A history of St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, New York : from the earliest period to the present time, Part 1

Author: Hough, Franklin Benjamin, 1822-1885
Publication date: 1853
Publisher: Albany, N.Y. : Little & Co.
Number of Pages: 750

USA > New York > Franklin County > A history of St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, New York : from the earliest period to the present time > Part 1
USA > New York > St Lawrence County > A history of St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, New York : from the earliest period to the present time > Part 1

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GENEALCCY COLLECTION

GEN

ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

3 1833 02209 3907

Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015

https://archive.org/details/historyofstlawre00houg_0

B. N.Va.

Presented A.S. Madison Y fu

A.Z. Madison.

Fing'd by F. Halpin ..

Entered according to Act of Congress Peby. 26th 1846. by B. Emmons. in the Clerks Office of the Northern District of the State of N.York .

Respectfully James Silas Mighty

HISTORY

ST. LAWRENCE AND FRANKLIN

COUNTIES, NEW YORK,

FROM THE

EARLIEST PERIOD TO THE PRESENT TIME. 1 .. -

FRANKLIN B. HOUGH, A. M., M. D.,

CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

Maps of St Lawrence & Franklin Counties are in map case : Check map catalog for location.

COUNT

OF THE

ST LAWRENCE

LIN

LIBERTY

FRANK

SEAL

ALBANY : LITTLE & CO., 53 STATE STREET. 1853.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1853, by FRANKLIN B. HOUGH,

In the Clerk's office of the District Court for the Northern District of New York.

MUNSELL, PRINTER, ALBANY.

PREFACE. 1151716

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The interest which was manifested, in a lecture delivered in December, 1851, at Ogdensburgh, on the early history of the county, led to the belief that the subject was one that commended itself to the attention of the citi- ' zens generally,and induced the collection of the materials herewith offered to the public. To the numerous persons who have expressed an interest in the work, and in various ways aided in promoting it, our sincere thanks are tendered; but an attempt to enumerate those from whom facts and verbal statements were received, would be impossible. To the Hon. Henry S. Randall, secretary of state, and Mr. Archibald Camp- bell, his deputy, are we indebted, for access to the voluminous data which our state archives afford, and aid in procuring many facts not elsewhere existing. Dr. E. B. O'Callaghan has been of especial service, in directing our attention to various sources of information; and Dr. T. Romeyn Beck, in the loan of volumes relating to our subjects of investi- gation. To Messrs. James H. Titus and A. O. Brodie, of New York, and to Henry E. Pierrepont, Esq., of Brooklyn, are our acknowledg- ments due, for materials in aid of the work; as they are also to Dr. Amasa Trowbridge, of Watertown, and P. S. Stewart, Esq., of Carthage. The sketches from which most of the wood engravings were made, were, with the exceptions of the views of Gouverneur and Potsdam, drawn by Miss Levantia J. Woolworth, of Turin.

the

To Elijah B. Allen, president of the Ontario and St. Lawrence Steam Boat Company, and Mr. T. P. Chandler, president of the Northern Rail Road Company, are we especially indebted, for facilities in collecting materials, and to the following citizens, for direct aid, and written me- moranda, used in these pages, viz: the Hon. Messrs. Henry Van Rensse- laer, John Fine, David C. Judson, Preston King, Jas. G. Hopkins, Smith Stilwell and Bishop Perkins; the Rev. Messrs. L. M. Miller, J. P. Jen- nings and H. R. Peters; to Drs. S. N. Sherman and A. Tyler; and to Messrs. A. B. James, James C. Barter, Wm. E. Guest, A. C. Brown, L. Hasbrouck, B. H. Vary, H. F. Lawrence and R. G. Pettibone, of Og- densburgh; D. W. Church and C. Ford, of Morristown; D. W. Baldwin and A. M. Church, of Rossie; H. D. Smith, Esq., C. Rich and Hon. E. Dodge, of Gouverneur; Dr. D. Clark, Rev. R. Pettibone and Messrs. M.

PREFACE.

