History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 41

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 41

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).

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we went to find unele and make our complaint. and he procured an ordinary meal of victuals at another place. The large batteau in which we came was engaged to take us to Detroit, and we got liberty from our French boatmen to lodge and have our meals with them We boys had taken a great liking to the Frenchmen and were amused at their speech. which was broken English; they appeared to be a jolly, good-natured set. The day after our arrival at French- town, we wandered about and fell in with some French boys who showed us the stockade or pieket fort commanded by Gen. Winchester, who, during the last war with England, was de- feated and most of his men massacred by the Indians. The boys in broken English, which we could hardly understand, told us frightful stories about that transaction, and we were so terror- stricken we dared not enter. On the morning of the third day after our arrival, we left for De- troit and reached Detroit River that night: the boat was run ashore for the night. and brother and I laid down in the place assigned us in the bottom of the boat, but were awakened to find ourselves and bedding wet: the men had neglected to keep the old leaky boat free from water: our blankets being wet, there was no more sleep for us that night. On attempting to move the boat, it was found that iee had formed for some distance around it, the thickness of window glass. It was so cold the men and all on board were glad to get at the oars to keep warm. At about S o'clock, we reached a tavern where we were to get breakfast. The tavern was the most comfortable and respectable house we boys had entered since we left Buffalo, and we were kindly received by the landlord and lady who appeared to be hurrying forward our breakfast. Jack bought a half pint of liquor and drank it all down, which soon after altered his step and manner: on going down to the boat, he commenced scolding me, which I resented, and Jack, being irritated at my replies, slapped me in the face, causing the blood to flow freely from muy nose. On seeing and learning the canse, uncle became very angry, and was about to have Jaek arrested and punished, but he pleaded his cause so well against me, that uncle thought I deserved further punishment, although my crime consisted of accusing Jack of drinking too much liquor and being fuddled. Unele having proeured an apple-tree sprout. led me out, but the good land- lord came to the rescue, took me away and led me into the house, where the landlady washed the blood from my face, and led me to the breakfast table; a good breakfast and the kindness of our landlord and his wife restored me to my usual good spirits; and anxiety to reach home only remained. We had been a month on our journey, as I was told, and would reach Detroit that day; one day's sail more would bring us to Harsen's Island, the home of my father.

After partaking of our breakfast. all hurried to the boat and proceeded up the Detroit River; at about noon, Mr. Mason and uncle determined to walk the remaining distance to De- troit; brother and I asked to accompany them, but unele refused, telling us that we could not walk that distance. There were only two men at the oars. Capt. Thompson had rolled him- self up in his blankets and lain down in a snug corner of the boat. The boat moved very slowly, and brother and I became lonesome and disheartened: Capt. Thompson was asloep; there were two hard-looking men, with my enemy. Jack, to propel the boat, and under this state of things I felt for the first time a disposition to cry-the first time since I left the home of our grandmother. Our tears moved the boatmen to put us ashore, and on reaching the road, we ran and jumped and shouted for a few rods in expression of our gladness: when these little freaks were over, we struck off into a fast walk, determined to reach Detroit as soon as possible.

We had not proceeded far before we came to the River Rouge; we felt disappointed to find the river in our way. and asked an elderly looking Frenchman to ferry us over. He seemed surprised to see two boys of our age traveling alone. He questioned ns very closely, and from his broken English we knew him to be a Frenchman. His questions were: 'Where you go, yon little boy? what your name? where your father live? ' etc. We answered his questions promptly, and gave him a short history of our travels; but he shook his head doubtingly and said: 'I believe you be runaway boy.' At this moment, looking up the road he saw a company of men on horseback approaching, and told us that we could cross the river with them. Or

the arrival of these men, we were questioned again, and all being well acquainted with our father, our story was readily believed; of these men, there were eight in number, and all but one belonged to the Indian Department. Among them were Mr. Noggs, Indian agent; William Macomb (son of Gen. Macomb) and Francis Harsen, an uncle to my step-mother. Now we had

