The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 24

Author: Haddock, John A., b. 1823-
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Albany, N. Y., Weed-Parsons printing company
Number of Pages: 1098

USA > New York > Jefferson County > The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894 > Part 24

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).

The explanation of the phenomena ob- served here, that has seemingly puzzled several generations of white men, seems to be plain and simple. There is no necessity for bringing far-fetched theories to explain the observed facts.

Whoever has been to California and noted the appearance of the singular rings of earth, with their basin-shaped centers, that are known to be the remains of the old rancheras of the Digger Indians, can readily see here, in the close resemblances, the original forms of Indian houses belonging to the lower stages of barbarism, and prob- ably a more or less universal style of house belonging to this stage of advancement. usually occupied only during the winter months, or generally deserted for nomad life during the warmer summer months.

This style of house was constructed with a frame work of poles set upon end, inclining and meeting at the top and covered with dirt, leaving an uncovered space at the top, to serve for the exit of smoke. And very probably the original form of the later buffalo-hide lodge subsequently evolved from circumstances and conditions not present here. And it is to be remarked that this style of house really afforded better

protection in winter than the later long- house of the Iroquois, observed by white men upon the first settlement of the State. The writer once visited one of these dirt houses in California, large enough to hold several hundred people, but perhaps not larger than the remains of one of those observed at Perch lake.

Prof. Thomas has described the remains of similarly constructed houses in Missis- sippi, Alabama and Georgia, but his descrip- tion did not meet my eye until after I had explained to my own satisfaction the facts here observed ; but they tally exactly with my own views here given, except that this style of house must have been superseded here earlier than in the Southern States. I have also observed near Burrville, within a strongly fortified enclosure, circles of toad stools, that had grown up from organic matters, old bones, etc., buried in the soil, showing that similar round houses once existed within fortified enclosures, but un- fortunately both ditches and circles are now leveled by the plow.

The observed facts and the evidences suggest that here was, in reality upon our own soil, an older form of house than the long house used by the Iroquois, as seen later by the white men. There was observed no evidence of the remains of so-called mounds, as seen in Ohio and the Western States. The fact that these basin-shaped remains are now found here in such ahun- dance, and at the same time so well defined and fully preserved, is of itself interesting, and adds much to the accumulating evi- dence that this style of house was at one stage of human progress more or less uni- versal in what is now the territory of the United States, but such remains have been destroyed more or less by the plow. The long house was a result of development, growing out of changes from the lowest to a higher stage of barbarism. Circumstances the world over have ever changed the habits of man. We may see this illustrated in the case of the introduction of the Spanish barb among the Indians upon the plains. It was undoubtedly the possession of the horse that wrought this change in a few genera- tions. Almost in our own day the normal village Indian was made over into a com plete nomad, possessing most of the charac- teristics of the Bedouin, a case, too, where history repeats itself, for the Indian pony is of the same breed of horses that the Bedouins now possess ; brought first to Barbary, then to Spain, then to Mexico, and there turned loose and allowed to multiply themselves upon the savannas of the South.

In Houndsfield, on the shore of Black River Bay, between Maskolunge creek and Storrs' Harbor, is said to have existed formerly a trench enclosure of the ordinary form. We have not learned whether it is wholly or in part preserved, nor is its extent

120

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

known. Some of the largest trees of the forest grew upon and within the bank. In Watertown, on Lot No. 29, about two and a half miles southwest from the village, could once be seen in an open wood, and in a fine state of preservation, the outline of a work consisting of a bank thrown up from a surrounding ditch, and evidently intended as a defensive work. It is on the summit of a gradually sloping terrace of Trenton lime- stone, and commands a delightful prospect. Elms, three feet in diameter, were found upon the bank, and the decaying remains of others still larger, within and upon it, carry back the date of its construction to an ante- Columbian period. In the same range and lot, on premises owned by Anson Hunger- ford, Esq., and about forty rods east, there was formerly another enclosure, with gate- ways, the position and extent of which can- not now be ascertained, as the bank has long since been leveled by cultivation. The one first mentined is semi-circular, the open side facing upon the bank. Half a mile east of Burrville, on lot No. 31, was formerly a defensive work, consisting of a mound and ditch, running across a point between two streams near their junction, and form- ing by the aid of the natural banks a trian- gular enclosure. The plow has long ago filled the ditch and leveled the bank, leaving no trace of the work. The soil has afforded a great abundance and variety of relics, and the vicinity indicates that it had been occupied as an Indian village. Within the enclosure is a boulder of gneiss, worn smooth and concave in places by the grind- ing of stone implements. On a point of land opposite, Hough found an iron ball weighing eight ounces, and others have been picked up in the vicinity, indicating that the place must have been passed, at least, by those who knew the use of small ordnance, probably the French, on some of their expeditions against the Iroquois. Mr. Squier, in his work on the ancient monuments of New York, mentions the trace of an Indian village a mile north- east of this.

