1957 1 OTT ? AKf

Twentieth Publication

of the

Oswego County Historical Society

PRINTERS

OSWEGO, NEW YORK LIVING ROOM — HEADQUARTERS HOUSE List of Officers 1957

President Dr. Charles Snyder

Mrs. Hugh Barclay J. C. Birdlebough Charles A. Denman Vice Presidents Grove A. Gilbert Rodney Johnson Fred John S. Johnston Charles A. Penney Alfred G. Tucker

Recording Secretary Charles Groat

Executive Secretary Anthony Slosek

Treasurer ,.... Ray M. Sharkey

Curator Anthony Slosek

Program Chairman , Johnson Cooper

Thomas A. Cloutier Mrs. Frank Elliott Board of Directors •( Ralph M. Faust Miss Anna Post Dr. W. Seward Salisbury

773S3 in Table of Contents

OFFICERS OF THE SOCIETY III

TABLE OF CONTENTS .IV

ANNUAL REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT V

LEST WE FORGET VI & VII

*

BEFORE THE SOCIETY IN 1957

DEWITT C. LITTLEJOHN; A STUDY IN LEADERSHIP IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY. BUSINESSMAN AND POLITICIAN, PART I (presented by Dr. Charles M. Sny­ der, January 15, 1957) 1-11 PRELUDE TO CONTROVERSY BETWEEN SIR WILLIAM JOHNSON AND MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM SHIRLEY IN THE NIAGARA AND CROWN POINT CAMPAIGNS (presented by Mr. Johnson Cooper, February 19, 1957) 12-25

EARLY ROADS IN OSWEGO COUNTY (presented by Mrs. C. Fred Peckham, March 19, 1957) 26-33

OLD CEMETERIES IN OSWEGO (presented by Mr. Anthony Slosek, April 16, 1957) 34-40

OSWEGO AT THE TURN OF THE CENTURY (presented by Mr. Alfred G. Tucker, May 21, 1957) 41-42 COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY TOUR (August 17, 1957) 43

REMARKS OF DR. W. SEWARD SALISBURY AT ANNUAL TOUR OF THE SOCIETY (August 17, 1957) 44-45

HISTORY OF BALDWINSVILLE (presented by Mr. A. J. Chris­ topher, October 15, 1957) .46-47

ERIE CANAL AS SEEN FROM THE AIR (presented with slides by Mr. Robert Rose, November 19, 1957). NECROLOGY 48

IV OSWEGO CITY I

Annual Report of The President

The Oswego County Historical Society, now more than sixty years "young," continued through 1957 to carry on a program designed to foster an interest in local history and to preserve our priceless heritage in mortar and stone. This Yearbook, the nineteenth consecutive issue, offers another chapter in the written record of our local history; and the nineteen volumes collectively afford a variety of subjects and ma­ terials on local history which are available in but few counties in the state. Deserving special mention was the creation of a new office, that of Executive Secretary-Curator. It combines the duties of the Correspond­ ing Secretary and Curator, and adds to them the responsibility for the guiding of school groups and other visitors through our museum. It made possible, also, the opening of the museum on a regular schedule from May through October. The result was a record number of visi­ tors. The position provides for professional assistance in the arrange­ ment of exhibits and the filing of records and materials. Finally, it re­ moves some of the details from the President. It is hoped that this modest start may be expanded in the future. The major accomplishment in house-keeping during the year was the conversion of the heating to gas. It is expected to contribute to both efficiency and economy. The work of the Society was made possible through the cooperation of its five hundred members, the guidance and leadership of the Board of Managers and committees, and the gifts and services of many others To all I am deeply appreciative.

CHARLES M. SNYDER, President

* • •

V DR. W. SEWARD SALISBURY "Ht&Wt Jforget"

DR. W. SEWARD SALISBURY

Twenty years ago a young professor of Social Studies at the Oswe­ go State Normal School signed a membership blank in this Society. Since that time he has labored in and out of season to further its ob­ jectives. For a decade he served as program chairman. In 1952 he was elected to the Presidency of the Society, and held this office for two years. More recently he has been a member of the Board of Directors.

Through the years he has presented papers on a variety of topics, including Bradstreet's Expedition against Fort Frontenac in 1758 and The Contributions of Students and Faculty of the Oswego State Teach­ ers College in World War II. Others dealt with subjects as varied as the history of civil rights and Oswego's religious resources. A native of Phelps, New York, he received his bachelor and doc­ tor's degrees from Cornell University. He taught in the public schools of New York State and at Albany State College prior to accepting an appointment as Professor of Social Studies and Chairman of the De­ partment at Oswego Normal (later State Teachers College). He has been a visiting lecturer at the University of Colorado and the Univer­ sity of Maryland in their Armed Forces Institute in West Germany.

In addition to his contributions to local history, he has presented papers before the American Sociological and other learned societies, and has been a frequent contributor to publications in the areas of Political Science, Sociology and Education.

For his able leadership and valued contributions to the profession the Board of Managers dedicates this volume of the Yearbook.

VII Dewitt C. Littlejohn: A Study of Leadership in Oswego in the Nineteenth Century

(Presented by Dr. Charles M. Snyder, January 15, 1957)

PARTI Business and Politics

In the year 1839 Henry Fitz- manufactured in 1834 about 100,- hugh, prominent Oswego miller 000 barrels of flour, one tannery, and forwarder, made the ac­ a morocco factory, one cotton fac­ quaintance of a young clerk at a tory having 1,500 spindles, a forwarding house in Albany. Im­ machine shop, two saw mills, pressed by his business-sense and three cedar mills which sawed in hustle, 'Fitzhugh offered him a 1834 about 3,000,000 feet of Can­ position in his office. The young ada red cedar for shingles, posts, man, Dewitt Clinton Littlejohn, and railroad ties, three cabinet accepted. The decision was to be shops, three hat factories, one fur­ of great consequence for both Lit­ nace, a stove foundry, two wagon tlejohn and the city of his adop­ shops, two watchmakers, one tion. scythe and axe factory, eight blacksmiths, eight tailors, six Born February 7, 1818 at shoe stores, one tobacco establish­ Bridgewater, Oneida County, N. ment, one burr-stone factory, Y., the- son of Levi S. and Lucy three tin shops, three printing Pratt, he cut-short his collegiate offices, one upholsterer, nine tav­ education to get a start in busi­ erns, two saddlers, fifteen dry ness, and at twenty-one was al­ goods stores, three hardware ready an experienced merchandis­ stores, a book store, nine grocer­ er. There seems to be no record ies, three hat stores, three drug of his arrival at Oswego, then a stores, a jewelry store, eight law­ village of 5,000. But he must yers, six physicians, one bank, a have been impressed with the im­ temperance society, twenty-eight provements which he observed: schooners (three on stocks), two The Oswego Canal, connecting steamboats, and three lines of Oswego's harbor with the Erie canal boats."1 Canal at Salina; the Oswego Hy­ draulic Canal, which provided Obvious to the business com­ power for the mills lining the munity, though unseen by the ob­ east bank of the river and the server, was the Welland Canal, Varick Canal, a similar power- 150 miles westward, joining Lakes source on the west bank; exten­ Erie and Ontario. Its completion sive docks, a light house and a a few years earlier had made Os­ break-wall. A more minute in­ wego a rival of Buffalo for the spection would have revealed, as east-west trade. it did to another visitor several years earlier, "Flouring mills with If the scene which Littlejohn twenty-nine runs of stone which surveyed reflected achievement in the recent past and promise for

_1__ the future, its current activity needed family connections to was scarcely reassuring. The make a place for himself among Panic of 1837 clung to the (busi­ the more fashionable social cir­ ness community and would re­ cles, he would have found it here. quire another two years to dissi­ During the years which followed pate. But, as we shall see, Little- the Littlejohns had three children, john was not one to be easily dis­ two daughters and a son. They couraged. He saw a bright future were closely associated -with for Oswego, and a half-century's Christ Church, Mr. Littlejohn vicissitudes did not dim its glow. serving as Vestryman and a par­ ticipant in the erection of the Having arrived in Oswego, Lit­ present church ediface at West tlejohn plunged into the economic Fifth and Cayuga streets. and civic life of the community. Business Scene In a few years he entered into partnership with his employer, One is apt to assume that busi­ and "the firm of Fitzhugh and ness operations in Oswego a cen­ Littlejohn — as millers, forward­ tury ago were simple and local in ers, vessel and canal boat owners scope. They were not. Prosperity —• was one of the best known and depended upon the volume of traf­ most prominent houses of the fic which passed through the har­ kind on the whole line of the bor. This, in turn, involved: ap­ Great Lakes. Its reputation for propriations from Washington for enterprise and integrity was un­ harbor improvements favorable rivaled by any similar firm in the tariffs, which would encourage state, and young Littlejohn was Canadian trade; the enactment of particularly distinguished for his legislation at Albany for repairs activity and efficiency.2 and enlargements on the Oswego The "Old Oswego Line", as Canal and protection against fav­ their forwarding business was ors to the Erie Canai, which called, was situated on the east would place Oswego at a disad­ side near First and Seneca streets. vantage with Buffalo; and not to Fitzhugh and Littlejohn, in com­ be overlooked in the state capital, bination with a New York part­ charters and financial induce­ ner, also operated the Oneida ments to railroads, as their sig­ Lake and River Steamship Co., nificance was comprehended. Pub­ which built locks, piers and lic relations, however, was only depots and operatd vessels on one facet of the business man's those waters. operations. Politics vied with business for New communities suffered Littlejohn's attention, and at from a chronic shortage of credit, times relegated the latter to a and even Oswego's richest prop­ secondary role. He affiliated with erty owner, Gerrit Smith, requir­ the Whigh Party; and seven years ed, loans from New York bankers after settling in Oswego he was running into six figures. Smith, elected as a trustee of the village. in turn, extended credit to many Two years later he was its Presi­ of his clients. Long-term mort­ dent, and incidentally its last, gages and loans were essential to since Oswego became a city the large-scale operation. A business following year. In 1849 he was concern which could tap neces­ elected mayor, succeeding James sary sources of credit might ex­ Piatt, the first to hold this office. pect handsome profits. During the Meanwhile, Littlejohn did not middle 1840's Smith's Oswego neglect his personal life. In 1846 agent, John B. Edwards, observed he married Alida M. Tabbs, a that "the millers have gotten rich here this fall at a wonderful neice of Mrs. Henry Fitzhugh, and 3 grand-daughter of Charles Car­ rate." On the other hand, a sud­ roll, signer of the Declaration of den money panic might produce a Independence. If Littlejohn had rash of failures.

— 2 — This, then, was the stage upon of a riot. President Littlejohn which Littlejohn and his business hurried to the docks, mounted a associates played. It offered chal­ piling, and after making himself lenge, rewards and failures, and heard, addressed the crowd, ad­ a frequent change of characters. monishing them of the conse­ Because Littlejohn was a busi­ quences of their conduct. The as­ ness man and politician simul­ sembled throng cheered, but the taneously, it is necessary to sacri­ sailors would not disperse, and he fice chronology sometimes as we ordered out the Oswego Guards pursue one or the other through to maintain order. (Incidentally, a period of years. this was one of three occasions during the nineteenth century The Political Scene when the local militia was called President Jackson's impact to the docks for duty; the others: upon American politics had coal­ in 1839 during the "Patriot War," esced the numerous factions and in 1883, when longshoremen among the Jeffersonian Demo­ on strike resisted the landing of cratic-Republicans into two major strike-breakers). He received fa­ parties: his followers, the Demo­ vorable notice for his handling of crats, and his opponents, the the problem in newspapers on Whigs. At the time of Littlejohn's both sides of the lake. entry into politics Oswego usually went Democratic, while the vil­ During this same term as vil­ lages and towns in the County lage President he was instrument­ more than off-set this with Whig al in securing a city charter for pluralities. By the late forties, Oswego from the legislature. It however, the situation was com­ was obtained in haste so that the plicated by schisms in both par­ city could keep abreast of Auburn ties which reflected the growing and Syracuse, which were also in­ dissatisfaction with the western corporated in 1848. Littlejohn also extension of slavery. Democrats promoted the erection of a free were split into Free Soilers, and bridge across the Oswego River Hunkers, the latter, willing to ac­ at Utica Street and a projected cept southern leadership. The Susquehanna and Syracuse Rail­ Whigs divided similarly into Sil­ road, designed to connect Os­ ver Grays and Conscience Whigs. wego's docks directly with the Then in the early fifties both par­ Pennsylvania coal fields. In the ties were rent by a surge of na- latter he was associated with Al- tivism which swept the nation, vin Bronson, Fitzhugh, Gerrit and the resulting Know Nothing Smith and John B. Edwards. They Party briefly exerted a powerful were especially interested in influence. It, in turn, was engulf­ reaching the water front on the ed by the Republican Party, which east side, where each had substan­ also destroyed the Whigh Party. tial investments. The Oswego and Under these circumstances party Syracuse Railroad, Oswego's loyalties were apt to be held first line, completed in 1848, lightly and a party's strength wax served the west side, but did not or wane with startling rapidity. cross the river. In 1851, when a Sodus Canal project threatened to tap the Seneca River, and Early Politics thereby reduce the flow of water As Trustee and President of the in the Oswego River, Littlejohn Village and Mayor of the city, assumed the leadership to block Littlejohn exhibited a capacity the bid for a charter. for leadership. I shall refer to a stirring scene on July 4, 1847 to With these achievements to en­ illustrate this point. An alterca­ dorse him he was nominated in tion .between two gangs of sailors, 1852 for the Assembly at Albany. one Canadian and the other, Terms at that time were for a American, took on the proportions single year. He was elected, de-

— 3 — spite the fact that the county re­ Littlejohn was also a political turned majorities for Pierce and associate of William H. Seward, Seymour, the Democratic nom­ though the latter's career kept inees for President and Governor, him in Washington during the era respectively. His victory was the the former was in Albany. more significant since few, new, Whig Assemblymen turned up in Undoubtedly, Dittlejohn's busi­ Albany in Democratic landslide. ness and family connections with In the legislature Littlejohn Henry Fitzhugh were an asset in displayed talents of a high order the Legislature. Fitzhugh had which were soon to make his served previously in the Assem­ name familiar across the state. bly, and in 1851 began the first He was courteous, affable and an of two three-year terms as Canal excellent mixer, and yet earnest Commissioner. In this office he and forthright, and not given to was a key figure in the up-state avoid an unpopular issue. As an Whig Party, where canal sup­ orator and debater he was soon port and patronage were closely second to none. Tall, dark and linked to the party organization. slender in his younger years, Littlejohn championed local canal graceful in his movements, and appropriations, of course, and speaking with a voice which was learned the art of log-rolling to deep and resonant, he command­ pool support for canal legislation. ed the attention of his audience, He was reelected in 1853, and whether supporters or opponents. again in 1854. A favorite gesture was his right arm thrust forward and his index During his three year tenure in finger pointed directly at his the Legislature his primary inter­ hearers, a mannerism with which est was an enlargement of the Os­ he became identified. In Oswego, wego Canal to match one already a notice, that he was to speak, provided for the Erie. Without it was the guarantee of a full house, larger boats built for the Erie and in Albany, it filled the gallery could not have operated on the of the Assembly Chamber. It Oswego line. He found that his should be remembered in passing best chance for success was not that this was as an era when ora­ by obstructing appropriations for tory was at its height, and a the Erie, but rather hy supporting speaker, worth his salt, was ex­ them on a quid pro quo arrange­ pected to hold the attention of his ment with legislators from dis­ audience for two or more hours. tricts along the Erie. By such This is just what Littlejohn did, means he secured appropriations time and again, and almost daily, for his local project, and saw it during the closing days of a cam­ completed simultaneously with the paign. While I do not wish to Erie. overemphasize this point, it is safe to say that from the plat­ During his third term he form Littlejohn radiated a mag­ emerged as a state leader of his netism, which might have taken party. With the backing of the him to our highest political office, Weed machine he was elected had not business frequently rele­ Speaker, an office soon to become gated politics to a secondary posi­ familiar to him. The climax of the tion. session was the balloting for a United States Senator. Seward, In Albany he attracted the at­ the incumbent, had the support, of tention of Thurlow Weed, the the majority party, and his elec­ state "Boss" of the Whig Party. tion would have been a formality, They became close friends, and had not an undetermined number Littlejorn was soon one of Weed's of Whigs been tinged with Know- trusted Lieutenants, a relation­ nothingism. As Governor, more ship which proved mutually bene­ than a decade before, Seward had ficial in politics and business. shown a willingness to appro-

