History of Chautauqua County, New York : from its first settlement to the present time : with numerous biographical and family sketches, Part 26

Author: Young, Andrew W. (Andrew White), 1802-1877; Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation. fmo; Huntington Free Library. fmo
Publication date: 1875
Publisher: Buffalo, N.Y. : Printing House of Matthews & Warren
Number of Pages: 948

USA > New York > Chautauqua County > History of Chautauqua County, New York : from its first settlement to the present time : with numerous biographical and family sketches > Part 26

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Mrs. Woodward Stevens presented baby clothes made over 100 years ago, the mitts " grandmother" Durkee was baptized in, in July, 1782, and a girl's and boy's cap.

A pardon aud amnesty document, granted to a Scotch refugee by the King of France, July 18, 1619, number 65, was sent from Berrien Springs, Mich., by Worthy Putnam. He discovered it curiously. There had come to his family a Scotch mirror of antique and curious framework, but as it was

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unfashionable, as his wife thought, she took a fancy to have its heavy and fine plate reframed, and accordingly sent it to the cabinet-maker for that purpose. The workman, in taking off the backboard, found this document neatly folded and safely ensconced between the board and mirror plate. That important state paper of regal execution and authority, had safely rested in its ingenious and unique hiding place, probably more than 200 years. What motive induced the holder of this paper to conceal it so securely, is not ap- parent, but that there was some strong inducement to this end is quite certain. The document is written in French, executed entirely by the pen, neatly and elegantly, and on paper of the manufacture of the 16th century, of itself curious. It is much discolored by time, and the texture become fragile, yet the writing is distinct, and the ink stains have a remarkable integrity. This relic of the Bourbon dynasty, and the manner of its concealment and pre- servation, give to this aged regal document a curious interest. It was a part of an heirloom in the family of Maj. Samuel Sinclair, of Sinclairville, until 1847, when it came into the possession of Mr. Putnam.

An Indian snow shoe taken from a Massachusetts tribe of Indians about 200 years ago, and kept in the Alden family.

A two-gallon ship pitcher.

St. Jerome's Translation of the Bible, printed in 1501 ; a " Bibliotheca," 1509, by Geo. W. Lewis, and other old books by Prof. A. Bradish.'

A true pattern of the "mutton leg sleeve," as wom in 1832, by Mrs. D. R. Barker.

Aaron Smith, of Stockton, presented a Bible 107 years old, that was his grandfather's, his vest 53 years old, a wooden block of 12 sides made by " Ebenezer Smith 85 years ago, a concordance belonging to his great-grand- father 154 years ago, the powder horn Rev. Ebenezer Smith carried in the French and Indian war the year before Gen. Wolfe was killed.

A cannon ball, (a ten-pounder,) a relic of the battle of Lake Erie, picked up from the bottom of the lake in 1834, by James H. Lake.

Yarn spun on the first cotton spinning machine in the United States, made by S. Slater, about 80 years ago, at Pautucket, R. I. It was presented by N. Draper ; also a power-loom shuttle.

A conch shell dinner horn, 150 years old, by A. Eaton.

Patterns for walking mud shoes brought here in 1822-used before ; pre- sented by Miss Anna Jones. Also a Bible printed in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, in black letter; three Philadelphia Repositories of 1801-2-3 ; a drawing book of 1799.

A powder horn of 1776, by Mark Markham, of Villenova, marked "Benj. Markham-his horn."

Copy of Blue Laws of Connecticut, by Mrs. Eliza Greene.

A very large pair of shears, on which is sunk the number 1428, supposed to be the year when it was made; presented by Willis Royce, of Ripley. It can be traced back four or five generations. If a genuine article, it must be a trans-Atlantic product.

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A teapot 50 years old, by Mrs. Timothy Goulding, of Sheridan; a linen apron 115 years old ; also an old fashioned bonnet-in fashion in 1828-a real curiosity.

Flax raised by John Pellett, in the Wyoming Valley, Pa., 1778, owned by A. T. Mead, of Portland ; also cloth, (silk,) made in England in 1650 that has been through nine generations. At the time of the Wyoming massacre it was buried and lay in the ground five years.

THE EVENING SESSION .- The tables of relics were taken out of Union Hall so as to leave the whole space in the evening, but every nook and cor- ner was early filled with people; although a large share of the crowd had gone home at the close of the afternoon session, not half of those who remained could gain admission.

