History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 40

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902; Whitman, Benjamin, 1940-; Russell, N. W. (Nathaniel Willard); Brown, R. C. (Robert C.); Weakley, F. E; Warner, Beers & Co. (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1280

USA > Pennsylvania > Erie County > History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc > Part 40

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A FATAL DUEL.

The winter was one of intense excitement in consequence of the frequent false alarms and the presence of so large a number of idle men. The prize money distributed among the fleet led to much dissipation. The main topic of discussion, when matters were sufficiently quiet to allow of controversy, re- lated to the respective merits of Perry and Elliott, many freely charging the latter with poltroonery during the battle of September 10, while others, and especially the officers and crew of the Niagara, defended him as a brave man, who had been the victim of adverse circumstances.

A duel growing out of one of these disputes took place near the cor- ner of Third and Sassafras streets, between Midshipman Senat, who comniand- ed the Porcupine during the fight, and Acting Master McDonald, resulting in the death of the former. Of this encounter, Capt. N. W. Russell wrote as fol- lows to the Erie Dispatch:

" William Hoskinson, then a good sized boy, witnessed it. It occurred on

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or near the situation of a dwelling belonging to Gideon J. Ball, in which he formerly lived, corner of Third and Sassafras streets. Encircled by trees, without human habitation in the immediate vicinity, it was a fitting spot for such a meeting and such a scene. The principals were navy officers, named Senat and McDonald, who had quarreled while engaged in card-playing, and who agreed to settle the difficulty in the manner indicated. Pistols were the chosen weapons, and Lieutenant Montgomery and Dr. John C. Wallace the seconds, the former representing Senat, and the latter McDonald. Quietly conducted, only a small number of invited friends assembled on the occasion, Willi am Hoskinson having accidentally seen the gathering and gone to the place under the influence of a spirit of juvenile curiosity. Senat fell mortal- ly wounded by the first fire. McDonald at once fled, thereby escaping arrest and punishment. It was said of him that he had fought several duels, with a result each time similar to that realized in this case. Senat's engagement to an Erie lady added to the interest and painfulness of the tragedy."

The following correspondence passed between Elliott and Perry in conse- quence of the damaging reports against the former officer:

UNITED STATES BRIG NIAGARA, PUT IN BAY, September 17, 1813. SIR-I am informed a report has been circulated by some malicious person, prejudicial to my vessel when engaged with the enemy's fleet. I will thank you if you will with candor state to me the conduct of myself, officers and crew.

Respectfully your obedient servant,

CAPT. PERRY.

JESSE D. ELLIOTT. UNITED STATES ECHCONER ARIEL, PUT IN BAY, September 18, 1813.

MY DEAR SIR-I received your note last evening after I had turned in, or I should have answered it immediately. I am indignant that any report should be circulated as preju- dicial to your character as respects the action of the 10th. It affords me great pleasure to assure you that the conduct of yourself, officers and crew was such as to meet my warm- est approbation; and I consider the circumstances of your volunteering and bringing the small vessels into close action, as contributing largely to the victory. I shall ever believe it a premeditated plan to destroy our commanding vessel. I have no doubt had not the Queen Charlotte have run from the Niagara, from the superior order I observed her in, you would have taken her in twenty minutes.

With sentiments of esteem, I am, dear sir, your friend and obedient servant, CAPT. ELLIOTT.

O. H. PERRY.

THE CAMPAIGN OF 1814.

As soon as the ice was out of the lake, Elliott sent Dobbins on a cruise between Erie and Long Point, to obtain information of the enemy's move- ments and intercept any supplies that might be going by water .*

In April, the Lake Erie squadron was made a separate command, Elliott, at his own request, being ordered to Lake Ontario, and being succeeded by Capt. Arthur Sinclair. An expedition against Mackinaw was planned. The Law- rence and Niagara were rendered seaworthy, the Detroit and Queen Charlotte were brought from Put-in-Bay to Erie, and the squadron sailed for the upper lakes on the 25th of June, taking on 600 troops at Detroit and 500 at Fort

*Below are extracts from the Norwich (Conn.) Courier, of June 8, 15 and 22, 1814:

[June 8.] CANANDAIGUA, May 24.

We are informed by a Mr. Broughton. who has just reached here from Erie, that the force which lately sailed from that place on a secret expeditiou, landed at Long Point, Canada, where they set fire to the houses, in what is called Long Point settlement, by which about one huudred dwelling houses and all the other build- ings for a distance of eight miles into tlie interior were destroyed, besides a number of grist mills on Patter- son's Creek.

