USA > New York > Monroe County > History of the pioneer settlement of Phelps and Gorham's purchase, and Morris' reserve; embracing the counties of Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, Yates, Steuben, most of Wayne and Allegany, and parts of Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming. To which is added, a Supplement, or Extension of the pioneer history of Monroe county > Part 28
USA > New York > Allegany County > History of the pioneer settlement of Phelps and Gorham's purchase, and Morris' reserve; embracing the counties of Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, Yates, Steuben, most of Wayne and Allegany, and parts of Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming > Part 28
USA > New York > Livingston County > History of the pioneer settlement of Phelps and Gorham's purchase, and Morris' reserve; embracing the counties of Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, Yates, Steuben, most of Wayne and Allegany, and parts of Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming. To which is added, a Supplement, or Extension of the pioneer history of Monroe county > Part 28
USA > New York > Yates County > History of the pioneer settlement of Phelps and Gorham's purchase, and Morris' reserve; embracing the counties of Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, Yates, Steuben, most of Wayne and Allegany, and parts of Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming. To which is added, a Supplement, or Extension of the pioneer history of Monroe county > Part 28
USA > New York > Ontario County > History of the pioneer settlement of Phelps and Gorham's purchase, and Morris' reserve; embracing the counties of Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, Yates, Steuben, most of Wayne and Allegany, and parts of Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming. To which is added, a Supplement, or Extension of the pioneer history of Monroe county > Part 28
USA > New York > Wyoming County > History of the pioneer settlement of Phelps and Gorham's purchase, and Morris' reserve; embracing the counties of Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, Yates, Steuben, most of Wayne and Allegany, and parts of Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming. To which is added, a Supplement, or Extension of the pioneer history of Monroe county > Part 28
USA > New York > Steuben County > History of the pioneer settlement of Phelps and Gorham's purchase, and Morris' reserve; embracing the counties of Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, Yates, Steuben, most of Wayne and Allegany, and parts of Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming. To which is added, a Supplement, or Extension of the pioneer history of Monroe county > Part 28
USA > New York > Genesee County > History of the pioneer settlement of Phelps and Gorham's purchase, and Morris' reserve; embracing the counties of Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, Yates, Steuben, most of Wayne and Allegany, and parts of Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming. To which is added, a Supplement, or Extension of the pioneer history of Monroe county > Part 28
USA > New York > Wayne County > History of the pioneer settlement of Phelps and Gorham's purchase, and Morris' reserve; embracing the counties of Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, Yates, Steuben, most of Wayne and Allegany, and parts of Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming. To which is added, a Supplement, or Extension of the pioneer history of Monroe county > Part 28
USA > New York > Orleans County > History of the pioneer settlement of Phelps and Gorham's purchase, and Morris' reserve; embracing the counties of Monroe, Ontario, Livingston, Yates, Steuben, most of Wayne and Allegany, and parts of Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming. To which is added, a Supplement, or Extension of the pioneer history of Monroe county > Part 28
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were : - Peter Campbell and wife, Malcolm M'Laren and wife, John M'Naughton and wife; and Donald M'Vean and Hugh M'Dermid, single men. In the fall of the same year, they were joined by their countrymen, John M'Vean, John M'Pherson, John Anderson, Duncan Anderson, all single men "but M'Vean. During the next year they were joined by Donald M'Pherson, Donald Anderson, Alexander Thompson, and their families. Those whose names have been given, except Thompson and M'Vean, had crossed the ocean in the same ship. They are to be regarded as constituting the primitive settlers at Caledonia, though for several years after, other of their countrymen joined them.
The Springs, being on the great trail from Tioga point to Fort Niagara, had long been a favorite camping ground.t Previous to the Scotch advent, Fuller and Peterson, had become squatters there, built log houses, and entertained travelers. This furnished the Scotch settlers a temporary shelter. John Smith, one of Mr. Will- iamson's surveyors, soon arrived and surveyed their lands, so plan- ning the surveys that each allotment would have a front upon the streams. Log houses were soon erected in the primitive manner, small patches of summer crops planted; and the Scotch settlers
* This had been the name of the locality, even as far baek as the first English occu- pancy of Niagara. Mr. Williamson gave it the new name of Caledonia.
t An old Canadian emigrant, and a frequent traveler upon the trail about the close of the Revolution, says that camping there was so frequent, that the fires of one party would be burning when another arrived.
