History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 42

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 42

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).

There were many other persons that came and settled in the southern portion of the county, at a very early date, who, after remaining a few years, sold out and removed to other parts; I could also mention the names of a number of carly settlers in the northern part of our county, but as they have made their record better than I can describe it. I shall not make the attempt. The remaining part of my memoirs will treat of men and matters that came within my own knowledge, dating back to a very early day, with such incidents and anecdotes as I think will be of interest to the people of this county.

At the death of Mr. Harsen (the first), the old homestead on the Island fell to his son Franeis, who, during the war of 1512. and for many years thereafter, held an appointment in the Indian Department at Detroit. At the close of the war, in IS15, he leased his farm to one Robert Little, a Canadian, and a most lawful British subject. By the lease, Harsen was to receive rent from the produets of the farm, a part of which would be apples and cider. In the succeeding fall, Harsen came up and collected rent withont ditlientty; but in the fall of 1816 Little refused to pay rent to Harsen, who was astonished at such refusal and wished to know the reason. Little stated to Harsen that the Island was in his Britannie Majesty's dominion, and that no American citizen could, under present laws, hohl lands under the British Govern- ment: that he had rendered important services to his government and was entitled to lands; that he was now in possession of the farm and should claim and hold it under British laws; he then drove Harsen from the premises. Harsen returned to Detroit and engaged a lawyer by the name of Whitney, and in the year 1817 commenced suit in the County Court of Macomb County. then embracing all that portion of the territory lying north and east of the present boundary of that county. Judge Clemens was the first Judge, and Robert Fulton, the first pur- chaser of the land upon which St. Clair City now stands, was Sheriff. There was some delay in the prosecution of this suit, it seems, for it was late in the fall of IS17 before the writ of ejeetment was placed in the hands of Sheriff Fulton. On its receipt this officer proceeded to execute it: he called on Little and demanded the surrender of the premises. On this Little forcibly put the officer out of doors, and told him that he should proenre arms and shoot any person attempting to onst him: he claimed that he was a subject of Great Britain and under the protection of that power: that no American court could interfere with or molest him. Fulton told the usurper that he would execute the writ if it took all the militia in the Terri- tory. Accordingly he called on Lient. William Brown for assistance: Brown made a selection of six men, two of whom had been discharged from our army, and the next day erossed over to

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the island, landing at my father's residence: after procuring a small jug of whisky for his men, the party proceeded up to Harsen's farm, the owner joining them on the way. It appears that Little was on the lookout, and informed of the Sheriff's coming, and had prepared for the fight. He loaded the four guns in his house with coarse shot, and had a large five pail kettle over the fire filled with boiling water, and thus prepared he waited the assault. The assault- ing party, on their arrival, took possession of an outhouse, where they agreed upon a plan of attack, and fortified their courage by several mps from the contents of the little jug. It was agreed in conneil that Sheriff Fulton should first go to the outer door and in the name of the sovereign people of the United States demand a surrender of the premises, and, if refused, signal Lieut. Brown, who was to take the place by storm. Accordingly Sheriff Fulton proceeded to make the formal demand, followed, at a short distance, by Mr. Harsen, when Little fired on Harsen from a window, wounding him in the fleshy part of the leg. At the report of Little's gun. Brown ordered his men to surround the house and return the fire, which was done; the first shots shivered the door behind which Little stood, one bullet going past him and entering the bed on which his danghter was sitting. Little did not wait for another volley, but cried for quarter, and surrendered himself into the hands of the Yankees he so much hated.

Little had taken possession of the Harsen farm some months before my father arrived. He seemed to be annoyed at the presence of the hated Yankee, and sent his son down one morning to ask father what right he had to settle in British territory: father answered that he claimed none but lawful rights, and such as he could maintain.

