USA > New York > Erie County > Buffalo > An authentic and comprehensive history of Buffalo : with some account of its early inhabitants, both savage and civilized ; comprising historic notices of the Six Nations or Iroquois Indians, including a sketch of the life of Sir William Johnson, and of other prominent white men, long resident among the Senecas ; arranged in chronologial order > Part 1
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.
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33
?
Gc 974.702 B86k v.2 1131809
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02210 2872
0,0
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
HISTORY OF BUFFALO,
WITH SOME ACCOUNT OF
ITS EARLY INHABITANTS, BOTHI SAVAGE AND CIVILIZED,
COMPRISING HISTORIC NOTICES OF THE SIX NATIONS OR IROQUOIS INDIANS, INCLUDING A SKETCH OF THE LIFE OF SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON, AND OF OTHER PROMINENT WHITE MEN, LONG RESIDENT AMONG THE SENECAS.
ARRANGED IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER,
IN TWO VOLUMES.
BY WILLIAM KETCHUM.
VOL. II.
BUFFALO, N. Y. ROCKWELL, BAKER & HILL, PRINTERS.
1865.
ENTERED according to Act of Congress of the United States of America, in the year 1864, by WILLIAM KETCHUM, in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court, for the Northern District of New York.
1131809
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
History of the Seneeas brought down to the close of Sullivan's Campaign-The winter of 1779-80 the most severe ever known-Multitudes of animals perish- Great sufferings of the Indians-Other means of support became necessary by the scarcity of provisons at Niagara-Indians settled at Buffalo Creek-Mohawks de- cline a settlement at the Bay of Quinte-Senecas decline a settlement in Canada- Prefer to remain in their own country-Continne their depredations upon the fron- tier settlements-Negotiations with the Indians by the State Government-Peter Ryckman visits Niagara-His instructions-The United States propose to hold a treaty with the Six Nations-Treaty at Fort Stanwix in 1784. Page 1.
CHAPTER IL.
Treaty at Fort Stanwix-Speech of Cornplanter-United States Commissioners' reply-Articles of the Treaty of Fort Stanwix-Doubts as to the presence of Red Jacket at the Treaty of Fort Stanwix-Letter of General La Fayette to General Washington-United States Commissioners proceed to the West-Lands opened for sale and settlement in Ohio-British authority supreme in all Western New York until about 1796-William Johnston and Cornelius Winney at Buffalo Creek- Fort Erie occupied by a British garrison-Cornelius Winney the first white resident of Buffalo-Joseph Brant corresponds with Governor Clinton Page 18.
CHAPTER III.
Deputation of Senecas visit Albany-Address the State Commissioners-Cem- missioners' reply-Land companies formed-Conflict between the land companies and the State authorities-Letter of the Six Nations to Governor Clinton-Kanade- saega becomes the seat of trade with the Indians-Phelps and Gorham make an unsuccessful attempt to negotiate for the purchase of Indian lands-Other parties unite with them-Infinence of the lessees with the Indians-Phelps and Gorham compromise with the lessees-A treaty held at Buffalo, Creek-Phelps and Gorham with their associates make a successful arrangement with the Indians-Ask a re- lease from a part of their engagement with Massachusetts-Robt. Morris purchases all the lands relinquished by Phelps and Gorham-Sells to the Holland Land Com- pany-Joseph Ellicott appointed principal surveyor of the Holland Land Company -Negotiation with Wm. Johnston at the mouth of Buffalo Creek. Page 40.
CHAPTER IV.
Origin of the name of Buffalo-Called "New Amsterdam," by the Holland Land Company-Visit of the buffalo to the Salt or Sulphhr Spring on Buffalo Creek-In- dian name of the buffalo-Indian name of Buffalo Creek-La Salle's journey in 1680 -La Hontan's account of Lake Erie-Thomas Ashe's travels in Western Pennsyl- vania and Eastern Ohio-Dr. Hildreth's letter-Albert Gallatin's statement -John H. James's letter-Extract from Thomas Morton-Extracts from Doctor Richard- son Page 63.
iv
ILISTORY OF BUFFALO.
