USA > New York > Madison County > History of Madison County, state of New York > Part 60
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"To look at the old warrior," writes his historian, "one would scarcely suppose he could be guilty of so enormous a crime. He has a noble countenance in which there is not the least expres- sion of malice. On the contrary there is something placable and bordering on serenity in his features. His eye is pene- trating but yet expresses no cruelty. His voice is somewhat broken by age, but pleasant and sonorous. In short, no one has seen him, but has gone away with a more favorable impression than when he came."
The next thing of any consequence which occurs in his life is his removal to Canada. This appears to have been ten or twelve years before his death. While residing in that country, in a removal from one encampment to another, he was overtaken by a company of men on horseback, one of whom insulted the squaws in Antone's company. On his resenting it the other struck him with his whip calling him an Indian dog, and rode off with his companions, laughing at the Indian's threats of ven- geance, which would probably have been executed on the spot had not the offender been surrounded by a number of well-mounted cavaliers. The indignant warrior left his friends to seek their encampment alone. Armed only with his knife he determined to follow his enemy till an opportunity should occur of dispatch-
* Liquor was, no doubt, the cause of his frenzied madness in this instance.
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ing him. For many days he pursued the travelers without suc- cess, closely dogging them. Grown desperate he at length de- termined on a bold step. Disguising himself by painting his face warrior fashion, he entered a public house where the horsemen had put up. He was not recognized. Gaining the favor of the landlord by his peaceful demeanor, he was permitted to lodge before the fire. The observing eye of the Indian had noticed where the bed room of the doomed man was situated. He arose in the night and with a noiseless step, entered the room and find- ing where he lay, struck him on the left side ; the blow needed not repeatal ; and the groan of the victim was lost in the exulting yell of the savage, who burst from the house before the family, terrified by the demoniac whoop, could oppose him. The par- ticulars of this murder were received from a civilized Indian of the Stockbridge tribe, who probably heard them from Antone himself. Antone confessed to the murder of a white man in Canada.
The next occurrence in order was the murder for which he was indicted. It will be necessary, however, to briefly mention a few events which took place previous to it. In 1810, Mary, the daughter of Antone,* formed a connection with a young Indian, it is said, of the Stockbridge tribe ; however, the connection was soon broken off, and the young man left her for one more agree- able. This so enraged Mary that she determined to kill her rival, which she effected by stabbing her with an Indian knife.t When arrested and on her way to prison she manifested a re- markable indifference as to her fate, justifying herself concern- ing the murder of the squaw, by saying that "she had got away her Indian and deserved to die." She was executed in Peterboro, in this county. . John Jacobs had been the principal evidence against her. He had also been very active in her arrest. In short, he was considered by Antone as the principal cause of her death, and before and after her execution, he openly threat- ened to kill him. Jacobs (who was also an Indian, or half- breed,) left the country and did not return till Antone sent him word that he would not molest him. Relying upon Antone's promise, he returned and engaged in his usual avocations. He was hoeing corn in a field with a number of men, when Antone came up in a friendly way, shaking hands with each one, and while grasping the hand of Jacobs in apparent friendship, slipt a long knife from out the frock sleeve of his left arm, pronounc- ing, "How d'ye do, brother ?" and quick as lightning plunged it into the body of Jacobs, striking him three times under the
*Mary Antone was a handsome, bright Indian girl, yet, having much of her father's revengeful disposition.
+This occurred in Middleport, on the Chenango, south of Hamilton village.
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short ribs. He fell at the first blow. Antone, giving a terrific yell, bounded off before any one had recovered presence of mind sufficient to pursue him. That night he was pursued by a num- ber of Indians and was surprised in his hiding-place, but by his fleetness he escaped. He went constantly armed with a rifle and knives, accompanied by dogs, and his sons daily ministered to his needs while concealed in the forest. He was often sur- prised by officers in pursuit of him, but he managed to escape.
There was an attempt to take him while encamped on a Mr. John Guthrie's land, in the town of Sherburne. Two large and resolute Indians having obtained information that Antone was alone in his camp, went with the full determination of securing him. They went to his wigwam and discovered him alone, making a broom ; but the ever-watchful Indian, hearing a rust- ling noise, seized his rifle, and, as they suddenly entered, point- ing at the foremost, declared if he advanced a step further he would shoot him dead. His determined manner appalled the pursuers, and after parleying with him a short time, they with- drew, very much mortified at the result of their enterprise. Antone grimly smiled as they turned away, for his trusty rifle was not loaded, a circumstance of which he frequently boasted afterwards. He at length grew so bold and fearless that he marched through our towns and villages in open day, without any fear of being taken. It is said that in the village of Sher- burne he entered a store in which there were about twenty men, and drank till he was intoxicated.
