The first cobble stone buildings that I can remember to have seen, were at Pittsford in Monroe county, nearly twenty years ago; and from the rude appearance of the work at that time, I have supposed the art was then in its infancy; but perhaps some gentleman of that neighborhood will furnish a sketch of its history.
About six years ago the first building [Led-2 Rafferty Cay-8] of that description was erected in this quarter, one mile east of Aurora; and in my opinion the walls are more beautiful than brick. The beauty of such structures however, will mainly depend on the size and color of the stone, though the color of the sand will have an influence.
It has generally been the practice to have the corners formed of cut stone; but in a two story building [Ven-1 VanOrman Cay-12] erected last season within a few miles of us, this expense was avoided by rounding the corners, and using cobble stone. The cut stone is not the only saving by this plan, however, much of the mason's time is consumed in laying such corner stones.
The building erected last season was contracted by by the perch at thirty-seven and a half cents; and half of this sum, additional, was allowed for the tender. The walls however, were grouted - that is, all of the interstices between the stones were filled with liquid mortar; and this substance must have more time to set. For this reason not more than three courses a day can be laid in dry weather; and not any when it is showery.
Greatfield, Cayaga co. 1 mo. 21, 1841 D. T.
The location of the two cobblestone structures noted in this excerpt are marked with red dots. The adjacent written code identifies a link button for each cobblestone structure which is centered over each dot and when clicked links to the information page on that structure.