[June 15.]

Of the attack on Long Point no official account has been published. The Pittsburgh Mercury, a ministe- rial paper, states that our troops paid no respect to either public or private property, but burnt and plundered all they came across, and then returned to Erie in safety. The Mercury speaks of these excesses in terms of the highest indignation, and we hope none of our frontier towns may be laid in ruins on account of them.

[June 22 ]

An article from Erie mentions that the British and Indians are numerous about Long Point, and that they bad set fire to all the houses that were standing in the neighborhood when our troops left, as it appears they belonged to persons friendly to the United States.

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Gratiot. Reaching Mackinaw, and finding it well defended by the British, a force was landed on the east side of the island. Their attack was repulsed, one general officer on the American side being killed, and the expedition returned to Erie with the exception of the Scorpion and Tigress. These vessels were surprised and captured at the lower end of Lake Huron, by a body of British and Indians, who boarded them in boats at night. Sinclair left the Lawrence, which was in bad condition, at Erie, and with the balance of the squadron conveyed a portion of the troops to Buffalo. Remaining there a few days, he suddenly came back to Erie, leaving the Somers and Ohio, from which Dobbins had been detached, at the lower end of the lake. Shortly afterward, these vessels, while lying at anchor at Fort Erie, were boarded at night, and captured by a British party, making six that were destroyed by the enemy after the battle.

Here close the features of the war that are of special interest to the people of Erie County. The militia seem to have been dismissed in the spring, though there must have been an attempt to keep them ready for service, as we learn that two or three hundred men attended a battalion drill, May 18, at Martin Strong's. The fears for the safety of Erie do not appear to have sub- sided, for reference is made to the subject in a letter from the Governor, of August 3, to Com. Kennedy, who succeeded Sinclair in command of the squadron. There is nothing to show that the fleet rendered any service of consequence afterward. A treaty of peace was concluded at Ghent on the 24th of December, 1814, ratified by the Senate on the 17th of February succeeding, and joyfully welcomed by the people of both nations.

INCIDENTS OF THE WAR.

There were few able-bodied male residents of the county who were not obliged to serve in the militia at some time during the war. The alarms were sent over the country by runners, who went from house to house stirring up the inhabitants. It happened more than once that whole townships were nearly depopulated by their male citizens. One Sunday the news that Erie was in danger of attack reached Mercer while Rev. Mr. Tait was preaching in the court house. The sermon was stopped, the thrilling tidings announced from the pulpit, the congregation dismissed, and preparations begun for marching to the lake. Many jokes were perpetrated at the expense of the timid. On a certain night while the fleet was building, some wags removed the swivel be- longing to Gen. Kelso to the foot of French street, loaded it with powder, affixed a trail to the touch-hole, and set it off when they had got away to a safe distance. The explosion aroused every person in the town, the word was quickly passed that the dreaded foe had come at last, the women, children and valuables were sent into the back country, and for awhile there was the wildest state of agitation. On another occasion, three bombs were fired off as a joke near the same place, with almost similar results. At a later period, a party re- turned from the peninsula, reporting that they had seen three British spies. A detachment of militia was sent to reconnoiter and found three red oxen browsing away in utter innocence of the trouble they had provoked.

DISPOSAL OF THE VESSELS.

The naval station* at Erie was kept up until 1825, passing successively

* The navy yard is thus described by Capt. Russell, in the communication before referred to: " The location of the new gas works was occupied for the purpose. Surrounding it were pickets about fifteen feet high. In a neighboring ravine were two fish ponds, somewhat elevated, water pouring over one next to the bay, forming a beautiful landscape. Shaded by forest trees, it was quite an attractive summer resort. On the bank above,

