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PIONEER HISTORY 
 
 OF THE 
 
 HOLLAND PUKCHASE 
 
 OF 
 
 WESTERN NEW YORK: 
 
 EMBRACING 
 
 SOME ACCOUNT OF THE ANCIENT REMAINS: 
 
 A BRIEF HISTORY OF 
 
 OUR IMMEDIATE PREDECESSORS, THE CONFEDERATED IROQUOIS, THEIR SYSTEM 
 
 OF GOVERNMENT, WARS, ETC. A SYNOPSIS OF COLONIAL HISTORY I 
 
 SOME NOTICES OF THE BORDER WARS OF THE REVOLUTION: 
 
 AND A HISTORY OF 
 
 PIONEER SETTLEMENT 
 
 UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE HOLLAND COMPANY; 
 INCLUDING 
 
 REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR OF 18 12; 
 
 THE ORIGIN, PROGRESS AND COMPLETION OF THE 
 
 ERIE CANAL, 
 
 ETC. ETC. ETC. 
 
 BY O. TURNER. 
 
 BUFFALO: 
 
 PUBLISHED BY JEWETT, THOMAS <k CO. 
 
 GEO. U. DERBY & CO. 
 
 1849. 
 
Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1849, by O. Turner, in the 
 Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Northern District of New York. 
 
 JEWETT, THOMAS &. CO. 
 BTKRE0TYPER3 AND PRINTERS, 
 Euffalo, N. Y. 
 
 r 
 
SUR^MVING PIONEERS 
 
 AND 
 
 DESCENDANTS OF PIONEERS, 
 
 OF THE 
 
 HOLLAND PURCHASE, 
 
 THIS WORK IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, BY 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Read the Preface ! A command that may be regarded as too imper- 
 ative, and yet one that an author has some right to make, in consideration 
 of the deep interest which he may be supposed to have in its observance. 
 Having prepared an entertainment, as he is about to open the door to his 
 guests, it is quite natural he should wish to pass them in with his own 
 introduction. 
 
 First, as to the general plan of the work : — There may be readers of it 
 who have anticipated a history more strictly local in its character, than 
 they will find this. It was the original intention, of the author to have 
 commenced with the close of the Revolution, and traced settlement and its 
 progress westward, very much as has been done, with the exception of a 
 more extended detail. Upon proceeding to his task, however, after mate- 
 rials for it had been collected, the important -consideration presented itself, 
 that, although there existed, in detached forms, sketches of the earliest 
 approaches of civilization to this region — of early colonization tending in 
 this direction — of the French and Indian and French and English wars; 
 the long contest for supremacy and dominion; the occupancy of that 
 extraordinary race of men, the Jesuit Missionaries; the Border Wars of 
 the Revolution ; still, there was no history extant that connected all this, 
 and furnished an unbroken chain of events allied to the region of Western 
 New York, and especially the Holland Purchase. The distinguished 
 historian, Mr. Bancroft, was the first to draw from French sources any 
 considerable amount of the history of French occupancy of the valley 
 of the St. Lawrence, and the borders of our lakes and rivers; of the 
 advents of Jesuit Missionaries, and their cotemporaries, the fur traders; 
 and embellish his country's history with a long series of interesting events, 
 before almost unnoticed. But little could be gathered by an humble local 
 historian, after such a gleaner had passed over the gTound ; but his work 
 is of a magnitude to preclude access to it, by the great mass of readers ; 
 
Vi PREFACE. 
 
 and tliat portion of it having reference to this region, but incidental to the 
 o-eneral history of the United States. Aside from this, the early history of 
 our reo-ion, embracing the periods and events alluded to, was to be found 
 only in detached forms — much of it in old newspaper files and magazmes 
 — in conditions to make it generally inaccessible. 
 
 Havino- adopted the title, Pioneer History of the Holland Purchase, 
 early events, the first glimpses that our own race had of this region, was 
 indicated as the starting point; and taking position there, the necessity 
 of going even still farther back, seemed involved. The ancient remains, 
 the mysterious, rude fortifications upon the bluffs, ridges, and banks of 
 streams, throuo-hout our local region, form an interesting feature, and one 
 that claimed a place in our local annals. Some account of our immediate 
 predecessors, the Seneca Iroquois, was suggested as coming within the 
 immediate 'range of local history ; and especially as they were to be 
 mingled in almost our entire narrative. All that relates to them possesses 
 a peculiar interest; that which relates to the system of government of 
 the confederacy to which they belong, is a branch of their history but 
 recently investigated to any considerable extent; is far less generally 
 understood than most things appertaining to them, and has therefore been 
 made to occupy a prominent position in that portion of the work.* 
 
 As civilization approached this region, from that direction, colonization 
 upon the St. Lawrence has necessarily been the main feature of that 
 portion of the work having reference to European Pioneer advents. 
 Enough, however, of early colonization elsewhere has been embraced, to 
 afford a glimpse of cotemporary events ; and especially such as finally had 
 a bearing upon events in this quarter. Starting principally with the 
 advent of Champlain, a connected chain of events has been attempted, 
 extending through long and eventful years, down to the extinguishing 
 of the Indian title, the advent of the Holland Company, Pioneer settlement 
 under their auspices, and the two prominent events, the war of 1812, and 
 the construction of the Erie Canal, belonging to a later period. The title 
 of the work, of itself, indicates its general character, and the intention 
 of the author not to embrace events, generally, beyond early settlement, — 
 pioneer advents. Another volume would have been necessary, had it 
 been concluded to extend the work to a later period ; and besides, as a 
 
 * The credit of a thorough investigation of this admirable specimen of Indian 
 legislation — of unschooled forest statesmanship — and wisdom, if we regard its prac- 
 tical workings — belongs to Lewis H. Morgan^ Esq. of Rochester, who communicated 
 the result of his labors, in numbers, to the North American Review. In reading his 
 essays, it is difficult to determine which most to admire, the careful and industrious 
 researches of the author, in a matter so difficult to comprehend, with no records, and 
 little beyond obscure tradition for his guides; or the zealous and lively feelings he 
 manifests, in every thing that concerns the character and welfare of the unfortunate 
 race whose interesting traditions he has aided in rescuing from oblivion. 
 
PREFACE. Vll 
 
 general rule, public events should not assume the form of history, imtil 
 time has ripened them for it ; and especially such as have involved contro- 
 versy, many of the prominent actors in which may survive — the asperities 
 it engendered, unobliterated. A political history of the Holland Purchase, 
 has formed no part of the plan of work; on the contrary, even allusions 
 to partisan contentions have been mostly avoided. That should form a 
 distinct branch of history; its appropriate alliance is with the general 
 history of the state ; and those who may desire to study it, have the means 
 furnished them in the candid and impartial work of Judge Hammond. 
 
 The range of the work thus extended, its magnitude has been increased 
 far beyond the original design. In adopting the general plan, there was a 
 purpose to be subserved, in addition to those that have been named. Had 
 the work been merely a history of settlement and local events upon the 
 Holland Purchase, it must necessarily have been one of considerable 
 magnitude — attended Avith an expense that any prospective local sale 
 would not have warranted. It has therefore been the aim of the author, 
 to impart to it both a local and general interest; how far he has been 
 successful, time, and the ordeal to which he submits his labors, must 
 determine. From the moment the general plan of the work was adopted, 
 and its expense to the purchaser enhanced beyond the mark originally 
 indicated, it has been the constant aim of the author to give it a corres- 
 ponding value. It will be seen that little expensi,e has been spared in its 
 mechanical execution ; and the author flatters himself that the twenty-two 
 illustrations will be adequately appreciated by those who possess themselves 
 of a copy of the work. The Maps of the eight Counties have been 
 prepared by a competent hand, carefully adapted to locaUties as they now 
 exist, and may be considei'ed of themselves as ha\-ing an intrinsic value, 
 equal to any addition that has been made to the price of the work, from 
 the lowest sum that has been named in connection with the enterprize; 
 while the number of excellent Portraits of distinguished Pioneers, have 
 been extended far beyond what was originally contemplated. The careful 
 legal deduction of title in the Appendix, in addition to the historical 
 deduction in the body of the work, will be found a valuable accession to 
 law libraries, while it will aid the general reader in a better understanding 
 of that subject, than can be obtained from any facilities hitherto furnished 
 in a form of general access. 
 
 It is hardly necessary to inform the intelligent reader, that Mr. Ban- 
 croft's History of the United States has been the basis of all that relates 
 to French and English occupancy ; though the author has been materially 
 aided by Lanman's History of Michigan, and Brown's History of Illinois, 
 both of which had traced events from the mouth of the St. Lawrence to 
 
Vlll PREFACE. 
 
 their local regions; and he regards himself as somewhat fortunate, in 
 havinrv been enabled to add, from various sources, no inconsiderable 
 amount of materials that have hitherto had no place in history, other than 
 in the form of manuscript records, neglected newspaper files, or among the 
 collections of Historical Societies.* If, as most historians are obliged to 
 do, he has been under the necessity of culling his materials, in many 
 instances, from iields already explored, he may, perhaps, without incurring 
 the charge of egotism, assume that he has occasionally been enabled to 
 bring fresh contributions to the common stock of historical knowledge. 
 
 There arc those to whom the author is indebted for local statistics, who 
 will miss a portion of their contributions. The omissions have been reluc- 
 tantly made. To have carried out the plan of giving in detail, all that 
 related to early county and town organizations, would have been to exclude 
 large portions of the work that were deemed more essential, and it is 
 hoped, will prove in the end quite as acceptable. It was intended, 
 however, to have given sketches of the first organization of all the Coun- 
 ties; but that intention has been but imperfectly consummated, owing 
 principally, to the absence of the necessary materials. The records of the 
 primitive organization of the Courts, etc. of old Niagara, were inaccessible, 
 owing to the condition in which the large mass of records were in, prepara- 
 tory to a new arrangement of them, in the Clerk's office of Erie. The 
 author unexpectedly failed in procuring the primitive records of Chautau- 
 que and Allegany. 
 
 It was a paramount object in giving sketches of the Pioneer settlement 
 of the Holland Purchase, to embrace as many of the names, and as much 
 of personal reminiscences, as practicable. To this end, the general plan 
 was adopted, of giving a list of all who took contracts previous to January 
 1st, 1807; and of the first five or six, and sometimes more, of those who 
 took contracts in all the townships upon the Purchase that were not broken 
 into previous to that date. These lists have been made with a great deal 
 of care and labor, and yet, there are undoubtedly many errors in them. 
 Contracts in many instances, were in the name of those who never became 
 settlers, and in numerous other instances perhaps, there were transfers 
 of contracts, the name of the actual settler not appearing upon the contract 
 books. Although there are in these tabular lists, and in various other 
 forms, the names of four or five thousand of the Pioneers upon the Holland 
 Purchase, the author has sincerely to regret, in many instances, the 
 omission of the names of early, prominent Pioneers. These omissions are 
 principally of those who became settlers after January 1st, 1807, and were 
 
 * A principal one, haviug been that of the State of Maryland, as indicated in some 
 portions of the work. 
 
PREFACE. IX 
 
 not the earliest in their respective townships. The Table in the Appendix, 
 containing a list of the townships, with reference to towns as they now 
 exist, will be found useful, in designating the localities of early settlement. 
 
 Errors in dates, names, and events, in reference to Pioneer settlement, 
 will undoubtedly be found ; in some instances they were unavoidable. They 
 have depended, of course, mainly, upon the memory of the aged and 
 infirm. None but those who have been enrao-ed in o-athering reminiscences 
 from such sources, can know their liability to errror and discrepancies. 
 Any two or three will seldom agree in their recollections. In many in- 
 stances interesting reminiscences have been omitted, where it was impossible 
 to reconcile conflicting statements. It is presumed, upon a consciousness of 
 having exercised great care in this respect, that but few material errors will 
 be found ; where such exist, and the author is referred to them, they will 
 be corrected in a second edition. 
 
 Much as perhaps the necessity of apologies may be indicated throughout 
 the work, they will be indulged in but sparingly. Intelligent narrative has 
 been the highest mark aimed at in its literary execution. Long accustomed, 
 as the author has been, to writing for the newspaper press — a branch of 
 composition where a careful weighing of words and sentences is generally 
 precluded by exigencies allied to it — he may have brought to his new task 
 something of habit thus acquired, and incurred the just criticism of those 
 who apply to the work no more than fair tests, or subject it to no more 
 than a liberal ordeal. Reared amid the most rugged scenes of Pioneer 
 life upon the Holland Purchase, with little of early opportunities for educa- 
 tion, beyond those afforded in the primitive log school house, he can prefer 
 no claim to any considerable attainments in scholarship ; and submits a 
 work to the public, of the character and pretensions of this, not in the 
 absence of an anxiety, and a distrust, which may be supposed to arise from 
 a consciousness of what he has thus frankly acknowledged. " Literary 
 leisure," so essential to the faultless execution of such a task as this has 
 been, he has not enjoyed. It is about eighteen months since the collection 
 of materials was commenced; during the fore part of that period, a connec- 
 tion with a newspaper necessarily divided the time and attention of the 
 Author; and since the preparation of the work for the press commenced, 
 his own ill health, consequent upon a phyical constitution much impaired, 
 and ill health in his family, have been the cause of frequent interruptions. 
 Much the largest portion of the work has been prepared since the printing 
 commenced. All this is not intended to disarm any just and fair criticism; 
 but may perhaps, with some propriety, be preferred to break the force of 
 technical cavilling, or the asperities of faultfinding, if they are encountered. 
 
 It only remains to make" personal acknowledgments of the kind offices 
 and essential aids of those who have cooperated in the enterprise : — To 
 
X PREFACE. 
 
 the Hon. Washington Hunt, of Niagara, for early encouragement to 
 embark in it, and generous assistance, whenever needed, in its progress ; 
 and to the Hon. Hiram Gardner, of Lockport, and the Hon. Wm. Buel, 
 of Rochester, the Author is under hke obhgations. To his brother, C. P. 
 Turner, Esq. of Black Rock, who, in various ways, has lent his zealous 
 cooperation and assistance. 
 
 To Lyman C. Draper, Esq. a resident of Philadelphia, but a native of 
 the Holland Purchase, for essential aid in procuring valuable and rare 
 materials for the work. Leaving this region an ambitious boy, in search of 
 an education ; that acquired, he engaged in historical researches, and now 
 enjoys a well earned fame for valuable contributions to American history. 
 Apprised of the Author's intention to commence this work, prompted by 
 private friendship, and a laudable zeal to aid in the history of the region 
 in which his parents were Pioneers, he has volunteered to search the ar- 
 chives of historical societies, and give to the work the benefit of his discov- 
 eries. He is now engaged in Philadelphia, in preparing for the press " The 
 Life and Times of Gen. George Rogers Clark, of Kentucky," and intends 
 to follow it up with histories of others of the prominent pioneers of the 
 Valley of the Mississippi. 
 
 To 0. H. Marshall, Esq. of Buffalo, for free access to a library, in 
 which he has gratified a highly cultivated hterary taste, by the accumula- 
 tion of rare works, in various departments of American history. Meeting 
 him as a stranger, the Author has found in him a friend, patiently and 
 generously, from time to time, cooperating in his enterprise, and giving 
 him the benefit of his more than ordinary familiarity with early Colonial 
 history, and all that relates to our immediate predecessors, the Seneca 
 Iroquois. 
 
 To Ebenezer Mix, Esq. of Batavia, for the benefit of his long familiar 
 acquaintance with the Holland Purchase, and the details of the Land 
 Office, in the preparation of the Maps, the Topographical Sketch, and the 
 deduction of title in the Appendix. To Gov. Cass, of Michigan, and the 
 Hon. Henry C. Murphy, of Long Island, for the possession of books and 
 pamphlets, essential to the work. To James D. Bemis, Esq. of Canan- 
 daigua, the respected Father of the Press of Western New York, for early 
 cooperation in the enterprize ; and to Judge Oliver Phelps, of the same 
 place, for free access to the papers of his grandfather, the patroon of 
 settlement, whose brief biography is given in the body of the work. To 
 the Members of the Buffalo Young Men's Association, for the benefit of 
 free access to their extensive Library, and* all the faciUties their praise- 
 worthy institution afforded. To Henry O'Rielly, Esq. for the possession 
 of valuable papers that he had accumulated with reference to an historical 
 enterprise that it is hoped he will yet find leisure to consummate. To the 
 
PREFACE. XI 
 
 young friend of the author, Daniel W. Ballou, Jr. of Lockport, whom 
 he transferred from his place as compositor in a printing office, to assist 
 him as a copyist; for aid in historical researches he had so well qualified 
 himself to render, by early studious habits, and an employment of his 
 leisure hours in the laudable pursuit of knowledge. To all, who are 
 identified in the body of the work, as having lent their cooperation and 
 assistance ; and especially to such surviving Pioneers as have cheerfully 
 ffiven the author the benefit of their recollections. 
 
 D 
 
 The Author closes with an acknowledgement of his obligations to the 
 enterprising Printers and Publishers, Messrs. Jewett, Thomas, & Co. 
 prompted as well by a sense of gratitude for their uniform personal 
 courtesy and kindness, as by the gratification which is derived from seeing 
 his work go out from their hands so good a specimen of the progress of 
 the art of typography upon the Holland Purchase ; and so creditable to a 
 craft with which he has himself been so long identified. 
 
 Note. — The Portraits in the work are mostly daguerreotype transfers from oil paint- 
 ings, made at the Gallery of Messrs. Evans & PowELso>f, Buffalo. To the correctness 
 of tho transfers, their excollenco is in a great measure to bo attributed; though their 
 after execution is regarded as a creditable specimen of the progress of the art of Litho- 
 graphy in the United States. The artists employed upon the illustrations are indicated 
 by their names. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Page. 
 Ancient Pre-occupants of Western N. 
 
 York, 17 
 
 Ancient Relics, 19 
 
 Ancient Battle Field, 30 
 
 Aurora, remains and implements found 30 
 
 An aged Indian, 31 
 
 Ancient works at Lancaster and Shelby 35 
 
 Antiquity of the Iroquois, 48 
 
 Arrangement of Tribes a( the Council 
 
 Fires 59 
 
 Allouez Ill, 113 
 
 Aix La Chappelle, treaty of 1748, 177 
 
 Amherst, General 205, 217 
 
 Account of a French Colony, 1655, 243 
 
 Arnold, Benedict 272 
 
 Alden, Col 275 
 
 Allan, Ebenezer 296 
 
 Autrechy, Alex'r 414 
 
 Alexander, 531 
 
 Allegany County, 579 
 
 Attica, 532 
 
 Brebeuf's journey to the Neuter Nation 65 
 
 Biart, Father. . .'. 99 
 
 Barre, De La 137 
 
 Blacksmith's Tradition, 150 
 
 Burnet, Gov. William 175 
 
 Barnwell 179 
 
 Bradstreet, Col 204, 233, 234 
 
 Brief notices of events under English 
 
 dominion, 226 
 
 Battle near Buffalo, 231 
 
 Burnt Ship Bay 233 
 
 Border Wars of the Revolution, 253 
 
 Brant — Thayendanega, 259 
 
 Brant, John 263 
 
 Butler, Col. Zebulon 274 
 
 Builer, Col. John 274, 278 
 
 Boyd, Lieut 279 
 
 Butler, Walter 282 
 
 Brief Biographical Sketches, 286 
 
 Butler, Thomas 317 
 
 Bruff, Capt 348 
 
 Butler, Richard 349 
 
 Boughton, Jared 378 
 
 Page. 
 
 Blackman, Mrs 386 
 
 Barton, Benj 392 
 
 Brisbane, James 416 
 
 Butfalo, 418, 498 
 
 Burr, Aaron 419 
 
 Busti, Paul 426 
 
 Batavia, 464, 545 
 
 Bush, Wm. H 471 
 
 Blacksnake, Gov 509 
 
 Brief reminiscences of the war of 1812 584 
 
 Burning of Buffalo 597 
 
 Buffalo" Gazette, 601 
 
 Brown, Major General, 608 
 
 Bouck, Wm. C 631 
 
 Changes of time, 19 
 
 Clinton, De Witt 20, 623 
 
 Cuisick's History, (note) 29 
 
 Captives of the Iroquois, 45 
 
 Council of the League, 50 
 
 Civil and Militaiy Relations of the 
 
 Iroquois, 52 
 
 Consanguinity of the Iroquois, 56 
 
 Cabot, John and Sebastian 71 
 
 Cortereal, Gaspar 72 
 
 Cartier, James 77,79 
 
 Champlain, Samuel 84,109 
 
 Company of New France, 108 
 
 Colonists of New France, (note) 109 
 
 Colbert, 112 
 
 Charlevoix's Description of Niagara 
 
 Falls, 194 
 
 Crown Point 216 
 
 Church at Lewiston, 265 
 
 Campbell, Mrs. (note) 276 
 
 Clinton, General James 277 
 
 Chamberlin, Hinds 321 
 
 Cornplanter's Speech, 335 
 
 Culver, Oliver 387 
 
 Cazenovo, Theophilus 425 
 
 Commencement of settlement and its 
 
 Progress to 1812, 445 
 
 Chapin, Cyrenius 452, 593 
 
 Clinton, Gov. George 466, 620 
 
 Chipman, Lemuel 481 
 
INDEX. 
 
 XIU 
 
 Cook, Lemuel 496 
 
 Grouse, Peter R 510 
 
 Cuba, 538 
 
 Coon, Alexander 552 
 
 Carpenter, Rev. James 553 
 
 Carey, Ebenezer 568 
 
 Chautauque County, 570 
 
 Cattaraugus County, 578 
 
 Cook, Lothrop and Bates 592 
 
 Cass's visit to Niagara Frontier, 604 
 
 Commerce of the Upper Lakes, 638 
 
 Colles, Christopher 619 
 
 Dominion of the Iroquois, 41 
 
 Decay of the Iroquois, 43 
 
 Discoveries by Europeans, accidental 90 
 De Laet's Description of New Neth- 
 erlands, 91 
 
 Dutch trade with the Natives, 91 
 
 Duhaut, 131 
 
 Dulbut 137 
 
 Dongan, Gov 138, 158, 162 
 
 De Nonville's Expedition, 143 
 
 Dallion, Joseph De La Roch%. 192 
 
 Dieskau, 200 
 
 Du Quesne, Fort 205 
 
 Devil's Hole, 227 
 
 Dorchester's, Lord, Indian Speech,... 342 
 
 Dunham, Gideon 467 
 
 Dunn, Jeptha 497 
 
 Doolittle, Ormus and Reuben 533 
 
 Douglass' description of Buffalo 606 
 
 Equahty of the Iroquois Confederacy, 59 
 Early European Voyages and Discov- 
 eries, 71 
 
 Exports of Fur, 91 
 
 Early Notices of Niagara Fails, 192 
 
 Early glimpses of Western New York, 236 
 
 Ellicott, Joseph 404, 412, 430 
 
 Ellicott, Benjamin 408, 432 
 
 Ellicott, Andrew 432 
 
 Evans, David E 442 
 
 Egleston, George 414 
 
 Eddy, David 475 
 
 Erie County, 575 
 
 Erie Canal 617 
 
 Eddy, Thomas 624 
 
 Fort Hill, 31, 152 
 
 Franciscans, 93 
 
 First vessels upon the Upper Lakes, 116 
 
 Frontenac, Count 137, 162, 170, 172 
 
 Frontenac, Fort 161 
 
 Fur Trade, 223 
 
 Farmers Brother 230, 291 
 
 Fairbanks, Joshua 319 
 
 Frontier Posts after peace of 1783, ... 338 
 First assault and batter}' case in Buffalo 414 
 First crops raised on the Holland 
 
 Purchase, 490 
 
 Foster, Mrs. Anna 470 
 
 Page. 
 First settlers on the Holland Purchase, 
 from the commencement of land 
 
 sales to 1807 454 
 
 First settlers in townships, from ISOB 
 
 to 1821, 526 
 
 Farmersville, 540 
 
 Fillmore, Rev. Gleason 546 
 
 Fort Niagara 183, 206, 590 
 
 Geographical pofition of the Iroquois, 42 
 
 Goshnold 80 
 
 Griffin, the 121, 126, 133 
 
 Garangula 138, 142 
 
 Graffenried 178 
 
 Greonhalph, Wentworth 236 
 
 Gansevoort, Col 269, 272 
 
 Glimpses of Western New York after 
 
 ■ the Revolution, 310 
 
 Gould, John 313 
 
 Gorham, Nathaniel, 329 
 
 Green, John 508 
 
 Garnsev, Hon. D. G 511, 642 
 
 Grilfith', Eh 516 
 
 Griffin, John 538 
 
 Genesee County 574 
 
 Human bones excavated, 27 
 
 Ho-de-rio-sau-nee 42 
 
 Henry VII 71 
 
 Hochelaga 78 
 
 Hunt, Capt 81 
 
 Hudson, Henry 82, 87 
 
 Hennepin's account of La Salle's boat, 1 19 
 
 Hennepin, 129 
 
 Hennepin's account of the Falls, 193 
 
 Hudson Bay Company, 222 
 
 Herkimer, General, 268 
 
 Hopkins, Silas 310 
 
 Hosmer, Timothy 376 
 
 Historical Deduction of Holland Com- 
 pany Title, 401 
 
 Haudecour 414 
 
 Howell, Hon. Nathaniel W 417 
 
 Hamilton, Alexander 418 
 
 Hopkins, Gen'l Timothy S 421 
 
 Holland Go's. West Geneseo Lands, 424 
 
 Hurd, Reuben 497 
 
 Hoops, Maj. Adam 504 
 
 Hart, Joseph 554 
 
 Hall, General .594 
 
 Hawlev, Jessee 621, 629 
 
 Holley; Myron 626 
 
 Indications of preceding Races, 18 
 
 Indian Burial Grounds, 26 
 
 Indian Remains on Genesee River, 36 
 
 Iroquois or Five Nations, 40 
 
 Independence of each Indian Nation, 51 
 
 Iroquois Laws of Descent, 56 
 
 Indian Treatment of Children, 64 
 
 Indian Trade, 175 
 
 Indian Treaties for Lands, 304 
 
XIV 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Joliet, 114, 117 
 
 Joutel, 132 
 
 Joncairo, 184, 18G 
 
 Journal of the Seige of Fort Niagara, 209 
 Johnson, Sir William. 217, 228, 233, 247 
 
 Johnson, Guy 255 
 
 Johnson, Sir John 265, 267 
 
 Jones, Horatio 286 
 
 Jemison, Marj- 293 
 
 Jemison, John 295 
 
 Johnston, Capt. Wm 411, 498 
 
 Kienuka, 26 
 
 Kah-Kwahs 30 
 
 Kirkland's Visit to Genesee, 36 
 
 Kirkland's Observations on Indian 
 
 Remains, 37 
 
 Kirkland, Rev. Samuel 238 
 
 Kelsey, Jehiel 383 
 
 Kemp, Burgoyne 387 
 
 L'Allemant, 65 
 
 Letters Patent, 81 
 
 Leon, Ponce De 90 
 
 Loyola, Ignatius 95 
 
 LaSalle, 116 
 
 L'Archiveque 131 
 
 La Hontan's Account of De Nonville's 
 
 Expedition, 147 
 
 La Hontan's Account of Niagara Falls, 157 
 
 La Force, (note) 210 
 
 Lindsay, 2-46 
 
 Laincourt, La Rochefoucauld 318 
 
 Land Titles, 325 
 
 Lessee Company's Claims, (note)... 337 
 
 Lewiston, '. 420 
 
 Loomis, Chauncev 485 
 
 Lost Boy, '. 486 
 
 Le Couteulx, 501 
 
 Lockport, Prominent Settlers 551 
 
 Lovejoy, Mrs 599 
 
 Mountain Ridge, 26 
 
 Missions among the Iroquois, 41 
 
 Marriage Regulations, 54 
 
 Marquette 112 
 
 Mercer, Col 201 
 
 Montcalm 202, 214 
 
 Murray, Gen'l 217 
 
 Massacre of Wyoming, 274 
 
 Mountpleasant, John 314 
 
 Morris, Robert 349 
 
 Morris Purchase 396 
 
 Morris's Reserve, 397 
 
 McKav, John , 381 
 
 Mile Strip, 409 
 
 McKain, James 487 
 
 Morrison, Major John 494 
 
 Molyneux, William 496 
 
 Matiior, David 498 
 
 Marshall, Mrs 510 
 
 McMahan, Col. James 511 
 
 Page. 
 
 Maxon, Joseph 534 
 
 Methodist Church, 547 
 
 McCall, James 536 
 
 Mathews, James 555 
 
 Mix, Ebenezer 567 
 
 McClure, Gen 589 
 
 Names of the Iroquois Confederacy, . . 40 
 
 Naming of children, 58 
 
 Neuter Nation, 65 
 
 Number of Jesuit Missionaries, 103 
 
 North West Company, 223 
 
 Noble, Russell 468 
 
 Nevi^ Amsterdam, 500 
 
 Niagara County,. 582 
 
 Newark, ' 589 
 
 Original Nations of the Iroquois, 40 
 
 Order of the Jesuits, 95 
 
 Oswego, 175, 202 
 
 Oglethrop, Gen 176 
 
 Onondagas, destruction of. 281 
 
 Otto, Jacob S 441 
 
 O'Fling, Patrick 467 
 
 Olean Point 506 
 
 Organization of Courts, 521 
 
 Oil Springs 539 
 
 Oak Orchard, 558 
 
 Orleans County, 581 
 
 Poem 28 
 
 Power and bravery of the Iroquois, ... 43 
 
 Periods of holding Council Fires, 60 
 
 Plymouth Company, 81 
 
 Protestant Missionaries of New Eng- 
 land, 99 
 
 Pallisades of Fort Niagara, 134 
 
 Pitt, William 203 
 
 Prideaux, Gen 206 
 
 Pontiac, 218, 235 
 
 Palatines 245 
 
 Palatine Committee, 254 
 
 Parrish, Jasper 292 
 
 Pickering, Timothy , 307 
 
 Progress of settlement westward after 
 
 the Revolution,. 304 
 
 Pemberton, James 316 
 
 Phelps and Gorham's purchase, 325 
 
 Pultnev, Sir William 327 
 
 Phelps", Oliver 328 
 
 Porter, Augustus 358, 489 
 
 Porter's Narrative, 361 
 
 Pitts, Capt. Peter 385 
 
 Pine Grove, 446 
 
 Palmer, James R 454 
 
 Palmer, Joseph 466 
 
 Peters. T. C 547 
 
 Pioneer Settler upon the Holland Pur- 
 chase and his progress, 562 
 
 Phelps and Chipman's purchase, 481 
 
 Peacock, William 569 
 
 Porter, Peter B 611 
 

Qr WM ENDICOTT a CO N 
 
 iiii>]iLirL(S(o)^^, 
 
INDEX. 
 
 XV 
 
 Page. 
 
 Ring Fort, 29 
 
 Romans of the West, 47 
 
 Representatives of the Iroquois, 49 
 
 Roche, Francis De La 79 
 
 Ralei^rh, Sir Walter 80, 90 
 
 Ralle, Father 105 
 
 Reminiscences of Fort Niagara, 188 
 
 Rogers, Major 218 
 
 Red Jacket and Lafayette, (note). . . . 305 
 
 Ransom, Asa and Elias 453 
 
 Rhea, Alexander 467 
 
 Ridge Road 497 
 
 Rushford, 535 
 
 Rawson, Solomon 537 
 
 Riddle, Lieut 598 
 
 Structure of the Iroquois Confederacy, 48 
 
 Senecas and Eries, 69 
 
 Smith, John 81 
 
 Slowness of Colonization, 89 
 
 Schenectady, 164 
 
 Shirley, Gov 201 
 
 Seige of Fort Niagara, 206 
 
 Stanvvix, Gon'l 205 
 
 Schlosser, Fort (note) 227 
 
 Stedman, John 229 
 
 St. Leger, Gen'l 269 
 
 Schuyler, Gen'l 267 
 
 Schuyler, Han Yost 272 
 
 Sullivan's Expedition, 277 
 
 Steuben, Baron 388 
 
 Simcoe, Governor 341 
 
 Scotch Colony 380 
 
 Surveys, 404 
 
 Stevens, James 474 
 
 Sheldon, 482 
 
 Slavton, Joshua 495 
 
 Salt Works 558 
 
 State of the frontier at the beginning 
 
 of the War, 585 
 
 St. John, Mrs 599 
 
 Sortie of Fort Erie, 606 
 
 Tonawanda Island, 34 
 
 Territory of the Iroquois, 41 
 
 Treatment of Prisoners among the 
 
 Indians, 45 
 
 Tradition of the Senecas, 46 
 
 Ta-do-da-hoh, 50 
 
 Tribes of the Iroquois, 53 
 
 Page. 
 
 Trails, 62 
 
 Tonti, 118 
 
 Tuscaroras, 177 
 
 Treaty of 1763, 219 
 
 Treaty of Fort Stanwix, 1784, 304 
 
 Tax Roll 390 
 
 Turner, Roswell 481 
 
 Turner, Otis 557 
 
 Topography of the Holland Purchase, 570 
 
 Unanimity of the Iroquois Council,.. 61 
 Utrecht, treaty of 174 
 
 Verrazana, 72 
 
 Victor 145 
 
 Vaudreuil, 170, 216 
 
 Van Schaick 281 
 
 Van Campen, 288 
 
 Variation of the Magnetic Needle, 
 
 (note,) 407 
 
 Vander Kemp, John J 429 
 
 Van Horn, Judge 551 
 
 Washington, (note,) 200, 619 
 
 Williams, Col. Ephraim 200 
 
 Wolfe, Gen. James 205, 213 
 
 Walpole, 177 
 
 West, Dr. Joseph 188 
 
 Womp, 240 
 
 Willett, Col 271, 282 
 
 Williamson, Charles 329, 417 
 
 Wayne, Gen 344 
 
 Wilkenson, Gen. James 446 
 
 Winne 418 
 
 Walthers, Frederick 420 
 
 Warren, Gen. William 473 
 
 Warren, Mrs 488 
 
 Wilder, John 479 
 
 Walsvi^orth, James 517 
 
 Wilson, Reuben 548, 593 
 
 Whitney, Gen 559 
 
 Wyoming County, 580 
 
 Wadsworth, Gen 587 
 
 Walden, Judge 598 
 
 Watson, Elkanah 620 
 
 Wilkeson, Samuel 643 
 
 Yonnondio, 152 
 
 Young, John 469 
 
 INDEX TO APPENDIX AND NOTES. 
 
 Albion, 658 
 
 Ancient Remains, 663 
 
 Black Rock i . . . 653 
 
 Brant's Birthplace, 664 
 
 Brace, Orange 665 
 
 Battle of Buffalo, 665 
 
 Canal Villages, 653 
 
 Clerks in Land Office, 663 
 
 Deduction of Title from Robert Morris 
 to Holland Company, 646 
 
 Ellicott's Monument, 659 
 
1! 
 
 XVI 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Expeditions of Gen. Sullivan and Col. 
 Brodhead — Cotemporary Records in 
 possession of D. W. Ballou, Jr. . . . 660 
 
 Ellicott's Ancestors, 665 
 
 Fort Porter, 666 
 
 German Emigrants, 662 
 
 Islands in Niagara River, 663 
 
 Indian Burial at Black Rock, 664 
 
 Joncaire's Sons, 664 
 
 Joncaire and the Oil Springs, 666 
 
 Lockport, 654 
 
 Middleport, 657 
 
 Medina, 6.58 
 
 Middlebury Academy, 664 
 
 Page. 
 Marshall's Communications to the 
 Historical Society, 664 
 
 Ogden Pre-emption, 662 
 
 Pioneer Printers upon the Holland 
 Purchase, 663 
 
 Sequel of Holland Company's Invest- 
 ment, 661 
 
 Smith, Richard 662 
 
 Sainted Seneca Maiden, 664 
 
 Sources of Morris's Biography, 665 
 
 Townships of the Holland Purchase,. 651 
 Tonawanda, 653 
 
 Williamson, Charles 665 
 
 Warren, Gen 665 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 Page 62, 19th line from the top, read little "above Batavia village," instead of 
 "mile," &c. Page 71, 4th line from the top, read "latter end of the" fftecntk 
 "centuiy." Page 441; the death of Mr. Otto was in 1827, instead of 1826. The 
 commencement of Mr. Evan's agency, is of course, to correspond v/ith this alteration. 
 Whereever it occurs, read Shenandoah, instead of " S/tenandoah." 
 
 Page 26. — The last sentence of the first paragraph on this page, is obscure. It ia 
 intended to say, that there are no ancient remains between the Mountain Ridge and 
 lake Ontario. 
 
PART FIRST, 
 
 CHAPTER I 
 
 THE ANCIENT PRE-OCCUPANTS OF THE REGION OF WESTERN 
 NEW-YORK. 
 
 The local historian of almost our entire continent, finds at the 
 threshold of the task he enters upon, difficulties and embarrass- 
 ments. If for a starting point the first advent of civilization is 
 chosen, a summary disposition is made of all that preceded it, 
 unsatisfactory to author and reader. Our own race was the suc- 
 cessor of others. Here in ou-r own region, when the waters of the 
 Niagara were first disturbed by a craft of European architecture 
 — when the adventurous Frenchman would first pitch a tent upon 
 its banks, there were "lords of the Forests and the Lakes" to be 
 consulted. — WheFe stood that humble primitive "pallisade," its site 
 grudgingly and suspiciously granted, in process of time arose strong 
 walls — ramparts, from behind which the armies of successive 
 nations have been arranged to repel assailants. The dense forests 
 that for more than a century enshrouded them, unbroken by the 
 woodman's axe, have now disappeared, or but skirt a peaceful and 
 beautiful cultivated landscape. Civilization, improvement and 
 industry, have made an Empire of the region that for a long period 
 was tributary to this nucleus of early events. Cities have been 
 founded — the Arts, Sciences taught; — Learning has its temples 
 and its votaries; History its enlightened and earnest enquirers. 
 And yet, with the pre-occupant lingering until even now in our 
 midst, we have but the unsatisfactory knowledge of him and his 
 race, which is gathered from dim and obscure tradition. That 
 which is suited to the pages of fiction and romance, but can be 
 incorporated in the pages of history, only with suspicion and dis- 
 trust. The learned and the curious have from time to time 
 enquired of their old men ; they have set down in their wigwams 
 2 
 
18 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and listened to their recitals; the pages of history have been 
 searched and compared with their imperfect revelations, to discover 
 some faint coincidence or analogy; and yet we know nothing of 
 the origin, and have but unsatisfactory traditions of the people we 
 found here, and have almost dispossessed. 
 
 If their own history is obscure; if their relations of themselves, 
 after they have gone back but little more than a century beyond 
 the period of the first European emigration, degenerates to fable 
 and obscure tradition; they are but poor revelators of a still greater 
 mystery. We are surrounded by evidences that a race preceded 
 them, farther advanced in civilization and the arts, and far more 
 numerous. Here and there upon the brows of our hills, at the 
 head of our ravines, are their fortifications; their locations selected 
 with sldll, adapted to refuge, subsistence and defence. The up- 
 rooted trees of our forest, that are the growth of centuries, expose 
 their mouldering remains; the uncovered mounds masses of their 
 skeletons promiscuously heaped one upon the other, as if they were 
 the gathered and hurriedly entombed of well contested fields. In 
 our vallies, upon our hill sides, the plough and the spade discover 
 their rude implements, adapted to war, the chase, and domestic use. 
 All these are dumb yet eloquent chronicles of by-gone ages. 
 We ask the red man to tell us from whence they came and whither 
 they went? and he either amuses us with wild and extravagant 
 traditionary legends, or acknowledges himself as ignorant as his 
 interrogators. He and his progenitors have gazed upon these 
 ancient relics for centuries, as we do now, — wondered and consul- 
 ted their wise men, and yet he is unable to aid our inquiries. We 
 invoke the aid of revelation, turn over the pages of history, trace 
 the origin and dispersion of the races of mankind from the earliest 
 period of the world's existence, and yet we gather only enough to 
 form the basis of vague surmise and conjecture. The crumbling 
 walls — the " Ruins," overgrown by the gigantic forests of Central 
 America, are not involved in more impenetrable obscurity, than are 
 the more humble, but equally interesting mounds and relics that 
 abound in our own region. 
 
 We are prone to speak of ourselves as the inhabitants of a nr2v 
 world; and yet we are confronted with such evidences of antiquity! 
 We clear away the forests and speak familiarly of subduing a 
 "virgin soil;" — and yet the plough up-turns the skulls of those 
 whose history is lost ! We say that Columbus discovered a neio 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 19 
 
 world. Why not that he helped to make two old ones acquainted 
 with each other 1 
 
 Our advent here is but one of the changes of time. \Vc are 
 consulting dumb signs, inanimate and unintelligible witnesses, 
 gleaning but unsatisfactory knowledge of races that have preceded 
 us. Who in view of earth's revolutions; the developments that 
 the young but rapidly progressive science of Geology has made; 
 the organic remains that are found in the alluvial deposits in our 
 vallies, deeply embedded under successive strata of rock in our 
 mountain ranges; the impressions in our coal formations; history's 
 emphatic teachings; fails to reflect that our own race may not be 
 exempt from the operations of what may be regarded as general 
 laws? Who shall say that the scholar, the antiquarian, of another 
 far off century, may not be a Champollion deciphering the inscrip- 
 tions upon our monuments, — or a Stevens, wandering among the 
 ruins of our cities, to gather relics to identify our existence'? 
 
 " Since the first sun-light spread itself o'er earth ; 
 Since Chuos gave a thousand systems birth ; 
 Since first the morning stars together sung ; 
 Since first this globe was on its axis hung; 
 Untiriug changk, with ever moving hand. 
 Has waved o'er earth its more than magic wand."* 
 
 Although not peculiar to this region, there is perhaps no portion 
 of the United States where ancient relics are more numerous. 
 Commencing principally near the Oswego River, they extend 
 westwardly over all the western counties of our State, Canada 
 West, the western Lake Region, the vallies of the Ohio and the 
 Mississippi. Either as now, the western portion of our State had 
 attractions and inducements to make it a favorite residence; or 
 these people, assailed from the north and the east, made this a refuge 
 in a war of extermination, fortified the commanding eminences, 
 met the shock of a final issue; were subject to its adverse results. 
 Were their habits and pursuits mixed ones, their residence was 
 well chosen. The Forest invited to the chase; the Lakes and 
 Rivers to local commerce, — to the use of the net and the angling 
 rod; the soil, to agriculture. The evidences that this was one at 
 least, of their final battlegrounds, predominate. They are the for- 
 tifications, entrenchments, and warlike instruments. That here 
 was a war of extermination, we may conclude, from the masses 
 
 ' "Changes of Time," a Poem by B. B. French. 
 
20 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 of human skeletons we find indiscriminately thrown together, in- 
 dicating a common and simultaneous sepulture; from which age, 
 infancy, sex, no condition, was exempt. 
 
 In assuming that these are the remains of a people other than 
 the Indian race we found here, the author has the authority of De 
 Witt Clinton,— a name scarcely less identified with our litera- 
 ture, than with our achievements in internal improvements. In a 
 discourse delivered before the New-York Historical Society in 
 1811, Mr. Clinton says: — ''Previous to the occupation of this 
 country by the progenitors of the present race of Indians, it was 
 inhabited by a race of men much more populous, and much farther 
 advanced in civilization." Indeed the abstract position may be 
 regarded as conceded. Who they were, whence they came, and 
 whither they went, have been themes of speculation with learned 
 antiquarians, who have failed to arrive at any satisfactory conclu- 
 sions. In a field, or historical department, so ably and thoroughly 
 explored, the author would not venture opinions or theories of his 
 own, even were it not a subject of enquiry in the main, distinct 
 from the objects of his work. It is a topic prolific enough, of 
 reflection, enquiry and speculation, for volumes, rather than an 
 incidental historical chapter. And yet, it is a subject of too much 
 local interest, to be wholly passed over. A liberal extract from 
 the historical discourse of Mr. Clinton, presents the matter in a 
 concise form, and while it will serve as a valuable memento of a 
 venerated Scholar, Statesman, and Public Benefactor; the theories 
 and conclusions are far more consistent and reasonable than any 
 Others that have fallen under the author's observation: — 
 
 "I have seen several of these works in the western part of this 
 state. There is a large one in the town of Onondaga, one in 
 Pompey, and another in Manlius; one in Camillus, eight miles from 
 Auburn; one in Scipio, six miles, another one mile, and one about 
 half a mile from that village. Between the Seneca and Cayuga 
 Lakes there are several — three within a few miles of each other. 
 Near the village of Canandaigua there are three. In a word, they 
 are scattered all over that country. 
 
 "These forts were, generally speaking, erected on the most 
 commanding ground. The walls or breastworks were earthen. 
 The ditches were on the exterior of works. On some of the para- 
 pets, oak trees were to be seen, which, from the number of con- 
 centric circles, must have been standing 150, 260, and 300 years; 
 and there were evident indications, not only that they had sprung 
 up since the creation of those works, but that they were at least a 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 21 
 
 second growth. The trenches were in some cases deep and wide, 
 and in others shallow and narrow; and the breastworks varied in 
 altitude from three to eight feet. They sometimes had one, and 
 sometimes two entrances, as was to be inferred from there being 
 no ditch at those places. When the works were protected by a 
 deep ravine or a large stream of water no ditch was to be seen. 
 The areas of these forts varied from two to six acres; and the 
 form was generally an irregular elipsis; and in some of them frag- 
 ments of earthenware and pulverized substances, supposed to have 
 been originally human bones, were to be found. 
 
 "These fortifications, thus diffused over the interior of our 
 country, have been generally considered as surpassing the skill, 
 patience, and industry of the Indian race, and various hypotheses 
 have been advanced to prove them of European origin. 
 
 "An American writer of no inconsiderable repute pronounced 
 some years ago that the two forts at the confluence of the Muskin- 
 gum and Ohio Rivers, one covering forty and the other twenty 
 acres, were erected by Ferdinand de Soto, who landed with 1000 
 men in Florida in 1539, and penetrated a considerable distance into 
 the interior of the country. He allotted the large fort for the use of 
 the Spanish army; and after being extremely puzzled how to dis- 
 pose of the small one in its vicinity, he at last assigned it to the 
 swine that generally, as he says, attended the Spaniards in those 
 days — being in his opinion very necessary, in order to prevent them 
 from becoming estrays, and to protect them from the depredations 
 of the Indians. 
 
 •'When two ancient forts, one containing six and the other three 
 acres, were found in Lexington in Kentucky, another theory was 
 propounded; and it was supposed that they were erected by the 
 descendants of the Welsh colonists who are said to have migrated 
 under the auspices of Madoc to this country, in the twelfth century; 
 that they formerly inhabited Kentucky; but, being attacked by 
 the Indians, were forced to take refuge near the sources of the 
 Missouri. 
 
 "Another suggestion has been made, that the French, in their 
 expeditions from Canada to the Mississippi, were the authors of 
 these works; but the most numerous are to be found in the territory 
 of the Senecas, whose hostility to the French was such, that they 
 were not allowed for a long time to have any footing among them.* 
 The fort at Niagara was obtained from them by the intrigues and 
 eloquence of Joncaire, an adopted child of the nation.f 
 
 " Lewis Dennie, a Frenchman, aged upward of seventy, and who 
 had been settled and married among the Confederates for more 
 than half a century, told me (1810)that, according to the traditions 
 of the ancient Indians, these forts were erected by an army of 
 Spaniards, who were the first Europeans ever seen by them — the 
 
 •* 1 Golden, p. 6L t 3 Charlevoix, letter 15, p. 227. 
 
22 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 French the next — then the Dutch — and, finally, the English; that 
 this army first appeared at Oswego in great force; and })enetrated 
 through the interior of the country, searching for the precious 
 metals; that they continued there two years, and went down the 
 Ohio. 
 
 " Some of the Senecas told Mr. Kirkland, the missionary, that 
 those in their territory were raised by their ancestors in their wars 
 with the western Indians, three, four, or five hundred years ago. 
 All the cantons have traditions that their ancestors came originally 
 from the west; and the Senecas say that theirs first settled in the 
 country of the Creeks. The early histories mention that the Iro- 
 quois first inhabited on the north side of the great lakes; that they 
 were driven to their present territory in a war with the Algonkins 
 or Adirondacks, from whence they expelled the Satanas. If these 
 accounts are correct, the ancestors of the Senecas did not, in all 
 probability, occupy their present territory at the time they allege. 
 
 "I believe we may confidently pronounce that all the hypotheses 
 which attribute those works to Europeans are incorrect and fanciful 
 — first, on account of the present number of the works; secondly, 
 on account of their antiquity; having from every appearance, been 
 erected a long time before the discovery of America; and, finally, 
 their form and manner are totally variant from European fortifica- 
 tions, either in ancient or modern times. 
 
 "It is equally clear that they were not the work of the Indians. 
 Until the Senecas, who are renowned for their national vanity, 
 had seen the attention of the Americans attracted to these erections, 
 and had invented the fabulous account of which I have spoken, the 
 Indians of the present day did not pretend to know anything about 
 their origin. They were beyond the reach of all their traditions, 
 and were lost in the abyss of unexplored antiquity. 
 
 " The erection of such prodigious works must have been the 
 result of labor far beyond the patience and perseverance of our 
 Indians; and the form and materials are entirely different from 
 those which they are known to make. These earthen walls, it is 
 supposed, will retain their original form much longer than those 
 constructed with brick and stone. They have undoubtedly been 
 greatly diminished by the washing away of the earth, the filling up 
 of the interior, and the accumulation of fresh soil: yet their firm- 
 ness and solidity indicate them to be the work of some remote age. 
 Add to this, that the Indians have never practiced the mode of 
 fortifying by intrenchments. Their villages or castles were pro- 
 tected by palisades, which afford a sufficient defence aginst Indian 
 weapons. When Cartier went to Hochelaga, now Montreal, in 
 1535, he discovered a town of the Iroquois, or Hurons, containing 
 about fifty huts. It was encompassed with three lines of palisadoes, 
 through which was one entrance, well secured with stakes and bars. 
 On the inside was a rampart of timber, to which were ascents by 
 ladders; and heaps of stones were laid in proper places to cast at 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 23 
 
 an enemy. Charlevoix and other writers agree in representing the 
 Indian fortresses as fabricated with wood. JSuch, also, were the forts 
 of Sassacus. the great chief of the Pequots; and the principal for- 
 tress of the Narragansets was on an island in a swamp, of five or 
 six acres of rising land: the sides were made with palisades set 
 upright, encompassed with a hedge of a rod in thickness.* 
 
 '•1 have already alluded to the argument for the great antiquity of 
 those ancient forts to be derived from the number of concentric cir- 
 cles. On the ramparts of one of the Muskingum forts, 463 were 
 ascertained on a tree decayed at the centre; and there are likewi.se 
 the strongest marks of a former growth of a similar size. This 
 would make those works near a thousand years old. 
 
 "But there is another consideration which has never before been 
 urged, and which appears to me to be not unworthy of attention. 
 It is certainly novel, and I believe it to be founded on a basis which 
 cannot easily be subverted. 
 
 '• From the Genesee near Rochester to Lewiston on the Niagara, 
 there is a remarkable ridge or elevation of land running almost the 
 whole distance, which is seventy-eight miles, and in a direction 
 from east to west. Its general altitude above the neighbouring 
 land is thirty feet, and its width varies considerably; in some places 
 it is not more than forty yards. Its elevation above the level of 
 Lake Ontario is perhaps 160 feet, to which it decends with a gradual 
 slope; and its distance from that water is between six and ten miles. 
 Tills remarkable strip of land would appear as if intended by nature 
 for the purpose of an easy communication. It is, in fact, a stupen- 
 dous natural turnjjike, descending gently on each side, and covered 
 with gravel; and but little labour is requisite to make it the best 
 road in the United States. When the forests between it and the 
 lake are cleared, the prospect and scenery which will be afforded 
 from a tour on this route to the Cataract of Niagara will surpass all 
 competition for sublimity and beauty, variety and number. 
 
 '•There is every reason to believe that this remarkable ridge w'a.s 
 the ancient boundary of this great lake. The gravel with which it 
 is covered was deposited there by the waters; and the stones every- 
 wdiere indicate by their shape the abrasion and agitation produced 
 by that element. All along the borders of the western rivers and 
 lakes there are small mounds or heaps of gravel of a conical form, 
 erected by the fish for the protection of their spawn; these fishbanks 
 are found in a state that cannot be mistaken, at the foot of the ridge, on 
 the side towards the lake ; on the opposite side none have been dis- 
 covered. All rivers and streams which enter the lake from the south 
 have their mouths effected W'ith sand in a peculiar way, from the 
 prevalence and power of the northwesterly winds. The points of 
 the creeks which pass through this ridge correspond exactly in 
 appearance with the entrance of the streams into the lakes. These 
 
 * Mather's Magnalia, p. 693. 
 
24 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 facts evince beyond doubt that Lake Ontario has, perhaps, one or 
 two thousand years ago, receded from this elevated ground. And 
 the cause of this retreat must be ascribed to its having enlarged its 
 former outlet, or to its imprisoned waters (aided, probably, by an 
 earthquake)forcing a passage down the present bed of the St. Law- 
 rence, as the Hudson did at the Highlands, and the Mohawk at Lit- 
 tle Falls. On the south side of this great ridge, in its vicinity, and 
 in all directions through this country, the remains of numerous forts 
 are to be seen; but on the north side, that is, on the side towards 
 the lake, not a single one has been discovered, although the whole 
 ground has been carefully explored. Considering the distance to 
 be, say seventy miles in length, and eight in bi-eadth, and that the 
 border of the lake is the very place that would be selected for 
 habitation, and consequently for works of defence, on account of the 
 facilities it would afford for subsistence, for safety, and all domestic 
 accommodations and military purposes; and that on the south shores 
 of Lake Erie these ancient fortresses exist in great number, there 
 can be no doubt that these works were erected when this ridge was 
 the southern boundary of Lake Ontario, and, consequently, that their 
 origin must be sought in a very remote age. 
 
 "A great part of North America was then inhabited by populous 
 nations, who had made considei'able advances in civilization. These 
 numerous works could never have been supplied with provisions 
 without the aid of agriculture. Nor could they have been con- 
 structed without the use of iron or copper, and without a persever- 
 ance, labour, and design which demonstrate considerable progress 
 in the arts of civilized life. A learned writer has said, "I perceive 
 no reason why the Asiatic North might not be an ofhcina virorum, 
 as well as the European. The overteeming country to the east of 
 the Ripha;an Mountains must find it necessary to discharge its inhab- 
 itants. The first great wave of people was forced forward by the 
 next to it, more tumid and more powerful than itself: successive and 
 new impulses continually arriving, short rest was given to that 
 which spread over a more eastern tract: disturbed again and again, 
 it covered fresh regions. At length, reaching the farthest limits of 
 the old world, it found a new one, with ample space to occupy, 
 unmolested for ages."* After the north of Asia had thus exhausted 
 its exuberant population by such a great migration, it would require 
 a very long period of time to produce a co-operation of causes suffi- 
 cient to effect another. The first mighty stream of people that flowed 
 into America must have remained free from external pressure for 
 ages. Availing themselves of this period of tranquility, they would 
 devote themselves to the arts of peace, make rapid progress in civ- 
 ilization, and acquire an immense population. In course of time 
 discord and war would rage among them, and compel the establish- 
 ment of places of security. At last, they became alarmed by the 
 
 * 1 Pennant's Arctic Zoology, 260. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE, 25 
 
 irruption of a horde of barbarians, who rushed like an overwhelming 
 flood from the north of Asia — 
 
 *• A Multitude, like which the populous North 
 Poured from her frozen loins to pass 
 Rhone or the Dauaw, when her barbarous sons 
 Came like a deluge on the South, and spread 
 Beneatli Gibraltar to the Lybian sands." * 
 
 "The great law of self-preservation compelled them to stand on 
 their defence, to resist these ruthless invaders, and to construct 
 numerous and extensive works for protection. And for a long series 
 of time the scale of victory was suspended in doubt, and they firmly 
 withstood the torrent; but, like the Romans in the decline of their 
 empire, they were finally worn down and destroyed by successive 
 inroads and renewed attacks. And the fortifications of which we 
 have treated are the only remaining monuments of these ancient 
 and exterminated nations. This is perhaps, the airy nothing of 
 imagination, and may be reckoned the extravagant dream of a vis- 
 ionary mind: but may we not, considering the wonderful events of 
 the past and present times, and the inscrutable dispensations of an 
 overruling Providence, may we not look forward into futurity, and 
 without departing from the rigid laws of probability, j)redict the 
 occurrence of similar scenes at some remote period of time? And, 
 perhaps, in the decrepitude of our empire, some transcendant genius, 
 whose powers of mind shall only be bounded by that impenetrable 
 circle which prescribes the limits of human nature,! may rally the 
 barbarous nations of Asia under the standard of a mighty empire. 
 Following the track of the Russian colonies and commerce towards 
 the northwest coast, and availing himself of the navigation, arms, 
 and military skill of civilized nations, he may, after subverting the 
 neighbouring despotisms of the Old World, bend his course towards 
 European America. The destinies of our country may then be 
 decided on the waters of the Missouri or on the banks of Lake 
 Superior. And if Asia shall then revenge upon our posterity the 
 injuries we have inflicted upon her sons, a new, a long, and a gloomy 
 night of Gothic darkness will set in upon mankind. And when, 
 after theefHuxof ages, the returning effulgence of intellectual light 
 shall again gladden the nations, then the widespread ruins of our 
 cloud-capped towers, of our solemn temples, and of our magnificent 
 cities, will, like the works of which we have treated, become the 
 subject of curious research and elaborate investigation." 
 
 At the early period at which Mr. Clinton advanced the theory that 
 the Ridge Road was once the southern shore of Lake Ontario — 1811 
 — when settlement was but just begun, and a dense forest precluded 
 a close observation, he was quite liable to fall into the error, that 
 
 * Milton's Paradise Lost. t Roscoe's Lorenzo de Medicis, 24L 
 
26 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 time and better opportunities for investigation have corrected. 
 The formation, composition, alluvial deposits, &c., of the Ridge 
 Road, with reference to its two sides, present almost an entire 
 uniformity. There is at least, not the distinction that would be 
 apparent if there had been the action of water, depositing its mate- 
 rials only upon its nothern side. By supposing the Mountain 
 Ridge to have once been the southern shore of Lake Ontario, it 
 would follow that the Ridge Road may have been a Sand bar. 
 The nature of both, their relative positions, would render this a far 
 more I'easonable hypothesis than the other; and when we add the 
 fact that the immediate slope, or falling off, is almost as much gene- 
 rally, upon the south as the north side of the Ridge Road, we 
 are under the necessity of abandoning the precedent theory. 
 There is from the Niagara to the Genesee River, upon the Moun- 
 tain Ridge, a line, or cordon, of these ancient fortifications — none, 
 as the author concludes, from observation and enquiry, between 
 the two.* 
 
 But a few of the most prominent of these ancient fortifications, 
 will be noticed, enough only to give the reader who has not had 
 an opportunity of seeing them, a general idea of their structure, 
 and relics which almost uniformly may be found in and about them. 
 
 Upon a slope or offset of the Mountain Ridge three and a half 
 miles from the village of Lewiston, is a marked spot, that the Tus- 
 carora Indians call Kienuka.] There is a burial ground, and two 
 eliptic mounds or barrows that have a diameter of 20 feet, and an 
 elevation of from 4 to 5 feet. A mass of detached works, with 
 spaces intervening, seem to have been chosen as a rock citadel; 
 and well chosen, — for the mountain fastnesses of Switzerland are 
 but little better adapted to the purposes of a look-out and defence. 
 The sites of habitations are marked by remains of pottery, pipes, 
 and other evidences. 
 
 Eight miles east of this, upon one of the most elevated points of 
 the mountain ridge in the town of Cambria, upon the farm until 
 recently owned by Eliakim Hammond, now owned by John Gould, 
 
 * Upon an elevation, on the shore of Lake Ontario near the Eifjhteen -mile-Creek, 
 there is a mound similar in appearance to some of those that have been termed ancient; 
 though it is unquestionably incident to the early French and Indian wars of this rej^ion. 
 And the same conclusion may be formed in reference to other similar ones along the 
 shore of the lake. 
 
 tMeaning a fort, or strong hold, that has a commanding position, or from which 
 there is a fine view. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 27 
 
 is an ancient fortification and burial place, possessing perhaps as 
 great a degree of interest, and as distinct characteristics as any that 
 have been discovered in Western New York. The author hav- 
 ing been one of a party that made a thorough examination of the spot 
 soon after its first discovery in 1823, he is enabled from memory 
 and some published accounts of his at the time, to state the extent 
 and character of the relics. 
 
 The location commands a view of Lake Ontario and the surround- 
 ing country. An area of about six acres of level ground appears to 
 have been occupied; fronting which upon a circular verge of the 
 mountain, were distinct remains of a wall. Nearly in the centre of 
 the area was a depository of the dead. It was a pit excavated to 
 the depth of four or five feet, filled with human bones, over which 
 were slabs of sand stone. Hundreds seem to have been thrown in 
 promiscuously, of both sexes and all ages. Extreme old age was 
 distinctly identified by toothless jaws, and the complete absorption 
 of the avcola processes; and extreme infancy, by the small skulls 
 and incomplete ossification. Numerous barbs or arrow points were 
 found among the bones, and in the vicinity. One skull retained the 
 arrow that had pierced it, the aperture it had made on entering being 
 distinctly visible. In the position of the skeletons, there was none 
 of the signs of ordinary Indian burial; but evidences that the bodies 
 were thrown in promiscuously, and at the same time. The conjec- 
 ture might well be indulged that it had been the theatre of a san- 
 guinary battle, terminating in favor of the assailants, and a general 
 massacre. A thigh bone of unusual length, was preserved for a 
 considerable period by a physician of Lockport, and excited much 
 curiosity. It had been fractured obliquely. In the absence of any 
 surgical skill, or at least any application of it, the bone had strongly 
 re-united, though evidently so as to have left the foot turned out at 
 nearly a right angle. Of course, the natural surfaces of the bone 
 were in contact, and not the fractured surfaces; and yet spurs, or 
 ligaments were thrown out by nature, in its healing process, and so 
 firmly knit and interwoven, as to form, if not a perfect, a firm 
 re-union ! It was by no means a finished piece of surgery, but to 
 all appearances had answered a very good purpose. The medical 
 student will think the patient must have possessed all the fortitude 
 and stoicism of his race, to have kept his fractured limb in a neces- 
 sary fixed position, during the long months that the healing process 
 must have been going on, in the absence of splints and gum elastic 
 
28 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 bands. A tree had been cut down growing directly over the mound, 
 upon the stump of which could be counted 230 concentric circles. 
 Remains of rude specimens of earthen ware, pieces of copper, and 
 iron instruments of rude workmanship were ploughed up within the 
 area ; also, charred wood, corn and cobs. 
 
 Soon after these ancient relics had begun to excite public atten- 
 tion, the author received the following poetic contribution which he 
 inserted in the columns of a newspaper of which he was the editor. 
 Upon a review of it, he regards it as not unworthy to be preserved 
 with the other reminiscences, in a more durable form. From a 
 note made at the time, it would seem to have been anonymous : — 
 
 THE ARGUMENT. 
 
 The author's imagination, kindled by a description of the mouldering relics, the evi- 
 dences of a sanguinary conflict of arms, aided by the then recently published tradi- 
 tions of David Custck, supposes the spirit of an Erie Chieftain, (whose skeleton 
 is one of the congregated mass) to rise and address the gazing and enquiring anti- 
 quarian: — He reminds him of their common origin and common destiny, notwith- 
 standing the lapse of intervening ages ; tiiat his ancestors are the races which 
 slumber in the vallies of the Caucassus, the Alps, and plains of Britain ; the relator 
 assuming that this was the forest home of his fathers. He sketches the last battle, 
 fatal to his nation and himself; from the shouts of the victors echoing amid his 
 native scenery, he adverts to the disembodied repose of his fathers ; — and concludes 
 with the pleasing anticipation of again meeting the disturber of his sleep of ages, 
 in "happier regions undefined," when he too shall have finished the pilgrimage 
 of mortality. 
 
 "Mortal of other age and clime. Where the broad plain abrupt descends, 
 
 Pilgrim not having reach'd the bourne. To where Ontario's billows lave. 
 
 Know thou that kindred soul with thine, Whence the delighted view extends 
 
 Once tenanted this mould'ring form. Far o'er the blue and boundless wave; 
 
 Here once the warm blood freely flow'd. 
 By the heart's active impulse press'd. 
 
 And all the varied passions glovv'd, 
 That struggle in thy throbbing breast. 
 
 Though o'er this crumbling dust of mine, 
 Full many a summer's sun has roU'd ; 
 
 Yet equal destiny is thine, 
 Though fairer cast of kindred mould. 
 
 E'en though afar thy sires may sleep. 
 Beyond the Atlantic's rolling waves 
 
 Where Caucassus' stupendous steep, 
 O'er hangs the shores, the Caspian laves. 
 
 Or where the Alpine glaciers pile. 
 High o'er thy Gothic fathers' graves. 
 
 Or where Brittania's verdant isle 
 Smiles in the bosom of the waves. 
 
 Deep in Columbia's wilds, afar 
 Upon lake Erie's forest shores. 
 
 Where, glimm'ring 'neath the ev'ning star, 
 Niagara's awful torrent roars. 
 
 There brightly blaz'd my country's fires, 
 Wliile oft succeeding ages roU'd, 
 
 And there the ashes of ray sireg 
 Lie mingled with the forest mould. 
 
 There on the heights refulgent play'd 
 Aurora's brightest, earliest ray ; 
 
 And vesper's milder beams delay'd 
 To lengthen the departing day 
 
 There brightening with the shades of even. 
 The hunter's scatter'd watch fires beam'd 
 
 Respondent to the stars of Heaven, 
 That o'er my native forests gleamed. 
 
 Gladly would memory restore 
 That scenery from oblivion's night. 
 
 Ere from those happy scenes of yore. 
 My deathless spirit took its flight. 
 
 The vapours o'er the lake that lour. 
 How bright the setting sun display'd. 
 
 When mid those scenes in childhood's hour. 
 The boyhood of the village stray'd. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 
 
 29 
 
 Or listen'd as our fathers taught 
 
 To recognize the 'iVJanitou,' 
 Eternal Power with wisdom fraught 
 
 Througliout Creation's boundless view. 
 
 Or as some hoary chieftain told 
 The wampum legend of his band, 
 
 Chivalric scenery of old, 
 On limpid lake or shaded land. 
 
 When youthful vigor nerv'd ray prime. 
 How oft I chas'd the boumiing deer. 
 
 Or o'er the mountain's height sublime, 
 Or through the ravine dark and drear. 
 
 How the melodious echoes rang, 
 Responsive through those awful groves. 
 
 When the returning hunter sang 
 The ardor of his youthful loves. 
 
 Such were the happy scenes of yore, 
 
 Ere from another world afar, 
 Thy fathers sought this western shore. 
 
 Where ocean hides the morning star. 
 
 Those happy scenes, alas ! are o'er. 
 Extinguished are my country's fires. 
 
 Where on lake Erie's forest shore. 
 Crumble the ashes of my sires. 
 
 The foreign ploughshare rudely drives 
 Where sunk in peace ray fathers rest. 
 
 And a sad remnant scarce survives 
 In the dark forests of the west. 
 
 Bid me not further to pursue 
 
 The sad'ning theme that mercy stores, 
 And all the murd'rous scenes renew 
 
 That slumber on lake Erie's shores. 
 
 When from toward the morning light. 
 Along the ocean's sounding strand. 
 
 The ' Menque' poured their banded might 
 Relentless o'er ray native land : 
 
 Then proudly waved my Eagle plume, 
 Amid the foeman's fiercest yell, 
 
 Where, on my struggling country's tomb 
 The War Club's bloodiest effort fell. 
 
 Till slowly forced at last to yield 
 Unconquer'd in the arms of death, 
 
 Where.sunk upon the leaf strown field. 
 Her bravest sons resign'd their breath. 
 
 As rising from Ontario's waves, 
 
 Amid the tumult of the fight. 
 Pale on the fainting warrior's grave 
 
 The moon beams shed a glira'ring light. 
 
 And loudly broke the victor's yell 
 Upon the distant torrent's roar, 
 
 And my devoted country's knell 
 Re-echoeil from the sounding shore. 
 
 Calmly my buoyant spirit rose 
 High o'er the echoing scenery. 
 
 To join my father's long repose 
 In undisturb'd eternity. 
 
 In happier regions undefin'd. 
 
 Where, stranger ! happy we may greet 
 In the great Haven of mankind. 
 
 Where mingling generations meet. 
 
 Then we'll the broken tale renew. 
 When we shall meet to part no more, 
 
 Our mortal pilgrimage review 
 And tell of joys and sorrows o'er." 
 
 At the head of a deep gorge, a mile west of Lockport, (similar to 
 the one that forms the natural canal basin, from which the combined 
 Locks ascend,) in the early settlement of the country, a circular 
 raised work, or ring-fort, could be distinctly traced. Leading from 
 the enclosed area, there had been a covered way to a spring of pure 
 cold water that issues from a fissure in the rock, some 50 or 60 feet 
 
 Note. — The following; passage appears in " Cusick's History of the Six Nations," 
 the extraordinaiT production of a native Tuscarora, that it will be necessar}- to notice 
 in another part of the work. 
 
 About this time the King of the Five Nations had ordered the Great War chief, 
 Shorihawne, (a Mohawk,) to march directly with an army of five thousand warriors to 
 aid the Governor of Canandaigua against the Erians, to attack the Fort Kavquatkav 
 and endeavor to extinguish the council fire of the enemy, which was becoming dange- 
 rous to the neighboring nations ; but unfortunately during the siege, a shower of arrows 
 was flying from the fort, the great war chief Shorihawne was killed, and his body was 
 conveyed back to the woods and was buried in a solemn manner ; but however, the 
 siege continued for several days ; the Erians sued for peace ; the army immediatelv 
 ceased from hostilities, and left the Erians in entire possession of the country. 
 
30 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 down the declivity. Such covered paths, or rather the remains of 
 them, lead from many of these ancient fortifications. Mr. School- 
 craft concludes that they w^ere intended for the emergency of a 
 prolonged siege. They would seem now, to have been but a poor 
 defence for the water carriers, against the weapons of modern war- 
 fare; yet probably sufficient to protect them from arrows, and a foe 
 that had no sappers or miners in their ranks. 
 
 There is an ancient batlje field upon the Buffalo creek, six miles 
 from Buffalo, near the Mission station. There are appearances of 
 an enclosed area, a mound where human bones have been excavated, 
 remains of pottery ware, &c. The Senecas have a tradition that 
 here was a last decisive battle between their people and their invet- 
 erate enemies the Kah-Kwahs; though there would seem to be no 
 reason why the fortification should not be classed among those that 
 existed long before the Senecas are supposed to have inhabited this 
 region. 
 
 A mile north of Aurora village, in Erie county, there are several 
 small lakes or ponds, around and between which, there are knobs or 
 elevations, thickly covered with a tall growth of pine; upon them, are 
 several mounds, where many human bones have been excavated. 
 In fact, Aurora and its vicinity, seems to have been a favorite resort 
 not only for the ancient people whose works and remains we are 
 noticing, but for the other races that succeeded them. Relics abound 
 there perhaps to a greater extent than in any other locality in 
 Western New York. An area of from three to four miles in extent, 
 embracing the village, the ponds, the fine springs of water at the 
 foot of the bluffs to the north, and the level plain to the south, would 
 seem to have been thickly populated. There are in the village and 
 vicinity few gardens and fields where ancient and Indian relics are 
 not found at each successive ploughing. Few cellars are excavated 
 without discovering them. In digging a cellar a few years since 
 upon the farm of Chas. P. Pierson, a skeleton was exhumed, the 
 thigh bones of which would indicate great height; exceeding by 
 several inches, that of the tallest of our own race. In digging 
 another cellar, a large number of skeletons, or detached bones, were 
 thrown out. Upon the farm of M. B. Crooks, two miles from the 
 village, where a tree had been turned up, several hundred pounds 
 of axes were found; a blacksmith who was working up some axes 
 that were found in Aurora, told the author that most of them were 
 without any steel, but that the iron was of a superior quality. He 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 31 
 
 had one that was entirely of steel, out of which he was manufacturing 
 some edge tools. 
 
 Near the village, principally upon the farm of the late Horace 
 S. TuRNKR, was an extensive Beaver Dam, It is but a few years 
 since an aged Seneca strolled away from the road, visited the 
 ponds, the springs, and coming to a field once overflowed by the 
 dam, but then reclaimed and cultivated, said these were the haunts 
 of his youth — upon the hills he had chased the deer, at the springs 
 he had slaked his thirst, and in the field he had trapped the beaver. 
 
 The ancient works at Fort Hill, Le Roy, are especially worthy 
 of observation in connection with this interesting branch of history, 
 or rather enquiry. The author is principally indebted for an 
 account of them to Mr. Schoolcraft's "Notes on the Iroquois," 
 for which it was communicated by F. Follett, of Batavia. They 
 are three miles north of Le Roy, on an elevated point of land, 
 formed by the junction of a small stream called Fordham's Brook, 
 with Aliens Creek. The better view of Fort Hill, is had to the 
 north of it, about a quarter of a mile on the road leading from 
 Bergen to Le Roy. From this point of observation it needs little 
 aid of the imagination to conceive that it was erected as a fortifi- 
 cation by a large and powerful army, looking for a permanent and 
 inaccessible bulwark of defence. From the center of the hill, in a 
 northwesterly course, the country lies quite flat ; more immediately 
 north, and inclining to the east, the land is also level for one hun- 
 dred rods, where it rises nearly as high as the hill, and continues 
 for several miles quite elevated. In approaching the hill from the 
 north it stands very prominently before you, rising rather abruptly 
 but not perpendicularly, to the height of eighty or ninety feet, ex- 
 tending about forty rods on a line east and west, the corners being 
 round or truncated, and continuing to the south on the west side for 
 some fifty or sixty rods, and on the east side for about half a mile, 
 maintaining about the same elevation on the sides as in front; beyond 
 which distance the line of the hill is that of the land around. There 
 are undoubted evidences of its having been resorted to as a fortifi- 
 cation, and of its having constituted a valuable point of defence to 
 a rude and half civilized people. Forty years ago an entrenchment 
 ten feet deep, and some twelve or fifteen feet wide, extended from 
 the west to the east end, along the north or front part, and contin- 
 ued up each side about twenty rods, where it crossed over, and 
 joining, made the circuit of entrenchment complete. At this day a 
 
83 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 portion of the entrenchment is easily perceived, for fifteen rods 
 along the extreme western half of the north or front part, the cul- 
 tivation of the soil and other causes having nearly obliterated all 
 other portions. It would seem that this fortification was arranged 
 more for protection against invasion from the north, this direction 
 being evidently its most commanding position. Near the northwest 
 corner, piles of rounded stones, have, at different times, been col- 
 lected of hard consistence, which are supposed to have been used as 
 weapons of defence by the besieged against the besiegers. Such 
 skeletons as have been found in and about this locality, indicate a race 
 of men averaging one third larger than the present race; so adjudged 
 by anatomists. From the fortification, a trench leads to a spring 
 of water. Arrow heads, pipes, beads, gouges, pestles, stone hatch- 
 ets, have been found upon the ground, and excavated, in and about 
 these fortifications. The pipes were of both stone and earthen 
 ware ; there was one of baked clay, the bowl of which was in the 
 form of a man's head and face, ihe nose, eyes, and other features 
 being depicted in a style resembling some of the figures in Mr. 
 Steven's plate of the ruins of Central America. Forest trees were 
 standing in the trench and on its sides, in size and age not differing 
 from those in the neighboring forests ; and upon the ground, the 
 heart-woods of black-cherry trees of large size, the remains undoubt- 
 edly of a growth of timber that preceded the present growth. 
 They were in such a state of soundness as to be used for timber by 
 the first settlers. This last circumstance would establish greater 
 antiquity for these works, than has been generally claimed from 
 other evidences. The black-cherry of this region, attains usually 
 the age of two hundred and seventy-five, and three hundred years ; 
 the beech and maple groves of Western New York, bear evidences 
 of having existed at least two hundred and forty or fifty years. 
 These aggregates would shew that these works were over five hun- 
 dred years old. But this, like other timber growth testimony that 
 has been adduced — that seems to have been relied upon somewhat 
 by Mr. Clinton and others — is far from being satisfactory. We 
 can only determine by this species of evidence that timber has been 
 growing upon these mounds and fortifications at least a certain length 
 of time ; — have no warrant for saying how much longer. Take for 
 instance the case under immediate consideration : — How is it to be 
 determined that there were not more than the two growths, of 
 cherry, and beech and maple ; that other growths did not precede 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 33 
 
 or intervene. These relics arc found in our dense and heaviest 
 timbered wood lands, below a deep vegetable mould interspersed 
 with evidences of a long succession of timber growths and decays. 
 We can in truth, form but a vague conception of the length of time 
 since these works were constructed, — while we are authorized in 
 saying they are of great antiquity, we are not authorized in lim- 
 iting the period. 
 
 The following are among some reflections of Professor Dewey 
 of Rochester, who has reviewed Fort Hill at Le Roy, and fur- 
 nished Mr. Schoolcraft with his observations. They may aid 
 the reader, who is an antiquarian, in his speculations: — 
 
 " The forest has been removed. Not a tree remains on the quad- 
 rangle, and only a few on the edge of the ravine on the west. By 
 cultivating the land, the trench is nearly filled in some places, though 
 the line of it is clearly seen. On the north side the trench is con- 
 siderable, and where the bridge crosses it, is three or four feet deep 
 at the sides of the road. It will take only a few years more to 
 obliterate it entirely, as not even a stump remains to mark out its line. 
 , From this view it may be seen, or inferred, 
 t 1. That a real trench bounded three sides of the quadrangle. 
 On the south side there was not found any trace of trench, palisadoes, 
 blocks, &c. 
 
 2. It was formed long before the whites came into the country. 
 The large trees on the ground and in the trench, carry us back to 
 an early era. 
 
 3. The workers must have had some convenient tools for exca- 
 vation. 
 
 4. The direction of the sides may have had some reference to 
 the four cardinal points, though the situation of the ravines naturally 
 marked out the lines. 
 
 5. It cannot have been designed merely to catch wild animals, 
 to be driven into it from the south. The oblique line down to the 
 spring is opposed to this supposition, as well as the insufficiency of 
 such a trench to confine the animals of the forest. 
 
 6. The same reasons render it improbable that the quadrangle 
 was designed to confine and protect domestic animals. 
 
 7. It was probably a sort of fortified place. There might have 
 been a defence on the south side by a stockade, or some similar 
 means which might have entirely disappeared. 
 
 By what people was this work done? 
 
 The articles found in the burying ground here, ofller no certain 
 
 reply. The axes, chisels, &c. found on tne Indian grounds in this 
 
 part of the state, were evidently made of the green stone or trap 
 
 of New England, like those found on the Connecticut river in Mas- 
 
 3 
 
34 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 sachusetts. The pipe of limestone might be from that part of the 
 comitry. The pipes seem to belong to different eras. 
 
 1. The limestone pipe indicates the work of the savage or 
 aborigines. 
 
 2. The third indicates the age of French influence over the 
 Indians. An intelligent French gentleman says such clay pipes are 
 frequent among the town population in parts of France. 
 
 3. The second, and most curious, seems to indicate an earlier 
 age and people. 
 
 The beads found at Fort Hill are long and coarse, made of baked 
 clay, and may have had the same origin as the third pipe. 
 
 Fort Hill cannot have been formed by the French as one of their 
 posts to aid in the destruction of the English colony of New-York ; 
 if the French had made Fort Hill a post as early as 1660 or 185 
 years ago, and then deserted it, the trees could not have grown to 
 the size of the forest generally in 1810, or in 150 years afterwards. 
 The white settlements had extended only twelve miles west of Avon 
 in 1798, and some years after, (1800,) Fort Hill was covered with a 
 dense forest. A chestnut tree, cut down in 1842, at Rochester, 
 showed 254 concentric circles of wood, and must have been more 
 than 200 years old in 1 800. So opposed is the notion that this was 
 a deserted French post. 
 
 Must we not refer Fort Hill to that race which peopled this 
 country before the Indians who raised so many monuments greatly 
 exceeding the power of the Indians, and who lived at a remote era." 
 
 Upon the upper end of Tonawanda Island, in the Niagara River, 
 near the dwelling house of the late Stephen White, in full view of 
 the village of Tonawanda, and the Buffalo and Niagara Falls Rail 
 Road, is an ancient mound, the elevation of which within the recol- 
 lection of the early settlers, was at least ten feet. It is now from 
 six to eight feet, — circular — twenty-five feet diameter at the base. 
 In the centre, a deep excavation has been made, at different periods, 
 in search of relics. A large number of human bones have been 
 taken from it, — arrows, beads, hatchets, &c. The mound occupies 
 a prominent position in the pleasure grounds laid out by Mr. White. 
 How distinctly are different ages marked upon this spot ! Here are 
 the mouldering remains of a primitive race — a race whose highest 
 achievments in the arts, was the fashioning from flint the rude wea- 
 pons of war and the chase, the pipe and hatchet of stone; and here 
 upon the other hand, is a mansion presenting good specimens 
 
 Note. — The title of this chapter would confine these notices to Holland Purchase. 
 The author has gone a short distance beyond his bounds, to include a well defined 
 specimen of these ancient works. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 35 
 
 of modern architecture. Commerce has brought the materials for 
 its chimney pieces from the quarries of Italy, and skill and genius 
 have chiseled and given to them a mirror-like polish. Here in 
 the midst of relics of another age, and of occupants of whom we 
 know nothing beyond these evidences of their existence, are 
 choice fruits, ornamental shrubbery, and graveled walks. 
 
 Directly opposite this mound upon the point formed by the junc- 
 tion of Tonawanda creek with the Niagara River there would seem 
 to have been an ancient armory, and upon no small scale. There 
 is intermingled with at least an acre of earth, chips of flint, refuse 
 pieces, and imperfect arrows that were broken in process of manu- 
 facture. In the early cultivation of the ground, the plough would 
 occasionally strike spots where these chips and pieces of arrows 
 predominated over the natural soil. 
 
 On the north side of the Little Buffalo Creek, in the town of 
 Lancaster, Erie County, there is an ancient work upon a bluff, about 
 thirty feet above the level of the stream. A circular embankment 
 encloses an acre. Thirty years ago this embankment was nearly 
 breast high to a man of ordinary height. There were five gate-ways 
 distinctly marked. A pine tree of the largest class in our forest, 
 grew directly in one of the gate-ways. It was adjudged, (at the 
 period named,) by practical lumbermen, to be five hundred years 
 OLD. Nearly opposite, a small stream puts into the Little Buffalo. 
 Upon the point formed by the junction of the two streams, a mound 
 extends across from one to the other, as if to enclose or fortify the 
 point. In modern military practice, strong fortifications are invested 
 sometimes by setting an army down before them and throwing' up 
 breast-works. May not this smaller work bear a similar relation to 
 the larger one 1 
 
 About one and a half miles west of Shelby Centre, Orleans 
 county, is an ancient work. A broad ditch encloses in a form 
 nearly circular, about three acres of land. The ditch is at this day, 
 well defined several feet deep. Adjoining the spot on the south, 
 is a swamp about one mile in width by two in length. This swamp 
 was once, doubtless, if not a lake, an impassable morass. From the 
 interior of the enclosure made by the ditch, there is what appears 
 to have been, a passage way on the side next to the swamp. No 
 other breach occurs in the entire circuit of the embankment. There 
 are accumulated within and near this fort large piles of small stones 
 
36 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 of a size convenient to be thrown by the hand, or with a sling.* Ar- 
 row heads of flint are found in and near the enclosure, in great 
 abundance, stone axes, &c. Trees of four hundred years growth 
 stand upon the embankment, and underneath them have been found, 
 earthen ware, pieces of plates or dishes, wrought with skill, pre- 
 senting ornaments in relief, of various patterns. Some skeletons 
 almost entire have been exhumed ; many of giant size, not less than 
 seven to eight feet in length. The skulls are large and well devel- 
 oped in the anterior lobe, broad between the ears, and flattened in 
 the coronal region. Half a mile west of the fort is a sand hill. 
 Here a large number of human skeletons have been exhumed, in a 
 perfect state. Great numbers appeared to have been buried in the 
 same grave. Many of the skulls appear to have been broken in with 
 clubs or stones. " This," says S. M. Burroughs, Esq, of Medina, 
 (to whom the author is indebted for the description,) "was doubt- 
 less the spot where a great battle had been fought. Were not these 
 people a branch of the Aztecs? The earthen ware found herg 
 seems to indicate a knowledge of the arts known to that oncd 
 powerful nation." ' 
 
 The p,Ev. Samuel Kirklandj visited and described several or 
 these remains west of the Genesee River, in the year 1788. At 
 that early period, before they had been disturbed by the antiqua- 
 rian, the plough or the harrow, they must have been much more per- 
 fect, and better defined than now. Mr. Kirkland says in his journal, 
 that after leaving " Kanawageas," J he travelled twenty-six miles 
 and encamped for the night at a place called " Joaki," J| on the 
 
 * These piles of small stone are frequently spoken of in connection with these 
 works, by those who saw them at an early period of white settlement. 
 
 t Mr. K. was the pioneer Protestant Missionary among the Iroquois. The Rev. Dr. 
 Wheelock, of Lebanon, Conn., who was his early tutor, in one of his letters to the 
 Countess of Huntingdon, in 1765, says : — " A young Englishman, whom I sent last 
 fall to winter with the numerous and savage tribes of the Senecas, in order to learn their 
 language, and fit him for a mission among them ; where no missionaiy has hitherto 
 dared to venture. This bold adventure of his, which under all the circumstances of it 
 is the most extraordinary of the kind I have ever known, has been attended with abun- 
 dant evidence of a divine blessing." Connected as was the subject of this eulogy with 
 other branches of our local histor)', he will be frequently referred to in the course of this 
 work. 
 
 t Avon, 
 
 II Batavia, or the " Great Bend of the Tonnewanta," as it was uniformly called by the 
 early travellers on the trail from Tioga Point to Fort Niagara and Canada. ttT" See 
 account of Indian Trails. Batavia was favored with several Indian names. In Sen- 
 eca, the one used by Mr K. would be Racoon. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE, 37 
 
 river *' Tonawanda." Six miles from the place of encampment, he 
 rode to the " open fields."* Here he " walked out about half a 
 mile with one of the Seneca chiefs to view " the remains -whioh he 
 thus describes : — 
 
 *' This place is called by the Senecas Tegatainasghque, which 
 imports a double fortified town, or a town with a fort at each end. 
 Here are the vestiges of two forts; the one contains about four 
 acres of ground; the other, distant from this about two miles, and 
 situated at the other extremity of the ancient town, encloses twice 
 that quantity. The ditch around the former (which I particularly 
 examined) is about five or six feet deep. A small stream of living 
 water, with a high bank, circumscribed nearly one third of the en- 
 closed ground. There were traces of six gates, or avenues, around 
 the ditch, and a dug-way near the works to the water. The 
 ground on the opposite side of the water, was in some places nearly 
 as high as that on which they built the fort, which might make it 
 nessessary for this covered way to the water. A considerable num- 
 ber of large, thrifty oaks have grown up within the enclosed grounds, 
 both in and upon the ditch; some of them at least, appeared to be Wo 
 hundred years old or more. The ground is of a hard gravelly kind, 
 intermixed with loam, and more plentifully at the brow of the hill. 
 In some places, at the bottom of the ditch, I could run my cane a foot 
 or more into the ground; so that probably the ditch was much deeper 
 in its original state than it appears to be now. Near the northern 
 fortification, which is situated on high ground, are the remains of a 
 funeral pile. The earth is raised about six feet above the common 
 surface, and betwixt twenty and thirty feet in diameter. From the 
 best information I can get of the Indian Historians, these Forts were 
 made previous to the Senecas being admitted into the confederacy of 
 the Mohawks, Onondagas, Oneidas and Cayugas, and when the 
 former were at war with the Mississaugas and other Indians around 
 the great lakes. This must have been near three hundred years 
 ago, if not more, by many concurring accounts which I have 
 obtained from different Indians of several different tribes. Indian 
 tradition says also that these works were raised, and a famous battle 
 fought here, in the pure Indian style and with Indian weapons, long 
 before tlieir knowledge and use of fire arms or any knowledge 
 of the Europeans, These nations at that time used, in fighting, 
 bows and arrows, the spear or javelin, pointed with bone, and the 
 
 * The openings, as they are termed, in the towns of Elba and Alabama ; lying on 
 either side of the Batavia and Lockport road, but chiefly, between that road and the 
 Tonawanda Creek. The antiquarian who goes in search of the ancient Tegatain- 
 asghque, will be likely to divide his attention between old and new things. It was a 
 part of Tonawanda Indian Reservation. About twenty-five years since, it was sold to 
 the Ogden Company ; and the ancient " open fields " now present a broad expanse of 
 wheat fields, interspersed with farm buildings that give evidence of the elements of 
 wealth that have been fouad in the soil. 
 
38 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 war club or death mall. When the former were expended, they 
 came into close engagement in using the latter. Their warrior's 
 dress or coat of mail for this method of fighting, was a short jacket 
 made of willow sticks, or moon wood, and laced tight around the 
 body; the head covered with a cap of the same kind, but commonly 
 worn double for the better security of that part against a stroke from 
 the war club. In the great battle fought at this place, between the 
 Senecas and Western Indians, some affirm their ancestors have told 
 them there were eight hundred of their enemies slain; others include 
 the killed on both sides to make that number. All their historians 
 agree in this, that the battle was fought here, where the heaps of 
 slain are buried, before the arrival of the Europeans; some say 
 three, some say four, others five ages ago; they reckon an age one 
 hundred winters or colds. I would further remark upon this subject 
 that there are vestiges of ancient fortified towns in various parts, 
 throughout the extensive territory of the Six Nations. I find also 
 by constant enquiry, that a tradition prevails among the Indians in 
 general, that all Indians came from the west. I have wished for an 
 opportunity to pursue this inquiry with the more remote tribes of 
 Indians, to satisfy myself, at least, if it be their univei'sal opinion. 
 
 " On the south side of Lake Erie, are a series of old fortifications, 
 from Cattaraugus Creek to the Pennsylvania line, a distance of fifty 
 miles. Some are from two to four miles apart, others half a mile 
 only. Some contain five acres. The walls or breast-works are of 
 earth, and are generally on grounds where tiiere are appearances 
 of creeks having flowed into the lake, or where there was a bay. 
 Further south there is said to be another chain parallel with the 
 first, about equi-distant from the lake, 
 
 " These remains of art, may be viewed as connecting links of a 
 great chain, which extends beyond the confines of our state, and 
 becomes more magnificent and curious as we recede from the 
 northern lakes, pass through Ohio into the great valley of the Mis- 
 sissippi, thence to the gulf of Mexico through Texas into New 
 Mexico and South America. In this vast range of more than three 
 thousand miles, these monuments of ancient skill gradually become 
 more remarkable for their number, magnitude and interesting 
 variety, until we are lost in admiration and astonishment, to find, 
 as Baron Humboldt informs us, in a world which we call new^ 
 ancient institutions, religious ideas, and forms of edifices, similar 
 to those of Asia, which there seem to go back to the dawn of 
 civilization." 
 
 " Over the great secondary region of the Ohio, are the ruins of 
 what once were forts, cemeteries, temples, altars, camps, towns, 
 
 Note. — The traditions given to Mr. Kirkland at so early a period, are added to his 
 account of the old Forts, to be taken in connection with adverse theories and conclusions 
 upon the same point As has before been observed, many of the Senecas who have 
 since been consulted, do not pretend to any satisfactory knowledge upon the subjects. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 39 
 
 villages, race-grounds and other places of amusement, habitations 
 of chieftains, videttes, watch-towers and monuments." 
 
 "It is," says Mr. Atwater,* "nothing but one vast cemetery of 
 the beings of past ages. Man and his works, the mammoth, tropi- 
 cal animals, the cassia tree and other tropical plants, are here repo- 
 sing together in the same formation. By what catastrophe they 
 were overwhelmed and buried in the same strata it would be 
 impossible to say, unless it was that of the general deluge." 
 
 "In the valley of the Mississippi, the monuments of buried nations 
 are unsurpassed in magnitude and melancholy grandeur by any in 
 North America, Here cities have been traced similar to those of 
 Ancien,t Mexico, once containing hundreds of thousands of souls. 
 Here are to be seen thousands of tumuli, some an hundred feet high, 
 others many hundred feet in circumference, the places of their 
 worship, their sepulchre, and perhaps of their defence. Similar 
 mounds are scattered throughout the continent, from the shores of 
 the Pacific into the interior of our State as far as Black River and 
 from the Lakes to South America."! 
 
 So much for all we can see or know of our ancient predecessors. 
 The whole subject is but incidental to the main purposes of local 
 history. The reader who wishes to pursue it farther will be assisted 
 in his enquiries by a perusal of Mr. Schoolcraft's Notes on the 
 Iroquois. But the mystery of this pre-occupancy is far from being 
 satisfactorily explained. It is an interesting, fruitful source of the- 
 ories, enquiry and speculation. 
 
 •Atwater's Antiquities of the West. 
 
 tYates and Moulton's History of New York. 
 
40 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 CHAPTER II 
 
 THE IROQUOIS, OR FIVE NATIONS.* 
 
 Emerging from a region of doubt and conjecture, we arrive at 
 another branch of local history, replete with interest — less obscure, 
 — though upon its threshold we feel the want of reliable data, the 
 lights that guide us in tracing the history of those who have writ- 
 ten records. 
 
 The Seneca Indians were our immediate predecessors — the 
 pre-occupants from whom the title of the Holland Purchase was 
 derived. They were the Fifth Nation of a Confederacy, termed 
 by themselves Mingoes, as inferred by Mr. Clinton, Ho-de-no-sau- 
 nee,t as inferred by other writers ; the Confederates, by the Eng- 
 lish ; the Maquaws, by the Dutch ; the Massowamacs, by the 
 Southern Indians ; the IROQUOIS, by the French ; by which last 
 name they are now usually designated, in speaking or writing of 
 the distinct branches of the Aborigines of the United States. 
 
 The original Confederates were the Mohawks, having their prin- 
 cipal abode upon that river ; the Oneidas, upon the southern shore 
 of Oneida Lake ; the Cayugas near Cayuga Lake ; the Senecas, 
 upon Seneca Lake and the Genesee River. Those localities were 
 their principal seats, or the places of their Council fires. They 
 may be said generally, to have occupied in detached towns and vil- 
 lages the whole of this State, from the Hudson to the Niagara 
 River, now embraced in the counties of Schenectady, Schoharie, 
 Montgomery, Fulton, Herkimer, Oneida, Madison, Onondaga, Cay- 
 uga, Seneca, Wayne, Ontario, Livingston, Genesee, Wyoming, 
 Monroe, Orleans, Niagara, Erie, Chautauque, Cattaragus, Alle- 
 
 * The "Five" Nations, at the period of our earliest knowledge of them — the 
 •• Six " Nations after they had adopted the Tuscaroras, in 1712. 
 
 t " The People of the Long House," from the circumstance that they likeued their 
 political structure to a long tenement or dwelling. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 41 
 
 ghany, Steuben and Yates. A narrower limit of their dwelling 
 places, the author is aware, has been usually designated ; but in 
 reference to the period of the first European advent among them — 
 1678 — it is to be inferred that their habitations were thus extended, 
 not only from the traces of their dwellings, and the relics of their 
 rude cultivation of the soil, but from the records of the early Jesuit 
 Missionaries. Their missions were at different periods, extended 
 from the Hudson to the Niagara River, and each one of them would 
 seem to have had several villages in its vicinity. Each of the Five 
 Nations undoubtedly had a principal seat. They were as indicated 
 by their names. And each had its tributary villages, extended as 
 has been assumed. It was plainly a coming together from separate 
 localities — a gathering of clansmen — to resist the invasion of De 
 Nonville; and it is to be inferred from the journal of Father Hen- 
 nepin that there were villages of the " Iroquois Senecas " in the 
 neighborhood of La Salle's ship yard on the Niagara River, and the 
 primitive garrison or " palisade," at its mouth. The Missionaries 
 who went out from the "place of ship building," and from the "Fort 
 at Niagara" from time to time, upon apparently short excursions, 
 visited different villages. The Jesuit Missions upon the Mohawk, 
 and at Onondaga would seem to have been visited, each by the 
 inhabitants of several villages. The author rejects the conclusion, 
 that the Tonawanda, and the Buffalo Indian villages, were not 
 founded until after the expedition of General Sullivan ; and con- 
 cludes that these and other settlements of the Iroquois existed prior 
 to the European advent, west of the Genesee River. While some 
 of the Seneca Indians assume the first position, others, equally 
 intelligent, and as well instructed in their traditions, do not pretend 
 to thus limit the period of settlement at these points. 
 
 Their actual dominion had a far wider range. The Five Nations 
 claimed " all the land not sold to the English, from the mouth of 
 Sorrel River, on the south side of Lakes Erie and Ontario, on both 
 sides of the Ohio till it falls into the Mississippi ; and on the north 
 side of these Lakes that whole territory between the Ottawa River 
 and Lake Huron, and even beyond the straits between that and 
 Lake Erie." * And in another place the same author says : — 
 "When the Dutch began the settlement of tliis country, all the 
 Indians on Long Island, and the northern shores of the Sound, on 
 
 •Smith's Histor}' of New York. 
 
42 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the banks of the Connecticut, Hudson, Delaware, and Susquehannah 
 Rivers, were in subjection to the Five Nations, and acknowledged 
 it by paying tribute. The French historians of Canada, both 
 ancient and modern, agree that the more Northern Indians, were 
 driven before the superior martial prowess of the Confederates." 
 " The Ho-de-no-sau-nee, occupied our precise territory, and their 
 council fires burned continually from the Hudson to the Niagara. 
 Our old forests have rung with their war shouts, and been enli- 
 vened with their festivals of peace. Their feathered bands, their 
 eloquence, their deeds of valor have had their time and place. In 
 their progressive course, they had stretched around the half of our 
 republic, and rendered their name a terror nearly from ocean to 
 ocean ; when the advent of the Saxon race arrested their career, 
 and prepared the way for the destruction of the Long House, and 
 the final extinguishment of the Council Fires of the Confederacy.* 
 " At 6ne period we hear the sound of their war cry along the 
 Straits of the St. Mary's, and at the foot of Lake Superior. At 
 another, under the walls of Quebec, where they finally defeated 
 the Hurons, under the eyes of the French. They put out the fires 
 of the Gah-kwas and Eries. They eradicated the Susquehannocks. 
 They placed the Lenapes, the Nanticokes, and the Munsees under 
 the yoke of subjection. They put the Metoacks and Manhattans 
 under tribute. They spread the terror of their arms over all New 
 England. They traversed the whole length of the Appalachian 
 Chain and descended like the enraged yagisho and megalonyx, on 
 the Cherokees and Catawbas. Smith encountered their warriors 
 in the settlement of Virginia, and La Salle on the discovery of 
 the Illinois."! "The immediate dominion of the Iroquois — when 
 the Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas, were 
 first visited by the trader, the Missionary, or the war parties of the 
 French — stretched, as we have seen, from the borders of Vermont 
 to Western New York, from the Lakes to the head waters of the 
 Ohio, the Susquehannah and the Delaware. The number of their 
 warriors was declared by the French in 1660, to have been two 
 thousand two hundred; and in 1677, an English agent sent on pur- 
 pose to ascertain their strength, confirmed the precision of the state- 
 ment. Their geographical position made them umpires in the 
 
 * Letters on the Iroquois, by Shenandoah in American Review, 
 t Schoolcraft. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 43 
 
 contest of the French for dominion in the west. Besides their 
 political importance was increased by their conquests. Not only 
 did they claim some supremacy in Northern New England as far 
 as the Kennebeck, and to the south as far as New Haven, and 
 were acknowledged as absolute lords over the conquered Lenappe, 
 — the peninsula of Upper Canada was their hunting field by right 
 of war ; they had exterminated the Eries and Andastes, both tribes 
 of their own family, the one dwelling on the south-eastern banks 
 of lake Erie, the other on the head waters of the Ohio; they had 
 triumphantly invaded the tribes of the west as far as Illinois ; their 
 warriors had reached the soil of Kentucky and Western Virginia ; 
 and England, to whose alliance they steadily inclined, availed itself 
 of their treaties for the cession of territories, to encroach even 
 on the Empire of France in America." * 
 
 While the citations that we have made from reliable authorities, 
 sufficiently establish the extended dominions of the Iroquois, they 
 also sanction the highest estimate that has been made of their bravery 
 and martial prowess. Their strength and unifoi-m success, are 
 mainly to be attributed to their social and political organization. 
 They were Confederates. Their enemies, or the nations they chose 
 to make war with, for the purposes of conquest, extended rule, poli- 
 tical supremacy — were detached, — had feuds perhaps between 
 themselves — could not act in concert. The Iroquois were a five 
 fold cord. Their antagonists, but single strands, and if acting 
 occasionally in concert, it was in the absence of a league or union, 
 of that peculiar character that made their assailants invincible. 
 Added to this, is the concurrent testimony of historians, that the 
 Iroquois, in physical and mental organization far excelled all other of 
 the aboriginal nations, or tribes of our country. A position justified 
 by our own observation and comparisons. Even in our own day, 
 now that they are dwindled down to a mere remnant of what they 
 were ; confined to a few thousand acres of a broad domain they 
 once posessed, (and even these stinted allotments grudgingly made, 
 and their possession envied by rapacious pre-emptionists,) now 
 that they have survived the terrible ordeal — a contest with our 
 race, and all its blighting and contaminating influences, — their 
 supei iority is evinced in various ways; their supremacy apparent. 
 Upon the banks of the Tonawanda, the Alleghany, the Cattaragus, 
 
 •Bancroft's History of the United States. 
 
44 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 there are now unbroken, proud spirits of this noble race of men, 
 who would justify the highest encomiums that history has bestowed. 
 If we are told that they have degenerated, the position can be 
 controverted by the citation of individual instances. If their 
 ambition has been crushed; if they feel, as well they may, that their 
 condition has been changed ; that they are in a measure dependants 
 upon a soil, and in a region, where they were but a little time since, 
 lords and masters ; if they are conscious, as well they may be, that 
 superior diplomacy, artful and over-reaching negotiation, has as 
 effectually conquered and despoiled them of their possessions as a 
 conquest of arms would have done; if they feel that they are aliens, 
 as they are made by our laws, upon the native soil of themselves 
 and a long line of ancestors. — There are yet worthy descendants of 
 the primitive stock — the same "Seneca Iroquois," in mind, in fea- 
 ture, in some of the best attributes of our common nature, — that 
 La Salle, Hennepin, Tonti, Joncair, found here in these western 
 forests; that the seemingly partial, yet truthful historian has describ- 
 ed. While the vices of civilization — or those .that civilization has 
 introduced — have effectually degenerated a large portion of them; 
 debased them to a level with the worst of the whites; there are 
 those, and a large class of them, that have, with a moral firmness 
 that is admirable — a native, uneducated sense of right and wrong, 
 of virtue and vice ; resisted all the temptations wiih which they 
 have been beset and surrounded, and command our highest es- 
 teem, not for what they, or their progenitors have been ; but for 
 their intrinsic merits. Their ancient council fires, are not extin- 
 guished; though they burn not as brightly in the allotted retreat 
 where they are now kindled, as of yore, when they blazed in the 
 " Long House," from Hudson to Lake Erie. Their confederacy 
 is dwindled to a mere shadow of what it was, but it yet exists. 
 " They have been stripped so entirely of their possessions as to have 
 retained scarcely sufficient for a sepulchre. They have been shorn 
 so entirely of their power as to be scarcely heard when appealing 
 to justice from the rapacity of the pre-emptive claimants."* And 
 yet they are a distinctive people — their Ancient League in force; 
 their ancient rites and ceremonies are still performed. From their 
 ancient seat at Onondaga, the council fire is transferred to 
 Tonawanda. Here it is yet kindled. Here the representatives of 
 
 Shenandoah. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. ' 45 
 
 the Senecas, the Tuscaroras, the Onondagas, the scattered rem- 
 n-ants of the Mohawks, Cayugas and Oneidas, yet assemble, go 
 through with their ancient rites and ceremonies ; — their speeches, 
 dances, exhortations, sacrifices, &c.; supply vacancies that have 
 occurred in the ranks of their sachems and chiefs, furnish a feeble 
 but true representation of the doings of their ancient confederacy, 
 when it was the sole conservator and legislature of two thirds of 
 our Empire State, and held in subjection nearly that proportion of 
 our own modern and similarly constructed Union. 
 
 The historians of the Iroquois, have found ample authority for 
 the extended dominion, and military supremacy they have conceded 
 to them, in the writings of the French Missionaries, and in their 
 own well authenticated traditions; and there is still more reliable 
 testimony. As in after times — in their wars with the French, and 
 in the Border Wars of the Revolution, a large proportion of their 
 prisoners were saved from torture and execution and adopted into 
 families and tribes, for the double purpose of supplying the loss of 
 their own people slain in battle or taken prisoners — of keeping 
 their numbers good — and for solacing the bereaved relatives, by 
 substituting a favorite captive in the family circle. This was 
 not only the ancient, but the modern custom of the Iroquois. 
 The commentators upon their institutions, have inferred that 
 this was a part of their system and policy. This will be quite 
 apparent in some accounts that will follow of white prisoners 
 who were found among the Senecas in Western New York, at the 
 earliest period of white settlement, and whose descendants are still 
 among them. There are now upon the Tonawanda Reservation, at 
 Cattaragus and Alleghany, descendants of Cherokee, Seminole and 
 Catawba captives; in fact of nearly all the nations, which we are 
 told in their traditions, they were at war with in early times. It is 
 singular, with what apparent precision, they will trace the mixed 
 blood, when none but themselves can discover any difference of 
 complexion or features. Tradition must be their helper, in deter- 
 mining after the lapse of centuries, and a long succession of gene- 
 rations, where the blood of the captive is mingled with their ovm. 
 They are good genealogists; far better than we are, who can avail 
 ourselves of written records. 
 
 And there is a fact connected with this reprieving and adopting 
 captives, that commands our especial wonder, if not our admiration. 
 In all the numerous cases that we have accounts of, with few 
 
46 ' HISTORY OF THE 
 
 exceptions, captivity soon ceased to be irksome; an escape from it 
 hardly a desirable consummation ! Was the captive of their own 
 race and color, he soon forgot that he was in the wigwam of stran- 
 gers, away from his country and kindred; he was no alien; social, 
 political, and family immunities were extended to him. He was as 
 one of them in all respects. Had he left behind father, mother, 
 brother, sister or wife, they were supplied him; and it baffles all 
 our preconceived opinions of an arbitrary, instinctive sense of kin- 
 dred blood affinity, when told how easily the captive adapted him- 
 self to his new relations; how soon the adopter and the adopted 
 conformed to an alliance that was merely conventional. And so it 
 was in a great degree with our own race. They too, were captives 
 among the Iroquois, but wore no captive's chains. After a little 
 there was no restraint, no coercion, no desire to escape. Upon 
 this point, we have the recorded testimony of Mary Jemison, of 
 Horatio Jones, and several others. Mrs. Jemison, who had 
 more than ordinary natural endowments; who possessed a mind and 
 affections adapted to the enjoyments of civilization and refinement ; 
 affirms that in a short time after she was made a captive, she was 
 content with her condition; and she affirmed at the close of a long 
 life, spent principally among the Senecas, that she had uniformly 
 been treated with kindness. The author in his boyhood has listened 
 to the recitals of captive whites among the Senecas, and well 
 remembers how incredible it seemed that they should have preferred 
 a continuance among them to a return to their own race. This to 
 us seemingly singular choice, with those who were young when 
 captured, is partly to be accounted for in the novelty of the change 
 — the sports and pastimes — the "freedom of the woods" — the 
 absence of restraints and checks, upon youthful inclinations. But 
 chiefly it was the influence of kindness, extended to them as soon 
 as they were adopted. The Indian mother knew no difference 
 between her natural and adopted children; there were no social 
 discriminations, or if any, in favor of the adopted captive; they 
 had all the rights and privileges in their tribes, nations, confederacy, 
 enjoyed by the native Iroquois.* 
 
 The Senecas have traditions of the execution of several 
 
 * This kind treatment of prisoners, it is not contended, was uniform. A portiou 
 of them were subjected to torture and death. It was however, one thing or the 
 other: — death attended by all the horrors of savage custom, or adoption into a family, 
 and the treatment that has been indicated. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 47 
 
 prisoners, that were made captives in their wars with the Southern 
 Indians. A stream that puts into the Alleghany, below Olean, 
 bears the Seneca name of a Cherokee prisoner, who, their 
 traditions say, was executed there. Mrs. Jemison * says, her 
 husband, Hiokatoo, was engaged in 1731, to assist in collecting 
 an army to go against the Catawbas, Cherokees, and other 
 Southern Indians. That they met the enemy on the Tennessee 
 River, "rushed upon them in ambuscade, and massacred 1200 on 
 the spot ; " that after that, the battle continued for two days. 
 She names several other wars with the Southern Indians, in which 
 her warrior husband was engaged. It is but a few years since 
 there were surviving aged Seneca Indians, who recounted their 
 exploits in wars waged by the Iroquois against neighboring and 
 far distant nations. 
 
 The reader who has not made himself familiar with the history 
 of the aboriginal pre-occupants of our region, has, perhaps, in 
 this brief introduction of them, their wars and extended dominion 
 — their pre-eminence among the nations of their race — the high 
 position assigned them by historians, — been sufficiently interested 
 to desire to know more of them ; especially to know something 
 of the organization and frame work of a political system — a 
 confederacy so wisely conceived by the untaught Statesmen of 
 the forest, who had no precedents to consult, no written lore of 
 ages to refer to, no failures or triumphs of systems of human 
 government to serve for models or comparisons ; nothing to guide 
 them but the lights of nature ; nothing to prompt them but 
 necessity and emergency. 
 
 The French historian, Volney, was the first to pronounce the 
 Iroquois the romans of the west ; a proud, and not undeserved 
 title, which succeeding historians and commentators have not 
 withheld. " Had they enjoyed the advantages possessed by the 
 Greeks and Romans, there is no reason to believe they would have 
 been at all inferior to these celebrated nations. Their minds 
 appear to have been equal to any effort within the reach of man. 
 Their conquests, if we consider their numbers and circumstances, 
 were little inferior to those of Rome itself. In their harmony, 
 the unity of their operations, the energy of their character, the 
 vastness, vigor, and success of their enterprises, and the strength 
 
 * Life of Mary Jemison by James E. Seaver, revised aud enlarged by Ebenezer Mix 
 
48 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and sublimity of their eloquence, they may be fairly compared 
 with the Greeks. Both the Greeks and Romans, before they 
 began to rise into distinction, had already reached the state of 
 society in which men are able to improve. The Iroquois had not. 
 The Greeks and Romans had ample means for improvement ; the 
 Iroquois had none."* " If we except the celebrated league, which 
 united the Five Nations into a Federal Republic, we can discern 
 few traces of political wisdom among the rude American tribes as 
 discover any great degree of foresight or extent of intellectual 
 abilities."! "The Iroquois bore this proud appellation, not only by 
 conquests over other tribes, but by encouraging the people of 
 other nations to incorporate with them ; ' a Roman principle,' 
 says Thatcher, ' recognized in the practice as well as theory of 
 these lords of the forest."| " From whatever point we scrutinize 
 the general features of their confederacy, we are induced to 
 regard it, in many respects, as a beautiful, as well as remarkable 
 structure, and to hold it up as the triumph of Indian legislation."§ 
 " It cannot, I presume, be doubted, that- the confederates were a 
 peculiar and extraordinary people, contra-distinguished from the 
 wars of the Indian Nations by great attainments in polity, in 
 government, in negotiation, in eloquence, and in war."|| 
 
 The peculiar structure of the confederacy of the Iroquois, is 
 one of the most interesting features of our aboriginal history. A 
 brief analysis of it is all that will be attempted. Its general 
 features were known to their earliest historians, but it was left to 
 a recent contributor H to the archives of the New York Historical 
 Society, to investigate the subject with a zeal, industry and ability, 
 which do him great credit ; to give us a better knowledge of the 
 legislation and laws of these sons of the forest, than we before 
 possessed. To that source principally, with occasional reference 
 to other authorities ; the author is indebted for the materials for 
 the sketch that follows : — 
 
 The existence of the Iroquois upon the soil now constituting 
 Western and Middle New York, is distinctly traced back to the 
 period of the discovery of America. Their traditions go beyond 
 
 * President Dwight. t Robertson's America. 
 
 t Yonnondio, or the Warriors of Genesee, by W. H. C. Hosmer. 
 
 § Shenandoah. ||Mh. Clinton. 
 
 f^Letters on the Iroquois, Shenandoah ; addressed to Albert Gallatin, President. 
 N. Y. Historical Society. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 49 
 
 that period — or in fact have no Hmits ; some of their relators 
 contending that this was always their home; others, that they came 
 here by conquest ; and others, that they were peaceful emigrants 
 from a former home in the south. This involves a mooted question, 
 which it is not necessary here to discuss, if indeed it admits of any 
 satisfactory conclusion. They fix upon no definite period in refer- 
 ence to the origin of their confederacy. It existed, and was 
 recognized by the Dutch, who were the first adventurers in the 
 eastern portion of our state ; by the earliest French Jesuits in the 
 valley of the Mohawk, at Onondaga, and along the south shores of 
 Lake Ontario, and upon the Niagara River ; and there were 
 evidences of a long precedent existence, that corresponded with 
 their traditions. 
 
 Like most systems of human governments, and especially the 
 better ones — it was undoubtedly the offspring of emergency. 
 Protracted wars, such as their race have been subject to since our 
 first acquaintance with it — and which has often called into requisi- 
 tion the mediatory offices of our government, had created the 
 necessity of a union of strength — an alliance, for offence and defence. 
 It was upon a smaller scale to be sure, than an alliance that 
 followed centuries after, between the crowned heads of Europe ; 
 but was dictated by better motives, and far more wisdom ; though 
 with a history of Iroquois conquests before us, it is not to be denied, 
 that they not only contemplated peace and union at home, but like 
 their imitators meditated assaults upon their neighbors. The one 
 was suggested by the autocrat of Russia, from a palace — tradition 
 attributes the other to a "wise man* of the Onondaga nation," 
 whose dwelling was but a hunter's lodge. 
 
 The confederacy in one leading feature at least, was not unlike 
 our Federal Union. The Five Nations were as so many states, 
 reserving to themselves some well defined powers, but yielding 
 others for the general good. 
 
 The supreme power of the confederacy, was vested in a con- 
 gress of sachems, fifty in number. The Mohawks were entitled to 
 nine representatives ; the Oneidas to nine ; the Onondagas to fourteen; 
 the Cayugas to ten; the Senecas to eight. "The office of sachem 
 was hereditary. They were " raised up," not by their respective 
 nations, but by a council of all the sachems. They formed the 
 
 * Dajrdnowedd, 
 
50 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 "council of the League," and in them resided the Executive legisla- 
 tive and judicial authority. In their own localities, at home among 
 their ov^^n people, these sachems were the government, forming 
 five independent local sovereignties, modelled after the general cen- 
 gress of sachems. There were in fact five distinct local republics 
 within one general republic. It was as it would be with our dele- 
 gation in Congress, if after discharging their duties at the seat of 
 the general government, they came home and formed a council for all 
 purposes of local government. Although not a monarchy, it " was 
 the rule of the few,'^ and these few possessing what would look to us 
 like a power very liable to abuse — the power of self creation ; filling 
 up their own ranks, as vacancies occured from time to time; and yet 
 we are told that this formed no exception to the general well 
 working of the system. The members of the council of the 
 League were equals in power and authority ; and yet from some 
 provision in their organization, or from a necessity which must 
 have existed with the Iroquois Council as with all conventional or 
 legislative bodies, it is to be inferred that they had a head or leader 
 — something answering the purposes of a speaker in our system of 
 legislation, or a president, in our conventional arrangement. How 
 all this was managed it is difficult to understand. There was 
 always residing in the central Onondaga nation, a sachem who 
 had at least a nominal superiority; he was regarded as the head 
 of the confederacy, and had dignities and honors, above his fellow 
 sachems; and yet his prerogatives were only such as were tacitly 
 allowed or conceded ; not derived as we would say, from any 
 " constitutional " provisions. His position was an hereditary one, 
 derived, as is affirmed by tradition, from an Onondaga chief — 
 Ta-do-da-hoh, a famous chief and warrior, who was co-temporary 
 with the formation of the confederacy. He had rendered himself 
 
 Note — Those into whose hands may chance to have fallen the pamphlet of the 
 native Tuscarora historian, David Cusick, will remember his picture of "At-to-tar-ho." 
 This was the real or iniag-inary " Ta-do-da-hoh " of Onondag^a; the name varying with 
 the different dialects. With rather more than the ordinary love of fancy and fiction, 
 inherent in his race, the Tuscarora narrator has invested his hero with something more 
 than human attributes : and has awarded to his memory, a wood cut — rude but 
 graphic. He is represented as a monarch, quietly smoking his pipe, sitting in one of 
 the marshes of Onondaga, giving audience to an embassy from the Mohawks, who 
 have come to solicit his co-operation in the formation of a League. Living serpents 
 are entwined around him, extending their hissing heads in every direction. Every 
 thing around him, and the place of his residence, were such as to inspire fear and 
 respect. His dishes and spoons were made of the skulls of enemies he had slain in 
 battle. Him, when they had duly approached with presents, and burned tobacco in 
 friendship, in their pipes, by way of frankincense, they placed at the head of the 
 League as its presiding officer. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 51 
 
 illustrious by military achievements. " Down to this day, among 
 the Iroquois, his name is the personification of heroism, of forecast, 
 and of dignity of character. He was reluctant to consent to the 
 new order of things, as he would be shorn of his power, and placed 
 among a number of equals. To remove this objection, his sachem- 
 ship was dignified above the others, by certain special privileges, 
 not inconsistent, however, with an equal distribution of powers ; 
 and from his day to the present, this title has been regarded as 
 more noble and illustrious than any other, in the catalogue of 
 Iroquois nobility." 
 
 " With a mere league of Indian nations, the constant tendency 
 would be to a rupture, from remoteness of position and interest, 
 and from the inherent weakness of such a compact. In the case 
 under inspection, something more lasting was aimed at than a 
 simple union of the five nations, in the nature of an alliance. A 
 blending of the national sovereignties into one government, with 
 direct and manifold relations between the people and the Confed- 
 eracy, as such, was sought for and achieved by these forest 
 statesmen. On first observation, the powers of the government 
 appear to be so entirely centralized, that the national independencies 
 nearly disappear ; but this is very far from the fact. The crowning 
 feature of the Confederacy, as a political structure, is the perfect 
 independence and individuality of the nations, in the midst of a 
 central and embracing government, which presents such a united 
 and cemented exterior, that its subdivisions would scarcely be 
 discovered in transacting business with the Confederacy. This 
 remarkable result was in part eflfected by the provision that the 
 same rulers who governed the Confederacy in their joint capacity, 
 should, in their separate state, still be the rulers of the several 
 nations. 
 
 " For all the purposes of a local and domestic, and many of a 
 political character, the nations were entirely independent of each 
 other. The nine Mohawk sachems administered the affairs of that 
 nation with joint authority, precisely in the same manner as they 
 did, in connection with others, the affairs of the League at large. 
 With similar powers, the ten Cayuga sachems, by their joint 
 councils, regulated the internal and domestic affairs of their nation. 
 As the sachems of each nation stood upon a perfect equality, in 
 authority and privileges, the measure of inffuence was determined 
 entirely by the talents and address of the individual. In the 
 council's of the nation, which were of frequent occurrence, all 
 business of national concernment was transacted ; and, although the 
 questions moved on such occasions would be finally settled by the 
 opinions of the sachems, yet such was the spirit of the Iroquois 
 system of government, that the influence of the inferior chiefs, the 
 
52 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 warriors, and even of the women, would make itself felt, whenever 
 the subject itself aroused a general public interest. 
 
 " The powers and duties of the sachems were entirely of a civil 
 character, but yet were arbitrary within their sphere of action. If 
 we sought their warrant for the exercise of power, in the etymol- 
 ogy of the word, in their language, which corresponds with sachem, 
 it would intimate a check upon, rather than an enlargement of, the 
 civil authority ; for it signifies, simply, ' a counsellor of the people,' 
 — a beautiful and appropriate designation of a ruler." 
 
 There were in each of the Five Nations, and in the aggregate, 
 the same number of War Chiefs as sachems. The subordination 
 of the military to the civil power, was indicated upon all occasions 
 of the assembling of the councils, by each sachem having a War 
 Chief standing behind him to aid with his counsel, and execute 
 the commands of his superior. If the two, however, went out 
 upon a war party, the precedence was reversed, or in fact the 
 sachem, who was supreme in council, was but a subordinate in 
 the ranks. The supreme command of the war forces, and the 
 general conduct of the wars of the confederacy was entrusted to 
 two military chiefs raised up as the sachems were, their offices 
 hereditary. These were, in all cases to be of the Seneca nation.* 
 
 The third class of officers was created long after the organiza- 
 tion of the Confederacy, since the advent of Europeans among 
 them, — the chiefs. They were elected from time to time as 
 necessity or convenience required, their number unlimited. Their 
 powers were originally confined to the local affairs of their respect- 
 ive nations ; they were home advisers and counsellors of the 
 sachems ; but in process of time they became in some respects, 
 equal in rank and authority to the sachems. 
 
 " It is, perhaps, in itself singular that no religious functionaries 
 were recognized in the Confederacy (none ever being raised up) ; 
 although thei'e were certain officers in the several nations who 
 officiated at the religious festivals, which were held at stated 
 seasons throughout the year. There never existed, among the 
 Iroquois, a regular and distinct religious profession, or office, as 
 
 * They likened, as will have been seen, their political edifice, to a Long^ House ; its 
 door opening to the West. The Senecas occupying the door way, at the West, where 
 hostile onsets were looked for, the location of the chief military commanders was 
 assigned to them. It was the province of the Senecas, from their location, to first 
 take the war path. If invaded, they were to drive back the invaders. If too formidable 
 for them, they called upon the nej^t allies, the Onondagas, and so on when necessary, 
 to the Eastern end of the Long House, occupied by the Mohawks. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 53 
 
 among most nations ; and it was, doubtless, owing to the simplicity, 
 as w^ell as narrowness, of their religious creed. 
 
 " With the officers above enumerated, the administration of the 
 Confederacy was entrusted. The government sat lightly upon the 
 people, who, in effect, were governed but little. It seemed to each 
 that individual independence, which the Hodenosaunee knew how 
 to prize as well as the Saxon ; and which, amid all political changes, 
 they have contrived to preserve. The institutions which would be 
 expected to exi-st under the government whose frame-w'ork has 
 just been sketched, would necessarily be simple. Their mode of 
 life, and limited wants, the absence of all property, and the infre- 
 quency of crime, dispensed with a vast amount of the legislation 
 and machinery, incident to the protection of civilized society. 
 While, therefore, it would be unreasonable to seek those high 
 qualities of mind, which result from ages of cultivation, in such a 
 rude state of existence, it would be equally irrational to regard the 
 Indian character as devoid of all those higher characteristics which 
 ennoble the human race. If he has never contributed a page to 
 science, nor a discovery to art ; if he loses, in the progress of 
 generations, as much as he gains ; still, there are certain qualities 
 of his mind which shine forth in all the lustre of natural perfection, 
 and which must ever elicit admiration. His simple integrity, his 
 generosity, his unbounded hospitality, his love of truth, and, above 
 all, his unbroken fidelity, — a sentiment inborn, and standing out so 
 conspicuously in his character, that it has, not untruthfully, become 
 its living characteristic ; all these are adornments of humanity, 
 which no art of education can instill, nor refinement of civilization 
 can bestow. If they exist at all, it is because the gifts of the 
 Deity have never been debased. The high state of public morals, 
 celebrated by the poet as reached and secured under Augustus, it 
 was the higher and prouder boast of the Iroquois never to have lost. 
 In such an atmosphere of moral purity, he grew up to manhood. 
 
 • Culpari metuit fides : 
 Nullis polluitur casta domus stupris : 
 Mos et lex maculosum edomuit nefas.' 
 
 If our Indian predecessor, with the virtues and blemishes, the 
 pow'er and w'eakness, which alternate in his character, is ever 
 rightly comprehended, it will be the result of an insight into his 
 social relations, and an understanding of the institutions which 
 reflect the higher elements of his intellect." 
 
 In each nation there were eight tribes, which were arranged in 
 two divisions and named as follows : — 
 
 Wolf, Bear, Beaver, Turtle, 
 
 Deer, Snipe, Heron, Hawk. 
 
 "The division of the people of each nation into eight tribes, 
 
54 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 whether pre-existing, or perfected at the establishment of the Con- 
 feracy did not terminate in its objects with the nation itself. It 
 became the means of effecting the most perfect union of separate 
 nations 'ever devised by the wit of man.' In efi'ect, the Wolf 
 Tribe was divided into five parts, and one-fifth of it placed in each 
 of the five nations. The I'emaining tribes were subjected to the 
 same division and distribution: thus giving to each nation the eigift 
 tribes, and making in their separated state, forty tribes in the Con- 
 federacy. Between those of the same name — or in other words, 
 between the separated parts of each tribe — there existed a tie of 
 brotherhood which linked the nations together with indissoluble 
 bonds. The Mohawk of the Beaver Tribe, recognized the Seneca 
 of the Beaver Tribe as his brother, and they were bound to each 
 other by the ties of consanguinity. In like manner the Oneida of 
 the Turtle or other Tribe, received the Cayuga, or the Onondaga 
 of the same tribe, as a brother ; and with a fraternal welcome. 
 This cross-relationship between the tribes of the same name, and 
 which was stronger, if possible, than the chain of brotherhood 
 between the several tribes of the same nation, is still preserved in 
 all its original strength. It doubtless furnishes the chief reason of 
 the tenacity with which the fragments of the old Confederacy still 
 cling together. If either of the five nations had wished to cast off 
 the alliance, it must also have broken the bond of brotherhood. 
 Had the nations fallen into collision, it would have turned Hawk 
 Tribe against Hawk Tribe, Heron against Heron, in a word, 
 brother against brother. The history of the Hodenosaunee exhibits 
 the wisdom of these organic provisions ; for they never fell into 
 anarchy during the long period which the league subsisted ; nor 
 even approximated to a dissolution of the Confederacy from inter- 
 nal disorders. 
 
 '• With the progress of the mquiry, it becomes more apparent 
 that the Confederacy was in effect a League of Tribes. With the 
 ties of kindred as its principle of union, the whole race was inter- 
 woven into one great family, composed of tribes in its first subdi- 
 vision (for the nations were counterparts of each other); and the 
 tribes themselves, in their subdivisions, composed of parts of many 
 households. Without these close inter-relations, resting, as many 
 of them do, upon the strong impulses of nature, a mere alliance 
 between the Iroquois nations would have been feeble and transitory. 
 
 "In this manner was constructed the Tribal League of the Hode- 
 nosaunee ; in itself, an extraordinary specimen of Indian legislation. 
 Simple in its foundation upon the Family Relationship; effective, in 
 the lasting vigor inherent in the ties of kindred ; and perfect in its 
 success, in achieving a lasting and harmonious union of the nations; 
 it forms an enduring monument to that proud and progressive race, 
 who reared under its protection, a wide-spread Indian sovereignty. 
 
 "All the institutions of the Iroquois, have regard to the division 
 of the people into tribes. Originally with reference to marriage, 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 55 
 
 the Wolf, Bear, Beaver and Turtle Tribes, were brothers to each 
 other, and cousins to the remaining four. They were not allowed 
 to intermarry. The opposite four tribes were also brothers to each 
 other, and cousins to the first four ; and were also prohibited from 
 intermarrying. Either of the first four tribes, however, could 
 intermarry with either of the last four ; thus Hawk could inter- 
 marry with Bear or Beaver, Heron with Turtle ; but not Beaver 
 and Turtle, nor Deer and Deer. Whoever violated these laws of 
 marriage incurred the deepest detestation and disgrace. In process 
 of time, however, the rigor of the system was relaxed, until finally, 
 the prohibition was confined to the tribe of the individual, which 
 among the residue of the Iroquois, is still religiously observed. 
 They can now marry into any tribe but their own. Under the 
 original as well as modern regulation, the husband and wife were 
 of difi'erent tribes. The children always followed the tribe of the 
 mother. 
 
 '•As the whole Iroquois system rested upon the tribes as an 
 organic division of the people, it was very natural that the separate 
 rights of each should be jealously guarded. Not the least remark- 
 able among their institutions, of which most appear to have been 
 original with the race, was that which confined the transmission 
 of all titles, rights and property in the female line to the exclusion 
 of the male. It is strangely unlike the canons of descent adopted 
 by civilized nations, but it secured several important objects. If 
 the Deer Tribe of the Cayugas, for example, received a sachem- 
 ship or warchiefship at the original distribution of these offices, 
 the descent of such title being limited to the female line, it could 
 never pass out of the tribe. It thus became instrumental in giving 
 the tribe individuality. A still more marked result, and perhaps 
 leading object, of this enactment was, the perpetual disinheritance 
 of the son. Being of the tribe of his mother, it formed an impas- 
 sable barrier against him ; and he could neither succeed his father 
 as a sachem, nor inherit from him even his medal, or his toma- 
 hawk. The inheritance, for the protection of tribal rights, was 
 thus directed from the descendants of the sachem, to his brothers, 
 his sisters, children, or some individual of the tribe at large under 
 certain circumstances ; each and all of whom were in his tribe, 
 while his children being in another's tribe, as before remarked, 
 were placed out of the line of succession. 
 
 " By the operation of this principle, also, the certainty of descent 
 in the tribe, of their principal chiefs, was secured by a rule infal- 
 lible ; for the child must be the son of its mother, although not 
 necessarily of its mother's husband. If the purity of blood be of 
 any moment, the lawgivers of the Iroquois established the only 
 certain rule the case admits of, whereby the assurance might be 
 enjoyed that the ruling sachem was of the same family or tribe 
 with the first taker of the title. 
 
 " The Iroquois mode of computing degrees of consanguinity 
 
56 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 was unlike that of the civil or canon law ; but was yet a clear and 
 definite system. No distinction was made between the Hneal and 
 collateral line, either in the ascending or descending series. The 
 maternal grandmother and her sisters were equally grandmothers ; 
 the mother and her sisters were equally mothers ; the children of 
 a mother's sisters were brothers and sisters ; the children of a 
 sister would be nephews and nieces ; and the grandchildren of a 
 sister would be his grandchildren — that is to say, the grandchil- 
 dren of the propositus, or individual from whom the degree of 
 relationship is reckoned. These were the chief relatives within 
 the tribe, though not fully extended to number. Out of the tribe, 
 the paternal grandfather and his brothers were equally grand- 
 fathers ; the father and his brothers equally fathers ; the father's 
 sisters were aunts, while, in the tribe, the mother's brothers were 
 uncles ; the father's sister's children would be cousins as in the 
 civil law ; the children of these cousins would be nephews and 
 nieces, and the children of these nephews and nieces would be 
 his grandchildren, or the grandchilden of the propositus. Again : 
 the children of a brother would be his children, and the grand- 
 children of a brother would be his grandchildren ; also, the 
 children of a father's brothens, are his brothers and sisters, instead 
 of cousins, as under the civil law ; and lastly, their children are 
 his grandchildren, or the grandchildren of the propositus. 
 
 "It was the leading object of the Iroquois law of descent, to 
 merge the collateral in the lineal line, as sufficiently appears in 
 the above outline. By the civil law, every departure from the 
 common ancestor in the descending series, removed the collateral 
 from the lineal ; while, by the law under consideration, the two 
 lines were finally brought into one.* Under the civil law mode of 
 computation, the degrees of relationship become too remote to be 
 traced among collaterals; while, by the mode of the Iroquois, none 
 of the collaterals were lost by remoteness of degree. The number 
 of those linked together by the nearer family ties, was largely mul- 
 tiplied by preventing, in this manner, the subdivision of a family 
 into collateral branches. 
 
 " The succession of the rulers of the Confederacy is one of the 
 most intricate subjects to be met with in the political system of the 
 Hodenosaunee. It has been so difficult to procure a satisfactory 
 exposition of the enactments by which the mode of succession was 
 
 * The following are the nnmes of the several degrees of relationship, recognized 
 among the Hodenosaunee, in the language of the Seneca : 
 
 Hoc-sote, Grandfather. Hoc-no-eeh, Uncle. 
 
 Uc-sote, Grandmother. Ah-geh-huc, Aunt, 
 
 Ha-nih, Father. Ha-yan-wan-deh, Nephew. 
 
 Noh-yeh, Mother. Ka-yan-wan-deh, Niece. 
 
 Ho-ah-wuk, Son. Da-ya-gwa-dan-no-da, Brothers and Sisters. 
 
 Go-ah wuk. Daughter. Ah-gare-seh, Cousin. 
 
 Ka-1-a-da, Grandchildren. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 57 
 
 regulated, that the sachemships have sometimes been considered 
 elective ; at others, as hereditary. Many of the obstacles which 
 beset the inquiry are removed by the single fact, that the titles of 
 sachem and war-chief are absolutely hereditary in the tribe to which 
 they were originally assigned ; and can never pass out of it, but 
 with its extinction. How far these titles were hereditary in that 
 pai't of the family of the sachem or war-chief, who were of the 
 same tribe with himself, becomes the true question to consider. 
 The sachem's brothers, and the sons of his sisters, are of his tribe, 
 and consequently in the line of succession. Between a brother 
 and a nephew of the deceased, there was no law which estab- 
 lished a preference ; neither between several brothers, on the one 
 hand, and several sons of a sister, on the other, was there any law 
 of primogeniture ; nor, finally, was there any positive law, that the 
 choice should be confined to the brothers of the deceased ruler, or 
 the descendants of his sister in the female line, until all these should 
 fail, before a selection could be made from the tribe at lai'ge. 
 Hence, it appears, so far as positive enactments were concerned, 
 that the otiices of sachem and war-chief, as between the eight 
 tribes, were hereditary in the particular tribe in which they ran; 
 while they were elective, as between the male members of the 
 tribe itself. 
 
 " In the absence of laws, designating with certainty the indi- 
 vidual upon whom the inheritance should fall, custom would come 
 in and assume the force of law, in directing the manner of choice, 
 from among a number equally eligible. Upon the decease of a 
 sachem, a tribal council assembled to determine upon his successor. 
 The choice usually fell upon a son of one of the deceased ruler's 
 sisters, or upon one of his brothers — in the absence of physical 
 and moral objections ; and this preference of one of his near 
 relatives would be suggested by feelings of respect for his memory. 
 Infancy was no obstacle : it uniting only the necessity of setting 
 over him a guardian, to discharge the duties of a sachem until he 
 reached a suitable age. It sometimes occurred that all the rela- 
 tives of the deceased were set aside, and a selection was made 
 from the tribe generally ; but it seldom thus happened, unless from 
 the great unfitness of the near relatives of the deceased. 
 
 " When the individual was finally determined, the nation sum- 
 moned a council, in the name of the deceased, of all the sachems 
 of the league ; and the new sachem was raised up by such council, 
 and invested with his office. 
 
 " In connection with the power of the tribes to designate the 
 sachems and war-chiefs, should be noticed the equal power of 
 deposition. If, by misconduct, a sachem lost the confidence and 
 respect of tribe, and became unworthy of authority, a tribal council 
 at once deposed him ; and, having selected a successor, summoned 
 a council of the Confederacy, to perform the ceremony of liis 
 investiture. 
 
58 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 " Still further to illustrate the characteristics of the tribes of the 
 Iroquois, some reference to their mode of bestowing names would 
 not be inapt.* Soon after the birth of an infant, the near relatives 
 of the same tribe selected a name. At the first subsequent council 
 of the nation, the birth and name were publicly announced, 
 together with the name and tribe of the father, and the name and 
 tribe of the mother. In each nation the proper names were so 
 strongly marked by a tribal peculiarity, that the tribe of the indi- 
 vidual could usually be determined from the name alone. Making, 
 as they did, a part of their language, they were, consequently, all 
 significant. When an individual was raised up as a sachem, his 
 original name was laid aside, and that of the sachemship itself 
 assumed. The war-chief followed the same rule. In hke manner, 
 at the raising up of a chief, the council of the nation which per- 
 forms the ceremony, took away the former name of the incipient 
 chief and assigned him a new one, perhaps, like Napoleon's titles, 
 commemorative of the event which led to its bestowment. Thus, 
 when the celebrated Red-Jacket was elevated by election to the 
 dignity of chief, his original name, 0-te-ti-an-i (Always Ready) 
 was taken from him, and in its place was bestowed Sa-go-ve- 
 WAT-HA, (Keeper Awake,) in allusion to the powers of his eloquence. 
 
 " It now remains to define a tribe of the Hodenosaunee. From 
 the preceding considerations it sufficiently appears, that it was not, 
 like the Grecian and Roman, a circle or group of families ; for two 
 tribes were, necessarily, represented in every family : neither, hke 
 the Jewish, was it constituted of the lineal descendants of a com- 
 mon father ; on the contrary, it distinctly involves the idea of 
 descent from a common mother : nor has it any resemblance to the 
 Scottish clan, or the Canton of the Switzer. In the formation of 
 an Iroquois tribe, a portion was taken from many households, and 
 bound together by a tribal bond. The bond consisted in the ties 
 of consanguinity ; for all the members of the tribe, thus composed, 
 were connected by relationships, which, under their law of descents, 
 were easily traceable. To the tribe attached the incident of 
 descent in the female line, the prohibition of intermarriage, the 
 capacity of holding and exercising political rights, and the ability 
 to contract and sustain relationships with the other tribes. 
 
 '' The wife, her children, and her descendants in the female 
 line, would, in perpetuity, be linked wiih the destinies of her own 
 tribe and kindred ; while the husband, his brothers and sisters, and 
 the descendants of the latter, in the female line, would, in like 
 manner, be united to another tribe, and held by its affinities. 
 Herein was a bond of union between the several tribes of the 
 same nation, corresponding, in some degree, with the cross-rela- 
 
 * Like the ancient Saxons, the Iroquois had neither a prenomen, nor a cognomen; 
 but contented themselves with a single name. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 59 
 
 tionship founded upon consanguinity, which bound together the 
 tribes of the same emblem in the diflerent nations. 
 
 " Of the comparative value of these institutions, when contrasted 
 with those of civilized countries, and of their capability of eleva- 
 ting the race, it is not necessary here to inquire. It was the boast 
 of the Iroquois that the great object of their confederacy was 
 peace: — to break up the spirit of perpetual warfare, which wasted 
 the red race from age to age. Such an insight into the true end 
 and object of all legitimate government, by those who constructed 
 this tribal league, excites as great surprise as admiration. It is 
 the highest and the noblest aspect in which human institutions can 
 be viewed; and the thought itself — universal peace among Indian 
 races possible of attainment — was a ray of intellect from no 
 ordinary mind. To consummate such a purpose, the Iroquois 
 nations were to be concentrated into one political fraternity; and 
 in a manner effectively to prevent off-shoots and secessions. By 
 its natural growth, this fraternity would accumulate sufficient 
 power to absorb adjacent nations, moulding them, successively, by 
 affiliation, into one common family. Thus, in its nature, it was 
 designed to be a progressive confederacy. What means could 
 have been employed with greater promise of success than the 
 stupendous system of relationships, which was fabricated through 
 the division of the Hodenosaunee into tribes? It was a system 
 sufficiently ample to infold the whole Indian race. Unlimited in 
 their capacity for extension ; inflexible in their relationships ; the 
 tribes thus interleagued would have suffered no loss of unity by 
 their enlargement, nor loss of strength by the increasing distance 
 between their council-fires. The destiny of this league, if it had 
 been left to work out its results among the red race exclusively, it 
 is impossible to conjecture. With vast capacities for enlargement, 
 with remarkable durability of structure, and a vigorous, animating 
 spirit, it must have attained a great elevation and a general 
 supremacy." 
 
 The Confederacy was based upon terms of perfect equality; 
 equal rights and immunities were secured to each integral part. 
 If in some respects there would seem to be especial privileges, and 
 precedence, it is explained as arising from locality or convenience; 
 as in the case of the Senecas being allowed to have the head war 
 chiefs, the Mohawks being the receivers of tribute from subjugated 
 nations; or the Onondagas, the central nation, supplying their Ta- 
 do-da-hoh and his successors. "The nations were divided into 
 classes or divisions, and when assembled in general council were 
 arranged on opposite sides of the Council fire; on the one side stood 
 the Mohawks, Onondagas and Senecas, who as nations, were 
 regarded as brothers to each other, but as fathers to the remainder. 
 
60 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Upon the other side were the Oneidas and Cayugas, and at a suljy 
 sequent day, the Tuscaroras ; who in like manner were brother 
 nations by interchange, but sons to the three first. These divisions 
 were in harmony with their system of relationships, or more prop- 
 erly formed a part of it. They may have secured for the senior 
 nations increased respect, but they involve no idea of dependence 
 in the junior, or inequality in civil rights." 
 
 There was no annual or other fixed periods for the assembling 
 of the general Council. It was convened only when there was 
 occasion for it. When not in session, there was no visible general 
 government; nor in fact, a need of any, as the local governments 
 were so constituted as to subserve all the ordinay purposes. When 
 events occured that concerned the general welfare, the council was 
 convened, the business despatched, and then followed a mutual 
 prorogation; an example worthy of imitation by modern legislators. 
 With the Iroquois law makers, however, there was no self-sacrifice 
 involved, no inducement to protracted sessions. Their services 
 were gratuitous. Having no other government, the councils were 
 the sole arbiters in all their concerns : — they made war, planned 
 systems of offence and defence ; regulated successions, their ath- 
 letic games, dances and feasts. " The life of the Iroquois was 
 either spent in the chase, or the war path, or at the council fire." 
 Simplicity marked every feature of their system, and yet all was 
 effective, and accomplished its purpose. Councils were convened 
 by runners who were sent out with their belts of wampum, indica- 
 ting the nature of the emergency, or the business in hand. In 
 proportion as it was urgent, or interesting, would be the attendance 
 of lay members, or those who constitute " the third house," in 
 modern legislation. Upon important occasions, when matters' of 
 great moment were to be discussed and determined, the villages of 
 the several nations would be nearly depopulated ; the mass of the 
 subjects of the League would flock to the council fire, and make a 
 formidable lobby in its precincts. Their interests and curiosity, it 
 is aflirmed were excited by a regard for the general welfare. There 
 were no special favors to be asked or granted. This was a long 
 while anterior to the invention of the system of "log-rolling." 
 The primitive childrpn of the forest, were less sinister in all their 
 motives and incentives, than the race that has succeeded them. 
 Among the general powers vested in the council of the confede- 
 racy, may be enumerated those of declaring war and making 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 61 
 
 peace, of admitting new nations into the league, or of incorporating 
 fragments of nations into those existing, of extending jurisdiction 
 over subjugated territory, of levying tribute, of sending and renew- 
 ing embassies, of forming alliances, and of enacting and executing 
 laws. Unanimity was a fundamental law.* The idea of majori- 
 ties and minorities was entirely unknown to our Indian predecessors. 
 To hasten their deliberations to a conclusion and ascertain the 
 result, they adopted an expedient which dispensed entirely with the 
 necessity of casting votes. The founders of the Confederacy, 
 seeking to obviate as far as possible, altercations in council, and to 
 facilitate their progress to unanimity, divided the sachems of each 
 nation into classes, usually of two and three each. Each sachem 
 was forbidden to express an opinion in council, until he had agreed 
 with the other sachems of his class, upon the opinion to be 
 expressed, and had received an appointment to act as speaker of 
 his class. Thus the eight Seneca sachems, being in four classes, 
 could have but four opinions ; the ten Cayuga sachems but four. 
 In this manner, each class was brought to unanimity within itself. 
 A cross consultation was then held between the four sachems who 
 represented the four classes, and when they had agreed, they 
 appointed one of their number to express their opinion, which was 
 the answer of the nation. The several nations having by this 
 ingenious method become of " one mind," separately, it remained 
 to compare their several opinions, to arrive at the final sentiment 
 of all the sachems of the league. This was effected by a cross 
 conference between the individual representatives of the several 
 nations ; and when they had arrived at unanimity, the answer of 
 the Confederacy was determined, f 
 
 When the white man first entered this, the country of the Seneca 
 Iroquois, he found deeply indented, well trodden paths, threading 
 the forests in different directions. They led from village to village, 
 thence to their favorite hunting and fishing grounds, or here 
 
 * Their war against the French was declared by a unanimous vote. After this, when 
 the question came up of taking the British side in the war of the Revolution, the coun- 
 cil was divided, a number of the Oneida sachems strongly opposing it, and although 
 most of the confederates were allies of the English in that contest, it was an act of the 
 League, but each nation chose its own position. 
 
 tThe senate of the United States, in 1838, committed a great error in abrogating this 
 unanimity principle, and substituting the rule of the majority, in reference to the sale of 
 Seneca lands to the pre-emptionists. It was over-riding an ancient law of the confede- 
 racy, and in fact, as was the ultimate result, aiding a system of coercion and briber\-, to 
 dispossess them of their reservations. 
 
62 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and there marked their intercourse with neighboring aboriginal 
 nations. They are termed Trails. They were the routes pursued 
 by the French Missionaries and traders, by the Dutch and English 
 in their intercourse with the Indians; by the British troops and 
 Indians of Canada in their incursions into Western New-York, 
 during the Revolution; by Butler's rangers, in all their bloody 
 enterprises to the valleys of the Mohawk and Susquehannah; and 
 afterwards guided our early Pioneers through the forest, enabling 
 them to appreciate the beauty and value of this goodly land. With 
 reference to the Holland Purchase, these trails were mainly as 
 follows : — 
 
 The trail from the east, the valleys of the Hudson, the Mohawk, 
 &c., passing through Canandaigua, West Bloomfield and Lima, 
 came upon the Genesee River at Avon; crossing the River a few 
 rods above the Bridge it went up the west bank to the Indian 
 village a mile above the ford, and then bore off north-west to Cale- 
 donia. Turning westward, it crossed Allen's creek at Le Roy, and 
 Black creek at Stafford, coming upon the banks of the Tonawanda 
 a little above Batavia. Passing down the east bank of that stream, 
 around what was early known as the Great Bend, at the Arsenal it 
 turned north-west, came upon the openings at Caryville, and bearing 
 westwardly across the openings it crossed the Tonawanda at the 
 Indian village. Here the trail branched: — one branch taking a 
 north-westwardly direction, re-crossed the creek below the village, 
 and passing through the Tonawanda swamp, emerged from it nearly 
 south-east of Royahon Centre, coming out upon the Lockport and 
 Batavia road in the valley of Millard's Brook, and from thence it 
 continued upon the Chestnut Ridge to the Cold Springs. Pursuing 
 the route of the Lewiston road, with occasional deviations it struck 
 the Ridge Road at Warren's. It followed the Ridge until it passed 
 Hopkins' Marsh, when it gradually ascended the Mountain Ridge, 
 passed through the Tuscarora village, and then down again to the 
 Ridge Road, which it continued on to the River. This was the 
 principal route into Canada, crossing from Lewiston to Queenston; 
 a branch trail however, going down the River to Fort Niagara. 
 
 The other branch of the trail leaving the village of Tonawanda, 
 took a south-west direction, and crossing Murder creek at Akron, it 
 came upon the Buffalo road at Clarence Hollow ; from thence 
 west, nearly on the line of the Buffalo road to Williams ville, cross- 
 ing EUicott's creek it continued its westerly course to the Cold 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 63 
 
 Springs near Buffalo, and entering the city at what havS since 
 become the head of Main Street, it came out at the mouth of Buf- 
 falo creek. A branch Trail diverging at Clarence came upon 
 the Cayuga branch of the Buffalo creek at Lancaster, thence down 
 that stream to the Seneca village, and down the Buffalo creek to 
 its entrance into the lake. 
 
 The Ontario trail, starting from Oswego, came upon the Ridge 
 Road at Irondequoit Bay; then turning up the Bay to its head, 
 where a branch trail went to Canandaigua, it turned west, crossing 
 the Genesee River at the acqueduct, and passing down the river, 
 came again upon the Ridge Road, which it pursued west to near 
 the west line of Hartland, Niagara county, where it diverged to the 
 south-west, crossing the east branch of the Eighteen-mile Creek, 
 and forming a junction with the Canada or Niagara trail at the Cold 
 Springs. 
 
 From Mount Morris, on the Genesee River, a trail passed up the 
 river to Gardow, and Canadea, and from thence to Allegany River 
 at Olean. 
 
 A trail left Little Beard's Town on the Genesee river, and cross- 
 ing the east line of the Holland Purchase, entered it in the north 
 side of T. 10 R. 1, and crossing the north-east corner of T. 10 
 R. 2, and south-west corner of T. 1 1 same range, passed through 
 the south sides of T. 11 R. 3. T. 11 R. 4, T. 11 R. 5, entered the 
 Seneca Resefvation at the south-west corner of the latter township ; 
 and pursuing a westerly course, came upon the banks of Buffalo 
 creek, near the Seneca Indian village. 
 
 These were the principal highways of the Seneca Iroquois. 
 How nearly the simple primitive paths of the aborigines, corres- 
 pond with our now principal thorough-fares ; but how changed ! 
 The trails are obliterated in the progress of improvement, the forests 
 that enshrouded them are principally cleared away, and in their 
 place are turnpikes, M'Adam roads, canals, rail roads, and tele- 
 graphic posts and wires. The waters upon which they paddled 
 their bark canoes, supply our canals; the swamps they avoided, 
 and the ridges they traversed, are passed along and across by our 
 steam propelled locomoti'ves. The "forked lightning," they saw 
 in the clouds, which occasionally scathed the tall trees of their 
 forest home, reminding them of the power and omnipotence of the 
 Great Spirit they adored, the Manitou of their simple creed, — is 
 
64 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 tamed, and in an instant accomplishes the purposes, that employed 
 their swiftest runners for days ! 
 
 " The wild man hates restraint, and loves to do what is right in 
 his own eyes."* Hence there was little in all the frame work of 
 the government of the Iroquois, of restraint or coercive laws. They 
 seemed to have acted upon the maxim that "nations are governed 
 too much." And this principle extended in a great degree to family 
 government. Their children were reproved, not injured or beaten, 
 and none but the milder forms of punishment ever resorted to. 
 Theirs was a simple form of government — so simple as to excite a 
 wonder that it could have been effectual; — an oligarchy, and yet 
 cherishing the democratic principle, of the common good; an here- 
 ditary council in whom was vested all power, and yet there was no 
 castes, no privileged orders; no conventional or social exclusiveness. 
 Their system of government, like themselves, is a mystery. Both 
 have been but imperfectly understood; both are well worthy of 
 enquiry and investigation. The student, or historical reader of 
 our country, may well turn occasionally from the beaten track of 
 our colleges and schools — from the histories of far off ages, races 
 and people — and taking the humble "trails" of the Iroquois, see if 
 there is not in the history of our own country — our predecessors — 
 that which will interest and instruct him. 
 
 As has been assumed in the preceding pages, the Seneca branch 
 of the Iroquois were our immediate predecessors; out we gather 
 from their traditions, and from the writings of the earliest Jesuit 
 
 Note. — At the time of the delivery of the admirable * Letters on the Iroquois,' 
 before the N. Y. Historical Society ; or rather when that portion of them which related 
 to the Trails was read. Dr. Peter Wilson, an educated Cayuga chief, happened to be 
 present. He accepted an invitation to address the Society. 'He spoke with such 
 pathos and eloquence of his people and his race, their ancient prowess and generosity — 
 their present weakness and dependence — and especially upon the hard fate of a small 
 band of Senacas and Cayugas which had recently been hurried into the western 
 wilderness to perish, that all present were deeply moved by his eloquence.' ' The land 
 of Ga-nun-no, or the ' Empire State' as you love to call it, was once laced by our 
 Trails from Albany to Buffalo — Trails that we had trod for centuries — trails Worn so 
 deep by the feet of the Iroquois, that they became your roads of travel as your pos- 
 sessions gradually eat into those of my people ! Your roads still traverse those same 
 lines of communication which bound one part of the Long House to the other. Have 
 we, the first holders of this prosperous region, no longer a share in your history ? 
 Glad were your fathers to set down upon the threshold of the Long House. Rich did 
 they hold themselves in getting the mere sweepings from its door. Had our forefathers 
 spurned you from it when the French were thundering at the opposite side to get a 
 passage through, and drive you into the sea, whatever has been the fate of other 
 Indians, we might still have had a nation, and I — I, instead of pleading here for the 
 privilege of lingering within your borders, I — I might have had a country.' 
 
 * Bancroft. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 65 
 
 Missionaries, that they had only possessed the country west of the 
 Genesee river, since about the middle of the seventeenth century. 
 In the "Relations of the Jesuits" there is a letter from Father L' 
 Allemaxt to the Provincial of the Jesuits in France, dated at St. 
 Mary's Mission, May 19, 1641, in which he gives an account of a 
 journey made to the country of the Neuter Nation the year previous, 
 by Jean de Brebeuf and Joseph Marie Chau3ionot, two Jesuit 
 Fathers. As this letter is one of the earliest reminiscence of this 
 region, other than Indian tradition, the author copies it entire: 
 
 "Jean de Brebeuf and Joseph Marie Chaumonot, two Fathers 
 of our company which have charge of the Mission to the Neuter 
 Nation set out from St. Marie on the 2d day of November, 1640, to 
 visit this people. Father Brebeuf is peculiarly fitted for such an 
 expedition, God having in an eminent degree endowed him with a 
 capacity for learning languages. His companion was also consid- 
 ered a proper person for the enterprise. 
 
 "Although many of our French in that quarter have visited this 
 people to profit by their furs and other commodities, we have no 
 knowledge of any who have been there to preach the gospel except 
 Father De la Roch Daillon, a Recollect, who passed the winter 
 there in the year 1626. 
 
 " The nation is very populous, there being estimated about forty 
 villages. After leaving the Hurons it is four or five days journey 
 or about forty leagues to the nearest of their villages, the course 
 being nearly due south. If, as indicated by the latest and most 
 exact observations we can make, our new station, St. Marie,* in 
 the interior of the Huron country, is in north latitude about 44 
 degrees, 25 minutes, then the entrance of the Neuter Nation from 
 the Huron side, is about 44 degrees, f More exact surveys and 
 observations, cannot now be made, for the sight of a single instru- 
 ment would bring to extremes those who cannot resist the 
 temptation of an inkhorn. 
 
 " From the first village of the Neuter Nation that we met with in 
 travelling from this place, as we proceed south or southwest, it is 
 about four days travel to the place where the celebrated river of 
 the nation empties into lake Ontario, or St. Louis. On the west 
 side of that river, and not on the east, are the most numerous of 
 the villages of the Neuter Nation. There are three or four on the 
 cast side, extending from east to west towards the Eries, or Cat 
 nation.-' 
 
 Note. — This would of course be along our side of the Niagara, and probably 
 extended along the shores of lake Erie. 
 
 * A Jesuit Mission on the river Severn, near the eastern extremity of lake Huron, 
 t The good father is about a degree out of the way. 
 5 
 
66 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 " This river is that by which our great lake of the Hurons, or 
 fresh sea, is discharged, which first empties into the lake of Erie, 
 or of the nation of the Cat, from thence it enters the territory of the 
 Neuter Nation, and takes the name of Oiiguiaaliiri, (Niagara,) until 
 it empties into Ontario or St. Louis lake, from which latter flows 
 the river which passes before Quebec, called the St. Lawrence, so 
 that if we once had control of the side of the lake nearest the 
 residence of the Iroquois, we could ascend by the river St. 
 Lawrence, without danger, even to the Neuter Nation, and much 
 beyond, with great saving of time and trouble. 
 
 " According to the estimate of these illustrious fathers who have 
 been there, the Neuter Nation comprises about 12,000 souls, which 
 enables them to furnish 4,000 warriors, notwithstanding war, 
 pestilence and famine have prevailed among them for three years 
 in an extraordinary manner. 
 
 " After all, I think that those who have heretofore ascribed such 
 an extent and population to this nation, have understood by the 
 Neuter Nation, all who live south and southwest of our Hurons, and 
 who are truly in great number, and, being at first only partially 
 known, have all been comprised under the same name. The more 
 perfect knowledge of their language and country, which has since 
 been obtained, has resulted in a clearer distinction between the tribes. 
 Our French who first discovered this people, named them the 'Neu- 
 ter Nation ' ; and not without reason, for their country being the 
 ordinary passage, by land, between some of the Iroquois nations 
 and the Hurons, who are sworn enemies, they remained at peace 
 v\Tth both ; so that in times past, the Hurons and Iroquois, meeting 
 in the same wigwam or village of that nation, were both in safety 
 while they remained. Recently, their enmity against each other 
 is so great, that there is no safety for either party in any place, 
 particularly for the Hurons, for whom the Neuter Nation entertain 
 the least good will. 
 
 " There is every reason for believing, that not long since, the 
 Hurons, Iroquois, and Neuter Nations, formed one people, and 
 originally came from the same family, but have in the lapse of time, 
 became separated from each other, more or less, in distance, 
 interests and affection, so that some are now enemies, others 
 neutral, and others still live in intimate friendship and intercourse. 
 
 " The food and clothing of the Neuter Nation seem httle different 
 from that of our Hurons. They have Indian corn, beans and 
 gourds in equal abundance. Also plenty of fish, some kinds of 
 which abound in particular places only. 
 
 "They are much employed in hunting deer, buffalo, wildcats, 
 wolves, wild boars, beaver, and other animals. Meat is very 
 abundant this year, an account of the heavy snow, w^hich has 
 aided the hunters. It is rare to see snow in this country more 
 than half a foot deep. But this year it is more than three feet. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. C7 
 
 There is also abundance of wild turkeys, which go in flocks in the 
 fields and woods, 
 
 " Their iruits are the same as with the Hurons, except chestnuts, 
 which are more abundant, and crab apples, which are somewhat 
 larger. 
 
 " The men, like all savages, cover their naked flesh with skins, 
 but are less particular than the Hurons in concealing what should 
 not appear. The squaws are ordinarily clothed, at least from the 
 waist to the knees, but are more free and shameless in their immod- 
 esty than the Hurons. 
 
 "As for their remaining customs and manners, they are almost 
 entirely similar to the other savage tribes of the country. 
 
 " There are some things in which they diflcr from our Hurons. 
 They are larger, stronger, and better formed. They also entertain 
 a great affection for the dead, and have a greater number of fools 
 or jugglers, 
 
 " The Sonontonheronons, (Senecas) one of the Iroquois nations, 
 the nearest to and most dreaded by the Hurons, are not more than 
 a day's journey distant from the easternmost village of the Neuter 
 Nation, named 'Onguiaahra' (Niagara) of the same name as the 
 river. 
 
 "Our fathers returned from the mission in safety, not having 
 found in all the eighteen villages which they visited, but one, 
 named ^Khe-o-e-tn-a,^ or St, Michael, which gave them the reception 
 which their embassy deserved. In this village, a certain foreign 
 nation, which lived beyond the lake of Erie, or of the nation of the 
 ('at, named '•A-ouen-re-ro-non^^ has taken refuge for many years for 
 fear of their enemies, and they seem to have been brought here by 
 a good Providence, to hear the word of God." 
 
 Charlevoix says that in the year 1G42, " a people, larger, 
 stronger, and better formed than any other savages, and who lived 
 south of the Huron country, were visited by the Jesuits, who 
 preached to them the Kingdom of God. They were called the 
 Neuter Nation, because they took no part in the wars which deso- 
 lated the country. But in the end, they could not themselves, 
 escape entire destruction. To avoid the fury of the Iroquois, they 
 finally joined them against the Hurons, but gained nothing by the 
 union. The Iroquois, that like lions that have tasted blood, cannot be 
 satiated, destroyed indiscriminately all that came in their way, and 
 at this day, there remains no trace of the Neuter Nation." In 
 another place, the same author says that the Neuter Nation was 
 destroyed about the year 1013, La Fiteu, in his '■'JMcrurs dcs 
 Sauvages,^^ published at Paris in 1724, relates, on the authority of 
 Father Garxier, a Jesuit Missionary, the origin of the quarrel 
 
68 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 between the Senecas and the Neuter Nation, which is hinted at in 
 the letter of Father L' Allemant. He says, " the war did not 
 terminate but by the total destruction of the Neuter Nation." 
 
 Mr. Schoolcraft assumes that the Senecas had warred upon, 
 conquered the Neuter Nation, and come in possession of their terri- 
 tory, twenty-four years before the advent of La Salle upon the 
 Niagara river. A writer in the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser of 
 March, 1846, who is named in the preface of this work, says: — 
 " From all that can be derived from history, it is very probable, 
 that the Kah-Kwas and the Neutral Nation were identical, that the 
 singular tribe whose institution of neutrality has been likened by an 
 eloquent writer, to a 'calm and peaceful island looking out upon a 
 world of waves and tempests,' in whose wigwams the fierce 
 Hurons and relentless Iroquois met on neutral ground, fell victims 
 near this city, (Buffalo) to the insatiable ferocity of the latter. 
 They were the first proprietors, as far as we can learn, of the soil 
 we now occupy. Their savage spoilers gave them a grave on the 
 spot which they died in defending, and have recently, in their turn, 
 yielded to the encroachments of a more powerful adversary. The 
 white man is now lord of the soil where the fires of the nation are 
 put out forever. Around that scene, the proudest recollections and 
 devout associations of the Senecashave long loved to Hnger. Let 
 it be forever dedicated to the repose of the dead. Let the sanctity 
 of the grave be inviolate. A simple enclosure should protect a 
 spot which will increase in interest with the lapse of time." * 
 
 The Senecas have within few years, yielded to the importunities 
 and appliances of the pre-emptionists, and abandoned their Reser- 
 vation. It is now in the hands of another race. The plough, the 
 pickaxe and spade, will soon obliterate all that remains of the 
 evidences of the conquests of their ancestors. " It is a site around 
 which the Senecas have clung, as if it marked an era in their 
 national history; although the work was clearly erected by their 
 enemies. It has been the seat of their government or council fire, 
 from an early period of our acquaintance with them. It was here 
 that Red Jacket uttered some of his most eloquent harrangues 
 against the steady encroachments of the white race, and in favor 
 
 * The spot here alluded to, is upon the Reservation near Buffalo, on the creek, near 
 the old council and mission houses. The author has included it in some preceding 
 notices of ancient remains : but yielding to the better knowledge in this branch of 
 histor}-, of the author of the above extract, he is disposed to regard it as he has assumed, 
 the field of fintd conquest of this region, by the Senecas. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 69 
 
 of retaining this cherished portion of their lands, and transmitting 
 them with full title to their descendants. It was here that the 
 noted captive, Dehewamis, better known as Mary Jemison, came 
 to live after a long life of most extraordinary vicissitudes. And it 
 is here that the bones of the distinguished orator, and the no less 
 distinguished captive, rest, side by side, with a multitude of 
 warriors, chiefs and sages. But there will soon be no one left 
 whose heart vibrates with the blood of a Seneca, to watch the 
 venerated resting places of their dead." * 
 
 And in this connection it may be well to observe generally, that at 
 the period when the French Missionaries and traders first reached 
 the southern shores of lake Ontario and the Niagara river, the 
 Neuter Nation was in possession of the region west of the Genesee 
 river, including both sides of the Niagara river. The immediate 
 domain of the Senecas, was east of the Genesee, until it reached 
 that of the Cayugas. The Hurons occupied the interior of Canada 
 West, west to lake Huron. The domain of the Eries, or Cat nation, 
 according to Hennepin, commenced upon the southern shore of 
 lake Erie, the dividing line between them and the Neuter Nation 
 being about midway, up the lake. After the conquest of the Neuter 
 Nation, the Senecas conquered the Eries, as is supposed, about the 
 year 1653. 
 
 There are few into whose hand this local history will fall, who 
 are not familiar with the general character, domestic habits, &c., 
 of the aborigines. The first settlers of the Holland Purchase, 
 had them for their primitive neighbors, and they even now, 
 diminished as they are, linger among us in four locahties: — at 
 Tuscarora, Tonawanda, Cattaraugus and Alleghany. Their 
 eloquence, their deeds of valor, their peculiarly interesting traits of 
 character; the wrongs they have done our race, as traced .in the 
 often too highly colored, but generally truthful legends of the 
 Mohawk and the Susquehannah; and the terrible retributions that 
 have, in turn, been visited upon their race, in the extinguishing 
 of most of the fires that " blazed in their Long House from the 
 Hudson to lake Erie"— in subjecting them to the urgent and 
 pressing overtures of pre-emptionists, who were better schooled 
 in the diplomacy of bargain and gain, than were these men of 
 simple habits and of honest impulses; and last and worst of all, 
 
 * Schoolcraft. 
 
70 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 in visiting upon them the curse of the darker features of civiliza- 
 tion. With all this, the reader, in most instances, will be familiar; 
 a part of it is interwoven in the nursery tales of our region. The 
 author has only aimed thus far to give a general idea of the 
 Indians as found here by the first European adventurers, and afford 
 an insight, an induction, into their political institutions, their system 
 of government, laws, &,c. , which have been subjects of too recent 
 investigation, to admit of any very general familiarity with them. 
 He is admonished that this branch of his main subject, is occupying 
 too much space here, inasmuch as the Seneca Iroquois especially, 
 must be frequently mingled with the local annals of our own race, 
 as they will occur in chronological narra+ive. 
 
 ^ 
 
PART SECOND. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 EARLY EUROPEAN VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES. 
 
 The prevailing spirit of the INIonarchs of Europe, and their 
 subjects, during the fifteenth and a greater portion of tlie sixteenth 
 centuries, tended to the enlargement of their dominions, and the 
 extension of their powers. In the latter end of the fourteenth 
 century, Colu3ibus had discovered a New World. vSpain then 
 at the height of its prosperity and grandeur, profiting by the 
 discoveries of an expedition that had sailed under her flag, under 
 the auspices of her Queen had followed up the event, by farther 
 discoveries and colonization in the Southern portion of our con- 
 tinent. The reigning monarch of England, Hexry VII, stimu- 
 lated by regret that he had allowed a rival power to be the 
 fii-st in the discovery of a continent, the advantages and resources 
 of which, as the tidings of the discovery were promulgated, dazzled 
 the eyes and awakened the emulation of all Europe; ambitious to 
 make his subjects co-discoverers with the subjects of the Spanish 
 monarch; listened with favor to the theory of John Cabot, a 
 Venetian, but a resident of England — who inferred that as lands 
 had been discovered in the southwest, they might also be in the 
 northwest, and offered to the king to conduct an expedition in this 
 direction. 
 
 With a commission of discovery, granted by the king, and a 
 ship provided by him, and four small vessels equipped by the 
 merchants of Bristol, Cabot with his son Sebastian, set sail from 
 England, in less than three years after Columbus had discovered 
 the Island of San Salvador. As the discovery of Columbus was 
 incidental to the main object of his daring enterprise — the 
 discovery of a shorter route to the Indies, — the Cabots, adopting 
 
72 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 his opinion that he had discovered one of the outskirts or depend- 
 encies of those countries, conceived that they had only to bear to 
 the northwest, to find a still shorter route. Taking that course 
 they reached the continent of North America, discovering the 
 Islands of New Foundland and St. John, and sailed along it 
 from the confines of Labrador to the coast of Virginia. Thus, 
 England was the second nation that visited the western world, 
 and the first that discovered the vast continent that stretches from 
 the Gulf of Mexico towards the north pole. Instead of discovering 
 a shorter route to the Indies, the one discovered a New World, 
 and the other, by far the most important portions of it. 
 
 From dissentions and troubles that existed at home, and some 
 schemes of family ambition that diverted his attention, Cabot found 
 his patron king, on his return, indisposed to profit by his important 
 discoveries. All the benefit that accrued to England from this 
 enterprise, was a priority of discovery that she afterwards had 
 frequent occasion to assert. 
 
 In 1498, the Cabots, father and son, made a second expedi- 
 tion, with the double object of traffic with the natives, and in the 
 quaint language of their commission, to explore and ascertain 
 "what manner of landes those Indies were to inhabit." They 
 sailed for Labrador by the way of Iceland, but on reaching the 
 coast, impelled by the severity of the cold, and a declared purpose 
 of exploring farther to the south, they sailed along the shores of 
 the United States to the southern boundary of Maryland; after 
 which, they returned to England. 
 
 Portugal, desirous of participating in the career of discovery, in 
 1501, fitted out an expedition under the command of Gaspar 
 CoRTEREAL. The uiost northern point he gained was probably 
 about the fiftieth degree. The expedition resulted in a partial 
 survey of the coast, and the taking captive of fifty Indians that 
 were taken to Portugal and sold as slaves. 
 
 It was twenty-seven years after the last voyage of Cabot, under 
 English auspices that Francis I, King of France, awakened by the 
 spirit of adventure, and protesting against the partition that had 
 made of the newly discovered continent, by the Pope, between 
 Spain and Portugal, soon after its discovery; and determined not 
 to overlook the commercial interests of his people; extended his 
 patronage to John de Verrazana, ordering him to set sail for that 
 country "of which so much was spoken at the time in France." 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 73 
 
 The account of his first voyage is not presei-ved. He sailed with 
 four ships, encountered storms in the north, landed in Britain; and 
 going from thence to the island of Madeira, started from there 
 with a single vessel, the Dolphin, with fifty men and provisions for 
 eight months. After a stormy passage he arrived in latitude 34 
 deg. near Wilmington, North Carolina. In his own report to his 
 king and patron, he says : — 
 
 "Great store of people came to the sea side, and seeing us 
 approach they fled away, and sometimes would stand still and look 
 backc, beholding us with great admiration; but afterwards, being 
 animated and assured with signs that we made them, some of 
 them came hard to the sea side, seeming to rejoice very much at 
 the sight of us, and marvelling greatly at our apparel, shape, and 
 whitenesse; shewed us by sundry signes where we might most 
 commodiouslv come to land with our boate, oflTering us also victuals 
 to eat. Remaining there for a few days, and taking note of the 
 country, he sailed northwardly, and viewed, if he did not enter, the 
 harbor of New York. In the haven of Newport he remained for 
 fifteen days, where he found the natives the ' goodliest people ' he 
 had seen in his whole voyage. At one period during his coasting 
 along the shores of New England, he was compelled for the sake 
 of fresh water, to send off' his boat. The shore was lined with 
 savages ' whose countenances betrayed at the same time, surpi'ise, 
 joy and fear.' They made signs of friendship, and ' showed they 
 were content we should come to land.' A boat with twenty-five 
 men, attempted to land with some presents, but on nearing the 
 shore were intimidated by the frightful appearance of the natives, 
 and halted to turn back. One moi'e resolute than the rest, seizing 
 a few of the articles designed as presents, plunged into the water 
 and advanced within three or four yards of the shore. Throwing 
 them the presents, he attempted to regain the boat, but was caught 
 by a wave and dashed upon the beach. The savages caught him, 
 and sitting him down by a large fire, took oflT his clothes. His 
 comrades supposed he was to be ' roasted and eat.' Their fears 
 subsided however, when they saw them testify their kindness by 
 caresses. It turned out that they were only gratifying their 
 curiosity in an examination of his person,, the 'whitenesse of his 
 skin,' &c. They released him and after ' with great love clasping 
 him faste about,' they allowed him to swim to his comrades. 
 Verrazaxa found the natives of the more northern regions more 
 hostile and jealous, from having, as has been inferred, been visited 
 for the purpose of carrying them off" as slaves. At another 
 anchorage, after following the shore fifty leagues, * an old woman 
 with a young maid of 18 or 20 yeeres old, seeing our company, hid 
 themselves in the grasse for feare; the old woman carried two 
 infants on her shoulders, and behind her neck a child of 8 yeeres 
 
74 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 old. The young woman was laden likewise with as many; but 
 when our men came unto them the woman cried out; the old wo- 
 man made signs that the men were fled into the woods. As soon 
 as they saw us, to quiet them, and to win their favor, our men gave 
 them such victuals as they had with them to eate, which the old 
 woman received thankfully, but the young woman threw them 
 disdainfully on the ground. They took a child from the old woman 
 to bring into France; and going about to take the young woman, 
 which was very beautiful and of tall stature, they could not possibly, 
 for the great outcries she made, bring her to the sea; and especially 
 havmg great woodes to pass through, and being far from the ship, 
 we purposed to leave her behind, bearing away the child onely.' 
 At another anchorage,* ' there ran down into the sea an exceed- 
 ing great streme of water, which at the mouth was very decjjc, 
 and from the sea to the mouthe of the same, with the tide which 
 they found to raise eight foote, any great ship laden might pass up.' 
 Sending up their boat the natives expressed their admiration and 
 showed them where they might safely come to land. They went 
 up the river half a league, where it made a ' most pleasant lake, 
 about three leagues in compass, on which the natives rode from one 
 side to the other to the number of thirty of their small boats, 
 wherein were many people which passed from one shore to the 
 other.' At another anchorage they 'met the goodliest people and 
 of the fairest conditions that they had found in their voyage : — 
 exceeding us in bigness — of the color of brasse, some inclining to 
 whiteness, black and quick eyed, of sweete and pleasant counte- 
 nance, imitating much the old fashion.' Among them, they 
 discovered pieces of wrought copper, which they 'esteemed more 
 than gold.' ' They did not desire cloth of silk or of gold, or of 
 other sort, neither did they care for things made of steel or iron, 
 which we often shewed them in our armour, which they made no 
 wonder at; and in beholding them they only asked the art of making 
 them; the like they did at our glasses, which when they suddenly 
 beheld, they laughed and gave them to us again.' The ship neared 
 the land and finally cast anchor ' in the haven,' when, continues 
 Verrazana, 'we bestowed fifteen days in providing ourselves 
 with many necessary things, whither every day the people repaired 
 to see our ship, bringing their wives with them whereof they were 
 very jelous; and they themselves entering aboard the ship and 
 staying there a good space, caused their wives to stay in their 
 boats; and for all the entreaty we could make, offering to give them 
 divers things, we could never obtaine that they should suffer to 
 to come aboard our ship. Oftentimes one of the two kings (of this 
 people) comming with his queene, and many gentlemen for their 
 pleasure to see us, they all staid on shore two hundred paces from 
 us till they sent a message they were coming. The queene and 
 
 * Off Sandy Hook, as has been inferred. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 75 
 
 her maides staid in a very light boat at an island a quarter of a 
 league off, while the king abode along space in the ship, uttering 
 divers conceits with gestures, viewing with great admiration the 
 ship, demanding the property of everything particularly. ' There 
 were plaines twenty- five or thirty leagues in width, which were 
 open, and without any impediment.' They entered the woods and 
 found them 'so greate and thick, that any army were it never so 
 greate might have hid itself therein; the trees whei'eof are oakes, 
 cipresse, and other sorts unknown in Europe.' The natives fed 
 upon pulse that grew in the country, with better order of hus- 
 bandry than in the others. They observed in their sowing the 
 course of the moone and the rising of certain starres, and diverse 
 other customes spoken of by antiquity. They dwell together in 
 great numbers, some twenty-five or thirty persons in one house. 
 They are very pitifull and charitable towards their neighbors, they 
 make great lamentations in their adversitie, and in their miserie, 
 the kindred reckone up all their felicite. At their departure out of 
 life they use mourning mixed with singing which continue th for a 
 
 1 >> DO 
 
 long space. 
 
 Verrazana having coasted 700 leagues of new country, and 
 being refitted with water and wood, returned to France, arriving 
 at Dieppe in July, whence he addressed his letter to the king. His, 
 in all probability, were the first interviews with the natives upon 
 all our northern, and a part of our southern coast, and for that 
 reason his narrative which gives us a glimpse of them in the 
 primitive condition that civilization found them, possesses a great 
 degree of interest. " We have detailed these instances in their 
 favor," say Yates and Moulton, "because they arrived at a 
 period when the warm native fountain of good feeling and disin- 
 terested charity, had not been frozen by the chilly approach and 
 death-like contact of civilized man. We have dwelt upon these 
 incidents as the most interesting portion of Verrazana's 
 adventures. They present human nature in an amiable point of 
 view, when unsophisticated by metaphysical subtlety, undisguised 
 by art, or even when adorned by the refinements, the pride and 
 circumstance of civilization. They illustrate the position which 
 we believe is true, that the natives of this continent, before they 
 had been exasperated by the encroachments and provocations of 
 Europeans, when the former were confiding and unsuspicious, 
 without any foresight of the terrible disasters which their inter- 
 views with the latter were destined to become the tragical prelude, 
 
76 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 entertained uniform feelings of kindness, of hospitality and 
 benevolence." 
 
 " When Columbus visited the new world, the natives viewed 
 him as a super-natural being, and treated him with the veneration 
 inseparable from a delusion, which Colon was wilHng to counte- 
 nance. When Vespucius Americus landed, he also was treated 
 as a superior being. When the Cabots coasted this continent, 
 when Cartier first visited the St. Lawrence, when the French 
 first settled in Florida as friends, when Sir Humphrey Gilbert, 
 and after him the captains employed by Sir Walter Raleigh, 
 first landed in Virginia, when Hudson discovered and explored 
 our bay and river, when the Pilgrims colonized New England, the 
 generous reception which they all met from the natives, should 
 stand a monumental rebuke to be shameful prejudices too prevalent 
 among ourselves, since we supplanted their desendants on a soil 
 which their fathers left them as a patrimony. We will cite proofs 
 of two instances which took place thirty-seven years apart, but 
 which are given as a general illustration of our position. In the 
 first report of Sir Walter Raleigh's expedition, it is said by his 
 captain, and those in the employ, in 1584, that they were enter- 
 tained with as much bounty as they could possibly devise. They 
 found the people most gentle, loving and faithful, void of all guile 
 and treason, and such as live after the manner of the golden age." 
 
 The following is an extract from the first sermon ever preached 
 in New England. It was by one of the Pilgrims, and bears date 
 Dec. 1621: — *'Tous they (the Indians,) have been like lambs, so 
 kind, so submissive and trusty, as a man may truly say many chris- 
 tians are not so kind and sincere. When we first came into this 
 country we were few, and many of us were sick, and many died by 
 reason of the cold and wet, it being the depth of winter, and we 
 having no houses or shelter; yet when there were not six able 
 persons among us, and that they came daily to us by hundreds 
 with their sachems or kings, and might in one hour have made a 
 dispatch of us, &c. yet they never offered us the least injury. The 
 greatest commander of the country, called Massasoit, cometh 
 often to visit us, though he lives fifty miles from us, often sends us 
 presents, &c." 
 
 And yet aggressions and wrongs commenced on the part of our 
 race in its earliest intercourse with theirs. Verrazana after the 
 reception he has himself acknowledged, attempted to carry away 
 two of their people; Cabot had carried two as a present to his 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE 77 
 
 sovereign Henry VII, that were never returned. The Spaniards 
 and Portugese immediately followed up their first intercourse with 
 them by carrying them into captivity and slavery. Can it be 
 wondered that in numerous instances that occurred in after attempts 
 at settlement, in New England — upon the Hudson — in Virginia, 
 North Carolina &c. — this primitive good feeling — the simple 
 hospitality with which they met the first adventurers upon their 
 shores, gave place to self-defence — perhaps revenge? Of the 
 Spaniards, and their early intercourse with them, Kotzebue 
 says: — "Wherever they moved in anger, desolation tracked their 
 progress, — wherever they paused in amity, affliction mourned their 
 friendship." 
 
 Well has it been observed that the Indian has had no historian 
 of his own. Were some one of his own race, the chronicler of 
 events; — commencing with the discovery of Columbus, and coming 
 down to our present day of pre-emption bribes, and treaties attained 
 with wrong and outrage; — he would gather up a fearful account 
 which would meet with no adequate offsets. It would be that 
 which would admit of but one manner of recompense: — the care- 
 ful guardianship and protection hereafter of our states and general 
 governments, and a co-operation in all measures that tend to pro- 
 mote their rights, their peace and happiness, on the part of our 
 people. 
 
 On the 20th of April, 1534, James Cartier, a mariner of St. 
 Malo, was commissioned by Francis First, to fit out an expedition 
 for the purpose of exploring and colonizing the new world. He 
 sailed with two ships of sixty tons burthen, and each a crew of 
 sixty men. He visited New Foundland, surveyed the coast, and 
 returned. ^ The favorable report he was enabled to make, increased 
 the confidence of his patron, and in May, 1535, he was enabled to 
 set sail again with a squadron of three ships, well furnished. " A 
 solemn and gorgeous pageant," a confessional and sacrament, and 
 the benediction of a bishop attended his departure. In this voyage 
 he passed to the west of New Foundland and entering the Gulf of 
 St. Lawrence, gave it its name. In September, he ascended the 
 river as far as the Island of Orleans. Here he met with the 
 
 Note. — In ascribing the discovery of the Hudson river to the navipator whose name 
 it bears, it is assumed that the coasting and entering of rivers, of Verrazana did not 
 embrace it. It is generally admitted, however, that he came to anchor at Sandy Hook 
 and that the bay within it, is the "pleasant lake," he alludes to 
 
78 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 natives of the country. Although they considered the French 
 intruders, and wished to prevent their further advances, they never- 
 theless treated them with kindness and hospitality. To direct 
 them from their purpose of advancing, they first gave them 
 bountiful presents of corn and fish, and to discourage them they 
 resorted to jugglery, in which they declared they had drawn 
 maledictions from the Great Spirit, against them. They repre- 
 sented that there was so much ice and snow in the countiy above, 
 that certain death awaited them if they advanced. Undismayed 
 by the arts and devices of the natives, the intrepid mariner contin- 
 ued to ascend the river, and arrived at a principal Indian village 
 called Hochelaga, the present site of Montreal. That region he 
 found occupied by a branch of the Wyandot, or Hui'on tribe of 
 Indians, who were there by recent conquest. " Having climbed 
 the hill at the base of which lay the village, he beheld spread 
 around him a gorgeous scene of woods and waters, promising 
 glorious visions of future opulence and national strength. The 
 hill he called Mount Royal, and this name was afterwards extended 
 to the Island of Montreal. At that period, more than three 
 centuries ago, the village of Hochelaga was surrounded by large 
 fields of corn and stately forests. The hill called Montreal, was 
 fertile and highly cultivated." The form of the village was round 
 and encompassed with timber, with three courses of ramparts, 
 framed like a sharp spire, but laid across above. The middlemost 
 of them was made and built as a direct line, but perpendicular. 
 These ramparts were framed and fashioned with pieces of timber 
 laid along the ground, very well and cunningly joined together 
 after this fashion: — The enclosure was in height about two rods. 
 It had but one gate which was shut with piles, stakes aid bars. 
 Over it, and also in many places in the wall there were places to 
 run along and ladders to get up, full of stones for its defence. In 
 the town there were about fifty houses, about fifty paces long and 
 twelve or fifteen broad, built of wood, covered only with the bark 
 of the wood as broad as any board, very finely and cunningly 
 joined together. Within their houses there were many rooms, 
 lodgings and chambers. In the midst of these, there was a great 
 court, in the middle whereof they made their fire. They lived in 
 common together. Then did the husbands, wives and children, 
 each one retire themselves to their chambers. They also had on 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 79 
 
 the tops of their houses, garrets, where they kept their corn to 
 make their bread, which they called caraconnyy* 
 
 These Indians gave Cartier a glimpse of the vast region that 
 lay at the west of him and for the first time perhaps directed 
 French enterprise to a region where it was destined to occupy 
 so wide a space. They told him there were three great lakes 
 and a sea of fresh water f of which no man had found the end; 
 that a river \ ran south-west, upon which there was a "month's 
 sailing to go down to a certain land where there was no ice nor 
 snow, where the inhabitants continually warred against each other," 
 and where "there was a great abundance of oranges, lemons, nuts 
 and apples"; that the people || there were clad as the French, lived 
 in towns, were very honest, and had great stores of gold and 
 copper. 
 
 By the authority of his king, and in the name of his country, 
 Cartier erected a cross and shield, emblazoned with the arms of 
 France, and called the country New France. 
 
 Cartier's report on his return from this voyage, was made with 
 candor. "This country which he had visited abounded with no 
 gold or precious stones and its shores were alledged to be bleak 
 and stormy." The project of colonization was not renewed until 
 six years after. 
 
 In 1540, Francis de la Roque, Seigneur de Roberval, was 
 granted a charter by Francis I, which invested him wnth all the 
 powers of his sovereign, over the newly discovered and claimed 
 colony of New France. Under his immediate auspices a squadron 
 of five ships was fitted out, with Cartier commissioned by the 
 king as chief Pilot of the expedition. He was directed to take 
 with him persons of every trade and art, and to dwell in the newly 
 discovered territory. The expedition had an untoward commence- 
 ment and ultimately resulted in but a feeble advance toward per- 
 manent settlement. As good colonists could not be obtained to go 
 to the inhospitable and bleak northern regions, the prisons and work 
 houses of France were resorted to to supply the demand. In 
 addition to this, a feeling of rivalry and jealousy sprang up between 
 
 * The author finds this ancient account of Hochelaga, in Lanman's History of 
 Michijran. 
 
 tErie, Huron, Michigan. The "sea," lake Superior. 
 
 X The Mississippi. 
 
 II Florida and the Spanish colonies. 
 
80 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 RoBERVAL. and Cartier. They neither embarked in company, nor 
 acted in concert. Cartier ascended the St. Lawrence and built a 
 fort at Quebec; but no considerable advances in geographical 
 knowledge would seem to have been made. . In June, 1542 he 
 returned to France. On the way back he met Roberval on the 
 banks of New Foundland, with more provisions and arms, and 
 returning with him to the fort, he assumed the command, while 
 Roberval ascended the St. Lawrence. Cartier not entering 
 with cordiality into the views or measures of Roberval, the 
 expedition after remaining about a year returned to France. 
 
 In the career of French discovery in New France there occurs 
 here an hiatus or suspension of over fifty years. The causes of 
 this suspension may be found in that portion of the history of 
 France which embraces that period; they were domestic troubles, 
 civil war. &c., which divested the nation from all projects of 
 discovery and colonization. 
 
 It was under the reign of Elizabeth, that England made the first 
 attempt at colonization in America. In 1584 Sir Walter Raleigh, 
 under the patronage of the Queen, fitted out two vessels, to "visit 
 the districts which he intended to occupy, and to examine the 
 accommodations of the coasts, the productions of the soil, and the 
 condition of the inhabitants." These ships approached the North 
 American Continent by the Gulf of Florida, and anchored in 
 Roanoke Bay, oflf the coast of North Carolina. This was followed 
 the year after by seven more ships, which left 108 men at the 
 Roanoke Colony, The immediate prospect of forming a colony 
 was finally unsuccessful. A fleet under Sir Admiral Drake, that 
 was returning home after a successful expedition against the 
 Spaniards in the West Indies, touched at Roanoke on its home- 
 ward passage, and took the colonists home to England. 
 
 There were several other attempts to colonize by Raleigh, and 
 under his auspices, but were failures ; amounting only to the 
 landing of several ship loads of emigrants, illy provided for sub- 
 sistance or defence ; to become a prey to the natives, or perish for 
 food. At the period of Queen Elizabeth's death, not an English- 
 man was settled in America. 
 
 In 1603, Bartholomew Gosnold, planned an expedition in a 
 small vessel with only thirty men — disco«vered a much nearer route 
 than had hitherto been pursued — visited the coast of Massachusetts, 
 and returned with a rich freight of peltry. His favorable account 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. ^ 81 
 
 led a few merchants of Bristol to send out two vessels, to examine 
 tlie country Gosnold had visited. They returned, confii'ming his 
 statements. Another expedition followed, which, returning, reported 
 so many "additional particulars commendatory of the region, that 
 all doubt and hesitation vanished from the minds of the projectors of 
 American Colonization; and an association sufficiently numerous 
 wealthy and powerful to undertake this enterprise, being speedily 
 formed, a petition was presented to the King for his sanction of the 
 plan, and the inlei'position of his authority towards its execution." 
 
 In April 1606, King James issued letters patent to Sir Thomas 
 Gates, George Somers, Richard Hakluyt, and their associates 
 granting to them those territories in America, lying on the sea 
 coast between the thirty-fourth and forty-fifth degrees of north 
 latitude, together with all the Islands situated within one hundred 
 miles of their shores. 
 
 The patentees were divided into two companies. The territory 
 appropriated to the first, or Southern Colony, was called Virginia. 
 That appropriated to the Northern Colony, was called New Eng- 
 land. They were termed the London and Plymouth companies. 
 
 Three vessels soon sailed under the auspices of the London 
 Company, having on board one hundred and five men destined to 
 remain in America; among the adventurers, were George Percy, 
 a brother of the Duke of Northumberland, Gosnold, the enter- 
 prising navigator, and Capt. John Smith. The squadron arrived 
 in the Chesapeake Bay, April 1607. These colonists founded the 
 settlement at Jamestown, and theirs was the first successful scheme 
 of English colonization in America. In 1608, this colony first tilled 
 the soil of what now constitutes the United States, unless the 
 Spaniards had previously planted in Florida. 
 
 In 1607 the Plymouth company made an abortive attempt to 
 form a colony in northern Virginia. The expedition returned to 
 England and damped the spirit of emigration by the representations 
 it made of the soil and climate they had visited. Six years after 
 they fitted out two vessels, and placed one of them under the com- 
 mand of Capt. Smith, who had become identified with the colony at 
 Jamestown previously. This expedition explored with care and 
 diligence, the whole coast from Cape Cod to Penobscot. Capt. 
 Smith went into the interior of the country, made a map of the 
 coast, which on his return he presented to the King, accompanied 
 with a highly favorable account of the countrv. Capt. Hunt, who 
 G 
 
82 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 commanded one of the vessels, instead of returning with Smith, 
 enticed a number of Indians on board his vessel, and touching at 
 Malaga on his homeward voyage, sold them as slaves; thus upon 
 the threshold of New England colonization, provoking the natives 
 to abandon their pacific policy, and look upon the new comers as 
 enemies. The very next vessel that visited the coast of New 
 England, brought news of their vindictive hostility. 
 
 It was reserved for the pilgrim fathers, who, to escape persecu- 
 tion in England, had fled to Leyden, to commence the colonization 
 of New England. Obtaining from King James a tacit acquiescence 
 and from the Plymouth Company a grant of a portion of their 
 territory, one hundred and twenty of their number embarked at 
 Delft Haven, reaching the coast of America, after a long and 
 dangerous voyage, on the 9th of November, 1620, and the coast 
 of Massachusetts, the spot they afterwards called New Plymouth, 
 on the 11th of December. 
 
 On the 30th day of September, 1609, two hundred and thirty- 
 nine years ago, Henry Hudson an EngHshman, but then in the 
 employ of the Dutch East India Company, entered the southern 
 waters of New York, and the next day moored his ship within 
 Sandy Hook. He ascended the river that now bears his name, as 
 far up as Albany, some exploring parties of- his expedition having 
 gone as far as Troy. He was from the day he passed Sandy 
 Hook, until the fourth of October, engaged in an examination of 
 the bay of New York, the banks of the river, &c., trafficking with 
 the natives, gratifying his own and their curiosity, by receiving 
 them on board his vessel, and otherwise cultivating their acquain- 
 tance and friendship. 
 
 There have been preserved minute details of this first European 
 visit to our State. It forms a chapter in our history of great 
 interest, not only from the fact that it informs us of the discovery 
 of our now Empire State — of the first European advent upon the 
 waters of the Hudson, to the site of our great northern commercial 
 emporium, but from its giving us by far the best and most satisfac- 
 tory accounts of the natives, as they were found in their primitive 
 condition. Hudson testifies, as precedent navigators had done to 
 their general friendly reception of the stranger European. In his 
 four weeks' interview with the natives, nothing occured to mar its 
 pacific character, until one of their number had been wantonly 
 Idlled by one of his men. The Indian, attracted by curiosity, and 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 83 
 
 having perhaps but imperfect ideas of the rights of property, stole 
 into the cabin window, and pilfered a pillow, and some wearing 
 apparel. The men discovering his retreat with the articles shot at 
 and killed him. In an attempt to recover the articles, another 
 native was killed. Previous to this, there had been what the 
 natives construed into an attempt to carry off two of their number. 
 Following after these events, was a concerted attempt on the part 
 of the natives to get possession of the vessel. At the head of 
 Manhattan Island in the inlet of Harlem river, they had collected 
 a large force. The vessel going down the river approached the 
 shore near the place of ambush. Hudson discovering them, and 
 their hostile intentions, lay off, the Indians discharging at the vessel 
 a volley of arrows, which was returned by the discharge of muskets. 
 This skirmishing continued as the vessel moved farther down, the 
 Indians assaulting with their arrows, the Europeans retaliating with 
 their muskets, and occasionally by the discharge of a cannon. 
 Nine of the Indians were killed, none of the Europeans. How 
 astounding to these simple warriors, armed only with their bows 
 and arrows, must have been this their first knowledge of the use of 
 gun-powder, and its terrible agency as an auxiliary in war! And 
 that they were not dismayed, did not flee at the first explosion of a 
 volley of muskets, is a matter of especial wonder. 
 
 Thus a relation, an acquaintance, that was commenced, and for 
 some time was continued in amity, had a hostile termination. 
 Hudson sailed down the river and put to sea. 
 
 This first European advent to our state, was marked by another 
 event, more important in the annals of the aborigines, than any that 
 has occured during their acquaintance with our race. It was the 
 inflicting upon them a curse, more terrible in its consequenses than 
 all else combined, of the evils that have attended their relations 
 with us ; a curse equal in magnitude, in proportion to the aggregate 
 numbers to be effected by it, to that which England has visited upon 
 the Chinese by force of arms ; ( and there is some coincidence in the 
 two events, for in both cases there was the predisposition, the 
 physical tendency, to destructive excess): — While Hudson's vessel 
 lay in the river, ( near Albany, as inferred from his account, ) 
 "great multitudes flocked on board to survey the wonder." In 
 order to discover whether "any of the chiefe men of the country 
 had any treacherie in them, our master and mate took them into the 
 cabin and gave them so much wine and aqua vitce that they were 
 
84 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 all merrie ; and one of them had his wife with him, M^hich sate so 
 modestly as any of our counterey womene, would doe in a strange 
 plaice." One of them became intoxicated, staggered and fell, at 
 which the natives were astonished. It "was strange to them, for 
 they could not tell how to take it." They all hurried ashore in 
 their canoes. The intoxicated Indian remaining and sleeping on 
 board all night, the next day, others ventured on board and finding 
 him recovered, and well, they were highly gratified. He was a 
 chief. In the afternoon they repeated their visits, brought tobacco 
 "and beads, and gave them to our master, and made an oration 
 showing him all the country round about." They took on board a 
 platter of venison, dressed in their own style, and "caused him to 
 eate with them: — then they made him reverence, and departed all," 
 except the old chief, who having got a taste of the fatal beverage 
 chose to remain longer on board. Thus were the aborigines first 
 made acquainted with what they afterwards termed ^^jire water f^ 
 and aptly enough for it has helped to consume them. The Indiaiis 
 who met Hudson at Albany were of the Mohawk nation. 
 
 The discovery of Hudson was followed up by several voyages 
 from Holland, with the principal object of traffic on the river, and 
 among the natives he had discovered. The Dutch built two small 
 fortified trading posts, the one on Castle, and the other on Manhat- 
 tan Island. The English attempted a colony upon the river, but 
 were unsuccessful. It was not until 1623 that effectual colonization 
 commenced. In that year, and soon after, vessels were fitted out 
 by the Dutch company, emigrants embarked in them, forts were 
 built, settlements founded. The colony was called New Nether- 
 land. The first governor came out in 1623. 
 
 In 1603, a company of merchants was formed at Rouen for the 
 purpose of colonization. They were invested with authority to 
 explore the country, and establish colonies along the St. Lawrence. 
 Samuel Champlain, an able mariner, a partner in the company, 
 
 Note. — The strong appetite of Indians for intoxicationg drinks, has been observed 
 from our earliest intercourse with them. The first navigators, who reached them, 
 bringing "strong water," the traders who have found them ignorant of the existence of 
 it, and fatally enticed them to its taste, have uniformly borne testimony that with few 
 exceptions, when they have been once under the influence of it, their appetites are 
 craving for further indulgence. The author has been informed by one who has spent 
 most of his life among the fur traders on the head waters of the Mississippi, that he has 
 known an Indian ranner to make a journey of two hundred miles and back through 
 deep snow, to obtain a gallou of whiskey, to finish a carousal, after having exhausted 
 the supply of a trader. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 85 
 
 directed the expedition. In this expedition he selected Quebec as 
 the site of a fort. The protection of the fur trade was its princi- 
 pal object, though it led to a permanent establishment. A few 
 settlers were left to build huts and clear land. It was during this 
 expedition, as inferred by Mr. Lanman, the intelligent historian of 
 Michigan, that the foundation was laid for the long series of 
 troubles that grew up between the French and the Iroquois. 
 Cartier, in a previous ascension of the St. Lawrence, against the 
 wishes of the Hurons and Algonquins, had, with motives of curios- 
 ity, or to gratify it at home, taken to England three of their chiefs 
 against their will. To win their favor, Champlain became their 
 ally against the Iroquois. The secret of his policy, as inferred by 
 Charlevoix, was to humble the Iroquois, in order to "unite all the 
 nations of Canada in an alliance with the French." He did not 
 foresee that the former, who for a long time had, single handed, 
 kept in awe the Indians, three hundred miles around them, would 
 be aided by Europeans in another quarter, jealous of the power of 
 the French. It was not his fault, therefore, that circumstances he 
 could not have anticipated, subsequently concurred to frustrate his 
 plan. 
 
 As this expedition constitutes a distinct and important era in the 
 history of the Aborigines of America, and their mode of warfare 
 — the introduction of fire-arms, — the author extracts a concise 
 account of it from the work of Messrs. Yates and Moulton: — 
 
 "Having yielded his consent to join the expedition, he, (Cham- 
 plain) embarked with his new allies at Quebec, and sailed into the 
 Iroquois river (now Sorrel,) until the rapids near Chambly pre- 
 vented his vessel from proceeding. His allies had not apprised him 
 of this impediment: on the contrary, they had studiously concealed 
 it as well as other obstacles. His vessel returned; but he, and two 
 Frenchmen who would not desert him, determined to proceed, not- 
 withstanding the difficulties of the navigation, and the duplicity of 
 their allies in concealing those difficulties. They transported their 
 canoes beyond the rapids, and encamped for the night. As was 
 customary, they sent a spy to range in the vicinity, who in a short 
 time returned, and informed them that he saw no enemy. Without 
 placing any guard, they prepared for repose. Champlain, sur- 
 prised to find them so stupidly incautious and confident of their 
 safety, endeavored to prevail with them to keep watch. All the 
 reply they made was, that people who were fatigued all day, had 
 need of sleep at night. Afterwards, when they thought that they 
 were approaching nearer towards the enemy, they were induced 
 
86 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 to be more guarded, to travel at night only, and keep no fires in 
 the day time. Champlain was charmed with the variegated 
 and beautiful aspect of the country. The islands were filled with 
 deer and other animals, which supplied the army with abundance 
 of game, and the river and lake afforded abundance of fish. In 
 the progress of their route he derived much knowledge of the 
 Indian character as it was displayed in this warlike excursion. He 
 was particularly amused to perceive the blind confidence which the 
 Indians paid to their sooth-sayer or sorcerer, who in the time of 
 one of their encampments, went through with his terrific cere- 
 mony. For several days they inquired of Champlain if he had 
 not seen the Iroquois in a dream. His answer being that he had 
 not, caused great disquietude among them. At last, to relieve 
 them from their embarrassments, or get rid of their importunity, 
 he told them he had, in a dream, seen the Iroquois drowning in a 
 lake, but he did not rely altogether upon the dream. The allies 
 judged differently, for they now no longer doubted a victory. Hav- 
 ing entered upon the great lake, which now bears the name of 
 Champlain, in honor of its discoverer, he and his allies traversed 
 it until they approached towards the junction of the outlet of Lake 
 St. Sacrament,* with Lake Champlain, at or near Ticonteroga. 
 The design of the allies was to pass the rapids between those two 
 lakes, to make an eruption into the mountainous regions and vallies 
 of the Iroquois beyond the small lake, and by surprise to strike 
 them at one of their small villages. The latter saved them the 
 necessity of journeying so far, for they suddenly made their 
 appearance at 10 o'clock at night, and by mere accident, met the 
 former on the great lake. The surprise of both parties was 
 equaled only by their joy, which was expressed in shouts, and as it 
 was not their practice to fight upon the water unless when they 
 were too far from land to retreat, they mutually hurried to the 
 shore. 
 
 " Here, then, in the vicinity of Ticonderoga (a spot afterwards 
 celebrated in the achievements of the French and Revolutionary 
 Wars,) the two parties pitched for battle. The allies immediately 
 labored to entrench themselves behind fallen trees, and soon sent a 
 messenger to the Iroquois to learn whether they would fight 
 immediately. The latter replied that the night was too dark: they 
 could not see themselves, and the former must await the approach 
 of day. The allies consented, and after taking the necessary 
 precautions, slept. At break of day, Champlain placed his two 
 Frenchmen, and some savages in the wood, to attack the enemy 
 in flank. These consisted of two hundred choice and resolute 
 men, who considered victory as easy and certain over the Algon- 
 quins and Hurons, whom the former did not expect, would have 
 
 * Lake George. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 87 
 
 dared to take the field. The allies were equal to them in number, 
 but displayed a part only of their warriors. They, as well as the 
 enemy were armed with bows and arrows only, but they founded 
 their hopes of conquest upon the fire-arms of the French; and 
 they pointed out to Champlain, and advised him to fire upon the 
 three chiefs, who were distinguished by feathers or tails of birds 
 larger than those of their followers. The allies first made a 
 sortie from their entrenchment, and ran two hundred feet in front 
 of the enemy, then stopped, divided into two bands to the right 
 and left, leaving the center position for Cha3iplain, who advanced 
 and placed himself at their head. His sudden appearance and 
 arms, were new to the Iroquois, whose astonishment became 
 extreme. But what was their dismay when, after the first report 
 of his arquebuse from the spot where he had posted four men, the 
 Iroquois saw two of their chiefs fall dead, and the third dangerously 
 wounded ! The allies now shouted for joy and discharged ajew 
 inefiective arrows. Champlain recharged, and the other French- 
 men successfully fought the Iroquois, who were soon seen in 
 disorder and flight. They were pursued warmly, many were 
 killed, and some taken prisoners. The fugitives, in their precipi- 
 tance, abandoned their maize. This was a seasonable relief for 
 the victors, for they had been reduced to great need. They fed, 
 and passed two hours on the field of battle in dancing and singing. 
 Not one had been killed, although several were wounded. They 
 prepared to return homeward, for among these people the van- 
 quishers always retreat as well as the vanguished, and often 
 inasmuch disorder and precipitation as if they were pursued by a 
 victorious enemy. In their way back, they tortured one of their 
 prisoners, whose miseries Champlain humanely ended." 
 
 This was the first pitched battle fought upon our continent, and 
 thus did the Iroquois learn the use of an auxiliary in war, which 
 enabled them to extend in less than a century afterwards, their 
 territorial dominion two thousand miles, waste the lives of their 
 own race, and afterwards, as allies of England, to become a 
 scourge of the border settlements of New York, in the war of 
 the Revolution. Nor did the instructors of these amateurs in a 
 new warfare, escape the consequences. They found them apt 
 scholars; and in their after contests with them learned to dread 
 the stealthy and deadly aim, in their hands, of the arms furnished 
 them by the Dutch and English. 
 
 At nearly the same period, Hudson had given them the taste of 
 intoxicating liquors, at Albany. Thus were they put in possession 
 of two agents that were finally to work their own ruin and decline. 
 Better for them, we are apt to say, if civilization had never reached 
 
88 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 them in these their forest homes. But then comes upon us the 
 reflection that theirs, if a sylvan abode, was not one of peace and 
 innocence. Long before — how long their own traditions cannot 
 inform us, — they were warring upon their own race. They too 
 had invented weapons of war, and oppressed and trampled upon 
 tlie weak; were even wanton in their wanderings upon the war 
 path for victims. Who shall question the dispensations of Provi- 
 dence, or say that theirs was not the destiny he had decreed 1 
 Who shall say, that if European feet had never trod their soil, 
 that an even worse calamity was not in store for theml That 
 they but awaited the ebb tide of destiny 1 That retribution was 
 not already coming upon them; — its ministering spirits, the leagued 
 and exasperated of their own race, they had scourged in long 
 years of triumph and supremacy? 
 
 With a far better knowledge of the country of New France, 
 than had been before obtained, Champlain returned home, and 
 after delays- and embarrassments, incident to some changes in the 
 administration of the government of France, in 1615 embarked 
 once more for the New World. There came out with him, monks 
 of the order of St. Francis. ''Again he invades the territory of 
 the Iroquois in New York. Wounded and repulsed, and destitute 
 of guides, he spends the first winter after his return to America in 
 the country of the Hurons; and a night errant among the forests, 
 carries his language, religion and influence, even to the hamlets of 
 the Algonquins on Lake Nipissing."* 
 
 C ARTIER is regarded as the pioneer upon the St. Lawrence, and 
 Champlain as the founder of a colony upon its banks. " For 
 twenty years succeeding the commencement of the 17th century, 
 he was zealously employed in planting and rearing that infant 
 colony, which was destined to extend its branches to these shores 
 and finally, to contest with its great rival, the sovereignty of North 
 America. Champlain discovered in his eventful hfe, traits of 
 heroism, self-devotion and perseverance, which, under more 
 favorable circumstances, would have placed him in the ranks of 
 those, whose deeds are the land marks of history."! 
 
 Events that followed the discovery of this continent, have been 
 thus briefly alluded to, with no intention to enlarge upon them, or 
 
 * Bancroft. 
 
 t Gen. Cass' Lectures before Historical Society of Michigan. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 89 
 
 to travel over ground with which most readers will be familiar; but 
 principally for the purpose of such a chronological inti'oduction as 
 will aid in connecting our own local history with the history of 
 our entire country. 
 
 The progress of colonization was slow. In this day of progress, 
 we may well wonder why such a country as this, did not at once 
 invite a flood of adventurers from Europe. But a careful review 
 of the condition of the old world at that period; the jealousies and 
 counteracting rivalries that existed between the nations that had 
 directed their attention to this quarter: England, France Germany 
 and Spain; their internal dissensions, and the fluctuations in their 
 administrations and their commercial policy; afibrd us chiefly the 
 explanation. And to all these hindrances may be added, the 
 absence of that spirit of determined and persevering national 
 adventure, which at a later period stimulated to a more earnest 
 and effectual searching out and occupying new fields of enterprise. 
 In following up the slow course of events as they occurred; in 
 noting the tardiness especially, with which England and France 
 made their advances -to this continent, even after they had through 
 the reports of their explorers, reliable accounts of the land of 
 promise, leads us to reflect, how it would be now, with our own 
 people, if they could even catch a glimpse of an unoccupied field 
 such as this was. There would be no waiting for kingly or 
 government charters; no asking of colonial monopolies. Individual 
 efforts, indomitable private enterprise, would take the place of all 
 this: there would go out from our sea-ports in rapid succession, 
 colonies of hardy adventurers, who arriving at their destinations, 
 and finding but a moiety of the inducements, surrounded by greater 
 obstacles, than was presented to European adventurers here — 
 would persevere; and in the time that in the precedent case it took 
 to deliberate at home, and determine upon a scheme of colonization, 
 — colonies would be founded, territorial governments would be 
 formed; and we should hear of annexation, and possibly of 
 admission. 
 
