USA > New York > Livingston County > History of Livingston County, New York, from its earliest traditions to the present together with early town sketches > Part 104
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"We feel greatly indebted to W. H. Samson, one of the editors of the Rochester Post Express, who, through the columns of that great newspaper and in other ways lias called the attention of the country to the wrongs certain cut-purse statesmen in Washington are attempting to inflict upon us. Mr. Samson has ever been ready to champion our cause, and has done so with great ability and success.
"And I must not forget our friend, Congressman William Sulzer, who, although a stranger to us, made a gallant fight for us in the house of representatives against the Vreeland bill.
"Our case has been brought before the senate in such a way as to secure the careful attention of some of the ablest statesmen in the nation, and it is my firm belief that no legislation, opposed by ns, and injurious to us, can pass that body.
"I cannot conclude without referring to our great president, Theodore Roose- velt. Our people have great faith in him. We believe that this excellent man and far-seeing statesman will place huis signature to no bill that is antagonistic to us and to our rights."'
APPENDIX NO. XII. COPY OF DEED TO DAUGHTERS OF INDIAN ALLEN.
To all people to whom these presents shall come, we the Sachems, Chiefs and Warriors of the Seneca Nation of Indians, send greeting :
WHEREAS, By the custom of our Nation from the earliest times of our forefathers to the present day, every person born of a Seneca woman has been and is considered
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one of the Nation, and hence as having an equal riglit with every other person in the Nation to lands belonging to the nation; And, -Whereas Ky-en-da-went-han, named in English "Sally" one of our sisters, has had two daughters born of her body by our brother, "Jen-nhi-sheo," named in English, Ebenezer Allen, the name of the said daughters in English, Mary Allen and Chloe Allen; and,
Whereas Our said brother, Jen-uh-sheo, the father of the said Mary and Chloe, has expressed to us the desire to have the share of the Seneca lands to which the said Mary and Chloe (whom we consider our children) are entitled to have, set off to them in severalty, that they may enjoy the same as their separate portions; now know ye, that we the sachems, chiefs and warriors of the Seneca Nation, in the name and by the authority of our whole Nation, whom according to our an- cient custom in like cases we represent, and in consideration of the rights of the said Maty and Chloe, as children and members of the Seneca Nation, and of our love and affection for then, do hereby set off and assign to them, the said Mary and Chloe, and to their heirs and assigns, a tract of land, on part of which the said Jen-uh-sheo, our brother, now dwells, upon the waters of the Jen-uh-sheo river (Genesee River) in the county of Ontario, in the State of New York, bounded as follows :
Beginning at an elm tree standing in the forks of the Jen-uh-sheo river (the boundary between our lands and the lands we sold to Oliver Phelps and Mr. Gor- ham) and running from thence due south four miles, thence due west four miles, thence due north four miles, thence due east four miles, until the line strikes the said elm tree with the appurtenances. To have and to hold the said tract of land, with the appurtenances, to them, the said Mary Allen and Chloe Allen, and to their heirs and assigns, as tenants in common to their use forever, provided nevertheless, that we, the said Sachems, Chiefs and Warriors, declare that it is our desire and intention, that from this day until the third day of March in the year Anno Domini 1803, during which time both of the said Mary and Chloe will be minors, the said Ebenezer Allen, his executors and administrators, shall take care of, occupy and improve the whole tract of land and receive the rents and profits thereof, without accounting to the children therefor, saving that therewith he, his executors and administrators, shall make provision for the decent and suitable maintenance, and for the instruction of the said Mary and Chloe, and cause them to be instructed in reading and writing, sewing and other useful arts, according to the custom of the white people, provided that if the said Mary shall marry before the age of twenty-one years, then immediately on her marriage the said Ebenezer, his executors or administrators, shall deliver to her the possession of her one equal third part in quality or quantity of said tract of land. And if the said Chloe shall inarry before the age of twenty-one years, then immediately on her marriage the said Ebenezer, his executors or administrators, shall deliver to her, the said Chloe, the possession of one-third part for quality and quantity of said tract of land. And thenceforward the said Mary and Chloe, respectively, and their representative heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, shall receive the rents and profits of their respective third parts of said tract of land. And the said Ebenezer Allen shall continue in the possession of the remaining third part of said tract of land,
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and receive the rents and profits thereof during his natural life, to his own use. And after his death liis present wife Sally, if she survive him, shall hold posses- sion of the same third part, and receive the rents and profit thereof to her own use so long as she shall remain his widow, immediately after which the said Mary and Chiloe, their heirs and assigns, shall receive and have the entire posses- sion of the whole of said tract of land forever. And we, the Sachems, Chiefs and Warriors, do further declare that the said traet of land so set off to them, the said Mary and Chloe, is and forever shall be in full of their share and interest of all the lands belonging to the said Nation, and of all claims of property of every kind, whether moneys or goods for lands sold or received as presents, which have been or shall be received by our Nation; provided further, and it is our meaning to reserve to the Indian families now dwelling on said tract of land the liberty of remaining there so long as they should think fit, with the liberty of planting so much corn as shall be necessary for their own use; provided further, that our sister, the said "Ky-en-da-went-han" (Sally). shall be entitled to comfortable and competent maintenance ont of the rents and profits of said tract of land during her natural life, or as long as she remains unjoined to another companion.
