Sword and pen;

Front matter

LIBRARy_OF CONGRESS.^

UNITED STATES OF AME

The Soldier- Author,

Preface

No apology will be required from the author for preseuting to the public some episodes iu the useful career of a self-made man ; and while the spirit of patriotism continues to animate the sturdy sons of America, the story of one of them who has exemplified this national trait in a conspicuous measure, will be deemed not unworthy of record. The lessons it teaches, more especially to the young, are those of uncompromising duty in every relation of life — self-denial, perseverance and " pluck ; " while the successive stages of a course which led ultimately to a brilliant success, may be studied with some advantage by those just entering upon the business of life. As a soldier, Willard Glazier was " without fear and without reproach." As an author, it is sufficient to say, he is appreciated by his contemporaries — than which, on a literary man, no higher encomium can be passed. The sale of nearly half a million copies of one of his productions is no slight testimonial to its value.

Biography, to be interesting, must be a transcript of an eventful, as well as a remarkable career ; and to be instructive, its subject should be exemplary in his aims, and in his mode of attaining them. The hero of this story comes fully up to the standard thus indicated. His career has been a romance. Born of parents of small means but of excellent character and repute ; and bred and nurtured in the midst of some of the wildest and grandest scenery vi PREFACE.

in the rugged county of St. Lawrence, close by the " Thousand Isles," where New York best proves her right to be called the Empire State through the stamp of royalty on her hills and streams — under the shadow of such surroundings as these, my subject attained maturity, with no opportunities for culture except those he made for himself. Yet he became possessed of an education eminently useful, essentially practical and calculated to establish just such habits of self-reliance and decision as afterwards proved chiefly instrumental in his success. Glazier had a fixed ambition to rise. He felt that the task would be difficult of accomplishment — that he must be not only the architect, but the builder of his own fortunes; and, as the statue grows beneath the sculptor's hand to perfect contour from the unshapely block of marble, so prosperity came to Captain Glazier only after he had cut and chiseled away at the hard surface of inexorable circn/ustance, and moulded therefrom the statue of his destiny.

J. A. O.

Philadelphia, June lAth^ 1880.

Vektures and Adventures

(The Soldier-Author,)

COMPRISING

INCIDENTS AND REMINISCENCES OF HIS CHILDHOOD; HIS CHEQUERED LIFE AS A STUDENT AND TEACHER ; AND HIS REMARKABLE CAREER AS A SOLDIER AND AUTHOR; EMBRACING ALSO THE STORY OF HIS UNPRE- CEDENTED JOURNEY FROM OCEAN TO OCEAN ON HORSEBACK; AND AN ACCOUNT OF HIS DISCOVERY OF THE SOURCE OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, AND CANOE VOYAGE FROM THENCE TO THE GULF OF MEXICO.

BY

JOHN ALGERNON OWENS^

\lMxm APR e 180-^'

0*:^'

915 ARCH STREET.

Entered according to Act of Congress, iu the jear 1880, by '^

JOHN ALGERNON OWENS, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D.C

TO

ULYSSES SiMPSON GRANT.

NA^HOSE SWORD,

AND TO

HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW,

WHOSE PEN,

THE AUTHOR,

Ik a Spikit of Profound Admiration for THE RENOWNED SOLDIER,

And of Measureless Gratitude to THE IMMORTAL WRITER,

Chapter I. Origin Of The Glazier Family

Lineage of Willard Glazier. — A good stock. — Oliver Glazier at the Battle of Bunker Hill. — The home of honest industry. — The Coronet of Pembroke. — The "Homestead Farm." — Mehitable Bolton. — Her New England home. — Her marriage to Ward Glazier.— The wild " North Woods."— The mother of the soldier-author 21

Chapter II. Birth And Childhood Of Willard Glazier

The infant stranger. — A mother's prayers. — " Be just before you are generous." — Careful training. — Willard Glazier's first battle.— A narrow escape. — Facing the foe. — The " happy days of childhood." — " The boy is father to the man " . .27

Chapter III. Early Life And Habits

Scotch-Irish Presbyterian isra of twenty-five years ago. — The " little deacon." — First days at school. — Choosing a wife. — A youthful gallant. — A close scholar but a wild lad. — A mother's influence. — Ward Glazier a Grahamite.— Young Willard's practical jokes. — Anecdote of Crystal Spring. — "That is something like water" . , \ . . . . . . . 34

