USA > Wisconsin > Brown County > History of Brown County, Wisconsin, past and present, Volume I > Part 15
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Of that princely tour through the northwest, following it was said that of De Joinville's father. Louis Phillippe, over fifty years previous, much has been written. Williams met the Prince at Mackinac and came with him to Green Bay in the summer of 1841. The quondam leader of the Oneida nation had been east on one of his many business trips, which consisted for the most part in a strenuous effort to get an appropriation for his work among the Indians. Casting aside all testimony as to the shock occasioned to Prince De Joinville by the marked resemblance of Williams to the family of Bourbon, it is certain that during the two days' trip from Mackinac the men were constantly together. On the arrival of the steamer "Columbia" at Green Bay, the prince immedi- ately made his way with his party to the Astor House, which stood directly across the street from the steamer landing.
The arrival of a real prince in the little village of Green Bay was an exciting event. The dark, bearded, foreign looking men composing De Joinville's suite were eager to procure horses and pursue their journey southward, but remained over night at the comfortable hostelry and according to the statement made later by Williams it was during the evening that the important interview took
De Joinville and his secretary sent from France from time to time presents to Williams and his wife, and not long after the famous visit the story was made place, in which De Joinville informed the missionary to the Oneidas that he was the son of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette of France.
A rather stormy colloquy followed, the prince urging Williams to relinquish all claim to the French throne, which he refused to do. They seem, however, to have parted friends, and on the following day, mounted on a motley collection of ponies procured from the country around, the party took its departure. the subject of a widely read article, "Have we a Bourbon among us?" A book was later published entitled "The Lost Prince," setting forth Williams' claim and there was considerable controversy for and against. Williams himself, does not seem to have taken an active part in pushing his pretensions to the throne of France. To judge from his journal, kept from 1840 on, his days were passed in cultivating his farm on Fox river and in frequent visits to Green Bay and
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Oneida, where he still had a following among the Indians. There is no record that he collected money under false pretences, but his methods were not approved by the Episcopal church ; Bishop Kemper inhibited him from teaching or holding service, and he ceased to receive support as a priest by the Society of Missions.
The tract of land belonging to the Menominees and given by that nation to Mrs. Williams, was confirmed to Williams by letters patent from the president of the United States, bearing date of July 20, 1840. On April 25, 1844, Williams deeded this property, described in the legal paper as "13 chains above the old mill dam at the Rapids of Little Kakalin, containing about 4,800 acres," to Wil- liam Eustis of Boston, "in the county of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massa- chusetts," for the sum of one dollar and other considerations. On the twentieth of September of the same year another deed is recorded signed by Eleazer Wil- liams and Mary Il. Williams, his wife, conveying this same property to Amos A. Lawrence of Boston, Commonwealth of Massachusetts for the sum of $1,697.80, and still another deed of land to Lawrence under the date of December 14, 1844, for which the Williamses received $1,&co. There is no record of any part of this being reserved for the use and the residence of Williams and his family ; this was, however, probably arranged, for the house built by him and the fine bit of property surrounding it were occupied by Mrs. Williams up to the time of her death in 1886, and passed by will to her adopted daughter, Josephine Penny.
Lawrence University, the gift of Amos Lawrence to the people of Wisconsin, remains as a reminder of these old deeds of transfer, and the only written word by Williams on the subject of his descent from Louis XVI is a letter preserved for many years by Pierre Bernard Grignon, and copied by the authors of "Historic Green Bay" from the original document, "The intelligence I am now to give you is in accordance with the little hints I gave in our last interview which now prove too true. Am I the child of the most unfortunate parents? A (lescendant from one of the most unhappy potentates of Europe? The secret commissioners from Fr- have in a great measure confirmed it. Oh the unhappy and cruel fate of parents. Can you wonder, my friend, I am in distress-yea agony? The news has seized me with such poignant grief and sorrow as it would require with the tongue of an angel and the pen of a ready writer to describe my feelings. Where all this affair will end God only knows. Tre- mendons scenes may be before me, or it will end in peaceful and calm weather."
