A Biographical Sketch of
COMFORT TYLER
From Onondaga; or Reminiscences of Earlier and Later Times, Vol. 1, by Joshua V. H. Clark, A.M., Stoddard and Babcock, Syracuse, N.Y., 1849, pp. 365-378
Click here for picture of Comfort Tyler's home, from Pioneer Times in the Onondaga Country, by Carroll E. Smith, LL.D., C. W. Bardeen, Publisher, Syracuse, NY, 1904, pg. 53
COMFORT TYLER was born in the town of Ashford, Connecticut, on the 22d of February, 1764, being the fourth of seven brothers. In the year 1777, when only thirteen years of age, he manifested a strong desire to enter the army, and resolved to enlist as a soldier in defense of his country. At the age of fourteen, he entered the army with his father's consent. His term of service was of short duration, and his duties light, being mostly confined to duty in and about the fortress of West Point. In 1783, he went to Caughnawaga, on the Mohawk River, where he entered upon the business of surveyor, taught a school; and as is often the case with young men of gifted minds, he made greater advances in useful knowledge than his pupils. Among the superior men who have emigrated from New-England to the wilderness of Western New York, a large proportion of them have thought it a necessary preliminary to teach school, and to learn the art of surveying land, in order to secure a small fund and successfully to make headway in the world. While Mr. Tyler was thus engaged at Caughnawaga, General James Clinton came up the Mohawk valley with a party, for the purpose of establishing the boundary line between New-York and Pennsylvania; and by him Mr. Tyler was engaged to accompany the expedition. The party transported their bateaux and baggage from the Mohawk River to Otsego Lake, and thence down the Susquehanna, to the State line, being the same route taken by General Clinton, in 1779, in the expedition against the western Indians. Mr. Tyler continued with the party during the season, and then returned to the Mohawk. On this surveying expedition, he first made the acquaintance of Moses DeWitt, who was about his own age, and with whom he was intimately associated till the time of Mr. DeWitt's death.
The next event of importance which occurred during his residence in the Mohawk valley, grew out of his connection with the celebrated "Lessee Company." The constitution of the State forbade the purchase of lands, in fee simple, of the Indians by individuals, reserving to the State alone, the right to make such purchases. An association of men, embracing many of wealth, character and influence, was formed for the purpose of purchasing lease-hold estates of the Indians, for the term of nine hundred and ninety-nine years. On their way up the Mohawk valley, they met Mr. Tyler, and offered him a participation in the enterprise, which offer he accepted. They proceeded as far as Canandaigua, where a treaty was held with the Indians on the bank of the lake: and, so far as they could judge, their object was accomplished. As might have been foreseen, however, the State authorities interfered, and the whole affair vanished in smoke. As the history of this company is but little known, we give the following brief sketch of it. In the winter of 1787-88, was formed the memorable "Lessee Company," composed of John Livingston, Caleb Benton, Peter Ryckman, John Stephenson, Ezekiel Gilbert, Benjamin Birdsall, and others, some eighty-six persons in all* These gentlemen, entered into an agreement with the chiefs and head men of the Six Nations of the Indians, by which, for consideration afterwards mentioned, the said Six Nations leased "all the land commonly known as the lands of the Six Nations, in the State of New-York, and at the time, in the actual possession of said chiefs and sachems," for the term of nine hundred and ninety-nine years, for an annual rent of two thousand Spanish milled dollars, except some insignificant reserves, and some privileges of hunting, fishing, &c., among which are the following:
Reservation first.-"A mile square near the outlet of Cayuga Lake and Cayuga Salt Springs, with one hundred acres of land, to accommodate the same with wood.
Reservation second.-One-half of the falls, and convenient places for weirs, for the purpose of catching fish and eels, from Cross Lake to the Three Rivers.
Reservation third.-Reserving the exclusive right to one of the salt springs near Onondaga, with fifty or one hundred acres of land around the same, sufficient for fire wood, and other conveniences for boiling salt, together with an equal right in common, for eeling and fishing as far as Oneida Lake."