Thatcher, J. L. Russell, Geo. S. Winslow, F. Wood and I. R. Tupper, of Canton; E. A. Dayton, of Columbia village; I. Ogden, of Wadding- ton; Hon. Wm. A. Dart, L. and W. L. Knowles, S. Raymond, Wm. H. Wallace, J. Blaisdell, B. G. Baldwin, Rev. I. Allen, E. W. Foster, W. M. Hitchcock, and Rev. -- Andrews, of Potsdam; L. C. Yale, of Nor- folk; Rev. W. Whitfield, of Pierrepont; Rev. O. M. Moxley, of Parish- ville; Hon. H. Horton, Col. Charles L. Schlatter, F. Pellitier, S. C. F. Thorndike, A. B. Parmelee, G. Parker, Dr. E. Man, Dr. T. R. Powell, J. H. Jackson, U. D. Meeker, R. G. Foote, G. C. Cotton and Rev. A. Parmelee, of Malone; J. C. Spencer, of Fort Covington; A. Fulton, of Hogansburgh; and Rev. F. Marcoux, of St. Regis; and not least because last, to the several editors of the St. Lawrence Republican, Ogdensburgh Sentinel, The Laborer, Canton Independent, Potsdam Courier, St. Law- rence Journal, Franklin Gazette and Frontier Palladium, are our cordial thanks tendered, for the kind attention they have bestowed upon the enterprise.

The indulgence of the reader is solicited towards the typographical errors, that must unavoidably occur among so many names and dates; and the assurance may be received, that such statements only are given, as are believed to be facts. It is at all times a delicate task to write upon subjects of history relating to those living, or about which many of the readers must know more than the writer. How nearly truth has been attained, the reader must decide. It has been our aim to be strictly impartial; to injure the feelings or the interests of none: to do justice to the resources of the country, and to the memories of those whose acts make up our history. Many links in the chain of events are want- ing, and the data from which history is derived, are daily becoming lost. It has been our aim to rescue from oblivion the incidents that attended the feeble beginnings and early struggles of a district of country which a combination of favoring causes is destined to place high in rank of wealth and importance; and if our efforts shall in any degree tend to this end, by making known our resources and our advantages, a promi- nent object which has been constantly before us, will have been attained.

FRANKLIN B. HOUGH.

Albany, February 7, 1853.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

ABORIGINAL, FRENCH AND ENGLISH HISTORY.

Traces of ancient occupancy-Early discoveries-Journals of voyages-Found- ing of mission at la Presentation-Memoir of Picquet-Isle Royal fortified- Its seige and surrender-Account of Oswegatchie tribe, . .. . . 17

CHAPTER II. ST. REGIS.

Its situation-Origin-Labors of Father Gordon, a Jesuit-Legend of the bell -Capture of Deerfield-Their action in the revolution-Treaties of various Indian tribes-Account of the Seven Nations of Canada-Their proceedings previous to the treaties-Doings at the first treaty-Account of subsequent treaties-Part taken in the war-Great mortality-Internal organization- Present condition-Names of places-Lives of several Indian chiefs, .. 110 -

CHAPTER III.

ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTIES, PUBLIC BUILDINGS, ETC.

Original petition for organization of St. Lawrence county-Act of incorpora- tion-Acts relating to the erection and removal of site of public buildings- Act incorporating Franklin county-Memoranda from county records, 204

CHAPTER IV. HISTORY OF THE LAND TITLES.

Tendency to spread of settlements after the Revolution-Early action of legis- lature for sale of lands-Resolutions of land commissioners-Sale of "ten towns "-Macomb's purchase-The islands-Titles of the several towns- Gospel and School lots-Old military purchase-Account of first surveys- Incidents, . 235

CHAPTER V.

ORGANIZATION AND SETTLEMENT OF THE SEVERAL TOWNS.

List of towns in St. Lawrence county-Details and incidents relating to each- Lists of supervisors-Memoranda from town records-Religious societies- List of towns in Franklin county, with details, . 266

CHAPTER VI.

SOCIETIES AND ASSOCIATIONS-THE PRESS-HISTORY OF ACADEMIES.

Medical societies - Benevolent societies - Lyceums-Irish relief-Religious associations-Societies for mutual benefit-Masons-Odd Fellows-Rechab-

CONTENTS.

ites-Sons of Temperance - Protective unions - Agricultural societies - Insurance companies - Banks-Account of the local press -The several academies, . 517

CHAPTER VII.

INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS, STATISTICS, ETC.

Proposed improvement in navigation of St. Lawrence-Improvements of the smaller rivers-Rail road history from the beginning-Statistics of Northern rail road-Potsdam and Watertown rail road-Telegraphs-Steam boats- State roads-Plank roads-Statistics of population-Pensioners in 1840- Custom districts-Post offices-Lists of civil officers, 554

CHAPTER VIII.

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

Russell Attwater, Thomas B. Benedict, John Boyd, James Campbell, D. W. Church, Thomas J. Davies, John Fine, S. Foote, D. Ford, N. Ford, Asa Hascall, Louis Hasbrouck, Roswell Hopkins, H. Horton, D. C. Judson, R. McChesney, D. A. Ogden, David Parish, George Parish, H. Powell, B. Raymond, A. Richards, J. Rosseel, J. W. Smith, G. Smith, J. B. Spencer, R. Townsend, W. H. Vining, H. S. Waterhouse, Joseph York, Silas Wright, 584

CHAPTER IX. EVENTS OF THE WAR OF 1812-1815.

