Many people have helped with the preparation of this book. It is not possible to describe all the work othera have done to aid with this printing, but I must memtion some of the contributions and Dersons involved. Jack Johnston did much of the photography work-, making prints of old pictures loaned by generous neighbors and friends. Esther Pray wrote the essay about a Neighbor of Plattsburgh. Grace W. Wilson wrote two poems found near the end of the book. Mrs. Austin W. Gowan sent me the historical notes of A 1776 American, one of her ancestors. The Allen Homestead was described by Paul Allen, while Henry Hebert wrote about the delivery of groceries around Peru. He also owns the original photographs of Nathan lapham's Lumbering Business. Virginia Eur- dick described the Mason Lumber Business, and prepared the bio- graphtcal sketch of Stephen K. Smith. She also provided photos of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Mason and the aix sons. Marjorie Angevine did months of research concerning Peasleeville, and wrote many essays. Eleanor Spaulding described the First Baptiats of Peru. Port Jackson Church was researched by Stephen Riley, and Palmer Hill Iron mines by Clifford Mossey. A chronology of 100 years of music was written by Lynn Wilke, who also loaned several photo- graphs. Margaret Stafford provided many pictures of Peru Village. The Battle of Valcour was put in perspective by Frank Anthony De- Sorbo. Photos were given by Doris Banker Keese, Cora Stafford and Jean Thew Ryan. A scrapbook of old newspaper clippings was loaned by Isabelle Young, while Mary Jane Feltmah worked on the History of the Peru Comity Church. Durganville was highlight- ed by Permley Durgan hsby. Lydia and Sidney Beyland narrated the history of the Fish Family and provided photographs. The Peru Library and St. Augustine's Church were included by Jane Met- calfe. Tne Peru Bicentennial Committee, with Joseph Alexander as chairman, have given much support, Including financial backing. Others have also helped. Many thanks to everyone concerned. Community concern is often expressed in any ways and the degree of involvement in one's community is undoubtedly related to & number of factors. One ovcwhelming fac- tor , hwever, must be the pride one has for his community. Thia pride is often ex- pressed through aome outward act or contribution that is representative of a form of sacrifice in time or money. Portu~telythe Tom of Peru has many people who are proud of their comunity. Many of theae people were able to become deeply involved and rake a lasting contribution to their comunity through our Bicentennial Cele- bration. In the early discussion and planning stages of our local celebration the people who were initially invited and those who later volunteered to actively participate put forth s large number of suggestions to get the cormunity involved, and to make the celebration as meaningful as possible. One area of concern was the need to update our local history. Largely through the efforts of Lincoln Sunderland Volumes I and I1 of A El.storp of Peru were reprinted. These volumes dealt with the early history of Peru through the latter 1800's and early 1900's. Kr. Sunderland again undertook to inprove the situation by promoting, compiling, arranging for printing, and doing much of tie writing of this volume of the are recent history of Peru. Lr this caotribution to the community he deserves considerable thanks. Bopefully many peo- ple will benefit and enjoy thesepublicationa for many years. I would personally lib to thsnk ell the people in Peru for their interest and ef- fort on behalf of the Bicentedal Cornittee. Particularly, I muld also tbank the Clinton County Bicentenuial Committee , with special thanks to Wrs. Peg Byrne for her enthusiasm and suggestions. The Peru committee was graced with many hardy and loyal workers such as. Paul Allen, Harge Angevine, Jack Johnston, Jane Hetcalfe, Linc Sunderland, and many others who became considerable involved for various lengths of time and for various projects. Mr. Lynn Yilke requires special note, as he coordinated the Bicentennial Week, and oversaw the many activities carried on doing that exciting and busy time. Mr. Phil Haam undertook the job as coordinator for ths re-enactment of the Battle of Valcour, and did an outstanding job. Again, thanks to $everyone who gave of themeelves to make the Bicentennial celebration such a success and Peru a better Community . Joseph Alexander Eti?