Canastota in Madison County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Reuben Perkins

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 18, 2019

1. Reuben Perkins Marker

Inscription. Reuben Perkins, born on November 5th, 1763, came from a family of the earliest settlers of New England. Perkins was a veteran of the Revolutionary War and had served in the battles at Plattsburg, Saratoga, and Stony Point. For his service he received a monthly pension of $6.00 per month for life. In 1800 he moved from the family home in Connecticut and settled and built a log cabin at Quality Hill along the Seneca Turnpike (Rt.5).

After a short stay on Quality Hill, Perkins bought a tract known as the “Canastota Reservation” of 239 & 2/10 acres from the Oneida Indians in 1807. A patent (deed) was granted by the State Legislature in 1810. Perkins built a cabin on the corner of what is now Main and James streets.

Perkins was a tall, well-proportioned man of about two hundred pounds. He was not only a farmer but also a contractor and builder. He won the contract for two miles of the Erie Canal through this section and also the contract to stone several miles of the Seneca Turnpike. He was also superintendent of the Erie Canal through Canastota.

Perkins did not keep the entire Canastota tract. In 1814, he sold 100 acres as shown on early maps as “East Canastota.” In 1832, Perkins sold his remaining acreage and the area came to be known as “West Canastota.” Captain Reuben Perkins

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was an industrious builder but not really a businessman. He died a poor man.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is March 16, 1810.

Location. 43° 4.755′ N, 75° 45.095′ W. Marker is in Canastota, New York, in Madison County. It can be reached from Canal Street (County Route 76) west of South Peterboro Street (New York State Route 13), on the left when traveling west. Marker is located in an interpretive plaza on the south side of Canal Street, between South Peterboro Street and Commerce Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 103 South Peterboro Street, Canastota NY 13032, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Upstate New York,

specifically in Central New York,

and in the Syracuse Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

New Netherland,

and one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Canastota's Lift Bridge (a few steps from this marker); Canal Street (a few steps from this marker); Peterboro Street Lift Bridge (a few steps from this marker); Canal Town (a few steps from this marker); The Abolition Road (within shouting distance of this marker); Canastota's Basin (within shouting distance of this marker); Canastota's First Commercial Activity Occurred Along the Canal Basin of the Erie Canal (within shouting distance of this marker); Industrial Growth / Canalway Trail (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Canastota.

Marker detail: Reuben Perkins image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Reuben Perkins

Marker detail: 1810 Land Grant image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: 1810 Land Grant

CHAP. LIV.An Act authorising a grant of land to Reuben Perkins.
Passed March 16th, 1810.
BE it enacted by the people of the state of New York, represented in senate and assembly, That it shall and may be lawful for the commissioners of the land office and they are hereby required to grant letters patent to Reuben Perkins for a tract of land in the late Oneida reservation, known by the name of the Canastota reserve, for seven dollars and fifty cents per acre, exclusive of such sum as he may pay the Indians for the improvements thereon: Provided however, That previous to the issuing of said letters patent the said Reuben Perkins shall pay into the treasury of this state the one sixth part of the said purchase money, and within three months after the passing of this act, and secure the remainder by bond and mortgage, to be paid in five annual instalments with interest annually at six per cent per annum.

Marker detail: Canastota Reservation Granted to Reuben Perkins (map) image. Click for full size.

4. Marker detail: Canastota Reservation Granted to Reuben Perkins (map)

Marker detail: Private Laws passed at the thirty-third session of the New York Legislature image. Click for full size.

5. Marker detail: Private Laws passed at the thirty-third session of the New York Legislature

Reuben Perkins Marker<br>(<i>wide view south from Canal Street</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 18, 2019

6. Reuben Perkins Marker
(wide view south from Canal Street)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 15, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,006 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on September 15, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.