— 4 — priate state funds for the support vote, but it was obvious that the of Catholic schools, and thus, with Democrats were most at fault. Nativism now rampant, he was Pointing to the last presidential extremely vulnerable. For a time election he noted that the foreign Knownothings and Democrats vote had been cast against Scott, combined to prevent an election, the Whig nominee, though "Mr. and as the contest grew fiercer, Seward (who is charged with ex­ all other business ceased. "When cessive friendship for and influ­ at last DeWitt C. Littlejohn, va­ ence over those who cast that cating the Speaker's Chair, took vote) very anxiously desired his the floor for the distinguished election. If he had had the influ­ New Yorker, the excitement ence he is accused of >oossessing reached its climax. The Speaker's over this vote, do you suppose bold and fearless defence met a that it would have been cast storm of personal denunciation against his favorite candidate? that broke from the ranks of the No sir." Knownothings; but his speech minimized their opposition and in­ An overwhelming majority of spired Seward's forces to work the Knownothings were honest out a magnificent victory." Sew­ people, he conceded, who simply ard, himself, noted just after the opposed the election of foreign- above speech, "Our friends are in horn to office. But they could no good spirits and reasonably con­ longer remain in the Society fident. Our adversaries are not without rendering themselves par­ confident, and are out of tem­ ties to base purposes, for they per."3 were no longer free agents. Or­ ders ware emanating from the It is of interest to observe that central councils to the members. this address was circulated wide­ Assemblymen, he maintained, had ly. Excerpts appeared in Whig pa­ received threatening missives from pers and were incorporated into these councils, whose methods resolutions adopted at Whig ral­ were comparable to "the thumb­ lies. For example, a pamphlet en­ screws of the inquisition." titled "Proceedings of the Citi­ His remarks were interrupted zens' Convention Held at Pomfret, frequently by irate Knownothings Vt., March 18, 1855," includes the who repudiated his interpretation entire speech. of their oath and chain of com­ What was the nature of this mand. But he had the last word: highly publicized address? Little­ Washington's warning in his john traced his personal contact Farewell Address against the with Knownothingism. A friend "baneful effects of the spirit of had taken him to a meeting with party." No one attempted to re­ the promise that it would in no fute this.5 way interfere with "my duties to It is doubtful whether so par­ myself, my family, my Country tisan a discourse changed many and my God." When the nature of minds; but Seward's election fol­ the gathering was revealed, he lowed, and jubilant Whigs cele­ had refused to take the oath. He brated with fireworks and bon­ had attended no other meetings. fires. And while sympathetic to some of Back home, Democrats and the original principles, he detest­ Whigs with Knownothings lean­ ed "the base uses to which it has ings raised a storm of protest been reduced, and abhor the prin­ over Littlejohn's behavior. His an­ ciples to which it has been prosti­ swer came in a dramatic appear­ tuted by those in whose hands it ance to answer before an over­ has become a hugh and corrupt flow audience of friends and foes engine." Both Whigs and Demo­ at Doolittle Hall. "Hundreds who crats, he alleged, had sought too went there to mock and denounce much to influence the foreign went away to cheer and vote for

— 5 — D. C. Littlejohn," boasted the par­ Weed, that fearing the loss of the tisan Times. district, "Our friends put me in For further vindication, he was nomination against Speaker Rob­ persuaded to be a candidate for inson to beat him. He was beaten, mayor. The business community and I am to pass another winter argued that the projected Susque­ in Albany. Of course it is natural hanna and Syracuse Railroad re­ that I should desire to hold the quired the quality of leadership same position, as when last in the that he might afford. He won the Assembly. Am I not warranted in election and plunged into the pro­ asking, and shall I not have your motion, visiting villages and influence.'"' farms along the route, eliciting After a year's absence, how­ stock purchases from Oswego's ever, Littlejohn found the Weed merchants and presiding at public organization had other plans, meetings. John B. Edwards, not and he failed to win the chair. given to superlatives, referred to The session could scarcely have Littlejohn as he labored for the been a rewarding one for him. railroad as "that noble man . . . Pressing business problems await­ He is worth more to Oswego than 6 ed him at home, and politics went many Bronsons." The railroad into a temporary eclipse. failed, however, not so much to a lack of support at Oswego, but to Panic Vicissitudes its abandonment at the Bingham- The writer has been able to as­ ton end of the line. certain only a few of the high Meanwhile, as mayor, .Little­ lights of Littlejohn's business op­ john could not stand for reelec­ erations in this period, but the tion to the Assembly. But he ac­ outline is clear. Gambling upon companied the Weed-Seward Oswego's continued growth, Fitz- Whig faction into the newly or­ hugh and Littlejohn invested ganized Republican Party and heavily in land, buildings and campaigned vigorously for its can­ ships, much of it on long term didates in the fall elections of credit. Among their purchases 1855. In the vacuum created by were lots 4, 5, and 6 on the east­ the demise of the Whigs, how­ ern harbor adjacent to the Cove ever, the "Silver Grays" of Oswe­ from Gerrit Smith for $30,000. go, who had been headed by Wil­ Much of this remained unpaid in liam Duer and James Piatt, gravi­ 1853 when the city's most disas­ tated to the Knownothings ,and trous fire burned the mill and supported Democratic nominees. depot which they had erected Thus Littlejohn's efforts went for there. They promptly rebuilt — naught—the Democrats carried with additional credit, supplied in the County and the State. part by Smith after Littlejohn made a hurried trip to Washing­ Retiring from his one-year term ton to enlist his aid.s About this as Mayor in 1856, Littlejohn was time, also, Fitzhugh and Little­ caught up in the Presidential john purchased a three-sixteenth campaign. He pled business press­ interest in the Oswego Pier and ures in declining Weed's blandish­ Dock Co. (Grampus Bay) in ments that he tour central New which the principal owner was York, but he accepted a nomina­ Smith. It was a profitable busi­ tion to the Assembly, running ness over the years, but Fitzhugh against Orville Robinson, who had and Littlejohn could not hold been elected the previous year. their share long enough to profit His popularity was demonstrat­ substantially. Perhaps, if either of ed by the fact that he reversed a the partners had not been absorb­ majority of 1,500 votes given to ed in politics their foundations Robinson the year before, and might have been stronger. In any won the seat. Elated by his event, when the Panic of 1857 smashing victory, he observed to

— 6— struck, they were in serious And commenting to Smith a few straits. They worked desperately days later, Edwards continued, to retain their businesses, but "The treatment from Littlejohn is finding no solution, saw their indeed hard to bear. Perhaps it properties slip from their grasp. ought not to be born. It may be that you ought to bring him up The panic exacted its toll upon for slander. It is a pity that the personal relationships: Littlejohn poor man does not see his error and Smith, for example. They had and folly and confess it." But he been warm friends. Smith had ap­ ended on a more favorable note: pointed Littlejohn an original Littlejohn, he reported, wished to trustee of the library which he see him, and might even vote for built for Oswego. A short time him for Governor, (Smith was prior to the crash, Fitzhugh and running on the Liberty-Temper­ Littlejohn had negotiated for the ance ticket) if there were a sale of their waterfront lots and chance that he would win.9 Smith properties on the eastern harbor. and Littlejohn were eventually The sale, however, would have re­ reconciled, though it was not to quired a further extension of be their last difference of opinion. credit by Smith to the purchaser. He declined. Now with his finan­ In a letter to Seward, of par­ cial structure crashing about him, ticular interest because it con­ Littlejohn felt that Smith was tains a self-evaluation of his per­ partially responsible. Learning of sonality and services, Littlejohn the former's sentiments, Smith observed: "The commercial storm sent Edwards to call on Littlejohn of last autumn found my affairs as a peace-maker. But Edwards so extended (imprudently so) found him embittered. Several that nothing could ease me from similar overtures met with re­ shipwreck. From being worth buffs. Sometime later Smith $150,000, as I believed myself to wrote to Littlejohn, with Ed­ be in the fall of 1856, I am now wards again the intermediary, de­ utterly ruined, so far as property tailing his side of the controversy. is concerned. My property has Referring to Littlejohn as "My nearly all, and all will be, turned old friend," Smith noted that his over to my creditors. I have the losses from Fitzhugh and Little- battle of my business life to com­ john's failure totaled as much as mence again, and at the best $75,000, and that their proposition there are great disadvantages. My for the sale of the properties in history is that of many thousands which he was involved had never of our most liberal and most en­ been pressed: "Mr. Fitzhugh nev­ terprising men; those who by er spoke to me on the subject, their energy are always foremost and you but once, and that was in developing the wealth and re­ for probably not more than a sources of our country, often minute, and in the bar room at times at great hazards. Syracuse among people." Nothing is to be gained by re­ Edwards reported that Little­ straining the energies of this class john remained dissatisfied. "He of men either to the country or appears to feel afflicted because their creditors. There seems to be you are afflicted with him. He no relief except in a general com­ says what he said about you has mercial bankrupt act, one that been much exaggerated, but he should be permanent and lasting. says you did them injustice, you I need and must have its bene­ not intending to do injustice," and fits, for I chafe at the thought of that he stressed, "how useful he even one year of inactivity. Can and Mr. Fitzhugh have been to you give me any assurance that this place, and how much your such a measure will pass this ses- property has been increased in sion?"io value by means of their labors." I might add that no general

— 7— bankruptcy act was forthcoming "For six years, when I have not for another decade, and Littlejohn run, a Democrat has been elect­ was forced to struggle along with­ ed to the Assembly." He was out its benefits. hopeful of victory; and if suc­ His monetary distress finally cessful would go to Albany as his led to prison—for a few days—an "personal and political friend." outcome of an incident arising While one sees little evidence of from a propeller collision. An "op­ modesty here, the fact remains pressive creditor" obtained a that he did not exaggerate; and judgment against Fitzhugh, Lit­ Weed, a political realist, would have been the first to acknow­ tlejohn, and a third Oswego ship 2 owner, Andrew Miller, and had ledge its truth.i Littlejohn was them lodged in the county jail at elected, and was chosen Speaker, Pulaski. Families and friends a position which he retained rushed to their rescue, including through three consecutive terms. Mrs. Gerrit Smith and her sister, Highlighting this period of his Mrs. Birney, who arrived from political career was the election Peterboro with aid and comfort of Lincoln to the Presidency in for their brother, Henry Fitzhugh. 1860, the splitting of the New- They were released in several York Republicans into Greeley days, but it could have been noth­ and Weed-Seward factions, and ing short of humiliation.il the contest for the United States Fortunately for Littlejohn and Senate to fill Seward's seat after his associates, the cycle had turn­ his appointment as Secretary of ed and business was reviving even State by Lincoln. The Greeley- while they awaited release from Weed rivalry for Republican lead­ confinement at Pulaski. It requir­ ership in the State came to a ed a wTar boom, however, to fully head at the Republican Conven­ restore Oswego's economy. tion at Chicago, where Greeley's opposition to Seward's nomination Returns To Politics was instrumental in the latter's Meanwhile, business set-backs defeat and Lincoln's victory. The did not impair Littlejohn's politi­ battle continued as the two fac­ cal availability. After a year's tions struggled to control the pa­ lay-off, he accepted the Republi­ tronage and to name the success­ can nomination for the Assembly or to Seward. The struggle came in 1858, and campaigned with his home to Littlejohn as he cam­ usual vigor. He was also am­ paigned for the Assembly, when Greeley, through his editorial col­ bitious to be Speaker, and re­ umns in the Tribune, attacked minded Weed of his obligations to him for his support of railroad him. Though certain newspapers, charters in New York City, alleg­ he noted, tried to place him in a ing that he had .been influenced position hostile to Weed, "Since as a legislator by corrupt mo­ my first vote and during all my tives, and was therefore unfit to political efforts I have been an be reelected. Littlejohn replied Evening Journal man (Weed's Al­ promptly to Greeley. The lat­ bany newspaper), the political ter published it, but then doctrine of that paper according repeated his accusations. Lit­ more with my opinion than any tlejohn was naturally disturb­ other . . . Had you reposed more ed and uncertain of his next step. confidence in me, my course at To Governor E. D. Morgan, who times might have been different had vetoed some of the controver­ for my mind has ever been open sial bills, he confided, "If Mr. and free to adopt the best course Greeley is influenced by honor­ to promote the success of our able considerations, he will, so far party and its principles." Ack­ as I am concerned, withdraw his nowledging aid from Weed for charges. Should he reiterate them their local campaign, he added,

— 8 — I may be obliged to give my views about for a new candidate. The in full. This I should regret as I strategy failed, however, and Lit­ am convinced that nothing is tlejohn received his party's en­ gained by furnishing our oppon­ dorsement on the next ballot. He ents arguments with which to was then elected Speaker by a assault us. I earnestly desire and party vote.w am laboring for your election, and while your triumph is, in my Littlejohn's victory was but a mind, certain, I shall not willing­ prelude of the more intense strug­ ly introduce new matter into the gle to follow, the choice of a suc­ contest. I shall be elected by a cessor to Seward. Greeley covet­ larger majority than ever before, ed the seat for himself, and the notwithstanding Mr. Greeley's ad­ Weed-Seward faction countered vice to my constituents.13 with Wm. M. Evart. In the caucus the atmosphere was charged with And to Seward Littlejohn de­ tension, as both Weed and Gree­ clared, "Greeley assaults me be­ ley viewed it as a fight for their cause I am your friend. I desire political lives. For eight ballots to rebuke him by rolling up an in­ the contest was dead-locked with creased majority, showing that a few votes going to a "dark- my constituents sympathize with horse," Ira Harris. Fearing that me in my attachments to you and the latter might swing to Greeley, your principles. Your presence Littlejohn hurried from the here (before election) would chamber to confer with Weed in strengthen us very much.14 the anteroom. The ensuing scene He also consulted Weed: "What was graphically recorded by a shall I do," he wrote, "shall I witness: prosecute Mr. Greeley for libei? I am told he has expressed a wish "Pale as ashes, Weed sat smok­ that I should do so, that he ing a cigar within earshot of the might place you on the stand as bustle in the crowded Assembly a witness. Suppose he does ? Be­ room where the caucus sat. Lit­ tween us nothing has occurred tlejohn stalked over the heads of that could injure either of us. the spectators and reported to Shall I write out my reasons in Weed. Unmindful of the fact that full for the support of the Rail he had a cigar in his mouth, Road Bills or shall the subject Weed lighted another and put it drop until after election?" It is in, then rose in great excitement, not known how Weed responded, and said to Littlejohn, 'Tell the but it can be assumed that he Evarts men to go right over to preferred to delay it until a more Harris—to Harris—to Harris!' propitious moment. Littlejohn The order was given in the cau­ postponed, but did not forget his cus. They wheeled into lines like plan for vindication.15 Napoleon's old

— 9 — The closing chapter of these they alleged, had stated openly stirring events was the threaten­ that "eighty members of that leg­ ed libel suit, which Littlejohn in­ islature took money for their stituted after Greeley continued votes," that Littlejohn, himself, to refuse a retraction. The trial, had declared in one of his speech­ held at Pulaski, Oswego County, es that perhaps more members of in September, 1861, was of inter­ that legislature were open to im­ est across the state, not only be­ proper influences than of any oth­ cause the principals were well er former legislature; and that known, but also due to Weed's even Mr. Weed had said, "God involvement. Greeley appears to grant we may never look upon its have felt no animosity toward like again." Littlejohn, they con­ Littlejohn; it was simply a means tinued, "was the Speaker of the of attacking Weed and his faction House; he was a very influential in the Legislature. Littlejohn man with that legislature. He is surely understood this, but his a good speaker, and effective de­ pride was hurt, and he insisted on bater. He could carry almost any pressing his case. measure he saw fit, and it was important to have just such, a The Village of Pulaski took on man in just that place; and that a festive air on the day of the of all men connected with the trial. Curious crowds turned out whole matter, he must be kept from the surrounding area and above suspicion —• like the chaste smaller number from many parts lady in the mosque, 'lofty, spot­ of the state. less and serene; not even to be Littlejohn, through his council, chatted at, but only pointed out Marsh and Webb of Oswego, as­ and grinned at' by those satyrs sisted by J. C. Churchill of Os­ and goblins of the legislature — wego and C. B. Sedgwick of the lobby." Syracuse, held that the defendant had wickedly and maliciously in­ Littlejohn, they noted, had left tended to injure him by charging the Speaker's chair to argue for him with having been influenced the passage of five bills, "propos­ as a legislator by corrupt mo­ ing to grid-iron the streets (of tives; also, hat he was corrupt New York) for the benefit of job­ and therefore unfit to be elected. bers scattered all over the state," He asked for $25,000 in damages. 'bills which Governor Morgan had For his defense Greelev appeared vetoed. Conspicious among the with I. T. Williams of New York lobbyists, they added, were Little- City, prominent trial lawyer; also john's brother, Frederick S., and Porter and Cagger of Albany, and Dr. Richard H. Thompson of Grant and Allen of Oswego. It Brooklyn, his brother-in-law. was an unusual array of legal tal­ ent. The defence did not deny Each, they alleged, had obtained Greeley's responsibility for the $40,000 of the stock of one of editorial, .but emphasized that the these roads. offending statement was prefaced In the previous campaign, they by the words, "On this subject charged, Littlejohn had justified our opinion has been so often ex­ an appropriation of one mililon pressed, that it can not be in dollars to a railroad, because the doubt," and that it was given, state had built the canals, but he therefore, as opinion rather than had overlooked the fact that the fact. And instead of attempting canals belonged to the state, and to prove that allegation against that the money was simply given Littlejohn, they simply observed to the railroad, a private com­ that it was generally agreed that pany. the legislature was corrupt, and With such a barrage of allega­ that it had been echoed a thou­ tions, Littlejohn's charges against sand times. Governor Morgan, Greeley seem to have been all but forgotten. The plaintiff and the

—10— legislature appeared to be on trial, ages to the plaintiff. Fortunately The outcome was a triumph for for Littlejohn, he was not given Greeley, the jury failing to come to introspection; furthermore to an agreement, with nine voting there was little time for it; the for the defendant, two for nomin­ Civil War had burst upon the na- al charges and one for large dam- tion.is

FOOTNOTES 1. John 0. Churchill, Landmarks of 18~i>8, Seward mss., University of Ro­ Oswego County, Oswego, 1895, p. 368. chester. 2. Oswego Daily Times, October 28, 11. Edwards to Smith, August 12, 1892. 22, 1859. 3. Edwards to Smith,* November 26, 12. Littlejohn to Weed, October 15, 1845, Smith mss. Syracuse University. 1858, Weed mss., University of Roches­ ter. 4. Alexander, D. S., A Political His­ tory of the State of New York, New York, 13. Littlejohn to E. D. Morgan, Octo­ 1906, vol. 2, p. 207. Seward, F. W., ber- 1, 1860, Morgan mss. NYSL. See also Life of William H* Seward, New York, Rawley, James A., Edwin D. Morgan, 1891, vol. 2, 243. New York, 1955. 5. "Proceedings of the Citizen's Con­ 14. Littlejohn to Seward, October 20, vention Held at Pomfert, Vt., March 18, 1860, Seward mss. 1855 ; Also the Speech of Hon. D. C. Lit­ 15. Littlejohn to Weed, October 9, tlejohn, Before the New York Assembly, 1860, Weed mss. February 25, 1855, Woodstock, (1865). 16. Brummer, S. D., Political History 6. Edwards to Smith, June 25, 1856, of New York State During the Period of Smith mss. the Civil War, New York, 1911, p. 102. 7. Littlejohn to Weed, November 15, 17. Stanton, H. B. Random Recollec­ 1856, Weed mss.. University of Roches­ tions, New York, 1887, p. 218. ter. 18. The Littlejohn Libel Suit; The 8. Edwards to Smith, March 2, 1854, Case of DeWitt C. Littlejohn Against Smith mss. Horace Greeley, New York Tribune, 1861, in Law Trials and Speeches, John K. 9. Edwards tfo Smith, September 4, Porter, ed., vol. N, 293-349. See also 17, 1858. Van Deusen, G. G., Horace Greeley, Phil­ 10. Littlejohn to Seward, March 16, adelphia, 1953.

