Catskill Road: Difference between revisions
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=== History === | === History === | ||
The '''Catskill Road''', also known as the '''''[[Catskill Turnpike]]''''', also known as the '''''Ancram Turnpike''''', was one of the most important early routes for migration out of New England into central New York. It was used by European settlers as early as 1744. It was about a 100 mile (161 kilometer) pathway from '''[[Springfield, Massachusetts]]''' to '''[[Catskill, New York]]''', via [[Ancram, New York]]. The route went westward from Springfield, Massachusetts toward the southwest corner of that state. It entered New York State near the town of Ancram and went thence northwest to the town of Catskill on the west bank of the Hudson River. From Catskill the highway was usually called the '''[[Catskill Turnpike]]''' and hugged the north edge of the Catskill Mountains running toward [[Unadilla, New York|Unadilla]] (formerly Wattle's Ferry) on the Susquehanna River, and beyond to [[Ithaca, New York|Ithaca]] and [[Bath, New York]].<ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 9th ed. (Logan, Utah: Everton Pub., 1999), pages 532 and M-48. {{WorldCat|48077118|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{ | The '''Catskill Road''', also known as the '''''[[Catskill Turnpike]]''''', also known as the '''''Ancram Turnpike''''', was one of the most important early routes for migration out of New England into central New York. It was used by European settlers as early as 1744. It was about a 100 mile (161 kilometer) pathway from '''[[Springfield, Massachusetts]]''' to '''[[Catskill, New York]]''', via [[Ancram, New York]]. The route went westward from Springfield, Massachusetts toward the southwest corner of that state. It entered New York State near the town of Ancram and went thence northwest to the town of Catskill on the west bank of the Hudson River. From Catskill the highway was usually called the '''[[Catskill Turnpike]]''' and hugged the north edge of the Catskill Mountains running toward [[Unadilla, New York|Unadilla]] (formerly Wattle's Ferry) on the Susquehanna River, and beyond to [[Ithaca, New York|Ithaca]] and [[Bath, New York]].<ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 9th ed. (Logan, Utah: Everton Pub., 1999), pages 532 and M-48. {{WorldCat|48077118|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FSC|740321|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 D27e 1999}}. This was one of the most important migration routes for early New England settlers who pioneered into central New York.</ref> | ||
The first major village began attracting European settlers into the Catskill area in 1745.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Catskill_Mountains History of the Catskill Mountains] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 23 October 2014).</ref> | The first major village began attracting European settlers into the Catskill area in 1745.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Catskill_Mountains History of the Catskill Mountains] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 23 October 2014).</ref> | ||
'''Stages.''' Stagecoaches generally began regular transport of mail and passengers on long trips in the American colonies in the 1760s.<ref>Frederic J. Wood, "The Twelfth Massachusetts Turnpike" in ''The Turnpikes of New England and the Evolution of the Same Through England, Virginia, and Maryland'' (Boston: Marshall Jones, 1919), 26-27. [https://archive.org/stream/turnpikesofnewen00woodrich#page/79/mode/1up Internet Archive version online].</ref> They made regular trips between '''''stages | '''Stages.''' Stagecoaches generally began regular transport of mail and passengers on long trips in the American colonies in the 1760s.<ref>Frederic J. Wood, "The Twelfth Massachusetts Turnpike" in ''The Turnpikes of New England and the Evolution of the Same Through England, Virginia, and Maryland'' (Boston: Marshall Jones, 1919), 26-27. [https://archive.org/stream/turnpikesofnewen00woodrich#page/79/mode/1up Internet Archive version online].</ref> They made regular trips between '''''stages ''''' or stations where travelers were provided food and rest.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stagecoach Stagecoach] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 30 October 2014).</ref> Where available, stagecoaches became a preferred way for settlers to travel to a new home. The establishment of the stagecoach inn in Ancram, New York, in 1798 shows stagecoaches traveled the '''Catskill Road''' even before it was made a turnpike. The inn was popular with drovers taking their cattle to the Hudson River for market.<ref>Catherine Tyler Brody, ''[http://gallatin-ny.org/content/History/Home/:field=documents;/content/Documents/File/1.pdf A Brief History of Gallatin]'', 4. (pdf accessed 23 October 2014).</ref> | ||
