USA > Michigan > St Clair County > History of the St. Clair County, Michigan, containing an account of its settlement, growth, development and resources.. > Part 43
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While I am writing about Methodist ministers, I will relate a little incident that happened about the year 1820. It was about midwinter, the weather being extremely cold; our minis- ter called on us about 4 o'clock, and was seated in the sitting room before a roaring fire. While thus seated, the juvenile part of my father's family spoke to each other in whispers, and walked over the floor on their tip-toes. We were a noisy set usually, but our reverence for a minister of the Gospel was such as to place us under restraint. The house in which my father resided was of the old French style. and was built soon after the taking of Canada from the French. It had two bed rooms, a sitting room and a large kitchen, with a small bed room for the boys; consequently we could not lodge many guests. At about 8 o'clock that evening, three men called and asked for lodging for the night. They were three lawyers from Detroit; one was Judge B. F. H. Witherall, who was then a young lawyer, bearing a very youthful appear- ance. After our lawyers had partaken of their supper, arrangements for bed accommodation were made. Of course the minister must have the best bed and room; as the three lawyers could not sleep in one bed with comfort, it was therefore decided to bring the bed and bedding from the bed room and place it on the parlor floor before the fire-place, which was large, and was, on that occasion, provided with sufficient wood to keep fire at least ten hours. Our legal guests cheerfully submitted to the arrangements, and as the night was very cold, a pitcher of
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hot whisky sling was prepared for them before retiring, and a kettle of hot water was left on the hearth in case they required more sling. It appears that the lawyers spent the most of the night in drinking, telling anecdotes, laughing, etc. Ilearned from our good minister what had been going on in the parlor during the night. He got up about 4 o'clock and asked me to get his horse; he had had but little sleep and intended leaving before breakfast, not wishing any more of their company. F expressed my sorrow, and hoped that the next time he came he would have no Detroit lawyers to disturb him. I don't think there could be found at the present age a minister who would leave bed at 4 o'clock to avoid the company of three young lawyers. I have forgotten the names of the two that were with young Witherall, and have not since learned whether or not they repented of their sins. I was afterward informed that Witherall, some years later, joined the Methodist Episcopal Church at Detroit. He was a good lawyer and afterward became Judge of the Wayne County Criminal Court.
But fow, at this day, are aware of the hatred manifested by the old British settlers of the Territory, toward the Yankee, a name given by them to all American citizens of the United States. It was not so with the French people; they were glad to have the Bostonians come among them; but the most hatred was manifested by the old Indian traders. They feared the settlement of the State would injure their trade. In the neighborhood where my father lived there was an Indian trader: he was at home but a few months in the year: most of his time was occupied abroad with the Indians. He had a particular hatred for the d. - d Yankee, as he generally called all persons from the States. He had manifested his spleen toward my father, who was informed of it through friendly parties. Early in the spring of 1816, he called appar- ently in great haste. He said that the Black Chief had called a conneil of the Indians, and that they were determined that no American should reside on the island; that the first settlers on the island were in general council adopted with their children into their tribes and couk remain, but they would force all others to leave. He said he had called to give timely notice that my father could be put on his guard; and he feared he would have trouble with the Black Chief. This message was delivered in a hasty manner and our informant loft. In a few days an Indian called at my father's somewhat intoxicated. He made some statements which led my father to believe that he had been stuffed by the Indian trader. At this time, a neighbor stepped in and the Indian picked a quarrel with him and was knocked down. My father believing that the Irader's whisky and counsel was the cause of the Indian's insolence and threats, seized his ax and hastened to the trader's house and when there walked deliberately in, knocked in the head of his barrel of whisky and turned it on the floor. The next day he manned his canve and went to Detroit and stat, d his caso to Gov. Cass. le informed the Governor that he had on one side a loyal British subject who disputed his right to reside on the island, and on the other hand, an Indian trader whom, he had good reason to believe, was instigating the Indians to an- noy and molest him. On this representation the Governor told my father to return and if he should be further molested, to give him notice, and he would send troops to protect him. This affair ended all further trouble: the Indians became my father's best friends, and for many years supplied his table with venison and all kinds of wild game.
