The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 90

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

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to July 20, 1813, one Major Dimock, of the Fourth rifle regiment, accidentally learned that 18 bateaux, loaded with pork and hard bread, were about to pass up the river on their way to Kingston. He hurriedly gath- ered together quite a number of the yeomen of the surrounding country and secured the little gunboats Fox and Neptune, at Sack- ets Harbor, dropped down the river to en- counter the convoy and the barges. The night of the capture Major Dimock took posi- tion at the foot of the Lake of the Islands, well out of the wind, which was blowing a gale down the river. The bateaux, for safety, had put into Simmons' Bay. In the night (the Captain of the Canadian gun boat having taken up quarters ashore with Simmons) Dimock wandered down to the vicinity of the Canadian command, rowed out, got aboard of a Canadian convoy, and found the sentinel asleep, He had previously arranged with his own crew to make all haste in coming to his help at the firing of a pistol. He immedi- ateiy fired a shot, after capturing and disarm- ing the sleepy sentinel. Dimock's boat soon bore down upon the Canadian squadron and captured the entire force, gunboat and all. Dimock, fearing recapture, having learned that a messenger had been dispatched to Kingston for reinforcements, conducted his now numerous fleet across the river into Goose Bay, and thence up Cranberry Creek, pushing up the creek as far as he could go, which was to the promontory projecting out into the creek in the town of Alexandria, near the point in later years occupied as a saw mill site by Alexander D. Peck. The bateaux were huddled together at this point. In order to protect the packed bateaux, loaded with bar- rels of pork, the 18-gun brig "Elmira," was sent down the river by the British at Kingston as soon as they learned of the disas- ter to their subsistence. The pilot of the " El- mira" was directed by a scout who had watched the capture from the time it was made up to the time of the arrival of "El- mira." Not being able to get into Goose Bay with the Elmira, her commander ordered two smaller gun-boats, one of which entered the Bay and the mouth of Cranberry creek, and, when near enough to be effective, com- menced firing. When just above Dan North- rup's log roll-way, two men were detailed to proceed down below that point and fell trees across the creek. . Two heavy pines were felled, completely blocking a retreat. Then the "dance commenced" in earnest. The British soon learning that their retreat had been cut off, sent out parties to clear away the obstructions. Eleven of their detachment were killed right there. One of the men en- gaged in felling the trees across the creek was killed at his post. He was named James Buchanan. The second kept up as effectual a fire as he could, and until a squad was sent down to clear the woods for the British, and a bombardment of the woods was kept up until the choppers cleared away the obstruc- tions. James Buchanan was buried on the point in front of which the Canadian gun

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boat was sunk. In all, seven were killed of the Americans, and from 15 to 20 British. The British gun boat, crippled by the loss of her men, withdrew as soon as possible. Capt. Dimock, with what remained of the pork and hard bread, dropped down out of the creek, hugging the southwest shore, until be arrived at the low lands between Island No. 9 and the main land, where he found he could drag the bateaux across through a deep place, and this was done. Starting them up the river, with the Fox and Neptune, Captain D. dropped down to the lower gap, poling their vessels, but when out in the main river they hoisted sail, the wind still continuing favorable. In a few minutes he found himself along side of the Elmira. He pulled down his tag and lowered all his sails. He was ordered to come up along side of the steamer, but answered hack that his steering gear was out of order; he had passed the Elmira before her com- mander took in the situation. As soon as out of range of a broadside, Captain Dimock hoisted sail, ran up his flag, and gave the El- mira a parting shot with one of his six-pound- ers. The Elmira, as soon as she could get around, gave the little Fox and Neptune a broadside at long range, which proved a waste of ammunition, but she gave chase to the fleeing gun-boats and bateaux, and forced Dimock's fleet to take refuge in French Creek. It is related that most of these captured stores were seattered and wasted, and that several of the bateaux were re-captured-but there is so much that is traditional about the matter that it is difficult to reach the exact truth. It is certain that this large amount of stores did not reach the headquarters of the Northern army.

The losses in the engagement at Cranberry Creek were small when compared with even some of the skirmishes of the Civil War, but that affair filled an important space in the chronology of those primitive times. The British loss is placed as high as 12, and the American loss at 2. There were but few wounded on either side.

