USA > New York > Livingston County > History of Livingston County, New York, from its earliest traditions to the present together with early town sketches > Part 105
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The procession formed at 10:30 in the following order :
FIRST DIVISION.
Chief Marshal, Brig. Gen. James Wood and Aids, General Pratt, Major C. F. Wadsworth and Otto Kelsey, preceding the 54th Regiment and band under the command of Maj. John N. Weitzel, with Lieut. F. W. Elkart of Company F., Adjutant.
SECOND DIVISION.
Containing carriages with officers, speakers, distinguished guests and survivors of the War of 1812, prominent among whom was Doctor D. H. Bissell, with Aids Col -. Strang and Hyland and Lockwood R. Doty.
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THIRD DIVISION.
Veterans of the late war, and a company of Calithumpian- with Aids, Major, Eldridge and Culbert-on and Geo. S. Williauis.
FOURTH DIVISION.
Preceded by the Dansville Band and the different fire companies in attendance with hose carriages, fre department of Geneseo, Capts. Scott, Sackett and Van Zandt as Aids.
FIFTH DIVISION.
Lima Band with Pioneers and citizens generally. Capt. Chapin and R. A. Kneeland as Aids.
SIXTH DIVISION.
Cuylerville Band and delegation frou Normal School. The scholars of this in- stitution had been trained in the singing of the Star Spangled Banner, which it was designed to sing while the procession was passing, but its progress was so rapid, that the first verse only was sung.
Tlie procession marched to the Fair Grounds, where, in Agricultural Hall, the citizens of the town generally had sent their contributions of provisions, in quan- tities abundant enough to have satisfied the hunger of a crowd of three times the dimensions. From early in the morning the waiters were occupied in cutting up and preparing the food for the guests. Meats and fowls and bread and pastry and the choicest of preserves and pickles, were spread out in profusion for all the guests who honored the Sullivan Centennial of Livingston County with their presence.
Lunch being concluded, the officers, speakers and invited guests repaired to the grand stand, which was already surrounded by thousands of people. The seats on the east side of the trotting course were full, and the judges' stand was reserved for representatives of the press. Norman Seymour, Esq., called to order and said : Fellow Citizens:
We have gathered liere today to commemorate the expedition of Gen. Jolin Sullivan, and his brave army, against the Six Nations, the Iroquois, one hundred years ago. Before that event, so fearful had been the atrocities of the Indians, "who hung like the cythe of death" upon the defenceless whites, on the border settlements, in the Valley of the Mohawk, Cherry Valley, and Wyoming, that Gen. Washington determined to chastise them. In his order to Gen. Sullivan, he said, "The imumediate objects, are the fatal destruction of the hostile tribes of the Six Nations, the devastation of their settlements, and the capture of as many prisoners, of every age and sex, as possible. ''
Washington appreciated the vast importance of the expedition, and selected this able General ; the results of the campaign, brought quiet to the land, and emigration from Pennsylvania and the east set in, and in a few years brought about the famous treaty of "Big Tree." Let us do honor to the memory of the indomitable and brave soldiers of that campaign, many of whom became the pioneers of the Genesee country ; its delightful valleys, genial climate, and luxuriant soil, induced them to make their homes in this land.
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
Inheriting the New England type of true manliood, they assisted in laying broad, deep, and enduring. the foundation of our illustriou- commonwealth : on our hillsides, and at almost every hamlet, they erected rude temples, consecrated to the worship of the God of their father -. In August, 1811, a very large a -- em- bly presided over by the Revolutionary hero, Major Moses VanCampen, met at Little Beardstown, Gennishee, the spot where the brave Boyd and Parker. attached to Sullivan's Expedition, were so inhumanly put to death. On that occasion, Judge Samnel Treat. now of St. Louis, pronounced a just and fitting tribute to the memory of these brave men. Their remain- were taken to Mt. Hope, Rochester, where Gov. Seward delivered a very touching address. To this day, 10 monument marks their re-ting place. But I am not expected to speak in detail of Gen. Sullivan's devastating march, and of its effect upon the young republic. The distinguished and eloquent historian, from Pennsylvania, who is with u-, will more fully than ever before, bring out the facts connected with that effec- tive and successful expedition.