 " Westward the star of Empire " took '• its way," but dimly and 
 slowly ; giving but a feeble and flickering light to attract the 
 nations of the earth, while its orbit was circumscribed under Euro- 
 pean auspices and dominion. It was not 'till it had the genial 
 influences of freedom and free institutions; until it had shaken off" 
 the incubus of foreign control; that it began to shine with lustre, 
 
90 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 make its rapid transit towards the zenith, and reahze tlie prophetic 
 inspiration of Bishop Berkley. 
 
 Dating from the discovery of this continent in 1492, it was five 
 years before Cabot discovered New Foundland, St. Johns, and the 
 coast of Virginia; forty-two years before Cartier discovered and 
 sailed up the St. Lawrence; one hundred and thirty-five years 
 before Champlain had effectually established French settlements 
 and dominion. Twenty years before Ponce de Leon discovered 
 Florida and claimed it for Spain; seventy-three years before St. 
 Augustine was founded.* Seventy-three years before the first 
 expedition of Sir Walter Raleigh entered the bay of the Chesa- 
 peake; one hundred and fifteen years before any permanent colony 
 was established in Virginia. One hundred and twenty -nine years 
 before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth. One hundred and fifteen 
 before Hudson sailed up the river that bears his name; and one 
 hundred thirty-one years before colonization was effectually pro- 
 gressing upon its banks. 
 
 The whole series of primitive discoveries upon this continent 
 were accidental. The discoverers were in pursuit of a shorter 
 route to the Indies, and blundered upon this fair region that lay in 
 their way. After the discoveries, gold, other minerals, precious 
 stones, fountains of health, predominated with the explorers, until 
 failing in their expectations, traffic with the natives for furs and 
 peltries, engrossed the attention of the few and far between voya- 
 gers to the New World. The great elements of wealth here, as 
 time has demonstrated, lay dormant and undisturbed in the soil. 
 The Acadia of France, the Eldorado of Spain, the region where 
 the Englishman was to shovel wealth into his coffers, and the slow 
 Dutchman was to quicken his pace in the pursuit of fortune; came 
 far short of their expectations; and their squadrons but came and 
 w^andered lazily around the coasts, or ventured but short expedi- 
 tions up our noble rivers. The wealth was here — the elements of 
 hulnan enjoyment, content and happiness, but they widely mistook 
 in what it consisted. It remained for patient, persevering indus- 
 try and enterprise, unshackled by tyranny; for those who fled 
 to these shores from persecution and wrong; for young and vigo- 
 rous scions of a decayed and decaying parent stock; to more than 
 realize the hopes and expectations of the early European dreamers. 
 
 * St, Augustine is by forty years, the oldest town in the United States. 
 
 i 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 
 
 91 
 
 In 1609 the English colony at Jamestown had just begun to turn 
 its attention to agriculture:— "yet so little land had been cultivated 
 — not more than thirty or forty acres in all — that it was still 
 necessary for Englishmen to solicit food from the indolent Indians; 
 and Europeans, to preserve themselves from starving, were 
 billeted among the sons of the forest.''* In 1624, De Laet, a 
 director of the Dutch West India Company, under whose auspices 
 settlement was slowly progressing upon the Hudson, attracted the 
 attention of his countrymen by a published description of the 
 New World. In describing New Netherland, he said: — "It is a 
 fine and delightful land, full of fine trees and vines — wine might be 
 made there, and the grape cultivated. Nothing is wanted but 
 cattle, and they might be easily transported. The industry of our 
 people might make this a pleasant and fruitful land. The forests 
 contain excellent ship timber, and several yachts and small vessels 
 have been built there." But it was not until several years after 
 this first attempt to turn the attention of the Dutch from traffic to 
 agriculture, that there was any considerable degree of success. 
 
 The Dutch trade was with the natives, upon Long Island, the 
 banks of the Hudson, and the eastern nations of the Iroquois. 
 By a report made to the West India Company at Amsterdam, the 
 following exhibit was made of exports and imports for the first 
 nine years after the regular established commerce of the colony: — 
 
 EXPORTS, 
 
 IMPORTS, 
 
 ODILDERS. VEAR, 
 
 1624. 4,000 beavers, 700 otters, 27,125 
 
 1625. 
 1626. 
 1627 
 1628. 
 1629. 
 16.30. 
 16.31. 
 1632. 13,513 
 
 5,295 
 7,258 
 7,520 
 6,951 
 5,913 
 6,041 
 
 463 
 
 857 
 
 320 
 
 734 
 
 681 
 
 1085 
 
 no exports. 
 
 1661 
 
 35,825 
 45,050 
 12,730 
 61,075 
 62,185 
 68,012 
 
 143,125 
 
 454,127 
 or, $189,219,58 
 
 1624. In two ships, goods, wares, 25,569 
 
 1625. 
 1626. 
 1627. 
 1628. 
 1629. 
 1630. 
 1631. 
 1632. 
 
 Several ships. 
 Two ships, 
 Four ships. 
 No imports. 
 Three ships, 
 Two ships. 
 One ship. 
 One ship, 
 
 8,772 
 20,384 
 56,170 
 
 55,778 
 54,499 
 17,355 
 31,320 
 
 272,847 
 or, $113,686,25 
 
 '^The advancement of colonization in New England, [1628] was 
 far more rapid than it had been in New Netherland; but the causes 
 that respectively operated to produce the diversity, were altogether 
 different in their character and tendency. In the one case, religion 
 became the powerful motive, and it introduced as auxiliaries, talent, 
 enterprise and skill. In the other, monopoly and aristocracy, with 
 
 * Bancroft. 
 
92 - HISTORY OF THE 
 
 their cold and calculating selfishness, were in collision with the 
 freedom of trade and the genius of liberty, and the consequences 
 were withering to the blossoms of promise which nature had so 
 bountifully dicplayed in New Netherlands." * 
 
 Conflicting claims to territory upon this continent, began to 
 arise in the earliest periods of colonization. The basis, or general 
 principles upon which claims were to be founded, was pretty well 
 defined by the common consent of the nations of Europe, that were 
 interested; but disputes and collisions arose from different construc- 
 tions of these general principles; and upon questions of fact, 
 involving priority of discovery, occupation, &c. 
 
 *' Discovery gave title to the government, by whose subjects, or 
 by whose authority it was made, against all other European 
 governments, which title might be consummated by possession. 
 Hence, although a vacant country belonged to those who first 
 discovered it, and who acknowledge no connexion, and owe no 
 allegiance to any government, yet if the country be discovei-ed and 
 possessed by the emigrants of an existing acknowledged govern- 
 ment, the possession is deemed taken for the nation, and title must 
 be derived from the sovereign organ, in whom the power to dispute 
 of vacant territories is vested by law. 
 
 " Resulting from the above principle as qualified, was that of the 
 sole right of the discoverer to acquire the soil from the natives, 
 and establish settlements either by purchase or conquest. Hence, 
 also the exclusive right cannot exist in governments, and at the 
 same time in private individuals; and hence also, the natives were 
 recognized as rightful occupants, but their power to dispose of the 
 soil at their own will, to whom they pleased, was denied by the 
 original fundamental principle, that discovery gave exclusive title 
 to those who made it. 
 
 " The ultimate dominion was asserted, and as a consequence, a 
 power to grant the soil while yet in possession of the natives. — 
 Hence, such dominion was incompatible with an absolute and 
 complete title in the Indians. Consequently, from the foregoing 
 principle, and its corollaries, the Indians had no right to sell to any 
 other than the government of the first discoverer, nor to private 
 
 Note. — The author having found the above concise and comprehensive abstract of 
 the basis of title to all the lands in the United States, in the work of Yates and Moulton 
 already quoted, he transfers it to his pages. It not only conteiins the principles that 
 governed the nations of Europe, in their original colonization of our countrj', but sets 
 forth the main principle, and origin of pre-emption, as afterwards recognized by our 
 general government and the states. A careful historical deduction of the title to our 
 own region takes us back for a starting point, to the basis of title, as fixed at the 
 primitive period of discovery and colonization. 
 
 * Yates and Moulton. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 93 
 
 citizens without the sanction of their government. Hence the 
 Indians were to be considered as mere occupants, to be protected 
 indeed while in peace, in the possession of their lands, but with an 
 incapacity of transfering the absolute title to others." 
 
 At a point we have now gained, — the commencement of perma- 
 nent colonization upon this continent, — the author is admonished, 
 in view of the local character of the work he has in hand, that he 
 must come nearer home. Civilization is already approaching the 
 region of Western New York. Under Champlain, the founder 
 of settlement upon the St. Lawrence, there have come out of 
 France scores of adventurers; the most prominent, and far most 
 numerous of whom, are the fur traders, the devotees of traffic and 
 gain; and the missionaries, with the higher purposes of carrying 
 the emblems and the tidings of salvation to the forest homes of our 
 predecessors. The two classes, jointly, travelling together side by 
 side, are destined to extend French dominion to the rivers and 
 lakes of Canada west; to the head waters of lake Ontario; along 
 the banks of the Niagara river, to the shores of lakes Erie, St. 
 Clair, Huron, Michigan, and Superior; over the fertile plains, prai- 
 ries and wood-lands of Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiania, Illinois, 
 Missouri, Iowa, down the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico, and 
 over its waters to Texas. 
 
 The missionary was seldom behind, often preceded the trader. 
 Those of the order of St. Francis — called Franciscans, — preceded 
 the Jesuits in the New World. They came out with Chaimplain 
 in 1615, The more formidable order, that was destined wholly to 
 supplant them and occupy exclusively the new field of missionary 
 enterprise, first arrived upon the banks of the St. Lawrence in 
 1625. Previous to this, the Franciscans, Le Caron, Viel and 
 Sagard, had been instructing the tribes along the western banks 
 of the Niagara. They were unquestionably, the first Europeans 
 who set foot in Western New York. Their advent here was 
 nearly co-temporary with the landing of the Pilgrims in New 
 England. Plymouth Rock had but just re-echoed the thanksgiving 
 of the founders of English colonization in our northern states, — 
 tlie simpler and less ostentatious fonns of the religious faith of the 
 Puritans, had but just found an asylum upon our northern Atlantic 
 coast; when the ceremonies of the Catholic church were exciting 
 the wonder of the dwellers in the forests of our own region. 
 
 For nearly one hundred and fifty years, from the period of 
 
94 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 effectual colonization upon the St. Lawrence, until the English 
 conquests in 1759; the Jesuits — the disciples of Loyola — were 
 almost exclusively in possession of the whole missionary ground of 
 New France. With the exception of but brief precedent advents 
 of the Franciscans, the Jesuits with the traders that accompanied 
 them, were the Pioneers of civilization in Western New York. 
 The imposing ceremonies of the ritual of the Catholic Church, awed 
 the simple minded sons of the forest as they came to gaze upon 
 the works of the primitive ship builders upon the Niagara; — 
 JoNCAiRE, the adopted Seneca, the successful courtier at the 
 councils of the Iroquois, had hardly '^ planted himself amid a group 
 of cabins at Lewiston," when the cross was planted in their midst. 
 When a trading station was secured at Niagara, the Jesuit mis- 
 sionary erected his cabin by the side of the trader. And going 
 out from these primitive stopping places, they threaded the narrow 
 trails that conducted them to the scattered settlements of the 
 Senecas west of the Genesee river, and upon its eastern banks. 
 The advent and long career of the Jesuits upon this continent, and 
 especially in this quarter, forms an interesting feature in our 
 general history; a brief sketch of their founder, and his Institute, 
 may well occupy a short chapter of our local pioneer annals. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 95 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE ORDER OF THE JESUITS. 
 
 The order of the Jesuits as it is usually termed — of the Society 
 of Jesus, as they termed themselves — was founded in the early 
 part of the sixteenth century. Its founder was Ignatius Lovola, 
 a native of Navarre. Born of a noble family, bred to the profession 
 of arms, chivalric and daring, when an army of Francis I. invaded 
 his country, he was among the gallant defenders of the besieged 
 city of Pampeluna. While rallying and exhorting the Spanish 
 soldiers to a desperate resistance, he was severely wounded. 
 While an invalid, the lives of the Saints fell into his hands, and were 
 his constant companions during the progress of a lingering cui*e. 
 Their perusal excited his ardent temperament, and inspired him 
 with ambition to signalize himself as a champion of the religious 
 faith in which he had been educated. Retiring to a convent, he 
 meditated and made vows to become the "Knight of the Virgin 
 Mary,'' and to be "renowned for mortifications and works after the 
 manner of saints." In his seclusion he subjected himself to the 
 most rigid disipline of a monk of the strictest order, and after 
 several years of solitary penance and journeyings as a men- 
 dicant, he matured a gigantic scheme of missionary enterprise, 
 embracing the world in its designs; and which, for good and evil, 
 is signalized as one of the most extraordinary advents that mark 
 the pages of history. 
 
 When Luther publicly sustained the thesis of his apostacy in 
 the Diet of Worms, and composed his book against monastic vows, 
 in the solitude of Alstadt, Loyola was consecrating himself to his 
 work, in the chapel of Monte Serrate, and composing his Spiritual 
 Exercises in his retreat at Mauresa. At the time too, that Henry 
 the Eighth proclaimed himself spiritual head of the Anglician 
 
96 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Church, and ordered, under penalty of death, that the very name of 
 Pope should be effaced from every document and from every book, 
 Loyola was laying the foundations of an order that professed in 
 a most special manner, obedience to the sovereign Pontiff, and zeal 
 and activity in enlarging the bounds of his dominion. 
 
 The Reformation under the lead of Martin Luther, had well 
 nigh broken the sway, prostrated the power of the Roman 
 Church. The advent of Loyola was the first recoil from its 
 effects. It was as if in battle, a powerful army had been nearly 
 routed, its ranks thinned and broken, its leaders dismayed, appalled 
 by the desperate onsets of the assailants — a daring spirit should 
 spring from the ranks fitted to the emergency, and by the boldness 
 and novelty of his designs, inspire courage to renew the contest. 
 While the Pope and his adherents were deliberating — resolving 
 but feebly, and often impotently essaying to execute their resolu- 
 tions; an intrepid soldier — wounded in a field of carnal warfare — 
 clothed himself in spiritual armor, and came forward the devotee 
 and champion of a faith that had been successfully assailed by 
 innovators, as daring and fearless in their assaults, as he was in his 
 well arranged plan of defence. In the warfare of faiths, in which 
 he was enlisted, — a contest to sustain the supremacy of his creed, 
 to enable it to regain its lost ground, — Loyola was what JNapo- 
 LEON became after him in the political affairs of France. They 
 were equally master spirits of the movements in which they were 
 engaged. The one astonished the religious woi'ld with the new- 
 ness and magnificence of his schemes. The other confounded and 
 amazed the political world, by a long career of the triumphs of 
 the one man-power that he wielded. Did Napoleon call to his 
 aid the genius, the talent, the courage of France, and mould 
 them to his will; Loyola equally by the attractions of his 
 splendid conceptions, guaranteed and realized as great moral 
 triumphs, in enlisting the co-operation of those who were fitted 
 to his purposes. The wealth that he required to lay the foun- 
 dations of his new system of propagandism, flowed into his trea- 
 sury; for the possessors of it were mourning over the reverses 
 of a rehgious faith that more than all others, prompts to the 
 offerings of worldly possessions; imagined that light was again 
 shining through the domes of St. Peters; that error, — grievous 
 error, as they deemed it, was to be confounded by the new 
 champion that had taken the field. Around his standard flocked 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 97 
 
 the devotees of the '-Church Catholic;" who, surrendering ]all 
 things else, dedicated themselves to his will and his designs; set 
 tliemselves apart to execute his commands, even to the farthest 
 ends of the earth. The Church of Rome had been assailed by the 
 bold Reformer in the seats and centres of its dominions. Its old 
 strong fortresses were besieged. Loyola looked to the strength- 
 ning and extending of the out-posts; to the more than regaining all 
 that had been lost, by sending out to the four quarters of the 
 globe and gathering to the fold, new auxiliaries, propagating his 
 creed in new and far off fields. 
 
 The tasks to be executed were those of difficulty and danger, but 
 there came to his aid those who caught from him their impulses, 
 and armed themselves with his stern resolves. Never in any 
 missionary enterprise; (and the history of missions from the advent 
 of Christianity to the present hour, is replete with signal instances 
 of self-sacrifice and martyrdoms; instances of the exercises of a 
 moral and physical courage, sterner and higher than the incentive? 
 to armed encounters;) — has there been devised a scheme of 
 missionary enterprise of equal magnitude; or one that has com- 
 manded more devoted service and extraordinary sacrifice, than 
 the Institute which somewhat arrogantly assumed to itself the 
 name of the " Society of Jesus." 
 
 "Loyola was aware, that on the day of battle, the most 
 experienced officers stand apart, in order to watch with more 
 composure, the conflict which they direct. A general of an army 
 ought, by means of the orders that he issues, to be every where 
 present to his troops. Their movements, their courage, their very 
 life, depend on him; he disposes of them in the most absolute 
 manner; and the very physical inaction to which, in consequence, 
 he subjects himself, augments his intellectual energies. It is he 
 that stimulates, that restrains, that combines the springs of action, 
 that assumes the responsibility of events. Such was the policy of 
 Igxatius Loyola. He dispersed his companions over the globe; 
 he sent them forth to humiliation or to glory, to preach or to be 
 martyred, while he from Rome, as a central point, communicated 
 force to all, and, what was still better, regulated their movements. 
 
 " At Rome Ignatius followed his disciples at every step. In an 
 age when communication was neither easy nor expeditious, and 
 when each political revolution added to the difficulty, he found 
 means to correspond with them frequently. He had a perfect 
 knowledge of the state of the missions, and was acquainted with 
 the joys and sufferings of the missionaries; he sympathised with 
 
98 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 them, and thus shared their dangers and their struggles; his orders 
 were anxiously expected, his councils were scrupulously followed. 
 More calm than they, for he was uninfluenced by local passions, he 
 decided with greater discernment, he regulated with greater unity 
 of design." * 
 
 The plan of Loyola not only embraced an extended missionary 
 enterprise, but the founding of institutions of learning. Colleges 
 of the Jesuits were founded at Rome, throughout the Papal domin- 
 ions, and their branches extended to the foreign missionary grounds. 
 They were as so many hives, from which swarmed hosts of those 
 who were educated and fitted for the work before them. But the 
 education of missionaries was not exclusively their province. 
 Engrafted into the system, was the design of its founder to raise 
 up a new class of well educated men, in all the departments of lit- 
 erature, the arts and sciences. The colleges were munificently 
 endowed; learning had a new impetus given to it. There went 
 out from the institutions of the Jesuits, not only the priest, deeply 
 schooled in the theology of his order, but poets, philosophers and 
 statesmen; those who were well fitted to have influence in the 
 political and social affairs of the world, as well as those who would 
 promote the predominating object, — the laying of a broader plat- 
 form for their church, and extending- its sway. 
 
 The scheme of Loyola, formidable as it was, excited the fears, 
 and perhaps jealousies of the then reigning Pontiff". He regarded 
 it an innovation, and withheld his approval; but his successor, 
 Paul III. clothed the institute v/ith all the attributes necessary to 
 make its authority ample. 
 
 " The genius of Champlain, whose comprehensive mind planned 
 enduring establishments for French commerce, and a career of 
 discovery that should carry the lilies of the Bourbons to the 
 extremity of North America, could devise no method of building 
 up the dominion of France in Canada, but by an alliance with the 
 Hurons, or of confirming that alliance but by the establishment of 
 missions."! He had at first encouraged the unambitious Francis- 
 cans; but they, being excluded from New France, by the policy of 
 the home government, in 1632, the conversion of the New World 
 was committed to the ardent Jesuits. They had entered the land 
 
 * Historj- of the Jesuits by M. Cretineu-Joly. Paris, 1844. 
 t Bancroft. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 99 
 
 before, but not under the exclusive privilege of martyrdom. As 
 early as 1611 Father Biart had opened the gospel betw^een the 
 Penobscot and Kennebec, and within two years a congregation of 
 faithful red men was chanting over the territory lately disputed 
 and along the river banks in Maine, their morning and their even- 
 ins: hvmns. The renewal of French emigration to Canada, and 
 the committal of this western mission to the Jesuits, were simulta- 
 neous. The fifteen who first arrived at Montreal, went principally 
 amons: the Five Nations in the interior of this state. 
 
 In the immediate dominions of the Pope, throughout the cities 
 and villages of the greater portion of Europe, the disciples of 
 Loyola spread themselves, and earnestly exhorted backsliders to 
 return to their ecclesiastical allegiance ; stirred up the luke-warm, 
 and checked the hitherto onward march of the Reformers. In 
 1543, the Jesuits had missionary stations in Japan and Ethiopa; in 
 the Indies and in Peru; in Brazil and Mogul; in the remotest 
 Archipelagos, and the bleakest Islands; in the heart of Africa and 
 on the banks of the Bosphorus; in China; at Madras and Thibet; 
 in Genoa. 
 
 The antagonist movements of the Reformers, the disciples of 
 Luther and Calvin, and the new school of propagandists founded 
 by Loyola, came in collision upon this continent, in the very 
 earliest periods of effectual colonization. Deeply imbued with the 
 spirit of the Reformation, were the founders of New England, 
 and as deeply, were the founders of New France imbued with the 
 spirit, the impelling zeal of Loyola. Avarice, a desire for 
 dominion and gain, led the way in both quarters, and the better 
 impulses of religion and its different faiths, followed. Treading in 
 each others footsteps were the traders and missionaries of the 
 early New England colonists; the "gospel was opened" wherever 
 the trafficer in furs and peltries had made a stand. On the St. 
 Lawrence, along the great chain of Lakes and Rivers, west to the 
 valley of the Mississippi, the chaffering of the votaries of Mam- 
 mon was often merged with the devotional exercises of the 
 disciples of Loyola; dividing the attention of the natives between 
 the "tables of the money changers," and the emblems, and 
 imposing ceremonies of the Romish church. 
 
 When the primitive, Protestant missionaries of Nev/ England, 
 were wandering in its vallies, faithfully expounding the revealed 
 
100 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 word to their dusky auditors, gathered in their wigwams, or recli- 
 ning in their forest shades, the missionaries of the church of Rome, 
 were displaying the emblems of salvation upon the shores of lake 
 Ontario, in the settlements of the Iroquois in the interior of our 
 State, upon the banks of the Niagara river, and' around the shores 
 of the Western Lakes. 
 
 They were the subjects of rival nations, and the professors and 
 propagators of rival creeds. No wonder perhaps, — and yet it 
 was strangely at variance with the mild precepts of Him whose 
 mediations they were offering to the inhabitants of the new world 
 — they both brought to these shores the rankling, the spirit of 
 contention, even to the sword, that was drenching some of the 
 fairest portions of Europe with blood. They were contending for 
 ecclesiastical, and it was the impulses of country and allegiance, 
 that made them strenuous for temporal, pohtical, dominion. Their 
 influences were felt in the wars that succeeded between the 
 Iroquois and the French, and the English and French. They 
 were, more or less, participators in the competition for extended 
 empire between those two nations. 
 
 The writers of history, and the readers of it who are in pursuit 
 of facts it is its province to gather up, have little to do with the 
 merits of rival creeds. The sources of instruction are ample, 
 furnished by their respective advocates. In the history of the 
 advents of Catholicism and Protestantism in our early colonization 
 there is much to admire, and much to condemn. 
 
 Who will not dwell with admiration upon the details of the 
 sufferings, martyrdoms, the self abasement of the ardent Catholic 
 missionaries that extended civilization, planted the cross here in 
 this western wilderness'? Sincerity, ardent zeal, signalized their 
 advent and progress. Danger was in their wilderness paths, 
 hovered around their rude forest chapels. In winter's snows and 
 summer's heats, they traversed the wilderness, paddled their frail 
 canoes upon our rivers and lakes; deeming health, life, of little 
 concern — all of temporal enjoyments, subservient to the paramount 
 object: the gathering into the folds of the church of new converts; 
 numbering another and another of the aboriginal nations to swell 
 the conquests of their faith. Their system was fraught with 
 superstition and error; yet who that reverences goodness wherever 
 seen and by whatever name it may be called, will refuse to them a 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 101 
 
 meed of praise; fail to recognize them as those who won the first 
 triumphs for the cross, in this region; when "the wild tribes of the 
 west bowed to the emblem of our common faith." * 
 
 " Tho Priest 
 
 Believed the fables that he taught: 
 
 Corrupt their forms, and yet those forms at least 
 
 Preserved a salutaiy faitli that wrought, 
 
 Maugre the alloy, tho saving end it sought. 
 
 Benevolence had gained such empire there. 
 
 That even superstition had been brought 
 
 An aspect of humanity to wear. 
 
 And make the weal of man tlie first and only care." 
 
 Soutliey^s Talcs of Paragtuiij. 
 
 This is the fair side of the picture. There are blemishes, deep 
 and indelible ones, in the long and eventful career of the Institute 
 of Loyola. In the system itself there was error, and error and 
 wrong were mingled with its triumphs, and contributed to its 
 decline. Elated with its successes, it sought to rule in that to which 
 it professed itself but an auxiliary, until it encountered the jealousy, 
 and finally the ban of the great central power at Rome it had 
 done so much to strengthen. If not the founder of the Inquisition, 
 in some portions of the world it availed itself of that terrible 
 engine of ecclesiastical tyranny, crime and oppression. Its favorable 
 aspect, is the vast amount of good it has done to the cause of 
 learning in the various branches of science; the schools and hospi- 
 tals it has founded; its early missions here and in many other 
 benighted portions of the world. Beyond these, there is that 
 which its advocates — those who are of the faith it upheld — 
 cannot in our more enlightened and liberal period, look upon but 
 with regret and disapprobation. 
 
 And Protestantism too, as connected with our early colonial his- 
 tory, has its pleasant and unpleasant aspects. The humble colony 
 that for the sake of faith and conscience, embarked in a vessel illy 
 provided, braved the winter's storms upon the ocean, and landed 
 upon the bleak and inhospitable shores of New England; encoun- 
 tering disease, the tomahawk of the savage, deprivation and death, 
 to the fearful thinning of its at best but too feeble ranks; may well 
 claim a divided admiration with the highest exercise of religious 
 faith and perseverance that marked the wilderness advent of the 
 
 * The Rev. W. J. Kipp. 
 
102 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 disciples of Loyola. And they were unfriended; had no sliield 
 of Rome, no coffers of weahh to sustain them. Their king and 
 country was against them. Across the ocean, in the land they had 
 fled from, to them all was darkness; and around them on the other 
 hand, was a wilderness in which the lurking and stealthy foe of 
 their race was to be conciliated and appeased. No light shone in 
 upon them but that which came from above. In process of time, 
 ( and that not long extended, ) there was an Eliot and a May- 
 HEAV that contested the palm of missionary zeal and daring, 
 with a Marquette and a Brebeuf. They furnished examples of 
 benignity, simplicity, and heroic patience, such as the world has 
 seldom, if ever, witnessed. The one gave the Indians a Bible in 
 their own dialect; the other perished in an ocean voyage under- 
 taken to bring more laborers into the field of missionary enterprise. 
 Protestant missions early spread throughout New England, along 
 the shores of the Hudson, up the valley of the Mohawk. They 
 numbered in their train a band of faithful and devoted men. In the 
 infant colonies upon the Chesapeake Bay, Harriot first displayed 
 the Bible to the natives and inculcated its truths; and Robert 
 Hunt, who had left behind him his happy English home, came as a 
 peace-maker to a turbulent colony, and to act as a mediator 
 between the natives and their molesters. Had the Jesuits among 
 their neophytes their sainted Seneca maiden, — Catharine Tegah- 
 EouiTA, the "Genevieve of New France " — the Protestants upon 
 the Bay of the Chesapeake, numbered among their converts a 
 PocHAHONTAs: — "the first sheaf of her nation offered to God — 
 the consecration of her charms in early life that mercy might spare 
 her the sight of her nation's ruin by an early death." * 
 
 But in after times Protestantism had its tyrannies and persecu- 
 tions; its intemperate zeal, bigotry and coersive auxiliaries; its 
 banishments, proscriptions, and tribunals of faith. Did the disciples 
 of Loyola in other countries avail themselves of the inquisition; 
 enforce cruel, world-forsaking monastic vows; the disciples of 
 Calvin in New England, erected the gibbet and hunted to the 
 scaffold, the non-conformist, the heretic, and the unhappy men and 
 women whom their dark superstition accused of witchcraft. 
 
 The wrongs that were perpetrated in the old world by the 
 institute of the Jesuits, cannot fairly be made to dim the lustre of 
 
 * From a friend's manuscript. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 103 
 
 the forest advent of the faithful men of the order that pioneered 
 the way to civiHzation in this region. The wrong doing — the 
 intolerance and bigoted persecutions of the early Puritans identified 
 with colonization in another quarter, should be hardly remembered 
 in view of the part their descendants have finally borne, in rearing 
 our proud fabric of religious and political freedom. 
 
 The Institute of Loyola has had a chequered existence; unex- 
 ampled success at one period, decline and proscription at another. 
 For a long period enjoying the high favor of a succession of Popes, 
 then suppressed by one, to be soon restored to favor by another. 
 It was founded near the middle of the sixteenth century, and had 
 an almost uninterrupted career of success, upon a scale of mag- 
 nificence but feebly indicated in the preceding pages. In 1759, 
 Joseph I, of Portugal, declared the Jesuits traitors and rebels, 
 confiscated their goods and banished them. In 1762 the institution 
 was declared "incompatible with the institutions of France," and 
 the Jesuits received orders to abandon their houses and colleges, 
 and adopt a secular dress. Soon after, they were accused of 
 fomenting a popular insurrection in Madrid, and expelled from 
 Spanish territory. The example was speedily followed by the 
 King of Naples, and the Duke of Parma. In 1773 the order was 
 suppressed by a bull from Pope Clejient XIV. For forty-one 
 years the order had no existence save in its scattered and proscribed 
 adherents. In 1814, Pius VII published the bull for its resto- 
 ration. From that period to the present, the order has been 
 constantly progressive. It has revived many of its missionary 
 stations, re-opened its colleges, convents and hospitals; and again 
 been dispersing its missionaries over the globe. 
 
 The whole number of Jesuits that came to this country from 
 their first advent in 1611, up to 1833, was twelve hun4red. When 
 France ceded their possessions east of the Mississippi, to Kngland 
 in 1763, they were forbidden to recruit their numbei's; thus as the 
 old members died, the communities became extinct. The whole, 
 or the greater part of the property of the Jesuits has been held by 
 the British government. The Catholic institutions in the United 
 States and Canada, have now, with few exceptions, no connection 
 with them. 
 
 It only remains to speak of the remote results of these early 
 missionary efforts. So far as they bear upon our country now, 
 
104 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 they may seem slight and unworthy of notice; yet they form a 
 prominent feature in our colonial history. 
 
 The immediate results of the Jesuit missions, were hopeful and 
 stimulating. So long as the natives had no patterns of Christianity 
 to follow but the apostle, bringing his own and his Redeemer's cross 
 among them, they could only revere the new religion, and wrestle 
 against it, as passion warring with conscience. Under such 
 influences, christian virtues were blooming along the path of the 
 messengers from Norridgewok to the bay of C he-go i-me-gon. It 
 is a pleasing relief to turn aside from the almost unremitted din of 
 battle which raged around the progress of settlement in this land, 
 and the wrangling encounters of opinion within the borders of New 
 England, to the quiet heroism of the Jesuits, as they went forth 
 carrying the *' Prayer" (as the Indians termed their religion,) 
 building chapels where the rude wigwams had been man's only 
 resting place, and bringing whole villages from the wild wonder of 
 an indefinite fear, to the subdued awe of worshipping believers; — 
 the moral prodigy, the emblem of earth's redemption, the sway of 
 the man of peace, over the men of war. It is a singular fact that 
 these missionaries succeeded in fixing religious principle without 
 the tedious and patient process of literary education and subtle 
 reasoning. In an early part of the eighteenth century an eflTort 
 was made on the part of the Protestants to draw off the Abenakis 
 from their attachments to the faith of the Jesuits. The Rev. 
 Joseph Baxter, of Medfield, Mass., was despatched on this work, 
 but was obliged to return after being patiently heard, confessing 
 himself foiled by the unwillingness of the natives to learn any 
 better way. The immediate results of the Jesuit missions were 
 blessed. Of the remote results, little is to be said in praise. It was 
 something that, by their carrying the cross of life before the 
 artillery of (3eath, souls of the red men might be enrolled among 
 the redeemed from every kindred, ere the white man had spoiled 
 their religion and blotted out their name. But the danger which 
 the Jesuits foresaw, came upon their converts. The remote result 
 W'as as they feared. Said Father Marest, writing from Kaskasias 
 in Illinois: — "should any of the whites who came among us make 
 a profession of licentiousness, or perhaps irreligion, their pernicious 
 example would make a deeper impression upon the minds of the 
 Indians than all that we could say to preserve them from the same 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 105 
 
 disorders. They would not fail to reproach us as they have 
 already done in some places, that we take advantage of the facility 
 with which they believe us; that the laws of Christianity are not as 
 severe as we represent them to be; since it is not to be credited 
 that persons as enlightened as the French, and brought up in the 
 bosom of religion, would be willing to rush to their own destruction, 
 and precipitate themselves into hell, if it were true that such and 
 such an action merited a punishment so terrible." The danger 
 Vv^as more than the missionary feared; it was first the insinuating 
 pestilence of corruption, and then the sword of extermination. 
 Mark the transformation in the beautiful lines of Whittier: 
 
 " On the brow of a hill which slopes to meet 
 The flowing river and bathe at its feet, 
 A rude and mishapely chapel stands, 
 Built up in that wild by unskilled hands ; 
 Yet the traveller knows it a place of prayer, 
 For the holy sign of the cross is there ; 
 And should he chance at that place to be, 
 
 Of a Sabbath morn on some hallowed day, 
 Well might the traveller start to see 
 
 The tall dark forms that take their way 
 From the birch canoe on the river shore. 
 And the forest paths to that chapel door ; 
 And marvel to mark the naked knees, 
 
 And the dusky foreheads bending there, — 
 And, stretching his long thin arms over these. 
 
 In blessing and in prayer. 
 Like a shrouded spectre, pale and tall, 
 In his coarse white vesture, Father Rallk." 
 
 But now, 
 
 " No wigwam smoke is curling there ; 
 The very earth is scorched and bare ; 
 And tliey pause and listen to catch a sound 
 Of breathing life, but there comes not one, 
 Save the fox's bark, and the rabbit's bound ; 
 And here and there on the blackening ground. 
 
 Note. — Father Ralle was a missionarj' among the Abenakis, in 1724. His mission 
 station was upon the Kennebec in Maine, near the village of Norridgewok. In the 
 war which the English and their Indian allies waged against the Abenakis, he was a 
 victim. When a hostile band approached his village of converts, he presented himself, 
 in hopes to save his flock ; but fell under a discharge of musketr}". So says the Jesuit 
 Relations. Hutchinson says he shut himself up in a wigwam, from which hefiredupoQ 
 the English. A cross and a rude monument marked the spot until 1833, when an 
 acre of land was purchased including the site of Rallo's church and his grave, and 
 over his grave a shaft erected twenty feet high, surmounted by a cross, in the presence 
 of a large concourse of people. Bishop Fonwick directed the ceremonies, and 
 delivered an address. Delegates from the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, and Canada 
 Indians were present 
 
106 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 White bones are glistening in the sun, 
 And where the house of prayer arose, 
 And the holy hymn at daylight's close. 
 And the aged priest stood up to bless 
 The children of the wilderness, 
 
 There is nought save ashes sodden and dank. 
 And the birchen boats of the Norridgewok, 
 Tethered to tree and stump and rock. 
 
 Rotting along the river bank." 
 
 The Jesuits faded away with the decline, or end of French 
 dominion east of the Mississippi, in 1763. There is Httle beyond 
 such reUcs as are found of Father Ralle, [see preceding note,) to 
 mark their advent here. At the west, their presence can be but 
 dimly traced; the religion they inculcated exists among some of 
 the Indian tribes, but hardly sufficient to identify it; the rude cross 
 occasionally found at the head of an Indian grave, is perhaps as 
 distinct evidence as any that exists, (other than faithful records,) of 
 the early visit and long stay of the Catholic missionaries, upon the ' 
 borders of our western lakes, and in the upper vallies of the 
 Mississippi. Among the Indians of Western New York, all that 
 remains to mark the Jesuit missionary advent, is the form of the 
 cross in their silver ornaments. 
 
 How different has been the destiny of the Protestant advent 
 upon the shores of New England! The Pilgrim Fathers — cotem- 
 porary with the Jesuits, — spread their faith among the natives, 
 with nearly as Httle success perhaps; but they maintained their 
 gi'ound, became a part of the great fabric of religious and political 
 freedom that was rearing; their impress is indelibly stamped upon 
 our country and its institutions. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 107 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 PROGRESS OF COLONIZATION, PROMINENT EVENTS CONNECTED WITH 
 IT, FROM 1627 TO 1763. 
 
 This embraces a period of one hundred and thirty-six years; 
 or, the entire French occupancy from the period of effectual 
 colonization under Champlain upon the St. Lawrence, to that of 
 English conquest, and the end of French dominion east of the 
 Mississippi. 
 
 The long succession of interesting events; the details of the 
 French and Indian, and French and English wars; belong to our 
 general history. For the purposes of local history it will only 
 be necessary to embrace, with any considerable degree of minute- 
 ness, such portions of them as had a direct local relation. 
 
 But little success attended the first efforts of colonization upon 
 the St. Lawrence. Fourteen years after the founding of Quebec, 
 (in 1662) the population was reduced to fifty souls. The ill-success 
 was principally owing to the hostilities of the Iroquois; that had 
 been first excited by the unfortunate alliance of Ciiamplain with 
 the Hurons; the rivalry between different interests in the fur trade; 
 and jarring and discord arising out of a mixed population of Catho- 
 lics and Protestants, who brought to the New World much of the 
 intolerance that characterized that period. Most of the colonists 
 were mere adventurers; more intent upon present gain, if indeed 
 most of them had any definite purposes beyond the freedom from 
 restraint, the perfect liberty that an ill-governed far off colony 
 offered to them; than upon any well regulated efforts at 
 colonization. 
 
 In order to adjust dissensions that existed in the colony, produce 
 harmony of effort, and generally, to strengthen the colonial enter- 
 prize, in 1627 Cardinal Richelieu organized what was called the 
 
108 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 company of New France — or, company of an Hundred Partners. 
 The primary object of the association, was the conversion of the 
 Indians to the Catholic faith, by the co-operation of the zealous 
 Jesuits; the secondary, an extension of the fur trade, of commerce 
 generally, and to discover a route to the Pacific ocean and China 
 through the great rivers and lakes of New France. This company 
 was invested not only with a monopoly of trade, but with a 
 religious monopoly; protestants and "other heretics" were entirely 
 excluded. An inauspicious commencement: — monopoly and 
 bigotry went hand in hand. It was in the order of Providence that 
 neither, in whatever form they might assume, should have any 
 permanent success upon this side of the Atlantic. 
 
 The company stipulated to send to New France, three hundred 
 tradesmen, and to supply them with all necessary utensils for three 
 years; after which time they were to grant to each workman 
 sufficient land for His support, and grain for seed. The company 
 also stipulated to colonize the lands embraced in their charter, 
 with six thousand inhabitants, before the year 1643, and to provide 
 each settlement with three Catholic priests, whom they were to 
 support for fifteen years. The cleared land was then to be granted 
 to the Catholic clergy for the maintenance of the church. Certain 
 prerogatives were at the same time secured to the king; such as 
 religious supremacy, homage as sovereign of the country, the right 
 of nominating commandants of the forts and the officers of justice, 
 and on each succession to the throne the acknowledgement of a 
 crown of gold weighing thirteen marks. The company had also 
 the right of conferring titles of distinction, some of which were 
 required to be confirmed by the king. The right to traffic in 
 peltries, and engage in other commerce, other than the cod and 
 whale fisheries, was at the same time granted in the charter. The 
 king presented the company two ships of war, upon condition that 
 the value should be refunded, if fifteen hundred French inhabitants 
 were not transported into the country in the first ten years. The 
 descendants of Frenchmen inhabiting New Prance, and all savages 
 who should be converted to the Catholic faith, were permitted to 
 enjoy the same privileges as natural born subjects; and all artificers 
 sent out by the company, who had spent six years in the French 
 colony, were permitted to return and settle in any town in France. 
 The design of the government, was to strengthen the claims of 
 France to territory in North America. The company, as was 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 109 
 
 afterwards demonstrated, designed to benefit themselves, through 
 the extension of the fur trade. 
 
 Champlain was appointed Governor. For the first few years, 
 the colony, from various causes connected with its remote position 
 from the parent country; the hardships of the forest, and the hos- 
 tility of the Iroquois, suffered extremely, and was almost upon the 
 point of breaking dowai. Ships that had been sent out with sup- 
 plies had been captured by Sir David Kerth, then in the employ- 
 ment of the British Crown. The depredations of the Iroquois kept 
 the colony in check, diminished their numbers, and crippled their 
 exertions, until the year 1629, when the French adventurers were 
 involved in the deepest distress. Kerth who had succeeded in 
 cutting off several expeditions of supply vessels from France, and 
 finally reducing them almost to starvation, sailed up the St. Law- 
 rence and made an easy conquest of Quebec, on the 20th, July, 
 1G29. In October following, Champlain returned to France;- most 
 of his company, however, having remained in Canada. 
 
 About this period, a peace was concluded between England and 
 France, by the treaty of St. Germaine. This restored to France, 
 Quebec, with its other possessions upon this continent. Champlain 
 resumed the government of Canada. The Jesuits with their 
 accustomed zeal commenced anew their efforts; and from this 
 period to the final English conquests in 1759, a rivalship and 
 growing hostility, partly religious and partly commercial, took 
 place between the English and French colonists, which was 
 evinced by mutual aggressions, at some periods, while profound 
 peace existed between their respective sovereigns in Europe. 
 
 Cha."mplain in his return from France to resume his office of 
 governor, came with a squadron provided with necessary supplies 
 and armaments. A better organization of the colonial enterprise 
 was had; measures were adopted to reconcile existing difficulties, 
 growing out of the immoral principles of the emigrants, and to 
 prevent the introduction into the colony of any but those of fair 
 character. 
 
 Note. — The colonization of New France, commenced but with Uttle regard to the 
 character of the colonists. It was rather such as could be induced to come out, than 
 *uch as the Company would have preferred. The prisons and work houses of France, 
 a discharg^ed soldiery, and those generally with whom no change could be for the worse, 
 formed a large portion of the early colonists. The Baron la Hontan, who came out to 
 Quebec in the year 1683, speaks of this as well as all things that came under his 
 observation, with much freedom: — "Most of the inhabitants are a free sort of people 
 that removed hither from Fremce and brought with them but little money to set up 
 
110 History of the 
 
 In 1635 a college of the order of Jesuits was established at 
 Quebec, which was of great advantage in improving the morals of 
 the people, that had grown to a state of open licentiousness. 
 
 At this period the colony suffered a great misfortune in the death 
 of Champlain. "With a mind warmed into enthusiasm by the 
 vast domain of wilderness that was stretched out before him, and 
 the glorious visions of future grandeur which its resources opened; 
 a man of extraordinary hardihood and the clearest judgment; a 
 brave officer and a scientific seaman; his keen forecast discerned, 
 in the magnificent prospect of the country which he occupied, the 
 elements of a mighty empire of which he had hoped to be founder. 
 With a stout heart and ardent zeal, he had entered upon the 
 project of colonization; he had disseminated valuable knowledge of 
 its resources by his explorations; and had cut the way through 
 hordes of savages, for the subsequent successful progress of the 
 French towards the lakes." * 
 
 During the administration of Montneagny, who succeeded 
 Champlain, the colony made but little progress, except in the 
 extension of its trade in furs. 
 
 The religious institutions of the Jesuits about this period, were 
 considerably augmented; a seminary was established at Sillery, 
 near Quebec; the convent of St. Ursula at Quebec, established by 
 Madame de la Peltrie, a young widow of rank, who had engaged 
 several Sisters of the Ursulines at Tours, with whom she sailed 
 from Dieppe in a vessel which she chartered at her own expense. 
 
 withal. The rest are those who were soldiers about thirty or forty years ago, at which 
 time the regiment of Carigan was broken up." * « * "After this, several ships 
 were sent hither from France, with a cargo of women of an ordinarj' reputation. The 
 vestal virgins were heaped up, (if I may so speak), one above another, in three 
 different apartments, where the bridegrooms singled out their brides just as a butcher 
 does a ewe from amongst a flock of sheep. In these three seraglios there was such a 
 variety and change of diet as could satisfy the most whimsical appetites ; for here was 
 some big, some little, some fair, some brown, some fat and some meagre. In fine, 
 ever}' one might be fitted to his mind: — and indeed the maiket had such a run, that in 
 fifteen days time they were all disposed of. I am told that the fattest went off best, 
 under the apprehension that these being less active, would keep truer to their engage- 
 ments, and hold out better against the nipping cold of winter." * * "In some 
 parts of the world to which vicious European women are transported, tlie mob of those 
 countries do seriously believe that their sins are so defaced by the ridiculous christening 
 I took notice of before, that they are looked upon ever after as ladies of virtue, of 
 honor, and untarnished conduct of life." * * * >« After the choice was determined 
 the marriage was concluded upon the spot, in the presence of a priest and a public 
 notary ; and the next day the Governor General, bestowed upon the married couple, a 
 bull, a cow, a hog, a sow, a cock, a hen, two barrels of salt meat and eleven crowns." 
 
 * Historv' of Illinois. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. Ill 
 
 A seminary of the order of St. Sulpicious was also founded at 
 Montreal. 
 
 The Company of New France came short of fulfilling their 
 charter. Little was done by them either to encourage the settle- 
 ment of the country, or for the advancement of agriculture, the 
 fur trade almost engrossing their attention. In the remote points 
 of the wilderness, forts of rude construction had been erected; but 
 these were merely posts of defence, or depots of the trade, the 
 dominions of which, at that early period, stretched through tracks 
 of wilderness large enough for kingdoms. The energies of the 
 colonists were cramped by the Iroquois, who hung like hungry 
 wolves around the track of the colonists, seeking to glut their 
 vengeance against the French by butchering the people, and plun- 
 dering the settlements whenever opportunities occurred. 
 
 In 1640 Montreal was selected to be the nearest rendezvous for 
 converted Indians. The event was celebrated by a solemn mass. 
 In August of the same year, in the presence of the French gath- 
 ered from all parts of Canada, and of the native warriors sum- 
 moned from the wilderness, the festival of the assumption was 
 solemnized on the Island itself. In 1647, the traders and mission- 
 aries had broken out from the St. Lawrence and advanced as far as 
 the shores of Lake Huron. Previous to 1666, trading posts were 
 established at Michillimackinac, Sault St. Marie, Green Bay, 
 Chicago, and St. Joseph. 
 
 The progress of the missionaries and traders was slow around 
 the shores of the western lakes. After one post was established, 
 it was in most instances the work of years to advance and occupy 
 another position. In 1665, Father Claude Allouez entered the 
 great village of the Chippeways at the bay of Che-goi-me-gon 
 A council was convened at the time, to prepare for threatened 
 hostilities with the Sioux of the Mississippi. "The soldiers of 
 France," said Allouez, "will smooth the path between the Chip- 
 peways and Quebec, brush the pirate canoes from the intervening 
 rivers, and leave to the Five Nations, no alternative, but peace or 
 destruction." The admiring savages, who then for the first time 
 looked upon the face of a white man, were amazed at the picture 
 he displayed of "hell and the last judgement." He soon lighted 
 the Catholic torch at the council fires of more than twenty different 
 nations. The Chippeways pitched their tents near liis cabin to 
 receive instruction. The Pottowotamies came hither from lake 
 
112 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Michigan, and invited him to their homes. The Sacs and Foxes 
 imitated their example, and the IlHnois, diminished in numbers and 
 glory by repeated wars with the Sioux of the Mississippi on the 
 one hand, and the Iroquois, or Five Nations, armed with muskets, 
 on the other, came hither to rehearse their sorrows. 
 
 Marquette was the pioneer beyond the lakes. He was early at 
 St. Mary's, with Allouez, assisting in the conversion of the 
 Indians, and in extending the influence of France. "He belonged 
 t« that extraordinary class of men (the Jesuit missionaries,) who, 
 mingling happiness with suffering, purshased for themselves undy- 
 ing glory. Exposed to the inclemencies of nature and to savage 
 hostilities, he took his life in his hand and bade them defiance; 
 waded through water and through snows without the comfort of 
 a fire, subsisted on pounded maize, and was frequently without 
 food, except the unwholesome moss he gathered from the rocks. 
 He labored incessantly in the cause of his Redeemer — slept with- 
 out a resting place, and travelled far and wide, but never without 
 peril. Still, said he, Ufe in the wilderness has charms — his heart 
 swelled with rapture as he moved over waters transparent as the 
 most limpid fountain. Living like a patriarch beneath his tent, 
 each day selecting a new site for his dwelling, which he erected in 
 a few minutes, with a never failing floor of green, inlaid with 
 flowers provided by nature; his encampment on the prairie resem- 
 bled the pillar of stones where Jacob felt the presence of God, the 
 venerable oaks around his ten.t — the tree of Mamre, beneath 
 which Abraham broke bread with the angels." * 
 
 The ministers of Louis the XIV. and Colbert, with Talon, the 
 intendant of the colony, had formed a plan to extend the power of 
 France from sea to sea. A vague idea had been obtained from the 
 natives, that a great river flowed through the country beyond the 
 Lakes, in a southerly direction. Marquette, selecting for his 
 companion, Joliet, a citizen of Quebec, and for his guide, a young 
 Indian of the Illinois tribe, undertook the mission of its discovery. 
 
 Previous to his departure, a great council was held at St. Mary's. 
 Invitations were sent to all the tribes around and beyond the head 
 waters of lake Superior, even to the wandering hordes of the 
 remotest north; to the Pottawatomies at Green Bay, and to the 
 Miamis of Chicago. St. Lusan appeared as the delegate of 
 
 * Brovra's History of Illinois. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 113 
 
 France. "It was then announced to the assembled envoys of the 
 wild Republicans thus congregated together from the springs of 
 the St. Lawrence, the Mississippi, and the Red river, that they 
 w^ere placed under the protection of Louis XIV. , the king of 
 France. Allouez acted as interpreter, and brilliantly clad officers 
 from the veteran armies of Europe, mingled in the throng. 'A 
 cross of red cedar was then raised, and the whole company bowing 
 before the emblem of man's redemption, chanted to its glory a 
 hymn of the seventh century;' and planting by its side a cedar 
 column on which were engraved the arms of the Bourbons, it was 
 supposed that the authority and faith of France was permanently 
 united upon this continent."* 
 
 On the 10th of June,. 1673, Marquette and Joliet, with five 
 Frenchmen as companions, transported upon their shoulders, across 
 the narrow passage which divides the Fox river of Green Bay 
 from the Wisconsin of the Mississippi, two bark canoes, and 
 launched them upon its waters. The Indians to whom Mar- 
 quette had imparted his design, endeavored to dissuade him from 
 it. " Those distant nations," they said, " never spare the stranger 
 — the great river abounds with monsters which devour both men 
 and canoes." "I shall gladly," replied Marquette, "lay down my 
 life for the salvation of souls." "The tawny savage, and the 
 humble missionary of Jesus, thereupon united in prayer."! " My 
 companion," said Marquette," is an envoy of France to discover 
 new countries; and I am an embassador from God to enlighten 
 them with the gospel." 
 
 The party floated dovni the Wisconsin between alternate hills 
 and prairies, without seeing man, or the wonted beasts of the 
 forests, during which no sound broke the appalling silence, save 
 the ripple of their own canoes, and the lowing of the buffalo. 
 They entered the great " Father of waters," with a joy that 
 could not he expressed. After descending the Mississippi about 
 sixty leagues, they were attracted by a well beaten trail that came 
 down to the water's edge. Halting, and tracing it for six miles 
 they came to three Indian villages, on the banks of the Des 
 Moines. Entering one of them, four old men advanced bearing a 
 peace-pipe. " We are Illinois " | said they, and offered the calu- 
 
 * History of Illinoia t Bancroft. t " We are men." 
 
 8 
 
114 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 met. " An aged chief received them at his cabin with upraised 
 hands, exclaiming, 'how beautiful is the sun, Frenchmen, when 
 thou comest to visit us. Our whole village awaits thee ; thou shall 
 enter in peace into all our dwellings.' And the pilgrims were 
 followed by the devouring gaze of an astonished crowd. 
 
 The party descended the Mississippi to the mouth of the 
 Arkansas, and returning, entered the mouth of the Illinois. Coming 
 up that river, they visited the villages upon its banks, the humility 
 and kind words of Marquette conciliating and winning the favor 
 of their inhabitants. In all the different nations and tribes the 
 party had encountered in their long voyage, there was no demon- 
 strations of' hostility, except at one village, low down in their route 
 on the western bank of the Mississippi. There, the natives 
 assembled, armed for war, and threatened an attack. "Now," 
 thought Marquette, "we must indeed ask the aid of the virgin;" 
 but trusting rather to the potency of a peace-pipe, embellished 
 with the head and neck of brilliant birds, that had been hung round 
 his neck by the chieftain upon the Des Moines, he raised it aloft. 
 At the sight of the mysterious emblem, " God touched the hearts 
 of the old men, who checked the impetuosity of the young; and 
 throwing their bows and quivers into the canoes, as a token of 
 peace, they prepared a hospitable welcome."* The tribe of 
 Illinois, that inhabited its bank, entreated Marquette to come and 
 reside among them. One of their chiefs, with their young men, 
 conducted the party by the way of Chicago to lake Michigan; and 
 before the end of September, all were safe in Green Bay. 
 
 Thus, Marquette and Joliet, with their few companions, were 
 the pioneer navigators of the Mississippi; above the mouth of the 
 Arkansas; f the first Europeans to tread the soil of Wisconsin, 
 Iowa, Illinois and Missouri. But it remained for another bold 
 
 Note. — It is worthy of remark here, that most of these Indian nations of the West 
 hated and feared the Iroquois. The early French adventurers knew well how to profit 
 by this. With more of good policy than truth, they were careful to represent them- 
 selves as the enemies of the Iroquois, and to add diat the great captain of the French 
 had chastised the Five Nations and commanded peace. In these first villages of tha 
 Illinois that Marquette and Joliet visited, a festival of fish, hominy, and the choicest 
 viands from the prairies was prepared for the messengers who brought the glad tidings 
 that the Iroquois had been subjugated. 
 
 * Jesuit Relations. 
 
 t Ferdinand De Soto, a Spanish adventurer, had in 1541, entered the mouth of 
 the Mississippi, and ascended it probably as far up as the mouth of the Arkansas. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 115 
 
 adventurer with more enlarged views; one who is identified 
 prominently with our immediate local history, to complete the 
 discovery. 
 
 And what an advent was that of the indefatigable Jesuit ! He 
 was highly educated, as were most of those of his order, that came 
 out to the unexplored regions of the New World. He was a lover 
 of nature in its rudeness, simplicity, beauty and grandeur. No 
 wonder, that floating down the majestic river; viewing its banks 
 upon either hand, their rich and variegated scenery; or up the 
 Illinois, catching glimpses of wide prairies, skirted with wood-lands 
 and carpeted v/ith wild flowers, the buffalo and deer grazing and 
 sporting upon them; flocks of swan and ducks rising upon the wing, 
 or seeking shelter from the strangers in coves and inlets; — that 
 he became an enthusiast; worshipped with increased devotion the 
 Author of all things, to whose service he had dedicated himself; 
 mingled with his prayers and thanksgivings, his admiration of the 
 beautiful waters and landscapes that he was assisting to bring 
 within the pale of his church, and under the temporal dominion of 
 his king. 
 
 JoLiET returned to Quebec to announce the discoveries: 
 Marquette remained to preach the gospel among the Miamis 
 who dwelt near Chicago. " Two years afterwards, sailing from 
 Chicago to Mackinac, he entered a little river in Michigan. 
 Erecting an altar, he said mass after the rites of the Catholic 
 • Church; then begging the men who conducted his canoe to leave 
 him alone for half an hour; 
 
 " in the darkling wood, 
 
 Amidst the cool and silence, he knelt down, 
 And offered to the Mightiest solemn thanks 
 And supplication." 
 
 At the end of the half hour, they went to seek him, and he was 
 no more ! The good missionary, discoverer of a world, had fallen 
 asleep on the margin of the stream that bears his name. Near its 
 mouth the canoe-men dug his grave in the sand. Ever after the 
 forest rangers, if in danger on lake Michigan, would invoke his 
 name. The people of the west will build his monument." * 
 
 The success of Marquette and Joliet was destined to confirm 
 
 * Bancroft. 
 
116 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 another adventurer, in his previously half formed resolutions to 
 enter upon a broader and farther extended field of discovery; to 
 lead another to find an uninterrupted navigation tlirough a chain of 
 lakes and rivers to the " country of the Illinois," and finally to 
 trace the " great river" they had discovered, to its source. 
 
 THE FIRST VESSEL UPON THE UPPER LAKES. 
 
 An event transpiring within our borders, upon the banks of the 
 Niagara, of so much local and general interest as the building and 
 launching of the first sail vessel that floated upon the waters of 
 lake Erie, demands especial notice, and more of minute detail than 
 can be bestowed generally upon events preceding the main objects 
 of this work. It was the pioneer advent of our vast inland 
 commerce, the sails of which are now spread out upon our long 
 chain of lakes and rivers, upon the borders and in the valleys of 
 which an Empire has sprung into existence ! A commerce equal to 
 the export trade of the whole union, with foreign countries; its 
 principal mart, the "City of the Lakes," the young, the rapidly 
 advancing emporium of the great West, and Western New York. 
 Here, it will only be necessary to speak of the humble beginning 
 of all this; its first slow, and after rapid progress, will occupy 
 succeeding pages. 
 
 Robert Cavalier de la Salle, was a native of France, of 
 good family, of extensive learning, and possessed an ample fortune. 
 He renounced his inheritance by entering the seminary of the 
 Jesuits. After profiting by the discipline of their schools, and 
 obtaining their praise for purity and vigilance, he had taken his 
 discharge from' their fraternity. With no companion but poverty, 
 but with a boundless spirit of enterprise, about the year 1667, when 
 the attention of all France was directed towards this continent, the 
 young adventurer embarked for fame and fortune in the new 
 world. Established at first as a fur trader at La Chine, he 
 explored lake Ontario and ascended to lake Erie. Returning to 
 France in 1775, by the aid of Count Frontenac he obtained the 
 rank of nobility, and the grant of Fort Frontenac, now Kingston, 
 on condition of maintaining a post there. The grant was in fact 
 the concession of a large domain, and a monopoly of the traffic 
 with the Five Nations. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 117 
 
 " In the portion of the wilderness of which the young man was 
 proprietary, cultivated fields proved the fertility of the soil; his 
 herd of cattle multiplied; groups of Iroquois built their cabins in the 
 environs; a few French settled under his shelter; a few Franciscans 
 now tolerated in Canada, renewed their missions under his 
 auspices; the noble forest invited the construction of log cabins and 
 vessels with decks; and no canoe-men in Canada could shoot a 
 rapid with such address as the pupils of La Salle."* 
 
 This was destined to be with him but a short stopping place; 
 "flocks and herds," a small spot in the wilderness converted to 
 rural civilized life, was not the climax of his ambition. He aspired 
 to higher achievments than to be the patron of a village, or a 
 trading post. The voyages of Columbus, and a history of the 
 rambles of De Soto, were among the books he had brought with 
 him from home. When Joliet returned from the west, after his 
 tour with Marquette, he took Fort Frontenac in his way, and 
 spread the news of the brilliant discoveries they had made. La 
 Salle had caught from the Iroquois a glimpse of the Ohio and its 
 course, and some accounts of a new and hitherto undiscovered 
 country bordering upon it. He conceived the design of making it 
 the country of his prince. It was he who first proposed the union 
 of New France with the valley of the Mississippi, and suggested 
 their close connection by a line of military posts. He proposed 
 also to open the commerce of Europe to them both, and for that 
 pui*pose repaired to France. 
 
 By his earnest, bold enthusiasm, — his tone of confidence in 
 ultimate success — he made patrons of his enterprise, Colbert, the 
 minister of Louis XIV., and at the instance of the Marquis de 
 Seigneilly, Colbert's eldest son, he procured the exclusive right 
 of a traffic in buffalo skins and a commission for the discovery of 
 the Great River. The commission was as follows: — 
 
 "LETTERS PATENT 
 
 ••granted by the king of FRANCE TO THE SIECR DE LA SALLE, ON THE 12tH OF MAT, 1678. 
 
 •' Louis, hij the grace of God, king of France and Navarre, to our dear and well 
 beloved Robert Cavalier, Sieur de la Salle, greeting: — 
 
 ••We have received with favor the verj' humble petition which has been presented 
 to us in your name, to permit you to endeavor to discover the western part of our 
 countiy of New France; and we have coneented to this proposal the more willingly 
 because there is nothing we have more at heart than the discovery of this country, 
 through which it is probable that a passage may be found to Mexico; and because your 
 
 * Bancroft. 
 
118 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 diligence in clearing the land which we granted to you by the decree of our council of 
 the 13th of May, 1675, and by letters patent of the same date, to form habitations upon 
 the same lands, and to put Fort Frontenac in a good state of defence, the Seigniory and 
 government whereof we likewise granted to you; affords us every reason to hope that 
 you will succeed to our satisfaction, and to the advantage of our subjects of the said 
 country. 
 
 " For these reasons, and others thereunto moving us, we have permitted, and do 
 hereby permit you, by these presents, signed by our hand, to endeavor to discover the 
 western part of our country of New France ; and for the execution of this enterprise, 
 to construct forts wherever j'ou shall deem it necessary; which it is our will you shall 
 hold on the same terms and conditions as Fort Frontenac, agreeably and conformably 
 to our said letters patent of the 13th of May, 1675, which we have confirmed as far as 
 is needful, and hereby confirm by these presents, — and it is our pleasure that they be 
 executed according to their form and tenure. 
 
 " To accomplish this, and every thing above mentioned, we give you full powers; 
 on condition however, that you shall finish this enterprise in five years, in default of 
 which their pursuits shall be void and of pone effect; that you carry on no trade 
 whatever, with the savages called Outaouacs, and others, who bring their beaver skins 
 and other peltries to Montreal; and that the whole shall be done at your expense, and 
 that of your company to which we have granted the privilege of trade in buffalo skins. 
 And we call on Sieur de Frontenac our governor and lieutenant general, and on Sieur 
 de Chesnea0, intendant of justice, policy and finance, and on the officers who compose 
 the supreme council in Said country, to affix their signatures to these presents; for such 
 is our pleasure. Given at St. Germaine en Laye, this 12th day of May, 1678, and of 
 our reign the thirty-fifth. 
 
 [Signed] LOUIS. 
 
 Colbert. 
 
 Accompanied by Tonti, an Italian, and Father Hennepin, a 
 number of mechanics and mariners, with military and naval 
 stores, and goods for the Indian trade, he arrived at Fort Frontenac 
 in 1678. In the fall of that year, a wooden canoe of ten tons, the 
 first that ever entered the Niagara river, bore a part of his com- 
 pany to the foot of the rapids, at Lewiston. He established a 
 trading post upon the present site of Fort Niagara. The work of 
 ship-building was immediately commenced. The keel of a small 
 vessel of sixty tons burthen, was laid at the mouth of Cayuga 
 creek. * 
 
 * This locality has been questioned. Governor Cass, locates La Salle's ship yard at 
 Erie; Mr Bancroft at the mouth of the Tonawanda, or rather did so in his history of 
 the United States, In a letter to the author, dated London May 17th, 1848, he says: — 
 "As to the ship building of La Salle above Niagara Falls, Mr. Catlin is quite con- 
 fident it took place upon the opposite or Canada side of the river. His local knowledge 
 is greater than mine, and his opinion merits the most respectful consideration." In 
 coming to this conclusion, Mr Cadin must have set aside the authority of Hennepin, 
 who was present and taking note of all that was passing at the time. He says the ship- 
 building was commenced " two leagues above the Falls." This to be sure does not 
 determine which side of the river it was; but it is determined in a portion of his journal 
 that follows, that the portage of these first adventurers was upon this side. After the 
 vessel was built Hennepin went to Fort Frontenac, and returning to join his comrades 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 119 
 
 ToNTi and Hennepin, venturing among the Senecas, established 
 relations of amity; while La Salle urged on the completion of 
 his vessel; gathering, at the same time, furs from the natives, and 
 sending on messenfjers with merchandize to trade for furs and 
 skins, and to apprise the Illinois of his intended visit, and prepare 
 the way for his reception. 
 
 "Under the auspices of La Salle, Europeans first pitched a tent 
 at Niagara; it was he who in 1679, amid the salvo from his little 
 artillery, the chanting of the Te Deum, and the astonished gaze 
 of the Senecas, first launched a wooden vessel, a bark of sixty 
 tons, on the upper Niagara river, and in the Griffin, * freighted 
 with a colony of fur traders for the valley of the Mississippi, on 
 the 7th. day of August^ unfurled a sail to the breezes of lake Erie." 
 
 The following is Hennepin's account of the advent of La Salle 
 upon the Niagara river, the building and launching of the Grif- 
 fin, &c. : — 
 
 *'0n the 14th day of January, 1679, we arrived at our cabin at 
 Niagara, to refresh ourselves from the fatigues of our voyage. 
 We had nothing to eat but Indian corn. Fortunately, the white 
 fish, of which I have heretofore spoken, were just then in season. 
 This delightful fish served to relish our corn. We used the water 
 in which the fish were boiled in place of soup. When it grows 
 cold in the pot, it congeals like veal soup. 
 
 *'0n the 20th, I heard, from the banks where we were, the voice 
 of the Sieur de La Salle, who had arrived from Fort Frontenac f 
 in a large vessel. He brought provisions and rigging necessary 
 for the vessel we intended building above the great fall of Niagara, 
 near the entrance into lake Erie. But by a strange misfortune, 
 that vessel was lost through fault of the two pilots, who disagreed 
 as to the course. 
 
 *'The vessel was wrecked on the southern shore of lakeOntario, 
 ten leagues from Niagara. The sailors have named the place La 
 
 who had gone up with the vessel to the " mouth of lake Erie " they cast anchor " at 
 the foot of the three mountains," and he speaks of the difficulty they had in ascending 
 the three mountains with their provisions, munitions of war, &c. The three moun- 
 tains were evidently. — first, the high river bank at Lewiston; secondly, the distinct 
 ofFset which may be seen near the residence of S. Scovel and thirdly, the upper ledge 
 or terrace, upon the map inserted in Baron La Hontan's "voyages to North America" 
 published in London, in 1703, the landing place at Lewiston is distinctly marked, and 
 tlie "three mountains" of Hennepin, are called the " HtZZs." Additional evidence 
 could be cited. The place where the Griffin was built is clearly designated, and should 
 no longer be questioned. 
 
 * In compliment to Count Frontenac whose armorial bearings were adorned by two 
 griffins, as supporters. 
 
 tNow Kingston. 
 
120 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Cap Enrage, (Mad Cap.) The anchors and cables were saved, but 
 the goods and bark canoes were lost. Such adversities would have 
 caused the enterprise to be abandoned by any but those who had 
 formed the noble design of a new discovery. 
 
 "The Sieur de La Salle informed us that he had been among 
 the Iroquois Senecas, before the loss of his vessel, that he had 
 succeeded so well in conciliating them, that they mentioned with 
 pleasure our embassy, which I shall describe in another place, and 
 even consented to the prosecution of our undertaking. This 
 agreement was of short duration, for certain persons opposed our 
 designs, in every possible way, and instilled jealousies into the 
 minds of the Iroquois. The fort, nevertheless, which we were 
 building at Niagara, continued to advance. But finally, the secret 
 influences against us were so great, that the fort became an object 
 of suspicion to the savages, and we were compelled to abandon its 
 construction for a time, and content ourselves with building a habi- 
 tation surrounded with palisades. 
 
 "On the 22d we went two leagues above the great falls of 
 Niagara, and built some stocks, on which to erect the vessel we 
 needed for our voyage. We could not have built it in a more 
 convenient place, being near a river which empties into the strait, 
 which is between lake Erie and the great falls. In all my travels 
 back and forth, I always carried my portable chapel upon my 
 shoulders. 
 
 "On the 26th, the keel of the vessel and other pieces being 
 ready, the Sieur de La Salle sent the master carpenter named 
 MoYSE, to request me to drive the first bolt. But the modesty 
 appropriate to my religious profession, induced me to decline the 
 honor. He then promised ten louis d'or for that first bolt, to stim- 
 ulate the master cai-penter to advance the work. 
 
 " During the whole winter, which is not half as severe in this 
 country as in Canada, we employed in building bark huts one of the 
 two savages of the Wolf tribe, whom we had engaged for hunting 
 deer. I had one hut especially designed for observing prayers on 
 holidays and Sundays. Many of our people knew the Gregorian 
 chant, and the rest had some parts of it by rote. 
 
 " The Sieur de La Salle left in command of our ship yard 
 one ToNTi, an Italian by birth, who had come to France after the 
 revolution in Naples, in which his father was engaged. Pressing 
 business compelled the former to return to Fort Frontenac, and I 
 conducted him to the borders of lake Ontario, at the mouth of the 
 river Niagara. While there he pretended to mark out a house for 
 the blacksmith, which had been promised for the convenience of 
 the Iroquois. I cannot blame the Iroquois for not believing all that 
 had been promised them at the embassy of the Sieur de La 
 
 MoTTE. 
 
 "Finally the Sieur de La Salle undertook his expedition on foot 
 over the snow, and thus accomplished more than eighty leagues. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 121 
 
 He had no food, except a small bag of roasted corn, and even that 
 had failed him two days' journey from the fort. Nevertheless he 
 arrived safely with two men and a dog which drew his baggage 
 on the ice. 
 
 " Returning to our ship yard, we learned that the most of the 
 Iroquois had gone to war beyond lake Erie, while our vessel was 
 being built. Although those that remained were less violent, by 
 reason of their diminished numbers, still they did not cease from 
 coming often to our ship yard, and testifying their dissatisfaction at 
 our doings. Some time after, one of them, pretending to be drunk 
 attempted to kill our blacksmith. But the resistance which he met 
 with from the smith, who was named La Forge, and who wielded 
 a red hot bar of iron, repulsed him, and together with a reprimand 
 which I gave the villian, compelled him to desist. Some days 
 after, a squaw advised us that the Senecas were about to set fire 
 to our vessel on the stocks, and they would, without doubt, have 
 effected their object, had not a very strict watch been kept. 
 
 "These frequent alarms, the fear of the failure of provisions, on 
 account of the loss of the large vessel from Fort Frontenac, and 
 the refusal of the Senecas to sell us Indian corn, discouraged our 
 carpenters. They were moreover enticed by a worthless fellow, 
 who often attempted to desert to New York, [J^ouvelle Jorck,) a 
 place which is inhabited by the Dutch, who have succeeded the 
 Swedes. This dishonest fellow would have undoubtedly been suc- 
 cessful with our w'orkmen, had I not encouraged them by exhorta- 
 tions on holidays and Sundays after divine service. I told them 
 that our enterpise had sole reference to the promotion of the glory 
 of God, and the welfare of our Christian colonies. Thus I stimu- 
 lated them to work more diligently in order to deliver us from all 
 these apprehensions. 
 
 "In the meantime the two savages of the Wolf tribe, whom we 
 had engaged in our service, followed the chase, and furnished us 
 with roe-bucks, and other kinds of deer, for our subsistence. By 
 reason of which our workmen took courage and applied themselves 
 to their business with more assiduity. Our vessel was consequently 
 soon in a condition to be launched, which was done, after having 
 been blessed according to our church of Rome. We were in 
 haste to get it afloat, although not finished, that we might guard it 
 more securely from the threatened fire, 
 
 "Tlvs vessel was named The Griffin, (Le Griffon) in allusion to 
 the arms of the Count de Frontenac, which have two Griffins for 
 their supports. For the Sieur de La Salle had often said of this 
 vessel, that he would make the Griffin fly above the crows. We 
 fired three guns, then sung the Te Deum, which was followed by 
 many cries of joy. 
 
 " The Iroquois who happened to be present, partook of our joy 
 and witnessed our rejoicings. We gave them some brandy to 
 
122 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 drink, as well as to all our men, who slung their hammocks under 
 the deck of the vessel, to sleep in greater security. We then left 
 our bark huts, to lodge where we were protected from the insults 
 of the savages. 
 
 "The Iroquois having returned from their beaver hunt, were 
 extremely surprised to see our ship. They said we were the 
 Ot-kon, which means in their language, penetrating minds. They 
 could not understand how we had built so large a vessel in so short 
 a time, although it was but sixty tons burthen. We might have 
 called it a moving fort, for it caused all the savages to tremble, 
 who lived within a space of more than five hundred leagues, along 
 the rivers and great lakes. 
 
 " I now went in a bark canoe, with one of our savage hunters, to 
 the mouth of lake Erie. I ascended the strong rapids twice with 
 the assistance of a pole, and sounded the entrance of the lake. It 
 did not find them insurmountable for sails, as had been falsely 
 represented. I ascertained that our vessel, favored by a north or 
 northeast wind, reasonably strong, could enter the lake, and then 
 sail throughout its whole extent with the aid of its sails alone ; and 
 if they should happen to fail, some men could be put on shore and 
 tow it up the stream. 
 
 "Before proceeding upon our voyage of discovery, I was obliged 
 to return to Fort Frontenac, for two of our company to aid me in 
 my religious labors. I left our vessel riding at two anchors, about 
 a league and a half from lake Erie, in the strait which is between 
 that lake and the great falls. I embarked in a canoe with the Sieur 
 de Charon, and a savage; we descended the strait towards the 
 great falls, and made the portage with our canoe to the foot of the 
 great rock of which we have spoken, where we re-embarked and 
 descended to lake Ontario. We then found the barque which the 
 Sieur de la Forest had brought us from Fort Frontenac. 
 
 "After a few days, which were employed by the Sieur de la 
 Forest in treating with the savages, we embarked in the vessel, 
 having with us fifteen or sixteen squaws, who embraced the oppor- 
 tunity, to avoid a land passage of forty leagues. As they were 
 unaccustomed to travel in this manner, the motion of the vessel 
 caused them great qualms at the stomach, and brought upon us a 
 terrible stench in the vessel. We finally arrived at the river A-o- 
 ou-e-gwa* where the Sieur de la Forest traded brandy for 
 beaver sldns. This traffic in strong drink was not agreeable 4;o me, 
 for if the savages drink ever so little, they are more to be dreaded 
 tlian madmen. • Our business being finished, we sailed from the 
 southern to the northern shore of the lake, and, favored by fair 
 winds, soon passed the village which is on the other side of Keute 
 and Ganneousse. As we approached Fort Frontenac the wind 
 
 * Probably the Genesee River. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 123 
 
 failed us, and I was obliged to get into a canoe with two young 
 savages, before I could come to land. 
 
 *,l^, .U. .U. •!£. •U' 
 
 •Tf ^ TT -W "iv 
 
 "A few days after, a favorable wind sprung up, and fathers 
 Gabriel de la Ribourde, and Zenobe Mambre, and myself, 
 embarked from Fort Frontenac in the brigantine. We arrived in 
 a short time at the mouth of the river of the Senecas, (Oswego 
 river,) which empties into lake Ontario. While our people went 
 to trade with the savages, we made a small bark cabin, half a 
 league in the woods, where we might perform divine service more 
 conveniently. In this way we avoided the intrusion of the sava- 
 ges, who came to see our brigantine, at which they greatly 
 wondered, as well as to trade for powder, guns, knives, lead, but 
 especially brandy, for which they are very greedy. This was the 
 reason why we were unable to arrive at the river Niagara before 
 the thirtieth day of July. 
 
 "On the 4th of August I went over land to the great falls of 
 Niagara with the sergeant, named La Fleur, and from thence to 
 our ship yard, which was six leagues from lake Ontario, but we did 
 not find there the vessel we had built. Two young savages slyly 
 robbed us of the little biscuit which remained for our subsistence. 
 We found a bark canoe, half rotten, and without paddles, which 
 we fitted up as well as we could, and having made a temporary 
 paddle, risked a passage in the frail boat, and finally arrived on 
 board our vessel, which we found at anchor a league from the 
 beautiful lake Erie. Our arrival was welcomed with joy. We 
 found the vessel perfectly equipped with sails, masts, and every 
 thing necessary for navigation. We found on board five small 
 cannon, two of which were brass, besides two or three arquebuses. 
 A spread griffin adorned the prow, surmounted by an eagle. 
 There were also all the ordinary ornaments, and other fixtures, 
 which usually adorn ships of war. 
 
 " The Iroquois, who returned from war with the prisoners taken 
 from their enemies,- were extremely surprised to see so large a 
 vessel, like a floating castle, beyond their five cantons. They 
 came on board, and were surprised beyond measure, to find we 
 had been able to carry such large anchors through the rapids of 
 the river St. Lawrence. This obliged them to make frequent use 
 of the word gannoron, which, in their language signifies, how 
 wonderful. As there were no appearances of a vessel when they 
 went to war, they were greatly astonished now to see one entirely 
 furnished on their return, more than 250 leagues from the habita- 
 tions of Canada, in a place where one was never seen before. 
 
 "I directed the pilot not to attempt the ascent of the strong 
 rapids at the mouth of lake Erie until further orders. On the 
 16th and 17th, we returned to the banks of lake Ontario, and 
 ascended with the barque we had brought from Fort Frontenac, 
 
124 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 as far as the great rock of the river Niagara. We there cast 
 anchor at the foot of the tJii'ee mountains, where we were obUged 
 to make the portage caused by the great falls of Niagara, which 
 interrupt the navigation. 
 
 " Father Gabriel, who was sixty-four years old, underwent all 
 the fatigues of this voyage, and ascended and descended three 
 times the three mountains, which are very high and steep at the 
 place where the portage is made. Our people made many trips, 
 to carry the provisions, munitions of war, and other necessaries, 
 for the vessel. The voyage was painful in the extreme, because 
 there were two long leagues of road each way. It took four men 
 to carry our largest anchor, but brandy being given to cheer them, 
 the work was soon accomplished, and we all returned together to 
 the mouth of lake Erie. 
 
 " We endeavored several times to ascend the current of the 
 strait into lake Erie, but the wind was not yet strong enough. 
 We were therefore obliged to wait until it should be more 
 favorable. 
 
 " During this detention, the Sieur de La Salle employed our 
 men in preparing some ground on the western side of the strait of 
 Niagara, where we planted some vegetables for the use of those 
 who should come to live in this place, for the purpose of keeping 
 up a communication between the vessels, and maintaining a corres- 
 pondence from lake to lake. We found in this place some wild 
 chervil and garlic, which grow spontaneously. 
 
 " We left father Melithon at the habitation we had made above 
 the great falls of Niagara, with some overseers and workmen. 
 Our men encamped on the bank of the river, that the lightened 
 vessel might more easily ascend into the lake. We celebrated 
 divine service on board every day, and our people, who remained 
 on land, could hear the sermon on holidays and Sundays. 
 
 " The wind becoming strong from the northeast, we embarked, 
 to the number of thirty-two persons, with two of our order who 
 had come to join us. The vessel was well found with arms, 
 provisions and merchandise, and seven small cannon. 
 
 "The rapids at the entrance into the lake are very strong. 
 Neither man, nor beast, nor ordinary bark can resist them. It is 
 therefore almost impossible to stem the current. Nevertheless, 
 we accomplished it, and surmounted those violent rapids of the 
 river Niagara by a kind of miracle, against the opinion of even 
 our pilot himself. We spread all sail, when the wind was strong 
 enough, and, in the most difficult places, our sailors threw out tow 
 lines, which were drawn by ten or twelve men on shore. We 
 thus passed safely into lake Erie. 
 
 "We set sail on the 7th of August, 1679, steering west south 
 west. After having chanted the Te Deum, we fired all the cannon 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 125 
 
 and arquebuses in presence of many Iroquois warriors, who had 
 brought captives from Tintonha, that is to say, from the people of 
 the prairies^ who hve more than 400 leagues from their cantons. 
 We heard these savages exclaim, gannoron, in testimony of their 
 wonder. 
 
 "ISome of those who saw us did not fail to report the size of 
 our vessel to the Dutch at New York, [JYouvelle Jorck), with 
 whom the Iroquois carry on a great traffic in skins and furs; which 
 they exchange for fire arms, and blankets, to shelter them from 
 the cold. 
 
 " The enemies of our great discovery, to defeat our enterprises, 
 had reported that lake Erie was full of shoals and banks of sand, 
 which rendered navigation impossible. We therefore did not omit 
 sounding, from time to time, for more than twenty leagues, during 
 the darkness of the night. 
 
 "On the 8th, a favorable wind enabled us to make about forty- 
 five leagues, and we saw almost all the way, the two distant shores, 
 fifteen or sixteen leagues apart. The finest navigation in the 
 world, is along the northern shores of this lake. There are three 
 capes, or long points of land, which project into the lake. We 
 doubled the first, which we called after St. Francis. 
 
 "On the 9th, we doubled the two other capes, or points of land, 
 giving them a wide berth. We saw no islands or shoals ort the 
 north side of the lake, and one large island, towards the southwest, 
 about seven or eight leagues from the northern shore, opposite the 
 strait which comes from lake Huron. 
 
 "On the 10th, early in the morning, we passed between the 
 large island, which is toward the southwest, and seven or eight 
 small islands, and an islet of sand, situated towards the west. We 
 landed at the north of the strait, through which lake Huron is 
 discharged into lake Erie. 
 
 "Aug. 11. We sailed up the strait and passed between two 
 small islands of a very charming appearance. This strait is more 
 beautiful than that of Niagara. It is thirty leagues long, and is 
 about a league broad, except about half way, where it is enlarged, 
 forming a small lake which we call Sainte Claire, the navigation of 
 which is safe along both shores, which are low and even. 
 
 " This strait is bordered by a fine country and fertile soil. Its 
 course is southerly. On its banks are vast meadows, terminated 
 by vines, fruit trees, groves and lofty forests, so arranged that we 
 could scarcely believe but there were country seats scattered 
 through their beautiful plains. There is an abundance of stags, 
 deer, roe-Ducks and bears, quite tame and good to eat, more 
 delicious than the fresh pork of Europe. We also found wild 
 turkeys and swans in abundance. The high beams of our vessel 
 were garnished with multitudes of deer, which our people killed in 
 the chase. 
 
 "Along the remainder of this strait, the forests are composed of 
 
126 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 •walnut, chestnut, plum and pear trees. Wild grapes also abound, 
 from which we made a little wine. There are all kinds of wood 
 for building purposes. Those who will have the good fortune some 
 day to possess the beautiful and fertile lands along this strait, will 
 be under many obligations to us, who have cleared the way, and 
 traversed lake Erie for a hundred leagues of a navigation before 
 unknown." 
 
 The Griffin cast anchor in Green Bay. After being freighted 
 with a rich cargo of furs, it started upon its return voyage. From 
 the period of its departure, no tidings ever came of the vessel or 
 crew. Capricious and dangerous as the navigation of the lakes 
 has since proved; especially in the advanced season of navigation 
 at which the Griffin must have attempted a return; there is little 
 wonder that the small craft, imperfectly built as she must have 
 been, with the stinted means that the bold projector could only 
 have had, met with the fate that in after years of more perfect 
 architecture, and experience in lake navigation, so many others 
 have been subjected to. 
 
 Change, progress and improvement, will meet us at every step in 
 tracing our local history; prompting to a halt, and a comparison 
 of the present with the past; but not often as urgently as here. 
 This was the humble beginning of our lake commerce. Here, 
 upon the banks of the Niagara, were a small band of adventurers, 
 headed, cheered on and encouraged by one who was in advance 
 of his own age — should have belonged to this. How abstracted 
 from the then civilized world, were these primitive ship builders ! 
 A vast unexplored wilderness, a broad expanse of waters, of lakes 
 and rivers, their surfaces as yet undisturbed but by the bark canoes 
 of the natives, lay before them; behind, but a feeble colony of their 
 countrymen wiio were hardly able to protect themselves from a 
 stealthy foe that had rejected overtures of peace with their pale 
 faced stranger visitors. In mid winter, with but stinted faciUties, 
 
 Note. — The translation is by O. H. Marshall of Buffalo. It first appeared in the 
 Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, in 1845, and is copied by Mr. Schoolcraft in his notes 
 on the Iroquois. It is from the French edition of Hennepin, published at Amsterdam 
 in 1698. The original text is regarded as the best that has reached this country; — the 
 only reliable one in fact; — and the faithfulness of the translation is fully guaranteed by 
 the integrity and literary qualifications of the translator. The interest derived from the 
 perusal of the early French Jesuits aud travellers, is much increased by having their 
 own fresh and vivid impressions detailed in their own words. This consideration, in 
 connection with the fact that Hennepin's account has not heretofore been published in 
 any form to render it generally accessible, induces the author to give it entire, omitting 
 oniy a few paragraphs that have no necessary relation to the main subject. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 127 
 
 they erected for themselves cabins and commenced the work of 
 ship building ! When the difficult work was consummated, the frail 
 bark launched, their sails set to catch the breeze, they knew not to 
 what disturbed waters and inhospitable shores it would carry them. 
 They had witnessed the hostile demonstrations of the Iroquois, and 
 had no warrant that the nations they were to meet in their new track 
 would be any better reconciled to their further advance. They 
 had but dim lights to guide them. They saw and heard the rush 
 of waters; the earth beneath their pilgrim feet, as they threaded 
 the dark forest that lay between their '^ place of ship building" and 
 the "three mountains," trembled with the weight and descent of 
 the mighty volume. And yet they knew little of the vast sources 
 from which such an aggregate proceeded. They had the glimpses 
 of the "Great River' that Marquette and Joliet had given them, 
 but knew not where it mingled with the ocean. Theirs was the 
 mission to first traverse our great chain of lakes and rivers; to pass 
 over the dividing lands, strike a tributary of the IMississippi, and 
 pursue that river to the Gulf of Mexico. Theirs, the first Euro- 
 pean advent that extended across from the northern to the southern 
 shores of the Atlantic. One hundred and thirty nine years ago, the 
 Grifhn set out upon its voyage, passed up the rapids of the Niagara, 
 and unfurled the first sail upon the waters of the Upper Lakes. 
 Intrepid navigator and explorer ! High as were hopes and 
 ambition that could alone impel him to such an enterprise; far- 
 seeing as he was; could the curtain that concealed the future 
 from his view, have been raised, his would have been the excla- 
 mation; — 
 
 " Visions of glon- spare my aching sight ; 
 Ye unborn ages rush not on my soul I" 
 
 He deemed himself but addinc; to the nominal dominions of his kinfj; 
 but opening a new avenue to the commerce of his country; 
 founding a prior claim to increased colonial possessions. He was 
 pioneering the way for an empire of freemen, who, in process of 
 time, were to fill the valleys he traversed; the sails of whose 
 commerce were to whiten the vast expanse of waters upon which 
 he was embarking ! 
 
 How often, when reflecting upon the triumphs of steam naviga- 
 tion, do we almost wish that it were admitted by the dispensations 
 of Providence, that Fultox could be again invested with mortality, 
 
128 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and witness the mighty achievments of his genius. Akin to this 
 would be the wish that La Salle could rise from his wilderness 
 grave in the far off south, and look out upon the triumphs of 
 civilization and improvement over the vast region he was the first 
 to explore. 
 
 Ours is a country whose whole history is replete with daring 
 enterprises and bold adventures. Were we prone, as we should be, 
 durably to commemorate the great events that have marked our 
 progress, here and there, in fitting localities, more monuments 
 would be raised as tributes due to our history and the memory of 
 those who have acted a conspicuous part in it. Upon the banks of 
 our noble river, within sight of the Falls, a shaft from our quarries 
 w^ould soon designate the spot where the Griffin was built and 
 launched; upon its base, the name of La Salle, and a brief 
 inscription that would commemorate the pioneer advent of our 
 vast and increasing lake commerce. 
 
 On his way up, La Salle, while passing through the " verdant 
 Isles of the majestic Detroit," had debated planting a colony upon 
 its banks; and he had planted a trading house at Mackinaw. After 
 the Griffin had left, with the portion of his company he had retain- 
 ed, in bark canoes, he ascended to the head of lake Michigan, or 
 rather, to the mouth of the St. Joseph, where Allouez had 
 preceded him and gathered a village of the Miamis. Anticipating 
 the return of his ill-fated vessel, he remained and added to the 
 small beginning that had been made there, a trading house with 
 palUsades, which was called the fort of the Miamis. Despairing 
 of the return of the Griffin, leaving ten men to guard the fort, 
 with Hennepin, two other missionaries, Tonti and about thirty 
 followers, he ascended the St. Joseph, descended the Kankakee to 
 its mouth, reaching an Indian village near Ottawa. From thence 
 he descended the Illinois as far as lake Peoria, where he met large 
 parties of Indians, who, desirous of obtaining axes and fire-arms, 
 offered him the calumet and agreed to an alliance. Of the Griffin 
 no tidings came ; his men deeming their leader ruined by its loss, 
 grew discontented. La Salle, who never desponded, exerted all 
 his means to revive their hopes. "Our strength and safety" said 
 he, " is in our union. Remain with me till spring and none shall 
 remain thereafter, except from choice." He commenced building a 
 fort. Thwarted by destiny, in allusion to his misfortunes, he called 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 129 
 
 it Creve Coeur.* He despatched Hennepin to explore the Upper 
 Mississippi, and renewed the unlucky business of ship building. 
 
 Hennepin, with two companions, ascended the Mississippi, to the 
 Falls which he named St. Anthony, as a tribute due to St. 
 Anthony of Padua, whose protection and guidance he had invoked 
 when starting on his expedition. On a tree near the cataract he 
 engraved the cross and the arms of France, and by the way of 
 the Wisconsin and Fox rivers returned to the French mission at 
 Green Bay. What wanderers ! Even now, in 1848, when steam 
 boats in fleets, are upon the Lakes and the Mississippi, and canals 
 and rail-roads are in their vallies, a visit to the Falls of St. Anthony 
 is more than an ordinary adventure. 
 
 La Salle set his men to sawing "trees into plank," and in 
 March,' with three companions, set off on foot for Fort Frontenac 
 to procure recruits, and sails and cordage for the vessel that was 
 going upon the stocks. Taking the ridge of high lands which divide 
 the basin of the Ohio from that of the Lakes, the small party, with 
 " skins to make moccasins, a musket and pouches of powder and 
 shot, trudged through thickets and forests, waded through marshes 
 and melting snows; without drink except water from the brooks, 
 without food except supplies from the gun." Arriving at Fort 
 Frontenac, which still acknowledged him for its lord, additional sup- 
 plies were at once furnished, and new adventurers flocked to his 
 standard. With these he returned to the garrison he had left on 
 the Illinois. 
 
 There he found little to revive the spirits which must have been 
 dead within him, if he had been a man of ordinary mould. A 
 party of Iroquois had descended the river, attacked the Fort, mas- 
 sacred the aged Franciscan Father Ribourde, and obliged Tonti 
 and a few others, to flee to the Pottowattomies on lake Michigan 
 for protection; La Salle and his companions repaired to Green 
 Bay, recommenced trade, and established a friendly intercourse 
 with the natives; found Tonti and his party, embarked from 
 thence, left Chicago on the 4th of January, 1G82, and after build- 
 ing a spacious barge on the Illinois river, in the early part of that 
 year, descended the Mississippi to the sea. On his way he raised 
 a cabin on the Chickasaw Bluff, a cross at the mouth of the Arkan- 
 
 * Creve Caeur: — The Fort of the Broken Hearted. 
 
130 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 sas, and planted the arms of France near the gulf of Mexico. He 
 claimed the country for France, and called it Louisiana. 
 
 He returned to France in 1683, and reporting to his government 
 his brilliant discoveries, preparations v^^ere made to supply him with 
 ample means for colonization; and in July, 1684, he sailed with a 
 fleet of four vessels, for the Mississippi; on board of which were 
 one hundred soldiers, six missionaries, "mechanics of various skill," 
 and young women. 
 
 The sequel is a chapter of disasters: — The colonists were badly 
 selected; the mechanics "ill versed in their arts;" the soldiers, 
 "spiritless vagabonds without discipline or experience;" the volun- 
 teers, generally rash adventurers, having "indefinite expectations;" 
 so says Joutel, the military commander, and faithful historian of 
 the expedition. Beaujeau, the naval commander, was deficient in 
 judgment, unfit for his station, envious, proud, self-willed and self- 
 conceited; incapable of any sympathy wdth the magnanimous 
 heroism of La Salle. The fleet sailing as often wrong as right; 
 (La Salle always right, but opposed by his naval commander;) 
 after a tedious voyage of five months, reached, instead of its 
 destination, the Bay of Matagorda in Texas. Here the store ship 
 was wrecked by the careless pilot; the ample stores provided by 
 the munificence that marked the plans of Louis XIV., lay scattered 
 on the sea. La Salle obtained boats from the fleet, and by great 
 efforts saved a part of the stores for immediate use. To heighten 
 their distress, the natives came down from the interior to plunder 
 the wreck, and two of the soldiers, or volunteers, were slain. 
 
 The fleet returned, taking with it many who were tired of the 
 expedition, and deserted. " There remained upon the beach of 
 Matagorda, a desponding company of about two hundred and 
 thirty souls, huddled together in a fort constructed with the frag- 
 ments of their ship-wrecked vessel, having no hopes but in the 
 constancy and elastic genius of La Salle."* A shelter was built 
 at the head of the bay — a rude fortification, which was called St. 
 Louis; La Salle himself marking the beams and tenons. He 
 took possession of the country in the name of his king. It was 
 this that made Texas a province of France, or a part of Louisiansu 
 
 As soon as the encampment was completed, La Salle started 
 
 * Bancroft. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 131 
 
 with a party in canoes, to seek tJic mouth of the Mississippi. 
 After an absence of four months, and the loss of fourteen of his 
 followers, he returned in rags, having entirely failed in his object. 
 Spending most of the year 1686, with twenty companions in New 
 Mexico, — enticed there by the brilliant fictions of the rich mines of 
 St. Barbe, the El Dorado of Northern Mexico. He found there 
 no mines, but a " country unsurpassed in beauty and fertility." 
 
 Returning to his colony in Texas, he found it diminished to about 
 forty; among whom, "discontent had given place to plans of 
 crime." Leaving twenty of them to maintain the fort, he started 
 with sixteen on foot to return to Canada for the purpose of 
 getting farther recruits and means to prosecute enterprises not 
 yet abandoned, though so often thwarted. No Spanish settlement 
 was nearer than Pamico — no French settlement, than Illinois. 
 "With wild horses obtained from the natives to transport his 
 baggage, he followed the track of the buffalo, pasturing his horses 
 at night upon the prairie ; ascended streams of which he had never 
 yet heard — marched through groves and plains of surpassing 
 beauty, amid herds of deer, and droves of buffaloes; now fording 
 the rapid torrent, now building a bridge by throwing some 
 monarch of the forest across the stream, till he had passed the 
 basin of the Colorado, and reached a branch of the Trinity river."* 
 
 Of his company was Duhaut and L'Archiveque. The former 
 had long shown a spirit of mutiny. "The base malignity of disap- 
 pointed avarice,"(they had both embarked capital in the enterprise,) 
 "maddened by suffering, and impatient of control, awakened the 
 fiercest passions of ungovernable hatred. Inviting MorangetI 
 to take charge of the fruits of a buffalo hunt, they quarrelled with 
 him, and murdered him. Wondering at the delay of his return, 
 La Salle, on the 20th of March, went to seek him. At the brink 
 of a river, he saw eagles hovering, as if over a carrion; and he fired 
 an alarm gun. Warned by the somid, Duhaut and L'Archiveque 
 crossed the river; the former skulked in the prairie grass; of the 
 latter, La Salle asked: — 'where is my nephew 1' At the moment 
 of the answer, Duhaut fired; and without uttering a word, La 
 Salle fell dead! *You are down now, grand Bashaw! you are 
 down now!' shouted one of the conspirators, as they despoiled his 
 
 * Bancroft. t The nephew of La Salle. 
 
132 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 remains, which were left on the prairie, naked and without burial, 
 to be devoured by wild beasts." * 
 
 Thus perished the pioneer navigator of our lakes, the father of 
 colonization in the great central valley of the west, Robert 
 Cavalier de la Salle ! Well did he merit the eulogy bestowed 
 upon his memory, by the accomplished historian, (Mr. Bancroft,) 
 who has given him and his achievements, his successes and his 
 reverses, a conspicuous place in our national annals. "For force 
 of will and vast conceptions; for various knowledge and quick 
 adaptation of his genius to untried circumstances; for a sublime 
 magnanimity, that resigned itself to the will of Heaven, and yet 
 triumphed over affliction by energy of purpose, and unfaltering 
 hope, — he had no superior over his countrymen." 
 
 Retribution in part was at hand. Duhaut and another of the 
 conspirators, attempting afterwards to convert to their use an 
 unequal share of the spoils, were themselves murdered, and their 
 reckless associates joined the savages. Joutel, who commanded 
 the expedition, the nephew of La Salle, and four others, procured 
 a guide and sought the Arkansas. They reached a beautiful 
 country above the Red river, and afterward, with the exception of 
 one only, who was drowned while bathing in a river, they all 
 reached the Mississippi in safety, on the 24th of July, 1687. Upon 
 its banks they discovered a cross, and near it a cabin occupied by 
 four of their countrymen. Tonti, the faithful companion of La 
 Salle, had descended the river in search of his friend. Failing to 
 find him, he had erected the cross and cabin, and left the men that 
 Joutel found there, to guard them. On the 14th of September 
 
 * Joutel. 
 
 Note, — The account of Hennepin differs from that of Joutel. It is as follows: — 
 "He, (La Salle,) was accompanied by Father Anastasi, and two natives who had 
 served him as guides. After travelling about six miles, they found the bloody cravat of 
 Saget, (one of La Salle's men,) near the bank of the river, and at the same time, two 
 eagles were hovering over their heads, as if attracted by food on the ground. La Salle 
 fired his gun, which was heard by the conspirators on the other side of the river. 
 Duhaut and L'Archiveque immediately crossed over at some distance in advance. 
 La Salle approached, and, meeting the latter, asked for Moranget, and was answered 
 vaguely that he was along the river. At that moment Duhaut, who was concealed in 
 the high grass, discharged his musket and shot him through the head. Father Anastasi 
 was standing by his side and expected to share the same fate,, till the conspirators told 
 him they had no design upon his life. La Salle survived* about an hour, unable to 
 speak, but pressing the hand of the good father, to signify that he understood what was 
 said to him. The same kind friend dug his grave, buried him, and erected a cross 
 over his remains." 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 133 
 
 they reached the head quarters of Tonti, in Illinois, and soon after 
 passed through Chicago to Quebec, and from thence to France. 
 
 Little is known of the after hfe of Tonti beyond what is gather- 
 ed from a petition signed by him, and addressed to the French 
 minister of Marine, in 1690. In that he asks for the command of 
 a company to embark again in the service of his country, and 
 recounts the services he had already rendered. He says that he 
 remaitied at the Fort in Illinois till 1684, where he was attacked by 
 two hundred Iroquois, whom he repulsed, with great loss on their 
 side: that after spending a year in Quebec, under the orders of 
 M. de la Barre, he returned to Illinois, and in 1686, in canoes, 
 ■with forty men, he descended the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico, 
 in search of La Salle. Returning to Quebec, he put himself 
 under the orders of De Nonville, and was with him at the head 
 of a band of Indians and a company of Canadians, at the battle 
 with the " Tsonnonthouans," ( Senecas, ) where he forced an 
 ambuscade. \Xy^ See account that follows, of De Nonville's 
 expedition to Irondequoit Bay, and battle with the Senecas. 
 That he went again to Illinois in 1689, and again in search of 
 La Salle's colony, but was deserted by his men, and unable to 
 execute his designs. The petition is endorsed by Count Fronte- 
 NAC, who says: — "Nothing can be truer than the account given 
 by the Sieur de Tonti in his petition." 
 
 Note. — La Salle, and the early Jesuits supposed the Griffin was driven ashore in a 
 gale, the crew murdered by the Indians, and the vessel plundered. Such was 
 undoubtedly the fact, and the author is enabled to fix with a considerable degree of 
 certainty, upon the spot where this occurred. In the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser 
 of January 26th, 1848, there is a communication from James W. Peters, of East Evans, 
 Erie county, in which he says: — " Some thirty-five or forty years ago, on the Ingersoll 
 farm, in Hamburgh, a short distance below the mouth of the Eighteen Mile Creek, 
 and on the summit of the high banks, in the woods, was found by the Messrs. 
 Ingersoll, a large quantity of wrought iron, supposed to be seven or eight himdred 
 weight. It was evidently taken off a vessel. It was of superior quality, much eaten 
 by the rust, and sunk deep in the soil. A large tree had fallen across it, which was 
 rotted and mixed with the earth. There were trees growing over the iron from six to 
 twelve inches in diameter, which had to be grubbed up before all the iron could be got. 
 Some twenty-six or seven years since, a man by the name of Walker, immediately 
 after a heavy blow on the Lake, found on the beach near where the irons were found, 
 a cannon, and immediately under it a second one. I saw them not forty-eight hours 
 after they were found. They were very much destroyed by age and rust — filled up 
 with sand and rust. I cleared off enough from the breach of one to lay a number of 
 letters bare. The words were French, and so declared at the time. The horns, or 
 trunions, were knocked off." In a letter from the venerable David Eddy, of Ham- 
 burgh, to the author, received while this work was going to press, he says that in the 
 primitive settlement of that region — in 1805, there was found upon the lake shore, 
 where a large body of sand and gravel had been removed during a violent gale, a 
 "beautiful anchor." It was taken to Buffalo and Black Rock, excited a good deal of 
 curiosity at the time, but no one could determine to what vessel it had belonged. 
 
134 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The expedition of La Salle traced to its disastrous and fatal 
 termination; the western lake region, and the whole valley of the 
 Mississippi, added to the dominions of France; let us return to the 
 region of western New York, the banks of the St. Lawrence, to 
 colonization under English auspices, advancing in this direction 
 from the northern Atlantic coast. 
 
 Previous to the building of the Griffin, La Salle had "enclosed 
 with pallisades a little spot at Niagara." This was the first blow 
 struck, the first step taken as an earnest of occupation by Euro- 
 peans, in all the region of New York west of Schenectady, if we 
 except the short stay of the Jesuits, and perhaps some mission 
 stations they may have established upon the Mohawk, and in the 
 vicinity of Onondaga lake. It is to be presumed that the post at 
 Niagara was after this, with but little intermission, used as a par- 
 tially fortified trading station, until it was finally made a French 
 garrison and occupied by an armed force. 
 
 The French continued to extend their establishments. Following 
 the track of Marquette and La Salle, they soon occupied 
 prominent points in the upper vallies of the Mississippi, in what is 
 now Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa. The Hurons of Canada were 
 their fast allies. They conciliated and won the favor of all the 
 Indian nations around the western lakes, except the Foxes and 
 Ottagamis, who dwelt principally in that part of Michigan which 
 lies upon Detroit river. " It was the studied policy of the French 
 to secure the good will of the natives. The French explorers, 
 traders and missionaries, advanced to their remotest villages in the 
 prosecution of their several objects. They lodged with them in 
 their camps, attended their councils, hunting parties and feasts; 
 paid respects to their , ceremonies, and were joined in the closer 
 bonds of blood. The natural pliancy of the French character led 
 them into frequent and kind associations with the savages, while 
 the English were cold and forbidding in their manners. Besides, 
 the Jesuit missionaries exerted no small influence in strengthening 
 the friendship of the Indians. They erected little chapels in their 
 territory, carpeted with Indian mats and surmounted by the cross; 
 took long journeys through the wilderness, performed the ceremo- 
 
 There is no record of any vessel being wrecked here previous to 1805. The French 
 and the EngHsh vessels were few upon the lakes, numbering not more than two or 
 three at any one time. A record of the loss of one at a later period than that of the 
 advent of La Salle, would in all probability have been preserved. May we not well 
 conclude that the iron, the cannon, and the anchor, were those of the Griffin ? 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 135 
 
 nies of their church in long black robes, and showed their paintings 
 and sculptured images, which the savages viewed with superstitious 
 awe. Added to all this, they practiced all the offices of kindness 
 and sympathy for the sick, and held up the crucifix to the fading 
 vision of many a dying neophyte." * 
 
 But the French had but partial success with the proud, warlike, 
 self-dependent Iroquois. The relation between them and the Five 
 Nations, was never one of perfect amity, though they were at 
 times on good terms with the Senecas, and had missions and tra- 
 ding establishments with the Onondagas. The acquaintance had 
 an untoward commencement as we have seem. Champlain, in his 
 unfortunate alliance with a foe of their own race, had shown them 
 the use of fire-arms. The Dutch and Enghsh supplied them with 
 the new weapons. It not only enabled them to push their conquests 
 over the Indian nations of the west, but helped them to stand out 
 against the French and resist their inroads into their territories. 
 The Iroquois, from the first European advent to this country, did 
 not view the visitors with favor. They seemed to have had a 
 clearer view by far, than other Indian nations of North America, of 
 the ultimate tendency of it, and its fatal result to their race. Their 
 first position was one of independence; a refusal to be allies of 
 either the French, Dutch or English: — " We may guide the EngUsh 
 to our lakes. We are born free. We neither depend on Onnondio 
 or CoRLEAR." This was the tone and bearing of a Seneca 
 chief, in reply to some complaints of the French Governor, in 1684. 
 But the Dutch, to secure their trade, aided them to arm against 
 the French, and maintained for the period they held dominion upon 
 the Hudson, with but slight exceptions, a friendly relation, which 
 the English, their successsors, inherited, and by every means in 
 their power, assiduously cultivated, for the two-fold purpose of 
 securing their trade, and preventing French encroachments upon 
 what they regarded English territory. " The Dutch" said they, 
 "are our brethren; with them we keep but one council fire. We 
 are united by a covenant chain. We have always been as one 
 flesh. If the French come from Canada, we will join the Dutch 
 nation and live or die with them. With the English and French 
 the contest was for territorial dominion and Indian trade, and the 
 English early saw the advantages that would accrue to them from 
 
 History of Illinois. 
 
136 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 keeping the Iroquois in close alliance. As the Iroquois were at 
 war with almost all other Indian nations, those other nations saw 
 their advantage in having the protection of the French, who lost no 
 opportunity of impressing upon them exalted ideas of the power of 
 their king and country, of their ability not only to stay the march 
 of conquest of the Iroquois, — to throw a shield around those of 
 their own race they had persecuted and oppressed; but also to 
 humble the pretensions of the English. 
 
 The Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas, who for a time had been 
 influenced by the Jesuits, to occupy something hke a neutral 
 position, in 1689 met the governors of New York and Virginia at 
 Albany, and pledged to them peace and alliance. "Although 
 England and France for many years after, sought their alliance 
 with various success, when the grand division of parties through- 
 out Europe was effected, the Bourbons found in the Iroquois impla- 
 cable opponents: and in the struggle that afterwards ensued 
 between England and France, they were allies of the former, and 
 their hunting grounds were transformed into battle fields. Wes- 
 tern New York, it would seem, was severed from Canada by the 
 valor of the Mohawks," * or rather the author should have said, it 
 was never but partially under the dominion of France, for the 
 reason that the Seneca Iroquois, whose territory it was, were never 
 their allies; never acknowledged any French sovereignty. 
 
 The Marquis d'ARCENsoN was appointed Governor General of 
 New France in 1658. The condition of the colony continued to 
 be much depressed. In addition to the bad working of the colo- 
 nial system under the auspices of the Company, the Iroquois grew 
 more and more irreconcilable to French encroachment; more and 
 more determined to uproot the French from this quarter of the 
 continent. Hostile bands hung upon the borders of the French 
 settlements upon the St. Lawrence. 
 
 In 1661 the Governor was recalled on account of ill-health, and 
 the Baron d'AvANOOuR, a man of extraordinary energy, was 
 appointed in his place. Encouraging the king by his representa- 
 tions of the advantages in prospect in the new country, four 
 hundred new troops were sent out. But for this timely assistance, 
 it is supposed that the Iroquois would have executed their threat 
 of an extermination of the French. 
 
 * Historj' of Illinois. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 137 
 
 In 1664, the company of New France surrendered their charter. 
 Its privileges were transferred to the Company of the West Indies, 
 under whose auspices a better system of government was organ- 
 ized. Reinforcements arrived from the West Indies, and a number 
 of officers, to whom had been granted lands with the rights of 
 seigneurs, settled in the colonies. Forts were erected on the 
 principal streams in Canada, where it was thought necessary to 
 keep the Iroquois in check. In 1668 the affairs of New France 
 seemed much improved. Count Frontenac, a nobleman of 
 distinguished family, a man of energy and arbitrary will, was soon 
 after invested with the office of home administrator of the affairs 
 of the French colonies. He made extraordinary efforts to 
 develope the resources of the country, and build up the scattered 
 colonial establishments. In 1683, however, such had been the 
 slow progress, the untoward events in New France, the population 
 did not exceed nine thousand. 
 
 De la Barre was Governor General of New France in 1684. 
 incensed at the Iroquois for favoring the English, and introducing 
 parties of them to the borders of the lakes to trade with the 
 Indians, he resolved upon gathering an army at Fort Frontenac, to 
 intimidate them; to try peaceful negotiation with a large force to 
 back him; and if that failed, to invade their country. For this 
 purpose, all the disposable troops at Montreal, Quebec, Niagara, 
 and the western posts, were ordered to redezvous at Fort Fron- 
 tenac. His whole force assembled there, was from seventeen to 
 eighteen hundred, including four hundred Indian allies. It was in 
 the month of August, during the prevalence of fevers that 
 prevailed upon the borders of lake Ontario, which those of our 
 own people who were pioneer settlers upon its southern shore, 
 have had occasion to- know something about;* the French soldiers 
 were unacclimated, and the larger portion of them were confined 
 to the hospital. In the crippled condition of his army, De la 
 Barre concluded that he should be unable to effect any thing 
 save by treaty. Despatching orders to Mons. Dulbut, who was 
 
 *Our old resident physicians, who have had some experience in "lake fevers," will 
 be amused at the theorj' of the disease, which La Hontan says, De la Barre's physiciaa 
 advanced: — It was, that the excessive heat of the season put the vapors, or exlialations 
 into an over rapid motion: that the air was so over rarified that a sufficient quantity of 
 it was not taken in; that the small quantity inhaled was loaded with insects and impure 
 corpusculums, which the fatal necessity of respiration obliged the victim to swallow, 
 and that by this means, nature was put into disorder." The Baron adds, that the 
 "system was too much upon the Iroquois strain." 
 
138 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 advancing from Mackinaw with six hundred Frenchmen and 
 Indians, to hasten his march, he embarked upon lake Ontario with 
 his Indian allies, and such of his French soldiers as were able to 
 join the expedition, and landed upon the southern shore of lake 
 Ontario, at La Famine* Col. Dongan, the English Governor of 
 New York, apprised of the movement, had sent his Indian inter- 
 preter to persuade the Five Nations not to treat with the French. 
 De la Barre despatched Le Moine, who had much influence with 
 the Iroquois, to bring with him some of their chief men. In a 
 few days he returned, bringing with him Garangula, a noted 
 Seneca chief, called by his people Haaskouan, accompanied by a 
 train of thirty young warriors. As soon as the chief arrived, De 
 la Barre sent him a present of bread and wine, and thirty salmon 
 trout, " which they fished in that place in such plenty, that thej 
 brought up a hundred at one cast of a net;" at the same time 
 congratulating him on his arrival. La Hontan says, that De la 
 Barre had taken the precaution of sending the sick back to the 
 colony that the Iroquois might not perceive the weakness of his 
 forces; instructing Le Moine to assure Garangula that the body 
 of the army was left behind at Frontenac, and that the troops that 
 he saw, were only the Governor's guards. " But unhappily one of 
 the Iroquois, that had a smattering of the French tongue, having 
 strolled in the night time towards our tents, overheard what was 
 said, and so revealed the secret. The chief, after taking two days 
 to rest and recruit himself, gave notice to De la Barre that he 
 was ready for the interview.! 
 
 The speeches that succeeded, which the author copies from a 
 good English translation of La Hontan, will not only materi- 
 ally aid the reader to understand the then existing relations of the 
 French, Iroquois, and English, but furnish one of the earliest and 
 best specimens of native eloquence, and the proud bearing and 
 spirit of independence, of our wild and unschooled forest predeces- 
 sors. 
 
 De la Barre, through the interpreter Le Moine, said : — 
 
 '* The King, my master, being informed that the five Iroquois ) 
 
 * Or, Hungry Bay, so named at the time, from the stinted allowance of food which i 
 they had there. 
 
 t La Hontan has a drawing of the interview between De la Barre and Garangula. , 
 De la Barre is in front of his camp, with the interpreter and his officers near him. , 
 " The Garangula " is in front of his thirty warriors, who sit in a half circle upon the 3 
 ground. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 139 
 
 nations have for a long time made infractions upon the measures of 
 peace, ordered me to come hither with a guard, and to send Jlkou- 
 esson to the canton of the Onnotagues, in order to an interview 
 with their principal leaders in the neighborhood of my camp. This 
 great monarch, means that you and I should smoke together in the 
 great calumet of peace, with the proviso, that you engage in the 
 name of the Tsonnontouans, Goyogouans, Ormotagues, Onnoyoutes, 
 and ^Hgnics, to make reparation to his subjects, and to be guilty of 
 nothing for the future that may occasion a fatal rupture. 
 
 ''The Tsonnontouans, Goyogouans, Onnotagues, Onnoyoutes, and 
 Jlgnies, * have stripped, robbed and abused all the forest rangers 
 that travelled in the way of trade to the country of the lUinese, of 
 the Oumamis, and of the several other nations who are my mas- 
 ter's children. Now this usage being in high violation of the treaty 
 of peace concluded with my predecessor,! I am commanded to 
 demand reparation, and at the same time to declare that in case of 
 their refusal to comply with my demands, or of relapsing into the 
 like robberies, war is actually proclaimed. This makes my words 
 good. [Giving a belt.] 
 
 " The warriors of these Five Nations have introduced the 
 English into the lakes belonging to the King my master, and into 
 the country of those nations of whom my master is a father: — 
 This they have done with a desire to ruin the commerce of his 
 subjects, and to oblige those nations to depart from their due 
 allegiance ; notwithstanding the remonstrances of the late Governor 
 of New York, who saw through the danger that both they and the 
 English exposed themselves to. At present, I am willing to forget 
 those actions; but if ever you be guilty of the like for the future, I 
 have express orders to declare war. This belt warrants my words. 
 [Giving a belt.] 
 
 " The same warriors have made several barbarous incursions 
 upon the country of the Illinese and Oumamis. They have 
 massacred men, women and children; they have took, bound, and 
 carried off an indefinite number of the natives of those countries, 
 who thought themselves secure in their villages in times of peace. 
 These people are my master's children, and must therefore cease 
 to be your slaves. I charge you to restore them to their liberty, 
 and to send them home without delay; for if the Five Nations 
 refuse to comply with this demand, I have express orders to declare 
 war. This makes my words good. [ Giving a belt. ] 
 
 *' This is all I had to say to the Garangula, whom I desire to 
 report to the Five Nations, this declaration, that my master 
 commanded me to make. He wishes they had not obliged him to 
 
 * Seuecas, CajTigas, Oneidcis, Onondagas, and Mohawks. 
 
 t The predecessor of De la Barre had concluded a treaty of peace vyith the Iroquois, 
 which was of short duration. 
 
140 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 send a potent army to the Fort of Cataracony, * in order to carry 
 on a war that will prove fatal to them; and he will be very 
 much troubled if it so falls out, that this fort, which is a work of 
 peace, must be employed for a prison to your militia. These 
 mischiefs ought to be prevented by mutual endeavors: — The 
 French, who are the brethren and friends of the Five Nations, will 
 never disturb their repose, provided they make the satisfaction I 
 now demand, and prove religious observers of their treaties. I 
 wish my words may produce the desired eflfect; for if they do not, 
 I am obliged to join the Governor of New York, who has orders 
 from the king his master, to assist me to burn the villages and cut 
 you off. t This confirms my words. [Giving a belt.] 
 
 La HoNTAN says: — ''While De La Barre's interpreter pro- 
 nounced this harangue, the Garangula did nothing but look upon 
 the end of his pipe. After the speech was finished, he rose, and 
 having took five or six turns in the ring that the French and the 
 savages made, he returned to his place, and standing upright, spoke 
 after the following manner to the general, (De La Barre,) who 
 sat in his chair of state." 
 
 "YoNNONDioIJ I honor you, and all the warriors that accompany 
 me do the same. Your interpreter has made an end of his dis- 
 course, and now I come to begin mine. My voice glides to my ear, 
 pray listen to my words. 
 
 "YoNNONDio! In setting out from Quebec you must needs have 
 fancied that the scorching beams of the sun had burnt down the 
 forests that render our country inaccessible to the French; or else, 
 that the inundations of the lake had surrounded our castles, and 
 confined us as prisoners. This certainly was your thought; and it 
 could be nothing else than the curiosity of seeing a burnt or 
 drowned country, that moved you to take a journey hither. But 
 now you have an opportunity of being undeceived, for I, and my 
 warlike retinue come to assure you that the Tsonnontouans, Goyo- 
 
 fuans, Onnotagues, Onnoyoutes and £gnies, are not yet destroyed, 
 return you thanks in their name, for bringing into the country 
 the calumet of peace, that your predecessors received at their 
 hands. At the same time I congratulate your happiness, in 
 having left underground the bloody axe that has so often been dyed 
 with the blood of the French. Hear, Yonnondio ! I am not asleep; 
 my eyes are open; and the sun that vouchsafes the light gives me 
 a clear view of a great captain at the head of a troop of soldiers, 
 who speaks as if he were asleep. He pretends that he does not 
 approach to this lake with any other view than to smoke with the 
 
 * The Indian name of Fort Frontenac, and lake Ontario. 
 
 t De la Barre seems to have been ignorant of the fact, that the English governor had 
 teen persuading the Iroquois to stand out against French diplomacy. 
 
 t The Iroquois called the Governor of New France, whoever he might be, Yonnondio, 
 and the Dutch or English Governor, Corlear. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 141 
 
 Onnotagues in the great calumet; but the Garangula knows better 
 things; he sees plainly that the Yonnondio mean'd to knock 'em 
 on the head if the French arms had not been so much weakened. 
 
 "I perceive that the Yonnondio raves in a camp of sick people 
 whose lives the Great Spirit has saved, by visiting them with infirmi- 
 ties. Do you hear Yonnondio'? Our women had taken up their 
 clubs, and the children and the old men had visited your camp with 
 their bows and arrows, if our warlike men had not stopped and 
 disarmed them, when Jlkoucssan, your ambassador, appeared before 
 my village. But I have done, I will talk no more of that. 
 
 "You must know, Yonnondio, that we have robbed no French- 
 men but those who supplied the lllinese and the Oumamis, (our 
 enemies,) with fusees, with powder and with ball. These indeed 
 we took care of, because such arms might have cost us our life. 
 Our conduct in that point, is of a piece with that of the Jesuits, 
 who stave all the barrels of brandy that are brought to our cantons, 
 lest the people getting drunk, should knock them on the head. 
 Our warriors have no beavers to give in exchange for all the arms 
 they have taken from the French; and as for the people, they do 
 not think of bearing arms. This comprehends my words. [Giving 
 a belt.] 
 
 " We have conducted the English to our lakes in order to traffic 
 with the Outaouas, and the Hurons; just as the Jllgonhins con- 
 ducted the French to our cantons in order to carry on a commerce 
 that the English lay claim to as their right. We are born 
 freemen, and have no dependence either on the Yonnondio or the 
 CoRLEAR. We have a power to go when we please, to conduct 
 those whom we will to the places we resort to, and to buy or sell 
 where we se§ fit. If your allies are your slaves or your children, 
 you may e'en treat 'em as such, and rob 'em of the liberty of 
 entertaining any other nation but your own. This contains my 
 words, [Giving a belt.] 
 
 "We fell upon the EVmese and the Oumamis because they cut 
 down the tree of peace that served as limits, or boundaries to our 
 positions. They came to hunt beavers upon our lands, and 
 contrary to the custom of all the savages, have carried off whole 
 stocks, both male and female.* They have engaged the Chaou- 
 anous in their interest, and entertained them in their country. 
 They supplied 'em with fire-arms after the concerting of ill designs 
 against us. We have done less than the English and the French, 
 who, without any right, have usurped the grounds they are now 
 possessed of; and of which they have dislodged several nations, in 
 order to make way for their building of cities, villages and forts. 
 This, CoRLEAR, contains my words. [Giving a belt.] 
 
 "I give to you to know, Yonnondio, that my voice is the voice 
 
 * The Indians regarded it a great offence to wholly exterminate a beaver colony. 
 
142 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 of the Five Iroquese cantons. This is their answer; pray inchne 
 your ear and hsten to what they represent. 
 
 "The Tsonnontouans, Goyogouans, Onnotagues, Onnoyoutes, and 
 Jlgnies, declare that they interred the axe at Cataracouy, in the 
 presence of your predecessor, in the very center of the fort; and 
 planted the tree of peace in the same place that it might be pre- 
 served; that 'twas then agreed that the fort should be used as a 
 place of retreat for merchants, and not a refuge for soldiers; and 
 that instead of arms and ammunition, it should be made a recep- 
 tacle only of beaver skins and merchandise goods. Be it known 
 to you, YoNNONDio, that for the future you ought to take care 
 that so great a number of martial men as I now see, being shut up 
 in so small a place, do not stifle and choak the tree of peace. 
 Since it took root so easily, it must needs be of pernicious conse- 
 quence to stop its growth, and hinder it to shade both your country 
 and ours with its leaves. I do assure you, in the name of the 
 Five Nations, that our warriors shall dance the calumet dance 
 under its branches; that they shall rest in tranquility upon their 
 matts and will never dig up the axe to cut down the tree of peace; 
 till such times as the Yoa'nondio and the Corlear do either jointly 
 or separately offer to invade the country that the Great Spirit has 
 disposed of in the favor of our ancestors. This belt preserves my 
 words, and this other, the authority which the Five Nations have 
 given me." [Giving two belts.] 
 
 Then, Garangula, addressing himself to the interpreter Le 
 MoiNE, said: — 
 
 ^'^ ATxOuessan, take heart; you are a man of sense; speak and : 
 explain my meaning; be sure you forget nothing, but declare all ] 
 that thy brethren and thy friends represent to thy chief Yonnondio, j 
 by the voice of the Garangula, who pays you all honor and 
 respect, and invites you to accept of this present of beavers, and 
 to assist at his feast immediately. This other present of beavers 
 is sent by the Five Nations to the Yonnondio." 
 
 When the Iroquois chief had finished his speech, De la Barre 
 *' returned to his tent much enraged at what he had heard." The 
 Garangula prepared his feast, several of the French officers 
 becoming his guests. Two days afterwards he returned to his ,, 
 people. I 
 
 The army of De la Barre broke up, that part of it belonging 
 at Quebec and Montreal, 'going down the St Lawrence; those 
 belonging to Fort Frontenac and the western posts returning some 
 by water and some by land. " Thus a very chargeable and 
 fatiguing expedition (which was to strike the terror of the French 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 143 
 
 name, into the stubborn hearts of the Five Nations,) ended in a 
 scold between the French General and an old Indian."* 
 
 EXPEDITION OF DE NONVILLE AGAINST THE SENEGAS IN 1687 
 
 The Marquis de Nonville, a colonel in the French dragoons, 
 succeeded De la Barre in the local government of New France, 
 in 1685. Charlevoix says he was "equally esteemed for his 
 valor, his wisdom, and his piety." At the commencement of his 
 administration, the Iroquois had renewed their wars against Indian 
 nations at the west, with whom the French were in alliance, and 
 continued, as Garangula had assured De la Barre they would, to 
 introduce the English around the borders of the lakes.f' De 
 NoNviLLE brought out with him a large reinforcement for the 
 army, and at once resolved upon a series of measures having in 
 view the humbling of the Iroquois by making them allies or 
 neutrals and the security of the French dominion and trade upon 
 the Lakes. Prominent in these measures, was a formidable attack 
 upon the Senecas, who, from their location and partiality for the 
 English, were most in the way of the French interests; and the 
 building of a fort at Niagara. His first steps were to accumulate 
 ample provisions for his army at Fort Frontenac, and gather the 
 whole disposable military force of New France, at Montreal. 
 The commandants of the French posts at the west, were ordered 
 to rendezvous at Niagara with their troops, and the warriors of 
 their Indian allies in that quarter. 
 
 At this period, England and France were at peace, or rather a 
 treaty had been signed between them, to the effect that whatever 
 differences might arise at home or elsewhere, neutral relations 
 
 * Colden's History of the Five Nations. Mr. Clinton, in his discourse before the 
 New York Historical Society in 1811. says of the speech of Garangula: — "I believe it 
 to be impossible to find, in all tlie eiFusious of ancient or modern orator)-, a speech 
 more appropriate or convincinfr. Under the veil of respectful profession, it conveys 
 the most biting irony; and while it abounds with rich and splendid imagery, it contains 
 the most solid reasoning. I place it in the same rank of the celebrated speech of 
 Logan; and I cannot but express my astonishment at the conduct of two respectable 
 writers who have represented this interesting interview, and this sublime display of 
 intellectual power, as a "scold between the French General and an old ludian." 
 
 t It should bo observed ho-re, that the English claimed dominion over all the country 
 of the Iroquois south of the lakes, including of course the site of Fort Niagara. The 
 French claimed the Iroquois' couutr}-, from priority of discovery and occupation by tlie 
 Jesuits, La Sallo, &c. 
 
144 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 should be observed by their subjects in North America. The 
 Iroquois, apprised by the movements of De Nonville, but not 
 knowing w^here he intended to strike, communicated their appre- 
 hensions to Governor Dong an, who immediately wrote to De 
 NoNviLLE that the great collection of supplies at Fort Frontenac 
 convinced him that an attack was meditated upon the Iroquois; — 
 that they were the subjects of the crown of England, and any 
 injury to them, would be an open infraction of the peace which 
 existed between them and their two kings. He also stated that he 
 understood the French intended to build a fort at Niagara, which 
 astonished him exceedingly, as "no one could be ignorant, that it 
 lay within the jurisdiction of New York." De Nonville replied 
 that the Iroquois feared chastisement because they deserved it; and 
 dissimulating, endeavored to convey the impression that no more 
 supplies were ordered to Frontenac than were necessary for the 
 use of the troops stationed there. He said that the pretensions of 
 England to the land of the Iroquois were unfounded, as the French 
 had taken possession of them "long before there was an English- 
 man in New York;" at the same time admonishing the English 
 governor that while their Idngs and masters were living in perfect 
 peace and amity, it would be unwise for their lieutenant generals 
 to embroil themselves in war. Governor Dongan took no measures 
 to counteract the designs of the French, but to confirm the Iroquois 
 in their apprehensions, and supply them with arms and ammuni- 
 tion; but while the French preparations for war were goin^ on, 
 the English were sending trading parties to the Lakes, and assid- 
 uously improving a slight footrhold they had obtained among a 
 few Indian nations that were incHning to their interests. The 
 English used one weapon, almost as potent — (in some instances 
 more so,) — as Jesuit influence, and insinuating French diplomacy. 
 They had learned the fatal appetite of the Indian for strong drink, 
 and took advantage of it, by introducing brandy and rum wherever 
 they made their advances among them. The Jesuit priests kept 
 up a continual warfare with the French traders, against the 
 introduction of intoxicating liquors, and generally prevailed. The 
 Catholic church had, at that early period, their Father Matthews 
 in this far off wilderness. And here it is no falsifying of historical 
 record, to add, that generally, the French policy and conduct, 
 looked far more to the ultimate good of the natives, than those of 
 the English. The presence of the Jesuit missionary, modified and 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 145 
 
 checked the sordid desire of gain with the trader. English 
 cupidity had no such check. 
 
 De Nonville employed the winter of 1687 in making ready for 
 the expedition. The previous summer, as he says in his journal, 
 was passed in negotiations, which terminated in an agreement that 
 both parties should meet at Fort Frontenac to take measures for 
 the conclusion of a general peace. '' But the pride of that nation, 
 (the Iroquois,) accustomed to see others yield to its tyranny, and 
 the insults which they have continued to heap upon the French 
 and our savage allies, have induced us to believe that there is no 
 use in negotiating with them, but with arms in our hands, and we 
 have all winter been preparing to make them a visit." 
 
 The French army, consisting of about sixteen hundred men, 
 accompanied by four hundred Indian allies, set out from Montreal 
 on the 13th of June, in three hundred and fifty batteaux, and after 
 a slow passage up the St. Lawrence, encountering many difficulties, 
 arrived at Fort Frontenac on the 30th. On the 4th day of July, 
 it started for its destination; taking the route by the way of La 
 Famine Bay, and coasting along the south side of lake Ontario, 
 encampmg upon the shore each night, arrived at Ganniagataronta- 
 gouat, * on the 10th. Previous to leaving Fort Frontenac, De 
 Nonville had despatched orders to the commandant at Niagara 
 to meet him with his troops, and the French and Indian allies who 
 had come down from the west. This reinforcement amounted to 
 about five hundred and eighty French and Indians. The two 
 divisions of the army met at Irondequoit within the same hour. 
 
 The next day was employed in constructing pallisades, facines 
 and pickets for the protection of provisions, batteaux and canoes. 
 On the 12th, after detaching four hundred men to garrison their 
 landing place, the French and Indians took up their line of march 
 toward the villages of the Senecas. Passing up the east side of 
 Irondequoit Bay, they encamped at night, a few miles above its 
 head, near the village of Pittsford. The Indian village of Ganna- 
 garo, which was situated near the present village of Victor, Ontario 
 county, was to be the first point of attack. Continuing their 
 march on the 13th, they arrived about 3 o'clock, at a defile near 
 
 * Irondequoit. The name given above, is the one by which the French designated 
 It, and was borrowed from the Mohawks. The Seneca name is Ongiudaondagwat. 
 
 10 
 
146 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the Indian village, when they were attacked by a large party of 
 Senecas, that lay in ambush: — 
 
 "They were better received than they anticipated, and were 
 thrown into such consternation that most of them threw away their 
 guns and clothing to escape under favor of the woods. The action 
 was not long, but there was heavy firing on both sides. The 
 three companies of Ottawas who were stationed on the right, dis- 
 tinguished themselves, and all our christian savages farther in the 
 rear, performed their duty admirably, and firmly maintained the 
 position which had been assigned to them on the left. As we had 
 in our front a dense wood, and a brook bordered with thickets, 
 and had made no prisoners that could tell us positively the number 
 of Indians that had attacked us ; the fatigues of the march, which 
 our troops, as well the French as the Savages, had undergone, left 
 us in no condition to pursue the enemy. They had fled beyond 
 where we had sufficient knowledge of the paths, to be certain 
 which we should take to lead us from the woods into the plain. 
 The enemy left twenty-seven dead on the field to our knowledge, 
 besides a much larger number of wounded, judging from the traces 
 of blood which we saw. We learned from one of the dying that 
 they had more than eight hundred men under arms, either in the 
 action or in the village, and were daily expecting assistance from 
 the neighboring Iroquois. Our troops being much fatigued, we 
 rested during the remainder of the day at the same place, where 
 we found sufficient water for the night. We maintained a strict 
 watch, waiting for day, in order to enter the plain, which is about 
 a league in extent, before proceeding to the villao-e. 
 
 " The next day, which was the 14th, a heavy rain, which lasted 
 till noon, compelled us to remain until that time at the place where 
 the battle occured. We set out in battle array, thinking the enemy 
 entrenched in the new village, which is above the old. In the 
 mean time we entered the plain without seeing any thing but the 
 relics of the fugitives. We found the old village burnt by the 
 enemy, and the entrenchments of the new deserted, which were 
 distant from the old about three-quarters of a league. We 
 encamped on the height of the plain, and did nothing this day but 
 protect ourselves from the rain which continued until night." * 
 
 Two old men who had been left by the Senecas in their retreat, 
 told De Nonville that the ambuscade consisted of two hundred 
 and twenty men. stationed on the hill side to attack the French in 
 the rear, and five hundred and thirty in front; and beside this, 
 
 * De Nonville 's Journal. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 147 
 
 there were three hundred in their fort, situated on a very advanta- 
 geous heiffht : that there were none but Senecas in the battle , 
 the Cayuga and Onondaga warriors not having arrived. 
 
 The Senecas setting fire to all their villages, retreated before 
 the French army, and sought refuge among the Cayugas. The 
 French army remained in the Seneca country until the 24th. The 
 deserted villages were entered, large quantities of corn and beans 
 destroyed; the Indian allies scouting the country and tomahawk- 
 ing and scalping such straggling Senecas as fell behind in the 
 flight, or remained in consequence of infirmity. Such was the 
 spirit of the western Indians, and determination to execute ven- 
 geance upon those who had so often warred upon them, that the 
 French could not induce them to save such prisoners as fell into 
 their hands. 
 
 De Nonville estimates the amount of corn destroyed in all the 
 "four villages of the S'onnontouans,^^ 1,200,000 bushels! A great 
 exaggeration, undoubtedly, as the Senecas were never sufficiently 
 numerous nor agricultural, to warrant the conclusion that thev had 
 any thing approaching to that amount in all their territory. He 
 was making a report to "the king his master," and it is quite likely 
 made his exploits as formidable as possible. He diifers materially 
 in his account of the expedition fi'om 'Baron La Hontan who was 
 one of his officers. 
 
 La Hontan's account of the invasion of the Seneca country 
 is as follows: 
 
 "On the third day of July, 1687, we embarked from Fort 
 Frontenac, to coast along the southern shore, under favor of the 
 calms which prevail in that month, and at the same time the Sieur 
 de La Foret left for Niagara by the north side of the lake, to 
 wait there for a considerable reinforcement. 
 
 "By extraordinary good fortune we both arrived on the same 
 day, and nearly the same hour, at the river of the Tsonnontouans, 
 by reason of which our savage allies, who draw predictions from 
 the merest trifles, foretold, with their usual superstition, that so 
 punctual a meeting infallibly indicated the total destruction of the 
 Iroquois. How they deceived themselves tbe sequel will show. 
 
 "The same evening on which we landed, we commenced draw- 
 ing our canoes and battcaux upon land, and protected them by a 
 strong guard. We afterwards set about constructing a fort of 
 stakes, in which four hundred men were stationed, under the com- 
 mand of the Sieur Dorvilliers, to guard the boats and baggage. 
 
 "The next day a young Canadian, named La Fontaine 
 
148 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Marion, was unjustly put to death. The following is his history: 
 This poor unfortunate became acquainted with the country and 
 savages of Canada by the numerous voyages he made over the 
 continent, and after having rendered his King good service, asked 
 permission of several of the Governors general to continue his 
 travels in further prosecution of his petty traffic, but he could 
 never obtain it. He then determined to go to New England, as 
 war did not then exist between the two Crowns. He was very 
 well received, on account of his enterprise and acquaintance with 
 nearly all the Indian languages. It was proposed that he should 
 pilot through the lakes, those two companies of English which 
 have since been captured. He agreed to do so, and was unfor- 
 tunately taken with the rest. 
 
 " The injustice of which they were guilty, appears to me inex- 
 cusable, for we were at peace with the English, besides which 
 they claim that the Lakes of Canada belong to them. 
 
 "On the following day we set out for the great village of the 
 Tsonnontouans, without any other provisions than the ten biscuit 
 which each man was compelled to carry for himself. We had but 
 seven leagues to march, through immense forests of lofty trees and 
 over a very level country. The Coureurs de hois formed the 
 vanguard, with a part of the savages, the remainder of which 
 brought up the rear — the regulars and militia being in the center. 
 
 "The first day, our scouts marched in advance without making 
 any discoveries. The distance which we accomplished was four 
 leagues. On the second day the same scouts took the lead, and 
 advanced even to the fields of the village, without perceiving any 
 one, although they passed within pistol shot of five hundred 
 Tsonnontouans lying on their bellies, who suffered them to pass 
 and repass without interruption. 
 
 "On receiving their report, we marched in great haste and little 
 order, believing that as the Iroquois had fled, we could at least 
 capture their women, children and old men. But when we arrived 
 at the foot of the hill on which they lay in ambush, distant about a 
 quarter of a league from the village, they began to utter their 
 ordinary cries, followed with a discharge of musketry. 
 
 "If you had seen, sir, the disorder into which our militia and 
 regulars were thrown, among the dense woods, you would agi-ee 
 with me, that it would require many thousand Europeans to make 
 head against these barbarians. 
 
 "Our battalions were immediately separated into platoons, which 
 ran without order, pell mell, to the right and left, without knowing 
 whither they went. Instead of firing upon the Iroquois, we fired 
 upon each other. It was in vain to call ' help, soldiers of such a 
 battalion,'' for we could scarcely see thirty paces. In short we 
 were so disordered, that the enemy wei'e about to fall upon us, 
 club in hand, when our savages having rallied, repulsed and pursued 
 them so closely, even to their villages, that they killed more than 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 149 
 
 eighty, the heads of which they brought away, not counting the 
 wounded who escaped. 
 
 " We lost on this one occasion ten savages and a hundred French- 
 men; we had twenty or twenty-two wounded, among whom was 
 the good Father Angelrax, the Jesuit, who was shot in those 
 parts of which Origen wished to deprive liimself, that he might 
 instruct the fair sex with less scandal. 
 
 "When the savages brought the heads to M. De Nonville, 
 they inquired why he halted instead of advancing. He replied 
 that he could not leave his wounded, and to afford his surgeons 
 time to care for them, he had thought proper to encamp. They 
 proposed making litters to carry them to the village, which was 
 near at hand. The general being unwilling to follow this advice, 
 endeavored to make them listen to reason, but in place of hearing 
 him, they reassembled, and having held a council among them- 
 selves, although they were more than ten different nations, they 
 resolved to go alone in pursuit of the fugitives, of whom they 
 expected to capture at least the women, children, and old men. 
 
 " When they were ready to march, M. De Nonville exhorted 
 them not to leave him or depart from his camp, but rest for one 
 day, and that the next day he would go and burn the villages of 
 the enemy, and lay waste their fields, in consequence of which 
 they would perish by famine. This offended them so much that 
 the greater part returned to their country, saying that ' the French 
 had come for an excursion rather than to carry on war, since they 
 w^ould not profit by the finest opportunity in the world; that their 
 ardor was like a sudden flash, extinguished as soon as kindled; that 
 it seemed useless to have brought so many warriors from all parts 
 to burn bark cabins, which could be rebuilt in four days; that the 
 Tsonnontouans would care but little if their Indian corn was 
 destroyed, since the other Iroquois nations had sufficient to afford 
 them a part; that finally, after having joined the Governors of 
 Canada to no purpose, they would never trust them in future, 
 notwithstanding any promises they might make.' 
 
 " Some say that M. De Nonville should have gone farther, 
 others think it was impossible for him to do better. I will not 
 venture to decide between them. Those at the helm are often the 
 most embarrassed. However, we marched the next day to the 
 great village, carrying our wounded on litters, but found nothing 
 but ashes, the Iroquois having taken the precaution to burn it 
 themselves. We were occupied five or six days in cutting down 
 Indian corn in the fields with our swords. From thence we passed 
 to the two small villages of The-ga-ron-hies and Da-non-ca-ri- 
 ta-oui, distant two or three leagues from the former, where we 
 performed the same exploits, and then returned to the borders of 
 the lake. We found in all these villages, horses, cattle, poultry, 
 and a multitude of swine. The country which we saw is the 
 
150 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 most beautiful, level and charming in the world. The woods we 
 traversed abounded in oak, walnut and wild chestnut trees." 
 
 Golden, the historian of the Iroquois, says that five hundred 
 of the Senecas lay in ambush; that they "lay on their bellies and 
 let the French scouts pass and repass without disturbing them;" 
 but that when the main body of the army came up " the Senekas 
 suddenly raised the war shout, with a discharge of their fire arms. 
 This put the regular troops, as well as the militia, into such a fi'ight, 
 as they marched through the woods, that the battalions immediately 
 divided and ran to the right and the left, and in the confusion fired 
 upon one another. When the Senekas perceived their disorder 
 they fell in upon them pell mell, till the French Indians, more used 
 to such mode of fighting, gathered together and repulsed the 
 Senekas. There were, (according to the French accounts,) a hun- 
 dred Frenchmen, ten French Indians, and about four score Senekas 
 killed in the rencounter. Monsieur De Nonville was so dispirited 
 with the fright that his men had been put into that his Indians 
 could not persuade him to pursue. He halted the remainder of the 
 day. The next day he marched on with a design to burn the 
 village, but when he came there he found that the Senekas had 
 saved him the trouble; for they had laid all in ashes before they 
 retired. The French stayed five or six days to destroy the corn, 
 and then marched to two other villages, at two or three leagues 
 distance. After they had performed the like exploits in tnese 
 places, they returned to the banks of the lake." 
 
 There are some traditions among the Senecas, in reference to 
 De Nonville's expedition which are worthy of note: — William 
 Jones, a native Seneca, who married a relative of Red Jacket, 
 states that he has heard the chief often say, that when he was a 
 boy he used to hear the old men speak of a large party of French 
 soldiers who penetrated the Indian country along the Genesee to a 
 place called in the Seneca language, SgohsaisthaJi. He did not 
 admit that the Indians suffered any serious defeat. 
 
 John Blacksmith, a chief of the Senecas, residing on the 
 Tonawanda Reservation, hunted in his youth over the country 
 embraced in the counties of Monroe, Livingston and Ontario, and 
 thus acquired an intimate knowledge of old Indian localities. He 
 was asked if he had ever heard that a French army penetrated the 
 Seneca country in olden time? He related the following tradi- 
 tion: — 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 151 
 
 "About four generations ago, a French army landed secretly 
 and unexpectedly at a place called by the Senecas, Gannycodathah^ 
 which is a short distance from the head of Onyiudaondagwat, or 
 Irondequoit Bay, as it is called by the whites. They immediately 
 marched into the interior towards the ancient village of the 
 Senecas, called Gaosaehgaah, following the main beaten path 
 which led to that place. 
 
 " As soon as the Indians residing at the village, received intelli- 
 gence of their approach, they sent news to the neighboring town 
 of Gahayanduk. On being reinforced by them, they met the 
 French as they advanced towards the former village, and a severe 
 battle ensued. On account of their inferior numbers, the Indians 
 were defeated, and fled to a village then located near the foot of 
 Canandaigua'lake. The French advanced, burned the village, and 
 laid waste the adjacent corn fields. As soon as they had accom- 
 
 {)lished the above object, they retraced their steps towards the 
 anding. Runners having been despatched by the Senecas to their 
 principal towns, to give notice of the presence of the enemy, a 
 large force was soon collected to defend the village and capture 
 the French. When they reached Gaosaehgaah, nothing remained 
 of that village but its smoking ruins. They immediately pursued 
 the French, and arrived at the Bay a short time too late. The 
 place where the battle occurred, was near a small stream with a 
 hill on one side, and was known to the Senecas by the name of 
 Dyagodiyu, or the 'place of a battle.'" 
 
 The four Indian villages which De Nonville visited, are sup- 
 posed to have been situated as follows: — Gannagaro, as the French 
 called it, Gaosaehgaah in Seneca, was upon Boughton's Hill, in 
 Victor, Ontario county; — Gannogarae, in the town of East Bloom- 
 field, about three and a half miles from Boughton's Hill, near 
 where the old Indian trail crossed Mud Creek; Totiakto, Deyudi- 
 haakdoh in Seneca, was the north-east bend of the Honeoye outlet, 
 near West Mendon, in Monroe county; — Gannounata, in Seneca 
 Dyudonsot, about two miles south-east of East Avon, at the source of 
 a small stream which empties into the Oonesus, near Avon Springs. 
 
 The precise place where the battle occurred is a short distance 
 north-west of the village of Victor, on the north-eastern edge of a 
 large swamp,- and on the northerly side of a stream called Great 
 Brook. On the first settlement of the country it was partly 
 covered with a thick growth of timber, and dense underbrush, 
 forming a very advantageous place for an Indian ambuscade. It 
 is about a mile and a quarter north-west of the old Indian village 
 on Boughton's Hill, called by De Nonville, Gannagaro. 
 
152 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The height on which the Fort mentioned by De Nonville 
 was located, is about a mile and a quarter westerly from the site 
 of Gannagaro, a wide valley intervening. It is now known as 
 Fort Hill. Although nearly defaced by the plough, the works can 
 be traced with sufficient certainty to identify the spot; and the 
 solitary spring that supplied the French army, still oozes from the 
 declivity of a hill, an existing witness of the locality. There are 
 mdications of extensive Indian settlements in the neighborhood of 
 Victoi', within a circuit of three miles. Thousands of graves were 
 to be seen by the pioneer settlers, and the old French axes supplied 
 them with iron when it was difficult to obtain it from other sources. 
 At an early period the old Indian trail pursued by De Nonville 
 from Irondequoit Bay to Victor, was distinctly visible. The forti- 
 fication that De Nonville made, in which he left a detachment 
 of his army to guard his stores and bateaux, at the bay, was 
 described to the author during the last summer, by Oliver Culver 
 of Brighton, who was in the country as early as 1796. French 
 axes, flints, &c. were plenty there at that early period of settlement. 
 
 The author is indebted to George Hosmer, of Avon, for the 
 following account of a relic which unquestionably belongs to the 
 period of the French invasion of the Seneca Iroquois: — 
 
 "In the spring of 1793, I was present, when in ploughing a piece 
 of new land on the Genesee bottom, near the river, on a farm then 
 owned by my father, the plough passed through a bed of ashes 
 several inches in thickness, and near that turned up an instrument 
 which was called a French couteau. The blade was about twenty 
 inches in length, and three inches wide. It was covered with rust, 
 which upon being scoured off, exhibited the Jleur de Us and armorial 
 bearings of France, and a date referring to the age and reign of 
 Louis XIV. The relic elicited a momentary attention. It was 
 cleared of rust, ground to an edge, and used in my father's kitchen 
 as a cleaver. The haft was eight or ten inches long, and made of 
 buckhorn, or bone. I was then but a boy, but in after years have 
 often regretted that it had not been preserved with care, as an item 
 of evidence to illustrate the eai'ly history of the country." 
 
 The author indulges in a feeling of local pride, in noticing, in this 
 connection, the poem, * " Yonnojidio,^^ founded upon the advent of 
 De Nonville to the valley of the Genesee, once the favorite home 
 
 * " Yoimondio, or the Warriors of the Genesee : — a tale of the seventeenth centurj'. 
 By Wm. H. C. Hosmer." 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 153 
 
 of the Seneca Iroquois, as it is now, that of a prosperous and happy 
 people of our own race. It is a " woof of fiction, woven upon a 
 warp of fact." The author is of pioneer stock, as the reader will 
 learn in some subsequent portions of this w^ork; born and reared in 
 the '^ realm of the Scnecas," a remnant of that noble race of men 
 associated with his earliest recollections; the tales of his nursery- 
 were of them, " their eloquence and deeds of valor;" and going out 
 in manhood, wandering in the peaceful vale that echoed their war 
 shouts, inspired by the reminiscences with which he was surrounded; 
 he has seized the lyre, and in its silver tones are beautifully blended 
 the facts and the romance of local history. It is replete with more 
 striking and truthful delineations of the red man and his character, 
 than any other poem upon the same subject, extant. 
 
 As a specimen of this first successful essay to mingle the charms 
 of verse with the local history of our region; and in fact, as a help 
 to the better understanding of the causes that induced the invasion 
 of De Nonville, and the spirit, the proud and haughty bearing of 
 the Senecas in resisting it; the author selects some of the 
 concluding portions of the speech that the poet attributes to 
 Cannehoot, a Seneca chief, who is supposed to be closing a 
 council of war, preparatory to the fierce onslaught that the undis- 
 ciplined soldiers of the forest made upon the ranks of the French 
 invaders: — 
 
 " Regardless of our ancient fame, 
 Our conquests, and our dreaded name, 
 Fierce Yonnondio and his band 
 Are thronging in our forest land; 
 And ask ye why with banner spread 
 His force the Frank hath hither led ? 
 We scorched with fire the skulking hounds. 
 Who dared to cross our hunting grounds, 
 A trading, base, dishonest band. 
 Who in exchange for pelts had given 
 Guns, lead, and black explosive sand. 
 
 To tribes our power had western driven:" * 
 
 " Shall warriors who have tamed the pride 
 
 Of rival nations far and wide. 
 
 At their men hearths be thus defied? 
 
 Shall it be said the beast of prey 
 
 His den abandoned far away, 
 
 * See speech of De la Barre, and Garangula's reply. 
 
154 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 And, seeking out the hunter, found 
 His aim less true, less deep the wound ? 
 Shall it be told in other days, 
 The tomahawk we feared to raise. 
 While the green hillocks, where repose 
 The cherished dust of woodland-kings 
 Insulted by the march of foes. 
 
 Gave back indignant echoings ? 
 Base is the bosom that will quake 
 With one degrading throb of fear. 
 When fame and countr}- are at stake. 
 Though an armed troop of fiends are near! 
 Oh! never can such craven tread 
 The happy chase grounds of the dead; 
 Between him and that fount of bliss 
 Will yawn a deep and dread abyss; 
 And doomed will be his troubled ghost 
 To range that land forever more. 
 Upon whose lone and barren coast. 
 The black and bitter waters roar. 
 The clime of everlasting day, 
 Where groves, all red with fruitage, wave, 
 And beauty never fades away. 
 Is only trodden by the brave." 
 
 " In answer to the bold harangue. 
 Each warrior from his bear-skiu sprang. 
 And, ominous of coming strife. 
 Clashed tomahawk and scalping knife. 
 A signal by the chief was made, 
 To close the council, and obeyed: 
 His eloquence of look and word. 
 Dark depths of every heart had stirred." 
 
 Before leaving the Seneca country De Nonville made the 
 following " proces verbal," of the act of taking possession: — 
 
 "On the 19th day of July, in the year 1687, the troops commanded by the Honorable 
 Rene de Brisay, Chevalier, Seigneur Marquis of De Nonville and other places. 
 Governor and Lieutenant General for the King in the whole extent of Canada, and 
 country of New France, in presence of Hkctor, Chevalier de Calliere, Governor of 
 Montreal in said country, commanding the camp under his orders, and of Philip de 
 RiGAND, Chevalier de Vaudreuil, commanding the troops of the King, which being 
 drawn up in battle array, there appeared at the head of the army, Charles Aubert, 
 Sieur de la Chenays, citizen of Quebec, deputed by the Honorable Jean Bochart, 
 Chevalier, Seigneur de Champigny, Horoy, Verneuil and other places. Counsellor of 
 the King in his councils, Intendant of Justice, Police and Finances in all Northern 
 France, who asserted and declared, that at the requisition of the said Seigneur de 
 Champigny, he did take possession of the village of Totiakton, as he had done of the 
 three villages named Gannagaro, Gannondata, and Gannongarae, and of a fort distant 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 155 
 
 half a league from the said village of Gannagaro, together with all the lands which are 
 in their vicinity, however far they extend, conquered in the name of his Majesty; and 
 as evidence thereof has planted in all the said villages and forts, the arms of his said 
 Majesty, and has proclaimed in a loud voice, " vive le roi," after the said troops have 
 VEinquished and put to flight eight hundred Iroquois Tsonnontouans, and have laid 
 waste, burnt and destroyed their provisions and cabins. And on account of the fore- 
 going, the Sieur de la Chenays Aubert, has required evidence to be granted to hira 
 by me, Paul Dupuy, Esquire, Counsellor of the King, and his Attorney at the Court 
 of the Provost of Quebec. 
 
 " Done at the said village of Totiakton, the largest village of the Tsonnontouans, in 
 presence of the Reverend Father Vaillant, Jesuit, and of the officers of the regulars 
 and militia, witnesses with me the said attorney of the King. Subscribed the day and 
 year above mentioned, and signed in the original by Charles Aubert de la Chenays, 
 J. Rene de Brisay, Monsieur de De Nonville, Le Chevalier de Calliere, Fleutelot do 
 Romprey, de Desmeloizes, de Ramezay, Francois Vaillant of the Company of Jesus, 
 de Grandeville, de Longueil, Saint Paul and Dupuy. 
 
 " Compared with the original remaining in my hands, by me, the undersigned. 
 Counsellor, Secretaiy of his Majesty, and chief Register of the Sovereign Council of 
 Quebec." 
 
 Signed, PENURET." 
 
 The fair inference, from all the evidence that has been preserved 
 is that the French gained Uttle honor, and less advantage, by this 
 rencounter. Golden says, " the French got nothing but dry 
 blows by this expedition." 
 
 After despatching one of the bateaux to Fort Frontenac, to 
 carry the nev^^s of the result of the expedition, the whole army 
 set sail for Niagara on the 26th, adverse winds delaying its arrival 
 there until the morning of the 30th. " We immediately, (says 
 the journal of De Nonville), set about choosing a place, and 
 collecting stakes for the construction of a fort which I had resolved 
 to build at the extremity of a tongue of land between the river 
 Niagara, and lake Ontario, on the Iroquois side.* In three days 
 the army had so fortified the post as to put it in a good condition 
 of defence, in case of an assault. De Nonville says his object 
 in constructing the fortification, was to afford protection for their 
 Indian allies, and enable them to continue in small detachments, 
 the war against the Iroquois. A detachment of an hundred 
 
 * It is remarked by Mr. Marshall, in a note accompanying his translation of De 
 Nonville's journal, that the geographical designation given here "removes all doubt as 
 to the original location of this fortress." The circumstance of Joncaire persuading the 
 Senecas to permit him to fix his residence "in the midst of a group of cabins at 
 Lewiston," has undoubtedly led some historians to conclude that it was originally the 
 Bite of the Fort. La Hontan, writing from the spot, while the fort was building, says: 
 " The Fort' stands on the south side of the Straight of Hcrrie lake, upon a hill; at the 
 foot of which that Ifike falls into the lake of Frontenac." 
 
158 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Troyes. with provisions and ammunition for eight months. They 
 were closely besieged by the Senecas, and a sickness soon broke 
 out which proved fatal to nearly all of them. » 
 
 The Indian allies of the French, returning to Niagara with De 
 NoNviLLE, had declared their intention at Irondequoit, after what 
 they regarded the failure of the expedition, not to join them in 
 another one ; but on seeing the fort erected, they became recon- 
 ciled, concluding that it would favor their retreat in any expedition 
 against the Iroquois. Upon parting with De Nonville, they 
 made a speech, in which, among other things they said: — 
 
 ''That they depended upon his promise to continue the war 
 till the Five Nations were either destroyed or dispossessed of 
 their country; that they earnestly desired, that part of the army 
 should take the field out of hand, and continue in it both winter 
 and summer, for they would certainly do the same on their part; 
 and in fine, that for as much as their alliance with France was 
 chiefly grounded upon the promises the French made of listening 
 to no proposals of peace, 'till the Five Nations should be quite 
 extirpated; they therefore hoped they would be as good as their 
 word."* 
 
 De Nonville left Niagara on his return to Montreal, on the 
 2d day of August, reaching his destination on the 13th; resting a 
 day or two at Fort Frontenac, and leaving at that post one hundred 
 men under the command of M. D'Orvilliers. The Senecas soon 
 returned and occupied the ground they had deserted. As the 
 French Indians predicted, it is probable that the other branches j 
 of the Confederacy supplied them with corn in the place of what Ji 
 the French had destroyed, and game and fish were abundant. '' 
 The early French journalists often speak of the abundance of 
 salmon in lake Ontario. On the lake shore, somewhere between 
 the Genesee and Oswego rivers, a party of Indian allies that had 
 been sent from Niagara in advance of the main army of De 
 Nonville, encamped until it came up with them; and more 
 fortunate in hunting deer, than in hunting the Senecas, had piled 
 up at their camp two hundred for the use of the army. 
 
 La Hontan, much against his inclination, as it would appear from if 
 a letter dated at Niagara, was ordered to take command of a ' 
 
 * La Hontan. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 157 
 
 detachment and go west with the returning western Indian alHes. 
 He says he was "thunderstruck with the news," that he had "fed 
 himself all along with the hope of the returning to France." He 
 concluded, however, to make the best of it, as he had been supplied 
 with "brisk, proper fellows," his "canoes are both new and large," 
 and ToNTi and Dulbut were to be his companions. His detach- 
 ment came up to Lewiston, or the "place where the navigation 
 stops," and carried their canoes up the " three mountains," launch- 
 ing them again at Schlosser. He says that in "climbing the 
 mountains, one hundred Iroquese might have knocked them on the 
 head with stones." And, incredible as it may seem, so soon after 
 their route and dispersion, a large body of those indefatigable 
 warriors were upon his track. Their stopping place, on their 
 retreat a few days before, had been at the foot of Canandaigua 
 lake. From that point they had sallied out to post themselves in 
 the vicinity of the Falls, to fall in with the French troops on their 
 return to the west, or their Indian allies, towards whom they 
 entertained a more fierce and settled hostility. The French and 
 Indians had but just embarked at Schlosser, when a "thousand 
 Iroquese" made their appearance upon the bank of the river. 
 With such enemies lurking in the vicinity. La Hontan thought he 
 had "escaped very narrowly," as on his way up, he and "three or 
 four savages" had left the main body to go and look at "that 
 fearful cataract." In his fright, or apprehension of danger, he 
 must have taken but a hurried view of the Falls, for he made an 
 extravagant estimate of their height: — "As for the water-fall of 
 Niagara, 'tis seven or eight hundred foot high, and half a league 
 [a mile and a half] broad. Towards the middle of it we descry an 
 island that leans towards the precipice, as if it were ready to 
 fall. All the beasts that cross the water within a half a quarter of 
 a league above this unfortunate island, are sucked in by force of 
 the stream: and the beasts and fish that are thus killed by the 
 prodigious fall, serve for food for fifty Iroquese who are settled 
 about two leagues off", and take 'em out of the water with their 
 canoes. Between the surface of the water that shelves off prodi- 
 giously, and the foot of the precipice, three men may cross in 
 abreast, without any further damage than a sprinkling of some 
 few drops of water." 
 
 The party were apprehensive of an attack from the pursuers, 
 while getting up the rapids of the Niagara, but, having reached 
 
158 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the lake they were secure, the heavy canoes of the Iroquois not 
 bemg able to overtake the lighter ones of the French. They 
 coasted along the northern shore of lake Erie. The navigators of 
 that lake at the present day, will smile when they are told that 
 these early navigators made a portage of Long Point, carrying 
 their canoes and baggage over land. La Hontan speaks of an 
 abundance of game, deer, turkeys, &c., which they found upon 
 the lake shore, as well as upon the islands. The party stopped 
 upon several of the small islands of lake Huron, and, driving the 
 "Roe-bucks" (deer) into the water, would ovox'take them with 
 their canoes and knock them upon the head with their oars. 
 
 The detachment of La Hontan took possession of the fort of 
 St. Josephs, relieving the force that had been stationed there. 
 The provisions which De Nonville had promised, failing to arrive 
 during the winter, the garrison was obliged to depend principally 
 upon the chase. 
 
 During the winter, a party of Hurons set out over land for the 
 garrison at Niagara, determined to enter the country of the Iro- 
 quois, as a marauding party to kill and capture detached parties of 
 beaver hunters. On their way they came across a party of 
 Iroquois hunters, sixty in number, and while they were sleeping in 
 their camps, killed and made prisoners of the whole party. The 
 Hurons returned in triumph to the post at Mackinaw. Some of 
 the Iroquois prisoners told La Hontan that they were of the party 
 of one thousand, that intended to capture him and his command at 
 the Falls of Niagara; that when they left, eight hundred of their 
 warriors had blocked up Fort Niagara; and that famine and disease 
 were fast reducing the small Fi-ench force there; news that proved 
 too true, as the reader will have already learned. They also gave 
 La Hontan to understand that, after succeeding at Niagara, the 
 Iroquois would try the same experiment upon his post. He was 
 not apprehensive that they would attack him, but feared they 
 would cut off his hunters and stop his supplies. To guard against 
 this, he employed additional hunters and laid in a large supply of 
 meat. The Iroquois not coming to attack him, in the course of the 
 season he joined a large party of the western Indians, and invaded 
 the country of the Iroquois on the south side of lake Erie, and had 
 several engagements with them. 
 
 Soon after De Nonville's expedition. Gov. Dongan met a 
 deputation of the Five Nations at Albany, and praised and scolded 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE, 159 
 
 them in turn, as would best enable him to maintain the appearance 
 of neutrality, and at the same time encourage them to persevere 
 against the French. He told them they were subjects of the King 
 of England, that he claimed dominion over their territory ; that 
 they must not enter into any treaty with the French, except with 
 his advice and consent. Dr. Colden says that Gov. Dongan was 
 not averse to a peace between the French and Iroquois, but he 
 wished the French to solicit his assistance to bring it about, and in 
 doing so acknowledge the dependence of the Five Nations on the 
 crown of England. He was, however over-ruled by King James, 
 and ordered to assist in bringing the Iroquois to consent to a peace 
 on terms dictated by the French. He was soon after removed 
 from his government. 
 
 The French so often foiled by the Iroquois, and so annoyed by 
 them and their wars upon other Indian nations, w^ere determined 
 upon measures of peace. De Nonville, in the summer of 1688, 
 ordered a cessation of hostilities, and succeeded in getting a large 
 delegation from the Five Nations to repair to Montreal, for the 
 purpose of negotiation. Five hundred of the Iroquois appeared as 
 negotiators ; while twelve hundred of their warriors, were await- 
 ing the result near Montreal, ready to fall upon the French settle- 
 ments, if no treaty was effected. 
 
 The confederates insisted that twelve of their people who had 
 been taken prisoners the year previous, and sent by De Nonville 
 to the galleys of France, should be returned to their country ; that 
 Forts Frontenac and Niagara should be razed ; and that the 
 Senecas should be paid for the destruction of their property. De 
 Nonville declared his willingness to put an end to the war if all 
 his Indian allies were included in a treaty of peace ; if the Mohaw^ks 
 and Senecas would send deputies to signify their concurrence ; and 
 Fort Frontenac might remain in their hands, and continued as a 
 depo t of trade. 
 
 The French and English accounts differ as to the terms of peace 
 finally agreed upon. But a treaty was concluded, which was 
 frustrated by an unforeseen occurrence. 
 
 Among the French Indian allies, was Kondiaronk, or Le Rat, 
 a Huron chief, powerful in council and in arms. He had leagued 
 with De Nonvillb to aid in warring upon the Iroquois, his enemies, 
 and the enemies of his nation. From no love for the English, (for 
 he hated them because they were the friends of the Iroquois,) but 
 
160 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 for the sake of maldng a good sale of his furs, he had seemed to 
 favor some of their trading parties that had been among the 
 Hurons. This had excited the jealousy of the French ; to remove 
 which, he repaired to Fort Frontenac with an hundred warriors. 
 Arriving there, he was told by the commandant that De Nonville 
 was in hopes of concluding a peace with the Iroquois, and that the 
 presence of him and his warriors might obstruct the negotiations. 
 Feigning acquiescence, he determined upon a plan not only to 
 prevent a peace, but to punish his French allies for breaking the 
 league they had made, to continue the war. Under the pretence 
 of returning to his country, he took another direction, and repairing 
 to one of the falls of the St. Lawrence, he placed his warriors in 
 ambush, and when a large party of the Iroquois came up, on their 
 return from Montreal, he attacked them, killing a part, and making 
 prisoners of the remainder. He gave the prisoners to understand 
 that he was acting in concert with the French ; that De Nonville 
 had told him when he could best interrupt the party on its way 
 from Montreal. When told by his prisoners that they were peace 
 ambassadors, he affected great surprise and indignation ; and 
 addressing them, said : — "Go, my brethren, I untie your hands, and 
 send you home again, though our nations be at war. The French 
 Governor has made me commit so black an action, that I shall 
 never be easy after it, till the Five Nations shall have taken full 
 revenge." 
 
 As the wily Huron chief had anticipated, the discharged prison- 
 ers spread the news of French perfidy, (as it seemed to them,) on 
 their return to their country, and measures for the renewal of the 
 war, and revenge, soon followed ; those of the Five Nations who 
 had been friendly to the French zealously co-operating. An army 
 of twelve hundred warriors was soon ready for the field. On the 
 26th of July, 1688, they landed on the south side of the Island of 
 Montreal, while the French were in perfect security ; burnt their 
 houses, sacked their plantations, and put to the sword all the men, 
 women, and children, without the skirts of the town. " A thousand 
 French were slain in the invasion, and twenty-six carried into 
 captivity and burnt alive. Many more were made prisoners, in 
 another attack, in October, and the lower part of the Island wholly 
 destroyed. Only three of the confederates were lost in all this 
 scene of misery and desolation." * 
 
 * Smith's Historv of the " Province of New York," the statement is upon the author- 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 101 
 
 As soon as the news reached Fort Frontenac, that post was 
 hurriedly abandoned. On leaving, the French designed to have 
 blown up the works, but the match which was to fire the magazine 
 did not accomplish its purpose. The Iroquois hearing that the fort 
 was deserted, repaired to it, and secured a large amount of plunder, 
 a part of which, was twenty-eight kegs of powder. 
 
 The news of these disasters spreading among the French Indian 
 allies at the west, had the effect to alienate most of them and 
 incline them to the English interests. In fact all but two Nations, 
 were thus affected. The whole range of country from Quebec to 
 the western posts, was possessed by the Iroquois or scoured by 
 their war parties ; and nothing saved the western posts, but the 
 inability of the Indians to attack successfully fortified places. Added 
 to the other misfortunes of the French upon the St. Lawrence, was 
 a threatened famine. The war and the fur trade, had diverted 
 from agriculture, and supplies failed to reach them from France. 
 Shut up in their fortifications, the Iroquois were ready to fall upon 
 them whenever they ventured out. Smith, the early historian of 
 New York, says ; '' but for the uncommon sagacity of Sieur Perot, 
 the western Indians would have murdered every Frenchman among 
 them." Dr. Colden says: ''I say, whoever considers all these 
 things, [ disadvantages he enumerates under which the Iroquois 
 carried on the war, growing out of the want of an entire unity 
 among themselves, and other wars in which they were engaged, ] 
 and what the Five Nations did actually perform, will hardly doubt 
 that they of themselves, were at that time an over match tor the 
 French of Canada." 
 
 The English taking advantage of the emergency in which the 
 French were placed, held a conference at Albany with the 
 Mohawks. A Mohawk chief assuming to speak for the entire 
 confederacy, said; — -'We have burned Montreal, we are allies of 
 the English, we will keep the chain unbroken." 
 
 While all this was transpiring upon the American continent the 
 revolution in England was consummated by the elevation of the 
 Prince of Orange to the English throne. This changed the whole 
 complexion of English and French affairs, at home as well as in 
 
 ity of Dr. Colden. Charlevois says the attack upon Montreal was late in August, and 
 that tho Iroquois were 1500 strong ; that the loss of the French was only two hundred 
 souls. 
 
 Note. — When the war was renewed with tho French, the Senecas were at war- 
 with three Western Nations ; — the Utawawas, Chicktaghicks and Twightwies. 
 11 
 
162 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 their colonies. James II. had been accused of partiality to the 
 French and the colonial measures he had dictated were more 
 favorable to French interests in America than the English colonists 
 and the Protestant party in England, had hoped to see adopted. 
 The recall of Gov. Dongan, and the position of neutrality the 
 King had dictated to the English colonists, in the war between the 
 French and the Iroquois, were among the colonial measures that 
 were complained of. The policy of Dongan would have excluded 
 the Jesuits and their powerful influence from the country of the 
 Five Nations, as well as other territory claimed by the English ; 
 while King James was too much of a Cathohc to second his views. 
 
 France declared war against England, soon after the revolution 
 of 1689. Among the offensive measures immediately adopted, 
 were those which not only contemplated a regaining of all lost 
 ground in America, but the conquering of the English colonies and 
 the perfecting of exclusive French dominion. 
 
 De NoNviLLE was recalled, and Count de Frontenac ordered to 
 sail for New France, and assume the local government. 
 
 Previous to the arrival of Frontenac, the Iroquois had aban- 
 doned Montreal. He arrived at Quebec, Oct. 2d, 1689. His 
 vigorous measures &oon gave to French affairs a different aspect. 
 Remaining but a few days at Quebec, he pushed on to Montreal. 
 There he summoned a general council of the western Indians. 
 "There, as a representative of the Gallic monarch, claiming to be 
 the bulwark of Christendom — Count Frontenac, himself a peer 
 of France, now in his seventieth year, placed the murderous 
 hatchet in the hands of his allies; and with the tomahawk in his 
 own grasp, chanted the war song, danced the war dance, and 
 listened, apparently with delight, to the threats of savage ven- 
 geance.* An alliance with all the Indians between lake Ontario 
 and the Mississippi was perfected. Fort Frontenac was again 
 garrisoned with a detachment of French troops. The new French 
 governor took every means in his power to win the Five Nations 
 to his interest, realizing how important their friendship would be, 
 in the contest with the English, that he was about to engage in. 
 Frontenac brought with him from France the Iroquois that Db 
 NoNviLLE had sent home as prisoners, one of whom was a chief 
 of some note. With an eye to the use he could make of them in 
 peace negotiations, he had treated them with much kindness. 
 
 * Bancroft. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 103 
 
 Retaining the chief Taavarahet, he sent the other four to Onon- 
 daga with overtures of peace. A council of eighty sachems was 
 convened; previous to which, however, the magistrates of Albany 
 had been apprised of what was going on, and had sent messengers 
 to the council, to oppose any peace measures. An Onondaga chief, 
 Sadekanaghtie, opened the council, stating that the French 
 governor had brought back the prisoners from France; had sent 
 four of them to their own country, and retained the rest at 
 Montreal as hostages; that he had invited the Iroquois to meet him 
 at Cadarackui to ''treat about the old chain." A chief of the 
 •'praying Indians,''* that had accompanied the discharged peace 
 ambassadors, rose up in the council and presented a belt, saying it 
 was from Tawarahet, the captive chief, in token that he had 
 suffered much in his long captivity, and desired that they would 
 meet the French governor as he desired. The messengers of the 
 magistrates of Albany delivered their message which urged that no 
 overtures that the French might make, should be listened to. 
 Canehoot, the Seneca sachem, whose stirring eloquence had 
 roused the Senecas to resist the invasion of De Nonville, 
 informed the council that during the previous summer, as many as 
 seven of the western Nations had made peace with the Senecas 
 and had "thrdwn away the axe that Yonnondio had put into their 
 hands;" assuring them that they should no more hearken to Yon- 
 nondio, but, like the Iroquois, be on terms of peace with the 
 English. The Onondaga chief who had opened the council, said: — 
 "Brethren, we must stick to our brother Qidder,] and look on 
 YoNNONDio as our enemy, for he is a cheat." The Albany 
 messengers assured the council that, as France and England were 
 at war, a great many English soldiers had been sent over; that an 
 expedition was fitting out in New England to conquer New France, 
 &c. The council determined upon not entertaining the proposition 
 of the French governor, but to assist the English to "strike at the 
 root, that the trunk being cut down, the branches fall of course." | 
 An answer to the French governor was agreed upon, which was 
 in substance: — "That they were glad he had brought back their 
 
 * Such of the Iroquois as the Jesuits had converted, were so called, There was a 
 Bettlement of them near Montreal. 
 
 t Peter Schuyler, the mayor of Albany. 
 
 X Meaning an attack on Quebec. 
 
164 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 people from France, but that the French had acted deceitfully so 
 often, that they could not trust them;" that they could not meet him 
 as he wished at Cadarackui^ for their council fire was "extin- 
 guished with blood." Their ultimatum was, that their chief, 
 Tawarahet must first be sent home; and after that, they might 
 ''speak of peace." They proposed to save the lives of all their 
 French prisoners until spring, and release them upon condition 
 that the French released all their people. 
 
 In the winter of 1690, a party of one hundred and fifty French 
 and Indians, left Montreal, and " wading through snows and 
 morasses, through forests deemed before impervious to white men, 
 and across rivers bridged with frost, arrived on the 18th of 
 February, at Schenectady."* With the general features of this 
 expedition, and its fatal termination, the reader will be familiar. 
 There have been several versions of it — most of them imperfect. 
 Among the Paris Documents, brought to this country by Mr. 
 Broadhead, is a minute relation of all that appertained to the 
 expedition, written at the time, and sent to the celebrated M. de 
 Maintenon. The author uses a translation of it, which has 
 been recently published in the Albany Argus. This is, of course, 
 French authority; our accounts heretofore have been wholly from 
 English sources: — 
 
 " The orders received by M. le Comte (de Frontenac) to 
 commence Jiostilities against New England and New York, which 
 had declared for the Prince of Orange, afforded him considerable 
 pleasure, and were very necessary for the country. He allowed 
 no more time to elapse before carrying them into execution, than 
 was required to send off some despatches to France — immediately 
 after which he determined to oi-ganize three different detachments, 
 to attack those rebels at all points at the same moment, and to 
 punish them, at various places, for having afforded protection to 
 our enemies, the Mohawks. The first party was to rendezvous at 
 Montreal, and proceed towards Orange (Albany;) the second at 
 Three Rivers, and to make a descent on New York, at some place 
 between Boston and Orange, and the third was to depart from 
 Quebec, and gain the seaboard between Boston and Pentagouet, 
 verging towards Acadia. They all succeeded perfectly well, and 
 I shall now communicate to you the details. 
 
 ****** 
 
 The detachment which formed at Montreal, may have been 
 
 * Bancroft. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 165 
 
 composed of about two hundred and ten men, namely: eighty- 
 savages from the Sault, and from La Montagne; sixteen Algon- 
 quins; and the remainder Frenchmen — all under the command of 
 the Sieur Le Movne de Sainte Helene, and Lieutenant Daille- 
 BOUT de Mantet, both of whom were Canadians. The Sicurs 
 le Moyne d'Iberville and Repentigny de Montesson com- 
 manded under these. The best qualified Frenchmen were the 
 Sieurs de Bonrepos and de La Brosse, Calvinist officers, Sieurs 
 la Moyne de Blainville, Le Bert du Chene, and la Marque 
 DE MoNTiGNY, who all scrvcd as volunteers. They took their 
 departure from Montreal at the commencement of February. 
 
 " After having marched for the course of five or six days, they 
 called a council to determine the route they should follow, and the 
 point they should attack. 
 
 " The Indians demanded of the French what was their intention. 
 Messieurs de Sainte Helene and Mantet replied that they had 
 left in the hope of attacking Orange, (Albany) if possible, as it is 
 the Capital of New York and a place of considerable importance, 
 though they had no orders to that effect, but generally to act 
 according as they should judge, on the spot, of their chances of 
 success, without running too much risk. This appeared to the 
 savages somewhat rash. They represented the difficulties and the 
 weakness of the party for so bold an undertaking. There was 
 even one among them who, with his mind filled with the recollec- 
 tion of the disasters which he had witnessed last year, enquired of 
 our Frenchmen, -'since when had they become so desperate?' 
 It was our intention, now, to regain the honor of which our 
 misfortunes had deprived us, and the sole means to accomplish 
 that, we replied, was to carry Orange, or to perish in so glorious 
 an enterprise. 
 
 "As the Indians, who had an intimate acquaintance with the 
 localities, and more experience than the French, could not be 
 brought to agree with the latter, it wa-s determined to postpone 
 coming to a conclusion until the party should arrive at the spot 
 where the two routes separate — the one leading to Orange, and 
 the other to Corlear (Schenectady). In the course of the journey, 
 which occupied eight days, the Frenchmen judged proper to 
 diverge towards Corlear, according to the advice of the Indians; 
 and this road was taken without calling a new council. Nine 
 days more elapsed before they arrived, having experienced incon- 
 ceivable difficulties, and having been obliged to march up to their 
 knees in water, and to break the ice with their feet in order to find 
 a solid footing. 
 
 ** They arrived within two leagues of Corlear, about 4 o'clock 
 in the evening, and were there harangued by the Great Agniez, 
 the chief of the Iroquois from the Sault. He urged on all to 
 perform their duty, and to lose all recollections of their fatigue, in 
 the hope of taking ample revenge for the injuries which they had 
 
166 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 received from the Mohawks at the solicitation of the EngUsh, and 
 of washing themselves in the blood of the traitors. This savage 
 was, without contradiction the most considerable of his tribe — an 
 honest man — as full of spirit, prudence, and generosity as it was 
 possible, and capable at the same time of the grandest undertakings. 
 Shortly after, four squaws were discovered in a wigwam who gave 
 every information necessary for the attack on the town. The fire 
 found in this hut served to warm those who were benumbed, and 
 they continued their route, having previously detached Giguieres, 
 a Canadian, with nine Indians, on the look out. They discovered 
 no one, and returned to join the main body within one league of 
 Corlear. 
 
 " At eleven of the clock that night, they came within sight of 
 the town, resolved to defer the assault until two o'clock of the 
 morning. But the excessive cold admitted of no further delay. 
 
 " The town of Corlear forms a sort of oblong square, with only 
 two gates — one opposite the road we had taken; the other leading 
 to Orange, which is only six leagues distant. Messieurs de 
 Sainte Helene and de Mantet were to enter at the first, which 
 the Squaws pointed out, and which in fact was found wide open. 
 Messieurs dTberville and de Montesson took the left, with 
 another detachment, in order to make themselves masters of that 
 leading to Orange. But they could not discover it, and returned to 
 join the remainder of the party. A profound silence was every 
 where observed, until the two commanders, who separated, at their 
 entrance into the town, for the purpose of encircling it, had met at 
 the other extremity. 
 
 "The wild Indian war-whoop was then raised, and the entire 
 force rushed simultaneously to the attack. M. de Mantet placed 
 himself at the head of a detachment, and reached a small fort 
 where the garrison was under arms. The gate was burst in after 
 a good deal of difficulty; the whole set on fire, and all who 
 defended the place were slaughtered. 
 
 *' The sack of the town began a moment before the attack of 
 the fort. Few houses made any resistance. M. de Montigny 
 discovered some, which he attempted to carry sword in hand, 
 having tried the musket in vain. He received two thrusts of a 
 spear — one in the body and the other in the arm. But M. de 
 Sainte Helene having come to his aid, effected an entrance, and 
 put every one of the garrison to the sword. The massacre lasted 
 two hours. The remainder of the night was spent in placing 
 sentinels and taking some rest. 
 
 " The house belonging to the minister was ordered to be saved, 
 so as to take him alive, to obtain information from him. But, as it 
 was not known, it was not saved any more than the others. He 
 was slain and his papers burnt before he could be recognized. 
 
 '' At daybreak, some men were sent to the dwelling of Mr. 
 CouDRE, who was Major of the place at the other side of the 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 167 
 
 river. He was not willing to surrender, and began to put himself 
 on the defensive, with his servants and some Indians; but as it was 
 resolved not to do him any harm, in consequence of the good 
 treatment which the French had formerly experienced at his 
 hands, M. d'Iberville and the Great Agmez proceeded thither 
 alone, promised him quarter for himself, and his people and his 
 property, whereupon he laid down his arms, on parole; enter- 
 taining them in his fort, and returned with them to see the com- 
 mandants of the town. 
 
 In order to occupy the savages, who would otherwise have 
 taken to drink, and thus rendered themselves unable for defence, 
 the houses had already been set on fire. None were spared in the 
 town but one house belonging to Coudre, and that of a widow 
 who had six children, whither M. de Moxtigny had been carried 
 M^ien wounded. All the rest were consumed. The lives of 
 between fifty and sixty persons, old men, women and children, 
 were spared, they having escaped the first fury of the attack. 
 Some twenty Mohawks were also spared, in order to show that it 
 was the English and not they, against whom the grudge was 
 entertained. The loss on this occasion in houses, cattle and grain, 
 amounted to more than four hundred thousand livres. There 
 were upwards of eighty well built and well furnished houses in 
 town. 
 
 " The return march commenced with thirty prisoners. The 
 wounded, who were to be carried, and the plunder, with which all 
 the Indians and some Frenchmen were loaded, caused considerable 
 inconvenience. Fifty good horses were brought away. Sixteen 
 only of these reached Montreal. The remainder were killed for 
 food on the way. 
 
 "Sixty leagues from Corlear, the Indians began to hunt, and the 
 French not being able to wait for them, being short of provisions, 
 continued their route, having detached Messieurs d'Iberville and 
 Du Chesxe with two savages before them to Montreal. On the 
 same day, some Frenchmen, who doubtless were very much 
 fatigued, lost their way. Fearful that they should be obliged to 
 keep up with the main body, and believing themselves in safety, 
 having eighty Indians in their rear, they were found missing from 
 the camp. They were waited for next day until eleven o'clock, 
 but in vain, and no account has since been received of them, 
 
 " Two hours after, forty men left the main body without 
 acquainting the commander, continued their route by themselves, 
 and arrived within two leagues of Montreal one day ahead, so 
 that there were not more than fifty or sixty men together. The 
 evening on which they should arrive at Montreal, being extremely 
 fatigued from fasting and bad roads, the rear fell away from M. de 
 Sainte Helene, who was in front with an Indian guide, and who 
 could not find a place suitable for encamping nearer than three or 
 four leagues of the spot where he expected to halt. He was not 
 
168 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 rejoined by M. de Mantet and the others, until far advanced in 
 the night. Seven have not been found. Next day on parade 
 about 10 o clock in the forenoon, a soldier arrived, who announced 
 that they had been attacked by fourteen or fifteen savages, and 
 that six had been killed. The party proceeded somewhat afflicted 
 by this accident, and arrived at Montreal at 3 o'clock, P. M. 
 
 " Such, Madame, is the account of what passed at the taking of 
 Corlear (Schenectady). The French lost but twenty-one men, 
 namely, four Indians and seventeen Frenchmen. Only one Indian 
 and one Frenchman were killed at the capture of the town. The 
 others were lost on the road." 
 
 Another French party, of but fifty three persons, left the Three 
 Rivers, and fell upon an English settlement on the Piscataqua in 
 Maine, and after a bloody engagement, burnt houses, barns and 
 cattle in their stalls, and captured fifty-four persons, chiefly women 
 and children. 
 
 The French and English war continued until 1697. The details 
 of it enter largely into our general history. It was a war, so far 
 as the colonies were concerned, growing out of disputed boundary 
 and dominion ; the chief or immediate interest at stake, being the 
 fur trade and the fisheries upon our northern coast. In all the war, 
 each nation had its Indian allies, who were left, in most instances, 
 to prosecute their own mode of warfare. At times during the war, 
 Frontenac was enabled to succeed partially with some portions of 
 the Five Nations, through the influence of the Jesuits and the 
 christian Indians, in occasionally securing their neutrality ; but for 
 the most part, they were the implacable enemies of the French. 
 In the distracted condition of the English, the dissensions and political 
 rivalries in their colonies; the feeblenesswith which they prosecuted 
 war measures, as all must have observed, who are familiar with the 
 history of those times ; had it not been for the aid of the Iroquois, 
 who occupied an advantageous position to form a barrier against 
 French incursions in a defenceless quarter, the English colonies 
 would have suflfered much worse, if indeed French conquest had 
 not been consummated. After the disaster of Schenectady, the 
 
 Note. — Golden savs the number of inhabitants massacred was sixty-three, and that 
 Twentv-seven were carried away prisoners. In reference to -the attack upon the French 
 in their retreat, he says: — " The care the French took to soothe the Mohawks, had 
 not entirely its effect, for as soon as they heard of this action, a hundred of their 
 readiest yoiing men pursued the French, fell upon their rear, and killed and took 
 twenty-five of them." The Enj2;lish accounts generally, state, that the citizens of 
 Schenectady, not apprehensive of an attack from Montreal at such a season of tlio 
 year, were all asleep, with their gates unclosed. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 1G9 
 
 remnant of a settlement left there, were for abandoning their pos- 
 sessions. They were encouraged to remain by the Mohawks, who 
 assured them that the Five Nations had beat the French every 
 where, single handed, and could easily control them, if the 
 English would do their part. The Five Nations were indignant at 
 what they deemed the temerity of some portion of the citizens of 
 Albany, who contemplated fleeing to New York. 
 
 During the whole period of this war, the Iroquois had uninter- 
 rupted possession of all the region west of Onondaga lake, and in 
 fact of the whole west of Schenectady, with the exception of some 
 incursions of the French which will be noticed. It was an interim 
 generally of quiet with them and other Indian nations. They 
 made several incursions, down the St. Lawrence, attacking the 
 French near Montreal, with considerable success. 
 
 The English soon after the breaking out of the war, made formi- 
 idable preparations for the conquest of Quebec and Montreal, as the 
 starting point for putting an end to French dominion in this portion 
 of the continent. The measures of Frontenac, as has been before 
 observed, looked to an end of Enghsh dominion. Little was 
 accomplished by either in furtherance of their ultimate designs. 
 The English expeditions to the St. Lawrence were failures ; and 
 the French incursions were but marauding expeditions, marked 
 with all the horrors and barbarities of savage warfare. In refer- 
 ence to the results of the year 1691, and the failures of the English 
 expeditions, Mr. Bancroft remarks — "Repulsed from Canada, 
 the exhausted [English] colonies, attempted little more than the 
 defence of their frontiers. Their borders were full of sorrow, of 
 captivity and death." 
 
 After the English had abandoned their designs upon the head 
 quarters of the French upon the St. Lawrence, Frontenac turned 
 his attention to the Five Nations, whom he alternately, by missions 
 and treaties, endeavored to win, and by invasions to terrify into an 
 alliance. In February, 1692, three hundred French, with Indian 
 confederates, were sent over the snows, against the hunting parties 
 of the Senecas in Upper Canada, near the Niagara."* In 1693, 
 a large party -invaded the country of the Mohawks, destroyed 
 several castles, at one of which a small band of warriors so well 
 resisted the invaders as to cause them the loss of thirty men. 
 
 * Bancroft. 
 
170 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Frontenac had ordered no quarters to be given, except to women 
 and children, but a more humane poUcy of his Indian aUies pre- 
 vailed. They attempted to carry away prisoners, but a small force 
 collected by Peter Schuyler, of Albany, pursued and liberated 
 the captives. 
 
 Toward the close of the war, in 1696, Frontenac, then seventy- 
 four years of age, headed the last French exped'ition to Western 
 New York. Assembling a large force at Fort Frontenac, he 
 crossed over to Oswego, and marching thence to the chief settle- 
 ment of the Onondagas, found it deserted. This central nation of 
 the Iroquois had followed the example of the Senecas and set fire 
 to their wigwams. 
 
 The only prisoner taken, was an aged chief, who had refused to 
 fly, or probably from weakness and infirmity, could not. The 
 Indian allies of the French were allowed to torture him ; but he 
 " scoffed at his tormentors as the slaves of those he despised." 
 They gave him mortal wounds, and expiring under them, his last 
 words were ; — "You should have taken more time to learn to 
 meet death manfully ! I die contented ; for I have no cause of self 
 reproach. You Indians their allies, you dogs of dogs, think of me 
 when you shall be in the like state." 
 
 Dr. Golden says the Onondagas were deterred from remaining 
 and defending their houses, by the frightful accounts that a Seneca 
 gave them, who had deserted from the French. He said the French 
 army was as numerous as "the leaves on the trees ; that they had 
 machines which threw balls up into the air, and which faUing on 
 their castle would burst to pieces and spread fire and death every 
 where ; against which, their stockades could be no defence." 
 
 The Chevalier de Vandreuil was detached with a large force 
 to ravage the country of the Oneidas and destroy their crops. The 
 Oneidas were less hostile to the French than the rest of the con- 
 federacy. Thirty or forty of them remained to make the French 
 welcome, but they were made prisoners and taken to Montreal. 
 
 Frontenac was urged by some of his officers to extend the con- 
 quest, but he decHned, saying "it was time for him to repose." He 
 concluded he had so far intimidated the Five Nations as to incline 
 them to peace. It is plain, however, that the French had learned 
 to dread the Iroquois and their stratagems, and were fearful that the 
 retreat from their towns was, but to collect in full force, and perhaps 
 surprise their invaders by an ambuscade. Golden, who, as an 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 171 
 
 Englishman, and the historian of the Five Nations, inclines to cavil 
 generally upon the French expeditions, says; — "all that can be 
 said for this expedition, is, that it was a kind of heroic dotage ;" and 
 it would seem to have been somewhat of that complexion. 
 
 The French army returned to Montreal, not, however, without 
 being harassed on their way by the Onondagas. But a few weeks 
 had elapsed before war parties of the Five Nations appeared in the 
 vicinity of Montreal, making attacks upon the French settlements. 
 "Thus," says Colden, "the war was continued until the peace of 
 Ryswick, by small parties of Indians on both sides, harrassing, 
 surprising, and scalping the inhabitants of Montreal and Albany." 
 
 The war settled nothing in the way of respective boundary and 
 dommion, except perhaps a kind of mutual acknowledgment of 
 what each had claimed before. It left Western New York to con- 
 tinue to be a bone of contention. The French had conceded to 
 them the whole coast and adjacent Islands, from Maine to beyond 
 Labrador and Hudson's Bay, besides Canada, the western Lake 
 region, and the valley of the Mississippi. 
 
 In adjusting the boundaries, the English commissioner claimed 
 all the country of the Five Nations, and that it extended west, so 
 far even as to include Mackinaw, This extravagant ambition was 
 treated with derision ; the French still claiming the whole country 
 of the Five Nations, from discovery and precedent occupancy, by 
 a garrison at Niagara, and their missionaries and traders. "Reli- 
 gious sympathies" says Bancroft "inclined the Five Nations to 
 the Fi'ench, but commercial advantages brought them always into 
 connection with the English." About the period of the attempt to 
 settle the question of boundary in New York, the English passed a 
 law for hanging "every Popish priest that should come voluntarily 
 into the province ;" including, of course, the disputed ground, as 
 that was claimed to be a part of the province. "The law ought 
 forever to continue in force," says Smith, the first historian of New 
 York, who had strong prejudices against the French and their reli- 
 gion. Mr. Bancroft, in a better spirit, concludes that his pre- 
 decessor was "wholly unconsious of the true nature of his 
 remark." While the French and English both laid claim to 
 Western New York, the rightful owners and occupants never for 
 a moment assented to either of the claims but insisted upon their 
 independence. 
 
 In 1700 a peace was ratified between the Iroquois on the one 
 
172 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 side, and France and her Indian allies on the other. The Rat, the 
 Huron chief who had so craftily played the part of an lago, in 
 preventing a previous peace, said at a council at Montreal: — "I 
 lay down the axe at my father's feet;" the deputies of the four 
 tribes of Ottawas echoed his words. All the western Indians 
 agreed to terms of peace. A general exchange of prisoners took 
 place, as well between the hostile Indian nations, as between the 
 French and the Five Nations.* 
 
 Count Frontenac died soon after the close of the French and 
 Enghsh war, and was succeeded in the government of New 
 France, by De Calliers, who had been first in rank under him in 
 his military expeditions. Lord Bellamont, succeeded Colonel 
 Sloughter, as Governor of the English provinces. The new 
 French Governor insisted upon French jurisdiction of the Iroquois, 
 and that question remained unsettled, while all others were 
 adjusted. 
 
 The peace between England and France was of short duration. 
 The smoke of what was termed " King William's War," had 
 hardly cleared away, when " Queen Anne's War " commenced. 
 In the month of may, 1702, war was declared between Queen 
 Anne and her allies, the Emperor of Germany and the States 
 
 * " I shall finish this Part by observing that, notwithstanding the French Commis- 
 sioners took all pains possible to carry Home the French that were Prisoners with the 
 Five Nations, and they had full Liberty from the Indians, few of them could be 
 persuaded to return. It may be thought that this was occasioned by the Hardships they 
 endured in their own Countiy, under a tyrannical Government and a barren Soil. But 
 this certainly was not the only reason; for the English had as much Difficulty to per- 
 suade the people that had been taken Prisoners by the French Indians, to leave the 
 Indian Manner of living, though no People enjoy more Liberty, and live in greater 
 Plenty than the common Inhabitants of New York do. No Arguments, no Intreaties, 
 nor Tears of their Friends and Relations, could persuade many of them to leave their 
 New Indian Friends and Acquaintance; several of them that were by the Caressings 
 of their Relations persuaded to come Home, in a little time grew tired of our Manner 
 of living, and run away again to the Indians, and ended their Days with them. On 
 the other Hand Indian Children have been carefully educated among the English, 
 clothed and taught, yet I think there is not one Instance, that any of these, after they 
 had Liberty to go among their own People, and were come to Age, would remain with 
 the English, but returned to their own Nations, and became as fond of the Indian 
 manner of Life as those that knew nothing of the civihzed Manner of living. What I 
 now tell of Christian Prisoners among Indians, relates not only to what happened at 
 the Conclusion of the War, but has been found true on many other occasions." 
 
 COLDEN, 
 
 Note. — The captive chief Tawarahet died in Montreal. Coldcn says the French 
 gave him a christian burial, in a pompous manner; the Priest that had attended him at 
 his death having declared that he died a true christian; for, said the Priest, while I 
 explained to him the passion of our Savior, whom the Jews crucified, he cried out:— 
 "Oh! had I been there, I would have revenged his death, and brought away their 
 scalps." 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 173 
 
 General, of Holland, and France and Spain. It was soon extended 
 to the colonies, and another long and bloody war ensued. By this 
 time the French, through the influence of the Jesuit Missionaries, 
 and the diplomacy of Vaudreuil, had fully reinstated themselves 
 in the good will of the western Indians, and made allies of the 
 most powerful nations of New England. This gave them by far 
 the vantage ground throughout the war. The Province of New 
 York took but little part in the contest, and its chief burden fell 
 upon New England. The Indians, within their own hmits, rein- 
 forced by the Indians of Canada, and not unfrequently accompanied 
 by the French, made incursions into all parts of the eastern 
 English Provinces, falling upon the frontier settlements with the 
 torch, the tomahawk and knife, and furnishing a long catalogue of 
 captivity and death, that mark that as one of the most trying 
 periods in a colonial history upon almost every page of which we 
 are forcibly reminded how much of blood and suffering it cost our 
 pioneer ancestors to maintain a foothold upon this continent.* 
 The war on the part of the Enghsh colonies, was principally 
 directed against Port Royal, Quebec, and Montreal. IMost of the 
 expeditions they fitted out were failures; there was a suspicion of 
 shipwreck, badly framed schemes of conquest; organization of 
 forces but to be disbanded before they had consummated any 
 definite purposes; "marching up hills and marching down again." 
 
 Such being the geographical features of the war; the Province 
 of New York having assented to the treaty of neutrality between 
 the French and Five Nations, and contenting itself with an enjoy- 
 ment of Indian trade, while their neighboring Provinces were 
 struggling against the French and Indians; there is little to notice 
 having any immediate connection with our local relations. 
 
 Generally, during the war, the Five Nations preserved their 
 neutrality. They managed with consummate skill to be the friends 
 of both the English and French. Situated between two powerful 
 nations at war with each other, they concluded the safest w^aA'^ 
 was to keep themselves in a position to fall in with the one that 
 finally triumphed. At one period when an attack upon Montreal 
 was contemplated, they were induced by the English to furnish a 
 large auxiliary force, that assembled with a detachment of English 
 
 * From the year 1675, to the close of Queen Anne's War, in 1713, about six thousand 
 of the En£jlish colonists, had perished by the stroke of the enemy or by distempers 
 contracted in military service. 
 
174 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 troops at Wood Creek. The whole scheme amounting to a failure, 
 no opportunity was afforded of testing their sincerity, but from 
 some circumstances that transpired, it was suspected that they 
 were as much inclined to the French as to the EngUsh. At one 
 period during the war, five Iroquois sachems were prevailed upon 
 to visit England for the purpose of urging renewed attempts to 
 conquer Canada. They were introduced to the Queen, decked 
 out in splendid wardpbe, exhibited through the streets of London, 
 at the theatres, and other places of public resort; feasted and 
 toasted, they professed that their people were ready to assist in 
 exterminating the French, but threatened to go home and join the 
 French unless more effectual war measures were adopted. This 
 was a lesson undoubtedly taught them by the English colonists 
 who had sent them over to aid in exciting more interest at home 
 in the contest that was waging in the colonies. The visit of the 
 sachems had temporarily the desired effect. It aided in inducing 
 the English government to furnish the colonies with an increased 
 force of men and vessels of war; in assisting in a renewed expe- 
 dition against Montreal and Quebec, which ended, as others had, 
 in a failure. They got nothing from the Five Nations but profes- 
 sions; no overt act of co-operation and assistance. The governor 
 of the province of New York, all along refused to urge them to 
 violate their engagements of neutrality; for as neutrals, they were 
 a barrier to the frontier settlements of New York, against the 
 encroachments of the French and their Indian allies. 
 
 The treaty of Utrecht, in April, 1713, put an end to the war. 
 France ceded to England, " all Nova Scotia or Acadia, with its 
 ancient boundaries, also the city of Port Royal, now called 
 Annapolis Royal, and all other things in those parts, which depend 
 upon the said lands." France stipulated in the treaty that she 
 would " never molest the Five Nations subject to the dominion of 
 Great Britain," leaving still undefined their boundaries, to form 
 with other questions of boundary and dominion, future disa- 
 greements. 
 
 In all this contest, France lost no foothold at the West; but 
 had kept on strengthening and extending its trading establishments 
 in that quarter; following up the new impulse which had been 
 given to their interests there, at the close of King William's war, 
 through the successful diplomacy of FrontExNac. In June, 1701, 
 De la ToTTE Cadillac, with a Jesuit Missionary and one hundred 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 175 
 
 Frenchmen took possession, and became the founders of Detroit. 
 At that period there were three numerous Indian villages in the 
 immediate vicinity of the French post. 
 
 In 1722, William Burnet, Governor of the Province of New 
 York and New Jersey, who had acquired an accurate and thorough 
 knowledge of the interior geography of Western New York, 
 considered it very important to get command of lake Ontario. 
 To accomplish this object, strengthen Enghsh influence over the 
 Six Nations; and defeat the French project of a continuous line of 
 forts, stretching from Quebec to the Gulf of Mexico, he established 
 a trading house at Oswego in the country of the Senecas. The 
 French having repaired the fort at Niagara, and built a large store 
 house in 1725, he in 1726, at his own expense, built a fort at 
 Oswego. In a report of the " committee of the council " of New 
 York, in 1724, they say ''the government has built a public trading 
 house upon Cataraqid lake, at Irondequat, on the Sennekas' lands, 
 and another is to be built next spring on the Onondagas^ (Oswego) 
 river." In a letter written by "J. A. Esq., to Mr. P. C.," of 
 London, dated New York, 1740, on the subject of the measures 
 taken by Gov. Burnet, for " redeeming the Indian trade out of the 
 hands of the French," it is said: — "Gov. Burnet, through his 
 earnest application, and at first chiefly with his money, credit and 
 risk, erected a trading house and fortification at the mouth of the 
 Onondagues river, called Osneigo. w^here the proyince of New 
 York supports a garrison of soldiers, consisting of a Lieutenant 
 and twenty men, which are yearly relieved. At this place a very 
 great trade is carried on with the remote Indians, who formerly 
 used to go down to the French, at Montreal, and there buy our 
 English goods, at second hand, at about twice the price they now 
 pay for them at Osneigo.'''' 
 
 About the period of the occupation of Oswego by the English, 
 and the re-occupation of Niagara by the French, a warm contest 
 arose in the Province of New York, growing out of the fact that 
 the French had taken the advantage of the interim of peace, and 
 were buying their Indian goods in New York. The English 
 Indian traders, by representing that this was helping the French to 
 almost wholly engross the Indian trade, and aiding in alienating 
 the Indians from the English, procured the passage of an act 
 forbidding merchants in the Province of New York, selling Indian 
 goods to the French. The law was not to the liking of the New 
 
176 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 York merchants, who made bitter complaints of its effects. Grow- 
 ing out of this controversy, was a memorial which stated the 
 relative advantages of bringing goods into the country by the way 
 of Montreal, and Quebec, and New York. After enumerating the 
 great expenses and disadvantages of the northern French route, 
 they speak of the facilities the French enjoy after getting upon the 
 lakes and the Mississippi: — there is opened to them, says the 
 memorial, "such a scene of inland navigation as cannot be paral- 
 leled in any other part of the world." With reference to the 
 English route to the lakes and the Mississippi, they say: — "From 
 Albany, the English traders commonly carry their goods over-land 
 sixteen miles to the Mohawk river at Schenectady, the charge of 
 which carriage is nine shillings New York money, or five shillings 
 sterUng, each wagon load. From Schenectady they carry them 
 in canoes up the Mohawk river, to the carrying place between the 
 Mohawk river and the river which runs into the Oneida lake; 
 which carrying place between is only three miles long, except in 
 very dry weather, when they are obliged to carry them two miles 
 farther. From thence they go down with the current the Onon- 
 daga river to Cataracui lake." This, the author ventures to 
 assume, is the earliest written document having reference to the 
 inland navigation of our state. Its date is 1724. 
 
 The peace of Europe was again interrupted by a war in which 
 England, Spain, France and Austria, were ultimately, involved; 
 together with the American colonies of the three first named. 
 The events that distinguished it, however interesting and important 
 as matters of general colonial history, have little or no relation to 
 this section of country. The frontiers of Florida and Georgia 
 became involved. Oglethorpe, the Governor of Georgia, con- 
 ducted an expedition against St. Augustine, with forces raised in 
 the newly settled province. An English fleet, commanded by 
 Vernon, captured Porto Bello, destroyed the fort at Chargres, and 
 demolished the fortifications at Carthagena, in the West Indies. : 
 England sent out to the Gulf of Mexico the largest naval armament :i 
 that had ever before sailed upon its waters. Four battalions were ;[ 
 demanded of the colonies north of Carolina to accompany it. The ■ 
 colonies complied with the requisition, and furnished the troops. ,; 
 England set out with the intention of conquering the richest llj 
 Spanish provinces in America; but, after all her efforts and losses, 
 she made no permanent acquisitions at the south. An English 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 177 
 
 fleet having met, engaged, and gained a victory over a French 
 fleet in the Mediterranean. 
 
 In America, the scene of contest was now transferred from the 
 southern to the northern portion of the continent. The New 
 England colonies planned and fitted out the successful expedition 
 that besieged and captured Louisburgh, on the Island of Cape 
 Breton. A plan for the entire conquest of Canada was formed, 
 preparations were made; but it was not carried out. 
 
 At length a treaty of peace was negotiated between the warring 
 nations, and signed at Aix la Chapelle, October 7lh, 1748. 
 Though peace prevailed in Europe, yet so far as the French and 
 English colonies were concerned, it was only nominal, never real. 
 The repose and quietness they so much needed, never came. 
 Both England and France immediately entered upon the system 
 of mutual aggression, that finally proved so fatal to the power of 
 the latter on this continent. By the terms of the treaty, England 
 restored to France all the conquests she had made, and no change 
 was made in the colonial possessions of either. 
 
 Though not strictly relative to our subject, we will note a matter 
 of general interest, in this connection. While England and Spain 
 were at war, a proposal was made to the British Minister, in 1739, 
 to tax the English colonies in America. The reply which the 
 minister made is worthy repetition; and had the lesson of wisdom 
 which it taught been learned and regarded by those who, a gener- 
 ation after, stood in his place, how different might have been the 
 annals, not only of our own region, but the entire history which 
 commemorates the achievements and progress of the fortunes and 
 destiny of Britain and America: — ''• Taxation,'' said Sir Robert 
 Walpole, " That, I will leave for some of my successors who 
 may have more courage than I have, and be less a friend to 
 commerce than I am. It has been a maxim with me during my 
 administration, to encourage the trade of the American colonies in 
 the utmost latitude." 
 
 THE TUSCARORAS. 
 
 The remnant of this once powerful nation are located upon the 
 
 Mountain Ridge, in the town of Lewiston.' Their introduction at 
 
 this stage of our history, is due to the chronological arrangment it 
 12 
 
178 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 is intended to preserve. They were adopted by the Iroquois, and 
 became the Sixth Nation of the confederacy, in 1712. 
 
 They came originally from North Carolina — from the upper 
 country, on the Rivers Neuse and Tar. In 1708 they had "fifteen 
 towns, and could count twelve hundred warriors." In 1711 a 
 rupture occured between them and the colonists. There was a 
 question of territory ; of alledged aggression upon their lands. 
 That they were aggrieved and wronged in the onset, is plainly to 
 be inferred from concurrent history. Their new neighbors, the 
 trespassers upon their territory, were not of a character to have a 
 very nice sense of right and wrong.* With as little ceremony, and 
 with as little show of justice, as was exhibited in a later period in 
 the partition of Poland the "Proprietaries " of North Carolina 
 commenced parcelling out their lands to the German fugitives. De 
 Graffenried, who had charge of the estabHshment of the exiles, 
 accompanied by a surveyor, named Lawson, traversed the Neuse 
 in their territory to determine the character of the country through 
 which it flowed. This and previous demonstrations, convinced the 
 Tuscaroras of the intended aggressions, and they seized the agent ; 
 and surveyor, and conveyed them to one of their villages. Here, , 
 before a general council of the principal men of the various tribes, , 
 in which was recounted the wrongs they had suffered from the ; 
 English,and especially their having "marked some of their territory ' 
 into lots for settlers," the prisoners were condemned to death. The 
 Indian ceremonies, a feast and festive dances, the kindling of a fire, , 
 were preliminary to the execution. On the morning of the appointed I 
 day, a new council decreed a reprieve of Graffenried, but renewed i 
 the sentence of Lawson. Graffenried was retained as a pris- 
 oner for five weeks, and discharged upon a promise that as chieftain 
 of the German emigrants, he would occupy no land without the 
 consent of the Indians. 
 
