USA > New York > Pioneer history of the Holland Purchase of western New York : embracing some account of the ancient remains > Part 44
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should be told that he had witnessed its entire conversion from a wilderness to what it is now, he would be incredulous, or regard either the country or the man a miracle. He has been the father of ten children, five of whom are married and settled upon the Purchase. Nelson K. Hopkins, Esq., of Buffalo, and T. A. Hop- kins, the present sheriff of Erie county, are his sons. Mrs. Hop- kins, whom he married in 1805, died in 1848.
The General says that Mr. Thompson, the surveyor, built the first saw mill at Williamsville in 1801; and the first dwelling house there; a block house, which has been clapboarded, and is still standing.
Our old friend, Mountpleasant, speaks of the advent of the Hol- land Company surveyors-the brisk times it made; he had seen previously but few white people, other than soldiers and emigrants to Canada. As soon as the surveyors had taken possession of " Bill Johnston's house at Buffalo creek," he applied to them for employ- ment, and was axe-man for one of the parties the first season. He says that Mr. Ellicott used to be called the "Surveyor General." Whiskey distilleries in early times were quite sure to follow settle- ment, but seldom preceded it. There was a distillery at Schlosser, while the country was in possession of the British; so says Mount- pleasant; and one of the first applications that Mr. Ellicott had for lands, came from one who dated his letter at Schlosser, and wished to turn out a copper still as the advance payment.
The following vivid description of a tornado, on the Alleghany, is contained in a letter from Benjamin to Joseph Ellicott, dated, "Camp, twenty-one and a half miles north of Pennsylvania line, July 29, 1799."
" While on the south side of the Allegany, we had small showers almost every day, but after crossing the river no rain fell till the 25th. I was at the Vista, in order to see if Mr. Cary was cutting in a right direction at 21} miles, (the place that my camp is at present,) when the thunder sounded from a distance, the clouds ascended, and I saw through the instrument the trees bond on the mountains, to the north, (distance four miles, ) but soon became obscured. I now prepared to receive it,-stripping from the hemlock the bark that had inclosed it for ages, which I placed against an old log, I crept under, when the rain came in torrents, the lightning flashed, thunder roared incessant, wind tearing from the sturdy trees their boughs, and dislocating others that had stood for many years apart, as if war had been declared against the forest; but at last the lightning ceased to glare, the thunder to sound terrific, and rain to fall in such abundance. I now crept out of my obscure but serviceable tenement, and cast my eyes along the avenue to the north, saw the mountain smoke with the late deluge, (the avenue on the south side of Allegany still invisible, ) I returned to camp (distance one
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mile,) the surface of the mountain covered with water foaming down every crevice, in cascades, till it found rest in the valleys below.
No part of the world can boast of a purer air than this place, and but few biting insects. The camp is at present on the top of a high hill or mountain, near a good spring."
Extract from a letter from Joseph Ellicott to Paul Busti, dated, New Amsterdam, July 15th, 1799 :-
" Our business regarding surveys, &c., is progressing with all dispatch, although the season is somewhat unfavorable on account of the abundance of wet weather. I expect to have six settlers placed on the road before I leave the woods. I have already had a great number of applications for those situations, and I intend to select such as I conceive the best calculated for the several stands.
" It is with pleasure I can add, that myself and all the people in the Genesee Purchase in the Company's employ, continue in good health, which blessing may you and your family long enjoy."
Extract of a letter from Paul Busti to Joseph Ellicott, dated Philadelphia, 15th August, 1800 :-
"The opening of the communication through the country, is a matter deemed of such importance, that it will not escape your attention, that the application of money for that purpose has been appropriated on a much larger scale than you thought necessary. By extending the amount of expenditures on that head, I mean to evince to you how much I am persuaded of the usefulness of having practicable roads cut out. The benefits of them being not only confined to the lands on which the present settlement is to be under- taken, but to those on which the two million acre tracts which afterwards are to be sold. You will have to take care that the roads to be laid out at present, are to be cut in such a direction as to become of general advantage to the whole country. The knowledge you possess of it will teach you where your attention ought to be most particularly directed. As I am speaking of roads, it will not be amiss to add a recommendation to you, that in making choice of the spot on which your office and residence is to be fixed, you will select a situation of an casy and convenient approach, so as to induce the emigrants to visit you."
