TOWN OF ONONDAGA

Source:  Onondaga; or Reminiscences of Earlier and Later Times, Vol. II, by Joshua V. H. Clark, A.M., Stoddard and Babcock, Syracuse, 1849, pp. 108-115, 128-138

    In the month of February 1788, Mr. Webster, in company with two Indians, proceeded on a hunting excursion into the lower part of Montgomery County.  Late one afternoon they came to a small clearing in the town of Mayfield.  They here met a man who lived at no great distance, and desired a night’s lodging in his barn.  He refused them this privilege, but insisted they should accompany him to his house and spend the night by the fire.  They consented, threw off their snow shoes and were soon partaking of a hospitable meal prepared by the lady of their host.  During the evening’s conversation, Webster remarked, that he lived at Onondaga, a much more fruitful and inviting country than the one where he was located, and finally so much was said in praise of Onondaga, and so effectually each won the confidence of the other, that it was agreed Webster should solicit permission of the Indians for his host to settle on their lands, and if successful, Webster was to return or send an Indian to inform him of the fact.  The man whom Webster so accidentally visited at this time, was Mr. Asa Danforth, who became emphatically the pioneer of Onondaga County.  An Indian was dispatched in due time with information that Mr. Danforth could settle at Onondaga Hollow, and it was so arranged that he should come out immediately.  Early in May, Mr. Danforth embarked with his family, house-hold goods, and farming utensils, in two flat-bottomed boats, accompanied by three boatmen, and after a tedious voyage up the Mohawk River, through Oneida Lake and River, and Onondaga Lake, landed at the mouth of Onondaga Creek.  Here they met Mr. Webster, and Mr. Danforth’s son, Asa, a young man, who with Comfort Tyler had been sent across the country with the stock intended for the new settlement, and who had arrived some time in advance of the boats.  The boats were here lightened of their freight and pushed up the creek to the place where Mr. D. settled, a little south of Onondaga Hollow, May 22d, 1788.  The head civil chief of the Onondagas at this time, was called Ca-whic-do-ta, and the second, Ta-whis-quanta.  The family of Mr. D. were treated with great kindness by these chiefs, notwithstanding which they were subject to many privations, and at times were much alarmed for their personal safety by the vindictive spirit manifested by the baser Indians, brought on by the free use of intoxicating drinks.  There were two traders, Adam Campbell, and Alexander Mabie, who sold goods to the Indians, and also strong drink, who resided at the Hollow.  And it was a practice with many of the Indians to indulge in excessive drinking, and while under the influence of the poison, were boisterous and ugly.  Instances were not uncommon among themselves, to quarrel, fight, and kill each other upon the slightest provocation.  Murders were not unfrequent, caused by the use of intoxicating liquors, sold by the two white men.  The chiefs and sober portion of the tribe wished heartily to be rid of them, for they were the cause of all quarrels, affrays and blood-shed.  At one time, in the dead of night, the Danforth family were roused from their slumbers by the yells of the Indians, and before they reached the scene of strife, one lay dead, murdered by the hand of his own brother.  The head chief, Cawhicdota, an excellent man, remonstrated with the traders for selling liquor to his people, and engaged Major Danforth and Comfort Tyler to use their influence to have them desist, but all to no purpose, the traffic was still continued; and what was worse, the villains offered the Indians a barrel of rum, and every Indian a new knife and tomahawk, if they would drive Hatecolhotwas, (Major Danforth, the man who plows the ground,) and his family away.  Upon this promise, a large number of Indians prepared themselves to carry the designs of the traders into execution. They had assembled at the castle, armed with their rifles and tomahawks.  One seized a burning brand, and all were soon on their way to the house of Major Danforth, bent on the destruction of the family and their habitation.  The good old chief, Cawhicdota, found means of communicating the alarm to the family, boldly interposed his authority in their behalf, and finally succeeded in quieting their rage, and in inducing them to relinquish their unhallowed design.  Long and faithfully the old chief watched these nefarious traders, and his faithless clansmen.  He kept continually advised of any hostile movements, and as often conveyed the evil intelligence meditated against his white friends; and it was entirely owing to his authority and kindness that the whites were preserved from destruction.  Such was one of the many instances of peril and alarm with which this family were frequently visited.  Amid such scenes of trial and suffering, it is not unnatural to suppose that a woman, who had been bred among the comforts and luxuries of civilized life, should have a desire to visit her once cheerful home, surrounded as it was by friends and companions, made delightful by former social intercourse.  Still she murmured not, nor did a syllable of regret escape her lips.  Seven long and dreary months had passed and she had not so much as seen the face of a white woman.  It is true, the Indian women showed her no little kindness, but they could not be her companions, they spoke not her language; their conversation was by signs; there could be no kindred sympathy nor congenial spirit.  In December a visit was proposed to their former home,  Major Danforth, with his wife and child, set out on a sled, with an axe-man before to clear the way.  The first night they lodged “on board” at Chittenango.  The next night they were the honored guests of the hospitable Skenandoa, at Oneida Castle; the third night they lodged with their esteemed friend, Judge White, their nearest white neighbor at Sadaquate.  The greeting was a joyful one, old tales were revived, the cheering smile of welcome was heartily extended, their hearts were made glad, their ages were renewed, old things were done away, and all things became new; and none but those who have experienced like privations can appreciate or realize their joy.  After a short stay, they proceeded to Brookfield, Massachusetts, the home of her childhood.  About the middle of March, their visits being completed, they set out for home and arrived after an absence of about three months.  During their absence the male portion of the family had provided for themselves; their household duties had not had the assistance of female hands, nor their wardrobe felt the touches of female dexterity.  It was a time of universal rejoicing; even the savages most heartily welcomed them back.

