Delightful Skineatalos

Excerpt from “Journal of a Trip to Buffalo and Niagara Falls, June 1812, by W.S.” from the Grosvenor Library Bulletin (Buffalo, N.Y.), June, 1926.

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From Dr. Beach’s to Sherwood’s ¹⁰¹ at the North end of Skineatolos is 7 miles.

“These seven miles are over very high hills and through deep vallies—the land excellent to the summits of the hills—and in rainy weather the roads like mutton tallow, in warmish weather. It rained hard at times and blew very hard from the Southeast. I went over these miles on a very knowing horse that I shall never ride again if I can help it.

“At Sherwood’s we had a very decent dinner consisting of mutton & broiled trout from the lake. We met here General [Philip] Van Courtland & a Mr. [Pierre Van Courtland] Vanwyck brother of the Recorder of New York. Van Courtland is a gentleman of the old school & was a revolutionary officer. He accompanied Gen’l S. [Sullivan] into the country in April 1779 & pointed out the course taken by the army. He showed us on the map the places where the battles were fought…

“He was very civil to us in explaining the country on the maps and giving its history as to settlements. He offered lands which he had in his military right 21 years ago for 50/100 cents which are worth an 100$ some places. He came out now, it seemed, to collect money for lands he had sold.

“Skineatalos Lake will some day be one of the most delightful places in the world. The lands are rich, and rise very gradually from the shores on all sides. The lake is 15 miles long & about one to 3 in breadth. The whole surface was covered with white caps. Just as we were departing it came on to rain again & continued to rain very hard all the way to Auburn 7 miles.”

¹⁰¹ [John] Fowler stopped here in 1831, but Maude in 1800 went two miles beyond. The place was first settled in 1793. Others have had the same trouble as W.S. in spelling the name.