USA > New York > Onondaga County > Onondaga, or, Reminiscences of earlier and later times, being a series of historical sketches relative to Onondaga, with notes on the several towns in the county, and Oswego, Vol. II > Part 9
USA > New York > Oswego County > Onondaga, or, Reminiscences of earlier and later times, being a series of historical sketches relative to Onondaga, with notes on the several towns in the county, and Oswego, Vol. II > Part 9
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32
The opening of the canal in 1820, may be set down as the real commencement of the city of Syracuse. From this time
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it began to be looked upon as a place inevitably destined to become the grand emporium of the county. There was, how- ever, one continual drawback. During the building of the canal from 1817 to 1820, the sickness had been terrible. No estimate can be made of the fatality of disease at that time. To the foreseeing mind of Judge Forman, something was to be done to improve the health of the place, or his plans would fail; accordingly, during the winter of 1821-22, he procured the passage of a law, in connection with one authorizing the lowering of Onondaga Lake, by which the Commissioners of the Land Office were to draw a map of the swamp and marsh about the villages of Salina and Syracuse. This map was to designate the route of several ditches or drains through the swamp and marsh lands, with an accompanying estimate of the sum necessary to be raised to effect such object. The judges of the county courts were authorized to appoint three discreet freeholders of the county, who should assess the amount of money necessary to be raised on the owners of the lands contiguous to the drains, in proportion as they were supposed to be benefitted. In case of the non-payment of any assessment, the lands could be sold, after being adver- tised four weeks for the payment, and if not redeemed within six months, with interest at ten per cent., with all costs, the sale was valid and unchangable.
The citizens were allowed to build their own ditches on their own lands, according to the prescribed rules of the com- missioners, and the plan laid down on the map. In case they would not, commissioners were authorized themselves to build them, and charge the owners with the cost, and cost of col- lection. This law at the time, was considered highly arbi- trary ; but, it was the only feasible project by which the lands could be drained.
In the summer of 1822, the lands were brought under sub- jection by draining, the place assumed an air of healthfulness, disease and sickness kept at a distance, a marked difference was manifest at once, confidence was placed in the future, and
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the past was quickly forgotten. Since the draining of these lands, they have been as healthy as any in the country.
The same year, a considerable portion of the Onondaga Salt Springs Reservation was sold under the direction of the Surveyor General. It was parcelled into small lots and sold to individuals, several of which were taken by Messrs. Kel- logg & Sabin, which eventually passed into the hands of the Syracuse Company. A large portion of the present site of the city, and which is now covered with costly buildings, was included in these sales. Very much of this land brought only nominal prices. For instance, the lots on which now stand the stately mansions of Messrs. Lester, Colvin, Woolworth, Minard, Coggswell, Sedgwick, Wilkinson, Burnet, Davis, Forbes, Leavenworth and others, together with a large tract, including the cemetery, brought at the sale, only from eigh- teen to thirty dollars per acre. The lands east of Fayette Park, including L. H. Redfield's and other lots, sold for six dollars per acre.
General Granger took several of the lots in the swamp, near Lodi, between the canal and turnpike, at ten dollars fifty cents per acre. Citizens agreed not to bid against him, on condition of his clearing the land immediately. This was done at great expense, the same season, and put into a crop of wheat. Most of this ground is now covered with fine buildings.
Another sale of State lands was made in 1828, embracing the lots in the vicinity of the Court-House, and on other por- tions of the reservation.
