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 14
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
Judge Ebenezer Walden, was the first lawyer in Buf- falo. He came here in 1806, bringing the following let- ter of introduction to Mr. Granger :
" BATAVIA, Sept. 23d, 1806.
" DEAR SIR : - Permit me to recommend to your par- ticular attention, Mr. Walden, the bearer of this-a young gentleman with whom I have long been ac- quainted-a correct scholar, liberally educated, an attor- ney in the Supreme Court, and a gentleman who will be quite an accession to your society at Buffalo Creek. He is a stranger in your country ; any attentions paid him will be a favor done to your friend and
" Humble servant, "D. B. BROWN.
" ERASTUS GRANGER, EsQ., Buffalo."
He immediately entered upon the practice of his pro- fession, in Buffalo, and for some years was the only licensed attorney, west of Batavia, in Western New
0
200
HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
York. He purchased Inner Lots Nos. 12 and 13, for which he received a deed, in 1810. He subsequently became the purchaser of other lots, most or all of which he retained. So remarkable was he in this respect, that it became a common remark that he was never known to sell a lot. He married in 1812, and had several children. Two only survives him, Mr. James Walden, of Ham- burgh, Erie county, and Mrs. Col. Myer, of the United States Army. He was appointed Judge in 1823, and held the office of Mayor of the city during one term, and died in 1857.
Judge Walden was greatly respected and honored through a long and active life. Perhaps it is not too much to say that no man stood higher in the public estimation, during the whole period of his residence in Buffalo, which extended from 1806 to a few years before his death, when he removed to his farm in the country, where his son and widow now reside. He accumulated a large fortune, chiefly by the enhancement of the value of the real estate he held in Buffalo, to retain which, he led a life of laborious industry and the most rigid economy, while at the same time, his house was the seat of refined and generous hospitality.
He has left a record that should satisfy the ambition of any man-that of a gentleman of learning and intelli- gence, a man of perfect honor and integrity, a true friend fulfilling all the relations of life with fidelity, ever exerting a conservative influence in favor of law, religion and morality, contributing both by his example and his means to the establishment and perpetuation of all the institu- tions which go to build up intelligent civil society, based upon the great principles of christian morality and reli- gion.
201
- MR. ELIJAH LEECH.
Mr. Elijah Leech came to Buffalo in 1805 or 6. He married a daughter of Capt. Samuel Pratt ; was engaged in mercantile business with his brother-in-law, Mr. Sam- uel Pratt, Jun., for a time. He purchased Inner Lot, No. 46, in 1807, and subsequently bought Outer Lots, 47, 48, 49, 50, near the toll bridge. He built a dwelling on the south side of Buffalo Creek, at the old Ferry, where he resided many years.
Mr. Leech was a man of character and influence. He held various town and county offices, being clerk of the county one term. He was one of the founders of the Washington street Baptist Society. He removed from Buffalo to Clarence Hollow, where he died. He was greatly respected, and died lamented by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. He left children ; none, how- ever, remain in Buffalo.
CHAPTER XI.
We have spoken of most of the prominent settlers in Buffalo, who were here prior to 1807. It is time to say something of the efforts of those early settlers to reduce to order the discordant social elements around them. There were, of course, other individuals here besides those we have named, but they do not seem to have come with any fixed purpose of making this their permanent abode.
There had always been numbers of white men, who from one motive or another, followed and attached them- selves to the Indians ; sometimes as traders, sometimes as trappers, and as it had always been the custom of the Six Nations to encourage the amalgamation of their peo- ple with the whites, many of these men married (after the Indian mode) Indian wives and raised families of children. So long and persistently had this custom been persevered in, that the saying became proverbial, that a full blood Indian could not be found among them. It is easy to see that this half-and-half element found here by the first settlers from New England, was more difficult to deal with, than if it had been of a purely savage, or uncivilized character. But with characteristic Yankee forecast, wisdom, energy and enterprise, they invoked the aid of those instrumentalities which they had seen
203
FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE IN BUFFALO.
so successfully employed by their fathers in their New England homes, and under which they had received their training. These were schools, and churches.
