Sackets Harbor Mansion - Sackets Harbor, New York
Posted by: 
PTCRAZY
N 43° 56.863 W 076° 07.360
18T E 409911 N 4866678
Quick Description: Augustus Sacket was born in New York city, Nov. 10, 1769, and was educated in the legal profession. In 1810, he became the founder of a settlement on the Black river bay in Jefferson County, N.Y., which soon became known as Sackets Harbor.
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 9/27/2008 6:22:00 PM
Waymark Code: WM4TDK
Views: 20
Long Description:In 1801 Augustus Sacket purchased at public sale a considerable
portion of the town of Hounsfield, including all that now comprises
the village tract. In 1810 he came to Hounsfield township to
develop and dispose of his vast tract of land, and lived in the
village for many years in the mansion he built not far from the
harbor. During the war years, the mansion was used as a hospital
for injured soldiers and sailors.
Mr. Sacket came to area with a large number of his employees and
began the necessary improvements to attract settlers. The mill he
built, stood near the mouth of a stream known as Mill creek. About
this time, in 1804, Elisha Camp, who was brother in-law to Judge
Sacket, came to the settlement and was appointed resident land
agent.
He engaged actively in this work and succeeded in attracting to
the village many men and enterprises of value. In the meantime,
other events of a military nature were taking place. Soon, all
growth and interests was to be dwarfed in importance by the
struggle and confusion of another war with Great Britain.
In 1811 he organized an artillery company, and was an important
factor in the success of the American arms in the war which
followed. Later on in establishing schools, academies and churches
his generosity was appreciated all through the county.
In 1816 he was one of the company which built the Ontario, the
first steamer on the lake, and the success of the enterprise
stimulated other efforts in the same direction until the harbor as
a ship building and general navigation point rivaled any on the
lake. Sacket had become customs officer, and the harbor was perhaps
one of the most important places in the county, with the growth
during the next four or five years being was rapid.
Perhaps the most eventful period in the history of Sackets
Harbor was that of the "War of 1812". At the outbreak of the war,
the village had no defenses whatever, and only the old brig ship
"Oneida" with an armament of sixteen guns, was available to defend
the harbor. On the other hand, the British were well prepared for
battle, and threatened the harbor with destruction with an
overpowering fleet. Colonel Camp soon organized an artillery
company, and another colonel, Colonel Bellinger, was sent to assist
in defending the village. Ordinances and military stores were badly
needed, and a letter asking for these supplies was sent to the
governor of New York. In the meantime, while awaiting their
arrival, Fort Tompkins was built, and afterward became one of the
most historic fortifications on the frontier.
during the period of the war, several other forts were
constructed in this immediate vicinity, and the village was the
central point for both military and naval operations, with hundreds
and sometimes thousands of troops and marines quartered and
rendezvoused here. Three times, the village was threatened with
British invasion, and on one occasion (May 29, 1813) the historic
battle of Sackets Harbor was fought with disastrous results to the
enemy. Soon, the efforts of the Americans were rewarded, and a long
era of peace followed.
(Above information taken from: "History of Hounsfield, NY"
website).