Fellow citizens, to-day we tread upon the soil, where first by the treaty of 1779. the Indian title wa- extinguished to the "Genesee Country, " "The pre-emption line," one mile east of Geneva, to Lake Erie, in all embracing six million acre -. Here at Big Tree, thi- famous treaty was signed, one of the most important that was ever made with any of the Six Nation -. Here, just below, on this western slope, three thousand Indians, for over twenty days, gathered around their council fires, before Robert Morris, the distinguished financier of the Revolution. repre- sented by his son, Thomas Morris of Kanandaigua, assisted the U. S. Commis- sioner, Jeremiah Wadsworth, of Hartford, Conn., con-nmmated thi- noted treaty. This convocation of Indian chief- and United States officials, met in the un- finished log house, covered with boughs, of the Mes-r -. James and William Wadsworth, the noble pioneers of our valley. The result of this grand council, at once opened more fully to civilization the country in which we dwell.
Citizens of Livingston County, a- today we have met by thousands, to com- memorate the bravery, and lofty patriotism of General Sullivan and his army, so in September, 1897, will we gather upon this historic ground. and recall the stirring events of the famous "Treaty of Big Tree, " the outgrowth of the memor- able expedition of Gen. Sullivan, which today we honor.
In this valley, there should be erected monuments, that for all time shall mark the spot where occurred the crowning results of Sullivan's Expedition, where the bloody trail of the Iroquois found it- death, and where the Senecas, who for centuries had guarded the western door to the "Long House," for the last time in the Gennishee, covered up their council fires, and with sullen tread, marelied to their homes in the west.
Prayer was then offered by Rev. L. Parson-, D. D., of Mount Morris.
The Glee Club then rendered the words, "My Country, 'tis of Thee." to the tune of America, with fine effect.
Hon. A. L. Child-, of Waterloo, the Poet of the occasion, then read the poem.
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APPENDIX
JOHN SULLIVAN'S MARCH. By A. L. Childs.
In memory of the olden time With merry hearts, with faces beaming, In long procession, grand, sublime, We march with Freedom's banner streaming.
We bring fresh wreaths and lilies fair, With incense sweet the air perfuming. With love and veneration rare, To greet our Century Tree now blooming!
Blooming with Faith and Hope and Pride ; Blooming with blessings ; peace bestowing ; Safe from the storms on every side, Safe in Freedom's soil now growing.
We know the hand that planted the seed, Where woods were wild and ground unbroken ; And we cheer the generous hearted deed, As these scenes of joy today betoken !
Though generations have gone since then, And scenes of life are often shitted, We see Jolin Sullivan and his men, As mists of a hundred years are lifted.
God bless the soldiers of Seventy-Nine. For their brave deeds of soldier bearing ! Breaking the chains of the Irognoi- line, Bringing the peace we are this day sharing.
Where Onondaga and Mohawk brave, Oneida, Cayuga and Seneca found The union of tribes that terror gave, Where the Tuscarora war-whoop sounded.
Allied with Freedom's bitterest foe. With poisoned arrow and scalping knife, With flaming torch, they marching go, To murder the young Republic's life!
God bless the heroes of Seventy-Nine ! Their work was ble-t: their efforts untiring, And a hundred years show no decline Of the patriot fire, our hearts inspiring.
Where the savage yell and war-whoop rung, And smoke from Indian wigwam curling. Now anthems of praise to God are sung, And our starry banner is unfurling !
Where stealthy step of mocca-in feet, With death the trail of the white man treading, Are the busy scenes of the village street And the homes with sweet contentment shedding.
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Where the swift canoe went gliding through The waters of the lake and river, Now the steamers grand, plow through the blue And freight from distant port- deliver.
Where bended bow would arrows throw With death to the white man, swiftly flying:
Where the war club gave its deadly blow To the tortured pale faced vietim dying ;
Now the church is seen, and the school yard green, And the homes where Peace and Love are dwelling: Where the aged sire, calm and serene,
The tale of the olden time is telling.
No tears can we shed, for the red man fled ; Driven out by the sires before us,
And we bless the heroes by Sullivan led, In a grand, triumphal chorus!
As the monster oak, by the axinan's stroke Falls down to the ground like the thunder,
As it- branche- wide are torn from its side, While the flowers of spring are plowed under :
No mourning is made of the oak tree shade, We miss not the bloom ot the flower -.
