The history of Erie County, Pennsylvania, from its first settlement

Preface

If in every State we had those who were unprejudiced and truth-loving to examine and test tlie supposed history of their respective localities, and to record the testimony of the aged, " before they go hence and be no more," truth would be vindicated, much that is interesting rescued from oblivion, and a correct and minute history of our country secured.

For the encouragement of those attempting this duty, Sallust says: "Among the different ways of employing one's abilities, that of writing history is of eminent use ; but I shall say nothing of its excellence, because many have already shown it, and lest I should be charged with vanity for extolling what I am myself engaged in."

Grateful acknowledgments are due to the many friends who have contributed to the History of Erie County by the use of their libraries, by the loan of valuable unedited manuscripts, and by their pertinent suggestions. Of these are Dr. U. Parsons, of Providence, Rhode Island ; Madams William A. Brown, Chas, Pollock, J. C. Reid, J. H. Bliss, H. Russel, J. Dickson, and Miss I. Williams ; Gen. C. M. Reed, Capt. W. W. Dobbins, William Nicholson, G. J. Ball, J. Sill, J. B. Johnson, B. B. Vincent, J. C. Spencer, T. G. Colt, A. H. Caughey, and G. W. Starr, Esqs.; Rev. Wm. M. Blackburn, and Rev. I. St. John, of Erie ; Rev. S. M. Eaton, Franklin ; Mr. I. Eaton, Fairview ; Miss H. R. Cutler and Mr. R. Barnett, Girard ; Miss Sarah Vincent and Mrs. McGill, Waterford ; Rev. A. H. Carrier and Wm. E. Marvin, Esq., Northeast ; and Mrs. M. Courtright, New York.

In this new edition we have given in the form of a supplement events of latter years only of main importance, the want of space being our plea for not giving much that is worthy of record.

The Editors of the county are entitled to many thanks for their files, and for favorable mention of the work.

CATALOGUE OF WORKS CONSULTED.

American State Papers ; American Archives ; Proud's History of Pennsylvania ; Colonial History of New York ; Documentary History of New York ; Pennsylvania Colonial Records ; Pennsylvania Archives ; Western Annals ; History of Western Pennsylvania ; Thatcher's Lives of the Indians ; Naval Monument ; Hennepin's Discoveries in America ; Historical Collections of Pennsylvania ; Shea's Discovery of the Mississippi ; Shea's Jesuit Missions ; Annals of America, by Dr. Holmes ; Schoolcraft's Indian Tribes ; Conspiracy of Pontiac ; Niles's Register ; Burgess's Account of Perry's Victory ; McKenzie's Life of Perry ; Dawson's American Battles ; Dr. Parson's Discourse ; Calvert's Oration ; Battle of Lake Erie Monumental Association ; Bancroft's United States ; Irving's Life of Washington ; Stone's Life of Brandt ; Elements of History, by J, E. Worcester ; Historical Account of Erie County, by Dr. W. M. Wood ; Dwight's Travels ; Goodrich's History of the United States ; Smith's Laws of Pennsylvania ; Howe's Historical Collections of the West ; State Geologist's Report ; Poor's History of Railroads ; Files of the Mirror, Erie ; Erie Gazette ; Erie Observer ; Girard Republican ; Encyclopedia Americana ; Allegheny Magazine ; Pennsylvania Gazetteer, by Thos. F. Gordon ; Pennsylvania State Book, by Burrows ; Old Fort Le Boeuf, by a Waterfordian ; Inauguration of the Perry Statue, Cleveland ; History of the Railroad War, by Wilson Laird, Esq.; Buffalo Express; Buffalo Commercial ; History of Erie County, published in Chicago, 1884, Warner, Beers & Co. ; Illustrated History of Pennsylvania, by W. H. Egle, M.D. ; Old Portage Road, by H. C. Taylor, M.D. ; Ship-yard of the Griffon, by C. K. Remington.

COMPLIMENTARY NOTICES.

The following note from the Hon. Geo. Bancroft explains itself, and is indirectly a flattering tribute to the worth of the book from the very highest source :

" New York, February 3d, 1862.

