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PIONEER HISTORY 
 
 CHAMPLAIN VALLEY; 
 
 AX ACCOUNT OF THE SETTLEMENT OF THE TOWN OF 
 WILLSBOROUGH BY WILLIAM GILLILAND, 
 
 TOGETHER WITH 
 
 HIS JOURNAL AND OTHER PAPERS, 
 
 P^moir, mti giisitartal nmX gUu.stvntive ^ofjc^, 
 
 BY WINSLOW C WATSON. 
 
 ALBANY, N. Y. : 
 
 J. MUNSELL, 78 STATE STREET. 
 
 1863. 
 
;.■^^^ 
 
HOIT. AUGUSTUS C. HAND, 
 
 PROMINENT AMONG THE EMINENT CITIZENS 
 OP OUR COMMON DISTRICT, 
 
 IDENTIFIED WITH ITS 
 
 POLITICAL AND JUDICIAL HISTORY, 
 
 AND THE LIFE-LONG FRIEND OF THE DISTINGUISHED DESCENDANT OF 
 THE SUBJECT OF THIS VOLUME, 
 
 THE WORK, WITH ESTEEM AND FRIENDSHIP, 
 IS RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 In the year 1852 I was engaged, under the 
 auspices of the State Agricultural Society of New 
 York, in making an agricultural survey of Essex 
 county, in that state. My duties incidentally in- 
 volved an examination of its natural features and 
 resources, and a research into its traditions and 
 history. Whilst I was employed in these enquiries, 
 the late General Ross mentioned to me Oscar F. 
 Sheldon, of Willsboro, as most competent, from his 
 habits and study, to aid my labors. I at once 
 visited Mr. Sheldon, and was surprised and de- 
 lighted by the rich treasury of antiquarian wealth 
 he revealed to my inspection. I learnt that he 
 had been occupied, without noise or pretension, 
 for fifteen years, in exploring the traditions and 
 chronicles, and in collecting the antiquarian ele- 
 ments of the county, and that he had made con- 
 siderable progress in a local history of Willsboro. 
 The first night I enjoyed his hospitality, we occu- 
 pied, to a late hour, in reading his manuscripts and 
 discussing the varied points of interest in our com- 
 
VI PREFACE. : 
 
 mon investigations. With rare liberality and 
 kindness, Mr. Sheldon assigned to my use the 
 fruits of these years of labor and vigilance. 
 
 At this time I first heard, from Mr. Sheldon, of 
 the existence of the Gilliland journal and docu- 
 ments. He had visited William Gilliland, Esq., 
 the son of the pioneer, at Salmon Kiver, had 
 been allowed to inspect these relics, and had de- 
 rived, from the recollections and conversation of 
 Mr. Gilliland, a vast fund of the most valuable 
 information. This gentleman was a schoolboy of 
 fourteen at the outbreak of the Revolution, and of 
 course was familiar with the colonization schemes 
 of his father, and all his eventful history. He im- 
 parted freely to Mr. Sheldon all the information 
 he jDOSsessed, and engaged to make a careful in- 
 spection of his father s papers, and to collect those 
 of interest for the examination of Mr. Sheldon, at 
 a future visit, which was appointed. Mr. Sheldon 
 made copious notes of the facts and recollections 
 communicated to him, but unhappily Mr. Gilliland 
 did not survive to the time designated for the 
 second interview. 
 
 I immediately oj)ened a correspondence with 
 Messrs. William and Henry P. Gilliland, the 
 grandsons of the original proprietor, who resided 
 at Salmon River, on the patrimonial estate. These 
 gentlemen submitted to my examination, without 
 
PREFACE. Vll 
 
 any restraint, all the papers of their ancestor, in 
 their possession. I spent several days in this very 
 pleasant occupation, and in the enjoyment of the 
 attentions and hereditary hospitality of the family. 
 From the mass of papers I examined, I selected 
 the journal, letters, and other materials, which are 
 embodied in the following work. I am quite con- 
 fident that other documents of great interest are 
 still in existence, and in the possession of other 
 persons; but I have been unable to excite any 
 enthusiasm which might elicit the discovery and 
 production of these papers. 
 
 Joel Munsell, Esq., the eminent author and 
 laborious explorer in the obscure but fascinating 
 paths of antiquarian researches, detected from my 
 work on Essex county the existence of this new 
 and rich field of exploration opened by these Gilli- 
 land manuscripts. His appeals have been urgent 
 and unremitting upon me to prepare them for pub- 
 lication. I at length yielded my reluctance to his 
 zealous representations, which presented the sub- 
 ject to me almost in the form of a patriotic duty, 
 and have assumed the laborious task he proposed. 
 I feel conscious that the time and attention, drawn 
 from other occupations, which I have been able to 
 devote to this labor, have been inadequate to an 
 appropriate performance of the service I have ini 
 posed uj^on myself. 
 
Vlll PREFACE. 
 
 I am again, since I have embarked in these ex- 
 plorations a second time, indebted to Mr, Sheldon 
 for unceasing and most valuable aid, in the collec- 
 tion and preparation of the materials I required. 
 The investigations of the future historians of our 
 country would be infinitely facilitated, did every 
 community enjoy the presence of a chronicler, 
 who should garner up its legends and records with 
 the intelligence and zeal that has distinguished 
 his services. Mr. Sheldon is descended fiom one 
 of the earliest immigrants after the Revolution, and 
 has enjoyed from this circumstance peculiar ad- 
 vantages for tracing and gathering traditions and 
 reminiscences which extend to the remotest period 
 of the colonization. 
 
 The mental and moral qualities of William Gil- 
 liland Avere of a remarkable character. Endowed 
 with extraordinary energies and high intellectual 
 powers, which were burnished and invigorated by 
 culture, his enterprise, his sagacity and forecast, 
 would have impressed a powerful influence where- 
 ever his capacities were exercised. His life was 
 a romance — basking in brilliancy and hope — 
 steeped in adversity — culminating in the highest 
 prosperity, it closed its infinite vicissitudes in dark- 
 ness and gloom, and by a tragic end. 
 
 W. C. WATSON. 
 Port Kent, Essex County, N. Y. 
 August, 1863. 
 
PIONEER HISTORY 
 
 CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 
 
 LAKE CHAMPLAm. 
 
 This lake, with its navigable waters, stretches due 
 north from White Hall to St. Johns, in a direct 
 course of about one hundred and thirty miles. The 
 navigation is safe and unobstructed, and in the winter, 
 from the Canada line to its southern extremity, the 
 firm ice forms a perfect and commodious highway for 
 intercourse. Lake Champlain has no parellel in its 
 peculiar beaiities, revealed in the variety, the majesty 
 and exquisite loveliness of its scenery.^ On the east 
 it is bounded by an undulating shore, rich and beauti- 
 ful under a luxuriant culture ; and beyond this line, 
 the horizon is limited by the bold and serrated outline 
 of the Green Mountains. On the western shore, the 
 dark and dislocated Adirondacs spread far into the in- 
 
 1 An eminent citizen of New York, whose extended travels had made 
 him an intelligent observer of every quarter of the globe, once re- 
 marked to me, that he had nowhere viewed scenery which compared 
 with the beauties of Champlain. That of Lake Constance, he added, 
 was its nearest approach. 
 
10 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 terior — at various points projecting their jagged spurs 
 into the lake, and often presenting lofty headlands, 
 waving with forests or frowning in bleak masses of 
 naked granite. Wide fields spread between these 
 headlands, teeming with flocks and herds, and redo- 
 lent in beauty and fertility. In its central and widest 
 part, the lake is nearly fifteen miles broad. Innumer- 
 able islands variegate and adorn the scene. Some arc 
 mere rocky shafts shooting up from the surfiicc of the 
 waters ; others, decked in their native emeralds, gleam 
 like gems upon the bosom of the lake ; while others 
 of alluvial formation, glow in their soft and gentle 
 loveliness, and are unsurpassed in their exuberant 
 fertility. 
 
 If the borders of this lake are thus transcendent in 
 their natural features of beauty and magniticence, 
 around no other section of the country cluster histori- 
 cal associations so brilliant and memorable. In the 
 annals of a century and a half, by successive deeds of 
 daring, by bloody forays, by the romances of border 
 warfare, by the conflicts of fleets and armies, the 
 waters and the shores of Champlain have been conse- 
 crated as the classic ground of America. In those 
 merciless contests, in which France and England were 
 the allies of savage tribes ; in the long and sanguin- 
 ary conflicts between those great powers ; in the war 
 of the Revolution, and that of 1812, the whole course 
 of the lake was stained with blood, and emblazoned 
 by feats of glory. The muse of history will hereafter 
 delight to expatiate amid these scenes. 
 
 "When Samuel Champlain, in 1609, entered upon 
 the waters which have perpetuated his name, silence 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 11 
 
 and solitude brooded over tlic beautiful scene ; not a 
 solitary Indian wigwam relieved its desolation and 
 stillness. Notwithstanding tlie beauty and fertility of 
 the environs of the lake, and the exuberance of its 
 game and fislieries, ruthless invasion had driven its 
 savage population into the recesses of the forests, and 
 beyond the mountain barriers, for protection. The 
 long and narrow track of the lake, adapted to the 
 transit of the light canoe, had opened a pathway be- 
 tween hostile tribes, in their perpetual missions of re- 
 ciprocal slaughter and rapine. The Indian, doubtless 
 in reference to this fact, gave to the lake the striking 
 and appropriate name, Caniadere-Guarante, that is, 
 The lake that is the gate of the countr3\ From 
 the discovery of Champlain to the present hour, except 
 one brief interval, its character and position has been 
 unchanged. Its waters have ever been the portals of 
 alien and often hostile nations. Along its highway 
 the stealthy march of murderous bands have passed, 
 to be precipitated upon the slumbering settlements of 
 a foe. Fleets of canoes and batteaux in summer have 
 glided over its pure waters on errands of blood 
 and rapine. In winter its crystal pavement aftbrded 
 an easy pathway to the invader; or if deep snows 
 rested upon the ice, the snow shoe left scarcely an im- 
 press to betray his transit. By this track the French, 
 with their savage associates, traversed the lake, and 
 penetrating the gorges of the Green Mountains, de- 
 vasted, amid the snows and storms of winter, the fair- 
 est villages of New England. Clothed in the pomp 
 and panoply of modern warfare, vast armies have 
 gathered upon the sequestered shores of Champlain, 
 
12 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 guided by the policy, and stimulated by the feuds of 
 the old world. The annals of Lake Champlaiu is a 
 gory record of mutual atrocities. The sanguinary 
 raids of the French and Hurons were not more rapa- 
 cious and pitiless, than the incursions of the English 
 and the Mohawks upon the fertile fields of Canada, 
 amid their joyous harvests. 
 
 Until the occupation of Crown Point by France, 
 neither power had established any permanent or tangi- 
 ble possession upon the shores of Champlaiu. This 
 territory had been a debatable ground, claimed by 
 both under artificial or imaginary titles, until the 
 treaty of Utrecht, when it was virtually recognized to 
 be embraced in the domains of the Iroquois, and un- 
 der the protectorate of England. Although neither 
 France nor England yielded to the claims of the other, 
 each comprehended the vast importance of securing 
 these " gates " to the possessions of its rival. Influ- 
 enced by these views, the government of Canada, dis- 
 regarding the obligations of treaties, and the restraints 
 of a profound peace, suddenly advanced, in the year 
 1731, up the lake, and seized, by a military force at 
 first, a promontory opposite Crown Point, and, soon 
 after, that position itself. It had not, at an earlier 
 period, been formally occupied, but had long been 
 regarded as a prominent position in the official papers 
 of both nations. 
 
 The Crown Point of history, is a narrow peninsula, 
 forming a section of the modern town of that name, 
 which is remarkable for its high agricultural fertility, 
 and for the exceeding loveliness of the landscapes its 
 diversified scenery presents. The peninsula is formed 
 
THE CUAMPLAIN VALLEY. 13 
 
 by Buhvagga bay, a broad estuary on the west, and 
 by the lake upon the east, which liere abruptly changes 
 its course at nearly right angles, and from a wide ex- 
 panse at the north, is compressed into a narrow chan- 
 nel scarcely a fourth of a mile in width. The most 
 unpracticed eye would at once perceive that the posi- 
 tion commanded the navigation of the lake. A wild 
 waste of forests extended on both sides of the lake, 
 from the settlements on the Hudson, to the hamlets 
 of Canada. This wilderness was traversed in every 
 direction by impassable mountains, and deep gorges, 
 and rapid streams. 'No track penetrated its solitudes 
 except the path of the Indian. 
 
 The prominence of Crown Point in the annals of 
 Lake Champlain, and its connection with the narra- 
 tive of Mr. Gilliland, demand a glance at its histoiy. 
 The most decisive evidence exists of the presence, at 
 some former period, of a large and civilized commu- 
 nity in the vicinity of Crown Point. Tradition, cor- 
 roborated by ancient papers, estimates this population 
 to have ranged from fifteen hundred to three thousand 
 persons. A street may still be traced, extending a 
 long distance from the point towards the main land, 
 raised and covered with broken stones, similar to the 
 McAdam roads of the present day. The ruins of cel- 
 lars line this street on each side. Their compact 
 arrangement, and the narrowness of the avenue, as- 
 similate its appearance to the ancient villages in 
 Canada founded by the French. Indications are pal- 
 pable, that along the margin of the bay, the ground has 
 been graded and formed into an artificial slope. The 
 shore, shelving to the water, had been prepared for 
 
14 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 the accommodation of fleets of flat bottomed batteaux 
 and canoes, wliicli at an early day navigated the lake. 
 Fragments of lofty stone walls, adapted to the enclo- 
 sure of gardens and orchards, are still visible. Fruit 
 trees in the memory of living men flourished upon 
 these grounds. Sidewalks, formed of common flag- 
 ging, smooth and worn, remain as they were left by 
 the generation, who once thronged them in the active 
 vocations of life. These, combined with numerous 
 other impressive evidences, imparted conviction to my 
 own mind (when a few years since I explored the 
 scene, under the most intelligent guidance), that 
 Crown Point, previous to the Revolution, was a popu- 
 lous and important village.^ "We know that a prosper- 
 ous trafiic prevailed between the French and British 
 possessions, anterior to the year 1700, and that Lake 
 Champlain was the medium of that intercourse. May 
 we not assume that Crown Point had become, under 
 the influence of this traffic, a flourishing mart, in 
 which the commodities of the alien colonies were in- 
 terchanged, and where the Indians congregated from 
 
 1 A large tract of land, lying between Crown Point and Ticonderoga, 
 was cleared and cultivated during the French occupation. The heavy 
 forests which now stand in places upon this territory, bear unmistak- 
 able evidence that they are of a second growth. The ruins of a ceme- 
 tery, and the vestiges of numerous edifices, with other indications, 
 show that this whole area of country had been at a former period 
 thickly populated. Nathan Beaman, the youthful guide of Ethan 
 Allen, informed Mr. Sheldon that he recollected several stores trans- 
 acting business at Crown Point previous to the year 1775. About 
 that period, he rowed a party from Vermont to Crown Point, on some 
 festive occasion, at the house of a Mr. Bentzle, and spoke of seeing 
 silver plate upon the table, with other appliances of wealth and lux- 
 ury iu the village. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 15 
 
 ■wide hunting grounds to trade tlieir peltries. A sin- 
 gle farm house uow occupies the peninsula of Crown 
 Point, and flocks of sheep graze upon the soil where 
 was marshaled the legions of France and England. 
 While I contemplated the ruins of St. Frederic, cattle 
 were ruminating in its bastion, and a solitary robin 
 was twittering in the branches of a tree, whose roots 
 were interlaced among the rocks of its ramparts. 
 
 The incompetent government of i!^ew York, either 
 ignorant or careless of this audacious usurpation by 
 the French arms, remained inactive, until the formid- 
 able fortress was erected at Crown Point, that secured 
 to France the dominion of the lake. It is not neces- 
 sary to recite the pretences by which these acts were 
 excused or explained, nor the alarm and agitation they 
 caused in 'New England, and which were at length 
 aroused in the province which should have been the 
 first to oppose such aggressions. 
 
 The colonies invoked in vain the attention of Eng- 
 land to these encroachments. In vain did they pro- 
 claim to the home government, that the safety and 
 colonial existence of New York and IsTew England 
 were imperiled by the hostile occupation of Crown 
 Point. The British ministry was unconscious of the 
 nascent greatness of America ; Walpole could detect 
 no germ of future empire in the wilderness of the new 
 world. While the ignoble treaty of Aix La Chapelle 
 relinquished to France the fortress of Louisburgh, 
 purchased by the blood and treasures of New England, 
 Crown Point, without a protest, was left in the posses- 
 sion of the power that grasped at the conquest of the 
 western continent. 
 
16 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 Not until 1755 did the British government in a de- 
 cidecl tone demand the demolition of the works at 
 Oro n Point. Diplomacy, after the submission of a 
 quarter of a century, could not retrieve a position lost 
 by imbecility or recklessness. The practical reply to 
 these protests by France, was the erection in the same 
 year of Fort Carillon,^ upon the bold and rocky cliffs 
 of Ticonderoga. This post, more menacing than the 
 occupation of Crown Point to the British possession, 
 and destined to a terrible celebrity, became the most 
 extensive and magnificent fortress in America. 
 
 "Accumulated acts of neglect and injustice of the 
 mother country, such as these, prepared and matured 
 the colonies for independence. Had they been cher- 
 ished by the guardian care of England, they might 
 have rested on her arm in effeminacy and depend- 
 ence. Abandoned to the suggestions of their own 
 policy, they were taught by these exigencies high and 
 practical lessons of self-government. Compelled by a 
 common danger to a mutual consultation and concert- 
 ed action, they were admonished of the necessity and 
 strength of a confederated union. Compelled to rely 
 alone for protection and safety upon their own arms 
 and energies, they were prompt to resist aggression 
 and to avenge injuries. The deep fountains of their 
 capacities were revealed to themselves, by the parsi- 
 monious policy of England, that constrained the colo- 
 nies to resort to their own domestic resources in their 
 tection and defence. 
 
 1 Carillon seems to imply the same signification as che-onderoga, the 
 original of Ticonderoga — noisy chimes — in allusion, doubtless, to 
 the brawling waters mid the rocks in tlie outlet of Lake George. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN YALLEY. 17 
 
 "Had Canada been a British Province, New Eng- 
 land and jSTew York might have been exemp from 
 the appalling scenes of carnage and suffering v,:]iich 
 are since impressed on their history ; but the very ex- 
 posure and danger of their position, and the assaults 
 and cruelty of a powerful and daring enemy, endowed 
 them with a lofty moral and physical courage ; with 
 endurance in suffering; with boldness and wisdom in 
 council, and promptitude and decision in action. These 
 are the elements of freedom. Men who literally tilled 
 the earth with the musket at their side, were ripening 
 for any emergency, and prepared to defend the he- 
 ritage endeared to them by their blood and sorrows, 
 against every foe and any wrong. The career of the 
 colonies, neglected, contemned and suffering, was to 
 them a baptism of blood and sorrow, that conse- 
 crated a free and ennobled spirit, equal to any sacrifice 
 or any conflict. The wars into which the colonies 
 were forced by this policy of England and the prox- 
 imity of the French provinces, afforded the severe 
 school for their military education. The shores of 
 Lake Champlain afforded the nursery of future heroes 
 of the Kevolution. The military spirit was here en- 
 kindled, that in after years blazed at Bunker Hill, and 
 Bennington, and Saratoga; and here, amid victory 
 and defeat, the science and tactics of Europe were 
 inculcated and diffused throughout the broad colo- 
 nies. 
 
 " If Washington was taught, on the banks of the 
 Monongahela, to lead armies and to achieve the inde- 
 pendence of his country, Putnam and Stark, Pomeroy 
 and Prescott, amid the forests and morasses of Hori- 
 
18 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 con and Cliamplain, and beneath the walls of Ticon- 
 deroga, were formed to guide and to conquer in the 
 battles of freedom. Human wisdom, in her philoso- 
 phy, may pause to contemplate these striking and 
 singular coincidences, and to trace these causes to 
 their momentous results ; but the eye of faith will 
 reverence them, as the hidden workings of an overrul- 
 ing and beneficent Providence, who, in these events, 
 .was unfolding the elements and forming the agents of 
 a mighty revolution, destined not only to sever a king- 
 dom but to change the course of human events."^ 
 
 My space will not allow me to recall the partizan 
 achievements of Rogers, of Putnam and Stark; the 
 wounds and captivity of Dieskeau, on a field whose 
 memory swells and exults the American heart — for 
 there the provincialists of the colonies, led by their 
 own citizen, first met on an equal field and vanquished 
 the trained veterans of Europe; nor the fame of John- 
 son ; nor the heroic deaths of Howe and Townsend ; 
 nor the bloody assault of Abercrombie ; nor the glory 
 and shame of Montcalm^; nor the plodding endu- 
 rance of Amherst; nor, in later years, the triumph 
 of Burgoyne. These names all beam upon the pages 
 
 1 Survey of Essex County, Trans. N. Y. Ag. Society, 1852, pages 668-69. 
 
 ■^ Montcalm is one of the most brilliant and heroic characters that 
 glitters in our colonial history. His fame is obscured by one or two 
 acts of imputed ferocity, from which it has never been successfully 
 vindicated. Until its glorious last act, his life was one unbroken se- 
 ries of triumphs and successes. A single episode will illustrate its 
 picturesque and dramatic scenes. Preparatory to the attack upon 
 Fort William Henry, he assembled at Montreal the Indian tribes, 
 gathered from Lake Superior to Acadia. Montcalm moved in their 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 19 
 
 of history. Deeds uccomplislied here, illustrate a 
 brilliant age. In October, 1759, the naval armament 
 of Amherst attacked the French flotilla, almost on the 
 theatre, in another century, of MacDonough's victory, 
 and in its destruction, extinguished the last vestige of 
 the domination of France upon the waters of Cham- 
 •plain. 
 
 The massive ruins of Fort Carillon still attest its 
 magnitude and strength. The course of the trenches 
 of the outer works at Ticonderoga, may readily be 
 distinguished. The line of the ramparts along the 
 beetling clifls, is still visible ; parts of the battlements 
 yet stand ; sections of the stone barracks are stand- 
 ing; the bakery is in a state of good preservation and 
 the magazine partially remains. At Crown Point the 
 works are in better preservation. The mounds of St. 
 Frederic may be discerned; the oven, the covered 
 way and the magazine are easily distinguished. The 
 fort erected by Amherst, with a lavish prodigality, 
 might be restored. Portions of the vast quadrangular 
 barracks yet stand. The walls are still quite perfect, 
 but the buildings are roofless, without floors, and the 
 beams charred and blackened. The traveler may read 
 upon the walls the idle scribbling of the soldier more 
 
 savage dances, brandishing the tomahawk as he chanted their war 
 songs ; he captivated their hearts by his largesses and excited their 
 fierce passions by visions of revenge and rapine. These warriors 
 embarked in two hundred canoes, each bearing the pennon of a 
 distinct tribe, and advanced with all barbaric pomp. The Catholic 
 priests accompanied their neophytes, and while the Indian war chant 
 strangely mingled with the hymn of the missionary, the flotilla passed 
 up Lake Champlain to unite its rude forces with the veteran cohorts 
 of Montcalm. 
 
20 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 than a century ago. Eacli room contains a broad and 
 lofty fire-place. The garrison well, nearly one hun- 
 dred feet in depth, is almost entire. The covered 
 way leading to the lake, although much decayed, may 
 still be traced. 
 
 An ordinance of the king of France, in 1676, au- 
 thorized the issuing of grants of land situated m 
 Canada, attached to the crown. Assuming that the 
 sovereignty of France embraced the borders of Lake 
 Charaplain, the government of Canada caused a sur- 
 vey to be made of the lake and the adjacent territory 
 the year after the occupation of Crown Point. Many 
 of the impressive and beautiful names of the islands, 
 promontories and other topographical features are 
 derived from that survey. Its labors also resulted in 
 the publication, at Montreal, in the year 1748, of a 
 map and chart, which have scarcely been equalled by 
 any of a later date in its accuracy and scientific aspect 
 and minuteness. Extensive grants, conferred under 
 the ordinance of 1676, are delineated on that map, 
 upon both sides of the lake. A seigniory was granted 
 in 1737, to the Sieur Robert, which embraced the ter- 
 ritory near the Boquet, subsequently patented to 
 William Gilliland, and included a large proportion 
 of the modern towns of Essex and Willsboro. The 
 tract was soon after located and allotted by an oflicial 
 surveyor; but we possess no distinct evidence that any 
 of these grants were possessed in any permanent and 
 tangible occupation north of Crown Point. 
 
 When the peace of 1762 had been ratified by the ces- 
 sion of Canada to GreatBritain, Lake Champlain was no 
 longer the portal between hostile nations. A royal 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 21 
 
 proclamation, of Oct. 7th, 1763, autliorizecl the colonial 
 governors to issue grants of land upon the borders of 
 the lake to the reduced officers and soldiers who had 
 served in the Canadian campaigns. By the terms of 
 these grants, the holders were empowered to make 
 locations on any unappropriated lands. Numerous 
 patents were issued in accordance with this proclama- 
 tion, and many locations under them came in contlict 
 with titles based on the grants established during the 
 French intrusion. 
 
 Stimulated by the immensely enhanced value of 
 these lands, numbers of fictitious grants were asserted, 
 and others revived, which had been repudiated by the 
 French officials and forfeited by non-user ; while some 
 had been held in honest suspension, awaiting the pro- 
 gress of events. Another class, derived from the 
 ordinance of France, and which had been preserved 
 by actual possession, were recognized by the colonial 
 government. Many of these were violated" by loca- 
 tions of grants issued in pursuance of the royal pro- 
 clamation of 1763. 
 
 The adjustment of the conflicting rights of the 
 patentees, under these adverse claims, was extremely 
 embarrassing and difficult. The British authorities, 
 in a proper regard to justice and public faith, suspended 
 the issuing of all patents for lands situated north of 
 Crown Point, claimed under any French grants. Eng- 
 land, in great tenderness and liberality towards the 
 claimants under these grants, refused to assume the 
 obvious position, that the authority of France rested 
 on mere usurpation, and her government possessing 
 no risrhts on the shores of the lake, could neither 
 
22 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 create or convey any. Many of the French claims 
 were ultimately rejected on account of the forfeitures 
 of the conditions upon which their tenures depended ; 
 others were compromised by grants to the claimants 
 of land of equal value in Canada. 
 
 These questions agitated the colonies for several 
 years and produced anxious discussions in the royal 
 councils at home. They necessarily retarded the pro- 
 gress and impaired the prosperity of the region they 
 affected. The multiplicity and magnitude of the grants 
 issued under the proclamation of 1763 ; the existence 
 of these conflicting interests, and the repugnance 
 generally of the grantees of these rights, to locate and 
 occupy them formally, combined to depress their value, 
 and threw them in great numbers upon the market for 
 sale. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 23 
 
 WILLIAM GILLILAND. 
 
 Sucli wastlae posture of the couutiywlien the atten- 
 tion of William Gilliland, a prosperous merchant of 
 New York, was attracted to it, with the view of large 
 investments in the military rights referred to, and their 
 location in that region.^ He was born about the year 
 1734, of respectable parents, whose residence was 
 Caddy, near the city of Armagh, Ireland. William 
 was in childhood at the death of his father, who left 
 several other children. His mother married a second 
 time, a man named Watson, who, by improvidence or 
 fraudulent practices, squandered most of the patrimony 
 of the family. A remnant was preserved through the 
 early intelligence and energy of young Gilliland. He 
 had received a liberal education at the literary institu- 
 tions in Armagh. His cultivated mind, fine person 
 and polished manners, combined with excellent qual- 
 ities of heart, soon secured him an elevated position 
 and high esteem in the society of that city. He here 
 became associated with a young lady of noble birth, 
 and an heiress, the Lady Betsy Eckles. A mutual 
 and warm attachment followed this acquaintance. 
 The disparity of birth and fortune was an insuperable 
 barrier to the fulfilment of their wishes. The oftended 
 
 J I am chiefly indebted to the manuscript of Mr. Sheldon for the 
 events recorded in the early life of Gilliland. 
 
24 THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 
 
 family of the lad j interposed with so vigorous an ap- 
 plication of power, as to effect her seclusion and, from 
 some unexplained cause, the expatriation of Gilliland. 
 Desponding, under these adverse events, he appears to 
 have enlisted in the army, as the next trace I can dis- 
 cern of him is afforded by his discharge at Philadel- 
 phia, in 1758, from the 35th regiment of the line, after a 
 service of four years. He soon after arrived in New 
 York, where his pathway of life was environed by dark- 
 ness and difficulties. But, with a sanguine tempera- 
 ment and determined purpose, he grappled with for- 
 tune. 
 
 Such qualities usually command success. Gilliland 
 very soon obtained a position, although a subordinate 
 one, in a mercantile house. At an early day, he 
 formed a partnership with a merchant of wealth, by 
 the name of Phagan, who belonged to the island of 
 Jamaica, but was at that time residing in 'New York 
 for the purpose of educating his children. The keen 
 and vigorous capacity of Gilliland, with his active and 
 energetic character, secured eminent success in his 
 new vocation. A year scarcely elapsed, before he had 
 secured the affections of Elizabeth Phagan, the beau- 
 tiful and accomplished daughter of his wealthy part- 
 ner. On the 8th of February, 1759, he received her 
 hand in marriage, with fifteen hundred pounds, as her 
 dowry, which was esteemed a large sum in the colony 
 at that period. The brilliant mercantile success which 
 had rewarded the intelligence and enterprise of Gilli- 
 land, did not satisfy his ambition. The recollection 
 of the magnificent baronial estates of his native land, 
 and the observation of the vast manors of the southern 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 25 
 
 section of New York, enkindled the purpose of secur- 
 incr to himself the possession of wide domains in the 
 wikls of America. In his visions of the future, he 
 doubtless contemplated the station of a great land- 
 holder, exerting a feudal authority and enjoying afflu- 
 ence and power, derived from a subservient tenantry. 
 We may only conjecture, how much the desire of 
 triumphing over those who once so severely rebuked 
 his alleged presumption, may have stimulated these 
 designs. His schemes embraced a broad scope, but 
 their foundations were laid with such skill and fore- 
 cast, and his measures conducted with so much ability, 
 that none could reasonably doubt of their ultimate 
 consummation. 
 
 While this new career was opening to Mr. Gilliland, 
 he be^an to develop those uncommon powers of mind 
 and remarkable traits of character, which were calcu- 
 lated to achieve a high position in the affairs of his 
 adopted country. But instead of this, we shall see 
 the storms of the Revolution sweeping in desolating 
 tempests over his estates, and his fortunes at length 
 blasted, by the violence of enemies, by the treachery 
 of friends, and by accumulated woes. An opportunity 
 soon occurred for the gratification of the designs 
 which Gilliland had so long cherished. Numerous 
 officers and privates who held rights under the pro- 
 clamation I have mentioned, resided in the city of 
 'New Yo|k. Many, unwilling to occupy the lands in 
 the wilderness to which they were entitled, preferred 
 to sell their claims at an exceedingly low rate. At 
 that epoch, western and central New York was the 
 domain of the Indian. Emigration had only peue- 
 4 
 
26 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 tratecl its fertile regions along the valley of the Mo- 
 hawk, and in a few and scattered settlements west of 
 Albany. 
 
 The environs of Lake Champlain were open to 
 occupation and free from the appalling dread of a con- 
 tiguous savage foe. Lying upon the confines of the 
 great highway between the Canadian provinces and 
 the British colonies, this region was easily accessible 
 and eminently attractive, by the exquisite beauty of 
 the country, from the fertility of many parts of it, and 
 by the exuberance of its game and fish. In accord- 
 ance with the plans he had matured, Gilliland, either 
 personally or by competent agents, made a careful 
 exploration of the borders of the lake, and deter- 
 mined to purchase extensively, these military rights, 
 and locate them in that region. He decided to 
 place his first location on the lake shore, between the 
 River Boquet and Split Rock, then, in his own lan- 
 guage, "a howling wilderness, more than one hun- 
 dred miles removed from any Christian settlement, 
 except the military posts of Ticonderoga and Crown 
 Point." 
 
 His earliest purchase was from a Dr. Joseph Field, 
 of 2,000 acres, for which he paid <£100. This right 
 he located on the south side and adjoining the River 
 Boquet. Subsequently, he made seven other purchas- 
 es, embracing about 1,500 acres. These rights were 
 laid in a contiguous tract, extending from a point about 
 one-half a mile north of the river to James Judd's 
 patent, near Split Rock, on a front upon the lake 
 of more than six miles, and ranging from three to 
 four miles in the interior. Mr. Sheldon says, "these 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 27 
 
 purchases were made in 1764, and granted and sur- 
 veyed the following year." 
 
 " The plan of settlement adopted by Mr. Gilliland, 
 was generally to hold the land in fee and lease to ten- 
 ants at a small annual rent. To accomplish this policy, 
 it was necessary to use extraordinary exertion and lib- 
 erality, to induce people to emigrate so far from their 
 friends and home into a strange and distant wilderness. 
 Having made his arrangements for the purchases, he 
 commenced preparations to transport his colony to his 
 new possessions. With a clear-sighted perception of 
 future necessities, he appears to have foreseen all 
 things best adapted to the comfort and progress of 
 the settlement, and with a generous liberality, to have 
 ottered such inducements as soon enlisted a company 
 of enlightened mechanics and enterprising laborers, 
 such as were best fitted to assist and benefit each other 
 and promote the general good. With assorted supplies 
 of tools, implements, provisions, &c , he set out from 
 New York, May 10th, 1768." 
 
 From this date, we possess an exact chart for several 
 years, of the current events connected with the policy 
 and settlement of Mr. Gilliland, afforded by his minute 
 journal, of a most valuable and interesting character, 
 and also many other cotemporaneous papers. I pro- 
 pose to present a rapid glance at the cccurrences 
 illustrating his colonization, but the comments and 
 explanations they suggest, I shall postpone, to be 
 incorporated with the notes prepared to those docu- 
 ments. 
 
 Before proceeding, however, with this sketch, I will 
 present a paper of very considerable interest, which I 
 
28 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 discovered among the writings left by Mr. Gilliland 
 and bearing his initials. The address indicates the 
 existence at that period, of an important benevolent 
 institution, of wViich this age, I think, has no other 
 information. The paper is strong and practical in its 
 views, and its suggestions are marked b}^ the forecast 
 and sagacity which distinguish all the early produc- 
 tions of the author. 
 
 March 1^' 1765 
 
 To the Society for promoting Arts Agriculture and 
 
 Aeconomy in the Province of New York 
 
 Gentlemen — With great pleasure do I observe the 
 attention you pay to the settlement of the wilderness 
 lands in this Province ; this has been too long neglect- 
 ed ; we have not availed ourselves of the many advan- 
 tages which our convenient situation gave us over 
 our neighbouring colonies, otherwise the interior and 
 remote parts of our government would be more closely 
 inhabited than theirs. 
 
 I shall not enter into a tedious enumeration of the 
 many and great advantages which must unavoidably 
 redound to Great Britain, from the early settlement of 
 the waste lands in America ; it is sufficient to observe, 
 that by it the revenues of the crown are considerably 
 augmented with the heavy Quit-rents which the lands 
 are chargeable with after settlement, (particularly in 
 this Province,) as are the inhabitants of Great Britain 
 by the additional consumption of their manufactures, 
 especialy in the woolen branch, which last we may 
 reasonably suppose will be very great, as it is almost 
 imposible for those who settle on new lands, to keep 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 29 
 
 their sheep from being devoured by the wolves, and 
 the other rapacious beasts of the wilderness ; even if 
 there was good pasturage for them there ; and it is 
 equally impossible for the inhabitants in the northern 
 part of this Province to exist without warm coverings 
 of woolen both night and day; in a word, it is absurd 
 to imagine, that Great Britain would put herself to the 
 vast expense of defending and protecting her domin- 
 ions in America, with no other view than to suffer 
 them to remain in their native wild and desert state, 
 and thereby dedicate them to no other purpose, but to 
 accommodate the savages and beasts of the forest. 
 
 I now beg leave gentlemen to drop a hint to you 
 concerning the settlement of the remote lands in this 
 Province. 
 
 Those I account remote, that are situated to the 
 northward of Fort Edward ; but particularly those that 
 lie farther north than the head of South Bay. 
 
 It is not to be expected that people in good circum- 
 stances will think of settling there, nor any indeed but 
 those of the poorest sort. 
 
 Let us therefore take such measures as may contri- 
 bute to enable such to convey themselves with their 
 families and effects to their intended residence in those 
 parts, at the least expense. 
 
 With respect to those who settle on the lands which 
 lie between the head of South Bay and the northern 
 bounds of this Province (which is an extent of coun- 
 try not less than 150 miles in length) it is highly 
 necessary to have the carriage made easy, in order, not 
 alone for the particular accommodation of themselves 
 and their families, but likewise that they may be in- 
 
30 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 duced to take their necessary household furniture and 
 implements of husbandry from this city; hitherto and 
 even now, the general thoroughfare is across Lake 
 George, and from thence to Lake Champlain there is a 
 troublesome long carriage; this extremely embarasses 
 travelers, especialy those who are incumbered with any 
 kind of effects, for it is with vast delay and difficulty they 
 can obtain boats to convey them across Lake George ; at 
 landing of Ticonderiga, they are vexatiously delayed 
 and embaressed in getting their baggage or merchan- 
 dize conveyed across the carrying place, and when 
 they at length get to Ticonderigo fort with very great 
 trouble, loss of time and expense they have still the 
 greatest trouble and difficulty to surmount, in pro- 
 curing boats to carry them from thence to Crown- 
 point, where they will be as much at a loss as 
 ever, if they have occasion to proceed further. This 
 I ^peak from the experience of myself with many 
 others. Li order therefore to avoid this Labyrinth of 
 fatigue, anxiety, trouble, and expense, I would beg 
 leave warmly to recommend South Bay as the most 
 easy and natural thorough-fare from here to Lake 
 Champlain. All that is wanting to render it a most 
 convenient communication, is to finish a part of the 
 road from Fort Edward to the head of South Bay and 
 as this may be effected at a very trifling expense it 
 ought to be completed this ensuing spring, as in all 
 likelihood great numbers of people will go up to settle 
 in those parts next summer. But as it would be of such 
 general utility to the Province it ought to be done at 
 the provincial charge and therefore by you gentlemen 
 recommended to the notice of the General Assembly. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 31 
 
 Thus might we convey our furniture, apparel trades- 
 men tools and implements of husbandry from hence 
 to Albany b^^ water; from thence to South Bay by an 
 easy land carriage, only about seventy miles and there 
 embark on board any vessel not exceeding two hun- 
 dred tons burden, which would have a good navigation 
 to the lands as far northerly as this Province extends ; 
 and in respect to the particular encouragement which 
 those ought to have from the Province who attempt a 
 settlement even on its most northerly frontier, I hum- 
 bly think the least that could be offered is to defray 
 the expense of the transporting the people and their 
 effects from hence to the land on whicli they settle, 
 and to furnish the poorest of them with bread and salt 
 for the first year ; and this our Representatives in 
 Assembly would doubtless agree to, if it were recom- 
 mended to their consideration by gentlemen who so 
 highly merit their applause and esteem, as do the wor- 
 thy members of the New York society. 
 
 Before I conclude, please to accept of one thought 
 which I hope you'll judge worthy of your considera- 
 tion ; that is in regard to your proposed benificience of 
 lending out looms, spinning-wheels and reels, to the 
 poor which I conceive ought to have the first privilege 
 as settlers in the most remote parts of the Province, 
 and they chiefly for its principal object. 
 
 I am Gent" • 
 
 Yours &c. W. G. 
 
 As I stated, Mr. Gilliland left New York on the 
 10th of May, 1765. He reached Albany on the 13th, 
 and was compelled to adopt another method of trans- 
 porting his colony and their effects. He decided to 
 
32 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 proceed np theHndsontoFortEdwarclbjbatteaux,witli 
 a part; while several of the men should drive the cattle 
 which he had purchased and collected at Albany by land. 
 He was obliged to procure the boats from Schenectady 
 and transport tliem across the plains by wagons to the 
 Hudson. The ascent of the river, against a rapid current 
 and by a shallow and tortuous channel, was slow^ and ar- 
 duous, but was accomplished by the toil of eight days. 
 The cb'ove of cattle had alreadj'^ reached Fort Edward. 
 He emploj^ed the oxen in the transportation of the 
 goods from that place to Lake George, which occupied 
 two clays. The sail down this beautiful and picturesque 
 lake to the landing at Ticonderoga, required two days, 
 and two more days were employed in the transit by 
 land to Lake Champlain. Reembarking, the colony 
 proceeded directly to the Boquet, which they reached 
 on the 8th of June, after a laborious and perilous 
 journey of thirty days from New York. One batteau 
 was loaded with boards and timber at Ticonderoga. 
 The saw mill which had been constructed during the 
 French occupation, and which afforded so conspicuous 
 a position at the assault of Abercrombie, still re- 
 mained, and afforded the only means of procuring the 
 materials in the region. After remaining at the 
 mouth of the river to rest and prepare for their settle- 
 ment, the colony proceeded up the river to an island 
 liaTf a mile below the falls, where they encamped. 
 They called it Camp Island, and the name has 
 been perpetuated. Operations were at once com- 
 menced in opening a road to the falls, and by the 15th 
 of June, ground had been cleared, logs cut and the 
 erection began of a house, 44 feet by 22 feet. This 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 33 
 
 was the first dwelling built by civilized man between 
 Crown Point and the line of Canada. 
 
 The cattle, in the mean time, had been driven to 
 Crown Point, and there swam the lake, and were 
 again driven on the east shore to a point opposite 
 Split Rock, which Mr. Gilliland, with more euphony, 
 calls the Cloven Rock, and which was the Roche Rendu 
 of the French, and were there ferried across the lake, 
 by some transient " men of jSTew England," and pro- 
 ceeded through the pathless woods to Willsboro' Falls, 
 then without a distinctive name. A portion of the 
 cattle were supported here upon leaves of the trees 
 fallen in clearing the land, while the greater part were 
 turned loose to find their own subsistence in the forest. 
 On the first cursory examination of the falls, which 
 from the supposed water power they formed, had been 
 chiefiy instrumental in attracting Mr. Gilliland to the 
 locality, the architect pronounced it " impracticable to 
 erect mills there, except at vast expense." ''Upon 
 which," he says, "we returned a good deal dejected 
 to the people." This was the first and almost only 
 note of despondency he uttered, amid the trials and 
 perplexities of his early labors. The next day, after 
 a more careful survey, it was announced "that several 
 mills might be ei'ected there at small expense, which 
 opinion was afterwards ascertained to be well founded." 
 
 With characteristic ardor and prcmiptitude, the suc- 
 ceeding day, the 10th of June, he records, " our four 
 carpenters began to cut and square timber for the 
 mill ; the other hands being employed in cutting wood 
 for coals, clearing land, &c." The house and mill 
 being in successful progress, every energy was im- 
 5 
 
34 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 parted to the general improvement. The conntry was 
 explored to determine its resources. Game was fomid 
 abundant in the woods ; salmon thronged the river ; 
 beaver meadows were discovered and hay made upon 
 them to secure fodder for the approaching winter. The 
 cattle, at the proper season, were driven to these mea- 
 dows and most of the hay was consumed there. 
 
 The saw mill was completed in the latter part of 
 autumn. It was erected near the lower part of the 
 falls, upon the site still occupied by a forge. The 
 water was conducted to it through a flume, leading 
 from a wing dam, which projected a part way across 
 the river. The mill was constructed of the boards 
 and timber brought from Ticonderoga. 
 
 On the 23d of July, Mr. Gilliland, in company with 
 the Rev. George Henry, a clergyman who had united 
 with the colony at New York, left Milltown, on a visit 
 to Quebec. He returned, bringing provisions and 
 supplies from Montreal. Mr. Henry was attacked by 
 a severe sickness and had remained in Canada. Mr. 
 Gilliland, whose keen vision was always directed to the 
 interests of his new possessions, stopped at the Sorel 
 Eiver to examine its capacities, and with his own hand 
 sounded several miles of the channel above its mouth, 
 "because it communicated with Lake Champlain." 
 He records in his jonrnal highly practical and judi- 
 cious views on the subject of this navigation, and upon 
 the qualities of the adjacent country. 
 
 On his return, he devoted considerable time to the 
 survey and establishment of the boundaries and num- 
 bering pf a tier of lots, extending from the mouth of 
 the Boquet along the shore of the lake to Judd's 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. - 35 
 
 Patent. The work appears to have been executed 
 with much skill and precision. His journal contains 
 a minute record of the survey of twenty-live lots, rang- 
 ing in their contents from one to two hundred acres, 
 with the number, metes and bounds of each. Several 
 of these lots were immediatel}^ taken up by settlers 
 upon leases, but owing to the advanced season, no 
 buildings were erected upon them until the next year. 
 
 On the 6tli day of October, 1765, Gilliland com- 
 menced the exploration of his domains lying north of 
 the Boquet. His copious journal evinces that nothing 
 escaped his vigilance, and that he examined the terri- 
 tory with the science of an engineer, and with the 
 most sagacious appreciation of its properties and re- 
 sources. His tour extended to Cumberland Head. I 
 find no difficulty in tracing his route from the accuracy 
 of the descriptions embraced in his journal, and have 
 identified the various localities by their modern names 
 in my notes explanator}- of the journal. 
 
 While engaged in this exploration, Gilliland ad- 
 vanced up the An Sable river as far as its walled 
 banks. In a highly correct and graphic description of 
 that amazing scene, which may be classed among the 
 natural wonders of the continent, we have the earliest 
 notice of it, which probably exists. 
 
 Mr. Sheldon states, that Gilliland had already located 
 4,500 acres in the modern town of Westport, which 
 he called Bessboro', from the name of a daughter. 
 Several thousand more he laid out on both sides of the 
 Salmon River. This location ^'lie named Janesboro,' 
 
 1 It appears from a document wliich Las been preserved by the care 
 of Dr. O'Callaghau, that Gilliland had, previous to his purchases, locat- 
 
36 • PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 and that at Cumberland Head, Charlottesboro', after 
 two other daughters. Elizabeth, the site of the beau- 
 tiful village of Essex, was named from a wife or 
 daughter ; Jimmy's Point, in the same vicinity, had 
 reference to his brother James Gilliland. The town 
 of Willsboro' yet commemorates his own name, and 
 when it was divided, Elizabethtown perpetuated the 
 memory of his wife. This practice of nomenclature 
 flowed, doubtless, from those warm and active domes- 
 tic aftections, of which we trace evidences in all the 
 acts and sentiments of his life. Mr. Gilliland had, at 
 this time, located twelve grants, seven of which were 
 in Willsboro', two at Westport, and the remainder at 
 Salmon river, in addition to his claims on Cumberland 
 Head and in other localities. 
 
 In November of this year, Gilliland returned to his 
 family in ^N'ew York, with the purpose of removing 
 them to his estate in the wilderness on the following 
 spring. He left his affairs upon Champlain in charge 
 of his half-brother, Watson, upon whom he confers 
 the name and office of steward. The cattle which had 
 been turned into the forest on the arrival of the colony, 
 were reclaimed with difficulty on the approach of win- 
 ter, and in a condition almost as wild as the native 
 denizens of the woods. The first winter was spent by 
 these pioneers in the pathless wilds of northern New 
 York, without suftering or remarkable incident. Their 
 time was pleasantly occupied in attending to their 
 cattle, cutting and drawing logs to the saw mill, and 
 in preparing timber for the construction of their build- 
 
 ed a lot near Split Rock, which I presume was Soldier's donative from 
 the Government. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 37 
 
 ings. In January, 1766, the hay was drawn upon the 
 ice to Milltown from a beaver meadow, two miles from 
 Split Rock. A part of the settlers, discontented in 
 their secluded wilderness homes, appear to have formed 
 a combination, in the absence of Gilliland, to abandon 
 the settlement, and to cancel forcibly their engage- 
 ments and liabilities. Several of them on the first of 
 March approached Watson, armed, and in a violent 
 and menacing manner demanded the rendition of their 
 notes and the payment of large fictitious claims, threat- 
 ening in the event of a refusal to leave the settlement 
 carrying with them all the property in their possession. 
 The steward adroitly evaded their claims and privately 
 proceeded to Crown Point, where he procured a file of 
 soldiers, and returned to Willsboro'. He found the 
 settlement in confusion. Two of the malcontents with 
 their families and effects had left, and others were in 
 active preparation for their flight to Canada, with their 
 oxen shod and goods arranged. The cattle were seized, 
 driven to Milltown "and stamped with the letters W. 
 G." The fugitives were overtaken at Perue Bay, and 
 the property recovered, but they for the time eftected 
 their escape. Most of them appear ultimately to have 
 returned to their allegiance. 
 