Directly after this, roads were improved and made substan- tial and permanent, low places were filled up, logs and stumps were removed, durable stores and tasteful dwellings were erected, churches with their lofty spires glanced upwards, magificent hotels, and massive rows of buildings appeared in all directions, canal basins were crowded with boats, lading and unlading, at the spacious warehouses upon the wharves, and wheel carriages loaded with agricultural products lined the extended and well paved streets. All these places have within
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a very few years, become thronged with people full of busi- ness, life and activity. The change is like a vision, an en- chantment to the many who have lived to witness in so short a time, the wonderful transition. But a few years ago, the wild flowers grew in spontaneous profusion, all along where are now lofty stores and hotels, and wild berries were gath- ered abundantly on grounds now occupied by the older churches of the city, and the reaper, as he bound his yellow sheaves, little thought that so soon, his stubble land would become the great thoroughfare of steam and electricity. The time has been so short, that it is difficult to realize that so great a change has been wrought. In less than a quarter of a cen- tury, a city has sprung up from a loathsome swamp, where least of all, the traveler would dream of such an event. There has never been anything like extra exertion to increase the size of the town-its growth has been steady, healthy and uniform. Through all periods of pecuniary adversity, it has passed its onward career, with a greater demand for dwellings. Its business, from year to year, has increased with great reg- ularity. As new stores were opened, customers increased, and as trade extended itself, the country became more dependant upon Syracuse as a market. Although this has been the course and consequent increase of business and population for near twenty-five years, the same characteristics still exist, and it is no unreasonable prediction to remark, that the growth may be even more rapid for the succeeding twenty-five years, than it has been for the last twenty-five. "Westward the star of em- pire lies." The Capitol of the Empire State, will undoubt- edly, within that period, be removed to the Central City, and there may be many now living, who will witness the inaugu- ration of Governors, and the organization of Legislatures, in the city of Syracuse.
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CHAPTER XV.
NOTES ON THE SEVERAL TOWNS OF ONONDAGA COUNTY.
ONONDAGA-SALINA-GEDDES-LYSANDER-CICERO-CLAY-MANLIUS-DE WITT- CAMILLUS-ELBRIDGE-VAN BUREN-MARCELLUS-SKANEATELES-POMPEY - LA FAYETTE-FABIUS-TULLY-OFISCO -- SPAFFORD
TOWN OF ONONDAGA .- This town was incorporated in the year 1798, and was made up of parts of the two tracts of land known as the Onondaga and Salt Springs Reservations. The first permanent settlers, after Ephraim Webster, were Messrs. Asa Danforth and family, and Comfort Tyler.
In the month of February, 1788, Mr. Webster, in company with two Indians, proceeded on a hunting excursion into the lower part of Montgomery County. Late one afternoon they came to a small clearing in the town of Mayfield. They here met a man who lived at no great distance, and desired a night's lodging in his barn. He refused them this privilege, but in- sisted they should accompany him to his house and spend the night by the fire. They consented, threw off their snow shoes and were soon partaking of a hospitable meal prepared by the lady of their host. During the evening's conversation, Web- ster remarked, that he lived at Onondaga, a much more fruit- ful and inviting country than the one where he was located, and finally so much was said in praise of Onondaga, and so effectually each won the confidence of the other, that it was agreed Webster should solicit permission of the Indians for his host to settle on their lands, and if successful, Webster
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was to return or send an Indian to inform him of the fact. The man whom Webster so accidentally visited at this time, was Mr. Asa Danforth, who became emphatically the pioneer of Onondaga County. An Indian was dispatched in due time with information that Mr. Danforth could settle at Onondaga Hollow, and it was so arranged that he should come out im- mediately. Early in May, Mr. Danforth embarked with his family, house-hold goods, and farming utensils, in two flat- bottomed boats, accompanied by three boatmen, and after a tedious voyage up the Mohawk River, through Oneida Lake and River, and Onondaga Lake, landed at the mouth of On- ondaga Creek. Here they met Mr. Webster, and Mr. Dan- forth's son, Asa, a young man, who with Comfort Tyler had been sent across the country with the stock intended for the new settlement, and who had arrived some time in advance of the boats. The boats were here lightened of their freight and pushed up the creek to the place where Mr. D. settled, a little south of Onondaga Hollow, May 22d, 1788. The head civil chief of the Onondagas at this time, was called Ca-whic-do- ta, and the second, Ta-whis-quanta. The family of Mr. D. were treated with great kindness by these chiefs, notwithstand- ing which they were subject to many privations, and at times were much alarmed for their personal safety by the vindictive spirit manifested by the baser Indians, brought on by the free use of intoxicating drinks. There were two traders, Adam Campbell, and Alexander Mabie, who sold goods to the Indi- ans, and also strong drink, who resided at the Hollow. And it was a practice with many of the Indians to indulge in ex- cessive drinking, and while under the influence of the poison, were boisterous and ugly. Instances were not uncommon among themselves, to quarrel, fight, and kill each other upon the slightest provocation. Murders were not unfrequent, caus- ed by the use of intoxicating liquors, sold by the two white men. The chiefs and sober portion of the tribe wished hear- tily to be rid of them, for they were the cause of all quarrels, affrays and blood-shed. At one time, in the dead of night, the Danforth family were roused from their slumbers by the
