Essex, New York Guide and Community Blog
The following posts and profiles feature Essex, NY historic figures and prominent personalities across two centuries. We hope that you enjoy reading about the people who shape the unique heritage of our community, and we welcome your recommendations for future profiles. Please contact us if you would like to suggest Essex, NY people to feature on the Essex on Lake Champlain community blog. Thank you.
Joe Call, The Lewis Giant by Maitland C. De Sormo is a short biography of a 19th century strongman living in the Champlain Valley. He was known in his heyday as the “Modern Hercules” and the “Lewis Giant” and was recognized for performing several feats of spectacular strength. How much of a tall tale the Lewis Giant has [...]
Have you met Severine von Tscharner Fleming? You should. And you probably will. She won me over when she pointed to a roaring woodstove obscured beneath a huddle of pots bubbling with food. “We don’t have a stove,” she said, obviously referring to the sort of stove most people at the front edge of the [...]
I had the good fortune of meeting up with Susie Drinkwine at the Essex, NY Post Office recently. She was bubbling with energy and optimism about getting back to work soon. Her signature Susie Drinkwine ear-to-ear smile and infectious laughter filled the Post Office, and I regretted not having a camera to capture and share [...]
The first part of A Brief History of William Gilliland explores Gilliland’s beginnings and his pioneer settling of the North Country, but this segment of his history will reveal the unfortunate downward spiral in the latter part of his life. American Revolution Begins Gilliland’s Downfall The American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) destroyed the original Willsboro settlement. The [...]
The following quotation and the image of William Gilliland’s portrait come from Plattsburgh resident, historian, and writer David Glenn. Portrait of William Gilliland (1734-1796) Pioneer Settler of Essex and Clinton Counties, New York This oil paint on canvas portrait was painted in New York City in 1789 by the renowned portrait artist Ralph Earl. Will [...]
Underpinning John Bird Burnham’s legacy as a conservationist was his interest in local Adirondack enterprise. From logging and sawmilling to manufacturing log homes and maple sugar candy, Burnham’s business interests were diverse and his influence widespread. At the leading edge of the 21st century the most enduring memorial to Burnham’s entrepreneurial ambitions is The Crater [...]
Although several names emerge repeatedly in early Essex history (Gilliland, Ross, Noble, Gould, van Ormand, Eggleston, etc.) there is another legendary figure who infiltrates virtually any conversation about Essex since 1899, and that is John Bird Burnham (1869-1939). Born at the Amstel House in Newcastle, Delaware, Burnham quickly matured into an opinionated and adventurous naturalist. Though [...]
Dr. Peter Schultz has been inducted into the Inventors Hall of Fame… (Valley News) The June 16, 2012 Valley News reports that Peter Schultz, a scientist who has lived in Essex since 1999 has been honored for his work at Corning Glass Works (now Corning Incorporated). Here is an excerpt of the article recognizing Schultz for [...]
On a gray November afternoon back in 2010, Ruth and Sid Couchey rang my doorbell to present this playful rendering of Rosslyn boathouse. We sat in the living room and talked and laughed until the dreary afternoon yielded to technicolor levity. For all who had the good fortune of knowing long time Essex resident Sid Couchey, [...]