As advertised, the evening was principally devoted to ancient harmony, and the Fredonia Musical Association, under the lead of Prof. Riggs, made it very enjoyable. Montgomery, Coronation, New Jerusalem, and the other old tunes were interspersed with remarks by various speakers.

Hon. Orson Stiles, in behalf of the committee of arrangements, returned thanks to all who had aided in making this reunion a great occasion they would be glad to remember all their lives. It had cost the committee some work and more anxiety, but whether a success or a failure, was then demon- strated. 'He hoped that this was but the beginning of similar meetings, and continued eloquently upon the duty of recreation, and our glorious county and country.

Judge Hazeltine gave a history of his advent in the county in 1815. Most of the way from Buffalo was traveled on the beach of the lake. When at Cattaraugus creek, he was taken prisoner by the Indians, growing out of a trouble between Capt. Mack, tavern-keeper at Irving, and one Maybee, nearly opposite him, as to which should control the ferriage. The Indians sided with Maybee. He was finally ferried over by Capt. Strong, father of the well known N. F. Strong. The next day he arrived at Fredonia, a hamlet of a dozen houses. But when he inquired for Jamestown, they knew nothing about it, but had heard of a place called The Rapids. After two days of severe travel, he found the place by way of Cross Roads and Mayville. Now it takes one or two hours. There were then 3,000 or 4,000 people scattered over the county ; and the present village of Jamestown had fifteen families. The Judge continued for some minutes recounting the noble traits of character of the pioneers as he knew them-such men as Thomas McClintock, James Prendergast, Judge Cushing, Dr. White, the two Ortons and the Barkers. It was no occasion for wonder that, under a kind Providence, the county had prospered after its settlement.

Judge Hazeltine then moved a vote of thanks to the citizens of Fredonia for inaugurating the reunion, and entertaining the guests so hospitably ; which was unanimously adopted.

Mr. A. C. Cushing tendered the thanks of the committee and citizens to Gov. Patterson for his very satisfactory services as presiding officer.

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Gov. Patterson in response gave, among some interesting reminiscences, that relating to the history of the big black walnut tree at Silver Creek. [A history of this wonderful tree had been written, and is elsewhere inserted.] In 1821, he took a westward trip to Indianapolis. There were but two log huts there then. For forty miles his road was marked trees. There was not a post coach west of Buffalo, nor a mail carrier except on horseback or on foot. This was fifty-two years ago. Now look at Ohio. Railroads and tele- graphs were not known, and there were no canals. But he looked for greater improvement for the fifty years to come. But one thing we shall not be excelled in-lightning will not carry their messages faster than it does ours. He again expressed his pleasure at the success which had crowned the efforts of Fredonia to inaugurate this reunion. It was a thousand times better than the managers could have expected.

The Cornet Band then gave " America " with fine effect, and the meeting adjourned sine die.

REUNION AT FORESTVILLE.

It was hardly to be expected, that, within three months after the great gathering at Fredonia, so large a number of the settlers could be collected in a corner town, bounded on only two sides by other towns of the same county, and the other two sides by other counties and the lake. But the event showed that the spirit manifested on the first occasion had not subsided. Considering the additional fact that it was announced only as a " Hanover Reunion," it exceeded the most sanguine expectations of its projectors. The number of persons on the ground-though not all at any one time-was estimated at 3,000 to 4,000 ; by some at a much higher number. The reunion was held at the Driving Park, a mile and a half north from Forest- ville-a beautiful location, comprising twenty-four acres, half woods ; and to a large portion of the trees were attached the horses of those who came. The day was clear and pleasant, and, as will be recollected, was the anniver- sary of Commodore Perry's victory over the British fleet on the neighboring lake, just sixty years after its occurrence, September 10, 1813.

But few relics were exhibited, excepting a set of china, presented by Nathan P. Tanner, made to order for his father in Canton, China, eighty- five years ago.

At 11.30 a. m., Dr. Avery, from the stand, nominated Wm. D. Talcott, of Silver Creek, president of the day ; and A. R. Avery, J. S. Pattison, N. P. Tanner, E. Jewett, Uriah Downer, Artemas Clothier, Benj. Horton, and Alanson Tower were chosen vice-presidents ; and A. G. Parker, secretary.

An appropriate prayer was offered by Rev. A. Frink, of Corry, Pa., who was an early resident of the town. His first sermon was preached in the old brick school-house in Forestville, since demolished.

