USA > New York > Jefferson County > A history of Jefferson County in the state of New York, from the earliest period to the present time > Part 46
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64
BROWNVILLE, July 27, 1811.
DEAR SIR,-" Having received my commission as General, for which I thank you, I have now to solicit your Exellency, that, in case of war, your Excellency will order me upon duty. It shall be my humble en- deavor not to disappoint the just expectations of my friends. Situated on the confines of the British Empire, I have viewed with some solici- tude the state of our relations with that power, and this solicitude induces me thus to address your Excellency. I am not one of those that believe a war with Great Britain is the best thing that can happen to my country. I believe that a war with the tyrant of the continent, some time past, would have been produced, and the honor of this nation preserved in an amicable adjustment of difficulties with the man-stealers of the ocean. As we are now surrounded by fogs and whirlpools, none, save God and the pilot, can say which course it is best to steer. But to my humble vision, it appears, that we must fight a battle with both belligerants, or cease to prate about national honor, and national sovereignty, and na- tional dignity. Your Excellency will be so good as to remember, that I
424
Major General Brown.
am the frontier General in the state of New York, Canadawards. I am serious in my application to be upon duty, if there is war, and your friendship will lay me under great obligations. Yours truly, JACOB BROWN."
His Excellency D. D. Tompkins.
On the declaration of war, Gen. Brown was appointed, by Gov. Tompkins, to the command of the militia on the frontier, from Os- wego to St. Regis, and spent the summer in organizing and direct- ing the military movements at Sackets Harbor, Cape Vincent, and various points along the St. Lawrence below; nor did this sea- son pass without incident to call into exercise those traits of de- cision, energy, and tact, which were signally displayed at a later period in the war. His first duty, was to quiet the alarm which the first tidings of hostilities occasioned, for which purpose, he traversed most of the settlements of the county, held little meet- ings of the inhabitants, and, by his representations and advice, succeeded, to a great degree, in restoring confidence, and pro- curing the adoption of measures calculated to be effectual in case of urgent need. Late in the season, he was succeeded by Brigadier General Dodge, and ordered to assume the command Ogdensburgh, to which place he repaired by water. He had scarcely taken up his quarters there, when he was attacked on the 4th of October, by the enemy, but succeeded in repelling them in a manner that conferred much credit upon himself and his troops. The following letter to Governor Tompkins, relates to this event:
HEADQUARTERS, OGDENSBURGH, October 7, 1812.
SIR: Since I wrote you by express, I have had a sort of action with the people across the water. The enemy appear to feel very angry with me since my arrival; they have thrown many hundred cannon ball at this place, and I have collected a sufficient number of them to pay more than the damage the place has sustained. I have no powder to sport with and for considerations that you will understand, I refused their fire at long shot ; this appeared to annoy them greatly, and I could perceive by the aid of an excellent glass of Mr. Parish that in the after- noon of the 3d that they were collecting into Prescott from all quarters. They huzza'd in the course of the previous firing very loud and fre- quently ; as this was a business that cost nothing, I thought proper to cause my force to huzza by way of stimulus and as a sort of substitute for powder. On the morning of the 4th, between 9 and 10, the enemy in very considerable force marched to their boats, twenty-five in number, and after forming an open column and making a little circuit up the river bore directly down upon us with two gun boats each carrying a nine pounder leading the van. I had refused their fire across the river and I was desirous that there should be no firing on this occasion until the enemy came close hug upon us. The enemy were playing the whole time with great rapidity upon us with their three cannon. The few guns I had, were placed along the river so as most effectually to annoy the enemy when we should deem it proper to open upon them. I sus- tained the fire as long as I prudently could with troops who had never seen service, but not so long as would have been proper with men in- nured to action. The fire was then opened upon them with all the skill
425
Major General Brown.
