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Tous las autres exemplaires originaux sont filmAs en commenpant par ia premiAre page qui compcrte une empreinte d'impreasion ou d'illustration et en terminant par la derniAre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivcnts apparaftra sur la dernlAre image de cheque microfiche, selon la cas: la symbols -^ signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbols ▼ signifie "FIN". Les cartas, planches, tableaux, etc.. peuvent Atre filmte A des taux de reduction diff Arents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, 11 eat filmA A partir de i'angle aupAriaur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut an bas, en prenant la nombre d'images nAcessaire. Les diagramiries suivants illustrent la mAthoda. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 E. CONI i( PIONEERS OV THE EASTERN TOWNSHIPS: A WORK CONTAINIPiO OFri€UL AMD RELIABLE IKFORHATMN BXSFBCnnGi TBB #. FORMATION OF SETTLEMENTS; WITH INCIDENTS IN THEIR E^RLY HISTORY ; AKD IPrtatls of ^oftitnrrs, frrils atiti |)r(itirrinic». BY MRS. C. M. DAY. fonfreal : PRINTED BY JOHN LOVELL, ST. NICHOLAS STP-EBIT 1863. Entered, according to the Act of the Provincial Parliament, in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, by Mrs. C. M. Day, in the Office of the Registrar of the Pro- Tince of Canada. -^ r PEEK A CE. For the information of many who may read these pages, and especially for a better understanding of the subject to which the book relates, by those whose knowledge is limited in regard to this matter, — as very many are but partially acquainted with the course necessary to be pursued in the days of our forefathers, in " taking up land " as it was termed, — the writer has devoted an introductory chapter to copies of original manuscripts relating to this, which documents (or copies of which) have fallen in her way. Such parts are given as it was thought would be of general or special interest, those paragraphs which contain merely formal repeti- tions having been invariably omitted. The first given of the documents referred to, is the '* Warrant of Survey for the township of Stukely,'" then the Return to that Warrant by the Surveyor- General, to which is added the " Certificate of the Surveyor-General of Woods." Then follows a copy of the " Charter of the township of Shefford," and finally a document in reference to the arrangement between Agent and Associate, which will fully explain itself. •^ )V prp:face. I I It has been made an object to lay before the reader only such information as is reliable, it having been drawn from Official sources, or received from parties fully competent to give it ; themselves having, in most cases, been active co-operators in promoting the settle- ment of those parts of our Country , to which this work more particularly relates. It may be proper to say that the papers relative to the two Townships of Shef- ford and Stukely, have been taken in preference to those concerning other parts, merely because the writer had more ready access to them ; and, farther, that though the course herein described may have had exceptions, it was generally nearly uniform throughout that section of Canada known as the *' Eastern Town- ships." '% We now proceed to notice the preliminary steps to be taken in order to obtain the desired Grant. First. It was necessary for the individual, who was to act as Agent for the Apsociates, to obtain a recommend as to his being a responsible person, when a petition was to be prepared in which the various, peculiar and urgent claims of the petitioner were brought forward, which reasons almost invariably related to grievances, embarrassments and losses suffered in consequence of the then late American rebellion; and redress was asked in the manner set forth in the petition. Then follows a description of the size and location of the Tract asked for by the petitioner and his Associates; all ending in the usual form : " Which petition wa« PREFACE. referred by Ilifl Excellency to the Land Committee for consideration." The number of Associates required for a townwhip ten miles square, was forty, all of whom, with the Agent, were to take the oath of allegiance before they were accepted, and their names entered in the Letters Patent ; each Associate being obliged to make " actual settlement." Tlie Agent was to bear all the expenses incurred in the survey of the township ; to open a road through, and erect, or cause to be erected, mills within the town- ship ; which conditions were to be fulfilled within a given term of time before the granting of the Letters Patent. Five-sevenths of the township were to be given to the Agent and Associates ; of the other two-sevenths, one half was for the disposition of the Crown, the other half for Protestant Clergy ; which lands were known as Crown and Clergy reserves. The power to grant Warrants of Survey and make conditions, rested with the Governor and Council, who, for the convenience of parties interested, appointed a board of Commissioners who were located at Missisquoi Bay, whose duty it was to administer the o^t^h of alle- giance to Agent and Associate, as well as to attend to the various details of the business that came within the defined limits of their deputed authority. The arrangements between Agent and Associate, which in some cases have been prolific of contention VI PREFACE. I and litigation, wore personal and private agroemonte ; the course usually pursued being to secure by proviouB contract, that of the land thus drawn by the Associate, he should deed back to the Agent all received over and above the number of acres stipulated for. Tw<) hundred was the usual number fixed upon, and in these cases the Associate had the privilege of choice from among the lots originally falhng to him, on which to make " actual settlement ; " yet exceptions to thin prac- tice were frequent, especially if the Associate had sons who were considered desirable acquisitions to the com- munity forming, and extra inducements were thought necessary, when a larger proportion was offered. This matter admitted of great latitude At the expiration of the term of time, the parties went again before the board of commissioners to represent how matters stood in relation to the fulfilment of the conditions stipulated, and get a statement from that body to send the " Governor and Council in Parlia- ment assembled." In few if any instances were the conditions fulfilled to the letter ; but in cases of partial failure, com- promises were effected owing to the extreme leniency of the Government, and as the contracts were in part fulfilled they were considered good thus far, and a proportional part of the land granted them, the remainder still remaining the property of Government. The prosecution of this business was attended with serious delays and great expense, as intricate and PREFACE. VU Texatious questions were often raised to tlie no small annoyance of parties interested. The vai'ious items of expense involved in opening channels of communi- cation with the cities, and the necessary surveyings, cxplorings, making roads, bridges, kc, were almost constant calls upon the time and means of the Agent ; for which he was not too well repaid by the land which reverted to him, considering that it was in many cases far from being available for sale or cultivation. In this way fortunes were laid out without prospect of immediate, if of final, returns. A statement, with which the writer has met, giving these items of ex- pense in the case of a single township, is a curiosity of itself, and effectuality did away with any impression that these arrangements might have been a source of extensive profit to the Agent ; the direct reverse being known and acknowledged to have been the case. Whether this was the wisest method that could have been devised of apportioning land and effecting the settlement of the country, may well admit of serious doubt ; the arrangements that were often entered into between agents and associates respecting the transfer of lands, admitting of so many and great abuses as seemed to open widely a door for the entrance of in- trigue and corruption. That something was lacking in the system we must believe ; proof abundant being at hand even in our day, in the numerous cases of litigation which threaten serious losses to individuals. We hear of such that Tin PREFACE. It have been referred to Govemment for decision, where it is to bo hoped they will find a satisfactory settle- ment. Probably these abuses of the system then in use, were a prominent cause of the serious disagreements that occurred between His Excellency Governor Pres- cott and the Council ; differences that ultimately led to his return to England, accompanied by his secretary, Samuel Gale, Esq. One principal object of the book, however, is to bring to a more lively remembrance the hardships and privations suffered by the early settlers of these town- ships. It is but a tribute of justice, we, their descen- dants, who have as it were entered into their labors and are enjoying its fruits, owe to those who bore " the burden and heat of the day," in pioneering the way to our comfort and respectability. We cannot feel too grateful for the self-sacrificing efforts they made for their children, or too much admire the strength of character necessary to caiTy such a work to a success- ful completion : yet we do not — we never can know all of the labor and self-denial necessary to be done and borne in the formation of a home in the wilderness. Of the different motives that may have influenced our forefathers in this work, and induced them to forego the comforts of home in a community of friends, to enter on the arduous labors and perilous adventures incident to the settlement of a country like this ; whether they were prompted by a spirit of restless 1 - I r PREFACE. \l enterprise, ambition or hope of gain, it is not our business to judge. We know that they tlid seek their habitations liere ; that in many instances tenderly roared and delicate women, with young and rising families of children, accompanied their husbands, fathers, and brothers, to these wild homes ; that if not taking active part in the exciting perils and adventures of their dear ones, their sympathies and anxieties were not only taxed to the utmost, but the work of their hands in those departments of domestic industry in which their services could be made available, was brought into constant requisition ; all home privations ware equally and cheerfully borne by them as they were alike active helpers or passive sufferers. We, their cliildren and grand-cliildren, living in the daily enjoyment of what, though seemingly necessary to us, were luxuries to them, are quite too ready to forget the price at which our comforts were bought. South Stukely, C. E., July 2, 1862. a2 INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. " Warrant and Return of Sttrvey for t?ie Tmonship ofStukely.'^ Referred to a committee of the whole Council, by order of his Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, — May 20th, 1800. (Signed,) H. W. RYLAND. His Excellency Robert Shore Milnes, Esquire, Lieutenant- Governor of the Province of Lower Canada, &c., &c. To the Surveyor- General qf the Province (^ Lower Canada, OREETINQ: Whereas, Samuel Willard, of the county of Bedford, in the Provmce of Lower Canada, gentleman, in behalf of himself and associates, by his petition, bearing date the 29th day of June, in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-seven, to His Excellency Robert Prescott, Esquire, Governor of the said Province, hath humbly requested that a certain tract or portion of the waste lands of the Crown, in the said petition described as follows, that is to say : A Townsliip of ten miles square, bounded on the east by the townsliip of Orford, on the west by the township of Sheiford, on the north by the township of Ely, and on the south by the township of Bolton, may be 12 PIONEERS OP THE granted to him and his associates forever in free and common soccage.