Early Settlement and Development

 

Many of the early white settlers of Chemung were veterans of the Sullivan Campaign of 1779. The earliest recorded settlers were David Bosworth in 1780 and Isaac Baldwin and his family in 1784. Others including Maj. William Wynkoop, William Buck, Daniel McDowell, Thomas Burt, and Enoch Warren arrived two years later. In 1788, Wynkoop established a tavern and gristmill. Starting in 1795, students went to school in the weaving room of his home. The first schoolhouse was built in 1799. The post office was established in 1801 with Sgt. Elijah Buck as postmaster. Buck also operated the town’s first general store and hotel.