History of Monroe County, Michigan, Part 15

Author: Wing, Talcott Enoch, 1819-1890, ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: New York, Munsell & company
Number of Pages: 882

USA > Michigan > Monroe County > History of Monroe County, Michigan > Part 15

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"It is with great pride, and with thankful remembrance, that we find represented in our gathering here the powerful States of that ancient Territory, meeting in this corner of the old homestead, and joining us in commemorat- ing the perils and triumphs of the past. They had their share in the charges, and they have inherited a full share of the glory.

" The pious care of Kentucky has reclaimed the precious remains of her children that hal- lowed our soil, but the land they died for can never forget them. And the heroes of those days have not all departed. The soldiers of this generation, assembled here in force, give homage to-day to the veterans who taught them how to fight, and made this land worth fighting for. They have seen their country tried by worse trials than foreign wars, and have seen the contending hosts fall back as they did into the ranks of citizens, and restored to the industries of Peace. They see yet a land of freedom under law, and a people able, when they choose, to enforce their will. The people of Michigan rejoice to honor all those whose valor and sacrifices secured this pleasant land under the protecting care of the Union.

" Soldiers of the War of 1812, worthy fol- lowers of the men of 1776, accept our homage ! May you live many long years to remind our children how freedom is gained, and how she is guarded.

" To you, our welcome guests, whose courtesy has again brought Kentucky to Michigan, we offer our warmest greetings on this spot, which will ever be as sacred to you as to us. Its memories recall to you friends and kinsmen, whose loss made sorrow through all your households. To us they are the glorified mem- ories of martyrs, who died in our behalf, and not for themselves. May their spirit still live where their bodies perished ! And may the gracious Power that maketh men to be of one mind in an house, bind the elder and the

younger sister in unbroken union, till those dark days are lost in hoary antiquity, and those heroes shine out of the far-off past like stars in the firmament.

" Time may destroy the gathered wealth, the great works of commerce and enterprise. But the chronicles of freedom are written in characters of light that will last undimmed through all ages."

After the oration, and singing of the " Star Spangled Banner," the veterans and the guests were escorted to the tables, which were bounti- fully loaded with all the substantials and deli- cacies which heart could wish, provided by the ladies of this city, and guests were waited upon with every attention by the young ladies, until the wants of the inner man were fully sup- plied. After the substantials of the feast had been partaken of by about 1,500 people, the tables were liberally supplied with pure native wines of Monroe manufacture, supplied by the Point de Pean Wine Co., and the regular toasts were offered and responded to as follows :

1. " The Day We Celebrate "-Response by J. J. Adams, of Lenawee.

2. "Washington "-The world honors the man who conquered his own ambition to give freedom to the continent. Response by Judge Patchin, of Detroit.

3. " The Statesmen and Heroes of 1776 "- The founders of a system of government that makes ours a powerful continental Republic for the good of the world, if in our political advice we imitate their integrity. Response by Hon. E. G. Morton, of Monroe.

4. " The Veterans of 1812"- Their march to victory was not by Pullman palace cars, but through dense forests, dragging their cannon with weary marches; yet they conquered at Tippecanoe, Fort Meigs and the Thames, and said to the world on Lake Erie, " We have met the enemy and they are ours." Response by General Leslie Combs, of Kentucky.

5. " The Brave Men Who Perished in the Massacre at the River Raisin in 1813"-They still live in our hearts. Let us erect a monu- ment to their memory, that they may live in the hearts of our children's children. They made the city of Monroe memorable in history by their devotion to their country. Response by Hon. C. C. Trowbridge, of Detroit.

6. " Old Kentucky "-Once the dark and bloody battle ground, whose heroes fell alike

VETERANS OF THE WAR OF 1812. 89

at Tippecanoe, the River Raisin, Fort Meigs, the Thames and at New Orleans; always the same good and brave old Kentucky. Response by Hon. W. P. Thomason, of Kentucky.

7. " Ohio "-The eldest of the galaxy of the Northwest; bright as ever; may her luster never die. Response by Mayor Jones, of Toledo.

8. "Michigan "- No less eminent for her commerce, agricultural and mineral resources than for her intelligent and liberal system of education and public charities. Response by Governor Baldwin, of Detroit.

9. " Detroit "-The oldest city in the North- west ; an honor to the State for her intelligence and sterling worth and her connection with the pioneer history of the lakes, especially with the River Raisin. Response by Hon. Levi Bishop, who read his poem entitled the " Bat- tle of the River Raisin."

