Wikipedia says....
On May 18, 1826, a geological expedition, led by Amos Eaton and physicist Joseph Henry of the Rensselaerian School (now Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) through the western part of New York state aboard the canal boat "LaFayette," encountered flammable coal gas rising from a spring. They named the local community Gasport. On the return voyage, May 26th, they passed through the settlement again, and saw that the name was already appearing on signboards.
On May 18, 1826, a geological expedition, led by Amos Eaton and physicist Joseph Henry of the Rensselaerian School (now Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute) through the western part of New York state aboard the canal boat "LaFayette," encountered flammable coal gas rising from a spring. They named the local community Gasport. On the return voyage, May 26th, they passed through the settlement again, and saw that the name was already appearing on signboards.