We have seen that as early as 1801, " the inhabitants of Buffalo" applied to Mr. Ellicott, the agent of the owners of the soil, for a lot upon which to build a school house. This was promptly granted by Mr. Ellicott, as we see by his journal, that immediately on receiving the ap- plication, he started for New Amsterdam "to lay off a lot for a school house, the inhabitants offering to build one at their own expense." This school house was built prob- ably in 1802 or 3, by subscription, as in the controversy about the money paid by the general government for this school house which was burned in 1812-13, a claim was set up, that the money belonged to those who con- tributed to the original expense of erecting the school house, of whom Doctor Chapin claimed that he was the chief.
As has been already stated, this school house stood on the west side of Pearl street, below Swan street. It was probably Father Holmes, (as he was familiarly called) through whom the offer to furnish a school teacher by the Missionary Society was made. It is a little uncer- tain who was the first teacher in this school house. A son of the Rev. Mr. Holmes, who had just finished a col- legiate course of study, is spoken of as an early teacher in this school. Hanchett, Tomlinson, and Callender all taught in it before the war, and it is likely some others. It was usual for both young men and women, from the neighboring towns to attend this school, which was con- sidered to be of a higher order than any taught in the surrounding country. There are men still living in the
204
HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
county of Erie, who received their education, or a good part of it, in this school ; men too, who have occupied high and responsible positions in society, and have ac- quitted themselves well in those positions.
This school house also served as a place of public worship. It will be seen by reference to Mr. Ellicott's journal, that as early as in January, 1801, the Rev. Elka- nah Holmes was here as a Missionary to the Indians, and "preached for the inhabitants of New Amsterdam." There was here about the same time, as appears by Mr. Ellicott's journal, another Missionary, of the name of Pal- mer, who appears to have been sent out by the Dutch Reformed Church. He was sent especially to the Dutch settlements upon the head waters of the Susquehannah, in 1796-98. He probably only visited Buffalo at the period mentioned. Mr. Holmes is therefore entitled to be considered the first preacher in Buffalo. He was fol- lowed by other missionaries who visited Buffalo at differ- ent times, but without any permanent stay. Meetings were held in the school house when the services of a min- ister of any denomination could be obtained. These meetings were generally attended by all the inhabitants without distinction of sect or party.
The following authentic record of the Missions to the Six Nations, is from a manuscript letter written by Rev. John A. Vinton, Dated Boston, January 15th, 1863. As it has not been published, it is thought to be worthy of preservation :
"The first attempt of the New York Missionary Society to establish a mission among the Senecas was made in the year 1811. In that year, the Rev. John
205
INDIAN MISSIONS-REV. MR. VINTON'S LETTER.
Alexander and Mr. Jabez B. Hyde were sent to the tribe, with the hope of forming a permanent missionary station. After repeated conferences with the chiefs in council, the minister of the gospel was rejected, while the teacher was invited to remain and commence a school on the Buffalo Creek Reservation, for the children of the nation.
" Mr. Hyde accepted the invitation, and continued in the school until 1819, when he was succeeded in the school by Mr. James Young, an experienced and pious teacher from New York city.
"Mr. Hyde was subsequently appointed a reader and catechist among the Senecas. In that capacity he re- sided at the station till March, 1821, when, in conse- quence of a new arrangement, his services were no longer needed. During all this time, there was no church among the Senecas.
"In November, 1820, these two missionary stations- that among the Senecas and that among the Tuscaroras -were transferred to the United Foreign Missionary Society, a society which had been formed in the city of New York, July 28th, 1817, by a union of members of three different evangelical denominations of Christians, viz : the Presbyterians, (then one compact body, repre- sented in the General Assembly, meeting annually in Philadelphia); the Dutch Reformed Church, and the Associate Reformed Church. Hence the name of the new society.
" The Hon. Stephen Van Rensselaer, of Albany, was President of this Society, while among the Vice Presi- dents and Directors we find the names of Col. Henry Rutgers and Col. Richard Varick, of New York city ;
206
HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
Hon. Jonas Platt and George Huntington, Esq., of Utica ; Rev. Henry Davis, D. D., President of Hamil- ton College, Clinton ; Rev. Henry Dwight (afterwards H. Dwight, Esq.) of Geneva; Rev. Drs. Livingston, Alexander, Milledoller, Spring, and many other honored names. Among these I find the name of Rev. Miles P. Squier, of Buffalo, who, I think, is still living. * *
" At the time of the transfer of the two mission- ary stations already named, the society itself, which sus- tained them, merged its existence in the United Foreign Missionary Society, as already mentioned.