" . . . Your charming work on Erie County has so much merit, that I cannot bear to lie under your misapprehension of my judgment on a point, which has cost me a good deal of research. If you turn to page 163 of Vol. III., in the copy I sent to Erie, or any edition since 1853, you will find that I put the first ship yard at the 'Mouth of the Cayaga Creek.' It cost me a world of trouble to find the authorities to correct my mistake, and I am sorry you charged upon me the sins of my earlier years, instead of the revised opinion of mature stiidy.

" Very truly yours,

" Geo. Bancroft."

"The History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, by Laura G. Sanford is in manibus. It is an interesting book to any one, being full of Indian traditions, antiquarian gossip, and facts relating to cotemporary American heroes, all connected together in a very agreeable style. To a resident of Erie County, Ave think the Avork invaluable, comprising as it does the history of places and persons, forming subjects of his own daily conversation and observation. The tremendous * War of the Gauges " has not received as much attention from the fair historian as we could wish. She passes it with a bare mention. Possibly a lady could not do justice to an event which above all others requires a manly pen to portray."

From Erie Gazette.

" ' History of Erie County.' This is the title of a neatly printed and handsomely bound volume, just issued from the press of J. B. Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia, for a copy of which we are indebted to the authoress, Miss Laura G. Sanford, of our city. It consists of 347 pages, and embodies much interesting and valuable

Vi COMPLIMENTARY NOTICES.

information relative to the County, from an early date to the present time. Biographical notices of well-known citizens form a prominent feature — citizens like Seth Reed, R. S. Reed, P. S. V. Hamot, Hon. Thos. H. Sill, Giles Sanford, Judah Colt, Rev. Robert Reid, Daniel Dobbins, and Hon. John Galbraith, accompanied in several cases by finely executed steel engraved likenesses. The work bears marks of careful preparation, and is doubtless strictly correct in its statements of material facts and events. We regard it as quite creditable to the authoress and the publishers, and cordially recommend it to all who would possess a reliable ' History of Erie County.' It is thus spoken of by a gentleman long and favorably known here :

" Providence, R. I., October 8, 1860, " It has been my privilege to be allowed the perusal of many of the sheets of INIiss Sanford's History of Erie in manuscript, and I cordially bear testimony to its great value as embodying about all the material facts relating to that frontier city that such a work should contain, sought out with great industry, and carefully and candidly stated.

"Usher Parsons."

From Providence {Rhode Island) Daily Journal.

" This is a valuable contribution to the history of our western frontier. It begins with the history of the Indians and their sway over the lake shores. It then gives us an account of the arrival of the first French settlers from INIontreal, as missionaries, on Lake Erie and the upper lakes, and of the trappers and hunters who soon followed in their train, their first landing after leaving Lake Ontario being at this port. Here they established one of the first forts west of Niagara Falls, and opened a road eighteen miles south of Le Ba?uf, now called Waterford, at the head waters of the Ohio. At that place, Washington, a century after, commenced his military career, at the age of twenty. Beyond this they established other forts at Venango and Pittsburg, and moved on further south ; intending to secure the trade for Canada of the vast regions Avest of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. An account is given of the first vessel that traversed the lakes and of the gradual increase of shipping until the War of 1812, when Perry's fleet was commenced and equipped. A faithful description is also furnished of the fleet's armament and crews, and of the celebrated battle of the 10th of September, with portraits of some of the officers (Commodore Perry and Dr. Parsons among them), and also of many of the prominent citizens who first settled in Erie.

COMPLIMENTARY NOTICES. vii

" Erie is now a beautiful city, its inhabitants having increased from 300 or 400 at the time of the war to 12,000.

" The venerable Giles Sanford, Esq., who arrived there in 1810, is the father of the author, and being engaged since tlien as a prominent merchant and furnisher of supplies for the army and navy, is better acquainted with the history and concerns of Erie than any person living. He has been able to furnish his daughter with many of the materials of this valuable work, which we cordially recommend to the attention of all persons interested in the times, localities, and events of which it treats. It is written with great candor and truthfulness, and evinces a vast amount of industry and patient research."

From the Crawford Democrat, February 25, 1862.