—11— Prelude to Controversy Between Sir William Johnson and Major General William Shirley in the Niagara and Crown Point Campaigns

(Presented by Mr. Johnson Cooper, February 19, 1957)

Major General William Shirley, tion against Cape Breton which second Commander in Chief of successfully invested Louisbourg British forces in North America and on his return in 1746 went to in the war aginst the French was London where he was concerned recalled to England in 1756 in in the demobilization following semi-disgrace, his place being tak­ the war and then to Paris as a en by Lord Loudoun. The recall British representative which drew was a direct result of a dispute up the Treaty of Aix-la-Chap- which arose in the summer of pelle.2 1755, between General Shirley and Returning to London, he re­ William Johnson, leading to direct quested an assignment to the Lee­ charges toeing levelled at Shirley ward Islands from the Duke of and brought to England by Newcastle, but was turned down Thomas Pownall. Johnson was and then returned to Massachu­ supported in the dispute by Gov­ setts as Governor in 1753.3 ernor James DeLancey of New York and Pownall, whose broth­ It was in his position as Gover­ er John was an important figure nor of Massachusetts that Shir­ in the government in London. ley took the lead to prepare Eng­ Shirley was supported primarily land and the colonies for the final by his secretary, William Alex­ campaign to drive the French ander.1 from their encroachments on the Ohio and Great Lakes region of This paper concerns itself with North America. It was this ac­ the events leading up to this quar­ tivity and the military experience rel, the early close cooperation of the Cape Breton campaign among Johnson, Shirley and De­ which placed Shirley in a position Lancey, as to the direction the to succeed Braddock in 1755. campaign against the French Shirley was in England as late should take, and the sudden break as May 27, 1753, when he was in in this close relationship leading communication with Josiah Wil- to the accusations and recall. A lard an important Massachusetts later paper will deal with an official. He had returned to Mass­ evaluation of the factors relating achusetts by August.4 to the controversy itself. The first opportunity to urge William Shirley had become action against the French came Governor of Massachusetts in shortly following his return. On 1741 and remained in that assign­ August 28, 1753, the Earl of Hol- ment until his recall in 1756. In derness wrote a circular letter to 1745 he led the English expedi­ all the governors in America

—12— warning them of a march of an obstacle to the carrying into French Indians and Europeans execution any general plan for "intending ... to commit some cementing an union among His hostilities on parts of His Maj­ Majesty's subjects upon this Con- esty's dominions in America .. ."B tenent . . . 8. Holderness directed them to be on That Massachusetts fully lived their guard and to use force if up to these predictions can be necessary. He requested Shirley amply demonstrated from official to act as the chief correspondent sources. Shirley's knowledge of with the other governors in order events and history of North to coordinate these activities in 6 America is tremendous and is North America. continually brought forth in let­ Shirley took this opportunity to ters or papers he sent to one or write each of the governors a let­ another official in North Amer­ ter suggesting they cooperate in ica or England.9 the matter and assist each other A plafl of union for all the in case action became necessary. North American English Colonies At the same time he took meas­ was also presented in this letter ures to determine the extent of to Holderness. This proposal ap­ these penetrations made by the pears to have led directly to the "Europeans" and their Indians. Albany Congress of 1754, a meet­ In January, 1754, Shirley made ing which had originally been a long reply to Holderness in­ planned as a gathering to honor forming him of the action which the Six Nations Indians with had been taken. This letter is im­ gifts. Shirley displayed his diplo­ portant in showing clearly the matic skill in this regard by re­ anxiety Shirley felt in the actions questing Benjamin Franklin to of the French. It indicated the write him his ideas on how such exactness and care Shirley dis­ a plan should be implemented.10 played in the matter of studying The great esteem in which Gov­ what might be done to counter 7 ernor Shirley was held toy the the French encroachments. He Massachusetts Assembly is indi­ enclosed three papers each deal­ cated in the message to the king ing with a specific phase of the from the General Court at that encroachments and possible an­ same time. Professor Lincoln, who swers. edited the Correspondence of Wil­ Shirley's letter of January to liam Shirley, states that this is Holderness dealt at some length the only instance on record in the with a problem which was to Privy Council of such an address plague the campaign later on, and to the crown from one of the one which had some bearing on North American colonies. It is an­ the controversy between Shirley other evidence that Shirley, un­ and Johnson in 1755. like most of his colleagues, had ... I am fully persuaded, that a cordial relationship with his this Province (as the Assembly Assembly and that both had a undertakes for it in their mess­ close and intimate relationship age) will at all times . . . furnish with the Crown. their just and reasonable quota of Two months later, in March men or money towards the as­ 1754, Shirley took direct action in sistance. . . . Yet unless it be de­ relation to the encroachments be­ termined by His Majesty, what is ing made in the Northern areas of each Colony's just quota . . . and Massachusetts. He requested the they shall be obliged in some ef­ Assembly to take action to dis­ fectual manner to conform . . .: lodge the French on a permanent Yet I say, My Lord, there seems basis and he indicated how dan­ just reason to apprehend from gerous delay would be. He warn­ past experience . . . (it) will be ed that failure to act could result

—13— in a situation similar to that of quested Shirley to acquaint the Fort St. Frederick, at Crown King with this danger and to ask Point in New York. Fort St. Fred­ him to take such action as would erick, only a short distance from both counter the moves of the Albany, endangered the entire French and cement the Indians to Southern frontier.11 In this case, the English. One significant rec­ Shirley indicated by his state­ ommendation made was that all ment to the Assembly and the ac­ Indian affairs be placed under tions which followed, that he did some general command in order know how to deal with the In­ that special interests be prevent­ dians, a factor which came into ed from interfering with them. He the dispute later on, in the Nia­ later specifically recommended gara and Crown Point campaigns William Johnson for this position. of 1755-56. The Court indicated their strong support of their governor in these Shirley, in a speech to the words: Massachusetts Assembly in March 1754, made a comparison of the In the meantime We assure way in which the French and Your Excellency that we are English treated with the Indians. ready to do every Thing that can He recommended annual presents be expected from Us on the pres­ to them, but at the same time de­ ent Emergency. We think Our­ manded the Indians live up to selves happy that we have a Gen­ treaties they had ratified with the tleman at the head of the Prov­ English. He described a conver­ ince who is so perfectly acquaint­ sation with an Indian trader who ed with His Majesty's just Title had been a prisoner of the French to the Country encroached upon and had watched them gain In­ by the French, who has just given dian support behind the Appal­ such distinguished Proofs of his achians: Zeal for His Majesty's Service, whose Endeavors to defend his That in Novr: 1750, he with Territories and enlarge his Dom­ sundry other Traders of the Eng­ inions in time of War have bsen lish, was taken Prisoner by some attended with . . . Success, and Frenchmen belonging to a Fort whose abhorrence of such perfid­ upon the River Ohio, and from ious Invasions ... we are also thence was taken from Fort to well acquainted with.13 Fort to Quebeck, by Means of which Forts and the lakes, . . . The Court requested Shirley have a Communication open from personally to lead an expedition Quebeck to Mississipi; . . . have to the Northern boundaries of Forts there within 20 or 30 miles Massachusetts to evict the French Distance of each other, with a and deal with the Indians that Command of from 10 to 20 Men they might remain loyal to the in each; in which he says they put English. Their confidence in Shir­ the Squaws and Papooses of the ley's ability to convince the In­ Indians in Alliance with them for dians of this is evidenced by this Protection, whilst the Men go out statement: to War, and there keep them un- We hope by your Excellency's till the Men return; and he ob­ prudent Management these In­ serves, that by means of these dians . . . convinced . . . their in­ Forts, they bid fair in a little terest ... at peace with Us, and Time to seduce the Indians in Al­ as We are Sincerely desirous . . . liance with the English, as the to perpetuate the same . . . de­ English did not afford the same fray the Charge of Supporting Protection to their Women and and educating a considerable Children, whilst the Men are gone Number of . . . Indian Children to War, as the 'French do.12 The Massachusetts Court re­ We are Situated remote from

—14— the Six Nations and have never London, the last of which was written at Oswego in the summer had the benefit of a Trade with 15 them, yet . . . in the Treaties ... of 1755. It seems clear that contributed . . . Presents ... at­ these persistent recommenda­ tending such Treaties, . . . ready tions were instrumental in moving to do all that can be reasonably London to action which saw the desired ... .14 French driven from Canada and The Court strongly backed the Ohio. Shirley's Plan of a strong Union The plans which Shirley pro­ among the North American prov­ posed included special emphasis inces. He travelled to the Kenne- on building a strong fort at beck, Chaudiere and St John's Crown Point, opposite the French River country to treat with the Fort St. Frederick. He felt this Penobscot, Norridgewalk and Ars- would be as great a "curb upon segunticook Indians. The Penob- the motions of the French in that Quarter as the last before-men­ scots and Norridgewalks both 16 reratified the earlier treaties of tioned Fort ... in Quebeck." 1725 and 1749 and both agreed to He told Robinson that this fort send a number of young men to more than any other would con­ be educated in Boston and Cam­ fine the French within their terri­ bridge at the colony's expense. tory and "confirm the Indians ... in a dependence upon us; from Shirley's vast knowledge of which it seems they have in part North American History and Geo­ been discourag'd by Fort St. graphy was shown in his dealings Frederick's being suffer'd to re­ with these Indians and the report 17 to Holderness concerning it. To main." Upon this point Johnson the Indians he recited the history and Shirley had every reason to of their relationships to the Eng­ see eye to eye, as they did in the lish for the past hundred years, early weeks of their relationship. including settlements made, areas The effectiveness of this con­ of territory belonging to them, tinuing campaign on the part of treaties signed, etc. Then to Hold­ Governor Shirley to move London erness he cited with detailed care to action is indicated by the re­ the legal grounds for England's ply Robinson made to him in June claims to the territory on which 1754. In this letter Robinson indi­ the French had encroached. He cated to Shirley that the King quoted from the Treaty of Breda was most pleased at Shirley's en­ of 1667; Champlain as to the lim­ deavors and authorized him to its of New France in his explora­ pursue the plan as represented to tions; and St. Denis an early the Massachusetts Court in March French Governor who mapped the and April. The King further was territory. He concluded by indi­ to act upon Shirley's recommen­ cating how this territory abound­ dation as to uniting the North ed in resources needed by the American Colonies in a joint ef­ English Navy! This point was fort to dislodge the French. sure to be noted in London. ... I am to acquaint you, that One month later Shirley wrote His Majesty extremely approves Sir Thomas Robinson, Secretary the resolution ... toy the Assem­ of State to His Majesty for the bly ... to drive the French from Southern Territories, a detailed the . . . Kennebeck. plan of action for strengthening . . . His Majesty is graciously England's hold on North America. pleased to authorize . . . you to The final actions of the English in proceed upon the plan ... so well their war against the French fol­ calculated for that purpose. lowed closely this plan pressed by . . . that everything recom­ Shirley. Shirley continued to for­ mended by the said Assembly . . . ward modifications of this plan to fully considered: . . . directions

^15— . . . given for promoting the plan were appointed Colonels each to of a general concert between His command a regiment of 700 men. Majesty's Colonies ... . This was later raised to 1000 men It is with the greatest pleasure each, but only about 600 were . . . the very favorable manner raised for each of the two regi­ . . . your prudent . . . conduct, . . . ments by the time the campaign have been received by the King began. One must conclude that . . . will give a proper example one of Governor Shirley's faults to His Majesty's neighbouring was his own enthusiasm for the Colonies.18 cause. This often made it appear easier to bring the plans to frui­ The meeting was held at Al­ tion, than in reality it was. It bany in the same month in which must, at the same time, be point­ Shirley received the above letter ed out that Massachusetts almost from Robinson. Shirley himself without exception raised their re­ did not attend, but several com­ quired quotas, tout most of the missioners from Massachusetts other colonies were often in ar­ were there and Shirley, as has rears. been noted, corresponded with Franklin relative to the proposed Robinson's announcement fur­ Union. The Commissioners recom­ ther told of the plan to send two mended a union, but Shirley, him­ regiments, under Sir Peter Hal- self a strong Empire politician kett and Colonel Thomas Dunbar, and diplomat, was displeased with to North America. Part of these the proposals as giving too much ranks were to be enlisted in North power to the colonies. He felt America, and again this was not strongly that Parliament should complete by the time Braddock itself enact a Plan of Union and set out for the Ohio. present it to the colonies. Shirley was requested to have The Albany Congress did advo­ 3000 men in readiness from Mass­ cate that Indian affairs toe taken achusetts for use in the coming out of the hands of the Indian Nova Scotia campaign. It was Commissioners, and this would further announced that a general certainly have been favored by officer would be sent from Eng­ both Johnson and Shirley who land to toe Commander-in-Chief were strongly critical of their of all the forces. The final de­ (Commissioners) actions in the cision was to raise a "common fund" in the colonies for the past. It will be recalled that Gov­ 1 ernor Clinton had earlier appoint­ benefit of all.2 ed Johnson to the Commission in The two articles in these plans order to watch the other Com­ which most came to plague Shir­ missioners. The followup of this ley and his colleagues in the col­ proposal, which the Board of onies were the question of quotas Trade forwarded to the King was from the various colonies and the Shirley's recommendation of John­ common fund. It was unanimous­ son for that position.19 Shirley ly agreed among the governors, and Johnson had reason, therefor, and communicated by them to to press the same plans, which Whitehall, that these two points they did. Not only that, but Lieu­ would have to be decided in Eng­ tenant Governor James DeLanosy land, the colonies not being able of New York is noted by the to agree among themselves. Eng­ Board of Trade as having recom­ land nevertheless insisted that it mended this same plan to them.23 be decided in America. Robinson in October of 1754 Both factors entered into the wrote to Governor Shirley that later difficulties between Johnson specific action had been agreed and Shirley. The former was for­ upon. This letter said that Shir­ ever complaining about a lack of ley and Sir William Pepperell funds to carry on his work with

