USA > New York > Onondaga County > Past and present of Syracuse and Onondaga County, New York : from prehistoric times to the beginning of 1908 > Part 13
USA > New York > Onondaga County > Syracuse > Past and present of Syracuse and Onondaga County, New York : from prehistoric times to the beginning of 1908 > Part 13
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).
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 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72
De Nonville planned to have such prisoners at once, and though the details of his treachery are confused. all agree that the methods were disreputable. He employed Jean de Lamberville to draw the Iroquois chiefs to Fort Fronte- nae for a conference, and then seized sixty men, thirteen of whom he sent to France. He said "the poor father, however, knows nothing of our designs." and left him to his fate. The Onondagas were of the same opinion, having known the missionary long. The chiefs told him they knew him incapable of treachery, but the young warriors might be less considerate, so they escorted him to a place of safety. This may be said to have ended the Iroquois missions here, all but the Lambervilles having been for some years withdrawn. There were brief visitations later, but not on the old scale.
1
100
PAST AND PRESENT OF ONONDAGA COUNTY
CHAPTER X.
FROM DE NONVILLE'S INVASION TO THIE PEACE OF UTRECHT.
De Nonville's invasion of the Seneca country made no great difference. Corn was destroyed. but it grew again; houses were burned, but quickly rebuilt. Bis treachery enraged the Fropuois and drew them closer to the English. Through Dekanissora the Onondagas proposed an English fort at Oswego, and were themselves assured of full protection. Indeed, the Onon- dagas wanted cannon for their new fort on Butternut creek, but the English thought this nseless, and none were sent.
The usual eanses for the removal of an Iroquois town had led the Onon- dagas to leave Indian hill. Lamberville told of what he saw when he came to Onondaga in 1681: "On my arrival I found the Iroquois of this village occupied in transporting their eorn, their effects and their cabins to a place two leagues distant from their former residence, where they had dwelt for nineteen years. They make this change in order to have there their firewood in convenient proximity, and to secure fields more fertile than those that were abandoned. This is not done without difficulty: for, inasmuch as carts are not used here, and the country is very hilly, the labor of the men and women, who carry their goods on their backs, is consequently harder and of longer duration. To supply the lack of horses the inhabitants of these forests render reciprocal aid to one another, so that a single family will hire sometimes eighty or one hundred persons; and these are in turn obliged to render the same service to those who may require it from them. or they are freed from the obligation by giving food to those whom they have employed."
Hotreouate, or Garangula. and other Onondagas, met De Nonville in Mon- treal in June, 1688. The chief was very haughty, and the French again abandoned the Illinois. a declaration of neutrality being made. He was to come again, but a strategem prevented this. Kondiaronk, or Adario. a IFuron chief. called the Rat, did not wish for peace between the Iroquois and the French. He waylaid the ambassadors at La Famine, killing one, capturing the rest, and pretending surprise when told of their errand. He gave all but one liberty, and said the French had told him what to do. The prisoner retained he caused to be shot by French soldiers: taking care that an account of this should reach Onondaga. This led to the bloody war of 1689. the darkest page in Canadian history.
In that year the Iroquois fell upon the island of Montreal like demons. Nothing withstood them till they were at the eity gates. Forts Frontenac and Niagara were abandoned, and all seemed doomed to destruction. In this dark hour Count Frontenac came back to his old post. and hope revived. A vigorous old man. he was the only one capable of dealing with the Indians. and his power was soon felt. England and France were soon at war. with the Iroquois on the side of the former. In 1690 the Onondagas reminded the Freneh that they still held some of them prisoners. Four had been eaten, but
10]
PAST AND PRESENT OF ONONDAGA COUNTY
they spared the rest to show that they were better than the French, who had tortured some of their men. That year a great council was held at Onondaga, deseribed only by Colden and Smith, and very unwisely, on the English part, "no person of note, that had any influence on the Indians, went." Unfortu- nately the changes in the royal dynasty created dissensions in New York.
In November of that year a commission was given to "Aernout Corne- lisse Viele, resident agent among the Indians at their court of Onondaga; Gerrit Luyeasse to act as agent till Vielle arrives." Chevalier d'Eau had been sent there in June with four Freuchmen and four Indians, to draw them to the French side, and the English wished them sent to Albany. On this "the Five Nations, being met by their chieftains together at Onondague aforesaid (which is their court), seized them and bound them instantly, despoyling them of all their money, presents, and what they had, presenting them to the Sinneks, Coiegues, Oneydes and Maeguaes, each one of the French men to be treated in their barbarous manner." D'Eau was given to the English and allowed to escape.