'''Toll roads.''' As traffic increased along a roadway American political leaders turned to toll roads (turnpikes) to raise money to improve, clear, and repair their local highways.<ref>Wood, 33-36.</ref> Toll revenue from stagecoaches, drovers, and other travelers was used to maintain the roadbeds and bridges, and, if there was enough left over (rarely happened), to pay a turnpike stockholder dividend. If turnpike revenue decreased too much, the roadway maintenance was typically turned over to the state, and the path was made a free public road. | '''Toll roads.''' As traffic increased along a roadway American political leaders turned to toll roads (turnpikes) to raise money to improve, clear, and repair their local highways.<ref>Wood, 33-36.</ref> Toll revenue from stagecoaches, drovers, and other travelers was used to maintain the roadbeds and bridges, and, if there was enough left over (rarely happened), to pay a turnpike stockholder dividend. If turnpike revenue decreased too much, the roadway maintenance was typically turned over to the state, and the path was made a free public road. | ||
The '''[[Catskill Turnpike]]''' was a gateway route into central New York when it opened from Catskill to Unadilla in 1804. Moreover, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts all approved an important network of '''''feeder | The '''[[Catskill Turnpike]]''' was a gateway route into central New York when it opened from Catskill to Unadilla in 1804. Moreover, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts all approved an important network of '''''feeder ''''' turnpike routes leading toward the Catskill Turnpike—which eventually became associated with the Catskill name. | ||
'''Railroad competition.''' The heyday of wagon roads into central New York was the early 1800s before the coming of the railroads in the 1840s and 1850s.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_and_Boston_Railroad Hudson and Boston Railroad]] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 23 October 2014).</ref> Railroads were faster, less expensive, and safer to use than overland wagon roads. As railroads entered an area, the long distance overland wagon roads (especially the toll roads) normally became less used. Railroads like the following began moving settlers and replaced much of the wagon road traffic in the area: | '''Railroad competition.''' The heyday of wagon roads into central New York was the early 1800s before the coming of the railroads in the 1840s and 1850s.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_and_Boston_Railroad Hudson and Boston Railroad]] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 23 October 2014).</ref> Railroads were faster, less expensive, and safer to use than overland wagon roads. As railroads entered an area, the long distance overland wagon roads (especially the toll roads) normally became less used. Railroads like the following began moving settlers and replaced much of the wagon road traffic in the area: | ||
{{Block indent|*1831 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albany_and_Schenectady_Railroad Mohawk and Hudson Railroad] (Albany, NY - Buffalo, NY) }} | |||
{{Block indent|*1833 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hartford_and_New_Haven_Railroad Hartford and New Haven Railroad] (Hartford, CT - New Haven, CT) }} | |||
{{Block indent|*1836 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_and_Albany_Railroad Albany and West Stockbridge Railroad] (Albany, NY - West Stockbridge, MA) }} | |||
{{Block indent|*1836 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Housatonic_Railroad Housatonic Railroad] (Bridgeport, CT - Hudson and Berkshire Railroad) }} | |||
{{Block indent|*1838 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_and_Boston_Railroad Hudson and Berkshire Railroad] (Hudson, NY - Housatonic Railroad) }} | |||