    The spring of 1789 opened propitiously.  Active preparations were made for the cultivation of spring crops.  Potatoes were brought from Whitestown for seed.  Their own crops were put in; the lands of the Indians were prepared, sowed and planted after the fashion of the whites.  The young men, Tyler and Danforth, Jr., now thought it expedient for them to visit the land of their birth, for they had left behind them attachments of the tenderest kind.  Matrimony was intended, and it would have been most cruel to interpose objections.  They departed in high spirits, and in due time returned with their wives, and Mr. John Brown and family.  In the course of events Mr. And Mrs. Asa Danforth, Jr., became the father and mother of the first white child born in the county, the late Mrs. Amanda Phillips, wife of the late Col. Phillips, of Syracuse, and mother of Mrs. Outwater.  She was born 14th October, 1789.  Prospects became more cheering, these were additions that made society – society happy, cheerful and gay.  The former gloominess of their situation was in a good degree dispelled.  But upon all this was a draw-back.  These pioneers suffered severely for want of a variety of food.  The nearest place at which flour could be obtained was at Herkimer, seventy-five miles distant, no mills as yet having been erected nearer.  The first substitute for a mill, was made by Major Danforth, in a white oak stump, near his house.  It was dug out about three feet deep and two feet in diameter.  Half a bushel could be ground at a time, by means of a huge wooden pestle, worked with a spring pole, in appearance not unlike an old fashioned well-sweep.  After the grain had been pounded awhile, it was the custom to sift the finer particles out, and return the coarser to undergo a further grinding.  Whet was sometimes pounded in this way, but could not be converted into flour: it was used for puddings and coarser cookery, not for bread.  Wheat flour brought from Herkimer was used sparingly, and in cases of sickness.  Not long afterwards, Major Danforth purchased a small hand mill, with which to grind his wheat.  It was not much larger than a good sized coffee mill; the hopper would hold perhaps half a peck; with this they converted some wheat into ordinary flour, but it had all to be sifted.

