YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

Purchased from the income
of the bequest of
WILLIAM ROBERTSON COE
Honorary M.A. 1949, for
material in the field
of American Studies

x-.<^ /^.

A MEMOIR

The Late William Hodge, Sen.

ILLUSTRATIVE MISCELLANIES.

By His Son,
WILLIAM HODGE. ^ 1 1

-WITH E'OS.TIL.A.IT.

BUFFALO:
BiGELOW Brothers, Printers,
60, 62 AND 64 PEARL ST., COR. SENECA,
1885.

OOnSTTEItTTS.

Portrait of William Hodge, Sen  Frontispiece
Preface by the Editor  v.-vii.
Introduction by the Author  viii.
Memoir of "William Hodge, Sen  i- ig
Illustrative Miscellanies;
A. The Cold Spring, [page 4, line 28]  21- 26
B. Population of Buffalo, 1789-1885, [p. 5, 1, 9]  26- 27
C. Buffalo Village Families, 1806, [p. 5, 1. 29]  28- 30
D. The Log Tavern, 1807-1812, [p. 6, 1. 17]  30- 31
E. Buffalo in 1809, [p 9, 1. i]  32- 34
F. Cold Spring School District, 1810, &c., [p. 9, 1. 28]. 34- 36
G. My Grandfather's Wolf-Trap, 1812, [p. 10, 1. 9]  37- 43
H. The Boys' Pet Cannon. 1813, &c., [p. 10, 1. 35]  44- 46
I. The Battle of Black Rock, 1813, [p. 11, I. 13]  47- 54
J. The Burning of Buffalo, 1813-14, [p. 12, 1. 18]  54- 59
K. Soldiers' Depredations, 1812-14, [p. 13,1. 30]  59- 60
.L. The Battle of Fort Erif,, 1814, [p. 14, 1. 16]  60- 61
M. Roads, Travel and Traffic, [p. 15,1. 19]  61- 77
N. Sandytown, The Flats, &c., [pp. 64 and 67]  78- 82
¦O. Public Executions in Buffalo, 1812-1831, [p. 16, 1. 3]. 82- 89
P. Pioneer Reminiscences, [p. 16, 1. 15]  8g-i 1 1
I. Perils and Escapes  90
H. Schools and Schoolmasters  94
III. Recreations  roo
Q. Religious Services and Sunday-Schools, [p. 18, 1. 24].iii-i2i
I. Early Religious Services  in
II. Early Sunday-Schools  114
R. Schoolhouses and Teachers, Cold Spring District  122-137^
S. Memoranda  138-147
I. Biographical Notices  138
II. A War Song OF 1812  i44
III. A Boy's Trick of 1814  i45
IV. Sundry Old-Time Notf.s  146

PREFACE.

BY THE EDITOR.
This tribute to a father's memory, and the papers ac
companying it, have value not only in themselves, but as
examples. Such simple narratives and descriptions concern
ing by-gone days in Buffalo, ought to be far more numerous
than they are.
On the subject of their publication, the venerable author
said, in 1882, in a letter as to printing one of them, "It would
need to pass through your or some other's hands, to put it
into readable shape, as my 'college' education was obtained
in log school-houses. The 'professors' were generally paid
$12.00 to $20.00 per month and 'boarded 'round.' I am
willing to do what little I can in obtaining facts which may
help towards completing the local history of Buffalo, where I
have resided more than seventy-six years."
The chief work which I have done as editor is that thus ,
indicated, of " shaping" these papers for printing.
I have already done the same thing which is here under
taken, for several other papers prepared by the venerable
author, viz: "The Cemeteries of Buffalo," "Captain
David Wilkeson " and " The Pioneer Steamboats on
Lake Erie." And it has fallen to my lot to do similar deli
cate and laborious work with numerous papers, from various
hands, relating to the past of Buffalo ; especially, when Corre
sponding Secretary of the Buffalo Historical Society, in
editing the two volumes of its publications, which have been
printed, and in preparing the material for a third volume,
which has not been printed.
The thing that impresses me most strongly as the result of
this work, is, that though much has been done towards col
lecting materials for a history of Buffalo, that history has not
yet been written, in any true sense of the word. I am not igno
rant of, nor do I forget, Mr. Ketchum's "Buffalo and the

Senegas," nor the lately-produced portly agglomeration called
a "History of Buffalo and Erie County." But I mean,
that the materials for such a history have not yet been all col
lected; and especially that the collections already made and
within reach have not been wrought into a history. They have
not been subjected to that thorough, systematic, intelligent and
appreciative examination, verification, comparison, selection
and arrangement in symmetrical form and scholarly style, by
the hand of a true lover of Buffalo, of which the facts mailing
up the life of this great city are susceptible and deserving.
Yet every endeavor to catch and preserve in usable shape
that information in particular, as to the early days of Buffalo,
which is not originally documentary, is helping to prepare the
way for the historian of Buffalo, when he shall appear.
Of course, much of what is thus collected will be in itself
minute, and it may be, will appear trivial to many. But it is
often by just such things (as "straws show which way the
wind blows ") that in matters of testimony., material con
clusions are established ; and in matters of histotj, import
ant, — at any rate, truthful, — results, attained.
Of the more than sixty documents placed in my hands for
the purpose of the present publication, largely in manuscript,
I have sought to make a selection and arrangement which
would include the substance of all of them, freed from material
repetition, — -and yet present them not as mere detached mis
cellanies, but as having a certain unity of relation to each
other and to one central object. Accordingly, the paper con
cerning the life of the author's father is taken as the leading
and chief one; while the others are given the relation of appen
dices to this. To avoid, however, some inconvenience attend
ing the insertion of references to these, in the text of the leading
paper, I have so prepared the Table of Contents as to note, in
most cases, in connection with the title of each illustrative
article, the point in the Memoir at which it may most suita
bly be read. The arrangement of the miscellanies is in a

vu.

general way chronological as to subjects, and thus serves the
purpose of extending and illustrating the main narrative, as
it proceeds, in due order of time.
In regard to some of these miscellanies, especially among
the concluding ones, it should be said that they^ seemed to
me calculated to be entertaining for children and young
people; and likely to be useful in leading them to look with
interest into the early forming days of this great city in which
they live. Hence I have not re-cast them with reference to
the taste of older readers. And yet it often happens that
what is said, written and printed expressly for children has
great interest also for the children of a larger growth.
In the course of final revision, a few items have been dis
covered which, for the sake of correction or explanation
are here noted, viz: —
At page 23, line 32, for "Mr. Franklin," read, "Stephen
Franklin." At page 34, next to the last line, after "Goodrich
Mansion," read, "so called in later years, from the name of
one long its owner and occupant, though it was built by
Joseph EUicott." At pages 35, line 19, and 44, line ir, for
"Alvan L. Dodge," read, ''Alvan Dodge." At page 36, line
30, for "near the bridge," read, "near the north end of the
bridge;" and, line 31, after "west side," read, "of the road."
At page 96, line 28, read, "This spring it is sixty-three,' &c.
Let it now be remembered that they who could tell us such
things as are presented in these pages, or anything at all,
" from their own knowledge," concerning Pioneer Life in
Buffalo, are nearly all gone from among us. He whose
reminiscences and records are here given to types is well nigh
the last original witness of those early times, remaining with
us; and passed his eightieth birthday nearly five months ago.
Let then these his simple and graphic recollections be to
us as if we sat with him for a last conversation ere he shall
join his companions of "days auld, lang syne," where "Time
shall be no more."
Buffalo, May i, 1885. ALBERT BIGELOW.

INTRODUCTION.

Many years ago, long before the existence of the Buffalo
Historical Society, it occurred to me that there were many
facts as to the early residents of Buffalo, their settlement, kinds
and places of business, and varied experiences in pioneer life,
which, if recorded, would be interesting and instructive. Had
mine been the hand of a "ready writer," I would have penned
many such pages in earlier years, from my own knowledge or
first-hand information. But I did nothing of the kind, till
about the year 1848, when I wrote twelve or fifteen sheets, the
contents of which were largely drawn from our famil)' record.
I at that time upon a promise of my father, expected to obtain
from him his own written account of many incidents of early
days; but he was soon removed by death, and my hope was
disappointed. Besides, I have to regret the loss. of a diary
which my father had kept of his journey westward to Buffalo
from Richfield, Otsego county, with his family, in 1S05. That
record was burned in our house when Buffalo was destroyed
in 1813.
Since I penned the sheets already mentioned, several per
sons have written interesting reminiscences of early Buffalo,
which have appeared from time to time in the city papers.
At intervals, since 1869, I have also endeavored in that way
to do something towards forwarding the good work thus begun.
Some communications have gone before the Buffalo Historical
Society; others into the city papers; two or three into pam
phlet form; others still, no farther than my own secretary
drawer. From these various papers I now have a selection
made and printed, hoping that the sketches may be read with
profit by the present generation, and prove not only interesting,
but instructive also to those on whom the responsibilities of
life are falling heaviest, to-day.
WILLIAM HODGE.
Hodge Avenue, Buffalo, N. Y.,
May I, 1885.

THE LATE WILLIAM HODGE, SEN.

By his Son, William Hodge.

I write briefly of Mr. Hodge's ancestry, — believing it best to
tell of that which one knows, rather than of that concerning
which he is not fully informed, even though this results in
saying little.
From a pamphlet in which there was a paper that had been
read before a Historical Club, containing a Historical and
Statistical Account of the old town of Glastonbury, Connecti
cut (from which the Hodge family emigrated westward), I
find that in 17 13, in dividing six thous3.nd acres of land among
the inhabitants of the town, the name of Samuel Hodge ap
pears with those of seventy-two others. In a list of land
owners dated April 2, 1757, is included the name of John
Hodge. By a vote of the town in 1767, liberty was given to "David
Hodge to build a saw-mill on the deep gutter on Ephraim,
Goodrich's land."
In 1769 liberty was given to " John Hodge to build a grist
mill on his own land on Roaring Brook."
And again in 1776, among the names of a committee of
nine, to "inspect each able-bodied man in the town, and see
whether each man is equipped with a good gun, etc," is found;
that of Benjamin Hodge.
In the catalogue of those who were in the war of the Revo
lution, in 1777, appear the names of Benjamin Hodge Ben-

jamin Hodge, Jr., Elijah Hodge, John Hodge and John
Hodge, Jr.
These notices it will be seen bring the Hodge family to view
as, at the least, engaged in the good and useful work, in peace
ful times, of building mills, and, in the Revolutionary War, of
fighting for the liberty and independence of the land.
Aside from the foregoing, tradition says that one of our
ancestors was a native of Wales and emigrated thence to this
country, and that the mother of the subject of this paper was
a descendant of Lord Churchill.
William Hodge, senior, was born in Glastonbury, Conn.,
July 2, 1781. His father, Benjamin Hodge (who was also a
native of Glastonbury) removed from that place into the State
of New York, and settled in the town of Richfield, Otsego
County, in 1794, — William being then less than thirteen years
of age. The lad was not brought up to any particular line of
business, and his early experience in this respect was confined
to farming, and teaching a village school. For the latter em
ployment he had a competent preparation. While the family
home was at Glastonbury, he had there enjoyed the benefits of
a good common-school education; and when he came to live
at Richfield he availed himself of such opportunities for gain
ing instruction as that new settlement then afforded. He so
well improved the advantages enjoyed, that he was employed
for some time as a teacher in Richfield.
Dr. Joseph White, a cousin of William Hodge, was an emi
nent practicing physician and surgeon in Cherry Valley, in the
same county. He wished the lad to come and study with him
for the profession of Medicine. But Mrs. Hodge objected,
and the Doctor could not prevail upon his aunt to yield against
her idea, perhaps a mistaken one, of motherly kindness, and to
allow the boy to go. Her objection was, that should he be
come a physician, his station in life would be above that of
his brothers, and she did not want to manifest any partiality
by allowing him to do what would bring about such a result.

So, having without the assistance of wealthy parents or
friends commenced for himself the business of -life, in the way
which has been mentioned, he was married in the town of
Exeter, Otsego County, N. Y., March 25, 1802, to Sally Abbott,
a daughter of Mr. Daniel Abbott of that place. They lived
there about three years, — his occupation being still that of
teaching the district school in the winter, and farming in the
¦summer. Being poor, — and his only capital consisting of his educa
tion and experience, his industrious habits and willing hands, —
he made up his mind to move out to this then wild, western
frontier, Buffalo being the point he chose at which to make his
stand; having confidence that he could succeed if others could,
in a newly settled country. He had heard of the " Holland
Purchase," but he knew nothing about the quality of the land,
or the character of the region. He only knew that the land
could be bought at a low figure and on credit, and this suited
his case.
Buffalo was at this time considered the extreme western limit
of civilization, its "jumping-off place"; and in resolving as
he did in such circumstances as his, to set forth on a journey
of removal hither, he displayed the true spirit of a pioneer; he
was indeed a thorough type of that necessary class of enter
prising men.
It was in the latter part of May, 1805, that he bade adieu to
relatives and friends in Exeter, and started on the westward
journey. His little family consisted at this time of his wife,
then only eighteen years old, and their two children, the
youngest (the writer of this paper) five months old; Mr.
Hodge himself being only twenty-four years of age.
They traveled by wagon to Utica. Here they embarked in
an open row- (or flat-) boat, with the families of Mr. R. Judd
and Mr. Lyman Jackson; the company consisting of about
twenty persons in all.
Their route was up the Mohawk river, into Wood creek,

and through Oneida lake; then down the Oswego river (the
travelers going around its rapids, while boatmen carried the
boat over them), and so on, to Lake Ontario, and up that lake
and the lower part of the Niagara river, to Lewiston. There
the boat was taken out of the river, carried around Niagara
Falls in a wagon drawn by an ox-team, and put into the river
again, at Schlosser, where they all re-embarked. Thence, by
rowing, poling and towing, the boat was propelled through the
upper Niagara river to Buffalo creek, and so to the village.
The arrival took place on the i6th day of June, 1805, after
twenty days of laboring at the oar, and traveling around the
portage. Disembarking with his family, Mr. Hodge put up at Zenas
Barker's tavern. This was a double log house, situated on the
bluff which was afterwards leveled down into " The Terrace,"'
and about one or two hundred feet west of Main street, — the
house facing south. The day following, Mr. Hodge engaged
Major Perry (who owned and occupied the farm which has
been so long known as the Granger property, on Conjockety's
creek, at the crossing of Main street) to come in with his oxen
and cart and carry his effects out to his. Major Perry's, place.
He immediately occupied the log house, at the Perry Saw
mill (since then long known as the Granger Saw-mill). In
this house he lived until the fall, when he moved into an
other log house, on lot No. 35, at what is now the north-east
corner of Main and Utica streets, and remained there until
June, 1806, when he moved into still another log house, at the
Cold Spring, where the Tavern now stands.
Mr. Hodge had, as yet, made no purchase of land. Indeed^
as has been said, he had come, with his very young family,
depending on the labor of his own and his wife's hands
(since they had little or no property) for support, to be a
pioneer literally in the wilderness, for that this region then
was. Surely nothing but the hope and anticipation of better
and easier times somewhere in the future could buoy up the

spirit of a man, and induce him to labor and plan for, and to
endure the hardships of, a pioneer life. It was truly thus with
Mr. Hodge, in the first years of his residence here. And it
was only by severe toil that he was able even to support his
family, to say nothing of buying land. But he was naturally
ingenious, and by turning his hand to anything he could find
to do, he managed to keep along. Having decided to venture
upon obtaining some land, and not seeing any prospect that
Buffalo was to become much of a place, he concluded that it
would be better for him to go into the country, and establish
himself there. He went accordingly to the town of Eden, in
this county, and took up a farm at a place subsequently called
"Tubbs' Hollow" (now Eden Valley). Procuring tools nec
essary for building a house, — of which an axe, a hand-saw, a
hammer and an auger were the greater part,^he went to work,
and put up a log house on this farm.
After getting the house so nearly finished that it could be
occupied, he returned to his family at Buffalo, intending to
remove them to the Eden farm and make it his future home.
But his father, Benjamin Hodge, senior, had moved to Buffalo
that summer (1806), and he had purchased the "article" of
farm-lot No. 35 originally " taken up " by Thomas Forth.
The father and son made an exchange of " articles," Benjamin
Hodge taking the Eden farm and William Hodge the Buffalo
farm-lot 35, and the latter then moved his family back from the
Cold Spring place to the log house upon this. There they
resided something more than six years, — that is, until the last
of December, 1812.
In 1806, then, Mr. Hodge had become established as a per
manent resident of Buffalo, preparing himself a home on a
fifty-acre lot, of which barely a garden spot had been cleared
and brought under cultivation. But Mr. Hodge was really more
mechanic than farmer. With his own hands he made common
pine, black-walnut and whitewood tables and bedsteads, such
as were wanted in a newly-settled country. He also made

window-sash; and these articles he exchanged with farmers
and others for produce and whatever else he needed for the
use of his family. He also made coffins; but only furnished
these to order. During the first two years of his residence
here he threshed grain with the flail, for every tenth bushel;
cut and split rails at fifty cents per hundred; and took, by the
job, for enclosing and finishing-off, after the frames were put
up, the now so old-fashioned farmers' barns.
At that time, in this new-settled country, there were but few
public houses or "taverns"; and there were none between the
Village of Buffalo, and what was called the old Gen. Hopkins
place, about two miles west of the Eleven-mile creek, now
known as Williamsville. Mr. Hodge had many applications
from travelers, for entertainment, and did entertain many;
and finally, in 1807, building an addition to his log house,
and a stable and shed, he raised a signboard, showing to those
journeying by, that they could find accommodations with him.
He filled up the time that was not required for attending to
the wants of his guests, in manufacturing tables, bedsteads,
sash, in fact whatever was called for in that line of work.
Mr. Hodge was, it is thus seen, a practical and industrious
man, ready to undertake whatever necessity and occasion re
quired. When an addition to his house was wanted, he took
his oxen, went to the woods, and cut and hauled up logs.
Then, with the help of Mr. Oziel Smith, of Williamsville, as
carpenter, he prepared the timber, and put up the build
ing. When there was a portion of his farm to be enclosed,
he cut and split the oak and chestnut rails, and made his
fences. When he wanted a well, he took the oxen and cart,
and gathering stone from the commons and hauling them to
the selected spot, he then, with help, dug his well and stoned
it up. There is a well now in use on the farm-lot which he
first bought, and on which he lived in 1806, which was dug to
the depth of thirteen feet, and stoned up by himself and his
brother in two days. In those early times the water was

drawn by means of a " sweep " or long pole, supported in the
middle by an upright post (having in its top a "crotch"),
weighted at one end to balance the smaller " well-pole "
attached to the other end, and playing up and down in the
well to hoist the "bucket." These also were uniformly of
" home manufacture."
Within one or two years from starting in life here, Mr.
Hodge owned a yoke of oxen, a cow and a few swarms of bees.
Mrs. Hodge had, also, her flock of geese, in which she took
great delight. From their feathers she made several feather
beds, which in those times were considered indispensable.
Mattresses of hair and other materials were not then even
thought of in this western country.
At this period, in 1807, Mr. Hodge commenced manufactur
ing fanning-mills, working at the business with his own hands
for some time. The cast-iron running-gear and wire screens
for these mills he was at first obliged to procure from the east.
But this was attended with much delay and expense ; and
sometimes, when he received the screens they would not be of
the right size, or the kind he wanted. So he finally concluded
to try and manufacture his own screens, having in the mean
time employed help in making the mills. Determined to suc
ceed in this undertaking, he traveled on foot about two hun
dred miles, to a place near Utica, for the purpose of learning
the art of screen-making from a man there engaged in the
business. Making with this man a bargain that for ten dollars
he should furnish him all the information he needed on the
subject, he examined the loom, " reeds," " harness," etc., took
the dimensions of all, and walked back to Buffalo. He went
to work immediately and built a loom. He also made the
necessary reeds and harness, which was the most difficult
part of the work. It was especially troublesome to construct
those which were needed for making the finest screens. After
getting some wire flattened by running it between iron rollers,
which he was enabled to do through the courtesy of Abraham

Larzalere, the jeweler in the village, and with the help of his
near neighbor Staley, who was a weaver of cloth, ' he finally
succeeded to his satisfaction. From this time forward, besides
making the screens for the fanning-mills, he manufactured and
sold many thousands of wire "riddles " for grain, and fine
sieves for Indian meal. He also furnished many rolling screens
for grist-mills in different parts of this country and in Canada.
This manufacture of screens Mr. Hodge continued with suc
cess and profit for twenty-five years. He succeeded so well
that with the assistance and co-operation of Whipple Hawkins,
(father of the late Henry H. Hawkins of Silver Creek) then re
siding near us on the north-east corner of the present Main and
Utica streets, a blacksmith by trade, whose shop was near at
hand, he attempted the manufacture of the castings and gear
ings for his mills, by using the common forge with one bellows,
and charcoal for melting the iron. He succeeded in making
very perfect castings, but did not long continue this branch of
business. I believe I am quite safe in saying that this was the
first cast-iron furnace started in Buffalo. Something of a con
trast appears between this and Buffalo's great furnaces of the
present day.
I should say here, that Mr. Whipple Hawkins, who thus
assisted in promoting the success of the pioneer foundry of
Buffalo, in after years extemporized the forging of the wrought-
iron work and fixtures for the old cast-iron mortar which did
such valuable service in driving piles for forming Buffalo
harbor, under the superintendence of the late Judge Samuel
Wilkeson. After Mr. Hodge had become permanently settled in Buffalo,
he tried to buy the sixty-acre lot No. 57, which was on the
hill, at the south-west corner of our Main and Utica streets.
Mr. Joseph Husten, the owner of the " article " from the Hol
land Land Company, at first refused to sell it, as he had a
nursery of apple trees growing from seed which he had planted
on the lot, and intended to make the place his own home.

The purchase was however finally made, — about the year 1809
or i8io. The price paid was $250.00 for the "article," and
whatever was still due at the Holland Land Company's office,
perhaps $300.00 or $400.00 more. Ten acres of the west end
of the lot were, however, to be deeded to Michael Hunt, the
first owner of the "article." Six dollars per acre was then
the price of land in that neighborhood.
The "nursery" before mentioned was the first planted on
this western frontier. The nursery business was from this
beginning prosecuted by Mr. Hodge until 1834, when he sold
out to Mr. Abner Bryant, who owned and occupied the adjoin
ing farm-lot No. 56. The great part of the apple orchards in
this part of Western New York originated from Mr. Hodge's
nursery. Persevering in his business, he prospered and determined to
make this lot No. 57, his future home. I have often heard him
¦say that he made money very fast at this period, in the log
house, at the tavern business. The five-pail kettle was kept
over the fire much of the time^ cooking meat. In 181 2, after
the war began, the soldiers thronged the place, desiring,
besides liquors, what they called "cold hack" or a "cold
cut." The price of cold meals was 25 cents; of whiskey, 12^
-cents a gill; of horse-keeping, on hay, $1.00 a span per day;
of oats from $1.00 to $2.00 per bushel. All during the war,
and for some time afterwards, hay and grain sold for high
prices, hay being sometimes worth $30.00 per ton.
Business in the tavern line being thus prosperous, my
father had, in 1811, decided to put up, on his lot No. 57, a
brick building, large and commodious, and suitable for a
public house. He accordingly commenced the uhdertaking
in that year. The brick were manufactured by Nathan
Toles on Mr. Hodge's lot No. 35. The lumber was mostly
procured "on shares," at Erastus Granger's saw-mill; Mr.
Hodge attending the mill in the night-time, sawing the lum
ber, and having one-fourth of what he could thus produce.

for himself. It was only in the night that he could have op
portunity for this. Building of brick was a rare undertaking:
then in this wilderness; indeed it is admitted that this was the
first brick house built in Buffalo. Some of the neighbors
thought that Mr. Hodge was very presumptuous, in planning
with his limited means to erect such a building as this, for it
was 30 by 40 feet on the ground, two stories high with an
attic; the kitchen-part being one story and a half in height..
And then, in June, 1812, the "Last War"- with England com
menced, and the house was not yet finished. Part of our army,.
composed mostly of Pennsylvania troops, were in the fall en
camped on the hills in front of the log house, that is, on lots
Nos. 58 and g9, owned by Christjohn Staley and William
De Shay. But although he knew and took into account the
risk there was in building so near the frontier, Mr. Hodge per
severed and completed his new house amid the tumults and
excitements of the time. He also built for it a large framed
barn, and moved his horse-shed from the other lot, to a spot
near by. The venture was a success, and in the latter part of
December, 1812, Mr. Hodge entered and occupied the premises
which became and long continued well known far and near, as
"The Brick Tavern on the hill."
In 1813, " times were lively;" the tavern business continued
good, and Mr. Hodge was busily occupied in manufacturing
mills. In the winter of 1812-1813, he furnished many pine
coffins, nearly three hundred in all, for soldiers who died
while encamped on " Flint Hill," north of Conjockety's creek.
At this time Mr. Job Hoisington worked for Mr. Hodge,.
making mills and coffins, and occupying the log house from
which the latter had removed to the "Brick Tavern."
While the war continued the "Brick Tavern" was quite a
central place; for a company of horsemen belonging to our
army was stationed there, and a "twenty-four-pounder" was
placed on the hill in front, which was discharged regularly,.
about break of day, as the signal gun.

But the war came nearer than the stationing of troops and
firing of signals. On the morning of December 30, 1813, the
British crossed Niagara river below Conjockety's creek, and
were first discovered by a patrol of this company of horsemen.
They brought the information to Mr. Hodge, about three
o'clock in the morning, and it was an entire surprise to him,
for he had supposed that our army, which was stationed down
in the village, would drive the enemy back, and had made no
provision for removing his family out of reach of danger, if
our troops were defeated. But all in the house were aroused,
on the arrival of the news of the enemy's crossing. The
engagement between the British and Americans took place at
about day-break, and our army scattered and fled. The fields
and highways were soon filled with these fugitives, running to
save their lives, and with the inhabitants following after, men,
women and children, a few in wagons, but the most of them
on foot.
Mr. Hodge now began to realize the necessity of moving his-
family away. So he directed his hired man to yoke up the
oxen, the only team he then had, hitch them to the cart, and
drive up to the door; but instead of doing this, the coward
ran off with the rest of the frightened multitude.
After the greater part of the people had fled, Mr. Hodge
succeeded in engaging an army baggage-wagon, which was
driven to the door. Some bedding and clothing were hurried
in. The family, consisting of Mrs. Hodge, her sister Mrs.
Howes, and thC'five children, Sally, William, Sophia, Philander
and Julia A. (the youngest, and but two months old), were
placed in the wagon on the bedding and clothing, and carried
out about twelve miles to " Harris Hill Tavern," three miles
east of Williamsville.
The day was cold, though not extremely so. The ground
was frozen, with a light covering of snow. After the family
had gone, Mr. Hodge, entirely alone and anxious to save
something more, yoked the oxen, hitched them to the cart,.

'brought it up to the door, flung in some more bedding, a baking
•of bread, which he came across in the large wooden bread-
tray, and a few other articles, and drove off. As he thus left
his own home, he looked towards the village, and saw the
smoke of its burning houses rising high in the air, and ex
pected nothing but that he would be obliged after all to leave
his team and run for his life ; for the " British Indians "
iiad been seen at the edge of the woods, some sixty rods west
of the house, before he left. But it so happened jhat he was
not molested in his flight. He drove out to the Harris Hill
Tavern, and had the joy of finding his family all safe.
The next day he took his ox-team and returned to his house,
and found things there pretty much as he had left them. He
further understood that the enemy had gone back, across the
Tiver. So he went again out to Harris Hill, without removing
anything more from the house, and intending to take his family
back within a few days.
But the day following, that is, January i, 1814, as he was
again returning to his deserted home, and had arrived within
about a mile and a half, and in sight of it (on Flint Hill,
between Col. William W. Chapin's and Conjockety's creek), he
¦discovered that the enemy weie there, and that the house was
on fire. He at once stopped in the road with his team, until
a company of our horsemen came in sight, who overtook and
passed him, near Conjockety's creek. When he came within
eighty rods of the house, he found one of his neighbors, Rich
ard Keep, a blacksmith, lying dead by the side of the road,
having been shot by the enemy. He helped to carry the body
into a house, picked up Mr. Keep's rifle and went up the hill
into his own burning house. He was quite alone, and could
save next to nothing from the building, as the roof was already
falling in. The outside cellar-doors and part of the wooden
water-conductor he wrenched off and saved. Then, with rifle
in hand, he crossed the road to his barn, hoping to meet some
-of the enemy. He felt that he must take vengeance on the

13
despoilers, or that his life might as well go with his property..
But he neither obtained vengeance nor lost his life, and at
evening he again went out to Harris Hill and remained there
till the following Thursday. Then he brought his family back
with the few household goods he had saved, just one week
after their flight, only to find their home and property destroyed;.
they being the first who returned after the burning.
With his usual energy, he went to work and built an addi
tion to a small framed shop-house on the premises, which the
enemy had not destroyed, and into which he had moved.
This was the second frame erected after the burning. The
first was put up by Ralph Pomeroy, who had been a tavern-
keeper near the north-east corner of Main and Seneca streets.
Mr. Hodge continued to keep a public house, but it was a
winter of constant fear and frequent alarms. The whole fron
tier was throughout the season left almost entirely unprotected,
and nearly every night it would be reported that the enemy had
again come over the river. Twice, during that winter and the
spring following, the family packed up, and moved away for
safety. The enemy in fact twice crossed the border, but
were driven back by the small guard of soldiers stationed at
this point, with the assistance of some of the few inhabitants
who had returned.
The families which were here, though so few in number,.
could procure no provisions except from the commissary of
the army; and at that time little except salt provisions were
furnished. But the soldiers would have fresh meat, even if it
was poor, and they stole the only cow that Mr. Hodge pos
sessed, and killed her for beef, — indeed they stole every thing
else that they could find, capable of being eaten.
Mr. Hodge's family was one of six which had moved back
and remained in the town through the winter of the burning,.
sharing the fears, the excitements and casualties of the war,
by day and night.
And now we see him, in his old home again, his property

14
mainly gone, but not so his energy. He persevered in the face
of the difficulties and dangers of the situation; and with the
courage of a true and experienced pioneer, he commenced re
building his brick house within the sound of the booming of
-cannon and rattle of musketry, which could be heard nearly
every day. His life at this time was, indeed, not only that of
a pioneer, but also that of a frontiersman just upon the lines
of the two contending armies. And about this time, he was
drafted into the army. But he procured a substitute, who was
accepted. He paid him thirty dollars as bounty, and agreed
to pay, in addition, ten dollars monthly, but was never called
upon for the monthly payments. It was supposed that this
substitute deserted.
After this extremely trying winter of 1813— 1814, spring
opened with more hope for the little remnant of families which
¦were here. Troops were sent on, to protect this frontier.
Many of the inhabitants returned to the burnt village and
began to rebuild their houses, etc., 'though these were of the
most primitive and cheap do-for-the-present kind.
In December, 1814, Mr. Hodge occupied his rebuilt brick
house, and went on there with his business as keeper of a
tavern. He also continued his nursery, and did a considera
ble amount of farming, using most of his produce, however,
in carrying on the tavern.
In the early part of the year 1815, the war closed, with the
declaration of peace, and there was good reason for the inhab
itants here to expect better times. Mr. Hodge increased his
fanning-mill business, and the manufacture of rolling screens,
wire sieves and riddles. He also, for about two years, kept a
store of goods in the brick tavern house. Such a store, in
those times, contained a miscellaneous stock of dry-goods,
crockery, hardware, liquors, tea, coffee, sugars, etc.
But within a year or two after the war, business began to
decline. Many became financially embarrassed, Mr. Hodge
among the number. He struggled along for several years, and

15
selling out the goods he had on hand, continued his other
business on a reduced scale. But his embarrassment became
such, that as a last, and indeed only resort, he called on a
friend, living in the interior of the state to help him, which he
did, and thus prevented the loss of all the property he pos
sessed. His friend (Dr. Joseph White of Cherry Valley, a
cousin of his, mentioned already), came to Buffalo, paid the
debt Mr. Hodge was owing, and took into his possession
all the real estate he held, consisting of about one hundred
and fifty acres of land, in the immediate neighborhood,
being farm lots Numbers 57, 33 and 35. Dr. White held
the title of these pieces of land about eleven years, the as
signment to him having been made, as I find upon a memor
andum, November 6, 1819. Yet business was so very dull,
and money was so scarce, that Mr. Hodge was at times unable
to pay even the interest as it fell due.
In the spring of 1825, he commenced the manufacture of
bricks, in company with Mr. Uriah Sill. They made a very
good summer business of this.
In the fall, the Erie Canal having been just completed.
Governor De Witt Clinton and suite came to Buffalo to cele
brate the occasion by a formal opening. The plan for this
was to take boat here, make the complete trip on the canal
from Buffalo to Albany and down the river to New York,
carrying with them water from Lake Erie, and there mingle
the waters of the lake with those of the ocean. Some
of the citizens of Buffalo joined the Governor's company on
this auspicious occasion; and Mr. Hodge and his wife were
among the number. Before returning, Mr. Hodge visited the
nurseries on Long Island, and made a purchase of trees for his
Buffalo nursery, from Mr. Bloodgood.
He continued the manufacture of bricks with tolerable suc
cess. This enabled him to make yearly payments on the debt
he was owing to Dr. White, and in December, 1831, he went
to Cherry Valley and settled with him in full, — paying him

x6
the whole amount due with interest, and taking his property
again into his own hands. The transfer bears date December
29, 1831.
Having during all these years been, as is thus seen, en
terprising and active, Mr. Hodge had in fact transacted a
large amount cf business, having dealings with many individ
uals. Withal, he was ever ready to give credit to those in
straitened circumstances, and to sell them property they
needed, but he never oppressed them by enforcing collection
of what was due him. Thus he lost thousands of dollars,
through being lenient with his debtors, when men of selfish,,
grasping disposition would have demanded payment to the full.
The then legal process of imprisonment for debt was one to^
which he would not resort.
In 1830, after "keeping tavern" about twenty-three years,
Mr. Hodge gave up that part of his business operations. He
increased that of brick-making, however, with fair success,
until about the year 1840. In one season he had manufac
tured as many as three millions.
At this time, he was free from debt, and had a few thousand
dollars in cash; and when the Free Banking Law of the State
of New York was passed, he was induced to go into the bank
ing business with Judge Pierre A. Barker, and his own son.
Philander Hodge. His chief object in doing this, was that he
might raise money with which to put up a block of brick
buildings on the north-west corner of Main and Chippewa
streets. He said that he was considerably advanced in life,.
and wanted to get that block built, for the benefit of his
family. In going into this banking business, Mr. Hodge was to
furnish the mortgage securities, with his son. Philander, and
Pierre A. Barker was to procure stocks to an equal amount, as
required by the Free Banking Law. The result was, that Mr.
Hodge furnished the greater part of the mortgage securities,
and became holden for the purchase money for all the stocks..

