History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 2

Author: Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.) cn; Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Ensign
Number of Pages: 1112

USA > New York > Chemung County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 2
USA > New York > Schuyler County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 2
USA > New York > Tioga County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 2
USA > New York > Tompkins County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 2

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY

'OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS, AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES,

NEW YORK.

BY H. B. PEIRCE AND D. HAMILTON HURD.

CHAPTER I.

VOYAGE AND DISCOVERY ..

The New World-First Discovered, A.D. 986-The Norsemen-Her- julfson-Lief Erickson and his Adventures-Thorwald Erickson- His Death-Thorstein Erickson-Thorfiun Karlsefnc-Christopher Columbus-John Verrazzani-John Cabot-Spanish, French, and English Claims to Territory-The French and Indian War-Treaty of Peace.

THE New World, or Western Continent, was first dis- covered by white men A.D. 986. Herjulfson, a Norse navigator, in sailing from Iecland to Greenland was driven by a storm to the coast of Labrador, or, as some historians sce fit to elaim, to Newfoundland. The coasts of the new land being low, roeky, and otherwise uninviting, no landing was attempted. Thus Herjulfson first saw the Western Continent, but it was reserved for other explorers to set foot upon its territory. The Norsemen returned to Greenland with wonderful stories of the land that they had scen, but no further attempt was made at discovery.

After the lapse of a few years, an Ieelandie captain named Lief Eriekson, who was possessed of a remarkable spirit of adventure, resolved to discover, if possible, the country eon- cerning which Herjulfson and his companions had related such fabulous accounts, and in the year 1001 landed upon the shores of Labrador. He pursued his course southwest along the coast, and, finding the country pleasant and at- traetive, protracted his visit, and finally reached the territory embraced within the present State of Massachusetts, where the intrepid explorers remained one year. They proceeded along the coast bordering upon Long Island Sound, and it is claimed that the persevering band found their way to New York harbor. Whether these hardy explorers set foot upon the soil of New York is of but little eonse- quenec, as voyages were subsequently made to these shores, and discoveries earried as far south as Virginia.

The return of these adventurers to their native country, with a description of the land they had passed through, stimulated others with a desire to see the new country, and in 1002, Thorwald Erickson, a brother of the former ex-

plorer, made a voyage to the coast of Maine, and is said to have ended his days in the vicinity of the present town of Fall River, Mass.

In 1005, Thorstein Erickson, another brother, with a band of adventurers, landed upon our shores, and was fol- lowed, in 1007, by Thorfinn Karlsefne, a celebrated mariner, who proceeded along the coast as far as Virginia. The Norsemen were simply an erratie band of rovers. They made no settlements, nor left any records of importance eon- ecrning their discoveries. No real good whatever resulted from their voyages. The enthusiasm exeited by first dis- covery gradually subsided, and as there were no spoils in the wilderness to fall prey to the Norse freebooters and pirates the further occupaney of the country was aban- doned, and the shadows which had been dispelled for a moment gathered in, the curtain which had been lifted was again lowered from the sky to oecan, and the New World still lay hidden in the misty future. Until recently histo- rians have been incredulous on the subject of the Norse discovery, but the faet is now generally eoneeded. We are in possession of no more reliable information than Hum- boldt's " Cosmos," but that may be cited as conelusive :

"We are here on historical ground. By the critical and highly praiseworthy efforts of Professor Rafu and the Royal Society of An- tiquarians in Copenhagen the sagas and documents in regard to the expeditions of the Norsemen to Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, and Vin- land have been published and satisfactorily commented upon. The discovery of the northern part of America by the Norsemen cannot be disputod. The length of the voyage, the direction in which they sailed, the time of the sun's rising and setting, are accurately given. While the caliphate of Bagdad was still fonrishing America was dis- covered, about the year 1001, by Lief, the sou of Erie the Red, at the latitude of forty-one and a half degrees north."