    About this time Major Danforth, journeying eastward, stopped at a public house on the Herkimer flats.  The landlord’s name was Shoemaker.  A colored man came to him and said, “wont you buy me, massa?”  “What is your name?” “Jack Shoemaker, sir.”  “Do you think you can learn to grind corn in my stump mill, Jack, and grind wheat in my hand mill?”  “O yes, massa, me learn quick—me know how to work in mill now, massa.”  He concluded the bargain with Jack’s master, procured some provisions for him, and sent him on to the Hollow, giving him a letter to carry to his new mistress.  You must go in, Jack, and tell her you belong to massa Danforth, and ask her where is the mill in which you are to grind corn.  Jack made all possible diligence, and in due time arrived at the Hollow.  He stood a long time and looked at the house, doubting whether it could be the right place; every thing answered the description exactly, but there was no building towering up, to Jack’s notions of a mill.  He therefore trudged on eighteen miles further, to the house of Mr. Josiah Buck, then the nearest neighbor west.  He showed the letter to Mrs. Buck, who quickly judged his mistake, kindly kept him till morning, and set him on the road back again, charging him to stop at the house by the creek, which was the right one, and ask his mistress where is master’s mill was; all of which Jack good humoredly performed.  But the reader must judge of the poor fellow’s consternation when told, that the only mill in the country was in that large oak stump, in front of the door, with a huge pestle attached to a sweep.  At that early day many of the ablest inhabitants, held colored persons as slaves, whose duty it was made to pound the corn, a task of no ordinary accomplishment.  Hence the origin of the term “niggering corn”—now obsolete.  Not satisfied with this mode of doing things, Major Danforth’s mind was bent on erecting mills of his own, which he thought would prove a great inducement to people to settle in the country.  Accordingly, in 1792, he went to Utica, employed hands and commenced building a saw-mill.  He had in 1791, became possessed of the lot number eighty-one, township of Manlius, (now De Witt,) moved there temporarily in the spring of ’92, and during that summer, erected the first saw mill in the county, on the Butternut Creek, about a mile north of Jamesville, (now Dunlop’s Mills.)  The workmen brought on foot all the necessary gearing for the mill, and Indians were employed to bring nails from Utica.  The mill was first covered with bark.  Major Danforth brought the saw from Old Fort Schuyler on his shoulder.  No boards were used in the country till they were sawed at this mill.  In 1793, Major Danforth erected his grist mill, near the saw mill.  This work progressed much more expeditiously than the first, for much of the timber, and all other lumber, was readily prepared at the saw mill.  One of the greatest inconveniences was, that there was no road by which to bring on the stones, bolt, and other bulky and heavy articles; however, all obstacles were overcome.  Hands were hired as far off as Utica and Whitestown.  It took over a week to accomplish the raising, which was attended by able bodied representatives from every settlement within twenty-five miles around.  Bark huts were erected for their accommodation, and so great was the anxiety of the scattering inhabitants of the surrounding country, to have these mills completed, that several men labored faithfully many days without pay.  After the raising, the whole number present were formed in line, by the master builder, Mr. Abel Myrick, and mustered sixty-four all told, including Indians.  At the raising of these mills, the old fashioned practice of using strong drink on public occasions, was followed.  The article used at this time, was St. Croix rum; the beverage, whiskey, at that early day, was not known.  The flowing bowl had passed freely, and spirits of all were buoyant.  At the conclusion of the labors of raising, it was resolved to have the sharpness of the liquor modified, by the addition of sweetening.  Molasses and sugar were eagerly inquired for, but neither were to be found, and such was the scarcity of these commodities, that they were most diligently sought for in vain.  Black-strap, sling, toddy, punch and egg-nog, were not to be had in their usual forms.  Nothing daunted, they determined on employing a substitute.  A consultation was held as to what it should be,--the result of their deliberations was, that as neither sugar, molasses or honey, could be procured, Indian meal, being the sweetest known substance in the country, it should be the substitute.  Accordingly the rum was mixed with Indian meal—the improved beverage flowed merrily around—all declared it was the very best the country afforded, as it served a three-fold purpose, viz.:  drink, victuals, and if too freely used, it provided lodgings also.  From this time forward Major Danforth’s reputation became  established as a thorough-going business man, ever ready and willing to embark in all the important improvements of the country, and henceforth became identified with every thing interesting and useful.  The adventures, trials and labors of Major Danforth and family, would of themselves furnish materials for an interesting volume.

