history2.html
HISTORY
PAGE 2
SCHUYLER HAD TO FIGHT TO
BECOME A REAL COUNTY. (ca? 1910)
Story Calls to Mind Struggle
for Independence. Many Interesting Facts are brought out early Settlements.
In a History of Schuyler
county publ8ished in 1879 is found some very interesting reading, showing
what was experienced when it was proposed to make four counties from---.
The counties of Steuben, Chemung and Tompkins did not relish the thought
of being chopped to pieces, Protests were of no avail and the Legislature
did the dismembering in 1854, two months after Chemung county has been
created or ’erected”. The story says - and this story will be interesting
to everyone residing in the Star-Gazette territory, but especially to friends
residing in Schuyler County.
Foundation of Schuyler
The proposition in 1854 to
form a county from portions of Chemung, Tompkins and Steuben counties was
with much disfavor from the counties interested, and remonstrance's to
the Legislature from every part of the three counties. Particular those
excited was little Chemung ---territory was chiefly to suffer with the
opposition from that source ----erce and persistent. A counter --was made
in Steuben county for the decision of that county to be called ----eteo.”
Notwithstanding the opinion of every member of the Assembly from the counties
interested, in the amendments were voted down and all passed originally
drawn ex--- to the name ‘Webster;” some wanted it called “Montour” but
all finally dropped for Schuyler and than passed both housed, April 17.
Opposition did not cease with the pass of the bill, for the infant had
to wiggle upward in it swathing on to childhood and then to ----hood. The
constitutionality of the discussed and chiefly because the new county had
not had the population to elect officers required by law. A question a
argued at Rochester in the Supreme Court, who held the matter to how false
the evidence as before the Legislature in regard of the population, if
the Legislature became the ----true, then it had question of constitutionality
was held before Judge Hiral Gray at Elmira, who decided adversely to the
act. Finally the question came before the Court of Appeals, where the creation
of Schuyler County was sustained. A somewhat humorous picture was drawn
by Judge Rood, who by the way was the first surrogate of Schuyler county
of the reception of the county by the Court of Appeals in one of his many
arguments before legislative committees on t he county seat question, which
had developed a very bitter fight. He was replying to some of the arguments
of parties in the Havana (Montour Falls) interests, and described the county
of Schuyler as a “bantling, illegitimate, born in shem and begot in iniquity.”
It came to the Court of Appeals and tose grave and reverend justices peered
at it askance over their gold rimmed spectacles, and said: “What is that?”
Schuyler County piped the youngling in a thin soprano. “Schuyler county!
There is no Schuyler county: show us a map of the state of New York and
we will show you there is no Schuyler county. “But,” persisted the bantling,
“there is a Schuyler county and I am it. The Territory is down by the head
of the Seneca Lake. I have paid taxes levied on my lands for the state.
I have drawn school money from the school fund and distributed it to my
town. I have elected a member of the Assembly and am a constituency of
the state. I have elected a senator and a congressman. What are you going
to do with me?” Let’s strangle the brat,” suggests one of the judges. “No
that will do; she has told the truth: she has interwoven herself so intricately
into the body politic it will not do to strangle her.” At last a bright
thought suggested itself to a member of the court and he said, “No we cannot
strangle it, but we can adopt it.” The knot was cut and Schuyler County
was declared legitimate without law and gospel.
Judge Robinson, a member
of the court of Appeals at the time was sitting in the legislative committee
room during the judge's argument but was unknown to Judge Rood, and when
he finished his picture Judge Robinson caught him by the man and said:
“You could not have told a more truthful story of the reception by the
court of that county question if you had been one of the judges on the
bench. It was just about the way we felt over the thing, and the very point
taken into account in the decision was the acquired rights and ------
************************
May 29, 1929
By John Corbett of Watkins
Glen.
When Watkins Glen was wrought
into the dim past of elemental deeds, the enchantments of the Muses were
combined to form a masterpiece. Nature graved the grace of sculpture throughout
its curing course, and limned the tints of painting upon its likened walls.