The Indians might reserve any other lands they chose, but the same reverted to the lessees whenever they were abandoned by the Indians. The time for the payment of the rents, was to commence on the 4th of July, 1791.
The leases were signed on the part of the Mohawks by Joseph Brant, and Hendrick Tekarihogea, by three Oneidas, eight Onondagas, twenty-three Cayugas and twenty-two Senecas, among whom were Red Jacket and Little-Beard, and also by ten principal women. Witnesses to the leases, were Samuel Kirkland, James Dean, Jos. Brant, David Smith, Benjamin Barton, M. Hollenback, Elisha Lee and Ezekiel Scott. Dated 9th of July, 1788.
One other lease, was witnessed by the same chief, Brant, as Oneida chief, James Dean, Sam'l Kirkland, Hezekiah Olcutt, Jed. Phelps, Nicholas Jourdain and Abram Van Eps, and signed by ten Senecas, five Tuscaroras, five Mohawks, seven Oneidas, and ten Onondagas, besides thirty miscellaneous.
It has been intimated that Brant, Red Jacket and others, of the principal chiefs of the Six Nations, were more than liberally paid for their concurrence in these transactions.
It was thought by many discerning persons, at the time of this transaction, that the leaders in this matter, contemplated nothing less than the dismemberment of the State of New-York, and the erection of a new one, out of the fertile country of the western part.
Many of the most prominent citizens in the State were enlisted in the scheme, and although the laws and constitution expressly forbade the purchase of any lands from the Indians, yet by leasing the same, for the term of nine hundred and ninety-nine years, amounted virtually to a sale; although in effect fraudulent, still, undoubtedly, many were innocently engaged in the transaction.
An act was passed, 18th of March, 1789, brought about by the energy of Governor Clinton and Senator Egbert Benson, defining the boundaries of the lesses, authorizing the Governor to destroy all dwellings, houses, barns or other erections, made on any of the Indian lands, by others than Indians, and if necessary, to call out the militia of the State, to speedily and forcibly eject all trespassers on Indian lands.
By these operations, the lessees failed to establish their title to the fertile country of Western New-York, and feeling themselves aggrieved by the interference of the State, petitioned the Legislature for relief; and finally on the 4th of February, 1793, was passed an act authorizing the Commissioners of the Land Office to direct a quantity of the vacant and unappropriated lands in the State, equal to ten miles square, to be set off for their use and benefit. This land was finally located on township No. 3, of the "Old Military Tract," amounting to about sixty-four thousand acres; and this was the final compromise of the State, with the famous "Lessee Company," who once pretended to own and hold all the lands in Western New-York, west of the "Old Line of Property." This Line of Property, often named in the early records of the State Department at Albany, was a line drawn from the north-east corner of the State of Pennsylvania across the State of New-York, in a direction a little east of North, crossing the Mohawk River, near where the dividing line of the counties of Herkimer and Oneida now crosses the same.
By the treaty of 1784, the Six Nations were to occupy all the lands in the State of New-York, west of that line, so distinguished because, beyond that on the west, no white people had acquired a title, except about six miles square, including the Fort at Oswego, and a strip about four miles wide along the Niagara River, which by stipulation in the treaty, the United States had reserved.
The journey of Mr. Tyler to Cayuga was not without benefit, for it enabled him to see and appreciate the beautiful and fertile country west of the Mohawk; and, it was at this time, that he formed the resolution of eventually settling in that portion of the State.
In the spring of 1788, at the age of twenty-three years, in company with Major Asa Danforth, he pushed into the wilderness, fifty miles beyond any white inhabitant, and commenced the permanent settlement of Onondaga county. This was nearly a year before the treaty was held on the bank of the Seneca Lake, between Oliver Phelps and the Indians.**
After the arrival of Col. Tyler at Onondaga, he enjoyed the distinction of having felled the first tree, and of constructing the first piece of turnpike road in the State, west of Fort Stanwix, and of assisting in the first manufacture of salt.