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    The name of Nicholas Mickles, is one which deserves to be remembered among the pioneers of Onondaga.  He established himself at the Hollow at an early day, and was distinguished for his public spirit, benevolence and liberality, which tended to promote the best interests of community and the public at large.  He established the Onondaga Furnace, and carried it on till his decease, which occurred at the Hollow, in August, 1827.  During the war of 1812, he was employed by the Government to cast shot and shell for the army and navy.  It was with regard to the Government property at this place, that Mr. Secretary Armstrong committed a most laughable mistake, which was noticed at the time in most of the public prints of the Union.  A large amount of shot and shell was lying at the Onondaga Furnace, which was wanted by the fleet on Lake Ontario.  Secretary Armstrong directed one of the naval commanders than at Oswego, to proceed forthwith with an armed vessel, via. The Oswego River to Onondaga Hollow, and remove the Government property from that place to Oswego.  The obstructions at Oswego Falls were found to be quite too formidable to allow of the execution of the Secretary’s order, and the project was abandoned.  The joke was too good to be kept a secret, and its publication created much merriment at the Hon. Secretary’s expense.

    After the Danforth family, Comfort Tyler and the Brown family, there settled at the Hollow, the Pattersons, Job Tyler, Peter Tenbroeck, General Lewis, Cornelius Longstreet, Peter Young, Joseph Forman, John Adams, George Kibbe, Drs. William and Gurdon Needham, Nicholas Mickles, Wm. H. Sabin, Jasper Hopper, Aaron Bellows, George Hall, Joseph Swan, and others.
In the summer of 1796, John Cantine, assisted by Gideon Seely, under the direction of the Surveyor General, surveyed the Onondaga Reservation, and in the fall of that year, Gideon Seely and Comfort Tyler bid off, at the sales in Albany, twenty-one lots, of two hundred and fifty acres each, at two dollars per acre.  Mr. Seely made the road from Samuel A. Beebe’s to the south line of the town, including a bridge across the west branch of Onondaga Creek.  The first saw mill built in town was by Turner Fenner, on the west branch of Onondaga Creek, in 1793.  General Danforth erected a saw and grist mill, in 1794, on what is now called the Kirk Farm.

    The first town meeting for Onondaga, was held at the house of Asa Danforth, who presided, April, 1798.  Ephraim Webster was chosen Supervisor, and Jabez Webb, Town Clerk; Samuel Searing, Daniel Earll and Sier Curtis, Assessors; and Elisha Alvord, Nehemiah Earll, Jr., and Elijah Lawrence, commissioners of Roads.  At this meeting swine were voted to run at large, provided they were yoked and rung.  The meeting was adjourned to the house of Dr. Allen Beach.

    Annual town meeting for 1799, James Geddes was chosen Supervisor, and Orris Curtis, Town Clerk; John Ellis, Cornelius Schoutens, and Sieur Curtis, Assessors.  Meeting adjourned to the house of William Laird.  Town meeting for April, 1800, Sieur Curtis was chosen Supervisor, and Orris Curtis, Town Clerk.

    George Hall, Esq., opened a law office at Onondaga Hollow, in 1802.  Joshua Forman and William H. Sabin, commenced the practice of law in partnership, 1803.  Medad Curtis was a law student with Thaddeus M. Wood, and Daniel Mosely with Forman and Sabin.  Dr. William Needham located at the Hollow as a physician, in 1793, and his brother, Gurdon Needham, in 1795.  He kept the first school at the Hollow in 1796.  Dr. Bissell practiced medicine a number of years at the Hollow.  Rev. Samuel Kirkland is believed to be the first reformed minister who ever preached in the county of Onondaga.  He frequently officiated at Onondaga Hollow, to the white people and to the Indians.

