History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 39

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 39

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Next above this farm was the negro Harry. He was the servant of Meldrum & Parks, who gave him this farm for his faithful services.

Capt. Andrew Westbrook had a very large and good farm, yielding some $5,000 worth of produce annually, which he exchanged for lumber, shingles, etc.

Thebault is remembered, too, the father of Frank Thebault, of Port Huron.

Mr. Record was an excellent farmer with an excellent farm. His wife was half Indian; an amiable, refined lady, a pattern of neatness.

Jo Minne is remembered, too. Ilis mother was a squaw. He was a gentleman of the first water, very hospitable, and with great energy of character. At one time he had a lawsuit before Justice Wolverton, whose office at that time was at the Bunce place. Minne had been twice there with his witnesses and could get no trial. He then asked the Justice when his case could be tried. Ile was told to come in the morning carly; his was the first on the docket. Minne was on hand in time, but another case was called. Mr. Minne rose and said: "Mr. Wolverton, you told me that my case was the first on the docket. I want my trial." "Constable," said the Justice, "put this half Indian out of the court. I cannot be disturbed." "I shall not go out, sir, until I have my trial; and if you, sir, or your Constable undertake to put me out, you will find I am not half Indian for nothing." The jury was called and his case tried.

Old Mr. St. Barnard comes in for a share of remembrance. He came from Canada and located above Pine River. Hle furnished the timber for St. Ann's Church, in Detroit, on contract with Father Richard, and did a large share of the work with his own hands. Father Richard would say: "St. Barnard, don't let the moss grow on your ax handles." "No, Father, I for the hew timber; you for the pray." The old man, at seventy-six years of age, built a two-story house and lived in it for many years,

Old Mr. Petit lived at the mouth of Black River, on the flat near where Howard's mill now stands. When Judge Bunce first saw him he was plowing for wheat, with a bull and a horse side by side.

There were four or five French families above the fort, who obtained their living by catching fish and selling them to the soldiers.

On the Canada side of the St. Clair River was the traitor Campan, to whom the British Gov- ernment gave a farm for his services in the war of 1812. This farm has since been known as the Sutherland farm. It is directly opposite the city of St. Clair. Thomas Sutherland, the poet of Moore, occupied a part of that farm until his death in 1882.

Next above this was John Courtney, a Dutch farmer from Pennsylvania.

Above him was Sampson Ward, back of Elk Island, and near him lived Frank Bartrow, the blacksmith. From Bartrow's to Port Sarnia was a dense forest that looked as though a tree had never been cut from it. It was a heavy green fringe along the east margin of the River St. Clair. On the spot where Port Sarnia now stands was one log shanty surrounded by apple trees planted by the Indians.

This picture of the shores of the St. Clair has dissolved and passed away from the vision of

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this old man, and now, as he is approaching his fourscore and ten years, he finds himself in the midst of cities and villages, and a thriving agricultural and manufacturing population. It is a matter of rejoicing that this old patriarch is hale and cheerful, enjoying a good, vigorons intellect, and has the prospect of another half score of years at least, before he takes his departure.

MEMOIRS OF AURA P. STEWART.

"I was born in the town of Canandaigua, in the State of New York, on the 20th day of May, A. D. 1804. At the time of my birth, iny father had charge of a large distillery and brewery owned by Mr. Dewey, a merchant of Canandaigua, who failed, by which my father lost $600, and was thrown out of business for several months. In 1805, my father established his business of distilling and brewing on what was called Mnd Creek, in the town of Bristol, adjoining Canan- daigua. At the birth of my brother, John H. Stewart, my mother began to decline, and her illness increasing, she died in the month of May, 1810. At this time there was much talk about the new Territory of Michigan, and from the favorable reports secured, my father was de- termined to see the new Territory and seek in it a home. Accordingly he set about the settlement of his business, and in the latter part of November. 1810, he shouldered his pack coutaining his clothes, accompanied by a brother, and took his journey for Michigan. On arriving at Buffalo he learned that on account of the lateness of the season, there were no vessels bound for Detroit; that the few vessels then navigating our lakes had gone into winter quarters and laid up. On this information my father and his brother determined to travel on foot through the then wilderness of Canada, and crossing the river at Black Rock, our travelers entered upon their long and tedious journey. At this time the weather was warm for the season; much rain had fallen, rendering the roads, which were mere pathways, almost impassable. After travel- ing two days, father and his brother came to a tavern kept in two large log buildings joined together; the landlord was at work chopping down'some heavy timber for the purpose of en- larging his farm. Our travelers rested the following day, during which they engaged to assist the landlord at his chopping for a small compensation and board for a week or more. hoping within that time a change of weather would freeze up the mud and make the roads more passable.