 While all this was transacting in one quarter, and a suspension of 
 aggression and' retribution, agreed upon; in another, hostilities had 
 commenced. A band of Tuscaroras and Corees in concert, made 
 a descent upon the scattered German settlers upon the Roanoke 
 
 * In allusion to an epitaph upon tho tomb stone of one of the early Governors, which 
 says that "North Carolina enjoyed tranquility during^ his administration," Mr Bancroft 
 says; — " It was the liberty of freemen in the woods; a wild independence." Gov. 
 Spotswood of Virginia said, "it was a country without any form of government." 
 And a severe commentator has said : — " In Carolina even,' one did what was right in 
 his own eyes, paying tribute neither to God nor Caesar." 
 
 m 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE, 179 
 
 and Pamlico Sound, carrying there, and to the Albemarle Sound, 
 the utmost rigors of savage warfare. A portion of the Tuscaroras 
 did not countenance this sudden resort to the knife and tomahawk. 
 South Carolina came to the relief of the whites in North Caro- 
 lina. A commander named Barnwell, at the head of an allied 
 force of South Carolinians, Cherokees, Creeks, Catawbas, Yamas- 
 ses,* and a few North Carolinians, besieged a fort the Tuscaroras 
 had constructed in Craven County. Thus situated, failing in a 
 co-operation which the people of North Carolina refused from a 
 feeling unfriendly to those who had brought on the war, Barnwell, 
 to avoid the doubtful issue of a battle, negotiated a treaty of peace. 
 The peace was of but short duration; in violation of its terms, the 
 returning forces of Barnwell seized the inhabitants of Tuscarora 
 villages, and carried them into captivity and slavery. Retaliation, 
 such as before had been made, was renewed. In warlike meas- 
 ures, however, the Tuscaroras were divided. Gov. Spotswood, of 
 Virginia, having succeeded in making neutrals of a large portion 
 of them. In Dec, 1713, the country of the Tuscaroras was again 
 invaded from South Carolina by a large force of Indians, and a 
 few white men, under the command of James Moore. Assembled 
 in a fort on the Neuse, eight hundred of the Tuscaroras became 
 the captives of the invaders. The legislature of North Carolina, 
 entering into the contest with more harmony in their councils, men 
 and money were raised, and the woods were patrolled by the "red 
 allies, who hunted for prisoners to be sold as slaves, or took scalps 
 for a reward." 
 
 Thus defeated and persecuted, driven from their lands and 
 homes by the adverse result of a contest provoked by wrong and 
 aggression; with not only the colonial authorities of North and 
 
 ' South Carolina to contend with, but their own race to gratify, an 
 arrant spirit of revenge, basely becoming the active allies of their 
 enemies; the Tuscaroras who had remained in arms, migrated to 
 
 ' New York. 
 
 1 : The author, thus far, has relied chiefly upon the authority of 
 
 * Why the neighboring nations were found ready to take up arms against the Tusca- 
 ' roras, as allies of the English, is probably explained by a recurrence to previous events. 
 
 They had been at vpar with them; and in the long wars waged against the southern 
 ' Indians, by the Confederated Five Nations of this region, the Tuscaroras had been 
 
 allies of the northern invaders. And this was probabh' the affinity that led them after- 
 I wards to seek a home at the north, instead of their being "kindred of the Iroquois," 
 
 as Mr. Bancroft infers. 
 
180 HISTORY OF THE ■ 
 
 Mr. Bancroft, with reference to the events that preceded the 
 emigration of the Tuscaroras. He is enabled to add two other 
 accounts. The first was written but sixteen years after the events, 
 by Wm. Boyd, of Westover, Virginia, who was one of the early 
 commissioners to run a boundary line between Virginia and Mary- 
 land; and was first published in 1841. The second is from 
 Carroll's Historical Collections of South Carolina: — 
 
 " These Indians were heretofore very numerous and powerful, 
 making, within time of memory, at least a thousand fighting men. 
 Their habitation, before the war with Carolina, was on the north 
 branch of Neuse river, commonly called Connecta creek, in a 
 pleasant and fruitful country. But now the few that are left of 
 that nation, live on the north side of Moratuck, which is all that 
 part of Roanoke below the great Falls, towards Albemarle Sound. 
 Formerly there were seven towns of these savages, lying not far 
 from each other, but now their number is greatly reduced. The 
 trade they have had the misfortune to drive with the English has fur- 
 nished them constantly wath rum, which they have used so immode- ■ 
 rately, that, what with the distempers, and what with the quarrels it t 
 begat amongst them, it has proved a double destruction. But the 
 greatest consumption of these savages happened by the war about 
 twenty-five years ago, on account of some injustice the inhabitants 
 of that province had done them about their lands. It was on that 
 provocation they resented their wrongs a little too severely upon 
 Mr. Laws ON, who, under color of being Surveyor General, had 
 encroached too much upon their teri'itories, at which they were so 
 enraged, that they way-laid him, and cut his throat from ear to 
 ear, but at the same time released the Baron de Graffenried, > 
 whom they had seized for company, because it appeared plainly he 
 had done them no wrong. This blow was followed by some other 
 bloody actions on the part of the Indians, which brought on a war. 
 wherein many of them were cut off, and many were obliged to 
 flee for refuge to the Senecas, so that now there remain so few, 
 that they are in danger of being quite exterminated by the Cataw- 
 bas, their mortal enemies. These Indians have a very odd traditioni 
 amongst them, that many years ago, their nation was grown so- 
 dishonest, that no man could keep any of his goods, or so much as 
 his loving wife to himself. That, however, their God, being un- 
 willing to root them out for their crimes, did them the honor to 
 send them a messenger from heaven to instruct them, and set them 
 a perfect example of integrity and kind behavior towards one 
 another. But this holy person, with all his eloquence and sanctity 
 of life, was able to make very little reformation among them. 
 Some few old men did listen a little to his wholesome advice, but 
 all the young fellows were quite incorrigible. They not only neg- 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. ISl 
 
 lected his precepts, but derided and evil-entreated his person. At 
 last, taking upon him to reprove some young rakes of the Connecta 
 clan very sharply for their impiety, they were so provoked at the 
 freedom of his rebukes, that they tied him to a tree, and shot him 
 with arrows through the heart. But their God took instant vengence 
 on all who had a hand in that monstrous act, by lightning from 
 heaven, and has ever since visited their nation with a continued 
 train of calamities, nor will he ever leave off punishing and wasting 
 their people, till he shall have blotted every living soul of them 
 out of the world. 
 
 " Among the many errors which Hewit has committed in his 
 history of Carolina, he has fallen into none more careless and 
 inexcusable, than his account of this war. Dr. Ramsay, whose 
 history of South Carolina is an exact copy of Heavit's, as far as 
 he goes, has been guilty of the same misstatement of facts. The 
 true history of this insurrection of the Indians, as collected from 
 WiLLiA3isoN, and the authors quoted by him, is this: John 
 Lawsox, had in discharge of his duty, as Surveyor General of 
 Carolina, marked off some of the lands, claimed by the Tuscarora 
 Indians, on the Neuse river. In consequence of this encroachment 
 upon' their rights, added to the frequent impositions of fraudulent 
 traders among them, they seized Lawson, and after a brief trial, 
 put him to death. Becoming alarmed at this outrage, they hoped 
 to escape punishment, by murdering, on a given day, all the colonists 
 south of Albemarle Sound. Dividing themselves into small parties, 
 they commenced their horrid purpose on the 22d of September, 
 1711; on which memorable day, 130 persons fell a sacrifice to their 
 revenge. To put down this insurrection, aid was demanded from 
 South Carolina; and Colonel Barnwell, with a small party of 
 whites, and a considerable body of friendly Indians, of the 
 Cherokee, Creek, and Catawba tribes, was despatched for the 
 purpose. This officer, after killing fifty of the hostile Indians, and 
 taking 250 of them prisoners, came upon one of their forts on the 
 Neuse river, in which were enclosed six hundred of the Tuscaroras. 
 Instead of carrying the fort by storm, which he could easily have 
 done, he concluded a peace with the enemy, who proving faithless, 
 renewed hostilities in a day or two afterwards. Colonel Barn- 
 well, immediately after this treaty, returned to South Carolina. 
 A second demand was made upon that state for aid, and Col. 
 ! MooRE, with forty whites, and eight hundred Ashley Indians, set 
 1 out in the month of December, to meet the enemy. After a 
 I _^ 
 
 ' Note. — The reader will bear in mind that this remarkable tradition of the Tusca- 
 ' roras was written one hundred and twenty years ago, at which time it -was current 
 ; among them. It is strikingly coincident with the mission and crucifixion of the 
 ' Savior. Many able scholars and divines believe that our American Indians descended 
 from the ten Lost Tribes. Is not this tradition another link in the chain tending to 
 ' strengthen that opinion? 
 
182 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 fatiguing march through deep forests and swamps, and having 
 encountered much delay by snow storms, and freshets in the rivers, 
 he at length came upon the hostile Indians who had thrown up 
 fortifications on the Taw river, about 50 miles from its mouth. 
 Though Colonel Moore found the enemy well provided with small 
 arms, he soon taught them the folly of standing a seige. Advancing 
 by regular approaches, he, in a few hours, completely entered their 
 works, and eight hundred Tuscaroras became his prisoners. These 
 were claimed by the Ashley Indians as a reward for their services, 
 and were taken to South Carolina, where they were sold for slaves. 
 The Swiss baron, who, Heavit says, was killed by the Indians, 
 made a treaty with the Tuscaroras, and he, together with all the 
 palatines who had emigrated with him, escaped the massacre." 
 
 The Tuscaroras, having been merged in the Iroquois confed- 
 eracy, there is but little in their history since their arrival in this 
 state, of a distinctive character. We in fact mostly lose sight of 
 them, until the commencement of the Revolution. In that contest, 
 as is well known, most of the Six Nations adhered to the English, 
 and their warriors, as allies of England, under the Johnsons, 
 the Butlers, and Brant, were a scourge to the border settlers 
 upon the Mohawk, and the Susquehannah. A portion of the 
 Oneidas and Tuscaroras were neutrals, or rather regarded as 
 friendly to the colonists. There is but httle mention made of 
 them in all the accounts we have of the border wars. Col. 
 Gansevoort, in giving an account to Gen. Sullivan, of his expe- 
 dition, says: — ''Agreeable to my orders, I proceeded by the 
 shortest route to the Lower Mohawk Castle, passing through the 
 Tuscarora and Oneida Castles, where every mark of hospitality 
 and friendship was shown to the party. I had the pleasure to find 
 that not the least damage nor insult was offered to any of the 
 inhabitants." | 
 
 In the instruction of Gen. Sullivan to Col. Gansevoort, he 
 was ordered to capture and destroy all the Indians he should find 
 at the Mohawk castle, but to spare and treat as friends the Oneidas, ' 
 meaning, probably, to include the friendly Tuscaroras. 
 
 Such portions of the Tuscaroras and Oneidas as had been allies 
 of the English, in their flight from the total route of Gen. Sullivan, 
 embarked in canoes, upon the Oneida lake, and down the Oswego 
 river, coasted along up lake Ontario to the British garrison at Fort 
 Niagara. They encamped during the winter of 1780 near the 
 garrison, drawing a portion of their subsistence, in the form of 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 183 
 
 rations. In the spring a part of them returned, and a part of them 
 took possession of a mile square upon the Mountain Ridge, given 
 them by the Senecas. The Holland Company afterwards donated 
 to them two square miles, adjoining their Reservation, and in 1804 
 they purchased of the company four thousand three hundred and 
 twenty-nine acres; the aggregate of which several tracts, is their 
 present possessions. The purchase of the Holland Company was 
 made by Gen. Dearborn, then Secretary of War, in trust for 
 them. The purchase money, $13,722, was a portion of a trust 
 fund held by the United States, possessed in pursuance of a final 
 adjustment of their claims upon North Carolina. 
 
 They thus became residents in this region seventeen years 
 previous to the advent of the Holland Company, and nineteen or 
 twenty years before the settlements by the whites commenced. 
 
 The surviving pioneer settlers at Lewiston and its neighborhood, 
 bear witness to the uniform good conduct of the Tuscaroras, and 
 especially to the civility and hospitality they extended to the early 
 drovers and other adventurers upon the trail that passed through 
 their villages. Previous to 1803 the traveler upon this trail, saw 
 no habitation after leaving the Tonawanda village, until he arrived 
 at Tuscarora. Even Indian habitations helped to relieve the 
 solitude of their wilderness path. The primitive settlers found 
 them kind and obliging; and good neighbors at a time they most 
 needed the benefits of a good neighborhood. 
 
 In the war of 1812 they were uniformly and decidedly in the 
 American interests. Of this, and some other matters connected 
 with them, it will be necessary to speak farther on in our work. 
 
 FORT NIAGARA. 
 
 It will be recollected that La Salle first occupied the site of 
 Fort Niagara. It was his first stopping place, before he com- 
 menced building the Griflin at Cayuga Creek. He intended it 
 only as a trading station, but protected it with " paUisades," as the 
 French did all their trading posts. In 168T, De Noxville built a 
 " fort of four bastions," a place of temporary and weak defence, as 
 we are to infer from the short time employed in its construction. 
 For the greater portion of the time that elapsed, after its desertion 
 by the remnant of the hundred troops that De Nonville left there, 
 
184 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 (most of them having perished by disease),* until 1725, it would 
 seem to have been a deserted post. Charlevoix visited this 
 region in 1721. In a letter dated at Niagara, he says: — "Towards 
 2 o'clock in the afternoon, we entered the river Niagara formed by 
 the great fall, whereof I shall speak presently; or rather it is the 
 river St. Lawrence, which proceeds from lake Erie, and passes 
 through lake Ontario after fourteen leagues of narrows. After 
 saihng three leagues, you find on the left some cabins of Iroquois, 
 Tsonnonthouans, and of the Mississaugues as at Catarocoui. The 
 Sieur de Joncaire, lieutenant of our troops, has also a cabin at 
 this place, to which they have beforehand given the name of fort: 
 for it is intended that in time this will be changed into a great 
 fortress. I here found several officers who were to return in a 
 few days to Quebec." He was evidently writing from Lewiston, 
 as there are other evidences that Joncaire's residence was there. 
 In a note to an edition of Charlevoix's journal, pubhshed in 
 London in 1761, it is remarked: — "A fort has since been built in 
 the mouth of the river JYiagara on the same side, and exactly at the 
 place where M. De Nonville had built one, which subsisted not 
 long. There even begins to be formed a French town." The 
 inference from this is, that for a considerable period after the 
 desertion of the fort that De Nonville built on the present site of 
 Fort Niagara, there was no French occupation there; but that 
 Joncaire's negotiations with the Senecas had reference only to 
 his "cabin," at Lewiston, which, from the presence of French 
 officers which Charlevoix found there, must have grown into a 
 military post; though if a "fort" was erected there, as Charle- 
 voix says, it could have been no more than a trading post 
 picketed in after the then French fashion. Mr. Bancroft says: — 
 "Joncaire (in 1721) planted himself in the midst of a group of 
 cabins at Lewiston, on the site where La Salle had driven a rude 
 pallisade, and where De Nonville had designed to lay the founda- 
 tions of a settlement." 
 
 The two locations are here merged; an error undoubtedly, as it 
 is clear that De Nonville built his fort where the fort now stands, 
 
 * In a note which Mr. Marshall appends to his translation of De Nonville, it is 
 observed: — "The cause of the sickness was ascribed to the climate, but was probably 
 owing to the unwholesome food with which they were provided. They were so 
 closely besieged by the Iroquois that they were unable to supply themselves with fresh 
 provisions. The fortress was soon after abandoned and destroved, much to the regret 
 of De Nonville." 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 185 
 
 and JoNCAiRE his cabin at Lcwiston. All that Charlevoix relates 
 in the extract which follows, of the negotiations of JoxXcaire, the 
 jealousies of the English, &c., has reference to Lewiston. It is 
 possible, and probable, however, that his influence was put in 
 requisition two or three years afterwards, when the French 
 re-occupied the site of Fort Niagara, as mentioned in a preceding 
 page, built one story of the old Mess-house, and for the first time 
 made it a substantial fortress; — such as (with occasional additions 
 and improvements that took place from 1725 to 1759,) it was 
 found at the English siege and capture. The building in 1725 was 
 strongly opposed by the Senecas, as was the occupation of Oswego 
 by the English governor by the Onondagas; though from the close 
 of the war in 1713 the French had been far more successful in 
 winning the favor of the Confederates than the English, The 
 following tradition, which is common in our histories, is adopted by 
 Samuel Ue Veaux in some sketches he made of the Falls and its 
 vicinity, in 1839. The author was a resident at the fort at an 
 early period, after the settlement of this region commenced, and 
 the inteUigence and good sense with which he is prone to make 
 historical investigations, is a guarantee of the truth of the relation, 
 though the author finds no authority for it in early history, but the 
 general fact that the Iroquois neither yielded to the French nor the 
 English any right to occupy their territory with fortifications: — "It 
 is a traditionary story that the Mess-house which is a very strong 
 building, and the largest in the fort, was erected by stratagem. A 
 considerable, though not powerful body of French troops had 
 arrived at the point. Their force was inferior to the surrounding 
 Indians, of whom they were under some apprehensions. They 
 obtained consent of the Indians to build a wigwam, and induced 
 them, with some of their ofiiccrs, to engage in an extensive hunt. 
 The materials were made ready, and while the Indians were 
 absent, the French built. When the hunting party returned, they 
 found the French had so far advanced with their work as to cover 
 their faces, and to defend themselves against the savages in case 
 of an attack. In progress of time it became a place of consider- 
 able strength. It had its ravines; its ditches and pickets; its 
 curtains and counterscarp; its covered way, draw-bridge, and 
 raking batteries; its stone towers, laboratory, and magazine; its 
 mess-house, barracks, and bakery, and blacksmith's shop; and for 
 worship, a chapel, with a large ancient dial over the door to mark 
 
186 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the course of the sun. It was mdeed a little city of itself, and for 
 a long period the greatest place south of Montreal, or west of 
 Albany. The fortification originally covered a space of about 
 eight acres. At a few rods from the barrier gate is a burying 
 ground; it was filled with the memorials of the mutability of 
 human life; and over the portals of the entrance was painted the 
 word 'Rest.' " 
 
 The history of Joncaire's negotiations with the Senecas, is thus 
 given in Charlevoix's letter from Niagara, referred to in a pre- 
 ceding page : — 
 
 "I have already had the honor to acquaint you, that we have 
 a scheme for a settlement in this place; but in order to know 
 the reason of this project, it will be proper to observe, that as 
 the English pretend, by virtue of the treaty of Utrecht, to have 
 sovereignty of all the Iroquoise country and by consequence, to 
 be bounded on that side by lake Ontario only; now it is evident, 
 that, in case we allow of their pretensions, they would then have 
 it absolutely in their power to establish themselves firmly in the 
 heart of the French colonies, or at least entirely to ruin their com- 
 merce. In order therefore, to prevent this evil, it has been 
 judged proper, without, however, violating the treaty, to make a 
 settlement in some place, which might secure to us the free com- 
 munication between the lakes, and where the English should not 
 have it in their power to oppose us. A commission has therefore 
 been made to M. De Jonxaire, who having, in his youth, been 
 prisoner among the Tsonnonthouans, so insinuated himself into the 
 good graces of those Indians, that they adopted him, so, that even 
 in the hottest of their wars with us, and notwithstanding his 
 remarkable services to his country, he has always enjoyed the 
 privileges of his adoption. 
 
 " On receiving the orders I have been now mentioning to you, 
 he repaired to them, assembled their chiefs, and after having 
 assured them that his greatest pleasure in this world would be to 
 Hve amongst his brethren; he added, that he would much oftener 
 visit them had he a cabin amongst them, to which he might 
 retire when he had a mind to be private. They told him that 
 they had always looked upon him as one of their own children, 
 that he had only to make choice of a place to his liking in any 
 part of the country. He asked no more, but went immediately 
 and made choice of a spot on the banks of a river, which termi- 
 nates the canton of Tsonnonthouan, where he built his cabin. The 
 news of this soon reached New York, where it excited so much 
 more the jealousy of the English, as that nation had never been 
 able to obtain the favor granted to Sieur De Joncaire in any 
 Iroquoise canton. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 187 
 
 " They made loud remonstrances, which being seconded witli 
 presents, the other four cantons at once espoused their interest. 
 They were, however, never the nearer their point, as the cantons 
 are not only independent of each other, but also very jealous of 
 this independence. It was therefore necessay to gain that of 
 Tsonnonthouans, and the English omitted nothing to accomplish it; 
 but they were soon sensible they should never be able to get 
 JoNCAiRE dismissed from Niagara. At last they contented them- 
 selves with demanding, that at least they might be permitted to 
 have a cabin in the same place; but this was likewise refused them. 
 'Our country is in peace, said the Tsonnonthouans, the French, and 
 you will never be able to live together, without raising disturb- 
 ances. Moreover, added they, it is of no consequence that 
 JoNCAiRE should remain here; he is a child of the nation; he enjoys 
 his right, which we are not at liberty to take from him.' 
 
 " Now, Madame, we must acknowledge, that nothing but zeal for 
 the public good could possibly induce an officer to remain in such a 
 country as this, than which a wilder and more frightful is not to be 
 seen. On the one side you may see just under your feet, and as it 
 were at the bottom of an abyss, and which in this place is like a 
 torrent by its rapidity, a whirpool formed by a thousand rocks, 
 through which it with difficulty finds a passage, and by the foam 
 with which it was always covered; on the other, the view is con- 
 fined by three mountains placed one over the other, and whereof 
 the last hides itself in the clouds. This would have been a very 
 proper scene for the poets to make the Titans attempt to scale 
 the heavens. In a word, on whatever side you turn your eyes, 
 you discover nothing which does not inspire a secret horror. 
 
 " You have, however, but a very short way to go, to behold a 
 very different prospect. Behind those uncultivated and uninhabit- 
 able mountains, you enjoy the sight of a rich country, magnificent 
 forests, beautiful and fruitful hills, you breathe the purest air, under 
 the mildest and most temperate climate imaginable, situated 
 between two lakes, the least of which is two hundred and fifty 
 leagues in circuit. 
 
 "It is my opinion, that had we the precaution to make sure of a 
 place of this consequence, by a good fortress, and by a tolerable 
 colony, all the forces of the Iroquoise and the English conjoined, 
 would not have been able at this time to drive us out of it, and that 
 we ourselves would have been in a condition to give law to the 
 former, and to hinder most part of the Indians from carrying their 
 furs to the second, as they daily do with impunity. The company 
 I found here with M. de Joxcaire, was composed of the baron de 
 LoNGUEiL, the marquis de Cavagnal, captain, son of the marquis 
 de Vaudreuil, the present governor of New France; M. de 
 Sexneville, captain; and the Sieur de la Chauvignerie, ensign, 
 and interpreter of the Iroquoise language. These gentlemen are 
 about negotiating an agreement, of diflerences, with the canton of 
 
188 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Onontague, and were ordered to visit the settlement of the Sieur 
 de JoNCAiRE, with which they were extremely well satisfied. The 
 Tsonnonthouans renewed to them the promise they had formerly 
 made to maintain it. This was done in a council, in which 
 JoxcAiRE, as they told me, spoke with all the good sense of a 
 Frenchman, whereof he enjoys a large share, and with the 
 sublimest eloquence of an Iroquoise." 
 
 [Among the residents at Fort Niagara, at an early period of its occupancy by 
 American troops, was Dr. Joseph West. He was there from 1805 until 1814, at 
 which time he was transferred to Philadelphia, when a declining health, that had 
 induced his change of residence, terminated in death. At an early period of sale and 
 settlement under the auspices of the Holland Company, he purchased a farm upon the 
 lake shore, a short distance below the garrison grounds, where his aged widow and 
 one surviving daughter now reside. In 1B23 or 3, Mrs. W. became the wife of 
 Joseph Landon, then resident at Lockport as a canal contractor, who was an early and 
 widely known tavern keeper at Buffalo. He died but a few years since. To the 
 surviving daughter of Dr. West, the author is indebted for the following " Reminiscen- 
 ces OF Fort Niagara." Although the sketch introduces events that belong to a later 
 period, the author has thought its insertion in this connection, not inappropriate. It 
 derives additional interest from having been made generally from personal observation ; 
 an interest that the author will aim to mingle with his narrative, whenever it can be 
 made available.] 
 
 Fort Niagara! How many associations crowd into my mind at 
 the bare mention of thy name. There I first drew my breath, and 
 passed the earliest years of childhood under the eye of a kind 
 father, who was taken from his young family by consumption, 
 caused by a severe cold caught in the damp dungeons of the old 
 Mess-house, while attending the wounded and dying, after the 
 battle of Queenston. Although I have a distinct recollection of the 
 appearance it then presented, it is the recollection of early years, 
 which, perhaps, does not enable me to describe it with strict 
 accuracy. It was then surrounded on three sides with strong 
 pickets of plank, firmly planted in the ground, and closely joined 
 together; a heavy gate in front, of double plank, closely studded 
 with iron spike. This was enclosed by a fence, with a large gate 
 just on the brow of the hill, called the barrier gate. The fourth 
 side was defended by embankments of earth, under which were 
 formerly barracks, affording a safe, though somewhat gloomy 
 
 Note. — The reader will not hesitate in concluding that Charlevoix was describing 
 Lewiston ; and that in the interim between the desertion of the Fort upon the present 
 site, in 1698, and the re-building and re-occupancy in 1725, — immediately preceding 
 the latter event, — there was a military station at Lewiston, and a design to locate the 
 Fort there. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 189 
 
 retreat for the families of soldiers, but which had been abandoned, 
 and the entrances closed, long before my remembrance; having 
 been so infested with rattlesnakes that had made their dens within, 
 that it was hardly safe to walk across the parade. 
 
 But the Lake has done as much as time, towards changing the 
 aspect of the place. At that time there was a yard some thirty or 
 forty feet wide between the Mess-house and pickets; and beyond 
 them a spot sufficiently wide to admit of two persons walking 
 abreast; affi^rding a delightful promenade. But now the waves 
 dash against the house, or rather did until recently, a stone wall 
 having been erected, of immense strength, to prevent further 
 encroachments. The old house, however, remains very much the 
 same, except some slight alterations which have been made in the 
 arrangements of the rooms. On its massive stone walls, time has 
 yet made no ravages, although nearly two centuries* have elapsed 
 since the first story was built by the French. After the English 
 obtained possession, they added another story and made very 
 comfortable quarters for the officers; and there has since, at 
 intervals, been improvements made, but it still retains its air of 
 gloomy grandeur; many gay scenes have I there witnessed, both in 
 my childhood, and after an absence of long years, when I had 
 returned to the home of my youth. I have seen it ht up for festive 
 hours, enlivened by the smiles of beauty, the cheering voice of 
 friendship, mingled with the strains of gay music; the old walls 
 decorated with our country's banners; the eagle's broad wing 
 chalked beneath our feet; the hght arms tastefully arranged in our 
 room, and manly forms ready to use them, (if needs be,) flitting 
 past in the gay dance. Then have I looked back through the long 
 vista of years, and thought of the multitudes who had passed 
 through those old halls, until I could fancy I heard the Indian's wild 
 whoop, and see their hideously painted forms, mingled with those 
 of gay, chattering Frenchmen. Then came the proud Englishmen, 
 in their glittering uniform; they in their turn succeeded by our own 
 noble and brave army. 
 
 My father received the appointment of Surgeon to the garrison, 
 and, contrary to the present practice, was allowed to remain there 
 ten years. There was a constant interchange of civilities and kind- 
 nesses, between the officers of Fort Niagara and the British Fort 
 
 * But one hundred and twenty-three years since the structure was commenced by 
 the French, that our fair correspondent is describing. 
 
190 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 George, and the inhabitants of the Httle town of Niagara, until the 
 war of 1812 severed many ties of friendship. I well remember 
 the Sunday previous to the receipt of the declaration of war; being 
 at church at Niagara; on our return Gen. Brock accompanied us 
 to the boat, and, taking myself and sisters by turns in his arms, 
 said: — "I must bid good bye to my httle rosy cheeked Yankees;" 
 then extending his hand to my father, said: — "Farewell, Doctor; 
 the next time we meet it will be as enemies." Then came the 
 official declaration of war, the reception of which is as vivid in 
 my memory as if it had occured but last week. We were aroused 
 by the Sentinel's cry, "who goes there?" — then the call to the 
 Corporal of the guard to conduct the intruder to the Captain, who 
 no sooner received the document from his hands than he hastened 
 to consult with my father. I fancy I can see him now, seated on 
 the side of the bed half dressed, with the most rueful countenance, 
 saying: — "What shall we dol — w^e are liable to attack at any 
 moment, with our fortifications out of repair. We have but one 
 company, and scarcely any arms and ammunition." Sleep was 
 banished from all eyes for the remainder of that night. At dawn 
 of day, we heard the sound of the artificer's hammer mingled with 
 those of other implements of toil. The old well in the hall, which 
 had been covered up as unfit for use, was uncovered and cleaned 
 out to be used in case of necessity. A heavy cannon was drawn 
 into the porch; every crack and crevice in the pickets closed up; 
 new embankments made, and old ones repaired; cannon mounted; 
 and everything done that circumstances would admit of, to 
 strengthen the garrison. Then came company after company of 
 militia, pouring in from all quarters, gay with all sorts of uniform, 
 and as raw and undisciplined as ever stood their ground, or ran 
 from a foe. The families of the officers were obliged to vacate 
 their quarters to make room for them, and we were sent into the 
 country. On our way up the river, we met about one hundred of 
 the Tuscarora Indians, headed by their chief, all powerful, active 
 young men, decorated with their war paint and armed with toma- 
 hawk and hatchet, on their way to offer their services at the fort. 
 We returned after an absence of four weeks to a residence near 
 the fort. Father remained day and night at his post, attending to 
 his professional duties, while our family were safely at the farm; 
 unmolested, except occasionally by the enemy landing from their 
 boats and plundering the hen-roost. At one time the voice of a 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 191 
 
 British officer was heard, and recognizing us as acquaintances, 
 observed: "there are no American officers here, and we do not 
 war with women, let us get some fowls and be off." At another 
 time an English vessel remained all day, making ineffectual 
 attempts to reach the house with their cannon balls, but when 
 near enough to do so, they could not clear the high bank of the 
 lake. They did not probably wish to annoy the family, but they 
 well knew that not many hours passed without some of the officers 
 from the fort being there. There were a large number there on 
 the day of the cannonading. 
 
 The news of the capture of "Little York" — (now large 
 Toronto) — was preceded by the report of the explosion of the 
 magazine, which jarred our house, and was distinctly heard at the 
 fort. It was soon followed by dispatches, bringing the gratifying 
 intelligence of the capture of the town, and the sad intelligence of 
 the death of the brave Gen. Pike. Then came our gallant soldiers 
 who had fought so bravely under the command of Gen. Dearborn. 
 Many were the wounded and dying that were brought over. 
 They were conveyed to the shore by boats from the fleet, and 
 encamped in a field directly opposite our house. Day and night 
 we heard the groans of the sufferers, and well do I remember 
 walking with my father between the rows of white tents, stopping 
 in front of them while he made his professional visits. To some 
 we were admitted. And, oh, what scenes of sorrow and suffering ! 
 Here lay a poor soldier without an arm, or the hand gone and the 
 arm hanging loosely by his side; there one without a leg; there 
 one with most of his face shot off. Many died, and were buried 
 in the same field. Gen. Dearborn and his staff, and many others 
 whose names now stand foremost in the ranks of the army, were 
 quartered at our house, as every apartment at the fort, and every 
 inch of ground there was occupied. As many as could find room 
 in the house spread their matrasses upon the floor, (none but the 
 general officers expecting the luxury of a room and bed;) the 
 rest occupying the yard with their marquees much to my chagrin, 
 as the continual pacing of the sentinels defaced the green sward; 
 and Col. Scott, (now the gallant Commander-in-Chief of our 
 Army,) even went so far as to order his tent pitched upon my 
 favorite rose bush. 
 
 [Our correspondent here gives some account of the battle of 
 Quecnston, and the cannonading between Fort Niagara and Fort 
 
192 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 George, which is omitted, as those subjects must necessarily bo 
 embraced in some sketches of the local events of the war of 1812.] 
 
 Gen. Dearborn and his staff, and many others, returned and 
 took up their quarters at our house, where they remained until 
 they again made an attack upon Canada. The capture of Fort 
 George and Niagara followed. Soon after, owing to my father's 
 continued ill health, we left the frontier, and I can recollect but 
 little more that is not familiar to all readers of American history. 
 In our absence, in connection with the news that the British were 
 in possession of Fort Niagara, we heard that our house, with every 
 other on the lines, was in ashes. 
 
 In after years, when visiting the fort, my blood has boiled 
 and my cheeks have been tinged with shame, on being shown 
 the place where the British entered, and hearing a recital of the 
 affair. They entered at a place where twenty men could have 
 successfully opposed hundreds, had the commander been at his 
 post. But he had gone home that night, (his family living about 
 two miles off in the country.) and laid down by the fire for a 
 few moments with his clothes on, his horse being saddled at the 
 door ready for an immediate return. — He was awakened by the 
 firing, and springing upon his horse, lost no time in reaching the 
 fort, where he was met by a British soldier who immediately took 
 him prisoner. It is true that he might not by his presence have 
 saved the fort, but he would have saved his reputation, a court- 
 martial, and dismissal from the army. 
 
 EARLY NOTICES OF NIAGARA FALLS. 
 
 It is difficult to conclude who was the first European that saw 
 Western New York, or the Falls of Niagara. There are some 
 accounts from which it may be inferred that Champlain was upon 
 lake Ontario at different times, from 1614 to 1640, and Le Roux 
 in 1628, but no hint occurs in connection, that they visited its 
 southern shore. French traders are said to have visited the Falls 
 as early as 1610, '15, but there are no authentic accounts to confirm 
 the statement. Joseph Ue La Roche Dallion, a Franciscan 
 Father, a missionary of ardent religious zeal and enterprise, was in 
 this region as early as the year 1626 or '7, and was probably the 
 first European adventurer who saw Western New York, but 
 there is no evidence that he visited the Falls. He made but a 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 103 
 
 short stay, the severity of the winter, and the hostility of the 
 Iroquois to his presence and mission, obhging him to retreat. 
 There are no reUable accounts of any further attempts to explore 
 this region until 1641. []3^ See Father Allemont's account of 
 BuEHEUF and Chau.manot's visit, page G5. Ducreux, the author 
 of " Historia3 Canadensis," has noted the Falls on a map dated 
 1600, but does not allude to them in his narrative. * The earliest 
 dates which have been discovered, engraved upon the rocks at the 
 Falls, are of 1711, 1712 1726, and 1745. There is a date 1745, 
 on a tree on Goat Island, which shows that the French must have 
 had access to the Island while occupants of this region. 
 
 Hennepin, who, as will have been seen, was with La Salle at 
 the primitive commercial advent upon the Lakes in 1688, has given 
 us the earliest description of the Falls that has found its way into 
 our histories; if indeed-it is not the earliest description of them, in 
 any form, extant, f He thus describes them: — 
 
 " Betwixt the lakes Ontario and Erie, there is a vast and pro- 
 digious cadence of water which falls down after a surprising and 
 astonishing manner, insomuch that the universe does not afford its 
 parallel. 'Tis true, Italy and Svt'itzerland boast of some such 
 things, but we may well say that they are sorry patterns, when 
 compared with this of which we now speak. At the foot of this 
 horrible precipice, we meet with the river Niagara, which is not 
 above a quarter of a league broad, but is wonderfully deep in 
 some places. It is so rapid above this descent, that it violently hur- 
 ries down the wild beasts while endeavoring to pass it to feed on 
 the other side, and not being able to withstand the force of its 
 current, which inevitably casts them headlong above six hundred 
 feet high. 
 
 "This wonderful downfall is compounded of two great cross- 
 streams of water, and two falls into an isle sloping along the middle 
 of it. The waters which fall from this horrible precipice, do foam 
 
 * The generally correct and indefatigable gleaner of histon,', antiquarian and 
 naturalist. Dr. Barton, of Philadelphia, is in error in concluding that the Falls wero 
 "described and delineated" by Frenchmen, as early as 1G38. 
 
 t The following is the title of his book: "A new discovery of a vast country in 
 America, extending above four thousand miles between New Franco and New Mexico, 
 with a description of the great Lakes, Cataracts, Rivers, Plants and Animals; also the 
 manners, customs, and languages of the several native Lidians, and the advantages of 
 commerce with those ditferent nations, with a continuation giving an account of the 
 attempts of the Sieur De La Salle upon the mines of St. Barbe, &c. The taking of 
 Quebec by the English ; with the advantages of a shorter cut to China and Japan. 
 Both parts illustrated with maps and figfuresj and dedicated to His Majesty K. William. 
 By L. Hennepin, now resident in Holland. To which is added several new discoveries 
 in North America, not published in tlie French edition. London, 1G98-" 
 13 
 
194 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and boil after the most hideous manner imaginable, making an 
 outrageous noise, more terrible than that of thunder; for when 
 the wind blows out of the south, their dismal roaring may be heard 
 more than fifteen leagues off. 
 
 " The river Niagara having thrown itself down this incredible 
 precipice, continues its impetuous course for two leagues together, 
 to the great rock, above mentioned, with an inexpressible rapidity; 
 but having past that, its impetuosity relents, gliding along more 
 gently for two other leagues, till it arrives at lake Ontario or 
 Frontenac. 
 
 "From the great fall into this rock, which is to the west of the 
 river, the two banks of it are so prodigious high, that it would 
 make one tremble to look steadily over the water, rolling along 
 with a rapidity not to be imagined. Were it not for this vast 
 Cataract, which interrupts navigation, they might sail with barks or 
 greater vessels, more than 450 leagues, crossing the lake of Hurons, 
 and reaching even to the further end of lake Illinois; which two 
 lakes we may easily say are little seas of fresh water. 
 
 "After these waters have thus discharged themselves into this 
 gulf, they continue their course as far as the three mountains, 
 which are on the east of the river, and the great rock which is 
 on the west, and lifts itself three fathoms above the waters, or 
 thereabouts." 
 
 The exaggerated account of La Hontan, follows next in order of 
 time. [{Xy^ See page 157.] In 1721, Charlevoix gave a des- 
 cription of the Falls, in connection with his account of the diplo- 
 macy of JoNCAiRE in obtaining permission to fix his I'esidence at 
 Lewiston. His is the first description made with any considerable 
 degree of accuracy. 
 
 "The officers having departed, I ascended those Mountains,* in 
 order to visit the famous fall of Niagara, above which I was to take 
 water; this is a journey of three leagues, though formerly five; 
 because the way then lay by the other, that is, the west of the 
 river, and also because the place for embarking lay full two leagues 
 above the Fall. But there has since been found, on the left, at the 
 distance of a half a quarter of a league from this cataract, a 
 creek t where the current is not perceivable, and consequently a 
 place where one may take water without danger. My first care 
 after my arrival, was to visit the noblest cascade perhaps in the 
 world; but I presently found the Baron La Hontan had committed 
 such a mistake with reference to its height and figure, as to give 
 
 * The "Three Mountains" of Hennepin, the "Hills" of La Hontan; at Lewiston. 
 t Gill Creek. ' 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 195 
 
 grounds to believe he had never seen it. It is certain that if you 
 measure its height by that of the three mountains, you are obhged 
 to cHmb to get at it, it does not come much short of what the map 
 of M. Delisle makes it; that is, six hundred feet, having certainly 
 gone into this paradox either pn the faith of baron La Hontan or 
 Father Hennepin; but after I arrived at the summit of the third 
 mountain, I observed that in the space of three leagues, which I had 
 to walk before I came to this piece of water, though you are some- 
 times obliged to ascend, you must still descend still more, a circum- 
 stance to which travellers seem not to have sutiiciently attended. 
 As it is impossible to approach it but upon one side only, and conse- 
 quently to sec it, excepting in profile or side-ways, it is no easy 
 matter to measure its height wdth instruments. It has, however, 
 been attempted by means of a pole tied to a long line, and after 
 repeated trials it has been found only one hundred and fifteen or 
 one hundred and twenty feet high. But it is impossible to be sure 
 that the pole has not been stopped by some projecting rock; for 
 although it was always drawn up wet, as well as the end of the 
 line to w^hich it was tied, this proves nothing at all, as the water 
 which precipitates itself from the mountain, rises very high in foam. 
 For my own part, after having examined it on all sides, where it 
 could be viewed to the greatest advantage, I am inclined to think 
 we cannot allow it less than one hundred and forty or fifty feet. 
 
 "As to its figure, it is in the shape of a horse shoe, and it is 
 about four hundred paces in circumference; it is divided in two, 
 exactly in the centre, by a very narrow Island, half a quarter of 
 a league long. It is true these parts very soon unite; that on my 
 side, and which I could only have a side view of, has several 
 bi'anches which project from the body of the cascade, but that 
 which I viewed in front, appearing to me quite entire. The Baron 
 de La Hontan mentions a torrent, which, if this author has not 
 invented it, must certainly fall through some channel on the melting 
 of the snows. 
 
 " You may easily guess, Madame, that a great way below this 
 fall, the river still retains strong marks of so violent a shock, 
 accordingly it becomes only navigable three leagues below, and 
 exactly at the place where Joncaire has chosen for his residence. 
 It should by right, be equally unnavigable above it, since the river 
 falls perpendicularly the whole space of its breadth. But besides 
 the Island, which divides it into two, several rocks which are 
 scattered up and down above it, abate much of the rapidity of the 
 stream; it is notwithstanding so very strong, that ten or twelve 
 Cutaways trying to cross over to the Island to shun the Iroquoise 
 who were in pursuit of them, were drawn into the precipice, in 
 spite of all their efforts to preserve themselves. 
 
 " I have heard say that the fish that happen to be entangled in 
 the current, fall dead into the river, and that the Indians of those 
 parts were considerably advantaged by them; but I saw nothing 
 
196 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 of this sort. I was also told that the birds that fly over were 
 sometimes caught in the whirlwind formed by the violence of the 
 torrent. But I observed quite the contrary, for I saw small birds 
 flying very low, and exactly over the fall, which yet cleared their 
 passage very well. 
 
 " This sheet of water falls upon a rock, and there are two 
 reasons which induce me to believe that it has either found, or 
 perhaps in process of time hollowed out a cavern of considerable 
 depth. The first is, that it is very hollow, resembling that of 
 thunder at a distance. You can scarce hear it at M. de Jon- 
 caire's, and what you hear in this place, may possibly be that of 
 the whirlpools, caused by the rocks, which fill the bed of the river 
 as far as this. And so much the rather, as above the cataract you 
 do not hear it near so far. The second is, that nothing has ever 
 been seen again that has once fallen over it, not even the wrecks 
 of the canoes of the Cutaways, I mentioned just now. Be that as 
 it wull, Ovid gives us the description of another cataract, situated 
 according to him in the delightful valley of Tempe. I will not 
 pretend that the country of Niagara is as fine as that, though I 
 believe its cataract much the noblest of the two." 
 
 "Besides, I perceive no mist above it, but from behind, at a 
 distance, one would take it for smoke, and there is no person who 
 would not be deceived with it, if he came in sight of the isle, 
 without having been told before hand that there was so surprising 
 a cataract in the place." 
 
 In reflecting upon these early advents to this now great center 
 of attraction, the mind is prone to wander back and associate with 
 it the vast wilderness, its silence only broken by the ceaseless roar 
 — in which was but occasionally mingled the sound of human 
 voices — the war whoop, the festive shout of the Iroquois, or the 
 stranger sounds of the Gallic dialect, uttered by the trader or 
 missionary, in their unfrequent visits. The European adventurer, 
 as Mr. Greenavood beautifully expresses it: — "stood alone with 
 God!" Yes, alone! communing with the Great Architect, in the 
 presence of the triumphs of His Omnipotence ! where, gathering 
 the waters of vast inland seas, it would seem that He 
 
 * * * "Poured thera from His hollow hand," 
 
 # * # # * * 
 
 " And spoke in that loud voice which seemed to him 
 
 Who dwelt in Patmos for his Savior's sake, 
 
 'The sound of many waters;' and had bade 
 
 The flood to chronicle the ages back 
 
 And notch His centuries in the eternal rocks." * 
 
 * Brainard. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 197 
 
 The early adventists were men of devout minds, and upon 
 errands of devotion. How, when the mighty scene was first 
 presented, must they have anticipated the sublime conceptions of 
 the poet in an after age: — 
 
 '• Deep callelh unto deep. And what are we. 
 That hear the question of that voice sublime?" 
 
 *f » * * * • 
 
 " Yea, what is all the riot man can make 
 In his short life, to thy unceasing roar! 
 And yet, bold babbler, what art thou to Him 
 Who drowned a world and 'heaped the waters far 
 Above its loftiest mountains? — a light wave 
 That breaks and whispers of its Maker's might." 
 
 Theirs must have been the thoughts that in after years found 
 utterance in the verse of another of the gifted in the annals of 
 American literature; — theirs, the feelings that were embodied in 
 her exclamation of mingled wonder, awe, and chastened admiration: 
 
 "Flow on forever in thy glorious robe 
 Of terror and of beauty! God hath set 
 His rainbow on thy forehead, and the cloud 
 Mantled around thy feet, and He doth give 
 The voice of thunder power to speak of Him 
 Eternally — bidding the lip of man 
 Keep silence, and upon thy rocky altar pour 
 Incense of awe-struck praise." * 
 
 How wild and magnificent ihis panorama of the wilderness, as 
 it must have appeared to those solitary wanderers! It was 
 unheralded; no traveller had spread before them maps or descrip- 
 tions; the sound of its rushing waters, booming over the unbroken 
 forest, and assailing their ears as they were leaving the "Lake of 
 Frontenac," and entering the "Streights of Herrie Lake," first 
 attracted their attention. Approaching the "great waterfall" by 
 stealth — watchful of the poisonous reptile that coiled in their path 
 — fearful of the Iroquois that lurked in the dark surrounding 
 forests — stunned by the sounds that fell heavier and heavier upon 
 the ear, as they approached their source; — they emerged from 
 behind the forest curtain, and the scene in all its lonely, primeval 
 grandeur, like a flood of light, burst upon their view! It was 
 Nature in her retreat. Hid away in the bosom of this then vast 
 
 * Mrs. Sigourney, 
 
198 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 wilderness, before unknown to any portion of the civilized world, 
 was one of the mightiest achievements of Creative Power. 
 
 How primitive the scene ! All but the roar of the mighty 
 cataract was hushed silence. That, rioted in a monopoly of 
 sound, as does the rolling thunder in the heavens, when, as the 
 voice of God, it chastens all things else to stillness and humility. 
 
 At each crackling beneath their footsteps, the wild beast started 
 from his lair in the ever-green shades that crown the lofty 
 palisades of rock; — the timid deer, as if transfixed, gazed for a 
 moment upon strange faces, and bounded to his forest retreat; the 
 eagle, frightened from his eyrie, sailed away, in an atmosphere of 
 spray and fleeting cloud, the tints of the rainbow that spans the 
 deep abyss, reflected from his glossy wing. Onward! Onward! 
 came the avalanche of waters ! Ages have passed, — all but that 
 has changed! Civilization, the arts, the highest achievements of 
 genius, human progress, are placing their triumphs by its side, and 
 claiming a divided admiration. Tens of thousands, gathered from 
 almost every portion of the habitable globe, come annually, 
 pilgrims and sojourners, to gaze upon the works of God, and the 
 feebler yet interesting consummations of Art. How vividly, do 
 thoughts, contrasts of the past and present, cluster around this spot! 
 
 The general narrative, which has been interrupted by the intro- 
 duction of distinct local topics, will be resumed. 
 
 The treaty of Aix la Chapelle, as other treaties, had left matters 
 of dispute between England and France unsettled. Either nation 
 was at liberty, whenever its interests might be promoted by so 
 doing, to revive any of the vexed and difficult questions of 
 discovery, boundary and occupancy, that had frequently involved 
 them ^nd their distant colonies, in war, disasters and ruin. Their 
 contending armies had enjoyed but a short armistice — hostiUties 
 on the extended frontier of their colonial settlements had but just 
 ceased — the conquests that had been made, had hardly been 
 surrendered and re-occupied — when the French began a system 
 of encroachments, which they intended should result in confining 
 the English colonies within the comparatively narrow limits 
 between the Alleghanies and the Atlantic, and secure to themselves 
 undisputed possession of all the territory west and south-west, 
 around the Lakes, and in the vallies of the Mississippi and its 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 199 
 
 tributaries. The warlike preparations and collisions that occurred 
 during the two years immediately preceding the public declaration 
 of war on the part of England, in 1756, were the immediate 
 consequences of the far-reaching poHcy deliberately adopted and 
 steadily pursued by France. Both England and France were 
 anxious to gain the good will and aid, alliance and trade, of the 
 Indian nations yet occupying and owning the contested dominions. 
 Their respective agents made use of every means to win their 
 favor, make treaties of friendship with them, and fill their minds 
 with hatred and enmity; — induce them to believe that either one 
 nation or the other was their exclusive friend and protector. The 
 Indians regarded these two European nations as perpetual enemies, 
 for they were almost always wrangling at the council fires, 
 interrupting each other's trade, or making the battle field the 
 arbitrer of their disputes. They were never united against the 
 Indians as a common enemy; and the Indians, in turn, generally 
 sided with the one that offered the best terms. Especially was 
 this the case with the Iroquois; the French missionaries, and the 
 French faculty generally, of adapting themselves to wild forest 
 life, and the habits and customs of the Indians, gave them decidedly 
 the vantage ground among the less independent and politic nations 
 of the West. If the Indians attacked the frontier settlements, or 
 committed any acts of hostility, one nation was sure to charge it to 
 the instigation of the other, and hold the implicated party 
 responsible. Out of this state of things, and out of the desire 
 which both had to maintain their rival and irreconcilable claims — 
 to strengthen their influence and ascendency — arose mutual 
 suspicions, distrusts, jealousies, and open acts of aggression. Both 
 became watchful and vigilant that one should not obtain the 
 advantage of the other. Each nation had formed a firm determi- 
 nation to defend what it regarded its just rights, and was secretly, 
 though eflliciently, preparing itself for the great struggle which was 
 to decide the fate of their colonial dependencies in North America. 
 Both were ambitious to extend and widen their western boundaries, 
 and consolidate the power by which they held and governed them. 
 When both WGre so sensitive and watchful, it needed only a slight 
 occasion to terminate a peace which gave any thing but repose 
 and quietness to the parties that professed to observe it; and to 
 cause a war which involved the destiny of the contestants in its 
 issues, and the possession of empires in its fortunes. 
 
200 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The seizure of English far traders by the French; the estabUsh- 
 ment, by the latter, of military posts on the Ohio, and refusal to 
 surrender them on the demand of the colonial authorities, in 1753; 
 the expedition conducted by Washington* to the western frontiers 
 of Virginia, — and the skirmishes he had with the French and 
 Indians in the Great Meadows, in 1754; the extensive preparations 
 made by both parties for active campaigns; the expeditions planned 
 by the English against forts Du Quesne, Crown Point and Niagara; 
 the forcible expulsion of the French from Nova Scotia; the repulse 
 and death of Col. Ephraim Williams, by Baron Dieskau, and 
 the final overthrow of the latter by Sir W^illiam Johnson, at the 
 battle of lake George; the occupation and fortification of Ticon- 
 deroga by the French, in 1755, were the principal events that took 
 place in the wide and extended field of operations, before the two 
 contending nations, with their savage allies, began to struggle in 
 earnest for the undivided possessions they had respectively claimed, 
 within the more immediate region of our researches. 
 
 * The venerated name of the Father of his Country, is here first incident to our 
 narrative. The reader who has not had the opportunity of admiring- Mr. Bancroft's 
 beautiful introduction of it into liis pages, will thank us for embracing it in a note. 
 He has seized upon an earlier occasion, and other than a military advent, but his 
 admirable episode is so framed as to admit of being appropriately blended with the 
 events we are tracing: — " At the ven,' time of the congress of Aix la Chapelle, the 
 woods of Virginia sheltered the youthful George Washington, the son of a widow. 
 Born by the side of the Potomac, beneath the roof of a Westmoreland farmer, almost 
 from infancy his lot had been the lot of an orphan. No Academy had welcomed him to 
 its shades, no College crowned him with its honors: — to read, to write, to cypher — these 
 had been his degrees in knowledge. And now at sixteen years of age, in quest of an 
 honest maintenance, encountering intolerable toil; cheered by being able to write to a 
 school-boy friend, ' Dear Richard, a doubloon is my constant gain every day, and 
 sometimes six pistoles;' 'himself, his own cook, having no spit but a forked stick, no 
 plate but a large chip;' roaming over the spurs of the Alleghanies, and along the banks 
 of the Shenandoah; alive to nature, and sometimes 'spending the best of the day in 
 admiring the trees and the richness of the land;' among skin clad savages, their 
 scalps and rattles, or uncouth emigrants 'that would never speak English,' rarely 
 sleeping in a bed; holding a bear skin a splendid couch; glad of a resting place at 
 night upon a little hay, straw or fodder, and often camping in the forests, where the 
 place nearest the fire was a happy luxurj-; — this stripling surveyor in the woods, with no 
 companion but his unlettered associates, and no implements of service but his compass 
 and chain, contrasted strongly with the imperial magnificence of the congress of Aix 
 la Chapelle. And yet God had selected, not Kaunitz nor Newcastle, not a monarch of 
 the house of Hapsburgh, nor of Hanover, but the Virginia stripling, to give an 
 impulse to human affairs, and as far as events can depend upon an individual, 
 had placed the rights and destinies of countless millions in the keeping of the 
 widow's son." 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 201 
 
 Governor Shirley of Massachusetts, who commanded the 
 EngHsh forces destined to attack forts Niagara and Frontenac, 
 after much delav, embarrassment and a tedious march through 
 the wilderness, arrived at Oswego, the 21st of August, 1755. 
 Having ascertained that the garrison in the fort was reduced to 
 about sixty French soldiers, and one hundred Indians, but was in 
 daily expectation of reinforcements, the British General made 
 every exertion in his power to attack it immediately. But his 
 scanty means of transportation, the desertion of batteau men, the 
 scarcity of wagons on the iMohawk river, and the desertion of 
 sledge men at the great carrying place, the slow and lingering 
 conveyance of provisions and military stores, occupied about four 
 weeks. The council of war that Gov. Shirley assembled on the 
 1 8th of September, recommended that an attempt be made on Fort 
 Niagara. Six hundred regulars were drafted for that object. 
 The artillery and military stores were first put on board the Sloop 
 Ontario, part of the provision on another vessel, and the remainder 
 were to be transported in small row boats. The long and drench- 
 ing rains that now set in, rendered it dangerous to attempt a 
 venture upon the lake before the 26th of the month. Orders to 
 embark were promptly given, but it was found impossible to 
 execute them. Winds from the west blew violently, followed by 
 a rain which lasted thirteen days. Sickness and disease then 
 rapidly began to diminish the strength and numbers of the army, 
 and the Indians to desert. The season for active operations was 
 now far gone. Another council of war was held on the 27th, 
 which resulted in a determination to put off the expedition until 
 next year. Col. Merger was left at Oswego with a garrison of 
 seven hundred men, with orders to erect two new forts for the 
 better protection of the place. Gov. Shirley returned with the 
 rest of his army. 
 
 Thus this expedition, like the others that had been planned, and 
 were to be carried on by the skill and bravery, experience and 
 prudence of the combined colonial and English forces, ended 
 in disaster and failure; to be followed by a brilliant triumph 
 of the arms of France, when she should again make this place the 
 scene of bloody conflict, level to the ground the battlements which 
 England had raised, under the brave but finally unfortunate Marquis 
 de Montcalm. 
 
 Though open hostilities had existed for two years, war was not 
 
202 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 formally declared by Great Britian until the 17th of May, 1756. 
 France not only persevered in her encroachments, but sent out a 
 large armament with troops and munitions of war. Every hope 
 that the questions of dispute could be amicably settled was now 
 gone. The court of France endeavored to conceal and cover 
 their real designs by the most solemn assurances of pacific senti- 
 ments and intentions. To do this more effectually, their ambassador 
 at the court of St. James was deceived, and while he was instructed 
 to give the most positive pledges of the friendship of France, orders 
 were at the same time transmitted to the French authorities in 
 Canada still to strengthen and hold their posts at all hazards. 
 France, true to her policy of erecting a barrier beyond which 
 English territorial authority should not go in North America, was 
 pursuing a similar policy at the same time in India. It soon became 
 inevitable that the fortunes of war must decide the destinies of both 
 nations, so far, at least, as concerned their colonial possessions on 
 the eastern portions of this continent. 
 
 Montcalm, the successor of Dieskau, as commander in chief 
 of the French forces of Canada, led an army of five thousand 
 men, composed of regulars, militia and Indians, against Oswego, 
 and invested the English fort there. On the 12th. of August, 
 at midnight, after the completion of every necessary arrangement, 
 with thirty-two pieces of artillery besides howitzers and mortars, 
 he opened a terrible cannonade from his trenches. The small 
 amount of ammunition the garrison had, having been exhausted, 
 Col. Mercer, the commanding officer, spiked his guns, abandoned 
 the fort, retreated across the river without the loss of a single 
 man, and took position in Little Fort Oswego. Montcalm 
 immediately entered the deserted fort, and from it he poured a 
 destructive fire upon the English, during which Col. Mercer was 
 killed. Dismayed at the loss of their commanding officer, defeated 
 in an effiDrt to open a communication with Fort George, (situated 
 about four miles up the river, under the command of Gen. Schuy- 
 ler,) the English offered to capitulate on the 14th, on condition 
 that they should not be plundered by the Indians, but treated with 
 humanity. The two regiments that surrendered amounted to 
 about one thousand four hundred men. A large quantity of mili- 
 tary stores and provisions, one hundred and twenty-one pieces of 
 artillery, and fourteen mortars, fell into the hands of the French. 
 As soon as Montcal3i was in possession of both forts, he ordered 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 203 
 
 them to be demolished and destroyed, in the presence of his 
 enemies and alUes. Then was enacted a tragedy, as contrary to 
 every sentiment of humanity, as it was in violation of the faith 
 that had been pledged to prevent it. Montcalm, against his 
 promise and treaty, gave twenty of his prisoners to the custody 
 and tortures of his savage allies, as victims for an equal number 
 of Indians that had been killed during the siege. The rest of 
 the prisoners were also exposed to the insults of the French 
 Indian allies. 4i 
 
 When these calamitous events became known, the British 
 authorities abandoned all plans of further offensive operations 
 that season, which was then nearly passed. The high and splen- 
 did anticipations, that the campaign would end in a series of bril- 
 liant achievments, were all disappointed, and a feehng of gloom 
 and despondency followed, in the English colonies. 
 
 Thus was struck down the red cross of St. George, to float no 
 more over these chequered scenes of desolation and conflict, where 
 many a brave and gallant youth found an untimely grave, until it 
 waved triumphantly over the then entire northern portion of the 
 continent that rallied around a hostile standard — each of which, 
 ere long, in its turn — even before that generation passed away — 
 when friends turned oppressors, and enemies became allies — was 
 to give place to another banner, that was notthen in existence, — its 
 emblematic stars had not yet risen above the horizon of empires; — 
 but which is now the banner of a nation great and glorious, alike 
 in the arts of war, and the far nobler arts of peace. 
 
 The victories of the French gave them command of lake 
 Champlain and lake George. Their success at Oswego confirmed 
 their control over the western Lakes, and the valley of the 
 Mississippi. Their occupation of Fort Du Quesne, enabled them 
 to cultivate the friendship, and continue their influence over the 
 Indians west of the Alleghanies. Their hne of communication 
 reached from Canada to Louisiana, and they were masters of the 
 vast territories that spread out beyond it. Their supremacy upon 
 this continent was now at its zenith; henceforward all change 
 tended to decline and final dispossession. The time speedily came, 
 when the victors were to be vanquished, and their dominions ruled 
 by their enemies. 
 
 In 1758, William Pitt, afterwards Earl of Chatham, was at the 
 head of the British ministry. Soon every department of the 
 
204 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 public service felt the animating influence of his commanding and 
 lofty spirit. His energetic and vigorous measures inspired hope 
 and confidence at home and abroad. The brave soldiers who had 
 been so often humbled in defeat, kindled with ardor for an 
 opportunity to assert their title to honor and fame, and have a 
 share in the glorious deeds which the future promised. Incompe- 
 tent commanders were re-called, and officers of military genius and 
 experience succeeded them. Three expeditions were planned. 
 Louisburg was again captured. Th» French deserted Fort Du 
 Quesne on the approach of an English army. That against 
 Crown Point and Ticonderoga alone was defeated, and relinquished; 
 but out of its failure arose the successful expedition against Fort 
 Frontenac, at the suggestion of Colonel Bradstreet, who com- 
 manded it. 
 
 At the head of about three thousand men, with eight cannon and 
 three mortars, Col. Bradstreet left the camp of the defeated 
 army, which had retreated to its former position on the south side 
 of lake George. Arriving at Oswego, he lost no time in embarking 
 his men. Crossing the lake, he landed about one mile from the fort, 
 on the evening of August 25th.* He urged forward his prepa- 
 rations for an attack with such rapidity, that within two days, he 
 opened his batteries so near the French works as to make every 
 discharge produce an effect. The French commander; deserted by 
 his Indian allies, and satisfied that his capture was inevitable, 
 surrendered at discretion, on the 27th. One hundred and ten 
 prisoners, nine vessels, sixty cannon, sixteen mortars, a large 
 number of light arms, great quantities of military stores, provisions, 
 and merchandise, were taken. The fort was dismantled and 
 demolished. The vessels and such other things as could not be 
 carried away, were destroyed. Col. Bradstreet then marched 
 his detachment back and joined the main army. 
 
 The success of this expedition aided that which was marching 
 
 * Fort Frontenac is thus described in the "Journals of Major Robert Rogers," an 
 officer justly disting\iished as a daring and skillful commander of a company of 
 "Rangers," who visited it soon after it was taken by the EngUsh: 
 
 "This fort was square faced, had four bastions with stone, and was near three- 
 quarters of a mile in circumference. Its situation was very beautiful, the banks of the 
 river presenting, on ever}' side, an agreeable landscape, with a fine prospect of lake 
 Ontario, which was distant about a league, interspersed with many Islands that were 
 well wooded, and seemingly beautiful. The French had formerly a great trade at this 
 fort with the Indians, it being erected on purpose to prevent their trading with the 
 English, but it is now totally destroyed." 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 205 
 
 against Du Quesnc. French rc-inforcements from Niagara and 
 Frontenac, could not now come. Conscious of their inability to 
 dispute successfully the possession of the fort, with a force so form- 
 idable as that of the English, the French voluntarily abandoned it, 
 silently passing down the Ohio river. With them also departed the 
 powerful influence they had long exercised over the surrounding 
 Indian nations, never again to be revived. No sooner was the 
 British flag floating over the cmbattlements France had raised, 
 than they called councils, and entered into treaties of peace and 
 alliance with the British. The Indians said that the Great Spirit, 
 having deserted the French, M^ould no more protect them, and 
 would be angry with all who helped them. The French line of 
 communication between the northern and southern extremities of 
 their possessions was now effectually broken. The reverse which 
 took place in the fortunes of the contending nations, was not more 
 striking, than was the change of feeling manifested by the different 
 parties, at the clovse of the campaign. 
 
 In 1759, Major General Amherst succeeded as commander of 
 the British forces in North America. The success which had 
 attended the British arms, encouraged the adoption of measures 
 which contemplated the entire conquest of Canada. The three 
 strong positions still held by the French were all to be attacked 
 at the same time. General James Wolf, who had distinguished 
 himself at Louisburg, was to besiege Quebec. General Amherst 
 was to march against Ticonderoga, and Crown Point, and after 
 taking those places, cross lake Champlain, and join Wolf. Gene- 
 ral Prideaux, accompanied by Sir Willl\m Johnson, was to 
 command the expedition against Fort Niagara. General Stanwix 
 commanded a detachment, which was to watch and guard lake 
 Ontario, and reduce the remaining French posts on the Ohio. 
 
 Early in the spring. Gen. Amherst established his head-quarters 
 at Albany, where he concentrated his forces about the end of May. 
 The summer was well advanced before he was able to cross lake 
 George. He reached Ticonderoga, July 22d. When he was 
 ready to open his batteries on the French, who appeared deter- 
 mined to defend this position, he suddenly discovered that after 
 blowing up their magazines and doing all the injury they could, the 
 enemy had retreated during the night, to Crown Point. The 
 British took possession of the fort without firing a gun, the next 
 day. After reparing its damaged fortifications, Gen. Amherst 
 
206 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 proceeded to Crown Point. On his approach the French retired 
 before him, and took up a position on the Isle Aux Noix, at the 
 northern end of lake Champlain. At that point the French force 
 was about three thousand five hundred strong. They had a large 
 train of artillery and four armed vessels. Gen. Amherst was 
 anxious to dislodge them, but this could not be done without a naval 
 force able to meet the enemy's. He hastily built two boats, and 
 succeeded in destroying two belonging to the French. The season 
 was now far gone. In October he fixed his winter quarters at 
 Crown Point, and employed the time in repairing the works there 
 and at Ticonderoga. 
 
 The arrangements for the expedition against Fort Niagara 
 having been completed, General Prideaux, with an army composed 
 of European and Provincial troops and Indians, marched to Oswego, 
 coasted along the southern shore of lake Ontario, and without 
 opposition landed at the mouth of the Four Mile creek on the 6th 
 of July. 
 
 The author derives the following minute accounts of the invest- 
 ment and final capture of Fort Niagara, from files of the Maryland 
 Gazette, published at Baltimore at that early period of newspaper 
 enterprise in the American colonies, that have been perserved in the 
 archives of the Maryland Historical Society. The preceding 
 accounts, it will be observed, are from English sources, in the form 
 of letters from correspondents, and items of news by the editor, 
 derived either from New York and Philadelphia papers, or from 
 correspondents in those cities. The heading to the account that 
 follows, is sufficiently explanatory of the source from which it is 
 derived. Taken altogether, the reader will probably conclude that 
 it is a much better account of this locally important military enter- 
 prise, than has before been incorporated in history. The author 
 adopts the accounts as he finds them in the ancient newspaper files, 
 believing that a cotemporary relation of the events will be far 
 more interesting to the reader, than any he could derive from other 
 sources: 
 
 " Niagara, July 25th, 1759 
 •• Yesterday morning a party of French and Indians, consisting of 1500, of which 
 400 were Indians, about 8 o'clock, came upon our right, where a breast-work was 
 thrown up, as we had intelligence of their coming ; and as ten of our people were 
 crossing the lake above, they began to fire on them, which gave our people time to get 
 all their piquets, the 46th regiment, part of the 44th, 100 New Yorkers, 600 Indians, 
 Veady to oppose them: we waited and received their fire five or six times, before our 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 207 
 
 people returned it, which they did at about 30 yards distance, then jumped over their 
 breast-work, and closed in with them, upon which they immediately gave way and 
 broke; their Indians left them, and for a while we made a vast slaughter. The whole 
 being defeated, the prisoners were brought in, among which were above 16 or 17 
 officers, several of distinction, and about 60 or 70 men; the whole field was covered 
 with their dead. After the General took the names of all the officers taken, he sent 
 Major Harvkt, by the desire of Monsieur D'Acbret, the commanding officer of the 
 wliole party, to the commanding officer of the fort, who disputed his having them, and 
 kept Major Harvev in the fort, and sent an officer to the General; when they found 
 it was true, and all their succors cut oiF, they began to treat on conditions of surrender, 
 which continued till near 8 o'clock in the evening before they were concluded; 
 however, our grenadiers, with the train, marched in this morning, and the whole 
 garrison was surrendered to Sir William Johnson, who succeeded to the command 
 after the death of General Prideaux. 
 
 " The ordnance stores found in the Fort at Niagara when Gen. Johnson took 
 possession of it, were two 14 pounders; 19 twelve pounders; one eleven pounder; 
 7 eight pounders; 7 six pounders; 2 four pounders; 5 two pounders — all iron: 1500 
 round 12 pound shot; 40,000 pound musket ball; 200 weight of match: 500 hand 
 grenades; 2 cohorns and 2 mortars, mounted; 300 bill-axes [?]; 500 hand hatchets; 
 100 axes; 300 shovels; 400 pick-axes; 250 mattocks; [hoes]; 54 spades: 12 whip- 
 saws, and a considerable number of small arms, swords, tomahawks, scalping-knives, 
 cartouch-boxes, «&c. 
 
 A letter from Niagara, dated July 25th, has the following particulars: — 
 
 "Your old friend Sir William Johnson, has gained immortal honor in this affair. 
 The army have the highest opinion of him, and the Indians adore him, as his conduct 
 has been steady and judicious; he has carried on the siege with spirit. The Mohawks 
 have done wonders, serving in the trenches and ever,' place where Sir William was." 
 
 We are informed, that upon Gen. Amherst's receiving the news of the death of 
 Brigadier Gen. Prideaux, he immediately appointed Brigadier General Gage, of the 
 Light Infantr}-, commander-in-chief of the forces before Niagara; and that Gen. 
 Gage was at Albany, when the orders from Gen. Amherst came to him; but it was 
 impossible for him to reach Niagara before it surrendered to Sir William Johnson. 
 Col. Haldiman, we are told, embarked from Oswego for Niagara, the very day it 
 surrendered, the 24th ult. 
 
 All the prisoners taken at Niagara, amounting in the whole to about 800, are coming 
 down to this city [i. e. New York], and are on their way; so that we may expect them 
 ever}- day. The women and children taken in the fort. Gen. Johnson has sent to 
 Montreal, we are told. 
 
 From Oswego we have the following interesting intelligence, dated July 28th, 1759: 
 
 "This day Lieutenant Moncrief, aid-de-camp to the late Gen. Prideaux, arrived 
 here from Niagara, which he left the 26th instant, on his way to Gen. Amherst. 
 From the said gentleman we have the following particulars, viz: — That after the 
 melancholy accident of the 20th, which carried off the General, the command of the 
 array devolving on Sir William Johnson, he continued to pursue the late General's 
 vigorous measures, and erected his third batter}' within 100 yards of the flag bastion; 
 having intelligence from his Indians, of a largo party being on their march from the 
 Falls to relieve the fort. Sir William made a disposition to prevent them. The 23d, 
 in the evening, he ordered the Light Infantr}-, and picquets of the lines, to he near the 
 road on our left, leading from the Falls to the fort; these he reinforced in the morning 
 of the 24th, with the Grenadiers, and part of the 46th regiment, all under the com- 
 
208 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 mand of Lieut. Col. Massey: Lieut. Col. Farquar, with the 44th battahon, was 
 ordered to the tail of the trenches, to support the guard of the trenches, commauded by 
 Major Beckwith. About eight in the morning our Indians advanced to speak to 
 the French Indians, which the enemy declined. The action began soon after, with 
 screams, as usual, from the enemy; but our troops were so well disposed to receive 
 them iu front, and our Indians on their flanks, that in less than an hour's time their 
 whole army was ruined. The number of the slain was not ascertained, as the pursuit 
 was continued for tliree miles. Seventeen officers were made prisoners, among whom 
 are Monsieur D'Aubrey, chief in command, wounded; Monsieur de Lignery, second 
 in command, wounded also; Monsieur Marini, leader of the Indians; Monsieur de 
 Vlllie, Repentini, Martini, and Basonc, all captains, and several others.* After 
 this defeat, which was in sight of the garrison. Sir William sent Major Harvey into 
 the fort, with a list of the officers taken, recommending it to the commanding officer to 
 surrender before more blood was shed, and while he had it in his power to restrain the 
 Indians. The commanding officer, to be certain of such a defeat, sent an officer of 
 his to see the prisoners; they were shown to him; and, in short, the capitulation was 
 finished about ten at night of the 24th, by which the garrison surrendered, with the 
 honors of war, which Lieutenant Moncrief saw embarked the morning he came 
 away, to the number of 607 private men, exclusive of the officers and their ladies, and 
 those taken in the action. We expect them here to-morrow on their way to 
 New York. 
 
 Saturday afternoon an express arrived in town [New York City] from Albany, 
 which place he left about 6 o'clock on Thursday morning, with the following agreeable 
 news, which was brought to Albany a few hours before, from Sir William Johnson 
 at Niagara, viz: — That on the 24th of July, as Sir William lay before the fort of 
 Niagara, with the forces under his command, besieging it, he received intelligence by 
 a party of his Indians that were sent out on a scout, that there was a large body of 
 French and Indians, coming from Venango, as a reinforcement to the garrison of 
 Niagara. Gen. Johnson thereupon ordered 600 chosen men from the 44th and 46lh 
 regiments, 100 New York provincials, and 600 Mohawks, Senecas, &c. to march 
 immediately, and way lay them, which they accordingly did, and threw up a breast- 
 work at a place where they knew the French must pass by on their way to the fort; 
 and sent a batteau with 10 or 12 men down the river a little way, to fire when the 
 enemy were near at hand, which would give tliem warning to prepare themselves for 
 their reception; and in a short time after their breast-work was finished, they heard the 
 alarm given by the batteau, that was sent forward, on which they all prepared them- 
 selves to ijBceive the enemy, each man having two balls and three buck-shot in his gun, 
 and were squatted. However, the enemy perceived them in their entrenchment, and 
 fired six times on them before our people returned the fire; but as soon as the enemy 
 came close, all the English rose up and discharged their pieces, which made the utmost 
 slaughter imaginable among them, and repeated their fire three times, when the 
 enemy's Indians that were left alive, left them; immediately upon which our people 
 jumped over their breast-work, and flew on the enemy, sword in hand, still continuing 
 to make great slaughter among them, and took 120 prisoners, among which were 17 
 officers, some of which are of distinction, with their chief commander. The havoc 
 we made at the end was great, 500 of the enemy at least being left on the field of 
 
 * The battle ground is a mile and a half below the Five Mile Meadows, at a place 
 called Bloody Run. Skulls and other human bones, bill-axes, pieces of muskets, &c., 
 were strewn over the ground there, long after the settlement of the country commenced. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 209 
 
 battle. Those that could, made their escape, and went down the river. Upon tho 
 return of our troops to Gen. Johnson with the prisoners, he immediately sent a ilag of 
 truce in to the commander of the fort, and demanded a surrender, telling him of the 
 defeat of the reinforcement he expected; but the French commandant would not give 
 credit to what Gen. Johnson said, till he had sent a flag of truce with a drum, into our 
 camp, and found it but too true ; and immediately on the officer's return to the fort, 
 the French commandant oiTered to capitulate, provided Gen. Johnson would permit the 
 garrison to march out with all the honors of war, which was agreed to ; but that they 
 must immediately, upon their coming out, lay down their arms, and surrender them- 
 selves, which they accordingly did; and Gen. Johnson took possession of the fort 
 directly after. The garrison consisted of 607 men, among which were 16 oificers, 7 of 
 which were captains, besides the chief commander, and we hear they are shortly after 
 their surrender, embarked on board of batteaux, and sent up to Oswego, and from 
 thence were to be sent down to Now York, and may be expected here every day. The 
 number of our killed and wounded in the defeat of the reinforcement from Venango, we 
 cannot as yet justly ascertain, but there were five of the New Yorkers among the slain 
 in that affair. It is said we had not lost 40 men in the whole, since the landing of the 
 troops at Niagara. The Indians were allowed all the plunder in the fort, and found a 
 vast quantity of it, some say to the value of £ 300 a man. The fort, it is said, is large 
 enough to contain 1000 fighting men, without inconvenience; all the buildings in and 
 about it are standing, and in good order; and it is thought, had our forces stormed the 
 place (which was intended) they would have met with a warm reception; and beating 
 the Venango partj% will undoubtedly crown with laurels the ever deserving Johnson."* 
 
 Froni the Maryland Gazette, Aug. 23d, 17."<9: Under Philadelphia head, Aug. 16th: 
 By a letter from Niagara, of the 21st. ult. [?], we learn that by the assiduity and 
 influence of Sir V^illiam Johnson, there were upwards of eleven hundred Indians 
 convened there, who, by their good behaviour, have justly gained the esteem of the 
 whole army: That Sir William being informed the enemy had buried a quantity of 
 goods on an Island, about twenty miles from the fort, sent a number of Indians to 
 search for them, who found to the value of eight thousand pounds, and were in hopes 
 of finding more, and that a French vessel, entirely laden with beaver, had foundered on 
 the Lake, where her crew, consisting of forty-one men, were all lost.t 
 
 From the Maryland Gazette, Thursday, Aug. 30, 1759. 
 
 •' New York, August 20, 1759. 
 
 JOURNAL OF THE StEGE OF NIAGARA, TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH: 
 
 Friday, July 6, 1759. About seven at night a soldier, who was hunting, came 
 with all diligence to acquaint Monsieur Pouchot, that he had discovered at the entrance 
 
 * The following eloquent description of the battle scene upon the river bank, occurs 
 in Graham's Colonial Histon,': — " The French Indians having raised the fierce, wild 
 yell, called tho war-whoop, which by this time had lost its appalling effects on the 
 British soldiers, the action began by an impetuous attack from the enemy; and while 
 the neighboring Cataract of Niagara, pealed forth to inattentive ears, it.s everlasting 
 voice of many icaters, the roar of artilley, the shrieks of the Indians, and all the martial 
 clang and dreadful revelry of a field of bcittle, mingled in wild chorus with the majestic 
 music of nature." 
 
 t Some may bo disposed to infer that the anchor, cannon, &c. which the author has 
 assumed, were those of the Griffin, are as likely to have belonged to the shipwrecked 
 vessel here spoken of. But forty-six years intervened between the loss of this vessel, 
 and the finding of the relics near the mouth of the Eighteen Mile creek; not a suflrcient 
 period to allow of the appearance those relics presented: the anchor deeply embedded 
 m sand and gravel, the timber growth, &c. 
 
 14 
 
210 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 of the wood, a party of savages, and that they had even fired on some other hunters. 
 Mons. PoucHOT immediately sent M. Selviert, Captain in the regiment of Rousil- 
 lon, at the head of one picquet, a dozen Canadian volunteers preceded them, and on 
 their coming to the edge of the woods, a number of Indians fired upon them which 
 they returned, and were obliged to retire. They took Messrs. Furnace and Aloque, 
 Interpreters of the Iroquois, two Canadians, and two other gentlemen. They made 
 another discharge and retired. Monsieur Fouchot fired some cannon upon them. 
 Mons. Selviert lay all night, with 100 men, in the Demilune,* and the rest of the 
 garrison was under arms on the ramparts till midnight. 
 
 Saturday, July 1th. We perceived 7 barges on the Lake, a league and a half 
 distance from the fort; we judged by that it was the English come to besiege us: 
 Mons. PoucHOT ordered the general to be beat, and employed all hands to work on the 
 batteries, to erect embrasures, t all being en harhctt before. He immediately des* 
 patched a courier to Mons. Chkvert, to give him notice of what happened; he also 
 sent out Monsieur La Force, || Captain of the Schooner Iroquois, to destroy the English 
 barges where he could find them. All that day several savages showed themselves on 
 the edge of the desert. Monsieur La Force fired several cannon shot at them; and 
 perceived they were working at an entrenchment at the Little Swamp, ^ which is a 
 league and a half from the fort. The guards this night as the night before. 
 
 Sunday, 8ih July. The schooner continued to cruise and fire on the English camp. 
 About nine in the morning, an English officer brought a letter from Brigadier 
 Prideacx, to Mons. Pouchot, to summons him, proposing him all advantages and 
 good treatment, all which he very politely refused, and even seemed to be unwilling to 
 receive the English General's letter. The remainder of this day the English made no 
 motions. 
 
 [There is no entry for Monday.] 
 
 Tuesday, lOth. At 2 o'clock all our men were on the ramparts, and at day-broak 
 we perceived they had opened their trenches, at the entrance of the wilderness, at . 
 about three hundred toises from the fort; we made a very hot fire upon them all day. 
 M. Chabourt arrived with the garrison of the Little Fort,§ and seven or eight savage 
 
 * The work in front of the curtain or main breast-work. 
 
 t A narrow orifice through which the cannon is fired. 
 
 t In a condition to allow of cannon being fired over them. 
 
 II We first hear of this early navigator upon lake Ontario, in Washington's diary of "' 
 his mission to the Ohio, in 1753, He accompanied him in a part of his tour, and in i' 
 the ensuing spring was captured and sent a prisoner to Williamsburg. He was the 
 French leader and Indian negotiator in the early contest between the French and ! 
 English in the neighborhood ofFort Du Quesne, (Pittsburgh). He was the Joncaire 
 of that region, though not as successful, as was the adopted son of the Senecas. Ho 
 broke jail at Williamsburg, and going at large, excited terror among the border settlers 
 of Virginia, by whom he was regarded as a dangerous ally of the Indians. In his 
 attempted escape, he was arrested by a back woods-man, who resisted his offers of 
 wealth and preferment, and conveyed him back to prison, where he was loaded with a t 
 double weight of irons and chained to the floor of his dungeon. Washington, hearing ■ 
 of the hard fate of his old acquaintance, remonstrated with Gov. Dinwiddie, but failed ' 
 to excite his sympathies. La Force remained in prison two years. The next we hear 
 of him, he is captain of the " Schooner Iroquois " on lake Ontario. Cruising on the 
 letke, he escaped the fate of his countrymen at Niagara. 
 
 ^ The Little Swamp is forty rods west of the mouth of the Four Mile Creek. Some 
 of the remains of the battery are still there. 
 
 § At Schlosser 
 
HOLLAxND PURCHASE. 211 
 
 Iroquois and Missagoes. Monsieur Pouchot went to palisade the ditches: The service 
 as usual, only the addition of two officers to lie in the covered way. About 11 o'clock 
 at night, orders were given to make all the picquets fire from the covered way, to 
 hinder the workmen of the enemy. M. La Forck sent his boat on shore for Monsieur 
 Poochot's orders. 
 
 Wednesday, Wth July. The works continue on both sides. At noon a party of 
 about fifteen men, soldiers and militia, went very nigh the trenches of the enemy, and 
 perceived them sally out between four and five hundred, who came towards them at a 
 quick pace, but they were stopped by our cannon. They began on the other side of tho 
 swamp, which is the left of their trench, another about twenty yards; and at 5 o'clock 
 they began to play two Grenadoe Royal Mortars. At 6 o'clock two savages of tho Five 
 Nations, who were invited by one Cayenuessk, of their nation, came to speak to 
 Monsieur Pouchot; the firing ceased on both sides during this parley. At 10 o'clock 
 we began to fire again, and then we found the English had eight mortars. 
 
 Night bcticcen the Will and \2th. The enemy ran their parallel from their first 
 trench to the lake side, where it seemed they intended to establish a battery. At two 
 in the afternoon, [of the 12th, doubtless,] four chiefs of the Five Nations came to us 
 on parole, and said they were going to retire to Belle Famille. The enemy wrought 
 the rest of that day, and perfected their night's work. Monsieur La Force had orders 
 to proceed to Frontenac, and to return immediately. In the night between the 12th 
 and 13th they fired many bombs. I went with thirty men to observe where the 
 enemy wrought. 
 
 Friday, 13fA Jxdy. A canoe arrived from Monsieur De Ville, to hear how we 
 stood at this post (or rather for the Canada post.) The enemy threw a great many 
 bombs all this day, and continued to work to perfect their trenches: we fired a great 
 many cannon shot. Many of their savages crossed the river, and desired to speak 
 with us; there were but two of those nations with us. I went out with five volunteers, 
 to act as the night before. The enemy fired no bombs till about midnight. 
 
 Saturday, I4th July. At day-break we found they had prolonged their trenches to 
 the lake shore, in spite of the great fire from our cannon and musketrj', during the 
 night, and perfected it during the day time; they have placed four mortars and thrown 
 many bombs. All our garrison lay in the covered way, and on the ramparts. 
 
 Sunday, ITiih July. In the morning we perceived they had finished their works 
 begun the night before. During the night the)' threw three hundred bombs; the resi 
 of the day and night they threw a great many, but did not incommode us in any shape. 
 
 Monday, IGth July. At dawn of day we spied, about half a league off, two barges, 
 at which we discharged some cannon, on which they retired. In the course of the 
 day they contined to throw some bombs. They have already disabled us about twenty 
 men. All our men lie on beaver, or in their clothes, and armed. We do what we can 
 to incommode them with our cannon. 
 
 Tuesday, llth July. Until six this morning wo had a thick fog, so that we could 
 inot discern the works of the enemy; but it clearing a little up, we saw they had raised 
 a battery of three pieces of cannon, and four mortars on the other side of the river; 
 'they began to fire about 7 A. M., and Monsieur Pouchot placed all the guns he could 
 against them: The fire was brisk on both sides all day, they seemed most inclined 
 to batter tho house where the Commandant lodges. The service as usual for the night. 
 • Wednesday, I8th July. There was a great firing as on the preceding day; we had 
 one soldier dismembered, and four wounded by their bombs. 
 
 Thursdai/, lO^/t July. At dawn of day we found the enemy had begun a parallel 
 eighty yards long in front of the fort. Tho fire was very great on both sides. At 2 P. 
 
212 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 M. arrived the Schooner Iroquois, from Frontenac, and laid abreast of the fort, waiting 
 for a calm, not being able to get in, the enemy having a battery on the other side of the 
 river. Monsieur Pouchot will have the boat on shore as soon as the wind falls. 
 
 Friday, Wth July. The English have made a third parallel, towards the lake; they 
 are to-day about one hundred and sixty yards from the fort. They cannot have worked 
 quietly at the Sappe, having had a great fire of musketry all night long, which they 
 were obhged to bear. During the day they made a great firing with their mortars, and 
 they perfected their works begun the night of the 19th to the 20th. We had one man 
 killed, and four wounded. The fire of the musketry was ver}' hot on both sides till 
 eleven at night, when the enemy left off, and we continued ours all night. Two canoes 
 were sent on board the schooner, which are to go to Montreal and Tironto. 
 
 Saturday, 21st. During the night the enemy made a fourth parallel, which is about 
 one hundred yards from the fort, in which it appears they will erect a battery for a 
 breach in the flag bastion. They have hardly fired any cannon or bombs in the day, 
 which gives room to think they are transporting their cannon and artillerj- from their 
 old battery to their new one. The service as usual. Their battery on the other side 
 fired but little in the day. The schooner went off to see two canoes over lo Tironto, 
 one of which is to post to Montreal, and from thence she is to cruise off Oswego, to try 
 to stop the enemy's convoys when on their way. The company of volunteers are 
 always to pass the night in the covered way. 
 
 Sunday, 22d. All the night was a strong conflict on both sides. We had one man 
 killed by them and bj- our own caaaon. We fired almost all our cannon with cartridges. 
 They worked in the night to perfect all their tt'orks begun the night before The 
 enemy began to fire red-hot balls in the night; they also fired fire-poles. * All day they 
 continued at work to establish their batteries. They fired, as usual, bombs and cannon. 
 The service as usual for the night of the 22d and 23d. They worked hard to perfect 
 their batteries, being ardently sustained by their musketry. 
 
 Monday, 23(Z. We added two pieces of cannon to the bastion of the lake, to oppose 
 those of the enemy's side. At 8 A. M. four savages brought a letter from Monsieur 
 Achrey to Monsieur Pouchot, by which we learn, that he has arrived at the Great 
 Island, t before the Little Fort, at the head of twenty-five hundred, half French and 
 half savages. Monsieur Pouchot immediately sent back four savages with the answer 
 to Monsieur Aubrey's letter, informing him of the enemy's situation. These savages, 
 before they came in, spoke to the Five Nations, and gave them five belts to engage 
 them to retire from the enemy. They saw part of the enemy's camp, and told us the 
 first or second in command was killed by one of our bullets, and two of their guns 
 broken and one mortar. We have room to hope, that with such success we may oblige 
 the enemy to raise the siege, with the loss of men, and as they take up much ground, 
 they must be beat, not being able to rally quick enough. At 2 P. M. they unmasked i 
 
 another battery of pieces of cannon, three of which were eighteen-pounders, the ' 
 
 others twelve and six. They began with a brisk fire, which continued two hours, then 
 slackened. About 5 P. M. we saw a barge go over to Belle Famille, on the other side 
 of the river, and some motions made there. One of the four savages which went off 
 this morning, returned his Porcelain (i. e. wampum), he had nothing new. The 
 service of the night as usual. We worked hard to place two pieces, twelve-pounders, 
 on the middle of the curtains, to bear upon their batterj'. 
 
 * Fire-balls. 
 
 t Nav5' Island, which the French may have regarded as but a continuation of 
 " Great" or Grand Island, 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 213 
 
 Tuesday, 24//t July. The enemy began their firo abount 4 o'clock this morning, and 
 continued to fire with the same vivacity the rest of the day. At 8 A. M. we perceived 
 our army was approaching, having made several discharges of musketry at Belle 
 Famille. At 9 the fire began on both sides, and lasted half an hour. We wait to 
 know who has the advantage of those two. At 2 P. M. we heard by a savage, that 
 our army was routed, and almost all made prisoners, by the treacherj- of our savages: 
 when immediately the English army had the pleasure to inform us of it, by summon- 
 ing us to surrender." 
 
 The above with some letters, were found in an embrasure, after we were in possess- 
 sion of the fort, since which, translated, and the original given to Sir William 
 Johnson. 
 
 Since our last seven sloops arrived here [N. Y.] from Albany, with about six hun- 
 dred and forty French prisoners, officers included, being the whole of the garrison of 
 Niagara. Among the officers are Monsieur Pouchot, who was commander-in-chief 
 of the fort, and Monsieur Villars, both captains, and knights of the order of St. Louis. 
 There are ten other officei-s, one of which is the famous Monsieur Joincceur, a very 
 noted man among the Seneca Indians, and whose father was the first that hoisted 
 French colours in that countr}\ His brother, also a prisoner, is now here, and has 
 been very humane to many Englishmen, having purchased several of them from the 
 savages." 
 
 I While British arms were achieving victories at Ticonderoga, 
 'Crown Point, Frontenac, Du Qucsne, and Niagara, Gen. Wolfe 
 iwas at the same time, vigorously carrying forward his operations 
 [before Quebec. In the midst of his exertions, he received intelli- 
 fgence of the capture of Niagara and the retreat of the French 
 before Gen. AiMherst. The advanced period of the season, the 
 strong French force at the isle Aux Noix, satisfied Wolfe that 
 the union of the force under Gen. Amherst with that under 
 'himself, could not take place. Neither was it probable that Sir 
 William Johnson would be able to march against Montreal, to 
 [divide the forces and divert the attention of the French. Notwith- 
 standing all this, Wolfe resolved to continue the siege, make 
 superior caution and daring, activity and bravery supply the place 
 of numbers and strength. Though in body so weak and feeble 
 ffrom the effects of a painful and wasting malady, that he was 
 often confined to his room. Gen. Wolfe, by his cheerful and 
 ■confident bearing, inspired the minds of all around him with the 
 highest expectation, that under him their brightest hopes would be 
 .fully realized — their toils and sufferings be rewarded with the 
 noblest triumph British valor had ever before achieved on the 
 American continent. 
 
 I With an army of eight thousand men, under a convoy of British 
 'vessels, Gen. Wolfe landed on the Isle of Orleans, lying in the 
 St. Lawrence, a few leagues below the city of Quebec, near the 
 
214 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 close of June, 1759. Here he had a full view of the dangers and 
 embarrassments that he must encounter, and of the bold yet 
 cautious course he would have to adopt and pursue, in order to 
 succeed. Nobly exclaiming that " a victorious army finds no 
 difficulties," Wolfe resolved to hazard every thing to gain every 
 thing. With the hope that Montcal3i, the French commander, 
 might be induced to change his strong and well chosen position 
 and enter into a general engagement, Wolfe brought about the 
 battle of Montmorency, and was repulsed with the loss of five 
 hundred of his best men. At this critical juncture, the daring 
 resolution was made to carry on all future operations above the 
 town. At the greatest risk and the most imminent danger, by a 
 bold and master movement, the English finally gained the Heights 
 of Abraham, which overlooked and commanded the city. So great 
 were the astonishment and surprise of Montcalm, when first 
 informed of this sudden change of the enemy's position, that he 
 refused to believe it possible. He saw that a fatal battle could 
 not much longer be avoided — a battle that inevitably would decide 
 the fate of the empire of France in America — and he made his 
 preparations accordingly. An engagement soon after took place 
 between the two armies, in which the steady, unflinching bra- 
 very of the British, and the reckless, impetuous courage of the 
 French were both tried and proved. The English were victorious 
 and to them the French surrendered Quebec — their last remaining 
 strong hold that had not yet fallen into the possession of their 
 enemies. 
 
 Wolfe and Montcalm, the commanding generals, were 
 -foemen worthy of each other. The wonderful coincidence and 
 contrast presented in the closing scene of their fortunes and life, 
 have forever blended their memory in glorious union on the 
 Historian's page, the Painter's canvass, and in the Poet's numbers.- 
 Both had distinguished themselves during the war — both were 
 in the thickest and fiercest of the battle storm — both led their 
 emulous columns on to the deadly charge — both were mortally 
 wounded and reluctantly carried fi'om the field — both died — one 
 as the shouts of victory were ringing louder and louder in his 
 failing ears, and words of peaceful resignation were falling from 
 his closing lips, — the other, with the fervent aspiration that he 
 might not " five to see the surrender of Quebec," and his country's 
 dominions pass into the hands of his conqueror. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 215 
 
 The loss of those two brave and accompUshed commanders was 
 deeply lamented and regretted by their respective nations — their 
 names united and honored by their enemies. With what truth and 
 beauty does their kindred fate illustrate, though under widely 
 different circumstances, how often it is, 
 
 "That the paths of glory lead but to the grave."* 
 
 Thus triumphantly with the English, ended the campaign of 
 1759; but not the mutual exertions of the French and English for 
 supremacy over the Indian nations. After the conquest of Quebec, 
 two Indians of the Six Nations, at the suggestion of the English, 
 it is presumed, visited a settlement of their people that had removed 
 to Canada and were in the French interest. They endeavored to 
 persuade their people to make a timely secession from the French, 
 and come home to their own country; telling them that " the 
 English, formerly women, were now all turned into men, and were 
 growing as thick in the country as trees in the woods, that they 
 had taken the French forts at Ohio, Ticonderoga, Louisburg and 
 Quebec, and would soon eat all the French in Canada, and the 
 Indians that adhered to them." The French Indians were incred- 
 ulous; they said to their visitors: — "Brothers you are decieved; 
 the English cannot eat up the French; their mouths are too little, 
 their jaws too weak, and their teeth not sharp enough. Our father, 
 Yonnondio, has told us, and we believe him, that the English, like 
 a thief have stolen Louisburg and Quebec from the great king, 
 while his back was turned, and he was looking another way; but 
 that he has turned his face, and sees what the English have done, 
 he is going into their country with a thousand great canoes, and all' 
 his warriors; and he will take the little English king and pinch him 
 till he makes him cry out and give back what he has stolen, as he 
 did about ten summers ago, and this your eyes will see." The 
 French Indians came near making converts of the English agents. 
 The result of the visit was at least to make the Six Nations more 
 
 *An affecting incident is related of Gen. Wolfe, which presents his character in the 
 most amiable light. It is said that when Wolfe and his army were noiselessly floating 
 down the St. Lawrence, at midnight, to the place where they were to land and begin 
 their difficult ascent to the Heights above, he, in a low, tender tone, repeated the whole 
 of Gray's plaintive and touching "Elegy in a Countr}- Church Yard," in which occurs 
 the /)ro/>/ic^'r line above quoted; and at the conclusion of it, he remarked: — "Now, 
 gentlemen, I would rather be the author of that poem, than take Quebec." What a 
 noble tribute for a Warrior to render a Poet. 
 
216 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 wavering in their adherence to the English, and distrustful as to 
 their final supremacy. 
 
 While this war had been waging, as in those that had preceded 
 it, there were frequent incursions of French and Indians to the 
 frontiers of Massachusetts and New Hampshire; but their visits 
 were less sanguinary and barbarous in their character, than those 
 of former years. Bounties were paid, to encourage the Indians to 
 deliver all English prisoners alive. 
 
 French determination to maintain their ground, w^as revived 
 after a short recoil from the capture of their strong hold; and new 
 and large levies of troops were made from the English colonies. 
 No sooner had the English fleet retired from the St. Lawrence than 
 Levi, who had succeeded Montcalm, resolved to attempt the 
 recovery of Quebec. In April, 1660 he embarked with a strong 
 army from Montreal, and having by means of armed frigates, the 
 control of the St. Lawrence, he took position at Point au Tremble, 
 within a few miles of Quebec. In a few days, Gen. Murray, who 
 had succeeded Wolfe, sallied out and attacked the French in their 
 then position, near Sillery. He retreated, after a severe engage- 
 ment, and the loss of one thousand men; the French loss still 
 larger. The French soon after, opened trenches against the town, 
 and commenced an effectual fire upon the garrison. It was vigor- 
 ously resisted, but so well conducted was the siege, that the fate of 
 the English was only decided by a squadron of theirs passing a 
 French armament that had been sent out, and entering before it 
 the mouth of the St. Lawrence. The English ships attacked the 
 French frigates that had come down from Montreal, destroyed a 
 part of them, and obliged the others to retreat up the river. The 
 siege was raised; the whole French army making a hasty and rapid 
 retreat to Montreal. 
 
 The Marquis de Vaudreuil, Governor General of Canada, had 
 fixed his head quarters at Montreal, and resolved to make his last 
 stand for French colonial empire. For this purpose he collected 
 around him the w^hole force of the French colony. He infused 
 his own spirit, confidence and courage, in the hemmed up colony, 
 cheering the desponding by promises of help and succor from 
 France. 
 
 The English in the mean time, were not idle. Arrangements 
 were made for a combined attack on Montreal. A detachment of 
 English troops advanced from Crown Point, and took possession of 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 217 
 
 Isle Aux Noix. Gen. Amherst, with an army of about ten 
 thousand regulars and provincials, left the frontiers of New York 
 and advanced to Oswego, when he was joined by a thousand 
 warriors of the Six Nations, under the command of Sir William 
 Jou.NsoN. Embarking on lake Ontario, they arrived at Isle 
 Royal, reducing that post, and proceeding down the St. Lawrence, 
 arrived at Montreal, simultaneously with the command under Gen. 
 Murray. Arrangements were made to invest the city with this 
 formidable consolidated army. Vaudreuil, rightly estimating the 
 strength of his assailants, and his own inability successfully to 
 resist them, resolved upon capitulation. On the day after the 
 arrival of the British army, — the 7th of September, 1760, 
 Montreal, Detroit, and all other places of strength within the 
 government of Canada, were surrendered to the British crown. 
 Gen. Murray was appointed Governor of Montreal, and a force 
 left with him of two thousand men; and returning to Quebec, his 
 force was augmented to four thousand. 
 
 The French armament, that has before been noticed, on learning 
 that the English had entered the St. Lawrence, took refuge in the 
 Bay of Chaleurs, on the coast of Nova Scotia, where it was soon 
 pursued by a British fleet from Louisburg, and destroyed. 
 
 Thus ended the colonial empire of France in North America; or 
 rather its efforts to resist by regular military organizations, 
 fortified forts, &c., English dominion. With the fall of jMontreal, 
 they had surrendered all their possessions upon this continent, east 
 of the Mississippi, and beyond that, possession was merely 
 nominal, consisting of but little more than the feeble colony of 
 Louisiana. 
 
 Soon after these events, most of the eastern Indian nations 
 inclined to the English, but the anticipated entire alliance and 
 pacific disposition of the Indians around the borders of the western 
 lakes, was not realized. Indian fealty did not follow but partially, 
 the triumph of the English arms. The French had gained a 
 strong hold upon the western Indians, which was not unloosed by 
 the reverses they had encountered. The Indian nations became 
 alarmed at the rapid strides of the English, jealous of its consequen- 
 ces to them, and the French lost no opportunity to increase this 
 feeling, and induce them to believe that the next effort of English 
 ambition and conquest, would be directed to their entire subjuga- 
 tion, if not extermination. 
 
218 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 "There was then upon the stage of action, one of those high 
 and heroic men, who stamp their own characters upon the age in 
 which they hve, and who appear destined to survive the lapse of 
 time, Uke some proud and lofty column, which sees crumbling 
 around it, the temples of God and the dwellings of man, and yet 
 rests upon its pedestal, time worn and time honored. This man 
 was at the head of the Indian confederacy, and had acquired an 
 influence over his countrymen, such as had never before been seen, 
 and such as we may not expect to see again. To form a just 
 estimate of his character, we must judge of him by the 
 circumstances under which he was placed; by the profound 
 ignorance and barbarism of his people; by his own destitution of 
 all education and information, and by the jealous, fierce, and 
 intractable spirit of his compeers. When measured by this 
 standard, we shall find few of the men whose names are familiar 
 to us, more remarkable for all they professed and achieved, than 
 PoxTiAc. Were his race destined to endure until the mists of 
 antiquity could gather around his days and deeds, tradition would 
 dwell upon his feats, as it has done in the old world, upon all who, 
 in the infancy of nations have been prominent actors, for evil or 
 for good." * PoxTiAC was an Ottawa. 
 
 Major Rogers, commanded the British troops that took pos- 
 session of Detroit under the treaty of capitulation at Montreal. 
 When he was approaching his destination, the ambassadors of this 
 forest king met him and informed him that their sovereign was 
 near by, and that he desired him to halt until he could see him; 
 that the request was in the name of "Pontiac, the king and 
 lord of the country." Approaching Major Rogers, Pontiac 
 demanded his business. An explanation followed, and permission 
 was granted for him and his troops to take the place of the 
 French; acts of courtesy even attending the permission. 
 
 This friendly relation was not destined to be permanent. In 
 1763, Pontiac had united nearly all the Indian nations of the 
 west, in a confederacy, the design of which, was to expel the 
 English from the country, and restore French ascendancy. " His 
 first object was to gain his own tribe, and the warriors who gen- 
 erally attended him. Topics to engage their attention and inflame 
 their passions were not wanting. A belt was exhibited which he 
 pretended to have received from the king of France, urging him 
 to drive the British from the country, and to open the paths for 
 the return of the French. The British troops had not endeavored 
 
 * Governor Cass. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 219 
 
 to conciliate the Indians, and mutual causes of complaint existed. 
 Some of the Ottawas had been disgraced by blows, but above all, 
 the British were intruders in the country, and would ere long 
 conquer the Indians as they had conquered the French, and wrest 
 from them their lands." * His first step was to convene a large 
 council of the confederates at the river Aux Ecorces. The speech 
 he deUvered upon that occasion, was ingeniously framed to further 
 his object. By turns he appealed to the pride of country, the 
 jealousy, the warlike spirit, the superstition, of the assembled coun- 
 cillors. He assumed that the Great Spirit had recently made a 
 revelation to a Delaware Indian, as to the conduct he wished his 
 red children to pursue. He had directed them to "abstain from 
 ardent spirits, and to cast from them the manufactures of the white 
 man. To resume their bows and arrows, and skins of animals for 
 clothing." "Why," said the Great Spirit indignantly, to the Dela- 
 ware, " do you suffer these dogs in red clothing to enter your 
 country, and take the land I gave you] Drive them from it, 
 and when you are in distress I will help you." The speech had 
 its desired effect. In the month of May following, all things were 
 arranged for a simultaneous atttack upon each of twelve British 
 posts, extending from Niagara to Green Bay, in the north-west, 
 and Pittsburg in the south-west. Nine of these posts were 
 captured. The posts at Niagara and Pittsburg were invested but 
 successfully resisted. Detroit was closely besieged by the forces 
 of PoNTiAc, and the siege, and his war generally, was protracted 
 beyond the reception of the news of the treaty of peace between 
 France and England; in fact, until the expedition of Gen. Brad- 
 street, of which some account will be given in another place. 
 The incidents of Pontiac's war are among the most horrid in 
 Indian war history. The ofhcers and soldiers of most of the cap- 
 tured garrisons were tomahawked and scalped. The details do 
 not come within our range. 
 
 A treaty of peace was definitely concluded at Paris, between 
 England and France, on the 10th of February, 1763. To prevent 
 any future disputes as to boundary, it was stipulated, that "the 
 confines between Great Britain and France on the continent of 
 North America should be fixed irrevocably by a line drawn along 
 the centre of the Mississippi, from its source as far as the river 
 
 *Gov. Cass. 
 
220 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Iberville; and from thence, by a line drawn along the middle of 
 the river, and by the lakes Maurepas and Ponchartrain, to the sea." 
 It was stipulated that the inhabitants of the countries ceded by 
 France, should be allowed the enjoyment of the Roman Catholic 
 faith, and the exercise of its rights as far as might be consistent 
 with the laws of England; that they should retain their civil 
 rights, while they were disposed to remain under the British 
 government, and yet be entitled to dispose of their estates to 
 British subjects, and retire with their produce, without hindrance 
 or molestation to any part of the world. 
 
 Never, perhaps, was a treaty of peace more acceptable, or 
 hailed with livelier feelings of joy and congratulation, than was this 
 by the English colonists in America. Harassed through long years, 
 upon all their borders, their young men diverted from the peaceful 
 pursuits of agriculture, to fill the ranks of the army in a long succes- 
 sion of wars, they had been longing for repose. But it was the 
 will of Providence, in directing and controUing the destinies of 
 men — in shaping a higher and more glorious inheritance for the 
 wearied colonists than colonial vassalage — that the repose should 
 be of but short duration. "Amidst the tumultuous flow of pleasure 
 and triumph in America, an intelligent eye might have discerned 
 symptoms, of which a sound regard to British ascendancy required 
 the most cautious, forbearing, and indulgent treatment; for it was 
 manifest that the exultations of the Americans was founded, in no 
 small degree, upon the conviction, that their own proper strength 
 was augmented, and that they had attained a state of security 
 which lessened at once their danger from neighboring hostility, and 
 their dependence on the protection, so often delusive and preca- 
 rious, of the parent state." And few will fail to observe how well 
 calculated were the events we have just been considering, to 
 prepare the sympathies, and shape the policy of France, in the 
 struggle to which this peace was but a prelude. 
 
 We have now come to the end of French dominion upon this 
 portion of the continent of North America. The treaty of Paris 
 consummated what the fall of Quebec and Montreal had rendered 
 inevitable. In one chapter, the events of a long period — from 
 1627 to 1763, one hundred and thirty-six years — have been 
 embraced. How chequered and fluctuating the scene ! How full 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 221 
 
 of vicissitudes, of daring adventures, of harassing rivalry, suflcring, 
 privation and death ! It was tlic contest of two powerful nations 
 of Europe, for supremacy upon this continent. The stakes for 
 which they were contending, were colonial power, extended 
 dominion and gain — the last, the powerful stimulus that urged to 
 the battle field, or prompted the bloody, stealthy assault. How 
 little, the thoughtful reader will say, the rights, the interests, the 
 dignity, the elevation, the freedom of man — was involved in this 
 long, almost uninterrupted, sanguinary conflict. Nothing of all 
 this was blended with the motives of the promoters of these wars. 
 The fields of contest, the banks of the St, Lawrence, of the lakes, 
 our own fair, but then wilderness region, — were drenched with 
 some of the best blood of England and France; the colonies of 
 New England sent out those to an untimely grave that would have 
 adorned and strengthened her in a not far off, and more auspicious 
 period. They "bravely fought and bravely fell;" but there was 
 little in the cause in which they were engaged to shed a halo of 
 glory around the memory of its martyrs. And yet remotely, 
 those most unprofitable struggles, (viewed in reference to any 
 immediate result,) were to have an important bearing upon the 
 destiny of our now free, happy, and prosperous RepubUc. 
 
 How slight the causes that often, seemingly, govern great and 
 momentous events! And yet, what finite reason would often 
 construe as accidental, may be the means which Infinite Wisdom 
 puts in requisition to accomplish its high purposes. Had the 
 French fleet gained the mouth of the St. Lawrence before that of 
 the English, Quebec, in all probability, would have been restored 
 to France, and French dominion would have held its own upon this 
 continent, if indeed, with the Indian alliances that the French had 
 secured, and were securing, they had not subjugated the English. 
 Then comes the enquiry whether any of the same causes would 
 have existed under French colonial dominion, that arose under 
 English rule? Some, prominent ones, we know, would not. And 
 yet, in the main, English colonial rule, was more liberal than that 
 of the French. Had the contest for separation and independence 
 been against France, England, as in the reversed case, would not 
 have been the ally of the weaker party, struggling against its deep- 
 seated notions of legitimacy and lungly rule. But it was best as 
 it was; and speculation like this is unprofitable, especially when it 
 
222 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 can work out in its imaginings no more glorious result, than the 
 one that was realized. 
 
 It was during the war with France, that some of the most 
 distinguished officers and soldiers of the Revolution, that comman- 
 ded and filled the ranks of our armies so skillfully and successfully, 
 rendered their first miUtary services. Washington fought his 
 first battle at the Great Meadows; he was at Braddock's defeat, 
 where buds of promise appeared, that in a better conflict bloomed 
 and shed abroad their fi'agrance — their cheering influences, in 
 years of doubt and despondency — their matured and ripened fruit, 
 a cluster of sovereign states, constituting a glorious Union. 
 Putnam, the self-taught, rough man of sterling virtues, — New 
 England's bravest, if not most prudent leader, was at Ticonderoga, 
 in 1756; Gates was at Braddock's defeat, as was Morgan. 
 Stark, afterwards the hero of Bennington, was a captain of 
 Rangers in that war. And who, of middle age, has not listened 
 to the mingled recitals of events of the French war, and the war 
 of the Revolution, coming from the veterans who helped to fill the 
 ranks of the armies of both] 
 
 The reader will have observed that the trade in furs and peltry, 
 constituted the main object of Fi'ench enterprise. The cultivation 
 of small patches of ground around the military and trading posts, 
 and a narrow strip of some twenty miles in length on the Detroit 
 river, constituted mainly the agricultural eflTorts of the French, in 
 all their long occupancy of this region. They early introduced at 
 Detroit, apple trees, (or seeds,) from the province of Normandy. * 
 The first apples that the pioneer settlers of the Holland Purchase 
 had, come from that source, and from a few trees that had a like 
 origin, at Schlosser, on the Niagara river. The trees at Schlosser 
 are existing, and bearing a very pleasant flavored natural fruit. 
 They are the oldest apple trees in Western New York. Those found 
 in the vicinity of Geneva, Canandaigua, Honeyoye flats, and upon 
 the Genesee river, were either propagated from them, or from 
 seeds given the Seneca Indians by the Jesuit Missionaries. 
 
 The Hudson's Bay Company was organized in 1696, by the 
 English. Its operations were confined to the northern regions, 
 but in process of time, its branches came in collision with the French 
 
 * History of Michigan. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 223 
 
 traders upon the lakes. It was a monopoly, opposed not only to 
 French, but to English private enterprise. '-The consequences 
 were injurious to the trade, as the time and energies which might 
 have been employed in securing advantages to themselves, were 
 devoted to petty quarrels, and the forest became a scene of brawls, 
 and a battle ground of the contending parties. The war was 
 organized into a system. The traders of the Hudson's Bay 
 Company followed the Canadians to their different posts, and used 
 every method to undermine their power." 
 
 During the winter of 1783, the north-west company was estab- 
 lished. It was composed principally of merchants who had carried 
 on the trade upon their own individual accounts. For a long 
 period, both companies made vast profits. Some idea of the extent 
 of the trade, may be formed by the following exhibit of the busi- 
 ness for one year: — 
 
 106,000 Beaver skins, 600 Wolverine skins, 
 
 2,100 Bear " 1,650 Fisher " 
 
 1,500 Fox " 100 Racoon 
 
 4,000 KittFox » 3,800 Wolf " 
 
 4,600 Otter «• 700 Elk 
 
 16,000 Muskquash '• 750 Deer " 
 
 32,000 Martin " 1,200 Deer skins dressed, 
 
 1,800 Mink " 500 Buffalo robes, and a 
 
 6,000 LjTix " ' quantity of Castorum, 
 
 '' There was necessarily, extensive establishments connected with 
 the trade, such as store-houses, trading-houses, and places of 
 accommodation for the agents and partners of the larger compa- 
 nies. The mode of living on the Grand Portage, on lake Superior, 
 in 1794 was as follows: — The proprietors of the establishment, 
 the guides, clerks, and interpreters, messed together; sometimes 
 to the number of one hundred, in a large hall. Bread, salt pork, 
 beef, butter, venison and fish, Indian corn, potatoes, tea and wine, 
 were their provisions. Several cows were kept around the estab- 
 lishments, which supplied them with milk. The corn was prepared 
 at Detroit by being boiled in a strong alkali, and was called 
 " hominee." The mechanics had rations of this sort of provisions, 
 while the canoe-men had no allowance but melted fat and Indian 
 corn. The dress of the traders, most of whom had been employed 
 under the French government, consisted of a blanket coat, a shirt 
 of striped cotton, trowsers of cloth, or leather leggins, similar to 
 
 Note. — IJ" See Hennepin's account of the difficulties of getting the Griffin up the 
 rapids of the Niagara river, page 124. The planting he speaks of must have been near 
 the village of Waterloo, on the Canada side. These were the first seeds planted by 
 Europeans, in all the region west and south of Schenectady and Kingston, and east of 
 the Mississippi. 
 
224 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 those of the Indians, moccasins wrought from deer-skins, a red or 
 parti-colored belt of worsted, which contained suspended, a knife 
 and tobacco pouch, and a blue woolen cap or hat, in the midst of 
 which stuck a red feather. Light hearted, cheerful and courteous, 
 they were ever ready to encamp at night among the savages, or in 
 their own wigwams, to join in the dance, or awaken the solitudes 
 of the wilderness with their boat-songs, as they swept with vigor- 
 ous arm across the bosom of the waters.* 
 
 "Even as late as 1810, the island of Mackinaw, the most 
 romantic point on the Lakes, which rises from the altar of a 
 river-god, was the central mart of the traffic, as old Michilimacki- 
 nac had been a century before. At certain seasons of the year it 
 was made a rendezvous for the numerous classes connected with 
 the traflic. At these seasons the transparent waters around this 
 beautiful island were studded with the canoes of Indians and 
 ■ traders. Here might then be found the merry Canadian voyageur, 
 with his muscular figure strengthened by the hardships of the 
 wilderness, bartering for trinkets along the various booths scat- 
 tered along its banks. The Indian warrior, bedecked with the 
 most fantastic ornaments, embroidered moccasins and silver 
 armlets; the North- Westers, armed with dirks — the iron men who 
 had grappled with the grizzly bear, and endured the hard fare of 
 the north; and the South-Westei', also put in his claims to 
 deference, t 
 
 "Fort William, near the Grand Portage, Vt^as also one of the 
 principal ports of the Northwest Company. It was the place of 
 junction, where the leading partners from Montreal met the more 
 active agents of the wilderness to discuss the interests of the 
 traffic. The grand conference was attended wnth a demi-savage 
 and baronial pomp. The partners from Montreal, clad in the 
 richest furs, ascended annually to that point in huge canoes, 
 
 * The author is indebted to a friend for the followinor literal translation, of one of 
 the gay and frivolous, yet characteristic songs of these "forest mariners." It is said 
 even now to be heard occasionally upon our north-western lakes: — 
 
 Every spring 
 ■So much novelty. 
 Every lover 
 Changes his mistress. 
 Good wine dotb not stupefy. 
 Love awakes me. 
 
 Every lover 
 Changes his mistress, 
 Let them change who will, 
 As for me, I'll keep mine. 
 
 Good wine doth not stupefy, 
 Love awakes me. 
 
 On my way, I have met. 
 Three cavaliers, each mounted, 
 Tol, lol, laridol da, 
 Tol lol, laridon da. 
 
 Three cavaliers, each mounted. 
 One on horseback, the other on foot, 
 Tol lol, laridon da, 
 Tol lol, laridol da. 
 
 t The American Fur Company, now in existence, and extending its operations from 
 the shores of the Lakes to those of the Pacific, modelled in its operations somewhat 
 after the old French and English companies, had its trading establishments scattered 
 through the forest. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 225 
 
 manned by Canadian voyageurs, and provided with all the means 
 of the most luxurious revelry. TJie Council-House was a large 
 wooden building, adorned with the trophies of the chase, barbaric 
 ornaments, and decorated implements used by the savages in war 
 and peace. At such periods the post would be crowded with 
 traders from the depths of the wilderness and from Montreal; 
 partners of the Company, clerks, interpreters, guides, and a 
 numerous host of dependents. Discussions of grave import, 
 regarding the interests of the traffic, made up the arguments of 
 such occasions; and the banquet was occasionally interspersed 
 with loyal songs from the Scotch Highlander, or the aristocratic 
 Britain, proud of his country and his king. Such were the 
 general features of a traffic which constituted for a century, under 
 French and English governments, the commerce of the North- 
 western lakes. It was a trade abounding in the severest hardships, 
 and the most hazardous enterprises. fThis was the most glorious 
 epoch of mercantile enterprise in the forests of the North-west, 
 when its half savage dominion stretched upon the lakes over 
 regions large enough for empires; making barbarism contribute to 
 civilization."* 
 
 While the Jesuit missionary, as we have before had occasion to 
 remark, left but feeble traces of his religion to mark his advent — 
 the French traders, other adventurers, and those who, becoming 
 prisoners in the long wars with the Indians, were adopted by them, 
 loft more enduring impressions. The French blood was mixed 
 with that of the Indian, throughout all the wide domain that was 
 primitively termed New France. In all the remnants of Indian 
 nations that a few years since existed around the borders of the 
 western lakes and rivers, the close observer of merged races, could 
 discover the evidences of the gallantries, (and not unfrequently, 
 perhaps, the permanent alliances.) of these early adventurers. 
 Among the remnants of the Iroquois, now residing in our western 
 counties, the mixed blood of the French and Indian, is frequently 
 observed.! 
 
 * History of Michigan. 
 
 t John Green, an intelligent pioneer settler upon the Alleghany river, said to the 
 author, during the last summer, when speaking of the Indians on the Alleghany 
 Reservation, that there were but a small proportion there of pure Indian blood. That 
 the prisoners taken by their ancestors in the French wars, and war of the Revolution, 
 intermarried, and the white blood now predominates. "Take an instance now," said 
 our informant, " where either father or mother is mixed blood, they have large families 
 — when both are full blood Indians, they have but small families." 
 
 15 
 
PAET THIRD. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 BRIEF NOTICES OF EVENTS UNDER ENGLISH DOMINION. 
 
 There is but little of local importance to embrace in our 
 narrative, occurring between the close of the French and English 
 war, by the treaty of Paris, in 1763, to the commencement of the 
 American Revolution, in 1775. 
 
 The English strengthened and continued the captured French 
 garrison at Niagara, and other important posts along the western 
 frontiers, for the purpose of protecting their scattered settlements^ 
 and trading with, and conciliating the Indians. The questions of 
 difference between England and her colonies — the disputes that 
 were hastening to a crisis — did not reach and disturb these remote 
 and then but partially explored solitudes; — where none but the 
 fearless hunter, the adventurous traveller, the soldier, and the 
 native inhabitants were seen. The only connection then between 
 the eastern and western portion of our state, was kept up by com- 
 merce with the Indians, and such relations as existed between the 
 military posts. This region was then far removed from civilization 
 and improvement. Nearly a quarter of a century was to pass 
 away before the tide of emigration reached its borders. 
 
 The Senecas, it would seem, from the earliest period of English 
 succession at Fort Niagara, were not even as well reconciled to 
 them as to the French. There is very little doubt of their having 
 been generally in the interests of Pontiac, and co-operators with 
 him in his well arranged scheme for driving the English from the 
 grounds the French had occupied. Some other portions of the 
 Six Nations were also diverted from the English, as we find that a 
 body of Iroquois were engaged in the attack on Fort Du Quesne.* 
 
 * Graham, in his colonial history, says the Senecas were co-operators in the designs 
 of Pontiac, but that, by the " indefatigable exertions of Sir William Johnson, the other 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 227 
 
 Mary Jemison, in relating a history of her captivity, &c., to 
 her biographer, says that when she first arrived upon the Genesee 
 river, the Senecas were making active preparations to join the 
 French in the re-taking of Fort Niagara. That the expedition 
 resuhed, (not in any attack upon the garrison, as we are to infer,) 
 but in a successful resistance to' an English force that had sallied 
 from the garrison to get possession of the small French post at 
 Schlosscr.* The English were driven back with considerable loss. 
 This, she says, was in the month of November, 1759. Two 
 English prisoners, that were taken, were carried to the Genesee 
 river and executed. 
 
 TRAGEDY OF THE DEVIL'S HOLE. 
 
 There are few of our readers who will not be famihar with the 
 main features of this event. It was fresh in the recollection of the 
 few of the white race, that were found here, when settlement 
 commenced, and Seneca Indians were then living, who participated 
 in it. The theatre of this tragedy — the locality that is figuratively 
 designated as one of the fastnesses of the great embodiment of sin 
 and evil — was in the high banks of the Niagara river, three miles 
 below the Falls, and half a mile below the Whirlpool. It is a deep, 
 dark cove, or chasm. "An air of sullen sublimity prevades its gloom; 
 and where in its shadowy depths you seem cut off from the world 
 and confined in the prison-house of terror. To appearance it is a 
 
 of the Six Nations were restrained though with great difficulty, from plunging into the 
 hostile enterprise, which seemed the last elTort of the Indian race to hold at least divi- 
 ded empire with the colonists of North America." 
 
 *Fort Schlosser — called by the French Little Fort — took its name, under English 
 possession, from a Captain Schlosser, who was the first to occupy the place as an 
 English post. In Dec. 1763, he was in New York. The Moravian Indians at Beth- 
 lehem, apprehending an attack from the whites, and the horrid fate that afterwards 
 befel them, appealed to Gen. Gage and Sir William .lohnson, for protection, sending a 
 deputation to New York for that purpose. Capt. Schlosser, with one hundred and 
 seventy men, were detached to accompany the deputation back, and defend the Mora- 
 vian settlement. In Loskriel's History of the Moravian Missions, it is said: — "These 
 soldiers had just come from Niagara, and had suffered much from the savages near 
 Lake Erie, which rendered them in the beginning, so averse to the Indians, that 
 nothing favorable could be expected from them; — God in mercy, changed their dispo- 
 sitions; their friendly behavior soon softened into cordiality; and they conversed 
 familiarly with the Indian brethren, relating their sufferings with the savages." In 
 Heckweider's Indian Narrative, p. 8.3, that good Moravian Missionary, speaking of the 
 same event, says of Captain Schlosser, the commander of the guard: — "An officer 
 deserved!}' esteemed by all good men, for his humanity and manly conduct, in protect- 
 ing these persecuted Indians." 
 
228 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 fit place for a demon-dwelling; and hence, probably, derives its 
 name." * The road along the river bank passes so near, that the 
 traveller can look dov^^n from it into the frightful gulf — to the 
 bottom of the abyss, one hundred and fifty feet. It would seem 
 that a huge section of rock had been detached, parting off and 
 leaving the high banks almost perpendicular — over-hanging in fact, 
 at some points. A small stream — the Bloody Run — taking its 
 name from the event of which we are about to give some account, 
 pours over the high pallisade of rock. Trees of the ordinary 
 height of those common in our forests, rise from the bottom of the 
 " Hole," their tops failing to reach the level of the terrace above. 
 
 Hitherto our accounts of the tragedy enacted there, have been 
 derived from traditionary sources; no cotemporary written state- 
 ment of it has as yet appeared in any historical work, or in any 
 printed form. Among the London documents brought to this 
 country by Mr. Broadhead, and deposited in the office of the 
 Secretary of State at Albany, is a letter from Sir William Johnsoiv, 
 to the Board of Trade in New York, dated at Johnson's Hall, (on 
 the Mohawk) September 25th, 17G3, to which is appended the 
 following Postscript: — 
 
 "P. S. — This moment I have received an express informing me that an officer and 
 twenty-four men who were escorting several wagons and ox-teams over the carrying 
 place at Niagara, had been attacked and entirely defeated, together with two companies 
 of Col. Wilmot's regiment who marched to sustain them. Our loss on this occasion, 
 consists of Lieuts. Campbell, Frazier and Roscoe, of the Regulars. Capt. Johnson 
 and Lieut. Drayton of the Provincials; and sixty privates killed with about eight or nine 
 wounded. The enemy, who are supposed to be Senecas of the Chenussio, [Genessee,] 
 scalped all the dead, took all their clothes, arms and amunition, and threw several of 
 their bodies down a precipice." 
 
 In a " Review of the Indian trade," by the writer of the above, 
 dated four years after, speaking of this furious outbreak of the 
 Indians, it is said : — '' They totally destroyed a body of Provincials 
 and regulars of about one hundred men in the Carrying Place of 
 Niagara, but two escaping." There is some discrepancy in the 
 two statements. The first account was probably sent to Sir 
 William by a messenger despatched from Niagara as soon as the 
 affair was known there, and before the full extent of the loss was 
 ascertained. In 1764 the writer was at Niagara, holding a treaty 
 with the Senecas, where he probably learned the facts as he last 
 
 * Orr's Guide to Niagara Falls. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 229 
 
 Stated them. The statement that but two escaped the massacre, 
 agrees, as will be seen from what follows, with the traditionary 
 accounts, though the fate of the "eight or nine wounded," is left to 
 conjecture. 
 
 Jesse Ware was the successor of the Stedmaxs at Schlosser, 
 and before his death related to the compiler of the fii^st edition of 
 the Life of Mary Jemison, the story as he assumed to have heard 
 it from William Stedman, the brother and successor of John 
 Stedmax, who was one of the two that escaped. The relation 
 was in substance as follows: — 
 
 After the possession of Fort Niagara and Schlosser, by the 
 English, Sir William Johnson made a contract with John 
 StediMan to construct a portage road between Lewiston and 
 Schlosser, to facilitate the transportation of provisions and military 
 stores from one place to the other. The road was finished on the 
 20th of June, 1763, and twenty-five loaded wagons started to go 
 over it, under the charge of Stedman, as the contractor for army 
 transportation; accompanied by "fifty soldiers and their officers," 
 as a guard. A large force of Seneca Indians, in anticipation of 
 this movement, had collected and laid in ambush near what is now 
 called the Devil's Hole. As the English party were passing the 
 place, the Indians sallied out, surrounded teams, drivers, and guard, 
 and "either killed on the spot, or drove off the banks," the whole 
 party, "except Mr. Stedman, who was on horseback." An Indian 
 seized his bridle reins, and was leading him east to the woods, 
 through the scene of bloody strife, probably for the purpose of 
 devoting him to the more excruciating torments of a sacrifice; 
 but while the captor's attention was drawn in another direction for 
 a moment, Stedman with his knife, cut the reins near the bits, at 
 the same time thrusting his spurs into the flanks of his horse, and 
 dashing into the forest, the target of an hundred Indian rifles. He 
 escaped unhurt. Bearing east about two miles, he struck Gill 
 creek, which he followed to Schlosser. UZt^ See some subsequent 
 remarks upon the claim instituted by the Stedmans, or their 
 successor, to lands, based upon this flight, and a consequent Indian 
 gift. 
 
 "From all accounts," says the biographer we have relied upon 
 for the above statement, "of this barbarous transaction, Mr. 
 Stedman was the only person belonging to this party who was 
 not either driven, or thrown off" into the Devil's Hole." Tradition 
 
230 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 has transmitted to us various accounts of the fate of some few 
 others of the party; that is, that one, two, or three others escaped 
 with hfe, after being driven off the bank, although badly wounded, 
 and maimed by the fall. Most of the accounts agree in the escape 
 of a little drummer * who was caught while falling, in the limb of 
 a tree, by his drum-strap. 
 
 Mrs. Je^iison says that no attempt was made to procure 
 plunder, or take prisoners. The object, sanguinary as was the 
 means used to accomplish it, was not mercenary, but formed a 
 part of a general concerted plan to rid the country of the English. 
 
 The account of Sir William Johnson, w^hich the author, 
 considering that it is both cotemporary and official, is disposed to 
 rely upon, rather than the traditionary accounts, gives a different 
 complexion to the whole affair, than the hitherto generally 
 accredited version. The inference would be from his statement, 
 that the cavalcade of wagons, teamsters, and guard of twenty-four 
 men, was first attacked, and was reinforced after the attack by 
 the two companies, who, he says, "marched to sustain them." 
 This would protract the action beyond a sudden attack, and such a 
 summary result as has before been given; and favor the conclusion 
 that the advance party was first attacked as stated, and that those 
 who came to their relief, shared a similar fate. Though the 
 discrepancy is perhaps not matei'ial. 
 
 HoNAYEWus, or Farmer's Brother, an active Seneca war chief 
 in the Border Wars of the Revolution, was in this battle, or rather 
 surprise and massacre. It w^as one of his earliest advents upon 
 the war-path. 
 
 The pioneer settlers upon the frontier, especially in the neighbor- 
 hood of Lewiston and the Falls, say that at an early period relics 
 of this horrid tragedy w^ere abundant, in this deep gorge. They 
 consisted of skulls, of human bones, and bones of oxen, pieces of 
 wagons, gun barrels, bayonets, &c., &c. 
 
 * The story of the drummer is mainl}' true. Seeing the fate that awaited him, he 
 leaped from the high bank ; the strap of his drum catching upon the limb of a tree, his 
 descent, or fall, was broken, and he struck in the river, near the shore, but little 
 injured by the terrible leap of one hundred and fifty feet ! His name was Matthews. 
 He lived until within a few years, in the neighborhood of Queenston, to relate the stor}' 
 of his wonderful preservation. 
 
 Note. — Mrs. Jemison says the first neat cattle that were brought upon the Genesee 
 river were the oxen that the Senecas obtained of the English in the previous affair at 
 Schlosser. As that was an attack upon a military expedition, where no oxen would be 
 likely to have been used, it is probable that those she speaks of were such as were 
 preserved at the affair of the Devil's Hole. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 231 
 
 BATTLE NEAR BUFFALO. 
 
 In a few weeks after this too successful onslaught of the 
 Senecas upon the English, they followed it up by an attack upon 
 a detachment of English troops, on their way from Niagara to 
 Detroit: — 
 
 From the Marj'Iand Gazette, December 22, 1763. 
 
 "JVez« York, December 5. — Last Monday, Capt. Gardiner of the 
 55th, and Lieut. Stoughton, came to town from Albany. They 
 belonged to a detachment of 600 men under the command of 
 Major WiLKixs, destined for Detroit, from Niagara; but on the 
 19th of October, at the east end of Lake Erie, one hundred and 
 sixty of our people being in their boats, were fired upon from the 
 beach by about eighty Indians, which killed and wounded thirteen 
 men, (and among them Lieut. Johnson, late of Gorham's, killed,) 
 in the two stern-most boats, the remainder of the detachment 
 being ahead about half a mile. Capt. Gardiner, who was in the 
 boats adjoining, immediately ordered the men, (fifty) under his 
 command, ashore, and took possession of the ground from which 
 the enemy had fired; and as soon as he observed our people 
 landing, he with Lieut. Stoughton, and twenty-eight men pursued 
 the Indians. In a few minutes a smart skirmish ensued, which 
 lasted near an hour, in which three men were killed on the spot, 
 and Capt. Gardiner, with Lieut. Stoughton and ten others, 
 badly wounded. During the skirmish, the troops that did not 
 follow the Indians formed on the bank, and covered the boats." 
 
 The attacks upon the English at Schlosser, the Devifs Hole, 
 and at the foot of lake Erie, were all the out-breaks of the 
 Senecas, during the disaffection that followed the 'English advent, 
 of which there is any record, or well authenticated tradition. 
 From some correspondence which occurred between General 
 Amherst and Sir William Johnson, which have been preserved 
 in the Broadhead documents, it would seem that the English 
 attributed the hostilities of the Senecas to the evil influences of 
 the French who remained among them as traders, or as adopted 
 Senecas. This is likely to have been the case, though it is 
 apparent that all along the Seneca branch of the Iroquois espe- 
 cially, had resolved to maintain their independence, and resist the 
 encroachments of both the French and the English. After the 
 French were conquered, it was natural for the Senecas to adopt 
 them as allies in any contest they had with the conquerors. 
 
232' HISTORY OF THE 
 
 But after the failure of the scheme of Pontiac at the west, the 
 promulgation of the peace of Paris here, and the consequent sub- 
 mission of the French to the rule of their conquerors, the Senecas, 
 as did the Indian nations generally, concluded that acquiescence and 
 non-resistance was the best policy. By a letter from Lieut. Gov. 
 Golden to the Board of Tcade, dated Dec. 19th, 1763, it seems 
 that they had then sued for peace. In Mante's History of the 
 French War, the preliminary articles of this peace are given. It 
 was entered into at Johnson's Hall, April 3d, 1764, between Sir 
 William Johnson and eight deputies of the Seneca nation, viz: — 
 Tagaanedie, Kaanijes, Chonedaga, Aughnawawis, Sagenqueraghta, 
 Wanughsisiae, Tagnoondie, Taanjaqua. 
 
 They were to cease all hostilities immediately; never more to 
 make war on the English, or suffer their people to commit acts 
 of violence on the persons or property of any of his Majesty's 
 subjects; forthwith to collect and deliver up all English prisoners, 
 deserters. Frenchmen and negroes; and neither more to harbor or 
 conceal either. They ceded as follows: — "To His Majesty, and 
 his successors forever, in full right, the lands from Fort Niagara 
 extending easterly along lake Ontario about four miles, compre- 
 hending the Petit-Marais, or landing place, and running from 
 thence southerly about fourteen miles to the creek above Fort 
 Schlosser or Little Niagara, and down the same to the river, or 
 strait, and across the same, at the great cataract; thence northerly 
 to the banks of lake Ontario, at a creek, or small lake about two 
 miles west of the fort; thence easterly along the banks of lake 
 Ontario, and across the river, or strait, to Fort Niagara; compre- 
 hending the whole carrying place, with the lands on both sides of 
 the strait, [or river,] and containing a tract of about fourteen miles 
 in length, and four in breadth. And the Senecas do engage never 
 to obstruct the passage of the carrying place, or the free use of 
 any part of the said tract; and will likewise give free liberty of 
 cutting timber for the use of His Majesty, or that of the garrisons, 
 in any other part of their country, not comprehended therein."* 
 
 *This is the first tract of land to which the Indian title was extinguished, in Wes- 
 tern New York. The reader will have no ditliculty in determining the boundaries. 
 It included both banks of the Niagara river, the Falls, Schlosser, Lewiston, Fort Ni- 
 agara, Niagara, C. W. and the mouth of the Four-mile-creek. It will be observed of 
 course, that the Senecas here assumed that iheir dominion extend'ed over the Niagara 
 river. This is based undoubtedlv upon their conquest over the Neuter Nation 
 KT See pages 66, 67, 68. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 233 
 
 They farther agreed to grant a free passage through their 
 country, from that of the Cayugas to Niagara, or elsewhere, for 
 the use of His Majesty's troo})s forever; and the free use to His 
 Majesty forever, of the harbors within the country on lake Ontario, 
 or any of the rivers; immediately to stop all intercourse of their 
 people with the hostile Shawnees, and to assist His Majesty's arms 
 in bringing them to proper punishment. Sir Willia3I grants a 
 free pardon for past transgressions. 
 
 This treaty was to be fully ratified by Sir William Johnson 
 and the Senecas, the ensuing summer at Fort Niagara. But the 
 Senecas, even after this, proved somewhat refractory. In the 
 ensuing summer. Sir William accompanied the expedition of Gen. 
 Bradstreet as far as Niagara, to attend there a congress of 
 friendly Indian nations, convened to exchange with the English 
 sentiments of peace and alliance, make purchases, receive presents, 
 and some of them to offer themselves as volunteers under Gen. 
 Bradstreet. About seventeen hundred had assembled; but the 
 Senecas were not among them. Sir William sent them repeated 
 messages to come in and ratify their treaty, which they answered 
 by repeated promises of attendance. It was found that they were 
 in council deliberating whether they should renew the war or 
 confirm the peace. Gen. Bradstreet sent them a peremptory 
 message, in substance, that if they did not repair to Niagara and 
 fulfill their engagements in five days, he would send a force and 
 dt;stroy their settlements. This brought them in. They ratified 
 their treaty, and received some presents. 
 
 BURNT SHIP BAY — NIAGARA RIVER. 
 
 It will have been seen that the small French garrison at 
 Schlosser, held out and successfully resisted the first attack. The 
 fall of Quebec, however, convinced them that all was lost, and 
 anticipating another attack, they resolved on the destruction of 
 two armed vessels, lying in the river, having on board their 
 military stores. The vessels were taken into the arm of the river 
 that separates a small Island from the foot of Grand Island, and 
 burned down to the water's edge; after which the hulls sunk. In 
 low water, the wrecks are now plain to be seen. In an early 
 period of settlement of the frontier, the hulls were partly exposed; 
 
234 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 anchors, chains, cannon balls, grape and cannister shot, irons 
 belonging to the upper rigging, used to be taken from them by the 
 early settlers. The hulls are now mostly covered with mud, sand 
 and gravel. The Bay derives its name from the circumstances 
 here related.* 
 
 GENERAL BRADSTREET'S EXPEDITION. 
 
 By far the best account of this expedition that has come under 
 the author's observation, is contained in Mante's History, already 
 cited; a rare work, which but a small portion of our I'eaders can 
 have seen. From that source, mainly, our brief notice of it is 
 derived. The expedition was the result of the war that Pontiac 
 and his confederates had waged at the west, and was intended to 
 over-awe the hostile Indians, recover the captured garrisons, and 
 secure a general peace. Gen. Bradstreet, who had headed the 
 successful expedition against Fort Frontenac, was the leader in this. 
 His orders were to "give peace to all such nations of Indians as 
 would sue for it, and chastise those who would continue in arms." 
 The expedition, consisting of about twelve hundred troops, came 
 from Albany to Oswego, where it was joined by a band of warriors 
 of the Six Nations.! From Oswego it came by water, to Fort 
 Niagara, where it halted and remained until Sir William Johnson, 
 had perfected his treaty with the Senecas. Still distrustful of the 
 Senecas, Lieut. Montressor had been ordered to throw up a 
 chain of redoubts, from the landing place at the Four-mile-creek, 
 to Schlosser, "in order to prevent any insults from the enemy, in 
 transporting the provisions, stores and boats, from one lake to 
 another, and likewise to erect a fort on the banks of .Lake Erie, 
 for the security of vessels employed upon it; and these services 
 were effectually performed before the arrival of the army."| 
 
 * Pieces of the wreck are now often procured, as relics of olden time. The author 
 procured from one of them, during the last summer, an oak plank. The timber — 
 after remaining 89 years under water, is sound, and when the water is dried out, is 
 verj' hard, and susceptible of a fine polish. 
 
 tit may not be generally known, even to those familiar with colonial history, that 
 Israel Putnam, once trod the soil of Western New York. He was in the expedition 
 of Bradstreet, a Lieut. Colonel of the Connecticut battalion, as the newspapers of that 
 day clearly show. 
 
 t This was the origin of Fort Erie. The autlior finds no authority for assuming (as 
 some tourists and authors of Sketch Books have,) that the French ever had a postal 
 that point. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 235 
 
 The army moved to Fort Schlosscr on the 6th of August, 
 when it halted until the 8th, for the arrival of an additional Indian 
 force which was to accompany it. It consisted of three hundred 
 Senecas, who, Mr. Maxte says, Gen. Bradstreet "thought him- 
 self compelled to regard as spies, rather than employ them as 
 auxiliaries." The aggregate force of the expedition now amounted 
 to about three thousand. The army moved up the Niagara, to 
 Fort Erie, and from thence, on the 10th, continued its route along 
 the south side of the lake, agreeable to the instructions of Gen. 
 Gage. In the morning of the 12th, while detained at VAnse-Aux- 
 Feuilles [Bay of Leaves]* by contrary winds, he received a depu- 
 tation from the Shawnees, the Dclawares, the Hurons of Sandusky 
 and the Five Nations of the Sciota Plains, sueing for a peace; 
 and in the evening he gave them an audience in the presence of 
 the sachems, and other chiefs of the Indians who accompanied him. 
 These Indians made excuses for hostile conduct, and begged for- 
 giveness, which Gen. Bradstreet granted, and proceeded to 
 Detroit, where he held other conferences. On his way up he had 
 burned the Indian corn-fields and villages at Sandusky, and along the 
 Maumee, and dispersed the Indians whereever he had found them. 
 The confederates of Pontiac, with the exception of the Dclawares 
 and Shawnees, finding they could not successfully compete with 
 such a force, laid down their arms, and concluded a treaty of peace. 
 
 Pontiac, sullenly, stood aloof from the negotiations. He went 
 to Illinois, yielding none but a tacit aquiescence to measures of 
 necessity, in which he clearly foresaw the dispersion and gradual 
 extinction of his race, which has followed the events we have been 
 narrating. He was assassinated by a Peoria Indian. The Ottawas, 
 the Pottawottamies, and the Chippewas, made common cause in 
 avenging his death, by waging war, and nearly exterminating the 
 tribes of the murderer. "The living marble and the glowing 
 canvass may not embody his works; but they are identified with 
 the soil of the western forest, and will live as long as the 
 remembrance of its aboriginal inhabitants, the Algonquin race." f 
 
 * Maumee Bay. 
 
 t Lanman's Histon- of Michigan. 
 
236 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 CHAPTER 11. 
 
 EARLY GLIMPSES OF WESTERN NEAV YORK. 
 
 A primitive glimpse of the western portion of this state, has 
 been reserved for insertion here, — though not in its order of time. 
 It is by far the earliest notice, of any considerable detail, which 
 we derive from English sources; if in fact it is not the earliest 
 record of any English advent to our region. The author is 
 disposed to conclude that the writer was the first Englishman that 
 saw the country west of the lower valley of the Mohawk. His 
 advent was but three years after the English took final possession 
 of the Province of New York, and ten years previous to the 
 expedition of De Nonville. It is taken from " Chalmer's Political 
 Jlnnals of the United Colonies,'''' a work published in London, in 
 1780: — 
 
 "OBSERVATIONS OF WENT WORTH GREENHALPH. 
 
 "In a journey from, Albany to the Indians loesticard, \^ihe Five Nations,'} — begun the 
 28iA of May, 1677, and ended the lAth of July folloidng. * 
 
 [Note. — What is said of the " Maquas, (Mohawks,) Oneydoes, Onondagoes, and 
 Cayugas," is omitted, and the journal commences wtth the Senecas.] 
 
 "The Senecas have four towns, viz: — Canagorah, Tistehatan, 
 Canoenada, Keint-he. Canagorah and Tistehatan lie within thirty 
 miles of the Lake Frontenac; the other two about four or five 
 miles to the southward of these; they have abundance of corn. 
 None of their towns are stockadoed. 
 
 "Canagorah lies on the top of a great hill, and, in that as well as 
 in the bigness, much like Onondagoe, [which is described as ' situ- 
 ated on a hill that is very large, the bank on each side extending 
 itself at least two miles, all cleared lands, whereon the corn is 
 planted,'] containing 150 houses, north-westward of Cayuga 72 
 miles. 
 
 * Mr. Chalmers purports to derive the journal "from New York papers " meaning 
 as is presumed, the manuscripts of the New York " Board of Trade." 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 237 
 
 "Here the Indians were very desirous to see us ride our horses, 
 whicii we did. They made leasts and dancing, and invited us, 
 that, when all the maids were together, both we and our Indians 
 might choose such as liked us to lie with. 
 
 ••Tistehatan lies on the edge of a hill: not much cleared ground; 
 is near the river Tistehatan, which signifies bending.* It lies to the 
 northward of Canagorah about 30 miles; contains about 120 houses, 
 being the largest of all the houses we saw; the ordinary being 50 
 or 60 feet, and some 130 or 140 feet long, with 13 or 14 fires in 
 one house. They have good store of corn growing about a mile 
 to the northward of the town. 
 
 "Being at this place, on the 17th of June, there came 50 pris- 
 oners from the south-westward, and they were of two nations; 
 some whereof have a few guns, the other none. One nation is 
 about ten days' journey from any Christians, and trade only with 
 one great house,} not far from the sea; and the other, as they say, 
 trade only with a black people. This day, of them were burnt 
 two women and a man, and a child killed with a stone. At night 
 we heard a great noise, as if the houses had all fallen; but it was 
 only the inhabitants driving away the ghosts of the murdered. 
 
 ''The 18th, going to Canagorah, we overtook the prisoners. 
 When the soldiers saw us, they stopped each his prisoner, and 
 made him sing and cut oflT their fingers and slashed their bodies 
 with a knife; and, when they had sung, each man confessed how 
 many men he had killed. That day, at Canagorah, there were 
 most cruelly burned four men, four women and one boy; the 
 cruelty lasted about seven hours: when they were almost dead, 
 letting them loose to the mercy of the boys, and taking the hearts 
 of such as were dead to feast on. 
 
 "Canoenada lies about 4 miles to the southward of Canagorah; 
 contains about 30 houses, well furnished with corn. 
 
 "Keint-he lies about 4 or 5 miles to the southward of Tiste- 
 hatan; contains about 24 houses, well furnished with corn. 
 
 "The Senekas are counted to be in all about 1000 fighting men. 
 
 " Whole force— :Magas, 300 
 
 Oneydoes 200 
 
 Onondagoes, 350 
 
 Cavugas, 300 
 
 Senekas, 1000 
 
 2150 fighting raen."t 
 
 * The Tistehatan, or bending River, must refer to the Genesee. 
 
 t Probably among the Swedes on the Delaware — Penn had not yet commenced his 
 settlement. 
 
 t "Among the manuscripts of Sir William Johnson, there is a census of the 
 northern and western Indians, from the Hudson River to the great Lakes and the Mis- 
 sissippi, taken in 1763. The Mohawk warriors were then only 160; the Oneidas 250; 
 Tuscaroras, 140; Onondagas 150; Cayugas, 200; Senecas, 1050; total, 1950. Accord- 
 ing to the calculation of a British agent, several of the tribes must have increased 
 between the close of the French war and beginning of the American Revolution, as it 
 
238 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 "RcmarJi. — During the year 1685 an accurate account was 
 taken by order of the Governor, of the people of Canada, [New 
 France]; which amounted to 17,000, of whom three thousand 
 were supposed to be able to carry arms. We may thence form a 
 judgment with regard to the comparative strength of the two 
 beligerent powers, whose wars were so long and destructive." — 
 Chalmer's Jlnnals. 
 
 The Rev. Samuel Kir kl and, whose name we have had occa- 
 sion to introduce in connection with the antiquities of this region, 
 left the mission station at Johnson's Hall, on the Mohawk, Jan. 
 16th, 1765, in company with two Seneca Indians, upon a mission 
 which embraced all the settlements of the Iroquois, travelling upon 
 snow shoes, carrying "a pack containing his provisions, a few 
 articles of clothing, and a few books, weighing in all about forty 
 pounds." — Leaving the last vestige of civilization, (Johnson's Hall,) 
 his only companions, two Indians with whom he had had but a 
 short acquaintance, the young missionary shaped his course to the 
 westward, encamping nights (with his two guides with whom he 
 could hold no conversation except by signs,) beneath hemlock 
 bows, and sleeping upon ground cleared from snow, for his tem- 
 porary use. Arriving at Onondaga, the central council fire of the 
 Iroquois, a message, from Sir William Johnson secured him a 
 friendly reception. After remaining- there one day, the party left, 
 and came on to Kanadasagea, the principal town of the Senecas. 
 Halting at the skirts of the town, (a courtesy that his Mr. K.'s 
 Indian guides told him by signs, was customary,) a messenger 
 came out to enquire, "whence they came, whither they were going, 
 and what was their desire." His guides replied: — "We are only 
 bound to this place, and wish to be conducted to the house of 
 the chief sachem." The embassy was conducted into the presence 
 of the sachem, to whom, as at Onondaga, a message was delivered 
 from Sir Willia.m Johnson. The reception was friendly, except 
 with a few, "whose sullen countenances" Mr. K. says "he did not 
 
 was computed that, during the latter contest, tlie English had in service, 300 Mohawks, 
 150 Oneidas, 200 Tuscaroras, 300 Onondagas, 230 Cayugas, and 400 Senecas. 
 
 Note. — There can be but little doubt that the four villages mentioned by Mr. 
 Grfeenhalph, are those that were ten years afterwards destroyed by De Nonville. The 
 over-estimate of distances, made by this early adventurer, may well be attributed to the 
 absence of any means to ascertain them correctly. In the names, as given by De 
 Nonville, and by Mr. Greenhalph, there is sufficient analogy to warrant the identity. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 239 
 
 quite like." The head sachem treated him with every kindness 
 and attention, and it was after much deliberation and consul- 
 tation among the Indians, determined that he should fix his resi- 
 dence with them. Through a Dutch trader, who had preceded 
 him, and located at Kanadasagea, he communicated freely with 
 the Indians. A few weeks after his arrival, he was formally 
 adopted as a member of the family of the head sachem. This 
 adoption was attended with formalities — a council, speeches, &c. 
 The council liaving assembled, '' the head sachem's family being 
 present and sitting apart by themselves," Mr. Kirkland was 
 waited upon and invited to attend. On his entrance, after a short 
 silence, one of the chiefs spoke: — 
 
 "Brothers, — open your ears and your eyes. You see here our 
 white brother wiio has come from a great distance, recommended 
 to us by our great chief. Sir William Johnson, who has enjoined 
 it upon us to be kind to him, and to make him comfortable and 
 protect him to the utmost of our power. He comes to do us good. 
 Brothers, — this young white brother of ours, has left his father's 
 house, and his mother, and all his relations, we must now provide 
 for him a house, I am appointed to you and to our young white 
 brother, that our head sachem adopts him into his family. He will 
 be a father to him, and his wife will be a mother, and his sons and 
 daughters, his brothers and sisters." 
 
 The head sachem then rose, called him his son, and led him to 
 his family. Mr. K, thanked him, and told him he hoped the Great 
 Spirit would make him a blessing to his new relations. The 
 zealous and enterprising young missionary, says in his journal: — 
 "A smile of cheerfulness sat on every countenance, and I could 
 not refrain from tears; tears of joy and gratitude for the kind 
 Providence that had protected me through a long journey, brought 
 me to the place of my desire, and given me so kind a reception 
 among the poor savage Indians." 
 
 Mr. K. applied himself diligently to learn the Seneca language, 
 and by the help of two words, ^^ atkayason,'' (what do you call 
 this,) and '' sointaschnagati" (speak it again.) he made rapid 
 progress. He was made very comfortable and treated very 
 kindly. 
 
 All things were going on well, but friendly relations were 
 destined to an interruption. The missionary had been assigned a 
 residence with an Indian family, whose head was a man of much 
 influence with his people; — "sober, industrious, honest, and telling 
 
240 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 no lies." Unfortunately, in a few days after Mr. K. had become 
 an inmate of his wigwam, he sickened and died. Such of the 
 Senecas as were jealous of the new comer, seized upon the 
 circumstance to create prejudice against him, even alledging that 
 the death was occasioned by his magic, or if not, that it was an 
 " intimation of the displeasure of the Great Spirit at his visit and 
 residence among them, and that he must be put to death." Coun- 
 cils were convened, there were days of deliberation, touching 
 what disposition should be made of the missionary — the chief 
 sachem proving his fast friend, and opposing all propositions to 
 harm him. During the time, a Dutch trader, a Mr. Womp, on his 
 way from Niagara east, stopped at Kanadaseaga, and he was the 
 only medium through which Mr. K. could learn from day to day, 
 the deliberations of the council. At length his friend, the sachem, 
 informed him joyfully, that " all was peace." 
 
 Some proceedings of the Council afterwards transpired, that 
 Mr. Kirkland was enabled to preserve in his journal. It was 
 opened by an address from the chief sachem: — 
 
 "Brothers, — this is a dark day to us; a heavy cloud has 
 gathered over us. The cheering rays of the sun are obscured; 
 the dim, faint light of the moon sympathises with us. A great and 
 awakening event has called us together, the sudden death of one 
 of our best men; a great breach is made in our Councils, a living 
 example of peace, sobriety and industry, is taken from us. Our 
 whole town mourns, for a good man is gone. He is dead. Our 
 white brother had lived with him a few days. Our white brother 
 is a good young man. He loves Indians. He comes recom- 
 mended to us by Sir William Johnson, who is commis- j 
 sioned by the great king beyond the waters to be our super- ! 
 intendent. Brothers, attend! The Great Spirit has supreme j 
 power over life. He, the upholder of the skies, has most certainly 1 
 brought about this solemn event by his will, and without any other ■ 
 help, or second cause. Brothers, let us deliberate wisely; let us ;; 
 determine with great caution. Let us take counsel under our i 
 great loss, with a tender mind. This is the best medicine and was | 
 the way of our fathers." I 
 
 A long silence ensued, which was broken by a chief of great | 
 influence, who was ambitious of supreme control. He made a | 
 long and inflammatory harrangue against the missionary. Among 
 other things, he said: — 
 
 " This white skin, whom we call our brother, has come upon a 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 241 
 
 dark design, or he would not have travelled so many hundred 
 miles. He brings with him the white people^ s Book. Tliey call it 
 GocTs Holy Book. Brothers attend! You know this book was 
 never made for Indians. The Great Spirit gave us a book for 
 ourselves. He wrote it in our heads. He put it into the minds of 
 our fathers, and gave them rules about worshipping him; and our 
 fathers strictly observed these rules, and the Upholder of the skies 
 was pleased, and gave them success in hunting, and made them victo- 
 rious over their enemies in war. Brothers attend! Be assured that 
 if we Senecas receive this white man, and attend to the Book made 
 solely for white people, we shall become miserable. We shall soon 
 loose the spirit of true men. The spirit of the brave warrior and 
 the good hunter will be no more with us. We shall be sunk so low 
 as to hoe corn and squashes in the field, chop wood, stoop down 
 and milk cows, like the negroes among the Dutch people.* 
 Brothers, hear me! I am in earnest, because I love my nation, and 
 the customs and practices of our fathers; and they enjoyed pleasant 
 and prosperous days. If we permit this white skin to remain 
 among us, and finally embrace what is written in his book, it will be 
 the complete subversion of our national character, as true men. 
 Our ancient customs, our religious feasts and offerings, all that our 
 fathers so strictly observed, will be gone. Of this are we not 
 warned by the sudden death of our good brother and wise sachem? 
 Does not the Upholder of the skies, plainly say to us in this: — 
 'Hear, attend, ye Senecas! Behold, I have taken one, or per- 
 mitted one to be taken from among you in an extraordinary 
 manner, which you cannot account for, and thereby to save the 
 nation?' Brothers, listen to what I say. Ought not this white 
 man's life to make satisfaction for our deceased brother's death V 
 
 A long discussion and investigation followed. Mr. Kirklanh's 
 
 papers were carried to the council house and examined; the widow 
 
 * The Indian orator, had probably been to Schenectady and Albany, and observed the 
 slaves among the Dutch. 
 
 Note. — The author derives this account of the primitive advent of a protestant 
 missionar\- amonjj the Senecas, from Spark's American Biography- The name of the 
 chief sachem of Kanadasegea — Mr. Kirkland's adopted father, and friend — does not 
 transpire. The chief who so eloquently spoke for his nation, and ingeniously wrought 
 upon the jealousy and superstition of the council, was Onoongwandeka. The speeches 
 are given, (as is what else transpired at the time,) as comnmnicatcd to Mr. Kirkland 
 by Mr. VVomp. The reader will boar in mind that in this case, as well as in all reports 
 of the speeches of uneducated Indians, the reporters, have but caught the ideas of the 
 native orators, and substituted their own manner of expression. An eloquent idea — 
 a beautiful figure of speech — can of course, only be faithfully reported, in corresponding 
 words and sentences. For instance, we are not to suppose that the Seneca sachem 
 said: — "the dim faint light of the moon sympathises with us," but he did probably 
 make use of a beautiful figure of speech that justified Mr. Kirkland, in such an 
 interpretation. 
 
 16 
 
242 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 of the deceased was questioned: — she gave a good account of the 
 •'young white brother," said "he was always cheerful and pleasant, 
 and they had began to love him much." Said one of the opponents 
 of Mr. K., "did he never come to your husband's bed-side and 
 whisper in his ears, or puff in his facel" "No, never, he always 
 sat, or lay down, on his own bunk, and in the evening after we 
 were in bed, we would see him get down upon his knees and talk 
 with a low voice." This testimony, and the closing speech of the 
 head sachem, brought matters to a favorable issue. The speech 
 was an able reply to Onoongavandeka — not in opposition to his 
 ^views, as to the effect generally of admitting the white man and 
 his Book, but generally, in reference to the witchcraft and sorcery 
 charged upon Mr. Kirkland, in connection with the sudden death 
 of his host. The speech bore down all opposition, and w^as followed 
 by shouts, and applause, in which only fifteen refused to participate. 
 The chief sachem said, "our business is done. 1 rake up the 
 council fire." 
 
 After this, Mr, Kirkland "lived in great harmony, friendship 
 . and sociability." Another trouble ensued in the shape of a famine. 
 The corn crop for the year previous, had been short, and game 
 ■Vvas scarce at that season of the year, (March.) He wrote to a 
 friend that he had " sold a shirt for four Indian cakes, baked in the 
 ashes, which he could have devoured at one meal, but on the score 
 of prudence had ate only one." He lived for days, on "white oak 
 acorns, fried in beai''s grease." He gives a long detail of 
 suffering and privation, as severe as any of his Jesuit predecessors 
 had endured; which terminated in making a return journey through 
 the wilderness to Johnson Hall, where he procured a supply of 
 provisions. 
 
 Mr. KiRKLAND was a missionary among the Six Nations, for eight 
 years previous to the Revolution; during that struggle he was 
 useful in diverting some portions of them from adhering to the 
 British interests; and his name and services are often blended in 
 the Indian treaties that followed after the war, and resulted in the 
 extinguishment of their title to lands in Western New York. In 
 these latter connections, frequent reference to him will ociiur in 
 subsequent pages. 
 
HOLLAxND PURCHASE. 243 
 
 ACCOUNT OF A FRENCH COLONY, 
 
 Estabtishsd at Onondaija in 1(555. 
 
 Dablon, a Jesuit, established himself in 1G55 on or near the 
 spot where Salina now stands.* The same year he was joined by 
 Sieur Dupuvs, an officer from the garrison at Quebec, with fifty 
 Frenchmen. The enterprise was encouraged by the Superior 
 General of the Catholic Missions, w ho was desirous of establishing 
 at this central Iroquois canton a permanent missionary establish- 
 ment. It was favored by the Onondagas, but encountered the 
 hostility of the Mohawks from its first inception. They attacked 
 the party of Dupuys on its way up the St. Lawrence, but were 
 repulsed. 
 
 The reception of the party, on their arrival at their destination, 
 was cordial and hospitable. Father Merceir, (the Superior 
 General,) had accompanied the expedition, and he spared no pains 
 to give the arrival an imposing appearance, impress the natives 
 with awe and veneration for the religion he wished to introduce, 
 and win their friendly regards. Dwellings were erected, and for 
 nearly two years, the establishment prospered. 
 
 At length a conspiracy which extended itself through the Iroquois 
 cantons, was formed against them. Dupuvs, was kept advised of 
 all that was transpiring, by friendly Indians. Deliberating whether 
 he would fortify himself and sustain a siege, or retreat to Quebec, 
 he resolved on the latter. 
 
 " To effect his escape M. Dupuvs required first to construct some 
 canoes, for they had not taken the precaution to reserve any. But 
 to work at them publicly w^ould be to announce his retreat, and 
 thereby render it impossible. Something must be resolved on 
 immediately, and the commandant adopted the following plan. He 
 immediately sent an express to M. D' Aillebout to inform him of 
 the conspiracy. He then gave orders for the construction of some 
 small light batteaux; and to prevent the Iroquois from getting the 
 wind of it, he made his people work in the garret of the Jesuit's 
 house, which was larger and more retired than the others. 
 
 " This done, he warned all his people to hold themselves in 
 readiness to depart on the day which he named to them, and he 
 supplied each one with provisions sufficient for the voyage, and 
 charged them to do nothing in the mean time to excite the suspi- 
 cions of the Iroquois. It only remained now to concert measures 
 for embarking so secretely that the savages should have no knowl- 
 
 * Barber and Howe's Historical Collections. 
 
244 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 edge of their retreat until they should have advanced so far as not 
 to fear pursuit, and this they accomplished by a stratagem singular 
 enough. 
 
 "A certain young Frenchman who had acquired great influence 
 with the Indians, had been adopted into one of their most respect- 
 able families. According to the custom of the Indians, whoever 
 was adopted by them became entitled to all the privileges that 
 belonged to native members of the families. This young man went 
 one day to his adopted father, and told him that he had on the 
 night before dreamed of one of those feasts where the guests eat 
 every thing that is served, and that he desired to have one of the 
 kind made for the village; and he added, that it was deeply 
 impressed upon his mind he should die if a single thing were 
 wanting to render the feast just such a one as he described. The 
 Indian gravely replied that he should be exceedingly sorry to have 
 him die, and would therefore order the repast himself and take 
 care to make the invitations, and he assured him that nothing 
 should be wanting to render the entertainment every way such an 
 one as he wished. The young man having obtained these assu- 
 rances, appointed for his feast the 19th of March, which was the 
 day fixed upon for the departure of the French. All the provis- 
 ions which the families through the village could spare were 
 contributed for the feast, and all the Indians were invited to attend. 
 
 "The entertainment began in the evening, and to give the 
 French an opportunity to put their boats into the water and to load 
 them for the voyage without being observed, the drums and trumpets 
 ceased not to sound around the scene of festivity. 
 
 "The boats having now been launched and every thing put in 
 readiness for a departure, the young man, at the signal agreed 
 upon, went to his adopted father and said to him, that he pitied the 
 guests, who had for the most part asked quarter, that they might 
 cease eating, and give themselves to repose, and adding, that he 
 meant to procure for every one a good night's sleep. He began- 
 playing on the guitar, and in less than a quarter of an hour every 
 Indian was laid soundly to sleep. The young Frenchman immedi- 
 ately sallied forth to join his companions, who were ready at the 
 instant to push from the shore. 
 
 "The next morning a number of Indians went, according to 
 their custom on awaking, to see the French, and found all the 
 doors of their houses shut and locked. This strange circumstance, 
 joined to the profound silence which everywhere reigned through 
 the French settlement, surprised them. They imagined at first 
 that the French were saying mass, or that they were in secret 
 council; but after having in vain waited for many hours to have 
 the mystery solved, they went and knocked at some of the doors. 
 The dogs who had been left in the houses replied to them by bark- 
 ing. They perceived some fowls also through the palings, but no 
 person could be seen or heard. At length, having waited until 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 245 
 
 evening, they forced open the doors, and to their utter astonishment 
 found every house empty.* 
 
 Previous to the Revolution, white settlement did not advance 
 beyond the lower Mohawk valley. The period- of the early 
 settlement of Schenectady will have been noticed. 
 
 The pioneer emigrants, that began the march of civilization and 
 improvement, west of Schenectady, were as the Plymouth colonists 
 of New England, refugees for the sake of religion and conscience. 
 "Early in the eighteenth century, near three thousand German 
 Palatines emigrated to this country under the patronage of Queen 
 Anne; most of them settled in Pennsylvania; a few made tlieir way 
 from Albany, in 1713, over the Helleberg, to Schoharie creek, and 
 under the most discouraging circumstances, succeeded in effecting 
 a settlement upon the rich alluvial lands bordering upon that 
 stream. Small colonies from here and from Albany, and Sche- 
 nectady, established themselves in various places along the Mohawk, 
 and in 1722, had extended as far up as the German Flats, near 
 where stands the village of Herkimer; but all the inhabitants were 
 found in the neighborhood of those streams; none had ventured out 
 in that unbroken wilderness, which lay to the south and west of 
 these settlements." f 
 
 This branch of the emigrating Palatines, (there were three 
 thousand, in all, that arrived in New York,) consisted of about 
 seven hundred persons. Their location, "began on the little 
 Schoharie kill, in the town of Middleburg, at the high water mark 
 .of the vSchoharie river, at an oak stump burned hollow, which is 
 said to have served the Mohegan and Stockbridge Indians, the 
 purposes of a corn-mill; and ran down the river to the north, 
 taking in the flats on both sides of the same, a distance of eight or 
 ten miles, containing twenty thousand acres." | They settled in 
 Indian villages, or dorfs, under the direction of seven individuals, 
 as captains, or commissaries. As these were primitive adventurers, 
 in this direction — and as their names are associated intimately, 
 with early times; and even now are blended with almost every 
 reference to the valley of the Mohawk, and especially "Old 
 
 * Manuscript history, of the Rev. J. W. Adams, Sj-racuse. 
 
 \ Campbell's Annals of Tiyon County. 
 
 t Simm's History of Schoharie and the Border Wars. 
 
246 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Schoharie." — the author inserts such of them as he finds in Mr. 
 Simm's history: — There were the Keysers, Boucks, Rickards, 
 Rightmyers, Warners, Weavers, Zimmers, Mathers, Zeks, Bellin- 
 gers, Borsts, Schoolcrafts, Kryslers, Casselmans, Newkirks, Ear- 
 harts, Browns, Merkleys, Foxes, Berkers, Balls, Weidhams, Deitzs, 
 Manns, Garloeks, Sternbergs, Kneiskerns, Stubrachs, Endorses, 
 Sidneys, Bergs, Houcks, Hartmans, Smidtz, Lawyers. 
 
 Their lands were granted them by the Queen, as were provisions, 
 while emigrating; but after leaving Albany they had to depend 
 upon their own resources, and they were as few perhaps as M^ere 
 ever possessed by any forest pioneers, in the settlement of a new 
 country. Upon game, ground-nuts, fish, and a little grain they 
 could procure by going on foot to Schenectady, pursuing an Indian 
 path, they contrived to subsist for the first year, when getting a 
 little ground cleared, they managed to raise some wheat and corn, 
 without any ploughs or teams to use them with. They raised the 
 first wheat in 1711. It was cultivated with the hoe, like corn. 
 For several years, when going to Schenectady to mill, or upon 
 other errands, they went in large parties, as a precaution against 
 the attacks of wild beasts. 
 
 In 1735, small settlements of Germans had been made at 
 Canajoharie and Stone Arabia. 
 
 In 1739, a Scotchman by the name of Lindsay, who had 
 obtained by assignment from three other partners, a tract of 8000 
 acres of land, which is embraced in the town and village of Cherry 
 Valley, became a resident there. His family consisted of his wife 
 and father-in-law, a Mr. Congreve, and a few domestics. His 
 location was named "Lindsay's Bush." The proprietor cultivated- 
 the friendship of the Indians. His nearest white neighbors, were 
 fifteen miles off, upon the Mohawk, and ho had no way of 
 approaching it except by a difficult Indian trail. He was a Scotch 
 gentleman; — a taste for the romantic — a fondness for the chase, 
 which was fully gratified by abundance of wild game in that 
 region, had prompted him to adopt a back- woods life; but he 
 soon began to experience some of its hardships. The snow fell 
 to a great depth in the winter of 1740, — he was short of provi- 
 sions, and could not get to the settlements for a supply. He was 
 relieved by a friendly Indian, who making his journeys on snow 
 shoes, obtained food for him and his house-hold, for the winter. 
 In 1741 he was joined by the Rev. Samuel Dunlop, David Ramsay, 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 247 
 
 Willam Gait, James Campbell, William Dickinson, and one or two 
 others, with their families; in all about thirty persons. In 1744, 
 they had a grist and saw-mill, and an increasing, flourishing settle- 
 ment. It was however harrassed, during the French and English 
 war, by some portions of the Six Nations, in the French interests. 
 Its inhabitants were frequently, during the war, called out to defend 
 the northern frontiers. This was the germ of the settlement of a 
 large district of country, which in our early histories, was included 
 under the name of Cherry Valley. 
 
 SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON. 
 
 The year 1740, is signalized by the advent upon the Mohawk, 
 of one who was destined to exercise an important influence, and 
 occupy a conspicuous place in our colonial history. Sir William 
 Johnson was a native of Ireland. He left his native country in 
 consequence of the unfavorable issue of a love aflfair. His uncle. 
 Sir Peter Warren, an Admiral in the English navy, owned by 
 government grant, a large tract of land — 15,000 acres — within 
 the present town of Florida, Montgomery county. Young John- 
 son became his agent, and located himself in the year above 
 named, at Warren's Bush, a few miles from the present village of 
 Port Jackson. He now began that intercourse with the Indians 
 which was to prove so beneficial to the English, in the last French 
 war that soon followed, the influences of which were to be so 
 prejudicial to the colonial interests, in the war of the Revolu- 
 tion. He made himself familiar with their language, spoke it with 
 case and fluency; watched their habits and peculiarities; studied 
 their manners, and by his mildness and prudence, gained their favor 
 and confidence, and an unrivalled ascendancy over them. In all 
 important matters he was generally consulted by them, and his 
 advice followed. In 1755, he was entrusted with a command in 
 the provincial service of New York. He marched against Crown 
 Point, and after the repulse of Col. Williams, he defeated and 
 took DiESKU prisioner. For this service the Parliament voted him 
 five thousand pounds, and the King made him a Baronet. The 
 reader will have noticed his effective agency in keeping the Six 
 Nations in the English interests, and his military achievement at 
 Niagara. 
 
 From the following notice, which appeared in a contemporary 
 
248 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 publication — the London Gentleman's Magazine, for September, 
 1755 — it will be seen how well adapted he was to the peculiar 
 offices and agencies that devolved upon him. It is an extract of a 
 journal written in this country: — 
 
 "Major General Johnson (an Irish gentleman,) is universally 
 esteemed in our parts, for the part he sustains. Besides his skill 
 and experience as an officer, he is particularly happy in making 
 himself beloved by all sorts of people, and can conform to all 
 companies and conversations. He is very much of the fine gentle- 
 man in genteel company. But as the inhabitants next him are 
 mostly Dutch, he sits down with them and smokes his tobacco, 
 drinks flip, and talks of improvements, bear and beaver skins. 
 Being surrounded with Indians, he speaks several of their lan- 
 guages well, and has always some of them with him. His house 
 is a safe and hospitable retreat for them from the enemy. He 
 takes care of their wives and children when they go out on 
 parties, and even wears their dress. In short, by his honest 
 dealings with them in trade, and his courage, which has often been 
 successfully tried with them and his courteous behaviour, he has 
 so endeared himself to them, that they chose him one of their 
 chief sachems or princes, and esteem him as their common father." 
 
 Miss Eleanor Wallaslous, a fair and comely Dutch girl, who 
 had been sold to limited service in New York, to pay her passage 
 across the ocean, to one of his neighbors, soon supplied the place 
 of the fair one in Ireland, whose fickleness had been the means of 
 impelling him to new scenes and associations in the back-woods of 
 America. Although taking her to his bed and board, and for a 
 long period acknowledging her as his wife, he was never married 
 to her until she was upon her death-bed, a measure necessary to 
 legitimatize his three children, who afterwards became. Sir John 
 Johnson, Mrs. Guy Johnson, and Mrs. Col. Glaus. His next 
 wife, was Molly Brant, sister of the conspicuous chieftain of that 
 name. He was married to her a few years before his death, for 
 the same purpose that was consummated in the previous instance. 
 
 Golden says of Sir William, that "he dressed himself after the 
 Indian manner, made frequent dances after their customs when they 
 excite to war, and used all the means he could think of, at a con- 
 siderable expense, to engage them in a war against Canada." 
 
 The liberal patronage of the English government, and the 
 facility with which he could procure grants of the Indians, made 
 him an extensive land-holder. He obtained one grant, in a manner 
 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 249 
 
 which has made it the subject of a familiar anecdote, from Hen- 
 DRicK, a Mohawk chief, of one hundred thousand acres, situated in 
 the now county of Herkimer. He had before his death laid the 
 foundation of perhaps as large an individual landed estate, as was 
 ever possessed in this country. His heirs, taking sides against the 
 colonies, in the Revolution, at its close, the whole estate was 
 confiscated. 
 
 The Johnson family are so mingled with our early colonial 
 history, and the border wars of the Revolution, that most readers 
 will be familiar with a subject that has been introduced here, only 
 to assist in giving a brief sketch of the progress of settlement 
 west of the Hudson previous to the Revolution; and to aid a clear 
 understanding of some local events in that contest. 
 
 Sir William Johnson died on the 24th of June, 1774 — having 
 for nearly thirty-five years, exercised an almost one man power, 
 not only in his own immediate domain, but far beyond it. In his 
 character were blended many sterling virtues, with vices that are 
 perhaps to be attributed in a greater degree to the freedom of a 
 back- woods life, — the absence of the restraints which the ordi- 
 nances of civilization imposes, — than to radical defects. His 
 talents, it must be inferred, were of a high order; his achievements 
 at Niagara alone, would entitle him to the character of a brave 
 and skillful military commander; and in the absence of amiable 
 aocial qualities, he could hardly have gained so strong a hold upon 
 the confidence and respect of the Six Nations, as we see he 
 maintained up to the period of his death. 
 
 He died just as the great struggle of the colonies commenced. 
 Had he lived to have participated in it he would probably have 
 been found on the side of the mother country. In his case, to the 
 ordinary obligations of loyality, were added those of gratitude for 
 high favors and patronage. Though it has been inferred that in 
 anticipation of the crisis that was approaching, he was somewhat 
 wavering in his purposes. Mr. vSniais, the local historian of the 
 MohaW'k Valley, upon information derived from those who lived at 
 that period, and in the vicinity, favors the conclusion that he died 
 by his own hand, to escape a participation in the struggle, which 
 his position must have forced upon him: — "As the cloud of colo- 
 nial difficulty was spreading from the capital of New England to 
 the frontier Enirlish settlements. Sir William Johnson was urged 
 by the British crown, to take sides with the parent country. He 
 
250 HISTORY OF THE 1 
 
 had been taken from comparative obscurity, and promoted by the 
 government of England, to honors and wealth. Many wealthy 
 and influential friends around him were already numbered among 
 the advocates of civil liberty. Should he raise his arm against 
 that power that had thus signally honored himl Should he take 
 sides with the oppressor against many of his tried friends in many 
 perilous adventures? These were serious questions, as we may 
 reasonably suppose, which often occupied his mind. The Baronet 
 declared to several of his friends, as the storm of civil discord was 
 gathering, that 'England and her colonies were approaching a 
 terrible war, but that he should .never live to witness it.''* At the 
 time of his death, a court was sittins: at Johnstown, and while in 
 the court-room on the afternoon of the day of his death, a 
 package from England of a political nature was handed him. 
 He left the court-house, went directly home, and in a few hours 
 was a corpse." 
 
 While it must remain perhaps, a subject of speculation how Sir 
 WiLLiABi Johnson would have used his powerful influence, had he 
 lived, it is quite certain that it would not have been as hurtful 
 to the colonies, as that portion of it was, which was inherited, with 
 his title, by his son and son-in-law. While they were not his equals 
 in talent — had not many of the good quahties he possessed — they 
 used the influence that he transmitted to them in a manner that we 
 are justified in inferring, it would not have been used, had he lived I 
 to exercise it. 
 
 Sir William was succeeded in his titles and estate, by his son Sir c 
 John Johnson; his authority as General Superintendent of Indian i 
 Affairs, fell into the hands of Col. Guy Johnson, his son-in-law, ,: 
 who had long been his assistant, as deputy; in which office he was f 
 assisted by Col. Daniel Claus, who had married another daughter •* 
 of the Baronet. \ 
 
 Before the close of the French and English war, small settle- f 
 ments were begun in the neighborhood of the colony commenced ! 
 by Mr. Lindsay. Previous to the American Revolution, a family 
 of Harpers, distinguished in that contest, had left Cherry Valley 
 and commenced a settlement at Harpersfield, Delaware county.' 
 
 * Col. Stone, in his life of Brant, rejects the inference that Sir William committed 
 suicide; or that he was embarrassed in reference to the course he should pursue. He 
 says, he '* visited England for the last time iu the autumn of 1773, returning the next 
 spring. He probably came back with his loyal feelings somewhat strengthened." 
 
 y 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 251 
 
 The Rev. William Johnson had succeeded in planting a flour- 
 ishing Httle colony, on the east side of the Susquehannah, a short 
 distance below the forks of the Unadilla, and several families were 
 scattered through Springfield, Middlefield, (then called New-Town 
 Martin,) and Laurens and Otego, called Old England District. In 
 the year 1716, Philip Groat, made a purchase of land in the 
 present town of Amsterdam. He was drowned in removing his 
 family to his new home. His widow and her three sons made the 
 intended settlement. They erected a grist mill at what is now 
 called Crane's Village, in 1730. One of the brothers, Lewis 
 Groat, was captured by the Indians in the French and English 
 war, and kept in captivity four years. In this war, these primi- 
 tive settlers upon the Mohawk were often visited by the French 
 Indian allies, and had a foretaste of the horrid scenes that were 
 to follow, in a few years. The valley of the Mohawk was the 
 theatre of martyrdom and suffering, in two wars. 
 
 In the year 1740 a small colony of Irish emigrants, located in 
 the present town of Glen. The Indian disturbances alarmed them, 
 and after a few years they returned to Ireland. 
 
 Giles Fonda was the first merchant west of Schenectady. 
 His customers were the few settlers upon the Mohawk, and the 
 Indians of the Six Nations. He had branches, or depots, at Forts 
 Schuyler, Stanwix, Oswego, Niagara and Schlosser. His prin- 
 cipal business was to exchange blankets, trinkets, ammunition and 
 rum for furs, peltries, and ginseng. 
 
 A church was erected at Caiighnawaga, partly under the patron- 
 age of Sir William Johnson, in 1765. Churches were erected 
 at Stone Arabia, Palatine and German Flats, before the Revolu- 
 1 tion. At an early period a small church was constructed of wood, 
 near the Upper Mohawk Castle. A bell that was in use then, was 
 brought away by the Mohawks, in their flight westward, and was 
 ■ used in the temporary Mohawk settlement at Lewiston. [Xy^ See 
 John Mountpleasant's account of the church, bell, &c. 
 
 Toward the close of the French war, the public debt of the 
 
 I Province of New York, obliged a resort to a direct tax. The 
 
 amount levied upon the inhabitants of the "Mohawk Valley,"' 
 
 which designation then embraced the whole State west of Albany, 
 
 was £242,176. 
 
 In 1772, three years previous to the Revolution, Try on county 
 
252 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 was taken from Albany.* It embraced all the present state of 
 New York, west of a line drawn north and south nearly through 
 the center of Schoharie county. It was divided into five districts. 
 The first court of ^-general quarter sessions of the peace,''' was held 
 in Johnstown, Sept. 8th, 1772. The Bench consisted of 
 
 Guy Johnson, Judge. 
 John Buller, Peter Conyne, Judges. 
 
 Sir John Johnson, Knight, Daniel Ciaus, John Wells, Jelles Fonda, Asst. Judges. 
 John Collins, Joseph Chew, Adam Loucks, John Fr}-, Francis Young, Peter Ten 
 Broek, Justices. 
 
 A glimpse has thus been furnished the reader, of the condition 
 of things, in the county of Tryon, preceding a crisis which was 
 to make it the theatre of sanguinary scenes; its few and scattered 
 inhabitants, sufferers, and not unfrequently martyrs, in the harass- 
 ing border war that came upon them to multiply three fold the 
 ordinary endurances of the pioneers of the wilderness.f 
 
 * Named in honor of William Tryon, then Governor of the Province. 
 
 + " The population of Cherry Valley was short of three hundred, and that of the whole 
 county of Tryon hut a few thousand, when the Revolution commenced."' — Campbell's 
 Annals. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 253 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 THE BORDER WARS OF THE REVOLUTION. 
 
 In the condition of settlement that has been bi-iefly stated, the 
 reader will perceive that all Western New York could have had 
 but a remote connexion with the long and eventful struggle that 
 ended in a separation of the colonies, and the blessings of a free 
 and independent government. While the author has presumed in 
 his preceding pages, that there was much of early colonial history, 
 having a distinct local relation, with which most of those into 
 whose hands his work will fall were not familiar, he will not regard 
 it necessary to embrace any portion of a general history — the 
 causes and prominent events of the Revolution — which is as 
 "familiar as house-hold words," with his readers — formed a por- 
 tion of their nursery tales, and are incorporated with the rudiments 
 of our primary schools. 
 
 Foremost in its loyalty, effective and vigilant in its services, in 
 the French war that had closed by the triumph of the English 
 arms, — the province of New York was not backward in prepara- 
 tions for asserting its rights, when the period arrived in which 
 England, proud of her colonial possessions, but oppressive in its 
 government of them, provoked resistance to its unjust requirements. 
 "During the long and harrassing French wars, her levies both of 
 men and money, considering her population and resources, were 
 immense. Her territory was the principal scene of action, and she 
 seconded with all her powers the measures adopted by the English 
 to destroy the French influence in America." * But loyalty, 
 faithful and enduring as it had been, began to be forfeited, and 
 the Province of New York was early in so regarding it. 
 
 Its resistance to the stamp act in 1765, paved the way for the 
 convening of a congress in New York, the same yeai'. 
 
 * Annals of Trj-on County. 
 
I 
 
 254 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 A public meeting of citizens of Palatine district, in Tryon 
 county, was assembled as early as August, 1774. The Boston Port 
 Bill had gone into operation in the preceding June. The resolutions 
 of that meeting declared unaltered and determined allegiance to 
 the British crown, but strenuously remonstrated against an act 
 which it regarded as "oppressive and arbitrary," and "subversive 
 of the rights of English subjects." The meeting approved of a 
 previous act of their brethren in New York, in sending five 
 delegates to the approaching congress in Philadelphia; and 
 appointed a committee of correspondence, consisting of five persons, 
 to correspond with committees of Albany and New York. 
 
 The ball thus put in motion, its progress was retarded by all the 
 influence of the Johnson family and their adherents. In the spring 
 of 1775, after the proceedings of the Philadelphia congress had 
 been promulgated, during the session of a court at Johnstown, a 
 declaration was drawn up and circulated by the loyalists of Tryon 
 county, opposing the proceedings of that congress. It occasioned 
 much altercation, but was finally signed by most of the grand 
 jury, and nearly all the magistrates. Pubhc meetings soon 
 followed in most of the districts of the county, in opposition to the 
 sentiments expressed in the Johnstown declaration. On a day 
 appointed, the little church at Cherry Valley, was crowded with 
 all ages and sexes. Thomas Spencer, an Indian interpreter, 
 addressed the meeting in a strain of "rude, though impassioned I 
 eloquence." * Articles of association were adopted at this and at ' 
 similar district meetings, approving the proceedings of the Philadel- ■ 
 phia congress, and declaring that the Johnstown proceeding was a 
 measure which would assist to "entail slavery upon America." 
 On the 8th of May, the Palatine committee, wrote a letter to the 
 Albany committee, in which they say that they are busy in 
 circulating petitions, and enlisting the citizens of Tryon county, on 
 the side of the colonies, but they say: — 
 
 "This county has for a series of years been ruled by onefj 
 family, the diflerent branches of which are still strenuous in' 
 persuading people not to come into congressional measures; and 
 even have, last week, at a numerous meeting of the Mohawk 
 District, appeared with all their dependents armed, to oppose the 
 
 * Mr. Campbell says: — "The noblest efforts of an Henry and an Otis, never 
 ■wrought more sensibly upon the feelings of the congresses they addressed, than did the ■ 
 harangue of this unlettered patriot, upon that little assembly." 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 255 
 
 people considering of their grievances: — their number being so 
 large, and the people unarmed, struck terror into the most of them, 
 and they dispersed. We are informed that Johnson Hall is forti- 
 fying by placing swivel guns around the same, and that Col. 
 Johnson has had part of his regiment of militia under arms, 
 yesterday, no doubt with the design to prevent the friends of 
 liberty from publishing their attachment to the cause, to the world. 
 Besides which, we are told, that about an hundred Highlanders, 
 (Roman Catholics,) are armed, and ready to march upon the like 
 occasion. We are informed that Col. Johnson, has stopped two 
 New Englanders, and searched them, being as we suppose, suspi- 
 cious that they came to solicit aid from us or the Indians, whom 
 we dread most, there being a current report through the county, 
 that they are to be made use of in keeping us in awe. We 
 recommend it strongly and seriously to you to take it in your 
 consideration, whether any powder and ammunition, ought to be 
 permitted to be sent up this way, unless it is done under the 
 inspection of the committee, and consigned to the committee here, 
 and for sych particular shop-keepers, as we in our next shall 
 acquaint you. We are determined to suffer none in our district, to 
 sell any, but such as we approve of, and sign the association. 
 When any thing particular comes to our knowledge relating to the 
 Indians, (whom we shall watch), or anything interesting, we shall 
 take the earliest opportunity in communicating the same to you. 
 And as we are a young county, remote from the metropolis, we 
 I beg you will give as all the intelligence in your power. We shall 
 j not be able to send down any deputies to the Provincial Congress. 
 i as we cannot possibly obtain the sense of the county soon enough 
 I to make it worth our while to send any, but be assured we are not 
 ; the less attached to American liberty. For we are determined, 
 although few in number, to let the world see who are, and who 
 . are not such; and to wipe off the indelible disgrace brought upon 
 ' us by the declaration signed by our grand jury, and some of our 
 : magistrates; who in general, are considered by a majority of our 
 ■ county, as enemies to their country. In a word, gentlemen, it is 
 ' our fixed resolution to support, and carry into execution every 
 i thing recommended by the Continental Congress, and to be free 
 
 OR DIE." 
 
 At the next meeting of the Palatine Committee, in the same 
 month, two intercepted letters were read. The first, was a letter 
 : from the Mohawk, to the Oneida Indians. Translated into English, 
 I it was as follows: — 
 
 "Written at Guy Johnson's, May 1775. This is your letter, you great ones, or 
 Sachems. Guy Johnson says he will be glad if you get this intelligence, you Oneidas, 
 how it goes with him now, and he is now more certain concerning the intention of the 
 Boston people. Gov Johnson is in great fear of being taken prisoner by the Boston 
 
256 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 people. We Mohawks are obliged to watch him constantly. Therefore we send you 
 this intelligence, that you shall know it, and Guy Johnson assures himself and depends 
 upon your coming to his assistance, and that you will without fail be of that opinion. 
 He believes not that you will assent to let him suiFer. We therefore expect you in a 
 couple of day's time. So much at present. We send but so far as to you Oneidas, 
 but afterwards perhaps, to all the other nations. We conclude, and expect that you 
 will have concern about our ruler, Guy Johnson, because we are all united." 
 
 The letter was signed by Joseph Brant as Secretary to Guy 
 Johnson, and by four other chiefs. The other letter was from 
 Guy Johnson to the magistrates and others, of the upper districts 
 of Tryon county: — 
 
 " Guy Park, May 20, 1775. 
 Gentlemen, — I have lately, repeated accounts, that a body of New Englanders, or 
 others, were to come and seize, and carry away my person, and attack our family, under 
 color of malicious insinuations that I intended to set the Indians upon the people. 
 Men of sense and character know that my office is of the highest importance \o pro- 
 mote peace among the Six Nations, and prevent their entering into any such disputes. 
 This I effected last year, when they were much vexed about the attack on the Shawnees, 
 and I last winter appointed them to meet me this month, to receive the answer of tho 
 Virginians. All men must allow that if the Indians find their council fire disturbed, 
 and their superintendent insulted, they will take a dreadful rercnge. It is therefore the 
 duty of all the people to prevent this, and to satisfy any who may have been imposed 
 upon, that their suspicions, and allegations, they have collected against me, are false, 
 and inconsistent with my character and office. I recommend this to you as highly 
 necessary at this time, as my regard for the interests of the countn,' and self presen'ation, 
 has obliged me to fortify my house, and keep men armed for my defence, till these idle 
 and malicious reports are removed." 
 
 Upon the reading of these letters, the Committee adopted a set 
 of strong resolutions confirming their former positions, and severely 
 condemning the conduct of Sir Guy, in keeping about him a body 
 of armed Indians, fortifying his house, and "stopping and search- 
 ing travellers upon the King's highway." It was resolved, — " That 
 as we abhor a state of slavery, we do join and unite together, 
 under all the ties of religion, honor, justice, and a love for our 
 country, never to become slaves, and to defend our freedom with 
 our lives and fortunes." 
 
 Before the Committee adjourned, it addressed another letter to 
 the Albany Committee, — in which they say, that they have ordered 
 the inhabitants of the district to provide themselves with arms and 
 ammunition, and be ready at a moment's warning; that Johnson has 
 five hundred men to guard his house; that he has stopped all 
 communication between the counties of Tryon and Albany; that 
 there was not fifty pounds of powder in their district; that they 
 propose, jointly, with the Committees of other districts, to force a 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 257 
 
 communication with Albany; that Johnson had invited the upper 
 Indian nations to go down to his neighborhood, but as many of the 
 Indians were dissatisfied with him, they should endeavor to make a 
 diversion in their favor; and that they wish the Albany Com- 
 mittee to send them some one or two who would be able to make 
 the Indians understand the true nature of the dispute with the 
 mother country. They say: — "We are gentlemen, in a worse 
 situation than any part of America is at present. We have an 
 open enemy before our faces, and treacherous friends at our backs;" 
 but they assurethe Albany Committee that they are very unanimous 
 in the Palatine and Canajoharie districts, and are " determined 
 neither to submit to the acts of Parliament, or Col. Johnson's 
 arbitrary conduct." In answer to a communication from Guy 
 Johnson, the Albany Committee used conciliatory language; said 
 they were disposed to believe in the sincerity of his professions; 
 that they are sorry that reports prejudicial to his character had 
 gone abroad; and trusted that he would "pursue the dictates of an 
 honest heart, and study the interests, peace and welfare of his 
 country." They also, addressed a communication to the com- 
 mittees in Tryon county, advising as the prudent course, not to 
 attempt to open a communication with Albany, as they had inten- 
 ded. Before adjourning, in reference to a threat they had under- 
 stood Johnson had made, of procuring the imprisonment of those 
 who took a conspicuous part in the proceedings that were going 
 
 1 on, they resolved to "stand by each other, and rescue from imprison- 
 
 : ment any who were confined in an illegal manner." Secrecy, was 
 enjoined upon all the members. It was resolved to have no social 
 intercourse, or dealings, with those who had not joined the associa- 
 tion. The owners of slaves were enjoined not to suffer them to go 
 from home, except with a certificate that they were on their mas- 
 ter's business. 
 On the 25th of May, an Indian council was convened at Guy 
 
 I Park. Delegates were present from Albany and Tryon counties. 
 
 I The Indians, through Little Abraham, a Mohawk chief, assured 
 them that they did not wish to have a quarrel with the inhabitants. 
 
 ; That during Sir William Johnson's life time, and since, they 
 had been peaceably disposed. The delegations, and Indians, 
 parted with mutual assurances of continued friendship; though 
 
 i the Mohawks declared that they were under great obligations to 
 
 17 
 
.258 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Sir William Johnson, had a great respect for his memory, and 
 they must guard and protect every member of his family. 
 
 On the 22d of June, 1775, a meeting of the Committees of Tryon 
 county was held; being joined for the first time, by a Committee 
 from the Mohawk district, which district had hitherto kept aloof, 
 through the influence of the Johnsons. This meeting addressed 
 a letter to Guy Johnson, in which they assured him that the people 
 of Tryon county, made common cause with their brethren of 
 Massachusetts Bay; they recapitulated generally, the grievances 
 complained of on the part of the colonies; that possessing as he did, 
 very large estates in the county, they could not think that he 
 differed with them upon the subject of American freedom; and 
 they complained that peaceable meetings of the Mohawk district, 
 had been disturbed, and a man in their interests, had been inhu- 
 manly treated, &c. 
 
 Johnson in his answer, persevered in pacific assurances; said he 
 had fortified his house, because he was apprehensive of an attack, 
 and in doing so, he had only exercised the prerogative of all 
 English subjects. While he professed loyalty to his king, he 
 assured the Committee that he should continue to so dischai-ge the 
 duties of his oflice, as to best do his duty to his country, and 
 preserve its peace; that his family had been the benefactors of the 
 country, &c. He said the movements of the people were prema- 
 ture, that they should wait and see what would be the final action 
 of the home government upon the matters complained of; that 
 they should have " nothing to apprehend from his endeavors," but 
 that he should " be glad to promote their true interests." 
 
 Notwithstanding such professions, it would seem that he had 
 early been ambitious to seize upon the influence he had inherited 
 from his father-in-law, mould the Six Nations to his will, and 
 subserve the two-fold purpose of gratifying a personal ambition, 
 and making an exhibition of his loyalty, to his family's patron, 
 George the Third. Under the pretence that he could better 
 control the Indians, and keep them peaceable, by withdrawing them 
 from the irritating influences that surrounded them in the Mohawk 
 Valley, he removed with his retinue to Fort Stanwix, and from 
 thence farther west, where he was met by thirteen hundred war- 
 riors in council. From his then location, under date of July 8th, 
 he wrote to Mr. Livingston, the President of Congress, a letter , 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE, 259 
 
 which concludes thus: — "I should be much obliged by your prom- 
 
 1 iscs of discountenancing any attempts against myself, did they not 
 
 appear to be made on conditions of compliance with continental or 
 
 provincial Congresses, or even Committees, formed or to be formed, 
 
 i many of whose resolves may not consist with my conscience, duty 
 
 I or loyalty;" — still he assures Mr, Livingston that he shall always 
 
 "manifest more humanity than to promote the destruction of 
 
 ' innocent inhabitants of a colony, to which I have been always 
 
 i warmly attach*" d." 
 
 I He retired to Montreal, where he took up his residence, and 
 
 i "continued to act during the war as an agent of the British gov- 
 
 ; ernment, distributing to the Indians liberal rewards for their deeds 
 
 ; of cruelty, and stimulating them to further exertions." * 
 
 { The Mohawks, almost the entire body of them, had accompanied 
 
 \ Johnson and his family to the west, f In June, the Rev. Samuel 
 
 KiRKLAND, then missionary to the Oncidas, held a conference with 
 
 j the Oneidas and Tuscaroras, to induce them to remain neutrals 
 
 during the war. Knowing his influence with the Oneidas, the 
 
 Johnsons had not been idle in attempts to prejudice them against 
 
 ' him. They told him that Mr. K. "was a descendant of those New 
 
 England, or Boston people, who had formerly murdered their king, 
 
 and fled to this country for their lives;" that the New England 
 
 ; ministers "were not true ministers of the gospel." All this did not 
 
 succeed however, in depriving him of his influence, or the 
 
 : attachment of the Oncidas to him. Most of them remained neuti'als 
 
 'during the war — a large portion of them offered to take up the 
 
 hatchet in behalf of the colonies, but it was preferred to dispense 
 
 with their services, except in a few instances. Some of them 
 
 : rendered important services, as runners, in apprising the border 
 
 ' settlers of approaching danger. 
 
 JOSEPH BRANT — THAYENDANEGA, 
 
 [ An elaborate history \ having been written of this noted Indian 
 . chief, no farther biographical sketch of him will be attempted, than 
 is incidental to local narrative. 
 
 The place of his birth, parentage, &c,, have been differently 
 
 I * Spark's American Biography, 
 
 \ 't Guy Johnson was accompanied hy Joseph Brant, and John and Walter Butler. 
 
 ' X Life of Brant, by William L, Stone. 
 
260 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 stated by historians. It was assumed by Dr. Strachan, of Toronto, 
 in some sketches he wrote many years since, and published in the 
 Christian Register, that Brant was born on the Ohio river, whither 
 his parents had emigrated from the valley of the Mohawk, and 
 where they are said to have sojourned for several years. This 
 information was derived from the Rev. Dr. Stewart, formerly a 
 missionary in the Mohawk Valley. Col. Stone concedes that he 
 was born on the Ohio river, but assumes that it was during a 
 hunting excursion from the Mohawk, in which his parents partici- 
 pated; and that his father was a full blooded Mohawk of the Wolf 
 tribe. The friend of the author, (Mr. L. C. Draper,) to whom 
 reference is made in the preface to this work, assumes that he was 
 a native Cherokee, upon some evidence he has discovered in his 
 indefatigable researches. If this is so, we are to infer that his 
 parents were adopted Cherokee captives. 
 
 The home of his family was at the Canajoharie Castle. In July, 
 1761, he was sent by Sir William Johnson, to the "Moor's 
 Chai'ity School," at Lebanon, Conn., established by the Rev. Dr. 
 Wheelock, with several other Mohawk boys. He made good 
 progress in education, and on his return from school, was employed 
 by his patron in public business. His first military exploits, had 
 preceded his education; when quite young, he had been upon 
 several expeditions with Sir William Johnson. 
 
 Under the circumstances — the fi'iendship and patronage, and 
 the family alliance that has been already spoken of — it is easy to 
 perceive how his position was determined in the border wars; and 
 why he followed the fortunes of the Johnson family. Mr. 
 Campbell, himself a descendant of severe sufferers in that terrible 
 crisis, and enjoying good opportunities to estimate the character of 
 Brant, says in his Annals. — "Combining the natural sagacity of 
 the Indian, with the skill and science of the civilized man, he was 
 a formidable foe. He was a dreadful terror to the frontiers. His 
 passions were strong. In his intercourse, he was affable and polite, 
 and communicated freely, relative to his conduct. He often said 
 that during the war he had killed but one man in cold blood, and 
 that act he often regretted. He said he had taken a man prisoner, 
 and was examining him; the prisoner hesitated, and he thought 
 equivocated. Enraged at what he considered obstinacy, he struck 
 him down. It turned out that the man's obstinacy arose from a 
 natural hesitancy of speech." 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 261 
 
 The statement that he had been guilty of but one assassination, 
 does not correspond with well authenticated tradition; though he 
 may, to have satisfied his own conscience, made a nice distinction 
 in some instances, as to what constituted a taking of life in " cold 
 blood." That the bad features of his character, and his atrocities, 
 have been much magnified, there is no doubt, as have nearly all of 
 the events in the border wars. It is difficult to reconcile the 
 character of Joseph Brant, as given in many of our histories, 
 with the accounts we have of him from living cotemporaries, who 
 knew him well. 
 
 He was the companion of Judge Porter, in a journey he made 
 from Albany to Canandaigua, in 1794. The chief was returning 
 from a visit to the' then seat of government, (Philadelphia,) to his 
 residence at Brantford, C. W. The Judge speaks of him as an 
 intelligent, gentlemanly, travelling companion. The journey was 
 on horseback. It was the first time Brant had travelled the 
 valley of the Mohawk, since the Revolution, and on leaving 
 Albany, he was somewhat apprehensive of the treatment he would 
 receive. Peace, however, and the obligations it imposed, saved 
 him from any harm or insult, from those in whose memory the 
 scenes with which he was associated, were painfully fresh and 
 
 : vivid. While he avoided being drawn into any conversation con- 
 nected with the border wars, he pointed out such things upon the 
 Mohawk as were associated in the reccollections of his boyhood. 
 
 , John Gould, of Cambria, Niagara county, was a resident at 
 Brantford, as early as 1791, or '2; says he has often heard Brant 
 relate the story of his visit to England; how he wEts feasted and 
 
 . toasted in London, &c. After his return, his house at Brantford 
 was the resort of many of the British officers, and prominent 
 citizens of Canada. He was hospitable, had good social qualities, 
 and was much esteemed by the early residents of Brantford, and 
 its vicinity. The patronage of the government had enabled him to 
 live much in the style of an English gentleman. He retained the 
 slaves he had brought from the Mohawk. Mr. Gould remembers 
 well the death of his son Isaac, from a stab inflicted by his father. 
 "When sober," says Mr. G. "Isaac was a good Indian — when in 
 
 I liquor, he was a devil. He committed many depredations. I once 
 invited him to a raising. He excused himself on the ground, that 
 if he went he should get a taste of liquor and commit some outrage. 
 One day he became intoxicated, went to his father's house and 
 
262 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 attacked him with a knife — they had a desperate fight, which 
 ended in Isaac's death. No one at the time blamed the old man, 
 but all considered it was an act of necessary self-defence, Isaac 
 had before killed a saddler upon Grand River, upon some slight 
 provocation." 
 
 Judge Hopkins, of Lewiston, Niagara county, was a resident, 
 near the Brants, in 1800 and 1801, and confirms generally, the 
 statement of Mr. Gould. 
 
 Others, who were early residents of Canada, and neighbors of 
 the subject of this sketch, in the latter years of his life, have given 
 the author many interesting reminiscences of him, derived from 
 personal observation and conversation; but a few of which can be 
 made available without transcending prescribed limits. 
 
 In speaking of the attack and massacre at Minisink, he excused 
 himself upon the ground that the Americans came out under 
 pretence of holding a parley, and fired several shots, some of which 
 were aimed at him.* Provoked at this, he gave orders for an 
 attack in which no quarters were to be given. He assumed that 
 he saved the life of Capt. Wood, had him taken to Niagara, as a 
 prisoner, where he remained until peace. He acknowledged to an 
 informant of the author, that he took the life of Lieut. Wisner, at 
 Minisink, very much as the inhuman act is already detailed in 
 history; but excused the act upon the ground, that he had either 
 to leave him to become a prey to wild beasts in his wounded and 
 helpless condition, be encumbered with him in a retreat through an 
 enemy's country, or adopt the terrible alternative he did. He 
 claimed to have saved many prisoners, upon other occasions, — and 
 generally to have been governed by the incentives of humanity; 
 though it is difficult to reconcile these professions, even with his 
 own versions. At Oriskany he said: — "I captured a man who had 
 hid behind a stump; his name was Waldo or Walbridge; he 
 begged, and I ordered the Indians to save him. He conducted 
 myself and party to his home, a mile distant; arriving there, we 
 found that Indians had preceded us, and had bound for sacrifice, a 
 'beautiful girl,' the sister of our prisoner. I ordered her release," 
 
 Says another informant: — "I first-knew Joseph Brant in 1797. 
 He resided at the Mohawk village. He was the patroon of the 
 place — his authority nearly absolute, with both Indians and whites. 
 
 * Not consistent with autlientic hietory. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 263 
 
 He was in high favor with Gov. Simcoe, and the Canadian authori- 
 ties generally. The governor was often a partaker, with others, 
 of his hospitalities. I have heard Capt. Brant say, he could not 
 regret the death of his son Isaac; but much regretted that he had 
 been obliged to take the life of a son." 
 
 Few mooted points of history have been more often discussed, 
 than the question whether Brant was present at the Wyoming 
 massacre. The poet Campbell, in his widely read and admired 
 poem, " Gertrude of Wyoming," in a passage purporting to be a 
 part of the speech of an Oneida chief, pending the battle, or 
 massacre, says: — 
 
 " ' But this is not a time' ; — (he started up. 
 
 And smote his breast with wo-dcnouneing hand) — 
 
 ♦ This is no time to fill the joyous cup. 
 
 The mammoth comes — the foe — the monster, Bra\t! 
 
 With all his howling, desolating band; 
 
 These eyes have seen their blade, and burning pine; 
 
 Awake at once, and silence half your land. 
 
 Red is the cup they drink; but not with wine; 
 
 Awake and watch to-night, or see no morning shine. 
 
 Scorning to wield the hatchet for his bribe, 
 
 'Gainst Beant himself I went to battle fortli: 
 
 Accursed Brant! he left of all my tribe. 
 
 Nor man, nor child, nor thing of living birth; 
 
 No, not the dog that watched my household hearth. 
 
 Escaped that night of blood upon our plains: 
 
 All perished! I alone am left on earth! 
 
 To whom nor relative, nor blood remains — 
 
 No — not a kindred drop that runs in human veins." 
 
 This was admired verse, but destined to be questioned fact. 
 John Brant, a son of the old chief, visited London in 1822. 
 While there, he caused to be exhibited to Mr. Campbell, docu- 
 mentary evidence, showing that he had done great injustice to the 
 memory of his father; and that he was not present at the massacre 
 at Wyoming. Mr. Campbell immediately addressed the young 
 chief a respectful letter, in which after justifying himself by citing 
 numerous authorities in favor of the conclusion he had favored in 
 his poem, frankly acknowledged that the evidence presented to him 
 had induced him to change his opinion; to which he added an 
 expression of regret that he had been led to favor the imputation. 
 
 W. L. Stone, in his life of the Mohawk chief, assumes that he 
 was not at Wyoming. The publication of his history was fol- 
 lowed by a paper published in the Democratic Review, attrib- 
 
264 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 uted to Caleb Gushing; in which it is assumed that Brant was 
 at Wyoming; and the biographer is called upon to show where he 
 was at the time, if he was not there 1 * Col. Stone replied to this, 
 and pretty effectually justified his position. 
 
 In a conversation that took place between Col. Butler and 
 Joseph Brant, at Brantford, many years after the Revolution, 
 (well remembered by one who related it to the author,) Brant 
 was complaining that much was laid to his charge of which he was 
 innocent. "They say," said he, "that I was the Indian leader at 
 Wyoming; you, Colonel, know I was not there." To which, 
 Butler replied: — "To be sure, I do, — and if you had been there, 
 you could have done no better than I did; the Indians wei'e 
 uncontrollable." 
 
 The author inclines to the opinion of Col. Stone, (though deem- 
 ing him in the main, too partial to his semi-civilized hero;) the 
 terrible instrument in the hands of his British prompters, in scenes 
 of stealthy assault, captivity and death; the foremost and most 
 formidable scourge of the border settlers of our state, in a crisis 
 that found them exposed to all the evils of savage warfare — 
 enhanced by the aid and assistance of a portion of their own race, 
 who had not savage custom and usage to plead in extenuation of 
 their atrocities and villanies. 
 
 Joseph Brant died at his residence at Burlington Bay, on the 
 24th of November, 1807, aged 64 years. Previous to his death, 
 he had become a communicant of the Episcopal church, and in his 
 life time had aided that church materially in its missionary labors 
 among the Indians, by translating some portions of the scriptures, 
 and the Book of Common Prayer, into the Mohawk language. 
 
 Where the first stopping place of the Mohawks was, after 
 leaving their home upon the Mohawk, with Guy Johnson and 
 Brant, (if they had any intermediate abiding place,) before 
 reaching Lewiston, the author has nowhere seen named. In an 
 early period of the border wars, Brant's residence was at Lew- 
 iston, — his dwelling a block house, standing near what is called 
 "Brant's Spring," on the farm of Isaac Cook. His followers, 
 forming a considerable Indian village, were located along the 
 
 * A difficult task, the reader will conclude:— to go back beyond a half centur\', and 
 show where the leader of a band of Indians was, whose range was a then wilderness 
 comprising half of our entire state, a part of Pennsylvan'a, and a part of Canada 
 West; his location changing with the vicissitudes of a predatory warfare. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 265 
 
 Ridge Road between the Academy and the road that leads up to 
 the Tuscarora village. There were remains of the huts standing 
 when white settlement commenced. It would seem by reference 
 to the books of the land ofiice, that for several farms there, the 
 purchasers were charged an extra })rice, in consequence of the 
 improvements the Mohawks had made during their residence there. 
 There was a log church in which the Episcopal service was usually 
 read upon Sundays, by some one attached to the British garrison 
 at Niagara, and occasionally a British army chaplain, or a mission- 
 ary would be present. That church, in any history of its origin 
 and progress, in Western New York may well assume that beyond 
 the garrison at Niagara, Lewiston, Brant's rude log church, was 
 the spot where its services were first had. Upon a humble log 
 church there could, of course, then, be no belfry or steeple. The 
 bell that was brought from the Mohawk, was hung upon a cross- 
 bar, resting in the crotch of a tree, and rang by a rope attached. 
 The crotch was taken down by the Cook family, after they had 
 purchased the land. In 1778, John Mountpleasant, then but 
 eight years old, says his Tuscarora mother used to take him down 
 to the church, where he remembers seeing his father, Capt. Mount- 
 pleasant, then in command of the garrison at Niagara. He 
 speaks of the crotch and the bell, as objects that attracted his 
 especial attention. 
 