    It should have been mentioned in another place, that the building of the new church edifice for the Onondagas was greatly aided by a generous donation from “the society for the propagation of the Gospel among the Indians,” of which Hon. Lemuel Shaw, Chief Justice of Massachusetts, is President, and Rev. D. Parkman, of Boston, Secretary.  A representation having been made to them of the need of assistance, the Society promptly voted an appropriation of three hundred dollars toward the completion of the church.  We may add, as an interesting fact in this connection, that an active member of the Executive Committee of the above named Society, is the Rev. Samuel K. Lothrop, of Boston, a grandson of the Rev. Samuel Kirkland.  (See page 242, Vol. I.)

    For more than twelve years Mrs. Danforth was the only communicant in the country. She was afterwards joined by the wife of General Lewis and others.  Rev. Daniel Nash and Davenport Phelps, (Episcopalians,) were the next ministers who officiated here.  Others, of the Presbyterian denomination soon succeeded.  Rev. Messrs. Wallace and Woodruff were missionaries, who occasionally officiated.

    “The First Presbyterian Society” was established on the “hill,” but the people, finding it rather fatiguing to climb up there every Sunday, resolved to have a society and church nearer home.  Accordingly in November, 1809, the “Onondaga Hollow Religious Society” was organized.  John Adams, Aaron Bellows, Nicholas Mickles, Thaddeus M. Wood and Joshua Forman, were chosen Trustees, George Hall and Joseph  Swan, presiding.  Joseph Swan was chosen Secretary, which office he has held to this day, (1849)  Rev. Mr. Davenport officiated at this time.  In February, 1810, the Rev. Dirck C. Lansing was called to the charge of the church, and remained with them as pastor to May, 1814.  He was succeeded in the following order, by Rev. Ebenezer J. Leavenworth, Rev. Samuel T. Mills, Rev. James H. Mills, Rev. Washington Thatcher, Rev. Elijah Buck, Rev. Moses Ingalls, Rev. Abel Cutler, Rev. Mr. Howell, Rev. Geo. H. Hulin, and Rev. Wm. W. Collins.  The church edifice was erected in 1810-11.

    A Post Office was established at Onondaga Hollow in the year 1794, and comfort Tyler appointed Post Master.  This was the first Post Office established in the county.  One however was established at Cayuga, then in Onondaga County, the same year.  George Kibbe was Post Master at the Hollow in 1801; George Hall succeeded him in 1802, and Jasper Hopper in 1803.  So late as 1812, letters were distributed from the Post Office at “Onondaga Valley,” to people living in the towns of Camillus, Pompey, Marcellus, Otisco, Spafford, Lysander and Manlius.

    George Kibbe was the first regular merchant who sold goods in the town of Onondaga, in 1800.
 In 1803, there were but eight frame houses in the Hollow.  In 1809 a frame school house, in good repair; previously a log one had been built and occupied near where Academy now stands.

    Onondaga Academy was incorporated and organized in 1813, and the building erected in 1814.  It was endowed by the State, by the gift of a lot of land, (number nine,) township of Lysander, belonging to the Literature Fund.  It has held its way with other Academies, and many of the distinguished men of our county, owe to it their obligations for the advantage they have received in its halls.  Rev. Caleb Alexander was its first principal.  Although he had been educated for the ministry, he devoted most of his long life to teaching, and may be said to have been the founder of several institutions of learning.  To his exertions and influence, were the public greatly indebted for the establishment of Onondaga Academy, of which he was the Principal for many years.  It was through his influence that Fairfield Academy was established.  He was elected first President of Hamilton College, but declined the appointment.  He was a man of great learning and varied acquirements, and the author of several systems of education, translations, &c., and excelled in conversational powers.  He was a man greatly respected and beloved.  He died at Onondaga Hollow, in April, 1828, aged seventy-two years.

