LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. l[i Chap. .L^'l^\ ^ ^ UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. ^ ^^4^€^^n^ HISTORY —OF THE— TOWN OF CONESUS LIVINGSTON 00., N. Y., FROM ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT IN 1793, TO 1887, WITH A BRIEF illllMilML llOill OF THB CONESUS FAMILIES IB^- WILLI A^>1 I». ISO^^-O. Atdhor of The History of the Boyd Family ^'^ Etc. CONESUS, N. Y.: Boyd's Jok Printing Establishment. 1887. This Volume is Tenderly Inscribed To THE Memory op Our Forefathers and Mothers, Who Settled the Little Town of CONESUS. I^ulhor. CONTENTS. Pagk. INTRODUCTION, 7 CHAPTER I. The Description of the Town, .... 9 CHAPTER II. The Indian Settlements, ..... 18 CHAPTER III. The Sullivan's Campaign, 21 CHAPTER IV. The Wild Animals, Etc. Etc., ... 89 CHAPTER V. The Original Land Owners, .... 47 CHAPTER VI. The First Settlements of the Town, . . .51 CHAPTER VII. The Log Houses, Customs and Manners of the Early Settlers, 59 CHAPTER VIII. The Routes of the Early Settlers, . . 66 Page. CHAPTER IX. The Original Names of the Town, and the First Town Meeting, 70 CHAPTER X. The Villages of Conesus, 75 CHAPTER XI. The Churches and Religious Denominations, 88 CHAPTER XII. The Schools and School Districts of the Town, Etc., 90 CHAPTER XIII. The Cemeteries and Epidemics of the Town, 98 CHAPTER XIV. The Storms, Floods, Fires, Etc., . . 104 CHAPTER XV. The Railroad and Railroad Accidents, . 109 CHAPTER XVI. The War Records of Conesus, Etc., . 115 CHAPTER XVII. The Narratives and Historical Events, 1 27 CHAPTER XVIII. The Genealogical History of the Town, 189 INTRODUCTION. ^|||PJ|HIS volume is designed to be a his- Js#% toi'y of the Town of Conesus, and to jjt-ij'/' t gather up the fading memorials of the J past, and transmit them to the gene- rations that will succeed us. A dozen years more, and a faithful history of the town can not be written, simply because the most of our pioneers will be gathered to the home of their fathers, and as there is no effort being made to preserve their recollection.^, they will soon pass into oblivion. This history — I must say — has been under my consideration since the year of 1868. x\t that time, I gathered together many sketches of the past, from those that have gone before us. These, I have preserved, while at the .same time, have added other items with them,, and now present the whole to you, for your kimi con.sideration. This volume, which now goes before the pub- lic, is a simple record, woven from .such ma- terial as could be gathered after no little labor, though in a manner somewhat desultory. Fidelity to truth, and justice to the character of individuals, has been my conscientious aim. It has been my intention not to give anything in this work, to reflect upon the char- actor of persons, or hurt the feelings of their de- scendants. Should there be an instance of that kind in the book, I humbley ask their pardon from unintentionly doing them an injury. When I connnenced this work, it was only my intention to give a simple history of the events of the town. But as I advanced, I was requested by a number of the town's peo- ple, to include a chapter of the different fam- ilies of the town. So, after due consideration, I consented, and prepared one, and give it in the back part of this book. This is not com- plete in every respect, for a perfect one would make a volume of itself. But what I have given, is mostly from my memory, or from items 1 have come across from time to time, and in many instances may be — from the source they are obtained, — incorrect. Nearly two years I have been engaged in preparing this book. I would have you bear in mind, that within this time, I have set every letter, transposed every line, formed them into pages, printed them from presses of my own make ; and therefore, with- out doubt, there may be many mistakes, words spelled wrong, sentences discomposed, and many other typographical errors (as most of the THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. work has been done after dark, aud a hard days hibor on the " ()ld ftirm,") yet it will give a history of our early pioneers, and hold their names in the memory of the living, for years to come. ACKNOVVLEDGEiMEMT^^. I would express my deep obligations to all who have so kindly seconded my eiforts by cor- respondence, words of encouragement, and per- sonal assistance. To Messrs Bigelow & Brothers of Buffalo, N. Y., (Publishers,) for their kindness in al- lowing me the privilege of publishing the Journal of Major Norris on Sullivan's Cam- paign, found in this book. To Frank P. Shafer, for loan of papers and for other information from records kept by him. To my father — Hiram Boyd — for papers and statements taken in 1860. from the pio- neers then living. To the Town Clerks for the year of 1S84, and '85, for the privilege of searching the Town Clerk's office for records, and loan of books. To my wife, — Mary R. Boyd — for her assis- tance in the publication of this work. Aud in conclusion, I can but express the hope that the perusal of these pages may afford others as much pleasure, as their preparation and publi- cation have afforded me. WILLIAM P. BOYD, CoNESus, Jan. 1, 1887 Ill iisf ill Of iiiiiiii. CHAPTER 1. §he §e^ct;iiiUon of th^ §awn. •' ;ir7:^^NESUS is a small townshi]), in tho . (f^. oastcrn part of Livingston County, N. i' ' "■■ . V. I'ciuided on the nortli by Livo- ' ;• " nia : o;ist I13' (^iiiadice, 'Ontario (!n.); south by Si>riiig\\ater and Sparta; wpst by (xrovelnnd, and contains an area of nearly six miles square, or t':i;rty-six square miles, with almost tweuty-tl.ousand acres of fine agricul- tural lands, and a ] opulation in 1884 of about 1800 human souls. The surface is broken by ranges of hills, with valleys running north and south across its sur- face. The largest of these hills, are the .Mar- rowback in the eastern part of the town. This range of hills is very steep upon its eastern slope, and along the shore of the Hemlock Lake is covered with tiuiber, which is fast giving away to the strong arm of civilization in being converted into " Summer Resort," by tourists from the small villages in Western New York. The western slope is not so steep, and the soil is of a clayish loam, and furnishes some of the finest grazing lands, that are found in the State. Marrowback Hills derived its name in the following singular way. In the early days of the town, the settlers had for amusement, gen- eral trainings, lasting several days at a time. One of these gala days as being lield near the present village of liivonia (Centre : and among the artistic sports, they formed a ring, and in the same, placed two of their most noted wrestlers, in "hors-de-combat." Oneof these lived near I^ima, the other was from Conesus or Marrow- back hills. After a severe struggle, the man from Marrowback threw his opjMHient, and td tlie merriment of all, a gentleman in the circle clapped his hands and exclaimed ' "That man has to much marrow-in-his-back for you." The black junk bottle was then passed ariunid, and these hills were christened" Marrowback hills." In the western part is funid what is called the "Turkey hills:" running about half way across the town. This hill is quite steep as it slopes westward towards Conesus