17
Subsequently, he was obliged to pay the whole, and thereby
became involved, to a large amount.
In the meantime, he had erected the " Chippewa" block of
brick buildings, as he had been anxious to do. In accomplishing
this he had used all his own available means, but had drawn
only about twelve thousand dollars from the bank, while his
partners had used nearly thirty thousand, without furnishing a
proportionate amount of securities, — Mr. Barker having done
very little in this direction.
Meanwhile Mr. Hodge had executed a mortgage and depos
ited it with the Bank Department, as security on the property
occupied by the block of buildings. All of this he lost in the
closing up of the Bank business, and a heavy debt remained
upon him.
In these transactions Mr. Hodge lost about eighty thousand
dollars; and was not free from the embarrassment thus caused,
for a number of years.
But, after much trouble and perplexity, by reason of a suit-
at-law concerning these affairs, which continued several years,
the matter was finally, in the spring of 1847, settled by a com
promise with the party contestant.
From this time forward, Mr. Hodge was, as he had ever
been, active in business, and more cheerful and buoyant in
mind than in these trying days. He felt sure of being able to
pay his debts out of his property, and yet of having enough
left to place himself and his family in a comfortable condition.
And in this anticipation he passed the remainder of his life.
To the end he retained the esteem of his acquaintances. In
most of the forty-three years of his residence in Buffalo, he
held some office of importance in the town, such as Commis
sioner, Assessor and Magistrate. Yet he was not an ambitious
man, seeking popularity or place. He was, nevertheless, truly
public-spirited, being one of the foremost to engage in enter
prises for the good of the ocmmunity, even, many times, going
beyond what his means would , warrant. With willing hands

and energetic mind carrying on, as has been described, many
kinds of business, he gave employment to many persons. By his
own exertions, and through the hard labor, industrious habits,
and good character of his family of ten children, amid toil
and privations, and some most severe struggles, as well as in
prosperous times, he did his part towards building up this
great city of now two hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants.
Mr. Hodge was confiding in his disposition, and ready to
trust in men when dealing with them;,but when he found them
unworthy of confidence, he avoided them. He noiselessly pur
sued the "even tenor of his way." He was quiet and uniform
in temper, and domestic in his habits, ever disposed to promote
peace and good order, urbane, kind and courteous in manners,
and honorable in his dealings. Seeking to do to others as
he would have them do to him, he was respected as a neighbor,
useful as a citizen, and dearly beloved as a husband, a father
and a friend.
And, in later years, through the severe and trying dispensa
tions of Providence, — reverses that deprived him of the large
property he had accumulated, and bereavements that weighed
upon him most heavily, — he was led by the guidance of the
Divine Spirit, to seek after a better than all earthly treasure,
and to receive the gospel of salvation, as his only hope and
trust. Accordingly, on the first day of January, 1843, he was
admitted into the communion of the First Presbyterian Church,
Buffalo, on public profession of his faith in Christ. More and
more, by those repeated admonitions, especially by the death
of a beloved daughter, his mind was directed toward the
better, brighter world, and when at length the final summons
came, he was not unprepared, but calmly acquiesced in the
will of God.
On the Sabbath morning previous to his death,, he was in
his accustomed place among the worshipers in the sanctuar
to all appearance in usual health. But before another sun had
risen, he was seized with an attack of sickness which proved

19
fatal, and in the short space of twenty hours, he was removed
from his earthly activities, joys and sorrows, by death, — the
date being, Monday, September i8, 1848.
His funeral was attended at his late residence, on the
Wednesday following, by a large concourse of friends, who
deeply sympathized with the sorrowing family, and warmly
acknowledged that in the death of William Hodge the com
munity had sustained no common loss. These friends also
followed his remains to their quiet resting-place in the High
Street Cemetery, whence in later years they were transferred
to Forest Lawn. It was fitting indeed that they should first be
buried and should remain for years, within a cemetery which
was shaded by perhaps two hundred trees of his own plant
ing, and whose very soil had been the property of one of his
children; and within the bounds of two burial lots which were
made his own in return for his services in thus beautifying
the Cemetery.

ILLUSTRATIVE MISCELLANIES.

A.— THE COLD SPRING.
[See page 4, line 28.]

It seems to me a great pity, a public loss, that " The Cold
Spring " (about two and three-quarters miles from Buffalo
Creek, on the Williamsville road or Main street, where it takes a
northeastward course), a noted spot ever since the first settling
of this frontier to^wn, and prominent in the War of 1812-15,
should have been destroyed in the laying of the Bird Avenue
sewer. On this account, and because this spring, and the tavern-
stand beside it, will be so often referred to in these papers,
I here give some account of the spring itself, and of those
who have occupied the position of "mine host" in its far-
famed hostelry. But I will first say something about some of
the other springs of water in this vicinity, the traces of nearly
all of which have disappeared. Mention will also be found of
some of theni in another paper upon roads and early traveling.
Tradition says that Indians, in going from their reservation
near Buffalo, to Tonawanda, would first come to the spring
on, I think, lot No. 31 (which lay north of our Best street
and 30 or 40 rods from Jefferson street). In the first settling
of this town this spring was pretty well known, as being a
place where cattle sometimes got "mired," and could not get
out without help. So when the settlers' cows were not found,
or did not come home in the course of the night, the first place
where they were looked for in the morning was that miry spring.
In early days I have been there a great many times, and drank
of its water. I have also found pieces of pottery, made of
clay, around it.

From this spring the Indians would come to the "Cold Spring,"
to the spring on the Staley lot 58, or to the Jubilee spring, on lot
62, and thence to the springs along Conjockety's Creek. One of
the latter springs was on the south side of the creek, near the
old fording-place; one was reached immediately after crossing,
northward; a third was about fifty rods farther on, upon the
east side of "John's Meadow " (now covered by the beautiful
lake in the Park), and perhaps thirty rods north of the creek,
and still another near the north side of this meadow, and
near the line between the Granger and Chapin farms.
In the last two named, we used to push down poles ten or
more feet in length. The last mentioned spring was on the
flat, and not near the bank of the creek, and where the water
ran out and all around it, the ground was higher than it was at
a distance of ten feet or so away. The material of this rim
seemed to be what is called bog-iron-ore.
It was a considerate and wise act of Joseph Ellicott as agent
and surveyor for the Holland Land Company, to lay out and
establish the road connecting The East and The West through
Buffalo so as to take the large and noble " Cold Spring " in
its course, for the public benefit. I remember it well when it
was in its primitive state. It was surrounded by bluff banks,
excepting on the north-east side, where the pure cool stream
flowed forth. It was then about as large as the basin which
was afterwards walled up to accumulate and hold the water.
Up to about 1816 or 1818 there were three pretty large trees,
of fifteen or twenty inches diameter, growing around the spring
and next to its edge, at the bottom of the surrounding bluff.
The largest of these was a yellow birch, which grew on the
southeast side, — the side towards the tavern-house; one of the
other trees was, I think, a soft maple, standing on the east side,
or a little south of east; and the third was an oak, on the west
side, and nearest to the main road. These trees all leaned
their tops inward over the spring. Originally the banks were
somewhat sloping, and steps were cut into the steepest part,

23
on the south side, by which to go down to a plank which
extended seve'ral feet over the bubbling and boiling water.
Lying stretched out on this plank, face downward, many a one
has here slaked his thirst in the days gone by, and from that
plank many a pail and jug has been filled with the pure cool
beverage. This spring never froze, and the water was of about
the same temperature summer and winter.
The banks of the spring were eventually lowered, and a wall
was built, with steps at one side, by which to reach the never-
failing water collected there.
The stream which ran from the spring was formerly full
of little fish, such as chubs, shiners, small rock bass, and
other sorts.
But no account of the spring would be complete without a
notice of the Cold Spring Tavern. Though the spring has
disappeared, there i*s a tavern-stand close by its soon-to-be-
forgotten site, and on the same spot there has been one since
1808, and I will give some account of those who have kept it
from the commencement.
A Mr. Russell was the first of these, and probably re
mained but a year or two. Next came for a short time, the
firm of Saunders & Cooledge, and then Howes & Persons
(Ebenezer Howes and Lyman Persons). They were keeping
the house in the spring of 181 1, but Mr. Howes left it in the
fall of that year, Mr. Persons continuing till 181 2, when Major
Frederick Miller came in and kept it through the war. He
had before that managed the ferry and tavern at Black Rock.
About 1817 he made an exchange of property with Mr.
Franklin, taking his tavern-stand in the village of Williams
ville and occupying and managing it for some time. He sub
sequently removed to a farm near by, which he cultivated till
he died, January 26, 1830, at the age of 70 years. Mr. Frank
lin was a very worthy Christian man, and kept the tavern for
some time. He was succeeded by a Mr. Lyman, who kept it
for about a year. Then came Charles Averill for a season or

24
so, giving place to a Mr. Walbridge, an excellent man, who
in a year was followed by Beach & Higgins. Mr. Beach
was quite an expert with the rifle, when rifles were not abund
ant. He also kept a blood-hound. David Hennion suc
ceeded Beach & Higgins about 1822. He was from New York
City, a descendent of some of its Dutch settlers. Mr. Hen
nion was quite an enterprising man for those early times.
Besides keeping the Cold Spring tavern, he carried on black-
smithing, on the opposite side of the road. In the fall and
early winter he collected a wagon-load of dressed poultry and
took it to New York City. He also had in his employ a man
who was quite expert in catching wild pigeons in a net. These
he carried to New York and sold. Mr. Hennion also procured
two large full-grown elks to take to New York as a " specula
tion." He kept the tavern from about 1822 to 1826, when
Rudolph Barr, Washington Russell and a Mr. Lapp
moved in, with their families. They came from Pennsylvania,
Mr. Russell being Mr. Barr's son-in-law. He kept the tavern.
The other two erected a brewery quite near the spring (Jacob
Scott being the carpenter). As soon as the building was
ready they began to make what they called " strong " beer, —
the name "lager" was not then used here, — the first strong
beer made in Buffalo. This was better and more pure than
the beer now made here, and was not stupefying as most of
this is. I do not think Barr and Lapp drugged or salted
their beer.
Mr. Russell kept the Cold Spring tavern about a year; when
he gave it over to Mr. Barr. At about the same time Mr. Lapp
dissolved partnership with Mr. Barr, who continued the tavern
and brewing business till 1834, when Mr. Crisp came into the
tavern. But he kept it only a short time when he became sick
and died.
Mr. Barr had built a dwelling-house near the tavern-stand,
and moved into it with his family, residing there until his
death, December 20, 1836.

25
After the death of Mr. Crisp, the tavern was continued by
George Mosier. He also sickened and died in a short time,
when Ebenezer Hopkins came in for a while, and after him
Joseph Shaw, who was succeeded by Wolcott Vedder, and
he by the two brothers, Augustus and Charles Barr. This
was in 1839. Their father, Rudolph Barr, soon after he
came here bought of William T. Miller the farm-lots 36 and
37, which contained the Cold Spring tavern. These two
brothers kept the tavern, together, until 1844, when Augustus
withdrew and Charles continued until 1849.
Who that has ever traveled the old Batavia Road since the
year 1808, has.not a recollection of " The Cold Spring Tavern "?
In the War of 1812-15, this was quite a central point on this
frontier, and many of the officers of our army made it their
stopping place.
A duel with pistols, between two of our army officers, was
fought there during that time. Its scene was the foot of the
Cold Spring farm-lot (No. 36), at the little " run " near the
corner of Ferry and Jefferson streets. The officers' names,
I am sorry to say, I do not recollect. I remember, how
ever, that one of them was a surgeon. The surgeon, an
expert duelist and a bully, saw fit to challenge the other,
though he was an inexperienced officer, — inexperienced, at
least, in the use of pistols, — for the purpose and with the inten- .
tion of getting him out of the way. The challenge was of course
accepted, as in those warring times no honorable man when
challenged would refuse to fight a duel. The challenged man
expected to be killed, and so he chose as positions that the two
should stand side by side, each to take hold of the same hand
kerchief with the left hand and hold his pistol in his right
hand, and both were to fire on the command, "Ready, fire!"
The experienced duelist, presenting the narrowest part of him
self to his antagonist, received his ball in his right side and fell
and died immediately. The other, not thinking of the policy
of exposing the smallest possible front to his enemy, stood

26
squarely facing him. He received the ball in front, and it
passed through his breast, not touching any vital part. He
survived, and lived for many years afterwards.
Before the Erie Canal was finished, in 1825, this Cold Spring
tavern was the stopping-place of the big five-, six- and seven -
horse wagons, with tires six inches wide, which were used to
transport goods from Albany to Buffalo, — the price of transpor
tation being $6.00 per hundred pounds.
This was a place also where town-rneetings and elections
were held. Here, too, the young men and boys met to play
old-fashioned "base ball," and have "shooting-matches,"
turkeys, geese and chickens being the game, 20 rods the dis
tance, and the expense sixpence a shot. The distance after a
few years was increased to 35 and 40 rods, as some became
quite expert with the rifle. The Cold Spring was a central
point for these and other purposes, such as balls, singing-
schools, etc., for those from Buffalo Village, Black Rock and
Buffalo Plains.
Here, too, as is elsewhere in these papers related, religious
services were often held, while Mr. Franklin occupied the place.

B.— POPULATION OF BUFFALO, 1789-1884.
[See page 5, line 9.]

The idea that Buffalo did not seem likely " to become much
of a place," suggests the insertion here of an exhibit of its
increase in population in less than a century, from a single
person to 250,000.
In 1791, or probably as early as 1789, and for some years
thereafter, one white man, Cornelius Winne, lived where after
wards " Lake Erie " settlement on Buffalo creek (which later
became Buffalo), was established.

27
In 1794, only three white persons were known as living on
the present site of Buffalo.
In 1795, there were four or five houses, and perhaps 20 or
25 people here.
In 1805, the year in which my father came to Buffalo, it was
composed, as I have often heard him say, of "about a dozen
white families," and was named " New Amsterdam," and
" Buffalo Creek."
In 1809, 43 families constituted Buffalo, or " Buffalo Creek "
as it was then also called.
In 1810, the village contained "30 to 40 houses," and the
population may be estimated at from 150 to 200.
In 1811, the population was computed at 500 by a traveler;
probably too large an estimate.
In April, 1813, when the village was incorporated, it con
tained about TOO houses, and perhaps 400 or 500 people.
In 1820, the whole Town of Buffalo contained 2,095 inhab
itants. In 1821, the County of Niagara, comprising then the present
Niagara and Erie counties, contained 23,313 inhabitants,
In 1825, the Village of Buffalo contained 2,412 inhabitants,
and the Village of Black Rock 1,031; both together, on terri
tory now all within the city, 3,443.
In 1828, when the first Directory was published, there were
about 3,000 inhabitants in Buffalo Village.
In 1830, there were 8,680 inhabitants here.
In 1832, when the village became a city, by incorporation, the
population numbered, according to the City Directory, 10,119.
The number of inhabitants has, since 1832, increased as fol
lows: There were in 1835, 15,661; in 1840, 18,213; '" 1845,
29,773; in 1850, 42,261; in 1855, 74,414 (the city being that
year extended in territory from North street, etc., outward);
in i860, 81,129; in 1865, 94,502; in 1870, 118,000; in 1875,
140,000; in 1880, 154,000; in 1884, it is believed there are
225,000; some estimating the present population at 250,000.

28
C— BUFFALO VILLAGE FAMILIES IN 1806.
[See page 5, line 29.]

The following descriptive list was furnished to me, from
memory, in 1856, by my uncle, Lorin Hodge, late of Jefferson,
Ohio, who came to Buffalo in 1806. This list comprises cer
tainly the heads of most of the families at that time forming
the population of Buffalo Village.
I. — Zenas Barker was an inn-keeper. He occupied a
double log house located about six rods west of Main street,
on the bluff (now the Terrace) facing south.
2. — John Crow, an inn-keeper, occupied a log house on the
south side of Crow (now Exchange) street, so named after
him, and between Main and Washington streets, near Washing
ton. The latter street extended then only as far south as Crow.
3. — ^Erastus Granger had his office in one end of Crow's
log tavern, he being Collector of the Port of Buffalo.
4. — Joshua Gillet was a merchant, and had his store east
of Barker's tavern on the corner of Main street and the (Ter
race) bluff.
5. — Vincent Grant, a merchant, was located on the west
side of Main street, near Seneca.
6. — Louis Stephen LeCouteulx kept a drug-store oppo
site John Crow's tavern, on the north side of Crow street. He
was at that time Town Clerk. There are numbers yet living
who remember this polite Frenchman. He was a true gentle
man in every sense of the word, and highly educated, but a
refugee from France, obliged to leave his country or lose his
head. He was indeed "of the old school." To the end of
his life he continued to wear large silver shoe- and knee-
buckles with long stockings and short breeches, — his queue,
wound tastefully and neatly with a ribbon, displaying itself
from under his hat, pendent at the back of his head.
7, 8. — Maybee and Johnson were merchants. Their store

29
adjoined that of M. LeCouteulx on the east. They dealt in
Indian goods. Mr. Johnson had an Indian wife, and was of
Tory memory.
9. — Capt. Samuel Pratt was a merchant. His store was
west of, and next to. Crow's tavern, and his dwelling adjoined
it, still farther west, standing on the corner of Main and Crow
streets, where the Mansion House now is.
10. — William Hull, a silversmith, had his store on the east
side of Main street, between Crow and Seneca.
1 1 . — David Reese, a blacksmith for the Indians, had his dwel
ling on the southeast corner of Washington and Seneca streets,
and his shop opposite, on the northeast corner, now occupied
by the United States Custom House and Posloffice building.
12. — William Robbins had a blacksmith-shop near Vincent
Grant's store, on the west side of Main street. His dwelling
house was built of hewn logs, and stood in the rear, that is,
west of his shop.
13. — Doctor Cyrenius Chapin lived on Main street, near
the "Square," and "in the bushes" as it was then called, the
lot where the Chapin block and Weed block now stand, on
Swan street, north side, between Main and Pearl.
14, 15. — Michael Middaugh and his son-in-law, Ezekiel
Lane, lived on Main street, near Little Buffalo Creek, on the
south end of Samuel Pratt's lot.
16. — Black Joe lived in a small log shanty, situated " on
the flat " near Little Buffalo Creek, on the east side of Main
street, near Middaugh's. The shanty was covered with bark.
Joe kept a low class groggery. He had a white woman for a
wife (Mr. Ketchum says in his history of Buffalo, an Indian
wonian). He left the place in 1807, for Maiden, Canada
(Mr. Ketchum says he "moved to Cattaraugus Creek").
17. — A Mr. Mann was at this time living here, whose exact
location is not remembered. He married a daughter of Mr.
Lane, a granddaughter of Mr. Middaugh.
18. — John Despar, a Frenchman, was a baker. His house

3°
and bake-shqp stood on the east side of Washington street,
between Crow and Seneca. He supplied most of the inhabi
tants with their bread and cakes. In 1815 or thereabouts, he
bought a farm-lot on the south side of the "Cayuga Road,"
now Best street, and on the east side of Jefferson street.
Genesee street, when laid out at a later date, crossed this
farm near the south end. This place he made his home,
having become dissipated and quit his business. He after
wards sold the farm to Mr. William Smith, who was the first
person to supply the residents of the village with milk as a
regular dairyman. His bargain was that Smith should pay him
two hundred dollar a year, as long as he and his wife lived,
he giving for this consideration a deed of the farm. Despar
and his wife both died within two years after this sale to Smith.

D.— OUR TAVERN IN THE LOG HOUSE.
[See page 6, line 17.]

This noble mansion consisted of two rooms on the lower floor,
with a wide hall between them. It had battened doors, naked
peeled beams, and windows of 7x9 glass. The north room was
used as a parlor, sitting-room, main kitchen and dining-room.
The south room was the more public onfe. It could not be
mistaken as one looked toward the right on entering by the
front door into the hall. There the eye was caught by large
black letters on an unpainted door, telling the visitor to
" Walk IN,"— and there too was the " latch-string," hanging
on the outer side of the door. This room also contained
the bar, which was partitioned off in one corner. Under
the shelves stood the whiskey and cider barrels, and on
them were the kegs of brandy, rum and gin, and one or two
kinds of wine, — as Madeira and Port. Maybe there was also
there a keg of shrub or peppermint cordial, and occasionally
one of metheglin. Sometimes, in the proper season, the bar

31
would contain a barrel of spruce beer, home-made, of course, —
as also was the metheglin. There was no lager beer in those
days, and the whiskey was more pure and consequently less
injurious than that of the present time.
The sugar-box and money-drawer were made to slide under
the front counter-board. The white sugar then used in the
bar and onJhe table came in high, tapering solid cakes, called
sugar-loaves, done up in coarse brown or black paper, and was
known as loaf sugar. A few may yet be seen, now and then, at
some stores.
The liquors sold at the bar were always measured out in the
wine-glass and gill-cup, or in larger quantities when desired.
Cider was sold by the pint or quart, red peppers being added;
and in cold weather it was set upon coals and embers to heat.
The mixed drinks furnished at the bar were termed " slings,"
and were made of sugar-water and brandy, rum or gin, well
stirred with the "sugar-stick." Hot slings were made the
same way, except that a hot iron was put in, to temper them,
a slight sprinkling of nutmeg being regularly added.
A "sangaree" was made in the same way, using wine in
stead of the stronger liquors. Nearly all were as much in the
habit of using these different kinds of liquors as beverages, as
people now are of using tea, coffee, and even milk.
The fire-place in this bar-room and that in the north room
were without "jambs," — the chimneys being built with split
sticks and plastered. That in the north room was furnished
with a "trammel-pole," and "trammel" with hooks to match,
for hanging kettles, etc., over the fire. The hearths were made
of stones gathered from the fields.
The chamber rooms were used for sleeping purposes.
An addition built on the east side of the bar-room was used
as a back kitchen and wash-room. It had a sloping roof,
being a "lean-to." The fire-place was built in one corner
of it, and the chimney and hearth were of the same materials
as those in the other rooms.

32
E.— BUFFALO IN 1809.
[See page g, line i.]

The following, from an article contributed by me to the
Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, December 30, 1872, will serve
to give some idea of what Buffalo was at this time. It is a copy
of a letter written by Judge Granger to Hon. Albert Gallatin,
then Secretary of the Treasury of the United States.
Buffalo, Oct. 20, 1809.
Hon. a. Gallatin:
Sir: — During the last session of Congress I noticed the passing of a reso
lution for instructing the Committee on Commerce and Manufactures to en
quire into the expediency of removing the Custom-houses in the districts of
Niagara and Buffalo Creek from fort Niagara to Lewiston, and from Buffalo
to Black Rock. I have since understood that Col. Peter B. Porter, member
from this State, was the mover of the resolution. That there may be reasons
for removing the Custom-house in the former place I do not deny, but to re
move the latter at this time, I think would be highly improper. Believing
that I am correct in opinion, and believing also that to remain silent on the
subject would be a neglect of duty which I owe to you, the head of the
Revenue Department, I hasten to communicate a brief statement of facts
for your consideration.
The 'Village of Buffalo, where the Custom-house is now kept, is situate
near the mouth of Buffalo creek, and at the outlet of Lake Erie. It is a
good harbor for boats. 'Vessels often lie off at the mouth of the creek and,
receive loading. The place is fast increasing in population and business;
it already contains forty-three families, besides a number of young gentle
men who are settled here in professional and mercantile pursuits.
It is the seat of justice for the County of Niagara, and has a handsome
Court-house and Jail nearly completed. Most of the importations heretofore
from Canada have been made by the citizens of this place. Its situation for
obtaining information of what is passing in the district is superior to any
other place.
Black Rock is opposite the rapids in Niagara River, and is only two and
a quarter miles from the center of the Village of Buffalo, as the road
now goes."
That this expression, "as the road now goes," may be fully
understood, I observe that at the date of this letter, the

33
traveled road from Buffalo to Black Rock was on the beach
from the mouth of Buffalo creek down the river. The proba
bility is that the road, now called Niagara street, had but
lately been cut out, and though open, was not in a condition
to be much used. Mr. Granger, wishing to make a statement
as favorable for Buffalo as facts would allow, seemed to antici
pate Niagara street's becoming the road, for travel, between the
two places. The letter continues:
"The land for a considerable distance below and above Black Rock, is
owned by the State of New York, arid no law is yet passed for the selling of
it. A Mr. Miller has built a temporary house at the Rock, under the bank
of the river, where a ferry«house and tavern are kept.
Messrs. Porter, Barton & Co., have built a store on the Rock; one other
white family and two black families compose the inhabitants of the place.
About three-fourths of a mile below the Rock there are two other families
living on land belonging to Messrs. Porter & Co.
The vessels employed in the navigation of Lake Erie, when in port, lie at
the head of the rapids in the Niagara river, and a little below a reef of
rocks called Bird Island. At this place they receive and discharge their
loading by boats. The distance of this place from Black Rock is one mile,
and from Buffalo one and three-fourths miles; making the difference in
favor of the former only three-fourths of a mile.
The land opposite Bird Island is owned by the State. There is some
business done on the lake in open boats. These uniformly use the harbor
of Buffalo Creek.
I cannot say but in time it wHl be expedient to remove the Custom-house
from Buffalo, but at present I do not conceive there is any necessity for, or
propriety in, the measure.
I have no private motives, or personal interest in opposing the measure,
for should I be continued as the Collector, I could as well do the business
at Black Rock as at Buffalo, provided I could buy a piece of land on which
to build an office, and not become a squatter on others' land.
I will only observe that the foregoing statement is founded on facts, and
I pledge myself to prove it by unquestionable testimony if necessary.
I have the honor to be, sir, with great respect, your obedient, humble
servant, ERASTUS GRANGER."
It is evident from this letter, that Judge Granger had no
desire to remove the office of Collector of Customs to Black

34
Rock, and he undoubtedly gave the full and correct quota of
the population of Buffalo at that time, namely, forty-three
families, besides the single young men referred to. At the time
of writing he was not only Collector, but also Postmaster and
Superintendent of Indian Affairs, which offices he held from
1803, the time of his coming to Buffalo, until 1818. The
office of Superintendent of Indian Affairs he moved from
Can'andaigua to this place. He was the first Postmaster, and
in 1803 established the first Post-office here, under Government.
On the organization of the original Niagara County, in 1808,
of which Buffalo was the county-seat, he was appointed one of
the Judges for the county.
This letter is authentic, and from one who had means of
knowing the facts as to the Village of Buffalo at that time,
equal to if not better than those of any other person. The
statement made by him would not be questioned by any of
the first settlers here.

F.— COLD SPRING SCHOOL DISTRICT No. 2.
[See page 9, line 28.]

I here give the names and places of residence of the inhabi
tants of our Cold Spring School District, Number Two (after
wards Number Three, and now Number Sixteen), as I can re
call them from the time of my earliest remembrance, — say
from about 1810-1811. I commence my list at what was so
long known as " Walden hill " (on Main street, a short -distance
south of North street), and proceed northward along Main
street. On this hill, east of Main street, the old Goodrich Mansion
is still standing; and west of Main street, on land in early days

35
owned by the late Judge Ebenezer Walden, are, among others,
the residences for years owned and occupied by the late Com.
Stephen Champlin, and the late Rev. G. W. Heacock, D. D.
At the time of which I now write, there was on this hill, east
of Main street, only a small log house, occupied by a colored
woman named Chloe. There was no house on the west side.
At the present North street, the " outer" village lots termi
nated and "farm" lots commenced. The first lot on the east
side of Main street, above North, was farm-lot No. 30, and
the lots from this to No. 52 were on the east side of the
street. This lot. No. 30, contained a double log house, oc
cupied by Nathan W. Seaver. The opposite lot, on the west
side of the street, was No. 53, on which was a small log house
occupied by a Mr. Raymond. This house was subsequently
the dwelling of Major Noble, and then of Sacket Dodge. The
lots numbering from this upward were on the west side of Main
street. On lot 54 was a log house occupied by another Mr.
Raymond, a brother of the one just mentioned. This lot was
afterwards owned and occupied by Alvan L. Dodge, for many
years. Lots 31, 32, 55, 56, had no houses upon them, except
that in rSii Major Ward Cotton built a log house on lot 55,
and occupied it. On lot 33 was a small log house, occupied
by Major Nathan Toles. On lot 34 was a small log house
occupied by George Burger. On lot 57 was a small log house
occupied by Michael Hunt. This lot was afterwards the site
of Hodge's Brick Tavern. On lot 35 was a double log house
occupied by Thomas Forth. This was afterwards bought by
William Hodge, Sen. On lot 58 was a small log house occu
pied by Christjohn Staley, standing back on the side hill, near
a spring. This house was on the old traveled road, running
about where Delaware street now is. On lot 59 was a double
log house, the logs being hewed on two sides. This was occu
pied by William DeShay, and subsequently by Samuel McCon-
nell. It is now the location of Spring Abbey. On this same
lot was a small log house occupied by David Reese. On lots

36
36 and 37, the " Cold Spring property," was a small log house
occupied by Mr. Kettle. On lot 38 was a small log house
standing back a few rods eastward of the Cold spring; I do
not remember who occupied this. On Main street was a log
house occupied by Elijah Leech. On lot 60 was a small
framed house occupied by Lyman Persons. On lot 61, near
the Jubilee spring which was on lot 62, was a log house occu
pied by John Mains and afterwards by George Wormwood. On
lot 62 was a small framed house, occupied by Shadrach Rem
ington, — father of the Reverends David and James Remington,
and grandfather of Cyrus K. Remington of Buffalo. An old log
house stood on the back part of this lot. On lot 63 was a
small log house occupied by Mr. Wintermute. On lot 64 was
a small log house standing down the creek at the stone quarry,
which was occupied by Ebenezer Averill. He was quite an
aged man. His son Zerah was the manager of the quarrying
business, and was the Deputy Collector. ,0n lot 39 was a
small log house about where Puffer street now comes into
Main. I do not remember who was the occupant of this.
I recollect going to school in that house. Lot No 40 was not
occupied by any house. On lot 41 was a log house occupied
by Capt. Joseph Wells. On lot 42 there was no house. On
lot 43, the " Brisbane lot," was a double log house occupied
¦ by Zebulon Ketchum. On lot 65 was a log house, near the
saw-mill (this having been occupied a few months in 1805 by
William Hodge), and a log house upon the hill, occupied by a
Mr. Perry, and subsequently by Erastus Granger.
Next to the creek, on the road, was a double log house oc
cupied by Asa Chapman. This house was near the bridge
on the west side, a double house, and stood forward, half in
the road.
Lot 66 was not occupied by any house, south of the
" Chapin " lot, which was not in our school-district.

37
G.— MY GRANDFATHER'S WOLF-TRAP-
[See page lo, line 9.]

Before giving some papers relating to the war, it will be in
place here to insert one having reference to some of those oc
cupations and experiences of the pioneers which continued
even in the war-time, as a necessary part of their ordinary life.
My mother's father, Daniel Abbott, came to Buffalo Village,
from Exeter, Otsego County, N. Y., in the spring of 1810, and
resided here about two years. In June, 1812, the month in
which the " Last War " began, he took up a farm in the town
of Hamburg in this county, on the lake shore, which was for
many years afterwards known as " Abbott's," and there took
up his residence.
For many years after the Holland Land Purchase began to be
settled, the forests in this region continued so to abound with
game, as to offer great inducements to those who for sport or
profit were inclined to kill or capture wild animals. These
were the beaver, otter, mink, red and cross-gray fox, bear,
wolf, deer, and some of minor importance. Some were taken
for their skins alone, others for their flesh; — the bear and
deer for both.
But wolves were especially quite plentiful, and were greatly
to be dreaded on account of their many depredations on the
sheep-folds (as in the case of Mr. Abbott's ewes — below re
ferred to), and the destruction caused by them among pigs and
calves. Even the settlers themselves were not secure from
their attacks. Thus, Mr. Johnson Clough of the town of
Hamburg in this county, was once chased by wolves, and com
pelled to take to the lake by wading into it, to save his life.
Sheep were yarded and penned every night for safety, and
even then would often be attacked and killed. The depreda
tions were of such frequent occurrence, and were so wide
spread in the sparse settlements, that very soon the towns, the
counties and the state respectively offered bounties for the
scalps of wolves captured within their boundaries.