-
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yells of the Indians, and before they reached the scene of strife, one lay dead, murdered by the hand of his own brother. The head chief, Cawhicdota, an excellent man, remonstrated with the traders for selling liquor to his people, and engaged Major Danforth and Comfort Tyler to use their influence to have them desist, but all to no purpose, the traffic was still continued ; and what was worse, the villains offered the Indi- ans a barrel of rum, and every Indian a new knife and toma- hawk, if they would drive Hatecolhotwas, (Major Danforth, the man who plows the ground,) and his family away. Upon this promise, a large number of Indians prepared themselves to carry the designs of the traders into execution. They had assembled at the castle, armed with their rifles and tomahawks. One seized a burning brand, and all were soon on their way to the house of Major Danforth, bent on the destruction of the family and their habitation. The good old chief, Cawhic- dota, found means of communicating the alarm to the family, boldly interposed his authority in their behalf, and finally suc- ceeded in quieting their rage, and in inducing them to relin- quish their unhallowed design. Long and faithfully the old chief watched these nefarious traders, and his faithless clans- men. He kept continually advised of any hostile movements, and as often conveyed the evil intelligence meditated against his white friends; and it was entirely owing to his authority and kindness that the whites were preserved from destruction. Such was one of the many instances of peril and alarm with which this family were frequently visited. Amid such scenes of trial and suffering, it is not unnatural to suppose that a woman, who had been bred among the comforts and luxuries of civilized life, should have a desire to visit her once cheer- ful home, surrounded as it was by friends and companions, made delightful by former social intercourse. Still she mur- mured not, nor did a syllable of regret escape her lips. Seven long and dreary months had passed and she had not so much as seen the face of a white woman. It is true, the Indian women showed her no little kindness, but they could not be her companions, they spoke not her language; their conver-
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sation was by signs ; there could be no kindred sympathy nor congenial spirit. In December a visit was proposed to their former home. Major Danforth, with his wife and child, set out on a sled, with an axe-man before to clear the way. The first night they lodged " on board" at Chittenango. The next night they were the honored guests of the hospitable Skenan- doa, at Oneida Castle ; the third night they lodged with their esteemed friend, Judge White, their nearest white neighbor at Sadaquate. The greeting was a joyful one, old tales were revived, the cheering smile of welcome was heartily extended, their hearts were made glad, their ages were renewed, old things were done away, and all things became new ; and none but those who have experienced like privations can appreciate or realize their joy. After a short stay, they proceeded to Brookfield, Massachusetts, the home of her childhood. About the middle of March, their visits being completed, they set out for home, and arrived after an absence of about three months. During their absence the male portion of the family had provided for themselves ; their household duties had not had the assistance of female hands, nor their wardrobe felt the touches of female dexterity. It was a time of universal rejoicing ; even the savages most heartily welcomed them back.
The spring of 1789 opened propitiously. Active prepara- tions were made for the cultivation of spring crops. Pota- toes were brought from Whitestown for seed. Their own crops were put in ; the lands of the Indians were prepared, sowed and planted after the fashion of the whites. The young men, Tyler and Danforth, Jr., now thought it expedient for them to visit the land of their birth, for they had left behind them at- tachments of the tenderest kind. Matrimony was intended, and it would have been most cruel to interpose objections. They departed in high spirits, and in due time returned with their wives, and Mr. John Brown and family. In the course of events Mr. and Mrs. Asa Danforth, Jr., became the father and mother of the first white child born in the county, the late Mrs. Amanda Phillips, wife of the late Col. Phillips, of
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Syracuse, and mother of Mrs. Outwater. She was born 14th October, 1789. Prospects became more cheering, these were additions that made society-society happy, cheerful and gay. The former gloominess of their situation was in a good degree dispelled. But upon all this there was a draw-back. These pioneers suffered severely for want of a variety of food. The nearest place at which flour could be obtained was at Herki- mer, seventy-five miles distant, no mills as yet having been crected nearer. The first substitute for a mill, was made by Major Danforth, in a white oak stump, near his house. It was dug out about three feet deep and two feet in diameter. Half a bushel could be ground at a time, by means of a huge wooden pestle, worked with a spring pole, in appearance not unlike an old fashioned well-sweep. After the grain had been pounded awhile, it was the custom to sift the finer particles out, and return the coarser to undergo a further grinding. Wheat was sometimes pounded in this way, but could not be converted into flour; it was used for puddings and coarser cookery, not for bread. Wheat flour brought from Herkimer was used sparingly, and in cases of sickness. 'Not long after- wards, Major Danforth purchased a small hand mill, with which to grind his wheat. It was not much larger than a good sized coffee mill ; the hopper would hold perhaps half a peck ; with this they converted some wheat into ordinary flour, but it had all to be sifted.