—16— the Six Nations Indians; Shirley tion, which might compete with at one point had to hold back the Crown Point campaign for gunpower which Johnson felt he both personnel and supplies. needed because of a shortage of Within another month, however, funds; Johnson was being bomb­ the question of the Niagara cam­ arded with letters by Goldsbrow paign had become known to both Banyar and DeLancey concerning men. Robinson had written Shir­ men Shirley was withdrawing ley, in a letter delivered by Brad- from the Crown Point campaign, dock, that Shirley was to com­ or refusing to allot it in the first 22 mand a campaign against Nia­ place; and the contractors, Pe­ gara, which was to be waged si­ ter Van Burgh Livingston, Lew­ multaneously with the Ohio, is Morris, Jr. and William Crown Point and Nova Scotia Alexander, were often paid long ones.26 The plans were ambitious after they had purchased the sup­ 23 and logical, but the manpower plies. available and the common fund The difficulties involved in rais­ from the colonies were not ade­ ing forces for the coming cam­ quate to their success. paign are indicated in a letter Johnson wrote Shirley on March Shirley wrote to Robinson in 17 1755, agreeing to command the February 1755. Shirley expressed Crown Point expedition and to exasperation at what he consider­ take charge of Indian affairs as ed the dilatory tactics of various sole agent. He writes: colonies. Among the troubles It is my own and the opinion of might be cited DeLancey's with every one I converse with that the New York Legislature.Having should the General begin the at­ defeated Clinton politically, De­ tack at Niagara ... it would be Lancey himself had little better the speediest method to deprive luck at securing men and funds them of their encroachments on from that body which more than the Ohio, which they would soon once adjourned without taking ac­ 24 find themselves under a necessity tion on his recommendations. evert to abandon, if we take and In a letter written to DeLancey keep possession of that important in February 1755, Shirley recom­ pass.2? mended that Johnson be placed in Shirley agreed and made this command of the Crown Point ven­ same proposal in a letter to Rob­ ture and stated to DeLancey and inson, enclosing Johnson's letter the other governors to whom he to reinformce his own. wrote at the same time, that However, if the General should Johnson by background, training finally judge it not adviseable to and knowledge was the one man make both attempts with his to lead such an expedition. Shir­ forces divided, but proceed forst ley writes. . . .'to attack the French Forts In regard to his power to en­ ... at Niagara, sending only ... gage them (Six Nations) now, no a detachment to the Ohio . . . the gentleman can stand in competi­ reduction of the first would pene­ tion with him; besides his mili­ trate into the heart . . . and cut­ tary qualifications for this par­ ting off all communications be­ ticular Service, and knowledge of tween Canada and their forces the Country and place, against upon that river, leave them an which this expedition is destined, 28 2 easy prey to famine ... , are very conspicuous. 5 Shirley did not plan to head No specific mention of the Nia­ such a campaign, leaving that to gara campaign is noted in this Braddock. Johnson still did not letter so neither Shirley nor John­ know that Shirley was to lead the son, at this point, knew Shirley campaign against Niagara, nor would command such an expedi­ did he know that Shirley would

—17— assume complete command upon Oliver. Thus came into being a Braddock's death. In this letter to rather close relationship between Robinson Shirley calls Johnson Johnson and the DeLancey fam­ "the best judge in America of ily, wealthy merchants and pow­ their (the Iroquois') dispositions" erful politicians in the province of and stated that this "must great­ New York.si ly facilitate the reduction of the By 1748 Johnson had been French Forts near the falls at twice a colonel, both Indian and Niagara . . . ."29 New York militia, appointed by The meeting with General Governor Clinton. He was the Braddock took place at Alex­ closest associate of the Six Na­ andria, Virginia on the 14th of tions Indians and an important April, 1755. This was a meeting Mohawk Chief, Warrighiyagay. between Braddock and the gover­ Johnson was a creditor of New nors concerned in the coming ven­ York, a supporter of Clinton in ture. Johnson was in attendance the fight against the DeLanceys, of Shirley at Alexandria, as was and Commissioner for Indian Af­ Thomas Pownall, but neither was fairs in the Province. He was the invited to the Council of War.30 most important trader in the Mo­ No written record has come to, hawk region. Johnson's biograph­ litrht indicating if this offended er — but not an uncritical one — either man. The question of who Arthur Pound, states that John­ was to accompany Shirley to the son's most important and profit­ Alexandria meeting was in the able trade was with Oswego.32 meantime being discussed in pol­ Most of the furs from that post itical circles in New York, and it reached New York via Johnson, is in the direction of New York and John Lydius was his Albany to which attention is now Lurri­ Agent in this trade. Lydius, who ed. was to play a significant role in William Johnson had come to the Johnson-Shirley affair, was a North America and the Mohawk member of the Tortoise Indian Valley in 1738, as the agent of his Tribe. He broke with Johnson, uncle Sir Peter Warren. Sir Peter after he built a mansion near the was a Vice-Admiral in the Eng­ latter's home on the Mohawk. It lish Navy and an important pol­ may be that Lydius became too itical figure in English affairs. He close a rival of Johnson in gaining served in Parliament from 1749 favor among the Six Nations. Ly­ until his death in 1752 and had dius later became involved in the been associated with Shirley in notorious sale of Indian lands in the seige of Louisbourg. Then, the Wyoming Valley of New York, a sale generally recognized Shirley had earned Warren's en­ 33 mity when he prevented Sir Pe­ as illegal. Lydius and Johnson ter from dividing Cape Breton became bitter enemies and thus among the victors. Shirley re­ when Shirley, despairing of assist­ mained as unofficial governor and ance from Johnson in securing In­ earned the praise of London for dians for the Niagara campaign, his actions there. hired Lydius and commissioned him a Colonel, Johnson became Johnson and Sir Peter's close incensed. association had cooled when John­ son purchased land on the North Governor Clinton had appoint­ side of the Mohawk against War­ ed Johnson as one of the Commis­ ren's wishes. However they con­ sioners of Indian Affairs in 1746 tinued to correspond and Warren because he felt that the Commis­ continued to issue advice to his sioners were involved in deals agent.30 Warren married Susan­ with the Six Nations which were nah, daughter of Stephen De- injurious to the relationships be­ Lancey, the father of James and tween Indians and English, the

—18— DeLanceys, according to Arthur the Clinton administration and Pound, were closely involved in accused the Oswego Commission­ this trade and friends of the Com­ ers, friends of the DeLanceys, of missioners. The feud between De­ dishonesty in the Oswego ac­ Lancey and Clinton at least in counts. Clinton appointed Johnson part was the result of Clinton's to the Crown Council and assign­ accusations against Oliver De­ ed Johnson to investigate the Os­ Lancey in the DeLancey dealings wego affair. In the meantime it with the so-called French Indians, had become obvious that Clinton particularly the Caghnewagas.3' was losing out in his battle with As a result of this, Johnson and the DeLanceys. Curiously enough, James DeLancey parted company Johnson aware of this, turned in temporarily. Johnson had known a very weak report on the Oswe­ for some time that the "non- go affair. He claimed that Peter loyal" Indians, particularly the Schuyler — who was later to lead Caghnewagas, had plagued the the New Jersey troops in the traders going to and from Oswe Shirley campaign against Niagara go.35 It was these with whom De­ — refused to turn the account Lancey was in contact. James De­ books over to him. Clinton re­ Lancey later made a secret signed and DeLancey became Act­ treaty of neutrality with them, ing Governor of New York, a for which he was strongly criti­ position he held until the arrival cized by Governor Shirley, in a of Sir Charles Hardy in late 1755. letter to Governor Morris of Pennsylvania.36 Apparently John­ Paradoxically, DeLancey's rise son had forgotten this when he to the Acting Governorship did later informed Shirley there was not finish Johnson politically. He no danger of unfriendly Indians was the only New York figure disrupting his supplies between with real influence among the Albany and Oswego. This became Mohawks and the Mohawks were an important factor in the con­ the most influential tribe of the troversy between the two men. Six Nations. Political expediency proved a strong factor in mending Johnson's position in the Clint­ the break; DeLancey threw his on administration during "King support to Johnson, and when George's War'' had placed him in Shirley recommended the Squire heavy debt and in 1749, the war of Mount Johnson as Commander over, his debtors began to demand for the Crown Point campaign, payment. Johnson turned in his DeLancey agreed quickly to the accounts to New York, but the move." Assembly refused to honor them, siding with James DeLancey in As has been pointed out ear­ the then current DeLancey- lier in this report, Shirley wrote Clinton feud. This grievance was DeLancey in February of 1755 aggravated when Johnson was relative to the Johnson appoint­ charged by Clinton to entertain ment. Johnson replied in March, French Commissioners come to expressing himself as unworthy New York concerning war prison­ of the military assignment, but ers. Johnson, having accumulated willing to accept it, and assured more debts in this assignment — Shirley he hoped to secure the Johnson never was economy mind­ services of at least 300 Indians. ed in his entertainment — turned He endorsed Shirley's recommen • to Sir Peter and That gentleman dations and was profuse in his referred him to James DeLancey, praise of the Massachusetts Gov­ not knowing of the political bat­ ernor. tle in New York. DeLancey re­ This (meaning the plans) and fused even to see Johnson and the success of Your Excellency's Johnson was not paid. In 1751 Plan of Operations to the East­ Johnson resigned all his offices in ward which we have little rea-

—19— son to doubt of, would revive their fidence must be place in you . . . spirits and convince them we it will strongly influence him to mean in ernest to oppose the turn his operations toward Nia­ French vigorously: ... . gara, if . . . you can assure him Your Excellency's letter to of a considerable number of In­ Govr. DeLancey of the 24th dians . . . favourable opportunity Ultmo. hath determined him to ... as an Introduction to the call the Assembly ... on the pro­ General, ... to make you some posals from your Govt., which I Amends for the hard Measure you heartily wish may be attended have hitherto met with ... . You with the desired Success: ... . have a convincing proof of Mr. Shirley's Friendship, ... no room Your Excellency's zeal for His to doubt ... he will exert it to Majesty's Service and the welfare his utmost on this occasion.39 and Security of his Colonies is not more conspicuous in anything There was apparently some fear than the Measures you are at that Johnson might refuse the as­ present taking, and if all the Col­ signment, because of past refusals onies proposed to be engaged in to reimburse him — and DeLan­ the operations this way, act with cey apparently wished to make up equal spirit with your own I for his earlier opposition to this think, . . . well grounded hopes of payment, opposition which had a happy issue. It is my opinion been supported by the New York and ... of everyone I converse Assembly. with, that should the General be­ In another letter between Shir­ gin the attack at Niagara ... it ley and Johnson, the date of would be the speediest method to which is subsequent to the one deprive them of their encroach­ 38 quoted above from Banyar, does ments on the Ohio. not even mention the plan to have A week later Johnson receiv­ Johnson accompany Shirley. Shir­ ed a letter from Goldsbrow Ban- ley repeatedly urged Johnson to yar, Deputy Secretary of the recruit more Indians for the com­ Province of New York, and a ing campaign and states he will close colleague of both DeLancey see Johnson upon return from and Johnson. This letter related Alexandria. Shirley assures John­ to the coming Alexandria meeting son that he (Shirley) will secure and Shirley's plan to take John­ the money from some source and son and Pownall to the meeting, indicated it was his belief that to meet Braddock. Thomas Pow­ London would liberally recom­ nall, the Board of Trade's official pense Johnson for both past and observer in North America was future expenditures. London did also acting as Shirley's represen­ this shortly following the engage­ tative to the DeLancey adminis­ ment at Lake George in which tration in New York. Banyar Baron Dieskau, the French. Com­ writes to Johnson as follows: mander was wounded and captur­ The Governor and myself were ed. Johnson was made a Baronet present with him (Pownall) . . . and received a large sum of and I have the pleasure to assure money, in the form of a grant you that not only the Regard of from the Crown. Shirley further the Publick Service but to your informed Johnson he would speak own honour and Interest made us to the General regarding the Nia­ wish you would comply with Mr. gara campaign, which Johnson, Shirley's request. . . . whatever DeLancey and Shirley thought it may be necessary for him should precede that against the (Braddock) to be informed of . . . Ohio.40 state of the Indians, . . . No per­ If the date of this letter is cor­ son can better acquaint him with, rect, Johnson attended the Gen­ than yourself, and so great a Con­ eral at Alexandria, regardless. It

—20— may be that some of the resent­ The members of the conference ment developed from it, although considered each point and agreed I find no direct evidence that this 1) that the "common fund" could is so. not be established without the aid The meeting at Alexandria took of Parliament — the Governors place on the 14th and 15th of assembled agreed unanimously on April, 1755. Present at the Coun­ this point, each having been re­ cil of War were Braddock, who fused by their respective Assem­ was to toe the Army Commander, blies —2) asked His Majesty to Augustus Keppel, Commander in find other ways of raising the as­ Chief of the British Navy in sessments in proportion to their North America, Shirley of Massa­ abilities, 3) said they would do chusetts, Robert Dinwiddie, Gov­ their utmost to secure the neces­ ernor of Virginia, James DeLan- sary supplies, but if no delays cey of New York, Horatio Sharpe, were to be encountered, General Governor of Maryland and Robert Braddock would have to make use Hunter Morris, Governor of of his credit upon the Government Pennsylvania. As noted above, in London, 4) agreed that John­ Johnson and Pownall were at son should be appointed to treat Alexandria, but did not attend with the Six Nations, that 800 the Council.41 pounds sterling be paid into his Shirley was made Secretary of hands for buying commodities to the meeting and Braddock's sec­ give the Northern and Western ret instructions were read, each Indians, to be paid at Oswego. point being discussed by the con­ The General would advance the ferees.42 Braddock proposed 1) money and the Governors agreed that the "general fund" be estab­ to request repayment from their lished, 2) that a proper person Assemblies (actually Braddock should be sent with full powers advanced Johnson a credit of from Braddock to treat with the 2000 pounds sterling, placed in Six Nations and that Colonel the hands of Oliver DeLancey, a Johnson "being the fittest person" fact which Shirley learned only should be sent.43 He further pro­ by accident later on), 5) all posed that suitable presents be agreed on the attack on Crown made to the Indians, 3) proposed Point and Niagara and on John­ to attack Crown Point and Nia­ son as commander of the Crown gara and asked the opinion of the Point expedition. They agreed on conferees as to whether Crown the strengthening of Oswego, the Point should be attacked with building of several vessels on forces supplied by the colonies — Lake Ontario, both of which were in the number of 4400 men — and placed in the hands of Governor if Colonel Johnson was the proper Shirley ,and 6) they agreed on one to command, 4) considering garrisoning of the Ohio forts, once the importance of Oswego as a they were established, and that vital base for the proposed at­ Virginia, Maryland and Pennsyl­ vania were to provide funds for tack on Niagara, and securing the 43 retreat of Troops in that service, this measure. and understanding its present de­ Braddock directly commission­ fenceless condition and poor garri­ ed Johnson to be the sole man­ son, he should order it reinforced ager and director of the affairs of by the two Independent compan­ the Six Nations Indians and their ies of New York and two compan­ allies. That Shirley agreed with ies of the Pepperell Regiment, this commission is indicated not and 5) he asked the advice of the only by his earlier correspondence conferees as to the building of to DeLancey, Robinson and John­ vessels on Lake Ontario to con­ son, but also by the fact the com­ trol the lake and support the Nia­ mission came through Shirley and gara campaign. was signed by him as Braddock's

—21— Chief of Staff. Johnson imme­ tence of his letter quoted above. diately appointed Peter Wraxell, It may well be that no difficulties who had been Secretary for In­ would have arisen if Braddock dian Affairs in the Province of had begun the campaign at Nia­ New York, as his own Secretary gara as Shirley, Johnson and De­ and Assistant. Wraxell also be­ Lancey wished, or if he had been came Johnson's military aide.44 successful at Fort Duquesne and Shirley commissioned Johnson had lived to personally lead the on April 16, 1755 and at the same move against Niagara and Crown time sent him his official instruc­ Point. tions relative to the coming cam­ It would appear then, that ex­ paign. One of the first signs of cept for the matter of the com­ the coming split is indicated in missioning and instructions, seem­ this commissioning of Johnson, ingly minor matters, the future for DeLancey then insisted upon antagonists at the close of the commissioning Johnson himself Alexandria meeting were in al­ and issuing a separate set of in­ most complete accord on the com­ structions, which he did soon aft­ ing measures to be taken to force er. The DeLancey instructions dif­ the French from their encroach­ fered from Shirley's in one im­ ments on English territory in portant point. They instructed North America. It should be Johnson to send all information noted that no declaration of war to DeLancey, rather than to was yet intended, nor was it as Shirley and further instructed yet the intent of the English to Johnson to plan his moves not drive the French from North from any instructions sent by America. That was to await the Shirley, but from a council of coming to power in London of war among his own staff. Banyar Pitt wrote to Johnson relative to this Shirley had recommended John­ commissioning on May 19, 1755: son both as sole director of In­ . . . Pray send me a Copy of dian Affairs and commander for your Commission from the Gen­ the Crown Point campaign. De­ eral, and of that from Mr. Shir­ Lancey had agreed, Johnson had ley, if you've no Objection to it. accepted and Braddock had made As far as I can judge, all the the appointment. Shirley had Govrs. will give you a Commis­ commended Johnson to Sir sion, and agree on the Instruc­ Thomas Robinson in the highest tions you have received from Mr. terms, and had enclosed Johnson's Shirley or in such form as may plans for the campaign in the be approved of. Our Govr. has same letter to Robinson. DeLan­ Mr. Shirley's sent him; but not cey and Shirley had exchanged your Commission. He is determin­ communications in which both ed to give you a Commission. He recommended the same plan of has no Objection to your Instruc­ action and Johnson had endorsed tions but that instead of follow­ these plans with enthusiasm. ing such other Instructions as you What then could have happened may receive from Mr. Shirley, that within two months — by which Mr. DeLancey says is put­ June 1755 at the latest — an al­ ting the intire Direction of all the most complete breakdown occur- troops under him, It must be to ed? The answer may be found act (in such matters as your In­ among these factors: 1) Shirley's structions are silent in) by advice appointment of Colonel Jydius of a Council of War. There will I and his interference in Six Na­ apprehend be no difficulty relat­ tions affairs, 2) DeLancey's re­ ing to this affair. . . A$ sentment against criticism by Banyar was obviously much too Governor Shirley concerning optimistic relative to the last sen­ French Indian spies in Albany, 3)