38
The farm which Mr. Abbott had made his home, was then in
its primitive state, covered with a heavy forest, without a house
or any cleared land. He was a carpenter by trade, but divided
his time, as occasion required, between farming, hunting,
catching pigeons in a large twine net made by himself, trap
ping wolves and foxes, and sometimes hunting the latter with
hounds, and, in the way of his trade, also putting up house
and barn frames. In those times the settlers were poor, and
they could pay but a small amount, if anything, as purchase-
money, when they first took possession of their farms, although
the cost-price was but a few dollars per acre. Money was
of course very scarce; barter and exchange being the princi
pal mode of supplying family necessaries. A man having a
hundred dollars in money was considered as being in ex
tremely good circumstances, and so the price paid by the
furriers for fox-pelts, and the bounties offered for wolf-scalps,
were quite desirable, and eagerly sought after. Mr. Abbott,
of course, had this prevailing desire, and being very fond of
hunting and trapping, he had in this an additional incentive to
pursue these occupations. So, shortly after his arrival in
Hamburg, he procured a large steel wolf-trap. In all proba
bility, however, the direct and immediate reason for this pur
chase was, the loss of ten fine ewes out of a flock of twelve.
He had bought this flock from a farmer living a few miles
distant, and after driving them home, had shut them up for
the night in a strong pen adjoining the side of his log house.
Upon visiting the pen the following morning he was dismayed
to discover that a wolf had paid him a visit during the night,
and that of his twelve ewes only two had been left alive. And
yet so silently had his wolfship conducted the affair, that no
noise had disturbed the inmates of the house.
So Mr. Abbott purchased a trap from one Jonathan Ames,
of the town of Evans, in this county, of whom I will presently
say something more. This trap was a very formidable, ugly-
looking object. It had long spike-teeth inserted in each jaw,

39
which interlocked with each other when it was sprung, and
had a closing- spring so stiff and strong, that the power of a
hand-spike was required to set it.
Mr. Abbott kept this trap set most of the time, for foxes,
when their fur was prime and good, and for wolves when there
was any prospect of catching them. The people of to-day can
hardly imagine the delight experienced by a family just set
tling on a new farm in the wilderness, at the capture of a wolf.
The main object with them was, of course, first, to produce
from the farm enough for family subsistence, and second, to
get the farm paid for; and so, the bounty being thirty dollars
for the scalp of each wolf killed in the state, such an event
was a matter of no small benefit to the fortunate slayer of even
one of the depredators. Even the capture of a fox was hailed
with great joy, for every such creature taken had its direct
value. Mr. Abbott in the course of years succeeded in cap
turing many foxes, both of the cross-gray and the red varieties;
and for the pelts of the former sort he received from two to
two and a half dollars apiece, for those of the latter one dollar,
from the hatters and furriers in the village. How great must
have been the anxiety of the trapper for success, especially in
catching the wolves, the great enemies of his flocks, when,
knowing that they were in the vicinity of his domain, his fear
of them was intensified by actual raids repeatedly made upon
his own and his neighbors' premises. Let us follow, as we
may, his modus operandi, in proceeding against these enemies.
I will picture a real experience, — that of Mr. Abbott.
He took the carcass of one of the victims of their onsets for
a bait, which, having been "snaked," that is dragged, out into
the woods to a proper distance, was staked down and made
fast by the side of a log. The trap was then set, placed near
the carcass, and slightly covered with dry leaves. Then it was
left to be " raided " upon by the " varmints."
Early the next morning, the trapper went out to examine
the trap. Nothing had touched the bait, and the trap was all

40
right. The morning following, he went again to the trap (it
was, say, a quarter of a mile distant from the house) the snow
being then quite deep; and when he came to the place where
the trap was, he found it still set, having evidently met with
no change or disturbance. These journeys he repeated for
several days in succession, until, one morning when he arrived
near the trap, he found it sprung, — but, to his great disappoint
ment and chagrin, the thing had been done by the ever active,
intermeddling blue jay, which had been attracted to the
carcass, and, hopping about, had been caught in the big trap.
He had however paid dearly for his folly, since the wolves had
been there, too, and had eaten him off from the iron jaws that
held him and finished their meal by a dessert from the carcass
of the sheep. But the trapper pocketed his disappointment,
re-set the trap, and with reviving hope, anticipated better
success in the future. The next morning, as usual, he visited
the trap. Not yet had it been disturbed; wolves, like Indians,
however, require but one hearty meal within a day or two, so
there was still hope. He went again, next morning, stepping
in the same path or track in which he had already walked so
many times on the same errand; and nearing the log, yet while
still at a short distance, he discovered, by some marks in the
snow, that wolves had been there, and going a few steps
nearer, he saw that — the trap was gone! His anxiety was at
'its height; something had been caught, and with quick steps
he hastily followed the trail of the trap, by its marks with
those of the attached chain, clearly visible in the snow. And
it was plain to see how the animal caught had bounded
and leaped this way, that way, snapping and biting the trap
which had got a sure hold of one of its legs. And so, after
scanning the ground ahead, and following the tracks some
forty rods, the trapper discovered at a short distance from
him, a wolf, lying crouched down in the snow, as if ashamed
to be seen. It is a fact, that a wolf when caught in a trap,
becomes completely subdued and docile; so much so that after

41
a cord is tied around its neck, it can be released from
the trap and led away without resistance or difficulty. But
the trapper in this case leveled the old musket which he had
constantly carried with him, and fired at the wolf, which made
one powerful spring, to the length of the chain, and fell in
death-struggles. The chain, it was found, had become fastened
in a bush, and had probably held the wolf there for some
hours. Then, the trapper was rewarded for all his pains. Thirty
dollars were his, as bounty-money, part from the town, part
from the county, and part from the state. This paid him well
for the time he had spent in those three or four weeks, per-
severingly keeping up his operations against the wolves.
Mr. Abbott set the trap again, put it in position, and, as
before, day after day, for a while he had nothing but disap
pointment. No wolves came to disturb bait or trap. Mean
time, however, two foxes were secured, which were some
recompense for his trouble; and one other animal was also
taken which is a great nuisance to all hunters and trappers as
well as to a good many other people here and there, — namely,
a pole-cat, or skunk. Mr. Abbott's patience and labor did
not, however, ultimately fail of their reward; for, after eight
days' time the wolves came again, and within the succeeding
two weeks he secured the scalps of two more of the wily chaps.
In fact, a fourth wolf was caught, but the trapper received no
bounty for this, as the law required him to produce the scalp,
while he was able to present only the foot, and a small part of
the leg of the wolf, — for the trap had broken the bones of his
leg, and his wolfship had gnawed off the sinews and escaped.
There were, unfortunately, thirty dollars lost, — at least, not
gained, which was practically the same. Yet Mr. Abbott was
enabled by means of those bounties, and the money procured
for the pelts of the foxes caught in this trap, to make a large
payment on his farm.

42
This wolf-trap was quite an important heir-loom in the
Abbott family. It was kept in use most of the time, for some
twenty or twenty-five years, after its purchase. Then it was
suddenly missed. But some years later, after the death of my
grandfather, a son of his, in a journey as a buyer of furs in
Ohio, by a mere chance came across at Sandusky City this
identical old wolf-trap, and he of course recovered it on prov
ing ownership. It has since passed from that son's possession
into a grandson's, whose residence is in the neighborhood
where it had been so efficient in catching and holding valuable
game in early days.
Surely this instrument having been a pioneer and so long a
resident of our formerly Niagara, now Erie County, and so
usefully efficient towards paying for a good farm and clearing
the country of pests, is entitled to some notice in making up
the local history of this region. And its origin and something
concerning its maker deserve to be recorded.
Mr. Jonathan Ames, the maker, was quite a character, and
himself one of the pioneers of Western New York. He was a
blacksmith, and his fame as a steel-trap maker was quite ex
tensive. All the traps he could make found ready sale among
the dealers in furs in Buffalo Village and elsewhere, and
they were in fact known to the trappers from Genesee to
Mackinac. The old fur and hat store on the southeast corner of Main
and Swan streets, carried on by Stocking &. Bull, Stocking &
Dart, and subsequently (removed to the other side of the
street) by William Ketchum & Co., used to have " Ames' Steel-
Traps " for sale; and I think Stillman & Co. also sold them,
and supplied the country far and near with these useful
articles. Mr. Ames would make up a back-load of traps of differ
ent sizes, suitable for catching beavers, otters, foxes, minks,
and muskrats or water-rats (house-rats were not known when
first he made his steel-traps, here in Western New York),

43
string them together, and loading them across his shoul
ders start off on foot for Buffalo. There he disposed of
them to customers, laid in a supply of iron and steel, and a
good quantity of that to him indispensable article, namely,
tea; and, when ready, shouldered his bundle and started for
his home. This was two or three miles west of Eighteen-
mile creek, near Sturgeon Point, and something over twenty
miles from Buffalo Village. The road by which he traveled,
and all who at that time went up the lake shore, is described
in another of these papers.
In one of these return journeys he had laid in a larger stock
than usual, and the road was extremely bad. He had managed
to carry his load, by resting occasionally, until, within a few
miles of his home, having become very tired, he sat down to
rest. As he rose to go on, he discovered some travelers com
ing with a team. It occurred to him that he might play a
practical joke with them and get relieved from carrying his
heavy load. He therefore feigned to avoid being seen by the
party with the team. They discovered him, of course, and
noticing his peculiar actions, thought best to take him and his
burden of iron and steel into custody, suspecting him to be a
thief. They therefore arrested him, relieving him of his
property by putting it safely into the wagon, and required him
as a prisoner to take a seat with them there. This he did,
having, as if overpowered by numbers, submitted to the arrest.
On arrival at his home, the joke came out. Whether the case
was argued by his wife and family, and he acquitted, or
whether the capturing party took Mr. Ames over to the tavern
near by, and there discussed the case over a bottle of whiskey,
as was customary in those times, the records fail to show, and
tradition, so far as I have been able to learn, is silent about it.
But at amy rate, Mr. Ames was not required to give bail for
an appearance at court, and he was the gainer by an easy trip
for the latter part of that one of his toilsome journeys.

44

H.— THE BOYS' PET CANNON.
[See page lo, line 35.]

In connection with the mention of this squad of cavalry and
this twenty-four-pounder salute gun, the following incident
will be at least an amusing matter of history:
There was also " stationed " in our neighborhood at this
time a small band of individuals forming a, self-constituted
guard, who, independent of any military control, but enjoying
the excitement of the times, and willing to " lend a hand " in
the controversy, were ever ready when occasion demanded to
"take the field" and fight "on their own hook." This com
pany of youngsters had made their rendezvous at the log house
of Alvan L. Dodge, fronting on Main street, on farm-lot 54 (at the
corner of our Main and Summer streets). In their possession
was a small cannon or " swivel," a two- or three-pounder,
which had been captured from one of the British gun-boats,
and as happens very often in war time with property, had
fallen into the hands of private individuals.
Wishing to be in unison with and desirous of imitating the
regular military guard at the " Tavern," they fired this swivel
at the same time in the morning when the artillery-men dis
charged the big cannon. In order to do this with greater reg
ularity and precision, they watched the motion or swinging of
the lighted match in the hands of the artillery-men, at the
moment of firing their salute.
Soon after the war this swivel came into the possession of
Mr. William Hodge, Sen.,, by purchase, at a public sale of the
effects of Nathan Toles, a neighbor residing on lot No. $3
(commonly called the Loomis lot) and who died in 1815, the
year in which the war ended. Mr. Hodge had it mounted on
a regular cannon-carriage which was made by an Englishman,
a wheelwright by trade. He was a deserter from the British
army, having with a friend, James Bromley, left the British

45
camp near Fort Erie, one night, " borrowed " a canoe without
leave, and with some pieces of board paddled across Niagara
river. In after years, as may well be imagined, the possession of
this cannon for the purpose of celebrating the Anniversary of
our National Independence was a great desideratum among
the boys of the village. For, of course, having been used to
the noise and tumult of war, nothing less than a real cannon
could sufficiently gratify and express their patriotism. Not
only, however, on Independence day was this weapon in de
mand, but also at all celebrations and public meetings of any
description, at Major Miller's, Atkins' or William Hodge's, at
Williamsville, or at Ransom's grove (Clarence). No such oc
casion could be complete without that cannon.
But alas! one Fourth-of-July morning about the year 1820,
on awaking early and rushing out to the barn to get ou.r pet
cannon, and have the first grand roaring " bang " for the day,
we discovered, to our intense sorrow and chagrin, that it had
been stolen by the boys from the village. They had come out
during the night, and tearing some boards from the back of
the barn where it was stored, had abstracted our plaything.
It did not quiet our feelings much to hear it, as we did, bang
ing away down in the village. We started in haste to recover
it, but there was no street-car or even sidewalk in those
days, — the middle of the road was the path for pedestrians, —
but, making good time for the circumstances, we put in an ap
pearance before long at the old Eagle tavern, opposite the
present Clinton street. There stood our cannon, in the middle
of the road, a party of men and boys being in the immediate
vicinity, but. none laying any claim to our property. We ac
cordingly took possession at once and ran it out to Mr.
Hodge's, where we had grand sport with it during the rest of
the day.
If there are any of those village boys yet living in Buffalo
or elsewhere (they must be now from seventy to eighty or

46
more years of age), and if they read these lines, I should like
to have them "report" themselves to me, and also favor the
public with any facts they may remember concerning this
little escapade. They surely cannot have forgotten the conse
quences of the affair, nor how they were all politely invited to
" walk up to the captain's office (Squire Clary's) and settle,"
nor how cheerfully they complied with this earnest request.
What they paid was certainly a reasonable sum for disappoint
ing " us boys " on that memorable day and getting off with no
further " questions asked."
I have stated that the pet cannon was " stolen " — but in
those days we did not usually apply the words " stolen " or
" steal " to cases of taking without leave — things so taken were
said to be "hooked." This term is supposed to have originated
in (it was at any rate well warranted by) the practice of the sol
diers in those days, who, carrying, by custom, walking-sticks
with hooked handles, would reach across the counter of a store
they might be in, when the proprietor's back was toward them,
and " hook " articles from the shelves for their own use. This
was in fact a quite general custom with them. I presume there
is at least one gentleman now living here who will remember
being placed with his brother on the store counter to watch
the goods while their father attended to the customers.
I am sorry that I must also chronicle the destruction of this
pet cannon whose story I have been telling. It was in use in
celebrating the "Glorious Fourth," at Ransom's Grove (Clar
ence) now quite a number of years ago, and burst in firing;
and thus ingloriously — or was it gloriously ? — came to its end the
plaything that had for so long a time been a source of delight
ful enjoyment to the boys of Buffalo and vicinity.

47
I.— THE BATTLE OF BLACK ROCK.
[See page ii, line 13.]

In this paper my object is, chiefly, to point out and correct
some errors that have gone into history concerning this affair,
and to relate a few incidents connected with it.
In the summer campaign of 1813, our army was withdrawn
from Canada by our commander. Gen. McClure. He then,
after blowing up Fort George, opposite Fort Niagara, also
very unwisely and needlessly burned Newark, formerly called
Butlersbury, and now Niagara Village. This proceeding
greatly enraged the Canadians, and they boldly declared that
they would be revenged by the burning of some of our vil
lages, and especially that Buffalo should be destroyed by fire.
All the residents of Buffalo felt sure that they would carry out
this threatened retaliation, if possible.
In consequence of this, and the presence of English troops
across the river, militia-men were raised in different parts of
the country, and sent on to Buffalo for our protection. For a
number of weeks, and up to the time when the British crossed
the river, the militia continued to pour into the village, until
it was said that we had between three and four thousand men
here under arms. The British force that afterwards crossed,
proved to have amounted to twelve hundred regulars and two
or three hundred Indians.
It was supposed that our army had strength sufficient to
drive back and "whip " any force that would be sent against
us. I remember well how much our commander, General
Hall, was censured for rousing our men from their slumbers,
and marching them down Niagara straet on one of the darkest
of dark nights to meet the British regulars in open fight; and
for allowing our troops to be outflanked by the Indians, whose
savage yells coming on all sides from an unseen foe, were
enough to frighten even bolder hearts than were possessed by
these new recruits, only a few days away from their homes

48
and farms. It was the universal judgment that our men
should have been kept where they were in safety, and simply
prepared to meet the enemy when they should arrive near the
village, which would have been after daylight.
All events of the war were fully related and discussed in
the bar-room of my father's tavern, and I, although but a
boy, being required to be there a large part of the time to wait
on the guests, heard and remembered much that was said.
Boys, too, notice and remember many things that older people
sometimes forget, or do not think of sufficient importance to be
put on record as matters of history, — yet it is the little things,
grouped together, that make up the whole.
Upon examination of the different historical accounts of the
occurrences in our immediate vicinity on the morning of the
day that Buffalo was burned, I fail to find any full and cor
rectly detailed description ; but I do find some statements
published in the journals of the day, evidently written by per
sons who knew but little of the actual facts, or certainly they
would not have been so incorrect in their accounts.
The events of that memorable morning, December 30, 1813,
as I remember them, and heard them many times related dur
ing weeks and months afterward, were as follows:
The British were discovered between one and two o'clock
that morning, as related in my leading paper, by a patrol of the
company of horsemen then stationed at my father's public
house. The enemy had landed a short distance below Squaw
Island, had then marched up and crossed Scajaquada (Con
jockety's) creek on the old bridge, which was not far from its
mouth, and continuing their march had easily captured our
lower battery. This was nearly opposite the head of Squaw
Island. They had thus far met with little or no opposition.
But at or near this point they were met by our militia. It was
then nearly daylight. At about this time another force of the
enemy had crossed, and landed nearly opposite to the place
where the first body stood formed in line, and at this point the
battle was fought.

49
Many of our men on the night-march down to Black Rock
nad left the ranks; and when our force met the enemy, more
than half oi our militia had deserted and fled through the
woods. Those who remained fought well for a time, but very
soon broke ranks and fled; and there ensued a general stam
pede into and through the forest, eastward. Meanwhile the
British continued their march up the Black Rock road (Nia
gara street), meeting with no opposition excepting from the
brave Col. (Dr.) Cyrenius Chapin and a few followers who
brought to bear on them a small field-piece.
It was commonly reported after the battle that the British
officers had said that they were on the point of surrendering
to our force, and that if our men had stood their ground and
given them one more volley, they would have surrendered.
This erroneous statement, published in many of the eastern
newspapers, was probably obtained from those who first left
the scene of action (if they were in it at all); and the editors of
course published the first accounts that they could get, being
undoubtedly those of the persons who first ran away.
Two of m.y uncles, Lorin and Alfred Hodge, with a number
of our neighbors and townsmen, were in that battle. After it
these two returned to their homes in the vicinity of Cold
Spring, and with my father were the last to leave the neighbor
hood, and then not till the flames Were doing their destroying
work down in the village.
\vi 'i\\& M anlius Times, published January 4, 1814, there is
an account of this battle which is copied into the Appendix to
Ketchum's history of Buffalo, and which contains several
errors. It states that " the skirmish which took place with
our militia was where the enemy landed, and lasted several
hours," while in truth our force stationed there, being small,
retired almost immediately. Again it says: "Toward daylight
a body of regulars, from eight hundred to one: thousand, with
cannon, etc., landed at the mouth of Buffalo creek directly
above the village." This is entirely false. Then it states that

5°
" our men finding themselves attacked on both flanks, imme
diately retreated through the woods on to the road near Major
Miller's" (at Cold Spring). So far as the retreating ox fleeing
is concerned, this is true; but then it is further asserted that
"here Gen. Hall rallied them, and conducted them towards
Buffalo, where they met the enemy, and considerable hard
fighting took place." This is not true. There was no march
ing back, no rallying and no fighting at Buffalo. This must
have been written by one who drew largely on his imagination
for his facts.
From a letter given in Ketchum's history, dated January 30,
1814, to General Porter at Albany, I quote as follows: "The
enemy then " (that is, after the battle) " marched to Buffalo,
a detachment taking the road to Granger's Mills" (on Con
jockety's creek). This was not so. None of the enemy
went out there that day with the exception of some scouting
Indians. A few Indians did come up the " Guide Board
road" (North street) and shot at our people passing on the old
main road near the present Delaware street, wounding one
man in the knee; but they did not come up to the main road.
What little Mr. Turner says in his " History of the Holland
Purchase " in relation to the battle of that day is very correct
except this statement: "Looking up Main street Judge Wal
den saw a small force approaching, and immediately started
to meet it. It proved to be a detachment of forty regular
soldiers, under the command of Lieut. Riddle, marching in to
save the village," etc. I think this statement must be without
any good foundation, as I never heard or saw any other ac
count of such an event. If it had been a fact, I think that
some of us would have known of it, and that it would have
been spoken of at that time or immediately afterwards. We (of
my father's family), fleeing from home late that morning, were
on the road all the way to Williamsville and three miles
beyond, and nothing was seen or heard of any soldiers going
towards Buffalo. The fact is, all had their faces turned the

SI
other way, and seemed to be moving on in a great hurry.
Indeed, when our men had broken ranks and commenced to
run, there was no such thing as stopping them. After getting
through the woods, our " gallant " soldiery covered the fields
between the Guide-board road and Cold Spring. One man,
wounded in the shoulder by a musket-ball, came across the
fields to the house of the widow Cotton (a near neighbor).
While George W. Cotton, her son, was getting off the man's
coat to examine and dress the wound, the cry was so strong
that the British and Indians were coming, that the wounded
man could not wait, but ran across the road and into the
woods, following scores of others who were on a full run.
And yet Mrs. Cotton and her family, and most of the other
families there and in the village, had not as yet left their
homes. In truth, our militia army and most of the officers
went far ahead of the inhabitants in fleeing before the enemy
that morning; some of the officers manifesting as much cow
ardice as the men. There was a feeble effort made to rally the
men at the Cold Spring; but they could no more be stopped
than a flock of sheep when it has once started to go by you.
At Williamsville bridge there was better success, some being
stopped and continuing on guard at that place.
Another account says: "The enemy remained on this side
until Saturday." This, too, is a mistake. They all returned
across the river the same day on which they came over, —
Thursday, December 30. It became known afterwards that
they said they dared not remain over night, fearing that their
retreat would be cut off. These things were talked of at that
time, and no doubt were true. The enemy were over here
Saturday, January i, 1814, as a separate expedition, of which
and its incidents I w'rite in another article.
I add a few incidents of the battle. Mr. Job Hoisington is
referred to in the memoir of my father (see page 10) and
from two accounts of his death during the battle of Black
Rock, which I have published, one in the Buffalo Historical

52
Society's publications,* vol. i., page 53, the other in the Buffalo
Commercial Advertiser, Dec. 30, 187 1, I here give a single and
full account of the event. It will be suitable to mention con
cerning him that his son, the Rev. Henry Hoisington, was for
many years a devoted missionary in the Island of Ceylon.
Mr. Hoisington, " gallant Job Hoisington " he has well been
called, was an intelligent, resolute, patriotic man; and when
the news of the approach of the British towards Buffalo came,
he took his musket and left his family early in the morning, to
meet the enemy. He went into the ranks with Capt. Hull's
Buffalonians, and they stood their ground well; but when the
three thousand and odd of new levies broke 'and fled precip
itately, only a few hundred were left to face as many Indians,
and over a thousand disciplined British regulars. For a brief
period they contested the field, but seeing that they were
flanked, they retreated, along the Guide-board road, now
North street, eastward. But here Hoisington lingered, with
drew a little, stopped, and said, " I will have one more shot at
them," and started to go back. His companions urged him to
go on with them, but could not prevail on him to do so. This
was the last that was known of him by his friends till, in the
following spring, some eight weeks later, his remains were
found beside a log in the woods (near the spot on which the
residence of the late Frederick Gridley, on North street,
stands, — a block or two west of the Normal School building) —
and not far from the place where he had left his companions.
A bullet had perforated, and a tomahawk had cleft, his skull;
while his scalp had been torn from his bleeding head, as a
trophy of savage conquest and a token of British inhumanity.
His faithful musket lay empty by his side, and no doubt his
death was avenged ere it occurred. He was buried in the old
Cold Spring cemetery, and in 1850, his remains were re-
interred with those of nearly a hundred others buried there, in
" Forest Lawn."
Mr. Hoisington's family (a wife and six children), left their
* Publications of The Buffalo Historical Society. Bigelow Bro's, Publishers, Buffalo.

53
home on foot that cold morning, having no one to help them,
and went along the Batavia road towards Williamsville. Two
or three of the smaller children were picked up by some of
our horsemen who were escaping, and carried away some
fifteen or twenty miles, into the town of Clarence, and one of
them many miles further, into Genesee County, and left with
strangers. It was several days before the mother learned
where her children were. In the battle that morning were two
others of our neighbors, who went to meet the enemy, and
fought "on their own hook." They were my uncle, Alfred
Hodge, and a Mr. Estee. After fighting some time, they had
to retreat for their lives. They were being outflanked by the
British Indians, as, a little after daylight, they were running
along up the old Guide-board road. Mr. Estee rid himself of
his overcoat and outran Mr. Hodge, who could not get rid of
his so easily, having a rifleman's cartridge-box belted tightly
around him. He saw that two Indians were gaining on him,
and would surely overtake him soon. He had reached the
back field of Sacket Dodge's lot, — about where Delaware
street now crosses North, — the road being through the woods
and bushes, and just there there was a crook in the track of
the road which put him out of sight of the Indians for a
moment, and in that moment he jumped the fence, and hid
behind a log close by, quite out of breath, but cocked his
gun and laid it across the log. Some bushes partially screened
him from sight, as he looked over the log. His object was to
have the first fire, if discovered. The Indians soon came up,
halted and looked around and across the field, but did not dis
cover him. While standing there in the road they fired several
shots at persons going along on the main road, one taking
effect in a man's knee. At one moment they both stood in
range with Mr. Hodge, and he thought that he could bring
them down at one shot, but they changed position too quickly
for this. They soon returned towards Black Rock, and he
left his hiding-place and made his way across the fields to the

54
house of his father, Benjamin Hodge, on farm lot No. 54, on
the northwest corner of our Main and Utica streets.
On this morning of the battle the few families in out neigh
borhood, before starting off (as numbers did) on foot, to flee,
disposed of some of their household goods in a manner not
very secure. Behind stumps and logs in the adjoining fields
were hastily put baskets or pails of crockery, articles of furni
ture, cooking utensils, etc. All live-stock was left to shift for
itself, and this in the dead of winter. Mr. Benjamin Hodge,
Sen., thinking it more merciful to knock his old sow in the
head than to leave her to starve in the cold, took his axe and
aimed a blow at the creature, which however she dodged, and
so saved her life; — for she managed to exist without his care
until Mr. Hodge returned, about a week later.

J.— THE BURNING OF BUFFALO,
AND INCIDENTS.
[See page 12, line 18.]

The second visit of the enemy here mentioned was made to
complete the work left unfinished two days before, viz., the
destruction of Buffalo Village by fire. After the Battle of
Black Rock, and the flight of our troops, Dec. 30, 1813, the
enemy had pressed on, and nearly destroyed the place, yet ten
or a dozen houses were still left standing. The object of this
raid of Jan. i, 1814, was to burn these and destroy any public
property they could find.
The story of the burning has been so often and so well told,
that I do not here enter upon it at length, but only seek to
make prominent the fact of two separate assaults and burn
ings, and give a few incidents of this second one.

55
Emboldened by the retirement of the enemy after the first
attack, numbers of people had come into the village, some led
by curiosity, others seeking shelter. But this proved to be an
unfortiinate thing for those who had thus come together, for
sud'denly an alarm was raised, and the fierce invaders broke in
upon their fancied security. All the remaining buildings, ex
cept Mrs. St. John's dwelling, the stone jail walls, a barn-
frame, and a blacksmith's shop, were destroyed, and thirty or
forty prisoners taken, in and outside of the village.
Among these latter was Daniel Lewis, our next door neigh
bor. He had ventured back on Saturday to his barnyard, to
feed his cattle which he had left in such a hurry, and was
seized by the enemy. They took him with the rest over
the river, but kept him only a day or two; and after having
some sport over him they sent him back. Mr. Ralph Pome
roy, also, keeper of a public-house on Main street, east side,
above Seneca, was carried to Canada, but returned here in a
day or so. My uncle, Benjamin Hodge, Jr., was of the num
ber who went on that day to see the ruins. He, too, was
taken prisoner, and kept as such a year and a half. He was
taken first to Montreal and then to Quebec. While thus a
prisoner his feet were frozen, and he was crippled in conse
quence for several years.
Another of the prisoners taken at this time, in the village,
was Mr. David Eddy, a Quaker from the town of Hamburg.
He had come down from home to see the burnt village, not
expecting to meet the enemy, and was seized. The prisoners
were collected together on the Black Rock road (now Niagara
street), at a short distance from Main, and were about being
marched down to that village, when they were halted and
asked by the commanding officer if any of them knew of any
public property near by, that could be destroyed. Mr. Eddy
answered, and said that he did. They enquired, "Where," and
he directed them to William Hodge's " brick house on the hill,"
near Cold Spring.

56
Eight horsemen were then detailed to go and destroy the
property, and Eddy was ordered to mount behind one of them
and show them the way. Their orders were that if they met
any opposition they should shoot Eddy, and return. He con
ducted them to the house, and as they came in sight of it, they
were discovered by Mr. Benjamin Hodge, Sen., and Mr. Keep,
who were in the house at the time, and who ran out, and down
the hill, before the men came up. The leader gave chase
after them, and called on them to stop; Mr. Hodge did so, and
the horseman passed by him and followed Mr. Keep, who con
tinued running for about eighty rods. When the officer neared
him he raised his carbine, or short musket, and shot him, and
he fell opposite to what is now the south entrance gate of
Spring Abbey. The officer then wheeled about and returned
to the house with Mr. Hodge. He then ordered him to show
the way to the cellar, and to take with him an axe that stood
in a corner. Seeing that the cellar was filled with merchandise
he stepped back to the head of the stairs and commanded his
men to fire the house. He then ordered Mr. Hodge to knock
open several boxes of candles, kegs of nails, casks of liquor,
etc., hoping to find specie. He was assured by Mr. Hodge
that there was no specie or public property there; that it was
all private property. The truth was the large cellar was full
of goods belonging to the merchants of the village who had
put them in store there for safety, in case of an attack on
Buffalo. After knocking in the heads of several casks of
liquor, they came to one of old Jamaica rum, and the officer
emptied his canteen of whisjcey and filled it from that cask.
About this time his men called out from above that " the
Yankees " were coming, and he stepped very quickly up the
outer cellar stairs, telling Mr. Hodge to follow him. But he
thought he would not be in too great a hurry, and lagged
behind. Without repeating his order, or even looking back,
the officer went out and mounted his horse, and with the rest
of his men rode off back to the burnt village, with their pilot.

57
David Eddy. He was taken over the river with the rest of
the prisoners, and after a few days was sent back, among the
others mentioned above.
As to Mr. Eddy, he bore Mr. Hodge no ill-will. He was
quite an active business man, buying and selling much of the
produce of the country around Buffalo. Mr. Hodge had fre
quently bought of him, and he had often been at Mr. Hodge's
house, and therefore knew about the contents of the cellar.
After this transaction he came frequently to Mr. Hodge's
tavern as a guest, and sometimes brought his wife with him.
The reason that he gave for informing the enemy of the stored
property was, that he hoped to receive favors. Mr. Hodge
and Mr. Eddy were always on good terms after as well as
before this event. But things were not so friendly and pleas
ant between Mrs. Hodge and Mr. Eddy. She had worked
hard for some ten years or more, and a part of this time
amidst the dangers, tumult and desolations of a war; and so
having with her husband accumulated their property, she
naturally felt that Mr. Eddy was the cause of its destruction,
and was not loth to lay the charge to him in pretty plain lan
guage; so that he had not much peace of his life, when stop
ping at Mr. Hodge's house. It was not, in fact, until Mrs.
Hod^e and Mr. Eddy had had many confabs on the subject
and there seemed to him no prospect that they would cease,
that the matter was quieted by a compromise, as follows: Mrs.
Hodge was to discontinue all controversy and to relinquish all
claims either at law or in equity against Mr. Eddy, for the loss
of the house and household goods, which exceeded eight
thousand dollars in value, on his paying in cash down, to Mrs.
Hodge, the full sum and amount of — twenty dollars! After
Mrs. Hodge received this sum as the settlement of her claim
against Mr. Eddy, she invested it, upon due consideration, in
the purchase, from our silversmith, Abram Larzalere, of a set
of large silver spoons for her table.
The "Yankees" who were "coming," when Mr. Hodge's

58
cellar was under investigation by the British officer, were a
company of oUr horsemen under the command of Col. Tot-
man, and were stationed for the day at Atkins' tavern on
"The Plains'" (now the Old Homestead).
When this company of horsemen were passing my father's
house, they were somewhat scattered along the road. Col.
Totman was some distance ahead of his company, and he rode
on past the house and up to the side of a British horse^nan,
who, as he came up, shot him down. He fell from his horse
on the w6st side of the road, in the ditch just opposite where
Riley street enters Main. It was thought that he mistook the
British horseman for one of our own. His horse ran back to
our barn, the British horseman after it. Our men coming up
he turned and retreated with the rest of the company. The
body of Col. Totman was carried on the back of a horse, out
to Harris Hill Tavern, where I remember seeing it that even
ing, lying on the bar-room table.
At this time, also, a half-breed British Indian had come
on to the Main road just above Cold Spring, to my
father's joiner-shop, where household goods and some cloth
ing were stored. He had made up a bundle of such
things as he desired, and had brought them out and laid
them over the fence. He had then gone to our dwelling-
house, which had just been set on fire, taken a brand, and
crossed the road to fire the barn, when the horsemen came up
from the direction of Cold Spring and took him prisoner.
He was put in charge of a Dr. Tourtelot who, with another
man, took him to or near Batavia, where he was shot and
killed. It was reported that he had attempted to escape.
The same day, also, and a little before this occurrence, three
British Indians entered the back door of Major Miller's tavern
at Cold Spring. They found in the house a Mrs. Martin, an
inmate of the Major's family. They were about to set fire to
the house, when Mrs. Martin delayed them by furnishing them
food, as they seemed to be somewhat hungry. She had been

59
informed that a company of horsemen would soon be there,
and sought to keep the Indians till their arrival. They did
come galloping up "while the Indians were eating, who, dis
covering the troopers, left the house where they had entered
it, but in a much greater hurry, and ran across the fields into
the woods. This was Col. Totman's company, which has
been already mentioned.

K.— SOLDIERS' DEPREDATIONS, 1812-1814.
[See page 13, line 30.]

The reference to depredations by our soldiers in 1814 re
calls others committed still earlier, during the fall and
winter of 1812-13. The Pennsylvania troops, mentioned
page 10, line 11, as encamped on the hill in front of our log
tavern, burnt all the fence-rails in that vicinity — and for these
the Government never repaid the owners. And the other sol
diers then stationed in Buffalo and its neighborhood stole>
carried off and killed cattle, sheep, hogs and poultry by the
quantity. Once several fat sheep had been put into a horse-
stable, among the horses, just at night, to be dressed the next
morning; but when morning came they were gone. They had
been taken a short distance down into the orchard, and
dressed, or butchered and carried off to the camp.
At last some of the soldiers were caught at this work. They
were taken to their camp, and delivered up to their officers for
punishment; but to this the officers were not disposed. This
rather exasperated some of the inhabitants, who asked the
commanding officer what they should do to the soldiers if they
were caught at any more of these depredations. He said
"Shoot them, shoot them down, the rascals." After this a

6o
number of the young men of the town kept watch at night.
Finally Guy J. Atkins, William Holt, Daniel Cotton, Elijah
Cotton and Velorus Hodge, werethus on watch one night at
the bridge over Granger's (or Conjockety's) creek, all but one
being in the Chapman log house near by. After a while the
one on guard outside discovered eight soldiers crossing the
bridge, and hailed them. They answered, " What business
have you to stop soldiers on the march?" and then a pistol was
fired by one of them. The guard returned the fire. This
started out those that were in the house; they sallied forth and
all fired away at the soldiers, giving them an effectual " pep
pering " with shot. Five of the soldiers fell to the ground,
three making their escape. Of the five four were wounded by
the shot; the fifth fell, to save himself from being shot. These
five were marched into camp the next morning and delivered
over to the commanding officer, who approved of the course
taken by the citizens. This put a check upon the stealing and
plundering for quite a while.

L.— BATTLE OF FORT ERIE, 1814.
[See page 14, line 16.]

The next summer after the village of Buffalo was burned,
our army took possession of Fort Erie and held it for some
time. I remember the cannonading for forty days and nights
from the British batteries; and at length, September 17, 1814,
they determined to drive our men from, and get possession of,
the fort. They did get possession, so far as to drive our men
from the main battery, and turn the guns upon them. As the
Americans were retreating from the fort, under the fire of
the cannon, the magazine, which was under the battery, ex-

6i
ploded with a tremendous noise, and great destruction of " life
and limb " of the enemy. Several hundred who were on the
battery were blown up. This caused a re-action; those of the
enemy who survived, retreated, most of them were made pris
oners, and our soldiers regained possession of the fort.
When the battle had ceased, on the blowing up of the maga
zine, the people on this side of the river were in great anxiety
to hear the result. The loud noise made by the explosion of
the magazine, they could not account for, and which party had
gained the victory they could not tell. They were in a state
of trying suspense until word was brought across the river, and
they were exceedingly relieved when they learned that our men
had gained the day. Had we been unsuccessful the enemy
would have been over here the next day.
I remember well, seeing a number of wagons which stopped
at my father's house the next day loaded with wounded pris
oners. They were in great pain, and begged for whiskey or
some other liquor to drown their suffering. They were awful
objects to behold, — some with their eyesight gone, and others
with their faces blackened and otherwise disfigured. They
were taken to Williamsville, and afterwards those that recov
ered, to Greenbush, opposite Albany. The other prisoners, —
those that were not maimed or wounded — were marched on
foot. As they were halted in front of our place, and saw our
burned brick house being repaired, they declared that they
would burn it again before one year passed by; but this threat
was never carried out.

M.— ROADS, TRAVEL AND TRAFFIC.
[See page 15, line 19.]

