Memories of eighty years; autosketches, random notes and reminiscences

Front matter

I^oiit0ter

CORNELL

UNIVERSITY .

Chapter I Ancestral History

IT has seemed to me desirable to perfect, so far as possible, the Genealogical Records of the Hollister and Chamberlin families, with which I am connected. To this end I have sought their records from various sources and recorded them at length in our Family Bible, a brief synopsis of which is here given. Of our English ancestors but little can be learned, from the fact that, by reason of the War of Independence, so ahenated were the colonies from the mother country that few of our American families cared to maintain relationship with their kindred in England and were indifferent as to the records which might relate them to their ancestors. So far as I have been able to connect our families with their antecedents the results are here briefly outlined.

THE HOLLISTERS IN ENGLAND

No satisfactory conclusion has been reached as to the origin of the family name. It appears in EngUsh records as early as 1563 and is believed to be of Anglo-Saxon origin. Numerous families of that name were located principally in the counties of Gloucestershire, Somersetshire, and Wiltshire. There are records of births, marriages and deaths jWemoricjS of ^igljtp SeacjS in these counties dating from 1563 to 1677. The records also show that some of them were men of means and were extensive land-holders, as in the case where Lord Berkley, in the sixth year of the reign of Queen Elizabeth, sold one fourth of his manor of Almondsbury, Gloucestershire, to John Hollister and others.

In the language of Heraldry the Hollister Coat of Arms is described as foUows:

"Sable between a greyhound courant blendwise and a dolphin hauriant in base Argent, three roses gules in a chief of the second two slips of strawberry fructus proper.

"Crest: an arm in armour embowered holding a branch of holly proper.

We also find record of a will made by John Hollister, merchant, in Bristol, England, dated July 15, 1575. The name John Hollister was of record frequently previous to the time of the arrival of our ancestor who came to America. From which of the families he was a descendant we are not able to determine.

THE HOLLISTERS IN AMERICA

John Hollister, the Immigrant from whom all the families of that name so far as we know are descended, was born in England in 1612, and migrated to America in 1642.

From the prominence to which he soon attained it is evident that he was a man of culture and strong personality. The year following his settlement in the Connecticut Colony at Hartford he was made a "freeman," and the next year 1644, he was selected to represent Wethersfield in the

^nccsftral ^[^iiStotp

Colonial Assembly, and continued to act in that capacity at nearly every session for ten years. He made additions to what was known as "The Naubuck Farms" and there he built the celebrated "old red house, " in which he lived and died, and which remained in possession of his descendants of that name for 233 years, until in 1888 it passed to other hands.

That he was one of the foremost men in social life is evident in that Joanna Treat, whom he married, was the daughter of Richard Treat, Senior, one of the patentees named in the charter granted by Charles II to the Hartford Colony. He was almost continuously elected to oflEicial positions in the infant colony and was appointed Tax Collector also for the support of students at Cambridge. Robert Treat, a brother of his wife, was Governor of Connecticut for many years. Colonel Hollister, as he was called, was thus brought into intimate relation with the most prominent families in the colony.

In his church connection he was not entirely happy. It was an unusual thing at that day for a layman to withstand and antagonize his minister, but that was what he did. For some reason, which I am not able to learn, the minister informed him that he had exconamunicated him from the church, whereupon Colonel Hollister demanded a copy of his charges and a hearing before the church. This was denied him. The result was that a portion of the church members withdrew and united with him in the formation of another church. As the new organization included the names of a number of the most prominent citizens, and also that of the Governor, it seems evident

0ltmotit0 of <Ci0l^tp f carjf that he was strongly supported in his contention. That he also was inclined to be belligerent is apparent from the fact that the report made by the Council to which the matter was finally referred, stated that in their view both of the contestants had been unwarrantably rash and that both were amenable to criticism. The pugnacious pastor not long after resigned his position in the old church and sought a pastorate elsewhere.

