Augustus Porter

Augustus S. Porter (January 18, 1769 – June 10, 1849) was an American businessman, judge, farmer, and politician who served as an Assemblyman for the state of New York.

Early life

Born in Salisbury, Litchfield County, Connecticut, on January 18, 1769, Porter was educated in the public schools then became a surveyor.

Career

In 1796, the Connecticut Land Company employed Porter as chief surveyor, with more than fifty assistants, to make the first survey of lands on the south shore of Lake Erie. Along with his brother Peter Buell Porter (born 1773), he had business interests across a variety of industries^[1] and purchased the land near Niagara Falls, United States at a public auction in order to open a business park. He built the first sawmill in 1803 and a productive paper mill on Bath Island he also had a grist mill and tannery around 1805. The land was ceded by the Seneca Nation to the State of New York in 1802. They built the tannery at Joncairs' old ditch. However, the Porter brothers were forced out of business when the Erie Canal opened 20 years later.^[2]

Preceded in the position by his brother, Porter was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the position of Assemblyman for the Genesee and Ontario district during the twenty-sixth session of the New York Assembly from July 1, 1802 – June 30, 1803.

This purchase also provided them with the acquisition of the water rights to the eastern rapids both above and below the falls. In 1825, Porter and His brother presented a prospectus, touting the economic advantages of developing Goat Island as an industrial site. It was a “situation . . . not surpassed, and probably not equaled, in the United States, as a site for the establishment of manufactures." “A thousand mills might be erected with the same ease, and equally accessible, as if on a plain; and each supplied with a never failing water-power."^[3] Around 1847, the brothers attempted to interest investors to develop power from the water drop of the falls by developing a "hydraulic raceway" for both power and transportation. Augustus' initial plan was to use the power generated in the 50 foot (15m) drop of the rapids above the falls, however he could not find any interested financiers.

They also worked to develop the falls as a tourist attraction and in 1816, they purchased Goat Island from New York State. Working with engineer and hotel operator Parkhurst Whitney, they developed the first bridge from the mainland to Goat Island in 1818, the first staircase from Prospect Point to the base of the Falls in that same year, a ferry service across the river in 1820, and a whole series of gardens, walks, bridges, staircases, and other attractions, creating a picturesque and romanticized human garden, all mapped out, from which tourists could explore the spectacular natural beauty of the Falls in a semi-controlled environment.^[4]

Porter had a general store in Niagara, New York between 1818 and 1822. There he sold food, clothing, leather goods, candles, hardware, grain, lumber and liquors.^[5] In addition to the property they owned, businesses they started, and Niagara Falls water rights, they also owned several boats that traveled on the Great Lakes. In 1807, the Porters formed Porter, Barton, and Company to conduct a forwarding business from Oswego to the upper Great Lakes via the Portage Road around the Falls. As part of Porter, Barton, and Company, they established ports in Niagara Falls, Lewiston, and Black Rock (now part of Buffalo).^[6] He was the first Judge in Niagara County, first Postmaster of Niagara Falls.

Personal life

Porter was one of six children born January, 18th 1769 in Salisbury, Connecticut^[7] to Joshua and Abigail (née Buel) Porter. He learned surveying at an early age. He moved to Canandaigua, New York in 1800. In 1805, Augustus & Peter Porter of moved to Niagara Falls naming his property development Manchester, after the great English mill village. It was called Manchester up to 1840.^[8] He first visited Niagara County in 1795, surveying land throughout western New York and Ohio. Augustus built a house in Niagara Falls in 1808. After the British burned it in 1813, he rebuilt it on the same site in 1818. The Porter family home was demolished in the 1920s.^[2]

Porter married Lavinia Steele on March 10, 1796. This marriage produced one son Augustus, who died in infancy. After the death of his first wife, Porter married JaneHowell on January 24, 1801. He had five children with his second wife, Jane; they were: Albert H., Peter B., Augustus Seymour (1798-1872), Lavinia E., and Jane S. Augustus.^[1] The First Presbyterian Manse was built by or for his daughter Lavinia.^[9] It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2012.^[10]

Death

Porter died on June 10, 1849 (age 80 years, 4 years, and 21 days), in Niagara Falls, New York. He is interred at Oakwood Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.

Slavery

Porter and his family owned people in slavery. He reputedly brought the first African American family to Niagara Falls, Harry and Kate Wood. The 1800 census noted that one enslaved person lived in the household of Augustus Porter in Canandaigua, New York. In the 1820 census, the Wood family and the Abraham Thompson family, all free people of color, lived near the Porter family.^[11] Joshua and Abigail Buell Porter

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Augustus Porter.

• Porter brothers