History of the town of Pittsford, Vt. ; with biographical sketches and family records

Front matter

HISTORY

T

OF THE

Preface

iv

Collections of the Historical Societies of Vermont, Hew Hampshire and Massachusetts, as well as Williams’ and Hoskins’ Histories of Vermont, the History of Eastern Vermont and the Early History of Vermont. He has drawn quite largely from the Proprietary and Town Records, and also from the records in the archives of the Secretary of State at Montpelier.

His acknowledgments are due to some of the older inhabitants of the town for the interest they have taken in the work, and for information furnished, and to none more than to Hon. S. H. Kellogg, Mr. Abraham Owen and Deacon Abel Penfield. The last named gentleman died March 9th, 1871, but he had furnished the writer much valuable material, and one of the last acts of his life was to prepare for him a list of all the early inhabitants who had taken an active part in the Revolutionary war. The writer is also under great obligations to Rev. Simeon Parmelee, D. D., of Oswego, X. Y., who has contributed facts known to no other man, for the reason that he resided in the town earlier than any other man now living. He came here in 1787, when he was five years of age, and he has a personal knowledge of many events which took place at that early day.

The writer would also acknowledge his indebtedness to Ex.- Gov. Hall, of Bennington, and to Chauncy K. Williams, Henry Hall and F. W. Hopkins, Esqs., of Rutland, for favors shown.

The late Gen. Hendee, at the time of his decease, left in manuscript a history of his ancestors, with an account of many events which took place in the early settlement of the town. His children have very kindly placed this at the service of the author, together with other writings by the same hand throwing light upon the past.

Credit should also be given to Rev. Myron A. Munson for much valuable assistance in the preparation of manuscript and the correction of proof sheets.

PREFACE.

V

The writer does not flatter himself that his narrative is free from error, but he has endeavored to state facts only, and in language which might be understood. The work is submitted to his fellow citizens, not as a contribution to literature, but as a hearty effort to preserve the knowledge of interesting and important events ; and if they shall take some degree of pleasure in perusing its pages, he will feel that his labor has not been in vain.

fl|<C>ITlITS.

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Meeting Houses and Burying Grounds, 662

HISTORY OT PITTSFORD.

Chapter I

Introduction ; The Indians ; Early Explorations ; French and Indian War; Military Road ; Charter of the Township.

The more familiar we become with the history of our country, the stronger is our attachment to it. The outlines of this history have been faithfully written, but the integral parts of which it has been made up have not received the attention they deserve. We read of Bunker Hill, Brooklyn, Saratoga and Yorktown, but we should remember that those conflicts were but the eruptions of fires that were binning all over the country, and kindling into military life and activity every city, town and hamlet. Wherever there were patriotic hearts there was a recruiting station or camping ground, where men were mustered or were trained for the conflict. The scenes enacted at Trenton, Princeton and Bennington were but the more prominent exhibitions of military prowess, seized upon and described by the general historian, while the less dazzling, though equally interesting and important events, that transpired in rural districts far beyond the limits of the public gaze, obtain less attention than they deserve. How to gather up these obscure items of history and to arrange them in some permanent form for the benefit of those who shall hereafter live, is the work not of the general but of the town historian.

This tract of earth, called Pittsford, though merely an insignificant speck upon the map of our country, has been

HISTORY OF PHTSFORD.

the theatre of some stirring events, but the generations which were active in them have long since passed to that

“ undiscovered country, from whose bourn

No traveller returns ; "

and as they left but few records, we can gather from this source only fragments of their history. To connect these so as to form one continuous narrative, we- are obliged, sometimes, to resort to uncertain tradition. This being a frontier town, was particularly exposed, during the Revolutionary war, to the incursions of tire enemy, so that the inhabitants found it necessary, at a very early period, to unite in some measures of common defense. Afterwards, by order of the State mili tary authority, these measures were extended and rendered more efficient and became a part of the more public defenses. Consequently some few items of our town history relating to military operations — as well as to the land-title controversy — have found their way into the general history of the State, but by far the larger portion of it remains unwritten. To write a really complete history of the town at this late period, is a task which none can hope to perform, as too much of the material is already irrecoverably lost. Nevertheless, we have spent much time in efforts to collect all that is available, and the result will appeal 1 in the following pages.