The first individuals who passed the limits of our county to live, were John Harris and James Bennet, who settled at Cayuga in 1789. Mr. Tyler obtained his first cow from Judge White, as well as some grain for seed. Having heard that cows might be had at the garrison at Oswego, he went there and purchased two or three more. Like most of the early settlers, Mr. Tyler was obliged to grind his corn in a mortar made in an oak stump. His mill was standing till the year 1845, near the barn of Mrs. Thaddeus M. Wood, when it was grubbed out and burned, to add to the improvements of the age. It was quite sound.
Col. Tyler was a favorite with the Indians, who named him "To-whan-ta-qua" - meaning one that is double, or one that is a laboring man and a gentleman at the same time, or can do two things at once. So intimate were the associations of the family with the Indians, that some of the children lisped their first accents in the Indian tongue.
Mr. Tyler married for his first wife Miss Deborah Wemple, who died a short time after her marriage, leaving one daughter, who afterwards became the wife of Cornelius Longstreet, father of Mr. C. T. Longstreet. He afterwards married Miss Betsey Brown.
His second wife survived him but a few weeks, leaving but one child, Mrs. Mary Olmstead, now of Cohoes Falls. These two daughters were his only children.
In the summer of 1793, Col. Tyler was severely bitten in the arm by a rabid dog. The wound was instantly done up in salt. He immediately arranged his affairs, bade farewell to his friends, and with the most melancholy feelings, and the prospect of a terrible and certain death before him, set out in quest of a celebrated physician, who professed to cure this horrible malady. He was successful in finding him, submitted to a severe course of treatment, which entirely eradicated the insidious poison, and in a few weeks came home restored to health and usefulness. This would appear incredible but from the fact that the dog had bitten several swine and cattle in the neighborhood, which died with all the symptoms and horrors of that most dreadful of maladies. The dog was killed.
When the Military Tract was surveyed, he was selected to render assistance, and surveyed one of the townships, and subsequently he surveyed the Cayuga reservation. In all the important improvements of the country he bore a conspicuous part, freely appropriating his time and means for the promotion of these objects. He was early selected on account of his sterling worth to fill the highest offices of trust. He was appointed a justice of the peace for the town of Manlius in 1794. He was appointed coroner for Onondaga county in 1794, with Gilbert Tracy. In 1797 he was appointed sheriff of the county of Onondaga, and after Cayuga was set off in 1799, he was appointed clerk for Onondaga, and held that office till 1802. He was the first supervisor of the town of Manlius in 1794, and held the office four years; and represented Onondaga in the Legislature in 1798 and 1799. With a physical constitution remarkably capable of undergoing fatigue, and all the vicissitudes of climate, Mr. Tyler possessed, in an eminent degree, the qualities of enterprise, sagacity, prudence and fortitude. Among the Indians, his firmness and justice soon produced respect and confidence. With the new settlers, as they gradually followed his lonely path into the woods, his intelligence, sympathy and alacrity in aiding them, produced high esteem and devoted friendship. Many of the first settlers of Onondaga, had their spirits perpetually refreshed by glowing anticipations of the future. They knew the importance of their exertions. They labored and suffered in perfect assurance that the great results would follow, which we see realized. Full of these assurances, Mr. Tyler was always active and ardent for opening roads, improving streams, establishing schools, and erecting churches. Extensively acquainted with the topography of the country, he labored assiduously on all occasions, and with much effect, in impressing upon others the views which he entertained of the real wants and true interests of the new settlements. In addition to the encouragement which he gave by his example, to the ordinary and indispensable operations of clearing lands, providing the means of subsistence, and constructing comfortable dwellings, from the first his mind was constantly laboring for the means of facilitating intercourse. With a parental solicitude, he considered the condition of the whole country into which he led the settlers, and comprehended upon the broadest scale, the means of improving it. His zeal for new roads and bridges was deemed romantic. But his knowledge and his perseverance were not to be defeated. As a member of the Legislature, and in all his intercourse with public and private meetings for the general welfare, no person sustained his part better, or effected more, than he did. These subjects were the theme of his remarks, and the object he was most anxious to promote. To him more than to any other man are we indebted for the Seneca Turnpike Road, including the bridge across the Cayuga Lake. This project, which has proved so valuable since its accomplishment, was very much opposed at its inception. The ignorant, the timid and the indolent, thought it impossible to be effected by the feeble means then in the country. It was too gigantic and expensive; even if it could be constructed, the means would be wasted, and after years of hard labor, and the most liberal appropriations for its completion, its advocates would inevitably incur the loss and mortification of finding it altogether unprofitable.