 During the spring the supply of the colony began 
 to fail, but were replenished by the steward from 
 Crown Point. As soon as the opening season per- 
 mitted the settlers applied all their exertion m erect- 
 ing buildings and forming improvements upon their 
 newly acquired farms. The first house upon these lots, 
 according to the traditions of the country, was erected 
 April 14th, 1766, for Robert McAuley, on the north 
 
38 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 bank of Bachellor's Creek ; others rapidly succeeded 
 until the whole territory between the Boqiiet and Split 
 Rock was studded by the neat cabins of the pioneers. 
 
 Mr. Gillihind arrived at Milltown on the 22d of 
 June with liis family and two batteaux, freighted with 
 furniture and supplies.^ They left New York on the 
 28th of April, but the journey had been thus protracted 
 by his own severe sickness, and by a most afflictive 
 incident. A batteau, which accompanied Mr. Gilli- 
 land, containing the family of the Rev. Mr. Henry of 
 Quebec, with a young and lovely daughter of Gilli- 
 land, aged six years, became entangled in tlie top of a 
 Mien tree, near Stillwater, and by the force of the 
 current was upset and sunk. The daughter of Mr. 
 Gilliland and a son of Mr. Henry were lost. 
 
 The return of the proprietor infused a fresh spirit 
 and imparted a new and vigorous impulse to the little 
 commonwealth. Tlie colony advanced in prosperity 
 and improvement. The saw-mill was in successful 
 operation and supplied all the demands of the colony 
 for lumber. A smithery had been erected. The gar- 
 dens had been planted. . The government, political as 
 well as moral, was in the exclusive control of the pro- 
 prietor. Its administration seems to have been patri- 
 archal, although we occasionally discern glimpses of 
 an assumption of a feudal authority, which appears, in 
 that age, to have been asserted to some extent by most 
 of the remote large landholders of the colonies. Mr. 
 Gilliland now held the office of justice of the peace, 
 
 1 He records their arrival in ]iis journal and adds, with characteristic 
 fervor, " Mrs. Elizabeth Gilliland, my spouse, being the first lady of 
 our family that landed iu AVillsboro." 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 39 
 
 conferred by the colonial government, wliicli, in this 
 primitive society, endowed him witli a plenitnde of 
 authority, that essentially embraced the functions of 
 counselor, judge and chancellor. 
 
 By a royal ordinance of October 7th, 1763, the pa- 
 rallel of 45° north had been established as the boundary 
 line betweeen l^ew York and the province of Quebec. 
 This ideal line was indefinite and controverted. In 
 September, 1766, Mr. Gilliland met at Crown Point 
 " Sir Henry Moore, governor of New York, General 
 Carlton, governor of Quebec, Robert Harper, Esq., 
 astronomer to the expedition, Philip Schuyler, Esq., 
 afterwards the eminent commander of the Revolution- 
 ary army, Count Fredenburgh, and other gentlemen 
 constituting a commission to establish that boundary." 
 The refined manners and general intelligence of Gilli- 
 land, combined with his great familiarity with the 
 affairs of the district, attracted the consideration of 
 the conmiissioners. He was received into the dis- 
 tinguished circle, and invited to associate himself in 
 their labors. He attended "the congress," as he terms 
 it, bearing an ample supply of provisions for the use 
 of the party. 
 
 The result of this commission was the removal of 
 the boundary about three miles north of the line 
 originally projected by the French surveyors. The 
 line thus established was recognized, until the com- 
 missioners, under the treaty of Ghent, ascertained that 
 the boundary run by the French survey was on the 
 true line of the forty-fifth degree. This feet illustrates 
 the superiority, which we find developed along the 
 whole tract of our colonial history, of the French offi- 
 
40 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 cials, not only in their civil and military capacity, but 
 in the attainments and skill of their scientific agents. 
 On their return Governor Moore and suite visited 
 Gilliland at Milltown. 
 
 An incident occurred at this time which equally 
 exhibits the decided character of Gilliland, and the 
 habits of the age and country. He tells us in his 
 journal that he "forewarned Fredenburgh against tres- 
 passing on his lands opposite Valcour, in the presence 
 of both governors." On the 9th, September, he makes 
 this entry, "mustered up my men and set out, all 
 being armed, for my lower tract, opposite Isle Valcour, 
 to build a possession house, and to oppose Mr. Freden- 
 burgh, should he attempt to make any encroachments 
 on ray land there." The demonstration was success- 
 ful. Fredenburgh made extensive locations, but avoid- 
 ed the tracts claimed by Gilliland.^ 
 
 1 Charles Fredexbuugh.^ — I am mainly indebted to the Hon. Peter 
 S. Palmer, the historian of Lake Champlain, for the following facts 
 in relation to Captain or Count Fredenburgh. The name in old 
 documents is sometimes written Vredenburgh. Charles de Freden- 
 burgh was a ne»dy German nobleman, who received about the year 
 1706 from the English government a war/'awf for tliirty thousand acres of 
 land, lying contiguous to the mouth of the Saranac River. Tradition 
 accounts for this munificent grant, by the fact that Fredenburgh mar- 
 ried a lady, who had held an intimate relation with a royal personage, 
 and that the grant was the price of his servility. 
 
 It appears that de Fredenburgh located and surveyed the tract 
 and moved on to it soon after the warrant was issued. His warrant 
 was never consummated by a patent. De Fredenburgh erected a 
 dwelling house a few rods east of the lower bridge in the village of 
 Plattsburgh, near the scite of the United States Hotel. He also built 
 a saw-mill at the falls, which are still known as the Fredenburgh 
 Falls, on the Saranac, about three miles from its mouth. He remain- 
 ed upon these lands until about the commencement of the Pievolu- 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 41 
 
 During the winter of 1767, Gilliland made an accu- 
 rate and minute survey upon tlie ice, along tlie outer 
 front of his possessions, and named the prominent 
 topographical features. In the same season the first 
 horse introduced into the colony was brought out for 
 Mr. Gilliland from Canada, upon the ice. William 
 McAuley, a relative of Gilliland, and one of his most 
 efiicient coadjutors, occupied a farm where the village 
 of Essex now stands. James Gilliland, a brother of 
 the proprietor, and in later years a distinguished offi- 
 cer in the American army, settled upon a lot on the 
 north bank of the Boquet. 
 
 ]S'o exciting occurrence disturbed for several years 
 the quiet progress of the colony. Their agricultural 
 and industrial improvements continued to progress; 
 the settlement gradually increased in population ; vari- 
 ous conveniences and refinements of civilized society 
 were introduced, and schools were established. The 
 site of the first school-house is still pointed out. Occa- 
 sional religious sei'vices were eujoyed. Albany county 
 was divided in 1772, and the northern section embrac- 
 
 tion, when he moved his family to Montreal, and returned to the 
 Saranac to protect his property. A short time after his return the 
 house and mill were burnt down. He mysteriously disappeared, and 
 was supposed to have been murdered, in order to disguise the robbery 
 of silver plate and other valuable property in his possession. 
 
 In 1784 Zephaniah Piatt and thirty-two other proprietors, who 
 had acquired the rights to soldiers' bounties, under the state act of 
 1781, located these rights upon the land embraced by De Fredenburg's 
 warrant. The boundaries of the Old Piattsburgh patent are precisely 
 the same which De Fredenburg established under his grant. 
 
 De Fredenburg's children, at a later period, applied to the legis- 
 lature of New York, by petition, seeking to have their title to tlie 
 tract recognized and established. The application, under the cir- 
 cumstances, was necessarily fruitless. 
 
 De Fredenburg was known and generally designated as the Count 
 Fredenburg. 
 
 6 
 
42 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 ing both sides of Lake Charaplain was organized into 
 a new county, under the name of Charlotte. 
 
 An event occurred in 1775, which is the most re- 
 markable and interesting incident in the history of 
 this humble colony, and singularly exemplified the 
 tendency at the period of public sentiment towards 
 democratic institutions, and its bias towards the ideas 
 of self-government. 
 
 This settlement it has been stated was embraced by 
 the ideal boundaries of Charlotte county, but it pos- 
 sessed no tangible or practical political organization. 
 "Willsboro was not organized as a town until subse- 
 quent to the Revolution. The colony was too remote 
 to be reached by the protecting arm of the govern- 
 ment; too unimportant to receive any specific legisla- 
 tive action. The presence and ascendancy of some 
 civil or political power was demanded in the changed 
 condition and increased population of the district, by 
 their common interest and for their mutual protectior 
 and safety. Under these circumstances the settlers con- 
 vened by general consent, on the 17th of March, in an 
 assembly, and constituted themselves in eft'ect into a 
 pure democracy. At this popular convention it was de- 
 termined for several practical economical purposes to 
 institute a local government. A system of social regu- 
 lations was matured, formally adopted and ratified by 
 the individual signatures of the settlers. It was made 
 imperative upon all, and each was pledged fo abide by 
 its provisions "by every tie of honor and honesty." ^ 
 
 In contemplating this singular and impressive inci- 
 dent, the mind instinctively reverts to the cabin of the 
 Mayflower. This covenant embraced a far humbler 
 
 1 This remarkable instrumout and the proceedings under it, appear 
 in the journal of Gilliland under tlieir appropriate dates. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 43 
 
 scope than the compact of 1620, yet its spirit was the 
 same, and actuated by the holy idea of free, self-im- 
 posed government. The officers of the association thus 
 constituted, comprised a moderator, two superinten- 
 dents of roads and bridges, three appraisers of damages, 
 and a town clerk. "William Gillilaud was elected the 
 first moderator. Some of the other officers it was 
 resolved should perform their duties assisted by Mr. 
 Gilliland. He was always recognized as a distinct and 
 superior power in the colony. The earliest act of this 
 privitive organization was an ordinance authorizing 
 the construction of a bridge, by a tax to be paid in 
 labor, and assessed upon the basis of property. Such 
 was the ostensible and perhaps actual purposes of this 
 popular movement. When, however, we reflect upon 
 the condition of the colonies — ^the whole country agi- 
 tated by the premonitorj^ throes of the volcano, which 
 burst into a flame the succeeding month at Lexington, 
 and that scarcely fifty days intervened between this 
 event and the capture of Ticonderoga by Allen ; we 
 cannot resist the conjecture that Gilliland at least con- 
 templated higher and far different objects. His prom- 
 inent position, his ardent patriotism, impassioned cha- 
 racter, seem to justify this view. It is evident that he 
 was familiar with the political movements of the 
 period, and he was probably preparing the opinions 
 of this secluded population to be moulded and con- 
 trolled by his policy. Perhaps I may impute too 
 m.uch significance to this event. 
 
 A project, it is believed, had been for sometime agi- 
 tated, which in its success would have formed a promi- 
 nent feature in the annals of this colony, and been an 
 event of grave interest and importance in the political 
 history of the country. A scheme in which Gilliland 
 
44 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 and the elder Skeene were the conspicuous agitators 
 was discussed and essentially matured, which contem- 
 plated the organization of a new colonial province. Its 
 proposed limits were to extend from the St. Lawrence 
 to the Connecticut, and resting at the north on the 
 Canada line with an undetermined southern boundary. 
 Skeene was to receive the appointment of governor of 
 the projected province, and Crown Point was to be 
 made its capital. 
 
 I have formed my own convictions of the actuality 
 of this scheme not alone from the traditions on the 
 subject, nor the assurances of those who profess to 
 have read documents which elucidated the whole mat- 
 ter, but on other forcible considerations.^ 
 
 The aspect at that period of the controversy relative 
 to the Hampshire Grants rendered such an occurrence 
 more than probable. Cotemporary annals appear to 
 recognize the existence of some project of an analogous 
 character and purpose.^ The diplomatic expedient of 
 Allen, by which he asserted a claim to all Northern 
 New York, may have been suggested by this idea. 
 
 1 'William Gilliland, the son of the pioneer, who at the commence- 
 ment of the Revolution, was a boy of fourteen, and died at Salmon 
 river in 1847, assured Mr. Sheldon that this project was a theme of 
 frequent conversation with his father. That he had often himself 
 read the correspondence between Skeene and his father on the subject, 
 and that he had the letters of Skeene still in his possession. Mr. Gilli- 
 land, who was a gentleman of great intelligence, engaged to find the 
 letters and submit them to Mr. Sheldon, but he soon after died with- 
 out having opportunity to fulfill the engagement. With the permis- 
 sion and aid of the Messrs. Gilliland, who reside at Salmon River, on 
 the original estate, I have carefully examined the family papers, but 
 found no trace of these documents. I learn that on the death of the 
 younger Gilliland a portion of his papers passed into the hands of 
 another member of the family, and I have been unable to procure a 
 further trace of them. 
 
 2 Williams's iTi'v'^ Vermont,- Haskins's t/o. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 45 
 
 Skeene, it is known, about this period visited England 
 on some important political mission, and was upon 
 his return to America, on the verge of the Revolu- 
 tion, clothed, as he alleged, with the appointment "of 
 Governor of Crown Point and Ticonderoga." ^ In 
 this designation of the title of his government, is it 
 not probable that he merely referred to these fortresses 
 as prominent points embraced within his jurisdiction? 
 
 Crown Point, it is asserted, was to be the capital of 
 the projected province. This idea strengthens alike the 
 opinion I have attempted to enforce of the importance 
 of Crown Point at that period, and attaches form and 
 coherence to this scheme. Skeene was at that time 
 in possession of a large landed estate, not only at 
 Skeensboro, but at other points in the environs of 
 Lake Champlain. He held a tract in Essex county 
 still known as Skeene's Patent. 
 
 The consummation of this design might have in- 
 volved the most momentous and sinister results at that 
 peculiar epoch, when the contest between Vermont 
 and JSTew York had acquired its deepest rancor and 
 perilous vehemence. An occurrence of deep import 
 suddenly dissolved all these visions of political pur- 
 poses and speculations, for years arrested the progress 
 of the miniature republic, whose embryo we have 
 just been contemplating, and dispersed widely its 
 people. A blow had been struck upon the shores of 
 Champlain, which not only vibrated through the 
 broad colonies, but was felt within the palatial walls 
 of St. James. 
 
 1 Skeene's letter to Hawlcy, March 15, 1775. 
 
46 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 THE EEVOLUTION. 
 
 Haldibrancl, the governor of Crown Point and Ti- 
 eonderoga, had announced to the government in 1773, 
 that the fort at Crown Point "was entirely destroyed,", 
 and that at Ticonderoga, in a "ruinous condition," 
 and that both "could not cover fifty men in winter." 
 The appeal to arms, which in April, 1775, had sounded 
 from the plains of Lexington, seems to have sug- 
 gested, simultaneously, to various patriotic individuals 
 in the colonies, the idea of capturing these important 
 fortresses in their dilapidated and exposed condition. 
 Members of the provincial legislature of Connecti- 
 cut on their individual responsibility raised funds to 
 effect this object, and appointed a committee to pro- 
 ceed to the scene, and to attempt thg execution of the 
 plan. In the county of Berkshire a small force was 
 collected, but at Bennington the fearless spirit and 
 powerful influence of Ethan Allen was enlisted in the 
 enterprise. An intrepid band of two hundred and 
 seventy volunteers, all of whom except forty belonged 
 to the Green Mountains, w^ere collected at Castleton 
 on the 7th of May. At this moment Arnold, invested 
 with plenary powers from the Massachusetts commit- 
 tee of safety to accomplish the same object, appeared 
 on the scene, and claimed the command of the expe- 
 dition. A contest ensued which threatened to defeat 
 the whole design, but was terminated by the troops 
 refusing to proceed except under the lead of Allen, 
 their tried and cherished leader. Arnold was con- 
 strained to yield, and joined the force as an aid to the 
 commander. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 47 
 
 The garrison of Ticonderoga was slumbering in 
 profound security. To procure means of crossing the 
 hake, Coh Jlerrick had been sent to Skeenesboro, and 
 Remember Baker was to join them with boats from 
 Otter creek ; but when the troops reached Shoreham 
 neither had appeared. Seizing such vessels as could 
 be procured, Allen boldly decided to cross. The land- 
 ing was effected at a little cove, a mile north of the 
 fort. When the morning dawned only eighty-three 
 men had reached the western shore : yet Allen, know- 
 ing how much delay would imperil the issue, decided 
 to advance at once to the assault. I need not repeat 
 the story. The fortress, which had cost so much 
 blood and treasure, was won by the little band in a 
 bloodless triumph, " in the name of Jehovah and the 
 Continental Congress." Crown Point, which was 
 held by a mere sergeant's guard, was immediately 
 occupied. We have no evidence, beyond the legend 
 of the country, of a participation by Gilliland in these 
 momentous events, except his own decisive language, 
 in his remarkable memorial addressed to congress. 
 This document, so valuable intrinsically, and which 
 sheds such light on the history of Gilliland, will be 
 introduced in subsequent pages, in connection with 
 the journal. He says: "Your memorialist has reason 
 to think that he was the first person who laid a plan 
 for and determined upon seizing Ticonderoga and 
 Crown Point, and the king's armed vsssels, and there- 
 with the entire command of Lakes George and Cham- 
 plain. That by means of your memorialist, an un- 
 happy dispute which subsisted between Mr, Allen and 
 Mr. Arnold (the then rival heads of our handful of 
 people on Lake Champlain), was composed. In con- 
 sequence of which, your memorialist (besides several 
 
48 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 other matters) took tlie liberty of recommending to 
 your honors, the embodying of the Green Mountain 
 boys. Col. Allen delivered the letter." 
 
 In another part of this memorial, he relates incidents 
 corroborative of the idea I have suggested. He says, 
 "the only association agreement entered into; the only 
 company of minute men, formed on either side of 
 Lake Champlain, your memorialist established on his 
 settlement, and for example sake stood in the ranks 
 himself and did his utmost endeavors to introduce 
 the like among all the other settlements at or near the 
 lake, and finally every third man of his tenants en- 
 tered into his country's service." A Mr. Pierson, re- 
 siding in Shelburn, Vermont, directly opposite Wills- 
 boro, acted with Gilliland in this patriotic movement.^ 
 
 It is difficult to suppose that so conspicuous an in- 
 
 1 The settlements of Gilliland and Piei'son, although on opposite 
 shores of the lake, constituted socially one neighborhood — neither 
 had any connection by roads with other colonies. The company of 
 minute men consisted of about thirty men from the west side and fifteen 
 from the east side of the lake. Gilliland was chosen captain and 
 Pierson lieutenant. They appear to have been active and efficient in 
 the performance of their voluntary duties. When the reverses to the 
 American arms occurred in Canada, Gilliland felt compelled to aban- 
 don liis possessions, but Pierson and his friends determined to remain 
 and secure their crops, unless constrained to leave by an irresistible 
 force. A bold promontory, surrounded by perpendicular cliffs, and 
 connected with the main land by a low, narrow strip of land, which was 
 overflowed at high water, stood contiguous to the farm of Pierson, on 
 a plat of ground upon this promoutorj', hidden by a thick hedge of ce- 
 dars. Pierson constructed here a block house as a place of refuge in case 
 of attack, while gathering his harvests. The Indians and Tories soon 
 assailed the settlers and laborers in the field, who fled to the block 
 house for safety. A regular attack was made upon the block liouse, 
 which was continued several days. Pierson lost several men, but re- 
 pulsed the enemy with the infliction of a severe loss. Two of his sons 
 were afterwards made prisoners and confined in the fort at Chambly 
 Ilapids. — Mr. Sheldon^ s Mamiscript. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 49 
 
 dividual, of ardent and avowed patriotic sentiments, 
 whose position and local infiaence would have render- 
 ed so important a coadjutor, should not have been acces- 
 sory to these proceedings. It is certain, that his zeal 
 and activity marked him at an early day as a victim 
 to be pursued by the special vengeance of government. 
 He enjoyed with a very limited number of patriots, 
 the eminent distinction of being by name, proscribed 
 and outlawed. A proclamation was issued by the gov- 
 ernor of Canada in the June succeeding this memorable 
 event, offering a reward of live hundred dollars for the 
 arrest of Gilliland, and his rendition to the govern- 
 ment. The allurements of this reward overcame the 
 patriotism and fidelity of some of his tenants, who en- 
 gaged in unsuccessful efforts to sieze and convey him 
 to Canada. Unsuccessful attempts were made to seduce 
 his household slaves into schemes for his betrayal.^ 
 Various other efforts were made to effect his capture, 
 but the most formidable, which was nearly accom- 
 plished, was made by a sheriff of Tryon county, who 
 secretly penetrated into the settlement "with four 
 tories and three savages." Gilliland not only escaped 
 the peril with great adroitness, but succeeded in effect- 
 ing the surprise and "capture of the whole party with 
 all their arms, and sent them prisoners to Crown Point." 
 
 ' His son and a daughter were in Canada, at school, at the com- 
 mencement of hostilities. They were retained nearly six years, as a 
 restraint upon the acts of Gilliland. The character of Gilliland, his 
 intimate knowledge of the frontier, his great influence created by 
 his intellectual superiority, the extent of his possessions, and the num- 
 ber of dependant tenants, rendered him by far the most prominent in- 
 dividual upon the shores of the lake. This was the cause of the ex- 
 treme solicitude of the government to control his influence, — Mr. 
 Sheldon's Manuscripts. 
 
 7 
 
50 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 In the meanwhile, Allen and Arnold had achieved 
 for the provincial arms, an ascendency upon the lake. 
 In a communication to congress, June 7th, 1775, Allen 
 utters this vigorous and animated language. " I would 
 lay my life on it, that with fifteen hundred men, I 
 would take Montreal." Congress wavered and hesi- 
 tated until the opportunity was lost, and then too late, 
 adopted the plan he had suggested. An army of two 
 thousand men was collected at Crown Point and Ti- 
 conderoga, under the successive command of Schuyler 
 and Montgomery, and amply equipped, it advanced from 
 these fortresses on its impracticahle and disastrous 
 mission. 
 
 "While this expedition was in progress, and partic- 
 ularly after the retreat of the American army from 
 Canada, the dwellings and the garners of Gilliland 
 and his tenants, were freely opened to receive the sick 
 and wounded, and in relief of the necessities of the 
 troops. His memorial to congress, presents this graphic 
 recital of his services and sacrifices. " That in testimony 
 of your memorialist's warm attachment to, and hearty 
 afleotion for your northern army, he embraced every 
 opportunity of rendering them all the encouragement 
 in his power. From the general down to the sentinel, 
 he has entertained three or four thousand men at his 
 own expense — he never charged a cent for vegetables, 
 salmon, milk, or anything else he had to spare them — 
 has supplied a numerous company under Capt. Lamar, 
 with bread and meat, as long as he or his settlers had 
 a pound, during a long stay which they were obliged 
 to make at his place, and thereby reduced his and the 
 families of his tenants to sufferings they were before 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 51 
 
 unused to ; had every deserter which appeared at his 
 settlement, taken up and sent to the army ; has lain 
 weeks together on straw in a common room, that sick 
 and wounded officers and soldiers that were sent to, or 
 stopt at his house, might be more comfortably accom- 
 modated, sometimes taking them to Ticonderoga (45 
 miles distant) at his own charge, and had every sol- 
 dier who died at his settlement interred in decent cof- 
 fins with the honors of war." 
 
 In a petition addressed to General Gates, and dated 
 at Albany, August 20th, 1777, Gilliland, rcapitulates 
 many of the facts and views presented to congress in 
 his memorial, and embraces in strong language a nar- 
 rative of the events connected with the requisitions of 
 the national officials, and the seizure of his property 
 for the public use. He states, " that previous to the 
 retreat of our army from Canada, your petitioner, 
 being apprehensive of danger from the enemy, re- 
 moved his children and most valuable effects to the 
 neighborhood of Crown Point, and returned home to 
 take care of his other property, where he continued 
 until General Sullivan arrived from Canada, at your 
 petitioner's river, with our dispirited, sickly army, 
 who represented to your petitioner how much his 
 army in general stood in need of milk and fresh meat, 
 and also the probability of a pursuit being made by 
 the enemy. He recommended and indeed ordered 
 our immediate removal, with our cattle and such other 
 effects as we could by that opportunity get off, lest the 
 enemy should be comforted or aided by our cattle and 
 other provisions, leaving Colonel (now General) Stark 
 to see his orders put in execution. On which occasion 
 
52 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 your petitioner and some of his tenants, brought to 
 Crown Point all the cattle that could be brought in the 
 vessels and boats, amounting to near one hundred head, 
 and shortly after about twenty head more were remov- 
 ed by a party under Lieut. Hartley ; many of which cattle 
 are yet unpaid for, though they have been doubtless 
 made use of by our army either at Crown Point or 
 Ticonderoga. That pursuant to the plan proposed by 
 your petitioner to your honor, and which met with 
 your approbation, your petitioner returned home to 
 preserve his crops, taking with him the three men, 
 with whom you were pleased to assist him (whose wages 
 he has paid) and some other hired men, who with hiso^n 
 slaves cut and secured a considerable part of your peti- 
 tioner's crops, and of those of several of his tenants, 
 who were moved away considerably indebted to him 
 and whose crops were his only security, having no 
 other prospect of payment but from their being pre- 
 served. 
 " Thatyourpetitioner, besides expending considerable 
 sums on the above mentioned business, exposed his 
 life and liberty, and also his slaves to very great dan- 
 ger, during his stay at Willsborough, thirty miles on 
 the outside of our most advanced post, without any 
 other guard, than the precarious appearance of scout- 
 ing parties from Crown Point; during which stay your 
 petitioner w^as visited by Maj. Hay, A. D. Q. M. G. 
 (about 15th, Sep.) who having thoroughly advised the 
 measure, at length prevailed on your petitioner to 
 make sale of the whole crops to him, for the use of 
 the army, and made an unconditional purchase thereof, 
 at such low prices as he thought fit to ofter, with the 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 53 
 
 promise however, tbat he would pay your petitioner 
 as much liigher prices as then offered as he should 
 thereafter pay to any other for like articles. By agree- 
 ment the grain was to be threshed by the public, they 
 getting the straw for that labor, and the whole to be 
 by them removed without any expense or trouble to 
 your petitioner, who was informed by Maj. Hay, that 
 he made that purchase by your honour's order and 
 that the terms of agreement met your approbation. 
 
 " That there was plenty of time to remove the whole 
 of those crops both before our fleet was defeated and 
 after the enemy returned to Canada before the lake 
 took, but that your petitioner never heard that any 
 attempt was made for that purpose, during either of 
 those times. That when the agreement was made by 
 Maj. Hay with your petitioner, it certainly was never 
 mentioned or intended by either party, that your peti- 
 tioner should stand insurer for the public, till they 
 thought fit, if at all, to send for the things purchased. 
 A proposal of that kind would have been so preposter- 
 ous and absurd that it was neither made by Maj. Hay, 
 nor would it have been listened to by your petitioner 
 in any other light than to take an ungenerous advan- 
 tage, which Maj. Hay would from his heart despise 
 being the author of, and which your petitioner would 
 never have agreed to." 
 
 The retreat of the American troops from Canada, 
 and the apprehended advance of Carlton, spread uni- 
 versal consternation and panic. The waters and all the 
 environs of the lake were exposed to the incursions of 
 the British forces and the sanguinary ravages of their 
 tory and savage allies. The settlement on the Bouquet 
 
54 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 was peculiarily liable to these assaults, alike from its 
 comparative wealth and prominence and by its adv^anc- 
 ed and exposed position. Most of the settlers hastily 
 abandoned their forms and improvements, the results 
 of years of toil and expenditure, and fled with the little 
 property they could bear with them, within the Ameri- 
 can lines. Few ever returned to their homes in the 
 wilderness. Others embracing the amnesty ottered by 
 the British commander, sought protection and safety 
 beneath the flag of the enemy. Some of this class be- 
 came active partizans of England, and by their local 
 knowledge proved valuable and efiicient auxiliaries. 
 
 The stern necessities of tlie times constrained Gilli- 
 landto convey his family, and such of his valuable fur- 
 niture and eftects as he could transport to the Ameri- 
 can fortresses. The machinery and irons attached to 
 his mills, and other ponderous articles, were sunk in 
 the river and lake, or buried in secret repositories. 
 These depositories were afterwards revealed by the 
 recreant tenant, to the enemy, and all the valuable pro- 
 perty was seized by them and confiscated.* 
 
 When this tempest swept over and desolated the 
 colony, it was smiling in beauty and wealth. The toil 
 and disbursements of eleven years, had subdued the 
 forest and established in this wilderness, culture and 
 the mechanic arts. Farms, teeming with flocks and 
 herds, and redolent with the promises of luxuriant har- 
 vests, spread from Split Rock to the Bouquet. Broad 
 fields enclosed by permanent fences, — comfortable 
 
 1 These articles thus appropriated by the British, were worth two 
 hundred pounds, according to the estimate of Gilliland. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 55 
 
 tenements surrounded by orchards, gardens and out- 
 buildings, attested their prosperity and assured com- 
 fort and competency to the settlers. Roads and bridges 
 facilitated their intercourse ; a benign sj'stem of tenure 
 promoted their progress. Justice, moderation and li- 
 berality, conferred protection and security to their indi- 
 vidual rights. Gilliland represented to congress, that 
 the settlement when it was broken up and abandoned, 
 contained "twenty-eight dwelling houses, about forty 
 other buildings, two grist mills, two saw mills, gar- 
 dens, orchards, fences, &c.," and that "he enjoyed an 
 annual income from the property of more than one 
 thousand pounds," 
 
 A large indebtedness had been incurred to Mr. Gilli- 
 land, by the munificent aid he extended to the poor 
 and struggling colonists, and for the payment of which 
 their crops and improvements afforded his only secu- 
 rity. These resources were suddenly extinguished, 
 and in the period of a few months, the herds, the struc- 
 tures, the embellishments of art and industry, were 
 all overwhelmed in a common ruin. 
 
 In addition to these calamitous visitations, strange 
 and unexpected trials accumulated upon the heart of 
 Gilliland, cares and anxieties. The perils and exigen- 
 cies of the times invoked the most active vigilance, 
 and often subjected the patriotic to unjust suspicion 
 and invidious surveillance. Although the patriotism 
 of Gilliland had been so enthusiastic, and had been 
 manifested by such efficient services and so deep suffer- 
 ing, he was not exempt from the consequence of these 
 jealousies. The acts of the tenants, whose defection 
 I have noticed, and over whom he was supposed to 
 
56 .PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 exert SO potent an influence, reflected a suspicion upon 
 himself. The suhjoinecl letter of Col. Hartley was 
 undoubtedly justified by these circumstances. 
 
 Col. Hartly to Gen. Gates.^ 
 
 Crown Point, July 24th, 1776. 
 
 Sir: I have understood fron^ several quarters, that 
 which inclines me to apprehend, that the supposition 
 that Gilliland and some others had sent down one Ed- 
 ward Watson, and another to St. John's, had some 
 foundation. They doubtless carry any intelligence 
 they have to the enemy. It has just been intimated 
 to me that Gilliland and Jack Watson, with one Mc- 
 Auley, all relations, have had a hint that they are sus- 
 pected. This may induce them to send a canoe or 
 boat to warn the two men of their danger in return- 
 ing, or to make their own escape. I have ordered a 
 party of about twenty-five men to set off" in a boat to- 
 wards Cumberland Head, to intercept the eight Indians 
 and the Canadian on their way back to St. John's, or 
 the two rascals in the canoe, who are gone to St. John's, 
 in their return to Willsborough, and also to favour 
 Capt. Wilson's retreat. Hays and the men mentioned 
 in my letter of this day, ought in my opinion, to be 
 secured. You will judge of the proper time. I hope 
 my conduct will meet with your approbation. 
 I am, sir, your most humble servant, 
 
 Thomas Hartley. 
 
 P. S. The party will set ofi" to-night or to-morrow 
 morning early, unless countermanded. 
 
 'Am. Arch. 5th Series, i, 564. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 57 
 
 The following extract from a general order issued 
 by Gates, a week subsequent to the date of the above 
 communication, b}^ which the claims of Gilliland for 
 indemnity were submitted for investigation to officers 
 ofsuchhighcharacterasSt. Clair and Wayne, furnishes 
 evidence equally of the magnitude and respectability 
 of these demands, and of the fact that Gilliland was ex- 
 onerated in the mind of Ge*n. Gates, from the imputa- 
 tion conveyed in the letter of Col. Hartley. We pos- 
 sess no knowledge of the result of the proposed en- 
 quiry, or whether any action occurred under the order. 
 The silence of Gilliland and of the Archives on the 
 subject, warrant the presumption, that either the pub- 
 lic exigency demanded different services by the mem- 
 bers of the court, or that from some other cause, the 
 inquiry was not pursued. 
 
 Extract from a General Order} 
 
 Head Quarters, July 31st, 1776. 
 Col. St. Clair, Col Wayne and Mr. Avery, the Dep- 
 uty Commissary-General, to sit this afternoon at four 
 o'clock, as a Court of Inquiry, to examine into certain 
 demands made upon the United States, by Mr. Gilli- 
 land and Maj. Udney Hay, A. D. Q. M. G. They 
 will certify such as they think just and reasonable, 
 that the demands of the claimants may be adjusted 
 and settled." 
 
 This difficulty could scarcely have been composed, 
 when an incident transpired that involved far more 
 
 J Am, Arch. 5th Series, i, 801. 
 
58 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 serious and enduring consequences. The following let- 
 ter fromGillilaud to Arnold, discloses tbe original cause 
 of their collision. Its calm and conciliatory language 
 surprises, when we consider the singularly vehement 
 and irascible temperament Gilliland so frequently ex- 
 hibits. The courteous proffer of civility due to the 
 amenities of their positions, should have exacted for- 
 bearance and attention to the claims of Gilliland. 
 The extent of the actual losses of which he complained 
 were not large, estimated by ordinary circumstances, 
 but in his situation, and in that remote wilderness 
 where all resources had been wasted by the ravages of 
 war, the supplies which were seized, and the property 
 wantonly destroyed, were of great positive value, and 
 of inestimable importance to the comfort and suste- 
 nance of his family. 
 
 William Gilliland to Gen. Arnold} 
 
 September 1st, 1776. 
 Sir: The troops and sailors accompanying you on 
 your cruise, this day week, have wantonly and wick- 
 edly committed great destruction on several of my 
 plantations on this settlement. They have forcibly 
 raised two fields of potatoes that, if full grown, would 
 have filled two hundred bushels; an acre of peas are 
 entirely destroyed, which would have 3'ielded sixteen 
 to twenty bushels ; five or six acres of corn are ruined ; 
 about ten dollars worth of smith's tools, and a multi- 
 tude of other irons; two pleasure sleighs, five new 
 sash windows, a new bedstead and bedcord, several 
 chairs and many other articles, they have carried off", 
 
 1 Am. Arch. 6th Series, 11, 112-13. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 59 
 
 tearing houses, breaking doors, and committing every 
 villany in the most insolent and licentious manner, 
 -even before my servant's face, whom I sent to guard 
 these things, telling them it was by order of the offi- 
 cers they came for the vegetables, and have them they 
 would, were I present myself This was a bad return 
 for seventy-five salmon given to them and Capt. Alex- 
 ander's people on that and the preceding day. As I 
 am convinced you would not by any means, counte- 
 nance such proceedings, I rely and request you will 
 have immediate justice done me, by ordering a survey 
 or inquiry to be made to ascertain the amount of my 
 damage. You may easily remember how Gen. Gates 
 served Capt. Romans for suffering some of his men to 
 pull up a few potato hills near Ticonderoga. • It grieves 
 me to see my crops destroyed, for whose preservation 
 I came here, and remain here at the risk of my life, 
 and those crops on the deserted lots are all the pay I 
 shall probably ever get from those by whom they were 
 formerly occupied, who owed me very considerable 
 sums of money, and many of whom have died since 
 their removal. The others gone down the country. 
 I shall hope for your ready compliance, and that you 
 will believe me to be very respectfully, sir, your most 
 obedient humble servant. 
 
 Will. Gilliland, 
 To Gen. Arnold. 
 
 P.-S. My salmon crib and all its apparatus were 
 carried off last Monday night by the violence of a very 
 great flood. If your carpenters could be spared to as- 
 sist me one day or two, I should very soon be able to 
 send you some salmon. W. G. 
 
60 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 If the men belono-ino- to the vessels are suffered to 
 come ashore where there are settlements, 'twill be im- 
 possible to prevent their doing mischief. Besides what 
 I have mentioned above, the people belonging to one 
 of the gondolas went ashore last Sunday afternoon to 
 Point Pleasant Bay, three and a half miles south of 
 my river, and not finding any of my people there, car- 
 ried off five of my blankets, which my people left in a 
 barn there where they lodged whilst reaping near that 
 place. These things could not possibly have all been 
 taken on board without the knowledge of the officers. 
 
 Arnold appears to have made no response to this 
 appeal, and Gilliland, always impetuous and determin- 
 ed, and revolting at injustice and oppression, had prob- 
 ably carried his complaint to a higher tribunal. This 
 course must have constrained Arnold's notice of the sub- 
 ject. After an interval of four weeks he communicates 
 the original letter of Gilliland, to Gen. Gates: and pre- 
 sents charges against Gilliland of disloj^altj^, and the 
 commission of frauds upon the government. The friv- 
 olity and transparent malignity of these charges, are 
 apparent, from the documents themselves. 
 
 Gen, Arnold to Gen. Gates} 
 
 Isle Valcour, Sept. 28th, 1776. 
 Enclosed is the deposition of Thomas Bay, which I 
 took at Crown Point when I came down. I have since 
 examined a Frenchman and his wife who live opposite 
 the Isle la Motte, who says that Ned Watson and 
 Wykes, came to his house and there met Capt. Frazier 
 
 » Am. Arch. Stli Series, n, 592-3. 
 
. THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 61 
 
 wlio Avas in pursuit of some deserters ; tbey told Fra- 
 zier they were sent down by Gilliland and Watson, 
 and acquainted liira of Capt. Wilson's and his party 
 being on the lake, in consequence of which he was 
 taken. The Frenchman also says that about a fort- 
 night past two men whom he knew to be Gilliland's 
 tenants, came to his house, said they were sent down 
 by Gilliland with intelligence ; that they appeared in 
 a great hurry, and oifered him five dollars to set them 
 over Missisqui bay as their canoe was leaky, which he 
 did. This is partly confirmed by Mr. Hay, who lives 
 opposite this island, and says that one Cross and Scarr 
 came to his house about a fortnight past, and supposes 
 they went to St. John's. Scarr was a servant to Mac- 
 awday, who, with Cross, were tenants to Gilliland. I 
 am fully of opinion that Gilliland, John Watson, and 
 Macawlay, have from time to time sent expresses to 
 the enem3% andgiven them all the intelligence in their 
 power, and no persons have known our afl'airs better. 
 I make no doubt that the enemy have often been har- 
 boured at the houses of the first and last. I have there- 
 fore ordered to take them prisoners to Ticonderoga, 
 that you may examine and dispose of them as you 
 think proper. I dont think it is prudent to let them 
 remain on their farms, unless we choose the enemy 
 should know all our measures. Gilliland is a most 
 plausible and artful villain. Enclosed isaletter of com- 
 plaintwhichhe wrote me afterthe fleet passed his settle- 
 ment, not one syllable of which is true. One Mr, Dujuit, 
 a tenant of his, wdio had left his place, went up with the 
 fleet, and oft'ered me some vegetables, which he said 
 would be lost if I did not accept them. I sent some 
 
62 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 boats on sliore under the direction of Capt. Dunn. 
 The wliole stutt' that was brought off, was not worth 
 forty shillings. No other boats from the fleet were on 
 shore. As we returned to Button Mould bay the next 
 morning, and on our going down the lake the second 
 time, only one boat was on shore, and the few vegeta- 
 bles taken were from forms deserted, of which I believe 
 Gilliland has no right. His complaint appears more 
 groundless than that about his cattle, for which he was 
 paid two or three times, and carried them home at 
 last. * * * * 
 
 The Testimony of Thomas Day, examined on oath be- 
 fore Robert Leavis, one of the Justices of Charlotte 
 County, in the Province of New York. 
 
 Who saith that sometime in the beginning of July 
 last, being in company with William Gilliland Esq. 
 and William Wykes, he heard said Wykes say that he 
 was not afraid to go to St. John's, to the Regulars, 
 and that it appeared to him from their intimacy and 
 being frequenth' together, and from sundry expressions 
 of Gilliland's, that he contrived the plan of Wykes 
 and Ned Watson's going off. That he heard Gilliland 
 say, the army acted like a parcel of damned robbers. 
 That several of Gilliland's tenants, in particular one 
 Nathaniel Blood, bought sundry tents, axes, guns, &c. 
 from the soldiers of the American armj^, for a mere 
 trifle of rum, which said Blood had from said Gilliland, 
 and he believes said Gilliland was concerned with said 
 Blood. He the deponent observed to Gilliland that he 
 thought it very wrong to buy those articles of the sol- 
 diers, as it was defrauding the country ; to which Gilli- 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 63 
 
 land answered, it was no matter how mucli they got 
 out of the country ; the more the better ; and that be- 
 ing at GilUland's when the army was going to Canada 
 this spring, several officers passed by the window. 
 Gillilaud said there comes a company of damned bur- 
 glars. He was also in company with John Watson 
 since the last retreat ; he heard said Watson say that 
 he was notafraidof the Regulars if they came, for that 
 he had several officers for relations among them, and 
 as for the American army they had acted like a parcel 
 
 of damned robbers. 
 
 Thomas Day. 
 Robert Lewis. 
 
 Gen. Gates to Gen. Arnold} 
 
 Tyconderoga, October 2d, 1776. 
 Dear General : I received your favor of the 28th, 
 yesterday in the forenoon ; and after dinner Messrs. 
 Gilliland, Watson, and Macauley, were brought here 
 prisoners ; I found they had free intercourse together 
 at Crown Point, so that no end could be answered by 
 keeping them separate here. I propose sending them 
 to Gen. ydiuyler, with the deposition of Sergeant Day 
 and your letter. The Sergeant is by this time at Phil- 
 adelphia ; but Gilliland designing to remain down the 
 country during the war, there will be no difficulty in 
 bringing him to answer any accusation.^ 
 
 ^ Am. Arch. 5th Series, ii, 847. 
 
 2 1 am indebted to the active and intelligent antiquarian research 
 of my friend Joel Munsell Esq. for these interesting documents which 
 he exhumed from the Archives. 
 
64 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 The frivolous and baseless character of these charges 
 against Gillilaiicl, will be detected by a glance at the 
 papers communicated to Gen. Gates. Day was a sub- 
 ordinate of Arnold and doubtless a dependant upon 
 his will. The gravest of these imputations, are the 
 sentiments imputed to Gillilaud of a desire or justi- 
 fication of defrauding the government — a denuncia- 
 tion of the American officials and the allegation that 
 Watson had said, "he was not afraid if the Kegulars 
 did come, as he had several relations among the oifi- 
 cers." If the testimony of Day was unsuspicious and 
 true, it only proved the intemperate and excited utter- 
 ance of a man goaded to exasperation, by the oppres- 
 sion and rapacit}^ of Arnold and his subalterns, and by 
 the injustice which withheld remuneration for prop- 
 erty that had been arbitrarily seized. It afforded no 
 evidence of disloyalty in Watson, but a few years ex- 
 patriated, that he should express a confidence in the 
 protection of his Irish friends, who were approaching. 
 The pretence of Arnold, that Gilliland had committed 
 peculations, was unsupported by any shadow of testi- 
 mony, and was probably an afterthought, and designed 
 to avert an inquiry into his own extortions. The condi- 
 tion of the public funds and the integrity of the com- 
 missary department equally discredited the allegation. 
 Gates in his reply to Arnold, treated the charges as 
 summarily and with as slight consideration as military 
 etiquette permitted. The narrative of these proceed- 
 ings by Gilliland, embodied in the memorial to con- 
 gress, which I have so frequently quoted, is worthy of 
 attention. lie describes the sale of his crops to Maj. 
 Hay, and proceeds: " Shortly after entering into the 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 65 
 
 above agreement, your memorialist fully determined 
 to remove himself, his slaves, stock, crops, and such 
 portable furniture and tools as remained behind, to Ti- 
 conderoga, made a kind of cellar in the woods, in 
 which he hid away his saw and gristmill irons, and a 
 great variety of other irons and some steel ; in value 
 at that time not less than X200 ; loaded two Bateaux 
 with household stuff and other articles, and brought 
 them and his whole family there remaining, to the 
 house of one of his tenants, three miles from where 
 your memorialist then lived, only waiting for a north- 
 erly wind to favor their passage to Crown point, for 
 which purpose your memorialist had the boats hauled 
 a good way up on the shore without unloading them, 
 keeping his people meanwhile, closely employed in 
 harvesting. Here your memorialist remained two or 
 three days, not daring to stay at home, being there 
 much more dangerously situated, should an enemy 
 come. During this period, Gen. Arnold, then down the 
 lake with the fleet, in reward for your memorialist's 
 zeal in the cause, for the manifold services he had ren- 
 dered our army, and for a recompense of the eminent 
 services he had rendered him, or rather to cancel all 
 obligations due to your memorialist on that score, 
 sent a party of soldiers to tear your memorialist from 
 his property, dignifying him with an office for a com- 
 mander, whose rank was so high as a sergeant, with 
 private orders not to allow him to remove any of his 
 property. ' ' In another part of the document, Gilliland 
 bursts into a magnificent and scourging invective of Ar- 
 nold, which, if it were the sole memorial we possess of 
 the moral and intellectual qualities of Gilliland, would 
 9 
 
66 PIONEER HISTORY OP 
 
 stamp him a man of extraordinary character. Arnold, 
 when this denunciation was uttered, was in the zenith 
 of his fame and influence ; yet Gilliland fearlessly pro- 
 claims his rapacity and oppression, and, almost ani- 
 mated by the spirit of prophecy, portrays his character 
 with ahold and unfaltering hand, as remakable as was 
 the eloquence and vehemence of his language. He 
 exclaims, after glancing at his own services and de- 
 scribing his arrest, "Gen. Arnold is your servant; all 
 the power and authority he has, is derived from you, 
 and that has enabled him to commit the acts of tyran- 
 ny and outrage upon your memorialist and others, 
 whose complaints have been laid before you. It is 
 not in mine, but it is in your power to bring him to jus- 
 tice. Bursting with pride, and intoxicated with power, 
 to which he ever ought to have been a stranger, but 
 which he has had the art to obtain from you, he ty- 
 rannizes when he can. If temerity, if rashness, impu- 
 dence and error can recommend him to you, he is al- 
 lowed to be amply supplied with these qualities, and 
 many people think they ought to recommend him in 
 a peculiar manner to Lord North, who, in gratitude 
 for his having done more injury to the American 
 cause than all the ministerial troops have had the power 
 of doing, ought to reward him with a generous pen- 
 sion. He used his outmost endeavours, to preventyour 
 memorialist fi-om returning to his place to preserve 
 and remove to Ticonderoga, his crops and other prop- 
 erty — and when passing your memorialist's settle- 
 ment with the fleet, brought them to anchor just op- 
 posite to it; suflering the most disorderly, the most 
 licentious fellows on shore, where in a few hours, they 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 67 
 
 carried off or destroyed of my property, to near the 
 amount of £> , besides the outrages committed on our 
 homes. I complain not, that by the breaking up of 
 my settlement, I am divested of an annual income of 
 more than a thousand pounds, a calamity to which 
 every person is subject, whose situation is equally dan- 
 gerous, and whose political sentiments are as publicly 
 known as were mine. On your love of justice, on the 
 humanity and tenderness I believe your honors to be 
 possessed, do I entirely rely, on your taking this mat- 
 ter into serious consideration." 
 
 No evidence exists that any further action was taken 
 on these charges against Gilliland. In the broad light 
 which subsequent events poured upon the character of 
 Arnold, we are better able to form a just conception 
 of his motives and acts, than his cotemporaries of '77, 
 who were so often dazzled by the meteor glare of his 
 brilliant exploits. In a conflict of reputation, or a 
 question of veracity, between Arnold and Gilliland, 
 no hesitation in reaching a conclusion could now be 
 justified. Arnold had committed outrage upon the 
 rights and property of Gilliland, had been the receiver 
 of the rapine of his followers, — he had been re- 
 sisted and denounced, and it is known that he never 
 paused in an unrelenting and vindictive persecution 
 of those who crossed his path, or restricted his rapaci- 
 ties. This attribute of his character, which was soon 
 after developed in such distinct preeminence, affords 
 a solution of his malignant pursuit of Gilliland. 
 