Up to 1760, the territory, now the State of Vermont, was almost wholly an unbroken wilderness. A few men from Massachusetts had located at “ Dnmmer Meadows,” within the present l i mi ts of Brattleboro ; others had built a few blockhouses and commenced clearings at several points further north, on the same side of the Connecticut river; and some French Canadians had bnilt temporary residences at Chiinnev Point, in the present township of Addison ; but till the commencement of the French war a large proportion of this region was little known to civilized men, few of whom had ever penetrated its sequestered recesses.

THE INDIAN'S.

This territory had been claimed by the Mohicans, a tribe of Indians in alliance with the Iroquois or Six Nations, and whose principal seat was at Albany, though they had temporary residences here to which they annually repaired for the purposes of hunting and fishing. But it is asserted — by what authority we cannot say — that the north-west part of this territory was conveyed to the Caughnawagas, a branch of the Mohawks, formerly residing in New York, but now settled at Sault St. Louis, near Montreal. The territory thus conveyed was bounded as follows: “Beginning on the east side of Ticonderoga from thence to the great falls on Otter Creek, and continues the same course to the height of land that divides the streams between Lake Champlain and the river Connecticut; from thence along the height of land opposite Missisque, and thence to the Bay.” The valley of the Creek being central in its location, and abounding in all those materials which minister’d to the gratification of red men, was one of their favorite haunts, and throughout its course at certain seasons the curling smoke might have been seen ascending from the rudely constructed wigwam. But the Indians more frequently found in this part of the valley of the Otter Creek, and with whom the early settlers were familiar, were from a colony of the Caughnawagas which located, in earlier times, at St. Begis, within the present limits of Bombay, Franklin Country, New York, and w r ere known as the St. Begis Indians. Every year large numbers of these Indians were seen in then - canoes ascending the Creek to their favorite hunting-grounds, wherein they constructed small huts, in which they took up their abode during the season favorable for the prosecution of their usual employment.

Whatever attractions there might have been in other parts, there is no doubt that the territory now included in Pittsford, was favorite* hunting-ground with the Indians; and the numerous relics of them presence found at an early day some distance

HISTORY OF PITTSFORD.

south of the Tillage, indicate that wigwams may once have stood there whence the red men daily issued forth to pursue their game upon the mountains, or to find victims among the finny tribes which abounded in the Creek, and in the smaller streams that meander through the low-lands. At that early day a great variety and number of animals had their residence in the forest and in the waters. The moose, deer, bear, wolf, wild-cat and martin roamed in the former ; while the otter, beaver, musk-rat and mink were found sporting in the latter. All of these animals were sought by the children of the forest, some for food, others for their fur which was used not only for clothing but as an article of trade. To agriculture they gave but little attention, and the management of this department of labor was committed wholly to the women ; and being destitute of the proper instruments of husbandry it is easy to believe, that their efforts were attended with but little success.

Such was the condition of this section of the country and such were the inhabitants thereof, at the time civilization began to approach its borders. Doubtless some individuals of a superior race actuated by the spirit of adventure or discovery, penetrated at various times its dark recesses ; but they left no vestige of their presence and published to the world no account of their discoveries.

The first exploration by the white race of any part of the territory now included in Pittsi'ord, so far as history informs us, was in the year 1730, an account of which is contained in the diary of a journey from Fort Dummer to Lake ( hamplain performed by Mr. James Cross. From this diary we copy the following :

“Monday, ye 27th April, 1730, at about twelve of ye clock, we left Fort Dummer and travailed that day three miles, and lay down that night by West Eiver which is three miles distant from Fort Dummer. Totabene. I travailed with twelve Canady Mohawks that drank to great excess at ye

EARLY EXPLORATIONS .

fort and killed a Skatacook Indian in their drunken condition that came to smoke with them.

