Asa Danforth
Encyclopedia
Asa Danforth was an early settler and leading citizen of Onondaga County, New York
where he was the second white man to settle upon his arrival in 1788. He was a veteran of the American Revolution
and a salt maker in Onondaga Hollow.
. He was married to Hannah Wheeler. Together, they had a son, Asa Danforth Jr.
At the commencement of the war of the Revolution he marched from Brookfield, Massachusetts
on September 23, 1777 to serve as a volunteer under the command of General Horatio Gates
at Bunker Hill
. He took part in the second Battle of Saratoga
on October 7, 1777 and was at the surrender of Burgoyne."
At the insistance of General Israel Putnam
, Danforth joined the U.S. Army and served with a major's rank and commission.
He was placed on the pension roll of New York State for service as captain in the Massachusetts Line and was styled the "father of his county."
in Salt Point (later named Salina
}. He was enticed to relocate to Onondaga County by Ephraim Webster
who stopped at his house in Mayfield, New York
located in Montgomery County
in February, 1788, while on a hunting trip.
Webster persuaded Danforth to come to Onondaga to settle, offering to ask permission of the United States Government. When this was secured in May, 1788, Danforth's son, Asa Danforth Jr.
, along with Comfort Tyler
, drove across the country with the stock while Danforth with his family, farming implements, and tools came up the Mohawk River
in two flat bottomed boats (bateaux) through the portage at Rome, New York
proceeding through Oneida Lake
and Oneida River
around by the Seneca River
until they reached Onondaga Lake
landing at the mouth of Onondaga Creek
.
Here they met up with Ephraim Webster
, Comfort Tyler
and Asa Jr. who had arrived with the stock in advance of the boats. Passing up the creek they made the first settlement south of Onondaga Hollow on May 23, 1788.
Their nearest neighbor in the wilderness lived 50 miles (80.5 km) east of them. The Indian chief, Cawhiodota, treated them kindly, and though they had no near neighbors to help them, they soon had a roof to cover them.
There was in the vicinity, two traders named Adam Campbell and Alexander Mabie who sold liquor to the Indians. The latter consequently often became intoxicated and proved very troublesome to Danforth and his family. Danforth made enemies with the traders, who then bribed the Indians with promises of liquor to kill Danforth. The Indians called him Hatecolhotwas, or "the man who ploughs the ground." One dark night the Indians set off to accomplish their purpose but luckily for Danforth, their chief persuaded the culprits "to desist from their depredation and they reluctedly did so."
Discouraged by seven dreary months in this place doing the whole of housekeeping and having no one but the Indian squaws as female companions for the wife to spend her days with, in December, 1788, the Danforth's decided to visit their old home in Brookline, Massachusetts
. Danforth started out on sled with wife and child and reached Chittenango, New York
by the first night, where, for lack of better accommodation, they slept on the sled. The second night, they were honored guests of the hospitable Skenandoa, at Oneida Castle. After three days of travel, they reached their nearest white neighbor, Judge White, at Sadaquate, where "they enjoyed themselves very much."
They then proceeded on to Brookline, Massachusetts
, the home of their childhood. The couple returned to New York State in March, 1789 and were welcomed by the Onondagas and by their son, Asa, and Comfort Tyler, who had acted as housekeepers in their absence.
The spring of 1789 was prosperous. Potatoes were brought from Whitestown, New York
for seed. Their own crops were planted and the Indians prepared the lands, sowing and planting after the manner of the whites. The following fall, Asa Jr. and Comfort Tyler returned to Massachusetts
where both the younger Danforth and Tyler were married. John Brown and his family traveled to Onondaga with the two brides. They were the first white women besides his wife, Danforth had ever seen in Onondaga County.
Tyler accompanied him, carrying an axe, chain and other necessary implements for the purpose of making a "suitable erection to boil salt." They set up two crotches and suspended their kettle on a chain around a pole between them. After a sufficient quantity was made, they would hide their implements in the bushes until needed again. The practice continued for another year.
Later, salt houses were built of logs. Danforth was a member of The Federal Company along with Jedediah Sanger, Daniel Keeler, Thomas Hart, Ebenezer Butler, Elisha Alvord and Hezekiah Olcott. The group organized in 1798 and the object of the company was to manufacture salt on a "stupendous scale." They erected a building capable of holding 32 kettles which were set in boiling blocks of four kettles each. Water was then pumped by hand, from a single shallow well, into reservoirs made of "dug out white wood logs" used for pipes."
to the closest grist mill. He soon devised a plan for grinding his own corn. This was a primitive way of so doing, a hollowed white oak stump with a huge wooden pestle and spring pole attached and a man to pound it. This was slow work, a man could only produce half a bushel a day, and it "was not done properly."
