USA > Pennsylvania > Warren County > History of Warren County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers > Part 10
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101
1 Fort Armstrong stood on the site of the present town of Kittanning. It had been built and garri- soned, by orders of Colonel Brodhead, a few weeks prior to the beginning of this expedition.
2 Now written Conewango. The Indian village of " Canawago " stood a mile or so below the site of the town of Warren.
3 An Indian town, al the junction of Brokenstraw Creek and the Allegheny River.
79
ENGLISH DOMINION.
small Breastwork to be thrown up of felled Timber and fascines, a Capt. and forty men were left to secure our Baggage and Stores, and the Troops imme- diately proceeded to Canawago, which I found had been deserted about eight- een months past.
" Here the Troops seemed much mortified because we had no person to serve as a Guide to the upper Towns, but I ordered them to proceed on a path which appeared to have been travelled on by the Enemy some time past, and we continued marching on it about 20 Miles before any discoveries were made except of a few tracks of their spies. But immediately after ascending a high hill we discovered the Allegheny River & a number of Corn Fields, and de- scending several towns1 which the Enemy had deserted on the approach of the Troops. Some of them fled just before the advanced Guards reached the Towns and left several packs of Deer skins. At the upper Seneca Towns we found a painted image or War post, clothed in Dog skin, and John Montour told me this town was called Yoghroonwago; besides this we found seven other Towns, consisting in the whole of one hundred and thirty Houses, some of which were large enough for the accommodation of three or four Indian families. The Troops remained on the ground three whole days destroying the Towns and Corn Fields. I never saw finer Corn altho' it was planted much thicker than is common with our Farmers. The quantity of Corn and other vegetables destroyed at the several Towns, from the best accounts I can collect from the officers employed to destroy it, must certainly exceed five hundred acres which is the lowest estimate, and the plunder taken is estimated at 30 m. Dollars; I have directed a sale to be made of it for the Troops. On my return I preferred the Venango Road, the old towns of Canawago, Buch- loons & Mahusquechikoken, about 20 Miles above Venango on French Creek, consisting of 35 large houses were likewise burnt. The greatest part of the Indian houses were larger than common, and built of square & round logs and frame work. From the great quantity of Corn in new Ground & the number of new houses Built and Building it appears that the whole Seneca & Muncy nations intended to collect to this settlement which extends about eight Miles on the Allegheny River, between one hundred and seventy and two hundred miles from hence. The River at the upper Towns is little if any larger than Kiskamanitis Creek. It is remarkable that neither man or Beast has fallen into the Enemies hands on this expedition, & I have a happy presage that the counties of Westmoreland, Bedford & Northumberland, if not the whole west- ern Frontiers will experience the good effect of it.
"Too much praise cannot be given to both officers and soldiers of every Corps during the whole expedition, their perseverance and zeal during the whole march thro' a Country too inaccessible to be described can scarcely be
1 Cornplanter's towns, the lower one of which was located where the descendants of that chief and his followers still reside.
80
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
equalled in history. Notwithstanding many of them returned barefooted 1 and naked they disdained to complain, and to my great mortification I have neither Shoes, Shirts, Blankets, Hats, Stockings nor leggins to relieve their necessities.
"On my return here I found the Chiefs of the Delawares, the principal Chief of the Hurons [Wyandots] and now the king of the Maquichee tribe of the Shawnese, is likewise come to treat with me; about 30 Delaware warriors are here likewise ready to go to war, but I have nothing to encourage them with, and without the means of paying them I cannot send them out. The Troops here have at least nine months pay due them and there is neither money nor Pay master to discharge the arrearages.
" A majority of my Reg't are now discharged and the term of the two Rang- ing Companies of Westmoreland expired, so that I shall be weak in Troops to prosecute an expedition which by your permission I should be happy to make against Detroit, taking the Shawanese in my way. I should be happy to have your permission to make occasional excursions against any of the In- dian nations who may hereafter prove inimical to us, as sometimes a favorable opportunity may be lost before I can be favored with your particular orders. Likewise to know your pleasure in regard to the Senecas and Muncies should they in their great distress sue for peace. I have before taken the liberty to give you my opinion respecting them, and the pairings of scalps and the hair of our Countrymen found at every Warrior's camp on the path we marched are new inducements for Revenge.
"I am informed that Col. Clark who took Post St. Vincent, is making peace and war with the natives. I am not instructed how far your Excellency has authorized him to do so and apprehend the worst consequences to this frontier should either Col. Clark or myself enter into a treaty of peace with one of the Indian nations and the others break it, and by my instructions I am confined to the immediate command of the Troops here, I can take no steps to prevent such a probable [event?] but humbly entreat you to do it.
