From Reports to Counties, Vol. I, Pages 403 - 407

Transcribed by Grace Smith

Memoir of Luther Harvey

By Rela Hubbard

Read before the Detroit Pioneer Society, January, 1873

The life of the subject of this memoir, though it presents no features of lofty public interest, is worthy the attention of all who love honor and patriotism, and especially of the pioneers of Michigan.

His youth — going back far beyond the recollections of any of us — was spent amid the hardships and struggles of the first settlers; in the midst of savage atrocities, and in the volunteer service of his country.

His manhood was marked by variety of occupations and fortune, and felt the excitements of the flush times of Michigan.

His age has been passed in the honorable employment of a cultivator of the soil, and in that dignified repose, which befits a life of activity prolonged beyond the ordinary limit allotted to man.

Luther Harvey was born in 1789, at Burlington, Vermont. When he was four years old his father, Joel, moved to the Genesee Flats — a place called "Big Tree." The family remained there until 1801 or 1802, when they moved to Buffalo, and two years after bought and settled at Eighteen-Mile Creek.

Buffalo in 1802

He remembers that Buffalo in 1802 had five or six houses only, some framed, but mostly of hewed logs. One was a store called "The Contractor's," kept by one Tapper who had charge of the government property stored there to be sent up the lakes to the different military posts. For this purpose, a small public vessel sailed once a year, commanded by Capt. Lee, called the Contractor. A British vessel, the Camden, came occasionally to Fort Erie. It once got driven down the rapids, and was compelled to winter there, but was got off the next spring. This vessel was made a prison ship during the war. He remembers her bringing once some French pears from the trees on the Detroit, the only articles of commerce he knows of being brought from that remote post except furs, and he though them the most delicious fruit he ever ate.

About 1806, Joel Harvey took a contract under Postmaster-General Granger, to carry the mail from Buffalo to Erie, about one hundred miles, once a week. Joel made the first trip with his son, Luther, who thenceforward carried the mail regularly, summer and winter, for two years. He staid a week in Erie to meet the Southern mail, another week being consumed in going and returning. There was then a house at Fredonia, another at Chautauqua. Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Rivers were not bridged, and at the latter was no ferry. In good weather, he went on horseback, in bad weather on foot, as it was impossible for a horse to ford the streams, or get through the woods and swamps. Young Harvey thinks he never missed a trip. Once, traveling with his horse, he was belated and chased by wolves to Fredonia — then called by its Indian name, Canadoway. The mail was very light, often containing nothing.

Supplies

Provisions and most necessaries for Buffalo and Erie were then obtained from Canada, chiefly Fort Erie, where was an old settlement. Port was imported into Canada from Ireland, and the Irish pork had a great reputation. Hay was brought over on the ice. Salt came from Onondaga, by way of Oswego and Lake Ontario. It was hauled around the falls to Fort Schlosser, three miles above; thence it was shipped in boats to Erie, and distributed to the country south. These boats were extremely long and narrow, and capable of carrying each 100 barrels of salt. All were painted red. They had sails, but were impelled up Niagara River chiefly by setting poles, manned by eight men. A barrel of whisky — Pittsburgh's best —remained on tap in the stern, with tin cup near, and was the resort of these men, whenever, like Dame Gamp, they felt "so disposed." It was more common than water. Of this practice, Mr. Harvey, being a temperance man, may be allowed to say that he never knew any harm to result from it. Perhaps the exemption may be attributed in part to the constant and severe work which these men endured. At any rate whisky was an article of prime necessity and cheap at that, for while the best was dear at twenty-five cents a gallon, that article of luxury, flour, cost $40 a barrel.

The Schooner Lark

There was no commerce on the lakes properly so-called, but about this time some private enterprises were started. A small schooner called the Lark was built and owned by Doctor Cyrenus Chapin, uncle of the late Doctor Chapin, of Detroit. He was a man for the times. There were then no harbors on Lake Erie, nor were there anywhere piers or other improvements.

The captain of the Lark made several unsuccessful attempts to get into Chautauqua Creek, which was obstructed by reefs. This failure raised the ire of the Doctor, who swore by all that was good he would take the command himself and run her into the river, or run her to the devil. He undertook the feat, balked the devil, and returned in safety.

Contributed by Linda Ball