CHAPTER V.
Letter of Miss Powell-Her visit to the Seneca village at Buffalo Creek-Journal of Rev. Samuel Kirkland-His visit to Kanadesagea, Genesee and Buffalo Creek- His address to the Indians-Address of Farmers Brother-Big-Tree's address- Kirkland's reply Page 90.
CHAPTER VI.
Notice of Farmers Brother, or Ilo-na ye-was-Hi- speeches-His execution of an Indian spy-Letter to Win. Eustis, Secretary of War-Origin of his name-Ilis death and burial-Captain Pollard-Notice of-His parentage-Mr. Edward Pollard -Extracts from letters to and from Edward Pollard. Page 111.
CHAPTER VII.
Early visitors at Buffalo Creek-Mr. Hinds Chamberlin-Oliver Culver-John Pal- mer, the first inn keeper in Buffalo-Notice of John Palmer-Letter of Joseph R. Palmer-First movement in regard to schools-Jo-eph Ellicott's letter to John Pal- mer-Duke de Rochefocauld Laincourt's visit to Buffalo-Augustus Porter's notice of Buffalo-Michael Middangh and his son-in-law, Ezekial Lane settled in Buffalo- Sylvanus Maybee, an Indlan trader-Black Joe- Col. Asa Ransom-Notice of Asa Ransom-Elias Ransom-Amasa Ransom-William Robbins-Wm. Peacock's no- tice of Buffalo -surveyors of the Holland Land Company-Geo. Eggleston's letter -Willian Johnston-His son John Johnston-Black Rock Ferry-Doctor Chapin- John Crow Page 128.
CHAPTER VIII.
Joseph Ellicott's journal-Ilis opinion of Black Rock-First murder in Buffalo- Hostile feelings of the Indians-Sale of lands in the vicinity of Buffalo-Notice of Doctor Cyrenins Chapin-Gen. Drummond's letter in relation to Doctor Cha- Page 146, pin
CHI APTER IX.
Mr. Erastus Granger-Notice of-Rev. Timothy Dwight's remarks on a visit to Buffalo-Capt. Samuel Pratt settled in Buffalo-Notice of-Mr William Hall's visit to Buffalo-Mr. Louis Stephen Le Couteulx-Notice of-Mr. David Mather's account of Buffalo-Notice of David Reese. Page 168.
CHAPTER X.
Early American commerce on Lake Erie-Mr Weld's account of a sojourn at Fort Erie-Judge Porter's paper on the Origin of American commerce on the lakes-No- tice of-John Despar-Judge Samuel Tupper-Vincent Grant-Notice of Judge Ze- nas Barker-Notice of Judge Ebenezer Walden-Elijah Leech Page 187.
CHAPTER XI.
First school house-School teachers-First preacher in Buffalo-Letter of John A Vincent-Missions to the Indians at Buffalo Creek-Notice of Rev. Elkanah Holmes-Rev. John Alexander-Mr Jabez D Hyde-Indians reject the Missionary but accept a schoolmaster-Reasons for so doing-First church organized in Buffalo -Rev. Miles P. Squier installed as pastor-Subsequent pastors-Other churches or_ ganized-Notice of Gen. Elijah Holt-Buffalo Moral Society organized-Notice of Deacon Amos Callender-Notice of Decon Jabez Goodell Page 202
V
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XII.
Lots sold in Buffalo in 1808-Notice of Mr. Joseph Landon-Joseph Wells-Capt. Rowland Cotton-Mr. Henry Ketchum-Notice of Mr. Jesse Ketchum-Notice of Doctor Ebenezer Johnson -- Notice of Mr. Joshua Lovejoy-Juba Storrs & Co .- Mr. Benjamin Caryl-Mr. Isaac Davis-Niagara county organized-County seat at "Buffalo, or New Amsterdam "-First court held in the county-Court-house and jail built by the Holland Land Company-Names of the purchasers of lots in 1810- Notice of Mr. Gamaliel St. John-Mr. Eli Hart-Mr. John Lay -Notice of Mr. Fred- erick Miller-Notice of Mr. Ralph M. Pomeroy-Mob destroy his tavern __ Page 220.