Having thus given the account of a son of an eye-witness and participant in the affair at Cranberry Creek, or Goose Bay, we append Major Durham's account of that matter, which is believed to be very nearly accurate:

"One of the most stirring affairs that took place among the Thousand Islands was the spirited action at Cranberry Creek, now better known as Goose Bay, near Alexandria. This seems to be the only case on record where a deputy collector of a port exercised the author- ity to grant letters of marque; but this was certainly one instance, and whether others of a like nature occurred there is nothing to sub- stantiate.

"Be that as it may, on the 14th of July, 1813, two armed boats, the Neptune and Fox, the first a private craft, armed with one six- pounder and a swivel; the second, a govern- ment boat, left Sackets Harbor under letters of marque issued by the deputy collector of this district. The Neptune was manned by 24

volunteers, under the command of Captain Samuel Dixon, and the Fox by 21 men of the Twenty-first infantry, under Lieutenants Bur- bank and Perry.

"The expedition was fitted out by Marinus W. Gilbert, of Watertown, with the object of cutting off a detachment of the enemy's boats laden with stores, and expected up the river about this time. The boats touched at Cape Vincent, halted for a short time at French Creek (Clayton), and then pushed on to Cran- berry Creek, where they held a review, put their boats in complete order, examined and cleaned their arms, and sent an express to Og- densburg for intelligence, and at 5 p. m. the next day the looked-for intelligence came. At 9 o'clock that night the two boats left the creck, and at 4 o'clock in the morning they discovered a brigade of British bateaux, lying at Simmons' landing, under the protection of his Majesty's gunboat Spitfire, just ready to proceed to Kingston.

" Pushing quickly to the shore, Lieutenant Perry, with Sergeant James and 27 men, landed to cut off their retreat, while the re- mainder seized the gunboat and bateaux. So complete was the surprise that the fifteen bateaux and the gunboat were captured with- out the firing of a single shot by either party. By 9 o'clock they were safe in Cranberry Creek again, and at once 69 prisoners, under a guard of 15 men, started for Sackets Harbor in charge of Lieutenant Burbank.

"The capture was of great value, but owing to the folly of some of the party in sinking some of the bateaux without orders, it proved of but little profit to the promoters of the ex- pedition. The Spitfire was armed with a 12- pound carronade, and bad a crew of 14 men. She also carried a large amount of military stores. The bateaux carried 270 barrels of pork and 270 bags of hard bread.

"On the morning of the 21st, just as the rising sun tipped with gold the island summits, 250 of the enemy, with four gunboats and a couple of transports, were discovered making their way up the creek. Thirty men met them and gallantly disputed their landing, while 20 more took position to further dispute their advance; and in the meantime a rapid fire opened from the six-pounder, which so se- riously disabled two of the enemy's gunboats that their crews were obliged to leave them and cut flags from the shore to plug the shot holes. In a short time the enemy retired to their boats, and, pulling beyond the fire of our men, sent in a flag of truce demanding a sur- render to ' stop the effusion of blood.'

" To this our men replied by advancing and opening fire, when the enemy hurriedly re- treated, and the battle of Cranberry Creek was ended, with a loss on our side of only three killed and wounded, while that of the enemy was considerable.

"Suffice it to say that the expedition re- turned safely to Sackets Harbor although when rounding Tibbetts Point it was attacked by an armed schooner, the Earl of Moira, and though several times hit by her shots, none were captured."

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THE GROWTH OF A CENTURY.

FAMILY SKETCHES.

ANDREW CORNWALL, the ancestor of Andrew Cornwall of Alexandria Bay, emi- grated to this country from England, with his family, somewhere about 1710, and settled in Old Chatham, Conn. (now Portland), where three generations of the same name lived and died. The third Andrew Cornwall, grandfather of our subject, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, and died after the close of that war, from a wound received at Bennington.

Andrew Cornwall, the father of our subject, with two brothers, William and Ancil, left Connectient about 1800, and came to what at that time was called the Far West, or Genesee country. Their first stop was at what is now the city of Rochester, where there was a small settlement; but thinking it was not a good

ANDREW CORNWALL.

place to locate, they went to what is now Pultneyville, Wayne county, N. Y., where there was another small settlement with a saw mill and grist mill. Here they located and married, and here our subject was born March 25, 1814. After attending the district school winters, and working on the farm summers, until 13 years old, he entered the country store of John Reynolds, and continued in his employ for 13 years as clerk and book-keeper. His health failing him, from a too close ap- plication to business, he purchased a small vessel and went on the lakes as a sailor. After three years of this business, his health being fully restored, he sold his vessel and left the water. In January, 1843, he was married to Mary C. Calhoon. She was a

daughter of Capt. Calhoon, of Williamson, Wayne county, who was a pensioner of the War of the Revolution, and a captain in the war of 1812.