While I am writing about Indians, I will stato a eireunistanco that happened in the year 1812 or 1813, as related by my step mother. At the breaking out of the war, the British Gov- ernment secured the services (with but few exceptions) of all the Indians residing at Mackinac. Sault Ste Marie and the shores of Lake Huron: a large number of them went in with the British troops to the assault on Fort Sandusky, commanded by Capt. Croghan. The repulse given by the Americans was so spirited and so destructive, that the British made a hasty retreat back to Malden, which cansed a panie among their Indian allies, many of them refusing to remain. Two large birch canoes, filled with returning Indians were passing up the River St. Clair in the night, and when near my step mother's residence on Harsen's Island, a thunder storm burst upon them and upset one of their canoes, throwing about sixteen Indian warriors into the river to struggle for their lives. The night was perfect darkness and it was a long while before they could reach the shore. Those that reached the shore shouted to those struggling in the water. through the lightning's flash and peals of thunder. The shouts of Indians continued until all . not drowned reached the shore. To my step-mother the scene was so frightful that she seized
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her brother's infant, threw a blanket around it and was about rushing to the wood near by, fearing that the Indians would massacre them, when she was prevented from doing so by her brother, and they both waited for the morning to reveal the mystery of the Indian shouts and yelis of the night. At the dawn of day the next morning. two birch canoes filled with Indians were seen to leave the opposite side of the river and approach the island. and twenty great strapping Indians came ashore, their faces all blackened with charcoal-the Indian manner of mourning for departed friends. They looked very solemn, and stated that they were induced to go to war by the British, and were told by them that the Kit-che-moco-mans (Long-kuives) were great cowards, and easily whipped, but they had found the statement not true; that the Americans had killed a great many British at Lower Sandusky; and that they had to retreat to save their lives, and were returning home when the storm struck them last night; one of their canoes was upset; that they were a long time in reaching shore; that two of their number were drowned. The Indian speaker ended his statements by advising Mr. Graveraet to leave imme- diately, as the Long-knives were coming and would kilt them.
At the breaking-ont of the last war with England, there resided at or near Mackinac an Indian chief by the name of Wing. who was friendly to the Americans, and when the British with their Indian allies surprised and captured Mackinac, in 1812, the chief, Wing, refused to take any part in the transaction, and through his influence restrained the members of his band from taking presents from the British, not even accepting a plug of tobacco. His fidelity to the Americans was so great that he selected eight strong men of his band to man his large birch canoe, with which he passed down Lakes Huron and St. Clair, and gave information to Gov. Hull of the capture of Mackinac. For this information and his zeal and fidelity to the American Government, he became a great favorite with the officers commanding at Mackinac. He visited the Governor every year at Detroit until his advanced age prevented him.
I have one more Indian story to relate, which happened in the spring of 1816. when Col. McNeil commanded Fort Gratiot. Among the numerous families of Indians that resided on Black River was that of an old Indian by the name of Black Snake. He had a numerous family and was related to John Riley, a half Indian, who selected lands and resided in the township of Riley, St. Clair County. The town at its first organization was called Riley. in
memory of the old Indian residents. The father of John Riley was a resident of Albany, N. Y .. where his son John was educated when a boy. John considered himself a citizen of the United States, and the band of Indians to which he belonged were, through his influence, recognized as belonging to and under the protection of the American Government. Among this band of Indians there was a strong-built Indian by the name of Black Duck. He had for a wife a daughter of Black Snake and was strongly attached to the American Government. The Black Duck was an invited guest at a great Indian feast held at or near the mouth of Black River. At this feast much whisky was drunk and many speeches made. The Indians from Canada took part, one of whom boasted of his power and bravery as a warrior, and related how many Americans he had killed and scalped during the past war. As soon as the Indian finished this speech, Black Duck jumped to his feet, and seizing a tomahawk, approached the speaker and said: "You are a great brave; you have killed many Americans: you have taken their scalps. The Ameri cans you have killed were my friends, and you will kill no more!" Black Duck buried his toma- hawk in the boastful speaker's head and here the pleasures of the feast ended. The Black Duck knew that the avengers of blood would be upon him, for with the Indians it was, as it has been in olden times, " an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth;" he therefore hastened to lay his case before Gov. Cass. and seek his protection. He was placed in the fort for safety. The Governor was well acquainted with John Riley, who had rendered valuable service to our Government during the war. Through Riley, a proposition was made to have the matter settled by paying the Indians for their dead relative. On this proposition a council was held before the Governor, at which the avengers of blood agreed to take pay for their dead relative according to their valuation, besides a selection of goods from the public store in Detroit. They demanded forty quarts of whisky, which they considered necessary in order to soften . their hearts and cause the tears to flow more easily over their dead relative. The Governor's Secretary drew an order on my father for the forty quarts of whisky. I was present and won-
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dered that Indians with such dark skins should paint their faces black with charcoal, but I was told that they were mourning for the dead.