First military organizations-Events at Ogdensburgh in 1812-Affair at Tous- sant island-Attempt of the enemy in October-Descent upon Brockville- Capture of Ogdensburgh-Details of Wilkinson's expedition, . .. 617

CHAPTER X. THE PATRIOT WAR OF 1837-1840.

Causes-Destruction of steamer Caroline-Of steamer Sir Robert Peel-This act avowed-Affair at the Wind Mill, near Prescott-Official returns of killed and wounded-Outrages upon American steam boats on the St. Law- rence-Affair of the schooner Weeks-Trial and sentence of prisoners, with lists, . €56

CHAPTER XI. 1 GEOLOGY, MINERALOGY, METEOROLOGY, ETC.

Extent of several rock formations-Mines and metalic veins-List of mineral localities-Meteorological notes, and memoranda of natural history, .. 675

APPENDIX.

Proclamation of Gov. Colden, announcing the surrender of Fort Levi-Account of, by Knox-Superstitions-Note on Iroquois language-Biographical note on Stephen Van Rensselaer-On Hezekiah B. Pierrepont-Additional notes on Madrid, . 704 INDEX, 717

ERRATA. The reader is requested to make the following corrections,

Page 16, 3d line from bottom, for 1849 read 1749.

66, last line, for debilitated read invigorated.

88, 18th line from bottom, for 1957 read 1757.

100, 4th line from bottom, for solitude read solicitude.

136, top line, for table read talk.

158 last line, for 18 read 1802.

195, 4th line from bottom, for Parisl read Parish.

198, 2nd line from top, for reserved read preserved.

236, 7th line from top, for ragged read rugged.

243, 11th and 12th lines from the top, erase the words "who married a daughter of Wm. Constable."

244, 23d line from top, for LeRay read LeRoy.

267, Canton was organized in 1805 instead of 1808

66 " Pierrepont was taken from Russell and Potsdam.

274 6th line from top for Merriman read Herriman.

280. 16th line from top, read C instead of G in Mr. Page's name.

311. First word should end with n instead of u.

311. 3d line from bottom, for Mr., read M.

312. 17th line from top, for Arnod read Arnot.

316. 1st word begins with K instead of R.

321. 5th line from top, for house read horse.

324. Top line, for effectual read effected.

366. 26th line from top, for Jordan read Judson.

415. 21st line from bottom, for R. read C. Slade.

417. 11th line from top, for Judge read Jude.

434. 20th line from top, for the read Mr.

452. 22d line from bottom, for McLarer read McLaren.

458. 20th line from bottom, for Narsh read Nash.

540. 27th line from top, for Grey read Guy.

547. 25th and 26th lines; first words of these lines transposed.

555. 5th line from top, for $5,000 read $50,000.

567. 2d line from top, for John read John H. 9th line from top, for T. read J.

12th line from top, for S. L. read I. L.

66 569, 23d line from top, for Companies read Company.

26th line from top, for Egbert read Egert.

589. Top line, for 1783 read 1763.

3d line from top, for 1840 read 1800.

593. 21st line from top, for employment read temperment.

596. 18th line from bottom, after the word sheriff erase the word and. .

9th line from bottom, for suite read site.

600. 18th line from bottom, for Seuftenberg read Senftenberg.

620. 12th line from bottom, for Hulbard read Hubbard.

66 693. 10th line from bottom, for Ioxoclase read Loxoclase.

.6 704. 1st line, for Preferred read Referred.

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INTRODUCTION.

EFORE entering upon the history of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties, it may not be amiss to glance at the con- dition of the country at the time of its settlement, that the · difficulties of forming the first beginning, and the embarrass- ments which delayed their growth, may be duly appreciated. The details of the minor events that make up the annals of rural districts, may want the dignity of history, but not the interest, especially to the citizens of these localities.

At the time when settlements began, here, the river front of Canada, for most of the distance above Montreal, had been settled about twenty years, principally by tories, refugees from the States, at the time of the revolution. These were known as U. E. Loyalists,* and many of them suffered extremely from the privations incident to their forlorn condition, as great numbers fled precipitately from their homes, leaving their property to be confiscated, and although the British government gave them lands, and in various ways assisted them in settling on the St. Lawrence, yet there remained many inconveniences which time alone could reniedy. In the school of adversity they had learned the bitter- ness of want, and were more willing to extend aid to others, from having felt its need, and they appeared much gratified when they learned that the south shore was to be settled.