The year 1825 forms a noticeable dividing-point between
the earlier and later history of Buffalo, by reason of the open-

62
ing then of the Erie canal. This, and the previous formation
of the harbor, by opening Buffalo creek, created that great
water thoroughfare which really built the City of Buffalo; with
which, however, the Railroad development has come into com
petition, by reestablishing the through land-route between the
east and the west.
But the earlier stage of this great progress by roads through
the wilderness, by wagons for travel and traffic, and later,
stage-coaches as means of passenger transit, must not be forgot
ten. In this paper I give a description of these roads, east
and west of, and through, Buffalo. To this I add something
concerning the stage-coach, the early predecessor of the rail
road of to-day, and a brief account of the opening of Buffalo
harbor. First, then, I present some facts in reference to the roads
by which traffic and travel were, in the infancy of Buffalo,
carried on through it between the east and the west.
From my recollection of some of the old road-marks and
log houses along the way, I give the following description, com
mencing on "The Plains," about five miles east of the port of
" Buffalo Creek," at Atkins' tavern, now the " Old Homestead."
Coming westward, thence, the road bore a little to the left of
the present main, road, keeping on the "limestone ridge" for
about one mile. Then it crossed the present road on " Flint
Hill," about sixty rods east of the present parkway, still fol
lowing, or nearly so, the rocky ridge, to Conjockety's creek at
the old fording-place, now in Forest Lawn cemetery. By de
scending a steep bank, of about twenty feet, and turning im
mediately to the right, the creek was reached. On this bank,
or bluff of high ground, there was a log building called the
Lyon house. Mr Lyon lived there as early as 1806; but I do
not know whether he or the Indians built the house. Near
the traveled track, at the bottom of the hill, and before it
crossed the creek, was a spring of good water'; and near the
house were several apple trees, planted by the early white set-

63
tiers, if not by the Indians. When I first saw them, more than
sixty-seven years ago, they were quite large. And I remem
ber, by the way, several apple trees which stood on the same
(the north) side of this creek, near its mouth, where the Indian
chief, Conjockety (whose name it bears), had his dwelling-
place. The Indians may have planted both these clusters of
irees. They however disappeared long ago, through neglect,
or by the ruthless hand of the white man.
Crossing the creek, and continuing a short distance on the
" flat,'' and passing a beautiful spring of water, the road, after
a westerly course of thirty or forty rods, ascended to high
ground, and turned southward. Soon it crossed the old
"Gulf road," now Delavan avenue. This road took its name
from the deep gulf caused by the running water from the
"Jubilee" spring, and the "Staley" spring. The gulf was
bridged as soon as the Holland Land Company's lands were
surveyed, and about the year 1804. This Gulf road was the first
and nearest one from our Main street (in the vicinity of Con
jockety's creek and " The Plains") to Black Rock. But it
was little traveled, at an early day, and only in a dry time, or
in winter when the ground was frozen. The old Guide-board
road mentioned below, was the principal traveled road to
Black Rock ferry from the east.
After crossing the Gulf road, the old main road followed
about the course of the present Delaware street, passing
close by the Jubilee spring. Just north of this spring was a
second log house, on what we used to call the " Remington "
lot, or farm, Shadrach Remington and family having come
and occupied this farm, before the war of 1812. To the
south of this Jubilee spring was a third log house, which
was, I well remember, occupied by John Mains, and after
wards by George Wormwood. The road still following
nearly the course of Delaware street, crossed lot No. 58, lying
on the north side of the present Utica street; on which lot was
a fourth log house, occupied by Christjohn Staley. Down

64
the hill, east of this house, was a fine large spring of water,
which I remember visiting as early as 1810. The spring is
still in the same place, and looking very much as it did more
than seventy-four years ago.
Near the present Utica street the road bore a little eastward,
and after crossing this street, continued about parallel with
Delaware, crossing lots 57, 56 and 55, (the "Cotton" lot);
then bearing a little westward again, it crossed lots 54 and 53
to the old Guide-board road (now North street). Here, turn
ing due west, the Guide-board road was followed to the point
in York street where it has become Porter avenue. Thence
bearing southwestward, along the line of the latter (and leav
ing the Guide-board road), the old main road went down to
the river at the place formerly called Sandytown, — which will
be described in the following paper. Here it struck the beach-
road from Black Rock to Buffalo creek, which was for a long
time the direct one between Black Rock and Buffalo, — indeed,
in 1809, the Niagara street road was but lately opened, and
hardly yet in common use.
In passing, I may say that the Guide-board road, from the
point where the main westward road left it, went northwest
erly, to " Black Rock " (which lay at the foot of the bluff,
between the present site of the Niagara street car-barns and
the river) and there communicated with " The Old Ferry."
From Sandytown, the main road continued along the lake
(or river) beach, to the mouth of Big Buffalo creek, following
up the north bank of this creek to the entrance of Little Buf
falo creek (the present canal junction, at the foot of Commer
cial street) and thence up the west bank of this creek to the
place where now is the Main street bridge over the " Ham
burg" canal, which occupies the original site of the creek
channel, and then ascending the Terrace bluff, reached the
center of the village.
I have no personal recollection of a communication in the
earliest times by wagon-way from the point above-mentioned

65
where the old main road entered the Guide-board road, to the
village; but from descriptions, I think there must have been a
foot and bridle path, nearly direct, passing that noble spring
of water on the premises now owned and occupied by the
Cornell White Lead Company, on the northeast corner of
Delaware and Virginia streets. In a new country such paths
usually go from one watering-place to another, and this
course would be less than half as far as the wagon-track by
way of the beach. But, in fact, in those days the road from
the Cold Spring to near Conjockety's (or Granger's) creek,
consisted of a log-way or causeway; and I have seen much of this
road many times in the spring and fall of the year flooded with
water. And after the road from Walden Hill to the Village was
opened and became the main road, it was many times impas
sable for loaded teams. There was in those early times a
slough-hole where Chippewa street crosses Main street. That
was the natural course for the water to take from the wet
and swampy lands adjoining, on the east side of the road,
where Chippewa Market now stands. The village lot on the
southwest corner of Main and Chippewa streets, where Philip
Beyer's store is, was a bog-hole some six or eight feet in depth.
This lot was offered to Benjamin Hodge, Sen., by Joseph
Ellicott, for ten dollars, but he refused to take it, as he did
not consider it worth anything.
It should be noted that before the Gulf road above-men
tioned was opened and the gulf bridged, those who lived in the
vicinity of "The Plains" used to reach Niagara river by fol
lowing the north bank of Conjockety's creek. Many continued
to do this for years after the Gulf road was opened, as it was
better traveling.
People from the neighborhood of the Cold Spring reached
the river by going through the woods on the north side of lot
No. 58, starting in about where Utica street now is, and keep
ing on the liigh ground; passing near Staley's house and
spring, and keeping on in a nearly direct course to the river.

66
As an incident illustrating the way things were done in the
line of traffic over these roads from the east into Buffalo, I
give the following:
At one time, soon after the close of the war, there was no
flour to be obtained in Buffalo. My father heard of a wagon-
load coming in from the east, on the Batavia or Williamsville
road, and sent a man named Jedediah Jackson out to meet
and buy it, which he did, at fifteen dollars a barrel.
At this time, and later, until 1825 or 1826, large "Pennsyl
vania wagons," painted blue and having white tow-cloth
covers and wheel-tires six or eight inches, in width, the teams
drawing them consisting of five, six or seven horses, traveled
the road from Albany to Buffalo, transporting merchandise.
I remember the names of Robert (or Bob) Hunter, and
Ephraim Gilbert and others who made a business of transport
ing goods for our merchants. Daniel H. Cotton, who resided
on " The Plains " was for some time in this business. The price
paid for transportation was six dollars per hundred pounds.
Coming into Buffalo from the east, travelers all passed my
father's house of entertainment, from the time when he first
began to shelter and feed them, and they were as yet "few
and far between," — journeying in their own conveyances, — till
the growing and prosperous times when the four-in-hand mail-
coach became the speedy and sure means of transit.
But in those and in earlier as well as in later days, Buffalo
was in fact a gate-way to the Great West. I am now to say
something of the road-way from Buffalo into that then so little
known, so largely undiscovered region.
It may be truly said that though Buffalo was thus a gate
way, its creek, the natural feature which became the making
of it, and the nature of the roads beyond, for a number of
miles, really offered great obstructions as well as helps to
travel, as will be presently seen.
The journey west from Buffalo began at or near the point
where the Mansion House now stands. The first part of the

67
road was for years that which has already been described,
along the west and north banks of Little and Big Buffalo
creeks to the mouth of the latter. In those days this stream
was of little practical importance (even when commerce had
begun) except for the use of flat-boats and smaller craft at
favorable times, on account of the sand-bar across its mouth.
And until the year 1809, this sand-bar was the crossing-place
for those westward-bound; what little there was of the creek,
there, being forded. Indeed, in those days we could some
times leap across the mouth of the stream, which had its
outlet not directly into the lake, as now, but some distance
further north, except when the channel was enlarged by a
swollen current, forcing its way through the bar.
By thus fording the creek the "peninsula" on the other
side was reached, which then (and indeed as late as 1820 or
1825, I think I may even say 1840) was covered with a heavy
growth of timber. The road then followed the lake beach
westward. In 1809 this beach-road was made more easily accessible by
a ferry. This was established by Samuel Pratt, about a mile
above the old fording-place, considerably above Little Buffalo
creek, and a short distance above Dead creek (now the Ohio
basin) near the place where Ohio street joins the foot of
Louisiana street, and crosses Buffalo river.
From this time the road westward from Buffalo Village fol
lowed the present Main street, southward — across Little Buf
falo creek, to Big Buffalo creek. There, near the foot of Main
street, it turned eastward, following the north bank of the
creek, to the ferry. The road ran quite near the bank, and
in 1823, one of Mr. Pratt's daughters, driving with some others,
passed too near, and the wagon was upset, precipitating them
all into the water. A traveler hastened to their aid, and res
cued all except Miss Pratt, who was drowned.
Later, in 1827 or 1828, this road was changed to its present
location (Ohio street) farther from the bank, the space between

68
road and bank becoming afterwards occupied by warehouses
and wharves.
Fr6m the ferry, the road followed up the south bank of the
creek, fifty or sixty rods, and then, turning to the right;
reached the lake beach, and followed it, at a point three-
quarters of a mile from the ferry. This was the only road
west, till 1833, when the "turnpike" was built by O. H.
Dibble, from the place where the Ohio street bridge now
crosses the creek (or river) to the " Barker place," about six
miles distant, on the lake shore. This turnpike was made
through the alder swamp, a short distance back from the beach.
On the way to Barker's, and about four and one-half miles
from the ferry, travelers were compelled to ford " Smoke's
creek," over which I think there was no bridge until during
the war of 1812-15. No bridge, however, could long remain
there, as the water of the lake, forced by the high winds over
the beach, would wash the structure away. The fording of the
creek was always dangerous o» occount of quicksand; and in
times of high wind this danger ¦wa^ greatly increased. I have
crossed on horseback when the horse barely succeeded in get
ting through; sinking so deep that it seemed to require all his
strength to get out of the quicksand. I remember that a num
ber of years before the turnpike was built, a young lady was
drowned in attempting to ford this stream in a wagon with
other persons, during a high westerly wind; and that a traveler
on horse-back was found frozen to death on the beach between
the Leech farm, which was near the beach on the way from the
ferry, and Smoke's creek.
About a mile beyond "Barker's " was Daniel Camp's tavern,
seven miles from where the road struck the beach. In then
going along the beach westward to Abbott's, three miles, and
thence to Jackson's, three-quarters of a mile, there were several
bluff points to " round," as it was called. These consisted of a
bold shore, the rocky bank being from twenty to forty feet in
height, and nearly perpendicular. *In a still time the water

69
would be from one to two feet deep, around these points;
and when the wind was blowing from the east, the beach
would be quite bare for the space of a rod or more between
the rocky bank and the water. If the wind was blowing even
but moderately from the west, however, the water would be up
to the horses' breasts. There have been instances of travel
ers' being hpre submerged, with their wagon-loads of house
hold goods, and sustaining much loss; but I never heard of
any loss of life from rounding these points.
It is now many years since I last traveled over that road;
and nearly or quite fifty years since I have been down to the
beach near those points. When I was last there, I noticed
several large boulders lying in the water near the shore; and can
well remember now, that when a boy, I used to wade out and
get upon them, as they were then only slightly submerged.
The water had even then encroached upon the narrow beach;
so much so that the travel had entirely ceased on the beach
road between Camp's and Abbott's taverns. I am not aware
of any record being kept of the rise and fall of the water of
Lake Erie, but this much I do know, — it is somewhat higher
at this end than when I was a boy, seventy-two years ago.
My father was one of the three Commissioners appointed to
lay out the road on the shore of the lake. He wanted to run
it, as nearly as practicable, on the direct line from Barker's to
Jackson's, which would have taken it back quite a distance
froin the lake. The other Commissioners, — I do not remem
ber who they were, — disagreed with him. They were for lay
ing it out to accommodate every one whose farm it crossed,
by running it near to each man's house, and all had built their
dwellings near" the shore of the lake. The Commissioners nec
essarily, therefore, made many angles or crooks in the road to
carry out their plan. As it has proved, sjnce, it would have
been much more for the interest of the owners of the farms, as
well as for that of the public, to have placed the road at a
greater distance from the lake.

7°
In clearing up their farms the land-owners had left a strip of
woods next to the lake shore, as a screen for protection from
the winds; but these woods long since disappeared.
At the Jackson place the old road left the beach, as it now
does. There was no more rounding of points above here, the
water being too deep. The road continued upon the high
bank, and bore off from the lake, as it crossed the " Eighteen-
mile" creek, and went on to and through " Cattaraugus "
woods, or, as they were also called the " Four-mile " woods.
These were a terror to all travelers in those early days.
Immediately after the war of 1812-15 many families left the
New-England States and moved west into the northern part
of Ohio, which was then called the "Western Reserve," or
" New Connecticut." All journeyed by land, with their own
teams and covered wagons. There have been as many as
twelve wagons loaded with household goods and accompanied
by their owners with their entire families, at one time "putting
up " over night at " Hodge's brick tavern on the hill," the
whole of them bound for the Western Reserve. They had all
heard of the terrible road through the Cattaraugus woods, but
it could not be avoided; and therefore they would go in com
pany, and make calculation to enter the woods in the morning
that they might lessen the chances of remaining there over night.
It is a literal fact that stage-passengers were not only obliged
often to walk through the "woods," but also, sometimes, to
carry rails or poles on their shoulders to pry up the stage-
wagon or coach, whichever it might happen to be.
Speaking of the coach, — the old four-horse carry-all, — it was
indeed one of the great "institutions" of that period. All,
paid it due deference by stepping out of the way, and giving
it the whole road whenever it was met. And how cheery and
inspiriting were the far-reaching blasts of the driver's tin horn,
sounding merrily over hill and dale, and at last reaching the
expectant ear of the keeper of the hotel or tavern. He had anx
iously awaited the sound, as, by a preconcerted arrangement

71
with the driver, it signified to him the number of hungry pas
sengers, who in a few minutes would be clamoring for a hot
breakfast, while the horses were changed. In a few moments
the steaming teams, followed by the lumbering coach, ap
peared on the crest of the distant hill, or at the first curve in
the road. The sight of their accustomed stopping-place, where
they knew that they would find rest and provender, gave the
animals new courage, and, pricking up th'eir ears, they would
come up to the door in fine style, the old coach creaking and
straining at every joint.
The passengers, hurriedly dismounting, would hasten into
the tavern, and endeavor, while the horses were being changed,
to satisfy the cravings of their appetite. The fresh spans
would be standing ready, and it would be the work of but a
few moments to put them into the places of those that had
already done their duty; and when the cheery but peremptory
cry of "all aboard" was heard, the unfortunate passengers,
who had taken just about enough to aggravate their hunger,
would rush out and tumble into the coach, and the fresh
" team " with the " Commodore " already on the " box," would
start off at a spanking gait, while sharp cracks from his nine-
foot lash were heard sounding over the leaders' backs!
But, as the years passed and Buffalo grew, and the. Great
West loomed up more and more attractively, commerce and
passenger transit by the lakes rapidly increased. Then came
the strife between Buffalo and Black Rock as to which should
be the "port " at this most important point in the great route
westward. From 1818, steam navigation was established; and
at the same time the vast project of a canal to connect the
ocean and the lakes in one great water thoroughfare began to
take shape.
To all this, the opening of Buffalo creek was believed nec
essary, and it was accomplished. On account of that sand-bar
at its mouth, vessels and steamboats could not come into the
otherwise commodious natural harbor, but must lie off in the

72
lake or bay, or at anchor under Bird Island during the transfer
of cargoes and passengers by means of small boats. But it
was determined that Black Rock must yield to Buffalo in the
fierce commercial strife, and that bar must be removed and
a harbor formed. So, " in April, 1818, at the instance of citi
zens of Buffalo, an act of the Legislature was passed, author
izing a survey of the creek, at the expense of the County of
Niagara, which then included it, with reference to deter
mining the feasibility of constructing a harbor; and William
Peacock, made the survey in the following summer, gratui
tously. Although the report of this survey was favorable, nei
ther the General Government nor the State would assume the
work. But the latter, in 1819, by law, agreed to loan $12,000
for its construction, on being secured by bond and mortgage
for its repayment. Oliver Forv/ard, Charles Townsend,
George Coit and Samuel Wilkeson gave the required secu
rity in the fore part of 1820, and a stone pier was forthwith
commenced. It was prosecuted and finished under the super
intendence of Samuel Wilkeson, in 1821, in two hundred and
twenty-one working days, and extended into the lake for about
eighty rods, into twelve-foot water."*
In constructing this pier to make or improve our harbor, it
was necessary to have a large cast-iron hammer, or something
very heavy, to drive the piles to keep the timber-cribs in their
places. There was no iron-foundry in Buffalo at that time;
no pile-driver had ever been used here, and there were no
facilities, for procuring one. Mr. Wilkeson tried to get one
from a furnate in Ohio, but did not succeed. There were no
railroads then in this western country, nor was the Erie canal
in practical existence until some eight years subsequently.
To procure a pile-driver from Albany or the interior of Penn
sylvania, or anywhere else where there were iron foundries,
was quite out of the question. Then was demonstrated the

* Publications Buffalo Historical Society ^ vol, i.,^.37g.

73
truth of the proverb that "necessity is the mother of inven
tion,'' by the contrivance which was produced to drive those
piles. Samuel Wilkeson had undertaken to improve Buffalo
harbor, and was determined to succeed. There was in the vil
lage " lying around loose," yet very heavy and quiet, a cast-
iron mortar that had been used against the British in the War
of 1812-14, and with this Mr. Wilkeson believed he could
do the needed work. One of the trunnions of this mortar had
been broken off. To fit it for its new purpose, the other
must be broken off also. The services of Whipple Hawkins,
a well-known blacksmith, who resided outside of the village,
at the corner of (the present) Main and Utica streets, were
called into requisition to do this, and rig certain wrought-iron
fixtures to the mortar for the purpose in hand; and thus it
was actually made to do good service in driving the piles nec
essary in making Buffalo harbor. And this was " continued
in office,'' as a pile-driver in this harbor for many years.
This old and, at least to a few still living, familiar, object,
can be seen, minus some of the wrought-iron fixtures, still
standing guard at the corner of Main and Dayton streets.
Truly it is like an old soldier whose early services were pow
erful and effective; and afterward, in time of peace, still more
useful in helping to facilitate and improve the commerce of
our country. And so now, after the lapse of more than fifty
years, this old mortar's former position, both in war and in
civil service, having been filled by fmprovements which are
better calculated to do the work required, it has been retired,
and stationed where it can be looked upon with the admira
tion and respect it so well deserves.
Judge Wilkeson died July 7, 1848. It was only a few
months before his death that I was standing on the sidewalk
at the corner before mentioned, conversing with him, when he
pointed to the old mortar and said: "Some of these days
I am going to give them an inscription to place upon it;" but
he did not say what it would be. I inferred from what he

74
did say, that it would relate to its having been the first pile-
driver used in Buffalo, or in Western New York.
But the work of opening the harbor was only in part com
pleted when this pier was built. Up to this time, the obstruct
ing bar of sand was twenty rods wide, rising seven feet above
the lake, and sixty rods long. The effect of it had been to
turn the course of the creek northward, nearly parallel with
the shore, for a distance equal to the length of the bar.
The thing now done was to make the creek work its own
way through the bar straight out, alongside the pier, into the
lake, and to deepen the channel thus formed by digging out
sand and gravel. The first was done by ingeniously damming
the creek at the right time and letting the current do the rest.
The last was done by dragging the sand and gravel out of the
bed of the creek with a great log scraper, after the fashion of
those used in early times for smoothing road-ways. Thus a
channel deep enough for small vessels was opened, and Buffalo
harbor from a wish and a plan had become a fact.
Yet even then the crowning success was to come. For
when, in 1822, a second steamboat was to be built, to succeed
the wrecked Walk-in-the-water, a strong pressure was brought
to bear from Black Rock against its being built at Buffalo, on
the ground of the insufficiency of the harbor. But a promise
was made by Buffalo not only to furnish timber at a quarter
less expense than Black Rock would charge, but, under judg
ment-bond, to pay the builders one hundred and fifty dollars
for every day the new craft should be kept from sailing oiit of
Buffalo harbor, by obstructions in it, after May i, 1823. And
so the Superior was built on the shore of Buffalo creek (or the
new Buffalo harbor), a short distance above the foot of Main
street. " The completion of the harbor, such as it was, had given
force to the general considerations in favor of continuing the
Erie canal to Buffalo; and the decision of the Canal Board to
that effect in the winter of 1822, was published in the report of

75
t823, to the great joy of the care-worn and anxious inhabitants
of the village."*
But, as so often happens with human enterprises, not all
was "plain sailing" yet. The spring freshets of 1823 were
still depended on to help Buffalo to do its part of the bargain,
and escape paying the penalty of a violated bond. And it so
came about that instead of helping, they hindered. An ice ob
struction drove the outrushing waters back, and a deposit was
spread thus in the channel, so nearly filling it that it must be
removed, or failure would result. Equal to the emergency,
Buffalo citizens at once subscribed an amount sufficient to do
the clearing-out work necessary, and it was done. The sub
scription-list then made has fortunately been preserved, and is
an interesting bit of Buffalo history. Though it has been occa
sionally published, I present here the list of names and the
amount subscribed to improve Buffalo harbor in 1822, copied
from Cutting's Directory of Buffalo for the years 1848 and 1849:
Ebenezer Johnson, in goods at cash price  $110 00
Sylvester Mathews, in bread  25 00
James Read  1250
Elisha 'Williams, in labor and goods by H. B. Potter  50 00
¦William Mason, in beef  5 00
Joseph Stocking  25 00
S. G. Austin  12 50
G. and T. 'Weed, including a subscription a few days since  20 00
O. Newbury  20 00
Ezekiel Folsom, in meat from the market  12 50
Samuel 'Wilkeson  100 00
Townsend & Coit  100 00
H. B. Potter, cash $50; bricks $25  75 00
E. F. Norton  5° 00
Moses Baker-, in labor and blacksmith work  50 00
Thomas C. Love  25 00
John G. Camp, in cash or labor  50 00
¦William Ketchum, $20 cash, $30 in hats  50 00
John A. Lazell  25 00
* Publications Buffalo Historical Society., vol. i. , /. 380.

76
Lucius Gold, in labor  50 oo
Samuel A. Bigelow, in goods or labor  ,  25 00
William Folsom  25 00
John Root  25 00
Jabez Goodell, in labor, provisions, etc  25 00
H. M. Campbell, in hats or labor  25 00
Hart & Cunningham, in goods  50 00
Sheldon Chapin, in goods  50 00
J. D. Hoyt, in boots and shoes   50 00
A. James, in goods 
P. G. Jenks  '  5 00
R. B. Heacock & Co., horse $15, goods $35  5000
Thomas Quigly, in labor  12 50
Timothy Page  5 00
Thomas More  2 00
Martin Daley, in labor  625
A. Bryant, in goods and clothing  50 00
H. R. Seymour  5° 00
Nathaniel Vosburgh, saddlery  12 50
F. B. Merrill, in labor  25 00
John E. Marshall  25 00
D. M. Day  12 50
Z. Piatt  6 25
E. Walden, in goods  lOO 00
J. Guiteau, in labor or cash  12 50
Cyrenius Chapin  100 00
James Demarest, in saddlery  5 00
D. Hennion, 100 lbs. pork when called for 
W. T, Miller, in fresh meat at market in Buffalo 'Village  50 00
Selden Davis  5 00
William Hodge, in labor or materials  25 00
Velorus Hodge, in work or materials  5 00
Benjamin Hodge, in lumber  5 00
William Long, a certain brown cow with a white head, to be ap
praised by commissioners of Harbor Association 
Roswell Hosford, in produce or provisions  5 00
W. W. Chapin, in team work  10 00
Zachariah Griffin, 10 bbls. lime to be delivered in Buffalo  6 25
Alvan Dodge in team-work and manual labor  10 00
H. A. Salisbury, in produce and hats  1250
Hiram Pratt, in goods  25 00

77
Erastus Gilbert, in goods  25 oo
" bbl. pork  1000
" " cash  250
Oliver Coit, one crowbar $3, cash $5  8 00
Joseph Dart, Jr. , in hats  10 00
.Benjamin Caryl, in pork  25 00
This subscription amounted to $1,361.25, exclusive of the cow
and pork, the whole of which was paid except $110. The pro
visions and goods were paid to the workmen without loss, but on
much of the other property (which was sold at auction) there
was an average loss of about thirty-seven and a half per cent.
Vigorously using the aid thus furnished, the citizens had
their harbor ready before the time named in their bond ex
pired; and the steajnboat Superior, launched April 16, 1823, was
forthwith piloted out of Buffalo harbor, in triumph, and taken
to the dock at Black Rock and there fully fitted out; and she
sailed thence on her first trip to Detroit, April 23, 1823, seven
days before the time named in the citizens' bond had expired.
And thus was fulfilled a remarkable prophecy, which stands
recorded in the Buffalo Patriot of that date, April 23,
1823, as follows: "Prophecy. — The following is taken from
a communication published in the Buffalo Gazette of January
2, 1816, headed ^ New Year's Vision.' After alluding to Buf
falo, the future Emporium of the West, then come the words:
' We saw the steamboat Superior approaching with majestic
grandeur, her decks crowded with passengers, and her smoke
ascending in undulating columns through the air, which height
ened the scene around her.' " This was written seven years
before the event, and two before a steamboat was on Lake
Erie. In the last week in June, the Superior entered Buffalo
harbor on her third or fourth return trip from Detroit, having
till then made Black Rock her stopping-place. From that
time, her port was Buffalo. And now Buffalo was all ready,
when the canal should be finished and opened through to Buf
falo harbor, to set out on that new career of prosperity which,
with the variations incident to all human progress, has been so
remarkable, to the present day.

78
N.— SANDYTOWN, THE FLATS, ETC.

In the course of the preceding paper, at pages 64 and 67,
I have mentioned Sandytown and the Little Buffalo creek.
I have also mentioned the "alder swamp" which used to oc
cupy the low lands between the Terrace bluff and the lake
south and west of the village; the latter section having for a
long time been known as The Flats. As it was over and
through these that wagon-roads, harbor, canal and railroads
have been successively opened and established, it is fitting that
something more specific should be recorded concerning them.
As to Sandytown, it was, in the war-time of 181 2-15, a
place of considerable note, and in fact of nearly as much im
portance, locally, as Black Rock, or Buffalo itself. But now,
as a settlement and even as a region, it is known no longer,
save as it is remembered by those of a former generation. It
lay, as has been said, nearly at the foot of the present Porter
avenue, formerly York street, to the south of and adjoining
the place where the Erie canal enters Black Rock harbor. It
was naturally a sand-beach, with a plentiful supply of high,
large sand-hills. And here, among and back of these hills on
the land side was a collection of log and board buildings,
slightly and cheaply put up, and facing towards the east, — the
hills being their rear protection from the storms. The place
was thus, as is evident, very properly named.
While our army held possession of Fort Erie in 1814, Sandy
town was a ferrying-place for crossing the river. It was also
the place where the hospital was kept for our sick and
wounded soldiers during that time. Many a soldier's body
was buried in the sand at this place; and for years afterward
bones were from time to time washed out by the water of the
lake. Many bones were also dug out by those who were haul
ing the sand away for building purposes.

79
Before the pier was built, which forms Black Rock harbor,
or more properly, a part of the Erie canal, Sandytown was
the best place in this vicinity for catching fish with a hook,
from the river. Early morning was the best time to make sure
of a " good string," say from sunrise till the sun was two
hours high. I have been there with a line having two hooks
baited with minnows, and had fine sport. The operation was
somewhat like this: after baiting the two hooks I would wade
in till the water was up to above my knees, then throw the line
the full length over into the river, and begin to walk slowly to
shore; and I would be almost sure to have a fish on one hook,
often on each of them, before I was out of the water. I have
caught fifty or more white bass and pike, in a single morning,
at some seasons of the year, say in the months of June and
July. The building of the Black Rock pier spoiled the fishing
from the beach, at this place.
This point used to be noted as the place where the Indians
caught their fish. It was a treaty stipulation, when they sold
their lands at Buffalo, that the reserved right should be theirs
of catching fish in the river, and of using the floodwood found
on the beach for their fires. This, however, like most, if not
all, of the stipulations and reservations made on their behalf,
never resulted in much benefit to them.
Many of the white inhabitants, also, who settled here at an
early day, depended much upon catching fish in the river, as
part of the supply of food for their families. There were few
living here then who would not catch fish as necessity required,
as well as use the gun for killing game, to meet their wants.
They had no meat markets to supply them as we now have,
and if they had had those, but little money could be got to
buy with. They were obliged to get along with what they
could raise on a few cultivated acres, and otherwise procure
by their own labor, and go without the rest. Flouring-mills
were few and far between. I remember that my grandfather
Abbott's family were obliged to send in 1812 to Niagara Falls

8o
to get their grain ground, the mill there being the one easiest
reached; and to this they took their grain by water, in a " dug
out," — the going and returning requiring several days. A fish
ing-ground like that at Sandytown was, therefore, a very im
portant part of the means of comfortable living, for the people
in this region.
But Sandytown, with its many banks and hills of sand, and
its skirting of forest trees and bushes, swamps and marshes,
near by, is, as I have stated, among the things that were.
The encroachments of the water, and the carting away of sand
for the city's needs, have narrowed and leveled and sunk the
beach, till little is left of the region as it once was. To this
result, the cutting away of the natural growth of trees and
bushes all along immediately back of, and upon, the ridge of
sand, has come. The sand and the woods and bushes formed
a protection against the inroads of the wind-driven waters;
and the sand-barriers were themselves protected and increased
by the woody growth. In 1816 the lake line of the beach
averaged nearly a quarter of a mile from the present line of
the Erie canal, — now it is not more than a third of that dis
tance. In 1848 nearly half that early distance had been eaten
away and covered by the water. In 1855 the beach line, though
considerably farther in, still gave the Niagara Falls railroad an
all land track, half-way between the canal and lake; while now
it runs close along, and, but for stone fortifications, through,
the edge of the lake. And how frequently the railroad has
been washed away, and how it is assailed and sometimes made
impassable by the waters, we all know. Yet this is not at all
to be wondered at, in view of the destruction of all the natural
barriers, which might have protected the whole region. Is
there not reason to fear that in time to come, by reason of this
treatment of our water-front, storms, sweeping in over the lower
grounds of the city, much as they have been raised, may cause
greater destruction of life and propferty than has ever occurred
from a similar cause ?

8i
And this leads to something more concerning these low
levels of the city next the lake and along the Big and Little
Buffalo creeks, — The Flats as they were so long called.
This section, beginning at Sandytown, was a broad reach of
low lands, extending southeastward between the lake beach
and the high ground, all the way around to Little Buffalo
Creek, and above it, eastward, quite a distance.
This creek was sluggish from source to mouth. It left the
woods about where Michigan street crosses the canal. Above
this point beaver and otter abounded, till the woods were cut
away, about the year 1828. Below, it wound its way through
the flats across Main street, almost hidden in the tall grass and
rushes, till it entered Big Buffalo creek. But, for the last two
miles of its course it has lost its form, and, as a stream, its ex
istence as well as its name. Its bed is merged in the canal
which (coming from Hamburg street near "The Hydraulics,"
where it receives the old creek as a mill-race), is called the
Main and Hamburg Street canal ; crossing Main street to
Pearl joins the Erie canal, and with it, runs southwesterly
forming the Commercial Slip, to the harbor. Where
the two canals thus join, at the head of Commercial slip,
there was, in the early days, on the margin of the creek, and
beside the road, a fine spring of water, with a barrel or cask
set in it, for public use. Where Commercial slip enters the
harbor, just east of the foot of Commercial street, which was
part of the old main road into and out of Buffalo, was the
mouth of Little Buffalo creek. This creek still retains its
name and original course from its source near the eastern
boundary of the city, to a point near Seneca street, at the
junction of that street and Fillmore parkway, where it unites
with the old Hydraulic canal.
" The Flats," west of Little Buffalo creek, were mostly a
swamp and full of bogs, and subject to inundation from the
lake. They contained some alders and other bushes, and many
ponds of various sizes; and here ducks, and consequently

82
hunters, used to congregate. It is straight through the middle
of them that the Erie canal was dug, which was opened for
traffic in 1825. But, to that time, and even to 1830, the whole
region was considered of little value. It could be bought for
a few dollars per acre. It was not supposed that this land
would ever be occupied and used to build upon. So exposed
was it that I have seen floodwood driven up over it and left at
the foot of the Terrace, within a hundred and fifty feet from
where the liberty-pole now stands. East of Main street, too,
it was sometimes, in high winds, before that region was filled
up, covered with rolling, surging lake-water, which floated off
wood, lumber, buildings, boats, — destroying and damaging
much property. A number of years since, near the old gas
works, situated upon some of this land, meeting one of our
townsmen, the late R. W. Haskins, I observed to him, "We
did not think, forty or fifty years ago, that we should have gas
burning in our streets and houses." "No," he answered;
adding, "and who would have thought we should have to
come down here into this swamp to pay for it." The digging
of the Erie canal has drained these swamps and filled up this
low land, and brought it into immensely valuable use.