"This is a work of great value as a depository in which are treasured up, so as to secure them in a permanent form, the facts and incidents of the early settlement of the portion of our State of which it is the history. The accomplished authoress has done the task she assigned herself in a way to deserve the thanks of the Avhole country, but particularly the inhabitants of this State, and most especially of the dwellers in Erie County. Her book will be read with satisfaction and pleasure because of the important information it contains — information collected by much industry and perseverance — and for the attractive manner in which it is imparted. Erie County is fortunate in having one to write its history who is so well qualified by possessing both the literary and scientific ability and taste, and the love of the work necessary to success.

" The plan adopted — and, indeed, required by the subject — is such as to give the ' History of Erie County ' more than a merely local interest. Interesting sketches are given of various Indian tribes, whose braves formerly roamed over this tlien great western wilderness, following on the war path ; whose hunters pursued their game through the vast forests that then, unbroken, covered all this region ; whose young men and maidens Avhispered their tale of love by the sparkling brooks in the waters of which the speckled trout sported, while over them the green boughs meeting formed Nature's sweet bowers ; and Avhose frail canoes were the only craft which then furrowed the lakes and rivers. The difficulties met and vanquished by the hardy early settlers are well narrated, and examples given. The naval operations on the lakes, and the victories gained on them by American hex'oes, receive attention. Besides these, other matters of general interest are noticed — such as relate to the occupancy of this region by the

Vili COMPLIMENTARY NOTICES.

French ; the fortifications built by them, and final surrender of their claims to the English.

" A pumber of sketches of the lives of early settlers in Erie County are given, which add much to the attractiveness and interest of the volume.

"MissSanford did not perform her work a day too soon. The knowledge of the facts of the early history and settlement of this part of our country is fast passing away along with those — of whom so few yet remain — in whose memory that knowledge is stored. A very few more years, and those facts, now, happily, secured, would have perished from the living generations.

" I have said that Erie County is fortunate in having one so well qualified and, at the same time, disposed to write its history. The object of this notice of her book, besides being to call attention to a really meritorious work, is to ask, where is the historian of Crawford County? It is necessary he, or she, shall appear very soon, else it will be too late. Already, indeed, much that would have been among the most valuable history of this county has gone into the graves of the old settlers. Every year — every month — something of importance is perishing.

" Crawford County affords material — has an unwritten history — not less abundant, certainly, nor less attractive, than Erie ; and as capable, in equally competent hands, of being made into a written history like that, in regard to interest, which is the subject of this notice. Have we no one with both the mind and heart to do it ? Let the historian of Crawford County appear, and quickly, too, before those in whose memory it noAV lies pass away, and that person — man or woman — will deserve and have the gratitude of this and future generations.

" Mr. Fillmore, as President of the * Buffalo Historical Society,' accepts with pleasure and thanks the interesting History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, from the author.

"Buffalo, July 20, 1S02."

A Beacon Light-House.

B Land Light-House.

C Flash Llght^House.

D Life Saving Station.

E Soldiers' Home.

F Massassauga Point.

Q Tracy Point.

ERIE HARBOR

(PRESQUE ISI.E BAY)

From a Survey in 1888 By Knsigns H. Kimrnel and H. Hetherington, U. S. N., of the U. 8.8. Miehigran. Commander H. F. Picking, U. 8. N., command'g.

Chapter I

An Account of the Eries — Traditions concerning them — Their Destruction — Symbols found on Kelly's or Cunningham's Island — Indian Remains 15

CHAPTEB II.

La Salle — The Griflfon — Relics — Gov. Shirley's Proposition— Braddock's Advice — Gov. Delancy's Plan — Estimating Presqu'ile — Hudson's Bay Company 24

Chapter III

The English and French Claims — Construction of Forts Presquile (Erie) and Le Boeuf (Waterford) — Washington's Visit— Condition of these Forts in 1756, '57, '58, and '59— Their Desertion after the taking of Fort Niagara — Tradition in Erie — Major Rogers takes Possession for the English in 1760. 29

Chapter IV

Pontiac— Destruction of Forts Presqu'ile and Le Boeuf, as described by Bancroft, Parkman, and Harvey — Col. Bradstreet at Presquile, in 1764 — Col. Bouquet's Treaty — A Detachment of British Soldiers and Indians embark at Chautauqua Lake — Hannastown burnt — Mr. Adams's Suggestion 48

Chapter V

Penn's Charter— Boundaries of Pennsylvania— Mason and Dixon's Line — Review of said Line by Col. Graham — Western Boundary of Pennsylvania fixed in 1786 — Boundary between New York and Pennsylvania confirmed by Act of Assembly in 1789 — Purchase of Triangle, 1791 — Anecdote of Mr. William Miles 56

X CONTENTS.