The physical prowess of Colonel Hollister is well indicated by a quotation which I am tempted to make from Chapin 's History of Glastonbury for Two Himdred Years, in which he writes as follows: "The nearest approach to hostilities that has come to our knowledge is furnished by the following tradition in regard to John Hollister which has been supplied by a member of the family now abroad. While Col. Holhster continued on the West side of the River he was accustomed to go over and cultivate in Nauaug unprotected by company. On one occasion a huge stout Indian appeared before him saying he had been told that he, Mr. H., was the stoutest paleface in the settlement and proposed a trial of strength in a fight. Col. H. assented and at it they went. After engaging in a conflict until each was exhausted they mutually agreed upon a truce and sitting down upon a log rested themselves. Having recovered breath and strength they fought again, and again they rested, fighting and resting until sundown, when neither having conquered they exchanged tokens of friendship and ever after lived in peace."

Colonel Hollister died in Wethersfield in 1665, aged 53 years. His wife died in 1694, twenty-nine years later.

^nteieittal I^tjECtocp

To this family eight children were born, of whom John, Jr., their eldest son, was our paternal ancestor.

John Hollister, Jr., was born in Wethersfield in 1644 and was married to Mary Goodrich in 1667. He was one of the principal men in Glastonbury, Connecticut, and died there November, 171 1. Seven children were born to this family, of whom, in the third generation, Thomas was our ancestor.

Thomas Hollister was born in Wethersfield January 14, 1672. He married Dorothy Hill, of Glastonbury, and died there in 1741. By occupation he was called " the weaver, " and held the office of Deacon in the church. To this family thirteen children were born, five sons and eight daughters, of whom seven daughters were married and one died at the age of seven years Of the five sons, Charles was our forefather.

Charles Hollister, of the fourth generation, was born in Glastonbury in 1701. He was married to Prudence Francis in Wethersfield in 1 7 29. He settled in Eastbury, Connecticut, and died there in 1753. His tombstone is to be seen in the old burying-ground in Eastbury. His family consisted of nine children, seven sons and two daughters. Of these, his third son, Francis, was our progenitor.

Captain Francis Hollister was born in Glastonbury in 1733. He married Betty McKee in 1753. They resided in Tyringham, Massachusetts. He was a sea captain and died in Havana in 1770. They had seven children, four sons and three daughters. Of these, Abner, the oldest son, was our ancestor.

Abner Hollister of the sixth generation, was born in 1754.

He was a soldier in the Revolution and was with Arnold in his march to Quebec. After Arnold's surrender he made his escape through a pathless wilderness, and, after suffering great privation, reached his home. By his first wife, Sarah Betty of Tyringham, whom he married in 1775, he had twelve children, of whom my father, John Bentley Hollister, was the tenth child. For his second wife he married Elizabeth Granger of Oneida County, New York. No children were born to them from this marriage. He died in Cato, Cayuga County, New York, in 1813, aged 59 years.

Bom Died

16 1 2 John Hollister, Immigrant 1694

Married Joanna Treat

SECOND generation

1644 John Hollister, Jr. ... .1711

Married Sarah Goodrich, 1667

THIRD generation

1672 Thomas Hollister 1741

Married Dorothy Hill

fourth generation

1 701 Charles Hollister lyej

Married Prudence Francis, 1729

fifth generation

1733 Francis Hollister j-»q

Married Betty McKee, 1753

sixth generation 1754 Abner Hollister jgj-

Married Sarah Betty, 1775 Elizabeth Granger, 1802 16

^ncejaitral f$i^toti^

SEVENTH GENERATION

179s John Bentley Hollister 183 1

Married 1797 Mary Chamberlin, 1821 1890

EIGHTH GENERATION

1824 John Hamilcar Hollister 1911

Married 1827 Jeannette Windiate, 1849. i9°9

THE CHAMBERLIN GENEALOGY

In the above, my mother's family is represented. In treating of the Chamberlin history I am mainly indebted to the researches of Mr. William Chamberlin, a native of Dalton, Massachusetts, and for some thirty years or more before the Civil War, a merchant in Natchez, Mississippi. He thinks that our ancestry dates back to the one who held the position of Chamberlain to William the Conqueror when he went over to England. Be that as it may, I am only interested to trace that branch of the family now so numerous in our own country and from which our immediate line is descended.