10. "No North, no South, no Atlantic, Pacific nor Western States, but our country, our whole country and nothing but our country ; would that she were ever right; but right or wrong, our country, sacred, tangible and unprofaned forever." Response by Chief Justice Campbell, of the Supreme Court of Michigan.

11. " The American Press "-Independent, enterprising and intelligent, it distributes knowledge and the spirit of freedom through- out the length and breadth of the land, afford- ing the best evidence and guarantee of her in- stitutions. Response by C. Waggoner, of the Toledo Commercial.

12. "Our Regular Army "-Though small in number yet eminent in services, gallant in spirit, the educated intelligence that guides and instructs the patriotic zeal of a nation in its defense. Response by General Custer.

13. " The Sir Knights of the Order of the Knights Templar "-The light shineth in dark- ness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not. Response by Dr. A. I. Sawyer, of Monroe.

14. "Sackett's Harbor"-One of the turn- ing points of 1812. Response by General Joseph W. Brown, of Cleveland.

15. " Civil and Religious Liberty "- Re- sponse by Dr. Curtis, of Cincinnati.

16. "Our Foreign-born Citizens " - Re- sponse by ex-Mayor Kraus, of Toledo.

The Monroe Commandery of Knights Temp- lar prepared a sumptuous repast at their hall on Washington street, to which after the exer- cises at the grove, they invited the Knights Templar from abroad, and many other guests and citizens. Their tables were spread with every luxury, and their guests were feasted, toasted and made merry to an entirely satisfac- tory degree.

A quantity of fireworks were provided, to be sent off in the grove in the evening, but owing to an untoward accident the most and the best of them were destroyed. In sending off a re- volving rocket, it discharged directly into the box containing the best pieces, and these were thereby prematurely discharged and destroyed. It was a great wonder that the accident did not result in serious damage to those who were en - gaged in sending off the fireworks, but Inckily no one was injured.

Many of the guests from abroad left on the earlier trains, and the late trains were literally alive with people, taking away the bulk of those who had united in the festivities of the day. We heard of not a single accident throughout the day, and as a whole, exceeding good order and decorum was maintained through all our streets. Probably not less than 20,000 people were in the city, participating in the commemorative festivities, which will long be remembered by the old veterans and pio- neers, as one of the happiest of their lives. They all expressed themselves highly pleased and flattered with the reception given them, the provisions made for their comfort, and with the general arrangements for the occasion. . On Friday morning the veterans were es- corted to the depot, and left for home, profuse in their thanks to the citizens of Monroe for conceiving and getting up the re-union and celebration.

Preparations had been made for taking in groups the veterans and prisoners, and they were assembled on the porticoes of the semin - ary for that purpose. But the daguerrean artist failed to mneet his appointment promptly, and their patience being exhausted they dis- persed ; hence the failure to secure the pictures as desired.

CHAPTER X.

GENERAL LEWIS CASS.

THE record of the deeds of an individual who by his own personal effort, the energy of his spirit and force of his talents, has raised himself to a conspicuous and prominent posi- tion among his countrymen, is the best incen- tive that the young men of our country can have placed before them. General Lewis Cass has risen from the station of the humblest citizen to that of one of the first statesmen of his country, scarcely less known and celebrated among the great powers of Europe than in his own country, and wherever known command- ing attention, esteem and respect.

He was born at Exeter, New Hampshire, October 9, 1782. His father was a practical mechanic, and at the commencement of the Revolutionary War was industriously pursuing his occupation in a quiet New Hampshire village, but the first shot that proclaimed hos- tilities between the mother country and the colonies awakened his patriotism. He joined the army of patriots on the day after the battle of Lexington, and served under General Wash- ington in the most memorable contests of the war. His services were rewarded with a major's commission in Wayne's army. At the close of the war he settled down on the Mus-' kingum River, where he died respected by all, having been permitted to witness the rising greatness of his son Lewis, who at the time of his father's death had been for thirteen years Governor of the Territory of Michigan.

The foundation of the education of Lewis Cass was laid at the Exeter Academy, where he received a classical education of a high order. He applied himself studiously to the acquire- ment of knowledge, and in a short time was qualified to take charge of the Wilmington Academy, at Wilmington, Delaware. He re- mained at the head of this institution until we find him at the age of seventeen, in the year 1799, crossing the Alleghenies on foot, carrying his knapsack, and seeking unaided and without

the help of wealth or power a new home in the wilderness of Ohio. He located at Marietta, then a small settlement at the mouth of the Muskingum. Here he commenced the study of the law, and entered upon its practice. At the bar he acquired a reputation which placed him among the eminent lawyers of the West. His fame as a lawyer spread through the country, and the unfortunate pioneer who be- came entangled in the meshes of the law looked upon his release as certain if he could secure the advocacy of Lewis Cass.