Antone was finally betrayed into the hands of a posse of officers, by a man who won his confidence by professions of friendship. He decoyed him by getting him out of his cabin to have a trial with him in shooting at a mark. As soon as Antone had discharged his piece, the officers, who were sta- tioned in secret a few steps away, rushed upon and secured him, though not without a desperate struggle, for the old veteran fought manfully, exhibiting exceeding strength and agility, and was considerably bruised in the conflict.
During Antone's confinement several pious people endeavored to explain to him the principles of the Christian religion. But he either could not or would not understand them. He had no idea of a Saviour. He mentioned through the interpreter that he put his trust in God, or more properly the Great Spirit. He was then asked if it was the God of the Christian, or the spirit which was worshiped by his fathers. The eye of the warrior sparkled as he readily replied, " THE GOD OF MY FATHERS !"
Until toward the last he nourished a hope of being reprieved, but when this hope failed he expressed a willingness to die, and only complained of the manner ; the mode of execution he re- garded as degrading. "No good way !" he said, putting his
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hands about his neck. "No good way to hang like a dog !" then, pointing to his heart, observed that he should be willing to be shot. He was, moreover, very anxious about his body, fearing it would be obtained for dissection. He made no lengthy confession, but assented to having committed the mur- ders herein related, and only these. Several other atrocious murders had been attributed to him, which he utterly denied.
The jury in his case, according to the facts elicited by the testimony, and agreeable to our laws, rendered a verdict of "guilty," and according to his sentence he was executed in Morrisville, on Friday, the 12th day of September, 1823. A large delegation of his own race were present. The execution was a public one, and a great concourse of people witnessed it.
Note b .- Charles, Job, Naboth, Amos, Jonathan, Nathan, Catharine, Sally, Lewis, Nancy, Mary, Polly, and Phebe Welch were the names of the Welch family of the pioneers of Brook- field.
Note c .- DEATH OF LEDYARD LINCKLAEN-In Cazenovia, April 24th, 1864, Ledyard Lincklaen, Esq., in the 44th year of his age. This sad announcement will awaken feelings in this community and elsewhere which are seldom so stirred by an obituary notice. Mr. Lincklaen was an extraordinary man, and his loss a public one of no ordinary magnitude. But a few years since he came forward endowed with a finished education, en- larged by foreign travel, and possessing a mind peculiarly fitted for the investigation of the popular branches of natural history, in which he soon made such progress as to challenge the atten- tion and acquire the respect of many of the foremost men of science in that department. With ample leisure and means to prosecute his favorite course of study and investigation, his friends indulged the reasonable expectation that at the proper time of life, and, indeed, much earlier than usually happens, he was quite sure to take his place among the leading scientific men of the land. But these fondly cherished hopes were doomed to be crushed by the prostration of his hitherto vigorous health, which commenced a few years since and has finally stricken him down in the prime of life and in a manner almost if not en- tirely inscrutable to the best medical minds of the country. But what are the blighted prospects of public usefulness to the more deadly blight with which this bereavement falls upon his family connection, and a whole community of friends ?
Mr. Lincklaen was born, and has always lived in this place ; and it may be said with truth that he has lived an unblemished life in all the relations of the family, the neighborhood and of
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society. He was a rigidly just man, a strict consciencious man, and a habitually kind and benevolent man. These leading characteristics never bent to outward circumstances, and were never influenced by considerations of a personal nature, Sel- fishness formed no part of his character, and duty never was sur- rendered to fear, favor or partiality. Sincerity, both of word and action, was one of his marked characteristics, and so strong was its influence that he never became what the world terms a po- lite man, though his intercourse with others was always kind, genial and inoffensive, and his expressions heartfelt and friendly. He despised everything which we denominate sham. It was loathsome to his uprightness of disposition ; and much of what is deemed policy in the business and intercourse of the world, he looked upon with disgust. His habits of life were simple and unostentatious, as befitting a refined, sincere, straightforward man as he was, and his loss will be intensely felt by all classes of our community, as well as by those to whom it is irreparable and enduring. It would ill become the writer of this to speak of the religious character of the deceased. Suffice is to say, that he was a regular attendant at and a liberal supporter of the Epis- copal church of this place, and is confidently regarded as a man who did justice, loved mercy, and walked humbly before God .- [From Cazenovia Republican, April 27, 1864.