Near Appling post-office, on the land of D. Talcott, in Adams, near the line of Watertown, could once be seen the trace of a work of great extent and interest. It is on the brow of the upper terrace of Trenton limestone, overlooking a vast extent of country to the west and north. The hank has an average height of three, and base of ten feet, with an external ditch of corres- ponding dimensions, and there were about seven gateways or interruptions in the work, which had an elliptical form, one side bordering upon a beaver pond, and bounded by an abrupt bank, about thirty feet high. Upon and within the work, trees of an enormous size were growing in 1854, and the decaying fragments of others carry back the origin of the work several hundred years. A great number of small pits or caches occur where provisions were stored

for concealment ; as shown by quantities of parched corn. Several skeletons have been exhumed here, which were buried in a sitting posture, and its relics are the same as those above mentined.

Near the northwest corner of Rodman, on lot number two, on the farm of Jared Free- man, was formerly an interesting work, of which no trace remains, except a boulder of gneiss, worn smooth by grinding. Before the place had been cultivated, it is said to have shown an oval double bank, with an intervening crescent-shaped space ; and a short bank running down a gentle slope to a small stream, one of the sources of Stony Creek, that flows near. Several hundred bushels of burnt corn were turned out over an area one rod by eight, showing that this must have been an immense maga- zine of food. On the farm of Jacob Heath, on lot No. 25, near the west line of Rodman, and on the north bank of Sandy Creek.a short distance above the confluence of the two main branches of that stream, there form- erly existed an enclosure of the same class. It included about three acres, was over- grown with heavy timher, and furnished within and without, when plowed, a great quantity and variety of terra cotta, in frag- ments, but no metallic relics. Under the roots of a large maple was dug up the bones of a man of large statue, and furnished with entire rows of double teeth.

On the farm of Wells Benton, half a mile from Adams village, was an enclosure simi- lar to the others, and afforded the usual variety of relics ; and another trace of an ancient work of a similar character is men- tioned in Adams, two miles north of the village. On the farm of Peter Durfey, near Belleville, in Ellisburgh, was still an- other, which, from the description given by those who have examined it, does not differ in age or general appearance from others, having gateways at irregular intervals, and being guarded on one side by a natural defence.

The present cemetery, a little above Ellis village, presents the trace of a work that was crescent shaped, and by the aid of the natu- ral bank on which it was built, formed an irregular enclosure of about two acres. On the south bank of South Sandy Creek, three miles from its mouth, was a similar work, defended on one side by an abrupt bank, and now entirely leveled by tillage. A con- siderable number of places occur in Ellis- burgh, which must have been inhabited hy the aboriginies. The fertility of the soil, excellence of water, and vicinity to valuable salmon fisheries, and extensive hunting grounds, must have afforded many attrac- tions to the savages. Probably several traces of ancient works in this section of the country may have been leveled by tIllage, without exciting suspicion of their nature. Besides these, one, is mentioned as having occurred near Tylerville, and another in Houndsfield, two miles from Brownville.

121

ABORIGINAL TRACES.

