of the party died, they were retaken and recommitted,
and in June, 1782, were exchanged at Whitehall. Mr. Stevens
settled in Cornwall in 1792, and died June 16, 1815, aged 53 years.
* t-dTJiUE Ferris died at Vevgcunes, March 17, 181'.t, aged 87 years.
18
94 HISTORY OF ADDISO:^ COLNTT.
CHAPTER IX.
AGRICULTURE — WHEAT — TRAKSITIONFROM GRAI-N TO STOCK — SHEEP.
The tract of land west of the mountains, embracing the valleys
of Lake Champlain and Otter Creek, when first cleared up. was as
celebrated for the production of wheat as Vt'^estern New York Las
since been. It was the principal staple among the productions of
the County. The following facts will give some idea of the value
of this crop. At the close of the last war with Great Britain, the
people of the County Avere almost hopelessly in debt.At the June
term of the County Court in 1817, the number of civil causes en-
tered at that term, amounted to more than five hundred, and nearly
all for the collection of debts. This pressure of indebtedness was
wholly relieved by the crops of wheat raised in the County. The
very cold, dry and unproductive season of 1816, had rather in-
creased than diminished the pressure. But the following season
of 1817, brought to the relief of the farmers more luxuriant crops,
especially of Avheat, than any other within our recollection. The
excessive drouth of 1816 had prepared the stifiest soils to be
thoroughly pulverized by tilling. Large fields were sown ; the
season, with its gentlo and frequent shoAvers and genial sunshine,
was most favorable, and the crops singularly abundant. The
winter following, the price of wheat in Troy,