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fallen into the hands of real friends, who appeared to take special interest in our comfort and welfare. They had been out to recover some horses that had been taken by the Indians during the war, and were now returning with them. We were each given a horse to ride, and soon ended our journey, entering Detroit in fine style. We found Mr. Henry Graveraet in town making preparations to go to Mackinac, having an appointment to the Indian Department there. He took us in charge, and agreed with unele to land us at father's residence on Ilarsen's Island. The next day we boys went to examine the vessel in which we were to go, having, from hard experience, a poor opinion of watercraft generally. But this one pleased us greatly, being well fitted ont, and our opinions on the subject underwent a change. In looking around the vessel, I lost sight of brother John, and called to him; receiving no answer I became frightened, and searched everywhere, but no John could be found. Fearing he had fallen overboard. I ran on the dock, when he called to me, and on looking up found him standing on the top sail-yard. swinging his hat. I called to him to come down, which he did after laughing at my fears for awhile. When eight years old, he climbed the center post of a church steeple said to be 150 feet high, and did it because one of the workmen had performed the same feat, gaining much no- toriety thereby. We returned home, and the next day got on board the vessel and left at an early hour for father's, arriving there at about & o'clock in the evening. Father was not at home, but Unele Charles Stewart was there, and the kind manner in which we were received by our stop-mother made us feel that we were at home and our journey ended.

For many years. I saw but little of Michigan, except that portion bordering on the shore of bake and River St. Clair. I came from an inland and thickly-settled district, and had seen no flowing water savo brooks and rivulets; I had seen no forests but in the distance, and though but a boy of twelve years of age I could not but feel impressed with the wild beauty of my new home. The dense and almost impenetrable forests, the magnificent River St. Clair, the count. less number of every variety of waterfowl flying over my head or resting and sporting on the bosom of the beautiful waters, the howling of wolves at night, the constantly passing and re passing canoes of the strange-looking Indians, their stealthy tread through the woods and their unintelligible shouts as they passed each other, and, last but not least, the merry songs of the French voyageurs toiling at the oar, propelling their boats swiftly over the blue waters -these were new scenes to me, and called forth my wonder and delight. I have now entered upon the seventy-second year of my life- nearly sixty years thus far have been spent in Michigan. 1 have witnessed the improvements made in the county of St. Clair; flourishing towns have sprung up, and a large portion of our older settlers have become wealthy; all have shared in the con- veniences of modern improvements and comforts, but yet, for my own part. I could enjoy no greater pleasure than for a short time to see Michigan as I saw it in ISI5, wild and romantic as it then was; to traverse its dense forests, to paddle my canoe over its waters, surrounded by game of every description on river, lake and shore; and at night, while partaking of a supper of game taken through the day, hear the howling of the wolves, the hooting of owls and other voices of the night. Fancy ofttimes leals me back to the dear old primitive days, and then I am a boy again! Alas! the vision lingers not! I am an old man with increasing infirmities, and nothing is left to me but the memories of the past!

It appears that there were no permanent settlements made on the River St. Clair prior to the conquest of Canada by the British forces, but immediately following that event lands were located and permanent residences made. At Point aux Trombles, there wore four families; on Strumness Island (Dickinson's) there were three families, and three, also, on Harson's Istand; between Point aux Trembles and Recor's Point were fourteen, and five families were settled be- tween Recor's and Black River. The names of the residents on Point aux Trembles were Chor- tier (Shirkey), Minne, Basney and William Hill. | Since Mr. Stewart wrote his memoirs, Mr. Hill departed this life at the ripe old age of ninety years. | Mr. Chortier appears to have been the most prominent man of the Point aux Trembles settlement. The names of the residents of Harsen's Island wore William Harsen, Jacob Harsen. Francis Harsen and Mary Stewart, formerly Mary Graveraet. Capt. Peter Laughton was the first settler on Strumness Island: he was a retired British naval officer, and had selected the island as a part of the land he was entitled to draw from the British Government. Mr. James Harsen and

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his son-in-law, Isaac Graveraet. were the first settlers on Harsen's Island. Mr. Harsen was a gunsmith, and Mr. Graveraet, a silversmith; they came from the city of Albany, N. Y., for the purpose of dealing with the Indians, and selected Harsen's Island as their place of business; they purchased the island from the Indians, under the sanction of the British Government.

