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Cornell University Library 1993.NARRATIVE OF
COLONEL SAMUEL BLAKESLEE
A DEFENDER OF BUFFALO IN THE WAR OF I8I2.1
Wheatland, County of Monroe
in the State of New York.
December the 30th 1822.
O Thou before whom Angels Bow Saints adore and
Devils tremble, Look down with Holy complacency on thy
Very unworthy Servant on this ever memorable morning
which is the Ninth Anniversary of his great deliverance in
the day of Battle.2 Give unto me O God the Spirit of
Wisdom and understanding that I may write and leave to
my children a true history of the first setelle and the fore
Fathers of and by name of Blakeslee in America—as I have
it verbally from men. that are dead and gone and from my
own experience during sixty three years of Experience and
the Praise and the glory shall be ascribed to the tryune
Three in heaven Amen.
Samuel Blakeslee.
In the early settlement of British America there was two
men and brothers by the name of Samuel and John Blakeslee,
both blacksmiths by occupation, left England with their
anvil, vice, hammer, tongs, and other necessary tools, etc.,
1.	Here printed from the original manuscript, written by Col. Blakeslee in
1822; kindly loaned to the Buffalo Historical Society by Miss Eliza A. Blakeslee
of Caledonia, N. Y.
2.	At Black Rock in the War of 1812.
419420
SAMUEL BLAKESLEE’S NARRATIVE.
fitted to their occupation, and landed in Boston in Massachu-
setts, and purchased what was then and is since called
Boston Neck, a poor barren, narrow strip of land which
joins the peninsula of the town of Boston to the main land.
Here they lived a few years with their families and labored
at blacksmithing for their support. But the then village of
Boston was poor and small and the narrow neck which they
had purchased was incapable of affording much for the
subsistance of their families. But these two brothers being
stout robust enterprising men, agreed Dan like to seek an
inheritance. They arose with their families left Boston and
proceeded by the sea shore to New Haven in Connecticut.
Here Samuel bought land and settled himself and family,
but John his brother went with his family northwest of
New Haven and near the western part of the state.
N. B. It may be remarked that the present state of
Connecticut is composed of two provinces, viz., the Province
of Connecticut and the Province of New Haven, which hath
since been incorporated the state of Connecticut [break in
MS.] which is now the town of Woodbury in the town of
Roxbury. This branch of the family I have not so general
knowledge of, although I have conversed with some of them
and they all trace their genealogy to the same old father
John. However there are many of the descendants that have
now given themselves the trouble to know from whence they
came. In this family there is and has been a number of
remarkable men, both for strength, ambition, courage and
enterprise. I saw about twenty years past old Mr. Tilleson
Blakeslee in New Haven. He I think removed from Rox-
bury to New Haven, who had been for a number of years
past the sherriff of the county. I saw him at his house in the
time of the Revolutionary War; he was then and had been
a lieutenant in the army. At the time I saw him in New
Haven he was a very old man but retained a firm constitu-
tion and a strong mind. At this time I was a Representative
at the General Assembly, then holden at New Haven, I
frequently went to see him, and he gave me considerable
information respecting our genealogy, etc.
He said that when our venerable forefathers left BostonSAMUEL BLARES LEE’S NARRATIVE.
421
they did not sell or dispose of their landed property, but left
it thinking that in time it might be worth something; but
time slipped away and they became old men and died, and
the land was not disposed of by them or any of their descen-
dants; and the same little narrow sandy Boston Neck is
now covered with an immense block of buildings, and the
same ground could not be purchased for many millions of
dollars, and if he was sufficiently able to maintain a law suit
he would spend one half million to obtain our just and lawful
right to the soil.
But to return to the family of Samuel Blakeslee of which
I am a descendant. They settled in New Haven. New
Haven town, then called, was about twenty miles square,
and this family of which I am speaking multiplied fast and
were scattered as farmers throughout the town. There was
a settlement made about thirteen miles north of what was
called the town of New Haven, being what we now call a
village, and this thirteen-mile settlement was called New
Haven. During a number of years all this tract of twenty
miles square was called New Haven, but in process of time
this town became divided and subdivided. It was first di-
vided from east to west, and the north part was called Wal-
lingford. Afterwards old New Haven was subdivided into
East Haven, North Haven, and West Haven, and a piece
more of land set off to the town of Woodbridge and a piece
set off to the town of Branford. From the town of Walling-
ford has since been set off the towns of Cheshin and
Meriden. In these towns the descendants of the first
Samuel Blakeslee mentioned were to be found, but the most
of them were to be found in North Haven.