and quickness of which the men at the guns were capable. Our fire in a very few minutes threw them into very great confusion and caused them to retire in haste. Notwithstanding the great number of balls thrown into this place I have the pleasure to inform you that as yet I have nei- ther killed or wounded. The enemy were so near, that our grape flew in every direction among them and I learn from several deserters that have come to me since this little affair, that the enemy had four men killed on board their boats and a number wounded, and that there were during the action two men mortally wounded at their battery by the bursting of one of their cannon. These deserters also state that Colonel Lethbridge commanded the expedition in person ; that he was supported by Colonel Breckenridge, that there were in the boats between 700 and 800 men, and that there remained at Prescott about 300 men to man the guns, &c. You will perceive how unpleasantly I am situated with a force not to exceed 400 strong at this important point, almost destitute of powder, and without a single artillerist. I had written so far when I re- ceived a line from my brother announcing your arrival at Fort Tompkins and a request from you that I would meet you at that place. As this is not an order from your Excellency I shall not come. I deem it my duty to remain at this port for the present, and let me entreat your Excellency to come here and see for yourself. I am confident that if your Excel- lency would come here a plan could be hit upon that would within twenty days secure all the public stores of the enemy from Lake Ontario to Montreal or procure their destruction. I am solicitous in the extreme to see you, and that you should see for yourself the situation of this country and I do know that if you do now come here, great good will result to the service from your journey. I have written your Excellency very particularly by express to Albany. This letter you have missed.
Respectfully yours, JACOB BROWN.
His Excellency the Governor.
The plan which he proposed, was to take Prescott, and by in- tercepting the communications of the St. Lawrence and the Ottawa, to deprive Upper Canada of aid, and capture it in detail. His scheme was not adopted, and in the event, the expenditure of vast sums and much blood on the Canadian frontier effected nothing. On the 29th of May, 1813, General Brown was hastily summoned to defend Sackets Harbor, from an attack which the enemy planned against that place, in retaliation of our descent upon Little York, and the successful result of his plans in this engagement, led to his promotion as a Major General in the reg- ular service, and opened the way to that career of victory which in this and the following year, distinguished the American armies under his command on the Niagara frontier. Such was the lustre that his name acquired in these campaigns, that upon the formation of the peace establishment, he was retained in com- mand of the northern division of the army, that of the south being under Andrew Jackson. The details of the military move- ments of this frontier will be given in the following chapter; those of the Niagara, belong to our general history.
A series of resolutions, was passed by Congress, November 3, 1814, the first of which was as follows :- Resolved by the Senate
426
Major General Brown.
and House of Representatives of the United States of America, in Congress assembled, That the thanks of Congress be and they are hereby presented to Major General Brown, and through him to the officers and men of the regular army, and of the militia under his command, for their gallantry and good conduct in the successive battles of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie, in Upper Canada, in which British veteran troops were beaten and repulsed by equal or inferior numbers, and that the President of the United States be requested to cause a gold medal to be struck emblematical of these triumphs and presented to Major General Brown.
Similar testimonials were voted to Generals Scott, Ripley, Miller, Porter, Gaines, and Macomb.
This medal bears his profile, after a painting by Sully, upon one side, and upon the reverse it commemorates the battles of Chippewa, Niagara, and Erie. The New York Legislature, passed a series of resolutions in December, 1814, expressing their approbation and presenting a sword, to the several com- manding officers in the late campaigns, of which those relating to General Brown occasioned the following correspondence:
NEW YORK, 24 December, 1814.
"SIR : I have the honor to transmit to you the unanimous resolution of the Senate and Assembly of the State of New York, expressive of the exalted idea which they entertain of the very eminent services which you have rendered your country during the last campaign. As a tes- timony of the gratitude of the state, I am charged to present you a sword, a duty which I shall hereafter perform with feelings of the liveliest grat- ification.
I am directed by the Senate and Assembly, to communicate to you in the most emphatic manner, the high sense which they entertain of your patriotism, talents, and conduct ; and to request you to convey their thanks to the officers and soldiers of that gallant army which you led so often to victory. Accept, sir, an assurance of my high estimation of your gal- lantry and talents, and of my great personal consideration and esteem."
Major General Brown. DANIEL D. TOMPKINS.
To this the following reply was made:
BROWNVILLE, January 1, 1815.
