USA > New York > Onondaga County > Gazetteer and business directory of Onondaga County, N. Y., for 1868-9 > Part 4
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thirteen different tribes, all of whom are now extinct, are supposed to have had their allotted territories on Long Island, and exercised exclusive jurisdiction and control over their several portions of do- main ; but the distinguished Five Nations, firmly bound and con- centrated in one, held the ascendency over all the North American tribes. The territory proper, extended from the Hudson River on the cast, to the Niagara, on the west, from Lake Ontario on the north, to the Alleghanies on the south. At one time their actual domain extended from the Sorel, south, by the great lakes, to the Mississippi on the west, thence east to the Santee, and coast-wise back to the Hudson. Their territory possessed more fertile land, combined with a temperate and healthy climate, than any other tract of the same extent in the world.
They were called by the French, Iroquois, by the English the Confederates or Five Nations, by the Dutch the Maquas and by them- selves Mingoes ; meaning by all United People. The English retained the name of Maquas for the Mohawks, a long time after the Dutch had relinquished the country. Webster, the Onondaga in- terpreter, says this great league of confederation was arrived at at about two generations before the whites became traders with the Indians. Mr. Clark, in his history of the County, thinks that the period is unknown, but that it is of a much earlier date than Web- ster speaks of, from the permanency of their institutions, the pecu- liar structure of their government, the intricacy of their civil affairs, the stability of their religious beliefs and the uniformity of their pagan ceremonies, differing from other Indian nations in important particulars, we are inclined to the opinion that their federative exis- tence must have had a much longer duration. The story of Ta- oun-ya-wat ha, the Deity who presides over fisheries and hunting grounds coming down from his place in the clouds to teach those peo- ple how to cultivate the soil, cannot be anything more than Indian Mythology, or what is more likely yet, the visit of some early white man. While he was living with them there was an alarm caused by the sudden approach of a ferocious band of warriors from north of the great lakes. Many had been slain, and ultimate destruction seemed to be the consequence either of bold resistance or of a quiet relinquishment of absolute right. At this trying moment, Hi-a- wat-ha, was sought for advice, and no statesman of to day could more fully advise them than he did in a few words. "Become a united people and you will conquer your enemies. Dispatch run- ners in all directions and notify the chiefs of a grand council to be held on the banks of the Oh-nen-ta-ha, (Onondaga Lake.) I shall sit in council with you." The council fire had been kindled three days, but the venerable Hi-a-wat-ha had not made his appearance. On approaching his hut he was found in a melancholy state of mind. The old man told them he had evil forebodings, and that he had
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concluded not to attend the great Council. But the chiefs had de- termined not to deliberate in couneil without the presence of Hi-a- wat-ha, and he was finally prevailed on to go, accompanied by his darling child, an only daughter of twelve years of age. On the ap- proach of the venerable wise man, a general shont of joy resounded through the assembled host, and every demonstration of respect was paid his presence.
As he landed and was passing up the steep bank towards the coun- cil ground, a loud sound was heard like a rushing and mighty wind. All eyes were instantly turned upwards, and a dark spot was dis- covered rapidly descending from on high among the clouds. It grew larger and larger as it neared the earth, and was descending with fearful velocity into their midst. The utmost confusion pre- vailed throughout the assembled multitude, and all but the venera- ble Hi-a-wat-ha sought safety by flight. He gravely uncovered his silvered head and besought his daughter to await the approaching danger with becoming resignation, at the same time reminding her of the great folly and impropriety of attempting to obstruct or pre- vent the designs or wishes of the Great Spirit. No sooner had his resolution become fixed, and his last words uttered, than an im- mense bird, with a long and pointed beak, and wide spread wings, came down with a mighty swoop and erushed the beautiful girl to the earth. His darling daughter has been killed before his eyes in a marvellous manner, and her destroyer has perished with her. It was found on examination that the animal in its deseent had com- pletely buried its beak, head and neck, up to its body, in the ground. It was covered with a beautiful plumage of snowy white, and every warrior, as he advanced, plucked a plume from this singular bird with which he adorned his crown, and from this incident the braves of the confederate nations for ever after made choice of the plumes of the white heron as their most appropriate military ornament while upon the war-path. : In despair and dejection, Hi-a-wat-ha remained three days and nights prostrate on his face on the ground, and while every one participated in his afflictions, no one seemed inclined to approach or disturb his entranced state, and the Indians, almost despairing of a council, were about to depart, but a few of the leading chiefs consulted together, and resolved that nothing should be attempted without the voice of the wise man, and a suita- ble person was thereupon dispatched to ascertain whether he breathed. Finding that he lived, Ho-see-noke was directed to arouse him by his merry heart, to whisper kind words in his ear, and call him from his revery. After mueh ceremony and persua- sion he recovered so far as to converse, and after several messages had passed between the assembled chiefs and himself, he arose and desired some food. He was afterwards conducted to the presence of the Council, when all eyes were turned towards the only man who
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could with precision foretell their future destiny. Various schemes were proposed to repel the enemy. Hi-a-wat-ha listened in silence till the speeches of all were concluded. After briefly referring to his own calamity, he thus spoke of the threatened invasion. " This is a subject that requires mature reflection and deliberation. It is not fitting that one of so much importance should be treated lightly, or that our decision should be hasty and inconsiderate. Let us de- fer our deliberations for a day, that we may weigh well the words of the wise chiefs and warriors who have spoken. Then I will com- municate my plan for your consideration. It is one which I am con- fident will secure our safety."
