USA > New York > Monroe County > History of Monroe county, New York with illustrations descriptive of its scenery, Palatial residences > Part 7
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At the muuth of the Genesee he saw a possible advantageous site, but left its improvement to others. It was during a journey made in 1704 to Braddock's bay and the falls that he saw the value of the latter, and purchased of Samuel B. Oglen the mill and its tract. The mill, found a ruin, was repaired, and then in- terest centered elsewhere. The successor of Captain Willatuson was Colonel Robert Troup, of New Jersey. who, as general agent, lid much for the good of the ementry. James Wadsworth went to Europe in 1796. to culist foreign capital in Genesee lands. Elis credentials and personal wurth gave him a favorable foot-
ing, and he returned to America in November, 1798, having achieved his uhjeet. He was commissioned by Sir William Pulteney to seli the lauds of the mill tract, including the present towns of Riga, Ogden, Parma. Chili, and parts of Greece and Wheatland. Mr. Wadsworth scattered hamibills in the towns of the east, offering to exchange wild lands for farms. The offer way by many accepted. A pioneer of Riga says, "In 1808 I took wheat to Canandaigua; there was no price, sale, nor store trade for it. I removed it to Geneva at a cost of twelve and a half cents per bushel, and paid a debt due for a barrel of whisky with it. The net price of the wheat was twelve and a half cents per bushel, or one gallon of whisky for six bushels of wheat." Desirous, under these adverse circumstances, of helping the settlers, Wadsworth procured in Albany four potash kettles, paying furty dullars for cach. Their conveyance to Cayuga bridge cost him one hundred and fifty-six dollars and twenty-five cents. These kettles being sent into the township, the manufacture of black salts and potash was begun and much relief afforded. From ISOG Riga settled rapidly, the system of exchange bringing in New Englanders. The people of that town of later settlement, with mills and markets already established, saw comparatively little hardship. Wadsworth wrote in 1807, " When I began to invite settlement to West Pulteney ( Riga) it was a ruadless wilderness. Ten years for sale, it had not one settler upon its limits. It bas become the most respectable settlement west of the Genesee." Again, io May, " Mr. Mead has creeted a saw-mill on Black creek ; nine new barns bave been erected in West Pulteney." The settlement of East Pulteney, with alight exception, was long deferred by eoutroverted title, which being arranged, the town rapidly advanced in line with others. The pioncer settlement was known as " Hannover." Ismael Chapman located in Chili in 1802. His father, John Chapman, opened several primitive roads, among which was one frum Rochester to Ogden. The " opening," whereby brush was cut and logs rolled to admit the passage of a team, was made in 1807, and was a part of the . State road." Ogden, known as township 3, west of the Genesce, was owned by John Mur- ray, of New York, and carly bore the name of Fairfield. Warisworth was the agent for its sale. He fixed the price at two dollars an acre, and offered a prize of six bushels of wheat and a barrel each of pork and whisky to the man who would raise the first dwelling in the township. The premium was won by George W. Willey, who moved in from Connecticut in 1804. Himself and one Dilling- bam had erected log huts the year before, and to the raising of Willey's house men had come from Braddock's bay and the laoding, and some twenty had assem- bled. Wadsworth was present, and shared in the pleasantries customary at that date. - Settlement was rapid at the close of 1815, aud the pioneers of the town were mainly from Connecticut. The sod is of the best, and the surface bas no waste land.