* And whereas, the Executive Council of the said Province, having duly and maturely considered the said petition, have thereof in part approved, and have adjudged to be reasonable and advisable that one moiety of the said tract or portion of land so situated, as aforesaid, should be granted unto the said Samuel Willard and his associates, and his, and their heirs and assigns forever, upon the terms and conditions prescribed by His Majesty's Royal instructions in this behalf. Now, therefore, having taken the premises into con- sideration, by this Warrant of Survey I do empower and require you, at the proper costs and charges of the said Samuel Willard and his associates, to make a faithful and exact survey of the said tract or parcel of land, described as above set forth in the petition of the said Samuel Willard, to be hereafter known and dis- tinguished by the name of the township of Stukely, and to subdivide the said township into lots of two hundred acres each. * Soccage, in English law, a tenure of lands and tenements by « certrJn or determinate service ; a tenure distinct from chiyalrj or knight's service, in which the render was uncertain. The service must be certain in order to be denominated soccage; as to hold by fealty and twenty shillings rent. Soccage is of two Icinds : free soccage, where the services are not only certain but honorable; and, villein soccagej where the services, though certain, are of a baser na.tvLTe.^~Bla€kst(me. EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 18 hd ..0^' And in the execution of this Warrant, I do require and command you to lay out the said township of Stukely conformably to His Majesty's Royal instruc- tions in this behalf, that is to say, of the dimensions of ten miles square, as nearly as circumstances shall admit, provided the said township of Stukely be not intersected, nor be situate by or upon any navigable river or water ; and of the dimensions of nine miles in front by twelve miles in depth, if the said township be intersected or be situate by or upon any navigable river or water. Provided also, always, that in the case last mentioned the length of the said township of Stukely shall not extend along the banks of any such navigable river or water. And I do further command you, in the subdivision of the said township, to make and reserve a proportionable allotment and appropriation of lands within the same for the maintenance and support of the protestant clergy within the said province, and for the future disposition of His Majesty ; that is to say, of one- seventh part of the said township of Stukely for the maintenance and support of the protestant clergy within the said province, and of one-seventh part of the said township of Stukely for the future disposition of Ilis Majesty ; and to allot and appropriate, as nearly as circumstances and the nature of the case will admit, lapds of the Uke quality as the lands in respect of which the same shall be so allotted and appropriated ; 14 PIONEERS OF THE and to have a duo regard at the same time to the quality and comparative value of the different parts of land comprised mthin the said township of Stukely, so that each grantee may have, as nearly as may be, a proportionable quantity of lands of such different quality and comparative value as aforesaid. And I do also require and command you in such subdivision of the said township of Stukely, to lay out the said lots so that the breadth of each lot may be one-third of the length thereof, and that the length of such lot may not extend along the bank of any river, but into the mainland ; so that thereby the grantees of the said township may have each a convenient share of what accommodation the said river affords for naviga- tion or otherwise; and what you shall do in the premises, by virtue of these presents, I do hereby require and command you to certify and report to me or to the person administering the Government within the said Province, within six months from the date hereof ; returning this Warrant of Survey with a plot or description of the said township of Stukely thereunto annexed, specifying the outlines of the said township of Stukely, and the several lots into which tlie same shall be by you subdivided, distinguished by numbers, together with the several allotments and appropriations of land within the said township of Stukely, which you shall make for the maintenance and support of the protestant clergy within this province, and for the future disposition of His Majesty EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 15 as above required and commanded, conformably to the diagram D' or E respectively, as the case may be, which diagrams are now of record in your office. And by your said return I do further require and command you to report whether there are any and what quantity of lands contained within the said township of Stukely, fit for the production of hemp and flax, or cither of them. Provided always, and I do hereby direct you, the said Surveyor-General, not to certify any plot or de- scription of the said township of Stukely, until it shall appear unto you, by a certificate under the hand of the Surveyor-General of Woods for the said province of Lower Canada, or his deputy lawfully appointed, that the lands comprised within the said township of Stukely are not part of, or included in, any district marked out by the said Surveyor-General of Woods, or his deputy lawfully appointed, as a reservation for the growth of masting or other timber fit for the use of the Royal Navy : and if, upon the survey so by you to be made of the said township of Stukely, the said township of Stukely shall be found to include any lands returned under any former Warrant, for the purpose of avoid- ing all double grants of the same lands in your said repori and return to be made on this Warrant to specify the same aiid the quantity thereof, for all which thio shall be your sufficient authority — and herein fail not. Given under my hand and seal at the castle of St. 16 PIONEERS OF THE Lewis, in the city of Quebec, in the said Province of Canada, the 20th day of May, in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred, and in the fortieth year of His Majesty's reign. (Signed,) ROBERT S. MILNES. By His Excellency's command. (Signed,) Herman W. Ryland. Return to His Excellencies Warrant of Sui^ey of the t^/umsMp of StuJcely. To His Excellency, Robert Shore Milnes, Esquire, Lieutenant- Governor of the Province of Lower Canada, &c., &c., Sec. Return on your Excellency's Warrant of Survey hereunto annexed, bearing date the 20th day of May, 1800, ordering the township of Stukely to be surveyed and subdivided into farm lots. Pursuant to the said annexed Warrant, I have set off and caused to be actually surveyed, marked, mea- sured, and bounded in the field, all that certain tract or parcel of land hereinafter described, to be forever hereafter called and known by the name of the town- ship of Stukely : that is to say, bounded on the nortih by the tract commonly called the township of Ely, on the south by the township of Bolton, on the east by the tract commonly called the township of Orford, and on the west by the tract commonly called the township of Shefford. EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. IT Js. Beginning at a post erected for the north-westerlj and south-westerly coinciding comers of the said town- ships of Bolton and Stukely, and running thence along the division line between the aforesaid township of Stukely and the said tract commonly called the town- ship of ShefFord, north eight degrees and thirty minutes east by the needle, five hundred and eighty-five chains and forty-four links : thence along the continuation of the said division line, north fifteen degrees east by the needle, one hundred and ninety-eight chains and thirty- six links, to the north-westerly and north-easterly boundary of the coinciding corners of the township of Stukely aforesaid, and the aforesaid tract commonly called the township of Shefford : thence along the divi- sion line between the township of Stukely aforemen- tioned, and the tract commonly called the township of Ely ; south seventy-eight degrees east oj the needle, eight hundred and nine chains and sixty links to the boundary of the north-easterly coinciding corners of the aforementioned township of Stukely, and the sAid tract commonly called the township of Orford : tn jnce along the division line of the oftenmentioned township of Stukely and the aforesaid tract commonly called the township of Orford, south eleven degrees west by the needle, seven hundred and seventy chains and eighty links, where this line intersects the northerly bounds of the township of Bolton aforesaid: thence north seventy-nine degrees west by the needle, eight hundred and three chains and sixty links to the place of begin- % f 18 P10NEKR6 OF THE l> '« ning ; containing sixty-two thousand nine hundred and fourteen 8upei*ficial acres. And pursuant to the said annexed Warrant, I have divided the said township of Stukely into eleven rows or ranges, numbered from the south towards the north, from number one to number eleven inclusive ; the ten first ranges only whereof are of equal dimensions, the eleventh being of a lesser depth ; each of which said rows or ranges I have subdivided into eight-and-twenty lots numbered from the west towards the east, from number one to number twenty-eight inclusive ; twenty- seven lots whereof in each of the above said ten ranges are of equal front and depth ; but the lot number one in each range is of unequal dimensions conformably to the diagram hereunto annexed, maldng in the whole three hundred and eight lots, of which two hundred and seventy are twenty-eight chains and seventy links in front, by seventy-three chains and eighteen links in depth, containing two hundred acres in superficies and the usual allowance for highways ; but the remaining thirty-eight lots are of unequal dimensions. And in pursuance of the said annexed Warrant, I have set oflf and caused to be actually surveyed, marked, measured, and bounded in the field, for the mainten- ance and support of the protestant clergy within this Province, for the future disposition of His Majesty, and for Samuel Willard and his associates ; that is to say, — first, " For the maintenance and support of the protestant clergy within this Province, the lots, nuia- EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 19 dred and ty I have ^en rows le north, the ten ons, the ich said -twenty 3t, from fcwentj^- ranges )er one ably to whole mdred y links inks in 38 and lining int, I rked, nten- this 38ty, is to the lun- hen '* (Here are given the numbers of lots in their different ranges, which constituted the clergy reserves for tbo township of Stukley ;) making in all, twenty- two lots, containing together, four thousand four hun- dred acres of land, and the usual allowance for high- ways, and forming, as nearly as circumstances and the nature of the case will admit, the one seventh part of the moiety of the aforesaid township of Stukely, as above described, and by your Excellenc}' s afore- said annexed Warrant of Survey, ordced to be res- pectively reserved and granted. Secondly. — " For the future disposition of His Ma- jesty, the lots, numbers'* (Here are given a corres- ponding number of lots with their ranges, constituting the Crown lands within the township of Stukely;) making in all twenty lots, containing together four thousand acres of land, and the usual allowance for highways ; and forming, as nearly as circumstances and the nature of the case will admit, the one seventh "part of the moiety of the township of Stukely afore- said, as above described, and by your Excellency's aforementioned annexed Warrant, ordered to be res- pectively reserved and granted. Andy thirdly. — " For Samuel Willard and his Asso- ciates, the lots, numbers" (And here follow the numbers of lots in then- respective ranges, falling to Agent and Associate ;) makuig in all one hundred and ten lots, contaming together twenty-two thousand a the one fcellency's ►c granted. s included >n for the the use of certificate^ ►r-General ay, 1800. «Tiship of any parts and flax, nitted. township 'ntained Samuel Lower ship of )rford, [•vation for the growth of masting, or other timber fit for the use of Ilia Majesty's Royal Navy, or haa any timber up'jn it fit for naval use. Given under my hand at Quebec, this 2l8t day of May, 1800. (Signed,) JOHN COFFIN, Surveyor- General of Woods. To Samuel Holland, Esquire, \ Surveyor-General of Lands. S PROYINCB or LOWKR CANADA ) Copy of the Charief of the township of . I Shefford. ROBERT SHORE MILNES, Lieutenant-Governor. GEORGE THE THIRD, by the Grace of GOD, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, KING, Defender of the faith, and so forth, to all to whom these presents shall come, or may in any wise concern, Greeting : Whereas, in obedience to Our Royal Instructions in this behalf, and by virtue of a certain Warrant of Survey to him for that purpose directed, under the Hand and Seal of Our Trusty and Well-beloved Robert Shore Milnes, Esquire, Our Lieutenant- Governor of Our Province of Lower Canada, bearing date at Our Castle of St. Lewis, in Our City of Quebec, in Our Province of Lower Canada, the seventeenth day of July now last past : Samuel Hol- land, Esquire, Our Surveyor-General of and for Our said Province, hath made a faithful and exact survey Ill PIONEERB OF TUE of a certain tract of Our waste land, situate", lying and beiT>g hi our district of Montreal, in Our said Province ; bounded on the north by a tract of Our waste hinds commonly called the township of Roxton, on the souUi by the township of Brome, on the east by the township of Stukely, and on the west by a tract of Our waste lands commonly called the township of Granby, bogiu- ning at a post heretofore erected for the north-westerly angle of the township of Brome, coinciding at the said post with the south-westerly angle of the aforesaid tract of Our waste lands, whereof a survey hath so, &» aforesaid, been made ; and running thence north ten degrees east by the needle, eight hundred and five chains to a post heretofore erected for the north-wes- terly angle of the aforesaid tract of Our waste lands whereof a survey hath so, as aforesaid, bton made, coinciding with the north-easterly angle of the afore- said tract of Our waste lands, commonly called the township of G ranby ; thence south eighty degrees east by the needle, eight hundred and three chains and fifty-five links to a post heretofore erected for the north-easterly angle of the aforesaid tract of Our waste lands, whereof a survey hath so, as aforesaid, been made, coinciding with the south-westerly angle of the aforesaid tract of Our waste lands, c^monly called the township of Roxton ; thence south ten degrees west by the needle, eight hundred and five chains to a post heretofore erected for the south-easterly comer of the aforesaid tract of Our waste lands, whereof a survey ^\ KASTKRN TOWNSHIPS. 