A history of St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, New York : from the earliest period to the present time, Part 83

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 83
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 83

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extinct, here although its horns are occasionally found, and it occurs in Canada. The panther, bear, lynx, fisher, otter, deer, and other animals that are pursued as game or for their furs, still continue to give employ- ment to the pleasure seeking sportsman, and the professional hunter, nor are the waters that adorn the green woods, and reflect the shadows of primeval forests, destitute of attraction to the followers of Izaak Walton. The lakes and rivers of the south part of Franklin county, are cele- brated for their trout, while in the larger tributaries of the St. Lawrence, the sturgeon, pike, mullet, muscalange, pickerel, bass, perch, sunfish, and other species occur. Formerly the salmon abounded, but for many years none have been caught. To the naturalist, perhaps the most in- teresting fish in our waters, is the bill-fish (Lepidosteus oxyurus,) which occurs in Black lake, and the great rivers, and seldom fails to attract the curiosity of the most casual observer.

F. Gabriel Sagard, Samuel Champlain, Father Charlevoix, and other French writers, described this fish, and its habits in the mnost absurd manner, probably guided by Indian traditions. The latter called it Chou-sa-ron, and the teeth were used as lancets for bleeding. This fish occurs sometimes five feet in length ; its body is covered with hard bony scales, and it has a long nar- row beak, armed with a double row of teeth. The interest to the scien- tific which it possesses, is derived from the fact that the structure of its teeth, under the microscope, prove it to be intermediate between fishes and reptiles, and with the exception of a somewhat similar fish of the Nile, the sole survivor of an early and deeply interesting geological period. In this we may study the structure and analogies of a race of animals, that at one period, were lords of the creation, but have long since given place to other forms of animal life.

Of birds there is probably nothing peculiar to this section, but a single fact relating to the chimney swallow may be noticed. It is well known that before the country was settled, this bird was accustomed to inhabit hollow trees, and countless myriads, would congregate in a single tree. Wilson in his ornithology, has given an animated and beautiful description of these colonies. A swallow tree of the descrip- tion, formerly existed near Somerville, and attracted many curious visitors.

We inadvertently omitted in its proper place, to notice that an earth- quake occurred in St. Lawrence county, on the evening of January 22, 1832, at about half past eleven o'clock, P. M. Houses were shaken at Og- densburgh, so much as to awaken many from sleep, and the tremulous motion of stoves, crockery and windows, with a sound like distant thun- der, beneath the surface of the earth, was distinctly perceived by those who had not yet retired to sleep. At Lowville, the sudden and violent agitation of the earth, was accompanied by a sound like that of several heavy carriages passing rapidly over frozen ground. It was also per- ceived very sensibly at Montreal, where the motion was compared to the shaking of a steamboat, whose machinery agitates her very much. It continued four seconds, and was accompanied with an indistinct noise.

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APPENDIX.

NOTE A. [Preferred from page 97.]

The surrender of Isle Royal was announced by the following proclamation of Governor Colden.

[L. S.]

" By the Hon. Cadwallader Colden, Esquire, President of His Majesty's Council, and Commander-in-chief of the Province of New York, and the territories depending thereon in America.

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas, His Majesty's forces, under the immediate command of His Excellency General Amherst, have lately reduced the fortress and works erected by the enemy on an island in the St. Lawrence, called by the French Isle Royal, a few miles below Oswegatchie, an Indian settle- ment with a block house fort, which the enemy had before abandoned, from whence the inhabitants of this province, situated on the Mohawk river, have been so much annoyed by parties sent to harrass and disturb them, that they were kept in almost constant alarm, and many under strong apprehensions of their danger, abandoned their settlements. And whereas by this important acquisition, the people along the Mohawk river, will for the future remain quiet in their possessions, and as the improvement of the settlements there, and the cultivation of the adja- cent uncleared country, can not but prove of the greatest advantage to the province. The general by his letter to me, dated below, the Isle Royale, the 26th ultimo, hath recommended that I would invite the in- habitants thereto and assure them of a peaceable abode in their habita- tion. I have heretofore thought fit with the advice of his majesty's coun- cil to issue this proclamation, hereby inviting the persons, who through fear of the incursions of the enemy on that side, have left their settle- ments, to return to their farms where they may now reap the fruit of their industry, in the utmost security, and as a further encouragement to others to become settlers in that part of the country, I do promise his majesty's grant of any of the vacant lands there to such persons as shall apply for the same, on the usual terms, and on condition of immediate settlements of the tracts that shall be so appropriated.