Joseph Chamberlin was the name of our first American ancestor. He was of English antecedents, born in Wales, whither his father, who was a stanch Protestant, had fled to escape the persecution so intense during the reign of Charles I. He was born in 1653, in the fourth year of the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell, and lived through the successive reigns of Charles II, James II, William and Mary, Ann, George I, and more than half of that of George II, For the same reason that their father fled to Wales, when his estate was confiscated, three of his sons migrated

;jWmioriC3ei of <«Eigl&tp ScaciS to America in 1670. Of these, Joseph, our progenitor, was only seventeen years old. He settled in Colchester, Connecticut, where he lived to see five generations of descendants born. He died in 1750, aged 97 years, respected by all who knew him. He was married at Colchester and reared a family of five sons and five daughters. The sons' names were Wilham, Freedom, Joseph, Benjamin, and John. The names of the daughters were not given. Our line descends from John, the youngest son. He was a farmer and resided in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and died there, aged 85 years His son Joseph was the founder of the fourth generation. '

Joseph Chamberlin, the founder of the fourth generation, was the father of four sons and five daughters. The sons were named Martin, Jacob, Gad, and Dan. The names of the five daughters are also given.

Eunice, who married Dr. Abel Kittredge.

Lois, who married Samuel Baldwin.

Abia, who married Levi Day.

Saphronia, who married Eliphalet Chamberlin.

Jerusha, who married Smith Parmlee.

Gad Chamberlin, of the fifth generation, the third son of Joseph Chamberlin, was my grandfather. He was born in Colchester, Connecticut, in 1770, and removed to Dalton, Massachusetts, when he was but a child, and there he grew to manhood. He was married to Lydia Baldwin of the adjoining town of Windsor. He settled first in Greenville, New York, later in Sangersfield, then Lima, New York, and

'Both the second and third generations of our branch of the family were represented by John Chamberlin. My father realized that he had omitted one of these, but neglected to make any change in his manuscript. I H M

^Incejestmi I^ijertotp in 1827 removed to Romeo, Michigan, where he died in 1846, aged 76 years. His family consisted of eleven children, of whom Mary, my mother, was the oldest. Their names were as follows:

Mary, who married John B. Hollister.

Samuel, who married Eliza Collins.

Addison, who married Lydia Leach, and Ann Parsons.

Electa, who married Rev. William T. Snow.

Nelson, who died, aged ten years.

Julia, who married Rev. Luther Shaw.

Harvey, who married Juliette McKeen.

Joseph, who married Olive Warren.

Nelson P., who married Hannah Potter.

James B., who married Margaret Chamberlin.

Lydia Baldwin Chamberlin, the mother of this family, died in Greenville, Michigan, and is buried in the family lot in Romeo beside her husband. A monument to their memory has been erected in that place.

The union of the Hollister and Chamberlin families was consunamated by the marriage of John B. Hollister, my father, with my mother, Mary Chamberlin. To them, reference will be made in the succeeding chapter.

As family records sometimes become of special interest to later generations, it has been a matter of interest to trace the genealogy of these two families from the landing of their progenitors in America, and this data may possibly be of service to those who may come after me.

Chapter II Family History

JOHN BENTLEY HOLLISTER, my father, was born ^ in the town of Adams, Jefferson Coimty, New York, in 1795. His mother died when he was hardly six years old, and he went to live with an older sister, the wife of Rev. Chaxmcy Cook, then the resident minister at Pompey Hill, near Syracuse, New York. The Pompey Hill Academy was then one of the most popular educational institutions in the state, and there many noted men were educated. My father's prominence as a student in that institution is evident from the fact that at the age of sixteen he gained the highest award for scholarship at the annual examination. The prize awarded was a standard volimie of Johnson's English Dictionary, a rare and somewhat expensive work at that date. It was the standard authority both in Europe and America. It was not imtil years later that the first edition of Webster's Dictionary was given to the public. While he was a proficient student of the languages, he was especially fond of mathematics and early became an adept as a land surveyor. In those days there was a very great demand for such service. At the early age of eighteen years he had chosen this for a permanent calling, and in 1818, only two years after the close of the war with England, he was employed to fulfill a contract with the United States Government, to survey the base line of the present State of Missouri, separating it f amt{|i ]^$%otp from the territory of Arkansas. He made his journey by way of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to St. Louis, then a mere hamlet, and only known as a French and Indian trading post in which as yet few Americans had found a home. From here he was to penetrate the heart of the Indian country for one hundred and fifty miles.