CHAPTER XIII.
First newspaper established in Buffalo-Notice of Mr. Abel M. Grosvenor- Wounded by the mob at Pomeroy's house-His death-Notice of Mr. R. B. Hea- cock-Notice of Gen. HI. B. Potter-Notice of Stocking & Bull-Mr. Daniel Bristol -No harbor at Buffalo Creek- Office of Collector of Customs authorized to be re. moved to Black Rock-Circular from the War Department-Notice of Townsend & Coit-Build the first vessel registered in the District of Buffalo Creek-Raphael Cook-Judge Oliver Forward - Doctor Josiah Trowbridge-H. & H. A. Salisbury -The Buffalo Gazette. Page 241.
CHAPTER XIV.
Notice of Mr. Job Hoysington-Killed at Black Rock-John Root, Esq., settled in Buffalo-Notice of-Agitation of the subject of war-Mr. Granger holds a council with the Indians-Irritable state of the public mind-Articles in the Buffalo Gazette -Hostilities commence-Americans in Canada compelled to fly or become priso- ners of war-Militia ordered out-Rumored capture of Grand Island by the British and Indians-Our Indians propose to expel the enemy-County meeting-Seneca warriors arrive from Alleghany-perform a war dance in the streets of Buffalo-two British vessels captured from under the guns of Fort Erie-Death of Col. Howe Cuyler-War events at Black Rock-Capt. Elliott's official report. Page 261.
CHAPTER XV.
Battle of Queenston-Col. Solomon Van Rensselaer-Drafted militia-Gen. Amos Hall-Gen. William Wadsworth-Gen. Stephen Van Rensselaer-Gen. Alexander Smyth-Smyth's proclamations-From the Buffalo Gazette-Gen. Peter B. Porter's card-Is challenged by Gen. Smyth-They have. a hostile meeting upon Grand Island-Statement of the seconds-Failure of Smyth's expedition-The General be- comes the object of general ridicule-Doctor Chapin's and other articles in the Buffalo Gazette-Unfavorable condition of military affairs upon the Niagara fron- tier at the close of the year 1812-Capture of Fort George-Disasters to the Ameri- cans at Stony Creek-Fort George evacuated-Newark burned-British capture Niagara-Buffalo burned Page 285.
AUTHOR'S NOTICE TO VOL. II.
For the purpose of preservation, the author has embodied in the Appendix a mass of papers not absolutely necessary to the elucidation of the History included in the body of the work. Most of these consist of original papers, and letters never before published, and which are now for the first time placed in an accessible and permanent form, and may prove valuable additions to the scanty records of the early history of our city and its vicinity, particularly in regard to the history of the War of 1812, and the transactions upon the Niagara frontier. These papers and letters have been copied with great care from the originals, many of which are in a dilapidated condition, now scarcely legible, and zvould soon be beyond recovery.
Buffalo, August, 1865.
CHAPTER I.
The history of the Senecas is now brought down to the period of their settlement at Buffalo Creek. The expedi- tion under the command of Gen. Sullivan* had driven them from their homes ; and the destruction of their crops, their provisions, their cattle, and every thing they pos- sessed, threw them upon the hands of their British allies for subsistence. The winter of 1779-80 was the most severe ever known. The snow lay upon the ground five feet deep, extending over the entire western portion of the State. Multitudes of animals perished from starva- tion. The destruction of the deer was extraordinary. The forests were filled with their dead carcasses when the snow dissolved in the spring. The country was nearly depopulated of domestic cattle; even horses perished from want of food and shelter from the excessive cold. But the animals were not the only sufferers. The Indians, on the destruction of their towns by the advancing enemy, which swept through their country like an irresistible tornado, fled before them and sought safety in the inac- cessible depths of the forest, or under the guns of Fort Niagara, where they received a scanty subsistence during the terrible winter which followed their defeat and dis- persion.