Chapter IV. Willard Glazier At School

School-days continued. — Boys will be boys. — Cornelius Carter, the . teacher."^ — Young Willard's rebellion against injustice. — Gum-chewing. — Laughable race through the snow. — The tumble into a snow-bank, and what came of it. — The runaway caught. — Explanation and reconciliation. — The new master, James Nichols. — "Spare the rod and spoil the child."— The age of chivalry not gone. — Magnanimity of a school-boy. — Friendship between Willard and Henry Abbott. — Good-bve to the " little deacon " 42

(is)

X CONTENTS.

Chapter V. Eccentricities Of Henry Glazier

Henry Glazier. — A singular character. — " Kaw-shaw-gan-ce " and " Quaw-taw-pee-ah." — Tom Lolar and Henry Glazier. — Attractive show-bills. — Billy Muldoon and his trombone. — Behind the scenes. — " Sound your G ! " — The mysterious musician. — What happened to Billy. — " May the divil fly away wid ye I " . 50

Chapter VI. Visions Of The Future

The big uncle and the little nephew. — Exchange of ideas between the eccentric Henry Glazier and young Willard. — Inseparable companions. — Willard's early reading. — Favorite authors. — Hero-worship of the first Kapoleon and Charles XII. of Sweden. — The genius of good and of evil. — Allen Wight. — A born teacher. — Reverses of fortune. — The shadow on the home. — Willard's resolve to seek his fortune and what came of it. — The sleep under the trees. — The prodigal's return. — "All's well that ends well " 58

Chapter VII. Willard Glazier At Home

Out of boyhood. — Days of adolescence. — True family pride. — Schemes for the future. — Willard as a temperance advocate. — Watering his grandfather's whiskey. — The pump behind the hill. — The sleigh-ride by night. — The " shakedown " at Edward's. — Intoxicated by tobacco fumes. — The return ride. — Landed in a snow-bank. — Good-bye horses and sleigh ! — Plodding through the snow . 68

Chapter VIII. Adventures — Equine And Bovine

Ward Glazier moves to the Davis Place. — " Far in the lane a lonely house he found." — Who was Davis? — Description of the place. — A wild spot for a home. — Willard at work. — Adventure with an ox-team. — The road, the bridge and the stream. — "As an ox thirsteth for the water." — Dashed from a precipice! — Willard as a horse-tamer. — " Chestnut Bess," the blooded mare. — The start for home. — " Bess " on the rampage. — A lightning dash. —The stooping arch. — Br\iised and unconscious . . 75

Chapter IX. The Young Trapper Of The Oswegatchie

A plan of life. — Determination to procure an education. — A sub-

CONTENTS. xi

stitute at the plow. — His father acquiesces in his determination to become a trapper. — Life in the wild woods along the Oswegatchie. — The six " dead falls." — First success. — A fallacious calculation.— The goal attained. — Seventy-tive dollars in hard cash !— Four terms of academic life. — The youthful rivals.— Lessons in elocution. — A fight with hair-brushes and chairs !— -" The walking ghost of a kitchen fire." — Kenewed friendship. — Teaching to obtain means for an education 87

Chapter X. The Soldier School-master

From boy to man. — The Lyceum debate. — Willard speaks for the slave. — Entrance to the State Normal School. — Eeverses. — Fighting the world again. — Assistance from fair hands. — Willard meets Allen Barringer. — John Brown, and what Willard thought of him. — Principles above bribe. — Examination.— A sleepless night. — Haunted by the "ghost of possible defeat." — " Here is your certificate." — The school at Schodack Centre. — At the "Normal" again. — The Edwards School. — Thirty pupils at two dollars each. — The ''soldier school-master." — Teachers at East Schodack. — The runaway ride. — Good-bv, mittens, robes and whip ! — Close of school at East Schodack * 102

Introduction To Military Life

The mutterings of war. — Enlistment. — At Camp Howe. — First experience as a soldier. — "One step to the front!" — Beyond Washington. — On guard. — Promotion. — Recruiting service. — The deserted home on Arlington Heights. — " How shall I behave in the coming battle?" — The brave Bayard. — On the march. — The stratagem at Falmouth Heights. — A brilliant charge.— After the battle 118

CHAPTER XH.