23 g ancf Province ," istc lands the soutlr towuHliip •ur waste 7) begin- -westerly ' the said Eiforesaid ith so, as lorth ten Eind five •rth-wos- e lands 1 made, e afore- ed the les east ns and or the • waste been of the called J west post >fthe irvej / ■i hath 80, as aforesaid, been made, coinciding with the 80uth-we8terly corner of the township of Stukely ; and thence north eighty degrees west by the needle, eight hundred and three chains and fifty-five links to the phce of beginning ; containing sixty-four thousand aix hundred acres of land in superficies : Now, THEREFORE, KNOW YE, That we,of Our especial Grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, have created, erected, and constituted, and, by these presents do create, erect and constitute, the tract of land above mentioned, so, as aforesaid, surveyed by Our said Surveyor-General, by virtue of the aforesaid Warrant of Survey, and hereinbefore particularly described^ and every part and parcel thereof, a township, forever hereafter to be, continue, and remain a township, and hy the name of Shefford forever hereafter to be called, known and distinguished : And WHEREAS, Our Well-beloved John Savage of Caldwell Manor, in Our said Province of Lower Canada, Gentleman, for himself and his several associates hereinafter named, by his petition bearing date the tliirty-first day of July, in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-two, hath humbly I'oquested us to grant unto him and his associates hereinafter nam<^, and unto his and their heirs and assigns forever, in free and common soccage, the aforesaid township of Shefibrd : And WHEREAS, our said Trusty and Well-bebved Robert Shore Milnes, Esquire, Our Lieutenant-Gover- 24 PIONEERS OF THE M nor of Our said Province, and Our Executive Council of Our said Province, having duly and maturely considered the said petition, have thereof in part approved, and aave adjudged it to be reasonable and advisable that we should grant a certain proportion of the said township of Sheflfbrd unto the said John Savage and his associates hereinafter named, and unto his and their heirs and assigns forever, in free and common soccage, upon the terms and condi- tions, and subject to the provisions, limitations, restric- tions and reservations prescribed by the statute in auch case made and provided, and by Our Royal Instruc- tions in this behalf: And whereas, in obedience to our said Royal Instructions, and by virtue of the aforesaid Warrant of Survey to him for this purpose also directed, our said Surveyor-General hath surveyed and divided the said township of Shefford into eleven ranges of lots numbered from the south toward the north, from num- ber one to number eleven inclusive, of the depth of seventy-three chains and eighteen links each, and the said eleven ranges respectively hath subdivided into twenty-eight lots of equal dimensions, numbered from the west toward the east, from number one to number twenty-eight inclusive ; making, in all, three hundred and eighty lots, each lot being of the breadth of twenty- eight chains and seventy links, and of the depth of seventy-three chains and eighteen links, and contain- ing two hundred acres of land and the usual allowance for highways : EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 25 tive Council id maturely eof in part -sonable and )roportion of Baid John named, and )ver, in free and condi- ions, restric- (tute in auch 7al Instruc- said Royal aid Warrant lirected, our divided the Qges of lots I, from num- be depth of By His Excellency's command, Geo. Pownal, Secretary. Whereas, John Savage, of the county of , in the Province of Lower Canada, Gentleman, hath, at great expense and trouble, obtained a Warrant of Survey for himself and his associates, for a tract of land or township in the Province of Lower Canada, now known by the name of Shefford, and is further subjected to the payment of considerable sums, for allotting said township, and for official fees in order to obtain a Patent thereof, the burthen and expense of which he hath taken upon himself : And Whereas, the said John Savage hath, of his own free will, chosen and named me, , for one of the associates in the Patent of the said township, or described tract, for the express purpose of re-con- veying a part of the same to him, agreeable to my c 88 PIONEERS OF THE contract to reimburse him for his said expenditures, and as a remuneration for his trouble : And Whereas, for the said purpose of indemnifying the said John Savage as well for the heavy expenses •which he hath incurred, as aforesaid, as for his trouble and other charges attending the said business ; and to carry into effect the true intent and meaning of my bargain with him ; as also for other considerations me thereunto moving, thai on having my name inserted as a tenant in common, in the Patent for the said tract of land or township now known by the name of Shefford or by whatever other name the above described tract of land or township may be hereafter known or called, I or they shall and will nnmediately, and without delay, and in due form of law, agreeably to the laws of the Province of Lower Canada, execute a sufficient Deed of Conveyance to the said John Savage, his heirs or assigns, or to such person or persons as he may order or appoint to receive such Deed of all the right or share to which I may or shall be entitled in the said tract of land or township, by virtue of my being so introduced as an xissociate, and of my name being inserted in the Patent thereof, to the same in fee sim- ple, to him or them, and to his or their heirs and assigns, forever, except two hundred acres which it was agreed by the said John Savage and m , that I should hold, improve and possess : And Whereas I, the said ,dd thereby EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 89 freely acknowledge and declare that though in virtue of my being introduced as an Associate, I may obtain a grant of one full share as a tenant in common in the Patent of the afore described tract of land or township now known by the name of Shefford, yet, in considera- tion of the premises, the true intent and meanir.g is, and it is so agreed and covenanted by and between the said John Savage and me, that I shall not possess in ray own right more than two hundred acres therein ; but that I shall reconvey the remaining part of my said right or share to him, the said John Savage, his heirs or assigns : Now Know all Men, that for the purpose of carrying into full effect the true intent and meaning of my agree- ment as covenanted in my said herein recited act or deed, I have, by these presents, irrevocably made, ordained and constituted, and hereby do irrevocably make, ordain and constitute, and in my place and stead put and depute my trusty loving friends for me and in my name as soon after the signing and ensealing of the said Letters Patent for the said town- ship of Shefford, or of any part thereof, as conveniently as may be, to cede, assign, convey, transfer, alien and confirm to the said John Savage, his heirs or assigns, or to such person or persons as he may order or appoint to receive such deed of all the right or share to which I may or shall be entitled in the said tract of land or township, by virtue of my being so introduced as an 40 PIONEERS OF THE f L- ( Pi' m :t lit'' 't. Associate, and of my name being inserted in the Letters Patent thereof, in fee simple, to him or them, and to his or their heirs and assigns, forever, with all my estate, right, title, interest, claim and demand whatso- ever, in and unto the said premises and every part and parcel thereof, except two hundred acres,* which it is covenanted and agreed between the said John Savage and me, that I should hold, improve and possess, subject to certain conditions, as in the said agreement stipulated: as also for me, and in my name, place and stead, and as my proper act and deed to execute, seal, and deliver such conveyances and assurances of the said premises as shall be requisite in that behalf ; and, generally, all and every other act and acts, thing and things, device and devices in the law what^ soever, needful and necessary to be done in and about the premises for me, and in my name to do, execute and perform, as fully, largely and amply, to all intents and purposes, as I, myself, might or could do if I was personally present, or as if the matter required more special authority than is herein given: ratify- ing, allowing and holding for firm and effectual all and whatsoever my said Attorneys shall lawfully do in and about the premises by virtue thereof. 1 »i»J • It was by no means unusual to specify a greater number of acres. I EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 41 In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal at , this day of , in the year of His Majesty's Reign, and in the year of our Lord one thousand Signed, Sealed and delivered in the presence of 42 PIONEERS OF THE CHAPTER II. I nil w \ Isaac Lawrence, a person of some means and influ- ence, settled in Canaan, Connecticut, at an early period in the history of that colony. He had come from Groton in the older cti; ' ^-f Massachusetts, at which time his household goo(c vere first landed under a pine tree in the wilderness of Canaan. As the place was rapidly settled, he in time came to occupy situa- tions of trust and responsibility in the community ; and from being one of the founders of the place, was iden- tified with all its material and social interests. That he was a person of eccentric habits and pecu- liar tastes, we may infer not only from traditionary anecdotes among his posterity, but from relics that have survived the ravages of time and change ; among which we may be allowed to mention a set of solid silver buttons of octagonal form, on which were en- graved '' Isaac Lawrence, 1759." lie likewise had the same engraved on the stone steps at the front door of his house in Canaan. The homestead is still in pos- session of the family descendants, by whom the inscrip- tion was carefully renewed a short time since. As illustrative of his geniality of humor and kindness of heart, it is related of him that soon after the surren- % U EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 43 dor of General Burgoyne, while a number of prisoners apparently weary as well as humiliated were being taken by their guard through the place, Mr. Lawrence, who was standing in the door of his house, in a voice that arrested immediate attention, called out, " John ! " when the whole company looked up as if to ask what was meant. Without knowing one of them by name, but acting from the kindly impulse of the moment as he thought of the men hungry as well as weary, and that there might be a *' John" among so many, he had thus drawn their attention, when by leave of their guardthey were