The Start of Edwards Tales from Around Town Cemetery Records Items for Sale Contact Us Links The Town of Edwards Historical Association The Town of Edwards has had a historical group since the 1970's, sometimes more active than others. The present Association began in December 1998. Our new museum is located at 222 Main Street, Edwards, NY. The museum's new building has expanded the collection of historical material and artifacts that concern the history of the Town of Edwards. This building is on the site of the first Edwards High School. There is a variety of items that represent the unique character of the town. The people of Edwards are recognized through their photographs, diaries, stories, homes, cemetery census and an extensive collection of local genealogies. Furniture and household items of past generations are on display. Farming has been a major factor in this town and for over 200 years where milk, cheese, butter, maple syrup, pork and beef were vital. Mining of zinc and talc were major industries. Local businesses such as retail stores, restaurants and the hotels were important to the town. Items from farming, mining and local businesses are presented. We recall the evolution of our country and village schools. We remember our local men and women who served in the armed forces. Churches, social organizations, and our fire-fighters are remembered The Start of Edwards Edwards is Township #8 of Macomb's Great Tract No. 3. It was originally a square, but later a section from Hermon was added to the upper right hand corner. The military highway and the waterpower from the Oswegatchie River induced settlers to come to the town and establish businesses and homes. While the first settlers came in 1812, and the large influx of Scottish immigrants in 1819, the town was not organized by an act of legislature until April 7, 1827. The original community was started on the Island with the first annual meeting held at the hotel of William Martin on May 1, 1827. Orra Shead was elected the first supervisor. The village expanded on the mainland along the military highway (the Russell Turnpike) and the town developed with farming. Then the discovery of talc and zinc made the community a mining town until 1981 when the mines closed. Mission Statement The primary purposes of the Edwards Historical Association shall be: to collect and preserve artifacts, written articles and memories of the village and town of Edwards, and to disseminate information to the general public through welcoming visitors to the museum, open meetings of the historical association, printed articles and cultural events. Membership Please consider joining the Edwards Historical Association. Annual Dues Individual membership : $5.00 Family membership : $10.00 Lifetime membership : $100.00 Meetings & Activities The Association meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 1:30 PM at the History Center, March through November. Programs of local interest are presented at each meeting. Local citizens are encouraged to contact the Historian if they are interested in assisting with future programs at the monthly meetings. Educational Programs The Historian is prepared to present programs on local history to school and other groups to share the many aspects of Edwards for the information and enjoyment of others. E-mail Mrs. Dean or call(315)778-3043 HOURS Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 PM during July and August. All year by appointment. HISTORIAN Our town historian is Charlotte Dean She may be contacted by phone at (315)778-3043 or by email

The Start of Edwards Tales from Around Town Cemetery Records Items for Sale Contact Us Links Items for Sale Most of these items are available for purchase at the Edwards History Center. Anyone wanting to purchase any of these should contact,Charlotte Dean, Town Historian, at the History Center, by phone or email . Please note that postage rates change every once in a while. We used to post the cost for mailing, but have found that it doesn't always stay accurate. Please email us to get the current rate. Trout Lake Picture Postcards Our historical group has had Trout Lake pictures put on postcards at the request of some Trout Lakers and are for sale at the local grocery store and the library. They are 4" x 6" postcards printed in color, priced at $.50 each. They are available to buy at Main Street Market and the Hepburn Library throughout the camping season. Credit has been given to the person who took each photo on the reverse of the card. Sets of the six views can be ordered, plus postage, from Edwards Historian. troutlake1_250 Describe your image troutlake2_250 Describe your image troutlake6_250 Describe your image troutlake1_250 Describe your image 1/6 Edwards on the Oswegatchie The Edwards Bicentennial book is $15.00, plus postage and handling. This is a reprint of the book from 1976 and is available at the History Center. Order must be pre-paid. Checks should be made out to Edwards Historical Association A History of the Edwards Zinc Mines A History of the Edwards Zinc Mines by Stuart Casanova Published in 2003, this book is based on a talk given by the author at the Edwards Library on May 25, 2002. $15.00 each, plus postage and handling. Postcards of Edwards A very interesting collection of postcards of Edwards from the past, taken from the collection of the Edwards History Center and the collection of Mrs. LaVerne H. Freeman. Edited by Mildred L. Goodheart and LaVerne H. Freeman, published in April 2004. $5.00 each, plus postage and handling. Images of Edwards Images of Edwards, Volume I A pictorial history of Edwards, many photographs from through the years, complete with descriptions. Compiled by Edith C. Duffy, Frederick J. Finley, LaVerne H. Freeman (editor), Mildred L. Goodheart, Cynthia M. McFerran and Dawn K. Mullaney. Researched and published for the Scots Heritage Day, August 14, 1999. $5.00 each, plus postage and handling. Images of Edwards, Volume II Second in the series, volume II was compiled by Edith C. Duffy, LaVerne H. Freeman (editor), Delores F. Hughes, Mildred L. Goodheart, and Dawn K. Mullaney. This document was researched and published for Homespun Day, July 29, 2000. $5.00 each, plus postage and handling. Images of Edwards, Volume III The third in the series, volume III was researched and published for the History Center Open House, April 28, 2004. This document was compiled by William J. Cleland, LaVerne H. Freeman (editor), Mildred L. Goodheart, Dawn K. Mullaney and Andrea J. Webb. $5.00 each, plus postage and handling.