"To complete the transaction, and secure the concur- rence of the Indians, as well as to obtain the information (necessary) to an intelligent administration, for the future of the missionary concerns at the two Reservations, two commissioners were appointed to visit those Indian tribes. The commissioners were the Rev. Stephen N. Rowan, President of the New York Missionary Society, and the Rev. Paschal N. Strong, Recording Secretary of the United Foreign Missionary Society.
"These gentlemen proceeded to the two Reservations, and met the chiefs and warriors of the Indians in council-of the Tuscaroras on the 11th of December, 1820, and of the Senecas on the 14th. The Indians readily gave their consent to the transfer, and a new and unwonted interest was awakened in behalf of the Chris- tian religion.
" At this time the Rev. J. C. Crane was the mission- ary among the Tuscaroras, and the church on their Res- ervation consisted of seventeen members. The whole number of that tribe on that Reservation was two hun- dred and sixty souls. The Pagan party had removed to Canada some time previous.
207
INDIAN MISSIONS-REV. MR. VINTON'S LETTER.
" At the same time, (December, 1820) Mr. Jabez B. Hyde was catechist among the Senecas, and Mr. James Young, school-master, as above stated.
"The number of the Senecas does not appear, but there was a strong Pagan party among them, who vehe- mently opposed the introduction, not only of the gos- pel, but of all the arts and decencies of civilized life. Nevertheless, the Senecas, Onondagas and Cayugas, at the Buffalo Reservation, agreed in council to be placed under the care of the United Foreign Missionary Society, so far as relates to missionary purposes. They also requested, on a proposal and explanation of the matter by the commissioners, that a faithful minister of the gospel might be appointed by the society to reside among them, 'to do his duty, and be for that particular purpose, and not to be led away by other matters.' Even this answer shows the jealousy of the Indians.
" On a similar report and explanation, they requested to have a female teacher to instruct their daughters in knitting, sewing, spinning, weaving, &c., and promised to send their children to learn.
"On the 14th of December, after the council was ad- journed, the commissioners repaired to the house of the teacher, Mr. Young, for the purpose of uniting in mar- riage the interpreter, Thomas Armstrong, (probably a half-breed) and Rebecca Hempferman. There we found,. among the principal chiefs and warriors of the nation, who had attended the council, Jonathan Jacket, young- est son of the celebrated chief, Red Jacket. He, as we were informed by Thomas, was engaged to a young wo- man by the name of Yah-ah-weh, from Cattaraugus, who was then distant from Mr. Young's about four miles, and he was anxious to have his marriage also solemnized
208
HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
according to the Christian institution, if we would wait until he could go and bring her to Mr. Young's.
"We accordingly delayed the marriage of Thomas until Jacket returned with his bride, when both couples were married at once, with the approbation and to the satisfaction of the chiefs and warriors present.
"These marriages were the first ever solemnized in the Seneca nation after the Christian manner.
"Pursuant to the plan of proceeding now arranged, the managers of the United Foreign Missionary Society, on the 13th September, 1821, appointed as missionary to the Senecas-Mr. Thompson S. Harris a licentiate of the Presbytery of New Brunswick, who had just finished his professional education at the Theological Seminary at Princeton.
"On the 29th of October then ensuing, Mr. Harris and his wife arrived at the Seneca Reservation, and were cordially welcomed by the chiefs of the tribe. Not long after, a church was formed.
"Two unmarried ladies-Miss Van Patten and Miss Reeve, sent as teachers to the Seneca nation by the United Foreign Missionary Society-arrived there in June, 1821.
"In April, 1822, Mr. Wm. A. Thayer, an experienced teacher in New York, who, with his wife, was a member of the First Presbyterian Society in that city, departed from that city, with his family, and soon after com- menced a missionary station, as teacher, at the Seneca Reservation at Cattaraugus. This was in pursuance of a ' talk' agreed upon by the Senecas in their great council, signed by twenty-six chiefs.
"Mr. Thayer was the father of Miss Mary Jane
209
INDIAN MISSIONS.
Thayer, who labored about three years as teacher among the Tuscaroras, (1849 to '52) and to whom those Indians were greatly attached.
"In June, 1826, a union was effected between the United Foreign Missionary Society and the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions. The sev- eral missions of the former were transferred, as soon as convenient, to the care of the latter.