The first settlers on the River St. Clair, in what now comprises the township of Cottrell- ville, were Capt. Alexander Harrow, Cottrell, William Thorn, Pascal, Robertson, William Brown, Joseph Minne, and some others whose names I have forgotten.

It appears that the British were very liberal, in that day, in the distribution of wild lands to the officers of their army and navy, and Capt. Harrow, of the navy, located all the land on the river extending from the present site of Algonac to Belle River. After the United States Government came in possession of the Northwest Territory, embracing the State of Michigan, Congress passed an act limiting individuals to one section, and Capt. Harrow was compelled to make his selection in accordance with this act. The lands re-selected by him are now embraced in the township of Clay. and extend from Abram Smith's mill in Algonac to the mill of W. C. & W. S. Roberts, at Roberts' Landing.

Mr. Cottrell (his Christian name I never knew) and Capt. Harrow were the most prominent men of their day in the settlement along St. Clair River.

The original Mr. Cottrell, when a boy. was taken prisoner by the Indians in one of their raids on the Wyoming Valley during the French and Indian wars with the American Colonies. He was purchased from his captors by a Frenchman named Cot-ter-ell, and who brought the lad up as his own son, giving him his name. His sons were George, David, Henry and an- other son. who made his residence at or near Grosse Point, and whose first name I cannot re- eall. The old Cottrell homestead. a few miles below Algonac village. is well known to all my readers.

Henry Cottrell was for many years Sheriff of St. Clair County; in fact he held that office as long as Michigan was a Territory, and. I believe, one term after she became a State. He was a very jovial companion. a good neighbor. energetic, industrions and prompt in the dis- charge of his official duties. I could relate many pleasing anecdotes of Sheriff Cottrell, but I will only give one: Cottrell was given an execution against my uncle, Charles Stewart, who declared the judgment was more than double the sum he owed. and refused to pay it. Under our Territorial laws we had imprisonment for debt. and Cottrell responded -- " Stewart, I shall have to imprison you, then." " All right," said Unele Charley, " now is your time: I am going into the lumber woods, and you will have hard work to find me." "Very well," said Cottrell, " You are willing to go to jail, I see; here, take this writ and go and deliver yourself up to the jailer!" Uncle took the writ and delivered himself to the keeper of the jail, where he remained for a few days, when he returned home.

Mr. David Cottrell was one of your sedate, candid, judicious sort of men; he possessed good natural abilities, once held the office of County Judge, and from the first election under our State government held the office of Justice of the Peace to the day of his death; he also was the people's favorite man for Supervisor, holding the office for many years.

As I have given a short account of the life and character of two prominent men of an adjoining town, I must not forget those of my own township. John R. Smith, Esq., now long deceased, was born in the State of Vermont, and at the breaking-out of the war with En- gland, was serving his county as Sheriff, or Under-Sheriff, and he was almost constantly in his saddle riding through and beyond his county on business.

On one occasion, his business led him to a little town on the banks of the River St. Law- ronce; it was in the winter: the name of the town and the year in which the occurrence hap- pened I have forgotten, although I have heard the Squire relate it many times. I think, how- ever, it was in the winter of 1813. Both of the hostile armies had gone into winter quarters, and none expected a renewal of hostilities before the spring. It appears that the British offi- cers in command of a station on the Canada side of the river, having obtained an account of the situation of the town, and number of American troops, planned a night attack, hoping to surprise the Americans and capture the town with ease. For this purpose, selecting a dark night, he erossed his men over to the American shore a few miles above the town, and to pre-

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vent information of his intentions reaching the American officer, he seized and placed under guard all persons he thought capable of giving information of his approach. That night Mr. Smith had put np at a tavern near where the British landed, and being unwell went to bed at an early honr; the British made prisoners of the landlord and all in his house capable of giv- ing information, and put them under guard: they were about to send Mr. Smith off with the guard. but he being lame and ill, and the landlady pleading so hard for him, the officer judged him harmless and let him remain. As soon as Mr. Smith thought it safe, he went to the stable. mounted his horse, and being well acquainted with the neighborhood, took a circuitons route, put his horse at full speed and reached town in time to give the officer in command notice of the approach of the British. Immediately on this notice, the officer in command ordered his men under arms, with as little noise as possible, and placed them in a position to surprise the British on their approach. The British soon made their appearance, and before their lines were formed for the assault the Americans delivered their volley, which so surprised the British that they wheeled about and retreated as fast as possible until they reached the Canadian shore.