FIRST BATTLE OF BRANDY STATION.

The sentinel's lonely round.— General Pope in command of the army. — Is gunboat service effective ? — First cavalry battle of Brandy Station. — Under a rain of bullets. — Flipper's orchard. — " Bring on the brigade, boys!" — Capture of Confederate prisoners.— Story of a revolver. — Cedar Mountain. — Burial of the dead rebel. — Retreat from the Rapidan. — The riderless horse. — Death of Captain Walters 128

CHAPTER XIIL

MANASSAS AND FREDERICKSBURG.

Manassas. — The flying troops. — The unknown hero. — Desperate atxii CONTENTS.

tempt to stop the retreat. — Eecruiting the decimated ranks.— Fredericksburg. — Bravery of Meagher's brigade. — The impregnable heights.— The cost of battles. — Death of Bayard. — Outline of his life *. . 135

CHAPTER XIV.

UNWRITTEN HISTORY.

"What boots a weapon in a Avithered hand?" — A thunderbolt wasted. — War upon hen-roosts. — A bit of unpublished history. — A fierce fight with Hampton's cavalry. — In one red burial blent. — From camp to home. — Troubles never come singly. — The combat. — The capture. — A superfluity of Confederate politeness. — Lights and shadows 144

CHAPTER XV.

THE CAPTURE.

A situation to try the stoutest hearts. — Hail Columbia ! — Every man a hero. — Kilpatrick's ingenuity. — A pen-picture from " Soldiers of the Saddle." — Glazier thanked by his general. — Cessation of liostilities. — A black day. — Fitzhugh Lee proposes to crush Kilpatrick. — Kil's audacity. — Capture of Lieutenant Glazier. — Petty tyranny. — '^ Here, Yank, hand me that thar hat, and overcoat, and boots " 155

CHAPTER XVL

LIBBY PRISON.

"All ye who enter here abandon hope." — Auld lang syne. — Major Turner. — Hope deferred maketh the heart sick. — Stoicism. — Glazier enters the prison-hospital — A charnel-house. — Rebel Burgeons. — Prison correspondence. — Specimen of a regulation letter. — The tailor's joke. — A Roland for an Oliver. — News of death. — Schemes for escape. — The freemasonry of misfortune. — Plot and counter-plot. — The pursuit of pleasure under difficulties lOG

CHAPTER XVIL

PRISON LIFE.

Mournful news. — How a brave man dies. — New Year's day.— Jolly under unfavorable circumstances. — Major Turner pays his res[)ects. — Punishment for singing " villainous Yankee songs." — Confederate General John Morgan. — Plans for escape. — Digging their way to freedom. — " Post No. 1, All's well." — Yankee ingenuity. — The tunnel ready. — Muscle the trump card. — No respect to rank. — Sauve qui peutf — A strategic movement. — " Guards ! guards ! " — Absentees from muster. — Disappointed hopes. — Savage treatment of prisoners, — Was the prison mined? . . = .179

CONTENTS, xiil

CHAPTER XVIII.

DANVILLE. — MACON. — SAVANNA IT.

Belle Boyd, the Confederate spy. — National characteristics. — Colonel Mosby. — Richmond to Danville. — Sleeping spoon-fashion. — Glazier's "corrective point" suffers. — Saltatory entrance to a railroad car. — Colonel Joselyn. — Sympathy of North Carolinians.— Ingenious efforts to escape. — Augusta. — Macon. — Turner again ! — "Carelessness " with firearms. — Tunneling. — Religious revival. — Order from Confederate War Department. — Murder ! — Fourth of July. — Macon to Savannah. — Camp Davidson. — More tunneling 194

CHAPTER XIX.

UNDER FIRE AT CHARLESTON.

Under siege. — Charleston Jail. — The Stars and Stripes. — Federal compliments. — Under the guns. — Roper Hospital. — Yellow Jack. — Sisters of Charity. — RebeF Christianity. — A Byronie stanza.— Charleston to Columbia. — "Camp Sorghum." — Nemesis.— Another dash for liberty. — Murder of Lieutenants Young and Parker. — Studying topography. — A vaticination.— Back to reality . 206

CHAPTER XX.

THE ESCAPE FROM COLUMBIA.