lake. Along its base is found some of the most productive lands in the town. The eastern slope is not so steep, still it is composed of a fine soil, on the top it is more of a wet nature. This range of hills, are said to have derived their name from turkeys being stolen there, by or from the early settlers. Li the south part is a large hill in form of a flat-iron, with its point extending to- wards the centre of the town. This hill is not very steep, except on its western slope, as it 10 THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. extends towai'd the Head of the Lake flats. The soil of this hill, is of a clayish nature, and generally good for spring grain. Through the eastern part, is a large valley, known as the Calabogue Hollow. This valley was given that name many years ago, by John C. Coe of South Livonia, N. V. His meaning- was "a heedless place." The valley is quite narrow, and extends from the south line, liowsi to Conesus Center, and intersects with another small fertile valley running to tlie nortlieni line of the town. In the western part of the town is the Head of the Lake flats. This valley extends from Scottsburgh to Conesus Lake. The center of the valley is covered by a large swamp, which is impenetrable only in the winter or a dry sum- mer time, and is covered with timber. The valleys are of a black muckey loamy j soil very deep and productive for grass or grain. ; In the center are two large gulls running from north and south east toward Conesus Lake. The north one being the largest, af- fords drainage for all the lands in the northern part, and th" sontli one, the same for the waters of Calab;)gUvi Hollow. These (juUs are known as the 'Mill" and "Purchase Gulls;" the s )ut]i one being the former, and the north one the latter. The Purcliase gull, is deep and narrow, and many places the banks are nearly 100 feet, perpendicular in higlith. [t took its name from the original owner, who owned a grist-mill near its center. This gull is very winding, and at its mouth, it spreads out and forms the Foot's Corners flats. The Mill Gull, is also very deep, with high and steep banks. The narrowest place is at its head, where it spread out into the Calabogue hollow. Near the Grist-mill, the banks is nearly one hundred feet high. These two gulls, as they verge into the head of the lake flats, run side by side for many rods forming a narrow strip of land, about sixty or seventy feet high, nearly perpendicular, with only room on top, for a single foot path, which if the weary pedestrian, should lose his foot- hold, would soon launch him into eternity, on the rocks below. The top of this ridge is covered with timber; clinging to what little earih, aiid crevices in the rocks that i(s roots can penetrate. At the west end is formed a flat j)iece of land about half way up, of nearly an acre in extent. Covered over with second growth timber, and to-day bears the legion of being an old Indian burying-ground. The up- per end of the ridge expands out in a broad strip of flat land, towards Conesus Centi-e ; and this spot is called by the town people "Hogback." The rocks of these gulls are of a shallow slate which crumbles freely when exposed to the air. Thev are lined with layers of black stone, which is highly pregnated with carbon : and was used by the early settlers for back-st( nes in the chimneys of their dwellings. There are several smaller <.ulls in tlietoAvn; yet we liave not space to give a cduiplete descrip- tion of them in this work. All of them have a small stream of pure clear water running through them, which has diminished in size except in a rainy time since the country has come under the hands of civilization. These gulls furnish some of the finest scenery that can be found in the state. The soil of the town is of various formation. The top of the hills — as we have said — is of a clay loam ; often wet, and hard to till. Some of the smaller hills — mostly in the northern part — is a sandy loam, forming fine beds of gravel, and under the same, a eray sand, which is uiuch sought aftei- foi building purposes. On the flat-ircn hill, in sev- eral places the rock conies near to the surface of the ground, and is covered with a few leet of soil. THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. n "Conesus has upon the east and west side, two small lakes, called Conesus and Hemlock. The foimer is upon the western and tlie latter on the eastern border. Conesus Lake is about nine miles loJig, and in many places, nearly a mile wide. The In- dian name lor the same is " (jra-nc-a-sos," signifying "always beautiful." This lake is a fine sheet of water, cold, clear and deep. li< shores are hold and wide with a fine gravelly bottom. Vet they are cleared of tlio dense forest that once surrounded them. The tuwn furnishes its inlet by a small stream through the swamp at the head of the lake, in connect- ion with Mill and Purchase gull creeks, which empties intu it at its head. Since its early discovery by the white-man, it has diminished in size, and several acres of valuable land has been secured by owners along its shores. Its water has sent several of our town people to their last home, of which we will speak more of hereafter. The Hemlock, like its sister lake is also a fine sh(!et of water, about seven miles long and three-fourhs (»r a ii.ile in width. It derived its name from the l;u-.;v number of hemlock trees that surround it. The water is very cold and clear. From this lake, the Rochester City ob- tains its water supply, which is carried from the lake to the city, in large iron pipes. Along the shore on the west side of the lake it is cov- ered with forest, and a large number of sum- mer cottages along the beach. These lakes are well stocked with fish, such as Rass, Trent. Pickeral, liuU-heads Suckers, Perch, Mullets, and otiier fresh water fish, and are protected by the laws of the state. Seines and Gill-nets are prohibited, and other kind of fishing devices, through certain parts of the year. The lakes have been well stocked with fish by the State, in the last few years. The timber of the town, arc of many species such as the Oak, Chestnut, Pine, Hemlock, Ju- niper, Hickory, Bass-wood, Elm, Sassafras, Poplar, Box-wood, Peppcrage, Cucumber, Maple, Beech, Burch, Ash, Cedar, Crab-apple, Thorn-apple, Butternut, Black-walnut, Cherry, and liutton-wood. The timber grows accord- ing to the soil. Upon the upland is founed the the Maple, Pine, Ba.ss-wood, Boi-ch, Beech, while in the northern part is found the Oak, Hickory, (Chestnut, Walnut, and the gulls and swam{is the Pine, Elm, Hemlock, and other sijecies of low-laud timber. When the early settlers caaie hei'e, they found the country heavily timbered, witii now and then a small piece of ground, that was called by them " Oak openings." These open- ings was without doubt in an early day used by the Indians, for their tillable lands. \\ huu the while-man came here, these lands, had on them, oidy the big trees, the smaii timber and uuderbrusli had disappeared. The timber has been a great blessing to our fore-fathers, yet it has be..'ii lo tiiem a great task in clearing their lands; aiiu to-uay where once stood a dense forest, inere can only be seen now and then a small belt of woodland that has been spared by tue woodmans ax. There are many places to-day, where the blackened earth denotes the past sight of an old coal-pit, burnt by the^^early settlers, to procure coal, to purchase comforts of life with. Hun- dreds of cords of wood has been consumed this way, or rolled up into a log heap, and destroyed to clear the lands of its dense foliage. The largest piece of woodland in town, is along the west shore of the Hemlock Lake, which consists of about five-hundred acres. 