De Witt Clinton, four time governor of New York, built the Eerie Canal.

De Witt Clinton was an American statesman who promoted the building of the Eerie Canal. He was born in Little Britain, NY, was graduated with honors from Columbia College, and began to practice law. In 1802 he was sent to the United States Senate. From 1803 until 1815 he was mayor of New York City, except for two short intervals when he served in the New York Senate and was lieutenant governor of the state. In 1812 he was nominated for President of the United States by the Federalist party, but was defeated. Clinton served as governor of New York from 1818-1821, and from 1825-1828. During that time a free school system was established and the Eerie Canal was completed (1825).

George Clinton, first governor of New York.

George Clinton was an American soldier and statesman, and uncle of De Witt Clinton. He was born in Little Britain, NY in 1739. In 1775 he went as a delegate to the Continental Congress. Later appointed a brigadier general in the Continental Army, he often used his friendship with the Indians to the advantage of the colonists. In 1777 he became the first governor of the state of New York, and was one of the first to urge the building of the Eerie Canal. Clinton was vice-president under Thomas Jefferson andJames Madison In 1811 he cast the deciding vote in the Senate which defeated the bill for the rechartering of the Bank of the United States.

Sir Henry Clinton, British general in the American Revolution.

Sir Henry Clinton fought in the Battle of Bunker Hill as a major general in the British army. In 1778 he was placed in chief command of the British forces in America. When he heard of the French alliance with the Americans, he evacuated Philadelphia and began a retreat through New Jersey. General George Washington hurried after him and defeated his British troops in Monmouth in June, 1778.

Clinton then stationed his forces in New York until 1779. At that time he led an expedition into South Carolina and captured Charlestown the next spring. Later he quarreled with Lord Cornwallis, and in 1781 resigned his command. After his return to England in 1782, Clinton served in Parliament and as a governor of Gibraltar.