At the expiration of ten days, the weather became cold, and the mud in the roads was frozen, and our travelers pursued their westward journey. After several days' travel, in which my father and his brother suffered much inconvenience in obtaining food and lodging, they came to the border of what was in those days called the Long Woods; the distance through this dense and dreary forest was twenty miles or more. Here night overtook them, and our travelers sought lodgings at a log cabin, and were refused by the woman of the house, on ac- count of the absence of her husband. The weather was at this time extremely cold, and there being no other place where lodgings could be found within ten miles, the woman finally con- sented to their remaining over night. She could furnish neither bed nor supper, and to keep warm our travelers filled the fire-place full of wood, placed their packs under their heads and laid down on the bare floor to rest for the night. At the dawn of day the next morning, our travelers shouldered their packs, knowing that they could get no refreshments until they reached Ward's Station, ten miles distant, where was kept a house of entertainment for travelers at about the middle of the Long Woods. My father had not traveled many miles before he became faint from Imnger, but fortunately he found in the road a valise, on opening which he found a lunch of boiled beef, biscuit and cheese. This was a treasure to our travelers, most timely and un- expected, and they sought a resting-place on a log and refreshed themselves with the contents of the valise. On reaching Ward's Station, our travelers concluded to remain over night, and secure the whole of the next day to accomplish the remaining ten miles of that dreary forest. The next morning, our travelers, after partaking of a hearty breakfast, pushed forward with a determination to accomplish the remaining ten miles as soon as possible, which they did in good time, and were glad to find that the remaining part of the journey led through a settled district. On arriving at Moravian Town, my father fell in with a chap by the name of Ransom, a Connecticut Yankee, as he was called by the Canadians, who had been a resident of that place for a long time; he had built a grist- mill, saw mill, and had a large farm under cultiva- tion ; he was the principal business man of the place.

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He appeared extremely glad to meet my father; told him that he had but recently entered into a contract with a Mr. MeGregor. of Windsor, to furnish the timber for masts and spars and finishing lumber to be used in the construction or building of the British fleet intended to command our lakes; Mr. Mettregor being the first contractor with the British Government My father entered into contract with the said Ransom to select and how the timber in the woods to fill the contract. Ransom to haul it to the bank of the River Thames for inspection. This was in the winter of ISt1, and in the month of April the timber and lumber were placed on the bank of the River Thames, ready for inspection and rafting. Ransom was in the habit, once in a while, of drinking spirituons liquors to excess, and was so well pleased to have his con- tract filled and accepted by the agent of the British Government that he went on a big spree. became deranged, cut his throat. and died before he paid my father for his labor. The timber and humber were to be delivered by Ransom at Malden. Mr. MeGregor, being the first con-