Next year a Mohawk brought news from Canada that there was "a designe to goe out and fight against Onondage and thirty praying Indians were ready to goe ont the next day to annoy the Onnondages." Frontenac told the Indians he would go with a large force against the Five Nations, "and fall upon them vizt first on the senuckaes, and then on the Cayougas, Onnon- dages, and Oneydoes, and passe by the Maquaes and soe come down and fall on the Christians at Albany."
In 1692 Kanadgegai or Black Kettle, a noted Onondaga chief, headed a party at the Long Sault, making another successful dash July 15. Canada was in constant alarm. Charlevoix said this chief overran the country "as a torrent does the lowlands, when it overflows its banks, and there is no with- standing it. The soldiers had orders to stand upon the defensive within their forts." That year his wife was killed while trying to escape from a mission town in Canada.
A prisoner, escaping from Onondaga in 1693, said there was now a strong fort there, built by the English, and having eight bastions and three rows of palisades. There is no record of this otherwise, but a warrant was issued to Peter Schuyler for making a well there in 1695.
In June. 1692, the Iroquois renewed the covenant with the English, desir- ing that the important blacksmith's anvil might be retained at Onondaga, and a smith live there. This became a heated question later.
In August, 1693, Direk Wessel attended a council at Onondaga, and Aqueendera, chief sachem there, was brought in by four men. He is better known as Sadekanahtie. A blacksmith was sent there in November.
In February, 1694, a council was held in the street in the city of Albany. The Onondaga chief could not be present because of sickness, which Colden thought a convenient exeuse. He was helpless the summer before, and when this Albany conneil was proposed. "the Onondages replyed, no. let us send for Quider hither with the Maquaes, since Kagueendaronda is not fit to travail." Nothing important was done.
.
102
PAST AND PRESENT OF ONONDAGA COUNTY
Two Onondagas now went to Canada to see if Iroquois deputies would be well received. One was a nephew of Hotreonate. Dekanissora followed in May, with two chiefs from each nation. The Onondaga speaker was a favorite and had every attention. They returned home in June, but were recalled. "All were every day, while they staid in the place, entertained at the governor's table, or at the tables of the most considerable officers. Decanesora, on his side, made a good appearance, being eloathed in scarlet, trim'd with gold, and with a laced bever hat on his head, which had been given him by Colonel Fletcher."
These and other things seriously alarmed the English. Governor Fletcher wrote to the other colonies, saying there was no safety but in united effort. New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts responded, and a couneil met at Albany in August, opened by Dekanissora with a song of peace. Rode, the Mohawk, and Sadekanahtie, the Onondaga, spoke.
In a council at Onondaga in 1695, Agueendera, or Sadekanahtie, spoke severely on European pretensions. Ile said: "We, warriors, are the first and the ancient people, and the greatest of you all. These parts and countries were all inhabited and trod upon by us, the warriors, before any Christian (then stamping hard with his foot on the ground, he said). We shall not suffer Cedarqui to be inhabited again." All that summer, however, seven hundred men were repairing that fort, preparing it for the coming year.
Before Frontenac left Montreal to attack Onondaga in 1696, four Onon- dagas were burned there. Ilis force consisted of sixteen hundred French and four hundred and sixty Indians, occupying four hundred boats. The Indians were mostly with the vanguard, which changed every day. A horse was brought for M. de Callieres, who was lame, and the artillery consisted of two small eannon and two light mortars. The army left La Chine July 6, reaching Fort Frontenac twelve days later, and remaining there till July 26. On the 28th it was at Oswego. One night the troops encamped there and then breast- ed the rapid river. Fifty scouts seoured the forests on either side of the stream, close to which marched the main body. Hard work it was pushing the bateaux against the strong eurrent, but the second day brought them to Oswego falls, and the portage began. There the enthusiastie Indians seized the eanoe in which the aged count sat, lifted it from the water, and bore it with shouts to the quieter water above.
Some battalions did not pass till July 31, making about ten miles after this, probably reaching the favorite eamping ground on the site of Phoenix. They were on the east bank, crossing Oneida river next day, and landing on the east shore of Onondaga lake before night. On the way they found a "descriptive drawing of our army on bark, after the manner of the Indians, and two bundles of cut rushes, indicating that fourteen hundred and thirty- four warriors were waiting for us."
