USA > New York > Livingston County > History of Livingston County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 20
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The same work adds :-
"'At present wheat can be sent from the Gene- see Settlement to Philadelphia, at one shilling sterling per bushel; but if the water communica- tion be opened between the two rivers, the cost will not exceed fourpence .*
"'Dry goods can now be sent to these new settlements at about eight shillings sterling per hundred weight, which will probably be reduced to three shillings when the navigation is completed.
"' No country in the world is better adapted for raising cattle than the Genesee grant. One of the first settlers in that country asserts that he can every season cut wild grass on his own farm in the Genesee flats sufficient to maintain 2,000 head of cattle through the winter ; and that such hay, with rushes and vegetables which are found above the snow, generally keep the cattle fat without any ex- pense. Hogs can also be reared in the woods at little or no expense to the farmer.
"' As the distance from Philadelphia (between which and the Genesee lands a road was to be com- pleted in 1791) is somewhat less by land than two hundred miles, there can be no difficulty in driving fat cattle and hogs to that market for sale : as they can transport themselves at a very small expense,
and as the demand for provision increases every year, and a liberal price is given for beef and pork, there can be no doubt but the rearing of cattle and hogs, as well as horses, for sale in the low coun- tries, will soon become a great object of profit to the settlers, as the extensive ranges of meadow ground on the flats, and the blue grass, white clover and pea-vine in the woods, must enable the farmer to feed almost any number he can raise, or find capital to purchase. In many parts of the tract there is little or no underwood, and excellent pas- ture in the forests between the trees, in consequence of their being in general of an enormous size, and of the considerable distance between them ; thereby affording even a wide range for cattle in the upland country, as well as in the flats and meadows, which have already been represented to be luxuriant be- yond description, in a species of coarse grass, very fit for hay. It is said that there are many wild horses upon the tract, which is an additional proof of there being winter food in the flat lands and in the forests.
* *
"' The present settlers have already got a fine stock of cattle and hogs, and find that they thrive and increase very fast ; but as yet there are very few sheep, although, it is supposed, they would suc- ceed well on the hills, after the country is more fully peopled. Several genteel families are prepar- ing to settle on the tract this season, which will greatly facilitate the population of these lands.
"' The crops of wheat, Indian corn, and other small grains were very abundant last year ; so that the present settlers are in a situation to assist and supply the wants of new-comers.
"'The market for grain and provision raised in the Genesee country will be on the spot for some time to come, and the constant influx of settlers, who may be expected, until the whole of these lands are occupied, will, at least for a time, con- sume all the surplus produce; afterwards the city of Philadelphia will probably be the best market ; and while the country is in progress of being set- fled, the hemp and flax raised by the Genesee farmers, and also the ashes and sugar made upon these lands, and the skins and furs procured by hunting, must ultimately go to Philadelphia and New York ; but this will be the business of the merchant, who will receive all these articles from the farmer in return for dry goods, implements of husbandry, salt and rum, and such other articles as the settlers may want.'
*
* * *
" Wheat is at present, 1791, one dollar per bushel (45.6d. sterling ;) Indian corn, 25.6d. ditto ; salt from the Onondaga works, 60 miles east of the grant, is half a dollar a bushel."*
The following extract from the journal of the journey of a gentleman into the Genesee country in February, 1792, gives additional glimpses of the
* Doc. Hist. II., 1111-1122.
* This communication was begun in 1793.
95
WADSWORTH'S NOTICE TO NEW SETTLERS.
condition and prospects of the pioneer settlers of the Genesee country. We quote :-
" From Canandaigua to the Genesee river, twenty-six miles, it is almost totally uninhabited, only four families residing on the road. The coun- try is beautifully diversified with hill and dale, and in many places, we found openings of two and three hundred acres, free from all timber and even bushes, which, on our examining, proved to be of a rich, deep soil. It seemed that, by only inclosing with one of these openings a proportionable quan- tity of timbered land, an inclosure might be made similar to the parks in England.