The march of Freemen shall not be delayed In this beautiful land of ours.
We squander no grief on warrior chiet : To mourn for the past we will never:
In God and in Country we rest our belief, And trust they will triumph forever !
Then onward we march, 'neath Heaven's blue arch, As Sullivan'- heroes before us ! And sing by the way as freemen today, In a heartfelt, victorious chorus !
In the Spirit land stands Sullivan's band. In that far distant home in glory :
Through a hundred years, a procession appear-, Far-famed in the world's great story !
Through the long ravine of the past are seen The aged fathers and mothers, too ; From the mountain height of a century's flight, We can witness the grand review !
In this grand parade, of a century made, The forms of our sires we now behold ! We see in their face, that goodness and grace, That marked them as patriot men of old !
There is Franklin's fire on electric wire, All over the land the glad news flashing; And the cable spread in the ocean bed, Where our vessels are the proud waves dashing.
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Through the gloom of night, shines the bright headlight Of the railway engine with its roar,
As it rushes by like a twinkling eye
From Atlantic coast, to Pacific shore !
And there now appears, in this march of years, The wonders of science and genius grand,
To our ears now come, the busy hum
Of the work-shops scattered through our laud !
On the distant plain is the golden grain, And the reapers stand with folded arms ;
While the great machine reaps the harvest clean,
And the man is king of the fruitful farms.
In this pageant wide we witness with pride Our institutions of learning and law ;
While the whisper tone of the telephone, Speaks loud of wonders the world never saw !
Our soldiers in blue are marching there, too, And carry the banner through mountain glen.
Though covered with scars, they wear now the stars In that distant land with Sullivan's men.
The red, white and blue ; those colors so true, Triumphant a hundred years ago Preserved and kept bright, are still the delight Of the hosts that are marching here below !
When the grand review of a century new Dawns on our land, we hope and pray That the patriot men who are marching then May be true as the freemen are today !
The 54th Regimental band played some fine music, when W. H. Bogart, Esq., of Cayuga county, was introduced.
REMARKS OF W. H. BOGART, ESQ.
Mr. Bogart made a short address, in which, after congratulating the citizens, on the success that had attended their efforts at celebration, he said :
I recognize in General Jolin Sullivan and his soldiers, the proper men for the time. God bless the heroes of '79. Men were patriots and heroes in those days. I recognize no decline of patriotic fire, today. That you have gathered from your larms and firesides, to do honor to an occasion like this, is, to me, evidence sufficient that, did the occasion require, you would be as ready and willing to do battle, in the cause of civilization, as they were. Let us give full credit to the Indian, consider the circumstances under which he was placed, but at the same time we must prefer the village, and the sweets of civilized home to his barbaric wigwam. I prefer the churches, whose numerous spires pierce the clouds in this valley, and the school yards that echo with the gleeful shouts of children to the Indian war cry, "Death to the white man." For one, I waste
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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY
no tears, no sympathy, aud squander no grief on the red man. The events of a century pass, in grand parade before us in memory today, but I can recall notli- ing in all that grand history, pregnant with events of greater moment to civil- ization than the march of General Sullivan and his men, not even when Franklin drew electricity from the clouds, and fired the train that gives intelligence to the world. 1 congratulate you, citizens of Livingston, on the success that attends your efforts today. Be alway- as true to the call of duty, as you have been on this occasion, and as your firemen have always proven themselves, and equal triumph shall always cover you with glory.
The Hi-torian of the day, Rev. David Craft, of Wyalusing. Pa., was then intro- duced, who gave an interesting historical address. Rev. Mr. Craft'- historical aldresses at all of the centennial-, having been thoroughly revised and con-oli- dateil, will be found in another place, in this volume.
After music by the Dansville Band, Gen. A. S. Diven, of Elmira, spoke as follows :
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen :
After the exhaustive narrative of the campaign, oue hundred years ago, by my learned friend, it would be folly for me to attempt any description of the event we are met to celebrate. As the celebration of the battle of Newtown (an important incident in the campaign was proposed, I thought to read up the hi -- tory of event- connected with the expedition, and more especially to make my- >elf acquainted with the character and history of the people, against whom this formidable demonstration was made.