About this time Major Danforth, journeying eastward, stopped at a public house on the Herkimer flats. The land- lord's name was Shoemaker. A colored man came to him and said, " wont you buy me, massa ?" "What is your name ?" "Jack Shoemaker, sir." "Do you think you can learn to grind corn in my stump mill, Jack, and grind wheat in my hand mill ?" "O yes, massa, me learn quick-me know how to work in mill now, massa." He concluded the bargain with Jack's master, procured some provisions for him, and sent him on to the Hollow, giving him a letter to carry to his new mis- tress. You must go in, Jack, and tell her you belong to mas- sa Danforth, and ask her where is the mill in which you are
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to grind corn. Jack made all possible diligence, and in due time arrived at the Hollow. He stood a long time and looked at the house, doubting whether it could be the right place ; every thing answered the description exactly, but there was no building towering up, to Jack's notions of a mill. He therefore trudged on eighteen miles further, to the house of Mr. Josiah Buck, then the nearest neighbor west. He show- ed the letter to Mrs. Buck, who quickly judged his mistake, kindly kept him till morning, and set him on the road back again, charging him to stop at the house by the creek, which was the right one, and ask his mistress where his master's mill was; all of which Jack good humoredly performed. But the . reader must judge of the poor fellow's consternation when told, that the only mill in the country was in that large oak stump, in front of the door, with a huge pestle attached to a sweep. At that early day many of the ablest inhabitants, held colored persons as slaves, whose duty it was made to pound the corn, a task of no ordinary accomplishment. Hence the origin of the term " niggering corn"-now obsolete. Not satisfied with this mode of doing things, Major Danforth's mind was bent on erecting mills of his.own, which he thought would prove a great inducement to people to settle in the country. Accordingly, in 1792, he went to Utica, employed hands and commenced building a saw-mill. He had in 1791, became possessed of the lot number eighty-one, township of Manlius, (now De Witt,) moved there temporarily in the spring of '92, and during that summer, erected the first saw mill in the county, on the Butternut Creek, about a mile north of Jamesville, (now Dunlop's Mills.) The workmen brought on foot all the necessary gearing for the mill, and Indians were em- ployed to bring nails from Utica. The mill was first covered with bark. Major Danforth brought the saw from Old Fort Schuyler on his shoulder. No boards were used in the county till they were sawed at this mill. In 1793, Major Danforth erected his grist mill, near the saw mill. This work progress- ed much more expeditiously than the first, for much of the timber, and all other lumber, was readily prepared at the saw
B 8
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mill. One of the greatest inconveniences was, that there was no road by which to bring on the stones, bolt, and other bulky and heavy articles ; however, all obstacles were over- come. Hands were hired as far off as Utica and Whitestown. It took over a week to accomplish the raising, which was at- tended by able bodied representatives from every settlement within twenty-five miles around. Bark huts were erected for their accommodation, and so great was the anxiety of the scattering inhabitants of the surrounding country, to have these mills completed, that several men labored faithfully many days without pay. After the raising, the whole number pre- sent were formed in line, by the master builder, Mr. Abel My- rick, and mustered sixty-four all told, including Indians. At the raising of these mills, the old fashioned practice of using strong drink on publie occasions, was followed. The article used at this time, was St. Croix rum ; the beverage, whiskey, at that early day, was not known. The flowing bowl had passed freely, and the spirits of all were buoyant. At the conclusion of the labors of raising, it was resolved to have the sharpness of the liquor modified, by the addition of sweeten- ing. Molasses and sugar were eagerly inquired for, but neither were to be found, and such was the scarcity of these commodities, that they were most diligently sought for in vain. Black-strap, sling, toddy, punch and egg-nog, were not to be had in their usual forms. Nothing daunted, they determined on employing a substitute. A consultation was held as to what it should be,-the result of their deliberations was, that as neither sugar, molasses or honey, could be procured, Indi- an meal, being the sweetest known substance in the country, it should be the substitute. Accordingly the rum was mixed with Indian meal-the improved beverage flowed merrily around-all declared it was the very best the country afforded, as it served a three-fold purpose, viz. : drink, vietuals, and if too freely used, it provided lodgings also. From this time forward Major Danforth's reputation became established as a thorough-going business man, ever ready and willing to em- bark in all the important improvements of the country, and
TOWNS .- ONONDAGA .- ASA DANFORTH. 115
henceforth became identified with every thing interesting and useful. The adventures, trials and labors of Major Danforth and family, would of themselves furnish materials for an in- teresting volume.