Note d .- LUCY DUTTON, or "Crazy Luce," as she was called, the subject of a number of romantic love tales, lived in Cazenovia sev- enty years ago. She was one of the daughters of an honest and respectable farmer. She was "winningly rather than strikingly beautiful. Under a manner observable for its seriousness, and a nun-like serenity, were concealed an impassioned nature, and a heart of the deepest capacity for loving. She was remarkable from her earliest childhood for a voice of thrilling and haunt- ing sweetness." So writes "Grace Greenwood," who further tells us that Lucy's sister, Ellen, was a "brilliant born beauty," petted and spoiled by her parents, and idolized by her sister. Lucy possessed a fine intellect, and was far better edu- cated than other girls of her station in the new country, there- fore she left home about this period to take charge of a school some twenty miles distant. There she was wooed and won by a young man of excellent family, Edwin W-, and her parents gave their approval to the union.
It was decided that Lucy should come home to prepare for her marriage, and that her sister should return to the school to take charge of it for the remainder of the term. Lucy's lover brought her home, and on his return went with him the hand- some sister Ellen. He was a rather genteel young man, having
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some pretentions to fashion, and quite satisfied Ellen's exacting fancy. Utterly heartless as she was, she proceeded to deliber- ately win his love, regardless of the destruction of the happiness of her sister.
Unconscious of the proceedings being enacted in that distant town, Lucy, with a happy heart, perfected the preparations for her marriage, which was to take place in two months from the time she came home. At length the wedding day arrived- Lucy's nineteenth birthday-and Ellen and the bridegroom were hourly expected. But the day wore away, and neither the bride- groom, nor Ellen, the first bridesmaid, had appeared.
This episode in the sad story of her life is related affectingly in Grace Greenwood's "Lucy Dutton," which has been generally regarded as the correct version.
At evening the anxiously looked for couple arrived. The manner of the bridegroom was somewhat agitated as he tossed off a glass or two of wine, and when sufficiently stimulated for the occasion, he announced that he was already married. Turn- ing to Mr. and Mrs. Dutton he said, "I found I had never loved until I knew your second daughter." Says Grace Greenwood :
"And Lucy? She heard all with a strange calmness, then walking steadily forward confronted her betrayers ! Terrible as pale Nemesis herself, she stood before them, and her look pierced like a keen, cold blade into their false hearts. As though to as- sure herself of the dread reality of the vision, she laid her hand on Ellen's shoulder, and let it glide down her arm-but she touched not Edwin. As those cold fingers met hers, the unhap- py wife first gazed full into her sister's face, the dilated nostrils, the quivering lip and the intensely mournful eyes, she covered her own face with her hands and burst into tears, while the young husband, awed by the terrible silence of her he had wronged, gasped for breath, and staggered back against the wall. Then Lucy, clasped her hands on her forehead, first gave voice to her anguish and despair in one fearful cry, which could but ring forever through the souls of the guilty pair, and fell in a death-like swoon at their feet."
On awaking from this swoon her friends found that she was hopelessly insane. Her madness was of a mild nature, but she seemed possessed by the spirit of unrest. She would not be confined, and though her parents while they lived, in some meas- ure controlled this sad propensity, on their death she became a hopeless wanderer, and constantly traversed the whole area of Madison county and those adjoining. One informant states that Lucy in 1812, appeared then to be about thirty or thirty- five years of age. Though faded and worn, and sometimes ragged, the marks of beauty lingered about her features and person. She was of scarcely medium height, straight, with
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handsome rounded form, which expressed considerable ease and grace in her carriage and movements. Her naturally fair and soft complexion was browned by much exposure, for poor Lucy was always on the tramp. A handsome mouth, lips neither thin nor too full, a delicate Grecian nose, sad-looking hazel eyes, a forehead neither very high nor too low-a perfect feminine fore- head, we should judge-formed a face pleasing to look upon, but sadly interesting because of the deeply-troubled expression always there, overshadowing the light of reason. At all times, whether in action or repose, her soft voice gave vent to a low mournful sound-intonations, between the moaning of deep trouble and the audible sighs of abject weariness, or something resembling the moaning of a child in a troubled dream.