—22— Johnson's concern over financial paraphrase matters in the coming campaign 1st — mentioned the French —after all he had experienced one encounter in this regard and did reinforcements of their posts on not intend to have another—, 4) the Ohio and in the West; there­ failure to secure adequate sup­ fore the British were to take the plies and equipment for Crown field in the South — because of Point and Oswego causing the the earlier season, move up the f ailure of the latter campaign and Potomac to Will's Creek and es­ a delay of the former, 5) the dif­ tablish there a base — at this ferences over allotment of men to point it noted instructions for Sir Niagara and Crown Point, result­ John St. Clair, the Deputy Quar­ ing from scarcity of enlistments, termaster, in this regard. 6) Shirley's resentment against 2nd — after driving the French Johnson in what he thought was from their posts on the Ohio, Johnson's failure to provide In­ Braddock was instructed to erect dians for his trip to Oswego and, a strong fort there. This fort was the Niagara campaign to follow, to be strongly garrisoned in or­ 7) Johnson's failure to follow up der to protect Indians and set­ his victory over Dieskau at Lake tlers in those areas. They were to George, or 8) jealousy of Shirley be garrisoned by men from the by the New Yorkers when Shirley Southern colonies. succeeded Braddock in command. Probably a combination of several 3rd — Braddock's next service of these factors lies at the foot was to dislodge the French from of the controversy. There seems their forts at Niagara Falls; erect little doubt but that the differ­ a strong fort there to make the ences developed slowly from May English masters of Lake Ontario; until July 18, 1755. This is the cutting off French communica­ date on which notification was tions to the Mississippi. Braddock received of Braddock's defeat and was to establish a fleet there if death. There is little question but necessary for control of the Lake. that the split developed rapidly 4th — If the Shirley-Pepperell following this disclosure, and Regiments are ready he was to Shirley's assumption of command. appoint a commander — or com­ This will be studied further in a manders — and use them imme­ later paper. diately in the reduction of Nia­ gara and Crown Point. The word­ JOHNSON G. COOPER ing is "to take command thereof, in case you shall find your pres­ Secret Instructions Issued To ence elsewhere more conducive to Edward Braddock46 the general service." Secret Instruction to General 5th — If the Shirley-Pepperell Braddock — George R. forces were not ready, Braddock Secret Instructions for Our was to move on the Ohio first and Trusty and WeUbeloved Edward then personally join forces with Braddock Esq. Major General of the others to move against Nia­ Our forces, and whom we have gara. He is to strongly garrison appointed General and Command­ the posts he builds at these two er, of all and singular Troops and points. (IT SHOULD BE NOTED Forces, that are now in North THAT NIAGARA IS MENTION­ America, and that shall be sent, ED PRIOR TO CROWN POINT or raised there, to vindicate Our IN EVERY INSTANCE). just rights, and possessions, in 6th —• If the British forces are those parts. Given at our Court sufficient for Niagara, he may use at St. James the 25th day of Novr the Shirley-Pepperell forces at 1754 in the 28th year of Our Crown Point, Lake "Chamblois" Reign. campaign. (THE IF HERE IS AN

—23— IMPORTANT ONE AS RE­ 8th — "The last and most ma­ GARDS THE CONTROVERSY). terial service . . . destroying the Braddock is to be the sole judge French Fort at Beausejour . . . of the order of these ventures, recovering Nova Scotia ... .'' and whether alone or together. Braddock was instructed to base Importance of maintainence of the timing of this campaign on communications to and from Os­ the communications with Colonel wego is stressed in the loyalty of Sir John Lawrence. It may occur the Indians to the English. simultaneously if he judges the 7th — This refers to the reduc­ forces strong enough. (APPAR- tion of the French fort at Crown ANTLY BRADDOCK DID SO Point, known as Fort St. Fred­ JUDGE THEM, FOR ALL erick. Again, it directed that an THREE TOOK PLACE TOGETH­ English post should be erected at ER — THAT IS THEY COM­ this point and strongly garrisoned. MENCED TOGETHER!)

FOOTNOTES

2. E. B. O'Callaghan, ed.. Documents 27. Johnson to Shirley. March 17, 1755, Relating to the Colonial History of the Johnson Manuscripts, State Library, Al­ State of New York (Albany 1855, VI, 959, bany, N. Y., I, 146. footnote. 28. Correspondence of William Shirley, 3. C. H. Lincoln, ed., The Correspond­ ence of William Shirley, (New York, Mac- II, 147-8. Millan Co.. 1912) II, 1-4 29. Ibid. 4. Ibid, Shirley to Willard April 27 & 31. O'Callaghan, Documents relating to May 16, 1753, II, 11 the Colonial History of the State of New 5. Ibid., Holderness to Shirley, II, 12 York, VI, 1009 footnote 6. Ibid., II, 13 32. Arthur Pound, Johnson of the Mo- hawit, (New York), MacMillan Co., 1930, 7. Ibid,, Shirley to Holderness, Jan. p. 109. 1754, II. 18-23 33. Ibid., 108 8. Ibid., p. 19 34. O'Callaghan, Documents relating to 9. Ibid., pp 20-23 the Colonial History of New York, VI, 10. Ibid., Franklin to Shirley, II, 108- 413-414 107 35. Pound, Johnson of the Mohawks, 11. Ibid., II, pp 33-39 US 12. Ibid., Speech to Massachusetts Court, 36. Lincoln, ed., Correspondence of Wil­ II, 43 liam Shirley, II, 95 & 96. 13. Ibid., II, 49 37. Pound, Johnson of the Mohawks, 14. Ibid., II, 50 119 et. seq. 15. Ibid., Shirley to Robinson, Sept. 38. Lincoln, ed., Correspondence of Wil­ liam Shirley, II, 153 & 154, footnote. 1755, pp 261-270 39. Sir William Johnson Papers, 1, 458 16. Ibid., 67 17. Ibiid, 67 40. Ibid., 462 & 463 41. Lawrence Henry Gibson, The Great 18. Ibid., Robinson to Shirley, June War for the Empire, Vol. VI, of The 1754, II, 70 & 71 British Empire Prior to the American 19. O'Callaghan, Documents relating to Revolution, 24-28 (New York), Alfred the Colonial History of the State of New Kn'opf, 1954. York, VI, 917-920 42. Appendix 1. 20. Ibid. 43. See Minutes of the Conference 21. Ibid., VI, 915-16 which apper in O'Callaghan, Documen­ 22. Sir William Johnson Papers, Uni­ tary History of New York, (Albany, N. versity of State of New York, ed., 1921, Y.) Wood-Parsons 1849. II 648-651. VI, 5.00-532 43. Ibid. 23. Theodore Thayer ("the Army Con­ 44. For both commissions and instruc­ tractors for the Niagara Campaign, 1755- tions see, the Sir William Johnson Papers, 1756"). William and Mary Quarterly, XIV I, 465-475. (Jan 1957), 32 45. Ibid. '24. O'Callaghan, VI, several citations appear on this point 46. O'Callaghan, Documents relating to the Colonial History of New York, VI, 25. (Shirley to DeLancey) Sir William 920-922. Also found in Stanley M. Par- Johnson Papers, I, 448-449. gellis. Military Affairs in North America, 26. Correspondence of William Shirley, 1748-1765 (New York), D. Appleton-Cen- II, 144. tury, 1936, p. 45.

—24— BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. PRIMARY SOURCES fred Knopf, 1953 8 vol. The most author­ A. Documents itative and scholarly recent account of the French-English struggle in America. O'Callaghan, E. B., ed., Documents re­ It is the best source of the primary lating to the Colonial History of New sources of this period. York (Albany, N. Y-), 10 vol., 1855. Transcripts of Documents in the Queen's Parkman, Francis, France & England State Paper Office; in the Office of the in North America, 8 vol., (Boston) Lit­ Privy Council; in the British Museum; tle Brown & Co., 1882-1893. Vol. V — and in the Library of the Archbishop of A Half Century of Conflict; vol. VI — Canterbury at Lambeth, in London, from Montcalm & Wolfe. The most readable ac­ 1734-1755. Contains letters, reports, or­ count of the French-English struggle ders, opinions, representations, minutes, available to the student of this period. etc The approach is traditional — for ex­ ample, General Braddock lost because he Documentary History of New York did n'ot have his troops fight Indian fash­ State, 12 vol. (Albany, N. Y.), Weed, ion. However, reads like a novel and Parsons & Co., 1849. Divided, into types should not be overlooked. of documentary history, such as "Docu­ ments relating to Oswego," "Documents Pargellis, Stanley, Lord Loudoun in relating to Indians," etc. North America, (New Haven), from Yale Historical Publications, Vol. VII, 1933. B. Manuscripts, letters, etc. Th.is is about the only authoritative & Lincoln, Charles H., ed., Correspond­ scholarly account of the period during ence of William Shirley (New York), which Lord Loudoun. commanded the MacMillan Company, 1912, 2 Vol. Con­ British forces in the French-English tains the correspondence of Governor and struggle in North America. Well docu­ Major General William Shirley, relating mented. to his assignments in North America in Pound, Arthur, Johnson of the Mo­ the 18th century. hawks, (New York), MacMillan Co., 1930. Pargellis. Stanley, ed., Military Affairs A readable, but not uncritical biography in North America, 1748-1765, (New York) of Sir William Johnson. I prefer it to American Historical Association, 1936. Stone's biography written in 1865. Selected documents from the Cumberland Wood, George A., William Shirley, Gov­ Papers relating to the French-English ernor of Massachusetts, 1741-1756; A His­ Struggle in North America. The origin­ tory (New York) Columbia University als are all in Windsor Castle. Press, 1920. This was the doctoral disser­ Sullivan, James, ed., Sir William John­ tation of (Jeorge Wood and is the only son Papers, 6 vol. (Albany, N. Y.) Uni­ biography available on Shirley, the most versity of the State Of New York, Divis­ important colonial governor. Unfortunate­ ion of Archives & History, 1912. These ly, Wood never completed the study, as contain all the letters, reports, orders, he had intended. Not too readable an meetings attended, relating to Sir Wil­ account. liam Johnson. Winsor, Justin, Narrative & Critical C. Contemporary Publication History of America, (Boston & New Smith, William, History of the Late York), Houghton-Mifflin Co., 1887 ad Province of New York from its Discov­ seq. The most exhaustive work of the then ery to the Appointment of Governor Col- available sources for American history den in 1762, (London), 1757, on micro­ until 1800. Not recommended for under­ film in the Syracuse library. A contem­ graduate study. porary history of New York State, part III. ARTICLES of which relates to the Shirley-J'ohnson affair. Theodore Thayer, "The Army Con­ II SECONDARY WORKS tractors for the Niagara Campaign, 1755- 1756," The William and Mary Quarterly, A. Books XIV, No. 1 (January, 1957), 31-46. An Gipson, Lawrence Henry, British Em­ excellent source of information on one pire before the American Revolution: The phase of the Shirley-Johnson-Pownall Great War for Empire, (New York) Al­ conflict.

—25- Early Roads in the Oswego Area

(Presented by Mrs. C. Fred Peekham, March 19, 1957)

Water-ways and land-trails are Fur traders visited Oswego in always the first means of man's the summer, returning to civiliza­ communication. These trails be­ tion in the fall. About fifteen hun­ come roads, and the roads become dred "packs" of furs were pur­ highways when man attains a chased each year at Oswego. Sev­ higher civilization. They are a en "packs" could be carried in a necessity to the development of a thirty-five foot Indian canoe of civilization such as ours. which about two hundred traded Oswego's first roads were those at Oswego each year. built by military necessity. They Oswego was late in getting a were mostly woodland trails to start as a permanent settlement. inland depots of supply, to Fort Not until after the English sol­ Brewerton, to Salt Point, and on diers left the fort in 1796 did set­ to Niagara. tlers feel that the danger of war The non-military work of the was really over. soldier was largely devoted to the The first roads were built to felling of trees, and the making connect homes or settlements, so of such roads as were needed. the story of roads around Oswego Entrance to the Oswego area has also to do with settlement of before the time of permanent surrounding areas. These two go settlers was by boat, either by the "hand in hand." way of Lake Ontario or by the The first settlers in various route from the Mohawk River, Wood Creek, Oneida Lake, Oneida places surrounding, or leading to River, and Oswego River. The Oswego were as follows: boat was essential for entrance 1784—Utica—Hugh White but the road was vital for pene­ 1786—Syracuse—Ephriam Web­ tration. A civilization cannot be ster, Major Asa Danford extended or trade carried on with­ 1789—Oneida Lake near Fort out roads. Brewerton—Oliver Stevens Trade was carried on for a good 1791—Constantia—Mr. Bruce many years, however, at Oswego 1791—Frenchmen's Island in before roads began to make their Lake Oneida—Mr. Desvatines and appearance. The story of the wife Dutch, French, and English fur 1791—Mexico — Calvin Tiffany traders is one that precedes the (Miss Simpson says in Mexico, story of roads. Fur traders were Mother of Towns, that he did not visiting Oswego as early as the come until 1798 and that there time when LaSalle's lieutenant, were others there when he came). LaForest, had stopped at Oswego 1792—Oswego Falls (Fulton)— when returning to Canada, after Major Van Valkenburgh and his the ill-fated "Griffon" had been colored servant, "Har," Mr. Val­ launched in 1680. He spent sev­ entine (later killed by the In­ eral days here exchanging French dians), Mr. Shermerhorn, Mr. Ol- brandy for beaver skins. cutt, and Mr. Fowler.

—26— 1792 — Constantia (additiona.1l 1803—Parish — Rev. Gamaliel settlers)—George Scriba, Francis Barnes Vanderkamp Thus from 1784 until the Scriba 1795—First road cut throughi Road, there are no records of oth- the twenty-two miles of interven[­- er roads in surrounding territor- ing wilderness of Oswego County ies. This road was built to en- for George Scriba, between Rot;«­ courage the development of Vera terdam and Vera Cruz. Cruz which George Scriba thought would become a great city. This so-called road, while off ample width, was not in any re:­- Roads in those days were made spect "improved," but the trees by just clearing a way through had been felled and the under­ the forest. The turnpikes, a bit brush cleared away. The first ox:­- later, were made in various ways, carts or horse teams to attemphtt Where the land was level, firm the journey between the two and dry, the pike was kept pass- places must have been forced to able by the simple means of plow- do a great deal of dodging abouit ing and scraping the soil into the to get through the tangle o,f center of the right of way where stumps. Years were to pass befor•ee it formed a sharp ridge. Sod was the road would become worthy o>ff raked in and thrown on top of the the name of a highway. The fines;t dirt, and all stones in sight were roads were only cleared trailIss thrown out of the road or in de- that became almost impassable in pressions to be covered by earth. wet weather, and deserts of dus;t This method was used by the when summer's heat had left the makers of country highways until muck and ruts to be pulverized by not too many years ago. Origin- wide-rimmed ox-carts and wagonsS-. ally the proprietors did the build- 1797—Union Village (Fruit ValI_­ ing. Later the State required ley)—Asa Rice farmers to work out their road taxes or pay money to have 1797—Oswego—John Love, Ziba someone else do it under the su- Phillips, Neil McMullin and fam1_­ pervision of a pathmaster. When­ ily ever a turnpike had to cross 1797—Jefferson County—Nodiah swamps, then the corduroy road Hubbard method was used. This type of 1797—Ellisburg—Lyman Elliot; road was made by laying down 1797—Caughdenoy trunks of trees, layer above layer, until a solid, but rugged platform 1797—New Haven — Mr. Rook,' was elevated above the level of Mr .Dolittle the swamp. These logs were piled 1798—Vera Cruz — Benjamin upon each other without any Winch kind of squaring or adjustment, 1799—Three Rivers—Esq. BingI-­ and the jolting of the wheels from ham one to another was described by 1800—Redfield Square — Revy_. a Scotchman, who visited our Joshua Johnson State in 1818, as being "perfectly 1800—Brownville—Jacob Brown horrible." 1800—Watertown—Henry Coff_- As the early settlers gathered feen to make the roads, opportunity was offered to discuss the news, 1802 — Hannibal — ThomaISs politics, religion, war, and the Sprague state of crops. 1803—Constableville—John Con­ The best of roads were poor, stable and winter travel was far more 1803—Lacona—William Skinne3r comfortable, as the pioneers could 1803—Sandy Creek — Stephein enter the territory on the frozen Lindsey surfaces of rivers, lakes, and —27— streams, even though they had to some of the trees were of second brave the winter weather. growth, the earlier timber having 1802—A road from Camden to been cut away to meet the needs Mexico was completed according of the fort garrison and the early to John Bloomfield in his report traders. to George Scriba. There is also mention of an ear­ 1803—There was a ferry across ly constructed road in the county the Oswego River, at Oswego, op­ as toeing one running between erated by Daniel Burt. There was East Oswego and Scriba. This was later extended through New Hav­ no bridge at this time. This ferry en to Mexico. The original road was at East Seneca Street. from Oswego to Mexico passed in 1804—Calvin Bradner Burt was an easterly direction through appointed pathmaster of Oswego what later became known as the and under his direction a road "Cheever District" in New Haven, was cut from Oswego to Oswego and from there closely followed Falls on the east side of the river. the shoreline of Lake Ontario to 1804—A Cato resident named Oswego. King came to Oswego and offered As late as 1808, there were no to cut a road through the woods roads passable with a wagon in from Cato to Oswego with the aid the entire town of Richland, one of three companions, for $40.00. of the largest of the towns of the The amount was a large one in county, nor were there any roads the form of cash for that time, in any of the towns now included and it was raised with difficulty. in the counties which were locat­ It was fully provided, however, ed north or east of Richland ex­ and in mid-summer the populace cept in the towns of Redfield and greeted with cheers King and his Williamstown, the former town companions as they came riding having been one of the earliest into Oswego on an ox-cart from of the towns of the county to be Cato, to give a demonstration that settled. their task had been completed. 1804—Hiel Stone and William The road today known as the Burt "moved out along the State North Road, running from Oswe­ road recently cut from Oswego to go through North Scriba to Texas Scriba Corners." and continuing on until it affects 1805—Esquire Hamilton report­ a junction with the road now ed a road nearly completed from known as the "Scenic Highway," Mexico to Brewerton. was completed sometime before 1812, as a map bearing that date, 1807—A state road, six rods shows this road, a portion of wide, laid out from Onondaga Hill which is in the vicinity of Texas to the mouth of Ox Creek in the and was constructed further north present town of Granby and from and nearer to Lake Ontario shore there to Oswego. A branch road than the present road. ran from Ox Creek to Salt Point. In 1807 mention is made that 1807—Road from Union Village Dr. Deodatus Clarke had estab­ (Fruit Valley) to Oswego Center lished his home on the north side laid out by the pathmaster, Asa of what is known as the Oneida Rice, Jonathan Buell, and Mat­ Street Road just before the city thew McNair. This survey was line is reached. This was on the made three years before the Riv­ east side of the river. The road er Road was surveyed and six from Dr. Clark's house to that of years before the Gray Road. Daniel Burt, Sr., which stood at Roads used to be public pas­ the intersection of East First and tures. A Mr. James Pierce gets Seneca streets, lay through woods the credit for having a law passed for its entire distance although to prohibit cattle from running at