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were soon under way, though struggling with stinted means against all the hardships and privations of backwoods life. On their ar- rival Mr. Williamson had promptly given orders to Alexander McDonald, who was then his agent and clerk at Williamsburg, for supplying some provisions. Wheat was procured at Dans- ville and ground in the Messrs. Wadsworths' mill at Conesus ; and pork was drawn from the store at Williamsburg. Mr. Wil- liamson also furnished them with some cows. And how did you manage for your early team work ? was the author's enquiry of the venerable John McNaughton, now in his 80th year,* surrounded by his hundreds of improved acres, his garners filled to overflowing, and broad fields, green and luxuriant, promising future abundance. " We sold some of our clothes that we could spare, to settlers on the river, for the occasional use of their oxen ; " was the answer. In addition to other encouragements, Mr. Williamson donated one hundred and fifty acres for a "glebe," and fifty acres for school purposes. He erected at the Springs a grist and saw mill, which were completed in about three years ; as soon in fact, as there was much need of a grist mill.
This is so far as Mr. Williamson was directly connected with the Pioneer settlers at Caledonia. Their after progress will be mingled with events narrated in succeeding portions of the work.
The reader of the present day will smile at the idea of "Fairs " and " Race grounds " in back woods settlements, at a time when settlers generally had but just made small openings in the forest, and stood more in need of log causeways over streams, boards for their floors, and glass for their windows, than of race horses or improved breeds of cattle. But the sanguine adventurous Scotchman had seen these things in England and Scotland, and supposed them neccessary accompaniments of rural enterprise, even in new settle- ments ; and as it will be observed he had ulterior objects in view. Impressed with the idea that the region, the settlement of which he was endeavoring to promote, was nearly all it had proved to be ; enthusiastic even in his efforts ; he had made up his mind that the
* The survivors of the original Scotch settlers are :- John M'Naughton, Hugh M'Dermid, Donald Anderson, Mrs. M'Vean and Mrs. McLaren, now the widow of the late Deacon Hinds Chamberlin, of Le Roy. M'Dermid and Anderson, emigrated to Canada some twenty years since.
NOTE .- For all that Mr. Williamson furnished of provisions and cows, the settlers gave their notes, and paid them when due.
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Genesee country need only be seen to be appreciated. In travelling through Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, he had endeavored to bring men of wealth and enterprise to view the country, but had generally failed. It was too secluded, too far off from civilization, too much threatened with Indian wars ; had in it too much of the elements of chills and fevers, to be attractive, to men who were not under the necessity of encountering such formidable difficulties. But he had discovered that those he wanted to come and see the country were fond of races and holiday sports, and he resolved upon instituting them in addition to the attractions he had held out. In 1794 he had laid out a race course and fair grounds, near the pres- ent residence of the Hon. Charles Carroll, on the forks of the Can- ascraga creek and Genesee river, and in the fall of that year was had there a fair and races. Extensive preparations were made for the event. Mr. Williamson's anxiety to have all things in read- iness is manifested in a letter to Mr. Wadsworth. He says ; - " As you have manifested much interest in the exhibition at Williams- burg, do, my friend, attend to it, and push the getting a bridge from Starr's or thereabouts, to the flats, in time : Mr. Morris will give £10 and I will give £10. The appointed day came, and there was a gathering from all the new settlements of the Genesee country ; from as far east as Utica ; and of sportsmen and land explorers from Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania. The two small taverns of Starr and Fowler, at Williamsburg, and the deserted log houses of the Germans, were vastly inadequate to the accommodation of the crowd. The few buildings at Geneseo, and all the log tenements of the neighborhood were put in requsition, and yet the Fair ground had to be an encampment. In the language of an informant of the author, who was present : - " Here met for business and pleasure, men from all parts of the purchase ; stock was exhibited and pur- chases made. Here also were seen for the first time, the holiday sports of "merry England, " such as greasing a pigs tail ; climbing a greased pole, &c." Care had been taken for the gratification of visitors, to have a general attendance of the Indians; and as it was just after Wayne's victory, it was perhaps very wisely considered that it would help them in their then growing inclinations to be at peace and cultivate the acquaintance of their new neighbors. They were present in great numbers, and joined in the sports with great relish. Their own foot races and ball plays, were added to the
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amusements. It all went off well; all were pleased; the southern- ers and Pennsylvanians were delighted with the entertainment and with the country ; made favorable reports when they returned home ; and with many of them it led finally to emigration. The Fair and Races were held next year at Williamsburg, and at Bath and Dans- ville, in a few successive years ; Mr. Williamson had himself some fine race horses : and in the way of oxen, such was the magnitude of his operations in different portions of the purchase, that at one time he had eighty yoke wintering on the Genesee flats.