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under the command of Capt. Daniel S. Dexter, Lieut. George Pierce, Capt. David Deacon and Capt. George Budd. In 1815, orders were issued to dis- pose of the vessels to the best advantage. The Lawrence, Detroit and Queen Charlotte were sunk for preservation in Misery Bay; the Caledonia and Lady Prevost were sold and converted into merchant vessels; the Porcupine was transferred to the revenue service, and the Niagara was kept afloat as a receiv- ing ship for some years, when she was beached on the northeast side of Misery Bay. At the auction of Government property, upon the breaking up of the naval station in 1825, the Lawrence, Detroit, Niagara and Queen Charlotte were purchased by a Mr. Brown, of Rochester, who re-sold them in 1836 to Capt. George Miles and others. They raised some of the vessels, intending to fit them up for the merchant service. The Detroit and Queen Charlotte were found in tolerable condition, but the Lawrence, being so badly riddled that she was not worth repairing, was again allowed to sink in the waters of the bay. After some years of duty, the Detroit was dismantled and sent adrift to go over Niagara Falls as a spectacle, certainly an inglorious end for such a famous ship. Capt. Miles transferred his interest in the Lawrence and Niagara to Leander Dobbins in 1857, who in turn disposed of the Lawrence in 1875 to John Dunlap and Thomas J. Viers. In the spring of 1876, the latter had her raised, cut in two and transported on cars to Philadelphia for exhibition at the Centennial, anticipating a small fortune by the enterprise. The people, how- ever, would not believe that a vessel no larger than a modern canal boat was the famous Lawrence. The show proved a disastrous financial failure, and the old hulk was finally purchased by a firm who expected to realize something by converting her into relics. The Niagara was never removed from the place where she was beached, and some of her timbers are still to be seen. Associa- tions for the erection of a monument to Perry were formed both in 1835 and in 1850, but were allowed to die out. A petition was sent to Congress in 1850 asking an appropriation of $20,000, provided the State would give as much more.

AMERICAN ARMY OFFICERS.

The following is a partial list of army officers from this and other counties of the Northwest, who participated in the war, most of whom made Erie their headquarters:

Quartermaster General, Wilson Smith, 1812-14. Commissary General, Callendar Irvine. Major Generals, Sixteenth Division-David Mead, 1812-14; John Phillips, 1814. Brigadier Generals, First Brigade, Sixteenth Division- Jolin Kelso, 1812-14; Henry Hurst, 1814. Second Brigade-Thomas Gra- ham, 1812. Brigade Inspector, First Brigade, Sixteenth Division-William Clark; Second Brigade, Samuel Powers. Paymaster, John Phillips, 1812-13. Major and Lieutenant Colonel, Dr. John C. Wallace. Commissaries, Rufus S. Reed, Stephen Wolverton. Sergeant Major, Henry Colt.

The members of Capt. Thomas Forster's company of "Erie Light Infantry," who spent the winter of 1812 at Buffalo, were as follows: First Lieutenant, Thomas Rees; Ensign, Thomas Stewart; First Sergeant, Thomas Wilkins; Second Sergeant, John Hay; Drummer, Ira Glazier; Fifer, Rufus Clough; Privates-Archibald McSparren, George Kelley, John Sloan, William Murray, Jonas Duncan, John Clough, John Woodside, William Duncan, John Eakene,

directly south of the present blast furnace, was a clearing of several acres cultivated for garden uses and kept in excellent condition by the navy yard sailors and marines.

" The great guns used by Perry and those captured by him from the British remained in the Erie Navy Yard until the fall of 1825, when they were transferred to the one at Brooklyn, N. Y. On the completion of the Erie Canal, they were placed at intervals of ten miles along that improvement. When the first fleet of boats left Buffalo, they were fired in rapid succession. By this means the people of New York City were notified of the departure of the boats in one hour and twenty minutes."

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George S. Russell, John E. Lapsley, Peter Grawosz, Jacob Carmack, William Henderson, Robert Irwin, Ebenezer Dwinnell, Samuel Hays, Thomas Laird, John W. Bell, Robert McDonald, Thomas Hughes, Robert Brown, John Mor- ris, George Buehler, William Lattimore, James E. Herron, Simeon Dunn, Adam Arbuckle, Stephen Wolverton, Francis Scott, Thomas Vance.

Rufus S. Reed and Stephen Wolverton had large contracts during the war, the latter for boarding the ship-builders, the former lo supply the upper lake forts with flour, beef, pork and whisky. Among those who came to Erie as ship-builders and became permanent residents of the town were John Justice, John Richards and Jeremiah Osborne.

The close of the war found the people of Erie County, with rare exceptions, very poor. Of money there was scarcely any, and the constant alarms, com- pelling them to neglect their crops, left them with nothing to sell. To add to their misfortunes, the crops of 1815-16 were nearly a failure, making their con- dition actually deplorable.

Three of the men who fought with Perry were living in the county in 1861, viz. : Benjamin Fleming * and Daniel Metzenburgh, of Erie, and J. Murray, of Girard. The last survivor of the battle was John Rice, whose death occurred in Shelby County, Ohio, on the 8th of February, 1880, in the nineti- eth year of his age.

THE STORY OF JAMES BIRD.

