New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-07
BATH ONE HUNDRED VARS OLD.
ITS CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION BEGUN-EARLY
HISTORY OF THE TOW.

HISTORY OF THE TOW.
Bath, n. V, june 6 (Specal.-Thls beautiful village
| Tn the valley VI the CONNECTION River egan to-day
to celebrate the centennial anniversary OF establish
dwellings and chief business books OF the
place were decorated with flags and bunting. Hun
drcds OF former residents had gathered 10 take part
in the celebration, and exercises were he'll at the
Casino Opera House, al which the history Of the
village was given In detail. Bath has had In
teresting history. over 100 years ago the I'M upon
| which 1t stands bought from Robert Morris. the
noted Philadelphia banker of the time Of the Rvolu-
ton. By three wealthy EnglshmeD sir William rul-
cny. John IIornby and Patrick Colquhoun. heir
purchase from Morris comprised 100000 ares
IN Western New York between seneca Lake and the
,ienesec River. and extending from Pennsylvania to
Lake Ontario. They formed corporation known ,s
The Estate of the British Association" and resolvd
TO adopt systematic measures to call the attention
| of settlers to their lands, and to sell much
OF the property as possible. They selected
rs their agent Charles Williamson, former
captain In the British Army, who had once been in the
United States "A prisoner OF war. Williamson cane
to the United states Ia 179l paid the first instamet
Of the purchase money, and explored the Genesee
forest which he proposed to settle He entered West
Ncw-York from the south. making his headQuar
tiers for u time AZ Northumberland, the west branch
o.! The -usluchanna. lie believed that the Western
New-lork settlements would make the suSquehanna
their avenue OF communication with the for COM
mcrcal purposes With this idea he proposed to the
planters of Virginia ard Maryland that they should
transfer themselves and their slaves from the worn
out plantations OF the South to the virgin country Of
The Gcnescc Baltimore to be- the seaport Of
Western New York. and the susquehanna. the Chcmuns
and the ConhoctOn 10 be their channels Of com
munication with that port. New York was not con
sldcrrd by him TO be rival Of Baltimore.
Mr. williamson established Bath In 1888. naming
It after Lady BATH daughter OF sir William Pultenry
He predicted 10 his employers that 1t would be- the
largest city IN Western New-Yorh. Bath has not be-
come the city It's projectors expected even one
Of tho large villages OF the tate. but II Is place IN
which many men Of large influence have lived and
In which many still i've. Many Of these men with
thoir families attended the centennial exercises to-
day Among them sherman >. Rogers of Buff
falo General r. \. Avcr L. :. A.: Clark Bell. Of
New York: Judge Rumsey. Of the supreme Court ;
John r. iarkhnr,t, the Rov. DR. Merrill Miller, A.
9. Brundagc eX \ssemblyman Charles H. McNaster
T.. II. Butler, Editor Of The Buffalo News" and
George j. Magce. of Watkins. The exercises In the
Casino to-day consisted OF prayer by the Rev. Dr.
Miller. of an address OF welcome by Reuben E. Robe
a poem by Professor h. l.. Parker, historical adj
dress by 4. J. M,Cal and several bref speeches
Tomorrow there viii be parade Of 1000 school
children and an oriion by sherman ,. Rogers.