In addition to the enterprises of Mr. Williamson, that have been named, he was active in procuring the passage of the act for laying out the old State Road from Fort Schuyler to Geneva, and was one of the commissioners for locating it. In 1798, when Mr. Elli- cott had commenced the survey of the Holland Purchase, he joined him in making what was at first called the "Niagara Road," west of Genesee river. He made the road from the river to Col. Gan- son's, within a mile of Le Roy, expending upon it $2,000. * He assisted in making the road from Lyons to Palmyra ; from " Hope- ton to Townsends ;" from "Seneca Falls to Lyon's Mills ;" from "Cashong to Hopeton." There are few of the primitive roads in Yates, Steuben, and the south part of Livingston, that he did not either make or assist in making. He built mills at Hopeton, on the Hemlock Lake, and at Williamsburgh. He added to the hotel at Geneva, the " Mile Point House and Farm," on the bank of Seneca Lake, which he intended for a brother, the " Hopkins' House and Farm," and the " Mullender House and Farm," at the Old Castle. His enterprises at Williamsburg embraced an extensive farm which
NOTE-The " Williamson Fair and Races, " are among the cherished reminiscences of the " oldest inhabitants, " and in fact, it is only the oldest who survive to remem- ber them. Frolic, sports, recreation, with the men of that period, were things done in earnest like everything else they undertook. Gen. George M'Clure, an early Pioneer at Bath, now residing at Elgin, Illinois, writing to his old friend Charles Cameron, now of Greene, Chenango co., during the present year, says in allusion to some histor- ical reminiscences he is gathering up : - " It wont do to tell of all of our doings in those days of 'Lang Syne. ' I presume you have not forgotten the night we spent in Dunn's hotel when we roasted the quarter of beef." "Give me your age and any thing else you can think of. This is a flourishing town. The Chicago and Galena rail road passes through it. Why cant you come and make ns a visit. You can come all the way by steam. I am now in my 80th year, and enjoy good health.
* In connection with this enterprise, the author hassome items of account, showing the cost of things at that primitive period : - It cost $18 to take a common waggon load from Geneva to Le Roy. 2 bbls. of pork and 2 bbls. of whiskey cost, delivered, (at Ganson's) $120. The only grind-stone in all the region, was one owned by the Indians at Canawagus, and the use of it cost $1,50.
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he called the " Hermitage Farm." Beside this, he had a large farm on the Canascraga, a few miles below Dansville, and several farms in Steuben.