For this timely warning. Mr. Smith became a favorite of the American officers of the army, and the Colonel commanding the place he had relieved from surprise induced him to join his regiment as forage master and licensed trader with the soldiers-what they called their suther. The name or number of the regiment I have forgotten, but it appears that in the spring follow- ing Mr. Smith procured a stock of supplies and joined that regiment and remained with it un- til disbanded at the city of Detroit in 1816. Among the discharged mon of that regiment there were two experienced potters who wished to remain in the Territory, and they requested Mr. Smith to establish a pottery and give them employment.

Mr. Smith, on ascertaining that no brown earthenware had ever been manufactured in Michigan, and that the prospect for a ready sale was good, sought for a place to establish his pottery. He came up to the River St. Clair, found the old Langhton house on Strumness Island vacant, and leased it from David Laughton, one of the heirs, and in May, 1817, had his pottery in full operation, continuing the business until late in the fall of that year. In the winter of 1SIS, he was induced by my father to teach school on Harsen's Island. At that time there were only three families on Harseu's Island, but there were several scholars from over the river. altogether making a school of twelve scholars Mr. Smith taught school on Harson's Island the next winter, and at the same time was carrying on trade with the Indians in company with Mr. David Laughton. occupying a house of Mr. Jacob Harsen's, a part of which was occupied as a school-room, the other half as an " Indian department." I remember there was a barrel of cider in the Indian department frozen so hard that no attempt had been made to use it. The boys got an iron rod, heated it red-hot, and thrust one end into the barrel. and by this means they drank up the teacher's cider: this was done in his absence, although we had good reason to believe he was acquainted with the operation.

l inay be a year later than I ought in giving the time of Squire Smith's first appearance in St. Clair County; he was, however, the first person that was commissioned Justice of the Pence, residing on the River St. Clair. by Gov. Cass. Macomb County embraced all of the ter- ritory of St. Clair County, and the Governor's commission is dated the 17th day of March. A. D. 1SIS.

The next office bestowed on Esquire Smith, under our Territorial government. was his appointment to the office of Postmaster at Plainfield. St. Clair County, in the Territory of Michi- gan. He was the first Postmaster appointed in what is now the county of St. Clair: his com- mission was dated Washington. August 26, 1526, and signed by John MeLoan and William Dening, clerk. I should have stated that J. K. Smith, Esq .. was appointed Special Comis- sioner by Gov. Cass for the county of St. Clair, in the Territory of Michigan, which appoint. ment is dated the 20th day of April. A. D. 1527.

Squire Smith was also made the first Customs Inspector on the American shore of St. Clair River, commencing the discharge of his duties in this office May 1. 1532. This office and that of Pathmaster he hold until after 1511, how much longer the records do not show.

Mr. Smith married, and in 1519 established his residence on what was then considered the

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most pleasant location in the neighborhood-now a part of the Kendall farm, just above the present site of Algonac; this he designated " Point Office." Some years thereafter, he removed and settled on a tract of land now embraced within the limits of Algonac. When this village was surveyed, he made a large reservation, retaining possession of a number of the choicest lots in the plat, and most of them are held by his heirs to the present day.

When the Squire settled at Point Office and at Algonac, litigants from all parts of the county came before him to have their canses adjudicated, and his business exceeded that of the county court for many years. His popularity was very great, gained through his judicious judgments and straightforward, conscientious attention to duty and business. He held the office of Justice of the Peace from 1818 up to the day of his death, which occurred in April, 1855-thirty-seven years. It is a fact that up to his demise he could show a greater record of marriage services performed by him than any (if not all) Justices in St. Clair County.

He was the first Probate Judge elected by the people of this county. Well do I remember that election, for I then cast my first ballot, forty years ago! It was held at St. Clair (Palmer). and the whole number of electors assembled on that day did not exceed thirty. Squire Smith was opposed by an old Detroit lawyer named George McDougal. The lawyer received the French vote, but was defeated.