My father’s name was Joseph, my grandfather’s Samuel,
and my great-grandfather’s Ebenezer, and his father was
the Samuel who came from England. These accounts I had
from my father when I was young, and it is possible I may
have missed one generation, which would be between the
first Samuel and Ebenezer, but I rather think not.
In the division of the large town of New Haven it so
happened that my grandfather was in the town of Walling-
ford, where he lived and died, as did my father in the same422
SAMUEL BLAKESLEES NARRATIVE.
house and on the same farm. My brother Joseph now lives
in an elegant house which he has built near where the old
one stood.
There was a family of Blakeslee went to the town of
Plymouth, the father was brother to my grandfather; and
from this family there arose a number of men. I have seen
several of them—Jude, Asher, Abner, Noah and others who
of old were men of renown, but are I believe since dead,
except Judah, who must be very old. Abner died in Ply-
mouth ; he was a physician and of a lively, gay turn of mind.
Noah was taken delirious and threw himself into a well
nearly fifty years ago. From this family has sprung many
others which have gone into the western country. Those
Plymouth Blakeslees (it was Plymouth in Connecticut)
were generally Episcopalians. The first emigrants were
Episcopalians, and their descendants have generally been of
the same order, although my father’s family was Presby-
terian. The numerous families which have sprung from the
two first emigrants are so attached to each other that when-
ever they meet, although separated four or five generations
by birth, they feel themselves brothers of the same family.
Mr. Asher Blakeslee, who died lately, said on his death bed,
as I am informed, that for more than forty years he had not
failed of attending divine worship on account of ill health
or bad weather. There is living in Plymouth a Col. Micah
Blakeslee that I am some acquainted with, said to be a fine
officer. It is to be remarked that my father had no brother
that lived to be a man.
My grandmother Blakeslee’s maiden name was Eliza-
beth Doolittle and by her my grandfather had two sons and
nine daughters. His sons were Joseph my father, and
Samuel his brother, who died at the age of nineteen; so my
father had no brother that lived to be a man. My grand-
father died when I was about two years old. I can now
remember his being a corpse, and I can remember nothing
any further back. My grandfather requested my father to
call me Samuel, as there was no one living that could have
the name of Samuel Blakeslee but myself. One of my
father’s nine sisters died young. The other eight wereSAMUEL BLAKESLEE’S NARRATIVE.
428
named as follows: Elizabeth, Susannah, Abigail, Miriam,
Zirviah, Thankful, Phebe. These eight sisters lived to a
good age, and all had and raised a numerous family of
children which are scattered throughout the United States,-
but it is to be remarked that none of them, although own
first cousins to me, bears the name of Blakeslee.
Abigail married Elijah Ackley; lived and died at East
Haddons, Conn. Suzannah married Andrew Parker of
Wallingford; removed to Adamstown, Mass.; she died
there. Elizabeth married Gamaliel Parker; brother to the
above. Miriam married Joshua Howe of Wallingford;
removed to Wells, Vt.; her husband died, she afterwards
married Esq. Button, but is since dead. She was the last of
my father’s sisters. Zerviah married Nathaniel Ives of
Wallingford, moved to New Hartford; both lived and died
there. Thankful married Justis Holt of Wallingford;
removed to Adams, where she died. Hannah married James
Markes of Wallingford; lived and died there. The most if
not all of these women were professors of religion.
My father was born the first day of April, Old Style, and
was married to Lois Ives the first day of April, New Style.
I have often heard him say that it had constituted him an
April fool ever since! The year of his birth I do not know.
My mother was the daughter of Stephen Ives of Walling-
ford. My father had been a non-commissioned officer in the
French war, and was in the battle of Lake George; he was
married to my mother after his return, by whom he had
twelve children. The first two died in infancy before I was
born, being a son and daughter.
I was born November 23d, 1759; my sister Lois Jan.
9th, 1761; Asenath Jan. 8th, 1763; Joseph March nth,
1765; John March nth, 1767; Thankful May 16th, 1769;
Vincy and Asel were the two youngest. My mother died
at the age of 55, my father at about the age of 72. My sister
Asenath died in her eighteenth year. Joseph married Mary
Andrus; John married Ruth Ives; Lois married Nathaniel
Andrus; Thankful married Jonathan Moss, who is since
dead, and she left a widow; Vincy married Samuel Miller,
a Baptist minister in Wallingford. Asel married Hannah424
SAMUEL BLAKESLEES NARRATIVE.
Mattoon. All these marriages were in Wallingford. Brother
Asel removed with his family into the state of Ohio, but died
last year.