'J he timber is of groat value in all kind of manufactured articles, especially the oak and hickory, which is considered to be of the finest 12 THE HISTOEY OP CONESUS. quality. It grows very tall, and of times many feet to the first limb. The mineral production of this town has nev- er reached to any value. Iron ore has been found on top of the ground, but no bed has been discovered to warrant the investment of capital to bring it before the civilized world. In the Purchase gull, veins of Antiu-acite Coal has been fouud of nearly an inch in thick- ness. Salt is supposed to underlie the town, by its numerous deer-licks, that was found here at an early date. Petroleum is thought to abound, by the strong odor of the same found in rocks in some of the gulls — this all remains a secret. Agricultural pursuits are of first class; Oats, Wheat, Corn, Barley, and Beans are the prin- ciple grain. Hemp, Flax, Ilye, has been grown to some extent. Fruit — such as Apples, Pears Peaches, Plums, Grapes, Cherries, Rasberries, Strawberries, Quinces and Mellons — are raised in large quanities. Garden fruit is exten- sively grown, in shape of Potatoes, &c. The climate of the town, is considered as fine as any part of New York ; but in late years, as the forests are being destroyed, the seasons have changes; Winter seems colder, and Sunuuers are shorter. Springs that once were never known to fail, has through the dry sea- sons of the year, gone dry. Winters are very severe, as there is nothing to break the cold sweeping winds and storms, from sending forth their full blast over the town. The waters of the town, is principly hard, caused by com- ing from the different kinds of rocks, which some are of a lime-stone formation. As for health, there is no place, that has as little sick- ness, fVoui epidemic diseases, as are found within lier precinct, in which her sister towns, has been subject to endure in the past. >- A Seneca Warrior. CHAPTER II //^ Indidii ^ptthmcntfi Sc, ^.^iONESUS, — like her sister towns — was J-i^P once the home of the red-man. Here ^ they roamed over her hills : hunted in her valleys ; plied their canoes on the blue waters of her lakes ; planted their corn and sang songs to the young papoose among the green trees of her forests. They are now gone. Yes, gone from here to the lands of their fore- fathers. In giving this chapter, we do not' intend to go far back into Indian history, as it would take too much space ; but only back to the time when the white-man found them here. This was in the fore-part of the sixteenth cen- tury. Here they found a large tribe, which was named by them, ^' Iroquoits," composed of five smaller tribes, known as the Senecas, Cayugas, Onondagas, Oiieidas and Mohawks, and was added to them the Tuscaroras of South Carolina, who had been defeated by the Caro- linas, in the year of 1712, and had emigrated to the north, and became members of the; con- federation in that year. When this confederation was formed, it is not known to the white-man ; but was in ex- sistence, when the French found them here, in 1609. These are the proper Iroquoits ; and 13 shdiild be distinguished as such from the Hu- ron [i-o(|aoits. The name Iroquoit was given them liy the French. The Algonquins called tlicm .Alingos. They all occupied lands in the Middle and Western New York; and the names of towns and counties, denotes the places of their original settlement. Their great council-fire — where the leading men of each tribe met once a year-;-was held among the Onondagas, whose chief village was near the present sight of Syracuse, N. Y. These tribes were constantly in war-like excursions against the Savages in the east, south and west, whicli had reduced them to a state, that they were obliged to form this confederation, to protect themselves against their enemies. In 1817, they are siid to have numbeied forty thousand; but, at the present time, do not exceed three or four thousand. The most of these have been removed west of the Miss- issippi river. A number of the civilized In- dians, remains in New York, near the sight of their former home. The largest of these tribes, were the Sene- cas. Their chief-capitol town, was upon the Genesee flats, in the western part of Livingston County, New York. They occupied a large 14 THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. territory around them, and their chief village si said to have numbered over one-hundred houses. They had several smaller villages, in the country around them. The town of Conesus came within their jur- isdiction, and they had a fine village at the Head of Conesus Lake, but of how many houses it is not known ; this village seems to have been held for the purpose of fishing. The first that is known of this village is at the time of Sul- li van's expedition against them in 1779: of which Major Norris in his Journal of Sept. 13, 1779, says : " Marched at 7 o'clock, (from Foot's Corners) proceeded two miles to a town called Kaneysas or Yucksea, consisting of 18 houses, situated on an excellent intervale near a small lake where we found a large quantity of Corn, Beans, Squash, Potatoes, Cucumbers, Water Melons, t&c. &e., and in about this town the army halted four hours to distroy the Town, the corn, and to build a bridge over a Creek. At this town lived a very great noted warrior called the Great Tree, who has made great pretentions of friendship to us, and has been to Philadelphia and to General Washing- toii's Ilead-Qiiarters since the war comuienced, and has received a number of presents fvom (Jeneral Wasliington and from (/ongress : yet we suppixse that he is with Butler against us." The siglit of this town was a little south of the present residence of R. F. & B. F. McMil- len, upon an elevated piece of land, consisting <»f about one acre. The evidence is, that this was once a strong hold, or in other words, a stockade-fort. This may have taken place many years before Sullivan's expedition, and at that time, they may have moved nearer the lake. These forts were built by setting logs close togvtlicr with th 1779. Not many years since, there were trees standing, that had sprouted, and grown from the mutilated stumps, left by tlie above General. At this j)lace there were several Lidian trail- running to different parts of the country. One leading to the north, up the hill, a little mirth of Henderson hill, — near the residence of G. Griswold, — to Foot's Corners ; then up the hill north-east out of the town, near the Hart's School-house. This trail conducted General Sullivan into their midst. From the village it went west across the flats, up the Grovelaud hill to their village near the residence of the late Colonel x\bel ; on the Genesee flats. They may have had another one across the Head of the Lake flats, nearer the lake. The second trail ran up the hill back of