One of the most conclusive evidences of ancient military occupation and conflict, occurs in Rutland, near the residence of Abner Tamblin, one mile from the western line of the town, and two miles from the river. It is on the summit of the Trenton limestone terrace, which forms a hold es- carpment, extending down the river, and passing across the southern part of Water- town. There here occurred a slight em- bankment and ditch irregularly oval, with several gateways; and along the ditch, in several places, have been found great nuin- bers of skeletons, almost entirely of males, and lying in great confusion, as if they had been slain while defending it. There is said to have been found at this place fire-places, with bones of animals, broken pottery, and implements of stone, at two different levels, seperated by an accumulation of earth and vegetable mould from one to two feet thick, as if the place had been twice occupied. So great has been the length of time since these bones have been covered, that they fall to pieces very soon after being exposed to the air. Charred corn, bones and relics, occur at both levels, but more abundantly at the lower. At numerous places, not exhibiting traces of fortification, are found fire places, accumulations of chips or flint and broken pottery, as if these points had been occupied as dwellings. In several places bone-pits have been found, where human remains in great numbers have been accumulated. One is mentioned as occuring near Brownville village, where in a space of ten or twelve feet square and four feet deep. a great num- ber of skeletons were thrown. Another de- posit of bones occurs in Ellisburgh, nearly opposite an ancient work, on South Sandy Creek, near a house once occupied by J. W. Ellis ; where, in digging a cellar in 1818, many bones were dug up. In 1842 there was found in Rutland, three miles from Watertown, under a pile of stones, about three feet high, which rested on a circular flat stone, a pit four feet square and two deep, filled with the bones of men and animals, thrown together in great confusion. These exhibit marks of teeth, as if they had been gnawed by animals. This, with the charcoal and charred corn in the vicinity, has been thought to indicate ancient massa- cre and pillage, in which an Indian village was destroyed and the bones of the slain afterwards collected and buried by friends, It was estimated that thirty or forty skele- tons were buried here, besides parts of animals, that may have been killed for food. A custom is said to have prevailed among some Indian tribes, of collecting and bury- ing at stated intervals, the bones of their dead, and some of these depositories may have thus originated. The pottery, found around these localities, was of the coarsest and rudest character ; externally smooth, except where marked hy lines and dots, in fantastic and every-varying combinations of figures, and internally rough from the

admixture of coarse sand and gravel. There was no glazing known to these primi- tive potters, who possessed, nevertheless, a certain degree of taste and skill; and some- times attempted on their pipes and jars an imitation of the human face and fantastic images of serpents and wild animals. Rarely, metallic relics of undoubted antiquity are found. A fragment of a sword blade, around which the wood of a tree had grown, was found by the first settlers of Ellisburgh. Muskets, balls, hatchets, knives and other implements of metal have been at various times turned out by the plow; but none of the articles of undoubted European origin can claim an antiquity prior to the French and Indian wars.

There was found many years since in the sand at a deep cutting of the railroad, near the Poor House, an oval ball, about three inches long, which for some time was used by children as a plaything. From its light- ness and hardness it excited curiosity, and it was cut opeu, when it was found to con- tain a strip of parchment and another ball ; this latter also contained another ball and strip of parchment; in all three. One of these is preserved, and is & by 11 inches, containing written on one side four lines of Hebrew characters, without vowel points, quoting from Deuteronomy xi, 13 to 21 in- clusive. The case containing these was ap- parently made of hide, and it had been doubtless used as an amulet by some travel- ling Jew, or had been procured by the Indians as a charm, at a period not prior to the French era of our history. This section of the State, at the earliest period of au- thentic history. was occupied by the Oneidas and Onondagas as a hunting ground, and one or two trails were per- ceptible when surveyed in 1796. Occasion- ally the St. Regis Indians would find their way into our territory, but oftener the Massasaugas from the north shore of the lake. The Oneidas considered them as in- truders, and the latter seldom allowed them- selves to fall in their way, from which reason the visits of the natives were stealthy and unfrequent, and nothing would fill the foreign Indians with apprehensions sooner than being told that the Oneidas were in the neighborhood. After the war nothing was seen or heard from them.