A period of four hundred and ninety-two years had elapsed from Lief Erickson's discovery when Christopher Columbus, a native of Genoa, Italy, touched upon an island, subsequently ealled San Salvador, abont two hundred and fifty miles distant from the coast of the State of Florida, and, planting the banner of Castile, formally elaimed possession of the land in the name of the noble Isabella, Queen of Spain. He returned to Spain, and subsequently made two success- ive voyages to the New World, cach of which was fraught

HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,

with great and lasting benefit to civilized Europe. In jus- tice to Columbus this land should have borne his name, but through the artifice of a Florentine navigator named Americo Vespucci he was robbed of the honor, and it was bestowed on Vespucci, the least worthy of the many ad- venturers.

Not alone to Spain was left the control of the country which the genius and success of Columbus had brought to the knowledge of the world.

France, ever viewing with a jealous eye the suceess of her formidable neighbor, was not slow to profit by the dis-® coveries of Columbus. As early as 1504 the Normandy fishermen began to ply their vocation on the Banks of Newfoundland, and in 1508 a number of the aborigines were taken to France. In 1523 a voyage of discovery was planned under the auspices of Francis I., and the command of the expedition was given to John Verrazzani, a native of Florence. After a perilous voyage he discovered the mainland, in the latitude of Wilmington. After a sojourn of a few days he headed his vessel northward, and sailed along the coast of Delaware and New Jersey, entered the harbor of New York, touched Massachusetts and Maine, and continued his course along the coast to Newfoundland. At several points the enterprising Florentine landed and opened a traffic with the Indians, being always received with every evidence of friendship. He returned to France and published an account of his remarkable discoveries, and, naming the country New France, boldly asserted his claims to the sea-girt coast in the name of Francis I.

England, enterprising, wealthy, and adventurous, lost no time and spared no money in fitting out an expedition of discovery to the Western Continent, and no day in the his- tory of the New World was more important than the 5th of May, 1496.

On that day Henry VII., King of Great Britain, issued a commission to John Cabot, a Venetian, to make discov- eries, and to take possession of all islands and continents, carry the English flag, and assert the title of the King of England. After a protracted voyage, the gloomy coast of Labrador was the clieerless sight that met the anxious gaze of the brave Cabot. This was the real discovery of the American continent. He explored the country for several hundred miles, and, in accordance with the terms of his commission, hoisted the flag and took possession in the name of the English king. An incident is related in connection with this act illustrative of the love man has for his native country. Near the flag of England he planted the banner of the republic of Venice, little thinking, doubtless, that as the centuries rolled on not the flag of proud Albion, but that of a republic, would float from occan to ocean. Cabot returned to England and reccived all the adulations and honors that a proud nation could be- stow upon an honored subject. This expedition was suc- ceeded by others, all of which redounded to the honor and enterprise of England, and resulted in the founding of colonies which, under the fostering care of the mother- country, soon became prosperous and self-reliant.

The French and Indian war, which began in 1754, re- sulted from the conflicting territorial claims between France and ngland. At the close of an arduous struggle, lasting

nine years, a treaty of peace was made at Paris, by the terms of which all the French possessions in North America eastward of the Mississippi, from its source to the river Herrville, and thence through Lakes Maurepas and Pont- chartrain, were relinquished to England. Spain, who had also been at war with Great Britain, coded East and West Florida to the English Crown.

From the close of the French and Indian war to the beginning of the Revolution spanned a prosperous era in the history of the English colonists. The causes which led to the American Revolution and the history of that struggle are so well known that no mention is needed in this connection. Suffice it to say that the colonists, after a weary contest last- ing nine years, were acknowledged by Great Britain frce and independent States ; and proud should Albion be to-day in the recollection that her sons planted the germ of the re- public whose flag is honored and respected by all nations.

CHAPTER II.

PREHISTORIC OCCUPANCY.

Mound-Builders-An Ancient Fort-Who built it ?- The Iroquois- Early Traditions-Organization of the League-Aboriginal No- menelature of the Various Tribes-Wars and Conquests-Military Prowess-Their Introduction to Gunpowder and Liquor- ' Ma- nitto," or " Great Spirit"-" Fire-Water" and its. Baneful Effects- The Incursions of M. Delabarre, M. Denonville, and Count Fronte- nac-The Jesuits-1700.