This letter was written on September 21, 1848, seven years after De Join- ville's visit to Green Bay and Little Rapids, and five years previous to the pub- lication in Putnam's magazine, of the bombshell, "Have we a Bourbon among us?" As one of the pretenders to the throne of France Williams' career was watched by the French government, and long after his death, when a son's child died, an official letter was received from France at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, demanding legal affidavit of the fact. ( Rev. F. R. Haff. ) The story that the unfortunate little dauphin of France did not die in the Temple prison in the year 1795, but was stolen by the royalists, carried to America and placed with the St. Regis Indians, is quite as plausible a fabrication as that brought forward by the other pretenders. Williams enjoyed for a number of years the notoriety brought him by the claim advanced of his royal descent, although he does not himself seem to have made much of the story. When visiting in New York, Boston and Washington, he received many flattering attentions, his polish of manner and
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agreeable conversation giving plausibility to the theory of his distinguished antecedents ..
In Williams' later life the church again took her whilom catechist and teacher under her wing. and provided for his support by giving him a house at Hogans- burgh, New York, built, it is said, in imitation of a French chateau; he was also privileged to hold service in a large, barnlike structure that the Mission- ary society had erected there. The hamlet of Hogansburgh, isolated and off the line of any railway, is six miles from the St. Regis reservation, and there is constant intercourse between the two places, so that when Williams took up his work and residence in the little town, it was really a return to his native land. Here he died in 1858, and is buried in the graveyard at Hogans- burgh. A masonic emblem is engraved upon the stone, which records him as a missionary to the Oneidas, but not as of blood royal.
The Williams log house at Little Rapids was dismantled and torn down, only the ruined remains standing in 1899 and a new frame house built on the site. The place after Mrs. Williams' death became a resort for collectors, who year after year gathered in the interesting household furnishings, which were excep- tionally good. The table appointments were far removed from the contrivances often in use in frontier towns of that period. The dinner service was of old Staffordshire ware decorated in deep blue Chinese design. There were teacups of pink lustre, and others of opaque white were sprinkled with tiny knots of flowers in pale blue relief, and the tea was poured from a delightful teapot of most graceful shape in Britannia ware. A visit to the cobwebbed garret brought to light books and manuscripts reviving an interesting past, not of France, but of New England and the historic Williams family. There were old journals dating back to 1666, and sermons preached by distinguished Calvinistic divines a century and more ago. Among these papers were many relating to Williams' early life in New England ; his journal during the war of 1812, and an enormous sheepskin bound volume of the "Book of Common Prayer," one of the most im- pressive reminders of the missionary's dignified position at an early day. Lettered on the fly leaf in beautiful text was the legend. "Presented to the Reverend Mr. Williams, Missionary to the Oneidas, by the Rector, Wardens and Vestry of King's Chapel in Boston."
The water power at Little Rapids has brought to it manufacturing plants and modern industry, butt the romance of the place added to its beautiful situation is due to Eleazer Williams, not as a claimant and possible descendant of royalty, but as the grandson of a "New England captive," and whose life and characteristics made him one of the most interesting of early Wisconsin residents. Setting aside the natural prejudice of his associate, Albert G. Ellis, whose aim in coming to Green Bay was thwarted to a great extent by Williams' dilatory, slipshod methods, and his lack of business ability, there is no warrant for the rancorous estimate given of the man in later years. His pretensions, which, however, he never himself put forward, were of course ridiculed by his associates in every day life, but he received ample support for any boastful or arrogant assumption from his admirers in the east. It is recorded that while there he often signed his letters with the initials "L. C.," Louis Capet, the name of the unhappy dauphin. Eleazer forms a link between our Atlantic coast and western history, between old Deerfield with its formal traditions and the free life of Brown county
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at an early day. Visionary, unreliable, he in many ways reflected the character of the Bourbons far more decidedly than that of his New England kinsfolk, whose descendants it is said are fond of relating the varied incidents in the life of their Indian cousin.