{{Block indent|*1841 [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_and_Albany_Railroad Boston and Albany Railroad] (Boston-Worcester-Sprinfield-Pittsfield-Albany)}} | |||
=== Route === | === Route === | ||
There may have been several variations of the Catskill Road. New York State historical roadside markers show Ancram was connected by old turnpikes both to (a) | There may have been several variations of the Catskill Road. New York State historical roadside markers show Ancram was connected by old turnpikes both to (a) Barrington, Massachusetts via Hillsdale (Nobletown), New York, and to (b) Salisbury, Connecticut.<ref>"36 Old Turnpike Road" and "37 Turnpike Road" in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_New_York_State_Historic_Markers_in_Columbia_County,_New_York List of New York State Historic Markers in Columbia County, New York] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 21 October 2014).</ref> Therefore, immigrants from Springfield could have chosen two main routes of similar length to arrive at Catskill: | ||
{| cellspacing=" | {| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="3" border="1" width="100%" | ||
|- | |- | ||
| <center>'''Catskill Road possible northern route'''</center> | | <center>'''Catskill Road possible northern route'''</center> | ||
[[Hampden County, Massachusetts]]<br> | [[Hampden County, Massachusetts]]<br> '''● [[Springfield, Massachusetts|Springfield]]'''<br> ● [[West Springfield, Massachusetts|West Springfield]]<br> ● [[Westfield, Massachusetts|Westfield]]<br> ● [[Russell, Massachusetts|Russell]]<br> ● [[Blandford, Massachusetts|Blandford]]<br>[[Berkshire County, Massachusetts]]<br> ● [[Otis, Massachusetts|Otis]]<br> ● [[Tyringham, Massachusetts|Tyringham]]<br> ● [[Monterey, Massachusetts|Monterey]]<br> ● [[Great Barrington, Massachusetts|Great Barrington]]<br> ● [[Egremont, Massachusetts|Egremont]]<br>[[Columbia County, New York]]<br> ● [[Hillsdale, New York|Hillsdale]] (aka Nobletown) taking NY-23 W to<br> Catskill cuts 9 miles off the S route via Ancram<br> ● [[Copake, New York|Copake]]<br> ● '''[[Ancram, New York|Ancram]]'''<br> ● [[Gallatin, New York|Gallatin]]<br> ● [[Taghkanic, New York|Taghkanic]]<br> ● [[Livingston, New York|Livingston]]<br> ● [[Greenport, New York|Greenport]]<br>[[Greene County, New York]]<br> ● '''[[Catskill, New York|Catskill]]''' - 100 mi (161 km) to Springfield | ||
| <center>'''Catskill Road possible southern route'''</center> | | <center>'''Catskill Road possible southern route'''</center> | ||
[[Hampden County, Massachusetts]]<br> | [[Hampden County, Massachusetts]]<br> ● '''[[Springfield, Massachusetts|Springfield]]'''<br> ● [[Agawam, Massachusetts|Agawam]]<br> ● [[Southwick, Massachusetts|Southwick]]<br> ● [[Granville, Massachusetts|Granville]]<br> ● [[Tolland, Massachusetts|Tolland]]<br>[[Berkshire County, Massachusetts]]<br> ● [[Sandisfield, Massachusetts|Sandisfield]]<br> ● [[New Marlborough, Massachusetts|New Marlborough]]<br>[[Litchfield County, Connecticut]]<br> ● [[North Canaan, Connecticut|North Canaan]]<br> ● [[Salisbury, Connecticut|Salisbury]]<br>[[Dutchess County, New York]]<br> ● [[North East, New York|North East]]<br>[[Columbia County, New York]]<br> ● '''[[Ancram, New York|Ancram]]'''<br> ● [[Gallatin, New York|Gallatin]]<br> ● [[Taghkanic, New York|Taghkanic]]<br> ● [[Livingston, New York|Livingston]]<br> ● [[Greenport, New York|Greenport]]<br>[[Greene County, New York]]<br> ● '''[[Catskill, New York|Catskill]]''' - 93 mi (149 km) to Springfield | ||
|} | |} | ||
| Line 49: | Line 49: | ||
'''New York main routes west''' moving New Englanders into central New York (listed north to south) | '''New York main routes west''' moving New Englanders into central New York (listed north to south) | ||
*'''''[[Erie Canal]] | *'''''[[Erie Canal]] ''''' from Albany, NY to Buffalo, NY; opened 1825.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Erie Canal" in ''Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia'' at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erie_Canal (accessed 24 June 2009).</ref> | ||