*For account of this expedition see Appendix No. 2,
2
HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
It became a necessity on the part of their protectors, to provide some other means of support than what could be furnished at Niagara. The Indians rejected a proposi- tion to send a part of their number to Carleton, or Buck Island, in the St. Lawrence river, where it was thought they might be fed at less expense and trouble ; preferring to run the chances of a precarious subsistence in their own country. As soon as the spring opened, measures were adopted to provide for their settlement at some place where they might support themselves by hunting and raising corn, beans, and such other vegetables as their rude mode of culture might enable them to pro- duce. To this end, Capts. Powell, Johnson and others, came up to Buffalo Creek, bringing hoes, axes, seeds, &c., &c., and by their advice and assistance encouraged them to establish themselves in their new homes. The Oneidas, who had, through the influence of the mission- ary, Kirkland, adhered to, or rather espoused the Ameri- can cause, had not been molested by Sullivan's expedi- tion ; but the Onondagas and Cayugas were compelled to abandon their settlements, and became residents on Buffalo Creek, with the Senecas. The Tuscaroras were settled at the same time upon the Tonawanda Creek ; but the Mohawks, adhering to the British interest, were settled in Canada. They were at first offered a piece of land upon the Bay of Quinte, near Kingston, (formerly called Cataraqui) but were subsequently provided for upon the Grand (or Ouse) River. This was done under the administration of Gov. Haldimand, probably at the instigation of Brant, who was a pet of the British gov- ernment. It is not unlikely that Brant, even at this time, entertained ambitious views similar to those of
3
THE SENECAS REFUSE TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY.
Pontiac at an earlier period ; for the objection of the Mohawks to being located at the Bay of Quinte was that they would be too far from their brethren who were located at Buffalo Creek, etc .; whereas, at the Grand River, communication was easy and direct.
The Senecas were invited and urged to settle in Cana- da ; but they preferred to remain in their own beautiful country-a country for which they had fought, and which their own valor had won-whose beautiful lakes and rivers, whose mountains and valleys, had become dear to them by the historic legends of their own tra- ditions ; and almost every square mile of which had been pressed by the foot of their own hunters, and moistened by the blood of their bravest warriors ; where they and their children were born ; where their fathers and mothers were buried; where everything was in- stinct with memories of the past, and around which clustered all their hopes for the future. They felt bound as with hooks of steel to the soil of their "own, their native land ;" they could not leave it, but chose rather to endure affliction with their own people for a season, than to abandon their country to seek security and safety elsewhere. They still expected the arms of their Great Father over the water to triumph, notwithstanding their ·own reverses and sufferings. They still reposed entire confidence in their " officers,"- as the Johnsons, the But- lers and other British agents were called -the seat of whose power was at Niagara. These agents owed their continuance in the enjoyment of place and perquisites to the influence they could or were supposed to exercise over the Indians. Hitherto, so far as the interior of the State, and, indeed, of the United States, was concerned,
4
HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
the Indians had been the superior element of military power in the hands of the English to suppress the revo- lution, or, as it was then termed, the rebellion. Now, however, the Indians had become so reduced and weak- ened that they no longer formed a majority of the Brit- ish forces in their expeditions against the frontier settle- ments. But the Indians, exasperated to the last degree by the terrible punishment inflicted on them by Gen. Sullivan, sought revenge by the only means known to them - that of murdering and capturing defenceless men, women and children - and all accounts agree that more murders were committed, more prisoners captured and more dwellings burned in the valley of the Mohawk, and upon the frontiers of New York, Pennsylvania, Mary- land and Virginia, from 1783 to 1789, than during the whole period of the revolutionary war. " It appears, by respectable evidence, (says the Rev. Mr. Harris) that from 1783 to 1790, the time that the United States com- menced hostilities against the Indians, that on the Ohio, and the frontiers on the south side of that river, they (the Indians) killed, wounded and took prisoners about 1,500 men, women and children, besides carrying off up- wards of 2,000 horses and other property, to the amount of fifty thousand dollars." These depredations, for the most part, were carried on by the Indians alone, in small detached parties, and were in all respects conducted after their own peculiar mode of warfare, encouraged, but not restrained, by British agents and officers at Niag- ara, Detroit and elsewhere. Before the Indians had got fairly settled at Buffalo Creek, we have already seen that these little war parties were sent out to execute the dia- bolical purposes of their instigators upon the heads of
5
INDIANS NOT PROVIDED FOR IN THE TREATY OF PEACE.
the defenceless settlers on the frontiers of Pennsylvania and New York. It was in one of these expeditions that Rowland Montour was wounded, of which wound he died ; and, it is said, the "Painted Post" marks the spot where he was buried.