%nkn!:A Introductory Notes Though I was neither born nor raised at, or near Peru: NY, I am a Northern New Yorker. My great-grand parents, Leonard Charles Drown and his wife, Jane Sophia Drown, moved from Northern Vmont to Ellenburg Depot, Mooms Township in 1864. There they raised four sons and two daughters: Eugene, Frank, Arrhw, Ralph Carrie and Miie. Leonard died August 15, 1871, in an accident while building a barn. Jane later mhed a widower, William Barber Sunderland, a fanner living north of Churubusco, NY. His wife, AM Eliza West, died December 16, 1869. He, with several children moved to the Drown Farm. My father (grandson of Leonard, Jane William and Ann) and mother purchased the farm in 1927, and all twelve of us children, excepting the oldest and youngest were born in the farm house. Afm graduating from the State University of New York at Plattsburgh I taught High School Science classes at Horicon Central and then Mayfield Central Schools. Ann and I moved to Peru in 1965, where I taught a variety of science classes for 30 years, and Ann taught at the Intermediate School 32 years. We are both retired and living at the Keese Homestead, Peru, Ausable Township. Our three daughters, Carolyn, Beverly and Jii are married and living in Ohio, Vermont and Colorado, respectively. They, their husbands and children are our greatest joy. History has always been another of my greatest loves. This 2003 edition is the second printing (500 copies) of Histon of Peru. New m;the fmsl printing in 1976 contained 350 copies. Because of popular demand a reprinting was undertaken. As is true of all books, this one contains errors in typing, spelling, punctuation, grammatical usage, as well as in facts. I am always open to constructive criticism given without malice. Please inform me of any such mistakes, particularly in facts. Wherever possible, back up the information with documentation. Should there ever be a third edition the corrections will be included, thus refining 'truth" for future readers. If any reader possesses photographs, stories, anecdotes, genealogies, or other knowledge relating to Peru and would like to share it, please contact me. Perhaps another volume of Peru History could be written. Illustrated on the cover of this volume is the great sandstone mansion built (1837) for Peter Keese, located at Keese Comers, or intersection of the Union Road and Harkness Road, Ausable Township, New York State. Present owners are Ann and Lincoln Sunderland. I believe the sandstone was taken from the bed of the Great Ausable River. Pcrhaps the builder was Edgar Downs, a prominent stone mason from Clintonville during the 1830's and 18403s,Carved distinctly on a large rock high on the front of the house are the letters "ED ~ ~ TABLE OF CONTENTS A Brief History of the Settling of the Wilderness later called Peru The B2ttle of Valcour in the American Revolution Frank Anthony DeSorbo A Neighbor of Plattsburgh Esther Signor Pray A 1776 American Mrs. Austin W. Cowan Carleton's Prize Paul Allen Some Facts About Peru Map of Village of Peru - 1869 Map of Laphams Mills or Bartonville - 1869 Peru Historical Notes Stephen Keese Smith Virginia Burdick Business in Peru - 1881 From Ackley Scrapbook (No. 2) - 1876 The Revolutionary War Cabin The Baptists in Old Peru Eleanor A. Spaulding A Pioneer Hone in Clinton County Paul Allen D.A.R. - Graves of Revolutionary Soldiers Buried in New York The Peru Bands and Music (1870-1976) Lynn Hebert Wilke List of Supervisors of Peru (1793-1879) A List of Landowners in Peru - 1850 M.E. Re-dedication at South Plattsburgh Early Morning Fire Destroys Old Farmhouse Fire Destroys Old Homestead - Old Manning Home Near Peru is Bwned to Ground large Farm Home Razed Near Peru - Residence of Ross Clark Totally Destroyed. Heavy Fire Loss when Lightning Hits Barn - Horses and Livestock of George Day at Valcou: Burned to Death Yesterday Death Cheats Birthday Highway Toll for Year - 1937 Earl Myers of Peru Dies there After a Two-week's Illness Harmon L. Kartin of Peru Dies at His Home There Marriages - Brand - Day Martin - Allen Peru - 1936 ICouple has Surprize Party on their Silver Wedding .Rnniversary Obituary - Mrs. C.V. Reed !mere was Buried Treasure in Peru hias it MJrder in Peru? Some Interesting Notes of October - 1885 FLesident of Peru Dies while Driving Horse 71-72 Wilfred McGee to be Buried Today 72 Peru Man Dies at Home at Age of 84 73 The Methodist Episcopal Church at Port Jackson (1827-1874) Stephen Riley 74-76 St. Patrick's Church of west Peru Marjorie Angevine Dedication of the Methodist Episcopal Church at Peasleeville 78-80 Marjorie Angevine A History of St. Augustine's Parish - Peru, New York Jane Metcalfe 81-02 Map of Peasleeville - 1869 Marjorie hgevine Residents of Peasleeville Valley and the Patent Road Marjorie Angevine A Glimpse of Early Peasleeville Valley Ma~joriehgevine Samuel Peaslee Marjorie hgevine Origins of Some Peasleeville Families Marjorie Angevine Early Industries (Peasleeville) Marjorie hgevine "War Games" or Military Maneuvers Marjorie Angevine Mrs. Susie Hunter Marjorie Angevine Mrs. Mabel Denton Marjorie hgevine Mrs. Gertrude Banker Marjorie Angevine Chauncey Durgin Marjorie hgevine Zion Methodist Church Marjorie Angevine Louis M.