USA > Pennsylvania > Bradford County > Asylum > Short history of Asylum, Pennsylvania founded in 1793 by the French exiles in America > Part 3
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pied by him. It stood on lot No. 418 just north of the house now standnig built by Judge Laporte in 1839, now owned by the Hagerman family.
The big house in which Talon resided was torn down in 1846. Traces of the foundation are still to be seen. Mrs. Murray says, "As long as it stood the large room was called the "French ladies' drawing room," where doubtless were gathered all the famous visitors to the colony, and here Talon's gen- erous hospitality was dispensed."
Sone houses were built on the bank of the river for slaves. A few of the exiles had been residents of San Domingo at the breaking ont of the slave in- surrection and had fled from the "Horrors of San Domingo" to the United States, and joined the colony at Asylum. They soon learned that they could not hold their slaves in Pennsylvania, and the slaves were not long in finding out that here they were free, and took "French leave" by leaving their masters. One forsaken master was greatly aggriev- ed at the loss of a slave, and endeavored to recover him. He addressed the following letter to Mr. Hol- lenback:
"Asylum, April 1st, 1796.
Sir: I hope you will not take it ill if I address myself to you, and claim your assistance. A negro man about 20 years of age, stoutly built ran away from my house night before last. He can hardly speak a word of English. He took away a new axe, a couple of new shirts, several pairs of linen, and cloth trousers, two blankets, and had a hat with a blue ribbon. He says he is free, though he is bound for no less than fourteten years. I would take it as a great favor if you would be so kind as to have him advertised. I will give five dollars reward, and pay all reasonable charges. If in return I could be of any ser- vice to you, please to dispose of your
Very obedient, humble servant, "LARONE."
The binding for 14 years must have been in accordance with some law of San Domingo.
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The site of Great House, . Executive or Office Building. Later Laporte property, now belonging to F. H. Hagerman, at Asylum
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A large number of men were employed in clearing land and buiding houses. Some of the mechanics came up from Wilkes-Barre, but ordinary labor was plentifully supplied from the surrounding country. Much of their supplies of building materials and provisions for workmen were sent up in boats by Judge Matthias Hollenback. The distance by the crooked river from Wilkes-Barre to Asylum was about 75 miles, and it required four or five days to make the trip. By the nearest road on the west side of the river the distance was not more than 59 miles.
CHAPTER III.
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THE REFUGEES ARRIVE AT ASYLUM.
M R. TALON arrived at Asylum the 9th of De- cember and took charge of the business. Work was carried on until the 21st of De- cember, when the weather became so cold that the operations were suspended until the following spring. Several houses had been completed except chimneys, and for these Franklin stoves and pipe had been substituted so that the winter was spent in comfort by those already in the settlement. A quan- tity of goods and supplies for the place had been sent from Philadelphia to Catawissa and were brought up in boats after the ice commenced run- ning in the river. When spring opened work was resumed at Asylum, and emigrants who had spent the winter in Philadelphia began to arrive. They came by land to Catawissa and thence in boat up the river. Of these, says Mr. Craft, the historian, "some were of noble birth; several had been con-
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nected with the King's household; a few be- longed to the Secular clergy, i. e. had not as- sumed monastic vows; some had been soldiers; others keepers of cafes, or restaurants, and mer- chants." . It was a discouraging prospect for these city bred people to take up their residence in log houses far away in the woods of northern Pennsyl- vania in a clearing full of stumps and no roads that any team but oxen could safely travel. However, they soon improved their land, and made themselves comfortable. Mr. Talon, who was general manager, and governor, planned improvements on a large scale.
. At this time there was no mill in Bradford county that could make bolted flour. There were some small mills that ground corn into meal. There was no stream in Asylum large enough to drive a mill, a grist mill driven by horse power was erected. The mill stones, which were composed of the Lacka- wanna flint rock, were brought up from Wilkes- Barre. These flint rocks supplied mill stones for country mills for a long time before the French bur mill stones were manufactured. For a bolting cloth one of the ladies donated a new silk dress which had never been worn, and it answered the purpose ex- tremely well, though the meshes were rather too fine to take out all the flour. Only the finest and whitest was gotten out.
The nearest store to Asylum was Judge Hollen- back's establishment at Tioga Point (now Athens), nearly 30 miles distant. Two general stores were established and well patronized at Asylum. They kept a larger and more varied assortment of goods
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than could be found at any store north of Wilkes- Barre.