Although peace with England had been declared two years previously, the war spirit was still burning in many an Indian breast, and the invasion of their hunting ground was ample evidence of the white man's future intent. The surveying party must needs be well armed and strong enough in number for self-defense. His company consisted of thirty men. Fully armed and equipped, they set out from St. Louis with their pack train, following the West bank of the Mississippi to the territorial Hne, where they began the original westward survey. He had in his company as wiry a Set of men as only the wild west could produce, and every man was doubly armed. After my father's death, when I was but seven years old, my mother used from time to time to recoimt many of his experiences as she had learned them from his lips, and these are among my most abiding memories. To a few of them I will briefly refer. The question of subsistence was one of the chief concerns. When once these thirty men had cut loose from their base of supplies it was not long before their bread supply was exhausted. Beans, a limited amount of flour, and the various kinds of wild game of every sort were to be their main reliance. One man of all the company came to be named the "mighty hxmter," and slight as the chances might seem to other eyes, he never failed to round up an jWettiorie^ of Cigfjtp f earjf ample supply. Another serious question was that of water in those hot summer months. The tributary streams that fed the Arkansas were sometimes far apart and the ravines and swamps were so thoroughly dried that the party often suffered from extreme thirst. Once their lives were in great peril. They had occasion on their route to pass over an extended ridge of prairie which lay between them and the next waterway. They had been misled as to the distance, and for three days they were compelled to make a forced march under a burning sun, without a drop of water to slake their thirst. Their tongues became too much swollen to be retained within their mouths, and bled from overpressure upon their teeth. They finally came upon a ravine and from the moist earth, little by little, succeeded in gaining enough water from the oozing mud to save their imperiled lives. It was my father's impression that if they had come upon a full supply of water at once they might have died from its excessive use. That experience was never to be repeated. Ever after, outriders were sent to locate their water supply.

Another not so serious experience befell them. The tall prairie grass was a constant and serious impediment. If it could be swept away by fire this hindrance would be removed, and besides, the time had come when the wily Indians might so encompass them with fire as to threaten their lives. One day, when the wind seemed favorable for their purpose, the grass was set on fire ; and none but those who have been eye-witnesses can comprehend the meaning of a prairie fire. For a time all went well, but soon the wind changed and blew directly toward their f amilp i^ijeftorp camp, which was pitched upon the bank of a stream several miles away. By a circuitous route they made their way as best they could to the place of their encampment, only to find it a smoldering ruin. Many of their valuables and most of their supplies had been destroyed in the flames. But these were minor losses compared with the value of my father's field notes. By a wise forethought, happily, these had been preserved. Had they been destroyed his summer's work would have gone for naught. His imique precaution saved him from this loss. He seemed to have an intuition that some misfortune might befall the camp, by fire or other mishap, and so he made disposition of his surveys as follows: the topographical maps and field notes were first wrapped in oiled silk, then folded in a rubber cloth to insure against dampness, and then again, to secure against fire, they were wrapped in a green buffalo hide prepared for that purpose. This hide was charred to a crisp but the contents were safe.

Upon this line, which formed the boundary between the Missouri and Arkansas territories, the future subdivisions of Missouri were to be based. This was the first of like invasions upon the Indian territory beyond the Mississippi. On these broad prairies there were no trees to be blazed and no stones to serve as landmarks, but stakes carried on pack mules were driven deep in the grovmd, and sods cut from the prairie and piled around them would tell their story for ages. But often for miles and miles the Indians would follow the surveyors and obUterate these landmarks.