In Nov. 26th, 1800, Mr. Ellicott was at Albany on his way west, from which place he informs Mr. Busti by letter, that he had issued handbills, offering a part of the Holland Company lands for sale, and that he is informed that many purchasers are awaiting his arrival. On the 17th of Dec. he had arrived at Canandaigua, from which place he writes Mr. Busti that he is informed that land sales in that region were brisk, the sales of the season having amounted to more than in any five seasons preceding.
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A portion of the handbill to which Mr. Ellicott alludes is copied. The issuing of it was the important step in the commencement of the settlement of the Purchase :-
HOLLAND LAND COMPANY WEST GENESEO LANDS-INFORMATION.
The Helland Land Company will open a Land Office in the ensuing month of September, for the sale of a portion of their valuable lands in the Genesee country, State of New York, situate in the last purchase made of the Seneca Nation of Indians, on the western side of Genesee river. For the convenience of applicants, the Land Office will be established near the centre of the lands, intended for sale and on the main road, leading from the Eastern and Middle States to Upper Canada, Presque Isle in Pennsylvania, and the Connecticut Reserve. Those lands are situate, adjoining and contiguous, to the lakes Erie, Ontario, and the streights of Niagara, possessing the advantage of the navigation and trade of all the Upper lakes, as well as the river Saint Lawrence, (from which the British settlements derive great advantage,) also intersected by the Allegany river, navigable for boats of 30 or 40 tons burthen, to Pittsburgh and New Orleans, and contiguous to the navigable waters of the west branch of the Susquehannah river, and almost surrounded by settlements, where pro- vision of every kind is to be had in great abundance and on reasonable terms, renders the situation of the Holland Land Company Geneseo Lands more eligible, desirous, and advantageous for settlers than any other unsettled tract of inland country of equal inagnitude in the United States. The greater part of this tract is finely watered (few exceptions) with never failing springs and streams, affording sufficiency of water for gristmills and other water works. The subscriber, during the years 1795 and 1799, surveyed and laid off the whole of these lands into townships, a portion of which, to accommodate purchasers and settlers, is now laying off into lots and tracts from 120 acres and upwards, to the quantity contained in a township.
The lands abound with limestone, and are calculated to suit every description of pur- chasers and settlers. Those who prefer land timbered with black and white oak, hickory, poplar, chestnut, wild cherry, butternut, and dogwood, or the more luxuriant timbered with basswood or lynn, butternut, sugar-tree, white ash, wild cherry, cucum- ber tree. (a species of the magnolia, ) and black walnut, may be suited. These who prefer level land, or gradually ascending, affording extensive plains and valleys, will find the country adapted to their choice. In short, such are the varieties of situations in this part of the Geneseo country, every where almost covered with a rich soil, that it is presumed that all purchasers who may be inclined to participate in the advantages of those lands, may select lots from 120 acres to tracts containing 100,000 acres, that would fully please and satisfy their choice. The Holland Land Company, whose liber- ality is so well known in this country, now offer to all those who may wish to become partakers of the growing value of those lands, such portions and such parts as they may think proper to purchase. Those who may choose to pay cash will find a liberal discount from the credit price.
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CHAPTER II.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-GENERAL AND LOCAL AGENTS OF THE HOLLAND COMPANY.
THEOPHILUS CAZENOVE.
He was the first General Agent of the Holland Company. Little is known of his personal history. When the Company made their first purchases of lands in the interior of this state, and Pennsyl- vania,-soon after 1790-he had arrived in this country, and acted as their agent. In all the negotiations, and preliminary proceedings, connected with the large purchase of Mr. Morris, of this region, the interests of the Company were principally confided to him. His name is intimately blended with the whole history of the title. When the purchase was perfected, he was made the General Agent, and under his auspices the surveys commenced. The author can only judge of him from such manuscript records as came from his hands. They exhibit good business qualifications, and great integrity of purpose. In all the embarrassments that attended the perfection of the title, he would seem to have been actuated by honorable and praiseworthy motives; and to have assisted with a good deal of ability, the legal managers of the Company's interests.