I was married on the 20th of December, 1780, to Phebe
Curtis at Wallingford, by whom I had nine children, six
sons and three daughters: Ozi, born Nov. 24th, 1781;
Samuel, Nov. 17th, 1783; Asenath, June 4th, 1785; Joel,
Aug. 13th, 1787; Phebe, Oct. 30th, 1789; Federal, Jan.
25th, 1792; Gad, June 13th, 1794; Lois Ives, Oct. 12th,
1796; John Adams, June 4th, 1799.
My father Joseph Blakeslee was a hard-laboring man,
but always in low circumstances, but honest and respectable
amongst his acquaintance. My mother was an amiable and
good woman and an excellent mother, and at her death her
children were ready to rise up and call her blessed. After I
was married I lived with my father at Wallingford till May,
i779-1 His mother died on the same day of the month that
he was born, he being 31 years of age.
Here commences a general history of my life for sixty-
three years. The Revolutionary War broke out when I was
about fifteen years of age, the country being in uproar and
confusion. Volunteer companies were raised. The boys
caught the military flame, and boy companies with wooden
guns were raised. In one of these companies I was chosen
captain, this being in the year 1775. The next year I con-
ceived the idea of going into the army. In those days a boy
of sixteen was liable to bear arms. The British then lay in
Boston, and after many pleadings with my parents they gave
me leave to enlist as a soldier, under Capt. Isaac Ford of
Wallingford. This was about the month of February, 1776.
My father took me to the captain for enlistment. The
captain said I looked like a good spry boy, and as he thought
a little too small for a soldier, but if I could measure five
feet five inches he would take me. To my mortification I
measured only five feet four inches and a half, and was of
course denied enlistment.
The June following there was a company raising by
Capt. John Thacher of New Haven, and Ephraim Chamber-
1. So in original MS., but should be 1782.SAMUEL BLAKESLEE’S NARRATIVE.
425
lain, one of his lieutenants, agreed to enlist me as a soldier.
I accordingly enlisted under him on the ist day of July, 1776.
I joined my company at New Haven, received my arms and
marched on to the northward as far as Skeensborough,
Vermont, near White Hall, and joined the army then lying
there under the command of General Waterbury. Here our
army became sickly with the ague and fever, and other dis-
orders, and many died. I had the fever and ague and suf-
fered everything but death. General Gates and Arnold, with
the remnant of the army that fled from Quebec, were sta-
tioned down the lake at Ticonderoga, and all the effective
men at Skeensborough were ordered there, but those who
were unfit for duty were ordered to stay. At that time I was
so sick with the ague that I could scarcely help myself, but
was determined to go down the lake. My officers gave me
liberty and I was helped on board of a new galley, and
landed at what was called Old Ty, but the same day crossed
the lake to Mount Independence with the rest of our regi-
ment. The Mount at this time was a wild forest.
I lay sick on the ground night and day for some time by
a fire which the well soldiers made, until they built a small
log hut. At this time the American fleet moved down the
lake. Generals Arnold and Waterbury and all the men that
had been acquainted with sea-faring, were put on board the
fleet. My captain and part of his company were on board.
They had a naval engagement and the American fleet was
destroyed. My captain and his men were made prisoners
and sent home on parole, but those that escaped set fire to
Crown Point fort and Bannock’s Barracks, which were con-
sumed with a tremendous fire and smoke, which exhibited a
grand scenery at Ticonderoga.
Here I stayed until about the ist of December; was then
discharged, and after a long and wearisome journey arrived
at my father’s house the 16th of December, worn out and
sick. There were enlisting orders for two months and a
half men to go to the White Plains. I thought I would try
another short campaign, and enlisted on the ist of January,
1777, under Lieutenant Dan Johnson of Wallingford. The
company was commanded by Captain Augustus Collins of426
SAMUEL BLAKESLEES NARRATIVE.
Guilford, and joined the regiment at New Rochelle near
White Plains, commanded by Col. Cook of Wallingford.
In these two campaigns I was too slender and young for a
soldier; however I bore them with military fortitude.
