History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 37

Author: Western historical company, Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas & co.
Number of Pages: 814

USA > Michigan > St Clair County > History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.. > Part 37

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Other commissions were bestowed in the case of the Second Infantry Regiment, and in that of the Legionary Corps, between October I and 3, 1805. An order of October 9, directed the militia of the St. Clair River to be detached from the First Regiment and to be formed into a battalion of four companies, to be commanded by one Lieutenant Colonel and a Major. This battalion with the Second Regiment and Lient. Col. Duncan's Corps, formed one brigade, known as the Second Brigade. Capt. George Cottrell. of the District of Huron, was promoted Lieutenant Colonel of the St. Clair Battalion, and Capt. Lonis Campeau, of the District of Huron, promoted Major of the command. Similar appointments were made in the other com- mands, and military organization completed in 1805.

Military affairs are unnoticed in the Michigan records until April 22, 1811. when the fol- lowing general orders were issued : "The Commander-in-Chief has thought proper to estab- lish the following limits to the four companies of militia comprising the battalion on the Rivers Huron (ncw Clinton) and St. Clair, viz. : 1st. On the River St Clair, the company com- manded by Capt. Francois Bonhomme. to commence at the lower end of Lake Huron and de- scend on the River St. Clair to the mouth of Belle River; Lieut. George Minie and Ensign J. B. Racine are attached to this company. 2d. The company lately commanded by Capt. George Cottrell. Jr., to commence at the mouth of Belle River and extend to the mouth of the River St. Clair, including the most southern and western inhabitants in that vicinity. 3d. Pierre Minie to be Captain of the company lately commanded by Capt. George Cottrell, Jr., rice Cot- trell resigned. Samuel Gravel to be Lieutenant of said company, rice Pierre Minie promoted; and Henry Cottrell to be Ensign, vice Robert McNeff resigned." The remaining articles dealt with military affairs in the district of Huron. At this period George McDougall was Adjutant General of the Territorial Militia. In June, 1811, Lieut. Col. Christian Clemens reviewed the militia of the Huron district at Mount Clemens. One of the St. Clair companies was not present.

WHEELER'S REMINISCENCES.

There is nothing which deserves more attention and diligence on the part of every Amer- ican citizen than to seek to obtain and preserve records of the "exploits and adventures" of the first settlers of the country and to make careful researches in reference to the history of our

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villages, towns and counties, thus helping to furnish incidents for the full history of each State and of the nation at large. No doubt in many instances, important and interesting facts have been lost by neglecting to gather up and record the local events of particular neighborhoods, and reminiscences of those who fought the battles of their country and who have been the pion cers of Western civilization. The last name on the once long catalogue of our Revolutionary fathers has dropped from the pension list, while but a few of the worthies who were in the second war of independence when the nation fought for "the freedom of the seas," still remain. Some of these reside in the county of St. Clair, one of whom at least was among the first settlers, namely, Barzillai Wheeler, of the town of Kimball. Judging that a sketch of his life, especially some historical facts touching the carly settlement of St. Clair County, of which ho was cognizant, might prove a source of interest, a newspaper correspondent visited the old gen- tleman in 1882, and obtained from him the particulars penned in the following narrative:

"I. Barzillai Wheeler, was born in the town of Keene, N. H., in the year 1793. When eighteen years of age, in the month that war was declared by the United States against England, I enlisted under Lieutenant Recruiting Offieer Butterfield, in the regular army of the United States. Wages for a common soldier at that time were only $5 a month, but afterward they were raised to $S. I served as a common soldier till about the middle of the war, and then was advanced to the rank of Orderly Sergeant for Gon. Maeomb. My salary as Orderly was $12. I first went to Boston, and from there to Marblehead Fort, about twelve miles distant, where I remained till the ensning spring: then was ordered to Dorches- ter Point to join the army under Gen. Hampton. He was soon ordered from there to join the army of the line at Burlington. Vt. I was left sick at Charleston, and after recovering, went into the rendezvous for drilling reeruits. and stayed there until the next winter, when Col. Ranney came to me and inquired it I knew the route to Burlington. He said he would send mo there with a span of horses and about $1,000 worth of baggage, and let his colored servant boy go with me; that he would tako the southern route, and I might take the northern, and meet him there on an appointed day. I started according to orders, and though stopping on the way three days to visit my friends, and breaking down within six miles of Burlington, nevertheless arrived at the time fixed.