In July, 1844, he moved to Redwood, N. Y., and entered the employ of DeZeng & Burlin- game, manufacturers of glass. He was in charge of their store for two and a half years. In November, 1846, at the solicitation of Azariah Walton, he moved to Alexandria Bay, and took an interest in the firm of L. A. Wal- ton & Co., which continued until 1853, when L. A. Walton died. A new firm was then organized, under the name of Cornwall & Walton (John F. Walton being the junior partner), which partnership continued until April 1, 1877, when both Cornwall and Wal- ton retired from business, and the firm of Cornwall Brothers was established, consisting of the four sons of Andrew Cornwall, viz: Andrew C., Charles W., John I. and Harvey A. This firm is still in business, and very popular, dealing in everything required in a country store.

Andrew Cornwall was supervisor from 1852 to 1856, and again from 1861 to 1865. Being a war Democrat, he was made a member of the war committee of the county, though the board was largely Republican. He served . the committee faithfully in recruiting and fill- ing the quotas of his own town and the county. In 1867 he was nominated by his party for member of Assembly, and although his competitor was elected the year previous by a large majority, Mr. Cornwall was suc- cessful. While in the Legislature of 1868 he was a member of the Committee of Ways and Means, of the Manufacture of Salt, and of the Sub-committee of the Whole. In 1868 he was a candidate for Congress against Hon. A. H. Lafin; his party being largely in the minority he was defeated by a very small majority, though he could have been elected if his friends had had 10 more days for work.

In 1845 Azariah Walton bought of Henry; Yates, of the well-known firm of Yates & McIntyre, of New York city, the north half of Wells Island, and all the small islands in the river St. Lawrence in American waters, from Round Island, in Clayton, to the village of Morristown, St. Lawrence county. At his deatlı. the firm of Cornwall & Walton bought them from his estate, for the timber, and for many years they cut steamboat wood from them, some years getting as high as 16,000 cords. After the wood was mostly cut off, the larger ones were sold for farms. In 1860 wood began to give way to coal, and they de- termined to sell their lands at a nominal price to induce people to build summer homes, and thus make the St. Lawrence river a famous watering place, in which plan they succeeded to a remarkable extent.

Mr. Cornwall commenced his business career with very limited means, but with a determination to succeed. With close atten- tion to every detail, and a constant care that

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no debt should be made that could not be met when due, and no unnecessary expense in- curred, he has succeeded in his determination to attain a reasonable competency.

He has never been an ostentatious man, though in business matters he has always been energetic and prompt, exacting from others only what he would himself do if in their place. The example of such a life is a benefit to any community.

Mrs. Cornwall died August 13, 1890, after she had seen her four sons located in business at her home for 13 years, and enjoyed her grandchildren playing about her knees

JOHN W. FULLER, long and favorably known at Alexandria Bay, was the son of Simeon Fuller, a Revolutionary soldier from Massachusetts, who afterwards settled in Oneida county, N. Y., where John W. was born, receiving his early education in the pub- lic schools of that time. He was one of the earliest settlers of Alexandria, having come on in 1820. The following incident, related to the author by his daughter, Mrs. W. M. Thomson, forcibly illustrates the condition of the country aa that time. Mr. Fuller, with one companion, both on horseback, in attempt- ing to reach Alexandria from the military road near Theresa, were overtaken by night. While plodding along, uncertain as to the route, they came to what, in the deceptive moonlight. appeared like a sheet of water. This they believed to bar their further pro- gress in that direction, and they were con- siderably disconcerted. They dismounted, not knowing which way would be best to take in continuing their journey, when one of the horses became restless, and his iron-shod hoof struck what they supposed to be the water, but the ringing sound demonstrated it to be rock. They were upon the border of that flat, outcropping sandstone rock, which first gave the name "Flat Rock " to the locality now called Plessis: the later name given by Mr. LeRay. Much comforted, they rode on, reaching the river before midnight.