In witness whereof, we, the Sachems, Chiefs of the Seneca Nation, according to the ancient custom of our Nation, have hereunto set our hands and seals this fifteenth day of July, in the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety-one, and of the independence of the United States the sixteenth.
How-de-ye-was, the mark of x Farmers Brother. Shek-wi-un-unk, the mark of x Little Beard. Kaen-do-wan-ay, the mark of x Big Tree.
Hovey-san-sprish, the mark of x Young King.
Oo-1111-got-ek-lion, the mark of x Fire in the Mountain.
So-ne-auh-to-wan, the mark of x Big Throat. Koye-a-gay-anlı, the mark of x Heap of Sago.
Tio-ka-a-ya, the mark of x Little Billy. Tain-dau-dash, the mark of x Black Chief.
Ken-in-yoo-ni-gut, the mark of x Captain Samp. Ken-no-ghau-kol-york, the mark of x Old House. Ne-en-daw-ku-wan, the mark of x Great Tree. Halı-jun-gunsh, the mark of x China Breast Plate. Soo-nooli-shoo-wan, the mark of x Great House. So-way-is, the mark of x Stump Foot.
Sachems in right hand columns of seals.
Sealed and delivered in the presence of Ebenezer Bowman, Joseph Smitlı, Jasper Parrish, Horatio Jones, Oliver Phelps, and by the Chiefs under-written, in the presence of ns,
Jacob Hart. Eben Bowman. To-du-do-nhang-nay, the mark of x Tommy Jemmison. Cy-asu-te, the mark of x Silver Breast Plate with a eross. So-go-urva-to, the mark of x Red Jacket, or Keeper Awake.
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In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Newtown, in the county of Tioga in the State of New York. the 16th day of July in the year 1791 and of the independence of the United States the sixteenth.
Timothy Pickering,
Commissioner on the part of the United States for Holding a Treaty with the Six Nations of Indians.
The land embraced in this grant, which came to be known as the Mount Morris tract, upon its survey in 1806 by Stephen Rogers, was conveyed to the Bank of North America, as collateral security for certain loans to Robert Morris. The Bank sold the undivided seven-eighths of the tract in 1806 to John R. Murray, of New York, and his wife ; William Ogden, of New York and his wife ; Jolin Trum- bull, of New York, and James Wadsworth of Geneseo, New York, and his wife. In ISIo the owners made a division of that portion of the property lying south of the river, excepting the village square, into lots numbering from i to 251 inclusive and partitioned them among themselves. Mark Hopkins was the first land agent of the Mount Morris tract.
APPENDIX NO. XIII
COPY DEED OF COURT HOUSE GROUNDS.
This indenture made this fourteenth day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty-one between William Wadsworth and James Wadsworth of Geneseo in the county of Livingston and state of New York of the first part and the supervisors of said county of Livingston and state aforesaid of the second part, witnesseth ; That the said parties of the first part in consideration of one dollar to thewi in hand paid by the said parties of the second part, and for divers other good considerations them thereunto moving, have given, granted, bargained, sold, aliened and confirmed, and by these presents do give, grant, bargain, sell, alien and confirm unto the said parties of the second part and to their successors in office forever, all that certain lot, piece or parcel of land situate in the north end of the said village of Geneseo in the county of Livingstou aforesaid, and bounded as follows-Beginning at the intersection of the west line of Front street (now Main street) with the south line of North street so called; thence running nortlı 80° west eiglit rods, to a stake and stones; thence nortlı 10° east eighteen rods; then south 80° east twenty-two rods ; thence soutli 10º west eighteen rods to a stake and stones in the south line of North street ; thence north 80º west eight rods to the east line of Front street ; thence, on the sanie course, six rods to the place of beginning, containing two acres and forty-seven one-hundredths acres- to be used and improved as a public square or promenade, and for no other pur- poses whatever. Also the following described piece or parcel of land, beginning at the northwest corner of the above described lot or public square, thence nortli 10° east twelve rods; thence nortli Soº east twenty-seven rods and nine links to the west line of the Avon road; thence south 41º west along said west line thir- teen rods and eleven links to the north line of the public square above described ; thence on the north line of said public square to the place of beginning, containing
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
one acre and seventy-nine one-hundredths of an acre-to be used and improved a- a site for the court house, jail and public offices of said county and for no other purposes whatever. To have and to hold the said above described lots or parcels of land for the several and respective purposes aforesaid and for no other purpose- whatever, to the said party of the second part and to their successor- in office for- ever, a plan of said two parcels of land is hereunto annexed. And the said party of the first part for themselves, their heirs, executors and administrators, do covenant, promise and agree, to and with the said party of the second part and their successors in office, that the above described lots or parcels of land, for the several and respective purposes afore-aid and for no other, in the quiet and peaceable possession of the said parties of the second part and their successors in office they will forever warrant and defend, in witnes- whereof the said party of the first part have hereunto set their hands and -eals on the day and in the year first above written. Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of Ph. C. Fuller and John Simonds.