Given under my hand and seal at arms, in Fort George, in the city of New York, the fourth day of September. 1760, in the thirty fourth year of

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the reign of our sovereign, Lord George the second, by the grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland king, defender of the faith, and so forth.

Cadrulder Coton

By His Honors Command, G. W. BANYAR, D. Sec'y. GOD SAVE THE KING.

We much regret our inability to refer to M. Pouchot, the commander of this post, at the time of its surrender .- (Pouchot M. Memoires sur le Derniere Guerre des Amerique, Septentrionale, entre la France et l'Angleterre, 3 rols. 12mo, Yrerdon, 1781.

Two English historians (John Entick, in a work in 5 volumes 8vo, en- titled General History of the War in Europe, Asia, Africa and America, London, 1763; and John Knox, in a work of 2 volumes, 4to., entitled An Historical Journal of the Campaign in North America), have detailed with minuteness the events of the campaign, and added other particu- lars. The latter accompanied the English army, and wrote from per- sonal observation. We quote from his account:

" 18th August. The weather is extremely unfavorable to our opera- tions, yet the general, intent on the vigorous prosecution of his mea- sures, resolves to lose no time. This morning was taken up with the repairs of the row galleys and prize vessel, and at 10 o'clock the en- gineers with the covering party returned, and made their report; but his excellency was predetermined, and the army are in readiness. The first division, consisting of the grenadiers, two battalions of light infantry, the right brigade of regulars, Schuyler's regiment, the greatest part of the Indians with Sir William Johnson, three row galleys and some field artillery, are to proceed down by the north shore, commanded by the general in person; pass the fort and take possession of the islands and coasts below it; at the same time the second division, composed of the left brigade of regulars, Lyman's regiment, two ranging companies, the remainder of the Indians, and two row galleys, under the command of Col. Haldiman, to row down to the south coast, and take post opposite to the fort, where they will not be exposed to the fire of the place, whilst the prize now deservedly called the Williamson brig, under Lieut. Sin- clair, will sail down the centre of the river, between the two divisions, with direction to moor at random shot from the fort; Brig. Gen. Gage, with the rest of the army and heavy artillery, to remain at Oswegatchie. Such is the disposition his excellency made before the return of the en- gineers, and it was spiritedly executed accordingly, under a brisk and' continued cannonade, directed against the brig and the general's column, whereby one galley was sunk, ten men were killed and wounded, one of whom lost a thigh, and many bateaux and oars were grazed with shot. As the north division rowed down in single files, it was 11 at night be- fore the sternmost boat joined, and then the blockade of the fort was completely formed. Our Indians landed on the islands Gallop and Pic- quet, which the enemy abandoned with the greatest precipitation, having left a number of scalps, two swivel guns, some barrels of pitch, a quan-

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tity of tools and utensils, with some iron behind them. Our Indians were so exasperated at finding the scalps, that they fired all their houses, not sparing even the chapel. Late in the night an attempt was made to weigh up the galley that was sunk, but we could not succeed.

19th. The general, with Col. Williamson and Lieut. Col. Eyre,* re- connoitered the fort and the islands nearest to it, on two of which ground is made choice of for batteries, about six hundred yards from the fort, as also for a third on an advantageous point of land on the south shore ; and detachments are immediately ordered to break ground, cut and make fascines, with every other preparation for carrying on the siege. Orders were sent to Oswegatchie, for the heavy artillery, which are expected down this night. The Onondaga and Mohawk appeared to- day ; they received orders, in like manner as the brig, to come to anchor at random shot from the fort, and if cannonaded, not to return it. The remainder of the army, except one Connecticut regiment, are ordered down from Oswegatchie, wlience our heavy artillery arrived late at night, and the row galley with her gun was weighed up. The fort fired on the brig yesterday, which she spiritedly returned, until ordered to desist.

22d. The troops have worked with such diligence, that our batteries will be completed this night, and ready to play on Fort Levis to-mor- row ..