tractor, came up and took the timber as it lay on the banks of the Thames, and contracted with my father to raft and deliver it at Malden. After floating the timber down the Thames, it was put into strong cribs to be taken through Lake St. Clair. At that day the manner of rafting timber and lumber through Lake St. Clair from the Thames was to tow it along the lake shore with ox or horse teams, unless the wind was fair to force it forward. After many days' toil in this manner the raft entered the Detroit River, and when below Hog Island, a violent gale of wind sprang up which broke the raft and landed it on the American side of the river: it was seized by a Mr. Watson, then custom house officer at Detroit, and he and other parties, knowing that the contents of the raft were to be used in completing the British fleet, then in process of building at Maklen, sought opportunity to have the humber and timber confiscated to the Amer. ican Government, but my father, faithful to the trusts reposed in him. avoided all traps set for him. He had the case brought into the United States District Court, and there a decision was had restoring to him the timber and humber. After the decision of the court, my father col lected the timber and lumber together and delivered it at Malden. for which Mr. McGregor paid him vory liberally, and promised to assist him in getting his pay from the estate of Ransom; this he could most easily do, as he had been appointed administrator of the estate of Ransom. While in Detroit my father became acquainted with the firm of Mack & Miller, who owned a distillery on Harsen's Island, in the county of St. Clair, who wished him to make up a quantity of grain they had in store into whisky: but before doing so he visited Mr. MeGregor and leased the Ransom farm for one year, together with the team and farming implements, and sent his brother up to take charge of the farm and put in a crop, which he did, sowing that season twenty acres of wheat and rye. My father, after three months, finished his engagement with Mack & Miller and returned to the Thames, and spent the balance of the summer and the following winter iu distilling for Matthew Dalson and Esquire Jacobs. In the month of May. 1812. my father returned to the State of New York to visit his boys, whom he had left in charge of their grand- mother, at the town of West Bloomfield. Ontario County, and Jean well remember with what gladness parent and sons met.

After a visit of two weeks, my father returned to Michigan, and at the proper time, went up to the Thames, and himself. his brother and five hired men entered the harvest field, and wore progressing finely in securing the grain. At this time Tecumseh was, with a band of his Indian warriors, stationed .a few miles above where my father was at work with his men. Pro- vious to this, war had broken out between England and the United States; and my father had consulted Esquire Jacobs about his remaining in Canada long enough to secure his grain, and settle some other business masters, and was informed that he could; and as his office was civil and military, he would protect him. Esquire Jacobs was a very prominent and influential man. and under his protection my father felt safe. But some envious and loyal person had informed Tecumseh that seven Americans were at work in a field some distance below and urged their capture. Tecumseh's feelings being hostile to all Americans, he sent sixteen of his band. all mounted on horses, to take my father and his men prisoners: but fortunately, a friend of my father's, on learning that Tecumseh was about to send a band of his warriors, mounted his horse and ran him to the field where my father was at work, and gave timely notice. The messenger told my father that he must leave the field instantly or be would be a prisoner within ten

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minutes. My father expressed a wish to go to the other side of the field to get his coat, as it contained his pocketbook, papers, and all of his money; but his friend insisted that it would not be safe to do so, and he and his men rushed to the river, jumped into a canoe and rowed down as fast as possible for about a mile, when my father jumped on shore at his boarding house to get his clothes. He had just entered the house when the band of Indians came up; on seeing them, the lady of the house requested my father to jump down celler, which he thought not safe to do, if the house was searched; he jumped through the window and entered the harvest field where her husband was at work, and went to work with the other men. The Indians were told that there were seven men in the field, and when they saw the six men in the canoe, they hesitat- ed, giving them time to eross the river and enter the woods. They found lodgings that night at a French honse near the mouth of the Thames, and the next day took the road leading to the River St. Clair, and crossing over at Harsen's Island, hired a friendly Indian to take them across to Clinton River, when they followed the road bordering Lake St. Clair and so safely reached Detroit.

My father, being separated from his comrades, found many kind and sympathizing friends. He was furnished with a wallet filled with provisions. and a boy by the name of Putnam gave him a large cavalry pistol with powder and ball. With these supplies, my father entered the woods, traveling on a line with the road. It was late in the afternoon when father entered the woods, and when night came he was forced to climb a small tree to protect him from the wolves, who came so near he could hear them snap their teeth. At the dawn of day the wolves left, and father descended from the tree, took the road, which he safely traveled, reached Windsor, crossed the river and entered the city of Detroit. It was a happy greeting when the seven men met in Detroit: his, companions supposed that father had been taken prisoner.

The boy Putnam when grown to manhood became Col. Putnam, who joined the Can- adian patriots and was killed at the battle of Windsor, at the patriot invasion in 1832.