Then glints of soul were given to the entrancing scene, and the rippling
rapids pulsed with the rhythm of poesy, while the murmurs of the mystic
waters were sweet with the charms of song. The Watkins Glen stream has its
source deep within the hills that overlook the smiling sloped of Seneca.
Its springs commingle in a wooded vale, to wind their way through grove
and linger long in glade, until in hastened course they gloam (sic)and
glide within the rock recesses of the famed ravine. In their descent from
upland valley to the tranquil lake, the waters lay at rapids or leap at
falls loitering into he quiet of the reaches and for a time quiescent in
the placid pools of clear cascades.
Watkins Glen Rock Record
The portal of Watkins Glen
is the centerpiece of a majestic amphitheatre. The beetling cliffs rise
grandly to tree crowned heights from wave washed bases, to form a scene
of awe-inspiring sublimity. So delicately chiseled are the adamantine ----
that the graceful lines of contour harmoniously blend and view. All throughout
is the artistic handiwork that is above all human effort, and all around
is silence, save the singing of the stram in its half-hidden bed. Man’s
scars of enterprise are on their face, but the gray rock walls retain their
pristine grandeur. Within the walls of Watkins Glen is a wonder world of
ravine formation. Entrance cascade is the portal’s silvery fall; Cavern
Cascade is the crystal column that heads Stillwater Gorge, and Central
Cascade chants of the infinite at Glen Cathedral. The view of Rainbow Falls
requires the sunlight to unfold its charms but in their deep seclusion
lies the spell of Shadow Gorge and Artist’s Dream. Its successive scenes
are unique in their variations of beauty, and though oft the inspiration
for endeavor is beyond the power of pen and pencil to portray. Nature alone
can pain with changing lights and shades and enliven with purling waters.
The winding way of Watkins Glen presents a record of the rocks rarely equaled
in the researches of geology. The drift deposits of its banks are monuments
of the height of waters that prevailed when a glacial lake occupied the
Seneca Valley. The terraces which crown its entrance walls were the deltas
of the torrents ensuing when the ice cap retreated from the land. Through
the shales and sandstones its rift was opened to be widened and water worn
by flood, smoothed by the forces of the elements, and toned to neutral
tints by time. It is not a mere local place of interest, but a resort of
great natural characteristics; worthy of the public distinction that has
been accorded it as a State reservation
************************************************************************
Most of the information below
was taken from the booklet titled “History of the Town and Village
of Painted Post”
This booklet was written
by Charles H. Erwin and published in 1874. In parts of this narration
it is being stated by Mr. Erwin himself.
This booklet was secured
at the Painted Post-Erwin Museum located in the RR Depot in Painted Post.
Permission was given to me by the Principal Docent, Jamie O. Bosket, as
long as I mentioned the source.
PAINTED POST
That name was given
over to this locality long prior to the settlement., erection or Organization;
of either the township or the county, there is little doubt.
The name appears to have been a landmark well known, throughout the
bounds of frontier civilization. The locality, a favorite region of the
roving tribes of the Six Nations which they used for a Council and Game
Park until it was destroyed by the invasion of the white man. There has
been no traditions or record of an Indian battle being fought upon
these grounds, either before or after the appearance of civilization. A
favorite haunt of the red man long previous to its settlement by the whites,
is surely indicated by the abundance of Indian relics found
scattered in and around the valleys. Stone hatchets, flint arrows and lance
points, pottery, mortars and graves abound in great profusion. Many of
these mementos of the past and curiosities of the present have been
gathered. In post-holes sinking it not unusual to find
graves, in which are the bones, Indian pottery, arrows and amulets. (Mr.