—28— large. The road mentioned above Road built between Utica and Os­ was named "Paradise Street" by wego and destined to become a a vote in 1878 at a meeting in mail route was passable through­ Union Village. It was ascertained out its length. It entered Scriba, that a John Cooley had noticed coming from the East over the "that the old unsightly fences road today known as the "Middle which had been erected for the Road," and thence south to Scriba purpose of making the highway a Corners. public pasture ground were being 1812—Before 1812, the road be­ removed, the elders and thistles tween Sackets Harbor and Oswe­ cut down, and the highway, in­ go had been completed. It ran stead of being a propagation of through Port Ontario, Texas, and weeds was being made to con­ the northern part of New Haven tribute to the pleasure and profit into Oswego. United States regu­ of the scenery." Apparently the lars marched over this road in name did not meet with the ap­ 1814, coming to the defense of proval of the people, as the road Fort Ontario from Sackets Har­ which turns left at the foot of bor. Perry Hill and runs by the ceme­ 1813—Road from Rome to tery is known today as the Rural Sackets Harbor. It was built by Cemetery Road. funds from the sale of unam>ro- The State gave assistance in the priated lands. The road was made building of roads. In 1803, the a stage road and was one of the Legislature sanctioned the raising chief routes of travel. of funds by a means of lotteries 1813—In Oswego, West Fifth for the building of roads in the Street Road laid out by William State. Moore, surveyor. The story of the French emi­ 1814—The Salt Point Road be­ gres. James D. LeRay, and Joseph tween Salina (Syracuse) and Bonaparte and their part in the Smith's Mills (Adams) was con­ settlement of northern New York structed with a fund derived from and their financial help in the duties on salt and a tax on the building of roads, is an interest­ land benefited. The road was lat er ing one. Mr. LeRay presented his continued to Dexter, intersecting friend, David Parish of Ogdens- the road from Rome to Brown- burg, a check for $10,000 to help ville at Adams. build the St. Lawrence turnpike from Sackets Harbor to Platts­ In 1811, Water Street in Oswe­ burgh. He financed the construc­ go was merely a lane, kept open tion of the first road to pass from as a matter of convenience be­ Cape Vincent to Chaumont and on tween Bridge and Cayuga Streets. to Watertown. He supervised part Af^er twenty years of use it was of the building of the road from made a public highway, extended Carthage to Alexandria Bay. south to Oneida Street and still later opened to the north for sev­ 1810—The Rome Road had been eral blocks. Its history explains completed north from Rome how it came about that the street through Williamstown and Fish- was so narrow as compared with ville (Pulaski). the unusually broad streets laid 1810—A road at this date was out by the engineer for the rest running north and south through of the village. Pulaski following roughly the In 1812, John Wart came from route of U. S. 11 of today. Cherry Valley by ox-sled with his 1811—The Legislature author­ family to carve out a homestead ized a public road to be laid out for himself in the Boylston Woods from the court house in Onondaga where he became the first settler. to Oswego village. He was followed two days later 1812—By this year the State by Michael Sweetman of Mont-

—29— gomery County with the same at Gouverneur, The Orleans House means of travel. The men had no at LaFargeville and others. previous knowledge of one anoth­ Before the days of railroads er. and when the middle west was be­ 1814—First bridge to span the ing settled, travel was solely by Oswego River at Oswego Falls. It stage coach or by packet boat and was a toll bridge, just above the steamer on the river and lakes "Upper Landing," extending from and the most direct route from the East Side to Yelverton Island the East and West was across the and from there to the West Side. State — Rome through Union 1818—Joseph and Arvin Rice Square (Maple View), the junc­ cut through the woods the first tion of the three trunk line high­ road connecting Oswego Falls and way routes to Oswego, whence Oswego Town. (This must refer the steamers went westward on to some place in the Township, the lakes. It was in those days and not to Oswego Village). that the tavern flourished and in its time there was no better or 1822—First bridge across Oswe­ more favorably known hotel in go River at site of present low­ the country than that kept by er bridge in Oswego. It was built Judge Avery Skinner. The high­ of wood at a cost of $2,000. It was way from Rome to Union Square 700 feet long and was called a was later planked and the stages "tremendous structure." The made remarkably fast trips. Re­ bridge was supported by wooden lays of six horses were used, the caissons, filled with stone which first stop being at New Haven. were sunk in the river. It was Change of horses were made with built by a contractor named the rapidity of the hitching of Church for the Oswego Bridge later fire department teams. The Company chartered by the State passage of the stage coach was an and authorized to continue in event. business and charge tolls until 1823—An advertisement in the 1855. A toll gate was authorized "Palladium" read as follows: at each end of the bridge. No "The subscribers will commence other toll bridge was to fee built running a STAGE from Utica to within two miles of this one. Cato Four Corners, once a week, 1825—Mail left Oswego Post on the 3rd of December which will Office every Wednesday at six leave Utica every Wednesday at o'clock for Onondaga and arrived four o'clock in the morning and there every Thursday morning at arrive at Hampton village at Hal- three o'clock. Mail for Rome left lock's at six o'clock. From thence every Monday and Thursday to Rome at 8 o'clock; from there morning at three o'clock and ar­ to Hummaston's, Vienna, at 11 rived at Rome every Tuesday and o'clock; Williamstown at six Friday morning at six o'clock. o'clock; from thence Thursday 1826—Second bridge at Fulton morning at 4 o'clock start for nearly on site of present lower Richland and arrive at 8 o'clock; bridge was erected. at Mexico at 12 o'clock; New By 1830 roads were plentiful Haven at 2 O'clock; at Oswego enough so that stage coaches were village at 6; and on Monday used. There was a regular stage morning at 4 leave Oswego for coach route between Utica and Hannibal. Arrive there at 8 Watertown, and Syracuse and o'clock; Cato Four Corners at 12; Watertown, and from Watertown and at Elbridge at 4. On return to Ogdensburg. It took six hours at Oswego on Saturday at 6, and to go from Watertown to Canton. on Monday morning leave Oswe­ Some of the taverns along the go for Utica and arrive at 6 P. M. way are still standing: Brick ho­ on Tuesday at Gay's Mansion tel at Evans Mills, Brick Tavern House."

—30— At Cato Four Corners, the pass­ Hard surfaced roads, made of engers would have had an oppor­ heavy planks laid crosswise had tunity to go to Wolcott, Roches­ been tried successfully in Canada. ter, Lewiston, or Buffalo, if they Timber was still relatively plenti­ so wished, as there was another ful and cheap, and so these roads stage line which would take them seemed to offer a solution to the over that route. transportation problem. Interest in this type of highway mounted Quite the most dashing of the rapidly and by the time of the stage coach lines which operated panic of 1857, the state had char­ in and out of Oswego, carrying tered more than 350 companies the mails and passengers over a which had built and put into op­ period of half a century was the eration hundreds of miles of such Lewiston-Rochester-Oswego Line roads. Plank roads, when in good of post coaches each drawn by condition, afforded pleasant and four horses. This line traveled amazingly easy transportation. over the highway built along the Their superiority was especially "Ridge Road" from Lewiston to evident after prolonged wet Oswego. Between the time the weather and in early spring. For road had been completed and the economic reasons they were gen­ time when the stage line started, erally made no more than eight mails had been carried a part of feet wide as it was found that the time by riders on horseback drivers tended to keep to the mid­ and a part of the time by wagons. dle, regardless of the width, and This Ridge Road had been used the calks on the horses' shoes as a means of communication be­ wore out the center first. They tween Fort Niagara and Fort On­ were often built on top of the old tario, and at times armies moved road, but sometimes only on one over it. side. Hemlock because of its rela­ The coaches had to be stoutly tive cheapness was commonly used built as the roads traveled were for sills and cross pieces, each of very rough and even when in their which was preferably as much as best condition, and the drivers four inches thick. The weight of thought more of keeping their such heavy planks was generally schedules than of the comfort of sufficient to hold them in place, their passengers. The "Concord" so but few spikes were necessary. coaches were without springs, but the bodies swung on heavy leath­ 1848—Construction of a plank er straps which afforded a degree road, north and south through the of resiliency. From twelve to six­ center of our county from Syra­ teen passengers could be carried cuse towards Watertown with the in a single coach. Passengers who near completion of a plank road rode on the inside, protected east and west from Rome to Os­ against the weather, paid a high­ wego. er rate than the ones who rode In an article concerning the en­ outside. During the winter months try of the first train into Oswe­ when there was sleighing, the go, on November 15, 1848, it said coaches were mounted on bob­ that "there were already five sleds. In the springtime when the miles of Plank Road from here to frost was emerging from the Hannibal and Sterling finished, ground the dirt roadways were and it is being pushed on to com­ full of quagmires and they were pletion." often almost impassable. The Rome-Oswego road was im­ 1845—State Legislature granted proved by planking in 1848. This a charter to a company to build was run by the Rome and Oswe­ the first plank road to be built go Plank Road Company, organ­ anywhere in the United States. ized in 1847, and Mexico furnish­ This road was to run from Cen­ ed its first president, James S. tral Square to Salina. Chandler.

—31— 1848—Two accidents which century closed, bulk transporta­ have to do with roads happened in tion was by boats, and roads re­ Oswego this year. A child was mained hazards that few desired killed instantly by being run over to risk. But fifty years later, the by a wagon, and a Peter Wright, whole territory was criss-crossed cartman, backed his horse and with roads of various kinds. Traf­ cart off the high bank above Lew­ fic had now become very heavy is and Beardsley's mill, and was on the roads, especially after the drowned. closing of navigation on the wa­ 1848—Oswego-Syracuse plank- terways during the winter season. road was started in this year. Before the Syracuse and Oswego Railroad was opened in 1848, the 1849—Oswego-Hastings Center stage coach lines to all points out plank-road started. of Oswego carried thousands of Tolls were collected on all these passengers annually, where they roads to reimburse the compan­ had arrived on the steamer lines, ies which had .built them and to over Lake Ontario, to those main­ provide for upkeep. There were line stations on the New York toll houses and toll gates every Central. few miles along the way. One on the Oswego-Rome road was locat­ 1853—Oswego's streets paved ed just between the farm homes with cobblestones. of Mrs. H. W. Bales and the 1866—Arrangements were made Reeds on what is now U. S. 104. for construction of iron bridge at In later years after the popular­ Utica Street, Oswego. ity of the plank roads had begun 1868—Bridge constructed at a to wane and farmers were resent­ cost of $100,000. ful at paying tolls. This toll house 1895- Macadam first used on and gate were burned by a group Oswego Streets. Asphalt was also of exubriant farmers returning used. home after a visit 'to Oswego. Oswego pioneered in the type While the introduction of railroad of paving known as macadam. Os­ service into this county killed wego had had for many years some of the plank road lines pavements of the granite block through reducing the travel over and cobblestone type, rough, ir­ them, the rapid destruction of the regular, noisy, and illy suited for plank under the constant wear of the traffic that was to come with travel was chiefly responsible for the advent of the bicycle and the their early death. automobile. The first permanent 1848—Free 'bridge built over paving effort under modern design Oswego River at Utica Street. was to lay blocks of macadam in 1849—Third bridge built at Ful­ West Fifth Street, between Bridge ton on site of later iron one. and Oneida Streets. This attracted such favorable comment and cost 1850—Fire burned one-third of so much less than anticipated, Oswego toll bridge. that the paving was extended 1855—New lower bridge of iron from Bridge Street in West Fifth built at Oswego on site of former Street north to Lake St. and wooden one. south to Utica Street. 1857—Daily stage coaches op­ In the same year, after much erating between Oswego and Pu­ discussion, the first block of as^ laski; Oswego and Kasoag; Oswe­ phalt pavement was laid in West go and Auburn; Oswego and Rich­ First Street between Bridge land; Oswego and Rochester Street and Cayuga Streets upon (three trips weekly); Pulaski and old cobblestone pavement as a Fort Brewerton and thence to foundation. The Warren-Scharf Syracuse; Pulaski and Oswego. Asphalt Company used that single Looking back, as the eighteenth block of pavement for years 'as a

—32— reference as to durability of that asphalt have all been improved type of pavement. This was prob­ and modernized. These roads of ably due in part to the good foun­ yesterday would not recognize dation of cobblestone, as asphalt themselves as the roads of today. laid elsewhere in the city was not However, the building and im­ so durable. proving of roads is not a thing of the past, but will continue into 1906—First paved highway five the future as long as man needs and one half miles long from Os­ to communicate with man. The wego to the town line of New super-highways of today will be Haven. It was a waterbound ma­ the transformed super-highways cadam highway. Early auto own­ of tomorrow. They are a necessity ers used the completed highway in the development of a civiliza­ for their demonstrations. tion such as ours. The old turnpikes and plank roads, cobblestone pavements, and Edris W. Peckham.

BIBLIOGRAPHY Articles re-printed in the Oswego Pal­ son County Historical Museum ladium-Times History of Oswego County — 1789-1877 Centennial Edition—1948—Oswego Pal­ — Crisfield Joh nson ladium-Times History of Agriculture in New York State—Ulysses Prentiss Hendrick Anniversary Edition—1953 — Syracuse Post-Standard Development of Central and Western New York—Clayton Mau Memories of Northern New York— Radio Program 1946—sponsored by the Mexico, Mother of Towns—Elizabeth M. Watertown National Bank Simpson Qur Community and its Background— Historical Atlas of New York State from material collected and rewritten by History of the North Couintry—Vol. I- - Ruby Aiken and Erma Schill. Authenti- Harry F. Landon cized by Miss Faith Common, Jefferson History of New York State—Vol. I and County Historian and Curator of Jeffer­ II, A. C. Flick, editor.