The tall, imposing figure of Williams, his olive skin (not copper colored), his grave, almost melancholy countenance, his deferential, gracious manner, with a touch of French gayety illumining it, made him marked in any society. His plan of forming an Indian empire in the west was not so absurd in reality as it seems at first glance, for he was upheld in it by the Ogden Land Company, and Dr. Morse, in 1820, reports on it favorably. while hardly fifty years before Pontiac had accomplished the very league that Williams hoped to bring into existence for peaceful purposes rather than war, for civilization and quiet living rather than to send a firebrand throughout the Indian country. Executive force was missing, and there was lack of faith in himself and his airy schemes, no strong conviction in fact ; a marked characteristic by the way, as shown in the journal of one of Williams' New England ancestors in 1665. Yet the people in the Fox river towns found him interesting while he lived among them, and the plain, unvarnished story of his life, leaving out possible royal pretensions, forms a vivid touch of color in the warp and woof of Wisconsin history.
"In regard to the removal of the New York Indians to the west, it was not a new subject to the Oneidas or the other branches of the confederates but this had been repeatedly discussed in their general councils since 1812."
"This subject was actually in agitation among the Oneidas when the Rev. Dr. Morse made his appearance at their Canton."
Williams says that he was not prepared to favor the design. "It appeared to me that the idea of the philanthropist was vast and sublime and very diffi- cult in its execution. I had critically surveyed the situation of the Oneidas, I must confess I was led to believe with some of them that in order to save them from entire ruin there must be a change either in the place of residence or their morals." Williams went to Washington with the Reverend Jedidiah Morse with many letters of introduction from Bishop Hobert and others. "I was kindly entertained by President Monroe and the Secretary of war and by several mem- bers of congress by whose polite invitation I was often a guest to their rich tables. Among others I was noticed by the celebrated John Randolph, of Virginia in whose company I enjoyed much. It was arranged that we were to take an exploring tour to the west the ensuing spring and summer, a certain number of the six nations, St. Regis and Stockbridge Indians were to accompany me."
He writes of private parties who had a claim to the Seneca lands and of course were very anxious to take possession of what they supposed belonged to them. "The most powerful and who have appeared the most conspicuous among these was that which was known as Ogden Land Company ; that you may understand I will here state in short how that land company came to have those Indian lands which was afterward the subject so long in negotiation between them. The charters granted by the crown of Great Britain to the colonies of Massachusetts and New York conflicted as to boundaries and both colonies claimed the territory west of a meridian line passing through or near the Seneca lake and within the present limits of the state of New York. By an amicable adjustment between the two states in the year 1786, Massachusetts
THE ROAD TO THE WILLIAMS PLACE
THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
AUTOR, LENAX' AND TILDER FOUNDATIONE.
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released to New York the sovereignty and governmental control over the terri- tory and New York surrendered to Massachusetts the right of sale subject to the Indian title and the right to extinguish the Indian title in her own way. Not many years after this period Massachusetts sold to private individuals her pre- emption right to the whole country reserving that power of guardianship over the Indians which the old states have ever exercised within their limits. In this way and for this reason it is that Massachusetts has been represented in all the transactions with the Seneca and Tuscarora Indians. The Company as pur- chasers from that state holds the exclusive right to extinguish the Indian title whenever the Indians shall be induced to surrender the possession and occupancy of the land.
"Reports had reached Detroit that Colonel Bowyer, United States agent for Green Bay had actually purchased for the government the very tract of land which the New York Indians intended to negotiate with their brethern in that quarter. The agent they supposed would not have purchased without special instruction from government and suspected the government of double dealing. The whole party was extremely anxious to be in Green Bay, but as there was no direct communication immediately to effect this, it was therefore finally with great reluctance given up of going thither this season. Had Lieut. Gov. Wood- bridge been disposed to aid us as was in his power with the use of the revenue cutter to transport us to Green Bay, we should have visited this season that place as we intended. Some days previous to our departure from Detroit Rev. Dr. Morse returned from Green Bay who confirmed the report we had heard viz. : that the United States agent, Colonel Bowyer had purchased a tract of land bordering on the mouth of the Fox River. The real chiefs, says Rev. Dr. Morse of the nation were so decidedly opposed to the sale of this land (a tract of forty miles square) intersected by Fox River from its mouth upward that they refused to attend the treaty at the invitation of the agent, who in consequence was constrained of his own authority to create chiefs to sign his treaty. The president on hearing of these facts laid the treaty aside and it was not ratified."