 I have unhesitatingly yielded my confidence to this 
 memorial, ^ and have accepted it as a reliable and afflu- 
 
 iSee it in full in the Journal, 1777. 
 
68 PIONEER HISTOET OF 
 
 ent fountain of information. It bears intrinsic evidence 
 ofveracity^in many details it is corroborated by other 
 testimony; a similar instrument was addressed about 
 the same time to Gen. Gates, which was often identical 
 in language, and embraced most of the representations 
 of facts embraced in this memorial. The intelligence 
 of Gates could not have been imposed upon by any 
 mendacious statement of events, represented to have 
 occurred within the dej^artment under his own com- 
 mand, and which were generally within his personal 
 knowledge. Nor would Gilliland, with his singular 
 shrewdness and sagacity, have ventured to lay before 
 that august body fallacious statements, which congress 
 were bound to investigate, and the falsity of which 
 would have been inevitably detected. 
 
 It is necessary to revert briefly to those public events, 
 on Lake Champlain, which were intimately connected 
 with the afl:airs of Gilliland, and which in their conse- 
 quences pressed with such severity upon his fortunes. 
 Sullivan, after his retreat from Canada, with his army 
 restored to health and reorganized, determined to evac- 
 uate Crown Point. He burnt all the erections at that 
 place, destroyed the public property which could not 
 be removed, and withdrew the American forces with 
 their munitions, and gathered them about Ticonderoga. 
 A large and well appointed British army was concen- 
 trated at St. Johns, and menaced the colonies with 
 invasion. To effect a successful advance, it was neces- 
 sary to secure a naval preponderance upon the lake. 
 Six vessels of a large class, which had been constructed 
 in England, were taken apart at the foot of the rapids 
 upon the Kichelieu, the materials transported to St. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 69 
 
 Johns, and there rebuilt, in the summer of 1776. Other 
 vessels of various dimensions were also constructed 
 with the utmost celerity. By these energetic efforts 
 a fleet of thirty-one vessels, and carrying in their arma- 
 ment from one to eighteen guns, was prepared for act- 
 ive service on the 1st of October, in that year. This 
 fleet was navigated by seven hundred veteran seamen, 
 and armed by a heavy corps of artillery. Congress 
 was not insensible to the vital emergency of the occa- 
 sion, but possessed means totally inadequate to the 
 magnitude of the crisis. The timber required for the 
 construction of a flotilla was yet standing in the forest, 
 and was to be cut, prepared and transported, to the 
 ship yard at Ticonderoga, almost unaided by the ap- 
 pliances of art or mechanism. Its equipments were 
 to be conveved a lona: distance over roads new and 
 almost impracticable. The ship carpenters who must 
 construct the vessels were employed in urgent duties in 
 the navy yards upon the coasts. Stimulated rather 
 than oppressed by all these adverse combinations, the 
 indomitable energies of Arnold created and equipped 
 a flotillaofflfteen vessels with an aggregate battery of 
 fifty-five guns, and manned by three hundred and 
 fifty gallant and resolute men, but nearly all of 
 whom were totally inexperienced in naval expedi- 
 tions. The exigency invoked heroism and sacrifices, 
 and notwithstanding the great disparity in every ele- 
 ment of strength, Arnold fearlessly threw his little ar- 
 manent across the path of the invaders. The fleets 
 met on the 11th Oct. in a narrow strait between 
 Valcour Island and the mainland, and nearly oppo- 
 
70 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 site Gilliland's settlement, which he called Janes- 
 borough.^ 
 
 During four hours the conflict continued with ter- 
 rific fury, and was ennobled by deeds of heroic and ex- 
 alted daring, unsurpassed in the annals of naval war- 
 
 ^ A solitary house, occupied by a family named Hay, (referred to 
 in Arnold's letter to Gates, page 60), stood, in the year 1776, upon 
 the shore of the lake, directly fronting a little cove, in which, on the 
 memorable 11th of October, the squadron of Arnold was moored. It 
 had been arranged between Hay and Arnold, that the former, when he 
 discerned the approach of the British fleet, should signal Arnold by 
 displaying a sheet from a window. The signal was made — but no 
 advantage was apparently taken of it. A daughter of Mr. Hay, the 
 venerable Mrs. Elmore, who has but recently deceased, was then an 
 infant in her mother's arms. Mrs. Elmore communicated to me many 
 interesting particulars, which she derived from the traditions in her 
 family, of that battle and other reminiscences of the early history of 
 the country. Her daughter married a grandson of William Gilliland, 
 who now resides at the mouth of Salmon river, and in view of the 
 scene of the conflict. 
 
 While the battle raged, Mrs Hay carrying her infant, went to a 
 spring in a ravine near the lake, which was at that time mantled by 
 a dense thicket. To her unutterable amazement and terror, she found 
 herself in the midst of a large body of Indians, hideous by their war 
 paints and savage costume, and armed with guns and tomahawks. 
 The mother, agitated and alarmed at her helpless condition, and fran- 
 tically clasping her child to her breast, wept convulsively. An aged 
 chief, slie judged from his demeanour, approached, and unable to com- 
 municate consolation or an assurance of safety by language, mani- 
 fested his protective feeling by gently and soothingly, wiping away 
 her tears with the skirt of his hunting shirt ; neither the mother or 
 child was molested. These Indians were evidently placed in ambush, 
 prepared to seize the American crew, if they attempted to escape by 
 landing. The tender mercies, that would have been exercised by these 
 Allies of England, we may conceive. This incident determines the 
 historical question, which has been discussed, whether the fleet of 
 Carlton was accompanied by hordes of savages, who advanced along 
 the shores of the lake. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 71 
 
 fare. Arnold, levelling almost every gun in his own 
 vessel, conducted the battle with the highest skill and 
 the most determined courage, until night terminated the 
 engagement. One of the British gondolas was sunk, 
 and another, with all its crew of sixty men, was blown 
 up. An American schooner was also sunk^ and a gon- 
 dola burnt, while the entire fleet was shattered and 
 disabled. The disproportion in the strength of the 
 fleets was too vast to justify a maintainance of the con- 
 flict. Arnold attempted to effect an escape to Crown 
 Point, by boldly passing through the British fleet un- 
 der cover of a dark and foggy night. His retreat was 
 revealed to the vigilent enemy by the earliest dawn, 
 and a prompt pursuit ensued. 
 
 A solitary rock which stands in the broad lake, and 
 shrouded in an autumnal midst, in the early gloom 
 was mistaken by the British, for an American vessel, 
 and a connonade was opened upon it. The mariners 
 of the lake still call it " Carlton's prize." Arnold was 
 overtaken near Otter creek, and sustained for an- 
 other four hours, with his single galley, and five Gon- 
 dolas a bloody combat with the British fleet, in pro- 
 tecting the retreat of the remainder of his flotilla. 
 Resolute in the purpose of preserving his flotilla and 
 crew from becoming trophies to the enemy, he ran the 
 vessels upon the shore and blew them up. Their char- 
 
 ^This vessel was sunk near a small rocky inlet, which from the cir- 
 cumstance was named " Ship Island." The wreck from which numer- 
 ous memorials have been recovered, it is said may still be discerned at 
 seasons of low water when the lake is serene. An effort was made 
 some years ago to raise this vessel. Her bows were elevated above the 
 surface, guns and some munitions were taken from her, but she broke 
 away, and sunk in deep water, and the attempt was abandoned. 
 
72 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 red wrecks for many years remained upon the beach 
 at Panton, memorials of his galhintry and patriotism, 
 long after other deeds had consigned his name to 
 infamy.^ 
 
 One galley only was captured, while the rest of the 
 fleet retreated to Ticonderoga. Gen. Carlton advanced 
 no further than Crown Point, which he again occupied, 
 and having spent a month in menacing the American 
 works at Ticonderoga, returned to Canada. During 
 this expedition he visited the deserted settlement on 
 the Bouquet, hut left uninjured the structures which 
 had been abandoned. 
 
 An event occurred in the following year, on the se- 
 questered banks of the Bouquet, memorable in the 
 history of the revolution, and remarkable in the annals 
 of civilized nations. It was denounced in the thunders 
 of Chatham's eloquence, and the religious and moral 
 sentiment of the Christian world was revolted by the 
 act. No measure in the policy of England, tended so 
 eifectually to harmonize the popular passions of Amer- 
 ica, while it precipitated the armed and infuriated yeo- 
 manry of 'New England upon the entrenchments at 
 Saratoga. 
 
 Burgoyne had summoned the Indian tribes to meet 
 him atthe falls of the Bouquet. They obeyed his call 
 in numbers that startled his humanity and appalled 
 his judgment. On the 20th of June, '77, he assem- 
 bled the chiefs in a redoubt, which he caused to be 
 constructed about half a mile below the mansion of 
 
 1 Relics of these vessels embedded near the shore still exist. Mu- 
 nitions are frequently raised from them. I have in my possession 
 bullets which were recovered a few years since. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 73 
 
 Gilliland. There Burgoyne addressed them, and claim- 
 ed their services to the British king. A chief, in the 
 wild and vehement eloquence of Indian oratory, replied, 
 and pledging the fealty of the tribes to a merciless 
 warfare against the colonies. In this strange council, 
 amid these placid scenes, a treaty was made, and rati- 
 fied in savage orgies, by which furious hordes were con- 
 stituted the allies of England, and the tomahawk and 
 scalping knife, were to be encrimsoued in the blood 
 of her kindred in lineage, in religion, and civilization. 
 The remains of this redoubt could within a few years 
 yet be traced. Its site is still designated, although its 
 lines have been entirely obliterated by the labors of 
 agriculture. Burgoyne encamped his army upon the 
 shore of the lake near the mouth of the Bouquet, and 
 occupied ten days in organizing for the advance, and 
 in drilling the Canadian voyageurs in the military evo- 
 lutions of his fleet of batteaux. This vast armament 
 passed onward to meet other scenes of blood, of tri- 
 umph and disaster, but the ulterior operations of Bur- 
 goyne, had no du'ect connection with the fortunes of 
 Gilliland. 
 
 Refugee tories and other irregulars, fugitives from 
 the fate which was impending over the British army, 
 traversed the settlement on the Bouquet. Carlton and 
 Burgoyne, had been merciful and conciliatory in their 
 visitations. The rapacity of Arnold, and the exactions 
 of the government had spared the dwellings of the set- 
 tlers, but these gleaners in devastation, left only ashes 
 and desolation in their track. Tradition wer, that 
 they consigned to the flames every edifice, from Split 
 10 
 
74 PIONEER mSTOTR OF 
 
 Rock to the Bouquet, in a wanton and ruthless destruc- 
 tion. 
 
 General history has failed to commemorate an 
 exploit of Col. Ebenezer Allen, the hero of Mt. Defi- 
 ance. In the autumn of 1777, with a small force he 
 surprised near the present village of Essex, and capt- 
 ured, a large detachment with a heavy train of muni- 
 tions, retreating from Ticonderoga to Canada.^ 
 
 It appears from a petition dated "January 15th, 
 1778, Fort Albany," and addressed to the committee 
 of that city, by Gilliland, that he had again fallen un- 
 der the suspicion of the military authorities. He rep- 
 resents that he had been arrested, on account of an in- 
 discreet circulation of a rumor, derived from an officer 
 of the army relative to the American losses, at the bat- 
 tle of Brandywiue. "While in the act of liberation for 
 this venial oifence, he was again imprisoned upon a 
 charge of having illegally " purchased a few articles be- 
 longing to a part of the spoils of Burgoyne's army," in 
 contravention probably of some official order. He states, 
 in explanation of the transaction, that he purchased 
 the property innocently, supposing it to be legitimate 
 spoils. His narrative furnishes the only information 
 we possess of the transaction, but that, sustained by 
 the testimonials he produced, seems to have been a 
 clear and ample vindication.^ The petition embraces 
 some severe strictures upon the course of Gen. Gates 
 in reference to the fugitive slaves of Gilliland. The en- 
 tire document possesses value by affording a slight in- 
 
 1 Butlers address. 
 
 *This petition is printed under the appropriate date in connection 
 with the Journal. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 75 
 
 sight into the official acts of the period and the char- 
 acters of its public men. One paragraph will excite 
 especial interest. He recites with peculiar earnestness, 
 the circumstances of his military arrests, and then pro- 
 ceeds in this fervent appeal to the committee to vindi- 
 cate the civil authority from the usurpations of the 
 military power: "You are very sensible, gentlemen, 
 that no laws, divine or human, justify such acts of vi- 
 olence and oppression, as those now practised upon 
 me ! Will you, the guardians of these parts, be tame 
 spectators thereof, without exercising that authority, 
 vested in you by the authority of a free people, to pre- 
 vent military officers (the more dangerous as they are the 
 more exalted in rank) to sapthefoundatiotis of our new 
 ' constitution, before it be sufficiently established, and 
 through the persecution of an innocent individual, to 
 make the most dangerous attacks and innovation upon 
 the most sacred rights, and most inestimable privileges 
 of the people — of those, especially who are your im- 
 mediate constituents. Where then are the beneiits 
 expected from magna charta, the bill of right, the ha- 
 beas corpus act, and all other privileges now contend- 
 ing for, and which the subject of free and independent 
 states claim, and ever ought to enjoy? Are they to 
 be trampled upon by the military, through the timidity 
 of those in civil authority ? No! I trust not, though 
 I dread the consequences of precedents, from which 
 evils of the most enormous size and pernicious ten- 
 dency may originate and flow." 
 
 The allusion to "exalted rank," in military position, 
 and the general import of the extract, decidedly points 
 
76 PIONEER HISTORY OP 
 
 to Arnold as tlie hand that had directed these insidi- 
 ous persecutions. 
 
 The residence and occupation of Gilliland from this 
 date to the close of the war, are involved in almost im- 
 penetrable obscurity. He incidentally alludes to a con- 
 tingent title to real estate in Orange county, and to an 
 investment of trilling sums in Europe, on the eve of 
 the Revolution.^ In the memorial to congress, he 
 uses language that implies necessitous circumstances ; 
 he says " being now entirely divested of all employ- 
 ment," and to " enable me to support a numerous 
 family of motherless children," and solicits an appoint- 
 ment " which shall not derogate from my former sta- 
 tion." His vast real estates must have sustained his 
 credit to a limited extent, through this dark period. 
 
 Although in the environs of Lake Champlain, act- 
 ive hostilities were suspended in 1780, by the armistice, 
 between Gen. Haldibrand and the Vermont authori- 
 ties, they were probably inaccessible to the transient 
 visits of peaceful citizens. The Journal of Gilliland 
 contains notices of applications in this year for the pur- 
 chase of land on his tracts in that territory. In the 
 year 1783, these applications had swollen to an enor- 
 mous amount, but no actual settlements were made 
 until the following spring. 
 
 It appears from a memorandum in 1780, and an- 
 other in '83, in reference to contracts for the raising 
 of ore, and the introduction of the iron manufactory, 
 that the attention of Gilliland at this early period, had 
 been directed to the development of the vast mineral 
 
 1 In a letter printed with the JournaL 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 77 
 
 resources of that district, and to his sagacity and obser- 
 vation, may probably be ascribed the initiation of an 
 industry which has constituted an essential element of 
 the wealth and prosperity of Northern New York. 
 
 In a letter addressed to a foreign correspondent, im- 
 mediately subsequent to the revolution, Mr. Gilliland 
 enunciates the idea of uniting Lake Champlain with 
 the navigable waters of the Hudson — although it was 
 merely an inchoate imagining, floating in his active and 
 teeming brain, without any tangible or coherent form, 
 the conception was there, and distinctly unfolded.* 
 
 "When the approach of peace had removed the bar- 
 riers to their access, Gilliland returned to his posses- 
 sions. Six years he had been an exile, and his estates 
 through that long period, were uncultivated and deso- 
 late; more desolate than when he first penetrated the 
 wilderness to create upon them culture and embelish- 
 ments. The beauty and grandeur of nature, then re- 
 deemed the gloom and solitude of the scene — bushes 
 and wild vegetation now usurped fields, which toil and 
 expense had wrested from the forests — fences were 
 decayed, bridges had fallen, roads were broken up, 
 charred and blackened ruins marked the site of their 
 former homes. 
 
 Notwithstanding the contemplation of these losses 
 and sacrifices, the spirit of Gilliland was buoyant and 
 hopeful. He claimed title to majestic possessions 
 scarcely second to any upon the continent, in magni- 
 tude or value. In addition to the property in the vi- 
 cinity of the Boquet and Splitrock, itself a vast estate, 
 he held the patent of Bessborough, the large estate at 
 
 1 This letter is referred to in the last note. 
 
78 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 the mouth of the Salmon river, Cumberland head, a 
 broad tract spreading through the present towns of 
 Beekmantown and Chazy, and the isle of Motte, and 
 three shares in the Dean purchase on Grand Isle in 
 Vermont.^ The vast aggregation of these various 
 tracts I have no data for accurately estimating. The 
 whole would have constituted an immense manorial 
 estate.^ 
 
 This was the brightest and most auspicious epoch 
 in the checkered life of Gilliland. Peace was restored, 
 and the independence of the country achieved-^ he 
 confided in the justice of the government for the re- 
 muneration of his losses — the tide of immigration was 
 pouring into the valley in a strong and perpetually 
 augmenting volume, the value of his lands was en- 
 hanced beyond his most ardent calculations, and the 
 fruition of his enterprise, his sagacity and labors seemed 
 maturing to his grasp. 
 
 Previous to the year 1784, the Journal of Gilliland 
 contains memoranda of contracts for the sale of land, 
 and notices of applications for purchases, amounting 
 in the aggregate, to nearly sixty thousand acres. But 
 the unexplored future was garnering new trials, and 
 preparing heavier adversity for him. These bright 
 
 iQ. F. Sheldon's Manuscripts. 
 
 2 Isle La Motte, derives its name from a Capt. La Motte, who built 
 a fort upon it at an early date of the French occupation. Mr. Shel- 
 don informg me, that he has examined the ruins of this fort, which 
 was a stone structure, andstood'uponalow sandy point at thenorthend 
 of the island. The younger Gilliland stated to Mr. Sheldon, that, his 
 father, when his interest in Isle La Motte was abrogated by the arrange- 
 ment between New York and Vermont, reoeived from the state as an 
 equivalent, a tract of land near Utica. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 79 
 
 gleamings of sunshine were soon to be succeeded by 
 shadows, clouds and storms. 
 
 Impediments created by designing parties, to the con- 
 summation of Gilliland's title to a large part of his most 
 valuable estates in Clinton county, was the first event 
 that presaged these calamities. He had invested, as 
 we have seen, a heavy amount of funds in the purchase 
 of military rights, endowed by the royal proclamation 
 of October, 1763. These rights he had located upon 
 some of the most desirable tracts in the Champlain 
 valley. He had caused them to be surveyed, and had 
 improved and cultivated them by a large expenditure 
 of money and labor. All the preliminaries prescribed 
 by the colonial laws had been studiously performed by 
 Gilliland, and every requisite documentary evidence 
 upon which to authenticate the issuing of patents were 
 filed in the appropriate offices immediately preceding 
 the outburst of the revolutionary struggle. Owing, 
 however, either to the confusion and agitation of the 
 times, or as Gilliland alleged from his resistance to 
 the attempted extortion of illegal fees, in the colonial 
 office, no patents were issued to him for lands in Clin- 
 ton county, to the aggregate amount of eight thousand 
 five hundred acres. At an early period of the war, 
 the state legislature enacted a statute abrogating all 
 the royal grants, which had not been consummated by 
 the actual and formal issuing of patents. 
 
 Upon the establishment of peace, a vast and over- 
 shadowing company was organized which grasped all 
 the available lands in the sections of the state, accessi- 
 ble to immigration. This company as Gilliland averred 
 seized upon his documents in the surveyor general's 
 
80 PIONEER HISTORY OP 
 
 office, and on his surveys and locations based their ap- 
 plications for and obtained patents of the most valu- 
 able tracts. Gilliland resisted these acts of injustice 
 and oppression, and appealed to the legislature in vain 
 for relief.' The courts sustained the statute and pro- 
 nounced in favor of the validity of the patents granted 
 to this company. By these judgments Gilliland was 
 not merely deprived of the property, but he lost the 
 heav}' consideration he had paid in the original pur- 
 chase of the rights, the large disbursements he had in- 
 curred in the locations, surveys and improvement of 
 the land, and was also amerced in heavy expenses and 
 costs in the defence of his title. 
 
 Previous to the revolution, Gilliland had created a 
 lumber trade with Canada, which attained large pro- 
 portions.^ On his return to his estates, he attempted 
 to revive this business, and invested nearly all the 
 available means he was able to control in the collection 
 and transportation of avast raft of oak timber to Que- 
 bec. This was confided to a faithless agent, who de- 
 frauded him of the entire proceeds. 
 
 Another episode demands attention. Its dark thread 
 was interwoven through a series of years, in the care- 
 worn, and troubled life of Gilliland, Jind was an active 
 cause in producing his final ruin. Frequent allusion 
 is made in his journal and papers to his slaves and 
 their conduct. In one instance they manifested towards 
 
 1 His petition is incorporated under the proper date in the Journal. 
 
 2 Mr. Sheldon states that white oak staves which were prepared at 
 this period, and piled in the woods, were found on the return of Gilli- 
 land six years after, in a state of such preservation as to be in a mer- 
 chantable condition. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 81 
 
 him devoted fidelity. He charges that at other times, 
 they had been suborned by his enemies, and inflamed 
 by the hope of emancipation in the turmoils and dis- 
 tractions of the times, had been used to sustain unjust 
 imputations upon him and to betray his interests. He 
 imputes to Gen. Gates and his subordinates, in the 
 most decided language, in the petition to the Albany 
 committee, complicity in the secreting and deportation 
 of these slaves. Their escape or abduction from his au- 
 thority is fully established, but of the precise facts and 
 his subsequent action, which involved consequences so 
 serious, I can give no satisfactory explanation. Gilli- 
 land undoubtedly attempted their reclamation, and 
 exposed himself by some illegal and violent measures 
 committed in Massachusetts, to either civil or criminal 
 prosecution. He speaks in one place of " a fine" and 
 in another of a private judgment "in the negro busi- 
 ness." The judgment is in the name of Hopkins and 
 IngersoU, of Great Barrington, Mass., who I infer, 
 prosecuted in some official capacity. A letter to his 
 son under date July 22d, 1791, from the prison in New 
 York, affords a slight glimpse of the circumstances of 
 the case. He states that the judgment against him 
 was £696 pounds, "although Hopkins and IngersoU 
 informed me that a present of 40 or 50 dollars, judi- 
 ciously divided between Bristol and Flora, would sat- 
 isfy all demands against me on that score." I gather 
 from this letter that the state of Massachusetts was ac- 
 cessory to these proceedings. He utters on this sub- 
 ject the following language, which can scarcely be re- 
 garded as either singular or unreasonable. " Squire 
 Fowler of Westfield, was lately here to visit me, and 
 11 
 
82 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 advised me to settle the matter with the parties, so 
 that 1 may he immediately liberated. I answered him, 
 that if it was an advantage to Massachusetts at large, 
 that my slaves should he emancipated, it should be at 
 the charge of the people of that state, and not by the 
 owner of such slaves — as I might thereby be totally 
 ruined to gratify such, their iniquitous wishes : that 
 I had only been 2,300 days here and was determined 
 to remain here several days more, rather than sacrifice 
 my property to my utter ruin, to gratify their capri- 
 ces." A certificate under the hand of the under sheriff 
 of New York, states that Gilliland " was committed 
 upon this judgment on this 21st day of September, 
 1786, and continued in confinement to the 3d day of 
 December, 1791. These acts of Gilliland, whatever 
 may have been their character and the proceedings in 
 consequence, must have transpired immediately after 
 the close of the war, and before the federal constitution 
 had exacted any fugitive slave law. 
 
 In the same letter Gilliland estimates his various 
 losses, direct and incidental, from the early stages of 
 the revolution to the year 1791, at £70,000, New York 
 currency. 
 
 In accordance with some family arrangement, Gilli- 
 land soon after the reoccupation of his property distri- 
 buted among his children large portions of his estate 
 in the Champlain valley. Heavy debts, which had 
 accumulated under the paralysis of the times, began 
 to press severely upon him. Money was nearly unat- 
 tainable. What pecuniary means he had saved, were 
 either sunk in the wreck of the lumber speculation, or 
 diverted to their own purposes by those to whom 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 83 
 
 they had been confided. The wheels of business were 
 again in motion, but their movements were still feeble 
 and irregular. 'No property, and least of all landed 
 estates, afforded any revenue. Numerous salts were 
 commenced against him and heavy judgments were 
 impending. 
 
 Many of these claims, such as that resulting from 
 the slave difficulty he considered unjust and iniquitous. 
 Under such circumstances he determined, not wisely 
 I think, to place his property in a position to be pro- 
 tected against the demands he repudiated, and to pre- 
 vent its sacrifice by creditors who had become inexora- 
 ble. He was committed to the jail limits of New 
 York, in September, 1786, upon the judgment of Good- 
 rich and Ingersoll. I find among the papers of Grilli- 
 land a circular issued in 1799, and addressed to the 
 counsels and attorney's, (and among them appear the 
 names of Brockholst Livingstone and Aaron Burr,) 
 of his creditors proposing terms of settlement. I have 
 no means of deciding whether these propositions were 
 rejected by all the creditors, but it is certain that he 
 was not discharged from imprisonment under the 
 judgment of Goodrich and Ingersoll, until December, 
 1791. About that time he was released, but under 
 what circumstances I have not been able to ascertain. 
 
 A constitution inured to hardy and perpetual toil, 
 withered under the eftects of confinement and inaction. 
 A mind habituated to a constant tension and severe 
 labor, soon yielded to the pressure of disease and the 
 inanity of an unoccupied life. Sorrows, disappoint- 
 ments, wrongs, and a conviction of the faithlessness of 
 friends, crushed the sanguine spirit of Gilliland. His 
 
84 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 powerful mind yielded to these accumulated woes, 
 and while in the vigor of manhood, premature old 
 age palsied his energies and shattered his intellect. 
 He appears to have been restored even before his re- 
 lease, to a consciousness of his condition, and in a let- 
 ter to his son while in prison, after enumerating his 
 afflictions and hopes, he exclaimed with touching pa- 
 thos, " these things were sufficient to have produced 
 delirium." 
 
 He returned, as soon as liberated to his possessions 
 on Lake Champlain, after another exile of nearl}'^ six 
 years. When he went back before to his former home, 
 he found desolation, ruin and ashes, but his energies 
 were unabated and hope gilded the scene. Now, he 
 was bowed doAvn' by physical infirmities — his mind was 
 darkened — he was almost an alien, and stranger, and 
 without estates, standing upon his former princely pos- 
 sessions. His partial insanity was palpable, and he was 
 considered incompetent to the charge of his affairs. 
 He resided at Essex, in the family of his son-in-law, 
 Daniel Ross, and wandered about the scenes of his 
 early enterprise and aspirations, under the delusions 
 of an imagined ownership, and his mind teeming with 
 schemes of improvement and speculations. 
 
 His knowledge of the country was so perfect, and 
 his sagacity and judgement, although obscured, were 
 still so reliable, that his advice was often sought in the 
 selection and location of lots. By his usefulness in 
 this occupation, he became connected with a power- 
 ful association for the purchase and location of real 
 estate, of which Piatt Rogers was the administrative 
 head in the northern section of the state. In this 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 85 
 
 manner Gilliland created a slight pecuniary interest 
 in their operations. About the first of February, 
 1796, he was on his return from a visit to Rogers, at 
 Basin harbor upon the lake, connected with this occu- 
 pation, and traveling as was his habit on foot, amid 
 the snows and frosts of the season. He wandered 
 from the path, either in an excess of his mental malady, 
 or to examine a lot of wild land in the vicinity, which 
 he had received for his services from the association. 
 His absence excited alarm ; he was sought, and after 
 an interval of some days, was found, dead and frozen 
 in the solitudes of the mountains. Stricken by some 
 sudden attack, or overcome by exposure, he had ap- 
 parently lost the power of walking, and his excoriated 
 hands and knees worn to the nerves and muscles, at- 
 tested that he had long and fearfully struggled with 
 hunger, exhaustion, and cold. 
 
 Such was the last sad and tragic scene, in a singu- 
 larly variegated drama, of a remarkable life. The ca- 
 reer of Gilliland was a romance. Its strange vicissi- 
 tudes not only invoke our sympathy and compassion, 
 but are calculated to impart solemn and salutary ad- 
 monition. The pioneer of the Champlain Valley thus 
 piteously perished, in what should have been the 
 ripeness of his years, and the plenitude of his powers 
 and usefulness — for his age was scarcely three score. 
 The former lord of a vast domain, the generous pat- 
 ron and tender father, the dispenser of munificent hos- 
 pitalities, the associate and counsellor of vice royalty, 
 died far away from human care, of cold and famine, 
 with no voice of love to soothe his sufierings, and no 
 kind hand to close his dying eyes. A simple stone 
 
86 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 marks his grave in ttie cemetery of the village of 
 Essex, bearing this inscription : 
 
 Sacred to the Memory of 
 
 "William Gilliland, Esq., 
 
 who departed this life the 2d Feb., 1796, 
 
 aged 62 years. 
 
 Erected by W. and II. Ross. 
 
 Mr. Gilliland left an only son, William, who died 
 some years ago. His sons William and Henry P. still 
 occupy the patrimonial estate at the mouth of the Sal- 
 mon river, named Janesboro by the pioneer. The 
 eldest daughter, Elizabeth, of the elder Gilliland, mar- 
 ried Daniel Ross ; another daughter, Charlotte, married 
 Stephen Cuyler, and a third, Jane Willsboro, became 
 the wifeof John Bleecker of Albany. Among the grand 
 children by these marriages were William D. Ross, 
 and Henry H. Ross of Essex, an eminent lawyer and 
 distinguished citizen, and Stephen Cuyler of Essex, 
 and Charles Cuyler, of Illinois, who still survive. Mrs. 
 Bleecker, also left issue. Numerous descendants of Mr. 
 Gilliland are scattered in various sections of the United 
 States, and in the British provinces, many of whom 
 occupy high social positions. 
 
 A brief narrative of the colony created by his saga- 
 cious energies, until the current of its affairs became 
 swallowed up in the stream of general history, seems 
 a necessary sequel to an appropriate memoir of Gilli- 
 land. 
 
 I am indebted to Mr. Sheldon for most of the facts 
 embraced in the following sketch. 
 
 The two first settlers in Willsboro after the Revolu- 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 87 
 
 tion, were Joseph Sheldon and Abraham Aiken of 
 Dutchess county, New York. They traversed Lake 
 George and Lake Champlain upon the ice, arrived at 
 the Boquet in March, 1784, and selected Lots No. 2 
 and 3 of Gilliland's survey. Fourteen additional fami- 
 lies increased the settlement in course of the same 
 spring. Several other persons located lots and erected 
 dwellings. From this period, progress in immigration 
 and improvement was rapid and permanent. Li the 
 first year of the revived colonization, the immigrants 
 were compelled to resort to Vergennes to obtain their 
 lumber. Their grain was freighted to Burlington, 
 and thence transported for grinding to a mill at AViu- 
 ooski falls, a mile and a half in the interior. The 
 succeeding year, these embarrassments were relieved 
 by mills which.Mr. Ross erected on the Boquet. This 
 settlement had no political organization before the 
 year 1788. The military power, which as we have no- 
 ticed was appealed to in case of emergency, no longer 
 existed. No authority seems to have prevailed be- 
 yond the law of kindness and friendship, and the force 
 of public sentiment. Clinton county, embracing the 
 present territory of Essex, Clinton and a part of Frank- 
 lin, was organized in that year, and was constituted 
 by the towns Champlain, Plattsburgh, Willsboro, and 
 Crown Point, which were incorporated at the same 
 time. "Willsboro included about one half of Essex 
 county, and parts of Clinton and Franklin, and extended 
 over an area of nearly nine hundred square miles. 
 At this date the settlement had no communication 
 by land with the exterior world. A main highway 
 had been constructed along the shore of the lake, from 
 
88 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 the Willsboro falls, to Split rock, with lateral roads 
 extending to cabins erected by pioneers, deeper in tl\e 
 "wilderness than the mass of the colony had penetrated. 
 A path marked by blazed trees led over the "Willsboro 
 mountains, to the Ausable river, and from thence a 
 wood road conducted to Plattsburgh, the shire town 
 of this vast county. A similar contrivance probably 
 secured the track towards Crown Point. 
 
 Melchior Hotihagle was elected supervisor, and 
 William McAuley justice of the peace, at the first 
 town meeting of Willsboro. McAuley was also ap- 
 pointed a judge of the court of common pleas of the 
 county of Clinton.^ 
 
 I Tradition distinguislies McAuley, vrho seems to have been the con- 
 trolling spirit of the community in the absence of Gilliland, as a man 
 of education and talents. The discharge of his magisterial functions, 
 discloses the exercise of excellent judgment and great good sense. 
 The code he pursued, was eminently adapted to the condition of a 
 new country. His system was based on practical equity and substan- 
 tial justice, with little regard to the subtle technicalities of the books. 
 Numerous instances are still related of his civil and criminal adjudi- 
 cations. Gardner vs. Frazier. The defendant had employed the plain- 
 tiff to labor, and agreed to pay him in flour and boards, which he re- 
 fused to do. Gardner sued, and justice McAuley rendered a judg- 
 ment, for a specific performance by the immediate payment of the 
 articles. The people vs. Stafl'ord. A complaint was made, that de- 
 fendant had shingled his barn on the sabbath. .Justice McAuley rep- 
 rimanded him severely, admonishing him to pursue a more eorrect 
 course, and inflicted a fine of six shillings, which he informed Staf- 
 ford he could take in potatoes. The potatoes were duly paid. One 
 Rose was convicted of sheep stealing. The justice sentenced him to 
 twenty lashes on the bare back, and confinement for four hours in the 
 stocks. The lashes were at once applied, and an impromptu stock 
 created, by taking down the garden log fence of the justice, cutting 
 notches in the lower log to receive the ankles, wliich were confined 
 by replacing the next log. In that condition, lying on his back, in 
 the midst of a jeering crowd, he performed his penance for the speci- 
 fied time. — 0. F. Sheldon^s niss. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 89 
 
 At this period the affairs of the town were conduct- 
 ed with slight regard to forms or the requirements of 
 the statutes. The remote settlements were essentially 
 deprived of a participation in their management, and 
 a plan was adopted by which an equitable apportion- 
 ment of the town oificers was effected in its different 
 sections. Each locality designated in a primary meet- 
 ing the individuals who should receive the appoint- 
 ments appropriated to that district. A delegate bore 
 these nominations to the town meeting, by which they 
 were usually confirmed. At the general election, the 
 polls on the two first days were held one half day in 
 a separate place, and at some central or populous point 
 the whole of the third day. These expedients facili- 
 tated and secured the enjoyment of their civil rights 
 to the inhabitants. 
 
 In the year 1790, Piatt Rogers opened a road from 
 Basin harbor to Split rock, where it connected with 
 a road established by Gilliland twenty-four years pre- 
 vious. Rogers built in the same year a bridge over 
 the Boquet at Willsboro Falls, and constructed a road 
 from that point to Peru, in Clinton county. Large 
 and valuable appropriations from the public lands of 
 the state, afibrded to Rogers and his associates a liberal 
 remuneration for these services. A road, which was, 
 however nearly impassable, was opened to the new 
 settlement in Lewis, Keene, and Jay.^ 
 
 The alarm and excitement, which agitated the whole 
 frontier on the defeat, in this year, of St.Clair, and the 
 apprehension of a combined movement of the Six Na- 
 
 1 Letter from the late Levi Highby, Esq. 
 
 12 
 
 / 
 
90 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 tions witli the savage tribes of the west, extended to 
 the humble hamlets of Willsboro. A block house was 
 erected near the modern village of Essex for the pro- 
 tection of the inhabitants. Upon the subsequent or- 
 ganization of Essex county, in 1799, that edifice was 
 temporarily converted into a court house and jail. 
 
 A claim advanced by the St. Regis and Caughnawaga 
 Indians, in 1792, to a vast tract embracing most of 
 the territory between the Mohawk and the St. Law- 
 rence, was urged for several years with great pertenacity. 
 This claim not only embarrassed the title to the lands 
 of the settlers, but it agitated the public mind from 
 the extreme terror which prevailed in the exposed set- 
 tlements of savage hostility. Just and vigilant inves- 
 tigation amply established the conclusion, that these 
 tribes never possessed a title to the tract, but that the 
 Iroquois were the original proprietors, who had long 
 before alienated it to the whites by treaty or sales. 
 
 I have remarked that Gilliland at an early period 
 seems to have comprehended the vast importance and 
 wealth of the mineral resources of his district, but the 
 iron manufacture did not until 1801, attain any tan- 
 gible form. In that year Levi Highby and Geoi'ge 
 Troop, aided by the capital of Charles Kane, of Sche- 
 nectady, erected a forge at "Willsboro falls. Its pro- 
 ducts consisted chiefly of anchors and mill irons. These 
 articles were transported to the Kew York market, 
 by the way of White Hall, and thence by land to Fort 
 Edward, where they were again shipped in bateaux. 
 Anchors were brought from Quebec, to be repaired at 
 these works, as there was no forge at that time and 
 long after in Canada, competent to perform such la- 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 91 
 
 bor. This establishment for a series of years was the 
 most important iron manufactory in the environs of 
 Lake Champlain. 
 
 After an interval of nearly forty years, hostile British 
 vessels, during the war of 1812, again entered the wa- 
 ters of the Boquet. They committed considerable de- 
 predations, but were promptly repulsed by the militia 
 of the vicinity. 
 
 In conformity with my plan, I now proceed to lay 
 before the reader the most important and interesting 
 portion of my work, and that which has inspired the 
 whole. This embraces the journal of Gilliland, com- 
 mencing on the 10th of May, 1765, and pursued from 
 day to day, through the early period of the coloniza- 
 ton, and letters and various other documents illustra- 
 tive of his career. I fear, that by some readers, my 
 notes may be considered too minute and copious. My 
 object has been, in the augmented labor I have given to 
 this duty, to explain as far as practicable the events in 
 the life of Gilliland, which are recorded, and to localize 
 scenes and incidents which he notices. 
 
92 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 WILLSBOROUGH TOWl^ BOOK. 
 
 Commencing the 10th day of June, 1765. 
 
 1765, May 10. This day I embarked at New York, 
 for Albany, baving the following persons in company 
 to settle that tract of laud,^ viz.: 
 
 The Rev. George Henry, Minister. 
 
 1 John Chislm, millwright, to work 4s "^ day and 
 
 found. 
 
 2 Robert Maclane, " " £5 f mo. and 
 
 found. 
 
 3 George Melson, carpenter, " £3:12"^ mo. 
 
 and found. 
 
 4 John Mattoon, clerk, at £25 '^ ann. and found. 
 
 5 James Storkner, weaver, at 40s^ '^ mo. if wanted. 
 
 6 Robert McAuley, do do do 
 
 7 John McAuley, do do do 
 
 8 George Belton, do do do 
 
 9 Mrs. Belton, wife to the foregoing of same name. 
 
 J " That tract of land." I infer from this language as well as the occa- 
 sional endorsement on the journal, " Journal from New York to Wills- 
 boro," that it is continuous of a previous document, which is now 
 lost. 
 
 ^The currency here me'btioned and throughout the work, unless ster- 
 ling, is specified in the New York colonial currency at $2.50 to the 
 pound. The low wages in comparison with the charges at the present 
 day, for the same class of mechanics and laborers, is a striking fact, 
 especially when we consider the innumerable privations and expos- 
 ures, to which, in a wilderness remote from civilization, the services of 
 these men subjected them. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 93 
 
 10 Mrs. Chislm, wife to the foregoing of same name. 
 
 11 Catherine Shepherd, hired to keep house. 
 
 12 Mary Craig indentured for four years. 
 May 13th, arrived at Albany, all well. 
 
 May 14th, Isaac Bush, and William Barnes, drovers, 
 arrived at Albany, with 20 oxen, 20 cows, 1 bull, and a 
 number of calves for me.^ 
 
 May 18th, Embarked in four bateaux,^ to proceed 
 to Fort Edward, having to the amount of eighty barrels 
 
 lit does not appear at what place these cattle had been collected, 
 but Albany itself is about one hundred and fifty miles from Willsboro, 
 by the route traveled. The transportation of so large a number of cat- 
 tle this great distance, by land, in bateaux, swimming them across 
 the lake, and through a wild and nearly untrodden wilderness, ex- 
 hibits a perseverance and energy, we shall find characteristic of the 
 man. 
 
 * (Bateaux.) These boats, at this day unknown to our waters, were 
 in the last century, and indeed until the construction of the canals, 
 the chief medium of transportation upon our inland waters. They were 
 used for freighting upon the Mohawk, the upper waters of the Hudson, 
 Lake George and to a considerable extent on Lake Champlain. They 
 navigated, in great numbers, the Mohawk from Schenectady to Rome, 
 and much of the emigration to the West was at that period conducted 
 by this agency. I recur with the most pleasant recollections to a voy- 
 age made on the Mohawk with my father in the years 1819 or '20. He 
 dismissed our carriage in Utica, and embarked upon a bateau, and 
 descended to Schenectady. There were several passengers on board, 
 and I think we went on shore both to take our meals and to lodg^ 
 The trip was to me of great interest. The downward voyage of the 
 bateau was quite rapid and pleasant, but the ascent, which was 
 mainly effected by poling, was very slow and laborious. The bateaux 
 were used on the Hudson above Albany, and are frequently mentioned 
 in the expedition of Burgoyne. They were built long and wide, with 
 flat bottoms and usually were not designed for passengers. They were 
 generally without decks, but frequently constructed with cabins in 
 the stern. They were propelled chiefly by oars and poles, but often 
 used sails. 
 
94 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 of stores and all the people on board ; being detained 
 until now for two Bateaux, ordered from Schenec- 
 tady. 
 
 19th, arrived at Half Moon, where we were joined 
 the 20th, by "William Luckcy, cooper and farmer, to 
 get 40s "^ month. 
 
 2l8t, arrived at Robinson. 
 
 22d, arrived at Stillwater. 
 
 23d, arrived at Saratoga. 
 
 24th, arrived at Fort Miller. 
 
 2oth, proceeded up on our way to Fort Edward. 
 
 26th, arrived at Fort Edward, where we were joined 
 
 27tli, by Martin Tayler, farmer, at 458 '^ month. 
 
 1765. 
 Journal from I!^ew York to Willsboro. 
 May 29th, arrived at Fort George, ^ with all the 
 people, cattle. Bateaux and goods, and 
 
 30th, were joined byEliachim Ayres, wagon maker, 
 72s "^ month, and Samuel Jackson, blacksmith, 70s "^ 
 month. 
 
 'The occupation of the environs of Lake George by military posts, 
 and the roads which must have been made to facilitate the movements 
 of the British armies in these various campaigns against the hostile 
 fortresses on Lake Champlain, had probably rendered the way by 
 Eake George, the avenue of intercourse between the Hudson and Lake 
 Champlain and Canada. The route either by Skeensboro, the present 
 Whitehall, or South bay, unless such facilities existed, would have been 
 far more convenient and economical to Gilliland, and would have 
 avoided many delays and expenses. As a prominent object in the dis- 
 interring of this journal, is to illustrate the progress and change, 
 both physical and commercial, the lapse of a century has produced, 
 I think it expedient to direct attention to incidents and facts like these, 
 however obvious the suggestions may appear to the intelligent reader, 
 familiar with the history of the district. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 95 
 
 'N. B. The wages to commence payable to the whole 
 after the arrival at "Willsboro ; none being engaged 
 for a fixed time save Robert Maclane, who is engaged 
 for twelve months after the arrival, and George Will- 
 son, to 1st !N'ov. 
 
 31st, embarked at Fort George, for Ticonderoga 
 with all the people and goods in the four bateaux, 
 and all the cattle in the vessel called the Snow shoe, 
 and arrived at Saml Adams, at Sabbath day point, 
 where we got the cattle on shore and lodged all night. 
 
 June 1st, arrived at Ticonderoga landing.^ 
 
 2d, busy getting the goods and bateaux acrost the 
 landing. 
 
 3d, ditto. 
 
 4th, proceeded to Crown Point where we arrived the 
 
 5th, having left the whole of the cattle there under 
 the care of William Luckey,(except 4 oxen left at Ti- 
 conderoga with Martin Tayler and my negro man 
 Ireland, to haul logs to the saw mill ^ in lieu of 120 
 boards got there, and which were rafted down to 
 Crown Point by E. Ayres and J. "Wattson,) we pro- 
 ceeded the 
 
 7th, from Crown Point to Willsboro, the boards 
 having overtaken us that morning at Crown Point. 
 
 'This landing is at thefoot of LakeGeorge, atthepoint where Aber- 
 crombie effected his disembarkations. The carrying place is about 
 four miles long. 
 
 *Saw mills were erected at an early period of their occupation by 
 the French, on the outlet of Lake George. This stream supplies a re- 
 markable water power, wliich from its singular equilibrity, capacity, 
 and innumerable sites, is probably equal to any upon the continent. 
 A saw mill at this place was occupied during the assault of Ticonde- 
 roga by Abercrombie. 
 
96 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 June 8th/ arrived at tlie mouth of the Boquet, pro- 
 ceeded up the river to the falls, viewed them there 
 with John Chislm in company, who thought it would 
 be impracticable to erect mills there except at vast ex- 
 pense.^ 
 
 June 8th, upon which we returned a good deal 
 dejected to the people whom we left at the river's 
 mouth. 
 
 June 9th, Robert Mclane and Eliakim Ayres arrived 
 at the river Boquet with the raft of boards, having 
 been assisted by Moses Dickson, tailor, who joined us 
 the 7th instant, at Crown Point, at 40s per mo. and to 
 
 1 Here commences what Gilliland terms the AVillsboro town book. 
 
 'The Boquet is a beautiful and valuable stream which rises among 
 the Adirondacs, and after draining by its affluents a wide territory, 
 courses through Essex county, a distance of about forty miles, and 
 falls into the Champlain at Willsboro. The origin of this name has 
 been a subject of much discussion. In the tradition of the region, it 
 has been sometimes referred to Gen. Boquet, a prominent British com- 
 mander in the French wars — although he commanded in armies ope- 
 rating at the west. I am not aware of any authentic notice of him, 
 anterior to the period which originated the name, or in connection 
 with the campaigns near Lake Champlain. By others the name is 
 supposed to have been derived from the great profusion of wild flowers 
 which adorned the banks of the river. The most probable origin, I 
 think, is in the French word haquet, trough. This term would 
 havebeen remarkablydescriptiveof tbeappearance of <he streambelow 
 the falls. The French were scarcely less happy than the aborigines 
 in the significant accuracy and force, as well as beauty and euphony, 
 of the names they applied to physical objects. The Boquet is still 
 navigable for several miles for vessels of considerable burden. A part 
 of Burgoyne's flotilla entered this stream, and the legend states that he 
 used the trough referred to for the purpose of drilling his sailors in 
 the management of the Batteaux. Several British gun-boats, during 
 the war of 1812, ran up the Boquet, and bombarded and captured the 
 village of Willsboro falls, the original settlement of Gilliland. 
 
THE CIIA.MPLAIN VALLEY. %7 
 
 be found. Proceeded in company with Robert Machine 
 immediately to the falls, who having carefully viewed 
 their situation, gave it as his opinion, that several 
 mills might be erected there with much ease and small 
 expense — which opinion was afterwards found to be 
 well founded.^ We then returned to the river's mouth 
 well satisfied, and having thrown out our fishing seine, 
 we hauled in 60 large fish, being mostly masquenonge, 
 bass and pickerel.^ 
 
 ^ The presence of this water power, was doubtless the inducement 
 which influenced Gilliland in selecting the spot for the creation of hia 
 colony. The announcement of its incapacity must have caused great 
 disappointment and dejection. The site proved of the liighest value, 
 and is still occupied by extensive works. The changes which the 
 opening of the country by improvements has uniformly produced in 
 this region, is forcibly exemplified by this stream. Its volume of wa- 
 ters, at the season mentioned in the text, is scarcely sufficient, and 
 I believe in some years, is not adequate by the aid of a massive dam, 
 at tliis time, to aiford motive power sufficient to propel the existing 
 works. 
 