77333

-33— Old Cemeteries in Oswego (Presented by Mr. Anthony Slosek, April 16, 1957)

As cemeteries are important pose. Ancient graves had been sources of historical data, this pa­ found in all parts of both east per has been prepared so that the and west Oswego, principally scattered facts may be brought however on the bank of the Lake together for future reference. east of and in First Street. A spot Like all human institutions rest­ also about eighty rods east of ing places of the dead have their Fort Ontario and nearly the same periods of growth, fullness and from the lake in the eastern vil­ decline. Time is relentless, and lage was used by the British gar­ the burial place of one generation rison as a depository for their may become the playground of dead from the erection of that the next. There is no disrespect fort until the evacuation in 1796. of the dead in this transition. In the latter place many stones Life's aspect changes, and as gen­ with rude inscriptions were stand­ eration follows generation, more ing in good preservation until aft­ room for the living is needed. er the War of 1812. There were A city grows up to the walls of also found in west Oswego as late a cemetery and spreads around as the 1830's a number of stones the abode of the dead. Sooner or bearing the date and name or in­ later the cemetery must go. Bod­ itials of the occupant of the ies are disinterred and moved to grave. another resting place. The graves DeWitt Clinton visited this area in 1810 and left a vivid picture of are filled up and the grounds are 1 graded and seeded. Streets are this frontier land. He noticed cut through, or the land is set that there was a burying ground apart for public recreation or oth­ near (Fort Oswego) and a few er purposes of the living. The headstones. The only one inscribed habitations of the living replace has the following:—"Roger Cor the monuments of the dead. Soon Bert, 1742." "When Indians are there is no trace of the cemetery interred, their guns, kettles and except in the memory of a few wampum are buried with them. older residents. An Indian grave was dug up on the banks of the lake a few days Military Burials ago. The bones were in a high Oswego had long been occupied state of preservation. His wam­ as a military post and resorted to pum and kettle were found with by the inhabitants of the colony him but no gun. This interment of New York for the purpose of must have taken place seventy traffic with Indians of Canada years ago." and the West. Fort Oswego and On the 6th dav of May 1814 Os­ Fort Ontario was established in wego was attacked by the British 1727 and 1756 respectively. fleet under the command of Com­ During the period of 100 years modore Sir James L. Yeo accom­ many interments had taken place panied by a large land force un­ but no spot seems to have been der General Drummond, and aft­ exclusively devoted to that pur­ er a sharp contest the American

—31 troops, about 300 in number, In 1947 the War Department is­ commanded toy Colonel Mitchell, sued an order to remove bodies retreated, leaving the fort and from the Fort Ontario Cemetery village in possession of the enemy. but held the order in abeyance They remained about 12 hours pending action on Congressman and departed. Fuller's bill to transfer the site In the battle there were nine­ to the State. The cemetery was teen of the enemy and six Ameri­ relinquished to the State the fol­ cans slain. Among the latter, lowing year. Oswego County His­ Lieutenant Blaney, U. S. A., a torical Society and supervisors re­ sergeant named Wright, and four quested the legislation. privates. The enemy had two of­ Rice Cemetery ficers killed, one of them Captain The oldest cemetery in this vi­ Haltaway of the Marines. Their cinity besides Fort Ontario is that remains were taken away, but in Fruit Valley. The first inter­ the bodies of the seventeen pri­ ment, in February 1798, was that vates were left on the field. of one year old son of Asa Rice. During their stay the British Asa Rice came from Connecticut collected the dead of both parties in October of 1797 and settled at and put them in two piles in na­ the mouth of Three Mile Creek. tural hollows of the earth and The old cemetery is on a knoll covered them slightly with turf on the West bank of the creek torn up for that purpose. The bat­ about twenty rods below the tle ground and the place of bur­ bridge, route 104.2 Here lie the ial was about sixty rods east of remains of 40 or 50 persons, Fort Ontario. After the enemy which were marked by rude had retreated, these mounds were stones, all without inscriptions overhauled and the bodies of the except five—Mr. and Mrs. Rice, Americans taken out, enclosed in two of their children and one oth­ coffins, and interred with martial er. In the days when they were ceremonies on a rise of ground deposited here there were no mar­ about eighty rods southeast an­ ble cutters who could carve their gle of Fort Ontario. Lieutenant names, births ,or deaths on mar­ Blaney, however, was buried in ble or granite, and no records the west village cemetery. Seven were kept. Here, without doubt, soldiers wounded in the battle were interred the fathers, moth­ subsequently died and were bur­ ers, sisters, brothers and friends ied with their comrades. of many of the hardy and ener­ After the close of the war getic pioneers. there were interments of citizens Around the graves of the Rices, made on a knoll at the southeast some of their descendants have angle of East Third and Cayuga erected a substantial stone wall, Streets. laid in mortar, about four feet Twenty-seven unknown soldiers high, with stepping stones set in are buried in the little Fort On­ the wall to make access to the tario cemetery. There are a few inclosure. The graves, four in interesting headstones of stone number, are marked with gray presumably taken from the shore slabs, probably of sandstone, of the lake. On one of those is in­ plainly and correctly lettered. scribed the name of George Fykes That of Mr. Rice is as follows: who served under the King with loyalty, and died October 24th, In Memory of 1782, aged 32 years. Previous to 1861 no record of deaths was ASA RICE, who kept. Since that year a record of died Aug. 22 National Cemeteries has been re­ 1823 quired. aged 69

—35— The slab at the head of Mrs. tinued there to inter their dead Rice's grave is uniform with that until the year 1828. This ground of her husband. She died August was never laid out or even en­ 11, 1819. Those of the children are closed nor was any order observ­ also uniform except smaller in ed in making burials. size. Horace died February 18, The part occupied was on the 1798, aged one year; Nathaniel eastern edge a little south of the died in January 1807, aged three. present intersection of Van Buren The other lettered slab of marble Street with Second and Third (now broken) is that of William Streets; the only portion of which Thompson, died June 6, 1815, aged the soil was suitably dry and of 23 years. sufficient depth. Some children The first person to be buried in were buried near the southeast the Union Village Rural Cemetery corner at the intersection of Sec­ (Fruit Valley) was in 1820.3 This ond with Schuyler Street, and cemetery association was incor­ several attempts were made to porated in March of 1860. Imme­ sink graves for adults, but the diately next to the Rural Ceme­ rock which formed the foundation tery is a privately owned ceme­ of this part of the village was too tery which has been in the pos­ near the surface. session of the Pierce family since Nearly half of the ground was the 1850's.4 Many Oswego families an alder swamp and the western have burial lots in the Rural side a thick forest of chestnut, Cemetery. In addition of these oak, and hickory. Prior to the two cemeteries is the Irish Set­ year 1828 about 150 burials had tlement Cemetery in Oswego been made. When it is considered Town where burials are now in­ that this number included all the frequent. soldiers who died at the garrison during the Embargo of 1808 and West Oswego Cemetery the War of 1812 as well as those persons who had been drowned in In the original plotting of the the harbor for thirty years, the Village of West Oswego by Si­ salubrity of the climate and meon DeWitt, Surveyor General healthfulness of the place are of the State of New York in the manifest. One fact is worth of year 1796 ,a map whereof was record. It is that from the month filed in the Secretary's office of May 1815 to October 1820, a April 6, 1798.5 That part of the period of five years and five village which lies between Second months, there was not within the and Fifth Streets and North of bounds of the village a single Aries, now Schuyler Street, and death of an adult except those extending on the East line about occasioned by accident and only 630 feet to within a few rods of three children. The last death the lake shore and on the West previous to this period was that line about 970 feet to point also of Mrs. Sophia O. Beach, wife of near the shore, was reserved and Samuel B. Beach and the first laid out as a cemetery. Except the death after that period was that south 100 feet thereof adjacent to of Joseph Hooker formerly a Aries Street which was designated merchant of the villege but who as a site for churches. In all sub­ had been spending the preceding sequent sales of village lots by the summer in Oswego Falls as a State, this land was reserved. At clerk in a forwarding house where the first settlement of the vil­ he was attacked with a fever, lage by its inhabitants about the was brought home sick and died. beginning of the nineteenth cen­ During this period there were tury, the occupation of the ceme­ from 350 to 500 inhabitants in the tery described above was com­ village. Boswell Ellis, a young menced and the inhabitants con­ merchant, was taken sick and

—36— died while absent from home in 192 lots was actually laid out on 1819. the ground. The ranges were in. On the 10th day of January, closed with a pine rail with red 1827, the Legislature of the State cedar posts sunk three feet in the of New York, upon the petition of ground and anchored. In the the inhabitants, passed an act month of April 1828, the weather vesting the ground laid out as a being extremely favorable, the re­ cemetery in West Oswego by the moval of the bodies from the old Surveyor General in commission­ cemetery to the new one was ef­ ers with power to sell the same fected in about a fortnight's time and from the proceeds to pur­ under the direction of Edwin W. chase a more suitable site, level Clarke. Every citizen who had and prepare the same and remove friends to remove was permitted thither the bodies previously in­ to select a lot. The strangers were terred in the old grounds.6 The interred in range number 1 of the commissioners named in the act west section of the Potter's field. were John Grant, Jr., George The southeast comer 16x14 feet Fisher, Henry Eagle, Daniel C. of the southwest section was fill­ VanTine and David Bailey. ed with the remains of persons who were known but who had no The old cemetery was imme­ friends resident here. The whole diately laid out into 6 blocks and ground was enclosed by a sub­ 35 lots and a map filed in the stantial stone wall and a stone Clerk's office of Oswego County. hearse house built in the north­ The lots were sold at auction in west corner in 1828. The Commis­ 1827 with the provision that one sioners continued in charge of the quarter be paid down and the cemetery. George W. Burt re­ residue in three equal annual in­ placed D. C. VanTine and in 1836 stallments. they relinquished their trust to In July 1827 the Commissioners the Corporation of Oswego Vil­ bought from the State for $350.00 lage agreeably to an act passed the blocks numbers 95 and 96 May 10, 1836. T By Chapter 116 of (Kingsford Park) on the west the laws of 1848 the City of Os­ side with the immediate street wego was incorporated and suc­ comprising nearly six acres of ceeded to all the rights and prop­ land. In common with the whole erty of the Village of Oswego.8 southwest part of the village it was a dense forest. The Commis­ At the time of the transfer all sioners immediately cleared it of the lots in the southwest section timber and leveled the west half. had been taken up. Early in the The Commissioners adopted a year 1837 the northwest section plan by which the parallelogram was laid out in a different plan, measured by the width of the the ranges being 8 feet wide and west side was divided into four the lots 14 feet long. The lots sections separated by broad al­ were ordered sold to those wish­ leys crossing each other in the ing them for five dollars each. center. The triangle lying on the Mr. Edwin W. Clarke was ap­ south side of the plot was design pointed the superintendent. Much nated as the Potters field and was of the information about the vol- separated from the sections by an lage cemetery is taken from the superintendent's register book alley six feet wide. The whole of 9 the four sections was laid out on now in the City Clerk's office. the map in uniform manner in The following items are taken ranges and lots. Each range be­ from the register entries. The en­ ing 14 feet in width with inter­ tries tell other tales than those of mediate alleys 4 feet wide and the Lieutenant Blaney; for him the lots 8x14 feet. Only the southwest entry was "slain in battle." That section containing 12 ranges and after Captain Turner of New

—37— York Militia from Camillus was the commander of a company in the laconic note "fever" and after Colonel Marinus Willett's expedi­ Sergeant Copp, of the same troops tion against Fort Ontario in 1783, "shot by a sentinel." That was in 78, died July 2, 1831 and Mrs. 1812. In the same year John S. Alida Woolsey, 85, died July 13, Fitch was "drowned in Lake On­ 1843 and was interred in the tario." Henry Eckford Eagle, not "new" cemetery. Her husband a year old in 1820, was named by had been a Revolutionary War his father for the celebrated ship­ General, commanding along the wright who had come to build the border, and her son, Commodore U. S. S. Brig "Oneida," at Oswe­ Melancthon T. Woolsey, U. S. go, and the fleet at Sacketts Har­ Navy, commanded at Oswego in bor in the 1812 War. In 1820 died 1812, and later on the Ontario. James Cooley, father of Robert Names recalling early Oswego Cooley, a blacksmith, the entry manufacturing occur frequently, reads, and on December 16, 1812, families of Burts, pioneers in wa­ there was interred Mrs. Anna ter power and milling; Mrs. Mary Adams, wife Dr. Truman Adams. DeZeng, mother of R. L. DeZeng There were implied tales of who built the west side power tragedy in burial of Thaddeus canal, dying at 70, October 8, Clarke, 56, "lost in the schooner 1835; children of Elias Trow­ Medora"; of Hazekiah Morse, 36, bridge; Major Theophillius Mor­ son of Jacob Morse, and Benja­ gan, father of T. S. Morgan; min Dusenbury, 36, son-in-law of Children of F. T. Carrington; Jacob Morse, lost, also on the Children of Luther Wright, pion­ "Medora," and all interred on No­ eer banker; Mrs. Minerva B. vember 10, 1835. Grant, wife of Hon. Joseph Grant; Colonel Eli Parsons, dead at 82, Daniel Hugunin, who died July 23. on September 25, 1830, had fol­ 1828 at 72; C. J. Burckle, for lowed his wife, Mrs. Persis Par­ whom Burckle Street was named, sons, 76, to the wooded knoll, by and a score of others. 23 days, and after the Colonel's East Oswego Cemetery name was the natation "Revolu­ In July 1827 blocks 92 and 93 tionary Officer," and his grave (Fitzhugh Park) in East Oswego and the resting place of his fam­ were reserved in the State sale ily thereupon become "free." Mar­ and appropriated for a cemetery. ian Letitia Parsons, 31, a daugh­ It was immediately commenced to ter, had died on September 6, be used for that purpose, though 1813. very unsuitable. It was never en­ Orrin Munger's entry in 1831 closed and interments were made was "fell from factory"; Mrs. without regard to order or ar­ Anna Ford, 58, mother of Captain rangement. On January 30, 1837 Augustus Ford. Mrs. Abigail Per­ the Village Trustees resolved that ry, mother of Eli and Philo Stev­ the President in conjunction with ens, died May 27, 1837, at the age the citizens of East Oswego peti­ of 79 years, and Mrs. Catherine tioned the Legislature for an act Howe, 37, wife of Major John authorizing the Board to dispose Howe, on December 16, 1829. of the cemetery in East Oswego William Boyd Bunner, 7, son and procure and improve another of Rudolph Bunner, member in some other appropriate loca­ of Congress, for whom Bunner tion and remove the bodies from Street was named, died December one to the other. i<> Their petition 9, 1828 and the Congressman fol­ was answered; for, on April 17, lowed in 1837. Another Revolu­ 1837, an act was passed authoriz­ tionary War soldier, Captain Ed­ ing the Corporation of Oswego ward Connor, early Oswego school Village to dispose of this ground teacher who first saw Oswego as and procure and prepare a more

—38— suitable site, and remove the steps were taken to organize a dead.11 Yet nothing was done un­ cemetery. As early as July 1849, der this authority; for, three a meeting was held at which years later on March 23, a com­ James Piatt presided. Nothing mittee was appointed by the was done, however, and it was not Board of Trustees to examine the until July 18, 1855 that the Os­ present situation of the cemetery wego Rural Cemetery Association in East Oswego, and to ascertain (Riverside) was organized with what improvements were requir­ the following trustees: John C. ed, and the probable expense of Churchill, John B. Edwards, making the same. Or in their Abraham P. Grant, Gilbert Molli- opinion if it was advisable to son, Frederick T. Carrington, change the location of the pres­ Thomas Kingsford, Samuel B. ent cemetery, then to inquire Johnson, Simeon Bates and Wil­ whether a more suitable place of liam F. Allen. Every one of these ground can be procured, and on founders now lie buried in River­ what terms and also as to the side. The site was originally a disposal of the present site and farm of 110 acres in the town of report their doings herein to the Scriba, owned by Thomas Robin­ Board at their next regular meet­ son, and which was purchased for ing, in order that the same may $5,600. be submitted to the citizens of East Oswego at the ensuing an­ On September 25, 1857 the City nual meeting. of Oswego purchased of the Oswe­ go Rural Cemetery Association a Not being able to uncover plot of ground in Riverside Ceme­ a report of the above com­ tery for the gratuitous burial of mittee, it is known that the such persons as shall be buried at cemetery was not abandoned; for, the expense of the city and which the Board on August 10, 1840 au­ was believed to be much larger thorized the Trustees from East than would be necessary for those Oswego to contract for building interments for all the bodies a fence around the cemetery which would become necessary to ground. It was so done at a cost be removed at the expense of the of $180 but not until a tax of $200 City of Oswego.12 was assessed on real and personal property of the East Siders. Evi­ Since the commencement of in­ dently the residents of East Os­ terments in Riverside only a few wego wanted the cemetery im­ interments had been made in the proved and it was as a result of Fifth Ward cemetery and most a petition by further tax levies in of those in the Potter's field and 1841 and 1846. The grounds were without any license from the city surveyed and laid out in lots and authorities. Friends and relatives the resident citizens were allow­ had removed the dead bodies of ed to select a lot for a sum of the friends from the Fifth Ward $4.00 which was spent for further cemetery to Riverside, St. Paul's, improvements. In addition local St. Peter's and other cemeteries taxes made possible the erection near the city of Oswego and a of a hearse house. Burials in very few of those interned in the cemeteries on both sides of the Fifth Ward cemetery remained river were soon to become infre­ there. For thirty years prior to quent because other cemeteries its abandonment, the Fifth Ward were opened. cemetery had no improvement made in it and had been almost Abandonment of Fourth and entirely neglected and presented an unsightly appearance. The Fifth Ward Cemeteries place had been for a number of With the gradual abandonment years a trysting spot of disreput­ of the two public burying grounds able people and a resort of the

—39— bad element of the city, it was al­ would disinter dead bodies from leged. the Fourth and Fifth Ward ceme. Agitation for the abandonment teries after the time limit set by of this cemetery continued for the state law. Relatives and some years. It was argued that friends could remove bodies be­ the unsightly burial ground, a dis­ fore that time. grace to the neighborhood, would Removals were made in Novem­ become a beautiful park in a rap­ ber and December 1889. The dead idly improving neighborhood. It bodies were sent to Riverside, St. would be sanitary, inexpensive Paul's, St. Peter's, Rural and and double the value of the real elsewhere and the number of re­ estate in that section of the city movals, known and unknown, to­ and make all real estate there­ abouts very desirable as building taled 1025. Translation of the lots. Mr. Thompson Kingsford of­ cemeteries into playgrounds soon fered to convert the grounds into followed and in 1928 the play­ an elegant park in return for the grounds have been utilized as stone in the cemetery wall. educational centers. At that time Kingsford and Fitzhugh Park Mr. S. M. Coon introduced a bill schools had been erected, an ex­ in the Assembly in January 1888 cellent monument to the genera­ to convert the Fifth Ward ceme­ tions that had gone before. tery into a public park. Every­ thing bid fair for an early con­ St. Paul's cemetery on the lake summation of that very desirable shore was opened in 1853 and St. end but the gentleman who rep­ Peter's on the East River Road resented the city in the Assembly was incorporated on May 2, 1880 at that time came home and was although burials took place as severely denounced by a citizen early as 1871. and he immediately allowed the The division of Archives and bill to become as dead as any of History, New York State Educa­ the bodies the bill proposed to tion Department, published a bul­ remove. Pressure was again ap­ letin (July 1956, number 1442) of plied and the bill passed the As­ selected New York State laws re­ sembly. The East Siders petition­ lating to cemeteries. This pamph­ ed the Common Council to in­ let contains excerpts of laws that clude the Fourth Ward cemetery relate to the establishment, main­ in the bill and the favorable ac­ tenance, preservation and abond- tion of the Common Council ment of cemeteries. It will be caused the bill to be changed to of interest to all persons who are the cemetery.13 With the assist­ seeking information, or are con­ ance of Senator Sloan the bill be­ cerned, about the location and came law on April 5, 1888.14 A commemoration of deceased civil­ notice published by the city clerk ians and members of the Arm>3d informed the people that the city Forces.