ASA DANFORTH, was born at Worcester, Massachusetts, July 6, 1746. ' He early evinced a desire for military distinc- tion, and enrolled himself in the militia, at the age of four- teen. At the commencement of the war of the Revolution, he entered upon the service of his country with a captain's commission, in command of a company of militia. He be- longed to the regiment of Col. Danforth Keys, and was en- gaged in the battle of Lexington. The official papers of Capt. Danforth were preserved by him to the close of the war, and have since been placed among the archives of the Historical Society, at Worcester, Massachusetts, where they still re- main.
At the instance of General Israel Putnam, Capt. Danforth joined the army of the United States, and served through the war as we have been informed, with a Major's rank and com- mission.
At the time he entered the army, he was the owner of ex- tensive iron works, which property he sold, and received his pay for, in Continental money, which soon after depreciated ; and, at the close of the war, he found himself destitute of property. This was the cause of his leaving Massachusetts, and of his seeking a new home, whereby his shattered fortune might be repaired. He located himself in the town of May- field, Montgomery County, where he spent a few years, and where he had his first interview with Mr. Webster.
General Danforth occupied a wide space in the early his- tory of Onondaga County. His whole life was one of event- ful interest. He passed through all the trials and sufferings incident to a patriot and soldier of that " mighty period which tried men's souls"-the American Revolution ; and, after having lost the means of securing for himself and family, a competent support through life, by his earnestness to serve
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his country, he was forced, as it were, penniless upon the world. In this hour of his adversity, his fortitude and cour- age never forsook him. These traits, with which in a re- markable degree he was endowed, enabled him successfully to stem the torrent of disappointment and misfortune, and ex- emplified in a remarkable manner, the steadfast resolution and indomitable perseverence of the man. Nothing daunted, he pushed far beyond the abodes of civilized men, and voluntarily shared all the toils and dangers attendant upon the life of a forester, isolated from the blessings of civilization, in a land inhabited only by savages. With a character, bold, deter- mined, independent and uncompromising, where his own inte- rests and the good of his fellow men were to be advanced ; with a physical constitution capable of enduring every vicissi- tude of climate and fatigue ; with a mind thoroughly imbued with every lofty sentiment of courtesy and honor comporting with the dignity of a citizen and a soldier, he was most ad- mirably calculated to assume the high responsibility and posi- tion of a pioncer in a wilderness land.
Upon his arrival at Onondaga, he found himself and his family the only white persons (except Webster) in the country. Judge White at Sadaquate, (Whitesboro) fifty miles distant, was his nearest neighbor on the east. A British garrison was still kept at Oswego, which took every occasion to foment discords and jealousies between the Indians and their new neighbors, which was a source of continual annoyance to them. The tide of emigration had not then set towards the wilds of western New-York. Single-handed and alone, he encountered the hardships, privations and discouragements of a frontier settler, and prepared the way for others less bold and adven- turous than himself ; and, as the lonely woodmen, one by one wended their way into this land of promise and prospective plenty, this fatherly man kindly took them by the hand, wel- comed them on, and pointed out to them the most favorable places for habitation.
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