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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY 93
and AVC have $5,400. Some grubbing of timber and other contingent
expenses, say $400, Avhich added to the above makes $5,800.
"It is believed that this expense will be more than counter-balanced
by the great advantage Avhich the thriving village of Milan will derive
from the canal. Nearly one-half the above sum is already offered to be
advanced by responsible individuals.
"GEO. W. CHOATE,
"MB. BATES, of N. Y.,
"GEO. LOCKWOOD,
"Committee.
"P. R. HOPKINS,
"Cms. WlIEATON,
"Engineers."
The Village of Milan AAIIS laid out in 1817. It at that time contained
tAvo log houses or cabins.
The action above stated constituted the first step tOAvard the canal
Avhich AVIIS commenced some six years later and completed for use in
1839, a. period of fifteen years from the preparation of the above estimate.
In 1827-28 B. N. Abbott built the schooner Mary Abbott at the home
of the family on the river. In 1829 he made a prosperous voyage to
New York City via Huron River. Lake Erie, the Erie Canal and the
Hudson River, disposing of a load of Ohio produce and purchasing a
cargo of goods needed in the West, returning safely home. II. N. Jenkins
built Hie schooner Louisa Jenkins across the river at about the same time,
but be confined his navigating expeditions to the river and Lake Erie.
A charter AVIIS granted Hie Milan Canal Company, Avhich in 1828
proposed to dig a canal some three or four miles long, so that the village
might be reached by such sailing craft as bad been navigating the river
up to Ward's Landing and Abbotts. E. Merry, Ralph LockAvood, George
LockAvood, T. Baker and J. Wright AA'ere named in the charter as commissioners
1o open books for subscriptions to the stock. The subscribers
assembled at the home of F. AY. Fowler on August 27, 1831, and elected
the,following directors: E. Merry. E. AndreAvs, George LockAvood. D.
Hamilton and F. AY. FoAvler. AVork AVIIS begun on the canal in 1832,
and completed, after numerous delays and discouragements, in 1839.
This artificial Avaterway AVIIS of vast importance at that time from the
fact there Avere no raihA'ays, and it afforded an outlet for immense
quantities of grain. It Avas costly to Milan later, hoAvever, as it made
the citizens of that village so independent that they refused a right of Avay
to the Lake Shore Railroad, and that line went through NorAvalk, AA'hich
was then an unimportant village.
The organization of the old canal company was still continued for
Hie purpose of holding the charter privileges for the AV. & L. E. R. R.
Co. s right of Avay, but it has been many years since the old canal would
float even a IWV boat, except at times of freshet. Avhen the river overfknvs
its banks. The first vessel to arrive at Milan by the canal was quite a
curiosity, and its captain AVIIS a popular hero. When Captain Moran