The deputies were not able to leave Buffalo for the upper lakes till the 9th of July, 1821. When on board of the steamboat of Walk-in-Water it was found we were 16 persons, representing the whole of the New York tribe. Here most unexpectedly I met my old friend Colonel Pinckney with several of his officers and two companies of his regiment on his way to Green Bay to assume the command of the military post at that place. "At Detroit they were obliged to wait and were disappointed not to see Gov. Cass who had left for Chicago to attend an Indian treaty. We here met Reverend Doctor Richard who may be truly said a learned ecclesiastic. After having our patience almost exhausted waiting for the boat we were finally enabled on Tuesday, July 31, to leave Detroit and found ourselves on board, of Walk-in-Water on way to Green Bay. A great harmony prevailed among the passengers, all seemed to enjoy the voyage. We had heard much of the island of Michilimackinac, of its beauty and majestic appearance, and our interest was gratified on the 3d of August. At nine o'clock we landed amidst the roar of cannon from the fort and the boat. On the beach we saw the encampment of the Chippewas, Ottawas and Foxes or Outagamies the most warlike brave and ferocious of all the Indian tribes in
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the west. About eleven o'clock we were once more on our way. We saw the fires of red men upon the islands and heard their morning songs. . In the midst of our gratification and delight which the scenery on the borders of Green Bay afforded us, on the 3d of August, we finally entered into the Fox River and at one o'clock landed opposite Fort Howard. 'Here we are,' said one of the New York chiefs, 'all things appear to be new and strange yet I hope, on reflection that we are in the Indian country, we shall soon reconcile ourselves to all that may come our way.' This may be considered the most western point or the ultima thule of the steamboat navigation of the great American lakes. We were introduced to Mr. Pierre Grignon, a French gentleman and one of the Indian traders, by whom we were accommodated with a comfortable house for the whole of our party. Mr. Trowbridge and myself were invited in most friendly manner to Mr. Grignon's table while we were in the place. Mr. Lawe, another gentleman of the same profession, invited us to make our quarters at his house, which we politely declined as we had already hired a house for our accommodation. What a sight when I first landed on the shores of the north- western territory did I behold, hundreds of wretched heathen presented them- selves to our view, the greater part of whom were entirely naked except a piece of cloth around their middle, and an old blanket around their shoulders. Wretched as their condition is they appeared to be contented to live from year to year on what they can take from the rivers, lakes and forests.
"To The Honorable Congress of the United States in the Senate and House of Representatives convened. We, the people of that portion of the New York Indians lately removed from New York and settled upon lands purchased by us from our Brethern the Menominie here, and confirmed by the president of the United States,-beg leave humbly to represent to your Honorable Body, that one George Johnson has laid claim to a portion of the lands . pretends to have acquired his claim in validity of a purchase made of one Pierre Carboneau." Diary of Eleazer Williams, MISS. owned by F. W. Taylor, Green Bay.
(References for Chapter XI : Morse, Report on Indian Tribes: A. G. Ellis, Wis. Hist. Colls., Vol. 8: Hansen, Lost Prince; Bloomfield, Oneidas; Records County Register's Office ; Williams MSS., F. W. Taylor; Laws on Prince or Creole; Merrill, People of the Stone. )
CHAPTER XII
MEN AND MANNERS OF 1830
In the year 1830 the town of Navarino was laid out by Daniel Whitney. It extended north from the center of the block between Doty and Walnut streets and included the land on the north side of Devil river. For three or four years it made but little progress and was merely a town on paper owing to its low, swampy location, but Whitney having unshaken confidence in its possibility as a commercial point for this whole section of country, finally saw his dream realized and a city planted here. The land was originally a dense and dark forest of pine, tamarack and undergrowth well tenanted by bull-frogs and mosquitoes, and on the river shore there was during the summer a group of wigwams inhabited by Menominees, who camped there to fish and hunt.