Although our territory was not actually inhabited at the time it first became known to Europeans, it is not without incident con- nected with the wars between the French in Canada and the Iroquois of New York, who from an early period had been under the in- fluence of the English. Within a very few years from the time of first occupation, the French had penetrated far into the interior, explored the great lakes, discovered the Mississippi near its source, and established small forts for the double purpose of secur- ing the fur trade, and converting to their religion the natives. The Dutch had con- ciliated the Iroquois, and their influence

122

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

had been transferred to the English: who succeeded them, which led to a hostile in- cursion by De Courcelles and De Tracy, against the Mohawks in 1665-6, resulting in nothing but the murder of a few aged warriors, who preferred death to the aban- donment of their homes, and in exciting to a greater degree of insolence the Indians. who, some time after, fell upon a party of French hunters, killed several and carried others away prisoners. Peace was subse- quently gained. during which the French got the permission of the natives to erect a fort at Cataraqui (Kingston), ostensibly to protect the traders and their merchandise. The Jesuits, meanwhile, availing themselves of the peace, penetrated the settlements of the Five Nations, and acquired to some de- gree an influence with the Onondagas. The Senecas and Cayugas were still jealous of the French, and continued to annoy their trade, which led to a complaint from De la Barre, governor of Canada, to Governor Dongan, of New York, that these savages had plundered seven canoes, and detained fourteen French traders; to which the principal Seneca sachem returned a spirited reply, and Dongan requested the French to keep their own side of the lake.

The Marquis De Nouville succeeded De la Barre in 1685, and brought from France forces thought sufficient for the reduction of the Senecas, which was undertaken two years after, with a great force, but without success, further than ravaging their country with fire and destroying a few aged and de- fenceless men and women. On the 26th of July, 1688, the Iroquois, to the number of 1,200, invaded the island of Montreal, with- out notice, and destroyed more than a thou- sand French, besides carrying away great numbers of prisoners for torture. In these and other expeditions, our territory must have been the scene of many events of tragic interest, but the history of the details has not come down to us.

During the French and English war, which in 1760 resulted in the complete sub- jection of the former, our frontier again be- came alive with military operations. and the principal route between Canada and the Mo- hawk settlements, passed through this county. On a peninsula, called Six Town Point, a few miles from Sackets Harbor, is the trace of a slight work, in a square form with bastions at each angle, and apparently a small stockade, erected during this period. Between the bastions the sides were bnt 48 feet, and the whole affair was of a slight and transient character. The only trace left is a slight ditch along the sides, ap- parently formed by the decay of the wood that formed the defence. On one side is a row of mounds, five in number. probably for the mounting of cannon. The locality is about one mile and a quarter from the end of the point on the inside, and but a few yards from the water's edge. The place is partly covered by a thin growth of

hickory and oak, and the quiet scenery of the spot is delightful.

CARLETON ISLAND.

In the broad channel of the St. Lawrence, as its waters leave Lake Ontario and run between Kingston on the Canadian and Cape Vincent on the American shore, are several islands. One of the most noted of these is Carleton Island, which is situate in the American channel, four or five miles northerly of Cape Vincent. Carleton Is- land was known to the old French explorers as the Isle aux Chevreuils, or Isle of Roe Bucks. It lay in the line of the old Indian trail, which ran from the Canadian shore of Lake Ontario to the Iroquois cantons on its southern border, which trail avoided by its coast line the rough and dangerous waves of the open lake, and it lay also in the line of the great western trail. There being at the head of this island what Father Charlevoix (who visited it in 1720), calls " a pretty port that can receive large barques," it was a favorite stopping place and camping ground in all the long colonial period.

But what renders this little island of more historical interest than the many other islands of the group, are the remains of a strong military work, which was con- structed upon it in the latter part of the last century, crowning the brink of the bluff at the head of the island, overlooking the "pretty port " and commanding the American channel of the great river. This fortification is now known as Fort Carleton, but in regard to its origin and the date of its construction, there has been a great deal of conjecture and not a little controversy among historical students.

Until within the past ten or fifteen years, it had been supposed by many historians that this fortification was built by the French be- tween 1758 and 1760. But by a compara- tively late discovery of undoubtedly genu- ine documents relative to the building of this fort, there is no longer any doubt that it was built by the English in 1778-79, and heavily equipped with cannon and warlike munitions, largely supplied from Kingston. It was held as a British post until 1813, when it was captured by a small American force. Upon the conclusion of peace. Carle- ton Island was conceded to the United States, and the fort was soon after dis- mantled of whatever arms then remaining.