 Our brief narrative of events in the border war, having been 
 interrupted — to admit of some reminiscences of one who was so 
 conspicuous in its memorable scenes — it will be resumed, but only 
 with reference generally, to events connected with the western 
 portion of our state. 
 
 The Tryon county General Committee, after the departure of 
 Guy Johnson, and his retinue, were active in perfecting its organ- 
 ization, and enlisting the co-operation of the citizens of the county. 
 Sir John Johnson had remained behind, converted his house into a 
 rendezvous and focus of loyalty, and was actively engaged in 
 counteracting the movements of the Committee. The public autho- 
 rities of the county — the Judges of the court, the Magistrates, were 
 mostly with him and against the Committee. The sheriff of the 
 county, Alexander White, had early demonstrated his position 
 and sentiments, by using his official authority to disperse the prim- 
 
266 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 itive meeting in the Mohawk district, made himself especially 
 obnoxious with the people. In a letter from the Committee to the 
 Provincial Congress, they say: — "We must further hear that Gov. 
 Tryon shall have again granted a commission to the great 
 villain, Alexander White, for High Sheriff in our county, but 
 we shall never suffer any exercise in our county, of such office by 
 said White." In such an emergency, the Committee formally 
 declared, that there was an end to the previously constituted autho- 
 rities of the county, and constituted themselves the local govern- 
 ment, exercising as a demand of necessity, in most matters, arbi- 
 trary authority. It was in fact, thus early, revolution, so far as 
 our county of Tryon was concerned. 
 
 In September, 1775, the Committee say in a letter to Congress, 
 '^ there is a great many proved enemies to our association and reg- 
 ulations thereof, being Highlanders, amounting to 200 men, accor- 
 ding to intelligence. We are daily scandalized by them, provoked 
 and threatened, and we must surely expect a havoc of them upon 
 our families if we should be required and called elsewhere upon 
 our country's cause." It was ascertained that Johnson kept up a 
 continual correspondence with Guy Johnson at Montreal, after 
 his retreat. In October, the Committee wrote to Sir John, wish- 
 inar to know if he would "allow the inhabitants of Johnstown and 
 Kingsborough, to form themselves into companies according to the 
 regulations of our Continental Congress;" whether he would lend 
 his personal assistance to such a measure; and whether he preten- 
 ded a "prerogative to our county court house and goal, and would 
 hinder or interrupt the Committee making use of the same V' He 
 replied that he should not hinder his tenants from doing as they 
 pleased, but that they were not disposed to engage in the cause 
 of Congress, &c.; as to himself, he said, "sooner than lift his hand 
 against his King, or sign any association, he would suffer his head 
 to be cut off;" as to the court house and jail, they should be used 
 only for the purposes for which they were built, until he was paid 
 seven hundred pounds, advanced for their erection; and closed by 
 charging that "two of the Canajoharie and German Flatts people 
 had been forced to sign the association." 
 
 The Provincial Congress, addressed a letter to the committee, 
 advising forbearance and moderation, and suggestiiig that they had 
 in some particulars asked too much of Sir John, yet the Congress 
 denied that he had any right to control the court-house, as that was 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 267 
 
 conveyed by Sir William, for the use of the county. But the 
 Congress advised the Committee, that as it might lead to serious 
 consequences, they had better not confine persons in the jail 
 "inimical to our country," but procure some other convenient 
 place, and also advised against in any way, molesting Sir John, as 
 long as he was inactive. 
 
 In the following winter. Sir John made preparations to fortify 
 Johnson's Hall, and the rumor gained ground, that when completed, 
 he would garrison it with three hundred Indians, besides his own 
 men. In January, Gen. Schuyler, Gen. Ten Broek, and Col. 
 Varick, came into Tryon county with a small party of soldiers, 
 where they were joined by the Tryon county militia, ordered out 
 by Gen. Herkimer. The rendezvous was but a few miles from 
 Johnson's Hall. From the camp, a correspondence was carried on 
 for several days with Sir John Johnson. It resulted in his surren- 
 dering himself a prisoner, and disarming his tenants. This pro- 
 duced quiet for the winter, but in May, Sir John broke a parole he 
 had entered into, and accompanied by a large number of his 
 tenants, went to Montreal. There, or at some point in Canada, he 
 organized a military corps of refugees, known throughout the war, 
 as ''Johnson's Greens." 
 
 The first delegates to the Provincial Congress, from Tryon 
 county, were John Marlatt and John Moore. In May, 1776, 
 the Tryon county committee, instructed their delegates in the 
 Provincial Congress, to vote for the entire independence of the 
 Colonics; and the Declaration of Independence, of the 4th of July 
 following, was hailed by the people of Tryon county with joy. 
 
 For nearly a year after this, there were but little of war 
 movements, in the Mohawk valley. In June, 1777, Brant 
 appeared at Unadilla with seventy or eighty Indians, where he 
 sought an interview with some militia officers, and the Rev. Mr. 
 Johnstone. He told them his party were in want of provisions, 
 and that if they could not get them peaceably, they must by force. 
 He admitte.d he had joined his fortunes and that of his tribe, to the 
 King, who "was very strong," that he and his people were 
 " natural warriors, and could not bear to be threatened by Gen. 
 Schuyler." He demanded that the Mohawk people he had left 
 behind, should be made free, to pass out of the country when they 
 pleased. This advent was attended only by levying some supplies 
 from the inhabitants. 
 
268 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 In July following, Gen. Herkimer went to Unadilla with a corps 
 of three hundred and eighty militia; where Brant again appeared 
 with one hundred and eighty warriors. He was as insolent as 
 before. He repeated a declaration of his intention to espouse the 
 cause of the King; said the King would "humble the Boston 
 people that Gen. Herkimer had joined;" and intimated that those 
 he served, were much better able to make Indians presents, than 
 were Gen. H. and his associates. Col. Cox, who was present, 
 said to Brant if he had determined to espouse the cause of the 
 King, the matter was ended. At some intimation from Brant, 
 his warriors raised a shout, and repaired to their camp about a 
 mile distant, when seizing their arms, they fired several guns and 
 raised the Indian war whoop. Returning to the conference ground, 
 Gen. Herkoier assured Brant that he had not come to fight; at 
 which Brant motioned to his warriors to keep their places; and 
 addressing Gen. Herklmer, in a threatening attitude, told him if 
 his purpose was war, he was ready for him. He then proposed 
 that Mr. Stewart the missionary among the Mohawks, (who was 
 supposed to lean to the Enghsh side,) and the wife of Col. Butler, 
 should be permitted to pass from the upper to the lower Mohawk 
 castle. Gen. Herki3ier offered to comply upon the condition that 
 some tories and deserters were given up to him; to which condi- 
 tion Brant would not yield, but closed the conference with a 
 threat that he would go to Oswego and hold a treaty with Col. 
 Butler; or rather the conference was ended by a violent storm 
 which obliged both parties to retreat for shelter. 
 
 This was the last conference that was held with any of the Six 
 Nations except the Oneidas, to prevent them from engaging in the 
 war. It is supposed that Gen. Herkimer's forbearance, his 
 neglect to urge matters to extremes when provoked by Brant, 
 was dictated by the hope that amicable arrangements would 
 eventually be made. 
 
 On the 5th of July, 1777, Gen. Burgoyne had obtained posses- 
 sion of Ticonderoga. The presence of so large a British armed 
 force there, with the feeble means as it seemed of resisting their 
 further conquests, spread alarm throughout the country, and 
 especially in Try on county. On the 15th of July, an Oneida 
 sachem, returned from Canada and brought news that Col. John 
 Johnson with his family, and Col. Claus and his family, were at 
 Oswego, with "700 Indians, 400 regulars, and 600 tories," and 
 
 I 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 209 
 
 that preparations were making for an attack on Fort Schuyler; * 
 that Col. Butler had arrived at Oswego from Niagara, with an 
 additional force, &c. 
 
 In April preceding this. Col. Gansevoort had garrisoned this 
 frontier post with the 3d regiment N. Y. line of state troops, and 
 had been busily engaged in strengthening it. Alarm increased in 
 consequence of the news from the west. Secret information of 
 movements had been industriously circulated among the disaffected 
 inhabitants of Tryon county. Insinuations of an alarming nature 
 were thrown out, and not without effect. The Indians, it was 
 said, would ravage the whole intervening country. "Many," says 
 Mr. Campbell, '-who had not acted before decidedly, now espoused 
 the cause of the mother country, and in small parties, stole away 
 and went to the enemy." On the 17th of July, Gen. Herklmer 
 issued a proclamation, that two thousand troops "christians and 
 savages," had collected at Oswego, with intention to invade the 
 frontiers. He announced his intention, in case the enemy 
 approached, to order into service, every male person, being in 
 health, between the ages of sixteen and sixty; — "and those above 
 sixty, or unwell and incapable to march, shall assemble also, armed, 
 ' at the respective places, where women and children will be gathered 
 together, in order for defence against the enemy, if attacked, as 
 much as lies in their power." He also ordered that the disaffected 
 should be arrested, and kept under guard; appealed in urgent 
 language upon all to discharge their duty, in the approaching 
 crisis; and closed his stirring proclamation as follows: — "Not 
 doubting that the Almighty Power, upon our humble prayers, and 
 sincere trust in him, will then graciously succor our arms in battle, 
 for our just cause, and victory cannot fail on our side." 
 
 On the 2d of August, Gen. St. Leger, having advanced from 
 Oswego, with an army of seventeen hundred men, (including 
 Brant and his Indian forces,) arrived before Fort Schuyler, where 
 
 *"This fort occupied a part of the site of Rome, in the present county of Oneida, 
 situated at the head of navigation of the Mohawk, and at the carrj-ing place between 
 that river and Wood Creole, from whence the boats passed to Oswego ; it was a post ol 
 great importance to the western part of New York. The French, with their usual 
 sagacity, in endeavoring to monopolize the Indian trade, had erected a fortification at 
 this place. At the commencement of the war, it seems to have gone to decay ; a few 
 families had settled there, forming the extreme outposts of civilization, save the forts of 
 Oswego and Niagara. It was called Fort Schuyler, in honor of Gen. Schuyler. It 
 has been confounded by some with Fort Schuyler, which was built in the French wars, 
 near where Utica now stands, and named in honor of Col. Schuyler, the undo of Gen. 
 Schuyler." — Campbell's Annals. 
 
270 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 he soon found there was no disposition to surrender. He soon 
 after published a proclamation, high toned and insolent; he recapit- 
 ulated the offences of the citizens of the Mohawk Valley against 
 his sovereign, the King, and announced that he had come at the 
 head of a competent force to punish the aggressors, and afford 
 relief to those who were not engaged in "rebellion." He declared 
 his intention first to adopt conciliatory measures, and if those 
 failed, he deemed himself justified in "executing the vengeance of 
 the state against the willful outcasts." "The messengers of justice 
 and wrath," said the confident leader of the royalist force, "await 
 them in the field, and devastation and famine and every concomitant 
 horror that a reluctant but indispensable prosecution of military 
 duty, must occasion, will bar the way to their return." 
 
 Gen. Herkimer was advancing to join his force — about seven 
 hundred — with that of Col. Gansevoort, in the fort. Apprised 
 of this, St. Leger detached Braxt and Butler with a body of 
 Indians and Tories to intercept him. They resolved upon a sur- 
 pi'ise, and for this purpose chose a spot well suited to the purpose. 
 Gen. Herkimer advancing with his force without any suspicion of 
 danger; the joint forces of Butler and Brant, favored in their 
 ambuscade by the thick foliage of the forest, arose and poured a 
 destructive fire upon them. The advance guard was entirely 
 destroyed; those who survived the first onslaught, became victims 
 of the tomahawk. The rear regiment fled in confusion, and were 
 pursued by the Indians. The forward division, facing out in every 
 direction, sought shelter behind the trees, and returned an effectual 
 fire. "The fighting had continued for some time, when Major 
 Watson, a brother-in-law of Sir John .Iohnson, brought up a 
 detachment of Johnson's Greens. The blood of the Germans 
 boiled with indignation at the sight of these men. Many of the 
 'Greens' were personally known to them. They had fled their 
 country, and were now returned in arms to subdue it. Their 
 presence under any circumstances, would have kindled up the 
 resentment of those militia; but coming as they now did, in aid of 
 a retreating foe, called into exercise the most bitter feelings of I 
 hostility. They fired upon them as they advani^ed, and then rush- 
 ing from behind their covers, attacked them with their bayonets, 
 and those who had none, with the but ends of their muskets. This 
 contest was maintained, hand to hand, for nearly half an hour. 
 The Greens made a good resistance, but were obliged to give way 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 271 
 
 under the fury of their assailants." * Major Watson was taken 
 prisoner, but left upon the field. 
 
 Col. WiLLETT, with two hundred and seven men, made a sally 
 from the fort, and attacked the enemy in camp, to make a diversion 
 in favor of Gen. Herkimer, and after an engagement of two hours 
 compelled a retreat. After he had secured a part of the spoils the 
 enemy had left, and destroyed the remainder, he was upon his 
 return back to the fort, attacked by two hundred regulars from 
 St. Leger's army, which, aided by a fire of cannon from the fort 
 he soon compelled to retreat. He returned into the fort without 
 the loss of a single man. This successful sally, the hearing that 
 their camp was taken, and a shower of rain, induced the detach- 
 ment that was in conflict with Gen. Herkimer, to withdraw, and 
 thus ended the events of the day. The loss of the Provincials 
 was about 200 killed, and as many wounded. 
 
 Gen. Herkimer was wounded; one of his legs fractured by a 
 musket ball. Refusing to leave the field, he had himself placed in 
 a position a little distance from the theatre of action, when facing 
 the enemy, he deliberately lit and smoked his pipe. Surrounded 
 by a few men he continued to issue his orders with firmness. A 
 few days after the battle, his leg was amputated; mortification 
 ensued and caused his death. Thus were the patriotic men of the 
 valley of the Mohawk, deprived of the services of their brave 
 leader, in a crisis when the services of such as him would seem to 
 have been indispensable. 
 
 Of the other officers of the Tryon county militia. Col. Cox, 
 Majors Ersinlord, Klepsattle, and Van Slyck were killed, as was 
 also Thomas Spencer, whose eloquence had stirred up the people 
 of Cherry A'' alley, in a primitive period of the war. Major Frey, 
 and Col. Bellinger were taken prisoners. The British Indian allies 
 had one hundred killed; the Senecas alone, over thirty. The loss 
 in killed, of the regulars and tories was computed at one hundred. 
 
 St. Leger, though effectually defeated, resolved not to regard 
 the events of the day in that light; but to use them even to aid 
 
 *Campbell's Annals. 
 
 Note. — In an address before the New York Historical Society, Governeur Morris 
 said: — "Let me recall gentlemen to your reccolleclion, the bloody spot on which 
 Herkimer fell. There was found the Indian and the white man born on the banks of 
 the Mohawk, their left hand clenched in each other's hair, the right grasping in a grasp 
 of death, the knifo plunged in each other's bosom; thus ihey lay frowning." 
 
272 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 him in obtaining a surrender of the fort. lie compelled Col. 
 Bellinger and Major Frey, who were in his camp as prisoners, to 
 address a letter to Col. Gansevoort, exaggerating the disasters of 
 the day, and strongly urging a surrender; telling him how strong 
 were his beseigers; that no succor could reach him; and assuming 
 that BuRGOYNE was already before Albany. After repeated 
 demands of a surrender, a correspondence, and some verbal 
 messages, the finale of which was a short answer from Col. 
 Gansevoort, in which he declared his fixed determination of 
 holding out and resisting the seige, St. Leger threw up some 
 redoubts, and brought his artillery to -bear upon the fort, but with 
 little effect. The siege continued until the 22d of August, when 
 the besiegers had advanced within one hundred and fifty yards of 
 the fort. Gen. Schuyler on hearing of the attack upon Gen. 
 Herkimer and its results, despatched Gens. Learned and Arnold, 
 (Benedict,) with a brigade of men to its relief; at the same time 
 writing a letter to Col. Gansevoort exhorting him to hold out, 
 and encouraging him with flattering accounts of the prospects of 
 staying the march of Burgoyne. On the 22d of August, Gen. 
 Arnold, in advance of Learned, arrived with his force at the 
 German Flatts. From there, he also addressed Col. Gansevoort, 
 telling him he should soon be with him, to be under no apprehen- 
 sions, that he " knew the strength of the enemy and how to deal 
 with them." He included in his letter the announcement that Stark 
 had gained a signal victory at Bennington; that Howe with the 
 shattered remnant of his army were on ship-board; that " Bur- . 
 goyne was retreating to Ty." I 
 
 In the camp of Gen. Arnold, was a refugee — Han Yost '| 
 Schuyler — he gave him his liberty on condition that he would i 
 proceed to the camp of St. Leger, announce his approach, and j 
 give an exaggerated account of the advancing force under his com- i 
 mand; retaining the brother of the refugee as an hostage to secure j 
 a faithful discharge of the duties he had engaged to perform. | 
 The Indians in St. Leger's camp were already dissatisfied; they ,| 
 had suffered severely, and despaired of being remunerated with j 
 plunder. This was greatly enhanced by the arrival of Han Yost, j 
 who told them that Gen. Arnold's force was "as numerous as j 
 the leaves on the forest trees." The Indians refused to remain j 
 any longer. Thus crippled, on the 22d, of August, St. Leger, 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 273 
 
 retired in disorder and confusion, leaving the greater portion of 
 his baggage behind. He went by the way of Oswego to Montreal, 
 and from thence, through lake Champlain to join Gen. Burgoyne. 
 
 Thus ended the siege of Fort Schuyler. 
 
 Having thus opened the campaign upon the Mohawk — sketched 
 briefly the leading events up to the first principal conflict of arms, 
 and given its main features and results — the author is admonished 
 of the necessity of disposing of the Border War, with but brief 
 chronological sketches of what followed, to its termination, except 
 in reference to two prominent events. The whole subject forms 
 an interesting and instructive branch of the local history of a large 
 portion of our State; and he indulges the hope that he has been 
 enabled to introduce enough of it in his work — and in a manner 
 — to invite the younger portion of his readers especially, to sources 
 of greater detail, and farther extended enquiry and research. — In 
 the entire history of our revolutionary struggle, there are few 
 pages we can read, which in a greater degree serves to remind 
 us of the sufferings and sacrifices that purchased the blessings we 
 so eminently enjoy — than those upon which are inscribed a faith- 
 ful narrative of the Border War of New York and Pennsylvania. 
 
 After the siege of Fort Schuyler, the Indians still hung hke a 
 "scythe of death," on the frontiers of New York. In the remote 
 and less thickly inhabited parts, single individuals and whole fami- 
 lies disappeared — no one could tell by what means, or how. Rel- 
 ative, friend, or traveler, came to the place which he knew was 
 once the residence of those he sought, but the charred fragments 
 of their dwellings, were all he found. 
 
 Brant opened the Indian campaign of 1788 by an attack upon 
 the town of Springfield, near the head of Otsego lake. He 
 imprisoned all who did not fly, burnt every building but one, into 
 which he gathered all the women and children, and left them 
 unhurt. 
 
 On the first of July, a skirmish occured between a party of 
 militia, and a large body of Indians, at Cobbleskill. The militia 
 were compelled to retreat. Several dwellings were burned, after 
 being plundered; houses and cattle were all killed or taken oflT. 
 The whole of the Schoharie region was constantly visited by 
 predatory bands of Indians and Tories, during the whole war. 
 
 18 
 
274 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 MASSACRE OF WYOMING. 
 
 There are few events connected with Indian border warfare that 
 have called forth more sympathy and condemnation than the mas- 
 sacre of Wyoming. The settlers in this peaceful retreat were 
 removed from the theatre of v^^ar. Its secluded situation seemed 
 to hide it from the observation of both parties. Most of the set- ' 
 tiers were in favor of the Colonies, and a considerable number 
 belonged to the revolutionary army. Though there was a kind of 
 understanding that the troops enlisted there, should not be removed 
 from the valley, but kept there for its security and defence; still 
 such was the emergency of the country that they had been called 
 away, and about three hundred more enlisted. Most of those who 
 remained were either too young or too old to be very serviceable 
 as soldiers. Such was the defenceless state of Wyoming, when its 
 inhabitants discovered seme indications that war was to be brought 
 to their doors. Their distance from other settlements destroyed 
 all hope of obtaining help from abroad, and the suddenness with 
 which the attack probably would be made, rendered assistance 
 from the regular army very doubtful. 
 
 In 1778, a band of Tories and Indians, under the command of 
 Col. John Butler, marched into this quiet valley, and made it the 
 scene of desolation and suffering. The expedition "moved from 
 Niagara, across the Genesee country, down the Chemung, to Tioga 
 Point, whence they embarked upon the Susquehannah, and landed 
 about twenty miles above Wyoming." Col. Zebulon Butleh, 
 who had been in the French war, and was now an officer in the 
 Revolutionary army, happened to be home on a visit at the time of 
 the invasion. At the urgent solicitation of the people, he assumed 
 command of the militia. An attempt was made to attack the enemy 
 by surprise, but the scout was accidentally discovered by an Indian, 
 who fired at him, and immediately gave the alarm. When the 
 Americans came up they found the enemy ready to receive them.- 
 A bloody battle ensued, in which one party fought with the despe-| 
 ration of men knowing their fate if conquered, and the other with 
 the savage ferocity of revenge. The Tories and Indians gave no 
 quarter, but pursued the flying party, killing all they could and 
 afterwards murdering all they took. The fugitive army first 
 sought shelter in what was called "Fort Forty." From this, those 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 275 
 
 who still survived, fled to Fort Wyoming, which was shortly sur- 
 rounded by Indians and Tories. This fort was filled with women 
 and children; it was in no condition to be defended, or to withstand 
 a siege. A capitulation took place, in which it was stipulated that 
 the inhabitants might return to their farms but were not to take up 
 arms during the war. The Tories were allowed to return to their 
 lands. The English commanding officer pledged his influence to 
 have the Indians respect private property. This promise was 
 totally disregarded. The Indians prowled through the valley, plun- 
 dering and burning every house that was not occupied by a Tory 
 — carrying misery and wretchedness into the bosom of many a 
 happy home, and spreading ruin and suffering through the whole 
 valley. 
 
 Early in the month of September, Brant desolated the German 
 Flatts. Fortunately, the inhabitants had warning in time to enable 
 them to make their escape. It was evening when Brant arrived. 
 It being rainy and dark, and supposing his presence in the neigh- 
 borhood not known, he waited until morning, when his party almost 
 simultaneously fired all the dwellings. Disappointed at not finding 
 the inhabitants, he destroyed every thing they had left behind, 
 without attacking the fort in which the people were collected. 
 
 The flourishing settlements in Cherry Valley were next doomed 
 
 to suffer the horrors of an Indian invasion. Lafayette, observing 
 
 its exposed condition, early in the spring of 1778, ordered a 
 
 fortification to be built, in which the inhabitants deposited their 
 
 property, and went for protection in seasons of danger. In the 
 
 autumn of that year, supposing all danger passed, and relying on 
 
 the vigilance of the commanding officer of the fort, to warn them 
 
 of the approach of the enemy, they returned to their dwellings. 
 
 Col. Alden received timely notice that the enemy were on their 
 
 I way, and where was their destination. Refusing to beUeve the 
 
 1 reports of the intended attack, promising to take every necessary 
 
 > measure to prevent surprise — he made others feel the same 
 
 i security, and thus all was left completely exposed. Even after 
 
 the attack had been begun, when told by a wounded settler, who 
 
 had barely escaped with life, he still doubted. The enemy had 
 
 ample time to make complete their plans for striking a terrible 
 
 blow. Particular houses where officers of the garrison were 
 
 i staying, were ascertained by the Indians. With hardly a moment's 
 
 : notice, w'hen least expected, the quiet villagers were aroused to a 
 
276 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 sense of their fearful situation by the sound of death-shots, the 
 slashes of the tomahawk, and the shrieks of devoted victims. 
 Fire and hatchet were busily engaged in accomplishing their work 
 of terror — slaughter and pillage marked the course of civilized and 
 savage foe. The fort was surrounded and assaulted, but being met 
 with spirit and firmness, the Indians soon shrunk from the steady 
 fire that was poured upon them, run to the houses, to plunder, 
 destroy, and kill without mercy or check. The same evening 
 thirty or forty prisoners were marched into the wilderness. When 
 they arrived at the place of encampment, large fires, in a circular 
 form were kindled, and the captives, without shelter from the 
 inclement weather, or any regard to age, health or sex, were all 
 put indiscriminatly in the centre. Their dreadful situation was 
 rendered still more awful, by the startUng yells and savage revelry 
 kept up all night by the Indians while dividing the spoils. In the 
 morning, the prisoners with their captors, set out on their journey; 
 but before they had gone far, the women and children were 
 voluntarily released, with the exception of Mrs. Campbell and 
 her four children, and Mrs. Moore and her children. The 
 invaders then went back to Niagara from whence originated most 
 of these expeditions of pillage and bloodshed. 
 
 J^OTE. — Mrs. Campbell and her children were carried to Kanadasaega, (Geneva,) 
 then the chief town of the Senecas. She and her children were adopted into an Indian 
 family, to supply the place of lost relations. Nobly resolving to adapt herself to her 
 new "condition, she exerted herself in getting in favor with her captors, and making 
 herself useful to them. She made garments for the squaws, and in various ways, 
 acquired an influence which greatly meliorated her condition. One day an Indian 
 came to her, and observing that she wore caps, said he would give her one ; upon 
 presenting it he told her he had obtained it "at Cherry Valley." She recognized it as 
 the cap of Miss Jane Wells, who had been most barbarously massacred at Cherry 
 Vallev. It had a cut in the crown made by a tomahawk, and was spotted with blood I 
 " She could not but drop a tear to her memory, for she had known her from her 
 infancy, a pattern of virtue and loveliness." The Indian acknowledged himself the 
 murderer. Mrs. Campbell preserved the relic, and afterwards presented it to the friends 
 of the deceased. When Col. Butler went to Canada, he had left his wife and children, 
 who were retained as hostages. A proposition was made to exchange them for Mrs. 
 Campbell and her children. Col. Campbell, the husband and father, receiving the 
 proposition in writing, laid it before Gov. Clinton and Gen. Schuyler, and it was 
 acceded to. Early in the spring Col. Butler went to Kanadasaega and proposed the 
 release of Mrs. Campbell; after a council of several days, with much reluctance, on the 
 part of the Indians, he succeeded in his mission. She was taken to Niagara in June, 
 1779, but her children were retained at Kanadasaega. About this time news was 
 received at Niagara, of the march of Gen. Sullivan ; anticipating his arrival there, the 
 garrison was recruited and strengthened. Col. Butler did not succeed in getting Mrs. 
 Campbell's children, until the Senecas, fleeing before Gen. Sullivan, sought refuge 
 at Niagara, bringing them along in their flight. Mrs. Campbell remained at Niagara 
 a year from the period of her first arrival there ; in June, 1780, she and her children 
 were taken down to Montreal, where she found Mrs. Butler and her children, and her 
 own son, a small boy, with them. After a delay of several months, the family wereji 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 277 
 
 GEN. SULLIVAN'S EXPEDITION. 
 
 The desolating and terrible Indian incursions with which the fron- 
 tiers of New York and Pennsylvania had been visited in 1777 and 
 1778, induced Congress to authorize General Washington to send 
 an expedition into the country of the Six Nations, lay waste their 
 villages, destroy their haunts, and make them suffer some of the 
 evils they had inflicted on others. The ultimate design of the 
 expedition was the capture of Fort Niagara, the head quarters of 
 the British and their Indian allies. 
 
 The distance of the Senecas, upon the banks of the Seneca lake, 
 and in the valley of the Genesee, from the immediate vicinity of 
 hostile operations, had screened them from assault and retributive 
 justice; while they could sally out whenever a runner from Butler, 
 Brant, or the Johnsons, told them there was work of blood in hand; 
 or when an ambitious chief among them took the war path upon his 
 own account, to scourge with the double motive of revenge and 
 plunder; — finding a safe retreat when their sanguinary missions 
 were executed. 
 
 The Six Nations had at this period, made considerable advances 
 in some of the arts of civilized life. They had begun to depend 
 less upon the chase for subsistence, than upon the cultivation of the 
 soil. They had more permanent places of residence, and were less 
 wandering in their habits, than most of their race upon this 
 continent. They had numerous villages, cultivated fields, orchards, 
 and rude gardens. They were enjoying many of the comforts and 
 conveniences of civilization. 
 
 Gen. Sullivan was appointed commander of the expedition. 
 After some delay and embarrassment he assembled his division at 
 Wyoming, marched to Tioga, and formed a juncture with the 
 eastern division, under the command of Gen. James Clinton. On 
 the 22d of August, 1779, the two divisions united and made an 
 effective force of five thousand men. Gen. Sullivan marched up 
 
 sent to Albany, and ultimately, reached their home at Chern' Valley. When Gen. 
 Washington traversed the valley of the Mohawk, in the summer of 1784, accompanied 
 by Gov. Clinton and others, they were the guests of Col. Campbell in the rude log 
 cabin he had erected after the war. Gov. Clinton observed to Mrs. Campbell, in 
 reference to her bo)-s : — " They will make fine soldiers in time." " I hope mv country 
 will never need their services," was the response of one who had seen enoug-h of war 
 and its consequences. "I hope so too madam," said Gen. Washington, for "I have 
 seen enough of war." 
 
278 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the Tioga and Chemung, taking every precaution to guard against 
 surprise and ambuscades. 
 
 The estimate made by Gen. Sullivan in his report of the 
 strength of the Indians and Tories, at fifteen hundred, materially 
 differs from the official report of Col. John Butler, who assumes 
 that he had but six hundred British and Indians. The Indians were 
 under the command of Joseph Brant, and the Rangers under Col. 
 John Butler, who held the chief command.* The British and 
 Indians had taken position and thrown up some rude fortifications 
 about a mile below Newtown, now Elmira. Col. Butler states in 
 his official account of the battle, that the Senecas, and the few 
 Delawares he had with him, had selected this spot and obstinately 
 resolved to make a stand there, in spite of the opposition of himself 
 and Brant. 
 
 After destroying on his way all the Indian towns and planted 
 fields that could be reached, on the 29th of August, Gen. Sullivan 
 prepared to attack the British and Indians in their own position. 
 In the battle that followed, a portion of the Indians maintained 
 their ground firmly and bravely, fought as long as there was any 
 hope of victory. Brant and another chief named Kiangarachta, 
 particularly distinguished themselves, flying from point to point, 
 animating and sustaining their warriors, by encouraging words, and 
 daring deeds. Col. Butler bitterly complains of the conduct of 
 some of his Indian allies in the early part of the engagement, who 
 became frightened and panic struck by the explosion of some shells 
 thrown beyond them, which they supposed came from an opposite 
 direction, and led them to think that they were about to be 
 surrounded, and all means of escape cut off. The battle having 
 continued near two hours, the enemy became fearful of being 
 completely hemmed in, precipitately abandoned his works and fled. 
 Gen. Sullivan pursued him for nearly two miles, destroying every 
 thing that could possibly be of any service to the Indians. CoL 
 Butler acknowledged the loss of only five rangers, killed or taken; 
 five Indians killed, and nine wounded. It is evident that he under- 
 estimated his loss, for Gen. Sullivan found eleven dead on the 
 field, and it is a well known Indian custom, to carry off as many 
 of their dead as possible. Beside the eleven, fourteen were found 
 
 * The statement made by Col. Stone, in his life of Brant, that the Johnson's were 
 present, participating in the movements against Gen. Sullivan, is contradicted by the 
 ofEcial report of Col. John Butler. i 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 279 
 
 partially buried uikIm- the leaves. So effectual was the dispersion 
 of the Indians as to render it impossible that Col. Butler should be 
 able to ascertain his precise loss. The loss of the Americans was 
 only five or six killed, and forty or fifty wounded — a very small 
 loss considering the force they had to contend with, and the fierce- 
 ness with which the battle was fought. 
 
 Gen. Sullivan promptly followed up his advantage. The 
 Indians seemed to be disheartened from a conviction that they 
 could not make a successful stand against Gen. Sullivan, arrest 
 his onward march, and the consequent ruin and devastation which 
 they knew would inevitably attend it. 
 
 They made no more serious and united opposition to the inva- 
 ders. When they heard that Gen. Sullivan was approaching to 
 their villages on the Genesee, they did indeed think of making 
 another attempt. They selected a position between the head of 
 Conncsus lake and Honeoye outlet. They intended to await the 
 approach of Sullivan in ambuscade. They, however, retreated 
 when Sullivan came up, and fled before him. He continued his 
 march, leaving burning villages and devastated fields, the witnesses 
 of his presence. While Gen. Sullivan was constructing a bridge 
 over a creek which led to Little Beard's town, Lieut. Boyd was 
 sent out to observe the situation of the villas^e. After a loner, 
 fatiguing march, continued far into the night, the party came 
 to a village that appeared to have been lately deserted, as fires 
 were yet burning in the huts. They passed the remainder of the 
 night there, sending two of their number back to the main army 
 to report.* Boyd having been discovered in the morning, rosolved 
 to reach the main army as soon as possible. He met with no 
 difficulty until he came within a mile and a half of Gen. Sulli- 
 van's camp, when they encountered a party of observation 
 belonging to the enemy. Lieut. Boyd's brave but devoted little 
 band were soon surrounded, and their only chance of escape was 
 to cut their way through the ranks of their foe. Twelve of 
 Boyd's men were soon shot down, and himself and Parker taken 
 prisoners, the other seven making their escape. Boyd immediately 
 asked for an interview with Buant, which was granted. While in 
 the presence of Brant, he, by signs, gave him to understand, that 
 enemies though they might be on the battle field, yet there was one 
 
 * Mary Jemison's Narrative. 
 
280 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 relation in which they were sacredly bound to regard each other 
 as "brothers." Brant recognized the appeal, and promised to 
 protect him from injury. Boyd, placing the utmost confidence in 
 the assurance of Brant, refused to answer any questions that Col. 
 Butler asked, relative to the condition, strength, and designs of 
 Gen. Sullivan's army, although threatened with being deUvered 
 over to the Indians, if he refused to give the desired information. 
 Confident of Brant's protection, he still declined. Butler, 
 meaning all that he threatened, gave Boyd and Parker up to the 
 Indians. After inflicting on Boyd the most cruel tortures — 
 throwing hatchets at his head, tearing off his nails, cutting off his 
 tongue, ears and nose, putting out one of his eyes, taking out an 
 end of his intestines, tying it to a small tree and then driving him 
 around as long as they could, they finally ended his sufferings by 
 cutting off his head. Parker was also killed, but they cut off his 
 head, without any torture. 
 
 Gen. Sullivan now employed some time in completing the work 
 of desolation and destruction up and down the river, whereever 
 were found villages, wigwams, fields, orchards, gardens, corn, 
 cattle, or anything that is necessary to support life — all were 
 swept away. The capture of Niagara, the general place of 
 rendezvous of the Indians, whence they sallied on those bloody 
 excursions which made them a terror to all the frontier settlements, 
 was not effected. Gen. Sullivan returned with his army, and 
 went mto winter quarters, in New Jersey, having prepared the 
 way for the famine and want which the Indians soon felt. The 
 destruction of so many of their villages, and the total loss of their 
 planted fields, just as they were ripening for the harvest, and as the 
 previous year's supply was exhausted, caused hundreds of Indians, 
 with their wives and children, to flock to Fort Niagara for the 
 means of subsistence the ensuing winter — the memorable winter 
 of 1779 and 1780. The British Canadian Governor, Sir John 
 Johnson, was obliged to make great exertions to furnish sufficient 
 
 Note. — In 1841, a public tribute of respect was paid to the memory of Boyd, by 
 citizens of the Genesee Valley. A larg^e concourse assembled at the village of Cuyler. 
 The venerable revolutionary patriot, Maj. Moses Van Campen, with other revolutionary 
 soldiers were present. The burial place of Boyd having been identified, his remains 
 were deposited in an urn, and suitable exercises were had in a grove near by; including 
 
 a pertinent and timely historical and biographical discourse, by Treat, Esq. 
 
 The next day the remains, attended by a large militaPi" and civil escort, were taken to 
 Mount Hope cemetery, where their interment was attended by an address from Gov. 
 Seward, and suitable military and religious exercises. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 281 
 
 supplies for them. The following paragraph from a manuscript 
 letter of the Delaware chief, Killbuck, to Col. Daniel Broad- 
 head, at Pittsburgh, dated at Salem, on the Muskingum, June 7th, 
 1780, will give some idea of the sufferings that w'ei'e experienced: 
 "Some days ago, one man and an old woman, came from Niagara, 
 who acquaint me that last winter, three hundred Indians died at 
 that place of the flux." 
 
 The destruction of the Onondagas formed a part of the general 
 plan of Sullivan's campaign against the Six Nations and preceded 
 it. The command of the eastern division of that expedition having 
 been assigned Gen. James Clinton, he detailed Col. Van Sciiaick, 
 assisted by Col. Willett aud Major Cochran for the one against 
 the Onondagas. Gen. Clinton instructed Col. Van Sciiaick to 
 sweep away their villages and fields — to take as many prisoners as 
 he could, with as little bloodshed as possible. On the 19th of 
 April, 1779, with about five hundred and fifty effective men. Col. 
 Van Schaick left Fort Schuyler. Notwithstanding bad and rainy 
 weather, swollen streams and morasses, he arrived at the Onondaga 
 settlements on the third day. For the purpose of falling upon as 
 many towns at the same time as possible, the men were divided in 
 detachments with orders to make their attacks simultaneously. The 
 detachments suddenly came upon the Indian hamlets that were 
 scattered through the valley of the Onondaga Creek, and began 
 their devastating work. Indian villages were soon wrapt in flames, 
 cultivated fields destroyed, gardens spoiled, provisions wasted, and 
 cattle of all kinds killed. When they discovered that an enemy 
 had so unexpectedly rushed into their very midst, and was spreading 
 ruin on every side, they fled so precipitately that they left every 
 thing behind them, even their guns and other weapons of war. 
 From a state of security and plenty, in a day, the Onondagas were 
 reduced to misery and want — became houseless and destitute. 
 Though they professed to be friendly to the Americans, their war 
 parties had long hovered on the borders of the frontiers and around 
 Fort Schuyler, scalping and murdering, imprisoning and torturing 
 all the white inhabitants they could. The influence of this expedi- 
 tion was salutary on the Oneidas, who were really friendly in their 
 feelings to the Americans. The Oneidas and Tuscaroras sent a 
 deputation to Fort Schuyler, and renewed their promises of friend- 
 
282 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 ship. Having successfully accomplished the objects of the expe- 
 dition Col. Van Schaick marched back to Fort Schuyler, without 
 loosing a single man. 
 
 In the spring and summer of 1780, the Mohawk valley was again 
 invaded, Sir John Johnson heading the expedition — Johnstown 
 the point of attack. Brant was again upon the war path. He 
 attacked Canajoharie, burning houses, wasting property, and put- 
 ting to death, and making captive, the inhabitants. Jointly the two 
 leaders, one of the loyalists, and the other of the Indians, extended 
 the incursions into Schoharie. They re-enacted the terrible scenes 
 that have been described, occurring upon previous visits. The next 
 year, 1781, the Indians in alliance with the corps of Johnson and 
 Butler, harrassed the frontiers, and kept the settlers in a state of 
 dread and alarm. 
 
 In August, Major Ross and Walter Butler, came from Canada 
 by the way of Sacondaga to Johnstown, with a force of five hun- 
 dred regulars, Tories and Indians, and encamped near Johnson Hall. 
 They were attacked by Col. Marinus Willett with a force of 
 three hundred men, in the end obliged to give way. They retreated 
 up the Mohawk, hotly pursued by their conqueror. Col. Willett. 
 
 In the month of January, 1783, Gen. Washington, not having 
 yet been apprised of the treaty of peace, conceived the plan of 
 surprising and obtaining possession of the important fortress of 
 Oswego. The possession of this post and Niagara had given the 
 enemy great advantage throughout the war. Oswego was then 
 one of the most formidable military defences on the continent. 
 The hazardous enterprise was confided to Col. Willett. There 
 is now residing in Bloomfield, Ontario county, a venerable pioneer 
 of western New York, — Benjamin Goss — who was with Col. 
 Willett in this expedition. From him, the author received some 
 account of it during the last summer: — With great secresy, as the 
 original intention was a surprise, Col. Willett assembled his 
 force at Fort Herkimer on the 8th of February, and there provided 
 a large portion, of them with snow shoes, as they had no beaten 
 track to follow, and the snow was from two feet and a half to three ; 
 feet deep. The men thus provided, went ahead and made a track i 
 for a cavalcade of two hundrel sleighs that followed, carrying the 
 remainder of the troops, and the baggage. The expedition crossed 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 283 
 
 Oneida lake on the ice, and arriving at Fort Brewington, at tho 
 foot of the lake, the sleighs were left. Here a large number of the 
 pressed militia, having seen enough of a winter campaign in the 
 wilderness, deserted. An Oneida Indian was selected as the pilot 
 through the woods to Oswego. He, by mistake, or purposely, 
 misled the expedition, which occasioned great delay in arriving at 
 the garrison, and much suffering from cold and hunger. When 
 they supposed themselves near the garrison, and began to prepare 
 for the attack, they discovered that tbey had gone in another 
 direction, were lost in the forest, the deep snow adding m-uch to 
 their perplexity and embarrassment. Changing their course, they 
 arrived within four miles of the place of destination, but in a 
 condition that did not justify an attack upon a strong fortification. 
 The men had been three days without provision, were wearied by 
 marching in the deep snow, and their ammunition had become 
 much injured. — Col. Willett upon consultation with his officers, 
 resolved reluctantly to forego tho attack, and retrace his steps. 
 The retreat was attended with even more suffering than the 
 advance. From the time the expedition left Fort Plain until its 
 return there, it was twelve days of almost constant suffering from 
 cold or hunger, or both combined. Many of the men had their 
 feet frozen, our informant among the number. On the return of 
 the expedition to Albany, it was met by the welcome news of 
 peace, proclaimed by the town clerk at the city Hall. 
 
 " The incursion of Ross and Butler was the last made into the 
 county of Tryon. Indeed, there was no longer any thing to destroy. 
 The inhabitants lost all but the soil they cultivated; their beautiful 
 county, except in the vicinity of the forts, was turned into a 
 wilderness. During the war, famine sometimes appeared inevi- 
 table, and it was with difficulty that they preserved from the 
 ravages of the enemy sufficient grain to support their families 
 during the winter. The resistance of the inhabitants on the fron- 
 tier settlements, however unimportant it may seem, because no great 
 battles were fought, or important victories won, was of very 
 considerable moment in the cause for which they struggled; they 
 kept back the enemy from the towns of the Hudson, and thus frus- 
 trated the plan of the British for establishing a line of posts along 
 that river. And while we admire the heroism and patriotism of 
 those worthies of the Revolution, whose names have come down 
 to us surrounded with a halo of glory, we should not withhold our 
 praise from those obscure individuals in the frontier settlements, 
 
284 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 who, amid the most appalUng dangers, surrounded on all sides by 
 enemies and traitors, still refused to submit to oppression and arbi- 
 trary exactions, though allured by assurances of safety and prom- 
 ises of reward. Many left their homes; many fell in battle in the 
 regular army, and in skirmishes and battles with the enemy at 
 home, and many fell silently by the rifle, the tomahawk, and the 
 scalping knife of the Indian." * 
 
 Having now travelled over a period of one hundred and seventy- 
 five years — from the advent of Chabiplain upon the St. Lawrence 
 to the close of the American Revolution — we have done, for a 
 while, with wars,t and mostly, with the "rumors of wars" — -and 
 enter upon the more pleasing task of recording the peaceful 
 triumphs of civilization and improvement — of enterprise and 
 mdustry. 
 
 The settlement of Western New York followed soon after the 
 peace of 1783. Our national independence achieved — the glorious 
 prospect of future peace and prosperity, opening upon our country 
 — men's minds soon began to turn to the extension of the bounds 
 of civilization and improvement — the enlargement of the theatre 
 upon which the experiment of free government and free institutions 
 was to be enacted. The war closed — the armies discharged — 
 there were many, poor in purse, but rich in all the elements that 
 fitted them to become the pioneers of the wilderness, the founders 
 of new settlements. There had come along with Sullivan to the 
 regions of Western New York, a great number of those who, 
 looking forward to the end of the war, converted the expedition to 
 the two-fold purpose of quelling the disturbers of the border set- 
 tlers, and viewing the country they inhabited, with an eye to future 
 enterprises. They passed through the vallies of the Mohawk, of 
 our interior lakes, of the Susquehannah, delighted at every step 
 with the beautiful prospects that surrounded them, until arriving at 
 the valley of the Genesee, it realized their highest hopes and most 
 extravagant anticipations. They returned to their homes to mingle 
 with the narratives of an Indian war, descriptions of the country 
 they had seen; resolved themselves to retrace their steps upon the 
 
 * Campbell's Annals. 
 
 t With the exception of some brief references to the campaigns of St. Clair and 
 Wayne. , 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 285 
 
 more peaceful mission of emigration and settlement; and their 
 representations turned the attention of others in this direction. 
 Thus War — as it is often its province to do — as if it was the will 
 of Providence to make evils productive of blessings — aided in 
 hastening and achieving one of the noblest triumphs of Peace. 
 
 [Before commencing to trace the progress of settlement westward, brief biographical 
 sketches of individuals who were in Western New York, previous to white settlement, 
 captives, one of them a voluntary exile; — will be inserted in a separate chapter.] 
 
286 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 HORATIO JOx\ES. 
 
 Horatio Jones, an Indian captive, was born in December, 
 1763, in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. His father was a black- 
 smith, and intended that his son should follow the same business. 
 But at a very early age, Horatio's love of adventure and military 
 life, showed itself by his voluntarily going off with companies of 
 soldiers as a fifer, and cheerfully enduring all the privations of the 
 camp. He was active, enterprising, fearless — possessed of a 
 powerful frame, capable of enduring any amount of fatigue, a sure 
 and accomplished marksman. Though but a boy, hardly capable 
 of fully understanding the merits of the contest, yet with the ardent 
 enthusiasm of youth, he joined the patriot ranks, ready and willing 
 to face any danger and perform any duty. In 1781, he enlisted as 
 a soldier in the army of the United States, and belonged to a com- 
 pany called "Bedford Rangers." This company repaired to a 
 neighboring fort, to be reinforced, and then to march into the 
 Indian country. When the company arrived at the fort, the 
 garrison there was found so weak that no soldiers could be spared. 
 Notwithstanding this, Capt. Dunlap, the commander of the com- 
 pany, resolved to proceed with the small force he had with him. 
 He had not gone far, before he was surrounded by Indians, who 
 simultaneously fired upon him, killed nine of his men, took eight 
 prisoners, among the latter of whom, was himself and young 
 Jones. Jones tried to make his escape by flight,' but he fell down, 
 was overtaken and captured. 
 
 The captives were carried into the wilderness. For two days 
 they were entirely without food, and on the third day only the 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 287 
 
 entrails of a bear was allowed them. Capt. Dunlap was wounded. 
 Showing some slight evidence of exhaustion, an Indian, fearing 
 that he might be troublesome, silently stepped up behind him, and 
 without a warning word, struck a hatchet deep into the back of his 
 neck, stripped off' his scalp, and left him to die. For the first two 
 or three days after their capture, the Indians were very cautious 
 and watchful; they would hardly allow a gun to be fired, lest the 
 sound might guide their pursuers. After the fourth day, they 
 began to relax their vigilance. A hunting party had been out and 
 prepared some food. The Indians pointed it out to Jones, who 
 supposed that they intended it as an invitation to dine; so he com- 
 menced running toward the spot, and they after him; when he 
 reached it, he stopped. The Indians, supposing that he was trying 
 to make his escape, laid him on his back, tied each limb to a tree, 
 drove pronged sticks over his arms and legs, and in that condition 
 kept him all night, his face upwards and the rain falling in it. 
 During their forest journey, they regarded Jones with so much 
 favor that they relieved him of his burden. Observing that one 
 of his fellow-captives, older and feebler than himself, was over- 
 loaded, he generously took part of his load and carried it for him. 
 When they arrived at the Indian settlement, at Nunda, Alleghany 
 county, he was informed that a council had been held, and the 
 Great Spirit had interposed in his behalf. He was taken to a height 
 near the village, by an Indian, who showed him a wigwam at a 
 considerable distance, and said if he could reach that unhurt, all 
 would be well — if he passed through the fearful trial safely, he 
 would be adopted and regarded as one of themselves. He imme- 
 diately began the perilous race, swiftly pressing his way forward 
 through a shower of clubs, stones, knives, hatchets and arrows — 
 skillfully dodging and evading them all — he reached his destination 
 and was received as one of their nation. 
 
 Jones possessed those qualities both of mind and body which 
 the Indians most admire and respect. He was strong and finely 
 i proportioned, and able to rival any of them in those feats which 
 i they regard as tests of manliness. He was bold and fearless. By 
 ; his care and prudence he soon gained their confidence and esteem. 
 He became familiar with their language, and was often employed 
 ; as an interpreter. 
 
 1 The life which he led among his new associates seems to have 
 1 been marked by all the vicissitudes which distinguish the Indian 
 
288 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 State. He accommodated himself lo his now situation, and made 
 himself as happy as circumstances would allow. Though sur- 
 rounded by savages, he had the courage to resent any insults they 
 ventured to offer. When they threw hatchets at him he threw 
 them back, and often with better success than they had. On one 
 occasion, an Indian named Sharpshins, commenced the play of 
 throwing tomahawks at Jones, in earnest. Jones threw them back 
 with such effect as to endanger the life of Sharpshins, and render 
 his recovery from the wound doubtful. He however, got well, and 
 was careful how he provoked the "pale face warrior." He made 
 himself very useful to them in reparing their hunting implements 
 and weapons of war. 
 
 In the chase successful, swift on the race course, often outstrip- 
 ping their fleetest runners — temperate in his habits — cheerful in 
 his dispositions — with a firm and fearless spirit, he soon became a 
 great favorite with the Indians, he acquired a power and influence 
 over them which he always exercised on the side of humanity, and 
 saved captives from the lingering tortures of an Indian execution. 
 He was often chosen arbiter to decide their disputes, and so 
 uniformly just were his decisions, that he used to draw acknowl- 
 edgements of the correctness of his judgements from those against 
 whom he decided. 
 
 The history of his residence among the Indians is full of thrilling 
 incidents and daring adventures. Without any very strict adhe- 
 rence to order, we shall speak of some of them: — 
 
 He had not been with them long before a "young brave" began 
 to amuse himself at the expense of Jones, who warned him in vain 
 to desist. At dinner one day, the young Indian renewed his sport; 
 Jones jumped up, ran to the fire, seized a boiling squash by the 
 neck, gave chase, overtook the Indian, and thrust the hot squash 
 between his loose garments and bare skin. After this he was per- 
 mitted to eat his dinner in peace. 
 
 Jones often saved the lives of prisoners. Major Van Campen, 
 with two others, having fallen into their hands, they were placed 
 under a guard of seven Indians. The prisoners managed to get 
 loose during the night, kill all the Indians, except one, who ran 
 away with Van Campen's hatchet sticking in his back. The White 
 prisoners made their escape. Van Cajipen became an object oi 
 their deadly hatred. He soon after fell into their hands again. A 
 council was assembled to determine his fate. Jones knew that he 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 289 
 
 was the man who " lent John Mohawk the hatchet," but wished to 
 conceal it from the rest of the Indians. In the midst of the council 
 sat Van Campen, cahn, unmoved, self possessed, closely watching 
 every new comer, expecting soon to see John Mohawk enter with 
 tlie fatal loan. Jones leaped over the heads of the Indians, and 
 acted as interpreter, asking questions and answering them. The 
 Indians were induced to refer the case to their prophet, who decided 
 that the life of the prisoner should be spared. 
 
 Jones, with his Indian father and family, were in the habit of 
 
 making annual visits to their relatives, living on Grand river, in 
 
 Canada. They went through Tonawanda village, down the south 
 
 side of the creek, to its mouth and were anxious to get across that 
 
 night to camp at Schlosser. A canoe lay opposite them, on the 
 
 north side of the creek. Jones wanted to swim across and get it, 
 
 but his Indian father told him no one ever attempted to swim the 
 
 '. Tonawanda, but was drowned by the witches — sunk under the 
 
 ; water, and never seen afterwards. Jones told him that he be- 
 
 : longed to a nation that could control the witches in the water, and 
 
 i said he could bring the canoe over. His Indian mother told him to 
 
 \ mind his father, as he was a man of sense and years. Jones and 
 
 : his brothers being set to work to make a camp fire, he watched his 
 
 opportunity, plunged into the water, and, much to the surprise of the 
 
 I Indians, succeeding in swimming across, and in bringing the canoe 
 
 i over. When he came back he was caressed by the party for his 
 
 i miraculous escape. They encamped that night at Fort Schlosser. 
 
 ; The next morning they went down to Niagara. A British officer 
 
 wanted to purchase Jones — having bought two prisoners of the 
 
 , same family before. The Indian father refused the offer, because 
 
 : Jones was his adopted son. The officer offered gold and told how 
 
 I rich his father, the King, was. "Go and tell your father, the king, 
 
 that he is not rich enough to buy Ta-e-da-o-qua," replied the Indian- 
 
 The triumph of Jones over the witches at Tonawanda made him 
 
 : valued more than before among the Indians. 
 
 I At one period of his life he became dissatisfied with his manner 
 
 I of living, and resolved to visit the home and scenes of his child- 
 
 I hood. He accordingly started and traveled a day; night came, 
 
 and he began to reflect how few of his youthful associates would 
 
 remember him; how fewer still might be the number remaining there, 
 
 and how coldly he might be received. The morning found him 
 
 retracing his steps, with no more thoughts of changing his condition. 
 
 19 
 
290 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 When this whole region of country was a wilderness, and the 
 roads, that are now lined on either side by well cultivated fields, 
 were not even marked out, Capt. Horatio Jones was often 
 employed to convey money and dispatches from one distant place 
 to another. He was always faithful and trust worthy, never 
 failing to transact the business on which he was sent. These 
 journeys, which he often performed alone, were then attended with 
 difficulties and dangers few can now appreciate. The thickest- 
 leaved tree was his only shelter from the storm when night came 
 on; the pure spring his only hotel, where he partook of his frugal 
 meal, which he carried with him. Yet with a brave heart and 
 cheerful spirit, would he start off on these journeys, heedless of the 
 perils that he might have to encounter. 
 
 The change made in his course of life by his captivity, he seems 
 never to have regretted, but to have voluntarily acquiesced in, 
 when it was in his power to return to his former home. He loved 
 forest-life — its unrestrained liberty — its comparative freedom from 
 want and care — the opportunities which it afforded him for 
 indulging in his favorite pursuits of hunting and fishing, and 
 beholding and admiring nature in its primitive beauty and grandeur. 
 
 Settlement, civilization, came to him; he did not seek it; though 
 adapting himself again to the associations from which he had long 
 been an exile, he made himself useful in the early period of 
 emigration to the Genesee valley. — When his brother, John H. 
 Jones, came to the Seneca lake in Oct. 1788, be found him there, 
 surrounded "with quite a little settlement — every house was 
 covered with barks, no boards or shingles to be had." His son, 
 W31. W. Jones, now residing at Leicester, Livingston Co., was 
 born at Geneva, in Dec. 1786, and was the first white male child 
 born west of Utica. In the spring of 1790, Capt. Jones and 
 family, ,went upon the Genesee river, occupying at first, an Indian 
 house, in Little Beard's town. 
 
 Soon after the treaty of peace, between the United States and 
 the Six Nations, President Washington appointed Capt. Jones 
 Indian Interpreter, which office he held until within a year or two 
 of his death. For near forty years he discharged the duties of the 
 office with ability and fidelity. 
 
 At a council held by the Six Nations, at Genesee river, Nov. 
 1798, it was decreed that a present should be made to Capt. Jones 
 and Capt. Parrish. To this end a speech was made by Farmer's 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 291 
 
 Brother, which was intended as a communication to the Legisla- 
 ture of this state, asking its co-operation in the matter. The 
 title was finally confirmed. An extract from the speech is 
 inserted: — 
 
 "Brothers: — This whirlwind," (the Revolution,) "was so 
 directed by the Great Spirit above, as to throw into our arms two 
 of your infant children, Horatio Jones and Jasper Parrish. We 
 adopted them into our families, and made them our children. We 
 nourished them and loved them. They Uved with us many years. 
 At length the Great Spirit spoke to the whirlwind, and it was still. 
 A clear and uninterrupted sky appeared. The path of peace was 
 opened, and the chain of friendship was once more made bright. 
 Then .these adopted children left us to seek their relations. We 
 wished them to return among us, and promised, if they would 
 return and live in our country, to give each of them a seat of land 
 for them and their children to sit down upon. 
 
 "Brothers: — They have returned, and have for several years 
 past been serviceable to us as Interpreters, we still feel our hearts 
 beat with affection for them, and now wish to fulfill the promise 
 we made them, for their services. — We have therefore made up 
 our minds to give them a seat of two square miles of land lying on 
 the outlet of lake Erie, beginning at the mouth of a creek, known 
 as Suyguquoydes creek, running one mile from the Niagara river, 
 up said creek, thence northerly, as the river runs, two miles, thence 
 westerly, one mile to the river, thence up the river as the river 
 runs, two miles to the place of beginning, so as to contain two 
 square miles." 
 
 Capt. Jones died at his residence upon the Genesee river, in 
 1836, at the age of seventy -five years; — in the full possession and 
 excercise of all his mental faculties — his eye undimmed — his 
 nerves unstrung — full of years, and without reproach. 
 
 Note. — Those from whom the author derived the information contained in this 
 biojTraphical sketch, did not name the fact of his having: left the Indians for a short 
 period after the Revolution; which fact is to be inferred from the language of Farmer's 
 Brother. AVhatever may have been the fact with regard to a temporar}' residence 
 among the whites, it would seem that he had returned, and had a family upon the 
 Seneca lake as early as 1786. 
 
aoa 
 
 iiisi'ouv OK riiL 
 
 JASl'llK I'AIJKISM 
 
 ('ai'l. .1 vM'i'.K l'\Ki!isii was IxMii in IManli, l7U(t, in \\ iiulhaiii 
 ( 'oiiiu-cliciil. lie was i^\u\r \i>iiiiv; whi-ii his [larculs moNctI lo 
 Lii.'.ciiit" coimty. I'ctmsN Ivaiiia. Soon nllcr {\\c IMassacrr (A' 
 A\' Vt>iuiiu',. wIu'H »>iil\' t'li'vcii vcais old, lie was lakcii raplivc liy ii 
 |'arl\ i>{ ndawaics, autl caiiicil a\\a\ \>\ lliciii Ii»mii liis lionic. 
 Ihiiiiis; tin* seven years of his (•aplivily, he was ollen liansh-i red 
 Ironi onr liihi> to another amonv; the Si\ Mations, and e\[>osed to 
 nil llie Ikm(1sIii|is and [Mivalions ot Indian lite. \N hile he was 
 aMU)ng them, hy his prndtMit ami eoneilialoi y eoiuhuM, lu> niajia^eti 
 to i^ain their eonlidtMiee and i^o<H\ will. lie learned and lu>eanie 
 lanuliar Willi the lan;',nai^^e ol' live dillerent nations, and Iw" conld 
 Hpealv them all with IhuMiey and eorreelness. In th<" treaty 
 lieu;otiatetl at l''ort Slanwix hetwt>en the I'niled States and tht> Siv 
 Wnti(>ns, in I7SI, lht> Indians agreed to sni render all their prisoners 
 and I'aptivi's. I'.mjuinu, with others was aee(>rdini;ly released. 
 lie was shi>rllv appointed li\dian Interpreter, and atteiwards a 
 snl>-ai';tM>t (>l Indian allaiis, l>y tht> ;';o\ t'liinieiit ol the I'niled 
 States, lie disehary,ed the dniies ol' lhest> (>liiees in a manner 
 entireU' satistaetitrv tv> his own i;o\ criunent and the liulians, lor 
 mt>re than thirtx' Ncais. lie was an early pioneer in (>nlario 
 eoimlN , haviiii; settled at Canandaii^na as (>arly as 17!>'2. 
 
 .At a viMy tiMiiler a!';e, when he eonid hardly l)(>i;;in excn to 
 Mppreeiali> its eonseipienees, ht' was d(-slineil to t>\perienee how 
 sniKlen and awfnl are sonn' ot" tlu" mislortnnes iA' lite. \\ C can 
 seareidy eoneeiv(> ol' a mori' slaillin;;' and leartnl ehan!.';e, than lo 
 he snddenlv talven from llu" midst of ei\ ili/ation, and earried iiilo 
 barbarism; to In- ei)mp(dl(>il tt> relini|uish tlu> eond'orts, nsai;fs and 
 ass()eiations o\' tlu> o\n\ and be li>reed to snbmif to the hardships, 
 pri\ atiinis and enstoms *>!' the ()ther. It was (he lot ()|" Pvuuisii, 
 us it had becMj the lot ot olhiMS, to sntler sneh a rtnerse of fortnne. 
 l>nt he st>ems to have met it with manly lortitnde, anil c\cn lo 
 ha\(" prolited by it. In IS.'>(>, at the ai;(> o\' si\tN-nine, he dieil, 
 ri'spiM-ti'd and happy in the varit^l i'elatii>ns (il" life. 
 
 What in all hnn\an pri>babdity. a|>peaifd to have betMi the 
 j;rt'atesl evil that ei)nld have befallen tliest> eaptivcs indi\ idnally, 
 ptM'haps was tlu> sonree o[' the grt>ati\st good to tlu> country 
 ^^encndly. Pnring their "aptivity, they gained u more thorough 
 
JJOJJ.ANI) I'lJRCHAKE. ^'^3 
 
 and extensive knowledge of tlie eharaeter, language, hahilH, man- 
 ners, &e. of t}ie IndiaiiH, than they eould otherwiwe have acquired. 
 They were adopted by tfie Indians into their families, regarded tin 
 rnemherH of their nations. Tliesc captives saw them in war, and 
 in peace — around the council fire and on the battle field — at honric 
 and abroad. Our government redeemed tfiern whenever it could 
 — and availed itself of their knowledge and experience, employed 
 them as interf)reters and agents, consulted and a/i vised with them; 
 and with their assistance, the projjrietorship and possession of a 
 ■whole rxjntinent has been essentially changed; civilization has taken 
 tlie place of barbarism; — the works of man, his art and his science, 
 are transforming the whole face of nature, and giving a new and 
 difierent direction, to its course and destiny. 
 
 MARY JKMISON. 
 
 The interesting and instructive narrative of the captivity and 
 life of Marv Jk.miso.v, written as she herself related the story to 
 her biographer before the faculties of her mind were impairefl, 
 though more than three quarters of a century afterwards, has 
 made most readers familiar with her strange fortunes. 
 
 In the summer of 17.05, during the French and Indian wars, her 
 father's house, situated on the western frontier of Pennsylvania, 
 was surrounded by a band, consisting of six Indians and four 
 Frenchmen. They plundered and carried away whatever thej 
 could that was valuable, und took the whole family captive, with 
 two or three others, who were staying with it, at the time. They 
 were all immediately hast/.-ned away into the wilderness, murdered 
 and scalped, with the excej/tion of Mary and a small boy, who 
 were carried to Fort Du Quesne. Little Mauy was there given 
 to two Indian sistf.-rs, wiio came to that pla<-;e to get a captive to 
 Bupjjly the place of a brother that had Ixjen slain in battle. Tliey 
 took her down the Ohio to their home, arlopt/j;d her as their sister, 
 under the name of Dkmjikwamih — a word signifying "a beautiful 
 girl." The sorrow and regret which so sudden and fearful a 
 change in her condition producxid, gradually yielded under the 
 
 XoTK — Th»: prominr-nt poahion of Capt Parri»h at an early period of the ijettlement 
 of \Vi:n\Hm New York, would (■n^jrert a more ext/;nded biotfrapby than t^ie author 
 could nhvain rnat'.-rialh to make. He found hirrihelf iu i>o»»«e»»siofl of no data beyond a 
 brief obiluar}' notice in t>ie Ontario RepoKitory. 
 
294 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 influence of time; and she began to feel quite reconciled to her 
 fate, when an incident occurred, which once more revived her 
 hopes of being redeemed from captivity and restored to her friends. 
 When Fort Pitt fell into the possession of the British, Mary was 
 taken with a party who went there to conclude a treaty of peace 
 with the English. She immediately attracted the notice of the 
 white people, who showed great anxiety to know how one so 
 young and so delicate came among the savages. Her Indian 
 sisters became alarmed, and fearing that they might lose her, 
 suddenly fled away with her, and carried her back to their forest 
 home. Her disappointment was painful and she brooded over it 
 for many days, but at length regained her usual cheerfulness, and 
 contentment. As soon as she was of sufficient age, she was 
 married to a young Delaware Indian, named Sheninjee. Notwith- 
 standing her reluctance at first to become the wife of an Indian, 
 her husband's uniform kind treatment and gentleness, soon won her 
 esteem and affisction, and she says: — "Strange as it may seem, 1 
 loved him!" — and she often spoke of him as her "kind husband." 
 About 1759, she concluded to change her residence. With a httle 
 child, on foot, she traveled to the Genesee river, through the 
 pathless wilderness, a distance of near six hundred miles, and 
 fixed her home at Little Beard's Town. When she came there, 
 she found the Senecas in alliance with the French; they were 
 making preparations for an attack on Fort Schlosser; and not a 
 great while after, enacted the tragedy at the Devil's Hole. Some- 
 time after her arrival, she received intelligence of the death of hdr 
 husband, SHENI^'JEE, who was to have come to her in the succeed- 
 ing spring. They had Hved happily together, and she sincerely 
 lamented his death. 
 
 When the war between England and France ended, she might 
 have returned to the EngUsh, but she did not. She married 
 another Indian, named Hiakatoo, two or three years after the 
 death of Sheninjee. When Gen. Sullivan invaded the Genesee 
 country, her house and fields shared a common fate with the rest. 
 When she saw them in ruins — with great energy and perseve- 
 rance, she immediately went to making preparation for the coming 
 winter. Taking her two youngest children on her back, and 
 bidding the other three follow, she sought employment. She found 
 an opportunity to husk corn, and secured in that way twenty-five j 
 bushels of shelled corn, which kept them through the winter. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 295 
 
 After the close of the Revolution, she obtained the grant of a 
 large tract of land, called the " Gardeau Reservation," which was 
 about six miles in length and five in breadth. With the exception 
 of some deeply afflicting domestic calamities, and the uneasiness 
 and discontent which she felt as the white people gathered around, 
 and her old Indian associates departed, but little occurred in her 
 after life which need be noticed here. In 1831, preferring to pass 
 the remainder of her days in the midst of those with whom her youth 
 and middle age had been spent, she sold the rest of her land at 
 Gardeau FJatts, purchased a farm on the Buffalo Reservation, 
 where the Senecas, among whom she had long lived, had settled 
 some five years previous. She passed the remainder of her days 
 in peace and quietness, embraced the Christian religion, and on the 
 19th of September, 1833, ended a life that had been marked by 
 vicissitudes, such as it is the lot of but few to experience. 
 
 The story of her family, of her son John, especially, — his mur- 
 der of his brothers, &c., has been well narrated in the small work 
 originally written by James E. Seaver, and afterwards enlarged 
 and improved by Ebexezer Mix. The author in his boyhood, has 
 often seen the "White Woman," as she was uniformly called 
 by the early settlers; and remembers well the general esteem in 
 which she was held. Notwithstanding she had one son who was a 
 terror to Indians, as well as the early white settlers, she has left 
 many descendants who are not unworthy of her good name. 
 Jacob Jemison, a grand son of hers, received a liberal education, 
 passed through a course of medical studies, and was appointed an 
 assistant surgeon in the U. S. Navy. He died on board of his ship, 
 in the jMediterranean. 
 
 Soon after the war of 1812, an altercation occurred between 
 David Reese, of Buffalo — (who was at the time the government 
 blacksmith for the Senecas upon the Reservation near Buffalo) — 
 and a Seneca Indian called Young King, which resulted in a 
 severe blow with a scythe, inflicted by Reese, which nearly 
 severed one of the Indian's arms; so near in fact, that amputation 
 was immediately resorted to. The circumstance created consid- 
 erable excitement among the Indians, which extended to Gardeau, 
 the then home of the Jemison family. John Jemison, headed a 
 party from there, and went to Buffalo, giving out as he traveled 
 along the road, that he was going to " kill Reese." The author 
 saw him on his way, and recollects how well he personated the 
 
296 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 ideal "angel of death." His weapons were the war club and 
 tomahawk; red paint was daubed upon his swarthy face, and long 
 bunches of horse hair, colored red, were dangling from each arm; 
 his warlike appearance was well calculated to give an earnest to 
 his threats. Reese was kept secreted, and thus in all probability, 
 avoided the fate that even kindred had met at the hands of John 
 Jemison. 
 
 Mrs. Blackman, a surviving daughter of Peter Pitts, the 
 early pioneer upon the Honeoye Flatts, says: — ''Mrs. Jemison 
 used to be at our house frequently, on her journeys from Gardeau 
 to Canandaigua and back. Bill Antis at Canandaigua used to do 
 her blacksmithing. She was a smart intelligent woman. She 
 used often to sit down and tell my father stories of her captivity; 
 but always avoided doing it in the hearing of her Indian husband, 
 
 HiAKATOO." 
 
 IXy^ See notice of burial place of Mary Jeaiison, p. 69. 
 
 EBENEZER, alias, " INDIAN ALLAN." 
 
 It has been, in all periods of history, a marked, prominent result 
 of War, to draw out, develope the character of men. The flint, 
 inert of itself, is not more sure, when brought in quick contact with 
 hardened steel, to produce fire, than are the exigencies of War, to 
 produce daring, adventurous spirits; — both good and bad. No 
 people, or age, dwelling in peace and quiet, undisturbed, know how 
 much of the elements of good and evil, in men's characters, are 
 slumbering, awaiting a stimulus, or call to action. How well was 
 this illustrated by the whole history of our Revolution ! The great 
 colonial exigencies occurred — separation — war; — a great neces- 
 sity was created; and men were found equal to it. There came 
 out from the quiet walks of life, here and there, often from whence 
 least expected, the bold, the daring — the men to lead in field and 
 council — fitted to the terrible emergency; gifted with the skill, 
 bravery and prudence, to carry it to a successful termination. 
 
 The history of the border wars, cotemporary with the Revolu- 
 tion, and prolonged beyond it; those that have succeeded them 
 upon our western and northwestern frontiers; are replete with 
 illustrations. They partook largely of the character of civil or 
 internal commotions — of feuds between joint occupants of a soil 
 or country; they were predatory — governed little by any settled 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 297 
 
 rules or regulations; dependent upon skill, cunning, stratagem; the 
 stealthy onset, and when necessary, the quick and irregular retreat. 
 The assailants knew no rules of regular warfare; the assailed must 
 adapt themselves to the exigency; and well did they do so. 
 There is hardly to be found in the whole range of history, an 
 account of war, or wars, so full of personal adventure, of individ- 
 ual daring, of all that would interest and instruct, if gathered up 
 and recorded, as is all that relates to the border wars of New York 
 The truthful historian, finds a marked extraordinary character, or 
 characters, in every prominent feature of the bloody contest; in 
 after times the novelist may find a basis of truth, for a wide range 
 of fancy. 
 
 These are thoughts that have occurred, after a brief review of 
 some memorandums, made in conversation of those who knew 
 Ebenezer Allan; and the perusal of some notices of him in the 
 life of Mary Jemison; and yet they are mainly not applicable to 
 him; for he was no hero, — but rather a desperado. He warred 
 against his own race, country and color; vied with his savage allies 
 in deeds of cruelty and blood-shed. As a portion of his life was 
 spent in Western New York; and especially, as he was prominent 
 in an early period of settlement, some notice of him may be 
 regarded as coming within the scope of local history. 
 
 He was a native of New Jersey; joined himself to the back- 
 woodsmen of the valley of the Susquehannah, who under Braivt 
 and Butler, were allies of England — leagued, and co-operating 
 with the Indians.* Mrs. Jemison says she has "often heard him 
 relate his inglorious feats, and confess crimes, the rehearsal of 
 which made my blood curdle, as much accustomed as I was to hear 
 of bloody and barbarous deeds." A detail of the enormities he 
 confessed — though it is said, with some professions of regret — 
 would be but a recapitulation of tales of horror, with which narra- 
 tives of the border wars abound. 
 
 * Liltle is known of his early histon% birth, parentage &c. Mrs. Gkorge Hosmer, 
 of Avon speaks of a sister of his, as her early tutor, at a period when there were no 
 schools. She had married a British soldier, named Dugan, and resided upon a farm of 
 Allan's at " Dugan's creek," a small stream emptying into the Genesee river a few 
 miles below Avon Springs; and at another period, at Allan's mill. Mrs. Hosmer 
 speaks of her as a well educated, and otherwise accomplished woman, who had con- 
 nected herself in marriage to one in every way unworthy of her. She had been in the 
 capacity of governess in the family of Lord Stirling, in New Jersey; others, who knew 
 , her in her singularly chosen retreat, in the wilderness — dependant principally, for support 
 upon a brother who seems to have fled from civilized life because he was unworthy of 
 a participation in its blessings — speak of her in high terms of praise and commendation. 
 
298 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Near the close of the Revolutionary war, Allan, then a young 
 man, made his first appearance on the Genesee river. He had 
 acquired the habits of Indian life, made Mrs. Jemison's house his 
 residence; — seemed an adventurer, alienated by his own acts from 
 kindred and home; and partly.from choice, and partly from neces- 
 sity, seeking a permanent abode with his war associates. 
 
 As it was a preliminary step to after feats of gallantry, in which 
 he seems to have had a sovereign contempt for the usages of 
 savage as well as civilized life, it may be mentioned here, that he 
 had not been long at Gardeau, when he disturbed the domestic 
 relations of a white tenant of Mrs. Jemison, who had married a 
 squaw. Unfortunately the two had a similarity of tastes. This, 
 after an open rupture and separation, resulted in a reconciliation, a 
 condition of which, was to remove away from the captivating 
 influences of the new comer. 
 
 He turned his attention to agriculture; worked the fine flats of 
 Mrs. Jemison, until after the peace, in 1783, when he ventured to 
 Philadelphia, and returned with a horse and some dry-goods; built 
 a house, and settled at Mount Morris. He seemed disposed to 
 peace. Learning that the British and Indians, upon this frontier, 
 and in Canada, were determined to prolong the war, and continue 
 their attacks upon the settlements in the Mohawk valley, he fore- 
 stalled their action by an ingenious fraud. Just before an expe- 
 dition was to start, he procured a belt of wampum and carried it 
 as a token of peace to the nearest American post. The Indians 
 were very unexpectedly informed that the overtures of peace were 
 accepted. The wampum, although presented without their consent, 
 was a sacred thing with them, and they determined to bury the 
 hatchet — go no more out upon the war path with their British 
 allies. The British at Fort Niagara, however, and the Indians, 
 mutually resolved to punish Allan. For months he was pursued; 
 but skulking in the woods, hiding in the cleft rocks, approaching 
 the hospitable wigwam of his friend the White Woman, stealthily, 
 at night, and getting food; he managed to keep out of their 
 clutches. The matter apparently dying away, the chase aban- 
 doned, Allan, "all in tatters, came in;" Hi-a-ka-too, the husband 
 of Mrs. Jemison, giving him a blanket and a piece of broadcloth, 
 with which he made himself some trousers. Dres&ed up, and 
 recruited a Httle, he turned his attention to matrimony; — married 
 a squaw, whose name was Sally. The news of all this transpiring 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 299 
 
 at Niagara, a parly was sent down, who succeeded in arresting 
 him. Just as they were arriving at the garrison, a house near by 
 took fire, the guai'd went to extinguish the flames; Allan took 
 to his heels. Arriving at Tonawanda, he armed himself, got some 
 refreshments, and went on to Little Beard's Town, where he 
 found his wife Sally. Attempting to go to Gardeau, he discov- 
 ered a party of British and Indians in pursuit of him. Then 
 followed weeks of skulking, lying in wait by his pursuers, a search 
 of all the fastnesses of the forest; frequent approaches of the 
 fugitive by night, to get food from the benevolent hand of the 
 White Woman; until the pursuit was again abandoned, — the 
 pursuers returning to Niagara. Allan again ventured out with 
 assurances of protection by the Indians, who by this time, were 
 generally his friends, and in favor of an armistice being extended 
 to him; — believed "that the Niagara people were persecuting him 
 without just cause." The chief. Little Beard, had given orders 
 for his protection. His persecutors had appropriated his horse and 
 goods, but all this time, Mrs. Jemison had been the faithful 
 ■depository of a " box of money and trinkets." Thus situated, in 
 ifancied security, the party again came on from Niagara, took him 
 •by surprise, and carried him bound to the garrison, where he was 
 .confined for the winter. In the spring, he was taken to IMontreal 
 jfor trial, and acquitted. There was probably no law, or precedent, 
 ifor punishing the offence of carrying wampum to the enemy. It 
 jWas a novel offence; and the proof must have been difficult to 
 iobtain. It probably aided in putting an end to the cruel warfare 
 upon the border settlers upon the Mohawk and Susquehannah, 
 stimulated and encouraged from the British, in this quarter — the 
 [authorities of Canada, the officers of Fort Niagara, at Kingston 
 ■and Oswego, after peace had been concluded; and even after their 
 allies of the Six Nations, wished to bury the tomahawk and 
 scalping knife.* For so much, let " Indian Allan," be credited. 
 . He went immediately to Philadelphia, and purchased on credit, 
 I'a boat load of goods," bringing them to Mount Morris, by the 
 way of Conhocton. He bartered them for ginseng and furs, which 
 le sold at Niagara. He then planted corn, raised a large crop, and 
 lifter harvesting it, moved down to the mouth of "Allan's creek" 
 
 * It is evident from the whole narration, that it was the British, and not the Indians, 
 vho wished to punish Allan: that the Seuecas, were even glad of the excuse to 
 efuse farther participation in the war. 
 
300 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 where he lived with his squaw Sally, who by this time had made 
 him the father of two daughters, named Mary and Chloe. He 
 next season, entered into an arrangement with Phelps and Gor- 
 HAM, in pursuance of which they gave him 100 acres of land, at 
 the Genesee Falls, in consideration of his building a grist and saw- 
 mill, to accommodate the few settlers in the surrounding country.* 
 
 His friend, Mrs. Jemison, signalizes this advent of Allan as an 
 early miller of this region, by two murders, and the obtaining of 
 two additional wives. While conveying down the river some 
 materials, an old German named Andrews, in his employ, gave 
 him some offence, and as is supposed, he pushed him out of the 
 canoe. Andrews was never afterwards heard of; Allan still 
 resided at Allan's creek. 
 
 While at the Falls, superintending the erection of his mills, a 
 white man came along, emigrating to Canada. He had a young 
 daughter, that took Allan's fancy; there was a summary courtship; 
 the young woman, ''nothing loth," consented; the ambitious emi-i 
 grant parents, thought the suitor rich, unmarried of course, 
 consented. They were married. "Miss Lucy," — that was her 
 name — had her dream of happiness soon interrupted. She was 
 introduced to the domicile of her suddenly acquired husband, where 
 she found a dark complexioned "Sally," a joint tenant, and co- 
 partner in bed and board. She had none of her own race to 
 appeal to for redress, the parents had gone on their way, and she, 
 perhaps prudently, resolved to stay and make the best of it. 
 
 The backwood's "Blue Beard" was about this time in a 
 marrying way, and did not know where to stop. On a visit to Mrs.' 
 Jemison, at Gardeau, a short time after this, he saw a "young 
 woman with an old husband," and deemed that circumstance, a 
 justification for his gallantry. (Fatal to the happiness of many an 
 old dotard, would such a deduction in moral ethics be in these latter 
 days of January and May matches!) He poured into her ears the 
 
 * The author has in his possession a quit claim deed, or rather an assijjnment of his 
 right to this 100 acre tract, to Benjamin Barton, the father of Benjamin Barton, Jr. It 
 would seem he had at the date of it, no written title to the land, but he authorises Messrs. 
 Phelps and Gorham to deed to Mr. Barton. The consideration was "Two hundred 
 pounds, N. York currency." It is in the hand writing of Samuel Ogden, and witnessed 
 by " Gertrude Ogden," by which it would seem that it was executed in the city of New 
 York. The signature is well executed. It is written " E. Allan" — not Allen. The 
 land is described as being on the "west side of Genesee river in Ontario county: — 
 bounded east by the river, so as to take in the mills recently erected by the said Allan." 
 The instrument is dated March, 1792. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 301 
 
 Story of his wealth — his possessions at Allan's creek — his "Mills" 
 — his influence; — and succeeded so far as to induce his victim to 
 persuade her "old man" to accompany him home with his wife. 
 Allan under pretence of showing him his flats on Allan's creek, 
 took him out, and pushed him into the river. He saved himself 
 
 ; from drovv^iing, but died in a few days, in consequence of the fall 
 and struggle. The young widow, remained in the harem for a 
 
 I year, and left. 
 
 He removed from the creek, back to Mt. Morris, in the summer 
 of 1792, it is presumed, as he sold the mill tract, early in that 
 
 I season. He built a house there; moved his remaining two wives 
 
 'into it; and soon I'esolved to fill the vacancy occasioned by the 
 departure of the widow. He married Mille M'Gregor, the 
 
 j daughter of a white settler upon the Genesee flats. Taking her 
 
 ,home, there was soon trouble in his domicil: — Sally and Lucy 
 united, and whipped the new comer, Mille. She was provided 
 
 :with a separate residence. This is a sad picture, it is confessed, 
 
 ,of morals and matrimony, in our region, at a primitive period; and 
 yet it is a truthful record. It is a specimen of "freedom in the 
 
 ibackwoods." 
 
 j In 1791, the Seneca Indians deeded to Allan in trust, for his 
 [two daughters, four square miles on the Genesee river, the tract 
 which now embraces the beautiful village of Mount Morris. The 
 deed commences by setting forth the reasons why the gift is made: 
 — "It has been the custom of the nation from the earliest times of 
 •our forefathers, to the present day, to consider every person bom 
 ■of a Seneca woman as one of the nation, and as having equal rights 
 •with every one in the nation to lands belonging to it. And whereas, 
 Kyendanent, named in English, Sally, has had two daughters 
 ibom of her body, by our brother Jenuhshio, named in English, 
 Ebenezer Allan; the names of said daughters being in English, 
 Mary Allan, and Chloe Allan,"&c. It was provided in the 
 ieed that Allan should have the care of the land, until his daugh- 
 ters were married, or became of age; that out of its proceeds he 
 should cause the girls to be instructed "in reading and writing, 
 isewing and other useful arts, according to the custom of the white 
 oeople." Sally, the mother, was to have comfortable maintenance 
 •iuring her natural life, or as long as she "remained unjoined to an- 
 ther man." The deed is signed by the sachems and chiefs of the 
 Seneca nation, and by Tlmothy Pickerlng as U. S. Commissioner; 
 
302 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 witnessed by Horatio Jones. Jasper Parrish, Oliver Phelps. Ebene- 
 zer Bowman. 
 
 In pursuance of the provisions of the deed, Allan took the two 
 daughters to Philadelphia and placed them in a school. Mrs. 
 Blackman, to whom allusion has been made in a preceding page, 
 remembers well when Allan returned with his daughters from 
 Philadelphia, and staid at her fathers house over night. She says: 
 
 — "The party were on horseback, attended by a white man and a 
 white woman, as waiters. Allan would not allow them to sit at 
 table with him and his daughters. The daughters were fine looking 
 well behaved girls. The early settlers here did not like Allan. 
 1 remember when he came near being burned up when dry grass 
 caught fire on Genesee -Flatts, and that people generally were sorry 
 that he escaped. He has sit in my father's house often, and boasted 
 of the murders he had committed on the Susquehannah, and his 
 other exploits there." Mrs. B. says that Allan got the irons for 
 his mill at Rochester, at Conhocton, and hired Indians to take them 
 to Rochester on pack horses. 
 
 John M' Kav, of Caledonia, says: — "I knew Allan well. He 
 was about fifty years of age when I first came upon the Genesee 
 river. He was tall and strait — light complexion — genteel in ap- 
 pearance — of good address. Capt. Jones told me the story of 
 Allan's carrying the wampum to the American commissioner, 
 (not to the commandant of a post.) The Indians were very angry, 
 but said Jones, such was the influence he had over them, they 
 dared not to punish him." Mr. M' Kay thinks it was not a disinter- 
 ested act; but that the goods he carried to Mount Morris were the 
 proceeds of the pacific enterprize. 
 
 In 1797, finding the white settlers getting too thick around him 
 
 — the restraints of civilized life, that he had fled from in his youth, 
 likely to interfere with his "perfect freedom" — he sold his prop- 
 erty at Mount Morris, and moved to Delawaretown, on thei 
 Thames, (C. W.) taking with him his white wife, and leaving 
 Sally and Mille behind. Gov. Simcoe granted him 3000 acres 
 of land, upon condition, that he should build a saw-mill, grist-mill, 
 and a church; all but the church, to be his property. He per- 
 formed his part of the contract, and the title to his land was 
 confirmed. In a few years, he had his mills, a comfortable dwel- 
 ling, large improvements, was a good liver; and those who knew 
 him at that period, represent him as hospitable and obliging. In 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 303 
 
 two or three years after he left for Canada, Mille followed him, 
 and when he was flourishing there, he had the two wives under one 
 roof. Sally soon followed, remained in the neighborhood about 
 a year, when she was driven away by the persecutions of the two 
 white wives. An acquaintance of the author, who was for a long 
 period his neighbor, says he once asked him how he could manage 
 two women. He replied that he "ruled them with a rod of iron." 
 The reader must have, ere this, discovered that he was the man 
 I thus to rule his household. 
 
 About the year 180G or '7, reverses began to overtake him. At 
 ! one period, he was arrested and tried for forgery; at another, for 
 1 passing counterfeit money ; at another, for larceny. He was 
 J acquitted of each offence, upon trial. He was obnoxious to many 
 j of his white neighbors, and it is likely, that at least two of the 
 i charges against him, arose out of a combination that was prompted 
 I by personal enmity. All this brought on embarrassments, which 
 ; terminated in an almost entire loss of his large property. He left 
 j Delawaretown, and went upon some land that had been leased to 
 I his daughters by the Indians. 
 
 I Soon after the breaking out of the war of 1812, he was sus- 
 [pected by the Canadian authorities, of being friendly to the 
 j Americans, of holding a correspondence with Gen. Hull at 
 Detroit; arrested and confined in jail at Niagara. He was bailed 
 out upon condition that he should in no way interfere against the 
 Igovernment. He took no part in the war; though he was evidently 
 iin favor of the Americans; alledging that the British government 
 had illy requited his services. He died in 1814. 
 
 His wife Mille, was the mother of six children; Lucv of one; 
 land there were beside, the two half-breed daughters of Sally. 
 jAn elderly lady of the author's acquaintance, knew these daughters 
 [well after they went to reside upon the Thames. They were 
 tolerably educated, amiable and reputable. They died alter hav- 
 ing become the wives of white men, and the mothers of several 
 children, who are supposed to be still living in Canada West. His 
 tson Seneca Allan, is a resident of one of the western states. 
 
 NoTK. — Allan conveyed the land at Mount Morris, that was given to his daughters, 
 io Robert Morris; by what right, it does not appear upon the records. Allan's creek, 
 neading in Wyoming, passing through Warsaw, Le Roy, and emptying into the Gen- 
 esee river at Scottsvillo, derives its name I'rom the subject of our biographical sketch. 
 He had a farm where Scottsville now is. 
 
PART FOURTH. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 PROGRESS OF SETTLEMENT WESTWARD, AFTER THE REVOLUTION. 
 
 In the treaty of peace which ended the Revolution, Great 
 Britian made no provisions for her Indian allies. Notwithstanding 
 their strong and well founded claims to British regard and protec- 
 tion they were left to take care of themselves, and get out of the 
 difficulties in which an unsuccessful war had involved them, as best 
 tliey could. They were much offended and disappointed; they 
 complained of this conduct as unjust and ungrateful, in view of the 
 sacrifices they had made, and losses they had sustained, all along 
 through the war. They were sagacious enough to conclude, that 
 if the arms of the "Thirteen Fires," had conquered them and 
 their British allies united, there was little use in their contending 
 single handed. A portion of them however, were not disposed to 
 yield. Prompted by British agents, they were for leaguing with 
 the North Western Indians, and reviving the war. Among these, 
 was the youthful, subtle, and eloquent Red Jacket. But Corn 
 Planter, and some others of the more influential Indians, counciled 
 peace, and peaceable councils prevailed. 
 
 Accordingly the sachems, chiefs and warriors, of the Six Nations, 
 and the commissioners in behalf of the United States, assembled at 
 Fort Stanwix in October, 1784, and concllided a treaty of peace 
 and friendship. Oliver Wolcott, Richard Butler and Arthur Lee, 
 acted as commissioners for the United States. The Six Nations 
 agreed to surrender all their captives, and relinquish " all claims to 
 the country lying west of a line beginning at the mouth of Oyo- ' 
 wagea creek, flowing into lake Ontario, four miles east of Niagara; 
 thence southerly, but preserving a line four miles east of the carry- 
 ing path, to the mouth of the Tehoseroron, or Buffalo creek; thence 
 to the north boundary of Pennsylvania; thence east to the end of 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 305 
 
 that boundary; and thence south along the Pennsylvania line to tlie 
 river Ohio."* 
 
 . "The cession of their hunting grounds north-west of the Ohio, 
 was vigorously, though unavailingly opposed by the red men. Sa- 
 goyewatha, or Red Jacket, then young and nameless among the 
 head men, rose rapidly in favor with the Senecas for his hostility to 
 the measure — while the popularity of their great chief Cornplanter, 
 suffered severely among his race for his partiality to the whites, in 
 the arrangement." * * * «' The patriotism of Red Jacket was 
 then thoroughly aroused, and his wisdom and eloquence were gen- 
 erally zealously employed to vindicate the rights of the red man 
 against the encroaching influence of the pale faces. He was elected 
 a chief among the Senecas, soon after this treaty, and his influence 
 was great in the Indian confederacy for upwards of forty years."t 
 
 After the conclusion of this treaty, the United States commis- 
 sioners, in consequence of the then condition of the Six Nations, and 
 in pursuance of the humane and liberal intentions of the government 
 whose agents they were, distributed a large quantity of goods in 
 the form of presents. 
 
 It will be observed that at the treaty above referred to, the 
 Indians made no cession of territory, but simply defined their 
 
 ; * A bad defiiiitiou of boundaries, but the reader will have no difficulty in seeing what 
 I was intended. 
 
 [ t History of Rochester and Western New York. 
 I 
 
 Note. — Lafayette was present at the treaty of Fort Stanwix. After the lapse of 
 forty years, the generous Frenchman, the companion of Washington, and the Seneca 
 orator again met. The author was present at the inteview. A concourse of citizens 
 
 ^ had been assembled for nearly two days, awaiting the arrival of the steam boat from 
 Dunkirk, which had been chartered by the committee of Erie county, to convey La- 
 fayette to Buffalo, and among them was Red Jacket. He made, as usual, a somewhat 
 ostentatious display of his medal — a gift from Washington — and it required the especial 
 attention of a select committee to keep the aged chief from an indulgence — a "sin 
 
 I that so easily beset him," — which would have marred the dignity, if not the romance 
 of the intended interview. The reception, the ceremonies generally, were upon a 6tJ>- 
 ging erected in front of " Rathbun's Eagle." After they were through with. Red Jacket 
 was escorted upon the staging, by a committee. *' The Douglass in his hall," — 
 himself, in his native forest — never walked with a firmer step or a prouder bearing! 
 
 ■■ There was the stoicism of the Indian — seemingly, the condescension, if it existed, was 
 
 I his, and not the "Nation's Guest" He addressed the General in his native tongue, 
 through an interpreter who was present. During the interview, Lafayette not recog- 
 
 I nizing him, alluded to the treaty of Fort Stanwix: ** And what" said he, "has become 
 of the young Seneca, who on that occasion so eloquently opposed the burying of the 
 
 ' tomahawk?" "He is now before you!" replied Red Jacket. The circumstance, 03 
 the reader will infer, revived in the mind of Lafayette, the scenes of the Revolution, 
 and in his journey the next two days, his conversation was enriched by the reminia- 
 ceuces wliich it called up. 
 
 20 
 
 Li 
 
306 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 boundaries, recognizing and somewhat enlarging the bounds of the 
 *' carrying place " at Niagara, which they had granted under Eng- 
 lish dominion. 
 
 ■ This treaty was the first ever made by the United States with 
 the Indians. 
 
 At Fort Herkimer, on the Mohawk, in June, 1785, a treaty was 
 held with the Oneidas and Tuscaroras, by George Clinton and 
 other commissioners. For a consideration of eleven thousand five 
 hundred dollars, those nations ceded to the State of New York, 
 the land lying between the Unadilla and Chenango rivers, south of 
 a hne drawn east and west between those streams, and north of 
 the Pennsylvania line, &c. 
 
 On the 12th of September, 1788, the Onondagas, by a treaty at 
 Fort Stanwix, ceded to the State of New York, all their territory, 
 saving a reservation around their chief village. It was stipulated 
 that the Onondagas should enjoy forever, the right of fishing and 
 hunting in the territory thus relinquished. The " Salt Lake," and 
 the land around the same for one mile, was to remain forever for 
 the common use of the State of New York, and the Onondagas, 
 for the purpose of making salt, and not to be disposed of for other 
 objects. The consideration was a thousand French crowns in 
 hand, two hundred pounds value in clothing; and a perpetual 
 annuity of five hundred dollars. Upon a full confirmation of the 
 treaty, in 1790, the state gave as a gratuity, an additional five 
 hundred dollars. 
 
 On the 22d of September 1788, the Oneidas, who had before 
 ceded a part of their lands, made an additional cession, including all 
 their lands except a small reservation for themselves, and another 
 for the Brothcrtown Indians, which they had previously given 
 them. The consideration was two thousand dollars in hand, two 
 thousand dollars in clothing, one thousand dollars in provisions, 
 five hundred dollars to buikl a grist mill on their reservation; and 
 a perpetual annuity of five hundred dollars. 
 
 By a treaty at Albany, in 1789, the Cayugas ceded to the State 
 of New York all their lands, saving a reservation of one hundred 
 square miles exclusive of the waters of Cayuga lake, about which 
 the reservation was located. The consideration was five hundred 
 dollars in hand; an agreement to pay one thousand five hundred 
 and twenty-five dollars, in June following; and a perpetual annuity 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 307 
 
 of five hundred dollars. Upon the final confirmation of the treaty, 
 the State paid the Cayugas as a gratuity, one thousand dollars. 
 
 In 1793, the Onondagas ceded to the state some portions of their 
 reservation. The consideration was four hundred dollars in hand, 
 and a perpetual annuity of four hundred dollars. 
 
 On the 29th of March, 1797, the Mohawks, who had mostly 
 fled to Canada during the Revolution, by their agents, Capt. Joseph 
 Brant and Capt. John Deserontyon, rehnquished to the State of 
 New York all claims to lands within the state, for the sum of one 
 thousand dollars, and six hundred dollars in the form of a fee for 
 traveling expenses, &c. advanced to the above named agents. 
 
 Numerous treaties and cessions of reservations followed, with 
 the five easterly nations of the confederacy, but the cessions that 
 have been noticed embraced the great body of their lands. In all 
 these cessions the Indians reserved the right of fishing and hunting, 
 and stipulated to lend their assistance in keeping off" intruders upon 
 the lands. 
 
 A treaty was held at Canandaigua on the 11th of September, 
 1794, between the United States and the Six Nations — Timothy 
 Pickering acting in behalf of the United States. The object of 
 President Washington in ordering this treaty, was to remove some 
 existing causes of complaint, and establish a firm and permanent 
 friendship with the Indians. These two objects were consummated. 
 It was stipulated on the part of the United States that the Indians 
 should bo protected in the free enjoyment of their reservations, 
 until such times as they chose to dispose of them to the United States. 
 This had reference to the reservations east of the Massachusetts 
 pre-emption fine. At this treaty, the boundaries of the lands of the 
 Senecas were defined, as including all lands west of Phelps and 
 Gorham's Purchase, in this state, excepting the carrying place upon 
 the Niagara river. "In consideration of the peace and friendship 
 hereby established, and of the engagements entered into by the 
 Six Nations; and because the United States desire with humanity 
 and kindness to contribute to their comfortable support, and to 
 render the peace and friendship hereby established strong and 
 perpetual," the United States delivered to the Six Nations ten 
 thousand dollars worth of goods, and for the same consideration, 
 and with a view to promote the future welfare of the Six Nations 
 and of their Indian friends aforesaid, the United States added 
 to the $1,500 previously allowed them by an article dated 
 
308 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 23d, April, 1792, (which 81,500 was to be expended annually in 
 purchasing clothing, domestic animals, and implements of hus- 
 bandry, and for encouraging useful artificers, to reside in their 
 villages,) making in the whole $4,500, the whole to be expended 
 yearly in purchasing clothing, &c. as just mentioned, under the 
 direction of the Superintendant appointed by the President. 
 
 "Lest the firm peace and friendship now established should be 
 interrupted by the misconduct of individuals, the United States and 
 Six Nations agree that, for injuries done by individuals on either 
 side, no private revenge or retaliation shall take place; but, instead 
 thereof, complaint shall be made by the party injured to the other, 
 and such prudent measures shall then be pursued as shall be neces- 
 sary to preserve our peace and friendship, until the Legislature (or 
 the great Council of the United States) shall make other equitable 
 provisions for the purpose. 
 
 "A note in the treaty says: — 'It is clearly understood by the 
 parties to this treaty, that the annuity stipulated in the sixth article 
 is to be applied to the benefit of such of the Six Nations, and of 
 their Indian friends united with them aforesaid, as do or shall reside 
 within the boundaries of the United States; for the United States 
 do not interfere with nations, tribes, or families of Indians else- 
 where resident.' " 
 
 The state of New York, by its legislature, in 1781, resolved to 
 raise forces to recruit the army of the United States. The period 
 of enlistment was fixed at three years, or until the close of the war, 
 and the faith of the State was pledged that each soldier who enlisted 
 and served his time according to his enlistment, should receive six 
 hundred acres of land as soon after the close of the war as the 
 land could be surveyed. 
 
 On the 25th of July, 1782, the legislature of the state passed 
 another act, setting apart a certain district of country, described 
 therein, to meet its engagements contained in the first mentioned 
 act. The district so set apart, contained the territory now included 
 in the counties of Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, Cortland, the south- 
 west part of Oswego, the north part of Tompkins, the east part of 
 Wayne, and small parts of Steuben and Yates; containing, besides, 
 the reservations afterwards made therein by the Indians, one 
 million, six hundred and eighty thousand acres. 
 
 On the 28th day of February, 1789, a third act was passed by 
 the legislature, appropriating the lands devoted to the payment of 
 the Revolutionary soldiers; the Indian title to which, had at length 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 309 
 
 been extinguished by treaties with the Onondagas and Cayugas; 
 which was soon after surveyed into townships, and those townships 
 subdivided into lots of six hundred acres each: the state of New 
 York thus redeemed its pledge given to the Revolutionary soldiers 
 by the act of July 25th, 1782. 
 
 Although the military tract may truly be considered a proud and 
 splendid monument of the gratitude of the state of New York to 
 her Revolutionary heroes; the soldiers, whose patriotic valor earned 
 the full reward, in many cases, realized but little from the bounty 
 of their country; as many of the patents for six hundred acres of 
 excellent land, were sold as late as ten years after the close of the 
 war at from eight to thirty dollars each. 
 
 It has been already indicated that at the close of the Revolution, 
 in 1783, settlement had not advanced beyond the lower valley of 
 the Mohawk. In May, 1784, Hugh White, with his family, 
 advanced beyond the then bounds of civilization, located at what 
 is now Whitestown, near Utica. In 1786, a considerable settle- 
 ment had been made there. In the same year that Whitestown 
 was settled, James Dean, who had acted as an Indian agent during 
 the war, settled upon a tract of land given him by the Indians, near 
 Rome. In 1784, the county of Tryon had its name changed to 
 Montgomery, its citizens preferring the name of a Revolutionary 
 patriot, to that of an English colonial governor. In 1786, a Mi'. 
 Webster became the first white settler of the territory now com- 
 prised in the county of Onondaga. In 1788, Asa Danforth and 
 Comfort Tyler located at Onondaga Hollow. In 1793, John L. 
 Hardenbergh settled at what was for many years called " Harden- 
 bergh's Corners," — now the village of Auburn. In 1789, James 
 Bennet and John Harris settled upon 'opposite sides of the Cay- 
 uga lake, and established a ferry. These primitive beginnings will 
 however, best be indicated in sketches that will follow of some 
 relations of early adventurers. 
 
310 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 GLIMPSES OF WESTERN NEW YORK AFTER THE REVOLUTION. 
 
 Note. — [The author at this point, to connect the chain of events as nearly as possible 
 in chronological order, will avail himself of the preceding portion of narratives he has 
 had from some of the earliest adventurers to the regions of Western New York; reser- 
 ving for their order of time, tlie remainder. Since he commenced the preparation of 
 this work, he has had interviews with a large number, who yet survive to tell the stoiy 
 of their wilderness advents. As far as consistent with a brevity which it is necessaiy to 
 observe, he will endeavor to preserve that interest in the narratives, which the relators 
 in their own language and manner, could alone impart to them.] 
 
 Silas Hopkins, of Lewiston, Niagara county, started from New 
 Jersey, in the summer of 1787, to assist his father in driving a 
 drove of cattle to Niagara. Twelve or thirteen other young men 
 came along, to assist in driving the cattle, and to see the country. 
 Party came to Newton Point, thence to Horse Heads, Catherine's 
 Town at the head of Seneca lake, Kanadesaega, Canandaigua, and 
 from thence upon the Indian trail via Canawagus, the '-Great 
 Bend of the Tonewanta," Tonawanda Indian village, to Niagara. 
 Route up the Susquehannah, to Tioga, was principally in the track 
 of Sullivan's army; after that almost wholly upon Indian trails. 
 Saw the last white inhabitant at Newtown Point. There were a 
 few Indians at Catherine's Town, and among them the old squaw 
 that is named in accounts of Sullivan's expedition. At this period, 
 nine tenths of the settlers upon the frontiers in Canada, were 
 Butler's Rangers. They had all got lands from the British 
 government, two years supply of provisions, and were otherwise 
 favored. The New Jersey drovers sold their cattle principally to 
 them, and to the garrisons at Queenston and Niagara. - 
 
 "I came out twice the next summer with my father upon the 
 same business. Upon one of these occasions, I went with my 
 father to the residence of Col. Butler near Newark, (Niagara.) 
 He was then about fifty five or sixty years old; had a large, pretty 
 well cultivated farm; was living a quiet farmer's life. He was 
 hospitable and agreeable, and I could hardly realize that he had 
 been the leader of the Rangers. 
 
 "In all our journeyings in those early days, we were well 
 ti'eated by the Indians. They had a custom of levying a tribute 
 upon all drovers, by selecting a beeve from each drove as they 
 passed through their principal towns. This they regarded as an 
 equivalent for a passage through their territories; and the drovers 
 found it the best way to submit without murmuring. At Geneva, 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 311 
 
 there was an Indian trader named Poudrey, and another by the 
 name of La Berge. There were several other whites there; they 
 were talking of jputting up a building. We happened to be at 
 Canandaigua at a treaty. Phelps and Gorham bought several head 
 of cattle of my father, to butcher for the Indians. When I went 
 to Canada the first time, Gov. Simcoe was I'csiding at 'Navy Hall,' 
 near old Fort George. He was esteemed as a good Governor, and 
 good man. 
 
 "In 1789, on one of our droving excursions there was an 
 unusual number of drovers collected at Lewiston. We clubbed 
 together and paid the expenses of a treat to the Indians, — gave 
 a benefit. They were collected there from Tonawanda, Buffalo, 
 Tuscarora, and some from Canada. There were two or three 
 hundred of them; they gave a war-dance for our amusement. 
 We had as guests, officers from Fort Niagara. The Indians were 
 very civil. After the dance, rum was served out to them, upon 
 which they became very merry, but committed no outrage. We 
 had a jolly time of it, and I remember that among our number was 
 a minister, who enjoyed the thing as well as any of us. 
 
 "In 1790, after I had sold a drove of cattle at Lewiston, (to go 
 over the river, and at Fort Niagara,) I met with John Street, the 
 father of the late vSamuel Street, of Chippewa, C. W. He then 
 kept a trading establivshment at Fort Niagara. He was going to 
 Massachusetts, and said he should like my company through the 
 wilderness, as for as Geneva. Waiting a few days, and he not 
 getting ready, I started without him. He followed in a few days, 
 and was murdered at a spring, near the Ridge Road, a mile west 
 of Warren's. The murderers were supposed to be Gale and 
 Hammond. Gale lived near Goshen, in this State. I knew his 
 father, a Col. Gale. Hammond had been living on the Delaware 
 river. They were arrested in Canada, by authority of the 
 commanding officer at Fort Niagara; sent to Quebec for trial; 
 Hammond turned King's evidence, divulged the whole affair, 
 charging the offence principally upon Gale, but made his escape. 
 Gale was afterwards discharged. When I came up the next 
 season, I camped at the spring. Some fragments of IMr. Street's 
 clothes were hanging upon the bushes. His body had been 
 discovered by some travelers, stopping at the spring; their dog 
 brought to them a leg with a boot upon it. His friends in Canada, 
 gathered up fragments of the body, and carried them home for 
 burial. He was robbed of a considerable sum of money." 
 
 Judge Hopkins remarked at this point in his narrative, that the 
 fact having become generally known that drovers with considerable 
 sums of money, and emigrants to Canada, were every few days 
 passing on the "Great Trail from the Susquehannah to Niagara," 
 robbers had been attracted to it. It was soon enough after the 
 
312 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 close of the border wars, to have remaining upon the outskirts of 
 civilization, men fitted to prowl around the wilderness path, and 
 solitary camp of the traveler. 
 
 "My father being at Niagara, on one occasion, a letter was sent 
 to him by Col. Hollenbeck who was on the Susquehannah, warning 
 him against starting on his return journey alone, as he was satisfied 
 that a couple of desperadoes, in his neighborhood were intending 
 to waylay him somewhere on the trail. He handed the letter to 
 the commandant at Fort Niagara; a couple of men soon made 
 their appearance in the neighborhood answering the description of 
 Col. Hollenbeck. They were arrested and detained at the gar- 
 rison until my father had time to reach the settlements on the 
 Susquehannah. 
 
 "When but sixteen years of age, my father had some business hi 
 Canada that made it necessary to send me there from N. Jersey. 
 1 came through on horseback, the then usual route. I encamped 
 the last night of my journey, on Millard's branch of the Eighteen- 
 milecreek, about a mile above where it crosses the Chestnut Ridge, 
 five miles east of Lockport. In the morning, my hoppled horse 
 having gone a short distance off, I went for him, and on my way 
 stumbled upon a silver mounted saddle and bridle, and a little far- 
 ther on lay a dead horse that had been killed by a blow on the 
 head with a tomahawk. I carried the saddle and bridle to Queens- 
 ton, where they were recognized as those of a traveler who had 
 a few days before come down from Detroit, on his way to New 
 York. Nothing more was ever known of the matter." 
 
 In narrating this, the Judge remarks that the howling of the 
 wolves in the Tonawanda swamp, all night, deprived him of sleep. 
 A boy, sixteen years old, alone far away from civilization; the 
 howling of the wolves, his forest lullaby; the relics of a murdered 
 traveler, presented to him in the morning ! He acknowledges that 
 he left his camping ground with less delay than usual. 
 
 "I spent most of the summer of 1788, at Lewiston, purchasing 
 furs. I bought principally, beaver, otter, muskrat, mink. The 
 Indian hunting grounds for these animals, were the marshes along 
 the Ridge Road, the bays of the Eighteen, Twelve, and Fourmile- 
 creeks. The marsh where I now live, (six miles east of Lewiston,) 
 was then, most of the year a pond, or small lake. The only 
 white inhabitant at Lewiston, then was Middaugh. He kept a 
 tavern — his customers, the Indians, and travelers on their way to 
 Canada. I carried back to New Jersey, about four hundred dollars 
 worth of furs, on pack horses. At that period, furs were plenty. 
 I paid for beaver, from four to six shillings; for otter, about the 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 313 
 
 saiTfie; for mink and muskrat, four cents. There were a good 
 many bears, wolves, and wakl-cats; but a few deer. 
 
 " Immediately after the defeat of St. Clair, the Indians were very 
 insolent and manifested much hostility to the whites. 
 
 "In 1778, or '9, I was returning from Niagara, to New Jersey, 
 in company with a dozen or fifteen men. When we arrived upon 
 the Genesee rivei', we found a white settler there — Gilbert 
 Berry;* — he had arrived but a few days before with his wife and 
 wife's sister; had made a temporary shelter, and had the body of a 
 log house partly raised. He had tried to raise it with the help of 
 Indians, and failed. We stopped and put it up for him. The next 
 day, we found at the outlet of the Honeoye, a settler just arrived 
 by the name of Thayer. He had logs ready for a house, but had 
 no neighbors to help him. We stopped and raised his house." 
 
 The nai'rator of these early events is now seventy- five years old; 
 his once vigorous and hardy constitution, is somewhat broken by 
 age, but his mental faculties are unimpaired. In the war of 1812, 
 he was early upon the frontier, as a Colonel of militia, and has 
 well filled many public stations. He was the first Judge of 
 Niagara, after Erie was set off. 
 
 John Gould, Esq. of Cambria, Niagara county, came from New 
 j Jersey in 1788, as a drover; came by Newton, Painted Post, Little 
 Beard's village, Great Bend of Tonawanda, &c. — stopped with 
 drove at Little Beard's village over night. In the morning. Little 
 Beard pointed out a fine ox, and an Indian boy shot him down with 
 a bow and arrow. This was the usual tribute, mentioned by Judge 
 Hopkins. " The Great Bend of the Tonnewanta," was a well 
 linown camping ground for Butler's Rangers, in their border war 
 3xcursions, and after emigration to Canada; for early drovers, and 
 Dther travellers. 
 
 " Col. Hunter, was then in command at Fort Niagara. Our cat- 
 tle and pack horses were ferried across to Newark in batteaux and 
 Schenectady boats. Nothing then at New^ark, (Niagara village,) 
 3ut an Old ferry house and the barracks that had been occupied by 
 Butler's Rangers. The Massaguea Indians were numerous then 
 n Canada. They had no fixed habitations; migrated from camping 
 ground to camping ground, in large parties; their principal camping 
 grounds Niagara and Queenston. There were their fishing grounds. 
 Sometimes there would be five or six hundred encamped at 
 
 * Gilbert Berrj' was an Indian trader. After his death, his widow kept a public 
 louse, early, and long known, as " Mrs. Berry's," at Avon. His two daughters are 
 ^s. George Hosmer of Avon, and Mrs. E. C. Hickox, of Butfalo. 
 
314 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Niagara. They were small in stature, gay, lively, filthy; and 
 much addicted to drunkenness. 
 
 " We sold our cattle principally to Butler's Rangers. They 
 were located mostly at the Falls, along the Four and Twelve Mile 3 
 Creeks. Oxen brought as high as £50, cows £20. 
 
 "In June, after I arrived, 1 was at Fort Niagara, and witnessed^ 
 the celebration of King George's birth day: — there was firing of 1 
 cannon, horse racing, &c. The Tuscarora Indians were there, in 
 high glee. It was upon this occasion that I first saw Benjamin 
 Barton, sen. 
 
 " Butler's Rangers had taken a sister of my mother's captive, 
 upon the Susquehannah. She afterwards became the wife of I 
 Capt. Fry, of the Mohawk, who had gone to Canada during the 
 Revolution. She had induced my mother and step father, to 
 emigrate to Canada in 1787. I found them located upon the Six 
 Mile creek. At the time my aunt was taken prisoner, there were 
 taken with her several children of another sister: their names were 
 Vandcrlip. 
 
 "When I came through in '88, I saw no white inhabitant after 
 leaving Newton, till I arrived at Fort Niagara. At Newton there 
 was one unfinished log house. ' Painted Post ' was at the junction 
 of Indian trails. It was a post, striped red and white. 
 
 " Along in '88, '90, eagles were plenty on Niagara river and 
 shores of lake Ontario. Ravens were plenty; when they left, the 
 crows came in. Black birds were a pest to the early settlers; 
 they seemed to give way to the crows. The crows are great 
 pirates. I think they robbed the nests of the black birds. There 
 used to be myriads of the caween duck upon the river. In the 
 breaking up of the ice in the spring, they would gather upon large 
 cakes of ice, at Queenston, and sailing down to the lake, return' 
 upon the wing, to repeat the sport; their noise at times would be 
 almost deafening." 
 
 "In '99, on my return to New Jersey, 1 went by Avon, 
 Canandaigua, &c. Widow Berry was keeping tavern at Avon; 
 settlers were getting in between there and Canandaigua; there 
 were a few buildings in Canandaigua; a few log buildings at 
 Geneva. On my return the next year, emigration was brisk; the 
 military tract, near Seneca lake was settling rapidly." 
 
 Mr. Gould is now 78 years old; vigorous; but little broken by 
 age; relaxing but slightly in an enterprise and industry, that has 
 been crowned with a competency, which he is enjoying in the 
 midst of his children, grand children, and great grand children. 
 
 John Mountpi,easa\t, a native of Tuscarora, is now sixty- 
 eight years old. His father was Captain Mountpleasant, of the 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 315 
 
 British army; at one period commandant of Fort Niagara; his 
 
 mother was an Oneida; emigrated to Canada during the Revolution, 
 
 and afterwards came to Tuscarora. His father and mother, 
 
 residing for two years at Mackinaw; that was his birth place, 
 
 : although almost his entire life has been spent at Tuscarora. He 
 
 ihad a sister, who became the wife of Capt. Chew, of the British 
 
 lai'my. Capt Mountpleasant was ordered to Montreal when his 
 
 ; children were quite young; ho was not entirely unmindful of them; 
 
 i occasionally sent them presents. , 
 
 I " The earliest white people I can recollect, were the English at 
 jFort Niagara, and a small guard they used to keep at Lewiston, 
 jto guard the portage. When I was a boy, the portage used to 
 [employ five or six teams. I remember well when the early 
 ■emigrants used to come through on the trail, going to Canada. 
 ;Their children were frequently cari'ied in baskets, strung across 
 ithe backs of horses." \Xy^ ^ee his account of Brant's Mohawk 
 ivillage on Ridge Road. " The Middaughs, came from North River; 
 when they first came they occupied one of the old houses left by 
 the Mohawks. Hank Huff, and Hank Mills, were early at Lewis- 
 ton. Huff had a Mohawk wife, and used to live in the house that 
 Brant left. When I was a small boy, 1 used to go through to 
 Genesee river, with my mother. There was Poudery at Tonna- 
 ivvanda, 'a white man' (Berry,) keeping a ferry over the Genesee 
 
 pver. 
 
 ) "Deer were not plenty in this region, the wolves hunted them; 
 jriving them into the lake, they would wait until they were 
 [Wearied with swimming, and catch them as they came on shore. 
 |{n periods of deep snows and crusts, they used to make great 
 ;iavoc among them. As the wolves grew scarce, the deer became 
 olenty. A strip of land between Ridge and lake, used to be a 
 Treat resort for bears. Our best hunting grounds used to be off 
 fOward Genesee rivez'. Secord was an early and successful white 
 ■:rapper in this region. Some Tuscarora hunters once killed a 
 oanthcr, in the marsh near Pekin. There were no crows until after 
 •he war of 1812. The bittern, was often seen about the marshes. 
 The white owl used occasionally to make his appearance here, 
 ^'locks of swans were often seen about the Islands above the Falls. 
 ' "When I was a boy, most of the marshes in Niagara county, 
 svere open ponds. I have been with my mother, picking cran- 
 :)erries, in open marshes, where there was then but small bushes; 
 !iow there are tamaracks, soft maples, black ash, &c. as large as 
 ny body. The beaver dams were in a good state of preserv.ation 
 IS long as I can remember, — though then but few beaver left. I 
 lave taken salmon in Eighteen mile creek, where Lewiston road 
 
816 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 crosses near Lockport, and below the Falls of the Oak Orchard, 
 with my hands, three feet in length. 
 
 *■'■ My mother's second husband was a white man named James 
 Pemberton, who was taken prisoner at the same time that Jasper t 
 Parrish was. He was brought to Lewiston with the Mohawks. . 
 He remained with the Tuscaroras after the Mohawks went to : 
 Canada, and until his death. 
 
 " I remember when the Indian family — Scaghtjecitors — lived at 
 the creek at Black Rock that derives its name from them. They , 
 moved back to Seneca village, after the land was sold. One of the , 
 family was murdered at ' Sandy Town,' and robbed of twelve \ 
 dollars. The murderers were never detected. 
 
 "When I was a boy, two schooners used to come to Lewiston — 
 armed. King's vessels — the 'Seneca,' and 'Onondaga.' There 
 was another afterwards, called the 'Massasagua.' I used to see 
 batteaux come up, taken out of the river, and conveyed over the 
 Portage; manned by jolly Frenchmen, who used to sing, keeping 
 time with their oars, as they came up the river. 
 
 "For many years I followed the business of stocking rifles. I 
 learned to do it from seeing Bill Antis do it at Canandaigua. For 
 many years he stocked rifles for us without pay, being employed 
 for that purpose by the government; afterwards we paid him half' 
 price. 
 
 "I remember when Gov. Simcoe first came to Niagara. He had 
 a thousand troops with him called 'Queen's Rangers.' They wore 
 green uniform. Their bari'acks were at Queenston, — thence the 
 the name." 
 
 The narrator resides at Tuscarora with his sons, who are good 
 farmers, educated and intelligent. His fine form would serve as £ 
 model for a sculpture. Tall, unbent by age; with a countenance 
 mild, benevolent, and expressive. 
 
 Note. — The author is indebted to Judge Cook of Lewiston, for some additional par 
 ticulars which he adds to the brief narrative of John Mountpleasant. When Jame:[ 
 Pemberton, was brought a prisoner to Lewiston, it was decreed that he should be burnei 
 at the stake, to revenge the death of some Mohawk warrior. Brant interested himsel 
 in saving him; proposed that he should be saved and adopted. He told the Lidian 
 that he was a man of fine proportions, (as he really was,) that he would become useful t 
 them. He interested the squaws in behalf of the captive, by promising that som 
 one of them should have him for a husband. Managing to divert the attention of th 
 Indians from their victim, Brant pointed out to Pemberton a way of escape, which h 
 pursued with sufficient fleetness of foot, to enable him to reach Fort Niagara, where h 
 was protected. The Indians had compelled Pemberton to collect the brush and dri, 
 wood for his own destruction. He was stripped naked — all was ready for the terriblf 
 Bacrifice, when Brant's scheme in his behalf saved him. The place of the intende| 
 burning at the stake, is a small spot of level ground, between the dwelling of Seymou| 
 Scovell, Esq., and the Ferry. Pemberton pointed it out to Judge Cook, and told hit' 
 the story of his fortunate escape. He remained at Niagara until the peace of '83, the; 
 went to Tuscarora and married the mother of John Mountpleasant. He died in 180 
 or '7. His children and grand children reside at Tuscarora. [See nextpag 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 317 
 
 Thomas Butler, Esq. is a grandson of Col. John Butler, and 
 resides upon the farm where his grandfather located after the 
 Revolution, near Niagara, C. W. He is an associate Judge of the 
 court of Queen's Bench. He was educated at Union College, 
 ' Schenectady, residing there, in the family of the late Gov. Yates, 
 who was his cousin. The author avails himself of a brief narrative 
 I he derived from him during a visit to his residence last summer, 
 lin search of some old manuscripts which had fallen into his hands as 
 |an attorney for one of the early Pioneers of Western New York : 
 
 "In 1797, during a vacation in college, I came home to Niagara, 
 
 [Joseph Ellicott, a surv'eyor named Thompson, and six or eight 
 
 iothers, were just starting from Schenectady with batteaux, on their 
 
 way to the Holland Purchase. I came in company with them. 1 
 
 found Mr. Ellicott a very agreeable traveling companion. Our 
 
 jroute was via Oswego, and lake Ontario. Mr. Ellicott's party 
 
 landed at fort Niagara, their goods went to Lewiston, and from 
 
 lithence over the Portage, to Schlosser; thence to Buffalo. 
 
 li '-Col John Butler died in 1794. Was, up to the period of his 
 
 Heath, superintendent of Indian affairs for Upper Canada; was a 
 
 half pay Lieut. Colonel. His remains are buried upon his estate. 
 
 He organized at Niagara the corps he commanded during the 
 
 [Revolution. Butler's Barracks were originly built for their use. 
 
 I "Col Claus died at Niagara seven or eight years ago. His two 
 
 pons, John and Warren reside here now. Warren is an Attorney 
 
 latlaw; at present, the Surrogate of the Niagara District. 
 
 [ " When Gov. Simcoe came to Niagara he issued a proclamation 
 
 \o all those who, in the Revolution, had adhered to the ' United 
 
 Empire, (thence the name, U. E. Loyalists,'*) to come and take 
 
 ^lossession of lands. The different corps that drew lands, were, 
 
 Butler's Rangers, who drew their lands in this part of Canada; 
 
 ■lessup's Corps, who drew their lands in the lower portion of the 
 
 apper province; Johnson's Greens, who drew their lands about the 
 
 Bay Quinte. Jemima Wilkinson claimed to be a V. E. Loyalist, 
 
 I The first husband of the sister Mountpleasant speaks of, was a Capt. Elmer, of the 
 J. S. army, stationed at Niagara. She lived with him at the garrison — he acknowl- 
 edged her as his wife — and when ordered to New-Orleans, and prohibited by his 
 luperior officer from taking her with him, the parting was one which gave evidence of 
 trong affection. To use the language of one who knew her at that period: "she was 
 I beautiful woman." After the separation, she became the wife of Capt. Chew, a 
 British Indian Agent at Niagara. She died a few years since, at an advanced age. 
 iJer eldest son is now head chief of the Tuscaroras. 
 i 
 
 • * Judge Butler showed the author one of these deeds. It was •otte that had been 
 ^iven to Johnson Butler, for services as a Lieutenant in Butler's Rangers. The seal of 
 yhite wax, would weigh three ounces. Each side is impressed with a die; the British 
 oat of arms, «Slc. 
 
318 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and at one time came near deceiving Gov, Simcoe, and drawing a 
 large tract of land.* 
 
 " The travel over-land from Tioga to Niagara, on the great trail 
 was very large, at one pei'iod. I have heard it observed that in 
 winters, one party, on leaving their camp, would build up large fires 
 for the accommodation of those who followed them; and in this 
 reciprocal way, fires were kept burning at the camping grounds. 
 
 In June, 1795, a French nobleman. La Rochefoucauld Liain- ■ 
 COURT, in company with others, who wished to see a large Indian set- •, 
 tlement, passed through Buffalo, on his way to the Seneca village, on i 
 Buffalo creek, which he describes as situated about four miles from i 
 Lake Erie. He mentions Farmers Brother as a distinguished Indi- 
 an chief and warrior. He complains of unbridged streams, bad and 
 difficult roads to the town, and was disappointed in not finding it as : 
 large as he expected; but says that for many miles wigwams v^ere 
 scattered either way along the creek. He observes that though 
 the whole country was filled with " miry and pestilential swamps," 
 the Indians were healthy. 
 
 The following truthful sketch of Buffiilo, as it actually appeared, 
 but little more than half a century ago, to one who, perhaps, 
 had visited the ancient and renow^ned capitals of the Old World, 
 and had taken an adventurous journey in search of that novelty 
 and freshness he no longer found there, will be interesting to all 
 who can only know from such sources, the original condition in 
 which the Pioneer settlers found the seats of now large and flour- 
 ishing cities: 
 
 "We at length arrived at the post on Lake Erie, which is a small 
 collection of four or five houses, built about a quarter of a mile 
 from the Lake. 
 
 "We met some Indians on the road and two or three companies 
 of whites. These encounters gave us great pleasure. In this vast'^ 
 wilderness, a fire still burning; the vestiges of a camp, the re-; 
 mains of some utensil which has served a traveller, excite sensations 
 truly agreeable, and which arise only in these immense solitudes. 
 
 " We arrived late at the inn, and after a very indifferent supper, 
 were obliged to lay on the floor in our clothes. There was liter- 
 __ _^_% — _ . 
 
 * This was about the period of her difficulties with the early settlers on Seneca lake. 
 She started for Canada, with a portion of her followers, jrot as far as Oswego, to embark 
 on lake Ontario, and was met by the n-ews that Gov. Simcoe had changed his mind, 
 and refused to recognize her as a U. E. L. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE 319 
 
 ally nothing in the house, neither furniture, rum, candles, nor milk. 
 After much trouble the milk was procured from the neighbors, who 
 were not as accommodating in the way of the rum and candles. 
 I At length some arriving from the other side of the river, we sea- 
 soned our supper, as usual, with an appetite that seldom fails, and 
 after passing a very comfortable evening, slept as soundly as we 
 I had done in the woods. 
 
 i "• Every thing at Lake Erie — by which name this collection of 
 houses is called — is dearer than at any other place we visited, for the 
 simple reason that there is no direct communication with any other 
 •point. Some were sick with fever in almost every house." 
 
 Joshua Fairbanks resides at Lewiston. His first visit to 
 western New York, was in the winter of 1791. He had been 
 recently married to Miss Sophia Reed, the daughter of Col. Seth 
 (Reed, of the Revolutionary army, at Uxbridge, Massachusetts. 
 iCoL Reed had the winter previous moved his family to Geneva — 
 lOr rather to where Geneva now is. In the winter of '91, Mr. F. 
 ■set out with his wife, to join him. They were in a sleigh. The 
 narrative of the journey is taken up after they had passed Whites- 
 buiough: — 
 
 ••Half way from Whitesborough to Onondaga Hollow, night 
 
 i\ ertook us, and fortunately, we found a settler who had just got 
 
 , iin, and had a log house partly finished. There were some Indians 
 
 iat the house; the first that jMrs. F. had seen. I do not recollect 
 
 Ithe name of our obliging pioneer host; but he was the first settler 
 
 betvv^een Whitcsborouc:h and Onondasra Hollow. We staid the 
 
 .next night at Onondaga Hollow, The only settler there was Gen. 
 
 Danforth. Here Mrs. F. remarked that she thought there must 
 
 ]iave been others in the neighborhood, as there was a small dancing 
 
 Sarty at the General's that night. The next night we camped 
 
 Sut; found the remains of an Indian tent; struck a fire; Mrs. F. 
 
 . pooked a supper, and we passed the night pretty comfortably. It 
 
 ■ ^as in February; snow from eighteen inches to two feet deep. 
 
 • Staid next night at Cayuga lake with Harris, who kept a 
 
 ' ferry when the lake was not closed; we crossed on the ice. We 
 ^ arrived at Col. Reed's the next day." 
 
 J f Mr. Fairbanks had brought along with him a few goods to trade 
 if With the Indians. He remained at Geneva with Col. Reed, until 
 . |Jie fall of 1793. He has an old deed of two village lots in Geneva. 
 
 * It is dated in Ausrust, 1790. The grantor is Peter Bortle. 
 
 i ayckman would seem to have been one of the proprietors of the ori- 
 
 jinal village plot. The lot conveyed, was "91, on west side of Front 
 
320 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Street." The instrument is witnessed by Albert Ryckman and 
 John Taylor. During the time of Mr. Fairbanks' residence at 
 Geneva, a court was held — he thinks by Judge Cooper of Coopers- 
 town.* It was then, says Mr. F. considered a good day's walk, 
 or ride, to Canandaigua. The inhabitants that he recollects at 
 Geneva, at that period, were: — Ezra Patterson, Thomas Sisson, 
 
 the Reed family, Peter Bortle, Talmadge, Van Duzen, 
 
 Benjamin Barton, Butler, — — Jackson, Dr. Adams; and 
 
 Dr. Coventry, lived over the lake. Mr. Fairbanks has preserved 
 an old bill of a part of the goods he brought to Geneva, They 
 were bought of "Reed & Rice, Brookfield, Massachusetts." A 
 few of the articles and prices are noted: — 
 
 11 vds. Ratteen, 4s. pr. vd. 
 30 "'• Cotton Cord, ribbed, 3s. 4d. 
 7^ " Corduroy, 5s. 
 63 '• Shalloon, 2s. 4d. 
 25 lbs. Bohea Tea, 2s. 8d. 
 
 ''About the 1st of September, 1793, 1 started with my wife, Giles 
 Sisson, and William Butler, in a batteau; went down the Seneca 
 river, Oswego river to Falls, where we had our batteau, goods, 
 &:c. to carry over a portage of one and a half miles; thence down 
 to the British garrison at Oswego. The commanding officer, as 
 ex-officio, revenue inspector, searched our goods. There was one 
 settler at the portage — Oswego Falls. There was one company 
 of troops, and a small gun boat at Oswego — no settler. 
 
 "We coasted up lake Ontario; going on shore and camping 
 nights. We were seventeen days making the journey from Geneva 
 to Queenston. The only person we saw on the route, from 
 Oswego to Niagara, was William Hencher, at the mouth of Genesee ■ 
 river. We made a short call at Fort Niagara, reporting ourselves 
 to the commanding officer. He gave us a specimen of British; 
 civility, during the hold over period, after the Revolution. It was 
 after a protracted dinner sitting, I should think. He asked me 
 where I was going] I replied, to Chippewa. "Go along and be 
 
 d d to you," was his laconic, verbal passport. There was thea 
 
 outside of the garrison, under its walls, upon the flatts, two houses. 
 No tenement at Youngstown. 
 
 "I landed at Queenston — went into a house, partly of logs,-, 
 and partly framed, and commenced keeping tavern. There was 
 then a road from Fort Niagara to Fort Erie. At Queenston, Ham- 
 ilton had a good house built, the rest were small log huts." 
 
 *Jiidge Howell thinks this Court was in June 1793; and says that the presiding 
 Judge was John Sloss Hobart, one of the Judgjes of the Supreme court of this State; 
 one of the first three who were appointed Judges of that Court It was the first Court 
 of Oyer and Terminer, &c. held in Ontario county. There was a grand jury sworn 
 and charged, but no other business done. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 321 
 
 Mr. Fairbanks, remained at Quccnston and Chippewa, until 1805. 
 Mrs. Fairbanks names the circumstance, that while keeping the 
 tavern at Queenston, they had as guests, Aaron Burr, and his 
 daughter Theodosia, and her husband, Mr. Allison. The party- 
 traveled on horse back, attended by servants. It was upon their 
 trip to Niagara Falls. 
 
 "In 1794, 1 took passage on board of a British armed schooner, 
 at Fort Erie, commanded by Capf. Cowen. I wished to see the 
 country; the vessel was going up to bring down a British engineer, 
 who had been employed on some of the western posts. Went to 
 Detroit; Col. England was there in command of a British regiment. 
 On our return we entered the Maumee Bay and anchored off the 
 mouth of the Au Glaize. It was soon after the battle of Wayne 
 with the Indians. We saw many of the Indians who were in the 
 fight. Taking advantage of the little knowledge I had of their 
 language, I asked one of them, who I learned had retreated at a 
 pretty early hour in the engagement, why he came away? Suiting 
 tlie action to the M-'ord, he replied: — "Pop, pop, pop, — boo, woo, 
 woo-o-o, 00, — whish, whish, — boo, woo! — kill twenty Indians one 
 time; no good by d — n."* 
 
 " The armed vessel upon which I took passage, and some few 
 gun boats, constituted all the British armament then on the Lakes. 
 I think there was then no merchant vessel." 
 
 Deacon Hinds Chamberlix, a venerable early Pioneer, aged 
 
 eighty-three years, resides at Le Roy, Genesee county. He came 
 
 ;to Avon in 1790. In 1789, previous to any settlement west of 
 
 (Avon, his brother-in-law, Isaac Scott, and family, and two other 
 
 families, had settled at Scottsville. These, with William Hencher, 
 
 were the first settlers west of Genesee river. 
 
 j "In 1792, I started from Scottsville with Jesse Beach and 
 ji Reuben Heath; went up Allen's creek, striking the Indian trail 
 
 from Canawagus, where Le Roy now is. There was a beautiful 
 .Indian camping ground — tame grass had got in; we staid all night. 
 iPursning the trail the next morning, we passed the Great Bend of 
 
 the Tonawanda, and encamped at night at Dunham's Grove; and 
 |the next night near Buffalo. We saw one whiteman — Poudery — 
 lat Tonawanda village. We arrived at the mouth of Buffalo creek 
 ithe next morning. There was but one white man there, I think; 
 
 his name was Winne, an Indian trader. His building stood first as 
 
 you descend from the high ground. He had rum, whiskey, Indian 
 
 !^ * This, the reader will observe, was an imitation, as near as the Indian could make 
 
 ?it, of the firing of small arms, of cannon, and the whizzing and bursting of bombs; a 
 
 specimen of the entertainment served up tothe Indians by "Mad Anthony." 
 21 
 
322 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 knives, trinkets, &;c. His house was full of Indians; they looked 
 at us with a good deal of curiosity. We had but a poor night's 
 rest; the Indians were in and out all night, getting hquor. 
 
 " Next day we went up the beach of the lake to mouth of Catta- 
 raugus creek where we encamped; a wolf came down near our 
 camp. We had seen many deer on our rout, during the day. The 
 next morning we went up to Indian village; found "Black Joe's" 
 house, but he was absent; he had however seen our tracks upon 
 the beach of the lake, and hurried home to see what white people 
 were traversing the wilderness. The Indians stared at us; Joe 
 gave us a room where we should not be annoyed by Indian curi- 
 osity, and we stayed with him over night. All he had to spare us in 
 the way of food was some dried venison. He had liquor, Indian 
 goods, and bought furs. Joe treated us with so much civility, that 
 we stayed with him till near noon. There was at least an hundred 
 Indians and Squaws, gathered to see us. Among the rest, there 
 was sitting in Joe's house, an old Squaw, and a young delicate 
 looking white girl, with her, dressed like a Squaw. I endeavored 
 to find out something about her history, but could not. I think 
 she had lost the use of our language. She seemed not inclined 
 to be noticed. 
 
 '• With an Indian guide that Joe selected for us, we started upon 
 the Indian trail for Presque Isle. Wayne was then fighting 
 Indians. Our Indian guide often pointed to the west, saying, ' bad 
 Indians there.' 
 
 " Between Cattaraugus and Erie, I shot a black snake, a racer, 
 with a white ring around his neck. He was in a tree, twelve feet 
 from the ground, his body wound around the tree. He measured 
 seven feet and three inches. 
 
 "At Presque Isle, (Erie.) we found neither whites nor Indians; 
 all was solitary. There were some old French bi'ick buildings, 
 wells, block houses, &c. going to decay; eight or ten acres cleared 
 land. On the peninsular, there was an old brick house, forty or 
 fifty feet square; the peninsular was covered with cranberries. 
 
 "After staying there one night, we went over to La Boeuf, about 
 sixteen miles distant, pursuing an old French road. Trees had 
 grown up in it, but the track was distinct. Near La Boeuf, we 
 came upon a company of men, who were cutting out the road to 
 Presque Isle; a part of them were soldiers, and a part Pennsyl- 
 vanians. At La Boeuf, there was a garrison of soldiers — about 
 ong hundred. There were several white families there, and a 
 store of goods. 
 
 Myself and companions were in pursuit of land. By a law of 
 Pennsylvania, such as built a log house, and cleared a few acres of 
 land, acquired a pre-emptive right; the right of purchase, at £5 
 per one hundred acres. We each of us made a location near 
 Presque Isle. 
 
 On our return to Presque Isle, from Le Boeuf, we found there 
 
HOLLAiND PURCHASE. 323 
 
 Col. Seth Reed and his family. They had just arrived. We 
 stopped and helped him build some huts; set up crotches; laid poles 
 across, and covered with the bark of the cucumber tree. At first 
 the Colonel had no floors; afterwards he indulged in the luxury of 
 floors made by laying down strips of bark. James Baggs, and 
 Giles Sisson came on with Col. Reed. I remained for a considera- 
 ble time in his employ. It was not long before eight or ten other 
 families came in. 
 
 "On our return we again staid at Buffalo over night, with 
 Winne. There was at the time a great gathering of hunting 
 parties of Indians there. Winne took from them all their knives 
 and tomahawks, and then selling them liquor, they had a great 
 carousal. 
 
 The author finds the following incorporated in the pamphlet of 
 Mr. Williamson to which reference will be made in a subsequent 
 page. It is there said to be '-an account of a journey of a gentle- 
 man into the Genesee country, in February, 1792." 
 
 ''On the 15th February 1792, I left Albany, on my route to the 
 Genesee river, but the country was thought so remote, and so very 
 little known, that I could not prevail on the owner of the stage to 
 engage farther than Whites town, a new settlement on the head of 
 the Mohawk, 100 miles irom Albany. The road as far as Whites- 
 town had been made passable for wagons, but from that to the 
 Genesee river, was little better than an Indian path, sufficiently 
 opened to allow a sled to pass, and some impassable streams 
 bridged. At Whitestown, I was obliged to change my carriage, 
 tiie Albany driver getting alarmed for himself and horses, when he 
 found that for the next 100 miles we were not only obliged to take 
 j provisions for ourselves, but for our horses, and blankets for our 
 I beds. On leaving Whitestown we found only a few straggling 
 huts, scattered along the path, from 10 to 20 miles from each 
 other; and they affording nothing but the conveniency of fire, and 
 i a kind of shelter from the snow. On the evening of the third 
 ; day's journey from Whitestown, we were very agreeably surprised 
 j to find ourselves on the east side of Seneca Lake, Vv'hich we found 
 I perfectly open, free of ice as in the month of June; the evening 
 was pleasant and agreeable, and what added to our surprise and 
 admiration was to see a boat and canoe plying on the lake. After 
 j having passed from New York, over 360 miles of country com- 
 i pletely frozen, the village of Geneva, though then only consisting 
 ' of a few log-houses, after the dreary wilderness we had passed 
 I through, added, not a little to the beauty of the prospect; we 
 i forded the outlet of the lake, and arrived safe at Geneva. 
 
 " The situation of this infant settlement on the banks of a sheet 
 of water 44 miles long, by 4 to 6 wide, daily navigated by small 
 
324 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 craft and canoes, in the month of February, was a sight as grati- 
 fying as unexpected. It appeared that the inhabitants of this 
 delightful country, would by the slight covering of the snow on 
 the ground, have all the convenience of a northern winter; and by 
 the waters of tiie lake being free from ice, have all the advantages 
 of this inland navigation, a combination of advantages perhaps not 
 to be experienced in any other country in the world. 
 
 "From Geneva to Canandarqua the road is only the Indian path 
 a little improved, the first five miles over gentle swelhngs of land, 
 interspersed with bottoms seemingly very rich, the remainder of 
 the road to Canandarqua, the county town, 16 miles, was the 
 greatest part of the distance through a rich heavy timbered land; 
 on this road there were only two families settled. Canandarqua, 
 the county town, consisted of two small frame houses and a few 
 huts, surrounded with thick woods; the few inhabitants received 
 me with much hospitality, and I found abundance of excellent 
 venison. From Canandarqua to the Genesee river, 26 miles, it is 
 almost totally uninhabited, only four families residing on the road; 
 the country is beautiful and very open, in many places the openings 
 are free of all timber, appearing to contain at least 2 or 300 acres 
 beautifully variegated with hill and dale; it seemed that by only 
 enclosing any of them with a proportionable quantity cf timbered 
 land, an inclosure might be made not inferior to the parks in 
 England. At the Genesee river I found a small Indian store and 
 tavern; the river was not then frozen over, and so low as to be 
 fordable. Upon the whole, at this time, there were not any 
 settlements of any consequence in the whole of the Genesee 
 country; that established by the Friends on the west side of the 
 Seneca lake, was the most considerable, consisting of about forty 
 families. At this period the number of Indians in the adjoining 
 country was so great, when compared with the few white 
 inhabitants who ventured to winter in the country, that I found 
 them under serious apprehensions for their safety. Even in this 
 state of nature, the county of Ontario shews every sign of future 
 respectability; no man has put the plough in the ground, without 
 being amply repaid, and through the mildness of the winter the 
 cattle brought into the country the year before on very slender 
 provision for their subsistence, were thriving well; the clearing of 
 land for spring crops is going on with spirit; I also found the 
 settlers abundantly supplied with venison." 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 325 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 LAND TITLES PHELPS AND GORHAM S PURCUASE EARLY EVENTS. 
 
 James I, King of Great Britain, in the year 1620, granted to the 
 Plymouth Company, a tract of country denominated New England; 
 this tract extended several degrees of latitude north and south, and 
 from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean east and west. A charter for 
 the government of a portion of this territory, granted by Charles I, 
 in 1628, was vacated in 1684, but a second charter was granted by 
 William and Mary in 1691. The territory comprised in this sec- 
 ond charter extended on the Atlantic ocean from north latitute 42° 
 2' to 44® 15', and from the Atlantic to the Pacific ocean. 
 
 Charles I, in 1663, granted to the Duke of York and Albany, 
 the province of New York, including the present state of New- 
 Jersey. The tract thus granted extended from a fine twenty miles 
 east of the Hudson river, westward rather indefinitely, and from 
 the Atlantic ocean north to the south line of Canada, then a French 
 province. 
 
 By this collision of description, each of those colonies, (after- 
 wards states,) laid claim to the jurisdiction as well as to pre-emption 
 right of the same land, being a tract sufiiciently large to form 
 several states. The State of New York, however, in 1781, and 
 Massachusetts, in 1785, ceded to the United States all their rights, 
 either of jurisdiction or proprietorship, to all the territory lying 
 west of a meridian line run south from the westerly bend of lake 
 Ontario. Although the nominal amount in controversy, by these 
 acts, was much diminished, it still left some nineteen thousand 
 square miles of territory in dispute, but this controversy was finally 
 settled by a convention of Commissioners appointed by the parties, 
 held at Hartford, Conn., on the 16th day of December, 1786. 
 
326 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 According to the stipulations entered into by the convention, 
 Massachusetts ceded to the state of New York all her claim to the 
 government, sovereignty and jurisdiction of all the territory lying 
 west of the present east line of the state of New York; and New 
 York ceded to Massachusetts the pre-emption right, or fee of the 
 land subject to the title of the natives, of all that part of the state 
 of New York lying west of a hne, beginning at a point in the north 
 line of Pennsylvania, 82 miles north of the north-east corner of 
 said state, and running from thence due north through Seneca 
 lake, to lake Ontario; excepting and reserving to the state of New 
 York, a strip of land east of and adjoining the eastern bank of 
 Niagara river, one mile wide, and extending its whole length. 
 The land, the pre-emption right of which was thus ceded, amounted 
 to about six millions of acres. 
 
 In April, 1788, Massachusetts contracted to sell to Nathaniel 
 Gorham of Charlestown, Middlesex county, and Oliver Phelps of 
 Granville, Hampshire county of said state, their pre-emption right 
 to all the lands in Western New York amounting to about six mil- 
 Hon acres, for the sum of one million dollars, to be paid in three 
 annual instalments, for which a kind of scrip, Massachusetts had 
 issued, called consolidated securities, was to be received, which was 
 then in market much below par.* 
 
 In July 1788, Messrs. Gorham and Phelps purchased of the 
 Indians, by treaty, at a convention held at Buflalo, the Indian title 
 to about 2,600,000 acres of the eastern part of their purchase from 
 Massachusetts. This purchase of the Indians being bounded west 
 by a line beginning at a point in the north line of the state of 
 Pennsylvania due south of the corner or point of land, made by the 
 confluence of the Kanahasgwaicon (Cannaseraga) creek with the 
 waters of Genesee river; thence north on said meridian line to the 
 corner or point at the confluence aforesaid; thence northwardly 
 along the waters of said Genesee river to a point two miles north of 
 Kanawageras (Cannewagus) village; thence running due west 
 twelve miles; thence running northwardly, so as to be twelve miles 
 distant from the westward bounds of said river, to the shore of lake 
 Ontario. 
 
 * It must be understood that Messrs. Gorham and Phelps althoujrh actings in their own 
 names only, in this transaction, were merely the representatives of a company, consist- 
 ing of themselves and a number of others, who had formed an ussociation for the pur- 
 chase of these lands. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 327 
 
 On the 21st day of November, 1788, the state of Massachusetts 
 conveyed and forever quitclaimed to N. Gorham and O. Phelps, 
 their heirs and assigns forever, all the right and title of said state 
 to all that tract of country of which Messrs. Phelps and Gorham 
 had extinguished the Indian title. This tract, and this only, has 
 since been designated as the " Phelps and Gorham Purchase." 
 According to the original plan of the proprietors the tract was, 
 I as soon as practicable, surveyed into townships about six miles 
 square, and those townships subdivided into lots of different sizes; 
 and so promptly was the execution of the design commenced, that 
 through the industry and perseverance of Mr. Phelps, the acting 
 and efficient conductor of the whole enterprise, Capt. William 
 "Walker, a surveyor and his assistants, arrived on the territory 
 about the time the sale was perfected, to wit., in the fall of 1788, 
 and surveyed several township lines before the inclemency of the 
 winter weather put a stop to their labors. 
 
 The proprietors offered this tract for sale by townships or parts 
 of townships; and during the summer of 1789, several families set- 
 tled on, and near, the site of the old Indian village at Canandaigua; 
 at Bloomfield, and on Boughton Hill now in the town of Victor. 
 , During this season the first productions of the earth were brought 
 forth by the cultivation of white people, and the first wheat was 
 sown on the tract. So rapid were the sales of the proprietors that 
 before the 18th day of November, 1790, they had disposed of about 
 I fifty townships, which w^ere mostly sold by whole townships or 
 large portions of townships, to sundry individuals and companies of 
 farmers and others, formed for that purpose. On the 18th day of 
 : November, 1790, they sold the residue of their tract, (reserving 
 j two townships only.) amounting to upwards of a million and a 
 quarter acres of land, to Robert Morris of Philadelphia, who soon 
 \ sold the same to Sir William Pultney, an English gentleman, who 
 j appointed Capt. Charles Williamson his general and resident agent, 
 I to superintend his interest in, and dispose of the lands by sale in 
 I small or large quantities. These lands lay somewhat scattered 
 I over Phelps and Gorham's purchase, although mostly on the south 
 and north parts. This property, or such parts of it as was unsold 
 at the time of the decease of Sir William, together with other 
 property which he purchased in his lifetime in its vicinity, is now 
 ■ called the " Pultney Estate." 
 
328 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 OLIVER PHELPS. 
 
 4 
 
 Oliver Phelps, was a native of Windsor, Conn, and soon after 
 his majority became a citizen of Suffield, Massachusetts. At the 
 commencement of the revolutionary war, he took an active part and 
 in various capacities, remained with the American army to its close. 
 It was at this period that he became acquainted with Robert iNIorris; 
 Mr. Phelps being superintcndant of army purchases, for Massachu- 
 setts, it led to an acquaintance with Mr. Morris, who as will be 
 seen was the chief financier of the Revolution, He removed with 
 his family, to Canandaigua Ontario county, in March, 1802, and 
 resided there until the pei'iod of his death, in 1809. He was 
 appointed first Judge of the county of Ontario, and elected a 
 member of Congress from his district. An inscription upon his 
 tomb stone, closes as follows: — 
 
 " Enterprise, Industry, and Temperance, cannot always secure success, but the fruits 
 of those virtues, will be felt by society." 
 
 Like his revolutionary acquaintance, and afterwards co-operator 
 in the purchase and settlement of Western New York, Robert 
 Morris, he was destined to close his life in the midst of reverses. 
 His business became much extended; his purchase of large tracts 
 of wild land, had extended even to Georgia and Mississippi. In 
 1795, he estimated his property at nearly one million of dollars, — 
 his debts at less than eighty-five thousand; and yet at his death, in 
 1809, he was much embarassed; what was saved from his estate, 
 being the result of good management with those upon whom its 
 administration devolved. A memorandum in his own hand writing 
 would show that he lost over three hundred and thirty thousand 
 dollars, by bad debts and bad titles. Among the early Pioneers of 
 Western New York, who knew him well, it is common to hear him 
 alluded to in terms of respect and esteem; to hear the expression 
 of sincere regret for the misfortunes attending his last years, 
 mingled with their recollections of early events. 
 
 He left one son and one daughter. His son Leicester Phelps, 
 after graduating at Yale College, assumed the name of Oliver 
 Leicester Phelps. He died in 1813, leaving seven children, of 
 whom the present Judge Oliver Phelps of Canandaigua — a worthy 
 descendant of his Pioneer ancestor, — is one. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 329 
 
 By the side of that of her husband, in the village cemetery, at 
 iCanandaigua, is the tomb stone of "Mary, wife of Oliver Phelps, 
 and daughter of Zachariah and Sarah Seymour; — died 13th Sep- 
 tember, 1826, aged seventy four years." It is said of her: 
 
 •* She was alike unaffected in prosperity and adversity.'? 
 
 The late Jesse Hawley, has left upon record the following 
 ^tribute to the memory of the subject of our necessarily limited 
 memoir: — 
 
 |i " Oliver Phelps may be considered the Cecrops of the Genesee 
 Country. Its inhabitants owe a Mausoleum to his memory, in 
 gratitude for his having pioneered for them the wilderness of this 
 Canaan of the West." 
 
 Nathaniel Gorham, Esq., the partner of Mr, Phelps, in the 
 land, purchase, was a citizen of Boston, Massachusetts, was never 
 a resident upon the purchase, and had but little to do with the 
 details of its management. His son, Nathaniel Gorham, became 
 an early resident of Canandaigua, and died there in 1826, leaving 
 a widow, son and daughter. 
 
 CHARLES WILLIAMSON. 
 
 Soon after the purchase of Sir William Pultney, [in 1702,] 
 Captain Charles Williamson was appointed his agent, and came 
 jpon the purchase. He came by the way of Williamsport, Penn- 
 sylvania, and located at Bath, Steuben county. He was an Eng- 
 ishman, (or a Scotchman,) well educated, with liberal views; 
 •.hough as it proved perhaps, not as well calculated to lead the way 
 is the patroon of new settlements, as if he had seen more of back- 
 vvoods life. 
 
 In his first advent, he was accompanied by his wife, his friend 
 md relative, jNIr. Johnstone, a servant, and one laborer. Mr. 
 Maude, an English traveller in this region, in '99, and 1800, 
 5ays:— 
 
 I "On Capt. Williamson's first arrival, he built a small hut where 
 [low is Bath. If a stranger came to visit him, he built up a little 
 |iook for him to put his bed in. In a little time, a boarded or 
 framed house was built to the left of the hut; this was also 
 intended as but a temporary residence, though it then appeared a 
 palace, tlis present residence, a very commodious, roomy, and 
 Well planned house, is situated on the right of where stood the log 
 
330 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 hut, long since consigned to the kitchen lire. * * * On 
 the first settlement of the country, these mountainous districts 
 were thought so unfavorably of when compared with the rich , 
 flats of Ontario county, (or the Genesee country,) that none of ! 
 the settlers could be prevailed upon to establish tliemselves here l 
 till Capt. Williamson himself set the example, saying: — 'As nature . 
 has done so much for the northern plains, I will do something for 
 these southern mountains;' though the truth of it was, that Capt. 
 Williamson saw very clearly, on his first visit to this country, that 
 the Susquehannah, and not the Mohawk, would be its best friend. 
 Even now, it has proved so, for at this day (1800) a bushel of 
 wheat is better worth one dollar at Bath, than sixty cents at 
 Geneva. This difference will grow wider every year; for little, 
 if any improvement can be made with the water communication 
 from New York, while that to Baltimore, will admit of extensive 
 and advantageous one."* 
 
 Few agents in the sale and settlement of a new country, have :, 
 manifested more enterprise and liberality than Capt. W^illiamson. , 
 In addition to his early expenditures at Bath, he built a large hotel I. 
 at Geneva, contributed to the opening of roads, and other primi- 
 tive beginnings in the wilderness. He was a useful helper in time 
 of need. The author knows httle of his personal biography, yet a 
 separate notice of one so early and prominently identified with 
 pioneer history, has been deemed requisite. He left Western 
 New York; was appointed by the British government, governor 
 of one of the West India Islands, and died on his passage. .. 1 
 
 There are many reminiscences that associate his memory with 
 early times in Western New York; not the least of which are a 
 series of letters which he wrote in 1799, published at the time in a 
 pamphlet form: — ''Description of the settlement of the Genesee 
 country, in the State of New York, in a series of letters from a 
 gentleman to his friend." The intention of the pamphlet was evi- 
 dently, to circulate in the older portions of this country, and in 
 England, — to attract public attention to the region where his prin- 
 
 * The reader will smile at the prophecies of this early tourist: and yet his conclu- 
 Bions were quite natural ones at the time. For all the region he speaks of, the Susque- 
 hannah then seemed the prospective avenue to the Atlantic; Baltimore, the commer- 
 cial mart. But how changfed the whole course of trade, hy the achievments of our 
 state, in the works of internal improvement ! Millions liave been, and are now 
 expending, to enable the district of country of which Mr. Maude was speaking, to 
 reach the great artery of internal commerce — the Erie Canal. A prosperous and 
 wealthy valley, — its beautiful young city, planted among the hills, almost in the imme- 
 diate neighborhood of Bath, extends an arm to reach it, and fall in with the great 
 current of' trade through the valley of the " Mohawk." 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 331 
 
 cipal had become so largely interested; yet it was ably and truth- 
 fully written, with the ken of prophecy it would almost seem; 
 ''visions of glory"' were indulged in, but not a tithe hardly, of the 
 splendid consummations that have been realized, 
 
 Such was the rapidity of the settlement of this wilderness, isola- 
 I ted as it was, from contiguous territory occupied by civilized com- 
 munities, that by a census taken in December, 1790, recorded in 
 "Imlay's Topographical description of the western territory of 
 North America, London edition," it appears that thirty-four of the 
 townships were then more or less settled; that it contained one hun- 
 idrcd and ninety families, consisting of five hundred and five (white) 
 males over sixteen years old; one hundred and eighty of that age 
 and under; two hundred and ninety seven females; two free negroes; 
 eleven slaves, and one Indian, making in the whole nine hundred and 
 ininety six inhabitants; of these inhabitants, township No. 10, range 
 ■2, (Hopewell) contained six families, thirteen males and no females; 
 'T. 10, R. 3, (Canandaigua) contained eighteen families, seventy-eight 
 "males and twenty females; T. 8, R. 4, (Bristol) contained four fami- 
 lies, twenty males and no females; T. 10, R. 4, (Bloomfield) con- 
 'tained ten families, forty-four males and twenty females; and T. 
 ;11,R. 4, (Boughton Hill or Victor) contained four families, fifteen 
 males and four females. 
 
 The foregoing enumeration does not include the settlement of 
 '•'Friends" the adherents of Jemima Wilkeson, consisting of about 
 Wo hundred and sixty persons, who had established themselves near 
 'the outlet of Crooked lake, nor does it include the settlement at 
 Geneva, supposed to consist of one hundred inhabitants, nor the 
 inhabitants from thence, north to lake Ontario, as they were on 
 svhat has been since called the "Gore," and was not then supposed 
 -o be included in Phelps and Gorham's purchase. The same census 
 potes, that there were west of the Genesee river on the Indian 
 iands, eleven families, (one of which was that of Hon. John H. 
 ■Fones at old Leicester) composed of fifty-one individuals. 
 I Thus rapidly progressed the settlement of this tract, notwith- 
 standing it had more than the ordinary difficulties in settling a new 
 liountry to overcome; such as reports of the unusual unheal thiness 
 i)f the climate, want of provisions to support life, and deficiency of 
 ' :itle, set afloat by persons interested in the settlement of rival 
 
332 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 districts of country; the absolute attack of the Indian chiefs, on the 
 vaUdity of the title, supported or rather assisted by an attack 
 of the British authorities in Canada. One of the usual and almost 
 universal difficulties in settling all new countries, is the prevalence 
 of diseases engendered by change of climate, extra fatigue and 
 unusual exposures, of which this settlement had at least a moderate 
 share — as well as the fear of Indian incursions. 
 
 In a letter written by Mr. Phelps to his co-proprietor, Mr. Gor- 
 ham, dated, Canandaigua, August 7, 1790, from which the follow- 
 ing are extracts, the situation of the settlement is more truly des- 
 cribed, and better depicted, than the most vivid description written 
 at the present time could portray. Mr. Phelps writes: — 
 
 " I arrived at this place the 29th ult. and found the people in 
 this settlement very sickly, but the most of them are getting better, 
 a bilious fever has been the prevailing distemper. Capt. Walker, 
 my nearest neighbor, is now supposed to be dying with the bilious 
 cholic. He will be much lamented as he was one of the most 
 thorough farmers on the ground. We have suffered much for the 
 want of a physician. Dr. Atwater has not been in the country. 
 We have now a gentleman from Pennsylvania attending on the 
 sick, who appears to understand his business. The two Wads- 
 worths [Messrs. William and James Wadsworth who settled at 
 Geneseo,] who brought a large property into the country, have been 
 very sick, and are now on the recovery, but are low-spirited. They 
 like the country, but their sickness has discouraged them. The 
 settlement goes on as well as could be expected, there is a great 
 number of people settled in the country. Enghsh grain is good, 
 and we are now in the midst of our harv^est." 
 
 "The Indians are now in gi'eat confusion on account of some 
 Indians being inhumanly killed by the white people; I am this 
 moment setting out with an agent from Pennsylvania, to make 
 them satisfaction for the two Indians murdered. I hope to be able 
 to settle the matter, if T should not succeed, they will retahate; I 
 never saw them more enraged than they are at this time." 
 
 It appears, however, that the mission of Mr. Phelps and the 
 Pennsylvania agent, had no other effect than to induce the Indians 
 to issue a kind of summons, dated August 12, 1790, directed to the 
 Governor and Council of Pennsylvania, signed by Little Beard, 
 (Beaver Tribe) Sangoyeawatau, Gisseharke, (Wolf Tribe) and 
 Caunhisongo, of which the following is an exti'act: — 
 
 "Now we take you by the hand and lead you to the Painted 
 Post, or as far as your canoes can come up the creek, where you 
 will meet the whole of the tribe of the deceased, and all the chiefs, 
 
1 HOLLAND PURCHASE. 333 
 
 and a number of the warriors of our nation, when we expect you 
 will wash away the blood of your brothers and bury the hatchet, 
 and put it out of memory, as it is yet sticking in our head. 
 
 "I3rothers, it is our great brother, your Governor, who must 
 come to see us, as we will never bury the hatchet until our great 
 brother himself comes and brightens the chain of friendship, as it is 
 very rusty. — Brothers, you must bring the property of your 
 brothers, you have murdered, and all the property of the 
 murderers, as it will be great satisfaction to the families of the 
 deceased. Brothers, the sooner you meet us the better, for our 
 young warriors are very uneasy, and it may prevent great 
 trouble." 
 
 |[ What the sequel of this transaction proved to be, we have not 
 data to determine, although it undoubtedly was brought to an 
 'amicable termination; but that such a state of things must strike 
 ^consternation over a new settlement, where the healthy inhabitants, 
 Ihave a sufficient task to provide for and take care of the sick, may 
 iwell be conceived. As an instance of the assassin-like attacks 
 imade on this settlement, especially when it is considered that of all 
 'the privations incident to a new settlement, the want of provisions 
 was less felt in this district than in any other as remote from old 
 settlements; attacks made, it must be presumed, by men having rival 
 interests to subserve, the following will suffice: — 
 
 From the Maryland Journal, July 31st, 1789. 
 
 " Extract of a letter from Northumberland County, dated 
 July 2d:" — 'The people of the Genesee and Niagara country are 
 crowding in upon us every day, owing to the great scarcity of 
 provisions; the most of them who have gone there lately are 
 starving to death, and it is shocking to humanity to hear of the 
 lumber of the families that are dying daily for the want of suste- 
 lance. Since I wrote the above, I have heard from the Genesee 
 md Niagara country, that the scarcity of provisions has increased 
 dnce the last accounts, so much, that flour was sold for £4 per 
 lundred, and it is a fact that a cow, valued at £l 10s., was given by 
 1 man for a bushel of rye, to keep a wife and children from the jaws 
 ■)f death. The wild roots and herbs that the country affords, boiled 
 md without salt, constitute the whole food of most of the un- 
 |iappy people, who have been decoyed there, through the flat- 
 ■ering accounts of the quality of the lands. You have my per- 
 inission to publish this, in order to deter others from going, and it 
 s thought that unless they get supplies from this and the neigh- 
 wring counties, they will be compelled to quit the place, as their 
 ;rops have universally failed. Several boat loads of flour that 
 jVere carried from here, have been seized by force by the people." 
 
334 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 A more infamous libel on the character of the Genesee country 
 and its inhabitants could not have been penned. At the time the 
 printer issued this paper there was not to exceed fifteen families on " i 
 the whole tract, who had come on within three months previous to i 
 that time, and those were mostly wealthy farmers who had emigra- 
 ted from Massachusetts and Connecticut into the country, bringing ; 
 with them, what was estimated to be a year's provision. They ' 
 had not been in the country long enough to try the success or fail- 
 ure of crops; but had it been otherwise, who that has ever entered 
 into a log cabin in the Genesee country does not know that in times ■ 
 of scarcity of provisions, every man of the New England pioneers 
 who v/ould not divide with his necessitous neighbors without money , 
 and without price, would be considered as an outlaw in society. 
 
 The attack of Cornplanter and other Indian chiefs, on the title 
 of Phelps and Gorham to this tract was well calculated to arrest 
 the sale of lands and the progress of the settlement. In 1790 and 
 1791, Cornplanter. Half Town, and Great Tree, or Big Tree, 
 sent serious complaints against Mr. Phelps contained in several 
 memorials to the President of the United States, which if true 
 might operate to invalidate the title of Phelps and Gorham to their 
 purchase. The first memorial usually called " Cornplanter's 
 speech," the following extract from which, contains most of the 
 charges against Mr. Phelps and his transactions during the treaty 
 for the lands set forth in the whole. To these charges Mr. Phelps 
 was cited to answer, by the President. Mr. Phelps, as soon 
 as they could be obtained, which however took him some time to 
 effect, produced depositions, certificates, letters and other docu- 
 mentary testimony, signed by such persons as Timothy Pickering,; 
 Judge Hollenbeck, Rev. Samuel Kirkland, Joseph Brant, and othersf 
 which clearly proved that the charges contained in the memorials 
 against him where untrue, as appears from the report of a com- 
 mittee of the United States Senate made January 27, 1792, in the 
 following words: — 
 
 "Mr. Butler from the Committee on Indian affairs, to whom 
 was referred the speeches of Cornplanter, of the 9th, of Decem- 
 ber, 1790; 10th, of January, 7th, of February, and 17th, of 
 March, 1791; made the following report: — 
 
 "That Oliver Phelps of whom Cornplanter makes mention, pro- 
 duced some affidavits and other papers, relating to the purchase of 
 lands made by him of the Indians, which your Committee have 
 examined, and are of opinion, that the said affidavits and othei 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE 335 
 
 papers should be filed in the Secretai'y's office; and that your Com- 
 mittee be discharged irom the further consideration of this subject." 
 
 Extracts from Cornplanter's Speech. 
 
 ' "The voice of the Seneca Nation speaks to you, the great 
 ■ counsellor, in whose heart the wise men of all the Thirteen Fires 
 : have placed their wisdom. It may be very small in your ears, and 
 ■we therefore entreat you to hearken with attention; for we are 
 . about to speak of things which are to us very great. When your 
 anny entered the country of the Six Nations, we called you the 
 ; Town Destroyer, and to this day, when that name is heard, our 
 'women look behind them and turn pale, and our children cling close 
 :to the necks of their mother's. Our counsellors and warriors are 
 ,men, and cannot be afraid; but their hearts are grieved with the 
 fears of our women and children, and desire that it may be buried 
 so deep as to be heard no more. When you gave us peace, we 
 called you father, because you promised to secure us in the posses- 
 sion of our lands. Do this, and, so long as lands shall remain, that 
 'beloved name will live in the heart of every Seneca. 
 \ "Father: our nation empowered John Livingston to let out 
 ipart of our lands on rent, to be paid to us. He told us, that he 
 .was sent by Congress to do this for us, and we fear he has deceived 
 us in the writing he obtained from us; for since the time of our 
 ;giving that power, a man of the name of Phelps has come among 
 'US, and claimed our whole country northward of the line of Penn- 
 sylvania, under purchase of that Livingston, to whom he said he 
 had paid twenty thousand dollars for it. He said, also, that he 
 ■had bought, likewise, from the council of the Thirteen Fires, and 
 paid them twenty thousand dollars more for the same. And he 
 iSciid, also, that it did not belong to us, for that the great King had 
 ;ceded the whole of it, when you made peace with him. Thus he 
 Iclaimcd the whole country north of Pennsylvania, and west of the 
 lands belonging to the Cayugas. He demanded it; he insisted on 
 ,his demand, and declared that he would have it all. It was 
 impossible for us to grant him this, and we immediately refused it. 
 After some days he proposed to run a line, at a small distance 
 'eastward of our western boundary, which we also refused to agree 
 to. He then threatened us with immediate war, if we did not 
 comply. 
 
 " Upon this threat our chiefs held a council, and they agreed that 
 no event of war could be worse than to be driven, with their wives 
 and children, from the only country which we had a right to, and, 
 therefore, weak as our nation was, they determined to take the 
 chance of war, rather than submit to such unjust demands, which 
 seemed to have no bounds. Street, the great trader at Niagara, 
 was then with us, having come at the request of Phelps, and as he 
 always professed to be our great friend, we consulted him on this 
 
336 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 subject. He also told us, that our lands had been ceded by the 
 King, and that we must give them up. 
 
 "Astonished at what we heard from every quarter, with hearts 
 aching with compassion for our wives and children, we were thus 
 compelled to give up all our country north of the line of Penn- 
 sylvania, and east of the Genesee river, up to the fork, and east of 
 a south line drawn from that fork to the Pennsylvania line. For 
 this land Phelps agreed to pay us ten thousand dollars in hand, and 
 one thousand dollars a year for ever. He paid us two thousand 
 and five hundred dollars in hand, part of the ten thousand, and he 
 sent for us to come last spring, to receive our money; but instead , 
 of paying us the remainder of the ten thousand dollars, and the 
 one thousand dollars due for the first year, he ofiered us no more ; 
 than five hundred dollars, and insisted that he had agreed with i 
 us for that sum to be paid yearly. We debated with him for six 
 days, during all which time he persisted in refusing to pay us our 
 just demand, and he insisted that we should receive the five hun- 
 dred dollars; and Street, from Niagara, also insisted on our 
 recieving the money as it was oflfered to us. The last reason he 
 assigned for continuing to refuse paying us, was, that the King had 
 ceded the lands to the Thirteen Fires, and that he had bought them 
 from you and paid you for them. 
 
 "We could bear this confusion no longer, and determined to 
 force through every difiiculty and lift up our voice that you might 
 hear us, and to claim that security in the possession of our lands, 
 which your commissioners so solemnly promised us. And we now 
 entreat you to enquire into our complaints and redress our wrongs. 
 
 "Father: Our writings were lodged in the hands of Street, of 
 Niagara, as we supposed him to be our friend; but when we saw 
 Phelps consulting with Street, on every occasion, we doubted of 
 his honesty towards us, and we have since heard, that he was to 
 receive for his endeavors to deceive us, a piece of land two miles 
 in width, west of the Genesee river, and near forty miles in length, 
 extending to lake Ontario; and the lines of this tract have been 
 run accordingly, although no part of it is within the bounds which 
 limit his purchase. No doubt he meant to deceive us. 
 
 " Father : You have said that we are in your hand, and that, 
 by closing it, you could crush us to nothing. Are you determined 
 to crush us 1 If you are, tell us so, that those of our nation who 
 have become your children, and have determined to die so, may ■ 
 know what to do. In this case, one chief has said he would ask 
 you to put him out of pain. Another, who will not think of dying 
 by the hand of his father, or of his brother, has said he will retire 
 to Chatauque, eat off the fatal root, and sleep with his fathers in 
 peace " 
 
 "* 
 
 * The translator of this speech has taken the liberty to give the English orthography 
 to the name of the lake. In Seneca, it was Jadaqueh; i. e. tlie place where a body 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 337 
 
 And there was rivaliy "and misrepresentation to contend with in 
 another quarter. The Upper Province of Canada had commenced 
 setthng — there were land dealers there too, who wished to divert 
 settlers from Western New York, and promote the interests of 
 themselves and their localities. John Gould, Esq., who has already 
 been cited, says, that at the period of his earliest residence in Can- 
 ada, reports were spread prejudicial to the settlemeiits then just 
 commencing in Western New York. It was said that the country 
 : was sickly, the Livingston claim and others, were named as adverse 
 I titles. He observes, that on leaving Canada in 1804 to settle in 
 
 ? the States, Esq. told him he would not give his farm in 
 
 ■ Canada for ''all the land between Niagara and the Cayuga lake." 
 . And now, said the old gentleman to the author, as he looked out 
 f upon the broad well cultivated acres he and his children possess: — 
 
 "I would not give my farm for Esq. 's, and half a dozen 
 
 I more like it." 
 
 [ The new settlers were threatened with even more formidable 
 
 , difficulties than those that have so far been enumerated. Although 
 
 the treaty of peace in 1783, between the United States and Great 
 
 > Britain, caused an immediate suspension of hostilities, and a with- 
 
 ' drawal from all the posts held by the British in the Eastern States, 
 
 ' there were still many delicate and difficult questions that remained 
 
 jto be settled, and which were a source of continual irritation and 
 
 1 embarrassment. The posts at Oswego and Niagara, and all the 
 
 ■western posts were not surrendered until 1796. The singular 
 
 spectacle was presented here in Western New York, of surveys 
 
 and settlement going on under the auspices of one government, 
 
 'while the battlements of fortified places, occupied by the troops of 
 
 ^ascended, or was taken up. Cornplanter had allusion to a Seneca tradition: — A 
 hunting' party of Indians was once encamped upon the shores of this lake; a young 
 squaw of the party, dag and eat a root that created thirst; to slake it, she went to the 
 lake, and disappeared forever. Thence it was inferred, that a root grew there, which 
 produced an easy death — a vanishing away from the afflictions of life. The author is 
 'aware that the name of the lake has been ascribed to another tradition, and that other 
 derivations have been given. His authority is information derived from a native 
 ■Seneca. 
 
 j Note. — The Livingston claim, other^vise called the Lessee claim was founded on the 
 circumstance, that John Livingston and others had leased from the Indians, for 999 
 years on a rent of two thousand dollars per annum, a largo tract of land which was 
 alledged to include the whole of the Massachusetts pre-emption tract; but as the whole 
 transaction has been declared to be illegal by the legislation and judicial authorities of 
 the State, and is now abandoned, although it has afforded a pretext for the Lesees, to 
 receive donations from the state and from Phelps and Gorham; but with the Holland 
 Company, their application, although commenced by a suit ill ejectment, was less 
 successful. 
 
 22 
 
338 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 another, were frowning upon the peaceable operations of enterprise 
 and industry. 
 
 The pretext for withholding these posts, was, that the United 
 States had not fulfilled some of its treaty stipulations; the one that 
 guarantied the payment of debts due from American to British 
 subjects, being a special subject of complaint. But while such 
 were the avowed reasons for not surrendering them, it is quite 
 apparent, that they were not the real ones. A peace — a surrender 
 of an empire such as this was, had been as we well know, a sacri- 
 fice to necessity, humbling to the pride of England. A suspension 
 of hostilities had been reluctantly consented to, with the lingering 
 hope and expectation, that something might occur, to prevent the 
 final consummation of separation and independence. The holding 
 of this line of posts afforded a feeble prospect of a successful 
 renewal of the struggle, through a continued alliance with the 
 Indians, and the placing of obstacles in the way of the peaceable 
 overtures made to them by our government. And perhaps England 
 entertained hopes that free government was a thing to talk about, 
 and pretty successfully fight for — but would not admit of final 
 consummation. There were diflferences of opinion they well knew, 
 — radical ones — among those who were to frame the new system; 
 the whole matter looked to them, as it really was, surrounded with 
 difficulties and embarrassments. There might be a failure. Should 
 it be so, here, in the possession of these posts — an alliance with 
 the Indians — was a prospective nucleus for renewing the war 
 and recovering the lost colonies; restoring the precious jewel that 
 had dropped from England's crown. And here it may be remarked, 
 upon the authority of circumstances, too strong to admit of much 
 doubt, that the last vestige of such hopes with England, was not 
 obliterated until the treaty of Ghent, that closed the war of 1812. 
 
 Under the instructions of Congress, President Washington, 
 immediately after the peace of '83, despatched Baron Steuben to 
 Quebec to make the necessary arrangements with Sir Frederick 
 Haldimand, for delivering up the posts that have been named. 
 His mission not only contemplated the delivery of the posts to 
 him, but preparations for their occupancy and repairs. The Baron 
 met Gen. Haldimand at the Sorel, on a tour to the Lakes. He was 
 informed by him that he had received no instructions from his 
 government to evacuate the posts, nor for any overt act of peace, 
 save a suspension of hostilities. He regarded himself as not at 
 
HOLLAx\D PURCHASE. 339 
 
 liberty to enter into any negotiations — complained of a non-fulfil- 
 ment of treaty stipulations — and even refused the Baron a passport 
 to Detroit. Thus ended the mission; and a long succession of 
 negotiations and embarrassments followed, which belong to the 
 province of general history. Our object here has only been to 
 furnish an induction to local events. 
 
 The withholding of the posts, was coupled with the assumption 
 of jurisdiction and guardianship over the Indians, the Six Nations 
 included. Extracts from the Maryland Journal: — 
 
 *' Whitestown, July 9, 1794." 
 " We learn by a gentleman immediately from the county of Onondaga, that the 
 greatest part of the Onondaga tribe of Indians, who have heretofore resided in that 
 part of the country, and annually received an annuity of 500 dollars from the State, 
 have removed into the British territory of the Province of Upper Canada. That on 
 the 2r)t!i ult., those Indians who were on their way, and had collected at the Onondaga 
 Salt Springs, to take leave of the few who remained behind, and could not bo pre- 
 vailed on (notwithstanding the most insinuating and indefatigable exertions of the 
 British lions of the North) to quit their country; the Indians were collected in coun- 
 cil, and the inhabitants, alarmed at the movement of those tawny sons of cruelty, 
 were also collected." 
 
 "Philadelphia, Sept. I, 1794." 
 *' An Express arrived at the War Office on Saturday last from the Genesee country 
 (within the State of New York) with despatches for the Executive of the United 
 States, which were immediately laid before the President. Several private letters, 
 received by the same conveyance, advise that a peremptor}- order had been issued by 
 Col. Simcoe, the Governor of Upper Canada, requiring an immediate removal of the 
 inhabitants who have been for some time settled on a tract of land in that country, 
 within the bounds of the United States, agreeably to the treaty of peace. Ther like- 
 wise inform, that Capt. Williamson, and the other citizens of the United States, who 
 are principally concerned in the settlement of those lands, were determined to resist 
 ' the said order, and were preparing to oppose any force that may be sent to deprive 
 
 them of their lawful rights and property." 
 , "Philadelphia, Sept, 1, 1794." 
 
 . •• Sir: — If after the information, upon which my letter of the 20th of May, was 
 
 j founded, any considerable doubt had remained, of Gov. Simcoe's invasion, your long 
 
 silence, without a refutation of it, and our more recent intelligence, forbid us to question 
 
 its truth. It is supported by the respectable opinions, which have been since trans- 
 
 ! mitted to the Executive, that in the late attack on Fort Recovery, British officers and 
 
 , British soldiers were, on the very ground, aiding our Indian enemies. 
 
 " But, Sir, as if the Governor of Upper Cauda was resolved to destroy ever}' possi- 
 bility of disbelieving his hostile views, he has sent to the Great Sodus — a settlement 
 begun on a bay of the same name on Lake Ontario — a command to Captaia 
 Williamson, who derives a title from the State of New York, to desist from his enter- 
 prise. This mandate was borne by a Lieutenant Sheaffi^ under a military escort; and 
 in its tone corresponds with the form of its delivery, being unequivocally of a military 
 and hostile nature: — 
 
 " I am commanded to declare that during the inexecution of the treaty of peace 
 
340 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 between Great Britain and the United States, and until the existing differences 
 respecting it shall be mutually and finally adjusted, the taking possession of any part of 
 the Indian territory, either for the purposes of war or sovereignty, is held to be a direct 
 violation of his Britannic Majesty's rights, as they unquestionably existed before the 
 treaty; and has an immediate tendency to interrupt, and, in its progress, to destroy that 
 good understanding which has hitherto subsisted between his Britannic Majesty and 
 the United States of America. I therefore require you to desist from any such aggres- 
 sion. R. H. SHEAFFE, 
 
 Lieutenant and Qr. Mr. Geii'l Dcpt. of his Britannic Majesty's scrrice." 
 
 Captain Williamson being from home, a letter was written to him by Lieutenant 
 Sheaffe, in the following words: 
 
 "SoDus, 16th August, 1794." 
 
 "Sir: — Having a special commission and instructions for that purpose from the 
 Lieutenant Governor of his Britannic Majesty's Province of U. Canada, I have come 
 here to demand by what authority an establishment has been ordered at this place, and, 
 to require that such a design be immediately relinquished, for the reasons stated in the 
 written declaration accompanying this letter; for the receipt of which protest I have 
 taken the acknowledgment of your agent, Mr. Little. I regret exceedingly in my 
 private as well as public character, that I have not the satisfaction of seeing you here, 
 but I hope on my return, which will be about a week hence, to be more fortunate. I 
 am, Sir, your most obedient servant. R. H. SHEAFFE, 
 
 Lt. 5th Rcgt. Q. M. G. D." 
 
 •' The position of Sodus is represented to be seventy miles within the territorial line 
 of the United States — about twenty from Oswego, and about one hundred from 
 Niagara. 
 
 " For the present, all causes of discontent, not connected with our western territor}', 
 shall be laid aside; and even among these shall not be revived the root of our 
 complaints, the detention of the posts. But while peace is sought by us through every 
 channel, which honor permits, the Governor of Upper Canada is accumulating 
 irritation upon irritation. He commenced his operations of enmity at the rapids of the 
 Miami. He next associated British with Indian force to assault our fort. He now 
 threatens us, if we fell our own trees and build houses on our own lands. To what 
 length may not Governor Simcoe go? Where is the limit to the sentiment which 
 gave birth to these instructions? Where is the limit of the principle which Governor 
 Simcoe avows? 
 
 " The treaty and all its appendages we have submitted to fair discussion, more than 
 two years ago. To the letter of my predecessor of the 29th of May, 1792, you have 
 not been pleased to make a reply, except that on the 20th of June 1793, the 22d of 
 November, ;1793, and the 21st of February, 1794, no instructions had arrived from 
 your court. To say the best of this suspension, it certainly cannot warrant any new 
 encroachments, howsoever, it may recommend to us forbearance under the old. 
 
 " It is not for the Governors of his Britannic Majesty to interfere with the measures 
 of the United States towards the Indians within their territory. You cannot, Sir, be li 
 insensible that it has grown into a maxim, that the affairs of the Indians within thb i\ 
 boundaries of any nation, exclusively belong to that nation. But Governor Simcoe, 
 disregarding this right of the United States, extends the line of usurpation in which he 
 marches, by referring to the ancient and extinguished rights of his Britannic Majesty. 
 For, if the existing condition of the treaty keeps them alive on the southern side of 
 Lake Ontario, the Ohio itself will not stop their career. 
 
 " You will pardon me, Sir, if under these excuses of Governor Simcoe, I am not 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 341 
 
 discouraged by your having formerly disclaimed a control over, and a responsibility for, 
 the Governors of his Britannic Majesty, from resorting to you on this occasion. You 
 are addressed from a hope, that if he will not be restrained by your remonstrances, he 
 may at least be apprized, through you, of the consequences of self-defence. 
 
 1 have the honor to be, Sir, Sui. 
 Hon. Gkorge Hammond, EDM. RANDOLPH. 
 
 Minister Plenipotentiary of Ids Britannic Majesty." 
 
 To this letter of Secretary Randolph, Mr. Hammond replied, 
 under date, New York, Sept. 3, 1794, that he should transmit 
 copies of Mr. Randolph's letter by the earliest opportunity, to Gov. 
 Simcoe and His Majesty's ministers in England. The invasion of 
 Gov. Simcoe referred to at the commencement of Mr. Randolph's 
 letter, was the marching of British troops by Gov. Simcoe's orders, 
 and taking post and erecting a fort on the Maumee river, early in 
 1794. 
 
 Between these movements of Gov. Simcoe, and a passage in the 
 " Travels of the Duke de la Rochefoucauld Liancourt," which has 
 already been quoted in another connection, there is a remarkable 
 coincidence. The Duke visited the Governor at Niagara, about 
 the period of these acts of aggression. The passage is as follows: 
 "He," (Gov. Simcoe,) "discourses with much good sense, on all 
 subjects, but his favorite topics ai'e, his projects and war, which 
 seem to be the objects of his leading passions. He is acquainted 
 with the military* history of all countries; no hillock catches his 
 eye without exciting in his mind the idea of a fort which might 
 be constructed on the spot, and with the construction of this fort, 
 he associates the plan of operations for a campaign, especially of 
 that which is to lead him to Philadelphia.^^ It is not presuming too 
 much, to conclude that his aim was to embroil the frontiers of 
 Western New York, and the North West Territory in difficulties, 
 which he designed should eventuate in war; and he, at the head 
 of a British Army, take the high road to Philadelphia, and to fame. 
 
 From the Maryland Journal, of Nov, 21, 1794. 
 
 " Whitestown, Nov. 5." 
 "A gentleman directly from Canandarquie, informs that 1600 Indians had come in 
 to the treaty on Monday Se'nnight — and also that Wm. Johnson, a British Indian 
 agent, and a Mr. Steel, the Indian interpreter from Niagara, were also ihere, and had 
 found means to collect 26 chiefs in a bye-place, and were haranguing of them in the 
 most eloquent and flattering manner, when discovered by the inhabitants, they were 
 using the most persuasive acts, together with offers of large presents, to induce the 
 Indians to turn their arms against the United States. The meeting broke up in a 
 disorderly manner. The inhabitants were greatly exasperated at this insolent conduct 
 of British agents; and it is said that they gave out that if Col. Pickering did not cause 
 their arrest, they would inflict upon them the Yankee punishment of tar aud feathers." 
 
342 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Frrnn same paper, of Dec. 9, lft)4. 
 
 •' Albant Nov. 27." 
 •' The Genesee treaty, we are informed, has terminated much to the satisfaction of the 
 commissioner of the United States, and of the Six Nations of Indians, who have 
 rehnquished all right and title to the Presque Isle territorj% and a tract of land four 
 miles wide, from Johnston's Landing- to Fort Slauscr, including Fort Niagara; and 
 also granted to the United States, the right of passing and repassing through their 
 country." 
 
 The disposition to renew the war, the work of mischief that 
 was commenced and carried on among the Indians — perhaps the 
 behgerent spirit of Gov. Simcoe, had been greatly promoted by a 
 measure of Lord Dorchester, after the defeat of St. Clair. View- 
 ing it now, after the lapse of over half a century, it is impossible to 
 construe it in any other way than as a premeditated attempt to 
 renew the Indian border wars; and as his Lordship had but recently 
 returned from a visit to England, it would seem that he acted under 
 home influences which contemplated a recommencement of hostil- 
 ties upon a much larger scale. Having been waited upon by a 
 deputation of Indians, of the west, for advice in reference to their 
 existing boundary difficulties with the United States, he answered 
 them in the following speech: — 
 
 "Children: — I was in expectation of hearing from the people 
 of the United States what was required by them. I hoped that I 
 should have been able to bring you together and make you friends. 
 
 "Children: — I have waited long and listened M'ith great atten- 
 tion, but I have not heard one word from them. 
 
 "Children: — I flatter myself with the hope that the line pro- 
 posed in the year eighty-three, to separate us from the United 
 States, which was immediately broken by themselves as soon as the 
 peace was signed, would have been mended, or a new one drawn, 
 in an amicable manner. Here, also, I have been disappointed. 
 
 "Children: — Since my return, I find no appearance of a line 
 remains; and from the manner in which the people of the United 
 States rush on, and act, and talk, on this side; and from what I 
 learned of their conduct towards the sea, I shall not be surprised 
 if we are at war with them in the course of the present year, 
 and if so, a line must be drawn by the warriors. 
 
 "Children: — You talk of selling your lands to the state of I 
 New York. I have told you that there was no hne between them 
 and us. I shall acknowledge no lands to be theirs which have 
 been encroached on by them since the year 1783. They then 
 broke the peace, and as they keep it not on their part, it doth not 
 bind on ours. 
 
 "Children: — They then destroyed their right of pre-emption. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 343 
 
 Therefore all their approaches towards us since that time, and all 
 the purchases made by them, I consider as an infringement on the 
 King's rights. And when a line is drawn between us, be it in 
 peace or war, they must lose all their improvements and houses 
 on our side of it. Those people must all begone who do not obtain 
 leave to become the King's subjects. What belongs to the Indians, 
 will of course, be secured and confirmed to them. 
 
 "Children: — What farther can I say to youl You are wit- 
 nesses that on our parts, we have acted in the most peaceable man- 
 ner, and borne the language and conduct of the people of the United 
 States with patience. But I believe our patience is almost exhausted." 
 
 ■ 
 
 As we have no information beyond the correspondence intro- 
 duced, in reference to the aifair between Lieut. Sheaffe* and Capt. 
 Williamson, we are left to infer that the spirited communication of 
 Secretary Randolph induced His Brittanic Majesty's plenipoten- 
 tiary, to curb the further raging of loyal wrath in the bosom of 
 Gov. Simcoe. 
 
 It can well be imagined how all that we have been alluding to, 
 helped to throw obstacles in the way of settlement, and perplex 
 j the backwoods adventurers. There was a long succession of 
 ! harassing events, of fearful apprehensions and danger. The Six 
 ; Nations of Indians not wholly reconciled, in their midst; far out- 
 numbering them; conquered but not subdued; their jealousies and 
 prejudices excited by such powerful influences as have been 
 alluded to; their tomahawks and scalping knives still stained with 
 j the blood of their victims in the border wars; in whose bosoms 
 I rankled dire revenge for the retributive justice so lately inflicted 
 [ upon them by Gen. Sullivan. Although there were no Indians on 
 the Phelps and Gorham tract, yet numerous villages, teeming with 
 their warriors, were in its immediate neighborhood, — the barrier 
 ' of distance not intervening as a shield against their stealthy incur- 
 sions. In the year 1793, after the defeat of Generals Harmer and 
 I St. Clair, in the Northwestern Territory, in which British officers 
 and soldiers, as well as some of our own Indians participated with 
 
 * The thou Lieut. Slieaffe, was afterwards the Maj. Gen. Sheaife, of the war of 
 1812. At the commencement of the Revolution, he was a lad, residing with his wid- 
 owed mother, in Boston. Earl Percy's quarters were in his mother's house. Ho 
 became his protege, received from him a militant' education and a commission in the 
 army, from which ho rose to the rank of Major General. The commencement of the 
 war of 1812 found him stationed in Canada. He professed a reluctance to engage in 
 it, and wished rather a transfer to some other countrj', than a participation in a war 
 against his countn,-men. For his exploit at Queenston Heights, he was created a Bar- 
 '■ oueU These facts are derived from a note in Stone's life of Brant. 
 
344 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 our enemy, and before the victory obtained by Gen. Wayne, over 
 those Indians in 1794, the "Genesee Indians behaved very rudely, 
 they would impudently enter the houses of the whites (in the Gen- 
 esee country,) and take the prepared food from the tables without 
 leave, but immediately after the event of the battle (Wayne's 
 victory,) was known, they became humble and tame as spaniels." 
 It was a fact known only at the time to Judge Hosmer and Gen. 
 Israel Chapin, Superintendent of Indian affairs, residing at Avon 
 and Canandaigua, "that the Genesee Indians were ready to rise 
 upon the frontier dwellers of this state, as soon as it should be 
 known that the Indians had been victorious over Wayne, which 
 they did not doubt." Judge Hosmer and Gen. Chapin received 
 this information from an American gentleman, living at Newark, 
 (Niagara) Upper Canada. This gentleman's name, whose charac- 
 ter stood high in the confidence of government, was ever kept a 
 secret by those two gentlemen, nor was the rumor suffered to 
 spread among the inhabitants, as it would probably have depopu- 
 lated the country; but it put these two gentlemen on the guard 
 until the contingency was settled. 
 
 For the foregoing information, we are indebted to George 
 Hosmer, Esq. 
 
 Though there was no concerted or formidable participation of the 
 Six Nations, in the war going on at the west, it is plain that they 
 meant to keep themselves in a position to take advantage of any ill 
 success of Wayne's expedition. It is inferred by Col. Stone that 
 there were Seneca Indians in the final battle with Wayne, or if not, 
 runners of that nation stationed near the scene of action, from the 
 fact that the Indians of Western New York, were apprized of the 
 result before the whites were. 
 
 The inference of the following letter from Gen. Wayne, to Corn- 
 planter, and two other Seneca chiefs, is, that the position of the 
 Senecas was an undefined one; that although it was professedly 
 one of inaction, or neutrality, the government through the agency 
 of Gen. Wayne, found it necessary, while quelling the western 
 Indians, to lay anchors to the windward, to guard against the 
 participation of the Senecas in the disturbances it was endeavoring 
 to quell. The letter is copied from the original manuscript; 
 attached to which, is the autograph signature of the brave, impetu- 
 ous, but successful "Mad Anthony." There is no date to the 
 letter, but the contents indicate about the period it was written: — 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 345 
 
 Brothers! — 
 
 "It was the sincere wish and desire of the President (General Washington) to see 
 yon in Philadelphia at the Grand Council Fire of the Fifteen United States of America, 
 whilst ihe chosen Counsellors were assembled together from every part of this great 
 Island: 
 
 " He, therefore, commanded me to send to invite you to come to Philadelphia to 
 meet him in that Council & to inform you that he had sent to invite Red Jacket and 
 other Chiefs to meet him also. — 
 
 " Pursuant to this command of the President, I sent Mr. Rosecrantz with a message 
 to you from Pittsburgh on the 1 1th day of November last (more than four moons 
 since) inviting you to that Council Fire: 
 
 "You returned for answer "that you could not come at present, as you had so 
 much business to do among yourselves, which you must first attend to." 
 
 " At the same time you were so good & friendly as to communicate the proceedings 
 & result of the Grand Council of the Hostile and other Chiefs assembled at Au-Glaize 
 which I received by Mr. Rosecrantz and Cayendoe, now present. 
 
 "They were partly the same as had been communicated to General Washington by 
 you & the other Chiefs of the Six Nations from BulTalo Creek some lime before. 
 
 " But the President still wishing to see «& talk with you at the Grand Council Fire 
 then kindled in Philadelphia, ordered me to send you a second message to meet him 
 there that he might hear & understand from your own lips the terms upon which the 
 Hostile Indians would agree to make peace — and which would be more fully & better 
 explained viva voce or, by word of mouth, — than in writing, as many questions might 
 occur that were not thought of at the time of writing. 
 
 "In obedience to those orders, I sent you another invitation by Mr. Rosecrantz and 
 Cayendoe to meet the President in Philadelphia at the Council Fire, hoping that by 
 that time you had settled the business you had to transact among yourselves: 
 
 " You have now come forward — but, it is too late; the fire is extinguished — and 
 will not be rekfndled until November ne.xt, i. e. between eight «& nine moons from 
 this time. 
 
 " I am however, happy to inform you that the Farmers brother, the young King the 
 Infant, the Shining breast-plate & two others of inferior rank went forward and met 
 ' the President Sc Grand Council of the Fifteen Fires in Philadelphia agreeably to the 
 invitation which I mentioned had been sent to them by the President and from whom 
 : it is probable that the President and Council have received the required information ; 
 those Chiefs must have returned to their towns about the time that you set otF to come 
 to this place ; and will be able to inform you of the Council held with them. 
 
 " I will now fully inform you of the intelligence I have just received from Gen'l 
 
 ■ Knox the Secretary : viz. agreeably to the request of the Six Nations assembled at 
 
 , Buffalo Creek last November.— The President &. Grand Council of the Fifteen Fires 
 
 I of the United States have appointed three Commissioners to hold a conference with 
 
 the Hostile Indians about the first day of June next at the Lower Sandusky : they 
 
 will probably be at Niagara about the middle of May ; from whence it's also probable 
 
 that you with the other Chiefs of the Six Nations will accompany them to the treaty 
 
 and use vour influence «& good offices to procure a permanent peace ; so much the 
 
 true interest of all parties concerned. 
 
 " But if after all your good & friendly offices, aided by the sincere wish & desire of 
 'the President Sc Grand Council of tho United States for Peace, it cannot be obtained 
 but by tho sacrifice of National Character & Honor, I hope and trust that there will 
 . be but one voice and mind to prosecute the war with that vigor and effect — that tho 
 
346 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Hostile Indians will have cause to lament that they did not listen to the voice of peace. 
 " Having thus communicated to you all the information that I have received respec- 
 ting the proposed treaty and having spoken my mind openly & freely as a Warrior 
 ever ought to do when speaking to friends & brothers, — 
 
 " 1 have now to request that you will also speak your minds freely & without reserve: 
 so that we may perfectly understand each other: this is what you requested me to do— 
 and what I have done. 
 
 " You will therefore make your minds easy — and consider yourselves in the midst of " 
 your friends and brothers. — 
 
 ANT'Y WAYNE, 
 Major General ^^ Commander in Chief of the troops 
 
 of the United States of America. 
 The Cornplanter, "^ 
 
 New Arrow, i Chiefs of the 
 
 Geyesutha and j Alleghani/." 
 
 Stitf Knee (alias) Big Tree. J 
 
 The effect of the decisive victory of Gen. Wayne, his thorough 
 scourging of the hostile Indians of the west and northwest, put an i 
 end to all existing Indian disturbances. Its happy influences ; 
 extended to all the interests of our country. The Indian wars had 
 come when the government and people were tired of war, and \i 
 were looking forward to peace and repose. But no where was the !i 
 consummation hailed with greater joy, than among those who 
 struggling with all the usual hardships and privations of new settle- \ 
 ments, had been encountering the additional obstacle, the fear that 
 the scenes of the border war, were to be re-enacted in their midst. 
 
 With the Six Nations, it was followed by the burying of the 
 tomahawk, "never to be dug up." Settling down upon their 
 Reservations, they became gentle and inoffensive; friendly to the 
 new settlers as they began to drop in around them; the faithful 
 allies of the United States, in the contest of 1812; emphatically, it 
 may be said, that in all the time that has intervened, from the 
 period we have been speaking of, to the present, they have been 
 far more " sinned against, than sinning." 
 
 The Society of Friends, of Philadelphia — or rather, what is 
 termed the "Philadelphia yearly meeting," — were the early, and 
 have been the constant guardians of the welfare and interests of 
 the Senecas, as the reader will observe in some of the early annals 
 that will follow. Their good offices were interposed in counselling 
 peace and the pursuit of peaceful avocations. Among some old 
 manuscripts the author has in his possession, which belonged to 
 Cornplanter and Red Jacket, is the following letter, which it will 
 be observed bears date a few months after Wayne's victory. It 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 347 
 
 breathes a kind spirit, and was well calculated to promote the 
 interests not only of the Indians, but of those who were becoming 
 'their neighbors: — 
 
 Philadelphia 1st. mouth, 24th, 1795. 
 My good friend the Farmers Brother. 
 
 By Capt. Chapin I thought proper to inform thee, & thy Nation, that me and all 
 ,my friends who attended the Treaty at Canandarqua, arrived safe home and found our 
 friends well — we Reflect frequently on your friendly Disposition towards us, & the 
 Issue of the Treaty which we hope will be the means of a Lasting peace Between you 
 & the United States — we hope you will keep the Remainder of your Land in your 
 hands, and learn to Cultivate it & that you will by all means keep in Peace with the 
 White People as well as with your Indian Brethren & all men — this will be your 
 greatest happiness, if we your friends the Quakers of Philadelphia Can be of any 
 Service to you we are Ready & willing at any time, »fc we Desire you may be free in 
 applying to us — with a great Deal of Regard «fc Desire for your Welfare, I am your 
 friend, 
 
 WILLIAM SAVERY 
 
 I Among the same manuscripts, is the following, by which it would 
 •seem that soon after taking possession of Fort Niagara by the 
 troops of the United States, there was an assembling there of the 
 sachems and warriors of the Six Nations, to interchange sentiments 
 of peace, friendship, and mutual aid. Nothing accompanies the 
 inanuscript to explain it; the author has no cotemporary history of 
 ihe council it would indicate; but it is an interesting reUc; and its 
 Contents have a direct bearing upon early local events: — 
 
 Sachams and Brother warriors of the six nations residing within the territory of the 
 . United States; I welcome you to Niagara. 
 
 ] We have meet, — Brothers — to brighten that chain of friendship which is strectched 
 .)ut to you; — to your brethern on the western waters; — and to the whole world. A 
 jroof of this — these Western posts that have so long been witheld, are at length given 
 'jp without the spilling of blood; and a good understanding now subsists between the 
 United States and the British Government: Lines are fixed and so strongly marked 
 i)otween us that they cannot be mistaken, and every precaution taken to prevent a 
 nisunderstanding. Within these lines you hold large tracts of land: — in the sure and 
 )eaceable possession of which the United States have taken care to guard you as their 
 )wn children and citizens: and if any rememberance of former animosities yet remdn 
 — let us burry them in the grave of forgetfulness. 
 
 Brothers: — As we have become near neighbors — it will be our interest that we 
 ihall also be good friends: be assured, you will experience in us a disposition to culti- 
 rate harmony and a good understanding; and that we hope to find the same disposition 
 •n you: As a pledge of the sincerity of these professions, and as a token of regard the 
 !)resident of the United States has charged me with — and I now have the honour to 
 )resent you a flag of our nation: may the luster of its stars illuminate the western 
 vorld; and while the incresise of its stripes give to our friends a confidence of our 
 ibility, to protect them; may they, also, admonish such as would disturb our peace; — 
 )f our power to chastise them. 
 
 Brothers: — Thus far (I conceive) I have spoken by authority derived from the 
 
348 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 father of our country — the president of the United States: indulge me a moment 
 while I speak in behalf of this garrisson, the command of which he has honoured me 
 with, vou know (better than I do) that there is no road by which cured provissions and 
 other necessaries can be sent us from our settlements; that in winter all communication . 
 by water is cut off; that the land between this and Genesee river is yours, and without 
 your permission, we will not attempt to widen, mend or straighten your road, which at ! 
 present is scarcely passable, but which if done, will not only be an accomodation toi, 
 this garrisson; — to our settlers on thegenesee, and our British neighbors on the (»positei 
 shore; — but to j-ourselves also: nor will our making use of it in common with you.i 
 injure your property — or invade your rights: the road as well as the country, being), 
 yours. I wish you therefore, to consult together, and if you agree with me in senti-, 
 ment; give us permission to widen, mend and straighten, the road to Connowagoras. 
 
 Brothebs: — As guardian of the honour, rights and interest of my country in this 
 quarter — my duty makes it necessarj- for me to take notice of a practice — I havQi 
 already represented to the British commandant on the opposite shore as wrong. While 
 the British held this post, they also claimed the souvreignty of the country quite to our 
 settlements: It was then a practice (and the precedent is yet contended for) to imploy 
 Indians to pursue deserters on the American side of the line to the Genesee river: 
 such pursuits are now improper. The British will not permit them on their side the 
 water: because they (justly) consider it an infraction of the rights of nations: — what 
 is a violation of rights on one side, must be so on the other. This practice therefor, if 
 persisted iu — may involve the two governments in very disagreeable disputes (now 
 perhaps in your power to prevent) but which if you encourage; may terminate veri 
 unpleasent to both countries and yourselves. I therefore request, that you wil 
 admonish your brethren not to meddle with disputes between white people, of s( 
 delicate a nature — our differences (experience may have taught you) will not benefi 
 you, but your interference may involve us veiy disagreeably. For if I know the interes' 
 & wish of my countiy, it is for peace: — but however thus disposed, she ought not, shi 
 cannot, and I am persuaded, will not tamely suffer her territory to be violated — he 
 sovereignty on this the water to be disputed, and her rights contemptuously to b 
 trampled on. I beg you, therefore, to restrain your people from a practice the perniciou 
 consequences of which I have taken some pains to put in a proper light. 
 
 Brothers: — Yesterday you received some refreshment — to day there is a furthe, 
 supply provided and ready for j'ou; when we have finished our business, (which I hop 
 will be soon,) I have a barrel of rum to present you; that you may with your brethrei 
 you left to keep up your fires in your absence, drink prosperity to the United States - 
 health and long life to our President. I wish my supplies would afford you those neces 
 saries you solicit, have been in the habit of receiving here; and appear to want. Btl; 
 when you reflect that I command but the advance of the American troops intended f(' 
 this post — and that my stores must consequently be small — you cannot expect muc 
 — such as they are; you have partaken of. May your stay here be pleasant — may wf 
 part satisfied, and on your return, may the Great Spirit take you under his care — i 
 that you may arrive safely at your respective homes, and find all you left behind i 
 security — your friends and connexions will. | 
 
 Niagara, September 23d, 1796. J. BRUFF, Captain Commanding." I 
 
 The following, derived from the same source, though not of f 
 local character, is inserted chiefly to preserve a relic of one, thf 
 bare mention of whose name excites the liveliest recollections c' 
 our war of independence, and those foremost in achieving it. . 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 349 
 
 was an invitation of the Senecas to join in St. Clair's expedition; 
 lan expedition in which the brave and chivalric writer of the auto- 
 jgraph we transcribe, was a victim to the tomahawk and scalping 
 knife, after he w^as carried from the field to have wounds dressed 
 .previously received : — 
 
 '"Brothers of the Five Natioks: — 
 
 ■ The bearer hereof Mons'r De Bartzch having express'd a Desire to assist and go 
 *with such of your people as may be inclin'd (and you think proper to send) to join 
 'Governor St. Clair & accompany the Army of the U. S. against the Western Hostile 
 tribes of Indians — As you & Mons'r De Bartzch are acquainted, should any of your 
 People join the Governor & Troops, and that he is still inchn'd to go on the Expedi- 
 tion, and that it is agreeable to you and your People that he should be with you, it 
 will be verj' agreeable to mo as I believe him to be a Gentleman, and of very honora- 
 ble Character — I am Brothers your Real Friend 
 
 RICH'D BUTLER, 
 
 Maj'r Gen' I in the U. S. Army. 
 j Pittsburgh, June 5th, 1791. 
 ' To the CoRNPLANTER, and other Chiefs and Warriors of the Five Nations." 
 
 ROBERT MORRIS. 
 
 A short biography of one eminently useful in our Revolutionary 
 struggle, is suggested by his after identity with our local region. 
 ;He was as will have been seen, at one period, the proprietor of 
 'the whole of Western New York west of Phelps and Gorham's 
 Purchase, by purchase from Massachusetts, and the Seneca Indians. 
 
 In the attempt of feeble colonies, to throw off the yoke of 
 oppression, there was work to be done in council as well as in the 
 'field — at the financier's desk, as well as in the more conspicuous 
 conflicts of arms. If raw troops, called from the field and work- 
 shop, were to be enrolled and disciplined, upon a sudden emergency, 
 ■provisions were to be made for their equipment and sustenance. 
 Both were tasks surrounded with difficulty and embarrassment; 
 (both required men and minds of no ordinary cast. Fortunately 
 they were found. Washington was the chief, the leader of our 
 armies, the master spirit that conducted the struggle to a glorious 
 |termination; Morris was the financier. They were heads of 
 co-ordinate branches, in a great crisis, and equally well performed 
 their parts. 
 
 Robert Morris was born in Liverpool, in 1733. His father 
 emigrated to the United States in 1745, and settled at Port 
 Tobacco, in Maryland, engaging extensively in the tobacco trade. 
 
350 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 He met his death in a singular manner, when the subject of this 
 sketch was but a youth. He was the consignee of a ship that had 
 arrived from a foreign port; the custom then was to fire a gun 
 when the consignee came on board. As if he had a presentiment 
 that the ceremony would prove fatal to him, he had requested its 
 omission. The captain had so ordered, but a sailor, not having 
 understood the order, and supposing the omission accidental, seized 
 a match, and fired the gun as Mr. Morris was leaving the ship. A ' 
 portion of the wadding fractured his arm, mortification and death I 
 ensued. 
 
 Previous to the death of his father, Robert Morris had beem 
 placed in the counting house of Mr. Charles Willing, an eminent 
 merchant of Philadelphia, where he soon acquired a proficiency ini 
 mercantile affairs that recommended him as a partner of the son 
 of his employer. 
 
 When the first difficulties occurred between the colonies and the 
 mother country, though extensively engaged in a mercantile busi-; 
 ness that was to be seriously affected by it, he was one of other 
 patriotic Philadelphia merchants who promoted and signed the non- 
 importation agreement, which restricted commercial intercourse 
 with Great Britain to the mere necessaries of life. 
 
 When the news of the battle of Lexington reached Philadelphia, 
 Mr. Morris v/as presiding at a dinner usually given on the anni- 
 versary of St. George. He participated in putting a sudden stop 
 to the celebration in honor of an English saint, and helped to upset 
 the tables that had been spread. His resolution was fixed. It was 
 one of devotion to the cause of the colonies; and well was if 
 adhered to. 
 
 In 1775 and '76 he was a member of Congress, and became a 
 signer of the Declaration of Independence. A few days after the 
 battle of Trenton, it became a matter of great importance to the 
 commander-in-chief, to obtain a sum of money in specie, in ordei 
 to keep himself well advised of the movements of the enemy. Hel 
 applied to Mr. Morris for that purpose, and received the following 
 answer: — 
 
 "Philadelphia, Dec. 30, 1776. 
 '• Sir — I have just received 3-our favor of this day, and sent to Gen. Putnam to detail 
 the express until I collected the hard money you want, which you may depend shall bf 
 sent in one specie or other with this letter, and a list thereof, shall be enclosed herein 
 I had long since parted with verj' considerable sums of hard money to Congress, au( 
 therefore must collect from others — and as matters now stand, it is no easy thing. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 351 
 
 , mean to borrow silver and promise payment in gold, and then collect the gold the best 
 way I can. Whilst on this subject, let me inform you, that there is upwards of twenty 
 thousand dollars of silver at Ticonderoga. They have no particular use for it, and I 
 I think you might as well send a party to bring it away, and lodge it in a safe place con- 
 venient for any purposes for which it may hereafter be wanted. Whatever I can do 
 ; shall be done for the good of the cause. 
 
 I am dear Sir, yours, «&:c. 
 
 ROBERT MORRIS." 
 