Tuesday. We travailed upon the great river* about ten miles.

Wednesday. We kept the same course upon ye great river, travailed about ten miles, and eat a drowned Buck that night.

Thursday. We travailed upon the great River within two miles of y e Great Falls,! in said river, then we went upon land to the Black River above y e Great Falls, went up in that River and lodged about a mile and a hall’ from the mouth of Black River, which days travail we judged was about ten miles.

Friday. We crossed Black River at ye Falls,! afterwards travailed through ye woods N. N. W., then crossed Black River again about IT miles above our first crossing, afterwards travailed y e same course, and pitched our tent on ye homeward side of Black River.

Saturday. We crossed Black River, left a great mountain on y e right hand and another on y e left.§ Keep a K. W. course till we pitch our tent after 11 miles travail by a Brook which we call a branch of Black River.

Sabbath Day. Soon after we began our days work, an old pregnant squaw that travailed with us, stopt alone and was delivered of a child, and by Monday noon overtook us with a living child upon her back. We travailed to Black River. At y e three islands, between which and a large pond we pass ye River enter a mountain || that afforded us a prospect of y e place Fort Dummer. Soon after we enter a descending country and travail till we arrive at Arthur Creek If in a descending land. In this days travail, which is 21 miles, we came upon seven brooks which run a S. W. course at ye north end of said mountain. From Black River to Arthur Creek, we judge is 25 miles.

* Connecticut River, t Bellows Falls. | At Springfield. § In Ludlow, || Ip th$ township of Plymouth where Black River rises, ^ Otter Creek,

HISTORY OF PITTSFOED.

Monday. Made canoes.

Tuesday. Hindered travailing by rain.

Wednesday. We go in our canoes upon Arthur Creek till we meet two great falls in said river.* Said river is very black and deep and surrounded by good land to y e extremity of our prospect. This days travail, 35 miles.

Thursday. We sail 40 miles in Arthur Creek. We meet with great Falls, f and a little below them ive meet with two other great Falls, J and about 10 miles below y e said Falls we meet with two other pretty large Falls. § We carry our canoes by these Falls and come to y e Lake.”

Again, in 1748, Capt. Eleazer Melven, of Concord, Massachusetts, with eighteen men under his command, passed through this territory on a tour of observation. Capt. Melven was one of the survivors of the brave company of Capt. John Lovewell who fell at Pequauket in 1725, and was lieutenant of a company at the siege of Louisburg in 1745, and served as captain in several subsequent campaigns. From March to September, 1747, he was stationed at Horthfield, on the borders of Hew Hampshire. Captain M. died at Concord, Oct. 18, 1754, aged 52 years. We copy the following from the joimial of his march || through Vermont :

“ May 13. March’d from Fort Dummer to Ho. 2, and there camp’d.

14. March’d to Ho. 4. Made no discovery of the enemy.

15. Sunday in the evening, march’d with Capt. Stevens and Capt. Hobbs to the mouth of Black River and crossed the Great River and camp’d.

16. March’d about 14 miles, crossed a branch of Black River, which runs from Ascutney. Made no discovery.

17. March’d a H. W. point about 13 miles. Came to a

* Gookin’s Falls ynd Sutherland Falls, in the town of Rutland, t Middlebury Falls. {At Way bridge, § At Vergennes. ||A part of this march was through what is now Pittsford,

EARLY EXPLORATIONS .

large branch of Black Biver and camp’d. Saw no new signs of the enemy.

18. March’d a W. 1ST. W. point, about 3 miles, cross’d Black Biver, kept the same point about 9 miles further, over the height of land, and camp’d. Saw no new signs of the enemy.

19. March’d a H. W. point. Crossed several large streams, being branches of Otter Creek. Saw many signs of the enemy, both old and new, as camps, trees redded, &c. March’d about 10 miles this day, and camp’d, after we had sent out proper scouts.