their village, near the residence of the late L. B. Richardson ■ then in a south-east direction past the residence of David Coleman ; then on up through the Calabogue Hollow south to the Cohocton Valley. No doubt they had other trails lead- ing from their village, to other sections of the country, unknown to us. THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 15 Upon the main trail — near the present sight of Foot's Corners — no doubt they had a small village. This was near the present residence of Romeyne W. Cole. How large this settle- ment was, we have no knowledge of; and may have been kept here for the purpose (.f Iiunting through the level country north of their village. There could not have been any huts here, when Sullivan's army entered the town, as none of the Journals kept by the army, mentioned it: but, at the time of the first settlement here by the whites, they found several huts occupied by them, showing that this must have bcf'n one of the selected places. There may have been at one time in the town, more small villages, of which we have no record. The Indians would ofttimes settle at a place for a few summer months, and when the the cold winds of winter came, they would move to their larger villages. CusroM OK THE Sknkoa Indiana. It may be of interest to many of cmr read- ers, for us to give a short sketch of the custom and manners of the Indians found at the Head of the Conesus Lake, by the early settlers. After the invasion of G-eneral Sullivan's army, the Indians never returned and rebuilt up the town at this place, the same as it was before; but would come back through the sum- mer months, and build their huts for the pur- pose of fishing, and when the cold winds of winter came, most of them would go to their village, near Mount Morris, N. Y . The most of the history of the Indians around the Head of the Conesus Lake, I obtained from Mrs. Jame McNineh, who lived several years among them at the early settlement of the town. Ofttimes have I sat by her side in my younger days, and listened to her tales concern- ing the life of the red-man. The Indians built their huts in two shapes, round and oblong. The round one was con- structed by setting up poles, so as to form a peak at the top ; the oblong by laying a pole lengthway at the top, and then covering the out- side with bark and skins of animals, while in some there was a hole left at the top to let the smoke pass out, and an opening in the side for an entrance. Ofttimes they built their fires in front of the entrance if the hut was too small. Their huts were of different sizes. Some was ten or tvvelve feet across, and generally largo enough to hold a dozen persons. Th^ir chairs was the ground, and their beds were made the same way. When they slept, they always laid with their heads toward the fire, with their forms enwrapped in an Indian blanket, or skins of animals killed in the chase. Their cooking was done by hanging a kettle susjiended from three poles, set up over the fire, and in the same, they placed all tlieir food at once. Their bread — which they called " Equa," — was made from Indian meal (called Nath- assell) and beans mixed together, and boiled hi the kettle, with their meat and potatoes. As soon as this was done, it was taken out in a dish made of bark, in shape of a sap-trough, placing the salt on one end, on a chip. When this was ready, the family would assemble on the ground around the dish, and commence eating, by now and then taking a little salt in their wooden spoons, and swallowing it with their food. The Indians called wheat flour "Tassell"; pork " Cush ": butter " Wesaw." Anything they like " Cossh," and anything they dislike, " Tocossh." Money they ccmnted by holding up one finger, "One Shilling"; two fingers, "Two Shillings"; half a finger, a "Six- pence," &c. 16 THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. The dress of the men, consisted of having leggings made of broadcloth, reaching down to their knees; then with a short dress belted to the body at the waist, and i-eaching down to the knees, with an Indian blanket, doubled and thrown over the shoulder, extending down toward the feet, with a belt around at the waist. When they did not need the blanket around the shoulders, they would throw it off', and let it hang by the belt, or they could raise it and cover the head. Both the males and females, wore the blanket the same way, and moccasins, made of deer-skin, on their feet. While Mrs. McNinch was living in their midst, she was permitted to be present at sev- eral weddings, which the whites were seldom allowed to witness, as these ceremonies are con- sidered by them sacred. Their dress is siuji- lar to their every-day life; differing only by the bride and bride-groom having one blue and one red legging on the feet. The courtship is soine-what remarkable ; for when ever a young Indian wishes to call upon an Indian maiden, he goes to her hut, and in passing by, he throws his hat into the same, and if his hat is kept, he can enter, show- ing that his company is acceptable. If the hat is speedily returned, he is informed that his company is not acceptable, and lie must keep out . As soon as a child is horn, it is taken and wrapped in bandages of cloth, placed around its body and limbs, and then woollen cloth placed around this, to keep it warm. The child is then taken and placed with its back to a board, a little longer than its length, and wider than its width, and then bound to the same by bands made from strings cut from deer-skin, and kept in this j)()sitioii, lor a couple months, that it may grow .'straight. In carrying the child, the female always straps it to her back. In case of sickness, the Squaw done the med- ical services. Herbs were their chief medicine, and in the same, they seldom fail. In case of a fatal disease, or epidemic should break out among them, they held their Pow-wow to drive the evil spirit away. The hard labor and drudgery was all done by the females. They hoed the corn, planted the beans, and did the hoiisehold labor : the males did the hunt- ing; went forth in wars; held the war-dances, and tortured the victim. Ardent liquors, were the root of all evil among them, and when un- der its influence the whites all feared them, as it turned them into demons. It is said that Esq. Henderson,, was once assaulted by an Indian who threw his tomahawk at him when he went to his log house, and he would not give him any more whiskey. The scars were shown "by Mr. Henderson" to persons living at the present time, where it passed his head, and stuck quivering in the logs behind him. An Indian never forgot a kindness, but al- ways sought revenge for an injury. 