Chapter VI

Arrangements for the Settlement of the Triangle— Pennsylvania Population Company— Act to lay out a Town at Presqu'- ile ; afterward repealed— Block-house at Le Boeuf— Indian INIurders- Gov. Miflfiin to the President— Attorney-General Bradfoi-d's Opinion— Ransom's Deposition — Letters of Capt. Denny — Andrew Ellicot and Gen. Chapin — Joseph Brandt — Cornplanter— A Present of Land— Treaty of Peace at Canandaigua 62

Chapter VII

An Act to lay out the Towns of Erie, Waterford, Franklin, and Warren — To protract the Enlistment of Troops at Le Boeuf— Deposition of Tho. Rees, Esq. — Actual Settlers— Memorial to the Popvilation Company — Deacon Chamberlain's Story — Capt. Martin Strong to William Nicholson, Esq. — Louis Philippe at ^Ir. Rees' s— Murder of Rutledge and Son — Mr. Augustus Porter's Visit — Mr. Judah Colt's MS. Autobiography—Number of White Settlers on the Lakes west of Genesee River — General Wayne's Death at Presqu'ile, 1796. 76

Chapter VIII

Erie County from 1785 — Organization in 1803 — Its Geography, etc. — Original Townships — Changes— Extent of Townships and Population — Population decennially from 1800 — Census Items— Vote of 1808 and 1860 — Receipts and Expenditures do. — Extract from Auditor-General's Report — Post-offices in 1830, 1856, 1860— List of Judges— Members of Congress- State Senate — Representatives — Prothonotaries — Registers and Recorders— Sheriffs— Coroners— First Section incorporated — Courthouses — Act for Public Landing — Borough Charter altered in 1833 — Canal Basin — Peninsula — Poorhouse — Several Acts — Government of Erie changed to that of a City — Present Population and Business — List of Burgesses and Mayors — Collectors of Customs — Postmasters in Erie 91

Chapter IX

First Road — Population Company Roads— Erie and Waterford Turnpike — Salt Trade — Gen. O'Hara's Contract — Road to Buflfalo — First Coaches — Erie Canal — Railroads — Erie or Wattsburg Railroad— Sunbury and Erie — Erie and North-

CONTENTS. XI

east— Franklin Canal Company— Pittsburg and Erie Railroad —Plank-roads 107

Chapter X

Shipping— The Washington, the First Vessel built on the South Shore of the Lake— Hudson's Bay Company— British Government Vessels— American Government Vessels— The Salina— Valuable Cargoes— Walk-in-the- Water— First Lighthouse — William Penn— First Steamer at Chicago — Cholera- Tonnage and Number of Vessels in 1810-20-31-36-47-60— Lake Disasters— Commerce of Port of Presqu'ile— Vessels and Tonnage registered at Presqu'ile in 1860— United States Steamer Michigan — Revenue Cutters 123

Chapter XI

Banks— Gas Company— Insurance— Fire Companies— Volunteer Military— Agriculture— Mutual Aid— Cemeteries— Moral, Benevolent, and Literary Societies 132

Chapter XII

Newspapers— Common Schools— Academies— Normal School- Sabbath School— First Protestant Missionaries West of Utica —Moravians in Venango County, 1767— First Religious Service in Erie County— First Church Edifice— A Religious Experience — Presbytery of Erie— Revs, Patterson and Eaton —Extract from Rev. A. H. Carrier's Historical Sermon- Rev. R. Reid— Churches of different Denominations in Erie —Revivals 147