For the town of Parma, Wadsworth became agent in 1806. The northern part was aurveyed in 1796 by Joseph Colt, and was named " Braddock's Bay township." At one time nearly every settler in the town was suffering from fever, and the agent wrote his principal, "I am afraid the settlement will be aban- doned." The settlers were energetie and the proprietors indulgent, and after the war steady progress was made. A traet of twenty thousand acres was bought in 1790 from the Mill tract adjoining the Genesee, and now included in Rochester, by Messrs. Ely, Pomeroy, Hunt, and Breck. These sold portions, so that by 1796 the Porters and Messrs. King aud Graoger had become proprietors. The general survey was made by Frederick Saxton in 1790, and the divisions into lots by A. Porter in 1797. The first four families upon the tract came during the winter of 1796-97, and located at Ilanford's Landing. During the erectiou of cabins their covered sleighs were their only shelter. The heads of these fami- lies were the Kings, Thomas and Simon, Elijah Kent, and Eli Granger. Their first boards were from the old Allen saw-mill. The intention of Mr. Wadsworth was to make a business point at the mouth of the river. Samuel Latta was made local agent, and settled at the Landing. In January, 1810, Frederick Han- furd opened a store at what was called Falltown, and fromn that circumstance the place took the name Haofurd's Landing. The store of IIanford was the first one on the river between Avon and the lake,-a distance of' twenty-five miles. The Triangle tract, whose base rests un Lake Ontario, contained about eighty-seven thousand acres. Its origin has been given in a previous chapter. It contains three towns of Monroe,-Sweden, Clarkson, and Hamlin. Having bought frum Massachusetts lands relinquished by Phelps and Gorham, this tract was sold to Messrs. Le Roy, Bayard, and MeEvers, merchants of New York. It was sur- veyed into lots by Richard M. Stoddard in the spring of 1801. The pioneer of the Monroe Triangle towns wus Moody Freeman, a settler during the year 1403. In the year following, Javies Sayers and Elijah Blodgett purchased lands in Clarkson, and James Mel'arson mule the first purchase in what is onw Hamlin. At the month of Sandy erek lived a Dutchman named Strunk. He was the first to venture in that deadly region, atul his life paid the penalty. The first permanent settler there was Alanson Thomas.
20
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.
In marked contrast with the towns of to-day was that known as Northacipton, boemled east by the tienesce, west by the Niagara, north by Lake Ontario, south by Pennsylvania Sparse uf population. enormous in area, its towns have becotue . counties, its hamlets cities. The first town meeting was held in Aprd, 1707, at the dwelling of Peter Shuetfer. It was opened and superintended by Gad Wad- worth, justice of the peace of the town of Hartford. Josiah Fish was cho-en supervisor and Eli Granger town cierk. From pumucity of meu one settier held three offices. Fifty dollars was voted for town expenses. and eighteen pence for "election boxes." There were three road districts, and no road penetrated the forest westward. Two years later, Jese Beach was chown path-muster, the first west of Caledonia In 1800, the first State tax was levied in the Genere coun- try. Cyrus Douglass, Michael Beach, Eli Griffith, and Philip Beach were made assessors. The warrant was directed to Peter Shafer as collector, and was signed by Augustus Porter and Amus Hall, commissioners of taxes for the county of Ontario. The number of names upon the roll is less than one hundred and fifty, many of them of non-residenta. In the collection. Mr. Shactfer paid the assess- ments of many in preference to looking them up. The performance of his duty required him to cross Niagara river and go upon the Canada side to reach Lewis- ton. Illustrative of the poverty of settlers, land being valued at one dollar per acre uniformly, and as a matter of historic interest, the rull is herein presented.
COPY OF THE NEW YORK STATE TAX-ROLL FOR THE TOWN OF NORTHAMPTON, COUNTY OF ONTARIO.
Samses.
Valnation. Real and Personal
AmoODE of TAI.
Yames.
Valuation, Real and Personal
A monnt uf Tas.
Cortis, William ...
$30
$0.06
Morgan. Joseph .....
5870
$1.11
Carter, William.
94
19
McNaughton, Juba.
49
Chamberlin, Hinds ..
.40
MePherson. Dan ....
1
100
Cortie, Augustus .....
500
.61
Patterson. Lawrence.
500
.90
Cortis, Jonathan _.....
337
.54
Penboily, Stephen
$6
.18
Campbell, Peter.
52
.09
Palmer. John.
487
.72
Chapin, Henry
3000
6.30
Pangman. William.
300
.66
Chaptoen, Ats.
112
.23
Qmvey, Nurtun.
Cutaibi, Juseph
39
.08
Rhau, Alexander_
.12
Chamberlin. Joshua.
60
.1ª
Stitron, Leonard.,
52
.11
Cary, Josepb ...
2.61
Stinson & Jones
200
.29
Coots, Timothy
.54 į Stoughton. Amatiab.
4260
5-35
Davis, Daniel
.72
Shelly. Phiros_
150
.15
Davis, Garret
350
.45
Scott, Salmon .....
