History of Warren County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Part 11

Author: Schenck, J. S., [from old catalog] ed; Rann, William S., [from old catalog] joint ed; Mason, D., & co., Syracuse, N.Y., pub. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Syracuse, N.Y., D. Mason & co.
Number of Pages: 1020


USA > Pennsylvania > Warren County > History of Warren County, Pennsylvania, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers > Part 11


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"From Sandy to French Creek is about seven or eight miles from the mouth, but it soon Forks into many small runs, and is but a few miles from the mouth to the source-there are two or three small bottoms only on this Creek- to French Creek is one entire hill, no part of which is by any means fit for cul- tivation.


" On the lower side, at the mouth of French Creek, where the Fort called Venango formerly stood, there is three or four hundred acres of what is com- monly called upland or dry bottom, very good land. On the North East side, about one mile from the mouth, another good bottom begins of four or five hundred acres, and on the summits of the hills on the same side, tho' high, there is a few hundred acres of land fit for cultivation-this is all in this neigh- borhood nearer than the first fork of the Creek ; which is about eight miles distant. On the Road leading from French to Oil Creek, within about three


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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.


miles and a half of Venango, there is a Bottom of fine land on the bank of the Allegheny, containing four or five hundred acres, there is little beside to Oil Creek fit for cultivation.


" French Creek is 150 yards wide. From French to Oil Creek is about eight miles-this is not laid down in any map, notwithstanding it is a large stream not less than eighty, or perhaps a hundred yards wide at the mouth, a considerable depth, both of which it retains to the first fork, which is at least twenty miles up, and I am certain is as capable of rafting timber or navigating large boats as French Creek in the same seasons this high. On the northeast or upper side of this creek, at the mouth, is four or five hundred acres of good bottom, and about a mile up there is another small bottom on the southwest side, which is all the good land to the first fork.


"Oil Creek has taken its name from an oil or bituminous matter found float- ing on the surface. Many cures are attributed to this oil by the natives, and lately by some whites, particularly rheumatic pains and old ulcers; it has hith- erto been taken for granted that the water of the creek was impregnated with it, as it was found in so many places, but I have found this to be an error, as I examined it carefully and found it issuing out of two places only, these two are about four hundred yards distant from [each] other, and on opposite sides of the creek. It rises in the bed of the creek at very low water, in a dry season I am told it is found without any mixture of water, and is pure oil; it rises, when the creek is high, from the bottom in small globules, when these reach the surface they break and expand to a surprising extent, and the flake varies in color as it expands; at first it appears yellow and purple only, but as the rays of the sun reach it in more directions, the colors appear to multiply into a greater number than can at once be comprehended.


"From Oil Creek to Cuskakushing, an old Indian town, is about seventeen miles-the whole of this is barren, high mountains, not fit for cultivation; the mountain presses so close on the river that it is almost impassable, and by no means practicable when the river is high, then travelers either on foot or horse- back are obliged to ascend the mountain and proceed along the summit.


"At Cuskushing there is a narrow bottom about two miles long, good land, and a very fine island fifty or sixty acres, where the Indians formerly planted corn. From Cuskushing to another old Indian town, also on the bank of the river, is about six miles; this place is called Canenacai, or Hickory Bottom; here is a few hundred acres of good land and some small islands, from hence to a place named by the natives the Burying Ground, from a tradition they have that some extraordinary man was buried there many hundred years ago, is about thirteen miles; most of this way is also a barren and very high mount- ain, and you have to travel the greatest part of the way in the bed of the river. To Brokenstraw Creek, or Bockaloons, from the last named place is about four- teen miles, here the hills are not so high or barren, and there are sundry good


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FROM 1783 TO 1790.


bottoms along the river. About half way there is a hill called by the Indians, Paint Hill, where they find very good red oker. Brokenstraw is thirty yards wide, there is a fine situation and good bottom near the mouth on both sides, but a little way up the creek large hills covered with pine make their appear- ance. From Brokenstraw to Conewagoo is eight or nine miles-here is a nar- row bottom, interspersed with good dry land and meadow ground all the way, and there is a remarkable fine tract at the mouth of Conewagoo, [Conewango,] of a thousand or perhaps more acres, from the whole of which you command a view up and down the main branch of Allegheny, and also up Conewagoo a considerable distance. Conewagoo is one hundred and fifty yards wide, and is navigable for large boats up to the head of Jadaque Lake, which is upwards of fifty miles from its junction with the east branch of the River. The head of Jadaque Lake is said to be only twelve miles from Lake Erie, where it is said the French formerly had a Fort, and a good Wagon Road from it to the Lake. Conewagoo forks about thirty miles from the mouth of the East Branch, is lost in a morass where the Indians frequently carried their canoes across into a large creek called the Cateraque, which empties into the lake forty or fifty miles above Niagara.