 2The exuberant supply of fish in Lake Champlain and its affluents, 
 when the country was colonized, was among the most attractive fea- 
 tures of the region. Tlie muskallonge is often mentioned liy the fisher- 
 men of the lake, as a distinct species. The better opinion among na- 
 turalists I think, now is, that it is .a variety of the pickerel family. I 
 have been assured by the early settlers, that when they first immigrated, 
 the salmon were so abundant in some of tlie streams, as to render it 
 dangerous to ride through them on a spirited horse ; I have myself seen 
 large scliools of this fish, as late as the year 1824 or '2o, from the bridge 
 in the village of Plattsburgh. At that time they were taken by the 
 spear and seine in great quantities They have now totally disap- 
 peared from the waters of the lake Mr. Sheldon mentions a record 
 of five liundrcd being taken in a single afternoon from the Boquet. 
 Tlie late venerable Levi Iligbby, in formed me tiiat he knew, in the 
 year 1823, of fifteen hundred pounds of salmon being taken at one 
 haul of a seine near his residence, in Chesterfield. The pickerel of 
 the lake is esteemed a secondary fish, often marked by a rank, muddy 
 
 13 
 
U(S PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 June lOtb, proceeded witli the goods towards the Falls, 
 and landed tliem in Camp Island.^ Wages commenc- 
 ing this da}^ to all, except William Luckey and Mar- 
 tin Taylor, whose wages commenced at the time of 
 their separation from ns on their respective employ- 
 ments. 
 
 11 and 12, cleared a road to the foils from our 
 encampment. 
 
 13 and 14, cut down logs to build a dwelling house. 
 
 15, began to erect our house with logs 4-4 feet by 
 22.^ 
 
 July 10th, our four carpenters began to cut and 
 square timber for the mill, the other hands being em- 
 ployed cutting wood for coal, clearing land, &c. All 
 the cattle having been brought safe from Crown Point 
 some time ago, by four of our people, who having swam 
 them across the lake at Crown Point, drove them 
 through the woods on the east side to the cloven foot, 
 
 taste. But when transferred inio the ponds of the interior, the influ- 
 ence of a change of water and food, imparts a new character to the 
 fish. Its shape becomes modified, and it is transformed into a fish of 
 an exquisite flavor. 
 
 'Camp Island still retains the name applied to it by Gilliland. 
 
 ^Mr. Sheldon states in his valuable notes, that the site of the house is 
 still known, and was on the spot now occupied by the hay scales, at 
 "VVillsboro Falls. Burgoyne held his memorable Indian council on 
 the Boquet and at INIilltown, as the settlement was named by (iilli- 
 land. The prominence and importance of this settlement in 1777, is 
 attested by the fact, that Burgoyne in advance of his progress, should 
 have indicated it as the place for the gathering of the tribes. The 
 portion of the redoubt erected on the Bociuc^t, nearly opposite to Camp 
 Island, has been preserved by tradition, although cvei-y vestige of it 
 has long since been removed by the operations of agriculture. Bur- 
 goyne doubtless occupied this house, as the largest and most commodi- 
 ous in the region. 
 
THE CIIAMPLAIN VALLKY. 99 
 
 from tlicnec we ferried tliem to •the cloven rock in a 
 scow, hired from New Enghind men, and drove them 
 from thence through the woods to Milltown, having 
 now given that name to the land at the falls, four of 
 our people, viz. : James Stockner, John McAuley, 
 Moses Dickson and myself, having brought our four 
 hateanx deeply loaded with boards and provisions 
 from Crown Point, whilst the others were driving the 
 cattle.^ 
 
 10th. Begun to blow up rocks that were in the way 
 of our mill-trough, having now judged it useless to 
 make a dam, sufficiency of water being obtainable with- 
 out it. 
 
 23d. I embarked in company with the Rev. IVIr. 
 Henry and Mr William Jones, for Canada, and arrived 
 at Montreal ferry, in less than 14 hours, allowing 
 about 10 hours delay, while the sloops lay at anchor, 
 and at St. Johns. The 24th, we set out in calashes, 
 for Quebec; 28th, arrived at Trois rivere, where, Mr, 
 Henry being much indisposed, Mr. Jones and I took a 
 ride out the 29th, to view the iron works, situated at 
 
 1 The lake at Crown Point is about one fourth of a mile wide. This 
 incident, which exposed the cattle to so great a risk, illustrates the 
 condition at that period of the country. An unbroken wilderness of 
 primeval forest and rugged mountains extended from Crown Point to 
 the province of Canada. It was penetrated only by secret paths trod- 
 den by the Indian and thp scout. Immediately north of the penin- 
 sula of Crown Point, a spur of the Adirondacks projects into the lake 
 a precipitous promontory now known as Bulwaggy mountain. A 
 modern road has been constructed at the base of this projection 
 with great toil and difBculty, but at that period the rocks and pre- 
 cipices formed an impenetrable barrier to the passage of a herd of 
 cuttle. 
 
100 PIONEER IIISKJRY OF 
 
 9 miles distance from the town. We found them 
 greatly out of repair, no ore, iron or fuel. Very little 
 water, and the carriage of their ore and fuel, l)eing 
 not less than 9 miles, all by land. We embarked on 
 a bateau, at Trois rivere, about 8 in the morning, of 
 the 30th July, and arrived at Quebec about 10 that 
 night ; my business detained me at Quebec, until the 
 IGth of August, having visited Mount Morency falls, 
 Wolfs cove, Point Levi, Mr, Macord's farm, and Mr. 
 Frazier's at St. Charles, 18 miles from Quebec. We 
 then set out for Montreal on said 16th of August, I 
 mean Mr. Jones and myself, having left Mr. Henry 
 at Quebec, where he was so greatly encouraged to 
 stay, that even I could not avoid recommending it to 
 him, to give Quebec the preference. 
 
 The 19th of August, arrived at Bertie,^ opposite 
 the mouth of the Sorell, which, being desirous to see, 
 on account of its connection with Lake Champlain, I 
 hired an interpreter and canoe, and crossed the River 
 St. Lawrence there, distance from Bertie being com- 
 puted at four miles ; sounded Sorell river 9 miles up, 
 shallowest channel, depth 21 feet; deep enough for 
 any vessel 3 or 4 miles further, the land mostly very 
 sand}^, particularly on the east side, where it is almost 
 barren, as far as that Seniori (of Sorell) extends up the 
 river, being about nine miles, and it is held at a high 
 price notwithstanding.^ 
 
 'This was probably the Provincials' pronunciation of Berthier. 
 
 2 This incident exhibits the peculiar habits of Gilliland, in energetic 
 research and observation, and the forecast and vigilance with which 
 be promoted the interest of hig colony. 
 
THE CIIAMrLAIN VALLEY. 101 
 
 The 20tli August, returned to Bertie, and 21st, pro- 
 ceeded to Montreal, where arrived that night. 
 
 2-l:th August, set out from Montreal for Willsboro, 
 having bought many necessaries there for the settlers, 
 and arrived at St. John that night, engaged my pas- 
 sage with Capt. Leaky on the 25th, had a tedious pas- 
 sage across the Lake, having been detained by calms 
 and contrary wind, until Slst August; when I was 
 put on shore at the river's mouth, at 9 o'clock that 
 night, and walked through the woods for Milltown, 
 where I arrived at half past 10, having been absent on 
 my journey to Canada, 40 days ; on my arrival I 
 found that on the 
 
 25tli July, it was agreed that the following persons 
 should go to the meadows,^ and there make hay suffi- 
 
 « ^I cannot determine whether the meadows referred to, are the 
 marshes created by the spring overflowing of the low alluvials upon 
 the shores of the lalce, or those formed by the labors of the beaver, 
 upon streams. I conjecture they were the latter. Both of these forma- 
 tions were of the utmost benefit to the pioneers in the settlement of a 
 new country, before they were able to produce fodder by cultivation. 
 The bay cut upon the marshes is very inferior to that cured from cul- 
 tivated grasses. Its growth upon these natural meadows, is usually 
 a coarse and harsh grass intermingled with rushes, brakes and ferns. 
 In places more elevated, a better quality of hay is produced. The 
 beaver meadows are formed by the art of these wonderful animals, 
 that with almost human sagacity, select an appropriate locality 
 which is a low flat, intersected by a small stream. Upon this, they 
 erect a dam, and flooding the flat, destroy all vegetation upon the area 
 covered by the pond, which is thus created. This becomes the abode 
 of the beaver. The country is filled with vestiges of their works. 
 When the dam is broken, and the water resumes its original channel, 
 the surface of the land over which the pond had spread, is found de- 
 nuded of every tree and bush. The indigenous grasses spring up 
 spontaneously, and there form a permanent meadow, from which hay 
 is made much superior to that alforded by the marshes. 
 
102 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 cient for all our cattle, the charges for which to be 
 borne by the owners of the cattle, respectively in pro- 
 portion to the cattle they have, in which proportion 
 they are to have their dividend of hay, viz : 
 
 William Luckey, 
 
 Haymakers and 
 ^Road clearers. 
 
 Tvr *• rp 1 f Mowers. 
 
 Martin Taylor, 
 
 James Stocker, 
 
 Robert Macawley, 
 
 John McAuley, 
 
 George Belton, 
 
 Moses Dickson, 
 
 Sept. 12th, this day, with all the above mentioned, 
 returned from the meadows, having finished the mak- 
 ing of the company's hay, it being put up in tramp 
 cocks, as follows ; 
 
 11 tramp cocks in Elizabeth meadow. 
 
 9 " " in Little swamp meadow. 
 
 15 " " in Cloven rock meadow. 
 
 In all 35 tramp cocks.^ 
 
 N. B. William Luckey and Martin Taylor, having 
 agreed to cut and make hay for their own cattle, are 
 not to get any of the above, nor chargeable with any of 
 the expense of making it, but are to be paid their wa- 
 ges whilst at it, and their wages to cease from 12 Sep. 
 to 23 Sep., when they again began to work for me, 
 
 'Trampt Cocks. This phrase, which is unknown to our agriculture 
 quite puzzled me, but on reference to Stevens's Book of the Farm, I 
 find he speaks of trat7iplcd picks. These, from his description, I infer 
 are identical with our slacks built on the open ground, and which 
 are carefully trampled by the builder in the construction. The above 
 names distinguish localities several miles asunder. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 103 
 
 liaviDg made 4 tramp cocks of hay for tlieir own cat- 
 tle, in the Cloven rock meadow.^ 
 
 Sep 18th, employed Wm. Lawson, mason, to build 
 a double chimney in my house at Milltown. 
 
 19th, set out on a survey, and layed out the follow- 
 ing lots of land between the Bouquet river, and Cloven 
 rock, and adjoining the lake, viz.,^ 
 
 Lot No. 1, extending from the river, southwesterly 
 to a small heap of stones on the shore of the lake about 
 4 yards east of which is a black rock, and west is sev- 
 eral marked trees,. and extends west to the river Bo- 
 quet. 
 
 Lot No. 2, is bounded northerly by lot No. 1, south 
 line and beginning at the forementioned heap of stones, 
 runs west one hundred and twenty chains, south fif- 
 teen chains and east to the lake, containing 200 acres. 
 
 1 The Cloven Rock, since, with much less euphony called Split 
 rock, and by the French in their forcible nomenclature named Roche 
 rendu, is one of the most remarkable physical features upon Lake 
 Champlain. It contains about an half acre, rising in naked perpendic- 
 ular rocky sides nearly thirty feet from the water, and is separated 
 from the level promontory upon which the light house stands by a fis- 
 sure about ten feet in width. Its position and appearance have sug- 
 gested the theory that it has been detached from the adjacent head- 
 land by its own gravity, or by some shock of nature, but I apprehend 
 that it has been separated, probably by the gradual attrition of the 
 earth and disintegration of the rocks, through the action of the elements. 
 Guide books describe an abyss of five hundred feet in depth, divid- 
 ing the rock from the promontory. When I visited it and walked 
 through the fissure, it was two feet above the level of the lake ; al- 
 though, generally the water flows through the chasm. 
 
 ' The tract of land included in this survey, embraces pordons of the 
 present town of Willsboro and Essex, and is inferior to no tract of the 
 same size in the state, for beauty of position, native fertility, and high 
 culture. 
 
104 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 Lot No. 3, holds the south line of lot 'No. 2 for its 
 northern boundar}^, beginning at a small-heap of stones 
 on the shore of the lake, and runs west 120 chains 
 (passing by a small poplar and several other marked 
 trees near the lake) ; thence south 15 chains ; thence 
 east to the lake ; then holding the edge of the lake for 
 its eastern front till the place begun : containing 200 
 acres. 
 
 IsT. B. This lot is engaged by James Stocker, who 
 gives it the name of Stocker's rock. 
 
 Lot No. 4, is bounded by lot No. 8 on the north- 
 ward, and begins at a small heap of stones around a 
 willow at the edge of the lake, and runs west (past a 
 marked poplar tree on the bank) 120 chains, south 15 
 chains to a marked white birch tree on the bank, and 
 a small heap of stones on the shore of the lake, and 
 thence to the place of beginning, along the shore of the 
 lake, and contains 200 acres. This lot is taken up by 
 Kobert Macawle^-. 
 
 Lot No. 5, begins at a small heap of stones at the 
 edge of the lake and being bounded northerly by the 
 south line of lot No. 4, runs west (by a white birch 
 marked tree on the bank of the lake) 120 chains ; 
 thence south 15 chains; thence east to two marked 
 spruce trees on the bank, and a small heap of stones 
 on the shore of the lake, then along the edge of the 
 lake, to the place of beginning: containing 200 acres. 
 This lot is taken by John McAuley. 
 
 N. B. There was no allowance made to any of 
 the foregoing lots being neglected in laying them 
 out.^ 
 
 ' The allowance, here referred to, was, I suppose, an excess in the 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 105 
 
 Lot No. 6, or Elizabetli, begins at last mentioned 
 heap of stones at the edge of the lake, and runs thence 
 west (passing the two spruce trees on the hank) to the 
 river Bouquet, then along said river to a point that 
 lies west of a certain stream's mouth on the south side 
 of Elizabeth,^ then east to the lake at the mouth of 
 said stream, then northly along the lake to the place 
 of beginning: containing acres. 
 
 Lots No. 7, and No. 8, are bounded on the north by 
 the south line of Elizabeth, and beginning at the mouth 
 of the aforementioned stream at the edge of the lake; 
 runs thence west 126 chains ; thence south 30 chains ; 
 thence east to a small heap of stones on a rock at the 
 edige of the lake, there being a small hemlock tree 
 marked on the bank ; then to the place of beginning 
 along the lake shore : containing 400 acres. 
 
 Lot No. 9, begins at last mentioned heap of stones 
 and running past said hemlock marked tree, goes west 
 110 chains ; then south 10 chains ; then east to the , 
 lake, where the bank being high, there are a number 
 of saplings cut on it that hang over, and a small oak 
 tree marked a few yards from the bank's edge ; then 
 along the lake northerly to the place of beginning: 
 containing 100 acres. 
 
 survey, intended foi- the construction of roads and other public con- 
 veniences. Sucli allowances were formerly made in the location of 
 all patents in the early surveys of the country. 
 
 ^ Elizabeth. This name frequently occurs in the journal, and 
 designates I suppose the site of the village of Essex. It was given to 
 this localiiy in honor of his wife or daughter. The name of Elizabeth 
 town, which at a later period was attached to a township in the inte- 
 rior, is a different location but had the same origin. Willsboro, he 
 derived from his own name, and we shall notice other places, desig- 
 nated by the names of various members of his family. 
 
 14 
 
lOG PIONEER IIIS'R!UY OF . 
 
 Lot No. 10, begins at the edge of the lake aud run- 
 ning past the hist mentioned oak marked tree goes west 
 122 chains ; south 15 chains ; then east to the lake, 
 passing by several marked trees near the bank, partic- 
 ularly a dead poplar close to the bank's edge, and then 
 along the edge of the lake to the place of beginning : 
 containing 200 acres. 
 
 Lot No. 11, begins at the last mentioned poplar tree 
 and runs west 122 chains ; south 15 chains ; east to an 
 unmarked large cedar tree that hangs over the edge 
 of tlie lake, passing by several marked trees not far 
 from it; then northerly along the lake shore to the 
 place of beginning : containing 200 acres. 
 
 Lot ISTo. 12, begins at last mentioned hanging cedar 
 tree, and running past several marked trees goes west 
 120 chains; then south 1 chain; then east to a small 
 billberr\' tree st-anding on the bank of the lake; then 
 alongthe edge of the lake northerly to where this tract 
 first beo-an : containin<»: 200 acres. G. B. 
 
 N. B. At the request of George Ilicks and John 
 King, I have divided Lot 13, as described underneath 
 between the above Lot No. 12, and the Lot 14, on the 
 next page. This makes Lot No, 12, 20 chains front, 
 which I have made two lots of 100 acres each of, and 
 have given these the names of Lot No. 12, and Lot No. 
 13, the former of which being the northernmost is 
 granted to JohnKing, and the southernmost being No. 
 13, I have granted to George Ilicks; this partition was 
 made 21 Oct. 1767, and by it the Lot No. 14, has 
 become a 200 acre lot.^ 
 
 Lot No. 13, begins at the edge of the lake, east of 
 
 1 This paragraph is interpolated bj' Gilliland. 
 
Tin: CII.VMPLAIX VALT.KY. 107 
 
 the last mentioned billbcrry tree, and runs then west 
 100 chains ; then south 10 chains; then east to 2 hirge 
 stones on tlie sliore of the hike, over which hangs a 
 hemlock, cedar and birch trees; then along the lake 
 northerly to the place of beginning : containing 100 
 acres. 
 
 Lot 1^0. 14, begins at last mentioned 2 large stones, 
 and runs past several marked trees, west 100 chains ; 
 then south 10 chains ; then east to a small black oak, 
 marked on the bank of the lake, northerly to the place 
 of befjinnins;: containing 100 acres. 
 
 (Interpolated) this lot extends 5 chains further north 
 and 20 chains further west, which makes it 200 acres. 
 See last page. 
 
 Lot No. 15, begins at last mentioned black oak tree 
 and extends west 96 chains; south 10 chains, and 
 thence east to a pitch pine standing on the north side 
 of the end of a point at the lake ; then along the edge 
 of the lake to the place of beginning: containing 100 
 acres. 
 
 Lot No. 16, begins at last mentioned pitch pine, and 
 extends thence west 102 chains ; south 10 chains; then 
 to a marked hemlock tree standing at the edge of the 
 lake ; then along the lake northerly to the place of 
 besrinnino;: containing 100 acres. 
 
 Lot No. 17, begins at last mentioned hemlock 
 tree, and goes west 101 chains ; south 10 chains ; then 
 east to a heap of stones on the shore (passing by a 
 marked white cedar tree on the bank); then along the 
 lake's edge to the place of beginning: containing 100 
 acres. 
 
 Lot No. 18, begins at last mentioned heap of stones 
 
108 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 unci runs west (past a marked cedar tree that stands on 
 the bank) 100 chains ; then south 10 chains ; then east 
 to a poplar marked tree, that stands at the edge of 
 the lake ; then along the lake northerly to the place 
 where this lot first begins : containing 100 acres. 
 
 Lot ]^o. 19, begins at last mentioned poplar tree, 
 and runs west 100 chains ; south 10 chains ; east to a 
 white birch tree and heap of stones at the edge of the 
 lake, and northerly along the edge of the lake to the 
 place begun at : containing 100 acres. 
 
 Lot Xo. 20, begins at last mentioned heap of stones, 
 and runs thence west 100 chains ; south 10 chains ; 
 and east to a white birch tree and heap of stones on 
 the strand of the lake (having a white pine tree a few 
 yards west of the bank of the lake) ; then northerly 
 along the edge of the lake to the place of beginning : 
 containing 100 acres. 
 
 Lot Xo. 21, begins at last mentioned heap of stones, 
 and runs thence west 100 chains; thence south 10 
 chains ; then east to a heap of stones and dead hickory 
 tree at the edge of the lake, the stones being round 
 the tree, and the letters R. M. being marked on the 
 south side of it ; then along the lake northerly to the 
 place of beginning : containing 100 acres. 
 
 Lot Xo. 22, begins at last mentioned dead hickory 
 and heap of stones, and runs thence west 120 chains ; 
 south 15 chains ; then east to a heap of stones at the 
 edge of the lake, having four birch trees growing 
 from the root on the adjoining bank, with the letters 
 R. M. marked on the north side, and the letters G. W. 
 marked on the south side of one of the birch trees : 
 containing 200 acres. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 109 
 
 ^. B. this lot was chosen and engaged by Eohert 
 MacLane who gives it the name of Enniskelling.^ 
 
 Lot No. 23, begins at last mentioned heap of stones, 
 and runs thence west 120 chains ; thence south 15 
 chains ; then east to a bunch of trees on the edge of 
 the lake ; and thence along the edge of the lake to the 
 place of beginning: containing 200 acres. 
 
 K. B. This lot was chosen and taken up by George 
 ■Williams, who gives it the name of Killeen. 
 
 Lot No. 24, begins at last mentioned bunch of trees, 
 and runs thence west 124 chains; thence south 10| 
 chains ; thence east 137 chains to a poplar tree on the 
 bank of the lake ; then north, 40 degrees west, along 
 the bank of the lake to the place of beginning: 
 
 A. R. P. 
 containing 133. 2. 38. 
 
 N. B. This lot is taken up by George Belton, who 
 in conjunction with William Luckey, give this Lot 
 and the Lot No. 25, the name of Little Britain. 
 
 A. R. P. 
 
 The parallelogram being 124 chains by 10)i chains, contains 127. 0. 16. 
 
 The Triangle No. -2, being 10 ch. 25 links perpend'^ _. .„. 6 2 22 
 
 IK 10 ch. 25 links perpend'^ 
 '13 *• 00 " Base, > contains, 
 16 " 56 " Hipottl' ^ 
 
 Laid down by a scale of 40 chains to one Inch. Acres, 133. 2. 33. 
 
 Lot No. 25, begins at last mentioned poplar tree, 
 and runs thence west 137 chains ; south 10^ chains ; 
 thence east 145 chains and 79 links, to a tree standing 
 on the shore of the lake marked H. W. (beiiig about 2 
 chains distant from that point of the shore of the lake 
 that's on the same meridian with Wattson's hut) ; 
 
 iThe colonists were Irishmen and these familiar Celtic names attest 
 their characteristic genial memory of their native land. 
 
110 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 then north, 45 cleg, west 15 chains to a heap of stones 
 which lie about J chain east of the poplar tree begun 
 at : containing 
 
 ]^. B. This lot is taken up by William Luckey, who 
 in conjunction with George Belton, gives it and lot 
 No. 24, the name of Little Britain.^ 
 
 No. 1, being 137 chains by 10>4 chains, contains 140. 1. 23, 
 
 No. 2, being the Triangle, whoso base is 10 ch. So linksi 
 
 Perpend' 8 '• 79 " > contains 5. 2- 14. 
 
 Hypothenuse 15 " " > 
 
 Acres, 147. 0. 2. 
 
 Monday, 6th October, 1763, went in a bateau to 
 visit my tract of land at Cumberland bay, in company 
 with John Chislm, Eliakem Ayres, John Waltron and 
 James Stocker, on our passage, went ashore on the 2 
 most western of the 4 Islands, found the most east- 
 ward of those being largest of the 4 to contain 4 or 5 
 acres of choice land, and the westward one is rich, 
 but all covered with brush, it may be about 3 acres,^ 
 
 ^ I have copied these minute surveys, I think foi' sufficient reasons. 
 They evince the care and precision, as well as activity of Gilliland in 
 the conduct of his affairs, and are interesting to antiquarian research. 
 Jones's Patent, which was the first location he made, still embraces 
 Milltown or Willsboro Falls, and six other patents, which I suppose 
 he also located, are now laid down on the county map, between the 
 Boquetand Split rock, and hence it may be important to perpetuate a 
 record of the subdivisions he established by these surveys. 
 
 * These are a beautiful cluster of islands lying nearly in the center 
 of Lake Champlain. They occupy almost the four cardinal points, 
 and are now called the Four Brothers, a name far less imaginative 
 than that given them by the French, ;who called them Isles des 
 quatre vent. I have before alluded to the poetry and illustrative 
 power of the French nomenclature. The unimpressible Briton was 
 far less happy in the designation of physical objects. Like the abo- 
 riginal, the French system of names has been too often superseded 
 by descriptive terms much inferior, both in beauty and appropriate- 
 
THE CIIAMPLAIN VALLEY. Ill 
 
 then passed close by Scliyler's Island, or Isle Chapon, 
 which looks at a distance but dry stony light ground, 
 little worth.i 
 
 About six in the evening, arrived at the high sandy 
 clift's, and encamped there. Between these is a grass 
 swamp containing, I think about 150 acres without 
 any trees, but is deep covered with water.^ 
 
 Seventh ; this morning moved from our encamp- 
 
 ness. The environs of this lake, afford constant examples of these 
 tasteless changes. The French called one of the loftiest peaks of the 
 Green Mountains, with most impressive force, the Lion Couchant, 
 which the English distinguish by the colder and coarser name of 
 Camel's Hump. 
 
 iThis island, which is of some magnitude, lies near the western 
 shore of the lake, and opposite Douglas bay. This name was ap- 
 plied to it, as appears from the text, previous to the Revolution. The 
 origin of the name is attributed by tradition, to the circumstance 
 that John Schuyler, in the expedition against Canada in 1690, en- 
 camped with his forces for some time upon the island. It was known 
 to the French as Isle Chapon. 
 
 Douglas bay at one period was called Corlear's bay. Corlear, the 
 founder of Schenectady, the savior of the French army of De Coucelle, 
 and the beneficent friend of the Indians, was drowned in this lake, 
 and the appropriation of his name to this bay, seems to locate there 
 the scene of the catastrophe. 
 
 2 The southern of these cliffs is now occupied by the residence of 
 the Editor, and I am able from personal obsei'vation, to attest the 
 accuracy of Mr. Gilliland's description of the whole district. I am 
 confident of the actual position of his encampment that night. Im- 
 mediately at the northern slope of the cliff, there is a small but pict- 
 uresque dell, in which a perennial fountain wells up, and gliding 
 through a verdant plat of native grasses discharges into the lake. 
 This fountain is widely known as the Cold spring. The relics 
 occasionally found here, indicate it to have been in other generations, 
 an Indian resort; and even now on a summer morning, we often find 
 an Indian encampment of a few tents, which had been extemporized 
 in the tlell the night before. 
 
112 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 ment to the above mentioned river, wliicli I call the 
 Cullen water, and there found it alive with ducks and 
 geese. It is about a mile to northward of the south 
 side of the most northernlj sandy clitf, and on the 
 south side of it is a grass swamp of about 70 acres.^ 
 
 Put on our potts at the mouth of this river, which 
 is about 60 yards wide, and proceeded up it in 
 order to discover its falls, and their distance from the 
 lake. 
 
 First station from lake up the river, is south 88 
 degrees west, almost 15 chains; south 70 degrees W. 
 8 chains; north 50 degrees W., 16 chains to a grass 
 swamp of 50 acres, and a dead creek, being north 65 
 degrees W. ; then north 60 degrees W., 6 chains; 
 north 20 degrees "W., 10 chains; north 50 degrees east, 
 
 1 There is a mistake here, as I find no previous mention of a river. 
 The Cullen Water of Gilliland is a branch of the Au Sable river, 
 which was the name appropriately given to the stream by the French, 
 and which it still retains. The characteristics referred to by Mr. 
 Gilliland, to a great extent, continue to distinguish it. 
 
 These grass swamps are natural meadows, which have been gradu- 
 ally reclaimed from shallow bays of the lake by the alow processes of 
 nature. They are now termed marshes, and are valuable for the hay 
 they produce. They are essentially created by accretions and allu- 
 vial deposits. A pole fifteen or twenty feet in length, may in places, 
 be thrust through the soil without striking the hard pan. These 
 marshes may afford an unlimited supply of the richest peat, or muck, 
 for agricultural purposes. The process of accumulation is slow but 
 constantly advancing. My own experience on the swamp, men- 
 tioned in the preceding paragraph, illustrates this fact. I now plow 
 parcels of land, which twenty years ago were inaccessible to cattle. 
 Instead of being "deep covered with water" on the Gth of October, 
 as he describes it to have been, we are generally engaged in mowing 
 it at about that period, and in the year 18tJ], teams were driven upon 
 it in gathering hay. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 113 
 
 15 chains to a branch that runs east to the lake; south 
 57 degrees west, 10 chains to the junction of three 
 branches, then up the middle branch, north 80 west, 
 9 chains, when we found the left hand branch to be 
 occasioned by a small island; then south 60 west, 3 
 chains to rapids that are passable for bateaux, the 
 same course 28 chains, smooth good water, the river 
 twice as large as Boquet and more ; then an island, 
 main channel on right hand going up, then from the 
 near point of the island, west about 4 chains to rapids. 
 Then south 10 chains ; then south 60 degrees west, 35 
 chains; then south 10 degrees east, 20 chains; then 
 from south-east to south-west about 120 chains to the 
 falls, which we judge to be about 12 feet; in this place 
 the river formed into a most curious canal ; this is a 
 prodigious rock. It is a most admirable sight, appear- 
 ing on each side like a regular built wall, somewhat 
 ruinated, and one would think that this prodigious 
 cleft was occasioned by an earthquake, their height on 
 each side is from 40 to 100 feet in the different places; . 
 we saw about half a mile of it, and by its appearance 
 when we stopped, it may continue many miles further.' 
 
 iThis desci-iption of the Au Sable and its delta, is most liappy and 
 eminently accurate. It affords an example of the remarkable decrease 
 in the volume of water now prevailing in the streams of the country, 
 compared with their proportions a century ago. It would be totally 
 impracticable for a boat to ascend the river at this time as described 
 by Gilliland. 
 
 The text contains the earliest notice I have seen, either in manu- 
 script or print, of this wonderful exhibition of the operations of 
 Nature. The eye rarely contemplates a more imposing spectacle than 
 is presented by the passage of the Au Sable through its "walled 
 banks." In the vicinity of Keesville, the river forces its way between 
 lofty embankments of sandstone, and glides gently through alow valley 
 
 15 
 
114 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 Returned to the mouth of this Eiver through the 
 ITorth Branch, to our encamping ground, where we 
 stayed this night, and found the island that is enclosed 
 between those two branches to be an unprofitable 
 drowned swamp. 
 
 Eighth ; set out this morning from Eiver Au Sable, 
 northerly and about a mile to the northward thereof, 
 
 until it rushes over a precipice which forms a cataract of singular beau- 
 ty. It rolls from this point along a rocky bed to the village of 
 Birmingham, where it abruptly leaps into a deep, murky chasm of 
 sixty feet in depth. A bridge with a single abutment resting upon a 
 rock that divides the stream, spans the river at the head of this fall, 
 and greatly adds to the picturesque aspect of the scene. This bridge 
 is usually enveloped in a cloud of mist and spray, and the whole vicin- 
 ity is dank with their moisture. In the winter, the frostwork decorates 
 the rocks and trees with the most fantastic and gorgeous tracery. 
 Here we discern massive columns and arcades, and there icy diamonds 
 and pendants glittering in the sun. In the sunshine, a brilliant rainbow 
 spreads continually its radiant arch across the gulf. The river at 
 this precipice leaps into the embraces of a dark gulf, where for 
 neai-ly a mile it moves along almost concealed from observation. Its 
 impetuous volume now pours along a natural canal, carved out of 
 the rock by the hand of nature, and now it darts wildly down a preci- 
 pice. The wall rises on each side in a perpendicular height from fifty 
 to one hundred and fifty feet, while the width of the chasm rarely ex- 
 ceeds thirty feet, and frequently the opposite walls approach within 
 ten feet to each other. From this main ravine, which embraces the 
 river, lateral fissures are projected through the rock at nearly right 
 angles. The abyss is reached along oneof these crevices, bya stairway 
 of two hundred and twelve steps. These walls are formed of layers 
 of sand stone, constructed with a formation almost as exact as the 
 most artistic masonry. The pine and cedars which spring from the 
 apertures in the rock, spread over the gulf a dark and appropriate 
 canopj'. All these features form a combination that impresses upon 
 the scene an effect inexpressivly wild, picturesque and beautiful. The 
 agency by which this work has been created, is a problem which affords 
 a wide scope for animated but doubtful speculation. 
 
THE CHAM PLAIN VALLEY. 115 
 
 being on the north side of a long point, discovered a 
 considerable creek whicli from the many thousands of 
 ducks we saw there we called Duck Creek ; we pen- 
 etrated it and found that it is made by an overflow of 
 the lake into a large grass swamp which was well cov- 
 ered with good wild grass fit for hay.^ 
 
 The ninth, I traveled about 300 acres up the creek, 
 until I lost it, which was about a mile, here I walked 
 on dry land round its most westerly end and came to 
 the lake on the north side of it, having gone from the 
 lake up the south side. Proceeded, through the woods 
 from Duck Creek about a mile, until I came to a con- 
 siderable creek of still water, which from the number 
 of trees we saw cut by beavers, we call Beaver River, 
 went up this river about half a mile, no appearance of 
 Falls, but hope to discover them before the end of 2 
 miles :^ the land adjoining being richly covered with 
 the best of white and black oak, and white and yellow 
 pine, the land very good from this creek, to the begin- 
 ning of the Sergeants Land, which is about ^ of a mile, 
 and it is valuable to a chain or two south of Duck 
 Creek on account of the great meadow.^ 
 
 iln this paragraph, Mr. Gilliland adopts the French name of this 
 river. The long point mentioned still exists, but largely extended 
 by the accumulation of sand brought down by the current of the Au 
 Sable. The stream remains very much in the condition described by 
 Mr.Gilliland, and is now called Dead Creek. The allusion to "good 
 ■wild grass fit for hay," is another instance of his close and discrimi- 
 nating observation. The grass yielded by this tract is still remarkaUe 
 for the quality of the hay it affords, and its superiority to the common 
 marsh grasses. 
 
 ^Beaver river is now called the Little Au Sable, and is only na- 
 vigable to the point mentioned by Mr. Gilliland during the spring 
 floods. His theory in i-cference to falls was just. 
 
 'Sergeants land: The allotments to the reduced officers were south 
 
116 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 Proceeded from Beaver meadow through the woods 
 to the Sergeant's land which begms at a large white 
 oak tree a few yards from the strand, and is marked 
 A on the east side. From hence proceeded to within 
 about a mile of Cragan River to Doe Run, which is a 
 small stream that empties itself into the lake in a small 
 bay west of the south side of Isle Valcour, and found 
 the land to be very good this far, and from its appear- 
 ance may be good for half a mile further, but begins to 
 be more ordinary witli a mixture of quaking ash, some 
 hemlock and spruce, not much oak, a little or no pine, 
 to a rapid stream that has water enough for a grist mill, 
 this we call Indian brook, and so from thence to Cragan 
 River, which I take to be about the north end of Stew- 
 art's tract ; went up this river about 100 yards to a 10 
 feet falls, by carrying the water 45 yards ; this is a noble 
 situation for a saw mill, as a dam can be made by a few 
 hands in a day. Here is water for two mills and dead 
 water to the foot of the falls.^ 
 
 The pine ridge begins about a mile to the northwest 
 of these falls, which is the next pine to them and it 
 
 of this line, and here evidently begcan the patents to the non-commis- 
 sioned officers, while those of the privates were probably located in a 
 different section. 
 
 ^This Indian brook, is dwarfed into an insignificant run, and 
 shorn of all these qualities of usefulness ascribed to it by Gilliland. 
 
 The Cragan river and elsewhere called in the journal St. Aren- 
 ack, is the modern Salmon river. The privilege is still occupied, al- 
 though the " dead water" beneath the falls is no longer navigable. 
 The property at the mouth of this stream, which Mr. Gilliland named 
 Janesboro, amid all the mutations and disasters which enshrouded 
 the close of his life, seems to have been preserved to the family. It 
 was held by his son and is still the residence of his grandsons Messrs. 
 William and Henry P. Gilliland. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 117 
 
 continues to Savaniac river, and tlie land is ordinary 
 between these, but worst next the last named river. 
 But by its appearance, is good after you are about a 
 mile west from the lake, very pretty pines in this ridge 
 but not large, yet handy saw logs, these nearest the 
 last named river being the best, and there the ridge 
 inclines nearest the lake being on the very bank ; pro- 
 ceeded about two miles up this river, which proved to 
 be much larger than Boquet and rapid from its mouth 
 up ; at about 400 yards from the lake there ia a rift, 
 where the water may be conveniently lifted and by 
 carrying it about 200 yards, will produce a fall of about 
 10 feet, which with 2 feet that may be raised by a 
 small stoney dam will be enough for a mill.' 
 
 The land appears extremely well on the north side 
 of this creek (?) and abounds with choice oak and pine 
 timber, mixed, but notwithstanding but light with a 
 sandy bottom, but still may produce a good hearty crop 
 to the distance of about half a mile north of the river 
 where the land grows worse. But the pinery is much 
 better for half a mile more, when the pinery ends and 
 the land improves.^ 
 
 1 The Savaniac. This is the modern Saranac. The derivation 
 of the name of this valuable and now historical stream is doubtful; 
 until the researches of late years I had attributed it to an Indian ori- 
 gin. The river is called St. Armant on some old French maps. In 
 the Gilliland papers the name St. Aranack appears, but is applied 
 perhaps erroneously to the Salmon river. Has not the French term 
 by a gradual corruption been changed into Saranac, and transposed 
 from the smaller to the more important stream. I find nowhere else 
 the term Saranac applied to this river. This estimate of the vast 
 water power at the mouth of the Saranac is perfectly correct. 
 
 2 This description of the country contiguous to the Saranac is very 
 accurate and appreciative. The word pinery, which evidently re- 
 
118 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 For another half mile, to five chains to the north- 
 eastward of the southwest end of a long sandy beach at 
 the bottom of Cumberland bay, in the whole of this tract 
 at about a mile distance from the lake the land appears 
 to be ver^^good, from thence from 6 to 12 miles back to 
 the mountains being mostly covered with oak, ash, 
 maple, beech, hickory, bass, elm &c. without any mixt- 
 ure of evergreen ; from the end of the said five chains 
 to Cumberland creek, the land and timber is very bad, 
 opposite to it having a fine sandy beach a mile and a 
 half long. Cumberland river is a black dead creek, 
 no appearance of rapid or falls, but a fall could be 
 forced.^ 
 
 On the south side of this creek is a pitch pine marked 
 A, at which Lieut. Lowe's tract begins, and takes in 
 the whole of that Peninsula, which I walked over, 
 and found the land to be deep and rich, no way hilly 
 or broken, the timber chiefly oak and these of the best 
 kind, without evergreens and very little poplar or quak- 
 ing ash except a trifle on its shores, and the situation 
 is most beautiful and he;artsome, projecting near four 
 miles into the lake, though only from one and a quarter 
 to one and a half miles in width ; from the bottom 
 of Cumberland we proceeded homeward on Friday 
 the eleventh of October, and arrived that night, on 
 
 fers to a pine forest, is unknown to our woodcraft. That, like the 
 language " hearty crop, " is a foreign term. 
 
 1 Cumberland river, is most aptly described as a "black dead 
 creek." At its mouth in certain direction of the wind, quicksands dan- 
 gerous and almost unfathomable are frequently formed. The stream 
 is now designated Dead creek. The descriptions of this district are 
 all perfectly faithful. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 119 
 
 our passage viewing the Islands Saint Michael, Yalcour, 
 and Chapou or Schjder Island, all of which we found 
 ordinary, light, rocky, stony land, and ill timbered.^ 
 
 Eeturned home the 18th Oct., and employed my 
 time from now to 31st Oct., in laying out lots, filling 
 leases,^ and settling accounts with the people, and gave 
 the following leases, viz. : 
 
 John Chism, Lot No. 1, containing — acres. 
 
 Robt. McLane, " 2, " " 
 
 Eoht. McAwley, " 4, " " 
 
 John King and G. Hicks, 
 
 George Wilson, " 23, " " 
 
 George Belton, " 24, " " 
 
 William Luckey, " 25, " " 
 
 Mires Dixon, " 26, " " 
 
 Martin Tayler, " 27, " " 
 
 Eliakim Ayers, " 28, " " 
 
 November 4th. This day I gave possession to the 
 lessees (?) Ayers, Taylor, Dixon, Chism, McLane, 
 McAwley, Wilson, Belton, and Luckey. I proceeded 
 to Crown Point, where I engaged prov. for my settle- 
 
 iSt. Michael's island lies in Cumberland bay, was known as Crab 
 island, and subseouently Hospital island, from the circumstance that 
 the wounded of both fleets were landed upon it after the battle of the 
 11th Sep. 181-1. Valcour is the largest island in the lake embraced in 
 the territory of New York, and possesses gieat historical interest. In 
 one of its bays was fought the sanguinary battle between Carlton and 
 Arnold. On the opposite side the fleet of Amherst vanquished the 
 French flotilla and extinguished the last vestige of the domination of 
 France upon Lake Champlain. The theatre of McDonough's victory 
 lies between the northern extremity of Valcour and Cumberland head. 
 
 "^ Filling Leases. This language indicates the system of leasing 
 which Gilliland had adopted in his colony, and which was pursued 
 until subsequent to the Revolution. 
 
120 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 nient until summer next and then continued my journey 
 to New York, where I arrived the 20th November.^ 
 
 7th ISTov., this evening the SBatteaux returned from 
 Crown Point loaded with provisions. 
 
 11th Nov., dispatched 3 Batteaux to Crown Point 
 for some of the provision, and they returned loaded 
 the 14th.2 
 
 17th Nov., began to make a road from Milltown 
 to R. McAwley's barn. 
 
 20th and 21st Nov., Wm. Luckey, and John "Wat- 
 son divided the hay. 
 
 24th Nov., began to clear a road to south itieadow 
 from the lake, and to make a yard for cattle at Wm. 
 Luckey's lot. 
 
 29th Nov., Began to look for the cattle, having sent 
 out 3 men. 
 
 2d Dec, this morning began a snow storm, being 
 found to be the first lying snow, and this day complet- 
 ed the road to McAwley's, which in all took 33 hands 
 for one day. 
 
 3d Dec, began to make a road from McAwley's to 
 Elizabeth bay. Yesterday we got the first part of 
 our cattle, 6 in number. 
 
 iThe journal of proceedings during bis absence is in the writing of 
 Mr. Gilliland, and was probably formed from tbe memoranda of his 
 steward. 
 
 ^This resort to Crown Point for supplies shows it to have been at 
 that period a place of business. The early condition, and extent and 
 character of the settlement at Crown Point is a subject which has 
 stimulated earnestly my antiquarian interests and investigation. I 
 think the evidences quite decisive that it was previous to the Revolu- 
 tion, and especially during the French invasion, a village of considera- 
 ble population, and extended business relations with both Canada 
 and the British colonies. I have disclosed my views on this question 
 in a previous page. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 121 
 
 4th Dec, Excessive cold, the snow deep, McLane, 
 and Ayers began to make shingles at Luckey's. 
 
 7th Dec, McLane and Ayers returned home. 
 
 10th Dec, raised our barn. 
 
 24th Dec, this day the lake opposite Willsboro 
 froze up.^ 
 
 1766, 1st Jan., the severe cold obliged our hands to 
 quit the road this day at Eliz* point and come home. 
 
 2d Jan., from this time to the ISth, employed the 
 men cutting logs, fire wood, &c 
 
 Jan. 15th, sent hands to complete the road to 
 Eliz"' meadow which was effected in two days. Snow 2 
 feet deep. 
 
 17th Jan., sent hands to finish the road to Eliz'' point 
 which was completed by the 24th Jan., which made it 
 clear from the Mills to Eliz^ meadow.^ 
 
 28th Jan., sent 2 men with a team of oxen to Eliz* 
 meadow for hay, and they did not return to 1st Feb- 
 ruary. This was the first hay sent for. 
 
 1st Feb., this day all the cattle were brought to ]Mill- 
 town from Wm. Luckey's. 
 
 2d Feb., sent the cattle to Eliz* meadow, save 2 
 weak cows which kept at home, and 4 oxen to draw 
 fire wood and saw logs. And sent hands to make a 
 yard for the hay and do. for the cattle atEliz'' meadow. 
 
 13th Feb., all the stock of sugar and molasses were 
 quite expended. 
 
 loth Feb., All the 8bbl. pork and 3 carcases of beef 
 
 1 This is mueli earlier tban the average time of the lake's closing by 
 the ice. 
 
 2 These localities called Elizabeth, were at and near the present 
 village of Essex. 
 
 16 
 
122 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 being finished. J. "VV. set out for Crown Point for 
 sweetening which he sent home the 20th. 
 
 27th Feb.,. This day J. W. returned from Crown 
 Point having brought 1 bbh rum, 1 bbL molasses, and 
 Ibbh pork from thence to Sloop island, whence it was 
 brought by a sleigh and pair from C. Point which was 
 obliged to insure at £50. Ayers and King had been 
 for several days absent, some thought they were hunt- 
 ing, others thought they ran off". 
 
 28th Feb., this day Luckey, Hicks and Taylor, — 
 but word being come up that Ayers and King were 
 returned, those 3 went to them. 
 
 1st March, 1763. This morning Ayers, King, Hicks, 
 Luckey, and Taylor, came up to J. W. all armed ; and 
 offering back the goods they had bought and used, 
 and made a charge of 6s per. day and victuals for their 
 labour, insisted on getting their notes up, for that they 
 now determined to quit the settlement, and if he did 
 not comply with this their ofi'er they would take their 
 all with them. He then set oft' privately for Crown 
 Point on March 3d. On the night of the 4th returned 
 with 6 soldiers, lay all night at George Belton's, there 
 he got intelligence that all were gone oft'.^ 
 
 lit is evident from tliis resort to the military arm, that no civil 
 jurisdiction had been extended to this remote settlement. All power 
 seems to have been exercised by Gilliland, and his government was 
 usually almost patriarchal, although we shall meet with some singu- 
 lar exhibitions of arbitrary authority, which however the circumstan- 
 ces probably justified. These difficulties occurred during his absence, 
 by which his influence had become diminished. This J. W. I infer 
 was John Watson, mentioned in the list of immigrants, who was the 
 half brother of Gilliland and was dignified by him with the title of 
 Steward. Mr. Sheldon states that Gilliland, while south, was ap- 
 pointed a mugistrate. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 128 
 
 5tli March. Set out from G. Belton's for Milltown, 
 found G. Hicks' house locked up. At Ayers found 
 all their cattle ready shod, brought all the cattle home 
 and marked them W. G., leaving a guard over Ayers' 
 house least Mrs. Ayers or Mrs. Hicks should run away 
 with intelligence after the fellows, who were but a lit- 
 tle way off.^ 
 
 Made immediate pursuit after the fellows from Ayer's 
 to Bay Perrow f we soon came up with a large chest; 
 about half way from the river to the bay found the ox 
 sleigh well loaded, proceeded on to within ^ mile of 
 the bay, where found Mr. Ayers and George Hicks, 
 returning, after sending the others off ; here discovered 
 Hicks, proceeded to the bay, but could not see any of 
 the others, they made quite off; then returned and 
 brought all the goods home tins night. 
 
 6th, 7th, 8th March, the soldiers being storm-staid, 
 set them to clear the ice from the trough and saw mill. 
 
 9th March, J. W. set out with the soldiers for Crown 
 Point, where he was detained 4 days, during which 
 time he bought from Mr. Benzol the time of David 
 Phleming, and from Capt. Browii's man 2 sows in pig, 
 and was then obliged to pay £5 or =£6 for mending 
 soldiers' guns, which were broke by falling on the ice. 
 
 1 This summai'y procedure in seizing and marking the cattle of these 
 fugitive tenants, wasone of those arbitrary acts which the circumstan- 
 ces appear to have rendered necessary. These measures were the 
 acts of Watson. 
 
 * Bay Perrow. This name, written Perue, designated on all the 
 old maps a deep indentation of the western shore of the lake, which 
 is now known as Willsboro bay. The original name was undoubtedly 
 applied by the French, but I have not been able to trace its meaning 
 or derivation. 
 
124 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 19tli March, J. W. set out from Crown Point for 
 "Willsborongh. 
 
 30tli March, this day river thawed, and the saw mill 
 was set a going. 
 