" At the Genesee River I found a small Indian store and tavern; the river was not then frozen over, but was low enough to be forded. As yet there are no settlements of any consequence in the Genesee country. That established by a society of Friends, on the west side of the Seneca lake, is the most considerable ; it consists of about forty families. But the number of Indians in the ad- joining country, when compared with the few in- habitants who venture to winter in the country, is so great, that I found them under serious appre- hensions for their safety. Even in this state of nature, the county of Ontario shows every sign of future respectability. No man has put the plough in the ground without being amply repaid ; and, through the mildness of the winter, the cattle brought into the country the year before are thriv- ing well on very slender provision for their subsist- ence. The clearing of land for spring crops is going on with spirit. I also found the settlers here abundantly supplied with venison .*
We have indicated the small beginnings which had been previously made in this county ; but as the details of settlement will be more fully noted in connection with the various towns it is not our purpose to dwell upon these matters here. Of these settlements, however, that projected by the Wadsworths at Geneseo was the only one which continued to exert a permanent and controlling influence upon the subsequent development of the country.
The following is a copy of a notice issued by James Wadsworth, relative to lands offered for sale by him, taken from the original in the possession of Dr. M. H. Mills, of Mt. Morris :--
" NOTICE TO NEW SETTLERS."
" The subscriber offers for sale the following townships and tracts of land, in the counties of Ontario, Genesee, and Allegany, in the State of New York.
"A tract containing upwards of 60,000 acres, situated within six miles of the landing in Fall- town, on the west side of the Genesee River-this tract is divided into lots of about 100 acres. In order to encourage and accommodate industrious and enterprising settlers, one-half of the land, con-
sisting of every other three hundred acres through- out the tract, will be sold for wheat. pork and neat cattle ; the wheat and pork to be delivered at Fall- town Landing. The very flourishing settlements of West Pultney, Braddock's Bay and Fairfield are within this tract. The inhabitants in these settle- ments have been remarkably healthy. Vessels of 200 tons sail from Lake Ontario up the Genesee River to the lower falls; this place is called Fall- town Landing, and is only six miles from the tract now offered for sale. A barrel of flour can now be sent from Falltown Landing to Montreal for one dollar, and a barrel of pot-ashes for one dollar and a half; these prices will be reduced as the busi- ness of transportation increases. Most articles of American produce command as high prices at Montreal as at New York.
" The intervals and swails in this tract are tim- bered with elm, butternut, white and black ash, walnut, etc., the uplands with sugar maple, beech, basswood, hickory, wild cherry, white oak, black oak, chestnut, etc. There are a number of groves of excellent white pine timber. There are no mountains or ledges, and scarcely one hundred acres of waste land in the tract. Some of the intervals or flats will produce, if well cultivated, So bushels of corn, 800 weight of hemp, or 2,000 weight of tobacco on an acre, and other crops in proportion.
"Also, the Township of Troupton, situated eighteen miles south of the village of Geneseo, and adjoining the village of Dansville. This tract is within twelve miles of Ark Port, a landing place on the west branch of the Susquehannah river ; a barrel of flour may be transported from Ark Port to Baltimore, for a dollar and a half, and other articles of produce in proportion ; the situation of this township is considered very healthy, the lands are fertile and well watered.
" Also the town of Henrietta, being township No. 12, in the seventh range, on the west side of Gen- esee river ; this tract is within eight miles of Fall- town landing, and adjoins the flourishing towns of Hartford, (now Avon,) and Northfield ; the lands in Henrietta are excellent and the settlement very flourishing; the lots adjoining the Genesee river containing handsome portions of timbered flats, are put at five dollars per acre, the back lots at four dollars per acre.
" Also a number of lots in a tract of land, usually known by the name of Allen's Flats, or the Mt. Morris tract, situated in the forks of the Genesee river, fifteen miles south of the great State Road to Niagara, and four miles from the village of Gene- seo. The tract contains about 10,000 acres, 3,000 acres of which are flats or interval. It has lately been surveyed into lots of convenient size ; the village lots contain from one to forty acres, and the farm lots about one hundred acres each. The village is situated on elevated ground timbered with white oak, and bids fair to be a very healthy situa- tion. The subscriber will sell the upland and lease the flats, or will sell both upland and flats, as applicants prefer.
* Doc. Hist. 11., 1131-1132.
96
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
" It is fully ascertained that the flats or intervals on the Genesee river are perfectly adapted to the cultivation of hemp. Mr. Stephen Colton, from Long Meadow, raised ten hundred weight of excel- lent hemp the last season, on one acre of flats in Geneseo. One hundred and six bushels of Indian corn have been raised on one acre in Allen's flats.