Erwin) While sinking a post hole on the southwest corner of the lot
upon which our residence new stands, we exhumed an Indian skeleton and
found an arrow point, as white. as marble, and some pieces of broken
pottery; and in 1860. At the Bronson block an Indian skeleton
while excavating. Bronson Block is on the SW corner of Hamilton and
Water Streets. This grave contained the bones of a very large person,
the thigh and arm bones being of unusual length; it was buried in a sitting
posture as was indicated by the skull, vertebra and rib bones being massed,
while the bones of the legs were extended and regularly placed; the
broken, but well preserved pieces of Indian pottery and arrow points, showing
that he had been amply provided with ammunition and cooking utensils
for the long journey to the happy hunting grounds. These indications alone,
was sufficient evidence that for ages before, this was a well known and
favorite locations of the numerous tribes of native Americans,
throughout the whole country; but we shall be able to present other
and, more conclusive proofs. from quotations of legal documents,
deeds of purchase and titles of the Pultney and Hornby
estates.
THE NAME- PAINTED POST
The origin of this
name, is found in a curious fact, unknown as a custom of the
Indians, the erection of a monument to the memory of the brave Seneca
Chief Montour a half-breed and son of the distinguished Queen Catherine.
of Wyoming celebrity died in the year 1779 from wounds received
at the battle of Freeling’s Fort on the west branch of the
Susquehanna river, and buried under an elm at Painted
Post. This account of the name, death and grave, of Capt. Montour,
was told by Mr. Taggart , a young boy Who was at the time a
prisoner under the notorious Tory, Captain McDonald. and was present at
the burial. A similar account
from Col. Harper, , but he did not mention the name,
(History of Steuben County pg. 51) A difference of opinion regarding the
place where Montour- was wounded. Some authorities say it was at
the battle of the Hogback just below and near Newtown,
(now City of Elmira) but none exist as to the place of
his death and burial, as the following account by the late Capt.
Samuel Adams, who received it by interpreter’ from the mouth of the
renowned Seneca Chief Cornplanter, in 1833, substantially
proves. Capt. Adams said, “At the urgent request of Capt. Samuel Erwin,
to call upon this chief and get if possible, a correct version of
the facts regarding the post found here and in need of repairs.
Cornplanter’s on the Allegany river, being near his habitation, I found
his interpreter Benjamin Marsh, Jr. and called
upon the distinguished chief I had not a little difficulty
approaching hin, as he assumed the dignity of an unconquered
sovereign, which in truth he was; his peace and good will having
been purchased only with an annuity and reservation
from the Government.
Through the kindness
of Mr. Marsh, who introduced me as a person of distinguished influence,
who had came from a great distance to get from him some reliable
discription as to the exact location or the origin of the name Painted
Post. He motioned me to a seat upon one of three stools, which
with was a rude deer skin lounge and an old table, constituted the entire
furniture of their reception, and I believe only room of his palace. I
noticed his yet dark black eyes sparkle, his nostril expand, and the faintest
possible smile pass over his usually sad features at the mention of Painted
Post. Momentary excitement, recalled doubtless, by the mention of the name
appeared on his face. Being seated, without a moments hesitation
he related briefly through his interpreter, ‘that a great chief and brave
was taken sick, died and was buried under the shade of an elm, on the north
side near the month of Conhocton river. At the same time he mapped
it out on the ground floor and marking with his knife the place of the
grave of Cornplanter and that he was one of the council that placed
over the grave a post, stained with the juice of the wild strawberry, to
mark the spot. Nothing was sadi to make him divulge the name or tribe
of this great chief. He did explain the moons and winters,
as at that he was more than 106 years old. Undoubtedly Cornplanter
did not consider it politic or consistent with that of a great chief
to acknowledge wounds, or reviel the name of a chief or a brave to
received wounds in the in the losting battles of the Six Nations
with frontier civilizatin. Another wittness, Mr. Little, a young
man from Northumberland, Pa. was with General Sullivan
in the battles of the Hogback and other battles of the Chemung. He as taken
prisoner and with Taggart by Mcdonald to Canada. After his escape
he on his journey stopped a few days with Benjamin Patterson. He
informed him, ‘‘that Captain Montour was wounded at the Hogback, taken
up the river in a canoe to Painted Post, where he died and was buried.