O.— PUBLIC EXECUTIONS IN BUFFALO.
[See page i6, line 3,]

At this mention of the year 1831 I insert the following ac
count of all the public executions of criminals which have
taken place in Buffalo, the latest having occurred in that year.
At a club meeting of the Buffalo Historical Society held
March 24, 1879, at the residence of Capt. E. P. Dorr, a paper
was read by Rev. Sanford Hunt, D. D., on the Life and Char
acter of the late Elder Glezen Fillmore. The discussion which
followed concerning his experiences as a pioneer of Methodism
in Buffalo, and the surrounding country, was particularly full

83
as to his exercise of his ministerial office in attending and
officiating on three several occasions at the execution by hang
ing of men guilty of murder; these executions taking place
during the first ten of his fifty years' labors as a minister on
this frontier.
The present paper was written by me as a volunteer
sketch, — which, however, was not read before the Society, —
called out by this part of the paper and discussion. I had
resided in Buffalo some years before there were any execu
tions here, and I have been an eye-witness of all the public
executions which have taken place in Buffalo, excepting one.
Our newspapers in early times gave but meager accounts of
local matters; and as I do not remember to have seen any
account of some at least of these occurrences, I give from
memory my recollections of those I witnessed.
There have been six public executions in Buffalo, of twelve
different persons, five under the military law, by shooting,
and seven under the civil law by hanging.
The first and second of these took place within the first two
years of the War of 1812. Elder Fillmore then resided in the
town of Clarence, now in this county, then in Niagara, and I
presume did not attend these, as they were military. He did
attend the hanging of two soldiers for murder, in 1815; of
William Godfrey, a soldier, in 1819; and of the three Thayer
brothers, in 1825.
The first of the military executions was that of four young
soldiers at once, by shooting. This I witnessed. Five sol
diers had been tried by court-martial for deserting; all were
found guilty, and sentenced to be shot. Five graves were dug,
in front of which plain board coffins were placed. The five
condemned men knelt on these coffins, having their arms
pinioned. When the white caps which they wore were drawn
down over their faces, a platoon of soldiers with muskets
silently marched up in front of them. One, however, having
(unbeknown to himself) been reprieved, was to be spared; four

84
only were to receive the volley. After the firing only three of
these four fell. One still remained in his kneeling position,
when a subaltern officer, near by, quickly walked up quite near
with a pistol in his hand, and shot him through the head; when
he also fell, on his coffin.
An awful thing it was to stand near by and see a young man
in full vigor of life thus put out of existence. I remember
seeing the brains oozing out of his skull as he was lifted up
and laid in his coffin; though, as I was only eight year? of age,
I of course did not realize the horror of the deed as I would
have done if of maturer years.
The condemned men as they knelt on their coffins were
facing the north. I was standing at their left, about thirty feet
away and a little forward toward the front. Two of the three
first shot fell backward into their graves, and soldiers standing
by jumped down and lifted them up; and when the fourth was
shot, the four bodies were put into the coffins and buried.
The fifth man, who was to escape by reprieve, after experienc
ing the horrible dread of being shot, fainted at the report of
the muskets and fell upon his coffin. It was some time before
he became conscious, and could understand and believe that
his life had been spared by a reprieve. His youth and the
fact that he had been induced by older men to desert, had
operated to free him from the threatened penalty.
This execution took place at about the place where Court
street now runs, and west of Niagara street a short distance.
I should locate it to the northward of the Wilkeson homestead
and a little further west. At that time the ground in that
vicinity was quite uneven, lying in knolls and hollows, and
considerably covered with bushes, and many scattering trees.
The second execution was also military. This I did not
witness. It took place in the spring of 1813, in General
Smyth's cantonment on " Flint Hill." This was on part of
the Granger farm lying between Main street and the present
Forest Lawn cemetery. It was also between the Chapin farm

85
now owned by Elam R. Jewett and the present residence of
Mr. Brayley.
The third execution was in 1815. In January of this year
the war closed. During the following summer, early one
morning, an orderly and two private soldiers with muskets
were traveling along the road near the bank of Niagara river,
one or two miles below Black Rock, or rather below Conjock
ety's creek. Passing a farmer's garden, they saw fit to go in
and help themselves to some of its produce. The owner's
name was James Burbee, and his son, a young man, seeing
them in the garden, went out and ordered them away. After
some altercation the subaltern drew up his musket, and shot
young Burbee down.
The three were arrested and put in jail. After lying there
some time they broke jail and escaped. The orderly who did
the deed was never retaken. The other two, Charles Thomp
son and James Peters, after being hid for two or three days
in Roswell Hosford's barn, on " The Plains," were discovered,
brought back to jail and in due time tried, found guilty of
murder and hung. This was in August, 1816. I was present
at this and all the remaining executions which I shall mention.
This was one of those that Elder Fillmore attended, in the ex
ercise of his ministerial office. The gallows was erected near the
place where the four soldiers were shot. The graves of these
men were dug, and their bodies buried, at the foot of the
gallows. As the criminal law has been administered in this State for
fifty years or more, these two young men would not have
been executed.
The fourth capital punishment was the hanging of William
Godfrey. He was a soldier, — stationed at Fort Niagara on
duty as an orderly sergeant. One of his fellow soldiers had
been guilty of a misdemeanor, and Godfrey was ordered to put
him in the Black Hole, a place of punishment. The soldier
resisted, and caused Godfrey much trouble, so that he was

86
obliged to use strong force to get him in. This resistance and
his abusive language had greatly excited and enraged Godfrey.
After the soldier was finally in the prison hole, and the
sergeant had turned to leave him, he applied some bitter
epithets to Godfrey, who then made a backhanded thrust with'
his musket, the bayonet of which entered the soldier's body,
and caused his death. Fort Niagara being in Niagara County,
which then included Buffalo, as county-seat, Godfrey was ar
rested and brought to Buffalo, put in jail, and tried for murder
and found guilty. His case was taken to the Court of Ap
peals, and several months elapsed before it was examined.
Our then sheriff, Col. James Cronk, who resided on his farm
on Harris' Hill in the town of Clarence, was so confident that
Godfrey would have a hew trial, that he took the responsibility
of bringing him home with him, and allowing him to remain
there several months, doing chores and working about the
house and garden.
When the time came near for receiving the decision of the
Court of Appeals, Sheriff Cronk mounted his horse and accom
panied Godfrey, who was on foot, to Buffalo. The sheriff
stopped a little while at my father's tavern, while Godfrey
walked on toward the village. After " taking something " at
the bar. Col. Cronk told my father that he was taking Godfrey
back to jail. Being asked if he was not afraid that he would
run away, he answered " No,'' saying that he had the fullest
confidence in him; that if he should not overtake him he
would go straight to the jail and wait there until he came,
which he actually did.
Not many days after this, the decision of the Court of Ap
peals came, confirming the verdict, and the penalty was in
flicted December 3, 1819. This was the second of the three
executions attended by Elder Fillmore. The gallows was
erected a little north of the Terrace, between Pearl and Frank
lin streets, there being no buildings very near the spot. A
grave was dug at its foot, and after the hanging the body was
placed in a plain pine coffin, and buried there.

87
Whether it remained there I cannot say. Probably some of
the medical profession of that day could give some informa
tion on this point which I am unable to furnish.
In this case a different result had been expected by most
people. The sheriff was disappointed, and Godfrey had ex
pected at least a new trial, if not an acquittal. I well remem
ber how, when he was standing on the platform of the gallows,
with the rope around his neck, I did not believe that he would
really be hung. And when the drop fell and left him swing
ing by the neck, I felt that a great wrong had been done to a
fellow mortal, in the name of the Law. After hanging a few
moments his hand relaxed from holding his white pocket-
handkerchief, when it dropped and was carried by the wind
some distance away, falling to the ground.
The Law was intended to mete out justice to all, but I
never believed it was just in Godfrey's case.
The fifth public execution which I witnessed was that by
hanging, of the three brothers Thayer, June 17, 1825, for the
murder of John Love. The story of this affair has so often
been told that the people of the city and county have become
familiar with the main facts of it, yet I will state particularly,
as I rememberthem now, some incidents connected especially
with the execution, which I have never seen published.
The day was fine; the people for two hundred miles around
had begun to arrive the day before, and continued to come all
through the night, and the morning before the hanging. The
roads were full of persons coming to the village to see the
" hanging-bee " as they called it. There were more people
here on that day than ever before, and all our merchants had
a profitable day's business of it, as did also our tavern-keepers.
The military forces were called out, and toward noon
formed in a hollow square in front of the old jail on Washing
ton street. I was at the time a member of a uniformed rifle
company, Barent I. Staats, Captain. The condemned men
with some other persons were received within the square.

88
when we were ordered to march, the band playing that solemn
tune called " Roslyn Castle." We marched to the gallows,
which had been erected on or very near the spot where the
four soldiers were shot, and the two soldiers hung for murder,
as before related, — that is, where Court street now is, a little
west of Niagara street. Upon reaching the place the military
were again formed in a large hollow square around the gallows.
Our rifle company composed a part of the front line. " The
Thayers" ascended the steps, to the platform. Some little
time was occupied in seating them, reading the death-war
rant, and adjusting the ropes around their necks, after
which a most impressive prayer was offered by Elder Glezen
Fillmore, which was distinctly heard by the many thousands
present. During this the condemned brothers knelt with the
minister, and the silence was almost breathless, naught but the
words of prayer being heard. When these were ended all rose
from their kneeling posture; the doomed men shook hands
with those on the platform and then with each other. It was
a most impressive scene! When each had been placed by the
sheriff so as to stand under the beam and on the fatal drop
(which was made to swing back), and directly under the hook
to which the rope was attached, their white caps were drawn
down over their faces; and then the awful silence was broken
by the terrible wailing of the three brothers, which grew more
loud and intense each moment, until the sharp sword of the
sheriff severed the rope that held the scaffold. Nor did it
cease or lessen even then, till their heels had left the platform, —
which was distinctly heard sliding down, as it sprung from
under their feet, — and they had dropped to the length of their
ropes; when it seemed echoed a thousand-fold by a simulta
neous and involuntary exclamation from the thousands of
spectators, who till then had stood as if almost breathless,
silently gazing on the dreadful scene.
The gallows stood facing the east, our rifle company ex
actly in front, forming a part of the front line.

89
There had that morning been some hand-bills sold about
the streets by the boys, representing the gallows as erected,
and the Three Thayers hanging thereon. One was figured as
having one of his legs drawn up, which proved a true repre
sentation, this circumstance actually occurring.
While we were yet standing in the line, a question arose
among us as to the relative position of the three corpses.
I was allowed to walk up near the gallows, to ascertain the
fact. The coffin of each had been placed in front of him with
his name painted on it. I found that the eldest brother,
Israel, was on the right. Nelson, the second, was next, and
Isaac, the youngest, was on the left.
After the bodies were taken down and placed in the coffins,
they were delivered to the friends of the brothers. The mili
tary were then marched up to Main street, and dismissed.
The sixth and last public execution was that of Dibdell
Holt, for the murder of his wife. This I also witnessed — but
there was nothing so peculiar in the event that I need to add
a particular description of it. The specially noticeable feature
of it, was the speedy administration of the penalty. The crime
was committed in the month of October. Holt plead guilty,
and was executed November 22, 1831.

P.— PIONEER REMINISCENCES.
[See page i6, line 15.]

These Illustrative Miscellanies are intended to relate chiefly
to early times in Buffalo; and especially to what may be con
sidered its pioneer days. A convenient separation may be
made between the earlier and later periods, at the years 1830-
1832, when the settlement was changing from a village to a
city; and this paper will give some glimpses of life in Buffalo
in these and the previous years.

9°
I. — Perils and Escapes.
Born in Exeter, Otsego Co., N. Y., December 20, 1804, I
was an infant, less than six months old, when, June 16, 1805,
we came to Buffalo. My earliest recollection is of living in the
double log house already mentioned and described, on farm
lot No. 35, — which was my home till I was eight years old.
How pjain in my remembrance is the scene! the road so lately
cut through, full of stumps, logs and brush; many of the native
forest trees being still standing round about. As I return in
memory to those days, many things bring to mind that trustful,
child-like hymn beginning
"When in the slippery paths of youth
With heedless steps I ran ;
Thine arm, unseen, conveyed me safe,
And led me up, to man."
On the bare floor of that log house I was once, a little creep
ing, toddling boy, discovered- by my mother munching a
" thousand-legged worm," with infantile satisfaction; my mouth
filled, and face smeared, with its vile, poisonous substance.
My mother had reason to fear that I had already swallowed
enough of this to cause my death. How quickly she endeav
ored to remove the dangerous stuff, and cleanse my mouth, —
to save her child! And he was saved, surviving the accident,
and suffering only the damage of a very sore mouth, swollen lips,
with a decided yet safe disrelish, lasting quite a while, for all
animal food, especially of the worm species. But the mother!
how constantly, with all her other cares, she has that of her
children's health and life, and, in a new and scattered settle
ment, without the comfort of a physician near, ready, on call,
to help!
At another time, two years later, I was playing, with a sister
two years older than myself, in the road in front of " the log
house." We were having a happy time, out there bare
headed, bare-footed, in the dirt, making mud pies and dirt
houses; and the mother within was thus for the time relieved

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of some of her cares while she was attending to other domestic
duties. But, hark! suddenly she hears a noise down the
road. She hastens to the door to listen (for every new noise
in such a place excites at least attention and curiosity), when
the cry "Mad dog! mad dog!" falls distinctly on her ear.
And there, in the very direction of the nearing cry, are her
two children in the middle of the road, all unconscious of any
danger. How quickly she rushes out, runs to them, seizes
hold of them, catching one in each hand, and hurries them
into the friendly house and shuts the door upon the frightful
danger. And then going to the window, she realizes from
whaj; she has been permitted to snatch her loved ones. There,
just where her children were playing, is a large yellow dog,
with protruding tongue, frothing at the mouth, a death-threat
ening mad dog. And there, too, among that cherished flock
of geese, the creature is seen quickly venting his madness by
seizing, shaking and biting one of the fowls till he is satisfied,
when he drops it, and trots on towards the village; on the road
to which he is pursued, overtaken and killed. Yes, how inces
sant and severe are the toils and anxieties of the pioneer
mother! How needful to her, the support of a real trust in
One who ever orders all things for the best!
And later, when other children had been added to the
family, to one of these came a strange, and in her case fatal,
injury. This was occasioned by the attack of a vicious fowl,
which pierced her head with his strong, sharp spur. But this
it was beyond the skill of any except trained physicians, yes,
even beyond their skill, to treat successfully. Drs. Daniel
Chapin, Cyrenius Chapin, Ebenezer Johnson and Josiah Trow
bridge, were all called to meet in council. They cut from the
little head a circular piece of bone, three-quarters of an inch
in diameter; they finished the work of trepanning the wound;
but they could not save the child. She died, and was carried
for burial to the Village Cemetery which then was where now,
in " Franklin Square," is the great City and County Building.

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Yet, again, fifteen years had passed. The family home was
no longer the log house, but it was the large brick house, on the
rise of ground near by the old place. My sister and myself
had grown up and become a young woman and a young man,
when I had an adventure, calculated to remind me forcibly of
the rescue by my mother in my infant days, and of the care
of One more watchful even than a mother, that is over each
from day to day, at every period of our life.
Belonging to the family was a dog, a pet of the whole house
hold, named Prince, but affectionately called by the more en
dearing name of Pinny. He was knowing and active, full of
fun and frolic, and ready whenever the children saw fit to give
him a chance, to play with them. His usual place, in warm
weather, was on the floor of a porch which covered the side
door of the house. One day I was passing across the porch,
when Pinny, who was lying in his usual place, jumped up and
seized me with his teeth by the leg, tearing my pantaloons, and
leaving a deep mark, the print of his teeth, upon my flesh, — but
not so deep as to draw blood. So vexed was I that the trusted
and loved pet should, unprovoked, thus attack one of the family,
that I instantly turned to give the creature a kick, which he
dodged, a process repeated several times, — he snarling and
snapping at each charge. I then, failing to hit the dog, left
him still snarling and snapping, and entered the house.
I did not think much about the occurrence that day, but in
the night the dog was heard barking, and proved to be worry
ing a cow. In the morning, however, he was found in his
usual place on the porch floor, but appearing very dull, de
jected, and indeed, sick.
When the cow was examined, her nose was found to be
lacerated. She had defended herself with her horns, yet there
was not a space which a finger would cover, that had not been
bitten by the dog. And the decision was that Pinny was mad,
and must be killed.
I took my rifle, and loaded it, and called Pinny to follow me.

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which he readily did, I going out the back way, through the
garden, crossing several lots and fields, until I came down by
the side of a piece of woods. How badly I felt, then, as I
realized that I was about to take the life of the creature we
had so loved. But the thought came to me of Abraham re
quired to sacrifice even his own son, and it helped me to think
that it was comparatively a small duty to take a dog's life, and
that too, when it was so plainly necessary. So I hissed Pinny
past me, and as he ran forward put a ball through the back of
his head, and he fell dead, never knowing what had killed him.
But the cow became a source of danger. She had been
kept in the yard, with her calf, and after some days she
became raving mad, broke out of the yard, and ran up and
down the road, with her head raised high and making the most
awful bellowing I ever heard. Men and neighbors turned out,
with clubs and pitchforks; and with much anxiety and fear, we
succeeded in getting the rabid creature into the barnyard,
where she was despatched. Her body was drawn off into the
woods and buried.
When, now, I look back, not only at these, but many other,
perils of the way, and think of the little girl, my sister, who
with me was snatched from what was almost certain to be a
deadly danger, as growing up to be seventy years of age ere
she died and was buried in our beautiful Forest Lawn, — and
of myself, the infant, the boy, the venturesome youth, now
when these words are published, having reached and passed
my four-score years of life, — what reason I have to say, in the
words of the last verse of the hymn I have quoted:
" By thy hand restored, defended
Safe through life thus far I've come;
Safe, O Lord, when life is ended,
Bring me to my heavenly home."

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II. — Schools and Schoolmasters.
My school experiences were very simple and primitive.
I remember well the log school-houses in which up to 1822 I
pursued my education. One, already mentioned, was about
where Puffer street enters Main. Another was on Main street
near where St. Paul street comes into it. And another was on
the east side of Main street, on lot No. 33, between the present
Riley and Northampton streets. Though these were common
or public schools, there was for several years no school district
formed. The teachers were, in summer, females, receiving
from one dollar and fifty cents to two ddllars per week; in the
winter, males, receiving from twelve to fifteen dollars per
month. The teachers "boarded 'round," with the different
families from which children' attended the school. These
schools were kept three or four months in the winter, and
about the same time in the summer.
When the districts were first organized, the school numbered
One was down in the village, and ours at Cold Spring,
was Number Two. At this time, also, the school-house was of
logs, and was situated on Main street, near the Cold Spring,
where Police Station No. 6 now is. A few years later our dis
trict was called Number Three, and so continued till we were
included within the city. Our district is now numbered
Sixteen. In January, 1822, the log school-house in our district was
destroyed by fire and one of planks was then built; in which
the next winter, 1823-4, I attended school.
In those times, now about sixty-five years ago, the " school
masters were abroad," seeking employment. In 1820 there
came into our neighborhood a man of ordinary appearance
who after a little conversation proved to be of superior intelli
gence, and sought employment as teacher in our district
school, which had been but recently organized. The trus
tees immediately engaged him for the winter as teacher,
his "pay" to be twelve dollars per month, and to "board

95
'round." He proved to be a good teacher, and when the school
closed in the spring of 1821, being out of employment, he
offered to teach through the summer at so low a rate that he
was re-engaged ; women having always before been the summer
teachers. He continued to teach through the fall and was
again re-engaged for the winter school which closed in the
spring of 1822. He was my teacher for these two winters.
Being one of the "big boys," I had to stay at home and work
except in the winter-time, which was all that I could have for
attending school.
In both these winter-schools I studied Geography, with two
or three others. Our class learned more from him in a short
time, than we had ever learned in a much longer time, before.
We had then no atlases, charts or maps, but our teacher would
take a large slate (black-boards were not known here, then),
and mark out the region about which we were studying, and
explain to us the situation of places in relation to each other.
This made a lasting impression on our minds, such as could
not be made by reading alone. In this way, without sticking
to the lesson we were studying, he would go on telling us
about different parts of the world, giving locations, distances,
number of inhabitants, productions, and many things which
he had seen in his various travels.
He was certainly possessed of a very superior mind, far
above the ordinary class; and the account he gave of himself
was quite remarkable. It was as follows: He was an illegiti
mate son of Alexander Hamilton, whom Aaron Burr killed in
the lamentable duel which history details to us. He called
himself Lot Stoddard. He grew up in an obscure place,
without education, till he was fifteen years old, when, by some
accident, he was injured, so that he was unable, for a time, to
work, and then, it being in the summer season, he for six
weeks attended a school which had a female teacher. This
was all the "schooling" he ever enjoyed. He had no home,
had been a wanderer over our country, had spent the most

96
of his life since arriving at manhood in several of our prin
cipal cities, and been meanwhile an actor in them on the
stage; and had been several years on the Island of Cuba as
an overseer, or, as it was then termed, a "slave driver." He had
a more retentive memory than any other person I ever knew.
He was a great reader, and related readily the contents of the
books he had read. He conversed freely and familiarly on
almost any subject that was brought up in ordinary conversa
tion. He certainly had talents largely partaking of those pos
sessed by him whom he claimed as his father.
I have said that Mr. Stoddard had been an actor on the
stage. So, the last winter he taught in our school, he pro
posed to get up some plays for the older scholars and himself.
He went to Hezekiah A. Salisbury's book-store, the only one
then in the village, but could not find books containing the
plays he wanted. So he procured a novel from which some of
the plays had been written, and with the help of these wrote
them out in full from memory. He then gave to the scholars
the parts which he deemed most suitable for them, respect
ively, to act. A stage was fitted up in my father's large ball
room in the " brick tavern," and after several rehearsals
notice was published in the newspapers of Buffalo and Black
Rock, that a free exhibition of the plays would be given on a
certain evening. The room was crowded and the plays went
off to the great enjoyment and satisfaction of all assembled.
I do not remember that there was at that time any theater in
Buffalo. '
In the coming spring it will be sixty-three years since these
occurrences, yet how well I remember our school-teacher, who
in one of the plays acted the two parts of " Count Flodoardo "
and the bandit " Abilino." The plot was this: The Doge of
Venice gives a promise to Count Flodoardo, that if he will de
liver into his power the bandit robber Abilino, he will give
him his daughter Rosibella in marriage. She is brought into
the presence of Flodoardo and the Doge, and the promise i'S

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renewed. Says Flodoardo: "If Abilino is once in yourpower,
Rosibella shall be my bride." And, with dignity becoming
his station, the Doge replies: "She shall, and not till then."
Flodoardo then flings off a disguise that he has worn, and there
stands before the Doge and the beautiful Rosibella the so-
dreaded bandit, Abilino. The Doge is astonished, Rosibella
quite passive, and the bandit insists that the father shall fulfill
his promise. He hesitates, — then, intimidated by the bandit's
array of pistols in his belt, takes his daughter's hand and
places it in Abilino's, when he raises it aloft, as they walk
away, exclaiming: "Triumph! Rosibella is the Bravo's bride."
While teaching our school Mr. Stoddard went one day to the
Indian Village, to call upon Red Jacket. At his home, a
small log house, he found him, introduced himself, and told him
that he had a great desire to see him, Red Jacket, the famous
Chief of the Seneca Tribe. Jacket seemed pleased to see Mr.
Stoddard, and they talked together about many things. The
Chief could speak English very well when he chose, but always
refused to do it, when he could have an interpreter. He ex
hibited to his visitor all the medals he had received from our
Government, one being from General Washington. He also
went to his chest, unlocked it, and took out and placed upon
the table four silver goblets (which had been given him for his
services to our cause) and a well filled jug of whiskey. All
the goblets were displayed with the stone jug and a pitcher of
water for the two to drink from. Finally, Mr. Stoddard came
away highly pleased with his visit to, Red Jacket.
This singular teacher left our neighborhood that spring.
I never heard what became of him, though he left here for the
west. He had a roving disposition, did not seem to value
money, was always poor, and appeared to be one cast upon the
world without relatives or friends. Yet, to me, he seemed to
be a man above the average of our statesmen at that time,
one fitted to have been a great man.
The immediate successor of Mr. Stoddard in teaching our

98
winter school (that is, in the winter of 1823-4, and in the new
plank school-house), was a person of an entirely different
character and position in society. He was a student in a law-
office in the village, and applied to Capt. Wm. T. Miller,
Alvan Dodge and William Hodge, Sen., Trustees, to take our
school. He did this, he said, because it was necessary for him
to earn some money in order to continue his studies. They
employed him, agreeing to pay him twenty dollars per month,
he to "board 'round."
He proved to be an excellent teacher, and very gentlemanly,
modest and pleasant in his deportment. In one thing I thought
his teaching superior to that of any of my former teachers, and
this was in "putting out words " for the first class to spell.
For, after pronouncing the word, and before it was spelled, he
gave the definition. His power over the scholars in con
trolling them, was that of persuasion; and consisted almost
entirely in his pleasing affability and gentleness of manner.
He had some pretty noisy and mischievous scholars to deal
with, yet during the whole winter and spring of his teaching,
none of us saw a frown upon his face. He appealed to our
better feelings and principles, and, as it were, put us upon our
parole of honor; and he never inflicted corporal punishment.
This teacher, as I said, like the other, " boarded 'round "
with the families whose children went to the school. This
was, by the way, the general practice then, except when the
teachers' homes were in the district; and then the Trustees
paid a sum agreed upon in consideration of their boarding
themselves. Now when this young law-student boarded at my father's,
there was frorn time to time some frolicking going on between
him and my sisters; frequently this took the form of snow
balling, and sometimes there was considerable "cutting of
capers " among them. Once, for instance, they had come to
close quarters in a snow-ball contest, and one of the girls got a
hard rubbing by the teacher's hands, with snow. Her hair was

99
pretty thoroughly disheveled, and her face very red and quite
clean. As he was much the stronger, and took in this case
the position which some nations do, that "might makes right,"
my sister could not help herself. But she adopted a success
ful plan for getting even with this young limb of the law, as
he discovered next morning, when, going to put on his boots
he found them well covered, legs and all, with soft soap.
This teacher, after leaving our school, continued his studies,
and in due course of time was admitted to practice in our
courts of law. Not being over-confident in himself, he opened
an office, at first, out in the country; but after practising there
a few years ventured to come into the village, and formed a
partnership with others. He continued to do a successful
business; was elected to the State Legislature, and continued
to rise in popularity, as a statesman, till, after many years
of the highest success, he left the political arena.
The last years of his life were quite retired, and when,
finally, on the day of his funeral, I was present, amid a vast
assembly, to take a farewell look at one of my school-teachers,
I was beholding all that was mortal of Millard Fillmore,
once President of the United States!
Mr. Fillmore was the last of my school-teachers. I had
passed the age of eighteen, and the time had come when I must
be occupied winter and summer alike, in labor. Yet, in fact,
even in boyhood, when attending school both summer and
winter (from the time I was eight years old, when we moved
into the Brick tavern in December, 1812), I had enough work
to do, along with school occupations, to keep me busy.
I worked about the house, attending to the fires in cold
weather, and waiting upon travelers, officers, soldiers, and in
deed all customers when they -called. And, in the proper
season, through these and later days, I helped to plough, hoe,
work at haying, milk cows, take care of, feed and shear sheep,
attend to the lambs, feed and raise the calves, pull flax, — in
deed take part in all the different kinds of work to be done on

a farm. And so my pioneer school-days were all very busy ones.
But yet they were not all school-days and work-days, without
play, by any means. And now I shall say something about
III. — My Recreations.
Of these I may say at once that rny chief one was hunting.
For I might almost say I was always a hunter.
It is true that along with our day schools, we had also
from time to time in winter, our spelling-schools and our sing
ing-schools, which, while helping to improve us, were also a
means of recreation. Then there were apple-parings, in winter,
also. And though we did not, in those times, have Thanks
giving days for family gatherings, pic-nics and Sunday-school
excursions, and summer jaunts in different directions, yet the
Fourth of July, election-days and training-days were always
play-days for "us boys.'' And there was dancing, and there
were balls. I, however, attended only one ball, and that was
at the Eagle tavern, at the close of our dancing school, taught
by a Mr. Jennings, for one winter, in or about 182 1. The
only dancing I have ever done was what I did that winter, at
that school. Among the recreations, however, which were
also educational, was, at two different times, in my boyhood
and youth, the Debating Society. Of this I find among my
papers a little relic, being part of a rhymed argument upon
one of the questions discussed. The disputants were: Mr.
Mann, Caleb Gillett, Selden Lucas, Zerah Averill, William T.
Miller, Milo Lucas, Benjamin Hodge and Velorus Hodge.
The question before the Society was: Which has been of the
greatest benefit to mankind, the Printing Press or the Mag
netic Needle (Mariner's Compass)? After the arguments of a
number on each side had been given, Mr. Gillett arose and
presented his in some expressive lines, of which I once wrote
out from memory the following:
" What say you, boys, does this not beat the de-il ?
For paltry types we are to lose our needle ;
And, after all this mighty fuss and rumpus,
For types and presses to give up our compass!

'Ve fair, we wish you 'd fairly think upon it.
Nor change your Bible for a Leghorn bonnet;
We wish you well, — and would be your protector, —
So, be the North Star, Virtue, your director;
Let Modesty supply the needle's place,
And guide your steps to social love and peace.
That, with straight eyes, our lands we can survey.
And draw ' bee lines,' — this our opponents say;
But, since we don't pretend that we are witches,
'T were tedious drawing lines for our bigditehes."
It is interesting to note the reference here, to the " Leghorn
bonnet " of those days, — the "height of the fashion," and an
expensive luxury for the ladies; — and the then exciting and
important subject of the surveys for the Erie canal. Gov.
Clinton's "big ditch" as it was often called.
But, as I have said, of my recreations the chief was always
hunting. So the most of this paper is devoted to this subject.
I can with truth say that there was no white person who ranged
through the woods and over the ground around Buffalo and
Black Rock, from 1819 to about 1835, more than myself. There
were but few acres of the forest land in this immediate vicinity
that I did not travel over very^ many times. To be in the
woods with my gun was my delight, for there game was always
to be found. Twelve years or so ago I wrote a paper giving
an account of my early experiences in this line. As I hope to
have some young readers, I will give it here, with some addi
tions, in a manner calculated to be interesting to them. It is
entitled —
The Young Hunter. — In very early childhood I began to
be a hunter. The first gun I used was an elder pop-gun,
with tow wads for ammunition. Children had not then the
fine toy weapons for playing at hunting which now abound.
Mine was not a very expensive one, but it was easily made,
and answered my purpose as well as if its cost had been
greater. With this gun I used to go around the house and
shoot flies. This sport would not have added to the nice^ ap-

pearance of the plastered and papered wall of the house if in
those times there had been such a thing. But when I was a
boy we had no plastered walls in our houses; the plastering
was done only between the logs, outside and inside, — the inside
being whitewashed every year. The next piece I used was
what is usually called a cross-bow, or cross-gun. I need not
describe it, as it is so well known among boys. This was quite
an instrument of warfare against birds and chipmucks. They
suffered considerably at the hands of the boys ; yet the
suffering was generally more through fright than any very
serious harm.
The third kind of weapon I used was a more formidable one
for killing game; it was the Indian bow and arrow. If I had
been an Indian, I might have been a greater hunter than I
have been, and I might even have been a great warrior. I
always liked the Indians and their ways and habits, that is,
so far as hunting is concerned; and I used to love to be with
them, shooting squirrels with bows and arrows in summer and
fall, and playing with them with the snow-snake in winter.
This is quite a lively game, peculiar to the Indians, and not
much practiced by the white people. The Indians were active,
and could endure fatigue in walking or running, and were
always pleasant and honest in their playing. By the bow and
arrow the birds and squirrels suffered most. I frequently
killed chipmucks and sometimes birds. The Indians used to
kill very many squirrels as well as birds with their bows and
arrows. In shooting at birds I would always make the feathers
fly. I once killed a woodchuck with a bow and arrow. It
was a fair, open shot, at a distance of about four rods, and was
effective and fatal. The arrow hit him on the side of his
head, and he keeled over and sprawled out immediately, —
dead. At this time I sometimes borrowed my uncle's shot-gun,
which was of the sort called a " Chief 's piece," from its having
on the stock, back of the lock, a silver plate representing an

103
Indian's head; but the fourth piece I regularly used was an old
American musket. I say American, because there was quite
a difference between American and British muskets. The
bore of the latter carried an ounce ball, the former was of
smaller bore, suiting us young hunters better because they re
quired less ammunition; and that was something important to
be considered on account of our limited means of procuring
powder and shot.
And here I will tell how at one time I managed the matter
of getting lead for use in making bullets, etc., for my firearms.
This was during the War of 1812-15. In June, 1812, the news
had come of the declaration of war between Great Britain and
the United States. I well remember the day when the news
came, for I had been out that day with Samuel Ward Cotton
to the home of his uncle Rowland Cotton, on The Plains,
strawberrying with his cousin Lester W. Cotton. In Decem
ber we moved into the Brick Tavern, and occupied it one year,
1813, when it was burned by our enemies. During this year
it had become quite a chief object with me to accumulate lead
for my hunting purposes. But we boys did not have much
money to spend. Our playthings were few, and we had to
look out and provide for ourselves the most of what we
wanted for our amusements, especially in preparing for our
hunting by making our own pop-guns, cross-guns and bows
and arrows. When we had grown large enough to use guns
that required powder and shot, we used to get the powder the
best way we could, that is by earning money to buy it. But
the shot we could not afford to buy; and, since we could, we
did, manufacture them ourselves. This was what I did, and
this was the way. As the war went on many soldiers were
stationed here, and a large amount of powder and lead was
brought here, and our soldiers, when off duty, fired their mus
kets at marks on stumps and trees. I chopped and dug the lead
balls out of the places where they had lodged, and pounded
them with a hammer on the head of an axe or on a flat-iron, into

I04
long square rods or bars, about the thickness of the size of the
shot to be made, then with a knife I cut this leaden rod into
square bits, and laying them on the floor or some hard board
rolled them with the iron shovel into a round shape. In this
way I made pretty good shot, but it cost some labor to do it.
Indeed boys of that day had to work for everything they had.
Now in the course of the year 1813 I had managed to accu
mulate quite a number of these little bars, which were some
thing of a treasure. But towards the close of the year I heard
the people talking about the British coming over, and saying
that we would have to go away. So, as I did not want to lose
my little store of lead, I procured a small box, six or eight
inches square, which had contained Venetian red lead, and
had a sliding cover, into which I put my bars, and buried the
whole in the garden. And, sure enough, when we did have to
go away, at the time Buffalo was attacked and burned, that
box and its contents remained safe; and I dug it up in the
spring of 18 14.
Before I say more about hunting with guns, I will tell you a
little about trapping. In the fall of 1814, one of my uncles
had a quail-trap set in the wheat-stubble, to catch pigeons.
I was commissioned to look after it; and when I found but a
single pigeon in the trap, I was to take it out, set the trap
again, and bring the pigeon home, alive. Towards evening,
when I was going after the cows, I came to the trap and found
one pigeon in it. I had begun to feel chilly, and even to
shake with the cold. I put my hand into the hole in the top
of the trap, and with much trouble got hold of the pigeon and
took it out. Then I undertook to re-set the trap, but soon
gave it up. It was very difficult for me even to hold the
pigeon, I was shaking so hard with cold. I started on after
the cows, but had not gone far before the pigeon got out of
my hand and flew away. I drove the cows home, and was
very glad to get into the house, I was so cold. When I was
in, our folks, seeing me shaking so hard all over, said I had the