 12th April, the wood feed^ being good, the cattle 
 betook to it, deserting their hay. 'N. B. : the hay at 
 Eliz" meadow being finished, 24th March, the cattle 
 were then sent to Lackey's yard, where there was 
 some remaining. 
 
 13th April, shot 3 dogs for having torn and abused 
 my large sow. 
 
 14th April, this day sent 3 hands to raise R. McAu- 
 ley's house. 
 
 15th April, sent to Crown Point for prov', and got 
 4 barrels flour, and 5 firkins butter — all condemned. 
 Mr Chism stayed behind; the others ref* the 19th, at 
 this time the run away settlers came for their wives, 
 and our red cow with white face died, ha\ang loss'd 
 an old white cow the 23d March. 
 
 21st April, 1766 : this day Thomas Brady helped G. 
 Belton at his house. 
 
 23d Apr., this day 5 of my hands helped do at do. 
 
 26th Apr., threw out the fishing seine for the first 
 time in 1766, got only 8 suckers. 
 
 29th, J. W. and two other hands went to Crown 
 Point for peas, and ret* May 2d, with 4 bbls condemned, 
 and Wm. Ferris and his wife. 
 
 May 4th, Wm. Ferris began to work at 458 per. mo. 
 and found. 
 
 1 Wood feed. This expression, which I hare nowhere seen before, 
 must be equivalent to the common term browse. The juicy twigs 
 and swollen buds afford a very comfortable sustenance for cattle often 
 at this season. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 125 
 
 May 8tli, sowed the first of our garden seed.^ 
 
 10th May, AVm. Ferris quit our work, being 6| days. 
 
 11th May, set the first of our potatoes. 
 
 19th May, this day J. W. set out for to meet me, 
 which he did at Stillwater, and finding me sick and 
 unable to travel, he returned with Nehemiah Smith, 
 his wife, son and daughter, Arch** McLaughlin, black- 
 smith, Catharine Welsh and Betsey Williams, who 
 all arrived at Willsborough, 4 June. 
 
 10th June, J. Watson set out again for Ticonderoga, 
 where he met me, and returned to Willsborough, the 
 15th, with stores, &c. 
 
 16th June, 1766, this day John McElrea, Israel Dibble 
 and Martin Dudley arrived at Willsborough, the former 
 commenced this day week at X18 "^ ann., and the 2 
 latter this day at 45s '^ mo. 
 
 Sunday, 22d June, about 1 o'clock this day, I Wil- 
 liam Gilliland, with my wife, Mrs. Eliz* Gilliland, my 
 mother Mrs. Jane Gilliland, my sister Miss Charity 
 Gilliland, my brother Mr. James Gilliland,^ my daugh- 
 ter Miss Eliz"- Gilliland, my niece Miss Eliz* Hamilton, 
 my servant girl Rachel McFardin, and my negro man 
 Ireland, all arrived at Milltown, in Willsborough, with 
 2 Bateau loads of stores, having left New York with 
 22 wagon loads of stores, furniture &c. on the 
 
 28th of April last. 
 
 1 The various entries which occur in the Journal in relation to the 
 weather and operations of agriculture, manifest that little or no 
 change in the seasons has taken place for the century which has 
 elapsed since Gilliland's colonization. 
 
 2 James Gilliland became an officer in the American army, and was 
 distinguished for his services, particularly at the seige of Yorktown. 
 
126 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 29th. April, was taken ill on board the Albany sloop. 
 
 3(1 May, arrived at Albany, where I was confined to 
 my room, sometimes to my bed, until Saturday, 
 
 10th May, then set out with the Rev'' Mr Henry of 
 Quebec, and his family; they in one Bateau, we in 
 t'other; they requested the company of our daughter 
 Jane, and Mrs. Henry seeming very desirious for her, 
 and our Batteau being small and heavy loaded, we 
 consented; they were stronger man'd than we, and 
 soon left us behind ; they got to Half Moon i hour 
 before us, and by the unskillfulness of their hands, 
 kept the wrong side of the river, (being the east side) 
 and by endeavoring to get up the river, (being obliged 
 to keep close to the bank) they set the Bateau under 
 a tree, whose top fell into the water, the root still keep- 
 ing its place on the bank, and the strength of the cur- 
 rent pressing on the bow of the Bateau which was 
 next to the shore, turned her almost broadside to the 
 stream, by which means she was forced under the top 
 of the said tree which laid in the water, instantly filled 
 and sunk, all the passengers and cargo being afloat, 
 went adrift, Mr. Henry, his wife, three eldest sons, his 
 2d daughter, and the three Bateau men all saved them- 
 selves by laying hold of the limbs and branches of the 
 tree and by each other, whilst my lovely daughter and 
 Mr. Henrj^'s 2 youngest sons went adrift down with 
 the current; my daughter floated about half a mile, 
 Mr. Henry's youngest, son floated about a mile, who 
 having a scrap of back accidentally under his head, 
 kept on his back above water, so great away that he 
 was taken up by a Canoe's crew, who went in pursuit 
 of them; but Mr. Henry's youngest son but one was 
 
TUE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 127 
 
 drowned, and was taken up five miles below Albany 
 12 days after. 
 
 lltli May, tliis day my daughter was taken up at or 
 close by tlie place she sank. 
 
 12th May, removed her corpse to Coleman's, in 
 Stillwater by his desire and request, who having laid 
 out his family burying ground near his house, our 
 daughter was decently interred there on Tuesday, 
 
 13th May, aged 6 years wanting 12 days, and the 
 wonder of her age for beauty, stature, politeness, dis- 
 cretion, education, propriety of language, sweetness of 
 temper, gracefulness of address, strength of genius and 
 memory, and above all of charity, and every other vir- 
 tue, never having shown the reverse by. either word or 
 action — ever generous and benevolent. Her sudden 
 death struck all her acquaintances with the most seri- 
 ous affliction, was as generally lamented as was her 
 acquaintance extensive. Many who had never seen her, 
 who only knew her character, bewailed her death with 
 tears in their eyes ; how poignant then must have been 
 the loss of so lovely a child to her fond parents, as well 
 as to her grand mother and other relations. But great 
 is our consolation in the steadfast hopes of her having 
 made a happy change, and that through Christ's Right- 
 eousness and mercy, she is now gloryfying her and 
 our God, our Glorious Redeemer in His ever blessed 
 mansions above. 
 
 My illness continuing, detained me at Stillwater 
 with all my family for 16 days, during which time I 
 was bled and blistered several times to remove a dis- 
 order in my eyes, which for a considerable time de- 
 
1 28 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 prived me of sight, whilst Mr. John Watson and John 
 McAuley arrived from Wiilshorough. 
 
 Sent my stores by Watson to Saratoga, and being 
 somewhat recovered, followed them thither with my 
 family, was taken ill there again, and thereby detained 
 us there 5 days, then got a wagon to carry us to Fort 
 George. 
 
 28th May, being Wednesday, staid there 5 days and 
 
 left it Monday, 
 
 2d June, and arrived at fort George on that day, in 
 
 the evn'g. My illness continuing, detained us all at 
 
 fort George for 9 days, from the 2d, to Wednesday, 
 
 11th June, then put all my stores and embarked my- 
 self and family on board of Wm Stoughton's schooner, 
 and having a fair wind arrived this evening at Ticon- 
 deroga landing, where being necessarily detained the 
 
 12th, embarked the next day on board the sloop 
 Musquenunge, and in a passage of If hours arrived 
 at Crown Point on the evening of Friday the 
 
 13th June, then arrived at Crown Point, here my 
 disorders returning, I was confined by my room, often 
 to bed, to Saturday the 
 
 21st June, then left Crown Point and the wind be- 
 ing favorable arrived the evening of this day, pretty 
 late at George Belton's, where we staid all night and 
 the next day being Sunday, 
 
 22d June, proceeded on our journey, and arrived 
 in Milltown, in Willsboro. Mrs. Eliz"' Gilliland my 
 spouse being the first lady of our family that landed 
 
 in Willsborough. 
 
 N. B. Let it be remembered that Samuel Jackson, 
 blacksmith, run away from Willsboro the 10th March, 
 1766. Robert McLane, and George Wilson, quit my 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 129 
 
 employ the 2cl, June, 1766, and went olf, the former 
 enticed away my bound servant maid Mary Craig. 
 She being great with child to him. Whilst at Crown 
 Point I accidentally metwith Wm. Luckey, who I had 
 taken on my warrent for debt and brought him prisoner 
 to "Willsborough (Robt. McAuley, constable,) when 
 after reflecting how much he was in my power he 
 agreed to serve me for the amount of his debt and com- 
 menced in my employ on the — June, 1766, at 45s '^ 
 mo. or £25 "^ annum being — days after I arrived liere.^ 
 
 23d June, from this time I continued in an indifler- 
 ent state of health, sometimes better, sometimes worse 
 to Aug. — Employed my hands, some making a fence 
 round the garden, some going to Crown Point for prov', 
 some enclosing a yard in front of the house, one 'tother 
 side of the trough, making a bum proof &c. &c. to the 
 
 14th July, then sent my men to the meadows to 
 make hay which they accomplished agst. 
 
 iThis singular incident exhibits tlie energy and decision whicli are 
 such marked features in the character of Gilliland, and which enabled 
 him to conduct so succesfully the trying scenes of his colonization. 
 It is of interest, also, as it reveals the arbitrary means by which power 
 was exercised in the remote settlements of the country at that early 
 period. We have seen the steward invoking the military arm for pro- 
 tection from the acts of insubordinate tenants, and making seizure of 
 their cattle without the pretense of any civil process. No political or- 
 ganization existed a hundred years ago on the banks of Lake Cham- 
 plain. There is not the slightest allusion in this journal or elsewhere 
 to the presence of courts or magistrates. Gilliland bore with him a 
 commission as justice of the peace, on his return from the south. No 
 gaol could have then existed at Willsboro. We have no evidence of 
 any authority being exerted in this transaction except force, and such 
 was probably in similar circumstances uniformly exercised. Yet the 
 remedy used was evidently efl'ective and seems to have promoted sub- 
 stantial justice. 
 
 17 
 
130 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 21st Aug., having made in soiitli meadow 20 tramp 
 cocks, and in Eliz* meadow 16 do. All being much 
 larger and better hay than we got last year, for which 
 reason we did not cut any hay in swamp meadow.^ 
 
 Making these 36 cocks employed a man — day, — 
 of which were lossed in the men's coming back and 
 forward on Saturdays and Mondays, the wages amount- 
 ed to <£ 
 
 The liqr. amounted to .... . 
 The sweetning amounted to ... 
 
 The provisions amounted to . 
 The things lost and broken amounted to . 
 
 Total £ 
 
 which makes the hay come at 25s 4Jp ^ cock. 
 
 G. Belton, gets in South meadow, . . . 2^ 
 
 Tramp cocks. 
 
 Mr. McAuley, in do . . . . OJ 
 
 do in Eliz* meadow, ... 4 
 
 Tho. Chism, do at Belton's, . . . OJ 
 
 do at Eliz* meadow, ... 1 
 
 Nehemiah Smith, at South meadow, . . . 0| 
 
 do at Eliz"^ meadow, ... 1 
 
 Wm. Gillilaud, brought from S° meadow , . 7f 
 
 do brought from Eliz* meadow, . 6 
 
 do left for cattle in S" meadow, . . 8^ 
 
 do left in Eliz'' meadow, . . . 4 
 
 in all . , . . 36 
 
 ' This fact illustrates the careful observation of Gilliland, and his 
 conclusions are justified by constant experience. Frequent cutting 
 improves the quality of wild grass, and as I have before remarked, the 
 hay produced from the beaver meadow is vastly superior to that found 
 upon the marshes. 
 
THE CIIAMPLAIN VALLEY. 131 
 
 "Wliat I brouglit home was for the supply of 6 oxen 
 that plowed, &c. in the fall and spring, and for 2 milch 
 cows, and 1 young calf, and 4 oxen all winter. 
 
 What I left in the meadows is to supply 1 large bull ; 
 8 oxen ; 4 yearlings ; 2 young calves, at the meadow, 
 and that in the woods ; 8 milch and dry cows. Being 
 in all Ibull, 12 oxen, 10 cows, 4 yearlings, and4 young 
 calves, the whole of my black or horned cattle at this 
 time. 
 
 28th July, Mr. Dean arrived at Milltown from New 
 York with an order of survey, and a surveyor to survey 
 Grand isle. 
 
 31st July, I embarked with Dean and Mr. Thomp- 
 son, surveyor, and Mr. Geo. Rice, for Grand Isle, 
 where we arrived this evening, stayed there viewing 
 the land (which and the timber are found to be extra 
 good) to Saturday, 
 
 9th Aug., when we all proceeded homeward; on our 
 way we stopped at the river AlamoUie^ which lies about 
 east of the south end cape of Grand Isle; is a very 
 large river, much larger than Otter creek ; went about 
 6 miles up it, no falls or rapids appeared, continued 
 smooth, deep and wide, is well stored with fish, the 
 land on both sides very sandy and bad, much ordinary 
 pine timber. Near the lake the land is very low, looks 
 as if flooded in spring. When my men came home 
 from the meadows, 
 
 1 " River Alamollie." The Lamoille, " It is said to have been dis- 
 covered by Champlain in 1609, and called by him La Mouette, the 
 French for gull, a species of water fowl which are very numerous 
 about the mouth of this stream. In Charlevoix maps of the discoveries 
 in North America, published in 1744, it is called la riviei-e a la Mouelle, 
 probably a mistake of the engraver in not crossing the ts. Thus by 
 
132 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 21st Aug., set them about clearing the whole of 
 Camp island, fencing it, &c. 
 
 30th Aug., Embarked with Mr. Dean, Mr. Watson, 
 and Mr. Rice, and Mr. Thompson for Crown Point, in 
 order to give Mr. Dean, and Mr. Rice, a convoy with 
 my Bateau and to meet Gov. Sir Henry Moore, who 
 is expected about noon at CroAvn Point ; arrived at 
 Crown Point this evening, proceeded 
 
 31st Aug., with them for Ticonderoga ; there they 
 could not get a boat to cross Lake George, therefore I 
 consented to give them a convoy to Ft. George, we ar- 
 rived the 
 
 2d September, there I met with the following Genf 
 Sir Henry Moore, Governor of New York, General 
 Carlton, ^ Governor of Quebec province and Brig'' Gen^ 
 of the district, Philip Schyler Esq.,^Robert HarperEsq., 
 Charles Fredenburg, formerly a Captain, — Carlton 
 Esq., nephew to General Carlton, Mr. John McKesson 
 Atty; the four first gent" undertook this journey in 
 order to fix the bounds betwixt the two provinces of 
 New York and Quebec, by discovering the true lati- 
 tude of 45** north, on which Mr. Harper acted as As- 
 tronomer. Gov"^ Moore immediately gave me an invi- 
 tation to become one at his table, which I accepted, 
 he and Gov"" Carlton accepted my invitation to take 
 their passage in my Bateaux across the lakes, and we 
 all arrived safe at Crown Point on Saturday, 6th Sep., 
 
 the mere carelessness of a French Artist are we indebted for the 
 smooth, melodious sounding name of La Moille." — Thompson s Vt. 
 Gilliland should have reversed his estimate of the comparative magni- 
 tude of these streams. 
 
 I Sir Guy Carlton, and subsequently Lord Dorchester. 
 
 * General Schuyler of the Revolution. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 133 
 
 1766, on which day I forewarned Cha' Fredenbnrgh 
 Esq. agauist trespassing on my lands opposite Isle 
 Valcour, in the presence of both Gov" Mr. Schyler, 
 Mr. Carlton and Mr. Harper.^ 
 
 7th Sep., took an observation by the Sun at Crown 
 Point, (which was afterwards corroborated by a noc- 
 turnal observation) and found it to be Lat^ 44° 1' 20" ; 
 after dinner embarked for home in my Bateau ; the 
 Governors and other gentlemen embarking before din- 
 ner, in the sloop. Overtook them at Button Mould 
 Bay and went aboard the sloop, where dinner being 
 just served up, I dined with them; there being littie 
 or no wind, tarried with them 4 or 5 hours, and then 
 pushed off in my boat for home, where I arrived about 
 one in the morning, found all well. 
 
 9th Sept., mustered up all my men and set out, all 
 being armed for my lower tract opposite Isle Valcour, 
 in order to build a possession house, at the River St. 
 Aranack, (or Cragan river) and to oppose Mr. Fred- 
 enburgh, should he attempt to make encroachments 
 there ;^ arrived there this evening. 
 
 10th Sejjt., this morning set four hands about build- 
 
 1 Fredenburgh occupied at an early day, the site of the present vil- 
 lage of Plattsburgh, and his patent embraced the adjacent territory. 
 A water power on the Saranac still bears the name of Fredenburgh 
 Falls. {See a previous note.) 
 
 2 These proceedings, almost in the presence of the Governor of the 
 Province, again manifests the absence of all legal authority upon the 
 shores of Champlain, and the prevalence of force in the assertion of 
 personal rights. The course of Gilliland seems to have been success- 
 ful, for the location of the patent to Fredenburgh, granted in 1769, 
 passed along the west lines of Stewart &. Friswell's patents and 
 terminated at the foot of Cumberland Head possessions claimed by 
 Gilliland. 
 
134 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 ing the house whilst m3^self with the others, proceeded 
 to the Congress, for settling the Lat'' at Wind Mill 
 Point, having brought 3 shoats, some salmon and a 
 fat calf for the Governors, who thankfully received 
 them, being almost out of fresh provisions ; arrived at 
 the Congress this evening pretty late,^ 
 
 12th Sep., went to Kiver La.Cole, and settled with 
 Eliakim Ayres, George Hicks, John King, Moses 
 Dixon and Martin Taylor, who acknowledge their ac- 
 count, by me exhibited in the presence of their over- 
 seer, Mr. Alvis.^ 
 
 13th Sep., finding the weather continue rainy and 
 cloudy and that there was no liklihood of the latitude 
 being soon determined, and Mrs. Gilliland being past 
 her reckoning, took my leave of the Governor, who 
 promised me his friendship, and that he would visit 
 us on his return, and pushed off for Cragan river 
 where arrived late this night, raised all the men to 
 hang a door on the house, and fasten, which they did, 
 and thereby finished it. 
 
 14th Sep., this morning set out for Willsborough, 
 where arrived in the afternoon, having brought home 
 a birch canoe which we found on Cumberland Head; 
 found all well. 
 
 18th Sep., brought a cock of hay from south meadow, 
 sj* the first this season ; this day G. Belton moved to his 
 "^ house at Cloven Rock. 
 
 1 The above incident manifests Gilliland's acquaintance with the 
 amenities of refined society, as well as the liberality of his character. 
 He uses the term "Congress," in its European acceptation before it 
 had become memorable in its American use. 
 
 2 These men were the fugitive tenants whose violent proceedings 
 we have already noticed. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 135 
 
 20th Sep., this day Sr. Henry Moore, Col. Reicl, 
 Philip Schyler, Robert Harper and Adolphns Benzel 
 Esq's, called and drank tea &c.!\vith ns on their re- 
 turn from Astronomer's Island, having completed their 
 observation to satisfaction, and fixed the line about 3 
 miles to the northward of Wind Mill Point.^ This 
 day George Belton so\^ed his first wheat. 
 
 21st Sep., Jane Willsborough Gilliland, was born 
 this evening between 8 and 9 o'clock; her mother 
 having been about 3 hours ill. Capt. Wharton being 
 then here. (Died at Stillwater, Thursday evening, 4th 
 of Jan. 1798, at ^ after viii o'clock, ^ 31yrs, 3mo. 
 and 14ds. Interpolated by another hand.) 
 
 3d and 4th October, these 2 days sowed and har- 
 rowed our wheat. 
 
 17th Oct., Mess. McAuley sowetl their wheat. 
 
 'This event is recorded in the Colonial History. Governor Moore, 
 in a report to tlie board of plantations, Nov. '66 states : "We fixed 
 the boundary about 2J miles below Wind Mill Point, which is further 
 to the northward than we imagined to find it, from the observations 
 said to have been made there by the French some years ago." This 
 line was undisturbed until its error was ascertained by the mutual 
 commission which established the boundary between the British and 
 American possessions under the treaty of Ghent, when the accuracy 
 of the French survey was determined. The original line, as laid in 
 1766, was restored by the Webster and Ashburton Treaty. These facts 
 illustrate the superiority in talent, skill and science, which marked 
 the action and policy of the French officials in every department upon 
 this continent. It is exemplified throughout our Colonial History. 
 My father brought from Europe a Chart of Lake Champlain, published 
 in 1784, and based upon the French surveys, which embraced the 
 soundings of every portion of the lake, and exhibited the most minute 
 rocks and reefs that imperil navigation, with perfect accuracy. I 
 think that our topographical bureaux now include nothing of the 
 kind. 
 
136 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 2l8t Oct., paid off Jabez Rucld and discharged him. 
 
 23d Oct., Nehemiah Smith sowed his wheat. 
 
 28th Oct., this day N. Smith put up his logs and "W. 
 McAuley arrived. 
 
 15th Oct., George Belton sowed his last wheat.^ 
 
 7th Nov., paid off Isaac Williams and John Smith, 
 who went away. 
 
 11th Nov., John Smith returned to my employ, and 
 to continue at 45s "^ mo., to 1st April next, then to 
 take a farm. 
 
 18th Nov., the navigation of our river from the 
 spring well to Chism's, was this day stop'd by ice. 
 
 22d Nov., this day paid oft' Fran' Galland, who this 
 day went away. 
 
 26th Nov., John McAuley with some hands, went 
 to Canada for wheat ; this day we had the first snow 
 storm, an inch deep. 
 
 28th Nov., Snow all gone. 
 
 30th Nov., snowed all day, with some rain, this open- 
 ed the river. 
 
 1st Dec, Froze hard, the river froze again. 
 
 2d Dec, The saw mill stopped as was the turning 
 mill some days ago, good walking on the ice to the 
 mouth of the river. 
 
 3d Dec, Snow, sent men to collect our cattle and 
 
 iThe culture of wheat was a prominent feature in the Agriculture 
 of Northern New York for many years after its occupation. When 
 roads had been opened subsequent to the Revolution, vast quantities 
 were transported to Southern markets by sleighs. The changes in the 
 soil, and the prevalence of destructive insects, at length entirely ar- 
 rested this culture. Winter wheat has not been restored to our hus- 
 bandry, although spring wheat is now successfully cultivated. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 137 
 
 take them to the meadows. Surveyed the river from 
 the landing to the lake, being assisted by James 
 Thompson. 
 
 9th Dec, The snow 3 inches deep. 
 
 10th Dee., do 4 inches deep. 
 
 11th, to 18th, warm pleasant weather, sent our cattle 
 to the meadows the 17th, inst. 
 
 19th Dec, very cold. 
 
 22d Dec, Thomas Bready went to the meadows and 
 to'^k with him 40 days store of prov', and 1 pot, 3 
 quarts, 3 bottles, 1 trap and chain, 1 bag, 1 tub. 
 
 30th Dec, Our raft of hay was drove on shore last 
 night on the south side of my Bro" point — 2 cocks from 
 Far meadow, went with some hands and got the hay 
 all safe on shore, and one Bateau haul'd up, wrought 
 till 9 in the evening, then came to McAuley's. 
 
 31st Dec, went with more hands and hauled up the 
 other Bateau, sent Ireland and David to the Far meadow 
 for a yoke of oxen for McAuley, they are also to assist 
 Thomas Bready to skin my large white ox with one 
 drooping horn, which was drowned at the far meadow 
 creek a few days ago. 
 
 'N. B. We killed my brindle stag with white face 
 and sharp horns the 10th ]!^ovember, he weighed about 
 900 and produced 6 stone of tallow. 
 
 WillsborT), January, 1st 1767. This day we had a 
 shooting match at John Chism's. I won 2 matches, 
 AIx. James Thompson won 1, and John McEh-ea, won 
 1 match, 
 
 1st, 2d, 3d, very cold weather, this evening Ireland 
 \nd David, came home from the south meadow, were 
 b^th frost bit. 
 
 18 
 
138 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 4th to 12th, warm good weather, built part of our 
 clay chimney in the new kitchen. 
 
 13th, and 14th, soft weather, with a good deal of 
 rain, the river open to foot of the rapids. Killed the calf 
 of the swelled headed cow. Being about 6 weeks old, 
 it weighed SSibs of good veal, which at 6d ^ lb with 
 the tallow of fall and skin came to <£3. 
 
 15th, to 20th, very good working weather and good 
 sleighing, the snow about 6 inches deep, can bring a 
 load of hay every day from Eliz"' meadow, with 4 oxen 
 In the team, this day broke our sleigh in attempting to 
 haul logs with it and set about making a flat log sleigh 
 of the Canadian form. 
 
 21st, clear weather, very cold. 
 
 22d, do. but not so cold, this day the lake froze half 
 across, on the east side it appears open. 
 
 23d, cold weather. 
 
 24th, clear and very pleasant. 
 
 25th, a strong north wind opened the lake, broke 
 the ice in bitts. 
 
 26th, clear warm weather, began to haul logs for 
 sawing. 
 
 27th 28th, 29th. do. 
 
 30th, a snowy day, this night the snow 12 inches deep. 
 
 31st, close warm weather, this day some of our set- 
 tlers went to see James Logan, whether alive or detid, 
 they crossed the lake in a small birch canoe.' 
 
 1 Logan was associated with another German named Pettier, and the 
 first settler of Shelburn, Vt., lying opposite Willsboro. Two points 
 jutting into the lake from the eastern shore perpetuate their respective 
 names. A small colony, engaged in the lumber trade with Canada, 
 had gathered about them previous to the revolution. Mr. Thompson 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 139 
 
 1st Februaiy, 1767, warm weather. 
 
 2d, clear pleasant weather, this clay I went to the 
 near meadow in order to tind its true bearing and dis- 
 tance from the barn, made various courses from the 
 meadow to the barn, keeping on the top of the high 
 bank next the river from the time we got to it 'till op- 
 posite the new garden, then came into the road leading 
 from hence to the lake at a beech tree marked M, and 
 then took the bearing and distance from thence to the 
 barn along the road north 35 W. 10 chains, N. 49 west 
 5 cli. then oS". 34 W. 7 chains to the S. W. corner of 
 the barn, protracted my work and reduced all the dif- 
 ferent courses made from the meadow to the above 
 mentioned beech tree marked (M) to the following 2 
 courses, viz. : beginning at the said tree and running 
 thence. 
 
 3d, clear good weather. 
 ^1 4th, at 3 this afternoon began cold weather, a strong 
 K. wind, put up our coal kiln. 
 
 5th, colder than yesterday, and sharp small snow, 
 lake all frozen.^ 
 
 says, "there is a tradition that Logan and Pettier, were murdered by 
 soldiers (sent from Montreal to protect them against the Indians) to 
 secure the proceeds of a raft, which had been sold by the Germans in 
 Canada." 
 
 1 Lake Champlain is the largest body of water within our national 
 tei'ritory, which is periodically closed by ice, and so firmly as to form 
 a highway for travel and business. The ice not unfrequently attains 
 a thickness from two to three feet and usually continues passable from 
 about 1st February to the 1st of April. The formation of the ice pre- 
 sents singular and beautiful phenomena. One would conjecture that it 
 augments by the accumulation of horizontal laminse or layers. But the 
 process is far different. The ice is constituted by an infinitude of hex- 
 agonal crystals or tubes, wLich form a perpendicular and parallel 
 
140 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 6th, very cold nay colder than yesterday, but clear. 
 
 7th, snowey day, not so cold as the preceding; this 
 evening we compute the snow to be 15 inches deep on 
 a level. 
 
 8th, 9th, close warm weather, covered our coal kill ; 
 this day we had a very thick small soft snow which 
 continued all day. 
 
 10th, snow continued until 4 in the afternoon, then 
 stop'd, we now compute the snow to be 20 inches deep 
 on a level. 
 
 arrangement, similar to the formation of a honeycomb. These crystals 
 unite with perfect exactness forming the mass, and are perfectly indis- 
 tinguishable, whilst the cold produces a compact cohesion of the parti- 
 cles, but when the ice is dissolving in the spring, they become separated 
 and are clearly perceptible. Manipulation can then disintegrate them 
 as readily as if they had been formed by the hand of art, and arranged 
 in their formation. These crystals extend from the surface of the wa- 
 ter to the atmosphere and elongate, maintaining their exact propor- 
 tions, as the ice thickens. It is difficult for philosophy to explain this 
 process of nature. My own impression is that the vapor which arises 
 from the water is conveyed by capillary attraction or other subtle 
 agencies through minute pores in the ice to the cold air, and their 
 congealing regularly extends these crystals in their vertical growth. 
 When the ice has attained adequate thickness its transit is perfectly 
 safe except in crossing the cracks or fissures which form in it. These 
 fissures, which entirely rend asunder the ice, usually extend from one 
 headland to another, and often intersect. Their formation is attended 
 by a noise and concussion like the reverberation of thunder or the pro- 
 longed discharge of the heaviest artillery. The pent up air beneath 
 the ice thus finds ventilation instead of escaping through treacherous 
 air holes. Until the era of rail roads it was a common occurrence for 
 loaded teams to traverse the lake between its extremities, a distance 
 of one hundred and twenty miles. This icy plain often exhibits 
 scenes of animated excitement, when long trains of ladened vehicles 
 glide rapidly over it, while the pleasure-sleigh bounds along its smooth 
 and crystal field, breaking the stillness by the music of the merry 
 bells and joyous merriment. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 141 
 
 11th, a pleasant day, laid the hearth in onr room, 
 this day G. Belton's man came on the ice from home 
 to Chism's Point, good walking. 
 
 12th, delightful weather, the sun warm. 
 
 13th, 14th, do do 
 
 15th, warm, dull weather. 
 
 16th, got our ha}' and the Bateaux brought by oxen 
 across Eliz* Bay to Eliz* Point and hailed up on the 
 bank, went with P. McAuley, to Willson and Good) 
 rich's house in Burton to take an acct. of their effects 
 in tha liandsof their manager Wni. Hulme, which we 
 did, they having broke up their settlement and dis- 
 charged their said Steward. We took 2 sleighs loaded 
 with the most valuable goods to the Messrs. McAuley 's 
 house, the sleighs being drawn by Hulme's men^ 
 
 16th, This day began a survey of the edge of the lake 
 from the eastern extremity of the sandybeach on Pine 
 point to the Cloven Rock, beginning at said extreme 
 point,^ thence 
 
 Courses, C. L. 
 
 No. 1, S. 73° W., 2, 98, 
 
 2, S. 69° W., 3, 22, 
 
 3, S. 60° 30' W., 4, 00, 
 
 1 Willson and Goodricb, occupied in 17G6, a tract north of tho 
 Boquet, of 2000 acres patented to James Ross. They established an 
 agency at Flat Rock Bay, which they called Burton, but abandoned 
 it the next February. — 0. F. Sheldon. 
 
 2 1 have thought it expedient to preserve a record of these surveys 
 upon the ice, on account of the originality of the idea of making such 
 surveys, and from the interest which attaches to it from the data the 
 courses afford for determining any changes in the conformation of 
 the shore which may have occurred during the last century, or which 
 may hereafter be produced. 
 
142 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 Courses C. L. 
 
 1^0. 4, S. 52° 30' W., 4, 00, hereChism's mark- 
 ed pitch pine bears N". 11° 40' W, distance from 
 the edge of the water, Ic. 40l. 
 
 5, S. 45° W., 5, 18. 
 
 6, S. 24° W., 2, 80. 
 
 7, S. 4° 40' E., 1, 23, to the mouth of 
 White creek which is in Chism's lot. 
 
 8, S. 6° 40' E., 5, 76. 
 
 9, S. 7° 50' W., 6, 00. 
 
 10, S. 2° 0' E., 16, 00, here the soulh end 
 of N. Smith's house bears N. 49 W., his mark- 
 ed tree ou the shore, on his S" line bears S. 63*^ 
 W. 
 
 11, S. 6° E., 4, 00, here we took an 
 offset of 50 links east in order to get ou the 
 ice which afforded best marching. 
 
 12, S. 2° E., 18, 00. 
 
 13, S. 17° E., 11, 8, to a dry elm tree 
 standing ou the shore from which the south 
 end of McAuley's house bears i^. 48 "W., here 
 ended our survey for this day and, 
 
 17th, began where we ended yesterday, and 
 proceeded thence along the lake. 
 
 14, S. 18° 30' E., 7, 00, here took an offset 
 of 70 links east to get on the ice. 
 
 15, S. 
 
 11° 
 
 E., 
 
 11, 54. 
 
 16, S. 
 
 48° 
 
 E., 
 
 12, 10. 
 
 17, S. 
 
 21° 15' 
 
 E., 
 
 6, 00. 
 
 18, S. 
 
 5° 
 
 E., 
 
 1, 15. 
 
 19, S. 
 
 39° 
 
 E., 
 
 11, 65. 
 
 20, S. 
 
 4° 30' 
 
 E., 
 
 10, 75. 
 
 21, S. 
 
 6° 
 
 W. 
 
 , 11, 00. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN YALLEY. 143 
 
 Courses. C. L. 
 
 No. 22, S. 4° 40' E., 10, 45. 
 
 23, S. 4° W., 17,80. 
 
 24, S. 2° 30' E., 13, 30. 
 
 25, S. 15° W., 27, 00. 
 
 26, S. 48° W., 3, 47. 
 
 27, South, 2, 69. 
 
 28, S. 33° E., 1, 90, to Elisabetli sandy 
 point. 
 
 29, S. 40° W., 1, 40. 
 
 30, S. 62° W., 10, 00. 
 
 31, S. 40° "W., 9, 80. 
 
 32, S. 50° W., 3, 73, to Ballynanghy 
 creek, 
 
 83, S. 35° 30' E„ 14, 70, across the bay at 
 the south side of Eliz'' point to the east end of 
 Zimmy's point, 6 chs. took an offset west to the 
 shore 3 chs. thence to the point circular. 
 
 34, S. 17° 30' E., 3, 50. 
 
 85, S. 46° W., 8, 26. 
 
 36, S. 18° W., 3, 90. 
 
 37, S. 44° 30' E., 14, 6, at 3 chs. offset to 
 the shore Ic. 15l. 
 
 88, S. 40° W., 5, 80, at 5 chs offset to the 
 shore Ic. Ol. 
 
 39, S. 20° 30' W., 11, 25, at 7 chs. offset to the 
 shore Ic. 20l. at 14 chs. came to point at end 
 of this course. 
 
 40, S. 30° W., 22, 27, at 3 chs. offset to the 
 Cows leap, 1 ch. being a corner at 17 chains, 
 offset 1 ch. 
 
 41, South, 6, 25. 
 
144 PIONEER HISTORY OP 
 
 Courses. C. L. 
 
 No. 42, S. 22° 30' W., 6, 45. 
 
 43, S. 6° E., 6, 53. 
 
 44, S, 5° W., 12, 87. 
 
 45, S, 5° W., 8, 97. 
 
 46, S. 21° E., 10, 90. 
 
 47, S. 35° E., 12, 63. 
 
 48, S. 65° W., 3. 
 
 49, S. 11° E., 4. 
 
 50, S. 6° W., 4. 
 
 51, S. 25° 30' W., 11, 51. 
 
 52, S. 17° 30' W., 33. 
 
 53, S. 27° W., 9, 48. 
 
 54, S. 2° 30' W., 16. 
 
 55, S. 29° W., 14, at 11 chs. to 14 chs. 
 50 Iks. to the shore. 
 
 56, S. 24° E., 9, 24, at 2 chs. to 6i, 50 
 Iks. to do here the creek at G. Beltoii's. 
 
 57,8.49° E., 13,75, at 4 chs. the east cor- 
 ner of Belton's house bears S. 24 W. 
 
 58, S. 38° 30' E., 10. 
 
 59, S. 51° E., 7, 37, to the line tree be- 
 tween mine and Dr. Judd's lots, being marked 
 H. W. and standing on the shore. 
 
 60, N. 87° E., 78,64, to the Cloven Eock 
 to the N. E. side thereof, at 18 chs. on this 
 course, took an offset to the shore of 7 chs. 
 South to the rock marked A, and the bay cir- 
 cular almost to the Cloven Rock. 
 
 18th Feb., this morning observed the bearing of Lo- 
 gan's pointfrom G. Belton's and found it to be N. 38° 
 E. — then R. McAuleys, W. McAulejs, and G. Belton 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 145 
 
 went with me on a straight line, over the ice to Logan's ; 
 at the west end of Logan's point took an observation 
 of the bearing of McAuley's house which found to be 
 S. 75° W. on which course chained across and found 
 the distance to be 355| chains, from McAuley's door 
 to the end of Pine Sandy point, or rather the east end 
 of the easternmost log lying on S** point, and found it 
 to be N. 11° E. Distance, on that line (which we chain- 
 ed) 71 chains. 
 
 18th, this day our people were girdling trees on 
 Camp Island. 
 
 19th, this day I came home ; the weather has been 
 rather sharp these 3 days, this however was the warm- 
 est, though a strong wind, but it was southerly. 
 
 The 17th, inst. I bought a large sow from Mr. Hulme 
 for 26s. She took my large boar the 30th Jan. 
 
 20th, a warm south wind produces a great thaw (to- 
 gether with a little rain) the snow was reduced to about 
 a foot or less. 
 
 21st, last night it began to freeze, and this day it 
 froze very hard, with a cold north wind ; yesterday we 
 broke the tongue of our log sleigh, and this day pro- 
 cured another one which is this evening almost made. 
 Find our coal kiln not | burnt, owing we suppose to 
 the want of sod in covering it, the sods we put on being 
 only lumps of sandy loam frozen, which when thawed 
 run down between the billets of wood and choked the 
 kiln. 
 
 22d, moderate weather. 
 
 23d, Ditto, from this day to 1st March, were employ- 
 ed in cutting fencing stuff, and white oak, black birch, 
 19 
 
146 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 elm, beech, maple, and ash, for sawing, being the best 
 season for cutting timber for last. 
 
 24th, set out for Great Sandy Point in order to sur- 
 vey from thence to the north end of John Friswell's 
 patent ; arrived at the the south end of high sandy cliffs 
 at dark where we encamped and had a cold uncomfort- 
 able night's lodging on the snow, fire wood being scarce 
 there.' 
 
 25th, a warm pleasant day, proceeded to the south 
 branch of Au Sable river, at the south side whereof be- 
 gan to survey northerly along Lake Champlain. 
 
 Courses. C. L. 
 
 No. 1, K 10° 30' E., 12, the mouth of the 
 
 river 6 chs. broad course from the lake N. 77° 
 W. for about I mile, 
 
 2, K 41° E., 42, 
 
 3, K 46° 30' E., 19, to the east end of a 
 long sandy point on the S. side of the W. branch 
 of R. Au Sable, the whole of this dis. being 
 sand, from the end of this course or branch 
 bears N. 80 west, about 30 chs. then it's about 
 N. W. 
 
 4, N. 23° W., 4, to the north shore 
 of the north branch, whose entrance is only 
 about ^ chain wide being choked by a sand 
 bank projecting from the S" shore, from the 
 end of this course and the long sandy point 
 being the north side of that branch mouth 
 bears N. 38° E. distance 9 chains. 
 
 ' This point is Au Sable point, at the mouth of Au Sable river, which, 
 with the cliff, he has noticed in a previous description, 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 147 
 
 WlLLSBOROUGH, FeB., 1767. 
 C. L. 
 
 No. 5, N". 9° 30' W., 6. 
 
 6, K 6° E., 9. 
 
 7, N". 35° E., 7, to tlie east of Great 
 Sandy Point. 
 
 8, K 88° W., 20. 
 
 9, K. 65° 30' W., 20. 
 
 10, K 61° W., 13, to the N. side of the 
 entrance of Duck Creek, at 5ch. in the S. side 
 thereof. 
 
 11, N. 9° W., 7. 
 
 12, K 42° W., 10. 
 
 13, N. 17° 30' W., 10. 
 
 14, N. 34° W., 9. 
 
 15, K 16° W., 13, 10, at 4c IOl in the north 
 side of Beaver River which is Ic broad, the 
 large black oak tree, marked A on the east 
 side (by Palmer) bears W. from the end of 
 this course dis't 2 chains, it stands on the ridge 
 or bank of the lake. 
 
 16, K 16° W., 3, 90. 
 
 17, N. 20° E., 6. 
 
 18, N. 7° E., 25. 
 
 19, K 3° 30' E., 8. 
 
 20, N. 3° W., 12. 
 
 21, N. 4° E., 6. 
 
 22, K 20° E., 26. 
 
 23, N. 7° E., 19. 
 
 24, K 14° E., 14. 
 
 25, N. 23° W., 6, 40. At 2 chains came to 
 Peter Stewart's S. E. corner, where stands a 
 
148 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 large white cedar tree marked f from which 
 the south end of Valcour bears N. 81° 30' E., 
 and the north end of same bears IN". 20° E. the 
 south end of a small island, bears S. 82° E., 
 the south end of G. Isle, bears S. 85° E. 
 
 Course. Distance. 
 
 Kg. 26, K 12° 30' E., 8, 90. 
 
 27, N. 47° W., 7, a round bay here, 2| 
 chains shore, at4|ch, l|ch; offset, to y° shore. 
 
 28, K 18° 30' E., 4. 
 
 29, K 47° 30' E., 17, to a point. 
 
 30, K 27° 30' E., 2, to do. along the shore. 
 
 31, K 2° "W., 24, to do., near theK end 
 of this course, a bite Ich offset. 
 
 32, K 20° W., 6. 
 
 33, N. 1° E., 4. 
 
 34, K 5° W., 4. 
 
 35, K 34° W., 10, from 4 to 10, a cove 
 IJch deep. 
 
 • 36, K 46° 40' W., 2. 
 
 37, N. 68° W., 11, here is a bay fch. offset. 
 
 38, K 17° W., 12. 
 
 39, S. 83° 30' W., 2. 
 
 40, N. 20° W., 13, at 6ch. a smart stream, 
 at 7ch. a point. 
 
 41, N. 2° W., 13. 
 
 42, K 6° E., 8. 
 
 43, N. 49° E., 101 to a stoney point at 
 the north side of the River Salmon, opposite 
 to 7ch stands the house, (the possession here 
 formerly mentioned), at 8 the river, at 10 the 
 channel or entrance thereof N B. : from this 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 149 
 
 house the S. "W. end Valconr bears S. 33° east, 
 the north end of do. K 73° E. 
 25th Feb., a close, dark, warm day; in the fore- 
 noon windy, in the afternoon some rain; it thawed 
 fast ; proceeded on the survey northerly. 
 
 Course. Distance. 
 
 No. 44, K 46° 30' E., 9. 
 45, N. 12° E., 5. 
 
 46, N. 6° 
 
 30' 
 
 W., 
 
 7. 
 
 47, N. 3° 
 
 
 E., 
 
 o 
 
 48, K 48° 
 
 30' 
 
 K, 
 
 2. 
 
 49, K 2° 
 
 
 E., 
 
 1, 
 
 50, I^. 60° 
 
 
 W., 
 
 5, 
 
 deep. 
 
 
 
 
 51, K 17° 
 
 
 E., 
 
 5. 
 
 52, N. 40° 
 
 30' 
 
 E., 
 
 4. 
 
 53, K 62° 
 
 30' 
 
 'E., 
 
 T, 
 
 ^ch. deep. 
 
 
 
 54, K 78° 
 
 
 E., 
 
 15. 
 
 55, K 46° 
 
 
 E., 
 
 10. 
 
 56, N. 24° 
 
 
 E., 
 
 6. 
 
 57, K 11° 
 
 
 E., 
 
 11. 
 
 58, K 52° 
 
 
 E., 
 
 11. 
 
 59, N. 34° 
 
 
 K, 
 
 8. 
 
 60, IST. 25° 
 
 
 E., 
 
 10. 
 
 61, N. 3° 
 
 
 E., 
 
 2. 
 
 62, N. 12° 
 
 
 W., 
 
 3. 
 
 63, N. 34° 
 
 
 W., 
 
 3. 
 
 64, K 46° 
 
 30' 
 
 'W., 
 
 5. 
 
 65, N. 68° 
 
 
 W., 
 
 1. 
 
 66, N. 40° 
 
 
 W., 
 
 1. 
 
 67, N. 15° 
 
 
 W., 
 
 1. 
 
 50. 
 
 here is a bay, l|ch. 
 
 in this course is a bay 
 
150 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 Course. Distance. 
 
 No. 68, N. 4° E., 5, by the fluctuation of the 
 needle, I judge there is iron ore near. 
 
 69, K 16° 
 
 E., 
 
 5. 
 
 70, K 2° 
 
 E.. 
 
 3. 
 
 71, K. 21° 
 
 W., 
 
 2. 
 
 72, N. 19° 
 
 W., 
 
 5. 
 
 73, N". 3° 
 
 W., 
 
 2. 
 
 74, N. 28° 
 
 E., 
 
 2, 90, 
 
 75, K 6° 
 
 E., 
 
 11, 35, 
 
 the next course to this 
 is N. 83° "W"., but the ice being covered with 
 water we proceeded no further; supposed the 
 dis* on this course to be about 8ch. to S. end 
 of the bay. The 1st considerable point from 
 the end of course, K 75° bears K 8° W. ; the 
 2d point bears north, the 3d point K. 2° E. 
 being the point this side of FredenboUrgh, I 
 think the S. east end of Cumberland Head 
 bears K 52° 30' E., the K W. end Island St. 
 Michael bears N. 58° E., south end of Island 
 St. Michael N. 77° E., south end of Grand Isle 
 S. 55° E. 
 Returned this night to Hulme's, where I stayed all 
 night. 
 
 27th Feb., I came home this morning, this day my 
 ^eiO heifer calved, moderate warm weather, thaws fast. 
 28th, the cattle were all brought home, having fin- 
 ished the hay in the far meadows. 
 
 Memorandum, that in December last, Mr. James 
 Thompson deputy surveyor, and I performed a survey 
 of part of the River Boquet, beginning at the head of 
 Milltown Falls, 32 links distant from the edge of the 
 river. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 151 
 
 Course. Distance. 
 
 No, 1, N. 23° W., 4, ch. from here the edge of o^i 
 the river 94 links distant. 
 
 2, K. 35° 50' W., 5, 93, to the rock behind the 
 forge, from the little house, the edge of the R. 
 up the falls, bears S. 26° 20' E. 
 
 3, K 12° 30' E., 3. 
 
 4, to the west side of 
 
 4. 
 
 2. 
 7. 
 6. 
 
 5, 50, at |ch. offset, H'h. to 
 the bank, and continued to 3ch., then close to 
 the bank to the end of Camp Island. 
 
 10, S. 42° 30' W., 4, to the south bank of 
 the river. 
 
 11, S. 83° E., 2, 60. 
 
 12, S. 40° 20' E., 5, 70. 
 
 13, N. 82° E., 2, 25, here the button wood 
 tree bore iN". 8° 10' E., then began in the mid- 
 dle of the river, 90 links W. of s** button wood 
 tree on the north shore, and 80 links from the 
 south shore. 
 
 14, :N'. 85° 30' E., 12, at 5ch. breadth of the 
 river, 3ch. being at our best spring, at 8ch. K. 
 Ich. 85 links. 
 
 4, 
 
 ,K 
 
 29° 
 
 30' 
 
 W., 
 
 
 Camp 
 
 Island. 
 
 5, 
 
 N. 
 
 21° 
 
 
 E., 
 
 6, 
 
 K. 
 
 70° 
 
 40' 
 
 E., 
 
 7, 
 
 IsT. 
 
 82° 
 
 
 E., 
 
 8, 
 
 S. 
 
 51° 
 
 30' 
 
 E., 
 
 9, 
 
 S. 
 
 47° 
 
 30' 
 
 E., 
 
 15, S, 
 
 4° 30' E., 
 
 1- 
 
 
 16, S. 
 
 70° E., 
 
 5- 
 
 
 17, S. 
 
 46° 30' E., 
 
 5- 
 
 
 18, S. 
 
 26° 30' E., 
 
 12, 
 
 the first 7chs. near the 
 
152 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 bank, the last 5cli. 50 links from the hank, at 
 11° 50' a little sandy point at 5ch., the river 
 3ch. 40 links. 
 
 19, S. 44° E., 9, here the south hank 
 1 ch. dist. at 3 chs. the hank 10 links off, at 5 
 chs. the bank 40 links off. 
 