Mr. Fuller's first wife wife was Maria Barnes, sister of Mrs. Lull, a pioneer home- maker of Theresa. His young wife died in 1825, while Mr. Fuller was absent at Mont- real looking after his lumber. He married Marietta Shurtliff in 1832, and they reared a large family, some of whom yet survive.

Mr. Fuller's business career was a long one, beginning as a partner with Jere Carrier, then with Azariah Walton. whom he succeed- ed in 1840, and thenceforth in business by himself. He was collector of customs under President W. H. Harrison, and was post- master under President Zachariah Taylor. In 1849 he built the first ateam saw-mill upon that part of the river.

During his long residence in the town of Alexandria, he was known throughout the county as a prominent and reliable business man, of unswerving integrity ; a lumberman, a merchant and a farmer-in all of which business relations he gained the respect and confidence of those with whom he dealt. He was liberal in trusting the poor, and remark-

ably lenient with his debtora, and the losses in consequence he bore with unexampled good humor.

In politics he was an old-time Whig, a "Silver Gray," and in the palmy days of Whigery a man of commanding influence in the Whig party, and though residing in a strong Democratic town, was repeatedly chosen to act as aupervisor and justice of the peace. He left a memory that his family may be proud of-for there was no stain or smirch upon it.

WM. J. WOOLWORTH, who was formerly a partner of John W. Fuller, the well-known merchant at Alexandria Bay, was a son of James Woolworth, who came into Alexandria from Montgomery county late in the thirties. William J. was his father's assistant on the farm, but finally began a clerkship with Mr. Fuller in 1846, becoming a partner in 1850, so continuing till 1859, when he began busi- ness for himself. He retired from trade several years since, and continues to reside at the Bay. He is a member of the Reformed Church, and enjoys the respect of his neigh- bors in his old age.

FRANK W. BARKER, present postmaster at Alexandria Bay, was born in 1846 in Bloom- ingrove, Orange county, N. Y. He was educated in the common schools, coming to Alexandria Bay in 1862. He learned harness- making, which business he followed until 1889. In 1875 he was appointed postmaster, and has held the office for 10 years. Under Cleveland's first administration he was out of office exactly four years, being re-appointed in 1889, and still holding the place. In 1876 he married Miss Fanny Walton, daughter of Captain Charles Walton. Miss Walton's mother was one of the beautiful Hersey girls, a well-known and mnuch respected family of Watertown. Mr. and Mrs. Barker have two children, Eva L. and George-both living at home. Mr. Barker has been president of Alexandria Bay two years, trustee one year, atreet commissioner four years, and has always been a popular, useful citizen. When he came to the Bay he was accompanied by his mother and her seven children. These Mr. Baker has done his full duty by, aiding his mother in caring for the children who were younger than himself. Perhaps it was his duti- fulness as a son and brother that has com- mended him so thoroughly to public favor.

SAMUEL BENJAMIN MILLER was born in Camden, N. Y., June 22, 1835. At an early age he was left an orphan. He was left precious little else, and as in those days orphan homes were not very plentiful in his immediate neighborhood, for a time it seemed to him that Providence had made a sad mess of it. But he had muscle and grit, which qualities being recognized by a kind neigh- bor, they took him in, assigned him a bed under a crack in the roof, and a narrow place at their table-for which act of charity the orphan performed the work of a man 365 days in the year. Although thus heavily handi- capped, he attended school, and being an apt pupil, he soon became proficient in the

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"three R's," as well as in declamation and "rough-and-tumble." To this very day he quotes his Ruger with a degree of assurance that commands silent respect.

In 1862, fearing a draft, he enlisted, and went to fight for his country-not to gain rank distinctions, but to uphold the princi- ples of his country. "We will fight it out on this line," he said, as he took his position in the mess-room. And he returned to relate some thrilling single-handed engagements he had while out drawing rations.

In business, he has always aimed to please -please alike the man who paid cash and he who had it charged. Too many have had it charged. It's a sorry specimen indeed who is denied space on the debit side of his books. Prompt to grant credit, he has rarely refused to accept credit when offered; indeed, he has even been known to ask for time, and if not on time, he has never refused to renew his promise.