Grace Greenwood says : "Her appearance was very singular. Her gown was always patched with many colors, and her shawl or mantle worn and torn, until it was all open work and fringe. The remainder of her miserable wardrobe she carried in a bun- dle on her arm, and sometimes she had a number of parcels of old rags, dried herbs, &c.
" In the season of flowers her tattered bonnet was profusely decorated with those which she gathered in the woods, or by the way-side. Her love for these and her sweet voice were all that was left her of the bloom and music of existence. Yet no,- her meek and child-like piety still lingered. Her God had not forsaken her. Down into the dim chaos of her spirit, the smile of His love yet gleamed faintly-in the waste garden of her heart she still heard His voice at eventide, and she was not "afraid.' Her Bible went with her everywhere."
She had a great repugnance to the society of men, and would climb fences in the most tedious wintry weather to avoid meet- ing them. Her friends, knowing this peculiarity, humored her -the men by never appearing to notice her, when in her presence.
After wandering thirty years, Lucy Dutton was taken suddenly ill, and was moved to one of her old friends to die. A few hours before dissolution, reason returned,-she awoke, as it were, from a long nightmare. Supposing she had been asleep, she re- lated to her attendant her terrible dream. It was soon revealed ' . to her that her dream had been the sad reality of her life ; that she was now old and dying. With a few old friends around her, the services of the Christian religion were administered by a servant of Christ in a manner peculiarly tender and sacred, be- fitting the occasion, and her lips, which at first joined in prayer, grew still. The prayer began on earth ended in a song of praise, over the other side of the dark valley.
Note e .- An extract from the Leland Magazine, published 1850,
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says :- "Amasa Leland, Ezra Leland, Isaac Leland, Orrison Le- land and Uriah Leland, children of Joshua Leland, were born in Sherburne, Mass., and removed with their parents in 1794, from Sherburne to Madison Co., N. Y. His other five children, Phebe, Sylvia, Juliette, Yale and Joshua, were born in Madison County, near Morrisville. Amasa Leland settled in Madison ; was an industrious farmer and a pious member of the Baptist Church. Ezra has for many years lived near Morrisville and has held several responsible municipal offices. He. is a farmer, a professor of religion and deacon in the Baptist Church. Orri- son Leland several years ago settled in Northfield, near Ann Ar- bor, in the county of Washtenaw, Michigan. He is a respecta- ble farmer and a pious christian. Uriah Leland is now living (1850) in Morrisville, N. Y., where he has hitherto resided dur- ing his youth and manhood. He was in the active military ser- vice of his country at Sackett's Harbor as a subaltern officer for a short period of time, during the war with Great Britain, and since that time he has passed through all the grades of military promotion from a Cornet to a Colonel in the horse artillery of the State troops of New York. He has also for many years holden several responsible municipal offices in the town of Mor- risville, and for the year 1839 he was a member of the Legisla- tive Assembly of New York, for the County of Madison. Sylvia was married in 1823 to James Howard, of Madison, and since that time has resided with her husband in Madison, N. Y. Yale has always lived in Madison. He is a millwright of considera- ble note. He has holden the offices of Colonel in the militia and County Supervisor. He is a professor of religion and holds the office of class-leader in the Methodist Church. Joshua is an intelligent farmer, settled in Washtenaw County, Mich., where he has resided for many years. He is an active and useful citi- zen and a pious christian. He has holden the office of Magis- trate for several years, and for the years 1844 and '46 he was member of the Legislature of Michigan."
Uriah, Amasa and Sylvia, the authoress learns, have passed away since the above family record was written.
Note f .- The Tayntors of this town are of the fifth and sixth generation from the Joseph Tayntor who embarked from Eng- land, April 24, 1638, and settled in Watertown, Mass. They were a race of patriots and of pious men and women. There were Captains, Lieutenants, Doctors, Deacons and Ministers. To the work of the church they seemed to have been especially devoted, as all along down their line of ancestry and branches, during two hundred and thirty-three years, are scattered numer- ous ministers, deacons, and other prominent churchmen.