 20, S. 26° 70' E., 10, at 4chs. the hank 5l 
 off, at 6 chs. the S" end of half way island 90 
 links off and the south bank 20 links, here 
 stood across the Island, its breadth 2 chs. | ch. 
 from this line to the bank of the Island. 
 
 21, S. 39° E., 9, atTchs. 60 Iks. stood 
 across the river K 60 E. the N. E. end of the 
 Island at Ich. the north bank of the river at 4 
 chs. 20 links. 
 
 22, S. 24° E., 11, at 2 chs. the bank dis- 
 tant 10 links, at 5 chs. the same dist. at 7 chs. 
 the hank 20 links, here took the breadth of the 
 R. K 6Q E. 4c. 20l. 
 
 23, 8. 32° E., 13, 88, to John Chism', N. 
 "W. corner tree. 
 
 do S. 32° E., 17, 60, here came to the 
 bank, and here took the breadth of the river 
 K 41, E. 5c. 75l. 
 
 24, S. 75° 30' E., 18, at 3chs. 30 links from 
 the bank : at 13 chs. 10 links from the bank ; 
 at 17 chs. 20 links from the bank ; at 18 chs. 
 took the breadth of the river N. 33 E., 4 chs. 
 6 links. 
 
 25, S. 57° 25' E., 11, here kept 20 links 
 from the bank at 8J chs., chained along the 
 
THE CnAMPLAlN VALLEY. lOo 
 
 shore, and here we took the breadth of the 
 river N. 11° E., 5 chs. 75 Iks. 
 
 26, S. 79° 20' E., 4, at 3 chs. a pitch pine 
 tree at the E. end of Chism's house, bears S. 9 
 W. 90 links from the waters edge. 
 
 27, ¥. 63° 30' E., 1, 20, to the bottom of the 
 little bay near Chism's, 
 
 28, 1^. 47° 30' W., 1. 
 29,K14° E., 1. 
 
 30, K 81° 30' E., 2,40, L. 
 
 31, S. 45° F., 9. 
 
 32, S. 36° E., 9, to the end of Pine 
 point or Chism's point. 
 
 March, 1st, soft thawing weather. 
 
 2d, do. killed 2 sows, this afternoon Wm. Bogert of 
 Albany left 7 hhds. of rum with me not being able to 
 proceed down the lake, the ice being bad. 
 
 3d, a snow stornijthaw continues; wrote by Mr. Mc- 
 Kay, to Thos. Shipboy, Isaac Mann, Mr. Todd, wheel- 
 wright, &c. 
 
 4th, frosty morning, sent to the meadows for hay, 
 Mr. Dean, arrived here and agreed to become a settler 
 on the lot of land I formerly granted to "Wm. Luckey, 
 to Avhicli Luckey has consented and I have agreed. 
 
 5th, drew our coal kill, the weather warm and clear. 
 
 6th, Ditto. 
 
 7th, executed leases for Mr. Dean, and let him and 
 Luckey have sundrys for their settlement on their farm, 
 the snow almost oft' the ground, especially where it has 
 been cleared, the sun having much power, our wheat 
 appears well, only the tops of the blades are Avithcred. 
 
 8th, went on the river ice to the lake, slopy walking 
 20 
 
154 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 the sun thawing fast, went to McAuley's and stayed 
 all night. 
 
 9th, all hands went to make a yard for our hay, on 
 my own lot on Eliz" point, where we determined to 
 bring all the hay remaining atEliz* meadow, and there 
 to feed our dry cattle, here I have agi'eed with Thos. 
 Burke to clear twenty acres of land for, 
 
 10th, engaged George Reynold for — month at £16 
 '^ ann. and John Davi for — months at <£10 "^ ann. 
 This was a pleasant warm day, sent over cattle to Eliz* 
 point; yesterday during our absence George Hick's 
 cow having gone into the ox stable was killed by one 
 of the oxen. 
 
 11th, a bitter cold day, freezes hard. 
 
 March, 11th, this day I made a survey of the south 
 shore of Encamping island, beginning at the north east 
 corner thereof. 
 
 Ko. 1, S. 46° W., 1, 80, to a small gut be- 
 tween Corp island and a small island. 
 
 2, K 5° W., 7, 50, at 4, 50 a gully on 
 
 Camp island. 
 
 3, N. 31° W., 2, 40, to another gully, at 
 
 40l. the E. end of a small island. 
 
 4, N. 71° W., 1, 40. 
 
 5, S. 71° W., 7, to S. W. end of the 
 
 Island, at 6 chs. the mouth of the creek 2c. 20l. 
 S" to the Tail run. 
 Having a curiosity to know the quantity of land cul- 
 tivated and now in fence on the Island, began at the 
 
 S. W. post of the gate, there. 
 i^o. 1, K 9^ W., 2. 
 
 2, N. 1^ E., 1, 45. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 155 
 
 3, K 53° 30' E., 1, 23. 
 
 Ko. 4, S. 71° E., 1. 
 
 5, N. 70° E., 1, 70, the E. end of small 
 Island bears K 38° E. W. end N. 42 W. 
 
 6, K 84° E., 3, 70. 
 
 7, S. 58° 30' E., 4, here the R. Ic. 50l. 
 broad. 
 
 8, S. 33° E., 1, 90. 
 
 9, S. 45° 30' E., 1, 60, here the R. 2c. 50l. 
 wide. 
 
 10, S. 70° 30' K, 2. 
 
 11, S. 47 W., 1, 90, here the creek Ic. 
 50l. broad. 
 
 12, K 76 W., 1, 70. 
 
 13, K 38 W., 1, 80, to a gully, here the 
 creek 2c. 50l. broad. 
 
 14, K 50 W., 1, 70, here the creek 4 
 chains, across the small Island. 
 
 15, S. 72 W., 4, here do 3 chs. 
 
 16, S. 83 W., 2, 45, to the place of be- 
 ginning.^ 
 
 March, 12, a very cold day, as cold as at ISTew year's 
 day. Messrs. McCracken, Rice, and Price, this day 
 arrived from Montreal, on their journey for New York. 
 
 13th, almost as cold as j'esterday and small snow, 
 conveyed the above gen" to Eliz" point, where I have 
 two men clearing land. 
 
 ' Instead of regarding these minute surveys by Gilliland as frivolous 
 occupations, I take pleasure in recording them, as furnishing evidence 
 of active and industrious habits, and the careful research and observa- 
 tion of his mind. He thus relieved the tedium of an unoccupied sea- 
 son, improved his practical skill as a surveyor, and made himself fa- 
 miliar with his possessions. 
 
156 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 14th, very cold clear weather. This day Mr. John 
 
 McAuley acted as Vendue master in the sale of the 
 
 carcass, hide and tallow of George Ilicks' cow which 
 was accidently killed by an ox in the ox stall a few 
 days ago, the sale was as follows, viz.: 
 
 John Chism, 1 fore quarter of beef, X 5 
 
 I^ehemah Smith, 1 hind quarter at 12 3 
 
 and 1 fore quarter at 5 3 
 William Gilliland Esq. 1 hind quarter 
 
 sold at 10 3 
 
 and 1 cow and 1 calf skin at 7 3 
 
 1 head and tallow at 2 3 
 
 £2 2 3 
 
 Vendue Master charges viz.: adver- 
 tize the day of sale the three most publick 
 places in Willsborough, & 5 
 
 Commission on sale at 5 '^ cent, 2 
 
 £71 
 
 Net proceds to be paid to William 
 Gilliland at Willsborough, for account of 
 George Hicks, £1 15 2 
 
 This was a very cold clear day. 
 
 March, 15th, Guy (?) weather, begins to thaw. 
 
 16th, do do this day John 
 
 Smith joined Burke, in clearing the 20 acres of land at 
 Eliz'' point, also five acres onthe hermitage, being the 
 name given by my mother to her lot ; this afternoon 
 we had some thunder, and at night much rain.^ 
 
 17th, a kind of sleet or snowey light rain, a dark 
 warm thawing day. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 157 
 
 17th, this day the following cattle distrained for rent 
 were sold at puhlic auction hj me John McAuley, 
 Vendue master, hy order of William Gilliland ; the 
 day of sale beingpuhlic, advertised previous to it, viz. : 
 One red cow and her bull calf, the prop- 
 erty of JNIartin Taylor. ^676 
 One brindle ox, blind of one eye, the prop- 
 erty of Martin Taylor. 3 15 
 
 Charges viz. 
 
 
 
 <£10 2 6 
 
 To Yon Chism, G. Belton 
 
 
 
 
 sworn app. £ 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 To three advertizements, 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 Commission on sale, 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 <£ 10 6 
 
 N"eat proceeds. 
 
 
 
 <£ 9 12 6 
 
 1 black and white ox, the 
 
 
 property of Eliakim E. 
 
 
 
 
 Ayers, 
 
 
 
 4, 15. 
 
 Charges viz. 
 
 
 
 
 To Chism and Belton town 
 
 
 
 
 apprisers, £ 
 
 
 
 2 
 
 
 To 3 advertizements, 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 Commission on salt. 
 
 
 
 3 101 
 
 £ 3 lOi 
 
 N"eat proceeds.^ 
 
 
 
 <£ 4 6 11 
 
 17th March, laid out a piece of land on my mother's 
 lot to be cleared by Jno. Smith and Thos. Burke, be- 
 ginning at K. Smith's marked tree, on the bank of 
 the lake, and thence west along his S. line 5 chains, 
 
 1 This record is entered in the Town Book in the writing of the 
 vendue master. 
 
158 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 t"hen soutli 10 chains, then east 6 chains 35 links to the 
 bank containing 
 
 Run along 'N. Smith's south line, from the bank of 
 the lake to the road, distance 20 chains. 
 
 18th March. Run the line between Robt. McAuley 
 and John McAuley, and marked the trees back for 
 about I of a mile to a very large white oak, the land 
 extra good and well timbered. 
 
 This day James Logan came across the lake on the 
 ice to acquaint me of his having on .the 16th, arrived 
 from Canada with a horse and mare, to know which I 
 chose, and for one of my people to bring mine over. 
 I chose the mare, and Robt. McAuley went over this 
 afternoon after her, and on 
 
 19th, this forenoon he came with the mare, and Mr. 
 Logan on his horse.' Yesterday and to-day we had 
 pleasant weather, fine sleighing across the lake ; this 
 afternoon we went down the river and round Chism's 
 point to R. McAuley 's on the ice. This day the Mr. 
 McAuleys begun to draw logs for themselves to the saw 
 mill, and this day Smith and Burke began to clear on 
 my mother's lot. 
 
 20th, a warm pleasant day. 
 
 21st, a close thick snow this morning, it aj^peared 
 to have fell 2 inches last night. About sun setting, 
 James Logan set out from Eliz* sandy point, with 
 his horse and a sleigh load of hay, to go home over 
 the ice; he got safe to within about | a mile of his 
 house, when his horse fell into a wide crack and was 
 drowned; Logan returned to McAuleys; the latter 
 
 1 Tradition states that this was the first horse introduced into Gilli- 
 land's Colony. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 159 
 
 part of this day was constant sleet and rain, the wind 
 southerly, the forenoon being a wet snow. 
 
 22d, the wind about S. W., continued rain last night 
 to 10 o'clock this day; very sloppy and bad walking; 
 Logan durst not venture to cross the lake, the snow 
 and water concealing the most dangerous places. 
 
 23d, began to freeze a little at 10 last night, and 
 continued to this morning, when a slender crust dried 
 the snow a little. Logan ventured across the lake, 
 and in all appearance got home safe; this is a soft, 
 thawing day ; the McAuleys haul home 9 logs how- 
 ever, from the white pinery. 
 
 23d, this day agreed with John Smith and Thos. 
 Burke to clear the remainder of the front of my moth- 
 er's lot, to R. McAuley's line, 5 chains deep from the 
 bank of the lake. 
 
 24th, this evening my large young red ox with a 
 white face, died at Belton's; on opening him it ap- 
 peared he had been hurt at the S° meadow by two of 
 the cattle that attacked him (one bein^Martin Taylor's 
 ox) and this occasioned his death; the weather warm. 
 
 25th, this afternoon ended with a thick heavy fall of 
 snow. 
 
 26th, last night my black sow pig'd out of doors, 
 and though it froze pretty keen, her seven young ones 
 were found all well this morning, this was a very pleas- 
 ant clear day and not cold, the maple trees run fast 
 the middle of tlie day. 
 
 27th, a tine moderate day, Logan crossed the lake 
 this mornin<y and went home in the afternoon, havino; 
 gotG. McAule3'to assist him to get his mare out of the 
 lake and the skin taken off her, the ice pretty good. 
 
160 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 Farrell of Stillwater, returiied home a few days ago 
 say 25th, on the ice. 
 
 28th, iiue, clear, pleasant weather; froze smartly last 
 night. 
 
 29th, a soft day with sleet and rain, and some snow. 
 
 30th, a bright, warm day. 
 
 31st, the sun very hot, froze none last night; this 
 day rode my mare on the river to the lake, the ice good 
 on both river and lake; this day began to run the line 
 round some lots, beginning at l!f. Smith's north line, 
 at a hemlock tree, near high Avater mark, at the lake, 
 then west 120 chs. to Smith's N. W. corner, where 
 marked a white ash and maple, IST. S, No. 2; from be- 
 ginning to 6ch., ordinary sandy kind, with brush of 
 hemlock &c., from 5 to 20ch, land flat and good, 
 Smith's a little rising to the southward; from 20 to 
 28, a ridge on this line, at 28 begins flat land; 34ch. 
 the road; at43ch. a small creek, which is white creek; 
 from 28 to 49, fine, flat,rich land; 49 to 50, a small 
 rise; at 52ch,, a spring in Smitli's land runs north- 
 ward; 52 to 76 "choice land, some swamp included; 
 at 76, is 7 pine trees, and for 2 or 3ch. the land light 
 and dry; 78 to 81, ash swamp; 81 to 87, fine, rich, 
 level land; 87 to 100, flat, rich land, rather wet; 100 a 
 swamp spring; at 100, begins dry land, light soil; 112, 
 inclining to swamp to 118, thence to 120 is dry land; 
 then run south 18ch. 
 
 At 3ch. came to Batchelor's creek, whose course is 
 S. E., 14 to 18 dry land, not extra'; at 18 marked K 
 S., S. W. corner on 2 beech saplings, then run on east 
 line to the lake, in which the land seems rich, flat, and 
 
 1 This name was applied to tins stream, from tlie McAuley's two 
 bachelor brothers who resided on its banks. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 161 
 
 well timbered with oak, ash, hickory, bass, beech and 
 maple, no evergreen being on the lot, only about a 
 dozen pines, 
 
 April, 1. the ice on the lake looked very black yes- 
 terday evening, and not having froze last night, and 
 the wind blowing fresh southerly, the f of the ice ap- 
 peared to be sunk this morning when we arose about 
 6 o'clock, and the wind continuing high and keeping- 
 southerly, and having some rain the lake appeared to 
 be all open excepting in the bays ; on our return from 
 the woods at 3 this afternoon, and in the woods the 
 creeks were very high, and in the swamps the ice very 
 
 rotten.^ 
 
 1st April, this morning continued to run lines, be- 
 ginning at Mrs. Jane Gilliland's south or R. McAuley's 
 north line, at high water mark, and on the bank 
 marked a poplar tree on the IST. W. side J G, No. 3, 
 and on the S. W. side, R M, 'No. 4, then run west 120 
 chains; at 20ch., the top of the hill side; 32 to 36, a 
 
 ^ " The sinking of the ice" is a popular fancy, which, of course, has 
 no foundation. The sudden disintegration or dissolving of the ice 
 sometimes produces its almost instantaneous disappearance. Its break- 
 ing up presents a striking and interesting scene The presages of 
 this event are readily recognized. The progress of decay is indicated 
 by marked and peculiar exhibitions. The ordinary transparent and 
 glittering clearness of the ice is changed to a dark and clouded aspect. 
 This is succeeded by a soft and ,snowy coloring, produced by the 
 moisture leaving the surface. The mass of ice next becomes porous 
 and charged with water, and sinks to the level of the surface. In 
 this phase its appearance is black and portentous, and excites while 
 we contemplate it a feeling of deep awe and dread. The fissures now 
 open and expand. The ice separates generally into large fields, and 
 driven by the wind is broken up and often piled in huge masses upon 
 the shores ; it remains long in the spring a monument of the past em- 
 pire of winter. 
 
 21 
 
162 PIONEER HISTORY OF * 
 
 wet swamp at which White creek begins, I think; 36 
 to 45, rich level land; 45 to 50, appears somewhat 
 stony; 50 to 55, level laud inclining to swamp; 55 to 
 62, level land dry and rich; 62 to 64, a little rise; 64 
 to 73, a swamp; 73 to 78, fine flat land; 78 to 82, fine 
 flat land, though there is a few pines; 82 to 88, fine 
 flat land; 88 to 91, a small rise of dry ground; at 92, 
 Batchelor's creek ; 92 to 107, flat rich land ; 107 to 120, 
 rises gradually to the top of a high hill, from which 
 the lake could he seen if the land was cleared; at 120 
 marked an elm tree (a large one), I G-, ISTo. 3, on the 
 I^. E. side, and E M, No. 4, the S. E. side, and from 
 thence run IN". 15ch., which brought us exactly to IST. 
 Smith's S. "VV. corner to the 2 marked saplings. 
 
 From the s*^ elm tree run south 15chs. across the 
 rear of R. McAuley's lot, then east along his S". line a 
 ch. or 2, marking a tree or 2 thereon, then continued 
 the S, line 18ch more across the rear of J. McAuley's 
 lot to his S. W. corner, having marked at his N. W. 
 corner 2 beech trees on the l!T. E. side, R M, ]!^o. 4, 
 and on the S. E. sides, I M, 'No. 5, and at J. McAuley's 
 S. W. corner I marked a beech tree, I M, No. 5, on 
 the N. E. side thereof; these last 18ch8. of south line, 
 being the west bounds of J. McAuley's land, is the top 
 of the large hill on each the brush is very close and 
 only some single trees which are very large maple. 
 Then run east 129^ chains to Lake Champlain to a 
 large hemlock tree marked on the N. W. side, I M, 
 No. 5; from the beginning of this line which is 2 or 
 3ch. over the top of the hill to 15ch. a gradual de- 
 scent down to the foot of the hill the side whereof 
 appears to be good land, by the goodness of the timber 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. . 163 
 
 wMch is cliiellj of wliite ash, bass, elm, beech, hick- 
 ory &c. 
 
 At 15 chains the declivity of the hill ended, and a 
 flat of rock land began. At 30 chains a small creek 
 runs S. E. At 33 chains Batchelors creek course S. 
 E. At 34 to 39 dry land somewhat sandy, having 20 
 pine trees in view. At 39 good level laud well tim- 
 bered which continues to 60ch., from thence to 65, a 
 swamp. At 65 a very rocky brow fronts the west, 
 from 65 to 68, piney, light, dry level land ; from 68 to 
 96, a fine flat of land with very large hickory, and 
 other good timber. At 96 the west brow of a creek 
 through which Batchelor creek runs. At 98 Batch- 
 elors creek, on both sides of which are several pine 
 trees. At lOOch. the east brow of the flat which the 
 above creek divides, from 100 to 108 the land though 
 flat is very ordinary, and is close covered with brush, 
 no large timber. At 108 the land begins to be toler- 
 able good, being flat and pretty well timbered with 
 elm, beech and hickory &c., and continues so (till 129|- 
 chains end) to the lake. 
 
 April 1st, the wetness of this afternoon hurried me 
 home to Milltown in order to have my trough secured*, 
 least the flood might injure it in case the river should 
 break up. On my arrival found a considerable flood 
 in the river, though not half broke up, the snow almost 
 all off' the cleared land. 
 
 April 2d, a soft, thawing, growing day ; the river rose 
 much last night, and continued to rise all this day; I 
 got my trough well loaded with large stone wh'''' 
 completely secured it. 
 
 3d, soft weather continues ; raised the fence out of 
 
164 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 our yard; the flood rather lower than yesterday even- 
 ing ; last night it was at the highest, having thrown 
 up large cakes of ice on, and broke down my fence at 
 the S. E. corner of Camp island; the water almost 
 surrounded the flat at the lower landing. 
 
 4th, last night we had a little snow and some frost, 
 but which was gone by 9 o'clock ; this day was soft 
 and not cold, good growing weather; the snow quite 
 gone off the cleared land and off the wood land too 
 that inclines towards the south. Our cattle finding 
 the wood feed good yesterday, did not come home last 
 night, even old spark, (the weakest of all) stayed out. 
 Some of our cattle quit the hay yard the 20th ult" ex- 
 cept when a stormy night happened, when some re- 
 turned ; this afternoon I cleared the trough myself and 
 raised the sluice at the mill ; this day quit foddering 
 our cattle, and Tom came home.^ 
 
 5th, a clear fine day, somewhat windy; it froze last 
 night. 
 
 6th, A lovely day, the sun hot, though the wind 
 keeps nor'ly. Froze pretty hard last night, set saw 
 mill agoing to-day. 
 
 * April 6th, this day set my 3 hands to clear from the 
 barn to the lower landing. 
 
 7th and 8th, we were plagued with lumps of ice 
 coming down the trough. 
 
 15th, sowed tobacco, cabbage, lettuce, tong grass, 
 lettuce, turueps, parsley and spinach seeds in burnt 
 brush hearths, also a few peas. 
 
 ^The facts here recorded are of value to the climatologist . So early 
 an advent of sjDring seldom occurs in this latitude. It indicates 
 that little or no mitigation of the climate has taken place in the century. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 165 
 
 19tli, our Saratoga wheat looks well ; the Canada 
 do very ord'^. Went down to the lake with all the 
 ladies and children. 
 
 21st, a dark windy day with some rain ; went to re- 
 pair my bateau. 
 
 22d, a heavy rain until about 2 o'clock, at 3 the sun 
 shone warm until night; 11, we all set off from Mc- 
 Auley's in a canoe for home. The river forces its yel- 
 low stream almost to the middle of the lake with an 
 abundance of brush and old logs. When we came to 
 the river the rapidity of the stream at the mouth of 
 the river made it extremely difficult to get into the 
 river, in which the prodigious flood carries hundreds 
 of old logs down the stream, the rapidity of which 
 would not admit of our getting further up than the S. 
 end of half way island, where we went ashore and 
 walked up the hill thro' the pinery by way of the 
 barn home, the flood not permitting us to walk on the 
 bank of the river. 
 
 23d, the flood continued rising to one this morning, 
 it rose to the height of the top of the little house at 
 the far side of the river ; at the near side it rose about 
 a foot higher than the rock on which the house stands, 
 covering the whole of the yard on the other side of the 
 trough ; it carried away the trough to the new kitchen, 
 and a canoe or bateau might have sailed over the north 
 end of camp island, where much of the fence was car- 
 ried away ; it equally covered the whole of the flat on 
 this side of the creek ; it has done considerable damage 
 to my wheat.' 
 
 ^The Boquet, which drains a wide and mountainous region, is re- 
 markable for the magnitude and suddenness of its floods. 
 
166 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 24tli, this afternoon Mr. James Gilliland arrived 
 from 'New York, having left his wife and cflects at 
 Fort Greorge. 
 
 25th, JSTesbit Deane engaged a farm on Eliz'' point, 
 beginning 15ch. to the S. ward of Jno. McAuley's lot. 
 
 May 5th, John and James Young, James Gilliland 
 and his wife and Anne Hussey arrived this day from 
 K". York. 
 
 7th, went with the Youngs to view land ; they like 
 the tract much. 
 
 15th, sowed flax seed. 
 
 15th and 16th, planted beans and peas and sowed 
 seeds in the garden. 
 
 18th and 19th, planted coucumbers, squashes and 
 more beans, and sowed carrots and parsneps, radishes 
 and lettuces ; some of those radishes were inches 
 girth the 26th July (interlined). 
 
 18th, went with the Youngs to lay out lots which 
 they made choice ot^ and engaged from me at 12s '^ 
 acre, I giving each of them 50 acres at 1£ sterling '^ 
 acre forever, viz. — John Young's lot begins at a pine 
 tree standiug at the edge of the lake on cape Eliz'' 
 (being William McAuley's S. E. tree) and runs from 
 thence W. 147ich., then S. 18ch., then E. to the lake, 
 and';along the lake to the place of beginning, contain- 
 ing 265 acres of land. James Young's tract begins at 
 Eliz" sandy point, and runs thence W. 139ch., S. 21ch., 
 east to Lake Champlain, and along the lake as it runs 
 to the place of beginning, cout^ 264 acres of land. In- 
 terest to be paid after the expiration of 12 mos. from 
 this date. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 167 
 
 21st, planted the first ourlucl" com on the west end 
 of the bay. 
 
 22d, Messrs. Young set out for home, being deter- 
 mined to return here next spring, and possibly in the 
 fall. 
 
 23d, planted more Indian corn on the bay. 
 
 29th, finished planting corn. 
 
 July 5th, some of our cucumbers, Windsor beans 
 and peas are shaped. 
 
 6th, sowed turnep seed on the landing point. 
 
 10th, sowed do on new garden ground. 
 
 20th, sowed do on camp island. 
 
 ]Sr. B. 1st Jane, planted peas which being old did 
 not grow. 
 
 June 2d, planted the following ; muskmelons, shaped 
 20th July; radishes, lettuce, tong grass, parsley, sa- 
 vory, celeri, late cabbages, mustard, leeks and onions ; 
 they all came up very short, owing I believe to dry 
 weather. 
 
 At this date, the Journal, in any methodical ari\ange- 
 ment, terminates, and in the form of a diary is not 
 formally resumed. The annals of the colony, and the 
 personal history of Gilliland are enlightened by only 
 slight traditions and by casual remarks and memo- 
 randa in the Journal; by letters and documentary ma- 
 terials in form of oflicial memorials and petition. 
 These, however, are of much interest, and seem to am- 
 ply authenticate the facts and statements they embrace. 
 
 The next entrj in the Journal, or Willsboro Town 
 Book, as the volume was also designated, was on the 
 15th July, 1772, and purports to be a record of a public 
 
168 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 sale. The lieading is worthy of attention. It exhibits 
 a patriarchal state of society, that recognized in a bus- 
 iness transaction the simplest method and the most 
 primitive currency. 
 
 " Agreeable to Advertisement published and put 
 up at the house of Thomas Shaford and that of Elia- 
 kan Ayers, the sale of said Ayers farm and effects is 
 that day brought on at his late house, for immediate 
 payment in ready money, produce or work equivalent, 
 viz.:" This is in the writing of Mr. Gilliland, but the 
 details of the sale are recorded by another hand. 
 
 One item in the charges of the "Vendue Master," 
 would scarcely be recognized at this day as a legitimate 
 claim upon the proceeds, "rum at the Vendue." .£0-2-0. 
 
 1775. Nothing further appears in the journal except 
 memoranda of contracts for the sale or leasing of lands 
 until the 17th March, 1775. During this period mo- 
 mentous changes had occurred along the shores of 
 Lake Champlain. The armed occupation of Ticonde- 
 roga and Crown Point had almost terminated. Less 
 than an entire company of troops repres'ented the vast 
 legions which had been marshalled upon these scenes. 
 The colony of Mr. Gilliland had rapidly advanced in 
 population and the arts of peace. The smoke was ari- 
 sing from the hut of the settler, amid numerous clear- 
 ings in the wilderness along the borders of the Lake 
 from Crown Point to the line of Canada. 
 
 At this time the impressive incident occurred of 
 the adoption of the following covenant by the settlers. 
 In the comments on this event, which 1 presented in 
 the biography of Gilliland, I have expressed my views 
 of its character and significance. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 169 
 
 "WiLLSBORO March ITtli 1775. 
 
 We the subscribers, inbabitants of Willsboro, find- 
 ing it necessary to make regulations concerning roads, 
 fences, bridges, and hogs, have this day assembled 
 for that purpose, and have entered into the following 
 resolves. To be binding on us respectively hy every 
 Tie of honor and honesty, for the space of twelve months 
 from this date, and also to be equally binding on such 
 other persons as may become inhabitants of this settle- 
 ment during the said term, which resolves are entered 
 upon by a majority of votes. ^ 
 
 First, concerning roads, it is thought necessary the 
 roads should be two rods wide, but for the present year 
 only to be made as the overseers shall think sufficient. 
 The owners to clear the wood ofi'of his own lot for one 
 road as far as the road goes on his lot. 
 
 Secondly — it is resolved, that the road so far as it 
 may pass through land not taken up shall be made in 
 the manner before mentioned ; also the bridges to be 
 made of good, lasting timber and such banks as must 
 be dug away, shall be done by the settlement in general. 
 Each man assisting thereat fiiithfully, who are capable 
 thereof, on being thereunto named by the overseers. 
 
 Thirdly — resolved, that as to bridges it is necessary 
 to build one across Mr. McAuley's creek ; one across 
 the gully, one across Plum creek ; one across Mr. 
 
 iHere is the essence of a democratic and representative government. 
 The majority control, make laws, and levy taxes, and those who vol- 
 untarily become members of the community are to be governed by this 
 action. The identity of spirit and almost of language in this humble 
 compact, and the memorable pledge which, scarcely a year later, linked 
 together an heroic band of patriots, is somewhat remarkable. 
 
 22 
 
170 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 Ithamer Days creek, and the bank to be dug away ; 
 one across Armstrong and McGinniss brook, one across 
 the two brooks of George Brymers, and one across a 
 small brook opposite to Mr. George Belton's house; 
 also that the road from Mr. Belton's to Mr. Gilliland's 
 saw mill shall be kept open and passable at the gen- 
 eral charge as above ; the whole to be done next fall 
 as the overseers shall direct; and such persons as shall 
 fail or neglect to perform their part shall pay such 
 other person or persons as shall be hired at five shil- 
 lings per day, and that neither gates or bars shall ob- 
 struct the said road.^ 
 
 Secondly — as to fences, resolved, that if any damage 
 shall be committed by small or large cattle on the land 
 or lots of those whose fences are five feet high and 
 otherwise close and strong, the same shall be paid by 
 the owner of said cattle according as the overseers of 
 the fences shall apprize, providing that hogs shall be 
 yoked from the first of July, to the middle of October 
 with good and suflicient yokes. 
 
 Also that the roads shall be laid out betwixt this 
 time and next fall by the overseers assisted by Mr. 
 Gilliland. 
 
 And as to deer catching, resolved, that the owners 
 of such good dogs as shall be employed in deer catch- 
 ing shall have one share and half, and each man one 
 share, and such inhabitants as choose to join shall be 
 admitted. 
 
 And, lastly, that it is resolved, that Mr. Gilliland 
 
 'The commutation of five shillings per day for highway tax is astat- 
 utory provision of the state. I will notventure to assert that this ac- 
 tiou of the Boquet settlers formed the precedent. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 171 
 
 sliall be moderator, and Mr. Jotham Gardner town 
 clerk, and Mr. Thomas Day and Mr. Martin Armstrong 
 overseers of the road, fences, and cattle. 
 
 To the foregoing we the subscribers do hereunto set 
 our hands the day and date just above written.^ 
 
 Will Gilliland. 
 
 Thomas Day. 
 
 Martin Armstrong. 
 
 Ebenezer "White. 
 
 George Bremmers. 
 
 George Belton. 
 
 William Wykes. 
 
 N^ATHANIEL BlOOD. 
 
 Jonathan Flint. 
 
 Thomas Day. 
 
 William Cammeron. 
 
 Jotham Gardner. 
 
 Jacob Gardner. 
 Memorandum that Mr. Martin Day's mark of cattle 
 is a cross of the right ear and a slit in it. 
 
 Martin Armstrong's mark, a slit in the left ear and 
 a hapany under the right. 
 
 Ebenezer White's mark, ahalf cross under the right 
 
 ear. 
 
 GeorgeBremmer'smark,a slit in the right ear cross- 
 ways the upper side. 
 
 George Belton's mark, a hole in the right ear the 
 under side. 
 
 William Wyke's mark, a hole in the right ear and a 
 slit in the under side the left. 
 
 1 Gilliland is here recognized, it will be observed, as a distinct and 
 superior authority in the settlement. This compact is not in his writ- 
 ing. The absence of his clear and nervous style is very palpable. 
 
172 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 Nathaniel Blood's mark, a cross of the left ear. 
 
 Jonathan and Joseph Flint, a cross of the right ear 
 and two hapanys under the left. 
 
 Ithamer Day's mark, a hole in the right ear and a 
 slit in the same. 
 
 William Cammeron's mark two slits in the end of 
 the right ear. 
 
 Jotham Gardner's mark, a cross of the left ear and 
 a slit in the same. 
 
 Jacob Gardner's mark, a cross of the left ear and 
 two slits in the same. 
 
 Capt. Robert McAuley's mark, a cross of the right 
 ear and slit in the end of the left. 
 
 Israel Heck's mark, a slit in the end of the right ear 
 and a half peny nnder the same. 
 
 James Leonard's mark, a half cross of the nnder side 
 the right ear and a slit in the end of the left. 
 
 John Grant's mark, a hole through each ear.^ ' 
 
 14th June, 1775. "W"" Hay engages 100 acres of 
 land to the southward of his present lot. Nathan Nich- 
 ols engages 300 acres of land for himself to the south- 
 ward of and adjoining to W™ Hay's land. Also engages 
 all the land between the farms of Henry Cross and 
 John Byantum, Henry Cross engages 100 acres of 
 land for himself to the southward of his present lot ; 
 W" Gilliland reserves for his daughter 200 acres of 
 land to the southward of Henry Cooper's lot. John 
 Byantum has engaged 200 acres at Monty's Chantier. 
 
 1 These records evincethepresenceof authority and the recognition of 
 legal liabilities. It shows also thatthis compact was considered an act- 
 uality, and that its resolves would be enforced. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 173 
 
 Town meeting held by the inhabitants of "Wills- 
 
 BORO THE 9th DAY OF APRIL, 1776. 
 
 The majority hath made choice of Mr. Thomas Day 
 for moderator, and Jotham Gardner clerk, and Joseph 
 Flint and James Leonard overseers, with the same 
 power the overseers had the preceding year, which 
 majority hath agreed that theroad shall be opened and 
 made passable for carriages from Joseph Flint's to the 
 mouth of the river, and a bridge made across White 
 creek. 
 
 The following persons not having subscribed their 
 names the last year, have hereunto subscribed their 
 names. 
 
 John Grant. 
 
 John Dugnis. 
 
 Thomas Leonard. 
 
 Egbert McAuley. 
 
 John Wilson. 
 
 his 
 
 Harel X Leech. 
 
 mark. 
 
 Jonathin Day. 
 George Corull. 
 Isreal Day. 
 Done at Willsboro the day and date above mention- 
 ed, by order of the moderator. 
 
 JoTHAM Gardner, Town Clerk.^ 
 
 ^Thia action of the settlers, in accordance with the provisions of the 
 compact of the preceding year, recognizes and confirms it as a perma- 
 nent organization. An inspection of the above signatures and those at- 
 tached to the former compact, will exhibit the fact that the list em- 
 braces the names of only two individuals who were among the original 
 colonists, or who are mentioned in the early journals of Gilliland. The 
 
174 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 1777. The nextdocumentin chronological order is the 
 remarkable memorial addressed by Gilliland to con- 
 gress. It is without date, but bears intrinsic evidence 
 of having been written during the year 1777. I have 
 had frequent occasion to advert to it, and although I 
 have quoted large portions of it in elucidation of the 
 history of Gilliland, I deem it appropriate to copy the 
 paper entire, in the exact form the draught appears in 
 the volume containing the journal. Its force and char- 
 acter can be thus more justly appreciated. It will be 
 regarded as an extraordinary production, equally from 
 the great ability with which it is conceived, and the 
 vigor and eloquence in which he gives utterance to 
 his convictions of injustice and oppression. The por- 
 traiture of Arnold is traced by the spirit of prophecy. 
 
 The memorial accomplishes what its author designed, 
 an ample vindication from the charges of Arnold, which 
 are noticed in the life of Gilliland, and exhibits an 
 epitome of Gilliland's services, suft'erings and losses. 
 To the Hon'ble members of the 
 Continental Congress 
 
 The Memorial of William Gilliland late of Wills- 
 boro on the west side of Lake Champlain 
 Most Humbly Sheweth. 
 
 That in consequence of near twelve years, close ap- 
 plication, diligence & industry k at veiy great expence, 
 your memoralist, accomplished his arduous undertak- 
 ing of forming & establishing, the first English settle- 
 first immigrant had disaiopeared from the colony. And thus it is almost 
 uniformly in the history of our country. The Pioneer opens the 
 wilderness and levels the highway for the advance of civilization, but 
 as its march approaches he recedes, and passes onward to new scenes 
 of toil, and to incur fresh privations, 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 175 
 
 ment ever attempted, in the dreary wilds of Lake 
 Champlain, then ahnost a hundred miles from any- 
 Christian neighborhood. That, besides his own im- 
 provements on three several farms, your memoralist 
 had 98 other Inhabitants on his land, who were very 
 considerably indebted to your mem'"'; the preserva- 
 tion of whose crops, being the only prospect of pay- 
 ment which your mem'' had. 
 
 That from some discoveries, which Gen. Carlton 
 made of your mem'' political sentiments in June 1775, 
 he offered a reward of five hundred dollars to any per- 
 son that would take your mem^' & carry him prisoner 
 to Canada; that several attemj)ts were made from time 
 to time to accomplish this without effect ; sundry parties 
 having been obstructed, & the only party who got the 
 length, having been made prisoners by your mem' & 
 sent bound to Gen Schuyler, tho well provided with a 
 blunderbuss & six other fire arms, — they were headed 
 by Sheriff White of Tryon county, consisted of 4 
 Tories & 3 Savages, w^ere to join the enemy at S' Johns, 
 w^here White w^as to have raised a company to join 
 Coll McLean's emigrants. That your mem' has reason 
 to think that he was the first person who laid a plan 
 for & determined upon seizing Ticonderoga, C. Point 
 and the Kings armed vessel, & therewith the entire 
 command of Lakes George & Champlain. That by 
 means of your mem' an unhappy dispute, w'' subsisted 
 between M"" Allen and M' Arnold (the then rival Heads 
 of our handful of people on L Champlain) was com- 
 posed. In consequence of w'"" 3-our mem" (besides 
 several other matters) took the Liberty of recommend- 
 
176 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 ing to your honors, the embodying the Green Moun- 
 tain bo3^s. Col. Allen delivered the letter — 
 
 That your mem'"' property to the amount of several 
 hundred pounds, is stopped by the ministerial troops 
 in Canada, because of his known attachment to the 
 glorious cause of American independence, now at 
 stake. That your mem'"' having entertained good 
 opinion of Mr. Arnold, did his utmost endeavors, with 
 a committee from the congress of Mass., to have him 
 continued in the command at C. Point; and after he 
 was turned out of the service, your mem'^' was the 
 means of procuring credentials for his being reinstated, 
 by furnishing him with the unanimous voice of the 
 civil and military in the northern department in his 
 favor, by an address which was drawn up by your 
 mem''' and presented to him for that purpose; w'ch 
 was the chief friend he had to introduce him to the 
 fav'r of the prov'j Congress and of Gen. Washington, 
 when it was expected by many, that he would have 
 met quite a diiierent reception. 
 
 That, by means of your mem''' our army were sup- 
 plied with as many water craft as transported several 
 hundred men from C. Point to Canada, whither he 
 conducted Gen. Montgomery safe, from his better 
 knowledge of the navigation, than perhaps any other 
 person then with that Genl. That in testimony of 
 your mem'^* warm attachment to and hearty affection 
 for your northern army, he embraced every opportunity 
 of rendering them all the encouragement in his power. 
 From the Gen'l down to the centenel, he has enter- 
 tained 3 or 4000 men at his own expence — he never 
 charged a shilling for vegetables, salmon, milk or any 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 177 
 
 tiling else lie had to spare them — has complimented 
 them with 1500 salmon in one season ; has supplied a 
 numerous company under Capt. Lamar with bread 
 and meat as long as he or his settlers had a pound, 
 during a long stay w'cli they were obliged to make at 
 his place, and thereby reduced his and the families of 
 his tenants, to suft'erings they were before unused to; 
 had every deserter that appeared in his settlement 
 taken up and sent to the army ; has lain weeks to- 
 gether on straw in a com'n room, that sick and wounded 
 officers and sold'rs that were sent to or stopt at his 
 house might be more comfortably accommodated, 
 sometimes taking them to Ticonderoga (45 miles dis- 
 tant) at his own charge, and had every sold'er who died 
 in his settlement inter'd in decent coffins, with the 
 honors of war. 
 
 The only association agreement enter'd into; the 
 only company of minute men formed on either side of 
 Lake Champlain yr mem'^* established on his -settle- 
 ment; and for example sake, stood in the ranks him- 
 self, and did his utmost endeavors to introduce the 
 like among all the other settlements at or near the lake, 
 and finally every 3d man of his tenants enter'd into the 
 countrys service. That, shortly before the retreat of 
 our army from Canada your mem' ^* was intimidated by 
 frequent alarms and thereupon removed his children 
 and most valuable effects to Crown Point and returned 
 to save his and his tenants crops ; intending to have 
 them removed to Ticonderoga as soon as preserved ; 
 that in the interim Gen. Sullivan having retreated 
 with the army from Canada, he told your mem''*' how 
 much his sick stood in need of our milch cows and beef 
 23 
 
178 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 cattle, that your mem'^* did not wait for Gen. Sulli- 
 van's compulsive orders (wliicli were afterAvards given) 
 to enforce our removal, but had about 100 head re- 
 moved to C. Point immediately, not doubting that he 
 should be paid their value agreeably to the Genl 
 promise; but was most unexpectedly disappointed by 
 the injustice of the commissary s — one of whom said, 
 that iK)w your mem'®* cattle were there, 'twas in his 
 power to take what advantage he thought proper in 
 the price of them ; and another offering only |th part 
 of their real value. 
 
 That, the crops belonging to your mem'st and his 
 tenants, being of very considerable value, and their 
 preservation of much importance to our army, he apply*^ 
 for, and obtained from Gen. Gates, a small party of 
 men to secure and preserve the same, for which pur- 
 pose he returned home with the party to prosecute the 
 business ; that during the time of his stay at his settle, 
 Major Hay, A D Q M G came to his place and made 
 a firm agree't with y"" mem^*^ for the Avhole, agreeable 
 to the account herewith, which your mem°' has fre- 
 quently applyed for payment of, to the Gent, whom 
 your honors have been pleased to appoint commis- 
 sioners for liquidating ac*^*** without olfeet; by which 
 your niem^* has obtained very considerable loss; as by 
 his having had it in his power to employ that sum in 
 trade, the benefits arising would no doubt have kept 
 pace with the depreciation in the value of money. 
 Shortly after entering into the above agree'' your mem^' 
 fully determined to remove himself, his slaves, stocks, 
 crops, and such portable furniture aud tools as remained 
 behind, to Ticonderoga; made a kind of cellar in the 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 
 
 179 
 
 woods, in wliicli he hid his saw and grist mill irons, 
 and a great variety of other irons, and some steel ; in 
 value at that time, not less than X200; loaded two 
 batteaux with household stuff and other articles, and 
 brought them and his whole family then remaining, to 
 the house of one of the tenants, 3 miles south from 
 where your mem*** then lived ; only waiting for a north- 
 erly wind to favor their passage to C. Point; for which 
 purpose y'r mem'st had the boats hauled a good way 
 up on the shore, without unloading them, keeping his 
 people in the meanwhile closely employed in harvest- 
 ing. Here y' mem^* remained 2 or 3 days, not daring 
 to stay at home, being there much more dangerously 
 situated should an enemy come; during this period, 
 Gen. Arnold then down the lake with the fleet, in re- 
 ward for your mem-^ zeal in the cause, for the mani- 
 fold services he had rendered our army, and for a rec- 
 ompense of the eminent services he had rendered him, 
 or rather to cancel all obligations due to your memor- 
 alist on that score, sent a party of soldiers to tear y"" 
 mem^* away from his property, dignifying him with an 
 officer for their commander, whose rank was so hio-h 
 as a sergeant, with private orders not to sufter him to 
 remove any part of his property. By which means 
 besides 28 dwelling houses, and above 40 other houses, 
 two grist, and two mills, all our gardens, orchard 
 fences, &c., &c,, now left and exposed to the vindictive 
 fury of ministerial vengeance, y' mem^* is for the pre- 
 sent divested of other property to the amount of JL ^ 
 
 ^In another document, verified by his oath, Mr. Gilliland exhibits a 
 schedule, in which the aggregate of his various losses from the causes 
 assigned is estimated at £3,943 15 10. This I infer from collateral 
 circumstances was sterling currency. 
 
180 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 as per the annexed act''' which he most humbly im- 
 plores your hon''^ to have reimbursed in such manner, 
 as in your wisdom and justice shall seem right. Gen. 
 Arnold is your servant; all the power and authority 
 he has, is derived from you, and that has enabled him 
 to commit the acts of tyranny and outrage upon y' 
 mem'^* and many others, w^hose complaints have been 
 laid before you. It is not in mine, but it is in your 
 power to bring him to justice. Bursting with pride and 
 intoxicated with power to wh"** he ever ought to have 
 been a stranger, but wh"^ he has had art enough to ob- 
 tain from you, he tyrannizes where he can. If temer- 
 ity, if rashness impudence and error can recommend 
 him to you, he is allowed to be amply supplied with 
 these qualities, and many people think they ought to 
 recommend him in a peculiar manner to L*^ IlTorth, who 
 in gratitude, for his having done more injury to the 
 American cause, than all the ministerial troops, have 
 had the power of doing ought to reward him with a 
 generous pension — He used his utmost endeavors to 
 prevent y" mem'®' from returning to his place to pre- 
 serve and remove to Ticonderoga his crops and other 
 property, and when passing y" mem^ settlement with 
 the fleet, brought them to anchor just opposite to it ; 
 sufl'ering the most disorderly the most licentious fellows 
 on shore, where in a few hours time they carried off or 
 destroyed of my property to near the amount £ be- 
 sides the outrages committed on our homes. I com- 
 plain not, that by the breaking up of my settlement I 
 am divested of an annual income of more than a thou- 
 sand pounds; this is a misfortune, a calamity to Avhich 
 every person is subject whose situation is equally dan- 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 181 
 
 gerous and whose political sentiments are as publicly 
 known as were mine. On your love of justice, on the 
 humanity and tenderness I believe y"' hon""^ to be pos- 
 sessed, do I entirely rely, on your taking this matter 
 into your serious consideration. I solicit you not for 
 a present pecuniary indemnification on that score, but 
 being now entirely divested of all employment, which 
 to an active mind is very disagreeable, I take the lib- 
 erty of making you a tender of my services in such 
 situation as I am qualified for in the promotion of the 
 common cause of American Freedom; hoping you 
 will be favorably pleased to honor me with such ap- 
 pointment as will not derogate from my former sta- 
 tion ; as shall enable me to support a numerous family 
 of motherless children and in some measure be a com- 
 pensation for the loss of my income. But in a pecul- 
 iar manner y"" mem** humbl}^ entreats that y"" Honors 
 will be favorably pleased to order payment for the 
 crops y'' mem**^ sold to the Q' M' Gen' for the use of 
 the army and restitution or indemnification for loss of 
 personal property he sustained by means of Gen. 
 Arnold. This is the praj^er of your mem^* and that 
 your councils may be directed by wisdom, and your 
 endeavours in this grand conflict may be forever 
 blessed with the smile of Heaven. 
 
 WILL GILLILAND 
 The following memorial, which was addressed to the 
 committee of safety of Albany, although long, will be 
 read with interest. It explains the frivolous causes 
 which led to their second arrest of Guilliland, and vin- 
 dicates his patriotism. The severe strictures upon the 
 conduct of Gates, imputing to him the secreting and 
 
182 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 evasion of liis slaves, — the strong appeal to the au- 
 thority he addresses to maintain the sanctity of the 
 civil over the military power, and the prophetic warn- 
 ing he ntters of the consequences which must flow 
 from the ascendency of the latter, and the copious 
 narration of his own unrequited services, his suffer- 
 ing and sacrifices, are combined and mingle in a valu- 
 able portraiture of the times. 
 
 (Copy) original delivered 17 Jan., 78. 
 To the respectable the committee for the city of Albany 
 
 Albany Fort, 15th January 1778. 
 Gentlemen. 
 