Connected with all these improvements in the way of agencies, clerkships, mechanics, surveyors. road makers, &c., are many fami- liar Pioneer names : - Among them, those of William White, John Swift, Jonathan Baker, "Capt. Follett," Reed, Buskirk, Fitzsim- mons, Woodward, Griswold, Henry Brown, Ralph T. Woods, Peter Shaeffer, Francis Dana, Solomon Earl, Williams and Frazee, Gordon and Evans, James Bardin, Jonathan Woods, Francis Dana, Jonathan Mathews, B. Lazelere, David Milner, William Mulhallen, Jacob Hartgate, Elisha Brown, Leonard Beaty, Daniel Nicholson, Woods and Pratt, Thomas Wilbur, Nathaniel Williams, Judah Colt, Caleb Seely, Thomas W. Williams, E. Hawkes, David Abbey, King and Howe, Joseph Merrill, Charles Dutcher, Jonathan Bur- nett, Robert Burnett, Peter Lander, David Fish, Daniel Britain, E. Van Winkle, Gideon Dudley, Norman Merry, David Abbey, Obadiah Osburn, George Humphrey, Annanias Platt, Wm. Angus, John Davis, Grieve and Moffatt, John Carey, James Beaumont, Joshua Laig, George Goundry, Elisha Pratt, Pierce Chamberlain, Joseph Roberts, Thomas Howe, David Dennett, Jeremiah Gregory, Darling Havens, Daniel P. Faulkner, Jonathan Harker, Henry Brown, Asa Simmons, Peter Rice, W. M'Cartney, James Hender- son, Rufus Boyd. These are but a moiety; for a considerable period, in one way and another, a large proportion of the new settlers were connected with his enterprises.
He was a large subscriber to the Canandaigua Academy, to the first library established at Geneva, and aided in some of the first movements made in the Genesee country, in the cause of educa- tion. After he had extended his road from Northumberland, Penn., to Williamsburg, on the Genesee river, he soon established a mail, on foot sometimes, and sometimes on horseback, between the two points, thus opening a communication with Philadelphia and Balti- more. A branch mail went to Canandaigua, Geneva and Sodus.
NOTE. - About the time of the projection of the State Road west of Rome, Mr. Williamson was riding upon Long Island, in company with De Witt Clinton, who re- marking upon the smoothness of the road, said to Mr. W .: - "If you had such roads to your country I would make you a visit." -"It can be done with proper exertions." Mr. Clinton promised him his co-operation, and afterwards assisted in procuring the incorporation of the Seneca Turnpike Company, in which the State Road was merged. Mr. Clinton's first visit to this region, was in 1810.
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For several years after, a better understanding was had with Gov. Simcoe and his successors by means of these mail facilities ; they received their letters and papers from Europe and the Atlantic cities, through this primitive medium. It is presumed that he had something to do with putting on the first mail and passenger wagon from Albany to Canandaigua, as the agent at Albany procured and charged to him a wagon and harness for that purpose.
Mr. Williamson was elected to the legislature from Ontario county, in 1796 ; and for three successive years, while in that capa- city, he contributed with great energy and perseverance to dif- ferent measures for the benefit of the region he represented, which was all of Western New York. He was a Judge of Ontario county ; in the early military organizations in what is now Steuben, equipped an independent company at his own expense ; and rose from the rank of Captain in his Britannic Majesty's service, to that of Col. of a regiment of backwoods militia in the Genesee country.
The manufacture of pot and pearl-ash was prominent in his view, as one of the resources of the new country ; he gave some en- couragement to it; but the means of transportation to market at that early day, was a great drawback upon the enterprise. * The manufacture of maple sugar was also an object of interest with him; and in fact, was an anticipated source of great revenue to the country, by many of the earliest adventurers. They failed to appreciate the competition it had to encounter in the sugar-cane and cheap labor. One of the earliest enterprises of Mr. Williamson, was the improvement of the navigation of the Conhocton and Canisteo, the manufacture of lumber, and the carrying of it to Bal- timore, in periods of high water.
In all this career of Pioneer enterprise that has been passed over, it may well be anticipated that much money was required. There was little money in the country - hardly enough for the purchase of the common necessaries of life - of course, not enough to make any considerable land payments. Lands had to be sold upon credit, payments of instalments postponed ; most of his enterprises were
* Writing to Mr. Colquhoun soon after his arrival in this country, he stated that Judge Cooper, father of J. Fennimore Cooper, who was then just founding a settle- ment on the Otsego Lake, was greatly promoting sales of land and settlement, by furnishing the new settlers with pot-ash kettles to a large amount. He speaks of the after hero of backwoods' romance -- "Judge Temple," -as a prominent co-worker in promoting settlements.