Rev. H. P. Shepard, brother of Mrs. C. D. Angell, followed with the reading of an address of welcome, written by Mrs. Angell.

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ADDRESS OF WELCOME.

Fervid summer heats are over, Drouths, consuming blade and clover- All the land its thirst is slaking, And to beauty new awaking,

Gathered is the harvest golden, Into garners new and olderi, And the haymow's fragrant treasure Heaped and pressed in bounteous measure.

Luscious fruit in rare deposits Gleam in careful housewife's closets ; All the summer sunbeam's flushes, 'Prisoned in their ruby blushes.

Restful days of rare September, Glowing like some ruddy ember That on hearthstone prostrate lying, Warms and brightens in its dying.

Restful days! whose sunny gladness Takes no tinge of coming sadness, Days of all the year most fitting For this welcome and this greeting.

How shall we our homage render? How pay tribute true and tender Unto those, who, long abiding Slow release, are gently chiding ?

Unto those who toy and linger With caressing, patient finger Over tasks of homely beauty Wrought by them in tireless duty?

Long they bore life's heat and burden, With no meed of praise or guerdon, But their souls in hope possessing Waited for the promised blessing.

While with faithful hands and willing Their allotted tasks fulfilling, Falt'ring in allegiance, never To their stern and proud endeavor-

Forests felling, highways breaking, Gardens from the deserts making, Wild morass and swamps reclaiming, All the tangled wildwood training,

Rank and stubborn growths subduing, Wells of living water hewing- By no pain or sickness daunted, By no fruitless visions haunted,

By no false ambitions goaded, Nor by festering cares corroded, Strong in purpose-pure in living, All of self to duty giving-

Men of grand heroic daring, Shrinking from no burden-bearing, By their self-denial shaming All our feeble, shallow aiming,

By their rigid, stern unswerving, Us to nobler action nerving,

By their calm and patient doing High resolves in us renewing,

Lo! they stand before the portal Of the golden gate immortal, And the fruits of toil and reaping They bequeath unto our keeping.

Goodly acres, broad and teeming, Vineyards on the hillside gleaming, Grassy uplands gently swelling, Crowned by many a peaceful dwelling.

Tasteful homes and schools and churches, Streamlets spanned by graceful arches, Maple shadowed drives enclosing, Towns in forest shade reposing.

Railroads linking lake and ocean, Harnessed lightning's fiery motion, Docile, wait to do our pleasure, Bear our words and bring our treasure.

'Heritors of untold treasure, Without price, or stint or measure, Let us show, by worthy living, How we prize this princely giving.

Let this day and place be holy, Come with reverent hearts and lowly, Bid no thought unworthy enter Where our love and duty center.

Here shall children's happy faces, Maiden's sweet and tender graces, Manhood's strength and youth's ambition, All unite in loving mission.

All unite to crown with glory, Heads with many winters hoary, Counting all our labor leisure If it brings you aught of pleasure.

All with outstretched arms receive you, And a thousand welcomes give you ; To our hearts and homes we take you, Proud, our honored guests to make you.

With us-aye-but yet not of us, Far removed, beyond, above us, On the top of Pisgah standing, All the "promised land " commanding.

Wrapped in beatific vision, Of those deathless fields Elysian, Waiting for the summons thither, What should tempt your footsteps hither?

Ah! in guise of strangers hidden, Angels to our feast are bidden, Entertaining them beside us Unaware, they lead and guide us.

Low we bend to take your blessing, While our words to you addressing, Lay your hands but lightly on us, Let your mantle fall upon us.

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Several letters from persons abroad, former residents of Hanover, in reply to invitations, were read. An Historical Address was delivered by Henry H. Hawkins, Esq., of Silver Creek. It gave a history of the town from its early settlement to and including the war of 1812, and evinced much study and research on the part of the writer. It was replete with entertaining and valuable facts, interesting especially to the citizens of Hanover, and largely so to the people of the county generally. It was the intention of Mr. Hawkins, if another such occasion should occur, to bring the history down to the present time. It is hoped that a similar occasion will again be presented ; and that, whether it shall be or not, he will proceed in preparing the sketch, for preservation, leaving to time and circumstances its future use and disposal. Certain it is, there is not another citizen in the town who can do the subject better justice.

