Nathan Ford fonds, 1792-1903, n.d.

Nathan Ford (1763-1829) was one of the founders of Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence County, New York. He was an agent for Colonel Samuel Ogden and helped to establish a settlement at what was previously known as Oswegatchie, New York. The old Fort Oswegatchie was occupied by Captain Benjamin Forsyth and his company of riflemen in the fall of 1812. The residents of Ogdensburg were not keen on war with the British and conducted themselves as though a state of peace remained. When General Brown and Captain Forsyth became aware of the situation, it was made clear to the prominent citizens of Ogdensburg, including Ford, that remaining neutral was unacceptable. Ford was concerned that Forsyth, who was young and rash, would pose a threat to the security of his community. Forsyth consistently harassed the British and met with retaliation on February 22, 1813, when the British captured Ogdensburg in a surprise attack. The victory was small, but it helped ensure that the St. Lawrence remained available as a supply line for the British. The barracks, distillery and some other property was destroyed during the conflict. Ford submitted a claim for damages to the government which took many years to resolve. He was eventually compensated for his losses, although the claim was undervalued and he only received a portion of the actual damages. Ford was very active in the community affairs at Ogdensburg and is largely credited with establishing the settlement. His leadership enabled the community to grow from an outpost to a village, which eventually became a city. He was appointed as a First Judge of the Courts of Common Pleas in 1802, and held this position until 1820. Nathan Ford died in 1829 and was buried in the Ford Vault in Ogdensburg.Fonds mostly consists of correspondence written by, or to, Nathan Ford. Much of the correspondence concerns the War of 1812, especially the events around Ogdensburg. A significant part of the fonds concerns Ford’s claim for damages and losses incurred during the war. Reference is sometimes made to claims for damages in Niagara. Several letters to the editor are included which comment on the war and on some of the events that occurred in Niagara, such as the burning of Newark. Isaac Brock is mentioned in another of Ford’s letters. Also includes some information on the Jones family history. There are also several letters to the editor concerning tensions between France and the United States around 1797