The colonists cleared up . their lots, beautified their lawns with flowers and shrubs, raised good gardens and made their homes more attractive than their American neighbors were accustomed to see. Blacksmiths, carpenters, weavers and laborers were brought to the place, for well they knew that it is laborers who build up and support the towns. The romance of the settlement, the reputed wealth and distinction of the settlers, their refinement, the well filled stores, the skill of the mechanics who had gathered there, brought many visitors here from. abroad out of curiosity. To accommodate these strangers who came among them, as well as some of their own citizens who had no families, three taverns were licensed, though two would have been enough. Mr. Lefevre was licensed in August, 1794, by the court of Luzerne county to keep an inn. In January, 1795, a like license was granted to M. Heraud, and in April, 1797, to Peter Regnier and John Becdelliere.
The services of the Catholic Church were observed by the Secular clergy. It is said there was a small chapel erected. The missal in use was afterwards in the possession of the Rev. Patrick Toner, formerly a Roman Catholic priest at Towanda, Pa.
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CHAPTER IV.
THE D'AUTREMONTS.
1 N September, 1792, a few French exiles settled at the "Butternuts," a few miles above Bingham- ton, N. Y. Among them were Madame Marie Jeanne d'Ohet d'Autremont, whose husband had been guillotined by the Revolutionists in Paris. Her three sons, Louis Paul, aged 22; Alexander Hubert, aged 16, and Augustus Francois Cecile, aged 9; Madame d' Autremont's brother-in-law, Antoine Bartholomay Louis Lefevre, and W. Prevost were residents of the same place. Their surroundings being unpleasant, and an Indian reservation being located near by, they decided to remove to Asylum. In 1794, Mr. Talon sent up a boat and brought the whole colony down. Wherever the French exiles happened to be when they heard of Asylum, they turned their steps towards the place.
September 25, 1794, James Montule wrote to Judge Hollenback as follows:
"The following articles, I hope, you will be so kind as to secure in your store, to be forwarded to Asylum to Mr. Keating. by the first opportunity, as I intend to move up very soon with a part of my family."
He described his effects as consisting of three chests covered with "leather and skin." Two chests of plain wood, and a large bundle of bedding, also two good horses, one of which was blind, both of which he wanted to sell.
These Frenchmen understood the value of good roads. They improved the roads leading to Asylum, laid out a road to Dushore, and opened it as far as Laddsburg. A settlement was begun in the south
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end of Terry township not far from New Era, where two large houses were begun for the reception of the King and Queen of France who had been de- throned, and whom they supposed would be allowed to leave France. The news of their execution put a stop to their work. Clearings were begun in the vicinity of New Albany and at Laddsburg. Near New Albany the frame of a sawmill was erected, made of oak timber, every stick of which was planed -which showed how fond they were of good looks- for they knew as well as anybody that the planing would not make the mill cut one single foot more of lumber, nor last a day longer before rotting down .. The mill irons were brought on the ground, but never put in place, because the news from France indicated the probability of their return to their beloved country. They loved beer, or expected to sell it, as they built a brewery on a little stream that crosses the road near the (later) Gilbert home- stead.
CHAPTER V.
HOUSES AND GARDENS DESCRIBED.
HE following description of one of the houses at Asylum no doubt describes most of the others .. It was No. 416-417 and belonged to Miss Şeybert. It was a "log house 30x18 feet, covered with nailed-on shingles. The house is di- vided into two lower rooms and two in the upper story. The lower ones are papered. On both sides of the house stand two small buildings of the same kind; one is used for a kitchen, the other be-
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ing papered, is commonly called the dining room. Both these buildings have good fire places, and are one and a half stories high. Three rooms in the biggest house have fire places. The two side build- ings and the other are joined together by a piazza. There is a good cellar under the dining room. The yard is enclosed by paling fence, the paling's nailed on. The garden has a like fence with a good double gate. A constant stream of water runs through the garden. Over the spring, a spring house has been erected which is divided into two rooms, one of them being floored. The garden is decorated by a consid- erable number of fruit trees, young Lombardy pop- lars and Weeping Willows. The garden also con- tains a latticed summer house. Next to the gar- den is a nursery of about 900 apple trees. The lower part of the lot forms a piece of meadow of about eight acres enclosed by a post, and rail fence. On the same lot stands a horse grist mill, which is 40 feet long and 34 feet wide. Part of the lower story is contrived into a stable for the mill horses and a cow stable. Part of the upper story is used to keep fodder. The mill is double geared, and in complete order, being furnished with a good pair of stones, good bolting cloth, and in. one corner stands a good fire place. Above the mill runs a never failing spring which waters a great part of the meadow."
