Editing Richfield, New York (section)

==History==
Richfield Springs was called "Big Medicine Waters" by the local natives.

From the ''[[Gazetteer|Gazetteer of the State of New York]]'' by J. H. French, Published by R. Pearsall Smith, Syracuse, N. Y. 1860:
:Richfield was formed from the Town of [[Otsego, New York|Otsego]], [[New York (state)|New York]] on April 10, 1792. The towns of [[Exeter, New York|Exeter]] and [[Plainfield, New York|Plainfield]] were taken off in 1799. It is the extreme northern town of the county. Its surface is rolling and moderately hilly, with a mean elevation of 150 to 200 ft. above [[Canadarago Lake|Schuyler Lake]] (now Canadarago Lake), which lies in the southeast corner of the town and occupies a deep valley, into which flow several small streams from the north and west. The soil is of a diversified character, consisting of gravel, slate, clay, and sandy loam, well cultivated and productive. About 500,000 pounds of cheese are made in the town annually, &mdash; being more than double that made in any other town in the county. [[Richfield Springs, New York|Richfield Springs]] ([[Postal village|p.v.]]), near the head of Schuyler Lake, in the northeast corner of the town, contains 3 churches, a flouring mill, and 368 inhabitants.'''<sup>1</sup>''' Monticello, (Richfield p.o.,) near the center, contains a church and 139 inhabitants. Mayflower is a post office. Brighton contains about 15 houses. Settlements were made prior to the Revolution; but they were broken up during the war. The first settlers after the war were John Kimball, Richard and Wm. Pray, John Beardsley, Joseph Coats, and Seth Allen, in 1787.'''<sup>2</sup>''' The first church (Prot. E.) was formed at Monticello, May 20, 1799; Rev. [[Daniel Nash (reverend)|Daniel Nash]] was the first preacher.'''<sup>3</sup>'''

:'''<sup>1</sup>''' Richfield Springs &mdash; from which the village derives its name &mdash; are celebrated for their medicinal properties in the cure of cutaneous disorders and large numbers of invalids are annually attracted here. Professor Reid has given the following as the result of an analysis of a [[wine gallon]] of the water of these springs:
:*Grains. Bicarbonate of magnesia 20
:*Bicarbonate of lime 10
:*Chloride of sodium and magnesia 1.05
:*Sulphate of magnesia 30
:*Hydrosulfate of magnesia and lime 2
:*Sulphate of lime 20
:*Solid matter 153.05
:*Total Grains 236.10
:*Sulphurated hydrogen gas, 26.9 inches.

:'''<sup>2</sup>''' [[Willam Tunnicliff]], Dan'l Hawks, John Hatch, Ebenezor Eaton, and Jos. Rockwell settled at or near Richfield Springs in 1789; Obadiah Beardsley and his son Obadiah, jr., the father and grandfather of the late Levi Beardsley, and Hon. Samuel Beardsley, of Utica settled near Schuylers Lake in 1790. The first birth was that of Jos. Beardsley; and the first marriage, that of Ebenezer Russell and Mrs. Moore. James S. Palmer taught the first school at Richfield Springs; Israel Rawson kept the first inn, and Cyrus Robinson the first store, at the Springs; William Tunnicliff erected the first mill, at the same place.

:'''<sup>3</sup>''' The census reports 7 churches; 3 M. E., 2 Prot. E., Presb., and Univ.