In the spring of 1792, Danforth commenced to build a saw mill at Butternut Creek, near Jamesville, New York
on lot 81 in township of Manlius
(now DeWitt preparatory to building a grist mill. He hired workmen from Utica. All the materials used in the construction were brought from Utica by the workmen. Danforth acquired a saw and brought it "on his back" from old Fort Schuyler.
The following spring, in 1793, Danforth began his grist mill. At the raising of the structure, every able-bodied man within a radius of 25 miles (40.2 km) attended. They numbered sixty-four, and it took them a week to raise the roof.
The colony began to grow and Danforth was considered the chief business man of the neighborhood, "to be consulted upon all questions of importance."
with his three sons where he established a tavern. Later, he began the manufacture of salt on the shore of Onondaga Lake
.
Asa Danforth served as county judge in 1797 and later as judge of the Court of Common Pleas in the Western District. He was also superintendent of the Onondaga Salt Springs and presided at the first town meeting which was held at his home in April, 1798. He was a member of the Assembly from 1801 and 1802, and was New York State Senator in 1803.
The first court in town of Onondaga was held in Danforth's home. By 1805, the county court was held in an unfinished building on Onondaga Hill.
During all his years of service in the miltia, he ascended the ranks several grades from Major to Major General. Danforth was a member of Onondaga Lodge No. 98. The building still stands on Seneca Turnpike.
Asa Danforth Sr. died on September 2, 1818 at his residence in Onondaga Hollow at age 72 and was mourned by an extensive circle of family and friends.
were named in his honor.
Onondaga County, New York
Onondaga County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 467,026. The county seat is Syracuse.Onondaga County is part of the Syracuse, NY Metropolitan Statistical Area....
where he was the second white man to settle upon his arrival in 1788. He was a veteran of the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
and a salt maker in Onondaga Hollow.
Biography
Asa Danforth was born on July 6, 1746 in Worcester, MassachusettsWorcester, Massachusetts
Worcester is a city and the county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, as of the 2010 Census the city's population is 181,045, making it the second largest city in New England after Boston....
. He was married to Hannah Wheeler. Together, they had a son, Asa Danforth Jr.
Asa Danforth Jr.
Asa Danforth Jr. was one of the first citizens of Onondaga County, New York, when he arrived there with his father, Asa Danforth in 1788. Danforth incurred heavy debts speculating in land in New York State...
American revolution
Asa Danforth first enrolled in the militia at age 14. With a captain's commission, he was in command of a company of miltia and belonged to the regiment of Colonel Danforth Keyes and was engaged in the Battle of Lexington.At the commencement of the war of the Revolution he marched from Brookfield, Massachusetts
Brookfield, Massachusetts
Brookfield is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The population was 3,390 at the 2010 census.-History:Brookfield was first settled in 1660 and was officially incorporated in 1718...
on September 23, 1777 to serve as a volunteer under the command of General Horatio Gates
Horatio Gates
Horatio Lloyd Gates was a retired British soldier who served as an American general during the Revolutionary War. He took credit for the American victory at the Battle of Saratoga – Benedict Arnold, who led the attack, was finally forced from the field when he was shot in the leg – and...
at Bunker Hill
Bunker Hill
Bunker Hill may refer to:* A hill in Charlestown, Massachusetts** Battle of Bunker Hill, a battle American Revolutionary War fought near the hill in Charlestown, Massachusetts** Several American ships named after the Battle of Bunker Hill, including:...
. He took part in the second Battle of Saratoga
Battle of Saratoga
The Battles of Saratoga conclusively decided the fate of British General John Burgoyne's army in the American War of Independence and are generally regarded as a turning point in the war. The battles were fought eighteen days apart on the same ground, south of Saratoga, New York...
on October 7, 1777 and was at the surrender of Burgoyne."
At the insistance of General Israel Putnam
Israel Putnam
Israel Putnam was an American army general and Freemason who fought with distinction at the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolutionary War...
, Danforth joined the U.S. Army and served with a major's rank and commission.
He was placed on the pension roll of New York State for service as captain in the Massachusetts Line and was styled the "father of his county."