It has been stated that among the militia who came on for the defense of Erie was a company from Luzerne County. They were known as the "Kings- ton Volunteers." One of their number was James Bird, a young man from Centre County. While the fleet was building, Bird was the Sergeant in charge of a guard who were placed over the storehouse. The party, led by Bird, became disorderly, appropriated goods to their own use, refused admission to the proper officers, and were only brought into submission after a six-pounder had been loaded and placed into position so as to blow them to pieces. Diffi- culty being found in procuring marines, the offense of these men was con- doned, on condition that they should volunteer to serve on board the fleet. This they did, and Bird fought gallantly on the Lawrence, receiving a severe wound. In the spring of 1814, another warehouse having been fitted up at the mouth of Mill Creek, Bird was one of the guard assigned for its protec- tion. He and John Rankin, another marine, took advantage of the opportu nity to desert. They were recognized shortly after at a country tavern in Mer- cer County by Charles M. Reed, then a boy, traveling on horseback to school in Washington County. A few miles further on, young Reed met the party who were in pursuit of the deserters, whom he notified of their whereabouts. They were taken back to Erie, tried by court martial, and condemned to death.

A sailor named John Davis, who had deserted several times, was tried and sentenced with them. Much discussion ensued on the part of the citizens and militia, who sympathized to a large extent with Bird and his comrades. Strong efforts were made to have the sentence of Bird commuted to imprisonment, on account of his bravery on the 10th of September, but President Madison de- clined to interfere, on the ground that he "must suffer as an example to others." Their execution took place in October, 1814, on board the Niagara, lying at anchor in Misery Bay, Bird and Rankin being shot, and Davis hung at the yard arm. The bodies were interred on the sand beach, east of the mouth of Mill Creek. The most absurd stories were circulated in connection with the

* Benjamin Fleming was born in Lewiston Del., July 20, 1782. He came to Erie with a detachment for Perry's fleet, and lived in Erie until his death. He died in Erie, in May, 1870, and was buried in the cemetery with naval and military honors.

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affair, and a string of rhyme, written by some local " poet," elevating Bird into a hero, and surrounding him with a halo of romance, was sung and quoted by the populace for many years after the event.

OFFICIAL REPORT OF THE BRITISH COMMANDER:

The following is the report of the battle on Lake Erie, forwarded by Capt. Barclay to the British Naval Department:

HIS MAJESTY'S LATE SHIP DETROIT, PUT-IN-BAY, LAKE ERIE, September 12. 5

SIR-The last letter I had the honor of writing to you, dated the 6th inst., informed you that unless certain intimation was received of more seamen being on their way to Amherstburg, I should be obliged to sail with the squadron deplorably manned as it was, to fight the encmy (who blockaded the port) to enable us to get supplies of provisions and stores of every description; so perfectly destitute of provisions was the port that there was not a day's flour in store, and the crews of the squadron under my command were on half allowance of many things, and when that was done there was no more. Such were the mo- tives which induced Maj. Gen. Proctor (whom by your instructions I was directed to con- sult, and whose wishes I was enjoined to execute, so far as related to the good of the coun- try) to concur in the necessity of a battle being risked, under the many disadvantages which I labored; and it now remains for me, the most melancholy task, to relate to you the unfortunate issue of that battle, as well as the many untoward circumstances that led to that event.

No intelligence of seamen having arrived, I sailed on the 9th inst., fully expecting to meet the enemy next morning, as they had been seen among the islands; nor was I mis- taken; soon after daylight they were seen in motion in Put-in-Bay, the wind then at southwest and light, giving us the weather gauge; I bore up with them in hopes of bring- ing them to action among the islands, but that intention was soon frustrated by the wind suddenly shifting to the southeast, which brought the enemy directly to windward. The line was formed according to a given plan, so that each ship might be supported against the superior force of the two brigs opposed to them. About 10 the enemy had cleared the islands and immediately bore up, under easy sail in a line abreast, each brig being also sup- ported by the small vessels. At a quarter before 12 I commenced the action by a few long guns; about a quarter past the American Commodore, also supported by two schooners, one carrying four long twelve-pounders, the other a long thirty-two and twenty-four pounder, came to close action with the Detroit; the other brig of the enemy apparently destined to engage the Queen Charlotte, supported in like manner by two schooners, kept so far to windward as to render the Queen Charlotte's twenty-pound carronades useless, while she was with the Lady Prevost, exposed to the heavy and destructive fire of the Cal- edonia and four other schooners, armed with long and heavy guns, like those I have al- ready described. Too soon, alas, was I deprived of the services of the noble and intrepid Capt. Finnis, who soon after the commencement of the action fell, and with him fell my greatest support; soon after Lieut. Stokes of the Queen Charlotte was struck senseless by a splinter, which deprived the country of his services at this critical period. * * * * * * * * * * *