"Hemp may be transported by water from the mouth of the Genesee river to Montreal; or it may be sent from Ark Port down the Susquehan- nah river, in arks to Baltimore, or it may be sent by land to Albany.
" The price at which lots in the above tracts are put. is from two to five dollars per acre. The subscriber usually requires the purchase money to be paid in four equal installments to be made in two, three, four and five years from the time of purchase, with one year free of interest; in some of the tracts he gives a credit of six and eight years.
"Liberal encouragement will be given in different settlements to carpenters, blacksmiths, shoemakers, millwrights and other tradesmen.
" The subscriber, in order to encourage the settlement of substantial New England farmers, will exchange a few lots for improved farms.
" The tract of country in which the above de- scribed townships are situated, tho' north of New Jersey, resembles that state in the mildness of its climate. Peaches, apricots and nectarines grow to great perfection on the Genesee river.
" A valuable salt spring is discovered in Brad- dock's Bay township. Salt can now be afforded at this spring at one dollar per bushel ; when the works are extended salt will probably be afforded at fifty cents a bushel, the same price at which it is sold at the Onondaga salt works.
" A turnpike road is completed from Albany to Canandaigua ; and from Canandaigua to Geneseo, and thence to the above mentioned settlements there are excellent wagon roads.
" The subscriber has still for sale a number of reserved and other lots of land, in the midst of flourishing settlements, in the towns of Geneseo, Hartford, Bloomfield and Pittstown ; some of these lots contain handsome improvements.
" JAMES WADSWORTH. " Geneseo, (Ontario county,) March, 1809."
The first settlement in the Genesee country was made in the county of Livingston as early as 1759, by that remarkable character, Mary Jemison, whose residence of seventy-eight years with the Indians, seventy-two of which were spent in the Genesee Valley, has made her a valuable contributor to the early history of this locality. The next white set- tler in the present county of Livingston was Eben- ezer, or Indian, Allen-a character as notorious for his vice and savage brutality, as was that of Mary Jemison made conspicuous by its gentle vir- tues. Both these settlements were made in the
present town of Mt. Morris; the former on what subsequently became the famous Gardean reserva- tion, and the latter, in 1782, on the site of the village of Mt. Morris. The first important settle- ment made within the county after the extinguish- ment of the Indian title in 1788, from which the settlement of the county more properly dates, was that of John H., and George Jones, brothers to Horatio Jones, who, like Mary Jemison, had been held in captivity by the Indians. They located in 1789 in the present town of Leicester, where they were joined the following year by Horatio and his family, although that was then, and for eight years thereafter, Indian territory. These characters, from their intimate connection with the history of this county, merit and will receive further notice.
Hitherto the tide of emigration had been from the New England States, that from the south hav- ing been retarded by the inaccessibility of the country, owing to the lack of roads across the Al- leghanies, which formed a formidable barrier. In the summer of 1792, Charles Williamson, agent for the Pultney estate, visited the tract and put in execution a plan he had formed for its improve- ment, by opening communication with Philadel- phia and Baltimore by means of a road across the Alleghanies. Notwithstanding the difficulties which attended this enterprise, and which had been re- garded as insuperable, by the month of November of that year, thirty miles of the road were made sufficiently good for the passage of wagons ; and by the following August it was completed from the mouth of Lycoming creek to Williamsburgh, a dis- tance of one hundred and seventy miles. " It was only from this period, which opened to the Gene- see a communication with the settlements in l'enn- sylvania," says Capt. Williamson, "that we can trace the beginning of that singularly rapid pro- gress in population and improvements, which has so eminently distinguished that country. The opening of this road from Pennsylvania over a chain of mountains before regarded impassable, excited the curiosity of the inhabitants of the ad- jacent country, and many were tempted to explore the Genesee lands, that, previous to this, had never given them a thought. The idea of the im- mense distance was at once destroyed. At this early period, however, it was only men of observa- tion that were pleased. Many returned disgusted with the inconvenience of traveling through a coun- try almost destitute of inhabitants, for the distance of one hundred and seventy miles, and particularly when they found the only settlement in that part
97
FIRST PERMANENT SETTLEMENTS.