After the expiration of that time, they again met, when the wise man thus addressed them :
" Friends and Brothers :. You have come, many of you, a great distance from your homes; you have convened for one common purpose, to promote one common interest, and that is to provide for our common safety. To oppose these hordes of northern foes by tribes, singly and alone, would prove our certain destruction. We can make no progress in that way; we must unite ourselves into one common band of brothers. Our warriors united would surely repel these rude invaders, and drive them from our borders. Let this be done and we are safe. You, the Mohawks, sitting under the shadow of the " Great Tree," whose roots sink deep into the earth, and whose branches spread over a vast country, shall be the first nation, because you are warlike and mighty. You, Oneidas, a people who recline your bodies against the " Everlasting Stone," that cannot be moved, shall be the second nation, because you give wise counsel: : You, Onondagas, who have your habitation at the " Great Mountain,", and are overshadowed by its crags, shall be the third nation, because you are greatly gifted in speech and mighty in war. And you, Cayugas, a people whose habitation is the " Dark Forest," and whose home is everywhere, shall be the fourth nation, because of your superior cunning in hunting. You, Senecas, a people who live in the open country, and possess much wisdom, shall be the fifth nation, because you understand better the art of raising corn and beans, and making cabins. You five great and powerful nations must unite and have but one common interest, and no foe shall be able to disturb or subdue you."
Immediately on this was formed the celebrated Aquinuschioni, or Amphietyonic League of the great confederacy of Five Nations, which to this day remains in full force.
By the early French writers, the Mohawks and Oneidas were styled the lower or inferior Iroquois; while the Onondagas, Cayu- gas and Senecas, were denominated the upper or superior Iroquois, because they were located near the sources of the St. Lawrence. The Onondagas were always considered the third nation, and the
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ONONDAGA COUNTY BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
INSURANCE IN ALL ITS BRANCHES,
Robertson & Mccarthy's
GENERAL
nsutante
Agency,
(Kirk Block, 2nd Floor, over Fowler & Lyons,)
50 S. SALINA ST., SYRACUSE, N. Y.
CITY FIRE INSURANCE CO., of IIartford, Ct., Capital and Assets, $500,000.00 C. T. WEBSTER, President. GEO. W. LESTER, Secretary.
BUFFALO CITY INSURANCE CO., Capital and Assets. $277,726.19 WM. G. FARGO, President. HENRY T. SMITH, Secretary. (Semi-annual dividend of 5 per cent. paid July 1, 1868.)
WIDOWS & ORPHANS BENEFIT LIFE INS. CO., of N. Y., Capital & Assets, $1,200,000 For Liberality, Security and successful Management, this Company is for the term of its existence, the First Life Insurance Company in the World.
AETNA LIVE STOCK INS. CO., OF HARTRORD, CT.
This Company Insures Horses and Cattle against death by Fire, Accident or Disease.
Farm Risks written for one, three or five years, at current rates.
All Losses liberally adjusted and promptly paid at this Agency,
CALL AND SEE US.
R & PIERCE
FABIUS YOUNG WARRIOR
NOSTIM
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ONONDAGA COUNTY.
grand council-fire was always kept by them, as also the key of the great council house; the Mohawks holding the door on the east as did the Senecas on the west. All business of importance had also to be transacted at Onondaga. Among the Onondagas, the line of descent is through the female branch of the family. As for in- stance, it was said that La Fort was the son of a chief, but on that account had no claim to the chieftainship; and had not his mother been the sister of Oundiaga, he would have been excluded from his right to an election. The son or grandson of a chief's daughter or sister, is eligible to office, but his own son would not be eligible. The inference drawn from this is that the son is certainly derived from the mother but may not be from him whom he acknowledges: as his father.