"The Wyandotts and the Maquichee tribe of the Shawanese promise very fair, and I have promised them peace, provided they take as many prisoners and scalps from the Enemy as they have done from us and on every occasion join us against the enemies of America, which they have engaged to do.
"A few Indian Goods, Paint and trinkets at this juncture would enable me to engage the Delawares to harrass the enemy frequently.
"The bearer, Capt. McIntire, has some private as well as public Business to transact at Philada. I have therefore ordered him to proceed to Head Quar- ters and he will have the honor to wait on you with this letter.
"I have the honor to be with the most perfect regard and esteem, Your Excellency's Most Obed't H'ble Serv't, D. BRODHEAD."
1 Said Colonel Brodhead in describing his lack of supplies, clothing, etc., a few days before this movement began : " My officers begin to be very ragged, and some have worn out and lost their blank- ets, and I have not a single stocking for my men."
81
ENGLISH DOMINION.
In a subsequent letter, addressed to the " Hon'ble Major Gen'l Sullivan," Colonel Brodhead said that "Yahrungwago is about forty miles on this side [meaning to the southward] Jenesseo, where I should have gone had I not been disappointed in getting a sufficient number of shoes for my men." This would indicate that Brodhead penetrated as far northward as the southern cen- tral part of Cattaraugus county, New York State, or the vicinity now known as the town of Salamanca. It will also be noticed in the foregoing letter from Colonel Brodhead to General Washington, that the Colonel makes the state- ment, "it is remarkable that neither man or Beast has fallen into the Enemies hands on this expedition." Now, viewed from another stand-point, these results were not at all remarkable. There were no Seneca warriors at home to oppose him. His movement into their country was wholly unexpected. Hence the chief portion of the warlike Senecas, under the leadership of "Corn- planter," "Farmer's Brother," and "Governor Blacksnake," had gone forward to join others of the Six Nations in opposing General Sullivan.
Having marched up the Susquehanna to Tioga Point, where he was joined by a brigade under General James Clinton (father of De Witt Clinton), General Sullivan, early in August, 1779, with a total force of some four thousand men, moved up the Chemung to a point a few miles below the site of Elmira. There Colonel John Butler, with a small body of Tories and Indian allies, to the number of about fifteen hundred men, had thrown up intrenchments and a battle was fought. Speedily defeated with considerable loss, Butler hastily retired and made no further opposition.
Sullivan advanced and destroyed all the Seneca villages on the Genesee and about Geneva, burning wigwams and log cabins, cutting down orchards, cutting up green corn, and utterly devastating the country. The Senecas fled in great dismay to the British stronghold known as Fort Niagara. The On- ondaga village had in the mean time been destroyed by another force, but it is evident that the Senecas were the ones who were chiefly feared and against whom the vengeance of the Americans was chiefly directed. After thoroughly laying waste their country the Americans under Sullivan returned to the East.
Sullivan's and Brodhead's expeditions substantially destroyed the league which bound the Six Nations together. Its form remained, but it had lost its binding power. The Oneidas and Tuscaroras were encouraged to increase their separation from the other confederates. Those tribes whose possessions had been destroyed were thrown into more complete subservience to the Brit- ish power, thereby weakening their intertribal relations, and the spirits of the once haughty Senecas, the most powerful and warlike of them all, were much broken by the double dose of punishment they had received.
It was a more serious matter than had been the destruction of their villages in earlier times, as they had adopted a more permanent mode of existence. They had learned to depend more on agriculture and less on the chase, and
82
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
possessed not only cornfields, but gardens, orchards, and sometimes comfort- able houses. In fact they had adopted many of the customs of civilized life, though without relinquishing their primitive pleasures, such as tomahawking prisoners and scalping the dead.
They fled en masse to Fort Niagara, and during the winter of 1779-80, which was of extraordinary severity, were scantily sustained by rations which the British authorities with difficulty obtained. As spring approached, the En- glish made earnest efforts to reduce the expense by persuading the Indians to make new settlements and plant crops. The red men, however, were naturally anxious to keep as far as practicable from their dreaded foes (the "Long Knives," as they sometimes termed the American soldiery, especially the Vir- ginians) who had inflicted such heavy punishment the year before, and were unwilling to risk their families again at their ancient seats.
