USA > New York > Onondaga County > Past and present of Syracuse and Onondaga County, New York : from prehistoric times to the beginning of 1908 > Part 16
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 16
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May 18, Colonel James Montressor had orders to prepare plans for "three posts, to be made as follows : At the northeast end of Oneyda lake, fifty men ; at the west end of Oneyda lake, 50 do; at Oswego falls, 100 do. The above posts to be retrenched with a ditch and a blockhouse in the center, with flank- ers at each opposite angle, on which swivel guns are mounted." There was some change the same day, for the general "desired I would sketch plans of the several blockhouses proposed in the posts of the Mohoek river, Lake Oneyda and Oswego Falls, for fifty, one hundred and one hundred and fifty men."
There are no further specifications, but plans of the three posts still exist. The Royal Blockhouse, east of Oneida lake, was on the south side of Wood creek, near its junetion with Fish creek, appearing on maps as late as 1825. It is now locally forgotten, the ercek having cut into the site, but the place is
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easily recognizable. A bare trace of the Oswego Falls fort also lately re- mained, but the banks and diteh of Fort Brewerton are not only fairly well preserved, but are to be kept in good condition. Figures of all three are in "1 Set of Plans of Forts in America, 1765." The blockhouse was one, but inclosed in a rectangular palisade. The forts had the outline of an octagonal star.
General John Prideaux was to go against Niagara, and took his army of two thousand regulars and provincials to Oswego by the usual route. The foree embarked on Oneida lake June 21, passed Fort Brewerton June 23, and encamped at Three River point. It was the largest army that thus far had appeared in Onondaga. It was at Oswego Falls June 24-27, and left Oswego July 1,
Clark quoted an interesting manuscript relating to this expedition. it be- ing "the original orderly book of Sergeant John Degarimo, of the 44th regi- ment of Highlanders, company of Captain John MeKenzie, found among the archives of the New York Historical Society." The local part follows :
"On the 21st of June. 1759, General Prideaux and Sir William Johnson, with the army, set out from Oneida lake, on an expedition against Niagara. which terminated at Oswego, August 19, 1759, after the capture of that post.
"Boats, bateaux, etc., were prepared for the conduct of the whole army. Among which are mentioned masons, sawyers, bricklayers, wheelrights, colliers. carpenters, house and ship joiners, turners, blacksmiths, gunsmiths, etc .. etc. Orders were given to have all the bateaux ready in three divisions, each one to be numbered, as soon as a sufficient number of them shall be assigned to each. During the march, the most particular regard was paid to order and precision in discipline. On the 23rd, the army passed Fort Brewington, and encamped at Three Rivers. On the 24th, at five o'clock, A. M., all were ordered to be in readiness for the march. The piquet guard and quarter guard to march along the shore.
"24th arrived at the great falls and encamped, and remained there the 25th and 26th. On the 27th arrived at Oswego, and were engaged in procuring provisions, 28th, 29th and 30th, and in making preparations for the march."
Niagara surrendered July 25, but meanwhile there had been an attack on Oswego, of which M. Pouchot gave a graphic account. The English had left there about five hundred men, who, not having time to intrench themselves at once, had made a wall round their camp of barrels of pork and flour, of which they had a great supply. They felt quite secure, and most of them were scattered about entting wood for their fort. M. de la Corne brought a large body. of his men as far as where Fort Ontario had stood east of the river, and fired upon the English, who found their camp in confusion when they reached it. Those in the camp resisted. Had de la Corne followed his advance guard at once the English would have lost everything; but the Abbe Piequet thought it his duty to exhort and absolve the troops before they made the attack. Time was lost, the English flew to arms and placed themselves behind the barrels. The sur- prise thus failed, and the French retired. Had the attack succeeded Poushot thought Niagara would have been saved.
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The fall of Quebec soon followed. General Thomas Gage, of Boston fame, succeeded Prideaux in command at Oswego, having arrived there August 16. Before this Johnson was in command. August 13 the latter said: "I sent Captain Fonda, Lieutenant Hair, an interpreter, and others, to Onondaga, to eall the young men of that nation here, to go upon service. I sent a black belt of wampum by him to speak with, and to send it to the other nations from thence."
"Wednesday, 13. This day I sent some Onondagas to Swegatchie as spies. and on their return they are to bring me a prisoner if possible, for which they are to have one hundred dollars."