Among the Onondagas are five civil chiefs and one war chief .- Anciently they had a greater number ; sometimes as many as twelve or fourteen, with as many sub-chiefs or advisers. The On -. ondagas were regarded as a sacred nation, and their chiefs more influential than those of any other. Before locating here, they appear .. to have been living on the St. Lawrence, near Montreal, under the Adirondacks, then the most powerful nation in the north. Several hundred years before the discovery of America, they arose upon their oppressors, but were defeated. They then fled up the St. Lawrence to Lake Ontario, coasted along the lake to the mouth of the Oswego river, and went up and settled upon the Seneca, near Three River Point. The nation finally divided into five tribes, and the central or Onondaga tribe went up the valley and settled near Onondaga Lake. Their principal villages lay on the border of this lake. It was here they were first found by Champlain in 1615, who claims to have been the first white man entering the country ; but from an inscription found upon a stone it would ap- pear to have been visited by some Spaniards as early as 1520. The stone, bearing the name of Leo De Lon, VI. 1520, which is preserved at Albany, bears evident signs of some comrade wishing to mark the resting place of his unfortunate companion. We are told of Spaniards penetrating the country from the way of the Mississippi, and there is no doubt of their being in the country as far back as the early part of the 16th century.
In the summer of 1615, Samuel Champlain, with ten French- men, accompanied a party of Hurons in an attack upon the Iro- quois. A battle was fought before the principal fort of the Onon- dagas, but the invaders were repulsed and obliged to retreat. The French at an early period sent missionaries, the first of whom. was Father Isaac Joques, in 1642, who, after sewing the seeds of a christian church among the pagans, was murdered by the Mohawks at Caughnawaga, Montgomery County. He was followed by over 60 other missionaries in the next century, together with about 50 C
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Frenchmen, who settled on the north shore of Onondaga Lake, near the principal Indian village, where they continued to flourish until the jealousies of their Indian neighbors were aroused, and in March, 1653, they determined to exterminate them; but through the friendship of an Indian, the whites became aware of their danger and escaped. This massacre was set on foot by by the Mohawks, who induced the Onondagas to agree to the murder of the French on a certain day.
A favorite young Frenchman with the head Chief, induced him to have a general feast, a few days previous to the proposed exter- mination ; and while the Indians were sleeping off the effects of the debauch, the French escaped in several light boats which they had constructed privately in the Jesuits' storehouse. The Indians, not having any knowledge of the existence of the boats, were astonish- ed to find their proposed victims far out of their reach. If the mis- sionaries were alone in the work of subjugation, they would be safe at all times in the hands of the savage tribes; but the rival gov- ernments of France and England continually thwarted their work, and rendered the lives of all at times insecure. When the Mohawk conspiracy had died away, and the Onondagas, becoming sorry for giving the French reason to doubt their sincerity, and feeling the loss they had sustained in driving them away, the principal Chief sent an invitation to them again to establish themselves among them. In 1665 a number of French families returned under the guidance of the missionaries, and settled near the Indian fort and village, which stood in the vicinity of the present village of Jamesville .- After living in peace for about three years, some Spaniards to the number of about 23, came in company across the country from the Mississippi, with some Iroquois, who had told the Spaniards of something white and shining on the banks of the lake which they had thought to be silver, but were quite disappointed on finding it salt. These Spaniards and the French settlers, from some unknown cause, had to band themselves against the Indians, but were finally murdered by them. Several other attempts were made by the French to colonize the country, as in many of the old fortifications French arms and merchandise have been found. The French doubtless found many of the fortifications built, and took posses- sion of them. In Pompey were found several of these, and a con- siderable amount of land cleared, and it is supposed that quite a flourishing French settlement was here utterly destroyed. Went- worth Greenhalgh, in 1677, made a journey among the five nations, and visited their several villages. His journal is preserved among the Brodhead papers, and speaks of the Onondagas as " having but one town, but it is very large, consisting of about one hundred and forty houses, not fenced, is situated on a hill that is very large, the bank on each side extending itself at least two miles, all cleared
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land, whereon the corn is planted. They have likewise a small village about two miles beyond that, consisting of about 24 houses. They lie to the south-west, about 36 miles from the Onyadas. The Onondagas are said to be about 350 fighting men. They lie about 15 n.iles from Tshisoqui." This Tshisoqui is men- tioned as being Lake Teshisoque, near the village of the Onyadas, and is evidently Oneida Lake, at the outlet of which was an Indian village of considerable extent.