 When I found that my negro woman 
 had deserted my house, and had been harbour'd at 
 Genl. Gate's, I wrote to major Pierce, his A. D. camp, 
 requesting that she might be immediately restored to 
 me ; the answer I received was (not that the commit- 
 tee should take the matter in hand and do me justice) 
 but in an imperious and arbitrary style, he wrote to 
 me, that I should knoio his sentiments thro the comimiitee, 
 thereby arregating to himself the power of dictating 
 to your board, as if you were creatures of his own, or 
 a piece of machinery to be by him acted upon, as in 
 his supposed ascendency OA^er you he thought fit to 
 direct. I Lave lately experienced that his expectations 
 were too well founded, by your ready acquiescence in 
 his desire to rescind the resolve of your board for my 
 enlargement, and to remand me to prison for no other 
 assigned reason but my having in Sept. or Oct. last, 
 told Mr. Vanvranka (a person who had been Lieut, in 
 our service, and who sustained the character of a good 
 friend to the American cause,) what I had heard or 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 183 
 
 read in a news paper, publisliecT by the authority of 
 the state, concerning our loss at the battle near Brandy 
 Wine. This piece of news I mentioned to him on the 
 supposition that such relation could have no ill eftect, 
 as it had no farther credit with either he or myself than 
 the accustomed exaggerated accounts of the enemy de- 
 serve. If however I was blamable in mentioning the 
 affairs to him, how much more so was he by propagat- 
 ing and spreading the report to ten times, perhaps one 
 hundred times as many others, with additional and ag- 
 gravating circumstances which never have existed any 
 where but in the chaos of his own brain ? But behold ! 
 I am punished with the loss of my liberty, whilst he 
 goes at large about his business as formerly without 
 being, even repremanded, that I have heard of I am 
 very sorry, gentlemen that I have reason to lament so 
 flagrant an instance of partiality should ever prevail 
 among those who ought to discountenance every thing 
 that has the least resemblance of so bad a practice. 
 Equally have I reason to complain of the unprecedent- 
 ed severity of conflning my person, thereby depriving 
 me of the choicest and most valuable of all privileges, 
 my liberty, for only purchasing a free article introduced 
 to me as part of the spoils of Burgoyne's army, picked 
 up after the battle of the 7th Oct., on the road or in 
 the fields where his soldiers scattered them, after they 
 laid down their arms. When its not thought any 
 crime in Major Stippens to enter my house with an 
 armed force, and carry away and detain from me my 
 property to a considerable amount without even prov- 
 ing or attempting to prove his having any right to or 
 interest in the same. 
 
184 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 "With equal impunity, has General Gate's divested 
 me of my remaining slaves by aflbrding them encour- 
 agement to desert my service, and harbouring them 
 in his own house, and then refusing to restore them to 
 me, till finally they are either secreted away or allowed 
 an opportunity of making their escape, as is supposed 
 out of the state, although I earnestly importuned him to 
 return the young one to me, and that he would secure 
 the old one, so as to prevent her escaping, which I had 
 reason to think was her design. I also requested, he 
 would order a feather bed to be restored to me, which the 
 negro woman got some villain to steal out of my house 
 for her use in the General's ; but all to no purpose, his 
 ears were deaf to my entreaties. I much suspect she 
 was suborned to give evidence against me, by the ex- 
 pectation given her of obtaining her freedom, the better 
 to qualify her to swear away the life, liberty, or proper- 
 ty of her lawful master, and it is very likely that to 
 you gentlemen, I am indebted for her being disap- 
 pointed and prevented from executing so hellish a de- 
 sign. I wrote at large to General Gate's about my 
 slaves and bed, and herewith hand you a copy of my 
 letters, to which he promised, you would send me an 
 answer, but I have not seen any. I also send for your 
 perusal several certificates and aft'ects of gentlemen of 
 repute, now in town, amounting to ample proof of 
 her being a slave. 
 
 You are very sensible, gentlemen, thai no laws Divine or 
 Human, justifies such acts of violence and op2)ression, as 
 those now inactising upon me! Will you the guardains of 
 these parts be tame spectators thereof, without exercising that 
 authority vested in you by the suffrage of a free people to 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 185 
 
 'prevent military officers [the more dangerous as they are more 
 exalted in rank) to sap the foundation of our nev) constitution 
 before it he sufficiently established, and thro the persecution 
 of an innocent individual to make the most dangerous attack 
 and innovation upon the sacred rights and most inestimable 
 priviledges of the people; of those especially who are your im- 
 mediate constituents. Where then are the benefits expected 
 from magna charter, the bill of rights, the habeas corjnis 
 act, and all other p)rivilcdges now contending for, and ivhich 
 the subjects of free and independent states claim, and ever 
 ought to enjoy. Are they to be trampled upon by the military 
 through the timidity of those in civil authority ? No, I trust 
 not, though 1 dread the consequences of precedents from ivhich 
 evils of the most enormous size, ayid pernicious iemlency, 
 may originate and floio. 
 
 By the losses I have above complained of having 
 sustained, and by the robbery of my cellar a few nights 
 ago, of upwards of four hundred pounds value of 
 liquor, sugar, &c., out of the little I have saved and 
 brought from home with me, I am poorer by near a 
 thousand pounds, since my confinement, exclusive of 
 my exposure here (which for very obvious reasons is 
 considerable) and besides the charge of supporting a 
 large and helpless famil3^ in times of the greatest 
 dearth that was ever known, or felt in this or any 
 other country. I have nothing coming in to support 
 so heavy a charge; I am, by being unnecessarily con- 
 fined here, deprived of the opportunity of using any 
 kind of industry", or of following any business to make 
 
 a livelyhood, or support for my family by my health 
 
 is impaired, confinement has an ill effect on my con- 
 stitution, which is on the decline. 
 24 
 
186 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 You in general know me, gentlemen, and many of 
 you are so well acquainted with my political senti- 
 ments, that I am sure such cannot, do not, doubt of 
 my attachment to American Independence. If after all 
 any of you have the least doubts, or harbour any sus- 
 picion about me, I make it my earnest request that 
 3'ou will, in justice to me, and to satisfy yourselves, 
 have no means untried to investigate the truth, enquire 
 under oath; among all my acquaintances, my intimates, 
 my relations, Mother, Brother, Sisters, and my child- 
 ren ; nay even among your Tory prisoners (with whom 
 I was 7 or 8 days confined in the city hall,) whether I 
 ever appeared in conduct or conversation, any other 
 than a stanch Whig, and warm friend to American 
 Independence and freedom, from the battle of Lexing- 
 ton to this present hour. Nay, that my being so may 
 appear to you still more clearly, I beg your attentive 
 perusal of a paper which accompanies this, (which was 
 intended to be handed to a certain general) wherein 
 are enumerated so many instances of my zealous at- 
 tachment to the cause of my bleeding country, that 
 none of you can with justice doubt of my sincerity, 
 when I tell you I am able to prove the whole to be a 
 fact, and even to fall far short of the real services I 
 have rendered. 
 
 In the midst of this my distress, overwhelmed with 
 reiterated injury and most unjustly stigmatised with the 
 odious appellation of being inimical to the cause of 
 America, it affords me matter of no small consolation 
 to reflect on my happiness in having been educated in 
 those o-enerous sentiments which constitute the real 
 friend to the rights of mankind, and that no injury can 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 187 
 
 rob or deprive me of this blessing. I have inherited 
 those sentiments from my progenitors, they are con- 
 stitutionally blended in my frame and nature. 
 
 Even among the officers now in town, though few 
 of whom have crossed Lake Champlain, and are there- 
 fore strangers to me, a number of them have visited 
 me here, who not forgetting the kindness I showed to 
 them and the troops at Lake Champlain, are ready to 
 certify or prove it to you if called on : you have the 
 certificates of several of them herewith, and would 
 have had many more had I been abroad and among 
 them. I flatter myself that did you know the great 
 expense I have been at, the many difficulties and great 
 fatigue I have undergone, in forming and establishing 
 the first settlement on the extreme portion of this state, 
 in the midst of a howling wilderness, then near 100 
 miles from any Christian settlement, you would readi- 
 ly admit that I have been as useful a subject of this 
 state as any other in it, in proportion to my opportuni- 
 ties, as thereby I provided a comfortable asylum for 
 the distressed and the industrious poor, of whom up- 
 ward of one hundred were well settled on my lands 
 when this war began, but by the horrors thereof were 
 unhappily obliged to fly from their all, when our army 
 retreated from Canada, and being destitute of any 
 shelter they were exposed to the necessity of breathing 
 the noxious vapors of a camp so infected with the most 
 malignant species of disease that it might rather be 
 called an hospital. Many of them have died, and the 
 others mostly ruined, all considerably in my debt. 
 
 Thus was my flourishing settlements broken up and 
 ruined, two grist mills, two saw mills, upward of 50 
 
188 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 houses, and many other valuable improvements, our 
 family, furuiture, tools for agriculture, valuable crops 
 secured in stacks and barns ; horses, swine, and many 
 horned cattle, all left exposed to the vindictive fury of 
 arbitrary power, doubly irritated against us for the 
 forwardness we showed in asserting the rights of our 
 country. From a handsome income arising from my 
 tenants, farms, mills, &c., and from the greatest part 
 of my personal property, have I fled ; those have I 
 sacrificed to the fury of the enemy, rather than join 
 with aid or comfort them ; and have thrown myself, my 
 aged mother, my motherless children, into your arms, 
 into the American arms for shelter and protection, 
 no way doubting but my uncommon losses and great 
 suifering would be considered, as they ought to be by 
 those who profess themselves the friends and guardians 
 of their suffering bretheren. But lo ! behold the recep- 
 tion I have met with, the treatment I have received : 
 instead of. alleviating my distress by acts of kindness 
 and beneficence, I am shut up in a prison, while arbi- 
 trarily and villainously deprived of the most of what 
 little I preserved from the ruin of my settlements and 
 estate, while my poor children are left to suffer, and to 
 perform such servile labors, by being deprived of my 
 slaves, as was little expected they should ever be re- 
 duced tb the necessity of doing. I hope, gentlemen, 
 you will pardon the trouble I give you of so long a 
 letter, and that you are by this time so fully satisfied 
 of the firmness and sincerity of my attachment to the 
 common cause in which you are engaged, that you 
 will freel}'^ enlarge me, and give me such an honorable 
 acquital in writing, as will eradicate and forever wipe 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 189 
 
 away the stain of every charge of having intentionally 
 erred, so as to occasion my long confinement; by which 
 you will in some measure compensate for my suffer- 
 ings thereby and greatly oblige gentlemen, 
 
 your most obed't, tho' much distressed 
 
 humble servant 
 "Will'm. Gilliland. 
 
 1780. Another interval of nearly three years occurs 
 in which I can find no trace of Gilliland's residence or 
 occupation. It appears, however, from the next entry 
 in his journal, that he was absent from his possessions 
 on Lake Champlain. This memorandum is of some 
 historical interest, as it indicates that although in the 
 nominal occupation of the British army, the country, by 
 the armistice between Gen^ Haldimand and the author- 
 ities of Vermont, was open to a very liberal pacific inter- 
 course, and that iSTewEngland enterprise was preparing 
 its emigration to the attractive territory. 
 
 July 31st, 1780. Memorandum of persons, names 
 and places of abode, who have made application to me 
 for land near Lake Champlain. 
 
 Acres. 
 
 Jojjathan Parker, Mapletown, - - 300 
 
 Samuel Hadlock, do - - - 300 
 
 Clark Parker, Bennington, - - - 200 
 
 Ezekiel Parker, Shaftsbury, - - - 300 
 
 Benjamin Parker, Bennington, - - 100 
 
 And seven others amounting in the aggregate to 2200 
 
 Joseph Carder of Scituate, Rhode Island State, 14 
 
 miles from Providence, offers 6d. lawful money per ton 
 
 for iron ore and raise it at his own expence, 500 to 1000 
 
1 90 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 tons annually.^ John Tibbets applies for himself and 
 others for 10,000 acres on Grand Isle. 
 
 1782, June 7th, Samuel Bush, Rutland, Otter creek, 
 has spoken for 4160 acres lying about half on each 
 side of Salmon river, being about 2 miles E. and W. 
 and about 3 miles along the lake, prices mentioned 208 
 York per acre, to be paid in 5 years and | interest. 
 
 1783, March 13th, Job Gilbert, owner of Berkshire 
 furnace at Lenox, proposes to be concerned in iron 
 works, at Lake Champlain, or to buy the ore at one 
 shilling lawful money per ton and raise it at his ex- 
 pense. Mem. to write him as soon as we may safely 
 visit the place. 
 
 From this date to February, 1784, several pages of 
 the Journal are occupied by entries of the names of 
 applicants and memoranda of contracts for the pur- 
 chase of land. These names exceed two hundred, and 
 embrace in their applications an aggregate of more 
 than sixty thousand acres of land. These persons re- 
 sided in various sections of New England, and the 
 southern portion of New York. The facts are of inter- 
 est as they reveal the wonderful tide of immigration 
 which was pouring into the Champlain Yalley, but I 
 perceive no obj ect that will be fo warded by introducing 
 the details. This was the palmy epoch of Gilliland's 
 career, when he seemed about to grasp the fruition of 
 all his toils and enterprise. 
 
 The next document in order, presages the approach 
 
 'These entries disclose the early attention which was attracted to 
 the great mineral wealth of this region. To Gillilaud apparently be- 
 longs the credit of initiating an industry, which has expanded into 
 such vast proportions. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 191 
 
 of clouds, which were soon to gather in darkness and 
 burst in ruin upon his fortunes. It is a petition to the 
 Legislature for relief, from alleged fraudulent prac- 
 tices, by the consummation of which he was ultimately 
 stripped of a large portion of his estate. 
 
 To the Honorable the Legislature of the State of New York^ 
 in Senate and Assembly convened : 
 
 The petition of William Gilliland formerly merchant 
 of New York, afterwards an inhabitant and proprietor 
 of several settlements by him founded and established 
 on the western banks of Lake Champlain, within the 
 state of J^ew York, and now a refugee in the city of 
 Albany, Humbly Sheweth. 
 
 That in consequence of a Proclamation published by 
 the present King of Great Britain on the 7th day of 
 Oct. 1763, (when the said King was considered, and 
 acknowledged the lawful, and rightful sovereign over 
 British America) whereby he directed his governors in 
 America to grant without fee or reward to such re- 
 duced officers, and discharged soldiers as had served 
 in America during the last war, certain quantities of 
 land therein mention ed. Your petitioner being desirous 
 procure an inheritance for his children, laid out the to 
 principal part of his property in the purchase of officers' 
 and soldiers' rights to unappropriated lands in this state 
 to which they were entitled by virtue of the said pro- 
 clamation, whereon to establish settlements of good and 
 useful inhabitants, and for that purpose proceeded to 
 Lake Champlain in the northern extremity of this state 
 in the year 1764, where he formed the first settlement 
 in that dreary and remote wilderness, then upward of 
 
192 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 seventy miles from any Christian habitation (the gari- 
 sons excepted) and at the expence of many thousands 
 of pounds, great diligence and much fatigue accom- 
 plished his arduous undertakings, and resided there 
 until our army returned from Canada, when your peti- 
 tioner abandoned his all and fled from the power of a 
 remorseless enemy, so peculiarly incensed against your 
 petitioner for his patriotism, as to induce the offer of 
 500 dollars as a reward for apprehending your petition- 
 er, and carrying him prisoner to Canada, for which 
 several attempts were ineffectually made. That your 
 petitioner yet remains unpossessed of patents for part 
 of the said lands, to the amount of upwards of eight 
 thousand acres (to which he is entitled by virtue of pur- 
 chases by him made from officers and soldiers, there- 
 unto entitled by virtue of said proclamation, amounting 
 in every respect to the most positive and solemn man- 
 damus) occasioned partly by his remote situation from 
 'New York, but chiefly by the avarice of the then Sur- 
 veyor General, who insisted on being paid fees contrary 
 to the express words and sense of the said mandamus, 
 and to which unjust demand, your petitioner conceived 
 he ought not by any means comply. And that your 
 petitioner hath not obtained a patent for the said lands. 
 Yet being possessed of the king's mandamus for the 
 same, which is the most solemn kind of grant, having 
 petitioned for, located and held lands, surveyed by Mr. 
 Thomas Palmer, by order of Alexr. Golden, Esq., the 
 then Surveyor General, he conceived himself amply se- 
 cure in making very considerable improvements and 
 in erecting several mills and other buildings thereon 
 at much expense,jWherefore to remove all doubt and 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 19 B 
 
 occasion of future contention and controversy respect- 
 ing your petitioner's just right and title unto the said 
 lands, 
 
 Your petitioner humbly prays that your honors will 
 be favorably pleased to order that letters patent shall 
 be made out forthwith, in the names of the several pe- 
 titioners, who have hereunto applied for the same thro 
 the agency of your petitioner, and whose petitions may 
 be found, part of them in the Secretary's office, and 
 part of them accompanying this petition, or else in your 
 petitioner's name as purchaser from them, as may ap- 
 pear by their several transfers or conveyances here- 
 with, and your petitioner as in duty bound shall pray, 
 &c., William Gilliland. 
 
 Albany, 30 Dec. 1783. 
 
 Original laid before the Legislature atEsopus in the 
 month of March, and then committed as I have been 
 informed. Will Gilliland. 
 
 List of the several petitioners names to which the an- 
 nexed petition refers, together with their station in 
 the army, the date of other petitions, the time of de- 
 livering them to the Governor or his Secretary, and 
 their respective locations. 
 
 Abram Lowe, late Lieut, in the 4th Battery, his 
 majesty royal Americans or 60 regt. for Cumberland 
 Head on the west side of Lake Champlain. (N. B.) His 
 first petition for this tract was 2000 acres, presented to 
 Lt. Gov. Golden at his seat on Long Island, by whose 
 order it was delivered to Goldsbro Banyer, Esq., Dep^ 
 Secy., who endorsed the date he rec'' it thereon, as 
 may appear by the same. This tract I again presented 
 25 
 
194 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 a petition for to Sir Henry Moore, when he became 
 Gov"" dated 14 Dec. 1765, and then delivered to his 
 Sec^. This tract was surveyed at my expence in the 
 summer of 1764 by Thomas Palmer, Deputy Surveyor, 
 pursuant to his instructions from the Surveyor Gen^ 
 who has been furnished with the survey and maps 
 thereof by me through the hands of G. Banyer, Esq., 
 and afterwards the duplicate thereof, transmitted to 
 Mr. Golden immediately from myself. The foUow- 
 ino; non com" officers and soldiers for a tract of land on 
 the west side of LakeChamplain extending from Rattle- 
 Snake Den to the Bay De Roche fendu, bounded on 
 the west by mountains, on the east by said Lake, was 
 surveyed by Mr. Thomas Palmer at my expence in 
 June 1764 and passed council the 20th Feby., 1765 as 
 per council minute book may appear, viz. Brot. over 
 2000 acres. 2000 
 
 From my memorandum book, I think they 
 were ConradBull, Simon Berness, Edward Bou- 
 man, John Williamson, Thomas Stafibrd, Henry 
 Moore, Daniel Moriarty, Robert Alexander, 
 Christ. Dougan, and John Smith, non com" offi- 
 cers, 200 acres each. 2000 
 
 Richard Aspenwall, Dan' Buxton, Philip Rich'' 
 George Fingle, Daniel Cuthbert, and James 
 Smith, privates. 300 
 
 Thos. Denhart, Wm. Blayroch, Philip Simon, 
 and John Viant, com" officers 200 acres each. 800 
 
 As p'" their petition dated and delivered to Sir 
 Henry Moore's Sec'' the 17th Dec. 1765. On the west 
 side of Lake Champlain, bounded by the said Lake on 
 the east line of a tract granted by Lieut. Peter Stuart. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 195 
 
 Joseph Hands, forth Sergt., Thos. Lidwel Ma- 
 tross, Cornelius Hays, Peter Sullivan, Nathaniel 
 Pideey, Edw*^ Blakley, and Corrand Leflers, 
 privates. 650 
 
 To be bounded by the last above mentioned land on 
 the north, by Lake Champlain on the east, petition 
 thereon dated on the 17th Deer. 1765, and then deliv- 
 ered to Sir Henry Moore's Secretary. 
 
 John Betkee, John Smith, Sergeants, Isaac 
 Eemer, Capt. Alexr. McKeusie, John Winter, 
 Christian Grouse, Peter Sullivan, and Dennis 
 Hall, privates, for 850 acres of land on the west 
 side of Lake Champlain. 850 
 
 Beginning at the shore thereof, at the distance of 
 two miles from the Fort at C. Point and number of 
 acres carried out 6600. 
 
 Last location continued and extending thence along 
 the lake southerly to the north east corner of a tract 
 of land granted to major Campbell, and thence along 
 his north line west so far as to make up the said 850 
 acres. 
 
 Adam Pence, John McKarty, John Sullivan, 
 James Pyat, John Stanley, "Wm. Bedford, Wm. 
 Holdship, John Welsh, and John Jamison, non 
 com" officers. Anthony Garret, Thomas Rob- 
 erts, Leonard Williams, Michael Kiough, Wm. 
 Gilfan, James Moore, Richard Steele, Patrick 
 McMullen, and George Unsett, privates, 2250 
 
 Total, 8850^ 
 
 • 'The caveat of Gilliland without date in respect to the above 8850 
 acres is presei'ved in the office of Secret ai"y of State in the column of 
 land papers vol. 37, page 31. 
 
196 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 To be bounded on the north by the south line of a 
 14000 acre tract granted in July 1769 to Deans and 
 associates, and by the north line of a tract granted to 
 Duykinck Beekeman and others on the south, by 
 Lake Champlain on the east and so extends to far west 
 as to include the said 2250 acres. 
 
 N. B. This land was petitioned for by the persons 
 through my agency the 12th May, 1773, as by their 
 petition directed to Gov. Tryon in the Secretary's of- 
 fice may appear. Copies of all the forementioned peti- 
 tions are now in the hands of the subscriber ready to 
 produce, settlement and improvement many years be- 
 fore the commencement of the late war having been 
 by him made of each tract except that adjoining Wm. 
 Campbells and the above mentioned, and caveats have 
 by him been lodged in the Secy, ofiice and with the 
 surveyor Gen^ long since lorebidding the grant of them 
 to any other than Wm. Gilliland. 
 
 Albany 30 Dec, 1783. 
 
 The document which succeeds the foregoing on the 
 pages of the Journal, is the following draft of a letter 
 with neither date or address, evidently written to an 
 Irish commercial correspondent soon after the peace of 
 '83. It exhibits some interesting incidents to which al- 
 lusion is no where else made. One paragraph demands 
 peculiar attention. It discloses the characteristic 
 sagacity and forecast of Gilliland, and is the earliest 
 utterance I have seen of the idea of uniting the lakes 
 with the ocean by an artificial communication. The 
 thought is crude and intangible, and probably an eva- 
 nescent fancy, but the conception is distinctly unfolded. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 197 
 
 Gentlemen — As this country was involved in a ruin- 
 ous war (at least to me as an individual, thougli I was 
 educated in Republican principles), I may with truth 
 say I lost my all. That not being able to guess what 
 the event might be, I thought it best to leave a trifle 
 in your hands, by which I might be benefitted on a 
 rainy day. And it is extremely fortunate that I was 
 so provident, for I have lost every shilling.^ I was 
 worth by the war and by my endeavors to change the 
 face of nature, for the now fertile banks of Lake Cham- 
 plain was nothing but a howling wilderness on both 
 sides, the garrisons of Crown Point and Ticouderoga 
 excepted. That my circumstances were opulent when 
 I first undertook this arduous affair, appears by even 
 the cost of furniture of my house; though mostly 
 bought at vendue, it cost me near XI 200, and I could 
 well afford that expence, as from a single hundred 
 pounds I had invested out of my wife's fortune, to 
 "keep the bone green," as the saying is, together with 
 my credit which Avas very good, my first years gain 
 was £2380-14-1 ; but all the expenses of my family, 
 house rent, clerks salaries, servants wages and bad 
 debts reduced it to X1787-17-2. When I got remit- 
 tances for my wife's fortune from Europe, treasure 
 flowed in upon me from all quarters, so that I now 
 greatly regret I had ever quit trade. But as I am, I 
 intend to apply to that honorable body, the Congress, 
 when they next meet, which it is said will be at Phil- 
 adelphia, about the first day of November next, and 
 if they do me the least degree of justice, they will give 
 
 1 He must allude to his personal estate, for in another paragraph he 
 refers to his possessions on the lake as still owned by him. 
 
198 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 me at least X15000, when I shall resume trade in the 
 city of New York; leaving the care of all my estates 
 at Lake Champlain to my children, who are now com- 
 petent to that business. The region of both sides of 
 Lake Champlain, is now a well inhabited country, and 
 the lands amazingly advanced in value even at present. 
 How much more valuable will they become, when an Inland 
 navigation will be made from sea to sea, which its expected 
 will be comijleied in less than two years from this time. 
 
 But I wander from my intended subject, which was 
 to assure you, that every benefit it may be in my power 
 to throw into the hands of such kind and generous 
 friends, as you have ever been to me, shall be exerted 
 in your favor. Meanwhile, whatever balance you may 
 find due to me, you will be pleased to send me by some 
 good vessel bound for the port of New York, in Irish 
 linens | wide, under eighteen pence sterling per yard, 
 so that I may be entitled to draw the bounty, IJ per 
 yard. In the interim I request you will be pleased to 
 apply to Mr. Thomas, present, and get from him deeds 
 of lease and release for my estate in this county of Or- 
 ange; containing 1200, acres strict measure. It was 
 granted to Dr. John Depew, in the year 1722 ; but name 
 the quantity in the deeds, "be the same more or less," 
 allowance having been made for rough running, on 
 account of inaccessible mountains. 
 
 My son-in-law, Capt. Daniel Ross, has two pot-ash 
 works at Lake Champlain, from which he expects to 
 make at least 100 barrels, superior quality, next season, 
 and if encouraged by the price and the bounty could 
 procure five times the quantity. If he ships to any 
 port in Britain, and is advised by me, he will ship the 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 199 
 
 whole to your address. I request you will be pleased 
 to favor me with an early answer, and the price cur- 
 rent of pot ash and other articles. By which you will 
 greatly oblige, Gen" yours &c. W. G. 
 
 The brief paper copied below, I found among the 
 memoranda of Mr. Gilliland, and was written, I con- 
 jecture, soon after the Revolution. I have deemed 
 its preservation desirable, as affording authentic data 
 by which to contrast our present with the former com- 
 mercial facilities of the country. 
 
 Expense of transporting a ton weight of merchan- 
 dize from New York to the boundary line between 
 this State and the Province of Quebec, on Lake Cham- 
 plain, 
 
 Freight from New York to Albany, - .£0-16-0 
 Cartage and storage in Albany, - - - . 4-0 
 
 Land carriage from Albany to Ft. George, 
 
 65 miles, 2s. - - - - 6-8-0 
 
 Storage at Ft. George, ---.--- 1_0 
 
 Freight across Lake George, ----- 16-0 
 
 Cartage to Lake Champlain, 6-0 
 
 Storage at Lake Champlain, 2-0 
 
 Freight to the Canada line, 1 00-0 
 
 Add for loss, cartage and contingencies - 
 
 which cannot be foreseen, - - - - Xl-07-0 
 
 .£11-00-0 
 
 Proposals of William Gilliland to his Creditors. 
 Gentlemen. — You have been pleased to institute 
 suits against me for several sums of money ; some of 
 which are justly due, and some not. However, it an- 
 swers no good purpose for you or me, to keep me in 
 
200 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 durance here, but quite the reverse, b}^ tying up my 
 hands, and thereby preventing me from collecting 
 money to pay oif all my debts, which I am persuaded 
 I could soon do, was I at liberty. But I find by woe- 
 ful and long experience that it is in vain for me to de- 
 pend on others. I therefore want from you, gentle- 
 men, reasonable time for the payment of what I owe 
 you. One year for the one half, and two years for the 
 payment of the other, for which I will put into the 
 hands of faithful Trustees ample security, payable with 
 interest. Some may suppose this time a long one, 
 but you will be pleased to consider the uncommon 
 scarcity of money, the very heavy losses I have had 
 the misfortune to sustain during the late war, and that 
 numbers have triple the time granted them, who have 
 not suffered any losses compared to mine. 
 
 On the 7th of January next, I shall have been con- 
 fined here four long and tedious years, to the very 
 great injury of my health and estate. It is high time 
 I should have it in my power to put a stop to the de- 
 predation and waste committed, and daily making on 
 my estate, which will be beneficial to you, and greatly 
 so to. 
 
 Gentlemen, 
 
 Your most humble serv't. 
 
 Will Gilliland. 
 
 To Brockholst Livingstone Esq., Council for Mr. 
 John Bleecker, of Albany ; do for the estate of John 
 Livingstone Esq., deceased ; do for costs due himself. 
 
 Aaron Burr Esq., Council for Thomas L. "Witbeck, 
 of Albany; "W. Cook Esq., for costs of defending a 
 suit I bro't against "Wm. Deane, who, to avoid pay- 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 201 
 
 ment, pleaded tlie statute of limitation ; Joseph AVin- 
 ter Esq., Council for Hugh Holmes, by his agent John 
 Ealston; Major Sill Esq., of Albany, council against 
 me for Hopkins and Ingersoll in the negro business ; 
 Wm. Cook Esq., of Kew York, employed by Mr. Eob- 
 ert Bruce to sue for my bond pay"Ho Thomas Thomas, 
 assigned to Mr. Bruce, X138-10-10. 
 
 17th Sept., 1789. To this communication there was 
 attached a long schedule of the securities he above 
 proposed, which were based upon sales of land in 
 Willsboro. 
 
 The proposition appears not to have been enter- 
 tained by at least one of the parties, from the following 
 certificate, a copy of which is embraced in a letter of 
 Gilliland. 
 
 " I, Jonathan Pearsee, keeper of the goal in the city 
 and county of New York, do certify, that William 
 Gilliland was committed to the said goal on the 21st 
 day of February, 1786, and continued in actual con- 
 finement until the 3d day of December, 1791, at the 
 suit of Hopkins and Ingersoll. 
 
 Signed, Jonathan Pearsee. 
 
 • 
 To whom it may concern. 
 
 I propose here to close my labours, and to commit 
 the memory and the fame of Gilliland to the consider- 
 ation of the reader. My researches have been directed 
 to voluminous documents, comprising public memorials, 
 letters, memoranda, and speculations on various sub- 
 jects, written towards the close of his life and reach- 
 ing down to May, 1793, but their reproduction in this 
 volume would add little light to our understanding 
 26 
 
202 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 of the character of Gilliland, or ilkistration to the 
 annals of his times. Incoherent, confused, and often 
 extravagant in language and feeling, and traced by a 
 tremulous hand, these papers afford too palpable evi- 
 dence of the approaching ruin of his energetic and 
 vigorous intellect. Adversity, accumulated sorrows, 
 and an impassioned conviction of treacheries, wrongs 
 and injustice, had begun a work, that soon closed his 
 career in mental alienation and by a sad and tragic end. 
 
 When the earlier pages of this work had already 
 passed through the press, my attention was directed 
 by Doc"" E B O'Callaghan to a large mass of valuable 
 original documents in the State Department at Albany, 
 and among them many connected with William Gilli- 
 land. The student of history is deeply indebted to the 
 enlightened antiquarian labors of Doc* O'Callaghan 
 for the preservation of these important memorials. 
 Among these papers I notice the discharge of Gilliland 
 from the army in 1758, and also his marriage bond the 
 succeeding year. The former presents a phase in his 
 variegated life of which I had no previous knowledge, 
 and which is not referred to in the traditions of his fam- 
 ily. I am not able to suggest any explanation of the 
 circumstances which induced an individual occupjnng 
 his social position, and distinguished by such intel- 
 ligence and attainments, to enter the army as a common 
 soldier except the incident which in early life led to his 
 expatriation. 
 
 The 35th regiment of the line, to which Gilliland 
 was attached, formed the ill-fated garrison of Fort 
 William Henry in 1757, which suffered so fearfully in 
 the massacre by the Indians under Gen. Montcalm, 
 
THE CHAMrLAIN VALLEY. 203 
 
 Whether Gilliland was present at that calamitous event 
 I have no means of ascertainhig, but his silence on such 
 a subject warrants the presumption that he was not. 
 Ilis connection with this regiment, which was stationed 
 on the Champlain frontier, necessarily made him fa- 
 miliar with that territory, and amply explains a primary 
 cause by which his mind was directed to it as a per- 
 manent residence. It appears from a document which is 
 printed in a subsequent page, and which is also pre- 
 served in the state office, that Gilliland located his in- 
 dividual soldier's right near Split Rock (Roche Fendre). 
 This paper seems, in connection with other documents, 
 to establish the identity of the pioneer with "William 
 Gilliland the soldier. 
 
 I reproduce the marriage bond as an interesting reve- 
 lation of the habits of a past century. Other selections 
 from these papers will appear in their chronological 
 arrangement. 
 
 His majesty's 35th regiment of Foot, whereof Lieut. 
 Gen'^ Charles Otway is Colonel. 
 
 These are to certify that the bearer hereof, William 
 Gillilan, soldier in the regiment aforesaid, and in Cap- 
 tain Bellew's company, hath served honestly and faith- 
 fully for the space of four years, and is hereby dis- 
 charged, being sickly and having got two better men 
 in his room. 
 
 Having first received a full and true account of all 
 his Pay, arrears of Pay, Cloathing, and all other just de- 
 mands, from the first day of enlisting into the said 
 regiment to this present day of his discharge; as ap- 
 pears by his Receipt on tlie other side. 
 
204 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 Given at PJiiladeliylda — the 13tli clay of J.pn7, 1758. 
 To all coneeruecl. 
 
 Henry Fletcher 
 Lieut. Col. 35tli regt. 
 
 [Appeared for land in New York.] 
 
 Kuow all Men by these Presents, That We William 
 Gilliland of New York merchant, and John Van Gelder of 
 the same city Blacksmith., are held and firmly bound unto 
 our Sovereign Lord George the 2d by the Grace of 
 God, King of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, De- 
 fender of the faith, &c. in the sum of/i?e Aimc?rec? pounde, 
 current money of the province of Neio York, to be paid 
 to his said Majesty, or his Heirs and successors: for 
 the which payment well and truly to be made and 
 done, we do bind ourselves, and each of us, our and 
 each of our Heirs, Executors and Administrators, and 
 every of them, firmly by these presents. Sealed with 
 our seals, dated the eight day of February in the 32c? 
 year of his said majesty's reign, annoq domini one thou- 
 usand seven hundred and ffty-nine. 
 
 The condition of this obligation is such, that whereas" 
 the above bounden William GiUdand hath obtained a 
 license of marriage for himself of the one party and Fliz- 
 abeth Phagen of New York Spinster of the other Party. 
 JS'ow if it shall not appear hereafter, that they or either 
 of them the said Wm. Gilliland and Eliz'^ Phagen have 
 any lawful Let or Liipediment of Pre-contract, af- 
 finity or consanguinity, to hinder their being joined in 
 the holy bands of matrimony, and afterwards their liv- 
 ing together as man and wife ; then this obligation to 
 
THE CHAMrLAIN VALLEY. 205 
 
 be void and of none eifect, or else to stand, remain, 
 abide and be in full force and virtue. 
 
 "Wm. Gilliland 
 Jno. Van Gelder 
 Sealed and delivered in the Presence of 
 
 Robt. Yonge 
 
 Marriage Bonds vol. ii, page 185. 
 
 William Gillylan of the 35th, Peter Sullivan of the 
 47th, and Michael Keongh of the 44th regiment, for 
 50 acres each. Between Rattlesnake Den, and the 
 Bay — De Roches Fendres, to be bounded southerly by 
 Isaac Bumers north line, westwardly by mountains, and 
 easterly by Lake Champlain; and extending so far 
 northerly as to contain the quantity. 
 
 Council Minutes, vol. 29, jpage 63. 
 
 [Seems to be a fragment.] 
 
 Letter which he had rec'd from the said Gilleland, 
 on the subject of his claim to the lands aforesaid, 
 which letter contained bare assertions, notlSupported 
 by any vouchers, and irreconcilable with the applica- 
 tions which he had formerly made to the Governor of 
 New York. 
 
 Resolved, therefore, that the Secretary of this state, 
 be requested to prepare a draught of letters patent for 
 granting to the said Zephaniah Piatt the lands peti- 
 tioned for by him — to be laid before the Board at the 
 next meeting. 
 
 That this Board do adjourn to Tuesday the 8th day 
 of February, in order that the said "W". Gilleland may 
 have further time to lay before the Board such vouch- 
 
206 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 ers or papers in support of his claim as he may think 
 proper, and that the Board will on that day finally de- 
 termine respecting the lands aforesaid. 
 
 [On the following page the passage given below.] 
 
 His Excellency, the Governor being out of town on 
 the 15th Jan^, agreed to meet on Tuesday the 25th. 
 At a meeting of the said Commissiouers, agreeable to 
 summons on Tuesday the 25th Jan'y, 1785. 
 
 Present — His Exc^, George Clinton Esq., Gov*" of 
 the state of IST. Y., Lewis A. Scott Esq., Secretary, &c. 
 Gerard Banker Esq., Treas' of the said state ; Rob' 
 Troup Esq., Attorney to W"" Gilleland attended. 
 
 Agreeable to the request of this Board of the 11th 
 instant, the Secretary produced such papers respecting 
 the claims of W™ Gilleland to the land located by 
 Zephaniah Piatt, as were to be found in the Secreta- 
 ire's office, which being read, appeared to be nothing 
 more than an application to the Gov'' of the late prov- 
 ince of ]^. York, unsupported by any minute or order 
 of Council, or warrant for surve^ang. 
 Mr. I^'roup read to the Board. 
 
 Land Papers, v. 37, p. 76. 
 
 To his Excellency the Gov"" and the other Gentlemen 
 Commissioners of the Land office for the state of 
 'New York. 
 
 Gentlemen : I am desired by two gentlemen of my 
 acquaintance, (both of them worthy men, and have 
 taken an early active part in defence of our rights in 
 the late war) to endevor to get a Lease of the Public 
 Lands at Crown Point, and Ticonderoga for them. I 
 am unacquainted with their value, and therefore am at 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. ■ 207 
 
 a loss bow much to offer; but as I have re-establisbed 
 my settlements at Lake Cbamplaiii, I would wish to 
 have good neigbbors, wbicb induces me to make you 
 an offer of five dollars a year more for each place tban 
 you have yet rece*^, and to leave on tbe premises im- 
 provements equal in value to any wbicb tbey may bave 
 proposed to do. 
 
 I bave tbe bon'" to be respectfully, 
 Gent" your most Obe'd Servant, 
 Will Gilliland. 
 I^ew York, 22d Ap^ 1785. 
 
 [Endorsement on next page of above.] 
 
 Gentl": In order to bring matters to a certainty witb 
 respect to tbe witbin mentioned Public Lands I will, 
 in bebalfof my employers, give for Ticonderoga at tbe 
 rate of sixty pounds, aijd for Crown Point tbe same 
 rent [per ann.] under a lease of twenty-one years, 
 and will leave on eacb place at tbe expiration of eacb 
 term an improvement of two hundred pounds value. 
 With great respect, I am, 
 
 Genf your Obe'd Servent, 
 Will Gilliland. 
 To tbe Gent" Com", &c. 
 22d Ap^ 1785. 
 
 Land Pajyers, v. 37, 2^. 126. 
 
 Sir: By tbe proposal which I have made for the Gar- 
 rison Lands at Ticconderoga, I meant to include none 
 but what lies east and north-east, and south-east from 
 the Saw Mill Creek ; there is ten acres at the landing, 
 and five acres on the west side of the Saw Mill Creek, 
 which tho' I conceive them to be appendages to the 
 
»08 ■ PIONEER niSTORY OF 
 
 Gamsoii of Ticconcleroga, yet I did not mean to include 
 either in the location I have made. But if I get these 
 two spots with that I have already' made an ofter for, 
 I am willing to give forty pounds per ann. in addition 
 to my former proposal, and to increase the improve- 
 ment two hundred pounds at the end of the term. 
 I have the honor to be, with much respect, 
 Sir, 
 
 Your Excellenc3''s 
 
 Most obd't serv't. 
 Will Gilliland. 
 His Excellency the Governor. 
 
 [ EndorBement on the back of tlie above letter.] 
 
 Mr. Gililand will please to confine his proposals for 
 the lands at Tyconderoga to those comprehended by 
 the limits following to wit ; bounded southerly and 
 easterly by the waters of Lake Champlain ; northerly 
 and westerly by patented lands, as the commissioners 
 cannot have any other lands there, and of course are 
 not authorized to receive proj)Osals for any other least 
 it might hereafter be subject of controversy. Mr. Gili- 
 land will please to return this letter with his proposals. 
 
 Geo. Clinton. 
 
 3d May, 1785. 
 
 Land Papers, v. 38, p. 109. 
 
 Sir : I am sorry that my brevity (or incorrectness) 
 in my former, occasions to you so much trouble ; hav- 
 ing mentioned the two papers in a particular manner, in 
 the letter I wrote to Mr. Scott, (now in your bands), I 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 209 
 
 thouglit you would have had recourse to that for your iu- 
 formatiou, should you be at any loss m mine to you 
 about the matter. I dont want the papers out of your 
 office. I am desirous only to know whether they are 
 there, they are each an extract from the minutes of coun- 
 cil, the one to Conrad Bull and others for 2300 acres of 
 land on the west side of Lake Champlain, between 
 Rattle Snake Den and the Bay De Roches Fendue, 
 the grant of which to the pef was advised by council 
 on the 20th July, or 8th May, 1763. The other is a 
 grant advised by council of same tract to auo'" sett 
 of pet" dated 8th May, 1765, or 20th July, same year, 
 both setts of pet" had sold their respective shares to 
 me ; how I came to cover my own location is now a 
 mystery, but I fancy it must have happened thro' mis- 
 take ; for I see by my memorandums that I soon with- 
 drew Bitkin's and associates pet° and located for them 
 elsewhere. 
 
 Pray, could not a citation from your Board compel 
 evidences to appear before you to testify what they 
 know to be true respecting the controversy between 
 parties, especially if the person desirous to have the 
 benefit of his evidence is willing to pay him ? Perhaps 
 your Board will be desirous that CoP Thomas Palmer 
 shall confirm by his oath the certificate he gave me 
 (now in your hands) respecting his survey of Bessbo- 
 rough, and you know I can have no other power but 
 that of persuasion only, which on my application to 
 him availed not, perhaps indeed it might answer to 
 send up a copy of his certificate, that he might be 
 qualified before a Justice, directed by his Excellency 
 to interrogate upon it. 
 27 
 
210 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 I continue a perfect cripple tliro' the obstinacy of 
 
 my disorder, but am, 
 
 Sir, 
 
 Your most obed't St. 
 
 Will Gilliland. 
 
 G. Bancker, Esq. 
 
 Land Papers, v. 39, p. 126- 
 
 At a meeting of the Commissioners of the Land of- 
 fice of the State of New York, held at Mr. Heyers in 
 the City of New York, on Tuesday, the 14th day of 
 March, 1786. 
 
 Present, His Excellency, George Clinton Esquire, 
 Governor, Lewis A. Scott Esquire, Secretary, Gerard 
 Banker Esquire, Treasurer, and Peter T. Curtenius 
 Esquire, Auditor. 
 
 The Board, agreeable to appointment proceeded to 
 the hearing of the claim of William Gilliland in vir- 
 tue of several locations by him, made under the rights 
 of sundry officers and privates of the two Regiments 
 which were to be raised for the defence of the State 
 on bounties of unappropriated lands on certain lands 
 interfering with those set apart by this Board on the 
 28th of January, 1785, for the Canadian and Nova 
 Scotia Refugees, whereupon Mr. Gilliland in support 
 of his said claim produced to this Board copies of the 
 following locations filed in the Surveyor General's 
 office, certified by Simeon DeWitt Esq., Surveyor 
 General, to wit, of Ezekiel Tutliill for five hundred 
 acres on the falls of the little river Chazy, filed the 19th 
 of August, 1783, of Captain Simeon Newell for fifteen 
 hundred acres at the line of the state, filed the 21st 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN" VALLEY. 21 1 
 
 January, 1784, of Ensign Grideon Cowles for one thous- 
 and acres adjoining Captain Newell's location filed the 
 2l8t January, 1784, of James Shepherd fortive hundred 
 acres on the great river Cliazy, filed the 5th of May, 
 1785, and of William Richardson for five hundred 
 acres at the same place, filed the same day. And the 
 Board having inspected the said certificates, and com- 
 pared them with the muster rolls and returns of the 
 Corps formed of the Recruits raised for the said two 
 Regiments, and having also read and considered the 
 Proofs and allegations of the parties, respectively, do 
 determine, 
 
 That none of the locations under which the said 
 "William Gilliland claims except that in the right of 
 E^tfildaLTuthill ought to operate to the prejudice of 
 the said Canadian and N'ova Scotia Refugees. 
 
 Resolved therefore that the said claims except the 
 one under the right of Ezeki e l Tuthill be dismissed 
 and that the Surveyor General do proceed td^carry 
 into execution the said order of this Board of the 28th 
 of January, 1785, as explained in the resolution of this 
 Board of the 13th May 1785 without regard to any lo- 
 cations, but those which shall appear to have been duly 
 made and filed in his ofiice prior to the first above 
 
 mentioned order. 
 
 Land Paj^ers, vol. 41, p. 11. 
 
 I am indebted for a reference to the original of the 
 following petition to the kindness of Doctor Franklin 
 B. Hough, by whose research it was found among the 
 archives in the State library. 
 
212 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 To the Hon"" the Legislature of the State of New 
 
 York, in Senate and in Assembly convened. 
 The Petition of William Gilliland formerly of Lake 
 Champlain, in the County of Charlotte, now a Re- 
 fugee in this city. 
 Humbly Sheweth; 
 
 That your Petitioner was the first person who at- 
 tempted a settlement in the then dreary wilderness of 
 Lake Champlain, in which he at length succeeded, after 
 expending an ample fortune, and with eleven years 
 close application and industry. 
 
 That your Pef actuated by motives of the warmest 
 affection, and attachment to the civil and religious 
 rights, of the inhabitants of this country (wherein he 
 hopes to end his days,) took an early active part in 
 the present contest, which rendered him so obnoxious 
 to the Brittish commanders in Canada, that General 
 Carleton oftered five hundred silver dollars, as a reward 
 for apprehending, and taking your Petitioner prisoner 
 to Canada. 
 
 That at the time of the retreat of our army from 
 Canada, under the direction of General Sullivan, your 
 Pet'' thro' fear of being destroj-ed, or injured by the 
 enemy, or their savage allies, Avas constrained to desert 
 and abandon his several settlements, (established with 
 so much fatigue and treasure) together with a large 
 stock of cattle, very plentifuU crops (well secured from 
 the weather) a great quantity of bulky l" urniture, and 
 implements of agriculture ; two grist and two sawmills, 
 fifty other buildings (the property of your Pef and his 
 tenants) all of which have been consumed by the ene- 
 my, by the loss whereof, and of a large sum due by his 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 213 
 
 tenants mills and farms ; your petitioner's losses occa- 
 sioned by the present war, amount to upwards of seven 
 thousand pounds sterling; of which he can fully satisfy 
 your honors, or any gentleman whom your honors 
 may think fit to appoint. 
 
 That your Pef having very extravagant house rent 
 to pay, and being exposed to other great expenses, in 
 the support of a large family in these exhorbitant times, 
 tho' in his manner of living he is much more frugal 
 and parsimonious, than he ever before hath been since 
 he kept house ; notwithstanding which, his utmost in- 
 dustry in the management of the small capital which 
 your petitioner hath preserved, is inadequate to the sup- 
 port of himself and his family, notwithstanding which, 
 and without paying the least regard, to the just ex- 
 emption from taxation of personal estate, which your 
 honors were pleased to extend to refugees in your pe- 
 titioner's situation, or making any enquiry into your 
 Pef circumstances, his income or expenditures, the 
 assessors have taxed your Pef higher by twenty-five 
 per cent, than they have taxed a gentleman who is 
 said to be the wealthiest man in this whole city, and 
 who has remained in his own house in peaceful safety, 
 from the commencement of the present war. But it 
 would take up too much of your honors time, to men- 
 tion the great variety of cases nearly similar to the 
 foregoing glaring instance of unequal taxation, which 
 have of late taken place in this city. A critical review 
 of the tax list itself, .would probably afford you the 
 clearest and best information. 
 