3Irs. Mc- Ninch said : "When she came among them, there were but a few whites living on the flats at the head of Conesus Lake." They caused them much fear and troi^ble. When she first came there, she feared them, but soon learned to love them. She found them destitute of ket- tles 'o cook their food in, and many of the whites would nut lend them, which grieved the Indians, and caused them to hate them. But she would always accommodate them, and when they had got through using, would return the kettle, cleaned in their manner of cleaning, high- ly pleased. By her kind deeds, the Indian-^ soon learned to love her, and when they killed a deer or bear, they would select the most choice piece, and bring her. Ofttimes she would have more fresh meat tli:in she cruld iise, tlif^ii she would salt it down, and in some parts of THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 17 the year, the Indians were unsuccessful in tlie chase, and came to lier for food : then slie would return it to thoiii again, causing them to be highly pleased by her generous acts. While living among them, Mr. and Mrs. .McNinch, had a large amount of sickness in their femily. The country being new, the air was very unheal thful, and she was subject to the fevers, and her children to the many other prevailing diseases of that time. Ofttimes Mrs. McNinch would be confined to her bed. No sooner than the news of her sick- ness spread through the Indian village, than the squaws would flock to her house, bearing un- der their arms, bundles of herbs to steep teas to doctor her with. After they had prepared the same, they would take it to her bed-side, and taste of it, before giving it to her, to show her that it was not poison. Sometimes she would take it tn please them; and at other times, when they had gone away, throw it out. Among the small children, there raged diseases that would baffle the whites; but, the Indian maidens were in most cases successful. The greatest fear of Mrs. McNinch, while living at the head of Conesus Lake, was on account of her children. Her husband being a miller, was constantly away from home, fol- lowing his vocation, and the children often played in the forest — and the Indians taking a liking for white children, which they some- times abducted — she feared they would be kid- napped by them, to adopt into their own fami- lies. The squaws came often to her house, and begged for the privilege of taking her small (•hildren to their camp, to play with their"pap ooses"as they called them. When the weather was pleasant, she would permit them to go, and at the aj)poirited time for their return — which slie watched with a mother's devotion — they were punctual to bring them back to her again and seenjod over-joyed at the honor shf had conferred upon them. Often in winter several of the Indian families would remain at the Head of the Lake during the cold weather, but when they did, they suf- fered sevendy with the cold by ntit having a warm shelter to protect them from the frosty wind. They would frequently come to Mrs. McNinch's house, and ask permission to stay with her through the night. Many times she re- tired to her bed, with five or six stalwart braves lying upon the floor, with their heads toward the fire, in slumber. Some one of their num- ber would rise at different intervals, through the night, and replenish the fire, as it would require it, and then repose his dusky form again among his comrades. Had Mrs. McNinch been attacked or disturbed, these Indians would have sacrificed their lives in defendmg her. Their love knew no bounds, for the kindness she had siiown them, and while living upon these flats, she had no fear of being molested. Vet many of the whites lived in fear, though they escaped all harm. For want of space, I will not go far back, to describe the Indian mode of warfare, before the white man found them here. At that time they had laid aside the stone spears and ar- rows, and taken the rifle in their stead. The tomahawk and scalping-knife was still retained, and many of the younger Indians used the bow and iron pointed arrows, for a pastime. The Indians counted time by moons. In speaking of an event, they would say,"So many iiK ( IIS ago" or "the leaves came and went," in traveling, they proceded on foot, or by single horse, having ]ioles fastened on each side, witii one end running back, dragging on the ground, on which they piled their camp utensils, in moving from place to place. Their roads were by paths or trails through the forest, or wide 18 THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. enough for the horse to drag the h:»ad behind him. These trails were kept for years, and many places in the eonntry to day, where they have crossed rocks, a crevice has been worn in them, a foot or more in depth, by their con- stant traveling. The Seneca Indians in burying their dead, place them in a sitting posture, with their faces toward the east. Several places in town, their bones have been dug up by the pale face, yet there has been no evidence of any burial place here. On the lands now owned by Van- Buren Guldner, no doubt was one of these pla- ces, for there has been bones and skeletons exhumed there during the late years. Adventurks ok Daniel Carr. The sketch of this Indian captive was pre- sented to me by, B. F. Fosdick, deceased, of donesus Center, who was a distant relative of the same. Carr in after years would visit this country, where he had stayed those long years before in captivity, and at each time spend a few days with Mr. Fosdick, and to him related the following narrative. The exact date we have not, but it must have been near the year of 1770. Daniel Carr having occasion to visit the west- ern part of New York state upon some business transaction, when near the present sight of Can- andaigua, Ontario County, came suddenly upon a small party of Indians, who surrounded him and made him their prisoner, and took nim to their village near by. This took place in the forcudon and the acteruoon was occupied in holding an Indian cduncil of the leading men of the village, as to what disposition should be made of their j)ris(jner. It was decided that he should be compelled in tlio morning to run the gauntlet, lie was then escorted to one of their wigwams and placed under a heavy guard to prevent his escape. He spent the night iti great agony, and in the morning was led fortli by his captors a few rods from the vilhige, where he saw two long lines of warriors, dressed in their costumes, and armed with their instru- ments of war, waiting to receive him. They took him to the head of the line and made mo- tions for him to pass down between them, and that if he reached the other end, he would be saved. An old chief stood near him, to give the signal for his starting. The signal was given, and when he was about to start there rushed forth from the crowd an Indian maiden some twenty summers old — with tears in her eyes — threw her arms around the old chief's neck, and besought him to save the pale face captive's life. The old chief gazed at his daughter for a long time, while she stood firm and pleaded for his safety. At last his heart was softened, he turned and presented the cap- tive to her, that he should go and act as her slave. The Indians then conducted him back to their wigwams, and dressed him in their In- dian costumes. He was a man of large stature, and in strength, there was none that could e- qual him in the tribe. The first work that was assigned to him, was the cutting the wood and hoing the corn, at which he was not a very profitable hand, for he would use his hoe in such an awkward way, that it was sure to cut off" the corn, and when they sent him for wood he was sure to get the wettest he could find. The Indians had an old white horse, and one day he hitched it to a sled, and went into ;i swanij) near by for wood. Tliere was a large bog