The peace which was agreed upon between the Amer- icans and English, by which our Independence was acknowledged, made no provision for the Indians arrayed in hostility against the United States.
The military expeditions into the Indian country, par- ticularly that of Gen. Sullivan, had brought to notice the beauty and fertility of the "Senecas country," as it had been termed, and it is no wonder the occupation of these beautiful, broad acres, became a strong temptation to multitudes of young, enterprising men in all the New England States, to form plans for possessing themselves of so tempting a prize.
The new government, however, was not prepared to repudiate, at once, the Indian claim to these lands, as established under the government of the King. And as all the Six Nations, with the single exception of the Mohawks, remained in this State, it became an early object of the State government to negotiate a peace with the Six Nations, (who still claimed to be a sovereign and independent people) and at the same time to obtain a cession of their right to some portion of the territory claimed by them, as recognized by former treaties.
According to these treaties, a line known as the "property line," extending along the eastern boundary of Broome county and up the Unadilla to its source, thence in a direct line to a point on Wood creek, about seven miles west of Rome, had been established as the
6
HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
boundary, beyond which no settlement of the whites should be made without a formal cession by its acknowl- edged owners. Notwithstanding that the Six Nations, with the exception of the Oneidas and Tuscaroras, had been in open and active hostility against the United States, it was thought to be the true policy of the gov- ernment of the State to still treat them all as friends, and procure by negotiation and purchase what many supposed might rightfully have been claimed by con- quest." In pursuance of this policy, an act was passed by the Legislature of New York, in March, 1783, author- zing the appointment of a Board of Commissioners of Indian Affairs, with full powers to conduct all the nego- tiations with the Indians ; the Governor of the State to be ex-officio the President of the Board. Abraham Cuyler, Peter Schuyler and Henry Glen, were appointed Commissioners, Gov. George Clinton being President of the Board. By an act of April 6th, 1784, the Governor and these Commissioners were " authorized to associate with them such other persons as might be deemed expe- dient, and to enter into such compacts and agreements with the Indians within the State as might be for the public interest, and to stipulate the ratification of such agreements by law." The Governor, by advice of the Commissioners, addressed a message to the Mohawks, Onondagas, Cayuga and Seneca nations, and despatched Peter Ryckman to Niagara with it. The following is his letter of instructions :
"INSTRUCTIONS FOR MR. PETER RYCKMAN.
"SIR: You will convey the message herewith deliv-
* See Appendix No. 3.
7
PETER RYCKMAN'S INSTRUCTIONS.
ered to you to the Indians to whom it is directed, and take with you two or three Oneidas or Tuscaroras, and if any accident should prevent you from proceeding, either in going or returning, you will forward the dispatches by those who may accompany you.
" Whilst at Niagara you will mix as much as possible with the Indians, and try to discover their intentions as minutely as may be, and make notes of every informa- tion you may obtain. You will easily find who are the leading characters in each nation. Their names you will write down, and try to learn their temper with respect to us. If you find any who have influence, and whose inclinations are not friendly, you will note their names and the nations they belong to. To Capt. Brandt you will hint that our people in general are pleased with his generosity to the prisoners he took during the war, and that he may become a great man if he conducts himself in such a manner as will give the Commissioners occa- sion to believe that he means to be a sincere friend. Peter, the Oneida, you must also pay attention to, and flatter him on account of his good sense and friendship to us.
" Cayenquerachta, (Sayenqueraghta) the Seneca Sach- em, must have particular attention paid him, and you must privately promise him that you will recommend him to the notice of the Commissioners.