He returned to Europe in 1799, ending then his connection with the Company. His residence for a considerable period after this, was in London, after which, it was in Paris, where he died.
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PAUL BUSTI.
t alludes immen.
He was a native of Milan, in Italy; was born on the 17th of October, 1749. After receiving his education in his native country, he entered the counting house of his uncle in Amsterdam, where he afterwards established himself in business, married, and acquired a high reputation for business talents, industry and integrity.
About retiring from commercial life, and connected with one who was interested in the Holland Company Purchase, he was induced to accept the General Agency at Philadelphia. in the place of Mr. Cazenove; aud most faithfully and satisfactorily did he perform its duties, for a period of twenty-four years, -up to the day of his death, July 23, 1824. He left no children.
The author will here make a remark which is applicable not only to the general, but the local agents of the Holland Company. Of all that men leave behind them, after having been actively engaged in the affairs of this life, there is nothing that affords better tests of their characters and motives, than their private correspondence. It is here, that, in all the familiarity and confidence of private friendships - a necessary mutual reliance is indulged in - men are prone to throw off all disguise, and disclose the real motives by which they are governed. If indeed, they even here attempt the practice of concealment, it is seldom successful; what they would conceal will in some form or other, escape their precaution, and demonstrate itself.
Few opportunities could be as ample for applying this test as those the author has enjoyed, connected with the entire agencies of the Holland Company. He has had free access to the great mass of correspondence that passed between general and local agents: much of it was private and confidential. And from such evidences, he is prepared to say, that few enterprises have ever been conducted upon more honorable principles, than was that which embraced the purchase, sale and settlement of the Holland Purchase. In all the instructions of the general to the local agents. the interests of the settlers, the prosperity of the country were made secondary in but a slight degree, to the securing to their principals, a fair and reasonable return for their investments. The general policy adopted, its ultimate results, it will occur to speak of in another place; but here it may be remarked-and it is no greater praise than the historian is fully authorized to bestow-
LITH. OF WM ENDICOTT & CO. N. Y
C G. CREHEN
aul Bruti
PAUL BUSTI.
THE NEW YORK MOI . INKARY
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that which should not be withheld, -that in the entire history of settlement and improvement in our widely extended country, large tracts of the wilderness have no where fallen into the hands of individuals-become subject to private or associate cupidity -- where the aggregate result has been more favorable, or advanta- geous to the settlers.
The original proprietors-the eleven who constituted the prim- itive Holland Company -were merchants in the city of Amster- dam, (then in the Republic of Batavia.) They had little of the spirit of speculation; had acquired wealth by regular approaches to it; by careful investments and fair profits. They had spare capital and wished to invest it; their highest anticipations were perhaps, a realization of something near the per cent. interest which was generally fixed upon money in this country, instead of the then low per cent. that money yielded in Europe. And here it may be remarked, that considering the period of investment-1792 and '93-but ten years after the close of the war of the Revolution- these Dutch merchants were far in advance of the prevailing senti- ment in Europe, as to the success and permanency of the experi- ment of free government. We should respect their memories for such an earnest, at that early period, of confidence in the stability of our system.
Mr. Busti's agency, as it will be observed, commenced before the completion of surveys and the opening of sales; consequently it was under his auspices that settlement began. In his early in- structions to Mr. Ellicott, he proposed liberal measures-seems to have started upon the basis that the interests of his principals and the interests of the settlers were mutual. While he guarded strictly and with rigid economy, the one, his views and his munificence were liberal, in reference to the other. Mr. Ellicott acted under general instructions from him, as to the opening of roads, building of mills and public buildings; but when he advised, as he often did, additional measures of improvement, or increased outlays, he was quite sure to be seconded by his principal.
Next to Mr. Ellicott, Mr. Busti was more closely identified with the settlement of the Holland Purchase, than any other individual; his administration of the General Agency, embraced almost the entire period of pioneer settlement. The author knows little of his personal history. Saving the period of his mercantile enterprise in Amster- dam, the active years of his life were spent in the General Agency
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of the Holland Company; the records of that company, therefore, are his principal history. They furnish conclusive evidence of clear judgement, industry, great integrity of purpose, and a dis- position to promote the interest of his principals, and the prosperity of that region of wilderness he was assisting to settle and improve.