"The subsequent history of these missions may be learned from the Missionary Herald and the Annual Reports of the American Board of Cmmissioners for Foreign Missions. *
"I will only add that Rev. Asher Wright, who has been a faithful and laborious missionary to the Senecas since 1831 till now, was my class-mate, room-mate and endeared friend, at Andover.
"Yours very truly, " JOHN A. VINTON."
Mr. Holmes was a missionary sent out by the " New York Missionary Society " to the Indians. The follow- ing letter in regard to Mr. Holmes, written by the Secre- tary of that Society to Joseph Brant, is copied from "Stone's Life of Brant," page 439, vol ii :
"NEW YORK, June 16th, 1801.
"SIR :- The Directors of the New York Missionary Society have instructed me to tender you their acknowl- edgments for your friendship to their missionary, the Rev. Elkanah Holmes. This gentleman, in whose dis- cretion and integrity they repose entire confidence, they have employed in a second mission to those tribes of In-
14
210
HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
.
dians whom your influence particularly effects. The purity of their views, embracing the moral and religious interest of the Indians, induces them to believe that their attempts will not be unacceptable to you ; and your former kindness to Mr. Holmes, emboldens them to ask for him such countenance and advice as your intimate knowledge of Indian affairs, and weight of your opinion in directing them, render it expedient for you to give. For your far- ther satisfaction in regard to the missionary system, Mr. Holmes will present you with a volume containing the sermon preached before the Society, and the annual account of their procedure; of which the directors do them- selves the pleasure to request their acceptance. With respect, I am sir,
" Your obedient servant, "JOHN M. MASON, Secretary. " CAPT. JOSEPH BRANT."
In a note, it is added, " Mr. Holmes devoted many years to Missionary labors among the Indians of whom he took his leave about the year 1812. He lived many years afterwards, and died at a very advanced age. * *
His appearance in the latter years of his life was truly patriarchal. His hair was long and white, fell down upon his shoulders, his manner was remarkably impress- ive and his whole demeanor that of one who was ripe for heaven. He was a Calvinistic Baptist."
The occasional visits of the missionaries was all the preaching enjoyed by the first settlers in Buffalo. A son of the Rev. Mr. Holmes, married a daughter of Doctor Cyrenius Chapin, which brought that venerable mission- ary here often and it is believed he made Buffalo his res- idence for a short period.
211
THE INDIAN MISSIONS-FIRST CHURCH IN BUFFALO.
This state of things continued until 1811, when the Rev. John Alexander and Mr. Jabez B. Hyde were sent to es- tablish a mission among the Indians, at Buffalo Creek ; the first as a preacher, and the latter as a school master. But upon their arrival here, a good deal of opposition to the missionary preacher was manifested and after several days spent in council, the school teacher was accepted but the preacher was rejected. Red Jacket was the leader of the party opposed to the preaching of the gos- pel being introduced among the Indians, and it was on this occasion that he is said to have delivered the follow- ing decision of his people on the subject.
He said they had listened attentively to what had been argued in favor of the religion of the whites, and if it would accomplish what those who advocated its introduc- tion among them promised, it was very good-if it would make them sober, honest, truthful and kind, that was very good; but as they were not fully satisfied on the subject, they thought the experiment had better be tried on the people in Buffalo, for they were great rascals ; they cheated the Indians, they drank a great deal of ยท whiskey and caused the Indians to get drunk, and they never spoke the truth, and were always quarrelsome. If the missonaries would go down and preach to them a year, they (the Indians) would see what effect it would have upon them, and would then be able to decide what was best for them.
Mr. Hyde being accepted as a teacher remained, and identified himself with the professors of religion in Buf- falo, and aided in conducting meetings in the absence of any one to preach,
The first church, of any denomination, was organized
212
HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
in February, 1812, by the Rev. Thaddeus Osgood, the well- known itinerant missionary. It is believed to have been organized as a Congregational Church. It consisted of twenty-nine members of whom eight were males, and twenty-one females. It is the same now known as the First Presbyterian Church of Buffalo. After the burn- ing of Buffalo, the Church became scattered; the few returning inhabitants however, endeavored to keep up their meetings. Their first meeting after their dispersion, was in the dwelling honse of Deacon Amos Callender, afterwards in a part of Landon's Tavern, where the Man- sion House now stands, then at a tavern, corner of Hu- ron and Main streets, next in a barn on the opposite side of Main street, and subsequently in a long room in the brick tavern, built by Mr. Gaius Kibbe,* then in the court house, from there to the district school house on Niagara, a little north of Main street. From this the meetings were removed to a small lecture room erected on the lot occupied by the present church edifice of the society, the present building having been erected by the society in 1828. This church was received under the care of the Presbytery of Geneva, in 1816, and on the division of that Presbytery, it was transferred to the Presbytery of Buffalo.