I am not in possession of the date when the county of St. Clair was first organized; but I remember that the township of Cottrellville once embraced all the territory of the township of Clay; the division was made in the month of May, 1828. The township of Cottrellville held two township meetings for the election of officers, previous to the division in IS2S. The peo- ple of the township of Clay, looking forward to the time when a division would be made by common consent, called this township by the name of Plainfield, and the circumstances which caused the division are as follows: Capt. Samuel Ward, one of the early settlers in St. Clair County, was a prominent business man, a good and obliging neighbor. but a rabid politician. There was no compromising matters with the Captain when his resolutions were once formed. Previous to the election in 1828. the Captain made his selection of township officers, and on learning that the people of the south part of the township were opposed to his nominations, and would, if allowed to vote, defeat him, he opposed our vote, alleging that we belonged to the township of Plainfield and were not residents of Cottrellville. The people of Clay called a meeting at the office of J. K. Smith, Esq., for the purpose of taking into consideration the threats of Capt. Ward. and to determine how to act. At this meeting it was determined that, as we legally belonged to the township of Cottrellville, we would all go up and offer our votes, and if rejected, we would return to Mr. Smith's office and hohl an election of our own. Ac- cordingly we were at an early hour at the polls and tendered our votes, which were rejected, upon which we returned and held our election. and before separating a petition was drawn up and signed by the eleetors, asking our Legislative Council to legalize our proceedings, and fix the boundary of our township. At this time Judge J. W. Bunce was our Representative in the Territorial Legislature, and he caused immediate action to be taken on our petition; the aet was passed and approved May 2S. 1528. Capt. Ward did not relish the division of his township, for at that day there were more voters in Clay than there were in Cottrellville, and in respect to numbers we were a small township before the division.

Judge Bunce was elected to represent us by scarcely a dissenting voice; but the prompt manner in which he took our petition in hand was offensive to Capt. Ward, who afterward be- came his most bitter opponent.

At a very early date. about the year 1520, there came to the city of Detroit a lawyer by the name of Alexander O'Keffe, who was liberally educated and a thoroughbred lawyer, but was extremely intemperate in his habits. His drinking sprees were frequent, sometimes lasting for weeks. He became acquainted with Judge Bunce, visiting him often, sometimes prolonging his visits for weeks, and through the Judge's influence he became Prosecuting Attorney for the county of St. Clair. O'Keffe, on one of his visits to Judge Bunce, expressed a wish to repre-

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sent St. Clair in our Legislative Council at its next sitting, and he stated that the Judge favored his election, which was doubted by the leading men of the county. In the following year, O'Keffe came up from Detroit to canvass the county, and made his first call on my father. He introduced his subject by stating that he had quit the use of intoxicating liquors; that he had determined ou a thorough reformation, and was about to take up his abode permanently in St. Clair County. Relying on his reformation and ability, he had come to offer himself as a candi date to represent our county in the Territorial Legislature. In reply my father said: "Coun- selor, I am glad to hear of your proposed reformation, and as to your abilities, no one doubts them. . Come and make your home among us for one year, and give us proof of your reforma- tion, and there is not the least doubt that you will become a favorito among the people, who will certainly give you their hearty support; but to be candid. Counselor, I must insist on one year's reformation before I can give you my support." At this, O'Keffo became angry and said: " Sir, I wish you to know that I was educated at two of the best seminaries in England, and I was bred at the Irish bar; and, sir, I can write your Governor down." After this outburst of passion there was a pause. Mr. James Wolverton, who was present. remarked: "Counselor. you remind me of the story of the calf that sucked two cows. " "Indeed." said O'Keffe, "and what of

that, sir?" "Nothing in particular," said Wolverton, "only it is said the more he sucked the larger he grew." At this remark, O'Keffe smiled and became apparently good natured, when the three went into a calm discussion of the matter. My father and Wolverion tried to convince him that Bunce did not intend to support him, but on the other hand was seeking his own election. O'Keffe said: "It may be so, but if I thought there was such deception in professed friends, I would throw myself on the mercy of the Lord." From the first organization of our county up to the year 1830, O'Keffe practiced in our County Court, most of the time as Proseenting Attorney. A soldier at Fort Gratiot had murdered a comrade, and was delivered over to the authorities for trial; at the time, Andgo Sibley, of Detroit, was our Cirenit Judge, and O'Koffe, Prosecuting Attorney. This was the first time I sat on a grand jury. The jury in this case found a true bill of indictment The bill was drawn up by O'Keffe while visiting Judge Bunce. In order to dress in the backwoods style of that day. O'Koffe procured a pair of buckskin pants, which he wore on visiting my father. I thought if he had had a little of my experience, he would not be so proud of his buckskin pauls, for I had worn several pairs. When new and kept dry. they are rather pleasant things to wear: but when frequently wet they become stiff and rattle like a brass kettle. If wet on going to bed, my plan was to hang them up and mak- the legs as round as 1 conkl get them. After several wettings they become almost unmanageable. In instances of this kind I used to bring them to the barn and run them through the flax break, which would soften them and make them quite dry again, but in spite of nee they would retain the sound of the brass kettle.