    In 1808, an act was passed authorizing the Governor of the State to deposit five hundred stand of arms at Onondaga, for the defense of the frontier, and such quantities of ammunition and military stores, as in his opinion would be necessary in case of an invasion.  The Governor was also authorized and empowered to provide, at the expense of the State, a suitable place for the keeping of said arms and military stores, in good order, and fit for immediate service, and to appoint keepers of said places of deposit.  Accordingly, in 1812, was built under the direction of the Governor, the Arsenal on the hill east of the Hollow, where for a number of years was a large deposit of arms, &c.  As a military store-house, it has long since been abandoned; it is now fast falling to decay.

    A newspaper was first established at Onondaga Hollow by Thomas Crittenden Fay, in December, 1811, entitled THE LYNX, having for its motto, “Liberty and my native country.”  Published every Wednesday, and delivered to subscribers in the village of Onondaga Valley, at two dollars per annum.  In closing is prospectus, he says, “I shall endeavor to promote the nation’s interest, with the industry of the BEAVER, while I watch its enemies with the eyes of a LYNX.”

    It was in this office (The Lynx) that the subsequent distinguished editor of the Albany evening Journal made his debut in the art of arts.  Mr. Weed, in the short space of about twelve months, became devil, printer, journeyman, editor and proprietor of the memorable Lynx.

    The “Onondaga Register” made its first appearance at Onondaga Hollow, in September, 1814, edited by Lewis H. Redfield, Esq., and was continued to May, 1829, when the Register was transferred to Syracuse, and brought out in a new dress, under the title of “Onondaga Register and Syracuse Gazette.”  It is believed that the first iron press introduced into the county, was by Mr. Redfield, who also introduced the first composition roller, one of the most valuable improvements connected with printing every invented.

    Russell Webb and James S. Castle, published a paper at Onondaga Hollow, in 1832, entitled the "Citizens' Press.”  It was discontinued after a publication of six months.

    The “Onondaga Gazette,” by Evander Morse, was established at Onondaga Hill, in 1816.  Mr. Morse sold the establishment to Cephas S. McConnell, and in August, 1821, title was changed to Onondaga Journal.  McConnell sold out to Vivus W. Smith, in 1826, who continued it till 1829, when he removed to Syracuse and joined Mr. Wyman in the Onondaga Standard.  Since 1829, there has been no paper published on the Hill.

    One of the first settlers at Onondaga West Hill, was William Laird, in 195.  He became the first purchaser of lot number one hundred and fourteen, and kept a log tavern, the first kept on the Hill.  He committed suicide, by hanging, in October, 1802.  Nehemiah Earll, Daniel Earll and Jabez Webb, settled on the Hill in 1796.  Jabez Webb was killed by the fall of a tree, in 1806.  He was the first purchaser from the State of lot one hundred and eighteen.  Simeon and Reuben West, moved to the Hill in 1805-6.  Judge Strong took up his abode on the Hill in 1802.  He kept the first school ever kept on the Hill, from November, 1802, three winter terms of four or five months each, in a log building, which stood near where the old Court House used to stand.  A frame school house was erected near the same place in 1807.  He was a Deputy under High Sheriff Col. Elijah Phillips, four years, and Under Sheriff to Sheriffs Earll and Rust, during their periods of office.  Dr. Salmon Thayer was the first Physician on the Hill in 1800, succeeded by Dr.Stewart.

    The first Agricultural Society formed in the county of Onondaga, was at Onondaga Hill, in the spring of 1819.  The Legislature passed a law during the session of 1818-19, by which a large fund was raised for the benefit of Agricultural Societies throughout the State.  Of this fund Onondaga County became entitled to three hundred dollars, on condition that the county should raise an equal amount, and an Agricultural Society should be organized.  The first meeting was held on the 4th of May, 1819, at which a constitution was adopted, and the following officers chosen, viz.:  Dan Bradley, President, Squire Munro, Martin Cossit, Augustus Wheaton, Vice Presidents; Job Tyler, Recording Secretary; Geo. Hall and A. Yelverton, Corresponding Secretaries; Leonard Bacon, Treasurer; H.L. Granger, Auditor; L. H. Redfield, D.W. Forman, O.W. Brewster, Committee of Publication.  The first Fair was held at Onondaga Hollow, November 2d, 1819; an address delivered by the President, and Premiums amounting to over two hundred dollars, were awarded.