Thence we crossed Lake Champlain. to Plattsburgh, and joined Gon. Izard's army, remaining till spring. Gen. Wilkinson then took command and led us to Cold Mill, situated on the lake shore in Lower Canada. The mill was a stone structure, answering for a fort, and there were 500 British soldiers in it, while we numbered 1.700. Here a battle took place. We, kneeling down, decoyed out a column of the enemy, and then rising, fired upon them, killing all but one: we then retreated southward.

In the following July. Gen. Wilkinson being relieved, Gen. Izard received command. Government then issued an order for the Commanding General to take 5, 000 of his best troops and repair to Sackett's Harbor. On arriving there, we were shipped for Black Rock, and thence crossing the river above the falls, wo joined the army of Gen. Brown, and the united armies went down to Chippewa Plains; this was in the fall.

Here we remained in the presence of the British forces for several months, the armies in the meantime bombarding each other.

At last we were ordered to retreat to Black Rock, the British likewise retreating to Fort George. The army then divided. Gen. Brown taking his division back to Sackett's Harbor, while a part of Izard's was set to work tearing down Fort Niagara, the other division eross- ing the river, built barracks for the winter near Black Rock, and there we stayed till peace was declared, when we returned to Sackett's Harbor, where, during-the-war men were discharged: but the five years men were consolidated into new regiments, and then shipped for Buffalo. and from thenee to Detroit. There we built barracks, and the next spring, in the month of May, 1816. the great Indian treaty was held at Spring Wolls. There were present. President Mon- roc. Gens. Harrison and Cass. Gov. Woodbridge, and many others of the distinguished men of the nation, and also about 5,000 Northwestern Indians. During the progress of the treaty, we were stationed as a guard around them, in case they should prove treacherous, and raise the war ery. I served out my time at Detroit, obtaining my discharge from the com-

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mand of Gen. Macomb in May, 1817. I received $100, which was then due me from the Government, invested it in a horse and eart, and in crossing the River Rouge, lost my horse, while I barely escaped drowning.

In May. 1818, 1 became acquainted with Mr. James Fulton, who, in connection with a Mr. Brooks, who had been an officer in the army, was proposing to go into a new section to start a village. I and another man hired out to the firm. It may be well to say that Mr. Brooks soon sold out his interest in the enterprise. We were sent with two yoke of oxen and a cow, destined for Pine River, the site of the present village of St. Clair. We drove them up the lake shore and were four days reaching the place of destination. Mr. Fulton sent up a boat with my wife and provisions and implements. my wife being the only woman who was there for a year.

There had been no previons improvements; a slashing only had been made, and that was grown over with large brush. The only signs of a building were the dilapidated walls of a brick house, standing on the opposite side of the river, which was said to have been once the residence of Gov. Sinclair.

Mr. Fulton employed eighteen men, who were set at work clearing and putting up buildings. A piece of corn was got in down at the point, where were a few apple trees which had been planted by the Indians. We broke up three aeres of ground on the south side of Pine River the following autumn, sowing it with about three bushels of wheat, from which we har- vested seventy-five bushels. We cleaned it with an Indian sieve, and then took it down to a wind mill near the month of the Clinton River to get it ground.

There being no business in the country, manufactured articles being high, cotton cloth three-quarters of a yard wide being worth 50 cents a yard, Mr. Fulton soon became reduced in circumstances. his financial enterprise proving a failure. I then removed to the town of Cottrellville, where I resided for a few years. Afterward I returned to St. Clair. and from thence, in December, 1835, I came to Pine River, where I now reside.

If I live till September next, I shall be eighty-four years old. I ain now living with my third wife, who is seventy-seven years of age. I have raised a family of five children, two sons and three daughters. For the past five years my health has not been very good. I have been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for many years, and have endeavored as well as I was able to serve my God, my country, my generation, and the church. And now having passed the boundary of man's life, as declared by the inspired penman, I expect it will not be long before I sh ill receive my discharge here in the Christian army to go up and enjoy the vietor's reward in the heavenly country."

Such are some of the incidents in the life of one of the soldiers in the war of 1812; of one of the pioneers of St. Clair County.

THE COURIERS' SETTLEMENT.

Denis Causlet and Peter Brandemonr, settled at the mouth of Black River previous to 1790; Anselm Petit, Francois Lariviere, Baptiste Levais, J. B. Duchesne, Michel Jervais, J. B. Courncais, and Peter Moureaux located in this vicinity previous to 1794.