Among the principal treaties made with the Indians, are those of Fort Stanwix, by Gov. Clinton and the Commissioners on behalf of the people of the State of New York, and the Onondagas, the 12th day of September, 1788, wherein the Indians cede to the people of the State for ever, all their lands, in consideration of one thousand French crowns in money, and two hundred pounds in clothing; but the Indians and their posterity shall enjoy forever the free right of hunting in every part of said ceded land and in fishing in all the waters of the same. It is also provided that the Salt Lake, and the land for one mile around the same, shall forever remain for the com- mon benefit of the people of the State of New York, and of the On- ondagas and their posterity, forever, for the purpose of making salt, and shall not be granted or in anywise disposed of for other pur- poses. And the people of the State of New York shall pay an- nually to the Onondagas and their posterity, forever, on the first day of June in every year, at Fort Schuyler, five hundred dollars in silver, unless the Onondagas or their posterity should select or choose to have this said yearly payment made in elothing, by giv- ing six weeks notice to the Governor of the State.
In the survey of the Military Tract, of which Onondaga County forms a part, the famous Col. Tyler, of Aaron Burr notoriety, bore an important part, being well acquainted with the County, having settled here in 1788, and has the eredit of felling the first tree and of constructing the first piece of turnpike road in the State, west of Fort Stanwix, and of assisting in the first manufacture of salt. Col. Tyler was known to the Indians by the name of To-whan-ta-gua, meaning one that is double, or one that is a laboring man and a gen- tleman at the same time. Col. Tyler obtained his first cow from Judge White, as well as some grain and corn for seed. He ground his eorn in a mortar made in an old stump, which was standing un- til 1845, near the barn of Mrs. Thaddeus M. Wood, when it was grubbed out and burned to add to the improvements of the age. Major Asa Danforth is also mentioned as one of the first settlers of the County. He came at the same time with Col. Tyler, but Oli- ver Phelps appears to have been the most conspicuous of the early settlers, having opened the first land office in America, at Canan- daigua, in 1789, and for the first time conveyed land by "article,"
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a new device of American origin, wholly unknown to the English system of granting possession without fee.
At the time Onondaga was organized it was divided into eleven towns : Homer, Pompey, Manlius, Lysander, Marcellus, Ulysses, Milton, Scipio, Ovid, Aurelius and Romulus. At the new organi- zation, in 1801, after Cayuga was set off, Onondaga was divided into nine towns as follows: Solon, Homer, Fabius, Onondaga, Pompey, Manlius, Lysander, Camillus and Marcellus, and contained about one hundred and twelve thousand inhabitants. In 1810, the Coun- ty had about twenty-six thousand; in 1825, forty-eight thousand ; in 1830, fifty-eight thousand; in 1845, over 70,000; 1850, eighty- five thousand eight hundred and ninety; in 1855, eighty-six thou- sand five hundred and seventy-six; in 1860, ninety thousand six hundred and eighty-six; and in the last census of 1865, it was nine- ty-three thousand three hundred and thirty-two.
In 1790 or 1791, a company of emigrants, under the direction of Gen. Wadsworth, opened the first road through this County, from the settlement at Whitestown to Canandaigua, through an entire wilderness. It crossed the County line a little north of the Deep Spring, where William Sayles kept a tavern in 1793. After pas- sing Morehouse Flats, it bore south, and crossed the Butternut Creek, nearly a mile south of Jamesville, then bearing a little south of west, entered Onondaga Hollow at Danforth's, nearly a mile south of the present road; thence north-west to Mickle's Furnace; thence continued until intersected by the present road near Gen. Hutchinson's. Emigration greatly increased after this road was opened, as previously to its being traveled, emigrants had no other means of transportation than pack horses ; this permitting them to move on sleighs. A road six rods wide was authorized by the Leg- islature in 1794, from Fort Schuyler, on the Mohawk River, to the Cayuga Ferry, as nearly straight as the country would permit, and from thence, through Canandaigua, to the settlements of Canawagos, on the Genesee River. The singularity of this road is in its width, being two rods wider than the widest of any of our modern roads. In 1797, the Legislature authorized three lotteries, for the purpose of raising forty-five thousand dollars for the improvement of roads, and thirteen thousand nine hundred of this was appropriated for opening and improving the Great Genesee Road, in all its extent, from old Fort Schuyler road to Geneva.