Win. Wadsworth.
L. S. L. S. Jas. Wadsworth.
State of New York, County of Livingstou,
1, Orlando Hastings, a commissioner for taking the proof and acknowledgment of deeds, etc., in and for said county do certify that on the 14th day of July. 1821, William Wadsworth and James Wadsworth who are well known to me to be the grantors within named, came before me and acknowledged that they executed the indenture within written for the uses and purposes therein expressed, Fallow it to be recorded.
A true copy of the original recorded July 15th, 1821, at S o'clock, a. 111.
O. Hastings, Com., etc.
Jame- Ganson, Clerk.
APPENDIX XIV.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE SULLIVAN CENTENNIAL AT GENESEO.
CENTENNIAL. 1779. - Sept. 16-1879.
On the first day of August, 1878, we wrote and published the following paragraph :
A CENTENNIAL AT HOME.
The expedition of Gen. Sullivan into the Genesee Country, was in 1779, and the centennial of that event, will, therefore, occur next year. The 15th of Sep- tember is the exact date of the bloody event, which took place in Groveland, and ended by the massacre of Boyd and Parker, near Beard's creek, in the town of Leicester. We suggest, that timely preparations be made by the Pioneer or His- torical Society, to celebrate the centennial so near at hand, upon the spot where the capture of Boyd took place, where he was put to death, or at some place con- venient of access to the people generally.
At the Pioneer meeting, on the 15th of the same month, Hon. Richard Johnson,
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of Groveland, called attention to the matter, and, at his suggestion, a committee was appointed, to consider and recommend, to the winter meeting of the executive committee, such steps as seemed appropriate, to secure a proper observance of the event referred to, in the above article. This was done; the subsequent steps in the matter, are so recent, as to be familiar to all our readers. And now, we are close upon the day fixed for the celebration. The chief labor, in making the arrangements, has been performed by a general committee, consisting of Colonel John Rorbach, Charles Jones and William A. Brodie, Esqs., and we believe the result will show, that they have performed their duties with efficiency and good judgment.
At a meeting of citizens, held at Concert Hall, on Friday evening, committees were appointed, to go through all the streets of the village, and roads of the town, to solicit contributions of provisions, etc. - for delivering at Agricultural Hall, on Tuesday morning next, in order that the military, firemen and bands, may be supplied with a lunch. These provisions will be received by persons in waiting, and, at the hour of lunch, will be served by fifty young ladies and gentlemen.
At the appointed hour, the procession will be formed, and led by General James Wood, passing through the principal streets and under arches covered with ever- greens. Flags will also be displayed at several points on the route, as announced in the official programme, in this paper. It is safe to say, that, with the military, the firemen and bands, and the great crowd of people, the display will greatly surpass anything heretofore seen in the county.
The general committee having the arrangements of the Sullivan Centennial Celebration in charge completed the programme, and the following is the list of officers, as selected :
President of the day, Dr. Daniel H. Fitzhugh, of Groveland.
Ist Vice-President, Norman Seymour, Esq. , of Mt. Morris.
2nd Vice-President, Hon. B. F. Angel, of Geneseo, and the following Vice- Presidents from the several towns :
Avon-A. A. Hendee, Fred Pearson, George H. Nowlen.
Caledonia-Alex. Ferguson, Dugald E. Cameron, Win. Hamilton.
Conesus-Jotham Clark, Sen., Solomon Hitchcock, Hiram Boyd.
Geneseo-Col. F. W. Butler, Charles Jones, Col. John Rorbaclı.