Chapter XIII

Waterford—Edinboro— Northeast— Wattsburg—Girard— Union Mills — Albion — Cherry Hill — Wellsburg — Cranesville — Lockport — Pageville — Lexington — Fairview — Manchester — McKean Corners— Wesleyville— West Springfield— Springfield — Beaverdam — Concord Station 178

Chapter XIV

Biographical Sketches of Col. Seth Reed — Rufus Seth Reed — Judah Colt— Dr. U. Parsons— Dr. John C. Wallace — Rev. Robert Reid— Thos. Wilson— P. S. V. Hamot— Capt. D. Dobbins— T. H. Sill— G. Sanford— Judge J. Galbraith 195

Xii CONTENTS.

Chapter XV

War declared— Commodore Perry— Capt. Dobljiu's Correspondence — Commodore Chauucey, Mr. Henry Eckford, and Noah Brown — Difficulties in fitting out the Fleet — Gen. Mead— Capt. Perry at Fort George— Five Vessels brought from Buffalo— Provincial Marine Corps— Difficulties in procuring men — Letters to Commodore Chauncey and the Secretary of the Navy — A Providence recognized in the War — Getting the Vessels over the bar — Commodore Barclay at Port Dover — Seven of the Vessels make a Cruise — Officers and Men from Lake Ontario — August 12, Perry sails for Sandusky — Interview with Gen. Harrison — They proceed to Maiden — Kentucky Militia — Sickness — Letters from the Secretary— Ohio dispatched to Erie— Strength of the British Force — The American Force — Americans look in at Maiden — Corrected Instructions for the Battle 214

Chapter XVI

British Vessels appear— Commodore Perry remodels his Line, and other Preparations— A brief Description of the Battle of September 10, by Dr. Parsons — The Vessels return to Erie with the Wounded and Prisoners — Capt. Perry promoted— His Reception at Erie— A Remark of McKenzie — President Madison — Congress — Prizes 238

Chapter XVII

Block-houses built in 1813-14— State of Society— Buffalo burned — Alarms at Erie — Capt. Sinclair arrives— Bird, Rankin, and Davis executed — Disposition made of Government Vessels — List of Commanding Officers at Erie from 1813 to 1825— Topography of Presqu'ile Bay and the Peninsula — Misery Bay — Gen. Bernard and Maj. Totten's Survey — Appropriations made by the State and the United States — Changes since 1813— Rise and fall of Water in Lake Erie — A singular Phenomenon — Lake Survey 246

Chapter XVIII

Geology from Professor Rogers— Character of th6 Soil — Calcareous Marl — Bog Ore — Petroleum — Mineral Waters — Description of the Sink-hole by Mr. R. Andrews— The Devil's Backbone and Nose — Botanizing 255

CONTENTS. XUl

Chapter XIX

Miscellaneous Items, among which are : A Tradition — Gen. Wayne — An Anecdote — Price of Provisions — Wm. W. Reed, Esq. — First National Celebration — Churches — The Garrison — A Relic — Saturday Afternoon — Ganae — Mrs. P.'s Reminiscences — H. Russel's Journal — An Early Settler in Fairview — La Fayette's Visit in Erie — Cholera — Perry Monument — An Informal Meeting — Speculation — Fires — Sad Accidents — Ex- President Adams — Patriot War — Old Courthouse Bell — Pioneers — Perry — Lieut. Yarnall — Survivors of the Battle of Lake Erie — Perry Monument at Cleveland — Inventions— Moravian Lands — Omissions — Bankers and Exchange Brokers. . 270

SUPPLEMENT.