PREVIOUS to the discovery of America by Europeans the Western Continent was at some period in its history occupied by a people to whom modern science, for want of a better cognomen, has applied the name of

THE MOUND-BUILDERS.

Who this people were and whence they came, no research, however profound, has as yet given the slightest hint. Whither they went, from the northern parts of the conti- nent, is plausibly conjectured ; while their monuments, scattered from Nova Scotia to Mexico, and from Lake Superior to the Florida Keys, give abundant evidence to a certain definite degree. The remains of tumuli, repre- senting works of defense, of religious ceremonial, and of scpulture, their implements, and the remains of their manu- factures and mining, tell conclusively that they were a peaceful people, intelligent, and farther advanced in the arts of civilization than the warlike nations who succeeded them. The vast tumuli reared by them in the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys remind the beholder of the massive structures of old Egypt, and, like them, proclaim their builders to have been numerous and despotically governed. From the works of defense, it would seem they retired from the country in a southwesterly direction, either voluntarily or involuntarily ; and it is not unlikely that the rude pottery and earthworks of the Mound-Builders of the North were the early efforts of the people who built the sculptured temples of Palenque and Yucatan, and reared the pyramid of Cholula. But this is conjecture only, based on the re-

AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.

mains of a long-lost people. Our territory is not without an interest in the prehistoric, for in its borders is

A PREHISTORIC MONUMENT,

which may be seen in the hills just beyond the limits of the city of Elmira, in Chemung County. It is an ancient earthwork running across the crest of a high promontory jutting down into the river from the mountains behind, the face of the cliff on the river-side, as well as that on the opposite, being a sheer descent of two hundred or more fect. A deep ravine, through which runs a little creek, forms the defense on the southern side, and the approach in front is up a stecp, narrow point, rising abruptly from the river. The work is an embankment somc eight or ten feet wide at the base, rising from the now nearly ob- literated trench some three or more feet, and extends en- tirely across the promontory, from the brow of the same on the ravine to the opposite side on the river. The outer ditch is yet plainly visible, though nearly filled up by the soil and decaying vegetation. Earlier days disclosed two parallel trenches, also running across the hill, but they are not now discernible. Who built this defense, for defense it surely was, and rcared by man, no tradition has ever given any information. It was an ancient fortification in the days of the pioneers, who could gain no information concerning its building from the Indians. They knew of its existence, but had no tradition concerning it. Its age is evidenced by the forest growth of oaks that has sprung up on the parapet since it was abandoned, some of which are twenty inches in diameter. It is evidently one of a series of such works found on the Susquehanna and Delaware, indicating the pressure of the advance to be from the northeastward. Excavations have been made in the cmbankment, but as yet nothing has been exhumed throwing any light on the origin of the work. Perhaps efforts in the old trench, in which the defenders must have lain, would be better rc- warded.

Whether the fierce Eries or Andastes threw up this work as a defense against the terrible onslaught of the Iroquois, or whether it was even then an ancient tumulus of that more ancient people, the Mound-Builders, is a mystery yet unfathomed. But here it is, an evidence only thus far that whatever people built it they called these fair val- leys and rounded summits home, and defended it with their lives.

THE IROQUOIS.

Tradition informs us that about the year 1600 this nation resided in the vicinity of Montreal, and were in subjection to the Adirondacks. How long the latter tribe had exercised this power, and whether the Iroquois had previously been a powerful nation, are questions that naturally suggest them- selves to the searcher in history, but have not, by even the mnost indefatigable workers in aboriginal lore, been answered; and the pen of the present historian is unable to lift the veil of obscurity that enshrouds the remote origin of this nation, the most powerful and intelligent that ever dwelt within the boundaries of this republic.

From the Adirondaeks they acquired the art of hus- bandry, and became proficient in the chase and upon the war-path. As they increased in numbers and influence a

passion seized them to become the possessors of the country they occupied, and raising the tomahawk at the Adirondaeks they waged a fierce war against them, which resulted in the defeat of the Iroquois, and the remnants of the tribe were compelled to fly the country to escape extermination. They traced their steps into the " lake country," and, gath- ering their scattered warriors, effected a settlement on Sen- eca River.