"Monday, 20. I gave General Gage a rough draft of the River St. Law- rence from Frontenac to the island below La Galette, drawn by the Red Head. an Onondaga Indian."
" Wednesday, 22. Captain Fonda returned from Onondaga with the Bunt and others of that nation, and tells me there will be about one hundred of that nation here tomorrow."
"Sunday, 26. The interpreter Prinduip arrived from Onondaga with about fifty warriors, and a number of women and children. Encamped them over the river, and sent them word I would meet them all this afternoon."
On the 30th he had a couneil with the Indians, and "privately spoke to Bunt. the speaker, and others, to encourage their young men to go upon immediate service. They said they would," and some went, Red Head among them. It was impossible. however, to get General Gage to do much, while Johnson wished immediate work. The latter said. September 20. "I have observed. sinee I gave my opinion for going to La Galette, that the General is not free or friendly with me, but rather shuns me," so he and the Indians soon went home. In consequence of Gage's slowness the French had ample oppor- tunity to fortify an island near Oswegatchie, and obstruct the way to Montreal.
Gage, however, did something, or thought of it at least the following spring April 22, 1760. he wrote on "The little use of taking men from Onondaga to reinforce the Falls, the men being as sickly at the one as at the other, and the former more likely of a visit from the enemy." Presumably this Onondaga was Brewerton, as being on the Onondaga. now Oneida river. This is the case in another letter of his to General Ilaldinand, dated May 5, 1760. "There must be a post at the Three Rivers and a large scow for the transportation of men and cattle ; the swamps between that and the Onondaga post must be bridged."
Early in 1760 all prepared for the final struggle. Governor de Vaudreuil collected all his strength at Montreal and on the river above. General Amherst planned three expeditions; one up the St. Lawrence from Quebec, one by way of Lake Champlain, the main army going by way of Oswego and the St. Law- renee. Of this body of ten thousand men he took personal command. He left Schenectady July 12, and was reinforced at Oswego by one thousand three hundred Indians. This was the greatest army that had visited onr borders. all traversing Oneida river.
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There are several journals of this expedition, one being that of Colonel Nathaniel Woodhull. Third New York Provincials. ITis notes on places here are brief, but may be given. July 3 they encamped at Fort Bull. "On the 4th we eneamped at the neck. on the 5th at the west end of Oneida lake, on the 6th at the Three River rift, on the 7th at the falls, and on the 8th we reached Oswego. General Amherst arrived here the next day. and on the 15th our vessels arrived from Niagara."
Mr. Clark quotes from another journal, aseribing it to Sergeant Degarinto. It treats of a division of troops under Colonel Woodhull. and made up of the 44th Highlanders, and others from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hamp- shire, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. The journal reads thus :
"July 6th, 1760, camp at Fort Brewington. No man to presume to damage anything belonging to the Indians on penalty of receiving one hundred lashes, without benefit of court martial. The officers commanding companies to give in a return of what number of bateaux, with the number of barrels each will contain, and of what species. That a man shall be assigned to each boat to stay with it all night. and keep her always bailed out, and that man is to be answerable for it. A return of the state of each company to be given in to- morrow morning, at six o'clock, to the sergeant major.
"Camp at Fort Brewington, July 7th. 1760.
"The third New York Regiment to be ready to embark on board their bateaux at half past nine o'clock, and to push off at ten o'clock. The sergeants to see that their men cook immediately.
"Camp at Three River rift (now Phoenix), July 8.
"R. O. A regimental court martial to sit immediately, to try such prison- ers as shall be brought before them, consisting of Captain Yates, president. Lieutenants Deneyek, Vrooman. Hanson. Caumon. members.
"The army proceeded to Oswego Falls and again encamped."
At Oswego all was bustle and preparation. The plaided Highlander, the Briton with his scarlet coat, the hunting shirts of the colonial troops, the blanket and phinnes of the Indian were everywhere to be seen. Boats were built, supplies hurried forward, while such men of note as Amherst, Gage aud Johnson encouraged all to zealous activity. On the 10th of August the army was embarked and eoasted the lake till the river was reached. On a fortified island near the site of Ogdensburg, Captain Pouchot awaited his foe with a handful of men. August 25 he surrendered and the way was open to Montreal. That also capitulated September 7. 1760, and the conquest of Canada was made.