hole in the swamp, into which he managed to drive the old horse and get him mired. He was obliged to go back and get a number of the Indiana to come and help the horse out, which they succeeded in doing, after a large The WaraDance of the Senecas. THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 19 amount of labor, while they heaped curses upon him for cutting up such a caper, which only served to amuse him. A short time afterwards, in the month of June, the Indians had a war dance, and it was customary that those who did not join the dances, which included the squaws, should sit or Hh on the ground around thom. As Carr did not join their dances, he watched them with deep interest until the end, and resolved the next night, to have one on his own hook. So when the next evening came, he prepared him- self as he saw the Indians do the night before, and commenced hooting and dancing, until he drew a large crowd around him oti tjie ground, when all of a sudden he commenced running and jumping upon their backs as they lay around watching him, which was the means of soon closing his war dance. The next morning when he arose he found two Indians waiting for hiui with the summons that the old chief would like to see him at his wigwam. With a heavy heart he proceeded with them, expecting to find the old chief in finger, and that he would put him to some torture for his misdoings. But as he entered the old chief welcomed him, and politely informed him that the pale face umst have no more war dances, and then bade him to take his departure. After remaining a short time at Canandaigua they removed him to the Genesee flats near .Moscow, N. \ ., when he again commenced his depredations by throwing the squaws in the river during the snnnner time, while the Indians lay along the banks and laughed to see tlioiii swim to the shore. Yet after all the trouble he caused the Indiauis, they all loved him, for he did all he could for them when they were sick, and he claimed that lie believed that there was not one soul in the whole tribe, but what would have fought for him, if they saw him in trouble. Seven long years rolled away before an op- portunity presented itself for him to return to his native place, in the state of New Jersey, for at the tinje of his capture he had pledged his word to the Indians that he would not try to make an escape, and he well knew if he at- tempted it, it would have been very doubtful if he ever could have succeeded, for there were parties of Indians roaming all over the difi"er- ent parts of the country, who would without doubt recapture him, and return with him. It would have been certain death for him, as he would have broken his word, which the Indians considered a disgrace and dishonor. He longed however, to return to his family, which con- sisted of a wife and several children. At last the time came. It was in the spring time when there was a small party of Indians preparing to visit the Mohawk Indians, whose settlement was upon the Hudson river. He begged of them the privilege of accompanying them and visiting once more the friends of his native state, which they readily granted, after he had pledged his word that he would return to them at a certain moon, upon the Hudson, and go back with them to their forest home. They then set upon their journey, and soon ar- rived upon the banks of the Hudson, where he parted with them and started out alone for his native place. Alter several days travel, he arrived at his former home, which from a few scattering houses had grown to a flourishing village. Upon his arrival, his first inquiry was for the cottage of the widow Carr. It was soon pointed out to him, and lie repaired to it, to make known hi.-< visit. As he reached the door he rapped, and a young maiden some twenty summers opened it and bade him enter. He was dressed in his Indian costume, and his beard and hair were •20 THE HISTORY OF CONES US. of vast length, as he had not shaven since his capture. He inquired if the Widow Carr lived there, and received the reply that she did. He then asked to see her, and the young lady step- ped to the chamber door and called her, as she was up stairs spinning. As she did not respond immediately, he requested her to be called again. She came down and entered the room, but she knew him not. He then related to her that he was from the Indian coimtry, and that lie had seen her husband among the Indians, and knew him to be well and hardy ; but she would not believe it, for she knew he iuust be dead, or he would not have left her so long in sorrow and misery, mourning for him. Find- ing that he could not convince her, he asked her if she would not give him some of (^arr's old clothes and a razor, that he might take them to her hxisband, so he would believe him when he told that he had seen his wife. Then he took his leave, promising to return in the afternoon before setting out for the Indian country. He then repaired to the tavern, and with the assis- tance of the landlord, he cut his hair and was shaved, and then dressed himself in the clothes his wife had given him. When the appointed hour came in the after- noon he returned to the cottage and entered, and as soon as his wife saw him the second time she knew him, and rushed forward and threw her arms around his neck and wept for joy. His children that he had left seven long years before stood around him. Some had almost grown to man and womanhood, and tliey also welcomed him. But when the time came for him to meet tlie Indians upon the Hudson, he failed to do so, and without doubt filled their hearts with sorrow, for they dearly loved him. CHAPTER ni. " ^u Hi tun 5 ^ani^tnifin. §'§ L.!jj|«N the Suiimioi- ;iiid Fall of 1778, and V-lp^ the Spring of 1779, tlie Seneca Indians f^j,j;^^<^ living in the middle and western part "y" of New Vork, commenced connnitting unlawful depredations, by plundering and mur- dering the frontier settlers of the northern iind western part of Pennsylvania. These In- dians were eneonraged in their blood-thirsty and cold-hearted designs, by a large number of British Tories and Half-breeds, who went farther in the scenes of torture then the Indians did themselves. At last Congress, then set- ting in Philadelj>hia, found themselves called upon to form a protection for the pioneers, who were advancing the arts of civilization on the oiit-skirts of the frontier settlements of that state. This at last they resolved to do by send- ing an army into the midst of Senecas — whose prominent village was in the western part of Livingston County, N. Y. — and bring them into submission. There has been much written iu regard to this campaign in other books of a larger scope, that we will not spend too much time in giving a minute detail of this journey of this army of four thousand men, in an almost unknown wil- derness at that time to the whiteman. What we have jirepared, has been taken from J<.urn- als (some thirty I have seen,) kept by the armv at the time of the invasion. The most exten- sive of these Journals, is that of Major Norris which we have more or less copied from, as it appears in the publications of the "Buffalo Historical Society," Vol. T., page "21 7, of their jiublicatiouK of the year of 1 K71>j by the kind permission of the publishers, Messrs Bigelow