TOWN OF LE RAY

Four Rivers Historical Society

Organized in 1977, this society averages over 600 members, and has microfilmed the Carthage Republican newspaper. The microfilm is deposited in the Carthage Library. They have published books. Their holdings include a working chapel, and a one room school. Carthage lies on the border of Lewis County, so that the society covers part of Lewis as well as the western townships of Jefferson County. The society collects material from three central school districts, the Copenhagen Central, Carthage Central, and Indian River school districts. This area includes parts of the townships of Theresa, Philadelphia, Antwerp, Le Ray, Wilna, and Champion. Their 21 directors represent the various communities within this area.

History of the Town of Leray linked from Shirley Farone's Home Page taken from CHILD'S GAZETTEER OF JEFFERSON COUNTY by HAMILTON CHILDS, published in 1890, transcribed by Shirley Farone.

History of the Town of Leray from "RAY'S PLACE"from OUR COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE by EDGAR C. EMERSON, 1898

History of the Town of Leray, taken fromA HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK by FRANKLIN B. HOUGH, A. M., M.D. linked from Shirley Farone's Home Page

When Le Ray was originally established in 17 February 1806, parts of Alexandria and Wilna, and all of present Theresa, Antwerp and Philadelphia made up the town. This town is nearly in the middle of the county, and is surrounded by Theresa and Philadelphia on the northeast, Wilna and Champion on the southeast, Rutland and Watertown on the south, and Pamelia and Orleans on the west. Today nearly half of Le Ray, the southeast portion, lies within Fort Drum's military reservation. Black River forms its southern boundary, while Indian River and Pleasant Creek also flow through the town.

The Town of Antwerp was detached in 1810, part of Wilna in 1813, part of Alexandria, including Theresa and all of Philadelphia in 1821. Le Ray was named for the proprietor, James Le Ray de Chaumont. Many small communities were founded in Le Ray, some of which were swallowed up and extinguished by Fort Drum. As listed by historian Emerson, they included Le Raysville, Evans Mills, Slocumville, Sanford's Corners, Joachim, now an archaelogical site, Ingerson's Corners, Great Bend, named for the great bend of the Black River, Felts Mills, and Black River village.

From the 1864 Jefferson County Atlas: a summary of statistics for Leray

ACRES OF LAND
  Improved                   38,268 1/4
  Unimproved                 14,592

VALUATION
  Real Estate               667,208
  Personal Property         129,173
  Total                     796,381

POPULATION
  Males                       1,756
  Females                     1,627

Number of Dwellings             611

Number of Families              628

Freeholders                     515

SCHOOLS

  Number of Districts            19

  Children Taught              1,247

LIVE STOCK

  Horses                         998

  Working Oxen and Calves      1,528

  Cows                         3,258

  Sheep                       17,787

  Swine                        1,530

AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS

  Bushels of Grain

    Winter                    11,999

    Spring                    87,962 3/4

  Tons of Hay                  6,242

  Bushels of Potatoes         16,759

  Bushels of Apples            7,322

  Dairy Products            
    Pounds of Butter         249,898

    Pounds of Cheese         257,182

YARDS OF DOMESTIC MANUFACTURE  4,312