 I When Washington had re-crossed the Delaware for the second 
 (time, in Dec. 1777, the time of service of nearly all the eastern 
 
 troops had expired. To induce them to engage for another six 
 I weeks, he promised a bounty of ten dollars each; and for the 
 
 necessary funds applied to Mr. Morris. In the answer of Mr. 
 
 Morris, accompanying the sum of fifty thousand dollars, he congrat- 
 ulates the commander-in-chief upon his success in retaining the men, 
 
 and assures him that "if farther occasional supplies of money are 
 
 wanted, you may depend on my exertions either in a public or pri- 
 [vate capacity." 
 
 In March, 1777, he was chosen with Benjamin Franklin and 
 
 others, to represent the assembly of Pennsylvania in Congress; and 
 
 in November following, was associated with Mr. Gerry, and Mr. 
 
 Jones, to repair to the army and confidentially consult with the 
 J commander-in-chief upon the best plan of conducting the winter 
 j campaign. In August, 1778, he was appointed a member of the 
 
 standing committee of finance. 
 , The years 1778, and '79, were the most distressing periods of 
 
 the war. The finances were in a wretched condition, and Mr. 
 ; Morris, not only advanced his money freely, but put in requisition 
 
 an almost unlimited individual credit.* 
 
 * Judge Peters relates the following anecdote: — "We (the Board of War,) had 
 i exhausted all the lead accessible to us; having caused even the spouts of houses to be 
 melted; and had unsuccessfully offered the equivalent of two shillings specie, (25 cents,) 
 tpor lb. for lead. I went on the evening of a day in which 1 received a letter from the 
 army, to a splendid entertainment given by Don Mirailles, the Spanish minister. My 
 heart was sad, but I had the faculty of brightening my countenance even under gloomy 
 i disasters; yet it seems not then with sufficient adroitness, for Mr. Morris, who was one 
 , of the guests, and knew me well, discovered some casual trait of depression. He accos- 
 ted me in his usual frank and ingenuous manner, saying: — 'I see some clouds passing 
 across the sunny countenance you assume; what is the matter?' After some hesitatioa 
 I showed him the general's letter which I had brought from the office, with the intention 
 ' of placing it at home, in a private cabinet. Ho played with my anxiety, which he did 
 : not relieve for some time. At length however, with great and sincere delight, he called 
 me aside and told me that the Holker privateer had just arrived at his wharf witli ninety 
 tons of lead which she had brought as ballast. 'You shall have ' said Mr. Morris 'my 
 ' half of this fortunate supply; there are the owners of the other half,' (indicating gentle- 
 men in the department.) The other half was obtained. Before morning, a supply of 
 cartridges was made ready and sent off to the army." 
 
352 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 In 1781, (a period of despair,) in addition to other contributions 
 of money and credit, Mr. Morris supplied the ahiiost famishing 
 troops with several thousand barrels of flour. This timely aid 
 came when it was seriously contemplated to authorize the seizure 
 of provisions wherever they could be found; a measure which 
 would have been unpopular with the whole country, and probably 
 turned back the tide of public feeling flowing in favor of the 
 Revolution. 
 
 There is upon record a long catalogue of transactions similar to . 
 those which have been related. Not only the commander-in-chief 
 but Generals of divisions, found Mr. Morris the dernier resort I, 
 when money and provisions were wanted. To private means that I 
 must have been large, and a large credit, he added astonishing ; 
 faculties as a financier. When he had no other resource, he would 
 compel others to use their money and credit. In financial negoti- 
 ations, with him, to will a thing was to do it. 
 
 He was appointed to the ofRce of " Financier," or what was 
 equivalent to the now office of Secretary of the Treasury. Never 
 perhaps, in any country, was a minister of finance placed over a 
 treasury the condition of which was worse. To use a phrase of 
 the play-house, it was a 
 
 " Beggarly account of empty boxes." 
 
 It had not a dollar in it, and was two millions and a half in debt. 
 Those who have seen Gen. Washington's miUtary journal, of the 
 1st of May. 1781, can form some idea of the condition of the 
 army, and the finances. 
 
 It was the province of Mr. Morris to financier for Congress, and 
 a country and cause, in such a crisis. He began by restoring credit 
 and establishing confidence; promulgated the assurance that all his 
 official engagements would be punctually met; and put in requi- 
 sition his private means, the means of his friends, to fulfill the 
 promises he had held out. When apprized of his appointment to 
 the management of financial afl!airs, he replied: — "In accepting the: 
 office bestowed upon me, I sacrifice much of my interest, my ease,' 
 my domestic enjoyment, and internal tranquility. If I know my 
 own heart, I make these sacrifices with a disinterested view to the^ 
 service of my country. I am willing to go further, and the United: 
 States may command every thing I have except my integrity, and 
 the loss of that would effectually disable me from serving them 
 more." 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 353 
 
 i Among his financial expedients, to resuscitate public credit, 
 ' was the establishment of the Bank of North America. Collateral 
 • security was given for the performance of the engagements of the 
 ; institution in the form of bonds, signed by wealthy individuals. 
 Mr. Morris heading the list with a subscription of £10,000. 
 
 In a private interview with Washington the subject of an attack 
 i on New York was broached. Mr. Morris dissented: assuminir 
 : that it would be at too great a sacrifice of men and money; that 
 I the success of the measure was doubtful; that even if successful 
 ; the triumph as to results, would be a barren one; the enemy hav- 
 f ing command of the sea could at any time land fresh troops and 
 { retake it, &c. Assenting to these objections, the commander- 
 ! in-chief said: — "What am I to do] The country calls on me for 
 'action; and moreover my army cannot be kept together unless 
 i some bold enterprise is undertaken." To this Mr. Morris replied: 
 i " Why not lead your forces to Yorktown? there Cornwallis may 
 ■be hemmed in by the French fleet by sea, and the American and 
 .'French armies by land, and will ultimately be compelled to sur- 
 ; render." " Lead my troops to Yorktown !" said Washington, appear- 
 ^ ing surprised at the suggestion. " How am I to get them there? 
 ' One of my difficulties about attacking New York arises from the 
 i want of funds to transport my troops thither. How then can I 
 ; muster the means that will be requisite to enable them to march to 
 ' Yorktownl" "You must look to me for funds," rejoined Mr. Mor- 
 !ris. "And hovv^ are you to provide theml" said Washington. 
 '"That," said Mr. Morris, "1 am unable at this time to tell you, but 
 •I will answer with my head, that if you will put your army in 
 motion, I will supply the means of their reaching Yorktown." 
 'After a few minutes reflection, Washington said: — "On this assur- 
 'ance of yours, Mr. Morris, such is my confidence in your ability 
 to perform any engagement you make, I will adopt your sugges- 
 •tion." 
 
 I * When the army arrived at Philadelphia, Mr. Morris had the 
 utmost difliculty in furnishing the supplies he had promised, but at 
 last hit upon the expedient of borrowing twenty thousand crowns 
 •from the Chevalier de Luzerne, the French Minister. The Chev- 
 alier objected that he had only funds enough to pay the Fi-ench 
 troops, and could not comply unless two vessels with specie on 
 'board for him arrived from France. Fortunately, about the time 
 
 23 
 
354 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the troops were at Elk, preparing to march for Yorktown, the 
 ships arrived, the money was procured, and especial pains taken 
 to parade the specie in open kegs, before the army. The troops 
 were paid, and cheerfully embarked to achieve the crowning tri- 
 umph of the Revolution.* 
 
 John Hancock, President of Congress, writing to Mr. Morris 
 in a severe crisis of the Revolution, says: — "I know however, 
 you will put things in a proper way, all things depend upon you, 
 and you have my hearty thanks for your unremitting labor." Gen. 
 Charles Lee said to him in a letter, when he assumed the duties 
 of Secretary of an empty treasury: — "It is an office I cannot 
 wish you joy of; the labor is more than Herculean; the filth of 
 that Augean stable is in my opinion too great to be cleared away 
 even by your skill and industry." 
 
 Paul Jones made Mr. Morris his executor, and bequeathed him 
 as a token of his high regard, the sword he had received from the 
 King of France. Mr. Morris gave it to Commodore Barry, with 
 a request that it should fall successively into the hands of the 
 oldest commander of the American Navy. 
 
 The Marquis de Chastellux, was in the United States, in 1780, 
 1781, and 1782, a Major General in the French Army, serving 
 under the Count de Rochambeau. In a book of Travels of which 
 he is the author, (a work well worthy of being more generally 
 known than it is,) he gives the following account of Mr. Morris, i 
 He visited him at his house in Philadelphia: — 
 
 " He was a verj' ricli merchant, and consequently a man of ever)' countr)% for 
 commerce bears everj' where the same character. Under monarchies, it is free; it is 
 an egotist in republics; a stranger, or if you will, a citizen of the universe, it excludes 
 alike the virtues and the prejudices that stand in the way of its interests. It is scarcely 
 to be credited, that amidst the disasters of America, Mr. Wokris, the inhabitant of a 
 town just emancipated from the hands of the English, should possess a fortune of eight 
 millions, (between three and four hundred thousand pounds, sterling.) It is, however, 
 in the most critical times, that the greatest fortunes are acquired. The fortunate return 
 of several ships, the still more successful cruises of his privateers, have increased his 
 riches beyond his expectations, if not beyond his v/ishes. He is, in fact, so accustomed 
 
 * Mr. Morris anxious to enlist the feelings of the Chevalier and secure his co-opera- 
 tion, took him into his carriage and was proceeding to Elk, when they met on the 
 road, an express rider. Mr. Morris called out to him and enquired for whom he had 
 despatches? " For Robert Morris," he replied. On opening the paper, it proved to 
 be the announcement that the French frigates had ai-rived in the Delaware with the 
 specie on board! 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 355 
 
 to the success of his privateers, that when he is observed on Sunday to be more 
 serious than usual, the conclusion is, that no prize has arrived the preceding week. 
 This flourishing state of commerce at Philadelphia, as well as in Massachusetts Bay, is 
 entirely owing to the arrival of the French squadron. The English have abandoned all 
 their cruises, to block it up at Newport, and in that they have succeeded ill, for they 
 have not a single sloop coming to Rhode Island, or Providence. Mr. Morris is a largo 
 man ven,- simple in his manners; his mind is subtle and acute, his head perfectly well 
 organized, and he is as well versed in public affairs as in his own. He was a member 
 of Congress in 1776, and ought to be reckoned among those personages who have had 
 the greatest influence in the revolution of America. He is the decided friend of Dr. 
 Franklin, and the decided enemy of Mr. Read. His house is handsome, resembling 
 perfectly the houses in London; he lives there without ostentation, but not without 
 expense, for he spares nothing which can contribute to his happiness and that of Mrs. 
 Morris to whom he is much attached." 
 
 j The account of Mr. Morris' wealth, at the period named, is not 
 ! perhaps exaggerated. During the Revolution the commercial 
 house in which he continued a partner, was prosecuting a success- 
 ful business. The translator of a London edition of the Travels 
 I of the Marquis de Chastellux, speaks of vast money making facili- 
 ' ties i\Ir. Morris enjoyed through the French consul, resident in 
 ' Philadelphia, by means of special permits to ship cargoes of flour, 
 ' &c. in a time of general embargoes. At one period, says the 
 ' translator, he circulated his private notes throughout the country, 
 ! as cash. 
 
 I The close of the Revolution, must have found him in possession 
 
 of immense wealth, exceeding that by far of any individual citizen 
 
 of the United States. But he was destined to a sudden reverse of 
 
 S fortune. There followed the Revolution a mania for land specula- 
 
 ' tion, as great perhaps in porportion to the then number of persons 
 
 ' to participate in it, as one that has been witnessed in our own 
 
 times. Mr. Morris participated largely in it; investing in large 
 
 tracts of wild land, as they came into market in different parts 
 
 of the United States; realizing for a time vast profits upon sales. 
 
 ' A reaction ensued, which found him in possession of an immense 
 
 landed estate, and largely in debt for purchase money. From 
 
 .;the opulence that we have been speaking of, he was reduced to 
 
 .poverty; and ultimately, some merciless creditors, made him for a 
 
 Jong time the tenant of a prison. 
 
 I It has been stated that his misfortunes were partly owing to sacri- 
 'fices he made during his financial agencies in the Revolution. 
 'This error is corrected in a letter with which the author has been 
 favored from a surviving son of his, the venerable Thomas Morkis, 
 
356 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Esq. a resident of the city of New York: — "My father's pecu- 
 niary losses were not owing to his public engagements in the war; 
 of Independence. Heavy as those engagements were, (the last 
 two years of the war having been supported almost entirely by his 
 advances and by his credits,) he was eventually reimbursed by the 
 public." 
 
 The author has in his posession two autograph letters, from Mr, 
 Morris, addressed to "Mr. Benjamin Barton," the father of the late 
 Benjamin Barton, Jr. The first, was written but a few weeks 
 after the Treaty with the Indians on the Genesee river, at which 
 the Indian title was extinguished to all the lands in this state west 
 of Phelp's and Gorham's Purchase. It is inserted entire: — 
 
 " Hills, near Philadelphia, Oct. 18, 1797. 
 
 Sir, — I received your letter dated at Newark, the 12th inst. only yesterday, and am 
 sorry to see thereby the several unfortunate accidents you have met with, and particu- 
 larW as your affairs have become deranged thereby. In consequence of the purchase 
 lately made by the Indians, our surveyors, will immediately set to work and survey and 
 lay out that country; and as my son Thomas, who lives at Canandaigua, Ontario 
 county, will have a principal share in selling lands, and establishing settlements there, 
 I think you had better apply to him; but your application will be time enough by or 
 before next spring, when he comes to Albany in the winter, to meet the Legislature. 
 
 You did not furnish me with an account of the lumber you sent down, which I wish 
 you would do, with the cost thereof. 
 
 I am, Sir, Your obt. serv't. ROBERT MORRIS." 
 
 At the date of this letter, he was a "Merchant Prince," living in. 
 affluence, writing of the purchase and intended sale and settlement 
 of vast tracts of land. Upon him had devolved the financiering 
 for our country in a period of peril and embarrassment. When 
 the army of Washington, unpaid, were lacking food and raiment; 
 murmuring as they well might be; it was his purse and credit that 
 more than once prevented its dispersion, and the failure of the 
 glorious achievement of Independence, His ships were upon the 
 ocean, his notes of hand forming a currency, his drafts honored 
 every where among capitalists in his own country, and in many of 
 the marts of commerce in Europe. 
 
 A reverse of fortune, saddening to those who are now enjoying 
 the blessings to which he so eminently contributed — who wish that' 
 no cloud had gathered around the close of his useful life — inter- 1 
 vened between the dates of the two letters. The second one is 
 dated "Philadelphia, Dec. 11, 1800," and after disposing of some 
 business enquiries that had been made, closes as follows: — 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 357 
 
 " You have now the clearest information I can give you. I have been frequently 
 appUed to about this affair, but hope there is an end of it. If however, you should find 
 it necessary to write again, bo good enough to pay the postage of your letters, for / 
 have not a cent to spare from the means of subsistence. 
 
 I am. Sir, Your ver}- obt. serv't. 
 
 ROBERT MORRIS. 
 Mr. Bexjamin Barton, Sussex Co. N. J." 
 
 ]Mr. Morris died at Morrisania, N. J., Nov. 6th, 1806, aged 
 73 years. 
 
 Note. — During the life of Mrs. Morris, she had an annuity of fifteen hundred 
 dollars, paid her by the Holland Company, as an equivalent for the release of dower, 
 in the lands they purchased of her husband. " This was all that was left of that 
 splendid fortune which we have seen to have been lavished in loans for the public 
 service, when its return was most doubtful." Robert Morris was not only connected 
 with this region as a primitive proprietor, but the project of the Erie Canal was 
 promoted by his efforts. 
 
358 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 AUGUSTUS PORTER. 
 
 Few names were earlier, have been more intimately, and none 
 more honorably, associated with the entire history of settlement 
 and progress in Western New York, than that of Augustus 
 Porter. Entering it in his youth — sitting down in the primitive 
 log cabins erected by the first settlers west of the Mussachusetts 
 pre-emption line; — going out with compass and chain and trav- 
 ersing the wilderness, over hill and dale, the trails of the Indian 
 that he occasionally crossed, the only evidences that human advent 
 and agency had preceded him; — his rude camp in the fastnesses of 
 the forest, pitched upon streams and by the side of springs that 
 had flowed and gurgled until then, unknown to his race; — changing 
 his wilderness itineracy for a position and agency that equally 
 blended him and his name with the primitive settlement of that 
 now empire of wealth and substantial prosperity, — "Phelps and 
 Gorham's Purchase." Remaining there but to see settlement 
 fairly commenced, then coming farther on, first as surveyor and 
 then as a settler to prominently participate in pushing settlement 
 and improvement to a new field of enterprize — to the western 
 boundaries of the Holland Purchase; — he lives to witness the 
 mighty change that has been wrought! With a memoiy and a 
 judgment unimpaired by age and more than its usual physical 
 infirmities, he yet lives to contribute valuable and essential i-emin- 
 iscences to the Pioneer history of a region he has seen converted 
 — and helped to convert — from the hunting grounds of the 
 migratory Indian, to the fairest and most prosperous region of our 
 Empire State. 
 
 There are few whose days are lengthened out as his have been; 
 fewer by far who have had cognizance of, and participation in, so 
 extended a period of interesting events in the history of our 
 country. Change, progress, the conversion of a wilderness to 
 what Western New York now is, in the short space of a little 
 over half a century, is a wonder of itself — and how far enhanced 
 is the wonder, when in view of the average amount of years that 
 are allotted to an active participation in the affairs of this life, we 
 listen to, or read the recital of events from a living witness, 
 commencing with the earliest advents of our race, in the work of 
 settlement and improvement ! 
 
 His studies at school in the years immediately preceding his 
 
ivw(i=w^irw^ iF(n)iE.'iF:iiE^ 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 359 
 
 majority, were interrupted by a transfer to farm labor, to help 
 supply the places of those who had gone out to fill the ranks of 
 an army raised by a few feeble colonies struggling for separation 
 and Independence. He has lived not only to see a glorious con- 
 summation of that struggle, but lives to see those colonies a mighty 
 empire of states, fulfilling the highest destinies fondly anticipated 
 by its founders. 
 
 The hand that helped to make some of the primitive township 
 and farm surveys of the region between the Seneca lake, and the 
 east line of the Holland Purchase, — a region now embracing a 
 city with over thirty thousand inhabitants; large and prosperous 
 villages; dotted throughout its entire length and breadth with 
 comfortable farm houses and highly cultivated farms; traversed 
 I 'by canals, rail roads and telegraphic wires; — is spared to make a 
 record of events of his own times, that in the old world would be 
 witnessed but by successive generations, and mark the lapse of 
 centuries ! 
 
 Penetrating the wilderness region still farther on — locating at 
 the Falls of P^iagara, and prominently pioneering in clearing away 
 the forest that enshrouded them — in commencing there the work 
 of settlement and improvement — in surveying and opening the 
 primitive roads; he lives to sec there, a prosperous and growing 
 village; to see it the termination lof rail roads and telegraphs; the 
 deep gorge, or basin, into which he has seen the mighty volume 
 of water pour but to affright the wild beasts in their favorite 
 haunts, spanned by one of the highest perfections of modern art; 
 to see where stood the rude, semi-log cabin resting place of an 
 occasional visitor, palace-like hotels erected, annually crowded 
 by those who throng to the great centre of attraction. 
 
 Where now is a city of over forty thousand inhabitants, the 
 great mart of the commerce of prosperous states, he has set down 
 and partaken of backwoods fare, in a log-cabin, the only place of 
 entertainment. There he has waited for a change of wind, to 
 enable him and his companions to coast along the shores of lake 
 Erie, in a batteau, over waters then but seldom disturbed but by 
 the elements, and the Indian's bark canoe. He lives to see those 
 waters whitened by the sails of commerce; "floating palaces," 
 steam-propelled, in fleets, competing for the travel and transpor- 
 tation of a young but already extended and prosperous empire of 
 the west ! 
 
360 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 How blended with change, progress, the mighty achievements 
 of our age and race, is the name, the reminiscences, of this tsarly 
 Pioneer! The reader will not be surprised that the author has, for 
 a few moments, arrested the course of narrative, for comments, 
 such as he has indulged in; nor deem it inappropriate, to hjive 
 availed himself of the skill of the artist, to give a faithful portrait 
 of his venerable features. 
 
 Judge Porter was born on the 18th of January, 1769; is a 
 native of Sahsbury, Connecticut; the son of Joshua Porter, who 
 was, for fifty years, a practicing physician and surgeon, in that 
 town. He died in 1825, at the advanced age of ninety-five years. 
 The subject of our brief memoir acquired the rudiments of educa- 
 tion in the common school of his native town; his regular attend- 
 ance at school being confined, as was the case with most boys of 
 New England at that period, to the winter months. In 178G, in 
 the sixteenth year of his age, he had the advantage of a few 
 month's study of mathematics, and particularly surveying, under 
 the tuition of Mr. Nathan Tisdale, of Lebanon. His tutor dying, 
 he returned to labor upon his father's farm, remaining under the 
 paternal roof until the spring of 1789, when he first started for the 
 new field of enterprise, then just opening in Western New York. 
 A continuation of the Judge's personal biography, in this form, is 
 rendered unnecessary, as it is embraced in a narrative of early 
 events, which he has furnished, at the request of the Buffalo Young 
 Men's Association; much of which, as it will be observed, the 
 author has transferred to his pages. 
 
 In June 1806, he became a resident of the Holland Purchase — 
 locating himself at the Falls of Niagara, where he still resides, at 
 the advanced age of eighty years. He may be said to constitute 
 a connecting fink between two generations — or rather between 
 two distinct classes; so far as habits of life are concerned. He is 
 one of the survivors of a race of Pioneers, hardy, industrious and 
 frugal; men of iron constitutions they must have been, to encounter 
 the hardships and privations of the wilderness. Living now in an 
 age of luxury, of increasing effeminacy; surrounded by all the 
 comforts of fife; with ample means to enjoy its luxuries; he 
 emphatically belongs to the old school; preserving the simple, 
 frugal habits of his youth and middle age, his habits of industry 
 and economy; his love of the substantial and sensible things of this 
 life; leaving to those who have acquired wealth through a less 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 361 
 
 rugged path, their choice of show and ostentation. In this respect, 
 as well as others, his life and exanii)le furnish a useful lesson; a 
 protest against the moral and physical degeneracy he lives to 
 witness. 
 
 He came to the western country as will have been seen, young; 
 with a good New England constitution; healthy and muscular. In 
 all of his early life he enjoyed good health; interrupted occasion- 
 ally by diseases incident to the climate, and extraordinary expo- 
 sures. In 1843, then seventy-four years of age, he was engaged 
 with his laborers, in prying up a stick of timber. Standing himself 
 upon the pry, the whole weight of the stick came upon it, throwing 
 him off with such violence as to partially break a hip bone; to 
 which casualty is to be attributed a present lameness; added to 
 which is the troublesome and at times painful infirmity — hernia — 
 and a hereditary deafness, that increases with age, and renders the 
 use of an ear trumpet essential in ordinary conversation. And yet, 
 under all these disabilities, the greater portion of each day, is spent 
 in the out-of-door general management of a largely extended and 
 varied business.* 
 
 [During the last winter, as a preliaiinan" step in the preparation of this work, the 
 author called upon Judge Porter for such assistance as his long residence, retentive mem- 
 ory, and intelligent observation enabled him to give. He cheerfully and obUgingly com- 
 plied, and devoted several days to a patient answering of such enquiries as were made 
 of him; the author taking notes during the interview. These are principally applicable 
 of the earlj' settlement of the Holland Purchase, and will be used in a detached form, 
 as the necessity of their use occurs. About this period the Judge had been applied to 
 by a committee of the Young Men's Association of Buffalo, for historical reminiscences, 
 1 with a view to preservation in the archives of their Association; which request he was 
 . complying with. With his consent, and that of the Association, that portion of his 
 written narrative of events, having reference to settlement as it was approacliing the 
 Holland Purchase, is used by the author. It saved the narrator from travelling twice over 
 the same ground, and insured a greater degree of correctness, than could have been 
 relied upon from notes of conversation. The narrative is taken up as it came from hig 
 hands; with such portions omitted as have been embraced in other forms; that in 
 reference to land titles being the principal omission in all that relates to the progress of 
 settlement in Western New York.] 
 
 In the year 1789, Capt. Wm, Bacon, Gen. John Fellows, Gen. 
 John x\shley, and Elisha Lee, Esq., of Sheffield, Mass., Deacon John 
 Adams of Alford, jMass., and my father, having become the pur- 
 chasers of Township No. 12. 1st Range (now Arcadia, Wayne 
 Co.,) and No. 10, in the 4th Range, (now East Bloomfield, Onta- 
 
 * This is from a note made in the author's memorandum book, a year previous to the 
 publication of his work. 
 
362 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 rio Co.,) then in the county of Montgomery, New York, I entered i 
 into an agreement with them to go out and survey the tracts. 1, ,: 
 accordingly, in pursuance of previous arrangements, made with i 
 Capt. Bacon, met him at Schenectady, early m May, 1789. Here 
 I found Capt. B. had collected some cattle, provisions, and farming 
 utensds, for the use of the settlers who were going forward in 
 company with Deacon Adams and his family, whom I also met at 
 the same place, and who took charge of the cattle. The provis- 
 ions were taken into two boats. I assisted in navigating one of 
 the boats, each carrying about twelve barrels, and known as 
 Schenectady batteaux, and each navigated by four men. Leaving . 
 Schenectady, we proceeded up the Mohawk to Fort Stanwix ■ 
 (now Rome.) In passing Little Falls of the Mohawk, the boats r, 
 and their contents were transported around on wagons. At Fort 
 Stanwix, we carried our boats, &c., over a portage about one 
 mile, to the waters of Wood creek. This creek affords but little 
 water from the portage to its juncture with the Canada creek, 
 (which falls into Wood creek seven miles west of Fort Stanwix.) 
 At the portage there was a dam for a saw mill, which created a 
 considerable pond. This pond, when filled, could be rapidly dis- 
 charged, and on the flood thus suddenly made, boats were enabled 
 to pass down. We passed down this stream, which empties into 
 Oneida Lake, and through that lake and its outlets to the Three 
 River Point, and thence up the Seneca River and the outlet of 
 Kanadasaga Lake, (now Seneca Lake,) to Kanadasaga settlement, 
 (now Geneva.) The only interruption to the navigation to this 
 river and the outlet, occurred at Seneca Falls and Waterloo, (then 
 known as Scoys.) At Seneca Falls we passed our boats up the 
 stream empty, by the strength of a double crew, our loading being 
 taken around by a man named Job Smith, who had a pair of oxen 
 and a rudely constructed cart, the wheels of which were made 
 by sawing off a section of a log, some two and a half or three' 
 feet in diameter. At Scoys, we took out about half our load to 
 pass, consisting mostly of barrels, which were rolled around the 
 rapids. 
 
 From the time we left Fort Stanwix, until we arrived at Kana- 
 dasaga, we found no white persons, except at the juncture of 
 Canada and Wood creeks, where a man lived by the name of^ 
 Armstrong; — at Three River Point, where lived a Mr. Bingham,; 
 and at Seneca Falls, where was Job Smith. Geneva was at that 
 time the most important Western settlement, and consisted of some* 
 six or seven families, among whom was Col. Reed, (father of th&l 
 late Rufus Reed, of Erie, Pa.,) Roger Noble and family, of Shef- 
 field, Mass., and Asa Ransom, late of Erie county, who had a smajf 
 shop, and was engaged in making Indian trinkets. At Geneva 
 we left our boats and cargoes in charge of Capt. liacon, who' 
 had come from Schenectady to Fort Stanwix, on horseback, and| 
 there took passage on our boats. Joel Steel, Thaddeus Keyes, 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 363 
 
 Orange Woodruff, and myself, took our packs on our backs, and 
 followed the Indian trail, over to Canandaigua. 
 
 At Canandaigua, (then called Kanandarque) we found Gen. 
 Chapin, Daniel Gates, Joseph Smith, (Indian interpreter) Benjamin 
 Gardner and family, Frederick Saxton, (Surveyor) and probably 
 some half a dozen others, all of whom except Smith and Gardner 
 had come on with Gen. Chapin, some ten or fifteen days before, 
 in boats from Schenectady, by Fort Stanwix, Wood creek, Oneida 
 Lake, &c., and up the Canandaigua outlet, into the lake itself. 
 This is the only instance to my knowledge of the ascent of boats 
 for transportation so high up; the ordinary point of landing, after- 
 wards, being at Manchester, seven miles down. The only houses 
 in Canandaigua were of logs. One occupied by Gen. Chapin near 
 the outlet; one a Uttle further north, on the rising ground occu- 
 pied by Smith, and one by Gardner near the old Antis house, as 
 at present known; and the other on the lot where Oliver Phelps' 
 house stands, which had been built the fall before by Mr. Walker, 
 an agent of Mr. Phelps. In this house, Caleb Walker, his 
 brother, died in 1790, and was the first person buried in the grave- 
 yard at Canandaigua. 
 
 From Canandaigua, I went to township. No. 10, in the 4th Range 
 (now East Bloomfield,) where I found Jonathan Adams, one of the 
 proprietors of the town, who had come on from Schenectady with 
 cattle and horses, accompanied by his large family, consisting of 
 the following persons; himself and wife, his sons, John, William, 
 Abner, and Joseph; his sons-in-law, Ephraim Rew, and Lorin Hull, 
 and their wives, (his daughters) Wilcox, another son-in-law, and a 
 younger daughter, afterwards the wife of John Keyes; Elijah 
 Rose a brother-in-law, wife and soi"^ and the following named 
 persons: Moses Gunn, Lot Rew, John Barns, Roger Sprague, 
 Asa Ileacock, Benjamin Goss, John Keyes, Nathaniel Norton, 
 and Eber Norton. Here Mr. Adams had erected two small log 
 houses, and one large one, in which for the time being, all these 
 people found a shelter. Mr. Adams in compliance with an 
 arrangement with the proprietors, furnished me with the necessary 
 hands and provisions to fit out my surveying party, and I then 
 commenced to survey the town. 
 
 After finishing the survey of this township, Fredrick Saxton and 
 myself, surveyed and allotted township 9, in 6th Range, (now 
 Livonia, Livingston Co.,) which proved to be one of the best town- 
 ships of land in the Genesee country. To show however, the 
 inconsiderable value put upon it at that time, I mention the fact 
 that Gen. Fellows offered to sell the whole township to Mr. Saxton 
 and myself at twenty cents per acre. 
 
 After completing the survey of this township, Mr. Saxton 
 assisted me in the survey of township No. 12, 1st Range, 
 (Arcadia, Wayne Co.) Col. Hugh Maxwell, a surveyor, had con- 
 tracted with Phelps and Gorham, the previous year, to run out 
 
364 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 into townships the whole of that part of their purchase to which 
 the Indian title had been extinguished. Not having completed 
 the work, he entered into an agreement with Mr. Saxton and 
 myself, to survey a portion, consisting of about forty townships, 
 which now constitute part of Steuben county. We entered 
 immediately on this survey, and completed it in the course of the I 
 season. While engaged in it we made our head quarters at Painted 
 Post on the Conhocton river, at the house of old Mr. Harris and 
 his son William. These two men, Mr. Goodhue who lived near 
 by, and a Mr. Meade, two miles up the river, at the mouth of a 
 stream since known as "Meade's creek," were the only persons 
 then on the territory we were surveying. Before we left, how- 
 ever, Solomon Bennet, Mr. Stevens, Capt. Jameson, and Mr. 
 Crosby, arrived from Pennsylvania in search of a township for ■ 
 purchase and for future settlement, and fixed on township No. 3 '4 
 in the 5th, and No. 4 in the 6th, Ranges, both lying on the Canisteo >\ 
 river, and soon after settled by these men. They are now known i| 
 in whole or in part as the town of Canisteo. 
 
 In the fall I returned to my father's, in Salisbury, by the water 
 route, in company with several persons from New England, who,- 
 having spent the summer at the west, were returning home to 
 spend the winter. 
 
 In addition to the persons mentioned by me as found at Canan- 
 daigua, in the spring of this year, (1789) the following came during 
 the summer, viz: Abner Barlow, Israel Chapin, Jr., Othniel 
 Taylor, Nathaniel Gorham, Dr. Moses Atwater, Judah Colt, John [ 
 Call, Amos Hall, Gen. Wells, John Clark, Daniel Brainard, John 
 Fanning, Stephen Bates, Aaron Heacock, James Fisk, Jairus Rose, 
 Hugh Jameson, Mr. Truman, Orange Brace, Martin Dudley, and 
 Luther Cole. The following came to Victor: Hezekiah Bough- ; 
 ton, Jr., Enos Boughton, Jared Boughton, Seymour Boughton, 2d, 1, 
 Lyman Boughton, Zebulon Norton, Joel Scudder, Mr. Smith, i' 
 and Mr. Brace. Into Bristol: Gamaliel Wilder, Jonathan Wilder,] 
 Wm. Gooding, Elnathan Gooding. Into Geneva: Roger Noble,-; 
 Phineas Stevens, Elias Jackson, Mr. Jennings, Wm. Patterson, . 
 Peter Bortle. To Palmyra: Gen. John Swiflt. ToPittsford: Israeli 
 Stone, Simon Stone, Paul Richardson, Mr. Allen, and Mr. Acker.' 
 To Trondequoit Landing: Mr. Lusk. To Brighton: Orange Stone 
 and Chauncey Hyde, Capt. John Gilbert from Lenox, Mass. 
 (father of John Gilbert, now of Ypsilanti, Mich.) who surveyed 
 the town into lots. To Perrinton; Glover Perrin and Caleb; 
 Walker. To Livonia: Solomon Woodruif. To Avon: Timothy; 
 Hosmer, Gilbert Berry, Capt. Thompson, and Mr. Rice (whose, 
 wife gave birth to the first child born on the Phelps and Gorham | 
 Purchase, whose name was "Oliver Phelps Rice.") To Vienna: 
 Decker Robinson. To Middleton: (at the head of Canandaiguai 
 lake,) Col. Clarke, Capt Walkins, Lieut. Cleveland, and Ensign | 
 Parrish. To Lima: Abner Miles and Doctor Minor. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 365 
 
 Among the incidents of this year (1789) in this western region, 
 then just beginning to be inhabited, was the following: A Mr. 
 Jenkins, who went out for the proprietors, John Swift and others, 
 to survey township 12, 2d range, (Palmyra) commenced his laboi's 
 early in the season, and erected for the accommodation of his party 
 a small hut of poles. One night, when the party were asleep, two 
 Indians attacked them, first firing their rifles through the open 
 cracks of the hut, and then rushing in. One of Jenkins' men was 
 killed by the first fire, but Jenkins and his party after a brief strug- 
 gle, succeeded in driving the savages oft" without further loss. He 
 went the next morning to Geneva, where he learned that the party 
 to which they probably belonged had gone south. He accordingly, 
 in company with others, followed in pursuit, as far as Newtown, 
 (Elmira) on the Chemung river, near which place the murderers 
 I were captured. Newtown was then the principal, indeed almost 
 I only settlement, in that region of country. The Indians were 
 : examined betbre an informal assembly, and the proof being in their 
 I opinion, suflicient to establish their guilt, the question arose as to 
 . how they should be disposed of. The jail of the county, (then 
 ; Montgomery) was at Johnstown, and it was not deemed practicable 
 [ to transport them so great a distance, through an Indian wilderness. 
 ' It was therefore determined summarily to execute them, and this 
 i determination was carried immediately into effect, — an account of 
 i which I received from Jasper Parrish and Horatio Jones (after- 
 i wards Indian interpreters) who were eye witnesses of the execu- 
 . tion.* Another incident occured at Canandaigua this year, worthy, 
 , perhaps, of notice. 
 
 The year was one of unusual scarcity among the Indians. 
 ; Indeed, they were almost reduced to starvation. Oliver Phelps 
 1 having made a treaty with them the year previous, they were to 
 
 * The narrator will be gratified to learn that his recollections of an event that trans- 
 pired almost sixty years since, are mainly corroborated by printed, cotemporaiy record, 
 as will be seen bv an extract of a letter published in the Maryland Journal of April 
 14th, 1789, dated at Wyoming, March 27th, 1789:— "Major John Jenkins, Solomon 
 
 I Earl, Baker, and William Ransom, about the 10th instant, were surveying 
 
 , lands near the Lakes. One morning about 2 o'clock, four Tuscarora Indians, and a 
 squaw, made an attack upon them in their cabin. The Indians put the muziles of 
 their guns into the cabin and each fired. Baker was killed and Earl badly wounded. 
 
 I This awoke Jenkins and Ransom: the Indians rushed on with the knife and tomahawk, 
 but Jenkins by an instantaneous effort of bravery, caught hold of an axe and knocked 
 down two Indians; afterwards Ransom assisted and beat the Indians off, and took 
 each of their guns, tomahawks, &c. Jenkins and his surviving companion lodged that 
 night in said cabin with the dead and wounded; next day they returned with Earl to 
 Geneva. A scout was immediately sent after the said Indians. When the party arrived 
 at the cabin they found the Indians had been back and taken off all their provisions; the 
 object of this bloody attack. Four Indians are sent in quest of the villians, and have 
 pledged their honor they will not return without their bodies, or their scalps. God 
 preserve their honorl" So it seems that Baltimore was the place to look for news of 
 local events in Western New York, at one period. Mr. Boughton, who is introduced 
 
 ' in a subsequent page, says, that when he arrived at the foot of Seneca lake in February 
 1790, he "saw there the man that was shot at PalmjTa; the ball had gone through 
 his jaw." 
 
366 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 meet him this year to receive their stipulated annuities. As is 
 usual on such occasions, presents were provided for distrihution 
 amono- them, as well as articles of subsistence, of which it was 
 known they stood in great need. The number of Indians assem- 
 bled, however, greatly exceeded his expectations, (increased, doubt- 
 less, by their starving condition,) amounting, propably, to two 
 thousand. The stock of provisions proving inadequate to their 
 wants, they were driven to the necessity of devouring every thing 
 that could satisfy their hunger, consuming with voracity even the 
 entrails of the animals that had been slaughtered. They parted 
 with almost every thing they had to purchase food, and did not 
 disperse until they had nearly produced a famine among the white 
 mhabitants. Another occurrence of this season was the opening 
 of a road, from Geneva to Canandaigua, which was the first piece 
 of road opened west of Westmoreland (now Oneida,) county. 
 The winter of 1789-90, 1 spent at my father's in copying my field 
 notes, and finishing up my surveys. 
 
 During the winter of 1789-90, 1 entered into an agreement with 
 Gen. John Fellows, one of the proprietors of East Bloomficld, to 
 join him in the erection of a saw-mill, on Mud creek, in that town, 
 about five miles west of Canandaigua. In pursuance of this plan, ; 
 we collected at Schenectady a stock of provisions, tools, &c., 
 necessary for the purpose. In May, I embarked again at Schenec- 
 tady, for the west, taking with me these articles, and proceeded by 
 nearly the same route as in the previous year, except that I passed 
 up the Canandaigua outlet to Manchester, now called, and thence 
 transported my loading by teams to East Bloomfield. One of my 
 companions in this expedition was Dr. Daniel Chapin, who resided 
 many years in Bloomfield, and afterwards removed to Buflalo, 
 where he died, — also Oliver Chapin and Aaron Taylor and family. , 
 I have heretofore remarked that the mode adopted to render j 
 Wood creek navigable, was to collect the water by means of a mill i, 
 dam, thus creating a sudden flood to carry boats down. Sometimes h 
 boats did not succeed in getting through to deep water in one flood, ,j 
 and were consequently obliged to await a second one. As we | 
 were coming down the creek during the voyage on our first flood, j 
 we overtook a boat Mdiich had been grounded after the previous j 
 one, the navigators of which were in the water, ready to push her ij 
 off" as soon as the coming tide should reach them. Among these | 
 persons, was James Wadsworth, of Geneseo, with whom I then I 
 first became acquainted. He was then on his way west, to occupy j 
 his property at Geneseo, which has since become so beautiful and j 
 valuable an estate. Gen. Fellows set out for Bloomfield on horse- j 
 back, having sent on a team, (two yoke of oxen and a wagon,) j 
 with a moderate load, and four or five cows. These were driven j 
 on by some person coming on to assist in building the mill, and i 
 among them, Mr. Dibble, the millwright. Gen. F. parted with the 
 wasfon near Utica. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 36" 
 
 ' During the previous winter, tlic legislature of New York had 
 appropriated a township of land (called " the Road township ") 
 situated in what is now called Madison county, the proceeds of 
 which were to be applied to opening a road west from Westmore- 
 land. The job had been taken by contract, and Gen. Fellows 
 found the party cutting out the road not far from the present settle- 
 ment at Onondaga. After Gen, F. reached Bloomfield, fearing 
 that the team might not be able to get through with the materials 
 for the mills, dispatched me back to meet the part}', and help them 
 along. At Cayuga lake I met Mr. Dibble, the millwright, from 
 whom I learned that the team had left its load at Onondaga, and 
 that the men with the cattle and wagons were coming on with a 
 large number of settlers, as fast as the persons employed in opening 
 the road, with their assistance, progressed with the work. I, 
 therefore, concluded to return to Manchester and take the boat I 
 had left there and go to Onondaga for the loading. Taking Mr. 
 Dibble and three other men with me, I went to Onondaga and 
 retiu'ned with the loading. The men and the teams of the party 
 reached Bloomfield at about the same time we did. I spent the 
 summer chiefly in attending to the erection of the saw-mill, 
 occasionally doing some surveying, particularly town 13, 4th 
 range, (now Penfield, Monroe Co.) which had been purchased of 
 
 '. Phelps and Gorham by Jonathan Fasset. The mill was finished in 
 the fall, and was, I believe, the third one erected on Phelps and 
 
 i Gorham's Purchase. 
 
 ; In Dec. of this year, (1790) I went, in company with Orange 
 
 I Brace and two other persons, on foot, to Connecticut. The 
 journey was a tedious and painful one, being made through a deep 
 snow the whole distance, a part of which was accomplished on 
 snow shoes. The following are some of the persons who came 
 
 ; into the country during this year, viz: To Canandaigua: Nathan- 
 iel Sanburn, Lemuel Castle, Seth Holcomb. To Victor: Heze- 
 kiah Boughton, Senr., Seymour Boughton, Senr. To Bristol: 
 Deacon Codding, Francis Codding and Ephraim Wilder. To 
 Pittstown, (now Richmond:) Peter, Gideon, William and Samuel 
 Pitts. To Geneseo: James Wadsworth and William Wadsworth. 
 
 , To West Bloomfield. Benjamin Gardner, (from Canandaigua,) 
 
 : Robert Taft, Mr. Miller, Clark Peck, Esq. Curtis, Jasper P. Sears, 
 Nathan Marvin, Lorin V/ait, Amos Hall. To Avon: Gad 
 Wadsworth, IMr. Ganson. To Farmington: oldMr. Comstock, and 
 his sons Jared, Darius, John, Otis, and Isaac Hathaway. During 
 the session of the Legislature in 1789-90, a law was passed erect- 
 the county of Ontario, to consist of all that portion of the state 
 lying west of the Eastern line of Phelps and Gorham's Purchase. 
 This was the first county set off from Montgomery. The follow- 
 ing were the oflicers appointed: Oliver Phelps, first Judge; Timothy 
 Hosmer, (afterwards himself first Judge) Arnold Potter, and Israel 
 Chapin, side Judges; Judah Colt, SheriflT; Nathaniel Gorham, Clerk. 
 
368 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 I spent a part of the winter of 1790-91 at my Father's, and in 
 February I left again for the west. I made the journey in com- 
 pany with John Fellows, son of Gen. Fellows, and two others, 
 in a two horse sleigh. At that time, the only white settlements 
 between Westmoreland and the Seneca Lake, were at Onondaga 
 Hollow, where Gen. Danforth and Comfort Tyler had settled, 
 and at what is now Eldridge, Cayuga Co., where Mr. Buck had 
 located himself. On this journey we encamped for the night in a 
 fine hemlock grove, on the east side of Owasco outlet, where 
 Auburn now stands. 
 
 During the early part of this season (1791) in carrying on the 
 saw mill, and making improvements on land, with occasional sur- 
 veying, I became acquainted, for the first time, with Oliver 
 Phelps. This was an important event in my life at the west, for 
 it led not only to my permanent and steady employment for 
 more than ten years, (first for Phelps and Gorham, but always 
 under the direction of Mr. P. himself,) during which I became 
 familiar with most of the transactions relating to land sales, sur- 
 veys, &c., but was followed by a personal intimacy with him, 
 from which I derived many important advantages. His friendship 
 for, and confidence in me, never faltered, and I have consequently 
 always retained the highest personal respect for his name and| 
 memory. 
 
 *^ ^ A^ ^ Mf -iU 
 
 •n- 'IV 'rr 'Jv n^ 'Tt 
 
 On the 12th of May, 1788, Mr. Phelps, accompanied by Col. J 
 Hugh Maxwell, a Revolutionary officer, of Heath, Mass., as sur- 
 veyor, then fifty-seven years old — and William Walker, of Lenox,-, 
 as assistant, proceeded to Kanadasaga, (now Geneva) for the 
 purpose of making arrangements for holding a treaty with the 
 Indians for the purchase of the possessory right to the whole or a- 
 part of the territory. On arriving at Kanadasaga, he found the : 
 Indians assembled in council with John Livingston, of Columbia 
 Co., and Caleb Benton, of Greene Co., who represented a com- 
 pany known at that time as " the Lessee Company," for the lease ' 
 of the tract lying immediately east of the Massachusetts claim. 
 Mr. Phelps at once commenced negotiations, but as the Indians, 
 were not very numerously represented, furl her proceedings were; 
 adjourned to a treaty agreed to be held at Buffalo about the last; 
 of June. This treaty was held at Buffalo in pursuance of thiSj 
 adjournment., Mr. Phelps was anxious to purchase all their lands j 
 within the Massachusetts pre-emption claim. But the Indians were^ 
 unwiUing to sell any part of the country west of the Genesee| 
 river, alledging that "the Great Spirit" had fixed that stream as' 
 the boundary between the white and the red man. 
 
 Mr. Phelps, finding them quite immoveable on this point, then, 
 represented to them that he was very desirous of getting some,' 
 land west of the river, at the great Falls, for the purpose of 
 building thereon mills, for the use and convenience of the white 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 3G9 
 
 settlers coming into the country, and that these mills, when built, 
 would be very convenient for the Indians themselves. The Indi- 
 ans then asked him how much land he wanted for his Mill Seat. 
 He replied that he thought a piece about twelve miles wide, exten- 
 ding from Canawagas village, on the west side of the river to its 
 mouth (about twenty-eight miles) would answer his purpose. To 
 this the Indians replied that it seemed to be a good deal of land 
 for a Mill Seat, but as they supposed the Yankees knew best what 
 was required, they would let him have it. After the treaty was 
 concluded, the Indians told Mr. Phelps, that it being customary 
 for them to give to the man with whom they dealt, a name, they 
 would give him one. They also said they should expect from him 
 "a treat" and a walking staff" (meaning some spirits,) to help them 
 home. The name they gave Mr. Phelps, on this occasion, was 
 that by which he was ever afterwards known among them, viz: 
 Scaw-gun-se-ga, which translated, is "the Great Fall." This 
 purchase, which comprised what is now the city of Rochester, was 
 thereafter called "the Mill Seat Tract. "* 
 
 The result of this treaty was the purchase of this Mill Seat Tract, 
 and the whole of the eastern portion of the Massachusetts claim, 
 bounded as follows: North by lake Ontario: East by the east line 
 of the Massachusetts claim (which passes through a part of the Sen- 
 eca lake at Geneva); south by the Pennsylvania north line; and 
 west by the Genesee river, as far as the mouth of the Canascraga 
 creek, and by a line running due south to the Pennsylvania line. 
 The lands thus purchased at this treaty, I shall hereafter have occa- 
 sion to refer to as "Phelps and Gorham's Indian Purchase." 
 
 At the same time the Lessee Company concluded their arrange- 
 ments with the Indians, renting from them, for 999 years the tract 
 lying east of Phelps and Gorham's purchase. The object of this 
 company in taking their conveyance from the Indians in the form 
 of a lease, was to evade the pre-emptive right. It was, however, 
 so palpable a fraud on that right, that the State of New York at 
 once refused to recognize it, and it was declared void by the Legis- 
 lature at its next session. The lands were subsequently appro- 
 priated by the State of New York to the payment of military 
 bounties, and hence have since been known as the Military Tract. 
 The agents of the Lessee Company, Messrs. Livingston and Benton, 
 at this treaty, rendered important services in aiding Mr. Phelps in 
 his negociations, and received from him two townships of lands in 
 what is now Yates county, which were afterwards known as " the 
 Lessee Townships," one of which is now named "Benton," after 
 the grantee above mentioned. 
 
 Messrs. Phelps and Gorham and the Lessees, as soon as their 
 treaties were concluded, determined at once to send surveyors to 
 run out the line which was to divide their property on the east line 
 
 * •" Its contents aro about 200,000 acres." 
 24 
 
370 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 i 
 
 of the Massachusetts claim. Geneva was then a small settlement 
 beautifully situated on the bank of Seneca lake, rendered (juite 
 attractive from its lying adjoining an old Indian settlement, in which 
 was an orchard. This orchard had been destroyed by Gen. Sul- 
 livan, in his celebrated campaign, in 1779, but sprouts had grown 
 up from it into bearing trees. As it was known the line must pass 
 near this place, some anxiety was felt as to which party it might 
 belong. Col. Maxwell, on the part of Phelps and Gorham, and Mr. 
 Jenkins on the part of the Lessees, as surveyors, proceeded to the 
 point of beginning at the 82d mile stone, on the north line of Penn- 
 sylvania, and ran through to lake Ontario a line known as the Pre- 
 emption line, which passed about a mile and a quarter west of 
 Geneva, and which was the basis of the surveys, made by Phelps 
 and Gorham. This line afterwards was proved to have been incor- 
 rectly run, and it was charged that the incorrectness was in part a 
 fraud of Jenkins, whose object was to secure to his employers, the 
 Lessee Company, the location of Geneva. The suspicion of fraud 
 led to a re-survey of this line, under the direction of Robert Morris.^ 
 The line being run. Col. Maxwell commenced immediately the sur- 
 vey of the tract west of it, and in the course of the season run out 
 about thirty townships and began the survey and allotment of 
 Canandaigua. 
 
 The supposition was quite common, that on ascertaining the 
 ^vestern boundary of the Massachusetts claim (being the east hne 
 of the New York and Massachusetts cession to the United States) 
 it would be found to include the harbor and town of Presque Isle 
 (now Erie, Pa.) The state of Pennsylvania was anxious to 
 secure to itself that point, and in the winter of 1788-89 had made 
 propositions to Phelps and Gorham for the purchase of it. At the 
 request of Phelps and Gorham, the U. S. Government sent out 
 the Surveyor General, Andrew Ellicott, in 1789, for the purpose 
 of running and establishing this line. Frederick Saxton went with 
 him on behalf of Phelps and Gorham. As the line was to 
 commence at the west end of Lake Ontario, there was some 
 hesitation in the outset in determining whether it should commence 
 at the western extremity of Burlington Bay, or at the Peninsula 
 separating the Bay from the lake. But it was at length fixed 
 at the Peninsula, and on the completion of the survey, by first 
 running some distance south, and then offsetting around the east 
 end of lake Erie, it was found to pass some twenty miles east of 
 Presque Isle. This line now forms the western boundary of the 
 State of New York, between lake Erie and the old north line of 
 Pennsylvania, and is the Eastern line of a tract known as the 
 
 * This re-survey was made by Andrew Ellicott, United States surveyor General, assis- 
 ted by Judg^e Porter. It corrected the previous survey, by establishing the line about as 
 far east of Geneva as that had west of it. The care taken in this last survey was well 
 calculated to ensure correctness, and iu fact its correctness was never questioned. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 371 
 
 "Presque Isle triangle," which was afterwards purchased by 
 
 Pennsylvania of the United States, and is now a part of that State. 
 
 j After the conclusion of the Indian treaty at Buffalo, in 1788, 
 
 and as soon as the progress of surveys would permit, Phelps and 
 
 Gorham commenced making sales, and up to the middle of the 
 
 year 1789, had sold some thirty or forty townships, receiving small 
 
 payments, chiefly in Massachusetts final settlement notes, with an 
 
 understanding that future payments, might be made in the same 
 
 1 securities at par. It was in consequence of this system of sales, 
 
 I that they were so large. 
 
 ( In consequence of the adoption of the Constitution of the 
 j United States, not long after the purchase by Phelps and Gorham, 
 it was anticipated that the General Government would assume the 
 ; indebtedness of the several states growing out of the Revolution. 
 ! The effect of this was to make the holders of the State securities 
 less willing to sell at low rates, so that Messrs. Phelps and 
 I Gorham, instead of being able to continue to sell rapidly, for this 
 I species of payment, sold comparatively little after about the middle 
 I of 1789; and during the year 1790, Congress did, in fact, assume 
 ' the payment of certain State debts, among which were included 
 : these Massachusetts final settlement notes. The consequence of 
 1 this assumption was to raise th-em at once to par, and even above. 
 I Having failed to make the payment of the installment due to 
 Massachusetts in 1789 — 90, the state commenced a suit against 
 ' Phelps and Gorham and their sureties. Phelps and Gorham were, 
 i however, enabled to effect a compromise with the State, by which 
 f it was agreed that P. and G. should re-convey to Massachusetts all 
 that portion of their purchase to which they had not extinguished 
 ; the Indian title, viz: All west of the Genesee river up to the 
 ' mouth of the Canascraga, and thence due south to the Pennsyl- 
 ' vania line, except the mill seat tract above mentioned, ami retain 
 
 ■ to themselves the remainder, supposed to be about one-third of the 
 whole, paying therefor a sum proportioned to the amount retained. 
 It being understood that the final settlement notes were worth only 
 
 ' four shillings on the pound when the purchase was made, the 
 amount to be paid was to be estimated on that basis. This agree- 
 : ment was carried into effect in 1790, or thereabouts. 
 
 Meantime, the rise of these public state securities, which had pre- 
 vented Phelps and Gorham from fulfilling their contract with Mass- 
 achusetts, in like manner, prevented the early purchasers under them 
 , from making their payments. Consequently, a considerable part of 
 i these lands sold, reverted to Phelps and Gorham in after years, 
 ' or were bought by Oliver Phelps, and sold by him to other persons. 
 
 [The portion of Judge Porter's manuscript omitted here — several pages — has 
 1 reference principally to surveys in which he participated, connected with the bounda- 
 ) ries of Phelps and Gorham's purchase, its sub-divisions, — and to matters necessarily 
 
 ■ connected with our chain of land titles.] 
 
372 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 111 the spring of 1794, I again returned to Canandaigua, and was 
 employed during the whole season in making surveys of various 
 tracts for Mr. Phelps. In the fall I again returned with him to 
 Sufheld, where I spent part of the winter, and the remainder with 
 him in New York, where he effected his large land sale to De 
 Witt Clinton, and other large sales to other persons. 
 
 During the summer of 1794, the court house of Ontario county 
 was erected at Canandaigua. Thaddeus Chapin came this year to 
 Canandaigua. 
 
 ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^iz 
 
 In the spring of 1795, I again left Suffield for Canandaigua. At 
 Salisbury I was joined by my brother, Peter B. Porter, who had 
 decided to settle at Canandaigua, in the practice of the law. 
 During this season I acted as agent for Mr. Phelps in the manage- 
 ment and sale of his lands, and in surveying for him. In the latter 
 part of August, this year, I went to Presque Isle (now Erie Pa.) in 
 company with Judah Colt. At this time all that part of the state 
 of New York, lying west of "Phelps and Gorham's Indian 
 Purchase," was still occupied by the Indians, their title to it not 
 being yet extinguished. There was of course no road leadingfrom 
 Buffalo eastward, except an Indian trail, and no settlement what- 
 ever on that trail. We traveled on horseback from Canawagus 
 (now Avon,) to Buffalo, and were two days in performing the 
 journey. At Buffalo there lived a man of the name of Johnstone, 
 the British Indian interpreter, — also a Dutchman and his family, 
 by the name of Middaugh, and an Indian trader by the name of 
 Winne. From Buffalo we proceeded to Chippewa, U. C. where 
 we found Capt. Wm. Lee, with a small row-boat, about to start 
 for Presque Isle, and waiting only for assistance to row the boat. 
 Mr. Colt, Mr. Joshua Fairbanks, now of Lewiston, and myself, 
 jqined him. Two days of hard rowing brought us to that place 
 where we found surveyors engaged in laying out the village, now 
 called Erie. Also a military company under the command of Gen. 
 Irwin, ordered there by the Governor of the state, to protect the 
 surveyors against the Indians. Col. Seth Reed, (father of Rufus 
 S. Reed, and grandfather of Charles M. Reed,) was there with 
 his family, living in a marquee, having just arrived.* A Mr. 
 Reese, was also there, acting as agent for the "Population Com- 
 pany," for selling and managing their lands, of whom Mr. Colt 
 and I purchased two thousand acres. We returned in the same 
 boat to Chippewa, and from thence on horseback by way of 
 Queenston, on the Indian trail through Tonawanda Indian village 
 to Canandaigua. 
 
 During this expedition from Buffalo to Erie, a very remarkable 
 
 * It would appear by the date of Judge Porter's visiit to Erie, that Deacon Chamberlin 
 was in error as to the year he was there. Mr. Fairbanks, who marrie-d the daughter of 
 Col. Reed, agrees with Judge Porter as to the period of his settlement at Erie. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 373 
 
 circumstance presented itself, the like of which I had never before 
 seen, nor have I since w^itnessed. Before starting from Buffalo, we 
 had been detained there for two days by a heavy fall of rain, 
 accompanied by a strong northeast gale. When ofT Cattaragus 
 creek, on our upward passage, about one to two miles from land, 
 we discovered, some distance ahead, a white strip on the surface 
 of the lake, extending out from the shore as far as we could see. 
 On approaching this white strip, we found it to be some five or six 
 rods wide, and its whole surface covered with fish of all the vari- 
 eties common to the lake, lying on their sides as if dead. On 
 touching them, however, they would dart below the surface, but 
 immediately rise again to their former position. We commenced 
 taking them by hand, making our selection of the best; and finding 
 them perfectly sound, we took in a good number (indeed, if we had 
 desired, we might have loaded our boat with them.) On reaching 
 Erie, we had some of them cooked and found them perfectly good. 
 The position of these fish on their sides in the water placed their 
 mouths partly above and partly below the surface, so that they 
 seemed to be inhaling both water and air, for at each effort in 
 inhaling, bubbles would rise and float on the water. It was these 
 bubbles that caused the white appearance on the lake's surface. I 
 have supposed that these fish had, from some cause, growing out 
 of the extraordinary agitation of the lake by the gale from the 
 eastward, and the sudden reflux of water from west to east, after 
 it subsided, been thrown together in this way, and from some 
 unknown natural cause, had lost the power of regulating their spe- 
 cific gravity, which it is said they do, by means of an air bladder, 
 furnished them by nature. I leave to others, however, to explain 
 this phenomenon. 
 
 During this season, (1795) Nathaniel W. Howell, of Canandaigua, 
 and Gen. Vincent Mathews, late of Rochester, first came to Can- 
 andaigua to attend court, their residence being, at that time, at 
 Newtown, now Elmira. 
 
 ji. ^ ji. ^ ^ ^ ^ 
 
 In the fall of 1796, I returned to Suffield, and spent most of the 
 winter in making up my surveys and maps of the Reserve, and in 
 closing up my business with the Connecticut Land Co., having 
 concluded not to remain longer' in their service, although they 
 were desirous I should. But as I had now a family, and had spent 
 most of my time for seven years in the fatigues and hardships of a 
 woods life, I determined to settle at Canandaigua and accept the 
 agency offered me by Mr. Phelps, of his land business. In accor- 
 dance with this determination, in the latter part of February, 1797, 
 I left Suffield with my family, in a sleigh for Canandaigua, where 
 I arrived early in March. I immediately entered into the service 
 of Mr. Phelps, in selling and surveying his lands, and in collecting 
 his debts. One of the first acts of my agency was to sell three or 
 
374 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 four farms on the road leading north towards Farmington. In 
 running them out as it was necessary I should, I caught a severe 
 cold in the swamps through which I was obliged to make my way 
 by wading. From this circumstance I date the commencement of 
 my deafness, which has since so much afflicted me. 
 
 During the winter past, (of 1797,) Gideon King and Zadock 
 Granger, two of the proprietors of the tract of 20,000 acres in the 
 north part of township one, short range, (which included the land 
 on which Rochester now stands,) and two or three other families 
 from Suffield, had gone to the tract and commenced thereon a 
 settlement. Mr. Phelps, my brother Peter B., and myself, were 
 also proprietors. This 20,000 acre tract w^as sold originally by 
 Phelps and Gorham, in 1790, to a company of gentlemen of Spring- 
 field and Northampton, Massachusetts, among whom was Ebenezer 
 Hunt, Quartus Pomeroy and Justin Ely. The tract was bounded 
 north and west by the north and west lines of the township, east 
 by the Genesee river, and south by a line parallel with the north 
 line, so far distant therefrom as to contain 20,000 acres, excepting 
 and reserving therefrom 100 acres, which had been previously sold 
 to Ebenezer Allan, for the purpose of erecting a mill thereon, 
 which one hundred acres was to be located in as near a square 
 form as the windings of the river would permit, commencing at 
 the centre of the mill, and extending an equal distance up and 
 down the river, then back so far as to contain the 100 acres in the 
 above form. The lines of this 20,000 acres had been run by 
 Frederick Saxton in the summer of 1790. It may not be uninter- 
 esting to state here that this 100 acres embraces the most densely 
 and valuably built part of the city of Rochester; — and that all the 
 titles within it are derived from Allan, who never himself had any 
 other known paper title than that which is derived by implication 
 from the exception above mentioned in Phelps and Gorham's deed 
 to the Springfield and Northampton Company. 
 
 4/, ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 
 
 I omitted to mention in the proper place, that in returning to Can- 
 andaigua, after completing the survey for Robert Morris, in company 
 with Joseph Ellicott, we traveled down the lake to Buffalo, chiefly 
 on the beach, there being no road, and as yet, none other than an 
 Indian trail from Buffalo to Canawagus (now Avon.) There was 
 then (1797) bat one dwelling house between the two places, which 
 was owned by a Mr. Wilbur. It was situated at the point where 
 Mr. John Ganson afterwards built a large house, and kept a tavern 
 many years, and is about one mile and a half east of Le Roy. 
 
 In 1800, I built a dwelling house in Canandaigua, opposite the 
 Academy, in which I resided until the year 1806, when, on remov- 
 ing with my family to this place, I sold it to John Greig, Esq., by 
 whom it was occupied many years. Here, except during the war 
 of 1812, I have continuously resided. In 1813, an invasion by the 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 375 
 
 British troops took place, which resulted in laying all the settle- 
 ments on the frontier, Buft'alo included, in ashes. My dwelling, 
 mills, &c., at this place, shared in the common desolation. The 
 alledged justification of this system of warfare, was the burning of 
 Newark, (now Niagara) by troops of the United States, under the 
 command of Gen. George McClure, on his evacuating Fort George, 
 a few weeks previous. 
 
 During the last years of «ny residence in Canandaigua, I was 
 interested with Mr. Phelps and Nathaniel and Birdseye Norton, in 
 a contract with the United States for the supply of provisions to 
 the garrisons of Niagara, Detroit, Mackinaw, Chicago, and Fort 
 Wayne. This connection with Mr. Phelps, continued until his 
 death, which occurred in the winter of 1809. In 1810, I took this 
 contract in my own name, and supplied the above posts until 1813, 
 except during the period of their occupation by the enemy, after 
 the surrender of Detroit, by Gen. Hull. These transactions led to 
 my early connectio-n with the commerce of the lakes, some account 
 of which is contained in a communication I furnished to the editors 
 of the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, and which was pubUshed in 
 that paper under date of 27th March, 1846. 
 
 So much interest appears to have been recently manifested for 
 collecting and preservuig the early incidents of western settlement, 
 and so many contributions are about to be offered in aid of this 
 object, by others, that I think it advisable to leave to them (who 
 will no doubt perform the duty far more acceptably than I can,) 
 the task of presenting matters of subsequent occurrence, to the 
 close of the last century. My early cotemporaries in western life, 
 (with so far as I can learn, two or three soHtary exceptions,) are 
 in their graves. On account of my advanced age, and the busy 
 though humble part I have borne as one of the very earliest of the 
 Pioneers of Western New York, I can well imagine that a record 
 of my experience and adventures might be supposed to possess 
 some interest with those who are seeking such materials for 
 preservation from an actor himself What I have written, I 
 am sensible, will fall very far short of expectation, but I must, in 
 justice to myself, say, that it is but the hitherto unwritten remin- 
 iscences of a very aged man, prepared without memoranda, and 
 without the opportunity, by reference to, and consultation with, a 
 solitary cotemporary, of quickening my recollection of many 
 events, doubtless of some interest, but which have long since faded 
 from my memory. Truth is, of course, my aim; and it may be 
 supposed I incur some hazard in drawing on my memory alone at 
 this late period in life. To this 1 will only say, that having been 
 personally an actor and participator in most by far, of tire events 
 spoken of, I feel a strong degree of confidence in claiming, for this 
 simple narrative the concession of at least ordinary authenticity. 
 
 I cannot close what I have to say without expressing the gratitude 
 I have ever felt, for the kind and friendly treatment, patronage, and 
 
376 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 confidence, extended to mc on my first arrival in the Genesee 
 country in 1789, by many of the most distinguished of the early 
 Pioneers. Among these I refer with pleasure to the names of Gen. 
 Israel Ciiapin., Judge Oliver Phelps, Judge Nathaniel Gor- 
 HAM, Major Adam Hoops, Thomas Morris, Esq. James Wads- 
 worth, Esq. and Charles Williamson, Esq. 
 
 TIMOTHY HOSMER. 
 
 The early advent and prominent position held by this gentleman 
 as a pioneer in Western New York, as well as his numerous 
 descendants, the elder generation of whom may well be classed 
 among the junior pioneers, entitles him to some biogaphical notice. 
 
 The subject of this memoir was born in Hartford, Conn., in Sept. 
 1745. He passed through a course of medical studies with Dr. 
 Dickinson in Middletown, and settled in Farmington, in the same 
 State, and married his wife, soon after his admission to practice. 
 
 About this period the troubles precursory to the American Revo- 
 lution commenced, and he was one of the earliest to resist the 
 encroachments of British power. He, together with John Tread- 
 well (afterwards Governor of Connecticut,) and one or two others, 
 openly proclaimed resistance to oppression in that then loyal 
 •town, so that they were for some time in great personal peril, from 
 the violence of their loyal neighbors; but they persevered in 
 retaining their patriotic position, until that town became distin- 
 guished for its zeal in the cause of the Revolution. 
 
 Dr. Hosmer early entered the public service as a surgeon of the 
 sixth continental regiment. On the appearance of the small pox in 
 the army, he was assigned to the charge of the Hospital in Dan- 
 bury, and the subjects sent there for inocculation, he being one of 
 the few phycians who at that time, were acquainted with the 
 practice of inocculation, wherein he was singularly successful 
 He was with the army throughout the struggle on Long Island, 
 and on its retreat. 
 
 At the close of the war he retired from the service happy in the 
 recollection of the gbrious result, but poor and pennyless, with a 
 growing family dependant on his professional exertions for support. 
 
 His extensive acquaintance formed in the army, rendered him 
 personally and professionally known, to most of the families in the 
 state, the consequence of which was, that he at once entered into 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 377 
 
 an extensive practice, which continued to the time of his remov- 
 ing to Western New York. 
 
 He first came into this country in 1789, or '90 and with four 
 others, purchased Township No. 10, in the 7th Range, now the 
 town of Avon, Livingston county, at one shiUing and six pence per 
 acre; and in the early part of 1792, he moved with his family to 
 the banks of the Genesee river where he remained until his death, 
 which "happened Nov. 29th, 1815, being a few weeks over seventy 
 1 years of age. 
 
 Upon the organization of the county of Ontario he was appointed 
 
 ! one of the Judges of the Court of Common Pleas for said county, 
 
 i and upon Oliver Phelps declining to accept the office of first Judge 
 
 I of that court, he received that appointment, and continued to hold 
 
 J that office until he arrived at the age of sixty years, when he was 
 
 j incapacitated from longer holding the same by the constitution of 
 
 1 the state. In taking leave of the bench and bar, he received the 
 
 I most gratifyiiig testimonials of their respect and kindness. 
 
 I The Indians early experienced the benefits of his services in the 
 
 treatment of diseases; for which they were ever grateful: nor is 
 
 I their memory of him yet dimmed, for in numerous instances, they 
 
 j have manifested their gratitude to his surviving descendants. In 
 
 the wilds of Wisconsin they have cordially greeted the children of 
 
 At-a-gus, (healer of diseases,) by which name he was known. 
 
 He was distinguished for a lively and cheerful disposition, for 
 ; his active benevolence, ready wit and indiffijrence to the acquisition 
 of wealth; his professional services were as readily extended to the 
 poor and helpless, as to the wealthy; his philanthrophy made all who 
 knew him his friends, and it is not known that he ever had a per- 
 sonal enemy. He died as he had lived, in peace with all men, and 
 in reconciliation with his Creator. 
 
 Note. — A venerable pioneer, an early neighbor of Judge Hosmer, in a few words, 
 furnished the author an eulogy to his memoiy, worthy of record: — "He was" said he, 
 "an excellent hearted man; he practised medicine all through the valley; and was kind 
 and obliging to all the new settlers." And not forgetting the wife of the Judge, he said 
 she was a practical sister of charity and benevolence, in the new settlement. 
 
378 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 JARED BOUGHTON. 
 
 This gentleman who was an inhabitant of Stockbridge, Mass. in 
 the month of July, 1788, started on an exploring expedition to find 
 himself a new home in the western country. He attended the 
 Indian council at Geneva, in which Phelps and Gorham extin- 
 guished the Indian title to their Genesee Purchase. Being satisfied 
 with the appearance of the country, but being unable to purchase 
 until the country was surveyed, he returned to Stockbridge. His 
 brother Enos Boughton who was the clerk and an assistant to 
 William Walker, Phelps and Gorham's surveyor, purchased that 
 fall, Township No 11, Range 4, of that tract, now the town of 
 Victor, Ontario county, at the price of twenty cents per acre. 
 
 In the spring of 1789, Mr. Boughton, his brother Enos Boughton, 
 abi'other-in law, Horatio Jones, surveyor, and several hired hands, 
 went on to the township purchased by Enos. They surveyed it 
 into lots and prepared it for retailing. Jared Boughton commenced 
 the first improvement made by white labor in this town. He 
 cleared the land, raised two acres of buckwheat, sowed three 
 acres of wheat, and built a log cabin, on what has since been 
 called ''Boughton Hill." At the approach of winter the whole 
 party returned to Stockbridge, except Jacob Lobdell, who stayed to 
 feed and take care of thirteen or fourteen head of cattle belonfjing 
 to the Boughton family. These cattle were wintered on grass cut 
 the season before on an old clearing on Boughton Hill, supposed to 
 be the site of an ancient Indian village.* 
 
 In February, 1790, Mr. Boughton started from Stockbridge for 
 his new home, with his wife, two children and his younger brother 
 Seymour Boughton, as an assistant on the journey and to return 
 with the horses and sleigh. After a long and fatiguing journey 
 through an uninhabited vi^ilderness, in which formidable obstacles 
 were to be surmounted, they arrived at Boughton Hill on the 7th 
 day of March. This was the first white family, and Mrs. Bough- 
 ton and her infant daughter Malania, were the first white females 
 who settled in the town of Victor, and Mrs. Boughton's second son 
 Frederick was the first white child born in that town; his birth 
 was on the first of June next after their arrival: — 
 
 * See " Gaosaehgaah," in account of De Nonville's expedition, p. 151. 
 
 li 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 379 
 
 " I will give you my own experience of settling a new country, 
 which has probably been similar to that of hundreds of others. 
 I came from Stockbridge with my family in the winter of 1790, in 
 a sleigh, by the way of Schenectady. At Utica there was a 
 small frame store, old John Post, an' Indian trader — and a large 
 log house kept as a tavern. There were one or two families, the 
 Blackmores, at Westmoreland. Two or three families between 
 Westmoreland and Utica — Esquire Blackman's was the last house 
 until we arriv^ed at Oneida Castle. It was but a wood's road. At 
 Oneida Castle, there was a Dutchman, who had hired an Indian 
 house to accommodate travellers. We arrived there about 12 
 o'clock at night and found no lodgings except the floor, all the beds 
 being occupied by emigrating families. The road was very bad. 
 We got our sleigh 'stuck,' and hindered us a day. We came to 
 Onondaga Hollow — no settlement between Oneida Castle and 
 there — arrived at Col. Danforth's, who kept a tavern. Comfort 
 Tyler and Ephraim Webster, an Indian interpreter, with his squaw 
 wife lived there; they were the only inhabitants. 
 I ''We travelled thirteen miles the day we left Col. Danforth's. 
 'Col. Reed's family and mine, fourteen in number, camped that 
 night under a hemlock tree, built a camp of hemlock boughs, had 
 a warm brisk fire — made chocolate — and although my wife had 
 ja young child, we had a comfortable time of it. 
 [ "'Next night we arrived at the east shore of Cayuga lake — there 
 Iwere two families there — Judge Richardson's was one — we stayed 
 with him all night, and crossed the lake on the ice in the morning. 
 The next night we got to the foot of Seneca lake — found there a 
 man by the name of Earl; he had a log cabin, but no floor in it; 
 !we stayed there all night; Earl had a scow to ferry us across the 
 ^outlet of the lake. Next morning we went home with Mrs. Reed 
 land family — found Col. Reed at home, w^aiting for the ari'ival of 
 his family. His house stood on the bank of the lake, in Geneva; 
 ^the place then contained ten or twelve families. 
 ' "From Geneva to Canandaigua there was no house; Flint creek, 
 'half way between those places was very high, and frozen at the 
 edges; there was no bridge; had to fall trees to get my family, 
 sleigh, and goods over; had to draw the horses over with ropes. 
 About five miles from Canandaigua, we stayed all night at ' Wells' 
 cabin;' Wells had been there and sowed wheat, but had left; the 
 weather was very cold. Next morning we arrived at Canan- 
 daigua; the outlet of the lake was not bridged, and we had a hard 
 •time in getting over. From Canandaigua, we pursued our journey 
 to Bough ton Hill, where we arrived in good health, March 7, 1790. 
 ! "Although we were somewhat prepared for living, we still had 
 to bring on our supphes — very little flour, however, as we had 
 buckwheat, and wheat harvest was not far oflT. A small log mill 
 had been set in motion for grinding corn, in the present town of 
 Avon, by a Mr. Ganson. The stones were of the native rock, 
 
380 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 no doubt; to this mill I carried my buckwheat, on horse-back, 
 twenty miles. 
 
 "As wheat harvest approached, some preparations for the event 
 were necessary. A floor was to be laid, of split basswood or 
 linden, with such joints as the axe and drawing-knife could produce, , 
 the surface smoothed by the axe and carpenter's adz; cradles and I 
 rakes to be made by very unskillful hands — nay, further, we found I' 
 on examination, that there was chaff" growing whh. our wheat, and, , 
 as none of the thousand and one pedlars of fanning-mills happened I 
 along at that juncture, we were compelled to devise some plan to : 
 separate the two articles. 
 
 "A large oak tree was felled, a piece split from it, dressed to the 
 thickness of a half bushel rim, six or eight feet long and twelve or 
 thirteen inches wide in the widest part. This forms the curve or 
 back-side of the machine. The bottom or horizontal part was made 
 of part of a pine sleigh-box, and two semi- circular handles com- 
 pleted the article. This we presumed to denominate a Corn Fan. 
 The sieve or riddle was of black ash splinters." 
 
 The subject of the previous biographical remarks, and writer of 
 the foregoing graphic sketches of a woodsman's life; together with 
 his wife, the long tried partner of his sorrow^s and his joys, of his 
 toils and their fruits, now reside in East Bloomfield, Ontario county, 
 to which place they lately moved from Victor — himself 82 years 
 of age, and his wife 79, having raised twelve children, and being 
 now the ancestors of fifty five living descendants, are spending the 
 remainder of their days in the midst of peace and competency. 
 
 A Scotch colony in the vicinity of Caledonia Springs, were among 
 the earliest adventurers west of Genesee river. Their advent was 
 in 1798. They came from Broadalbin, in the Highlands of Perth- 
 shire; arriving first at a settlement of their countrymen at Johns- 
 town, Montgomery county; they were induced by the solicitations 
 of Col. Williamson to settle at Caledonia. They were Presbyte- 
 rians of the "Old Kirk," poor, with httle to help them make their 
 
 Note — Few family names are more blended In the history of Western New York, 
 than that of Boughton. The four brothers that helped to commence settlement on 
 Phelps and Gorham's purchase, were: — Enos, Jared, Seymour and Hezekiah. Thei 
 last named died as early as 1793; he was the father of the late Col. Claudius V. Boughton, 
 of Victor, and of George H. Boughton, Esq. of Lockport. Col. Seymour Boughton was 
 killed at the battle of Black Rock, in the war of 1812. Enos Boughton, died at Lock- 
 port, in 1826. At the great celebration, the year previous, he was introduced to Gov. 
 Clinton as the man who built the first framed barn, the first stick chimney, and planted 
 the first orchard west of Seneca lake. The author has been shown a letter, from Heze- 
 kiah Boughton, dated in the Genesee countr}% in the winter of 1793, to his wife in 
 Stockbridge. He mentions that there had not been sleighing enough for a "single 
 team to venture to Onondaga for salt;" and says he is about to start for Niagara, and 
 has been "fortunate enough to secure company through the woods." The father of the 
 four brothers, came to Victor in 1790, aged 65 years, and died in '98. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 381 
 
 way in a new country, but stout hearts, industry and frugality. 
 
 Col. Williamson sold them their land at three dollars per acre, on a 
 
 credit of ten years, supplied them with a year's provisions, some 
 
 teams, cows, &c. The five of their number who came out to 
 
 make the selection of lands, were: — John M'Vean, Hugh M'Der- 
 
 mott, Donald M'Pherson, James M'Laren, and John Anderson. 
 
 In their new location the early Scotch adventurers had been 
 
 'preceded by one who had given the place a very bad reputation. 
 
 'His name was Peter^n, a Dane, had been a sea captain — and 
 
 tradition says, a pirate. He built a house, near the spring and 
 
 .entertained travellers, cooking himself and affording very good 
 
 fare; afterwards marrying a girl that lived with Dugan, at Dugan's 
 
 Icreek. He was strongly suspected of taking advantage of his 
 
 "secluded position, for the purpose of robbery and murder; and a 
 
 ^surviving witness states that Dugan, once during a quarrel with 
 
 him charged him with a specific offence, naming the victim. 
 
 There was much uneasiness among the new settlers in reference 
 
 to him, and their suspicions at one time led to an arrest and com- 
 
 'nitmcnt to the jail at Canandaigua. He was finally obliged to 
 
 run away, and afterwards died at sea. He was the first tavern 
 
 jieeper west of the Genesee river; certainly, a very untoward 
 
 bommencement of that branch of business. 
 
 { Mrs. Chambcrlin, the wife of Deacon Chamberlin, whose narra- 
 
 dve has already been introduced, is one of the few survivors of the 
 
 I . . .*' 
 
 original colonists. Her first husband, was Malcolm M'Laren. 
 
 [Fhe other survivors, are; John M'Naughton, Mrs. M'Vean, widow 
 
 ;)f Donald M'Vean, and Hugh M'Dermott. 
 
 \ The introduction here of portions of a narrative furnished by 
 
 foHN M'Kay, Esq. of Caledonia, will not only afford some glimpses 
 
 )f early settlement there, but of previous events upon the Genesee 
 
 •iver. 
 
 f "I came to what is now Groveland, on the Genesee river, in 1793, 
 ^ my 16th year. Col. Williamson had laid out a village at Wil- 
 iamsburgh, (near Geneseo;) fifteen or twenty buildings were erec- 
 •ed there. I remained at Groveland, for several years working 
 [it the carpenter's trade. Among the early events that now occur 
 o me, was the firing of lands by the Indians for the purpose of 
 aking game. It was in 1795. The Indians to the number of at 
 '3ast five hundred assembled. At 12 o'clock in the day, they set a 
 rain of fire which enclosed an area of about seven miles square, of 
 he oak openings between the Canascraga and Conesus lake. Pla- 
 
382 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 cing themselves inside of the area as the fire advanced and lessened 
 its size, the game was driven in and shot. It was a brisk time 
 during the afternoon; seventeen deer, several bear, and a large 
 amount of other game, was the result of the fire hunt. Shanks, a 
 celebrated Indian hunter, came in contact with a bear during the 
 afternoon, that he had wounded. It was fight Indian, fight bear; 
 the bear getting decidedly ihe advantage. He sprang upon' Shanks, 
 tore and lacerated his flesh — actually eating off the calves of his 
 legs! The Indians found Shanks almost lifeless; the bear having 
 left him for dead. He was cured of his wounds by Indian reme- 
 dies, and lived for many years. 9- 
 
 "I was at Morris' treaty; should think there w^ere three thousand 
 Indians assembled for several days. Those who were there to 
 effect the treaty, bought up beef cattle and distributed the beef 
 freely to the Indians. 
 
 "I came to Caledonia in 1803; there was then but two houses at 
 the Springs. I purchased two hundred acres of land, including the 
 Big Spring and the mill site at Slab City, (or Mumfordville;) Capt. 
 Williamson had built a small grist mill, with one run of stones, to 
 accommodate the Scotch settlers, about eighteen months before I 
 came. I paid for the whole property, a little over two thousand 
 dollars. My customers for some time, were from most of the then 
 settled portions of the Holland Purchase; they came from as far as 
 Buffalo, when they could not cross the river to Canada, on account 
 of the ice; in fact, at times, from all the region west of me. The 
 next mills built were those of the Holland Company, at Batavia, 
 and Stoddard and Piatt's, at Leroy. The first merchant at Cale- 
 donia was John Cameron; he came with a few goods in 1804 or '5. 
 " When I first came to the springs, trout were abundant in it; and 
 it will surprise trout fishers of the present day — and would 
 perhaps old Isaac Walton himself, if he were living — to learn that 
 they were comparatively tame. When we wanted them, we used 
 frequently to catch them with our hands, as they lay under the 
 roots of the cedar trees that grew along the banks. There would 
 be occasionally one weighing as high as three pounds. It is the 
 habit of the speckled trout to breed in none but running water, 
 consequently they would never breed in the spring, but resorted to 
 its outlet. There was never any other fish in the spring; they 
 have been gradually diminishing, not only in numbers, but in size.* 
 ''My brother Robert came here in 1808, had been a clerk for 
 some of the early merchants in Geneseo. 
 
 * This last resort, almost, of the speckled trout in all the northern portion of Western 
 New York, has within a few years, been threatened with entire desertion, or extinction. 
 There is now a law in operation, limited to three years duration, which makes fishing 
 in the spring or its outlet, a penal offence. The trout, as if ready to co-operate in this 
 attempt to protect them in this their seeming " Reservation," are now rapidly in- 
 creasing in numbers and size. It is almost a wonder that some greedy Pre-emp- 
 tiouists — say a shoal of horned " Bull Pouts " — are not contesting their rights. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 383 
 
 '• 1 have often heard of buying wives, but have known, I think, 
 of but one actual sale, and afterwards peaceable and quiet posses- 
 sion. Phelps, the early settler at Queenston, was a Ranger. In 
 1794, or '5, getting tired of a bachelor's life, he went down to 
 Geneva, bought the wife of one Jennings, for six hundred dollars, 
 cash down, taking her directly to Queenston. I have heard that 
 the transfer was a fortunate one for all concerned; she making him 
 a good wife. 
 
 "'When I first came upon the Genesee river. Little Beardstown, 
 now Cuylerville, contained about fifteen hundred Indians, at Big 
 Tree, (Geneseo,) there was a small Indian settlement, forty houses, 
 perhaps. There was a large Indian settlement at Squawky Hill, 
 and a small one at Mt. Morris. The white woman, had a number 
 of families upon her reservation at Gardeau. 
 
 ''When I came west of the river, in 1803, Isaac Smith* lived 
 at the Ilosmer place, mid way between the river, and Caledonia; 
 he had located there as early as 1801. There was a family of 
 Bakers, squatters, upon the flatts. These were all except the 
 Scotch, on and near the Buffalo i-oad, between Caledonia and the 
 river. The Indian settlement of Canawagus, (now the Newbold 
 farm,) contained at least forty wigwams." 
 
 The two brothers, John and Robert M'Kay, are both surviving 
 residents at Caledonia. The one, still owning and carrying on the 
 mills that did the grinding at one time for "all west" of their loca- 
 tion, to the western extremity of the State; the other, resides 
 upon his farm, a short distance from the springs. 
 
 Jeiiiel Kelsey, an aged Pioneer resides in a pleasant retreat, 
 surrounded by all the comforts of life, a short distance north of 
 Avon Springs. He cheerfully suspended his field labor, in wdiich 
 he was industriously engaged, and gave the author a short 
 account of his early advent: — 
 
 "I came to Avon, in 1794, purchased the farm where I now 
 reside, for one dollar fifty cents per acre, about ten years after- 
 wards. I had to labor several years to get the means of purchase. 
 I think I brought the first salt, in any considerable quantity, to the 
 Genesee Valley. I took pork to Onondaga, exchanged pounds for 
 
 * It is worthy of note here, that Major Smith was not only a Pioneer landlord, but 
 he was the father of six daughters, five of whom were Pioneer wives and mothers. 
 There are few primitive log cabins in Western New York, from beneath the roof of 
 which there have gone out more and better helpers, in the settlement of a new countrs*. 
 One of the daughters became the wife of Isaac Sutherland of Batavia; another, of James 
 D. Faulkner of Dansville; two others, of Sylvester and Sidney Hosmer; and another, 
 of John M'Kay, of Caledonia. The sixth, and youngest, is Mrs. Kimberly, formerly 
 of Batavia. Major Smith died in 1814. 
 
384 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 bushels; brought my salt via Oswego, and month of Genesee 
 river; sold it here, for ten dollars fifty cents per barrel. 
 
 " The first grist mill built in this region, was by Capt. Ganson, 
 before 1 came on. Judge Hosmer built a saw mill on the Conesus, 
 as early as 1796, the first one in this region. The Wadsworths 
 
 built one the same year, on the same stream. Starr, who 
 
 was the father of Horatio Jones' first wife, built the first framed 
 house in the Genesee Valley. In '94, all the inhabitants on the 
 river, from Williamsburgh to its mouth, were: — Judge Hosmer, 
 Gad Wadsworth, Gilbert R. Berry, Wm. Markham, Ransom Smith, 
 Peter Shaefler, William Hencher, Ebenezer Merry. 
 
 "I helped to put up the first bridge, over 'Deep Hollow' below 
 Rochester. We had previously, to go up three-fourths of a mile 
 to get over this gulf To raise the bridge, all able bodied men had 
 to go from Avon, and some from above. In '98 or '9, Peter 
 Shaeffer put up a framed barn; it took all the men in this region — 
 twenty, all told. 
 
 " When the Holland Company surveyors first came on, they 
 came here to buy much of their provisions, and grain and hay for 
 their pack horses. 
 
 "Our first meetings were held in a log school house on the present 
 public square, of Avon, Judge Hosmer usually reading the Episcopal 
 service. Mr. Crane, an Episcopal clergyman, was here, as early, 
 I think, as 1800, or '1. At an early period, the Rev. Mr. Mills, 
 father of Gen. Mills, a Presbyterian minister, used to come down 
 to Avon and hold meetings. 
 
 "I must tell you" said the old gentleman to the author, "how 
 one of our young men got his wife, in an early day. Ebenezer 
 Merry, Jr. the son of an early settler I have already named, 
 pushed on still farther ahead, and settled on the Reserve, in 
 Ohio, at Painsville. He built him a log hut, kept bachelor's hall, 
 and commenced making an opening in the woods. He came back 
 here on a visit, and told me it was pretty lonesome up there, in 
 the woods. I told him he must take back a wife with him. 
 'Well' said he, disposed to make a prompt business matter of it, 
 'who shall I get?' I replied, there is the daughter of Aaron 
 Adams, she would make just such a wife as you want. The young 
 man went to see Miss Adams, they struck up a bargain, were 
 married, and in a few days, were oflT through the woods to the 
 Reserve; the young wife on horseback, and he on foot. He was 
 one of the founders of the village* of Milan, became prominent, 
 among the early settlers of Ohio, was a member of the State 
 Legislature. He died a few years since, leaving a large circle of 
 descendants. 
 
 "It was very sickly through the whole Genesee valley in all the 
 early years. If the settler escaped the biUous fever the first year, 
 he was sure to have it the next." 
 
 ! 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 385 
 
 Pittstown, originally, afterwards Honeoye, now Richmond, dates 
 its first settlement at the early period of 1789. The township and 
 a part of Bristol were purchased of Phelps and Gorham, by a com- 
 pany of individuals of Dighton Massachusetts; thence they were 
 called the ''Dighton Company." The land was divided among the 
 proprietors by lottery; Capt. Peter Pitts drew his share, three 
 thousand acres, and was so fortunate as to get the Honeoye flatts, 
 embracing the site of an old Indian town that Sullivan had des- 
 troyed, large patches of cultivated ground, and some apple trees. 
 Gideon Pitts, the eldest son of Capt. Pitts, came out to view lands 
 about the period of Phelps and Gorham's purchase of the Indians, 
 saw the lands about the Honeoye lake, and informed the Dighton 
 company, of their desirable character. 
 
 "In 1789, Gideon and William Pitts went upon their father's 
 land, carrying their goods in on an ox sled. Their first shelter 
 was made of their sled box; afterwards they erected a cabin and 
 for two years lived alone, putting in crops upon the old Indian 
 grounds." 
 
 Capt. Pitts and the remainder of the family came in 1791, living, 
 for nearly four years, alone, Capt. TafFt, of Bloomfield, being 
 nearest neighbor, north, the Wadsworths, nearest west, James 
 Goodwin, in Bristol, nearest east, and a few settlers at the head of 
 Canandaigua lake, nearest south. There came into Pittstown, in 
 1794, Dr. Lemuel Chipman, Dr. Cyrus Chipman, Philip Reed, 
 Roswell Turner, (himself, bringing in his family next year,) 
 Edward Hazen. In '95, Jonas Belknap and Elijah Parker. In 
 '96 and '7, settlers came in rapidly. 
 
 Aaron Hunt, Col. Green, James Garlinghouse, Jacob Holden, 
 Nicholas Burby, settled at Hunt's Hollow, (head of Honeoye lake,) 
 in '94. Solomon Woodruff was in Livonia as early as '93; Philip 
 Short, at the foot of Hemlock lake, in '95. 
 
 Peter Allen went into Pittstown in '96; in '7, his brother, 
 Nathaniel, who had worked as a journeyman blacksmith, in Canan- 
 daigua, followed him, and erected the first blacksmith's shop in the 
 town, getting together a few tools, and supplying himself with 
 iron, by bringing it from Canandaigua, on horseback.* 
 
 * This early blacksmith was well known upon the Niagara frontier, in the war of 
 
 1812, as army contractor and paymaster; afterwards, as sheriff of Ontario county, and 
 
 representative in Congress, from that district. In the latter years of his life, he was a 
 
 Contractor upon a work of the general goverumeat, upon the Erie and Oswego canals, 
 
 25 
 
386 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The brief glimpse of early settlement thus given, is from 
 information derived from Peter Pitts, the only surviving son of 
 Capt. Peter Pitts, aged 67. The other survivor of the family, is 
 the JMrs. Blackman, whose name has already been introduced in 
 another connection. To her the author is indebted for the follow- 
 ing reminiscences: — 
 
 "Zadoc Hunn, a Presbyterian minister, who lived at the old 
 Sheldon place, near Canandaigna, held meetings at my father's 
 house, as early as 1793. He first preached in Canandaigua, after- 
 wards, a log meeting house was built for him, in Bristol. We used 
 to have good meetings in those days; better ones than we do now. 
 
 "My father's house was, for several years, a home for the new 
 settlers, land explorers, land agents, and surveyors. When Louis 
 Philippe visited Western New York, he wished to see our neighbor- 
 hood. He came with his companions, to our house, bringing a 
 letter of introduction, from Thomas Morris, Esq., of Canandaigua. 
 He was very sociable, and much pleased with the country. He 
 remained over night. There were some Indians encamped on the 
 lake shore; the party went down to see them, taking my brother 
 Peter, then a small lad, along with them. He could talk Indian; 
 Louis Philippe was highly pleased at being enabled to communicate 
 with them through the agency of so young an interpreter. The 
 first few years after our family came in, there were many Indians 
 passing our house daily, and hunting parties were encamped nearly 
 all the time, in the neighborhood. 
 
 "The old Indian castle that Sullivan burned down, stood about 
 one hundred rods from the foot of the lake. After we came here, 
 there were many remains of wigwams that Sullivan had destroyed, 
 and the bones of his pack horses " 
 
 Capt. Peter Pitts, died in 1812, aged 74 years. His descendants 
 are numerous, many of them occupying the lands he left them; — 
 the flats of the Honeoye — conspicuously beautiful even now, when 
 surrounded with rural landscapes, that would oftener tempt the 
 traveler from the great thoroughfares, could he realize what a 
 panorama of lakes, broad highly cultivated fields, flocks and herds, 
 
 and lastly, for the construction of the canal around the falls of the Ohio, at Louisville, 
 where he died in 1833 or '4. The villagfe of Allen's Hill grew up on a part of his 
 fine farm, and took its name from him. His successor, at the old homestead, is the 
 Hon. Robert L. Rose, who married his daughter; the present Representative in Con- 
 gress, from Ontario; the original farm in his hands, having had accessions of hundreds 
 of acres, and now forming one of the finest agricultural estates in Western New York. 
 The elder brother, Peter Allen, whom Mrs. Rlackman also names, was in Queenston 
 battle, in command of a regiment, when he was made prisoner. He will be remem- 
 bered by our older class of readers, as the one who gave the name to the " Peter Allen 
 Legislature," of this state. He emigrated to Terra Haute, on the Wabash, in 1816, 
 where he ended an enterprising and useful life, in 1836. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 387 
 
 villages, more than comfortable farm houses, is spread out in the 
 southern portions of Ontario and Livingston. 
 
 Mrs. Blackman, is enjoying with her descendants, a competence 
 of worldly blessings, cheerful and happy; even disposed to be 
 humorous. tShe gave as a reason why she did not go to the 
 " Holland Purchase," when many of her neighbors were pushing 
 on there, in 1804, '5 and '6, that her husband had then "got land 
 enough cleared, so they could see out by looking straight up," and 
 she did not wish to make a new beginning. The old gentleman, 
 who had been almost as early a pioneer as herself, was at work on 
 the highway, (June, 1848.) 
 
 BuRGOVNE Kemp, is an aged pioneer, living in Newfane, Niag- 
 ara county. A small portion of a narrative he has furnished the 
 author, belongs to this period: — 
 
 " My father's family consisting then of eleven persons, came from 
 New Jersey, to Niagara, C. W. in 178G, on pack horses, pursuing 
 the then usual route, via Tioga Point, and the Indian trail. We 
 saw no white inhabitant after leaving Tioga Point, until we arrived 
 at Lewiston. At Newton, logs had been cut to build two houses. 
 At Painted Post, wc were passed by a young man who was deaf and 
 dumb; from signs we learned that his destination was Queenston. 
 He never arrived; and from the fact that an Indian was afterwards 
 in possession of his clothes, there is no doubt but he was murdered ; 
 though it may have been by a white brigand, the Indian afterwards 
 taking the clothes from the body. 
 
 ''We had a small drove of cattle and sheep; arriving at the 
 Genesee river, they swam across, the family crossing in a canoe. 
 We were much troubled several times on our route by the Indians 
 stealing our horses, when they wandered a short distance from our 
 camp." 
 
 Mr. Kemp, as will be seen farther on, became an early settler 
 upon the Plolland Purchase. 
 
 Oliver Culver, Esq. of Brighton, Monroe county, still survives 
 to tell the story of his early wilderness advent. His life has been 
 one of more than ordinary enterprize and industry. Coming to 
 Western New York, in 1790, but nineteen years old, he has been 
 a hired laborer, a trapper, a navigator of the lakes, a contractor on 
 one of our largest public works, a legislator, and the patroon of 
 his neighborhood. An ample fortune is the reward of a long life 
 of enterprize and toil. His intellect is yet vigorous, and the iron 
 frame that in youth and middle age, enabled him to encounter the 
 
388 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 diseases and privations of a new country, has yielded far less than 
 usual to the advance of years. 
 
 "I came from Vermont in 1796, on foot, my companion a young 
 man by the name of Samuel SpafTord. Reaching Farmington, 
 Ontario county, 1 got a job of making sap troughs for Jonathan 
 Smith. Hearing that something was going on at Irondequoit, I 
 came on to see the place. Judge Tryon, of Lebanon, Conn, had 
 purchased three hundred acres of land and laid out a village. 
 There was one settler upon the village plat — a mulatto by the name 
 of Samuel Dunbar. Remaining at Irondequoit a few weeks, five 
 batteaux came up, with surveyors and provisions, bound for the 
 New Connecticut tract. Myself and companion hired out to the 
 company, and embarked for the west. 
 
 "At Erie, we found Col. Seth Reed keeping a tavern in a 
 double log house. On our way up the lake, we left a settler by 
 name of Gunn, at Conneaut, and his family; he was the Pioneer 
 there. We landed at the mouth of the Cuyahoga, (Cleveland,) 
 built a store-house and a dwelling for the surveyors, and hands. 
 
 One of our hands, Stiles, had his wife with him, built a 
 
 house. He was the first settler at Cleveland. During the first 
 winter, Mrs. Stiles was confined; her only female attendants being 
 squaws; the child was the first born on the Reserve, and had a 
 present of land from the proprietors. ' || 
 
 "After remaining there for one season, myself and SpafTord ■ 
 went back to Vermont, returning to Irondequoit the next spring. 
 Having brought traps with us, we followed for a while the business 
 of trapping and hunting. Game was very plenty about the Bay. 
 Wild geese, with their broods of young goslins, were especially 
 abundant. We trapped and bought furs of Indians." 
 
 [Another surveying party for Ohio arriving, Mr. Culver and his 
 companion again accompanied them. His narrative embraces 
 many interesting events connected with the primitive survey and ! 
 settlement of the Reserve, witnessed during this and a third advent i 
 there. In 1798 he helped cut out the road from Pennsylvania line .^! 
 across the Reserve. On his way up he was taken sick at Buffalo 
 
 — no physician to be had — Middaugh's wife took care of him.] 
 
 I 
 "In the year 1800 1 purchased the farm whei^e I now reside; ! 
 went to work upon it, going through the woods by marked trees 
 to Major Orange Stone's, for my meals and lodging; cleared seven 
 acres and got it into wheat. Suspecting that I had an imperfect 
 title to my land, I did no more upon it until 1805, when the title 
 was made perfect. During this time, I worked at the Bay for 
 Tryon and Adams, who by this time had a store there and an ashery. 
 In 1804, there was a grist and saw mill, built by Smith, on 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 389 
 
 a stream that crosses the road from Rochester to Pittsford. The 
 mill stones were taken from the old Allan mill at Rochester, that 
 had run down. The trade of Tryon and Adams, extended to 
 Pittsford, Penfield, Mendon; divided the trade with Canandaigua, 
 of the whole region. The ashery was of great use to the new 
 settlers; enabling them to sell their ashes for a shilling a bushel 
 when they stood in need of the proceeds. I remember that in 
 1803, Tryon and Adams shipped one hundred and three barrels of 
 pearl ashes to Montreal. In 1804, when I left the Bay, four or 
 five families had come in. The father of Oliver Grace, Esq., of 
 Lewiston, was a general agent, or clerk, for Tryon and Adams; 
 was well educated, social and pleasant; an agreeable accession to 
 our back woods' settlement.* 
 
 "In the early years^^the whole region about the Bay, was a 
 favorite hunting ground; deer and bear were very plenty. There 
 were a few beaver in this region when I first came in. I trapped 
 a couple of young ones at Braddock's Bay, in 1797; found one of 
 their houses, or lodges. It was built in a conical form, of brush 
 and rushes, plastered with clay. Their bed was elevated above 
 the water, and dry. The sticks they had carried into their lodge 
 for their winter's food, were piled up outside with the bark all 
 gnawed off. I have seen the stumps of trees they had gnawed off 
 one foot in diameter. They select their sites for dams with all the 
 nice judgment that man would use in locating mill dams. The 
 beaver dams were numerous in all the lake Ontario region. 
 
 "I married and settled upon my farm in 1805. In that year and 
 the following, myself and four neighbors: — George Daly, Orange 
 Stone, Samuel Spafford, and Miles Northup, with the help of fifty 
 dollars appropriated by the then town of Northfield, cut out the 
 road two rods wide, for the distance of four miles from the river, 
 east. I am the only person now living in the town of Brighton, 
 who was here, an adult, in 1796." 
 
 The author is indebted to Mr. J. B. Taylor, of West Webster, 
 
 * The author has one of the old account books of this primitive mercantile estab- 
 lishment. Each page is dated " Gerundegut Lauding." Some names as they occur 
 through its pages, will remind the reader of early times: — Seymour Boughton, Miles 
 Bristol, Jonathan Brown, Capt. Abraham Burchard, William Bacon, James Brooks, 
 James Cronk, John Dailey, Levi Van Fossen, Wni. and Daniel Gould, Nathaniel 
 Rowley, Paul Roberts, John Stoughton, Noah Smith, Asa Taft, Nathan Tolls, Gideon 
 Thayer, Stephen Tinker, Matthew Warner, Ashae! Warner, Aaron Watkins, Ezra 
 Norton, Zebulon Norton, James Annibal, Amherst Humphrey, Samuel Stephens, 
 
 ' Samuel Miles, James Maxwell, John Porter, Eljah Morgan, Samuel Bulliu, Samuel 
 Carr, Martin Lewis, Asa Porter, Solomon Hover, Abner Sheldon, Wm. Keyes, 
 Solomon Sylvester, Wm. Tanner, James Henry, llichard Smith, Reuben Thaj-er, 
 Benjamin Barton, Paul Davison Elisha Brockvvay, Aaron Watkins, Noah Smith, 
 Jasper Sears, Wait Lewis, Joel Brace, John Daily, Wheelock Wood, Thaddeus Keyes, 
 
 , Smith Wilcox, Levi Boughton, Abel Baker, Joel Henderson, Abel Rowe, John Chap- 
 man, Stephen Hopkins, Oliver Tracy, Augustus Porter, Peter B. Porter, Oliver Culver, 
 James Walsworth, Glover Perrin, Samuel Stone, Oliver Grace, Oliver Phelps, Joha 
 Ray, John F. Taylor, Thomas King, Wm. Hencher. 
 
390 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Monroe county, for the information contained in the following 
 extracts of a letter: — 
 
 "My mother, now quite advanced in years, resides with her 
 sister, Mrs. M'Laren, near Benedict's Corners, on Ridge Road, 
 east of Rochester. I gather from her the statement, that she came 
 with my father, to Braddock's Bay, in 1797. There had been 
 living there, then, for three or four years, three brothers: — Bezeal, 
 Stephen, and John Atchison. The names of the others there, j 
 
 were: — John Madden, Goodhue, Labon, 
 
 Bennet. Wm. Hencher lived at the mouth of Genesee river; a 
 rather singular sort of personage; a second Daniel Boone. Some 
 emigrants settled four or five miles from him, at which he became 
 very indignant; said he did not wish to have neighbors so near ; 
 him." * I 
 
 The following is a copy of the first tax roll ever made out for 
 the region west of the Genesee river; it being then all embraced 
 in one town — Northampton. It is entire, with the exception of 
 fifteen or sixteen names, torn from' the first page of the roll. It 
 was furnished to the editor of the Rochester Democrat, by Donald 
 M'Kenzie, Esq., of Caledonia. It is dated October 6th, 1800; and I 
 signed by Augustus Porter and Amos Hall, as commissioners of 
 taxes for Ontario county. The assessors for the town of North- j 
 ampton, were: — Cyrus Douglas, Michael Beach, Eli Griffith, and '' 
 Philip Beach; Peter Shaeffer, (still living,) was the collector. 
 There were not then, as it appears, over twelve taxable inhabitants 
 upon the Purchase; in Buffalo, only Johnston, Middaugh and Lane. 
 
 
 Value real and 
 
 Am't 
 
 .' > 
 
 o 
 Vnhie real and 
 
 Am't '• 
 
 
 pars 
 
 1 estate. 
 
 of Tax. 
 
 
 pers'l estate. 
 
 of Tax. 
 
 Curtis, William 
 
 
 $30 
 
 $0 06 
 
 Conatt, Samuel 
 
 38 
 
 06 
 
 Carter, William 
 
 
 94 
 
 18 
 
 Chamberlin, Joshua 
 
 60 
 
 12 
 
 Chamberliu, Hinds 
 
 
 284 
 
 40 
 
 Gary, Joseph 
 
 948 
 
 1 61 
 
 Curtis, Augustus 
 
 
 500 
 
 61 
 
 Coots, Timothy 
 
 396 
 
 54 
 
 Curtis, Jonathan 
 
 
 387 
 
 54 
 
 Dugan, Christopher 
 
 1306 
 
 1 63 
 
 Campbell, Peter 
 
 
 52 
 
 09 
 
 Douglas, CjTUs 
 
 78 
 
 14 
 
 Chapin, Henry 
 
 
 3000 
 
 6 50 
 
 Davis, Daniel 
 
 572 
 
 72 ■! 
 
 Chapman, Asa 
 
 
 112 
 
 23 
 
 Davis, Garret 
 
 350 
 
 45 
 
 Cumins, Joseph 
 
 
 20 
 
 04 
 
 Davis, Bela 
 
 105 
 
 22 
 
 * This first settler at the mouth of Genesee river — and first, in fact, in all that region 
 — has been several times alluded to, by others. He had held a commission under 
 Shay, in the Massachusetts rebellion. When the force was disbanded, he had taken so 
 conspicuous apart in the rebellion, that he feared to remain, and came first to Chemung, 
 where he remained two or three years. The following extract of a letter, dated in 1791, 
 from one of his daughters, who was with him, to another, in Massachusetts, would 
 show that he came to Western New York, about that period: — "We are waiting at 
 Chemung, to get rid of the fever and ague; as soon as we do, we are going to the 
 Genesee country. Father has been out there and returned." Mr. Hencher died in 
 1821, leaving a large number of descendants. Mrs. Donald M'Kenzie, of Caledonia, 
 is one of his daughters. Mrs. Richardson, of Cambria, Niagara county, widow of 
 Jonathan Richardson, is a sister of the early pioneer. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE 
 
 391 
 
 
 Value real and 
 
 Am't 
 
 
 Value real and A m't 
 
 
 purs'l estate. 
 
 of Tax. 
 
 
 pers'l estate. 
 
 of Tax. 
 
 Davis, Samuel 
 
 312 
 
 37 
 
 Rhau, Alexander 
 
 85 
 
 12 
 
 Ellicott, Benjamin 
 
 600 
 
 71 
 
 Stimson, Leonard 
 
 52 
 
 11 
 
 Fish, Josiah 
 
 1516 
 
 1 86 
 
 Stimson & Jones 
 
 200 
 
 29 
 
 Farewell, Elisha 
 
 288 
 
 37 
 
 Stoughton, AmaziEih 
 
 164 
 
 21 
 
 Fuller, David 
 
 80 
 
 12 
 
 Sheffer, Peter 
 
 4260 
 
 5 36 
 
 Forsyth, John 
 
 330 
 
 43 
 
 Scott, Isaac 
 
 1108 
 
 1 45 
 
 Granger, Eli 
 
 100 
 
 14 
 
 Shelly, Phiros 
 
 150 
 
 18 
 
 Goodhue, George 
 
 176 
 
 20 
 
 Scott, Salmon 
 
 796 
 
 95 
 
 Ganson, John, Jr. 
 
 1640 
 
 2 10 
 
 Scoonover, Jacob 
 
 731 
 
 1 00 
 
 Ganson, James 
 
 12 
 
 02 
 
 Thompson Abriandner 
 
 30 
 
 07 
 
 Griffith, Eli 
 
 658 
 
 98 
 
 Utley, Asa 
 
 901 
 
 1 17 
 
 Hencher, Wm. 
 
 1036 
 
 1 64 
 
 Olmstead, Jeremiah 
 
 120 
 
 29 
 
 Hicks, Samuel 
 
 44 
 
 09 
 
 Wilber, Charles 
 
 60 
 
 31 
 
 Heth, Reuben 
 
 40 
 
 09 
 
 Walther, Frederick 
 
 488 
 
 G8 
 
 Hunt, Elijah 
 
 68 
 
 14 
 
 Wemple, Henry 
 
 27 
 
 17 
 
 Harris, Alpheus 
 
 72 
 
 15 
 
 
 42 
 
 10 
 
 Hall, i'rieud 
 
 200 
 
 30 
 
 King, Thomas 
 
 30 
 
 07 
 
 Hunt, Joseph 
 
 64 
 
 13 
 
 King, Simeon 
 
 40 
 
 10 
 
 Hopkins, Timothy 
 
 42 
 
 09 
 
 Hender, Stephen 
 
 12 
 
 02 
 
 Hayne, John 
 
 50 
 
 11 
 
 Ransom, Asa 
 
 410 
 
 61 
 
 Hawlev, Chapman 
 
 112 
 
 18 
 
 Erwin,John 
 
 428 
 
 96 
 
 Hall, Gilbert 
 
 370 
 
 52 
 
 Woolman, John 
 
 162 
 
 36 
 
 Hoit, Stephen 
 
 153 
 
 34 
 
 Philips, William 
 
 30 
 
 07 
 
 Jones, H. John 
 
 140 
 
 23 
 
 Carver, John 
 
 316 
 
 40 
 
 Jones, Elizabeth 
 
 153 
 
 24 
 
 Eli, Justin 
 
 oOOO 
 
 9 91 
 
 Johnson, Moses 
 
 800 
 
 1 07 
 
 Barnard, Ebenezer ? 
 Perkins, Enoch 5 
 
 1950 
 
 3 87 
 
 Johnson, Wm. 
 
 2034 
 
 3 50 
 
 Kith, ai. Michael 
 
 42 
 
 09 
 
 Phelps, Oliver 
 
 4437 
 
 8 80 
 
 Kimball, John 
 
 700 
 
 1 03 
 
 Hartford, Charles 
 
 2333 
 
 4 62 
 
 Kent, Elijah 
 
 96 
 
 14 
 
 King, Gideon, heirs 
 
 4500 
 
 5 36 
 
 Lane, Ezekiel 
 
 114 
 
 24 
 
 Granger, Zadoc 
 
 4500 
 
 8 92 
 
 Laybourn, Christopher 
 
 470 
 
 62 
 
 Hinkley, Samuel ) 
 
 
 
 Lyon, John 
 
 40 
 
 08 
 
 Stone, John > 
 
 5000 
 
 9 91 
 
 Leonard, Jonathan 
 
 40 
 
 06 
 
 Graves, Silas ) 
 
 
 
 Lewis, Seth 
 
 60 
 
 14 
 
 Wadsworth, James 
 
 34,500 
 
 68 38 
 
 Mills, Wm. 
 
 714 
 
 94 
 
 Williamson, C. & others 34,500 
 
 68 28 
 
 Mills, Lewis 
 
 72 
 
 16 
 
 Gilbert, Warren 
 
 2,190 
 
 2 60 
 
 Mills, Alexander 
 
 80 
 
 19 
 
 Colt, Judah 
 
 1,320 
 
 2 61 
 
 IMills, Samuel 
 
 250 
 
 30 
 
 Morris, Thomas 
 
 4,200 
 
 8 32 
 
 Morton, Simeon 
 
 50 
 
 11 
 
 Hall, Amos 
 
 700 
 
 1 38 
 
 Mading, Timothy 
 
 128 
 
 16 
 
 Holland Company 
 
 3,300,000 5231 62 
 
 McCIoning, John 
 
 40 
 
 09 
 
 Williamson, Charles 
 
 155,150 
 
 307 41 
 
 McCloning, John, Jr. 
 
 12 
 
 02 
 
 Williamson & Phelps 
 
 100,000 
 
 219 14 
 
 Middaugh,' Martin 
 
 45 
 
 09 
 
 Craigie, Andrew 
 
 50,000 
 
 73 96 
 
 Mayle, Lewis 
 
 30 
 
 09 
 
 Ogden, Samuel 
 
 50,000 
 
 109 57 
 
 
 84 
 
 19 
 
 Cottinger, Garrit 
 
 50,000 
 
 109 57 
 
 Mulkins, Henry 
 
 54 
 
 11 
 
 Church, Philhp 
 
 100,000 
 
 219 14 
 
 Nettleton, Philemon 
 
 592 
 
 80 
 
 Unknown 
 
 27,210 
 
 59 41 
 
 Morgan, Joseph 
 
 870 
 
 1 11 
 
 .Leroy &. Bayard 
 
 82,000 
 
 179 68 
 
 M'Naughtou, John 
 
 48 
 
 11 
 
 Leroy & Bayard 
 
 40,000 
 
 87 66 
 
 McPherson, Dan 
 
 100 
 
 22 
 
 Phelps & Jones 
 
 
 
 Patterson, Lawrence 
 Pebody, Stephen 
 
 500 
 86 
 
 90 
 
 18 
 
 Supposed to be owned 
 by Thomas Morris 
 
 ' 40,960 
 
 89 36 
 
 Palmer, John 
 Pangman, William 
 
 482 
 300 
 
 72 
 66 
 
 Joseph Fitts Simmons 
 Joseph Higby 
 
 ' 600,000 
 
 1314 84 
 
 Quivey, Norton 
 Redford, John 
 
 70 
 130 
 
 15 
 19 
 
 
 
 
 Total $4,785,363 8,387 11 
 
 Note — The names were, many of them, wrong, in the transcript copied from. After 
 such corrections as the author is enabled to make by reference to otlier records, there 
 are yet, it is presumedj some errors. 
 
392 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 BENJAMIN BARTON. 
 
 He was a native of Sussex county, New Jersey; born in 1771. 
 When but seventeen years of age — in the year 1787 — he accom- 
 panied his father to assist in driving a drove of cattle and sheep 
 purchased for the use of the British Commissariat at Niagara. 
 The route was the one that has already been described; the Indian 
 trail, that was then the only route to Fort Niagara and Canada. 
 On reaching the Genesee river, the party rested for a few days to 
 allow the cattle and sheep to recruit, and while there, erected a 
 small log cabin, for their own convenience, and the convenience of 
 other drovers; which is supposed to be the first tenement erected 
 by white men, between Whitestown on the Mohawk and the wes- 
 tern frontiers of the state. 
 
 Major Barton came to Geneva in 1788; and in the year 1790, 
 purchased from Poudery, a Frenchman, who had married a squaw,' 
 (and to whom the Indians had given the land.) a valuable farm on 
 the Cashong creek, seven miles from Geneva. 
 
 This farm was formerly the site of an Indian town which had 
 been destroyed by the army of Gen. Sullivan in 1779. More than 
 one hundred acres of it had been improved from time immemorial; 
 so long, that the stumps had i-otted away, and there were a great 
 many old apple trees growing upon it, many of which were more 
 than a foot and a half in diameter. These were the only things on | 
 it that escaped the destruction inflicted upon all Indian towns he 
 reached, by Gen. Sullivan. In payment for this farm, he gave all j 
 the money and property he had, even to parting with a portion of j 
 his raiment. He had great difficulty in getting the purchase ratified ij 
 by the State, but succeeded finally, through the great kindness and l| 
 assistance rendered to him by Gov. George Clinton. j 
 
 In 1792, Major Barton, was married at Canandaigua to the kind '' 
 and affectionate companion who yet survives him, and with whom 
 he lived nearly half a century. After his marriage he settled in 
 Geneva, where his first child, a daughter, was born; and in 1794 i 
 removed on to his farm, where he continued to reside until the j 
 spring of 1807, when he removed to Lewiston in Niagara county. 
 He was employed a long time by the Surveyor General in survey- | 
 ing the State military tract lying east of Ontario, to, and including j' 
 Onondaga county; as well as rendering much service in that way L 
 in Ontario county. • 
 
^^1 
 
 \ 
 
 ^ 
 
 cy^^^-^/J, 
 
 ^i^©:: 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 393 
 
 Between 1801 and 1805, he was three or four years the Sheriff of 
 Ontario county, which then embraced all the territory of New York 
 (except the county of Steuben,) west of Seneca lake, and from the 
 Pennsylvania line to lake Ontario, which has since been subdivided 
 into thirteen counties. 
 
 During the time he held the office, he had to serve a criminal 
 process upon an Indian residing on the Buffalo reservation for the 
 crime of murder, he having killed a man in a drunken brawl at a 
 little log tavern, near where the Mansion House in this city now 
 stands. At that period of time the Indians were much the stronger 
 party in the country, and a process like this could not be executed 
 without their consent. The chiefs objected to the arrest being 
 made; said they regretted the circumstance, but they understood 
 the white people in a case of murder, in trying and punishing a man 
 who committed it, they made no difference whether he was drunk 
 or sober at the time, that they did, their young warrior was drunk 
 when he committed the act, and they would punish him; at all 
 events they would not consent that he should be taken and tied on 
 a horse like a thief, and carried through the country to the jail at 
 Canandaigua. JNIajor B. represented to them, that as the offence 
 was a crime against our laws and within the jurisdiction of the 
 state, the arrest must be made, even if it took a large force to do it, 
 and they had better consent, but they positively forbid his making 
 it. It was then mutually agreed between him and the chiefs, that 
 they should go to Fort Niagara, then commanded by Major Moses 
 Porter, and consult with him what was best to be done. Even 
 here a positive refusal was adhered to, not to permit the arrest to 
 be made. They were willing to pledge their words as chiefs, that 
 the man should be in Canandaigua when the court met, and that 
 the Sheriff might go home. This agreement was faithfully per- 
 formed. The Indian had his trial, was convicted and sentenced to 
 be hung, but subsequently pardoned by Gov. George Clinton and 
 banished the state. He went by the EngHsh name of Stiff-arm 
 George, and is yet, or was a few years ago, residing in the state of 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 Previous to the surrender of Fort Niagara, in 1796, under Jay's 
 treaty, and while hired by the British Government, no white man 
 could travel on the frontier, without being liable to be arrested by 
 the Indians and taken to the fort under suspicion of being a 
 deserter, unless he could exhibit to the Indians a pass, from the 
 
394 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 commander of the fort; which pass, as the Indians could not read, 
 was a card or thick piece of paper having on it a large wax seal, 
 bearing a particular impression. Major B. has been once or twice 
 thus arrested, and at other times had to dodge and run away from 
 drunken and troublesome Indians. 
 
 During his early rambles on this frontier, he foresaw the brilliant 
 prospects and immense trade which would in time flow through 
 these great inland seas. As soon as the Mile Strip on the Niagara , 
 river was surveyed into farm and village lots, by the State who i 
 was the owner, he attended the sale at the Surveyor General's : 
 office in Albany, in 1805. Here he met with Judge and General I 
 Porter on the same business. They formed a connection of friend- 
 ship and business, which continued unbroken to the day of his death. , 
 They purchased several farm lots, including the property around I 
 the Falls, and bid off, at public auction, the landing places at Lewis- 
 ton and Sclosser, for which they received a lease for twelve or 
 thirteen years. In 1800, under the firm of Porter, Barton & Co., 
 they commenced the carrying trade around the Niagara Falls, on 
 the American side; they were connected with Matthew M'Nairof : 
 Oswego, and Jonathan Walton &c Co. of Schenectady; and this 
 was the first regular and connected line of forwarders that ever r 
 did business from tide-water to lake Erie on the American side of I 
 the Niagara river. 
 
 After Major Barton removed to Lewiston, in 1807, then in the 
 county of Genesee, he was for one or two years the Sheriff"; after 
 which he never asked for nor held any civil office, except such as 
 supervisor or other town office, which are rather burthensome than > 
 otherwise, but he always held that it was every one's duty to bear 
 his share of such tasks. He was an American in heart and prin- 
 ciple, and loved his country and her republican institutions before 
 all others. He was a strong advocate for the war of 1812, and 
 during the early part of it, gave his whole efforts and influence to 
 its support. In 1813 when the Niagara frontier was invaded and 
 laid waste with fire and sword by the enemy. Major Barton was a 
 large sufferer; his houses, stores, mills, and other property being 
 burned up or otherwise destroyed; for all of which he received but 
 a partial remuneration from the Government. This severe pecu- 
 niary loss, flowing from the progress of the war which he had aided 
 m bringing about, and to which he had given his untiring zeal in ' 
 supporting, did not in the least change his views or feelings in what 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 395 
 
 he considered a just and proper act of the Government; but on tlic 
 contrary called him more fully into action. 
 
 In the spring of 1814, when his friend and partner, General 
 Porter, raised his Brigade of Volunteers, which during the cam- 
 paign so much distinguished themselves. Major B. joined them as 
 . special quarter master for the corps, under a commission from Gov. 
 Tompkins. In this department, his services were soon found so 
 ■ useful, that in July, while the American army lay on Queenstown 
 1 Heights, he received from the President, a commission as Deputy 
 : Quarter Master General in the regular army, in which he continued 
 to the close of the war. 
 
 i After the restoration of peace. Major B. returned with his 
 ' family (who left at the commencement of the war,) to Lewiston, 
 ' his favorite place, and commenced rebuilding and repairing the 
 . injury his property had received during the war. For the last 
 I fifteen or twenty years of his life, he gave up all cares of business, 
 ; except agriculture, to which he was much attached. He originally 
 had a most uncommonly robust constitution; but from early expo- 
 : sure in surveying the country, by exposure in winter and summer 
 \ to rains and snows, and hard fare in living, he became, as age 
 1 creeped on, subject to rheumatism and other chronic complaints, 
 i which entirely broke him up; and, for the last five years, he 
 enjoyed but little good health. 
 
 During a long life. Major Barton has been eminently a useful 
 man. Thrown, in his minority, upon the world, to work his own 
 • way, without a shilling to aid him, but possessing talents, industry, 
 perseverance and economy, he overcame all obstacles, and rose to 
 the enjoyment of wealth and honors. He was naturally modest 
 I and unobtrusive; decisive and firm in purpose; honest and upright 
 in all his dealings; never oppressive to those indebted to him, but 
 rather extending to them additional assistance; generous and obli- 
 ging in his disposition, and always ready to bear his portion in any 
 public improvement; without any desire for, or attempt at show or 
 ostentation, for which he had a perfect contempt; but treating with 
 I great respect and civility, worth and merit, whether covered with 
 the humble garb of poverty or more rich attire; a kind husband, 
 an affectionate father, a good neighbor, and an unflinching friend. 
 He died at Lewiston, in 1842, aged 72 years. 
 
 Note. — The portrait accompanying the biography, is from a painting made when the 
 subject of it was but a little over fifty years of age; there being no later one. With 
 
396 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 morris' purchase GENERAL DISPOSITION OF "MORRIs' RESERVE." ' 
 
 I 
 
 Messrs. Phelps and Gorham, who had paid about one third of 
 the purchase money of the whole tract purchased of Massachu- 
 setts, in consequence of the rise of the value of "Massachusetts 
 consolidated stock," (in which the payments for the land were to 
 be received) from twenty per cent, to par, were unable further to 
 comply with their engagements and consummate the conditions of f 
 the sale on their part, and Massachusetts commenced suits on their 
 bonds. After a long negotiation between the parties in which 
 many propositions were made, accepted and abrogated by mutual i 
 consent, the whole transaction relative to the purchase of those 
 lands was settled and finally closed on the tenth day of March, 
 1791, by Messrs. Phelps and Gorham relinquishing to Massachu-i 
 setts that portion of the land, and Massachusetts relinquishing to 
 the said Phelps and Gorham, their bonds for the payment of the ; 
 purchase money therefor. ! 
 
 On the 12th day of March, 1791, the state of Massachusetts 
 agreed to sell to Samuel Ogden, who was acting for and in behalf 
 of Robert Morris, all the lands ceded to the said state, by the state '. 
 of New York, except that part thereof which had been conveyed 
 by Massachusetts to Phelps and Gorham. See Sec. Office, Mas-. 
 sachusetts Exemp. Records, fol. 1 . 
 
 In conformity with this agreement the state of Massachusetts 
 conveyed to Robert Morris, on the 11th day of May, 1791, the 
 whole of said land in five different deeds — the first including all 
 
 those who have only known him in later years, broken in health, as has been observed, 
 it will not be recognized as a faithful likeness; while those who knew him when he hadj 
 but just passed the prime of hfe, consider it generally, correct. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 397 
 
 the land on said tract lying east of a meridian line beginning at a 
 point in the north line of Pennsylvania, twelve miles west of the 
 southwest corner of Phelps and Gorham's tract, and running due 
 north to lake Ontario, supposed to contain about five hundred 
 thousand acres. See Sec. Office, Albany, Book of Deeds, 23, fol. 
 231. The second deed included all the land between the last 
 described tract and a meridian line beginning at a point in the 
 north line of Pennsylvania, sixteen miles west of the southwest 
 corner of the last described tract, thence running due north to lake 
 Ontario. See Sec. Office, Albany, Lib. 23, fol. 234. The third deed 
 included all the land lying between the last mentioned tract, and a 
 meridian line, beginning at a point in the north line of Pennsyl- 
 vania, sixteen miles west of the southwest corner of the last 
 described tract, and thence running due north to the shore of lake 
 Ontario. See Sec. Office, Jllbany, Lib. 23, fol. 235. The fourth 
 deed contained all land lying beetween the last mentioned tract, 
 and a meridian line, beginning at a point in the north line of Penn- 
 sylvania, sixteen miles west of the southwest corner of the last 
 described tract, and thence running due north to the shore of lake 
 Ontario. See Sec. Office, Albany, Lib. 23, fol. 232. The fifth and 
 last deed included all the land owned by the state of Massachusetts 
 in this state, lying west of the last described tract. See Sec. Office, 
 Albany, Lib. 23, fol. 237. The four last mentioned tracts included 
 about three million, three hundred thousand acres. 
 
 One undivided sixtieth part of the whole of the land included in 
 these five deeds, had been reserved by Massachusetts, in their 
 original agreement with Samuel Ogden, Morris' agent, to meet the 
 demands of John Butler, who had contracted with Phelps and 
 Gorham for the purchase of the same, prior to the surrender of 
 . their claim to Massachusetts. Butler, however, subsequent to the 
 surrender, and before the execution of the conveyances above 
 recited, assigned his right to said sixtieth part to Robert Morris, 
 which enabled him to acquire a title to the whole at the same time. 
 
 The tract of land described in and conveyed by the first men- 
 tioned deed, took the name of Morris' Reserve, from the fact that 
 he retained that tract in the sale which he afterwards made to the 
 Holland Company. Mr. Morris sold out in parcels from forty, to 
 one hundred and fifty thousand acres each, to wit: he sold to 
 Leroy, Bayard and M'Evers the triangular tract, bounded south- 
 
398 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 easterly by the Phelps and Gorham purchase west of Genesee 
 river, west by a line beginning at the southwest corner of said 
 Phelps and Gorham's tract, and running due north to lake Ontario 
 and north by said lake Ontario, containing about eighty seven 
 thousand acres. The next sale which Mr. Morris made (which 
 was before he sold the land described in the other deeds to the 
 Holland Company,) was one hundred thousand acres to Watson 
 Cragie and Greenleaf, bounded east by said triangular tract, north 
 by lake Ontario, west by a line running parallel with the west line 
 of the triangle and six miles distant therefrom, and south by an east 
 and west line so far south of lake Ontario as that the tract shall 
 contain one hundred thousand acres. This sale was made under 
 the fullest confidence (on what authority it is not known) that the 
 full width of the tract fell on the land described in the first men- 
 tioned deed, executed to Mr. Morris by Massachusetts, which 
 appears to have been an erroneous assumption. 
 
 This tract after several transfers, was conveyed in 1801, to the 
 State of Connecticut (being purchased with a portion of their ■ 
 school fund) and Sir William Pultney, one undivided half each, 
 which was divided between them in 1811, portions of the share of 
 each being interspersed through the whole tract. The lands falling 
 to the one share being called Connecticut lands and to the other 
 Pultney estate lands, although the whole tract is usually designated 
 the Connecticut Tract. 
 
 Mr. Morris then sold fifty thousand acres, south of and adjoining 
 the Connecticut Tract to Andrew Cragie. This sale, however, 
 was made after Mr. Morris had sold the land included in the other ', 
 four deeds from Massachusetts, to the Holland Company, or to 
 persons in trust for them. This tract was bounded east, partly by 
 the Triangular Tract, and partly by a line run due south from the - 
 southern angle thereof, in the whole one hundred four chains and 
 sixty seven links; north by the Connecticut tract six miles; west 
 by a line parallel to, and six miles west from the east boundary of 
 tlie tract, one hundred four chains and sixty-seven links, and south II 
 by an east and west line, parallel to the north bounds of the tract, fc 
 one hundred four chains and sixty-seven links south therefrom: I 
 this is generally called the Cragie Tract. Mr. Morris sold to 
 Samuel Ogden fifty thousand acres described as lying south of, and , 
 adjoining the Cragie Tract, and of the same length and breadth: | 
 
f I HOLLAND PURCHASE. 399 
 
 this is called the Ogden Tract. He likewise sold one other tract 
 1 1 containing fifty thousand acres to Gerrit Cotringer, lying south of, 
 I and adjoining the Ogden Tract, of the same length and breadth. 
 
 JMr. iMorris sold forty thousand acres to Wilhem and Jan Willink, 
 
 ' bounded east by the Genesee river, north by Phelps and Gorham' s 
 
 • Purchase west of Genesee' river, twelve miles; west by a line 
 
 running due south from the southwest corner of said Phelps and 
 
 ! Gorham's Purchase, and south by a line parallel with the north 
 
 ; bounds of the tract and so far south as to include forty thousand 
 
 acres: this is called " The Forty Thousand Acre Tract.*' Of this 
 
 tract Mr. Morris sold to John B. Church, one hundred thousand 
 
 acres, being six miles wide, lying east of, and adjoining the lands 
 
 i sold by him to the Holland Company and extending nearly from 
 
 f the Pennsylvania line to the Cotringer Tract. One undivided half 
 
 ' of this tract fell into the hands of the creditors of J. B. Church 
 
 and the other half became the property of his son Judge Philip 
 
 ' Church, w4iich parts have since been separated. 
 
 The tract six miles wide, east of the Cotringer tract and 
 ri Church's tract, containing one hundred and fifty thousand acres, 
 I was sold by Mr. Morris to Samuel Sterrett, and the lands between 
 the Sterrett tract and the forty thousand acre tract, except the 
 Mount Morris tract, part of Gardeau Reservation, &c. is generally 
 known as Morris' honorary creditor's tract. It will be understood 
 that the foregoing mentioned sales as well as that to the Holland 
 Company or their trustees, was made before the Indian title to the 
 lands was extinguished, with an agreement on his part, to effect 
 that object. In regard to the settlement of these several tracts, 
 the Connecticut Tract could not be offered for sale until after its < 
 division between Connecticut and the Pultney Estate, in 1811. 
 The owners of the Cragie Tract, Ogden Tract, Cotringer Tract 
 and Sterrett Tract, neglected to put their lands in market, until 
 great progress had been made in settling the adjacent lands west 
 on the Holland Purchase. There were some early settlers on the 
 Triangular Tract, Forty thousand acre Tract, and Church's Tract, 
 but these settlements progressed slowly at first, especially on 
 Church's Tract, the only one of these which joined the Holland 
 Purchase. We know of no reason for the tardy progress of the 
 settlement on Mr. Church's Tract, as the proprietor located 
 himself on the premises in 1804, and expended large sums of 
 money to give it its primary impetus, unless it was that Mr. 
 
400 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Church, who was educated in Europe and had associated with its 
 aristocracy, was better quaUfied to support the high character of 
 his hospitable mansion, overflowing with the substantials, and well 
 stored with all the delicacies and luxuries produced in or imported 
 to this region; than to mete out the hills and dales of the earth by 
 the acre, to the huge-framed axe-man, and long-limbed Bill Purdys 
 of the exploring pioneers. Judge Church resides two and a half 
 miles southwest of the village of Angelica, the county town of 
 Alleghany county, at his beautiful country seat, Belvidere, on the 
 banks of the Genesee river. 
 
PART FIFTH. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 HISTORICAL DEDUCTION OF HOLLAND COMPANY TITLE SURVEYS. 
 
 The last four tracts described in the conveyances of the land 
 purchased of Massachusetts by Robert Morris, were conveyed 
 by him by four separate deeds, as follows: 1st, deed from Robert 
 Morris and wife, to Herman Le Roy and John Linklaen, for one 
 and a half million acres, dated December 24th, 1792. 2d, deed 
 from Robert Morris and wife, to Herman Le Roy, John Linklaen 
 and Gerrit Boon for one million acres, dated February, 27th 1793. 
 3rd, deed from Robert Morris and wife to Herman Le Roy, John 
 Linklaen and Gerrit Boon, for eight hundred thousand acres, dated 
 July 20th, 1793. Deed from Robert Morris and wife, to Herman 
 Le Roy, William Bayard and Matthew Clarkson, for three hundred 
 thousand acres, dated July 20th, 1793. 
 
 These tracts were purchased with the funds of certain gentle- 
 men in Holland, and held in trust by the several grantees for their 
 benefit, as they, being aliens, could not purchase and hold real 
 estate, in their own names, according to the then existing laws of 
 the State. After several changes in the trustees, and transfers of 
 portions of the land, sanctioned by the Legislature, the whole tract 
 was conveyed by the trustees ' by three separate deeds, to the 
 Holland Company, or rather, to the individuals, in their own 
 names, composing three separate branches of that Company.* 
 
 Although these deeds of conveyance were given to three 
 distinct companies of proprietors, their interests were so closely 
 , blended, several of the same persons, having large interests in 
 each of the three different estates; they appointed one general 
 agent for the whole, who managed the concerns of the tract 
 generally, as though it all belonged to the same proprietors, making 
 
 * For a deduction of the title of the Holland Land Company, including a synopsis 
 of those three deeds, see Appendix. 
 
 26 
 
402 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 no distinction which operated in the least on the settlers and 
 purchasers, but simply keeping the accounts of each separate, 
 when practicable, and apportioning, j)^^o rata, all expenses when 
 blended in the same transaction for the benefit of the whole. 
 The general agent likewise appointed the same local or resident 
 agent for the three companies owning this tract in Western New 
 York,* The only difference between its consisting of one or more 
 tracts discernable by the purchaser of lands, was, that in executing 
 contracts or conveyances, the agents used the names of the 
 respective proprietors of each tract. Under this state of things, 
 we shall denominate the whole of the proprietors holding under 
 these three deeds, " The Holland Company," and the lands con- 
 veyed by those deeds, the " Holland Purchase." 
 
 It is a curious fact, that when the Dutch proprietors were parcel- 
 ling out the tract among the three different branches of the com- 
 pany, it was mutually agreed among the whole, that Messrs. 
 Wilhem Willink, Jan Willink, Wilhem Willink the younger, and Jan 
 Willink the younger, should have three hundred thousand acres, 
 located in such part of the whole tract as they should select. In 
 making their selection, they located their three hundred thousand 
 acres, in nearly a square form, in the southeast corner of the tract, 
 for the reason that it was nearest Philadelphia, the residence of 
 their agent general. This selection contained the territory now 
 composing the towns of Bohvar, Wirt, Friendship, the east part of 
 Belfast, Genesee, Clarksville and Cuba, in Allegany county, Port- 
 ville, and the east parts of Hinsdale and Rice in Cattaragus 
 county. This location will give the reader who is acquainted with 
 the localities of the country, some idea of the knowledge, or rather 
 want of knowledge, of the Dutch proprietors, of the situation and 
 relative advantages of the different portions of their vast domains. 
 
 This sale by Robert Morris to the Holland Company was made 
 before the Indian title to the land was extinguished, accompanied 
 by an agreement on his part to extinguish that title, with the assist- 
 ance of the Company, as soon as practicable; therefore at a council 
 of the Seneca Indians, held at Geneseo, on Genesee river, in the 
 month of September, 1797, at which Jeremiah Wadsworth attended 
 as Commissioner for the United States, and William Shepherd as 
 
 * The same proprietors or a portion of them, owned tracts of land in the middle 
 section of this state and in Pennsylvania which was under the supervision and control 
 of other local or resident agents. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 403 
 
 agent for Massachusetts, Robert Morris in fulfilment of his several 
 contracts with the Holland Company, and the other persons to 
 whom he had sold land on this tract, acting by his agents, Thomas 
 Morris and Charles Williamson, extinguished the Indian title to all 
 the land, the pre-emption right of which he had purchased of Mas- 
 sachusetts, except the following Indian Reservations, to wit: The 
 Cannawagus reservation, containing two square miles, lying on the 
 west bank of Genesee rivei', west of Avon. Little Beard's and 
 Bigtrce reservations, containing together four square miles, lying on 
 the west bank of Genesee river opposite Geneseo. Squakie Hill 
 reservation, containing two square miles, lying on the north bank of 
 Genesee river, north of Mount Morris. Gardeau reservation, con- 
 taining about twenty-eight square miles, lying on both sides of 
 Genesee river, two or three miles south of Mount Morris. The 
 Canadea reservation, containing sixteen square miles, lying each 
 side of, and extending eight miles along the Genesee river, in the 
 county of Allegany. The Oil Spring reservation, containing one 
 square mile, lying on the line between Allegany and Cattaragus 
 counties. The Allegany reservation, containing forty-two square 
 miles, lying on each side of the Allegany river, and extending from 
 the Pennsylvania line northeastwardly about twenty-five miles. 
 The Cattaragus reservation, containing forty -two square miles, 
 lying each side and near the mouth of Cattaragus creek, on lake 
 Erie. The Buffalo reservation, containing one hundred and thirty 
 square miles, lying on both sides of the Buffalo creek, and extend- 
 ing east from lake Erie about seven miles wide. The Tonawanda 
 reservation, containing seventy square miles, lying on both sides of 
 the Tonawanda creek, beginning about twenty-five miles from its 
 mouth, and extending eastwardly about seven miles wide; and the 
 Tuscarora reservation, containing one square mile, lying about 
 three miles east of Lewiston, on the Mountain Ridge. 
 
 Theophilus Cazenove, the agent general of the Holland Company, 
 resident at Philadelphia, in July, 1797, had engaged Mr. Joseph 
 Ellicott, as principal surveyor of the company's lands in Western 
 New York, whenever their title should be perfected and possession 
 obtained, and likewise, to attend the before-mentioned council and 
 assist Messrs. W. Bayard and J. Linklaen, who were to attend and 
 act as agents for the company, {sub rosa,) for the purpose of pro- 
 moting the interests of their principals in any treaty which might be 
 made with the Indians. Mr. Ellicott attended the council accord- 
 
404 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 ingly, and rendered valuable services to the purchasers. This 
 period was the commencement of upwards of twenty years' regular 
 active service rendered by Mr. EUicott to the Holland Land 
 Company, in conducting their affairs and executing laborious enter- 
 prises for their benefit. 
 
 As soon as the favorable result of the proceedings of this council 
 was known, Mr. EUicott proceeded immediately to prepare for the 
 traverse and survey of the north and northwest bounds of the 
 tract. As soon as the necessary preparatory steps could be taken, 
 Mr. EUicott, as surveyor for the Holland Company, and Augustus 
 Porter, in the same capacity, for Robert Morris, for the purpose 
 of estimating the quantity of land in the tract, started a survey at 
 the northeast corner of Phelps and Gorham's tract, west of Gen- 
 esee river, and traversed the south shore of lake Ontario to the 
 mouth of Niagara river; thence up the eastern shore of the 
 Niagara river to lake Erie, thence along the southeast shore of 
 lake Erie to the west bounds of the state of New York, being a 
 meridian line running due south from the west end of lake Ontario, 
 which had been previously established by Andrew EUicott, Sur- 
 veyor General of the United States, assisted by said Joseph EUicott. 
 All which was perfected by the middle of November following. 
 
 Before Mr. EUicott left Western New York for Philadelphia, he 
 contracted with Thomas Morris to deliver on the Genesee river or 
 shore of lake Ontario near the mouth of that river, one hundred 
 barrels of pork, fifteen barrels of beef, and two hundred and 
 seventy barrels of flour, for the supply of the surveyors and their 
 assistants the ensuing season. Mr. EUicott, at the request of the 
 Agent General, made a list of articles to be provided for the 
 next season's campaign, consisting of a diversity of articles, from 
 pack-horses to horse shoes, nails and gimlets — from tents to towels 
 — from barley and rice to chocolate, coffee and tea, and from camp- 
 kettles to teacups; estimated to amount to $7,213 33. This state- 
 ment, however, did not include medicine, or "wine, spirits, loaf 
 sugar, &c., for head quarters." Mr. EIHcott likewise calculated 
 the wages of surveyors and other hands for six months of the next 
 season at $19,830. 
 
 Although the great divisions of the Holland Purchase was 
 intended to consist of townships six miles square, the division of 
 the tract among the three sets of proprietors, the Indian reserva- 
 tions which w^ere not included in the townships, as well as the 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 405 
 
 offsets and sinuosities existing in most of the boundaries, prevent a 
 large portion of the townships conforming to this standard. The 
 townships are situated in ranges running from south to north. 
 The townships in each range of townships beginning to number 
 one at the south, raising regularly in number to the north, and the 
 ranges of townships beginning to number one at the east, and 
 proceeding regularly west, to fifteen. 
 
 The first plan of the agent general of the company, relative to 
 the subdivision of the townships, was to divide each township 
 which was six miles square into sixteen portions one and a half 
 miles square, to be called sections, and each section again subdivi- 
 ded into twelve lots, each lot to be three fourths of a mile lono- 
 (generally north and south,) and one fourth of a mile wide containing 
 about one hundred and twenty acres each; presuming that a wealthy 
 farmer would buy a section, whereon to locate himself and his 
 progeny. Twenty four townships were surveyed or commenced 
 to be surveyed in conformity to that plan, although the uniformity 
 of the size and shape of lots was often departed from, where large 
 streams, such as the Tonawanda running through the townships, 
 were, for convenience, made boundaries of lots. From experience 
 however it was ascertained that, in the purchase of land, each 
 individual whether father, son, or son-in-law, would locate himself 
 according to his own choice or fancy. That this formal and 
 regular division of land into farms, seldom was found to be in 
 conformity to the topography of the country, nor to the different 
 requirements as to quantity, likewise that the addition of sections to 
 townships and lots, rendered the descriptions of farms more complex, 
 and increased the liability to err in defining any particular location; 
 for which reasons, the practice of dividing townships into sections 
 was abandoned, and thereafter, the townships were simply divided 
 into lots of about sixty chains or three fourths of a mile square, 
 which could be divided into farms to suit the topography of the 
 land and quantity required by the purchasers. In those townships 
 in which the surveys had been commenced to divide them into sec- 
 tions, and not completed, the remaining sections were divided 
 into four lots only of three fourths of a mile square each. These 
 lots' consequently contained about three hundred and sixty acres 
 each, but could not be laid off exactly uniform in shape and area, 
 for the same reason heretofore given in a note, why the townships 
 could not be laid off exactly uniform. 
 
406 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Early in the spring of 1788, Mr. Ellicott dispatched Adam 
 Hoops, Jr., a nephew of Major Adam Hoops, from Philadelphia, to 
 Western New York, with general powers to prepare for opening 
 the approaching campaign of surveying the Holland Pm'chase, and 
 to co-operate with Augustus Porter, who had previously been 
 engaged to procure horses, employ hands, and transport stores from 
 the places of their delivery by the contractor, Mr. Morris, to the 
 places where they would be required for consumption. 
 
 The principal surveyors engaged during the active season of 
 1798, in township, meridian line and reservation surveys, and in 
 lake and river traverses, were as follows: — Joseph and Benjamin 
 Ellicott, John Thompson, Richard M. Stoddard, George Burgess, 
 James Dewey, David Ellicott, Aaron Oakford, Jr. Augustus 
 Porter, Seth Pease, James Smedly, William Shepherd, George 
 Eggleston. In addition to these, were two Frenchmen, Messrs. 
 Haudecaur, and Autrechy, who were employed in some surveys of 
 Niagara river and the Falls. The last were rather engineers than 
 surveyors. Mr. James Brisbane, then in his minority, came from 
 Philadelphia, with Mr. Thompson, as clerk and store keeper. 
 
 Mr. Ellicott and his assistants having arrived on the territory, his 
 first business was to ascertain and correctly establish the east line of 
 the Purchase. He caused the Pennsylvania line to be accurately 
 measured from the southwest corner of Phelps and Gorham's 
 purchase, or the 82d mile stone, twelve miles west, and there 
 erected a stone monument for the southeast corner of the Holland 
 Purchase. The whole company was then divided into parties, to 
 prosecute the undertaking to advantage. The principal surveyor 
 Joseph Ellicott, assisted by Benjamin Ellicott, one other surveyor 
 and the requisite number of hands, undertook to run the eastern 
 boundary line. The other surveyors, each with his quota of hands 
 were assigned to run different township Hues. 
 
 A line running due north from the monument established as the 
 southeast corner by Mr. Ellicott, to the boundary line between the 
 United States and the dominions of the King of Great Britain in 
 lake Ontario, according to the deeds of conveyance from Robert 
 Morris to the company, constitutes the east line of their purchase. 
 To run a true meridian by the surveyors compass Mr. Ellicott 
 Imew to be impractible,* he therefore determined to run this line 
 
 * We make use of this stronof asservation, beinor as we feel fully authorized by the 
 following statement, which, although not originally written for this work, has been 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 407 
 
 by an instrument, having for its basis the properties of the '' Transit 
 instrument" (an instrument made use of, to observe the transits of 
 the heavenly bodies.) improved for this purpose by a newly invented 
 manner of accurately arriving at the same; to effect this object, an 
 instrument possessing all these qualities, was manufactured in Phil- 
 adelphia by his brother, Benjamin Ellicott, as no instrument pos- 
 sessing all the qualities desired, was then to be found in the United 
 States. 
 
 This instrument has no magnetic needle attached to it, but its 
 peculiar qualities and prominent advantages are, that by means of 
 
 ])ut in our hands by the writer. For the benefit of persons interested in the process of 
 siirveyino;, we publish the whole statement, although an extract from it would have fully 
 sustained our assertion: — 
 
 VARIATION OF THE MAGNETIC NEEDLE. 
 
 From divers publications emanating' from really scientific writers, but predicated on 
 speculative theory, without any regard to practicability or the real excellencies or 
 defects of the magnetic needle, when applied to practical purposes; many well informed 
 people, on general subjects, have been led to believe that, that instrument really 
 possesses talismanic attributes and unerring precision; that it is always governed by, 
 and true to never failing and well understood laws; that although it varies from indi- 
 cating the true meridian, that the variation from truth, progresses slowly, c'onstautly 
 and regularly, at a rate clearly conceived and well understood by the scientific surveyor. 
 If this position was correct, the needle could be for all practical purposes, a true and 
 perfect index, whereby to ascertain any point of the compass, for the sights could 
 easily be adjusted to the known variation of the needle. But this fine spun theory, 
 whatever it may amount to in a scientific point of view, is entirely merged and 
 wholly lost in the practical variation of the needle from itself, or rather its uncertainty, 
 variability, and mutability. 
 
 To support this position, I feel gratified that 1 have it in my power to produce an 
 authority, which carries with it its own ponderous weight and relieves me from further 
 urging my own views, or stating my own experience to prove the truth of the position. 
 The following is an extract from a semi-official document prepared by the late Joseph 
 Ellicott, who was principal surveyor, and 1 may say, sole engineer for the Holland 
 Company in locating and surveying their large tract of land in Western New York. 
 
 The document referred to, was an explanatory accompaniment of Mr. EUicott's report 
 to the agent general at Philadelphia, of the survey of the Holland Purchase into town- 
 ships. The deliberate and unqualified statement of so great a scientific and practical 
 sui-veyor on such an imjiortant occasion, must ba admitted as unquestionable 
 autliority. It will be seen that what Mr. Ellicott meant by " the variation of the 
 needle," was nothing more nor less than its fickleness and uncertainty. 
 
 " The difference that is discernable in the size of the several townships, is occasioned 
 by the variation of the needle, which from certain occult cmiscs is found to differ essen- 
 tially between am/ two stations that may he fixed on, and much more between some 
 stations than others. Hence in taking the magnetic courses of any two townships, it 
 will follow that a dispro[)ortion in size of the several townships will necessarily arise, as 
 Hie needle is seldom known to preserve a uniform position, between -places hut a few 
 hundred ijards from each other: so that inaccuracies will arise though the greatest 
 circumspection should bo observed in correcting courses." 
 
 In the foregoing statement (although 1 confess it adds nothing comparatively to the 
 weight of the original) I fullv concur, and feel confident in asserting that if a surveyor, 
 being guided by the magnetic needle only, strikes, or verj* nearly strikes his intended 
 point, he has more reason to give credit to good luck,tha.n to any scientific acquirements, 
 or practical knowledge. 
 
 Batavia, Sept. 1848. EBENEZER MIX. 
 
408 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 its telescopic tube and accurate manner of reversing, by it, a straight 
 line can be correctly, and, comparatively speaking, expeditiously 
 run. But such an instrument, by reason of its magnifymg powers 
 is as illy calculated to run a line through woods and underbrush, as 
 would be a microscope to observe the transits of the satelites of 
 Herschel. Therefore it became necessary to cut a vista through 
 the woods on the highlands and on level ground, sufficiently wide 
 to admit a clear and uninterrupted view. 
 
 Mr. Ellicott having provided himself with such an instrument, 
 caused the vista to be cut, some three or four rods wide, ahead of 
 the transit instrument, in a north direction as indicated by the com- 
 pass, which sometimes led the axemen more than the width of the 
 vista from the meridian sought; therefore the true meridian line, 
 called tlie transit line, from the name of the instrument with which 
 it was run, being of no width, runs sometimes on one side of the 
 middle of the vista cut in advance, and sometimes on the other. 
 
 Thus prepared with a suitable instrument, Mr. Ellicott, assisted 
 by his brother Benjamin Ellicott, together with surveyors and tlieir 
 assistants, established a true meridian line north from the corner 
 monument, by astronomical observations, and pursued it with the 
 transit instrument, taking new astronomical observations at different 
 stations, to guard against accidental variations. 
 
 The progress in running this line was slow, as it could not be 
 otherwise expected, considering the great amount of labor neces- 
 sarily to be performed, in clearing the vista, and taking other pre- 
 paratory measures, and above all, the vast importance of having it 
 correctly established, which rendered anything like precipitance or 
 haste an experiment too hazardous to be permitted. June 12th, the 
 party on this line had advanced so far north that they established 
 their store house at Williamsburg, (about three miles south of the 
 village of Geneseo,) and soon after Mr. Ellicott made it his head 
 quarters at Hugh M'Nair's in that vicinity. On the 22d day of 
 November following, eighty-one and a half miles of the line was 
 established, which brought them within about thirteen miles of the 
 shore of lake Ontario; the precise date of its completion is unknown. 
 
 This line defined the west bounds of Mr. Church's hundred 
 thousand acres, but passed through the Cotringer, Ogden, and 
 Cragie tracts, about two miles from their west boundaries, as 
 described in the deeds of conveyance from Robert Morris to (he 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 409 
 
 several grantees; but as their titles were of a later date than the 
 conve-yance to the Holland Company, no deviation from the first 
 established meridian was made by Mr. Ellicott. 
 
 On arriving at the south line of the hundred thousand acre tract 
 conveyed by Robert Morris to Leroy Bayard and M'Evers, now 
 called the Connecticut tract (the conveyance of which, from Robert 
 Morris, claimed seniority over that to the Holland Company,) Mr. 
 Ellicott found that his meridian intersected the south line of that tract, 
 one hundred sixty-six chains and thirty links east of its south-west 
 corner, on which he moved his position that distance to the west, 
 from which point he ran the transit due north to lake Ontario. 
 
 The clashing of the boundary lines of the several tracts, located 
 from the north end of the Reserve, as conveyed by Mr. Morris, and 
 the Holland Company's land which was located from the south, was 
 arranged in the following manner, and taken possession of accord- 
 ingly. The conveyance of the Connecticut tract by Mr. Morris, 
 to Watson, Cragie and Greenleaf, being anterior to that of the 
 Holland Purchase to Wilhelm VVillink and others: that tract 
 retained its full size and location, according to the description in 
 the deed. The Ogden and Cotringer tracts, held their size and 
 shape, but their location was moved about two miles east, and fixed 
 according to the original intention of Mr. Morris, there being 
 land sufficient in that direction, on the Reserve, not otherwise appro- 
 priated by him. The conveyance of the Cragie tract being 
 likewise subsequent to that of the Holland Purchase, about two 
 miles of the western part of it was cut off by the location of that 
 tract; and as the triangular tract, Phelps and Gorham's tract, west of 
 Genesee river, and the forty thousand acre tract, with their prior 
 conveyances and locations, bounding it on the east, which prevented 
 its extension in that direction, was consequently reduced in area to 
 between thirty-three and thirty-four thousand acres. The proprie- 
 tors however not being content to rest quietly sustaining this loss, 
 have since instituted suits in ejectment against the occupants of lands, 
 west on the Holland Purchase and south on the Ogden tract, to 
 try the legal interpretation of their rights, in extending their limits 
 in one way or the other of those directions, but have failed in both. 
 
 Although the eastern bank of the Niagara river had been trav- 
 ersed, the east bounds of the New York mile strip had not been 
 ascertained, and the state would participate in it no further than 
 to give the proprietors of the land adjoining, to wit: the Holland 
 
410 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Company, liberty to run the line at their own expense, and if so 
 run as to be approved by the Surveyor General of the state, it 
 should be established as permanently located, and passed a ]aw to 
 that effect. This was, undoubtedly, the most difficult piece of 
 surveying ever performed in the state. Some preliminary matters 
 as to the construction of the terms of the treaty or agreement 
 between New York and Massachusetts had to be first settled. At 
 the north end where the river disembogued itself into the lake, at . 
 almost right angles with its shore, there could no doubts arise; but. 
 at the south end of the straits or river a different state of things - 
 existed; lake Erie narrowed gradually and became a river; where i. 
 the lake ends and the river begins may be considered a difficult I 
 question; but it was finally agreed between the parties interested, I' 
 the river should be deemed to extend to where the water was one i' 
 mile wide and there cease; the line of the strip east of this point," 
 extending to the shore of lake Erie on an arc of a circle, of one 
 mile radius, the centre being in the eastern bank at the termination i 
 of the lake and head of the river, giving to the mile strip all the 
 land lying within a mile of the river, whether east or south. For 
 this arc of the circle, which could not be practically run, a repe- 
 tition of short sides, making a section of a regular polygon, was 
 substituted. Seth Pease, a scientific surveyor and astronomer, was 
 engaged, in the fall of 1788, to run this line, who executed the 
 survey in a masterly manner, and to the satisfaction of all the 
 parties concerned. 
 
 During the year 1799 and 1800, few events transpired relative to| 
 the settlement of the Holland Purchase, which require a circum-M 
 stantial detail, or would admit of one which would be interesting to 
 the reader. The surveyors and their assistants, under the direction 
 of their principal, Joseph Ellicott, continued the same steady routine ' 
 of encamping in the woods, pitching their tents, transporting pro- 
 visions, surveying lines, and striking their tents and removing to 
 new positions; and although at times many individuals, undoubtedly,, 
 suffered pain and endured hardships, such incidents must have been 11 
 caused by accidental occurrences, unforeseen events, or careless^'' 
 ness and imprudence in themselves or their companions, as the well' 
 supplied coffers of the Company, accompanied by their liberality, 
 furnished sufficient means, and the provident care of Mr. Ellicott | 
 kept their store-houses well supplied with the best kind of provisions ' 
 for that service, as well as all other necessaries and many of the 
 
i 
 
 HOLLAND PURCHASE. 411 
 
 j [comforts of life. This might be seen from Mr. EUicott's catalogue 
 I [of items, for the outfit of the first campaign, and its cost, heretofore 
 trefered to, which was adopted and its contents provided. Of those 
 ievents, however, the following deserve notice. 
 
 The Indian treaty of 1797, in which the Indian title to the Hol- 
 land Purchase was extinguished, except to certain reservations, as 
 has been before stated, prescribed the quantities contained in, and 
 [general shape and location of each reservation, leaving the precise 
 'location of the boundary lines to be determined thereafter. The 
 Indians reserved two hundred thousand acres, one indefinite portion 
 of which was to be located on Buffalo creek, at the east end of lake 
 Erie, and the remainder on the Tonawanda creek. As the New 
 'York reservation excluded the Holland Company's land from the 
 \\'aters of Niagara river, and from the shore of lake Erie one mile 
 southerly from the river, it became very important to the company 
 ito secure a landing place and harbor at the mouth of Buffalo creek, 
 iand sufficient ground adjoining whereon to establish a commercial 
 land manufacturing village or city. 
 
 Capt. William Johnston, an Indian trader and interpreter, settled 
 jhimself near the mouth of the Buffalo creek at an early period, 
 J under the auspices of the British Government, and remained there 
 r until the Holland Company had effected their purchase. His 
 t dwelling house stood south of Exchange street and east of Wash- 
 iington street; he had other buildings north of Exchange and east 
 : of Washington streets. Capt. Johnson had procured of the Indians 
 jby gift or purchase two square miles of land at the mouth of Buffalo 
 I creek, including a large portion of the territory on which now 
 ; stands the city of Buffalo. He had also entered into an agreement 
 ! with the Indians, which amounted to a life lease, of a certain mill 
 I site and the timbered land in its vicinity, on condition of supplying 
 1 the Indians with all the boards and plank they wanted for building 
 , at, and near the creek. This site was about six miles east of 
 
 I the mouth of the creek. 
 
 I 
 
 5 Although Johnston's title to this land was not considered to have 
 
 I the least validity, yet the Indians had the power and the inclination 
 
 to include it within their reservation, unless a compromise was 
 
 . made with Johnston, and taking into consideration his influence 
 
 ! with them, the agents of the company concluded to enter into the 
 
 I following agreement with him, which was afterwards fully complied 
 
 1 with and performed by both of the parties: — 
 
412 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Jonhston agreed to surrender his right to the said two square 
 miles, and use his influence with the Indians to have that tract and 
 his mill site left out of their reservation, in consideration of which 
 the Holland Company agreed to convey by deed to said Johnston, 
 six hundred and forty acres, including the said mill site and 
 adjacent timbered land; together with forty-five and a half acres, 
 being part of said two square miles, including the buildings and 
 improvements, then owned by said Johnston, four acres of which 
 was to be on the "point." These lands as afterwards definitely 
 located, were a tract of forty one and a half acres, bounded north 
 by Seneca street, west by Washington street, and south by the 
 little Buffalo creek; the other tract was bounded, east by Main i 
 street, south-westerly by the Bufl'alo creek, and north-westei'ly by ' 
 little Buffiilo creek, containing about four acres. This matter will 
 again be referred to, in connexion with some farther notice of early 
 events in Buffalo. 
 
 Mr. Ellicott, before leaving Philadelphia — in the time that 
 intervened between his appointment, and his departure — was : 
 actively engaged in making all the necessary preparations for the 
 campaign. David Rittenhouse, the eminent American philosopher, 
 was then of the firm of "Rittenhouse and Potts," mathematical 
 and astronomical instrument makers, in Philadelphia; orders were 
 given them for compasses, chains, and staffs — all things in their 
 line, necessary to surveyor's outfits. Letters were written to 
 Augustus Porter at Canandaigua, to have ready such provisions, 
 pack-horses, axe-men and chainmen, as he had been ordered to 
 provide; to Thomas Morris at the same place, requesting his 
 prompt performance of some agencies that had been entrusted to 
 him; to different persons at New York, Albany, Fort Schuyler, and 
 Queenston, containing orders to facilitate the transportation of 
 stores, and aid the surveying parties in getting upon the ground, 
 and in supplying themselves with all things necessary for going 
 into the woods. All things requisite were remembered, and 
 provided for. Clark and Street, at Chippewa, were ordered to 
 have ready, two yoke of oxen and a stout lumber wagon; (that 
 was undoubtedly the pioneer ox team upon the Holland Purchase, 
 other than such as had been used upon the portage;) even axe 
 handles and tent poles were not forgotten. To each principal 
 surveyor, or sub-agent, starting from Philadelphia or elsewhere, 
 written orders were issued, what route to pursue, where to first 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 413 
 
 rendezvous, where to draw his supplies, and where to commence 
 operations. Formulas were made out for each surveyor, prescri- 
 bing definitely the manner of his duties, of marking lines, keeping 
 field notes, and generally embracing all the minutiae of his opera- 
 tions. It was as if the General of an army was acting as his own 
 commissary, and putting a force into the field, distributing it, and 
 making all things ready for a campaign; and the records of our war 
 department would hardly furnish better examples of systematic and 
 well ordered enterprises. Embraced in these preliminary proceed- 
 ings, was a correspondence with Mr. Williamson in reference to a 
 road from the west branch of the Susquehannah to the "Genesee 
 country;" and with the Surveyor General of this state in reference 
 to the laying out of towns at Lewiston and Fort Sclilosser. 
 
 Mr. EUicott arrived at Canandaigua, 12th June, 1798. The 
 reader will best be enabled to catch glimpses of early events — 
 those that attended the surveys, and preceded land sales and the 
 commencement of settlement — by occasional references to, and 
 extracts from his correspondence, — the only existing records. 
 
 A letter from Mr. Thompson to Mr. Ellicott, dated at Buffalo 
 creek, states that the stores had all arrived safely at Schlosser, 
 except what had been left with Mr. Brisbane at the "Chenesee" 
 river; that Mr. Hoops, who had arrived in advance of him, had 
 gone on to "Chetawque" * where he had been joined by Mr. 
 Stoddard; that he himself was engaged in getting "axes ground 
 and handled, and in sundry other things preparatory to going to 
 the woods." Letters follow this very soon, by which it would 
 seem that the camp was erected at "Chautauque creek," and all 
 things prepared for active operations, as early as the 19th of June. 
 
 Messrs. Smedley and Egleston, were located at Buffalo creek, 
 with surveying parties. In a letter to Mr. Ellicott, written from 
 there, under date, June 27th, Mr. Egleston says the goods have 
 arrived, and that the "family in the house on the hill" are about 
 to move out, to make room for the surveyors. Mr. Ellicott, it 
 would seem, had arrived at Schlosser. Anticipating his arrival at 
 Buffalo, Mr. Egleston, very providently suggests that he had 
 better bring with him some boards to make a mapping table, as 
 there were none to be had in their new location — "Mr. Winne 
 having carried off" those that were in the partition." 
 
 * These are specimens of the early orthographj' of names of places ; not introduced 
 as errors of the writer, for he was well educated, and ecientiiic in his profession. 
 
414 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The two Frenchmen that have been named, made but poor help 
 in the woods. While the other surveyors dashed off in different 
 directions, located their camps, and soon reported themselves to 
 Mr. Ellicott as actively engaged in their duties; making no com- 
 plaints of hard fare; the Frenchmen were a constant annoyance, 
 making complaints by letter as often as messengers could be found 
 to carry them. Autrechy took up his quarters at " Fort Schlosser," 
 from which place he reports himself to Mr. ElUcott: 
 
 " Fort Schlosser, 4th July, 1798. 
 " This comes to acquaint you that I arrived here this morning:, and find an agreeable 
 place, but nothing here to eat or drink. I should be glad to know how I am to be sit- 
 uated for provisions. I request you will let me know on the receipt of this, how I shall 
 be accommodated for these articles. I would be glad to see you here yourself. Should 
 that not be the case, please write me on the receipt of this. 1 left my companion Mr. 
 Haudecaur at Fort Schlosser, and determined to go by water to take care of the instru- 
 ments he brought with him. 
 
 I am, sir, yours, 
 
 ALEX'R AUTRECHY." 
 
 Haudecour, in making some surveys at the Falls, on the Canada 
 side, was arrested and detained as a spy, and afterwards by the 
 American commandant at Niagara, upon suspicion that he was a 
 ''French emissary." His release in both instances, cost Mr. 
 Ellicott a good deal of trouble. 
 
 It may not be uninteresting to the reader to see some account of 
 the first assault and battery that occurred upon the Holland Pur- 
 chase — our own race being the participants — of which we have 
 any record. The unfortunate French " engineer and surveyor," 
 seems to have had the especial faculty of disagreeing with his 
 woods associa^tes. Mr. Egleston makes the following candid report 
 to Mr. Ellicott, of an affray which happened at his quarters. The 
 reader will conclude that he makes out a good ex parte justification; 
 a clear case of self-defence, and that not resorted to until he had 
 complied with a portion of the scriptural injunction: — 
 
 Joseph Ellicott, Esquire, " Bdtfalo Creek, Nov. 22, 1798. 
 
 Dear Sir, — Yesterday, the 20th, about noon, Mr. Brown and myself walked out and 
 staid a little longer than common dinner time, when we came back, we found that 
 Haudecour had been swearing to the cooks, for not setting the table before we return- 
 ed. I then came into the office, took up my pen and began to write an order; Haude- 
 cour then began with me, he being a little vexed on account of my having sent on his '* 
 matrass by the wagon, and other little disputes, and ab the time of my writing, he put 
 
 me out with his talking. I told him to go to , and not to be bothering me. With 
 
 this, he gave me a slap on the side of my face, and I turned the other side to him. He 
 struck it a full stroke with his fist. I then perceived that he was in earnest. I caught 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 415 
 
 up the first thing I could see, which happened to he a long walking stick. I retreated 
 back so that I could get a good chance, and I let slip, which hit him on the head with 
 the but end. He came up to me again. By that time I was fast in the corner of the 
 office, without any kind of a weapon .to defend myself with, for Mr. Pease had taken 
 the stick from me, and was trying to part us. Whilst the rascal was kicking me with 
 all his might into my body, j\Ir. Brown then stepped up and we were soon parted. It 
 happened very well for Haudecour that there were none of our hands in the house at 
 the time that the affray happened. This he was well apprised of, for before ho olTered 
 to strike me, he looked into the kitchen to see if any of them were there. He after- 
 wards paid for it. The business soon got wind, and the hands that were at work in the 
 neighborhood quickly came up. The old fellow was soon hustled out of the house, and 
 he marched over to Palmer's. There w.is not one in the party but who wished to get 
 the first stroke at him. I told them not to strike him, but to let him go about his 
 business. The letters you gave me for him, when you went from here, 1 never have 
 copied, on account of his coming in so quick after you went out. When he saw the 
 letter lying on the desk, he took it up and has since detained it, though I have often 
 asked him for it in the hearing of Mr. Pease, and he has as often promised me that he 
 had no objection to mj^ copying the letter, and would let me have it by and by. But 
 God knows that he has not done aay thing since he came from Schlosser, only wasting 
 of paper. He says he will give you the the letter when he gets to your quarters. Mr. 
 Brown was witness to the business. 
 
 1 am, sir, with the greatest respect, your hbl. servt, 
 
 GEORGE EGLESTON. 
 
 It would appear that Mr. Ellicott was not long in discovering 
 that he (or their general agent in Philadelphia,) had made a bad 
 selection of men in these two instances, with reference to their adap- 
 tation to Kfe in the wilderness, and the surveyors' camp; their stay 
 was short. We hear no more of Haudecour, after the affray at 
 Buffalo, except the allusion to him and his associate, in a letter to 
 Mr. Ellicott from J. G. Van Staphorst, a connection of one of the 
 Dutch proprietors, who had been upon the Purchase at that early 
 day. The letter is dated at " Oldenbarneveldt," (Oneida county,) 
 November 19th, 1798. The extract is as follows: — ''Mr. Autre- 
 cliy took a sketch of Cazenovia, at Mr. Linklaen's, and is now busy 
 at that of Oldenbarneveldt; but is prevented by the badness of the 
 roads from going to the Black river. I think I shall ged rid, how- 
 ever, of his agreeable company; and really I wont be sorry for it. 
 How does the other noble engineer, at Fort Schlosser? has he 
 finished yet his canal 1 and how did he digest your last letter from 
 Buffalo creek, before we departed from there ? I am anxious to 
 hear all that from yourself before I get to Philadelphia."* 
 
 * The only clue the author can get to the objects of surveys at the Falls, is contained 
 in the above extract. The inference is, that Mr. Cazenove, as an incipient measure 
 upon the Holland Purchase, had employed the French engineers to make some tests of 
 the practicability of a canal around the Falls. In a letter to Mr. Ellicott, Haudecour 
 informs him that he had finished taking the levels upon Gill creek. 
 
416 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Of these Pioneer adventurers one still survives, — James Bris- 
 bane, Esq. of Batavia, long known as an active, enterprising, 
 business man; and even now, vigorous in mind and body, superin- 
 tending a large estate, incident to which is a leading participation 
 in a rail-road direction. He is the oldest living resident of the 
 Holland Purchase, — or in other words, there is no person now 
 living, who came in at as early a period of survey and settlement.* 
 
 To him the author is indebted for some reminiscences of the 
 primitive advent. The party started from Philadelphia in April, 
 1798, taking different routes; Mr. Thompson, the principal in this 
 expedition, and Mr. Brisbane, coming by the way of New York, 
 with the stores and surveyor's instruments, and camp equipage.f 
 When the batteaux with which they had came from Schenectady, 
 arrived at the mouth of the Genesee river, the stores, &c. were 
 divided, Mr. Thompson proceeding by the way of Niagara river, 
 to Buffalo with a part of them, designed for use in the western 
 portion of the Purchase; and Mr. Brisbane taking charge of the 
 remainder to convey upon the eastern part of the Purchase, took 
 them over the portage at the Genesee falls, and up the Genesee 
 river to Williamsburg, where a surveyor's store house was just 
 established. 
 
 It having heretofore been observed that an influence was exerted in 
 Canada, detrimental to the progress of early settlement upon the Hol- 
 land Purchase, it is but justice here to remark, that Mr. Ellicott upon 
 his arrival here, found in no quarter more cordial cooperation and 
 friendly offices, than he met at the hands of some of the prominent men 
 upon the other side of the river. Among them were Judge Hamilton 
 at Queenston, Clark & Street at Chippewa, Mr. Douglass the mer- 
 chant, and Col. Warren the commandant at Fort Erie. . In all their 
 correspondence with Mr E., they seem to have wished well to the 
 enterprise in which he was engaged, and to have considered rightly 
 that the interest of their locality was to be vastly benefitted by the 
 
 * The statement is thus qiiahfied, in consideration of the fact, that Judge Cook of 
 Lewiston, whose name has been already' introduced, came in the j'ear previous — yet 
 he was attached to the garrison at Niagara, and had at first, no identity with survey or 
 settlement; tholigh, as will be seen in subsequent pages, his father's family and him- 
 self, were early pioneer settlers. 
 
 t Mr. Brisbane mentions the fact that Mr. Thompson, had, previous to this advent, 
 while connected with Andrew Ellicott in surveys in the neighborhood of Presquo Isle, 
 constructed a sail-boat there, with which he and others, had made the journey to Phila- 
 delphia, via Niagara Falls, Oswego, Oneida lake, and New York. It was considered 
 so remarkable an adventure, that the boat was put up in Independence Square, and kept 
 as a show until it rotted down. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 417 
 
 settlement and improvement of this region. It will have been 
 observed that Capt. BrufF. the commandant at Fort Niagara, had 
 early intimated to the Indians, the necessity of opening a road from 
 Lewiston to Tonawanda village. Judge Hamilton and a Mr. Canby 
 at Queenston, followed up this suggestion by an early cooperation 
 with Mr. Ellicott, in measures to secure the desirable object. 
 
 The hrst principal stations of the surveyors — their head quarters 
 or depots — were at Buftalo creek and Williamsburgh; before the 
 close of 1798, however, the principal establishment was located at 
 the Transit line, (Stafford,) the locality designated as " Transit 
 store house;" Mr. James Brisbane, moving his quarters from Wil- 
 liamsburgh, continued as the principal clerk or agent. While upon 
 the Purchase in 1798, Mr. Ellicott's time was principally spent at 
 Buflalo creek, Williamsburgh, and upon the eastern Transit line. 
 
 In the spring of 1798, when the surveys of the Holland Purchase 
 first commenced, all the travel between the Phelps and Gorham 
 tract and Buffalo was on the old Indian trail; the winter previous, 
 however, the legislature of this state passed an act appointing 
 Charles Williamson a commissioner, to lay out and open a state 
 road from Cannewagus on Genesee river to Buffalo creek on lake 
 Erie, and to Lewiston on the Niagara river. To defray the expense 
 of cutting out these roads, the Holland Company subscribed five 
 thousand dollars. Mr. Williamson laid out and established the 
 roads in 1798, generally adhering to the course of old Indian trails; 
 but they were not opened throughout according to contract, under 
 his superintendence. The first wagon track opened upon the Hol- 
 land Purchase, was by Mr. Ellicott, as a preliminary step in com- 
 mencing operations, early in the season of '98. He employed a 
 gang of hands to improve the Indian trail, so that wagons could 
 pass upon it, from the cast transit to Buffalo creek. In 1801 he 
 opened the road from transit line as far west as Vandeventer's; 
 The whole road was opened to LeRoy before the close of 1802-* 
 
 But little reference can be had to the order of time in noting the 
 events of this period; up to the period of the commencement 
 of land sales and settlements, our sketches must necessarily be 
 desultory. 
 
 The Hon. Nathaniel W. Howell of Canandaigua, was, as 
 early as this season (1798) Mr. Ellicott's legal adviser, in several 
 
 *Not wholly upon the present route. The first road opened, was from Batavia^ via 
 Dunham's Openings, &c., coming out at Vandeventer's. 
 27 
 
418 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 matters connected with his primitive duties. Some embarrassment t| 
 occurring connected with the Indian reservation at Cattaragus, he • 
 gave him, by letter, his legal opinion. This circumstance is noted I' 
 principally, to observe, that the author has before him the paper 
 above referred to, and a recent letter from the same hand, written i 
 plainly and legibly, and evincing a memory, and an intellect gen- • 
 erally, vigorous and unimpaired. Fifty years intervene between il 
 the dates of the two letters. There are but few instances of so i 
 extended a period of active participation in the affairs of life; and I 
 Still fewer instances of a life that has so adorned the profession to > 
 which he belongs, and been as eminently useful and exemplary. 
 To him, and to such as him — his early cotemporary, for instance — 
 Gen. ViNCEiVT Matthews, (and others of his cotemporaries that i 
 could be named,) is the highly honorable profession of the law, in i 
 Western New York, indebted for early and long continued examples ■' 
 of those high aims, dignity, and exalted integrity, which should be 
 its chief and abiding characteristics. They have passed, and are 
 passing away. If days of degeneracy should come upon the pro- 
 fession — renovation become necessary — there are no better prece- -li 
 dents and examples to consult, than the lives and practice of the si 
 pioneer lawyers. ■ 
 
 Mr. Brisbane first saw Buffalo, in October, 1798. There was 
 then the loc: house of Middaugh and Lane — a double losj house — i 
 about two squares from Main street, a little north of the present i 
 line of Exchange street. Capt Johnston's half log and half framed 
 house, stood a little east of the main building of the present Mansion ij 
 House, near Washington street. There was a two story hewed li 
 log house, owned by Capt. Johnston, about where Exchange street ( 
 now is, from six to eight rods west of Main sti*eet, where a tavern ij 
 was kept by John Palmer. This was the first tavern in Buffalo. - 
 Palmer afterwards moved over to Canada, and kept a tavern there. 
 Asa Ransom lived in a log house west of Western Hotel. Winne 
 had a log house on bank of Little Buffalo, south of Mansion House. 
 A Mr. Maybee, who afterwards went to Cattaragus, kept a little 
 Indian store in a losr buildinsi: on west side of Main street, about I 
 twenty rods north of Exchange street. There was also a log .1 
 house occupied by a man by the name of Robbins. The flats were | 
 open ground; a portion of them had been cultivated. Such was • 
 Buffalo — and all of Buffalo — in 1798. 
 
 Aaron Burr, and Alexander Hamilton, were in '98, both contrac- 
 
f! 
 
 HOLLAND PURCHASE. 419 
 
 I tors for lands west of the Genesee river; the former for a tract 
 iupon the Holland Purchase. The following letter would indicate 
 : that Mr. Burr, regarded himself at its date, a land proprietor in this 
 region : — 
 
 i 
 
 '"Sm— 5 May, '98. 
 
 From the copy which you lately sent me of Mr. Ellicott's survey, it appears that the 
 Tonawanta Bay falls within my tract on lake Ontario. If this Bay is as large as hath 
 been represented to me, it ought not to be estimated as land, because it cannot belong 
 to your company, and after any sale, will still be the property of the public. It will be 
 necessary therefore, that Mr. EUicott ascertain the figure and superficial contents of this 
 Bay, which will enable us to determine the propriety of considerino- it as land. 
 I am, respectfully, your obd't serv't, 
 Th. Cazenove, Esq'R A. BURR. 
 
 Mr. Burr had made the contract for the purchase of the tract, at 
 I twelve shillings per acre, at an early period of Holland Company 
 \ ownership. The transaction was blended with other land specula- 
 ; lions, and eventually the purchase was abandoned. Out of it, 
 I however, had originated a bond for twenty thousand dollars, which 
 \ was given up. The surrendering of the bond gave rise to reports 
 
 ■ that Col. Burr had been bribed by the agents of the Holland 
 f Company, to favor the passage of the alien bill in our state 
 I legislature; the one allowing foreigners to hold real estate. John 
 i B. Church, Esq. had in some way identified himself with this report. 
 ' He received a challenge from Col. Burr; the parties met at 
 I Hoboken, exchanged an ineffectual shot; Mr. Church apologized; 
 i and thus ended the land speculation and the duel. * 
 
 I The project , of a town upon the Niagara river was early 
 ' entertained by the public authorities of this state. The following 
 ^ letter from the Surveyor General had preceded Mr. Ellicott's 
 
 Note. — The tract must have been located in what is now Orleans countv, and the 
 mouth or "Bay" of Oak Orchard creek, must have been called "Tonawanta Bay," 
 
 ■ from the fact that the stream heads principally in the Tonawanda swamp. 
 
 * A good anecdote however, came of it. Judge Bnrke of South Carolina, was Col. 
 Burr's second. "Previous to leaving the city of New York, Colonel Burr presented to 
 Judge Burke his pistol-case. He explained to the Judge, that the balls were cast 
 
 ■ intentionally too small ; that chamois leather was cut to the proper size, to put round 
 them, but that the leather must be greased (for which purpose, grease was placed in the 
 
 ' case,) or that there would be difficnlty in getting the ball home. After the parties had 
 
 • taken their stand. Colonel Burr noticed the Judge hammering the ramrod with a stone, 
 
 and inmiediately suspected the cause. When the pistol Vv"as haiuled him by his friend, 
 
 ■ he drew the ramrod, and ascertained that the ball was not home, and so informed the 
 , Judge; to which Mr. Burke replied, 'I forgot to grease the leather; but you see he is 
 
 ready, don't keep him waiting; just take a crack as it is; and Pll grease the next' 
 Colonel Burr bowed courteously, but made no reply, and discharged his pistol in the 
 state it had been given to him. Tlie anecdote for some time after, was the subject of 
 ' merriment among those who had heard it." — Daris' Life of Burr. 
 
420 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 arrival. He recommended Lewiston as the site, and complied 
 generally with the requirements of the letter. 
 
 Sir— "Albany, 24th May, 1798. 
 
 Being directed by our legislature to make out and report the plan of a town to be 
 erected in the most convenient place along the Niagara river, where the Indian title has { 
 been extinguished, I have to request the favor of you, while you are in that country, to I 
 examine where such town can be most conveniently placed, and to furnish me with a 
 survey and map thereof, together with your ideas of the most eligible manner of laying ■; 
 it out into streets, lots &c., as directed by the law enacted for that purpose. 
 
 The expense of such survey, 1 shall pay to your order. 
 
 I am with respect. Sir, your obd't serv't., 
 
 Mr. Joseph Ellicott. S. DE WITT." 
 
 I 
 
 The first crops raised upon the Holland Purchase, were at thei! 
 Transit Store House. In the spring of '99, Mr. James Dewey was 
 waiting there with a gang of hands, to start upon a surveying 
 expedition as soon as the w^eather would permit. At the request 
 of Mr, Brisbane, he cleared ten acres upon either side of the 
 present road, twenty rods west of the Transit, which was mainly i, 
 sowed with oats, though some potatoes and garden vegetables were <■■ 
 planted. The early tavern keeper there — Mr. Walthers — reported c 
 by letter to Mr. Ellicott, that the yield was a good one, and fully; 
 demonstrated the goodness of the soil of the region he was ' 
 surveying for settlement. 
 
 In the summer of 1799, there not beina; a house erected on the 
 road from the eastern Transit line to Buffalo, Mr. Busti, the Agent 
 General of the company, authorized Mr. Ellicott by a letter dated 
 June 1st, 1799, to contract with six reputable individuals, to locate 
 themselves on the road from the eastern Transit to Buffalo creek, 
 about ten miles asunder, and open houses of entertainment for 
 travelers, at their several locations, in consideration of which, they'|| 
 were to have a quantity of land, from fifty to one hundred and fifty 
 acres each, "at a liberal time for payment, without interest, at the 
 lowest price the Company will sell their lands, when settlements 
 shall be begun." 
 
 Three persons accepted of this offer, to wit, Frederick Walthers i 
 who was then residing on the land, took one hundred and fifty* 
 acres in township number twelve, range one, west of and adjoining j 
 the eastern Transit, including the Company's store house, and being 
 where the village of Stafford now stands. Asa Ransom located j 
 
 a 1 
 
 himself Sept. 1st, 1799, on one hundred and fifty acres, in township 
 number twelve, range six, at what is now known as Ransom's 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 421 
 
 Grove, or Clarence Hollow. Garritt Davis located himself Sept. 
 16th, 1799, in township number thirteen, range two, on one 
 hundred and fifty acres on the south line of said township, and east 
 of and adjoining the Tonawanda Indian Reservation, (the Buffalo 
 road then run through the reservation, some distance north of its 
 present location.) These lots were severally laid out and surveyed 
 for the purchasers, before the several townships in which they are 
 located, were surveyed. These three persons erected and fur- 
 nished comfortable houses for the purposes intended, as soon as 
 practicable; which although not as splendid, yet were more eagerly 
 sought, and cheerfully enjoyed by the forest traveler and land 
 explorer, than any of the "Astor Houses," "Americans," or 
 '•'Eagles" of the present day. 
 
 With the exception of those residing at Buffalo, Mrs. Garrett 
 Davis and Mrs. Walthers, were the pioneer women upon the 
 Holland Purchase. In 1800, Asa Ransom and Garrett Davis raised 
 summer crops, which were second to those raised at the Transit 
 Store House the year before. 
 
 Next to Messrs. Brisbane and Cook, Gen. Timothy Hopkins of 
 Amherst, Erie county, has been longest a resident upon the Hol- 
 land Purchase. He became a settler in March, 1799; his first 
 business was the management of Johnston's saw mill. In company 
 with Otis Ingalls, he cleared land two miles east of Clarence Hollow 
 and raised wheat upon it in 1800 — the first raised upon the Holland 
 Purchase. The wheat was ground at Street's mill at the Falls. 
 The General speaks of making an expensive trip to mill, the ferri- 
 age for his three yoke of oxen at Black Rock, being twenty shil- 
 lings each way; O'Neil, an Irishman, kept the ferry, the only resi- 
 dent there. He built a framed house for Elias Ransom, seven 
 miles east of Buffalo, which he thinks was the first framed building 
 west of Batavia. It is now standing, and forms the rear of the 
 dwelling house of a German settler, whose name is Baer. Mr. 
 Ransom built the first framed barn, and set out the first orchard 
 upon Holland Purchase. Douglass' store at Fort Erie furnished 
 the glass and nails used by the first settlers. When the settlement 
 first commenced. Fort Erie was garrisoned by a company of British 
 soldiers. 
 
 Gen. Hopkins is now seventy- two years old; a fine specimen of 
 hale, hearty, and contented old age. If one should see him who 
 was not acquainted with the history of the Holland Purchase, and 
 
422 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 should be told that he had witnessed its entire conversion from a 
 wilderness to what it is now, he would be incredulous, or regard i| 
 either the country or the man a miracle. He has been the fathei" j 
 of ten children, five of whom are married and settled upon the !J 
 Purchase. Nelson K. Hopkins, Esq., of Buffalo, and T. A. Hop- I 
 kins, the present sheriff of Erie county, are his sons. Mrs. Hop- ' 
 kins, whom he married in 1805, died in 1848. 
 
 The General says that Mr. Thompson, the surveyor, built the ;j 
 first saw mill at WilUamsville in 1801; and the first dwelling house ■! 
 there; a block house, which has been clapboarded, and is still I 
 standing. 
 
 Our old friend, Mountpleasant, speaks of the advent of the Hoi- ■ 
 land Company surveyors — the brisk times it made; he had seen t 
 previously but few white people, other than soldiers and emigrants 
 to Canada. As soon as the surveyors had taken possession of " Bill 
 Johnston's house at Buffalo creek," he applied to them for employ- 
 ment, and was axe-man for one of the parties the first season. He 
 says that Mr. EUicott used to be called the " Surveyor General." j 
 Whiskey distilleries in early times were quite sure to follow settle- y 
 ment, but seldom preceded it. There was a distillery at Schlosser, 
 while the country was in possession of the British; so says Mount- 
 pleasant; and one of the first applications that Mr. Ellicott had 
 for lands, came from one who dated his letter at Schlosser, and 
 wished to turn out a copper still as the advance payment. 
 
 The following vivid description of a tornado, on the Alleghany, 
 is contained in a letter from Benjamin to Joseph Ellicott, dated, | 
 '• Camp, twenty-one and a half miles north of Pennsylvania line, 
 July 29, 1799." 
 
 " While on the south side of the Allegany, we had small showers almost even" day, !| ' 
 but after crossing the river no rain fell till the 2.5th. I was at the Vista, in order to see 
 if Mr. Gary was cutting in a right direction at 21^ miles, (the place that my camp is 
 at present,) when the thunder sounded from a distance, the clouds ascended, and I j! 
 saw through the instrument the trees bend on the mountains, to the north, (distance 
 four miles,) but soon became obscured. I now prepared to receive it, — stripping from 
 the hemlock the bark that had inclosed it for ages, which I placed against an old log, I 
 crept under, when the rain came in torrents, the lightning flashed, thunder roared 
 incessant, wind tearing from the sturdy trees their boughs, and dislocating others that 
 had stood for many years apart, as if war had been declared against the forest; but at 
 last the lightning ceased to glare, the thunder to sound terrific, and rain to fall in such 
 abundance. I now crept out of my obscure but serviceable tenement, and cast my 
 eyes along the avenue to the north, saw the mountain smoke with the late deluge, (the 
 avenue on the south side of Allegany still invisible,) I returned to camp (distance one 
 
HOLLvVND PURCHASE. 423 
 
 mile,) the surface of the mountain covered with water foaming down ever)- crevice, 
 in cascades, till it found rest in the valleys below. 
 
 No part of the world can boast of a purer air than this place, and but few biting 
 insects. The camp is at present on the top of a high hill or mountain, near a good 
 spring." 
 
 Extract from a letter from Joseph EUicott to Paul Busti, dated, 
 New Amsterdam, July 15th, 1799: — 
 
 '' Our bushiess regarding surveys, &c., is progressing with all 
 dispatch, although the season is somewhat unfavorable on account 
 of the abundance of wet weather. I expect to have six settlers 
 placed on the road before I leave the woods. I have already had 
 a great number of applications for those situations, and I intend to 
 select such as I conceive the best calculated for the several stands. 
 
 " It is with pleasure I can add, that myself and all the people in 
 the Genesee Purchase in the Company's employ, continue in good 
 health, which blessing may you and your family long enjoy." 
 
 Extract of a letter from Paul Busti to Joseph Ellicott, dated 
 Philadelphia, 15th August, 1800: — 
 
 " The opening of the communication through the country, is a 
 matter deemed of such importance, that it will not escape your 
 attention, that the application of money for that purpose has been, 
 appropriated on a much larger scale than you thought necessary. 
 By extending the amount of expenditures on that head, I mean to 
 evince to you how much I am persuaded of the usefulness of having 
 practicable roads cut out. The benefits of them being not only 
 confined to the lands on which the present settlement is to be under- 
 taken, but to those on which the two million acre tracts which 
 afterwards are to be sold. You will have to take care that the 
 roads to be laid out at present, are to be cut in such a direction as 
 to become of general advantage to the whole country. The 
 know^ledge you possess of it will teach you where your attention 
 ought to be most particularly directed. As I am speaking of roads, 
 it will not be amiss to add a i-ecomm.endation to you, that in making 
 choice of the spot on w^hich your office and residence is to be fixed, 
 you will select a situation of an easy and convenient approach, so 
 as to induce the emigrants to visit you." 
 
 In Nov. 2fith, 1800, Mr. Ellicott was at Albany on his way west, 
 from which place he informs Mr. Busti by letter, that he had issued 
 handbills, offering a part of the Holland Company lands for sale, 
 and that he is informed that many purchasers are awaiting his 
 arrival. On the 17th of Dec. he had arrived at Canandaigua, from 
 which place he writes Mr. Busti that he is informed that land sales 
 in that region were brisk, the sales of the season having amounted 
 to more than in any five seasons preceding. 
 
424 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 A portion of the handbill to which Mr. Ellicott alludes is copied. 
 The issuing of it was the important step in the commencement of 
 the settlement of the Purchase: — 
 
 HOLLAND LAND COMPANY WEST GENESEO LANDS-INFORMATION. 
 
 The Holland Land Company will open a Land Office in the ensuing month of 
 September, for the sale of a portion of their valuable lands in the Genesee countrj-. 
 State of New York, situate in the last purchase made of the Seneca Nation of Indians, 
 on the western side of Genesee river. For the convenience of applicants, the Land 
 Office will be established near the centre of the lands, intended for sale and on the 
 main road, leading from the Eastern and Middle States to Upper Canada, Presque 
 Isle in Pennsylvania, and the Connecticut Reserve. Those lands are situate, adjoining 
 and contiguous, to the lakes Erie, Ontario, and the streights of Niagara, possessing the 
 advantage of the navigation and trade of all the Upper lakes, as well as the river 
 Saint Lawrence, (from which the British settlements derive great advantage,) also 
 intersected by the Allegany river, navigable for boats of 30 or 40 tons burthen, to 
 Pittsburgh and New Orleans, and contiguous to the navigable waters of the west 
 branch of the Susquehannah river, and almost surrounded by settlements, where pro- 
 vision of every kind is to be had in great abundance and on reasonable terms, renders 
 the situation of the Holland Land Company Geneseo Lands more eligible, desirous, 
 and advantageous for settlers than any other unsettled tract of inland country of equal 
 magnitude in the United States. The greater part of this tract is finely watered (few- 
 exceptions) with never failing springs and streams, affiDrding sufficiency of water for 
 gristmills and other water works. The subscriber, during the years 179S and 1799, 
 surveyed and laid off the whole of these lands into townships, a portion of which, to 
 accommodate purchasers and settlers, is now laying off into lots and tracts from 120 
 acres and upwards, to the quantity contained in a township. 
 
 The lands abound with limestone, and are calculated to suit every description of pur- 
 chasers and settlers. Those who prefer land timbered with black and white oak, 
 hickory, poplar, chestnut, wild cherry, butternut, and dogwood, or the more luxuriant 
 timbered with basswood or lynn, butternut, sugar-tree, white ash, wild cherry, cucum- 
 ber tree, (a species of the magnolia,) and black walnut, may be suited. Those who 
 prefer level land, or gradually ascending, affording extensive plains and valleys, will 
 find the country adapted to their choice. In short, such are the varieties of situations 
 in this part of the Geneseo country, eveiy where almost covered with a rich soil, that 
 it is presumed that all purchasers who may be inclined to participate in the advantages 
 of those lands, may select lots from 120 acres to tracts containing 100,000 acres, that 
 would fully please and satisfy their choice. The Holland Land Company, whose liber- 
 ality is so well known in this country, now offer to all those who may wish to become 
 partakers of the growing value of those lands, such portions and such parts as they 
 may think proper to purchase. Those who may choose to pay cash will find a liberal 
 discount from the credit price. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 425 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES GENERAL AND LOCAL AGENTS OP THE 
 
 HOLLAND COMPANY. 
 
 THEOPHILUS CAZENOVE. 
 
 He was the first General Agent of the Holland Company. Little 
 
 is known of his personal history. When the Company made their 
 
 first purchases of lands in the interior of this state, and Pennsyl- 
 
 , vania, — soon after 1790 — he had arrived in this country, and 
 
 i acted as their agent. In all the negotiations, and preliminary 
 
 I proceedings, connected with the large purchase of Mr. Morris, of 
 
 ! this region, the interests of the Company were principally confided 
 
 to him. His name is intimately blended with the whole history of 
 
 the title. When the purchase was perfected, he was made the 
 
 General Agent, and under his auspices the surveys commenced. 
 
 The author can only judge of him from such manuscript records as 
 
 came from his hands. They exhibit good business qualifications, 
 
 and great integrity of purpose. In all the embarrassments that 
 
 attended the perfection of the title, he would seem to have been 
 
 actuated by honorable and praiseworthy motives; and to have 
 
 assisted with a good deal of ability, the legal managers of the 
 
 Company's interests. 
 
 He returned to Europe in 1799, ending then his connection with 
 the Company. His residence for a considerable period after this, 
 was in London, after which, it was in Paris, where he died. 
 
426 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 PAUL BUSTl. 
 
 He was a native of Milan, in Italy; was born on the 17th of 
 October, 1749. After receiving his education in his native country, ■ 
 he entered the counting house of his uncle in Amstei'dam, where 
 he afterwards established himself in business, married, and acquired 
 a high reputation for business talents, industry and integrity. 
 
 About retiring from commercial life, and connected with one 
 who was interested in the Holland Company Purchase, he was 
 induced to accept the General Agency at Philadelphia, in the place 
 of Mr. Cazenove; aud most faithfully and satisfactorily did he 
 perform its duties, for a period of twenty-four years, — up to the 
 day of his death, July 23, 1824. He left no children. 
 
 The author will here make a remark which is applicable not only 
 to the general, but the local agents of the Holland Company. Of 
 all that men leave behind them, after having been actively engaged 
 in the affairs of this life, there is nothing that affords better tests 
 of their characters and motives, than their private correspondence. 
 It is here, that, in all the familiarity and confidence of private 
 friendships — a necessary mutual reliance is indulged in — men are 
 prone to throw off all disguise, and disclose the real motives by 
 which they are governed. If indeed, they even here attempt the 
 practice of concealment, it is seldom successful; what they would 
 conceal will in some form or other, escape their precaution, and 
 demonstrate itself 
 
 Few opportunities could be as ample for applying this test as 
 those the author has enjoyed, connected with the entire agencies 
 of the Holland Company. He has had free access to the great 
 mass of correspondence that passed between general and local 
 agents: much of it was private and confidential. And from such 
 evidences, he is prepared to say, that few enterprises have ever 
 been conducted upon more honorable principles, than was that 
 which embraced the purchase, sale and settlement of the Holland 
 Purchase. In all the instructions of the general to the local agents, 
 the interests of the settlers, the prosperity of the country were 
 made secondary in but a slight degree, to the securing to their 
 principals, a fair and reasonable return for their investments. The 
 general policy adopted, its ultimate results, it will occur to speak 
 of in another place; but here it may be remarked — and it is no 
 greater praise than the historian is fully authorized to bestow — 
 
TM. or WM CNDICOTT ft CO. N. Y 
 
 ^'Ja^^-^^/^ 
 
 C 0. CREHCN 
 
 IPiiWII^ IBWiiirEo 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 427 
 
 that which should not be withheld, — that in the entire history of 
 settlement and improvement in our widely extended country, large 
 tracts of the wilderness have no where fallen into the hands of 
 mdividuals — become subject to private or associate cuj)idity — 
 where the aggregate result has been more favorable, or advanta- 
 geous to the settlers. 
 
 The original proprietors — the eleven who constituted the prim- 
 itive Holland Company — were merchants in the city of Amster- 
 dam, (then in the Republic of Batavia.) They had Httle of the 
 spirit of speculation; had acquired wealth by regular approaches 
 to it; by careful investments and fair profits. They had spare 
 capital and wished to invest it; their highest anticipations were 
 perhaps, a realization of something near the per cent, interest which 
 was generally fixed upon money in this country, instead of the 
 then low per cent, that money yielded in Europe. And here it may 
 be remarked, that considering the period of investment — 1792 and 
 '93 — but ten years after the close of the war of the Revolution — 
 these Dutch merchants were far in advance of the prevailing senti- 
 ment in Europe, as to the success and permanency of the experi- 
 ment of free government. We should respect their memories for 
 such an earnest, at that early period, of confidence in the stability 
 of our system. 
 
 Mr. Busti's agency, as it will be observed, commenced before 
 the completion of surveys and the opening of sales; consequently 
 it was under his auspices that settlement began. In his early in- 
 structions to Mr. Ellicott, he proposed hberal measures — seems to 
 have started upon the basis that the interests of his principals and 
 the interests of the settlers were mutual. While he guarded strictly 
 and with rigid economy, the one, his views and his munificence 
 were liberal, in reference to the other. Mr. Ellicott acted under 
 general instructions from him, as to the opening of roads, building 
 of mills and public buildings; but when he advised, as he often did, 
 additional measures of improvement, or increased outlays, he was 
 quite sure to be seconded by his principal. 
 
 Next to Mr. Ellicott, Mr, Busti was more closely identified with 
 the settlement of the Holland Purchase, than any other individual; 
 his administration of the General Agency, embraced almost the entire 
 period of pioneer settlement. The author knows little of his personal 
 history. Saving the period of his mercantile enterprise in Amster- 
 dam, the active years of his life were spent in the General Agency 
 
428 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 of the Holland Company; the records of that company, tlierefore, 
 are his principal history. They furnish conclusive evidence of 
 clear judgement, industry, great integrity of purpose, and a dis- 
 position to promote the interest of his principals, and the prosperity 
 of that region of wilderness he vt^as assisting to settle and improve. 
 The following anecdote, which the author introduces as a note, 
 answers the double purpose of getting a glimpse of the personal 
 character of the General Agent, and of furnishing a succinct history 
 of church benefices upon the Holland Purchase. The reader will 
 bear in mind that Mr. Busti was a Catholic; and a liberal one it 
 will be conceded, in view of his dislike of sectarianism. 
 
 Note. — In the fall of 1820. Mr. Bu.sti was visiting- the land office in Batavia; the Rev. 
 Mr. R. of the Presbyterian sect called on Mr. Busti and insisted on a donation of land 
 for each society of his persuasion, then formed on the Holland Purchase. Mr. Busti 
 treated the Rev. gentleman with due courtesy, but showed no disposition to grant his 
 request. Mr. R. encouraged by Mr. Busti's politeness, persevered in his solicitations, 
 day after day, until Mr. Busti's patience was almost exhausted, and what finally brought 
 that subject to a crisis was, Mr. R's following Mr. Busti out of the land office, when 
 he was going to take tea at Mr. Ellicott's and making a fresh attack on him in the piazza. 
 Mr. Busti was evidently vexed, and in reply said " Yes, Mr. R. I will give a tract of 
 one hundred acres, to a religious society in every town ou the Purchase, and this is 
 j^nts." "But" said Mr. R. " you will give it all to the Presbyterians, will you not; if 
 vou do not expressly so decide, the /S'cctorwns will be claiming it, and zrc shall receive 
 very little benefit from it." " Sectarians, no" was Mr. Busti's hasty reply, I abhor 
 sectarians, they had not ought to have any of it, and to save contention, 1 will give it 
 to the first religious society in every town." On which Mr. Busti hastened to his tea, 
 and Mr. R. home (about sixteen miles distant) to start runners during the night or the 
 next morning, to rally the Presbyterians in the several towns in his vicinity to apply 
 first, and thereby secure the land to themselves. 
 
 The land oflice was soon flooded with petitions for land from societies organized 
 according to law and empowered to hold real estate and those who were not, one of 
 which was presented to Mr. Busti before he left, directed to " General Poll Busti," on 
 which he insisted that it could not be from a religious society, for all religious societies 
 read their bibles and know that P o double /, does not spell Paul. Amidst this chaos 
 of applications, it was thought to be unadvisable to be precipitant, in granting those 
 donations, the whole responsibility now resting on Mr. Ellicott to comply wilh this 
 vague jiromise of Mr. Busti; therefore conveyances of the "gospel land" were not 
 executed for some space of time, notwithstanding the clamor of petitioners ior " deeds 
 of our laud " during which time the matter was taken into consideration and system- 
 atized, so far as such an operation could be, pains was taken to ascertain the merits of 
 each application, and finally a tract, or tracts of laud, not exceeding one hundred acres 
 in all, was granted, free of expense, to one or more religious societies regularly organ- 
 ized according to law, in each town on the purchase, where the Company had land 
 undisposed of, which embraced every town then organized on the purchase, except 
 Bethany, Genesee county, and Sheldon, Wyoming county, the donees always being 
 allowed to select out of the unsold farming land in each town. In some towns it was 
 all given to one society, in others to two or three societies, separately, and in a few 
 towns to four different societies of different sects, twenty-five acres to each. 
 
 In performing this thankless duty, for the land was claimed as an ribsolute right by 
 most of the applicants, the whole proceedings were so managed, under Mr. Ellicott's 
 judicious directions, that amidst all the clamor and contention which, from its nature 
 such a proceeding must elicit, no complaint of partiality to any particular sect, nor of 
 the undue weight of influence in any individual was ever charged against the agent of 
 the Company or his assistants acting under him. 
 
OF WM tNOICOTT a CO. 
 
 So So i^M.i^mmj3im^MWc 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 429 
 
 JOHN J. VANDER KEMP. 
 
 This gentleman was the successor of Mr. Busti, entering uj)on 
 the duties of general agent on the day of the death of his prede- 
 cessor. He is a native of the city of Leyden, in the kingdom of 
 Holland. His parents emigrated to the United States in 1788, and 
 settled upon the Hudson, near Esopus, Kingston, Ulster county, 
 New York. In 1794 the family changed their I'esidencc to the 
 shores of Oneida lake, and soon after, to Oldenbarnevelt, in the 
 town of Trenton, now Oneida county, where they enjoyed the 
 society of Col. A. G. Mappa's family who were likewise emigrants 
 from Holland, and of Mr. Gerrit Boon, wlio had commenced a 
 settlement on the lands of the Company in the then county of Her- 
 kimer, simultaneously with the commencement of another settle- 
 ment about forty-five miles above Utica, by Col. John Linklaen, 
 late of Cazenovia, Madison county. Col. Mappa having succeeded 
 Mr. Boon in the land agency, Mr. Vander Kemp, early in life, 
 entered the ofilce as a clerk, succeeding H. J. Huidekoper, Esq., 
 now of Meadville, Pennsylvania, who was aj)pointed chief clerk in 
 the office of the General Agency in Philadelphia. In 1804 Mr. 
 Huidekoper accepted the agency of the Holland Company's lands 
 in Pennsylvania, went to the Alleghany river, and jMr.Vander Kemp 
 was called to occupy the situation vacated by him. He continued 
 to occupy this position, until the death of Mr. Busti. in 1824, 
 when he succeded him in the General Agency; having been before 
 provisionally appointed as successor in case of resignation or death. 
 Thus, as chief clerk, and General Agent, he has been connected 
 with the affairs of the Holland Purchase of Western New York, 
 from ISOl to the present period; or rather, was, until the final dis- 
 posal of its interest. 
 
 As in the case of his immediate predecessor, he has little personal 
 history h»eyond the records of the General Agency. In succeeding 
 Mr. Busti, he seems to have adopted liis policy, and made him his 
 pattern of strict integrity, and careful and judicious management. 
 All that the author has seen coming from his hands; his correspon- 
 dence, and business papers generally, are indicative of a high degree 
 of business talents, and a matured and excellent judgment. He is 
 well entitled to a full share of the encomium that has been already 
 awarded, in the abstract, to the conduct of the General and Local 
 Ajiencies. 
 
430 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Those "who have enjoyed a personal acquaintance with Mr. 
 Vander Kemp, give him the praise of great amiability of character, 
 intelligence, and fine social qualities. 
 
 The early clerk in the office of the General Agency, and the 
 after General Agent, — one thus identified with almost the entire 
 history of this region, is yet a resident of Philadelphia, in the 
 enjoyment of a competency of wealth, and what is far better, the 
 respect and esteem of his fellow citizens, and a numerous circle of 
 acquaintance, beyond his immediate locality, acquired in the course 
 of an extended and active life. 
 
 JOSEPH ELLICOTT. 
 
 His history is so intimately blended with our main subject, that 
 little beyond personal biography, is required in a separate form. 
 No man has ever, perhaps, been so closely identified with the 
 history of any region, as he is with the history of the Holland 
 Purchase. He was not only the land agent, superintending from 
 the start, surveys and settlement — exercising locally, a one man 
 power and influence — but for a long period, he was far more than 
 this. In all the early years of settlement, especially — in all things 
 having reference to the organization of towns, counties, erection of 
 public buildings, the laying out of roads, the establishment of Post 
 Offices — in all that related to the convenience and prosperity of 
 the region over which his agency extended — he occupied a 
 prominent position, a close identity, that few, if any Pati'oons of 
 new settlements have ever attained. 
 
 His portrait — appropriately, as will be conceded — is made the ' 
 frontispiece to our local annals; and the author congratulates ' 
 himself, that the skill of the artists, has enabled him to present to ■ 
 tlie pioneers of the Holland Purchase, so correct a likeness of their i 
 old intimate acquaintance. ' 
 
 The physiognomist, or the more modern professor of the philos- 
 ophy of intellect and its developments, will not fail to discover, in 
 the head and face presented, quite enough to attract his attention. 
 There is the ample forehead, the clear and expressive eye, the com- 
 pressed lip, the whole contour of the face, indicative of no ordinary 
 man. Chance made him the founder of new settlements, the ruling 
 spirit of backwoods enterprise, and high achievements in the work 
 
HOLLAND rURCHASE. 431 
 
 of progress and improvement. Had it cast his lot elsewhere, given 
 to him other pursuits, other fields of action, his career would not 
 have been one of mediocrity. 
 