*'''''[[Mohawk or Iroquois Trail]] | *'''''[[Mohawk or Iroquois Trail]] ''''' from Albany, NY to Fort Oswego, NY; opened 1722.<ref>''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed.'' (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), 851. [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/50140092 WorldCat entry]. {{FSC|1049485|item|disp=FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref> <ref name="Oswego">Wikipedia contributors, "Fort Oswego" in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Oswego (accessed 2 July 2011).</ref> <ref>[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tqpeiffer/Documents/Ancestral%20Migration%20Archives/Migration%20Webpage%20Folder/Northeast%20U.S.%20Migration%20Routes.htm#_NAME_%28M%29 Mohawk Trail] in ''Routes in the Northeastern United States: Historic Trail, Roads, and Migration Routes'' in RootsWeb (accessed 6 October 2014).</ref> | ||
*'''''[[Catskill Turnpike]] | *'''''[[Catskill Turnpike]] ''''' (aka '''Susquehannah Turnpike ''') from Catskill, NY to Unadilla, NY; route travelled by Europeans by 1792; toll booths opened by 1804.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_turnpikes_in_New_York List of turnpikes in New York] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 1 November 2014).</ref> <ref>Almira E Morgan, ''The Catskill Turnpike: A Wilderness Path'' (Ithaca, N.Y.: DeWitt Historical Society of Thompkins County, 1971). [http://tcpl.org/local-history/documents/nys-cny/Catskill_Turnpike.pdf Online digital copy].</ref> <ref>Anastassia Zinke, [http://www.catskillmtn.org/guide-magazine/articles/2001-11-the-susquehanna-turnpike-and-america-s-frontier-history.html The Susquehanna Turnpike and America's Frontier History] in ''Catskill Mountain Foundation'' (accessed 1 November 2014).</ref> <ref>Joan Odess, [http://www.dcha-ny.org/turnpike.pdf The Susquehanna Turnpike] (pdf accessed 1 November 2014).</ref> | ||
{{Block indent|*'''New York feeders''' from Massachusetts / Connecticut connected to NY main routes west}} | |||
{{Block indent|*'''''Rensselaer and Columbia Turnpike ''''' from ''Massachusetts 10th Turnpike '' at New Lebanon, NY (Pittsfield, MA) to Rensselaer, NY (Albany, NY); opened 1799; now US-20. |2}} | |||
{{Block indent|*'''''Hillsdale and Chatham Turnpike ''''' from the ''Alford and Egremont Turnpike '' at Alford, MA to Albany, NY; opened 1805. <ref>Wood, 168.</ref> |2}} | |||
{{Block indent|*'''''Columbia Turnpike ''''' from the ''Massachusetts 12th Turnpike '' '''and''' ''Great Barrington and Alford Turnpike '' at Hillsdale, NY (Egremont, MA) to Hudson, NY (Catskill, NY); opened 1799; now NY-23. |2}} | |||
{{Block indent|1=*'''''Ancram Turnpike ''''' from the ''Salisbury and Canaan Turnpike '' at Millerton, NY to Catskill, NY; opened 1805; now NY-82.<ref name="Huntt">Isaac Huntting, ''History of the Little Nine Partners of North East Precinct and Pine Plains, New York, Dutchess County'' (Amenia, NY: Chas. Walsh, 1897), 99-101. [{{Huntt}} Google Book edition].</ref> |2=2}} | |||
{{Block indent|1=*'''''[[Ulster and Delaware Turnpike]] ''''' from the ''Salisbury and Canaan Turnpike '' at Millerton, NY (Salisbury, CT) to Rhinebeck, NY (Kingston, NY), continuing west to the [[Catskill Turnpike]] at Bainbridge, NY; opened 1802; now NY-199. <ref name="Huntt" /><br>|2=2}} | |||
{{Block indent|*'''Massachusetts feeders''' connected to New York feeders}} | |||
{{Block indent|*'''''Massachusetts 10th Turnpike ''''' from ''Connecticut Turnpike '' at Sandisfield, MA to the ''Rensselaer and Columbia Turnpike '' at Hancock, MA (New Lebanon, NY); toll booths open 1800 to 1854; now US-202 and US-20.<ref>Wood, map between pages 56 and 57, and pages 76-78.</ref> |2}} | |||
{{Block indent|*'''''Housatonic River Turnpike ''''' from the ''Massachusetts 10th Turnpike '' to the ''Rensselaer and Columbia Turnpike '' at West Strockbridge, MA (Hillsdale, NY); toll booths open 1809 to 1853; now in part MA-102.<ref>Wood, map between pages 56 and 57, and pages 166-67.</ref> |2}} | |||
{{Block indent|*'''''Alford and Egremont Turnpike ''''' from the ''Massachusetts 12th Turnpike '' at Egremont, MA to the ''Hillsdale and Chatham Turnpike '' at Alford, MA (Hillsdale, NY); toll booths open 1812 to 1842; now MA-71.<ref>Wood, map between pages 56 and 57, and page 168.</ref> |2}} | |||
{{Block indent|*'''''Great Barrington and Alford Turnpike ''''' from the ''Massachusetts 15th Turnpike '' at Great Barrington, MA to the ''Columbia Turnpike '' at Alford, MA (Hillsdale, NY); toll booths open from 1812 to 1846; now MA-23.<ref>Wood, map between pages 56 and 57, and pages 186-87.</ref> |2}} | |||