105
ague; and it was true, though I had not known it. It was not,
however, a strange thing; for in those early times of the set
tlement of Buffalo, there were many cases of fever-and-ague
here. After the ague I had the fever; and the following day,
just as the ague was again coming on, they gave me, accord
ing to the standard prescription of those days, the usual dose
to " break the fits." This consisted of about half a gill of
whiskey and gunpowder — suitable surely for a young hunter,
I mean the gunpowder only — well stirred together. After
taking this for a few days the ague-fits were "broken " and I
was well again, without the necessity of my father's'paying a
large doctor's bill. So in this trapping exploit, I caught — a
pigeon, which got away, and — the fever-and-ague which also
took its flight under the treatment administered.
But, later, I did have and use successfully a quail-trap of
my own, and my steel fox-trap. With the latter I sometimes
caught seven or eight red and cross-gray foxes during a winter
and spring, besides any number of pole-cats or skunks, which-
I did not desire. Then we used also to catch raccoons, with
our dogs, going out in the evening into the cornfields; and I
have helped to catch " 'coons," not many rods from the spot
on which I now reside. In some years immense numbers of
pigeons flew over this region. I sometimes saw flocks so large
and thick that they would hide the sun from sight like a dark,
heavy cloud. Before and after 1820, many pigeons were
caught about here in nets; selling, when plenty, for 12^ cents
per dozen, — ¦when scarce, for 25 cents.
But, now, — to come again to my hunting experience with the
weapons I have named, and others — I spent in this much of my
leisure time, and very likely much time when I ought to have
been at work. However this may be, when I got that old
musket I used to hunt and kill squirrels, partridges, quail,
blackbirds, pigeons, hawks, owls, ducks and many other kinds
of game. In a year or two after, while I was still using this,
my father bought me a smooth-bore straight-cut rifle, of a man

io6
who brought it from Pennsylvania. With this I thought myself
well provided for shooting game. Not long afterwards, how
ever, I learned about the twisted-cut or spiral-bore pieces, and
that these were much better; and I bought one of Mr. Sill,
who was ono of the first gunsmiths in Buffalo. With this I
began to kill deer, as well as the smaller creatures. They
were quite plenty here, in those days. I have killed in all say
a baker's dozen of them, about half the number within the
present limits of Buffalo city, several near my present resi
dence. I have seen them on our lot between Delaware and
Main streets. Three crossed the road within a few rods of
my father's house, in one winter. One morning I saw one
standing in the field, near where our school-house No. i6 is
located. I never assassinated a deer with a gun or the oar of a boat,
after it had been chased and driven into the water by hounds,
as is frequently done. I think it is unfair to kill deer when in
the water, or when there is an icy crust on a deep snow. I al
ways shot deer running, standing, or lying down; and always
in the woods, except in one instance, when I started a deer in
an open chopping. He was running from me, rather quar
tering, and I drew up my rifle and shot, when he was sixteen or
eighteen rods away. He made but one jump after the crack
of the piece, and fell.
But I ought to say that, after all, this hunting was not very
profitable, since otir market for game was limited, and prices
were very low. Venison, for instance, could be bought of the
Indians for sixpence (6^ cents) per pound, for the hams.
One of my encounters with deer was, however, somewhat
peculiar, and I will here give a description of it, as I wrote it
out fifteen or eighteen years ago. I named it —
My Deer Story. — In the winter of 1831-1832 we were
chopping and hauling wood from the east part of farm-lot
No. 30, about where Prospect street crosses between Best
and North streets. At this time this lot was mostly cov-

107
ered with timber. The old Cayuga road (now Best street)
turned from where Jefferson street now crosses it, passing
over the hill through the chestnut woods, and down to
Main street near the old red tannery of Erastus Gilbert,
or about opposite where Allen street comes into Main.
Our "man," Patrick Roach, was chopping and splitting
wood, and I, with our ox-team and sled, was hauling the
wood to our brick-yard on Main street, near Utica. I had
driven my oxen near to the place where Patrick was at
work, and I left them standing in the road, and walked back
into the woods four or five rods, to the spot where he was.
S. K. Grosvenor's blood-hound had been " giving, tongue "
some time, east of us, and, as I could but faintly hear his
voice, he must have been a long distance away. After stand
ing there a short time, I saw a wild deer coming up the sleigh-
path, at a leaping gallop. His tongue protruded,, and he
showed every sign of being very much fatigued. I exclaimed
to Patrick, "See! there is a deer coming!" He looked up
with an expression of great surprise and wonder, and said
"And sure there is; — and shall I stop him?" Of course, consid
ering his idea of stopping a wild deer on the run an absurdity,
but willing to play a practical joke, as I supposed it would be,
upon the Irishman, I said to him, "Yes, Patrick, run out and
stop him." He dropped his axe, and ran very quickly through
the bushes into the road. As soon as the deer saw him, sure
enough he did stop, and stood still, about five rods from him,
without moving a foot. I immediately walked out near to the
place where Patrick was standing, the deer remaining perfectly
quiet. I crossed the road into an open space of ground beyond
the man, and then walked till I was opposite to the deer, ex
pecting however, every moment, that he would leave us. It
occurred to my mind after I had reached the latter position,
that we had the creature as " the Paddy" would say, completely
" surrounded." Very thick underbrush and woods were on his
right; I, with my ox-whip, was on his left; Patrick was facing

io8
him in front; and th^ blood-hound, although still far off, was,
coming nearer from a hearing distance in his rear. Was
there ever, it might well be asked, a wild deer more com
pletely " surrounded " than he? There Patrick and I had
hirn all to ourselves, with no one to interfere or trouble us in
securing the beautiful animal. All there was now left for us
to do, was, it seemed, to take possession of this noble creature,
either alive or dead, as should appear most practicable to us, all
the circumstances considered. Patrick, on his side, stood his
ground bravely, in glowing excitement, and, with true Irish
enthusiasm, feeling perfectly sure that he would not let the
creature pass him. We did not stop to talk the matter over,
and arrange a plan of operations; but each one took the course
he supposed was best in order to accomplish our wish to
secure the deer. As, however, neither of us had a hunting
weapon,;— gun, pistol, spear, or lasso, — I, with my ox-whip in
hand (which consisted of a good split hickory stock, about four
feet in length, with a lash) began cautiously to approach the
fellow. He meanwhile eyed me very sharply, as much as to
say, "What are you going to do about it?" But as I slowly
drew nearer, he began to lower his head, keeping his glisten
ing eyes steadily fixed on mine. The closer I came to him,
the lower he bowed. But not knowing, of course, what the
result of this encounter might be, within the next half-minute,
I concluded that if he should let me come near enough, I
would knock him on the head with the butt of my whip, which
I still held by the handle. So, still keeping my eyes fixed on
those of the deer, I changed ends of my whip, to be ready for
this sort of an assault; and in the meantime kept moving
slowly and very carefully towards him. Warily measuring the
distance between us with my eye, when I had approached
within the proper distance from which to give him a fair and
sure death-blow on his bowed head, now lowered almost to the
ground, I raised my whip-stock, and with my utmost dexterity,
and a determined will, and with my full might and strength, I

109
gave the decisive blow. The next moment, that noble and
beautiful animal with his splendid and most graceful limbs,
and his sleek head and body, which had stood before me, per
fect in all his parts, and in full possession of his wild, free
forest-life, was stretched  high in the air on a leap for life;
and then was off, fleetly distancing his assailants. After all my
determination, calculation and care, he had dodged my blow,
and, as it seemed to me, was ten feet from the ground, on a
bounding leap. This he followed up with a magnificent series,
lofty, long and grand; so that he seemed rather to be flying
than running from us. And he was out of sight in a very few
moments. Patrick was as if siDell-bound with amazement,
seeming completely lost in wonder. Presently, recovering a
little, he exclaimed, "And sure, we didn't get him! But
wasn't he a darlint iv a deer! I niver saw the loike before in
all me life!"
The fugitive took a course directly south through the woods,
towards the lake; with " the Hydraulics " and Pratt's ferry in
range, on a line a little west of where Prospect street now runs.
Soon after the deer and we had parted company so suddenly
and, to us, so unexpectedly, but -for him, so splendidly, the
hound came along, on the deer's track. He moved with the
long, loping gait, characteristic of the blood-hound, "giving
tongue" every other leap he made. He paid not the slightest
attention to us, being fully intent on overhauling the deer, and
keeping his nose closely to his track. He was a little bothered
when he passed the place where the deer had been standing,
as it had there turned off on another course. But, making a
circuit, he struck the trail again and on he went with the well-
known energy and determination of his kind. We watched
him till he was out of sight, and listened till he was out of
hearing. I suppose he followed the fleeing creature to the
lake, as that was the last and only effectual resource of the
deer when chased by blood-hounds.
I heard nothing of the lost animal after this. The hound

was at his home the next day, however, all right, only some
what lamed and tired from his long chase.
And so ends my story about the deer. I was thankful after
wards that I did not kill him ignobly, with the butt-end of my
whipstock. I close these Reminiscences with a short paper on —
Shooting-Matches. — When the regular twisted-cut rifles
began to be used in Buffalo, the man who could hit a turkey
off-hand at twenty rods, and not make the trial too expensive
at sixpence a shot, was considered a great marksman. Stephen
K. Grosvenor, Esq., Joseph Clary, Esq., and Frederick B.
Merrill were the first and the only ones who tried it with
reasonable success. There were others who would undertake
it at a rest, at twenty-five rods, but most would make this quite
too expensive sport and give it up. I did not atfirst shoot at
turkeys, but practised with my rifle in shooting squirrels and
other game, and besides this, shooting at a mark. I soon
became quite expert with my rifle, and began to try the
turkeys, off-hand, at twenty rods, with very good success.
Others also so improved in marksmanship that owners would
not put up turkeys for us at less than twenty-five rods distance,
off-hand, and thirty rods, at rest. But I never would practice
shooting on a rest, let the distance be what it might, but always
shot off-hand.
As time passed on, riflemen increased in numbers, and some
became excellent shots, — so much so that the distance from
which we had to shoot at the turkeys was made thirty-five rods
off-hand, and forty at rest.
I have shot many chickens at twenty-five rods distance, pay
ing three cents for each shot. I have also shot at a ring two
inches in diameter at the distance of ten rods, paying sixpence
a shot, and being entitled to fifty cents when I hit the ring.
It requires a good marksman to do this with success. But I
never found my equal with the rifle in my early days.

About the year 1825 I joined the first uniformed Company
we had in Buffalo, the "Rifle Company." While I was a
member of this, a nice rifle was furnished by the officers, to be
given to the one who made the best shot in the whole Com
pany, officers and all. To shoot for this rifle, we marched out
of the village into an open lot which was situated about where
North Pearl street enters Allen. There each of the riflemen
had one shot at a mark painted on a board, at the distance of
about ten rods, off-hand. Most of the Company had made
their shots before I was called out, when I stepped forward,
and cracked away; and when the mark was examined there
was a shout, — for I had got in ahead of all the rest.
At another subsequent time there were three powder-flasks
furnished to be shot for. I won one of them, but gave it to the
one who made the next best shot, as I had taken the rifle
before. This rifle I now have. I made it a present to my
brother. Philander, and he used it; and when his son Augustus
had grown up he gave it to him, and he used it a number of
years,, when he died; and a few years later my brother died,
and subsequently his widow gave it back to me, — -it having till
then been out of my hands forty years or more.

-EARLY RELIGIOUS SERVICES AND
SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
[See page i8, line 26.]

I. — Religious Services.
Although Mr. Hodge so late in life became a member of a
church, he brought up his family in the way of attendance
upon Christian worship and the use of such means of instruc
tion in religious things as the times afforded. In this paper I

give therefore, some reminiscences concerning these matters.
The first Religious Service which I remember to have at
tended, was one held in a hewn-log house on farm lot No. 33.
I was then, I think, six or seven years of age; for it must have
been in or shortly before the first year of the last war with
England, — that is, in 1811 or 1812. At this service there Was
preaching, and the scene made a lasting impression on my
mind. I have never forgotten the effect that it produced
upon me, for it made me at that early age feel that I wanted
to be a Christian.
At this period, as I remember well, I for the first time
heard our district school teacher open the school with prayer.
It was a new experience to hear the quiet voice of prayer in
the place usually full of the disturbances caused by uneasy,
stirring children. These prayers at the beginning of the school
day also made on my mind a lasting impression, and their
effect upon me, then, a seven-years-old, dark-haired, curly-
headed boy, I now, a white-headed man of eighty years and
more, recall distinctly. Though seventy-three years have
passed I have never forgotten Mr. Eaton, — him who was our
day-school teacher at that time. Most of those who attended
that school then, have, I presume (like himself), long since
passed away from the scenes of this life. I know of only one
of them, besides myself, who is now living. I cannot with
hold the thought, how well it would be if, now-a-days, every
school could be opened with prayer; and the pleasant memory
of the exercise be carried down into later days!
I remember well Rev. Glezen Fillmore's preaching in our
log school-house in 1814. It was his custom to come around
two or three times a year, on horseback; and at these times
he always staid over night at my father's house. Elder Fill
more, it is well known, was the pioneer of Methodism in West
ern New York.
In the early part of 18 15, the war closed. Between that
time and 1820, meetings for conference and prayer were held

"3
at the Cold Spring tavern, which was kept by Stephen Frank
lin, a very active Christian man.
Meanwhile, in 1816, the First Presbyterian Church, whose
members had been scattered by the war, had been re-organized,
and Rev. Miles P. Squier had, in the same year, become its
pastor. The place for holding the church services was, I think,
at first, a school-room on the " Kremlin Block," and after
wards the Court-house, and these were the places where we
attended worship. I well remember the religious services
which were held in the Court-house. The seats were mere
rough boards, laid on saw-benches or something of that sort.
The women and children sat together, on one side of the room,
and the men on the other side. After a while some families
who could afford it, provided themselves with nice painted
seats of pine plank with backs to them; and then the members
of each family would all sit together. In those times we had
preaching morning and afternoon, and usually evenings too.
Few families from our neighborhood, however, attended reg
ularly, — some not at all. And there were not many individ
uals among us who professed to be Christians.
The principal leaders at the meetings which were held in
our Cold Spring neighborhood, according to my recollection,
were Deacons Jabez Goodell, Amos Callender and, I think,
Joseph Stocking, of the First Presbyterian Church; and it was
seldom that we had preaching in the neighborhood. The
practice came to be, after a while, to have some person come
to preach or exhort, on Sunday, at the school-house, but
without stated or regular preaching for any length of time.
Thus it went on for many years.
In 1830 or 1831, Deacon Abner Bryant and myself "took
turns " in bringing out and taking back from and to the village,
those who would come to preach in our school-house on Sun
day evening. This we continued for a season or more.
Among those who thus preached for us was Rev. James Rem
ington. He, at the commencement of his ministerial life, used

114
to come and hold service in our school-house quite frequently.
Rev. James N. Granger, son of the late Judge Erastus Gran
ger, a member of the Baptist denomination, before he had
finished his studies, held meetings there, also. His father's
house was on the west side of Main street, just north of Con
jockety's creek. So also another young Baptist minister. Rev.
Mr. Brown, preached for us a number of Sabbath evenings.
He was very much liked by the people. Other young men
who were yet in the midst of their studies for the ministry,
came out from time to time, and held evening meetings
with us.
I remember, besides those I have named, another, a Meth
odist preacher. Rev. Orin Abbott. I recollect his own ac
count of his conversion. It was in the time of the War of
1812, while our army had possession of Fort Erie. He was a
soldier in the army, and when at one time walking on his
"beat" between the two hostile forces at the dead of night,
under a clear sky, and with the stars shining brightly above
him, he became engaged in thinking of God, and his almighty
power, and of his o^yn nothingness in the sight of God. Thus
contemplating, he received into his rriind and heart that light,
and new comprehension of truth, which he believed to be a
"change of heart;" and then and there he became a con
verted man. II. — Sunday-Schools.
I became a scholar in the first Sunday-School which was
established in the Town of Buffalo, very soon, as I am quite
sure, after it was commenced; and this was at least as early as
the spring of 1817. I do not find any records showing posi
tively that this was the time at which the school was started;
but it was that of the First Presbyterian Church, and the
yearly anniversary meeting of that school is held in May.
And, although Dr. Walter Clarke in his " Historical Dis
course " and Elder Farnham in his paper on "The First Pres
byterian Church," give the date of 1816 for the organization

"5
of this school, the published Manuals of the Church give 1817
as the date, which is doubtless the true one.
This school at first contained n.ot more than a dozen schol
ars, but the number soon increased. And it might appear
that other schools were very soon established, for, on the sixth
of August, 1817, the "Buffalo Sunday-school Society"
was formed. I copy a notice of the meeting at which this
Society was organized, from the Buffalo Gazette of August 12,
1817, as follows:
"At a meeting of a number of the inhabitants of the village
on Friday last, an Association was formed denominated 'The
Buffalo Sunday-school Society,' and the following gentlemen
(were) elected to manage the concern the ensuing year:
Isaac Kibbe,  President.
Heman B. Potter, . Vice President.
Eleazer Aspinwall, . . Treasurer.
Jasper Corning, .... Secretary.
Amos Callender, Joseph Stocking, Samuel Bosworth,
Nathaniel Sill, Elijah Holt, Asa Rice,
H. M. Campbell,  Committee."
Yet, it may have been that this Society was formed for the
purpose of Sunday-school extension, when as yet only one
school was in operation, — especially as the officers appear to
have been chiefly, if not wholly, members of the First Church
congregation. This view is favored by the fact that the name
appears to have been within four years changed to " The
Buffalo Sabbath-school Union Society," which is indicated in
the following notice cut from an old Buffalo paper, the date
being August 7, 182 1:
" The fourth anniversary of the Buffalo Sabbath-school
Union Society was held at the Court-house, yesterday. At
2 o'clock, P. M., scholars and teachers to the number of nearly
two hundred assembled at the District School-house, and went
in procession to the Court-house. The public exercises were

ii6
opened with an appropriate hymn, and prayer by the Rev. M.
P. Squier. The report of the Board of Managers for the last
year was read. On motion of J. B. Hyde, accompanied with
some suitable remarks, seconded by Rev. M. P. Squier :
Resolved, that the report of the Board of Managers be ac
cepted. On motion of Mr. Squier, attended with an appro
priate address, and seconded by Mr. Jabez Goodell: Resolved,
that the thanks of this Society be tendered to the superintend
ent and teachers of the various schools for their persevering
labors the past year.
The public exercises were closed with a prayer by Mr.
Hyde, after which the Society proceeded to the election of the
following Board of Officers for the ensuing year:
Joseph Stocking, . President.
H. B. Potter, . . . Vice President.
Abner Bryant, . , Treasurer.
Asa Rice, . . ... Secretary.
Rev. Miles P. Squier, Jabez Goodell, Peter West,
Elijah D. Efner, Samuel Bosworth, Hiram Pratt,
Benjamin Hodge, Jr.,  Managers."
The "various schools" which are referred to in this report,
might seem to have been different denominational schools ;
but the officers of the Union Society appear still to have been
almost or quite all from the First Church. At any rate it is
true that when Sunday-schools were first established in Buf
falo, they were approved of by all Orthodox Christians, and
nearly all who were not professors of religion. Some few
parents there were, however, who did not approve of them,
and therefore would not let their children attend.
As I have said, I was a member of the First Church Sunday-
school almost from its commencement. Its place of meeting
was at first a one-and-a-half story wooden building near the
center of the "Kremlin Block," Main street, between Eagle
and Niagara. I think that'a day-school was also kept in this

117
building, probably the district school; and that the church
services were at that time held there also. The Sunday-school
was called by us boys " Mr. Coming's Sunday-school." This
was for the reason that he, Mr. Jasper Corning, was the
Superintendent; and it was especially appropriate, because he
was in fact the former of it. Miss Abigail Kibbe (whom
Mr. Corning subsequently married) and Miss Mary Martin,
were teachers with him, from the commencement. Miss
Kibbe and Mr. Corning had joined the First Church, she by
letter, he on profession of faith, the same day, — April 4, 18 16.
Miss Martin was a sister of a Mrs. Lamed whose name is
erroneously given in the Historical notices of the First Church
published in its Manuals, as one of the organizers and first
teachers of its Sunday-school. It is distinctly remembered by
a lady now living. Miss Mary Cotton, that- Miss Martin, and
not Mrs. Lamed, was the teacher with Miss Kibbe; and that
her sister, Marcia A. Cotton, and Sarah Remington, sister of
Reverends David and James Remington, were in Miss Mar
tin's class.
Mr. Corning was then a young man in business here as clerk,
or as part owner, in (if I am not mistaken) Mr. Cunningham's
dry-goods store; a dry-goods store of those days, I may observe,
however, which contained many other articles than dry-goods.
When the Church meetings began to be held in the Court
house, the Sunday-school also met there, between the morning
and afternoon services.
I do not remember, positively, that any scholars from our
neighborhood went with me to that Sunday-school at the be
ginning; but I think that one or two other boys did do so: and
I remember only Charles C. Haddock and Munson Landon,
who lived in the village, as attending at that time. From
information, I can give only the names of Marcia A. Cotton
and Sarah Remington, already mentioned. I know that Orsa-
mus H. Marshall was in the school, but not till a few years
after the commencement. I am not sure whether at this time

ii8
the school was held before the morning service or immediately
after it. But when the church services began to be attended
at the Court-house, the school was also held there, and then
met between the forenoon and afternoon services.
The custom was for the school to be opened by the Super
intendent with the reading of a portion of Scripture, and a
prayer. I do not remember that there was any singing at first,
though there may have been, and it is certain that there was
singing after a while. Deacon Abner Bryant used to bring his
children, as soon as they were old enough, to the Sunday-
school. His sons, Isaac, Henry and Abner, and his daughters,
Maria and Lucy, all became scholars, and afterwards teachers.
And Henry, when grown up, led the school in singing, for a
time; — and so we used to have, if not the very best, some
pretty loud singing. The older scholars were required to learn
and recite about six verses from the New Testament. My
first lesson was from the second chapter of Matthew, begin
ning with, " Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem." The
younger scholars were required to learn one verse, or more, if
they could, from some little hymn, or one verse of Scripture.
After the recitation the Superintendent explained the lesson,
and talked to the scholars. There were no libraries of Sunday-^
school books, nor Sunday-school papers, for the children of
those days to read; nor were there any such things here until
many years after the school was organized. There were no
Sunday-school picnics, either, to attract children to the school,
or give them a pleasant variety now and then. There was in
fact nothing provided to give to the scholars by way of in
ducements to be present, except now and then, though very
seldom, a few tracts (at first, I am positive, — not even these),
and occasionally, by way of reward, a Bible. These, like
other books, were scarce and not easily procured. But, in
1816 The American Bible Society was formed, in the city
of New York, and in September of that year The Buffalo
Female Bible Society (Auxiliary) was established here. The

119
main object of this was to furnish a complete copy of the
Bible at a low, cash price, so that every family, even every in
dividual, might possess one. By paying fifty cents into the
Society's treasury, a person could become a member, and re
ceive a Bible. I remember how an Englishman, James Brom
ley, who was working for my father at this time, felt quite de
lighted to belong to a Bible Society, though he was not a relig
ious man. So he paid his fifty cents, and received his new
Bible. Being uneducated, however, he could hardly read a
word. He had left England in the capacity of servant to an
English 6fficer, in the War of 1812, but had deserted and come
across Niagara river to Buffalo. With this Bible he made
considerable progress in learning to read.
Now, as a reward for learning and reciting a certain number
of Scripture verses a new Bible was sometimes promised and
given. In that way I remember to have received one. This
arrangement made it comparatively easy to procure Bibles for
presents, and carry out this plan for inducing the children to
commit the Word of God to memory. An incident connected
with this matter of learning and reciting verses, was given me
by the late Henry H. Hawkins, Esq., of Silver Creek (son of
Whipple Hawkins whom I have already had occasion to
mention) who was a scholar in the First Church Sunday-school
when it was meeting in the Court-house. Mr. Hawkins re
membered that the sessions were held in a room on the south
side of the hall in the Old Court-house building; — he thought
the Grand Jury room. He remembered, also. Rev. Mr. Squier,
the minister. Deacon Goodell, Deacon Stocking and Deacon
Callender, as some of the teachers. And he remembered that
on first entering the school a lesson was given him in the New
Testament, to learn. But he did not understand that he was
to learn only a small given number of verses, — so he learned
and recited the whole chapter. After he had finished the
recitation Mr. Squier patted him on the head, and said, " My
little son, you have done nobly and well, in getting the whole

chapter by heart, but you need not learn so much in future;
you may learn six verses only."
No doubt the Sunday-school Society, too, with its anniver
sary exercises and processions, had a good effect in making
the idea of the Sunday-school a pleasant one, in a time when
means of enjoyment of a public character were few. It is to
be feared that the children of to-day do not appreciate their
advantages and privileges as they would if, for even a very
little while, they should be situated as the children were in the
days of which I am writing. It is to be regretted that no
records were kept in the early days of this school of any of its
proceedings; and that so many of the facts concerning it can
only be gathered up, in fragments, from the memory of the
few who knew anything of those days gone by.
A Sunday-school was commenced in our neighborhood
(Cold Spring), after the organization of the Buffalo Sunday-
school Society, though probably not till the spring or summer
of 1818. This school was started in our little log school-
house, which I have already mentioned, and which stood on
the grounds occupied by Police Station number six; or, to
be more particular, on the west side of Main street, at the
northeast corner of farm lot No. 58. The male teachers were
David Remington and Benjamin Hodge, Jr.; and, some of the
time, Adams Holt, from " The Plains." The female teachers
were Miss Sarah Remington, Miss Sarah Hodge, Mrs. Daniel
Lewis, and, I think, her daughter, Miss Calista Lewis, and
Miss Mary Cotton. Others become teachers from year to
year, whose names I cannot at this late day bring to mind.
I can state it as a fact that the ranks of the teachers were
mainly filled by the scholars of the school as they grew up, and
became able to assume the responsibility. From the begin
ning and till 1829, Benjamin Hodge, Jr., was the Superinten
dent, and of him it is only just to say here, that during the
thirty-two years that this school existed, he was absent but a
very few times, I believe never unless on account of sickness.

.121
There were even times when he was the only teacher present.
In 1829, Deacon Abner Bryant, having moved from the village
into our neighborhood, took charge of the school as Superin
tendent. The scholars whom I can mention as among the
first in attendance at this school were William A. Remington,
William Hodge, Jr., Sophia Hodge, Mary A. B. Hodge, Sam
uel Ward Cotton, Henry H. Hawkins and his sister, John
Munger, Maria Granger, Beulah Granger, Edward Granger,
Charles Wilber, Lucy Wilber and George Wilber. I presume
that there were some from other families, such as Jacob Morri
son's and Stephen Franklin's. After Mr. Bryant became
Superintendent, in 1829, Benjamin Hodge, Jr., continued as
principal teacher. David Remington and Adams Holt had
removed from the place some years before. Of myself I can
say that I was a constant attendstnt, from the beginning, first
as a scholar, then as a teacher, until the school was united
with that of the present Westminster Church, in 1850. And
I think I have attended Sunday-school as scholar and teacher
in Buffalo longer than any other person now living here. It
is sixty-eight years since I entered the first one, and I have
been in the Sunday-school most of the time since.
The Cold Spring school, was held immediately after we had
returned home from the afternoon service in the village. It
was kept up every year through the warm weather, in the school-
house, commencing in the spring, as early as we ceased to need
fires; continuing until the weather became too cold in the fall;
and even through a few of the winters it was also continued,
Benjamin Hodge, Jr., having it meet in a room in his own
house. But the attendance was small in the winter season, as
the weather was too cold, and the walking was bad, there
being no sidewalks.
In 1850, this school, the second started in Western New
York, was merged in the one which was the beginning of
Westminster Presbyterian Church. The united schools met
in the little brick Chapel which stood where the edifice of
Westminster Church now stands.

R.— SCHOOL-HOUSES AND TEACHERS.

Cold Spring District, (No. 2.)
I here add to the account given at pages 94-100, of my
schools and teachers, a full list, from my own remembrance
and from information which I have collected, of the teachers
of School No. 2 (3 and 16)— or the " Cold Spring District,"
to the year 1846. The first name to record is that of a Mr.
Sturgeon, who taught in the log school-house mentioned at
page 94, which stood on farm-lot No. 33, about opposite where
Bryant street enters Main. This was previous to 1809. His
successor was Dr. Abram Tourtelot, who took the school in
1809. He was a pioneer resident here, well educated for his
profession; but, as was often necessary in those days, to pro
cure means of support, added to his practice the honorable
vocation of a school-teacher. I do not know whence he came;
but doubtless, like all the teachers of that day who were not
natives here, he originated " down east." I do not remember
him as my teacher, but I know from the statements of my
uncle, Benjamin Hodge, Jr., that I attended his school when
I was but five years of age. My uncle has told me that the
boys then had to pick up armfuls of small wood and sticks, to
make and keep the school fire.
My aunt, Miss Sabrina Abbott, was the next teacher, in 1810,
in a log house standing four or five rods from the road, opposite
the Cold Spring, where Ferry street now is. The ground
there was low and flat, and often the way from the road to the
house was very wet, and logs having the upper side hewn flat,
were laid over this space to walk on. Miss Abbott came from
Richfield, N. Y., in 1807 or -8, living with her sister, my
mother. She was married in 181 1, to Ebenezer Howes, and
was left a widow the next year, — continuing then in my
father's family for twenty years or more, till her son had grown

123
to manhood. They then went to Monroe, Mich., where he
opened a store, and soon after married. He continued eight
or ten years in mercantile business. But his wife, and a few
years later he himself, died; and his mother closed up his
business and came back to Buffalo, making her home again in
my father's family till after the death of my father and
mother in 1848 and i868, respectively. She died in 1876, aged
eighty-seven years; being the last survivor of the ten children,
five sons and five daughters, of my grandfather, Daniel Abbott.
The next school-house to be mentioned, is a log one on lot
39, about where Puffer street enters the east side of Main,
which stood ten or fifteen rods from the road, and to which I
have already twice referred. I remember going and coming
as a scholar there, and having, in a wet time, to climb along
a rail fence on my way to and from school, — walking on the
big logs which lay at the bottom.
In 1 81 1 the teacher there was Miss Hull. I am quite sure
she was a resident of the town, if not the neighborhood. My
uncles, Benjamin Hodge, Jr., and Velorus Hodge, were among
the scholars there. Next I remember attending a school kept
in a double log house on lot 30, already mentioned, about
where St. Paul street is located. A family named Seaver lived
in the north room, the school occupying the south end of the
building. I think that this was in 181 1 or -12, but I do not
remember the teacher's name.
I do not know when our school district was organized; but
the first school I remember as being kept on the "old school-
house lot," now occupied by Police Station No. 6, at the
northeast corner of farm lot No. 58, was then under the care
of Mr. Eaton (to whom I have referred at page 112), in the
year 1812. I think that the school district was organized at
about this time.
In the summer of 1813 Miss Polly Lay was the teacher
here, about whom I remember little except the name.
William Cogswell taught this school in the winter of 1812-

124
13. I remember him very distinctly as a middle-aged man, and
a good teacher, who governed his scholars well, and was
greatly liked by them. I know nothing of his history. The
next summer, 1813, our teacher was Miss Jewett, concerning
whom I can give no information.
I am quite sure that in the winter of 1813-14, in the war
time, and after Buffalo was burned, no school was maintained
here. Of perhaps twelve families which returned that winter,
only two, I think, were from our neighborhood, — those of
Major Frederick Miller and William Hodge, Sen.
Before continuing my list of teachers I vi^ill here give an
account of the purchase of a school lot, and some general
facts as to the school-house, and the school life of those days.
After the organization of our school district, the trustees, in
1814 or -15, purchased a school-house lot. The District, as
first organized, included lot No. 50, commonly called the
" Walden Hill " farm lot. Beginning in the easterly line of
the "Mile Strip," at the southwest corner of that lot, the
south line then ran east to Main street, then north to the
center of the [present High street, which it followed till it
struck the farm lot next to, and east of, Jefferson street ;
thence south, so as to include this lot ; thence east to the
line running north and south between the lots of ranges 8
and 7, now the line of Moselle street ; thence north on that
line till it struck the " Chapin road ;" thence west on the
dividing line between the Chapin and Granger farms, as far
as the " Mile Strip," and thence south on the easterly line of
the " Mile Strip " to the southwest corner of the Walden farm,
the place of beginning.
At that time there was but one family in the District, on the
Cayuga road, now Best street,- — that of Robert Reynolds, liv
ing on the south side of the junction of what are now Best and
Genesee streets. The latter was then laid out only west of
Main street; East Genesee street being opened, I think, be
tween 1825 and 1830. There were but two families on what

125
was then the "Adams" road (now discontinued), — those of
Joseph Adams and William Long. On the " Chapin " road,
south side, was Roswell Hosford (his place having afterwards
been the Longnecker farm and being now Prof. West's); and
there were no more families in the district except those on the
Main road from "Flint Hill" to "Walden Hill."
For a school lot, the Trustees took a bond or contract of
Daniel Lewis, dated November i8, 1816, to deed, from lot 58,
a piece sixty feet square, " beginning eighteen rods from a
certain road laid to Black Rock " (now Utica street); the deed
to be executed on or before May 14, 1821; and the price
being one hundred and twenty dollars. December 13, i8i8.
Oilman Folsom assumed this obligation; and in 1823 Selden
Davis took it, with this change ; — he was to deed a piece of land
on the northeast corner of the same lot, 58, sixty feet deep,
the front measure not being given; but the understanding was,
I remember, that the piece was to be larger than the one first
agreed upon, in consideration of its being taken from the
lower corner instead of from the center of the farm lot. On
this corner, then, it was, that the small log house stood, in
which our district school had for several years been already
kept, and which was large enough for our needs in those
times. And here, after it was burned, as I shall presently re
late, the new "plank" school-house to be soon described,
was built. In summer there were then from fifteen to twenty
scholars; in winter, more, — the "grown-up" boys and girls
then having time to attend. This school-house was about 18
by 24 feet in size, with three windows of 7x9 glass. The floor
was of wide boards, broad enough, at least, to admit of a good
deal of shrinking; and not being matched, the cracks between
them became quite large, and many of the boards were loose.
Free circulation was thus given for wind which blew in un
derneath. As for the side walls, to put the house in condi
tion for winter, mortar was used to make the " chinking " be
tween the logs all tight, where it had been dug out by the mis-

126
chievous scholars. Overhead were the round, naked beams
which supported the roof-boards, there being no chamber-
room. In the fire-place, which was without " jambs," we
could burn wood of any length up to eight feet. The writing-
desk was a board set lengthwise along the wall, slanting down
wards towards the center of the room, the upper edge being
fastened to the logs. The seats running in front of and paral
lel with this, were pine slabs with legs set in, and without
backs; — a second (or front) row of lower seats being added to
accommodate the smaller children.
The front door, the only door in the building, had a great,
old-fashioned lock, set in a block of wood, and fastened to the
door on the inside, with large screws. It was furnished with
a big iron key which, each day at the closing of the school, in
winter-time, was given to one of the large boys, who " took
their turns " in making the fires in the morning. The teach
er's "stand" was a little one, having a small drawer with a
lock and key, for "valuables." These private premises some
times, however, suffered depredations at the scholars' hands,
when the key was lost.
An important part of school-keeping, in those days, was the
administration oi punishment. The rod and ferule were freely
used; some teachers preferring one, and some the other.
I often saw the green "birch" rod applied pretty severely to
the backs and shoulders of boys, when quite a sensation would
be made among the scholars. My own punishments, I am glad
to say, were limited to a tap or two of the ferule, on a single
occasion, which hurt nothing except my " feelings." Some
times, when the whip was not at hand, or was too dry, a large
boy was sent out to cut and bring in some birch rods. The
teacher, selecting a couple, ran them into the hot ashes, under
the "forestick," in order to make them more pliable and
tough; then, requiring the boy to take off his coat, gave him
several " cuts " with the green rod over his shoulders and
back, which frequently brought him to the floor, and forced

127 *
him to beg for mercy. The marks of these blows would be
visible for some days. Few, however, seemed to require this,
I think, most unreasonable and unwise treatment.
Other modes of punishment were practiced (not always fully
effectual) as for instance, in the case of a certain couple of
offending lads, six or seven years of age. To punish the one
most guilty, a loose floor-board was raised, and he was put
down through the opening. On the board the other lad was re
quired to st-and, and there to remain until the under one was
thought to be sufficiently punished. The upper boy was then
sent to his seat, the board raised, and the little rogue under
neath called to, to " come out," — but no boy appeared, or an
swered. The culprit had been too " sharp " for that teacher,
having, soon after he was imprisoned, crawled out and scam
pered home. This boy, I may add, was he who afterwards be
came Hon. Henry H. Hawkins of Silver Creek, N. Y., the
other was my own younger brother. Philander, — both now de
ceased. I here resume my notices of the teachers of our District
school. After the War, in the winters of 1815-16 and r8i6-
17, Henry Lovejoy was our teacher. He had kept the school,
also (if any one had, which is doubtful), in the summer of 1815.
Henry Lovejoy's mother, it was (the widow of Joshua Love-
joy), who, in the burning of Buffalo, had been killed by the
Indians, in her own house, her body being burned with it.
The son gathered her charred bones together, and brought
them, wrapped in a newspaper, to my father's house.
By application to study he had acquired as good a "com
mon school education " as the times would allow, and turned
his attention to the art of surveying, in which he became
proficient. He continued its practice, as his business, in Buf
falo, to the end of his long life. No man knew better than
he, the original boundaries of our city lots, and of the farms
adjoining. Indeed, in later years, in cases where the old
land-marks were not to be found, he would sometimes trust

128
too much to his own knowledge, to satisfy some, for, standing
at a corner, and " sighting " in different directions with his
eye, he would strike his hickory compass-staff into the ground,
saying, " That is near enough for all practical purposes."
In the winter of 1816-17, 'he teacher was Mr. Fuller.
I remember him well, as a good teacher whom the scholars
liked; but I can give no further account of him. The next
winter, 1817-18, William Godfrey, a man in middle life,
kept our school. Like his predecessor, he was a good teacher.
He probably came to us from "down east."
About the middle of May, 1818, David Remington took
the school, and taught it one quarter. His "pay" was by
agreement with the trustees, thirty dollars for the term, and
besides, one dollar and fifty cents per week, for thirteen weeks,
as allowance in consideration of his "boarding himself."
I can give the names of the heads of families whose children
during this quarter attended our school. They are as fol
lows: David Hennion, Charles H. Averill, Shadrach Remington
(father of the teacher), Daniel Lewis, William Hodge, Sacket
Dodge, Mrs. Balch, Alvan Dodge, Stephen Patch, Stephen
Allen, John McCollister, David Reese, Lyman Persons,
Joseph Adams, Zerah Averill, Daniel Wilber, Seth Granger.
The school-bill bears date July 15, 1818, and is in the hand
writing of Mr. Remington, who was a beautiful penman.
Mr. Remington's mother was a sister of Erastus Granger,
Seth Granger and Mrs. Oliver Forward. He married Miss
Esther Low, and with her for several years did missionary
work among the Indians.
Benjamin Hodge, Jr., who came from Otsego county
with his father in 1806, became our teacher in 18 19. He had
several years before " graduated " at the first district school
here organized, thus " finishing his education." He was
elected clerk of the district at its organization, and held the
office about twenty-five years,— being re-elected annually,
until the district came under the laws of the City Corporation.