20. March’d about 6 miles, a 1ST. W. point, down Otter Creek, there parted with Capt. Stevens and Capt. Hobbs who thought proper to take another course. March’d over Otter Creek, kept a M. W. point about 8 miles, and came again to the river, about one mile below some large falls, — crossed a large stream which came into Otter Creek on the west side, a little below the falls, and camp’d. Saw no signs of the enemy very new.

21. Being rainy weather, march[ed] but two miles and camp’d.

22. March’d H. W. by H. down Otter Creek, about ten miles, then took a H. W. point and marched about 10 miles further, saw several camps made last winter, also saw tracks, and some considerable beaten paths made by the enemy, but not very new.

23. March’d H. W. about three miles, — came to a large camp, fenced in with a very thick fence, where we found a keg of about 4 gallons, which appeared to be newly emptied of wine, as plainly appeared by the smell, and about 12 pounds of good French bread ; — the bread we took and divided among ourselves. Kept the same point about 11 miles further and camp’d, making no further discovery.

24. March’d N. W. about 10 miles and came to Lake

HISTORY OF PITTSFOBD.

Champlain about 4 o’clock. March’d about 3 miles down the lake and camp’d, making no discovery of the enemy.

25. In the morning heard 5 guns about 2 or 3 miles distant, as we judged, but could not tell which way, whether up or down the Lake. March’d down the lake northward about 3 miles, — discovered a large canoe with sails, comhig from the southward, with six Indians in it, who passed by us at so great a distance that we could not hint them. Soon after another canoe followed, with 12 Indians, whereupon we ran to a point of land about half a mile distant towards Crown Point Fort, and they coming within about 50 or 60 rods, and apprehending we might make some spoil upon them, and fearing we should have no better opportunity, we agreed to fire upon them, and accordingly fired six tunes each, in about 3 or 4 minutes. The first shot they all lay down close in the canoe, and did not show their heads till the 3d shot, when they made a most terrible out-cry, cut down their sails, and about six got to padling from us as fast as possible. At the fourth shot we made, they fired 3 guns at us, one of which grazed one man’s hand, and immediately they fired 3 guns at Crown Point, which we judged to be 4-pounders, and at about a mile distant, by the noise and the rising of the smoke, which rose like a cloudy pillar ; — then we carefully retreated, marching east through a very thick part of drowned land, 3 or 4 miles, the water a great part of the way about mid leg deep : — then we took a S. E. point, and travelled about 10 miles and camp’d ; — heard several great guns at Crown Point, as also 2 next morning.

26. March’d a S. E. point about 5 miles, saw the tracks of about 150 or 200 of the enemy gone that morning, having got upon our tracks where we went to the lake — then we took a south point, and marched about 11 miles further and camp’d.

27. March’d S. S. E. about 10 miles, — came to Otter Creek about one mile below the first falls ; march[ed] about

EARLY EXPLORATIONS.

4 miles above the falls, and camp’d after sending out scouts as. was our constant practice.

28. March’d up Otter Creek to the Crotch about 6 miles,, then we took up the south branch of Otter Creek, and march’d about 10 miles and camp’d.

29. March’d up the south branch of Otter Creek to the head of it ; then steered S. E. ; travelled over a large mountain, leaving another large mountain on the H. W. Keeping our course down the mountain, we crossed several streams we supposed to be the head of Saratoga river. March’d this day about 16 miles.

30. March’d S. S. E. about 6 miles, — came upon a branch of West Kiver, — travelled down the river about 8 miles and camp’d.