As there was but a single session, only a few speeches were made, and these by gentlemen not citizens of the county, though all of them had been. President Talcott introduced, first, "the venerable man, known to so many, who had taken so deep an interest in the preservation of the county history -the Hon. ELIAL T. FOOTE." Judge Foote was greeted with three cheers as he advanced to respond. He said he was a weak, feeble old man. Dea- con Brownell, the pioneer justice, the Camps, Mixers, and others of the earlier settlers whom he remembered, had been taken to the neighboring cemetery. A few like Capt. Pattison, even older than himself, still survived. Although reduced in flesh from 250 to 165, a mere skeleton of his former self, it was impossible for him to express the pleasure it gave him to meet them to-day-the last occasion that he expected to enjoy that happiness. He had onced hoped to write a history of the county, (too old now,) and had carefully collected much information which Mr. Young was using for the history now in preparation. He hoped all that could would aid the author in making the history what it should be. He wanted the history of the good old men who settled Hanover preserved. The gathering further reminded him of Perry's victory on Lake Erie sixty years ago. God's providence was in that victory and the battle of Lake Erie. He also complimented Mr. Hawkins. Although differing with him as to the first settlement in the county, he was very thankful that he had prepared that paper, which he regarded as extremely valuable.

A. W. Young, the writer of the County History, and Dr. Jeremiah Ells- worth, of Corry, Pa., followed Judge Foote. As the remarks of the former were in great part personal, and related to his connection with the work he had undertaken ; and as the speech of Dr. Ellsworth, though highly interest- . ing, was a review of pioneer experience and mode of living, which, it is believed, will be found faithfully presented elsewhere in this work; and, further, as the matter of this volume has already far exceeded the space assigned to it, the remarks of both these speakers are necessarily omitted.

The band followed with "Old Hundred," and the audience joined in sing- ing the old familiar words : " Praise God, from whom all blessings flow ;"

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after which was dinner. Mr. F. D. Ellis had the general management of the table arrangements, and succeeded finely. After dinner the bands of Forest- ville and Silver Creek, who had participated in the stand exercises, continued their music for some time ; the old folks shook hands again; the young folks drove on the track ; and all went on merrily until "milking time," when the grounds were speedily vacated.

REUNION AT JAMESTOWN.

The second reunion of the " Old'Settlers " of Chautauqua county was held at Jamestown on the 26th of June, 1874. Great preparations had been made by the citizens to meet the highest expectations of those who had for weeks and months been waiting for the "good time coming." . High arches of evergreen spanned several streets ; and the decorations upon the streets, the Hall, and the Opera House, in which the public exercises were chiefly held, were elaborate and in good taste. The ladies had not been wanting in efforts to assure success to the reunion. The citizens of Jamestown did themselves much honor by the generous supply of provisions for the table, and their kind attentions to their guests.

That this festival, in all its features, surpassed that of the preceding year, will hardly be affirmed. In numbers it far exceeded it. And a greater number of persons were fed. About four thousand people, it was said, were seated at the dinner-tables, and the provisions that were left, were estimated to be sufficient for at least half as many more. The arrangements for num- bering the pioneers, and taking their names, were defective or not fully carried out. Nor were they systematically classified in respect to their ages, as at the former reunion. No one probably will say that, on the whole, it was not outdone by the Fredonia meeting.

At the hour appointed, the meeting was called to order by Col. Augustus F. Allen, chairman of the committee of arrangements ; and by his request, Hon. Abner Hazeltine, of Jainestown, took place on the stage as president of the meeting, and R. W. Kennedy, of French Creek ; Wm. Blaisdell, of Cherry Creek ; and D. H. Waite, of Ellicott, as vice-presidents.

The president then briefly addressed the meeting, cordially welcoming the citizens, and especially the pioneers of the county to the place on this occa- sion. He drew an interesting contrast between the present, and "sixty years ago," when he settled in Chautauqua county. The whole region was a dense forest, with only here and there a settler. Where there was a heavy growth of forest trees, are now rich fields and large houses, surrounded by all the evidences of prosperity. This region was settled by poor people, but by their energy and perseverance, they have greatly advanced in wealth. and prosperity. He said : "We have reason to thank them for clearing up this county. Let us not forget, in praising our forefathers and foremothers, to give thanks to the Great God. I will now ask the Rev. Isaac Eddy, of New Jersey, who is the son of the first preacher in Jamestown, to in- voke the Throne of Grace."

