> Nothing like being put on the spot. I am sorry to say that my expertise on
hamlets is having lived in one for 16 years. My impression is they are
unincorporated. I am sure someone on the list can give a less subjective
answer.

** This seems to confuse everyone.   In New York state, only Towns, Cities,
and Villages are / can be incorporated.   End of the legal government
discussion.

It is 'somewhat customary' in Columbia County to refer to those clusters of
dwellings and shops that look like villages as hamlets to distinguish them
from official Villages.  Most of the county's hamlets are distinctly smaller
than the county's villages, so this works here.  However, one place --
Niverville -- is a 'fairly large hamlet' appears to pass for a village in
the eyes of many.  All these hamlets are under Town government in the
township in which they are located.

I believe elsewhere in New York state there are some very large 'hamlets'
and in their own locales they may not be called hamlets.  In fact, I think
that overall incorporated Villages are relatively rare.

I have written to a friend in England, who is aghast at our usage of
'hamlet' -- In the UK, it is 3 to 5 houses, says she.  She thinks we are
mad.  :-)   Massachusetts does it differently, too.

Ruth Piwonka
Kinderhook (an inc. Village with an inc. Town of the same name / also
confusing to many.)