"This account of the Branches of Conewagoo I had from my Guide, an In- dian Chief of the Senecas, a native of the place, and an intelligent white man, who traversed all this country repeatedly. I have every reason to believe the facts are so-tho' I do not know them actually to be so, as I went only a small distance up this creek, being informed there is no land fit for cultivation to the first fork or to the lower end of Jadaque Lake, which begins seven miles up the West Branch, except what has already been mentioned at the mouth of the creek, the appearance of the country, in a view taken from the summit of one of the high hills, fully justified this Report, as nothing can be seen but one large chain of mountains towering above another, here, perhaps, it may not be amiss to insert the supposed distances in a collected view-and First from


" Fort Pitt to McLanes. .40 Miles.


To fourth branch of Canaghqunese. 5


" Rocky, or Flat Rock Creek. 10


" Sandy Creek. 2.4


" French Creek, 8


" Oil Creek. 8


" Cuskakushing 17


" Cananacai 6


" The Burying Ground. 13


" Brokenstraw 14


" Conewagoo 9


Deduct from Fort Pitt to McLanes' line between the depreciation and 154


donation tracts .. 40


Leaves the donation land to be 114 Miles Long.


"WM. IRVINE. agent."


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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.


During the same year (1785) part of the Indian purchase of 1784 was added to Westmoreland county, for judicial and other purposes, including portions of the present county of Warren, and about two years later the Supreme Execu- tive Council, of which Benjamin Franklin was president, granted to one "James Chambers, Esquire," late a colonel in the Revolutionary army, five hundred acres of land, then described as "in the County of Westmoreland," but now embraced by Spring Creek township in the county of Warren. This deed or grant was signed by Franklin August 17, 1787, and is one of the oldest papers of record relating to Warren county.


In the summer of 1787, Andrew Ellicott and Andrew Porter commissioners for the State of Pennsylvania, and Abraham Hardenburg and William Morris, commissioners for the State of New York, ran out and marked the boundary line between the two States from the ninetieth mile stone west from the Dela- ware River, on the parallel of forty-two degrees north latitude, westward to a meridian line drawn from the southwestern corner of the State of Pennsyl- vania. On the 29th of August of that year from their "observatory" on the west side of the Conewango, the Pennsylvania commissioners reported to the Supreme Executive Council as follows:


" GENTLEMEN :- We now take the earliest opportunity we have had of acquainting you with the progress we have made in the business which you have intrusted to us. We arrived at the Cawwanishee Flats on the 11th day of June, where the 90th mile-stone was set up last season. The Susquchan- nah was remarkably low, which prevented our Boats making the necessary expedition. From the 90th mile-stone we sent our Instruments up the Thy- esa in Canoes about 10 miles; our water-carriage then failed, and we had recourse to our Pack-Horses, but the ruggedness of the country at the Heads of the Susquehannah, Geneseo and Allegheny Rivers, soon killed, and rendered useless about two-thirds, but fortunately for our business, when the Horses failed we found ourselves on a small branch of the Allegheny River, necessity then pointed out the propriety of using water-carriage as much as possible, we immediately set about making canoes, and by the spirited exertions of our men, with no other implements than three falling axes, two or three Toma- hawks, and a Chisel, 13 inch wide, we had completed in six days for the use of our Pennsylvania party 5 excellent Canoes, two of which are between 40 and 50 feet in length. These Canoes with our Stores, Instruments and Bag- gage, we hauled 10 miles down a shallow stream to the main Allegheny River, our progress now began to appear less difficult, and we prepared to proceed down the River to a proper place for correcting the random Line by astro- nomical observation, but the day preceding our intended movement, we were ordered by the Indians [probably some of Cornplanter's band] to discontinue the Line 'till after a treaty should be held. We met them at the time and place appointed, explained the nature and propriety of the business we were


91


FROM 1783 TO 1790.


about, and finally were permitted to proceed. We have, notwithstanding these difficulties, completed the Line to the 167 mile-stone from the Delaware, and expect to have 28 miles more finished in a few days, and the fullest expecta- tion of finishing the business this season in good time, if not impeded by some uncommon difficulty or accident."