796
.05
Davis, Belo.
105
Seuonover, Jacoh,
731
1.00
Davis, Samocl_
312
30
Elicott, Benjamin ...
600
.51
Thompson. Abriandoer. C'tley, Ast ..
901
1.17
Fish, Josich ..
1516
1.86
Olors'ea.l. Jeremiah
120
.29
299
.37
WilBur. Charles
60
31
80
.19
Walther, Frederick ..
480
.69
350
.43
Wemple. Ilenty
27
.17
Granger, Eli
.14 ¡ King. Thomas.
30
.07
Goodhue, George ..
178
20
King, Simeun.
40
.10
Ganson, Joba, Jr.
2.10
Hendler, Stephen.
12
.02
12
.02
Ransom. ASA.
410
658
,99
: E: win. John ..
429
.96
Hieks. Sumuci ..
.02
Phillips, William ...
20
.07
Hetb. Reuben.
.09 :
Carver. Juha.
316
.40
Hunt, Elijab ...
.14
El. Justin.
5000
9.01
Harris, Alucheus
.15
Barnard, Fisenezet .....
1950
3.87
Hall, Friend
200
.13
Phelps, Oliver ...
4437
8.80
12
.09
Huntforl. Charles.
2333
4.62
Hayat. John.
50
.11
1 King, Gideon. hrs
4500
5.26
Hoyt. Stephen.
15.3
.31
Stone, John ..
5000
0.91
140
e
Graves, Silas.
34,500
68.38
Joboron, More9.
1.07
Jobnsuo, William
20.34
3.50
42
.09
Gilbert, Warren .....
=190
Kim ball, John ....
709
1.03
l'oft, Judah ...
1320
2.01
Lanc, Etcki-i.
114
Hall. Amns.
Jiolland Company ....
3,300,000 -155.170
20 ;. 41
Leonard. Joostban.
10
.08
Williamson & Phelps ...
100.000
219.14
Lewis. Ntb
60
.14
Craigie, Andrew .........
50.000
13.00
Mill., Wilhamn.
.01
Azden, Zumnuel.
50,000
100.51;
Milla, Lewi ..
Cotfinger, tiarrif ...
50.000
109.57
Mills, Alexander ....
Church, Putlip .....
100.000
219.14
Mills, Samael.
I'mknown.
27.376
חק 59.
Martup, Simeon .....
50
Leroy & Davani ..
122.000
287.34
Med.lea, Timothy.
128
MeCloning. John ..
40
.04
Theoas Morris1 _.......
40.000
89.36
Mullsagh, Martio .....
Muvle. Lewis. .....
30
.09
Joseph Fils Simmons- [
Mulkins, Ilunry
54
.11
502
Total
.84,785,368 88397.11
.
CHAPTER VIIL.
ZNOLISH AND INDIAN HOSTILITY --- DISPOSITION TO INTIMIDATE AND BREVE UP SETTLEMENTS IN ONTARIO-WAYNE'S VICTORY-PICKERING'S TREATI -LETTER OF WILLIAM EWING TOS ISRAEL CHAPIN.
THE close of the war of the Revolution was not followed by pence, but rather by a prolonged coxavion from active huatilities. The forts in the west were possessed without reason, and a foreign power was seen to hold the posts of O-wert and Niagara and give willing aid to stir up unfriendly feelings between the Indians and the scattered settlers. Upon the const English troops held away. and Engli-b influence was shown in blanket, gan, and ammunition bestowed upon the Serveres. What wonder if the pioneers of Monroe lived in apprehension, with destructive surrounding elementa ready at a spark to burst forth iu one wide flame? The refugees from the Mohawk, like Walker from the Minisink, longed for another repetition of scenes upon the borders, and the Canadian governors took no pains to conceal their enmity. Under pretense of arresting deserters, the Indians were empowered to capture persons uuprovided with passes, and the domineering spiri of the one side was secretly resented by the other. Israel Chapin was made Indian agent at Canandaigua. Eminently qualified for the position, his uniform justice won the affection of many of the Senecas and held them in apparent amity. Generals Harmer and St. Clair were defeated in the west during 1793 by the Indians. British officers and soldiers went with a number of the Iroquois and took part in those actions. The Snecas became rude and overbearing to the settlers. They entered the log cabins without ceremony, and appropriated food from the tables without permission. American efforts to secure peace were hindered hy English interference. A peace embassy was denied permission to go by way of Oswego and Niagara, and commissioners were kept from reaching a treaty ground. The I'nited States were fully aware of the situation. and supplied their agent at Canandaigua with the means by which the Indian= were kept Dentral. Continued councils were held to obtain food, presents. and liquors. C. Winney, an Indian trader at Buffalo, acted as sub-agent, and informed General Chapin of every movement.
