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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02199 3024
A
HISTORY
OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK,
FROM THE
FIRST DISCOVERY OF THE COUNTRY
TO THE
PRESENT TIME:
WITH A
GEOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT OF THE COUNTRY,
AND A .
1
VIEW OF ITS ORIGINAL INHABITANTS.
840
1
BY P. S. EASTMAN.
-
NEW EDITION.
NEW YORK :
--------
1:5393
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
7
https://archive.org/details/historyofstateof00east_0
A
HISTORY
OF THE
STATE OF NEW YORK,
FROM THE
FIRST DISCOVERY OF THE COUNTRY
TO THE
PRESENT TIME:
.
WITH A
GEOGRAPHICAL ACCOUNT OF THE COUNTRY,
AND A .
1
VIEW OF ITS ORIGINAL INHABITANTS.
840 1
BY P. S. EASTMAN.
NEW EDITION.
4
NEW YORK :
1:5393
1735234
EASTMAN'S
HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, SS.
BR IT REMEMBERED, That on the twentieth day of October, A. D. 1828, in the fifty- third year of the Independence of the United States of America, JAMES CONNER, of the said district, has deposited in this office the title of a book, the right whereof bo claims as proprietor, in the words following, to wit :
" A History of the State of New York, from the First Discovery of the Country to the Present Time."
In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, " An Act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned ;" and also to an act, entitled, " An Act supplementary to an act, entitled, 'An Act for the encourage- ment of learning, by securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned ; and extending tho benefits thereof to the art of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other prints.' "
FRED. J. BETTS, Clerk of the Southern District of New York.
296! he
PREFACE
THE object of the present volume is to furnish a brief outline of the natural, civil and statisti- cal history of the state of New York. The want of a work of this kind has long been decp- ly felt, and universally acknowledged. An im- perfect attempt to supply this defect was made in the first edition of this work ; but the pre- scribed limits of that publication were found to be, in a great measure, inadequate to the object.
Since the publication of the first edition, the work has undergone many important alterations, which, it is hoped, will be considered as im- provements. It has been increased to near twice its original size by extensive additions, consisting chiefly of more particular details of the most interesting events. The whole has been carefully revised, and no effort spared to render it worthy of the public favor.
In obtaining materials for the different depart- ments of this work, recourse has been had to a great variety of sources, as will be seen by the references and the catalogue of authorities. In some instances, the author has introduced
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6
PREFACE.
·
passages from other writers; and some details of considerable length have been inserted with very little or no alteration. Among the works from which the most copious extracts have been made, are Yates and Moulton's History of New York, Godman's Natural History, Holmes's American Annals, Botta's American War, and Ramsay's History of the Revolution.
. In offering the present volume to the citizens of New York, the Author has attempted, in some measure, to redeem the pledge which was given on the publication of the first edition, and to render the work more deserving of the pub- lic patronage. How far the present effort has been successful, remains to be determined by the verdict of an enlightened community, to whom the work is respectfully submitted.
1
CATALOGUE
OF AUTHORS USED AND CONSULTED IN THE COMPILATION OF THIS WORK.
Smith (William), History of New York, from the first Discovery to the Year 1732; with a Continuation to the Commencement of the Year 1814. Evo. Albany, 1814.
Yates (John V. N.) and Moulton (Joseph W.), History of the State of New York, including the Aboriginal and Colonial Annals. Vol. I., Part I. New York, 1824.
Moulton (Joseph W.), History of the State of New York. Part II. Novum Belgium. New York, 1826.
Gordon (William), History of the Rise, Progress and Establish- ment of the Independence of the United States of America, in- cluding an Account of the late War, and of the thirteen Colonies from their Origin to that Period. Svo. 4 vols. London, 1788.
British Empire in America. 3 vols. London, 1756.
British Dominions in North America, History of, from the first Discovery of that Continent, by S. Cabot, in 1497, to the Peace o. 1763. 4to. London, 1773.