{{Block indent|*'''''Massachusetts 12th Turnpike ''''' from Sheffied, MA (North Canaan, CT) to the ''Columbia Turnpike '' at Egremont, MA (Hillsdale, NY); toll booths open from 1803 to 1857; now US-7 and MA-41.<ref>Wood, map between pages 56 and 57, and page 80.</ref>|2}} | |||
{{Block indent|*'''''Hampden and Berkshire Turnpike ''''' from near Springfield, MA to the ''Becket Turnpike '' at Becket, MA; toll booths open from 1829 to 1852; now I-90.<ref>Wood, 203-206.</ref><br>|2}} | |||
{{Block indent|*'''Connecticut feeders''' connected to New York feeders}} | |||
{{Block indent|*'''''Salisbury and Canaan Turnpike ''''' from Huntsville, CT to the ''Ancram Turnpike '' and the ''Ulster and Dalaware Turnpike '' at Salisburty, CT (Millerton, NY); traveled by Europeans by 1744, toll booths open from 1801 to 1829; now CT-126 and US-44.<ref>Wood, 363-64.</ref> <ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connecticut_Route_126 Connectiuct Route 126] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 3 November 2014).</ref> <ref>"Salisbury and Canaan Turnpike" in [http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tqpeiffer/Documents/Ancestral%20Migration%20Archives/Migration%20Webpage%20Folder/Northeast%20U.S.%20Migration%20Routes.htm Routes in the Northeastern United States: Historic Trails, Roads, and Migration Routes] in ''RootsWeb'' (accessed 3 November 2014).</ref><br>|2}} | |||
'''Connecting Routes'''. The Catskill Road connected with several other migration routes: | '''Connecting Routes'''. The Catskill Road connected with several other migration routes: | ||
| Line 78: | Line 78: | ||
*'''''Springfield connections:''''' | *'''''Springfield connections:''''' | ||
{{Block indent|*[[Old Connecticut Path]] a pre-historic Indian path from [[Boston, Massachusetts]] to the Connecticut River Valley at [[Springfield, Massachusetts]] and south to [[Hartford, Connecticut]]. }} | |||
{{Block indent|*The upper [[King's Highway]], also known as the '''''upper Boston Post Road''''', went from [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]] to [[Springfield, Massachusetts|Springfield]] in Massachusetts, to [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]] and [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]] in Connecticut, and then on to [[New York City New York genealogy|New York City]]. From Boston to Hartford it followed the same route as the [[Old Connecticut Path]]. From New York City the [[King's Highway]] continued south to [[Charleston County, South Carolina|Charleston, South Carolina]].}} | |||
*'''''mid-road Massachusetts/Connecticut connections:''''' | *'''''mid-road Massachusetts/Connecticut connections:''''' | ||
{{Block indent|*[[Greenwood Road]] from [[Hartford, Connecticut]] to [[North Canaan, Connecticut]] to [[Pittsfield, Massachusetts]], to [[Albany, New York]]. The Greenwood Road crossed the Catskill Road (north) at [[Great Barrington, Massachusetts|Great Barrington, Massachusetts]]. The Greenwood Road crossed the Catskill Road (south) at [[North Canaan, Connecticut|North Canaan, Connecticut]].}} | |||
*'''''mid-road New York connection:''''' | *'''''mid-road New York connection:''''' | ||
{{Block indent|*The [[Albany Post Road]] connects [[New York City New York genealogy|New York City]] to [[Albany, New York]]. The Albany Post Road crossed the Catskill Road at [[Livingston, New York]].}} | |||
*'''''Catskill connection:''''' | *'''''Catskill connection:''''' | ||
{{Block indent|*At the town of [[Catskill, New York]] the '''[[Catskill_Road|Catskill Road]]''' (also known as the '''''Ancram Turnpike''''') changed its name to the '''[[Catskill Turnpike]]''' on its way from Catskill to [[Unadilla, New York]] (formerly Wattle's Ferry) on the Susquehanna River, and then to [[Ithaca, New York|Ithaca]] and [[Bath, New York]].}} | |||
'''Modern parallels.''' The modern roads that roughly match the Catskill Road (southern route) from Springfield to Catskill are: | '''Modern parallels.''' The modern roads that roughly match the Catskill Road (southern route) from Springfield to Catskill are: | ||
{{Block indent|*From '''''Springfield, Massachusetts''''' cross the Connecticut River into Agawam, and take '''MA‑147 / Memorial Avenue''' going southwest 1.6 miles until it merges into }} | |||
{{Block indent|*'''Southwick Street /MA-57''' heading west for 37.1 miles to New Marlboro; turn south onto }} | |||