23d. The batteries were opened this morning, and had such effect, that the enemy drew in their guns, and endeavored to serve them à couvert. After some hours' firing, a disposition was made to storm the fort with the grenadiers of the army, in which the three vessels were to have assisted. For this purpose, a number of marksmen were judi- ciously placed on board each ship, with the view of compelling the enemy to abandon their guns; and they were ordered to fall down on the fort within the range of small arms; but whether the vessels were confused with the weight of the enemy's fire, or that the miscarriage may be imputed to the navigation or the wind, is difficult to determine; for the general, not approving of their manner of working down, sent orders to them to return to their former station, and desisted from his project for the present. The garrison expended a great deal of ammu- nition to little purpose; and our artillery were so well served, that the enemy were rather shy of standing to their guns.

25th. We have had warm cannonading on both sides, but their guns being at length dismounted by our superior fire, M. Pouchot, the gov- ernor, after displaying as much gallantry as could be expected in his situation, beat a chamade, and in the afternoon capitulated for his garri- son, who are become prisoners of war; they consist of two captains, six subalterns and two hundred and ninety-one men, all ranks included; they had a lientenant of artillery with twelve men killed, and thirty-five wounded. The ordnance mounted at Fort Levis, are twelve 12 pound- er's, two sixes, thirteen fours, four of one pound each, and four brass 6 pounders. Lieut. Col. Massey has taken possession of the fort, with three companies of his battalion. Fort Levis, on Isle Royale, is in a most advantageous situation. The island is small, and entirely compre- hended within the works, which are carried on in the same irregular manner as nature has formed the insulary shore about it; but the area of

* This genteel fellow arrived at that rank solely by his merit, of which he had a large share. He was unfortunately drowned on his passage to Ireland, long after the conclusion of the war, and in the prime of his life. In his profession as an engineer, he was exceedingly emi- nent, and an honor to his country : the service, and the army, to whom he was a shining orna- ment, have sustained a very considerable loss by his death.

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the fort is a regular square within four bastions only, which seems to have been the first intention in fortifying the island, so that the other defences, to all appearance, have been occasionally added, to render the place more respectable, and cut off communication to Montreal, to which it was an excellent barrier; at the head of a number of dreadful rapids, and commands, in a great measure, the navigation between lake Ontario and Canada. The country north and south is apparently even, rich and capable of great improvement inhabited principally by Indians, which, with the uncommon fertility of the circumjacent islands, producing In- dian and other corn in great abundance, and the prospect of an immense fur trade induced the governor general to establish a strong settlement in this district. The batteries erected against Fort Levis consists of six guns each, besides mortars, though designed for a greater number, if necessary, and the two islands whereon they are constructed, are occu- pied chiefly by Col. Massey's grenadiers, with Brig. Gage's and Col. Amherst's corps of light infantry, who first took possession of them ; and the remainder of the army, except Col. Haldiman's detachment, on the fourth point battery, are dispersed on other contiguous islands, in such a ‘ manner as to surround the fortress, and cut off the enemy's retreat, in case they had been inclined to abandon and retire."

NOTE B.

[Referred from page 109.]

It had been our design to enumerate some of the evidence of supersti- tion, as evinced in various enterprises of money seeking, by digging, draining the beds of streams, &c., &c., and searching for vampires, of which the annals of St. Lawrence county afford at least three instances. Our space forbids the details, revolting to humanity, and regard for the living, leads us to pass unnoticed these heathenish mutilations of the dead.

NOTE C.

[Referred from page 111.]

Instead of continuing our account of St. Louis, a short space will be devoted to the Mohawk dialect of the Iroquois. As it exists in Canada, it is said to have but 11 letters, viz: A, E, H, I, K, N, O, R, S, T, W, for the last of which a character like the figure 8, open at the top, is used. It is remarkable for the combinations of which it is susceptible, and which arises from the fewness of the roots or primitive words. The natives having but few ideas, and these of the most common and familiar objects, when it became necessary to speak of abstract ideas, as those of a religious character, the missionaries were obliged to use figurative terms, and comparisons couched in language suited to their capacity. From this cause, the speeches delivered at treaties abound in rhetorical figures, especially in metaphors. Hence arises a flexibility and range of modification in mood, tense and declension said to be much analagous, especially in the verb, to the Greek. The following is an instance of combination :

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Ka-o-nwei-a, signifies a boat of any kind, (hence our word canoe). Wa-ten-ti-a-ta, any thing "that goes by fire."