Winterbotham (W.) A Historical, Geographical, Commercial and Philosophical View of the American United States, and the Euro- pean Settlements in America and the West Indies. 8vo. 4 vols. London, 1795. ,
Colden (Cadwallader), History of the Five Indian Nations of Canada. Svo. London, 1747.
Chalmers (George), Political Annals of the present United Colo- pies. 4to. London, 1780.
Holmes (Abiel), The Annals of America, from the Discovery by Columbus, in the Year J492, to the Year 1826. Svo. 2 vols. Cam- bridge, 1829.
Charlevoix, Travels in North America. Svo. 2 vols. London, 1763.
Botta (Charles), History of the War of the Independence of the United States of America, translated from the Italian by Geo. A. Otis. Svo. 2 vols. Boston, 1826.
Historical Society, Collections of the New York. 8vo. 4 vols. 1811 -- 1826.
Massachusetts, Collections of the. 8vo. 2] vols. Boston, 1792-1825.
Ramsay (David), History of the American Revolution. Svo. Dublin, 1795.
Remembrancer (Almon). Evo. 17 vols. London.
Journal of the General Assembly of the Colony of New York, from 1691 to 1743. fol. New York, 1764.
New York, 1766. 2d vol., from 1743 to 1765. fol. .
from 1767 to 1775. fol. New
York.
8
CATALOGUE OF AUTHORS.
Journal of the Senate and Assembly of the State of New York, from 1777 to 1810, inclusive, being 33 sessions. - vols. fol. Fishkill, New York, Poughkeepsie, Albany.
Williams (Samuel), Natural and Civil History of Vermont. Svo. 2 vols. Burlington, 1809.
Robertson (William), History of America. 8vo. 3 vols. Basil, 1790. 1
. Adams (Hannah), History of New England. Svo. Dedham, 1799.
Brackenridge (H. M.), History of the late War between the United States and Great Britain. 12mo. Baltimore, 1818.
Bradford (Alden), History of Massachusetts, from 1764 to 1789. 8vo. 2 vols. Boston, 1825.
Thacher (James), Military Journal during the American Revolu- tionary War, from 1775 to 1783. 8vo. Boston, 1823.
Trumbull (Benjamin), History of Connecticut from 1630 to 1764, and to the Close of the Indian War. 8vo. 2 vols. New Haven, 1818.
Vermont State Papers, compiled by W. Slade, Secretary of State. 8vo. Middlebury, 1823.
Spafford (H. G.), Gazetteer of the State of New York. Svo. Albany, 1813 and 1924.
Adair (James), History of the American Indians. 4to. London 1775.
Morse (Jedidiah), American Universal Geography. 8vo. 2 vols. Boston, 1819.
Godman (J. D.), American Natural History Svo. 3 vols. Phil- adelphia.
Dwight ( -- ), Traveis in New York and the New England States. Svo. 3 vols.
Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. Evo. 8 vols. Philadelphia.
Allen (William), American Biographical and Historical Dicuonary. Svo. Cambridge, 1809.
Lavoisne (M.), Atlas, Carey's American edition. fol. Phila- delphia, 1820.
Lempriere's Universal Biography, Lord's American edition, with additional American Biography. 8vo. 2 vols. New York, 1825.
Worcester (J. E.); Geographical Dictionary, or Universal Gazet- tecr. 8vn 2 vols. Boston. 1823.
Delaplaine s Repository. 4to. Philadelphia.
Hoosac (David), Memoir of De Witt Clinton, with an Appendix. 4to. New York, 1820.
Goodrich (Charles A.), Biography of the Signers of the Declara- tion of Independence.
History of the United States. Boston, 1827.
Haines (Charles G.), Memoir of Thomas Addis Emmet New York, 1820.
CONTENTS.
Preface,
1
CHAP. I. 1
NATURAL GEOGRAPHY.
Boundaries. Situation and Extent. Climate. Face of the Country Mountains. Soil and Productions. Rivers. Lakes. Islands .... 1:
CHAP. II.
NATURAL GEOGRAPHY-CONTINUED.