The songs of the voyageurs enlivened the trip up the river. Boat after boat took up the old boatman's song, "En Roulant Ma Boule."
103
PAST AND PRESENT OF ONONDAGA COUNTY
"Derrier' cheznous, ya-t-un etang, En roulant ma boule.
Trois beanx canards s'en vont baignant,
Rouli, roulant, ma bonle roulant.
En roulant ma boule roulant. En roulant ma boule.
"Trois beaux canards s'en vont baignant, En roulant ma boule. Le fils du roi s'en va chassant, Rouli, roulant, ete.
When the dozen verses came to an end others took up another song, and there rang ont :
"Dans les prisons de Nantes (bis) Lui ya-t-un prisonnier, gai, faluron, falurette, Lui ya-t-un prisonnier, gai, faluron, donde.
"Que personn ne va voir (bis) Que la fill' dugeolier, gai, faluron, failurette," etc.
More plaintive was the sound when another song told of separation, for some might not return :
"Il n'est point dans la danse, il est bien loin d'ici ; Il est dans la Hollande : les Hollandais l'ont pris, Gai lon la, gai le rosier du joli mois de Mai."
The picturesque army entered the lake in two divisions, remarking how easily the outlet might be defended. They coasted both shores and landed on the east, where the mission house had been. So well had the land been cleared that they had to go nearly a mile for suitable timber for their fort. This was quickly traeed out and was completed in two days. August 3d the army advanced a mile farther, carrying their cannon across the marsh, and Ley and Bear creeks. That night, says the journal, "we encamped at a place called the salt springs. which in truth they are. They produce enough salt to make us wish they were near Quebec."
This eamp was in what is now the First Ward of Syracuse, probably touch- ing Washington square. Two Senecas had deserted. carrying such reports of the Freneh army that the Onondagas burned and evacuated their town on the evening of August 2, the French seeing the light from the lake. It was on the east side of the reservoir, a mile south of Jamesville. Frontenae described the fort "as an oblong, flanked by four regular bastions. The two rows of stoek- ades that touched each other were of the thickness of an ordinary mast, and outside, at a distance of six feet, stood another row of much smaller dimen- sions, but forty or fifty feet in height."
The army formed at sunrise in two divisions, August 4, the artillery being in the center of the first, while Count Frontenac was borne in a chair between the two. The most probable route would be not far from Lodi street, a little east of Oakwood, and thenee not far from the Jamesville road, if not along it.
104
PAST AND PRESENT OF ONONDAGA COUNTY
So hard a road was it that it took from sunrise to sunset of an August day to reach the town. On the return the army left Onondaga August 9, camping near the east line of Syracuse, midway to the fort, which was reached and destroyed next day.
Three days were spent at Onondaga in cutting down the corn, which ex- tended from four to five miles from the fort. Caches were pillaged, filled with grain and goods. An aged Onondaga was tortured on the spot. The official account says that when a savage gave him some euts of a knife as he stood in the flames : "I thank thee, " said he, "but thou oughtest rather to complete my death by fire. Learn, French dogs, how to suffer; and ye savages, their allies, who are dogs of dogs, remember what you will have to do when you occupy a position like mine." The French were impressed by his fortitude.
This is the account usually followed, differing widely from that of Lamber- ville, who saw his death and knew him well. Indeed he had baptized him when last there, and described him as a benevolent and devout old man, who had been kind to the French. His Canadian relatives asked a quick death for him, the French insisting on a slow fire.
The French made quick time down the river. the water of which was falling. They lost their times and harvests; the Indians their bark houses and erops, but the English made good part of this loss.
Charlevoix gave a graphic account of Frontenac at this time, representing him as a jealous, peevish and obstinate old man. At first he proposed going to Cayuga, destroying the towns and building French forts, not a difficult task. All approved and some volunteered to remain. Before night he resolved to go home, in spite of all remonstrances. To these he replied: "They want to ob- seure my glory, and it is tine that I should take a little repose." Charlevoix added "that no one of the projects which he formed for completely humbling them succeeded." All went on as before.
