The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-03-01
CENTURY.OLD LAND SALE OYER
pTLTENEY ESTATE OFFICE AT
BiTH, ". u, TO CLOSE.
II Was Established In l500-Gen. william.
sons Hold scheme for Advertising the
Lands for Sale-A Great Race Meeting
at which Everything Was Free.

BATH, V. Y. Feb. 2s.-After an existence
q, moro than a century the land Office OF
the Pultoney estate. which originally COM
prised what are now the counties Of Steuben,
Yates, Ontario, part Of Livingston, Wayne,
Monroe and Genesee, and about half of
Aegany. Is TO I've closed, the present pro-
prie,or e ne ate. Sir Frederick Johnstone
OF England, having negotiated for the
disposal Of its entire remainder. which
includes only small areas in Steuben, Liv-
ing-ton and Ontario counties. In all,
more than 500 600 acres Of land we're sold
for the estate through this ancient land
orice. which was established at Bath in
1870.
The story Of how the vast Pulteney estate
vas opened up To settlement has unusual
romantic and historic interest The
property was part Of the famous Phelps
and German purchase. and was purchased
IN 1872 hy Sir William Pulteney Of Bath,
England He placed the management
Of il in the hands Of Gen, Charles William
son, who laid out the plans for the founding
upon IL 81 a city to he called Bath. and there
he established his headquarters and opened
the land Office.
t. bring the lands to the attention Of the
public a. large Gen. Williamson conceived
~ Advertising scheme Of great originality
and holiness. Horse racing was the all
absorbing amusement OF the people in those
early DAYS Of the country, and Gen. Will
liamson's idea was to build al Bath, the site
Of which was az yet covered by the primeval
forest, the finest racecourse in the United
States, and to open 1t in the presence of
guests 10 I've brought from all parts Of the
Eas' and South there was no West them
and from Canada.
He brought workmen from Albany.
Utica and New York city, and set small
Brny If them 10 work in the wilderness
clearing Of more than 900 acres was
made mile track was surveyed, and il
was constructed in the best possible manner
q, heavy co.t Grand stands booths,
hotels and to add to the variety. a theatre
were erected upon the grounds, together
with many cottages and private dwellings.
designed for the accommodation Of more
than 1900 guests.
Will" this work was in progress Gen.
williamson sent couriers through New York.
Pennsylvania. New Jersey. Delaware, Mary
land. Virginia and the New England States
and into Canada to distribute printed cir
cuars and placards. describing the work
that was being done on the Pulteney lands.
announcing the programme he was 10 ar
range for amusement and entertainment,
and inviting every one to become his guest.
'on and after the opening Of the grand race
course and commodious theatre
The opening was TO he In September
wo. the day to be fixed after the arrival
Of guests in q considerable number In
bis circular Gen. Williamson announced
that he would have stationed at Utica,
Albany and New York city on the east. at
Northumberland, EastOn, Harriss Ferry,
Carlisle. Lancaster. Philadelphia, Balti-
more. Alexandria, and Richmond on the
south, and at Montreal, Quebec Niagara
and Presque-Isle on the north. tr,isty and
civil guides, who would meet and conduct
gentlemen and their suites TO his far-famed
city upon the upper waters OF the Susque-
hanna, in the lands Of the crystal lakes
and memorial parks, located at the garden
home o! the lately vanqulshed Six Nations.
whose domnions formerly extended from
the Canadas to the Potomac and beyond.
Gentlemen owning fleet horses, wher-
ever they may be. are cordially invited
10 come, with their families and friends,
their wives and their daughters, and enjoy
the hosp alities OF this sylvan home"
Gen. Williamson Incorporated in his
circulars and posters skilfully worded
descriptions Of his lands. their advantages
10 settlers and the growing importance Of
novel entertainment were accepted with
such promptness and eagerness that as
early rs July guests began to arrive at
Bath, and they continued arriving In caval-
cades all through the month Of August.
The character of the undertaking may
be better Understood when il is known that
N" country from Northumberland. at the
Junction Of tho north and west branches
81 IN" Susqurhanna River up through
Pennsy wanna and New York 10 Lake On
tario and from Albany west to Lake Erie
Wa then an almost unbroken wilderness,
~" exceptions on tn" latter route being the
old settlements and towns in the Mohawk
valley Their" wer" no roads. the narrow
bridlcpaih and narrower Indian trail being
The only thoroughfayes for travel.
In" very holdnr-s ~ Gen Wiiliamson's
scheme attracted visitors from as far South
., IN" james River, in Virginia. while ever
STAT mentioned was represented during
IN" festivities The routes Of the guests
wr" up the Susquehanna. the valleys ~
u" l'hIgh. Schuylkill and Wyoming, and
Nv way Il the Hudson. DELAWARE. Mohawk.
hchohHrI" and Chemung valleys. The
a""glilur from the country To the south Of
nan ~ 80 large that bv the time I
i"arh"d iarris's Ferry, now Harrisburg.
IA u was necessary Ia divide IL into sec
tIur,
- 'hr middle Of September more than
tUp guests were assembled AZ Bath. which
uh' surlTg 'ut 81 III" wilderness The
t''' 'nin.da'iuus provided proved ampl"
,'l' i''u'i ,pnrtsm"i. with Their wives and
ihiI.-. Judge. Senators, congressman,
s'iH'.'f.. aud sp"Culdtorr. fortune hunt
-, ano ar army ~ the sharp"r- ~ that dsy
fl"''t o." auuthor iH the remark
e." a-s'fuhl'.ig" Tn" southern visitors
''!li' With them numerous slaves.
.'.. tu' 81 tt' race. oIt Htng ilg i'id
- .''-'- w. ,utsn Il ioI M. liberal JuItss
,"' ''Ir ui,r,d Nv "a" pulteItN estate.
,'' ''" iavr e the daV wls t~tW,sn two
Van 'hupuyir,ds \ 10 stool .ngs, 81.
nI'h If William Dam II New York aud
Is'' N'll a Southeru horse entered
900
Virginia Nell Wa tho favorite 81 ia,
'.HI. ,-,'urs. VITO f4rui,-i the lATgesi
lI .r. pu s'bt The huW YORK horse
'ar .' heel huaNilN ~ utirIb hg In1is.v
.'. t- hrgiY slaNrs aud utirr JruI-It,
'."t 90 tl,' Iaur, wla,h Nas NDn by
~ .rIHg-
H frs - the soutLsrnars TeiuInsd
'..ri .ut ~ i-sh mnusN AID -lsUs
..uniN and particularly hail, haS
' arg rillrd IspuiatiuH II 10
,at th. trsssIdaHtf 4 sia vrs sLu
49, -.Hffl "a ti,ai hur-a Iacu. an1 usts
.F ..I Niu tsttLai here aut lait
.- a nsYi - tliuii ',a,t e. tho loo
F." '.r...f'- aitrpiins the satfsuI