The action continued with great fury until half past two, when I perceived my oppo- nent drop astern, and a boat passing from him to the Niagara (which vessel was at this time perfectly fresh); the American Commodore seeing that as yet the day was against him (his vessel having struck as soon as he left her), and also the very defenseless state of the Detroit, which ship was now a perfect wreck, principally from the raking fire of the gun- boats, and also that the Queen Charlotte was in such a situation that I could receive very little assistance from her, and the Lady Prevost being at this time too far to Iceward from her rudder being injured, made a noble and, alas! too successful an effort to regain it, for he bore up, and supported by his small vessels, passed within pistol shot, and took a rak- ing position on our bow; nor could I prevent it, as the unfortunate situation of the Queen Charlotte prevented us from wearing; in attempting it we fell on board her; my gallant First Lieutenant, Garland, was now mortally wounded, and myself so severely that I was obliged to quit the deck. Manned as the squadron was, with not more than fifty British seamen, the rest, a mixed crew of Canadians and soldiers, and who were totally unac- quainted with such service, rendered the loss of officers more severely felt, and never in any action was the loss more severe; every officer commanding vessels and their seconds was either killed or wounded so severely as to be unable to keep the deck. (Here follows a eulogistic account of the services of various officers, and of the men in general. No men- tion of the surrender is made in the report, but a letter from Lieut. Inglis, who took com- mand of the Detroit after Barclay was wounded, which accompanies the document, states that he " was under the painful necessity of answering the enemy to say we had struck, the Queen Charlotte having previously done so)." The weather-gauge gave the enemy a

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prodigious advantage, as it enabled them not only to choose their position, but their dis- tance also, which they did in such a manner as to prevent the carronades of the Queen Charlotte and Lady Prevost from having much effect; while their long guns did great exe- cution, particularly against the Queen Charlotte. Capt. Perry has behaved in a most humane and attentive manner, not only to myself and officers, but to all the wounded. I trust that although unsuccessful, you will approve of the motives that induced me to sail under so many disadvantages, and that it may be hereafter proved that under such circum- stances the honor of His Majesty's flag has not been tarnished. I inclose the list of killed and wounded.

I have the honor to be, etc.,

R. H. BARCLAY, Commander and late senior officer.

CHAPTER XIX.

BENCH AND BAR.

U P to the year 1800, Erie County constituted a part of Allegheny, and all judicial proceedings took place at Pittsburgh, the county seat. The act creating Erie a separate county is dated the 12th of March, 1800. The county was too sparsely settled to maintain a distinct organization, and by the act of April 9, 1801, Erie, Crawford, Mercer Venango and Warren were thrown tem- porarily together for election and governmental purposes. Meadville was designated as the place where the county business should be transacted. This arrangement continued for two years.

The first court in Erie was held by Hon. Jesse Moore, in April, 1803. The hours for convening were announced by the Crier by the blowing of a horn. This horn continued to be used for the purpose until 1823. The Su- preme Judges at that time were obliged to hold Circuit Courts in the several counties of the State, and in the course of their duties Judge Yates visited Erie on the 15th of October, 1806, and Judge Brackenridge in 1807 and 1811. Judge Brackenridge was one of the ablest and most eminent men of his period, but extremely eccentric in his manners. He was the author of "Modern Chivalry," a work of rare wit and finely written. He sat in court when here in 1807, with his dressing gown on, kicked off his shoes and coolly elevated his bare feet upon a table. When the news was received that he was approaching Erie, he was met in the English style, by the Sheriff, attended by quite a party of gentlemen on horseback. A session of the Supreme Court was held in the city in 1854, at which Judges Lewis, Woodward, Lowrie and Knox were present.

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History of Erie county, Pennsylvania. Containing a history of the county; its townships, towns, villages schools, churches, industries, etc, Part 40

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902; Whitman, Benjamin, 1940-; Russell, N. W. (Nathaniel Willard); Brown, R. C. (Robert C.); Weakley, F. E; Warner, Beers & Co. (Chicago, Ill.) Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & co. Number of Pages: 1280

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902; Whitman, Benjamin, 1940-; Russell, N. W. (Nathaniel Willard); Brown, R. C. (Robert C.); Weakley, F. E; Warner, Beers & Co. (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Chicago : Warner, Beers & co.
Number of Pages: 1280