"That the Onondagas did so little to annoy this expedition may be aseribed to the existence of a large French party among them. They certainly were not laeking in courage, but the abandonment of their fort was the only sensible course. Albany was much alarmed by the event, and Governor Fletcher proposed sending a foree in pursuit, but this was thought useless. Supplies of eorn, however, were not sent down the Hudson till the needs of the Onondagas were relieved. They hunted on the Susquehanna till their fields could be replanted and their town rebuilt.
In February, 1697, thirty-three Oneidas went to live at Caughnawaga in Canada, and others wished to take the whole town there, but this the Onondagas wond not allow. resolving that none of their own people should live in Canada. In November they sent a peace embassy there, but this returned no prisoners and had a cool reception.
The peace of Ryswiek eame, and soon after, early in 1698, Black Kettle and his party were hunting near Fort Frontenac, having made peace with the French. Over thirty Onondagas were in this band. The French informed the Algonquins, who surprised the party, killing twenty, including Black Kettle and four chiefs, and taking eight prisoners, who were sent to Montreal. The
105
PAST AND PRESENT OF ONONDAGA COUNTY
Onondagas complained, but Frontenac flung their belt from him. The chief's death was a trifling matter; he would give them something worth crying about. Of Black Kettle's death Colden said: "After he was mortally wounded, he eried out, 'Must I, who have made the whole earth tremble, now die by the Ilands of Children ?' for he despised the Adirondacks."
Frontenac made some threats of a further invasion of Onondaga but Bellomont notified him that he would send troops to protect it, and Captain Nanfan. at Albany, was ordered to march at onee to any part of the Iroquois territory threatened by the French. The fiery old Frenehman died late in 1698, at the age of seventy-seven years.
Both French and English now saw the need of having agents at Onondaga. and at a great eonneil held there in April, 1699, Captains John Schuyler and John Bleecker, John Baptist Van Epps the interpreter, and Arnout Cornelisse Viele were present. The latter two remained for some time. The French had released all the Onondagas, but the young Indians kieked away their belts. Another council met in Albany June 13. and the Onondagas proposed the building of a fort in their country, and the sending of a minister there. Gover- nor Bellomont thought a sod fort with one hundred soldiers quite desirable.
In 1700 Father Bruyas wished to go among the Onondagas again, but Bellomont did not approve of this, justly fearing French intrigues; nor did he like the provisioning of Fort Frontenac by the Onondagas. That year, how- ever, Bruyas came to Onondaga when prisoners were exchanged, but did not remain.
Robert Livingston was at Onondaga in April. It was still east of Butter- nut ereek and was no place for a fort. The town itself must soon be moved for lack of fuel, and was sixteen miles from water unless they went to Kaneenda on Onondaga lake. The people were dejected and uneasy about the French. The French wished to build a fort at Kaneenda, and he thought the English should have one at Three River point.
Three commissioners, Peter Sehuyler, Robert Livingston and Hendrick Hansen came to the Onondaga fishing place on Chittenango creek, called Kachnawaacharege. April 23. This was near the site of Bridgeport. Three Onondaga saehems met them there. Agneendera was at his fishery beyond Oneida lake, but soon arrived. In a few days all went to Onondaga and were feasted there. The delegates remained for some time, refuting Freneh stories. Stories of poisoning were then prevalent, and Aqueendera went to live awhile on Schuyler's estate on this account, nor did he long survive.
At this time Ottawa ambassadors came to Onondaga to make peace for three strong nations. Governor Bellomont held a conference in Albany. August 20, with fifty Iroquois sachems. not allotted as in the condoling song. There were eleven of each nation except the Oneida, and this had six. They were glad to be promised ministers. The French clothed all whom they bap- tized. but probably the English would not do this.
Plenty of arms now came from England for the Iroquois, and five hundred pounds for the Onondaga sod fort. As much was appropriated by the colony,
106
PAST AND PRESENT OF ONONDAGA COUNTY
and Bellomont bespoke four hundred wheelbarrows and other tools, but no results followed. The Albany traders did not want it, nor did the French party among the Onondagas, which was quite strong. Thus when Colonel Romer came to select a site he was coldly received. and Dekanissora advised him to wait till all the Five Nations were consulted.