In his efforts to bring capital and influence in aid of his undertakings, Col. Tyler made the acquaintance of Aaron Burr - which finally led to his connection with the celebrated southern expedition. The history of that period shows that he entered prominently into the transaction, having spent two years at the south, in arranging plans for the consummation of the project. The minutiae of these operations have not transpired.
As this affair caused great excitement throughout the country at the time, and as Col. Tyler was a prominent actor in the scene, it may be interesting to some, to give a brief synopsis so far as he and some other citizens of Onondaga were concerned. Previous to the succession of Louisiana, to the United States, Baron P. N. Tut. Bastrop, contracted with the Spanish government, for a tract of land exceeding thirty miles square near Nachitoches. Subsequently, Col. Charles Lynch made an agreement with Baron Bastrop, for an interest in this purchase. Aaron Burr purchased of Col. Lynch about four hundred thousand acres of this land, lying between the Sabine and Nachitoches, and paid for it fifty thousand dollars.
The grant of Bastrop contained about one million two hundred thousand acres, and six-tenths of it was conveyed to Col. Lynch, and Col. Burr became interested in one half of Lynch's share, for the consideration above named.
This is the commencement of the celebrated Burr conspiracy. In the spring of 1805, Burr passed through the State of Pennsylvania to the Ohio valley, and down to New Orleans. It was at this time that he visited the beautiful Island of Herman Blennerhasset. Whatever scheme of ambition he contemplated, or what mighty project for founding a vast empire in the south-west he had planned, is unknown. There was a profound mystery in his movements, which could not be penetrated. The ostensible object of his operations was the settlement of the lands he had bargained for on the Washita River. Hundreds had been sounded on the subject of the speculation, and had assented to a participation in its profits, without knowing the destiny, or calculating on the event, of what was now in progress. In fact, the unfolding of the plan was not yet, and its result and prospects were perhaps only known to Aaron Burr, the grand projector of the hidden scheme. It has been supposed by man that his final object was the possession of New Orleans, the conquest of all Mexico and the formation of a new Republic. Many of the principal men of New-York and Ohio, were, through the wiles and machinations of this exuberant genius, drawn within the influences of his plans, and without harboring a surmise of evil, joined their fortunes with his. What communication Comfort Tyler had with the grand leader of this project is unknown. He first made the acquaintance of Aaron Burr, while they were members together of the New-York Legislature, in 1798 and 1799.
The New-York delegation was composed of Aaron Burr, George Clinton, John Swartwouth, - Gates and others. At this session Col. Tyler procured the charter for building the Cayuga Bridge, and in order to facilitate the work, Col. Burr, and Gen. John Swartwout, subscribed for, took the whole stock, and furnished the means for prosecuting the work. Israel Smith and Joseph Annin superintended the building of the bridge. Thus commenced, the intercourse of Aaron Burr with the people of Western New York, many of whom were subsequently drawn into the great south-west expedition. In process of time, Col. Tyler and Israel Smith, both of whom acted prominent parts in the affair, with others from Onondaga and Cayuga counties, proceeded to Big Beaver (formerly For McIntosh,) in Pennsylvania, on horseback, ostensibly for the purpose of making sale of salt. This article had begun to be manufactured in considerable quantities at Montezuma and Onondaga, and the sale of it in the west became a desirable object. Upon their arrival at Beaver, Messrs. Tyler and Smith entered largely into the purchase of provisions, particularly pork and flour. Having purchased a large number of hogs, they had them packed and taken down the Ohio to Natches. This is said to be the first salted pork ever taken down the Ohio River, and was considered not only something new but wonderful at Natches. Many of the most prominent men in the country courted the society of these gentlemen, and expressed themselves as fervent advocates of the project. As the boats laden with provisions proceeded down the Ohio, they were joined by others who were engaged in the expedition. These operations on the Muskingum and Ohio Rivers, awakened the vigilance and excited the attention of the government of the United States.