of the country depending on the Indians for sub- sistence."*
As in all new countries, the first settlements were made on or adjacent to navigable streams, which, in the absence of suitable roads, were, for many years, the common means of communication and transportation, especially of the marketable productions. The streams were navigated by a species of boats called arks, which were invented and first used about 1793, by a Mr. Kryder, a farmer on the Juniata river. They were construet- ed of large timbers or planks, and after their cargo was discharged, were broken up and sold for lum- ber. They were capable of floating three hundred barrels of flour, which, as well as lumber and vari- ous other productions, were transported in them. They were afterwards improved and their capacity increased, and were for many years in common use. t
In 1791, Capt. Charles Williamson became the agent of the Pultney estates and in 1792, inaugu- rated those improvements in the Genesee country, which, during the succeeding ten years, he contin- ued with such distinguished energy, and a success commensurate with the obstacles which opposed his efforts, if not with the expectations of the com- pany in whose interest he labored.
Mr. Williamson visited the Genesee country first in February, 1792, and from observations made at that time, decided on locating a village at the mouth of Canaseraga Creek, which was then nav- igable for nearly twenty miles, to Dansville. The projection of this plan in 1792, and the ill-starred colony sent there to develop it form an interesting episode in the history of Livingston county ; for this was not only the first settlement in the county which aspired to the dignified title of village, but here, in 1793, was taught the first school in this county by Samuel Murphy, an Irishman,-here in 1797, was kept the first inn, by William Lemen,- here, in 1795 or '96, was kept the first store, by Alexander MeDonald, a Scotchman, if we except the Indian " mart" kept by Indian Allen, on Allen's hill, (Mt. Morris,) "as early as 1784, if not in the fall of 1783,"- here also, in 1797, was built, on lot 58, the first grist mill, by Col. Williamson,-and here too lived "the first preacher of the evangelical truths of the bible in the county"-Rev. Samuel J. Mills, a Presbyterian.# But this embryo village has
* Doc. Hist. II., 1134.
t Doc. Hist. II., 1150, 1161.
# Address of Dr. M H. Mills before the Livingston County Pioneer Association, Ang. 3, 1877. The same gentleman, in an address before the Livingston County Medical Society, Jan. 11, 1876, says the first inn was kept in 1795.
long since vanished together with the delusions of its founder .*
Under the stimulus of Williamson's efficient en- deavors, seconded by the exertions of more local agencies, in the persons of those who had become land owners and interested in the progress of im- provements, accessions were rapidly made to the settlements in various parts of the county. They were, however, sensibly retarded by the unsettled state of things which existed during this period ; for, although the treaty of 1783 settled the terms of peace between England and the United States, the former government still retained possession of the fortifications at Oswego and Niagara, and other- wise menaced the young nation so recently one of its tributary dependencies, and then waging a war with the western Indians, which was terminated in its favor by the signal victory of General Wayne in 1794, in which year also the Jay treaty adjusted the hitherto unsettled question of jurisdiction over certain territory in the United States, including lands in Western New York.
During this period, in 1794, an event transpired which threatened to precipitate hostilities between this and the Canadian government, which watched with a jealous regard the progress of settlement in Western New York. In that year, Capt. William- son had projected a settlement at Sodus, which proved the gravamen for a hostile demonstration on the part of the Canadian authorities, who were determined to resist it. Governor Simcoe sent Lieut., afterwards Major-General Sir Roger Hale Sheaffe of the British army, to demand that that settlement, as well as all others in Western New York, be abandoned. Capt. Williamson met the demand with an unqualified refusal, and, under the prevalent impression that the British government meditated war, active measures were instituted to put the frontier in a state of defense and to repel any invasion which might be made. Happily, how- ever, the war-cloud blew over, and the apprehen- sions of the anxious settlers were dispelled.