At this time a considerable body of the Senecas, with a few Cayugas and Onondagas, moved up from Niagara and established themselves near Buffalo Creek, about four miles above its mouth. The same spring another band located themselves at the mouth of the Cattaraugus. The Senecas who set- tled on Buffalo Creek were under the leadership of Sayengaraghta, an aged but influential chief, sometimes called Old King, and said to have been during his life the head sachem of the Seneca nation.
Meanwhile the war was continued with varying fortunes. The Johnsons, Colonel Butler, Brant, and prominent Tories kept the Indians as busy as possi- ble, marauding in small parties upon the frontiers of New York and Pennsylva- nia; but they had been so thoroughly broken up by Sullivan and Brodhead that they were unable to produce such devastation as marked their pathway at Wyoming and Cherry Valley. They had learned to fear the Americans, to respect their strength, and to doubt the vaunted invincibility of British armies. Burgoyne had already succumbed to the inevitable. Cornwallis surrendered in October, 1781, and on the IIth of April, 1783, the treaty of peace having been signed and the independence of the United States of America acknowl- edged by Great Britain, Congress sent forth the joyful proclamation ordering the cessation of hostilities. Thus the unquestioned English authority over the territory of which Warren county forms a part, lasted only a little more than twenty years.
83
FROM 1783 TO 1790.
CHAPTER X.
FROM 1783 TO 1790.
Forlorn Condition of the Senecas at the Close of the Revolutionary War - Willing to Cede the Remainder of their Lands in Pennsylvania -Commissioners Appointed to Treat with Them - A Sum Appropriated to Purchase Indian Goods - Quantity and Kind of Goods with which Purchase was Made - Treaty of Fort Stanwix -- Boundaries of the Tract Acquired by Penn- sylvania - Cornplanter the Friend of the Whites-Subsequent Indignation of IIis Tribe - General Irvine Explores the New Purchase - Extracts from His Report -- Running the Bound- ary Line Between New York and Pennsylvania- Interesting Details - Early Names of War- ren County Streams - Indian Villages - Pertinent Suggestions - A Tract of Land Granted to Cornplanter - Survey of Lands of the Mouth of the Conewango- An Account of the First Official Exploration of the Head Waters of the Allegheny.
W ITH the return of peace between the English and Americans, many of the Senecas returned to their old haunts on the upper waters of the Allegheny and Susquehanna. But they were destitute and dejected. The sites of their once thriving villages, orchards and cornfields, were overgrown with rank weeds and briers. They were without the supplies which years of inter- course and trading with the French and English had taught them to consider indispensable, and it was soon ascertained that they, in conjunction with others of the Six Nations, were willing to cede the remainder of their lands in Penn- sylvania for quantities of gunpowder, lead, rum, blankets, beads, flannels, etc., or such goods as invariably delighted the sons and daughters of the forest.
Thereupon, permission having first been obtained from Congress allowing the authorities of Pennsylvania to treat for the cession of Indian lands lying within the boundaries of the State, the Supreme Executive Council, on the 25th of September, 1783, appointed Samuel J. Atlee, William Maclay and Francis Johnston as commissioners for the State to hold treaties with the Indians and to purchase the lands above mentioned. However, no further action seems to have been taken until August 28, 1784, when it was ordered by Council that a warrant be issued on the State treasurer in favor of the com- missioners for the sum of £3,375, specie, with which to "negotiate a purchase from the Indians of the unpurchased territory in the State." In addition the commissioners were allowed £1,000, to defray expenses while making a pur- chase of goods with which to pay the Indians, of travel, etc. They were also authorized to employ interpreters, messengers, and such other persons as might be found useful in gaining the object sought, and such expenses were to be an extra claim against the State. Captain Joseph Stiles, commissary of military stores, was ordered to deliver to them five hundred pounds of gunpowder, three horsemen's tents and one soldier's tent, to be used while accomplishing their undertaking, and lastly they were directed by Council to procure immediately
84
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
the following described articles, being duly cautioned, however, not to expend more in their purchase of goods than the amount placed at their disposal - £3.375 :
" 20} casks of gunpowder.
1 tonn of barr lead.
2 groce of thimbles.
2 do of jews harps.
50 dozen white ruffled shirts.
5 do laced hats.
o do knives.
10 do hat hets.
10 do pipe tomahawks.
12 do looking glasses.
2 M. awl blades.
5 M. needles.
I C. vermillion.
50 rifles.
60 M. wampum, 30 white, 30 black.
12 dozen silver arm bands.
12 do do wrist bands.
20 do pipes, Moravian.
20 dlo callicoe shirts.
I hogshead of tobacco.
500 pounds of brass kettles, in nests, com- pleat.
100 pounds of small white beads.