In February, 1794, Lord Dorchester, governor of the Canadas, addressing an embassy of western Indians, asserted that all acquisition of Indian lands by the United States since 1783 was invalid, and Governor Simcoe set out in April with a British force and built a fort at the foot of the Miami rapids. The times were perilous, and at intervals settlers from the advanced clearings journeyed to Canandaigua, conversed with Chapin, and returned to watch and wait. The entire population were ready at a word to desert their homes and seck safety by flight. An arrangement existed between Chapin and leading Indians. that he should be warned of hostilities in time for the withdrawal of settlers; it was this reliance which caused the agent to hold his ground. On one occasion a council of the Senecos had been held, and Chapin was notified that the question of peace or war was to be decided and the result was to be made known by a runner. To guard against the worst. the general stated the fuets to Mrs. Sauborn, a discreet and prominent women, and by her the people of Canandaigua were made realy to depart at a moment's notice. Day was closing and the sun was just about setting over Arsenal hill when down the main street of the village came the expected Indian runner. General Chapin hastened to meet him. and learned that his message was not war. . A difficulty arose regarding lands in Penosylvania : General Chapin went thither as a mediator, and suggested a general treaty. The Six Nations were undecided, and while General Wayne was marching to battle with the western Iodians, the Iroquois were held neutral. Small partie- probably were in the action upoo whiel so much depended. Wayne's defint would have desolated the Genesee country ; his success insured ita security. A treaty was appointed to be held at Canandaigua early in September, and ample provisions Were made to feast the Indians. The treaty took place, and the Indians returned to their towns highly pleased. The first fair in the Genesce country was held at Williamsburg shortly after the victory by Wayne, and settlers inthered there from as far east as U'tica. Many Indians were present, and by font-race omdl ball- play added to the amusements provided. The occasion was memorable, and the influence to establish friendly intercourse was salutary.
In the contemplated repossession of the Genesce country by the British hut one overt act was committed. A settlement had been made by Captain Williams- son at Sodus bay during 1791. Governor Sivive, in Augn-t, unt an officer, Lieutenant Sbcafe, to protect against it- continuance at Somlus, or at other points "beyond the old French line." Moffat, a local agent, was found at SoJas; the message was left with him, that in ten days he. Sheaffe, would return and rypart to meet Williamson. On the appointed day 'sptain Williamson, roompaint by Thomas Morris, of Canandaigua, reached Solus, and smo after their arrival. a boat rowed by a dozen British soldiers approached, landed Lieutenant Shealle,
.
2.60
Kent, Elijah ......
96
.14 .24
I Marne. Thusias ...
4200
1.58
Layboara, Christopher_ I.Joo, John.
-10
.0-
Williamson. I'barics ....
.16
80
.19
250
Phelps aod Jones (snp- Pienil to be wward by
Mat'losing. John, Je ......
.0
45
Jawph Ilight
600,000
1314.54
112
Granger, Zadoc ...
4500
6.92
Hull, Gilbert ...
3.0
.52
Hinkley, Samuel ...
Jones, Jobo Hi
Jones, Elizabeth
153
Wadsworth. James .......
Williamson, t harles, und others .
34.500
68.79
Griffith, EN
Hencher, William ..
1.64
162
.36
1036 44 40
.14
Scott, lesne
1109
1.45
Dugas. Christopher. Douglass, Cyrus.
1306
1.63
| Shaerer, Peter.
572
Forwell. Elisba ....
-
Poiler, David ...
Forsyth, Jobo ..
100
1640
Gaoson, Jumes.