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CHAPTER VI.
DUPETITHOUAR, FOUNDER OF DUSHORE.
0 NE of the most distinguished and popular resi- dents of Asylumhad the longname of Aristide Aubert Dupetithouar. He had been a post cap- tain in the French navy and was usually called " The Admiral." He could speak English better than many of the others, was of a frank, generous dispo- sition, friendly and sociable with Americans, was the one liked the best, and longest remembered by them. He was born in 1760, educated at the mili- tary school in Paris. He was in the French naval service in the war with Great Britain and had lost one of his arms in battle and had been retired with a pension. Later he became greatly interested in the fate of the missing navigator, Laperouse, and in company with his brother fitted out an expedition on their own account to search for the missing ship. Hle sailed in September, 1792, but a fatal malady broke out among his crew, and one-third of them died. He then put into the nearest harbor, which was on the island Ferdinand de Noronha, belonging to Portugal where his vessel was seized, and he was sent a prisoner to Lisbon. The French Revolution had broken out; as he belonged to the aristocracy; had served under King Louis XVI, who had been dethroned; France would not be a safe abode for him, and as soon as released at Lisbon, came to America. Landing at Philadelphia he became ac- quainted with de Noailles, who persuaded him to go to Asylum, where he arrived October 29th, and as he was almost penniless, he immediately asked for
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work, of which there was a pressing need in build- ing houses for the exiles in Philadelphia who wanted to come in the spring, in time to make gar- den. He was given work by Boulogne, the Super- intendent, and did as much with his one arm as the other laborers with two. His conduct was a fine example of what a brave man, with a stout heart, can endure with cheerfulness when overwhehned with misfortunes. He had earned enough in help- ing to build houses to pay for 400 acres of wild land where the village of Dushore now stands, and where he commenced a clearing, wielding the axe with one hand. It was at the request of Charles F. Welles of Wyalusing, that the village was named Dushore. in honor of the brave Frenchman who had made the first clearing. The story of his giving away his shirt to a man who claimed to have been robbed of all his clothing by the Indians, is no doubt pure fiction. When the Duke de Rochefoucauld and . M. Blacon visited Asylum and Niagara Falls in 1795 Dupetithouar accompanied them. The two visitors went on horse-back and he on foot, keeping up to the horses during the whole journey. He declared he had rather walk than ride, but probably he was not able to buy a horse. When order was restored in France he was among the first to return to his native country where he was recommended by the foremost naval officers (who knew his former ser- vice) for a commission in the navy. On presenting himself to the Minister of Marine, (or secretary of the navy), was told that he could go on the retired list, as he had lost an arm in service. His reply was: "I have given one hand for France, and here is the other for her service." He was given a com-
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mission and placed in command of the Letonant, an old vessel of 80 guns, which was one of the fleet that conveyed Bonaparte's army to Egypt, and which a short time after was annihilated by the British fleet under Nelson at the battle of Nile. Dupetithoaur managed his ship with great skill, but was killed just at the close of the battle August 1, 1798.
CHAPTER VII.
HABITS AND AMUSEMENTS.
MONG the ablest and most active promoters of the colony was John Keating, an Irishman, but whose ancestors were English Catho- lies who emigrated to Ireland on account of religious persecution at the hands of Queen Elizabeth and Oliver Cromwell. In Ireland they had fought against England and had to go to France for safety. At the beginning of the Revolution, John Keating was in San Domingo, and on the breaking out of the insurrection there, came to Philadelphia with only $280 in his pocket. Like Noailles, he was attracted mainly by benevolent motives instead of a desire to speculate in land. After the abandonment of the colony at Asylum he became associated with de Noailles in a land purchase in Tennessee and also in northern Pennsylvania. Shortly after the breaking up of the colony he married Eulalie Deschampelles, the daughter of a prominent planter from San Do- mingo of French lineage, and resided at Philadel- phia until his death at the age of ninety-six.