He has gained a degree of local popularity; twice he has been called upon to assume the duties of village mayor. Through it all he has been the same congenial, rough-and- ready "Sam "-persistently, if not pains- takingly, putting the worst side out, some- times to the exasperation of his friends.

W. E. M.

JASON CLARK was perhaps more closely identified with the landed interests of Alexan- dria than any other individual away from the river. For many years he was the agent of Woodruff & Stocking, who held large tracts of land in Orleans and Alexandria. purchased at the final closing up of the LeRay estate. Mr. Clark stood very high in the confidence of the people. He was several times super- visor, for many years justice of the peace, and nearly all his life was a prominent citizen and at one time county judge. His later years were clouded by business reverses which were to most of his friends unexpected and in- explicable. He bore himself proudly for many years, to die at last a disappointment to his friends and to himself.

WILLIAM M. THOMSON. of Scotch parent- age, was born in Canada, July 24, 1834. His father being a rebel, emigrated to the United States and settled in Alexandria Bay immedi- ately after the battle at the Windmill, which resulted so disastriously to the Patriots. Re- ceiving a district school education, Mr. Thompson, at the age of 15 years, entered the store of John W. Fuller as clerk, with whom he remained six years. He married Mr. Fuller's daughter in January, 1861, and has always resided in Alexandria Bay. He has been twice elected to the office of town clerk, has served three years as supervisor, 12 years as justice of the peace, and was elected a member of Assembly in 1877 and 1882, having been defeated for that office in 1878 and again in 1883. He is at present engaged in mer- cantile business, and is at present supervisor of the town of Alexandria. He has two sons, graduates from Cornell University. In 1856 he was made a Master Mason; in 1864 he be- came a member of Theresa Royal Arch

Chapter, and in 1866 was made a Knight Templar. He is a member of the Jefferson- ian Club, a political organization of Water- town, and a trustee of the Alexandria Bay Young Men's Library Association.

WILLIAM EDWARD MILLER is one of the young citizens of Alexandria Bay, the son of Samuel Benjamin Miller, whose unique biog- raphy appears on page 419. He is a suc- cessful writer, but is so very modest and so entirely indifferent to the world's praise or blame tbat he is about one of the last persons to get acquainted with by a sojourner at Alexan- dria Bay. Were it not for the kindness of Hon. Andrew Cornwall, the author of this History would never have formed the acquaint- ance of Mr. Miller. He was born in Plessis in 1859, only six miles from that distinguished town where the celebrated Flower family re- sided, and where our own beloved Roswell P. was born. Young Miller, in 1873, accom- panied his father to Alexandria Bay, having previously attended a school at Plessis, where he is remembered as being very retired in disposition and "odd " in manner, but he developed a ready facility in acquiring any learning that related to language or literature. Mathematics he persistently eschewed. At Alexandria Bay he also attended school, some times falling asleep under the very nose of the teacher, but he was wide awake at night when he had some favorite novel to read in his room.

In talking with Mr. Miller lately about our personal experience, at home and abroad, after alluding to his going to sleep in school, he thus pleasantly dwelt upon those school days, when his mind, like other boys, was in its chrysalis state: "I say I slept in school. This is not true; I hovered on the border line -I was neither awake nor asleep-though on one occasion, at least, I really slept in school. How vividly I recall the occasion- the awakening! The teacher personally super- intended the waking. She asked me why I slept. I was tempted to tell her I had been up the night before studying my lesson-which would have constituted a lie. I dared not tell the truth, and I could not (at that time) tell a lie-that is, lying was a moral impossibility. I made no reply. Taking my silence for obsti- nacy, she threatened to trounce me if I de- layed offering a good excuse for sleeping in' school. So near as I recall circumstances, I took a trouncing, administered effeminately, tremulously, gently. Having grown older and holder, I may now confess that on the night before I had retreated to a novel as usual, and reveled there until a stillness had settled over the house that was broken only by the click of the clock and the revels of mice. The crowing of a neighboring cock called me out of my book. I got up and laid it aside, but in doing so my attention was called to another book-or, more correctly, a pamphlet, which I had gained possession of that day, laid aside and forgotten. I pieked it up, and while I yawned, opened its pages at random. It contained a few illustrations, one of which depicted two pale, emaciated

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The growth of a century: as illustrated in the history of Jefferson county, New York, from 1793-1894, Part 90

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