Letter from S. A. Goodwin to Henry R. Schoolcraft
Auburn, Oct. 17, 1845.
My Dear Sir
I received yours of the 2d inst. in due course of post, and now send you, at the first practicable moment, a diagram and sketch of the ” Old Fort.” My engagements have been such as to prevent my going out to Geneva, and making a trip to the old fortification alluded to. As to the other one here referred to by McAuley, it is just back of my house, and as soon as I have time to make an examination I will drop you a line respecting it. I go to Rochester, to attend Supreme Court, tomorrow. I shall try, on my return, to stop at Geneva and get a sketch of that one.
Very truly your friend,
S. H. GOODWIN.
Diagram of an ancient fortification on Fort Hill, Auburn, N. Y. [Senate, No. 24.] 31
McAuley, in his history of the State of New York, Vol. 2d, pages 111 and 112, gives a minute and interesting description of this fortification, which, however, contains some inaccuracies; and also of another fortification situate in the northeast part of Auburn. The large chestnut stump described by him as standing in the moat on the west side of the enclosure, is still to be seen; there are still to be seen the remains of two large oak stumps, which seem to have escaped his notice, situate on the southeast side of the enclosure, one of them on the top of the embankment, and the other in the ditch some twelve feet distant. There are scarcely any traces remaining of the fortification described by McAuley as being in the north east part of Auburn, from the fact that the ground upon which it stood has been under cultivation for many years.
JAMES H. BOSTWICK, Surveyor.
October 16, 1845.