On occasions we come up with little known but interesting stories. In a book titled Links in the Chain written by Solon Massey between 1850-1859, we found the name William Smith. Smith was the third supervisor in the Town of Watertown in 1811. He was proficient in many trades and was credited for being the architect that created a rough sketch along with plans for buildings in 1817 that became known as Madison Barracks. In addition several years earlier Smith was solicited to draw up plans for a building that would cover the 120-gun ship which was left on its stocks at the close of the War of 1812, the New Orleans. The plans submitted and adopted by the Department of the Navy. Ironically Smith acting as an attorney some 15 years later represented a large number of persons holding claims against the U.S. government for materials furnished and labor performed in the erection of Madison Barracks. He petitioned Congress over three consecutive terms before succeeding in securing the payment of $ 40,000 settling the numerous claims. During the same period Smith began an effort to excite the interest of the people on a project for a railroad route connecting Watertown, Sackets to Rome. After many years of his effort, time and personal money rail cars ran for the first time in May of 1852 connecting Rome to Cape Vincent. William Smith a name seldom spoke of or heard of certainly was one of the early pioneers of Jefferson County and Sackets Harbor that made a difference for the generations that followed.
Posted on: Fri, 15 Nov 2013 10:00:00 +0000
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