2 groce of morrice bells.
5 dlozen pieces of yellow, green, and purple ribbon.
5 pieces embossed flannels.
60 dozen broaches.
2 do gorgets.
12 do nose bobs.
12 do hair pipes.
12 do rings.
6 pieces scarlet broad cloth.
100 pounds of brass wire.
20 dozen silk handkerchiefs.
2 do pieces of callicoe.
4 do saddles & bridles.
1000 flints, or 1 keg.
1 groce sheers.
I do scissars.
I do horn combs.
I do ivory combs.
50 pounds of thread, sorted.
12 groce scarlet and star gartering.
12 do green and yellow bed lace. 3 hogsheads of rum.
30 pieces best London stroud.
30 do French match coats.
10 do blankets.
20 do do one half thicks, purple and white nap."
Thus prepared and equipped the commissioners soon after proceeded from Philadelphia to the site of the present town of Rome, N. Y., and there, on the 23d day of October, 1784, nearly all of the distinguished chieftains of the Six Nations being assembled, completed the negotiations known in American his- tory as the treaty of Fort Stanwix.
The boundaries of the lands then ceded to Pennsylvania were described as follows: " Beginning at the South side of the river Ohio, where the western Boundary of the State of Pennsylvania crosses the said River near Shingas Old Town at the mouth of Beaver Creek, and thence by a due north line to the End of the forty-second, and beginning of the forty-third degrees of North Latitude, thence by a due East line separating the forty-second and forty-third degrees of North Latitude, to the East side of the East branch of the River Susquehanna, thence by the Bounds of the late purchase made at Fort Stan- wix the fifth day of November anno Domini one thousand Seven hundred and Sixty-Eight as follows, down the said East Branch of Susquehanna on the East side thereof, till it comes opposite to the mouth of a creek called by the In- dians Owandae and across the River, and up the said creek on the south side thereof and along the range of Hills called Burnet's Hills by the English and
85
FROM 1783 TO 1790.
by the Indians -, on the north side of them to the head of a creek which runs into the West Branch of the Susquehanna which creek is by the Indians called Tyadaghtan, but by the Pennsylvanians, Pine Creek, and down the said creek on the south side thereof, to the said West Branch of Susquehanna, then Crossing the said River, and running up the same, on the south side thereof the several courses thereof, to the Forks of the same River which lie nearest to a place on the River Ohio, called Kittanning, and from the Forks by a straight line to Kittanning aforesaid, and then down the said River Ohio by the several Courses thereof, to where the Western Bounds of the said State of Pennsyl- vania crosses the same River at the place of beginning." Or, in other words, the vast region now embraced by the counties of Potter, Mckean, Warren, Crawford, Mercer, Lawrence, Butler, Venango, Forest, Clarion, Jefferson, Elk, and Cameron, besides, in part, by Bradford, Tioga, Lycoming, Clinton, Center, Clearfield, Indiana, Armstrong, Allegheny, Beaver, and Erie counties.
At Fort Stanwix the Seneca chieftain of many names-" Captain John O'Bail," "Gyantwakee " or the " Cornplanter," was the principal speaker on behalf of the Senecas, though "Old King" was then recognized as the chief sachem of the nation. The " Cornplanter," half white by blood, but thoroughly Indian by nature, had been one of the bravest and most successful chiefs of the Senecas during the war. With the rank of captain in the motley forces com- posed of British regulars, Tories and Indians, he had led his band of murderers into many frontier settlements, sparing the lives of but few of those who were so unfortunate as to fall into his hands; but now he was for peace, a lasting peace, and did his utmost, probably more than any other chieftain to bring about this cession of lands to Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvanians of his day appreciated his efforts, at Fort Stanwix, at Fort MeIntosh, and at Presque Isle ; but with many of his own people his reputation was for a long time clouded because of his assent to the treaty of Fort Stanwix. They asserted in substance that he had been bribed by the white men, who coveted their lands; and after the trinkets and trumpery they had received in payment were worn out or lost, when with no homes or lands of their own, they realized that their condition was much worse than ever before, they were loud and bitter in their denunciations of him. Indeed, that they were not without something to build their suspi- cions upon the following will show :
" We the subscribers, Commissioners appointed to purchase of the Indians the late unpurchased Territory within the acknowledged limits of Pennsylvania do promise, to deliver as soon as conveniently may be, to Cap. Aaron Hill of the Mohawk Tribe, and to Captain O'Bale of the Seneca Tribe two good rifles of neat workmanship, one for each of them, the rifles to be sent to the new store near Tioga, if it should not be convenient for the said Captain Aaron Hill or Captain O'Bale to come themselves the Rifles to be delivered to the Bearer of this obligation. These Rifles given to them in consideration of their serv-
86
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
ices at the late purchase. Witness our hands this 25th day of October, 1784." This paper was signed by Atlee, Maclay, and Johnston, and was witnessed by G. Evans and James Dean.