 May it therefore please your honors to give your 
 petitioner relief from the unjust and illegal burden laid 
 
214 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 tenants, and by being deprived of upwards of six hun- 
 dred pounds sterling annual income, arising from his 
 on him by the present assessors, contrary to the letter 
 and spirit of the act, and, in your wisdom, to make 
 such alterations and amendments in the tax law, as 
 will effectually put it out of the power of partial asses- 
 sors, in future to oppress your Petitioner by unequal 
 or illegal taxation and. 
 
 Your Pet will ever pray &c. 
 
 Will Gilliland. 
 Albany, IstFeby. 1780. 
 
 I find the following synopsis, in the Calendar of 
 Land Papers, a highly valuable work recently compiled 
 by Doctor O'Callaghan, ofdocumentsfiledbyMr. Gilli- 
 land in the appropriate oflices at Albany. The papers 
 attest the multiplicity and extent of his operations in 
 real estate, and furnish indirect corroboration of many 
 facts and occurrences stated in his memorials and let- 
 ters. From these documents, I have selected a few 
 from the peculiar interest they possess for publication 
 which have been embraced in preceding pages. 
 
 1763. Petition of William Gilliland of the city of 
 New York, praying a grant of 60,000 acres of land, 
 lying either near South bay, or between Ticonderoga 
 and Crown Point on the west side of Lake Champlain ; 
 or if sufiicient quantity cannot be granted at either of 
 these places, the residue to be on a small tract adjoin- 
 ing the river Boquet, for the settlement of a number 
 of families, who are daily expected/ro?7i Ireland. — Land 
 Papers, vol. 17, p. 11. 
 
 Caveat by William Gilliland against granting to any 
 other person lands within the bounds of five certain 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 215 
 
 tracts on the west side of Lake Champlain, containing 
 together 8850 acres, without date. Vol. 37, page 32. 
 
 Jauy. 25, 1785. Minutes of the commissioners of 
 the Land office, in relation to land located by Zepha- 
 niah Piatt, and claimed by William Grilliland. Vol. 
 87, page 76. 
 
 April 28th, 1785, Proposal of "William Gilliland for 
 a lease for 21 years, of Point Aufere. Vol. 38, page 4. 
 
 May 4th, 1785. Letter from William Gilliland to 
 Gov. Clinton respecting the proposals made by him 
 for leasing the garrison land at Ticonderoga. Vol. 38, 
 page 109. 
 
 May 7th, 1785. Letter from William Gilliland to 
 Gov. Clinton respecting his proposal for taking on 
 lease lauds at Ticonderoga. Vol. 38, page 123. 
 Papers produced by William Gilliland in Support of his 
 Claims to Land, viz.: 
 
 May 7th, 1785. Claim of Wm. Gilliland for lands on 
 west side Lake Champlain. Vol. 39, page 120. 
 
 Memorial of William Gilliland setting forth the 
 cause of the delay in the trial about the settlement of 
 his claim to lands, and praying that an early day may 
 be appointed for the final hearing thereof. Vol. 39, 
 page 122. 
 
 Aug. 6. Certificate of Thomas Palmer, that he sur- 
 veyed for William Gilliland several tracts of land on 
 the west side of Lake Champlain, and also two tracts 
 on the south side of Salmon river, containing respect- 
 ively 2000 acres, and 800 acres. Vol. 39, page 123. 
 
 Aug. 15. Affidavit of Stephen Tayler in relation to 
 settlements &c., on W" Gilliland's land on the west 
 side of Lake Champlain. Vol. 39, page 124. 
 
216 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 Aug. 17. Affidavit of Udney Hay in relation to Ed- 
 ward Raymond's title under W"" Gilliland to lands in 
 Bessboro on the west side of Lake Champlaiu. Vol. 
 39, page 125. 
 
 Oct. 15. Letter from William Gilliland to Jarrard 
 Bancker asking information to aid him in the settle- 
 ment of the controversy about a tract of land purchas- 
 ed by him, lying on the west side of Lake Champlain, 
 between Rattle Snake Den and the Bay de Roches Fen- 
 dres. Vol. 39, page 126. 
 
 Oct. 15. Letter from William Gilliland to secretary 
 Lewis A. Scott, respecting the trial about the title to 
 certain lands claimed by him, the trial between the 
 Canadian refugees and Col. Willetts Corps, location 
 soldiers rights, &c. Vol. 39, page 127. 
 
 Oct. 24. Letter from W™ Gilliland to Secretary Scott 
 about certain papers being extracts from the minutes 
 of council of two grants of the same tract of land, 
 which tracts lie between Rattle Snake Den, and the 
 Bay de Roche Fendue. 
 
 Extracts from the minutes of council relating to 
 William Gilliland's claim, showing also the proceedings 
 relative to the petition of soldiers for rights of land. 
 Vol. 39, page 128. 
 
 1764 Aug. 15. Petition of Dan'l Wriesbergh for a 
 grant of 2000 acres of land on the west side of Lake 
 Champlain. Vol. 39, page 129. 
 
 Aug. 15. Certificate of Gen. Gage, that Lieutenant 
 Dan'l Wriesbergh served during the war. Vol. 39, 
 page 129. 
 
 Sep. 24. Petition of John Connelly for a grant of 
 2000 acres of land on the west side of Lake Champlain, 
 
THE CHAMPLA.IN VALLEY. 217 
 
 between the river Boquet and Lake Champlain. Vol. 
 39, page 130. 
 
 1764, Sep. 20. Petition of Jolin Hicks, late surgeon, 
 for leave to locate 2000 acres of land on the west side 
 of lake Champlain, between the Cloven Rock and river 
 Boquet. lb. page 131. 
 
 Sep. 24. Petition of John Wharton, late Capt., for 
 a grant of 2000 acres of land lying between the river 
 Boquet and the Cloven Rock, on the west side of Lake 
 Chami^lain. P3. page 132. 
 
 Dec. 14. Order to the Surveyor General to survey 
 the above land to Wharton. lb. page 132. 
 
 July 6. Certificate of Gen. Gage, that Capt. John 
 Wharton served during the war. lb. page 133. 
 
 Oct. 2. Certificate of Gen. Gage, that Lieut. William 
 Potts served during the war. lb. page 134. 
 
 Oct. 12. Petition of Isaac Reamer, late Corporal, for 
 a grant of 200 acres of land on the west side of Lake 
 Champlain, between Rattle Snake Den and the Bay 
 De Roche Fendue. lb. page 136. 
 
 Oct. 15. Petition of Peter Lutnie, a reduced soldier, 
 for a grant of 50 acres of land on the w^est side of Lake 
 Champlain, between Rattle Snake Den and the Bay 
 de Roche Fendue lb. page 136. 
 
 Oct. 24. Petition of Francis Fay, Edward Blakeney, 
 Dennis Hall, Thomas Sedwoll, and Cornelius Hays, 
 late soldiers, for a grant of 250 acres of land on the 
 west side of Lake Champlain. lb. page 137. 
 
 Oct. 24. Petition of John Bethie, late Sergeant, for 
 a grant of 200 acres of land, on the west side of Lake 
 Champlain. lb. page 138. 
 
 Oct. 24. Petition of John Smith, and John McCarty 
 28 
 
218 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 for a grant of 400 acres of land, on the west side of 
 Lake Charaplain. lb. page 138. 
 
 Oct. 24. Petition of John Viand for a grant of 200 
 acres of Umd, on the west side of Lake Champlain. 
 lb. page 139. 
 
 Oct. 24. Petition of Thomas Denhard, late Corporal, 
 for a grant of 200 acres of land on the west side of 
 Lake Champlain. lb. page 139. 
 
 Oct. 24. Petition of Joseph Handsforth, and Philip 
 Simon, late non-commissioned oflicers, for a gfant of 
 200 acres of land to each on the west side of Lake 
 Champlain. lb. page 140. 
 
 Oct. 24. Petition of W^Blaylook, late corporal, for a 
 ffrant of 200 acres of land on the west side of Lake 
 Champlain. lb. page 140. 
 
 Oct. 26. Power of Attorney from William Gillylan, 
 Peter Sullivan, and Mich. Keogh to Thos. Carrol to pro- 
 cure for them a grant of 150 acres of land. lb. page 
 141. 
 
 . Oct. 26. Petition of William Gilliland, Peter Sul- 
 livan and Michael Keogh, for a grant of 150 acres of 
 land, on the west side of Lake Champlain. lb. page 
 141. 
 
 Oct. 29. Petition of Conrad Lefler, a disbanded sol- 
 dier, for a grant of 50 acres of land on the west side of 
 Lake Champlain. lb. page 142, 
 
 Oct. 30. Petition of William Gilliland for a grant 
 of 1000 acres of land on the west side of Lake Cham- 
 plain. lb. page 143. 
 
 1765, Jan. 5. Petition of Geo. LeIIunte, late Cap- 
 tain, for a grant of 3000 acres of land, on the east side 
 of Hudson's river on Battenkill. lb. page 144, 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 219 
 
 Jan. 15. Certificate of Gen. Gage, that Capt. George 
 Le Hunte served during the war. lb. page 144. 
 
 Jan. 29. Petition of Peter Stewart, setting forth 
 that he served as mate on board the ships of war 
 Shannon, and the Shrewsbury, and praying a grant of 
 2000 acres of land. lb. page 145. 
 
 Feb. 15. Petition of John Friswell, hite Lieut, in 
 the Navy, for a grant of 3000 acres of land on the west 
 side of Lake Champlain. lb. page 145. 
 
 1764, Jan. 23. Certificate of Phil Durall, that John 
 Friswell was Midshipman on board ship Princess 
 Amelia, during the seiges of Louisburgli and Quebec, 
 lb. page 146. 
 
 Feb. 15. Certificate of John James, that the Prin- 
 cess Amelia was at the reduction of Louisburgh and 
 Quebec. lb. page 146. 
 
 1764, Jan. 10. Letter from J. Powell in relation to 
 Capt. Friswell's claim to land. lb. page 146. 
 
 1765, April 27. Petition of Daniel Buxton, Philip 
 Richards, Daniel Cuthbert, Richard Aspinwall, George 
 Tingle, Daniel Keels, John Smith, and James Smith, 
 disbanded soldiers ; Robert Alexander and Christo- 
 pher Dugan, reduced non-commissioned ofiicers, for a 
 grant of 50 acres to each disbanded soldier, and 200 
 acres to each reduced non-commissioned oflicer. lb. 
 page 147. 
 
 Apr. 26. Petition of Conrad Bell, Simon Bemis, 
 Edmund Bowman, John Williamson, Thomas Stafibrd, 
 Henry Moore, and Daniel Moriarty, reduced non-com- 
 missioned officers, for a grant of 200 acres of land each, 
 on the west side of Lake Champlain. lb. page 148.^ 
 
 ^This long catalogue of claims formed the basis of the tides Gilli-? 
 land asserted to most of his Champlain estates. Nearly all the above 
 
220 PIONEER HISTORY OF 
 
 1771, Jan. 8. Memorial of 'William Gilliland for a 
 grant of 7350 acres of land, near Lake Champlain, to- 
 gether with part of a creek on which he has erected 
 some mills. Vol. 40, page 56. 
 
 1773, June 20. Memorandum of lands purchased by- 
 William Gilliland from non-commissioned officers and 
 soldiers, and petitioned for by him. Vol. 40, page 60. 
 
 Sep. 14. Memorial of William Gilliland setting forth 
 that he purchased the rights of several disbanded sol- 
 diers and non-commissioned officers to lands, and locat- 
 ed the same on Lake Champlain, and praying that the 
 Surveyor General be ordered to make return thereof, 
 and that letters patent issue for the same. lb. page 
 68.2 
 
 1787, Aug. 24. Return of a Survey for W» Gilliland 
 of 2300 acres of land on the west side of Lake Cham- 
 plain, between a place called Rattle Snake Den and 
 the Bay De Roche Fendue (Westport Essex Co). Vol. 
 45, page 84. 
 
 1789, Feb. 11. Certificate of location for William 
 Gilliland and Mathew Watson, of 500 acres of land on 
 the west side of Lake Champlain, beginning 73 chains 
 west from the mouth of the little river Chazy. (Chazy, 
 Clinton Co). Vol. 46, page 45. 
 
 1789, June 22. Certificate of location for William 
 Gilliland and Mathew Watson, of a tract of 200 acres 
 
 list of names appear in his memorials. The patents lying between the 
 Boquet and Split Rock, granted to the names of Wriesburgh, Conolly, 
 Hicks, Potts, Wharton, and Friswell, still exist, and in accordance 
 with the original location. 
 
 ^I find sixty-five pages of the Land Papers occupied by Gilliland's 
 documentary evidences of title, in addition to those enumerated in the 
 above synopsis. The list is too voluminous for republication. 
 
THE CHAMPLAIN VALLEY. 221 
 
 of land on the west side of Lake Champlain, beginning 
 at the river Boquet, seven chains north of the !S. W. 
 corner of James Judd's patent. (Essex and "Westport, 
 Essex Co). Vol. 47, page 33. 
 
 June 22. Certificate of location for William Gilli- 
 land and Mathew "Watson, of 200 acres of land on the 
 west side of Lake Champlain, (Essex and Westport). 
 lb. page 34. 
 
 Numerous other similar documents appear in these 
 volumes under the name of William Gilliland Jr., but 
 most of them apparently connected with these claims. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 Abercrombie, Gen., 18, 32, 95, 
 Acadia, 18. 
 Adams, Saml., 95. 
 Address of Gilliland, 28. 
 Adirondac mountains, 9, 96. 
 Aiken, AbraUam, 87. 
 Aix-la-Cbapelle, treaty of, 15. 
 Alamollie river, 131. 
 Albany, 26, 31, 32, 41, 51, 86, 92, 
 
 93, 126, 127, 153, 182, 191, 
 
 193, 199, 200, 201, 214. 
 Albany, committee of safety at, 181. 
 Alexander, Capt., 59. 
 Alexander, Robert, 194, 219. 
 Allen, Col. Ebenezer, 74. 
 Allen, Col. Ethan, 14, 43, 44, 46, 
 
 48, 50, 175, 176. 
 Alvis, Mr., 134. 
 Amherst, Gen.. 18, 19, 119, 
 Arbitrary justice, 129. 
 Armagh, 23. 
 Armistice, 189. 
 Armstrong, Martin, 171. 
 Armstrong's brook, 170. 
 Arnold, Gen., 46, 47, 50, 59, 60, 
 
 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 69, 70, 71, 
 
 73, 76, 119, 174, 175, 176, 
 
 179, 180, 181. 
 Arnold, Gen., "invective against, 
 
 06. 
 Arnold. Gilliland's letter to, 58. 
 Arnold's letter to Gen. Gates, 60. 
 Aspinwall, Richard, 194,219. 
 Astronomer's island, 135. 
 
 Aufere point, 215. 
 
 Au Sable river, 35, 88, 114, 115, 
 
 146. 
 Au Sable, note on, 112, 113. 
 Avery, Dep. Com. Gen., 57. 
 Ayres, Eliakim, 94, 95, 96, 110, 
 
 119, 121, 122, 123, 134, 157, 
 
 168. 
 Ayers, Mrs., 123. 
 Baker, Remember, 47. 
 Banker, Gerard, 206, 210, 216. 
 Banyer, G., 193, 194. 
 Barnes, \Vm., 93. 
 B.atcbelors creek, 38, 160, 162, 163. 
 Bateaux, note on, 93. 
 Battle of Lake Champlain, 70. 
 Bay Perrow, note on, 123. 
 Beaman, Nathan, 14. 
 Beaver meadows, 101. 
 Beaver river, 115, 147, 
 Bedford, Wm., 195. 
 Beekeman, Duykinck, 196, 
 Beekmantown, 78. 
 Bell, Conrad, 219. 
 Bellew, Capt., 203. 
 Belton, George's house, 170. 
 Belton, George, 92, 102, 109, 110, 
 
 119, 122, 123, 124, 128, 130, 
 
 134, 135, 136, 140, 144, 157, 
 
 159, 171. 
 Belton, Mrs., 92. 
 Bemis, Simon, 219. 
 Bennington, 17, 46, 189. 
 Bentzle, Mr., 14. 
 
224 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Benzel, Mr., 123, 135. 
 
 Berkshire county, 46. 
 
 Berness, Simon, 194. 
 
 Bertie, 100, 101. 
 
 Bessboro, 35, 77, 209, 216. 
 
 Betbie, John, 217. 
 
 Betkee, Jobn, 195. 
 
 Birmingham, 114. * 
 
 Bitkin, iMr., 209. 
 
 Blakeney, Edward, 217. 
 
 Blakley, Edward, 195. 
 
 Blaylook, Wm., 218. 
 
 Blayroch, Wm., 194. 
 
 Bleecker, Jobn, 86, 200. 
 
 Bleecker, Mrs., 86. 
 
 Block house, Pierson's, 48. 
 
 Blood, Nathaniel, 02, 171, 172. 
 
 Bogert, William, 153, 
 
 Boquet, Gen., 96. 
 
 Boquet river, 20, 26, 32, 34, 35, 
 38, 41,53,54,72,73,74,77,87, 
 89, 91, 97, 98, 103, 105, 110, 
 141, 150, 165, 214, 217, 220, 
 221. 
 
 Boquet river and falls, note on, 96. 
 
 Bouman, Edw., 194. 
 
 Boundary commi.ssion, 39, 132. 
 
 Boundary, report on, 35. 
 
 Bowman, Edmund. 219. 
 
 Brady, Thomas, 124. 
 
 Brandywine, 74, 183. 
 
 Bready, Thomas, 136. 
 
 Bremmers, George, 171. 
 
 British, invasion of 1812, 91. 
 
 Brown, Capt., 123. 
 
 Bruce, Robert, 201. 
 
 Brymers brook, 170. 
 
 Bull, Conrad, 194, 209. 
 
 Bulwagga bay, 13. 
 
 Bulwaggy mountain, 99. 
 
 Burners, Isaac, 205. 
 
 Bunker hill, 17. 
 
 Bush, Sam., 190. 
 
 Bush, Isaac, 93. 
 
 Burgoyne Gen., 18, 72, 73, 96, 98, 
 183. 
 
 Burke, Thos., 154, 156, 157, 158, 
 159. 
 
 Buidington, 87. 
 
 Burr, Aaron, 83, 200. 
 
 Button Mould bay, 62, 133. 
 
 Buxton, Daniel, 194, 219. 
 
 Byantum, John, 172. 
 
 Camels Hump, 111. 
 
 Cammeron, William, 171, 172. 
 
 Campbell, William, 196. 
 
 Campbell, Major, 195. 
 
 Camp Island, 32, 98, 145, 151, 152, 
 154, 164. 
 
 Canada, 9, 12, 13, 17, 20, 22, 33, 
 34, 50. 51, 63, 68, 72, 74, 80, 
 90, 94, 99, 101, 111, 138, 139, 
 158, 168, 175, 170, 177, 187, 
 192. 199, 212. 
 
 Canal, Champlain, 196, 198. 
 
 Canal, project for, 77. 
 
 Caniadere-Guarante — Lake Cham- 
 plain, 11. 
 
 Carillon, signification of, 16. 
 
 Carder, Joseph, 189. 
 
 Carlton, Gen., 39, 53, 71, 72, 73, 
 119, 132, 175, 112. 
 
 Carleton, Gov., 132. 
 
 Carleton's prize, 70. 
 
 Carrol, Thomas, 218. 
 
 Castleton, 46. 
 
 Cattle marks, 171. 
 
 Caughnawaga Indians, 90. 
 
 Charlotte county, 212. 
 
 Charlotte county organized, 42. 
 
 Chariot tesboro, 30. 
 
 Cliambly rapids, 48. 
 
 Champlain canal, 196, 198. 
 
 Champlain, Saml., 10. 
 
 Chapon or Schuyler island, 119. 
 
 Chazy river, 78, 210, 220. 
 
 Ciie-onderoga, signification of, 16. 
 
 Chesterfield, 97. 
 
 Chislm, Mrs., 93. 
 
 Chism, John, 92, 96, 119,110, 124, 
 136, 137, 142, 152, 158, 156. 
 
 Chism, Tho., 130. 
 
 Chism, Yon, 157. 
 
 Climate, unchanged, 164. 
 
 Clinton county, 80, 87, 89, 220. 
 
 Clinton county organized, 87. 
 
 Clinton, Gov.. 206, 208, 210, 215. 
 
 Cloven rock, 33, 134,141,144,217. 
 
 Cloven rock, note on, 103. 
 
 Colden, Alex., 192. 
 
 Golden, Lieut. Gov., 193, 194. 
 
 Cold, Spring, 111. 
 
 Coleman, jNIr., 127, 
 
 Colony, aspect of, in 1775, 55. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 225 
 
 Colonies, sources of revolt, IG, 17. 
 
 Colonial province, new, projected, 
 44. 
 
 Colony, Gilliland's, 31. 
 
 Commissioners, boundary, 132. 
 
 Committee of safety, memorial to, 
 182. 
 
 Congress, memorial to, 174. 
 
 Congress, note on word, 134. 
 
 Connelly, John, 216. 220. 
 
 Contest for leadership, 46. 
 
 Cook, Wm., 200, 201. 
 
 Cooper, Henry, 172. 
 
 Corlears bay, 111. 
 
 Corp island, 154. 
 
 Corull, Geo., 173. 
 
 Covenant, settlers' 169. 
 
 Cowles, Ensign Gideon, 211. 
 
 Crab island, 119. 
 
 Cragan river, 116. 
 
 Craig, Mary, 93, 129. 
 
 Creditors, proposal to, 199. 
 
 Cross, Henry, 172. 
 
 Cross, Mr., 61. 
 
 Crown Point, 13, 16, 19, 20, 21, 
 26, 33, 37, 39, 44, 45, 46, 47, 
 49, 50, 51, 52, 56, 60, 63, 65, 
 68, 71, 72, 87, 88, 95, 96, 98, 
 99, 122, 123, 124, 128, 129, 
 
 132, 133, 134, 168, 175, 176, 
 177, 178, 179, 195, 197, 206, 
 207, 214. 
 
 Crown Point, business of, 119, 120. 
 Crown Point seized, 12. 
 Crown Point, traffic of, 14. 
 Crown Point, population in 1700, 
 
 13. 
 CuUen water, 112. 
 Cumberland bay, 110, 118. 
 Cumberland creek, 118. 
 Cumberland head, 35, 36, 56, 78, 
 
 133, 134, 150, 193. 
 Cumberland river, 118. 
 Curtenius, Peter F., 210. 
 Cuthbert, Danl., 194, 219. 
 Cuyler Stephen, 86. 
 Cuyler Charles, 86. 
 Cuyler, Stephen, jr., 86. 
 Dari, John, 154. 
 
 Day, Israel, 173. 
 Day, Ithamer, 172. 
 Day, Jonathan, 173. 
 
 29 
 
 Day, Thomas, 60, 63, 64, 171, 173. 
 
 Day, Thomas, deposition of, 62. 
 
 Day's creek, 170. 
 
 Dead creek, 115, 118. 
 
 Dean, Mr., 131, 132, 153. 
 
 Deane, Nesbit, 166. 
 
 Deane, Wm., 200. 
 
 Deaths by drowning, 38. 
 
 De Coucelle, 111. 
 
 De Fredenburg, see Fredenburg. 
 
 Denhart, Thos., 194, 218. 
 
 Depew, Dr. John, 128. 
 
 Descendants of Wm. Gilliland, 86. 
 
 De Witt, Simeon, 210. 
 
 Dibble, Israel, 125. 
 
 Dickson, Moses, 96, 99, 102, 119, 
 
 134, 
 Dieskau, Gen., 18. 
 Distraint, cattle sold on, 157. 
 Documents, list of, 214-16. 
 Doe run, 116. 
 Dougan, Christ., 194. 
 Douglas bay. 111. 
 Drowning, deaths by, 126. 
 Duck creek, 115. 
 Dudly, Martin, 125. 
 Dugan, Christopher.) 219. 
 Dugnis, John, 173. 
 Dujuit, Mr., 61. 
 Dunn, Capt., 62. 
 Durall, Phil, 219. 
 Eckles, Lady Betsy, 23. 
 Elections, how conducted, 89. 
 Elizabeth bay, 120. 
 Elizabeth point, 121. 
 Elizabeth, note on, 105. 
 Elizabethtown, 36. 
 Elmore, Mrs., 10. 
 Emancipation, 81. 
 Encamping island, 154. 
 England, bad policy of, 15. 
 En gland, vessels constructed in, 68. 
 Enniskelling, 109. 
 Esopus, 193. 
 Estate, large landed, 77. 
 Essex county, 18, 45, 96, 220, 221. 
 Essex county, survey of, 5. 
 Essex village, 20, 36, 41, 74, 84, 
 86, 87, 90, 103, 105, 121, 221. 
 Europe, 197. 
 Farrell, Mr., 160. 
 Fay, Francis, 217. 
 
226 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Ferris, Mrs., 124. 
 
 Ferris, Wm., 124. 
 
 Field, Dr. Joseph. 26. 
 
 Fingle, George, 194. 
 
 First house erected, 37. 
 
 First scliool house, 41. 
 
 Fish, exul)erance of, 97. 
 
 Flat rock bay, 141. 
 
 Flint, Jonathan, 171, 172. 
 
 Flint, Joseph, 172, 173. 
 
 Fort Albany, 74. 
 
 Fort Carillon, 16, 19. 
 
 Fort Edward, 29, 30, 32, 90, 93. 
 
 Fort George, 94, 95, 128, 132, 1G6, 
 
 1'.19. 
 Fort Miller, 94. 
 Forts captured, 47. 
 Forts, plan to capture laid by 
 
 Gilliland, 47. 
 Fort William Henry, 18, 202. 
 Four Brothers islands, 110. 
 Fowler, Squire, 81. 
 Franklyn, 87. 
 Frazier, Capt., GO, 61. 
 Frazier, Mr., IdO. 
 Fredenburgh, Chas., 39, 40, 132, 
 
 133, 150. 
 Fredenburgh grant, 40. 
 Freight, expense of, 199. 
 French flotilla, 119. 
 French, incursions by, 11, 12. 
 French nomenclature, 110. 
 French superiority, 89. 
 Friswell, John, 14G, 219, 220. 
 Funds raised to repair forts, 46, 
 Gage, Gen., 216, 217, 218. 
 Galland, Francis, 136. 
 Gardner, Jacob, 171, 172. 
 Gardner, Jotham, 171, 172, 173. 
 Gardner vs. Frazier, 88. 
 
 Garret, Anthony, 195. 
 
 Gates, Gen., 51, 56, 57, 60, 63, 64, 
 68, 70, 74, 81, 178, 181, 182, 
 184. 
 
 Ghent, 39, 13-5. 
 
 Gilbert, Job, 190. 
 
 Gilfan, Wm., 195. 
 
 Gilliland, Charity, 12.5. 
 
 Gilliland, Charlotte, 86. 
 
 Gilliland, Eliz., 86, 125. 
 
 Gilliland, James, 36, 41, 125, 166. 
 
 Gilliland, Jane, 126, 127. * 
 
 Gilliland, Jane Willsboro, 135. 
 Gilliland journal, 6, 13. 
 Gilliland income, 55. 
 Gilliland, Henry P., 6, 8G, 116. 
 Gilliland, Mrs. Eliz., 38, 125, 128. 
 Gilliland, Mrs. Jane, 125, 161. 
 Gilliland, William, 6, 8, 20. 
 Gilliland, deathof, 85 ; epitaph, 86 ; 
 marriage bond, 2U3 ; bounty 
 for, 49. 
 Gilliland, Wm., jr., 44, 86, 116, 221. 
 Goodrich, Mr., 141. 
 Goodrich & Ingersoll, 83. 
 Government, local, organized, 42. 
 Grand isle, 18, 131, 1-50, 190. 
 
 Grant, Fredenburgh's, 41. 
 
 Grant, John, 172, 173. 
 
 Grants, royal, abrogated, 79. 
 
 Green mountains, 9, 11, 48, 81, 111. 
 
 Green mountain boys, 46, 176. 
 
 Grouse, Christian, 195. 
 
 Hadlock, Sam., 189. 
 
 Haklibrand, Gen., 16. 
 
 Haldibrand, Gov., 46. 
 
 Haldimand, Gen., 189. 
 
 Half Moon, 94, 126. 
 
 Hall, Dennis, 195, 217. 
 
 Handsforth, Joseph, 218. 
 
 Hands, Joseph, 195. 
 
 Hamilton, Miss Eliz., 125. 
 
 Hampshire grants, 44. 
 
 Harper, Robert, 39, 132, 135. 
 
 Hartley, Col., 56, 57. 
 
 Hartley, Lieut., 52. 
 
 Hay, Major Udney, 52, 53, 57, 64, 
 178, 216. 
 
 Hay, tramp cocks, 102. 
 
 Hay, Wm., 172. 
 
 Hay, yield of, 130. 
 
 Hays, Cornelius, 195, 217. 
 
 Hays, 3Ir., 56, 61, 70. 
 
 Hays, Mrs., 70. 
 
 Hecks, Israel, 172. 
 
 Henry, Mrs., 126. 
 
 Henry, Rev. George, 34, 38, 92, 
 99, 100, 126. 
 
 Hermitage, the, 157. 
 
 Herrick, Col., 47, 
 
 Heyers, Mr., 210. 
 
 Hicks, George, 106, 119, 122, 123, 
 134, 154, 156, 220. 
 
 Hicks, John, 217. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 227 
 
 Hicks, Mrs., 123. 
 
 Higliby, Levi, 80, 90, 97. 
 
 Hotfnagle, Melclioir, 88. 
 
 Hoklship, Wm.. 1U5. 
 
 Hopkins & Ingersoll, 81, 201, 
 
 Hors3, first, 158. 
 
 Hospital island, 119. 
 
 Hostages, children retained as, 49. 
 
 Hough, Dr. F. B., 211. 
 
 Howe, Gen., 18. 
 
 Hudson river, 32, 77, 93, 94. 
 
 Hulme, Mr., 141, 145, 150. 
 
 Hussey, Anne, IGG. 
 
 Ice, formation of, 140. 
 
 Ice, sinking of the, 101. 
 
 Ice, surveys upon the, 141. 
 
 Illinois, 8<J. 
 
 Incursions by French, 12. 
 
 Indian claims, 90. 
 
 Indian devastations, 73. 
 
 Indian council, 98. 
 
 Indians, Burgoyne's summons to, 
 
 72. 
 Indians, Iroquois, 90. 
 Indians, Six Nations, 90. 
 Indians, St. Regis and Caughna- 
 
 waga, 90. 
 Indian sympathy, 70. 
 Indian relics. 111. 
 Invasion in 1776, G8, 69, 70.^ 
 
 Ireland, a negro servant, 125, 137. 
 
 Irishmen, colonists, 109. 
 
 Iron manufactures, 90. 
 
 Iron ore, 76, 189, 190. 
 
 Iron works, 99. 
 
 Iroquois, domains of, 12. 
 
 Iroquois Indians, 90. 
 
 Isle Cbapon, 111. 
 
 Isle la Motte, 60. 
 
 Isle La Molte, derivation of name, 
 78. 
 
 Isle Yalcour, 40, 60, 116, 133, 149. 
 
 Jackson, Samuel, 94, 128. 
 
 Jamaica island, 24. 
 
 .lames, John, 219. 
 
 Jamison, John, 195. 
 
 Jauesboro, 35, 70, 86. 
 
 Jimmy's Point, 36. 
 
 Johnson, Gen., 18. 
 
 Jones's patent, 110. 
 
 Jones. Wm., 99, 100. 
 
 Judd, Dr., 144, 221. 
 
 Judd, James, patent, 26. 
 
 Justice, practical, 88. 
 
 Kane, Charles, 90. 
 
 Keels, Daniel, 219. 
 
 Keeseville, 113. 
 
 Keough, Michael, 195, 205, 218. 
 
 Killeen, 109. 
 
 King, John, 106, 119, 122, 134. 
 
 La Cole river, 134. 
 
 Lake Champlain, 9; compared to 
 Lake Constance, 9; explored 
 by Samuel Champlain, 19 ; 
 Indian name, U ; hostile in- 
 cursions, 11; French survey 
 of, 20; seigniory of, 20; i_ts 
 bearing on the revolution, 17; 
 battle of, 70; notes on, 99, 139. 
 
 Lake George, 16, 30, 32, 47, 87, 
 95, 132, 175, 199. 
 
 Lake George, navigation of, 93. 
 
 Lake Superior, 18. 
 
 Lamar, Capt., 50, 177. 
 
 Lamoille river, note on, 131. 
 
 Land association, 54. 
 
 Land commissioners, 210. 
 
 Land commissioners, sec Letters. 
 
 Land grants, Canadian, 20, 21. 
 
 Lawsnn. Wm., 103. 
 
 Law suits, early, 88. 
 
 Leadersiiip, dispute for, 175. 
 
 Leaky. Capt., 101. 
 
 Leases, tilling, 219. 
 
 Leech, Harel, 173. 
 
 LelFers, Corrand, 195. 
 
 Lefler, Conrad, 218. 
 
 Le Hunte, George, 218._ 
 
 Leonard, Jame^, 172, 173. 
 
 Letters : 
 
 Col. Hartley to Gen. Gates, 56. 
 Wm. Gilliland to Gen. Arnold, 
 
 58. 
 Gen. Arnold to Gen. Gates, (iO. 
 Gen. Gates to Gen. Arnold, 63. 
 Fragment of, 2)5. 
 To com"rs of land office, 206, 
 
 207, 208, 209. 
 From Gilliland, 197. 
 
 Letters patent to Piatt, 205. 
 
 Levi Point, 100. 
 
 Lewis, Robert, justice of the peace, 
 
 62. ^ ^ 
 
 Lexington, 43, 46. 
 
228 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Lidwel, Thomas, 195. 
 
 Lion coucliant, 111. 
 
 Little Au Sable river, 115. 
 
 Little Britain, 109, 110. 
 
 Livingstone, Brockholst, 83, 200. 
 
 Livingstone, John, 200. 
 
 Logan, James, 158, 159. 
 
 Logan, James, note on, 138. 
 
 Logans point, 144. 
 
 Losses, Gilliland's, 82. 
 
 Louisburg, 15, 219. 
 
 Lowe, Lieut., 118, 193, 
 
 Lewis, Robert, 63. 
 
 Luckey, Wm., 94, 95, 98, 102, 109, 
 
 110, 119,120, 124, 129, 153. 
 Lumber trade, 80. 
 Lutnie, Peter, 217. 
 Macord, Mr., 100. 
 Mann, Isaac, 153. 
 Mapletown, 189. 
 INIarks, cattle, 171. 
 Massachusetts, 176. 
 Mattoon, John, 92. 
 McAuley, G., 159. 
 McAuley, John, 92, 99, 102, 104, 
 
 128, 130, 157, 158, 162, 166, 
 
 156. 
 McAuley, Messrs., 135, 141. 
 McAuley, Mr., 130. 
 McAuley, Robert, 37, 92, 102, 104, 
 
 119, 120, 124, 129, 137, 141, 
 
 142. 144, 158, 159, 161, 162, 
 
 172, 173. 
 McAuley, Wm., 41, 56, 61, 68, 88, 
 
 136, 144, 166. 
 McAuley's creek, 169. 
 McAuley's house, 154, 165. 
 McCracken, Mr., 155. 
 McDonough, 19, 119. 
 McElrea, John, 125, 137. 
 McFarden, Rachel, 125. 
 McGinniss brook, 170. 
 McKarty, John, 195, 217. 
 McKay, Mr., 153. 
 McKensie, Alex., 195. 
 IVIcKesson, John, 132. 
 McLane, Robert, 92, 95, 96, 97, 
 
 109, 119, 121, 128. 
 McLaughlin, Archibald, 125. 
 McLeon, Col., 175. 
 McMullen, Patrick, 195. 
 Meadows, note on, 101. 
 
 Melson, George, 92. 
 
 Memorial to committee of safety, 
 
 181. 
 Memorial to congress, 174. 
 Military arrests, appeal against, 
 
 75. 
 Mills destroyed, 54. 
 Mill sites on Lake George, 95, 97. 
 Mill town, 34, 36, 37, 88, 40, 98, 
 
 99, 101, 103, 110, 120, 123, 
 125, 128, 131, 163. 
 
 Milltown falls, 150. 
 jNIinute men, 48. 
 Missisqui bay, 61. 
 Mohawk river, 90, 93. 
 Montcalm, Gen., 19^ 202. 
 Montcalm, Gen., sketch of, 18. 
 Montgomery, Gen., 50, 176. 
 Montreal, 18, 20, 34, 41, 50, 99, 
 
 100, 101, 138, 155. 
 Monty's Chantier, 172. 
 Moore, Henry, 194, 219. 
 Moore, James, 195. 
 
 Moore, Sir Henry, 39, 40, 132, 135, 
 
 194, 195. 
 Moriarty, Daniel, 194, 219. 
 Mt. Defiance, 74. 
 Mount Morency falls, 100. 
 Munsell, Joel, 7, 63. 
 Muscalonge, 97. 
 Negro business, 201. 
 Newell, Capt. Simeon, 210, 211. 
 New York, 28, 24, 25, 27, 28, 32, 
 
 36, 38, 87, 90,92,94, 119,125, 
 
 181, 132, 155, 166, 190, 191, 
 
 192, 198, 199, 201, 204. 205, 
 
 207, 214. 
 New York, government of, 15. 
 N. Y. legislature, petition to, 191, 
 
 212. 
 Nichols, Nathan, 172. 
 North, Lord, 66, 180. 
 O'Callaghan, Dr. E. B., 85, 202, 
 
 214. 
 Officers, town, 88. 
 Orange county, 76. 
 Otter Creek, 47, 71, 131. 
 Otway Charles, 203. 
 Palmer, Col. Thomas, 209. 
 Palmer, Peter S., 40. 
 Palmer, Thos., 192, 194, 215. 
 Panton, 72. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 229 
 
 Parker, Benj., 189. 
 
 Parker, Clark, 189. 
 
 Parker, Ezekiel, 189. 
 
 Parker, Jon., 189. 
 
 Pearsee, Jonathan, 201. 
 
 Pence, Adam, 195. 
 
 Peru, 89. 
 
 Perrew bay, 37. 
 
 Petition to N. Y. legislature, 191, 
 
 212. 
 Petitioners, list of, 193-4. 
 Pbagan, Elizabeth, 24, 204, 
 Phngan, N. Y. merchant, 24. 
 Philadelphia, 63, 197, 204. 
 Phleming, David, 123. 
 Pidey, Nathaniel, 195. 
 Pierce, Major, 182. 
 Pierson, Mr., 48. 
 Pine Point, 141. 
 Piatt, Zephaniah, 41, 205, 206, 
 
 215. 
 Plattsburgb, 40, 87, 88, 133. 
 Plattsburgli patent, 41. 
 Plattsburgb, salmon at, 97. 
 Pomeroy, Gen., 17. 
 Plum creek, 169. 
 Point Pleasant bay, 60. 
 Population, ancient, 13, 14. 
 Potash works, 198. 
 Pettier, Mr., 138. 
 Potts, Lieut. Wm., 217. 
 Potts, Mr., 220. 
 Powell, J. 219. 
 Prescott. Gen., 17. 
 Price, Mr., 165. 
 Providence, 189. 
 Province, new, projected, 44. 
 Putnam, Gen., 17, 18. 
 Pyat, James, 195. 
 Quebec, 34, 38, 39, 80, 90, 99, 100, 
 
 132, 199, 219. 
 Ralston, John, 201. 
 Rattle snake den, 194, 205, 209, 
 
 216, 217, 220. 
 Raymond, Edward, 216. 
 Reamer, Isaac, 195, 217. 
 Reid, Col., 135. 
 Revolution, beginning of, 168. 
 Reynold, George, 154. 
 Rhode Island, 189. 
 Rice, Mr. George, 131, 132, 155. 
 Richard, Philip, 194, 219. 
 
 Richardson, Will, 211. 
 
 Richelieu, 68. 
 
 Roads, early, 87, 89. 
 
 lload to Crown Point, 30. 
 
 Roberts, Thomas, 195. 
 
 Robinson, 94. 
 
 Roche Fendue, bay de, 33, 103, 
 
 194, 203, 204, 205, 209, 216, 
 
 217, 220. 
 Rogers, Gen., 18. 
 Rogers, Piatt, 84, 85, 89. 
 Romans, Capt., 59. 
 Rome, 93. 
 Rose, Mr., 88. 
 
 Ross, Daniel, 84, 86, 87, 198, 
 Ross, Generjil, 5. 
 Ross, Henry H., 86. 
 Ross, James, 141. 
 Ross, AVilliam D., 86. 
 Rudd, Jabez, 136. 
 Pium at vendue, 168. 
 Rutland, 190. 
 
 St. Aranack river, 116, 117, 133. 
 St. Armant, 117. 
 St. Charles, 100. 
 St. Clair, Gen., 57. 
 St. Clair, defeat of, 89. 
 St. Frederic, 15, 19. 
 St. Johns, 9, 56, 61, 62, 68, 99, 
 
 101, 175. 
 St. Lawrence river, 44, 90, 100, 
 St. jNIichael island, 150. 
 St. iMichael's island, note on, 119. 
 St. Regis Indians, 90. 
 Salmon in Lake Champlain, 97. 
 Salmon river, 6, 35, 36, 44, 70, 
 
 78, 86, 115, 117, 148. 
 Saranac river, 40, 41. 
 Saranac river, note on, 117. 
 Saratoga, 17, 72, 94, 128. 
 Saw Mill creek, 207. 
 Saw mills on Lake George, 95, 97. 
 Scarr, Mr., 61. 
 Scenery, Au Sable, 118. 
 Scituate, 189. 
 
 Schenectady, 32, 90, 93, 94. 
 School house, first, 41. 
 Schyler's island. 111. 
 Schuyler, John, 111. 
 Schuyler Philip, 39, 50, 63, 132, 
 
 135, 175. 
 Scott, Lewis A., 206,208, 210, 216- 
 
230 
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Sergeants land, 115, 116. 
 
 Seasons, no change in, 125. 
 
 Sedwell, Thomas, 217, 
 
 Seigniory granted, 20. 
 
 Settlement, plan of, 27. 
 
 Settlers' covenant, 1G9. 
 
 Settlers, diificulties with, 37, 122, 
 129, 130. 
 
 Settlers, first, of Willsboro, 86. 
 
 Settlers, in 1780, 189. 
 
 Shaford, Thos., 108. 
 
 Shaft sbury, 189. 
 
 Shelburn, 48, 188. 
 
 Sheldon, Oicar F., 5, 6, 8, 14, 23, 
 26, 35, 44, 48, 49, 78, 80, 86, 
 87, 88, 97, 98, 122. 
 
 Shepherd, Catharine, 93. 
 
 Shepherd, .James, 211, 
 
 Sheriif and posse captured, 49, 175. 
 
 Shipboy, Thos., 153, 
 
 Ship island, 71. 
 
 Shoreham, 47. 
 
 Shooting matches, 137. 
 
 Sill, Major, 201. 
 
 Simon, Philip, 194, 218. 
 
 Six Nations, fears of, 89. 
 
 Skeene, Philip, 44, 45. 
 
 Skeenesboro, 45, 47, 94. 
 
 Slaves, suborned, 81, 
 
 Smith, James, 194, 219. 
 
 Smith, John, 136, 156, 157, 158, 
 
 159, 194, 195, 217, 219. 
 Smith, Nehemiah, 125, 130, 136, 
 
 142, 155, 157, 158, 160. 
 Society, state agricultural, 5. 
 Society for promoting arts, agri- 
 culture and economy in the 
 province of New Yorlc, 28. 
 Soldiers, grants to, 191. 
 Sorel river, 34, 100. 
 Split rock, 26, 33. 36, 37, 38, 54, 
 
 73, 77, 88, 89, 110, 203, 220. 
 Split rock, note on, 103. 
 South bay, 29, 30, 31, 214. 
 Stafford, 88. 
 
 Stafford, Thos., 194, 219. 
 Stanley, John, 195. 
 Stark, Gen,, 17, 18,51. 
 Steele, Richard, 195. 
 Stewart, Peter, 147, 219. 
 Stewart & Friswell, 133. 
 
 Stillwater, 38, 94, 125, 127, 135, 
 
 160. 
 Stippens, Major, 183. 
 Stockner, James, 92, 95, 102, 104, 
 
 110. 
 Stoughton, Wm., 128. 
 Stuart, Lieut. Peter, 194. 
 Sullivan, Gen., 51, 177, 178, 212. 
 Sullivan, John, 19.5. 
 Sullivan, Peter, 195, 205, 218. 
 Survey, French, 20. 
 Surveys, 34, 103, 162, 166. 
 Surveys upon the ice, 141, 146. 
 Surveyor General, avarice of, 192. 
 Taylor, Martin, 94, 95, 98, 102, 
 
 119, 122, 134, 157, 159. 
 Tfiylor, Stephen, 215. 
 Tliomas, Mr., 198, 201. 
 Thompson, James, 131, 132, 136, 
 
 137, 138, 1.50. 
 Tibbits, John, 190. 
 Ticonderoga, 14, 18, 19, 26, 30, 32, 
 34, 43, 45, 46, 47, .50, 51, 52, 
 59, 61, 63, 66, 68, 69, 72, 74, ' 
 95, 125, 128, 132, 168, 175, 
 177, 178, 180, 197, 206, 207, 
 208, 214, 215. 
 Ticonderoga, Indian name, 16. 
 Tingle, George, 219. 
 Titles, conflicting, 21. 
 Todd, Mr., 153. 
 Town meetings, 173. 
 Townsend, 18. 
 Trampt cocks, note on, 102. 
 Trespassing, Fredenburg warned 
 
 against, 40. 
 Trois Rivieres, 99, 100. 
 Troop, George, 90. 
 Troup, Robert, 206. 
 Tryon county sheriff captured, 
 
 49, 175. 
 Tryon, Gov., 196. 
 Tuthill, Ezekiel, 210, 211. 
 Unsett, George, 195. 
 Utica, 78, 93. 
 Utrecht, 12. 
 
 Valcour island, 69, 119. 
 Van Gelder, John, 204, 205. 
 Vanvranka, Mr., 182. 
 Vergennes, 87. 
 Vermont, 189. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 231 
 
 Vessel, attempts to raise, 71. 
 
 Vessels, Arnold builds, 69. 
 
 Viant, .John, 194, 218. 
 
 Wages in 1765, 92. 
 
 Walpole, Mr., 15. 
 
 Walton, John, 110. 
 
 Washington, Gen., 17, 176. 
 
 Watson, Edward, 56. 
 
 Watson, Jack, 56. 
 
 Watson John, 36, 37, 61, 6.3, 64, 
 
 95, 120, 122, 123, 125, 128, 
 
 132. 
 Watson Mathew, 220, 221. 
 W.ayne, Gen., 57. 
 Welsh, Catharine, 125. 
 Welsh, John, 195. 
 Westfield, 81. 
 Westport, 35, 36, 220, 221. 
 Wharton, Cupt. John, 135, 217, 
 
 220. 
 Wheat, culture of, 136. 
 White creek, 162. 
 White, Ebenezer, 171. , 
 Whitehall, 9, 90, 94. 
 White, Sheriff, 175. 
 Willett, Col., 216. 
 Williams, Betsey, 125. 
 Williams, George, 109. 
 Williams, Isaac, 136. 
 
 Williams, Leonard, 195. 
 
 Williamson, John, 194, 219. 
 
 Willsboro, 20, 36, 37, 38, 42, 48, 
 52, 90, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 101, 
 121, 124, 125, 128, 129, 134, 
 137, 138, 147, 156, 167, 169, 
 173, 174. 
 
 Willsboro bay, 123. 
 
 Willsboro falls, 33, 88, 89, 90, 98, 
 110. 
 
 Willsboro, Jane, 86. 
 
 Willsboro, Mss. history of, 5. 
 
 Willsboro, name derived, 103, 105. 
 
 Wilson, Capt., 56, 61. 
 
 Wilson, George, 95, 119, 128. 
 
 Wilson, Jno., 173. 
 
 Wilson, Mr., 141. 
 
 Wind-mill point, 134, 135. 
 
 Winooski falls, 87. 
 
 AVinter, John, 195. 
 
 Winter, Joseph, 201. 
 
 AVitbeck, Thomas L., 200. 
 
 Wolf's Cove. 100. 
 
 Wood feed, 124. 
 
 Wriesbergli, Danl., 216, 220. 
 
 Wykes, William, 60, 62, 171. 
 
 Yonge, Robert, 205. 
 
 Yorktown, 125. 
 
 Young, James, 166, 167. 
 
687 
 
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