Syracuse has furnished two curious relies of the closing seenes of the long war. One is a powder horn which belonged to William A. Plant, and which bears this inscription: "Solomon Plant, his horn. Made at Oswegatchie in Canada September ye 14, 1760." It was made on the return up the river by Mr. Plant's grandfather, then in the army and about twenty years old.
The other is also a powder horn, long in the hands of Mr. Alfred Higgins, , to whom it came as an heirloom from an ancestor who was at the taking of Quebec. He has plaeed it in the care of the Historical Association. On this
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is a conventional picture of "Queback", and this inscription : "Abraham Higgins, his horn. Maid September 27, 1759." Quebee was taken on the 18th. A great many of these historical powder horns were made during that impor- tant war.
The Moravian visits to Onondaga have been casually mentioned. but the following chapter will be devoted to a fuller account. They are little known and some journals have been but recently translated. For these reasons it seemed best to treat the subject by itself, restricting it mainly to Onondaga.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE MORAVIANS IN CENTRAL NEW YORK AND EARLY TRAVELERS
Count Zinzendorf landed at New York, December 2. 1741, reaching Phila- delphia on the 10th. He lost little time in expressing his opinion about the Indians, and in 1742 said: "The Onondagos are ye chief Nation in Reality ; ye Judah amongst their Brethern."
At London, March 7, 1743. he expressed himself more at length, after de- seribing the Mohawks and Senecas. "The second nation, and which properly governs the rest is the Nation of the Onondagos. Those are Philosophers and such as among us are called Deists. They are brave honest People who keep their word; and their general weakness is that they delight in Heroick Deeds: and this will be the main Difficulty in the way of their Conversion. to make them forget these their heroiek Notions; for they have the Principles of the old Romans, that they look upon every one as a miserable Creature, scarce worth a Thought, who will not submit himself to them. Their Govern- ment is very equitable and fatherlike, but who ever will not stoop to them they are ready to root out that Nation from among the Indians. On the other Hand they carry themselves very civil and orderly towards the Europeans (as may be seen from the Compacts between them) and altho' they in general hate the Europeans in their Hearts, and call them Assaroni or Assyrians (which is the same as Enemies) yet they have a particular Respect for several private Persons Nevertheless 'tis as much as an Indian life is worth, who belongs to their Nation, if he is discovered to have a good Reputation among the Europeans."
C'axhayton, an Onondaga principal chief, came to Philadelphia in February. 1742, and, with his wife and children, lodged fourteen days in Zinzendorf's house. The grand embassy eame June 30, and included thirteen Onondagas. Ile met the whole party of over ninety Indians soon after, or rather the twelve chiefs. Zinzendorf said: "I came into an House where all the Kings of these Nations were assembled together. Kackshajim was among them, with his Wife and little Child, who all 3 had been in my House at Philadelphia. The Child ran to me and fell about my Neck in the Presence of all the Indians, which made them look one upon another, and enquire among themselves how that came about." Another incident gave them still more pleasure.
Count Zinzendorf made a speech, and said that then Canassatego. "the chief of them, the King of the Onondagos spoke to me after this manner :
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"Brother, thou art come hither; we have known nothing of thee, nor thou of us; and thon art also come quite unexpectedly by us, as we by thee. The chief Spirit must have some hand in this. We hear that thou art come over Two Seas and over the great Sea, and that thou hast something to declare from the Great Spirit, and no worldly thing. We won'd only let thee know that thou and thy brethren when they come, shall always be welcome to us ; and tell us then what you have to say when you come. And as a Proof that thou and thy Brethern shall be welcome, we give thee this Fathom of Wampum."
This wampam was a string of one hundred and eighty-six white beads, carried to Onondaga by Bishop Spangenberg on his visit in 1745, white signify- ing peace.
Bishop A. G. Spangenberg set out from Bethlehem, Pa., May 24, 1745, with David Zeisberger and John Joseph Schebosch. At Tulpehoeken, the home of Conrad Weiser, they were joined by him. At Shamokin, Shikellimy, with his son Andrew, and Andrew Sattelihu. son of Madame Montour, were added to the party, making seven in all. June 10 the three Indians gave the three Moravians Iroquois names, as they could not pronounce those they had. "Span- genberg they named T'gerbitonti (i. e., a row of trees) ; John Joseph. Hajin- gonis (i. e., one who twists tobacco), and David Zeisberger, Ganousseracheri (i. e., on the pumpkin). By these names they were ever after known.