{{Block indent|*'''New Marlboro Southfield Road''' bound toward Southfield 5.6 miles to turn right onto }} | |||
{{Block indent|*the '''Canaan Southfield Road''' to Canaan, Connecticut. At Canaan turn west on }} | |||
{{Block indent|*'''Church Street / US-44 W''' head southwest to Millerton, New York; there turn northwest on }} | |||
{{Block indent|*'''N Elm Ave / NY-22''' which eventually becomes '''NY-82''' going past Livingston until it joins }} | |||
{{Block indent|*'''NY-23 / Claverack Road''' west bound over the Hudson River bridge into '''''Catskill, New York'''''.}} | |||
=== Settler Records === | === Settler Records === | ||
Latest revision as of 08:00, 19 August 2025
Did an ancestor travel the Catskill Road of Massachusetts and New York? Learn about this settler migration route, its transportation history, and find related genealogy sources.
History[edit | edit source]
The Catskill Road, also known as the Catskill Turnpike, also known as the Ancram Turnpike, was one of the most important early routes for migration out of New England into central New York. It was used by European settlers as early as 1744. It was about a 100 mile (161 kilometer) pathway from Springfield, Massachusetts to Catskill, New York, via Ancram, New York. The route went westward from Springfield, Massachusetts toward the southwest corner of that state. It entered New York State near the town of Ancram and went thence northwest to the town of Catskill on the west bank of the Hudson River. From Catskill the highway was usually called the Catskill Turnpike and hugged the north edge of the Catskill Mountains running toward Unadilla (formerly Wattle's Ferry) on the Susquehanna River, and beyond to Ithaca and Bath, New York.[1]
The first major village began attracting European settlers into the Catskill area in 1745.[2]
Stages. Stagecoaches generally began regular transport of mail and passengers on long trips in the American colonies in the 1760s.[3] They made regular trips between stages or stations where travelers were provided food and rest.[4] Where available, stagecoaches became a preferred way for settlers to travel to a new home. The establishment of the stagecoach inn in Ancram, New York, in 1798 shows stagecoaches traveled the Catskill Road even before it was made a turnpike. The inn was popular with drovers taking their cattle to the Hudson River for market.[5]
Toll roads. As traffic increased along a roadway American political leaders turned to toll roads (turnpikes) to raise money to improve, clear, and repair their local highways.[6] Toll revenue from stagecoaches, drovers, and other travelers was used to maintain the roadbeds and bridges, and, if there was enough left over (rarely happened), to pay a turnpike stockholder dividend. If turnpike revenue decreased too much, the roadway maintenance was typically turned over to the state, and the path was made a free public road.
The Catskill Turnpike was a gateway route into central New York when it opened from Catskill to Unadilla in 1804. Moreover, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts all approved an important network of feeder turnpike routes leading toward the Catskill Turnpike—which eventually became associated with the Catskill name.
Railroad competition. The heyday of wagon roads into central New York was the early 1800s before the coming of the railroads in the 1840s and 1850s.[7] Railroads were faster, less expensive, and safer to use than overland wagon roads. As railroads entered an area, the long distance overland wagon roads (especially the toll roads) normally became less used. Railroads like the following began moving settlers and replaced much of the wagon road traffic in the area:
Route[edit | edit source]
There may have been several variations of the Catskill Road. New York State historical roadside markers show Ancram was connected by old turnpikes both to (a) Barrington, Massachusetts via Hillsdale (Nobletown), New York, and to (b) Salisbury, Connecticut.[8] Therefore, immigrants from Springfield could have chosen two main routes of similar length to arrive at Catskill:
Hampden County, Massachusetts |
Hampden County, Massachusetts |
Eastern New York and western Massachusetts/Connecticut had a network of interconnected roads that helped the people of New England and New York City to reach central New York.