Minoralogy. Salt Springs. Medicinal Waters. Botany. Natura .. 26 Curiosities.
1
CHAP. III.
1
KATURAL GEOGRAPHY-CONTINUED.
Native Animals.
Mastodon. Moose. Bear. Wolf. Cougar. Wolverene. Catamount. Wildcat. Raccoon. Marten. Deer. Fox. Hare. Rabbit. Por- cupine. Woodchuck. Skunk. Weasel. Squirrel. Mouse. Er- mine. Beaver. Musk-Rat. Mink. Otter. Fish. Birds. Insects. Serpents and Reptiles .35
CHAP. IV.
VIEW OF THE COUNTRY AT THE TIME OF ITS DISCOVERY BY HUDSON. State of the Country. Aborigines. Religion and Superstitions. Iro- quois. Their Confederacy. Antiquities. Inference. Their Au- .60 thors, and Origin of the Indian Race.
CHAP. V.
DISCOVERY AND SETTLEMENT.
Discoveries of Columbus and the Cabots. Great River discovered and explored by Hudson. Champlain's Expedition. Hudson detained in England. Dutch trade to the Great River. Licensed Trading Company. First Settlement. West India Company. New Nether- land. First Governor. Van Twiller's Administration. Kieft. Stuy- vesant. New Netherland surrendered to the English. . 78
10
CONTENTS.
CHAP. VI.
FROM 1665 TO 1710.
Administration of Nichols. Lovelace. New York retaken by the Dutch, and soon after restored to the English. Andros. Dongan. Revolution. Leisler. Sloughter. Bellomont. War with the .. 98
French, &c.
CHAP. VII. FROM 1710 TO 1743.
i
Hunter's Administration. Expedition against Canada. Administra- tion of Burnet, Montgomery, Crosby and Clarke. 121
CHAP. VIII. FROM 1743 TO 1760.
George Clinton appointed Governor. War with France. Expedition against Louisburg. Incursions of the French and Indians. Opera- tions of the War in 1746. Capture of the French Fleet. Indian Depredations. Termination of the War. Osborne appointed Gov- ernor, dies, and is succeeded by Delancey. Hostilities again com- menced with the French. Colonial Convention. Hardy appointed Governor. Colonies prosecute the War. .134
CHAP. IX. CONTINUATION OF THE FRENCH WAR.
Formal Declaration of War. Campaign of 1756, and Capture of Os- wego. Campaign of 1757, and Capture of Fort William Henry. Expedition against Ticonderoga. Capture of Fort Frontenac. Cam- paign of 1759. Surrender of Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Cap- ture of Niagara. Wolfe's Expedition against Quebec. War termi- nated in 1760 by the entire Conquest of Canada. .154
CHAP. X. FROM 1760 TO 1775.
Prospects of the Colony. Controversy relative to the New Hampshire Grants. Opposition from the Settlers. Stamp Act. Congress at New York. Disturbances occasioned by the Stamp Act. Stamp Act repealed. Assembly restrained. Further Attempts to tax the Colonies. Controversy with the Grants become serious. Parties prevented from proceeding to Hostilities by the Controversy with Great Britain. .176
.
.
11
CONTENTS.
CHAP. XI.
COMMENCEMENT OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
Origin of the Controversy with Great Britain. State of Affairs in the Colony. Convention appoints Delegates to the Provincial Congress. War breaks out at Lexington. Disturbances in New York. Cap- ture of Ticonderoga and Crown Point. Governor Tryon arrives. Expedition against Canada. Surrender of Chambly, St. John's and Montreal. Montgomery appears before Quebec. . His Death. In- - habitants of Tryon County disarmed. Provincial Troops enter New York. Americans evacuate Canada. Declaration of Inde- 195 pendence.
CHAP. XII.
THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR. FROM 1776 TO 1778.
Disposition of British and American Troops at New York. Battle on Long Island. Americans evacuate New York. Americans continuo to retreat. Fort Washington taken by the British. Operations on Lake Champlain. Convention adopt the State Constitution. Commencement of the Northern Campaign in 1777. Invasion of Burgoyne. His Capture. Enterprise of Clinton. State Govern-
ment organized. .. 216
CHAP. XIII.
