On March 3, 2022 we celebrated the 220th anniversary of the founding of St. Lawrence County. However the founding of St. Lawrence County cannot be commemorated without mentioning Judge Nathan Ford.
Nathan Ford was born December 8, 1763 in Morristown, New Jersey, one of 8 children of John Ford and Martha Raynor. Although he doesn’t get credit, Ford was the real founder of Ogdensburg and was an early proponent of forming St. Lawrence County. After the death of his parents Ford spent his childhood living in his grandfather’s mansion in Morristown, NJ, which later became George Washington’s headquarters during the American Revolution. He served in the war as a Deputy Assistant Quartermaster. Later, Ford was the land agent for Samuel Ogden and was one of the first white settlers of the village.
Samuel Ogden, a prominent lawyer and land speculator whom the city is named after, sent Nathan Ford to explore the lands he had purchased in 1794. Ford hired a Mr. Tuttle and his family to move into the fort barracks. They were supposed to care for the property while he traveled back to New York City for men and supplies. After the U.S. gained control of Northern New York as part of the terms of Jay’s Treaty, Ford and other settlers from Morristown, New Jersey settled here.
Samuel Ogden wanted his lands to be profitable. With that in mind he sent these instructions to Ford: “Gain immediate possession of the works, mills, and town. If necessary use threats and bribes. After possessing the fort and works, gain possession of the mills and repair them. Find a mine of iron ore so that iron work operations can commence as quickly as possible.”
Ford did just that. He lived in one of the buildings that had been part of Fort Oswegatchie. While here Ford was responsible for encouraging settlers to come to the area which he did by laying out the village, selling village lots and building roads. Squatters were encouraged to either pay up or leave. When one squatter refused, Mr. Ford arrested him and brought him to Rome to face charges.
In another instance, he arranged for a meeting of all the local Native American chiefs at the Fort and got them drunk. When one chief overstayed his welcome and demanded more alcohol Ford grabbed his sword and chased him out of the barracks while in his nightshirt. Another night Native Americans raided the garrison taking Ford’s slave, Dick captive. Dick began yelling, which awakened Ford, who once again grabbed his sword. With the help of others the unwelcome visitors were driven from the garrison.
Ford was responsible for Ogdensburgh becoming the county seat and providing a courtroom, repairing the jail and keeping taxes low. Ford said, “Nothing scares people like taxes.” Not long after that Ford announced that a new road had been built that allowed a wagon from the Mohawk River to travel to Ogdensburg. The first town meeting of the Town of Oswegatchie was held in Nathan Ford’s house.
It is because of Ford that Ogdensburgh became the center of business and government in the newly formed St. Lawrence County. He was a judge from 1802-1820 and simultaneously served as chief justice for the county, supervisor of the Town of Oswegatchie and de facto “mayor” of the village of Ogdensburgh, even though it wasn’t incorporated until 1817. He considered Ogdensburgh and St. Lawrence County his, and nothing escaped his notice.
Ford has been described as “proud, vain and utterly profane in his language,” which is an apt description of him. For example, just after he was appointed a judge in 1802, a gentleman was brought before him for a minor offense. Ford reportedly banished the man off God’s earth. The man asked the judge where he should go. Ford responded, “To Canada. God damn you.”
When war broke out in 1812 Ford and other Federalists in Northern New York made it clear that they were against fighting the British. When Ogdensburgh was captured in 1813 neither Nathan Ford nor David Parish’s homes were looted by the British due to Ford’s friendly relationship with the British commander. This friendliness infuriated other Americans, especially General Zebulon Pike. Later Ford and General Wilkinson bickered back and forth in letters that were printed in newspapers throughout the state. One newspaper called Ford the “Benedict Arnold'' of the War of 1812. Judge Ford however, felt that he was protecting Ogdensburgh, the county and most importantly trade by keeping us out of war.
After Benjamin Forsyth and his men raided Elizabethtown (now Brockville) in February 1813 and set American prisoners free, Ford said that the raid would lead to “folly and mischief”. Captain Forsyth continued to cause trouble on the border much to Nathan Ford’s dismay. Ford even tried to convince the army to restrain Forsyth, but to no avail. British soldiers marched across the frozen St. Lawrence River attacking Ogdensburgh on February 22,1813.
Soon Judge Ford, a staunch Federalist, was accused of treason by several individuals (most likely Democratic-Republicans) for collaborating with the British. However, local residents supported Ford and charges were dropped due to a lack of evidence.
But Nathan Ford’s fight with Democratic-Republicans wasn’t over. His long standing hatred of Alexander Richards, County Clerk and later Oswegatchie Customs Agent was well known. Richards was responsible for the entire northern border of New York State. Because of the Embargo Act and Intercourse Act it was illegal to trade with British Canada. Residents of Ogdensburgh and St. Lawrence County routinely broke the law by smuggling goods and were not pleased with anyone who tried to enforce the law.
Alexander Richards was charged and convicted by Judge Ford for interfering with this trade. Later when Richards ran for state assembly, Ford compared him to Beelzebub.
Richards appealed to Zebulon Pike for troops to help him stop smuggling along the border. Pike responded by sending Lt. Loring Austin and Lt. George Wells with 2 detachments. Richards sent the troops to capture suspected smugglers. In all 13 men were arrested with 9 being marched to Ogdensburgh. Nathan Ford and the county sheriff confronted the officers and arrested and jailed them. There were 9 charges and bail was set at $90,000 each by Judge Ford. If Ford could’ve arrested Zebulon Pike, he would’ve done that too. Later he wrote that “Pope” Richards had trampled upon the rights of St. Lawrence County citizens.
Judge Ford then turned his attention to Gen. James Wilkinson. Apparently the general had said that Ogdensburgh should be burned and Ford hanged. Judge Ford accused Wilkinson of being a drunkard, fop and tyrant. Ford also informed the British that a counterfeiter was working in Brockville. This may have been an effort to keep him and Ogdensburgh in the good graces of the British. After the capture of Ogdensburg there were no troops stationed in Ogdensburgh and smuggling resumed.
After the War of 1812 Ford continued to advocate for Ogdensburgh and St. Lawrence County. Many settlers and land owners wanted to move the county seat to a more central location, but did not want to oppose Judge Ford. However his health began to fail him after he contracted Tuberculosis and he was unable to leave his room for the last few years of his life. When the bill passed in Albany in 1828 to move the location of the county seat to Canton, he was irate. Unfortunately Ogdensburgh lost its greatest promoter in 1829. He was a man of strong convictions, whose determination made the settlement of Ogdensburg possible and led to the formation of St. Lawrence County.
Where is he buried
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