He-ti-io-kea, " on the ground."

Ot-si-re, " fire."

Watentiata-hetiiokea-otsiere, " a machine that runs on the ground by fire," i. e., a rail road.

Watentiata-kaonweia-otsire, " a boat that goes by fire," i. e., steam boat.

The Algonquin language has a relation with all those of the north and northwest. The dialect of this spoken at St. Francois, is the softest and most musical of all. For this reason the Iroquois call the latter sken-so- wa-ne, signifying a bird that soars and warbles. This arises from the prevalence of letter L, instead of R. The Iroquois called the Algonquins in derision, Adirondacs, or " wood eaters," which term has been applied to the lofty chain of mountains in Essex county. Mt. Marcy, the highest peak, is called Ta-ha-was, " that cleaves the sky."

The following are the numerals used in the Mohawk dialect, as given " by Dwight, in the Transactions of the American Antiquarian Society, vol. ii, p. 358.

1, Oohskott; 2, tekkehnih ; 3, ohson; 4, kuhyayrelih ; 5, wissk ; 6, yah- yook; 7, chahtak; 8, sohtayhhko; 9, tihooton; 10, weeayhrlih; 11, oohskohyahwarrhleh; 12, tekkehninhyahwurrhlih; 20, toowahsun; 30, ohsonnihwahsun; 100, oohskohtowenyaoweh; 1000, towenyaowwehtse- realahsuhn.

We are indebted to Dr. E. B. O'Callaghan, editor of the Documentary History of New York, for the following:

THE LORD'S PRAYER IN MOHAWK.

(From Davis's Translation of Book of Common Prayer, New York. 1837, p. 80.)

Tagwaienha ne garon hiake tesiteron; Aiesaseennaien; A-onwe ne Our Father who heavell in dwellest ; Glorified be thy name; May come Sawenniiosera; Tsinisarikonroten ethonaiawenne nonwentsiake, tsiniio thy kingdom ; Thy will be done earth on the, as

ne garon hiake; Niatewenniserake tagwanataranontensek; nok sasani- heaven in ; To day

our bread give us ; and for-

konrhen tsinikon gwanikonraksaton; tsiniiot ni-i tsiongwanikonrhens give us our trespasses ; as we the trespasses forgive nothenon ionk-hinikonraksaton; Nok tosa asgwatgawe nothenon aiong those against us who trespass; And lead us not iuto

gwanikonrotago; Noktennon heren tagwariwagwiten ne gariwaksen; occasion of sin ; But us lead a way from deeds evil;

Ise sawenniiosera, iah othenon tesanoronse, nok agwa saiataneragwat, For tis thy kingdom, power, and the glory,

iah tegagonte etho neniotonhake. Amen.

for ever and ever.

Painted by A.Dackmson

Eng. by AB Duzand.

Mentsclay

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NOTE D.

[Referred from page 245.]

As the name of STEPHEN VAN RENSSELAER is intimately associated with the early history of the purchases in Lisbon and Canton, and as the citizens of St. Lawrence county are indebted to him for the early and efficient interest which he manifested in promoting the construction of roads and internal improvements, we have deemed him fully entitled to a brief notice in the history of the county.