In the spring of 1777 I was drafted from the militia, and
stationed at New Haven. At this time the standing army
was raising, and Connecticut regiments were rendezvousing
at that place. The fine regimentals and martial music so
raised my feelings that I resolved to become a soldier in the
standing army. I obtained a pass from my officer to go
home for two days; it was eighteen miles distant. The
reason that I obtained this pass was to consult my parents
about enlisting. The first time I enlisted as a soldier I
promised them that I would never enlist without their con-
sent ; but I was secretly determined that I would not leave
trying them until I had worn out their patience; which was
the case in my two first enlistments. On my arrival at home
I candidly told them my errand. I told it to my mother
first; but to my surprise my mother told me that my father
and herself had been talking on the same subject, and
thought, since soldiers must be had, it was likely that I
should be called away in the militia, and that I might as well
make a business of it first as last, and be receiving pay. My
parents were poor but industrious, and found it hard to sup-
port their family in the time of war. I was a saving boy,
and out of my five months’ wages at the northward, which
was six dollars a month, making thirty dollars, I brought
home to my father twenty dollars one shilling and sixpence;
and I saved about all my wages that were paid me for my ten
weeks’ winter campaign, which was paid my father in New
Haven by my captain. I suppose that the distress of the
time, and the urgency of their case, was a great inducement
to them to make me a soldier.
The next day after my arrival at home, my father took
me to Lieut. Chamberlain, the same officer that I went with
to the northward, and I enlisted under him for three years’
service in the standing army. The bounty paid my father
down was from the United States, twenty dollars; and the
town, for the encouragement of the recruiting service, paidSAMUEL BLAKESLEE’S NARRATIVE.
427
each soldier that enlisted forty dollars, amounting in all to
sixty dollars, which my father received. At the time of the
raising of the standing army, the Legislature, for the encour-
agement of the war, passed an act that any two men that
would hire one man for the service, should be exonerated
from being called on themselves during his service. At this
time my father and Charles Ives hired Barajah Hall for
three years and paid him forty dollars. At my enlistment he
sold me to Robert Rice; the other man I have forgotten or
never knew, for one hundred and six dollars and two thirds
of a dollar, paid in hand, so that my father had cleared him-
self by hiring for three years, and sold me for the same
term of time, with the saving of eighty-six dollars and two
thirds of a dollar, in addition to sixty dollars from the State
and town.
My enlistment was made on the first day of May, 1777,
and I was called to leave home about the first of June with
my officer Lieut. Chamberlain, and a number of other sol-
diers. My father accompanied us with a horse to help
along our baggage as far as Danbury, about fifty miles,
where he gave me his farewell address, which I shall not do
him justice to mention without weeping. The next morn-
ing my father returned home, and we took up our march
for Peekskill, and joined the army which was collecting at
that place. Here the army was taught the military exercise,
and had many hard marches as scouting parties. I well
recollect that I was on provost guard when John Murray
was confined and under sentence of death to be executed
next day. I stood sentry over him sixteen hours out of
twenty-four. I was taken sick in the night, but did my duty
until relieved next morning by a new guard. At the eight
o’clock drum the troops were paraded and marched to
Gallows Hill, I under arms with the rest, and saw him
hanged. After being dismissed I was soon found to be
broken out with the measles; however I was fit for duty
again in a few days.
About this time Lord Howe landed his army at the head
of Elk River, and a part of the troops were called for.
Eight regiments were sent to the southward; six from Con-428
SAMUEL BLAKESLEES NARRATIVE.
necticut and two from Rhode Island. My colonel was
Hemon Swift. The Battle of Brandywine was before our
arrival, but we hastened and joined Washington’s grand
army. In about a week after our arrival we had marching
orders about sunset, and marched all night. About four
o’clock in the morning we received information that Lord
Howe had the day before marched his army to take posses-
sion of Philadelphia, but had left four thousand men as a
van guard, and that Gen. Washington was intending to take
or destroy them. This information was conveyed from rank
to rank by whispers, and aroused my feelings, as I had never
seen bloodshed in all my service. However, I was deter-
mined to stick and hang. I had at that time sixty-four
rounds of cartridges with three buck shot in each.
The battle commenced at daybreak with a tremendous
roar, a little on our right by Lord Stirling, and the British
gave way. I then belonged to the left wing of the army,
commanded by Maj. Gen. Stevens of Carolina, but the fate
of the day turned against us, and we had to retrace our
steps.
After these events the army took up its winter quarters
at a place called Valley Forge, where I was stationed on
Gen. Varnum’s guard, from whence I was taken and put
under the care of a drum-major by the name of William
Chandler, and by his instructions and my own exertions I
became a good drummer, in which employ I continued
during my term of service, which was about two years.
About the last of May, I think, Lord Howe left Phila-
delphia with his army for New York. General Washington
followed himself until he arrived at Monmouth, New Jersey,
where he gave him battle, which terminated favorably for
the Americans.