From this period the work of colonization and improvement progressed rapidly ; and " as early as the year 1796, the various settlements had begun to assume," says Capt. Williamson, "an appearance of respectability never before instanced in so new a country." In this year a Jersey settlement was made at the head of Canaseraga creek, which exhibited "instances of industry and enterprise, rare as uncommon ;" printing offices were estab-
. A detailed account of the founding of this village may be found in connection with the history of the town of Groveland, in the north-west corner of which it was located,
98
HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.
lished at Bath and Geneva, the former village having been laid out in 1793, in which year it con- tained fifteen families; and towards the close of the season a sloop of forty tons burden was launched at Geneva to run as a packet between that place and Catharine's Town, a small village at the head of Seneca lake. This was an event "of sufficient importance to assemble several thousand people," and as none had previously "occurred to draw together the different settlements, the people com- posing them were not a little surprised to find themselves in a country containing so many inhabi- tants, and these so respectable. Natives of every State in the Union, and of every nation of Europe, were to be found in the assemblage, all ambitious of the same object, the aggrandizement of the Genesee country."*
"The only part of the Genesee country," adds Capt. Williamson, "that seemed, until now to have escaped the general improvement, was that contiguous to the Genesee River, below Hartford [Avon] or Canawagus : a set of very good mills, however, have been built at the falls, and some settlers were to be found in that neighborhood, on the fertile plains by the side of the river ; but the idea of exposure to Indian depredations on a fron- tier is always sufficient to prevent the man of industry and property from settling. The luxuri- ance of the soil will not always tempt him. The moment, however, the western posts were given up to the United States, and this part of the country rendered safe, the industrious settlers turned their attention to the lands west of the river."t
The emigration into this country in 1797 exceeded that of former years, both as to numbers and respectability .¿ About this time a Scotch settle- ment was projected in the present town of Cale- donia, and during the succeeding few years it was joined by a considerable number of that nationality .. whose simple habits and sterling virtues were a weighty influence in the material growth and pros- perity of that region, At this time, however, the country for about twelve miles west of the Genesee to the Niagara still remained a wilderness ; | but the extinguishment of the Indian title to the Hol- land Purchase this year gave an impulse to settle- ments in that direction. Robert Munro, in describ- ing the Genesee country in 1804, says: "From Canandarqua to Genesee River, * * * the coun-
* Williamson's Letter II., Doc. Hist. 11., 1137.
t Doc. Ilist. 11., 1141.
# W'illiamson's Letter III., Doc, Ilist. 11., 1141.
& Williamson's Letter VI , Doc. Ilist. Il., 1156.
Il Williamson's Letter V'IHI .. Doc. Hist. II., 1165.
try has the most flourishing appearance, that part being earliest settled, and abounds with very sub- stantial improvements, which are seldom equalled in the United States, in the pleasantness of their appearance."* At this time the price of the best unimproved lands on the east side of the Genesee was commonly from two to four dollars per acre ; those on the west side sold for from onc and one- half to two and one-half dollars per acre, on a credit of six to ten years. Lands which then sold for four dollars per acre, sold twelve years pre- viously for as many shillings. t
Says the same author :-
"A turnpike road is now completed from Albany to Canandarqua, at a great expense, which is dis- charged by tolls, and renders traveling and car- riage of produce to market much easier when the rivers are not navigable. Wagons now frequently carry loads of fourteen barrels to Albany, and return with an equal weight, and sometimes carry two tons, going and returning in fourteen days. A mail stage runs from Canandarqua to Albany in a week.
""Trade is yet in its infancy and has much in- creased within a few years. Grain is sent in con- siderable quantities from Seneca lake and the Co- hocton, Canisteo, Canawisque and Tioga rivers, to markets on Susquehanna river ; and flour, potash and other produce to Albany ; and a considerable quantity of grain has for some years past been exported by sleighs in winter to the west of Albany. Whiskey is distilled in considerable quantities, and mostly consumed in the country, and is also ex- ported to Canada and to Susquehanna. The pro- duce of the country is received by the store-keepers in payment for goods, and with horses and cattle, is paid for land. Several thousand bushels of grain have been purchased in the winter beginning this year, 1804, for money at Newtown and at mills near Cayuga lake. Hemp is raised on Genesee river and carried to Albany. Droves of cattle and horses are sent to different markets, and a consid- erable number of cattle and other provisions, are used at the markets of Canandarqua and Geneva, at Niagara, and by settlers emigrating into the country. Cattle commonly sell for money at a good price, and as this country is very favorable for raising them, they will probably become the the principal articles for market ; many being of the opinion that the raising of stock is more pro- fitable as well as easier than any mode of farming. " The following is a list of prices of articles, and the rates of wages since January, 1801 :-
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