No authority gives us the date of the organization of this celebrated league, but it was probably in about the year 1600, as it was a powerful organization at the date of Dutch occupancy, in 1609.

The league originally consisted of five nations, viz. : On- ondagas, Oneidas, Mohawks, Cayugas, and Senecas.

O-nun-da'-ga, the origin of the name of the Onondagas, signifies " on the hills;" hence the name they gave them- selves, O-nun-di'-ga-o-wo, as rendered, " the people of the hills."

The Oneidas were called the " people of the stone," or " the granite people," as indicated by their national name, O-na-yote'-ko-o-no.

Gü-ne-a'-gu-o-no was the name applied to the Mohawks, which signified " the possessor of the flint," and they had for the device of the village a " steel and a flint."

The Cayugas were known by the appellation of Gue'-u- gweh-o-no, " the people of the mucky land." It doubtless referred to the marsh at the foot of Cayuga Lake, where they first settled.

Nun-da-wü'-o-no was the national name of the Senecas, meaning " the great hill people." This was the name also of their oldest village, on Canandaigua Lake, where, accord- ing to the Seneca myth, the tribe sprang out of the ground. The following version of their origin is given from a native source :

" While the tribe had its seat and eouneil-fire on this hill, a woman and her son were living near it, when the boy one day caught a small two-headed serpent, ealled Kaistowauea, in the bushes. Ile bronght it home as a pet to amuse himself, and put it in a box, where he fed it on birds, flesh, and other dainties. After some time it had become so large that it rested on the beams of the lodge, and the hunters were obliged to feed it with deer ; but it soon went out and made its abode on a neighboring hill, where it maintained itself. It often went out and sported in the lake, and in time became so large and mischievous that the tribe were put in dread of it. They consulted on the subject one evening, and determined to fly next morning ; but, with the light of the next morning. the monster had eneirelod the hill, and lay with its double jaws extended before the gate. Some attempted to pass out, but were driven baek; others tried to climb over its body, but were nnable. Ilunger at last drove them to desperation, and they made a rush to pass, but only rushed into the monster's double jaws. All were devoured but a warrior and his sister, who waited in vain ex- peetaney of relief. At length tho warrior had a dream, in which he was shown that if he would fledge his arrows with the hair of his sister the charm would prevaif over their enemy. He was warned not to heed tho frightful heads and hissing tongues, but to shoot at the heart. Accordingly, the next morning he armed himself with his keenest weapons, eharmed as directed, and boldly shot at the serpent's heart. The instantaneous recoiling of tho monster proved that the wound was mortal. He began in great agony to roll down the hill, breaking down trees, and uttering horrid noises, until he rolled into the lake. Ilere he slaked his thirst, and tried by water to mitigate his agony, dashing abont in fury. At length he vomited up all the people whom he had eaten, and immediately expired and sunk to the bottom."

The Six Nations were constituted in 1712, by the uniting of the T'usearoras, Dus-gu-o'-weh, " the shirt-wearing people,"

HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,

a nation that inhabited the western part of North Carolina. The league was originated by the Onondagas, henee they were called the " Fathers of the Confederacy ;" the Mo- hawks, having first given their consent, were known as " The Eldest Brothers ;" and for a similar reason the Cayu- gas were called " The Youngest Brothers," having given their assent last. The Senecas were named " The Watch- men," from the fact, doubtless, of their location near their enemies from the west.

The organization of the league was effected on the east bank of the Onondaga Creek, on the road to Syracuse. The chiefs and sachems soon discovered that the compaet entered into was in all respects advantageous, thus creating and maintaining a fraternal spirit among themselves, and rendering them powerful upon the war-path. With the consciousness of returning power, their first warlike move was against their old enemies, the Adirondacks, whom they utterly exterminated. Now becoming convineed of their strength, they waged war upon all surrounding na- tions. Their tomahawk was brandished upon the shores of Lake Superior, their warlike measures were carried into New England, and the sealping-knife gleamed along the valley of the Father of Waters.