Mysterious voices. — "I reckon dey's Yankees." — "Who comes there?" — The Lady of the Manor. — A weird spectacle —The struggle through the swamp. — A reflection on Southern swamps in general, — Tired nature's sweet restorer . , . 221

CHAPTER XXL

LOYALTY OF THE NEGROES.

Startled by hounds. — An unpleasant predicament. — A Christian gentlewoman.— Appeal to Mrs. Colonel Taylor.—" She did all she could." — A meal fit for the gods. — Aunt Katy. — " Lor' bress ye, marsters I " — Uncle Zeb's prayer. — Hoe-cake and pinders, — Woodcraft versm astronomy.— Canine foes. — Characteristics of the slave. — Meeting escaped prisoners. — Danger. — Retreat and concealment 228

CHAPTER XXIL

PROGRESS OF THE FUGITIVES.

Parting company. — Thirst and no water. — Hoping for the end. — The boy and the chicken. — Conversation of ladies overheard. — Tho fugitives pursued.— The sleeping village. — Captain Bryant.— The xvi CONTENTS.

the journey. — Novel lecture tour. — Captain Frank M. Clark.- " Echoes from the Revolution." — Lecture at Tremont Temple. — Captain Theodore L. Kelly. — A success. — Proceeds of lecture. — Edward F. Rollins. — Extracts from first lecture. — Press notices 364

CHAPTER XXXII.

BOSTON TO CHICAGO. .

In the saddle. — Bunker Hill. — Arrives in Albany. — Reminiscences. — The Soldiers' Home. — Contributions for erecting Soldiers' Home. — Reception at Rochester. — Buffalo. — Dunkirk. — Swanville. — Cleveland. — Massacre of General Custer. — Monroe. — Lectures for Custer Monument. — Father of General Custer. — Detroit. — Kalamazoo. — An adventure. — Gives "Paul Revere" a rest. — Decatur.^Niles. — Michigan City. — Chicago . 376

CHAPTER XXXIIL

CHICAGO TO OMAHA,

Returns to Michigan City. — Joliet. — Thomas Babcock. — Herbert Glazier. — Ottawa. — La Salle. — Colonel Stevens. — Press Notice.^i — Taken for a highwayman. — Milan. — Davenport. — Press Notice. — Iowa City. — Des Moines. — Press Notice. — Attacked by prairie wolves. — Council Blufis. — Omaha 401

CHAPTER XXXIV.

CAPTAIN GLAZIER CAPTURED BY INDIANa

Captain Glazier as a horseman. — Cheyenne. — Two herders. — Captured by Indians. — Torture and death of a herder. — Escape. — Ogden. — Letter to Major Hessler. — Kelton. — Terrace. — Wells. — Halleck. — Elko. — Palisade. — Argenta. — Battle Mountain.— Golconda. — Humboldt. — " The majesty of the law.'' — Lovelock's. — White Plains, — Desert. — Wadsworth. — Truckee. — Summit. — Sacramento.—Brighton.— Stockton.— San Francisco . . 410

CHAPTER XXXV.

RETURN FROM CALIFORNIA.

Returns to the East by the " Iron Horse." — Boston Transcript on the journey on horseback. — Resumes literary work. — "Peculiarities of American Cities." — Preface to book. — A domestic incident. — A worthy son. — Claims of parents. — Purchases the Old Homestead, and presents it to his father and mother. — Letter to his parents.— The end 431

CONTENTS. xvn

CHAPTER XXXVT.

THE MlSSISSIPn RIVER.

An interval of literary work. — Conception of another expedition. — Reflections upon the Old Explorers. — Indian rumors. — Determined to find the true source of the Great River. — Starting on the eventful journey. — Joined by his broiher George and Barrett Channing Paine. — Collecting materials for the expedition. — Brainerd the first point of departure. — Through the Chippewa conntry. — Seventy miles of government road. — Curiosity its own reward. — Arrival at Leech Lake 437

CHAPTER XXXVIL

HOME OF THE CHIPPEWAS.

An embryonic red man. — A primitive hotel. — An unkempt inhabitant of the forest. — Leech Lake. — Major Ruffe's arrival. — White Cloud. — Paul Beaulieu and his theory about the source of the Mississippi. — Che-no-wa-ge-sic. — Studying Indian manners and customs. — Dining with Indian royalty. — Chippewa hospitality. — How the wife of an Indian Chief entertains. — Souvenir of Flat Mouth. — Return of Che-no-wa-ge-sic. — A council held. — An Indian speech. — " No White Man has yet seen the head of the Father of Waters." — Voyage of exploration. — Launching the canoes 444

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

EXPLORATION AND DISCOVERY.