Section I

The Shipyard of the Griffon -^ Northern State Boundary — Ownership of the Peninsula — The Pontiac Conspiracy — Le BcBuf— Letters of a Surveyor, etc. — Scenery • 303

Section II

Magnitude of the Great Lakes — Lake Currents — Fish Exhibit — Hatcheries — Ancient Mariner — The Lighthouses — Flash Lighthouse — Life-saving Station— Waterworks— War for the Union— Soldiers and Sailors' Home 319

Section III

Johnson Island Plot — United States Steamer Michigan — Revenue Cutters — Railroads — Rapid Transit — Liberty Bells — Erie — Some Towns and Townships — Grapes — Postoffices— Census— City Hall— Government Building— Petroleum— Gas — The Weather — Parks — Massassauga — Height of Lakes. . . 341

Section IV

Biographies of Dr. Usher Parsons— Capt. W. W. Dobbins (an extract)— Oliver H. Perry— Maj. Andrew EUicott— Two For-

XIV CONTENTS.

eiguers— Dr. F. N. Thorpe— Rev. C. Dickson, D.D. — William Wallace, Esq. — Wallace Family — Judge Converse — Rev. T. H. Robinson, D.D, —Judge A. Tourgee — Bishop J. F. Spaulding — Rev. Dr. Stuckenberg — Dr. Artemas Martin — Rev. Dr. Chamberlain — Miss E. Ditto — Dr. and Ernest IngersoU — Rev. K. Fullerton — Messrs. Perkins — Judge James Thompson and family — Hon. W^illiam L. Scott — Visits of Nine Presidents — Citizens mentioned . . , 376

Section V

Churches — Revivals — Missionary Annual Meeting — Public Schools — Academy — Villa Maria — Lake Shore Seminary — St. Benedict— Clark's Business College— W. C. T. U.— Y. M. C. A. — Hamot and St. Vincent Hospitals — Home of the Friendless —Three New Charities — Bequests of John Weis and R. Wilcox— Sisters of St. Joseph 407

Section VI

Water Commissioners— Hon. W. L. Scott — Palatial Residences —The Wadena — Ore Docks — Trestle — Metric Metal— Railroads — County Roads — Freight Report — Banks — Disasters — Storage — Homeopathic Hospital— A Synopsis — World's Fair Awards. 434

HISTORY OF ERIE COUNTY.

Chapter I

An Account of the Eries — Traditions Concerning Them — Their Destruction — Symbols found on Kelly's or CunninghanV s Island — Indian Remains.

" A noble race ! but they are gone,

With their old forests wide and deep, And we have built our homes upon Fields where their generations sleep."— Bryaxt.

At the beginning of the seventeenth century the fierce and powerful Indian tribe called Erigas, Eries, Erie-honons, Mad Spirits or Cat tribe, occupied the southern borders of the lake now bearing their name. The same tribe was known to the French as the Neutral nation or Chats, and to the Dutch as Shaonons or Satanas. Champlain, in his first map, made no mention of them, locating other tribes in their territory ; subsequently he heard of them when in the Huron country. The territory they occupied, according to Charleroix, was the celebrated valley of the Niagara River. On its northern margin they were found spreading both east and west on the shores of Lakes Erie and Ontario, but not to any great distance. Shea describes the localities of the tribes thus : "The Wyandots, traders of the West, lay in their densely-peopled villages, well fortified by ditch and palisade, on a small peninsula in Lake Huron ; southwest lay their allies, the Tionontates, whose luxuriant fields of tobacco won for them and their fertile hills the name of Petuns ; and south and east of these, stretching beyond the Niagara and its marvelous cataract, lay the many clans of the Atiwandaronk, friends to the Huron and Algonquin, friends, too, to the Iroquois, and called by the French the Neutral nation ; east of these, in

16 HISTORY OF EKIE COUNTY.

New York, stretching from the Genesee to the mouth of the Mohawk, lay the five clans of the Hohnnonchiendi, whose name remains in the natural features of New York, and who are now known collectively by the French name Iroquois ; west of these, on the southern shore of Lake Erie, lay the farfamed archers, the Eries or Cat tribe, who have melted away like a dream ; on the Susquehanna were the Andastes or Conastagues, friends of the Huron and Swede, few but brave." The Eries at this time numbered twenty-eight villages, and twelve large towns or forts ; these contained 12,000 souls, 4,000 of whom were fighting men.