A settlement was also made by a Capt. Francois Marsac, in about 1798, at Tremble Creek, the stream near New Baltimore on the Ridgeroad. and also prior to 1796, at Swan Creek, be- vond New Baltimore some four miles. From the early settlement of that section, a tradition has been handed down -- and this tradition has many believers even now-that an English Cap. tain or Lieutenant, who had been largely successful in gathering together a quantity of bull- ion, being compelled to flee from the Indians, buried his treasure in the earth about a mile from the present site of New Baltimore; that he was either killed by the Indians or died from exposure, and the secret of his treasure's hiding place died with him. Many searches have been made by infatuated individuals after this treasure, and many believe that the ghostly shade of the deceased Captain guards the treasure trove so jealously and has such power of moving its location, that all search is in vain. At this period-1798-1800 -- the means of com- munication with Detroit was by way of the river and lake. The Gratiot Turnpike had not then been projected or opened. This was surveyed long after, in 1827, and cut through the

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next year as a road of communication between Fort Detroit and Fort Gratiot, at Port Huron, and the head of the St. Clair River. In connection with the history of this turnpike, the trav- eler of modern days can scarcely appreciate the difficulty of the opening of this highway. We need not tell that from Detroit to Port Huron was one vast stretch of forest, with slough- holes, pit-falls, swails and mud, at such frequent intervals as would appall the traveler of to- day. It is said that about the site of James Patton's house, some four or five miles north of Mt. Clemens-now a high, dry and pleasant location -the road passed through a swamp which. in the wet season, furnished the wild duck and swan with a swimming-place, and consequently the Indian with a splendid hunting-ground for bird game.

Edward Petit, son of Ansehn Petit, was born in a log house standing at the intersection of Court and Military streets, Port Huron, on February 7, 1813. His mother, Angelique Cam- pean, was the daughter of Simon and Angelique ( Bourdon) Campeau, who came to the St. Clair settlement with the early immigrants from Quebec. In May, 1813, when the hired savages of the British theatened the life of all who espoused the cause of the Republic, the family sought refuge at Detroit, and remained there until the army of Harrison and the policy of Cass struck the Indian heart with fear, subdued both the white and the red savages, and left the American citizens free to return to their homes in peace.

SOLDIER SETTLERS.

Fort Gratiot was erected in 1814-15, and received a garrison in 1817-18 of Maine State troops, whose term of service expired in July of the latter year. After receiving discharge, many of the garrison soldiers determined to locate lands in the vicinity of the fort, or along the River St. Clair. Samuel Wilson, Isaac Davis, Renben Dodge, Jabez Meigs, John Harris, settled in the southeast part of Clyde Township; Freeman Knowles, Isaac Palsolar and Sam- uel Glidden, in Township 7 north. Range 17 east. Richard Sansbury, a Virginian, and a soldier of the garrison of Gratiot, bought the Scofield tract from Jeremiah Harrington, who purchased from Scofield in May, 1819. John K. Smith, noticed in other pages, was attached to the United States Army, served in York State, ultimately on garrison duty at Detroit, which latter post he left to settle ou the St. Clair.

THE FIRST MILL ON BLACK RIVER.

The first saw-mill erected on Black River was, according to A. P. Stewart, built by Mr. Morass some years before the war of 1812. During the progress of the war, the United States contracted with Morass to supply large pine timber. The contractor brought hither his men and teams, procured the timber, and brought it over the ice-covered waters of Black and St. Clair rivers, and the lake, to Detroit.

THE RELIEF OF FORT GRATIOT BY BROWN.

During the war of 1812. the United States garrison at Fort Gratiot was reported short of provisions, and the Detroit Commissary received orders to supply that post; but on account of the dangers attending a movement of Americans through the Indian country at that time, the Detroit official hesitated to send forward the stores until a safe guide could be found Fortu- nately he heard of William Brown. father of James Brown, of Cottrellville, with whom he treated to deliver the supplies to the starving soldiers at the Fort. This courageous man set ont next day with a train of fat cattle and other supplies. arrived at Point aux Trembles that night, and the next night reported his safe arrival at Gratiot. Only a short time before this, a United States Lientenant with a squad of troops were attacked on the river, and the officer killed.

INCIDENTS OF EARLY SETTLEMENT.

In 1819, the St. Clair Militia Company was commanded by Capt. Westbrook, under whom William Brown, the hero of the relief of Fort Gratiot, was serving. During the assembly for training, two of the volunteers were willing to indulge in a little tight between themselves. when Lieut. Brown interposed. Capt. Westbrook, coming forward, eensured his Lieutenant for preventing the battle, when the contest was transferred from the men to the officers. West.

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brook charged Brown with disobedience, and the cause was brought before the Commander- in-Chief, who relieved Westbrook of the command and conferred the Captaincy on his Lieu- tenant.