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After the conclusion of the prayer, and music by the full choir composed of the several church choirs, who sang " Still the Cymbals,"

The president introduced the Hon. Richard P. Marvin, who, as the Judge announced, would preside during the remainder of the reunion services. The following is only a part of Judge Marvin's address :

"We are here in honor of the 'old settlers' of the county. It is the festival of the reunion of those who survive, and a day for the commem- oration of the virtues of the departed. 'Old Settlers,' 'Early Settlers,' how reduced your ranks ! How few of your early companions are here ! You have no cause for mourning, rather cause for thankfulness in the reflection that they acted well their part while here, and that a kind Providence has spared you that you may see this day-to meet here your children and their children, and thousands of others to whose happiness your labors and priva- tions paved the way. They meet you here with greetings, with warm de- sires to contribute to your happiness while you may remain with them. They honor you, they know something, they know not very much, of the great battle you, the 'old settlers,' fought with the difficulties surrounding you. They, and your descendants have a clear knowledge, a happy percep- tion, of the great victory you obtained ; the great conquest you made, for they are in the full enjoyment of the fruits of the victory. I speak of your encounter with difficulties as a battle, and your success as a victory, and well I may, for to me it has always seemed that a courage, equal to that which has produced the ancient and modern heroes of Earth, was required to influence you, in early manhood, with your young bride, and those of middle age with their wives and little ones, to leave their homes in the old settlements and come into the wilderness to make for themselves and fami- lies a home. This county was literally a wilderness. The land was covered with a dense forest of trees, tall and large, and the axe was the first and only tool required.

"The first labor was the construction of the log house. I shall not pause to describe it or its location by the bubbling spring. I have no time to speak of the absence of roads and mills. Let us enter at once, as they did, upon the campaign and begin the battle. The 'old settler,' then a sturdy youth, armed for combat with a single weapon, the axe, more useful and more effec- tive than the battle axe of the knights and warriors of other times. He takes a view of the field of battle, as did Napoleon the field of Waterloo. The enemy to be slain may be numbered by thousands .. He approaches one of them, a majestic oak, elm or maple, observes its tall and beautiful form, walks around it, measuring with his eye its circumference, takes notice of its inclinations, and decides where to lay it upon the earth. He is stripped for the combat, he is ready to begin, and he delivers the first blow. The wound is scarcely skin deep, and could the oak think and laugh, well might he do so in derision of his puny assailant. But blow follows blow. The weapon is wielded with skill and a will, and in time his majesty comes crash- ing to the ground. Another, another and another is in the same way at- tacked and subdued, and the sun smiles upon the earth and the labors of the puissant warrior. The battle is continued for days, weeks, months, years, and embraces many other phases before the earth is prepared for the uses of man.

" I now ask the young man of the present day to go where he can find ten acres of the original forest in the county, and say whether he has courage to make the attack, single handed and alone. Young men, I do not question

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your general courage ; many of you have proved it on the battle-field in presence of the cannon's mouth ; but how many of you will, for a liberal re- ward, undertake the conquest of ten acres of dense forest? I venture to answer, very few of you. Your courage would fail. How many of our young women would be willing to accompany their husbands into such a wilderness, and submit to the hardships incident to such a settlement ? I will not press the question ; but I recommend that you cultivate the acquaintance of the aged mothers-early settlers still with us, and learn their story. You will find it quite as interesting and far more valuable than any of the dozen novels you have been reading during the last six months. They will tell you of the big and little wheel, and the loom, very interesting and useful furniture in the house, for which you have substituted the piano and the harp. They will tell you about their comfortable apparel, provided at home by their own labor, their calico dresses of the newest style requiring six yards, and how happy they felt in them. You still wear calico, and really appear very pretty in them, but tell the old ladies that the patterns used for a dress are from twelve to sixteen yards. Tell them also that you do not feel quite comfort- able and happy unless you are dressed in silks, the pattern for a dress being from twenty to thirty yards, and the good old ladies may open wide their eyes, and exclaim, 'What is the world coming to!' How can the young men ever think of marriage. But, young ladies, let me whisper in your ear the answer to be given. It is that since the early days of these, now ancient and worthy dames, the steam engine has been invented by which, supplied with water that costs nothing, heated to a temperature producing steam, the work of a thousand men and women is performed, and that this engine, made of iron, has actually driven from the field all the big and little wheels and do- mestic looms, and so greatly reduced the hard labor of men and women, that your husbands of the present day are able to provide for you more dresses of greatly enlarged patterns, and by the steam engine argument, you may, in a measure, allay their fears, and the apprehensions of the young men, if they are apprehensive, which I doubt.

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