"SIR: I have the satisfaction to acknowledge the receipt of your ex- cellency's letter of the 25th ult., enclosing the resolutions of the Senate and Assembly of the State of New York, approving my conduct and that of the officers and soldiers of the gallant army of Niagara. Every officer, and every man, entitled to participate in the honor conferred, will hold in great estimation the approbation of the representatives of this enlightened and high minded state.
I do not know how to express my sense of the obligation I feel under to your excellency, for the very favorable manner in which you have been pleased to notice my conduct. As I am proud of the approbation of those I esteem, so I shall always hold in high estimation the good opin- ion of your excellency, and will endeavor so to demean myself as to merit the continuance of your regard.
427
Major General Brown.
I pray you, sir, to accept the assurance of the very high respect and consideration, with which I have the honor to remain,
Your excellency's most obedient, humble servant,
His Excellency Daniel D. Tompkins. JACOB BROWN.
On the 4th of February, 1815, the corporation of the city of New York presented him the freedom of the city, in a gold box, and directed a full length painting to be procured, and placed in the City Hall. It is from this painting, that our por- trait of General Brown, which faces the title page of this volume, was engraved.
In December, 1816, General Brown experienced a severe bereavement, in the death of a son, named Gouverneur M., who was drowned while skating on the ice near Dexter. This lad is said to have shown an intelligence and sagacity far beyond his years, which naturally gained him the affection of those around him, and his father had especially regarded these early manifestations of talent with feelings known only to the doting parent. It may well be imagined that the heavy tidings gave a deep and lasting wound to his hopes, and desolated the heart beyond the power of consolation, or reach of sympathy.
In the discharge of his official duties, General Brown removed to Washington in 1821, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred February 24, 1828, from the effect of a disease contracted at Fort Erie. For some time previous, his physical powers had been impaired by a paralytic stroke. His death was announced to the army by an order of the secretary of war; and the funeral ceremonies were performed with all the formality and dignity, that his exalted rank required.
A monument has been erected by congress over his grave, in Washington, having for its device a broken column, and upon the east side of the base the following inscription:
SACRED, to the memory of Major General Brown. By birth, by education, by principle, devoted to peace. In defence of his country, a warrior. To her service he dedicated his life.
Wounds received in her cause, abridged his days.
In reviewing the life of General Brown, we can not but be struck with the evidences of integrity, talent and ability which he evinced in the various stations of public life which he was called to fill.
In the course of a minute and detailed inquiry in Jefferson County, while collecting the materials of this volume, the author has had innumerable opportunities of obtaining independent private opinions from those with whom he had been associated
428
Dr. Ithamer B. Crawe.
in various capacities; and he has yet to meet with the first per- son who had the ability, or the disposition, to detract in the smallest degree, from his character for patriotism, sagacity, en- ergy and ability, as a military man, or of integrity, honor and probity, as a citizen.
Although General Brown had not received a military educa- tion, and was at first ignorant of the discipline and usages of the service, he soon acquired a familiarity with these details, and with a happy facility, availed himself of the experience of those around him, and met the emergencies arising from errors with a coolness that proved him the possessor of a sound mind, and an unusual share of practical common sense, without which the most rigid professional training will fail to make a successful com- mander.
Nor was the tenor of his private life less engaging than his public character. He was a devoted son and brother, an affec- tionate husband and parent, an obliging neighbor, a warm-hearted friend, and an enterprising public citizen, foremost in every enterprise that had for its object the improvement of his village, town, or county, and liberal in his patronage and encourage- ment of objects of public utility. For several years he was an active member and officer of the county agricultural society, and from him the county received the most efficient aid for the open- ing of roads, and the planning of improvements, having for their object the general prosperity.
PELEG BURCHARD, born in Norwich, Conn., in 1790, removed in early life to Utica, and in 1809 settled in Watertown, as a merchant, from whence he removed to Brownville, where he failed in business. In 1828, he was elected county clerk, and held that office twelve years, a sufficient evidence of the confi- dence and respect of the public. His success in being repeated- ly elected to this lucrative office, may be mainly ascribed to his personal popularity, gained by a kind and obliging manner, which won the regard of whoever was brought in contact with him. In 1843, he was appointed by Tyler, collector of Cape Vincent, which office he held during this and the next presiden- tial term. He died at Cape Vincent, February 2, 1851, of a bronchial disease, and was interred at Watertown. He was a brother of Jedediah Burchard, the celebrated evangelist.