That it was spoken of in the camp in Canada before his escape. Through
Indian history and others who kept journals it was well known that Queen
Catherine had sons fighting the borders. Col. Harper and Little were with
Sullivan and did report that Chief Montour died after being wounded
on the Susquehanna. A Post was errected over his grave and the stained
post found by the first settlers was the same. Edmond Cooper, a resident
of the village, robert Patterson of our town, Mr. Samuel Cook of Campbell
and other have seen it and pointed out the same spot. Being pointed
out by other residents Capt. Samuel Erwin, Francis Erwin, and other while
living have each shown by Cornplanter’s knife on the map he drew on the
ground floor. It was within a few feet and in front of the NE corner of
Messrs. Stout and Hurd’s wagon shop.The Attorney General of New York State
reported on December 1786 the western part of this state including what
is now the county of Steuben, was in possession of the native Indians.
The first settlement of the
civilized man in this county of Steuben as made by William Harris, from
Pennsylvanian. His home was situated very near the north end of the Conhocton
bridge in the village. While he was in Pa. for a visit at Christmas time,
his house was burned. He was an Indian Trader. (also stated in Steuben
History page 29,32 and 51)
April 1, 1788 Messrs.
Oliver Phelps and Nathaniel Gorham purchased the pre-emption right (see
photos and article on this area) of the State of Massachusetts.
On July 8th 1788 they purchased the right of soil of the Five Nations
of Indians to the lands comprising the counties of Steuben, Yates, Ontario,
part of Genesee and Livingston. and about half of Allegany. These men took
immediate possession and had it surveyed into townships and the towns
into sections. Gen. Porter of Niagara (thought to be) was one of the surveyors.
Early summer of 1789 while the surveyors were no finished the work
in this vicinity, Co1. Arthur Erwin a man from Erwina, Bucks county, Pa.,
came to Painted Post with a drove of cattle to Canandarque. (Canandaigua)
Erwin along with a Indian guide climbed to the summit of the surrounding
mountains. He was much impressed with the beautiful view.
He hastily made his trip
to Canandaigua to the offices of Phelps and Gorham. He purchased the land
that is now Erwin. Within 24 hours a man Judge Eleazur Lindley for
the same land and he subsequently purchased what is now Lindley.
The Purchase of the lands(July
9, 1789) from Phelps and Gorham was Fourteen hundred pounds. They spelled
his name on the deed, (Arthur) Arwin, naming he came from Bucks Co. Pa.
It stated that is was located in the county of Ontario, NY state, being
townships # 2 in the second range of Town being six miles north of
Pa. line and six miles west of the Massachusetts Pre-Emption being six
miles square, containing 23,040 acres by the name of Painted Post. This
deed was recorded from Nathanial Gorham, at Albany Feb. 9, 1792, at the
request of Mr. Arwin(Erwin)
Sept. 1790 Co. Arthur Erwin,
Solomon Bennett, Joel Thomas, and Uriah Stephens purchased the towns of
Hornellsville and Canisteo. It was described as lands being in the district
of Erwin and known by the name of Old Canistear Castle.
Erwin came from near
Antrim, Ireland before the Revolution. He settled Erwina, Bucks Co. Pa.,
almost opposite Frenchtown, NJ. He was owner of land extending eight or
nine miles along the west bank of the Delaware river. He served in the
Revolution War and shortly afterward purchased almost 5000 acres in the
Chemung Valley, near Tioga Point.(Athens) Than in 1789 and 1790 he made
a purchase of the town of Erwin and parts of the town Hornellsville and
Canisteo. He married twice and had ten children. Among his
sons, Capt. Samuel, Francis and Maj. Arthur were also early settlers of
the town and vicinity. On a return trip he stopped at the house of Daniel
McDuffe, one of his tenants, near Tioga Point. He sat listening to violin
music being played by same, he as shot from outside and fell to the floor.