Onondaga county
Danforth settled permanently in Onondaga County in the spring of 1788 and built his home and barn on the highway leading from Onondaga Castle to LaFayette, New YorkLaFayette, New York
LaFayette is a town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 4,833 at the 2000 census. The town is named after LaFayette, a national hero of both France and the United States....
in Salt Point (later named Salina
Salina, New York
Salina is a town in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 33,290 at the 2000 census. The name of the town is derived from the Latin word for "salt."...
}. He was enticed to relocate to Onondaga County by Ephraim Webster
Ephraim Webster
Ephraim Webster was the first white settler in Central New York when he arrived in 1786 to an area later named Syracuse...
who stopped at his house in Mayfield, New York
Mayfield, New York
Mayfield, New York may refer to:*Mayfield , New York*Mayfield , New York...
located in Montgomery County
Montgomery County
Montgomery County may refer to:* Montgomery County, Tasmania or Montgomery Land District, Australia* Montgomery County, Alabama* Montgomery County, Arkansas* Montgomery County, Georgia* Montgomery County, Illinois* Montgomery County, Indiana...
in February, 1788, while on a hunting trip.
Webster persuaded Danforth to come to Onondaga to settle, offering to ask permission of the United States Government. When this was secured in May, 1788, Danforth's son, Asa Danforth Jr.
Asa Danforth Jr.
Asa Danforth Jr. was one of the first citizens of Onondaga County, New York, when he arrived there with his father, Asa Danforth in 1788. Danforth incurred heavy debts speculating in land in New York State...
, along with Comfort Tyler
Comfort Tyler
Comfort Tyler , one of the original settlers of modern Syracuse, New York, brought his family in the spring of 1788 to what became the hamlet of Onondaga Hollow on the future Seneca Turnpike, south of the city's center today...
, drove across the country with the stock while Danforth with his family, farming implements, and tools came up the Mohawk River
Mohawk River
The Mohawk River is a river in the U.S. state of New York. It is the largest tributary of the Hudson River. The Mohawk flows into the Hudson in the Capital District, a few miles north of the city of Albany. The river is named for the Mohawk Nation of the Iroquois Confederacy...
in two flat bottomed boats (bateaux) through the portage at Rome, New York
Rome, New York
Rome is a city in Oneida County, New York, United States. It is located in north-central or "upstate" New York. The population was 44,797 at the 2010 census. It is in New York's 24th congressional district. In 1758, British forces began construction of Fort Stanwix at this strategic location, but...
proceeding through Oneida Lake
Oneida Lake
Oneida Lake is the largest lake entirely within New York State . The lake is located northeast of Syracuse and near the Great Lakes. It serves as one of the links in the Erie Canal. It empties into the Oneida River which flows into the Oswego River which in turn flows into Lake Ontario...
and Oneida River
Oneida River
The Oneida River in central New York state flows from Oneida Lake to its confluence with the Seneca and Oswego rivers. The Oswego empties the water of the other two rivers into Lake Ontario....
around by the Seneca River
Seneca River (New York)
The Seneca River in central New York flows from west to east, from Seneca Lake, through the Montezuma Marsh at the north end of Cayuga Lake to the Seneca's confluence with the Oneida and Oswego rivers at the Three Rivers area north of Syracuse. Much of the river has been channelized to form part...
until they reached Onondaga Lake
Onondaga Lake
Onondaga Lake is a lake in Central New York located northwest of Syracuse, New York. The southeastern end of the lake and the southwestern shore abut industrial areas and expressways; the northeastern shore and northwestern end border a series of parks and museums. Although it is near the Finger...
landing at the mouth of Onondaga Creek
Onondaga Creek
Onondaga Creek is a major tributary of Onondaga Lake which is located in Onondaga County, New York. The headwaters of the creek originate south of the city of Syracuse near the hamlet of Vesper, New York...
.
Here they met up with Ephraim Webster
Ephraim Webster
Ephraim Webster was the first white settler in Central New York when he arrived in 1786 to an area later named Syracuse...
, Comfort Tyler
Comfort Tyler
Comfort Tyler , one of the original settlers of modern Syracuse, New York, brought his family in the spring of 1788 to what became the hamlet of Onondaga Hollow on the future Seneca Turnpike, south of the city's center today...
and Asa Jr. who had arrived with the stock in advance of the boats. Passing up the creek they made the first settlement south of Onondaga Hollow on May 23, 1788.
Their nearest neighbor in the wilderness lived 50 miles (80.5 km) east of them. The Indian chief, Cawhiodota, treated them kindly, and though they had no near neighbors to help them, they soon had a roof to cover them.