" There are reasons of State why the object of your journey should be kept a profound secret ; you are, there- fore, on no account to mention it to any person whomso- ever. As you have traded to Niagara, you must give out that you are going there to collect some debts from persons who are leaving that place. Should it be dis-
8
HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
covered what your business is before you reach Niagara, the State might sustain great injury, as the disaffected in the country (some of whom are emissaries from the British) might, by their machinations, prove obstacles in the way which it would be difficult to surmount. You will therefore take the utmost precaution to prevent any person whatever so much as suspecting that you are em- ployed by the State.
" I forgot to mention Teoquanda, the Cayuga Chief, as a person of influence. He must also have attention paid to him, lest a neglect should offend him.
" The Indians named herein are those who are repre- sented to me as the principal men ; you will, however, be the best able to judge who are the persons of influ- ence among them, and pay them that attention which may be necessary to promote the business of the treaty.
"I am, Sir, your humble servant, "GEORGE CLINTON. " CITY OF NEW YORK, April 12th, 1784."
The purport of the message of which Mr. Ryckman was the bearer was to invite the nations to whom it was addressed to meet the Commissioners in council, at a time which they were desired to fix, at as early a day as possible, for the purpose of accommodating all the differ- ences which had arisen between them during the recent "war between Great Britain and America." Nothing further was said in the message as to the objects of the council. The answer of the Six Nations to this message was returned by Mr. Ryckman, and contained a prom- ise to attend a council, as desired, expressing a willing- ness to treat with their ancient friends, but asked a little
9
REPLY OF THE INDIANS TO THE N. Y. COMMISSIONERS.
delay, in order that they might have time to hear from their southern friends, on the Ohio river, to whom they had dispatched runners ; and upon the return of those runners, they promised to inform the Commissioners of the time when they would meet them, but requested that the council might be held at Fort Stanwix, as being more convenient for them. The Indians informed Mr. Ryckman that they would be ready to set out for Fort Stanwix within a month from the time he left them. The delegation, however, did not arrive at Fort Stanwix until the latter end of August. During the pendency of negotiations for a treaty between the Indians and the State Commissioners, a letter was received by Gov. Clinton from Arthur Lee and Richard Butler, informing him that they had been appointed Commissioners, by Congress, to negotiate treaties with the Indians, request- ing the Governor to furnish the necessary armed force to protect them in the discharge of their duty." These Commissioners also sent a message to the Six Nations, notifying them of their appointment and their purpose to negotiate a treaty of peace between them and the United States. Gov. Clinton foresaw that there might be a conflict of interests, if not of authority, between the two classes of Commissioners, and although it was arranged that the meeting of both commissions with the Indians should be simultaneous, at Fort Stanwix, no concert of action had been agreed upon. The New York Commissioners, together with seven other gentlemen, whom, under the authority vested in them by law, they had associated with them, convened at Fort Stanwix on
*See Appendix, No. 4.
10
HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
the last day of August, 1784. The names of these gen- tlemen were as follows :
Robert Yates, Abraham Ten Broeck, Peter W. Yates, Mathew Visscher, J. J. Beekman and Gen. Gansevoort.
Deputies from the Mohawks, Onondagas, Cayugas and Senecas, only, were present. A message was sent to the Oneidas and Tuscaroras, and they were present in the afternoon. The speech of the Governor on behalf of the Commissioners was addressed to the Mohawks, Ononda- gas, Cayugas and Senecas, setting forth, in the most kind and conciliatory manner, the objects of the council and the desire entertained to renew the friendship formerly subsisting between the Six Nations and the late colony, now State of New York, " and settling those differences and animosities which have arisen between us during the late war," * * * and to "establish boundary lines between you and us, on such just and equitable terms as will be satisfactory." * * After considering the * Governor's address for two days, the Indians replied, through their speaker, Capt. Brant, that they felt some embarrassment in being called to treat with two sepa- rate bodies at the same time, expressing a desire and determination to make a final settlement of all matters of a public nature between them. For the purpose of removing all doubt and difficulty from the minds of the Indians, a copy of the Constitution and Laws of the State of New York, and the Act of Confederation of the United States, were given them for examination, upon which the Indians expressed themselves satisfied.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.