Several hours later he died. Blame was placed on an ex-squatter by the
name of Thomas, who that night was reported to have stolen a horse.
He was never heard from again. Great dispute were blamed for several
threats that if being ejected from land they now held they would kill the
one who claimed the land. Col Erwin was the only victim of these threats.
Painted Post was organized
in 1793, taking in the six townships of Hornby, Campbell, Erwin, Lindley,
Corning and Caton.
Eli Mead was one of the first
settlers and the first Supervisor.
*************************************************************************************
PAINTED POST
THE INDIAN TREATY OF 1791
AT THIS HISTORIC SPOT
L. C. in Corning
Daily Journal
Among the first recorded
and most; important events in history of this section, according to a pioneer
historian was the Treaty of the Painted Post, held between Colonel Timothy
Pickering of Massachusetts the personal Representative of General George
Washington, at that time the President of the United; States, and the Iroquois
Indian, commonly called the Six Nations. Col. William Leete Stone, Indianologist
in his life and Times of Red Jacket which book was published in 1814 gives
quite an account of the celebrated treaty in question. In a footnote concerning
the “ Painted Post“ Col. Stone has this to say “It was painted in the Indian
manner and the Indian manner, and tradition a years that it was A monument
of great antiquity erected. to commutate the death of some Celebrated war
chief whose name has been lost in the lapse of ages. The Indians it is
also related, were in the practice, from generation to generation, of erecting
a new ones on the decay of the old” Thus it may be seen that the more recent.
inhabitants of Painted Post have not been without precedent in replacing
it three different times the history war-post from which the Village of'
Painted Post derives its honored name, and in finally erecting. in the
Public Square at Painted Post the fine bronze statue of an Indian Chief,
which statue is pointed to with pride by those familiar with the traditions
of this section. Red Jacket, alluded to in his sketch, was a Seneca Sachem
of the Six Nations. He was one, of the principal orators of his time. among
the Indians and has been compared in ability to the renowned Randolph and
Patrick Henry of Virginia. Red Jacket had his no deplume from the fact
that he celebrated wire a scarf and red coat presented to him by British
officer before the war of the Revolution and replaced from time to time
by one of the coats of a similar hue. He wore to his dying day a medallion
he received a Philadelphia from the hands of Washington.
The Indian name of Red
Jacket was Sa-go-ye-was-tha which being interpreted means “He keeps them
awake”.
Treaty of the Painted
Post. Col. Stone in his book on Red Jacket says: Knowing he feverish temperament
of the Six Nations; and the recent provocations the Seneca's in particular
had received at the hands of some of the Pennsylvania border men, the President
(Washington) was at the time engaged in another effort to divert their
attention from the wars of western brethren and to cultivate with them
the most amiable relations. To this end before the unfavorable result of
Proctor’s embassy (at Buffalo Creek) could have beer known at Philadelphia
Col Pickering had been commissioned to hold a treaty with the Six Nations
at Painted Post. This treaty was held in June (1791) and was attended
by favorable results. In deed most of their principle chiefs were
to a very unhappy extension under the influence of the British
military authorities
in Canada, yet the greater portion of the older men, of the Republican
side of the boundary were inclined to peace the young men of the Seneca's,
and a few of the Cayuga's only being resolved on war. the Council called
under the auspices of Colonel Pickering at The Painted Post was well attended
In deed despite the efforts of the British officers in command of Upper
Canada the chiefs the chiefs began to draw off in the direction of the
Painted Post ever fore the departure of Colonel Proctorsom Buffalo Creek.
The speeches interchanged between Co Pickering and the chiefs at this council
have not been preserved; but the result was favorable in yet further diverting
then attention of the Six Nations from the affairs of the western Indians
in actual hostility; while by the liberal distribution
of ------ of the young warrior.
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