If anyone would appreciate the labor that our learned historian must have be- stowed upon the interesting narrative with which he has favored us, let him enter upon the study of the history of the Six Nations. With a reasonably fair library before me, I commenced this study. For a long time all I could find in history relating to this people, described them as a Confederation, not of six but of five nations. The division of these nations into tribes, and the relation of the tribes to the nations, and one nation to another, all resting upon tradition, with no written constitution or laws leads the student of history into ways that will sorely tax his patience, if not completely bewilder him. Then, as to the personal history of distinguished individuals of these nations, the confusion is, if possible, still greater. I pored over the history of a Madam Montour ; the more I examined, the more I was bewildered. At one time I was peru-ing the history of an accom- plished French woman who had cast her lot, from romance or caprice, among the Indians. She was friendly to the white people. Admitted to the hospitality of the Penns, and the best of Philadelphia society. Again she was the incarnate fiend, reveling in the blood of defenceless prisoners. I finally found my way out of this mystery, by discovering that there were two women of the same name. The goodness and refinement of the one, a good deal exaggerated, as well as the ferocity, of the other.
Then, as to the celebrated Chieftain, Brant ; such contradiction of his character
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and his deeds, sent me in search of two chieftains, of the same name; I am left with almost conclusive evidence that Brant was the bloodiest fiend of the Wyoming Massacre, with evidence equally conclusive, that he was not within three hundred miles of them at the time.
In fact, with attempt to reconcile conflicting history, with regard to these original occupants of these fair hills and valleys, I gave up in despair. I shall never give lessons in Indian history.
One thing in relation to the Indian, is not in doubt, that he possessed all thi- fair land, that it was his home, -his the forest to hunt, the streams to fish, the fields to plant. That they are his no longer, is equally true. That he has been dispossessed, by fraud and violence, rather than by fair and just dealing, I think too evident. That he should have resisted his ejectment from so fair a heritage, even with cruelty to the intruder, admits of palliation.
With what blood-curdling horror we talk ot the tomahawk, and scalping knife, as if the tomahawk were a more cruel weapon than the hayonet, or the scalping knife than the sabre.
How our sensibilities revolt at Indian cruelty to unoffending women and chil- dren, and the aged.
What death is more torturing than starvation, and when we take from a people the food to sustain life, do we not subject the unoffending to the most miserable deatlı ?
With what holy horror we exclaim against the torture inflicted by the Indian upon his enemy ! Have we never heard of equally cruel torture by the white man? What of the wild beasts in the amphitheatre of refined Rome? What of the inquisitions of Spain and Italy? What of the burning at the stake in England ? Ala-, for poor humanity ! What of the burning, drowning, and hanging for witchcraft, by our Puritan fathers?
The Indian is a man with like passions as other men; for any act of cruelty practiced by him, you can find a parallel in the best of your races ; for every act of disinterested generosity found among our own race, you can find a parallel among the red men. I had rather be the advocate of the Indian before a just tribunal, than of the white man. Our persecution of this unfortunate race is -till going on, and will until we receive the red man as a fellow citizen, and recognize him, in all things, as a brother.
There have been noble examples of devotion to the interest of the red man, in this country. Enough has been done to prove the Indian susceptible of high civilization. But for every act of kindness to this race, we may cite ten of fraud. While the avarice of mankind exceeds his benevolence this will continue.
It may be thought by some of you, that this is not a fitting occasion to plead the cause of the red man. Pardon me for thinking it eminently so. There is danger in celebrating a victory over these people, whom we remember only as cruel savages, with no redeeming quality, with nothing to pailiate their offences, Justice to an enemy, is what just men should always accord.
From the time when France and England were contending for their part of our continent, these savages were sought by both parties as allies, each striving by
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-pecious provisions to engage them on their side. The same was true with the English government and the colonies during our revolution. The English promised to protect the Indian in the possession of these rivers, lakes, valleys and hills, if they would assist them. There had been little in the past to show that the people of the colonies would afford them such protection.
In their incursions on our frontier settlements, they were told by their British allies that they were defending their homes against the intruder.