Dr. ITHAMER B. CRAWE .- The eminent attainments of this person in the natural sciences, and especially in botany and min- eralogy which he pursued with peculiar ardor and success, en- title him to particular notice. He was born in Enfield, June 11, 1792, and in 1802 removed with his parents to Madison County, New York.
In youth he evinced a passion for the study and collection of plants, and his health having failed in 1811, he devoted for two
429
Robert B. Doxtater.
or three years, the most of his time to these pursuits. In 1817, he made two fishing voyages to Newfoundland, from which he returned with health restored, and in March, 1818, commenced study with Dr. Hastings, of Clinton, with whom he remained three years. In the session of 1821-2 he attended lectures at the New York University, and in April 1822, he received a county license to practice medicine. In the same year he re- moved to Watertown, where he engaged in the practice of his profession. He subsequently removed to Ogdensburgh, and about the year 1836, was employed to superintend some lead mining operations in Lubec, Nova Scotia. This business, not meeting the expectations of its projectors, he returned, and af- ter several years' residence at Pontiac, in Michigan, he again settled in Watertown, still cherishing his fondness for botanical and mineralogical researches, and devoting the intervals allowed by his arduous professional business to their pursuit. Having been requested by Professor Gray, of Cambridge, to procure for him some plants that occur on Perch Lake, he visited that local- ity, June 3, 1847, where, with two others, he ventured out in a leaky boat which, when several rods from shore, filled with wa- ter. Being an excellent swimmer, he started to return, but being encumbered with clothing, he drowned before reaching the shore. The members of the medical profession, and the masonic fraternity, of which he was a zealous member, testified their respect for his character by resolutions that were published in the county papers. A sketch of his life was also published in Silliman's Journal .*
TIMOTHY DEWEY, a native of New England, for many years a civil engineer, and resident of New York, but for about fifteen years previous to his death a citizen of this county, died at the residence of his son, William Dewey, in Lyme, November 19, 1853. He constructed the first New York Gas Works, which conferred much professional eminence, and in all the relations of life, proved himself honest, high minded, and exemplary.
ROBERT B. DOXTATER, was a native of Adams, where he was educated, and in early life engaged in merchandize with much success. In 1849, he removed to Watertown, and commenced trade with Messrs. Brayton & Howland, on an extensive scale, and at the completion of the Watertown and Rome Rail Road, was appointed superintendent. This office he filled with dis- tinguished ability, until early in 1853, when he resigned, and was soon appointed superintendent of the Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Rail Road. He had but just entered up- on this important trust, when he was stricken with apoplexy, and
*American Journal of Science, second series, iv., 300.
28
430
Alpheus S. Greene.
died at Laporte, Indiana, May 17, 1853, aged 39. His remains were brought back to Adams and interred. In energy, ability, tact, skill, and integrity, Mr. Doxtater had few superiors.
RICHARD M. ESSELSTYN, was born May 12, 1778, at Clave- rack, then Albany County, and at the age of twelve removed to Massachusetts, where he resided six years and returned. In 1801, he accompanied Messrs. Smith and Delamater to Chaumont, as surveyor, and subsequently engaged in trade with his brother John B. at Cape Vincent, of which place he was almost the first settler. On the occurrence of war, he removed to Watertown, and was appointed county clerk, the duties of which he per- formed with much ability. He died of yellow fever, at Utica, October 2, 1822. The board of supervisors of which he was a member, at their meeting soon after, passed a series of resolu- tions expressive of their respect to his memory.
JABEZ FOSTER, was born August 1, 1777, in Lebanon, Connecti- cut, from whence he removed to Lewis County, and at an early pe- riod settled as a merchant, at first in Burrville, and about 1807 or 1808 in Watertown Village, where, in company with O. Hungerford, he transacted a large business during the war. For several years he held the office of county judge, and in every station of life acquired the esteem of those around him, by the kindness of his manner, and probity of character. He died at Monroe, Michigan, December 10, 1847, of congestion of the lungs.