The following anecdote, which the author introduces as a note, answers the double purpose of getting a glimpse of the personal character of the General Agent, and of furnishing a succinct history of church benefices upon the Holland Purchase. The reader will bear in mind that Mr. Busti was a Catholic; and a liberal one it will be conceded, in view of his dislike of sectarianism.
NOTE .- In the fall of 1820, Mr. Busti was visiting the land office in Batavia; the Rev. Mr. R. of the Presbyterian sect called on Mr. Busti and insisted on a donation of land for cach society of his persuasion, then formed on the Holland Purchase. Mr. Busti treated the Rev. gentleman with due courtesy, but showed no disposition to grant his request. Mr. R. encouraged by Mr. Busti's politeness, persevered in his solicitations, day after day, until Mr. Busti's patience was almost exhausted, and what finally brought that subject to a crisis was, Mr. R's following Mr. Busti out of the land office, when he was going to take tea at Mr. Ellicott's and making a fresh attack on him in the piazza. Mr. Busti was evidently vexed, and in reply said " Yes, Mr. R. I will give a tract of one hundred acres, to a religious society in every town on the Purchase, and this is finis." "But" said Mr. R. " you will give it all to the Presbyterians, will you not; if you do not expressly so decide, the Sectarians will be claiming it, and we shall receive very little benefit from it." "Sectarians, no" was Mr. Busti's hasty reply, I abhor sectarians, they had not ought to have any of it, and to save contention, I will give it to the first religious society in every town." On which Mr. Busti hastened to his tea, and Mr. R. home (about sixteen miles distant) to start runners during the night or the next morning, to rally the Presbyterians in the several towns in his vicinity to apply first, and thereby secure the land to themselves.
The land office was soon flooded with petitions for land from societies organized according to law and empowered to hold real estate and those who were not, one of which was presented to Mr. Busti before he left, directed to " General Poll Busti," on which he insisted that it could not be from a religious society, for all religious societies read their bibles and know that P o double l, does not spell Paul. Amidst this chaos of applications, it was thought to be unadvisable to be precipitant, in granting those donations, the whole responsibility now resting on Mr. Ellicott to comply with this vague promise of Mr. Busti; therefore conveyances of the "gospel land " were not executed for some space of time, notwithstanding the clamor of petitioners for " deeds of our land " during which time the matter was taken into consideration and system- atized, so far as such an operation could be, pains was taken to ascertain the merits of each application, and finally a tract, or tracts of land, not exceeding one hundred acres in all, was granted, free of expense, to one or more religious societies regularly organ- ized according to law, in each town on the purchase, where the Company had land undisposed of, which embraced every town then organized on the purchase, except Bethany, Genesee county, aud Sheldon, Wyoming county, the donees always being allowed to select out of the unsold farming land in each town. In some towns it was all given to one society, in others to two or three societies, separately, and in a few towns to four different societies of different sects, twenty-five acres to each.
In performing this thankless duty, for the land was claimed as an absolute right by most of the applicants, the whole proceedings were so managed, under Mr. Ellicott's judicious directions, that amidst all the clamor and contention which, from its nature such a proceeding must elicit, no complaint of partiality to any particular sect, nor of the undue weight of influence in any individual was ever charged against the agent of the Company or his assistants acting under him.
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBR >
Astor, Leaves and 155)
ENDICOTT & CO N Y.
C G CREHEN
GJunderhemp
ANDEREEMP.
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HOLLAND PURCHASE.
JOHN J. VANDER KEMP.
