USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, Volume One > Part 20
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16. During the War of 1812, various rumors of approaching armies and hostile Indians disturbed the settlements along the shore of the lake. They were for a time in great fear, and oftimes in real terror. "After Hull's surrender, it was reported that a British fleet was coming down the lake, and a body of British and Indians by land at the same
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time. On one occasion the land forces were reported as coming, when heroic John Sturgeon commenced casting bullets, declaring he would 'Make them stand off, or he would send the lead into them'. The British and Indians did not come. On another occasion the fleet was reported landing, when an old gentleman, with commendable zeal, but doubtful judgment, set off on foot at full speed for the shore, taking off his hat and filling it with stones as he ran, with the avowed intention of sinking the fleet. The fleet proved to be a single boat with a few fishermen in it, from the neighborhood."
17. One of the peculiar notions of the early settlers was that fire was not appropriate in their churches; although it was considered a vital necessity in their homes. About 1812, the little log church of Fairview, situated on the hill overlooking the waters of Lake Erie, and especially exposed to the bleak north winds of winter, proved to be uncomfortably cold for some of the members, and an effort was made to provide some form of heat during services. It was urged that the people had fires in their cabins at home, and they could not see why a little would not be all right in their meeting-house. Some opposition was had to the pro- posal, but in the end the proposal carried. As the building had neither chimney nor fireplace, the problem was met by the installation of a huge iron kettle used sometimes for boiling maple sap, into which was put a quantity of charcoal, which when ignited, produced a considerable modi- fication of the temperature in the room. Before and during the services, people would often go over to the kettle to get warm. But in several instances the women approached too near, when, inhaling the carbonic acid fumes from the burning charcoal, would be overcome, and being carried to the outside air, would soon revive. A great "ten-plate stove" was afterwards secured from a settler who had brought it from "east of the mountains" at great trouble and expense, to replace the big iron kettle. This added greatly to the comfort of the worshippers.
18. In the early days of the county, it was the custom and practice to publish the bans of matrimony in the congregation on the Sabbath. "The custom had been to set forth the intentions of matrimony in some- thing like the following words: 'There is a purpose of marriage between John Smith and Hannah Brown of this congregation; whereof this is the first publication.' The next Sabbath it would be the second publication, and the following, the third; when it would be proper to celebrate the marriage. The publication would be read by the clerk, as he was called,
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or the leader of the singing, as he stood in front of the pulpit, and was done with as much gravity and unction and sing-song tone as he would line out the psalm preparatory for singing. Sometimes there would be a disposition to smile on the part of the younger portion of the congrega- tion, at the first publication of the bans, but usually it was received with gravity and decorum, such as were fitting to the worship of the Sabbath."
19. Commodore Barclay, of the British fleet on Lake Erie, had with him two Indians, evidently taken aboard to be used as sharpshoot- ers from the mast-head. After the battle, some of the British officers inquired where the Indians were. Upon a search being made, they were found snugly stowed away in the cable tier. After some questioning, they replied, "No more come with one-armed Captain (Barclay) in big canoe-shoot big gun too much."
This kind of warfare was too utterly different from their kind, and did not in the least suit them.
20. Early settlers had not even the bare necessities of life at times, to say nothing of the luxuries, as is shown by the following experience:
"Between Utica and the French settlement on the River Raisin, there were not half a dozen white families, when we except a few scatter- ing infant settlements in Western New York, and the military post at Presqu'isle. Mr. K., the father of one of these families at Conneaut, had important business with the Connecticut Land Company, and was compelled to make the journey before winter. His family had subsisted upon provisions brought from New York, with fish and game, and it was supposed a sufficiency was in store until his return. The oldest male member of the family, a boy of fifteen, having been placed in charge, he took his departure. On his return to Buffalo the winter had fully set in, the snow being two and a half feet deep. His absence had already been prolonged-the family might be in a starving condition, and there seemed to be no alternative but to venture into the wilderness. Having loaded his horse with such necessaries as could be procured for his fam- ily, he pursued his course on foot, following the beach of the lake. At an Indian settlement on the Cattaraugus he employed a guide, Seneca Billy, as the projecting bluffs prevented his following longer the shore. After camping out several nights on the snow, he reached Presqu'isle and dismissed his guide. Here he purchased a bag of corn, paying for it three dollars a bushel, and set out for home on the ice. At a fire-spring near the mouth of Elk Creek, the horse broke through, and was so in-
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injured as to be of no further use, and taking his corn upon his back he reached home the same day. But it was only to consummate his grief, for the family were nearly in a famishing condition. An infant, being deprived of its natural nourishment by the low diet of the mother,.slowly expired of starvation. The Connecticut Company having a small store of provisions for the surveyors at Cleveland, Mr. K. made a journey there on foot, and returned with a barrel of salt beef. This, with the assistance of the man who related the story, he conveyed home on a hand-sled."