In the Spring or Summer of 1815, the Rev. Miles P. Squier, visited Buffalo as a Missionary, and preached two Sabbaths. He soon after returned to New England, but came back in the month of November, in accordance with the written invitation of the principal citizens of Buffalo, and was ordained and installed pastor of the church by the Presbytery of Geneva. This ordination
* The old Eagle Tavern.
213
FIRST- RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES IN BUFFALO.
took place in the barn, corner of Main and Huron street, east side of Main and north side of Huron. Mr. Squier continued the Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, until 1824, identifying himself with all its interests, spiritual and temporal. He became an early purchaser of several lots of land, and erected a dwelling on the east side of Main street, above Chippewa street, where he resided many years.
Rev. Gilbert Crawford was the next Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church. He remained until 1828, and was succeeded by Rev. Sylvester Eaton, who re- mained until 1834, when he was succeeded by Rev. A. T. Hopkins who died November 27th, 1847. The Rev. M. L. R. P. Thompson was next called to the pastorate of the Church and he remained until he was succeeded by Rev. Walter Clark, the present incumbent.
Although the two lots upon which the First Presbyte- rian Church edifice and St. Paul's Episcopal Church stands were originally designated by the Holland Land Company, for religious use, they were not regularly conveyed to the respective societies until 1820, some- time after both those societies had built upon them. St. Paul's Church erected a handsome structure, in the Gothic style, of wood, some time before the first Pres- byterian society erected their brick edifice. This wooden building was removed to give place to the present mas- sive stone edifice which, when completed, will be an orna- ment to the city.
After the war, and up to 1818, a school was main- tanied for most of the time, and was kept in such rooms as could, from time to time, be obtained. In the winter it was kept by male, and in summer by female teachers.
In 1818, the first organization under the common
214
HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
school law took place, embracing the whole village in one district. The first trustees were II. B. Potter, R. B. Heacock and Elias Ransom.
A tax was levied that year (of $554.25) to build a school-honse. The house was built, but no permanent conveyance of a lot was obtained, and the school house did not remain long stationary, but was removed several times, but was kept in the vicinity of where the churches now are-at one time on Niagara street, on Mr. Peacock's lot, at another, on the corner of Erie and Swan street, and finally on Pearl, above Niagara.
In the mean time, as the population increased and more room was required, the district was divided and sub-divided, as the public necessities seemed to require. Other (or private) schools were also opened, as the want of schools of a higher order than the common schools seemed to be demanded. Some of these were taught by men of superior qualifications.
A brother of Maj. John G. Camp taught one of these schools. Mr. Camp had a high reputation as a teacher in all the higher branches of education, and gave great satisfaction.
Deacon Amos Callender occasionally taught school (generally in winter) after the burning of Buffalo -- some- times in the chamber of his own house, on the east side of Pearl street, between Swan and Seneca streets. He possessed, in a high degree, the confidence of the people, and proved a competent and successful teacher.
The organization of St. Paul's Episcopal Church Society is believed to be the next in order, in point of time, to the First Presbyterian-having been organized
215
EARLY SETTLERS IN THE VICINITY OF BUFFALO.
in 1817. Its first Rector was Rev. Samuel Johnson, and the following were the Rectors, in the order in which their names are given :
Rev. William A. Clark, Rev. Deodatus Babcock, Rev. Ravarard Karney, Rev. Addison Searle. The present incumbent, Rev. Dr. Shelton, was instituted in 1829.
The First Methodist Church and Society was organ- ized by Elder Glezen Fillmore, in 1818. A small church was erected that year on Pearl street, opposite to where the First Presbyterian Church now stands. The usages of that denomination not permitting any permanent settle- ment of pastors or ministers, none remained any length of time in Buffalo. The Rev. Glezen Fillmore, a relative of the Hon. Millard Fillmore, preached in Buffalo per- haps oftener than any other preacher of that denomi- nation, in the early history of that Church, and his influ- ence and labors contributed largely to give the Metho- dist denomination the great influence and usefulness it has and still continues to exert in our city.
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.