... Read MORE...
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1870 - Dam Break
In April 1870, the reservoir at Rensselaerville broke away, and the consequence was a tremendous rush of water down the valley of Saybrook Creek;... Read MORE...
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1876 - FIre
One of the largest fires in the history of the town was that of May 26th 1876, when two hotels, two hotel barns, and most of their contents, were... Read MORE...
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1884 - Durham
The territory now known as Durham was formerly included within the boundaries of Albany county.
It belonged to the district of Coxsackie, as... Read MORE...
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1895 - Durham
Durham, a post-village of Durham township, Greene co., N.Y., about 30 miles S.W. of Albany. It has 2 churches and an academy. Pop. about 600.
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
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1916
Durham, a post-village of Durham township (town), Greene co., N.Y., about 30 miles SW. of Albany. Pop. about 300 ; of the town in 1900, 1636.
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
Durham, New York, USA Genealogy
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Durham, New York, USA
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Updated: 3/26/2021 7:23:07 PM
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