Launching the canoes. — Flat Mouth and White Cloud again. — An inspiring scene. — Farewell to Leech Lake. — Up the Kabekanka River. — Dinner at Lake Benedict. — Difficult navigation. — A peaceful haven. — Supper and contentment. — Lake Garfield. — Preparations for first portage.— Utter exhaustion. — Encampment for the night. — The cavalry column. — Lake George and I^ike Paine. — The Naiwa River, — Six miles from Itasca. — Camping on the Missii=;sippi watershed. — A startling discovery. — Rations giving out.— Ammunition gone. — Arrival at Lake Itasca . 4*54 2 xviii CONTENTS,

CHAPTER XXXIX:

DISCOVERY OF THE SOURCE OF THE MISSISSIPPI.

Short rations. — Empty haversacks and depleted cartridge-boxes. — Statement of Chenovvagesic. — Captain Glazier's diary. — Vivid description. — Coasting Itasca. — Chenowagesic puzzled. — The barrier overcome. — Victory ! the Infant Mississippi. — Enthusiastic desire to see the source. — The goal reached. — A beautiful lake. — The fountain head. — An American the first white man to stand by its side. — Schoolcraft. — How he came to miss the lake. — Appropriate ceremonies. — Captain Glazier's speech. — Naming the lake. — Chenowagesic. — Military honors. — "Three cheers for the explorer " 465

CHAPTER XL.

DOWN THE GREAT RIVER.

Voyage from Source to Sea. — Three thousand miles in an open canoe. — "Pioneers of the Missi.ssippi.'' — A thrilling lecture. — The long voyage begun. — Mosquitoes. — Hunger and exhaustion. — The Captain kills an otter. — Lakes Bemidji and Winnibegoshish. — An Indian missionary. — Wind-bound. — Chenowagesic bids farewell to the Captain. — Pokegama Falls. — Grand Rapids. — Meeting the first steamboat. — Aitkin. — Great enthusiasm. — The new canoes. — Leaving Aitkin. — Arrival at Little Falls. — Escorted in triumph to the town. — "Captain Glazier! A speech! A speech!" — Lake Pepin. — An appalling storm. — St. Louis. — Southern hospitality. — New Orleans. — Arrival at the Gulf of Mexico. — End of voyage 476

CHAPTER XLL

RECEPTION BY THE NEW ORLEANS ACADEMY OF SCIENCES.

Captain Glazier returns to New Orleans. — A general ovation. — Flattering opinions of the press. — Introduction to the Mayor. — FreS' dora of the City tendered. — Special meeting of the New Orleans Academy of Sciences. — Presentation of the "Alice" to the Academy. — Captain Glazier's address. — The President's Re spouse. — Resolutions of thanks and appreciation passed. — Visit to the Arsenal of the Washington Artillery. — Welcome by the Old Guard of the Louisiana Tigers. — Pleasant memories of the *• Crescent City " , . , . . . . . 490

CONTENTS. xix

CHAPTER XLIL

BEFORE THE MISSOURI HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

Return to St. Louis, — Lecture at Mercantile Library Hall. — Brilliant audience. — The Missouri Historical Society present. — Eloquent iniroduction by Judge Todd. — " Pioneers of the Mississippi."— Presentation of the " Itasca " to the Historical Society. — Remarks of Captain Silas Bent on accepting the canoe. — Congratulations of the audience. — Closing scene . , . 496

CHAPTER XLHL

GREETINGS OF THE VOYAGE.

An interesting souvenir. — Greeting at Lake Glazier. — Petition to Geographical Societies. — Voice from Aitkin, Gate City of the Upper Mississippi. — Tributes from Brainerd. — Mississippi Pyramid. — An old friend at La Crosse. — Greetings at St. Louis. — Senator Lnmar. — Royal welcome at Bayou Tunica. — Sentiment of Port Eads. — Congratulations of tlie officers of the " Margaret." — Greetings from New Orleans. — "Fame's triple wreath." — Closing remarks 502

Illustkations.