At the age of twenty-five he was elected to the Legislature of Ohio, then just admitted as a State. Here he was no less conspicuous for his powers, both as a speaker and writer. He was placed at the head of important committees, and though the youngest member of the House of Representatives was regarded as the leader of his party.

The detection and exposure of the conspiracy of Aaron Burr brought the young legislator into more conspicuous notice, and made his name and patriotism objects of national inter- est. Ohio was then, in 1806, the scene of Aaron Burr's incipient operations. His progress was arrested by the prompt and decisive action of Mr. Cass, who drew up the law which put an end to Burr's designs. The Legislature of Ohio forwarded President Jefferson an address on the occasion written by Mr. Cass, which is replete with the noblest sentiments than can animate the bosom of an American citizen.

In 1807 President Jefferson appointed Mr. Cass Marshal of Ohio, in which capacity he served until the year 1811, when the Indians, instigated by the British officers at Malden in Canada, attempted the recovery of the lands they had ceded to the Americans by treaty, and attacked the American camp on the Wa- bash. Mr. Cass was one of the foremost who reached Dayton, the place of rendezvous. Here he was by acclamation elected colonel of the

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GENERAL LEWIS CASS.

Third Regiment of Ohio Volunteers. In an- ticipation of the War of 1812, a call was made on the Governor of Ohio for a draft of militia and volunteers for the service of the United States. Colonel Kingsbury, of the First Regi- ment of United States Infantry, was designated as the commander of the force, and was ordered to Washington to receive his instructions. Sickness at that place prevented his assuming the post, and General William Hull, who had acquired a high reputation in the Revolution- ary War, and who was then at Washington,

Larned, to Colonel Sylvester Larned of Detroit in 1833, with the promise it should not be made public until the last survivor should die. The last survivor was David Cooper of Detroit, many years ago.

After the death of Mr. Cooper, Colonel Syl- vester Larned placed the original Round Robin in the possession of Hon. B. F. H. Witherell, President of the Detroit Historical Society, and it cannot now be found.

This conspiracy was defeated by the perfidy of one of the number.

ROUND ROBIN.

Zle, signers hereto, agree to seize General Ffull and depose him from command, and to defend the Fort at all hasards.

SIGNED:

LEWIS CASS. DAVID COOPER. ELLIOT GRAY. LABBY CAMPAU. JOSEPH CAMPAU. GABRIEL GODFREY. LA CUYER.

AND 73 OTHERS.

was appointed brigadier-general, and was as- signed to the command of the Northwestern Army. General Hull was at that time civil Governor of the Territory of Michigan.

This Round Robin, signed by General Lewis Cass, Charles Larned and seventy-eight others, was given by his father, General Charles

In April, 1812, under the order of Governor Meigs, the militia were in a very short time pre- pared to march, and were to rendezvous at Dayton. The Third Regiment of Ohio militia and volunteers was commanded by Colonel Lewis Cass. For his participation in the war that soon followed, the reader is referred to

HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

the chapters under the head of " The War of 1812."

Lewis Cass was the second Governor of the Territory of Michigan. As its executive he governed wisely for seventeen years, taking the position in 1813 and continuing until 1830. His sword has helped to win freedom to the great Northwest. He was the fifth citizen to represent the young State in the Senate of the Nation, and in that high station he served for twelve years. He was called to the cabinet of President Jackson, and held the portfolio of war four years, and was then transferred to the French court as envoy extraordinary and min- ister plenipotentiary, which place he graced for six years. His wisdom and discretion prevented trouble between the two countries, and restored friendly relations. While at this post he prevented the ratification of the Quin-

tuple treaty, and thereby prohibited the estab- lishment of the right of search on the high seas, so strenuously asserted by England. As Sec- retary of State he served nearly four years, re- signing in the year 1861, a few weeks prior to the close of the administration of President Buchanan.

The official life of Lewis Cass embraces a period of fifty-seven years of service as legis- lator, soldier, executive, cabinet officer, and diplomat. But one citizen, John Quincy Adams, exceeded that length of service.

Although he was approaching the age of life when shadows foretell the nearness of evening, his days were prolonged that he might see the flag for which he had given his early manhood triumphant, the Union he had loved so well re- established, and again form one of the main bulwarks of our civilization.

CHAPTER XI.