 The ancestors of Mr. Ellicott, were Andrew Ellicott and Ann 
 Bye Ellicott, natives of the town of Cullopton, in Wales. They 
 came to this country in the year 1731. Andrew, who was a mem- 
 ber of the society of Friends, had married Ann, who was not of 
 that society; had committed an offence against the discipline of the 
 society, termed *• marrying out of Friends' meeting." He was 
 "disowned." Deeming himself unjustly dealt by — alienated from 
 religious and social ties — he resolved on emiciration to the new 
 world, the refuge of the persecuted of church and state. Tradi- 
 tion awards to Andrew, the brief but comprehensive eulogy, " He 
 was a man of high character in every respect — one indeed, of 
 nature's noblemen.'' To Ann, the praise of being a "woman of 
 great goodness — worthy of her husband."* The adventurers, with 
 an infant son, landed in New York with what, in those times, was 
 deemed a " considerable estate," purchased a tract of new land, 
 and settled upon it. 
 
 We here lose sight of the family and their history for a long 
 period. Previous to 1760, however, they had become residents of 
 .Buck's county in Pennsylvania; and had four sons, the elder of 
 whom, about that period, were starting out upon business enter- 
 iprizes. From some dates in the author's possession, he is disposed 
 to conclude tnat the stay in New York was a short one, as it would 
 lappear that they wei'e pioneers of Buck's county. The sons of 
 these pioneer adventurers were, Nathaniel, Joseph, Andrew, and 
 John. As early as 1770, they purchased a tract of wild land on 
 the Patapsco, in Maryland, and erecting mills and machinery, be- 
 came the founders of what was long known as " Ellicott's Mills," 
 low, for the sake of brevity, termed " Ellicotts." 
 I Joseph was the father of the subject of this memoir. He was a 
 nan of large scientific attainments, and possessed uncommon genius 
 
 * And a poetess withal, as the following relic witnesses. It was written on her 
 ileparture from Wales: — 
 
 " Throujrh rocks and sands, 
 
 And enemies' hands. 
 
 And perils of the deep. 
 
 Father and son 
 
 From Cullopton, 
 
 The Lord preserve and keep. — 1731." 
 
432 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 in the mechanic arts.* His sons, other than Joseph, were Andrew, 
 Benjamin, and David. 
 
 Andrew the eldest son, became an eminent surveyor; surveyed * 
 the Spanish boundary hne under the admhnstration of Mr. Jeffer- 
 son; was afterwards »Surveyor General of the United States; and i 
 died the Professor of Mathematics at West Point, in 1820 or '1. 
 While engaged in the survey of the Spanish boundary, he wrote a | 
 "Journal," which was published in a quarto form, and which alone 
 would entitle its author to a high rank among the literary and ■ 
 scientific men of his period. It was an early and successful essay 
 to make the people of the United States acquainted with the 
 climate, soil, topography, and vast resources of the country 
 acquired by the Louisiana treaty. He enjoyed the friendship andt 
 intimacy of Mr. Jefferson. His three sons, were Andrew A., 
 John B. and Joseph, who all became residents of the Holland 
 Purchase. Andrew A., the eldest, became a resident at Shelby, !| 
 Orleans county, where he died, and where his descendants now 
 reside. Joseph, a resident of Batavia, where he died in 1839, 
 leaving a family, who are still residing there. John B., the only 
 surviving son, is a resident at Ellicott's iMills, six miles west of-, 
 Batavia. One of his daughters married the Hon. Henry Baldwin, 
 Judge of the Supreme Court of the United States; another. Major 
 BHss of the army, and another, IMajor Douglass of the army; a 
 third was the wife of Thomas Kennedy Esq., of Meadville, Pennsyl- 
 vania; a fourth, of Dr. Nathaniel E. Griffith of New York; ajj 
 fifth, was the wife of the late Dr. Woodruff, of Batavia. j 
 
 Benjamin Ellicott, as will have been seen, entered the service;' 
 of the Holland Company at an early period, as the assistant of his 
 brother Joseph. He was at an early period, one of the Judges of, 
 Genesee county, and a Representativ^e in Congress, from the district.) 
 He was a bachelor; died a resident at Williamsville, Erie county,^ i 
 in 1827. 
 
 The younger brother, David, a somewhat erratic genius, was in 
 
 *A very decided evidence of his skill and inp-enuit}', is furnished in a clock of hiS; 
 construction, now in the possession of the Hon. David E. Evans, his grandson. Thei 
 admirers of mechanical ingenuity — good judges — have pronounced it the climax of 
 that hranch of the mechanic arts. It has four faces, each looking towards the cardinal 
 points of the compass. One face tells the time of day — another exhibits an orrery, 
 and on it are displayed the motions of the heavenly bodies in perfect order; a thirdi 
 face exhibits a display of musical bells, formed to play twenty-four distinct tunes, one' 
 for each hour; the remaining face exposes to view the whole internal machinery of thejj 
 instrument. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 433 
 
 some of the earliest years, a surveyor upon the Purchase. He 
 went south, and no tidings ever came of him. 
 
 There were five sisters, three of whom married three brothers, 
 by the name of Evans. In this circumstance, the reader will find 
 the explanation of the numerous heirs of Joseph Ellicott, bearing 
 that name. 
 
 With Ellicott's Mills, Baltimore — Howard county, in fact, — 
 
 the family of Ellicotts were as much identified, as with the Holland 
 
 Purchase. In the local annals of that region, they figure as early 
 
 millers, iron founders, builders of wharves, inventors, and the 
 
 patrons of inventors. Years before the advent of Joseph and 
 
 Benjamin to this region, their father and uncles had penetrated the 
 
 then wild and rugged valley of the Patapsco, founded new 
 
 settlements — triumphed over no ordinary obstacles. The name 
 
 f has been made synonymous, with enterprise and perseverance. 
 
 Their business establishments in Maryland were but just fairly 
 
 under way, when the war of the Revolution commenced. Though 
 
 ' great sufferers in their business, from the effects of the war, and 
 
 • belonging to the peaceful society of Friends, they nevertheless, like 
 
 Gens. Greene and jMitHin, deemed the resistance of the oppressed 
 
 colonies justifiable, and warmly espoused the whig side. "In this 
 
 ' respect, there was not throughout the whole family, a solitary 
 
 exception. No tory blood ran in the veins of a single Ellicott." 
 
 Joseph Ellicott was but fourteen years of age, when his father 
 
 removed from Buck's county to Maryland. Up to that period, he 
 
 had enjoyed no other facilities for an education, than the common 
 
 schools of a new country afforded. His early lessons in surveying, 
 
 ' were given him by his elder brother, Andrew. His first practical 
 
 ' surveying, was as an assistant of his brother, in the survey of the 
 
 city of Washington, soon after that site had been selected for the 
 
 'national capital. In 1791, he was appointed by Timothy Pickering, 
 
 then Secretary of War, to run the boundary line between Georgia 
 
 and the Creek Indians. After completing this survey, he was 
 
 employed by Mr. Cazenove, to survey the Holland Company lands 
 
 'in Pennsylvania. 
 
 This completed, he was engaged for a short time in Maryland, 
 in business with his brothers, and then enlisted in the Holland Com- 
 pany's service in this region. 
 
 I The active years of his life were those, principally, intervening 
 between the years 1790 and 1821 — a period of about thirty vears. 
 28 
 
434 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 At least ten or twelve years were spent in the arduous duties of a 
 surveyor; and when he left the woods and settled down in the dis- 
 charge of the duties of a local agent, his place was no sinecure, as 
 the records of the office will abundantly testify. He was a man i 
 of great industry; careful, systematic in all his business, and re- 
 quired of all under his control a prompt and faithful discharge of 
 their various duties. 
 
 His education was strictly a practical one. He was a good i 
 mathematician, a scientific surveyor, a careful and able financier, i 
 The voluminous correspondence that he has left behind him, with ' 
 the General Agency at Philadelphia, with the prominent men of this i 
 state of his period — in reference to the business of the company, y 
 poUtical measures, works of internal improvement, and public policy 
 generally — indicate a good degree of talents as a writer, andi- 
 enlarged and statesman-like views. His memory is not only iden- 
 tified, as we have observed, with the surveys and settlement of this 
 region, but with the crowning achievement — that which consum- 
 mated local prosperity — the origin and prosecution of the Erie 
 canal; as will be shown in connection with that branch of our 
 subject. In the day that the vast benefits of that work shall be 
 fully realized and gratefully acknowledged; when an enduring 
 tablet is erected to commemorate the services of all who were 
 conspicuous in its projection and progress, his name will be 
 recorded upon it. 
 
 In person, Mr. Ellicott was rather above the middling size — six 
 feet three inches in height. In youth he was of spare habits, but, 
 about the age of forty became corpulent. He had a strong con-i 
 stitution, capable of much endurance; and enjoyed for the greatei' 
 portion of his life uninterrupted health. 
 
 He was possessed of fine conversational powers; when in humoui 
 he was a great talker and a convincing reasoner; and had i 
 remarkable faculty of influencing the opinions ol all with whom he 
 associated. 
 
 A life of great usefulness, of extraordinary enterprise; a caree] 
 of personal success, and the success of the enterprises with whicl 
 he was connected, was destined to a melancholy close. As earlji 
 as 1816 or '17, he became subject to depression of spirits, melan- 
 choly, which by degrees becanie a confirmed and inveterate hypo 
 condria. If we were to look for the causes of this infirmity, theji 
 would perhaps be found in the peculiar temperament and constitutioi; 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 435 
 
 of the man, and the circumstances under which he found himself as 
 i his years increased — youth and middle age were passed — and life 
 1 was verging to the " sere and yellow leaf." Wise as he may have 
 • been in other respects — prudent and far seeing — he had yet 
 I strangely neglected himself; been improvident in that which could 
 ' alone have promised him temporal happiness and contentment. 
 I Enterprise had been rewarded; wealth had come at his bidding, 
 I and filled his coffers. Broad acres, the sites of flourishing villages, 
 i the favorite grounds of an embryo city, were his. But he had no 
 |i one to share all this with him. He was wifeless and childless. 
 [ "Man must love something," is the truthful and beautiful pliiloso- 
 } phy of Kotzebue in his }j]ay — The Stranger. He must have some- 
 I thing to hope for and care for, or with him the '' pitcher is broken 
 i at the fountain," and the " grasshopper has become a burden." 
 I Wealth, in view of one who is alone in this cold and cheerless 
 ; world; who feels that he is approaching old age, and that no 
 I destiny is linked with his; that there is no one to inherit from him 
 ibis name, and be the filial conservator of his memory — is assayed, 
 [ and turns to dross. It has been accumulated but to palsy the 
 ;mind, crush the hopes, and embitter the declining age of its pos- 
 [sessor. The very largesses he has to bestow, beget jealousy and 
 I distrust of even the well-intended offices of friendship. Does dis- 
 : ease and pain come upon him, the hand that is held out to alleviate 
 may be a sinister one. Perhaps the real, or it may be, the morbid 
 sense of ingratitude comes, blighting all the buds of hope and 
 ' promise that disease and despondency have spared ! 
 
 His agency ceased in October, 1821. It was by his ovvn act, 
 1 though not in the absence of a state of things that would have 
 rendered a farther connection with the office irksome, if his health 
 had not been unimpaired. Although laboring under the combined 
 mental and physical infirmity that has been named, he had continued 
 I to discharge the duties of the office in the absence of any consider- 
 able interruption. No mal-administration or neglect of duty was 
 alleged against him. A feeling of discontent had begun to prevail 
 I — one that afterwards became rife upon the Purchase. Indebted- 
 ness upon land contracts had increased to such magnitude, as to 
 I press heavily upon the settlers, and create fearful apprehensions of 
 the ultimate result. A formidable portion of them had conceived 
 that a change of the local agency would be attended with some 
 I relief, or favorable modification of the terms and condition of 
 
436 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 indebtedness, and the General Agent was perhaps not unwilUng to 
 listen to the expediency of the measure, in hopes to appease the 
 discontent and gratify the desire of change. Conscious of this 
 state of things, Mr. EUicott resigned the agency. It cannot justly 
 be deduced from after events, that any anticipated benefits came 
 from the change. The modification of the terms of indebtedness 
 that was sometime afterwards made, was under the direction and i 
 instructions of the General Agent. 
 
 The close of his agency was the end of the active and busy life : 
 of Mr. Ellicott that commenced with his youth, and continued I 
 without interruption up to that period. Our country above all others 
 — or in that degree which naturally arises from a prevailing spirit I 
 of enterprise — furnishes frequent examples of the effect upon strong 
 minds and business habits, of an attempt to retire from active 
 duties, and live at ease. The experiment is seldom one of favor- 
 able issue. In the case we have under consideration it served to 
 increase and confirm a malady. 
 
 In November, 1824, under the advice of physicians, he was 
 removed to the city of New York to get the benefit of a council 
 of physicians to be called there. He was accompanied by Dr. John i 
 B. Cotes, his nephews, the Hon. David E. Evans, and Joseph I 
 Ellicott, 2d, Ebenezer Mix, Esq. and Judge Nixson. A packet 
 boat was chartered at Albion to convey the party to Albany. At 
 this period — as it had been from the first — his aberrations of mind, 
 were decidedly those of monomania; sane upon all other subjects, 
 he was insane when himself and his real and imaginary diseases 
 were his themes. Passing down the canal, he would give hisi 
 attendants minute and interesting details of its history, the part he 
 had taken in it; and converse upon general topics, in the absence 
 of all indications of impaired intellect. But changing the theme to 
 himself, his mind would wander and conjure up fearful apprehen- 
 sions of present and approaching disease, and their speedy and fatal 
 termination.* 
 
 *The author has in his possession, a half dozen sheets of paper, that Mr. Ellicott scrib- 
 bled over, while in the Asylum. It is a strange medley; as perfect an indication per- 
 haps as could be given of his peculiar malady. In a few lines he would seem to be 
 writing to a friend; then in direct connection occurs soliloquies, the subjects, the path- 
 ology and prognosis of disease, and its remedies. Occasionally, his sentences are well 
 connected, and his ideas well expressed; generally it is so, imtil he begins to talk of ' 
 himself and his own infirmities; then he becomes wild and incoherent; dwells upon his. 
 afflictions, imagines that his digestive organs are all out of tune — his whole system, 
 ruined by disease and the injudicious use of medicine. It may truly be said, in thej 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 437 
 
 Arrived in New York, a council of physicians was called, con- 
 sisting of Drs. Post, Nelson, and Checthani. The favorite projects 
 iof his friends, were, a journey to Pennsylvania and Maryland — a 
 visit to his kindred and the scenes of his youth — or a sea yoyage. 
 The council decided upon his entering the Hospital at Belle vue; a 
 decision which was perhaps somewhat influenced by the fact, that 
 .the institution was under the superintendence of his old friend and 
 associate upon the board of Canal Commissioners, Thomas Eddy. 
 A residence with him seemed not against his inclinations. He had 
 a carriage provided for him, and rode out occasionally, as a part of 
 the sanative discipUne recommended. 
 
 [ The anticipated benefits of the Asylum were not realized; 
 neither its curative measures, or the change of residence — the 
 abstraction from the cares and annoyances of his business, — could 
 
 " cure a mind diseased." 
 
 iMental and physical infirmity increased upon him, until July or 
 
 August of 1820, when, escaping the vigilance of his attendant, he 
 
 consummated that which had long been apprehended by those who 
 
 had known most of the despondency and depression of spirits that 
 
 had conquered the once strong man, and expelled reason from its 
 
 Ithrone. 
 
 ! Thus died the Patroon and founder of settlement, upon the 
 
 Holland Purchase. 
 
 . A few months after his death, his remains were brought to Bata- 
 
 ina, and deposited in the village cemetery. 
 
 : Although Mr. EUicott, in all the active years of his life, took a 
 
 leep interest in public aflairs, his time was too much occupied to 
 
 :illow, generally, of the acceptance of office. He was, howerer, in 
 
 i804, one of the Presidential Electors of this state, and a Canal 
 
 Commissioner, as has been stated. On the primitive organization 
 
 i)f Genesee county, he was appointed First Judge, but declined, 
 
 md Ezra Piatt was appointed in his place. 
 
 A brief statement of the terms of his engagement with the 
 Holland Company, will account, principally, for the large estate 
 iivhich he left. For his first ten years' service, it was stipulated 
 hat he should have five per cent, upon all sales; six thousand acres 
 )f farming lands, and five hundred acres of land in the village of 
 
 anguage of the physician of the Asylum, that his was a case of " iuveterate hypocon- 
 Iria, acting upon a verj- extraordinary mind." 
 
438 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Batavia. At the close of the ten years, the General Agent 
 proposed that he should receive, instead of a cash commission of 
 five per cent., one twentieth of all the contracts he had made. 
 This arrangement was acceded to, and the land embraced in one 
 twentieth of all the contracts was deeded to him in fee, and the 
 contracts assigned. This was in 1810. The reversion of land 
 embraced in these assigned contracts, explains his ownership of 
 detached farm lots, scattered over that portion of the Purchase first 
 settled; principally in Genesee, Niagara and Erie. 
 
 The occupants of these reverted lands, were thus legally made 
 subject to his discretion. The records of the land office, however, 
 bear witness, that he made no discrimination; that the occupants of 
 his lands, were in all cases, as liberally dealt by, as were the 
 occupants under the expired contracts of the Company. There is 
 probably no one of the settlers upon the lands thus situated, or their 
 descendants, who can justly complain of other than fair treatment 
 at his hands. He commenced a renewal of the contracts, and 
 continued to renew them, as long as he had the management of his 
 own affairs. A large number of the contracts, unfulfilled and 
 expired, existed at the period of his death, and became the property 
 of his devisees. Honorable testimony would generally be borne to 
 their liberality; with some few exceptions, in the case of those who 
 did not regard the example set by their liberal benefacto]'. This 
 variation between the spirit and policy of a donor and inheritor, is 
 not unusual. 
 
 The six thousand acres, stipulated in his contract with the 
 Company, was located in what was long known as the "'Eleven 
 Mile Woods,'' on the Ridge Road, near Lockport, Niagara county. 
 He afterwards added by purchase, a strip of twelve hundred acres 
 on the south side of this. The tract was principally unsold at the 
 period of his death. The tract between Lockport and Ridge Road 
 — about two thousand five hundred acres — which has been usually 
 considered a part of the "Ellicott Reserve," was a separate 
 purchase, made jointly by Joseph and Benjamin Ellicott. Joseph 
 Ellicott also purchased a tract on either side of the Tonawanda, at 
 the old "Fishing Ground," or "Rapids," with the intention, at one 
 time, of securing the erection of mills there, by raising a dam, and 
 constructing a race across the land below. 
 
 He purchased seven hundred acres upon the Oak Orchard, 
 embracing the water power, and site of the now village of Shelby; 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 439 
 
 and afterwards the fourteen hundred acres below, which embraces 
 the village of Medina. Joseph and Benjamin also purchased 
 jointly, some detached tracts in Somerset, Niagara county. 
 
 In the original survey of Buffalo, he had plotted for himself one 
 hundred acres, which he afterwards purchased of the company. 
 It was called an out lot. The reader will regard it now an in lot, 
 when told how conspicuous a position it occupies in the now widely 
 extended city. Its front is all the ground opposite the Churches, 
 between Swan and Eagle streets. In the centre of its front, there 
 was originally a curve — a semi-circle — projecting beyond the line 
 of the street. Tradition affirms that Mr. Ellicott intended that 
 ultimately as the site of his residence. It would have commanded 
 an uninterrupted view of Main Street, in each direction, and 
 through Erie, Church, and Niagara Streets — called by Mr. Ellicott 
 in his original map of "New Amsterdam," Stadtnitski, Vollenhoven 
 and Schimmelpenninck Avenues. He thus early identified his 
 interests with that of Buffalo, and through his life entertained high 
 anticipations (though they came far short of what has since been 
 realized.) of its destinies. His careful guardianship of the local- 
 lity commenced with his agency. The difficulty obviated — his 
 jnegociations with William Johnston and the Indians having termi- 
 ,natcd in securing the "mouth of Buffalo creek" as a part of the 
 ^Holland Purchase — he congratulated Mr. Cazenove upon the great 
 tacquisition. In a letter dated June 25, 1798, he says: — 
 
 "The building spot is situated about sixty perches from the lake, 
 'on a beautiful, elevated bank, about twenty-five feet perpendicular 
 •height above the surface of the water in the lake; frmn the foot of 
 which, unth but little labor, may be made the most beautiful meadows, 
 extending to the lake, and up Buffalo creek to the Indian line. 
 From the top of the bank, there are few more beautiful prospects. 
 Here the eye wanders over the inland sea to the south west, until 
 the sight is lost in the horizon. On the north west is seen the pro- 
 igressing settlements in Upper Canada; and south westerly, with 
 pruning some trees out of the way, may be seen the Company's 
 I lands, for the distance of forty miles; gradually ascending, varie- 
 gated with valleys and gently rising hills, until the sight passes 
 their summit at the source of the waters of the Mississippi." 
 
 It will be new to those even most conversant with the history of 
 the Holland Purchase, the fact that Black Rock was looked upon 
 as a rival to Buffalo as early as 1802. Extract of a letter bearing 
 date in May of that year, from Mr. Ellicott to Mr. Busti: — 
 
440 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 '• While speaking on the subject of taking things in the proper 
 time, I cannot refrain from mentioning that the Company delaying i 
 the opening of their lands for sale in New Amsterdam, and the / 
 lands adjoining thereto I fear the nick of time will pass by, at least ► 
 for making a town of New Amsterdam. The state, last session / 
 of the Legislature, passed a law for purchasing the natives' rights/ 
 of land, the pre-emptive right of which was in the state, (on ouf 
 map called the New York Reservation.) The southern part of. 
 which lands reach near to New Amsterdam, and there is a situation 
 on said lands, intended to be purchased equally or more advanta- 
 geous for a town than New Amsterdam, so that if the state shall 
 make the intended purchase this summer and offer this spot for sale 
 before New Amsterdam gets in operation, the nick of time will be 
 lost to the future prosjicrity of that place. It would therefore 
 evidently tend more to the advantage of the Dutch proprietors to 
 give to the Agent General of their concerns in this country full and 
 discretionary powers to act and transact their business as existing 
 circumstances might evince to be most conducive to the interests 
 of the Proprietors." 
 
 It only remains to speak of the final disposition of the large 
 estate that had accumulated principally from the ownerships and 
 investments that have been noted. His will was executed in the 
 year 1824. At the period of his death, in 1826, his estate was 
 estimated at about six hundred thousand dollars; though it was 
 difficult then to make any correct estimate of its value; the prices 
 of farming lands were low, and Buffalo village property had not 
 then hardly begun the rapid advance in value that has since been 
 realized. The entire landed estate of which he died seized, would 
 now be estimated by millions, instead of hundreds of thousands. 
 
 Over one half of his estate was disposed of by special devises 
 and bequests. These were to his favorite relatives; those mosUy 
 with whom he had been closely associated in the latter years of his 
 life. The residuary portion of his estate, was devised to his 
 brothers' and si^ers^liildren, and their children who might be liv- 
 ing at his decease; to be divided equally between them, except^ 
 that such of his brothers' and sisters' children as should be childless 
 at the time of his decease, should receive a double share. There 
 were eighty seven of these residuary legatees, seven of whom drew 
 double shares, making ninety four shares. 
 
 Three commissioners, appointed by the Supreme Court, after an 
 examination of all lands thus bequeathed, fixed a value upon them 
 amounting in the aggregate to ninety-four times fourteen hundred l{ 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 441 
 
 and fifty dollars. This estimate was merely nominal, to fix a basis 
 of division. There was beside this, a large amount of personal 
 property, not included in his special devises and bequests, which 
 remained to the residuary legatees. His interest in various tracts 
 of land in common with his brother Benjamin, was devised to his 
 three sisters. 
 
 The residuary legatees drew their portions by lots; some, of 
 
 course, were more fortunate than others, as after value proved. 
 
 While some portions drawn, have remained nearly stationary in 
 
 value, others have doubled, trebled, quadrupled; and increased even 
 
 ! ten fold. 
 
 I In addition to the purchases of Mr. Ellicott, which have been 
 ; enumerated, he and his brother Benjamin purchased the peninsula 
 between Buffalo creek and the lake shore, in the city of Buffalo. 
 
 JACOB S. OTTO. 
 
 This gentleman was the successor of Mr. Ellicott in the local 
 agency. He was previously a resident of Philadelphia; had been 
 engaged in mercantile and commercial pursuits. 
 
 The period of his agency was from 1821 to his death, in 1826. 
 Although possessed of many amiable qualities, his previous pursuits 
 and business experience were not well adapted to fit him for the 
 new and peculiar duties of the place he was called to fill; though 
 the period of his incumbency was one of active and extensive 
 sales, and his efforts were not wanting to perpetuate the liberal 
 policy that had so generally characterized the ownership and 
 agencies of the Purchase. The measures adopted during his 
 ; agency were such as tended to promote the interests and prosperity 
 ;0f the Holland Purchase. 
 
 At the great canal celebration, in Lockport, on the 26th of 
 October, 1825, he was one of the delegation from the county of 
 .Genesee. From some exposure upon that occasion, he contracted 
 ;a cold, which terminated in his death, May 2d, 1826. 
 
 It was during Mr. Otto's administration, that the plan of receiving 
 cattle and grain from the settlers, that had previously been 
 I entertained, was effectually commenced. Depots were designated 
 I in different parts of the Purchase, for the delivery of wheat; where 
 I the settler could carry it, and have its value endorsed upon his 
 
442 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 contract. Agents were appointed to receive cattle. They adver- 
 tised yearly, the times and places, when and where the cattle 
 would be received, fixed upon their price, and endorsed it upon 
 contracts. It was one among the measures of relief, and its 
 operation was highly beneficial. The agencies were, however, 
 expensive to the company, and allowing the market price for the 
 grain and cattle, they were largely the losers by the operations. 
 
 DAVID E. EVANS. 
 
 During the administration of Mr. Otto, Mr. Evans had been 
 appointed as his associate, to give the incumbent the advantage of 
 his long experience and familiarity with the details of the business. \ 
 Yet he did not, to any considerable degree, participate in the joint 
 administration proposed; his time being chiefly occupied with his 
 own private affairs, and the duties of a member of the Senate of 
 this state. 
 
 Upon the death of Mr. Otto, he entered upon the discharge of 
 the duties of the local agency. Early in life, he had been a clerk 
 in the office, under his uncle, Joseph EUicott, and had for a long 
 period occupied the desk of the cashier and accountant of the 
 agency. Few, therefore, could have been more familiar with the 
 wants, interests and welfare of the settlers. They were old familiar 
 acquaintances, and his interests were identified with theirs. 
 
 It was during the second year of Mr. Evans' administration, (in 
 Sept. 1827,) that a general plan for the modification of land con- ij 
 tracts was adopted. It was regarded at the time, as a very decided ! 
 measure of relief to the settlers, and its operations were highly 
 beneficial to a very large class of the debtors of the Holland Com- 
 pany. The plan of modification was mainly as follows: — 
 
 *' Any person or persons holding a contract for land, or holding 
 land, which is under a mortgage, whether the contract has expired ; 
 or not, and whether the whole of the money has become due on ; 
 the mortgage, or not; where the principal and interest already paid l 
 and to be paid, amounts to more per acre than the maximum prices 'ji 
 subjoined, may surrender the said contract, and enter into a new i 
 contract for the same, according to the following principles, and if l[ 
 under a mortgage, the money shall be reduced in conformity to the 
 same. 
 
 " Where partial payments have been made, ascertain how many j 
 acres those payments (an original advance of five per cent, ex- j 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 443 
 
 ccpted) would have paid for at the original contract price, (deduct- 
 ing five per cent.,) had that quantity been in a separate contract; 
 estimate what the residue of the land would amount to at the max- 
 imum price, and charge the same on the whole of the land in the 
 original article, or under the original mortgage; at which time all 
 reasonable divisions will be made where several individuals claim 
 parts of the original article; and in case of a mortgage, reasonable 
 divisions will be made, and accounts opened for each proprietor or 
 claimant of such divisions, and those several parts released when 
 paid for. Provided, however, that such claimant of the whole, or 
 any part of the land held under an old contract, or covered by a 
 mortgage, shall pay at least one-eighth part of the new price so 
 found, at the time such deductions shall be made, and such divisions 
 take place, and covenant or agree to pay the residue in six equal 
 annual payments with interest annually. The maximum price is 
 not to be enhanced by adding interest until January 1st, 1828. 
 
 Previous to the year 1828, much difficulty and embarrassment 
 had occurred throughout the Holland Purchase, from a provision in 
 the School Act of the state, that sites of school houses should be 
 secured by deeds in fee, or by leases from the possessor of the fee, 
 of the land. In numerous instances there was no deeded lands in 
 the district; or if there was, not conveniently located. In the 
 absence of such title or lease, the trustees of the districts could not 
 legally levy and collect taxes for building or repairing school 
 houses. About the period above named, Mr. Evans adopted the 
 following plan to remedy the evil, and prevent the hindrances that 
 were in the way of a full realization of the benefits of the common 
 school system upon the Holland Purchase. It was entered upon 
 the books of the office, and the benefits of it extended whenever 
 asked: — 
 
 " In every legally organized School District on the Holland Pur- 
 chase, where the most convenient site for a school house shall fall 
 on land not deeded from the Holland Company, a deed for such 
 site, not exceeding half an acre of land, shall be granted, from the 
 Company to such district, gratis. Provided that whenever such 
 site shall fall on lands held under contract, from the Company, by 
 any person or persons, such district shall procure a relinquishment 
 of the right to such piece of land, by virtue of said contract to be 
 endorsed thereon by the person or persons holding the same." 
 
 Mr. Evans' agency continued until 1837. It embraced the large 
 sales of the Holland Company's interest; in fact before it closed, 
 the entire business and interests of the Company, had progressed 
 nearly to a termination. 
 
444 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Having served one term as a State Senator, Mr. Evans had been 
 elected a Representative in Congress at the period of Mr. Otto's 
 death. He resigned to take upon himself the duties of the agency. 
 
 He became the purchaser of the fine residence of Mr. EUicott, 
 from the three sisters and the brother's wife, to whom Mr. E. had 
 willed it. Extending and carrying out the plans of his uncle, he 
 has made it one of the most beautiful and tasteful residences in the 
 state; and a seat of hospitality, as will readily be inferred, by those 
 who know the generous and social character of its owner. 
 
 
I 
 
 HOLLAND PURCHASE. 445 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 COMMENCEMENT OF SETTLEMENT, AND ITS PROGRESS UP TO THE 
 
 WAR OF 1812. 
 
 The chain of narrative in a preceding chapter was interrupted 
 by the introduction of a chapter of personal biographies, just as 
 Mr. ElUcott had so far progressed with the surveys as to admit of 
 the announcement of the commencement of land sales. There 
 were then but three settlers under the auspices of the Holland 
 Company; the three pioneer tavern keepers. Settlement and its 
 progress will now be taken up, and continued with reference to the 
 order of time in which it occurred, and its localities. An attempt 
 will be made to show the reader when and where the bold and 
 enterprising Pioneers dashed into the wilderness in different direc- 
 tions — erected their humble primitive log cabins, and laid here and 
 there, over a wide region, the foundations of the wealth, prosperity 
 and happiness, which he may now witness. He will find that the 
 commencement, and the progress for a long period, was surrounded 
 with formidable difficulties; that they involved privation, suffering, 
 and indomitable perseverance; and in the end will feel to venerate 
 the names of the living, and the memories of the dead, of those 
 who reclaimed the wilderness, and prepared the way for its con- 
 version to the fairest portion of our Empire State. 
 
 As soon as Mr. Ransom had built his house at Pine Grove, Mr. 
 Ellicott had made it his head quarters, as has been indicated by the 
 dates of his letters. His appointment as Local Agent, took effect 
 October 1st, 1800, at which time he commenced sales of land — a 
 portion of Mr. Ransom's house being appropriated for his office, 
 and Mr. James W. Stevens, whom he had brought on from Phila- 
 delphia for that purpose, acted as his clerk; Mr. Brisbane occasion- 
 
446 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 ally acting in that capacity, though his duties were mostly at the 
 Transit Store House. 
 
 Before introducing the names of the settlers, we will insert some 
 desultory sketches, which have a bearing upon this primitive period 
 of settlement: — 
 
 Extract of a letter of Joseph Ellicott to Paul Busti, Esq., of 
 Philadephia, dated New Amsterdam, January 16th, 1801: — 
 
 " I have the satisfaction to inform you (although after a disagree- 
 able journey) that I arrived here in good health the 1st instant, since 
 which period I have been busily employed in making arrangements 
 for the sale of the land placed under my charge. The season of 
 the year being such as to prevent persons from making their estab- 
 lishments, prevents me at present from effecting any honajida sales. 
 
 Settlers generally wishing to defer entering into articles before 
 they are enabled to commence their improvements. I have, how- 
 ever, abundant reason to conclude, that at the opening of Spring 
 I shall efiect the sale of considerable land." 
 
 In a letter to Messrs. Le Roy & Bayard, dated " West Gene- 
 see" May 7th, 1801, Mr Ellicott says:— 
 
 " In respect to sales of lands, we have not as yet made rapid 
 progress. The best and most eligible situations are only in 
 demand. However, we dispose of more or less almost every day. 
 Settlements form more rapidly on the east side of the Purchase 
 than the west, owing to its contiguity to the old settlement in the 
 Genesee, where provisions and necessaries for their beginning is 
 more easily attainable. However, there are some going on on the 
 western side, and I continue to live under the expectation of selling 
 a considerable quantity of lands in the course of the summer and 
 fall, and presume after this season the sales will increase, the ice 
 will then be broken, and conveniences will be had for the settlers 
 on the Purchase." 
 
 In May, 1801, Mr. Ellicott acting as the special agent of Messrs. 
 Le Roy and Bayard, employed Mr. Richard M. Stoddard to sur- 
 vey the Triangular tract, giving minute directions, especially as to 
 the laying off of five hundred acres at " Buttermilk Falls." 
 
 In a letter to Mr. Munger, at Transit Store House, dated at 
 "Pine Grove," (Ransom's,) May, 1801, he says, he has been 
 informed " that the inhabitants of your neighborhood have under- 
 taken to open the road to Ganson's. You will please consider me 
 a subscriber towards the expense of the undertaking." 
 
 In May of this year, Gen. James Wilkenson came upon the 
 western frontiers of this State, commissioned to open a communi- 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 447 
 
 cation by land between lake Erie and Ontario. Making Black 
 Rock his head quarters, with his surveyors and a corps of U. S. 
 soldiers for laborers, soon after his arrival, he addressed Mr. Elli- 
 cott for advice in reference to the best route to pursue. The 
 answer pointed out with but little variation the route that was 
 adopted. Mr. Ellicott forwarded to Gen. Wilkenson such maps 
 and field notes as w^ould facilitate the enterprise; in acknowledging 
 the reception of which, the General expresses his apprehensions 
 that "evil disposed persons will labor to excite clamor and discon- 
 tent among the Indians on this occasion;" but he trusts Mr. Ellicott 
 and Gen. Chapin "will prevent any obstruction from that quarter." 
 
 Gen. Wilkenson and his corps, located the road. He directed 
 Major Porter, then in command at Fort Niagara, to open it with 
 the soldiers of the garrison. In the season of 1802 it was opened 
 .as far west as the brow of the mountain at Lewiston; and from 
 thence to a mile west of Tonawanda creek, the timber was cut 
 down but not removed. The work of the season included the 
 erection of bridges over the Tonawanda and Cayuga creeks. The 
 road was left in this condition until 1809, when an appropriation 
 was made by the legislature of this State for its farther improve- 
 ment, of fifteen hundred dollars; the sum to be collected from the 
 debtors to the State for lands purchased upon the "Mile Strip." 
 Joseph Landon, Peter Vandeventer, and Augustus Porter were 
 appointed commissioners to lay out the money. It was used to 
 make a passable wagon road from Black Rock to the Falls. This 
 was the end of government appropriation. 
 
 While Gen. Wilkenson was upon the frontier he located the site 
 of a Fort at Black Rock. At the session of the legislature that 
 followed, the general government made application for a cession of 
 land to carry out the project. The cession was refused, unless the 
 general government would pay for the land. The condition w'as 
 declined, and the project abandoned. This narrow, and strange 
 legislative policy induced the general government to abandon the 
 prosecution of the military road; and to it, is also to be attributed 
 the defenseless condition of the frontier on the breaking out of the 
 war of 1812. 
 
 In a letter dated .July 14th, Mr. Ellicott informs Mr. Busti gen- 
 erally as to land sales, their amount, and location. In closing the 
 letter he makes the following suggestions : — 
 
 " When we reflect that there are lands for sale in every possible 
 
448 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 direction around us, that every puixhascr who comes into this 
 quarter has to pass by almost innumerable land offices, where lands 
 are offered on almost every kind of terms imaginable; and that in 
 Upper Canada, adjoining this Purchase the government grants lands 
 at Gd Halifax currency per acre; we cannot calculate to make very 
 rapid sales, until we have saw and grist mills erected, and roads 
 opened; all of which are going forward. 
 
 " If some modes could be devised to grant lands to actual settlers,, 
 who cannot pay in advance, and at the same time not destroy that 
 part of the plan which required some advance, I am convinced the 
 most salutary consequences would be the result, which I beg leave 
 to suggest for Mr. Busti's consideration, as three-fourths of the 
 applicants are of that description; and as every acre of land that 
 is cleared, fenced, and sowed on the Purchase, at the labor and 
 expense of others, makes the district at least $25 more valuable, it 
 appears to me some mode might be devised, to grant to such actual 
 settlers lands, without restricting them to pay in advance. Monied 
 men are loath to settle before conveniences can be had, and deprive 
 themselves of the benefits of society, which accounts for the reason 
 why our sales have not been more extensive to that class of pur- 
 chasers." 
 
 Mr. Thompson, who had charge of the building of the house for 
 Mr. Ellicott's office and residence at Batavia, expressed to him in 
 a letter his disapprobation of "log houses," and considers the 
 money expended upon them " thrown away." Mr. Ellicott in his 
 answer thus quiets his scruples upon that point: — "you will please 
 consider the expense solely chargeable to me, and I hope I may 
 never want for a worse house than a good log house. Indeed I 
 should prefer living in such a house, to that of being obliged to 
 board in the best bi'ick house in Canandaigua." 
 
 Extract of a letter from Mr. Ellicott to Mr. Busti, dated July 
 21st, 1821: 
 
 " You will permit me to mention to you the propriety of opening 
 a township or two for sale on the lake Ontario shore, as no doubt 
 people will be moving into this purchase by water, and unless we 
 have some establishment on the Lake, and a road effected from the 
 district to said establishment, such persons will be put to consider- 
 able inconvenience. I would therefore propose, as there is a good 
 harbor for boats in township No. 16, 2d Range that the said town- 
 ships should be opened for sale. Indeed an establishment on the 
 Lake cannot, in my opinion, be begun at too early a period, as 
 the farmers in the Purchase will require a place to convey their 
 potash to deposit on the Lake, in order to be sent to Montreal or 
 New York, as may be most likely to produce a market, and also 
 for a place to receive their salt, and without such an establishment 
 
 r 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 449 
 
 many will have to go considerably farther, as well as carry their 
 money into other settlements in which we are not interested. 
 
 "Another object of no small moment to our prosperity, would be 
 the setting apart for sale township No. 1 1, in the 8th Range, including 
 New Amsterdam, which would shortly become the place for the 
 inhabitants of the western tract to receive their supplies, and in a 
 little time would be a place of trade, which would give a spring to 
 the settlement, and of course could not be too soon commenced 
 for the benefit of the interior part opened for sale. All which is 
 respectfully submitted, dear sir, with great respect and esteem." 
 
 Among the primitive tavern keepers, there was a backwoods 
 
 philosopher. It was the Mr. Walthers, that had been sent from 
 
 Philadelphia to be the landlord at the Transit Store House. 
 
 Established in his location, he made himself quite officious; his 
 
 ■ otters came thick and fast upon Mr. Ellicott, whenever he knew 
 
 v.diere they would reach him. They were an odd mixture of 
 
 philosophy, and advice and suggestions in reference to the best 
 
 manner of settling a new country. In one letter he would talk of 
 
 his domestic troubles; in another, would announce that one, or two, or 
 
 three landlookers had been his guests, not forgetting to assure Mr. 
 
 Ellicott how hard he had labored to convince them of the splendid 
 
 piospccts of the new country; in another he would inform him of 
 
 false reports that had been started as to the title of the land, and 
 
 how he had put a quietus upon them; in another he would express 
 
 his regrets that his house was full of strangers, who were passing 
 
 the Purchase, and going to "swell the numbers of his Brittanic 
 
 , Majesty's subjects in Upper Canada." In Mr. Ellicott's absence, 
 
 he was wont to consider himself a sub-agent; taking some airs upon 
 
 himself, from some favors that had been shown him by the General 
 
 Agent at Philadelphia. He did not last long, as will be observed in 
 
 , an extract of a letter from Mr. Ellicott to Mr. Busti. Mr. 
 
 I Ellicott answers a letter received from "Mrs. Berry and Miss 
 
 I Wemple" — (names familiar to old settlers, as household words.) 
 
 I They were applicants for two town lots, at the "Bend of the 
 
 • Tonewanta." He very courteously informs them, that when he 
 
 i lays out a town there, the lots will contain forty acres each, and 
 
 1 their application shall be held in remembrance. 
 
 I One of the earliest attempts at gardening in Buffalo, is indicated 
 
 '■■ in a letter from Henry Chapin to Mr. Ellicott, dated March, 1801. 
 
 I He asks the privilege of fencing in the ground on Seneca street, 
 
 ' 29 
 
450 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 from Main to Washington street, opposite the Post office, for the 
 purpose of raising some "garden vegetables." 
 
 Extract of a letter from Mr. Ellicott to Gen. Payne: — 
 
 "Mr. Ellicott makes a tender of his compliments by Gen'l. 
 Payne to Mr. Kirtland, informs that gentleman, that as yet, the 
 Holland Land Company have made no provision for opening the 
 road through their lands from Buffalo creek to the eastern boundary 
 of the Triangle. 
 
 "Mr. Ellicott has recently mentioned that subject to the General 
 Agent, and is waiting his answ^er. He thinks it probable the 
 Company may unite with the Connecticut Land Company, but this 
 he cannot speak of with certainty." 
 
 About this period, a lost horse gave Mr. Ellicott much trouble. 
 He had borrowed the horse at Schlosser, to ride down to Niagara, 
 and from thence to " Howell's," where he strayed away. The 
 owner, presuming he had a good customer, demanded an exorbitant 
 price. In a letter, he oi-ders his friend Robert Lee, Esq., at the 
 garrison to advertise the horse in " Tiffany's paper at Niagara." 
 The horse is not much flattered in the advertisement; is not made 
 to come up to the hundred dollars that the owner demanded; he is 
 neither "shod before nor behind, and is tender footed;" (for which 
 neither the horse nor the owner was probably to blame, for there 
 were as yet no blacksmiths in the country.) After paying for the 
 . horse, it was found that the Tonawanda Indians had appropriated , 
 him to their use. jl 
 
 Extract of a letter from Mr. Ellicott to Mr. Busti, dated Batavia, Im 
 7th November, 1801:— i 
 
 " Having as yet not removed my office from Mr. Ransom's I am 
 unable to detail particulars of the Agency. It is with regret that I 
 inform you that we lost, three weeks since, another of our most 
 valuable settlers, who fell a victim to the prevailing fever: — Mr. 
 Garrett Davis, whose name you will see on the map of the west 
 bounds of the Tonawanda Reservation, the place of his residence. 
 He has left a wife and two children who will long feel his loss. 
 Since the cold weather has set in the settlers are regaining their 
 health, and I hope another season will be sufficiently healthy to 
 enable me to report more favorably of the salubrity of this part of 
 the Purchase." 
 
 Extract of another letter from the same to the same, dated Pine 
 Grove, Dec. 4th, 1801:— 
 
 "I have made no actual sales this fall where the stipulated 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 451 
 
 advance has been paid. I begin to be strongly of the opinion you 
 always expressed to me, (but which, I must confess I rather 
 doubted) that few purchasers will come forward and pay cash for 
 lands in a new country. 
 
 The saw mill I have been erecting at Batavia, which has cost a 
 deal of labor, not being a natural seat, but a place where a conveni- 
 ence of this kind is absolutely necessary, will, the mill-wright infoi-ms 
 me, be in motion by the 10th instant, at which period we expect 
 to begin to make ourselves and the settlers comfortable with 
 floors, &c. which will be a great acquisition to our present situation." 
 
 Then follows a long correspondence, or a long series of letters 
 from Mr. Ellicott to Mr. Busti, proposing some general principles 
 of land sales and settlements; and in reference to taxes, the asses- 
 sors of Ontario county, having as he thought begun taxation of the 
 Holland Company lands pretty promptly. In a letter dated at 
 "Ransom's Grove," Feb. 14th, he informs Mr. Busti that many 
 settlers are preparing to commence their establishments as soon as 
 the spring opens. He says: — "My present situation, (although the 
 accommodations are as good as could be expected,) is gloomy for 
 the want of society; our nearest neighbors being eighteen miles 
 distant." In the same letter he announces that "Mr. Walthers had 
 sold his possessions and fled the country. It is said, has gone down 
 the Mississippi to the Spanish Settlements." 
 
 About this period a venerable relative of Mr. Ellicott in Mary- 
 land, expresses his concern for him in his wilderness home, as 
 follows : — 
 
 " I observe thou says thou art living without society, that thy 
 nearest neighbor is ten miles. Pray can a person be justifiable in 
 spending the few years he has to live in a way that is not the most 
 agreeable to him? Think on this and retire from that toilsome life 
 thou hast pursued so many years, and enjoy thy few remaining 
 years to the fullest extent." 
 
 In a letter from Mr. Ellicott to his brother Benjamin, dated in 
 March, 1801, and directed to him at Davis' Hotel, he mentions 
 that White Seneca is looking out a place for the Buffalo road south 
 of the Reservation; and approves of his brother's selection of the 
 site for the offices "at the Bend," and his general plan of the town 
 plat he is surveying there. 
 
 In a letter to Mr. Busti, dated at "Ransom's, West Genesee," 
 August, 1801, Mr. ElUcott states that his quarters had been vis- 
 ited bv the Hon. .Jonathan Mason, U. S. Senator from IMassachu- 
 
452 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 setts, on his way to the Falls. In the same letter he complains that 
 the inhabitants of the town of Northampton off from the Purchase 
 are disposed to tax the company exorbitantly, for roads, bridges, &c. 
 laving out the money beyond the bounds of the Purchase. The 
 evil he thinks will be remedied when that part of the town which 
 embraces the Purchase gets enough inhabitants to insure a fair 
 division of the town ofRces; and ultimately, when a separate town 
 can be organized. To hasten these events, he states that he is 
 encouraging settlement, by waiving the requirement of advance pay- 
 ments for land, when he can secure a settler. He complains that 
 the county of Ontario have built " an elegant and commodious 
 brick jail, such an one that few of the old counties of Pennsylvania 
 can boast;" with the intention of making the Holland Company, 
 foot a large portion of the expense. In this letter he informs Mr. 
 Busti that many of the settlers are "greviously afflicted with the 
 fever and ague." 
 
 In a letter to Mr. Busti, dated May 30th, Mr. EUicott describes 
 the selection he had made at the '* Bend of the Tonewanta" for his 
 head quarters; the reasons generally for the location; the principal 
 one being the intersection of roads at that point. He informs him 
 that one lot was sold, and one house built, in his new town, that he 
 had concluded to call the place " Bustia," or " Bustiville."* He 
 also informs him that land sales were going on encouragingly; that 
 in one place, along the " Great Road," in the space of ten miles, 
 there are " thirteen new improvements," and he confidently expects 
 that before the close of winter, " more than half of the road will 
 be settled." He congratulated Mr. Busti, upon the in-coming of 
 the new administration, (Mr. Jefferson's,) and construes the ad- 
 vent of Gen. Wilkenson as an earnest that some attention would 
 be paid to this frontier. 
 
 Dr. Cyrenus Chapin first visited the Purchase in the fall of 1801. 
 In November of that year, he addressed a letter to Mr. Ellicott 
 dated at Sangerfield, Oneida county. He wishes to take a lot in |! 
 New Amsterdam, about which he had held some conversation vvdth ^ 
 Mr. Ellicott; and this matter disposed of, he is ambitious to con- 
 
 * The honor was promptly declined. Mr. Busti objected to it from an indisposition 
 to be made thus conspicuous in the new country; and besides the name was not enpho- 
 nious; it conveyed lo the mind something "ferocious." Mr. Ellicott promptly aban- 
 doned the nrime, but he vcn,- courteously informs Mr. Busti, that he thinks it no more { 
 " ferocious" than " Oldenbarneveldt." The name, Batavia, was substituted; it was | 
 of the Republic to which the Dutch proprietors belonged. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 453 
 
 tract for what would now be considered a pretty large estate. 
 His proposition, if it had been acceded to, would have made him 
 and his friends the patroons of the city of the lakes: — 
 
 " And further I would petition you for a township of land there 
 at the Buliiilo — the one that will take in the town, for since my 
 return a number of my friends have solicited me to {)etition you 
 for a township, and for that purpose forty respectable citizens that 
 are men of good ])roperty, have signed articles of agreement to 
 take a townshij), if it can be purchased; and we will pay the ten 
 per cent, when we receive the article." 
 
 The proposition was as a matter of courtesy forwarded to the 
 general agent. In a few weeks Mr. Ellicott informed Dr. Chapin 
 that the answer did not favor his application. 
 
 The commissioning of the first Justices of the Peace upon the 
 Holland Purchase, is announced in a letter from Dewitt Clinton, 
 (then private secretary to his uncle. Gov. George Chnton,) to Mr. 
 Ellicott, dated, Dec. 1801:— 
 
 "Asa Ransom and William Rumsey were this day appointed 
 I Justices of the Peace for Ontario county, on your recommendation. 
 [ Sickness prevented my attendance in October, which was the 
 j reason of the delay of the appointment. Their commission will, 
 
 according to the regular routine, be transmitted to the Clerk of 
 
 the county." 
 
 June 19th, 1801. Mr. Ellicott being absent from "Pine Grove," 
 : Mr. Ransom writes to him as follows: — 
 
 ' " We are happy to inform you that IMrs. Ransom has become 
 the mother of a fine boy, and is in comfortable circumstances. 
 We shall be ready to wait on you whenever you think proper to 
 return." 
 
 The " fine boy," is now Col. Harry B. Ransom, of Clarence. 
 He is the first born upon the Holland Purchase.* 
 
 Asa and Elias Ransom, were from Birkshire, Massachusetts. 
 
 The early resident at Pine Grove, was a silver smith; his first 
 
 1 location was at Geneva, engaged in the manufacture of trinkets for 
 
 the Indians. From thence he removed to Buffalo and engaged in 
 
 the same business, and from thence to Pine Grove. He died in 
 
 * A sister, Mrs. Merrill, (wife of Frederick B. Memll, Esq. of Cheektowaga,) was 
 born in Buffalo, previous to the removal of the family to Pine Grove. Her birth was 
 before the settlement of Holland Purchase commenced. She was undoubtedly the 
 first white child born in all this region, outside the walls of Fort Niagara. 
 
454 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 1837, aged seventy years. His brother Elias, whose early advent 
 is noticed, in connection with some reminiscences of Gen. Hopkins; 
 and who as it will be seen, was an early settler at Buffalo, died 
 seven or eight years since, aged nearly 80 years. He was the 
 father of Elias Ransom, Esq. of Lockport; of Mrs. Street, of 
 Chippewa, and Mrs. Kirby, of Waterloo. 
 
 The following letter from the early tavern-keeper at Buffalo, to 
 Mr. Ellicott, indicates the first movement ever made there in 
 reference to a school. The request was granted: — 
 
 "Buffalo, 11th Aug'st. 1801. 
 
 Sir, — The inhabitants of this place, would take it as a particular favor if you would 
 grant them the liberty of raising a school house on a lot in any part of the town, as the 
 New York Missionary society have been so good as to furnish them with a school 
 master, clear of any expense, excepting boarding and finding him a school house; if 
 you will be so good as to grant them that favor which they will take as a particular 
 mark of esteem. By the request of the inhabitants. 
 
 I am yours, &c. 
 Jo. Ellicott, Esq. JAS. R. PALMER. 
 
 N. B. — Your answer to this, would be very acceptable, as they have the timber ready 
 to hew out." 
 
 The following list embraces the names of all the settlers upon 
 the Holland Purchase from the commencement of land sales, up to 
 Jan. 1st, 1807. They are in the order in which the contracts were 
 taken in each year; their locations designated by Townships and 
 Rancres. The reader who is curious to see in what directions set- 
 tlement progressed after the commencement of it along the Buffalo 
 road, will only have to become familiar with the plan of survey of 
 the Holland Purchase — the location of Townships and Ranges, 
 with reference to the present territories of towns and counties: — 
 
 1801. 
 
 Batavia Village. T. 12, R. 1. T. 12, R. 1. 
 
 Abel Rowe, William Blackinan, Jesee Rumsey, 
 
 Stephen Russell, Hiram Blackman, John Dewey, 
 
 David McCracken. William Muno'er Zenas Bigelow. 
 
 Township 12, Range 1. Eleazer Cantlmg, T. 12, R. 2. 
 
 Worthy L. Churchill, Nathaniel Walker, Gideon Dunham, 
 
 William Rumsey, John A. Thompson, Isaac Sutherland, 
 
 Daniel Curtis, Peter Stage, Samuel F. Geer, 
 
 Note. — In this list the names of settlers upon Hoops' tract at Glean, Phelps and 
 Chipman's purchase in Sheldon, and Loomis' purchase in Bennington, are not included. 
 The settlements of those tracts will be noted separutely. [ETMuch pains has been taken 
 to include in the list, the names of all settlers, during the years 1801, '2, '3, '4, '5, and 
 '6, but still there may be some names omitted of those who were actual settlers daring 
 the period; and there may be names of those who took contracts and never became 
 settlers; though the instances are but few iu either case. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 
 
 455 
 
 T. 12, R. 2. 
 Peter Lewis, 
 ^'John Forsyth, 
 John Lamberton, 
 Russel Noble. 
 
 T. 12, R. 5, 
 Orlando Hopkins, 
 Otis Ingalls, 
 David Cully, 
 Peter Vauderventer. 
 
 Batavia Village. 
 Charles Cooley, 
 James McKain, 
 Elisha Gettings, 
 Joseph AIvomI, 
 Zeraii Piielps, 
 ""Elijah Tillotson, 
 James W. Stevens, 
 Hezekiah Rhoads, 
 Rufus Hart, 
 Israel M. Dewey 
 James Brisbane, 
 William Wood, 
 Major Nobles, 
 Russell Crane, 
 Oswald Williams, 
 Rowlcn Town, 
 Silas Chapin, 
 Ebenezor, Cary, 
 Paul Hinkley," 
 Timothy Washburn, *^ 
 Moses Hayse, 
 James Holden, 
 Elijah Spencer, 
 
 Batatia Village. 
 John S. Leonard, 
 James Clement, 
 Jeremiah Cutler, 
 Elisha Mann. 
 
 T. 5, R. 1. 
 Job Phillips, 
 Nehemiah Sayer, 
 David Sanford, 
 Ezra Sanford, 
 Stephen Van Demark, 
 Samuel Lamb, 
 Zibcr Ruff. 
 
 T. 9, R. 1. 
 Elizur Webster, 
 Josiah Hovey, 
 Nehemiah Fargo, 
 Samuel Chamberlin, 
 Gideon R. Trucsdell. 
 
 T. 10, R. 1. 
 Samuell Ewell, 
 John Hill, 
 
 T. 13, R. 2. 
 Aaron White, 
 Peter Rice. 
 
 T. 12, R. 6. 
 Asa Chapman, 
 ChristD[)her Saddler, 
 Levi Fehon, 
 Abraham Shope, 
 John Haines, 
 John Gardner, 
 
 1802. 
 
 Batavia Village. 
 Benjamin Russell, 
 Paul Hill, 
 Peter Powers, 
 Silas Chapin, 
 Daniel Curtis, 
 Libbeus Fish, 
 Henr}' Wilder, 
 Jessee Hurlbut. 
 
 T 10, R. 1. 
 Enos Selleck, 
 Jabez Warren, 
 Sterling Stearns, 
 Thomas Cahoon, 
 James Fay. 
 
 T. 11, R. 2. 
 Lewis Disbrow. 
 
 T. 12, R. 1. 
 Elisha Adams, ' 
 Roswell Graham. 
 
 T. 10, R. 2 
 Benjamin Porter, 
 Stephen Crow, 
 
 1 803. 
 
 T. 10, R. 1. 
 
 Frederick Gilbert, 
 Reuben Chamberlin, 
 Elijah Cutting, 
 David Torrey, 
 Job Cowen, 
 John Roberts, 
 Zophar Evans, 
 Daniel Vanorman, 
 Jonathan Curtis, 
 Samuel Toles. 
 
 T. 11, R. 1. 
 John Torrey, 
 Charles Culver, 
 Abner Ashley, 
 Elisha Wallace, 
 David Hall, 
 Svlvester Lincoln, 
 M. Scott, 
 Nathaniel Pinney, 
 Orsamus Kcllog, 
 George Lathrop, 
 Solomon Kingslej', 
 
 T. 12, R. 6. 
 Frederick Buck, 
 John Warren, 
 Timothy Hopkins, 
 Joseph Roades, 
 Wm. Updegraff, 
 Timothv Janes. 
 
 T. 10, R. 2. / 
 Nathaniel Sprout, Jr., 
 Natiianiel Sprout. 
 
 T. 11, R. 2. 
 Alexander Rea, 
 John Olney, 
 George Darrow. 
 
 T. 12, R. 2. 
 Samuel F. Geer, 
 Benjamin Morgan. 
 
 T. 13, R. 2. 
 Daniel Ayer, 
 Job Babcock. 
 
 T. 12, R. 5. 
 Samuel Hill, 
 Samuel Miles, 
 John Hill. 
 
 T. 12, R. 6. 
 
 Thomas Stancliff. 
 
 T. 14, R. 6. 
 John Dake, 
 Jedediah Darliu"-. 
 
 T. 11, R. 1. 
 
 Jedediah Riggs, 
 Horace Shepherd, 
 John Dewey, 
 Lyman D. Prindle, 
 Samuel Prindle, 
 Oliver Fletcher. 
 
 T. 12, R, 1. 
 Lewis Disbrow, 
 Ebenezer Eggleston, 
 Peter Powers, 
 Enos Kellog, 
 Charles Culver, 
 John Henry, 
 Moses Dimmick, 
 Robert Bern,-, 
 Stephen Wickham, 
 Lemuel T. Pringle. 
 James Guttridge, 
 James Fuller, 
 John Berr}% 
 John Spencer, 
 Burgess Squire, 
 
456 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 T. 12, R. 1. 
 
 Moody Stone, 
 Asa Osborne, 
 Elisha A. Eades, 
 Parley Fairbanks. 
 
 T. 13, R. 1. 
 
 Archileus Whitten, 
 David Kingsley, 
 Thomas Parker. 
 
 T. 9, R. 2. 
 L. Nathan Finch, 
 James Sayres, 
 John Place, 
 Joseph Ethridge, 
 Christopher Sly, 
 Benjamin Sly. 
 Benjamin Spencer. 
 
 T. 10 R. 2. 
 Parmenio Adams, 
 Isaac Townsend. 
 
 T. 11, R. 2. 
 Ezekiel Churchill, 
 George Darrow, 
 Elijah Root, 
 Joseph Fellows, 
 Miles Wilkinson, 
 Benedict Ames. 
 
 T. 12, R. 2. 
 Peleg Douglass, 
 Alanson Gunn, 
 Benjamin Tainter, 
 Henry Lake, 
 John Lamberton, 
 Hugh Henrj-, 
 Amos Lamberton, 
 Joshua Sutherland, 
 William Pierce, 
 Elisha Cox, 
 David Bowen, 
 Abraham Starks, 
 William Lucus. 
 
 T. 13, R. 2. 
 Hiram Smith, 
 Silas Pratt, 
 William McGrath, 
 George Lathrop, 
 Darius Ayer, 
 Philips Adkins, 
 Lemuel L. Clark, 
 James Robinson, 
 
 T. 16, R. 2. 
 
 John Farrin, 
 James De Graw, 
 Cornelius De Graw, 
 James Walworth, 
 Elijah Brown, 
 John G. Brown, 
 James McKenny, 
 Elisha Hunt, 
 James Dunham, 
 David Mussleman, 
 
 T. 16, R. 2. 
 Samuel Utter, 
 Ray Marsh, 
 Henry Z. Lovell,- — . 
 John Parrneter, 
 William Carter, 
 Martin Griffin, 
 Stephen Hoyt, 
 Eli Griffiith, 
 William Griffiths. 
 
 T. 10, R. 3. 
 Nathan Tolls, 
 Gilbert Wright. 
 
 T. 12, R. 3. 
 
 Jesses Tainter, 
 Abiier Lamberton, 
 Micajah Brooks. 
 
 T. 12, R. 5. 
 
 Gilbert Yeomans, 
 Charles Barney, 
 Aaron Beard, 
 William Chapin, 
 Asahel Powers, 
 Samuel Hill, 
 Jacob Durham, 
 Robert Durham, 
 Benjamin Smith. 
 Samuel Eslell. 
 
 ^ T. 14, R. 5. 
 Gad Warner, 
 Lemucll Ashley, 
 Henry Elsworth, 
 David JMunii, 
 John Caldwell. 
 
 T. 1;-), R. 5. 
 John Morrison, 
 Ainason Da) ling, 
 James Davidson, 
 John Dunn. 
 
 T. 11, R. G. 
 
 Alanson Egleston, 
 
 William Shtldon, 
 
 Amos Woodward. 
 
 T. 12, R. 6. 
 
 Andrew Durmat, 
 
 Thomas Cahoon, 
 
 Jacob Baum, 
 
 George Shumer, 
 
 Zera Ensign, 
 
 Jacob Shope, 
 
 Richard Coffin, 
 
 Dennis McNay, 
 
 Thomas APClintock. 
 T. 14, R. 6. 
 
 Michaga Howe, ' 
 
 Daniel Bachelder, 
 
 John Pickard, 
 
 Major Slayton, 
 
 Henry Swartz, 
 
 John Brewer, 
 
 Israel Owen, 
 
 T. 14, R. 6. 
 Nathan Powers, 
 Dennis Mackey, 
 Ransford White, 
 Stephen Hoyt, 
 James Dunn, 
 Thomas Slayton. 
 
 T. 8, R. 7. 
 Charles Johnson, 
 Oliver Johnson, 
 Benjamin Vanorman, 
 George Heacocks, 
 James Clemiuous, 
 Bedford Hecocks, 
 Samuel Eaton, 
 Cyrus Hopkins. .\- 1< 
 T. 12, Ji. 
 
 Henry Lake, 
 
 Samuel Kelso, 
 
 Benjamin Gardner, 
 
 Perez Brown, 
 
 Abijah Hewit, 
 
 William Lewis, 
 
 John Sample, 
 
 Ezekiel Lane. 
 
 T. 14, R. 7. 
 
 William Hov,-ell, 
 
 Isaac Tyler. 
 
 T. 11,R. 8. 
 
 Elijali Rowan, 
 James S. Young, 
 Stephen Welton, 
 Zadock Butler, 
 Jonathan Burnett, 
 Matthias Clute, 
 Joseph Wells, 
 Richard Munn, 
 Abram Round, 
 Thomas Fourth, 
 yVbraham Bemer, 
 Nathaniel Titus, 
 William Keeler. 
 
 T. 14, R. 8. 
 Philip Beach, 
 John O. Prentice, 
 Chapman Hawley, 
 Adam Strouse, 
 Eli Harris, 
 Jessee Beach. 
 
 T. 14, R. 9. 
 
 John Beach, 
 Lemuel Cook, 
 David Thompson, 
 Samuel Taylor, 
 John Gould, 
 Solomon Gillett. 
 
 T. 15, R. 9. 
 
 Elijah Doty, 
 John Waterhouse, 
 Silas Hopkins, 
 Peter Hopkins, 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 
 
 457 
 
 T. 15, R. 9. 
 
 Obadiah Hopkins, 
 Coonrod Zittle, 
 Ephraim Hopkins, 
 
 Buffalo. 
 
 William Robbins, 
 Henry Chapin, 
 Sylvanus Maybee, 
 Asa Ransom, 
 —-Thomas Stewart, 
 Samuel Pratt, 
 William Johnson, 
 John Crow, 
 Joseph Landon, 
 Erastus Granger, 
 Jonas Williams, 
 Robert Kain, 
 Vincent Grant, 
 Louis Lo Couteulx. 
 
 Irving. 
 John Mack, 
 Chzirles Avery. 
 
 (T. 4, R. 1. 
 Benjamin Chamberlin, 
 Calvin T. Chamberlin, 
 Jedidiaii Nobles, 
 Elisha Chamberlin, 
 William Pinkerton, 
 Marvin Harding, 
 Isaac Sanford, 
 Abraham D. Hendern. 
 
 T. 9, R. 1. 
 William Knapp, 
 Jonas Cutting, 
 Elijah Cutting, 
 Josiah Boardman, 
 Shubael Morris, 
 Josiah Hovey, Sen., 
 Josiah Hewitt, 
 Josiah Jewitt, 
 Lyman Morris. 
 
 T. 10, R. 1. 
 Abner Bacon, 
 Amzi Wright, 
 Asahel Wright, 
 /' Reuben Chamberlin, 
 Gideon Bardock, 
 Samuel Ewell, 
 Jonathan Whitney, 
 Reuben Hall, 
 Elihu Hall, 
 Edmund Curtis, 
 Samuel Olcutt, 
 Henry Ewell. 
 
 T. 11, R. 1. 
 Peter Adley, 
 Isaac Wright, 
 Elijah Bristol, 
 Israel Shearer, 
 
 T. 15, R. 9. 
 John Clemons, 
 Robert Bigger, 
 James "Benedict, 
 
 1 804. 
 
 T. 11, R. 1. 
 Alanson Jones, 
 Joseph Hawks, 
 Joel S. Wilkinson, 
 Peleg Douglass, 
 Isaac R. Wright, 
 Elisha Giddings, 
 John Smith, 
 Abner Ashley, 
 Charles Culver, 
 William Coggshall, 
 William B. Coggshall, 
 John Halstate, 
 John Grimes, 
 James Cowdry, 
 John Roberts, 
 David Tyrrill. 
 
 T. 12, R. 1. 
 Nathaniel Walker, 
 Pardon Starks, 
 Zenos Keyes, 
 Benjamin Caiy, 
 Alfred Lincoln, 
 Horace Jerome, 
 Nathan Miner. 
 
 T. 13, R. 1. 
 John S. Sprague, 
 Nathaniel Johnson. 
 
 T. 16, R. 1. 
 Nathan Wilson, 
 Halley Foster, 
 James Walworth. 
 
 T. 9, R. 2. 
 Solomon West, 
 John Ames. 
 
 T. 10, R. 2. 
 John Smith, 
 John Richardson, 
 Stewart Gardner, 
 Daniel Gardner, 
 Daniel Burbank, 
 Nathaniel Sprout, Jr., 
 Eli Hays, 
 Daniel White, 
 Zadock Williams, 
 Zadock Whipple. 
 
 T. 11, R. 2. 
 Elijah Root, 
 Samuel Russell, 
 Benham Preston, 
 Elisha Carver, 
 Elias Lee, 
 Jessee Hawkins, 
 Solomon Blodgett, 
 Rufus Blodgett, 
 
 T. 15, R. 9. 
 William McBride, 
 
 T. 11, R. 2. 
 John Lee, 
 Ezekiel T. Lewis, 
 Elijah Rowo. 
 
 T. 12, R. 2. 
 Elizur Messenger, 
 Isaac Smith, 
 Levi Davis, 
 Azor Marsh, 
 David Smith. 
 
 T. 13, R. 2. 
 Rufus Hastings, 
 Roraback Robinson, 
 Benjamin Chase, 
 Solomon Baker, 
 Samuel Jerome, Sen. 
 Samuel Jerome, Jr. 
 
 T. 16, R. 2. 
 Samuel M 'Kinney, 
 John Jason., 
 Henr\' Lovcwell, 
 William Carter, 
 Job Shipman, 
 Ephraim Waldo. 
 
 T. 10, R. 3. 
 William Webber, 
 John Jones, 
 Asa Jones, 
 Isaac A. Kerman, 
 Ebenezer Smith, 
 Almond C. Law, 
 Elial C. Spencer, 
 Joseph Browning, 
 Stephen Smith. 
 
 T. 12, R. 3. 
 David Goss. 
 
 T. 12, R. 4. 
 John Richardson, 
 Stephen B Tilden, 
 Jacob Farnham. 
 
 T. 13, R. 4. 
 James Walworth. 
 
 T. 9, R. 5. 
 Thomas Tracy, 
 Cornehus Annis. 
 
 T. 12, R. 5. 
 Robert Durham, 
 Silas Hill, 
 Tobias Cole. 
 John Felton, 
 Abraham Voak, 
 Stephen Tilden, Jr., 
 Charles Bennett, 
 Thomas Hill. 
 
458 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 T. 15, R. 5. 
 Daniel Brown, 
 John Palmeter. 
 
 T. 9, R. 6. 
 Joel Adams, 
 John Adams, 
 Daniel Hascall, 
 James Merriam, 
 Homy Godfrey, 
 Nathaniel Walker, 
 Walter Paine, 
 Reuben Hall, 
 Epaphroditus Nott, 
 Nathaniel Emerson, 
 Joseph Sears, 
 Humphrey Smith, 
 Peter Wells. 
 
 T. 11, R. 6. 
 Joseph Halks, 
 Silas Pierce, 
 Peter Pratt, 
 David Hamlin, 
 John Truman, 
 James Woodward, 
 Warren Hull, 
 Joseph Parmelee, 
 Matthew Wing, 
 Lawson Egberton, 
 
 T, 12, R. 6. 
 David Bailey, 
 Gideon Royce, 
 Riley Munger. 
 David Hamlin, 
 Daniel Robinson 
 Gardner Spooner, 
 Peter Pratt, 
 David Bailey, Jr. 
 Isaac Vanorman, 
 
 T. 14, R. 6. 
 
 Charles Wilber, 
 Isaac Clark, 
 
 T. 15, R. 6. 
 
 Jedediah Riggs, 
 Joshua Slaylon, 
 
 T. 8, R. 7. 
 Noah Smith, 
 Jesse Norton, 
 
 T. 9, R. 7. 
 Paul Sturdevant, 
 
 T. 9, R, 7. 
 Colton Fletcher, H. L. 
 
 Surveyor. 
 Ezekiel Smith, 
 Amos Colrin, 
 David Eddy, 
 
 T. 11, R. 7. 
 William Maltby, 
 
 T, 12, R. 7. 
 Joel Chamberhn, 
 John Wisner, 
 Harry White, 
 Abijah Hewett, 
 Abiel Gardner, 
 Jacob B. Vanatter, 
 Elisha Cox, 
 Samuel McConnell, 
 Joseph Draper, 
 Caleb Rogers, 
 Stephen Colvin, 
 Zebulon Ackk-y, 
 Isaac Underwood, 
 
 T. 14, R. 7. 
 John Fors}ih, 
 
 T. 9, R. 8. 
 Joel Harve}-, 
 Denniston Foster, 
 William C. Dudley 
 Nathaniel Titus. 
 
 T. 11, R. 8. 
 Joseph Hewitt, 
 Ira Allen, 
 John Starkey, 
 Samuel Joy, 
 Daniel Chapin, 
 John C. Staley, 
 John Farr, 
 Peter Getty, 
 Amasa T. Grant, 
 Edmund Raymond, 
 Joseph N. Rood, 
 Ezra Whipple, 
 John Aiken, 
 Rowland Cotton, 
 Nathan Perry, 
 Asa Chapman, 
 Christian Stalev. 
 
 T. 14, R. 8. 
 Co's. Joseph Howell, 
 Joash Taylor. 
 
 T. 13, R. 9. 
 Nicholas Whittinger. 
 
 T. 14, R. 9. 
 George Armisted, 
 Erasmus Enos, 
 James Powers, 
 Robert Moore, 
 Hugh Hewitt, 
 Amasa Stoughton, 
 Samuel Stoughton, 
 James Pue, 
 Benjamin Pomeroy, 
 Philip Beach, 
 Elias Rose, 
 Daniel Totten, 
 Henry Totten, 
 Parley Wallace, 
 Josiah Benjamin, 
 Joseph Taylor, 
 Asahel Ta}lor, 
 Asahel Sage. 
 
 T. 15, R. 9. 
 Ephraim Hopkins, 
 Samuel Hopkins, 
 Peter Hopkins, 
 John Freeman, 
 John Wilson. 
 
 T. 6, R. II. 
 Zenas Barker, 
 Francis Webber, 
 Hasadiah Stebbins, 
 William Webber, 
 Alanson Holmes, 
 Abner Holmes. 
 
 T. 2, R. 12. 
 William Bemus. 
 
 T. 6, R. 12. 
 Thomas McClintock, 
 Low Munnagan, 
 Benjamin Barrett, 
 Zatter Cushing. 
 
 T. 5, R. 13. 
 James Dunn. 
 
 T. 3, R. 15. 
 Alexander Cochran*, 
 Thomas Robinson. 
 
 Batavia Village. 
 
 William Ewing. 
 
 Buffalo. 
 Cyrenus Chapin, 
 Thomas Sidwell, 
 Nathaniel W. Seaver, 
 Isaac- Rhoads, 
 Samuel Tupper. 
 
 1805. 
 
 T. 5, R. 1. 
 
 Loring Francis. 
 
 T. 7, R. 1. 
 
 Peter Granger, 
 Isaac Granger, 
 Eli Griffith, 
 Philip Fuller. 
 
 T. 8, R. 1. 
 
 William Bristol, 
 Benjamin Morse, 
 Elnathan George, 
 James Cravath. 
 
 T. 9, R. 1. 
 
 Nehemiah Fargo, 
 Josiah Boardman, 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 
 
 459 
 
 T. 9, R. 1. 
 Daniel Bates, 
 Hezekiah Wakefield, 
 Giles Parker, 
 Lott Merchant. 
 
 T. 10, R. 1. 
 
 Elihu Hall, 
 James Hall, 
 David Tyrrill, 
 Israel M. Dowey, 
 George Harper, 
 William White, 
 Ward Davis, 
 Marshall Davis, 
 Samuel Bartle-tt, 
 James Ward, 
 Ephraim Cleveland, 
 Zira Dunbar, 
 Dudley Nichols, 
 David Morgan, 
 Walter Underwood, 
 Joel Strong, 
 John White, 
 Abraham Thomas, 
 Humphrey Gardner, 
 Edmund Curti-s, 
 Robert Wilson. 
 
 T. 11, R. 1. 
 
 Phineas Smith, 
 Harvey Prindle, 
 Cyrenus Glass, 
 William Williams, 
 David Anderson, 
 Solomon Lathrop, 
 Jonathan Bixby, 
 Jason Bixby, 
 Ezekiel Fox, 
 Philo Whitcomb, 
 John Greenough, 
 Gersham Orvis, 
 Heman Brown, 
 Nathaniel Brown, 
 Peter Putnam, 
 Patrick Alvord, 
 Alford Rose, 
 Richard Stiles, 
 John Chambers, 
 Thomas Halsted, 
 John Boynton, 
 Eli Perrv, 
 Abel Buell, 
 Joseph Bartlett, 
 David Morgan, 
 Asher Lamberton, 
 Israel Buell, 
 William Bannister, 
 Amasa Bobbins, 
 Jesse Cowdrj-, 
 Isaac Wilson, 
 Josiah Southard, 
 John Grimes. 
 
 T. 12, R. 1. 
 
 Asa Webster, 
 James Heacocks, 
 Oliver Sweatwell, 
 Asa Osborn, 
 Hiel Chapman, 
 Abel McKain, 
 Nathan Graham, 
 Joseph Bentley. 
 
 T. 13, R. 1. 
 
 Hiram Smith, 
 Col. Samuel Hall, 
 Horace Carr, 
 Benjamin Chase, 
 Elisha Kellogg, 
 Dudley Sawyer, 
 Samuel Cumings, 
 Nathan Minor, 
 Silas Torr>-, 
 Edmund Burgess. 
 
 T. 9, R. 2. 
 Seth Sherman, Jr. 
 Lemuel Chase, 
 Seth Sherwood, 
 Adiel Sherwood, 
 Eebenezer Tyrrill, 
 James Coates, 
 Samuel Wilson, 
 Enos Smith, 
 John Wilcox, 
 J-ames Duncan, 
 Gideon Sly, 
 Noah Wiliis, 
 Elisha Doty, 
 John Grovor. 
 
 T. 10, R. 2. 
 Lemuel Whaley, 
 Zadock Whipple, 
 Nehemiah Osborn, 
 Joseph Munger, 
 John Kean, 
 Francis Rogers, 
 Joel Bradner, 
 Dan Adams, 
 Elihu Beckwith, 
 Elijah Rice, 
 Joseph Hopkins, 
 David Beckwith, 
 Benjamin Moulton, 
 Simeon Porter, 
 Luther Stanhope, 
 Stephen Crawford, 
 Orator I'lolcomb, 
 Benjamin Nelson, 
 Nathaniel Eastman, 
 Samuel Smith, 
 Nancy W'ood, 
 Thomas Whaley, 
 Patrick Alvord, 
 Levi Stanhope, 
 Joseph Munger, 
 John M. Coffin, 
 
 T. 10, R. 2. 
 
 Eliphalet Hodges, 
 Benjamin Powers, 
 Clark Burlingame. 
 
 T. 11, R. 2. 
 John M'Cormick, 
 Levi Harris, 
 William Prout, 
 Asa Buckley, 
 Ezra Blodgett, 
 Noah Brooks, 
 Asa Frost, 
 Nathaniel Eastman, 
 Thomas Lee, 
 Daniel Rawson, 
 David Rowland, 
 Elisha Fox, 
 Seth Landon, 
 Stephen Day, 
 Abijah Warren, 
 Samuel Reed, 
 Daniel Davis, 
 Manna Chase, 
 Amos Adams, 
 Joseph Gladden, 
 Joseph Cady, 
 John Olney, 
 Gurdon Williams, 
 Jonas Marsh, 
 Charles C. Jackson, 
 Elisha Sutton, 
 William Burton, 
 William King, 
 Isaac King, 
 Samual Benedict. 
 
 T. 12, R. 2. 
 Timothy Washburn, 
 Thomas Godfrey, 
 Reuben W. Wilder, 
 Rufus M'Cracken, 
 Azor Nash, 
 Lemuel L. Clark, 
 Joel Tvrrell, 
 Hugh Duffy-, 
 James Henr}% 
 Richard Godfrey, 
 John Algur, 
 John Herring, 
 Jonathan Wood, 
 Reuben Lamberton, 
 Amos Lamberton, 
 Paul Hill, 
 Silas Dibble, Jr. 
 
 T. 16, R. 2. 
 
 Paul Brown, 
 Job Johnson, 
 Ephraim Waldo, 
 David Miller, 
 Thaddeus Moore. 
 
 T. 10, R 3. 
 Peter Putnam, 
 William Adams, 
 
460 
 
 T. 10, R. 3. 
 
 Job Mattcson, 
 John Calkius, 
 William Hudson, 
 Bartholomew Armstrong, 
 Charles Armstrong, 
 Jonathan Wirton, 
 Jonas P. Tracy, 
 Samuel Rust, 
 Charles Imus, 
 John Culver, 
 Aaron Whitney, 
 Eleazer B. Stilhvell, 
 David Hand. 
 
 T. 11, R. 3. 
 Orange Carter, 
 Israel Doane, 
 Samuel Russell, 
 James Jones, 
 David Clark. 
 
 T. 4, R. 4. 
 Joseph McCluer, 
 John Kent, 
 John L. Irwin, 
 Solomon Curtis, 
 Henrj- Conrad, 
 Daniel Cortrecht. 
 
 T. 5, R. 4 
 Asaph Butler, 
 Jeremiah Burroughs, 
 John McCluer, 
 William Vinton, 
 -- Calvin Chamberlin, 
 Elijah Johnson. 
 
 T. 12, R. 4. 
 Francis B. Drake, 
 David Sarles, 
 Noah Pease, 
 Ephraim Pease. 
 
 T. 9, R. 5. 
 John Hunter, 
 Ezekiel Hall, 
 Solomon Hall, 
 Asa Hall, 
 Samuel Hays, 
 Mons Hays, 
 , Charles McKay, 
 William Alden, 
 Amos Clark, 
 William Hoyt, 
 John Rolph, 
 Peleg Witmore. 
 
 T. 12, R. 5, 
 John Beamer, 
 Eh Hammond, 
 Isaac Smith, 
 William Hill, 
 Mons Fountaine, 
 Salmon Sparling, 
 George Sparling, 
 Henry Russell, 
 John Henrj-. 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 T. 4, R. 5. 
 David McCluer, 
 John S. Warner, 
 Job Pixley, 
 Thomas Horton, 
 Willard Humphreys, 
 John Warner. 
 
 T. 13, R. 5. 
 John Henrj'. 
 
 T. 15, R. 5. 
 Oliver Castle. 
 
 T. 14, R. 2. 
 David Dunn, 
 Micajah Howe. 
 
 T. 9, R. 6. 
 Abel Adams, 
 Simeon Lackey, 
 Christoper Stone, 
 Luther Hibbard, 
 Timothy Paine, 
 Nathaniel Morey, 
 Amasa Lackey, 
 Asa Hall, 
 Humphrey Smith, 
 Calvin Field. 
 
 T. 11, R. 6. 
 John Barrow, 
 Jacob Mussleman, 
 William Rogers, 
 Dudley Norton, 
 John Redford. 
 
 T. 12, R. 6. 
 Edmund Thompson, 
 George Croup. 
 
 T. 14, R. 6. 
 Nathan Clark, 
 Reuben Lewis. 
 
 T. 15, R. 6. 
 
 Nathan Toles. 
 
 T. 16, R. 6. 
 William Gordon, 
 Rimmon Cohon, 
 Stephen Coltou, 
 Isaac B. Tyler, 
 Burgoyne Kemp, 
 Ira Potter, 
 William Wisner, 
 David Wisner, 
 Francis Albright. 
 
 T. 3, R. 7. 
 Stephen HazeUon, 
 John Ricard. 
 
 T. 8, R. 7. 
 Benjamin Whaley, 
 Jotham Bemus, 
 Thurston Waters, 
 Richard Can,', 
 Aaron Lindsley, 
 Jonathan Bump, 
 WiUiam Drake, 
 
 T. 8, R. 7. 
 Oliver Johnson, 
 Samuel Eaton. 
 
 T. 9, R. 7. 
 John Somers, 
 Thomas Carroll, 
 George Colvin, 
 Jotham Bemus, 
 Jonathan Emerson, 
 Benjamin Enos, 
 Henrj- Arnold, 
 Jacob Eddy, 
 Daniel Rooks, 
 Reuben Newton, 
 Asa Sprague, 
 Samuel Knapp, 
 Joseph Sheldon, 
 William Coltrin, 
 Henry Cole, 
 Thomas Walton, 
 Jonathan Fish, 
 John Garrison, 
 Stephen Kellogg, 
 Gilbert Palmer, 
 Oliver Curtis, ^_ 
 Abijah Nichols. 
 
 T. 11, R. 7. 
 
 James Harmon, 
 Horatio Kelsev. 
 
 T. 12," R. 7. 
 Alexander Logan, 
 John King, 
 John Hersey. 
 
 T. 14R. 7. 
 Isaac Trowbridge, 
 Garrett Stoughton. 
 
 T. 15, R. 7. 
 Moses Hutchins, 
 William Chambers, 
 John Armstrong, 
 Digby Small. 
 
 T. 9, R. 8. 
 Tyler Sacket, 
 Jacob Depue, 
 Russell Goodrich, 
 Rufus Belden, 
 Jabez Lewis, 
 John Reeves, 
 Abel Buck, 
 Ezekiel Chapman, 
 Gideon Dudley, 
 Nathaniel Titiis, 
 Samuel P. Hibbard, 
 King Root, 
 Winslow Perr}-. 
 
 T. 11, R. 8. 
 
 Leander Hamlin, 
 James Harris, 
 Abijah Hewitt, 
 Ransom Harmon, 
 Ezra Beebe, 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 
 
 4G1 
 
 T. 11, R. 8. 
 Samuel Beebe, - 
 William Desha, 
 Abel Beebe. 
 
 T. 12, R. 8. 
 Abial Walton. 
 
 T. 13, R. 8. 
 Benjamin L Kelso. 
 
 T. 14, R. 9. 
 Benjamin Dickson. 
 
 T. 8, R. 9. 
 Elijah Kenny. 
 
 T. 13, R. 9. 
 
 Zach arias Warren, 
 Dennis Morris, 
 Isaac Swain. 
 
 T. 14, R. 9. 
 Solomon Skinner, 
 Jacob Bragbiil, 
 Reuben Hurd, 
 Frederick Bragfwell, 
 Elias Bencliard, 
 Solomon Gould. 
 
 T. 15, R. 9. 
 William Coggswell, 
 Jonathan Jones, 
 Samuel Shelly. 
 
 T. 6, R. 10. 
 Jesse Skinner, 
 Johu Skinner, 
 John Tyler, 
 
 T. 6, R. 10. 
 David Marsh. 
 
 T. 5, R, II. 
 
 Abiram Orton. 
 
 T. 6, R. 11. 
 Jared Grisvvold, 
 Orsamus Holmes, 
 Thomas Phillips, 
 John Hollister, 
 William Gould, 
 William Waker, 
 Clark Cleveland, 
 Joseph Phillips, 
 Manassah Munn, 
 Simeon Austin, 
 Luke Coon, 
 Abner Holmes, 
 Thomas Stebbins, 
 Jonathan Webber. 
 
 T. 3, R. 12 
 William Bemus. 
 
 T. 5, R. 12. 
 "Edmund Barber, -»■ 
 Sanmel Davis, 
 Sanmel Perry, 
 Augustus Burnham. 
 
 T. 6, R. 12. 
 Benjamin Burnett, 
 Seth Roberts, 
 Amzi Rue, 
 Asa Hamlin. 
 
 T. G, R. 12. 
 Ambrose Dean, 
 Salah Seymour, 
 Joel Lee, 
 Richard Douglass, 
 Rufus Langdon, 
 Philip Osbom, 
 Seth Cole. 
 
 T. 3, R. 13. 
 
 Calvin ChfmberHn, 
 Elijah Bennett, 
 Alanson Waite, 
 Philo Sackett, 
 Joseph Thayer, Jr. 
 William Sackett, 
 Jonathan Smith, 
 Peter Barnhard, 
 Andrew Rogers, 
 John Cochran. 
 Elias Scofield, 
 William Webber. 
 
 T. 5, R. 13. 
 Thomas McClintock. 
 
 T. 3, R. 15, 
 
 Benjamin Avery, 
 Nathan Wisner, 
 Israel Warriner, 
 Ira Tracy, 
 Daniel Cornwell, 
 Samuel Harrison, 
 Israel Goodrich. 
 
 Buffalo. 
 Asa Chapman, 
 David Mather, 
 Daniel Lewis, 
 Oziel Smith, 
 John White, 
 Eleazer Plovey. 
 
 Irving. 
 Aaron Dolph, 
 William Tuttle, 
 Elijah Lane, 
 Henry Johnson. 
 
 Mattillz. 
 Judah Chamberlin, 
 Bartle Laffert, 
 Lawrence Cary. 
 
 T. 3, R. 1. 
 
 Simon Gates, 
 William Burnett, 
 James Green, 
 Seth Marvin, 
 William Higgins, 
 Levi Couch. 
 
 T. 6, R. 1. 
 
 Roger Mills, ■ 
 Frederick Mills, 
 
 1806. 
 
 T. 6, R. 1. 
 
 Elisha Mills, 
 Joshua SkifF, 
 Moses Robinson. 
 
 T. 7, R. 1 
 
 Azel Lyon, 
 Asahel Newcomb, 
 IVlicah Griffith, 
 Joshua Powers, 
 Alanson Landon, 
 Oliver Stacy, 
 Arunah Cooley, 
 Amos Bill, 
 Abner Bill, 
 Aaron Fuller, Jr. 
 Eli Griffith, Jr. 
 Thomas Warden, 
 Christopher Olin, 
 Thomas Dole, 
 Asahel Trowbridge, 
 Jchn Stewart, 
 Eli Stewart, 
 John Willard, 
 Alexander Axtell, 
 David Hoyt, 
 Roger Mills. 
 
 T. 8, R. 1. 
 
 Elijah Warner, 
 Barzilla Yeats, 
 Reuben Orvis, 
 Nehemiah Parks, 
 Isaac George, 
 Wheelock Wood, 
 Willard Thayer, 
 Ehenezer West, 
 Ithurial Flower, 
 Pearl Flower. 
 
 T. 9. R. 1. 
 Solomon Morris, 
 Shubael Morris, 
 Abijah Jacocks, 
 Daniel Ferguson, Jr. 
 Daniel Knapp, 
 Elkanah Day, 
 Peter W. Plarris, 
 Aaron Bailey, 
 Nathan Pierce, 
 Stephen James, 
 Dwight Nobles, 
 Stephen Perkins, 
 Joseph Palmer, 
 John Utter, Jr. 
 Ames Keeuey, 
 
462 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 T. 9, R. 1. 
 
 Gideon R. Truesdell, 
 Jeremiah Truesdell, 
 Isaac Jacocks, 
 Gideon Thayer, 
 Josiali Hovey, Jr. 
 Alexander Blowers. 
 
 T. 10, R. 1. 
 
 Willard Chaddock, 
 Solomon Prindle, 
 John Smith, 
 Eliphalet Owen, 
 David Thompson, 
 Jonathan Thompson, 
 Isaac Marsh, 
 Timothy Mallison, 
 David Foster, 
 Elisha Smith, 
 Joseph White, 
 Daniel Hoyt. 
 
 T. 11, R. 1. 
 
 Daniel W. Bannister, 
 Jerry Cowdry, 
 Thomas Starkweather, 
 Mons Goodrich, 
 Lewis Barney, 
 David Morgan, 
 Ebenezer Wilson, 
 David Filkin, 
 Peter Davidson, 
 Chester Davidson, 
 Franklin Putnam, 
 David Stewart, 
 Lyman D. Prindle, 
 Joseph Shcdd, 
 Henry Miller, 
 Orsamus' Kellogg, 
 Ebenezer Eggleston, 
 Henry Rumsey, 
 Elijah Bristol, 
 Elisha Andrews, 
 David Ingersoll, 
 Joseph Bartlott. 
 
 T. 12, R. 1. 
 
 Solomon Sylvester, 
 Daniel B. Brown, 
 Israel Graham, 
 Moses Norton, 
 Peter Putnam, 
 Amos Jones, 
 Alvah Jones, 
 Stephen Powell, 
 Webster Powers, 
 Robert Norton, 
 Benjamin Graham, 
 Joseph Savacool, 
 Henry Stringer, Jr„ 
 Samuel Ranger, 
 Peter Stage, 
 Garden Huntington, 
 John Gould. 
 
 T. 13, R. 1. 
 
 Joel Jerome, 
 James Mills, 
 Horace Jerome, 
 Aaron White, 
 Enos Kellogg, 
 Ephraim Wortman, 
 Benjamin Chase, 
 Sylvester Eldridge, 
 Silas Terry, 
 John Roraback. 
 
 T. 1, R. 2. 
 
 Thomas Lightfoot, 
 Thomas Smith, 
 John Watson. 
 
 T. 3, R. 2. 
 
 Benjamin Riggs, 
 Enos Silsby, 
 Andrew Hawley, 
 Stephen Coles, 
 George W. Higgins, 
 Levi Gregoiy, 
 Richard Fiiar, 
 James Haskins. 
 
 T. 4, R 2. 
 
 William Pinkerton, 
 Jonathan Dodge, 
 Samuel Crawford, 
 Alpheus Dodge, 
 Daniel Dodge, 
 Ebenezer Horton. 
 
 ^ T. 9, R. 2. 
 
 Aaron Kinsman, 
 Silas Beckwith, 
 Isaac Gardner, 
 Truman Lewis, 
 John Grover, 
 Stephen King, 
 Setli Sherwood, 
 Jacob Howe, 
 Reuben Morse, 
 Ahaz Allen, 
 Shubael Atkins, 
 Lyman Cody, 
 Levi Atkins. 
 
 T. 10, R. 2. 
 
 Jacob Wood, 
 Charles M. Imus, 
 John Grant, 
 Levi Nelson, 
 Dudley Nichols, 
 Joseph Chaffer, 
 Samuel Stanhope, 
 William Osborn, 
 Joseph Munger, 
 Jouas Osborn. 
 John Bailey, 
 Elihu Beckwith, 
 David Beckwith, 
 James Sprout, 
 Luther Stanhope, 
 
 T. 10, R. 2. 
 Noah Barker, 
 Joel Maxon. 
 
 T. 11. R.2, 
 
 Elijah Root, Jr. 
 Ezra Whipple, 
 John Humphrey, 
 James Clisby, 
 Jacob Thompson, 
 Amos Thompson, 
 George Harrick, 
 Joseph Carpenter, 
 David S. Clement, 
 William Wood, 
 James Clisby, 
 Jacob Thompson, 
 Noah Brooks, 
 Benjamin C. Goodrich, 
 Joel Munn, 
 Phineas Munn, 
 John W. Lawson, 
 Andrew McLean, 
 Ebenezer Seeley, 
 John Olney, 
 Joseph Van Debogart. 
 
 T. 12, R. 2. 
 
 Newcomb Godfrey, 
 Elijah Clark, 
 Richard Godfrey, 
 Wm. J. McCracken, 
 Edmund Badger, 
 William H. Bush, 
 Othniel Field, 
 James Post, 
 Caleb Blodgett, 
 Samuel Risey, 
 Elisha A. Eades, 
 Joshua Barrett, 
 Elisha Morehouse, 
 Thomas Godfrey, 
 Caleb Blodgett. 
 
 T. 13, R. 2. 
 
 Micajah Green, 
 Caleb Blodgett, Jr. 
 George Hogo, 
 Eldridge Buntley. 
 Nicholas Bently, 
 George Harper, 
 James Crossett, 
 John Harper, 
 David Woodworth, 
 David Clark, 
 William Parrish, 
 Ezra Thomas, 
 Caleb Blodgett. 
 
 T. 1, R. 3. 
 
 Jacob Swar, 
 John Young, 
 Asahel Atherton, 
 Rnfus Atherton, 
 William Atherton, 
 Daniel Edwards, 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 
 
 463 
 
 T. 1, R. 3, 
 Jolin Hoklrich, 
 Simeon Munsou, 
 Samuel Todd, 
 Richard Frayor, 
 Isaac Phelps, 
 Ira HigKi'is, 
 Daiiiol Church, 
 Daniel :\IcKay, 
 Reuben Clark, 
 James Green. 
 
 T. 4. R. 3 
 Robert Brooks, 
 Solomon Rawson, 
 David Markham, 
 William Markham, 
 Orrin Upson. 
 
 T. 11, R. 3. 
 Amos Jones, 
 Joseph Fellows, 
 Timo thy Fay , 
 llenfy Rumsey, 
 David Carter, 
 Elnathan Wilcox, 
 John Chamberlin;^' 
 Alexander Little, 
 Nahum Thompson, 
 Jonas Blodgett, 
 Isaac Chaddock, 
 John M'Collister, 
 Burnham Lyman, 
 Henry William, 
 David Clark, 
 John Churchill, Jr. 
 Reuben Nichols, 
 Joseph Peters, 
 Aaron Gale. 
 
 T. 19, R. 3. 
 Joseph Burlingham, 
 Silas Call, 
 Elial T. Spencer, 
 Gardner Godfrew, 
 HenPi- V. Champlin, 
 Joseph Flint, 
 Henry Clark. 
 
 T. 2, R. 4. 
 Asahel Beach, 
 
 T. 10, R. 4. 
 Chauncey Loomis, 
 Justin Loomis. 
 
 T. 12, R. 4. 
 John Richardson, 
 Jariel Scott, 
 Samuel Carr. 
 
 T. 5, R. 5. 
 
 Gabriel Larkin, 
 David Jenkins, 
 Pell Teed, 
 Ira Pratt, 
 Ebenezer Reed, 
 James Jeuniu<rs. 
 
 T. 9, R. 5. 
 
 Amos Clark, 
 Oliver Pattengell, 
 Enock Lewis, 
 LuTher Adams, 
 Asa Cook, 
 James Hampton, 
 Samuel Green, 
 Rufus Earl, 
 Stephen Kellogg, 
 James Caldwell, 
 Thomas Wortman, 
 Johnson Street, 
 Alexander McKay, 
 Phinohas Stephens, 
 Simeon McKay, 
 Martin Roar, 
 Abner Edwards. 
 
 T. 12, R. 5. 
 Aaron Beech, 
 James Cronk, 
 Elisha Geer, 
 Jonathan Fisk, 
 Joel Finch, 
 Israel Taylor. 
 
 T. 1.3, R. 5. 
 
 David Higgins. 
 
 T. 1, R. 6. 
 
 Rufus Jemison. 
 
 T. 9, R. 6 
 
 John Conant, 
 Solomon Hall, 
 Timothy Fuller, 
 Josiah Sumner, 
 Ira Paine, 
 Walter Paine, 
 James S. Henshaw, 
 James Hinds, 
 Legj Lew|s, 
 Josiah Gale, 
 Joseph Mallen,% 
 Oliver Pattengill, 
 David Pattengill, 
 Humphrey Smith. 
 
 T. 11, R. 6. 
 
 Stephen Morgan, 
 Eli Carcntt, 
 Thomas iMansfield, 
 Samuel Clark, 
 Arthur Miller, 
 Peter Pratt, 
 John W. Lawson, 
 Ezekiel Sheldon, 
 Luther Youngs, 
 John Lawson, 
 Jesse Hall, 
 Stephen Chatfield, 
 Joel Isbel, 
 John Dunbar, 
 Stiles Torrance. 
 
 T. 12, R. G. 
 
 Perkins Shay, 
 Asahel CauHeld, 
 David Nettle, 
 Levi Felton, 
 Edward Carney, 
 David Bailey, 
 John More, 
 Jonathan Bennet, 
 Henry Doney, 
 Justice Webster. 
 
 T. 14, R. 6. 
 
 Leander Hamlin. 
 
 T. 3, R. 7 . 
 
 Benjamin Joues, 
 Adam Johnson, 
 Barnabus Weekham, 
 Luther Stewart, 
 John Wainwright, 
 Alpheus Bascom, 
 William Gilmore. 
 
 T. 8, R. 7. 
 Benjamin Whaley, 
 Job Palmer, 
 Daniel Smith, 
 Jonathan Bump. 
 Zenus Smith, 
 Jacob Newkirk, 
 Aldridge Colvin, 
 . Samuel Beebe, 
 Calvin Doolittlff, 
 Elias Streeter, 
 Josiah Metcalf, 
 Joseph Yaw, 
 Terrill Algur. 
 
 T. 9, R. 7. 
 Richard Smith, 
 Zenus Smith, 
 Ezekiel Smith, 
 Josiah Gale, 
 Thomas Webb, 
 Nathan Peters, 
 Jacob Wright, 
 John Weaver, 
 Eliakim Bradley, 
 William Coltrin, 
 Nathan Clark, 
 Joseph Browning, 
 Almon C'. Lair, 
 William Halladay. 
 
 T. 11, R. 7. 
 
 Seth Canfield, 
 Enos A. Armstrong, 
 James Harris. 
 
 T. 12, R. 7. 
 Emanuel Winter, 
 Joseph Hayward, 
 Oliver Standard, 
 John Cunningham, 
 Josiah Guthrie, 
 Ebenezer Cone, 
 
464 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 T, 12, R. 7. 
 Thomas Hannan. 
 Joseph Hersey. 
 
 T. 14, R. 7. 
 John Griffith, 
 William Molyneux, 
 John Freeman, 
 Ephraim Waldo. 
 
 T. 8, R. 8. 
 Joseph Tubbs, 
 Stephen Baright, 
 Benjamin Tubbs, 
 Stephen Clifford, 
 Benjamin Hodges. 
 
 T. 9, R. 8. 
 
 Abner Amsdell, 
 Peter Pilky, 
 Joseph Barnhart, 
 Heman Newton, 
 Henry Cheny, 
 Frederick Lewis, 
 Anna Bell, 
 Sylvanus Rice, 
 Matthew Blair, 
 William Dean, 
 Daniel Smith, 
 Abel Buck. 
 
 T. 13, R. 7. 
 George VanSlyke, 
 Eli Bradley. 
 
 T. 11 R. 8. 
 
 Daniel Ross, 
 Joseph Wells, 
 Jasper Parrish, 
 John Lyon, 
 Gideon Mosher, 
 Samuel Haskell, 
 Daniel Curtis, 
 Marshall Smith, 
 Major Nobles, 
 John Semple, 
 Benjamin Hodges, 
 Addison Stewart, 
 Samuel Sturgeon, 
 
 T. 11, R. 8. 
 Eli Hunt, 
 Thomas Burger. 
 
 T. 14, R. 8. 
 Jonah Coolidge, 
 Joseph Howell, Sen. 
 Aaron Dennis, 
 Charles Richards, 
 Lewis Harris, 
 James Burley. 
 
 T. 13, R. 9. 
 Ezekiel Hill, 
 Benjamin Hopkins. 
 
 T. 14, R. 9. 
 Daniel Howell. 
 
 T. 15, R. 9. 
 Peter Ripson, 
 John Brown, 
 William McBride. 
 
 T. 6, R. 10. 
 
 Abner Cooley. 
 
 T. G, R. 11. 
 Ozias Hart, 
 Justus Hinman, 
 Thomas Stebbins, 
 John E. Howard, 
 John Cass, 
 John Prior. 
 
 T. 2, R. 12. 
 WilUam Bemus. 
 
 T. 5, R 
 
 Philo Orton, 
 Daniel Redfield, 
 Elisha Sattcrlee, 
 Philip Osborne, 
 Elijah Ripley, 
 David Cooley, Jr., 
 Reuben Edmunds. 
 
 12. 
 
 T. 6, R 
 
 Elisha Mann, 
 George Patterson, 
 Ephraim Pease, 
 Daniel S. Cole. 
 
 12, 
 
 T. 3, R. 13. 
 
 Isaac Young, 
 David Marshall, 
 Joseph Cowell, 
 James Prendergast, 
 Marlen Prendergast, 
 Jedediah Prendergast, 
 William Prendergast, Jr.. 
 Elizabeth Prendergast, 
 Susannah Whiteside, 
 Matthew Prendergat-t, 
 Philo Taylor, 
 Amos Huntington, 
 Paulus Pardee, 
 Reuben Ellis, 
 John Putua.jn, 
 Robert Tupper, 
 Jonathan Barnhart, 
 Asher Moore, 
 Uriah Scofield, 
 Ellas Scofield, 
 Jared Goodrich, 
 Peter Hogeboom, 
 James Brown, 
 Jonathan Cheeney, 
 Harry Ingersoll, 
 Henry Mott. 
 
 T. 5, R. 13. 
 
 James Dunn, 
 Nathan Fay, 
 Elisha Fay, 
 Peter Kain, 
 David Eaton. 
 
 T. 3, R. 15. 
 
 Daniel Cornwell, 
 William Monman, 
 Asa Spear, 
 Josiah Farnham, 
 William McBride, 
 John Ayers 
 Augustus Skinner, 
 Benjamin Hutchins, 
 Thomas Clump, 
 William Crossgrove. 
 
 The survey of the town plat of Batavia village having been 
 made in 1800 — or it having been designated as the future site of 
 the land office, and some lots platted — in 1801, the three persons 
 named in the list, took contracts for lots. Rowe was the first tav- 
 ern-keeper in Batavia; his location was nearly opposite the present 
 land office, but afterwards changed, Mr. Ellicott making his five 
 hundred acre reservation there. He became the founder of the 
 "Keyes' stand." Under the administration, first of Rowe, and 
 afterwards of Wm. Keyes, this stand was well known in all early 
 times. It was the home of the early settler, when he had busmcss 
 at the land office; about its yard used to be seen the huge covered 
 
HOLLAND PURCfL\SE. 465 
 
 wagons that transported goods from Albany to Buffalo, and in the 
 war of 1812 it was often the head quarters of the officers of the 
 army. It was the tavern of early days. How changed! "Eagles,"' 
 "Genesee Houses," and "Americans," overshadow it; the sign of a 
 worthy mechanic " H. Naramor," swings in front of the venerable 
 pioneer tavern. 
 
 Russell was the founder of the site of the present Genesee 
 House; was the next tavern-keeper after Rowe. His wife, the 
 early landlady, now ]Mrs. Gibbs, is with her husband, among the 
 Mormons, in the gold regions of California ! JM'Cracken was a 
 physician; the first upon the purchase; enjoyed for a long period 
 an extended practice; he died in Rochester a few years since. 
 Four or five of this name, brothers, were early settlers at Batavia. 
 The names of most of the settlers of 1801 are familiar to early 
 residents. They formed the nucleuses of early settlements; the 
 Buffalo road being at this ])eriod the only road, except Indian trails, 
 they were scattered along almost its entire length upon the Purchase. 
 Their log houses — their rude, imperfect accommodations, were lux- 
 uries in those primitive times; havens of rest and comfort for the 
 weary emigrant and his family, and the land explorer. 
 
 In the month of February, 1802, Mr. Ellicott employed John 
 
 Lambcrtorj and Mayo, to cut out the road through the 
 
 village of Batavia. About this period he informed Dudley Salton- 
 stall, Esq., that the Company were prepared to loan money to actual 
 settlers, " who would erect saw-mills, &c." 
 
 In the winter of 1802, Mr. Ellicott spent a considerable time in 
 Albany, " lobbying," as such visits to our state capital were after- 
 wards termed; his paramount business being the project of a new 
 county. This was consummated, but not without opposition. Mr. 
 James Wadsworth had a counter project. It contemplated the 
 erection of a county embracing all the territory west of a north 
 and south line, which would cross the main road about midway 
 between the Genesee river and Canandaigua; and the making of 
 Hartford (Avon) the county site. Mr. Ellicott attributed his suc- 
 cess to the absence of Mr. Wadsworth from Albany just at the time 
 the subject came up for a final decision. He concluded that if he 
 had been there, his " plausibility and address" would have occasioned 
 him much trouble; and especially as his proposed territory con- 
 tained enough inhabitants to immediately organize as a county. 
 
 In the month of Julv, 1802, an occurrence took place at New 
 
 80 
 
466 , HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Amsterdam, which was well calculated to create excitement and 
 alarm among the few scattered and defenceless inhabitants. The 
 inkeeper, Joseph Palmer, was sitting in the evening near his house, 
 in company with William Ward and Joseph Keeler. An Indian 
 from the Seneca village, approached them, and drawing a knife, 
 made an ineffectual attempt to stab Palmer. He then turned upon 
 Ward, and stabbed him in the neck. An alarm spread which soon 
 drew together the few white inhabitants. In the attempt to secure 
 the assassin, he stabbed John Hewitt in the breast, and in two other 
 parts of the body, killing him almost instantly. The Indian w^as 
 secured, and taken during the night to Fort Niagara, and lodged in 
 safe custody. The next day a band of forty or fifty warriors 
 appeared in the settlement, armed w^ith I'ifles, tomahawks, and 
 knives, threatening if the Indian was executed, they would put all 
 the white inhabitants to death. Finding where some of the blood 
 of the Indian had been spilled in securing him, the armed warriors 
 howled over it in a manner to create dismay and consternation 
 among the inhabitants, many of whom fled from the settlement. 
 
 The circumstance created additional alarm, from the facts, that 
 there was no personal provocation on the part of the three citizens 
 attacked, and the Indian was sober.* The inference drawai by the 
 defenceless inhabitants, w^as, that the attack was premeditated and 
 concerted, and was the preliminary step to a general war upon the 
 new settlers. Mingled with all this were jealousies that influences 
 in Canada were operating upon the Indians. 
 
 The few white inhabitants at New Amsterdam drew up and 
 signed a petition to Gov. George Clinton, soliciting his influence 
 with the general government to secui-e a small garrison of troops, at 
 the '' village of Buffalo creek, alias, New Amsterdam;" Mr. Ellicott 
 interesting himself zealously in the measure; surveyors and settlers 
 throughout the Purchase co-operating. The petition set forth that the 
 Seneca Indians had on other occasions manifested an unfriendly spirit. 
 
 The new county obtained, and the site of its pubhc buildings 
 determined upon, Mr. Ellicott soon gave his attention to the secur- 
 ing of a Post Office. ]\Ir. Seth Pease, one of his surveyors, was 
 a brother-in-law of ISIr. Granger, the then Post Master General. 
 Taking advantage of a visit he made to Washington, he secured 
 
 * The Indian was the one named in the biogjraphy of Alajor Barton. The friend who 
 furnished the data of that biograpihy to the author, was mistaken in supposing that the 
 murder occurred in a drunken frolic. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 467 
 
 his influence, and made him the bearer of an application. In his 
 letter to the Post Master General, he confesses that but little rev- 
 enue can be expecled from the proposed oflice, but he gives him an 
 elaborate description of the country, its condition, prospects; and 
 informs him that Avon is the nearest Post-office to the new county 
 site. The application was granted; Mr. James Brisbane being 
 appointed Post Master. 
 
 In 1802, Alexander Rhea and Lewis Disbrow, it will be observed, 
 took lands south of the Buffalo road. Mr. Rhea became the 
 founder of the village of Alexander; erected a saw-mill tliei-e in 
 1804; he was an early surveyor of the Company, from Pennsyl- 
 vania. His wife was a sister of Horatio and John H. Jones. 
 Although Mr. Rhea took the first contract of land there, William 
 Blackman was the pioneer settler of the town. He raised the first 
 corn and the first wheat. A child of his was the first born in the 
 town. Lewis Disbrow was the pioneer settler of Bethany. Rhea, 
 Blackman and Disbrow were the pioneers of all the Holland Pur- 
 chase south of the Buffalo road. The four settlers noted in T. 10, 
 R. 1, were, the same year, the pioneers farther south, in what is 
 now Middlebury. 
 
 Gideon Dunham, the pioneer who gave the name to the beautiful 
 ::rove on the Batavia and Lockport road, died a few years since, at 
 an advanced age. His son. Col. Shubael Dunham, died last fall, 
 after an illness of several years. He had been a member of the 
 State Legisture and a Presidential Elector. Previous to his decease 
 the author obtained from him some of his recollections of early 
 times. His father, it will be observed, was a settler in 1801. The 
 road was cut out from Batavia to the Openings in that year. The 
 road as first traveled was laid on the banks of the Tonawanda, to 
 a point near the western side of the farm of William H. Bush, 
 where it bore off passing through the back part of the farm of 
 Isaac Sutherland, coming out on the present Lewiston road on the 
 farm of Peter Lewis. Aaron White, who was a settler in 1801, 
 was a Captain of militia in the war of 1812, and was killed at the 
 battle of Black Rock on the morning Buffalo was butned. 
 
 Among the early settlers in Elba, was Patrick O'Fling. In 1813 
 the old gentleman, with three sons and a son-in-law, enlisted in the 
 army. At Fort George, in 1813, Gen. Dearborn had his attention 
 attracted by the soldier-like bearing of the old man, and asked him 
 where he had seen service. He replied, "in the Revolution, under 
 
468 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Captain Dearborn." A recognition followed, and Gen. Dearborn 
 took so much interest in the family of soldiers, that, through him, 
 two sons obtained commissions of Lieutenant in the army, and 
 another was admitted as a cadet at West Point.' One of the sons 
 was killed at the sortie of Fort Erie. 
 
 Col. Dunham said that in early years the speckled trout were 
 abundant in all the small streams in that region. In 1804, he went 
 with a party of the new settlers to attack a den of rattlesnakes at 
 the Falls of the Tonawanda. It was in the spring — the snakes lay 
 upon the rocks in coils, or bunches, as large in some instances as a 
 bushel basket; there w^ere hundreds of them. The party killed 
 them by scores; it seemed to thin them out; but few were observed 
 in that region afterwards. 
 
 For four or five years after settlement commenced, salt was 
 made at a salt spring on the Reservation. 
 
 And here in the reminiscences of this primitive period, occurs 
 the name of one who, if he did not follow as useful an employment 
 as the keeping of a house of public entertainment, made himself as 
 well known. Russell Noble ! At the bare mention of his name, 
 there are surviving Pioneers, who will be reminded of their 
 younger days, and their enjoyments; and, if there is ''music in 
 their souls," — as there was wont to be v.ith most of them, — they 
 will almost fancy they hear the notes of his old violin! A fiddler 
 was no obscure person in those early days; and Noble had no 
 competitor — for he was the pioneer fiddler; — he and his old violin 
 mark the advent of music upon the Holland Purchase. Compared 
 with his, 
 
 " Italian trills were tame." 
 
 In those primitive times, in sleigh, or (ox-sled) rides, at recreations 
 that followed log-house raisings, logging bees, road cuttings; at 
 Christmas and New Years frolics; far and wide, in the early sparse 
 settlements, — Noble and his fiddle, formed an accustomed and 
 necessary part. It was to be hoped that his reputation as a fiddler 
 would have remained unquestioned; but recently, a facetious gath- 
 erer up of reminiscences has ventured to slur it, by intimating that 
 he used to have no more " regard for time than he had for eternity^ 
 The old fiddler still lives; and it was only last winter, that he 
 was an occasional guest at the houses of surviving Pioneers — strip- 
 ping the same old green bag from the same old fiddle, and reminding 
 his auditors of early days. 
 
HOLLAx\D PURCHASE. 469 
 
 Captain Samuel F. Gccr, now of Medina, Orleans county, came 
 to Batavia as early as 1802. Mr. Ellicott had erected the saw mill 
 and got it in operation. Capt. Geer, assisted by Maj. Sutherland, 
 built the Court House at Batavia in 1802, and the grist mill in 1803. 
 Capt. Geer built a saw mill at Medina as early as 1805; and in the 
 same year, a building for the salt works, a mile and a half below 
 Medina. Mr. Ellicott rented the works, and they soon run down. 
 
 The author will here introduce some narratives of early settlers, 
 which will enable the reader to get a more distinct view of early 
 events — the commencement and progress of settlement — than 
 could be obtained in any other form. They consist chiefly of notes 
 taken by him in conversations with the early pioneers. 
 
 A surviving son of the pioneer Jedediah Darling, has given the 
 author some account of early times in Niagara. His father moved in 
 in August, 1803; and died but a few weeks after, while returning 
 from a visit to the land office; the sons were, therefore, principally 
 identified with pioneer settlement. The Darling family took the 
 first lands in all the region north of the Tonawanda Swamp, but 
 were not the first settlers at the Cold Springs. Adam Strousc, a 
 brother-in-law of the Howells, who had first lived at Lewiston, and 
 had made the first commencement at Howell's Creek, had erected 
 a shanty at the Cold Springs in the winter of 1802. The permis- 
 sion was granted at the instance of Stephen Bates, Esq., of 
 Canandaigua, the then mail contractor from Canandaigua to Fort 
 Niagara. In his application to Mr. Ellicott, Mr. Bates is desirous 
 that a fire should be kept there at least, that his mail carrier could 
 have some place to warm his fingers. 
 
 John Young settled on Oak Orchard road near Pine Hill, in 1804. 
 He took the first deed ever given by the Holland Conpany. From 
 his aged widow, now a resident of Batavia, with her son Brannan 
 Young, Esq., the author derived the following narrative: — 
 
 My husband having the year before been out and purchased his 
 land upon the Holland Purchase, in the fall of 1804, we started 
 from our home in Virginia on horseback, for our new location. We 
 came through Maryland, crossing the Susquehanna at Milton; thence 
 via Tioga Point, and the then usual route. 
 
 In crossing the Allegany mountains, night came upon us, the 
 horses became frightened by wild beasts and refused to proceed. 
 We wrapped ourselves in our cloaks and horse blankets, and at- 
 tempted to get some rest, but had a disturbed night of it. Panthei'S 
 came near us, often giving terrific screams; the frightened horses 
 
470 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 snorted and stamped upon the rocks. Taking an early start in the 
 morning, we soon came to a settler's liouse, and were inlbrmed that 
 we had stopped in a common resort of the panther. 
 
 Arriving at our destination, a family by the name of Clark, had 
 preceded us in the neighborhood. Myself and husband, and the 
 family named, were the first settlers on the Oak Orchard road, — 
 or in fact, north of Batavia. Mr. Clark was kind enough to give 
 us a shelter for a few days until my husband built a shanty. It 
 was about ten feet square, flat roofed, covered with split ash shin- 
 gles; the floor was made of the halves of split basswood; no chim- 
 ney; a blanket answered the purpose of a door for a while, until 
 my husband got time to make a door of split plank. We needed 
 no window; the light came in where the smoke went out. So much 
 for the shanty, and now for the furniture : — For chairs, we had 
 benches made by splitting logs, and setting the sections upon legs. 
 A bedstead was made by boring holes in the side of the shanty, 
 inserting pieces of timber, which rested upon two upright posts in 
 front; aside piece completing the structure; pealed basswood bark, 
 answering the place of a cord. We of course had brought no 
 bed with us on horseback, so one had to be procured. We bought 
 a cotton bag of Mr. Brisbane, and stuffing it with cat-tail, it was 
 far better than no bed. Buying a little iron ware, crockery, and a 
 few knives and forks, we were soon under way, house, or shanty 
 keeping. 
 
 We got our flour and meal the first year at Caledonia. The 
 second year we were in, I had an attack of the fever and ague, 
 which confined me for nearly a year. That year my husband 
 cleared four acres; besides taking care of me, and doing the cook- 
 ing. It was no uncommon thing, in the first years of settlement, 
 for women in child birth to bo deprived of the aid of a physician, 
 and often, the attendance of their own sex had to be dispensed with. 
 Mr. Young died in 1836. 
 
 The old lady is 75 years old; enjoying a contented old age, 
 cheerful, and even humorous in some of her descriptions of early 
 pioneer life. 
 
 Mrs. Anna Foster, wife of Eden Foster Esq. of Batavia, was 
 the daughter of Jonah Spencer, who was a resident upon the 
 Genesee river as early as 1791. She has given us an interesting 
 narrative of events in that region at an early period, the prelimi- 
 nary portion of which we are under the necessity of omitting. In 
 1796 she was the wife of Moody Stone, and resided at Palmyra 
 Wayne county: — 
 
 In the year 1796, I went with my husband to visit a brother-in- 
 law, (Zenas Bigelow, Jr.) west of the Genesee river. We went 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 471 
 
 by the way of Irondeqnoit; Dunbar kept a tavern there; forded the 
 Genesee river above the Fulls; there was but one house in 
 Roehestcr, and that was occupied by Col. Fish. I remember, 
 hearing my sister Mrs. Bigelow, say that she was present at the 
 mouth of the river when the first schooner was launched, in 1798. 
 
 In February, 1805, we settled upon a farm near Batavia. There 
 was then inhabitants enough to make an agreeable neighborhood; 
 [Here she enumerates the names of the settlers, most of which are 
 inserted in our preceding list.] We used to have ox-sled rides, 
 occasionally it would be out to uncle Gid Dunham's, where we used 
 to avail ourselves of the services of the left handed fiddler, Russel 
 Noble. Some of our earliest parties, were got up by first designa- 
 ting the log house of some settler, and each one contributing to the 
 entertainment; one would carry some flour, another some sugar, 
 another some eggs, another some butter, and so on; the aggregate 
 making up a rustic feast. These parties would alternate from 
 house to house. Frohcs in the evening, would uniformly attend 
 husking bees, raisings, quiltings, and pumpkin pearings. All were 
 r;ocial, friendly, obliging — there was little of aristocracy in those 
 primitive days. 
 
 The first general training west of the river was in 170G or '7, it 
 was north of Caledonia; Col. Atchinson was officer of the day; the 
 next was at Alexander, in 1808; Col. Rumsey officer of the day. 
 
 Wm. H. Bush, Esq. came from Bloomficld, Ontario county, and 
 settled upon the Tonawanda three miles and a half below Batavia, 
 at the place now called Bushville. His brief narrative well illus- 
 trates pioneer settlement and progress: 
 
 I moved my family from Bloomfield, in May, 1806. The 
 settlers on ButValo road, between my location and Batavia village, 
 were Isaac Sutherland, Levi Davis and Timothy Washburn. 
 Rufus M'Cracken. Daniel M'Cracken, Thomas Godfrey, Linus 
 Gunn, Henry Starks, Alanson Gunn, David Bowen, .John Lamber- 
 ton, lived on the road west. There was then less than one 
 hundred acres of land cleared on the Buffalo road in the distance 
 of six miles west of Batavia. 
 
 I built a log house, covered it with elm bark — could not spare 
 time to build a chimney; the floor was of slabs and hemlock 
 boards. I immediately commenced l)uilding a saw mill and had it 
 completed before the middle of October. That summer my wife 
 did the cooking for family and hired men by an out of door fire, 
 built up against stumps. The first winter, I attended my own 
 saw mill, working in it from day light to dark, cutting my fire wood 
 and foddering my stock by the light of a lantern. Before winter 
 set in, I had built a stick chimney, laid a better floor in my house, 
 plastered the cracks, and hired an acre of land cleared — just 
 
472 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 enough to prevent the trees falUng upon my house. When the 
 mill was built I had it paid for, but to accomplish it, I had sold 
 some pork and grain I had produced by working land upon shares 
 in Bloomfield — in fact, every thing but my scanty household 
 furniture. My saw mill proved a good investment, boards were 
 much in demand at seven dollars and fifty cents per thousand; 
 the new settlers stocked the mill with logs to be sawed on shares. 
 
 In 1808 I built a machine shop, a carding and cloth dressing 
 establishment. These were the first upon the Holland Purchase. 
 On the 10th of June of that year, I carded a sack of wool, the 
 first ever carded by a machine on the Holland Purchase. It 
 belonged to George Lathrop of Bethany. In February, 1-809, I 
 dressed a piece of full cloth for Theophilus Crocker, the first ever 
 dressed upon the Holland Purchase. There are on my books, 
 the names of customers, from as far south as Warsaw and Sheldon; 
 from the east, as far as Stafford; from the west, to the Niagara 
 river and lake Erie, including Chautaucjue county; from pretty 
 much all of the settled portion of the Holland Purchase. I carded 
 in the season of 1808, 3,029 lbs. of wool; the largest quantity for 
 any one man, was 70 lbs, the smallest, 4 lbs. The lots averaged 
 18 lbs. Allowing 3 lbs. to a sheep, the average number of sheep 
 then kept by the new settlers, would be six; though it is presumed 
 that the number was larger, as in those days, much of the wool 
 was carded by hand. 
 
 The machinists of the present day, may be glad to learn how 
 I procured my machinery. I bought my hand shears of the 
 Shakers at New Lebanon; my press plate at a furnace in Onon- 
 daga; my screw and box at Canaan, Conn.; my dye kettle, press 
 papers, &c. at Albany. My transportation bill, for these things, 
 was over two hundred dollars. 
 
 I built a grist mill in 1809; in 1817, a paper mill and distillery. 
 I manufactured the first ream of paper west of the Genesee river. 
 
 During all the period of my milling operations, I was clearing 
 up the farm where I now reside. Coming into the woods as I 
 have related, dependent almost wholly upon the labor of my hands, 
 in the first twenty years, success had so far attended my efforts, 
 that I had accumulated some fifteen or sixteen thousand dollars. 
 
 The early pioneer miller, carder, cloth dresser, distiller, paper 
 maker and farmer, is now in his 77th year, but little broken with 
 age — his frame erect, his step firm — his whole appearance hardly 
 indicating a life of early toil and hardships, such as is to be inferred 
 from his history. The pioneer wife and mother, who was his 
 helper in early years — she who patiently and courageously took 
 up her abode in the rude cabin in the dense forest — who well ful- 
 filled all the duties of life — died in 1842. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 473 
 
 The first settler in all the southern portion of Eric county, was 
 Joel Adams. He, in company with others, whose names will be 
 found under the year 1804, T. 9, R. 6, took up land in what is now 
 Aurora; in April of that year. Xone of them remained but 
 Adams; he put up a shanty, and lived alone the first summer; his 
 only neighbors, Joseph Sears and lloswell Turner, in Sheldon. In 
 the fall his family joined him. His sons were Enos, Ezekiel, 
 Luther and Erasmus. In the winter of 1805, the two oldest boys 
 brought a barrel of flour from Selleck's mill, at Attica, on a hand 
 sled. Their provisions, the first year, were mostly brought from 
 Genesee river, on their backs. The family raised a few crops in 
 1805, the first in that region. 
 
 The prominent pioneer settler in Aurora, was Jabez Warren. 
 He was, as will have been seen, a settler in Middlebury, in 1802; 
 the first settler there. He built a log house and made a small 
 improvement at what is now called Wright's Corners; raised crops 
 there in 1803, the first in thati'egion. In moving in; he cut his own 
 road from Le Roy to Middlebury. Sterling Stearns and his family 
 came in with him. Stearns was a revolutionary soldier — volunteered 
 in the war of 1812, and was killed at the battle of Queenston. 
 Joseph Sellcck, Frederick Gilbert, Israel M. Dewey, and Reuben 
 Chamberlin, settled in Middlebury within the same year. 
 
 Gen. William Warren, the son of the early pioneer, gives the 
 author the following reminiscences: — - 
 
 My father's family, and those who came with them, camped out, 
 while making their own road from Le Roy to Middlebury. 
 
 In 1803, I took up land and commenced an improvement, on the 
 little Tonawanda, where the Wilson's afterwards settled. Judge 
 Webster went to Warsaw, in 1803, and built a log house. 
 
 In 1804, my father sold out in Middlebury, came to the site of 
 the present village of Aurora, built a log house, and made a small 
 opening in the forest. His hired men got their bread baked at 
 R OS well Turner's in Sheldon. In March 1805, moved family in 
 from ^Middlebury, on ox sled. There came in with him, Henry 
 Godfrey, and Nathaniel Emerson. jNIy father had cut the road 
 from Transit line to lake Erie, for Holland Company, in 1804." Ho 
 had also opened a road from Attica, three miles west, and then 
 south, to Godfrey's hill. 
 
 NoTK. — Tabor Earl brought liis wife in 1804, and, it may be claimed, was a settler 
 cotemporary with old Mr. Adams. Ho, however, went down to Buffalo and wintered, 
 Mr. Adams being the only one that remained over the first year. Mrs. Earl was the 
 pioueer female of all that region. 
 
474 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 I sold out at Middicburv, and came here Avilh my family, in 
 1805. Our fust school was in 180(5 — kept by Mary Eddy, a sister 
 of David Eddy. In 1808 we erected a framed s(;hool house. I 
 opened the iirst tavern in Aurora, in a log house where upper 
 village now is. The first merchants in town, were Adams and 
 Hascall. The first birth in this region, was of a sister of mine, in 
 1805; first funeral, that of a daughter of Humphrey Smith. My 
 father raised the first wheat, and built the first frame house. 
 
 In 1800, Major Phincas Ste})hens came in, and bought of my 
 father the 200 acres of land, including the water power at the 
 lower village. In that year he built a saw mill, and a grist mill 
 in 1807; first south of Builalo road and west of Attica. Major 
 Stevens, in the war of 1812, organized a corps called 'Silver 
 Greys,' — volunteered under Smyth's proclamation, and died at 
 Buflalo of the then prevailing fever. 
 
 The author will arrest the narrative of the venerable pioneer 
 long enough to speak in brief terms, of a son of the early miller 
 and enterprising and valuable settler he has introduced. Who in 
 early days, did not know James Stevens? The wild, the eccentric, 
 the odd, the dare devil — and yet the kind good hearted — " Jim 
 Stevens.'' He was a wayward youth, and yet he was the general 
 favorite in back woods life; ever present at rustic frolics; where 
 there was fun, glee, hilarity, mischief, he was sure to be one of 
 them, and a pretty prominent one too. The boys of the early 
 pioneers generally had to work, as we all recollect — but work, and 
 "Jim" had an early falling out and they never became reconciled. 
 Was he set to a task in the field, he would bare headed and bare 
 footed, wander away and find a congenial home among the Indians 
 upon the Reservation, for weeks. There was a free and easy 
 sort of life there that he liked; and he was a favorite with the 
 Indians. He would be set to tend the mill, and the old gentleman's 
 back turned, down went the gate, and the young miller would like- 
 ly enough be found entertaining the boys who were waiting for 
 their grists, with his fun and drollery. Approaching his majority, 
 he submitted to the inconveniences of a hat and pair of shoes, and 
 pushed out into the world, an adventurer. Just about the breaking 
 out of the war of 1812, he was the teacher of a singing school on 
 the Canada side of the Niagara river, head over heels in love with 
 the daughter of a good loyalist. He was too much of a patriot to 
 stay upon that side of the lines, and too good a lover to leave, 
 without an arrangement for a Gretna Gi'ecn affair. Coming upon 
 this side, in a cold winter's night, accompanied by a friend, he crossed 
 
HOLLAND rURCHASE. 475 
 
 the Niagara in a canoe, and approaching the dwelling of his 
 betrothed, managed to smuggle her aboard of his boat. Pushing 
 out into the rapid water a little above Chippewa, in a violent snow 
 storm, in the more than usual darkness it occasioned, the parly 
 were carried down with the strong current on the Canada side of 
 Navy Island, and with all their exertions at the oars, were just 
 enabled to strike the head of Porter's mill race. It was a narrow 
 escape; marriage followed; and she, the object of his daring adven- 
 ture, well repaid him for the risk of life. He had a military turn 
 withal — took some little part in the war of 1812; and he may be re- 
 membered within the last twenty five years, as the sometimes bare 
 
 headed, bustling, clever and jovial Inspector of the Brigade 
 
 of N. Y. state militia. 
 
 Timothy Paine, an early settler in Aurora, was a brother of 
 Con. Edward Paine, the founder of Painsville, on the Reserve. 
 Ephraim Woodruff was the early blacksmith in Aurora. 
 
 ilumphrcy Smith, built the mills before the war, in 1809 or '10. 
 Si'ttlemont was rapid in this region, for* a few years previous to the 
 war; but was pretty much suspended during its continuance. 
 
 My father died in 1810, at the age of 47 years. My mother 
 is living in Chautaque, with my brother Enos, aged 84 years. 
 
 Gen. Warren, whose age the author neglected to ascertain, is 
 yd vigorous — was during the last summer a constant laborer upon 
 his farm. He is the father-in-law of A. M. Clapp, Esq., editor of 
 the Buffalo Express. 
 
 The venerable David Eddy, who yet survives — a resident at 
 Potter's Corners, in Hamburgh — was in all that region a pioneer, 
 second only to Didimus Kinney, who settled on the Eighteen Mile 
 creek in the now town of Boston, a few months previous. He has 
 obligingly given to the author his distinct recollections of early 
 events: — 
 
 I made a beginning in the woods in 1804 — came in with my 
 brother Aaron, and brother-in-law Nathan Peters, and my sister 
 Mary Eddy, to keep house for us, in September; built a log house. 
 I brought along some cows, the wood's feed was abundant. The 
 same fall, Amos Colvin and Ezekiel Smith came in with their fam- 
 ilies. In 1805 a number of settlers came in — among them, Asa 
 Sprague and Nathaniel Titus. 
 
 I think my old pioneer friend William Warren is mistaken as to 
 Phineas »Stevens' saw-mill being the first one. In 1805 I was 
 employed by Erastus Granger to build a saw-mill for the Indians 
 on the reservation, on south branch of Buffalo creek. That mill 
 furnished the first boards in all this region; before it was built our 
 
476 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 log houses were built without boards. In 1807 I built a saw-mill 
 on Smoke's creek. In building both these mills I had to send to 
 Albany for cranks, saws, &c., the transportation costing four and 
 five dollars per hundred. David Reese, the Indian blacksmith in 
 Buffalo did o-ur first work in that lin-e. Our first resources for bread, 
 after exhausting the little stock we brought in, was to buy strings 
 of corn of the Indians, burn out a hollow place in a stump, suspend 
 a pounder by a spring pole, and thus make of the corn a coarse 
 meal. One stump, pounder and spring pole, would answer for 
 sevei'al families. 
 
 Before Phineas Stevens got his mill going, Daniel Smith, who 
 lived on a small stream two miles south-west of Potter's Corners, 
 built a rude mill. He put up a log building about eighteen feet 
 square — had an over shot wheel — wood gearing throughout — no 
 bolt, for there was no wheat to grind. The rock stones weighed 
 about sixty pounds each. With this rude structure, he could grind 
 five or six bushels of corn per day. He would run the corn through 
 once, then separate the hulls with a sieve, then grind it again, and 
 in this way make pretty good meal. 
 
 In 1805, an old bear made her appearance in the neighborhood 
 and made sad havoc with the pigs. We caught her by first secu- 
 ring her cubs, and by that means enticing her into a steel trap. 
 She was uncommonly large. We were not so much troubled here 
 with wolves and bears, in an early day, as they were in other 
 portions of the Purchase, on account of our proximity to the Indian 
 hunters. Deer was very plenty, all this region was a reserve. 
 The young Indian hunters were prohibited by an edict of a council 
 from hunting deer within a given number of miles from their village, 
 in order to give the old m.en a chance. Trout used to be abundant 
 in the small streams. 
 
 The Indians were always friendly, good neighbors; our first 
 seeds were obtained from them; they seemed pleased to have wdiitc 
 neighbors, and there used to be much traffick between them and 
 the new settlers. When I first came to this region, Farmers 
 Brother, Young King, Big Kettle, Jack Berry, Stephenson, Pollard, 
 (who w^as half French,) were the influential ones among them. 
 Red Jacket, so far as I have observed, Mas not generally popular 
 with his own people; with all his talent, he had some bad traits of 
 character, and w^as too intemperate to be a safe counsellor. 
 
 The Wm. Johnston, who was the British interpreter, when the 
 settlement of the Holland Purchase commenced, had a son whose 
 mother was a Seneca Squaw. He was educated; for many years 
 a chief and interpreter. He married a daughter of Judge Barker 
 on the lake shore; died a short tinre previous to the war. 
 
 Nathaniel Titus was the first tavern keeper on the lake shore; 
 commenced there as early as 1805; Elisha Enos succeeded him; 
 
 Smith succeeded Enos. Zenas Barker bought the property 
 
 and commenced keepincr the tavern, I think during the war. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 477 
 
 At the mouth of the Eighteen, Joel Harvey commenced keeping 
 a tavern in 180G. 
 
 Friends' meeting was first organized in 1806; built a meeting 
 house in 1807; had monthly meetings in 1808; quarterly, in 1816. 
 The first settlers here were mostly Friends. 
 
 A Presbyterian church was built at Abbott's Corners, after the 
 war; that place took its name from Seth Abbott, who built a large 
 tavern house there after the war. White's Corners, took its name 
 from an early settler there who kept a public house. # 
 
 We had a school in this neighborhood as early as 1806, in a log 
 school house, where Friends' meeting house now stands; Henry 
 Uibbard was the first teacher. Ezekiel Smith built the first framed 
 house, and I built the first framed barn. I set out the first orchard, 
 ill 1808. The first season I came in, I broke into heavy timbered 
 land, commenced by first building fires to burn the dry leaves, and 
 clearing away the underbrush. I then chopped down the trees, 
 cut, piled, and burned the tops, leaving the bodies upon the ground; 
 ]'lanted corn and pumpkins and had a crop of near 1000 bushels of 
 corn, which proved very useful to the new settlers. 
 
 In some of the earliest years, a young man by the name of 
 John Sumner, took up a lot in this neighborhood; built a house; was 
 f-nterprising and industrious; kept bachelor's hall. After he had 
 1 en here two or thi'ee years, doing well, apparently, he was 
 iiiissed, search was made for him for a long time, and finally aban- 
 doned. Some time afterwards, his body was found on the banks of 
 liiish creek, in a secluded place, where he had committed suicide, 
 lie was buried by his log cabin. This was the first death in this 
 r-'gion, except that of a small child of Daniel Smith. We after- 
 v^ards got information that the young man had left IMassachusetts 
 in consequence of a disappointment in a love affair. 
 
 In early times there was an Indian living upon the reservation, 
 who I think was 115 years old. He was a christian in all his 
 sentiments; had been a peace-maker through life. I will give you 
 the benefit of a tradition he related to me. He said that a nation 
 called the Eries once inhabited all this region; that they were a 
 powerful, warlike nation, dreaded and feared by all other nations. 
 They were finally warred upon, and their country conquered by 
 the Senecas. 
 
 Fish, caught in the lake, was a great help to the new settlers. 
 In the absence of that resource for food, many must have abandoned 
 their new homes in the woods. 
 
 Samuel and Benjamin Tubbs, were the pioneer settlers in Eden 
 at the place called Tubb's Hollow, at first, now Eden Valley. 
 There followed soon after, Joseph Thorn, Hill, David Pound. 
 
 Jacob Taylor was first settler of Collins; he was agent of 
 Friends' Indian Mission. 
 
 Town of Boston was first settled by Didimus Kinney, as has 
 been observed, in 1805, Charles and Oliver Johnson followed soon 
 
478 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 after, settling on the plains. There was an open spot, pretty 
 much clear of timber; there was an ancient fort there; many- 
 relics of ancient occupancy in the neighborhood. There was found 
 in 1807, in a ravine, 500 lbs. of old French axes; the iron was 
 excellent, and was much needed by the new settlers. Axes and 
 brass kettles were found all over this region. A brass kettle was 
 found that would hold sixteen quarts, in a situation where it had 
 kept dry; it was in a good state of preservation. 
 
 Mr. Eddy is now 70 years of age, his health and constitution 
 tolerably good, though laboring under the effects of a fractured 
 limb; his wife died in 1844. He was in an early day, an agent of 
 Mr. Ellicott; assisted in locating settlers, and from time to time 
 reported to him how the settlers were getting on with their im- 
 provements. There is now living in Hamburg, beside him, of the 
 earliest settlers, Asa Sprague. 
 
 The following reminiscences of the primitive settlement of 
 Warsaw, and its neighborhood, were derived from Messrs. Daniel 
 Knapp and Josiah Hovey: — 
 
 The Pioneer settler of Warsaw, as has been mentioned by Gen. 
 Warren, was Elizur Webster, Esq. [For names of early settlers, 
 see T. 9, II. 1.] 
 
 Judge W\;bster opened a tavern soon after he came in, and soon 
 after Nehemiah Fargo opened a house of public entertainment. 
 Judge Webster built a saw mill in 1804, and Joseph Manley built 
 a grist mill in 1806, with one run of stones, which he soon after sold 
 to Solomon Morris. Previous to the erection of Webster's saw 
 mill, the log dwellings of the settlers were built without boards. 
 
 Judge Webster raised the first crops. He set out a large orchard 
 in an early day. It is presumed that he erected the first cider mill 
 upon the purchase; his first cider was sold for $7 per barrel.* 
 The early settlers were supplied with apple trees from the nursery 
 planted by Josiah Hovey. 
 
 Seymour Ensign erected the first carding and cloth dressing 
 establishment at Warsaw. He was succeeded by Simeon R. 
 Glazier, and David Seymour. Col. Elkanah Day, father of Judge 
 Day of Olean, was the first blacksmith. 
 
 In 1806, there was no settler on road from Warsaw to Leicester. 
 The road was opened in that year. The first settlers on the road 
 were Woodward, at Perry Centre. He opened a tavern, was 
 
 * Judge Webster's orchard was early and widely known. In all the earliest years, 
 before that began to bear, apples and cider were brought from over the river. The 
 arrival of a barrel of cider and a few bushels of apples, at the primitive log taverns, 
 was no ordinar)' event; it would generally bo the occasion of a sleigh ride and a frolic. 
 Apples were often sold at two shillings per dozen, and cider at the same price per 
 quart. A basket of champaign, is not now enjoyed with the zest and relish that a 
 barrel of cider was in those days. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 479 
 
 succeeded by Beebc. Elislia and Amos Smith, on inlet of 
 
 Silver Lake; Elislia opened a tavern. The Atwoods came in as 
 early as 1807 or '8. 
 
 A Presbyterian church was organized at Warsaw in 1807 — a 
 fine church, the best then upon the Purchase, was erected in 1817. 
 Father Spencer officiated at the formation of the church. 
 
 Dr. Chaunccy L. Sheldon, was the first physician. Previous to 
 his coming in Dr. Eastman of Attica, and Dr. Sill of Genesee, 
 were occasionally sent for. In many cases of child birth, the 
 attendance of a physician had to be dispensed with; old Mrs. 
 Palmer used to be toated about on an ox-sled to supply the place 
 of a physician. 
 
 The first stock of goods brought to Warsaw, was by Gen. 
 Almond Stevens. The goods were furnished by Dixon, the early 
 merchant in Richmond, Ontario Co. 
 
 The surviving early residents of Warsaw and its neighbor- 
 hood, are Josiah Hovey and wife, Simeon Hovey and wife, Lyman 
 Morris, Shubel JMorris, David Fargo, Silas C. Fargo and wife, 
 Amos Kinney and wife, Ezra Walker, ]Mrs, Young, wife of A. W. 
 Young, (author of Science of Government, and other school books.) 
 Mrs. Young is a daughter of Judge Webster, and was the first 
 born in town. John Mungcr and wife, Daniel Knapp, Mrs. 
 Norton, (wife of Col. E. Norton, and daughter of Judge Webster.) 
 Harry, a son of Simeon Hovey, the first male child born in town. 
 A son of Deacon Walker, an early and prominent settler, is a 
 Presbyterian clergyman, and another son is a resident and ex-mayor 
 of Baton Rouge. 
 
 Judge Webster the early pioneer of Warsaw, sold ont his fine 
 farm during the era. of speculation, (1837 or '8,) for a high price, 
 and emigrated to Ripley, Chautaque Co, where he now resides. 
 He is 80 years old, but yet vigorous in mind, and physical con- 
 stitution. 
 
 John Wilder, Esq. of Warsaw, was an early pioneer, locating at 
 Attica, in 1806. The author, as in other instances, will principally 
 give his narrative as he related it: — 
 
 I came in with another young man, Asa Johnson. We were 
 both millwrights. Our first work was the putting in of the running 
 geers to a saw mill that Zcra Phelps was building. Phel))s then 
 owned the land now occupied by x^ttica village, principally. A 
 grist mill had been put up a year before, by John Munger, and 
 purchased by Phelps. We overhauled it and put in new running 
 geers. In 1806, Wm. Vary, who was himself a millwright, had 
 put up a saw mill at what is now called Varysburgh, Johnson 
 and myself put him up a small grist mill — one run of rock stones,* 
 
 * This was the first mill, in all tho region south of Attica. 'Well does, the author 
 remember the mill, the miller, the miller's wife, and the miller's boys. The old gentle- 
 
480 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 In July 1807, myself and Johnson, and my brother Joseph 
 Wilder, bought out Zera Phelps at Attica. The grist mill was 
 burned in 1809 with 1000 bushels of grain. In that year we built 
 a new grist mill and saw mill. 
 
 The first clothing and carding establishment was erected at 
 Attica by two brothers, named Fuller. Hoisington and Esquire 
 Wright were the early blacksmiths at Attica. 
 
 The first merchant establishment in Attica was a stock of goods 
 sent from Batavia by Trumbull Gary, Esq., in 1809; they were put 
 up in a part of my dwelling house. Gaius B. Rich, Esq., now of 
 Buffalo, established himself in Attica as a merchant, in 1811. 
 Myself and my brother Joseph, retained the mills in Attica until 
 1818, when we sold out to Parmenio Adams and John Peabody. 
 Peabody was an early tavern keeper in Attica, commencing there 
 as early as 1811. His widow is now a resident of the city of 
 Buffalo. I erected a distillery in Attica in 1811. 
 
 In 1809, my brother Joseph built a grist mill in Hume for Elisha 
 Mills, the first in all that region; a saw mill had been erected a 
 year or two before. In 1810 I built a grist mill for Judge Grifiin 
 in Pike. In 1811, myself and brother built a grist mill in Wales 
 for Isaac Hall. In 1810 we built a grist mill for Judge Wilson, 
 where Linden village now is, in Bethany. In the same year, a ■ 
 grist mill for Elder Brown, on the little Tonewanda, three miles 
 from Alexander, in the town of Bethany. 
 
 We held our first singing schools in Attica, in a hollow button- 
 wood tree. It was felled and a section about thirty feet long cut 
 off. The hollow was large enough for a man of ordinary height to 
 walk upright through it. Benches were made in it; holes cut to 
 admit the light, and it answered a good purpose; the voices of the 
 young folks would sound in it as they would in an arched room. 
 
 The narrator of these early events, who has witnessed almost 
 the entire progress of settlement upon the Holland Purchase, is 
 now but sixty-one years of age — young enough and vigorous enough 
 to assist in the settlement of another new country. He has been 
 deputy sheriff and sheriff of Genesee county; in the war of 1812, 
 he was first sergeant in Capt. Seth Gates' company of Grenadiers. 
 He was made a prisoner at the battle of Queenston. His brother 
 
 man was enterprising, persevering, as any one that ever penetrated that rongh, wild 
 region; droll and eccentric. Who of the early mill boys of all that region, does not 
 remember the old man, his "by Gosh," and " by Golden," the rusty horse shoes 
 nailed upon his mill wheel to keep off the witches? He was an early magistrate; many 
 are the anecdotes told of the early marriages he performed. In 1807, he got injured by 
 the fall of a tree; a splinter striking him in the forehead. When the wound was 
 healed, there was a depression largo enough to admit the half of an ordinary- hen's egg. 
 Although it was attended with a partial loss of faculties, ho survived many years. 
 With all of his eccentricities, he was in early times, a good helper in the work of set- 
 tlement and improvement; possessed of many excellent qualities. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 481 
 
 Joseph, was an early magistrate in Attica; held various military 
 offices up to the grade of colonel. He died in 183G. 
 
 The town of Sheldon, Townships 9, Ranges 3 and 4, was pur- 
 chased of Holland Company, in 1803, by Oliver Phelps and Lemuel 
 Chipman. Judge Chipman, with his brother Silas, it will have been 
 seen, were settlers in Pittstown, Ontario county, as early as 1794. 
 They were both physicians from Vermont; brothers of the Hon. 
 Nathaniel Chipman of IMiddlebury. Lemuel Chipman had been a 
 surgeon in the army of the Revolution. The two brothers were 
 some of the best of the early pioneer stock. Lemuel was for a long 
 period one of the prominent men of Western New York; was a 
 member of the legislature, and one of the Judges of Ontario county. 
 He died in Sheldon, ten or twelve years since. His sons were, 
 Fitch, Lemuel, and Samuel; the last of whom is well known as an 
 early laborer in the temperance cause. Mrs. Guy H. Salisbury of 
 Buffalo, is a daughter of Lemuel. Fitch Chipman, formerly a 
 member of the Legislature from Genesee, whose wife was of the 
 widely known family of Spaffbrds of Vermont, is still a resident of 
 Sheldon. Dr. Silas Chipman emigrated to Michigan; was one of 
 the earliest settlers at Pontiac. 
 
 The purchase of Phelps and Chipman having been perfected, in 
 the summer of 1803. Elijah Warner, a surveyor, was employed 
 to survey the land into farm lots. His assistants were, Roswell 
 Turner, (father of the author.) Joseph Sears, and Tabor Earl. 
 While out, a supply of provisions failed to reach them, and the 
 party were five days without food, except the fish that they caught, 
 Mild berries, and roots. Attempting to make their way out of the 
 woods, when nearly exhausted — some of them in fact unable to 
 proceed any farther — they were met by Judge Chipman with a 
 plentiful supply of provisions. 
 
 Roswell Turner, having been appointed the agent of Phelps and 
 Chipman, moved upon their land in the month of March, 1804; 
 thus becoming the pioneer settler in all the region now constituting 
 the northwestern portion of Wyoming and southern portion of Erie 
 counties. The first winter was one of severe trials and hardships; 
 the snow was deep, and he had sixteen head of cattle to winter, 
 principally upon browse. At times the de(;p snow would prevent 
 cattle getting into the woods, and the browse would have to be cut 
 and carried to them in bags. Provisions, and some grain for cattle, 
 had to be brought in from Honeoye and the Genesee river. Upon 
 31 
 
482 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 one occasion, during the winter, he started from the Genesee river 
 with a load upon an ox sled, and went hack to stay the first and 
 second nights. Progressing as far as he could through the deep 
 snow, breaking his road as he went along, when night came he 
 would go back with his oxen, leaving his load, and return in the 
 morning and renew his slow journey. The snow was two and a 
 half and three feet deep, and no track before him. He was five 
 days making the journey from Genesee river to Sheldon — distance 
 about twenty-five miles. In the winter previous to this, he was 
 preceding his family with a load of provisions, and in fording Allan's 
 creek below the present village of Warsaw, had his feet badly 
 frozen. He found his way to the shanty of the early pioneer 
 Morris, and eventually had to be taken back to Honeoye on his 
 ox sled. 
 
 There came in, the first winter, Joseph Sears and family; they 
 did not, however, become actual settlers. Robert Carr and David 
 Hoard were the next settlers, or rather the first named; Hoard 
 died while he was out looking at the country; his was the fii*st 
 death and funeral upon Phelps and Chipman's Purchase. His 
 family came in and occupied the land he had selected. In 1806, 
 the settlers in Sheldon, beside those named, were Deacon Seth 
 Gates, Lemuel Castle, Levi Street, Marvin Brace, Stephen Welton, 
 and Orange Brace. Li 1805 and '6, emigration was brisk in that 
 quarter; settlers were pushing on to Willink, Hamburgh and Eigh- 
 teen Mile Creek. Roswell Turner soon opened a log cabin house 
 of entertainment for the emigrants. It is remembered that, in 
 addition to the stock of provisions he carried in with him, he 
 brought from over the river, the first two winters after, twenty 
 loads of provisions, principally for the supply of new settlers. 
 His house was the home of the earliest class of pioneers. Young 
 men would push on beyond him, build shanties, keep bachelors' hall, 
 and when they were tired of the woods, make a visit to "the 
 settlement;" get their clothes mended, perhaps, or their bread 
 baked. The humble log house that he erected upon the four 
 corners — now called North Sheldon — is a land-mark in the recol- 
 lections of the early settlers of Wyoming, south part of Erie, and 
 a part of Cattaragus and Chautauque. With the exception of a 
 child of Joseph Sears, who is mentioned as having remained but a 
 short time in Sheldon; a son of Roswell Turner, (Chipman Phelps 
 Turner, of Black Rock, Erie county,) was the first born in all the 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 483 
 
 western portion of Wyoming county. His name was derived from 
 the land owners. Anotlicr son of his — the late Judge Horace S. 
 Turner, of Aurora, Erie County, — had been, at the period of his 
 
 ( death, longer a resident of that portion of the Purchase named in 
 connection with the advent of his father, than any male survivor. 
 Mrs. Farnum, of Bennington, a daughter of Roswell Turner, is 
 
 ii now the oldest resident of the territory named. 
 The early pioneer .settler died in 1809. 
 iNIarked, as w^cre hundreds of the Pioneer advents upon the 
 
 i Holland Purchase, with extraordinary privations and endurances, 
 perhaps there wore none more so than his. It is a wild, rough 
 region, even now. The reader who may have passed over it, can 
 realize in some degree what it must have been w^hen penetrated by 
 the first settlers. 
 
 The first school in Sheldon, was in a log house, erected by 
 Roswell Turner, where Elihu Parson's tavern now stands; the 
 first religious" meetings were held at the house of Roswell Turner; 
 the first ministers who were in that region, were Elders Butler 
 and Throop, and father Spencer. The first physician in Sheldon, 
 was John Rolph, after him Benjamin Potter (father of Dr. Potter 
 of Colesville, and Dr. Potter of Varysburgh.) Dr. Ziba Hamilton 
 came in, in 1809. He is now nearly 80 years old, and practising 
 yet, occasionally. He is presumed to be the oldest living resident 
 physician upon the Holland Purchase; his has been a long life, and 
 one of more than ordinary usefulness. For forty years, he has 
 been in one location, the kind and skilful physician, and the useful 
 citizen. 
 
 Who of the early residents, does not remember Levi Street ? 
 Commencing at an early period, he carried the mail on the route 
 from Canandaigua through Geneseo, Warsaw and Sheldon, to lake 
 Erie. He was the carrier through all that region, for many 
 years, of the Ontario Repository, Ontario IMesscnger, and Moscow 
 Advertiser. He removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, w^here he met the 
 singular fate of death from hydrophobia, caused by the bite of 
 a horse. 
 
 Deacon Seth Gates, (father of Hon. Seth M. Gates of Warsaw,) 
 it will be observed, was an early settler. He assisted prominently 
 in the organization of the fii'st church in Sheldon, and was an 
 exemplary and useful citizen. He died a few years since in 
 Warsaw, where his aged widow resides with her children. Some 
 
484 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 notice of the family of Orange Brace, will be found in connection 
 with the war of 1812. The early physician. Dr. Rolph, was a i 
 highly educated man, but singular and eccentric. He chose a t 
 residence where he and his family were in a great measure 
 excluded from the little society there was in early times. His 
 wife was the sister of the poet Selleck Osborn. 
 
 In addition to the early pioneer settlers of Sheldon, already 
 named, there were Joshua Gates, Lodowick Thomas, Benjamin 
 Joslyn, the Godfreys, Grinnel, Uriah Persons and his sons, Uriah, 
 David, Joseph, John, William, Robert, Charles, Hiram, Henry, 
 Elihu, and two younger ones — twelve, all told; Hubbard Fitch, 
 
 Simeon Hoard, the Weltons, Joel Harris, Edward Brace, ■ 
 
 Feagles, Woodruff, Robert Waters, Frink, Sher- 
 mans, Jared and Roswell Barber, John Sutherland, and a few 
 others whose names are not recollected. 
 
 But few of the old inhabitants of Sheldon are left there. Em- 
 igration and death, have perhaps thinned their ranks in a greater 
 degree, than in any other early settlement upon the Purchase. 
 Over one half of the whole town, has been purchased within a few 
 years by foreign emigrants; principally Germans. 
 
 At an early period, bears, wolves, wild-cats and foxes, preyed 
 upon the sheep, hogs and fowls of the new settlers. Sheep in 
 all cases, had to be folded nights. There used to be a large 
 bounty for wolves: some of the new settlers made a profitable 
 business of trapping them. In cold winters, when snow was deep, 
 the wolves would get hungry and ravenous. There were seve- 
 ral instances of their obliging men to climb trees to avoid them. 
 Bears would come and take hogs within a few rods of the 
 dwellings. Deer were abundant. The hills g.nd valleys of Wyo- 
 ming, were favorite camping and hunting grounds for the Indians 
 long after white settlement commenced. In periods of deep snows 
 and crusts, the deer were easily taken; hundreds were knocked 
 in head, — for several winters, for their pelts alone, the meat 
 being too poor to eat; or if not too poor, the meat would be so 
 flavored with hemlock, (the principal food of the deer in times of 
 deep snow,) as to be unpalatable. In early times, there would 
 once in a while, an elk stray into the neighborhood, from the 
 regions of the Allegany. The trapping of martin, was very com- 
 mon with the young men in winters. Trout were plenty in all 
 the streams. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 485 
 
 Chauncey Loomis was the founder of settlement in Bennington. 
 In 1805, he purchased for hinaself, his mother, his brother-in-law P. 
 Case, his brother Justin, and Jonah Barber, T. 10, Ranges 3 and 4. 
 Bennington was previous to 1818, incl-uded in Sheldon; the family- 
 name of old Mrs. Loomis, was Sheldon. Chauncey Loomis came 
 on with his mother in July, 1806. There came with him beside, 
 Pclatiah Case, Ezra Ludden, Aaron and AdoIi)hus Clapp, with their 
 families; Joseph Farnum, George Loomis, Nathan Clapp. Justin 
 Loomis had come in the winter previous, built a log house and 
 kept bachelor's hall. This was the first tenement erected in Ben- 
 nington. Several log houses were erected in the summer of 1807. 
 In that year, Chauncey Loomis erected a saw mill. It was built 
 by Ezekiel Hall, the afterwards widely known landlord — now the 
 keeper of the Eagle tavern, Batavia. In raising a barn for Chaun- 
 cey Loomis, the first summer, Mr. Hall remembers that it took all 
 the able men in a circuit of ten miles, which included of course, 
 the then considerable settlement in what is now Sheldon. In 1808 
 and '9, Roger Rowley, George Hoskins, Joab Rockwell, Joseph 
 and Walter Burnham, came into Loomis' settlement. Jonah. 
 Barber, who was interested in the land purchase, came on and pre- 
 pared to erect a log house; returned to Connecticut, and in com- 
 hig again into the country, was taken sick and died in Bloomfield. 
 
 Chauncey Loomis, for Holland Company, in 1808, cut out the 
 road from Benninojton throuajh Indian Reservation, coming out 
 upon Willink road a half mile above Red Jacket's wigwam. The 
 first team that passed through on that road was a wagon and three 
 yoke of oxen, going to Buffalo for salt. It was three days in get- 
 ting to Buffalo. The teamsters were Lester Brace, (late sheriff 
 of Erie county,) Joseph Farnum and Levi Street. The Allegany 
 road from Bennington to Sheldon was cut out in 1807; next year, 
 was continued north to South Buffalo road. In 1808 a road was 
 opened from Bennington to Attica. 
 
 The first physician in Bennington was Salmon King; the next, 
 Ira Cross. The first school was organized in 1810; Webster 
 Parsons, Griswold Palmer, George Loomis, Avis Stickney, Seth 
 Pomeroy, Rhodema Durgee and Affa Case, were early teachers. 
 The Baptist church in Bennington was the second church organized 
 upon the Purchase; old Mrs. Loomis made it a donation of one 
 thousand dollars. Elder Herrick was the first settled minister in 
 Bennington. The first born in town was a daughter of Adolphus 
 
486 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Clapp; the first death, that of an mfant daughter of Joseph Farnum. 
 The first reUgious meeting held in Bennington was in the fall of 
 1807 — Elder Peter B. Root officiating. The first merchants in 
 town, were Joseph Farnum and Roswell King. Joseph Farnum 
 opened the first tavern. 
 
 In 1810, Chauncey Loomis married Rachel Evans, a niece of 
 Joseph Ellicott. He _was elected a State Senator, and died in 
 Albany in 1817, leaving no children. Mrs. Loomis became a resi- 
 dent of Buffalo, where she died a few years since, lamented at least 
 by her old backwoods neighbors, who remembered her many 
 amiable qualities. Justin Loomis, who married a daughter of Dr. 
 Rolph, of Sheldon, is still living, but has been partially insane for 
 many years. 
 
 THE LOST BOY. 
 
 Among the early events, which will long be remembered, in the 
 region of which we have been speaking, was that of the Lost Boy. 
 David Tolles was a settler on the road between Loomis' settlement 
 and Attica as early as 1806. In July of that year, he had a small 
 patch cleared and sowed to oats, not fenced; the cattle would come 
 out of the woods, and get upon the oat field. A boy, eight or nine 
 years old, a son of Mr. Tolles, was set to watch and keep them off. 
 Just before sun set, he drove the cattle back into the woods, and 
 did not return. That night some few of the immediate neighbors 
 searched for him, and the next day the alarm was spread through- 
 out the whole country. None but those who have witnessed the 
 lively sympathies that exist among backwoods pioneers, can imagine 
 the prompt gathering and faithful search that commenced. The 
 new settlers came in from all directions, organized in companies, 
 and scoured the wilderness. The third day, a party of Indians 
 came from the Buffalo Reservation, and joined in the search. The 
 force collected had to be supplied with provisions; the settlers fur- 
 nished them to the extent of their means; Mr. Ellicott sent a load 
 from Batavia; and Jabez Warren, who had provisions stored at 
 Roswell Turners, in Sheldon, ordered them to be served out in 
 rations. The search was continued for a week by the whites; the 
 Indians were hired to continue it longer. But it was all unavailing; 
 the fate of the Lost Boy is unknown to this day. 
 
 The second day of the search one party found his tracks; the 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 487 
 
 third day, another party found where he had gathered hemlock 
 bows, and slept; on the fourth day, a party discovered where he 
 had been in a creek, washing some roots. His foot prints upon 
 the rocks were so recent that the water was not dried off; the 
 water of the running stream was yet riled. He had probably 
 fled at the approach of the party. This was the last trace of him 
 discovered. 
 
 How much greater the affliction to the parents, than if they 
 could have known the fate of their child! Long years followed 
 of hopes revived from time to time, only to be crushed. The 
 father became a wanderer in search of the Lost Boy. Rumors, 
 cruel to him, would get afloat, that a wild boy had been found in 
 Pennsylvania, or perhaps Ohio; and he would start out on foot, on 
 a pilgrimage of paternal affection. Returning, while attempting to 
 be reconciled to the bereavement, a rumor would reach him, per- 
 haps that his child was among some of the Western Indians; and 
 another long journey would be made. 
 
 There are few old settlers who do not remember the Lost Boy, 
 and the intense excitement it created throughout the then thinly 
 settled region. 
 
 James M'Kain, the father of James M'Kain, Jr. of Lockport, 
 was a resident of Batavii as early as 1802. In 1804 he opened 
 the first tavern upon the present site of the American. The old 
 gentleman died in Lockport a few years since. The son relates 
 many adventures of early days; especially descriptive of the 
 woods road he used to travel between Ganson's and Batavia, 
 bringing in provisions from Canandaigua on horse back. In the 
 early years the woods road could only be traveled on foot and 
 horse back, when there was no snow upon the ground; the trans- 
 portation was mostly done by sleighing. 
 
 Capt. John Ganson came from Bennington, Vermont, and settled 
 on the Genesee river in the year 1790 or '91. He had accompanied 
 Sullivan's expedition. His first location was on the river, two miles 
 below Avon; his title there proving bad, he purchased land on the 
 Canandaigua road, four miles east of Avon. In the year 1798, he 
 pushed on into the wilderness, and located a little east of Allan's 
 creek, (LeRoy.) becoming the well known pioneer tavern-keeper 
 west of the Genesee river. Charles Wilbur had preceded him, and 
 built a small framed house. He bought him out. 
 
48S HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Mrs. Warren, (formerly Mrs. Forsyth,) now residing on Ridge | 
 road, in Cambria, is a daughter of Capt. Ganson. Few have seen 
 more o-f pioneer life — and that, principally, upon the Holland 
 Purchase. She has obligingly given the author some interesting 
 reminiscences of early times: — 
 
 Soon after my father had come on west of the river, and opened 
 a public house, other settlers began to come in. There was nothing 
 on the road to Batavia, until Mr. Ellicott's surveyors made their 
 head quarters at Stafford. The Indians were frequent visitors at 
 my fathers. 1 used to see them often, the chiefs. Hot Bread, Jack 
 Berry, Red Jacket, and Little Beard. Sometimes the Indians were 
 turbulent; they would become a terror to the new settlers. My 
 father was a stout athletic man; had great influence over them; 
 would quell them in their worst drunken frolics. 
 
 In 1802, having become the wife of John Forsyth, (a brother of 
 Wm. Forsyth, the well known landlord of the Pavilion, at Niagara 
 Falls,) we settled five miles west of Batavia, near Dunham's grove. 
 Remaining there until 1807, we moved upon the spot where I now 
 reside. When we came here, there were but three or four settlers 
 between Dunham's grove and Lockport. East, there was no 
 settler till we passed the Eleven Mile woods. Our nearest 
 neighbor west, was Joseph Hewett, at Howell's creek. 
 
 In 1808, the Ridge road was laid out by General Rhea, Elias 
 Ransom, and Charles Harford. I I'emember well the arrival of the 
 surveyors; their delight at finding a bed to sleep in, and something 
 to eat that was cooked by a female. Pi'evious to this there had 
 been nothing but an Indian path through the low grounds, west of 
 Wright's Corners. 
 
 We brought in a few sheep with us, I think they were the only 
 ones in the neighborhood; they became the especial object of the 
 wolves. Coming out of the Wilson swamp nights, their howling 
 would be terrific. Two years after we came in, I was alone with 
 my then small children one day, when I heard the sheep bleating 
 and running, and went out to see what the matter was. A large 
 wolf had badly wounded a sheep. As I approached him he left 
 the sheep and walked off snarling at me as if reluctant to quit his 
 prey. I went for my nearest neighbor, Mr. Stoughton to get him 
 to come and dress the sheep. It was three fourths of a mile 
 through the woods. On my way a large grey fox crossed the 
 road ahead of me. Returning with my neighbor, a large bear 
 slowly crossed the road in sight of us. I could tell many stories 
 of wild beasts in this region; but I think I never saw as much of 
 them in any one day, before or since. We had no way to keep 
 fowls, but to secure them well in their roosting places. The first 
 settlers found it very difficult to keep hogs; the bears would even 
 come out of the woods and take them by daylight. 
 

 HOLLAND PURCHASE. 489 
 
 Asahel Sage, Esq. of Levviston, a surviving early settler, gave 
 the author the benefit of his recollections of early times: — 
 
 1 moved upon the farm in Lewiston, where I now reside in 1807. 
 
 John Gould, Bragbill, Smith, were then settled on 
 
 first tier of lots back of mile strip; no other settler farther east 
 upon the mountain, Sanders, Doty, Goodwin, Webster, Ilawley, 
 were the pioneer settlers in Sander's settlement. Jarius Rose, 
 
 De Foe, Springsteen, the Carncys, went in west of Pckin 
 
 after the war. The Reynolds and Carneys were the first settlers 
 at Pekin. Beamer, Wilson, Bridge, Dr. Orton, Bliss, Earls, were 
 among the earliest settlers between ridge and mountain, west of 
 Scott's. 
 
 From some old store bills, that Col. Sage has preserved, the 
 author has extracted some prices. In 1811, trading at a store in 
 Lewiston, he is charged 5s. Gd. for cotton shirting; for " Hum 
 Hum," 3s. 9d. per yard; In 1813, he is charged for muslin, 5s. per 
 yard; for a pound of tea, 12s.; for coflee, 3s. per lb.; for sugar, 
 the same; for a hat $8,00; for a plug of tobacco, 2s.; for nails, 2s. 
 per lb.; for powder, 8s. per lb. 
 
 The reader will have observed that the narrative of Judge 
 Porter was arrested about the period of his becoming a resident of 
 the Holland Purchase, in 1806. He gave the author many remin- 
 iscences of early times in this region; many of them have already 
 been included in portions of the work derived from other sources. 
 From memorandums taken m conversation with him the following 
 reminiscences are principally derived: — 
 
 The Judge moved from Canandaigua to the Falls, in June of the 
 year already named. After the fashion of emigrants in those 
 days, he was his own teamster; coming to his new home with 
 whip and reins in hand, his family, consisting then of his wife and 
 three sons, constituting his freight. He was four days making the 
 journey; and that in favorable weather. The Portage company, 
 consisting of himself, his brother Peter B. Porter, Benjamin 
 Barton, Jr. and Joseph Annin, had in February, of the year 
 previous, leased of the State, the Portage and Stedman Farm at 
 Schlosscr;* and at the same time, the company had bought of the 
 State, lots 1, 2, 3, and 4, of Mile Strip, which included the Falls 
 on the American side, extending three fourths of a mile below 
 
 * The lease was for the term of twelve years; on its expiration in 1816, it was 
 extended four years, in consideration of the interruption that had been occasioned bv 
 the war. 
 
490 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 them, and half a mile above. They had erected a saw mill the 
 same year of the purchase. 
 
 Judge Porter took possession of the Stedman house, for his 
 residence. It was a substantial framed building; besides this, there 
 were at Schlosser, several dilapidated log buildings. All that was 
 left of the old English fort, were the entrenchments; several ! 
 pickets, and the ruins of some framed and log buildings that had I 
 been used as barracks. During English occupancy, Stedman had 
 built a saw mill on the rapids, where a woolen factory now stands.* 
 At Schlosser there was an old apple orchard, a hundred trees or 
 more, and several peach, pear, and plum trees. 
 
 In 1806, and up to the period of the war, water fowl were 
 abundant at the Falls. Large flocks of geese and swans would 
 nriake their appearance generally in September, and remain until 
 the fore part of winter. But few came during or after the war. 
 It is supposed that the firing of cannon and muskets, scared them 
 away. The eagle used to nest about the Falls in early years of 
 settlement. The Judge accounts for the fact that ducks often 
 go over the Falls, (which has had so many different versions,) in 
 this way: — In still dark nights, sitting upon the water in the wake 
 of Grass Island, they fall asleep, and float into the rapid water, 
 where they cannot rise upon the wing. Sometimes they have 
 encountered this fate in large numbers. After being disabled by 
 the descent over the Falls, they are easily taken below. 
 
 The rattle snake existed in great numbers at the Falls in an early 
 day. At the whirlpool was a large den of them; they were of 
 uncommon size. Above the Falls, between Sclosser and Gill creek, 
 there used to be large colonies of an entire different species; they 
 were small, not exceeding twelve or sixteen inches in length. It is 
 a singlar fact, that the rattle snake was never known to approach 
 Niagara Falls, within a distance of from a half to three-fourths of 
 a mile.t They were so numerous at one time, at their principal 
 den below the Falls, that the Tuscarora Indians could not safely 
 
 * There was a j'ear or two since, if there is not now, a stick of oak timber, that was 
 taken from the ruins of this mill perfectly sound. The mill it is supposed, was built 
 previous to 1763. When Judge Porter went to Schlosser, there were in a fence some 
 chestnut rails that then appeared very old. The same rails are now in his fences 
 there, perfectly sound. 
 
 t The Judge attributes this to the trembling of the earth for that distance. Open a 
 penknife, stick the point into a tree near the Falls, and a tremulous motion of the handle 
 will be observed. 
 
I 
 
 HOLLAND PURCHASE. 491 
 
 occupy a favorite fishing ground there. They extirpated them in 
 great numbers, by setting fire to the dry leaves — burning over the 
 steep bank, about the time they were crawfing out for their summer 
 excursions. On another occasion, as related by Messrs. Fairbanks 
 and Gould, the white inhabitants collected and made war upon 
 them; over five hundred were destoyed in one day. In this way, 
 with the help of the hogs, that would hunt and devour them, they 
 were gradually extirpated. 
 
 Judge Porter names some facts in connexion with the rattle snake 
 that may be interesting to naturalists: — They never strike except 
 in self-defence; they will always first endeavor to retreat. He has 
 taken the head ofif of one, opened the jaws with a stick, and observed 
 a drop of fluid, resembling milk and water, exuding from each fang. 
 It seemed to be the effort of the head to do its work of mischief 
 after it was separated from the body. The body, after the head is 
 off", when touched, will coil and make an impotent attempt to strike. 
 
 In the first few years after Judge Porter went to the Falls, the 
 visitors were but few; there was no tavern upon this side. Upon 
 the opposite side, William Forsyth had opened a house. The visit- 
 ing upon this side, to any considerable extent, commenced with the 
 completion of the bridge to Goat Island. 
 
 In the spring of 1807 — all Niagara being in the town of Buffalo 
 — Judge Porter and Robert Lee, Esq. attended town meeting at 
 Buffalo, to get some path masters elected. 
 
 In 1806, the inhabitants along the frontier, in Niagara, were, 
 besides Judge Porter at Sclosser, Jesse Ware, Wm. Miller, Stephen 
 Hopkins, William Howell, Joshua Fairbanks, Philemon Baldwin, 
 Joseph Howell, Isaac Colt, Erastus Parks, James Murray, between 
 Falls and Lewiston; Isaac Swain lived on military road. At Lew- 
 iston there were, Capt. Lemuel Cook, Thomas Hustler, John Beach, 
 Solomon Gillett. Between Falls and Black Rock, there was only 
 " Big Smith," at Cayuga creek. 
 
 In 1806, the Portage Company built a mill of two run of stones, 
 at the Falls. To raise the mill, it took all the able bodied citizens 
 of the neighborhood, and a party of forty soldiers, from the fort 
 who were accompanied by Lieut, (now General,) Armisted. 
 
 The first time that Judge Porter succeeded in getting upon Goat 
 Island, (previous to 1810,) there were old dates there upon trees; 
 there had been a tree cut there, and a canoe built. The remains 
 
492 . HISTORY OF THE 
 
 of five or six human skeletons, were found there in early years. 
 There were three or four acres that had been cleared by Captain 
 Stedman to make a pasture for goats that he had once kept there; 
 
 — hence the name. 
 
 In 1811, Judge Porter and his brother General Porter made an 
 attempt to buy Goat Island of the state; but could not succeed in 
 getting the consent of the Legislature. In 1814, they had the good 
 fortune to secure it. Samuel Sherwood, a lawyer of considerable 
 eminence in his day, had ajloat, as it is now called in our western 
 states. It was an instrument given him by the state of New York, 
 (such as are often issued from the General Land Office of the United 
 States,) allowing the bearer to locate two hundred acres of any of 
 the unsold or unappropriated lands of the state. It was given Mr. 
 Sherwood as a consideration for some failure of title to lands he 
 had purchased of the state. The brothers (Porters,) bought the 
 instrument of him, and during the next year selected Goat Island, 
 and t^ne small islands about it, as a part of the two hundred acres; 
 in all, about seventy acres. In 1816, they received their "patent," 
 or deed. The boundaries, as stated in the deed, are as follows : — 
 "A certain island, commonly called Goat Island, being in the 
 Niagara river, immediately above and adjoining the Great Falls; 
 
 — together with several tracts, or masses of rock, surrounding and 
 appendant to the said principal Island; — according to a plan or sur- 
 vey of Parkhurst Whitney." The deed is signed by Daniel D. 
 Tompkins, then Governor of the State; by Archibald Campbell, 
 Deputy Secretary of State; and Martin Van Buren, as Attorney 
 General, certified as usual in such cases. 
 
 In 1817, Judge Porter threw a bridge across in the smooth, strong 
 current, some distance above the present site. The bridge was 
 completed in that year. During the next March, lake Erie was 
 broken up suddenly by a violent wind; large masses of ice came 
 down with such violence as to carry away the central and greater 
 portion of it. In 1818, he erected another bridge, on the present 
 site. He chose a location where the rapids were still stronger 
 than at the previous one. There was this advantage in it, how- 
 ever — it is low enough down to have the masses of ice principally 
 broken before they reach it, and consequently not striking with as 
 much force. A decided advantage, too, is gained in the location 
 of the piers. There are, in the rapids a succession of eddies. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 493 
 
 The piers arc in each instance located in one of them. The main 
 structure erected in 1818, is now standing, tliough it has recjuired 
 frequently, new planking, and other repairs.* 
 
 Judge Porter is of the opinion, that Goat Island was formed by 
 a gradual deposit, commencing at a period when there was not a 
 very strong current. lie thinks in the progress of the Falls from 
 Lcwiston to their present location, they were arrested a long time 
 at the Whirlpool; thence the deep pit, or chasm, that has been 
 excavated there. 
 
 The Stedman family left Schlosser in 1795, the British portage 
 having been transferred to the other side of the river, in anticipation 
 of the surrender of this frontier. They left Jesse Ware in pos- 
 session of their home and farm. He in fact not only claimed the 
 Schlosser property, but some four thousand five hundred acres of 
 land beside, including the Falls. He claimed as the successor of 
 the Stedmans, their claim having been founded upon an assumed 
 grant of the Seneca Indians of all the land that lay between the 
 Niagara river, and the circuit he made in his flight from the mas- 
 sacre at the Devil's Hole. The state having put Judge Porter and 
 his associates in possession, no attempt was made to enforce the 
 Stedman claim until 1823. In that year, Samuel Street, and 
 Thomas Clark, of Chippewa, commenced a suit in ejectment in 
 the Supreme Court of this state, in the name of the heirs of Philip 
 Stedman. It was assumed that the Indians had once deeded the 
 land to Stedman, and that the deed had been lost. The trial re- 
 sulted in a nonsuit.f 
 
 The Stedman family were in possession at Schlosser, from the 
 period of British conquest in 1759, to 1795. Philip Stedman 
 died in New York, in 1797, where he had gone for medical advice. 
 
 * Great skill and ingenuity were required in tlie erection of these bridges. The 
 process by which the piers were located was as follows: — An abutment was first laid a 
 short distance out in the water; sticks of timber eighty feet long were hewed tapering; 
 the light ends were carried out and the heavy ends secured upon the abutment. A man 
 would then walk out upon each of these sticks, and the two would throw a girth across, 
 secure it, and then manage to thrust posts into the swift water for the structure to rest 
 upon. From this commencement, the cribs or piers were constructed; the process 
 being repeated upon each extension. Soon after the bridge was completed. Red 
 Jacket was at the Falls, and was invited by Judge Porter to go and view it. After he 
 had surveyed it attentively, with less than his usual stoical indifferance, he muttered, 
 **Tamn the Yankees," as much as to say, it took them to a difficult thing. 
 
 t If the Indians did anything more than to promise such a grant to Stedman, they 
 were unmindful of it the next year after the affair at the Devil's Hole. In that year 
 (1764,) they made no reservation of land about the Falls, in their cession of the cany- 
 ing place to the King of Great Britain. 
 
494 HISTORY OF TPIE 
 
 The transportation for all the region west of Cayuga lake, was 
 by water, (the portages excepted,) until the completion of the 
 Turnpike in 1803. After that it was mostly done with the "big 
 wagons." When staging commenced, the time was usually two 
 days from Albany to Utica, three days from Utica to the Genesee 
 river, and two days from the river to Buffalo. Judge Porter has 
 been seven days in coming from Albany to Canandaigua by stage; 
 in 1802, he had the contract for carrying the mail from Utica to 
 Fort Niagara. The route was the usual one to Buffalo; from 
 thence, down on Canada side to Fort Niagara. Luther Cole was 
 the first mail carrier west of Utica. 
 
 Judge Porter was the first Post Master in Niagara county; he 
 held the ofTice until 1837, and was succeeded by Judge De Veaux. 
 
 Major John Morrison, now residing upon lake shore, a mile and a 
 half below Fort Niagara, was one of the first to make an opening in 
 the woods of Niagara, in all the region north of Batavia and Lewis- 
 ton road and east of Howell's creek. In the fall of 1803, he erected 
 a log cabin in what was afterwards called Slayton's settlement, 
 on Eighteen Mile creek, a mile below Maybee's mill. Keeping 
 bachelor's hall, he chopped five acres, and in the spring brought his 
 wife and children there from Niagara, U. C. His cabin not being 
 large enough to accommodate the new comers, he put up in one 
 day, with the help of Mrs. Morrison, a very considerable addition; 
 covering it with peeled elm bark. Raised that season, among the 
 logs, patches of corn and potatoes. Gad Warner, Thomas Slay- 
 ton, Loudon Andrews, Samuel Capen, were his neighbors in 1804. 
 Mrs. Morrison, who yet survives, gives a relation of the events of 
 a night, which will interest the reader: — In the summer of 1804, 
 her husband had gone out to Batavia to get some provisions; leav- 
 ing her alone with her children over night. A pack of wolves 
 came near the cabin and set up a terrible howl — such as is usual 
 with them when scenting prey. Mrs. M. got up from her bed, and 
 heard them for a long time, apprehending no danger until she 
 found they had approached within a few feet of the door place. 
 There was no door, a blanket supplied the place of one; this, as 
 she was aware, afforded but a poor protection. Careful not to 
 wake her sleeping children, lest the sound of their voices might 
 excite the wolves to a bolder siege, she took her husband's axe and 
 stood sentry, for hours and hours, until, day light approaching, the 
 wolves retired into the depths of the forest. 
 
I 
 
 HOLLAND PURCHASE. 495 
 
 The author will here observe, that a necessary brevity of narra- 
 tive, obliges him to omit many relations of events like the above, 
 and others that were attendant upon primitive forest life. 
 
 The Ridge road, through all the eastern portion of Niagara, was 
 discovered in 1805. Some of the new settlers in Slayton's settle- 
 ment in 1805, were hunting cattle, and observed that there w^as 
 continuous elevated ground, and changed their location, setthng 
 upon it east of Hartland Corners. It was not however known in 
 its full extent through that region, until some years after. Jedediah 
 Riggs, John Palmeter, and Daniel Brown, were the first settlers 
 upon the Ridge, east of Howell's creek, in Niagara and Orleans 
 counties. 
 
 The pioneer in all the region named in connexion with the advent 
 of Major Morrison, was Thomas Slayton. He was on his way to 
 Canada, with his family; broke his wagon down, about two miles 
 cast of the Cold Springs, stopped in consequence, Uked the country, 
 took up land and chopped an acre or two. His horses having 
 strayed away from his log cabin, he went into the woods in pursuit 
 of them, and in his rambles saw the fine soil and black walnut 
 groves below the mountain, and soon changed his location, becoming 
 the founder of Slayton's settlement. Those who pass now through 
 that beautiful, highly cultivated region, will conclude that the early 
 pioneer made a good selection, when he had a wide field before 
 him. 
 
 Stephen Bugbee, who went to Slayton's settlement in 1805, still 
 survives. Joshua Slayton, one of the earliest residents, is still 
 living, his residence, at Jackson, Michigan. The first religious 
 meeting held in the pioneer neighborhood, (now town of Royalton,) 
 w^as in 1808; Elder Joel Doubleday, of the Christian denomination, 
 officiated. The church formed by him there, is supposed to be one 
 of the first upon the Holland Purchase. Dr. David Dunn, was the 
 first physician in town; Ezra Harwood, the first merchant; Thomas, 
 or Joshua Slayton, raised the first crops; Stephen Bugbee built the 
 first framed house and barn; William Curtiss planted the first 
 orchard; Daniel Vaughn, who is still a resident of the town, was 
 the first born. The church edifice erected by the Christian 
 denomination in Slayton's settlement, is the first house built for 
 public worship on the Holland Purchase; if we except the log 
 church, built by Brant at Lewiston, before white settlement 
 commenced. 
 
496 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Gladly would the author, from memory, in the absence of dates, 
 if space permitted, bestow especial notice upon more ot the pio- 
 neer settlers of Niagara. There was one of the pioneer land- 
 lords upon the Ridge Road, William Molyneux, widely known in 
 early times, and especially in the war of 1812; one of the best 
 specimens of the "green isle of the ocean;" jovial, kind hearted and 
 benevolent. The old landlord, and she, the companion in his early 
 advent, who served up for long years, welcome repasts for the 
 weary traveller — one of the best of pioneer wives and mothers — 
 both, side by side, rest in a quiet rural spot, that will arrest the 
 attention of the traveller as he passes along the Ridge Road, near 
 their once residence; and near by, under the same green shade, 
 rest the remains of a son who closed an early life of promise at 
 West Point, a tasteful monument, erected by his brother cadets, 
 indicating the high respect they entertained for his memory. The 
 surviving sons of William Molyneux, now residents of Niagara, are 
 Charles, (the landlord at the old stand,) William and Robert. An 
 only daughter, is the wife of ex-sheriff, Hiram M'Niel. 
 
 Capt. Lemuel Cooke was a first sergeant in the U. S. army, and 
 came to Fort Niagara at an early period of American occupancy; 
 remaining in the army but about one year, he opened a tavern near 
 the fort at the ferry landing. In 1802 he removed to Lewiston. 
 The sons of this early pioneer were Bates, Lothrop, and Isaac. 
 Bates Cook, Esq. was the early P. M. at Lewiston, for a long 
 period a practicing Attorney in Niagara, and ultimately filled the 
 office of Comptroller of the State. He died at Lewiston a few 
 years since. Judge Lothrop Cooke and his brother Isaac are yet 
 residents of Lewiston. The family will again be referred to in 
 connection with some events at Lewiston in the war of 1812; no 
 family has been longer, and few more conspicuously identified with 
 the history of the Holland Purchase. 
 
 Judge Cooke mentions the fact that in the year 1799, he was 
 sent to school to East Bloomfield, the then nearest one to the resi- 
 dence of his father's family. The first school at Lewiston was in 
 1806, kept by a Scotchman named Watson. 
 
 And there is another reminiscence of his that should have been 
 in an earlier connection: — In the summer of 1799, the garrison 
 at Niagara was kept in readiness for action, in anticipation of a 
 renewal of Indian wars. At one period a large body of Indians 
 came down and camped on the Canada side. 
 
I 
 
 HOLLAND PURCHASE. 497 
 
 Few were better known all along during the period of the war 
 of 1812, than the early landlord and landlady at Lewiston, Mr. and 
 Mrs. Hustler. He is said to have been the model Sergeant 
 Hollister, of Cooper's Spy, and his wife the model Betty Flannagan. 
 Both were taken prisoners at St. Clair's defeat, and were after- 
 wards with Wayne's army. 
 
 i The Loyds, Browns, Dotys, Zittlcs, Swains, Hopkins were among 
 the earliest settlers in Porter, and that, it will be observed, was one 
 of the earliest settled towns upon the Purchase. 
 
 Jacob Christman was the pioneer settler on Tonawanda creek, 
 between Indian village and the Niagara river, settling at Christman's 
 Rapids, as early as 1804. He was for several years the only settler 
 in the distance named; George Van Slyck was the next settler. 
 
 Reuben Hurd, a surviving pioneer, settled on Ridge Road in 
 Cambria, in 1805. He says: — The early settlers used to go to 
 Canada for their supplies of provisions; sometimes they would have 
 no supplies there and then they would have to manage the best way 
 they could. The Tuscarora Indians generally had corn to sell. 
 Billions fevers and fever and ague, in early years, along the Ridge 
 Road, wei'e very prevalent, discouraged settlement. I have known, 
 at several periods, more than half of the population sick. Before 
 there was any mill at the Falls, we used generally to pound our 
 corn out in stump mortars. Th-e first school on Ridge Road was 
 in a small log house, a mile west of Howell's. Mrs. Neal, the 
 mother of George Neal was the teacher. Our earliest meetings 
 were at the mission house, in Tuscarora; Methodist preachers 
 soon came along, holding their meetings in the log houses of the 
 settlers. At the breaking out of the war of 1812, 1 think there was 
 not over one hundred acres of cleared land between Hardscrabble 
 and the Cold Springs. 
 
 Jeptha Dunn was one of the earliest settlers on Ridge Road, in 
 Hartland; now in his old age, the owner of a large and valuable 
 farm; an anecdote of his early advent, may serve to illustrate how 
 beneficial to settlers and the prosperity of the country was the 
 policy of admitting settlers without requiring more than nominal 
 advance payments. He applied to Mr. Ellicott for the land upon 
 which he now resides. It was required that he should pay the usual 
 per cent; this he was unable to do, for four dollars was all the 
 money he possessed. Eventually, the land was "booked" to him, 
 he advancing the four dollars, half of which, was handed back to 
 32 
 
498 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 him, upon Mr. Ellicott's understanding that he had a journey to* 
 make a considerable distance to the east on foot. A good settler 
 was thus secured, and he paid for his land. It is not exaggera- 
 tion to say, that there were a thousand of instances, that would as 
 well illustrate the benefits that have flowed from giving men pos-M 
 session of soil, and trusting to their industry and energy for pay- 
 ment of the purchase money. To be sure, the poor man obtains 
 a few hundred dollars now, easier than he could then, but how 
 many Jeptha Dunns have there been since the sales of public lands 
 commenced at the west, who would have gone there and become 
 free holders and useful citizens, if they could have got possession of 
 lands as easy as he did? If they went there and located under 
 pre-emption laws, sale days would come about, long before they , 
 could meet them. I 
 
 And here, through the aid of a venerable surviving pioneer, Mr. 
 David Mather, of Lockport, we get another early glimpse of 
 Buffalo:— 
 
 I settled in Buflalo in April, 1806; there was then sixteen dwell- 
 ing houses, principally framed ones; eight of them were scattered 
 along on Main street, three of them were on the terrace, three of 
 them on Seneca, and two on Cayuga streets. There were two 
 stores; one the "contractor's" on corner of Main and Seneca 
 streets, (east side of Main,) Vincent Grant, kept it. The other was 
 the store of Samuel Pratt, adjoining Crow's tavern. Mr. Le 
 Couteulx kept a drug store in a part of his house on Crow street. 
 David Reese's Indian blacksmith shop was on Seneca street, and 
 William Robbins had a blacksmith shop on Main street. John 
 Crow kept a tavern where Mansion House now stands, and Judge 
 Barker kept one on the site of the market. 
 
 I remember very well the arrival of the first public mail that 
 ever reached Buffalo. It was brought on horse-back by Ezra 
 Metcalf, he came to my blacksmith's shop and got his horse shod. 
 He told me he could carry the contents of his bag in his two 
 hands. 
 
 William Johnston died in 1807, aged 65 years. He was a good I 
 neighbor, a man of a good deal of intelligence; was much respected I 
 by the Indians. I was with him a good deal during his last illness, 
 and from what escaped him then, I judged that he had been famil- 
 iar with some of the most barbarous scenes of the border wars. 
 
 From 1809 to the commencement of the war, a good many set- 
 tlers came into Buffalo, and a good many buildings were put up. 
 
 In early times, I have on several occasions seen the water less 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 499 
 
 ) than knee deep across the mouth of BufTalo creek. The few 
 
 vessels then on the Lake, would lay off from a half to three 
 
 ! I fourths of a mile, or go down to Black Rock, anchoring below the 
 
 1 rapids, 
 
 I Mrs. Mather, the wife of David Mather, also survives. She 
 came to Batavia in 1802, was then the wife of Joseph Hawks, and 
 
 I a sister of the earliest physician there, Dr. Alvord. Mrs. Mather 
 
 1 moved with her first husband to Williamsville, in 1805. Jonas 
 
 I Williams, a brother-in-law of Andrew A. Ellicott, from whom the 
 village of Williamsville took its name, was then a young man just 
 commencing a farm there — had purchased the old saw mil! and 
 
 I water power, and was rebuilding the mill. For two years Mrs. 
 
 I M. was the only female at Williamsville; kept house for Mr. 
 Williams. The nearest family was a half mile on the road east. 
 She remembers that a Mr. Lewis opened the first tavern in the 
 neighborhood, a mile and a half west of Williamsville, at the Hen- 
 shaw stand, and that the settlers came in pretty fast upon the 
 openings, in 1805. Mrs. M. says that she and her husband were 
 three days getting from Batavia to Williamsville, with a yoke of 
 oxen and wagon. 
 
 Mrs. Mather became a resident of Buffalo in January, 1807. 
 She participated in the formation of the first religious society; a 
 union of Presbyterians and Congregationalists. The Rev. Thaddeus 
 Osgood was the officiating minister. The first meetings were held 
 in the court house. The primitive members of the church were: 
 — Mrs. Landon, Nathaniel Sill and wife, Mrs. Mather, Mrs. Pratt, 
 and a young man whose name is not recollected. If Deacon 
 Callender was not a member of the church on its first organization, 
 he was soon after; except when missionaries came along, he took 
 the lead in the meetings. Mrs. M. thinks that the Rev. Miles P. 
 Squires, was the first settled minister in Buffalo. 
 
 In the disposal of lots in Buffalo Mr. Ellicott was even more 
 careful to confine the sales to actual settlers, and to require a cer- 
 tain stipulated amount of improvements, in a given time, than in the 
 sale of farming lands. He often refused to sell lots for the whole 
 purchase money in advance, without buildings were first erected 
 upon them, or some earnest given that there would be. This ac- 
 counts for the slow sale of lots there. The whole original village 
 plat, would have sold in the absence of such conditions, at the low 
 prices asked, before 1820. As in the rest of the Purchase, there 
 
500 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 was a resident in the confidence of the local agent, who would 
 report to him from time to time the progress of improvements. 
 Mr. Le Couteulx, at "New Amsterdam,"' would inform iMr. EUi- 
 cott that such an one had a "framed house up and covered;" that 
 another "had the frame out for a house;" that another "had a cel- 
 lar dug;" that another had an inner lot "cleared and fenced in;" 
 that another on an outer lot, had one two or three acres, "cleared 
 and enclosed." Upon the contract books, there are numerous 
 instances of entries stipulating the improvements that were to be 
 made in a given time. These conditions it should be observed, 
 were not for the usual purpose of increasing the value of the prem- 
 ises, and keeping the lien for the purchase money good; but were 
 intended to make every purchaser an actual settler. It would 
 amuse the reader to see with what care Mr, Le Couteulx would 
 inform Mr. Ellicott that cellars were dug, frames up and partly 
 covered, or the timber cleared away and enclosures made, where 
 the land is now worth from two to three hundred dollars per foot, 
 and covered with four and five story brick blocks. 
 
 It may interest the reader to see some of the early prices of lots 
 in New Amsterdam. No sales were made until 1804; such set- 
 tlers as had made locations and improvements had done so with the 
 promise of a pre-emptive right. In that year, lot 1, site of Man- 
 sion House, was sold for $140, (deeded afterwards to Joseph Landon 
 at that price.) Prices of lots in this year, generally corresponded 
 with this example of prices. In 1805, Thomas Sid well paid $35 
 and $45 for lots 75 and 76 on Pearl Street. In 1806, Asa Chap- 
 man paid for lot 36 opposite Farmer's Hotel, $120; Eleazer Hovey, 
 paid for out lots 146 and 147, (near barracks,) 11 and $12 per acre; 
 David Mather, for lot 38 on Main Street, $120,25 in advance. In 
 1807, Abraham Hershey, paid for lots 150, 151, 156, 157, $20 per lot. 
 In 1808, Alphcus Hitchcock paid $4 per acre for out lots 88 and 89. 
 One of the first sales after the war, in 1816, was to Smith H. Salis- 
 bury; lot 183 on Washington Street; price $480,80; was to erect 
 a "house 20 feet square." Next sale in that year, was of lots 85 
 and 86, to Miles P. Squier; purchase money, $550. There were 
 but three sales in this year. In 1817, Frederick B. Merrill paid for 
 lots 87 and 88, $580; was to "erect a house 20 by 24." Barent B. 
 Staats, for E. pt. inner lot 90, $300; was to erect a house "24 feel 
 square, 2 stories high." There were but two sales in this year. 
 In 1818 no sales. In 1819, F. B. Merrill paid for outer lot 115, 
 
TH. or »/» ENDiCOTT Sr CO. 
 
 <^CK.C/^ :^^0C 
 
 ^©Wng ic,l (g(Q)W^IlW]Ll 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 501 
 
 $20 per acre; and for parts of inner lots 87 and 88, (35 feet,) $175. 
 No other sale in that year. In 1820, J. D. Hoyt, paid for outer lot 
 69, $30 per acre; Ralph M. Pomeroy, for outer lot 70, $35 per acre. 
 There were but four sales in this year. In 1821, M. A. Andrews 
 paid for inner lots 202 and 203, $200; for outer lots 120, 121, 127, 
 128, 129, 130, 131, 132 — in all 79 acres — $25 per acre. Roswell 
 Chapin for inner lot 133, $250. Sally Haddock, for 31 acres, outer 
 lot 28, $150. Ebenezer Johnson, for lots 100 and 102, — one acre 
 — $200. Moses Baker, for lots 23 and 24, $400. Gilman Folsom 
 for lot 198, $150; under a stipulation, to have '-a framed house 
 built in one year." Avery C. Tiffany, for lot 201, $180; was to 
 erect a "brick house." John Rickard and Isaac Hampton for lot 
 199, $150; were to build "a framed or brick house, immediately." 
 About the middle of vSeptember, 1821, under the new agency of 
 Mr. Otto, and a policy differing from Mr. Ellicott's with reference 
 to conditions of sales, occupation, improvements, &c. ; and with the 
 prospect that the Erie Canal would terminate at Buffalo; a new 
 impetus commenced; sales of lots were brisk. Before the close of 
 the year, 91 lots were sold; the prices of inner lots ranging from 
 $80 to $250; outer lots from $12 to $17 per acre. In 1822 there 
 were 64 sales made; in fact, all that remained of the original plat 
 of New Amsterdam; the prices not varying materially fz'om those 
 cited of 1821. A large portion of the original plat of New 
 Amsterdam was sold in the nine months, ending June 1st, 1822. 
 
 LOUIS STEPHEN LE COUTEULX. 
 
 Louis Stephen Le Couteulx de Chaumont, was born at Rouen, in 
 France, on the 24th of August, 1756. He was the only son of 
 Anthony Le Couteulx, a counsellor at law, and delegate to the 
 Parliament of Normandy. He was the head of the eldest branch 
 of the Le Couteulx family. 
 
 This family, which originated in Normandy, was ennobled in 
 1505, on account of some service rendered the government, with 
 the privilege, usually denied to the nobility, of engaging in com- 
 merce. It always enjoyed high distinction and formed many 
 
 Note. — All that part of the city lying east of Ellicott Street, (which runs northerlj 
 and souihcrlv about ten rods east of the Court House,) and all north of Chippewa Street 
 and south of Terrace, were denominated outer lots by the Holland Company, and sold, 
 by the acre 
 
502 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 alliances with distinguished families in France, particularly with 
 that of La Fayette. 
 
 He was destined for the magistracy; having no taste for that 
 occupation, entered the commercial house of his relations, who had 
 establishments in France and many other parts of Europe. 
 
 Understanding the English and Spanish languages, he was sent 
 to London and Cadiz, where he passed several years. 
 
 In September, 1786, he married, in Paris, Miss Clonet, whose 
 father held an honorable office in that city. She was a niece of 
 General Touzard, who came to America with General La Fayette, 
 during the Revolutionary war, and lost an arm in our service. 
 This did not prevent him from remaining in the employ of our 
 government until his death, which occurred in 181L 
 
 Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Le Couteulx was sent to the 
 United States to negotiate a settlement of accounts with the house 
 of Robert Morris. He arrived with his wife at New York on the 
 15th of December, 1786, and repaired to Philadelphia, whither his 
 business called him. Having arranged the accounts with Mr. 
 Morris, and being pleased with this country, he rented a house in 
 Trenton, New Jersey, where he remained until the July following. 
 He then purchased an estate in Bucks county, near Philadelphia, 
 of about two hundred acres, called " La Petite France," 
 
 Wishing to become a citizen of the United States, he made his 
 first declaration on the 7th day of July, 1787, and eventually 
 obtained his certificate of naturalization. 
 
 The climate of this country not agreeing with his wife, he 
 accompanied her to France the 17th of October, 1789, with his 
 two sons, and returned alone to Philadelphia, the 17th of February 
 following. 
 
 He was among the first who introduced merino sheep into the 
 United States, having imported a pair from Spain, in 1789, which 
 he pi-esented to Robert Morris. They were sent from Cadiz by 
 the house of Le Couteulx, not without great difficulty and risk, as 
 the Spanish government had forbidden their exportation under 
 severe penalties. 
 
 Having arranged his business with Mr, Morris, and being fond 
 of traveling, he set out on horseback, accompanied with a servant, 
 and visited the greater part of the United States. This occupied 
 him two years, a part of which time he spent among various tribes 
 of Indians for the purpose of studying their manners and customs. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 503 
 
 During this sojourn among the Indians, he was adopted by the 
 Senecas. He wrote an interesting journal of his travels which 
 unfortunately has been lost. 
 
 After finishing his travels, he established himself in business at 
 Albany in the spring of 1795, where he continued to reside for 
 many years. 
 
 lie set out in the month of September, 1800, with a large quantity 
 of merchandize destined for Detroit, where he had determined to 
 reside, in case he found it a good market for his goods. 
 
 The usual route of travel to Detroit at that early period, was by 
 way of Fort Niagara, Fort George, and Queenston to Chippewa, 
 and Fort Erie, where shipping could be obtained direct to Detroit. 
 
 On landing at Fort George on the 7th day of October, 1800, he 
 was arrested by the English, on suspicion of being a French spy, 
 and sent prisoner to Quebec, where he endured a rigorous captivity 
 from the 4th day of November, 1800, until the 29th day of July, 
 1802, when he was released in consequence of the ratification of 
 peace between Great Britain and France. 
 
 During his detention, strenuous exertions were made by his 
 friends to procure his release, and the Government of the United 
 States in vain claimed his discharge as an American citizen. 
 
 His affairs experienced sad derangement during his long captivity, 
 but with what he could save from the wreck of his fortune, he soon 
 after purchased from the Holland Company several lots in the then 
 village of New Amsterdam — (now Buffalo.) 
 
 Mr. Le Couteulx came to reside in Buffalo in the year 1804, soon 
 after employed some Canadians to construct him a frame house 
 opposite Mr. Crows, on the site of the building now known as the 
 '•Le Couteulx Block," and in which he lived until the burning of 
 Buffalo, with his second wife, whom he married a short time after 
 his release from his captivity. 
 
 He was soon after employed by the Holland Company as an agent 
 for the sale of their lands in Buffalo and its vicinity, and was 
 appointed first Clerk of Niagara county, the 26th of March, 1808, 
 which office he continued to hold until the war of 1812. 
 
 He then removed to Albany, where he had still a small property, 
 and re-established himself in business in that city. 
 
 He received the appointment of Forage Master in the service of 
 the United States towards the close of the late war, which he held 
 until June, 1815. 
 
r504 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 He was elected Sergeant at Arms by the Constitutional Conven- 
 tion of 1821, and also by the New York Senate. 
 
 He soon after returned to Buffalo, where he resided until hisi 
 death, which occurred October 16th, 1839, at the age of 84 years. 
 His wife had died the year previous. 
 
 Thus have we sketched the prominent events of the life of Louis 
 Stephen Le Couteulx, one of the earliest pioneers of Buffalo. He 
 died regretted by all who were capable of appreciating his good 
 qualities. As a private citizen, no one was more worthy of the 
 general esteem and consideration in which he was held. 
 
 He was a kind father, affectionate husband, and firm friend. He 
 was honest beyond suspicion; as a Catholic, he strictly observed all 
 the requirements of his religion, and especially those of the Gospel, 
 which induced him to regard all the unfortunate as his brethren, 
 and to afford them assistance without reference to their religion. 
 
 In the discharge of his public duties he was distinguished for his 
 integrity, his zeal, and his affability. 
 
 Although a foreigner by birth, no one excelled him in love of his 
 adopted country, or more highly appreciated its institutions, and he 
 was ever ready to sacrifice his personal interest for the general 
 good. Some proofs of this may be found in the donations he has 
 made to the city of Buffalo and other corporations, for benevolent 
 purposes. He was the founder of St. Louis Church, erected by the 
 Catholics on a large lot fronting on Main Street, in the City of 
 Buffalo, which he presented to the Bishop of New York, and his 
 successors in oflice, for that purpose, and for the construction of 
 which he contributed a large share of the funds. He also gave 
 another lot to the Irish Catholic congregation, on which they have 
 recently erected a church. 
 
 In acknowledgement of these benevolent acts, and to perpetuate 
 his memory, the Common Council of the City of Buffalo procured 
 his portrait to be painted a short time before his death, and have 
 placed it among those of the mayors of the city, in the Common 
 Council chamber. 
 
 In 1804, Major Adam Hoops, whose name has occurred in con- 
 nection with the earliest movements of the Holland Company in 
 this region, purchased about ten thousand acres of land at Olean 
 Point, and commenced founding a settlement there. Ebenezer F. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 505 
 
 Norton was interested with him in the purchase. At that early- 
 period, and in fact, until the completion of the Erie Canal, Olean 
 Point, the head of navigation on the Alleghany river, was deemed 
 to possess important advantages, as will be seen in connection with 
 other accounts of early movements in that quarter. Anticipations 
 were entertained, the fulfilment of which has been postponed, but 
 which are in a fair way to be yet realized. It is here that the 
 Genesee Valley Canal enters the Alleghany river; it is where the 
 Erie rail road comes upon its banks; and it is the point up to which 
 the river will in all probability, in the course of a few years, be 
 made navigable for steamboats. 
 
 Major Hoops, and his brother Robert, settled there, and built a 
 small log house, in the same year the purchase was made. Pre- 
 vious to the commencement of the settlement of the Holland 
 Purchase, there was a small isolated settlement on the Osway, in 
 Pennsylvania, adjoining the line of this state. Although a little 
 beyond our bounds, it is quite too remarkable to be passed over: — 
 Francis King, a member of the Society of Friends, came from 
 London to Philadelphia, an adventurer in the new world, in 1795. 
 In '97, at the suggestion of some capitalists of Philadelphia, he set 
 out as a land explorer; after journeying over the wild regions of 
 western Pennsylvania, for weeks in the forest, camping out; losing 
 his way, and coming near famishing for food, he found his way out 
 of the woods, and returning to Philadelphia, his representations 
 induced Keating & Co. of that city, to purchase of Wm. Brigham 
 Esq. (who had purchased of the state,) 300,000 acres of land in 
 what is now Potter and M'Kean counties. The explorer became 
 the resident agent of the owners. In the summer of '98, he came 
 upon the purchase, with a few hired hands, and put up a log build- 
 ing on the Osway, near the present village of Ceres, or Cerestown. 
 His son and three daughters, joined him in his wilderness home in 
 '98. There are few instances of pioneer life, so isolated, and that 
 too, of a family who had been transferred from the largest city of 
 Europe. Their nearest neighbors for two years, were in Dyke's 
 settlement, at what is now Andover, in Allegany county, N. Y. 
 The nearest neighbor in Pennsylvania was at the distance of fifty- 
 six miles; no supplies could be obtained short of a journey of one 
 hundred and forty miles, to a settlement on the Susquehannah. 
 The pioneer settler used to send his son once a month, on a pack 
 horse road to the nearest P. O. (Williamsport,) for his letters. 
 
506 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The journey used to be made on foot, and in all cases, involved the 
 necessity of camping out one night going and coming. In 1800, 
 several families came in. 
 
 Francis King died in 1814. He was succeedqd in the land 
 agency, by his son John King, whom the author found last summer, 
 a resident near Ceres, in a quiet and romantic spot, his hospitable 
 mansion surrounded by shrubbery, and a display of fine floral and 
 horticultural taste. It is a wild spot even now. The road to it 
 from the Allegany river, is most of the way through a dense pine 
 forest, along the base and sides of a mountain, and the settlement, 
 with a pleasing rural aspect, reminds one of the descriptions of 
 secluded retreats among the mountains of Switzerland. If any 
 of our readers should lake a summer ramble in that direction, to 
 breathe pure air, angle for trout in the streams, or indulge in the 
 chase; they should not fail to visit Ceres, and make the acquaint- 
 ance of .Tohn King, or " Quaker John " as he is sometimes called. 
 
 His residence for a half century, having been in close proximity 
 to the Holland Purchase, he was enabled to give the author many 
 reminiscences of early events. 
 
 Soon after the Hoops settled at Olean, they were joined by the 
 Russell and Read families. There followed soon after, settling on 
 village plat, and upon Oil creek, Elisha Johnson, Ebenezcr Reed, 
 James Brooks, Zacharia Orsterhout, James Green. The early 
 tavern keepers were Sylvanus Russell, and Jehiel Boardman; the 
 early merchants were Levi Gregory, and Ebenezcr Lockwood; the 
 early physicians were Norman Smith, A. C. Bennett, and Andrew 
 Mead, the last of whom still survives. 
 
 The first saw mill built on the upper waters of the Allegany, 
 was on the Osway, a mile and a half above the mouth, by Atherton 
 and Horton; or rather this was the first built to make lumber as an 
 article of commerce. Francis King had built a saw mill at Ceres 
 in '99, to accommodate the settlers. He built a grist mill at Ceres 
 in 1801; before that, all the corn of the settlers was pounded in 
 mortars; no mill within one hundred miles. Lumber was first 
 taken down the river from above Olean in 1807. It was sawed in 
 King's mill. 
 