89
Perkins, Eench
Hunt, Josefib .. Hopkins. Timothy
Hawley, Chapman ...
Keith, Michacl M ..
3231.62
Nettletos, Philemnoa ..
918 39d
Conatt, Saniacl
21
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, NEW YORK.
and then pulled back from the shore, there to remain till signaled to return. Mr. Morris met the British uffeer on the beach, and accompaniedl him to the log cabin at which Captain Williamson had stopped. The meeting was friendly. In reply to the prutest, the lieutenant was directed to say that it would not be heeded, and force would be met by force. Within a half-hour the interview terminatel and, the boat returning, the officer departed. The news of this meeting spread rapidly, and was soon koowo io all the backwoods settlements. Rumor magnified the danger and threatened to break op the settlementa made with so much of suffering and under so many discouragements. Williamson sent an express rider with letters to the governor and to General Knox, secretary of war. giving particulars and expressing a resolve to remain till driven off. He also made a written state- ment of the acts of Governor Simcoe and sent it to Sir Wm. Pulteney. Ere the threat of Governor Simcoe could be executed, General Wayne had met and de- feated the western Indians, driven them to take refuge in a British fort, and. had its garrison dared to discharge a cannon, would have taken the fort itself. The news to the Geocsee settlers was glad tidings, and with renewed energy improve- ments went forward. Difficulties were adjustel respecting the western forte, and Fort Niagera was surrendered by the British in 1706 A4 Te have noted. a company of United States troops under Captain J. Bruff. while on their way to take possession of the fort. io bateaux encountered adverse weather, took refuge at the mouth of the Genesce, marchied up in the mouth of Allen's creek. and thence fonod their way through the forests to their destination. This force took possession of the fort, and the act seemed a confirmation of security. A body of Indians appeared before the garrison and made a salute after their fashion. and the discharge of artillery from the fort acknowledged the friendly overture. The chief difficulties encountered by the pioneers of Monroe from 1794 till 1812 were those presented by nature, and we close the subject of war and its alarms for a time with a letter written, September 17, 1704. by Wm. Ewing to Ismael Chapin, from Genesee. The letter graphically presents the events as though time had gone back eighty years and the reader was noe of the interested residents of the dis- pnted aod war-endangered region along the Genesee.
" ISRAEL CHAPEN, EsQ. SIR .- Agreeable to your request. the 26th ult. I left this place to go and see Captain Brandt, and bring him forward to Canandaigua if pos- aible. As I passed through Buffalo Creek settlement, I was told by Red Jacket, one of the Seneca chiefs, that the Indians at that place, and the Six Nations in different parts of the country aronod, had not yet determined whether they would attend the treaty at Canandaigua or not; that they were waiting for Captain O'Bail (Cornplanter) and other chiefs to come in, whose arrival was hourly ex- pected, when they should determine what answer to send to your invitation, though himself and many others, from the first, was determined to attend your council fire. I was also told by young Jemisoo. a Seneca Indian, that Colonel Butler left that place a few hours before I arrived, who had been in council with the Indians some days past, and that he was of an opinion that Butler was trying to stop the Indians, and he did not think they would go to Cavandaigua. I, from this place, crossed the river to the British side, and proceeded dowo the river to Niagara fort. I found that the British had been much alarmed at General Warren's advancing into the Indian country. The news was that Wayne had an encounter with the Iodiaos, that the action commenced in what is called the-Glaize. and that he had defeated and completely ronted the Indians. and drove them six or seven miles down the Miami of the lakes, below the fort, at the rapids, built by the British, and that as he passed by the fort he demanded it, but the officer io com- mand refused to comply with his request, and he passed on without giving any damage to the fort. Sume said there were one hundred Indians, some one hun- dred and fifty, some sixty, and some thirty-tive killed and takeo, and that the loss on #Wayne's side was very great, two or three hundred. But the best information, and what I most depended on was. I lodged at what is called the Chippewa fort," at the head of the Great Falls and of the carrying place, and heard a Mr. Powell, who had just arrived from Detroit, relating to the officer the news of that country, aod among the rest he told him he thought there was eighty or ninety Indians and white people lost in all ; he saidl, also. there was no dependence