BIOGRAPHIES OF RESIDENTS ON THE RIVER RAISIN PRIOR TO THE WAR OF 1812.

COLONEL FRANCIS NAVARRE.

HE above gentleman, the first white settler

on the banks of the River Raisin, was born in Detroit in 1767. His father, Robert Navarre, was of a family illustrious in the early days of the colonies. The family trace back in an un- broken line their ancestry to Antoine de Bour- bon, Duke de Vendome, father of Henry the Fourth. His father, Robert Navarre, was a very handsome man, with courtly manners, most engaging and charming in conversation, and blessed like all the French of that period, with an exceptionally large family.

Francis and Marie (Suzor) Navarre were married November 9, 1790. Their children ivere : Robert F. Navarre, born September 2, 1791; married Miss Du Chane, of Monroe. Francis Navarre, born December 8, 1792 ; mar- ried Miss Mettez, of Monroe. David Navarre, father of Frank Navarre, of Monroe, married the daughter of Colonel Francis Lasselle, now and for so many years connected with the Lake Shore Railway. Victoria Navarre married Hon. James J. Godfroy, of Monroe. Joseph G. Na- varre, born December 3, 1795; married Miss Martin of Monroe. Marie Archange Navarre, born April 6, 1794 ; Julia Navarre, born Decem- ber 18, 1796 ; Hessalette Navarre, born June 15, 1798; Paul or Perti Navarre ; Roselle Navarre. Samuel Navarre had one son, Charles F .; and two daughters, of whom the elder married Charles Morris, of Monroe; the younger Mr. Reswick, of Toledo, connected with railroads.

Joseph G. Navarre, fourth son of Colonel Francis, was intended by his father for the priesthood, and spent seven years at the Cath- olic Institute at Bardstown, Kentucky, pre- paring for orders; but before completing his studies for the priesthood, entered as a law student the office of Hon. William Woodbridge, of Detroit. While there he was called home by the sickness and death of hi's father, and was occupied a number of years in administer-

ing and closing up the estate. He then ceased pursuing his studies, settled upon the farm south of and adjoining the city of Monroe ; owned and occupied it up to the time of his death, which farm is now owned and occupied by his son, Alexander T. Navarre. Eliza Ann, daughter of Joseph G., married John Brevoort, of Detroit Mary T., daughter of Joseph G., married John D. Machin, of Pittsburgh, Pa. J. B. F. Navarre, son of Joseph G., married Miss Sweet; entered the United States army; was wounded at the battle of Bull Run ; was by profession an engineer, attained prominence in his profession, and at the time it was dis- covered that the Washington Monument was settling performed the wonderful enterprise of laying the second foundation ; now resides at Portland, Oregon.

Charles F. Navarre, grandson of Colonel Francis, and son of Samuel, is a farmer resid- ing in Washington Territory, and is owner of a large ranch therein.

Ignatius, son of Colonel Francis Navarre, enlisted in the engineer department of the United States army. When the War of the Rebellion closed, he sought Washington Ter- ritory for his future home ; followed his profes- sion as a civil engineer; was many years en- gaged in surveying the lands of the Territory- studied and practiced law successfully, and was honored for years with the office of Judge of Probate.

Alexander Tonissant Navarre, grandson of Colonel Francis Navarre and son of Joseph G. Navarre, was born in Monroe, married Ma- rietta, the daughter of Ezekiel A. Peltier, a merchant of Monroe, May 5, 1868; entered the Union Army; remained therein twenty months; has been honored with the office of supervisor of Monroe a number of years ; has also been elected treasurer of Monroe county, and discharged the duties with credit to himself and his constituents, and now resides on the

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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.

old homestead farm adjoining on the south the city of Monroe. He has six children-Joseph A., George W., Charles and Mary (twins), . Edith May and Leo John, all minors, residing with their parents.

Colonel Francis Navarre, in the year 1780, bargained for the right, title and interest of the Pottawatomie tribe of Indians, represented by five chiefs, to the farm on the south bank of the Namnet Cybi, so called by the Indians be- cause of the great quantity of sturgeon caught therein, but called by the French River Aux Raisins (the French for grapes) from the pro- fusion of grapevines which lined the banks of the river on either side. As late as the years 1843 and 1844 they were growing on the banks west of Monroe, and in great profusion on the Saline and Macon streams, tributary to the River Raisin in the western part of the county, where the forest trees had not yielded to the woodman's axe, growing on the tops of the tallest forest trees. Some of the vines were from six to eight inches through. After climb- ing to the tops of trees branches dropped to the ground, which again took root and made a perfect mat of vines, filled with clusters, and annually before the " vine casteth her fruit" their appearance was highly picturesque. The original deed executed by the Indian chiefs was written in the French language, and is yet in the hands of Alexander Navarre, one of the grandchildren of Colonel Francis Navarre. A translation into English I procured as a rare curiosity, a copy of which is hereto annexed :