 In 1809 or '10 Olean Point began to become the place of em- 
 barkation for emigrants, and for a long period, in portions of each 
 year, great numbers assembled there, built arks, and embarked on 
 their way down the Allegany and the Ohio. For a few years 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 507 
 
 pending the completion of the Eric Canal, every spring, the emi- 
 grants awaiting the opening of navigation on the river counted to 
 the number of thousands; are said to have amounted to over three 
 thousand in 1818. On that as well as other occasions, the great 
 numbers accumulating there, created great scarcity of food. The 
 river would remain closed longer than they had anticipated, supplies 
 of provisions would be exhausted; and that too, at seasons of the 
 year when the state of the roads made it extremely difficult to get 
 provisions in. The families of emigrants, far exceeding the capa- 
 city of public and private houses, were obliged to erect tents and 
 shantecs to live in. Flour has sold at Olean upon such occasions, 
 as high as $25 dollars per barrel, and pork, for 850. In numerous 
 instances emigrants would become penniless, before they could get 
 down the river. Sometimes large numbers of emigrants would 
 commence their journeys towards the last of sleighing, intending to 
 reach Glean just before the breaking up of ice in the river; the 
 snow would go off before their journey was accomplished; sleighs 
 would be left and wagons substituted; and then followed long days 
 and wrecks of slow progress; (the roads almost impassable;) depri- 
 vation and suffering. This affords the reader a glimpse of what it 
 was to emigrate to the western states, before the facilities were 
 afforded that now exist. How slow must have been the progress 
 of settlement at the west, in the absence of the Erie Canal, and 
 the facilities to transportation upon the Lakes which it promoted! 
 Vast as have been the benefits of the Erie Canal at home, it has 
 speeded the founding of a new empire at the west. 
 
 Although it is going some years beyond the period we have 
 genei-ally so far embraced, in tracing the progress of settlement, 
 we will add in this connection some account of the early advent of 
 Friend's missions upon the Allegany Reservation, obtained from 
 John King. The mission was first established in the year 1798, by 
 the Yearly Meeting of Philadelphia. Joel Swayne, Halliday 
 Jackson, Chester Simmons, three young Friends from Chester 
 county, Pa. became residents upon the Reservation, locating about 
 five miles below the Cold Springs. They became teachers of agri- 
 culture and other arts of civilized life; and school teachers. The 
 Yearly IMeeting soon after purchased three hundred acres of land 
 of the Holland Company, and built a saw mill and grist mill. The 
 mills did work for the white settlers, upon the usual terms, and 
 furnished lumber, and ground corn for the Indians, free. Robert 
 
508 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 •'■ 
 Clendenon, from Chester county, Pa. with his wife and two daugh- 
 ters, occupied the mission station as early as 1812. Under his 
 supervision the mills were rebuilt that had been first built by Jacob 
 Taylor and Jonathan Thomas. The Clendenon family remained 
 there four years; the daughters were school teachers, and taught 
 the squaws to sew, knit, spin and the duties generally of house 
 keeping, as practiced in civilized life. One of them is now the wife 
 of John King, and the other resides with him. They are familiar 
 with the character and habits of the Indians, and manifest a deep 
 interest in their welfare. One of them informed the author that 
 there were descendants of Sir William Johnson now residing upon 
 the Allegany Reservation. 
 
 The author was amused, and it is presumed the reader will be, 
 with the reason that John King gave for the slow progress of 
 settlement and improvement on the Allegany. He said it was 
 owing to the easy facilities of getting away from there; that the 
 new settlers would get dissatisfied, discouraged, and had only to 
 get together a few slabs, form a raft, and be carried with the cur- 
 rent of the river to a new home. He inferred that there were 
 periods with most of those who attempt the settlement of new 
 countries, when they would back out, or go further on, if they 
 could do it as easily; and he added, what many a pioneer settler 
 will sanction, that there are many prosperous citizens of the whole 
 region of Western New York who have reason to be thankful that 
 there were formidable obstacles to getting away in early days of 
 privation and endurance. 
 
 A brief abstract of memorandums made in conversation with 
 John Green, the son of the early pioneer, James Green, will 
 embrace some of the earliest events in that region: — 
 
 I came with my father to Olean in 1806. He was the first 
 supervisor of Olean; used to go to Batavia to attend the sitting of 
 Board of Supervisors; the town of Olean was all Cattaragus. He 
 built a saw mill on Haskell's creek in 1808, the first mill built for 
 the lumber business on the Allegany. 
 
 I am now the oldest resident of Cattaragus county. The first 
 
 death and funeral in Cattaragus were those of Husten. 
 
 He was killed by the springing of a tree, while getting out spars 
 on the river, in 1807. There was no one to take the lead of any 
 religious service; it was as much as we could do to get together 
 enough to bury him. Marius Johnson, Esq. son of Elisha Johnson, 
 was the first born male child in Cattaragus, and a sister of mine, 
 the first female. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 509 
 
 1 4-emeinbcr the execution of a squaw on the Allegany, in 1807. 
 She was convicted of witchery. The principal proof against her 
 was that she had foretold that some of the Indians w'ould die, who 
 were very sick at the time. Cornplanter was absent; when he 
 returned he disapproved of it; the Prophet, w^ho had been the prin- 
 cipal means of condemning her, was obliged to go to Canada to get 
 rid of the vengeance of the surviving relatives. The execution was 
 a horrid one; the executioner, an Indian by the name of Sun Fish, 
 struck her on the head with a hatchet; she came to and groaned, 
 when he cut hor throat with a knife. 
 
 I had a long and familiar acquaintance with Cornplanter. I have 
 no doubts as to his parentage. He was the son of O'Bail, an 
 Irishman, who was an Indian trader; his mother was a Seneca 
 squaw. His Indian name was Ki-en-twa-ka, which means a large 
 cornfield; it came in consequence of his cultivating large cornfields, 
 when he resided down the river, near Pittsburgh. He died in 1837 
 or '38, aged 100 years. He was a strong minded man, always 
 temperate: he had a great veneration for Washington. He had 
 no education, has often brought papers to me to read and explain 
 to him. He was a confirmed pagan; he once favored a Methodist 
 Missionary upon the Reservation — was rather disposed to favor 
 religion — but relapsed into paganism. He was for a long time 
 opposed to schools, for the reason that learning had so bad an effect 
 upon his son Henry. 
 
 Mr. Green located on the Allegany, at Great Valley, where he 
 now resides, in 1813. He has consequently, for a long period, been 
 a neighbor of the Indians on the Allegany Reservation. He is 
 familiar with much of their history, and speaks their language. 
 When he settled at Great Valley, tl;iere was no other white 
 inhabitant on the Allegany below Olcan. 
 
 In these brief sketches appertaining to the neighborhood of the 
 Allegany, one who may well be considered the "oldest settler," 
 should not be overlooked: — Governor Blacksnake, head chief of 
 the Allegany Reservation, still survives. His residence is in a small 
 framed house, on the river, a mile and a half above Cold Springs. 
 He has passed his hundredth year, but yet walks erect, travels a 
 good deal, spends most of his time visiting his numerous descendants, 
 and giving his people the benefit of his cqunsels. Although a pagan, 
 he is yet tolerant, and makes no serious opposition to missionary 
 efforts. It was during last summer, that he gave to an intelligent 
 informant of the author, a pretty distinct declaration of his religious 
 views. He said he was an old man, familiar with the ancient rites 
 
510 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and customs of his people; that the mission of the Saviour was to 
 the white and not to the red man; that with the Indians, the 
 christian religion is an innovation. In his speeches in councils, he 
 urges the Indians to habits of temperance; advises them to cultivate 
 their lands and build comfortable houses. His memory of events, 
 is retentive, and it embraces a period of ninety years; the wars of 
 his own people, their wars with the English, and the border wars 
 of the Revolution. His descendants are to the fifth generation. 
 He is one of the few who have survived, and realized what the 
 familiar language illustrates: — "Arise daughter, and go to your 
 daughter, for your daughter's daughter, has got a young daughter." 
 
 Peter R. Grouse, an educated, intelligent half blood, is a resident ; 
 at the Cold Springs; his wife is a grand daugliter of Mary Jemison. 
 His father, then a boy fifteen years old, was taken prisoner during 
 the border wars of Pennsylvania, conformed himself to Indian 
 habits, married a squaw, and spent his life, as a matter of choice, 
 among his captors. There are fifty of his descendants living. 
 From the son who has been named, the author gathered some 
 interesting facts, in I'eference to the Indians upon the Allegany 
 Reservation: — They now number about nine hundred. They 
 chiefly consist of two tribes, the Senecas and Onondagas; the 
 Oneidas, a few in number, have recently been adopted by the Sen- 
 ecas. Jacob Blacksnake, a son of the Governor, generally presides 
 in council. The early Friend's mission establishment is still kept 
 up. The Presbyterians have besides, two mission establishments 
 upon the Reservation, There are four schools. The general 
 tendencies upon the Reservation, are to agricultural and general 
 improvement. 
 
 By a reference to the preceding list of settlers, and the townships 
 settled, it will be observed that up to Jan. 1st, 1807, the pioneers 
 of Chautauque were along and near Lake I'oad, from Cattaragus 
 creek to Pennsylvania line, and in the vicinity of Mayville and 
 Jamestown. 
 
 Mrs. Marshall, the relict of the late Dr. Marshall, of Buffalo, who 
 still survives and resides in the city with her son, Orsamus H. 
 Marshall, Esq., is a daught.er of the early pioneer in Chautauque, 
 Orsamus Holmes. She remembers distinctly the events attending 
 the advent of her father, with his family, in June, 1805. Arriving at 
 Buffalo, after spending a night in the humble travelers' home of 
 John Crow. There was but the beach road upon the lake, for 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 511 
 
 them to travel to their new home m the wilderness. Crossing 
 Bufl'alo creek at its mouth, on the bar, their progress was a slow 
 and tedious one. AH the inhabitants then on the route were the 
 family that preceded Judge Barker, eight miles up the lake, a 
 family at Eighteen Mile creek, Capt. Sydnor, at Cattaragus creek, 
 and a family by the name of Dickinson, at Silver creek. Mr. 
 Holmes' location was three miles east of Fredonia, on the main 
 road. Mrs. Marshall names all the settlers along on the road, in 
 180.5 and '6; the reader will find them by referring to list of names, 
 and the townships along the lake shore, in Chautauque. Mr. 
 Holmes died in Ohio, where he had gone to reside with a son, in 
 1835. Dr. Marshall, who was the first physician in Mayville, and 
 the first County Clerk of Chautauque, died in BufTalo, in 1838. 
 
 Col. James M'Mahan, from Northumberland county, Pennsyl- 
 vania, was the pioneer settler of Chautauque. He had commenced 
 negotiations for the purchase of a township, in a personal visit to 
 this region soon after the surveying commenced. In September, 
 1802, he contracted for the purchase of T. 4, R. 14, which included 
 the mouth of Chautauque creek, and site of the village of Westfield. 
 Although he first settled there, and built a mill, it would seem that 
 the land w^as never conveyed. His location w^as transferred to T. 
 3, R. 15, now town of Ripley, where he purchased a tract of eight 
 or nine thousand acres, and became the founder of what was long 
 after known as M'Mahan's Settlement. 
 
 In some published accounts, which are noticed in the preface, it 
 
 Note. — Hon. Daniel G. Garnsey, a former Representative in Congress from the 
 district composed of Chautauque, Erie and Niagara, has related to the author some 
 passages in the life of Mr. Hohnes which furnish extraordinary- instances of suffering 
 and perseverance. He gathered them from a memorial he presented to Congress, in 
 his behalf, asking a pension, which was granted. In the year 1775, when ho was but 
 seventeen years old, he accompanied the expedition of Gen. Montgomery, against 
 Quebec. Returning, ho re-enlisted in the army, and was enrolled in the Green Moun- 
 tain corps, under Col. Herrick. About the period of the evacuation of Ticonderoga 
 by the British, he was upon a scouting part}", and himself and a companion were taken 
 prisoners and carried to Quebec. While confined on board a prison ship, he and three 
 others made their escape, and in a ship's boat crossed the St. Lawrence and struck into 
 the wilderness without compass or guide. The four traveled seventeen days in a drearv 
 region, subsisting the first seven days on four hard biscuits and eight ounces of pork a 
 day; and the remaining ten days on the inner bark of the white pine and a few fish 
 they caught with their hands. At the expiration of this period they were re-taken by a 
 party of Indians and taken back to Quebec. Three of them escaped again, by leaping 
 from the the second story window of the prove prison, evading a guard of eighteen 
 men. They crossed the river, and, striking again into the wilderness, after many davs 
 of suffering reached the frontier settlements of Vermont. The reader will conclude 
 that such an adventurer was well fitted to be a pioneer of new settlement. 
 
512 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 is stated that Edward M'Henry, was the next settler on "an 
 adjoining tract." The author is disposed to conclude that M'Henry 
 settled under the auspices of Gen. M'Mahan, inasmuch as there is 
 no record of any contract of his with the Holland Company. John 
 M'Henry, born in 1802, was the first white child born in 
 Chautauque. In 1803 M'Henry was drowned while attempting to 
 make a trip from the mouth of Chautauque creek to Erie, in a small 
 boat, after provisions. 
 
 The first white resident of Chautauque, was Amos Settle. He 
 had resided near the mouth of the Cattaragus creek for three years 
 before the sale of the Holland Company lands commenced. 
 
 The present village of Irving, or that portion of it which 
 embraces the mouth of the Cattaragus creek, was at an early 
 period of the surveys of the Purchase, platted as a village site, and 
 called "Cattaragus;" village lots were sold there, as in Mayville 
 and other of the original Holland Company villages, cotemporary 
 with the sale of farming lands in the neighborhood. In addition to 
 the Amos Settle, that civilization found there, those who took 
 contracts in early years, (not included in the list,) were Sylvester 
 Maybee, Sylvester Mark, Nathan Cole, Benjamin Kenyon, Joseph 
 Hadsell. 
 
 Settlements were commenced in the neighborhood of Fredonia in 
 1804; David Eason was the pioneer! In the same year. Dr. 
 Kennedy, from Meadville, Pa., who is mentioned in a preceding 
 chapter as having married one of the daughters of Andrew ElHcott, 
 erected a saw mill on the Conewango — the first structure of the 
 kind in Chautauque, and the first step in the way of improvement 
 taken south of the Ridge. 
 
 The mill of Gen. M'Mahan, on Chautauque creek, was erected 
 in 1804, though the author is disposed to conclude, was not in 
 operation that year, for in some reminiscences furnished by an early 
 settler, it is mentioned that Judge Gushing, and some of his 
 neighbors, the first year after they went into the woods, made trips 
 to Street's mill, at Niagara Falls, on foot, carrying flour and meal 
 home on their backs. And in fact, it is difficult to conclude what 
 a mill would have found to do in Chautauque, until the fall of 1805, 
 as previous to that, there could have been no crops raised of any 
 consequence. In 1805, Mr. Dickinson, the pioneer at Silver Creek, 
 erected a saw mill, to which he attached a pestle and mortar, for 
 
ri 
 
 HOLLAND PURCHASE. 513 
 
 pounding corn. Mr. Moore erected a grist mill at Forestville in 
 1806. Along in 1805 and '0, flour was worth in that part of the 
 Purchase, from 812 to 815, and pork from 818 to 830 per barrel. 
 
 In April, 1800, the town of Chautauque, (including all of what 
 is now Chautauque county,) having been set off from Batavia, a 
 town meeting was held, Gen. iM'IMahan elected supervisor, and 
 James Montgomery, town clerk. Previous to this, as will be seen 
 by some account we shall give of the organization of Genesee 
 county, the early settlers had to go to Vandeventer's, on Buffalo 
 road, for the transaction of their town business. 
 
 John M'Mahan, David Eason and Perry G. Ellsworth, were the 
 first justices of the peace commissioned for Chautauque county. 
 
 WilHam Wilson, in 180G, was the pioneer settler of the town of 
 Ellicott; Joseph Aikin, of the town of Carrol; Messrs. Griffith, 
 Bemus and Barnhart, were the pioneers on the eastern shores of 
 Chautauque lake. iX^ For names of settlers up to Jan. 1st, 1807, 
 see townships 6, ranges 10 and 11, townships 2, 5 and G, range 12, 
 townships 3 and 5, range 13, township 3, range 15, Irving and 
 Mayville. 
 
 The settlement of the county of Chautauque was rapid, almost 
 from the commencement up to the war of 1812. It had at an earlv 
 period, a high reputation, which has been so abundantly justified 
 since; or rather demonstrated, in the almost universal and substantial 
 prosperity that exists there. The author can well remember, when 
 (along in 1809, '10 and 11,) the early emigrants, with their covered 
 wagons, or sleighs, were to be seen almost daily, upon either the 
 Buffalo road, or the south road that terminates on the lake, eight 
 miles above Buffalo. It was a land of promise with them then, and 
 such it has proved; but the full fruition, as in all other portions of 
 the Holland Purchase, was only to be realized after long years of 
 privation and endurance, such as the settlement of the wilderness 
 involves. With what stout hearts they would move along in their 
 emigrant journeys; the pioneer himself, driving his team, with 
 ruddy and cheerful countenance, undismayed by all the difficulties 
 that were ahead of him; behind him, his boys, driving a cow, a few 
 sheep and hogs; and often his wife and daughters, trudging along 
 on foot. There are many of the now prosperous farmers of 
 Chautauque, whose journeys into the wilderness were after the 
 manner described. Their advents are mingled with the earliest 
 recollections of the author; he has seen them making their slow 
 33 
 
514 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 pi'ogress over the rough, muddy, primitive roads; thein, and tlieirr 
 glorious pioneer wives, worn down, almost overcome with the toils 
 and fatigues of a long journey; at nights sheltered in the humble^ 
 log cabin tavern, their scanty stores of provisions spread out; and I 
 yet cheerful and happy; — and well pleased has he been in long 
 after years, to hear that a deserved success had crowned their 
 efforts; that peace and plenty smiled around their once forest homes. 
 
 Hundreds of anecdotes could be told of the early settlers of 
 Chautauque, that would illustrate that there, as well as upon all the 
 rest of the Purchase, the pioneers were as poor a class of men, 
 generally, as ever became founders of new settlements. Many of 
 them got possession of their lands by paying mere nominal sums in 
 advance; in some instances not over twenty-five cents. There are 
 now in Chautauque and south part of Erie, (and the remark may 
 be applied to the whole Holland Purchase,) many families, now the 
 most prosperous, whose last dollar was spent when they had 
 arrived at their locations in the forest, erected their log cabins, and 
 supplied themselves with some scanty stores of provisions; and far 
 the more credit is due to them, in consideration that such was their 
 humble, hard beginnings. It may seem incredible; none but those 
 who have seen the hardest features of pioneer life, can realize the 
 truth of it; but the author has seen those who are yet surviving, 
 surrounded with all the blessings that wealth can bestow, and those 
 who have died after laying foundations of wealth for their descend- 
 ants; making long journeys on foot, through wilderness paths, and 
 primitive roads; returning with a peck of meal, perhaps a bag of 
 flour, and sometimes with but a few potatoes, for the sustenance 
 of themselves and families. 
 
 One of the earliest pioneers of Chautauque; afterwards a pros- 
 perous farmer; for a long period occupying a seat upon the bench 
 of the county, obtained possession of his lands by depositing in the 
 land office at Batavia, his watch, to secure a part of the small 
 advance payment. The transaction is minuted upon the books, and 
 entry was afterwards appended that he had redeemed his watch. 
 
 The circumstance of Mr. Ellicott's getting frequent reports 
 through Mr. Le Couteulx, of what the purchasers of lots in Buffalo 
 were doing in the way of improvement has been noticed. All over 
 the Purchase there were the same reports made. Below the 
 entries in all the early contract books, there are memorandums, 
 generally in Mr. Ellicott's hand writing, after this manner: — "D. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 515 
 
 E. reports that has gone on to the lot, and put up the body 
 
 of a log house."' "J. F. reports that has chopped two 
 
 acres." "G. H. reports that has cut logs for a house, and 
 
 ' intends bringing his family in this fall." "H. K. called at the office 
 
 to-day and reports that has never yet been upon his lot, and 
 
 doubts whether he ever will." "H. P. reports that has 
 
 three acres cleared, which he is intending to sow to wheat this fall." 
 And in this way an eye was kept on the progress of improvement, 
 and a general knowledge obtained of who were becoming actual 
 settlers, and who were not. Appended to the leaves of the con- 
 tract books are frequent short notes, addressed to Mr. Ellicott, 
 recommending the bearers as worthy, industrious men, who are 
 disposed to become settlers, signed by residents of the neighbor- 
 hoods where the locations were intended to be made. 
 
 It will be observed that the Chamberlin family were the first to 
 take contracts in that portion of the county of Allegany w'hich is 
 on the Holland Purchase. The patriarch of that family, so nume- 
 rous and so closely blended with the settlement and progress of the 
 counties of Allegany and Cattaragus, was Benjamin Chamberlin. 
 He was the pioneer settler of Angelica, locating there in 1802. 
 Few had more actively participated in the war of the Revolution. 
 He was in the battles of Lexington, Bunker Hill, with Arnold at 
 Quebec, (where he was made a prisoner and confined through the 
 winter,) at Saratoga and Stillwater, White Plains, Stony Point, and 
 Valentine's Hill. At Bunker Hill he had his left arm broken; at 
 White Plains he was shot through one of his thighs; at Stony 
 Point he was thrust with a bayonet; was shot in one of his feet at 
 Valentine's Hill, In addition to all this he lost the use of an eye. 
 He carried to his grave the marks of the heavy irons that were 
 put upon his wrists, while a prisoner at Quebec. 
 
 The old veteran, whose eventful life should be the subject of a 
 volume, rather than of a sketch so brief, was a native of Cheshire, 
 Massachusetts. He died at Angelica, in 1847, aged 90 years. He 
 was the father of Hon. Calvin T. Chamberlin of Cuba, and Judge 
 Benjamin Chamberlin of EUicottville. There are over one hundred 
 of his descendants now residents of Western New York. 
 
 There is little in the way of settlement to notice, in Allegany, 
 previous to the close of 180G. The condition of the whole of the 
 south-eastern part of the Purchase at that period, will be realized 
 from a statement of an old gentleman by the name of Metcalf, a 
 
510 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 resident at Ellicottville. His father, Jolm Metcalf, came to Bath 
 with Mr. Wilhamson, and was the keeper of the pubUc house he 
 erected there. Mr. Metcalf says: — "In January 1806, 1 came 
 through from Bath to Angehca, and then on to Olean Point. The' 
 road from Angelica to Olean was then only underbrushed; the logs 
 were not cut out; I had to lift my sleigh over them. There was 
 then no inhabitants between Genesee river and Olean. I found 
 large hunting parties of Indians encamped about the small settlement 
 that the Hoops had commenced, with whom I bartered goods for 
 furs. I then started for Buffalo, taking an Indian trail that crossed 
 the Cattaragus creek a short distance below Arcade. In all this 
 route, 'I saw no white man, except at Olean, and after I had reached 
 a few pioneer settlers in the south part of Erie."' 
 
 Pike was one of the earliest settled portions of Allegany. 
 Phineas Harvey was the pioneer. He settled there in May, 1806. 
 Eli Griffith settled there the same year, and in that year, or the 
 next, opened a road for Holland Company, from Leicester to 
 Castile. Griffith built a saw mill in 1808, and a grist mill in 1809. 
 Michael Griffith, the father of Eli Griffith, and the Mr. Harvey 
 that has been named, settled three miles east of village. Peter 
 Granger and Asahel Newcomb settled same year. The settlers 
 that followed soon after, were: — Christopher Olin, Salmon Sim- 
 onds, Alanson Langdon, Payne Turner, Josiah Metcalf, Rufus 
 Metcalf, Thomas Dole, Asa Lyon, Robert Boggs. Settlement in 
 that quarter was brisk until the breaking out of the war. The 
 early pioneer, Eli Griffith, went out under Smyth's proclamation 
 and died on his way home; his neighbors, Jonathan Couch and 
 Charles Benton, met the same fate. Mr. Caleb Powers, from 
 whom we derive some local reminiscences of Pike, says, that in 
 1816 and '17, there was much suffering for food among the new 
 settlers in all that region. The ffi'st born in Pike were twins, chil- 
 dren of Mrs. Harvey; did not survive. The first death of an adult 
 was that of Phineas Harvey. It was in 1807; there was no one to 
 take the lead in any funeral ceremonies. The earliest ministers 
 who visited that region, were Elder Smith, from Caneadea, and 
 Elder Goodale, from Pittstown, Ontario Co. The first settled min- 
 ister was Elder Gillett. A Baptist church was formed in 1812; a 
 Presbyterian soon after. The first merchant was Tilly Parker. 
 In the earliest years of merchandizing there, common tea cups and 
 saucers were two dollars a sett; factory shirting, four shillings per 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 517 
 
 yard. Andrew Dutton was the first physician. Eli Griffith kept 
 the first tavern. The first clothing and clotli dressing establishment 
 was at '* Bloody Corners;"* Miles Rood was the proprietor. 
 
 The Thomas Dole, named above, was the afterwards Judge 
 Dole, a conspicuous pioneer of Allegany, and deserving a more 
 extended notice. In this instance however, as well as numerous 
 others, the author relying upon the promise of those who could 
 furnish the necessary data, has been disappointed. 
 
 James Cravath, William Bristol, Benjamin Morse, Elnathan 
 George, were the pioneer settlers south of Warsaw, in all of the 
 present county of Wyoming; their locations, Gainsville and Weath- 
 ersfield. During the war, Mr. Cravath built a grist and saw mill 
 on the Wiscoy, between Hermitage and Springs. 
 
 The first settlers at Hermitage, were Eugene F. Stowe, Sidney 
 Stowe, Augustus Hurlburt, Wm. R. Grogcr, Daniel Granger, and 
 James Weeks. 
 
 It will be observed by list of settlers, that there is little to be 
 said of settlement in Orleans, previous to Jan. 1st, 1807. It would 
 seem that Mr. Ellicott had at an early period, selected the mouth 
 of Oak Orchard creek as the site of a village. It was platted in 
 1803, and called "Manilla." Looking to the lake route, as the 
 course that trade from a large portion of the Holland Purchase 
 would take; Lewiston and Manilla were the anticipated depots. 
 At that period, such vessels as were upon the lake, could enter the 
 mouth of the Oak Orchard; the barrier there, was progressive, up 
 to the period of commencing the recent harbor improvement. 
 The Oak Orchard road from Batavia north, so early projected and 
 opened, had reference to Manilla as the commercial depot for the 
 middle and eastern portions of the Purchase. It will be seen that 
 a few lots were sold there, previous to 1807, though but little was 
 done in the way of founding a village. Sickness alone would have 
 prevented it in all the early years; and in later years — the 
 projection of the Erie Canal, arrested the projects of commercial 
 depots upon the Lakes. 
 
 James Walsworth, known in all early years, as the tavern keeper 
 on Lockport and Batavia road, upon the borders of the Tonawanda 
 swamp, was the pioneer settler of Manilla, and in fact, of all 
 Orleans county. In INIay, 1803, he landed at mouth of Oak 
 
 * There was an early tavern keeper there, who made his house celebrated for broils 
 and fights; thence the name. 
 
518 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Orchard in an open boat, with his family, and built a solitary hut, 
 the first and only one, between Fort Niagara and Braddock's 
 Bay; his nearest neighbor west, at Cold Springs, near Lock- 
 port, his nearest south. Pine Hill, (Elba;) his nearest east. Brad- 
 dock's Bay. After they landed, he and his wife cut and barked 
 poles for their cabin, covering with bark. The early adven- 
 turer was very poor; all the provision he had when he landed, 
 was a few bushels of potatoes; fish had to supply the rest for the 
 sustenance of his family, save a little barter with the crews of 
 bateaux, as they were passing few and far between, up and down . 
 the lake; and the author observes by the old books kept at the 
 Irondoquoit pioneer store, that he used to take some furs and 
 peltries down there, and exchange them for some of the necessai'ies 
 of life. Among some reminiscences of this early pioneer, it is 
 mentioned, that either while living at Oak Orchard, or after he 
 moved up on to the Lewiston road, in 1806, his wife gave birth to 
 a pair of twins. The parturition was in the absence of either her 
 own sex or a physician. 
 
 After clearing up the large farm on the Lockport and Batavia 
 road, Mr. Walsworth, many years since, again became a pioneer; 
 emigrated to the west. 
 
 Walsworth, and the few others that located at Oak Orchard, were 
 all the settlers in Orleans, before 1809, except Whitfield Rathbun, 
 who was the pioneer upon all that part of the Ridge Road, in 
 Orleans county, embraced in Holland Purchase. 
 
 It will be noticed, by reference to tabular list of settlers, that 
 settlement had just begun at the mouth of Eighteen Mile creek, in 
 Niagara, and at Johnson's creek, in Orleans, in 1806. Burgoyne 
 Kemp settled at the Eighteen Mile creek in 1808. There was 
 
 then settled there William Chambers and Colton; and there 
 
 was one family at Johnson's creek, on lake. At that period there 
 was no settler between lake and Ridge, in Niagara or Orleans. 
 
 Richard M. Stoddard, it will have been observed, was early in 
 the employ of Mr. Ellicott as a surveyor; and was afterwards 
 employed by him to survey the Triangular Tract for Messrs. Le 
 Roy and Bayard. He became the agent for the sale of the tract. 
 He had married in 1799, Miss Saltonstall, of Canandaigua, a sister 
 of Dudley Saltonstall, Esq. Messrs. Stoddard and Saltonstall 
 purchased of the proprietors the five hundred acres which is now 
 the site of Le Roy village. The interest of Mr. Saltonstall was 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. STJ 
 
 sooli after sold to Judge Ezra Piatt. Stoddard and Piatt became 
 the pioneer settlers upon the Triangular Tract, in 1801, opening a 
 land office at Le Roy, and soon commencing the building of mills. 
 
 The aged widow of Mr. Stoddard is now z'csiding with her son, 
 Thomas B. Stoddard, Esq., near Irving, in Chautauque county. 
 She relates some interesting reminiscences of earlv times; few are 
 more familiar with the early history of all Western New York. 
 
 The primitive residence at Le Roy, was a log house on the bank 
 of Allan's creek. During the first winter of their residence there, 
 Mr. Stoddard was engaged in tending the saw mill during a night. 
 A party of intoxicated Indians came into the kitchen, built up a 
 large fire and commenced making a pow wow, as if they were 
 masters of the premises. Mrs. Stoddard, who was abed in another 
 room, managed to get a little girl out of the window, who went to 
 the mill and alarmed Mr. Stoddard. As he came into the house 
 the Indians attacked him and a severe fight ensued; Mr. S. was, 
 however, the victor, and succeeded in expelling the intruders. 
 There are many traditions of his adventures, related by the earliest 
 class of settlers in that region; especially such as occurred when 
 he was sheriff of Genesee county. He was fearless and deter- 
 mined; had seen much of backwoods life; and few were better 
 adapted to the work of settling a new country, and becoming its 
 chief executive officer. Anecdotes are told of his many acts of 
 kindness to the new settlers, especially in the discharge of his 
 official duties. He was much esteemed by the Indians; and was 
 often consulted by their chiefs, in reference to the interests of their 
 people. Mrs. Stoddard redeems the Indian character from the dis- 
 grace of the drunken frolic, by stating that upon one occasion, 
 when the whole family were sick with a prevailing influenza, a 
 party of Indians and squaws greatly mitigated the disease by 
 coming to their house, and giving the invalids an "Indian sweat." 
 They dug holes in the earth, put in hot stones, poured water over 
 them, and placed the patients under the influence of the steam, 
 covering them over with blankets, and giving them warm drinks. 
 
 "Sheriff Stoddard," as he is familiarly called by the earlier class 
 of pioneers, died in 1810. His only daughter, was the first wife of 
 the Hon. John B. Skinner of Wyoming. The family circle, in its 
 various branches, are conspicuously blended with the history of 
 Western New York. 
 
 On the 1st of March, 1803, the town of Batavia having been set 
 
520 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 < 
 
 off from Northampton, the first town meeting ever held west of 
 
 Genesee river was convened at the "house of Peter Vandeventer." 
 The following town officers were chosen: — 
 
 Supervisor — Peter Vandeventer. 
 
 Town Clerk — David Culley. 
 
 ^Issessors — Enos Kellogg, Asa Ransom, Alexander Rea. 
 
 Coimnissioners of Highways — Alexander Rea, Isaac Sutherland, 
 Suffi'enus Maybee. 
 
 Overseers of the Poor — David Culley, Benjamin Porter. 
 
 Collector — Abel Rowe. 
 
 Constables — John Mudge, Levi Felton, Rufus Hart, Abel Rowe, 
 Seymour Kellogg, Hugh Howell. 
 
 Overseers of Highways — Martin Middaugh, Timothy Hopkins, 
 Orlando Hopkins, Benjamin Morgan, Rufus Hart, Lovell Churchill, 
 Jabez Warren, Wm. Blackman, Samuel Clark, Gideon Dunham, 
 Jonathan Willard, Thomas Layton, Hugh Howell, Benjamin Porter, 
 Wm. Wals worth. 
 
 Among the few ordinances passed at this primitive town meeting 
 — this first gathering of the scattered pioneers — was, that "a 
 bounty of $5 should be paid for wolf scalps; half price for whelps; 
 and 50 cts. for foxes and wild cats. 
 
 A special town meeting was held at Vandeventers, in Sept., 1803, 
 at which it was resolved to petition the legislature for the division 
 of the town of Batavia into five towns. 
 
 The next town meeting (in 1804,) v/as held at the same place. 
 Alexander Rea was chosen supervisor, and Isaiah Babcock, town 
 clerk. 
 
 An ordinance was passed, imposing a fine of 85 upon any person 
 " living in any other county or town, who should drive cattle into 
 the town of Batavia to be kept." * It was also oi'dained that no 
 person should be licensed to keep a tavern, who had not a securely 
 enclosed yard, sufficiently large to contain all the "sleds, sleighs, 
 wagons, carts and other carriages, that he or she may have at his 
 or her tavern, at any one time, for entertainment or refreshment." 
 A bounty of $5 was voted for "panther's scalps." 
 
 The first election held in the town of Batavia, was at Vandeven- 
 ters, in April, 1803. The inspectors certified to the following 
 votes. — 
 
 * This was intended to preserve the fine feed upon the openings, on the Lockport 
 and Batavia road, for the use of the settlers upon the Purchase, The settlers upon 
 tracts adjoining the Purchase on the east, had been in the habit of driving cattle there 
 for pasture. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 521 
 
 For Senators — Caleb Hyde, 146; Vincent Matthews, 5. 
 
 For Members of Assemhhj — Daniel Chapin, 182; Ezra Patterson, 
 155; John Swift, 100; Polydore B. Wisner, 4; Nathaniel W. 
 Howell, 28; Amos Hall. 9. 
 
 At the second election, held in April, 1804, the vote was as 
 follows : — 
 
 For Governor — Morgan Lewis, 111; Aaron Burr, 11. 
 
 For Lieutenant Governor — John Broome, 115; Oliver Phelps, 7. 
 
 For Senators — Jedcdiah Peck, 113; Henry Huntington, 113; 
 Jedediah Sanger. 7; Moses Kent, 7. 
 
 For JMemhers of Assembly — Alexander Rea, 140; Ezra Patter- 
 son, 133; Elisha Granger, 133; Daniel W. Lewis, 13; Amos 
 Piatt, 9. 
 
 For Congress — ^W^s Halsey, 132; N. W. Howell, 15. 
 
 In June, 1803, the Holland Company having so far completed 
 the Court House at Batavia, as to admit of holding the Courts in 
 it, the courts of the county were first organized. The Judges 
 were Ezra Piatt, John H. Jones, and Benjamin Ellicott; Nathan 
 Perry, was an assistant Justice. Timothy Burt, and Govcrneur 
 Ogden, "being Attorneys of the Supreme Court; and John Greig, 
 Richard Smith, and George Hosmer having been Attorneys of the 
 Court of Ontario county," were admitted to practice in the new 
 Court as Attorneys and Counsellors. 
 
 The first Grand Jury west of Genesee river, was organized at 
 this term of the Courts. As it was the Pioneer Grand Jury, the 
 author gives the names: — 
 
 Alexander Rea, Asa Ransom, Peter Vandeventer, Daniel 
 Henry, Samuel F. Geer, Lovell Churchill, Jabez Warren, Zera 
 Phelps, Jotham Bemus, Seymour Kellogg, John A. Thompson, 
 John Gans on, j r., Isaac Smith, Elisha Farwell, Peter Shaeffer, 
 Hugh MTTcrmott, John M'Naughton, Luther Coe. 
 
 No indictment was found at this term of the Court. 
 
 The Courts convened again in November, 1803; same Judges 
 present. Ebenczer F. Norton, Robert W. Stoddard, .Jonathan T. 
 Haight, John Collins, Daniel B. Brown, Jeremiah R. Munson, were 
 admitted to practice as Attorneys. 
 
 The first issue joined in a court of record, west of Genesee 
 river, was at this term. The parties were Rufus Hart, vs. 
 Erasmus Enos. 
 
 An entry made upon the court records at this term, is as 
 follows: — "Nathan Perry, assistant justice having withdrawn from 
 
522 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the bench, a petition was presented from him for license to keep a; 
 ferry across the Niagara river, at a place called Black Rock." 
 
 At this term the jail limits for bailed debtors were prescribed. 
 They consisted of the side walks of Batavia, "fifteen links wide," 
 and several dwellings and yards, to allow the debtors access to board- 
 ing houses; in all only about three acres of ground. The unfortu- 
 nate debtor had to study a chart to avoid stepping over his bounds. 
 
 The next term of the Courts, was in June, 1804. Nearly half 
 of the Grand Jury, were the same persons that served at the pre- 
 vious term; as it required freeholders; for such only could serve 
 at that early period. At this term an indictment was tried against 
 three persons for misdemeanor. The jury was the first traverse 
 jury drawn and organized in the new court of record. The names 
 were as follows: — 
 
 William Rumsey, Joseph Selleck, Abel Rowe, John Forsyth, 
 Benjamin Morgan, Alexander M'Donald, Peter Campbell, James 
 Woods, Benjamin Gardner, Lovell Churchill, John Anderson, 
 John M'Vean. 
 
 The first jury empannelled in a civil suit, were as follows: — 
 
 Job Pierce, Andrew Wortman, Gilbert Hall, John M'Naughton, 
 Isaac Smith, Archileas Whitten, Isaac Sutherland, Samuel Davis, 
 Ransom Harmon, Peter Vande venter, Hugh M'Dermott, Jabez Fox. 
 
 At this term a license was given to Robert I^ee, to keep a ferry 
 over the Niagara river, at the " north end of the portage or carry- 
 ing place." Daniel Curtiss, to keep a ferry on Genesee river, on 
 road from Leicester to Geneseo. William G. Sydnor, to keep a 
 ferry at the mouth of Cattaragus creek. 
 
 At a Court of Oyer and Terminei-, held in June 1804. Hon. 
 Ambrose Spencer presided. The first indictment for an offence in 
 which the loss of life had been involved was at this term. The 
 indictment was for manslaughter: — The People vs. Joseph 
 Rhineberger. The oflfence was committed in what is now 
 Allegany; occured in a drunken frolic. The prisoner was found 
 guilty, and sentenced to "States Prison at New York, for 10 
 years." He was defended by Judge Howell, Daniel B. Brown 
 acting as assistant counsel. The jurors were: — 
 
 John Forsyth, Alexander M'Donald, Daniel M'Pherson, John M'- 
 Vean. James Woods, John Anderson, Alexander Thompson, Benja- 
 min Morgan, John M'Clanan, Orlando Hopkins, Benjamin Gardner. 
 
 Note. — Name of twelfth Juror not preserved. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 523 
 
 At the ]November term of the Courts, in 1805, Samuel Tuppcr, 
 took his seat upon the bench. Josiah Robinson, and James T. 
 Johnson, were admitted as Attorneys. Zenos Barker, was 
 licensed to keep a ferry across Buffalo creek. This was upon the 
 new road that had then just been opened up the Lake; the Pratt 
 ferry as it was afterwards called. At the same time, John Crow, 
 was licensed to keep a ferry below, to accommodate the travellers 
 upon the beach of the Lake. James Barnes, was licensed to keep 
 a ferry over the Genesee river, "near the house of Maria Berry." 
 Benjamin Barton, Jr. was licensed to keep a ferry "between the 
 lown^ of Northampton in the county of Genesee, and Northfield 
 in the county of Ontario." 
 
 The first trial in a case of murder, was in June, 1807. Daniel 
 D. Tompkins was the presiding Judge. James M'Lean stood 
 indicted for the murder of William Orr. Judge Howell was pris- 
 oner's counsel. He '"challenged the array," upon the ground that 
 prisoner being an alien, he was entitled to be tried by a jury, one 
 half of whom were aliens,* The challenge was allowed. The 
 jury were as follows: — 
 
 Citizens. — Benjamin Morgan, Ebenezer Cary, Samuel Geer, 
 Worthy L. Churchill, John Oney, Daniel Fairbanks. 
 
 Aliens. — Duncan M'Lelland, James M'Lelland, John M'Pherson, 
 John M'Vane, Daniel M'Kinney, Patrick Powers. 
 
 The prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to be hung in 
 August, following. 
 
 The murder was committed near Caledonia Springs. M'Lean, 
 Orr, and M'Laughlin were squatters on the forty thousand acre tract. 
 The three had been together to the Springs, had drank each a glass 
 of beer, but M'Lean was not intoxicated. A dispute arose about a 
 whitewood tree that Orr had cut on land that M'Lean claimed. 
 M'Lean struck Orr down with an axe, killing him at two blows; 
 M'Laughlin interfering, met with a fate quite as summary and 
 horrid. M'Lean staid that night in a hollow log near his house, 
 and the next morning, took to the woods. The alarm was immedi- 
 ately spread through all the new settlements west of Genesee river; 
 Judge Piatt called out the militia, who were distributed in squads 
 and scoured the woods in all directions. After several days the 
 fugitive ventured out of the forest, was endeavoring to make his 
 
 * A right then existing by common law, now abolished by statute. 
 
524 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 escape eastward, when he was recognized at a public house a few i 
 miles east of Canandaigua, and arrested. 
 
 The circumstance created an intense excitement, in the new 
 country, and at the execution of M'Lean the citizens collected at 
 Batavia from all the settlements upon the Purchase. Such was the 
 curiosity to witness an execution in those early days, that surviving 
 pioneers remember that some settlements were almost entirely 
 deserted; men women and children, on foot and on horseback, 
 wending their way through forest paths, and woods roads, to 
 Batavia. 
 
 As the village of Batavia enlarged, new houses were built w^here 
 debtors wished to board, or mechanic shops where they could obtain 
 employment, the jail limits were altered. Where a boarding house 
 was included, a narrow walk was prescribed to get across to it, 
 and access even to privies was prescribed by law and the surveyor's 
 compass and chain. Such things once were, strange as they may 
 now seem, in these days of a better appreciation of the relations 
 and rights of debtor and creditor. 
 
 In all the early years there w^as considerable litigation, the sums 
 involved generally small; seldom exceeding one hundred dollars. 
 A large proportion of the indictments were for misdemeanors. 
 
 Once in every year, one of the Judges of the Supreme Court 
 would hold a Circuit Court and Court of Oyer and Terminer. 
 Revered names occur upon the records from time to time: — Living- 
 ston, Van Ness, Spencer, Piatt, Yates, Tompkins. And attending 
 upon their courts, mostly guests at the old "Keyes House," would 
 be the early lawyers: — Howell, Porter, Hosmer, Matthews, Haight, 
 Root, Marvin, Brown, Greig, Spencer, Walden; young men then, 
 or but in the prime of life. How much of gay repartee, the ready 
 joke, the keen encounter of wit, of joyous hilarity has the walls 
 of that old primitive tavern witnessed! There is a long catalogue 
 of rich anecdotes of earlV' times, the venues of w^hich are laid there, 
 the names of the early lawyers involved. "Lawyer Root;" — 
 "Alas poor Yorick!" When he would enjoy his joke, or display 
 his wit, it mattered not at whose expense; even the high dignitaries 
 of the Supreme Court were not always exempt. He ventured 
 upon one occasion to tell one of them that a decision he had made 
 was only equalled by a memorable one made by "Pontius Pilate;" 
 and upon another occasion, when the presiding judge of a County 
 Court had decided that his conduct was "contemptuous;" he com- 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 525 
 
 plimented the judge by saying, that "it was a very correct decision, 
 
 — the only correct one he had made in the whole term." 
 
 j Robert M. Stoddard was the first Sheriff of Genesee county; and 
 
 I David M' Crackcn the first Under Sherifi" and jailor. James VV. 
 
 ! Stevens was the first county Clerk; James Brisbane was his deputy. 
 
 I The first six settlers on Holland Purchase who had deeds recorded 
 
 I were: — John Youngs, John Lamberton, William Rutnscy, Isaac 
 
 Sutherland, Samuel Geer, Benjamin Morgan. The first public 
 
 Jiiyary established upon the Holland Purchase, was in November 
 
 1804. A meeting for the purpose was convened at ''the house of 
 
 Abel Rowe;" Joseph Ellicott was the chairman of the meeting. 
 
 The trustees were Richard Smith, William Rumsey, John Branan, 
 
 Reuben Town, Nathaniel Coleman. 
 
 Ebenezer Mix was appointed deputy clerk of the county, in 
 March, 1811. 
 
 Asher Bates succeeded Benjamin Barton, as sheriff, in 1808; 
 Aaron Van Cleve succeeded Asher Bates in 1811. 
 
 From a book of miscellaneous records in Genesee county clerk's 
 ofhcc, the author gathers some reminiscences: — 
 
 In 181 1 a public library was established in Alexander. Alexander 
 Rea, Harvey Hawkins, Seba Brainard, Samuel Latham, Henry 
 Hawkins, Noah North, Ezra W. Osborn, were the trustees, 
 
 A Protestant Episcopal church was established in Sheldon, in 
 1811. The first church wardens were Joshua Mitchell and Fitch 
 Chipman; the vestrymen were: — John Rolph, John W. Coleman, 
 Seneca Reed, James Case, Philo Welton, James Ward. This was 
 the first Episcopal church organized upon the Purchase. Bishop 
 Hobart has visited this church when there was no other west of 
 Allen's Hill, Ontario county, in his diocess. 
 
 In 1812, the "Union Religious Society," was established in 
 Warsaw. At the prehminary meeting, Chauncey L. Sheldon acted 
 as moderator, and Ezra Walker, as clerk. The trustees appointed 
 were: — Isaac Phelps, Abraham Reed, John Munger, WilUam 
 Bristol, Zera Tanner, Shubacl Goodspeed. 
 
 In 1812, a Baptist church was organized in Sheldon, (now 
 Bennington.) Pclatiah Case, Darius Cross, Justin Loomis, Solomon 
 King, William W. Parsons, Ezra Ludden, were appointed trustees. 
 
 In 1814, "The Trustees of the Society of Corinth," in Orange- 
 ville, was organized. The trustees were Simeon jMorse, Putnam 
 Cowden, Jonathan Coburn, Zoar Blackmor, Noah Merrill. 
 
526 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The Episcopal church at Batavia was organized in 1815. Rev. 
 Alanson Wclton officiated. John Hickox and Samuel Benedict, 
 were first trustees; the first vestrymen were Richard Smith, Isaac 
 Sutherland, Isaac Spencer, John Z. Ross, Chauncey Keyes, David 
 C. Miller, Aaron Van Clcve, Oswald Williams; Simeon Cummings 
 and Trumbul Cary were secretaries of the meeting. 
 
 In 1817, the "First Congregational Society" of the town of 
 Batavia, was organized. The first trustees were Lemuel Foster, 
 Wm. H. Bush, Horace Gibbs. The Rev. Calvin C. Colton, the since 
 well known author, was one of the earliest ministers of this church. 
 
 The following list embraces the names, generally of the first six, 
 (sometimes more and sometimes less,) of the persons who took 
 contracts, and in most instances, became pioneer settlers, in all the 
 townships upon the Holland Purchase, in which no contracts were 
 taken previous to Jan. 1st., 1807. * 
 
 Ellicottville. 
 
 1818. 
 Baker Leonard, 
 Stephen Webb, Jr. 
 Alvin Leavenworth, 
 James Reynolds, 
 Moses Chamberlin, 
 Abel P. Wightman, 
 David Goodwin, 
 Latlirop Vinton, 
 John A. Bryan. 
 
 Barcf.lona. 
 
 Lyman Middington, 
 James Ray, 
 Silas Spencer, 
 M. M'Clintock, 
 James B. Longhead, 
 Dyer Carver, 
 James F^arnsworth, 
 George M. Fowl, 
 James Post. 
 
 T. 1, R. 1. 
 
 1821. 
 Hiram Lowell, 
 Austin Covvles, 
 Christopher Tyler. 
 Asa Cowles, 
 Zephaniah Smith, 
 Levi Appleby. 
 
 T. 2, R. 1. 
 
 1810. 
 Chauncv Axtell, 
 
 T. 2, R. 1. 
 
 1810. 
 Azel Buckley, 
 John Hopkins, 
 H)-ra Axtell, 
 Daniel WiUard. 
 
 T. 14, R. 1. 
 1812. 
 Oliver Benton, 
 Stephen Paine, 
 Philip Bonesteel, 
 Nathan Angel, 
 Asa Billings, 
 James Healey. 
 
 T. 15, R. 1. 
 1808. 
 John Barrett, 
 Elliott Barrett, 
 Isaac Benneit, 
 Samuel Crippen, 
 Henry Drake, 
 Moses Bacon, 
 Clarkson F. Brooks, 
 John Proctor. 
 
 T. 2, R. 2. 
 1821. 
 James Reed, 
 Hiram Hill. 
 Abraham VanNess, 
 Clark Lewis, 
 Elijah Seaver, 
 Daniel Seaver 
 
 T. 5, R. 2. 
 
 1808. 
 Charles Swift, 
 Eneas Garey, 
 Othniel Perry, 
 William Vaughan, 
 Andre Benneit, 
 Joshua Wilson. 
 
 T. 6, R. 2. 
 
 1808. 
 Joseph Maxson. 
 Russell Thrall, 
 Thomas Clute, 
 Strong Warner, 
 David Gelatt, 
 Samuel W^ebster. 
 
 T. 7, R. 2. 
 
 1808. 
 John J. Drake, 
 Silas Hodges, 
 Sylvanus Eldridge, 
 Alphens Bascom, 
 William Adams, 
 James Waldron, 
 Dan Beach. 
 
 T. 8, R. 2. 
 
 1809. 
 Erastns Richards, 
 Jason Smith, 
 Joel S. Smith, 
 Peter Lott, 
 
 * With the exception of lands that were donated by the Holland Company to the 
 Canal fund, and such townships as were sold at wholesale. 
 
 Note. — The year indicates the period when first contract was taken in the township. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 
 
 527 
 
 T. 8, R. 2. 
 
 180!). 
 Ebenezer Tynil!, 
 Gidcoa Bently. 
 
 T. 14, R. 2. 
 1813. 
 Grog-orv Storm, 
 Sclah Belden, 
 Cliristoplier Paine, 
 Bela Benton, 
 Abraham Matteson, 
 John Doak. 
 
 T. 15, R. 2. 
 1809. 
 Andrew Jacox, 
 Whitfiold Rathban, 
 William Sibley, 
 Cotton M. Leach. 
 Noah Burgess, 
 James Mather 
 Henry Luco. 
 
 T. 2, R. 3. 
 1813. 
 James Haskins, 
 Israel Curtis 
 Joel Wakefield, 
 Rodolphus Scott, 
 Joseph Smith, 
 Alfred Dodg^o. 
 
 T. 3, R. 3. 
 1807. 
 Jotham Blakesley, 
 Barnabas Strong, 
 John Brooks, 
 Samuel Kimball, 
 Asa Fol§om, 
 Simeon Hicks. 
 
 T. 5, R. 3. 
 1811. 
 Gideon Lewis, 
 Ezekiel Runals, 
 Samuel Blancher, 
 Benjamin Jenks, Jr. 
 William Parks. 
 Peter Ten Broek, 
 George Park. 
 
 T. 6, R. 3. 
 1810. 
 Warren Stanley, 
 Enoch Howlett, 
 Ezekiel D. Runals, 
 Rufus Metcalf, 
 Earl Sawyer, 
 Jonas Irish. 
 
 T. 7, R. 3. 
 1808 
 John Nichols, 
 Silas Meech, 
 Amasa Kilbonrn, 
 Samuel Nichols, 
 Abr.iham Jackson, 
 Porter Belknap. 
 
 T. 8. R. 3. 
 
 1809. 
 Samuel Coleman, 
 Joshua Gates, 
 David Woolcott, 
 Erastus AVells, 
 Guy Morgan, 
 Abraham C. Hollenbeck. 
 
 T. 13, R. 3. 
 1810. 
 Jesse Lund, 
 David Gary, 
 Charles Bliss, 
 Levi Smith, 
 John S. Wolcott, 
 Nathan M 'Cumber. 
 
 T. 14, R. 3. 
 1810. 
 Andrew A Ellicott, 
 Orange Wells, 
 Leonard Dresser, 
 Zeno Ross, 
 Champion Wells, 
 Abel P. Sheldon, 
 Joel Briggs. 
 
 T. 15, R. 3. 
 1810. 
 Israel Douglass, 
 Eli ]Moore, 
 Ezra D. Barnes, 
 Cyrus Daniels, 
 Elijah llawley, 
 Thomas Hawley. 
 
 T. 16, R. 3. 
 Preserved Greenman, 
 John Eaton, 
 George Mousman, 
 Darius Knickerbocker. 
 Giles SI iter. 
 John Wallis, 
 Elisha Saviryer. 
 
 T. 7, R. 4. 
 1813. 
 
 Silas Knight, 
 Cornelius Van Orsdal, 
 Guy C. Irving, 
 Rufus Wetherbee, 
 Rollin Pratt. 
 
 T. 3, R. 4. 
 Idl3. 
 Lewis Wood, 
 Seymour Bouton, 
 Julius Underwood, 
 Emery Wood. 
 
 T. G, R 4. 
 
 1809. 
 Aquilla Robbins, 
 Joseph Edminster Jr., 
 Seth Pratt, 
 Elisha Daggett, 
 Joseph Franklin. 
 
 T. 7, R. 4. 
 1809. 
 Abner Bump, 
 Abraham Jackson, 
 Leonard Parker, 
 Silas Parker, 
 Jacob Jackson, 
 Simeon Wells, 
 Walter Hmckly, 
 Abraham Smith. 
 
 T. 8, R. 4. 
 1811. 
 Timothy Kirhy, 
 Daniel 11. Wooster, 
 Amasa Joslyn, 
 James Hall, 
 Leonard J. Paul, 
 Orrin Waters. 
 
 T. 11, R. 4. 
 
 1807. 
 William Humphrey, 
 Emory Blodgett, 
 Joshua Bailey, 
 Josiah Lee 
 Rufus Kidder, 
 Amos Humphrey, 
 David Long. 
 
 T. 13, R. 4. 
 
 1822. 
 Benjamin Patterson, 
 Solomon Force, 
 Augustus L. Barton, 
 "Jose])h Barber, -a« 
 Ezra N. Russell. 
 
 T. 14, R. 4. 
 
 1809. 
 Alexander Coon, 
 Samuel C. Wells, 
 Joseph Hagaman, 
 Elijah Bent, 
 Ezekiel Bentley, 
 Joshua Park, 
 Eleazer Frary. 
 David Demaray. 
 
 T. 15, R. 4. 
 
 1810. 
 Boaz Lambson, 
 Seymour Murdock, 
 Jonathan Cobb, 
 Bostion Weaiherwax, 
 Amos Barritt, 
 John F. Ilimt, 
 Israel Murdock. 
 
 T. IG, R. 4. 
 
 1815. 
 Zebediah Heath, 
 Jemison Henrj% 
 William Weaver, 
 Thomas StalFord, 
 Reuben Peck, 
 Zenas Conger. 
 
528 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 T 1, R. 5. 
 1823. 
 Bareck Clark, 
 James Townsend Jr, 
 Calviu Pratt. 
 
 T. 2, R. 5. 
 1820. 
 Andrew B. Northrop, 
 David Orton, 
 James Green, 
 Andrew Allen, 
 Isaac Eggleston. 
 
 T. 3, R. 5. 
 
 1815. 
 Russell Chapel), 
 Henry Wilisy, 
 -Thomas Barber,. — 
 William Baxter, 
 Oliver Marsh. 
 
 T. 6, R. 5. 
 
 1810. 
 Major Evans, 
 Morton Crosby, 
 Betlieul Bishop, 
 John Johnson, 
 Dennis Riley, 
 Beujaniin Felch. 
 
 T. 7, R. 5. 
 
 1809. 
 Sumner Warren, 
 William L. Warren, 
 Ira P. Paine, 
 Ebenezer Warren, 
 Ezra Nott. 
 
 T. 8, R. 5. 
 1807. 
 
 Abner Carrier, 
 Arthur Humphrey, 
 Ezekiel Colby, 
 Jared Scott, 
 Timothy Fuller, 
 Asa Jones. 
 
 T. 11, R. 5. 
 
 1808. 
 Jonas Varney, 
 Zopher Beach, 
 Samuel Huntington, 
 Ephraim Salmon, 
 James Harvey. 
 
 T. 13, R. 5. 
 1810. 
 Clark Beach, 
 William B. Smith, 
 Semar Sinclear, 
 Nathan Bradley, 
 Silas Pratt, 
 Lawrence M'Mullen, 
 Patrick Grace. 
 
 T. 16, R. 5. 
 
 1809. 
 Daniel Kemp, 
 Jacob Fitts, 
 John Landers, 
 Henry Palmer, 
 Hezekiah Brace, 
 Dorastus Chapman. 
 T. 3, R. 6. 
 1811. 
 Daniel M'Kay, 
 Laurin Norton, 
 Orlando C. Fuller, 
 Elijah Gibbs, 
 Abraham Searle, 
 Alexander Wood. 
 
 T. 4, R. 6. 
 
 1813. 
 Ricketson Burlingam, 
 Harvey B. Hays, 
 Archalaus Brown, 
 Orrin Brown, 
 Amos Ingalls, 
 Grove Hurlbut. 
 
 T. 5, R. 6. 
 1816. 
 William Shultz, 
 George Shultz, 
 Andrew Frank, 
 Daniel Oyer, 
 Benjamin Rhoads, 
 Marsena Rhoads. 
 
 T. 6, R. 6. 
 1807. 
 Christopher Stone, 
 George Richmond. 
 Calvin Doolittle, 
 Samuel Cockran, 
 Joseph Yaw, Jr. 
 Benjamin Douglas, 
 
 T. 7, R. 6. 
 1808. 
 John Albro, 
 Stephen Pratt. 
 Luther Hibbard, 
 James Vaughan, 
 Lemuel Cooper, 
 Luther Curtis. 
 
 T. 8, R. 6. 
 1819, 
 Richard Buffum, 
 Stephen Southwick, 
 Lodowick Owen, 
 Sylvester Owen, 
 Richard Bowen, 
 Martin Sprague. 
 
 T. 13, R. 6. 
 
 1810. 
 Aaron Crego, 
 John Stranahan, 
 Abraham Flagg. 
 
 T. 13, R. 6 
 
 1810. 
 
 Palmer Utley, 
 Daniel Hamlin, 
 John M. Cole. 
 
 T. 4, R. 7. 
 1818. 
 'Benjamin ChamberlJn, 
 Nathaniel Fish, 
 Lathrop Vinton, 
 Edmund Kemp, 
 Zina Finton, 
 Timothy Morgan. 
 
 T. 4, R. 7. 
 1816 
 Elisha Hicks, 
 Daniel Kelly, 
 Philip Bonesieel, 
 Hiram Wells, 
 Ephraim Rolph. 
 Jabez Hull. 
 
 T. 6, R. 7. 
 
 1801). 
 William Smith, 
 Ephraim Hall, 
 Samuel Hill, 
 Peter Pratt, 
 Stephen Peters, 
 Isaac Belot, 
 Samuel Nichols. 
 
 T. 7, R. 7 
 
 1809. 
 John Stewart, 
 Amasa Ashman, 
 Solomon Field, 
 Thomas M'Gee, 
 Lyman Drake, 
 Smith Russell. 
 
 T. 13, R. 7. 
 
 1808. 
 George Van Slyke, 
 Peter Taylor, 
 Peter Conlev, 
 Silas Pratt, ' 
 David Sprague, 
 Abraham Miller, 
 
 T. 2, R. 8. 
 
 1819. 
 Artemas Houghton, 
 Philip Tome. 
 Jesse Hotchkiss, 
 Isaac Dow, 
 Milton Holmes. 
 
 T. 3, R. 8. 
 1819. 
 Harlow Butler, 
 Gurdon Cheesbrough 
 Timothy Boardman, 
 Asa Watson, 
 Sargeant Morrill, 
 William Fov. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 
 
 529 
 
 T. 4, R. 8. 
 1816. 
 Samuel Blanchard, 
 James Godard, 
 A. Smith Waterman, 
 David Hammond, Jr. 
 Jonathan Kennecutt, 
 Paul Harvey. 
 
 T. 5, R. 8. 
 
 • 1820. 
 Abel M. Butler. 
 Joha Beverly, 
 Isaac W. Skinner, 
 Job Mick, 
 Barnard Cook, 
 Chester Cook. 
 
 T. 6, R. 8. 
 1816. 
 Jacob Taylor, 
 Abraham Gitiord, 
 Nathaniel Rawson, 
 Peter Boss, 
 Luke Crandall, 
 Charles M. Barden. 
 
 T. 7, R. 8. 
 1809. 
 Sylvester Hussey, 
 Isaac Hathaway, 
 Thomas Bills, ' 
 Moses Eddy, 
 George Soulhwick, 
 Nathaniel Sisson, 
 Abram Tucker. 
 
 T 13, R. 8 
 1807. 
 Edward Smith, 
 Marvin Judd, 
 Daniel Judd, 
 Ozias Judd, 
 Solomon Wolcott, 
 Thomas Whiles, 
 Benjamin Graham. 
 
 T. 15, R. 6. 
 1810. 
 Benjamin Burgess, 
 Abner Baley, 
 Stephen Sheldon, 
 Cyrus Coats, 
 David Wood, 
 Martin Sparbeck, 
 George G. ScrafFord. 
 Garritt Gray. 
 
 T. 1. R. 9. 
 1821. 
 Alexander Van Horn, 
 
 George Fenton, 
 Joseph Russell, 
 Reuben Owens, 
 Mathias Bovee, 
 WilUam Sprague. 
 
 34 
 
 T. 2, R. 9. 
 1821. 
 Howard Fuller, 
 James Powell, 
 Samuel J. York, 
 William Eames, 
 Howard Chapman, 
 Thomas Hovoy, 
 Edmund Fuller. 
 
 T. 3, R. 9. 
 1815. 
 
 William Sears, 
 Edmund Mullett, 
 Daniel Philips, 
 Harry Davidson, 
 Peter Blanchard, 
 Rufus Wyllys. 
 
 T. 4, R, 9. 
 
 1818. 
 Edmund Dudley, 
 James Franklin, 
 James Franklin, Jr. 
 John Dye, ... 
 Nathaniel Cooper, 
 Nathan Skinner, 
 Asher Glover, 
 Harlow Beach. 
 
 T. 5, R. 9. 
 1810. 
 Sherebiah Lee, 
 Moses Morgan, 
 William Read. 
 Simeon Bunce, 
 Reuben Pitcher, 
 Ambrose C. Ford. 
 
 T. 6, R. 9 
 1815. 
 John Clark, 
 Benjamin Waterman, 
 Joseph Brownel, 
 Joseph Weeks, 
 Elder Moses, 
 John Thatcher, 
 Frederick Bentley. 
 
 T. 8, R. 9. 
 1809. 
 Adoniram Eldridge, 
 Anderson Taylor, 
 Aaron Salisbury, 
 Martin Sprague, 
 Gideon Dudley, 
 Sylvester Maybee. 
 
 T. 1, R. 10. 
 
 1809. 
 Abiel Walton. 
 Robert Russell. 
 Thomas Russell, 
 John True, 
 George Sloan, 
 Charles Bills. 
 
 T. 2, R. 10 
 
 1807. 
 Thomas R. Kennedy, 
 Stephen Radley, 
 John Owen, 
 James Culverson, 
 Gideon Gilson, 
 John Brown, 
 Abraham Tupper. 
 
 T. 3, R. 10. 
 
 1815. 
 John Love Jr., 
 James Battles, 
 Frederick Love,. 
 James Bates. 
 Moses White. 
 Roswell Kenney. 
 
 T. 4, R. 10. 
 
 1815 
 Isaac Curtis. 
 James INIarks. 
 Joshua Bentley, 
 Gurdon Crandell, 
 Elisha Wilcox, 
 Jonathan Andrews, 
 Barber Babcock. 
 
 T. 5, R. 10. 
 
 1809. 
 Ezra Puffer, 
 John Kent, 
 Daniel Whipple, 
 Sanmel Hoppin, 
 Nathaniel Bown, 
 Calvin Collins, 
 Sylvester Morris. 
 
 T. 1. R. n. 
 
 1808. 
 Robert Russell, 
 Benjamin Dyer, 
 James Akin, 
 Joseph Akin, 
 Ebenezer Cheeney, 
 Nathan Lazell. 
 
 T. 2, R. 11. 
 
 1807. 
 Eleazer Crocker, 
 Edward Shillitto, 
 William Wilson, 
 Thomas Bemis, 
 Jonas Seman, 
 Dyer Nichols. 
 
 T. 3, R. II. 
 
 1809. 
 Amos Aikin, 
 Seth Cole Jr., 
 Stephen Jones Jr., 
 William Gilmore, 
 Orrin Adkins, 
 Samuel Sinclear. 
 
 T. 4, R. 11. 
 
 1809. 
 Daniel Picket, 
 
530 
 
 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 11. 
 
 T. 4, R. 11 
 1809. 
 Asa Duran, 
 Seth Richardson, 
 Barnabas Cole, Jr. 
 Arva O. Austin, 
 John Picket, 
 Joseph Arnold. 
 
 T. 5, R. 
 
 1809. 
 Othello Church, 
 Urial Johnson, 
 Augustus Burnham, 
 Abiram Orton, 
 Chauncey Roberts, 
 Horace Clough. 
 
 T. 1, R. 12. 
 1810. 
 Josiah Carpenter, 
 Heman Williams, 
 John J. Gibb, 
 William Harris, 
 Nathaniel Fenner, 
 Jonas Lamphear. 
 
 T. 3, R. 12. 
 1809. 
 John Thompson, 
 Darius Sumner, 
 Joshua Woodward, 
 John Hemot, 
 William Armstrong, 
 Orrin Strong, 
 Robert Dodge, 
 Thomas Bemis. 
 
 T. 4, R. 12. 
 1809. 
 Jonathan Alverson, 
 
 T. 4, R. 12. 
 1809. 
 Samuel Newell, 
 SamuL^l Berry, 
 Benjamin Miller, 
 Silas Gates, 
 Shadrack Scofield, 
 Peleg Redfield. 
 
 T. 1, R. 13. 
 
 1811. 
 Israel Carpenter, 
 Joseph S. Pember, 
 Joseph Wall, 
 Robei-t Chappell, 
 Stephen Grover, 
 Ezekiol Griswcld, 
 Isaac Carpenter. 
 
 T. 2, R 13. 
 
 1807 
 Elisha Phillips, 
 Josiah Carpenter, 
 Wiilian Forbes, 
 John Thompson, 
 Mathew Nealy, 
 Joseph Prendergast 
 Josiah Phelps. 
 
 T. 4, R. 13. 
 
 1809. 
 John Pratt, 
 Jonathan Frost, 
 Rufus Frost, 
 Russel Morgan, 
 John Dexter, 
 Philo Hopson, 
 Ira W. Couch. 
 
 T. 3, R. 14. 
 
 1810. 
 Amos Thomas, Jr. 
 Robert Dickson, 
 Artemas Herrick, 
 Anselm Potter, — 
 Samuel Jemison, 
 John Daggett, 
 Caleb Hamilton. 
 
 T. 4, R. 14. 
 
 1810. 
 John M'Mahan, 
 John Dull, 
 Nathan S. Roberts, 
 Hugh Whitehall, 
 Jonn Allen, 
 Robert Sweet, 
 William Thurstan. 
 
 T. 1, R. 15. 
 
 1812. 
 Roswell Coe, 
 *Amos Boebe, ft 
 Alanson Root, 
 Abraham Pier, 
 Ande Nobles, 
 Aaron Barney, 
 Daniel Frisbee, 
 George Hascall. 
 
 T. 2, R. 15. 
 1811. 
 Alexander Findley, 
 Artemas Stowell, 
 Francis Smith, 
 Benjamin E. Spear, 
 Nathan Thompson, 
 Elijah Drur}-. 
 
 [The reminiscences of pioneer settlement have so far in the main, 
 been applicable to the first six years after land sales commenced. 
 Those that will follow, will generally embrace the period from Jan. 
 1, 1807, to the war of 1812; though in some instances, be extended 
 along through the war, and up to 1820.] 
 
 Settlement upon the Purchase was rapid after the expiration of 
 the first six years, and up to the commencement of the war. Gen- 
 erally, when a pioneer had entered a new township, others soon 
 followed, though there were many instances, where one, two and 
 three families, were for several years isolated, their wilderness 
 neighborhoods long and dreary miles away from any considerable 
 settlements. In early years the geographical designations almost 
 throughout the entire Purchase were made by the use of th« term, 
 "Settlements;" the name of the settlement, that of the first or 
 most prominent pioneer settler. When there was but one, and 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 531 
 
 afterwards, when there were but four and five towns upon the entire 
 Purchase, the detached neighborhoods, were necessarily thus dis- 
 tinguished. 
 
 The progress of settlement in the first nine years, will be very 
 distinctly indicated by the number of land sales made in each year: 
 — In 1801, they were 40; in 1802, 50: in 1803, 230; in 1804, 300; 
 in 1805, 415; in 1806, 524; in 1807, 007; in 1808, 012; in 1809, 
 1100. 
 
 A brief reference has already been made to the early settlements 
 in Genesee and Wyoming. The narrative of Mr. Wilder and 
 others, embraces some of the earliest advents in that quarter. 
 
 The pioneer settlers of Alexander have been noticed. The first 
 ' framed house in town was erected by John and Samuel Latham, in 
 1810. A grist mill was erected by William Adams in 1807; the 
 first death was of a man by the name of Whitting, in 1804; the first 
 religious meeting was held in 1805, Elder Burton presiding. Two 
 of the early citizens of the town, Jacob Seymour, and Sew- 
 ard, were killed in the war of 1812. Henry Hawkins was the 
 first merchant; Charles Chaffee, the first physician; the first mar- 
 riage, was of Benjamin Moulton and Eunice Olncy. The first 
 school was organized in 1807; the first church, built in 1828. 
 Among the early settlers of the town, there were: — Rodolphus 
 Hawkins, Harvey Hawkins, Henry Hawkins, Rensselaer Hawkins, 
 Elijah Root, Jr., Lillie Fisher, Royal Moulton, Ezekiel Lewis, Seba 
 Brainard, Timothy Ha\\'kins, Stephen Day, John Riddle, Caleb 
 Blodgett, Emory Bloodgett, William Parish, Ezekiel Churchill. 
 
 The Hawkins family came in along in 1804 and up to 1808; were 
 enterprising and successful; known in long years as prosperous 
 farmers and merchants. They were generally of strong, robust 
 constitutions; but disease and death entered the family circle, and 
 in the short space of two years, five of the prominent members of 
 it, died, Henry Hawkins, (formerly a State Senator,) died Oct. 
 1845; and Harvey but two weeks after; both, of the small pox. 
 It is worthy of remark, that both when young had the small pox 
 by inoculation. The father, (Rodolphus,) died in June, 1847, his 
 wife in October following, and about the same time. Van Rensselaer. 
 Among the bequests made by Henry Hawkins, was the endowment 
 of the Genesee and Wyoming Seminary, located at Alexander, with 
 the sum of $5000, in addition to the donation of the building, grounds 
 and furniture. 
 
532 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 In reference to early times in Attica and its neighborhood, th 
 author adds to what has already been given, some reminiscence 
 obtained from Roswcll Gardner, Esq. who settled there in 180[ 
 The oldest resident is Eliphalet Hodges, He was a settler in 1805 
 is now 86 years old. When he built his log house it took all thi 
 able bodied men in the neighborhood, and there then were not enougi.' 
 to finish raising in one day. The first born in town, was Harriet' 
 daughter of Zera Phelps. The early name of Attica was "Phelp' 
 Settlement." Parmenio and Dan Adams were among the earhi 
 settlers. Parmenio was Sheriff of Genesee county for two terms 
 twice elected to Congress. He died in 1822 or '23. Dan whc 
 was a Lieutenant in the company of grenadiers commanded bj. 
 Capt. Seth Gates of Sheldon, was killed at the battle of Queenstoi 
 Heights. 
 
 The pioneer settlers along up the creek between Attica am 
 Varysburg, were, Joseph Munger, Joel Maxon, Benjamin Nelson. 
 John Bogart. 
 
 The earliest physicians in the neighborhood were Dr. Nathaniet 
 Eastman and his son, Dr. Hezekiah Eastman; the first settlecj 
 minister was Elder Cheeny. 
 
 Paul Richards, Esq. of Orangeville, was a settler in that town " 
 as early as 1811. He says there were then from forty to fifty J 
 families in the town. I 
 
 In few towns upon the Purchase, have the pioneer settlers had ' 
 to contend with more formidable difficulties. Well does the author 
 remember, when there, as in Sheldon and Bennington, they were 
 dotted around in the forest, miles of impassable roads intervening, 
 (or in many instances none but woods paths,) — with a few acres 
 cleared around them, the dense and towering forests, of hemlock, 
 beech and maple, reminding them of how much there was yet for 
 their hands to do — enough, in prospective to appal even stout 
 hearted men; — and it was a source of no unaffected gratification, 
 to see after an absense of long years, that there too, as well as in 
 all the rest of this favored region, the substantial comforts of life, 
 were rewarding the toils of the pioneer adventurers. An early 
 pioneer of Orangeville; one who has swung his axe among its sturdy 
 hemlocks; ended his life in Buffalo, a few years since, at the head 
 of a banking institution he had founded.* 
 
 •Oliver Lee, Esq. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 533 
 
 It will be new perhaps to most readers, to learn that there was 
 i(j i)ne attempt upon the Holland Purchase, to subdue the forest with 
 i(i ilavc labor. Two of the early settlors of Orangcville, Joshua 
 I, •Mitchell and Adiel Sherwood,* married the daughter of a Mrs. 
 li jW"ood, from Maryland, who came into the country with them, 
 I Oringing ten slaves. Involuntary servitude proved a difficult anom- 
 f aly in the backwoods of the Holland Purchase. The moral sense 
 of the new settlers was manifested, as was alledged, by encoura- 
 ging the negroes to escape from time to time; prosecutions were 
 , instituted against one or two of t^e neighbors. In the end most of 
 I ,the slaves liberated themselves. It was no difficult matter for them 
 ■to walk over to Canada, or in fact, in almost any direction they 
 .'chose to go. One of the last of the lot was sold to Mr. Keyes 
 ! ; of Batavia, and will be remembered as the only dark feature in the 
 I history of that very respectable pioneer tavern, to which allusion 
 I has before been made. 
 
 Alba Williams, an early settler of Orangeville, was chopping in 
 , the woods; his wife started out to make an afternoon's visit at a 
 neighbor's house, taking her child in her arms. Toward evening 
 tiK; husband went to accompany her home, and in crossing a log 
 bridge over a small stream, discovered his wife and child lying 
 upon their faces in the water, both dead. It was supposed that 
 Mrs. W. had gone to the edge of the stream to wash the face of 
 I her child, and while in the act of doing so, was attacked with a fit, 
 fell forward, her face becoming sufficiently immersed in the water 
 to produce suffocation; the child sharing her fate. 
 
 Ormus and Reuben Doolittlc, though not settlers upon the 
 Holland Purchase, until 1820, were prominent, enterprising and 
 early residents at Weathersfield Springs. John W. Perry, David 
 Rood, Daniel Wolcott, were previous residents there. The names 
 of the two brothers, and their various well directed enterprises, 
 involves a seeming paradox. They have been farmers, merchants, 
 lumbermen, and woolen manufacturers. A neat Episcopal church, 
 and parsonage — cost 65000 — was built at their expense; as was a 
 school house, which they kept in repair ten years, and sold to the 
 district. Reuben Doolittle died while on a visit to Illuiois in 1846; 
 he was the father of James R. Doolittle, Esq. of Warsaw. Ormus 
 Doolittle is still carrying on various branches of business, in the 
 
 *Afterwards, the founder of the Sherwood tavern stand, five miles east of Buffalo. 
 
534 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 pleasant rural village, which the two brothers have done so much! 
 to build up. 
 
 Benjamin Bancroft, was the first, and is still the resident 
 physician at the Springs. 
 
 Joel S. Smith, an early tavern keeper, drover, merchant and| 
 farmer — an enterprising and valuable citizen, is still a resident in| 
 the south part of Weathersfield. 
 
 Wheelock Wood, after having been a pioneer east of the river- 
 settling where the Lima Seminary stands, in 1795 — became a resi-l 
 dent at Gainsville, in 1807; from his son, Lewis Wood, the author] 
 derived some reminiscences of that region. In 1807, all the dwell- 
 ings of the pioneers there, were built of logs and covered withj 
 bark; floors and doors of split plank; there was but a wood's road 
 from Warsaw to Gainsville. A saw mill was built by the Woods, in 
 1809, on Allan's creek. Mr. Wood mentions the fact that he was: 
 collector of the town of Gainsville in 1812; the whole tax was but I 
 8350. 
 
 In an early day (the year not recollected,) Wheelock Wood, 
 erected a saw mill on Deep Gulley creek, (within the limits of 
 Rochester, or near the north line of the city.) The mill was 
 abandoned for the reason that it was so sickly in that region that 
 no one would reside there to tend it. 
 
 While Mr. Wood resided east of the river, he carried hay and 
 sold it to new settlers upon the Holland Purchase, as far west as 
 Yandeventer's. 
 
 Roger Mills was the prominent pioneer settler of Hume; built 
 saw mill and grist mill on the Wiscoy. The village of Cold Creek 
 grew up on lands included in his purchase. C. G. Ingham, Charles 
 Mather, Sylvanus Harmon, Ira Higby, Joseph Balcom, were early 
 settlei's at Cold Creek. The first school there, was in 1823; the 
 first physician, Joseph Balcom; first settled minister. Rev. Oliver 
 Reed. C. G. Ingham, kept the first tavern at Cold Creek; com- 
 mencing in 1823, and still continuing at the same stand. He was 
 the first P. M. The mail route from Angelica to Warsaw, was 
 established in 1826: first mail contained one letter and no 
 newspaper. 
 
 Joseph Maxson, was the pioneer of the town of Centreville, and 
 his advent into the wilderness is well worthy of notice. Leaving 
 his native place, (Hartwick, Otsego Co.) when but eighteen years 
 old, he arrived at Pike in April, 1808. Two cents in money, a few 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 535 
 
 articles of provisions, and a scanty wardrobe, constituted the 
 
 worldly wealth of our young adventurer. Taking a new pair of 
 
 • shoes from his feet, he bartered them for an axe, and pushed into 
 
 the wilderness, miles away from any habitation. Selecting his 
 
 h : land, he erected a rude shanty, and to supply bed and bedding, 
 
 h I pealed basswood bark, using one piece to separate himself from the 
 
 I cold ground, and another for covering. The snow fell to the depth 
 
 ■ • of six inches, after he fixed himself in his new home. He spent 
 
 'i ' eight months solitary and alone. It is noted on the books of the 
 
 )\ land office that he had five acres cleared, July 22, 1898; at which 
 
 i' date, he had his land "booked" to him, paying nothing down. It is 
 
 i presumed that he had only chopped down the timber and burned 
 
 ' the brush. He raised the first season, a few bushels of corn and 
 
 ;: potatoes, and in the fall sowed two acres of wheat. 
 
 Success rewarded the extraordinary efforts of the young pioneer. 
 ' He became an early tavern keeper, the owner of a large, well 
 improved farm; and selling out, was a short time since, building 
 mills in Wisconsin. He has preserved as relics of his early advent 
 upon the Holland Purchase, the axe that he got in exchange for 
 his shoes; one of the cents that has been named; one kernel of the 
 I seed corn he procured to plant in 1808; and an old wooden fan with 
 which he cleaned the first wheat raised in the town of Centreville. 
 
 Ij Mr. Carpenter built the first framed house in Centreville; 
 
 James Ward the first framed barn, and planted the first orchard. 
 John Griffith officiated at the first religious meeting; Sparrow 
 Smith was the first merchant; Calvin Cass the first physician. 
 
 The town of Rushford was set off from Canadea in the year 1816. 
 \^For early settlers, see T. 5, R. 2.] William Gordon and Sampson 
 Hardy, were early pioneers in addition to those named in the list. 
 The first saw mill w^as built by M. P. Cady and others, in 1816; 
 
 the first grist mill, by Warren in 1813. * The early miller 
 
 w^as drowned in 1815, while in the act of mending his mill dam. 
 James M'Call was the first merchant; commencing the business in 
 1816; his store was the first framed building in town. D. J. Board 
 established the first blacksmith shop. The first church organiza- 
 tion was that of the Baptists and Methodists, in 1817. The 
 Baptists built a meeting house in 1817, the Methodists, in 1819. 
 
 * It was a small concern; the bolting cloths were made of book muslin. The upper 
 stone was upon a spindle which was at the end of the shaft of a tub wheel; no interme- 
 diate gearing. 
 
536 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 It is a fact that tells much for the moral character of the citizens of 1 
 Rushford, that, for the space of fifteen years, no indictable offence 
 was committed in the town. The mail route was established from 
 Perry to Clean, in 1816; Levi Benjamin was the first P. M. at 
 Rushford. 
 
 The venerable Judge James M'Call, the early merchant, who 
 has been for a considerable period, a state senator, and filled many 
 other important public offices, may perhaps be regarded as the 
 patroon of the village of Rushford; conspicuous in the various 
 enterprises that have contributed to its prosperity; his Hfe has been 
 an exemplary and useful one. He still survives; having reached 
 his 74th year. He has reared a family of thirteen children, twelve 
 of whom are married and settled; and has in all, over forty living 
 descendants. 
 
 From some reminiscences the author has in his possession, he is 
 enabled to glean a fact highly creditable to the subject of the above 
 brief notice: — After the almost entire loss of the small crops of the 
 new settlers, in the cold season of 1816, there, as in most of the 
 new settlements upon the Purchase, extreme scarcity of provisions 
 prevailed. The Judge owning a mill, controlled all the grain in the 
 neighborhood, except a little corn that the Indians had upon the 
 Canadea reservation; and his monopoly was kindly exercised. — 
 He gave his miller orders to sell to no one man over forty pounds 
 of flour or meal; and not to sell any to those who had teams, and 
 the means of procuring bread stuflT by going out to the older settle- 
 ments after it. And when his supplies became reduced, he restricted 
 the amount to be sold to any one man, to twenty pounds. In this 
 way, the poorest and most destitute of the new settlers were 
 carried along until the harvest of 1817. 
 
 The Erie Canal has been a work diffusive in its benefits, and 
 yet its opening had the effect, temporarily, to create depression, 
 and retard the settlement of the southern portion of the Holland 
 Purchase. As has been before observed, the current of emigration 
 to the west, was transferred from the main roads that led to the 
 navigable waters of the Allegany river, to the canal and the lakes. 
 A brisk travel and transportation suddenly ceased; Olean ceased to 
 be a market for produce; in fact, all the local advantages that are 
 derived from great thoroughfares, were lost. This, added to the 
 financial crisis of 1818 and '19, and cold untoward seasons, almost 
 brought settlement to a stand; there were times when farms in the 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 537 
 
 western portion of Allegany, and southern portion of Cattaraugus, 
 with fifty acres of improvements, would not bring two hundred 
 dollars over and above the original purchase money. A large 
 proportion of the settlers abandoned the idea of paying for their 
 lands, and stopped improvements; many left the country, and more 
 would have done so, could they have rpalized enough for their 
 impi'ovcmcnts, to pay the expenses of emigration. 
 
 In 1822 and '23 the gloomy prospect began to change; the Holland 
 Company reduced the price of lands, began to pay liberal prices for 
 cattle; and it was not long before the southern portion of the Pur- 
 chase, in various ways, began to feel the effects of the prosperity, to 
 which the Erie Canal had given so powerful an impetus, in its more 
 immediate neighborhood. 
 
 The wolves made it difficult to keep sheep in all early days, in 
 Allegany and Cattaraugus. In these as well as many other counties 
 of the state, large bounties were paid for wolf scalps. It was with 
 reference to those counties and several others in the northern por- 
 tion of the state, that Gen. Root, in proposing a large increase of 
 bounty, said, that "the British and the wolves had entered into 
 a combination against American manufactures, and for one, I wish to 
 break it up." 
 
 Elder Nathan Peck, was an early missionary in Allegany and 
 Cattaraugus; and the indefatigable -'Father Spencer" found his way 
 to the log cabins of the early settlers about as soon as they were 
 dotted, here and there, in the dense forest; partaking with the pio- 
 neers their humble fare, and remijiding them that their wilderness 
 homes were not beyond the pale of civilization, or the wanderings 
 of the faithful and searching missionary. 
 
 It will surprise those who are not already acquainted with the 
 curious fact, to learn that there is a spot upon the Holland Purchase, 
 where the speckled trout, passes from the waters of the Gulf of 
 St. Lawrence, to those of the Gulf of Mexico, and vice versa. 
 About six miles from Rushford, on the Olean road, in the town of 
 New Hudson, the head waters of the Canadea and Oil creeks 
 approach each other, and in freshets, mingle; affording the facility 
 for the trout to pass over the dividing ridge. 
 
 Deacon Solomon Rawson, was the pioneer settler in Linden. 
 An emigrant from Pennsylvania, he came in from the south, and 
 settled on the Olean road, seven miles south-west of Rushford. 
 He opened a woods road to Rushford. His house was often thrown 
 
538 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 open to accomodate the emigrants when they began to pass on that 
 road to Olean. He raised the first crops; a daughter of his was 
 the first born in town. The first preacher in the neighborhood was 
 the Rev. Mr. Hubbard. The first church organized in Linden, 
 was of the order of Free-will Baptists; the first physician, was Dr. 
 Hotchkiss. Deacon Rawson says there was much suffering for 
 food among the new settlers in 1817 and '18; flour was from -$11 
 to $16 pr. barrel; pork, 25 cts. pr. lb.; many of the poorer class of 
 new settlers subsisted on milk, boiled greens, and leeks. 
 
 The traveler who passes over the road from Rushford to Cuba, 
 will have his attention arrested soon after he first strikes the head 
 waters of Oil Creek, by a cluster of neat farm buildings, in the 
 centre of a highly cultivated farm; the whole nestling rurally and 
 quietly amid the surrounding hills. It is where the venerable 
 pioneer we have introduced, first broke into the wilderness, and 
 w^here he still lives to enjoy the rewards of his early toils and 
 privations. 
 
 Four miles from Deacon Rawson's, toward Cuba, on Oil creek, 
 two settlers located soon after 1808, but the prominent settler in 
 that vicinity, was Col. Samuel Morgan, who located there in 1811, 
 and became the founder of a public house, that was widely known 
 in all early years. He was an enterprising, useful pioneer. He 
 died in 1845. 
 
 The land which embraces the site of Cuba village, was originally 
 purchased by James Strong, in 1817. Gen. Calvin T. Chamberlin 
 settled two miles from the village, in 1816; he built the first saw 
 mill in town in 1817. Stephen Cady and Jacob Baldwin, built saw 
 mill and grist mill in 1822, two miles above the village. 
 
 Judge John Griffin was an early and prominent citizen of Cuba, 
 locating there in 1820, and becoming the purchaser of the village 
 site. There are few who have not heard anecdotes of the eccentric 
 Judge. He was a man of unusual muscular power; tall, fearless, 
 generous, with more than ordinary native intellect; enterprising 
 and public spirited. In the war of 1812, (then a citizen of Ontario 
 county,) he organized a corps of troops, and went out under 
 Smyth's proclamation. He was a senator from the 8th district, 
 previous to 1836, and for several years, one of the Judges of 
 Allegany. He died in Cuba, in 1845, where his family now reside. 
 
 The founding of Cuba village commenced in 1835. In that year, 
 Stephen Smith purchased out the property of Judge Griffin; and 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 539 
 
 Gen. Chambcrlin erected a public house, and opened a mercantile 
 establishment. 
 
 The subject of the Genesee Valley Canal was first agitated at a 
 public meeting in Cuba. The participators in the proceedings of 
 the meeting, were John Griffin, Calvin T. Chamberhn, Daniel 
 Raymond, Samuel Morgan, Simeon C. Moore, and other citizens 
 of Allegany and Cattaraugus. 
 
 The celebrated Oil spring, is two miles from the village of 
 Cuba, on Oil creek. Most readers are familiar with its peci^^iar 
 character. It is a curious fact; and demonstrates how wide was 
 the range of the French Jesuits and traders, over the region of 
 Western New York; that Joncaire knew of the existence of this 
 spring, and described it to Charlevoix, in 1721. The mile square 
 of land embracing it, was one of the reservations of the Seneca 
 Indians, in their treaty with Robert Morris. The Indians regarded 
 it of great value; attributed important medicinal qualities to the oil; 
 in early years, after settlement commenced, it was a place, with 
 them, of frequent resort. They used to spread their blankets upon 
 the water, wring them, collecting the oil in their brass kettles. 
 
 Soon after the settlement of the country, the oil was collected 
 and sold; and has been in use more or less, for nearly fifty years, 
 though it is not certain that it possesses much virtue. The waters 
 of the spring are pure and cold, not tainted with the oil. When 
 the oil is skimmed off it will accumulate again, over the surface of 
 the water, in one hour. It has a strong bituminous smell; in 
 appearance, not unlike the British oil. 
 
 The venerable Samuel S. Haight, an early lawyer of Western 
 New York, prominent in its annals, is a resident upon a farm near 
 Cuba; now over 70 years of age. 
 
 The early settler on Allegany road between Cuba and Olean, 
 was Simeon Hicks. He settled there in 1813. "Hick's tavern," 
 was widely known, after emigration commenced via Olean, to the 
 west. As many as two hundred emigrants have been sheltered 
 under his roof at one time. When he went into the woods, his 
 nearest neighbor east, was Elisha Strong, where the village of 
 Friendship is now located; his nearest west, was James Brooks, 
 who lived two miles from Olean. Andrew Hull, who settled on 
 a branch of Oil creek, in 1814, raised the first crops in that region. 
 
 Judge Moses Van Campen surveyed road from Angelica to Olean, 
 in 1815. 
 
540 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The author has no reminiscences of Hindsdale, except a list of 
 its first town officers, and the names of the first who took articles 
 of land in the town. [See T. 2, R. S, and T. 3, R. 3.] The first 
 town meeting was in 1821. The officers chosen, were Israel 
 Curtiss, Supervisor; Robert Hinds, Town Clerk; Thomas Warren, 
 Samuel Boughton, Jedediah Strong, Assessors; H. Gross, Collector; 
 Charles Price, Harvey Parker, Emory Yates, Com. of highways; 
 Henry Gross, Lambert Fay, Com. of common schools. 
 
 Major Adam Hoops, the founder of settlement at Olean, died in 
 Westchester county, Pennsylvania in 1845; was in indigent cir- 
 cumstances; subsisted in the last years of his life, upon his revolu- 
 tionary pension; having at one period during that struggle, been one 
 of the aids of Gen. Washington. 
 
 Joseph M'Clure, was the early settler at Franklinville, and the 
 founder of the village. He surveyed many of the early roads of 
 Cattaraugus and Allegany, and was somewhat noted for his faculty 
 of making them terminate at the settlement he had commenced; 
 was an active and enterprising pioneer. 
 
 A sketch, drawn from some reminiscences of primitive settlement 
 in Farmersville, Cattaraugus county, will furnish the reader with a 
 pretty distinct view of pioneer life. In 1816 and '17, Richard 
 Tozer, Peleg Robbins, Peter Ten Broek, and Cornelius Ten Broek, 
 began the settlement which they called Farmersville. They were 
 all unmarried men except Richard Tozer. Isolated as they were, 
 in their wilderness home, they found it necessary to make some 
 local laws for the government of their small colony. They drew 
 up a code, signed it themselves, and induced other settlers to sign 
 it as they came in. One section of their mutual statute, was as 
 follows: — "If any single woman who is over fourteen years of age, 
 shall come to reside in our village, and no one of this confederacy 
 shall offer her his company, within a fortnight thereafter, then and 
 in such case, our board shall be called together, and some one shall 
 be appointed to make her a visit; whose duty it shall be to perform 
 the same, or forfeit the disapprobation of the company, and pay a 
 fine sufficiently large to buy the lady thus neglected, a new dress." 
 Few towns upon the Purchase have been more prosperous; and it 
 is quite likely that this early regulation aided essentially in the 
 work of founding a new settlement and speeding its progress. 
 
 These pioneer adventurers carried their provisions . ten and even 
 twenty miles upon their backs, through the woods; and as a contrast 
 
HOLLAND rURCHASE. 541 
 
 between the past and the present; as an example of what industry 
 and enterprise will accomplish, it may be remarked, that one of 
 them (Judge Peter Ten Broek,) is now the owner of three thou- 
 sand acres of land, and in the raising of stock and grain is not 
 excelled by any farmer west of the Genesee river. 
 
 Richard Tozer built the first framed house in Farmersville; Levi 
 Peet the first framed barn, and planted the first orchard; Joseph A. 
 Tozer was the first born in town. Rev. Elijah Going preached the 
 first sermon. Richard Tozer was elected supervisor, on the first 
 organization of the town, in 1822, and Elijah Price, town clerk. 
 
 It will be noticed, by reference to the map of Cattaraugus, that 
 Farmersville is upon the summit, embracing within its limits, the 
 tributaries of the Allegany and Genesee rivers, and Cattaraugus 
 creek, which is a tributary of lake Erie. There are two small 
 streams that rise in the town, one running due east, and the other, 
 nearly due north. They cross each other at right angles; flowing 
 on as if undisturbed, though their waters must be supposed to have 
 lost their identity, in the singular blending. There is one spot in 
 the town, where a man can stand still and spit in the waters of the 
 Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. 
 These things do not belong to the subject of pioneer settlement, 
 but their extraordinary character has invited a brief notice. 
 
 The author has a distinct recollection of some events attending 
 the primitive breaking into the woods, in the south-west part of 
 Wyoming county, upon the Cattaraugus creek; to which he is ena- 
 bled to add some reminiscences obtained from Abraham Smith, 
 Esq. (the present sheriff of Wyoming,) whose father was a settler 
 there as early as 1811. 
 
 The pioneers in that region, were Abraham Jackson, and his sons, 
 Capt. Amasa Kilbourn, Alfred Kilbourn, John Johnson, Samuel 
 Nichols, Abner Bump, and his sons, and Silas Meach; these, with 
 Moses Smith, comprised all the settlers in the town of China, pre- 
 vious to 1812. The settlement commenced in 1809; Roswell 
 Turner, the pioneer of Sheldon, had for the Holland Company, 
 partly opened a road from his residence south to Cattaraugus creek; 
 and in that year, he took up a lot upon the creek, made a small 
 improvement, and a son-in-law of his, Ichabod R. Sanders, went on 
 to the land, but did not become a permanent settler there.* In 1812 
 
 • It was in an attempt to reach the residence of her daughter, through a woods path, 
 Ofl horseback, accompanied by a small boy, that the mother of the author was overtaken 
 
542 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and '13, there was added to the neighborhood, Col. Dewell Rowley, 
 Walter Hinkley, Israel Kibby, John Nichols, Porter Belknap, 
 James Steel, Thomas Root, David Barrows. Col. Rowley built a 
 grist mill in 1812 or '13; Moses Smith, a saw mill about the same 
 time. The only boards used in the settlement previous to this, 
 were obtained from saw mills in Sheldon and Hume. When the 
 wife of one of the pioneers died, (Mrs. Kilbourn,) her coffin was 
 constructed of hewed plank. Deacon Hinkley held the first 
 religious meetings, and officiated in religious exercises at the prim- 
 itive log school house. Dr. Benjamin Potter, and Dr. Ziba Hamil- 
 ton, of Sheldon, often visited the settlement in early years, as 
 physicians. 
 
 A pioneer in this neighborhood, mentions the circumstance, (a 
 very common one, as most pioneers will recollect) — that the early 
 visiting, ball, and quilting parties, went upon ox-sleds, in the prin- 
 cipal season of back woods festivities; that he has himself been 
 one of the parties that have gone from the settlement, over into 
 Sardinia, (eight miles,) on ox-sleds, for an evening's visit. 
 
 A Congregational church was organized in China in 1815 or '16; 
 the Rev. Mr. Ingalls was the first settled clergyman. The first 
 merchant in town, was Silas Parker. The first school was kept by 
 Joel Dutton, in 1813. The early pioneer, Capt. Amasa Kilbourn, 
 was killed at the capture and burning of Buffalo. 
 
 The early settlers upon the Cattaraugus creek felt severely, the 
 general scarcity of provisions in 1816 and '17. Many families 
 were weeks without bread, subsisting principally upon milk; a 
 settler who could go out to the older settlements, do a day's work, 
 and get half a bushel of grain for his family, even felt himself 
 highly favored. In 1817, wheat in some instances was sold as high 
 as 83,00 per bushel, and corn for 82,00. The author was knowing 
 to this price having been paid for wheat, in Attica, and for corn, at 
 Squakie Hill and Gardeau. 
 
 There are few of the surviving early settlers in south part of 
 Wyoming and Erie, who will not remember the alarm that was 
 spread through the new settlements, about the period of the great 
 eclipse, in 1806. It caused much commotion and alarm with the 
 
 by a storm, lost her way, and spent a dreary night hi the wilderness; the hootinpf of the 
 owl, the snarling of the wild-cat, and the howling of the wolf assailing her ears, and 
 helping to make 
 
 "Night hideous." 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 543 
 
 Indians; and just about that time large nunnbers of thcni were 
 passing and repassing between their Reservation at Buffalo, and the 
 Reservations on the Genesee river. The mischievous rumor 
 followed that there was to be an incursion of Indians from Canada, 
 under Brant and Butler, that the Senecas were to become their 
 allies, and the scenes of the Border Wars were to be re-enacted. 
 It is not strange, that even an absurd rumor should have created 
 apprehensions of danger in detached and defenceless pioneer set- 
 tlements. All was alarm; work was suspended; some left their 
 houses and sought refuge in the woods; and others prepared 
 retreats, in case the necessity of flight should occur. In Hamburg, 
 the settlers, at considerable labor, made a barn the centre of a 
 fortress, ditching and picketing in the ground around it, and erecting 
 block houses; the men chopping and digging, and the women 
 cooking for them; there was mutual effort, for mutual self defence. 
 It is scarcely necessary to add, that the alarm died away, and the 
 back-woodsmen were soon ai^-ain swinajino- the axe. and making 
 openings in the forest. 
 
 The opening of the old road, from Sheldon to Aurora, has been 
 noticed. The first wagon that ever went over that road, was in 
 July, 180G. Ichabod R. Sanders, a house carpenter, was moving 
 his family to Black Rock, where he had contracted to build a house 
 for Capt. Robert Lee. Therewerebut a few acres cleared at Black 
 Rock; and but three or four families. 
 
 As an instance of the improvident waste of valuable timber, 
 which is quite too common in new countries, it may be mentioned, 
 that the town of Bennington was once pre-eminent for its fine groves 
 of cherry. It was used as freely as hemlock, and even logged and 
 burned, in some instances. There are now fences in the town, the 
 rails of which were split from the finest cherry trees that grew 
 upon the Holland Purchase. 
 
 Quartus Clapp commenced settlement at Cowlesvillc, building a 
 saw mill in 1816, and a grist mill in 1818, Joseph Fitch built a 
 saw mill at Scottsville in 1822 or '23. David Scott, Esq. bought 
 the property in 1825, and commenced the mercantile business there; 
 Benjamin Folsom, going there as his clerk, became a partner and 
 ultimately the proprietor; and has been, for many years, an enter- 
 prising merchant and miller. 
 
 As in other instances, the list of settlers in Wales only embraces 
 
544 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 those who took contracts previous to Jan. 1, 1807. Along in the 
 next few years, those who were conspicuous, (and may be deemed 
 early settlers,) located there. Jacob Turner and sons were there 
 as early as 1808, and built the first mills. The old gentleman was 
 an enterprising and useful pioneer settler. The Aliens, Blackmans, 
 Coles and Burts, were early settlei's. 
 
 The author has no reminiscences of early settlement in most of 
 the south towns of Erie county, aside from the brief sketches he 
 has already given, and the names of the first settlers of each town- 
 ship. Settlement that commenced on the main east and west road, 
 in 1804 and '5, soon extended south of that road, and previous to 
 the war of 1812, there were scattered pioneer settlements in what 
 now constitutes nearly all of the south towns of Erie county. 
 
 The author is indebted to James Clark, Esq., of Lancaster, for 
 reminiscences of early events in that region. The first two settlers 
 of the territory now included in the town of Lancaster, were 
 James and Asa Woodward, who made a beginning there as early as 
 1803. Alanson Eggleston and David Hamlin became settlers in 
 1804; Joel Parmelee, in 1805; Warren Hull, in 1806; William 
 
 Blackman, Peter Pratt, Kearney, Elisha Cox, in 1807; 
 
 Elias Bissell, Pardon Peckham, Benjamin Clark, in 1808. 
 
 In 1808, the main road from Lancaster to Buffalo was under- 
 bushed, and made passable for sleighs in winter. Previous to this 
 there had been a woods road opened by the Holland Company, 
 from Alexander to Alden; and from thence it was continued along 
 the Cayuga creek, to the Indian village; and from thence to Buffalo. 
 It was called the "Lawson road." 
 
 The first saw mill in town was erected by Robinson, in 
 
 1808 or '9, upon the present site of Bowman's mills. Benjamin 
 Bowman built a grist mill there soon after the war. The first 
 school house was built in 1810 or '11, and answered the double 
 purpose of a school and meeting house; Henry Johnson and Asa 
 Field took the lead in the primitive religious meetings. "Father 
 Spencer" made his appearance soon after settlement commenced; 
 the Rev. Mr. Alexander was one of the earliest missionaries. 
 
 Mr. Clark mentions a circumstance of a singular character trans- 
 piring in Lancaster, in 1812 or '13, which will at least interest the 
 ornithologist. Early in the spring, a species of bird unknown in 
 this region before or since, made their appearance. They were 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 545 
 
 red, except a little black at the tip of the wings. Soon after they 
 made their appearance, there was a change of weather; it became 
 cold; and the strange visitors perished in great numbers. 
 
 In 1804, the town of Batavia was divided into four towns. 
 Batavia retained all the territory upon Holland Purchase, east of a 
 line running north from the Pennsylvania line between the present 
 towns of Portville and Olean, through the middle of the towns of 
 Hillsdale, Franklinville, Farmersville, Freedom, China, Java, Shel- 
 don, Bennington, Darien, Pembroke, Alabama, Shelby, Ridgeway, 
 and Yates, to lake Ontario. The town of Willink was bounded 
 east by the above described boundaries, and west by the west 
 Transit, which starts from the Pennsylvania line on the west bounds 
 of the present town of Carrolton, and running due north, terminates 
 a little east of the village of Olcott, on lake Ontario. The town 
 of Erie was bounded on the east by the west Transit, and west by 
 the division line between the 10th and 11th ranges of townships, 
 which terminates on lake Erie, a short distance west of the mouth 
 of Silver creek. The three towns named, as will be seen, stretched 
 north and south, from the Pennsylvania line to lake Ontario. The 
 fourth town (Chautauque,) embraced all the present county of 
 Chautauque, except the townships east of the last mentioned boun- 
 daiy- 1X7^ For county divisions that followed, see some statistics 
 that precede maps. 
 
 The town of Willink organized in 1805, as did Erie and Chau- 
 tauque. The first town officers of Willink, elected at a town 
 meeting held at the house of Peter Vandeventer, were as follows: 
 
 Supervisor — Peter Vandeventer. 
 
 Town Clerk — Zcrah Ensign. 
 
 ».flssessors — Asa Ransom, Aaron Beard, John J, Brown. 
 
 Collector — Levi Felton. 
 
 Comj7iissioners of Highways — Gad Warner, Charles Wilber, 
 Samuel Hill, Jr. 
 
 Constables — John Dunn, and Julius Keyes. 
 
 Overseer's of the Poor — Henry Ellsworth, and Otis Ingalls. 
 
 Pathmasters — Augustus Curtiss, Alexander Hopkins, Jedediah 
 Riggs, James Degraw. 
 
 Pound Keeper's and Fence Viewers — John Beemer, Asa Ransom, 
 Peter Pratt, Lawson Eggleston. 
 
 The aggregate vote of the town of Willink at the annual elec- 
 tion, in 1807, on the assembly ticket, was but 115. 
 35 
 
546 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Asa Ransom, Daniel Chapin, Aaron Beard, Commissioners of I 
 excise of the town of Willink in 1807, certify that John Richard- 
 son, Samuel Carr, Francis B. Drake, Peter Vandeventer, Thomas 
 Clark, Charles Wilber, Ephraim Waldo, James Walsworth, Wil- 
 liam Warren, and Levi Felton, were qualified "to keep an inn or 
 a tavern." 
 
 The author has some reminiscences of early pioneer events 
 derived from Samuel Slade, Esq. of Alden, which are made to • 
 apply to the town of Alden as at present organized, but which, on , 
 comparison with some cotemporary records, would seem rather to 
 belong to that neighborhood, or region. Mr. Slade settled there in 
 1811. The pioneer of the region, the first settler, the one who 
 raised the first wheat and set out the first orchard, was Moses 
 Fenno, who was killed at Black Rock, on the morning of the burn- 
 ing of Buffalo. Joseph Freeman, Arunah Hibbard, James Crocker, 
 Samuel Huntington, Joseph Stickney, and William Dayton, were> 
 settlers previous to the war. ■■ 
 
 The first religious meetings were held at the house of Joseph 
 Freeman. Elder Troup, was the first minister to conduct them. 
 The Presbyterian church was founded by Father Spencer in 1813 
 or '14. The Methodists had a class in town previous to 1820. 
 The first school was in 1815 — kept by Mehetabel Esterbrooks, in 
 a log school house, on the present site of Alden village. The first 
 born, was a daughter of Arunah Hibbard. The first saw mill was 
 built by John Rodgers, on the Eleven Mile creek, in 1813 or '14; 
 he built a grist mill in 1817. 
 
 As late as 1811, the Cayuga creek road was impassable with 
 teams, except in winter. 
 
 Mr. Slade says: — "The greatest difficulty the early settlers had 
 to contend with, was bad roads. It used to take two days to go to 
 Lancaster, (eight miles,) to mill; in times of drought, we used to 
 have to go to Niagara Falls for our grinding. In the summer of 
 1817, this neighborhood suffered severely for the want of food; 
 many families subsisted on milk and roots, for days and weeks." * 
 
 The Rev. Gleason Fillmore, of Clarence, was the first Methodist 
 minister licensed upon the Holland Purchase. He located at 
 Clarence in 1809, then in his 19th year, and soon after received 
 
 * In that year of scarcity', which has so frequently been allude.d to, it was very 
 common to shell out the berry of the wheat as soon as it was formed, boil, and eat it 
 "With milk. 
 
 1 
 
 I 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 547 
 
 his license. From that period to the present, he has been engaged 
 in the able and faithful discharge of duties that he took upon himself 
 in his early wilderness advent. It is said of him, that he "labored 
 for years, generally preaching two sermons every Sunday, alter- 
 nating between the detached and scattered neighborhoods, attended 
 the funerals of a wide region, and scarcely received as many dollars 
 as he labored years." 
 
 The first Methodist missionaries that came upon the Holland 
 Purchase, were the Revs. Peter Van Nest and Amos Jcnks, in 
 1807, under the auspices of the Philadelphia conference. The first 
 Methodist society, or church, was formed by Mr. Van Nest, in 
 July, 1807, at the house of Jedediah Felton, Sen. at Clarence 
 Hollow; it consisted of twelve members; Charles Knight was the 
 first class leader. Of those twelve members, three yet survive, as 
 does their founder, who is now a resident of the state of New 
 Jersey. In 1807, there were forty-five members of the Methodist 
 church west of Genesee river; in 1808, ninety-five. 
 
 A Methodist church was founded in Buffalo in 1809, by the Rev. 
 James Mitchell, but it had no permanent organization. Elder Fill- 
 more re-organized a church there in 1818, his primitive materials 
 being only eight persons, who *■' called themselves Methodists, 
 mostly transient and poor." In the month of January, 1818, how- 
 ever, the society had erected a small church, twenty-five by thirty- 
 five, on Pearl street, nearly opposite where the First Presbyterian 
 church now stands. This was the first church erected in Buffalo. 
 It was erected in forty-eight days. It is yet standing, and is used 
 as a joiner's shop, on the east side of Franklin, between Niagara 
 and Church streets. 
 
 Theodore C. Peters, of Darien, is the son of an early pioneer of 
 that region — Joseph Peters, Esq. A short sketch he has obligingly 
 furnished the author, affords a distinct glimpse of early times: — 
 
 "My father came to this town in 1808, and purchased the farm 
 we now occupy near the village, or as I observe it is correctly 
 designated on your map, ' the city.' I can well remember, though 
 young at the time, the long journoy the family made in their advent 
 to the Purchase, from Litchfield county, Conn., on an ox sled, in 
 the winter of 1810. There was a small colony of some eight or ten 
 families, who came together. Arriving upon the Purchase, our new 
 home was a logjiouse, with a bark roof, its crevices chinked and 
 mudded; no jambs, but a stone back against which the fire was 
 
548 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 made. The door was hung with wooden hhiges; the floor waft 
 of hewed plank, and the hearth was the prinaitive mother eartl 
 Around the house was a Httle opening in the forest of about fiv^ 
 acres, and a log shed for the cattle. 
 
 " Of the hardships and privations of the early settlers, you can7 
 and I hope have, spoken feelingly; for none of us who came upon 
 the Purchase in that early day, can ever forget them, though sur- 
 rounded by all the comforts and luxuries of the present time. I 
 can well remember when an apple was an unfrequent luxury. 
 
 " The 'city' was named by an eccentric individual, when a tavern, 
 blacksmith's shop and store was all it contained. ' Murder creek* 
 took its name from the circumstance of my father and some of his 
 neighbors finding a grave upon its banks. It was in a lonely place, 
 and had been sometime made, as the body upon exhumation, was 
 found much decomposed. The inference was, that some traveler 
 had been decoyed and murdered." 
 
 The territory now comprising the county of Niagara, it will be 
 seen by some sketches already given, was mostly a wilderness in 
 the beginning of 1807; the few settlers in it were principally upon 
 the Ridge road, on the Lewiston road, in Slayton's settlement, and 
 on and near the Niagara river. During the five years preceding 
 the war of 1812, settlers broke into the woods, all along upon the 
 fine grade of land under the Mountain Ridge, along on the Lake 
 shore, upon the Eighteen Mile creek, and in a few other localities. 
 
 The venerable Reuben Wilson, of the town of Wilson, is one 
 of the few survivors of the early pioneers of Niagara. Identified 
 with almost the entire history of the county; taking for a long 
 series of years an active part in its concerns; his memory of events 
 distinct and retentive; the author has derived from him a narrative 
 which he prefers to give the reader pretty much in the language 
 and manner of the narrator: — 
 
 "Emigrating from Massachusetts, I first settled in Canada, near 
 Toronto, but remained there but three years. In April, 1810, I 
 embarked with my family, consisting of a wife and five children, in 
 company with John Eastman and his family, in a batteau, crossed 
 the lake, and landed at the mouth of the Twelve Mile creek. 
 Making a short stop at Niagara, I bought a few necessary articles, 
 in all amounting to fifty cents; but small as was the outlay, it was 
 my entire cash capital. Two cows that had been driven around the 
 head of the lake, a few articles of household furniture, and a few 
 farming tools, constituted the bulk of my worldly wealth. I took 
 up one hundred and seventy acres of land, at $2,90 per acre, pay- 
 ing nothing down, but agreeing to pay five per cent, in a few 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 549 
 
 imonths.* There had come into this neighborhood a short time 
 .previous, (in what is now Wilson,) Stephen Sheldon, Robert 
 ! Edmonds, and Dexter P. Sprague, (who afterwards went to Hart- 
 land,) and Robert Waterhousc. Several families of the Mays and 
 Finches, were in before the war. [Mr. Wilson mentions the names 
 of the settlers along on lake shore, some of whom, have already 
 been noticed. Those that have not, who were settlers previous to 
 the war, were the families of the Wisners and Albrights, since 
 widely known as enterprising and successftd farmers; James 
 M'Kenney, Zebulon Coates, Benjamin Halsted, Joseph Pease, 
 Samuel Grossman, John Brewer, Geo. Ash, Jr. Peter Hopkins, 
 David Porter.] 
 
 When I came in, there was scarcely an acre of ground cleared 
 in what is now Wilson. There was no road up and down the lake. 
 In the fall of 1811, there was a road opened from fort Niagara to 
 Somerset; it was generally along the lake shore, though deviating 
 at the streams; at its termination, a foot path continued on to 
 Johnson's creek on Ridge Road. 
 
 In 1811, I was honored with the office of Constable, of the town 
 of Cambria. It was a very easy station, no precept being put into 
 my hands during the year. The first year after I came in, I had 
 my provisions to procure from Canada; the second year, I raised 
 my own; at the end of two years, had fifteen acres of improvement. 
 When I first began to raise grain, I had to go across to Port Hope 
 and Hamilton for my grinding. Even after mills were built upon 
 the Purchase, it was easier to go across the lake, than to travel the 
 new roads. My first seventy acres of improvement was made 
 pretty much with my own hands; after that, my sons were old 
 enough to assist me. 
 
 Previous to the war, myself and neighbors did our trading at 
 Niagara. Dr. Alvord, and Dr. Smith, of Lewiston, were our early 
 physicians. We had no meetings or schools previous to the war; 
 after it, and up to 1820, we had but occasional preaching in the 
 neighborhood, by missionaries. We organized a school in 1815; 
 built a log school house; Dr. Warner was our first teacher. He 
 was both school teacher and physician. Our school commenced 
 with only 12 or 15 scholars. A saw mill was built in 1815, at the 
 mouth of the Twelve, by Daniel Sheldon and Joshua Williams. I 
 purchased the property in 1816, and built a grist mill in 1825. The 
 first saw mill north of the Ridge, in Niagara, was built by Judge 
 Van Horn, in 1811, and he built the first grist mill in the same year. 
 
 The war created a demand for any produce we had to sell, while 
 it continued. In 1816 and '17, the seasons were unpropitious. In 
 
 * This condition, it is presumed, was waived, as in numerous other instances. There 
 is an entry upon the contract book, dated Jan. 10th, 1811, in which it is noted that Mr. 
 Wilson had a house built and ten acres cleared. Such an earnest of permanent settle- 
 ment as this was, usually obviated any failure to meet payments. 
 
550 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 1818 we had good crops, and the courage of the new settlers was 
 revived, after a long period of gloom and depression, of struggling 
 against formidable difficulties. When we began to have surplus 
 produce, it was mostly needed by the new settlers that came in. 
 For any thing we had to send off, Montreal was our market until 
 the Erie Canal was finished. There was in all this region, a stop 
 put to settlement and improvement during the war; more left the 
 country, by far, than came in." 
 
 The remainder of the narrative that Mr. Wilson has furnished 
 the author, has reference principally to the events of the war of 
 1812, and will be used in that connection. The town, (as will be 
 inferred,) takes its name from the early and enterprising pioneer. 
 He was its Supervisor, on its first organization, and continued to be, 
 for eighteen years. He is now 71 years old, but so httle broken 
 with age and a life of toil, that he is often in his fields, laboring at 
 whatever his hands find to do. He has been the father of fourteen 
 children, but five of whom survive; they are sons, and heads of 
 families; all residing in Wilson. His son Luther Wilson, Esq. is 
 the patroon of the rural and flourishing village of Wilson, has been 
 for many years, prominently connected with lake commerce; a 
 miller and a merchant; and one of the principal founders of a 
 successful and flourishing hterary institution — the Wilson Colle- 
 giate Institute. 
 
 The Holland Purchase has been a region of successful enterprise; 
 affording every where, examples of the triumphs of industry and 
 perseverance, over obstacles formidable as any that were ever 
 encountered in a new country; but nowhere is the contrast between 
 the past and the present, more striking, than in the town of Wilson. 
 Less than forty years since, the prominent founder of settlement 
 there, made his advent into the wilderness, built his log cabin, and 
 commenced making an opening in the forest; poor, as will have 
 been seen; his last shilling expended; a wife and young children 
 dependent upon the labor of his hands; a rugged soil to be subdued 
 and paid for. Disease was encountered, at times, converting his 
 humble primitive cabin into a hospital in the wilderness; his scat- 
 tered neighbors perhaps equally afflicted. Soon there was added 
 to the sufferings and privations of pioneer Ufe, war, with all its 
 horrors, in near proximity; and ultimately its scourges laid waste 
 almost his entire neighborhood. Then followed cold and unpropi- 
 tious seasons. There was ten long years of patient endurance 
 before any "good time" came, or even partial prosperity was 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 551 
 
 \ realized: — So much for the past. The present is the reverse of all 
 ; this. The early pioneer is drawing toward the close of a life of 
 ' industry and usefulness, surrounded by all the comforts and many 
 of the luxuries of life; all is prosperous with him and about him; 
 a succession of finely cultivated fields, of orchards, and more than 
 comfortable farm houses, have taken the place of the dense forest, 
 where there was but " half an acre cleared" when he first entered 
 it; a smiling rural village — with dwellings, stores, and public 
 edifices that would grace a place of more pretensions — has grown 
 up on his early possessions. All this has necessarily partaken 
 much of individual relation; but it is a sketch of life upon the Hol- 
 land Purchase — its early difficulties and endurances, and its 
 triumphs. 
 
 Judge Van Horn, whose name has been inti'oduced in connection 
 with the first mills north of the Ridge, still survives. He was not 
 only one of the founders of settlement, but has been, for a long 
 series of years, a prominent and useful citizen; the frequent incum- 
 bent of town and county offices. In his old age, he is surrounded 
 by the fruits of his early toils; has a numerous circle of descen- 
 dants; and enjoys in an eminent degree the respect and esteem of 
 his fellow citizens. 
 
 In the neighborhood of Lockport, the prominent pioneer settlers 
 were Daniel Pomeroy, the Weavers, Daniel Alvord, the Wake- 
 mans, Webster Thorn, Daniel Smith, Stephen Hoag, Jacob Loucks, 
 Lyman Liscomb, Messrs. Norton and Williams, the Harringtons, 
 John Smith and brother, James Conkey, Nathan B. Rodgers, 
 Jonathan Rummery, Joseph Otis, Eseck Brown, John Comstock, 
 Isaac Titus, Isaac Mace, Christopher Freeborn, Nathan Comstock, 
 John Ingalls, Alexander Freeman, David Carlton, Coonrod Keyser, 
 Francis Brown, Deacon Crocker, Zeno Comstock, Asahel Smith, 
 Reuben Haines, Jesse P. Haines. Those constituted nearly all the 
 settlers in that region, (except the few families that have been 
 named in an earlier connection,) before the canal was located and 
 Lockport village commenced. There was not six hundred acres 
 of land cleared in the four square miles of which Lockport is the 
 centre, before the canal was located; not one hundred on what is 
 now embraced in the village corporation. In 1820, there was no 
 framed house or barn within five miles of Lockport. 
 
 Lawrence M'Mullen, was the first settler upon the Tonawanda 
 creek, between the Reservation and the rapids, and for eight years 
 
552 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 was the only one. He went there in 1815. In 1823, EUas Safford, 
 Esq. moved from Batavia with his large family, and became the 
 first settler upon the north side of the creek, in T. 13, R. 5. 
 Although his pioneer advent was at a late period, he encountered 
 all the difficulties of a life in the wilderness. He persevered, and 
 lives to enjoy the comforts of a fine farm, and to see the wild 
 region he had the fortitude to enter as a pioneer, mostly settled and 
 rapidly progressing in improvement. He has been not only the 
 founder of settlement, but he has reared in his log cabin, upon the 
 banks of the Tonawanda, an excellent family, that have gone out 
 into the world, richly endowed with paternal precepts and 
 examples. 
 
 Daniel Benedict was a settler upon the creek in 1824. 
 
 The first settlers of all Royalton, south of the Lockport and 
 Batavia road, have been migratory to an extraordinary degree. 
 There are not more than five or six families there, who were resi- 
 dents in 1824. In one school district, sixty families have moved in 
 and out, yet there is permanent settlement there now, as any one 
 will conclude who has witnessed the earnest that the inhabitants 
 are ffiving of their intention to remain. 
 
 The author is indebted to Alexander Coon, Esq. of Shelby, who 
 was one of the first, (if not the first,) settler in that town, for some 
 early reminiscences of pioneer life in that portion of Orleans 
 county: — 
 
 "My father and his family came into the woods two miles west 
 of Shelby village, in 1810. The whole family, with a hired man, 
 left the Lewiston road at Walsworth, and arriving upon our land, 
 four crotches were inserted in the ground, sticks laid across, and 
 the bark of an elm tree used for roof and sides. The hut was only 
 intended for a sleeping place; the cooking was done in the open 
 air. So much accomplished, my father and mother went out to 
 Walsworth's for a few nights to get lodging, the hired man and 
 boys lodging in the hut. A log house was the next thing in order. 
 A very comfortable one was built ill five days, and that too, without 
 the use of boards, nails or shingles. Our cattle were carried 
 through the first winter entirely on browse; the next winter we had 
 a little corn fodder to mix with it. 
 
 "Our nearest neighbor south, was Walsworth, there was one 
 family north, on the Ridge Road; west, there was no settler nearer 
 than Hartland. Eleazor Tracy, came in next after my father; 
 John Zimmerman, Nicholas Smith, Henry Garter, Robert Garter, 
 the same year; William Bennett, James Carpenter, Samuel 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 553 
 
 Carpenter, William Older, David Hagerman, David Demaray, Elijah 
 Bent, soon after. When the British were in possession of the fron- 
 tier, many of the early settlers left tlw country; sonve of them did 
 not return. It was hard times during the Avar; provisions were 
 scarce and high. I have been from Shelby, over the Genesee river 
 far two bushels of wheat; getting it ground at the mill on the Cone- 
 sus. In the cold season of 1816, 1 paid 811 for a barrel of flour, in 
 Rochester, and $3 for its trans-portation. A circumstance I well 
 remember in 1818, will shew how new settlers had to manage to 
 get along. I was the collector of taxes; had a small tax, less than 
 a dollar I think, against one man, who to raise the money, made 
 black salts, and conveyed them to Gaines on a hand sled. The first 
 boards we had in all this region, was from the saw-mill built by 
 Andrew EUicott." 
 
 The early settlers of Shelby, locating there generally after the 
 period embraced by Mr. Coon, were David Burroughs, Esq. the 
 Gregorys, Frecmans, Sherwoods, Snells, Servoss, Squires, Potters; 
 and others, of whose names the author has no record. 
 
 David Burroughs, Esq. (the father of S. M. Burroughs, Esq.) 
 was the first supervisor of the town; for a number of years, and 
 until his death, a magistrate; and was one of the representatives 
 from Genesee in the state convention of 1821. In each station, he 
 was distinguished as an efficient and faithful public servant. 
 
 Col. Andrew Ellicott, was the patroon of Shelby village. He is 
 remembered for his many acts of kindness to the new settlers; and 
 especially for the interest he took in the welfare of the Indians at 
 Tonawanda. He was adopted into their nation under the Indian 
 name of "Kiawana," which means, a "good man." He has often 
 helped them to bread in seasons of scarcity with them. 
 
 Rev, James Carpenter, was the early and faithful minister in that 
 region; and well deserves a passing notice in these necessarily brief 
 pioneer annals. One who knew him well, says of him: — "He was 
 truly a good man, possessed a bold and vigorous mind; and a deep 
 seated love of his Master. He used to make the forest reverberate 
 the "glad tidings," in echo to his stentorian voice. His sermons 
 seldom occupied less than two hours; and often began at noon and 
 were not finished until sunset, "The Elder," as he was familiarly 
 called, when there was no other preacher in town, was fond of 
 hunting as well as preaching; and wo! to deer or bear, that became 
 the object of his unerring aim, A bear of large size, made a noc- 
 turnal visit to the Elder's pig pen, which stood close to his log cabin; 
 one of the pigs gave pretty distinct indications that he was within 
 
554 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the fatal grasp, or hug. Its Reverend owner, sprang from his bed, 
 and taking an axe, approached the bear, and with one blow, directed 
 to the brain, saved the pig and secured a bear skin of uncommon size. 
 
 The office of Christian ministers was no sinecure upon the 
 Holland Purchase, in early years; as the reader must have already 
 inferred. They encountered the roughest features of pioneer life; 
 penetrated the forests by woods roads, and paths that were only 
 indicated by blazed trees; preaching a sermon in a log school or 
 dwelling house in one settlement, attending a funeral in another, 
 performing the marriage ceremony in another; and returning to 
 their homes after thus itinerating, labored with their hands, that 
 they might not "be chargeable upon the brethren." It is remem- 
 bered of one faithful pioneer settler and minister in Niagara, that 
 he has often spent the day in meeting some appointment, — perhaps 
 officiating at a funeral — and, returning to his home, split rails, 
 burned log heaps, planted patches of corn and potatoes, or hoed 
 them, by moonlight. Instances, numerous ones, could be cited, 
 which would illustrate the early endurances, and the faithful, disin- 
 terested and devoted services of those who founded the first 
 churches upon the Holland Purchase. The churches to which 
 they severally belonged, should gather up their names, and cherish 
 their memories. 
 
 Joseph Hart was a pioneer in that portion of Orleans county, 
 contiguous to the village of Albion. He settled on the Oak Orchard 
 road, a little south of the village, in 1811; and is yet residing there, 
 having reached his 77th year. From a son of his, Mr. E. Hart, 
 of Albion, the author received a few brief reminiscences of early 
 events: — 
 
 " William M'Allister was the pioneer of Barre; his farm embraced 
 the eastern portion of the village of Albion. Oliver Benton, Esq. 
 settled in the town in 1811.* John Holsenburg and Jesse Bumpus 
 
 * This early pioneer of Orleans county died in 1848. In an obituary notice in the 
 Orleans Republican, it is said: — 
 
 " The life of Mr. Benton is identified with the history of this country. In early 
 manhood he emigrated to the place of his late residence, then a waste wilderness, 
 which, by his industry and perseverance, he subdued, and converted into fruitful fields. 
 His life has ever been one of activity. He was Sheriff of this county at an early period 
 after its organization, and, for a number of years. Post Master; and filled other stations 
 of usefulness and responsibility among his fellow citizens. Up to the period of his last 
 confinement, he was a prominent citizen, and an active, influential man in the business 
 relations of community — esteemed by his neighbors, and his acquaintances generally. 
 By his industry' and frugality, under the smiles of Providence, he had accumulated a 
 goodly substance — and he had lived to see a thrifty neighborhood and a respectable and 
 promising family grow up around him." 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 555 
 
 were early settlers; their farms were lands that are now embraced 
 within the village corporation. 
 
 " The only road passable for teams when settlement commenced 
 here, was the Oak Orchard road. The first milling that my father 
 had done, was at Irondequoit. A fact that I have often heard my 
 father mention, will convey some idea of the condition of things 
 here in an early day: — The pioneer, M'Allister, brought in with 
 him a hired man, who was accompanied by his wife; the first female 
 that resided in Barre, She died soon after coming here. At the 
 funeral, there was no one of her sex present; nor any one to con- 
 duct religious services; there was no boards to be had to make her 
 cofiin; hewed plank, pinned together, was used as a substitute. 
 
 " In all the early years, the inhabitants of this region, had few 
 resources that would command money or store trade. Soon after 
 the war, Van Rensselaer Hawkins and James Mathers, and the 
 firm of E. & D. Nichols, commenced the manufacture of pot and 
 pearl ash, at Gaines, and the purchase of black salts. This aflTorded 
 the new settlers the first facilities they had to command a. little 
 money, and it was such a help to them as few can realize in these 
 days of plenty. All of them who could raise a five pail kettle, or 
 club with their neighbors and get a cauldron, commenced the man- 
 ufacture of the new article of commerce. It not only brought 
 money into the country, but it promoted the clearing of land. The 
 fine crop of wheat in 1818 helped but httle. My father sold his 
 wheat that year for twenty-five cents per bushel; it was worth but 
 thirty-one cents in Rochester. The avails of black salts, furnished 
 provisions at a period when settlement must in a great measure 
 have been abandoned for the want of them; this is especially 
 applicable to the seasons of 1816 and '17. 
 
 *' Our first religious meetings used to be held upon the Ridge 
 road, by itinerating Methodist ministers; we used to go through the 
 woods, generally on foot, whenever we heard of one of their 
 appointments. The first school in the town of Barre, was kept by 
 the wife of Silas Benton; she attended to her domestic affairs, kept 
 boarders, and managed a school." 
 
 James Mathers, Esq. was the first settler in Gaines, in 1810. 
 He says: — 
 
 " When I made my location, the settlers between Gaines and 
 Clarkson were, Elijah Downer, John Proctor, Samuel Crippen, the 
 
 Note. — The remarks of Mr. Hart, with reference to the timely aid that came from 
 a market being opened for black salts, are applicable almost to the entire Purchase. 
 It helped in all the new settlements; enabled the settlors to pay taxes, and purchase 
 necessarj' articles of domestic use, the want of which had added much to the privations 
 of pioneer life. It is a fact, the making of a record of which is due to the memory of 
 the late Hon. Ephraim Hart, of Utica, that being a merchant at Batavia, at the period 
 spoken of, he transported from Utica one hundred potash kettles, and sold them to the 
 new settlers, mostly on credit, to enable them to embrace the opportunity of converting 
 their ashes into a marketable commodity. 
 
556 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Farwells, Mattison, and a family at Sandy creek. West, 
 
 in what is now Orleans, there was Noah Burgess, Cotton M. Leach, 
 Isaac Leach, Messrs, Sibley, Jacobs, Wilcox, Joseph Adams, Daniel 
 Pratt, Daniel Gates. 
 
 " Previous to the war there was but a few scattered settlers north 
 of the Ridge. 
 
 "I built the first framed barn in Orleans county, procuring my 
 boards at Turner's mill on the Oak Orchard, and at Dunham's mill 
 at Johnson's creek. Noah Burgess set out the first orchard. 
 William Perry was the first merchant in Gaines. The Nichols 
 were next after him, commencing in 181G. Guernsey and Bush- 
 nell started a mercantile estabhshment here in 1817, Van Rensselaer 
 Hawkins was connected with it. 
 
 " The first mail was carried through on Ridge Road, on horse- 
 back, by James Brown. Daily stages were put on in 1816. 
 Stage traveling increased rapidly and became very large before 
 the opening of the Canal. I have often known eight and ten 
 loaded coaches pass in a day. 
 
 "About half of all the residents upon the Ridge Road, left during 
 the war; most of them, however, returned. In all the early years, 
 we had much sickness upon the Ridge Road; ague and fever, and 
 bilious fever, principally. I have known half, and even two-thirds 
 of the inhabitants sick at the same time. In the years 1816 and 
 '17, there would have been suffering for food, if the inhabitants had 
 not been kind to each other; dividing as long as they had anything 
 to divide. When I came here in 1811, there was but little broad 
 to be had; our living was principally potatoes, corn and fish. 
 
 "The first school was established in Gaines in 1815; in a log 
 school house, of course." 
 
 Mr. Mathei's speaks of the commencement of the manufacture of 
 pot and pearl ashes, and attributes to it all the good effects that 
 have been stated; and adds that the next article of commerce of 
 Orleans, was staves, which found a market at Montreal. He dates 
 the commencement of lumbering upon the lake, in 1816. In 1817 
 and '18, it was extended along the lake, to the Niagara river; the 
 mouths of Oak Orchard, the Eighteen, the Twelve, Youngston and 
 Lewiston, were the principal depots. The trade was at first in 
 butt staves; ship timber followed, and continued until the fine 
 groves of oak, between ridge and lake, have pretty much disap- 
 peared. As soon as the Canal was completed as far west as Lock- 
 port, the commerce in staves and ship timber commenced upon it. 
 Daniel Washburn and Otis Hathaway, first engaged in the business 
 at Lockport, under a large contract with the eminent ship builder 
 in New York, Henry Eckford. The fine oak that grew in the 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 557 
 
 immediate vicinity of Lockport, was used to fill their contract. 
 Since that, the business of shipping staves and timber from Lockport, 
 and other points on the canal and Tonawanda creek, has continued, 
 employing in the earliest years of canal navigation, a large amount 
 of capital and labor; and even now the commerce has not ceased; 
 but is of course much diminished; for although no other district of 
 country in the United States, even bore as much oak, it was not 
 exhaustless. Lake and canal, have con,veyed the great bulk of it to 
 Montreal and New York.* 
 
 In the history of pioneer settlement in Orleans, there is the well 
 remembered attempt to form a "Bachelor settlement;" — a kind of 
 Fourierite community of joint, yet "single blessedness." They 
 commenced the settlement in 1811; their location being about a 
 mile below still water, on the Oak Orchard creek, in T. 16, R. 2. 
 It was a failure, as the reader has probably already anticipated. As 
 in the primeval locality of the progenitor of mankind: — 
 
 •* In vain the viewless seraph lingering there. 
 
 At starry midnight charmed the silent air; 
 
 In vain the wild bird caroll'd on the steep, 
 
 To hail the sun slow wheeling from the deep; 
 
 In vain, to soothe the solitary shade. 
 
 Aerial notes in mingling measures play'd; 
 
 The summer wind that shook the spangled tree. 
 
 The wispering wave, the murmur of the bee; — 
 
 Still slowly passed the melancholy day. 
 
 And still the stranger wist not where to stray. 
 
 The world was sad; — the garden was a wild; 
 
 And man, the hermit, sighed — till woman smiled." 
 
 An old Pioneer, quaintly observed to the author: "they began to 
 go east and get wives in a year or two." The introduction of wives 
 and the coming on of the war broke up the " Bachelor settlement,'" 
 though most of its founders became permanent settlers, and heads 
 of families. Like Benedict in the play, when they said they should 
 "die bachelors," they did not think they "should live to be married." 
 
 Judge Otis Turner, recently of Medina, now residing at Niagara 
 
 *As specimens of the native timber growth of Niagara, the author cites the fact, that 
 a black walnut tree was cut down, while clearing the ground to build the locks, in 
 Lockport, a saw log from which, fourteen feet in length, made 1643 feet of inch boards. 
 An Englishman, who had a nursery of forest trees in England, in an early day, procured 
 in the neighborhood of Lockport, a black walnut, an oak and a whitewood plank, all 
 eightv feet in length, and measuring at their butts, over five feet in breadth, clear of 
 the wane. He took them to London for exhibition, to promote the sale of his young 
 trees. While at the wharf in New York, Major Noah called public attention to them, 
 by B notice in his paper, and they were visited by thousands. 
 
558 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Falls, came upon the Holland Purchase in 1811. Starting from 
 Palmyra, Wayne county, with an ox team to transport his family and 
 household goods, he forded the Genesee river at the rapids, above 
 the Falls. It was in November and there was not a little of peril and 
 danger attending the fording at that inclement season. Taking his 
 near ox by the horns, he wa? the pioneer, or pilot of his team, stem- 
 ming the strong current himself, and selecting the best track, though 
 at times there was iminent danger of his oxen loosing their foothold 
 upon the slippery rocks, a ship, or rather a wagon wreck, and an 
 aquatic excursion over the Falls. The intrepid adventurer how- 
 ever, arrived upon the western shore in safety. Proceeding west 
 upon the Ridge Road, there was no stream bridged that crossed it. 
 
 Judge Turner located at Oak Orchard. From some minutes taken 
 in conversation with him, the author selects a few brief sketches of 
 early events in that region, in addition to those furnished by others. 
 
 Dr. William White of Palmyra, became the neighbor of Judge 
 Turner, soon after he located. The two pioneers built a saw-mill, 
 on the Oak Orchard between Medina and Ridge. This was the 
 first saw-mill in all the region, except the one that had been erected 
 by the Holland Company. 
 
 The salt works at Oak Orchard were first worked by Israel 
 Bennett, in 1818. He bored about 150 feet, and obtained water 
 tolerably strong. At one period he had seventy pot ash and caldron 
 kettles set, and furnished most of the salt consumed in all the 
 northern portion of the Purchase. Henry Boardman became the 
 proprietor in 1823. The gradual completion of the Erie canal, 
 induced the abandonment of the works. 
 
 The earliest prominent settlers west of Oak Orchard, on Ridge, 
 in Orleans, were: — Ezra D. Barnes, Israel Douglass, (the latter 
 was the first magistrate north of Batavia;) Seymour B. Murdock 
 and sons, Eli Moore, The milHng of the first settlers was obtained 
 at Niagara Falls and the Genesee river. 
 
 The salmon in their seasons, were abundant, in the Oak Orchard, 
 at the early period of settlement, and in fact, up to 1816 and '18. 
 These and other fish, were a great help to the pioneer settlers; 
 not only a substitute for food which it was difficult to obtain, but 
 enabled them often to drive a brisk trade, an exchange or barter, 
 with the newsettlers who were farther removed from fishing grounds. 
 In the months of June and September, the salmon w^ould ascend 
 the main stream and its small tributaries, in great numbers, and 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 559 
 
 were easily taken; sometimes they would ascend in high water, and 
 when it receded, would be left upon the banks. They have been 
 picked up in the cultivated fields along the streams, after a freshet. 
 
 The transportation of the early settlers in the region of the Oak 
 Orchard, used to be both upon the Ridge Road and the lake. In 
 1812, and for some years after, vessels could enter the Oak Orchard 
 that drew less than five feet of water. When settlement first 
 commenced, there were indications that the mouth of the Oak 
 Orchard had been a favorite stopping place for lake navigators, 
 from the earliest period of French occupancy in this region. 
 
 The reader has already, in the course of the narrative, had 
 occasional glimpses of early events at Niagara Falls. It remains 
 to speak of one, who for nearly forty years, has been closely 
 identified with that world-renowned locality. Gen. Parkhurst 
 Whitney, has not only been a pioneer upon the Holland Purchase, 
 but he is the son of one of the earliest pioneers of Western New 
 York. His father came as far west as Seneca lake, in the summer 
 of 1789, and erected a small log house upon the "old castle" farm, 
 ploughed five acres of land and sowed it to wheat, made a few tons of 
 hay and stacked it, returned, and in the following February brought 
 his family to his new home. Arriving at Rome, he found the road so 
 bad, and his team so jaded, that he was obliged to leave most of 
 his stock of provisions, and even after that his eldest son and hired 
 man were obliged to lend the team frequent assistance, putting 
 themselves upon the lead whenever they arrived at hard spots, and 
 that was pretty often. The journey was one of peril and hardship; 
 the pioneer mother, wading through mud and water on foot, and 
 camping with-the rest in the woods, three nights during the journey. 
 
 Gen. Whitney settled at the Falls in 1810; in 1814 he opened a 
 small tavern in a house belonging to Judge Porter, and in 1815 he 
 bought the Fairchild stand, the site being the same now occupied 
 by the Eagle. Joshua Fairchilds had been the pioneer landlord at 
 the Falls. When Gen. Whitney took possession of the premises, 
 the house was of logs, two stories, with a small framed addition. 
 After taking possession, he continued to make additions and improv- 
 ments, to tear down and build up, until 1831, when he bought the 
 Cataract House, of which he became the occupant in 1835. Then the 
 house was of very respectable dimensions, but not of a size adequate 
 to the increase of visitors at the Falls. He added to it in 1835, 
 one addition, forty feet by fifty-six feet, four stories high; in 1842 
 
560 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and '43, another addition of nearly the same dimensions; in 1845 
 and '46, another addition, forty-two by one hundred and thirty-three 
 feet, five stories, beside basement and attic. Beside all this, there 
 has been added a two story kitchen, twenty-five by thirty feet; a 
 stone factory, fifty by fixty feet, has 'been purchased and connected 
 by a gallery, for sleeping rooms; and many out buildings have been 
 put up. The reader has concluded by this time, that the establish- 
 ment, taken altogether, is of mammoth size, as it really is; vieing 
 in magnitude and management, with the first class of hotels in the 
 United States. The whole, its humble beginning, and what has 
 been consummated, furnish a striking instance of progress, in a 
 region of rapid change and improvement. 
 
 The veteran landlord and founder of most of this large establish- 
 ment, who used to be his own hostler, bar tender, and table waiter, 
 (while his excellent wife was no less tasked in her departments,) 
 has retired from an immediate supervision of it; and a son and 
 son-in-laws, are his successors. With a constitution but slightly 
 impaired by age, the model landlord has become a model farmer, 
 as all may see who will visit his fine farm near the Falls, or who 
 attend our county and state agricultural Fairs. 
 
 The following brief notices of pioneer settlement in four separate 
 localities, were omitted in the connection to which they belong: — 
 
 The village of Lodi, which is located on either side of the Catta- 
 raugus creek, in Cattaraugus and Erie counties, had its commence- 
 ment in 1822. It has grown up on lands that were a part of a 
 tract of seven hundred acres, belonging to Turner Aldridge, an 
 enterprising member of the Society of Friends, who emigrated 
 there from Farmington, Ontario county, in 1814 or '15. He built 
 the first grist and saw mill. Judge Amasa L. Chaffee, Dr. Crumb, 
 Alvin Bugbee, Enoch Palmer, L. H. Pitcher, were the first settlers 
 in the village. Ralph Plumb, Esq. was the first merchant, and 
 soon after him, Phineas Spencer and Norton Davison commenced 
 the business. Chaffee and Bugbee, started the first cloth dressing 
 establishment. The Post Office was established in 1823, Benjamin 
 Waterman becoming the first P. M. A Methodist church was 
 organized in 1824; a Presbyterian, in 1832. 
 
 Charles and Oliver Johnson were the pioneers of the town of 
 Boston, Erie county,* locating there at the early period of 1804. 
 
 * So says one informant of the author. It will be observed that David Eddy makes 
 Didimus Kinney the pioneer, and the Johnsons the next settlers. 
 

 HOLLAND PURCHASE. 561 
 
 A is mentioned in some memorandums that the author has of their 
 early advent in the wilderness, that during the first winter, Colonel 
 Charles Johnson, bought a bushel of corn of the Indians, and con- 
 jveyed it upon a hand sled and upon his back, a distance of fifteen 
 miles through the woods, the snow being at the time, two feet 
 deep; and that he also, during the same winter, backed another 
 bushel from Batavia. The two brothers raised the first crops, and 
 planted the first- orchard. The first town meeting was held in 
 Boston, in 1818; Samuel Abbott was elected Supervisor, and 
 Sylvester Clark, Town Clerk. The first merchant in town, was 
 Zadock Stevens; the first physician, Sylvester Clark; the first born 
 in town, was Pliny Johnson, a son of Oliver Johnson. Two citi- 
 zens of the town, Calvin Cary and Hoofman, were killed at 
 
 the capture and burning of Buffalo. 
 
 The road from Buffalo to Olean, through Springville and Ellicott- 
 ville, was opened in 1810; the commissioners to locate it, were 
 David Eddy, Timothy Hopkins, and Peter Vandevcnter. It was 
 opened by the state, and the county of Niagara, each paying one- 
 half of the expense. 
 
 The family of Prendergasts were among the early pioneers of 
 Chautauque. It consisted of six brothers and a sister, Mrs. 
 Whiteside. Martin and Jedeiah were the founders of the village 
 of Mayville, and were the primitive merchants there, commencing 
 in 1806 or '7, in a log store, on the bank of Chautauque lake. 
 James was the founder of Jamestown. Matthew settled on Chau- 
 tauque lake, a few miles from Mayville; William and Thomas, in 
 the town of Ripley. In an early period, few families were more 
 prominent upon the Holland Purchase, or more identified with 
 settlement and its progress. As in numerous other instances, the 
 author has to regret the absence of data for a more extended 
 notice. The only surviving one of the six brothers, is Col. William 
 Prendergast, of Mayville. Mrs. Whiteside, the sister, who settled 
 at Mayville with her brothers, was the mother of the first wife of 
 the Hon. John Birdsall. 
 
 James M'Clerg, an Irishman by birth, was the patroon of the 
 village of Westfield; was an early merchant there, and the founder 
 of the large public house, that at the period of its erection, was 
 not surpassed in magnitude and cost, by any similar establishment 
 in Western New York. 
 
 36 
 
562 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 THE PIONEER SETTLER UPON THE HOLLAND PURCHASE, AND 
 HIS PROGRESS. 
 
 " Through the deep wilderness, where scarce the sun 
 
 Can cast his darts, along the winding path 
 
 The Pioneer is treading. In his grasp 
 
 Is his keen axe, that wondrous instfUment, 
 
 That like the talisman, transforms 
 
 Deserts to fields and cities. He has left 
 
 The home in which his early years were past. 
 
 And, led by hope, and full of restless strength. 
 
 Has plunged within the forest, there to plant 
 
 His destiny. Beside some rapid stream 
 
 He rears his log-built cabin. When the chains 
 
 Of winter fetter Nature, and no sound 
 
 Disturbs the echoes of the dreary woods. 
 
 Save when some stem cracks sharply with the frost; 
 
 Then merrily rings his axe, and tree on tree 
 
 Crashes to earth; and when the long keen night 
 
 Mantles the wilderness in solemn gloom, 
 
 He sits beside his ruddy hearth, and hears 
 
 The fierce wolf snarling at the cabin door. 
 
 Or through the lowly casement sees his eye 
 
 Gleam like a burning coal." * 
 
 The engraved view, No. 1, introduces the pioneer. It is Winter. 
 He has, the fall preceding, obtained his "article," or had his land 
 "booked" to him, and built a rude log house; cold weather came 
 upon him before its completion, and froze the ground, so that he 
 could not mix the straw mortar for his stick chimney, and that is 
 dispensed with. He has taken possession of his new home. The 
 oxen that are browsing, with the cow and three sheep; the two 
 pigs and three fowls that his young wife is feeding from her folded 
 apron; these, with a bed, two chairs, a pot and kettle, and a few 
 other indispensable articles for house keeping, few and scanty alto- 
 gether, as may be supposed, for all were brought in upon that ox 
 sled, through an underbrushed woods road; these constitute the 
 bulk of his worldly wealth. The opening in the woods is that 
 only, which has been made to get logs for his house, and browse 
 his cattle for the few days he has been the occupant of his new 
 home. He has a rousing fire; logs arc piled up against his rude 
 chimney back; his fire wood is convenient and plenty, as will be 
 
 * Alfred B. Street. 
 
•-"1. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 563 
 
 observed. There is a little hay piled on a hovel off to the right; 
 the cattle and the sheep well understand that to be a luxury, only 
 to be dealt out to them occasionally. The roof of his house is of 
 peeled elm bark; his scanty window is of oiled paper; glass is a 
 luxury that has not reached the settlement of which he forms a 
 part. The floor of his house is of the halves of split logs; the 
 door is made of three hewed plank — no boards to be had — a saw 
 mill has been talked of in the neighborhood, but it has not been put 
 in operation. Miles and miles off, through the dense forest, is his 
 nearest neighbor. 'Those trees are to be felled and cleared away, 
 fences are to be made; here, in this rugged spot, he is to carve out 
 his fortunes, and against what odds ! The land is not only to be 
 cleared, but it is to be paid for; all the privations of a wilderness 
 home are to be encountered. The task before him is a formidable 
 one, but he has a strong arm and a stout heart, and the reader has 
 only to look at him as he stands in the foreground, to be convinced 
 that he will conquer all obstacles; that rugged spot will yet "blos- 
 som like the rose;" he will yet sit down there with his companion in 
 long years of toil and endurance — age will have come upon them, 
 but success and competence will have crowned their efforts. They 
 are destined to be the founders of a settlement and of a family; to 
 look out upon broad smiling fields where now is the dense forest, 
 and congratulate themselves that they have been helpers in a work 
 of progress and improvement, such as has few parallels, in an age 
 and in a country distinguished for enterprise and perseverance. 
 
564 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 SECOND SKETCH OF THE PIONEER. 
 
 No 2. — It is Summer. The pioneer has chopped down a few 
 acres, enclosed them with a rail fence in front, and a brush fence 
 on the sides and in the rear. Around the house he has a small spot 
 cleared of the timber sufficient for a garden; but upon most of the 
 opening he has made, he has only burned the brush, and corn, pota- 
 toes, beans, pumpkins, are growing among the logs. He has got a 
 stick chimney added to his house. In the back ground of the pic- 
 ture, a logging bee is in progress; his scattered pioneer neighbors, 
 that have been locating about him during the winter and spring, have 
 come to join hands with him for a day, and in their turns, each of 
 them will enjoy a similar benefit. His wife has become a mother, 
 and with her first born in her arms, she is out, looking to the plants 
 she has been rearing upon some rude mounds raised with her own 
 hands. She has a few marygolds, pinks, sweet williams, daffodills, 
 sun flowers, hollyhocks; upon one side of the door, a hop vine, and 
 upon the other a morning glory. Knowing that when the cow 
 came from the woods there would come along with her a swarm of 
 musquitoes, she has prepared a smudge for their reception. A log 
 bridge has been thrown across the stream. It is a rugged home in 
 the wilderness as yet, but we have already the earnest of progress 
 £uid improvement. 
 
'-^^1-^3'/^ 
 
 tr 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 565 
 
 THIRD SKETCH OF THE PIONEER. 
 
 No 3. — It is Summer. Ten years have passed; our pioneer 
 adventurer, it will be seen at the first glance, has not been idle; 
 thirty or forty acres are cleared and enclosed. Various crops are 
 growing, and the whole premises begin to have the appearance of 
 careful mangement, of thrift, comfort, and even plenty. The pio- 
 neer has made a small payment upon his land, and got his "article" 
 renewed. He has put up a comfortable block house, but has had 
 too much reverence for his primitive dwelling to remove it. He 
 has a neat framed barn, a well dug, a curb and sweep; a garden 
 surrounded with a picket fence. His stock is increased as may be 
 seen, by a look off into the fields. The improvements of his neigh- 
 bors have reached him, and he can look out, without looking up. 
 A school district has been organized, and the comfortable log school 
 house appears in the distance. A framed bridge upon the stream, 
 has taken the place of the one of logs. The pioneer, we may 
 venture to assume, is either Colonel of militia, a Captain, a Super- 
 visor of the town, or a Justice of the peace; however it may be, 
 he is busy in his haying. And she, the better part of his household, 
 must not be lost sight of; and she need not be, for the artist has 
 been mindful of her. She is busy with her domestic aflfairs; there 
 is quiet and even loneliness about her; but, depend upon it, there 
 are in yonder log school house, some half a dozen that she cares 
 for and hopes for. 
 
666 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 FOURTH SKETCH OF THE PIONEER. 
 
 No. 4. — It is Winter. Forty-five years are supposed to have 
 passed since the artist introduced the pioneer and his wife to us, 
 just commencing in their vi^ilderness home. Tlie scene has pro- 
 gressed to a consummation ! The pioneer is an independent Farmer 
 of the Holland Purchase, His old " article" has long ago been 
 exchanged for a deed in fee. He has added to his primitive posses- 
 sions; and ten to one that he has secured lands for his sons in some 
 of the western states, to make pioneers and founders of settlements 
 of them. He has flocks and herds; large surplus of produce in 
 his granaries, which he may sell or keep as he chooses. He is the 
 founder, and worker out, of his own fortunes; one who in his old 
 age should be honored and venerated, for his are the peaceful 
 triumphs of early, bold enterprise, as we have seen ; and long years 
 of patient, persevering industry. He has more than comfortable 
 farm buildings, orchards, and fruit yards; the forest has receded in 
 all directions; he is prosperous in the midst of prosperity. There 
 is the distant view of a rural country village that has sprung up in 
 his neighborhood; a meeting house, a tavern, a few stores and 
 mechanic shops, and a substantial school house. The stream that 
 was forded, when the pioneer entered the forest with his oxen and 
 sled, has now a stone arched bridge thrown over it. The artist has 
 given us a rural landscape, in which is mingled all the evidences of 
 substantial, well-earned prosperity; there is an air of comfort and 
 quiet pervading the whole scene; the old pioneer, true to the 
 instincts and habits of his youth and middle age, is not idle, as we 
 can see. He has yet an eye upon his affairs, and a hand in them; 
 and could we look within doors, we should see the j^oung wife that 
 bravely penetrated the forest with him; she who has lightened 
 his burthens, and solaced him in such hours of despondency as will 
 come upon the stoutest hearts; transformed into the staid, aged 
 matron; yet looking to the affairs of the household; and blending 
 precept with example, fitting her daughters for the vicissitudes, 
 the trials, and the duties of life. 
 
 Such has been pioneer life and progress upon the Holland Pur- 
 chase. A fancy sketch it may be called; but yet it is a faithful 
 illustration of such realities as will be recognised by all who are 
 familiar with the events that have attended the conversion of West- 
 ern New York, from a wilderness, to a theatre of wealth, enter- 
 prise, and prosperity, such as it is now. 
 
. or WM. CNOICOTT X. CO 
 
 Cp^thy?n.xA 
 
 /I'^tiO^ 
 
 C/Y^ t 
 
 IE HE 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 567 
 
 EBENEZER MIX. 
 
 The artist, it will be conceded, has been successful. The features 
 he has presented will be recognised in every school district upon 
 the Holland Purchase. To have rendered the portrait more familiar 
 the old land office clerk should have been represented holding in 
 his hands an "article," (tattered and torn, upon its reverse side, 
 endorsements, assignments, and re-assignments,) peering over it 
 with a mathematical eye, determining metes and boundaries, adjust- 
 ing conflicting claims, " modifying" or reviewing, or perhaps can- 
 celling it preparatory to a deed in fee. Then the picture would 
 have been true to life and reality; but these are associations that 
 all the " old settlers" will readily supply. 
 
 Mr. Mix is a native of New Haven, Conn. He became a 
 resident at Batavia in 1809; working first at his trade, that of a 
 mason, he became a school teacher, then a student at law in the 
 office of Daniel B. Brown, Esq., and in March, 1811, entered into 
 the service of the Holland Company, as a clerk in their land office, 
 where he continued for twenty-seven years. He had been in the 
 office but a few months, when he took the place of contracting 
 clerk. His duties were, to make contracts, calculate quantities of 
 land, renew and modify contracts, make subdivisions of lands, and 
 generally, to do all things appertaining to the place of salesman. In 
 this way, he participated in the sale of all the lands of the Holland 
 Company made after 1811, which were not within the boundaries 
 of the several branch offices. Beside this, the author observes by 
 the records, that he took a prominent part in arranging the details 
 of measures appertaining to the whole Purchase; the fixing of the 
 basis for the modification of contracts; the disposition of church 
 donations; the plan for vesting school house sites, that were upon 
 articled lands, in trustees, in fee; and in other measures that 
 necessarily devolved upon the main office at Batavia. No one in 
 the service of the Company, has been brought into so direct a con- 
 tact with the settlers, or has had a more intimate acquaintance with 
 them, and all the relations that have existed between them and the 
 original proprietors. Few men could have better filled the place 
 he so long occupied. Possessed of extraordinary talents, as a 
 practical mathematician; a memory of localities, boundaries, topog- 
 raphy, which mapped the Holland Purchase upon his mind; he 
 
568 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 was for a long series of years, eminently useful, not only to his 
 principals, but to the settlers upon the Purchase; — and yet survives, 
 answering tiie purposes of a book of reference, or an encyclopedia, 
 whenever conflicting questions arise, touching land boundaries, 
 highway locations, or any of the primitive surveys or allotments. 
 Irritable — a little rough and stubborn — he may have seemed at 
 times, when hard pressed with the importunities of a crowd of 
 settlers at the land office; but beneath the rugged exterior, there 
 was a good heart, an inherent love of justice and right, that invested 
 him with the confidence and esteem of the settlers generally, and 
 constituted him the frequent and safe arbiter of their interests and 
 welfare. 
 
 For twenty consecutive years, the subject of this sketch of 
 artist and author, filled the office of Surrogate of the county of 
 Genesee. In the war of 1812, in a crisis of danger with the 
 frontier settlers upon the Holland Purchase, he transferi'ed himself 
 from the land office to the camp and the post of danger. He was 
 the volunteer aid of Gen. P. B. Porter, at the memorable and 
 successful sortie, at Fort Erie, September 17th, 1814. He has 
 within a few years, been the author of a work entitled "Practical 
 Mathematics,'' which needs only to be better known, to become a 
 standard work in that branch of education. His age is now 61 
 years. 
 
 Judge James W. Stevens, entered the service of the Holland 
 Company at the earliest period of land sales; was the clerk of Mr. 
 Ellicott when an office was opened at the house of Mr. Ransom, at 
 "Pine Grove," in 1799, and remained a clerk in the land office 
 until his death, in 1841. He was a native of New Jersey, a 
 graduate of Princeton college; a man of quiet, unobtrusive habits; 
 possessed of a fine literary taste; in early life, was the contributor 
 to a literary periodical in Philadelphia. In business, he was careful 
 and methodical; all that came from his hands, is remarkable for its 
 neatness and perspicuity, as volumes of manuscripts in the land 
 office, will testify. To habits of industry, he added the character 
 of scrupulous integrity. His public and private life were blameless. 
 He was respected in his life time, for his many excellent qualities; 
 and no where among his old associates, and the pioneers of the 
 Holland Purchase, is his memory revived, but in terms of esteem. 
 
 Ebexezer Gary was in the employ of Mr. Ellicott as early as 
 1795, in the survey of lands in Pennsylvania; and came with him 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 569 
 
 upon the Holland Purchase; acting sometimes in the capacity of 
 surveyor; at others, as clerk or agent, at the store house in Stafford, 
 and in superintending the purchase and transfer of provisions. He 
 was an early merchant at Batavia; was the founder of the mercan- 
 tile establishment, afterwards so long and widely known upon the 
 Holland Purchase, in the hands of his brother, the Hon. Trumbull 
 Cary. His early correspondence with Mr. Ellicott, would alone 
 justify the conclusion, that he was a man of no ordinary mould; 
 enterprising, faithful and persevering. 
 
 He had been thoroughly inured to back-woods life. In a letter 
 to Mr. Ellicott, written toward the close of a winter of inactivity, 
 he says: — "The approach of another surveying season, increases 
 ray anxiety to be off; like the savage, I am sighing for the wilder- 
 ness." In another letter, proposing to be employed, he is in a 
 philosophic, or reflecting mood; he says: — "I wish to go with 
 you, but I am not willing to wear out this old carcase for nothing. 
 I must be preparing for the winter of life; for, generally speaking, he 
 that has no money, has no friends." He died at Batavia, in 1825. 
 
 William Peacock, Esq. of Mayville, is one of the few survivors 
 of the early surveyors of the Holland Company; at one period he 
 was a clerk in the office at Batavia. He surveyed most of the 
 townships of Chautauque into farm lots, and in 1810 was appointed 
 local agent at Mayville, which office he continued to fill until the 
 sale of lands in Chautauque, to Messrs. Cary and Lay, of Batavia. 
 He surveyed the city of Buffalo; there are few, in fact, who have 
 had a larger participation in the events connected with the surveys, 
 sale and settlement of the Holland Purchase. He has reached the 
 age of 69 years. Among the old Pioneers who were drawn 
 together at the last State Agricultural Fair at Buffalo, was the old 
 surveyor and land agent, wondering with others, in view of the 
 evidences of wealth, prosperity and improvement which came from 
 the region they had traversed when it was a wilderness. Mr. 
 Peacock married a niece of Joseph Ellicott. 
 
 David Goodwin, Esq. was also an early surveyor, and clerk in 
 the land office. When the branch office was established at Elli- 
 cottville, he took charge of it, and continued to be the lo6al agent 
 there until succeeded by Stahley N. Clark, Esq. Mr. Goodwin 
 married a niece of Joseph Ellicott. His widow survives; is a resi- 
 dent of Lewiston, with her son-in-law, S. B. Piper, Esq. 
 
 Our brief sketches of Pioneer advents upon the Holland Purchase, 
 
570 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 which have been intended to embrace detached localities, in all 
 parts of it, must now be brought to a close; and not in the absence 
 of regrets that they could not have been more full, and included all 
 who took a prominent part in the founding of settlements, in our 
 now so highly favored and prosperous region; a consummation, 
 which, however desirable, the intelligent reader will readily see, 
 would have swelled that branch of the main design of the work to 
 an extent that must have excluded that which the author hopes will 
 prove quite as acceptable. There was a sameness every where in 
 Pioneer life; more of detail, of individual or local relation, would 
 not better inform the reader of its privations and vicissitudes. 
 Whereever the wilderness was penetrated, the same difficulties were 
 to be encountered; the same years of hardship and endurances 
 were to intervene between the primitive settlement, and the attain- 
 ment of the comforts and conveniences of life. 
 
 THE TOPOGRAPHY OF THE HOLLAND PURCHASE. 
 
 The topography of the Holland Purchase admits of the following 
 natural divisions, each possessing a similarity in soil, climate and 
 productions through its several parts, and varying from each other 
 in a greater or less degree, in those points. The most prominent 
 division is made by an elevated dividing ridge, commencing west 
 of Genesee river, in township number six, in the first range, and 
 running thence westerly through or near township number six in the 
 second range, five in the third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, 
 ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth ranges, to within about six miles 
 of lake Erie; thence south-westerly, through township number 
 four, in the thirteenth range, and southerly through township num- 
 ber three, in the thirteenth range; thence west near the line 
 between townships number two and three, in the fourteenth and 
 fifteenth ranges to the Pennsylvania line. The extent of this ridge 
 in width, is from three to six miles, the descent of its sides, how- 
 ever, is nowhere abrupt, nor is its extent defined with precision. 
 Although the summit of the ridge is from one thousand to one 
 thousand five hundred feet above the level of lake Ontario, it 
 nowhere receives or deserves the name of a mountain. It is 
 watered by springs and streamlets, and timbered with beech, red 
 and black oak, white ash, iron wood, and hemlock; the soil is mostly 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 571 
 
 gravel and yellow loam, tolerably free from stone; a great portion 
 of it, if not the whole, is arable land, when cleared and prepared 
 for cultivation. It is better adapted to grass than to grain, although 
 good crops of oats, barley and other coarse grain have been raised 
 on it; like other high ground, it is subject to late and early frosts, 
 and in winter, to heavy falls of snow; the climate is healthy, and 
 the water and air pure. The waters from the summit of this ridge 
 flow to the north-west and north into lake Erie, Niagara river, and 
 Genesee river, and to the south and south-east into the Allegany 
 river, although a few small streams at its eastern extremity, fall 
 into Genesee river, yet the whole territory, south and south-east 
 of the dividing ridge may well be termed the valley of the Allegany. 
 
 That part of this valley lying north of the Allegany river, is 
 hilly and rolling, but not mountainous; it is well watered by crystal 
 springs and purling streams; the timber is beech, sugar maple, pine, 
 cherry, elm, black oak, hemlock, basswood, white ash, and cucum- 
 ber: the soil in general, is gravelly or sandy loam, containing no 
 Hmestone, and very few stone of any kind; stone quarries, however, 
 are to be found scattered through the whole territory: it is well 
 adapted to the growth of barley, oats, peas, flax, potatoes, and 
 various other esculent roots; and has produced tolerable crops of 
 spring wheat, rye and corn; and the hardier kinds of fruit, such as 
 apples, pears, and cherries are cultivated with success in this dis- 
 trict. The climate is rather mild, and the snows seldom fall over 
 one or two feet deep; but the summer season is usually from two 
 to three weeks shorter than it is in the vicinity of the lakes, north 
 of the dividing ridge; the water and air of this district are pure and 
 salubrious. 
 
 The territory south of the Allegany river, is mostly rough, 
 covered by precipitous, rocky hills of considerable height, some 
 portions of it, such as the flats on the streams and less rugged 
 borders, are, or rather were covered with excellent pine timber; 
 much of the land thus timbered, is arable and fertile, after being 
 brought to a state of cultivation, although in a cold climate; but by 
 far the greater portion of the whole, is sterile, waste land or rocks 
 covered at the interstices with mountain laurel, dwarf pines and 
 other evergreen shrubs. 
 
 The narrow glade of land between the dividing ridge and lake 
 Erie, from Cattaraugus creek to the Pennsylvania line, gradually 
 descends from the termination of the ridge to the lake shore; the 
 
572 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 soil is gravelly or sandy loam, timbered with beach, sugar maple, 
 whitewood, basswood, hemlock, and some pine; yielding abundant 
 crops of grass, wheat, rye, corn, oats, barley and the several kinds 
 of esculent roots and vines produced in this region. It is well 
 watered with springs and numerous streams descending from the 
 dividing ridge; although the earth is calcarious, there is no lime 
 stone in this region, and very few stone of any kind, except in 
 quarries. The climate is not severe, although subject to sudden 
 changes, being in a great degree controlled by the vacillating lake 
 winds. Apples, peaches, pears, plums and similar fruits are 
 prodiJced in great abundance on this territory. The lake shore 
 furnishes several small harbors, as Silver Creek, Dunkirk, Van 
 Buren and Barcelona. 
 
 The country north of the dividing ridge, including the head 
 waters of Cattaraugus, Eighteen Mile of Lake Erie, Buffalo, Ton- 
 awanda and Allan's Creeks, forms another district, possessing great 
 uniformity of character. This is a rolling country, well watered 
 with pure water: the timber is beech, sugar maple, elm, basswood, 
 cherry, white ash and hemlock; the soil is gravelly loam, with clay 
 in some sections, containing no lime stone, nor a surplus of any 
 kind of stone. It produces good grass, and at least middling crops 
 of most kinds of grain and esculent roots raised on the Purchase; 
 winter wheat is probably the only exception, for which spring wheat 
 is substituted; of fruits, apples, pears, cherries and a variety of 
 plums are grown in this district. The climate is generally mild 
 and salubrious, the snow is seldom deep, and the summer season, 
 usually is long enough to bring crops to maturity: this may be 
 called the central district. 
 
 The territory north of the central district and south of the steep 
 which causes the falls of Niagara, including the vallies or plains of 
 the Buffalo and Tonawanda creeks, and the head waters of the Oak 
 Orchard, forms another district the face of which although some- 
 what rolling, is comparatively level, and as a whole, forms a glade 
 of upland heavily timbered with beech, sugar maple, white oak, elm, 
 whitewood, basswood, chestnut, cherry, white ash and hemlock, 
 although it contains some districts of openings, thinly occupied by 
 shrubby oaks and some of swamps and swales, timbered with black 
 ash, white cedar and other lowland timber, of which the chief is 
 Tonawanda swamp stretching itself in a kind of broken chain 
 from near the Niagara river, two or three miles north of th-e mouth 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 573 
 
 of Tonawanda creek in an eastern direction to the Genesee river, 
 south of Rochester, where it is called "black creek swamp." This 
 territory is not as well watered as the other districts described: the 
 prevailing winds are from the south-west or rather south of west 
 from the surface of lake Erie, which renders the air pure and salu- 
 brious. This is a limestone district: the soil in general, is a calca- 
 rious gravelly or sandy loam, covered generally with rich vegetable 
 mould, and easily cultivated; it produces in great abundance, grains 
 of the various kinds, wheat, rye, corn, oats, barley, &c. including 
 all the different kinds of grain, esculent roots, melons and other 
 vegetable productions of Western New York. The climate is 
 milder, and the summer season continues longer, exempt from frosts 
 than in the more southern districts of the Purchase, on account of 
 its less elevated situation, and its contiguity to the lakes. The soil 
 and climate combined renders this district very productive in almost 
 all the fruits raised in the temperate zone, among which, are apples. 
 pears, cherries, peaches, apricots, plums and grapes of various kinds; 
 perhaps the productions of the soil in no country on earth yield a 
 greater variety and at the same time so great an abundance of the 
 substantial, delicacies and luxuries for food and refreshment as this 
 territory. 
 
 The territory lying north of the Niagara steep, forms the lower 
 plateau of the Purchase. This district is poorly watered, when 
 compared with the southern and middle districts, although it has 
 many fme streams passing through it, emptying into lake Ontario. 
 These are the main bodies of the Eighteen, of Lake Ontario, and 
 Oak Orchard creeks, the Four Mile, Twelve Mile, Golden Hill, 
 Johnson's, Otter, and Marsh creeks, and the head waters of a 
 branch of Sandy creek. This district is divided near its centre by 
 the Ridge Road running through it in an eastern and western direc- 
 tion. The face of the country is apparently level, although it 
 gradually descends to the north towards lake Ontario. South of 
 the Ridge Road the soil is gravelly loam, interspersed with consider- 
 able tracts of alluvion near the Niagara steep. The soil on the 
 north side of the Ridge Road is of a lighter loam than on the south. 
 The timber on this tract, is beech, sugar maple, white oak, black 
 walnut, elm, white wood, basswood, white ash, and hemlock; black 
 walnut abounds the most on the south side of the Ridge Road, and 
 white oak the most on the north. Although there is no limestone 
 north of the Niagara steep, or mountain ridge, that the soil is ceil- 
 
574 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 carious, that is, impregnated with lime, is fully proved by the large 
 crops of plump and perfect wheat produced on this plateau. The 
 productions of the soil, and the climate, are so similar to those of 
 the second or upper plateau, that an enumeration of their items, 
 and statement of their qualities would be a mere repetition. If 
 any distinction was to be made, it might be alledged that the pro- 
 ductions of the soil on the lower plateau are not quite so diversified, 
 and that the climate is more mild and uniform than on the upper. 
 For the productions of the several portions or districts of the 
 territory, as experimentally ascertained, both as to kind and quan- 
 tity, see statistics of the several counties accompanying the maps. 
 
 GENESEE COUNTS 
 
 4 
 
 This having been the Pioneer county, or rather the old hive 
 from which counties have swarmed, a sketch of its organization 
 has occurred in the course of our narrative. It remains but to add 
 some statistics — such as it is intenjied shall accompany the map of 
 each county — which taken collectively, will in a distinct form, 
 enable the reader to ascertain the population and vast resources of 
 the Holland Purchase in 1845; and to estimate them, by a ratio of 
 increase, in 1849. The district of country embraced in the Holland 
 Purchase, may date the commencement of its settlement, in 1799. 
 Upon a comparison of the statistics that will be given, with those 
 of other portions of the United States, it will be found, that no 
 where, has there been as much consummated in a half century, in 
 population, resources, wealth and improvement; and that too, as 
 will have been seen, under early disadvantages, such as have no 
 where been exceeded: — 
 
 That part of the county of Genesee included within the Holland 
 Purchase, lies principally on the second terrace, although the south 
 part occupies a portion of the central district as described in the 
 topography of the Purchase. It contains about 219,520 acres of 
 land, 127,508 acres of which were under cultivation in 1845, 
 according to the state census of that vear. It then contained a 
 population of 9,660 males, of whom 4,221 were entitled to vote; 
 and 9,100 females-; 5,155 were children between 5 and 16 years 
 of age, and 49 were persons of color. The year preceding, (1844,) 
 the territory produced 416,000 bushels of wheat, 53,623 of barley, 
 
ERIE C OUNT Y 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 575 
 
 135,344 of corn, 908 of rye, 285,131 of oats, 14,006 of buckwheat, 
 ^ 3,063 of beans, 46,550 of peas, 226,946 of potatoes and 4,627 
 pounds of flax. It then contained 17,306 head of neat cattle, 7,929 
 cows, from which 687,582 pounds of butter and 216,613 pounds of 
 cheese were made the preceding year; 6,510 horses, 98,024 sheep, 
 16 churches, 3 academies, 1 female seminary, 120 common schools, 
 18 grist-mills, 40 saw-mills, 36 clergymen, 18 attornies and 31 
 physicians. 
 
 [For soil, climate, timber &c. of each county, IHT see topography of the Holland 
 Purchase.] 
 
 ERIE COUNTY. 
 
 The old county of Niagara, of which Buffalo was the county site 
 and from which Erie county was erected in 1821, was organized in 
 1808. The first courts were held at the public house of Joseph 
 Landon, in Buffalo, in June of that year. Augustus Porter was 
 the first Judge, Erastus Granger, Zattu Gushing, James Brooks, 
 Martin Pendergast, Judges.* Asa Ransom was the first Sherifl^, 
 Louis Le Gouteulx the first Clerk. The Court House and Jail, 
 were completed in 1810 by the Holland Company. The Court 
 House was burned in the year 1813 when Buffalo was captured and 
 burned, and rebuilt soon after the war. The Jail was fired, but not 
 materially injured. 
 
 The attornies of Niagara, (Erie,) at the period of its first organ- 
 ization, were: — Ebenezer Walden, Jonas Harrison, Truman Smith, 
 John Root, Heman B. Potter, Alvin Sharpe, Bates Cooke, Philo 
 Andrus. 
 
 These are all that arc recollected as practicing attornies before 
 the war; in the first few years after the war there was added to the 
 list, William Hotchkiss, Albert H. Tracy, Thomas C. Love, Ebene- 
 zer F. Norton, Joseph W. Moulton, James Sheldon, Samuel Caldwell 
 Benjamin C. Chaplin, W. A. Moseley. — Messrs. Potter and Walden 
 are the only survivors of the earliest Attornies. Judge Walden is 
 now 69 years of age; retired from practice, but yet active, exhib- 
 iting less of mental and physical infirmity, than usual, at his 
 advanced age; superintending as yet, the business appertaining to 
 
 * The author failing to avail himself of the records of the primitive organization of 
 Niagara, (Erie,) has been obliged to rely upon the memorj- of those who had cognizance 
 of early events. Silas Hopkins, and Archibald S. Clarke, were early Judges, and may 
 have been when the courts were first organized. 
 37 
 
 I 
 
576 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 a large estate. Gen. Potter, though his early cotemporary, is by 
 some years his junior; his personal appearance would hardly indi-it 
 cate that he was one of the pioneer lawyers of the Holland Purchase. 
 Erie county lies about one half, the north, on the second plateau, 
 and the other, on the central district as designated in the topography;, 
 of the Purchase. It contains about 610,600 acres of land, 224,196 li 
 acres of which were under cultivation in 1845 according to thei 
 state census of that year. It then contained a population of 41,208 ( 
 males, of whom 14,631 were entitled to vote, and 37,427 females; 
 20,240 were children between 5 and 16 years of age, and 847 persons; 
 of color. The year preceding (1845,) the territory produced 251, 
 781 bushels of wheat, 40,485 of barley, 238,293 of corn, 11,007 of I 
 rye, 637,513 of oats, 31,592 of buckwheat, 4,636 of beans, 51.401 1 
 of peas, 552,091 of potatoes, 17,899 of turnips, and 36,819 pounds: 
 of flax. It then contained 57,506 neat cattle, 26,809 milch cows, 
 from which 1,728,021 pounds of butter and 1,288,780 pounds of 
 cheese were made the preceding year; 148,732 sheep, 93 
 churches, 3 academies, 1 female seminary, 285 common schools, 45 
 grist-mills, 209 saw-mills, 125 Clergymen, 103 attornies, and 139 
 physicians. 
 
 CHAUTAUQUE COUNTY.^ 
 
 Chautauque county was taken from Genesee in 1808. At that 
 period, the population not being sufficient to entitle it to a separate 
 organization, it remained a part of Genesee until 1811; though the 
 location of the county buildings at Mayville, was made soon after 
 the division of counties occurred. The commissioners for fixing 
 upon the county site, were, Jonas Williams, Isaac Sutherland, and 
 Asa Ransom, The record they made of the manner they had 
 discharged their duties, describes in general terms the spot they had 
 designated, and that there should be no mistake in identifying it, 
 they add that they have "erected a large hemlock post." 
 
 In the final organization of the county, in 1811, Zattu Gushing 
 was appointed first Judge, Matthew Pendergast, Philo Orton, 
 Jonathan Thompson, and William Alexander, associate Judges; 
 David Eason, Sheriff", and John E. Marshall, Clerk. The first Court 
 
 *0r, " Ja-da-queh;" as the author entertains the hope that the empire ajrricultnral 
 county of the Holland Purchase, in the course of its rapid improvements, will improve 
 its name, by adopting the preferable one, which would better correspond with Indian 
 tradition. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 577 
 
 of Common Pleas was held at Mayville, in June, 1811. The 
 Attornies then residing in the county and admitted to practice, 
 were, Messrs. Fatten and Brackett, Jacob Houghton, Daniel G. 
 Garnsey, Caspar Rouse, and Ansclm Potter. Rouse emigrated to 
 Missouri where he was killed in an affray; Brackett was killed at 
 the capture of Buffalo, in the war of 1812. Messrs. Houghton 
 and Garnsey are the only survivors, of the earliest members of the 
 bar of Chatauque. James Mullctt was a resident of the county 
 in 1811 ; a clerk in the pioneer store of Gen. Risley. He afterwards 
 studied law in the office of J. Houghton, Esq. was admitted to 
 practice; is now one of the Judges of the Supreme Court. 
 
 Gen. Leverett Barker, was foreman of the first Grand Jury. He 
 was also the first tanner and currier in the county; and at a later 
 period the founder of the flourishing village of Versailles, on the 
 Cattaraugus creek. He died in 1847. 
 
 Chautauque county lies between the dividing ridge and lake Erie, 
 on the dividing ridge and in the valley of Allegany. It contains 
 about 068,200 acres of land, 252,784 acres of which were under 
 cultivation in 1845, according to the state census of that year. It 
 then contained a population of 23,453 males, of whom 10,159 were 
 entitled to vote, and 23,095 females; 129 persons of color, and 
 9,552 children between 5 and 16 years of age. The year prece- 
 ding (1844) the territory produced 268,261 bushels of wheat, 32,833 
 of barley, 313,121 of corn, 3,158 of rye, 448,835 of oats, 20,000 
 of buckwheat, 3,183 of beans, 28,746 of peas, 6,816,869 of pota- 
 toes, 22,143 of turnips and 129,749 pounds of flax. It then con- 
 tained 66,885 neat cattle, 25,024 cows, from which 2,130,303 pounds 
 of butter, and 974,474 pounds of cheese were made the preceding 
 year; 10,506 horses, 235,403 sheep, 73 churches, 4 academies, 307 
 common schools, 43 grist mills, 206 saw mills, 106 clergymen, 61 
 attornies and 90 physicians. 
 
578 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 CATTARAUGUS COUNTY. 
 
 The county of Cattaraugus, although setoff as a separate county 
 in the act of 1808, had no separate organization until 1817. Up to 
 this period, it was merged with the old county of Niagara. 
 
 The first term of the courts was held at Hamilton, (Olean,) in 
 July, 1817. The bench, at that period, consisted of Timothy H. 
 Porter, first Judge; James Brooks, Ashbel Freeman, Francis Green, 
 Judges. Israel Curtiss was the first Sheriff of the county; Daniel 
 Cruger the first District Attorney; Sands Bough ton the first Clerk. 
 
 The same commissioners who located the county site of Chau- 
 tauque, in 1808, located the county site of Cattaraugus the same 
 year, at Ellicottville. It would seem that, as in the first instance, 
 they were obliged to erect a land mark. They certify in refer- 
 ence to Ellicottville, that they "erected a large iron-wood post" to 
 designate the spot. A Court House and Jail were erected soon 
 after the organization of the county, which were burned in 1829; 
 but immediately rebuilt. The Court House is of brick, two stories 
 high, forty feet square; there is a stone Jail, and brick Clerk's 
 office. An ample Public Square was donated by the Holland 
 Company. 
 
 Mr. Schoolcraft, in reference to the constant succession of hills 
 and dales in Cattaraugus, says, they resemble " a piece of rumpled 
 calico." The reader may imagine Ellicottville as occupying on-e 
 of the deepest indentations, or '^ rumples." The location is pictur- 
 esque in the extreme; and the scenery of the village and its neigh- 
 borhood, would be a fine subject for the pencil of the artist. An 
 interval of about half a mile in width, upon the Great Valley 
 creek, furnishes a beautiful village site; but it is hemmed in with 
 hills whose altitudes would well entitle them to be called moun- 
 tains. It is a village hid away in one of the deep gorges of that 
 region; and yet a happy and contented population have found it, 
 and are making it a pleasant abiding place; in the way of business, 
 a brisk and large participator in the progress and improvement of 
 the southern portion of the Holland Purchase. The sojourner there, 
 who sees high elevations upon either hand, is astonished when 
 told that he is over fifteen hundred feet above tide-water; though 
 he feels that he is breathing pure air, and that he is in a bracing 
 and healthy atmosphere. 
 
 Cattaraugus county lies principally in the valley of the Allegany 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 579 
 
 and on the dividing i-idge; it includes the whole of the sterile 
 tract south of the Allegany river, described in the topography of 
 the Purchase. It contains about 852,500 acres of land, 157,442 
 acres of which were under cultivation in 1845, according to the 
 state census of that year. It then contained a population of 15,447 
 males, of whom G,588 were entitled to vote; 14,692 females; B9 
 persons of color; 8,945 children between five and sixteen years of 
 : 11,^0. The year preceding, (1844.) the territory produced 177,927 
 bushels of wheat, 13,671 of barley, 96,540 of corn, 934 of rye, 
 459,770 of oats, 24,026 of buckwheat, 1,830 of beans, 18,370 of 
 peas, 506,919 of potatoCs, 20,813 of turnips, and 42,886 pounds of 
 flax. It then contained 45,256 neat cattle, 15,582 cows, from 
 which 1,284,635 pounds of butter and 567,867 pounds of cheese 
 were made the preceeding year; 6,908 horses, 103,780 sheep, 30 
 churches, 220 common schools, 24 grist mills, 144 saw mills, 67 
 clergymen, 28 attornies, and 46 physicians. 
 
 ALLEGANY COUNTY. 
 
 Allegany county \^%s taken from Genesee in 1806. That part 
 of the county included within the Holland Purchase, lies in that 
 district called the Valley of the Allegany, although some of its 
 waters pass into Genesee river. It contains about 276,500 acres 
 of land, 75,457 acres of which were under cultivation in 1845, 
 according to the state census of that year. It then contained a 
 population of 7,560 males, of whom 3,347 were entitled to vote, 
 7,429 females; 4,410 were children between 5 and 16 years of age, 
 and 56 persons of color. The year preceding, (1844) the territory 
 produced 251,781 bushels of wheat, (mostly spring wheat.) 7,008 
 of barley, 42,103 of corn, 629 of rye, 173,473 of oats, 16,936 
 of buckwheat, 591 of beans, 16,799 of peas, 212,206 of potatoes, 
 6,574 of turneps, and 38,820 pounds of flax. It then contained 
 19,859 head of neat cattle, 8,111 milch cows, from which 584,204 
 pounds of butter and 310,935 pounds of cheese were made the 
 preceding year; 3,793 horses, 56,878 sheep, 22 churches, 113 com- 
 mon schools; 15 grist mills, 118 saw mills, 45 clergymen, 15 attor- 
 nies, and 32 physicians. 
 
580 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 WYOMING COUNTY. 
 
 Wyoming county was erected from Genesee in 1841. The 
 courts were organized at a public house at East Orangeville, in 
 June, of the same year. The commissioners named in the act of 
 division, for locating the county site, were, Davis Hurd, John 
 Thompson, and Peter R. Reed. They decided in favor of Warsaw; 
 East Orangeville and W^cathersfield springs were both competitors 
 for the location. The act organizing the county, authorised the 
 comptroller to loan to it ten thousand dollars for the erection of 
 public buildings. The building commissioners, were, .Tohn A. M' 
 Elwaine, Paul Richards, Jonathan Perry. Trumbull Gary, Esq. of 
 Batavia, gave to the county an ample public square, upon which 
 were erected a neat and commodious brick Court House, Jail and 
 Clerk's office. The Court House was completed in 1842; previous 
 to that however, the courts had been removed from Orangeville, 
 and held in the Masonic Hall in the village of Warsaw. The 
 primitive Judges of the county were as follows: — Paul Richards, 
 First Judge, James Sprague, Peter Patterson, Joseph Johnson. 
 W. Riley Smith was the first District Attorney; N. Wolcott, the 
 first clerk; W. R. Groger, the first Sherifi'. Upon motion of Isaac 
 N. Stoddard, at the opening of the first Court in Orangeville, the fol- 
 lowing attornies, most of whom, if not all, were residents of the 
 county, were admitted to practice: — John B. Skinner, James J. 
 Petit, Harvey Putnam, Lewis W. Pray, Moulton Farnham, F. C. 
 D. M'Kay, William Mitchell, Linus W. Thayer, Leverett Spring, 
 James R. Doolittle, Levi Gibbs, Miles Moffitt, Harley F. Smith, 
 W. Riley Smith, Isaac N. Stoddard. 
 
 Some sketches of the pioneer settlement of Warsaw, have already 
 been given. An early and for a long period, a prominent citizen 
 of the Holland Purchase — Judge Simeon Cummings of Batavia — 
 became identified with the village soon after the war of 1812. He 
 became proprietor, by purchase from Judge Webster, of forty acres 
 of what constitutes the north-west portion of the village, including 
 the principal water power. He built a grist mill and an oil mill in 
 1817. In 1819, the Hon. Trumbull Cary, of Batavia, became 
 the proprietor of the property. Descriptions of things as they now 
 are, are not within the province of pioneer history; but, lest the 
 reader should have never wandered from the main east and west 
 thoroughfares of the Holland Purchase, and witnessed the progress 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 581 
 
 and improvement in the southern portion of it, he may be assured 
 that he will seldom see a more pleasant rural village, than is the 
 count)'' site of Wyoming; or one which gives better indications of 
 the thrift and prosperity of the country that surrounds it. The 
 public edifices are neat and substantial; the private dwellings have 
 about them the indication of comfort, convenience, economy and 
 good taste. Gen. M' Elwaine, long identified with the prosperity of 
 the place, is the landlord of a public house there, of which he was 
 the founder, which well deserves a rank with the first class hotels 
 of Western New York. 
 
 That part of the county of Wyoming included within the Holland 
 Purchase, lies principally in the central district, as described in the 
 topography of the Purchase. It contains about 311,040 acres of 
 land, 156,240 acres of which were under cultivation in 1845, accord- 
 ing to the state census of that year. It then contained a population 
 of 11,925 males, of whom 4,331 were entitled to vote, 11,701 
 females; 0,941 were children between 5 and 10 years of age, and 
 40 persons of color. The year preceding, (1844) the territory 
 produced 104,131 bushels of wheat, 33,090 of barley, 05,808 of 
 corn, 778 of rye, 471,088 of oats, 21,007 of buckwheat, 2,387 of* 
 beans, 30,950 of peas, 381,004 of potatoes, 12,458 of turnips and 
 123,218 pounds of flax. It then contained 32,003 head of neat 
 cattle, 12,700 milch cows, from which 571,588 pounds of butter 
 and 732,004 pounds of cheese were made the preceding year; 
 6,330 horses, 140,342 sheep, 46 churches, 2 academies, 154 common 
 schools, 29 grist mills, 04 saw mills, 57 clergymen, 33 attornies and 
 42 physicians. 
 
 ORLEANS COUNTY. 
 
 The county of Orleans was erected from Genesee, in 1824. 
 The first courts were organized in June, 1825, at the house of 
 Selah Bronson, in the village of Gaines. The bench of the county 
 at that period, consisted of Elijah Foot, First Judge; S. M. Moody, 
 Cyrus Harwood, Eldridge Farwell, William Penniman, Judges. 
 The early attornies of the county, were Henry R. Curtiss, Alexis 
 Ward, George W. Flemming, Seymour Tracy, Orange Butler, A. 
 Hyde Cole, W. W. Rugglcs, Cyrus Harwood, W. S. Moody. 
 William Lewis was the first SheriflTof the county, Orson Nichoson 
 the first Clerk, and Orange Butler the first District Attorney. 
 
583 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The aggregate vote of the county, at the first election, in 1825, 
 was 1,702. 
 
 The site was located at Albion in 1825, upon lands eonveyed for 
 that purpose, by Nehemiah Ingersoll. The village of Gaines was 
 the only competitor for the location. 
 
 That part of the county of Orleans included within the Holland 
 Purchase, lies principally on the first or lower plateau, the south 
 part — being nearly one-third — lying on the second or upper pla- 
 teau, as described in the topography of the Purchase. It contains 
 about 195,840 acres of land, 102,924 acres of which were under 
 cultivation in 1845, according to the state census of that year. It 
 then contained a population of 9,858 males, of whom 4,341 were 
 entitled to vote, and 9,714 females; 5,569 were children between 
 5 and 16 years of age, and 63 were persons of color. The year 
 preceding, (1844) the territory produced 528,961 bushels of wheat, 
 14,593 of barley, 16,060 of corn, 40 of rye, 183,656 of oats, 6,062 
 of buckwheat, 2,560 of beans, 37,^85 of peas, 215,626 of potatoes, 
 8,682 of turneps, and 12,330 pounds of flax. It then contained 
 14,992 head of neat cattle, 8,273 cows, from which 571,588 pounds 
 of butter and 174,721 pounds of cheese were made the preceding 
 year; 6,897 horses, 68,358 sheep, 33 churches, 3 'academies, 1 
 female seminary, 100 common schools, 17 grist mills, 43 saw mills, 
 47 clergyman, 26 attornies, and 43 physicians. 
 
 NIAGARA COUNTY. 
 
 When the division of the old county of Niagara took place, in 
 1821, although Niagara retained the name, the county buildings, 
 and of course, the old county organization, belonged to Erie. The 
 separate organization of the Courts of the present county of Niagara 
 took place in May, 1821. The first Courts were held at the school 
 house, in the village of Lewiston. The act making the division of 
 the old county of Niagara, appointed Lothrop Cooke, Slierifi" and 
 Oliver Grace, Clerk, of the new county. Silas Hopkins was first 
 Judge; James Van Horn, and Robert Flemming, were the two 
 additional Judges. The first Circuit Court held in the county, was 
 at Lewiston, Judge Piatt presiding. 
 
 The first Commissioners to locate county buildings, were, Erastus 
 Root, Jesse Havvley, William Britton. Mr. Britten died soon 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 583 
 
 after his appointment. Messrs. Root and Hawley, upon visiting 
 the county in 1821, disagreed; the former taking ground in favor 
 of Lewiston as tlie county site, but expressing a willingness to 
 compromise and make the site at Molyneux's; the latter adhering 
 to Lockport. At the next session of the Legislature, a new Commis- 
 sion was instituted, consisting of James M'Kown, Abraham Kcyser 
 and Julius H. Hatch. In July, 1822, they fixed upon Lockport as the 
 county site; locating the buildings upon two acres of land, deeded to 
 the county for that purpose, by William M. Bond. The Courts were 
 held at Lewiston until July, 1823, at which time the Circuit Court 
 was held in an upper room of the old Mansion House, in Lockjiort, 
 Judge Rochester presiding. The Court House was completed, and 
 the first court held in it, in January, 1825. At this period, Samuel 
 DeVeaux had been added to the bench of Judges, before named. 
 
 At the first annual election, after the organization of the county 
 — in Nov. 1822 — Almon H. Millard was elected Sheriff; Asahel 
 Johnson, Cilerk; Benjamin Barlow, Member of Assembly. The 
 duties of Clerk, principally devolved upon James F. Mason, Esq. 
 during the term of Mr. Johnson, and he was elected as his successor. 
 The aggregate vote of the county, at the first election, was 1,324. 
 
 The members of the bar of the county, in '23, were, John Birdsall, 
 W. Hotchkiss, Z. H. Colvin, Bates Cooke, J. F. Mason, Elias Ransom, 
 Hiram Gardner, Theodore Chapin, Sebride Dodge, Harvey Leonard. 
 
 Niagara county lies about one half, (the north,) on the first or 
 lower plateau, and the other on the second or upper plateau, as 
 designated in the topography of the Purchase. It contains about 
 329,500 acres of land, 148,108 acres of which, were under culti- 
 vation in 1845, according to the state census of that year. It then 
 contained a population of 17,827 males, of whom 6,784 were 
 entitled to vote, and 16,724 females; 9,552 were children between 
 5 and 16 years of age and 243 persons of color. The year pre- 
 ceding (1844,) the territory produced 713,318 bushels of wheat, 
 58,340 of barley, 188,166 of corn, 498 of rye, 292,099 of oats, 
 20,101 of buckwheat, 2,185 of beans, 84,626 of peas, 333,658 of 
 potatoes, and 170 pounds of flax. It then contained 27,836 head 
 of neat cattle, 11,924 of cows, from which 861,300 pounds of 
 butter and 154,976 pounds of cheese were made the preceding 
 year; 8,614 horses, 80,549 sheep, 49 churches, 1 academy, 1 female 
 seminary, 156 common schools, 14 grist mills, 58 saw mills, 59 
 clergymen, 37 attornies and 51 physicians. 
 38 
 
PART SIXTH. 
 
 CHAPTER I, 
 
 BRIEF REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR OF 1812. 
 
 [General histories of the war have been multiplied to an extent that brings them 
 within the reach of all classes of readers; it was the original intention of the author, 
 however, to embody in this work a brief account of most of the events upon the Niagara 
 frontier, and for that purpose he prepared himself with materials. When collected, 
 their magnitude, the extent to which it would be necessarj- to go to preserve an unbroken 
 chain of events, with anj' degree of minuteness, soon convinced him of the impracti- 
 cability of the original design. The subject upon which he could bestow but a few 
 pages, required three hundred; and that without going but incidentally beyond local 
 events. He is, therefore, under the necessity of disposing of the subject, at present, 
 with a few brief reminiscences, that will serve to illustrate the condition of the Holland 
 Purchase when the war commenced; its effects upon settlement and progress; and an 
 account, somewhat in detail, of events, the effect and bearing of which, had a direct 
 relation with the main subjects of his history. The materials in his hands, and which 
 can now be obtained, are ample for a separate volume, confined to local reminiscences 
 of the war; so full of interest, throughout, as to render it difficult to discriminate, in the 
 selection of a few pages. At a period of more leisure, it is his present intention to pre- 
 pare and publish in a cheap form, a separate volume of some three hundred pages, 
 devoted to the local events of the war of 1812, and such portions of its general histors' 
 as are necessary to a connected and intelligent narrative.] 
 
 There are no statistics from which the precise amount of the 
 population of the Holland Purchase, at the commencement of the 
 war of 1812, can be ascertained. In 1811, it was, in the estimation 
 of Mr. Ellicott, a little over 23,000; in 1812, probably not far from 
 25,000; distributed as has been indicated in our account of the 
 progress of settlement. The only portion of the entire Purchase 
 where there was anything like compact settlement, was in the few 
 small villages, and upon the Buffalo road. Mr. MelHsh, who was 
 in this country in 1811, in an account of his journey from Buffalo 
 to Batavia, says, that " the houses were so thick along the road" 
 that he " was seldom out of sight of one." This was far more 
 than could have been said of any other road upon the Purchase at 
 that period. Aside from the villages, there were more framed 
 tenements upon this road, than upon all the rest of the Purchase; 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 585 
 
 indeed, elsewhere, there was not one settler in an hundred that had 
 dispensed with his primitive log house, and not one in fifty that had 
 even a framed barn. Away from the main thoroughfare, the popula- 
 tion existed in detached neighborhoods and isolated families; it was 
 in but few instances that settlers had fifty acres under improvement; 
 the average extent of improvements upon the entire Purchase did 
 not exceed fifteen acres. The Bullalo road — bad enough, as all 
 will recollect — was by far the best road at the period of which 
 we are speaking; all else, even those most traveled, were but the 
 primitive roads of a new country; but few of the streams were 
 bridged, and but the deepest mud holes crosswayed. A framed 
 bridge over a stream was a novelty; and a chinked or covered 
 crossway was a luxury that marked a neighborhood that was get- 
 ting ahead of the country generally in the march of improvement. 
 Away from the villages, and off the Buffalo road, not over one 
 in ten, of all the public houses, were other than log tenements. 
 Such, briefly, was the condition of the Holland Purchase in 1812. 
 Add to this, the consideration that nine-tenths of the population 
 were poor; struggling for a scanty subsistence upon small pat(;hes 
 of openings in the forest; the soil as yet but partially subdued; and 
 it will be seen that the frontier region was but illy prepared to 
 encounter the shock of war in its midst; to adapt itself to its ex- 
 igencies, and participate in its burthens and dangers, as its local 
 position rendered necessary. 
 
 It was as illy provided for war, in its military, as in its civil 
 condition. Military organization under our then imperfect militia 
 system, had been but partially consummated. Here and there, 
 were those who had participated in the war of the Revolution; 
 but those few were legally exempt from military duty; the 
 local militia consisted of those whose military experience and 
 discipline, had been acquired in no better school than the semi- 
 annual backwood's muster; an enrolijoient, an answering to names; 
 an imperfect "inspection and review;" and, generally, an easy 
 compliance with requirements, far from being either stringent or 
 effective. But, as in other similar cases, the exigencies of war 
 converted the peaceable pioneer settlers, from raw and inexpe- 
 rienced soldiers, into brave and eflfective ones, as the local annals 
 of the war often evince. There were no better soldiers upon the 
 lines, in the war of 1812, than those who were called out, or came 
 out as volunteers from the backw^oods of the Holland Purchase; 
 
586 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 and upon the other hand, justice, perhaps, requires us to say, that 
 there were no worse ones. 
 
 There had been forebodings of the event of war in the proceed- 
 ings of Congress, and in some prehminary mihtary preparations; 
 and yet the arrival of the news of its actual existence, created 
 constei'nation and alarm. The proclamation of President Madison 
 was carried through the country by expresses, which reached Fort 
 Niagara on the 26th of June, 1812, and Col. Swift at Black Rock, 
 the same day. The express riders spread the news as they 
 passed upon the main roads, the Buffalo road and the Batavia and 
 Lewiston road, and thence it spread in every direction, from 
 settlement to settlement. The usual avocations of life were 
 suspended; here and there, in all the detached neighborhoods, 
 were small collections of citizens, deliberating and consulting upon 
 measures of safety, defence or flight. The more timid resolved 
 upon the latter alternative, while the more resolute determined to 
 remain and abide the consequences.* There was a general feeling 
 of insecurity, induced by a knowledge of the fact, that the enemy 
 upon the Canadian frontiers were prepared even for a war of 
 invasion, while upon this side, the preparations for defence were 
 inadequate. Many, over-estimating the immediate danger, made 
 hasty preparations, and were soon on their way, seeking asylums 
 beyond the Genesee river. The singular spectacle was presented 
 upon most of the main thoroughfares, leading east from the 
 Holland Purchase, of families fleeing from supposed danger, 
 meeting emigrants, who were undismayed by the terrors of a 
 frontier residence. Many families who left, returned after a few 
 weeks' absence. 
 
 The news of the declaration of war had reached Canada twelve 
 hours before it was received upon our frontier. John Jacob Astor, 
 had sent an express from New York, announcing it to Thomas 
 Clark, Esq., of Queenston. This was a measure of precaution, 
 having reference to the fur trade at the west, and the safety of the 
 cargoes of fur that might be coming down th« lakes. In conse- 
 quence, preparations for hostilities and overt acts of hostility, had 
 actually preceded the reception of the news upon this side. As 
 soon as the news was received by the British authorities, all 
 Americans in Canada were arrested and detained; among whom 
 was Lieut. Gansevoort, of Fort Niagara, who happen-ed to be at 
 the time, on the wrong side of the lines. At Buflfalo, the citizens 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 587 
 
 were first apprised of the existence of war, by the capture of a 
 small vessel, which had just started from Black Rock with a load 
 of salt, bound up the lake. The vessel, cargo and crew, were 
 taken to Fort Erie. The tidings of all this, did not fail to reach 
 the greater portion of Western New York simultaneously with the 
 news of the declaration of war. All was bustle and confusion; 
 then followed days and weeks of musters, and drafting of militia, 
 marching to the lines in small squads from the back settlements, 
 and in consolidated ones, along the main Buffalo road. Batavia 
 w<is soon converted from a quiet country village, into a military 
 rendezvous. Then was heard there, the constant rolling of the 
 drum, the shrill tones of the fife, the din of weapons of war, 
 the rattling of the wheels of baggage wagons; troops were 
 arriving and departing in constant succession. 
 
 On the 21st of May, 1812, there were but six hundred men under 
 arms upon the Niagara frontier^ beside those attached to the garrison 
 at Niagara. These had been called out in pursuance of an act of 
 Congress, and the requisition of the Governor of the State. The 
 requisition ordered a draft of miltia, but generally, the force was 
 composed of volunteers. They were placed under the command 
 of Col. Swift; several volunteer companies were added previous to 
 the declaration of war; on the 4th of July, eight days after the 
 news of the declaration of war had been received, the aggregate 
 militia force upon the frontier, was aSout three thousand. Soon 
 after the declaration of war, Gen. William Wadsworth assumed 
 command. On the 28th of July, the command devolved upon Gen. 
 Amos Hall, and on the 11th August, upon Major General Van 
 Rensselaer, who established his head quarters at Lewiston. 
 
 Such was the state of alarm upon the Holland Purchase, that 
 Mr. Ellicott deemed it necessary to quiet it, by an address to the 
 settlers dated on the 4th of July, in which he assures them of the 
 effectual guarding of the lines, and of the safety of the whole 
 region from invasion. 
 
 War preparations were as active in Canada as upon this side of 
 the lines. When the declaration of war came, the state of defence 
 there was by far the best; there were from six to seven hundred 
 regular troops stationed between the lakes, along the Niagara river. 
 The militia of the Upper Province w^ere ordered out en masse. 
 While there was no artillery upon this side, until some weeks after 
 the declaration of w^ar, upon the other were over one hundred 
 
588 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 pieces. Fort Erie was put in repair, a redoubt was thrown up 
 opposite Black Rock; a battery erected at Chippewa, and another 
 below the Falls. Defences were also erected on Queenston Heights 
 directly opposite Lewiston village, on the river opposite Youngston, 
 and Fort George was strengthened. One of the incipient steps in 
 Canada, was to secure the services of the Indians in the Province. 
 This had been too long a favorite policy of England, to be aban- 
 doned. Gen. Brock, the acting Governor of the Province, assumed 
 the immediate command of the troops. 
 
 The prompt assembling of troops upon our frontier had the effect 
 to quiet alarm, and many families who had left returned to their 
 homes. After the first turmoil and bustle were over, there suc- 
 ceeded comparative quiet; weeks and months of inactivity upon the 
 lines; the usual avocations were partially resumed in the settlements, 
 though frequently disturbed by militia drafts and harrassing, unfoun- 
 ded rumors of actual or contemplated incursions of the British 
 and Indians. There was little real cause for anticipating danger 
 of this nature, for the preparations upon the other side were 
 wholly defensive ones, and the state of alarm among the inhabitants 
 there, was even greater than here. So far as the respective inhab- 
 itants upon each side of the lines were concerned, there was the 
 singular spectacle presented of mutual fear of invasion. There was 
 even a greater fleeing from the lines in Canada than upon this side. 
 
 One of the most fruitful* sources of apprehension and alarm in 
 the earlier stages of the war, was the fear that the Seneca Indians 
 would revive their ancient predilections, and be found allies of the 
 British and Canadian Indians. Their position was at first enigmat- 
 ical — undefined. Their chiefs, prominent among whom was Red 
 Jacket, at that period, counseled and maintained neutrality; and 
 neutrality was unfavorably construed by the border settlers. Their 
 position of neutrality was, however, early secured by a talk in 
 council. But when these apprehensions were partially quieted, 
 every breeze that came from Canada, or froin the west, brought 
 with it to the scattered border settlements of the Holland Pui'chase, 
 rumors rife with accounts of contemplated Indian leagues, and 
 banded descents with the tomahawk and scalping knife. Judge 
 Erastus Granger, the then Government Agent of the Senecas, took 
 an early opportunity to hold a council with them and get assuran- 
 ces of neutrality. In a letter from Mr. Ellicott to Mr. Busti, dated 
 July 7, 1812, he assures him of the entire safety of the country 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 589 
 
 from invasion — of comparative quiet, and adds: — "I send by the 
 mail that carrios this letter, our last newspaper, which contains a 
 speech made by an Indian chief to the inhabitants of this village, 
 and our reply, by which it will be seen that our Indians are disposed 
 to be on good terms with us — and that they have declared the 
 Mohawk Indians, residing in Canada, out of the confederation of the 
 Six Nations, and of course, 'enemies in war, in peace, friends.'" 
 This position of neutrality, partially preserved in the first stages 
 of the war, was not long maintained. The Senecas, rightly deter- 
 mining their true position and interests, soon became fast friends to 
 the United States, — useful armed allies, in several contests. 
 
 Having thus given a brief pioneer sketch of war preparations: 
 the condition of this region when the trying and eventful crisis 
 arrived; and arrayed the combatants, ready to commence a long 
 scries of engagements, to encounter the vicissitudes and the vary- 
 ing fortunes of war; we proceed to occupy an allotted and 
 stinted space, with two prominent events, selected for their 
 more immediate bearing upon the frontier settlers of the Holland 
 Purchase, and their prominent participation in them; and for the 
 additional reason that, while a faithful relation of the one is humilia- 
 ting to pride of country, and sullies the reputation of our citizen sol- 
 diery, that of the other elevates the former, and redeems the latter. 
 
 The calamities wdth wdiich the Niagara frontiers were visited, in 
 the winter of 1813 and '14, had their origin, as it is well known, in 
 the injudicious (not to say wanton,) destruction of Newark, now 
 Niagara village. After nearly two years' duration of a war, which, 
 upon this frontier at least, had been wretchedly conducted; a vas- 
 cillating policy prevailing that, even now, after the lapse of thirty- 
 six years, is a mystery yet unraveled; the whole sum of the tri- 
 umphs of our arms, w^as the military possession of this small town, 
 and its garrison, Fort George. This constituted our only foothold 
 in Canada, and that, as it will be seen, was to be most shamefully 
 abandoned. 
 
 The withdrawal of the entire regular force from this fi'ontier, had 
 left Gen. M'Clure, of the New York State militia, in command of 
 the conquered territory. After an unprofitable occupancy of a few 
 wxeks, he ordered the evacuation of Fort George, and applied the 
 torch to the village of Newark, destroying every house in the 
 village, and leaving its population houseless, exposed to the inclem- 
 ency of the season. 
 
590 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 M'Clure and his army took shelter in Fort Niagara, and the 
 abandoned ground was soon occupied by Col. Murray with a force 
 of five hundred British soldiers and Indians. The news of this 
 rash and improvident act, met with unqualified disapprobation 
 every where; and especially upon the frontier, where the blow of 
 retribution was soon to fall; among those who justly appreciated 
 the penalty they must pay for the act of folly. If, as was alleged, 
 by the few apologists of Gen. M'Clure, it was an act of retaliation 
 for British spoliations elsewhere, it was an untimely one, taking 
 })lace under circumstances that insured a heavy penalty. The 
 weak defences then upon our frontier, to encounter the retaliation 
 that but a little foresight would have anticipated, should have 
 counseled prudence, if not a warfare more in consonance with 
 humanity. But we drop a fruitful source of comment and 
 reflection, that belongs to a general history of the war, and 
 proceed to sketch briefly the consequences that followed; and 
 they were not slow in coming. 
 