REVOLUTIONARY WAR-CONTINUED TO ITS TERMINATION.
Legislative Proceedings. Revival of Controversy relative to the Grants. Treaty of Alliance with France. British Army concentrated at New York, French Fleet arrives. Campaign of 1779. Operations at Stony Point and Verplanck's. Expedition against the Indians. Campaign of 1780. Depredations of the Royal Army. Arnold's Treachery. Campaign of 1781. Capture of Cornwallis. Indepen- dence acknowledged. British evacuate New York, and the Americans take Possession. . Army disbanded. .249
CHAP. XIV. FROM 1783 TO 1812.
Condition of the Country at the Close of the War. Organization of the general Government. Internal Concerns of the State. Settle- ment of the Vermont Controversy. Agriculture, Arts, Manufac- tures and Commerce. Civil Policy. Attention of the Legislature directed to the Subject of internal Navigation. 296
12
CONTENTS.
CHAP. XV.
WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
· War declared. Preparation for the Invasion of Canada. Battle of Queenstown. Capture of York and Fort George. Operations on the Lakes. Battles of Bridgewater, Chippewa and Plattsburg. Termination of the War. Commencement and Completion of the Northern and Eric Canals. .307
GENERAL VIEWS.
Constitution and Laws. Political Divisions. Cities and Villages Agriculture, Manufactures, Commerce, Canals. Banks. Militia Education. Literary Institutions. Religion. Population. Cbar- acter. .326
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
Sketches of the Lives and Characters of some distinguished Men in the Colony and State of New York 369
1
APPENDIX. 1
No. I. Declaration of Independence
No. II. Treatment of American Prisoners by the British. 431
No. III. Constitution of the United States 433
No. IV. Progress of Settlements.
448
No. V. List of the Governors and Lieutenant-Governors of the Colony and State of New York, with the Time of their Appointments .. .448
No. VI. Notes respecting the Engravings 451
Life of Martin Van Buren.
452
Corona of 1830.
HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
-
CHAP. I.
NATURAL GEOGRAPHY.
Boundaries. Situation and Extent. Climate
Face of the Country. Mountains. Soil and Productions. Rivers. Lakes. Islands.
SEC. I. Boundaries. New York is bounded by Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Long Island sound, on the south ; Connecticut, Massachu- setts, Vermont, and lake Champlain, on the east ; Lower Canada, the St. Lawrence, lake Ontario, Niagara river, lake Erie, and Pennsyl- vania, on the north and west.
SEC. II. Situation and Extent. . This state is situated between lat. 40° 40' and 45° north, and between long. 73º and 79º 55' west. The length of the state, on the parallel of 42º, is 340 miles, and the greatest breadth, from north to south, 304. It contains, exclusive of islands, about 45,000 square miles. It is one of the largest of the United States, and the only one which ex- tends from the Atlantic to the western lakes.
SEC. III. Climate. New York, extending through more than four degrees of latitude, pre- . sents a considerable diversity of climate. It is cold in the north, towards the St. Lawrence ;
2
1
14 .
HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
but milder in the south-east, and in the country lying on the shore of lake Ontario. The great- est range of the thermometer is from 24° below to 95° above the cipher of Fahrenheit.
The climate of the counties between lake Ontario and Pennsylvania is much warmer than that of those farther east in the same latitude -. The earliest forest trees in this tract put forth their leaves about the first of May; and the oak and other late trees by the 20th.
The shallow ponds and brooks usually freeze in October, and snow commonly falls by the last of November, but seldom during the winter exceeds a foot in depth. Cattle are some- times kept in pastures till January, and on the Genesee flats nearly the whole winter.
The fever and ague is the most common disease through- out the state. It prevails on the Hudson, lake Champlain, on the Mohawk and the St. Lawrence, on the Chenango and the Oswego, on the Genesee and the Niagara. This disease is, however, becoming less frequent than formerly, and in many places, where, but a few years since, its prevalence was severely felt, it now very seldom occurs.