I have stated that Mr. Jacob Harsen was the first purchaser of Harsen's Island. Ho had a family of seven children, tive sons and two daughters. His eldest daughter was the wife of Mr. Graveraet, who settled with him on the island. Immediately after the purchase of the island from the Indians, Mr. Graveraet died, leaving a family of four children, who, with their mother, made their home principally with their grandfather, until grown up and sufficiently old to take care of themselves. In the two families, thus united. there were several serions accidents causing the death of some of its members and loss of limb to others. It appears that Mr Harson was brought up in the faith and discipline of the Lutheran Church, and he endeav- ored to train his children in accordance with the rules of that church. Although in a wilder ness where wild game was abundant, he forbade the use of fire-arms on the Sabbath. But one Sabbath morning while all was quiet and the members of the family were all in the house, a large flock of ducks lit on the shore near the house. The sight of the ducks was so tempting to the eldest son that he seized his gun and attempted to fire at the dneks, but the powder flashed in the pan; he ran into the house to re-prime his gun. When entering, the butt of the gun struck the door, which caused an explosion, the whole charge entering Miss Graveract's arm, thon a girl of seven years. It was so frightfully mangled that she was immediately taken to Detroit to have it amputated. Miss Graveraet spent most of the days of her childhood in the family of Indge May, of Detroit, where she learned to sew, and became so expert with the needle that few could excel her at various kinds of needlework. She became my father's second wife in 1814. and was the mother of Capt. Albert Stewart, of Detroit, and Garret G. Stewart Esq., of Harsen's Island. The next serious accident that happened in the Harsen family was in 1800. At this time old Mr. Harsen was dead, and his son Barnard became head of the family. It appears that a key of powder had been placed in the parlor chimney, and on Sat- urday evening several pounds had been weighed out to men that had been at work in the bar- vest field during the week, and some had been spilt on the hearth: by some means fire had been communicated to the powder, and the whole kog of twenty pounds exploded, blowing the house into fragments, and instantly killing Mr. Barnard Harsen and Mrs. Graveraet: a large pewter platter, which was lying on the head of the key. was driven with such force as to almost cut MIrs. Graveraet in two; other members of the family were badly burned and wounded, but recovered. At the time of this explosion, there was stopping with Mr. Harsen a Moravian min- ister by the name of Denkey, who was a great smoker, and it was surmised that he had emptied his pipe on the chimney, which set tire to some paper and thus communicated with the powder. Denkey was not in the house at the time of the explosion, and the conjecture that he was the canse, may have been wrong. He wrote out a full statement of the accident and had it placed in my step-mother's Bible, and when a boy I read the account as he gave it, but the record is lost and I am writing from memory. At this explosion, a looking-glass of my step-mother's was blown nearly a mile, and was found in the south channel of River St. Clair: the frame and quicksilver were gone; it was put in a frame again and kept by my step mother as a retie of the accident.
About ten years after the blowing-up of the house, causing the death of two of the mem bers of the Harsen family. Mr. James Harsen went over to Big Bear Creek on the Canadian side to trade with the Indians. At this time, John Riley was there on a spree, and as Mr. Har- sen was stooping to enter his cabin. he ( Riley) fired off his rifle, the ball entering Mr. H.'s eye and passing ont behind his car. From this wound Mr. Harsen lingered in great misery for about six months, and died at his home on Harsen's Island.