Reuben Hamilton moved into the village in 1829.

John Doran purchased the house built by Louis Facer in 1822, and continued it as an inn. Doran subsequently built a store, which he operated in partnership with Charles Peltier.

Jonathan Burtch located on the north bank of Black River in 1828, building a house at the same time on the corner known as Water street and Huron avenue. The same year he built a store house, and was a trader here up to 1834.

John Thorn, born in Cottrellville Township, moved to Port Huron in 1831, and took pos- session of the Thorn claim.

Andrew Westbrook lived two miles above Marine City, where he exchanged provisions, dry-goods, hardware, oxen, horses, etc., for shingles and lumber.

Peter Brandamour, or Thongodos, or Little Piece of Love, or the Brave Big-Talking Man, erected a house on river road in 1819. On the purchase of his lands by the Providence Company, or other speculators, he became irritable, and removed to the Canadian side of the river.

Henry Germaine erected a house on his wife's property, known as the Thorn Plat. This building stood on the south side of Quay Street.

Rufus Hatch was the original occupier of the first settler's store, erected by Thomas A. Knapp, on Quay street. Here James H. Cook conducted a general store for Knapp from 1825 to 1832.

Peter H. Whitney operated the Bunce Mill in 1820-21, and subsequently became identi - fied with the lumber industry on Black River.

George McDougall was the keeper of the Fort Gratiot light house in 1922.

John Riley, a half-breed, erected two houses on the northeast corner of the Indian reser- vation, the first in 1817. and the second in 1820. One stood on the west side of Water street at the intersection of Military street, the other on Lots 7 and S, Block 96, of the village plat.

Joseph Watson was the owner of some land below Military street bridge, a parcel of which he sold to Michael L. Kelly. Kelly erected a house thereon, 100 feet below the bridge, in 1827, which was used for a store and tavern for many years.

Louis Facer was the owner of a farm fronting on Black River in 1820. He built a house on the river front, at Quay street, some time after opening his farm in 1821, and in this house he inaugurated inn-keeping.

John B. Dosnoyer made headquarters for a time at Port Huron: but as his trade was carried on with the Indians in their villages, his peltries were stored round wherever circum- stances pointed.

In 1821 Jeremiah Harrington returned from Fort Saginaw, and stayed at Samuel Glidden's house throughout the winter. In August, 1822, he located land on Sections 30 and 31, Township 7 north, Range 17 east.

In 1815, Ignace Morass erected the Abbottsford Mills, and in 1816 Zeph. W. Bunce built his saw mills in Township 6 north. Range 16 east. In 1826. the Andrew Westbrook Mill was built, and in 1827 Smart, Miller and Scott erected the Wadhams' Mills.

Ansehn Petit was a settler on what is now Section 11, Township 6 north, Range 17 east, previous to the war of 1812, and after the defeat of the British made the place his home until the waters swept over the location, compelling him to move to higher ground. His house stood on Court street near Second street crossing, where he had a homestead farm of nineteen acres. This land was subsequently platted by his son. Edward Petit, and the plat recorded as the village of Peru. The lots sold on this tract were the beginning of Port Huron.

Jacob Kendall came to the county in 1825, and purchased lands one mile north of Algo- nac. He held every township office in Clay except that of Constable. He was a man possess- ing more than ordinary intelligence, practical in all matters, conscientious, and altogether an exemplary pioneer. John B. Kendall. once Sheriff of St. Clair, inherited his father's property.

John Swartout, a settler of 1835, located lands on the north line of Clay Township that year. He was born in 1785, and was fifty years of age when he entered on a Michigan pio-

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neer's life. His sons, Martin, Abram, Denis and Benjamin, particularly the two first named, took a part in the pioneer work, which followed settlement.

Weaver Stewart settled at Algonac in 1828, two years after the establishment of the Plain- field Post Office. He purchased lands from Mason & Luse, where he made his home until his death.

Among the early settlers and Indians a most peculiar species of love existed. The aborigines did not love the whites for themselves, nor did the latter love the Indians ; yet both peoples felt that one class was necessary to the well-being of the other. At times the nature of the savages would assert itself, and a ery for the blood of the settlers would be raised ; again the trials of the pioneers would breed a feeling of bitter hatred against their red brothers ; but throughout an undercurrent of fraternity existed, which generally came to the surface in the moments when passion seemed on the point of ruling over common sense and justice. In ordinary life, the Indians were accustomed to call their white friends by some title characteristic of them. In this way the soklier- citizen, Samuel Wilson, was named Abatanwachman, or Half-way-man, by reason of his house being between the month of Black River and the Ignace Morass Mills.