The country between Pennsylvania and lake Ontario is the most unhealthy part of the state .. Malignant bilious fevers are common, and prove extremely prejudicial to strangers. 'This is particularly true on the banks of the Genesee, and on the low lands in the vicinity of the lakes. They sometimes occur between the Champlain and the St. Lawrence.
SEC. IV. Face of the Country. The face of the country exhibits an interesting variety, but is less mountainous than many other parts of America. The Catskill mountains, in the east- ern part of the state, are the principal range. The western part generally presents a level, or moderately undulating surface.
The south-eastern part of the state, particularly between the Hudson and Chenango, may be characterized as moun-
-
15
· NATURAL GEOGRAPHY.
tainous. A narrow tract near the Pennsylvania line is gener- ally hilly. From this to lake Ontario, the country is mostly level, and contains no elevation deserving the name of a mountain.
The north-western part of the state, between lakes Erie and Ontario, presents a remarkable singularity of surface. Lake Erie is more than 300 feet above lake Ontario, and the country around proportionably higher. The descent towards lake Ontario is not irregular and imperceptible, but is made by three successive pitches, or steeps, with a wide interval of level land between them.
The upper or southern pitch commences at Buffalo, at the mouth of lake Erie, and runs north of east, stretching round the mouth of Canandaigua lake to the west side of the Sene- ca ; thence south to the high grounds of the Tioga.
The middle pitch commences at the Falls of Niagara, and, after an eastern course of about 50 miles, takes a southerly direction to the Genesee; thence north of the Seneca, Cay- uga, Skencateles and Otisco lakes, and in an eastern direction to the hills, from whose southern declivities flow the Chenan- go and Unadilla.
The northern or lower pitch branches from the middle one near the Eighteen Mile Run, (a stream which empties eighteen miles east of the Niagara,) and, diverging northward, proceeds, with a progress sometimes indistinct, to the lower falls of the Genesce; thence eastward to the falls of the Oswego, 12 miles from its mouth.
The north-eastern part of the state is generally hilly ; and the height of land between Champlain and the St. Law- rence presents a range of mountains of considerable eleva- tion. A tract about 30 miles wide, on the banks of the St. Lawrence, is uneven. At that distance, it becomes rough and broken.
SEC. V. Soil and Productions. The soil of New York is generally fertile, and well adapted to the purposes of agriculture. The country between the Sencca and Cayuga lakes, the val-
-
16
HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
ley of the Chenango, the extensive flats of the. Genesee, and the lands along Black river, in richness of soil, are second, perhaps, to none in America.
West of the Genesee, the soil is less uniformly good. That near lake Ontario is the best. An extensive tract, in the eastern part of the state, including the counties of Rens- selaer, Columbia, Greene, Schoharie, Albany and Schenectady is but indifferent. The country along the Mohawk, west of the Oneida village, is very rich. The plains of Herkimer have long been justly celebrated for their fertility.
Wheat is the most important production, and is extensively cultivated throughout the state. It is raised on the flats of the Genesee with un- paralleled facility, and in quality surpassed by none.
Many parts of the state are well adapted to grazing. Maize, rye and barley are generally cultivated with success. In the counties south-east of the Chenango, the hills are covered with fine timber, and, when cleared, afford excellent pasture. The intervening valleys produce grass and the various kinds of grain in abundance."
SEC. VI. Rivers. This state contains many noble streams, and is watered by some of the most celebrated rivers of America. On the west- ern and northern boundaries are the Niagara and the St. Lawrence. The Allegany, Susque- hannah and Delaware rise in the south part of the state. The western part contains the Gen- esce, Oswego and Black rivers; and the eastern part the Saranac, Hudson and Mohawk.
The Niagara river is the outlet of lake Erie, and runs north about 30 miles to lake Ontario, embracing Grand and Navy islands, and receiving the Tonnewanta creek from the east.