    St. John’s Church, Onondaga Hill, was organized by Rev. Davenport Phelps, 26th November, 1803.  It was succeeded by Zion Church, which was organized in the summer of 1816.  The Clergy have been, Rev. Messrs. Ezekiel G. Gear, Milton Wilcox, Thomas K. Peck, Augustus L. Converse, John McCarty, Geo. L. Hinton, John W. Cloud, SW Beardsley and Marshall Whiting.  Since 1839, only occasional services have been held.

    The “First Presbyterian Society of Onondaga,” was formed on the Hill, at the log tavern, kept by Daniel Earll; present, Joshua Forman, Jasper Hopper, John Ellis, Jonah Ellis, Jonas C. Baldwin, John Adams, and Oliver R. Strong.  Ministers previous to 1806 were Rev. Messrs. Higgins and Hely, Rev. Dirck C. Lansing, was ordained and settled in 1806; Rev. Jabez Chadwick, in 1811; since succeeded by Rev. Messrs. Burback, Prentiss, Bacon and Machin.  Their church edifice was erected in 1819.  A Post Office was established about the year 1800, Nehemiah Earll, Post Master.  Daniel Mosely established himself here as a lawyer in 1809.  Medad Curtis, B.D. Noxon, and several other members of the Bar of Onondaga, resided  here previous to the removal of the Court House to Syracuse.  With the completion of the Erie Canal, and the removal of the public buildings, its prospects were abridged, and it has since rapidly declined.

    Rattlesnakes were every where numerous at the time of the first settlement of the country, and were subjects of continual dread.  It was no uncommon occurrence for these poisonous animals to insinuate themselves into the houses of the early settlers, and coil themselves snugly in the corners of the fire places, and beneath the beds, for the purpose of gathering warmth.  They seldom did harm unless irritated and provoked.

    Among the antiquities of this town may be noted, that on the farm of Mr. Hessy was the remains of an old fort.  When the first settlers came, there were some of the pickets still standing, and the places visible where others had stood.  At the corners were evident marks of a chimney and fire places, and also the ruins of a blacksmith’s shop.  Cinders and a variety of tools belonging to the trade have at times been plowed up.  A portion seemed to have served for a burying ground, as human bones were frequently disinterred by the plow.  A large and excellent anvil was also plowed up.

    Major Danforth once received a letter from an old Frenchman, stating, that not far from his (Danforth’s) house, in the bank of the creek, he would find a complete set of blacksmiths’ tools as ever were used.  Search was made for them but they have never come to light.

    In the year 1798, on the west part of the farm, afterwards occupied by Gilbert Pinckney, could be seen a trench, about ten rods long, three feet deep, and about four feet wide at top, on the border of a steep gulf and parallel with it, apparently a place of defense.  Arrow-heads, spear-points and knives of flint, also stone axes, and other Indian implements, have been found, and several burial places were known to the early settlers.  In the spring of 1815, on the farm of Deacon Joseph Forman, at Onondaga Hollow, an oaken pail was plowed up containing about four quarts of leaden bullets, supposed to have been buried during the Revolutionary war.  There is every appearance of an extensive burying ground on Judge Strong’s premises, indicated by the following circumstances:  in excavating a cellar to his house in 1816, a full grown skeleton of a man was thrown out.  Another was disinterred by a Mr. Carpenter, while digging post holes back of Judge S’s house.  Six other graves were opened, having in them the skeletons of full grown persons.  The bones were in an advance stage of decay.  They were found about a food and a half below the surface, and those thrown out were gathered together and buried.  From appearances this spot must have contained several hundred graves.  Webster informed Judge Strong, that the Indians had a tradition, that in one of their battles with the French in the Hollow, which had been protracted and severe, the French removed their wounded to this spot, and here buried such as did not survive.  On west hill, a mile south of the village was a clearing called the Webster orchard.  Another called the Lewis orchard.  The Youngs farm had a clearing of one hundred and fifty acres.  There were several other  smaller clearings at the Hollow, some of them covered with grass and clumps of wild plumb and cherry trees.  At the Hollow, south of the village, was an Indian burying ground.

