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Feeding into the Mohawk River, the Oriskany and Big Creeks have sustained not only the people of Sangerfield, Franklin Springs, Clinton, Kirkland and surrounding towns but also a vibrant ecosystem. Native American Brothertown, Stockbridge and Oneida tribes were the first to thrive along the abundant waters, but European settlers soon followed, establishing towns along the banks. During the Revolutionary War, the region became the site of the Battle of Oriskany. Meanwhile, mills, agriculture, quarries and the arrival of the canal and railroad spurred economic development, and the trout fishing became some of the finest in the nation. Local historian Richard L. Williams reveals the history of the ten communities along the creeks as never presented before, alongside the geology, flora and fauna that have shaped this dynamic environment.

Since its earliest days as a Dutch colony, Hurley, New York, has undergone many transformations: it has been fought over by the Lenape tribe, commandeered by British settlers, and buffeted between Revolutionaries and Loyalists as a strategic stronghold in the Revolutionary War. Local historian Deana F. Decker explores this Hudson Valley town's history with a comprehensive assessment of its notable residents, such as Sojourner Truth, as well as its historical buildings, such as the Bevier House and Hurley Mountain Inn. From its roots as the dangerous Esopus frontier region to its industrial metamorphosis through bluestone harvesting and the Ashokan Reservoir, Hurley chronicles the remarkable story of this Upstate town.

In 1823, the Erie Canal sparked visions of opportunity and fortune in many, including Abraham Snyder, who traversed to the land that would become his namesake. But when
Abraham mysteriously disappeared in 1832, his son, Michael, became the "man of the family" and consequently became a one-man powerhouse of industry and generosity.
Michael Snyder's eponymous settlement became a hamlet of Amherst in western New York that boasts a rich history dating back to its origins. The Snyders and other early settlers established several town institutions and landmarks--including the first mercantile and band hall--that gave locals a sense of community. Further, because of their humanitarian spirit, residents cultivated a sense of generosity and tolerance, evidenced by the practice of donating instruments to schoolchildren and embracing the Seneca Indian tribe
as equals. Lifelong resident and Snyder descendant Julianna Fiddler-Woite