June 14 they were at Owego in New York, and followed Owego creek till they come to Tiatachschiunge creek (catatouk), which flowed from the north- west. Leaving this they erossed another creek the next afternoon, called Ganowtachgerage, and having gone over Prospeet hill, they found a creek at its foot, which flowed into the St. Lawrence. Beyond this they camped in the Dry Wilderness.
June 16 their course was east northeast, and early in the morning they passed Ganiataragachrachat, a small lake in Cortland county, beside five others beyond. They nooned at Lake Ganneratareske, in Preble, and camped at night at Oserigooch, the largest of the Tully lakes. The horses strayed to Ganneratareske, and this detained them till noon. "Soon after starting we got the first Onondaga water to drink, which tastes salty." After dinner they reached Onondaga, where they had a hearty welcome and were "invited into the King's house."
June 19. "In the evening the Indians paraded through the town to the mnsie of a couple of violins, flutes and a drum." The next night there was a dance in their honor. "The dance lasted three hours, and it appeared impos- sible for them to hold out so long. The men dance abreast, and the women follow, whoever can appear the most grotesque and leap the highest receives the most praise."
Shikellimy, Sattelihn, Weiser and Spangenberg went to Oswego, and on their return, except a detonr to Tiatachtout, where Weiser and Sattelihu left fhem, the party took the same road back to Pennsylvania.
A journey was made to Onondaga in 1750 by Zeisberger and Bishop Cam- merhoff, commencing in May. At Wyoming a Cayuga guide met them, with.
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CLINTON SQUARE PACKET DOCK IN THE EARLY '80s.
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his family, and they went up the Susquehanna with two canoes. The journal is full and cirenmstantial, but has never been published.
June 9 they reached Ganatocherat. a Caynga village on the Chemung, near Waverly, N. Y., staying there till June 12, when they started through the wilderness to the lake and towns of the Cayugas, reaching the latter on the 16th. The account of the journey is filled with picturesque incidents, but they have no special relation to Onondaga. . June 18 they set out for that im- portant town. It was literally a wilderness journey from Cayuga, without a dwelling all the long way. Imagination affects us and they remembered there were salt springs at Onondaga lake. The thought tinged the wilderness they were entering. "We named it the Salt Desert. because of the many salt marshes and salt springs we found there." They rode through the water at Owasco lake, meeting some Indians there. They also rode through the waters of "Lake Sganiatarees." Night found them at Nine Mile creek. at a spot they called the French camp, because the trees had been adorned with pictures by Canadian Indians. Next morning they crossed the ridge to Cedarvale, and the next one to Onondaga, calling them the Prince's Peaks, but giving no reason for the name. The one nearest Onondaga was the first.
Ganassatego was at the eouneil. but a room in his large house was quickly prepared for them. An English flag floated from a large pole in front of it. Meantime they were invited to the council, and went, finding there "a goodly assembly of important people sitting around their fire." They shook hands all around and were seated with the council. Their guide, "who, much aston- ished, had followed us at a distance, sat down near the door in order to listen."
Though kindly received, their business went on slowly. and they had time to look about. "David and I crossed the creek Zinschoe (to the east side). and passed through the rich corn fields, going up the creek to the house where Brother Joseph had lodged with his company when he was here. . At that time there were a munber of huts, of which we could still distinguish the sites and ruins, but only two houses remained standing."
On the bank of the creek they found a pleasant spot for their fervent prayers. "Then, resting on the promise of the Lord's presence, where two or three are gathered together in His name, we celebrated the Holy Communion, and we fully experienced the blessings of the promise. We named the spot the Brethren's Chapel in Onondago."
June 21 they had a consultation with Ganassatego, and told him what they wished said. "We seated ourselves on a tree, not far from his house, and made this onr Council Chamber." This was often done. a chief speaking for the one who brought the message. They went over it string by string, till all the wampum was understood. However, he did not wish to present the business at once, thought it was very simple, and they determined to make the Senecas a visit.
They started for the Genessee river June 24, and arrived in the evening at Skaneateles lake, "where we built a hut, for which we procured the bark at a great distance. To-day was St. John's Day, so we named our quarters
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The Pilgrims' Hut at St. John's Beach. We spent the evening in sing- ing hymns together, and then slept well."