The Start of Edwards Tales from Around Town Cemetery Records Items for Sale Contact Us Links Town of Edwards Cemetery Records Compiled by Town Historian LaVerne Freeman Users of this web page should note that there have been some recent changes. Due to the amount of information contained in the cemetery records, we found that this page takes an excessive amount of time to load if contained in one page. We have therefore split the records according to each cemetery. If you know the burial site of the individual you are looking for, go to that cemetery by clicking on the cemetery name. If you don't know the location, you will have to search each page. Also, to facilitate the research of the users of these pages, we are in the process of creating .pdf files for each page. There will be a link on each page to access these in standard 8 1/2" x 11" format. Antwine Burial Site A private grave located on Antwine family property. Brayton Cemetery Family burial ground on NYS Route 58 ... graves of infant Brayton triplets who died 1859 and 1860. Also buried here are infants of the Cole and Freeman families. None of these have traditional stones. They are marked only with field stones and occasionally decorated by descendants. This small cemetery is carefully and respectfully tended by the landowners Gerald Barker and Richard McCormick. Fairview Cemetery . Located in the village on Hall Road ... Chartered January 16, 1915. Land was purchased from, or donated by, the Woodcock brothers, Milo and William. As part of the transaction they requested that their father and his two wives be moved from Riverside Cemetery to the new Fairview Cemetery, thereby making those three the first burials in the Fairview Cemetery. This cemetery has been expanded in recent years as the need became evident. The Fairview Cemetery map can be found here . Gates Cemetery Located on the River Road ... Land was given by the Gates family with the stipulation that the cemetery plots were to be used only by those who resided in that neighborhood and there was to be no charge for these grave sites. The earliest marked grave in this cemetery is Mary Jane Whitford who died May 28 1853. Payne Cemetery Located on the Harmon Road off NYS Route 58 ... This cemetery has also been known as "Creek Burying Ground", then "Harmon Cemetery", now known as Payne Cemetery. It is believed to be named for the early settlers, the Payne family, who owned that land. This cemetery is the site of the earliest marked grave in the town of Edwards, Lois Rice Payne, who died February 13, 1828, age 20 years. Pinney Cemetery Located on SLC Route 23 ... Small cemetery located near the Pitcairn town line on farm property. You must reach it by passing through this farm driveway. Named for the Pinney family who once owned the farm. Earliest marked grave here is 1832, an infant son of Isaac and Malinda Bannister. Riverside Cemetery Located in the village on Church Street ... This burial ground was established between 1858 – 1865 on land purchased from, or donated by, Thomas Noble. It was later expanded by purchase of more land from Mr. Noble along the same street. Stones dated earlier indicate that original burials were in the first village cemetery and moved to Riverside Cemetery. The Riverside Cemetery map can be found here . South Edwards Cemetery Located on SLC Route 23 ... at the edge of Shawville settlement in South Edwards. The cemetery is comprised of very sandy soil on a flat area of land before one travels down the hill into the community. The earliest marked grave here is that of Angeline Austin who died February 13, 1844, age 16 years. Winslow-Shawville Family burial ground located in South Edwards on SLC Route 23 ... on a steep hill overlooking the valley of South Edwards settlement on property owned by Alfred and Barbara Fenton. It is very difficult to reach. A fieldstone wall 15' by 18' (outside) is about 24" to 30" high and 20" to 28" wide. Sandstone slabs are laid on top of the wall. This surrounds the graves of the three Winslow family members. This cemetery is tended by the Alfred Fenton family. The earliest grave is Ruth Dunbar Winslow who died January 3, 1835, age 53.

TOWN OF EDWARDS PUBLIC NOTICE of ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING ​ RESCHEDULED Notice is hereby given that the Annual Town of Edwards Organizational Meeting will be held at the Edwards Town Hall, 161 Main Street, on January 20, 2021 @ 7:00PM. The Edwards Town Board will hold the regular monthly meeting following: Patricia Davis Edwards Town Clerk December 28, 2020

NOTICE OF RECEIPT OF TAX ROLL AND WARRANT ​ PLEASE TAKE NOTICE, that the undersigned, the collector of taxes of the Town of Edwards, has received the tax roll and warrant for the collection of taxes for the Town of Edwards for the fiscal year January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. ​ PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that the undersigned will receive the taxes listed on said roll at his/her office located at 161 Main Street, Town of Edwards, St. Lawrence County, New York, during usual business hours, i.e. 10AM to 2PM on the following days: Monday to Thursday. Please use drop box. ​ PLEASE TAKE FURTHER NOTICE, that taxes may be paid to the undersigned without interest on or before the first day of February 2021. Taxes received after the 30-day penalty free period shall have interest added at the rate of one per cent for each month or fraction thereof until such taxes are paid or until return of unpaid taxes to the County Treasurer pursuant to law. The date for the return of unpaid taxes to the County Treasurer is June 2, 2021 ​ DATED: December 28, 2020 Patricia Davis, Collector of Taxes, Town of Edwards