Source: Progressive Batavian, October 7-1870 Town Histories. About a year since a "Gazetteer" of Genesee County was published by a Mr. Childs, of Syracuse. The history therein contained, relative to the several towns of the County is quite interesting, though how accurate, we cannot say. Some of our citizens have the book, but as very many others in our County never saw it we have concluded to publish its histories of the towns as we have room and opportunity.-- This week we give: Alabama, named from the State of Alabama, and signifying 'Here we rest.' It was formed from Shelby, (Orleans co.) and Pembroke, as 'Gerrysville,' April 17th, 1826. It was the intention to name it in honor of David Cary, one of the early settlers, but instead it was named for Elbridge Gerry, ex-Vice President. Its name was changed April 21, 1828. It is the north-west corner town of the County. The surface is level or gently undulating. The north-west and west portions are covered by marshes, forming a part of the Tonawanda Swamp. Oak Orchard Creek flows across the northeast corner, and Tonawanda creek across the south-west corner. The Tonawanda Canal Feeder extends through the north-west part. A lime-stone terrace from 50 to 75 feet high, extends across the south part of the town. Tonawanda Creek flows down this declivity in a perpendicular cascade, known as Tonawanda Falls, furnishing a fine water power. The Tonawanda Indian Reservation embraces the south-west par! t. Near the center of the north border of the town are the 'Oak Orchard Acid Springs,' situated a few rods from the banks of the creek. There are nine of these springs, all of which are situated within a circle of 50 rods. They issue from mounds, evidently formed by action of the water, and elevated from two and a half to four feet above the surrounding surface. No two of these springs are alike, and in one instance three springs issue from a single mound within ten feet of each other, and yet the waters are essentially different. Large quantities of this water are bottled and sold annually for medicinal purposes. The soil of the town is sandy and gravelly loam, with a clay subsoil. Alabama Center, [Alabama p.o.] is situated near the center of the town, and contains two churches, viz., Methodist and Baptist, a hotel, several stores and mechanic shops, and about 80 dwellings. Wheatville, [p.o.] in the north-east part, contains a F.W. Baptist Church, a store and about a dozen dwellings. Smithville, [South Alabama p.o.] in the eastern part , contains a Baptist church, several mechanic shops and about twenty-five dwellings. The first settlement was made in 1806 by James Walsworth, who had previously spent a few years in Orleans Co. Among other early settlers were Robert Harper, Jesse Lund, Dr. Smith from Vermont; and Peter, Joseph and James Holmes from Delaware Co. The first births were those of twin children of James Walsworth, in 1806; the first death was that of an unknown traveller, at the house of Mr. Walsworth, in 1808. He was buried without a coffin or religious services. The first school was taught by Henry Howard in 1817; the first inn was kept by James Walsworth, Esq., in 1808; and the first store by Nahum Loring in 1828. The firsts saw mill was erected in 1824, by Samuel Whitcomb at Wheatville. The first Church (F.W. Bap.) was formed in the east part of the town, in 1824 by Elder Samuel Whitcomb, the first preacher. The area of the town is 27,904 acres, and its present population 1805. submitted by Linda "The Poor House and the People," ~The Lives of Those Who Lived at the Genesee County Almshouse in Bethany During the Nineteenth Century~ ~For further information, contact: Linda ny_hummingbird@yahoo.com Web-Page Editor: BETHANY ~ Its Past and Present ~ http://www.arkwebshost.com/family/bluebird/TownOfBethany.shtml Contributor for the BUFFALO and Western NYS Website: www.buffalonian.com ~ History Through Newspapers