allowed to rest and refresh themselves with the best the house afforded, which was thus freely offered by its owner ; after which the men went on their way. Isaac Lawrence, junior, was born in this house at Canaan, Connecticut, March r)th, 1737, and on the 18th of March, 1700, married Mary, daughter of Dea- con Brown of Stockbridge, Mass., by whom he had six sons and five daughters. Further account of Mrs. Mary Lawrence, especially in the relations of wife and mother, in which characters she excelled, will be found m other parts of this work. Before the revolution and while yet their elder chil- dren were young. Mr. Lawrence, junior, was induced to try his fortunes farther north, and removed his family to Hinesburg near Burlington, Vt., at which latter place but a mere commencement had been made ; but, in consequence of the breaking out of the wai*, and the 44 PIONEERS OF THE threatened incursions and depredations of the Indians, the family were driven back in baste to the shelter of their home in Connecticut, by which they suffered the loss of nearly all their worldly substance. Knowing well the difficulty of transportation, and purposing to return at some future period, they buried such articles of domestic use as they thought would keep in the ground, consisting of hardware, crockery, &c. ; when, after peace was ratified and tranquillity restored to the impoverished country, they returned, and found not only that their house had been burnt to the ground, but that the articles they had buried and expected to find safe, had been discovered and stolen away ; * and to add to their dismay and utter discouragement, the title to three hundred acres of land, which had been bought and paid for, proved worthless ; the person of whom the purchase had been made, was dead, so that there was no redress. He, however, re-purchased one hundred acres of the same land, on which he erected buildings, and made such other improvements as he was able ; but the wants 1 * Some of the articles thus lo^t were afterwards found in the possession of an individual near St. Albans, Vt. Information to that effect reached Mr. Lawrence through a person who, while in that vicinity, had beard of certain articles having been found in Hinesburg ; when^ armed with authority in the shape of a war- rant, Mr. L. went to the place, and searched the suspected pre- mises, where he found several articles which he could identify, and at the same time claimed and received compensation for others which were lost. EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 4A of a large and growing family were pressing, and, in connection with their heavy losses, caused serious embarrassment. For one whole year after their return to Hinesburg, theirs was the only family in the town ; their nearest neighbours on the one hand being at Burlington, ten miles, and on the other hand at Monkton, seven miles distant. After an ineftectual struggle of eleven years to rise above the depressing influences that seemed combined against them, Mr. Lawrence gave up thought of remaining there, and, at this juncture, having heard from a reliable source of the generous offers the British Government was making to encourage the permanent settlement of Canada, he was induced to try his fortunes there, it seeming to him as an opening of Providence in behalf of his rising family of sons. For the purpose of availing himself of the advantages offered, he visited the country in 1793, when he made choice of a location in Sheflford, to which place he removed his family the following winter. Several of the elder children, includ- ing two daughters, were married and settled ; so that at this time only the four younger children, a daughter and three sons, were remaining at home, though all the sons subsequently followed their father to Canada. As has already been said, Mr. Lawrence's worldly interests had been materially injured by the failure of his first attempt at establishing a home in the wilds of Vermont, so that when this later enterprise was undertaken his means were quite limited. He took c2 46 PIONEERS OF THE i ; \ 1 ■ Hi with him a yoke of oxen, two cows, a hofse, pfopei* farming utensils, their household goods, and the means of subsistence for a year, with sufficient money for travelling purposes. The family came on in the win- ter of 1794, in a sleigh drawn by hired horses ; but as there were as yet few dwellings on their route of travel, they were obliged to pass one night camped (Indian hunter style,) in the woods, between Conroy's Mills (since called Slab City or Frelighsburgh) and West Sheflford, then the residence of Captain John Savage, grantee of the township. The men of the party cleared away the snow, kindled a fire, and pro- cured a quantity of hemlock boughs,* some of the larger branches of which were set in the snow, in a circle around, so as to keep out the wind, while of the smaller boughs their bed was made. The second day they reached their destination, when they found shelter in the house of a Mr. Towner, one of the only two families living in Shefford at the time ; remaining there till a shanty could be erected for their accommodation. Henry, the eldest of the four children, had remained in St. Armand to make sugar, when, after the season was over, he joined the family at Shefford ; and as soon as the roads were sufficiently settled in the Spring, the two elder boys returned to Hinesburg for their cattle. • This custom was said to be derived from the Indians, and was adopted universally by hunters and those obliged to pass the night in the woods ; it being thought that this use of hemlock prevented taking cold from the exposure. ■i fi 1 EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 47 After the erection of their shanty of twelve feet square, — the walls of logs, and the roof of barks, — and of a shed built of poles and bark, under which was • A sort of primitive fire-place to be used for cooking, their i attention was turned to the cultivation of what little ^ ground could be got ready for use, and, when the crops were in, to the erection of a dwelling of more comfor- table dimensions, as thcii' shanty did not allow them the luxury of a bed ; they being obliged to sleep on .J hemlock boughs, which were laid aside during the day. f: A log house was built, twenty-four feet in length by eighteen in breadth, which was divided into two rooms, the partition and doors being made of split and hewn timbers : then came a log barn and stable ; after which the time was occupied in felling trees and clearing land to plant and sow the next Spring, except such time as was necessarily taken up in bringing grain and other articles of provision from the nearest point where they could be obtained. Henry, on whom this duty invariably fell, as he was the eldest child at home, and consequently best fitted for the task, was generally absent four days in these excursions ; his usual helper in seasons of the year when the roads allowed of it, being the pony, for which two and a half bushels of grain formed a load, while the boy walked at the side of the animal. Some- times after wet weather the paths were almost im- passable, so that the poor creature had not power to flounder through with such a burden upon his back, 48 PIONEERS OF TUB p 1 ' when the only way was for the boy to wade barefoot into the mud, and transfer the load to his own shoulders^ leaving the poor beast at liberty to struggle out. We must not omit to mention that in all these jour- neyings back and forth, it was necessary to be pre- pared with materials for lighting fire, which, in those days, consisted of flint, steel, and spunk, all of which were carried in the pocket. This necessity was the more obvious from the fact, that one night had to be passed in the woods, while going each way ; when it was customary to turn the horse loose to browse, to feed from the tender twigs of trees, or otherwise refresh himself, tie a bell round his neck lest he should wander too far, and then prepare for the night's lodging by kindling a fire and collect- ing the invariably used hemlock boughs. During the first year after the arrival of Mr. Lawrence's family, their supplies were procured with- in a short distance of Missisquoi Bay, (now called Philipsburg) forty-three miles distant. The road then passed on this route was very nearly the same as that now travelled through West Sheffbrd, Farnham, Dunham, St. Armand, &c. ; and was first opened by Captain John Savage, who came to West Shefford, with his family, in 1793, nearly a year previous to the coming of Mr. Lawrence. He had pioneered the way, — compass in one hand to keep straight on his course, axe in the other to mark the trees which were to indicate the way taken ; fol- EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 49 lowed by men who cut down the trees and cleared away the underbrush to make way for the ox sleds, which were laden with household goods and provisions ; while the family brought up the rear. Between Conroy's Mills and West Shefford, a distance of twenty- four miles, was one unbroken wilderness ; the road having been opened, as above described, and indicated by ** marked trees," or, as called by others, " spotted lines," to guide the wayfarer. The only modes of travelling were either in sleighs, or ox-sleds, on horseback, or on foot ; and as there were no bridges over the streams, the wayfarer who came upon them when too high to be forded, must either wait till they subsided, swim over, fell a tree to cross upon, or construct some sort of a raft. M PXONBBRS OF TUB CHAPTER III. ; l^'l In November, 1794, Mr. Lawrence's family found themselves destitute of tKe article of salt, and of course must send for it to Missisquoi Bay ; when it was decided that in consequence of the stonny weather and wretched roads, Henry must go the whole way on foot. Arrived at his destination, the boy found salt at three dollars per bushel ; but, after much persuasion, the trader, out of consideration for his young customer, consented to a reduction of twenty-five per cent. The journey back and forth was accomplished in a little more than three days, the boy on his return bringing a bag with forty- two and a half pounds of salt, which load was further increased by the addition of other articles of necessity. No accident befell him on the occasion ; and, though the labour was extreme for his young frame, the task was in a measure lightened by the company of a fellow traveller, who was bound on the same or a similar errand. In order to make the necessary provision for their cattle, the wild grass on a beaver meadow about three miles from their house had been cut, dried and stacked on the ground, to be removed, when snow should fall, that it might be taken to the barn. Unfortunately, EAHTBRN T0WNSIII1>B. 61 however, when winter came on, the snow fell to such a oman like his mother, even if she should reach it. For the purpose of forming a temporary crossing, m EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 67 some one living near had felled a tree from either side, so* that the tops by coming together might form a sort of bridge, on which persons, who wished, might pass ; but the strength of the current was such that the tops, instead of clinging together, as it was sup- posed they would, were turned down from either side in a slanting direction, so that a space several feet in width, which was the deepest channel, remained perfectly open. To remedy this, two poles or timbers, some ten or twelve feet in length, were securely laid across from the limbs of one tree to those of the other, on which frail bridge several had risked themselves, and passed safely. It was here that Henry had crossed in coming to his brother's house ; this was his way back, and only by this, could his mother come to the help of the sufferers. Full of determination to do what he could, he has- tened home, and giving his mother to understand the necessities of the case, enlisted her warmest sym- pathies ; but the distance of six miles, the state of the road, and the high river, were between her and the sick ones. He told his mother, how he had crossed, and in his anxiety that she should make the attempt to get to those whose lives, he thought, depended on it, per- suaded her to make the trial ; so confiding in him, and taking such medicines and restoratives as she thought would be needed, they started on foot, and, walking the whole six miles through melting snow. 68 PIONEERS OF THE I ' i ti '.i?, came to the river where things remained as in the morning. Without doubt or question , she allowed him to lead her on to the frail structure, and when coming to