The goods received by the Indians in payment for their lands ceded in 1784 were delivered at the junction of the East Branch of the Susquehanna and Chemung Rivers, a place then known as "Tioga Point," but now desig- nated as Athens, Pa. The privilege of occupying, hunting and fishing upon the unimproved lands ceded was reserved by the Indians. From Fort Stan- wix the Pennsylvania commissioners proceeded on horseback to the Muskin- gum country, or Fort McIntosh, where another treaty was concluded with the Wyandots and Delawares in January, 1785. Thence in the same manner the commissioners journeyed to Fort Pitt, and on eastward to Philadelphia.
Soon after the Indian title to lands in the northwestern portion of the State had been extinguished, it was determined by the Supreme Executive Council to set aside and donate "to the late troops of the Pennsylvania Line, of the American Army," a large tract of territory to be located in the western part of the new purchase. With this object in view surveyors and explorers were sent forward in the spring and summer of 1785 to make personal observations of regions as yet but little known. One of the most active and intelligent of those delegated with authority to view the country was General William Irvine, a gentleman who had won distinction during the Revolutionary struggle as an officer of the Pennsylvania line. A soldier himself, it was his wish that those who had periled their lives in the fight for independence should have as good land as the new purchase afforded. During his journeyings he penetrated to the central part of the present county of Warren. His descriptions of this and adjacent regions as they appeared to him then, and his ideas of what were good or inferior lands, make interesting reading at this time, hence we append a considerable portion of his report.
"In exploring the donation land, I began on the Line run by Mr. McLane between that and the tracts appropriated for redeeming depreciating certificates which he ascertained by a due North Line to be near thirty miles from Fort Pitt, and by the Common computation along the path leading from Fort Pitt to Ve- nango on the mouth of French Creek, which some affirm was actually measured by the French when they possessed the country, I found it forty miles. East of this part and along Mr. McLane's Line for five or six miles, the land is pretty level, well watered with small springs, and of tolerable quality, but from thence to the Allegheny River which is about Twenty-five miles due East, there is no land worth mentioning fit for cultivation; as far as French Creek all between the Venango Path and the Allegheny there is very little land fit for cultivation, as it is a continued chain of high barren mountains except small breaches for Creeks and Rivulets to disembogue themselves into the River. These have very small bottoms.
87
FROM 1783 TO 1790.
" As I proceeded along the path leading to French Creek about five miles to a branch of Beaver or rather in this place called Canaghqunese [now Con- noquenessing], I found the Land of a mixed quailty, some very strong and broken with large quantities of fallen Chestnut interspersed with strips covered with Hickory, lofty oak, and under Wood or Brush, Dogwood, Hazel, &; along the Creek very fine rich and extensive bottoms in general fit for meadows; from hence to another branch of said Creek called Flat Rock Creek, about ten miles distant, the land is generally thin, stony and broken, loaded, however, with Chestnut Timber, the greatest part of which lies flat on the earth, which renders it difficult travelling-at the usual crossing place on the last named Creek, there is a beautiful fall over a Rock ten or twelve feet high, at the ford- ing immediately above the fall, the bottom is one entire Rock, except some perforations which are capacious enough to receive a horses foot and leg-it is here about forty yards wide and runs extremely rapid. From Flat Rock to Sandy Creek by Hutchins & Scull called, Lycomie, is about twenty-four miles; on the first twelve there are a considerable quantity of tolerable level lands tho' much broken with large stony flats, on which grows heavy burthens of Oak, Beech, and Maple, particularly seven or eight miles from the Creek there is a plain or Savannah three or four miles long, and at least two wide, without anything to obstruct the prospect, except here and there a small grove of lofty Oaks or Sugar Tree, on the skirts the ground rises gradually to a moderate height from which many fine springs descend, which water this fine Tract abundantly-along these Rivulets small but fine spots of meadow may be made, from hence the remaining twelve miles to Sandy Creek is a ridge or mountain, which divides the waters of the Allegheny, the Beaver and Ohio, and is from East to West, at least three times as long as it is Broad-on the whole of this there is little fit for cultivation, yet some of it is well calculated for raising stock, But a person must be possessed of very large Tracts to enable him to do even this to purpose.
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.