A Mr. Langdon, in 1797, first carried the United States mails through this County, traveling on horseback from Whitestown to Genesee, distributing papers and letters on the way, before regu- lar offices were established. A Mr. Lucus succeeded Langdon in 1800, but the mail matter becoming so heavy, it required a wagon to transport it. Mr. Lucus also tried the experiment with a hack, for transporting passengers also, and did a thriving business. The
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first four-horse mail coach was sent through once a week by Jason Parker, in 1803, and in 1804, commenced running regularly from Utica to Canandaigua, twice a week. In 1804, an act was passed granting J. Parker and Levi Stephens the exclusive right for seven years of running a line of stages for the conveyance of passengers along the Genesee Road, or Seneca Turnpike, between the above places. They were bound to furnish four good and substantial cov- ered wagons or sleighs, and sufficient horses to run the same; the fare not to exceed five cents per mile for each passenger, with four- teen pounds of baggage. The time allowed was forty-eight hours, and should not carry more than seven passengers in one carriage, except by the unanimous consent of the said seven passengers .- And if four passengers above the seven applied, they were bound to fit out an extra conveyance ; or a number less than four could have the same accommodation by paying the fare of four.
The salt springs of Onondaga County are perhaps the most in- teresting, if not the most valuable, of any mineral production of the country ; not even excepting the gold fields of California. The manufactured salt, when sent from the works, gives from 96 to 99 per cent pure salt, the remainder sulphate of lime and water. The springs are situated on the southern banks of the Onondaga Lake, from the village of Liverpool to the outlet of Nine Mile Creek, a circuit of about nine miles. Father Jerome Lallemant, in his Relation of 1645-46, is considered the first writer who mentions the Salt Fountains of Onondaga. Father Le Moyne, a Jesuit mis- sionary, who was here in 1653, is supposed to be the first white person who personally noticed the springs. His declaration of the discovery was pronounced "a Jesuit lie" by the Dutch of New Amsterdam. The Jesuit missionaries Joques, Creuxius, Char- levoix, and many other Jesuit Fathers, frequently allude to the salt springs at Onondaga, but not until 1787, when Comfort Tyler and Asa Danforth 'commenced to manufacture and distribute it, was it considered much of a sinecure. The springs formerly issued naturally from a black muck which composed the surface of the marsh, which in most places was destitute of grass and other vege- tables, except samphire, and when the sun shone, the water was evaporated from the surface of the mud, leaving it covered with chrystalized salt. These appearances are annually diminishing. Col. Tyler in one of his letters says, " In the month of May, (1788,) the family wanting salt, obtained about a pound from the Indians, which they had made from the water of the springs upon the shore of the lake. The Indians offered to discover the water to us. A.c- cordingly I went with an Indian guide to the lake, taking along an iron kettle of fifteen gallons capacity ; this he placed in his canoe, and steered out of the mouth of Onondaga creek, easterly, into a pass, since called Mud Creek. After passing over the marsh, then
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flowed by about three feet of water, and steering towards the bluff of hard land, (since the village of Salina,) he fastened his canoe, pointed to a hole, apparently artificial, and said there was the salt."
At this time Col. Tyler says he made about thirteen bushels of salt. Asa Danforth, Esq., commenced making salt the same year by carrying a five pail kettle from his residence at Onondaga Hol- low. He placed his coat on his head, inverted the kettle thereon, and it has been said, carried it the whole distance without taking it off to rest. Comfort Tyler accompanied him, carrying an ax, chain and other necessary implements for the purpose of making a suitable erection to " boil salt." They set up two crotches, sus- pended their kettle on a chain around a pole, between them, and thus carried on the business of making salt. This practice was con- tinued till the following year, when Nathaniel Loomis came to Salt Point with a few kettles, in a boat, by way of Oneida Lake and River, and during that winter made from 500 to 600 bushels of salt, which he sold for one dollar a bushel. In 1793, Moses De Witt and Wil- liam Van Vleck entered into a co-partnership, and erected an arch containing four potash kettles, supplying the inhabitants of the sur- rounding country. Soon after, the Federal company organized and made salt on what was then considered a stupendous scale. James Geddes, well known as an engineer and chief promoter of the Erie Canal, commenced the manufacture of salt at Geddes, and very soon after, John Danforth at Liverpool. The business was so much in- creased in 1797 that the Legislature in that year passed their first laws in reference to the manufacture of salt at the Onondaga Salt Springs.
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