This report was signed by Messrs. Ellicott and Porter. In it, it will be noticed, the commissioners speak of their stores, etc .; and to show that these worthies were not destitute of the comforts and even the luxuries of life, while making their way through the wilderness and along the northern border of what is now Warren county, a hundred years ago, we append Mr. Porter's requisition for animals and supplies, made just before starting forth :


" 20 Horses and Pack Saddles.


1 box of Prunes.


20 Bells.


1 Hhd Spirits.


to Bbls of Pork.


20 Gall'ns Wine.


30 Bbls of Flour.


to Gall'ns F. Brandy.


200 lbs of Loaf Sugar.


2 Gall'ns Lime Juce.


50 lbs of Coffee.


30 lbs Soap.


8 lbs of Tea.


50 lbs Candles.


10 Gall'ns Vinegar.


28 lbs Scotch Barley.


14 lbs Rice.


3 lbs of Pepper and 6 Bottles Mustard.


4 Bushels Salt.


Stationery."


On the 29th of October of the same year (1787) the commissioners of the two States made their final report, showing that the boundary line had been marked in a satisfactory and permanent manner by mile-stones, or posts sur- rounded by mounds of earth, where stones could not be procured, from the ninetieth mile-stone west from the river Delaware to Lake Erie. Two maps also accompanied their report, showing the route traversed, the location of mile-posts, observatories, etc., the names of streams crossed or flowing near by, and likewise the names and location of a number of Indian towns. From these maps we learn that Conewango Creek was then written "Conawango River ;" the Kinzua, "Consua," and the Brokenstraw, "Koshanuadeago." No Indian towns were shown within the present limits of Warren county, but just over the line in New York, upon both the Conewango I and Allegheny, Indian villages were designated, besides another, termed "Hickory Town," at the point now known as Tionesta.


In February, 1788, Andrew Ellicott, one of the boundary-line commis- sioners, in writing from Baltimore to Benjamin Franklin, president of the Supreme Executive Council, said : " From the Face of the Map we returned


1 The Indian village on or near the Conewango was termed by the commissioners "Cayontona "; but Colonel Proctor, who visited this region in April, 1791, writes it "Cayantha, or the Cornfields." It stood about one mile north of the 195th mile-post on the State line west from the Delaware River, and between the forks of a small stream which, here flowing northeasterly, empties into the Cone- wango about a mile and a half north of the Stale line.


15 lbs of Chocolate.


60 lbs of Cheese.


3 doz'n neats Tongues.


3 jars of Pickles.


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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.


to the Supreme Executive Council last December, of the Country thro' which we passed with the Northern Boundary of the State; it appears plain that the situation of several places demands the attention of the Legislature. The first is the Mouth of the Conewango River; the second at the Mouth of French Creek, where the Old Venango Fort stood, and the third at the head of the Navigable Water of French Creek at Fort Le Bœuf." Thus again was the attention of the authorities directed to the eligible and picturesque site of the town of Warren.


The following year Richard Butler and John Gibson, commissioners for and in behalf of the State of Pennsylvania, concluded another treaty with the chiefs, warriors, and others representing the Six Nations, by which treaty the State acquired possession of the territory bounded on the south by the north line of Pennsylvania, on the east by the western boundary of New York, agreeably to the cession of that State and the State of Massachusetts to the United States, and on the north by the margin of Lake Erie, including Presque Isle and other points. At this treaty Cornplanter was again conspicuous as the friend of the whites, and by his speeches and bearing rendered the work of the commission- ers comparatively easy of accomplishment. Feeling grateful, therefore, Gen- cral Richard Butler, one of the commissioners above named, on the 22d of March, 1789, addressed the following communication to Thomas Mifflin, then president of the Supreme Executive Council :