In 1653, Le Moyne, an adopted Indian and priest, took his departure from Quebec, and landing at Oswego proceeded to the town of Onondaga. Here he was received with pomp, and after offering the authorities presents from the French governor, he commended to them peace and the faith of which he was the minister. Captive Hurons, of whom there were no less than a thousand in their midst, had prepared the way for the missionary by their instructions, causing the adults and children to desire baptism at his hands. Among others, a chief setting out against the Eries, on the eve of his departure begged for baptism. The prudent missionary counseled him to defer the rite to a future time, when he would visit them again. " Ah, brother ! " exclaimed the chief, " if I have the faith can I not be a Christian to-day? Art thou roaster of death, to prevent its striking me without thy order ? Will the shafts of the foe be blunted for me? Must I, at every step in battle, dread hell rather than death? Unless thou baptize me I shall not dare to meet the blows. Baptize me, for I will obey thee, and give thee my word to live and die a Christian." Such entreaties could not be resisted, and Le Moyne being persuaded of the chieftain's fitness, baptized him by the name of John Baptist, and the next day each set out on his different career. The baptized warrior was successful. Inspired by his zeal, the braves when surrounded by the Eries, invoked the God of the Christian, and vowed to embrace the faith if victory were granted. The tide of battle was changed, and the thousand braves of Onondaga drove an Erie force, which quadrupled theirs, from a strong post and won the day. Thus does even a corrupt Christianity inspire its possessors, and thus may paganism ever fall before the gospel. 1

A semi-educated Tuscarora, David Cusic, published a jjamphlet of Indian traditions, in Western New York, in 1825. This writing, though crude, ill digested, and generally obscure, throws much light on the history of the Eries. In 1626, among the first efforts made by New France to civilize the Indians, the Eries were visited ; and the peculiarity for which they are most celebrated was first brought into notice, that of neutrality among fierce and powerful tribes. Hence they are called by the French the Neutral nation.

They were under the government of a queen, called Yagowanea, or as called by the French and Senecas, Gegosasa. Accoi'ding to Cusic, she was a second Zenobia. The settlement of Canada by the French produced a division in the great Iroquois family — the Wyandots adhering to the Gallic side, and the Five Nations to the Dutch and English. In this feud of the Iroquois, the Algonquins or Adirondacks, who were at war with them formerly, were glad to make allies of the French and Wyandots. Between these the Eries occupied a geographical position on the banks of the Niagara, and had already become closely allied to the Wyandots and Five Nations. Neutrality was their only salvation — they were in a delicate position, and great wisdom was indispensable to its preservation. Gegosasa was called the mother of nations, and her wampum and peace-pipe were held sacred. Protected by the sanctity of Gegosasa's character and office as keeper of the symbolic house of peace, she received messengers and ambassadors from the Five Nations, Wyandots, Mississaqu<?s, and others. Her authority extended much farther than her territory, but one inconsiderate act brought destruction to her nation after long and bloody wars. Two Canandaigua warriors (Senecas) were announced at her lodge, and began to smoke the pipe of peace, when a deputation from the Mississaqu^s was also announced. The object of

1 The name of Le Moyne is again found as a leader wlien Schenectady, in 1690, was destroyed, and tlie most inhuman cruelties were perpetrated by a party of Canadian French Indians, being one of the three parties fitted out by Count Frontenac to distress the British Colonies.

18 IIISTOKY OF EKIE COUNTY.

their visit was soon made known, and tlieir request, which was to demand vengeance for tlie murder of their chief's son, was immediately granted. Intelligence of this violation of neutrality on the part of Gegosasa spread in every direction. The queen dispatched messengers to explain her position to Eagnatha (Buffalo), where the principal commander of the Eries resided. She even undertook herself to execute the commission ; but a meddling woman also stepped off quietly, taking a canoe along the shore of Lake Ontario, and communicated the death of the Canandaigua chief. Spies were sent by the Senecas to ascertain the truth of the rumors, who, without exciting suspicion, learned the facts from some boys found hunting squirrels, and an army was raised in hot haste. As a decoy, a man was dressed in bear-skin and directed to sit in the path, and when pursued, to lead the way into ambush. The plan succeeded, and the Eries were brought into the midst of crouching Senecas, who sounded the war-whooji most terrifically, but themselves, after a severe contest, were forced to flee. Afterward they rallied and fought with great desperation, and the Eries were compelled to yield, leaving 600 slain warriors on the battle-field.