Brothers, Buffalo, \. V. The task (tf conmiaiuling this iiiiiiv was at- tended with so much risk of destruction, before (Jeneral Sullivan accepted the command that several prominent army officers had re- fused the offer. The first of these officers that was requested to command by <}eneral Wash- ington, was General Gates, who declined the off"er of the Commander-in-chief, in a cold and uneourteous letter. The leadership was then offered to General Sullivan, who at once ac- cepted and entered upon the honorable and re- sponsible duty for his country. The Head Quarters of the Army was at once established at Easton, Pennsylvania — except Clinton's division from the Mohawk river — from which point a general order was issued on the L'4th. day of May, 1779. On the 18th. 21 '22 THE IIISTOKV OF CONESUS. ilay of Juue, the little aniiy left Easton, for Wyoming, the recent scene of a bloody massa- cre, which had shocked the civilized world, and made many hearts shudder. In this order to General Sullivan, his instructions from Gen- eral Washington, was his guidance through the whole campaign, and he followed the same as shown in the following Plates — if the country would admitt of the same — to a letter. A Journal of tiik Makcii. FRIDAY, June 18, 1770. The little army of General Sullivan, started out on its fearless march this morning tVdiii Kaston, Pa. They moved until I'J o'clock, when the army halted for the day at a })lace called " Hillier's Tavern," twelve miles tVom I'jaston by actual survey. [ The army was accompanied with a (•( r] s of Surveyors, who measured every rod of the way from Easton, Pa., to the (Jenesee River, near Mt. Morris, N. Y., and back again.] SATURDAY, June 10th. The army were called in line at 4 o'clock, A. M., and then marched seven miles U> Bunk- er's Mills, halted, drew rations and rested. Their march had been through the Blue mount- ains by a narrow jiass then called '' Wind- gap," which seem to had been designed for a couunuuication for the army. They then marched nine miles farther and encamped for the night at what was called " Learn's Tavern" near Pogono Point. The lands through which they marched, were mountainous, rocky, barren and uninhabited. It was well watered and the streams filled with trout. SUNDAY, June 20th. The army marched at 8 o'clock, and en- tered an extensive forest, then called the '' Great Swamp," which they entered for five miles and stopped on a small brook. General Sullivan called this camp " Chowder Camp." The houses they left that morning, were the last of the inhabitants until they reached Wy- oming. MONDAY, June 21st. The army marched twenty-one miles to-day through a vast wilderness, where there had been only a foot-path until the soldiers cleared a roadway last spring. This day told fearful on the army, as they could find no place to en- camp until thoy had got through the swamp, and their hardships could had been lessr nearly two miles and sev- rral skulls bronght in at different times, thai had been scalped and mangled with a toma- hawk. We found a Captain's commission and seventeen continental dollars in the pocket of a skeleton, that had laid on the top of the ground for nearly twelve months, and at the same time our Guide pointed out to us a spot, where there had been buried, seventy-three bodies in one pit. All the houses had been burned : and the fields, — the most fertile that I ever saw, — over- ran with weeds and bushes, exhibiteil a melan- •24 THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. choly picture of savage rage and desolation." SATURDAY, July 3d. To-day was the Anniversary of the mas- sacre of Wyoming. SUNDAY, July 4th. To-day being on Sunday, the celebration of the 4th. was postponed until next day, which the whole army properly observed. TUESDAY, July 6th. A Soldier by the name of Winslow, went iu this morning to swim, and was drowned. About 8 o'clock in the morning, an uncommon black cloud arose in the East, with heavy thun- der, followed with a hail storm, and some of the hailstones were said to have been as large as a hen's egg. SATURDAY, July lUth. Gen'l Sullivan sent ir)0 men from the 1st and '2nd. New Hampshire regiments, toward Easton, to escort some stores, and repair the roads. MONDAY, July l-2th. Three companies of the Ciemian regiment deserted to-day. SATURDAY, July 24th. Gen'l Hand arrived at Wyoming with 70 boats laiden with provisions for the expedition. SUNDAY, July 25th. Five Soldiers of tlie (lerman Regiment were sentenced by court martial to be sli(it i'fv desertion, but were reprieved the next day. SATURDAY, July 31st. The army — after receiving orders yester- day — broke camp, and marched for the Indian country, at 1 o'clock, P. M. They had a large amount of trouble in fixing the Pack Horses and loading the boats. The orders were given to the army, to march in the following order : — Gen'l Hand's Brigade, a mile in advance to act as light troops; then Gen'l Maxwell's and Poor's Brigades ; then the Pack Horses, con- sisting of about 1 200 in number, and followed by 500 head of Cattle ; One Regiment for rear guard; 200 men as flank guards on the right, and GO men on the left by the river. Colonel Proctor's Artillery, were sent with 120 boats laden with provisions, by water, with 70 men on opposite side of the river, to act as guard for the boats, and to prevent them from falling int(p an ambush. The army marched about ten miles and encamped near a stream called Lachawan- unck, which unites with the Susquehanna at this place. They found the land level and fer- tile, but desolated by the Indians, who had burnt all the houses, and murdered the inhab- itants. At this time the army had been an- noyed by wet weather, which had existed for the past two weeks, and still continued. SUNDAY, August 1st. To-day was a very stormy day, and the army did not resume its march until 4 o'clock in the afternoon, when it marched to Quiluti- maok, a distance of seven miles. Tlie route was very difficult, as it lay along the foot of the mountain, which jutted down upon the riv- er. The pack-horses and cattle, caused them some delay, as the former did not arrived in camp until 9 o'clock that night; and the latter early the next mornning. MONDAY, August 2nd. The army did not resume their march t<.- day ; but lay encamped upon the ground they had selected the night before, to recruit their pack-horses, and collect the kegs of flour, am- munition and other baggage they had aband- oned the night before. The morning revealed to them that they had encamped at the foot of a large mountain, which was in their front, and the river in their rear. The ground had been inhabited, but was now over-grown with grass and thistles. TUESDAY, August 3d. THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. 