MARIANUS W. GILBERT, was long a citizen and merchant of Watertown, held for many years the office of clerk of the board of supervisors, village trustee, and supervisor, and was much esteemed for his public spirit and moral worth. He died at Wa- tertown, June 7, 1839, aged 53.
JOHN L. GOLDSMID, was born near London, November, 1789, of wealthy parents, and in youth entered the British army, with a commission as 2d lieutenant of cavalry, from which he became lieutenant colonel. He served in Spain during several years, and afterwards in the East Indies, during which service he was several times wounded, and was necessarily exposed to many hardships. After spending several years in traveling, and expe- riencing the opposite extremes of fortune in financial operations, he came to New York in 1829, and afterwards settled on a farm in Champion, from whence he removed to Watertown. He there engaged in business that made him generally known, as his intelligence and amiable character made him universally res- pected. He died at Watertown, December 8, 1853, aged 64.
ALPHEUS S. GREENE, a native of Rhode Island, removed to Perch River, in Brownville, in 1812, as a physician, where he resided eighteen years, during which time he was repeatedly elected to the assembly, and was appointed county judge. In 1829, he was appointed post master at Watertown, which office
431
Jesse Hopkins.
he held eleven years, and in 1846, was chosen a delegate to constitutional convention. He died in the lunatic asylum, at Utica (of which he had been an inmate two years), February 25, 1851, aged 64.
Dr. SAMUEL, GUTHRIE, of Sackets Harbor, was a practical che- mist of much reputation, and is noted for being one of the three independent discoverers of chloroform, which was simultaneously obtained by Soubeiran, in France, and Liebeg, in Germany, al- though its anaesthetic properties were not known till long after. He is said to have been the inventor and first manufacturer of percussion pills, which, with "caps" filled with an analagous compound, have almost entirely superseded the old flint locks of fire arms. In his experiments he nearly lost his life from acci- dental explosions. He died October 19, 1848, at Sackets Harbor.
JOSEPH HAWKINS, a native of Connecticut, settled in Henderson, about 1810, where he continued to reside till his death. He took a prominent part in the business of this section of the county, and after the war became somewhat extensively engaged in the com- merce of the lakes. In 1828, he was elected to congress, Mr. Perley Keyes being his opponent; and, while in office, was in- strumental in procuring a reform in the laws that applied to the navigation of the lakes, of which his personal acquaintance had led him to see the necessity. This act was passed March 2, 1831, ยท which abolished custom house fees, and substituted salaries; placed British vessels on an equal footing with American, as related to the amount of duties, and fixed the tariff of goods from the Canadas at no higher rates than were charged at the colonial ports. The act required the registry of vessels employed in the caasting or carrying trade, and belonging in the United States. As the law had previously existed, it had operated as a premium for small vessels, and a prohibition for large ones, and led to various modes of evasion, among which was the building of large vessels, and flooring up, so that the measurement, by the custom house rules, would be much less than the actual capacity. Mr. Hawkins held for several years the office of county judge, and adorned the society in which he lived, by his amiable and gentle- manly deportment. He died in Henderson, April 20, 1832, aged 50. His friends E. Camp, and E. G. Merrick, have placed over his grave a tablet, with the following inscription:
"The navigation of our lakes was relieved from grievous custom house fees by his zealous efforts as member of congress, in 1830."
JESSE HOPKINS, a son of Joseph Hopkins, was born in Water- bury, Conn., in 1766. His father was a prominent citizen, and repeatedly honored with the public confidence, who for thirty years held the office of judge of probates, and died while in the
432
Jesse Hopkins.
discharge of his official duties. Jesse Hopkins received a libe- ral education, and early evinced a versatility of talent which fitted him for any pursuit to which he might apply. At the age of seventeen, on the visit of Generals Washington and La Fayette, at the residence of his father, La Fayette was so pleased with the youth, that he made him his aid during a series of military ope- rations in that quarter. His youth prevented him from enlisting in the army, and his love of country from accepting the invita- tion of La Fayette to visit France, and engage in a lucrative pur- suit. He says of himself in a volume which he published in 1828 :*
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.