31. Our provisions being very short we began our march before sunrise, and travelled till about half past nine o’clock ; being by the side of the river, several of the company desired to stop to refresh themselves, being faint and weary, whereupon we halted and began to take off our packs, and some were set down, and in about half a minute after our halting, the enemy arose from behind a log and several trees, about 20 feet or 30 at farthest distant, and fired about 12 guns at us, but do not know' whether any men received any hurt, tlio’ so near ; — whereupon I called upon the men to face the enemy and run up the bank, which I did myself, and several others attempted, but the enemy were so thick, they could not. I was no sooner jumpt up the bank but the enemy were just upon me. I discharged my gun at one of them about 8 feet from the muzzle of my gun, who I see fall, and about the same time that I discharged my gun, the enemy fired about 20 guns at us, and kill’d 4 men namely, John Howard, [Hayward?] Isaac Taylor, John Hod and Daniel Man. The men which were left alive fired immediately on the enemy, several of w r hich shots did execution, as can be witnessed by several who see the enemy

HISTORY OF PITTSFORD.

fall ; — but seeing the enemy numerous and their guns being discharged, they retreated. Several ran across the river, where they had some of them opportunity to lire again at the enemy. Some ran up the river and some down, and some into a thicket on the same side of the river. For my own part, after I saw my men retreat, and being beset by the enemy with guns, hatchets and knives. Several of them attempted to strike at me with their hatchets. Some threw their hatchets, one of which, or a bullet, I cannot certainly tell which, carried away my belt, and with it my bullets, all except one I had loose in my pocket. I ran down the river, and two Indians followed me, and ran almost side by side with me, calling to me, “ Come Captain,’* “Now Captain,” but upon my presenting my gun towards them (though not charged) they fell a little back, and I ran across the river, charged my gun, moved a few steps and one of them fired at me, which was the last gun fired. I looked back and saw nine of the enemy scalping the dead men, and six or seven running across the river, and several about the bank of the river very busy, which I apprehend were carrying off their dead. I then being alone got to the side of a hill, in sight of the place of battle, and there seated myself to look for some of my men, and to see if the enemy made any shout, as is customary with them when they get the advantage, but hearing no more of them, nor seeing any of my men, I made the best of my w ay to Fort Dummer, where I arrived the next day before noon, where one of my men got in about an hour before me, and eleven more came in, in a few hours, though in several companies. Joseph Petty was wounded, and I have not yet heard of him. Samuel Severns [Severance] I imagine is taken.

I went out next day with above forty men, to bury the dead, and spent one day in looking lor Joseph Petty, who was wounded but could not find him *

ELEAZEE MELYEN.”

Coll. N. H. Historical Society, Vol. V., Page 207.

* It was afterwards found that Severance and Petty were killed by the Indians.

ORIGIN OF THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.

Such were the two earliest explorations of this territory of which we can find an authentic account, but it did not begin to be generally known till 1754, when began a series of operations which, as we shall see, were destined to change its whole physical aspect and to bring in a race of men bearing the stamp of civilization.

The eastern portions of North America were settled by men of different nationalities. The French colonized Canada and Louisiana; the English, New England, New York, to a great extent, and parts farther south ; and the colonists ii\ each of these regions acknowledged allegiance to, and acted in the interest of their respective sovereigns. At first these colonies were widely separated, but by continual accessions to their numbers, they soon spread over a large territory, and as their settlements began to approximate, it was easy to foresee that the two nations, equally jealous, would sometime come into collision respecting their boundaries. By the construction of charters and grants from the crown of England, her colonies extended indefinitely westward. The French hi attempting to connect their northern and southern settlements, by a chain of forts and posts from the St. Lawrence to the Mississippi, necessarily interfered with the claims of the English. In execution of this purpose, the French took possession of several important posts upon the Ohio river, and declared their intention to seize every Englishman within the valley. Thus originated the struggle between the powers of France and England, in which the avarice and ambition of these two mighty nations worked themselves out in a war for conquest — “the game of kings.”

At that time the colonies of New England were separated from the French settlements by the belt of wilderness which mutated into the State of Vermont ; and during the ensuing struggle, this was frequently passed through by military expeditions to the lakes and Canada, and consequently became much

HISTOBY OF PITTSFOED.