21. From Mr. H. Russel's journal we learn, that in "January, 1808, exchanged a pair of oxen for eight barrels of salt".
Salt was in those days a very important article of commerce, and even of exchange, and the farmers of this county earned many a little luxury, such as sugar, tea, coffee, and wearing apparel, from their earn- ings in hauling salt. It was ordinarily from four to six months on its trip from Salina to Pittsburg, and it took 75 barrels of the shipment of 100 to defray the cartage. At Waterford a considerable business grew up in the building of boats for the purpose of floating salt down the stream to Pittsburg.
22. During the salt trade, there were four large storehouses for salt at Waterford, severally having been built, and owned, by Judge Smith, Judge John Vincent, Captain Tracy, and Thomas King. Salt stored in these warehouses was loaded onto the flat boats at times of freshets and started down the stream for Pittsburg.
A man by the name of Jacob Kitelinger, was one of these "up-the- river boatmen", who were usually paid for their services in salt. He requested Judge Smith at one time, to increase his pay to every twelfth barrel of salt, which the judge consented to after mature deliberation. On reaching their destination each of the men was paid off in salt; the others receiving ten barrels out of every hundred, while he received only eight. The poor man was almost beside himself, and could not get it through his head how it could be. The judge, however, saw that he had his just due.
23. The journal of Mr. Hamlin Russell, of Millcreek township, af- fords us this interesting comment: "December 31. This ends the year 1813, in which the war has been carried on in a manner becoming Democ- racy ; Wilkinson's army has been defeated and driven out of Canada, and likely to starve this winter; Fort George is evacuated; the enemy have burned Lewiston and Schlosser, surprised and taken Fort Niagara with-
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out the loss of a man, and still retain possession of it. Hurrah for Democracy !"
24. When Commodore Perry was nearly ready to set forth with his newly-constructed fleet, a young gentleman arrived from Meadville for the purpose of volunteering with him. At the last moment he changed his mind, and the fleet left without him. About a week later the young man received a parcel by mail which contained a letter purporting to come from Commodore Perry stating that they had met the enemy, had killed Tecumseh and taken over his private library, and that the little book (a small tract-like pamphlet) which was enclosed was his share of the loot; and also enclosed a bank bill-a counterfeit on a broken Glou- cester bank-as his share of the prize money. The whole was a hoax attributed to a law student at Meadville named Wade.
Gordon's Point .- This Point is a local place of interest, jutting out into the lake at "Manchester", and just east of the mouth of Walnut Creek. The following verses will serve to immortalize, not alone the · point, but John Gordon too, for whom the place was named:
"GORDON'S POINT. By E. D. Austin,
For the Erie County Historical Society. 'ns. Not t of exploiting 's the per -.
"Here lived John Gordon, pioneer, And here is Gordon's grave g against
Embowered in beauty on this point
Great
That guards Lake Erie's wave. ry 25,
„ spared
And do you ask me, 'Who was he?' This humble pioneer ?
ricer sent
. the troosle,
This only-this is all we know- They buried Gordon here.
~ defensible !- + con-)
But you have heard of those who came, The squires of Liberty,
Who, pressing westward, founded states . For peoples yet to be.
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They sought not ease; with heart and brawn They proved their noble breed; They sought not Pleasure's goddesses, Nor worshipped gods of greed.
They caught the spirit of the wild, The forest and the sky, Where savage and where eagle owned A freedom Born on high.
'Twas Freedom that from mountain peaks Took flight across the sea To find in this, a newer world, A home among the free.
Let kindly hands replace those shells And pebbles 'round his bed;
Do you remember, long ago, The rude stone at his head?