After this battle the army marched to Peekskill, from
thence to White Plains, from thence to winter quarters,
some one way, some another. The Connecticut troops built
huts at Danbury in their native state. During this winter
provisions, clothing and pay became very scarce, and the
troops grew uneasy, the snow was deep and the weather
cold. About 600 of the Connecticut troops disbanded andSAMUEL BLAKESLEE’S NARRATIVE.
429
took their march for Hartford, but were met by Gen.
Putnam, and after some conversation returned to their
duty, although one man by the name of Crosby was killed.
In the month of February a draft of 150 men was sent
to New London. My captain was sent, and I was taken with
him as a drummer. My captain was Stephen Hall of Guil-
ford, father of Gen. Amos Hall of Bloomfield; but this
captain that went to New London was the same Lieut.
Chamberlain that I enlisted under, but had been promoted
to be a captain of another company. I was stationed in
Groton Fort till the troops were recalled to join the grand
army in the May following, at or near Fishkill. About the
first week in July following there was a brigade of infantry
taken out of the army. Captain Chamberlain was taken
from our regiment; I belonged to Col. Swift’s regiment.
The infantry regiment that I was put into was commanded
by Col. Meigs. Gen. Wayne commanded the brigade of
infantry, and on the 15th of July marched from Sandy
Beach, about six miles below West Point Fort, through the
woods back of the Highlands, about fourteen miles down the
river to Stony Point Fort; and on the 16th, between twelve
and one in the morning, stormed the fort, made prisoners of
the garrison, and captured all the contents, which consisted
of about 600 men, twelve pieces of artillery, magazines, etc.
This brigade lay in tents until the 31st of December,
then it broke up, and the troops from the different states re-
turned to the respective regiments from which they were
taken. The Connecticut troops were hutted in Morristown
wood, New Jersey, where I found my old company. This
was a very cold and destroying winter, both on account of
the severity of the weather, and want of provisions and
clothing for the army. About the last of March I was put
on the lines, with a large body of troops, at the town of
Springfield, where my term of enlistment expired. Here I
received an honorable discharge from the army, and returned
home to my father’s house in Connecticut, in the year 1780,
in the 21st year of my age. But it was not long before I was
drafted in the militia for a short time, and my father was
drafted again also. He being a non-commissioned officer430
SAMUEL BLAKESLEE’S NARRATIVE.
in the household band, I thought it my duty to go in his
stead, and accordingly I went for him for about two weeks.
The 20th of December I married, and lived with my
father, or rather in a part of his house, about eighteen
months, when I removed to Colebrook, having a wife and
one child. I had previously been there and taken a farm of
new land for two years of Mr. Jacob Ogden. He built me
a framed house and barn. It was in the agreement to clear
and cultivate twenty-five acres, put out an orchard, take care
of, pay the taxes, and leave it at the end of ten years. At
this time I had little or no property, but was young and
ambitious. I had no team, the land was rough and heavily
timbered, and about a mile from any road. I cleared and
finished my engagements on the farm in five years, and got
able to buy thirty-five acres one mile south, on the road near
Elijah Rockwell. While I lived on the Ogden farm Samuel,
Asenath and Joel were born. On my thirty-five acres I
built a small house, barn, and sawmill. Then I exchanged
the farm that I first went on to, for the use of another that
lay adjoining me, and afterwards bought it. Here Phebe
and Federal were born. I stayed here about five years, and
sold my thirty-five acres to Hezekiah Woodruff, and bought
out Mr. John Rockwell, adjoining me about half a mile
west.
The year after I came into Colebrook I was appointed
drum-major in the 25th regiment of militia, commanded by
Col. Aaron Austin, in which station I served ten or twelve
years, I believe. While I lived in this part of the town I
was chosen lieutenant of 117 men, commanded by Capt.
Samuel Mills, and served one year. Then a light infantry
company was raised, and being led to the choice of a captain,
I was chosen without a dissenting vote. I toasted my old
company, bid them farewell, and took charge of my infantry
company six years. During this time I sold my farm and
bought a much larger and better one in the north part of the
town. While I lived on this farm Gad, Lois Ives and John
Adams were born.
About this time there was a difficulty with the British
Government, and the Indians in the western country becameSAMUEL BLAKESLEE’S .NARRATIVE.
431
troublesome and Gen. St. Clair was defeated by them, and a
draft of militia was made out to stand in readiness to go to
the westward, if called for. The officers of our regiment
were called to attend a draft; there was one company to be
made out of the brigade, and a captain to be taken from our
regiment. After a long debate, no one was willing to stand
the draft for fear they would have to go; but there was one
captain that did not intend to fear Indian or white man. I
volunteered and a company was raised and annexed to Col.