FOOTNOTES 1. William W. Campbell, The Life and 7. Laws of 1836, Section 20. Writings of DeWitt Clinton, (Baker and 8. Laws of 1848, Chapter 116. Scribner, 1849). 9. In the handwriting of E. W. Clarke. 2. Information obtained by a visit to the cemetery. 10. Proceedings of the Board of Trus­ 3.Information obtained by a visit with tees, 1828-1848. Mr. A. C. Pease. Mr. Pease (now 93 11. Laws of 1837, Chapter 225. years of age) has records of the cemetery. 12. Deed dated September 25, 1857; re­ 4. From records in possession of the corded in Oswego County Clerk's office Pierce family. January 3, 1863, Book 94 of Deeds p. 76 5. Copy of map is here included. and 77. The plot cost $600. 6. Laws of 1827, Chapter 5. Letters 13. Copy of petition can be found in Patent dated October 15, 1833 were given Bradley B. Burt's Scrapbook, Vol. III. to the commissioners. 14. Laws of 1888, Chapter 106.

—40— Oswego at the Turn of the Century (Presented by Mr. Alfred G. Tucker, May 21, 1957)

My first impression of Oswego Treadwell. In insurance there was a gloomy one. I came to this were J. P. Doyle, F. Parker, Fred city on one of the many trains Riley, Mollison and Dowdle, and once scheduled during a January W. R. Hosmer. Some of the clergy thaw. The snow was dirty; the were: Barry, Hopkins, Sizer, Ket­ roads poor. There were many tle, Wills, Greensmith, Savage and wooden poles strung with wires Kessler. having an appearance of a fron­ tier town. Looking back fifty Suppose we go on a tour of years ago, that is what one would some of the downtown; a find. Some folks have said and good place to start is on still do that Oswego never the east end of the lower changes. Let me correct this bridge. Has Oswego changed? statement now. I am pretty cer­ Can any of our audience visualize tain that not one single place of Oswego without Campbells, Wells, business in the downtown area is McDonald's, Kline's, Woolworths, still being operated by the same Whelan's, the supermarkets or in people in the same location. fact any single chain store? All business houses were individually The population was predomin­ and locally owned. Even the fac­ antly Irish, with a few Italians, tories and plants were mostly so. French, German and English. One Can you imagine West First illustration of this could be seen Street without the Candy Works, by the tavern owners, lawyers and the Armory, Y. M. C.A., Pontiac storekeepers in general. Oswego, Hotel, High School? like other towns, naturally had its In a tour of the downtown sec­ characters in all walks of life tion Mr. Tucker reminisced about amongst its citizens. This was the the many businesses and business­ whisker period; every professional men who no longer are with us. and business man had one trim­ Many of the old schools are gone; med to his particular taste. the Normal school (West Seneca Among the doctors there were: between Sixth and Seventh Eddy (300 lbs.), Irwin, Mansfield, Streets) has been razed. The Wel- Wallace, R i n g 1 a n d, O'Brien, land was at one time used as a Dowd, DuBois, Albertson, Cal- dormitory. The starch, grain and ish and Elder. Ontstanding lumber industries are gone. New attorneys were: George N. churches have appeared. Burt, Charles Bulger, O'Gor- There were no public appeals man, Ward Robinson, Stowell, for funds. The hospital deficit was Cullinan, Rows, King, Bentley, met by a bazaar and the rest by Cullen, Udelle Bartlett, and D. P. three prominent residents. The Morehouse. Among the dentists church deficits were met by some were Cays, Cullen, Thomas E. one prominent member. Watts, Lewis, Slocum and Barry. Baseball and cricket were pop­ Bankers were: Mott, McDowell, ular. As yat there was no Softball. Thrall, Downey, Swe&tland and The only place where baseball

—41— could be played on Sunday was ples Gas and Electric. inside of Fort Ontario where the The county jail stood at the local police had no jurisdiction. foot of East Second Street. East The livery stables were replaced Seneca Street from Second to by taxis. Pat Keating owned and Fourth is closed and the land operated the first garage. A Mr. used by the Ames Iron Works. Pell owned the first automobile. In the fields of politics there Transportation to Oswego de­ were two factions in each party. pended on numerous trains; today There was great rivalry between there are no passenger trains. An the Republican Eastsiders led by interurban trolley line ran be­ Judge Stowell and Sweetland ver­ tween Oswego and Syracuse. The sus Westsiders of the Motts and urban trolley line was replaced Parsons. East Side Democrats, by buses in 1927. The boat service Fitzgibbons and Mansfield, oppos­ has been discontinued. ed Judge Bulger and his brother. There were two lighting com­ Yes, Oswego has changed in the panies: the Citizens and the Peo­ last fifty years.

—42— County Historic il Society Tour (August , 1957)

Members of the Society partici­ tary museum and orientation cen­ pated in their annual summer ter which is being developed in tour Saturday, August 17, 1957. the old soldiers barracks. This Plans and arrangements were was the first official Fort visit made by a committee composed of the society since 1951. of Grove A. Gilbert, Chairman, The tour left the Fort and fol­ Mrs. Hugh Barclay, Charles lowed a pre-determined route to Groat, Dr. B. T. Mason and Dr. Douglaston Manor, at Pulaski, ar­ Seward Salisbury. riving in time to enjoy a picnic The tour began at Fort Ontario lunch on the grounds. They were at 9:30 Saturday morning. Mem­ the guests of the owners, General bers of the historical society and and Mrs. Hugh Barclay. their guests were given an oppor­ tunity to inspect the extensive The afternoon's activity began restoration which is being carried with a short talk by Dr. Seward out at the Fort by the State Edu­ Salisbury and then introduced General Barclay who gave a short cation Department. Under the di­ paper, the title of which was rection of Dr. Albert B. Corey, "The Family on the Land." This state historian and Miss Anna K. paper dealt with the family an­ Cunningham, supervisor of the cestors who settled the land after state historical sites, the work at the Revolutionary War and their the old fortification is dedicated experiences through the succeed­ to restoring the fort so that it ap­ ing generations. pears as it would have in 1839 when the present stone buildings Following the General's paper, were built. members visited the stables and Rodney E. Johnson, curator at inspected the Manor's outstanding the Fort, gave the members an herds and blooded horses. The opportunity to preview the in­ grounds, well known in the county terior restoration which was in for their outstanding beauty, were progress and which was not yet of interest to the members and opened to the public. This includ­ their guests. ed work on one of the two offi­ Touring members disbanded at cers' quarters so that its interior Pulaski and returned to their re­ will represent the furnished build­ spective homes throughout the ing of 1839 as well as the mili- area.

• •

-^3— Remarks of Dr. W. Seward Salisbury At Annual Tour of the Society, August 17, 1957

A summary of Dr. Salisbury's Ontario, held out the intriguing remarks: possibility of becoming a lake The intrepid frontiersmen who port which might rival Oswego or cleared the forests and founded Vera Cruz, Scriba's dream-city, the villages in Richland and other just around the curve of the lake towns in northern Oswego County in Mexico Town. Fisheries on the entered the region during the dec­ Salmon were also an incentive; ade following the withdrawal of a Charles Mathewson, e.g., spear­ the British from Fort Ontario in ed 134 salmon there in four hours. 1796. They preferred the healthy The timber here was also an at­ uplands; and it is surprising, per­ traction, though its abundance haps, to note, that Redfield pla­ farther east and transportation teau was occupied earlier than problems limited its production the more fertile plain south and on a commercial basis. Potash, ob­ east of Lake Ontario. tained from wood ashes, however, It is said that Nathan Tuttle was a money maker, and was fre­ and Nathan Wilcox were the first quently the pioneer's best source settlers in Richland and that Ben­ of cash. There are records that it jamin Winch became the first was marketed at points as far permanent occupant within the distant as Montreal and Albany. corporate limits of Pulaski. We Later, farming, and still later, know that he constructed a tavern dairying became the region's there, on the site of the Randall most extensive occupation. House, in 1804. Winch was a sur­ The early history of this locale veyor for George Scriba and later was also closely related to the practiced law here. Most of these military rivalry on the frontier. early residents were New Eng- Champlain, on his journey to the landers, who were attracted here Iroquois villages in the early sev­ by the land. Land hunger led gen­ enteenth century beached his erations of New Englanders from canoes at the mouth of Salmon the Atlantic to the Pacific. River, and a century later Gen­ Settlements were promoted by eral De la Barre launched a cam­ the land speculators, who survey­ paign against the Onondagas from ed the land, built roads and offer, the same vicinity. It is of interest ed tracts on credit. Among the in­ to observe that Champlain de­ centives, land for agriculture, was scribed the river as teeming with the foremost attraction. In 1820 fish, whereas De la Barre dubbed more than seventy-five per cent it La Famine. of our people lived on farms; to­ Montcalm's famous assault upon day this figure has decreased to Oswego in 1756 moved along this less than ten per cent. margin of the lake, and the retali- The Salmon River offered wa­ tory expeditions of Bradstreet ter power; and its mouth, Port against Fort Frontenac and Am-

-44- herst against Montreal might twice called to Sacketts Harbor have been viewed by an observer during the War of 1812. looking westward across the lake. Military ardor again spilled over In the Revolution Silas Town is in the exciting days of the "Pa­ said to have spied upon the Brit­ triot's War" of 1839, when Amer­ ish invasion force at nearby Mex­ icans were ready to aid Canadian ico Point, and in the War of 1812 insurgents in their bid for inde­ the great cable was floated into pendence. Sandy Creek, and then carried It was during this crisis that overland to Sacketts Harbor. Fort Ontario was rebuilt of stone. And it is this fort which is toeing The village green at Pulaski restored today by the State of was a drill ground during this New York as a permanent com­ period, and the local company was memorative monument.

•—45- History of Baldwinsville

(Presented by Mr. A. J. Christopher, October 15, 1957)

Baldwinsville lies in a beautiful later he returned with men and river valley near the center of the machinery intent on developing state. The Seneca River at this the property. In spite of difficul­ place used to be shallow and there ties a rough dam was built fol­ were rapids, with the wooded lowed by a grist and saw mill. banks rising some thirty feet Next a flat log bridge was above the water. Before the ar­ thrown across the river below the rival of the white man the In­ dam. Another project, a canal, dians came to this spot to hunt was necessary since the dam ob­ and fish; it was their summer structed the river traffic, and it playground. They called the local­ soon served a two-fold purpose— ity, "Ste-ha-ha," which meant for navigation and power. Bald­ stones in the water. win called his land "Columbia"; possibly this was Mrs. Baldwin's John McHarrie, of Scotch des­ idea. Thus started the prosperity cent and hailing from Baltimore of the village which later consid­ is accredited as being the first ered Baldwin as its founder and to white man to settle in the pres­ receive his name. Much of what ent village area. In the summer followed was possible because Dr. of 1792 he found his way by land Baldwin, one of the wealthiest and by water to the head of Sen­ men in Onondaga County, in the eca Lake. There, at an Indian vil­ employ of the State Navigation lage, he obtained a canoe and was Service was considered the "king­ told: "To the rising sun, Ste-ha- pin" of all the industrial enter­ ha." McHarrie took the advice, prises of the town. paddled eastward on the river till he came to the "rifts." Mac, as a In 1814 a state road was put soldier of the Revolution, had re­ thru between Onondaga Hill and ceived a lot in the Military Tract Oswego passing over Baldwin's of central and northern New York bridge. In coming to Oswego this but it was not in his possession evening I traveled over the same at this time. The south bank op­ route but at that time it was only posite the rifts must have ap­ an enlarged trail thru the wilder­ pealed to McHarrie for he soon ness. built a log house and later sent The cold year of 1816 prevented for his family. Ste-ha-ha then crops from ripening and a famine changed to "McHarrie's Rifts." almost followed. For this reason. Within a few years the McHarries the next winter, Dr. Baldwin har­ acquired neighbors and the ham­ bored and fed one-half the Oneida let became known as Mackville or Nation, then numbering about Macks ville. five hundred. The grateful In­ A Dr. James Baldwin, in 1797, dians gave young Harvey, Bald­ passing thru on the river noted win's son, a fine deerskin coat the beautiful scenery of the re­ which is now on display in the gion opposite Mackville and a Onondaga Historical Building at purchase followed. Two years Syracuse. The next year a post office was At the beginning of the century given to the community resulting the eight flouring mills in Bald­ in the joining of the two hamlets winsville ground more wheat than into one, namely "Baldwinsville." any other community in the coun­ There had been mail service as try excepting Richmond, Va. The early as 1806 when an Onondaga factories made pumps, wagons, Indian chief, once a week, cover­ leaf springs, candles, furniture, ed the forty some miles between milwork, knitted goods, paper Onondaga and Oswego in two and many other things. The area laps, staying over night at Half­ had so much natural gas that it way tavern. He was so punctual was piped to Fulton and Syra­ that people set their time pieces cuse. Baldwinsville was for three by his coming and going. score years the metropolis of a The village, with abundant wa- large tobacco growing region. I terpower, plenty of virgin forest, must not forget to mention that rich soil and strategically located the village has the purest water was prospering fast. In the 1830's obtainable in the state. Baldwinsville was as large as In 1899 a one track trolley line Syracuse or, putting it the other came from Syracuse. Ten years way, Syracuse was as small as later it was supplanted by a dou­ the neighboring Seneca river vil­ ble track svstem which passed lage. The salt industry and the thru the village on its way to Os­ business of the Erie canal soon wego. forged Syracuse ahead. Then came the era of railroads Today most of the industries with the Oswego & Syracuse have receded. The old Baldwin passing thru the eastern part of Canal, about to be filled in, has town in 1848. Years later, when been replaced by the Barge or the D. L. & W. took over, a Improved Erie Canal, Baldwin's branch ran to the center of the log bridge has had four success­ village to contact the various ors. Two mills remain to repre­ mills. Another railroad connected sent the industries of a past day. Baldwinsville with the N. Y. C. These are Morris Machine Works system at Amboy. At the height still a leader in the centrifugal of local railroading (1890-1910) pump field and the International at least twelve passenger trains Mill which can outproduce the passed thru Baldwinsville each eight old flour mills combined, day, and the freights were always when they existed. loaded to capacity. Now, only the Perhaps the desire now is to­ main line remains. wards a nice, clean, quiet residen­ Wars always slow things up. tial village. The Civil War was no exception but Baldwinsville was well repre­ (Mr. Christopher illustrated his sented on the battlefield as the remarks with a film depicting monuments at Gettysburg testify. scenes and events in the history After this strife the real boom of the village. The film was pho­ started — to last for more than tographed and produced by the fifty years. speaker.)

• • •

-47— JJecrologp 19 5 7

MR. ELLIOTT B. MOTT 94 West Fifth Street, Oswego, January 4, 1957 RALPH M. YOUNG 152 West Eighth Street, Oswego, January 25, 1957 DR. HARVEY ALBERTSON 131 West Fourth Street, Oswego, February 7, 1957 MR. FRED PALMER 705 Seneca Street, Fulton, February 13, 1957 MRS. PARKER O. WRIGHT 784 South El Molino Avenue, Pasadena, Cal., March 3, 1957 MRS. LOUISE CRAIGIE 99 West Third Street, Oswego, March 7, 1957 MR. CLARK MORRISON 115 West Fifth Street, Oswego, March 8, 1957 MRS. NORMAN MELLOR 131 Harvey Street, Germantown, Pa., March 17, 1957 MISS RUTH HAWKS Phoenix, March 26, 1957 MISS ELSIE M. HANDLEY 119 West Third Street, Oswego, May 1, 1957 MISS M. WINIFRED TURNER Middle Road, Scriba, May 22, 1957 MRS. WARREN M. CARRIER 65 East Utica Street, Oswego, May 28, 1957 MR. JOSEPH T. MCCAFFREY 51 East Mohawk Street, Oswego, August 31, 1957 MRS. LOUISE HAXTON 150 East Third Street, Oswego, September 21, 1957 MR. DWIGHT L. MURPHY 351 Highland Street, Fulton, September 21, 1957 MR. ROBERT C. JONES 172 West Fourth Street, Oswego, October 26, 1957 MR. NEIL T. HAYES 64 West Fourth Street, Oswego, November 13, 1957

OSWEGO CITY L r»l

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