1 learn that St. Clair County was organized May 8, 1521. James Fulton was the first purchaser of the sito on which the city of St. Clair now stands, which in process of time be- came the property of Thomas Palmer, of Detroit. Mr. Fulton made the purchase with the view of making it the county seat of St. Clair County, and Mr. Palmer labored hard to accomplish the same end. Fulton and Palmer were opposed by Capt. Samuel Ward, who wished the county seat established at or near his tract of land, which now embraces Marino City. In the county seat war, my father favored St. Clair. Charles Noble, of the city of Monroe, one of the Com- missioners appointed to decide on the proper place for the county seat, called on my father on his way up to examine the two proposed places. My father gave his reasons for favoring the town of St. Clair; our first county seat war ended by the location of the county government at the latter point.

Capt. Eber Brock Ward, late of Detroit. was but a more child at this time, and had no connection with the business of his uncle, Capt. Samuel Ward, until the fall of 1532, when he took my place as clerk for his uncle.

The first jail in the county was erected by James Fulton, at the county seat. It is stated that the building was so constructed as to answer the double purpose of juil, and in the absence of prisoners, was used by Mr. Fulton as a root house I could nam > the first criminal lodged

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in the institution, but for the sake of friends forbear. I could relate many interesting anec- dotes of the county seat war, but time will not permit.

For the entertainment of our commercial men, I will give the names of the first steamboats that plied between Detroit and Port Huron. The first boat making her appearance on this route was the Argo, in 1830. She was constructed from two large whitewood trees converted into canoes or " dug outs," joined together so as to make a sharp bow and square stern. She was owned and commanded by Capt. Burtice, of Detroit. On her arrival at Strumness Island, the Captain would take on board a quantity of fence rails, as it appears she could not carry sufficient fuel for the trip.

About the year 1831, the Gen. Gratiot was placed on the St. Clair route. She was owned by Dr. Rice & Co., of Detroit, and commanded by Capt. John Clark, of East China. The length of time the Gratiot kept the St. Clair route I have forgotten. Capt. Clark was well liked and the Gratiot became a great favorite with the traveling public. About the year 1833, Capt. Bur- tice placed the Gen. Brady on the same route, but she did not remain over two years. The Lady of the Lake, commanded by Capt. Sylvester Atwood, was a small boat fitted for carrying freight; she did not remain long on the route. In the year 1836, the Erie made her appearance on St. Clair River, and was the fastest boat of her size on the lakes. She was principally owned by James Abbott, of Detroit, and continued on the St. Clair route until 1842, when she

was lost in the ice of Lake St. Clair. Capt. Samuel Ward placed the Huron on the same route in 1840. The Huron was the largest and best boat on the route, and was commanded by Capt. E. B. Ward. At this time, Newport, St. Clair and Port Huron were rapidly increasing in pop- ulation, and the county was filling up with active and industrious farmers; the same spirit of enterprise was manifested on the Canada side of the river. Lake Huron shore and river ports gave this steamer full freights; her handsome and commodions cabins were always crowded with passengers. She continued on the route until worn out, each year of her service netting the Wards thousands of dollars; she was the first great paying investment. and her earnings formed the foundation for their colossal fortunes. There were other boats that ran in opposition to the Huron, but they were either run (or bought) off the route by the Wards. All opposition lines to them have incontinently failed, and when Eber B. Ward sold the route its purchasers followed in his steps and maintained their claims against all opposition.