the timbers that connected the trees, gave him both hands, and took the piece that appeared highest above the water, but their added weight so bent the branches supporting the timbers that when in the middle, directly over the seething, boiling current, they sunk ancle- deep in the water which seemed waiting to carry them to swift destruction. Each movement was made slowly and with the utmost precision, for both saw that one false step was certain death. The young man's nerves had been strung up to such a pitch of intensity, at the thought of the danger into which he had brought one so dear, whose life, so valuable to them all, had been risked at his instance, that though his hand was steady and his voice and step firm, till the peril was past, the moment they were safe over, his firmness of mind and strength of body failed together, and he sunk to the ground trembling, faint and weak as a frightened child. The watching of the previous night, the fatigue of the day, the anxiety felt for his sick friends, but most of all his excitement at thought of the danger into which he had brought his mother, were too much for his firmness, and the reaction took place on the instant. As related to the principal object of these exciting efforts, — the sick woman to whose relief they had come — it was too late ; she was past help ; and Mrs. EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. fJi- Lawrence had only the melancholy satisfaction of soothing her dying hours by the nr.xny little attentions which her extensive experience with the sick ar'' dy- ing so well fitted her to give. She closed the eyes of her daughter-in-law, and remained at the house of her son until the mother was buried, and the children were out of danger ; when she returned to her own habitation, crossing the river in a canoe, however, by this time provided. \U 70 PIONKBRS OP THE ij iiiii ^1^ CHAPTER V. There had been a general advance in all the depart- ments of work connected with the farm of our friends; — the buildings had been improved, more land cleared and larger crops of grain and vegetables put into the ground — when, in the commencement of the autumn of 1796, Mr. Silas Knowlton^ of Newfane, Vt., came to Shefford on his way to the tract now forming the township of Stukely Henry, whose experience as a backwoodsman as well as his acquaintance with the localities around, and whose native perseverance and energy of character fitted him for such work, was em- ployed to bush out a road, and mark trees to lead the way ; when, armed with compass, axe, and the invari- able fire materials, he engaged in an enterprise, which in its results proved one of the most important under- takings of his life ; being nothing less than the com- mencement of a train of circumstances through which himself and brother next younger became Associates of the township of Stukely. Though they were still minors, the diflSculty was evaded by an elder brother entering into bonds for the faithful performance of conditions required. Mr. Knowlton made some pre- EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. Tl f parations for a residence, and returned for his family.* As the country near and around Lake Memphrema- gog became settled, the people were aroused to the importance of having a more direct line of communi- cation with Montreal, and made advances towards opening a road through to Shefford, the inhabitants of which place determined to do their part in effecting the work ; which was accomplished principally by voluntary contributions of time and labor. Before winter a road was cut through to St. Pie, so that when the snow fell and the swamps were frozen over, ox-teams could pass to the river ; from whence to Yamaska (now St. Hya- cinthe) a distance of twelve miles, they went on the ice. But of course this was only a winter road ; the swamps could be made passable in summer only by a considerable outlay of time and means, so that those going this way at that season could only, as hitherto, pass on foot. Some, as in every new community, would got discouraged, lacking the energy and perseverance necessary to carry out successfully the work entered upon ; yet, notwithstanding all embarrassments and * It 13 related that on Mr. Knowltoa's return to Stukely with his family, they were accompanied by a Mr. Whitney, his wife and infant daughter ; and that as they neared the line of division between the two townships, a playful dispute arose between the two women as to which should have the honor of being the first white female who entered Stukely ; when Mr. Whitney who had heard what was said, suddenly caught the child and running ovec the line, declared the question settled. * If 72 PIONEERS OF THE |l! hindrances, here as in other places, the resolute, enter- prising and industrious did improve their circumstances and gather about them the comforts of life. The opening of even a winter road was an era in the history of these townships, as, from their isolated position in respect to communication with market towns, much embarrassment and difficulty was experienced ; now, however, there was a way of getting to market ai least once in the year. Though the brothers Henry and Erastus Lawrence had been admitted to the fraternity of Associates, and had made improvements on their places which adjoined in Stukely, doing sufficient on the premises of each to fulfil the letter of the conditions required, both remained much of the time with their parents, and gave particu- lar attention to the cultivation of a place which was still their home ^'par excellence.^ ^ The younger bro- ther was becoming an efficient helper ; so that, under their united efforts, the homestead was improving in extent of ground cultivated, and in the substantial com- forts and conveniences of life, h In January ,1797, after the winter had thoroughly set in, the subject of breaking out the new road through the "woods to the French settlements was a";itated among the inhabitants, and a turn out of three men with cattle And sleds, on which were conveyed provisions for the men and hay for the beasts, sufficient to last them several days, started from the house of Mr. Lawrence early in the morning, and returned the evening of the EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 73 fourth day ; the intervening nights having been passed after the usual manner in the woods, while the four days were occupied in work. Granby river was crossed near the present site of that village, though no house then marked the spot ; and passing through what is now Abbottsford, they reached the Black river at Upper St. Pie, whence .hey returned without having seen one single human being, except themselves. The most difficult part of the work was the passage of the great swamp in Granby, half a mile in width ; which obstacle was not finally overcome without much patient eflfort on the part of the men, and many hard struggles of the poor beasts. At times the cattle would break through the ice, and sink into mud, from which it would have been impossible to extricate them but by the united efforts of the men, who, when occa- sion made it necessary, cut poles to pry them out. They were often obliged to cover the way with bushes and branches cut for the purpose, before daring to venture on with their cattle ; the depth of water and mud making such precaution necessary. "''^-v Rivers and small streams were frozen sufficiently to be passable ; but, owing to the shelter of heavy trees, or the great depth of snow, or the peculiar nature of the soil, or perhaps from all these causes combined, — the ice in the swamp was less firm. Those acquainted with swampy lands will readily understand the difficulty of the work undertaken and accomplished. By such effort was the first passage to the river ef- E li ■ ,1 T 74 PIONEERS OP THE II V" fected through all intervening obstacles, and owing to the extreme cold, the whole way was suificiently frozen for their safe return, after the above named absence of four days and three nights. Though this was but a winter road, and the way was, to all intents and purposes, closed to all but foot travellers during the greater part of the year, it was still considered an important point gained. This first opening was hailed with joy, and followed up by people living along the whole line, who were but too glad to avail themselves of its benefits by going to town. Even this partial success encouraged the more enterprising spirits to greater efforts in overcoming, as far as was practicable, that natural barrier to their future prosperity, which lay in a distance from market. To be sure, there had been as yet little to sell ; but they had a future opening before them, and were anxious to secure facilities corresponding with antici- pated necessities ; and though gratified with what had been done, they had become all the more desirous of establishing a way by which the metropohs could be reached at any or all seasolis of the year. This was earnestly discussed among the people, and great efforts made to awaken them to the fact, that not alone the few, but all alike were to be benefitted by the work. Deputations from settlements near Lake Mem- phremagog came among them to raise means by sub- scription, for bridging streams and constructing cause- ways over swaiiips otherwise impassable. Some hesi- tated, while looking at the matter only through the EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 75 it narrow telescope of self, with characteristic unwilling- ness to engage in any enterprise where themselves were not to be the most expressly benefitted ; while some were in fact too poor to aid in the project ; but the greater part were wise enough to see their own true interests in the matter ; and, as the result of the effort, sufficient money and labour were promised to justify the undertaking. In September, 1797, the work was commenced, the streams bridged and cause- ways constructed ; that over the great swamp in Granby, cost one dollar per rod, — in all one hundred and seventy dollars ; and the work was persevered in, so that in October, ox-sleds could pass to the river at St. Pie. It seems that a natural difficulty of communication at first existed between the eastern and western sec- tions of the township of Bolton, so that for some time after settlements were formed in either part, it was only by a long and circuitous way that people could get from the one to the other ; though the interests of the settlers were in a great measure identical, some of them having claims in both sections of the township. A hunter of the name of Frizzle, while following his " spotted lines,'* (the line of marked trees by which he was guided to his traps), made the discovery that there was a natural opening or notch through the mountain, where a road might be made to connect the settlements, already bound to each other by a community of interests. After an examina- tion, the step was decided upon, and a road laid out to mmm T U 76 PIONEERS OF THE ill! connect, by way of Bromo and West Shcfford, with that already open to Yamaska. A company of four men, including our informant, wore busied twenty-four days in cutting and clearing a road, building bridges, &c., passing most of the nights in the woods, hunter fashion. Being without a compass, the party once got lost, and night overtook them on the edge of a beaver meadow, on which the hay had been cut the previous summer. Knowing that there must be some "spotted line" emerg- ing from this place, they camped for the night as usual ; and, in the morning light, commenced search for a way of egress which was soon found leading them out into Brome. Thus was opened the first winter road from Bolton to Montreal by way o^ Shef- ford and Yamaska. It is related that during the first winter after this, the snow fell to such a depth that the road was blocked up, 80 that it was impossible to pass with cattle ; and when the people wanted bread, there was no other way to get it, than for one of the settlers to take a afeck of the corn they had raised, swing it on his back, and on snow-shoes carry it to the nearest mill ; and, as the whole settlement was in the same predicament, each man had to take his turn ; in which way they lived till the snow melted and sleds could pass. It was no uncommon thing for the poorer class of settlers to travel on foot, twenty, thirty, or even forty miles, loaded with grain or other necessaries for their desti- tute families. EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 77 4 • m CHAPTER VI. ■| 1 1. As these early inhabitants were necessarily their own architects, they were often their own cabinet- makers ; and, as " necessity is the mother of invention,'* who knows what improvements were brought to light through the promptings of this same stern power ? Some of our readers may feel a little curiosity res- pecting the resorts to which our grandmothers were driven for some of the most common household con- veniences ; we therefore devote a chapter to notices of this kind, though the articles herein described are now entirely out of use. ' The " catamount bedstead " was once spoken of in the writer's presence, when enquiries as to its con- struction drew forth the following description : First, poles were cut — two of necessary length for the sides, and two for the ends ; these were stripped of their bark, and the ends inserted in holes bored for the purpose in four posts of equal height : this com- posed the frame. Then elm bark was stripped into proper widths, to be woven together after the manner of the old-fashioned chair seat, when this piece of furniture was ready for use. It was usually the case that after the first or second ^11 .:4i : ■:ii: 78 PIONEKRS OP THE I ;h I;- ^ .: 1 Hi \ W j i year of labour bestowed in clearing up a farm, suf- ficient grain was raised for home consumption, but the difficulty lay in getting it ground, as there were few mills in the country ; none in fact nearer the residence of Mr Lawrence than St. Armand, a diriiauce of thirty miles. Necessity now brought hito reijuiHition what was proba))ly an invention of the Indians, (and was one of the few primitive arts in use among them), as necessary to convert their corn into food ; otherwise there was no method except that known as hulling. No doubt improvements have been made in both these ways. Tlie " plumping mill," which was now brought into very general use by settlers living at a distance from grinding mills, was made of a log some fourteen inches in diameter, standing on one end, while in the other V as formed a cavity after the fashion of a salt mortar. The pestle was of wood, about two and a half feet in length, and some five or six inches in thickness, rounded at the bottom, the middle made of convenient size for the hand, and fastened at the top to a spring pole, so as after each stroke to rebound for another. Putting about a quart of corn into the mortar at a time, the pestle was applied ; and when the grain was sufficiently pounded, the tieve was brought into use to separate the coarse and fine meal ; the former being used for the dish called " hominy " by the Indians, while the other could be mixed with stewed pumpkins and made into an excellent coarse bread, or used in various other ways known to housekeepers in this country. EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 79 Whether the use of the " plumping; mill '* waa an occupation for either the male or female branch of tho family, is uncertain, though the impression is that tho labor ^vas shared })etwecn them. For some time after Mr. Nicholas Austhi, the ori- ginal grantee and first settler of the township of Bol- ton, came hito the country, there was no mill or placo where flour could be obtained, nerror than Danville, Vt., more than forty miles distant. The first year ho had made an extensive clearing and raised a large crop of corn, but it was of little use without a market, except so much of it as was needed for themselves ; and tliia had to be prepared by the "plumping mill," till Mr. Austin procured something like a large coifec mill, which, when propelled by water from a small brook near his residence, by being kept constantly going, would grind corn at the rate of six bushels in twenty- four hours ; and this mill, with a wire sieve, brought with great pains from Quebec, completed the accom- modations of the kind, by which that community was for some time supplied with breadstuif. Another want seriously felt was that of leather ; this leading the people, from motives of economy as well as necessity, to tan the hides of such animals as died or were killed ; and the results of their efibrts to supply themselves with the needed article, were both satisfac- tory and encouraging. In the winter of 1796, Henry, and a Mr. Lewis, a neighbor, while on a hunting excursion, killed a large ? i i '; ij w 1^ ,■> 80 PIONEEKS OP THE i, i i :i!i I SI i'i i fat female moose, the flesh of which, when dressed, weighed about six hundred pounds. This feat was not unattended with danger to the hunters, as, on dis- covering them, the animal rushed furiously towards theni, >'hilo tA t guns were discharged, and w^^uld pro- bably have done them some serious or fatal injury, had not their dogs held licr ^X bay till they could re -load their pieces, when sho was dispatched and they were relieved from thf^ir imminent peril. The skin of this creature was turned into good m.occasin leather, the tallow was useful for candles, and the meat, which when salted is much like corned beef, helped out their supplies. Many of us yet remember when only small, rude, wooden troughs were used in which to catch the sap as it fell from the maple tree ; when it was gather-^l in buckets md boiled down into syrup in old-fashioned iron kettles. Sugar making, aside from the taste of the article produced, is not a particularly sweet or agreeable employment, and if any one has been disponed to consider it as such, a very short experience of eap- gathering, or eyes blinded by smoke, soon takes away all romantic interest in t>-o work. In former days, much more severe and unpleasant labor was required for this work than now with our improved facilities ; and there is no a;ood reason why the article manufac- tur^d should not be greatly superior in quality to what was then made. Seasons varied then as now in the quantity as well as qualii:y of sugar. The operation.- th bi ai -til I EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 81 gone through in this work are too well understood throughout the country to need description, as maple sugar is one of our principal home productions. The different kinds of grass and other seeds were brought in by the early settlers ; and as land was cleared and cultivated, hay was thus provided for domestic animals, the different species of which, with the fowls now common in the country, have kept pace in num- bers with the increasing wants of the people. Most of the clothing worn by the early settler?", both male and female, was, of necessity, of home maiiufac- ture, made by the industrious hands of our grandmo- thers, mothers and aunts ; for this branch of domestic industry belonged exclusively to the female department of tlie family. To them a practical knowledge of the use of the hand-card, distaff, wheel, and hand-loom, was in- dispensable ; it being the essential part of their educati>hich were added an extra axe and gun, a camp-kettle and larger quantities of provisions, they started a merry company, each bearing his share of the burdens. As a protection from the troublesome insects, several among the party carried smudges either of dry touch- wood, of an excrescence taken from the trunks of trees growing in damp soils, or of several pieces of cedar bark closely bound together ; either of which retains fire and emits smoke without kindling into a blaze. The young men of the party were determined on having a good time, and entered into the work with a pleasure that showed them intent on the enjoyment of what was to them a novelty. * The discrepancy of dates apparent between the actual com- mencement of settlements in Stukely, and the granting of the warrant of Survey for that Township, can only be accounted for on the supposition that settlements were made in advance of the actual grant and \u certain prospect of it. 7 |j; 88 PIONEERS OF THE Partridges* were numerous, and during the first day several of these birds were killed by the young sportsmen, some of whom seemed better fitted for this work than that for which they had come thus far ; not even knowing how to prepare their supper after they had killed it. Among eatables carried on these occasions, the " staff of life " was the principal, with sometimes salt meat, salt, or other seasoning articles. This time they had taken a quantity of salt beef which it was designed should help to season the game they expected to find plenty, and on which lay their principal dependence in the eating line. The first night they encamped by a brook of clear running water ; and while some were * The partridge, like the hen, raises broods, and if her young are disturbed, will fight fiercely and desperately, often falling a victim to her maternal instincts ; while the young upon the first warning note, disappear in an incredibly short space of time ; finding refuge in the smallest and most untbought of hiding places. Their instincts are so keen, and the signal of danger is so readily understood and obeyed, that from the first they are as perfectly still as if hardly daring to breathe. In winter they live upon the buds of trees, principally the birch and maple^ and in very severe weather often dive i"to deep soft snow for protec- tion from cold. People have been much surprised at seeing them drop thus suddenly without other intimation of their being near; but when the surface is too hard for them to penetrate, they are forced to find shelter from the piercing blast beside logs or on the thickest branches of trees where they remain at night. Their eggs are white, a little smaller than those of the hen, and they lay twelve or fifteen, in some dark place, as far out of sight and sound as possible. In rearing young, their habits are in many respects similar to those of the hen. EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 89 busied in preparing wood, making fire, collecting hem- lock boughs for their bed, &c., others, including the more experienced of the party, went to work about the supper. Perhaps the fowls were not prepared after the most approved culinary methods, as five or six of them were cooked with a large piece of beef : but " hunger is the best sauce ;" and many a joke was cracked and laugh indulged by the merry boys, who each boasted his share in the adventures they should have to relate on their return home ; the natural exuberance of ani- mal spints seeming heightened by what was to them a novel experience indeed. The camp-kettle used was either of brass or tin ; of larger or smaller size as required, and was often hung on the end of a stick driven obliquely into the ground, with a notch cut on the projecting end to keep the bale of the vesFsel from slipping ; but sometimes the stick was fastened into some upright tree or stump, or hung over the fire on a pole supported at either end by posts driven into the ground. Having with them a plan of the projected township divided into ranges and lots, the party, before leaving ShefFord, had made an agreement among themselves that to prevent diflfer- ences, arising from choosing the same lots, each should take his choice before starting ; which was done by reference to the plan, and the decisions were made in accordance. They were influenced in this by the fact that in some parts, and especially the localities with which ! ^*- m H-'i rm 90 PIONEERS OF THl 't m I they were most intimately aecjuaiuted, the best land is found on the margin of the streams. But such a rule was by no means applicable in this case ; and they soon found how grievously they had been mistaken in taking this course ; most of the land they had selected, lying in dense and inaccessible swam})S. So entirely were they disappointed, that, after looking up the lots they had chosen in pursuance of this plan, they directed their guide to loaa them to a better tract, only two of tliom deciding to abide by the agreement. Several of them were either dis- couraged by the appearance of the country, and their experiences during this tri}), or deterred by different causes from making settlement, and sold their claims to other parties. This latter practice, which was followed m a greater or less degree in all the Townships, was a prolific source of strife and litigation ; there being, even at tliis remote day, suits pcndhig in conse(iuence, which seems to have been one of the unavoidable evils result- ing from the system pursued in grantmg the lands. How these suits will yet be settled, remains to be seen. Among the settlers who subsequently came to Stukely, were four brothers of the name of Knowlton, viz., Ezekiel, Levi, Lyman, and Asaph, cousins of Mr. Silas Knowlton, the first inhabitant of the Township. They came of an ancestry of high social standing in Southern Vermont; and from them have sprung a numerous and very respectable connexion, now scat- tered in different