In 1824 Judge Arndt's house was the northern limit of settlement on the east side of Fox river ; but one lone log house stood on that section of land after- ward known as Navarino and which forms a large part of the present Green Bay. This small log building stood about on the corner of Washington and Cherry streets, the site of the Citizens' bank building and was occupied as a grocery. Henry S. Baird, in describing conditions when he took up his residence in Navarino in 1833, says: "I well remember how indignant the proprietor of the town ( Mr. Whitney ) felt toward me on one occasion for having repeated a statement made to me by another person relative to the nature of the ground on which the town stood. This statement was neither more nor less than that my informant, being the owner of two horses, had turned them loose to graze at night and when he went in search of them the next morning he found them mired, stuck in the mud and unable to extricate themselves on the ground between Cherry and Walnut streets on the east side of Adams. I was not then a property holder in the city. In 1835 I removed to Navarino from Shantytown, and in 1836 built the house on Main street where I now reside. At that time there were a few scattered buildings east of Adams street,-Main street was in the swamp, and it was with great exertion on the part of both men and beast that the material for my building could be conveyed to the spot, through stumps and roots, interspersed with many soft spots. All east, north and south of this point was in a state of nature, and it was not until a later period that Main and Jefferson streets were thoroughly opened and made passable.
The town of Astor, now known as the south ward of the city of Green Bay, was opened and laid out in the year 1835. The proprietors were John Jacob Astor, Ramsay Crooks and Robert Stuart, principals of that well-known and once powerful corporation, "The American Fur Company." The land was originally owned by John Lawe and the Grignon family. Togetlier with other real estate, it was taken in payment of balance due from the old Green Bay com-
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pany to the former company, the debt having accrued by loss in the Indian trade -for in this business it generally happened that the small traders who purchased their goods at high prices, after years of toil and privation in the trade, came out with nothing,-leaving to the great monopoly the lion's share of the profits. The consideration received by the former owners was trifling compared with the present value of the property. The venerable old log house and garden, for- merly occupied by the hospitable and highly respected veteran pioneer, the late Judge Lawe, stood a little north of the house now occupied by P. B. Grignon, at the termination of Adams street.
Of the settlers in Navarino, Henry S. Baird and his wife were among the first in the new town. They had only lived in their log house four months when it was sold for a large price, and the Baird family then lived according to Mrs. Baird in a "small log house with a red door which stood where the American house ( Minahan building) now stands. There was nothing but the broad street between us and the beautiful river."
Daniel Whitney was the leading man in a commercial way of the Fox river valley for many years, his saw mills and extensive landed property involving much inspection and money investment. He also built the shot tower at Helena, Wisconsin. The two Irwins, Robert and Alexander, were also exceedingly pro- gressive and practical business men, leaders in town and state government, and in social life as well. William Dickenson of De Pere and its first American settler, was another pioneer who identified himself with the business life and growth of that town. A man foremost in all improvement was John P. Arndt, and his important position on the town and borough boards gave him weight and influence. By the year 1830 a beginning had been made in Brown county along many lines and this period may be called the second inaugural of civilization which was begun by the Jesuit Fathers one hundred and fifty years earlier.
When Father Andre gathered the little children of the savages and taught them lively French songs in which the new faith and ethics were simply told the people of Wisconsin, aboriginal though they were, gained the first influence for good that comes with even the most rudimentary education. The teaching of these early fathers of the Jesuit order, while intermittent and discouraging to a degree, must in the aggregate have accomplished something, not perhaps along technical lines of learning, but in the influence which results from associa- tion by the untaught and undisciplined with cultivated and studious minds. The early French settlers depended solely upon this catechetical instruction for their children and no mention is made of any school master or tutor until 1791, when Jacques Porlier, an educated youth employed as clerk by Pierre Grignon, well known as a fur trader and the son-in-law of Charles Langlade, acted also as tutor for Grignon's children.
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