Let monuments to Genius rise And fill the Halls of Fame;
But high upon fair Honor's Roll There write John Gordon's name."
CHAPTER XIV
PIONEER ACTIVITIES.
INDIAN TROUBLES-FIRST SETTLERS-THE OLD FORTS-LAST INDIAN MURDER- EARLY SHIPS-BEGINNING ERIETOWN-FIRST REAL ESTATE AGENTS- FAMOUS ERIE SHIPS-TROOPS WAIT AT LE BOEUF-ANDREW ELLICOTT'S LETTER TO GOVERNOR MIFFLIN-GENERAL CHAPIN'S LETTER TO SECRE- TARY OF WAR-AFFAIRS CRITICAL-SIX NATIONS INDIAN TREATY AT CANANDAIGUA, N. Y .- DESCRIPTION OF LANDS CEDED-REES' DEPOSITION- DEACON HINDS CHAMBERLAIN'S STORY-TROOPS AND SURVEYORS ARRIVE -MARTIN STRONG'S LETTER-LOT PRICES JUDAH COLT'S REPORT TO ROBERT BOWEN.
As stated heretofore, the state government anticipated, in its pas- sage of various laws and resolutions, the assured opening up of this county to permanent settlement, considerably in advance of its being able to quiet the claims and dissatisfactions of the Indians. Not the least of the difficulties met with by those having charge of exploiting the settlement of this north-western section of the state, was the per- sistent efforts of the British in Canada to stir up Indian feeling against the Americans throughout the territories bordering uran the Great Lakes. Even so late as 1794 the state passed an acturred bruary 25, authorizing the Governor to detach as many troops oe so defen? spared from the defenses of the port of Philadelphia, andand the officem sent to the protection of the frontiers of the state at or noloyed the trocsle, on Lake Erie. The unfriendly attitude of the Indians haas defensible- lated by the news of efforts to shortly be made to settle the ruesent con- Presque Isle. This they believed would serve to obstruct theirnd it is communications along the south shores of the lake between the easient, the western tribes.
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These troops were placed under the command of Captain Ebenezer Denny, of Allegheny County, and about the same time the Governor had appointed Generals William Irvine and Andrew Ellicott as Commissioners to lay out a road from Reading to Presque Isle. Shortly afterwards the Governor added the name of Albert Gallatin to the Commission, and enlarged its duties to include the laying out of the town of Presque Isle provided for in the act of April 8, 1793. It is noteworthy that the Gov- ernor should have found local circumstances such as to induce him to add to their commission the instruction, "to promote peace, order and friend- ship with the peaceable Indians or British garrison should any inter- course be produced by accident or necessity". This would indicate that the British influence with the Indians was still a serious factor, and to be reckoned with even so late as 1793. Can it be possible that a British garrison was still in the occupancy of the old post at Presque Isle so late as this ?
Captain Denny proceeded with his men up the Allegheny River, leaving Pittsburg April 16, 1794, and on April 25th, with three officers and 77 men had reached Franklin, at the mouth of French Creek, in- tending to proceed directly to LeBoeuf, and thence to Presque Isle. Here he learned of serious opposition amongst the Indians to any plan of occupying either place; and he at once wrote the Governor concerning the difficulty, and that "a council holding at the mouth of Buffalo Creek between the chiefs of the Six Nations and the British may terminate unfavorably to our establishment".
Here again was information of the continued and persistent hostility of the British within the territory acknowledged by their treaty to be- long to a friendly power. This hostility shortly resulted in high feeling, and at Franklin a Mr. Robertson, in a drunken melee killed a Munsee Indian, which further intensified the ill-feelings amongst the Indians. However, after much parleying, friends of the murderer succeeded in sat- isfying the feelings the Indians entertained of revenge by replacing the dead man with the sum of $100.00, that being in conformity with an ancient custom of the Indians.