This gentleman was the successor of Mr. Busti, entering upon the duties of general agent on the day of the death of his prede- cessor. He is a native of the city of Leyden, in the kingdom of Holland. His parents emigrated to the United States in 1788, and settled upon the Hudson, near Esopus, Kingston, Ulster county, New York. In 1794 the family changed their residence to the shores of Oneida lake, and soon after, to Oldenbarnevelt, in the town of Trenton, now Oneida county, where they enjoyed the society of Col. A. G. Mappa's family who were likewise emigrants from Holland, and of Mr. Gerrit Boon, who had commenced a settlement on the lands of the Company in the then county of Her- kimer, simultaneously with the commencement of another settle- ment about forty-five miles above Utica, by Col. John Linklaen, late of Cazenovia, Madison county. Col. Mappa having succeeded Mr. Boon in the land agency, Mr. Vander Kemp, early in life, entered the office as a clerk, succeeding H. J. Huidekoper, Esq., now of Meadville, Pennsylvania, who was appointed chief clerk in the office of the General Agency in Philadelphia. In 1804 Mr. Huidckoper accepted the agency of the Holland Company's lands in Pennsylvania, went to the Alleghany river, and Mr. Vander Kemp was called to occupy the situation vacated by him. He continued to occupy this position, until the death of Mr. Busti, in 1824, when he succeded him in the General Agency; having been before provisionally appointed as successor in case of resignation or death. Thus, as chief clerk, and General Agent, he has been connected with the affairs of the Holland Purchase of Western New York, from 1804 to the present period; or rather, was, until the final dis- posal of its interest.
As in the case of his immediate predecessor, he has little personal history beyond the records of the General Ageney. In succeeding Mr. Busti, he seems to have adopted his policy, and made him his pattern of strict integrity, and careful and judicious management. All that the author has scen coming from his hands; his correspon- denec, and business papers generally, are indicative of a high degree of business talents, and a matured and excellent judgment. He is well entitled to a full share of the encomium that has been already awarded, in the abstract, to the conduct of the General and Local Agencies.
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Those who have enjoyed a personal acquaintance with Mr. Vander Kemp, give him the praise of great amiability of character, intelligence, and fine social qualities.
The early clerk in the office of the General Agency, and 'the after General Agent, -one thus identified with almost the entire history of this region, is yet a resident of Philadelphia, in the enjoyment of a competency of wealth, and what is far better, the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens, and a numerous circle of acquaintance, beyond his immediate locality, acquired in the course of an extended and active life.
JOSEPH ELLICOTT.
His history is so intimately blended with our main subject, that little beyond personal biography, is required in a separate form. No man has ever, perhaps, been so closely identified with the history of any region, as he is with the history of the Holland Purchase. He was not only the land agent, superintending from the start, surveys and settlement-exercising locally, a one man power and influence-but for a long period, he was far more than this. In all the early years of settlement, especially-in all things having reference to the organization of towns, counties, erection of public buildings, the laying out of roads, the establishment of Post Offices-in all that related to the convenience and prosperity of the region over which his agency extended-he occupied a prominent position, a close identity, that few, if any Patroons of new settlements have ever attained.
His portrait-appropriately, as will be conceded-is made the frontispiece to our local annals; and the author congratulates himself, that the skill of the artists, has enabled him to present to the pioneers of the Holland Purchase, so correct a likeness of their old intimate acquaintance.
The physiognomist, or the more modern professor of the philos- ophy of intellect and its developments, will not fail to discover, in the head and face presented, quite enough to attract his attention. There is the ample forehead, the clear and expressive eye, the com- pressed lip, the whole contour of the face, indicative of no ordinary man. Chance made him the founder of new settlements, the ruling spirit of backwoods enterprise, and high achievements in the work
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of progress and improvement. Had it cast his lot elsewhere, given to liim other pursuits, other fields of action, his career would not have been one of mediocrity.
The ancestors of Mr. Ellicott, were Andrew Ellicott and Ann Byc Ellicott, natives of the town of Cullopton, in Wales. They came to this country in the year 1731. Andrew, who was a mem- ber of the society of Friends, had married Ann, who was not of that society; had committed an offence against the discipline of the society, termed "marrying out of Friends' meeting." He was "disowned." Deeming himself unjustly dealt by -alienated from religious and social ties-he resolved on emigration to the new world, the refuge of the persecuted of church and state. Tradi- tion awards to Andrew, the brief but comprehensive eulogy, " He was a man of high character in every respect-one indeed, of nature's noblemen." To Ann, the praise of being a "woman of great goodness-worthy of her husband."* The adventurers, with an infant son, landed in New York with what, in those times, was deemed a "considerable estate," purchased a tract of new land, and settled upon it.
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