For many years before his death, the Squire was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and did much in his lifetime to spread the Gospel, and for the elevation and moral training of the community in which he lived. He never encouraged litigation. He died in 1855 in the Christian faith, surrounded by his family, loved and lamented by his children and personal friends, and respected by the public.

The next one of the old pioneers of prominence was Dr. Harmon Chamberlain, who settled in St. Clair. I first saw him at Justice Smith's office in 1819; he was then a youthful looking man just from his studies. He lived with the Squire a short time, but soon moved to St. Clair, where he lived and died.

The Doctor was a great favorite with the old pioneers on the river. I make the record of his first arrival only; his memory is too fresh in the minds of the people for me to do more. His aged wife still lives in St. Clair.

Another old pioneer of our county is Judge Bunce. He is yet living, and can best give his own record. I think he came to the river in 1819, and the little vessel that was carrying his effects up to his present residence above Vicksburg or Marysville, came to anchor opposite my father's, on Harsen's Island. I was then a boy of fourteen years, and was sent to bring him ashore, and also took him back to his vessel; on reaching deck, he gave me a finished two-bladed knife, an instrument rarely seen in those days. I seized the treasure and hurried ashore to ex- amine it; then I leaped and shouted in delight and was the happiest boy in the neighborhood that and for many days thereafter.

Capt. Henry Ainsworth settled in the township of Clay in 1820, and purchased the Bas- ney farm at Point aux Trembles. He was a well-informed. energetic man. and had he lived he would have been a valuable acquistion to our community. He died after a two years' residence, and his son. Henry, occupies the old farm.

Among the most active, industrious and prominent men in the carly settlement of our town (now Clay) was Jacob Peer. He came to Michigan in 1821 with the intention of settling at or near Pontiac, but he fell in with Capt. Andrew Wesbrook and was induced by him to come up to the River St. Clair. Peer purchased Wesbrook's land (that had been given the latter by act of Congress to indemnify him for his Canadian losses during the war of 1812), selecting some 300 acres lying west of Point aux Trembles, bounded south and west by Lake St. Clair. It was almost wholly prairie land, and Mr. Peer in four years' time placed sixty acres under cultiva- tion. Prospectively he had one of the best stock farms in the country, but, unfortunately, the waters in our lakes had risen so high that in 1827 his farm was completely submerged; when strong westerly winds blew, the water was forced up to his door. Mr. Peer had to leave, a poor man again. He next selected lands lying north, adjoining the village of Algonac, and went to work with his usual vim to clear up another farm. When he died (in 1855) he left to his son, Jacob Peer (Jr.), what is now considered one of the very best farms in our township, and one

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having the largest orchard in the county. Mr. Peer has an apple orchard of thirty-five aeros, each tree, in all the hundreds he owns, being thrifty and bearing fruit. The orchard alone is a source of considerable revenue to its proprietor.

Wever Stewart, came to our little village about the year 1828, and a few years after pur- chased lands of Mason and Luse, occupying them until his death. He was a quiet, easy sort of man: a kind and obliging neighbor, industrious, thrifty, and much respected by all who knew him; his wife and children are still residents of our town, and his son, Charles Stewart, is one of the prominent business men of Algonac.

Another of the early settlers at St. Clair County was Jacob Kendall, now deceased. He purchased a tract of land lying about a mile north of Algonae, in 1525. He was a well- informed man; had read a great deal and up to the day of his death bad held almost every office in his town except Constable. Mr. K. was considered one of our best citizens, and was respected by all who knew him: his farm and residence, so pleasantly situated on the bank of the River St. Clair, is now owned by his son, John B. Kendall. Sheriff of the county. The next and last one of the old pioneers that I shall attempt to mention is John Swartout, now past the ninetieth year of his ago. He came to Michigan about the year IS35, and mado pur- chase of lands lying on the north line of the township of Clay. Mr. S. was a very energetic and industrious man, and to this day, notwithstanding his years, he is very useful about the farm; with the assistance of his sons, Martin and Abram. he soon cleared up a large farm and placed it in a good state of cultivation, which is now divided and owned by the sons mentioned. Mr. S. had two other sons, Dennis (who chose the profession of sailor) and Benjamin, who to-day is one of the successful business men of Algonac.

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History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 41

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