Portrait of the Soldier-Author Frontispiece

The First Battle 32

Race with the Schoolmaster 44

Tragic Experience with an Ox-team 80

The Young Trapper of the Oswegaichie 90

A Cavalry Column on the March 118

Night Attack on Falmouth HEKfiiTs 126

Illicit Trading on the Rappahannock 130

Burial of Captain Walters at Mid-night 134

Sergeant Glazier at Aldie 146

Lieutenant Glazier at Brandy Station 156

Cavalry Fight at New Baltimore— Lieutenant Glazier

TAKEN Prisoner 160

LiBBY Prison 166

The Hole in the Floor 192

Tunneling— The Narrow Path to Frkedom 198

Charleston Jail— Charleston, South Carolina 206

The Escape from Columbia— Crossing the Dead-line 216

The Escape— Fed by Negroes in a Swamp 220

The Pursuit of Knowledge under Difficulties 224

Uncle Zeb's Prayer 232

The Escape— Crossing the Savannah at Midnight 246

A Mutual Surprise: 258

Recaptured by a Confederate Outpost 2G6

The Escape and Pursuit 270

The Escape from Sylvania, Georgia 276

Interview with JoelMunsell 306

Cavalry Fouaging-Party Returning to Camp 312

A Cavalry Bivouac 320

Battle of Gettysburg 332

Captain Glazier at Tremont Temple— Boston 364

Boston to Brighton— First Day of The Journey 376

A Night among Wolves 406

Captured by Lndians, near Skull Rocks, Wyoming 412

Pursued by Arrapahoes 418

Riding into the Pacific, near Cliff House— San Francisco 428

Captain Glazier Embarking for the Headwaters of

the Mississippi 454

Camp Among the Pines 458

Making a Portage 461

Lake Glazier— Source OF the Mississippi . =. ... 468

Map Illustrative of Captain Glazier's ExFLORATiuKS.... 474 Captain Glazier Running Rapids on Upper Mississippi... 478

SVV^ORD AND PEN.

Chapter I. Obigin Of The Glazier Family

Lineage of Willard Glazier. — A good stock.— Oliver Glazier at the Battle of Bunker Hill. — The home of honest industry. — The Coronet of Pembroke. — The " Homestead Farm.*' — Mehitable Bolton. — Her New England home. — Her marriage to Ward Glazier.— The wild "North Woods."— The mother of the soldier-author.

WILLARD GLAZIER comes of the mixed blood of Saxon and of Celt. We first hear of his ancestors upon this side of the Atlantic at that period of our nation's history which intervened between the speck of war at Lexington and the cloud of war at Bunker Hill.

Massachusetts and the town of Boston had become marked objects of the displeasure of the British Parliament. Later, in 1775, Ethan Allen had startled Captain Delaplace by presenting his lank figure at the captain's bedside and demanding the surrender of Ticonderoga in the name of the "Great Jehovah and the Continental Congress." In the language of Daniel ^V'ebster, "A spirit pervaded all ranks, not transient, not boisterous, but deep, solemn, determined."

War on their own soil and at their own doors was

indeed a strange work to the yeomanry of New Eng*

22 SWORD A^'D PEN.

land; but their consciences were convinced of its necessity, and when their country called them to her defense they did not withhold themselves from the perilous responsibility.

The statement of Quincy seemed to pervade all hearts. Said that distinguished son of genius and patriotism, " Blandishments will not fascinate us, nor will threats of a halter intimidate; for, under God, we are determined that wheresoever, whensoever, and howsoever we shall be called to make our exit, we will die free men."

At such a time, and among such men, w'e find enrolled in the ranks of the patriot army Oliver Glazier, the great-grandfather of the subject of the present work.

Oliver's father w^as John Glazier, a Massachusetts Lancastrian, born in 1739. John Glazier was the son of William Glazier, born about the year 1700, his ancestry being respectively of English and of Scotch extraction. Oliver himself, however, was born in the town of Lancaster, in the province or colony of Massachusetts, May twenty-third, 1763.

Hence the blood of Norman, of Saxon and of Celt, that had forgotten the animosities of race and mingled quietly in the veins of his ancestors, had become purely American in Oliver, and though but little over fourteen years of age, we find him doing yeoman service upon the ramparts of Bunker Hill.