17
NATURAL GEOGRAPHY.
Three miles from lake Erie, it is 7 furlongs in width, and its average depth 21 feet, with a current of 6 miles an hour.
Eighteen miles from lake Erie, are the celebrated Falls of Niagara. For a mile above the great pitch, the bed of the river sinks gradually 57 feet, causing grand and fearful rapids. It is then suddenly depressed, forming a precipice of about 160 feet from bank to bank. On the brink of the precipice is a small island, which divides the stream, and presents, for 150 yards, a perpendicular front of rock, fragments of which lic in confusion at its base.
" The form of the falls is that of an irregular semicircle, about three quarters of a mile in extent. This is divided into two distinct cascades by the intervention of Goat island, the extremity of which is perpendicular, and in a line with the precipice, over which the water is projected. The cataract on the Canada side of the river is called the Horseshoe, or Gircat Fall, from its peculiar form; and that next the United States, the American Fall.
Three extensive views of the falls may be obtained from three different places. In general, the first opportunity trav- ellers have of seeing the cataract is from the high-road, which, at one point, lies near the bank of the river. This place, however, being considerably above the level of the falls, and a good way beyond them, affords a view that is comparatively imperfect and unimposing.
The Table Rock, from which the Falls of the Niagara may be contemplated in all their grandeur, lies on an exact level with the edge of the cataract on the Canada side, and, indeed, forms a part of the precipice, over which the water rushes. It derives its name from the circumstance of its projecting beyond the cliffs that support it, like the leaf of a table. To gain this position, it is necessary to descend a steep bank, and to follow a path that winds among shrub- bery and trees, which entirely conceal from the eye the scene that awaits him who traverses it.
When near the termination of this road, a few steps carried me beyond all these obstructions, and a magnificent amphi- theatre of cataracts burst upon my view with appalling sud- 2 *
18
HISTORY OF NEW YORK.
denness and majesty. However, in a moment, the scene was concealed from my eyes by a dense cloud of spray, which involved me so completely that I did not dare to extricate myself.
A mingled and thundering rushing filled my ears. I could see nothing, except when the wind made a chasm in the "spray, and then tremendous cataracts seemed to encompass me on every side ; while, below, a raging and foamy gulf, of undiscoverable extent, lashed the rocks with its hissing waves, and swallowed, under a horrible obscurity, the smok- ing floods that were precipitated into its bosom.
At first, the sky was obscured by clouds ; but, after a few minutes, the sun burst forth, and the breeze, subsiding at the same time, permitted the spray to ascend perpendicularly. A host of pyramidal clouds rose majestically, one after anoth- er, from the abyss at the bottom of the fall; and each, when it had ascended a little above the edge of the cataract, dis played a beautiful rainbow, which, in a few moments, was gradually transferred into the bosom of the cloud that imme- diately succeeded.
The spray of the Great Fall had extended itself through a wide space directly over me, and, receiving the full influence of the sun, exhibited a luminous and magnificent rainbow, which continued to overarch and irradiate the spot on which - I stood, while I enthusiastically contemplated the indescribable sc . 'e.
Any person, who has nerve enough, may plunge his hand into the water of the Great Fall, after it is projected over the precipice, merely by lying down flat, with his face beyond the edge of the Table Rock, and stretching out his arm to its ut- most extent. The experiment is truly a horrible one, and such as I would not wish to repeat; for, even to this day, I feel a shuddering and recoiling sensation, when I recollect having been in the posture above described.
The body of water, which composes the middle part of the Great Fall, is so immense, that it descends nearly two thirds of the space without being ruffled or broken; and the solemn calmness, with which it rolls over the edge of the precipice, is finely contrasted with the perturbed appearance it assumes
4
19
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NATURAL GEOGRAPHY.
after having reached the gulf below. But the water, towards each side of the fall, is shattered the moment it drops over the rock, and loses, as it desconds, in a great measure, the char- acter of a fluid, being divided into pyramidal-shaped frag- ments, the bases of which are turned upwards.
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