On the 6th of December, 1805, Col. Tyler landed at Blenerhasset's Island with four boats and about thirty men, some of whom were armed. These had been fitted out as before stated, as the towns above on the Ohio River, and were making their way to New Orleans. Boats laden with similar freight had previously passed, and others were expected. Upon these demonstrations of hostility, the militia of Ohio were called out to suppress what was supposed to amount to an insurrection. An act of the Ohio Legislature, and President Jefferson's proclamation, against these suspicious movements, dissipated the whole affair, and the expedition, whatever it was designed to be, exploded upon the arrest of the principal mover, Aaron Burr.
Col. Burr, was arrested on the Tombigbee River, Mississippi; was carried to Richmond Virginia, tried for treason in 1807, and acquitted.
Other arrests were made, viz: Generals Adair and Dayton, Blenerhasset, Swartwout, Tyler, Smith, Bellman and Ogden. Burr and Blenerhasset were the only ones tried. It has been stated that Burr's whole force at no time exceeded one hundred and fifty men.
The indictments were founded on the allegation, that Col. Tyler, with some thirty men, stopped at Blenerhasset's Island on their way down the Ohio with a view of taking temporary possession of New Orleans on their way to New Mexico, such intent being considered treason. Process was served on Col. Tyler at Natches. He came to Washington with Col. Pike, who was afterwards Gen. Pike, and who was killed at Little York, in 1812.
It has been supposed by some that President Jefferson was to close his eyes to all these proceedings; for maps, charts, notes, &c., had been furnished, of the Washita country, otherwise called the Baron Bastrop purchase, by his knowledge. It should be borne in mind that Burr's title to that purchase was considered good, and proved to be so. It is supposed that the remonstrance of Marshall Turenne, Minister from France, in behalf of Bonaparte, influenced the mind of the President in his deliberations upon the subject. He unequivocally declared that any entry of American citizens upon the territory in question, would amount to a declaration of war, which was supposed to have accelerated the President's interference.***
This affair greatly impaired Col. Tyler's private fortune, and such was popular prejudice against the participators in this enterprise that it forever destroyed his prospects as a public man. Whatever may have been Burr's ulterior object, the public will understand better when the history of this transaction is more fully developed. That the great number of influential and respectable men connected with it, had no unworthy motive, but simply sought to take possession of the Bastrop purchase, to which they believed they had a fair and legitimate title, cannot be doubted. Whatever the expectations of these men were, they were sadly disappointed, and the result proved that they had been wofully misled. The consequence of this disappointment was, that a controversy took place between Col. Burr and Col. Tyler, which resulted in a total estrangement between them, which was never reconciled.
Besides Comfort Tyler, there were some twenty-five others, all young men, who proceeded to Beaver, in Pennsylvania, to take part in the expedition. Some of these were Major Israel Smith, of Cayuga, Samuel Forman, Augustus Hopkins, George Kibbe, John Brackett, - - - Lamb, - - - Hathaway, Daniel Howlett, Jonathan Thompson, and several others, who left Onondaga on horseback, in full expectation of realizing fortunes without the slightest knowledge of the details of the expedition.
The affair, at this time, created a great sensation among the young men, who were alive to the subject of important speculation.