My father remained in Detroit and witnessed its shameful surrender by Gov. Hull. He gave me a description of that scene, and of the appearance and conduct of Gov. Hull on that day. It was fashionable in those days for gentlemen to wear ruffled bosoms and white cravats; the Governor had besmeared his with tobacco spittle in his excitement and fright. At that time there was a lawyer by the name of Brush residing in Detroit, who was believed to be a traitor and unfriendly to the American cause, and who had a controlling influence over Gov. Hull. It was believed by the citizens of Detroit, capable of judging, that Brush had se- cretly consorted with Gen. Brock and advised the manner of attack. It was known to many of the most prominent men of Detroit. that Brush had advised the surrender of Detroit. and argued the impossibility of successfully defending it; that he was Hull's adviser, and his influ- ence over him great. There was one thing noticeable. that when Broek had arrived within musket range, he halted, and stood regarding the American force, and their ability to oppose him. as if in doubt whether he was not leading his men into a trap.

I have listened to Judge William Conner, of Mt. Clemens, while discussing the conduet of Hull and Brush in the surrender of Detroit, and they gave it as their opinion, supported by the best men of Detroit, that the cause of its surrender was cowardice on the part of Hull, and treachery on the part of Brush.

Detroit, after its surrender, was put in command of Maj. Mulir of the British Army; he was a perfect gentleman, and treated the citizens with kindness and respect. The British had collected together about fifteen hundred wild Indians; some of them were Pottawatomies, but they were mostly from Mackinaw and along the shore of Lakes Michigan and Huron, and to keep them from annoying the citizens of Detroit, they were stationedl at the River Ecorse, be- low the city. The Indians were commanded by a half-breed by the name of Magee. Once in awhile some of these Indians would venture up to town, at sight of which many of the women, children and timid citizens would be alarmed, but Magee, when notified of their pres- ence, would go into the street and give a few tremendous yells, at the sound of which the In- dians would gather around him, and he would order them back to camp, and they would instantly obey him. At times when the Indians would come to town, Magee would be so drunk that he would have to be assisted into the street and held upright by some of the citizens; but,

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notwithstanding, his unearthly yells (and he had a voice like a lion) would bring all the In- dians around him, and he would order them back to camp.

While the British held Detroit, they sent two expeditions against Fort Mays, then called Frenchtown; now the city of Monroe, where there was a little stockade defended by Ohio militia. At the first attack. the British troops were repulsed with considerable loss. Some of the best marksmen in the httle pieket fort, when the British had placed their artillery to play upon the fort, were ordered by their commanding officer to pick off the men at the gun, a six- pounder, and if possible not allow it to be fired; and I have been told that they did their work so thoroughly that the British had to abandon their gun; that the moment they attempted to load it, every man fell. On the return of this party. my father asked a Welsh soldier how they made ont; he shook his head and said. . very bad;' on asking the reasons of the failure, he said. . Yankees squint, he never squint,' meaning that our riflemen took aim when they fired, but he did not.

The next expedition the British sent to capture Fort Mays was moro successful; they not only took the little stockade, but they allowed the Indians to murder their prisoners and the inhabitants; this affair is known in history as Winchester's defeat, and it was a eruet and sad affair. The Indians on their return had the sealps taken from the slain elevated on polos as they entered town, among which was seen some beautiful hair. taken from the heads of females.

The inhabitants residing on the border of the river and Lako St. Clair, and in faet all per- sons having their residences north of Detroit, were compelled. at the breaking ont of the war, to seek safety in Detroit. The Indians, in passing down the St. Clair River, would go on shore and shoot down the cattle, sheepa nd hogs of the inhabitants, and take anything they took a fancy to, and for this reason all the inhabitants of Northern Michigan were compelled to seek protection in Detroit, and there remamed until relieved by Gen. Harrison.