"I beg leave to mention to your Excellency and Council that Capt'n Abcal, alias the Cornplanter, one of the principal Chiefs of the Seneca Tribe of the Six Nations, has been very useful in all the Treaties since 1784 inclu- sive, and particularly to the State of Pennsylvania, this he has demonstrated very fully, and his attachment at present to the State appears very great. This has induced me to suggest to your Excellency and Council whether it may not be good Policy in the State to fix this attachment by making it to his interest to continue it. This, from the Ideas he possesses of Civilization, induces me to think if the state would be pleased to grant him a small tract of land within the late purchase, it would be very grateful to him, and have that Effect. This may be done in a manner that would render him service without lessen- ing his influence with his own people or Exposing him to jealousy. The quan- tity need not be large, perhaps one thousand or fifteen hundred acres. How far your Excellency and Council may concur in this opinion will rest with your Excellency and them. My wishes for the quiet and interest of the State as well as the merits of the man, has induced me to take the liberty to mention this matter and hope the motive will be my appology."


This letter having been received and considered in Council March 24, or two days after date, it was resolved that the recommendation to grant Corn- planter one thousand or fifteen hundred acres of land be complied with.


As alluded to in a preceding paragraph, the attention of the Executive


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FROM 1783 TO 1790.


Council having frequently been directed to certain choice locations in the ter- ritory recently acquired by purchase (at Presque Isle, on Lake Erie; at Le Boeuf, at the head of navigation of French Creek; at the mouth of the Con- ewango, in the county of Allegheny, and at Fort Venango, situated at the mouth of French Creek), it was resolved in Council on Saturday, April 4, 1789, "that the Surveyor General be directed, and he is hereby directed to appoint a proper person to locate, survey, and make return of the several tracts men- tioned in the said resolution of Assembly, for the use of the Commonwealth, in conformity with the said resolution, and that the locations at each place amount to three thousand acres and no more." In compliance with this resolution the surveyor-general soon after appointed John Adlum to perform the work. The latter did so during the following summer, and in September, 1789, reported that he had completed the survey of four reserved tracts of lands, or "State Manors," at the points indicated, at an expense to the State of one hundred and seventy-five pounds eight shillings and two pence.


In the year 1790 the General Council of Pennsylvania appointed a commis- sion to survey and explore the West Branch of the Susquehanna and the head waters of the " Alegina," the object being to establish a suitable wagon road from the Susquehanna valley to Lake Erie. This commission consisted of John Adlum, Colonel Matlack, and Hon. Samuel Maclay, who afterward served a term as United States senator from Pennsylvania, from 1803 to 1808. During the time that the commission was acting in the discharge of its duties Mr. Maclay kept a record of each day's events, and it is from this diary, now in the possession of his grandson, ex-State Senator Maclay, of Clarion county, that these notes of the first official exploration of the head waters of the Alle- gheny, by authority of the State of Pennsylvania, are compiled.


By the terms of the act creating the commission, the commissioners were to meet at Lebanon on May 1, 1790; but Mr. Adlum and Colonel Matlack did not arrive at that point until May 17. Immediately after their arrival the commission proceeded upon the discharge of its duties, Mr. Maclay having made all necessary preparations while waiting upon the delinquents.


The West Branch was explored until the mouth of the Sinnemahoning Creek was reached, which stream was ascended as far as navigable by canoes, when the party proceeded on foot to the head waters of the Clarion River, in what is now Elk county. While Maclay and Matlack made different surveys in this locality, Mr. Adlum ran a line to the " Alegina," the object being to establish a camp on that river and leave some of the attendants there to build canoes for the accommodation of the commissioners when they should be ready to descend. This camp was located about twenty miles above the State line, and from this point the entire party started down the " Alegina " on the 2d day of July. About twelve o'clock they met two Indians, one of whom called himself " Doctor Thomas," who informed them that they had been sent by


94


HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.


their chief to see when the commissioners would arrive at the Indian town below. The State line was reached at three o'clock on the afternoon of the 3d, and here the party cncamped for the night. Leaving early the next morn- ing, the Indian camp was reached about nine o'clock, " Dr. Thomas " and his companion having preceded them. As what follows is of the most interesting character, we quote Mr. Maclay's diary in full :


"We got to the town at 9 o'clock. Went down below the town a little distance, kindled a fire and got our breakfast. Several of the Indians came to our fire, but the principal man was out of town, and it seems we must wait for him. We waited until the afternoon and were then given to understand that Con-ne-shangom, their chief, was gone to Venango, but a certain Captain John supplyed his place. He made us a speech in the afternoon to the following effect : That he and all their men returned thanks to Almighty God for the opportunity of speaking to his brothers; that as he now speaks he hopes that you will hear that you are come to poor people that are all suffering. Another thing he hopes that he knew nothing of our coming until he looked up and saw us come down the water. He hopes we will take pity on their women and children and give them something to prevent them from starving.