Lyman’s regiment; but the affair blew over without my
being called for.
About this time a difficulty arose between Eliphalet
Austin and myself respecting the rank of our companies.
Our two infantry companies were raised at the same time,
his from the first battalion, mine from the second. He con-
tended for the right of the regiment on account of being
raised from the first battalion. I contended for the right of
the regiment as being his senior officer. However, after I
had taken the left of the regiment on two field days rather
than make disturbance, on the next field day I was deter-
mined to have justice done me, and refused to go on to the
left of the regiment. The adjutant ordered me on, and so
did the major, but I refused to go. The colonel ordered me
on, with a peremptory voice, or go off the field. I immedi-
ately ordered, “Shoulder arms! Support arms! by platoon
to the right wheel, music, forward march!” so left the
ground with my whole company to the astonishment of
every beholder. The brigade-general’s name was Skinner,
of Litchfield. He ordered the court martial to be convened
the next day. I appeared and had my trial, was justified in
my conduct, and myself established with my company on
the right, there ever afterward to remain.
Two years after this I received an appointment in the
13th Regiment of the Army of the United States. I accepted
the appointment and was stationed at Hebron. There I
raised a company of sixty men. My subaltern officers were
Lemuel Harrison, and Peter N. Brinsmade. From this
place I was ordered to join the regiment at New Haven,
commanded by Col. Timothy Taylor, and from thence
marched to New Jersey, joined the brigade, and encamped482
SAMUEL B LAKES LEES NARRATIVE.
at or near Cold Plains (?) till the 14th of June after, when
the army was disbanded and I returned home to my family.
I was now forty years of age.
It is worthy of remark that the Connecticut regiment
during fifteen months of service, never lost a man by death,
except Roger Alger, a soldier in my company who had such
a bruising from another soldier that he finally died, being
imprudent and taking cold.
But my military mind was not yet satisfied, and being
wholly out of command by reason of my leaving the regi-
ment of militia, and my place being filled there, I applied to
Col. Jones, then commanding the regiment, and took upon
me the adjutancy for two years; then I was appointed first
major, and served two years; then colonel and served two
years.
I was then chosen Representative to the General Assem-
bly to be convened at New Haven in October, and after
taking into consideration the situation of my family, thought
it would be my duty to abandon military life. While I was
at the Assembly I handed in my resignation, which was
granted me by the Lower House, but refused me in the
Upper House. A committee was appointed from both
houses to confer with me, and said that there were more
honorable stations for me to fill, and the State would support
loss in consequence of my dismission. However I insisted
on a dismission, which was granted me on the last day of the
session. The next April I was again elected to the Assembly,
to be convened at Hartford, and accordingly went.
About this time I sold all my property in Colebrook and
removed my family to Avon, Ontario County (now Living-
ston), New York, where I have since remained. I left Cole-
brook on the 26th of January and arrived at Avon (then
Hartford), on the 12th of February, 1808. My wife died
on the 29th of November, 1812, and I was married on the
nth of December, 1814, to the amiable widow Rebecca
Pearson, the consort to the late Mr. John Pearson, deceased.
When the late war broke out it was thought best by Maj.
Gen. Hall that each town should raise a company from the
exempts from military duty, and as I felt a little of the oldSAMUEL BLAKESLEE’S NARRATIVE.
433
Revolutionary spirit enkindled within me, I enlisted a com-
pany from the exempts, not to go to war but to defend off in
case of distress. After their enlistment I was chosen their
captain, and Col. Markham their lieutenant, and the com-
pany was filled up with officers by the choice of the soldiers.
The alarm came from the westward, and I started with
sixteen of my men in a snow-storm, and gave orders for
volunteers to come on without description. Before I left
Avon I was joined by Capt. Tyler, with sixteen men from
Livonia, and by my old title of Colonel Capt. Tyler chose to
put himself under my command. We marched on together
as far as Batavia. I acted and expected to act as captain,
but on my arrival at Batavia it was ordered that Colonel
Blakeslee’s men should be mustered, reviewed, and armed.
I had at this time but thirty-two men, including Capt.
Tyler’s.
At this time the road, the taverns, and the stores were
crowded with a confused mass of people. A thought struck
me that it was possible that I might stick another military
feather in my cap. I drew my sword and marched through
the streets of Batavia, with martial music, three times, crying
out, “Who volunteers with Col. Blakeslee, a short tour to the
westward, in defense of the just rights of our country?”
Then I dressed my men on parade, and informed the inspec-
tor that myself and men were ready for inspection; and at
the inspection I found that I had about 230 men brave and
gallant. Thus I became lieutenant-colonel of the New York
Volunteers.