The names of the steamboats commanded by my brother John were Michigan 1. and Michigan 2, owned by O. Newberry, of Detroit, and the Northern, owned in Cleveland He also commanded a steamboat on the Chicago and St. Joseph route, the name of which I have for- gotten. In 1855, he purchased an interest in the steam tug Pilot, but as his health was fast failing his physicians advised him to abandon the waters and remain quiet at home. He did as advised, remaining at home till the day of his death, which was on the 25th of May, 1855. in the fiftieth year of his age. He entered on his profession in the year 1520. and continued it
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for thirty-five years. He was the first seaman from St. Clair County appointed to the command of a vessel at Detroit. In two cases he risked his life to save the lives of drowning sailors and passengers. He was generous to a fault, and could shed a tear for suffering humanity. His death was sudden, as his physicians had previously told him it would be. He was at my place in the morning on business and died before reaching home, in an. apoplectic fit, it being the third attack of the kind. He left a good record, which his surviving children should imitate and be proud of.
After writing the above memoirs, I visited my brother, G. G. Stewart, of Harsen's Island, and while there I asked to examine my father's papers, among which I found the appointment of Harvey Stewart as County Commissioner, in and for the county of St. Clair. The commis- sion had the seal of the Territory, signed by Lewis Cass, Governor, and William Woodbridge, Secretary of State, and was dated the 22d day of May. 1822. Following the above appoint- ment is the commission of Gov. Cass appointing my father Master in Chancery in and for the Territory of Michigan, and dated April 20, 1827.
Regarding myself, I have made a poor record. While many men of my day have become wealthy. and some have filled honorable stations, it has been my lot to remain poor. The ex- posures of my pioneer life left me subject to chronic diseases at the age of forty, which have prevented me from doing continuous hard labor; yet I have assisted in clearing up three farms, one of which I had the misfortune to lose through a defective title, but afterward recovered part by purchase from the lawful owner, requiring all my earnings for five years to meet the payments. I have lamented my lack of a good education; the little I did receive was picked up two and three months at a time, the whole not exceeding one year's tuition. Had I been blest with a good education, I should have sought business less laborious, in which I am in- clined to think I would have succeeded. After all, my evil Genii may have been the cause of all my mishaps. Possessing as I do a nervous temperament, I have many times kicked against the pricks; yet in the discharge of public duty and business affairs, I have endeavored to make myself reliable. I, with my deceased brother, Capt. J. H. Stewart, came to Michigan in the month of November, 1815. I have been a resident of St. Clair County sixty years, and now claim to be the oldest emigrant resident of St. Clair County. To-day there are only four per- sons living in the township of Clay that cast their ballots at the first election held in St. Clair County and the names of these persons are, George Harrow,* Azel Able and the writer."
In February, 1876. the following letter appeared regarding some of Mr. Stewart's state- ments :
HARSEN'S ISLAND, February, 1876.
EDITOR GAZETTE-In A. P Stewart's recollections concerning the shooting of Francis Harsen by Robert Little, some mis-statements are made which I wish to correct. Little never refused to pay rent ; no trouble arose from that cause. When the first lease had expired, Harsen came up from Detroit and leased his farm to Little for five years more. It was agreed that Little was to go to Detroit and then papers would be drawn up to this effect. Before Little went to Detroit, A. P. Stewart's father took occasion to inform Harsen that Little would attempt to hold possession of his farm if he (Harsen) leased it to him for another five years ; it was thought likely, at that time, that the island would fall to the British Government, and Stewart, sup- posing Little to be a British subject, told Harsen that Little would claim it. Little never told Harsen that he would dispossess him, nor did he ever order him from the premises
When Little was informed by friends that Harsen was coming with a force of men to oust him, he was greatly surprised. When he saw them coming he barred the doors : they demanded the premises, and Little refused to yield possession, having a lease of them for five years, as he could prove. Then they went around in front of the house and held a council, and afterward marched down to Stewart's distillery and he supplied them with whisky. At this moment one of the men, more intoxicated than the rest, approached the house and fired through the window. the bullet passing between Little's wife and danghter, who were sitting on a bed. Then Little shot at the man who fired through the window, missing him ; one of the shot, however, struck Francis Harsen in the fleshy part of the leg. Harsen, when hit, was walking by himself on the bank of the river. It was thought, from the positions of the parties, that the shot must have glanced from the frozen ground and struck Harsen, the wounded man himself afterward coinciding in this opinion.