The first boat built in our county was owned and commanded by Samuel Ward, called the St. Clair, which was built in the year 1820, for lake navigation. After the Erie Canal was opened, Capt. Ward freighted his boat at Detroit for New York City, and took on board two horses to tow her through the canal. On arriving at Erie he took down his masts, stowed them snugly on deck, entered and towed safely through the canal; arrived at the Hudson he shipped the masts, bent the sails, and soon came to anchorage at the Metropolis. Procuring a full freight back, he returned, but was somewhat disappointed upon being required to pay toll. Capt Ward not only calculated on getting through the canal free of toll but expected to receive a premium, as his was the first boat from the lakes. The St. Clair was the first boat built at Marine City, which is to-day the most extensive ship building town in the State except Detroit.

The first vessel built at the town of St. Clair was the Grand Turk, owned by the father of Capt. Alex. St. Barnard; she was of about forty tons burden, Barber, the master-builder, was a very ordinary workman, and the vessel, when completed, was a rough-looking concern, and, per- haps. "Grand Turk" was the most appropriate name for her. To look at her -

" She seemed to dare the elements to strife !"

but, under a press of sail, did not- ..

* walk the waters like a thing of life !"'

However, in her day, she carried many a load of lumber and shingles to Detroit.

The first vessel Clay produced was built by Capt. Amos Henkly and R. Newhall, about the year 1824; she was about fifty tons burden and was called the Savage, of Detroit. She was used as a trader, and ran to Mackinac and Green Bay. She was the first vessel that entered and wintered in St. Joseph River. Henkly, on his return to Detroit, represented it as a fit place to build a flourishing town, and, when the site was secured, he claimed an interest in the lands as his possessory right, he having built the first house on the premises. In 1834, he died on

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his boat and was buried in the sand on the Canada shore. The following winter. Mr. William Brown had the body raised and properly interred on the American side of the river. Mr. Brown had a perfect likeness of Capt. Henkly which he carefully preserved, and it is now in the pos. session of some of his family.

Within the past two decades. a multitude of boats and vessels have been built at Marine City, but the first vessel built on Belle River was the Pilot, and was owned by Capt. Androw Wesbrook and Capt. A. B. Henkly. The owners disagreed about the management of the ves- sel, and to settle the difficulty the boat was sold to Mr. Newberry, of Detroit. A full history of the ship building of St. Clair River, together with a sketch of the lives of the different com manders, would make a large and interesting book.

Before closing, I claim it to be my duty to leave a little record of my deceased brother. Capt. JJohn H. Stewart. He may be justly ranked among the pioneer sailors of the lakes: he also stood high in his profession. and was greatly respected. In 1817, my father built a lit- tle sloop of twelve tous burden. for the purpose of carrying shingles, tan bark, coal and such other freight as could be picked up along the shore of the river. In those days, men having freight of this kind were expected to help load and unload. as well as assist in the management. of the boat. My brother commanded the sloop, and it was then ho acquired a love for sailing and determined to make it his business. At the age of seventeen he made his wishes known to my father, who gave his consent. and in order that his boy might become perfect in his profes- sion. he had him placed in charge of Capt. Chesley Btake, who had command of a fine schooner called the Mariner. My brother remained with Capf. Blake two seasons, and sailed the follow. ing season with Capt. Flaharty, on board a little Cleveland schooner called the Eclipse. He spent the winter of that year at Rochester, N. Y., and at the opening of navigation the next spring. entered the employ of Thompson & Co., of Buffalo. After that he entered the ciuploy of O. Newberry. of Detroit, and sailed with Capt. Dingly on board the La Salle, and the two following seasons he was mate on one of Newberry's vessels. He next commanded the Pilot, built by Wesbrook & Henkly, and the following season he fitted out the Marshal Ney, owned by Ward & Newberry, and went as mate on her that year with Capt. Ward. I am not in pos- session of the dates, and can only give the time in which my brother first wont as seaman, and the length of time he continued on the lakes. He shipped with Capt. Blake in 1820, as an ap prentice. The names of the vessels and boats he commanded are as follows : The Pilot. Mar- shal Ney, Jena, Marengo, La Salle, Napoleon Ist, the brig Manhattan and Napoleon 2d, which Mr. Newberry placed on Lake Superior. It strikes me very forcibly that he had command of one more vessel, but am not certain. In ISIO, he chartered the Gen. Harrison from Capt. Ward for $1,200. and on his first trip from Chicago to Buffalo, he brought down a cargo of wheat at 25 cents per bushel, which amounted to $1,000. 8200 less than the charter.