It is a well known fact, that permanent settlements were made at an early day along the St. Lawrence, at several places, and the features of that majestic river were familiar to these enterprising explorers, before New England had a white inhabitant. With an assiduity that does credit to their sagacity and forethought, they began at once the labor of concili- ating the friendship, and securing the interests of the savages, that had previously roamed through the forest in quest of game, or in stealthy midnight marches in search of some unsuspecting victim of revenge. The few traces which we possess of aboriginal occupation, bespeak a

U. E .- United English.

viii

INTRODUCTION.

military pursuit, and these probably extend back to an ante Columbian period, and show that whatever evil practices the natives may have de- rived from Europeans, the art of war was at least indigenous on this con- tinent, if it is not inherent in man's nature.

These wandering tribes, recognizing but few objects as property, know- ing few wants but those of the appetite, and having few thoughts or de- sires above the groveling instincts of the brute creation, the French la- bored to locate in permanent villages, to teach them the art of cultivating the earth, and of surrounding themselves with some of the conveniences of life.

This was first attempted near the settlements at Montreal and Quebec, of which the present missions of St. Louis and Lorette are examples, but it was found that an atmosphere of moral desolation hung around the white settlements, peculiarly fatal to the natives, who were more, easily corrupted than improved by associating with the whites. These facts led to a desire for some other plan, which should attach the natives to the French, while it alienated them from the English. The result of these efforts was the establishment of an Indian settlement at the present village of Ogdensburgh, of the rise, progress and result of which, a de- tailed account is given in the following pages. In the war between the French and English, which resulted in the ascendency of the latter, our district became the theatre of active operations, and from the Indian set- tlement Swegatchi, there continually issued small war parties, who fell upon the feeble settlements of the Mohawk valley, and slew, scalped, plundered, and burned, without restraint. These cruel and wanton out- rages, by the terror which they excited, to a considerable degree depopu- lated the frontier settlements; nor was the cause of this annoyance re- moved, until the final evacuation of the posts on the St. Lawrence, either with or without resistance, on the expedition of General Amherst in 1760. During the American revolution, a similar series of incursions were instigated, under the direction of the British.

The French had for many years ceased to be masters of Canada, but a great part of the population of the lower province was of that nation, and they long continued the carrying trade, by the toilsome navigation of the St. Lawrence, dragging their bateaux up the rapids with incred- ible labor. These.crafts usually proceeded in small brigades, and the fatigue of rowing was relieved by the rustic song of the steersman, in which the others joined in chorus, keeping time with the song in the measured dip of their oars. There was a poetry in these scenes, which impressed itself upon those who observed them, and some of the older inhabitants, recall with regret the memory of the cadence of the simple

INTRODUCTION.

song of the voyageurs, as it died away in feeble echoes along the shore in the still evening. These have long since given place to the noisy steamer, that sends its swell to ripple along the banks, and the piercing note of the steam whistle, denotes the march of civilization, and gives promise of other and greater benefits, which the future has in store for us.

At an early day, the improvement of the navigation of the river had been begun, by cutting canals, with locks, across some of the more diffi- cult points in the rapids. The proprietors and agents of Northern New York, were originally more favored with facilities for introducing settlers upon their lands, than those of the fertile plains and valleys of the great west, because, although both were equally destitute of roads, the former had the advantage of distance, and emigrants from the New England states, could enter these counties, with much less time and expense than was requiredj to perform the journey to the Genesee country and Ohio.

The route to the latter was through miry swamps, and along streams and valleys, which when overspread with the decaying foliage of a luxuriant vegetation, were infested with deadly miasms, and offered to the adventurous emigrant but little inducement for the exercise of in- dustry, when his little earnings were liable to be demanded by the expenses of sickness, and his frame on alternate days, chilled, parched, and drenched, with fever and ague. Accordingly we find, that during the years between 1802 and 1807, the tide of emigration from that pro- lific hive, New England, poured into the valleys of the Black and St. Lawrence rivers, which settled with a rapidity, especially in the former, which has been seldom equaled.

The proprietors seldom made their tracts their homes, but their agents were generally from the eastern states, and men of influence in their own localities, and we find that the first settlers in the several towns were often from the same neighborhoods.