New York main routes west moving New Englanders into central New York (listed north to south)
- Erie Canal from Albany, NY to Buffalo, NY; opened 1825.[9]
- Mohawk or Iroquois Trail from Albany, NY to Fort Oswego, NY; opened 1722.[10] [11] [12]
- Catskill Turnpike (aka Susquehannah Turnpike ) from Catskill, NY to Unadilla, NY; route travelled by Europeans by 1792; toll booths opened by 1804.[13] [14] [15] [16]
Connecting Routes. The Catskill Road connected with several other migration routes:
- Springfield connections:
- mid-road Massachusetts/Connecticut connections:
- mid-road New York connection:
- Catskill connection:
Modern parallels. The modern roads that roughly match the Catskill Road (southern route) from Springfield to Catskill are:
Settler Records[edit | edit source]
No list is known to exist of migrating citizens who used the Catskill Road or Catskill Turnpike and decided to settle along it. However, many of the earliest settlers in the area would have used this road to reach their new home. The Catskill Road would have attracted nearby settlers because it helped them reach markets for buying and selling goods and services. Therefore, the land records, tax records, and histories of the earliest settlers along the route would list the names of people likely to have used the Catskill Road.
Settlers along the Catskill Road are most likely to have originally come from Massachusetts or Connecticut, especially areas near Springfield, Boston, or Hartford.
Sources[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 9th ed. (Logan, Utah: Everton Pub., 1999), pages 532 and M-48. At various libraries (WorldCat); FS Library Book 973 D27e 1999. This was one of the most important migration routes for early New England settlers who pioneered into central New York.
- ↑ History of the Catskill Mountains in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia (accessed 23 October 2014).
- ↑ Frederic J. Wood, "The Twelfth Massachusetts Turnpike" in The Turnpikes of New England and the Evolution of the Same Through England, Virginia, and Maryland (Boston: Marshall Jones, 1919), 26-27. Internet Archive version online.
- ↑ Stagecoach in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia (accessed 30 October 2014).
- ↑ Catherine Tyler Brody, A Brief History of Gallatin, 4. (pdf accessed 23 October 2014).
- ↑ Wood, 33-36.
- ↑ Hudson and Boston Railroad] in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia (accessed 23 October 2014).
- ↑ "36 Old Turnpike Road" and "37 Turnpike Road" in List of New York State Historic Markers in Columbia County, New York in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia (accessed 21 October 2014).
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Erie Canal" in Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erie_Canal (accessed 24 June 2009).
- ↑ Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed. (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), 851. WorldCat entry. FS Library Book 973 D27e 2002.
- ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Fort Oswego" in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Oswego (accessed 2 July 2011).
- ↑ Mohawk Trail in Routes in the Northeastern United States: Historic Trail, Roads, and Migration Routes in RootsWeb (accessed 6 October 2014).
- ↑ List of turnpikes in New York in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia (accessed 1 November 2014).
- ↑ Almira E Morgan, The Catskill Turnpike: A Wilderness Path (Ithaca, N.Y.: DeWitt Historical Society of Thompkins County, 1971). Online digital copy.
- ↑ Anastassia Zinke, The Susquehanna Turnpike and America's Frontier History in Catskill Mountain Foundation (accessed 1 November 2014).
- ↑ Joan Odess, The Susquehanna Turnpike (pdf accessed 1 November 2014).
- ↑ Wood, 168.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Isaac Huntting, History of the Little Nine Partners of North East Precinct and Pine Plains, New York, Dutchess County (Amenia, NY: Chas. Walsh, 1897), 99-101. Google Book edition.
- ↑ Wood, map between pages 56 and 57, and pages 76-78.
- ↑ Wood, map between pages 56 and 57, and pages 166-67.
- ↑ Wood, map between pages 56 and 57, and page 168.
- ↑ Wood, map between pages 56 and 57, and pages 186-87.
- ↑ Wood, map between pages 56 and 57, and page 80.
- ↑ Wood, 203-206.
- ↑ Wood, 363-64.
- ↑ Connectiuct Route 126 in Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia (accessed 3 November 2014).
- ↑ "Salisbury and Canaan Turnpike" in Routes in the Northeastern United States: Historic Trails, Roads, and Migration Routes in RootsWeb (accessed 3 November 2014).
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Categories:
- US Migration Trails and Roads
- Connecticut Migration Routes
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- Hampden County, Massachusetts
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