Groveland-Richard Johnson, Win. A. Mills, George S. Ewart.
Leicester-Eli Botsford, James H. Bolton, Henry Tilton.
Lima-Richard Peck, Ambrose Hyde, William R. McNair. Livonia-Solomon Woodruff, Backus Gibbs, B. J. Blake.
Mt. Morris-M. H. Mills, Lucius C. Bingham, L. J. Ames.
N. Dansville-Hon. James Faulkner, Jr., Alonzo Bradner, Dr. F. M. Perine. Nunda-Samuel Swain, Capt. James Lemen, E. O. Dickinson.
Ossian-Wm. M. White, Isaac Hampton, Corydon Hyde.
Portage-Charles W. Bennett, Jolin Fitch, B. T. Kneeland.
Sparta-John Shepard, E. L. McFetridge, Jolın M. Campbell.
Springwater-Orson Walbridge, Jolin S. Wiley, D. C. Snyder.
West Sparta-W. J. Slaight, John W. McNair, L. B. Field.
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
York-Geo. W. Root, S. Blakeslee, H. E. Smith.
Secretaries :- E. H. Davis, A. O. Bunnell, S. P. Allen, A. T. Norton, C. K. Sanders.
Chief Marshall -- General James Wood.
The following committee of arrangements was appointed: Charles Jones. Col- onel Henry L. Arnold and William A. Brodie, of Geneseo; Norman Seymour, of Mt. Morris; Major A. A. Hendee, of Avon.
From the Livingston Republican, Geneseo, N. Y., Thursday, September 18, 1879. )
THE SULLIVAN CENTENNIAL.
Fifteen Thousand People Present-Splendid Decorations and Processions.
The Sullivan Centennial ha- just been honored by the largest assemblage ever before seen in Livingston County. The morning of the 16th looked unpropitions, but as the day advanced, the clouds litted and the weather proved just right for comfort. The previous rain had laid the dust, and the great throng which poured in, had as enjoyable a day as could be desired. The trains brought the military and band from Rochester, the firemen and several bands from Dansville, MIt. Morris, Nunda, Avon, Lima and Cuylerville, while by nine o'clock, every road leading hither, was full of people in carriages, and on horseback. In fact, a large share of the adult population of the county, seemed to have turned out, to do honor to the occasion. A large delegation of pioneers and other distinguished gentlemen came from Wyoming county. The delegation consisted of Geo. Tomlinson, H. T. Brooks, Hon. Angustus Frank, Hon. James H. Loomis; and many others. Letters were received from Ex-Gov. Horatio Seymour, Gov. Mc- Clellan, of New Jersey, Hon. Geo. W. Clinton, of Buffalo, Chief Justice Sanford E. Church and Judges Folger and Danforth of the Court of Appeals, Hon. Roscoe Conkling, Hon. W. W. Campbell, of Cherry Valley, Rev. Dr. Gridley, of Water- loo, Hon. W. P. Letchworth and O. H. Marshall, Esq., of Buffalo, and many others, but we have not room for them. The absence of Governors Seymour and Mcclellan, was a disappointment to many thousands. The committee delayed their announcements, until a very late hour, for the purpose of ascertaining whether they would be present, but, as has been announced, Gov. Mcclellan was taken very ill only three or four days before the meeting, and up to the morning of the 16th there was reason to look for Gov. Seymour, as he had given a verbal promise, after his letter was written, to be present, if possible. Dr. Fitzhugh was to have presided, but he was taken ill at Bay City, Michigan, and was unable to be present. In his absence, Norman Seymour, Esq., presided and performed the duties with great satisfaction.