They conquered the ITurons, the Eries, the Andastez, the Chauanons, the Illinois, the Miamies, the Algonquins, the Delawares, the Shawansene, the Susquehannocks, the Nan. tieokes, the Unamis, the Minsi, aud even the Carnise In- dians in their sea-girt home upon Long Island found no protection against their attacks. The name of the Iro- quois had become a terror to all the Indian nations.

"I have been told," says Colden, " by old men in New England, who remembered the time when the Mohawks made war upon their Indians, that as soon as a single Mo- hawk was discovered in their country their Indians raised a cry from hill to hill 'A Mohawk ! a Mohawk !' upon which they fled like sheep before wolves, without attempt- ing to make the least resistance." The thirst for military glory was their ruling passion. They evineed a remarkable spirit of ambition, not unlike Napoleon, or Caesar of old, and but for the settlement of the New World by the Cau- casian, we have no right to doubt that eventually the haughty chief of the dusky legion of the Six Nations would have wielded the sceptre over the Indians of North America with all the despotism of an Alexander, and like him would have thirsted for fresh conquests. The effects of these military operations were carried as far north as Hudson's Bay, while the Mississippi did not form their western limits. They ravished the extreme eastern and southern portion of the United States, and, without doubt, as stated in Rogers' " America," their wars were extended to the Isthmus of Darien.

That was a fatal hour when the red man quaffed the rum from the hands of Henry Hudson. That was a fatal hour when the red man was taught the power of gunpowder by Champlain. It is a curious fact that the Indians were made knowu with these, their two greatest enemies, during the same week of the same year, 1609, by these rival ex- plorers. The manner of giving the first draught of liquor to the Indians, as related by a manuscript in the New York Historical Society, was as follows :

"Hudson, aecompanied by a number of his attendants, was aseend- ing, in a eanoe, the river that bears his name, and discovering a band of aborigines, made them a sign to halt. He went ashore, and after friendly salutations he beckoned to an attendant, who brought him a bockhack (gourd) and a little eup, both as elear as the new iee upon the surface of a lake. And from the bockhack Manitto, or Great Spirit, as they regarded Hudson, filled the eup with a liquid which he drank, and refilling, handed to the chief near him, who quaffed the eup to the bottom. In a few moments his eyes elosed lustreless, and he fell heavily to the ground. His companions thought him dead, and the wailings of the women resounded through the forest. After a long time the chief revived, and springing to his feet declared that he had experieneed the most delightful sensations, seen visions, and was never more happy. He requested another draught, and, follow- ing his example, the liquor went round the cirele. They all partook of the ravishing cup, and all became intoxicated."

From that fatal hour to the present their thirst for the maddening poison has not abated. In vain have their eouneils passed decrees against it ; in vain have their teach- ers adıuonished them, and equally useless have been the eloquent and pathetic appeals of their women against it. Whenever and wherever, even at this late day, whether it be the Sioux among the Black Hills or the remnant of the Iroquois upon their reservations, they ean lay their hand upon fire-water, they are certain to drink it. This accursed liquor was among the strongest agencies used by the un- principled settler in his intercourse with the red man to gain his land and furs.

In this connection it is proper to observe that the English bestowed no attention upon the enlightenment of the race, either morally or religiously. In striking contrast with the attitude of England was that of France, as exhibited by the Jesuit missionaries, Franciscan priests, and Récollet fathers.

These were the first Caucasians who lifted up their voices in the wilderness in attempting to Christianize the red man. History has never done these fathers justice. They left their homes in sunny France, surrounded by every luxury that wealth and ecelesiastical position eould afford, for an abode in the wilds of the New World, with no companions save the beasts of the forest and hostile Indians. They eame not as the trader worshiping Mammon, nor the settler in the search of a home. They endured all the privations of the forest with the sole object in view of Christianizing the aborigines. Their lives were sacrificed upon the altar of Christianity, that he might be raised from darkness and brought into sweet communion with the Great Spirit.

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History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York, Part 2

Author: Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.) cn; Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton) Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Ensign Number of Pages: 1112

Author: Peirce, H. B. (Henry B.) cn; Hurd, D. Hamilton (Duane Hamilton)
Publication date: 1879
Publisher: Philadelphia : Everts & Ensign
Number of Pages: 1112