 Gen. M'Clure remaining but a short time at Niagara, took up 
 his head-quarters at Buffalo, from which place he, in a short time, 
 had occasion to address a dispatch to the Secretary of War, 
 containing, in his own language, and what must have been, the 
 "mortifying intelligence of the loss of Fort Niagara.'' With that 
 disgraceful surrender, even the partial reader of war history is 
 familiar. 
 
 The force that landed at the Five Mile Meadows, under Col. 
 Murray, was about 500 — they completed the landing before day- 
 break. 
 
 A party of Indians, leaving the main body, came up to Lewiston, 
 — arriving about sunrise. There was stationed there but a small 
 force under the command of Major Bennett, that retreated with 
 the loss of six or seven men; among whom were two sons of 
 Horatio Jones. The attack upon the village, was after the Indian 
 fashion, a sudden surprise. There w^as little of warning; the 
 Indians preceding for a few minutes, a detachment of British 
 soldiers, swarmed out of the woods, and commenced an indiscrimi- 
 nate shooting down of flying citizens, plundering and burning. 
 Among the slain in the attack on Lewiston, was Dr. Alvord, who 
 has been mentioned as the early physician at Batavia. He was 
 shot from his horse while endeavoring to make his retreat. Miles 
 Gillitt and a younger brother, sons of the early pioneer, Solomon 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 591 
 
 Gillitt; Thomas Marsh, WilUam Gardner, TifTany and Finch. 
 That day, December 19th, the Ridge Road presented some of the 
 harshest features of war and invasion. The inhabitants upon the 
 frontier, en masse, were retreating eastward; men, women and 
 children; the Tuscarora Indians having a prominent position in the 
 flight. The residents upon the Ridge that had not got the start of 
 the main body, fell in with it as it approached them. There was 
 a small arsenal at the first four corners, west of Howell's creek, a 
 log building, containing a number of barrels of powder, several 
 hundred stand of arms, and a quantity of fixed ammunition. 
 iMaking a stand there, the more timid were for firing the magazine 
 and continuing the retreat. The braver councils prevailed to a 
 small extent. They made sufficient demonstrations to turn back 
 a few Indian scouts that had followed up the retreat to plunder 
 such as fell in the rear. The mass made no halt at the arsenal, 
 but pushed on in an almost unbroken column, until they arrived at 
 Forsyth's, where they divided, a part taking the Lewistun road, 
 and seeking asylums in Genesee county, and over the river; and a 
 part along the Ridge Road, and off from it in the new settlements 
 of what is now Orleans and Monroe counties, and in what is now 
 Wayne, and the north part of Ontario counties. All kinds of 
 vehicles were put in requisition. It was a motley throng, flying 
 from the torch and the tomahawk of an invading foe, without hardly 
 the show of a military organization to cover their retreat. 
 
 Almost the only resistance that the invaders encountered, was 
 an attack upon Lewiston Heights, in their attempted advance to 
 Niagara Falls, by Maj. Mallory, and his small corps of Canadian 
 volunteers, who were stationed at tSchlosser, They compelled 
 them to retreat below the mountain, and afterwards contested the 
 ground to Tonawanda, with a bravery that was the more creditable, 
 as it was a rare article at that unfortunate period. And it should 
 be mentioned to the credit of a small band of Tuscarora Indians, 
 that they effectually aided the flight of the citizens of Lewiston, 
 by firing upon the Indian sco^s that were following them up, from 
 an ambush, upon the side of the mountain, hear where the road 
 from their village comes upon the Ridge. It helped to turn back 
 the pursuers. 
 
 There are many interesting reminiscences connected with the at- 
 tack upon Lewiston and the flight of its citizens, but a small portion 
 of which can be given in this brief notice of the events of the war. 
 
592 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 At the period of the invasion, Judge Lothrop Cooke, was an 
 invalid, having had, but a short time previous, one of his legs 
 amputated. He vras laid upon an ox-sled, and accompanied by his 
 brother, the late Hon. Bates Cooke. When they had proceeded 
 but a few^ miles upon the Ridge, a scout of five Indians overtook 
 them, and ordered a halt. Bates Cooke seized a gun that was lying 
 upon a sled directly behind them, fired, and shot one of the Indians 
 through the neck. He fell from his horse, jumped upon his feet, 
 and after running about fifteen rods, fell and died. Mr. C. having 
 no farther means of defence, ran, the Indians making two ineffectual 
 shots at him in his retreat. The firing of the guns brought some 
 Tuscarora Indians to the spot, who fired upon the British Indians 
 that remained, and compelled them to turn back; the sled with the 
 invalid passing on in safety. In the pocket of the dead Indian, was 
 found a paper addressed to the Indian Agent at Niagara, saying 
 that the bearer was an " Ottawa brave, worthy of being entrusted 
 with any daring expedition." 
 
 During the succeeding summer, the British being in possession of 
 Fort Niagara, small marauding parties, generally Indians, occa- 
 sionally visited the settlers who had ventured back to their homes 
 in the neighborhood. Upon one occasion, an Indian strolled from 
 the Fort alone, and passing through the woods, came out upon the 
 Ridge at the house of Sparrow Sage, three miles east of Lewiston. 
 Entering the house, he found Mrs. Sage and a female companion 
 unprotected, and made them his prisoners. Ordering them into the 
 woods, and directing their course toward the Fort, the companion 
 of Mrs. Sage made her escape, and hastily apprised Mr. Sage of 
 his wife's captivity. He pursued — overtook the captor and cap- 
 tive, and inflicting a severe wound upon the Indian with an axe, 
 caused him to release Mrs. Sage, and save himself by flight. It 
 was an exploit of heroism, chivalrous, in view of the relation that 
 existed between the rescuer and the rescued, worthy of a rank 
 with the best and bravest deeds that are recorded in the history of 
 the border wars of the Revolution. ^ 
 
 There is a solitary grave upon the Ridge road, near the eastern 
 extremity of Hopkins' Marsh. It is that of a teamster whose 
 name was Mead. He was conveying some household furniture 
 from Lewiston, in the morning of the invasion. An Indian over- 
 took and shot him. This was the farthest advance that either the 
 British or Indians made upon the Ridge road. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 593 
 
 Three or four days after the British obtained possession of Fort 
 Niagara, a scouting party sallied out with orders to proceed down 
 the lake as far as the Eighteen Mile creek, and burn every tene- 
 ment. The leading object of the expedition was the destruction 
 of the mills of Judge Van Horn, where souk; flour destined for 
 our army was stored. The order was pretty thoroughly executed; 
 in twenty-four hours the scattered settlers along the lake road, and 
 at the mouth of the Eighteen, were as houseless as were those of 
 the frontier, from Fort Niagara to Tonawanda; save a few 
 dwellings that were saved by the commanding officer, against 
 orders. Seldom has there been a more peaceable and humane 
 march of invaders through a conquered territory. The orders of 
 the officer, from his superior, were stringent, and even sanguinary; 
 but he managed to discharge his duty according to the dictates of 
 humanity. In several instances he ordered his own men to assist 
 in removing some of the most necessary articles of household fur- 
 niture, before firing houses; and when the mill of Judge Van Horn 
 was fired, he ordered several barrels of flour to be rolled out for 
 the use of the families he had reluctantly made destitute. The 
 author regrets that he cannot fix upon his name with certainty, and 
 record it with this tribute of praise so well deserved; one informant 
 says it was Captain Sherwood, and another, that it was Lieutenant 
 Williams. 
 
 The invaders returned to Fort Niagara, taking back with them 
 fifteen or sixteen men as prisoners, and leaving such women and 
 children as had not fled before them, unharmed. Among the pris- 
 oners was Reuben Wilson, Esq. The old gentleman, in relating 
 these events to the author, closed by saying: — "Myself and neigh- 
 bors were retained eight days at the fort, and then paroled. 
 Returning, we gathered up what was left of our effects, and went 
 east, scattering along the Ridge Road principally, some going over 
 the Genesee river. In a* few days there was no family upon the 
 lake, west of Gen. Wisner's;" [two miles below Olcott,] "except 
 Messrs. Grossman's, Brewer's, and Chalmers', at the mouth of the 
 Eio;hteen: all else was desertion and desolation. I returned in 
 about three weeks, and several of my neighbors returned during 
 the winter and spring; some of them, not until after the close of 
 the war; and some of them never returned, having seen enough 
 of the hardships of a new country, and of harassing frontier life." 
 
 The news of all that had occurred spread terror and consterna- 
 
594 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 tion throughout Western New York. A farther march of the 
 invaders was anticipated; an immediate attack upon Buffalo, and 
 at least an advance into the interior as far as Batavia, where there 
 were an arsenal and military stores. Gen. Hall, on hearing of the 
 invasion, at his residence in Bloomfield, soon collected a considera- 
 ble force from General Wadsworth's Brigade, in Ontario, and 
 volunteers from Genesee county, establishing his head-quarters at 
 Batavia. An arming and organization was perfected by the 25th 
 of December, and the troops marched to Buffalo. General Hall, 
 in his official dispatch, says: — "I arrived at Buffalo on the morning 
 of the 26th, and there found a considerable body of irregular 
 troops, of various descriptions, disorganized and confused; — every 
 thing wore the appearance of consternation and dismay." He 
 reports the entire number of men at Buffalo, on the 26th, at a Uttle 
 over two thousand, to which was added, before the 30th, three 
 hundred from Chautauque. Organization, from the short time that 
 was allowed to perfect it, was necessarily imperfect. 
 
 On the night of the 29th of December, between eleven and 
 twelve o'clock, it was announced at Buffalo, that a patrol of 
 mounted men, under the command of Lieut. Boughton, had been 
 fired upon by a British force, that had crossed near the head 
 of Grand Island, advanced, and taken possession of a battery which 
 stood upon the site of the present lower village of Black Rock. 
 The troops at Buffalo were immediately paraded, but not ordered 
 to march upon the invaders. Gen. Hall concluding that the attack 
 below was intended to draw off his force preparatory to an attack 
 upon Buffalo. General Hopkins being absent at the time, the com- 
 mand at Black Rock devolved upon Colonels Warren and Churchill. 
 They were ordered by Gen. Hall to attack the enemy in the battery 
 where they had taken position, dislodge and drive them from their 
 boats. The attack, made under all the disadvantages of hasty 
 preparation, in a dark night, failed to accomplish its purpose. The 
 entire force was dispersed. Orders were immediatly given for the 
 main force at Buffalo to march in the direction of Black Rock. A 
 second attack upon the British force in the battery, by a small 
 corps headed by Col. Chapin and Maj. Adams, ended like the first, 
 in failure and dispersion. All that succeeded, was but a chapter 
 of disasters and failures, which are principally comprised in the 
 following extract from an official dispatch of Gen. Hall to Gov. 
 Tompkins: — 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 595 
 
 " As the day dawned. I discovered a detachment of the enemy's 
 boats crossing to our shore, and bending their course towards the 
 rear of Gen. Porter's house. I immediately ordered Col. Blakeslee to 
 attack the enemy's force at the water's edge. I became satisfied as 
 to the disposition and object of the enemy. Their left wing, com- 
 posed of about one thousand regulars, mihtia, and Indians, had been 
 landed below the creek, under the cover of the night. With their 
 centre, consisting of four hundred royal Scots, commanded by Col. 
 Gordon, the battle was commenced. The right, which was ]>ur- 
 posely weak, was landed near the main battery, merely to divert 
 our force; the whole under the immediate command of Lieut. Col. 
 Drummond, and led on by Maj. Gen. lliall. They were attacked 
 by four field pieces in the battery at the waters edge, at the same 
 time the battery from the other side of the river opened a heavy 
 fire upon us, of shells, hot shot, and ball. The whole force now 
 opposed to the enemy was, at most, not over six hundred men, the 
 remainder having fled, in spite of the exertions of their officers. 
 These few but brave men, disputed every inch of ground, with the 
 steady coolness of veterans, at the expense of many valuable lives. 
 The defection of the militia, by reason of the ground on which 
 they must act, left the forces engaged, exposed to the enemy's fire 
 in front and flank. After standing their ground for half an hour, 
 opposed by an overwhelming force and nearly surrounded, a retreat 
 became necessary to their safety, and was accordingly ordered. I 
 then made every effort to rally the troops, w'ith a view to attack 
 their columns as they entered the village of Buffalo, but all in vain. 
 Deserted by my principal force, I fell back that night to Eleven 
 Mile creek, and was forced to leave the flourishing villages of Black 
 Rock and Buffalo a prey to the enemy, which they have pillaged 
 and laid in ashes. They have gained but little plunder from the 
 stores; the chief loss has fallen upon individuals.'' 
 
 Such is the official account of the memorable and disastrous 
 events of the morning of the 30th of December. A long catalogue 
 of cotemporary accounts, of personal recollections, might be added, 
 which would furnish pages that belong upon the dark side of 
 American war history. It was the cons-ummation of a series of 
 untoward events, which had their origin in the general bad man- 
 agement of the campaign of 1813; promoted, its climax of folly 
 added, by an act of wanton aggression, such as was the destruction 
 of Newark, at a period when retribution was sure to follow, and be 
 disastrously successful as it was; at a crisis when the efficient 
 defences upon our frontiers w^ere withdrawn, and the inadequate 
 protection of a militia force, suddenly drawn from their hon^es at 
 an inclement season, without opportunity for efficient organization. 
 
596 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 substituted. The British force that landed at Black Rock was 
 inferior in point of numbers, to the opposing American force, 
 according to the estimates of Gen. Hall. The British official 
 accounts make the whole invading force under Gen. Riall but little 
 over one thousand. Upon the one hand, however, there were all 
 the advantages of efficient organization, tolerable discipline, and of 
 attack under cover of the darkness of night; upon the other, the 
 disadvantages that have already been enumerated, to which maj 
 be added, cowardice and flight, disgraceful to the American arms. 
 And yet the battle of Black Rock, the generally inefficient defences 
 that were made against an invading foe, were not without some 
 redeeming features. There were creditable and honorable acts of 
 bravery, but they were isolated ones. There were those who 
 stood firm in the midst of flight, until resistance seemed no longer 
 of any avail. But after a few ineffectual attempts to beat back the 
 invaders, it was a general rout and flight, through every avenue of 
 escape from danger; and squads of armed soldiers, in many instances, 
 preceded even women and children in the hasty retreat. It was 
 odd enough, and disgraceful enough, but it was nevertheless a fact, 
 that retreating soldiers, and even some officers, as they arrived in 
 the back settlements, added to the panic and dismay, that the cooler 
 headed and less timorous were endeavoring to allay. The local 
 history of the war of 1812, in the aggregate, is creditable, highly 
 so, to the frontier settlers upon the Holland Purchase. Never in 
 the history of this or any other country has there been a more 
 prompt compliance with military requisitions, attended with greater 
 sacrifices, than in that crisis, throughout the whole region of West- 
 ern New York. In the settlements upon the Holland Purchase, 
 during more than one campaign, there might have been seen the 
 small harvest fields of the new settlers, ripening for the scythe and 
 the sickle, maturing and going to waste; while the owners, whose 
 toil had cleared, planted, and sowed, were away, enrolled and 
 under arms, in the service of their country. Improvements, as 
 has been before said, were in their infancy; there would have been 
 no surplus produce, with seasonable harvests; the reader will 
 readily infer in what degree, late and often neglected harvests 
 added to the distress and suflTering of the inhabitants. There was 
 in the whole trying and eventful crisis, on the part of the men of 
 Western New York, in the main, no absence of a devotion to 
 country, or willingness to defend its soil; but the events of the 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 697 
 
 30lh of December, 1813, are seldom now recurred to in the 
 presence of those who witnessed them, and participated in their 
 consequences, without bringing to their minds Uvely and painful 
 recollections of imperfect and abortive measures of defence; the 
 rout, the hasty, panic stricken retreat, the unnecessary surrender- 
 ing of a frontier, and its then largest village, to the arms and the 
 torch of an invading foe, not formidable either in numbers or mil- 
 itary prowess. 
 
 And it here may be added, in reference to the whole history of 
 the war upon this frontier, that it furnished a distinct, and ever to 
 be remembered demonstration of the inutility of a drafted militia. 
 Where ever such troops were relied upon, there were failure and 
 disaster. While the volunteer militia that came out at different 
 periods, and in diflbrcnt corps, during the whole war, seldom failed 
 to render efficient service; often competed successfully with 
 regular troops, for preference in good conduct and achievements, 
 upon the battle field. 
 
 Arresting this slight digression, we will return to Buffalo, and 
 detail events of easy conquest, retreat, flight, pillage and devasta- 
 tion, which General Hall, in his official despatch, has so summarily 
 disposed of. Before daylight, the citizens of Buffalo were fully 
 apprised of the feeble and ill managed defence at Black Rock; of 
 its prospect of failure. Tidings that all was hopeless, had reached 
 them, and were confirmed by the hasty retreat of squads of 
 militia, who were making palpable demonstrations of their innate 
 love of life, in their eagerness to outstrip each other in the race 
 that was taking them beyond the reach of danger. Those of the 
 citizens who had teams of oxen or horses, put them in rc(iuisition, 
 hastily snatching but a small portion of the personal effects of 
 themselves and families — in most instances, but a scanty wardrobe 
 — and seeking, in terror and dismay, the most convenient avenues 
 of retreat. In numerous instances, women and children, inade- 
 qately provided with the means of protecting them against the 
 inclemency of the season, started out on foot, to wade through the 
 snow many weary miles, before they could expect to find shelter 
 and rest. The British army advanced from Black Rock, or rather 
 from the last point at which they had mot with any considerable 
 resistance, annoyed only by a few discharges from a twelve pound 
 cannon, manned by a small corps that had taken position at the 
 
598 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 junction of the Black Rock and the main road. When it had 
 advanced to within a few rods of the old burying ground, many of 
 the families of the citizens were but just leaving their dwellings, 
 and others had not got far beyond the bounds of the village. At 
 this critical juncture, when the Indians were leaving the main 
 army, in scouts, and were about to enter the village, commence 
 the work of plunder, and fall upon such of the inhabitants as were 
 late in the retreat, with the tomahawk and scalping knife, Col. 
 Cyrenius Chapin, in the absence of any one who had authority to 
 treat with the invaders, and agree upon terms of capitulation, 
 mounted a horse, and with a white handkerchief raised upon the 
 end of his cane, approached the enemy and sought an interview 
 with Gen. Riall. Terms of capitulation were hastily arranged. 
 It was agreed that all public property should be given up, and 
 private property respected; that the invading force should not be 
 attacked while it remained in possession of the village. While this 
 negotiation was going on, time was given for the lagging citizens 
 to make their escape. The main body of the invaders soon 
 entered the village. Among the few citizens who had remained, 
 to endeavor to save their property, beside Col. Chapin, were Judge 
 Walden, JMessrs.' Cook, Pomeroy and Kane, and Mrs. St. John 
 and Lovejoy. At the suggestion of the British officers, all the 
 intoxicating liquors that could be found in the village, were 
 destroyed, to prevent the Indians getting access to them, and 
 becoming uncontrollable. 
 
 In this position of affairs, a building was discovered on fire. 
 Judge Walden enquired of Col. Chapin, the meaning of this 
 infraction of the terms of capitulation; the Colonel, sui'prised 
 himself, requested the Judge to have an immediate interview with 
 Gen. Riall. Failing to meet with him, he found Colonel Elliott, 
 who had command of the Indians. He justified the commence- 
 ment of burning, upon the ground that an American force was 
 marching to attack them. Looking up main street. Judge Walden 
 saw a small force approaching, and immediately started out to 
 meet it. It proved to be a detachment of forty regular soldiers, 
 who had been exempts at the hospital in Williamsville, under the 
 command of Lieut. Riddle, marching in to save the village ! Ju-dge 
 Walden remonstrated against the rash and hair brained enterprise, 
 and persuaded the Lieutenant to secure a retreat, but not without 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 599 
 
 a few discharges of a cannon he had brought along with him, and 
 vehement protestations against the capitulation, and the authority 
 that had sanctioned it. 
 
 The firing of buildings had now progressed to a considerable 
 extent, under the direction of a Lieutenant, who moved from house 
 to house, with a small corps, that applied the torch under his 
 direction. A simultaneous plundering was commenced by the 
 Indians. All the buildings were burned during the first day, 
 except Mrs. 8t. John's house, Mrs. Lovejoy's, Dr. Chapin's, Judge 
 Walden's and Recce's blacksmith shop. Mrs. St. John remained 
 in her house, and claimed protection for herself and property, 
 which was granted. Mrs. Lovejoy, less fortunate, and less 
 prudent, had some altercation with the Indians, who entered her 
 house for plunder, was stabbed, and her lifeless body thrown into 
 the street. Judge VValden carried the body back into the house, 
 where it was consumed the next day, with the house. 
 
 About 3 o'clock P. M., the village was evacuated by the 
 invaders, the main force movinij down to Black Rock, and crossing 
 the river with the pulilic property they had captured, and their 
 plunder. On the second day, all was quiet; there were no British 
 nor Indians in the village, or rather where the village had been; 
 but there were plunderers of a different character, those who 
 claimed, but were unworthy of, the name of American citizens — 
 marauders and land pirates — hanging around the scene of deso- 
 lation, stealing and carrying off the little the enemy had left; 
 and this domestic rapine was continued as long as there was any- 
 thing left to steal. Revolting it is, to be obliged to record the 
 shameful truth in the annals of the Holland Purchase. We must 
 place it to the account of war and its demoralizing tendencies. 
 
 In the forenoon of the third day, a small party of British and 
 Indians returned, burnt all the buildings that had before been 
 spared, except Mrs. St. John's house and Recce's blacksmith shop; 
 after which they passed down the Niagara river to Fort Niagara. 
 
 The reader will have observed that Col. Chapin exercised an 
 influence somewhat extraordinary, for one who had been conspic- 
 uous in a previous invasion of Canada. This may be attributed to 
 the stand he had taken at Newark, against Gen. M'Clure, and the 
 rash measures there, which were so promptly retaliated. Judge 
 Walden and the few other citizens that remained, probably owed 
 
 their exemption from harm, to his influence. The Judge was at 
 39 
 
600 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 one time, with others that remained, formally made prisoner, but 
 by walking off unobserved, and dodging from point to point, while 
 the enemy were engrossed with the business of plundering and 
 burning, he escaped. Col. Chapin was made a prisoner, taken to 
 Montreal, and retained several months. 
 
 The few citizens that had remained in Buffalo, went back into the 
 country. Days and weeks of desertion, stillness and desolation, 
 succeeded. The villages of Buffalo, Black Rock, Niagara Falls, 
 Lewiston and Youngstown, and the farm houses and other tenements 
 that intervened, presented but one extended scene of ruin and 
 devastation. Mr. James Sloan, a resident of Black Rock, an active 
 participator in many of the stirring scenes of the war of 1812, 
 says, that a few days after the evacuation of Buffalo, himself and 
 Judge Wilkeson, passed down the lake from the Barker stand, and 
 through the main street of the site of Buffalo, to the Cold Springs. 
 That, between the Pratt ferry and the Cold Springs, a. cat that was 
 wandering about its former home, was all that they saw of any 
 living thing ! 
 
 The Buffalo road was the main avenue of retreat and flight for 
 the citizens, though large numbers of them went up the lake, and 
 through the Seneca Indian village, Willink, (Aurora,) Sheldon and 
 Warsaw. During the whole day, (the 30th,) the Buffalo road was 
 crowded with squads of retreating soldiers — the retiring "bulwarks 
 of their country's defence;" families upon sleighs, ox sleds,, and on 
 foot; in many instances half clad children, the wounded, the aged 
 and infirm, were wading through snow, bands of able bodied armed 
 men often passing them, pitiless and unobserving, absorbed in deep 
 concern for their own individual and especial safety. Here and 
 there, along the road, were feeble attempts to rally and stand; some 
 resolute individuals would propose it, and partially succeed; but on 
 would come the idle rumor that the invaders were pushing their 
 conquests, and the feeble barriers would give way, as does the 
 momentary deposits in flood tide, and on, on, would sweep the 
 strong current of dismay, rout and flight! Idle rumors we have 
 said, and so they were. Timidity, fear, marked every movement 
 of the invaders, from the landing at Black Rock, to the final 
 evacuation. They had no idea of extending their march. They 
 were astonished themselves, in view of their easy conquests, and 
 during their short stay in Buffalo, their eyes were strained to catch 
 the first gUmpses of a force they expected would soon be rallied to 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 601 
 
 drive them from our soil. Alas ! for the honor of our country and 
 its arms, such a force never came. Even the approach of a small 
 band of invalids from Williamsville, made them shake in their shoes; 
 and occupation of the whole conquered frontier, vv^as brief, stealthy, 
 and full of apprehension, save at the strong fortress of Niagara, 
 and w^ithin the limits where it furnished an easy refuge. There 
 was but little of glory, or high military achievements upon either 
 hand. The taking of Fort Niagara, was but a well managed sur- 
 prise, a rout, almost in the absence of any resistance; all else, from 
 there to Buffalo, was brief, desolating occupation, and marauding; 
 scarcely entitled to the dignity of a military campaign, and ordi- 
 nary conquests. 
 
 Batavia became the head quarters, the final rallying point of small 
 remnants of an army; a halting place, for the fleeing, homeless and 
 houseless citizens of the frontier; to the extent of the capacity of 
 all the tenements in the village and neighborhood. The most valu- 
 able effects of the land office were taken beyond the Genesee river; 
 the house of Mr. Ellicott converted into quarters for army officers, 
 and his office into an hospital; private houses were thrown open, 
 barns and sheds occupied; families that were separated in the hasty 
 departure from BufTalo, became united there; their scattered mem- 
 bers, male and female, dropping in one after the other, and giving 
 by their presence the first assurance of escape from danger. All 
 along the Buffalo road, as far as the Genesee river, there were 
 deserted houses, which did not fail to have new occupants, soon 
 after the flight from the frontiers commenced. The owners sojourn- 
 ing in some hospitable neighborhood over the river, would hear 
 that their deserted homes had tenants, of whom they had never 
 before heard, who had entered without the formality of a lease. 
 
 And here, in these necessarily brief and imperfect reminiscences, 
 the author must not omit to name his old friend and fellow crafts- 
 man. Smith H. Salisbury. The Buffalo Gazette, published by 
 himself and his brother, Hezekiah A. Salisbury, during the earliest 
 years of its existence, and by himself, after May 1813, was the 
 only local chronicler of events upon the immediate frontier, during 
 
 Note. — Mrs. Mathers, who has already been named as one of the earliest residents 
 of Buffalo, says that she and her daughters started from the village on foot a little before 
 dayliglit: — "It was very dark, we could hear from Black Rock the incessai.t roar of 
 musketn,-, and see flashes of light rising above the intervening forest. When day-light 
 came, the Buffalo road presented a sad spectacle of sudden flight, miserj-and destitution." 
 
602 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 the war of 1812. Its weekly arrival in the back settlements, was 
 always anxiously looked for, and seldom has a public journal been 
 more useful and reliable. Frequently, did it serve to allay unne- 
 cessaiy excitement and alarm throughout Western New York; 
 and it preserved, throughout the eventful crisis, a high character 
 for truth, and careful and judicious management. There was an 
 hiatus in its publication, a few weeks, which embraced the invasion 
 of the frontier, but when the disturbed elements began to settle 
 down into comparative quiet, — as early as the 24th of January, 
 after the invasion, the public were again served with the "Buffalo 
 Gazette, printed at Harris' Hill, near Williamsville — Smith H. 
 Salisbury, Editor." 
 
 Of the stirring and diversified scenes of flight and refuge, pre- 
 sented upon the south route, via Willink and the old "Big Tree" 
 road on the 30th of December, the author is enabled to give some 
 account from personal observation and recollection. Detached 
 members of many of the families of Buffalo, took that route. 
 During the latter part of the 30th, and forenoon of the 31st, the 
 road from Willink to Turner's Corners in Sheldon, presented one 
 continuous column of retreating soldiers, men, women and children 
 from Buffalo, families from the settlements in all the southern por- 
 tion of what is now Erie county, and the Indians en masse, from the 
 Buffalo Reservation. An ox sled would come along bearing 
 wounded soldiers, whose companions had perhaps pressed the slow 
 team into their service; another, with the family of a settler, a few 
 household goods that had been hustled upon it, and one, two or 
 three, wearied females from Buffalo, who had begged the privilege 
 of a ride and the rest that it afforded; then a litter, borne upon men's 
 shoulders, upon which was reclined, a wounded soldier, or an infirm 
 citizen; then squads of women and children on foot; then a remnant 
 of some dispersed corps of militia, hugging as booty, ''as spoils of 
 the vanquished," the arms they had neglected to use; then squads 
 and families of Indians, on foot and on ponies, the squaw with her 
 pappoos upon her back, and a bevy of juvenile Senecas in her train; 
 and all this is but a stinted programm of the scene that was presen- 
 ted. Bread, meats and drinks, soon vanished from the log taverns 
 on the routes, and the stationary and fleeing settlers divided their 
 scanty stores with the almost famished that came from the frontiers. 
 
 It was a crisis of suffering and privation; a winter of gloom and 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 603 
 
 despondency. Language, at this distant day, is inadequate to 
 enable the reader fully to realize the then condition of the Holland 
 Purchase. Throughout all the back settlements, there were the 
 half deserted neighborhoods; the solitary log house, no smoke 
 rising from its stick chimney; cattle, sheep, and swine, hovering 
 around, and looking in vain for some one to deal out their accus- 
 tomed food. Upon the immediate frontier, stretching out in a long 
 continuous line, from a strong fortress, where the invaders were 
 entrenched, were the blackened remains of once happy homes, 
 scathed and desolated; a gloomy stillness brooding over the scene, 
 so profound, that the gaunt wolf, usually stealthy and prowling, 
 came out of his forest haunts at mid day, and lapped the clotted 
 snow, or snatched the dismembered limb of a human corse that in 
 haste and flight had been denied the right of sepulture ! 
 
 Thus ended the disastrous campaign of 1813. To give the 
 reader, in a concise form, that which will furnish a vivid and truth- 
 ful description of the condition of the Holland Purchase, after the 
 invasion, the author selects some cotemporary accounts. The first 
 is a circular letter, the nature and objects of which are sufficiently 
 explained by its contents: — 
 
 Canandaigca, 8th Jau. 1814 
 Gentlemen — 
 
 . Niagara county and that part of Genesee which lies west of Batavia are completely 
 depopulated. All the settlements in a section of country forty miles square, and which 
 contained more than twelve thousand souls, are effectually broken up. These facts you 
 are undoubtedly acquainted with; but the distresses they have produced, none but an 
 eye witness can thoroughly appreciate. Our roads are filled with people, many of whom 
 have been reduced from a state of competency aud good prospects to the last degree of 
 want and sorrow. So sudden was the blow by which they have been crushed, that no 
 provisions could be made either to elude or to meet it. The fugitives from Niagara county 
 especially were dispersed under circumstances of so much terror that in some cases, 
 mothers find themselves wandering with strange children, and children are seen accom- 
 panied by such as have no other sympathies with them than those of common sufferings. 
 Of the families thus separated, all the members can never again meet in this life; for 
 the same violence which has made them beggars, has forever deprived them of their 
 heads, and others of their branches. Afflictions of the mind so deep as have beea 
 allotted to these unhappy people, we cannot cure. They can probably be subdued only 
 by His power who can wipe away all tears. But shall we not endeavor to assuage them I 
 To their bodily wants we can certainly administer. The inhabitants of this village have 
 made large contributions for their relief, in provisions, clothing and money. And we 
 have been appointed, among other things, to solicit further relief for them, from our 
 wealthy and liberal minded fellow citizens. lu pursuance of this appointment, may we 
 ask you, gentlemen, to interest yourselves particularly in their behalf. We believe that 
 no occasion has ever occured in our countrj- which presented stronger claims upon indi- 
 
604 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 vidual benevolence, and we humbly trust that whoever is willing to answer these claims 
 will always entitle himself to the precious reward of active charity. We are gentlemen, 
 with great respect. 
 
 WM. SHEPARD, 
 THAD'SCHAPIN, 
 MOSES ATWATER, 
 N. GORHAM, 
 MYRON HOLLEY, 
 THOMAS REALS, 
 PHINEAS P. RATES. 
 Com. of safety and relief at Canandaigua. 
 To the Hon. Philip S. Van Rensselaek, 
 Hon. James Kent, 
 Hon. Ambrose Spencer, 
 Stephen Van Rensselaer, Esq. 
 Elisha Jenkins, Esq. 
 Rev. Timothy Clowes, 
 Rev. William Neill, 
 Rev. John M. Bradford. 
 
 In answer to this stirring and timely appeal for aid, the Legisla- 
 ture of the State made an immediate appropriation of fifty thousand 
 dollars; the Common Council of Albany, one thousand; that of New 
 York, three thousand; and liberal subscriptions were made by the 
 citizens of Albany, New York, Canandaigua and in other locahties; 
 to which, among other donations were added, a donation of two 
 thousand dollars by the Holland Company, and one of two hundred 
 dollars, by Joseph Ellicott. In the forepart of March, the Commit- 
 tee at Canandaigua, reported that they had received from different 
 sources, over thirteen thousand dollars; making, with the Legislative 
 appropriation, over sixty three thousand dollars. It was a much 
 needed and timely aid, and did much to relieve the immediate 
 necessities of the sufferers. 
 
 As soon as the news of the invasion reached Washington, Presi- 
 dent Madison despatched Gen. Cass to the Niagara frontier, to 
 enquire into the causes of the disasters, and recommend such meas- 
 ures of relief and defence as should seem necessary. The following 
 letter was addressed by him to the Secretary of War: — 
 
 Williamsville, January 12th, 1814. 
 I passed this day the ruins of Buffalo. It exhibits a scene of distress and destruc- 
 tion, such as I have never before witnessed. The events which have recently transpired 
 in this quarter, have been so astonishing and unexpected, that I have been induced to 
 make some inquiry into their causes and progress; and doubting whether you have 
 received any correct information upon the subject, I now trouble you with the detail. 
 
 The fall of Niagara has been owing to the most criminal negligence. The force in 
 it was fully competent to its defence. The commanding officer. Captain Leonard, it is 
 

 HOLLAND PURCHASE. 605 
 
 confidently said, was at his own house, three miles from the fort, and all the other offi- 
 cers appear to have rested in as much security as though no enemy was near them. 
 Captains Rogers and Hampton, both of the 24ih, had companies in the fort. Both of 
 them were absent from it. Their conduct ought to be strictly investigated. I am also 
 told that Major Wallace of the 5th, was in the fort. He escaped and is now at Erio. 
 The circumstances attending the destruction of Buffalo, you will have learned before 
 this reaches you. But the force of the enemy has been greatly magnified. From the 
 most careful examination, I am satisfied that not more than six hundred and fifty men, 
 of regulars, militia and Indians, landed at Black Rock. To oppose these we had from 
 two thousand five hundred to three thousand militia. All except a very few of them, 
 behaved in the most cowardly manner. They fled without discharging a musket. Tho 
 enemy continued on this side of the river until Saturday. All their movements betrayed 
 symptoms of apprehension. A vast quantity of property was left in the town uninjured, 
 and the Ariel, which lies four miles above, is safe. Since the first inst., they have made 
 no movement. They continue to possess Niagara, and will probably retain it until a 
 force competent to its reduction arrives in its vicinity. 
 
 LEWIS CASS. 
 
 Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Niagara county, to his 
 friend in Oneida county, copied from the Buffalo Gazette of Feb. 
 1st. 1814: — 
 
 •• I have visited the smoking ruins of the once pleasant, delightful and flourishing 
 village of Buffalo. Black Rock, Manchester, Lewiston, and the whole frontier, which 
 were, not long since, enjoyed by hundreds of families, now present a scene of desolation; 
 all swept by the besom of destruction. The wretched tenants of this whole frontier have 
 been driven from their homes in the severity of winter; many, in their haste to snatch 
 their wives and children from the tomahawk and scalping knife, were enabled to 
 preserve but little of their effects from the flames; and many, whose houses were not 
 burned by the enemy, after having abandoned their dwellings, to escape the ravages of 
 their foe, returning alter the alarm was over, found that their effects were plundered, by 
 the villians who prowl about the deserted country', too cowardly to face an enemy of infe- 
 rior force, and base enough to rob their neighbors of the property the enemy had spared. 
 
 "It would make your heart ache to see the women and children of the county fleeing 
 from their homes and fire sides, to encounter the wintry blast, and all the miseries of a 
 deprivation of all the necessaries and comforts of life. Many poor families have lost all 
 — many persons in trade have been ruined — and many, whose circumstances were 
 afliluent, have been brought almost to beggary. I cannot, for a moment, suppose that 
 the general government, will turn a deaf ear to the legal demands of the sufferers. 
 Should Cougress not act promptly on this occasion an application should be made to 
 our State Legislature; and in order that immediate relief should be extended to the 
 sufferers, a subscription ought to be circulated in our principal cities; and from their 
 liberalitv on occasions less operative on the public sympathy, we have every hope of 
 something very efficient being done, by the exertions of individuals." 
 
 During the last winter, Major Douglass, an officer in the U. S. 
 army, serving upon the Niagara frontier in the war of 1812, effi- 
 ciently and bravely, as the records of that period testify, delivered 
 a course of lectures before the Young Men's Association in Buf- 
 falo, replete with interesting personal recollections, of war events. 
 
GOG HISTORY OF THE 
 
 The following was his graphic description of Buffalo, as he first 
 saw it:-— ' 
 
 " On the 9th of July, at noon, we arrived at Buffalo — not the enterprising and busy 
 metropolis of Western New York, that it now is, spreading its noble avenues miles in 
 length on every side, and rearing aloft its stately edifices and glittering domes — but a 
 wide and desolate expanse — wiih only two small houses visible — a few rude sheds and 
 shanties — a soiled tent here and there — and in one or two places, a row of marquees, 
 of the better sort — apparently giving shelter to some wounded men. They were all the 
 habitations, or substitutes for habitations, that the place afforded. Half a dozen isolated 
 sentinels were seen on post keeping guard over as many irregular piles of loose stone 
 and camp equipage; and the grounds recently occupied by the camp, thick set with rows 
 of measured squares, worn smooth on the surface, and scattered here and there with 
 fragments of soldiers' clothes, old belts and accoutrements of various kinds, gave an air 
 of desolation to the whole scene only rendered more striking by these details; — and in 
 fact, Buffalo, just deserted by the busy groups which had a few days before occupied 
 it — was desert and comfortless beyond any power of mine to describe. The two build- 
 ings were, above and below, filled with wounded officers from the battle of Chippewa; 
 — and here during an hour's halt, under no very pleasing auspices, commenced our 
 intercourse with the realities of war." 
 
 As promised in some remarks made at the commencement of this 
 chapter, th-e author adds to these brief glimpses of the war of 1812, 
 a passage of its history, of a far different character than the one that 
 precedes it. The gallant conduct of the volunteers of the Holland 
 Purchase, and all Western New York, at the Sortie of Fort Erie, 
 goes far to redeem the character of our local militia, so tarnished 
 and forfeited, by cowardice and flight — by the unnecessary surren- 
 der of the whole frontier to a weak invasion; — as a finale to a cam- 
 paign of failures and disasters. 
 
 About the first of September, 1814, the militia in all the counties 
 west of the Genesee river, were called out en masse, and ordered to 
 march to Buffalo; the object of this extraordinary movement was 
 well known and fully appreciated by most of the pioneers on the 
 Holland Purchase. The whole body of our regular troops on the 
 Niagara frontier, being about one thousand effective men, were 
 closely beseiged in Fort Erie, a position of no considerable strength 
 being little better than an open encampment, by an army of about 
 four thousand well disciplined British troops and a body of Canadian 
 militia: under this state of things, our little army could not be 
 expected, long to retain their position, neither could they safely 
 evacuate the fort and retreat. These considerations fired the breast 
 of every patriot; if the prescribed regulations of the mihtia law 
 were in many instances disregarded, they were in most instances 
 over-leaped on the side of patriotism: the enquiry was not "am I 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 607 
 
 subject to perform militia duty," but "how and when can I be of 
 most service to my country." Tlie land olfice was shut; the mer- 
 chants' stores were closed; the mechanics' shops ceased to produce 
 their wonted din of industry, and the husbandman's working cattle 
 enjoyed a long sabbath; rich and poor, youth and old age, were 
 impelled more forcibly by the voice of patriotism, than by the 
 warning summons of the officiating sergeant: they were all wend- 
 ing their way to Buflalo to assist our brave soldiers who had then 
 so lately crowned themselves with glory at Chippewa and Lundy's 
 Lane. 
 
 Buffalo, at that period, exhibited nothing but the ruins of a sacked 
 and burnt village. Some twelve o-r fifteen roofs only had been 
 raised over those ruins, and a portion of these were erected on the 
 ground, over tlw old cellars. After the militia had chiefly congre- 
 gated, they were paraded two successive days, where now stand 
 the lofty edifices of the city, and volunteers solicited to cross the 
 Niagara and repair to Fort Erie. The call was generally respon- 
 ded to with alacrity, although there were some who had left their 
 homes under charge of officers, merely to save their fines; men 
 who availed themselves of their constitutional privilege of refusing 
 to cross the lines. These scrupulous heroes were not suffered to 
 return to their homes, but were retained and organized into a sepa- 
 rate corps, called " Buffalo Guards." 
 
 Fort Erie, or rather the encampment called by that name, lying 
 at the outlet of lake Erie into the Niagara river, on the Canada 
 side, was, at that time, composed of "Old Fort Erie," consisting 
 of two large stone mess-houses and one bastion, mounted with 
 caimon, situated near the margin of Niagara river, and a high, 
 artificial mound, transformed from Snake Hill, about one hundred 
 and fifty rods southerly of the old fort. This mound was sur- 
 mounted by breast-works and planted with cannon, and was called 
 Towson's battery. This redoubt was connected with the old fort 
 by a parapet of earth thrown up between them with a western 
 angle; from this parapet traverses extended into the encampment. 
 The open esplanade on the west and north of our works was but 
 from sixty to eighty rods wide, where it terminated in a dense 
 forest; standing on a marshy or swamp bottom between this lengthy 
 parapet and the shores of the Niagara river and lake Erie, was 
 the encampment of our regular soldiers. 
 
 The British invested this encampment or fort, the latter part of 
 
608 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 July. In the first place, they erected a battery ^t the water's 
 edge on the Niagara river below the fort, to annoy the navigation 
 between the fort and Buffalo, and proceeded to approach the fort 
 regularly by erecting batteries in the edge of the woods farther 
 and farther south, and unmasking them in the night by chopping 
 out a vista towards our works.* Thus was Fort Erie circum- 
 stanced when our volunteers were conveyed in boats, from Buffalo 
 to Fort Erie, which was effected principally in the night, to guard 
 against the British fii'e from their water battery. The ground 
 designated for the encampment of the volunteers, about fifteen 
 hundred in number, was on the lake shore, above Towson's bat- 
 tery, extending some fifty rods westward to near the corner of the 
 woods; on the summit of the bank thrown up by the surges of the 
 lake in boisterous weather, thei-e was a sod breast-work, hastily 
 erected by the volunteers, between which and the lake shore they 
 encamped on the 8th, 9th and 10th of September, and were placed 
 under the immediate command of Gen. Peter B. Porter, who 
 bivouaced in their midst. 
 
 Maj. Gen. Brown, commander-in-chief of our foi'ces on the 
 Niagara frontier, having his head quarters in the regular encamp- 
 ment, was well informed of the situation and proceedings of the 
 British army. The main encampment of the British was on a 
 farm about one and a half miles west of the fort. The British 
 force was divided into three divisions or brigades, of fourteen or 
 fifteen hundred men each, one of which was kept on duty at the 
 batteries, four and twenty hours, every three days, and quartered 
 in the main encampment the rest of th.e time. They had unmasked 
 two swamp batteries and had nearly completed another which was 
 nearer our works and was placed in a better position for raking our 
 encampment than either of the others. One of the British brig- 
 ades was composed chiefly of Germans, called the De Waterville 
 brigade, and Gen. Brown knew that this brigade would be on duty 
 at the batteries on the 17th of the month, and determined on a 
 sortie from the fort on that day, as it would precede the time of 
 unmasking the third battery. On the 16th, Majors Frazer and 
 Riddle, volunteer aids to Gen. Porter, with a party of one hundred 
 men each, half having axes and the other half carrying their arms, 
 proceeded in a circuitous route through th« woods to within a few 
 
 * On the night of the 15th of August they attempted to cam' it by storm, but being 
 repulsed, they continued the siege, pushing their advances nearer the fort. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 609 
 
 yards of their third battery, which was on the south of the others, 
 from whence each party underbrushcd a track back, curving and 
 diverging, to escape the most miry swamps; this they effected in 
 good order without even exciting the suspicion of the enemy. 
 
 On the morning of tiie 17th, aUhough the sky was lowery, the faces 
 of the volunteers were bright and cheerful, they had learned that 
 something was to be done that day to bring the siege to a close, 
 many knew and most of the others suspected the manner in which 
 it was intended to be effected; during the forenoon the several 
 companies were paraded, the object of the intended movement 
 explained, and excuses for not participating therein received. 
 During this time, one of the «*Batavia volunteers," (a kind of 
 independent partizan corps,) while on Towson's battery, heard 
 read a hand-bill announcing tlie victory obtained by our sailors and 
 militia at Plattsburg six days before; th€ volunteer solicited the 
 handbill of Col. Towson, to be read to the volunteers on parade, 
 which was granted. The effect the reading of this handbill before 
 the several companies had on the volunteers, can be easier imarrined 
 than described, although an almost unanimous assent had been 
 cheerfully given to participate in the fortunes of the enterprise; 
 headaches, colds, and lameness, which had been mentioned, were 
 instantly dispensed with for the time being; a new impetus was 
 given^to the valor of the whole; all were anxious to march.* Each 
 volunteer, officers as well as privates, was required to dispense 
 with his hat or cap, and substitute a pocket handkerchief or a strip 
 of red glazed cloth, of which large rolls were furnished; not a hat 
 or cap was worn except by Gen. Porter. 
 
 At noon, the whole of the volunteers were formed in two col- 
 umns, each headed by a detachment of regular riflemen and dis- 
 mounted dragoons as vanguards, the whole under the immediate 
 command of Gen. Porter. They were marched a short distance 
 up the lake shore to the two paths, traced by Majors Frazer and 
 Riddle, when they merged into the dense miry forest. At the 
 commencement of the march, the two columns were flanked by 
 about twenty Seneca Indians and the Batavia volunteers under 
 
 * Several years after this campaign, while General Miller and another gentleman 
 were reviewing this ground, the General pointed out to the gentleman the ravine ia 
 which the regular troops lay awaiting the attack, and observed that the handbill above- 
 mentioned was brought into the ravine and read to his men while there, to which cir- 
 cumstance he attributed their spirited conducted and undaunted bravery at the time of 
 the attack, which followed immediately 
 
610 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Capt, Robert Fleming. The Indians, however, finding that their 
 position would become the most hazardous of any, huddled together 
 and refused to proceed; on which the two columns were halted, a 
 portion of the regulars were detached to carry the left wing, and 
 the Batavia volunteers and Indians ordered between the two col- 
 umns. About this time it began to rain, which continued the 
 residue of the day. After a slow and silent march of upwards of 
 two hours, having halted several times to regulate disorders occa- 
 sioned by the rough and mazy paths pursued, the heads of the col- 
 umns arrived, unperceived by the enemy, within pistol shot of the 
 new battery, No. 3, A musket was hardly discharged by the 
 sentinel on duty, when the whole assailing party brought into 
 requistion the full strength of their lungs. In giving their shouts or 
 whoops, which literally " made the welkin ring," they were dis- 
 tinctly heard at Buffalo and Black Rock. The German troops 
 posted at this battery and blockhouse, being taken by entire 
 surprise, at mid-day, at once surrendered. The volunteers pursued 
 their victory to battery No. 2, and were taking possession of that 
 at the point of the bayonet, when the regulars appeared in front, 
 issuing from the ravine in which they had lain concealed. The 
 volunteers and regular soldiers now joined, attacked and carried 
 battery No. 1, although large reinforcements were constantly arriv- 
 ing from the main encampment of the British army. The object of 
 the sortie, being to drive away the besiegers, spike their guns, and 
 blowup their magazines, being effected, a retreat was ordered, and 
 the American troops returned to the fort, the rfear arriving about 
 sunset. 
 
 In this battle the rules of discipline were, from necessity, entirely 
 waived by the regular soldiers as well as by the militia; the surface 
 of the ground was covered with mud and mire; strewed with logs 
 and brush, interspersed with ditches and ridges. The rain had wet 
 the priming in many of the muskets, and rendered them useless as 
 firearms, therefore it was in a great measure fought man to man 
 and hand to hand, so much so that Gen. Porter was once made a 
 prisoner, he having his hand cut with the sword of his antagonist in 
 the scuffle, but was soon rescued by a small party of his own men. 
 
 In this action, the loss suffered by the volunteers, in killed, 
 wounded, and prisioners, in point of numbers, was not great, 
 although they lost their local commander, Maj. Gen. Daniel Davis 
 of Le Roy, Genesee county, who fell while bravely mounting a 
 
or WM ENDICOTT 8< CO N.Y. 
 
 ^/3Pc^rC^ 
 
 SiSl^lsm fi3o IP'^SllTlSIS 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. fill 
 
 parapet between batteries Nos. 2 and 1, and urging his volunteers 
 to "■ press forward,'' at which time a musket ball pierced his neck 
 and caused instant death. Some twenty or thirty valuable citizens 
 shared a similar fate; others were wounded, and Colonel W. L. 
 Churchill and x\Iaj. O. Wilson, together with several other patriotic 
 officers and privates were taken prisoners, while bravely meeting 
 and opposing the British reinforcements as they approached from 
 their main encampment. On the other hand the British loss in 
 killed, wounded, and prisoners, was at least one thousand men and 
 as many stand of small arms. They were compelled to raise the 
 siege, and four days thereafter broke up their main encampment 
 and retired down the Niagara river. On which the volunteers 
 were discharged and returned to their respective homes, with a 
 consciousness of having " rendered to their country some service." 
 
 PETER B. PORTER. 
 
 So identified with, and merged in, the events of the war of 
 1812, was this early and prominent pioneer of Western New York 
 and the Holland Purchase, that a portrait and brief biography of 
 him, is an appropriate and fitting appendage to this portion of our 
 local annals. Any history, or even historical sketch of the war 
 upon this frontier, would be incomplete, if it did not embrace some 
 notice of one, who so largely, bravely and honorably, participated 
 in it. Locally, to borrow a dramatic illustration, he was the 
 "Hamlet of the play." 
 
 Gen. Peter B. Porter, was a younger brother of the Hon. 
 Augustus Porter. He was born in Salisbury, Litchfield Co., 
 Conn., in 1773; graduated at Yale College, and studied the 
 profession of law in the office of Judge Reeve, at Litchfield. His 
 first advent to Western New York, was in 1793. The event is 
 thus noticed, in an address that he prepared * for delivery before 
 the Euglossian Society of Geneva College, in 1831: — "It is now, 
 if I do not mistake, thirty-eight years since I first traversed the 
 shores of the beautiful lake on whose banks we are assembled, and 
 set my feet upon the ground which had been marked out as the 
 
 * A severe domestic affliction, the illness and death of Mrs. Porter, prevented the 
 attendance at Geneva and the delivery of the address. The author has been permitted 
 to copy from the manuscript. 
 
G12 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 site of this rich and flourishing town. I was then a youth, with a 
 mind filled, as I hope and believe yours now are, with visions of 
 future enterprise and exploit and usefulness to my country, when- 
 ever I should be released from the restraints of a scholastic educa- 
 tion. I had heard of the far famed 'Genesee Country' — of its 
 fertile soil, its genial chmate, of its beautiful lakes and rivers — and 
 resolved to visit it; with an intention, which was a few years after- 
 wards realized, of making it the place of my future residence. 
 Accordingly, accompanied by a friend, whose views and feelings 
 accorded with my own, we entered the interminable forests of the 
 west, at the German Flatts, on the Mohawk, which was then the 
 extreme verge of civilized improvements, and plodded our weary 
 way, day after day, to the Genesee river. The only evidences of 
 civilization, at that time, consisted of some half a dozen log huts 
 at Utica, as many more at this place, and the same again at 
 Canandaigua. Beside these, there were a few miserable cabins, 
 sprinkled along the road, at a distance of five to fifteen miles apart, 
 where the traveler might look, not as now, for comfort or for rest, 
 but for the sheer necessaries for continuing his journey." 
 
 As intimated in the above extract, he did not then determine 
 upon a location in the region, the primitive condition of which, he 
 so well portrayed. In 1794, he went to Plattsburg, in this state, 
 was admitted to practice, remained there but a brief period, and 
 returned to Connecticut. In 1795, he accompanied his brother 
 Augustus, on his return to Canandaigua, and became a resident of 
 Western New York, where he was destined to have a long and 
 brilliant career, at the bar, in the social and conventional I'elations 
 of the new country; and subsequently, in the councils of the state, 
 in the defence of the frontiers, and in the councils and cabinet of 
 the nation. 
 
 He was engaged as counsel, in 1795, at Canandaigua, in the first 
 trial in a court of record in Western New York. He was 
 appointed Clerk of Ontario county in 1797, elected a member of 
 the Legislature in 1802. In 1810, he became a resident at Black 
 Rock, then in Niagara county. He was twice elected to Congress; 
 the first time, in 1810, and the second time, in 1814. In 1815, he 
 filled the office of Secretary of State, of this state; in 1816, be was 
 appointed by President Madison, one of the Commissioners to run 
 the boundary line between the United States and the British 
 Possessions; and in 1828 was appointed Secretary of War, by 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 613 
 
 John Quincy Adams. These data indicate mainly, his varied and 
 extended pubhc services in miHtary capacities. 
 
 He was an active and influential member of Congress, pending 
 the war of 1812, and fdlcd the important post of Chairman of the 
 Committee of Foreign Relations. Had he consulted his own 
 interests instead of the rights and honor of his country, he would 
 have inclined to the peace party in Congress in that memorable crisis. 
 His home, and his large property were upon the immediate frontier 
 to be endangered in the event of a war with Great Britain; he 
 could well have counted the cost to himself, of a war that was to 
 array hostile forces upon the Niagara frontier; and well could he 
 foresee the calamities it would inflict upon a large portion of his 
 constituents. But, with a devotion to his country that could not 
 yield to selfish or local considerations, he took a firm and decided 
 stand in favor of the war. In the latter part of November, 1811, 
 he reported a set of resolutions authorizing immediate and active 
 preparations for war; and on the 11th of December, justified their 
 propriety and necessity by a speech of great ability, firm and ener- 
 getic in its tone, and yet temperate and judicious. He assumed 
 that further negotiation was useless, and must be abandoned; 
 recounted the wrongs that Great Britain had inflicted upon our 
 country, its dogged refusal to make reparations; and announced 
 that the committee of which he was chairman, only awaited the 
 comummation of the measures they had recommended; and that 
 then, if reparation continued to be withheld, the committee would 
 recommend "open and decided war — a war as vigorous and effect- 
 ive, as the resources of the country and the relative situation of 
 ourselves and our enemies would enable us to prosecute." He said 
 that "he was aware there were many gentlemen in the House who 
 were dissatisfied that the committee had not gone further and 
 recommended an immediate declaration of war, or the adoption of 
 some measure which would instantly have precipitated us into it. 
 But he confessed such was not his opinion. He had no idea 
 of plunging ourselves headlong into a war with a powerful nation, 
 or even a respectable province, when we had not three regiments 
 of men to spare for that service. He hoped that he should not be 
 influenced by the bowlings of the newspapers, nor by a fear that 
 the spirit of the Twelfth Congress would be questioned, to abandon 
 the plainest dictates of common sense and common discretion. He 
 was sensible that there were many good men out of Congress, as 
 
614 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 well as many of his best friends in it, whose appetites were prepared 
 for a war feast. He was not surprised at it, for he knew the pro- 
 vocation had been sufficiently great. But he hoped they would not 
 insist on calling in the guests, at least, until the table had been 
 spread. When this was done, he pledged himself on behalf of the 
 Committee of Foreign Relations, that the gentlemen should not be 
 disappointed of the entertainment for want of bidding; and he 
 believed he might also pledge himself for many of the members of 
 the committee, that they would not be among the last to partake 
 personally, not only in the pleasures, if any there should be, but in 
 all the dangers of the revelry.'' 
 
 And well did he redeem the pledge thus given. His duties dis- 
 charged at the seat of government, he participated in the "dangers 
 of the revelry," often with a bravery that commanded admiration, 
 and an efficiency that helped to turn the tide of war in this quarter, 
 and shed lustre upon arms that had been dimmed by a series of 
 defeats and untoward events. To trace his military career from 
 battle field to battle field; from his first unfurling of his country's 
 standard upon this frontier, and appealing in glowing language of 
 patriotism and deep concern for his country's welfai'e, to his fellow 
 citizens to range under it, would be to write a history of a large 
 portion of the war upon the Niagara frontier. Locally, his name 
 was a tower of strength; when confidence in other men flagged — 
 when a seemingly vascillating policy governed in our national 
 councils — when the weight of war pressed heavily upon all the 
 region of the Holland Purchase — hope revived, reliance was 
 strengthened, by his voice, his pen, and his sword. No chieftain in 
 the Highlands of Scotland, with bugle blast, ever drew clansmen 
 from glen or heath, that came more readily and joyously to the 
 foray, than did the ardent volunteers from the back-woods and log 
 cabins of the Holland Purchase, when he appealed to their patri- 
 otism and invited them to his standard. With those not familiar 
 with the events of that period of peril — with the local exigencies 
 that existed — this may be regarded as eulogy too highly colored; 
 but its fidelity and truthfulness will not fail to be recognized by 
 those who remember how universal was cotemporary public senti- 
 ment in Western New York, in yielding praise and warm com- 
 mendation to the military services of Peter B. Porter. It is but a 
 transcript of the distinct recollections of the author, of those times, 
 and the men who bore a conspicuous part in them; and he only 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 615 
 
 regrets that the circumscribed limits of this portion of his work 
 forbids a recognition of the names and brilliant services of other 
 of the men of the Holland Purchase, and Western New York. 
 
 Gen. Napier, in his " Peninsular War," makes the sortie of Fort 
 Erie a brilliant achievement; the only instance in history, where a 
 besieging army was entirely broken up and routed by a single 
 sortie. The conspicuous position that all historians of the war 
 have assigned to Gen. Porter, upon that memorable occasion, 
 would alone entitle him to a high rank as a military commander. 
 
 He was appointed Brigadier General of volunteers, by Governor 
 Tompkins, in 1814, and brevet Major General soon after the battle 
 of Lundy's Lane. In 1815, he was appointed by President 
 Madison, Major General in the United States service, and was to 
 have had command of the northern division of the army, had 
 another campaign been necessary. Indeed, he had left Washing- 
 ton, and arrived as far as Albany on his way west to prepare for 
 the campaign, when the news of peace overtook him. 
 
 The active years of his life were mostly spent in the councils of 
 his country, and in the field; had his destiny been differently 
 shaped — had he been left to pursue the quiet walks of his profes- 
 sion, of literature, of arts and science, he would have no less 
 excelled; if less conspicuous, would no less have demonstrated 
 extraordinary mental endowments. His, in the progress of litera- 
 ture in our country, was an early school; yet in the records of 
 legislation in state and nation, there are few better specimens of 
 eloquence than he uttered, or of compositions, than those that came 
 from his pen. 
 
 He was a statesman of enlarged mind, one of the most far- 
 sighted and right-judging of his day. This is attested by all his 
 views and services connected with the boundary commission, the 
 War and Indian departments of our government, and the system of 
 internal improvements of our state. 
 
 This early pioneer of Western New York, the early lawyer, 
 legislator and prominent citizen; the leader of our volunteer citizen 
 soldiery, in the war of 1812; the able defender of his country's 
 rights and honor in our national councils; closed a long, useful and 
 honorable career, at his residence at Niagara Falls, on the 20th 
 day of March, 1844, aged 72 years. His funeral was at an 
 inclement season, and yet there was assembled a large concourse 
 of citizens of Niagara and Erie counties. Among them, was an 
 40 
 
616 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 aged chief of the Tuscaroras, the stoicism of his race yielding the 
 tribute of tears, that coursed down his furrowed cheek, when he 
 gazed upon the remains of one who had been his friend, and the 
 early and constant guardian of the welfare and interests of his 
 people. Gen. Porter married late in life, Mrs. Leetitia Grayson of 
 Kentucky, the daughter of the late John Breckenridge, formerly 
 Attorney General of the United States. She died at Black Rock, 
 in July, 1831, aged 41 years. He left, as the inheritors of his 
 good name, and a large estate, accumulated by early and judicious 
 investments, a daughter and son; the latter of whom, has just 
 reached his majority, and is entering upon the career of life with 
 an ample fortune, and what is far better, if he justly appreciates it, 
 he is endowed with a rich legacy of parental example. 
 
 Note. — In a notice of the death of Mrs. Porter, which appeared in the columns of 
 the Buffalo Journal, the author of it renders a deserved tribute to her more than ordi- 
 nary mental endowments, and thus speaks of her excellent e.xample in the domestic and 
 Bocial sphere: — " Much of her time, her labor, and her solicitude were always her free- 
 will offering at the command of those who desired the assistance of her ready hand. 
 The poor and the distressed had their anguish and their wants mitigated by her allevia- 
 ting attentions; but all that she affected weis performed so much in the simplicity of her 
 heart, and such were her lofty conceptions of the awful responsibilities of the Christian, 
 that she shrunk from the thought of calling them acts of religion. In the spirit of the 
 reply which the blessed shall make to the Almighty Judge, she would say in reference 
 to her rewards, ' when saw I thee an hungered and fed thee; or thirsty and gave thee 
 drink; naked and clothed thee; sick and in prison and came unto thee?' There was 
 concealed in the recesses of her soul a richer fund, both of principle and feeling, tlaan 
 its owner estimated." 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 017 
 
 CHAPTER II, 
 
 THE ERIE CANAL. 
 
 A long, uninterrupted enjoyment of individual as well as public 
 blessings, their full fruition, a familiarity with their use, tends to 
 make us unmindful of their magnitude. Especially is it so in the 
 progressive age in which we live. Scarcely have we done won- 
 dering at some new achievement, calculating its results, before 
 another is projected and consummated to divert the attention. 
 Now that canals and rail roads have been multiplied — steam has 
 had its new and wonderful triumphs on land and water — the light- 
 nings of Heaven, like the wild steed of the prairie, has been 
 lassoed, tamed and fitted to the practical, familiar use of man — it 
 is difficult to enable the younger portion of our readers to go back 
 beyond all the important events that have been crowded into the 
 last quarter of a century, and realize to its full extent, the magni- 
 tude of the projection of the Erie Canal, how great was the 
 triumph achieved in its construction, and how vast and difllisive 
 were the local and general benefits that flowed from it. To enable 
 them to judge of its local influences, the change for the better that 
 followed its completion, upon the Holland Purchase, we must go 
 back to the years pending its final consummation. 
 
 Here at the western extremity of the state, upon the Holland 
 Purchase especially, new settlers had for several years failed to 
 create a sufficient demand for the surplus produce that began to be 
 realized. The early settlers had passed through all the vicissitudes 
 that have been enumerated in the progress of our narrative; the 
 privations of their forest advents; the diseases of a new country, 
 its chills and agues; the war and its scourges; the cold seasons 
 and their attendants, frosts and stinted crops. They had subdued 
 
618 HISTORY OF THE ' 
 
 a rugged soil, and it had given good earnests of productiveness and , 
 plenty; but the difficulty of reaching a market had begun seriously y; J 
 to be felt; its consequences were a low range of prices for all they , i 
 had to dispose of, stagnation of business, and the slow progress of ' 3 
 improvement. It will be remembered that the son of a pioneer 
 settler of Orleans county, relates that his father sold his wheat I ; 
 for twenty-five cents per bushel, in 1818; in 1823, it was sold in 1 ; 
 most of the village markets upon the Holland Purchase, as low as ; 
 thirty-seven and a half cents. The bulk of the original debt to the 
 Holland Company remained unpaid, and interest was adding to 
 principal. There were no remunerating prices for anything the 
 settlers had to dispose of, save, perhaps, the lumber that was in 
 near proximity to lake Ontario, and the articles of black salts and 
 potash; the gloomy prospect before them was the holding on to 
 their decaying log tenements, after they had hoped to supply their 
 places with better ones, an increasing indebtedness for their lands 
 and the liability of ultimate dispossession. 
 
 Such was the general condition of the Holland Purchase in the 
 years immediately preceding the completion of the Erie canal, up 
 to those points, where it began to be reached by the surplus pro- 
 duce of this region. 
 
 All that relates to this great work — its projection and consum- 
 mation — has a direct and important bearing upon progress and 
 improvement upon the Holland Purchase; and yet it is a subject 
 mainly belonging to the province of the general history of our 
 state. In these local annals it can only form an incidental chapter; 
 a brief chronological account of events that preceded it, are allied 
 to its history, its advance westward, and its final completion. 
 
 The great " mother of invention" as well as founder of schemes 
 of public utility — necessity — was the projector of the Erie canal. 
 The progress of settlement in the western portion of the state; 
 the absence of facilities for the transportation of the products of 
 field and forest, and merchants' goods; the danger that the trade 
 and commerce of a vast region bordering upon our western lakes, 
 would find other avenues to a market upon the Atlantic, would be 
 diverted from our own commercial emporium; were existing, stim- 
 ulating exigencies. Let us briefly consider who were foremost — 
 what events occurred to supply these existing exigencies — to con- 
 summate what necessity so imperatively demanded. 
 
 By a reference to page 176 of this work, it will be seen that in 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. G19 
 
 I remote period of English colonization upon the Hudson, the 
 ■Mohawk river, Wood creek, Oneida lake, and Oswego (Onondaga) 
 river, furnished an internal water communication for commerce 
 with the Iroquois. With the exception of occasional allusions in 
 the messages of the colonial Governors to some measures for the 
 improvement of the navigation of some stream, the subject of 
 internal improvement does not appear to have received much atten- 
 tion until after the Revolution. 
 
 Christopher Colles, as early as 1772, delivered a course of public 
 lectures in Philadelphia, on the subject of lock navigation. In 
 1785, he made proposals to the Legislature of New York, for im- 
 proving the navigation of the Mohawk, but the Legislature did not 
 give him sufficient encouragement to enable him to carry out his 
 views. He renewed his application again in 1786 with little better 
 practical effect. Discouraged and embarrassed, he gave up his 
 plans, and rehnquished all attempts to accomplish them. In 1791, 
 his scheme for " connecting the northern and southern, and eastern 
 and western w^aters, was revived," but he is not known to have had 
 any agency in it. In 1786, Jeffi-ey Smith, a member of the Legis- 
 lature of this State, asked leave to introduce a bill for the improve- 
 ment of this navigation, and " for extending the same, if practicable, 
 to lake Erie;'' a measure which must have been premature at the 
 time, in view of the fact that the English had not yet surrendered 
 the posts at Oswego and Niagara. 
 
 Before the Revolution, Washington had turned his attention to 
 the subject of internal improvement, but that event suspended 
 the prosecution of whatever plans he might have contemplated. 
 But no sooner had he fought the last great battle of freedom, and 
 secured to his country the inestimable blessings of peace, than he 
 again renewed his favorite projects. He visited New England in 
 1784, and extended his journey in New York as far west as Fort 
 Stanwix. In a letter addressed to the Marquis of Chastellux, a 
 French nobleman, distinguished as a traveler, writer, and soldier, 
 he thus enthusiastically sketches the impressions which were made 
 on his mind. 
 
 "I have lately made a tour through the lakes George and 
 Champlain, as far as Crown point; then returning to Schenectady, 
 I proceeded up the Mohawk river to Fort Schuyler, crossed over 
 to Wood creek, which empties into the Oneida lake, and aflTords 
 the water communications with Ontario. I then traversed the 
 country to the head of the eastern branch of the Susquehanna, and 
 
620 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 viewed lake Otsego, and the portage between that lake and the ' 
 Mohawk river, at Canajoharie. Prompted by these actual obser- i 
 vations, I could not help taking a more contemplative and extensive 1 
 view of the vast inland navigation of these United States, and' 
 could not but be struck with the immense diffusion and importance i 
 of it; and with the goodness of that Providence, which has dealt 
 his favors to us with so profuse a hand. Would to God we may; 
 have wisdom enough to improve them. I shall not rest contented; 
 until I have explored the western country, and traversed those; 
 lines, (or a great part of them) which have since given bounds to; 
 a new empire." 
 
 George Clinton accompanied Gen. Bradstreet, in his expedition: 
 against Fort Frontenac, on lake Ontario, in 1756, as a Lieutenant 1 
 in a company commanded by his brother, the afterwards Gen. !■, 
 James Clinton. The opportunity that was thus afforded to the;; 
 young and aspiring soldier, to obtain information of his country, , 
 and its first commercial wants, seems to have been well improved I 
 in an after period, when the English Lieutenant had become 
 Governor of the finest province that he had helped wrest from 
 English dominion. In his message to the legislature, in 1791, he 
 says: — "Our frontier settlements, freed from apprehensions of 
 danger, are rapidly increasing, and must yield extensive resources ; 
 for profitable commerce. This consideration forcibly recommends 
 the pohcy of continuing to facilitate the means of communication 
 with them, as well to strengthen the bonds of society, as to 
 prevent the produce of those fertile districts from being diverted 
 to other objects." Then followed this, in the same year, an act, 
 authorizing a survey of the grounds between the Mohawk river and 
 .Wood creek. The survey was made and reported to the legislature. 
 
 Elkanah Watson was among the first to appreciate the impor- 
 tance gf a safe, easy, and expeditious channel of communication 
 between the Hudson and the lakes. In 1788 he made a tour to 
 the extreme settlements on the western frontiers of New York. 
 In his journal of that tour he says: — "I left Fort Stanwix on my 
 way down Wood creek to lake Ontario, and perhaps to Detroit, 
 having a strong presentiment that a canal communication will be 
 opened sooner or later, from the great lakes to the Hudson." Mr. 
 Watson is justly ranked as one of the foremost to call public atten- 
 tion to works of internal improvement; his propositions were bold, 
 far-seeing, and marked with great ability and energy of purpose. 
 When, however, in after years he claimed that to which he was 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 02 1 
 
 well entitled, a large share in the primitive movements having 
 reference to the internal commerce of this state, he conceded that 
 his viev^^s were only " to follow the track of Nature's canal, and to 
 remove natural and artificial obstructions;" but that he never 
 entertained the most distant conceptions of a canal from lake Erie 
 to the Hudson. We should not have considered it much more 
 extravagant to have suggested the policy of a canal to the moon." 
 
 To Mr. Watson it may justly be conceded, that if he was not 
 absolutely among the first, he was one of those who early enter- 
 tained favorable views of the importance of such a work; but not 
 only by his own admission, but by his generously attributing the 
 conception of the overland route of the Erie Canal, having its 
 western termination at the foot of lake Erie, to another, he cannot 
 be named as one of its very earliest promulgators and friends, 
 however favorable he may have been to its prosecution when its 
 success became more apparent. 
 
 It will not be our intention to canvass all the conflicting 
 and " disputed claims," to the honor of first suggesting the over- 
 land route of the Erie Canal. Whether Gouverneur Morris 
 expressed the idea of "tapping lake Erie," in 1777, or not; 
 whether Joshua Forman had conceived it practicable without 
 consulting any one before he introduced his celebrated resolutions, 
 in the Assembly, in 1808, or not, there is every reason to conclude 
 that the views contained in the essays written by Jesse Hawley, 
 over the signature of Hercules, were entirely original with their 
 author, who had, even before he commenced those celebrated 
 canal papers, expressed the same opinions in his private corre- 
 spondence. Mr. Hawley was the first to present this great subject 
 seriously and intelligibly before the public, and urge its adoption as 
 a work not only within the means of man to accomplish, but as of 
 the greatest public importance and utility — a work which would 
 not only pay for the original cost of its construction, but be a reli- 
 able and unfailing source of future revenue. 
 
 De Witt Clinton, to whom is attributed a pamphlet written under 
 the name of Tacitus, on the subject of the canals, speaks of Mr. 
 Hawley in the following terms: — 
 
 " The first hint on this subject, which I have seen in print, was 
 suggested by Jesse Hawley, Esq. of Ontario county— a gentleman 
 of an ingenious and reflecting mind. On the 27th of October, 
 1807,* he commenced a scries of essays on internal navigation. 
 
622 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 under the signature of Hercules, in the Ontario Messenger, printed 
 at Canandaigua, which extended to fourteen numbers." 
 
 Mr. Watson, whose impartiality and candor on this subject 
 should not be questioned, awards to Jesse Hawley full and merited 
 praise and credit for the early part he took in this great and diffi- 
 cult enterprise. Mr. Watson, in his ** History of the Rise and 
 Progress of the Western Canals," written in 1819, speaks as 
 follows of Mr. Hawley: — 
 
 " I have not been able to trace any measure, public or private, 
 tending towards this great enterprise, till the 27th of October, 
 1807, when an anonymous publication, under the signature of 
 Hercules, appeared in the Genesee Messenger, which is attributed 
 to Jesse Hawley, Esq. now collector of the port of Rochester. 
 These invaluable essays continued through a course of fourteen 
 weekly numbers, to the 2d of March, 1808. They are evidently 
 original, and display deep reseai'ch — views vastly extended — 
 indeed, they may be pronounced prophetic in striking out, as will 
 be seen by a comparison with the annexed map, nearly the track 
 of the northern route of the canal, which has been since adopted, 
 at least to the Seneca I'iver. His point of commencement was 
 Buffalo; thence to the outlet of the Tonnewanda creek, to be 
 crossed by an aqueduct; thence easterly crossing the Genesee 
 river by another aqueduct, above the Falls; thence I'unning near 
 Mud creek; thence near the outlet of the Cayuga lake; and termi- 
 nating about Utica; — a distance of two hundred miles, — which he 
 estimated would cost five millions of dollars. And then improving 
 the bed of the Mohawk, with occasional canals to Schenectady; 
 and ultimately into the Hudson river." 
 
 The resolutions introduced by Joshua Forman in the House 
 of Assembly, February 4th, 1808, are the first legislative action 
 ever had on the subject. Judge Forman claims that the idea of 
 a direct canal was original with him, whoever else might have 
 thought of it before, and that he did not derive it either from 
 Gouverneur Morris or Jesse Hawley. In a letter to David 
 Hosack, which is published in his appendix to the Memoir of De 
 Witt Clinton, Judge Forman says: — "I never claimed that I first 
 thought of such a plan, nor is that the issue; but I do claim to have 
 been the first man who, having conceived the idea, appreciated its 
 importance, set about carrying it into effect, and by the happy 
 expedient of turning the eyes of the Legislature to the general 
 government for its accomplishment, induced them to take the first 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 023 
 
 Steps in a project too gigantic for tiiem to have looivcd at for a 
 moment as an object to be accomplished by the means of the state." 
 
 On the 21st of February, a joint resolution was offered by Mr. 
 Gould of the Senate, in which the Assembly concurred, directing 
 the Surveyor General to have made the survey contemplated in 
 Mr. Forman's resolution, and appropriating six hundred dollars for 
 that purpose. This survey was made by James Geddes, who in 
 January, 1809, made a report favorable to the enterprise, as 
 entirely practicable and within the means of the state. 
 
 In 1810, Jonas Piatt, at the suggestion of Thomas Eddy, who 
 was an early, active, and efficient friend of the enterprise, offered 
 a joint resolution in the Senate, which was concurred in by the 
 Assembly on the 12th of March, appointing Gouverneur Morris, 
 Stephen Van Rensselaer, De Witt Clinton, Simeon De Witt, Wm. 
 North, Thomas Eddy, and Peter B. Porter, to explore the whole 
 route for inland navigation from the Hudson river to lakes Ontario 
 and Erie. 
 
 About this time, several memorials were presented to the Legis- 
 lature, " representing that Canada was attracting the greatest 
 portion of our internal commerce, in consequence of the facilities 
 which were afforded by water communications to transport com- 
 modities to her markets." De Witt Chnton, who was then a 
 member of the Senate, and about this time warmly associated 
 himself with this movement, strongly advocated Mr. Piatt's reso- 
 lution, and became a zealous and able champion of the measure. 
 
 The commissioners made the exploration, and submitted the 
 results of their labors in the form of a report, drawn by Mr. Mor- 
 ris, to the Legislature, in the winter of 1811. hi the same year, a 
 bill was introduced into the Senate by De Witt Clinton, then Lieut. 
 Governor, providing for the appointment of two commissioners 
 to solicit the aid of the General Government in constructing this 
 great work. De Witt Clinton and Gouverneur Morris were 
 appointed the commissioners. They went to Washington and 
 presented the subject to the President, the Secretaries of the 
 Departments, and prominent and influential members of Congress, 
 but they failed to secure either aid or encouragement. Having 
 been refused help by the General Government, in March, 1812, 
 the commissioners made a report to tl«3 Legislature, in which they 
 stated that " sound policy imperatively demanded that the canal 
 should be made by the state of New York alone, as soon as cir- 
 
624 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 cumstances would permit; that it would be a want of wisdom not 
 to employ for public advantage those means which Providence had 
 placed so completely in their power;" that it would be " a testi- 
 mony to the genius, the learning, the industry, and intelligence of 
 the present age." 
 
 In June, 1812, the Legislature passed a law authorizing the com- 
 missioners to borrow five millions of dollars in Europe, on the 
 credit of the state of New York, for the construction of the canal. 
 But the United States soon after becoming involved in war with 
 Great Britain, this law, in 1814, was repealed, and nothing more 
 was done in relation to the canal, until the restoration of peace. 
 
 After peace between the United States and Great Britain had 
 been restored, the subject of inland navigation was again revived 
 and engaged public attention. Thomas Eddy, James Piatt, and 
 De Witt Clinton, promoted the calling of a public meeting in the 
 city of New York, which was large and enthusiastic, attended by 
 the most prominent and influential citizens. Resolutions were 
 passed in favor of the construction of the canal, and a committee, 
 consisting of De Witt Clinton, Thomas Eddy, Cadwallader D. 
 Golden, and John Swartout, were appointed to prepare a memorial 
 to be presented to the Legislature. A memorial, written by Mr. 
 Clinton, was prepared, widely circulated throughout the state, and 
 produced a most decided and beneficial influence. The advantages 
 and the necessity of a canal were forcibly demonstrated, and it had 
 the eflTect to produce a strong impression upon the public mind. 
 This meeting was followed by a succession of meetings on the sub- 
 ject, held in different cities and villages in various parts of the State, 
 all in favor of the project. Petitions were forwarded to the capital 
 which were laid before the Legislature. The newspapers of the 
 day were soon filled with communications, written by distinguished 
 men, showing the great need there was of such a channel of com- 
 munication, and the wealth and honor it would confer on the State 
 and people that provided it. The public mind being thus informed, 
 awakened, and prepared, it would not do for the representatives 
 of the people either to oppose their wishes or refuse their requests. 
 Gov. Tompkins, in his message to the Legislature in 1816, presented 
 the subject for their consideration, and alluded to the propriety of 
 making appropriations for that purpose. This portion of the mes- 
 sage was referred, by a concurrent resolution, to a joint committee 
 of both Houses. On the 21st of February, Mr. Clinton's memorial 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 625 
 
 was presented, and soon after another memorial from the mayor, 
 aldermen, and commonalty of the city of New York. On the 8th 
 March the canal commissioners presented their Report, recom- 
 mending the adoption of such preliminary measures as might be 
 necessary for the accomplishment of this important object. On 
 the 21st of March, Col. Rutzen Van Renssclear, chairman of the 
 joint committee on Canals, presented his report, urging the im- 
 mediate commencement of the Erie and Champlain Canals, and 
 brought in a bill providing for these works. On the 5th of April, 
 the house resolved itself into a committee of the whole, and took 
 up the bill. The consideration of the bill was resumed from time 
 to time, in committee of the whole. Animated and interesting 
 debates took place. Various amendments were proposed, which 
 were favored or opposed, as the friends or enemies of the Canal 
 supposed they would aid or retard the enterprise. During the 
 sitting, on ihe 13th, a proposition was made to put a local tax on 
 lands lying within twenty-five miles, along the sides of the canals. 
 After some other amendments and modifications, it finally passed 
 the Assembly by a vote of 83 to 16. 
 
 On the 16th, the Senate took the bill as it came from the house. 
 Mr. Van Buren moved to strike out those parts which authorized 
 the commencement of the work, and moved an amendment, 
 directing the commissioners to make further estimates and surveys. 
 This amendment was adopted. When the consideration of the bill 
 was again resumed, a motion was made to reject it, but it was lost 
 The number of the Canal Commissioners was reduced to five, viz., 
 Stephen Van Rensselaer, De Witt Clinton, Samuel Young, Joseph 
 Ellicott and Myron Holley. In this form, it passed the Senate. 
 
 It was sent back to the Assembly, for concurrence in the 
 amendments. The house refusing to concur, it went back to the 
 Senate. The Senate refused to recede. It was the last day of 
 the session — time and business pressed — the friends of the canal 
 thought it was better to have the bill as it was, than none, and 
 succeeded in inducing the House to recede and concur in the bill as 
 it came from the Senate. It accordingly become a law. By this 
 law, the Canal Commisioners were generally empowered to make 
 surveys, estimates of expense, and to ascertain the practicability 
 of making loans upon the credit of the State. 
 
 In November, 1816, an extra session of the Legislature was held 
 for the purpose of appointing Presidential electors. The Governor 
 
626 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 sent a message, in which he alluded to the subject of the contem- 
 plated canals, in such a manner and connection, that gave evidence 
 of no very friendly feelings for them, if it did not indicate settled 
 hostihty to them. January 14th, 1817, the Legislature again met, 
 but the Governor made no communication. On the 17th of 
 February, the report of the Canal Commissioners respecting the 
 Erie Canal v^^as presented, and that on the Champlain Canal, on 
 the 19th. These reports were written in the ablest manner — 
 they contained a large amount of interesting and valuable informa- 
 tion on every subject relating to the Canals, clearly showing "the 
 physical facility of this great internal communication, and that a 
 little attention to the resources of the s-tate, would demonstrate its 
 financial practicability." The first of these reports was referred 
 to a joint committee of both houses. 
 
 Without attempting to trace minutely the history of the bill, 
 with all the different amendments that were offered and rejected, 
 it will be sufficient to state, that on the 10th of April, 1817, it 
 passed the house of Assembly, by a vote of 64 for, and 26 against it. 
 
 On the 12th of the same month, it was taken up by the Senate. 
 A long and able discussion took place. Several amendments to it 
 were made by the Senate, in some of which the Assembly 
 concurred, and from others the Senate receded. And, on the 15th 
 day of April, 1817, it became a law. Col. Young and Myron Holley, 
 were the acting commissioners on the middle section of the Canal, 
 which it was determined should be first commenced. Ground was 
 first broken near Rome on the 4th of July, 1817. A large concourse 
 of citizens assembled with the commissioners and engineers. An 
 address on behalf of the citizens was made by the Hon. Joshua 
 Hathaway, at the conclusion of which he handed a spade t-o the 
 commissioners. On receiving it, Col. Young replied t-o the speech 
 and eloquently portrayed the vast magnitude of the enterprise, and 
 the vast benefits that would be realized by its consummation. 
 Inspired, as it would now seem, with the gift of prophesy, he said: 
 "It will diffuse the benefits of internal navigation over a surface 
 of vast extent, blest with a salubrious climate and luxuriant soil, 
 embracing a tract of country capable of sustaining more human 
 beings than were ever accommodated by any work of the kind. 
 By this highway, unborn millions will easily transport their surplus 
 production to the shores of the Atlantic, procure their supplies, 
 and hold a useful and profitable intercourse with all the maritime 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 627 
 
 nations of the earth. The expense and the labor of this great 
 undertaking bear no proportion to its utiUty. Nature has kindly 
 afforded every facility; — we have all the moral and physical" means 
 within our reach and control. Let us then proceed to the work, 
 animated by a prospect of its speedy accomplishment, and cheered 
 by the anticipated benedictions of a grateful posterity." 
 
 Col. Young then handed the spade to Judge Richardson, the first 
 contractor on the work, who broke ground for the construction of 
 the Erie Canal, amid the roar of cannon, and the enthusiastic cheers 
 of a large assemblage of citizens. 
 
 In 1819, the middle section of the canal was completed. On the 
 23d of October in that year it was navigated from Utica to Rome. 
 Parts of the eastern and western sections of the Erie canal were 
 so far completed that boats passed from the east side of the Genesee 
 river in Rochester, as far east as Little Falls, in 1821. The east- 
 ern section was completed and boats entered the Hudson on the 8th 
 day of October, 1823. The whole work was completed from the 
 Hudson to lake Erie, and opened for navigation on the 20th of Oc- 
 tober, 1825. 
 
 The discussion of the relative merits of those who projected and 
 were foremost in aiding the consummation of the great work is a 
 hackneyed theme, and for the most part has been an unprofitable 
 one. Dr. Hosack, in his memoirs of DeWitt Clinton, arranges the 
 names of the projectors, or those who made suggestions, in refer- 
 ence to internal improvements in this state, and those who earliest 
 and most prominently participated in forwarding the construction 
 of the Erie canal, chronologically, as follows: — 
 
 T. Eddy, 1810 
 
 J. Piatt, 1810 
 
 S. Van Rensselaer, 1810 
 C. D. Golden, 1818 
 
 DeWitt Clintos. 
 
 The biographer and friend of Mr. Clinton, it will be observed, 
 attaches no date to his identity with our works of internal improve- 
 ment, but makes his the base of his pyramid of names. It has 
 never been assumed that Mr. Clinton was a projector of the Erie 
 canal, but it has passed into an adage, is a fact that may now be 
 written down in history as conceded, and no longer to be questioned, 
 that he was the Father of our canal system. Whatever others 
 may have done before him in the way of suggestion, projection, or 
 
 C. Golden, 
 
 1724 
 
 E. Watson, 
 
 1791 
 
 G. Morris, 
 
 1777 
 
 P. Schuyler, 
 
 1792 
 
 G. Washington, 
 
 1787 
 
 G. Glinfon, 
 
 1729 
 
 C. Gollea, 
 
 1784 
 
 .1. Hawley, 
 
 1807 
 
 J. Smith, 
 
 1786 
 
 J. Forman, 
 
 1808 
 
628 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 incipient movements, it was he, who, more than others, by an early 
 and zealous espousal of the project of the Erie canal, at a period 
 when a strong opposition was arrayed against it — in a dark and 
 unpromising hour — threw the whole weight of his extraordinary 
 talents and influence in favor of the measure, and by continued and 
 unremitted labor in its behalf, taking the lead in winning for it pop- 
 ular favor and legislative co-operation, insured its commencement 
 and prosecution up to a period when the great enterprize began to 
 take care of itself. Such is the feeble but truthful tribute of history 
 to the memory of a great Public Benefactor; a more enduring 
 tribute will soon evince the gratitude of a state he so much aided in 
 its rapid and unparalleled advances to the high position it now 
 occupies. 
 
 We, of Western New York, have some reason to complain of 
 omissions in Mr. Hosack's list. Cotemporary with the names he 
 enumerates, as belonging to the canal period of 1810, he should 
 have included the names of Peter B. Porter and Joseph Ellicott. 
 The former was one of the primitive board of Canal Commissioners, 
 and in Congress, an able and zealous advocate for a system of inter- 
 nal improvements by the general government, which would have 
 included aid to this state, in prosecuting its works. The latter was 
 the early correspondent of Mr. Clinton, in reference to the canal, 
 gave efficient aid to the project, by his sound practical judgement, 
 and intimate topographical knowledge of the country, and was a 
 member of the board of Canal Commissioners, as early as 1816. 
 
 And in these, the local annals of the Holland Purchase, and 
 incidentally, of Western New York, the claims of Jesse Hawlcy 
 may well be re-asserted, and insisted upon, as the plain and undeni- 
 able deduction from cotemporary history. He was the projector 
 of the Erie canal. By this the author would be understood to 
 mean that the essays he wrote and published in the Ontario Mes- 
 senger, in 1807 and '8, contained the first proposition that contem- 
 plated such a work of internal improvement as the Erie canal now 
 is; that all the projects that preceded his, had reference to works 
 of another character, contemplated improvements of existing inter- 
 nal navigation of the state, and the use of lake Ontario, as a west- 
 ern extension; works far inferior in magnitude to the one he 
 projected; such as would have come far short of accomplishing the 
 mighty results we have witnessed; especially, in reference to its 
 influences upon the prosperity of the western portion of the state. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 629 
 
 The story may be made a brief one — the main points arc conce- 
 ded in citations that have already been made. 
 
 Jesse Hawley was a native of Ncvvfield, (now Bridgeport,) 
 Conn.; was born in 1773. He was engaged in the mercantile 
 business at Geneva, Ontario county, as early as 1805, in which 
 business he was unfortunate. He spent the winter of 180G and '7 
 in Pittsburgh. He published his first essay on the subject of the 
 Erie canal, in the Pittsburgh "Commonwealth" of Jan. 14, 1807. 
 He returned to Ontario county in the same year, and during the 
 summer, re-publishcd his first essay in the Ontario Messenger, and 
 followed it up with a series of essays which were continued at 
 intervals, up to March, 1808. These essays contain the first 
 suggestions, ever made for connecting the Hudson river with lake 
 Erie, by a continuous overland water communication. They were 
 written with much ability, and no one can read them now, without 
 a feeling of surprise, excited by their boldness of design, at a period 
 so primitive in reference to internal improvements; their vast fore- 
 sight, in anticipating so much that has become reality. On a slip 
 of paper, in the author s possession, is the following reminiscence, 
 in the handwriting of this prominent pubhc benefactor: — "I first 
 conceived the idea of the over land route of the canal, from Buffalo 
 to Utica, in Col. Wilhelmus Mynderses' office, at Seneca Falls, in 
 1805." In his mercantile operations at Geneva, during that year, 
 he purchased wheat which he had floured at Col. Mynderses' mill, 
 and shipped to Schenectady and Albany. Upon the occasion 
 alluded to, he was engaged in superintending the shipping of flour, 
 and while in the office of Col. Mynderses, the subject of a better 
 navigation came up. Mr. Hawley, stepping to a map of the state, 
 di-ew his finger over the country from Utica to lake Erie, and 
 said: — "There is the head of water." This may be regarded as 
 the first intimation having reference to such a work as the Erie 
 canal. 
 
 The efforts of Mr. Hawley in behalf of internal improvements, 
 did not end with his early essays. He continued up to the period of 
 his death to devote a large portion of his time in that behalf. He 
 aided the project of canal enlargement, materially in its early stages; 
 and subsequently, when that measure was threatened with suspen- 
 sion, or reduction, he brought before the Legislature a mass of 
 useful statistical information, facts and figures, well calculated to aid 
 in a right understanding of the subject. In this as in other instances, 
 
630 HISTORY OF TOE 
 
 it was his fate to see another profit by his suggestions and indefati- 
 gable labors. The Senator, to whom he entrusted his manuscripts, 
 incorporated them in a report of which he claimed the paternity, 
 using the thunder as if he was the Jove that made it. 
 
 That his public services, his early and continual devotion to the 
 cause of internal improvements, have never been sufficiently appre- 
 ciated, will be generally conceded. That he entertained a deep 
 sense of this neglect, and that it weighed heavily upon a sensitive 
 mind — is well known to those who enjoyed his intimacy; and is it 
 to be wondered at, that one who had so eminently contributed to 
 public prosperity, should have manifested a laudable ambition to 
 receive at the hands of that public some suitable recognition of the 
 debt of gi'atitude, that was due to him? 
 
 Mr. Hawley was a resident of Lockport, Niagara county, at the 
 period of his death — Jan. 1842. He was spending an evening at 
 the house of a friend in the adjoining town of Cambria, when he 
 was suddenly attacked with hemorrhage of the lungs, and expired 
 in a few minutes. 
 
 The remains of one so conspicuously identified with the history 
 of the Erie canal, occupy a spot of elevated ground in the rural 
 Cold Spring cemetery, near Lockport, overlooking the great work 
 he projected. Now that justice has been done to the memory of 
 DeWitt Cfinton, by provisions for a suitable monument, next to his 
 services, are there any that better deserve a similar public acknow- 
 ledgment, than those of Jesse Hawley? 
 
 Resuming the brief sketch of the progress of the canal v/estward, 
 we can only allude to the prominent events. In 1816 the route of 
 the canal west of Genesee river had not been determined. In that 
 year, Mr. Ellicott employed Mr. Peacock to explore a route from 
 Buffalo to the site of the present village of Pendleton, and thence 
 eastwardly, south of the Mountain Ridge, to the Genesee river. 
 The summit level of this route, proved to be 75 above lake Erie, 
 which of course prevented its adoption. At the same time, James 
 Geddes surveyed a route from Pendleton northwardly to the Moun- 
 tain Ridge; and thence eastwardly to the Genesee river. This 
 route was afterwards, in the main, adopted, the principal variation 
 being at Lockport. The attention of the commissioners being 
 engrossed with the middle section, nothing farther was done west 
 of the Genesee river, until near the close of 1819, and then no more 
 than the adoption of Mr. Geddes' northern route. In 1820, David 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 631 
 
 • 
 
 Thomas was appointed principal engineer west of the Genesee river. 
 In that year he carefully examined Gcddes' line from Rochester to 
 Pendleton, and made examinations of the Tonawanda creek. He 
 varied the line from Pendleton to Lockport, from the survey of Mr. 
 Geddes" which had proposed descending the Mountain llidge, in the 
 gorge, a mile and a quarter west of the present locks; a variation 
 which has been fully approved by time, and upon the score of 
 practical utility; and another important and judicious variation east 
 of the Oak Orchard creek. David Thomas' survey and report was 
 adopted in the spring of 1821, and the rock sections at Lockport, 
 hnmediately put under contract. During the summer, the principal 
 engineer, revised the line from Rochester westward, and extended 
 it up the Niagara river to Buffalo. The whole was put under con- 
 tract before the close of 1821, and prosecuted with a vigor that 
 public anxiety and expectation demanded, as the great work 
 approached nearer and nearer to a consummation. 
 
 A detached history of the western section of the canal, Avould 
 involve a long and bitter controversy, touching its termination at 
 the foot of lake Erie — a rivalship between Buffalo and Black Rock, 
 if indeed, even then it could not well be dispensed with. Ere the 
 record of that controversy, which should be made now had lost its 
 freshness, progress, the vastly increasing commercial operations 
 at the foot of lake Erie, will have so far outstripped the sectional 
 views of the men of that period, that even the land marks of their 
 controversy will be obliterated. 
 
 Never in any age or country, has a public work, of any kind, 
 been carried on by agents more faithful and persevering, than were 
 the men who had charge of the construction of the Erie Canal from 
 the Genesee river, to lake Erie; and this local designation is not made 
 for the sake of any invidous comparison with other portions of the 
 great work. The earliest commissioner identified with construction, 
 was Myron Holley; so eminently able and faithful were his services 
 that the recollection and acknowledgment of them, outlive and pal- 
 liate the mixed offence of fault and misfortune, with which they 
 were destined to close. His successor was William C. Bouck. 
 Who, at the west, who had cognizance of those times and their local 
 events, does not remember how foithful and indefatigable, he was 
 in the discharge of his duties ? Or, almost imagine that they can see 
 him now as they saw him in those primitive canal times, traversing 
 the forest on horseback and on foot, from the log shanties of one 
 41 
 
632 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 contractor to those of another; sleeping and eating where emergency 
 made it necessary, in quarters no matter how rude or humble; or 
 in his room at tlie old "Cottage" in Lockport, cooly and good 
 naturedly resisting the fierce importunities of the dissatisfied con- 
 tractor; yielding to exigencies here and there, when public interest 
 demanded it, or strenuous and unyielding when it did not; pressing 
 on the difiicult work upon the Mountain Ridge, amid great difficul- 
 ties and embarrassments; persevering to the end, until he had seen 
 the last barrier removed that prevented the flow of the waters of 
 lake Erie through their long artificial channel. 
 
 There was the early principal engineer, David Thomas; in the 
 pubhc service, in all his extended conventional and social relations 
 — amiable, unassuming; when wronged, not reviling; the pattern 
 of a man; endowed with intellectual powers, and high scientific 
 attainments, that well entitles him to a high I'ank among the men 
 of New York. His sudden removal from a sphere of great useful- 
 ness, in which no blemish or wrong doing was shown, with another 
 memorable instance, must always be passed over by the historian, 
 with the conclusion that the times, and not the men, were at fault. 
 He yet survives, with faculties unimpaired, to make voluntary, 
 Hberal offerings, to the common stock of scientific knowledge. The 
 other early engineers employed west of the river, as principals, 
 were David S. Bates, and Nathan S. Roberts, to both of whom, 
 the work was largely indebted for successful management. Of the 
 resident and assistant early engineeers, there were, Davis Hurd, 
 
 Charles T. Whippo, Price, Alfred Barrett, Porteus Root, 
 
 and John Hopkins; all of whom, in the discharge of their duties, 
 abundantly justified the early expressed opinion of Mr. Ellicott, that 
 the genius and enterprize of the young men of our country would 
 obviate the necessity of going to Eui'ope for engineers. 
 
 A jubilee, such as has never, upon any other occasion, been 
 witnessed in our country, awaited the completion of the Erie Canal. 
 All else consummated, a signal from the Mountain Ridge was anx- 
 iously looked for, to commence the work of preparation for the 
 great event. It was given as follows: — 
 
 "To the Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer, President 0/ the Board of Canal Commissioners: 
 Sir — The unfinished parts of the Erie Canal will be completed and in a condition 
 
 to admit the passage of boats, on Wednesday, the 26th day of October next. 
 
 It would have been gratifying to have accomplished this result as early as the first of 
 
 September, but embarrassments which I could not control, have delayed it. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 633 
 
 On this grand event, so auspicious to the character and wealth of the citizens of the 
 state of New York, permit me to congratulate you. 
 
 WM. C. BOUCK, Canal Com. 
 Lockport, Sept. 29, 1825." 
 
 On the promulgation of this gratifying intelligence, active prepa- 
 rations commenced. Committees of conference on the part of New 
 York and Albany, taking the lead, a general plan of celebration 
 was agreed upon, which was concurred in by a conference of com- 
 mittees of Rochester, Lockport and Buffalo. 
 
 In all the space that intervened from the announcement of Com- 
 missioner Bouck, up to the appointed day, the celebration was the 
 engrosing topic of conversation, preparation for it the paramount 
 business. There was the active correspondence of committees and 
 sub-committees, processions and dinners projected, speeches and 
 toasts prepared; artillery and other military companies were brush- 
 ing up their ordnance and arms; lire companies, mechanics' and 
 other associations, in cities and villages, preparing their appropriate 
 banners; bands of music, were practicing enlivening strains; man- 
 agers of dancing assemblies were issuing their cards of invitation. 
 In short the "busy note of preparation" was sounding from lake 
 Erie to Sandy Hook. All were looking forward to a gala-day — a 
 period of joy and hilarity — the celebration upon a scale of grandeur 
 and magnificence, of the peaceful triumphs of state energy, enter- 
 prise and perseverance. 
 
 An important feature in the general arrangements for the cele- 
 bration, was the stationing of cannon of a large calibre, (generally 
 32s,) from Buffalo to Sandy Hook, to announce the departure of 
 the first boat from lake Erie to tide water, and answer the purposes 
 of a continuous salute. 
 
 As the appointed day drew near the forces of the contractors 
 upon the Mountain Ridge were largely increased, and every means 
 put in requisition to be in readiness. On the evening of the 24th of 
 October, the work was completed, the guard gates were raised, and 
 the filling of the lake Erie level commenced. On the evening of 
 the 25th, the entire canal from BuflTalo to Albany was in a navigable 
 condition. 
 
 Buffalo, then a village of only twenty-five hundred inhabitants, but 
 making up in public spirit and enthusiasm any now seeming want 
 of numbers, from its position at the head of navigation, was of course 
 to lead off" in the ceremonies. And well did the germ of a now 
 
634 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 great city, acquit itself.* Tlie New York Committee that arrived 
 there on the evening of the 25th, in their after report, say that they 
 "found every thing in readiness for the commencement of the 
 celebration." 
 
 At 9 o'clock on the morning of the 26th, a procession w^as formed 
 in front of the Court House. It consisted of the Governor and 
 Lieutenant Governor of the state, the New York delegation, dele- 
 gations from villages along the whole line of the canal, various 
 societies of mechanics with appropriate banners, and citizens gener- 
 ally; the whole escorted by the Buffalo band, and Capt. Rathbun's 
 Rifle Company. The procession moved down Main Street to the 
 head of the canal, where the pioneer boat, the "Seneca Chiel," was 
 in waiting. The Governor and Lieut. Governor, and the Commit- 
 tees, including that of Buffalo, were received on board. The whole 
 standing upon the deck, there were mutual introductions and con- 
 gratulations. Jesse Hawley, Esq. in behalf of the Rochester 
 Committee, made a short address, which was replied to by Judge 
 Forward. 
 
 AH things being in readiness, the signal gun was fired, and con- 
 tinuing along from gun to gun, in rapid succession, in one hour and 
 twenty minutes the citzens of New York were apprized that a boat 
 was departing from the foot of lake Erie, and was on its way, 
 " traversing a new path to the Atlantic ocean." 
 
 The Seneca Chief, led off' in fine style, drawn by four grey horses 
 fancifully caparisoned. Three boats, the Perry, Superior, and 
 Buffalo, followed. The fleet moved from the dock under a salute 
 from the Rifle Company, accompanied by music from the band. 
 The procession marched to the Court House, where an address was 
 delivered by Sheldon Smith, Esq. after which an original ode 
 written for the occasion, was sung to the tune of "Hail Columbia." 
 A public dinner succeeded, and the festivities of the day were closed 
 by a splendid ball at the Eagle Tavern. 
 
 At Lockport, a salute of thirteen guns was fired at sunrise. 
 At nine o'clock a procession was formed in front of the Washington 
 House, under the direction of Gen. Parkhurst Whitney, as marshal 
 of the day, assisted by Col. Samuel Barton and Maj. M. H. Tucker. 
 The procession moved to the foot of the locks, when the President 
 
 * It is questionable whether the same thing could be better done now. A vast 
 increase of numbers, would hardly supply the spirit and joyous feeling that then 
 existed. Surfeited with prosperity, communitieg as well as individuals, became stolid 
 and indifferent. 
 
PIOLLAND PURCHASE. 635 
 
 and Vice President of the day, the Canal Commissioners and 
 Engineers, the Committee of Arrangements, Visiting Committees 
 and many citizens of distinction from abroad, embarked on board 
 the packet boat William C. Bouck, that had been selected as the 
 first to pass the locks. Over two hundred ladies were escorted 
 upon the boat Albany, of the Pilot Line. The remainder of the 
 procession embarked on other boats lying in the basin. Immediately 
 after the grand salute had passed from Buffalo east, the lock gates 
 were opened, and the fleet commenced ascending to the lake Erie 
 level. As it ascended the stupendous flights of locks, its decks 
 covered with a joyous multitude, it was greeted with the constant 
 and rapid discharge of heavy artillery, thousands of rock blasts or 
 explosions prepared for the occasion, and the shouts of spectators, 
 that swarmed upon the canal and lock bridges, and upon the 
 precipices around the locks and basin. As soon as the two for- 
 ward boats had passed out of the upper locks, they were drawn up 
 side by side, and after a prayer by the Rev. Mr. Winchell, an 
 address was delivered by Judge Birdsall. Stepping upon an elevated 
 platform upon the deck of one of the boats, in the stillness that had 
 succeeded the earthquake sounds, and the shouts of human voices, 
 he exclaimed : "The last barrier is passed! We have now risen 
 to the level of lake Erie, and have before us a perfect navigation 
 open to its waters." The address was one of marked ability, 
 replete with stirring eloquence and the spirit of the occasion. At 
 the close of the address, under a discharge of artillery, the explo- 
 sions of rocks, the fleet of boats started for the west. At Pen- 
 dleton it halted, and the fleet of boats from the west, that had been 
 joined by a boat from Black Rock with a local committee on board, 
 soon came up. The boats that had passed the locks acting as an 
 escort, the combined fleet passed down to Lockport, where it was 
 received under a discharge of artillery. A supper was served up 
 at the Washington House, after which the pioneer fleet from Buf- 
 falo and Black Rock continued upon its voyage to the ocean. 
 
 Nio-ht scttino- in. no farther prominent demonstrations marked 
 the progress of the fleet until it arrived the next morning at Holley. 
 At that village and at Brockport, its arrival was welcomed by the 
 firing of cannon and other joyous denwnstrations. The spirited 
 citizens of the then just rising village of Newport (Albion) deter- 
 mined not to forego a participation in the jubilee. They had 
 a celebration on the 26th; a procession, an address by G. W. 
 
636 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Fleming, Esq. firing of cannon, a dinner and toasts; prolonging 
 the ceremonies of the day even to the " small hours of the night," 
 not to let the procession of boats pass in the absence of such 
 demonstrations as the darkness allowed. 
 
 At Rochester, the demonstrations were upon a scale, and of a 
 character, corresponding with the local position and the immense 
 advantages that its citizens anticipated, from the completion of the 
 great enterprize. The Seneca Chief, with the boats in her train, 
 arriving there about 2 o'clock P. M. on the 27th, were recei^-ed 
 with eight uniform companies under arms, and an immense con- 
 course of people. Upon the wharf under an arch, were the 
 Rochester and Canandaigua Committees. Short congratulatory 
 addresses were made by Jesse Hawley and John C. Spencer, Esqs. 
 which were replied to by Gov. Clinton. A procession moved to 
 the Presbyterian church, where a prayer was offered by the Rev. 
 Mr. Penny, and an address delivered by Timothy Childs, Esq. 
 A dinner followed at the Mansion House, Gen. Matthews presiding 
 assisted by Johnathan Childs and Jesse Hawley, Esqs. and in the 
 evening there was a ball and a general illumination. At 7 o'clock 
 in the evening the fleet took its departure for the east, the "Young 
 Lion of the West," having on board a Rochester Committee, being 
 added to the flotilla. From Rochester to Albany, during its transit 
 there was at all the canal villages, a succession of celebrations. 
 It was in the language of one who witnessed the demonstrations, 
 "a protracted 4th of July celebration." The fleet arrived at Albany 
 on the 2d of November, at 1 o'clock P. M. The celebration there 
 was upon a scale of magnificence never upon any other occasion 
 attempted at our state capital. But it was reserved for the Empire 
 City of the Empire State, to add the grand finale, to terminate the 
 great Jubilee, by putting in requisition her immense facilities upon 
 land and water. It was said by a gentleman present, who had 
 witnessed the naval fete given by the Prince Regent of England, 
 upon the Thames, during the visit of the allied sovereigns to 
 London after the dethronement of Napoleon, that the spectacle upon 
 the waters of New York, far transcended that in the metropolis of 
 England. The crowning ceremonial, was the sailing of an immense 
 fleet down the bay to Sandy Hook, when from the deck of a vessel 
 Gov. Clinton poured a keg of water that had been carried down 
 from lake Erie on the Seneca Chief, into the Ocean, accompanying 
 the act with suitable explanatory remarks. The vessel upon which 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 637 
 
 this ceremony was performed, was surrounded by a fleet tliree miles 
 in circumference. Upon the return of the Seneca Chief to Buflalo, 
 there was brought on board of her a keg of the water of the ocean 
 which was poured into lake Erie by Judge Wilkeson, chairman of 
 the Buffalo Committee, who made a short address, which included 
 a brief account of the splendid pageantries the Buffalo Committee 
 had witnessed in their tour. Thus ended the protected Jubilee! 
 A long successions of demonstrations, of public rejoicings, such as 
 in the aggregate have never attended any other peaceful triumph 
 of the wisdom, foresight and energy of any people, in any age. 
 
 There are readers of the present day, who, perhaps, will be 
 likely to look back upon the events we have narrated, and deem 
 the demonstrations extravagant; unable, as they will be, to form a 
 just estimate of all that stimulated a.]^ promoted them. They 
 will, at least, not fail to acknowledge, how more than realized, 
 have been the seemingly extravagant anticipations of that period. 
 The half was not seen, even in those days of anticipations and 
 rejoicings. Even then, had some bold anticipator of coming 
 events, more confident than the mass, ventured to predict the 
 results that have flowed from the construction of the Erie Canal, 
 he would have been called a dreaming enthusiast! Who, then, 
 would have ventured to foretell what is now reality? Who would 
 have been bold enough in his imaginings, to have pointed forward 
 to the end of twenty-three years; to the great cities that have 
 been doubled in population; to the new ones it has created; to the 
 large and prosperous villages that are dotted along its banks; to 
 the new Empire it has helped to create around the borders of our 
 western Lakes, and the fleets of steam and sail vessels it has put 
 afloat UDon their waters^ 
 
638 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 COMMERCE OF THE UPPER LAKES. 
 
 The vast internal commerce upon the chain of Upper Lakes, has 
 a distinct identity with our local region, and a brief sketch of its 
 progress, will be looked for, as a part of our pioneer annals. The 
 foot of lake Erie is its eastern termination. The "mouth of 
 Buffalo creek," as Mr. Ellicotl used to designate the locality, in 
 dating his earliest letters from the Holland Purchase; the "New 
 Amsterdam," as he was disposed to call it, after he had determined 
 to make it the site of a village, and platted it for that purpose — 
 has become the mart of the commerce of states, of a vast and 
 fertile region. Buffalo creek, that sluggishly flowed into lake 
 Erie, a sand bar at its mouth, over which, even the bateaux of 
 the early French traders, had to be dragged, is now crowded with 
 a long line of shipping; at times, having the appearance of some of 
 our chief harbors upon the Atlantic. Upon its bank, a long, 
 continuous wharf, and capacious store houses, filled with the 
 produce of the west, and merchandize from the east, meeting here 
 in their transit of exchange. Where, at one period, and that within 
 the memory of living witnesses, the sum total of other than native 
 residents, was Black Joe, William Johnstone, Benjamin Middaugh, 
 Winne, and Ezekiel Lane; and even these, assimilated in habits 
 and inclinations, to the wild sons of the forest, by whom they were 
 surrounded, and whose tenants they were; now are the principal 
 operations of a commerce, equal to the export trade of the whole 
 Union with foreign nations. Where stood the primitive log cabin, 
 which afforded the only resting place for the surveyors, after their 
 long pilgrimages in the wilderness, are now magnificent hotels, 
 brick blocks, piled up four and five stories high, to economize in 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 639 
 
 the matter of room; the value of the ground having gone up from 
 five dollars per acre, to three, and even four hundred dollars per 
 foot. The grounds between, below the "beautiful elevated bank," 
 "extending to the lake, and up Buffalo creek," which Mr. Ellicott 
 congratulated Mr. Cazenove upon having kept out of the Indian 
 Reservation, inasmuch, as with "little trouble it could be converted 
 into beautiful meadows," is now traversed by the Eric Canal, and 
 its arm or extension, the Hamburgh Canal; in almost the centre of 
 it, the state is now constructing an immense, artificial basin, or 
 harbor, to accommodate the vastly increasing commerce of the 
 Canal; and throughout its greatest extent, is a compact, built-up 
 portion of the embryo "New Amsterdam," now appropriately 
 called the "city of the lakes." 
 
 Even in an age, a country, and a local region of Progress, all 
 this is wonderful; a prominent, marked feature. It is almost 
 wholly, the joint offspring of lake and canal commerce. 
 
 An account of the pioneer advent of La Salle, in the navigation 
 of the lakes, has been given. It marked a new era with the 
 French missionaries and traders. Up to that period, their route 
 from the St. Lawrence, to their stations at the west, had been 
 through Canada, to lake Huron. Other vessels must have soon 
 supplied the place of the wrecked Griffin, for the new lake route 
 of La Salle, became the avenue for reaching the forts, missionary 
 and trading stations, that were soon multiplied, and embraced the 
 straits of Detroit and St. Clair, the northern shore of lake 
 Michigan, and the vallies of the Maumee and Wabash. Many 
 years previous to the English conquest, the French commerce, it 
 seems, required the construction of a railway up the mountain at 
 Lewiston, a portage road, and a landing place at Schlosser. Two 
 vessels w^ere probably quite sufficient for the trade, however, and 
 that number — the two fired and sunk at Burnt Ship Bay, in the 
 Niagara river — is all we hear of, at the termination of French 
 dominion. 
 
 The history of English commerce upon the lakes, previous to 
 the surrendering of these posts in 179G, is a brief one. It was 
 carried on with one or two vessels, and consisted only of the 
 transportation of men and supplies, to the western posts and 
 trading stations, and furs and peltries, on their way to JNIontreal. 
 It had undergone but little progress in all the long periods of 
 French and English occupancy. Mr. Fairbanks, who resided at 
 
640 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 Chippewa, in 1795, says that an armed brig, a few gun boats, and 
 one merchant vessel, was all the English had on the lakes at that 
 period.* 
 
 There were a long series of years, following after the close of 
 English dominion, that the commerce of the lakes had little, if any 
 progress. For a long period after the settlement of this region 
 commenced, there was only added to the carrying trade that has 
 already been named, the downward freight of a small, yearly 
 supply of white fish, and fruit from the orchards on th-e Detroit 
 river. The completion of the Erie Canal had not the immediate 
 effect to materially increase lake commerce. It awaited the new 
 impetus, the commencement of rapid emigration to the western 
 states and territories. "The breaking out of the Black Hawk war, 
 in 1832, first brought out a knowledge of the richness of the soil, 
 and salubrity of the climate of northern Illinois and Indiana, and 
 the territory of Wisconsin, and exhibited the commanding position 
 of Chicago, for commercial business. This war being closed that 
 same season, and peace being re-established in all those parts, a 
 strong current of emigration set in that direction, the next year, 
 and the rich prairies of that country began to fill with a vigorous, 
 hardy and enterprising population; and from that time, only the 
 short space of eight years, may it in truth be said, that there has 
 been any commerce west of Detroit.'' f 
 
 The first steam vessel on the upper lakes was the " Walk-in-the- 
 water," builtat Black Rock, and launched in August, 1818. In 1819, 
 she made a trip to Mackinaw, to carry up goods for the American 
 Fur Company. This boat was wrecked on the beach near Buffalo, 
 in 1821. In 1822, her place was supplied by the steam boat 
 Superior. 
 
 The building of this second steam boat not only marks a period 
 in the history of lake commerce generally, but, connected with it, 
 
 * The following reminiscence of English lake commerce, is taken from a number of 
 the "New York Gazette and Weekly Post Boy," of February, 1770: — "By letters 
 from Detroit, we are informed that several boats with goods, have been seventy days in 
 crossing lake Erie; the distress of the people was verj' great; they were obliged to keep 
 two human bodies, found unburied upon the shore, in order to collect and kill the 
 ravens and eagles that came to feed on them, for their preservation. Many other boats 
 are frozen up, within forty miles of Detroit. A great many trader's small boats have 
 been lost." 
 
 t Letter of James L. Barton, Esq. to Capt. W. G. Williams, of the topographical 
 engineer department, dated December, 1841. To that letter, and other productions of 
 this able and indefatigable, early and persevering friend and historian of lake com- 
 merce, the author is farther indebted for materials for his brief sketch. 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 641 
 
 were some pioneer movements in the construction of Buffalo har- 
 bor. Previous to 1820, no lake craft larger than a canoe or French 
 bateau, had entered the mouth of Buffalo creek. The stipted 
 commerce of the Lakes had no harbor at the foot of lake Erie, 
 except Black Rock; vessels discharging freight destined for Buffalo, 
 or taking freight from there, either did it at Black Rock, or, laying 
 off the mouth of Buffalo creek, received and discharged freight by 
 means of small boats. In 1818, the legislature authorized the 
 survey of Buffalo creek, at the expense of the county of Niagara. 
 This survey was made by William Peacock, gratuitously. In 
 1819, the legislature authorized a loan of 812,000 for the construc- 
 tion of a harbor. It was secured by bond and mortgage upon 
 real estate, executed by Oliver Forward, Charles Townsend, 
 Samuel Wilkeson, and George Coit. Under the superintendence 
 of Judge Wilkeson, the money was expended, and a pier extended 
 into the lake about eighty rods, reaching twelve feet water. In 
 1821, obstructions were so far removed as to admit small vessels 
 into Buffalo creek. When an agent came on from New York, to 
 build the steam boat Superior, however, in January, 1822, he did 
 not regard the harbor improvements sufficiently advanced to insure 
 the passage of the boat out of the creek, if constructed upon its 
 banks, and at first determined upon building at Black Rock. To 
 diveri him from this purpose, a few prominent citizens of Buffalo, 
 — Charles Tow^nsend, Samuel Wilkeson, George Coit, Ebenezer 
 Johnson, E. D. Efner, and Ebenezer Walden, executed a bond, 
 agreeing to pay the steam boat company one hundred and fifty 
 dollars for every day the boat should be detained in Buffalo creek, 
 after the first of May. This mduced the agent to build the 
 boat at Buffalo. During the season of 1822, the harbor improve- 
 ments were prosecuted with great vigilance, and before the setting 
 in of winter, enough had been accomphshed, as was supposed, to 
 ensure against the penalty of the bond. The spring freshet, unfor- 
 tunately, filled up the channel, reducing the depth of water for a 
 considerable distance, to three feet and a half The completion 
 of the steam boat, and the first of May, were events near at hand. 
 With extraordinary public spirit, the citizens of Buffalo raised a 
 subscription, the able-bodied among them, without distinction of 
 occupation or profession, becoming laborers upon the work, cleared 
 out the recent deposit, the Superior passed out as soon as she was 
 
042 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 ready for the lake, and the bond was thus canceled. Tliis is the 
 brief pioneer history of the Buffalo harbor; to which may be 
 addAi the mention of the first appropriation made to the work by 
 the general government. This was in 1826 — the sum $15,000 — 
 procured through the influence of the Hon. Daniel G. Garnsey, 
 then Representative in Congress, from Niagara and Chautauque.* 
 
 The waters of lake Michigan were first visited by a steam vessel 
 in 1827, a boat having that year made an excursion with a pleasure 
 party to Green Bay. The first steamboats that reached Chicago, 
 were those employed by the Government to transport troops and 
 supplies for the Black Hawk war. 
 
 The commerce of the Lakes, originating in tbe pioneer advent of 
 La Salle in 1668, may be said to have had almost a sameness — a 
 few vessels answering all the purposes of a small carrying trade, 
 connected with the western military and trading stations — until the 
 commencement of the navigation of the Erie Canal, in the season 
 of 1826; with the exception perhaps of a small increase that had 
 kept pace with settlement in the lake region of Ohio and in a small 
 portion of Michigan. "This embraces a period of one hundred and 
 forty-eight years. The commerce that embraces the entire chain 
 of the upper lakes, as connected with the ordinary business of life, 
 settlement and improvement, has in fact existed but a little over 
 twenty years. Its progress is one among the wonders of the age. 
 To make a full exhibit of its rapid increase, would require the 
 insertion of a series of statistical tables, and a larger space than the 
 author has now at his disposal. The reader, however, can well 
 estimate the immense magnitude of the commerce of the upper 
 lakes, from the following aggregates, selected from the commercial 
 statistics of the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser for 1847: — 
 
 In that year there were in commission upon the lakes, ninety- 
 eight steamers, thirty-five propellers, four barques, eighty-two 
 brigs, four hundred and ninety-five schooners, twenty-three sloops 
 and scows; total tonnage, 131,460 tons. Selecting only the prom- 
 
 * This early and prominent Pioneer of the Holland Purchase was named in connec- 
 tion with early events in Chautauque. His life has been one of enterprise and public 
 usefulness. He was the projector of the scheme of lighting the lighthouse at Barce- 
 lona with natural gas, the only successful instance of the kind in the world. He has 
 been one of the founders of two or three now flourishing towns at the West; and vet 
 survives, zealous and ardent in whatever concerns the progress of his race and age; 
 one of the few specimens left of the excellent materials of which the early Pioneers of 
 the Holland Purchase were composed. 
 
/^' 
 
 or WM CffOICOTT 81 CO, N. 
 
 ^-^/U^^^^^^;^^-^ 
 
 ^mWHI^ WEILIEU^® 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 
 
 643 
 
 inent articles of produce arriving at Buffalo in that year, they were 
 as follows: — 
 
 Flour, bbls 1,857,000 
 
 Pork " 42,000 
 
 Beef •• 38,900 
 
 Staves, ps 8,800,000 
 
 Wheat, bu 6,489,100 
 
 Corn, " 2,862,000 
 
 Oats, bu 446,000 
 
 Butter, kgs 101,584 
 
 Lard, lbs 3,436,000 
 
 Cheese, bxs 30,840 
 
 " casks, 6,450 
 
 Lumber, M. ft 17,313 
 
 There were exported from Black Rock and Buffalo, by canal, in 
 1847, 710,943 tons, principally the products of field and forest, of 
 the regions bordering upon the western lakes. The total value of 
 imports of Buffalo from the lakes, in 1846, was ascertained and 
 estimated to amount to nearly $'20,000,000. In the same year, 
 there arrived at Buffalo, via the Erie Canal, the great bulk of which 
 was shipped to the west, 153,761 tons of merchandise and other 
 property, valued at 823,199,065. The monied value of the business 
 of Buffalo and Black Rock, done on the Erie Canal, and which 
 came from and went on to the lakes, was 840,000,000. The 
 amount of capital invested in all descriptions of vessels upon the 
 upper lakes in 1846, was not far from 86,000,000. The number of 
 men employed in lake commerce, about 6,000. The number of 
 passengers arriving and departing from Buffalo, in 1846, was not 
 far from 250,000. 
 
 SAMUEL WILKESON. 
 
 The excellent portrait of Judge Wilkeson, which the artist has 
 furnished for this work, accompanied by a brief biographical sketch, 
 has been appropriately reserved as an appendage to a branch of 
 our narrative, with which, it has been seen, he was closely identified. 
 When the period arrives in which the gratitude of those who are 
 enjoying in so eminent a degree the fruits of the labors, the indom- 
 itable enterprise and perseverance, of the early pioneers and fathers 
 of the City of the Lakes, shall assume the active form of some 
 enduring testimonial, conspicuous upon the tablet they erect, will be 
 the name of Samuel Wilkeson. 
 
 Judge Wilkeson was born at Carlisle, Pa. in 1781. To say that 
 he was cradled and nurtured amid the hardships of pioneer border 
 life, would not be merely a figure of speech. When but an infant, 
 his father's family was one of twenty families that penetrated the 
 forests of Western Pennsylvania, and encountered not only the 
 
644 HISTORY OF THE 
 
 usual privations of the wilderness, but the long series of Indian i 
 border wars that ensued. 
 
 He became a resident upon the Holland Purchase in 1807, at 
 Portland, Chautauque county, where he engaged in the salt trade; 
 transporting his salt over a portage to Chautauque lake, and down 
 the Allegany and Ohio rivers. This early enterprise probably 
 ended in loss, as the opening of the Kanawa salt works occurred 
 while he had upon his hands salt that had cost him 816 per barrel. 
 He continued at Portland until towards the close of the war of 
 1812, when he became a citizen of Buffalo, commencing trade in 
 a small way upon the present site of the Kremlin Block on Main 
 street. 
 
 Becoming thus identified by residence and interest, with the 
 locality, he was, for thirty-four years, during the progress of village 
 and city, an active and prominent helper in all that concerned their 
 welfare. In long seasons of severe controversy, during the rival- 
 ship of localities, he was prominently a champion of Buffalo and 
 its interests. There were "giants in the land," even in those 
 early days; with some of whom it was his province to contend; 
 and with what success, many of that day will well remember. 
 The triumphs in which he bore a conspicuous part, are prominent 
 features in the history of a prosperous city, whose early cause he 
 espoused with all the ardent zeal and native strength of mind 
 which formed the distinguished characteristics of the man. The 
 prominent early Pioneers of the Holland Purchase were, with few 
 exceptions, all self-made men; it has been a region where strong 
 men have wrestled with adversity from early life, been the found- 
 ers of their own fortunes from humble beginnings, and signally 
 triumphed. Distinguished even among such men, his early cotem- 
 poraries, was the subject of this sketch. 
 
 The various offices he filled during a long and active life, were 
 those of Justice of the Peace, Member of Assembly, Judge, Sen- 
 ator, and Mayor of the city of his residence. Retiring, in a great 
 measure, from an active political life, with an ample fortune, he 
 engaged early in the great scheme of benevolence embraced in the 
 organization of the American Colonization Society. That, and the 
 interests of a religion and a church he had zealously espoused at a 
 late period in life, engrossed a large share of his time and his mind, 
 during his latter years. 
 
 This early Pioneer of the Holland Purchase, conspicuous among 
 
HOLLAND PURCHASE. 645 
 
 the founders of the prosperous city that marks its rapid progress — 
 the uneducated boy from the back-woods of Pennsylvania, that 
 lived to identify his name, not only with the history of this entire 
 local region, but with the legislation of the state, and a scheme 
 of benevolence which deeply concerned the interests of his country, 
 and an unfortunate race — died in Kingston, Tennesee, in July, 1848, 
 while on his way to visit a daughter who resided in that state. 
 He left a large estate, and a richer legacy, in the following extract 
 of a letter, the last that he wrote to his sons: — "I may never see 
 you again; whether I do or not, be kind to each other, be liberal 
 and generous — forgiving all injuries, whether real or imaginary." 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 DEDUCTION OF TITLE FROM ROBERT MORRIS TO THE HOLLAND COMPANY. 
 
 Having, in the body of this work, traced the title of the Holland Purchase from 
 James II, William and Marj-, and Charles II, Sovereigns of England, to Robert 
 Morris, we here append a succinct deduction of title from Robert Morris to the last 
 proprietors, who held the property under the appellation of the Holland Company. In 
 the first place, however, \ye will trace the title of three portions of the tract, containing, 
 by estimation, three millions, three hundred thousand acres, from Robert Morris to 
 Wilhem Willink, Nicholas Van Staphorst, Pieter Van Eeghen, Hendrick Vollenhoven, 
 and Rutger Schemmelpenninck; in whom the title to those three portions was vested 
 on the 31st day of December, 1798, and the title to the remaining portion, estimated at 
 three hundred thousand acres, to the last Dutch proprietors. These estimated quanti- 
 ties, it will be understood, are mere assumptions, predicated on no known data, except 
 the million and a half acre tract described in the first mentioned deed. 
 
 1st. Deed from Robert Morris and Mary, his wife, to Herman Le Roy and John 
 Linklaen, by deed dated December 24, 1792, conveying one and a half millions acres, 
 in two tracts, as described in said deed: the west tract as described, containing one 
 million acres, and the east tract, containing half a million acres. The two collectively, 
 forming one tract, comprising four hundred and twenty-two chains, and fifty-six links, 
 off the western parts of each of the townships in the seventh range, and the whole 
 of the townships in the eighth, ninth, tenth, eleventh, twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, 
 and fifteenth ranges of townships. — See Secretary of State's Office, Albany, Lib. M. R. 
 No. 24,foL 510, and Clerk's Office, Ontario, Lib. \,foL 327. 
 
 Deed from Herman Lo Roy and John Linklaen to William Bayard, conveying the 
 same land, dated May 30th, 1795. — Sea Secretary of State's Office, Albany, Lib. M. 
 R. No. 'S3,fol. 514, and Clerk's Office, Ontario, Lib. G,fol. 38. 
 
 -Deed from William Bayard and wife to Herman Le Roy, John Linklaen and Gerrit 
 Boon, dated June 1st, 1795. — Sec Secretary of Stale's Office, Albany, Lib. M. R. No. 
 33, fol. 518, and Clerk's Office, Ontario, Lib. 6,fol. 36. 
 
 Deed from Herman Le Roy and Hannah, his wife; John Linklaen and Helen, his 
 wife; and Gerrit Boon to Paul Busti, dated July 9th, 1798. — Sec Secretary of State's 
 Office, Albany, Lib. M. R. No. 31, foL 212, and Clerk's Office, Ontario, Lib. 3,foL 300. 
 
 Deed from Paul Busti and wife to Herman Le Roy, William Bayard, James Mc 
 Evers, John Linklaen, and Gerrit Boon, (in trust for the benefit of Wilhem Willink 
 and others, citizens of the United Netherlands, and with covenant to convey the same 
 according to their directions and appointment,) dated July 10th, 1798. — See Secretary 
 
APPENDIX. 647 
 
 of State's Office, Alhamj. Lib. M. R. No. 32,fol. 115, and Clerk's Office, Ontario, Lib. 
 5,/oL 315. 
 
 Deed from Ilerniau Le Roy, William Bayard, James McEvcrs, John Linklaen, and 
 Genit Boon to VVilhcm VVillink, Nicholas Van Staphorst, Pieter Van Eeghen, Hendrick 
 Vollonhovcn, and Ruttjer .Ian Schimnielpenninck, dated December Sls^t, 1798. — See 
 Secretary of State's Office, Albany, Lib. M. R. No. 3'2,fol. 40, and Clerk's Office, 
 Ontario, Lib, 6,J'ol. 33. 
 
 The title to the last named grantees was confirmed to them by Thomas L. Ogden 
 and Gouverneur Morris, by deed, dated February 18th, 1801. — See Secretary of State's 
 Office, Albany, Lib. M. R. No. \)A,ful. 246, and Clerk's Office, Ontario, Lib 8,fol. 340. 
 
 2d. Deed from Robert Morris and wife to Herman Lo Roy, John Linklaon and 
 Gf rrit Boon, conveying one million acres, comprising town.ships Nos. 5, C, 7, 8, 9, 10, 
 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 16, in the first range of townships; townships No.'i. 4, 5, 6, 7, 
 t', !), 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, in the second and third ranges; and townships Nos. 
 1, "J, 3 and 4, in the fourth, fifth and sixth ranges of townships, dated Fobruarj- 27th, 
 ll'.rX—See Secretary of Slate's Office, Albany, Lib. M. R. No. 25,/oZ. 33, and Clerk's 
 Office, Ontario, Lib. l,fol. 324. 
 
 TliR i)recedii)g conveyance confirmed by deed between the same parties, dated June 
 l-i, 1798. — See Secretary of State's Office, Albaay, Lib. M. R. No. 3\,fol. 149, and 
 Cl.rk's Office, Ontario, Lib. 5,fol. 294. 
 
 l)t od from Herman Le Roy and Hannah, his wife, John Linklaen and Helen, his 
 \\ il •■, and Gerrit Boon, to Paul Busti, dated July 9th, 1798. — See Secretary of State's 
 Office, Albany, Lib. M. R. No. 31,/oZ. 218, and Clerk's Office, Ontario, Lib. o,fol. 305. 
 
 Deed from Paul Busti and wife to Herman Le Roy, William Bayard, James Mc 
 EvLis, John Linklaen and Gerrit Boon, in trust for the benefit of Wilhem Willink and 
 odiers, with covenant to convey the same according to their directions and appointment, 
 d .;. d July 10th, 1798. — Sscreianj of State's Office, Albany, Lib. M. R. No. 31, foL 
 STi-, and Clerk's Offi<:e, Ontario, Li'i. 5,fol. 307. 
 
 Deed from Herman Le Roy, William Bayard, James McEvers, John Linklaen and 
 Geirit Boon to Wilhem Willink, Nicholaas Van Staphorst, Pieter Van Eeghen, 
 Hciidrick Volleiihoven, and Rutger Jan Schimmelpenninck, dated December 31st, 
 17-8.— See Secretary of State's Office, Albany, Lib. M. R. No. 3l,fol. 247, and Clerk's 
 Ojiice, Ont'irio, Lib. G,fol. 27. 
 
 Tho title to the last mentioned grantees was confirmed to them by Thomas L. 
 Opden, bv deed dated Februan,' 13th, 1801. — Sec Secretary of State's Office, Albany, 
 Lib. M. R. No. 33, fol. 241, and Clerk's Office, Ontario, Lib. 8,fol. 412. 
 
 3d. Deed from Robert Morris and wife to Herman Le Roy, John Linklaen and 
 Gerrit Boon, conveying eight hundred thousand acres, consisting of townships Nos. 5, 
 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, in the fourth, fifth and sixth ranges of town- 
 ships, dated July 20th, 1793.— Sec Secretary of State's Office, Albany, Lib. M. R. No. 
 I 25, /oZ. 147, and Clerk's Office, Ontario, Lib. 2,foL 158. 
 
 The la-st mentioned conveyance was confirmed by deed between the same parties, 
 ij dated June 1st, 1798.— Sec Secretary of State's Office. Albany, Lib. M. R. No. 31, 
 fol. 153, and Clerk's Office, Ontario, Lib. 5, foL 288. 
 
 Deed from Herman Le Roy and Hannah his wife, John Linklaen and Plelen hi3 
 wife, and Gerrit Boon, to Paul Busti, dated July 9th, 1798. — See Secretary of State's 
 Office, Albany, Lib. M. R. No. 31, fol. 205, and Clerk's Office, Ontario, Lib. 5. 
 foL 303. 
 
 42 
 
648 APPENDIX. 
 
 Deed from Paul Busti and wife to Herman Le Roy, Wm. Bayard, James McEvers, , 
 John Linklaen, and Gerrit Boon, in trust, for the benefit of Wilhem Willink and 
 others, with covenant to convey according to their directions and appointment, dated i 
 July 10th, 1798.— -S'ee Secretary of Slate's Office, Albany, Lib. M. R. No. 32, fol. 127, , 
 and Clerk's Office, Ontario, Lib. 5. fol, 311. 
 
 Deed from Herman Le Roy, William Bayard, James McEvers, John Linklaen, and 
 Gorrit Boon, to Wilhem Willink, Nicholaas Van Staphorst, Pietor Van Eeghen, Hen- 
 drich Vollenhoven and Rutger Jan Schimmelpennink, as joint tenants, dated Dec. 31, 
 1798. — See Secretary of State's Office, Albany, Lib. M. R. No. 31, fol. 243, and ! 
 Clerk's Office, Ontario, Lib. 6, fol. 29. 
 
 The title to the last mentioned grantees was confirmed to them by Thomas L. Ogden, , 
 by deed, dated Feb. 13th, 1601. — .S'ee Secretary of State's Office, Albany, Lib. M. R. . 
 No. 34, foL 251, and Clerk's Office, Ontario, Lib. 8, fol. 408. 
 
 4th. Deed from Robert Morris and wife to Herman Le Roy, William Bayard, and 1 
 Matthew Clarkson, conveying three hundred thousand acres, consisting of townships 
 Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4, in the first range of townships, and townships Nos. 1, 2, and 3, in • 
 the second and third ranges of towns'iips, and .also one hundred and thirteen chains 
 and sixty eight links off the east part of all the townships in the seventh range, dated 
 July 20th, 1793.— -Sea Secretary of State's Off.ce, Albany, Lib. M. R. No. 25, foL 131, , 
 and Clerk's Office, Ontario, Lib. 6, fol. 58.. 
 
 The title of the last named grantees was confirmed to them by deed between the 
 same parties, dated June 1st, 1798. — See Secretary of State's Office, Albany, Lib. M. R. 
 No. 31, fol. 144, a7id Clerk's Office, Ontario, Lib. 5, fol. 284. 
 
 Deed from Herman Le Roy and Hannah his wife, William Bayard and Elizabeth i 
 his wife, and Matthew Clarkson, to Piiul Busli, dated July 9th, ll^-'.—Scs Secretary of 
 Stale's Office, Albamj, Lib. M. R. No. 31, foL 207, and Clerk's Office, Ontario, Lib. 5, , 
 foL 297. 
 
 Deed from Paul Busti and wife to Plerman Le Roy, William Bayard, and Matthew 
 CWkson, in trust for Wilhem Willink and Jan Willink, with covenant to convey 
 according to their directions and appointment, dated July 10th, 1798. — See Secretary i 
 of State s Office, Albany, Lib. M. R. No. 32, fol. 122, and Clerk's Office, Ontario, Lib. . 
 5,foL 320. 
 
 Deed from Herman Le Roy, William Bayard, and Matthew Clarkson, to Wilhem i 
 Willink, Jan Willink, Wilhem "Willink, Jr. and Jan Willink, Jr. as joint tenants, dated I 
 January 31st, 1799. — See Secretary of Stale's Office, Albany, Lib. M. R. No. 31, foL 
 257, and Clerk's Office, Ontario, Lib. 6, fol. 31. 
 
 The title of the last mentioned grantees was confirmed to them by Thomas L. Ogden, 
 by deed, dated Feb. 27th, 1801.— -Sec Secretary of State's Office, Albany, Lib. M. R. 
 No. 33, foL 277, a«rf Clerk's Office, Ontario, Lib. 8, fol. 420. 
 
 The several re-leases by Thomas L. Ogden were for the purpose of re-instating the < 
 title from the effects of sheriff's sales, made by virtue of judgments against Robert ; 
 Morris. 
 
 The individuals forming the Holland Company being aliens, were not authorised to 
 hold and convey real estate within this state, therefore they held these lands, in the first 
 place, by trustees. Fearing that some flaw might be found in the regularity of their 
 title, according to the common law of Great Britain, which decided such matters ia 
 the absence of statutory' provisions; two statutes were passed by the Legislature of the 
 State of New York, for their especial benefit, as well as two other statutes relative to 
 aliens holding lands generally. By these four statutes, the titles of which follow, the 
 
APPENDIX. 649 
 
 couvrvances heroin before named, and those which follow, are fully authorised and 
 ini'.i'jiUlublo titles, preserved in the last grantees. 
 
 " An act for the relief of Wilhom Willink, Nicholaas Van Staphorst, Christiaan Van 
 Eeghen, Hendrick VoUcnhoven, Rutger Jan Schimmelpenuinck, and Pietcr Stadnitski, 
 being aliens; passed 11th April, 179G." 
 
 "An act supplementary to the act entitled, 'an act for the relief of Wilhem Willink, 
 Nicholaas Van Staphorst, Christiaan Van Eoghen, Ilendrick VoUenhoven, Rutger Jan 
 Schimmelponninck, and Pictor Stadnitski, being aliens,' passed 24th February 1797." 
 
 "An act to enable aliens to purchase and hold real estate, within this state, under 
 certain restrictions therein mentioned, passed 2d April, 1798." 
 
 "An act declaratory of the construction and intent of the act entitled 'an act to ena- 
 ble aliens to purchase and hold real estate within this state under certain restrictions 
 therein mentioned,' and to amend the same, passed 5th March, 1819." 
 
 Statement deducing the title of the land included in the three first mentioned chains 
 of title, from Wilhem Willink, Nicholaas Van Staphorst, Pieter Van Eeghen, Hendrick 
 VoUenhoven, and Rutger Jan Schimmelpenuinck, in whom the title to the whole of 
 the Holland Purchase was vested, on the 31st day of December, 1798, except the three 
 hundred thousand acres owned by Wilhem Willink, Jan Willink and others. 
 
 Deed from Wilhem Willink, Nicholaas Van Staphorst, Pieter Van Eeghen, Hendrick 
 VoUenhoven, and Rutger Jan Schimmelpenninck, by their attorney, Paul Busti, to 
 James McEvers, dated March 24th, 1801, conveying nine hundred eighty-three thou- 
 sand, nine hundred and ninety-seven acres, consisting of seven thousand, two hun- 
 dred and eighty-si.x acres of the west part of township fourteen, and the whole of 
 townships Nos. 15 and 16, in the fourth range §f townships; the west four hundred 
 twenty-two chains and fifty-six links of townships Nos. 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 
 15, in the seventh range of townships; the whole of townships Nos. 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 
 13, 14 and 15, in the eighth range; townships Nos. 8, 13, 14 and 15, in the ninth 
 range; townships Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, in the eleventh and twelfth ranges; town- 
 ships Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, in the thirteenth range; townships Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4, in 
 the fourteenth range; and townships Nos. 1, 2 and 3, in the fifteenth range of town- 
 ships. — Sec Secretary of Slate's Office, Albany, Lib. M. R. No. 33, fol. 210, and 
 Clerk's Office, Ontario, Lib. 8, fol. 370. 
 
 Deed from James McEvers to Wilhem Willink, Nicholaas Van Staphorst, Pieter 
 Van Eeghen, Hendrick VoUenhoven, Rutger Jan Schimmelpenninck, Wilhem Willink 
 the younger, Jan Willink t):e younger, Jan Gabriel Van Staphorst, Roelif Van Stap- 
 horst the younger, Cornelis VoUenhoven, and Hendrick Seye, as joint tenants, dated 
 April 1st, IcOl.—Sce Secretary of State's Office, Albany, Lib. M. R. No. 3-i, fol. 226, 
 and Clerk's Office, Ontario, Lib. 8, fol. 330. 
 
 Deed from Wilhem Willink, Wilhem Willink, Junior, and Cornelis VoUenhoven, 
 (suri'ivors of the above joint tenants,) to Egbert Jean Koch, dated February 9th, 1829. 
 — See Secretary of State's Office, Albany, Lib. 42, fol. bl; Niagara County Clerk's 
 Office, Lib. 4, fol. 401; Chavtaiique Co7tnly Clerk's Office, Lib. 8, fol. 20; Cattaraugus 
 County Clerk's Office, Lib. 2, fol. ^92; Erie County Clerk's Office, Lib. 12, foL 113; 
 Orleans County Clerk's Office, Lib. 2, fol. 364. 
 
 Deed from Egbert Jean Koch to Wilhem Willink, Walravo Van Heukelom, Jan 
 Eoghen, Cornelis Isaac Van Der Vliet, Wilhem Willink, Junior, and Pieter Van 
 Eeghen, as joint tenants, dated February 10th, 1829. — See Secretary (f State's Office, 
 Albany, Lib. 42, fol. 56; Niagara County Clerk' i Office, Lib. 4, fol. 405; Chautauque 
 County Clerk's Office, Lib. 8, fol. 23; Cattaraugus County Clerk's Office, Lib. 2, fol. 
 295; Erie County Clerk's Office, Lib. U,fol. 113; Orleans County Clerk's Office, Lib. 
 %fol. 264. 
 
650 APPENDIX. 
 
 Deed from Wilhem Willink, Walrave Van Heukelom, Jan Van Eeghen, Cornelia 
 Isaac Van Der Vliet, Wilhem Willink, Junior, and Pieler Van Eeghen, together with 
 Nicholaas Van Beeftingh and Gerrit Sehimmelpenninck, (son of Rutger Jan,) to 
 Egbert Jean Koch, dated February 11th, 1829, conveying township No. 14, in the 
 fourth range of townships, containing 13,950 acres. — See Secretary of Staters Office, 
 Albany, Lib. A%fol. 61; Orleans County Clerk's Office, Lib. 2,/ol. 369. 
 
 Deed from Egbert Jean Koch to Wilhem Willink, Walrave Van Heukelom, Jan 
 Van Eeghen, Cornells Isaac Van Der Vliet, Wilhem Willink, Junior, and Pieter Van 
 Eeghen, as joint tenants, dated February 12th, 1829, conveying seven thousand, two 
 hundred and eighty-six acres of the west part of township No. 14, in the fourth range 
 of townships. — See Secretary q/" State's Office, Albany, Lib. 42, fol. 64, and Orleans 
 County Clerk's Office. Lib. 2, fol. 373. 
 
 Deed from Wilhem Willink, Hendrick Vollenhoven, Rutger Jan Sehimmelpenninck, 
 survivors of Nicholaas Van Staphorst and Pieter Van Eeghen, to Hendrick Seye, 
 dated April 18th, 1821; conveying townships Nos. 5, to 16, in the first range of town- 
 ships, both inclusive; townships 4, to 16, in the second and third ranges, all inclusive; 
 townships Nos. 1, to 13, in the fourth range, both inclusive; townships Nos. 1, to 16, 
 in the fifth and sixth ranges, all inclusive; the west four hundred twenty-two chains 
 and fifty-six links of townships Nos. 1, to 5, in the seventh range, both inclusive; town- 
 ships Nos. 1, to 5, in the eighth range, both inclusive; and townships Nos. 1, to 6, iu 
 the ninth and tenth ranges, all inclusive; containing, by estimation, two millions acres. 
 — See Secretary of State's Office, Albany, Lib. 40, fol. 400; Genesee County Clerk's 
 Office, Lib. 15, fol. 492; Niagara County Clerk's Office, Lib. I, fol. 110; Erie County 
 Clerk's Office, Lib. 6, fol. 519; Cattaraugus County Clerk's Office, Lib. 1, fol. 128; 
 Allegany County Clerk's Office, Lib. C.fol. 19t); Chautauque County Clerk's Office, 
 Lib. 4, fol. 62. 
 
 Deed from Hendrick Seye to Wilhem Willink, Hendrick Vollenhoven, Rutger Jaa 
 Sehimmelpenninck, Walrave Van Heukelom, Nicholaas Van Beeftingh, Jan Van 
 Eeghen, Wilhem Willink, Junior, and Gerrit Sehimmelpenninck, (son of Rutger Jan) 
 as joint tenants, dated April 19th, 1821; conveying the same premises as the last. — See 
 Secretary of State's Office, Albany, Lib. 40, fol. 403; Genesee County Clerk's Office, 
 Lib. \5,fol. 490; Niagara County Clerk's Office, Lib. I, fol. 114; Erie County Clerk's 
 Office, Lib. G,fol. 522; Cattaraugus County Clerk's Office, Lib. I, fol. 131; Allegany 
 County Clark's Office, Lib. C.fol. 192; Chautauque County Clerk's Office, Lib. 4, fol. 65. 
 
 Deed from Wilhem Willink, Walrave Van Heukelom, Nicholaas Van Beeftingh, 
 Jan Van Eeghen, Wilhem Willink, Junior, Gerrit Sehimmelpenninck, (survivors of 
 Hendrick Vollenhoven and Rutger Jan Sehimmelpenninck,) together with Cornells 
 Isaac Van Der Vliet and Pieter Van Eeghen, to Egbert Jean Koch, dated February 
 11th, 1829; conveying township No. 14, in the fourth range of townships, containing 
 thirteen thousand, nine hundred and fifty acres. — See Secretary of State's Office, 
 Albany, Lib. 42, fol. 61; Orleans County Clerk's Office, Lib. 2, fol. 369. 
 
 Deed from Egbert Jean Koch to Wilhem Willink, Walrave Van Heukelom, Nicho- 
 laas Van Beeftingh, Jan Van Eeghen, Wilhem Willink, Junior, and Gerrit Sehim- 
 melpenninck; dated Februar}- 12th, 1829, conveying six thousand, six hundred and 
 seventy-four acres of the east part of township No. .14, in the fourth range of townships. 
 — See Secretary of State's Office, Albany, Lib. 42, fol. 66; Orleans County Clerk's 
 Office, Lib. 2, foL 375. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 651 
 
 THE TOWNSHIPS OF THE HOLLAND PURCHASE, WITH REFERENCE 
 TO TOWNS AS NOW ORGANIZED. 
 
 ALLEGANY. 
 T. 1, R. 1, Bolivar. 
 T. 2, R. 1, Wirt. 
 T. 3, R. 1, Friendship. E. pt. 
 
 T. 4, R. 1, Belfast. W. pt. 
 
 T. 5, R. L Caneadca. 
 T. 6, R. 1, Hume. 
 T. 1, R. 2, Genesee. 
 
 T. 2, R. 2, Clarkesville. 
 
 T. 3, R. 2, Cuba. 
 . T. 4, R. 2, Belfast, 
 . T. 4, R. 2, Now Hudson. 
 
 T. 5, R. 2, Rushford. 
 
 T. 6, R. 2, Centreville. 
 
 T. 7, 
 T. 8, 
 T. 9, 
 T. 10, 
 T. 7, 
 T. 8, 
 T. 9, 
 T. 10, 
 
 WYOMING. 
 R. 1, Pike. 
 R. 1, Gainesville. 
 R. 1, Warsaw. 
 R. 1, Middleburv. 
 R. 2, Eagle. 
 R. 2, Weathorsfield. 
 R. 2, Orangeville. 
 R. 2, Attica. 
 
 T. 
 
 7, 
 
 R. 
 
 3, 
 
 China. 
 
 T. 
 
 8, 
 
 R. 
 
 3, 
 
 Java. 
 
 T. 
 
 9, 
 
 R. 
 
 3, 
 
 Sheldon. 
 
 T. 
 
 10. 
 
 R. 
 
 3, 
 
 Bennington 
 
 T. 
 
 7. 
 
 R. 
 
 4, 
 
 China. 
 
 T. 
 
 8, 
 
 R 
 
 4. 
 
 Java. 
 
 T. 
 
 9, 
 
 R. 
 
 4, 
 
 Sheldon. 
 
 T. 10, R. 4, Bennington. 
 
 GENESEE. 
 
 E. pt. . . 
 W. pt. 
 
 E. pt. 
 
 T. 11, R. 1, Bethanv. 
 .T. 12, R. 1, Stafford. 
 .T. 12, R. 1, Batavia. 
 
 T. 13, R. 1, Elba. 
 
 T. 11, R. 2, Alexander. 
 
 T. 12, R. 2, Batavia. 
 .T. 13, R. 2, Elba. 
 
 W. pt. 
 
 S. pt. 
 
 N. pt. . 
 
 W. tier lots. 
 S. E. pt.... 
 N. E. pt.... 
 
 ORLEANS. 
 
 T. 14. R. 1, Barre. 
 .T. 1.5, R. 1, Barre. 
 .T. 15, R. 1, Gaines. 
 
 T. 16, R. 1, Carlton. 
 
 T. 14, R. 2, Barre. 
 • T. 15, R. 2, Ridgewav. 
 .T. 15, R. 2, Barre. 
 .T. 15. R. 2, Gaines. 
 
 .T. 13, R. 2, Oakfield. 
 T. 11, R. 3, Darion. 
 T. 12, R. 3, Pembroke. 
 T. 13, R. 3, Alabama. 
 T. 11, R 4, Darien. 
 T. 12, R. 4, Pembroke. 
 T. 13, R. 4, Alabama. 
 
 T. 16, R. 2, Carlton. 
 T. 14, R. 3, Shelbv. 
 T. 15, R. 3, Ridgeway. 
 T. 16, R. 3, Yates. 
 T. 14, R. 4, Shelby. 
 T. 15, R. 4, Ridgeway. 
 T. 16, R. 4, Yates. 
 
 CATTARAUGUS. 
 
 T. 1, R. 3, 
 
 S. pt T. 2, R. 3, 
 
 N. pt T. 2, R. 3, 
 
 S. pt T. 3. R. 3, 
 
 N. pt T. 3, R. 3, 
 
 T. 4, R. 3, 
 T. 5, R. 3, 
 T. 6, R. 3, 
 T. 1, R. 4, 
 
 S. pt T. 2, R. 4, 
 
 N. pt T. 2, R. 4, 
 
 S. pt T. 3, R. 4, 
 
 N. pt T. 3, R. 4, 
 
 E. pt T. 4, R. 4, 
 
 Portville. 
 
 Portville. 
 
 Hinsdale. 
 
 Hinsdale, 
 
 Rice. 
 
 Lyndon. 
 
 Farmersvillo. 
 
 Freedom. 
 
 Olean. 
 
 Oleun. 
 
 Hinsdale. 
 
 Hinsdale. 
 
 Rice. 
 
 Lyndon. 
 
 W. pt. 
 
 ..T. 4, 
 T. 5, 
 S. W. cor. lot,. T. 6, 
 
 Residue T. 6, 
 
 T. 1. 
 T. 2 
 
 T. 4, 
 T. 5, 
 
 S. Uerlots T. 6, 
 
 Part T. 6, 
 
 S. E. pt T. 7, 
 
 T. 1, 
 S. pt T.2 
 
 R. 4, 
 R. 4, 
 R. 4, 
 R. 4. 
 R. 5, 
 R. 5. 
 R. 5, 
 R. 5, 
 R. 5, 
 R. 5, 
 R. 5, 
 R. 5, 
 R. 6, 
 R. 6, 
 
 Franklinville. 
 
 Farmersville. 
 
 Machias. 
 
 Freedom. 
 
 Burton. 
 
 Burton. 
 
 Humphrey.-^ 
 
 Franklinville. 
 
 Machias. 
 
 Machias. 
 
 Yorkshire. 
 
 Yorkshire. 
 
 Carrolton. 
 
 Ceirrolton. 
 
G52 
 
 APPENDIX. 
 
 N. pU T.2, R. 
 
 T. 3, R. 
 
 T. 4, R. 
 
 S. pt T. 5, R. 
 
 N. pt T. 5, R. 
 
 S. pt T. C, R. 
 
 T. 1, R. 
 
 T. 2, R. 
 
 T. 3, R. 
 
 T. 4, R. 
 
 T. 5, R. 
 
 S. pt T. 6, R. 
 
 Part T. 6, R. 
 
 T. 1, R, 
 
 CATTARAUGUS, Continued. 
 6, Great Valley. 
 6, Great Vallej-. 
 6, Ellicottville. 
 6, Ellicottville. 
 6, Ashford. 
 
 6, Ashford. 
 
 7, Little Valley. 
 7, Little Valley. 
 7, Little Valley. 
 7, Mansfield. ' 
 7, Otto. 
 7, Otto. 
 
 7, Ashford. 
 
 8, South Valley. 
 
 E. pt 
 
 W. pt 
 
 S. E. pt... 
 S. W. pt. . . 
 
 T. 
 
 T. 
 
 T. 
 .T. 
 .T. 
 .T. 
 .T. 
 
 T. 
 
 T. 
 
 *T. 
 
 T. 
 
 T. 
 
 T. 
 
 2, R. 
 
 3, R. 
 
 4, R. 
 
 5, R. 
 
 5, R. 
 G, R. 
 
 6, R. 
 
 1, R. 
 
 2, R. 
 
 3, R. 
 
 4, R. 
 
 5, R. 
 
 6, R. 
 
 8, Cold Spring. 
 8, Napoli. 
 8, New Albion. 
 8, Otto. 
 8, Persia. 
 8, Otto. 
 
 8, Persia. 
 
 9, South Valley. 
 9, Randolph. 
 
 9, Connewango. 
 9, Leon. 
 9, Dayton. 
 9, Perrjsburg. 
 
 ERIE. 
 
 N. W. pt 
 
 N. & W. pts. 
 
 S. pt 
 
 N. E. pt., 
 N. W. pt. 
 
 E. pt 
 
 W. pt.... 
 
 S. pf 
 
 N. E. pt. 
 N. W. pt. 
 E. pt,.... 
 W. pt... 
 
 .T. 6, 
 .T. 7, 
 T. 8, 
 T. 9, 
 T. 11, 
 T. 12, 
 .T. 13, 
 
 .T. 
 .T, 
 .T. 
 .T. 
 
 T. 
 
 T. 
 
 T. 11, 
 
 T. 12, 
 .T. 1.3, 
 .T. 6. 
 .T. 6, 
 • T. 7, 
 .T. 7, 
 
 R. 5, 
 R. 5, 
 R. 5, 
 R. 5, 
 R. 5, 
 R. 5, 
 R. 5, 
 R. 6, 
 R. 6, 
 R. 6, 
 R. 6, 
 R. 6, 
 R. 6, 
 R. 6, 
 R. 6, 
 R. 6, 
 R. 7, 
 R. 7, 
 R. 7, 
 R. 7, 
 
 Sardinia. 
 
 Sardinia. 
 
 Holland. 
 
 Wales. 
 
 Alden. 
 
 Nevvstead. 
 
 Newstead. 
 
 Sardinia. 
 
 Concord. 
 
 Sardinia. 
 
 Concord. 
 
 Colden. 
 
 Aurora. 
 
 Lancaster. 
 
 Clarence. 
 
 Clarence. 
 
 Concord. 
 
 Collin.?. 
 
 Concord. 
 
 Collins. 
 
 W. tier lots,..T. 
 E.pt T. 
 
 T. 
 W. 2 tier lots, T. 
 N. tier lots,...T. 
 
 Residue, T. 
 
 S. E.2 1ots,...T. 
 
 Residue T. 
 
 S. pt T. 
 
 N. pt T. 
 
 T. 
 
 T. 
 
 S. W. pt T. 
 
 Residue, T. 
 
 S. W. pt T. 
 
 Residue T. 
 
 S. & E. pt....T. 
 
 S. pt T. 
 
 N. pt T. 
 
 R. 7, 
 R. 7, 
 R. 7. 
 R. 7, 
 R. 7, 
 R. 7, 
 R. 7, 
 R. 7, 
 R. 7, 
 R. 8, 
 R. 8, 
 R. 8, 
 R. 8, 
 R. 8, 
 R. 8, 
 R. 8, 
 R. 8, 
 R. 9, 
 R. 9, 
 
 Eden. 
 
 Boston. 
 
 Hamburg. 
 
 Black Rock. 
 
 Aniher.st. 
 
 Cheektowaga. 
 
 Tonawanda. 
 
 Amherst. 
 
 Amherst. 
 
 Collins. 
 
 Collins. 
 
 Eden. 
 
 Evans. 
 
 Hamburg. 
 
 Buffalo City. 
 
 Black Rock. 
 
 Tonawanda. 
 
 Brandt. 
 
 Evans. 
 
 NIAGARA. 
 
 N. pt. . . 
 
 N. E. pt. 
 N.W.pt. 
 
 E. pt 
 
 W. pt. . . . 
 E. pt. . . . 
 W. pt. . . , 
 
 E. pt 
 
 W. pt. . . . 
 N. pt...., 
 
 .T. 1.3, 
 
 T. 14, 
 
 T. 15, 
 
 T. IG, 
 
 .T. 13, 
 
 .T. 13, 
 
 .T. 14, 
 
 .T. 14, 
 
 .T. 15, 
 
 .T. 1.^), 
 
 .T. 16, 
 
 .T. IG, 
 
 .T. 13, 
 
 R. 5, 
 R. 5, 
 R. 5, 
 R. 5, 
 R. 6, 
 R. G, 
 R. G, 
 R. 6, 
 R. 6, 
 R. 6, 
 R. G, 
 R. 6, 
 R. 7, 
 
 Royalton. 
 Royalton. 
 Hartland. 
 Somerset. 
 Royalton. 
 Lockport. 
 Royalton. 
 Lockport. 
 Hartland. 
 Newfano. 
 Somerset. 
 Newfane. 
 Pendleton. 
 
 E.pt.... 
 W. pt... 
 E. pt.... 
 W. pt... 
 N. W. pt. 
 
 E.pt.. 
 W. pt. 
 E. pt. . 
 W. pt. 
 
 .T. 14, 
 
 .T. 15, 
 
 .T. 15, 
 
 T. 13, 
 
 T. 14, 
 
 T. 15, 
 
 R. 8, 
 R. 8, 
 R. 8, 
 R. 8, 
 R. 8, 
 R. 8, 
 R. 9, 
 R. 9, 
 R. 9, 
 
 Lockport. 
 
 Cambria. 
 
 Newfane. 
 
 Wilson. 
 
 Wheatfield. 
 
 Wheatfield. 
 
 Cambria. 
 
 Lewiston. 
 
 Wilson. 
 
 Porter. 
 
 Niagarju 
 
 Lewiston. 
 
 Porter. 
 
 CHAUTAUQUE. 
 T. 1, R. 10, Carrol. 
 
 T. 2, R. 10, Poland. N. tier lots,. 
 
 T. 3, R. 10, Ellington. S. E. pt.... 
 
 T. 4, R. 10, Cherrj- Creek. S. W. pt. . . 
 T. 5, R. 10, Villanovia. 
 
 T. 6, R. 10, Hanover. 
 .T. 1, R. 11, Ellicott. 
 .T. 1, R. 11, Carrol. 
 .T. 1, R 11, Busti. 
 
 T. 2, R 11, Ellicott 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 653 
 
 T. 3, R. 11, Gern-. 
 
 T. 4, R. 11, Charlotte. 
 
 T. 5, R. 11, Arkwright. 
 S. E. pt. 4 lots, .T. 6, R. 11, Hanover. 
 
 Residue, T. 6, R. 11, Sheridan. 
 
 E. pt T. 1, R. 12, Busti. 
 
 W. pt T. 1, R. 12, Harmony. 
 
 S. E. pt T. 2, R. 12, Busii. ' 
 
 S. W. pt. T. 2, R. 12, Harmony. 
 
 N. pt T 2, R. 12, Ellerv. 
 
 N. tier lots, T. ."?, R. 12, Stockton. 
 
 Re.sidue, T. 3, R. 12, Ellerv. 
 
 T. 4, R. 12, Stockton. 
 
 T. f), R. 12, I'omfret. - 
 
 T. G, R. 12, Ponifret. 
 
 T. 1, R. 13, Harmony. 
 
 T. 2, R. 13, Harmonv. 
 
 CHAUTAUQUE, Continued. 
 
 N. E. lot,.. 
 Res. E. tier, 
 W. pt 
 
 E. tier lots,. 
 N. W. pt. . . 
 Residue, . . . 
 
 E. pt 
 
 W. pt... 
 S. E. pt. . 
 Residue, 
 
 3, R. 
 3, R. 
 
 3, R. 
 
 4, R. 
 
 4, R. 
 4, R. 
 3, R. 
 
 1, R. 
 
 2, R. 
 
 3, R. 
 
 3, R. 
 
 4, R. 
 4, R. 
 
 1, R. 
 
 2, R. 
 
 3, R. 
 
 1.3, Stockton. 
 13, ElleiT. 
 13, Chautauqua. 
 13, Stockton. 
 13, Portland. 
 I'.i, Cliautauque. 
 
 13, Portland. 
 
 14, Clymer. 
 14, Sherman. 
 14, Cliautauque. 
 14, Westticld. 
 
 14, Chautauqua. 
 14, Westfield. 
 
 l.'i, French Creek. 
 IG, Mina. 
 
 15, Ripley. 
 
 CANAL VILLAGES. 
 
 Although advancing somewhat beyond the Pioneer Historj- of the Holland Purchase, 
 as the construction of the Erie Canal has been included, some pioneer sketches of the 
 villages it has created, are suggested: — 
 
 Black Rock. — At an early period, as will have been obeservcd, this was a place of 
 some note, a prominent point of ferriage over the Niagara river, and until 1823, tho 
 principal depot of lake commerce, at the foot of lake Erie. With its store house, tavern 
 and ferr}' house, a few scattered dwellings, and soldiers' barracks and batteries, it was 
 a busy, stirring place in the war of 1812; a battle ground upon two or three occasions. 
 It recovered slowly after tho burning and pillaging during the war. In the construction 
 of the capacious harbor for lake and canal commerce, it seemed to have acquired 
 advantages to ensure its rapid progress and permanent prosperity. During tho progress 
 of the construction of the harbor, and for several yeau after the completion of the 
 entire Canal, population increased rapidly, building was brisk, and business establish- 
 ments followed one after another, in rapid succession. At one period there was no 
 locality upon the Erie Canal that seemed to have acquired a better start. 
 
 The securing, however, of a harbor at Buffalo, and its gradual improvement, diverted 
 the commerce of the lakes, and whereever that v.-ent, canal commerce was sure to 
 follow. At a critical period of village rivalry, Buffalo was fortunate in the possession 
 of men in her interests of extraordinary enterprise and perseverance; capital and 
 ownership of lake craft began to centre there; and the scale turned in its favor. For a 
 long period the village of Black Rock declined, or remained but stationarj-, in the lee 
 or shadow of its successful and powerful rival; the traveler never failing to wonder, 
 while passing up its capacious harbor, and witnessing the hydraulic power it created, 
 why such advantages were so little improved. 
 
 In the mean time, its successful and over-shadowing rival, growing generous in it-s 
 career of prosperity — forgetful of old controversies — has been expanding, and extend- 
 ing a right arm to embrace and merge it in one continuous and consolidated City of 
 THE Lakes. And who that has witnessed the mighty influences of lake and canal 
 commerce; that sees new states and territories becoming tributarj- to this most fortunate 
 locality; the fertile regions of the west that are calling for more room at the foot of lake 
 Erie; doubts the speedy consummation of the event that we have indicated? 
 
 ToNAvvANDA. — Provious to the construction of the Canal, there had been, upon tho 
 
654 APPENDIX. 
 
 site of Tonawanda village, but a small beginning in the way of farming, and a log 
 tavern which was, in an early day, kept by Garrett Van Slyke, who afterwards moved 
 up the creek. A toll bridge was erected in 1825. 
 
 In 1823, William Williams, Latham A. Burrows, Samuel Wilkeson, Townsend & 
 Coit, and Albert H. Tracy purchased five or six hundred acres of land, which embraced 
 the site of the village, on the Erie side of the creek. Mr. Williams erected a saw mill 
 upon the dam, in 1825. In 1824, John Sweeny and George Goundry purchased the 
 land which embraces that part of the village which lies on the Niagara side of the 
 creek; Mr. Sweeny erected a saw mill in 1825. The proprietors platted the village 
 soon after their purchases. 
 
 With many business advantages, connected with lake, river, and canal commerce, 
 the growth of the place was, in early years, seriously effected by the flooding of lands, 
 consequent upon the raising of the water of the Tonawanda and Eleven Mile creeks, 
 to perfect canal navigation. In 1840, the state constructed ditches, the effects of which 
 have been to reclaim drowned lands, improve the health of the place, and give a start 
 to improvements. The agricultural interests of the neighborhood, as in all similar 
 cases, have suffered from the attention of a large portion of the population being diverted 
 to the business of lumbering. That hindrance being gradually obviated, as the fine oak 
 ef the region has been exhausted, there are few portions of the Holland Purchase, which, 
 for the last few years, have given more evident signs of improvement and progress, 
 than the neighborhood of Tonawanda. 
 
 A new impetus has been given to the place within the present year. A company of 
 capitalists from Cleveland, invited by the facilities that exist there for transhipments from 
 lake craft to canal boats, have purchased thirteen or fourteen hundred acres of land 
 on the Erie side of the creek, erected a capacious storehouse and elevator, a storehouse 
 for rolling freight, and have other improvements projected. A new era may be said to 
 have commenced at Tonawanda. 
 
 LocKPORT. — This large flourishing village, now numbering its eight thousand inhab- 
 itants, its five extensive flouring mills, and as many lumbering establishments, aside 
 from a large cotton factory, and various other branches of manufactories; its Union 
 School, liberally endowed, with its five and six hundred pupils; its fifty or sixty mercan- 
 tile establishments; is the offspring wholly of the Erie Canal. The site was a wilder- 
 ness, dotted with but two or three log houses, and stinted improvements, when the 
 canal was located. Its pioneer history is all that is embraced in our present object. 
 
 The original proprietors of the village site, or those who purchased the lauds from the 
 Holland Company, were, Zeno Comstock, Nathan Comstock, Webster Thorn, Daniel 
 Smith, Eseck Brown, Almon H. Millard, Reuben Haines, David Frink, John Cora- 
 stock, Nathan B. Rogers, Joseph Otis, Daniel Washburn, Asahel Smith, and James 
 Conkey. DZF/Sce page 551. The first saw mill (or machinery of any kind erected 
 upon the village site) stood in the gulf just above the cotton factor)'. It was erected by 
 Zeno Comstock, in 1819. David Frink built the first saw mill down the stream; War- 
 ren Saddler the next, and Otis Hathaway the next. 
 
 The author cannot give, in any form, a more graphic account of primitive things, of 
 the early pioneer period, in the history of Lockpoit, than is contained in the following 
 sketch, furnished with reference to this work, by Morris H. Tucker, Esq. the pioneer 
 merchant: — 
 
 " When I came to Lockport in the summer of 1821, there were some half dozen 
 families residing in unfinished log houses, and a number of men were building small 
 houses, expecting to bring their families as soon as they could finish the tenements. 
 
 " Eseck Brown kept the only tavern, in a log house, on the rise of ground a little west 
 of the Lutheran Church. Here the canal contractors all boarded, and a happier set of 
 
APPENDIX. 655 
 
 fellows I never saw collected together. John M'Kay and Claudius V. Boughton had 
 the contract for a considerable distance of the rock cutting^, were clearing and grubbing 
 from the Main street bridge, wcstwardly, and soon commenced excavating at tlie head 
 of the locks. 
 
 •' Jared Comstock and Eseck Brown were selling village lots on Main street 
 Brown's land was cleared from Goncsee street to a little north of Caledonia street, and 
 extended from Pro.sj)oct street to the Transit. Jared Comstock's land was cleared from 
 his south bounds to the north side of Niagara street. From the north side of Niagara 
 etreet the land of Comstock was uncleared, and the land from the head of the locks, 
 around the ravine, embracing all the Lower Town, and extending as far east as the 
 residence of Judge Dayton, was a dense forest. Here Nathan Comstock's improve- 
 ments commenced. 
 
 "In the summer or fall of 1821, Col. William M. Bond came on from Now Hamp- 
 shire and purchased several acres of Brown's land and laid it out into village lots. He 
 united witii John M'Kay, Henrj' Wright, (an engineer, son of Benjamin Wright, one 
 of the early Principal Engineers,) and myself, in persuading Brown to lay out a good 
 part of his farm into village lots; and he was induced to add Niagara, Ontario, Caledonia, 
 Genesee. Bond, and Prospect Streets, to his village plat. Jared Comstock also added, 
 east of the Transit, Walnut, Genesee, Cottage, Pine, Locust, Elm, and Canal Streets, 
 representing a large city on paper, causing much merriment to our elder neighbors of 
 ButTalo, Lewiston, and the Falls; and they were not sparing of their jokes at our village, 
 with its log taverns, including the noted log ' cottage.' 
 
 " I brought with me from Batavia an old stock of goods, which I stored at Eseck 
 Brown's until 1 could build a store. There was no store nearer than Ilarlland Corners. 
 When it became known to the women that I had good tea stored at Brown's, no excuse 
 would answer, have it they would, and I was obliged to open shoj). In two or three 
 weeks 1 moved my goods into a new framed store, an imposing building at that time, 
 twenty-two feet square, a story and a half high. Here for several weeks I had no 
 opposition in trade. Soon, however. House & Boughton got their new store finished, 
 and Libbeus Fish brought on goods from Batavia, and Lockport began to be a place of 
 no little importance. Shepord &. Towner's shoe shop, George Rogers' blacksmith shop. 
 Seaman & Batty's shoe shop, John Jackson's bakery, with several small groceries, 
 were often named and counted over, when recommending our village to some new 
 adventurer, to induce him to buy a village lot. That summer the rattle snakes were so 
 numerous that they occasioned much alarm to the villagers." 
 
 The proprietors who had an interest in the village plat east of the Transit with Jared 
 Comstock, (of whom Mr. Tucker speaks,) were his brothers, Darius and Joseph, and 
 Seymour Scovell, and Otis Hathaway. Joseph Comstock died in 1822. Jared Com- 
 stock, however, had the largest interest, and the titles to the largest share of that portion 
 of the village have come from him. Elias Ransom, Esq. becoming his agent at an 
 early period, and generally perfecting the sales. The purchase that the above named 
 proprietors made, was principally of Zeno Constock, who had bought of Holland Com- 
 pany. In possession of the most valuable portion of what now constitutes the Upper 
 Town, he sold, and bought at the head of the gulf, a mile and a quarter west, at a time 
 when there was a prospect of the canal taking that route. 
 
 Jesse Hawley early became interested with Wm. M. Bond, (of whom Mr. Tucker 
 speaks,) with whom was associated John G. Bond, an early and prominent pioneer of 
 Rochester, who became a resident of Lockport in 1822. They purchased most (if not 
 all) of the original farm lot of Eseck Brown. They may be regarded as the founders 
 and patroons of the village west of the Transit; wliile the Comstocks, Scovell, and 
 Hathaway, bore that relation to the portion of the Upper- Village east of that line. 
 
 There had been a newspaper printed at Lewiston, for a short time previous to 1822, 
 the first in the country, by Bartemus Ferguson. Some of the prominent citizens of 
 Lockport purchased the printing materials and transferred them and its publisher to 
 Lockport, early in that year. A paper was started, entitled the " Lockport Observa- 
 tory." The author purchased the establishment, and became the editor and publisher 
 of the paper, in August, of that year. And a rough and primitive village it then was, 
 as any, perhaps, that ever gloried in an old fashioned Ramage press, and a few fonts of 
 
656 APPENDIX. 
 
 worn-out 1)7)61 The village had advanced considerably in one j'ear, from the condition 
 described by Mr. Tucker, and yet there wore log heaps and huge piles of rocks in the 
 principal streets. There were not over a dozen or fifteen frame buildings, and but one 
 of stone, a store that had been erected by Sydney and Thomas Smith; the rest were of 
 logs. The old Mansion House had first been erected by James M'Kain, and Samuel 
 Jennings had built the framed tavern house, now standing, near the Eagle Tavern. 
 The author well recollects that, on the evening of his arrival in the village, there was a 
 dancing party at this last named " Lockport Hotel," highly pleased with the idea that 
 they had got a matched and planed floor to dance on. It marked a new era. With the 
 exception of Nathan Comstock's improvements, it was a dense forest from the present 
 site of the American to Wright's Corners, on the Ridge Road. Culver and Maynard 
 were clearing the timber from the slopes of the mountain, around the ravine, and exca- 
 vating the first rock section; Childs and Hamlin were excavating the second section; 
 Darius Comstock, the third; John Gilbert, the fourth; Norton, Bates, House, and 
 Boughton, the fifth and last rock section. The dense forest between Lockport and 
 Tonawanda creek looked as if a hurricane had passed through it, leaving a narrow belt 
 of fallen timber, excavated stone and earth; and that, to complete the ragged scene, 
 log boarding houses and Irish shanties had been strung along the whole distance. The 
 blasting of rocks was going on briskly, on that part of tlie canal located upon the village 
 site; rocks were flying in all directions; framed buildings, and the roofs of log buildings 
 were battered by them, and huge piles of stone lay upon both banks of the canal, with 
 a narrow opening to admit the passage of teams over a log bridge, on Main Street. 
 Joseph Landon was grubbing the timber, preparatory to the construction of the first 
 section, east of the locks. The first stone of the old locks was laid in the spring 
 of 1823. 
 
 Two circumstances attending the construction of tho canal through the Mountain 
 Ridge are worthy of note: — As the rock excavation deepened, it baflied the ingenuity 
 of commissioners and contractors, became expensive beyond all estimate; no greater 
 facilities existed for raising the rock, than wheelbarrows and long runs. In this 
 exigency. Orange Dibble, since widely known as a canal contractor on various public 
 works of the United States, and as Post Master at Buffalo, with a brother-in-law of his, 
 by the name of Olmsted, invented and introduced a simple crane, that revolutionized 
 the work, vastly cheapened it, and in the end, was the means of completing the canal 
 one year before it could have been done in the absence of it. In the original construc- 
 tion of the locks, the contractors, at great expense, opened a road through the woods, to 
 Williamsville, to procure tiieir water lime. At the same time, in excavating the lock- 
 pits and a portion of their rock section, they were removing immense quantities of 
 stone capable of making an hydraulic cement equal in quality to the best that has been 
 discovered in the United States. It was used in the construction of the new locks, and 
 has become an article of commerce upon the canal and lakes, for use in public struc- 
 tures, or whereever such a material is required. The credit of demonstrating its 
 superior quality, and introducing it into extensive use, belongs to Mr. Seth Pierce, of 
 Lockport. 
 
 The early merchants of Lockport, not named by Mr. Tucker, were Sidney and 
 Thomas Smith, Jonathan Childs, Joel M'CoUum, Lyman A. Spaulding, Harvey W. 
 Campbell, Price & Rounds, Joel M. Parks, William and Seth Parsons, George W. 
 Rogers, Hall & Barber, (W. Barron Williams, as agent for Van Rensselaer, of Utica,) 
 Jacob Gould, Daniel O. Davis, and Cummings & M'Whorter. Among tho early 
 mechanics not before named, were Allen Skinner, Hull & Storj', John Gait, Charles 
 
 Bolden, Levi Taylor, Lozier, Long, John Moore. The early physicians 
 
 were Isaac W. Smith, Webb, Stephen M. Potter, Lloyd Smith, Marliu Johnson, 
 
APPENDIX. 657 
 
 George W. Palmer, Henrj* Maxwell. The early attoraies have been named in another 
 connection. 
 
 The pioneer movements in Lower Town commenced in March, 1827. Joel M' 
 Collum, Seymour Scoveli, Otis Hathaway, and Sylvester R. Hathaway, purchased 
 three hundred acres of land of Nathan Comstock, which extended from Main Street, 
 through to the old Lowiston road, and embraced nearly all of what is now designated 
 as the Lower Town. These proprietors, after making considerable improvements, 
 constructing roads, building saw mills, &c. sold an interest in their purchase, of seven- 
 tenths, to Charles E. Dudley, Benjamin Kuower, Thomas W. Olcott, William L. 
 Marcy, and Lett Clark. Tiiese last named proprietors were what was termed the 
 "Albany Company." They had, previous to this, by purchase from the Holland Com- 
 pany, become the owners of all the unsold lands in Niagara, Orleans, and the north 
 parts of Genesee and Erie; tracts comprising, in the aggregate, about eighty thousand 
 acres. The agency was established in the Lower Town, Mr. Clark becoming the agent. 
 In 1830, the bank, the Episcopal church, the large brick block, several fine dwellings 
 were built, and other improvements made; Seymour Scoveli making large additions 
 
 to the old Lockport House that had been erected by Van Velzor. The Albany 
 
 Company continued to retail these wild lands, until 1834 or '35; Washington Hunt 
 entering tlie office of Mr. Clark, previous to his majority, and transacting most of the 
 business appertaining to land sales. At the period above named, Judge Hunt, in com- 
 pany with Henrj' Walbridge, purchased the unsold lands of the Albany Company, and 
 under their auspices the lands have been sold and settled, upon terms of liberality and 
 indulgence, that have materially aided the prosperity of the region in which they were 
 located. 
 
 The early merchants in Lower Town were Tucker & Bissell, Otis Hathaway, John 
 & Isaac Henning, Frederick Bissell, Stephen Gooding, Eaton & Brown, Stafford & 
 Humphrey, G. W. Merchant, Scoveli & Saxe. The earliest physician was J. K. 
 Skinner. Among the earliest mechanics were Horace Birdsall, Daniel W. Ballou, 
 
 Willis Peck, Asher Torrance, Stephen Brizee, William Olney, Harvey Norton, 
 
 Stimpson, William Shepherd, Enos Steel, William Hewitt, Samuel Works, Warren 
 Grant, Peter Besancon. 
 
 John Gooding was the patroon of what is known as "Pioneer Hill," and Samuel 
 Allen and Otis Hathaway, of that portion of the village in the neighborhood of the 
 Union School and the Catholic church. 
 
 In the process of canal enlargement, the old double tier of locks have been removed, 
 and new ones erected, that surpass, in magnitude, and in the manner of construction, 
 any work of the kind in the world. The contract for rebuilding was at first taken by 
 Smith, Parmelee &, Co. who, after getting the first tier in a considerable state of for- 
 wardness, sold their contract to Judge Buel, of Rochester, by .whom the jxork.bas beeu 
 nearly completed. The magnificent structure has been made under the superintend- 
 ence of the following engineers, who have, at different periods, had the superintendence 
 
 of it: Alfred Barrett, J. D. Fay, Thomas Evershed, Stephen F. Gooding. The cost 
 
 of the work has been over ,f 575,000. 
 
 MiDDLKPORT. — This flourishing, rural village, pleasant in its aspect, as any that are 
 dotted alonw the Erie Canal, grew up on lands, and in the immediate neighborhood, of 
 Pioneers that had preceded canal location; they were James Lyman, James Williams, 
 Jr. Asher Freeman, Asa Sawtell, Philarius W^illiams, Russell Ewiugs, Arunah 
 Bennett, William Taylor, Thomas T. Smith. Levi Cole became a resident there 
 about the period of the canal letting, became a contractor and the pioneer tavern keeper. 
 Benjamin Barlow, Jr. an early member of Assembly from Niagara, was a resident 
 
658 APPENDIX. 
 
 there as early as 1820 or '21. Dr. Packard was the early physician. Dunlap & Craig, 
 
 Francis B. Lane, Alden S. Baker, Northam were early merchants. Laue & 
 
 Baker had been contractors on the canal at the Sulphur Springs, west of Lockport, 
 settled at Middleport about the period of the completion of the canal, and have been 
 conspicuously identified with its history and progress. Mr. Lane died during the last 
 winter. Dr. Hurd settled there as a physician in an early day. Elijah Mathers and 
 Thomas N. Lee were among the earliest mechanics. The village commands the prin- 
 cipal trade of a fine region of country, and has kept pace with its rapid improvements. 
 
 Medina. — The site of the village was an unbroken wilderness when the canal was 
 located. The village was laid out in 1823, by Ebenezer Mix, and named by him. 
 Its site occupied nearly the center of a tract of fourteen hundred acres, owned by David 
 E. Evans and John B. Ellicott. The largo mill now owned by Wm. R. Gvvinn, was 
 going up in 1823, when the village was projected. Mr. Gwinn, who married a niece 
 of Joseph Ellicott and a sister of D. E. Evans, became a resident at Medina in 1828, 
 and has been prominently connected with the settlement and progress of the village. 
 The improvements at Medina have been gradual and permanent. There is a valuable 
 water power created by a fall in the Oak Orchard creek, and the Tonawanda feeder. 
 Like the whole region around them, Medina and Shelby villages furnish evidences 
 of progress and improvement; they are going ahead, as all villages upon the Holland 
 Purchase are. [The author has to regret the absence of memorandums which would 
 enable him to name the earhest citizens of Medina.] 
 
 Albion. — [For some notice of the pioneer settlers upon and near the village site 
 seepage 554.] The fine lands in the immediate neighborhood of Albion had attracted 
 settlers at a pretty early period in the settlement of the countrj', and previous to the 
 location of the canal a considerable advance had been made in improvements. The 
 village, however, was one of the creations of that great founder of villages and cities; 
 commencing gradually, as the work progressed, and was brought into use. In 1823 it 
 had sufficiently advanced to indicate the necessity of a press and newspaper, and Oliver 
 Cowdery, (who has been the pioneer printer in at least a half dozen localities,) took a 
 part of the old battered " small pica" that had been used in printing the Lockport Obser- 
 vatory, and adding to it indifferent materials from other sources, commenced the publi- 
 cation of the " Newport Patriot." 
 
 Wm. Bradner, Harvey Goodrich, R. S. «& L. Burrows were early merchants. The 
 early physicians were Orson Nichoson, A. B. Mills, William White, Stephen M. 
 Potter. Philetus Bumpus was an early tavern keeper, if not the pioneer in that line. 
 The author, as iu reference to Medina, has to regret the absence of minutes which 
 would enable him to name the early mechanics and other village Pioneers. 
 
 The first Methodist society was organized in 1830; the first Baptist society, the same 
 year; the first Presbyterian society, in 1822; the first Episcopal organization was in 
 1844. Albion Academy was incorporated in 1837; Phipp's Union Seminary, in 1840. 
 
 The first Board of Trustees of the village were as follows: — Alexis Ward, Prceident; 
 Orson Nichoson, William Bradner, Freeman Clark, Franklin Feuton. 
 
 The progress of Albion has been gradual and uniform, keeping pace with agricul- 
 tural improvements in its fertile neighborhood. In the midst of universal prosperity, 
 such as every where exists upon the Holland Purchase, it is difficult to discriminate; 
 but no where are the evidences of increasing, substantial wealth exhibited in a greater 
 degree, than in Orleans and its smiling and flourishing villages, Albion, Gaines, Me- 
 dina, Shelby, Knowlesville, Eagle Harbor, and Gaines' Basin. 
 
APPENDIX. 
 
 659 
 
 THE ELLICOTT MONUMENT. 
 
 The monument to Joseph ElJicott, the plan of which is annexed, 
 is now in the course of erection, the materials of which were prin- 
 cipally carried upon the ground during the last winter. It is to be 
 erected at the expense of a portion of the hcirs^ under the general 
 supervision of the Hon. David E. Evans. The elevation is to be 
 thirty-two feet; the main shaft, sixteen and one-half feet. The 
 inscription not being prepared, is omitted upon the drawing. 
 
 Note. — The architects aro Messrs. B. & J. Carpenter, of Lockport; the materials 
 are from their valuable quarn,' of liniestono. The shaft is a fine specimen of what (he 
 quarries of the Mountain Ridjje are capable of producinjr, except as to length. At 
 either of the three quarries of the Messrs. Carpenters, Jerome B. Ransom's, (formerly 
 Buoll's,) or that of J. D. Shuler, at the Cold Sprinjrs, shafts of solid limestone may be 
 procured, up to eighty feet in length. The superior quality of the stone, its extraordi- 
 nary durability, and capability of resisting the action of dampness and frost, liave been 
 abundantly tested, especially upon our public works. 
 
660 - APPENDIX. 
 
 EXPEDITIONS OF GENERAL SULLIVAN AND COLONEL BRODHEAD. 
 COTEMPORARY RECORDS. 
 
 These two expeditions, together with that of Col. Van Schaick, had for their end the 
 punishment and conquest of the hostile Indian nations that had, wiih assimilated 
 Tories, so long and often desolated the frontier settlements of Western New York and 
 Pennsylvania. Of Gen. Sullivan and Col. Schaick's expeditions accounts will he found 
 in llie text. Of Col. Brodhead's, nothing has been related, though it was organized about 
 the same time, formed fen important part of the general plan, which originally contem- 
 plated the union of both armies, and a combined attack on Fort Niagara. Both were 
 successful so far as their separate objects were concerned, but their ultimate destination 
 was never reached; — the largo bodies of Tories and Indians collected arouud the for- 
 tress at Niagara, furnishing a safe retreat and shelter for the finally broken and defeated 
 bands of Johnson, Butler, and Brant — were left uudisturbed. 
 
 Since that part of the volume relative to the Border Wars of the Revolution was 
 written, some original, authentic and entirely trustworthy documents — now in posses- 
 sion of Mr. Daniel W. Ballou, Jr., of Lockport — have been kindly furnished the author, 
 and arc here inserted. It is not known that they have ever before been published, 
 or even alluded to, by historians of the Revolution. They are copied directly from au 
 old manuscript journal of the year 1779, in which are recorded daily orders issued by 
 Gen. Washington to the army, proceedings of Court Martials, with the names of offi- 
 cers forming the boards, the names of those tried, their acquittal or conviction, beside 
 other transactions connected with afTairs of the camp. These extracts may, therefore, 
 be regarded as copies of official announcements made by the Commander-in-Chief to 
 the troops under his immediate command, at West Point. The victory of General 
 Sullivan is thus communicated by General Washington, October 17th: — 
 
 '* Extract from His Excellency, Gen. Washington's Orders. 
 
 " Head Quarteks, More's House, Oct. 17, 1779. 
 "The Commander-in-Chief has now the pleasure of congratulating the army on the 
 complete and full success of Maj. Gen. Sullivan, and the troops under his command, 
 against t!ie Seneca and other tribes of the Six Nations, as a just and necessary punish- 
 ment for their wanton depredations, their unparalleled and innumerable cruelties, their 
 deafness to all remonstrances and entreaty, and their perseverance in the most horrid 
 acts of barbarity. Forty of their towns have been reduced to ashes, some of them 
 large and commodious; that of the Genesee alone containing one hundred and twenty- 
 eight houses. Their crops of corn have been entirely destroyed, — which, by estimation, 
 it is said, would have ])rovidcd 160,000 bushels, besides large quantities of vegetables 
 of various kinds. Their whole country has been overrun and laid waste; and they 
 themselves compelled to place their security in a precipitate flight to the British fortress 
 at Niagara; — and the whole of this has been done with the loss of less than forty meu 
 on our part, including the killed, wounded, caj)tured, and those who died natural deaths. 
 The troops employed in this expedition, both officers and meu, throughout the whole of 
 it, and in the action they had with the enemy, manifested a patience, perseverance, and 
 valor that do them the highest honor. In the course of it, when there still remained a 
 large extent of the enemy's country to be prostrated, it became necessary to lessen the 
 issues of provisions to half the usual allowance. In this the troops acquiesced with 
 ;i most general and cheerful concurrence, being fully determined to surmount every 
 obstacle, and to prosecute the enterprise to a complete and successful issue. Maj. Gen. 
 Sullivan, for his great perseverance and activity; for his order of march and attack, and 
 tlie whole of his dispositions; the Brigadiers and officers of all ranks, and the whola 
 of the soldiers engaged in the expedition, merit, and have the Commander-in-Chief's 
 warmest acknowledgements, for their important services upon this occasion." 
 
 As nothing has been said of Col. Brodhead's campaign, it may be proper to state 
 that on the 22d of March, 1779, Washington ordered him to make the necessary pre- 
 
APPENDIX. 661 
 
 pnrations for an expedition against Detroit, to throw a detachment forward to Kittaning, 
 and another beyond to Venango, at the same time preserving the strictest secrecy as to 
 his ultimate object. Tliough this expedition was soon found impracticable and aban- 
 doned, preparations were immediately made for the one which was actually undertaken 
 against the Indians at the head of the Allegany river, French creek, and other tribu- 
 taries of the Ohio. On the 11th of August, 1779, with about six hundred men, includ- 
 ing militia and volunteers, and one month's provisions, Col. Daniel Brodhcad left Fort 
 Pitt and began his march to the Indian country. The result was announced by Gen. 
 Washington to his army at 'West Point: — 
 
 "Extracf. from General Orders. 
 
 " Hkad QtAKTERs, More's IIouse, Oct. 18th, 1779. 
 
 "The Commander-in-Chief is happy in the opportunity of conpratulatinu the army 
 on our further success, by advices just arrived. Col. lirodhead, with th-- Continental 
 troops under his command, and a body of militia and volunteers, has penetrated ahouX 
 one hundred and eighty miles into the Indian coutitn,-, on the Allegany river, burnt ten 
 of the Muncey and Seneca towns in that quarter, containing one hundred and sixty- 
 five houses; destroyed all their fields of corn, corn|)ute(l to comprehend five hundred 
 acres, besides large quantities of vegetables; obliging the Savages to flee before him 
 with the greatest precipitation, and to leave behind tlicm many ^kins and other articles of 
 value. The only oppo.sition the Savages ventured to give our troops, on this occasion, 
 was near Cuskusking. About forty of their warriors, on their way to commit barbarity 
 on our frontier settlers, were met here. Lieut. Harden, of the 8th Pennsylvania regiment, 
 at the head of one of our advance parties, composed of thirteen men, of whom eight 
 were of our friends the Delaware nation, who immediately attacked the savages and 
 put them to the rout, with the loss of five killed on the sjiot, and of all their canoes, 
 blankets, shirts, and provisions, of which, as is usual for them when going into action, 
 they had divested themselves; and also of several arms. Two of our men and one of 
 our Indian friends were very slightly wounded in the action, which was all the damage 
 we sustained in the whole enterprise. 
 
 " The activity, perseverance, and firmness, which marked the conduct of Col. Brod- 
 head, and that of all the officers and men, of every description, in this expedition, do 
 them great honor, and their services justly entitle them to the thanks, and to this testimo- 
 nial of the General's acknowledgment." 
 
 In a letter dated " West Point, 20th October, 1779," addressed to the Marquis de 
 Lafayette, Gen. Washington incidentally alludes to these two campaigns, and their 
 probable eficcts upon the Indians. Ho informs Gen. Lafayette as news that may be 
 interesting to him, that — 
 
 " Gen. Sullivan has completed the entire destruction of the country of the Six Nations; 
 driven all their inhabitants, men, women, and children, out of it; and is at Easton on 
 his return to join this army, with the troops under his command. He performed this 
 service without losing forty men, either by the enemy or by sickness. While the Six 
 Nations were under this rod of correction, the Mingo and Muncey tribes, living on the 
 Allegany, French creek, and other waters of the Oiiio, above Fort Pitt, met with similar 
 chastisement from Col. Brodhcad, who, with six hundred men, advanced upon them 
 at the same instant, and laid waste their conntr\". These unexpected and severe strokes 
 have disconcerted, hnmbled, and distressed the Indians exceedingly; and will, I am 
 persuaded, be productive of great good, as they are undeniable proofs to then), that 
 Great Britain cannot protect them, and that it is in our power to chastise tiiem whenever 
 their hostile conduct deserves it." — Spark's Writings nf Washington, Vol. VI, p. 384. 
 
 THE SEQUEL OF HOLLAND COMPANY INVESTMENT. 
 
 The author has no data to determine what was the final result, so far as profits are 
 concerned, of the Holland Company's investment. Some indication of it is perhaps 
 afforded by the fact, that in 1821, the Dutch proprietors ofiered to make an assignment 
 of tlieir entire interest, for a consideration which would cover the original amount of 
 
662 APPENDIX. 
 
 purchase money, and an interest of four per cent. In 1822, they offered to Messrs. 
 Tibbets & Huntington, well known capitalists of that period, all the unsold lands, for 
 four shillings per acre. Nearly half of the entire Purchase was then unsold. These 
 offers, however, may have been somewhat induced by a disposition to close up a pro- 
 tracted business, and to avoid the perplexities and litigations which were then in pros- 
 pect. The final result was probably better than would be inferred from these offers. 
 
 THE OGDEN PRE-EMPTION. 
 
 In 1810, the Holland Company sold all their pre-emptive right to the Indian Reser- 
 vations, to David A. Ogden, for fifty cents per acre. What is known as the Ogden 
 Company, have extinguished the Indian title to all the Reservations, except the Catta- 
 raugus, Allegany, and the largest portion of the Tonawanda. They assume to have, 
 by treaty, extinguished the title of the Indians to the whole of the Tonawanda 
 Reservation; but possession is resisted by the Indians, and proceedings are now pend- 
 ing in our courts in reference to it; from which controversy may this remnant of the 
 Iroquois, whose histor}- has been mingled in our narrative, have a good deliverance. 
 There has been quite enough of attainted Indian treaties in Western New York, under 
 this Ogden claim, and removal and possession in pursuance of them. 
 
 GERMAN EMIGRANTS. 
 
 The location of German emigrants upon the Holland Purchase, forms a prominent 
 feature of recent events. In Buffalo, they already compose nearly one-third of the 
 entire population, and are mingled in almost all of its branches of business. They 
 have spread out from there, into the towns of Cheektowaga, Lancaster, Black Rock, 
 Tonawanda, Newstead, Amherst, Clarence, Hamburg, Eden, Boston, Wales, Sheldon, 
 Bennington, Orangeville, and Attica; in some of the towns named, making a largo 
 proportion of the aggregate population. 
 
 In Niagara county, there are three villages or colonies of Prussians; the first came 
 into the county in 1843, purchased and located upon 4000 acres of land in the northern 
 and central parts of Wheatfield, in which is located the village of Bergholtz. During 
 the same year, another village was founded on the Tonawanda creek, at the mouth 
 of Cayuga creek, called Martinsville; and a third has been added, on the Sliawnee 
 road leading from Lockport to Niagara Falls, called WalTmow. The three villages are 
 all in the town of Wheatfield; their aggregate population, is nearly 2000. They are 
 refugees from religious persecution; their religious faith is purely Lutheran, with the 
 Augsburg confession as their standard. They are not communists, or Fourierites, their 
 lands being held in severalty, and yet there is among them a system of mutual aid and 
 common interests, that grows out of their position and religious organization. The 
 poor among them have small tracts of land set apart for their use, and have the privi- 
 lege of purchasing upon long credits. They brought with them their ministers, school 
 masters, and mechanics; the excellent indications, meeting and school houses, marked 
 their advent; iudustrj' and thrift are the general aspects of their settlements. 
 
 RICHARD SxMITH. 
 
 The name of this Pioneer lawyer upon the Holland Purchase, occurs in the body 
 o( the work but incidentally. He was a native of Sharon, Connecticut, a relative of 
 Gov. John Cotton Smith; and is a lineal descendant of Dr. Cotton Mather. He became 
 a resident at Batavia on the first organization of Genesee county, and is now the oldest 
 
APPENDIX. 663 
 
 resident lawyer west of the Genesoo river. lie has held the office of Surrogate of 
 Genesee county for sixteen years, and has been one of the judges of the county courts. 
 He has lived a uniform life of usefulness; has been the exemplar)- lawyer and honest 
 citizen; enjoying, at all times, the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of social and 
 business acquaintances. 
 
 THE ISLANDS OF THE NIAGARA RIVER. 
 
 The Senocas coded to the State of Now York all the islands in the Niagara river, 
 within the jurisdiction of the United States, at a treaty held at Buffalo, September 12th, 
 1815; the consideration was one thousand dollars down, and five hundred dollars per 
 annum, in perpetuity. 
 
 ANCIENT REMAINS. 
 
 Since this portion of the work was prepared, many additional interesting localities 
 have been suggested to the author; especially a series of ancient fortifications that 
 exist north of Aurora village, in Erie County, on the banks of BufTalo creek. Mr. E. 
 G. Squier, an industrious and highly intelligent antiquarian, made a partial survey 
 of Western Now York, during the last winter, and intends to revisit the region during 
 the approaching summer. His preliminary observations and drawings are already 
 published in the second volume of the American Etlmological Society, and in a sepa- 
 rate pamphlet form. 
 
 CLERKS IN LAND OFFICE. 
 
 In addition to the clerks in the principal office at Batavia, that have been named in 
 
 the body of the work, there have boon the following, nearly in tiio order in which their 
 names occur: — 
 
 John Branon, WilHam Wood, 
 
 Andrew A. Ellicott, Waller M. Seymour, 
 
 David Goodwin, Abram Van Tuyi, 
 
 Pieter Huidekooper, Lewis D. Stevens, 
 
 Stahley N. Clark, William Green, 
 
 James Miinor, Robert W. Lowber, 
 
 John Lowber, Moses Beecher, 
 Oliver G. Adams. 
 
 Ira A. Blossom was Principal in the branch office at Buffalo, during its whole 
 continuance. 
 
 PIONEER PRINTERS UPON THE HOLLAND PURCHASE. 
 
 A history of the press in Western New York has been prepared and published by 
 Frederick FoUett, Esq. a worthy member of the craft, under the direction of a com- 
 mittee appointed at the Franklin Festival, held at Rochester, in Jan. 1847. The 
 pioneer printers upon the Holland Purchase, not heretofore named in this work, were 
 as follows: — 
 
 Oieaw.— Benjamin F. Smead, 1818. Perry.— G. M. Shipper, 18.34. 
 
 EllkottsvUle.—RichaTd Hill, 1826. PUcc— Thomas Carrier, 1838. 
 
 Lodi.—G. N. Starr. 1829. Forcslrille.—W . Snow, 1824. 
 
 Fredonjrt.— James Percival, 1817. Jamestown.— Mo\i^\\n'i Fletcher, 1826 
 
 MayviUe.—K. H. Curtiss, 1819. Westfidd.—W. Newcomb, 1829. 
 
 Pa?ia7rta.— Dean & Hurlbut, 1846. 7>M7j^»/t.— Thompson & Carpenter, 1834. 
 
 Warsaw.~h. W. Walker, 1823. i}«/of(a.— Ellas Williams, 1807. 
 
 .4ttica.— David Scott, 1834. Alexander.—?. Lawrence, 1837. 
 
 43 
 
664 APPENDIX. 
 
 MIDDLEBURY ACADEMY. 
 
 This institution pioneered the way ou the Holland Purchase, beyond the institution 
 of the ordinary district schools. It was the first Academy. It was founded iu 1818. 
 At that early day, several of the early settlers there, prominent among whom was Silas 
 Newell, appreciating the value of education, moved in the matter, and in 1819 had 
 built a permanent brick building, and obtained an act of incorporation. The enterprise 
 involved even the mortgaging of the farms of some of the public spirited founders. 
 The Rev. Joshua Bradley was its first Principal; the Rev. Eliphalet M. Spencer was 
 his successor. There are many, now prominent men in Western New York and the 
 Western States, who were educated at this Pioneer Academy. 
 
 NOTES. 
 
 Page 85. — During the last winter, O. H. Marshall, Esq. of Buffalo, communicated to 
 the New York Historical Society the new fact iu the history of this state, that four years 
 after the expedition of Champlain to lake Champlain, he was in another expedition, 
 which embraced the present site of the county of Onondaga. To the same industrious 
 researcher of the early history of our local region, the Historical Society were indebted 
 for the fact that the celebrated Archbishop Fenelon was once a missionaiy on the 
 northern shore of lake Ontario. 
 
 Page 102. — Their " Sainted Seneca maiden." Mohawk should probably be substi- 
 tuted for Seneca, though her abiding place was sometimes with the Senecas. She was 
 called by the Jesuits, "Catharine, the Iroquois Saint." In a letter from Father Cho- 
 loner, written to one of his superiors in France, dated in 1715, she is described as a 
 remarkable instance of superior piety and devotion; making in early life, vows of chas- 
 tity, and setting herself apart from her people and the world for devotional exercises and 
 a life of holiness. She died at one of the mission stations upon the St. Lawrence, at 
 the age of twenty-four years. Her tomb became a shrine of prayer, where supplica- 
 tions were offered in her name; pilgrimages were made to it by devotees, for the cure 
 of their diseases. The Grand Vicar of the diocess of Quebec certified that " a diar- 
 rhoea which even ipecacuana could not cure," was assuaged by a vow that he would 
 visit the tomb of Catharine. The Commandant at Fort Frontenac certified that his 
 prayers, offered for nine days in succession, in the name of "Catharine Tegakouita," 
 together with a vow to visit her tomb, had cured him of a gout that afllicted him twenty- 
 three years. 
 
 Page 187. — Joncairo was made a prisoner by the Senecas when quite young, adopted, 
 grew in high favor with them, and exercised, for a long period, a powerful influence 
 against the English in favor of the French. In 1750, Kalm, the German traveler, 
 found a son of his residing at Lewiston. There were two of his sons, officers, among 
 the French Seneca allies, at the English siege of Fort Niagara. Washington met a 
 son of his at the mouth of French creek, while on a mission to the French, in 1753; 
 and mentions the fact, that ho asserted the French claim to the Ohio by virtue of its 
 discover}^ by La Salle. There are probably descendants of Joncaire among the Senecas. 
 
 Page 231. — Some years since, there were exhumed a number of Indian skeletons, 
 in the garden of Col. Bird, at Black Rock, having about them all the accompaniments 
 of Indian war burial. Were not these the killed in the attack upon the English troops? 
 
 Page 260. — Judge Thomas Butler, of Niagara, who was intimately acquainted with 
 
APPENDIX. 665 
 
 Joseph Braut and his personal liistory, confirms the position of Mr. Draper, in reference 
 to his birth place. 
 
 Page 330. — The author supposed ho had derived his account of the death of Mr. 
 Willianisou from a reliable source, and yet it would seem to be erroneous. In the 
 address which Gen. Porter prepared to deliver at Geneva, he states that Mr. Williamson 
 had embarked from England at the first " dawnings of liberty and symptoms of revo- 
 lution," in South America, with an intention to take a conspicuous part in the contest; 
 and that he died on his passage. 
 
 Page 351. — In compiling the biographical sketch of Robert Morris, tho author has 
 availed himself of information derived directly from his son, the late Thomas Morris, 
 Esq. of New York, from an article in the American Review, to the writer of which he 
 contributed some information, and from original manuscripts obtained from other sources. 
 
 Page 431. — In the preparation of tho brief biography of the family of Ellicotts, tho 
 author relied upon some sketches prepared for a newspaper at Ellicott's Mills, Md. they 
 seeming the most authentic data within his reach. From some reminiscences that 
 have since been fui+iished him, it would seem that tho ancestors, Andrew Ellicott and 
 Ann Bye, came fiom "Collumpton," in Devonshire, south part of England, instead 
 of "Cullopion, iu Wales;" that they settled, originally, in Pennsylvania, and not New 
 York; and that their marriage took place in Bucks county, in 1731. This may be tho 
 truer history, and yet it is strangely at variance with the fragment of verse and the 
 date attached to it, which is attributed to the maternal ancestor, "Ann Bye." 
 
 Page 475. — It should have been added, that Gen. Warren passed through the several 
 grades of militia offices, up to that of Major General, and that he served in the war 
 of 181"2, and participated in several engagements. 
 
 Page 484. — The details of the war of 1812 have not taken a range wide enough to 
 embrace such reminiscences as the one promised upon this page. There was a singu- 
 lar and mournful fatality attending the family of the early pioueer mentioned by Judge 
 Porter, in connection with one of his early advents, and by the author, in connection 
 with some sketches of early settlement in Wyoming, — Orange Brace. At the com- 
 mencement of the war, the family consisted of the parents, three sons, and three 
 daughters. The old gentleman and one of the sons went upon the lines under Smyth's 
 proclamation, and both died at Buffalo, of the prevailing epidemic; and a daughter 
 died at Canandaigua, where she was 'attending school, about the same time. A son- 
 in-law, Ardin Monil, was afterwards killed on board of a ferry boat, near the Canada 
 shore, opposite Black Rock. The neighborhood of their residence, in Sheldon, was 
 more than ordinarily afflicted; almost every family in it mourned the deat|j of one or 
 more of its members. 
 
 Page 597. — The names of those, as far as recollected, who had resolved not to let Buf- 
 falo be captured without some show of defence, we.re Seth Grosvenor, the early Buffalo 
 merchant, now a resident of the city of New York; Elijah D. Efner, who became a citizen 
 of Buffalo, in 1808; after serving as a United States soldier, in some of the early 
 north-western campaigns, under Gen. Harrison, during which ho was engaged in the 
 battle of the Thames, he returned, and has since remained, an enterprising and useful 
 citizen; his fine residence, on the high grounds between the city and Black Rock, 
 furnishing evidence of the success that has attended a life of activity and industry; 
 James Sweeny, his earlv partner in business, a brother of Col. John Sweeny, of Ton- 
 awanda; Robert Kaeno, an early citizen of Buffalo, whose name, in other instances, is 
 honorablv associate with the war of 1812; Elisha Foster, now of Fredouia, and 
 
GOG APPENDIX. 
 
 Messrs. Hull & Johnson, of whom the author has no recollections or memorandums. 
 The)' had taken the cannon from an old beached vessel, mounted it upon truck wheels, 
 and were contesting British conquest bravely, when one of the wheels broke, just as 
 Col. Chapin went to meet the invaders with a flag of truce. 
 
 Page 539. — Joncaire told Charlevoix that at a place the Iroquois called " Ganos," 
 (the present Seneca name of Oil Spring Reservation is " Ganohs," differing, as will 
 be seen, but shghtly,) there was a spring, the waters of which were like oil, and their 
 taste like iron; and he also told him that at a little distance from it there was another of 
 the same character, the waters of which were used by the savages to cure all manner 
 of diseases. The spring is also described minutely in the Jesuit Relations for 1656 and 
 '57. It is there said that the oil is used by tiie Indians to " anoint themselves, and to 
 grease their heads and bodies;" and in the same connection we recognise the fact that 
 the Jesuits had a knowledge of the Sulphur Springs at Avon. 
 
 Page 616. — A deserved tribute to the memory of Gen. Porter has been rendered by 
 the late Secretary of War, Gov. Marcy, in bestowing the name "Fort Porter," 
 upon the U. S. fortification recently erected at Black Rock. 
 
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