Sheriff Fulton came to the window and advised Little to give up the premises, saying that the men were all intoxicated and he was afraid might commit murder. Little told him if he had proper authority he might break the door down and he would not molest him or any of his party. Then Lient. Brown came in and was showing his authority by throwing the furniture around, when Little put Brown out of doors. The case was carried into court. Afterward Harsen came to a settlement with Little, and all trouble ceased.
Harsen said himself that there would not have been any trouble had it not been for A. P. Stewart's * William Hill, who died since the publication of Mr. Stewart's memoirs commenced, was one of the first to cast a ballot.
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father. Stewart was the instigator of the row. Harsen and Little were ever after friends, remaining so until death.
Robert Little was born in Maryland ; his father moved to Grosse Point, Mich., and he lived there with his father until he became of age and owned a farm there. Married a Miss Tucker, of Mt. Clemens ; sold his farm at that point and bought a farm at Mt. Clemens ; from thence he came up and leased Harsen's farm to carry on a dairy : from thence he moved back to Mt. Clemens ; lived there until his wife's death. Ile had a family of twelve children, of whom nine are living ; the oldest is eighty four years of age. Two sons of his were volunteers in the war of 1812. at Mt. Clemens, under Col. Stockton. His daughter, Mrs. Johnson, who came so near getting shot, is living yet. After his wife's death, he resided with his son in Wallaceburg. Ont., one of the most prominent business men of that place, where he died in 1847, aged seventy six years. left a large circle of friends and relatives to mourn his loss.
This statement I learned from Francis Harsen and from my father, Robert Little, as well as from other eye witnesses, who, I think, have better recollections than A. P. Stewart, of this case. Yours respectfully. N. LITTLE.
The following letter from Mr. Stewart formed the reply :
ALGONAC, February 26, 1876.
EDITOR GAZETTE-In the last issue of your paper I find a note by which I learn that you hesitate to publish my reply to N. Little, until you see me, but for what reason I cannot easily guess. N. Little, in his reply to the account given in my memoirs of the shooting of Mr. Harsen, makes out my statement to be false : that my father was a bad man and the cause of that difficulty : he also states that the militiamen col- lected by Sheriff Fulton and commanded by Lient. Brown, were a drunken mob. I am not willing to remain silent and allow such statements to go before the public unrebuked. Mr. John Robertson, an old gentleman residing on Belle River, is the only living man that assisted Sheriff Fulton in getting Little from the Harson farm. Mr. Robertson's moral character is unimpeachable ; he is a Christian and is respreted where known. N. Little's statements have been pretty thoroughly discussed in this place since their publication, and are not believed by the respectable part of the community. I have remained quiet and let the public discuss the matter, and was much gratified when informed that the decisions were in my favor. N. Little accuses me of falsehood, and taints the reputation of my father. Sheriff Fulton, Lieut. Brown and the men under his com- mand ; and in reply, Iclaim the right to give a brief history of N. Little's father and grandfather, and let them stand face to face before the public. To refuse me this privilege is wronging me and the worthy per- sons 1 feel it my duty to defend. Perhaps you think my reply to N. Little too severe ; severe or not, it is a matter of history recorded in the memory of the old inhabitants for the last eighty years, and so often related in my hearing when a boy. that I retained it as readily as I do the English alphabet. If you think my charge too heavy for your gun, and that it will burst in expounding, then return my article and I will seck redress elsewhere. The old rat that said caution was the parent of safety, was considered a wise old fellow, and per- haps in most cases the old rat's logie is the best : but the rat's reasoning was to save its life, not in the defense of the moral character of itself and friends. I have written enough, and shall only add that if you cannot publish my reply to N. Little, kindly publish this letter : I would like it published even if you do publish my reply. I know of one or two parties who were eye witnesses to N. Little's dispossession, and as soon as i can get their statements. I shall forward them to you for publication.
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