It is probable that no place in America ever held
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at one time, or in so short a time, so many per- sons of noble birth, or who became so distinguished afterwards. Some of them had been connected with the King's household, a few had been soldiers, and army officers; a few had been the keepers of cafes (restaurants) and stores; three belonged to the Catholic priesthood; few, if any, had belonged to the laboring class, and none had been farmers. They were mostly Parisians by birth and residence, and were accustomed to the comforts, conveniences, refinements and pleasures of the gayest and most beautiful city in the world. They knew nothing about clearing land and raising crops, nothing about the toil and hardships to which the early settlers in a new country, covered with woods, are exposed. They were to make a living by farming, but not one of them had ever been a farmer. In clearing land they did more chopping than there was any need of, chopping to an equal depth all around a tree, and have a man stand and watch which way it started to fall, and tell the chopper which way to run for safety when it fell to the ground. By chopping only on two sides, the tree would have fallen with less work, and the chopper could have told which way it would fall, or could have made it fall, usually in the direction he wanted it to fall.
In some things the French showed remarkable foresight and economy. The tar from the pitch pines (of which there were many) was extracted and sold instead of being burned up with the wood in their log heaps. The ashes from the huge fire places and from the log-heaps was preserved and made into pot-ash.
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These Parisians did not become regardless of per- sonal appearance after they became residents of the woods. No matter how plain the food on their tables, the ladies always came to dinner in full dress, and the men put on the best suit of clothes in their possession. Their American neighbors laughed about this, but it was entirely proper and praise- worthy. It showed respect for each other, promoted cheerfulness, and beguiled the solitude of their situ- ation. Although strangers in a strange land, they did not forget their French gaiety. . They frequently spent the evening in each other's houses with music and dancing. . In summer they congregated on the hill above the town which commanded a magnificent view of the valley, and here they frequently pic- nicked. Judge Jonathan Stevens, who knew them well; says:
"Their amusements consisted of riding, walking, swinging, music, (and perhaps dancing), and some times they passed their time with cards, chess, or the back gammon board. In their manners, they were courteous, polite, and affable. In their living they followed their French customs. Breakfast late, on coffee, fresh meat, bread and butter. Din- ner at 4 o'clock. Drank best wine or brandy after dinner, ladies and gentlemen who chose, drank tea in the evening. (I speak of the wealthy). They were able to command the best of everything. One of their American choppers, or log cutters, stated that he was directed to fall a tree across a big stump so that when it was trimmed and the top cut off, it would balance like a pair of scales, and make a splendid tecter. Four or five persons could sit on
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each end, eight, or ten could enjoy the pleasure at . the same time. The same chopper states that sev- eral times he was sent a mile to cut trees that ob- seured a perfect view up and down the river."
CHAPTER VIII.
TOWN DESCRIBED BY A TRAVELLER.
I SAAC WELD, JR., an Englishman, who had been traveling in Canada and the United States during the years 1795-1797, visited Asyhun, and wrote in his journal as follows:
"The whole way between Lochartzburg and Wilkes Barre are settlements on each side of the river at no great ditance from each other. There are also several towns on the bank of the river, the principal one is Frenchtown, situated within a short distance of the Falls of Wyalusing, on the western side of the river. The town was laid out at the ex- pense of several philanthropie persons of Pennsyl- vania, who entered into a subscription for the pur- pose as a place of retreat for the unfortunate emi- grants who fled to America from France. The town contains about 50 log houses, and for the use of the inhabitants a considerable tract of land has been purchased adjoining to it which has been divided into farms. The French who have settled here, however, seem to have no great inclination or ability to cultivate the earth, and the greater part of them have let their lands at a small yearly rent to Ameri- cans, and amuse themselves by driving deer, fishing
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and fowling. They live entirely to themselves. They hate the Americans who live in the neighbor- hood, and the Americans hate them, and accuse them of being an idle, dissipated set. The manners of the two people are so very different it is impossi- ble they should ever agree."
The Englishman was evidently prejudiced against the French. England and France had been at war so many times their people did not love each other. There were two classes of people in Bradford county at that time, the same as elsewhere in the world. Respectable Americans liked the French, who were courteous, polite and respectful, and the French liked Americans, who were intelligent, hon- est and upright.