to be put in the militia of Detroit, for when Wayne was in the country, they refused doing duty in the fort. Governor Simcoe had called out all the militia of the country about Niagara, it was said, to was the posts through. or to send up to Detroit. but upon hearing that General Wayne had returned back to his forts, some were dis- charged, some deserted, and about sixty were kept in barracks ; so that everything scenied to be suspended for the present. I, from Niagara fort, went forward to the head of Lake Ontario, ahont twenty miles from Captain Brandt's settledint, where I learned that he had set off some days past for Detroit. Here Fohrained a letter written to you the day he started. It was held by a Dr. Carr, and I afterwards cuotrivell to get it. It was said that Brawlt's object was to meet the southern Indians at Detroit, though he was accompanied by one hundred and titty
or two hundred warriors. Returning by Niagara and Buffalo Creek, I learned, at the former place, that Governor Simene would set off for Detroit in a day or two to meet Captain Brandt, and to strengthen the Miami fort. The 13th instant, Simcoe arrived at Fort Erie, opposite Buffalo Creek, and Colonel MeKay. from Detroit, met him there. The day following, the Indians were called over to council with them. (Simcoe belittled the Indian loss, exaggerated that of Wayne, and announced that the fort would now be made strong, and a large garrison main- tained. ) The day following the council, Siterve and Mckay sailed for Detroit. After this, I saw Red Jacket, who said the Indians would all go to Canandaigua. I cannot see a difference in the feeling of the Indiaos of Buffalo Creek, and ascribe their movements to the British."
The letter closes by the expression of a belief that Brandt, apparently hostile, was desirous of peace; and it was not without good reason that the settlers of the Geoesee regarded the English as the occasion of their troubles.
CHAPTER IX.
EARLY PIONEERS OF MONROE : THEIR NATIVITY, HOMES, HABITS, DRESS, AND CIRCUMSTANCES; THEIR REMINISCENCES OF TRAVEL-HOSPITALITY, NEIOH- BORLY FEELING.
HISTORY knows of ao worthier theme than that of those pioneers in a prime- val forest, by whose toil the wilderness was claimed for cultivation, at whose will the heavy, dark woods gave way to fields of grain, log cabins, and initial indus- tries. Where fourscore years ago no sound was heard hut that of nature in her wildest phase, where the council-fires of the Senecas illumned the forest, and fevers crouched among the marshes, is now the hum of industry,-the manufactory, the nursery, the railroads and canals. Belonging to the records of their times, most have passed away ; their traditions are perishing with them and in them, but the printed page will bear testimony of their existence and endurance. Pioneers who had made the journey to Ontario, and were men of fearless character, themselves looked with concern and surprise to see the early settlers of Monroe push on and disappear in heavy forests and aguc-haunted regions beyond the Genesee. The eye traces their laborious progress westward, observes their struggles with disease and their persistent efforts at improvement. The pioneers of Monroe were plain men. Their intercourse was unaffected. Their first work was to set up an altar for religious worship. Later settlers were kindly and courteously received, and for the stranger the latch-string was always out. Many from the same neighbor- hoods in Massachusetts and Connecticut were here, by common peril and like expe- rience bound together by tics of interest, friendship, and relation, and by uoited effort have impressed their character upon the manners, eustoms. and fashioos, not alone apoo the next succeeding but opon all future generations. Exceptional instances, as that of the elder Shaeffer, present the scene of wealth sveking an inheritance in lands : but the mass of early pioncers came on poor, with nothing to lose but much to gain. Fresh from serviec in the ranks, and animated by hope of a glorious future for their country, many a soldier came west to Mouroe, and the rifle which had aided to check the march of' Borgoyne and compel the sur- render of Cornwallis, provided the family with venison and guarded the crops from depredations. The success following their labor astonished aod impelled to greater effort. Wherever a mill was wanting there was a Stone, a Maon, or a ('burch to build it. When a carding- and fulling-mill promised profitable support. a Wm. II. Bush and a Donald Mckenzie were pioneers to supply the want. From necessity, the earliest pioneer was a tiller of the soil, and if possessed of a trade, pursued it in but the interval of lahor on the clearing ; but among the par- ties plodding through the forests or poling along the streams in reach the Genesee were men qualitied by nature and education fur any needed improvement.
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