    In earlier times, when the great annual councils of the Five Nations, were held at Onondaga, and affairs of this distinguished confederacy were of consequence, after continuing for several days, they were usually closed with great rejoicing and a war dance.  After the breaking up of these councils, the Senecas and Cayugas would set out for their homes early in the morning.  As early as nine o’clock, the open ground from the turnpike to the Court House, would become literally crowded with Indians.  To this place, a large party of the Onondagas invariably accompanied their friends, for the purpose of taking leave.  It is said that on these occasions the adieus were extremely affecting.  An aged chief would grasp the hand of a friend, hold it in his own, for the space of several minutes, without uttering a single syllable, with eyes cast upon the ground, with the most unaffected gravity, and solemnity of countenance, and after a long time, retire silently, as if the bitterest grief pervaded his heart in consequence of the separation.  What was practiced by one was practiced by all.  The whole scene is represented as being truly solemn and affecting.

    Large quantities of horn stone are found imbeded in the slate rock of the Hamilton group, in the south part of the town of Onondaga, along the road to Otisco from South Hollow.—Along the banks of the Onondaga Creek are found a number of sulfur springs.  In the town are numerous hopper-formed depressions, in shape like a potash kettle, from two to four rods across at top, and from ten to forty feet deep.  These are on the south part of Mr. Thomas Dorwin’s farm.

    There are abundance of petrifactions in this town, north towards the town of Camillus, and along the Onondaga valley, and several deposits of calcareous Tufa.

    In the West Hill, is forming, at the present time quite perceptible, large bodies of conglomerate rock.
Split Rock quarry, furnishes and inexhaustable material for building purposes, commencing near Mickles’ furnace, running westerly into the town of Camillus.

    Onondaga South Hollow is a small village on the west branch of the Onondaga Creek, with two meeting houses, two grist-mills, saw-mills, clothing-works, post-office &c.  Some of the first settlers in this quarter, previous to 1800, were Gideon Seely, Phineas Sparks, Ebenezer Conklin, Turner Fenner, Gilbert Pinckney and Amasa Chapman; from 1800 to 1804, Obadiah Nichols, John Clark, Henry Frost, John Carpenter, Zebulon Rust, Joseph Warner, Oliver Cummings, Daniel Chaffee, Isaac Parmenter and others.
Near this village is a singular elevation of land, about two hundred feet above the creek.  The sides are steep except on the west, and not easily accessible.  On the top is a beautiful plateau, perfectly plain and level, containing about one hundred and fifty acres of excellent land, under a high state of cultivation.  There are other similar elevations in this branch of the Onondaga valley, but none so deserving of notice as this.

    Navarino is a small village, west of South Hollow, on very high ground.  It has a church, post-office, &C.

    Statistics of Onondaga, taken from the census of 1845:  Number of inhabitants, 5142.  441 subject to military duty, 1050 voters, 152 aliens, 79 paupers, (poor-house and all,) 1324 children attending common schools, 30898 acres of improved land, 5 grist-mills, 8 saw-mills, 1 fulling-mill, 1 carding-machine, 1 woolen-factory, 1 iron-foundery, 2 asheries, 1 Tannery, 2 Baptist churches, 1 Episcopal do., 1 Presbyterian do., 1 Congregational do., 5 Methodist do., 34 common schools, 8 taverns, 8 stores, 2 groceries, 609 farmers, 8 merchants, 4 manufacturers, 129 mechanics, 11 clergy men, 7 physicians and 2 attorneys.