The first time business took me to Black River, where the city of Port Huron now stands. there were but three dwelling houses in the place, one being occupied by a Mr. Petit, and an- other was used as an Indian trading house. At that time, a mission school was opened at Fort Gratiot with one Mr. Hudson as principal. and a Mr. Hart as assistant. A very interesting and correct account of the early settlement of Port Huron and Black River has been published by Mrs. B. C. Farrand, of Port Huron. she obtaining information principally from Mr. Petit. I was much pleased when I read the article, on account of its correctness. The only error I detected, was in spelling Mr. Graveraet's name. Mr. G. assisted in procuring scholars for the mission school, and without his inthience scarcely a scholar could be got. He was my stop- mother's brother, and uncie to Garret (1. Stewart, of Harsen's Island. After a trial of about two years, the mission was moved to the island of Mackinac, where it was assisted by Mr. Graveraet's brother Henry. The only Indian scholar that I can remember attending the Fort Gratiot school was a brother-in law of Mr. Jonathan Burteh, who came to Port Huron at an early date, and if I am not mistaken he eroeted the first frame builling in which goods were sold. The first mill for the manufacture of pine humber erected on Black River was built by Mr. Enos Morass, some years before the war of IS12. During the late war with England, our Government wanted some large sticks of pine timber, and the contract for furnishing them was given to Mr. Morass, who procured men and teams and went up Black River, selected and out

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HISTORY OF ST. CLAIR COUNTY.

the timber, passing with it on his trains down Black and St Clair Rivers, over Lake St. Clair, and down Detroit, River, all the way on the ice, which at that day was considered an extraordi- nary undertaking. Another risky and dangerous undertaking which happened during the war, was performed by Mr. William Brown, father of Mr. James Brown, of Cottrellville. The troops at Fort Gratiot were short of provisions, and the Commissary at Detroit had orders to supply them. A short time previous, a Lientenant of the Fort, in passing down the river, was shot by the Indians and killed, but the men who accompanied him escaped. At this time it was considered dangerous for small bodies of men to travel along the northern shore of Lake and River St. Clair, as large numbers of Indians were secreted in the woods. The Commissary, in looking for a man who was thoroughly acquainted with the roads and paths through the forest, was recommended to Mr. Brown as a man well posted in the route, also a man of great courage and energy. Mr. Brown was engaged, and the next morning at an early hour he left Detroit with a train of fat cattle and other articles, arriving at Point aux Trembles that night. The next dav he arrived at Fort Gratiot all sale. The supplies were gladly received, the officer in com- mand thanking Mr. Brown for his promptness in the delivery. Another circumstance by which Mr. Brown met the approval of the military authorities happened in the fall of 1819. The militia of St. Clair was commanded by Capt. Wesbrook and Lieut. William Brown. While engaged in a training, two of the militia men quarreled and wanted to fight, but were prevent- ed by Lieut. Brown. Capt. Wesbrook said, let them fight if they wish, which remark brought on a quarrel between the Captain and the Lientenant. Wesbrook charged Brown with disobey- ing a superior officer. Brown appeared before the Commander-in-Chief, who discharged Wes- brook and appointed Brown Captain in his place.

The first minister of the Gospel that visited our connty came to my father's residence in the winter of 1818. His name was Dickson, and he was connected with the M. E. Church. There were but three families on the island, all of whom assembled at my father's residence to hear Mr. Dickson's discourse, which was the first sermon preached in St. Clair County by a Protestant minister. Two years after, we had preaching once a month by Methodist ministers, their circuit being very large, embracing the city of Chatham, Ont., and the country along River St. Clair. They were almost constantly in the saddle to meet their appointments. My father, although a Calvinist Baptist, and strongly opposed to Armenian doctrines, opened his house for these energetic men, and encouraged them until they organized societies able to sup- port their own ministers. The Methodist ministers of that day were poor, humble and devout men, and the members of their societies lived the same prayerful lives. The Methodists of to- day. I think, have lost the religious simplicity possessed by the ministers of those early days. The Methodist ministers of to-day have more learning, the church has become wealthy, they have got hold of the silver spoons, and are standing on their dignity like other sectarian churches.

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History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.., Part 42

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