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At this time there were no people living nearer than Edwards and Pitcairn and since there was nothing but unbroken forests in every direction it was a brave man who would have the courage to live here in the winter as well as summer. Amasa I. Brown was the third settler to enter the area and this time his efforts were successful. He built a permanent home in 1832. Known as Judge Brown and a friend of Judge John Fine of Ogdensburg, was sent here to help settle this part of the country which was formed in 1802. Mr. Brown built a mill on the Oswegatchie River two miles from the present village of Oswegatchie. The house was one of the first frame houses to be built here for many years. By 1840 there were perhaps about 30 families here. In 1844 the settlers petitioned for a town organization with Amasa Brown as the first supervisor. Among those early settlers beside the Browns were the Scotts, Wards, Beebes, Griffins, Welchs, Lansings, Truax, Marsh, Beckwiths, Hopkins, and Countrymans. Mr. Charles Scott (Scotts Bridge) allowed his house to be used as a sub-post office, although he was not a postmaster. Mail was brought from Edwards by James I. Lansing, (it was believed he was deputized to do this). Each family in the area paid Mr. Lansing $1.00 a year for this service. Mr. Lansing drove a horse once a week to Edwards and carried the mail in saddle bags. The town was named Fine from the original owner John Fine, who with a few wealthy land owners sold land for $1.00 an acre.
The town supervisor is Ronald Frank, councilmen, Mark Hall, Scott Fraser, Keitha Kerr, and Phil Giardino. The justice is George Cherepon, town clerk, Hope Dolan, highway superintendent, Roger Folsom, and once again, the town assessor is Flora Mccuen. |
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Adapted from Two Towns. Two Centuries. 1776-1976 (Gouverneur, N.Y.: Mrs. Press, 1976), Compiled and Edited by Jeanne Reynolds and Bessie Decosse |
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