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ahead of the time and the condition of the country, and made slow returns. The resources were mainly the capital of his principals, the London associates. Seldom, if ever, have property holders ad- vanced larger amounts for improvements, or more freely at first, though they began to be impatient after years had gone by, and the returns of their immense outlays were coming in but slowly to re- plenish their coffers. In 1800, the balance sheets did not look well for their Genesee country enterprise. There had been expended for purchase money of lands, agencies, and improvements, such as have been indicated, $1,374,470 10. There had been received for lands sold, but $147,974 83. In addition to this balance against them, they owed of principal and interest upon lands purchased, over $300,000. To make all this look better, however, they had an im- mense amount of unsold lands, farms and mills, and an immense debt due for lands sold. While all Mr. Williamson's enterprises had been putting the country ahead in the way of settlement and improvement, (even from ten to fifteen years, as many estimate,) another direct effect must have been, the adding vastly to the prin- cipals, the care of which he turned over to his successors. He found the wild lands of the Genesee country selling at from 1 to 4s. per acre ; he left them selling at from $1,50 to $4.
He had at first formidable difficulties to overcome, other than such as have been named and indicated, as consequent upon the task of settling a country so isolated from the older settlements, possessing so many harsh features to keep back emigration. He was a foreigner, and had held a commission in the ranks of the British army, with whom a large portion of the new settlers had just been contending upon battle fields. Arms had been grounded, but feelings of resentment, prejudice, were rife. The possession of Fort Niagara and Oswego, the British claims upon the territory of Western New York, their tampering with the western Indians, and even those that were unreconciled here, served to keep alive this feeling. Although Mr. Williamson had from the time he landed in America, given the strongest evidence that he intended to merge himself with the disenthralled colonies, and throw off all allegiance to Great Britain, still he encountered jealousy and distrust. In re- capitulating to Sir Wm. Pulteney, toward the close of his agency, the difficulties he had encountered, he makes the following remarks : Even previous to 1794. there was a strong predisposition against
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every thing that was British. But this was more particularly the case in those parts of the back country adjacent to the British set- tlements ; and where, from the influence of the British govern- ment with the Indians, there was too much reason to fear that hos- tilities from that quarter would be directed against these infant set- tlements. These jealousies met me in an hundred mortifying in- stances ; and they were with difficulty prevented from having the most disagreeable effects, both to me and every old countryman in the settlements. To such an extent was this carried, that every road I talked of was said to be for the purpose of admitting the In- dians and British ; every set of arms I procured - though really to enable the settlers to defend themselves againt the Indians - was said to be for supplying the expected enemy ; and the very grass seed I brought into the country for the purpose of supplying the farmers, was seized as gun powder going to the enemies of the country." He also alleges that these distrusts - opposition to his movements - were enhanced by influential individuals, who were interested in the sale of wild lands in other localities.
All this, however, wore off, as we may well conclude, for he was elected to represent the county in the legislature, with but little. op- position, in 1796, and the mark of favor was repeated. Well educated, possessing more than ordinary social qualities, with a mind im- proved by travel and association with the best classes in Europe, his society was sought after by the many educated and intelligent men who came to this region in the earliest years of settlement ; and he knew well how to adapt himself to circumstances, and to all classes that went to make up the aggregate of the early adven- turers. Changing his habits of life with great ease and facility, he was at home in every primitive log cabin ; a welcome, cheerful, and contented guest, with words of encouragement for those who were sinking under the hardships of Pioneer life; and often with sub- stantial aid, to relieve their necessities ; away off in some isolated opening of the forest would be those prostrated by disease, to whom he would be the good Samaritan, and send them the bracing tonic or restoring cordial. These acts of kindness, his benevolence of heart, are well remembered by surviving Pioneers ; and repeatedly has the author been importuned by them to speak well of their friend, in those local annals.