Winter was usually selected for moving, as the streams and swamps were then bridged by ice, and routes became passable which at other times would be wholly impracticable. A few of the first settlers entered with their families by the tedious and expensive navigation of the Mo- hawk river, to Fort Stanwix, and thence by the canal at that place, through Wood creek, Oneida lake and river, Oswego river, lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence to their destination, and others by the equally toil- some and more dangerous water route from lake Champlain, and up the St. Lawrence. The rumors of war which darkened the political horizon, stopped the growth of the country, and at its occurrence the

INTRODUCTION.

settlements diminished more rapidly than they had previously grown. The channel of trade down the St. Lawrence, which was fast becoming established was broken up, and the exigencies of the period, gave origin to the belief, that other avenues to market, independent of the casualties of war should be established, nor was this abandoned until by the most indefatigable exertions under repeated discouragements, the great want lias been supplied, and there has not been in its history a period, when the future was opening more pleasantly, than the present, inviting the investment of capital and industry, with the promise of rich returns.

In tracing the birth and infancy of our settlements, through the weak- ness, and perhaps the waywardness of inexperienced youth, up to the maturity of manhood, it has been our uniform desire to render impartial justice to the merits of those to whom belongs the credit of having met and overcome the difficulties of a new country, and through a long course of years, with hope deferred, have waited and labored for the accomplish- ment of those objects which were calculated to secure a lasting benefit to the country. About 1818, the first attempt was made to establish the dairy interest, a branch of agriculture which will, to a considerable de- gree, supersede every other, as the broken nature of the surface, in towns underlaid by primary rock, renders pasturage the most profitable use to which much of the land can be applied. The direct access to the mar- kets, at all times, which is now enjoyed, enables the farmer to avail him- self of the calls of the market, and derive every advantage that has hitherto been felt only by those living in the vicinity of large cities. Al- though butter and cheese are required for consumption by millions, yet but a comparatively small part of our country is capable of producing them. The country that yields these articles is mainly limited to the northern border of the Union; the climate of the central and southern portions not being adapted to the purpose. This species of husbandry likewise possesses the elements of perpetuity within itself, from the very small amount of the produce of fields that are taken away. Of other sources of wealth our counties possess an enviable share, when these resources come to be known and appreciated, they can not but be im- proved.

The great and increasing amount of freight business done on the Northern railroad, and the corresponding addition to the commerce of the river and lakes to meet this road, bear evidence that the public are beginning to realize the advantages of the communication, and to reap the benefits to be derived from it.

The Canadian system of rail roads in progress, is destined to exert a

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INTRODUCTION.

favorable influence upon the prospects of this section of the state, by di- recting the tide of travel and business between the seaboard and the great west, through our midst, and the commercial interests of the country, with whom economy of time and money are leading questions, will not be long in finding this as one of the most direct and eligible avenues.

There at present exists a strong probability, that the desirable link between the Northern rail road and that from Rome to Cape Vincent, will be shortly built, which must tend greatly to promote the growth and wealth of the district through which it will pass, by placing it in com- munication with the markets. The enterprise which has originated and sustained these and other measures, tending to develop to the extent of their capacity, the resources of the country, may perhaps be traced to the restless progressive spirit characteristic of New England, from whence the mass of our population is derived.

Had any accidental circumstances thrown the fortunes of the war of 1758-1760, into the opposite scale, giving to the French the ascendency, this district might have continued as it begun, inhabited by a French pop- ulation, and exhibiting that stationary and neglected aspect still seen in their settlements below Montreal; unless, perhaps, the commercial wants of the country might have called forth the expenditure of ex- traneous capital, in the opening of lines of communication. Thus the events of a remote historical period have modified the character of all that follow, and with those who take a pleasure in watching the relations of cause and effect, there can be nothing more instructive than observing how necessarily dependent upon the past are the events of the future.

The claims of history upon the attention of those who seek probabili- ties in precedents, is therefore direct; and of an importance proportion- ate to the proximity of time and place, rather than the magnitude of the events. The mighty changes in nations and empires, and the records of the virtues and vices of mankind which adorn or disgrace the pages of ancient history, are instructive as showing the lights and shades of hu- man character, but they have to a great degree lost their practical bearing from their dissimilarity from existing conditions. Their consequences remain, but so interwoven in the fabric of our civilization, as to be in- separable. The nearer we approach the present, the more obvious are the effects of causes, and there are few prominent events of American history, which have not left their operation upon existing conditions, and between which may be traced the direct relation of cause and con- sequence.

In pursuing the history of any district, nothing is more obvious than the fact, that causes apparently the most trivial, often produce the most last-

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A history of St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, New York : from the earliest period to the present time, Part 1

Author: Hough, Franklin Benjamin, 1822-1885 Publication date: 1853 Publisher: Albany, N.Y. : Little & Co. Number of Pages: 750

Author: Hough, Franklin Benjamin, 1822-1885
Publication date: 1853
Publisher: Albany, N.Y. : Little & Co.
Number of Pages: 750