The Joseph Tayntor who came to Lebanon in 1808, was born
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in Worcester, Mass. in 1774. In 1795 he married Miss Abi- gail Fuller, a descendant of another ancient and prominent fam- ily of New England, and after some thirteen years came on to Madison County. Here, in the dreariness of winter and in the solitude of an extended wilderness, he gathered his little family around the parental fireside, sheltered from the bleak winds by a rudely constructed log cabin built from the timber that grew on the ground where it stood ; and on this very spot, endeared by various and numberless associations, he lived full forty years.
Five sons and daughters represented Joseph Tayntor's fam- ily, who filled positions of usefulness in the town of Eaton, County of Madison. These sons were Joseph Tayntor who be- came a Baptist Deacon and who adorned his position by a con- sistent life ; he was also a substantial farmer and useful citizen, in many respects ; Rev. Orsamus Tayntor, a Baptist clergyman, who is still living in West Eaton ; Cyrus Tayntor, who resided many years in Eaton, a man respected wherever he lives; and Ira B. Tayntor, a man of influence and position who has been Su- perintendent of Schools, and has held other municipal offices in town and county. There are other worthy families of Tayntors in this town, who are from the same progenitors.
Note g .- Three families of Morse came to Eaton from Sher- burne, Mass. They were Benjamin, Joseph and Hezekiah Morse, of the sixth generation from Samuel Morse, who was born in Eng- land in 1585, emigrated to New England and settled in Dedham in 1637. From Joseph Morse, son of Samuel, the pioneers of Eaton descended. The race is marked for there being among its mem- bers prominent pioneers of noted localities. Joseph Morse was proprietor of the "Medfield Grant," which formed the town of Medfield, Mass. His son, Capt. Joseph Morse, was an exten- sive land-holder in Bogistow, where he settled in 1670, and who married Mehitable Wood, the daughter of Nicholas Wood, the founder of Sherburne, Mass.
Capt. David Morse, a son of Capt. Joseph, was one of the first white settlers of Natick, about 1727. He was empowered by the General Court to call the first parish or town meeting. He was a master spirit among whites and Indians. His son, Maj. Joseph Morse, (fifth generation) was a patriot in the Rev- olution. His three sons were the pioneers of Eaton.
Benjamin Morse married Deborah Sawin, and with four chil- dren removed from Sherburne to Eaton in 1795. The only one of his family now living, is Julia, wife of Sylvester Macomber, of Hamilton ; but other descendants live in Michigan and other Western States.
Joseph Morse married Eunice Bigelow, and with four children
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removed to Eaton in 1796. After their removal four more chil- dren were born. Joseph Morse was the founder of Eaton vil- lage, and his sons have been identified with nearly all of its business interests. These sons may be named as follows : Ellis, whose biographical sketch appears in the chapter relating to Ea- ton ; Joseph, who removed to Pennsylvania and was there sev- eral times returned to the Legislature of that State, and also be- came Judge of his County Courts; Calvin, who was elected member of the Legislature from Madison County in 1842, and has held municipal offices in town and county ; Alpheus, who has been a merchant and scientific farmer, and for many years past, manufacturer, being proprietor of the Alderbrook Woolen mill ; and Bigelow, who was a respected citizen of Fabius, On- ondaga County. Eunice, the eldest daughter of Joseph Morse, married Dr. James Pratt, the pioneer physician of Eaton. After her husband's death, she with her family removed and began pioneer life again in Palmyra, Mo. She was a woman of indom- itable will and great energy of character.
The descendants of Joseph Morse have, many of them, dis- tinguished themselves in various positions. Gen. Henry B. Morse entered the late war as Captain of the 114th Reg. N. Y. V., was promoted to the office of Colonel, and subsequently, for meritorious services, was breveted Brigadier-General in the army of the southwest. He is grandson of Joseph Morse ; as also is the Rev. Andrew Morse, of Warsaw, Wyoming County. Gardner Morse, who was member of the Legislature in 1866, Walter, a member of the manufacturing firm of Wood, Tabor & Morse, George E., a prominent citizen of Rochester, and Alfred, who bravely gave his life for the Union cause at the battle of Win- chester, Va .; all these being sons of Ellis Morse. Darwin and Frank B. Morse, merchants at Eaton village, sons of Bigelow, are grandsons of Joseph Morse. Two grand-daughters, Belinda and Eliza, daughters of Calvin, have been conspicuous as teach- ers, the latter being now assistant Principal of Vassar Female College. .
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