The first ancestor of the family was DE HEER KILIAEN VAN RENSSE- LAER, who was originally a pearl and diamond merchant, and afterwards a commissioner appointed to take charge of the business of the Dutch West India Company, and one of its directors. He is said to have re- moved to New Netherlands, and acquired an extensive manorial title to lands on the Hudson, in the vicinity of Albany, having previously ex- tinguished the Indian title to the lands by purchase. Stephen Van Rens- selaer, the late patroon, was born in 1764, in the city of New York. At the age of nineteen he graduated at Cambridge University, and in 1786, was appointed a major of infantry, and two years after he received the command of a regiment. In 1790, he was elected to the state senate, and held this office five years. In 1795, he was elected by a large majority lieutenant governor, and was reelected in 1798, and afterwards held sev- eral important and responsible offices connected with the state govern- ment. In 1810, and subsequently, he was entrusted with responsible duties in relation to the preliminary measures for the construction of the Erie canal, and in 1812, he was appointed by Governor Tompkins, ma- jor general of the New York militia, and was entrusted with the charge of the entire northern and western frontiers of the state, from St. Regis to the Pennsylvania line. His military career ended with this campaign. In 1801 and in 1813, he was nominated for governor, but was in the lat- ter defeated by Mr. Tompkins. Inr 1816, he distinguished himself for his zeal in promoting the canals, and remained one of the canal com- missioners till his death. He was several times elected member of as- sembly and congress, and in 1819 he was appointed a regent of the univer- sity, which office he held till his death. In 1821, he was a delegate, to the convention for revising the constitution, and took a distinguished part in the deliberations of that body. But it is chiefly for the zeal and mu- nificence with which . Mr. Van Rensselaer engaged in promoting the causes of agriculture, science, and education, that his name will ever be venerated by the citizens of our state. In 1819, he had been successful in directing the attention of the legislature to the importance of fostering the agricultural interests in the state. Twenty-six county societies were organized in consequence of this movement, the presidents of which assembling in Albany in January, 1820, elected him president of the board of agriculture.

This movement had unfortunately but a brief existence; but his ef- forts did not cease with those of the public, and he caused to be made, at his own expense, an agricultural and geological survey of Albany and Rensselaer counties. He afterwards employed Prof. Eaton to execute a similar survey on a general scale, of the different rock formations along the line of the canal, which was executed in 1822-3, and this led the way to the state surveys since accomplished. The results of this exploration he caused, like the others, to be published with illustrations at his own expense. In 1826, there was incorporated an institution known as the

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Rensselaer Institute, which he had established at Troy, and which was designed to impart a practical knowledge of chemistry, philosophy, nat- ural history, and mathematics, and has since proved eminently useful in confering a thorough practical knowledge of the useful sciences. A peculiar feature in the mode of instruction adopted at this school, deserves mention. For several seasons it was the custom of Professor Eaton to take his classes with him in canal boats, fitted up for the purpose, through the canal to Lake Erie, that his pupils might have the opportunity of studying the different rocky strata in their localities, and of collecting the fossils and other objects of interest that might have relation to the sub- jects of their study. Excursions for exercise in civil engineering, and the formation of collections in natural history, form a prominent feature of this school.

The Rensselaer Institute was founded and liberally endowed by him, and while he was bearing from his own purse not less than half of its current expenses, caused an invitation to be given to each county in the state, to furnish a student selected by the county clerk for gratuitous in- struction, imposing as a condition that they should instruct in their own counties for one year on the experimental and demonstrative method.

Mr. Van Rensselaer took an active part in the formation and support of the Albany Institute, an institution devoted to the promotion of science, and till the close of his life continued usefully employed in fostering and encouraging various measures for the public good. He was especially fond of giving encouragement to young men of genius and talent, but who, from the pressure of poverty, were unable to derive those advan- tages] which they so eagerly desired, and who felt in all its force the reality of the sentiment expressed by the poet Beattie, in the following stanza:

" Ah who can tell how hard it is to climb, The steep where fame's proud temple shines afar, Ah who can tell how many a soul sublime, Has felt the mfluence of malignant star, And waged with fortune on eternal war, Checked by the scoffs of pride, and envy's frown, And poverty's unconquerable bar, In life's low vale remote, have pined alone, Then dropped into the grave unnoticed and unknown."

Some of our most illustrious men of science owe their first impulse and encouragement, to the kindness and the munificence of Stephen Van Rensselaer. In his benefactions he was unostentatious, and it is only from indirect sources that it is learned that in the cause of agricultural and educational science alone, lie expended not less than $30,000. He died Jan. 26, 1839, at Albany.

An author* who has written a sketch of his life and character, thus, with great justice, closes his eulogy upon him:

" What a mild splendor do the virtues of such a life shed around the horizon of the tomb. Far preferable to laurels won on battle fields or monuments of marble. We can not eulogize his military qualifications, although they were excellent, for such characters have abounded in all ages and among all nations. We much prefer his other qualities, of which the world does not afford so many shining examples; I mean h s

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A history of St. Lawrence and Franklin counties, New York : from the earliest period to the present time, Part 83

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