The work on Carleton Island is a bastioned half-front of a hexagonal fort of some 800 feet diameter, open at the rear toward the brink of the bluff overlooking the cove. The ditch, 22 feet wide and 4 feet deep, is excavated in the solid rock. The covered way was 24 feet: wide, and the parapet 4 feet high. The front of the fort commands the approach from the island, while a heavy sea- wall, 40 feet in height, is built along the bluff that borders the cove. Several chim- neys are still standing within the fort and

THE ADIRONDACK WILDERNESS AND CASTORLAND.

123

near it, built of stone in a permanent and massive manner, while the remains of guard houses, rifle pits and wells are still plainly visible. Not far from the fort is an old burying-ground, in which many graves were found, and on the south side of the island was a large clearing of some thirty acres, called the King's Garden. Along the western shore of the little cove are still to be seen the remains of a sunken dock. Many relics have from time to time been found near the fort, all bearing marks of British origin.

:"In 1796 the surveyors of McComb's pur - chase found a British corporal and three men in charge of Carleton Island, and four long twelve and two six-pound cannon mounted on the works.

After the war the right to Carleton Island became the subject of much diplomatic cor- respondence between the two governments. This controversy was carried on during the presidency of Mr. Monroe by John Q. Adams, Secretary of State, on our part. It resulted in the boundary line being drawn to the north of the island, leaving it in American waters.

And now this little island, so fraught with historic memories, is the summer resort of

the Carleton Island Club, an association of gentlemen who have built their summer cot- tage and pitched their tents on the meadow that borders the banks of the " pretty port " of the old chronicler, and in sight of the decaying walls of the old fort. Here in this enchanting spot, among the Thonsand Isles, made classic in American story by the pres- ence long ago of a Champlain, a La Hontan, a La Salle, a Courcelle, a Frontenac, a De La Barre, a Charlevoix, they take a yearly respite from busy toil, and while away the fleeting hours of the short Canadian sum- mer in carless repose, dispensing a right royal hospitality.

For this description of Carleton Island, as well as for many suggestions as to Castor- land and descriptions of some of the waterways of the great Adirondack Wilder- ness, the author of this history is under great obligation to Mr. N. B. Sylvester, of the Troy bar, whose " Historical Sketches of Northern New York " evince not only the fine spirit of inquiry which should animate the true historian, but a facility of descrip- tion and an acquaintance with literature that entitle his productions to take the high- est rank among our American historical publications. J. A. H.

THE ADIRONDACK WILDERNESS AND CASTORLAND.

THE FRENCH SETTLEMENT THERE.

ICANA

AGNA

PARENS

FRAN

COLONIA

FRUGUM

CASTOR LAND

1793

MEDAL ISSUED BY THE CHASSNAIS FRANCO-AMERICAN LAND COMPANY. [Enlarged one-half, from an original now in possession of the Jefferson County Historical Society.]

TO THE excellent article by Hon. Mr. In- galls, upon the "Waterways of Jefferson County " (see pages 9-12), we wish to add a few general remarks. It is a peculiar char- acteristic marking all the rivers that flow in and around Northern New York, that, excepting only the Mohawk, all of them flow from and through larger or smaller chains of lakes. The noble St. Lawrence it- self, which forms the natural and intensely

picturesque northwestern boundary of Jef- ferson county, seems to be the vast proto- type and pattern for all the others, as it flows from its own great continental system of lakes. The Hudson, flowing eastward like the Mohawk, is fed by a system of for- est branches which spread over the entire mountain belt of the Adirondack wilder- ness, the head waters of some of its tribu- taries being over 5,000 feet above the level

124

THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

of the sea. But, however interesting it may be to follow out this train of thought, our history's space constrains us to confine our remarks to the streams which flow into and through Jefferson county, or relate to waterways touching that county. Their influence upon the early settlements of the northern wilderness of 1793, in drawing to the Black River country those in pursuit of water power to drive factories, can never be prized too highly, nor too patiently de- scribed. These waters attracted to this lo- cality those whose minds were profoundly stirred by that intense activity which al- ways precedes great discoveries and great movements in populations.

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.

The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 24

Author: Haddock, John A., b. 1823- Publication date: 1895 Publisher: Albany, N. Y., Weed-Parsons printing company Number of Pages: 1098

Author: Haddock, John A., b. 1823-
Publication date: 1895
Publisher: Albany, N. Y., Weed-Parsons printing company
Number of Pages: 1098