I took up my march for Buffalo, after receiving a few
arms and a little ammunition. I was informed that Capt.
Robert Mackay commanding a company of Scotch militia
from the town of Caledonia in the county of Genesee (now
Livingston), had requested of Maj. Gen. Hall to be annexed
with his company to the Ontario Volunteers. This aroused
my military feelings, knowing him to be a brave Scotchman
by birth, not wanting for courage, and knowing his company
to be brave Scotchmen. I thought with this captain and men
that I should not be afraid to speak with any enemy in the
gates. Accordingly I pressed oh my regiment as fast as was434
SAMUEL BLAKESLEE’S NARRATIVE.
consistent until I had overtaken my brave Scotchman about
fifteen or eighteen miles this side of Buffalo. Here he did
me the honor of uniting himself and men to my regiment.
We took up our march and arrived at Buffalo about sunset.
The troops came in from the eastward, and Gen. Hall
directed all the eastern troops to report themselves to Col.
Blakeslee that evening, and the next day there was added to
my regiment all the troops east of Genesee River. The next
day at evening I received orders from the commanding
general to organize a regimental band of field and staff
officers. Accordingly I collected the officers and after stating
to them my general’s orders, had them choose for a major,
which was done by ballot. Col. Gardner, a volunteer from
West Bloomfield, was chosen. Henry Adams, Esq., was
chosen adjutant; a brave, active young man from East
Bloomfield, who merits well of his country. Capt. Asa
Knowland (?) of Avon was chosen quartermaster, and
worthy the rank conferred on him. He was a ready scribe.
The next day I received orders to prepare my regiment
for a general review, and accordingly I marched my men
onto the grand parade and joined the other regiments that
had come into Buffalo. The troops that were reviewed were
2,011, including eighty-three Indians, commanded I think by
Capt. Gordan. My regiment consisted of ten companies
amounting to 433 men commanded by the following captains:
Robert Mackay, Caledonia; Ezekiel Wadsworth, Avon;
David Bigelow, Avon; ------— Tyler, Livonia; Thomas Peck,
Lima; ------Parish, Lima; ------Hamdon, East Bloomfield;
Rowley, Victor; -----Morehouse, Victor.
Being the largest regiment on the ground, the regiment
was filled with staff officers the evening before. The next
day there was nothing done worthy of note until evening,
when I received orders in case of alarm to repair with my
men to the grand parade. About eleven o’clock the alarm
gun was fired, the men were quickly in motion and on parade.
Here my regiment stood ready about four hours. It was a
very cold night; the wind was from the lake, and the men
were very uncomfortable. However I did not dismount
my horse but once, and then in order to take a little spirits.SAMUEL BLAKESLEE’S NARRATIVE.
435
During our stay on parade there had been several unsuc-
cessful detachments sent down to Black Rock. A body of
British troops and Indians had landed that evening and lay
in ambush. These detachments of militia had been sent
down at the flash of a few British guns; a few wounded
men fled back into the woods.
About four o’clock in the morning, Dec. 30, 1813, I was
ordered to march with my regiment down to the Rock, and
do the best I could, but be sure to keep good my flanks. I
had not ever been at the Rock, and the night was dark. I
requested a pilot, and a brave Sergeant Smith volunteered
his services, and directed me safely onto the field of slaugh-
ter. A little before I halted my regiment I met Col. Chapin,
who had been unsuccessful with his detachment. Of him I
got information that a small party of British were landed
and in ambush, and being by some circumstances convinced
there were but few of them, was very urgent that I should
destroy them.
We went on till the British fired a few shots on a party
of horsemen commanded by Lieut. Boughton, which was
about twenty rods in my front. Here I displayed columns
and formed my regiment fronting the enemy. The regiment
was in two battalions, the first commanded by myself, and
the second by Major Gardner. In this situation I called a
council of war, consisting of myself, Col. Chapin, Maj.
Gardner, and Mr. Adams my adjutant. It was agreed best
to attack the British and not wait for them to attack us.
The plan of operation was this: That I should march the
first battalion with charged bayonets, and not fire until we
had landed our bayonets amongst the British soldiers, and
as soon as I had left the ground, Major Gardner was to
march his battalion onto the ground that I had occupied and
stand ready to take the second charge in case I failed in the
first.