sections. I ;■■') EASTER.NT TOWNS HIPS. 91 i CHAPTER VIII. in For many years, pot and pearl ashes were the staple articles with which to make remittances in the way of trade, and were indeed the principal products which could be spared from the country, where little com- paratively was raised, and, for a time, a non-producing population was fast multij)lying. The first considerable effort made at marketing, by our friends, was when Henry, with Mr. Silas Knowl- ton, of Stukely, started for Montreal with each two bar- rels of potash, which, as it was in the days of the famous '' embargo," then commanded a high price. As was usually the case, two yokes of cattle were ne- cessary for each sled, and in thi« manner their load was taken through Granby, (at a Ai place and at Yamaska mountain there were aimh^ oeginnings of set- tlements) to the river at a point where a ferry had been established ; when the sleds were left and the loads transferred to a scow^ on whicli they were taken six miles to the Montreal road ; thene ) taken by hired carters to the St. Lawrence river at Longueuil ; then crossed in a bateau, and from the landhig carried by truckmen to the inspection office, where, after being inspected, the potash was ready for sale. m 'i- .. IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) y 4^ III 1.0 1.1 1^12^ mrs iio ■^^ III^HI ■^ liii |Z2 li& 12.0 lU 111 I 1 L25|u 114 •< 6" - »• Photographjc Sdencefi Corporation ¥^ \ ^ • *<•, \^ 23 WIST MAIN STRHT Wltfni,N.V. USM (7U)t7^4$o^ i\ f s t:^ ^:k 92 PIONEERS OF THE |; ;'f :l K ■ 'is ■ Notwithstanding the trouble and expense of their journey, they reaUzed a very considerable profit, hav- ing each received one hundred dollars for his load. Part of this money was laid out for a return cargo of home necessaries, which was taken, by the same means, the same route, though in reversed order ; when, after an absence of eighteen days, and an expense of twenty dollars each, the travellers once more reached their homes. • The usual time occupied on this journey, during good summer weather, was ten or twelve days ; but the above described trip was made late in the fall when the days were very short. There were times during the rainy season, that, while passing through some low places on the Granby road, the sleds were entirely covered with water, so that it seemed as if the barrels were swimming along the surface. Another very serious difficulty that attended the transportation of loading to Montreal at that early day, arose from the imperfect means then in use, of cross- ing the rivers Chambly and St. Lawrence. Open scows were invariably used on the former, while bat- teaux were necessary on the latter ; the greater width and depth of the river and consequent strength of the current and danger from the wind, requiring differ- ently constructed boats. Each was provided with both oars and setting poles ; the latter bemg used near the shores and in more shallow water ; the former in greater depth and stronger current. EASTERx^ TOWNSHIPS. 93 r The scow was a large flat boat formed of planks with sides some fifteen or eighteen inches high ; the ends being a continuation of the boat rising gradually above the water, first that it might pass the more read- ily over the surface, and likewise to facilitate the em- barkation and debarkation, by being brought up to the embankment from which carriages or vhatever was to be taken over, could gradually descend to the part of the vessel necessary. Large teams could thus be ferried across without detaching the horses, in case the animals were quiet and manageable ; but when otherwise, much trouble was often caused, and great care and pains were ne- cessary to effect a safe passage. Bateaux, which were necessary on the St. Law- rence, were more in the form of a canoe, being curved towards the ends, so as to present nearly a point to the water ; and were often twenty-five or thirty feet fci length, by seven or eight feet in width at the centre ; made of ship-timber covered with boards and planks. They were brought up to the shore against a pro- jection or wharf, and strongly fastened, when planks were placed so as to form a sort of bridge gradually descending inwaid, over which animals were led singly and securely fastened ; when others, or whatever was to comprise the cargo, were brought on in the same man- ner. Strong cables were provided in case animals should become unruly, when they were fastened to the timbers of the sides which were three or more feet :ti 'II •4 : ''li I 94 PIONEERS OF THE M) I ■^i high. At times, when droves of cattle or loads of hay made it necessary, two bateaux were strongly bound together so as to prevent rocking ; when quite a num- ber of cattle or a large body of freight could be crossed to the wharf opposite, from which point loading could be taken by carters to the city, or the bateaux could be towed up a distance of three miles; which was accomplished by several hands taking the cable and drawing up along the shore, while others remained on board, and with setting poles kept the boats at floating distance from the bank. On returning, the current favored descent to the place of crossing, when the journey homeward was simply a reversed repetition. The introduction of the horse-boat was considered an era in ihe history of ferries in this country, and they were established both on the St. Lawreaace river, and subsequently on the Ohambly basin (an expan- sion of the river at the time bearing that name) ; but it was soon ascertained that, during the prevalence of high winds, they were little better than the old method of crossing ; as before, travellers being obliged to wait tiU the storm should abate, before the boatmen dared venture out on the watens. This was all along a serious inconvenience, as whole days, and sometimes several days, had to be spent in waiting for a change of weather, no matter how urgent business might be : but there was no remedy. How- ever, on the application of steam to purposes of naviga- tion generally, it altogether superseded the horse-boat in EASTERN TOWNSHIPg. 95 use so many years on the St. Lawrence ; and that at Chambly was done away with by the erection of a con- venient and elegant bridge between the former ferries that crossed the river in the vicinity of that place. About the year 1804, Henry, for the purpose of assisting his brother Samuel, who was about building mills at West Shefford, started on atour toWestford,Vt., to procure the necessary irons ; and, as had been before- hand arranged, he drove out cattle for payment, and a yoke of oxen with which to draw in the machinery. There he found himself without sled or other vehicle for use, and was obliged to resort to his wits to invent means of transporting the heavy load ; when his inge- nuity, being thus put to the test, suggested the making of a dray, as they were then cplled, which was notliing other than a long timber split at one end, pried open, and fastened by inserting a short beam crosswise be- tween the parts ; when eight hundred pounds of iron castings were bound on it by heavy chains. This end trailed on the ground, -w hile the other end was fastened into the yoke on the necks of the sturdy beasts, and drawn by them over rough roads and through rapid streams to Sheldon, Vt., where the young man obtained a pair of large heavy cart wheels, on which he fasten- ed the dray, load and all, so as to balance, and then proceeded on his way. There was a ferry over the Missisquoi river, but all the other streams had to be forded. At St. Armand he took the then only route to Shefford through Dunham and Famham ; but the % m 96 PIONEERS OF THE * roads were so rough and the load so heavy that the axle-tree of his cart gave way three times, and was ready for the fourth break-down on arriving at his des- tination. With the aid of axe and auger with which he was provided, and a piece of the hard timber which grew so plentifully by the way, he repaired the damage each time. The clatter of the iron load, as the cart rolled over stones, logs, and other obstructions, aroused the people as it passed along the line of road, attracting consider- able attention from being the first pair of wheels that had penetrated by that route so far into the interior of the country. As a matter of course, a good deal of surprise and astonishment, if not admiration, was ex- cited at the appearance of the strange " contrivance ;'' and, on approaching the residence of Mr. Gale, in Farnham, the unusual and unaccountable noise which, with its echoes, could be heard, sometime before the lumbering ox-cart appeared in sight, that gentleman became so alarmed and excited that he went out in haste to look up the cause of such a horrid din which seemed to grow louder and come nearer. Under the impression that something unlawful and wrong must be going on, he took the direction from which the sound seemed to proceed, and soon came in sight of the noisy cart with its clattering load ; when, after satisfying himself of the cause and nature of the sounds which had so disturbed him, he burst into a hearty laugh ; and, going back toward the house, called out, " Whe-e-ls, .>> Ei.K)TERN TOWNSHIPS. 9T here is a load on whe-e-ls ! more of a sight than to see a coach-and-six in England ! " and summoned all the inmates of the house, not excepting the ladies, to see the novel spectacle. No sooner had he been given to understand the destination of the loaded vehicle, and the object in view, as connected with improvements going on so near, and contributing so directly and greatly to the convenience of a community in which he felt a special interest, than he gave his hearty ap- proval of the work in progress, and commended the ingenuity and perseverance with which it had beea carried on. 'i m fi ^. 98 PIONEERS OF THE CHAPTER IX. it-;. i i \ ' 'I I' At the time of which we write, wild animals were numerous and destructive. Some few panthers were seen and heard in diflferent sections, and one was killed in Bolton in the following manner : — A settler, while passing through a piece of woods in broad day-light, was startled by the appearance of a strange track in the snow, and, being curious to discover to what it belonged, followed it some little distance ; when, seeing that it must have been made by some for- midable creature, and thinking of himself alone and unarmed, he turned and took his way home. Soon after, a neighbor, who had come the same way on horseback, rode up in great haste (himself in high excitement, and his horse covered with sweat), saying that he had seen a panther in the woods through which he had just passed, and pointing out the exact place in which the animal had hidden himself, which was in fact in the immediate vicinity of the tracks seen by the other. While they were thus speaking and consulting together, another neighbor, known as a bold, resolute man, came up from the other way, and, on hearing their account of the matter, fearlessly started on to examine for himself ; thinking probably that the fears of his w EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 99 I M' informants had magnified the danger. On coming to the place pohited out, which was a cavity formed by the roots of a prostrate tree, he saw a veritable pan- ther, and was rash enough to get a pole and daringly drive him from his hiding place ; when, without other demonstrations of hostility than bristling up and growl- ing a little, he gave a bound off from the roadside into the woods. Returning home, the adventurous man got help ; and, with ^ms, dogs, and other preparations for a hunt, started in pursuit. ]>cfore going far they came upon the creature, when, taking aim between the eyes, the hunter shot and killed him at once. Whether the monster was sick or had been hurt, or was satiated with food, can only be conjectured ; but that some such thing must have operated to stupify him, is evident. On measuring the length of his first leap when driven from the cave, it was found to be twenty- two and a half feet, after which he had gone but about one hun- dred yards before being overtaken and shot. The length from the tip of the nose to the end of the tail was eleven feet ; and, after being skinned, the limbs appeared of enormous size, showing great mus- cular strength. It is said that the skin was stuffed and sent to the museum in Boston. The almost superstitious fear with which this crear ture is regarded, was never justified, as f ^r as is known in this country, by any attack on man, though some- times animals would disappear in a most unaccount- able manner. If these depredations were committed win: 1:9 m 'u iH:. Jiir. : 100 PIONEERS OF