Independent Registered Historian

Yet another chapter in the book of history of the numerous districts in Chenango County, for all who have followed this long running series, it began in September 2008 and has continued basically every week, with few exceptions when either vacation or space did not allow the articles to be inserted in the Thursday evening’s issue of The Evening Sun. This week will begin the series of articles relevant to the history of the multiple districts of the Township, however first a brief review of the history of Sherburne from Smith’s History of Chenango County – 1784-1879.

This marvelous documentation of Chenango County history relates that Sherburne was formed March 5, 1795 [ironically this article will appear March 9, which dictates the township is two hundred and twenty-two years old. The name of Sherburne, is said to have been suggested by a member of the Legislature as the early residents were in the habit of singing the tune of Sherburne which a favorite among them. Originally Sherburne encompassed the township of Stafford, as we know it today Smyrna, which was taken off March 25, 1808. Enlarged a small part of New Berlin in 1852! The township was crossed by the Utica, Chenango, and Susquehanna Valley railroad, the New York Ontario and Western railroad and the Chenango Canal flowed through the town approximately in the center of the township. The first railroad mentioned made an extensive detour to enable them to connect directly with the Village of Sherburne.