I gave my orders accordingly; the men being prepared I
gave the word “Shoulder arms.” This plan had it been
pursued would have been very rash, and I should have lost
myself and regiment. At the instant that I was about to436
SAMUEL BLARES LEE’S NARRATIVE.
give the word “Charge,” and march, Capt. Rowley stepped
from the ranks to me and very politely said,
“Colonel, we are willing to fight, but would it not be
more prudent to wait a few minutes? It is about daybreak,
and then we can better know how to fight and what we are
fighting.”
I thought that his observations were good, and I em-
braced them and waited for daylight, which soon came; and
whilst waiting for light the artillery from both sides of the
river began to play. The British threw hot shot, spherical,
and bomb-shells, which made a grand military display. I
continued my position for about twenty minutes, when an
express arrived from Gen. Hall for me to return, for the
British boats were discovered to be crossing the river above
us, and to meet them if possible at the water’s edge. I imme-
diately wheeled off my regiment by platoons, and with a
forced march met them a few rods from the shore, and poured
in such a shower of balls among them that out of three boat-
loads, sixty men in each, there was but about fourteen [or
seventeen; MS. obscure] left that were not killed or
wounded. Here I lost a few men. Capt. Tyler was shot
dead. The British and Indians that I had left behind arose
from their ambush and followed me to this place. After
destroying the men in the boats, I faced the regiment about
and attacked them in good earnest. There were, according
to the best information I can get, about 800 British and 200
Indians. A number of brave men joined in the action from
other regiments that had been scattered in the night. This
attack on the British, and their attack on us, continued one
hour; but we being overpowered by numbers and disci-
pline, a retreat became necessary, which was made in much
confusion.
The British set fire to the village of Black Rock, and
marched to Buffalo, which they pillaged and partly burned,
and then recrossed to Canada. Thus the fortune of the day
was against us. My men being scattered, most of them
having gone home, I had no command, and stayed at Eleven-
mile creek the next day, having no command, although there
were a few men staying about there.SAMUEL BLARES LEE’S NARRATIVE.
437
The day following, which was the ist of January, 1814,
the British troops came across and destroyed the remainder
of Buffalo. What few men could be collected were marched
towards Buffalo, but for want of numbers and ammunition
on our part, there was but little fighting done, and but two
or three killed on either side. About eleven o’clock in the
evening I set out for home, which I reached in safety in
about three days.
In the action at Black Rock, Major Gardner was
wounded in the thigh and made prisoner. Capt. Robert
Mackay and about fifty men were made prisoners and sent
to Montreal. These men were made prisoners because they
would rather fight than run. During the action, I being on
horseback, the commanding officer of the British about
eight rods distant, observed me, and ordered a volley of balls
to be poured on me, saying,
“If that old devil lives we shall lose the day. Kill him
and the day is our own.”
His orders were obeyed, and I received the shot without
winking, and received no harm except a small wound in the
foot of my boot, which was easily mended by a shoemaker.
There were four [or some? MS. obscure] females taken
over the river from Lewiston. The British officer ordered
them to be sent back, and asked them what old man that was
that fought so like the devil at Black Rock? And being
informed that it was a Col. Blakeslee that commanded a
regiment of Federalists from Ontario, “Give my compli-
ments to the old gentleman,” said he; “and tell him that I
would rather fight three Democrat regiments than one
Federal one, for they fight more like devils than men.”
The Blakeslees have generally been tall stout men.
Among them there have been several men of military fame
by sea and land, and several eminent divines, generally of
the Episcopalian order. There was a Col. Blakeslee in
Vermont that perished with the cold in trying to cross the
Green Mountains. In the late war a Capt. Blakeslee distin-
guished himself in a naval action with the British. I never
heard of one being promoted higher than colonel. There438	SAMUEL BLAKESLEE’S NARRATIVE.
have been a number of eminent physicians in the family and
a number of a philosophical turn of mind.
Note. Mr. Blakeslee’s manuscript continues with a few anecdotes about
his father and other members of the family, of no interest or value to the gen-
eral reader. He mentions as remarkable the fact that the anvil which his fore-
fathers brought from England, had been kept in the family of Blakeslees at
Roxbury until about “two years, since,” or 1820. The journal concludes with
the following memoranda, written some ten years after the main portion:
“In August 1832 I was at Wallingford. My brothers Joseph, John and
Asel Blakeslee were dead. Lois Andrus and Vincy Miller, my two sisters,
were dead, and no one of our original family living except myself and my
sister Thankful, the widow of Jonathan Moss, who since the death of my sister
Lois Andrus has been married to Mr. Andrus. By the help of my sister Thank-
ful and my brother’s widow I enumerated the posterity of my parents that were
now living, and found them to be something rising of two hundred.”