129
He continued to reside here, and held several offices, civil
and military. His death occurred June 8, 1868, when he was
seventy-one years of age.
In 1820 Calvin Ely taught our winter school. He was a
young man, well qualified for the work. His father, a retired
Congregational minister, moved from Connecticut and settled
in this town in 1818, residing on Niagara street, near Prospect
Hill. His family consisted of his wife, five sons and four
daughters, all of whom had received a good education, supe
rior, indeed, to that of most of the families in our vicinity.
All these sons and daughters became teachers in our district
or public schools; some of them continuing such for several
years. The youngest daughter taught the school which was
maintained in connection with the county poor-house, then
situated at the junction of North and York streets; contract
ing, in this occupation, the disease of which she died.
The family subsequently removed to that part of the town
'of Amherst, which has since taken the name of Cheektowaga.
The only survivors are Sterling, residing in the city, and
Selden, at Cheektowaga. Calvin died about eight years ago.
Most of the sons have held town or county offices, Selden
having been at one time superintendent of the city schools.
Of our next teacher through the year 1821 and the winter
and spring of 1822, Lot Stoddard, I have written at length in
an article given above, at pages 94-97; but I here add, that
while Mr. Stoddard was teacher in the latter part of the win
ter of 1821-22, an event occurred long to be remembered by
those then attending the school, — namely, the destruction of
our log school-house by fire. In ordinarily cold winter
weather, it was impossible to keep the school-room comforta
ble. Most of the time, in school-hours, there would be a
number of the scholars standing around the great log fire, to
warm themselves; the teacher letting them "take turns," six
or eight at a time. After a succession of cold days, and of
not very good fires, the large boys took turns at making the

13°
fire in the morning (the older girls taking their turns at noon
in sweeping the school-room floor). We had no cover for our
wood; — a wood-shed or any shelter for wood was never thought
of, for a school-house, and such a thing was hardly known to
exist in the town. So, sometimes, when the fire refused to
burn well, one of the larger boys was sent out with an axe, to
make a raid on a dry fence-rail, cut it up, and split it fine
enough to start up the lazy, smoking fire. But one cold after
noon, before school was dismissed, Asahel Bill, one of the
oldest scholars, was directed to make the fire next morning,
and was cautioned by the teacher to make a "good one." In
reply he said he would, adding, that he would make " a
snorter." And he did, and a "roarer," too. He came early
in the morning, before breakfast, and made the fire, and when
we came " to school," our old, cold, dusty and dirty school-
house was in flames, and past saving. But Mr. Stoddard was
sufficient for any emergency. So, the south end of the double
log-house, on the Granger lot. No. 59, now Spring Abbey, was
secured, and after one or two days spent by the teacher and
some of the larger boys in fitting it up, the school went on as
usual through the winter and spring.
But another school-house was to be built, and William T.
Miller, Alvan Dodge and William Hodge, Sen., trustees, taking
the matter in hand, made preparations for building; and our ox-
team was brought into requisition to haul logs to Granger's
saw-mill to be made into lumber for the purpose, the writer
driving the team.
Meanwhile, in the summer of 1822, our school was taught
by Miss Mary Stanley Cotton, who came into this neighbor
hood with her father's family, from Massachusetts, in r8ii.
The family consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Cotton, three sons and
three daughters; but of them all Miss Mary only, whom I have
mentioned, is now living. Mrs. Cotton was left a widow in
1812. She did not marry again, and none of the children were
ever married. Miss Cotton was a well educated young lady.

131
and a good teacher; and this was not the only time in which
she was employed in our summer school.
We hurried forward the building of the new school-house,
which was what is termed a plank-house, clap-boarded. In
this we had, when finished, a box stove instead of a fire-place.
So much was done by way of improvement for the comfort of
smaller scholars, that board backs were made for their seats,
while the older scholars had at least the comfort of resting
their backs sometimes against the edge of their writing board.
The school-house was finished, and the winter of 1822-23
had come. Of our teacher that winter, Millard Fillmore, I
have already written at length, pages 97-99, and need add
nothing further here, only repeating what I have before said,
that this term completed my own school-days.
In the spring of 1823, Mr. Fillmore having finished his term
as school-teacher, a supply was needed. Schoolmasters were
not " abroad " in such plenty, then, that it was always easy to
get one when required. In such cases a teacher was procured
from our own neighborhood, and in this instance Benjamin
Hodge, Jr., was again called to serve.
In the winter of 1823 -24 Mr. L. Fiske became the teacher
•of our district school. He was an Englishman, a man who
moved about the world "to see what he could see." He was
lame, and had a crippled hand. I believe he taught well, but
have no special recollection of him.
In the summer of the year 1824, Miss Sarah Remington, a
sister of David Remington, was the teacher. She was a very
modest, ladylike girl, and was called to this station more than
•once. It appears that a Mr. Griffin taught here in the winter of
1824-25. I have no further information concerning him.
The summer-school this year was taught by Miss Marcia
Abba Cotton, a young sister of Mary S. Cotton, living in the
-district. She was a perfect lady and good teacher. She con-
¦tinued teaching in different districts quite a length of time,-

132
and subsequently taught a private school many years, until her
death, which was occasioned by fatigue, and a severe cold,
which settled on her lungs.
In 1825-26 Charles Taintor taught our school, "boarding
'round." He was a well-educated young man, and taught
well. He subsequently married Miss Catharine Musier, and
was one of the first settlers on Delaware street, above North.
Their children were six in number, of whom four were within
a few years, and I think still are, living; one in China in the
employ of the government of that country, the other three
brothers in New York City. All were most enterprising
young men.
In the summer of 1826, Miss Mary S. Cotton again taught
our district school. The male teachers in 1827 and 1828 were
Ai Barney and A. N. Fillmore. I am not sure but that both
were law students, and formerly from Clarence in this county.
The lady teachers in these two years were Mrs. Clarissa Ayles-
worth, a daughter of Benjamin Hodge, Sen., and Miss Sarah
Remington, already mentioned.
For the winter of 1828-29 Philander Hodge, a son of Wil
liam Hodge, Sen., had been engaged as our teacher. He had
been in school at Hartwick, N. Y., for several terms, and after
finishing his studies there, returned home and accepted an en
gagement from our school trustees. After teaching the school
several weeks, however, he gave it up, to take a position, which
he had for some time desired to obtain, in a broker's or ex
change office, in the village, aud the school was for several
days without a teacher. At the urgent request of William T.
Miller, William Hodge, Jr., an elder brother of Philander,
took the position, to hold it for a few days, till a regular
teacher could be obtained. He did so, and the result was that
he continued in that work during the winter and spring. His
ability for teaching was not of course great, his early educa
tion having been in " log colleges " and his graduation from the
little plank school-house so lately built; audit should be added,.

133
his associations having been close all his life thus far, with the
native inhabitants of the country, the Seneca Indians. However,
his application to study had thus been very "close" — being con-
fned to little log houses, and three or four months in the year.
This teacher boarded at home, in his father's family, and if
his scholars improved in studies, that winter, as much as the
teacher did, which, I think, was the case, they could have had
no reason to complain.
In the summer of 1829, Mrs. Sabrina Howes (who, as Miss
Sabrina Abbott, had taught the school in 1810) again became
the teacher. I need only refer here to my notice of her life
given above.
In the winter of 1830, Charles B. Field was the teacher. I
am not sure but that he was also one of the schoolmasters
"abroad." Though a worthy man and good teacher, I can
only give him this brief notice.
In the summer of this year, 1830, Miss Harris conducted
the school. She was a young lady from the City of New
York, highly educated, very lady-like in appearance, above
the average of young ladies. She made her home with a
family of her acquaintance in the village, but " boarded
'round," while teaching our school.
In 1830, James N. Granger, a son of Judge Erastus Granger,
taught the winter school. He was "to the manor born," was
liberally educated, and well qualified to teach. He studied
for the ministry, became a Baptist minister; married Miss
Anna Davis, in Connecticut,- and was settled as pastor of a
congregation in Providence, R. I. His death occurred in 1856.
The summer school of 183 1 was taught by a cousin of
James N. Granger, Miss Harriet Maria Granger, who was also
" to the manor born," as born and brought up in our school
district. The winter school of 1831-32 was commenced by William
Hissey, an Englishman, who taught but a part of the season;
and it was continued till spring by Jonathan Wayne Dodge,

134
a young man " to the manor born," who had a few years
before graduated at this same district school.
The summer school of 1832 was taught by Miss Vietz, who
was succeeded in the winter of 1832-33 by George W. Cot
ton, whose sister, Mary Stanley Cotton, in the summer of 1833
took the school for a third time; George W. Cotton again
teaching in the winter, 1833-34, and, I believe, Miss Burchard
in the summer, — George W. Cotton still again taking the winter
school in 1834-35, and Miss Bailey the summer school in 1835.
In 1836, the year of the great financial crash, when nearly-
all were in debt and unable to pay debts, and it was well said
that "everybody owed everybody more than anybody was
worth," I find no record as to the teachers in our school.
In 1836-37, William D. Hatch taught our winter school.
I think he was from the town of Aurora, in this county. Miss
Norton and Miss Mary Cronyn were the teachers in the sum
mer of 1837.
The next winter, 1837-38, Charles B. Cook, of whom I re
member nothing, was our teacher, and Miss Potter had the
summer school, Charles B. Cook taking the school again the
following winter, 1838-39.
In the spring of 1839 William T. Miller and William Hodge,
Sen., trustees, engaged Miss Cordelia A. Hodge, a daughter of
Lorin Hodge and sister of Mrs. Wm. Hodge, Jr., to teach the
summer school at two dollars per week, boarding at home.
She had received as good a common-school education as
Western New York at that time afforded, and in her child
hood had traveled, with her father's family, over our western
lakes, and resided several years in a western territory, among
the Indians, becoming able to speak their language quite flu
ently. She and her sisters had also adopted the native cos
tume — short dresses, leggings or pantalettes, and deer-skin
moccasins, elaborately worked with beads and porcupine quills.
For some sufficient reason, however, perhaps from native del
icacy, they did not wear so many silver brooches as was cus-

135
tomary among the Indians. In dancing, which was much
practiced among the Indians, these young ladies became quite
proficient. Miss Hodge was to commence teaching after a delay of one
week from the engagement. Before the end of the week, a
lady friend of hers, Miss Mary Atkins, had come from her
home, in Jefferson, Ashtabula county, Ohio, where Miss
Hodge had formerly resided, desiring to take a school. To
accommodate her, her friend willingly gave up our school to
her care, starting a select school of her own, which she con
tinued through the warm season of the year, with profit and
success. Miss Atkins was one of the best educated ladies who
ever taught our district school. Since teaching here she
taught in various places, with success, — in Olean, N. Y., in
Oberlin, O., and in California, where she conducted a school
on her own account, for eight years. Thence she went to
Japan and China, but in one or two years returned to this
country, and soon after sailed for Europe. After her return,
she again taught In Oberlin. While there she married a law
yer — Mr. Lynch — and left immediately for New Orleans,
where she has since, for most of the time, resided. Mr.
Lynch was one of the Centennial Commissioners of 1876, and
after spending the season in duties at the great Exhibition,
they returned to their home in New Orleans.
In 1839-40 Isaac F. Bryant worthily and successfully
filled the position of teacher of our winter school, his father
having moved into our neighborhood about the year 1829.
The summer following. Miss Hosford again taught the
summer school, and the winter school of 1840-41 was under
the care of David Galusha. Of him I have no remembrance,
nor any record of the teachers for the following summer, the
winter of '41 and '42, or the summer of '42. In the autumn of
that year Samuel Slade became our teacher, continuing such
during all of 1843,-44 and -45, and leaving us in the spring

136
of 1846. Mr. Slade writes to me of himself, and the
school, thus:
" I commenced my labors as teacher in this district in the
autumn of 1842. The school was opened in the old wooden
structure (built, as I was informed, in very early days) and was
continued for one week, then removed to a building belonging
to the Barrs or the Barr estate, and standing south of the hotel.
In the meantime the old house was removed on to the adjoin
ing lot, preparatory to the erection of a new building on its
site. At the beginning of the third week we were back in the
old school-house, and labor in the construction of the new one
had commenced. The winter was an unusually severe one, but
the new building was finished and ready for occupancy early
in March. Dedicatory services were held on Sunday evening,
and a very eloquent and appropriate sermon was delivered by
the Rev. Mr. Hopkins of the First Presbyterian Church. The
shade trees, some of which are still in the yard and flourish
ing, and one of which is nearly or quite two and one-half feet
in diameter, were planted in the spring of 1843."
My chief purpose being to write of matters relating only to
our early history, I will not here continue the account of our
"Cold Spring School District" any further.
I close this paper with a few general observations.
School-teachers, in the olden time, especially in our newly
settled country, were looked upon as somewhat above the or
dinary classes of the people. All labor in our country is hon
orable — but that of the teacher being of the head rather than
the hands, commanded in early times a higher respect and
price as well. The common laborer received ten or twelve
dollars and board for twenty-six days' work, which number
was and now is required to make a month. The school
teacher received from twelve to twenty dollars and board and
was required to teach only six hours each working day. He
was also permitted to close his school in the middle of the
afternoon, on each Saturday, to give the scliiolars a little time

137
to play, and get their chores done up for the Sabbath, while
the common laborer was required to work from sunrise to
sundown, every working day.
The permission given by the trustees to close the school in
the middle of every Saturday afternoon grew into the practice
of dismissing at noon, and finally of not keeping at all on
Saturdays. As a general thing, male teachers were expected to collect
their money from those whose children attended the school,
making out their bills pro rata, according to the number of
days of schooling afforded.
This collecting was a pretty slow, and sometimes a very per
plexing job, and is presumed to have brought into existence
¦one of the verses of an old song, which in our yoiinger days
we used to hear sung, and in which there is much truth. Two
or three of the verses I can recall, thus:
HARD TIMES.
" The carpenter tells you he'll build you a house,
At two dollars a day, or by job; — not a mouse
Shall it harbor, he'll make it so tight and so snug: —
Neither he nor his 'prentice will half earn their grog.
These hard times.
" The hostler will give your horse plenty of hay,
And when your back's turned he will take it away;
For oats will give chaff, and for wheat will give bran.
While the landlord declares there's no honester man.
These hard times.
¦" The schoolmaster rages for want of more pay.
He declares he will have it, or else go away;
Half of his time he goes strutting about;
Four weeks make a month, and the Saturdays out
These hard times."

138
S.— MEMORANDA.

In this paper are collected several brief detached sketches
for the most part relating to persons, places and affairs men
tioned in the foregoing articles.
I. — Biographical Notices.
These consist of notes written out by way of comment on
papers read and discussed in Club Meetings of the Buffalo
Historical Society.
I. Red Jacket and Pratt's Ferry. — [See pages 97 and
67.] I remember Red Jacket well. In stature he was not
tall, 'but rather stoutly built, and straight as an arrow. He
was dignified in his appearance and walk, and quite reserved
¦in his manner. But his reserve was sometimes broken, as in the
following instance. Tradition says that he adopted Samuel
Pratt (whose ferry across Buffalo creek has been mentioned
above) as his son, and gave him a piece of land for a farm.
He made it a point to call on his " son " whenever he came
that way, making free to dine with him as occasion required.
The ferrying at Pratt's was accomplished by means of a flat
scow boat over which passed a rope, running on rollers, the
ends of which were fastened to strong posts on the opposite
sides of the creek. By pulling at this rope the boat was moved,
carrying over foot-passengers and teams. But sometimes, in
cold weather, the ice ¦would be strong enough to bear, and
crossing was done upon it. Red Jacket one day wanted to
cross,' but the scow was on the other side of the creek. As the
ice appeared to him strong enough to hold his weight, he
started to walk over. To explain what followed, it must be
here said that the chief was tenacious of the reservation lands
of his people, and never would consent to their being sold to
the whites. For many years efforts were made to effect a pur
chase, but no influence, not even money, could tempt the old
chief to let their possessions go.

139
Now, on the occasion I have mentioned. Red Jacket was
mistaken as to the security of the ice, and oh the way over it
broke and he fell in. While struggling hard to keep his head
above water, he cried out lustily for help, shouting over and
over " Son! son! come and help fne out or they will get all the
land !" His ruling idea was strong in his peril. Mr. Pratt,
being near by, did a son's duty by helping him out and saving
his life.
2. Young King. — I well remember what commotion there
was in Buffalo, one evening during the War of 1812 (such as
indeed frequently occurred),' when word was passed from one
to another throughout village and town, that our soldiers were
going to cross the river to invade Canada, and that Young King
one of the Seneca Chiefs, with thirty or forty volunteers from
his tribe, were to accompany them. ^ The history of those
ti'nes as published in the journals gives reasons why the army
and the volunteer Indians did not carry out the plan proposed.
I think, however, that the main reason was that the army con
sisted mostly of volunteers, who claimed that their duty was
to defend the frontier, and not to invade Canada.
Amon^ anecdotes concerning Young King, there is one
which ^^ive never seen published, excepting soon after the
occurrence to which it relates. Many years after the War of
1812, there was a petition of Young King before Congress for
a pension, for services rendered during the war. It was
gotten up by one of our sharp lawyers in "Buffalo, and was
presented with a speech of much eloquence by one of our rep-^
resentatives. It stated that Young King had been of much
service to the country during the war; had fought in several
battles, and had lost an arm. The pension was granted
without a reference or the asking of any questions. The name
of David Reese, the blacksmith for the Seneca Indians, was
not mentioned in the speech before Congress, although the
arm of Young King was really lost in an encounter with him,
as is well known.

I40
3. M. Louis Lecouteulx.— [See p. 28.] M. Lecouteulx
was Town Clerk when we came to "New Amsterdam " (or Buf
falo) in 1805. I have spoken of his old-style dress, queue,
breeches, long stockings and knee- and shoe-buckles. I know
of only two besides him who in those days still wore queues,
my grandfather, Benjamin Hodge, and Roswell Hosford. The
latter also wore the knee- and shoe-buckles; I remember seeing
my grandfather's buckles in his house, but never saw them
upon him.
M. Lecouteulx was very nice in his manners, and courteous
to all. One day, for instance, he came into Joseph Clary's
office, my father being there transacting some business with
" The 'Squire." The trio chatted awhile, when M. Lecouteulx,
rising, bade the 'Squire good day, and left the office. In a few
moments he returned, and begged my father's pardon for not
having spoken to him, also, when taking his leave.
He was also very particular and exact in transacting busi
ness, as for instance, buying of my father a barrel of flour, he
paid cash for it, but required also a receipt for the payment.
I had occasion from time to time to collect of him a tax for
contingent expenses, levied on the real estate of our School
District. He owned the large farm on the Main ro.ad, north
of the Grider road, which was formerly owned by Asa Chap
man, and called the Chapman Farm. I called on M. Lecou
teulx once on this collecting errand, and on payment, he said,
"You must give me a receipt." "Certainly, I will," I replied,
and sat down to write it; when he quickly said, "Stop; stop;
you will not spell my name right," and taking the pen, wrote
his name, and I then finished writing the receipt.
He was a beautiful penman, as the first records of the town
bore witness, the letters being all made distinct and plain.
M. Lecouteulx on one occasion calling at my father's house
to buy brick, «aid he desired to build a house for his wife, who,
as she was younger than himself, might live many years longer,
and the house must be built to last. He would have none but

141
hard burnt brick, which we furnished, he paying fifty cents per
thousand extra for the quality. This house was built on
Exchange (Crow) street, north side, opposite the " Mansion-
House," standing back in his lot, which was the large one at
the northeast corner of Main and Exchange streets, extending:
quite a distance on Main street towards Seneca. When the
hill was cut down several feet in front of the Mansion House,,
on grading the streets, M. Lecouteulx had a wall of block
stone built to protect his corner, and preserve the level of
his land.
Stephen Goss, a young man of my acquaintance, once wheik
standing on the sidewalk, fired his gun. M. Lecouteulx com
ing along soon after, patted him on the shoulder, saying,
"Young man, you must pay for that; you should not shoot
your gun on the sidewalk." Stephen thought no more of the
matter, but in a day or two he was called to go before the
magistrate, and answer to a complaint in the case, and had to
pay a fine of one dollar and costs for his offence against the
village law.
M. Lecouteulx, like others, had his troubles. One of these
was in reference to the location of the Erie Canal, for, to-
connect this with Little Buffalo Creek, near the foot of the
Terrace hill, it necessarily passed through land belonging to-
him, to his great pecuniary loss and damage, as it ruined his
chicken-yard. This greatly grieved him, and I believe he was
sincerely honest in the opinion that the canal ought not to
have thus invaded his premises.
As an offset to this I give an incident which occasioned him.
great satisfaction, and over which he was very gleeful. He
had erected on his house a weathercock, but soon after came
one of our "Buffalo zephyrs,'' which worked a general de
struction of signs, chimneys, fences, etc. He expected to find
in the morning that his weathercock had perished. But, find
ing it safe in its place, he went over in a joyful mood, highly^
elated, to tell Joseph Landon, of the Mansion House, of his.

142
good fortune; but meeting Mrs. Landon at the door, he gave
his high-wrought feelings utterance by telling her of his ex
ceeding great deliverance.
4. Rev. Glezen Fillmore.— [See pp. 82, &c., 112.] Jan. 28,
1875, I attended at Clarence, in this county, with many others,
the funeral of Rev. Glezen Fillmore. I had known him from
my boyhood to the time of his death at eighty-five years of age.
Elder Fillmore was the first Methodist minister whom I re
member as preaching in this neighborhood; and I am quite
sure that he was the first who used to come occasionally and
preach in our little log school-house near Cold Spring. I can
not give the date of his first visit. He was licensed to preach
in 1818, and Buffalo was in the circuit assigned to him, but I
remember that he staid at my father's over night when we were
living in the rebuilt shop, in the summer of 1814; and I am
quite sure he had preached in the log school-house in the
-evening. In traveling his circuit he always rode on horseback, and
when he came into our neighborhood he made my father's
'house his stopping-place. He was much beloved and re
spected by all who became acquainted with him. Possessing
a large, noble frame, and a powerful but pleasant voice, none
could hear him preach without admiring him as a preacher,
and none could know him without loving and respecting him
as a truly faithful servant of the Lord, — ever ready to speak
a word for his Master, whenever and wherever an oppor
tunity offered. I remember that at one time soon after I first
-knew him, I had been over, with two of my sisters, on Sun
day, to see an aunt. We were walking home, when Mr. Fill-
•more overtook us, and passed by, without checking the gait of
his horse. But, in his distinct yet pleasant way of speaking, he
said to us, "Have you spent to-day to the glory of God ?" I was
¦quite sure he did not know whose children we were, and seeing
us in the road on Sunday, thought it likely that we might be
-spending the day for our own pleasure. That remark con-

143
tained a full sermon. I have always remembered it, and re
spected Mr. Fillmore for making it. I have sometimes thought
that we may all be preachers, in a certain application of the
term, in our actions and doings, and in our conversation with
others, especially those who are directly influenced by us; and
that ministers' sermons are not always preached from pulpits.
5. Judge Samuel Wilkeson. — [See p. 72. J In a paper by
Dr. Lord, read (1867), before the Buffalo Historical Society, he
said truly that Judge Wilkeson was a man of remarkable
character, prompt in decision, of comprehensive mind, and
energy to accomplish whatever he wished or thought best; and
that he had the fullest confidence in himself as being able to
succeed in everything he undertook. Thus, when invested
with legal authority, he acted on his own judgment, without
much deference to the judgment or opinions of others. He
would assume the responsibility of his acts, let the conse
quences be what they might.
At an early period in his judgeship, the following illustra
tion of this characteristic occurred, when he was holding a
court in the summer time, a very busy season of the year for
farmers. Immediately after the opening of the court the
clerk was directed to call the names of the jurors, most of
whom had been summoned from their farms for this duty, and
had nearly all answered to their names at the first call. The
Judge then took up the calendar and called the names of the
parties to the first suit. The attorneys answered that they
were not ready yet. The next case was called; the lawyers
were not ready. The third was called, the attorneys wanted
it put down for a certain other day. The fourth, fifth, sixth
cases were called, and so on to the last o'n the ealendar, — none
of, the lawyers were ready to try their cases. The Judge then
at once turned to the jurors and told them they were dis
charged and could go home and attend to their work. He
said that if the lawyers got their cases ready at the next term
they could have them tried then; but that he would not keep

144
the jurymen at that season of the year from their farms, wait
ing for them to get their cases ready. " Clerk," said the Judge,
'pay these jurors!— Crier, adjourn this Court!"
\t this summary proceeding the whole bar rose as one man
to remonstrate against it, but it was of no avail. The decree
had passed, and it was not to be revoked.
II. — A War-Song of 1812.
The following "Song is one that used to be sung in the bar
rooms, which I wrote down many years after it first came out,
from recollection. I.
"When S. Van Rensselaer crossed the stream.
Just at the break of day,
Distressing dreams and restless thoughts
Disturbed him where he lay.
2.
But then the terrors of the night
Did quickly flee away;
The light his opening eyes beheld
And hailed the new-born day.
3-
But soon did murderous cannons' roar
Thunder and lighten round;
On every tawny foe strike dread,
And sweep them to the ground.
4-
The cannons' voice, the muskets' flash
Put blood in all our veins;
Columbia's sons have trod the shore
Where the proud Briton reigns.
5-
The tomahawk and scalping-knife
On men did try their skill;
Some, wounded, struggling for their lives.
Did red barbarians kill.

145 6.
While rode the proud insulter. Brock.
In pomp and splendor great.
Our valiant heroes he despised,
And dared the power of fate.
7-
Said, " Here's a mark for Yankee boys.
So shoot me if you can;"
His eyes a Yankee ball soon closed;
Death found him but a man.
8.
Our heroes brave stood well their ground
Till their last bullet flew;
Then all were prisoners, forced to yield.
What could our General do ?"
I never liked the sixth verse of this song. General Brock
was much respected and esteemed by our people, and was
always spoken of as an honorable man. ' I remember well hear
ing his death talked about with deep regret.
III.— A Boy's Trick of 1814.
In a little family company several years ago, one of my
sisters reminded me of the following incident of our childhood.'
In the summer of 1814, when our Brick Tavern was being
re-built after "the burning," the carpenters heaped up the
shavings that accumulated from day to day, outside of the
front hall door-way, which was three or four feet from the
ground, and we children had fine times, jumping from the
door-way upon and into them. One evening, when it was
nearly dark, I noticed that our cow had lain down on the
shaving-pile for a night's lodging. So I covered her over
with shavings, making the highest part of the pile immediately
over her back, ran in, Called my sister and took her round by
the back way, into the hall, to have a good time jumping on
the shaving-heap. She was delighted with the height of the
pile, and wanted the first jump, which I gallantly (?) gave her.

14^
I told her to take a good run through the hall, so that she
v/ould be sure to land on the highest portion of the heap. She
was active, and performed her part to my entire satisfaction,
becoming nearly or quite buried in the shavings. But what
was her surprise and consternation, when, a moment after, she
found herself carried off by some awful horned creature
which had risen underneath the place where she had so mer
rily lodged! And: there stood a nine-year-old urchin of a
brother in the hall door-way, grinning and laughing to his
heart's content, at the complete success of the program he had
formed for executing his prank! This incident may serve to
show somewhat, of the merrier side of child-life in pioneer
days, as contrasted with the more serious occurrences de
scribed at pages 90-93.
i<
IV. — Sundry Old-Time Notes.
" Splint brooms " were the only sort used by the first settlers
on the Holland Purchase; the only exception being that some
made their sweeping apparatus by tying fine branches or twigs
from the tops of young trees together in bunches. The
" splints " were made of blue beach, birch and hickory woods.
Broom-corn was not in use here until about 1820. To make
a nice splint broom required an expert in the art, one well
used to the process; and in my early life I made many
brooms of both the primitive kinds, though only for our own
family use.
The " trammel-pole, with trammel-bar and hooks," which I
have described in my account of "Our Log Taverii," were the
necessary accompaniments of the log houses and stick chim
neys over fire-places without jarhbs, which were then universal
here. The "crane" hung to swing virtthin afire-place, came
into use about 1812. The first I ever saw was when oiir
family moved into the "Brick Tavern on the. Hill," in Decem
ber of that year. < ' ¦

'47
The tin-oven came into use a few years after the War of
1812-15. The roasting of spare-ribs was accomplished by
hanging them on a string before a rousing fire, with a dripping-
pan beneath, and a spoon at hand with which to "baste"
them. Yokes used to be put on the necks of our hogs and geese to
prevent them from getting into our fields and destroying the
grain; but for many years I have not seen any of these yokes.
In breed and manners tJie hog has been much improved; but
the goose, I think, has not.
When I was a boy we raised our calves, and I used to yoke
two calves together, with an ox-yoke of suitable size which one
of my uncles made me, and hitch them as a team to my hand-
sled, in the winter. I used to make my own ox-bows by bend
ing a young growing hickory of the right size, into the shape
I wanted, and tying it with moose-wood bark. After one
summer's growth it would be fit to cut and use in finish
ing a yoke.
A mysterious relic. Two summers ago I found while digging
potatoes on my premises, an old rusty piece of iron. I carried
it into the house, but none of the family, or of the neighbors
could tell me what it had been made or used for. It was the
remnant of an ox-shoe, now in these regions a thing of the far
away past. Ignorant indeed are multitudes of the people of
to-day about the things in use in former times in the daily
life of "The Pioneers."

EDITORS SUPPLEMENT.

The following Index, as well as the Author's portrait, in
troduced at page 20, are included upon afterthought, since the
title-page, preface and table of contents were printed.
An index cannot be too minute or exhaustive. This one,
like those to the Publications of the Buffalo Historical Society,
" has been prepared less as a help towards finding prominent
topics, than as a guide to, and reminder of, even the most
slightly mentioned ones." And it "is intended not only to
answer questions, but to start them; to provoke inquiry, and
stimulate investigation." Thus, " even the obscurest name,"
or the most casual reference, " may become useful as well as in
teresting." This index is also intended to be in some measure
a comment, explaining and adding to the information given in
the text.
I take this opportunity to make two corrections: At page
135, line 29, " again " should be omitted after " Miss Hos
ford." At page 142, line i, for " Mrs. Landon," should be
read " Mrs. Marvin " ; — Mrs. Landon's death having occurred
some years before the incident related. The author notes that
" the lady referred to was the wife of Sylvanus Marvin, and
daughter of Russell Goodrich. Mr. Marvin was then running
the stage from Mr. Goodrich's to Buffalo, and, I think, from
Buffalo east."
And I here add a fact omitted in the text, that the ." gentle
man " and " his brother " referred to at page 46, lines 21 and
22, are John Wilkeson, and the late William Wilkeson, of this
city.
A. B.