25 They resumeJ the march at 7 o'clock in the morning, and proceeded 12 miles over a much better country then they had expected, and encamped upon an old field, near the mouth of a small river that emj)tied into the Susque- hanna, called Tunkhanmuk. Here they cap- tured a young fawn, to the anmsement of the whole array. WEDNESDAY, August 4th. They struck their tents at (3 o'clock in the forenoon, and marched 1.3 miles, passing sev- eral places that once had been iidiabited, but now overran with Indians. The last <>f these stood upon the banks of the Meslujpping. They encamped about two or three miles from this place, upon a I'arm of a Tory, name Vanderlip, who had joined the Indians. Tlie fleet fnuiid great difficulty in descending the river, and did not reach camp, until I'J o'clock the next day Till-R8L)AV, August r)th. To-day at 9 o'clock, tiiey broke camp and moved ten miles (»ver a rocky and rough road, and encamped at Wyalusing. After leaving this place, they entered a level j)iece of ground, and expected to have found an Indian am- buscade. The signal was given to close ranks, which was done until they had gained the sum- mut of a lofty mountain, and then saw their fleet coming up the river, some three miles in the distance. After moving two miles farther, they descended into the lowlands of Wyalusing, which was covered with Sycamore trees of im- mense size, and then encamped upon a level plain, which was once an Indian town of about eighty houses, built in two parallel rows, form- ing a street, (lO or 70 feet wide, and was now in ruins The army lay here encamped for two days. SUNDAY, August 8th. The army moved at 7 o'clock this moruing toward Tioga a distance of ten miles, and en- camped where there had been a settlement in 1775, and was called Standing Stone Bottom, (^aptain Spalding who commanded the Inde- pendent company in Gen'l Hand's Light Troops, lived at this ^jlace. MONDAY, August 9th. Marched at 6 o'clock in the morning, for three and one-half miles, to a stream called Wesawking, and halted ; then twelve miles farther to the Sheshekonunck bottom — a large meadow of about 1 5U acres of splendid grass lying on the Susquehanna river. WEDNESDAY, August 11 th. The army rested until to-day, when it re- sumed its journey at 8 o'clock, for two miles, when they forded the river, which ran very r.tjiid. They all got over safely, except one niMii, who was carried down the stream by the current, but was saved by Lieut. Col Barber, Adj't (General, at the hazzard of his own life ; tlion tlicy advanced one mile through a rich bottom covered with large tall trees, which shut out the sun, and soon came to a plain called Queen Ester's Plantation. This lady governed a portion of the Seneca tribe; but dwelt in re- tirement, and detached from all of her subjects, and the ruins of her Palace, was plaiidy seen, and surrounded by fruit trees of various kinds. At the Eastern end of this plain, the Tioga river forms a junction with the Susquehanna river, and here the army forded the same, and encamped about half a mile above on the Sus- quehanna. At this place they found a number of hides lying on the ground, which showed ev- idences that the Indians had lately encamped here, and no doubt it was once an Indian town. THURSDAY, August 12th. Gen'l Sullivan gave orders to-day for a fort and four block-houses to be built here for se- curity of the fleet, and also for provisions to be 26 THE HISTORY OF CONESUS. left for their return march, under a heavy guard. In the afternoon they received news by their scouts that were sent out the day be- fore, that the Indians was at Chemung, some fifteen miles distant, and were fleeing before them. Orders was then given, to march at H o'clock that evening, so as to be ready to at- tack them at day-break in the morning. Their march was attended with great difficulty, as they had a thick swamp and several dangerous defiles to pass ; yet, they arrived at the ap- pointed time, to find the town vacated. This town seemed to have been one of their Capitol towns, and contained about forty houses, which was burnt at sun-rise. From api)ear- ance, the Indians had left it but a few hours before. Gen'l Hand and his troops then fol- lowed them, until he reached the top of a ridge, when the Savages fired up(»]i them, killing six men, and wounded seven others, including among the latter three officers, and then tliev ran away, and were jiursued, but witln Tit success. Here Hand's troops destroyed their ' i-orn-fields, and while engaged in tlieir destruc- tion, were fired upon aijain, by Indians and Tories across the river, killing one man, and wounding five more, and then they returned to Tioga at sun-set, having marched thirty-four niiles, in twenty-four hours. Here the army lay uritil the twenty-six. SUNDAY, August 15th. Gen'l Poor and nine hundred choosen men were ordered to-day, to march to-morrow^ morn- ing up the Susquehanna river, to meet Gen'l Clinton, who was coming from the Mohawk river, to aid him in case he should be attacked V)efore he couM reach the main army. In the afternoon, a small j>arty of Indians fired upon some men who were out, — without the guard — after some stray horses and cattle, killing one and wounding another, and then made their es- cape. MONDAY, August 16th. Gen'l Poor marched his detatchment up the Susquehanna to meet Gen'l Clinton. The route was very rough and mountainous. They encamped for the niiiht, at an Old Indian town called Macktonanuck. TUESDAY, August 17th. They marched early this morning twelve miles to the Indian town Owagea, which had been deserted the Spring before. The march to-day, proved to have been quite severe, as the left column had to pass through several morasses, and climb steep hills. WEDNESDAY, August 18th. To-day they proceeded eighteen miles through an almost impassable forests, and en- camped at an Indian town, that had been va- cated in the Summer before, called Choconant. This town, they found a large quanity of Garden vegetables growing, that the Indians had left beliind them. At sunset they heard a report of a canon, in front of them, which told them, that General Clinton, was near them. THURSDAY, August 19th. Early this morning, they resumed their march ; but, after going about a mile. General Poor received a messenger from Gen'l Clinton that he would meet him at 10 o'clock in the forenoon. They then returned back to their last camping place, and waited their coming. Here at the specified time, Clinton joined them with two thousand men, and two hundred Batteauxs laden with provisions and amunition. After a friendly greeting, th»j turned about, and started down the river, and encamped that night at Choconant. The next two days was occupied in reaching the main army again. MONDAY, August 22nd. To-day they marched eleven miles, and reached the main army at 11 o'clock, A. M. THE HISTOKY OF CONiiSUS. From August 22nd., to the •iOth., the army remained at Tioga, preparing to continue their inarch into the Indian Country. On tlie '23d. ;i sad accident happened, that filled their hearts with sorrow. A soldier accidently discharged Iiis gun, loaded with a ball and several buck- shot; and Captain Kimball, who was standing a short ways off by a tent, received the contents and expired in a few minutes, and another sol- dier wounded. The next day the remains of Capt. Kendall was buried with military honor. THURSDAY, August 2()th. The army resumed their march for the Imlian country at 12 o'clock to-day under the [ilan of Order's of .March and Battle. They ♦uund great difficulty in getting ready, on ac- count of not having sufficient number of pack- horses to carry their provisions and ammunition. They left three hundred men under Col. Shreve to guard this jdace uritil their return. .Mr. liodge accompanied them as Surveyor, :iii