Jeremiah Harrington and members of his family were known by the name Keosaonena, or Hunting-man ; John Thom bore the title Sonsagaunsa, or Little Village, on account of his being the first resident of a settlement on the St. Clair ; J. B. Desnoyers was called Hickory. or Tiquan- bouc ; James H. Cook's name was Wanbo Cheke or Fish Hawk ; Wig-was or Birch Timber was applied to Jonathan Burtch ; Peter Brandemour was named Thongodos, or Brave- Big-talking-man; P. W. Whiting was named Wanboscan, or White Color: Ansehn Petit, who had his toes amputated on account of frost bite, was called Ciseesit, or Out Feet, and so on, until the savages had an Indian name for every white person in the county up to 1830.

In the spring of 1836, or about that time, JJohn Reside, a Scotchman, living in the northern portion of Bruce, was engaged in sugar-making in the woods, and in the afternoon of one day his little daughter, Jane, about five years of age, who had spent the afternoon with her father, started to go home alone, and became lost in the woods. The mother, supposing the child to be with her father, felt no alarm, and the father knew not of her loss till his return late in the evening. Search was soon made and neighbors tlocked in to give such aid and sympathy as they could, but owing to the darkness in the timber the search was unsuccessful

The weather was quite cold and a storm threatening. The men, however, kept in the woods and by lights and incessant shouting kept the beasts away. In the morning, Luke Fisher came with a dog which was allowed to smell a stocking worn by the chikl. The dog soon traced the way the girl had gone, and followed by his master soon came upon her. She had become completely exhausted and overcome by the cold, and had fallen on her face upon the ground. Her uncle, a doctor, was at hand and she was restored to life and brought home. Her hands were frozen and the complete use of them never fully returned. She still dimly remembers the scenes of that terrible night and never forgets that she owes her life to the sagacity of a faithful dog.

REMINISCENCES OF JUDGE BUNCE.

Zephaniah W. Bunce was born in Hartford, Conn., in 1787. Both his grandfathers Bunce and Drake -- were sea captains, and owned their own vessels. They were among the first settlers of Hartford. Capt. Bunce sailed out of New London, and was engaged in foreign commerce. Capt. Drake sailed out of Hartford in the West India trade. Capt. Bance owned a farm within a mile of the present site of the State House, south of Little River. On this farm stood the old Charter Oak. It was the highest ground in the neighborhood, and he built his house on the highest point of that ground. Judge Bunce tells us of his visit to that spot in 1813, just before he came to Michigan. The original orchards and shade trees were then standing. The Judge at that time sold out his interest in the old farm, and did not visit it again until 1868, when every- thing familiar to him had passed away. relatives, friends and scenery, even the old oak, all gone, except one old maple tree. The grounds were made into a publie park, and the site of the okl dwelling was occupied by institutions of learning.

Old Capt. Bunce had six sons and one daughter. His oldest son was sent to Yale College at New Haven. While he was there, the Continental war broke out, and he entreated his father to let him enlist into the army. The father refused, and directed the boy to finish his studies. 1 privateer was fitting out at New Haven, and when she was ready to sail, young Bunce and one of

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his classmates, by the name of Dodd, shipped on board of her. They had success in privateering, taking several prizes. When young Bunce returned, his father forgave him. but with a threat that if he left again before his course of study was complete, he would disinherit him. Nothwithstanding this threat, which he knew was full of meaning, when the privateer was again ready for sea, the boy, with his companion, Dodd, shipped again for further adventure. This time they did not fare so well. Their vessel was captured by the British, and the crew imprisoned at Halifax, where they suffered very greatly, but finally made their escape from prison, found a boat on the shore, and put to sea. After boating about for some time, they were picked up by a vessel, but for reasons not ex- plained, the captain would not, or dared not bring them to shore. They left his vessel four miles out at sea, and by the help of the tide, reached the shore in safety by swimming. When he eame to Hartford, his father offered to forgive him if he would give up his engagement with Mary Drake, the mother of the old Michigan pioneer, which engagement had been of long standing, was favored by both families until Capt. Drake became poor by the loss of his ship and cargo. The boy re- fused to accept the conditions, and was accordingly disinherited. But it seems the father after- ward became reconciled to this son, for in his will he made him equal with the other heirs, and not only so, but made him executor of his estate.

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History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 37

Author: Western historical company, Chicago. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas & co. Number of Pages: 814

Author: Western historical company, Chicago. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, A. T. Andreas & co.
Number of Pages: 814