THE Ctt -} I a i( I \ by panthers, retreat was made, with their proy, to some remote and inaccessible spot, leaving no trace behind. Wolves often went out in companies or packs, " 8eekin«j; what they might devour," when, if any u]i- lucky creature fell in their way, it was sure to be des- troyed ; but when single they were not considered particularly formidable, except to sheep and small animals. To those persons who camped in the woods at night, fire was considered a protection, it being thought that this creature has an instinctive dread of that element. At a time when Henry Lawrence was called upon to watch with a sick neighbor, having to pass through woods nearly a mile, he started about sunset, but be- fore proceeding far from the clearing, heard the howl of a wolf, as he supposed, some twenty rods distant, and immediately an answering howl from the other side of the path. Alarmed he took to his heels, and in a very short time reached his destination, no wolf hav- ing overtaken him. On his return, however, in the morning, he found, from tracks in the wet grounds, that two wolves had followed him from the place of their coming together through to the clearing. What instinct gave these creatures knowledge of his pre- sence in the woods, or what " special telegram " was communicated back and forth in the howls that so alarmed him, is not easy for us to say. Some timo after the same person had setiJed in EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 101 i! Stukcly, and had quite a stock of cattle, the calves were placed in an enclosure but a short distance from the buildings, while the larger animals were in a pas- ture still farther off. About midnight he was roused from a sound sleep by the peculiar bellow which he at once knew came from the calf pasture, and to be caused by some sudden attack, for the sound was one of extreme terror ; when, without waiting for clothes, light, or even to unbolt the door, he raised the win- dow, dashed out, and in an instant was flying rather than running to the rescue ; and, at the same time yelling at the top of his voice, in hope of frightening the enemy. The large cattle had heard the first alarm, and, as if instinctively knowing the danger and its cause, with answering bellows started for the scene, clearing fences and all intervening obstacles. The sounds of terror and distress continued till the owner came near, still hallooing with all his might, when the discomfited foe, frightened by the unearthly sounds which appeared to be coming from all quarters, slunk away in the dark, leaving his murderous work hardly begun. On bringing a light, it was found that one of the largest and finest calves had been seized by two wolves, for there were teeth-marks in both its flanks ; but its violent struggles with the terror inspired by such an uproar, made cowards of the attacking party. The track of two wolves were seen in the day-light. Another settler, on going to mill, and being obHged to wait for his grist till late in the day, was warned f2 I. . I j •-*«p*-ffi»«*^!jf/Ji--iUWJ- "J*!^;* ■■^•'Ji-^^'T' 102 PIONEERS OP TIIH „i '.i '•1 . # a I- Is I of the dangor of .attempting at that late hour to pass through a i)ioce of woods, known to ho infested vrith wolves ; but, knowmg the anxiety and terror his family "would feel at such a prolonged absence, he determined to i-un the risk. Soon after entering the wood, he saw tracks and heard howls ; and, on coming to a place where some men had been employed in getting out timber, he seized a hand-spike that lay on the ground, and loosened the load on his back that he might throw it ofif in case of attack. The howls came nearer ; when, quickening his pace and resolutely brandishing his weapon without turning back to count his pursuers, yet with no very comfortable feelings he kept on his way till coming to a clearing, when they slunk away. One of his neighbors, on coming through the same woods with a quantity of cod-fish, of which it is said that wolves are extremely fond, was followed by them ; and, having no means of defence, when they came too near, tore ofif a piece of fish which he threw among them, running on while they quarrelled for the prize ; and, when overtaken again, threw them another piece : thus on till he had gained a clearing, when they fell back. A farmer in Stukely had confined his cattle and sheep as was customary in the barn yard, when one evening the family were alarmed by an unsual clang of the cowbells then in common use. The men went out directly to ascertain the cause of disturbance, when, bv the light of the moon, they saw a large wolf EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 103 :|f '' in the yard ; but as he seemed in no haate to attack any creature, merely driving tlic aheep from side to eidc as if in diversion, or wliat is more probable with an eye to a fat choice, while one of the men returned to get the ^un, the other waited to watch the move- ments of his wolfship. The gun was brought, but could not bo got oft'; and the animal, getting warned of danger, either through his sense of smell or the chck of the gun, left without doing any mischief. A young man of the same place had set several traps, and was in the habit of spending his Sabbaths in attending to them, against the advice and remon- strances of iiis widowed mother, who felt anxious that he should pay a better lespect to the sacred day. One Sabbath morning he started as usual for his Sunday work, taking with him a piece of roasted meat which trappers often trail on the ground to en- tice wild beasts to their deatli . It seems that he was in the act of doing this, when almost before he was aware of it, four hungry, howling demons were coming upon him, alone and defenceless as he was; when, getting possession of a club of wood, and planting him- self against a tree for protection from attack in the rear, he spent the greater part of the day in warding off the furious attacks of his enemies, and with the strength of desperation fighting for dear life ; no, ex- pecting to destroy them, but in hope of worrying them out ; and he did succeed, alone and unarmed as he was, for before nightfall they had left him to return III ■ri, xl ^,1, ii"i^jjA!flfflM#T' ■i; 104 PIOiNEERS OF THE ti 1;^ B'l H' l|:'i) home safely. When thus in momentary danger of being torn Hnib from limb, he thought of the mother whose wishes he had been engaged in violating ; and whatever regret and repentance he might have felt, produced a permanent eflfect, for this was the last of his Sunday trapping excursion?. Unlike bears, if wolves, singly or in companies, attack flocks in the field, they destroy all they can catch ; but if they break into enclosures, they seem content to kill only what will satisfy their hunger ; as if an instinctive cowardice urged them to hurry away. But it was the black bear that ravaged the corn and wheat fields of the settler, becoming at length so bold as to break into enclosures in which domestic animals had been secured for the night; in which cases the destruction was often terrible, as if their bloody in- stincts prompted revenge for not being allowed their prey at will; though, when they attacked flocks in ti.e field, one victim usually sufl&ced. In consequence these animals became the terror of the country, and many expedients were devised to des- troy them ; * yet, even at the present day, one occasion- * They were often taken in large steel traps which were chained to logs that they might not be carried away ; but, notwithstand- ing this precaution, both trap and log have been dragged some distance, the torn up earth, trees bitten and scratched, saplings broken off or torn out by the roots, giving evidence of inconceiva- ble strength and fury. The trap was sometimes fastened with an iron chain to a clog formed of the top of a tree with the branches cut off a few inches from the body, leaving a sort of hook which, EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 105 Jr cf ally strays from his mountain home and finds his way to the back settlements where he usually manages to do a deal of mischief before he can be destroyed. They are not known to have attacked men unless they consi- fJered their young in danger, but then would seem to forget themselves, and fight with ferocity and desper- ation. In the early settlement of Stukely, a man who was out on a fishing excursion, had with him a gun and small dog, when he fell in with a bear and her two cubs. The dog, not used to hunting bears, at once attacked one of the cubs, when the mother in her rage seized and made short work of him ; then, turning to the man, who was vainly attempting to shoot her (the powder having been spoiled by the rain), she raised her fore- paws on an intervening log, and was just on the point of taking him in her fast embrace, when on the spur of a moment he took the muzzle of the gun in both as the chain was attached to the smaller end, would catch in the ground or underwood as it was dragged past, and, if not holding thtt animal fast, would form a path by which he might be readily- traced. It has occurred that when thus taken, the bone of the limb having been broken, so that the foot was held only by skin and muscle, the beast would savagely gnaw these off and escape on three feet, in which case his path was marked with blood. Another kind of trap in common use was formed by placing several pieces of timber in such a way that by a spring, a large log vrould fall with such force as to crush the animal. This me- thod probably originated with the Indians, as it was in general use among them. B 106 PIONEERS OF THE 'i (I h ^ f;.,'i 'He 4\l Ifii it'i hands, and with the strength of desperation, struck her such a blow on the top of the head, that the hammer of the lock, penetrating the skull and entering the brain, instantly killed the monster. The stock of the gun was shattered, leaving the barrel in his hands ready if necessary for another stroke, but this was not called for. A neighbor of Mr. Lawrence lost a cow, and on search being made, at a short distance from the farm, the cow was found killed and partly devoured. They set a gun near the carcass, and on the second night it discharged, killing a monstrous bear. This creature was removed, the gun reloaded and set in the same way, and the very next night another bear of smaller size was killed in the same manner. A farmer, who owned a number of sheep, had en- closed them for safety during night within a stable at one end of the bam which was covered with boards ; when, one night, a bear broke through the board wall belo:v a window, and killed six sheep, carrying oflf two of the number, which were found at a distance partially devoured. A year or so after this, the other end of the same bam had been double boarded for greater secur- ity, leaving openings some five or six feet from the ground to admit light and air ; when a bear again forced his way through the double wall, killed six sheep, and this time carried off one. It was probably the same animal. Frequently in the day time they made bold incursions ; and one might well imagine that they soon ^'ii EASTERN TOWNSHIPS. 107 learned whether they were likely to meet with formid- able resistance. A log cabin, newly built, the insterstices of which were not filled nor thu door hung, was yet occupied by a family, the male members of which were absent, leaving two women and an infant child as its only in- mates. Sometime in the afternoon the women were startled by sounds of distreps from the pigsty ; and, tak- ing the child, both hurried out to learn the cause, when to their dismay they found a bear kilhng their pig. They immediately retreated before bruin, who dropped his victim and followed them ; but they got in and bar- ricaded the door as securely as possible, though had the animal known its weakness, it might not have been so well for them. He continued going round and round, thrusting his nose through the openings and snuffing as if there was a smell of something tempting within. In their terror the womcii first resorted to the bed ; but knowing their door fastenings to be but thin boards, they bethought themselves of the garret as a safer place, and, taking the child, ascended to it. Here they were soon terrified on finding that bruin had climbed upon the shed and was again near them ; yet, frightened as they were, it seemed safer than below, and they remained there all night, hoping and fearing alternately. At length morning dawned, and their tor- mentor was gone, — gone without having done other mischief than killing their pig, though a yoke of oxen were chained a short distance from the cabin, and the ^