ITubert, son of Madame d'Autremont, married Abigail, daughter of Major Oliver Dodge of Terry- town, four miles below. Augustus Francois, an- other son of Madame d'Autremont, married Sarah Ann Stewart, an American girl. A Mr. Beaulieu also married an American wife. Surely these young Frenchmen of noble birth would not have been likely to marry into families they hated.
Mr. Weld makes a mistake in his geography. He says: "Frenchtown is situated within a short dis- tance of the Falls of Wyalusing." The Falls of Wyalusing are in the river at the lower end of Quick's Bend, more than ten miles by (and on the nearest road), and not less than fourteen by the crooked river. The Wyalusing Falls, which Mr. Weld mentions, though not so long and rough, as the Conewago Falls, on the Susquehanna below Mid- dletown, or the Wells Falls on the Delaware river,
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were great enough to be spoken of by some writers · before Mr. Weld's visit. In 1750, Bishop Camerhoff and David Zeisberger, Moravian missionaries, who passed up the river in a canoe with an Indian guide, speak of Wyalusing Falls as being of considerable magnitude. Since then there have been some tre- mendous ice gorges in view at Quick's Bend, just below, which caused great dams, and when these dams started the ice tore out the rocks that made the falls, and drove them down the river into the deep water at Rocky Forest just below. At the present time instead of a short rough falls, we have a rift nearly a mile long.
Mr. David Craft, the historian, in his pamphlet, "A Day at Asylum," says: "Among the conspicu- ous characters at Asylum was Charles Felix Bue Boulogne. He was a native of Paris, and during our struggle for independence, became one of our enthusiastic admirers, and was one of that large number of young Frenchmen who came to this country with Lafayette, and offered us his services. in the contest. After the war, having become pro- ficient in our language and acquainted with the country and its great advantages, he determined to remain in it. Boulogne bought on his own account the General Simon Spalding farm on the east side of the Susquehanna, where he probably lived, and where he died in 1795 or 1796, and was buried in the little consecrated . ground on Broad street, at Asylum."
Mr. Craft is generally very careful and accurate in his statements, but here he was mistaken. Charles Felix Bue Boulogne was drowned in attempting to
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ford the Loyal Sock creek at Hillsgrove, July 20th, 1796. The creek was very high at the time. His body was recovered and buried at Hillsgrove, Pa., it being the first burial in the cemetery.
CHAPTER IX.
TALLEYRAND VISITS ASYLUM.
1 N the fall of 1795, Talleyrand visited Asylum and remained some time. Afterwards he was Napol- con Bonaparte's minister of Foreign Affairs, and became one of the ablest, shrewdest, most adroit and unscrupulous diplomatists in Europe. In 1796 Louis Philippe, Duke of Orleans, (afterwards King of France) accompanied by the Duke Montpensier, and Count Beaujolais, his brother, came to Asylum and remained there some time, the guests of his for- mer Parisian friends. After visiting Niagara Falls and other places of interest, Louis Philippe went to Philadelphia where he remained several weeks. It is said that while there he proposed marriage to the beautiful daughter of Richard Willing, a wealthy gentleman, the President of the United States Bank. Mr. Willing told him: "In case you do not obtain your throne in France, you would not be able to sup- . port my daughter in the manner to which she has been accustomed. If you should obtain it, my daughter would not be good enough for you. You would have to put lier away and marry a King's daughter."
Among the prominent residents while the colony existed, were persons of wealth, and who had held
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high position in France. The Marquis Leucretions de Blacons was a deputy for Dorphine in the con- stituent Assembly. After leaving France he mar- ried Madam Selle de. Maulde, late Canoness of the Chapter of Bonbourg. He kept a store at Asylum in partnership with Nancy Colin, formerly Abbe de Sevigny, an Archdeacon of Tours. . M. Blacon re- turned to France and became a member of the National Assembly. M. Colin went to San Domingo and became a chaplain in the army of Toussaint l'Overture, whose surrender was obtained by the treachery of General LeClere .(Bonaparte's general). Colin fled to Charleston, S. C., where he died. James Montule, a French baron, was captain of a troop of horse in the King's service. At Asylumm lie was superintendent of the clearings. Ilis cousin, Madam de Seybert, whose husband died in San Domingo, lived near him in the upper part of the town.
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