From the day that Mr. Williamson arrived in this country, until
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he returned to Europe, his correspondence was extensive and em- braced a large number of prominent men in the northern States and in Europe. The interests of all this region were deeply in- volved in the success of Mr. Jay's mission to England in 1794. Mr. Williamson's acquaintance with the statesmen of England, were with those principally of the conservative class, and with them he urged a reconciliation of all existing difficulties. He made the Eng- lish government acquainted with the conduct of their agents in Canada : with their machinations with the Indians to bring on an- other series of border wars; and with the conduct of British officers at the western posts, in stimulating the Indians to stealthy assaults upon settlers, surveyors and explorers. I See account of murder of Major Trueman, Appendix, No. 10. The treaty of Mr. Jay con- cluded, he urged upon the Colonial department of the English gov- ernment, the substitution of better disposed neighbors in the Cana- das, than Lord Dorchester, and Gov. Simcoe ; and the hastening of the fulfilment of treaty stipulations by the surrender of Oswego and Niagara. Trouble, an open rupture with England, was to be sure, but postponed ; but the author can hardly forego the conclusion, that in the infancy of settlement in the Genesee country, it was fortunate that English statesmen were extensive land holders-deeply inter- ested in the securing of peace and prosperity to the country-and that they had for their local agent, such a man as Charles Williamson.
There had accompanied Mr. Williamson on his first advent to the country, from Scotland, Charles Cameron, John Johnstone, James Tower, Henry Tower, Andrew Smith and Hugh McCartney. Mr. Cameron came over at the solicitation of Mr. Williamson, pen- etrated the wildernes with him, assisted in planning and executing improvements, kept the books and accounts, was his travelling com- panion in many forest journeys ; and in fact, was closely connected with him during his whole residence in the country. He was the local agent as has been seen, at Lyons, and from that point it is supposed, shipped the first produce of the Genesee country to an eastern market; the flour from the mills that had been erected un- der his agency. He was one of the earliest merchants at Canan- daigua ; at a primitive period, when the mercantile business of almost the entire Genesee country, was transacted in that village. In this relation he was widely and favorably known to the Pioneers. Either upon his own account, or as agent for Mr. Williamson, he
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was a merchant at Bath before he removed to Lyons, as is inferred from a store bill, which the author has in his possession : -
BATH, October, 1793.
John Dolson,* Bought of Charles Cameron :
Oct. 26, 1 1b. chocolate, 2s. 6d; 1-3 gal. whiskey 5s. £0 7s. 6d. 10 0
Nov. 5. 1 gallon whiskey, 10s.
Mr. Cameron is one of the few survivors of that early period. He is now in his 78th year ; a resident of Greene, Chenango county. Mr. Johnstone was also in Mr. Williamson's employ.
When the division of lands took place between Sir Win. Pulteney and Gov. Hornby, Mr. Johnstone became the agent of the Hornby lands, in which agency he continued until his death in 1806. He married a step-daughter of Nicholas Lowe, of New York. He was the father of James Johnstone, of Canandaigua, and Mrs. Leavenworth, of New York.
Henry Tower, was an agent in the erection of the mills at Lyons, (or " Alloway,") became the purchaser of them ; and resided there for many years. Hugh McCartney settled in Sparta. Of the other two who came with Mr. Williamson, the author has no account.
Mr. Williamson's first engagement with the London Associates, was for the term of seven years ; though he continued in the agen- cy beyond the expiration of that period. It has already been in- dicated, that his principals were somewhat impatient at the slow return of his large outlays ; and the sanguine, impulsive agent, may have ventured to deplete their purses too rapidly ; but there could have been no scrious misunderstanding between them, as the cor- respondence that took place, in reference to the final settlement of the affairs of the agency in 1800 and 1801, exhibit a continuance of mutual esteem and friendship. A paragraph in a letter from Sir Wm. Pultney to the successor in the agency, indicates a wish that Mr. Williamson should be dealt honorably with in the settlement.
In the final adjustment of his affairs with his principals, what would then have been considered a very large estate, was left him in farms, village property in Geneva and Bath, wild lands, bonds and inortgages, and personal property. James Reese, Esq., of Geneva,
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