" Monday, July 5th .- Set off in the morning, two Indians going with us in a canoe, viz: Captain John and Ten Days, and the Doctor on horseback. About the middle of the afternoon we came to an Indian camp on shore where they had whisky, which they offered us. At this camp we saw a Dutchman who in the war had been taken prisoner, and, it seemed, choosed to continue with the Indians. We delayed but a short time at this camp, when we put out and left the Indians. After some time the Indians came up with us and the Doctor had got himself a little drunk. Just so much as to put him to showing his horsemanship, and, in attempting to ride up a stcep bank, him and his horse tumbled together into the river. We took up our camp a little before sunset.


"Tuesday, July 6th .- Took our breakfast and set off, and came to Tuis-in- Guis-an-Gothtaw about 10 o'clock. We soon found that the Doctor, who had reached the town before us, had been doing us ill offices with the people of the town. They looked remarkably sour, and insisted on our stopping until they sent for their chief, the Cornplanter, who lived about seven miles below at a place called In-oli-show-Dego. We said that we could go on and call on the Cornplanter where he lived. They said it was not manly to call about busi- ness at a cabin in the woods, and said that they had a hold of the stern of our canoe, plainly intimating that they could and would make us stay. We thought it best to be as accommodating as we could and told them to send for the Cornplanter, and we would stay until the afternoon. About noon their Chief came and told us that he had sent for the Cornplanter ; that he expected him soon, but that we must not think the time long. llis advice had no effect, for we did think the day a very long one. Night came at last but no Cornplanter.


95


FROM 1783 TO 1790.


"Wednesday, July 7th .- The Cornplanter came about eight o'clock, and appeared to be friendly disposed. He said he would look for a place where we might meet and speak to each other. We met, told our business and deliv- ered the Cornplanter his letter, which was read and interpreted to the Indians by one Matthews. They then all appeared in a good humor, and the Corn- planter, in a speech, told us he was glad to see us and gave us a welcome to anything we could catch in their country. Then we were addressed by an orator in behalf of the women. They told us that they were glad to see us; that they hoped we were well; that we had come a long, bad road; that they had heard the good news we had brought; that they thought that as the severest part of the labour of living fell to their lot, they had a right to speak and to be heard, and again thanked us for our good news; that they hoped that as soon as the good road we had spoke of was made they would be able to purchase what things they wanted on better terms; that it was true their trade at this time was much worse than formerly, owing to the scarcity of game, but that if a good road was made it would still be worth while for traders to come among them, and that they hoped a good correspondence would still be cultivated between them and us until we should become one people. Their speech was answered very properly by Col. Matlack. As soon as that was ended, though it rained, we got on board of our canoes and pushed down the river, and took up our camp opposite Capt. John Obeales Town, and had the honor of his company for supper.


"Thursday, July 7th .- The morning rainy. After breakfast it cleared, and Mr. Adlum went up to the State line to survey the river, and to assist me in making a survey for the Cornplanter. This business kept us employed until about four o'clock. As we were both wet when we came to camp we concluded to stay where we were for the night.


"Friday, July 9th .- Set off after breakfast and proceeded down the river to the mouth of the Kinjua, where we parted with Mr. Adlum. He proceeded up the Kinjua with two of the hands, accompanied with an Indian called Tim T. Tugmutton. We proceeded down the river to the mouth of the Conno- wango, and got up the same about two miles, where we encamped for the night.


"Saturday, July 10th .- In the morning we proceeded up the Connowango about two miles further, where we left one of our canoes and all our baggage and provisions that we could spare in the care of Samuel Gibbons, taking with us only provisions for 10 days, and set off for the Jadockque lake, having one Matthews with us to act as an interpreter, as we expected to meet with several Indians. We kept with dilligence at the poles and paddled all day, and got 17 miles as we computed.


"Sunday, July 11th .- We started in the morning and kept steadily at work all day, and made as we computed, 17 miles further up the Connowango. In




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