In 1811, Col. Tyler removed with his family to Montezuma, where he took a deep interest in the Cayuga Manufacturing Company. This company was engaged in making salt, and to extend their business, every thing would be important which could render Montezuma accessible. With this view, and very much by his advice and personal exertions, the company built two long bridges across the Seneca and Clyde Rivers, and constructed a turnpike, more than three miles in length, over the Cayuga marshes, where the earth was so soft that with one hand a man might thrust a pole with ease into it ten or twelve feet; and yet the experiment succeeded perfectly, without exorbitant cost.
Col. Tyler resided some two or three years at Hoboken, and superintended the draining of the salt meadows in that vicinity. In fact wherever any great work was to be accomplished, he was among the first consulted. Whatever affected the interest of his country, always engaged his solicitude, and in the late war he entered again into its military service, as Assistant Commissary General to the northern army. His activity, his resources and knowledge of the country, were often called into useful requisition. He served in the capacity of Assistant Commissary General, with the rank of Colonel, to the close of the war.
After the close of the war, the canal policy engaged his most earnest attention. From the beginning, he was among the foremost of the advocates of that work, and he was early in the field, side by side with Judge Geddes and Judge Forman, in advocating the feasibility and policy of the plan. His intimate acquaintance with the country through which it would pass, and his knowledge of the means which might be applied to its accomplishment, convinced him of its practicability; and it had been the peculiar study of his life, to ascertain the advantages which must flow, from opening such a channel of communication. He was industrious in supporting the measure by animated conversations, wherever he happened to be, and by letters addressed to members of the Legislature, in the early stages of its agitation. He lived to rejoice with those who rejoiced at its completion.
Few men have lived and died so well as Colonel Tyler, and his character may be contemplated with advantage by all. To him and his influence, the public have been under peculiar obligations. His character stands out in bold relief, and his merits have naturally resulted from his thirst after knowledge; his superiority to all the allurements of ease and luxury, his daring enterprise, his comprehensive sagacity, his self reliance, his energetic activity, his constancy in his undertakings, and in his deliberate purpose of doing good. In all the relations of private friendship, Colonel Tyler was uncommonly endearing. His ready sympathy, his ingenious affability, his animation, his originality of remark, his knowledge of human nature and of life, and that strong expression of benevolence, which beamed from his countenance and issued from his heart, made his society always attractive and advantageous, and his house the seat of hospitality. His extraordinary conversational powers were peculiarly attractive; no one became weary of his words, they were perfectly fascinating, and endeared him in the hearts of thousands. One who was intimate with him has said, "I never knew his equal in those qualities which constitute a man. He was nature's own nobleman, in person, in speech, in voice, in mind; in fact, he possessed every attribute of a perfect man." No man more than himself upon a first acquaintance, impressed upon the mind of another, the idea that his soul was filled with manly and generous sentiments, and none more fully confirmed that impression upon subsequent intimacy. By those who knew him best, he was most highly esteemed.
He died at his residence at Montezuma, on the 5th of August, 1827, sincerely lamented by a large circle of personal friends, and deeply mourned by numerous relatives.
FOOTNOTES:
*For full list, see Greenleaf's Laws, Vol. III, p. 389, act 1787, for the relief of Benjamin Birdsall and others.
**By the way, Oliver Phelps opened the first land office in America, at Canandaigua, in 1789, and for the first time land was conveyed by an "article." This was a new device, of American origin, wholly unknown to the English system, of granting possession without fee.
*** Relation of Israel Smith, Esq., of Albany.
Home of Comfort Tyler, on the East Road, Onondaga Valley
picture taken from Pioneer Times in the Onondaga Country,
by Carroll E. Smith, LL.D., C. W. Bardeen, Publisher, Syracuse, NY, 1904, pg. 53
Information on Comfort Tyler from Onondaga's Centennial, by Dwight H. Bruce, Boston History Co., 1896, Vol. I, pp. 842-843.
Updated 21 August 1998