We, the principal chiefs of the village of the Pottawatomies, to wit: Askiby, Mongo-agon, Minguinan, and Ona-oni-attenne, Nana-onito, Sac-co-ni-binne, as well in our names as by the consent of our village, declare that of our good will we have conceded to Francis Navarre, surnamed Tchigoy, and to James, his brother (both our allies), all the extension of land which belongs to us upon the bank of the River Raisin, formerly called Namet Cybi, commencing to take from the river road (as filed in court) to the end of the prairie, going up the stream Namet Cybi, allowing more or less twenty acres in width by eighty or one hun -. dred in depth ; the whole may be determined by a line lengthwise south and a league north in width, going up the River Namet Cybi, in order to possess on the whole in all propriety and perpetuity by themselves and their repre-

sentatives. In faith and testimony of which we have freely made our ordinary marks of signa- ture in Detroit, June 3, 1785.

ASKIBY. ONA-ONI-ATTENNE. SAC-CO-NI-BINNE. MINGUINAN. NANA-ONITO.

CHARLES CAMPEAU. HENEMARGINTEMOND.

In presence of the undersigned witness, Mr. Pierre Labady has signed his ordinary mark by a cross, the present contract countenanced. PIERRE DECOMPT DE LABADY.

This grant of land from the Indian tribe of Pottawatomies was subsequently ratified by Henry .Bassett, commanding at Detroit, in presence of George McDougall, and afterwards confirmed by General Gage.

Two of his brothers, Robert, born in 1764, and Jacques, born in 1760, at Detroit, within three years followed their brother Francis to and settled upon the south bank of the River Raisin, east of the farm of their brother.

Colonel Francis Navarre was one of the first grand jurors at the first court held in French- town, September 2, 1805; colonel in the War of 1812 and 1813, and what is a little remark- able thirty-six Navarres were enlisted and fought in his regiment. He built on his farm the first log house erected on the river, of square hewn timber, fifty feet front, which was the headquarters of Generals Wayne, Winches- ter and St. Clair, and was occupied as head- quarters by General Winchester at the time of the massacre on the River Raisin in 1813, and is now the site of the elegant mansion of Doctor A. I. Sawyer.

Colonel Navarre was thoroughly conversant with the language, peculiar habits and mode of warfare of the savages, and spoke with facility and ease several of their languages. He was captured at Brownstown, whither he had gone in advance of Colonel Richard M. Johnson to negotiate with the Indians; was taken as a prisoner to Sandwich, but fortunately escaped. He was the personal friend of Generals Wayne, Winchester, St. Clair, Cass, McComb and Judge Woodward, and his correspondence with several of them has been preserved. It was soon after his settlement on the River Raisin, stated by some as in the year 1783 and by

BIOGRAPHIES OF EARLY SETTLERS.

others in 1786, that riding on his French pony, following the Indian trail, he brought from De- troit several scions about the size of one's lit- tle finger of the French pear, which trees have since become famous for their delicious fruit. A number of the trees are now vigorous and healthy, annually yielding from thirty to forty bushels.

I have frequently listened with great interest to the narratives of Robert, the eldest son of Colonel Francis Navarre, of the incidents that occurred at the time of the barbarous massacre of the River Raisin in January, 1813. Then a young man in his twenty- first year, he dis- tinetly remembered being aronsed by his father at midnight ; of going up the stairs and arous- ing General Winchester and his staff, who were somewhat bewildered, as they could distinctly hear from the battle field the sharp crack of the rifle, reports of musketry and booming of can- non. The report that General Winchester, with his officers, had, the evening previous to the attack, retired from a frolic under the influ- ence of liquor, and were thereby incapacitated for duty, is without foundation. The general repaired in haste to the barn, leaving his uni- form coat behind him in the house, mounted Colonel Navarre's horse and rode to the field of battle.

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History of Monroe County, Michigan, Part 15

Author: Wing, Talcott Enoch, 1819-1890, ed Publication date: 1890 Publisher: New York, Munsell & company Number of Pages: 882

Author: Wing, Talcott Enoch, 1819-1890, ed
Publication date: 1890
Publisher: New York, Munsell & company
Number of Pages: 882