The village of Geneseo, never before looked so gay and attractive. Almost every residence and place of business along the line of march, was decorated, some of them in a profuse and elaborate manner. Large flags were strung across the streets at various points. The Hook and Ladder Company erected at the upper end of Main street an arch of which the component parts were ladders. It was very tastefully made and trimmed throughout with evergreens. In the open
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spaces were liung axes, and ropes and other paraphernalia, and in the upper tri- angle was the name of the company. Coming southward, the next archi was the one erected by the Wadsworth Hose, a large square structure with openings each way. This was more massive in its build than the other, was covered profu-elv with evergreens, and like the other, adorned with flags. The only other large arch, was the one built in front of the Normal school ; thi- al-o was solidly built, and well trimmed with evergreen. The top of the structure was an arch, on each side of which was a motto, the one facing south was "Education, the Nation's Safety." The other "Ignorance, the Parent of Crime." While mentioning the mottoes displayed, we must take note of that of the sheriff. The gate posts at the entrance to the Court House grounds were covered with evergreens, and sur- mounted by an arch on which was the motto, "Civilization overcomes Barbarism." All the county buildings were tastefully and profusely decorated. On Park street. Mr. O'Grady di-played on a canvas extending the whole width of the street, the old Irish welcome, "Cead Mille Fealthe," meaning "a hundred thousand wel- comes." There was no part of the village to which the enthusiasm did not extend. Centre and Second and Elm, and even to North and Court and Eliza- beth, where almost every resident made a creditable attempt at decoration. In front of the residence of Dr. Lauderdale, from the spacious veranda in front, were hung a part of the large and precious collection made by Dr. John V. Lauderdale, consisting of Indian blankets, robes of buckskin, bows and arrows, and other Indian belongings collected in Arizona, New Mexico, California, and the other frontier posts, to which this young surgeon of the United States army has been attached. This last display attracted much attention, and was viewed and com- mented on all through the day. Where everyone was anxious to do honor to the day, and make the exercises a credit and a success, we could not particularize even it space allowed, but imust make an exception in favor of the Chief Marshal's headquarters, where the portraits of General Grant and President Lincoln were hung out, and in front of Jay Schuyler's, where a large and splendid portrait of Washington, and a large likenes- of General Sullivan, were exposed to view. On every side was plainly evident the utmost desire to contribute in every way to the success of the celebration, and the honor of the day. A fine large portrait of Washington, was also displayed before the residence of Mr. Geo. Mercer, on Second street.
The unavoidable delays of such an occasion compelled the Marshal to cut short the line of march greatly to his own regret and that of hundreds of people who had taken positions for seeing the procession. At Agricultural Hall on the Fair Grounds the most ample arrangement- had been made for sati-tying the wants of the invited guests, officers, military, firemen, bands, etc. Substantial tables en- closed the entire building, and from each side and ends a host of waiters, includ- ing many ladies, came out with baskets of everything to satisfy hunger. At the hour for lunch, the tables were surrounded, and such were the facilities, that no time was lost in satisfying everyone who came. And when all were served, there wa- enough left of meats, bread, coffee, pies, cake, etc., to feed twice as many more. The contribution for this purpose from the people of the village and town,
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was most profuse and generous. And right here let nis say, that throughout, the preparations and arrangements by Col. John Rorbach and W. A. Brodie, Esq., were really as perfect and satisfactory as it was possible to make them. They devoted themselves to the work, with a zeal and success which are beyond praise. Everybody who was present owes them a debt of gratitude.
Our fire departments were early on the alert and at seven o'clock had assembled and marched down to the depot, to receive the guests. The escort consisted of the Wadsworth Ilose Co., the Steamer Co., and the Hook and Ladder Co., of this village, numbering in all about 100 men. Coming on the train from Dansville, were the Union Hose, Thos. O'Meara, Foreman : Protectives, F. W. Krein, Fore- man; and Hook and Ladder Company, Daniel P'rice, Foreman, and Active Hose Company of Mt. Morris, Jas. Barrett, Foreman, all of which were escorted to the village and entertained in the most liberal manner by the Wadsworth Hose Co., which organization had arranged the store lately occupied by Smith Brothers, for the reception of visiting firemen. And soon, while the cannon thundered forth its greetings, the next train came in bringing six companies of the 54th Regiment, National Guard, commanded by Major Weitzel. There were 300 men in line. who made a fine appearance. Col. Geo. Hyland, Jr., of Brig. Gen. Briggs' staff was also among the officers. The splendid band of the 54th, led the regiment, and their music was greatly admired. At the same time, came a delegation from Avon consisting of the Avon Hook and Ladder Co. Orrin, Sacket Foreman; the Avon Engine Co., J. B. Benedict, Foreman ; the Extinguisher Co., of Avon, McLaugh- lin, Foreman. Later in the day, the Nunda Hose Co., came in under the com- mand of Altha Paine, Foreman, and the Engine Co., under the direction of O. H. Cook, Foreman. Perhaps at this point, it may be well to mention the distin- guished guests which the Wadsworth Hose Co., received. Among them were Geo. Hyland, Esq. Chief Engineer of the Fire Department of Dansville : C. J. Crabb, Assistant Engineer of the department of Batavia; H. W. Matthews of the Alerts of Avon; Henry Wigg, Assistant Engineer of the town of Mt. Morris and W. S. Newman of Avon, the recently elected President of the New York State Firemen's Association. It is perhaps unnecessary to mention, that the distinguished guests were cordially received and well entertained. The Wadsworth Ho-e Co., kept open house during the day, for all firemen and their efforts in this direction were fully appreciated and enjoyed.
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