The British at Malden and Americans at Erie were pushing forward, with all possible dis- patch, the building and equipping of vessels of war intended by each Government to command our Lakes, both fleets being in readiness by the Ist of September, 1513

The British, while holding Detroit, to prevent Gen. Harrison from gaining information of their strength and operations, kept a striet guard over their citizen prisoners, allowing none to leave the town; but a merchant of Detroit got permission to go down to Malden to sottfo some business, and on his arrival the battle between the two fleets had begun. I have for- gotten the merchant's name, but think it was Truax. He produced a glass and a ladder. and got on top of a house, and there witnessed the whole transaction, and as soon as he discovered that the American fleet were the victors, he hastened back, putting his horse at a fast trot, to bring the glad news to his American friends. It appears that the officers commanding Detroit had got the news before Truax's arrival, but holdt it secret from their American prisoners, who were waiting with the greatest anxiety, and were most joyfully relieved on Truax's arrival. Now followed great confusion at the fort and in the town: the British were in a hurry to evacuate the town, and seized every boat and canve to convey them and their baggage across the Detroit River. Amid this confusion and hurry of the British, the Americans collected and held a secret consultation: they know that the British soldiers would leave Detroit that night: but they had great anxiety about those six hundred wilt Indians lying at the River Ecorse; fearing they would rush into town and rob, and perhaps murder the citizens, it was thought a mos songer should be sent to Commodore Perry, requesting him to send them succor as soon as possible.

The persons selected to bear the message to Commodore Perry were William Macomb, William Connor, Henry Graveraet, --- - Naggs. Charles Stewart and Harvey Stewart; there were two other persons selected, the names of whom I have forgotten-eight in all. A canoe had been secured and hid, and our messengers, each paddle in hand, jumped into their canoe, and propelled it down the Detroit River, exerting themselves to deliver the message to Commo. dore Perry as soon as possible. The night was dark, and on arriving at the mouth of Detroit. River, no shipping could be seen: but they heard the sound of oars, and judging from the peculiar sound of the oars that it must be a ship's boat. they hailed. 'Boat a-hoy" the answer was. 'Ariel:' the boat hailed in turn; the answer was, 'A canoe from Detroit with a message

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for the Commodore!' The officer in charge of the boat took the canoe in tow, and brought the messengers to the Commodore's ship, where they remained that night, the Commodore assuring the messengers that 'if the Lord would permit, he would relieve their anxiety, by bringing his ships before their town by 9 o'clock the next morning." The Commodore asked the messengers many questions, and on hearing that they were all well acquainted with the sections of country through which Gen. Harrison would have to pass in his pursuit of the British troops, he gave them his letter of introduction to Gen. Harrison, who, on a further examination, em- ployed the whole eight persons as guides to his army up the River Thames. At this time Gen. Harrison was erossing his army and landing them at Malden, under cover of Perry's fleet. I will here relate a little circumstance as related by my father. The report of cannon at the battle between the American and English fleets on Lake Erie was plainly heard in Detroit, and while the battle was raging. father took a stroll up town, hoping to hear from the combat- ants; on entering Smith's Hotel, he saw a number of British officers seated around a table drinking whisky and discussing the probabilities of success to the British arms. One of their number, a civil officer, after filling his glass and elevating it high, said, .God will bless the British arms. and I drink to the success of our brave seamen now engaged.' At that speech of the British official, father said he became excited, and knowing that he could gain no satis- faction by replying, left the house in disgust; but soon after Mr. Truax returned from Malden and brought the glad news of Perry's victory; it was then amusing to see the boaster's hurry to get over the Detroit River.

After Harrison's army had crossed over at Malden, Perry's fleet weighed anchor, and the wind being moderate, all sails were spread, and the army being in line for marching, both pro- ceeded up the river, the army keeping abreast of the fleet, which my father said was the most beautiful sight he ever witnessed. Where the army rested that night, I am not certain, but I believe they reached Dalson's Station, on the River Thames; if so, it would be fast marching, as the distance would be at least sixty miles. The British had troops stationed at Dalson's, who had joined the retreating army from Detroit, and in their hurry had left some of their supplies. When the army halted at Dalson's Station, Gen. Meigs rode up in front of his brigade and gave his order not to molest the citizens by entering their gardens and orchards, saying, ' We have not come to molest the peaceable citizens, but to fight those who are in arms against us. '

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History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 39

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