That he performed well his part in the struggle for liberty, is evident from the fact that he appears upon the rolls as a pensioner, from the close of that memorable contest until the time of his death.

Mr. Frank Renehan, in a sketch contributed by him

OLIVER GLAZIER. 23

to an elaborate work which was published by the New York and Hartford Publishin}^ Company in 1871, comments as follows upon the coincidence of Oliver Glazier in 1775 and Willard Glazier in 1861 — both being at the time of entering service comparatively boys in age, enlisting for the defense of their country: " The former, though then but fourteen years of age, participated with the patriots in the battle of Bunker Hill, and to the last contributed his young enthusiasm and willing services to the cause he had espoused; thus giving early testimony of his devotion to the land of his adoption and of fealty to the principles of popular government involved in the struggle for American independence. So remarkable an instance of ancestral fidelity to the interests of civil liberty could not but exercise a marked influence upon those of the same blood to whom the tradition was handed down, and here we find our subject, a scion of the third generation, assisting in 1861 on the battlefields of the South, in maintenance of the liberty his progenitor had contributed to achieve in 1775 on the battlefields of the North ! This is not mentioned as a singular fact — history is replete with just such coincidences— but merely for the purpose of suggesting the moral that in matters of patriotism the son is only consistent when he imitates the example and emulates the virtues of his sires/'

In this eloquent passage occurs an error of fact. Oliver Glazier while in the patriot army was not fighting for the " land of his adoption." As we have seen, he was native here and " to the manor born." Indeed, in the light of historic proof and with the example of men descended from Washington and Light Horse Harry Lee before us, we are rather inclined to admire the paragraph as a fine specimen of rhetorical composition than to admit its accuracy as a deduction in pliilosophy.

Sub.-cqicnt to his term of military service — an experience through which he had safely passed — Oliver Glazier became a resident of West Boylston, Massachusetts, where he married a Miss Hastings.

The name of Glazier, Lower tells us, is purely English, and is derived from the title given to the trade. Plowever that may be, those who have borne it have always expressed a pride in having sprung from the great mass — the people — and have held with the philosopher of Sunnyside, that whether "hereditary rank be an illusion or not, hereditary virtue gives a patent of nobility beyond all the blazonry of the herald's college." The name of Hastings takes its rise from a nobler source; for Mrs. Oliver Glazier brought into the family as blue blood as any m all England. The great family which bears that name in Great Britain can show quarterings of an earlier date than the battle which gave a kingdom to William of Normandy. Macaulay says that one branch of their line, in the fourteenth century, " wore the coronet of Pembroke ; that from another sprang the renowned Lord Chamberlain, the faithful adherent of the White Rose, whose fate has furnished so striking a theme both to the poet and historian," and while it is probable that this wife of an American patriot was many degrees removed from the powerful leaders whose name she bore, the same blood undoubtedly flowed in her veins that coursed through theirs.

Oliver, during the many years of a happy married life which terminated in his death at the ripe age of

MEHITABLE BOLTON, 25

ninety-seven, became the father of eight children. His son Jabez left Boylston at an early age, and after considerable '* prospecting" finally married a Miss Sarah Tucker and settled in the township of Fowler, St. Lawrence County, New York. Out of their union sprang three sons, George, Ward, and Henry, and four daughters, Elvira, Martha, Caroline and Lydia. During a visit he made to his "down East" relations, Ward married a young lady by the name of Mehitable Bolton, of West Boylston, Massachusetts.

This young lady was a true representative of the New England v/oraan, who believee that work is the handmaid of religion. She entered a cotton factory at Worcester when only seventeen years of age, and worked perseveringly through long years of labor, often walking from her home in West Boylston to the factory at Worcester, a distance of seven miles. At the time of her marriage — which occurred when she was twenty-five — she had accumulated the snug little sum of five hundred dollars, besides possessing a handsome wardrobe, all of which was the fruit of her own untiring industry.

If it be true that the mothers of men of mark are always women of strong and noble characters, then we are not surprised to find in the mother of Willard Glazier those sterling qualities which made her young life successful.

The early married life of AYard Glazier was passed upon the farm first cleared and cultivated by his father, and which has since become known to the neighborhood as the "Old Glazier Homestead." This farm is situated in the township of Fowler, midway between the small villages of Little York and Fullersville.