The journey to the Genessee country is of great interest throughout, and has thrilling episodes, for they were in great danger part of the time. Besides this Caminerhoff was sick, and at times they were half starved. They could get no corn at Cayuga on their return, and consoled themselves with thinking this made their packs lighter. David shot a partridge on the way, and caught some fish in Skancateles lake, where they eamped again. Next day they were at Onondaga again, eating at every opportunity.
Their business had made no progress, but they got a hearing July 20, and received permission to have two Brethren live at Onondaga to learn the lan- guage. That day they left the town. The young people were surprised at the size of Zeisberger's paek, but Ganassatego told them that Cammerhoff "was a great man, not accustomed to carry heavy burdens." The chief took an affee- tionate leave of them. and they went on their way rejoicing. Cammerhoff added: "Our feelings in leaving Onondago we can scarcely describe. We actually felt some regret." That night they spent at the French camp. Next day they stopped at Skaneateles for a kettle they had left there, dining at Lake Achsgo (Owaseo), and reaching one of the Cayuga villages in the even- ing. Thence they returned as they came.
Three Moravians went to Onondaga in 1752, J. Martin Mack, David Zeis- berger and Gottfried Rundt. At Little Falls, on the Mohawk, they found one hundred Oneidas and Cayugas digging ginseng. Angust 10 they reached the last white man's house on the Mohawk, and the Indians warned them to go no farther. Next day a council was held on the matter, and they were allowed to proceed. August 18 they reached Anajot (Oneida). but the men were ab- sent, and they went on to Ganatisgoa, a Tuscarora town in Madison county. There they "found almost thirty houses, large and regularly built, with a wide street through the middle of the town."
Next day they passed through other Tuscarora villages, and the following day "eame to a place where many posts were standing, from which we con- eluded that a town must have stood there formerly. The old Seneca tokdl Brother David that when he was a child of eight years of age, Onondaga stood on the spot, but was burned by the French."
This was the old fort east of the Jamesville reservoir, burned in 1696.
They reached Onondaga that afternoon, and were well received. August 23 they appeared before the council, about thirty chiefs being present, and a Cayuga chief spoke for them on three strings of wampum. intoning the mes -. sage, as usual. The presents were divided into three parts for the three na- tions present. The Onondaga portion was then divided for Upper and Lower Onondaga. The strings of wampum-fourteen hundred black and fifteen hundred white-were also divided. The council met again at 4 p. m., and Zeis- berger and Rundt (Thaneraqueelita) were invited to live there for two years. learning the language. They could go to the Senecas and Cayugas also.
August 25 Maek set out on his return, escorted by his brethren. Next day they passed through Ganatisgoa and come near Anajot, passing through
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next morning and stopping on a hill a quarter of a mile beyond. "Here we must part. We sang some verses, wept like children, and blessed one another --- so we parted."
Ou their return that day Zeisberger and Rundt visited the Turearora towns of Ganatisgoa and Ganochsorage (Canaseraga), but camped on Chit- tenango creek, reaching Onondaga in good season the next day. August 30 Otschinachiatha. or the Bunt, visited them, being solicitous for their comfort. Ganatschiagaje would be their host, and they were invited to attend the coun- eils, that they might learn how business was done. There were French traders in the town, and they dug and sold ginseng to them. There was also nmich drunkenness.
September 7 a woman died. "Shortly after a number of old women as- sembled and began to weep and moan most pitifully. . . . For a certain time they were to lament every day at sundown, and every morning at sunrise." On the 10th a war party set off. "They marched through the town in order to make a display of their whole procession. David went to the creek and succeeded in eatching some fish. The Indians were surprised, as they were not in the habit of eatching any here." September 12. "We visited the chief, Hataehsoka, who takes great pains to teach us the language. David conversed much with him, and put down a number of words." September 23. "Most of the inmates of our dwelling went to Tiojataiksa, the nearest town." This was Tueyahdasso at Indian Orchard.
"October 1st. David went with one of our Indians to visit the town of Tiojatehso. situated on a hill four or five miles from here. Brother Joseph . (Spangenberg) had visited there seven years ago." On that occasion he bled the brother of Ganassatego, an operation of which the Onondagas were quite fond. The Black Prince died at this town on his way home from Philadelphia in 1749. It seems to have been an aristocratie kind of place, out of the way of trade and drunkenness. The latter was a curse, indeed.
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