General John Wilkins of Pittsburg, accompanied Captain Denny's ex- pedition, and notwithstanding the dangers from Indian attack, succeeded, about May 11, 1794, in reaching "the forks of French Creek about two miles below the old post of LeBoeuf". At this place, for temporary pro- tection, they erected a small blockhouse of logs, and pushed the work of
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clearing fallen logs and trees from the stream preparatory to navigating it. General Wilkins from here wrote of the increased determination of the British to interfere with the progress of the party towards Presque Isle; and of the restlessness of the Indians. Shortly afterwards General Wil- kins, with his detachment reached LeBoeuf, where they at once constructed two small block-houses, with a picket enclosure, which he wrote would "make them strong enough until the re-enforcement arrives under Capt. Denny". Denny arrived on June 24. Owing to the serious aspects of the Indian and British attitude, 1,000 militia were drafted from the south- western counties of the state to operate with Denny and Wilkins, and the Governor sent word to Wilkins calling his attention to the "critical state of our Presque Isle settlements, which calls for an exercise of judgment, prudence and spirit".
At this time Gen. Israel Chapin, U. S. Commissioner to the Six Na- tions, wrote the Secretary of War at Washington that "the British feel very much alarmed at the garrisoning of Presque Isle" and that "if the garrison destined for that place is not very strong, it is doubtful · whether it will not be attacked". A further note from the Secretary of War to General Mifflin advised that "affairs are critically circumstanced between the United States and the Six Nations" and that "on mature re- flection, that it is advisable to suspend for the present the establishment of Presque Isle". Denny was then instructed to remain at LeBoeuf for the present, unless it be found that it would be advisable to retire from it to avoid an actual contest with the friendly Indians.
Andrew Ellicott's Letter to Governor Mifflin.
"Dear Sir: In my last letter to you from Pittsburg I mentioned that you might expect to hear from me, both from Fort Franklin and Le Boeuf ; but from a variety of circumstances no opportunity occurred of writing at first. On my arrival there, the place appeared to be so defenseless a situation that, with the concurrence of Capt. Denny and the officer com- manding the fort, we remained there some time, and employed the troops in rendering it more tenable. It may now be considered as defensible, providing the number of men is increased. The garrison at present con- sists of twenty-five men, one-half of whom are unfit for duty, and it is my opinion that double that number would not be more than sufficient, considering the importance and safety of the settlement on French Creek. At Fort Franklin, Gen. Wilkins and myself wrote to Cornplanter to attend
(17)
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HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY
there, that we might have an opportunity of explaining to him the nature of our business, and of obviating any difficulties that might arise in our proceedings. However, he did not come as we expected, having gone some days before to a council of the Six Nations at Buffalo. With this letter you will receive a copy of their message, presented by Gen. Chapin and Mr. Johnson to Capt. Denny and myself, with our reply to the same. I leave at to yourself to consider the propriety of a British agent attending a considerable number of Indians, with a superintendent of Indian Affairs of the United States to order the people of Pennsylvania to remove from those lands which have been ceded to them by treaty, by the king of Great Britain, and since that time regularly purchased from the Six Nations, and punctually paid for. After repairing Fort Franklin, we proceeded to this place, and are now beginning to strengthen the works here, so as to render it a safe deposit for military and other stores; and in doing which, agreeable to instructions, economy shall be strictly attended to. The line described by the Indians on the map will take from the State of Pennsyl- vania the Cassawago settlement (Meadville), being part of the purchase of 1784, and the whole of the purchase of 1788. But with respect to this claim they can be serious only so far as encouraged by the British agents and the countenance shown them by the late interference by the United States. The objection made by Mr. Brandt to Gen. Chapin, that the estab- lishment at Presqu'Isle would cut off the communication between the Six Nations and the Western hostile Indians, and thereby diminish their joint strength, is the strongest argument that can be urged in favor of that establishment. Gen. Chapin and myself are of the opinion that all differ- ences between the State of Pennsylvania and the Six Nations might be accommodated by a treaty, which treaty ought not to be held in the neigh- borhood of any British post, the United States, and this State at present, and that Presqu'isle is the most eligible place for such a treaty. Gen. Chapin, I presume, has communicated his sentiments to Gen. Knox on this subject. Standing Stone, a chief resident at Conyat, has informed uș, since we arrived at this place, that the late mischief on the Allegheny River and Venango path was done by a party of eight warriors from Huron River, which falls into Lake Erie about twenty-six miles above Cuyahoga. One of his brothers saw them on their way to commit these depredations. Those Indians are only to be chastised by way of the lakes, but it is neither the interest of the British, Brandt, nor the other agents to have them punished-it is the interest of the United States; and yet the United
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States, by directing a suspension of the business at Presqu'isle, have taken effectual measures for the security of this nest of murderers, whose cruel- ties have for some years past been severely felt by the citizens of this State. You must recollect that I always had my doubts respecting the fulfillment of the contract for opening the navigation of French Creek, and a road from Le Boeuf to Presqu'isle, and agreeable to my expectations, have hitherto not been able to discover anything done in that business. For the further security of the frontiers of this State, it would be neces- sary to erect two block-houses on the Venango path, between Fort Pitt and Venango, and a third between Venango and this place. At present, Mead's settlement appears to me the most proper situation.