It was late in the autumn of 1818 that my father's con-

;pemone^ of €i^tp nearest tract was completed. Returning to St. Louis his company was soon disbanded. His returns to the Government were forwarded for approval and he set his face homeward. In the meantime he had purchased a famous saddle horse for his homeward trip, which was afterwards disposed of to his brother Abner Hollister and was noted as the "John Horse," from bearing my father's name. For many years he was a great pet, and when he died of old age was buried with special honors. Father traveled on horseback through the states of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio, and returned to Cato, Cayuga County, New York at the close of the year.

Earlier reference should have been made to father's military career. As my ancestors had been active participants in the War of the Revolution, so my father was likewise engaged in the War of 1812. Although he was but seventeen years old he joined the army as a substitute, being mustered in as a private of the New York State militia. While his company was serving under the conmiand of General Scott at the battle of Lundy's Lane, he was detached to drive one of the teams charged with the delivery of ammunition from the base of supplies to the firing line. While thus engaged, a flank charge was made by British cavalry, breaking our line, and he received a severe cut on his head at the hand of a dashing cavalryman. His cap was cut and he received a severe scalp wound, the scar of which he carried through life. A button upon his cap was cut nearly in twain, and to this protection he attributed the saving of his life. He received an honorable discharge, and a pension was accorded to my

«4 jfamilp i^iieftorp mother, who lived to be ninety-two years old. At the time of his death, in 183 1, he held the rank of Colonel in the State Militia of Michigan, and I well remember his prominence in the annual military training, as I once imdertook to run to him when he was maneuvering the troops on the field, and he detailed a soldier to take me to the guard house. Thus a few words with regard to my father's early life.

Mary Chamberlin, my mother, the oldest of ten children of Gad Chamberlin and Lydia Baldwin, was bom in Greeneville, Green Coimty, New York, December 15, 1797. In her early childhood the family removed to Sangersfield, Oneida County. In 1816 they again removed to Lima, Livingston County, where she remained until her marriage. It was a special purpose of her father that his children should enjoy the best educational facilities that the times and his means could afford. In addition to the advantage which Lima offered, my mother later attended the Yoimg Ladies' Seminary at Moscow, New York, then in high repute. Her special fondness was for English Composition, in which she so far excelled as to receive a letter of special commendation from the principal at the conclusion of the final examinations.

During the years of her yoimg womanhood strong attachments were developed among the young people of Lima and its environments, resulting not only in a number of intermarriages, but also the continuance of those friendships in the families which were to be.

During my father's absence upon his surveying tour his brother-in-law, Rev. Chauncy Cook, with whom he had iWemoriejes of €i0f)tp gcariS lived in Pompey, had assumed the pastorate of the Presbyterian Church in Lima, New York, and hither my father came and taught the district school in that town in the winter of 1819 and 1820. There he made mother's acquaintance in 1820. They were married in Lima in 1 82 1, Rev. John Barnard officiating, and removed to my father's former home in Cato, Cayuga County. The following year they located beside their Baldwin relatives in Riga, Monroe County. Here their first-born babe, named Harleigh Hamilcar, was accidentally scalded and died a few hours later. Here at Riga I was born, August 5, 1824, and two years later my little sister, Juliette, who died when she was two years old.