INDEX

ABBOTT, Daniel, 3, 37, 68, 79.
Abbott Family, 42.
Abbott, Orin (Rev.), 114.
Abbott, Sabrina (Mrs. Howes), 122,
133-
Abbott, Sally (Mrs. Wm. Hodge,
Sen), 3.
Abbott's (Daniel), 37, 68, 69.
"Abilino," g6, 97.
Adams, Joseph, 125, 128.
Albany, 15, 26, 50, 6r, 72.
Alder Swamp, The, 68, 78, 81.
Allen, Stephen, 128.
Ames, Jonathan, 38, 42.
Ames' practical joke, 43.
Ames' steel traps, 42.
Amherst, Town of, r29.
Ammunition, Home-made, 103, 104.
Apple-trees, Pioneer, 62, 63.
Aspinwall, Eleazar, 115,
Atkins, Guy J., 60.
Atkins, Mary (Mrs. Lynch), 135.
Atkins' Tavern (The Old Home
stead), 45, 58, 62.
Aurora, Town of, 134.
Austin, S. G., 75.
Averill, Charles H., 23, 128.
Averill, Ebenezer, 36.
Averill, Zerah, 36, 128.
Aylesworth, Mrs. Clarissa, 132.
BAILEY, Miss, 134.
Baker, Moses, 75.
Balch, Mrs., 128.
Banking Business (Wm. Hodge,
Sen.), 16, 17.
Banking Law, The Free, 16.
Barker, Pierre A. (Judge), 16, 17.
" Barker Place, The " (Lake Shore),
68, 69.
Barker's (Zenas) Tavern (Buffalo),
4, 28.
Barney, Ai, 132.
Barr, Augustus, 25.
Barr, Charles, 25.
Barr Estate, The, 136.
Barr, Rudolph, 24, 25.
Barton, Benjamin (Porter, Barton
& Co.), 33-

Batavia, 25, 58, 66.
Battle of Black Rock, The, 11,
54.
Battle of Fort Erie, 60, 61.
Beach & Higgins, 24.'
Beach-line changes (Lake Erie), 6g,
80.
Beavers, 42, 81.
Beer of the olden time, 24.
Beyer's Store, Philip, 65.
Bible Society, American, 118.
Bible Society, Buffalo Female, 118.
"Big Ditch," Clinton's, lot.
Bigelow, Samuel A., 76.
Bill, Asahel, 130.
Bird Avenue Sewer, The, 21.
Bird Island, 33, 72.
Blackbirds, 105.
Black Hole, The (Fort Niagara), 85,
86.
Black Joe, 29.
Black Rock, 23, 26, 27, 32. 53, 63,
64, 7I> 72, 74, 77, 78, 85, 125.
Black Rock Ferry, 23, 63.
Black Rock Harbor, 78, 79.
Bloodgood, Mr., 15.
Bloodhound, Grosvenor's, ro7.
Blue-jay, The, 40.
Bosworth, Samuel, 115, 116.
Brayley, Mr., 85.
Brewery, A pioneer, 24.
Brick-making (Wm. Hodge, Sen.),
9, 15, 16.
Brick Tavern on the Hill, The, 9,
10, 12, 14, 16, 35, 44, 55, 70, 86,
99, 103, 146.
Brisbane lot. The, 36.
British Batteries, 60.
British Indians, 12.
Bromley, James, 44, 119.
Broom Corn, 146.
Brown, Rev. Mr., 114.
Bryant, Abner (Dea.), 9, 76, 113,
116, 118, 121.
Bryant, Abner, Jun., ir8.
Bryant, Henry, T18.
Bryant, Isaac F., 118, 135.
Bryant, Lucy, 118.
Bryant, Maria, 118.

152

"Buffalo and the Senecas" (See
Wm. Ketchum), 29, 42, 49, 50, 75.
Buffalo Creek, " Big," 4, 21, 26, 27,
32, 33, 49, 62, 64, 67, 68.
Buffalo Creek Customs District (Port
of Buffalo), 32, 62.
Buffalo Creek, Little, 29, 64, 67, 78,
81, 141.
Buffalo, County Seat of Niagara
County, 86.
Buffalo Gazette (i8i6), 77, 115.
Buffalo Harbor, 8, 33, 71, 72, 73,
74, 77-
Buffalo, History of, not yet written,
Preface vi.
Buffalo Patriot (1823), 77.
Buffalo Plains (The Plains), 26, 58,
62, 65.
Buffalo River (Creek), 67, 68.
Buffalo, Second burning of. 12, 54.
"Buffalo Sunday-school Society,"
organized (1817), 115.
' ' Buffalo Sunday-school Union So
ciety," 4th Anniversary of, 115,
Buffalo, Town of, 27.
Buffalo Village, 3—19, frequently, 37,
54. 67.
Buffalo Zephyrs, 141.
Burbee, James, 85.
Burbee,  , Murder of, 85.
Burchard, Miss, 134.
Burger, George, 35.
Burr, Aaron, 95.
" Bushes, The," 29.
Butlersbury (Newark, Can.), 47.
CALIFORNIA, 135.
Callender, Amos (Deacon), 113,
115, iig-
Camp, John G., 75.
Campbell, H. M., 76, 115.
Camp's Tavern, Daniel, 68, 69.
Canal Board Report (1823), 74.
Canal, The Erie, 15, 26, 62, 74, 78,
79, 80, 81, 82.
Canada, 29, 32, 55.
Canandaigua, 34.
Caryl, Benjamin, 77.
Cattaraugus Creek, 29.
Cattaraugus Woods (Four-mile),
70.
' ' Cemeteries of Buffalo, The, " Pref
ace v.
Centennial Exhibition, 135.
Ceylon, Island of, 52.
Champlin, Com. Stephen, 35.
Chapin Block, 29.

Chapin, Dr. (and Col.) Cyrenins,
29, 49.
Chapin Farm ( or "lot "), 22, 36.
Chapin, Sheldon, 76.
Chapin, Col. Wm. W., 12, 76.
Chapman, Asa, 36, 60, 140.
Chapman Farm, The, 140.
Chapman Log House, The, 60.
Cheektowaga, Town of, 129.
Cherry "Valley, N. Y., 2, 15.
China, 132, 135.
" Chippewa Block, The," 17.
Chippewa Market, The, 65.
Chloe (colored woman), 35.
Churchill, Lord, 2.
Clarence, N. Y., 45, 53, 83, 86, 132.
Clarke, Rev. Dr. Walter, ii4.
Clary, 'Squire Joseph, 46, no, 140.
Clinton, Gov. DeWitt, 15.
Clough, Johnson, 37.
Club-meeting Buffalo Historical So
ciety, 82.
Cogswell, William, 123.
Coit, George, 72, 75.
Coit, Capt. Oliver, 77.
Cold Spring, The, 4, 5, 21, 22, 25,
36, 49. 50, 51, 55, 58, 65, 94, 113.
Cold Spring Cemetery, The old, 52.
Cold Spring "Log-house," The, 4,
5- 36.
Cold Spring Meetings, 113.
Cold Spring "place," The. 4, 5.
Cold Spring " property " (Farm-lots
Nos. 36 and 37), 36.
Cold Spring School District, 34, 124.
Cold Spring Sunday-school, 120,
121.
Cold Spring Tavern, 4, 21, 23, 24,
25, 26, 113.
Commercial Slip, 81.
Commissioners, Turnpike, 69.
"Commodore, The," 71.
Conjockety, Chief, 63.
Conjockety's Creek, 4, 10, 11, 12,
22, 48, 50, 60, 62, 63, 65, 85, 114.
Connecticut, 129, 133.
Cook, Charles B. , 134.
Cornell White Lead Co., 65.
Corning, Jasper, 115, 117.
Cotton, Abba Marcia, 117, 131.
Cotton, Daniel H., 60, 66.
Cotton, Elijah, 60.
Cotton, George Williams; 51, 134.
Cotton, Lester W. , 103.
Cotton lot. The (No. 55), 35, 64.
Cotton, Mary Stanley, 117, 120, 130,
131,132, 134.

153

Cotton, Rowland, T03.
Cotton, Samuel Ward, 103, 121.
Cotton, Ward (Maj.), 35, 130.
Cotton, Widow (Mrs. Ward), 51,
130.
Court-house, Buffalo (1809), 32.
Court-house Religious Meetings,
113-
" Crane," for fire-place, 146.
Crisp, Mr., 24.
Cronk, James, 86.
Cronyn, Mary, 134.
Crow, John, 28. '
Crow's (log) Tavern, John, 28.
Cuba, Island of, 96.
Cunningham, Mr., 76, 117.
Customs District of Buffalo Creek,
32.
Customs District of Niagara, 32.
DALEY, Martin, 76.
Dart, Joseph, Jr., 77.
Davis, Anna (Mrs. Rev. J. N. Gran
ger), 133-
Davis, Selden, 76, 125.
Day, David M., 76.
Dead Creek, 67.
Deadly Spur, A, 91.
Debating Society, The, 100.
Deer, 106.
Deer Story, 106.
De Shay, William, 10, 35.
Despar, John, 29.
Detroit, Mich., 77.
Dibble, O. H., 68.
Dodge, Alvan, 35, 44, 76, 98, 128,
130.
Dodge, Jonathan Wayne, 133.
Dodge, Sacket, 35, 53, r28.
Doge of Venice, 'I'he, 96.
Dorr, Capt. E. P., 82.
Ducks, 105.
Duel, A remarkable, 25.
EAGLE Tavern, 45.
Eaton, Mr., 112, 123.
Eden, Town of, 5. '
Eden Valley (Tubbs' Hollow), 5.
Eddy, David, 55, 56, 57.
Efner, Elijah D., 116.
Eighteen-mile Creek, 43, 70.
Eleven-mile Creek (Williamsville),
6.
Ellicott, Joseph, Preface Vu., 22, 65.
Ely Family, The, I2g.
Ely, Calvin. 129.
Ely, Rev. Mr., 129.

Ely, Selden, 129.
Ely, Sterling, 129.
England, "Last War" with, 10, 14,
21, 25, 37, 103, 112, 114, 139.
Erie Canal, The, 15, 26, 62, 74, 78,
79, 81, 82, 141.
Erie County, 27, 42, 83.
Erie, Lake, 15, 32, 33, 69, 77.
Estee, Mr., 53.
Executions in Buffalo, Public (civil),
85, 87, 89; (military), 83, 84.
Exeter, Otsego Co., N. Y., 3, 37.
Explosive and Spirit-ed Cure for
Ague, 105.
FANNING-MILLS, 7, 14.
Farm-Lots, Numbers:
— Thirty (School-house on). See
"Seaver," 35, 94, 123.
— Thirty-one (Spring on), 21.
— Thirty-two, 35.
— Thirty-three (School-house on).
See " Toles," 15, 35, 94, ri2, 122.
— Thirty-four, See " Burger," 35.
— Thirty-five, See "Forth" and
" Wm. Hodge, Sen.," 4, 5, 6, g,
15,. 35-
— Thirty-six and Thirty-seven, The
Cold Spring "lot," "place,"
"property," and see "Kettle,"
5, 25, 36.
— Thirty-seven (See Thirty-six), 5,
25, 36.
— Thirty-eight, See " Leech,'' 36.
— Thirty-nine (School-house on), 36,
94.
— Forty, 36.
— Forty-one, See "Wells," 36.
— Forty- two, 36.
— Forty-three, "Brisbane lot," See
"Ketchum, Z.," 36.
— Fifty, " Walden Hill lot," 124.
— Fifty-three, See " Raymond, ist,"
" Noble " and " Dodge, Sacket,''
35-
— Fifty-four, See " Raymond, 2d,"
and " Dodge, Alvan," 35.
—Fifty-five, "The Cotton lot," 35,
64.
— Fifty-six, 35.
— Fifty-seven, " The Brick Tavern
lot," See " Hunt, Michael," 8, 9,
15, 35, 64-
— Fifty-eight (Spring on). See "Sta
ley" and "Police Station No. 6,"
"School-house lot," 10, 22, 35,
94, 120, 123, 125.

154

INDEX.

— Fifty-nine, See "Granger lot"
and see " De Shay," " Mc-
Connell," "David Reese,'' and
" Spring Abbey," lo, 35, 130.
— Sixty, See " Persons," 36.
— Sixty-one, See "Mains" and
"Wormwood," 36, 63.
— Sixty-two Qubilee Spring), "Rem
ington lot," 22, 36.
— Sixty-three, See "Wintermute,"
36.
— Sixty-four (Stone Quarry), See
"Averill," Ebenezer and Zerah,
36.
— Sixty-five, See "Hodge, Wm.,
Sen.," "Perry's,'' "Granger's"
and "Chapman's log houses," 4,
36.
— Sixty-six (See "Chapin Farm,")
36.
Farnham, Elder Thomas, 114.
Feather-beds, 7.
Female Bible Society, Buffalo, 118.
Ferry (Old) at Black Rock, 23, 63,
64.
Ferry, Pratt's (Buffalo Creek), 67,
68, 109, 138.
Field, Charles B., 133.
Fillmore, A. N., 132.
Fillmore, Glezen (Rev. Elder), 82,
83, 85, 86, 88, 112, 142.
Fillmore, Millard, 98, 99, r3l.
Fire-places, Old-time, 31, 129, 131,
146, 147.
First Presbyterian Church, Buffalo,
18, 113, 114, ri7.
Fiske, L., 131.
Flat-boat journey, Introduction viii.,
3-
"Flats, The," 78, 81.
"Flint Hill," 10, 12, 62, 84, 125.
Flodoardo, Count, g6.
Folsom, Ezekiel, 75.
Folsom, Oilman, 125.
Folsom, William, 76.
Fording creeks (Conjockety's, Buf
falo, Smoke's), 62, 67, 68.
Forest Lawn Cemetery, ig, 62, 84.
Fort Erie, 45, 60, 78, 114.
Fort George, 47.
Forth, Thomas, 5, 35.
Fort Niagara, 32, 47. 85.
Forward, Oliver, 72.
Forward, Mrs. Oliver, 128.
Four-mile ( Cattaraugus ) woods,
70.
Foxes, 3g, 42, 105.

Franklin, Stephen, Preface v\\., 23,
26, 113, I2t.
Fuller, Mr., 128.
Furnace, First, in Buffalo, 8.
GALLATIN, Hon. Albert, 32.
Galusha, David, 135.
Geese, "].
"Genesee'' region, 42.
Genesee County, 53.
Gilbert, Ephraim, 66.
Gilbert, Erastus, 77, 107.
Gillet, Joshua, 28.
Glastonbury, Conn., I, 2.
Godfrey, William (soldier), 83, 85,
86, 87.
Godfrey, William (teacher), 128.
Gold, Lucius, 76.
Goodell, Jabez (Dea.), 76, 113, 116,
iig.
Goodrich, Ephraim, i.
Goodrich, Guy H., referred to. Pref
ace vii., 34.
" Goodrich Mansion, The,'' Preface
vii., 34-
Goodrich, Russell, 149.
Goss, Stephen, 141.
Granger, Beulah, I2r.
Granger, Edward, 121.
Granger, Erastus (Judge), 4, 9, 22,
28, 32, 33. 50. 114. 128, 133.
Granger Farm (property) The, (and
see " Perry's Place"), 4, 22, 36.
Granger, Harriet Maria, 121, 133.
Granger, James N. (Rev.), 114, 133.
Granger lot. The (No. 59) "Spring
Abbey," 35, 130.
Granger property (See G. Farm).
Granger Saw-mill (Perry Saw-mill),
4, 9, 50, 130.
Granger's (Conjockety's) Creek, 60,
65.
Granger, Seth, 128.
Granger's log-house (See Perry's
"place" and log-house), 4, 22,
36.
Granger's Mills (See G. Saw-mill),
50.
Grant, Vincent, 28.
"Great West, The," 71.
Greenbush, N. V., 61.
Gridley, Frederick, 52.
Griffin, Mr., 131.
Griffin, Zachariah, 76.
Grosvenor's Bloodhound, 107.
Grosvenor, Stephen K., 107, no.
Guiteau, J., 76.

INDEX.

IS5

HADDOCK, Charles C. (Dr.), 117.
Hall, General, 47, 50.
Hamburg Canal, The, 64, 81.
Hamburg, Town of, 37, 55.
Hamilton, Alexander, gs.
Harbor, Black Rock, 78, 79.
Harbor, "Buffalo Creek," and Buf
falo, 8, 33, 71, 72, 73, 74, 77.
"Hard Times" (poem), 137.
Harris Hill, n, 12, 13, 86.
Harris Hill Tavern, 11, 12, 13, 58.
Harris, Miss, 133.
Hart & Cunningham, 76.
Hartwick, N. Y., 132.
Haskins, R. W., 82.
Hatch, William D., 134.
Hawkins, Henry H., 8, 119, 120,
121, 127.
Hawkins, Whipple, 8, 73, ng.
Hawks, 105.
Heacock, Rev. G. W., D.D., 35.
Heacock, R. B., & Co., 76.
Heirloom, An important, 42.
Hennion, David, 24, 128.
High Street Cemetery, ig.
Hissey, William, 133,
" History of Buffalo and Erie Coun
ty," Preface vi.
Hodge, Alfred, 49, 53.
Hodge, Augustus, in.
Hodge, Benjamin, ist, i.
Hodge, Benjamin, Jun., 55, 116,
120, 121, 122, 123, 128, 131.
Hodge, Benjamin, Sen., 2, 5, 54,
56, 65, 76, 140.
Hodge, Cordelia A., 134.
Hodge, David, I.
Hodge, Elijah, 2.
Hodge Family, The, 1.
Hodge, John, I, 2.
Hodge, John, Jun., 2.
Hodge, Julia A., n.
Hodge, Lorin, 28, 49. 134.
Hodge, Mary A. B., 121.
Hodge, Mrs. William, Jun., 134,
135-
Hodge, Mrs. William, Sen., 2, 7,
n, 57, 122.
Hodge, Philander, ir, 16, in, 132.
Hodge, Samuel, i.
Hodge, Sarah (Sally), n, 120.
Hodge, Sophia, n, 121.
Hodge, Velorus, 60, 76, 123.
Hodge, William, Jun., 3,11,121,132.
Hodge, William, Sen., 2 frequently
to 19, 44, 55. 57, 76, 98, 124, 128,
130, 132, 134.

Hoisington, Henry (Rev.), 52.
Hoisington, Job, 10, 51, 52.
Holland Land Company, The, 8,
22, 63.
Holland Purchase, 3, 37, 50, 146.
Holt, Adams, 120, 121.
Holt, Dibdell, 8g.
Holt, Elijah, 115.
Holt, William, 60.
" Hooking" explained. 46.
Hopkins, Asa "T. (Rev.), 136.
Hopkins, Ebenezer, 25.
Hopkins place, The Old Gen., 6.
Hosford, Miss, 135, I4g.
Hosford, Roswell, 76, 85, 125, 140.
House-rats, 42.
Howes in Persons, 23.
Howes, Ebenezer, 23, 122.
Howes, Mrs. Ebenezer, 11, 122,
133-
Hoyt, J. D., 76.
Hull, Captain, 52.
Hull, Miss, 123.
" Hull's Buffalonians," 52.
Hull, William, 2g.
Hunter, Robert (Bob.), 66.
Hunt, Michael, g, 35.
Hunt, Sanford (Rev.), D.D., 82.
Husten, Joseph, 8.
Hyde, Jabez B., 116.
Hydraulic Canal, The Old, 81.
" Hydraulics, The," 81, log.
INDIAN Reservation, The, 21.
Inner Village lots, Buffalo, 35.
Jackson, Jedediah, 66.
Jackson, Lyman, 3.
" Jackson's," 68, 6g, 70.
Jail, Buffalo (i8og), 32, 55.
James, A., 76.
Japan, 135.
Jefferson, Ohio, 135.
Jenks, P. G., 76.
Jewett, Elam R., 85.
Jewett, Miss, 124.
Johnson,  28.
Johnson, Ebenezer (Dr.), 75.
John's Meadow, 22.
Jubilee Spring, The (on lot 62), 22,
36, 63.
Judd, R., 3.
KEEP, Richard, 12, 56.
Ketchum, William, "Buffalo and
the Senecas," Preface ¦v., 29, 42,
49, 50, 75-
Ketchum, William, & Co., 42.

156

INDEX.

Ketchum, Zebulon, 36.
Kettle, Mr., 36.
Kibbe, Isaac, iks.
Kibbe, Abigail (Mrs. J. Corning),
117.
"Kremlin Block, The,'' 113, n6.
LAKE Erie, 15, 32, 33, 6g, 77.
" Lake Erie " settlement, 26.
Landon, Joseph, 141.
Landon, Mrs. Joseph, 142, I4g.
Landon, Munson, 117.
Lane, Ezekiel, 29.
Lapp, Mr., 24.
Lamed, Mrs., 117.
Larzalere, Abraham (Abram), 8,
57-
"Last War" The, 10, 14, 21, 25,
37, 103, 112, 114,139.
Lay, Polly, 123.
Lazell, John A., 75.
Le Couteulx, Louis Stephen, 28,
140, 141, 142.
Leech, Elijah, 36.
"Leech Farm, The," 68.
Lewis, Daniel, 55, 125, 128.
Lewis, Miss Calista, 120.
Lewis, Mrs. Daniel, 120.
Lewiston, N. Y., 4, 32.
Limestone Ridge, The, 62.
Little Buffalo Creek, 29, 64, 67, 78,
81, 141.
Log-house Perry (Granger) Saw
mill, (lot sixty-five) , 4.
Log-house on lot Thirty-five, 5, 30.
Log School-house burned, "The, 94,
129.
Log School-houses, 36, 94, 120, 122,
123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, I2g,
142.
Log Tavern, The (Farm-lot Thirty-
five), 6, g, 30.
Long Island, 15.
Longnecker Farm, 125.
Long, William, 76, 125.
Lord, Rev. John C, D.D., 143.
Lovejoy, Henry, 127.
Lovejoy, Joshua, 127.
Lovejoy, The Widow (Mrs. Joshua),
127.
Love, John, Murder of, 87.
Love, Thomas C, 75.
Low, Esther (Mrs. David Reming
ton) 128.
Lyman, Mr., 23.
Lyon house. The, 62.
Lyon, Mr., 62.

Lynch, Mr., 135.
Lynch, Mrs. (Miss Atkins), 135.
McCLURE, Gen., 47.
McCollister, John, 128.
McConnell, Samuel, 35.
Mackinac, 42.
Mad Cow, A, g2, 93.
Mad Dogs, 91, 92.
Mains, John, 36, 63.
Main Street Bridge, 64.
Main Street, Foot of, 67, 74.
Maiden, Canada, 29.
" Manlius Times, "The,'' 49.
Mann, Mr., 29.
Mansion House, The, 29, 66, 141.
Marshall, John E. (Dr.), 76.
Marshall, Orsamus H., 117.
Martin, Mary, 117.
Martin, Mrs., 58.
Marvin, Mrs. Sylvanus, 149.
Marvin, Sylvanus" 149.
Mason, William, 75.
Massachusetts, 130.
Matthews, Sylvester, 75.
Mattresses, 7.
Maybee & Johnson, 28.
Maybee, Sylvanus, 28.
Merrill, F. B., 76. no.
Methodism in Buffalo, 82, 112.
Middaugh, Michael, 29.
Miller, Frederick (Maj.), 23, 33, 45,
50, 58, 124.
Miller's Tavern, 58.
Miller, William T. (Capt.), 25, 76,
98, 130, 134
Minks, 42.
Mohawk River, 3.
Monroe, Mich., 123.
Montreal, Canada, 55.
More, Thomas, 76.
Morrison, Jacob, 121.
Mortar, The Old Cast-iron, 8, 73.
Mosier, George, 25.
Munger, John, 121.
Music, Early Sunday-school, 118.
Musier, Catherine (Mrs. Taintor),
132.
Muskrats, 42.
Mysterious Relic, A, 147.
NEW AMSTERDAM (Buffalo), 27,
140.
Newark (Canada), 47.
Newbury, Oliver, 75.
New Connecticut (Ohio), 70.
New Orleans, 135.

INDEX.

IS7

New York City, 24, 132.
Niagara County ("The original), 27,
32, 34, 42, 72, 83, 86.
Niagara Falls, 4, 79.
Niagara Falls Railroad, 80.
Niagara River, 4, 11, 32, 45, 65, 85.
Niagara Street Car-barns, 64.
Niagara Village (Newark), Canada,
47.
Noble, Major, 35.
Normal School-building, The, 52.
Norton, E. F., 75.
Norton, Miss, 134.
Nursery, First on Western Frontier,
8, 9, H, 15-
OBERLIN, O., 135.
Ohio, 72, 135.
Ohio Basin, 67.
Ohio Street Bridge, 68.
Old Homestead, The (Atkins' Tav-
Tavern), 45, 58, 62.
Old Roads and Streets mentioned
and described:
Adams Road, 125.
Batavia Road, 25, 53, 66.
Beach Road, The Lake, 64, 67,
68, 6g.
Black Rock Road (Niagara street),
33, 47, 49, 55-
Cayuga Road, 30, 107, 124.
Chapin Road (Le Roy Ave. and
Chapin Street), 124, 125.
Crow Street, 2S, 2g, 30.
Grider Road, 140.
Guideboard Road, 50, 51, 52, 53,
63, 64, 65.
Gulf Road, 63, 65.
Main Road, 50, 55.
Turnpike, 68.
Williamsville Road, 21, 66.
Old-time Costume, 28, 140.
Olean, N. Y., 135.
Oneida Lake, 4.
Oswego River, 4.
Otters, 42, 81.
Outtr Village Lots (Buffalo), 35.
Owls, 105.
Ox-cart, The, 4, 6, n, 12.
Oxen, 4, 6, n, 12.
PAGE, Timothy, 76.
"Park, The," 22.
Partridges, 105.
Patch, Stephen, 128.
Peacock, William, 72.
" Peninsula, The," 67.

Pennsylvania, 72.
Pennsylvania "rroops, 10, 5g.
Pennsylvania Wagons, 66.
Perry, Major (Mr.), 4, 36.
Perry Saw-mill (Granger Saw-mill),
4-
Perry's "Place" (Log-house), See
"Granger's Log-house," 36.
Persons, Lyman, 23, 36, 128.
"Pet Cannon, The," 44.
Peters, James, 85.
Pile-driver, An Old-time, 8, 73, 74.
Pioneer Boys' Recreations, 100.
Pioneer Boys' Work, 99.
Pioneer Steamboats on Lake Erie,
Preface v.
"Plains, The," "Atkins'," "The
Old Homestead," 26, 58, 63, 65,
66, 85, 103. 120.
Plank School-house built on lot
Fifty-eight, 94, 125, 130, 131, 136.
Piatt, Z., 76.
Poisonous Pleasure, 90.
Pole-cats, 105.
Police-station No. 6 (old Farm lot
No. 58), 94, 120, 123.
Pomeroy, Ralph, 13, 55.
Porter, Barton & Co., 33.
Porter, Col. (and Gen.;, Peter B.,
32, 33. 50.
Postmaster, The first in Buffalo, 34.
Postoffice, The first in Buffalo, 34.
Potter, General Heman B., 75, 115,
n6.
Potter, Miss, 134.
Pratt, Capt. Samuel, 2g, 67, 138,
139-
Pratt, Hiram, 76, 116.
Pratt, Miss, Drowning of, 67.
Pratt's Ferry, 67, 68, log, 138.
Prayer in the Day-school, 112.
Prophecy fulfilled. A, 77.
Prospect Hill, 129.
Publications Buffalo Historical So
ciety, Preface v., 51 52, 72 n.
Public Executions in Buffalo, 82-89.
Punishments, School, 126.
QUAIL, 105.
Quebec, Canada, 55.
Quigly, Thomas, 76.
RACCOONS, 105.
Ransom's Grove (Clarence), 45, 46.
Rapids, Niagara River, 33.
Raymond, Mr. (No. i), 35.
Raymond, Mr. (No. 2), 35.

158

INDEX.

Read, James, 75.
Reciting Verses (Sunday-school An
ecdote), 118, ng.
Reese, David, 2g, 35, 128, 139.
Remington, Cyrus K., 36.
Remington, David (Rev.), 36, 117,
121, 128, 131.
Remington, James (Rev.), 36, 113,
117.
Remington, Sarah A., 117, 120, 131,
132. ,
Remington, Mrs. Shadrach, 128.
Remington, Shadrach, 36, 63, 128.
Remington, William A., 121.
Revolutionary War, The, i, 2.
Reynolds, Robert, 124.
Rice, Asa, 115, 116.
Richfield, N. Y., 2.
Riddle, Lieut., 50.
Riddles, Wire, 7, 14.
Rifle, A prize, III.
Rifle Company, Early, 87, ni.
Rifles, 105, io6.
Roach (Patrick), and the Deer, 107.
Roads and Streets (Old) See "Old
Roads," &c.
Roaring Brook, i.
Robbins, William, 29.
Rolling-screens, 8, 14.
Root, John, 76.
" Rosibella," 96, 97.
" Roslyn Castle," 88.
" Rounding" the bluffs, 68.
" Run " (or stream), A little, 25.
Russell, Mr., 23.
Russell, Washington, 24.
ST. JOHN, Mrs. (Gamaliel), 55.
Salisbury, Hezekiah A. , 76, 96.
Sand-bar at mouth of Buffalo Creek,
67. 71, 74-
Sandusky City, O., 42.
Sandytown, 64, 77.
Sandytown Ferry, 78.
Sandytown Fishing, 79.
Sandytown Hospital, 78.
Saunders & Cooledge, 23.
Scajaquada (Conjockety's) Creek, 48.
Schlosser, N. Y., 4.
School-drama, A, g6.
"School-house lot. The" (N. E.
cor. of lot 58), 94, 123, 125, 130,
131-
School-houses on lots, numbers:
—Thirty, 94, 123.
— Thirty-three, 94, 122.
— Thirty-nine, 36, 94.

— Fifty-eight, 94, 120, 123, 125.
School-lot purchased (N. E. cor. Lot
Fifty-eight), 125.
School-teachers in Early Days, 136,
137-
Scott, Jacob, 24.
Screens, Fanning-mill, 7.
Seaver, Nathan W., 35, 123.
Seymour, Henry R., 76.
Shaw, Joseph, 25.
Shooting-matches, no.
Sieves, Wire, 14.
Signal-gun, The, 10.
Sill, Nathaniel, 115.
Sill, Uriah, 15.
Silver Creek, N. Y., 8, ng.
Slade, Samuel, 135.
Smith, Oziel, 6.
Smith, William, 30.
Smoke's Creek, 68.
Smoke's Creek Bridge, 68.
Smyth's Cantonment (Gen.), 84.
Soldiers' Depredations, 13, 59, 60.
Splint Brooms, 146.
Spring Abbey, 35, 56, 130,
Springs near Conjockety's Creek, 22.
Springs of Water, 22, 23, 24, 62, 63,
64, 81.
" Square, The," 29.
" Squaw Island," 48.
Squier, Miles P. (Rev), 113, 116,
119.
Staats, Barent I., 87.
Squirrels, 105.
Stage-coach, The, 70, 71.
Staley, Christjohn (a weaver), 8, 10,
22, 35, 63.
Staley lot. No. 58, The (Police
Station No. 6),, 10, 22, 63, 123.
Staley Spring, "The, 22, 63, ,64.
Stillman & Co., 42.
Stocking & Bull, 42.
Stocking & Dart, 42.
Stocking, Joseph, 75, 113, 115, 116,
ng
Stoddard, Lot, 94, 95, 96, 97, 129.
Stone Quarry on Lot Sixty-four, 36.
Streets (present) of Buffalo, men
tioned:Allen, 107, in.
Best, 21, 30, 106, 107, 124.
Br) ant, 122.
Bird Avenue, 2i.
Chapin (See old C. Road.)
Chippewa, 16, 65.
Commercial,. 64.
Court, 84, 88.

INDEX.

159

Streets (present) Continued:
Dayton, 73.
Delaware, 50, 53, 63, 68, 132.
Delevan Ave,, 63.
Eagle, 116.
Genesee, 30, 124.
Exchange, 28.
Feny, 25.
Fillmore Parkway, 81.
Franklin, 86.
Hamburg, 81.
High, 19, 124.
Jefferson, 21, 25, 30, 107.
LeRoy Ave. (See "Old Chapin
Road.")
Louisiana, 67.
Main, 4, 8, 13, 16, 21, 28, &c.
Michigan, 81.
Niagara, 33, 47, 49, 55, 84, 88,
116, I2g.
Northampton, 94.
North Pearl, in.
Ohio, 67, 68.
Pearl, 29, 81, 86.
Porter Avenue, 64, 78.
Prospect, 106, log.
Puffer, 36, g4, 123.
Riley, 58, g4.
St. Paul, g4, 123.
Seneca, 13, 28, 2g, 30, 55, 81.
Summer, 44.
Swan, 2g.
Utica, 4, 8, 54, 63, 64, 65, 73,
107, 125.
Virginia, 65.
Washington, 28, 29, 30.
York, 64, 78, I2g.
Sturgeon, Mr., 122.
Sturgeon Point, 43.
Subscription to improve Buffalo
Harbor, 75, 76, 77,
Sunday-school of First Presbyterian
Church, 114, ng.
Sunday-school, "Mr. Coming's,"
117.
Superior, The Steamboat, 74, 77.
TAINTOR, Charles, 132.
" Tannery, The Old Red," 107.
" Tavern, The Brick, 9, 10, 14, 16,
35, 44. 55. 70, 86, 103.
Tavern, The Log, 6, g, 30.
" Terrace, The," 4, 28, 64, 82, 86,
141.
Thayer Brothers, The, 83, 87, 89.
Thayer, Isaac, 8g.
Thayer, Israel, 8g.

Thayer, Nelson, 8g.
The Plains, 26, 58, 62, 65.
Thompson, Charles, 85.
Three Thayers, The, 83, 87, 89.
Tin oven, 147.
Toles, Nathan (Maj.), g, 35.
Tonawanda, 21.
Totman, Col., 58, 59.
Tourtelot, Abram (Abraham), Dr.,
58, 122.
Town of Buffalo, 27.
Townsend & Coit, 75.
Townsend, Charles, 72, 75.
Trammel and hooks, 31, 146.
Trammel-pole, 31.
Transportation, Early, 66.
Trapping, 104, 105.
Tubbs' Hollow (Eden Valley), 5.
Turners' " The Holland Purchase,"
50.
Twenty-four Pounder, The, 10.
UTICA, N. Y., 3, 7.
VEDDER, Wolcott,, 25.
Vietz, Miss, 134.
Vision, The New Years', a prophecy,
77-
Vosburgh, Nathaniel, 76.
WALBRIDGE, Mr., 24.
"Walden Hill," 34, 35, 65, 125.
Walden, Ebenezer (Judge), 35, 50,
76.
Wales, England, 2.
Walk-in-the-water, The Steamboat,
74-
War-song of 181 2, A, 144, 145.
Water-rats, 42.
Weapons of the chase in olden times,
loi, 102.
Weed Block, The, 29.
Weed, G, & T., 75.
Well, An old, 6.
Wells, Joseph (Capt), 36.
"Western Reserve, 'The," 70.
Westminster Church Sunday-school,
121.
West, Peter, 116.
West's Farm (Prof.), 125.
White, Dr. Joseph, 2, 15.
Wilber, Charles, 121.
Wilber, Daniel, 128.
Wilber, George, 121.
Wilber, Lucy, 121.
Wilkeson, David (Capt.), Preface v.
"Wilkeson Homestead, The," 84.

i6o

INDEX.

Wilkeson, John, referred to, 46, 49.
Wilkeson, Samuel (Judge), 8, 72,
73, 75, 143-
Wilkeson, William, referred to, 46,
149.
Williams, Elisha, 75.
Williamsville, 6, 11, 23, 45, 50, 53,
61.
Williamsville Bridge, 51.
Winne, Cornelius, 26.
Wintermute, Mr., 36.

Wolf Capture, 39.
Wolf Trap, The, 38.
Wood Creek, 3.
Wormwood, George, 36.
Wounded Prisoners, 61.
"YANKEES, The," 56, 57.
Yokes, 147.
Young Hunter, The, lol.
Young King, Chief, 139.

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