llis party reached Onondaga on horseback, September 26. and a house was assigned them, but when they wished for a canoe at Kaneenda, they could get none till October 3, when they went to Three River point. It was not a suitable place, and they next visited Kachnawarage, on the River Quohoek or Chittenango ereek, where a good site was found. This seems the high land on the Terwilliger farm, east of the creek and opposite lot 100, Cicero. A stockade was afterward built there. The British engineer went no farther west, but returned to Oneida and visited the carrying place belonging to that people. His map shows his route, and has some odd features. Onondaga lake is the Lake of Canada, usually called Kaneenda by the English, and Gannentaa by the French. Oneida river is the Onondages; Lake Erie is Swege, and Ontario is Cadraggua. Seneca lake is Senagrawen. and Cayuga is Techero. The village of Onondaga appears on the east side of Kachioiahte, now Butternut creek. The ledge, or perhaps lodge as in one journal, of Sachnawarage as on the map. is on Chittenango creek, here ealled Quiehook or Quohoek. Through some oversight Clark placed these on Oswego river, crediting the names to the early Jesuits. A nameless fort at Oswego was probably a later addition. The Cajouge river takes the place of the Seneca, while the latter enters the Oswego between the Oncida river and Lake Ontario. This map should be used in reading Romer's journal. The project fell through and after Lord Bellomont's death. it was agreed in 1702 that Lady Bellomont should refund the money the colony had raised for the fort.
An Iroquois embassy to Canada, early this year. had occasioned the visit of Marieourt, Bruyas and Joncaire. This deputation condoled Frontenac's death and asked that Bruyas and Lamberville might return. A council was held at Montreal July 18. with the Onondagas and Senecas, to arrange pre- luminaries. September S a treaty of peace was signed, thirteen French prisoners being brought back. At Onondaga Bruyas profited by the tone of Bellomont's message.
Dekanissora went to New York with Lieutenant Governor Nanfan in 1701, and had also dined with the Governor of Canada, who told him of his picture in Paris. These and other attentions pleased him, and the French were in favor again. Bleeeker and Schuyler were at Onondaga June 10, but the sachems would do nothing without a full house. June 19 Maricourt came again to Kaneenda, the landing place at Onondaga lake and eight miles from the town, to which he was eseorted by the sachems under the French flag. The English were invited, but would not go. Maricourt carried things with a high hand, and Bruyas was with him, to the great delight of his many friends. They were surprised to find Englishmen there. Dekanissora went to Kaneenda to arrange matters with them, and allowed all French captives at Onondaga to return. Some had married and would not go.
107
PAST AND PRESENT OF ONONDAGA COUNTY
That year Dekanissora made a shrewd speech in the council. He wanted good clothes to wear to church. A bearskin was not the proper thing. Also he would have a minister from those who soll the cheapest goods.
Aqueendera or Sadekanahtie had died during the winter, and his sue- cessor took his title. In the notice of the former's death he is called Sakoghs- innakichte, equivalent to the council name of the Onondagas. Nanfan now held a conference with the Five Nations at Albany, July 10, when the first Beaver land trust deed was given. covering an immense traet. This was done for their security. The new chief signed this, as he did the later one.
At a council in Philadelphia, April 23, 1701. Ahookassongh was present. and was called "the brother of the great Emperor of the Onondagas." William Penn had addressed a letter from London, June 25, 1682, "To the Emperor of Canada," intending the same ruler, which is eurious. He said :
"The Great God that made thee and me, and all the world, incline our hearts to love, peace and justice, that we may live friendly together. as becomes the workmanship of the great God. The King of England, who is a Great Prince, hath for Divers Reasons Granted to me a large country in America, which, however, I am willing to enjoy upon friendly terms with thee. And this I will say, that the people who comes with me are a just, plain, and honest people, that neither make war upon others nor fear war from others, because they will be just. I have sett up a Society of Traders in my Province, to traffick with thee and thy people for your Commodities, that you may be furnished with that which is good at reasonable rates. And this Society hath ordered their president to treat with thee about a future trade, and have joined with me to send their messenger to thee, with certain presents from us, to testify our willingness to have a fair correspondence with thee. And what this agent shall do in our names we will agree unto. I hope thou wilt kindly receive him and comply with his desires on our behalf, both with respect to land and trade. The Great God be with thee. Amen."
In 1702 Dekanissora said half the Onondagas desired a French priest, half an English. Lamberville had a house and chapel there in 1702 and Maricourt installed him in this. A smith and lay brother remained with him. He was well received by all except Dekanissora's family, and of them there are con- flieting accounts. The second Garakontie died that year, and Charlevoix said that the old chief "found more than once the means of defeating the intrigues of the English, and to him we were frequently indebted for safety in the most serious difficulties." His nephew became French agent.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.