Chapter III Life In Michigan

TN 1825 the Erie Canal had been completed to Buffalo, ■*■ and by it communication by way of the Lakes was established with the great Northwest. The Territory of Michigan was then being opened for settlement, and the tide of emigration was strongly set in that direction. My father early saw that in establishing the metes and bounds of these early settlers his services as a surveyor would be in constant requirement. He also foresaw that in the development of this new country there would be an unlimited opportunity for personal advancement. Grandfather Chamberlin was also strongly inclined in the same direction. With a large and growing family, his ambition was to settle his children comfortably around him and to give to each of his seven boys a farm. Here, it seemed to him, was his opportunity. He little knew that four of these sons would be buried in Mississippi, one in Oregon, and only one in Michigan. The Territory was awaiting the coming of such men, and there, to his heart's content, he could convert the forest into fruitful fields. Other families, like-minded, joined him in the organization of a little colony numbering some thirty persons. A canal boat was chartered at Pittsford, New York, and the people and their effects were soon landed in Buffalo. The old steamer United States was one of the first steamboats on Lake Erie, and in that they skirted the southern shore iHimxom^ of ^igJjtp Hcatsf of the lake and landed, after three days, at Detroit, May lo, 1827. That town then contained about four himdred inhabitants, a majority of whom were French and halfbreed Indians. The objective point for our people was then called Indian Village, situated forty miles north of Detroit, and to reach this point with their effects required three full days. Romeo is the name now given to the village which they helped to form, and where before the winter set in the colony was comfortably housed . During the summer Grandfather erected a sawmill in connection with his farming interests, and thus lumber, so much needed, was soon supplied.

The coming of the colony gave a marked impulse to the settlement of that part of the county of Macomb. New settlers were wonderfully kind. Men turned out far and near to assist at the raising of houses and barns, and women were imsparing in their devotion to those who were sick. The needs of the children in the new settlement were early recognized and promptly provided for. A year had not elapsed before a frame schoolhouse had been erected. It was the first frame building in all that part of the county, and from that day the settlement never failed to maintain both sxunmer and winter schools quite above the average of district schools then in vogue. Not only were schools fostered, but religious meetings were soon inaugurated. By common consent the schoolhouses throughout the country were at the service of religious denominations. The Methodist people led in this pioneer work, and circuit riders, as they were called, rendered a most important service. Within a year of our arrival there were stated

Xtfe in ;iltic|)t9an preaching services in our schoolhouse, people coming from a distance to attend the meetings. On special occasions, such as a quarterly meeting, it became necessary for want of room to hold services in an adjacent bam, where, as I well remember, a little later I was one of the boys on the hay mow. It was a desirable class of people which located in Michigan in those early days. Persons and property were perfectly secure and the commission of crime was almost unknown. The majority of the people were religiously inclined, and in an early day the various denominations were permanently organized. Especial attention was given to the subject of education. The territory was yet in its infancy when schools became one of the chief concerns. The Michigan University of to-day is the logical outcome of its district schools and the academies which they developed. I know not how it is to-day, but twenty-five years ago there was more mail delivered to the citizens of Michigan per capita than to those of any other state in the Union.

In this connection it may not be amiss to speak of rural life in those early days. Nothing could be more democratic than the methods and manners of the early settlers. There was no class distinction between employers and employed. That could not well be, for all had to work. The man or woman who would not, if able-bodied, would be considered an outcast for whom there was no use. Workmen were housed under the same roof with their employers, ate at the same table, and held position according to their merit. In cases of large families with limited means, it was the custom for the older boys and girls to

0imiotit^ of <!Ei0f)tp f catiS work out as "hired help." I recall the histories of a number who worked in our own and grandfather's families. The wages of young men from twenty to twenty-five years old averaged from ten to thirteen dollars per month, with board. Girls were employed at from fifty cents to one dollar a week, according to the value of their services. Young men frequently hired out at one hundred and fifty dollars a year and " found. " At that time land at a dollar and a quarter an acre could be found within five miles of us in almost any direction. It was the ambition of every aspiring young man to own eighty acres, purchased by his first year's earnings, and then, from the proceeds of a second year, to place himself in comfortable condition in his own new home, with five or ten acres clear. The first home was a simple log house, more or less complete, according to the ability of the owner. Hardly less important was the building of a barn for the protection of his cattle and his crops. While the young man had been working for the purchase of his acres, usually a girl of his acquaintance was working in like manner and as saving of her earnings, and when the minister made them one she went with him to the new home, moderately supplied with clothing, and taking as a dower from her parents, a pet cow and a feather bed. The young couple were of one mind. They rose early and toiled late. Year by year the fields were enlarged and the flocks increased. It was a signal event when a span of horses was added to their stock. I could name not a few families who thus began life when I was a little boy. I have known the histories of those families through two generations. Not