I am, with great respect, your real friend,
Andrew Ellicott."
General Chapin's Letter to the Secretary of War. "Fort Le Boeuf, June 26th, 1794.
"I left Canandaigua on the thirteenth of this month, in order to at- · tend a council at Buffalo Creek. I waited more than a week after my first notification for my son to return, that I might have an answer from you; but the chief growing impatient, kept constantly sending runners, and I was obliged to set out at last, to my great disappointment, without having received any information from you. On my arrival I found the minds of the Indians much agitated with regard to the movements made by the State of Pennsylvania. On the eighteenth I met the Indians in general council, the proceedings of which you see here inclosed. At this council I was requested to go to Presqu'isle (as you will see by their speech), to desire the people to move off who had made encroachinents on their lands. I found that no excuse would answer, and was finally obliged to comply with their request. On the nineteenth I left Buffalo Creek, accom- panied by a delegation from the Six Nations, consisting of sixteen chiefs and warriors. I arrived at Presqu'isle on the twenty-fourth, but finding no person there, proceeded to Le Boeuf, where I found Mr. Ellicott and Capt. Denny. After informing those gentlemen of the business I came upon, I gave them a copy of the speech which had been delivered me at Buffalo Creek. The answer which they made I send you, inclosed with the other speeches. Although the minds of the Six Nations are much dis- turbed at the injuries which they say they have sustained, they are still opposed to war, and wish, if possible, to live in peace with the United
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States. They are much opposed to the establishing of garrisons in this quarter, as they think it will involve them in war with the hostile Indians. They are likewise displeased with having their lands surveyed, which they say were not legally purchased. In this critical situation, would it not be best to have commissioners appointed to treat with the Six Nations, that all difficulties may be settled which subsist between them and the United States, especially those that regard the State of Pennsylvania? And it is the wish of the Six Nations that this treaty should be held at their council fire at Buffalo Creek. I shall return by Buffalo Creek," etc., etc.
It will thus be seen that, although the War of the Revolution had long since been fought out, and a treaty covering the terms of peace had been solemnly entered into between Great Britain and the United States, it took years of time for the British to accustom themselves, or adapt themselves, to the notion that this territory about our county had been lost to them, and that another government had succeeded to its control and management. At length, however, the British reluctantly yielded the possession, and little by little their influence over the Indians waned. The Indian dangers gradually diminished, and even the Indians themselves gradually dispersed, until finally not an Indian could be found in all of the length and breadth of this county, and for many a long mile away from it. But it is believed that the foundation of the Indians' complaint, and, of course, fanned and intensified by the British agents, was their contention that The Cornplanter had not properly, or with authority, granted .this territory to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This feeling remained with them until after their defeat by Gen. Anthony Wayne in the west in August of 1794. This defeat tended to a more respectful attitude on the part of the Indians towards forces of the United States, and particu- larly those forces under General Wayne. Some Indians of the Six Na- tions had been in that campaign, and when they returned to their villages in the east, told most awesome stories of General Wayne's ability and bravery. The little garrison of 110 men, including their officers, stationed at LeBoeuf, made very good use of their time that summer, and by July 4, Denny reported "Have been busy erecting a stockade post. Moved the detachment in yesterday. And now beyond the power of any body of hostile Indians. None have been around since the party of the 24th (June). Hear firing almost daily, but whether friends or foes is uncer- tain". And Ellicott, who was one of the State Commissioners, being at LeBoeuf at the time, wrote as late as Aug. 1, that "The Indians consider
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