Mr. President, ladies and gentlemen, as this campaign affected our struggle for independence, I rejoice at its success ; as it affected the Indian, my rejoicing i- mingled with regret. There is a cause tor rejoicing on this day, in which I can unite with you in gratitude, mingled with regrets. It is not in that a battle was fought one hundred years ago, but that a hundred years have passed without a battle. Not that a hundred years ago a victorious army marched through these vales and over these hills carrying devastation and ruin in its track-laying waste and making desolate the land-but that for a hundred years the march of Peace has been onward, bearing in its track progress and civilization. The wil- derness has been converted into fruitful fields and smiling orchards. The wild beast lias given place to herds and flocks; the rough path of the savage, to thie smooth highway and the railroad ; the smoky wigwam for the beautiful painted house, filled with the comforts of sweet home; the village of huddled hints for the town with shaded streets, with churches, schools and halls. Conquests, com- pared with which, the most brilliant military successes are as nothing.
Let us not, then, so much rejoice that a hundred years ago the note of war re- sounded through this valley, as that for a hundred years, war's havoc has never disturbed our peaceful habitations. Thank heaven we have but one campaign to celebrate, and that was a hundred years ago, and pray that we may have no other for centuries to come, "until men shall learn war no more, until swords shall be beaten into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks; until peace on earth and good will to men, shall prevail throughout the world."
Hon. Geo. W. Patterson, long an honored resident of this county was then in- troduced. He spoke as follows:
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen :
I am allowed, as I understand, about five minutes to talk to you. I would like it much better if they had said five hours, because I could hold out that long, now.
1 have a few words to say to you, that are not written. The gentlemen who preceded me, gave you some of the written, and some of the unwritten history of Livingston connty. I recollect, that sixty-one years ago, I stood upon the spot where the battle which has been referred to was fought over in Groveland. I not only stood there, but I went to the grave- of those who were slain in that battle.
I don't know whether the people of Livingston county have erected any mon- ument to the memory of those who were slain there or not, but this I do say, if the people of Livingston county do not, within the next year, erect a monument on the spot, where those men were buried, do it yourselves.
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When I was there, sixty-one years ago, some of the bones of those brave men were uncovered ; that is to say, that the ground had fallen away, and had mixed with the bones, a portion of which were then uncovered. Whether it remains so to this day or not, I do not know, but I beg of you, ladies of Groveland, if the gentlemen do not do it, see to it, that there is a monument erected there.
I have always heard a great deal of the sufferings of the white people, who came to this valley. Suppose some foreign nation should invade your shores, and come liere to despoil you of your heritage, what do you think you would do? Would you not do just the same as those Indians did? Yes, every man of yon, or you are not fit to be called a man. They did what other people would do, if they had to leave this valley, upon the equal of which the sun does not shine. That race of Indians has passed away. They were a people not calculated to build up such a country as this.
They were neighbors of mine, when I lived on the other side of the river, and I never found anything but friendship at their hands, not under any circum- stances. I may say that there is one of them now living, that bears my name.
I will tell you an anecdote of an old Presbyterian deacon, who came out to see the Genesee Valley, and the spots of historical interest. When he came, I wa- living on the other side of the river, and I went with him, to show him what General Sullivan and his men had done. I remember showing him over York. Then we came over the crossing at the old ferry, and came over to Geneseo, called upon the Messrs. Wadsworth ; went on to Hermitage, called upon Colonel Fitz- hugh ; went to Mount Morris, and there we called upon the Sleepers, Stanleys and Millers; went over to Leicester, where we saw the Joneses, and Whites, and Lymans, and back to my own old home, and when the old deacon was asked what lie thought of the country he saw, he said he had never seen anything that at all compared with it. It exceeded anything that he had ever heard of, except what was said of the soil of Ohio, and that was, that two pounds of the soil would make three pounds of clear hog's fat. And that good old deacon sold his old homestead, and he and his family moved out beyond the town of Warsaw, where his remains now lie.
Now, my friends, I want you, one and all, to recollect that you live in the valley of the Genesee. and I want you to recollect, that you can never go from here and find another country as good as this.
Governor Patterson handed us the names of the following Londonderry men, who were in the army of General Sullivan, in 1779, at Little Beardstown : Jona- than Black, James Boyce, Bishop Coster, Nicholas Dodge, Samuel Avres, Robert Hodgart, Timothy Harrington, John Mead, Peter Jenkins, Alexander McMasters, Joseph Mack, Joseph McFarland, Nathan Plummer.
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