"better known. A large proportion of the Hew England soldiers who served in the war, had to traverse this wilderness, and as no public highway had been opened, the passage was attended with no little difficulty, and the army stores could be transported only on pack horses. The route taken lay partly in an old path made by the Indians in their expeditions from Canada to Fort Dummer, and was by way of Lake Champlain, Otter Creek, and Black and Connecticut rivers. From the time of the earliest English settlements, this path was known as the “Indian road.”

Early in the spring of 1756, the government of Massachusetts discussed the feasibility of constructing a road between a point on the right bank of Connecticut river, opposite Charlestown, and a point on the right bank of Lake Champlain, opposite Crown Boint, tor the purpose of facilitating military operations in that quarter. As the result ot these deliberations* the following vote was passed in the House of [Representatives on the 10th of March, and met with the approbation of the Governor and Council :

“ Whereas, it is of great importance that a thorough knowledge be had of the distance and practicability of a communication between Humber Four on Connecticut river and Crown Point,, and that the course down Otter Creek to Lake Champlain should be known ; therefore, voted that his Excellency the Governor be, and he is hereby desired as soon as may be, to appoint fourteen men upon this service, seven of them to go from said Humber Four the direct course to Crown Point, to measure the distance and gain what knowledge they can of the country ; and the other seven to go from said Humber F our to Otter Creek aforesaid and down said creek to Lake Champlain, observing the true course of said creek, its depth of water, what falls there are in it and also the nature of the soil on' each side thereof, and what growth of woods is near it. Each party of said men to keep a journal of their proceedings and observations

MILITARY ROAD.

■and lay the same, on their return, before this Court. They to observe all such directions as they may receive from his Excellency. One man in each party to be a skillful surveyor, and the persons employed shall have a reasonable allowance made them by the Court for their services.”

It was also proposed to build a strong fort on the height of land between Black Elver and Otter Creek. A military post there was deemed important, as it would furnish an opportunity to prevent the advance of the enemy from Lake Champlain, facilitate operations against Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and afford a safe retreat for scouting parties from Connecticut river.

This project had also attracted the attention of Lord Loudon,, the commander-in-chief of the English forces, who desired that the route should be surveyed and the result reported to him. By request, Col. Williams drew up a topographical sketch and a description of the country, compiled from the journals of men who had traversed it, and presented the same to his lordship ' but this not being quite satisfactory, he was ordered to make an accurate examination of the country with the assistance voted by the General Court, and to give such additional information as might appear to him necessary. But the number and hostility of the Indians in that region rendered the undertaking too hazardous. Accordingly, though surveys were made as far as the height of land, there was no attempt at this time to build either the road or the fort.

Li 1759, General Amherst projected the construction of a military road from Humber Pour (now Charlestown) on the Connecticut river to Crown Point. This was for the purpose of transporting troops and baggage from Charlestown, it being the rendezvous for men enlisted in Hew Hampshire and Massachusetts. Capt. Stark, with two hundred Bangers, entered upon the work. Commencing at Crown Point, they constructed a good wagon road to Otter Creek, and thence Lieut.- Col. Hawks cut a bridal path over the mountains, but, for some

HISTOEY OF PITTSFOED.

reason, did not complete the work. The following spring, Col. John Goffe, with a regiment of Hew Hampshire soldiers, marched from Litchfield by way of Peterboro’ and Keene to Humber Four. Beginning at Wentworth’s ferry, two miles above the fort, they constructed a new road twenty-six miles in the course of Black Eiver, as far as the present town of Ludlow, where terminated the path which had been made the year before by Col. Hawks. In this they passed over the mountains to Otter Creek and thence proceeded to Crown Point. Their ■stores were brought in wagons as far as the twenty-six miles extended and thence transported on horses. A drove of cattle for the supply of the army went from Humber Four by this route to Crown Point. While the soldiers were engaged in cutting this road, the trails of Indians were occasionally seen in the adjoining woods, but no hostilities ensued.