There was in the vicinity, two traders named Adam Campbell and Alexander Mabie who sold liquor to the Indians. The latter consequently often became intoxicated and proved very troublesome to Danforth and his family. Danforth made enemies with the traders, who then bribed the Indians with promises of liquor to kill Danforth. The Indians called him Hatecolhotwas, or "the man who ploughs the ground." One dark night the Indians set off to accomplish their purpose but luckily for Danforth, their chief persuaded the culprits "to desist from their depredation and they reluctedly did so."
Discouraged by seven dreary months in this place doing the whole of housekeeping and having no one but the Indian squaws as female companions for the wife to spend her days with, in December, 1788, the Danforth's decided to visit their old home in Brookline, Massachusetts
Brookline, Massachusetts
Brookline is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States, which borders on the cities of Boston and Newton. As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 58,732.-Etymology:...
. Danforth started out on sled with wife and child and reached Chittenango, New York
Chittenango, New York
Chittenango is a village located in Madison County, New York, in the United States. The village is in the south part of the Town of Sullivan. The population was 5,081 at the 2010 census.- History :...
by the first night, where, for lack of better accommodation, they slept on the sled. The second night, they were honored guests of the hospitable Skenandoa, at Oneida Castle. After three days of travel, they reached their nearest white neighbor, Judge White, at Sadaquate, where "they enjoyed themselves very much."
They then proceeded on to Brookline, Massachusetts
Brookline, Massachusetts
Brookline is a town in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, United States, which borders on the cities of Boston and Newton. As of the 2010 census, the population of the town was 58,732.-Etymology:...
, the home of their childhood. The couple returned to New York State in March, 1789 and were welcomed by the Onondagas and by their son, Asa, and Comfort Tyler, who had acted as housekeepers in their absence.
The spring of 1789 was prosperous. Potatoes were brought from Whitestown, New York
Whitestown, New York
Whitestown is a town in Oneida County, New York, USA. The population was 18,635 at the 2000 census. The name is derived from Judge Hugh White, an early settler.The Town of Whitestown is immediately west of Utica, New York...
for seed. Their own crops were planted and the Indians prepared the lands, sowing and planting after the manner of the whites. The following fall, Asa Jr. and Comfort Tyler returned to Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
where both the younger Danforth and Tyler were married. John Brown and his family traveled to Onondaga with the two brides. They were the first white women besides his wife, Danforth had ever seen in Onondaga County.
Salt production
Danforth began his salt business in 1789. He carried a five pail kettle from his residence at Onondaga Hollow to Onondaga Salt Springs Reservation. He placed his coat on his head, inverted the kettle, and is said to have, "carried it the whole distance without taking it off to rest."Tyler accompanied him, carrying an axe, chain and other necessary implements for the purpose of making a "suitable erection to boil salt." They set up two crotches and suspended their kettle on a chain around a pole between them. After a sufficient quantity was made, they would hide their implements in the bushes until needed again. The practice continued for another year.
Later, salt houses were built of logs. Danforth was a member of The Federal Company along with Jedediah Sanger, Daniel Keeler, Thomas Hart, Ebenezer Butler, Elisha Alvord and Hezekiah Olcott. The group organized in 1798 and the object of the company was to manufacture salt on a "stupendous scale." They erected a building capable of holding 32 kettles which were set in boiling blocks of four kettles each. Water was then pumped by hand, from a single shallow well, into reservoirs made of "dug out white wood logs" used for pipes."
New industry
Life was not easy and Danforth found himself traveling 75 miles (120.7 km) to Utica, New YorkUtica, New York
Utica is a city in and the county seat of Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 62,235 at the 2010 census, an increase of 2.6% from the 2000 census....
to the closest grist mill. He soon devised a plan for grinding his own corn. This was a primitive way of so doing, a hollowed white oak stump with a huge wooden pestle and spring pole attached and a man to pound it. This was slow work, a man could only produce half a bushel a day, and it "was not done properly."
In the spring of 1792, Danforth commenced to build a saw mill at Butternut Creek, near Jamesville, New York
Jamesville, New York
Jamesville is a hamlet in De Witt, Onondaga County, New York, United States, part of the greater Syracuse area.The history of the community is documented in the book Water, Wheels and Stone: Heritage of the Little Village by the Creek, Jamesville, New York, written by Jean Schutz Keough, and...
on lot 81 in township of Manlius
Manlius, New York
Manlius, New York may refer to the following places Onondaga County, New York:*Manlius , New York*Manlius , New York...
(now DeWitt preparatory to building a grist mill. He hired workmen from Utica. All the materials used in the construction were brought from Utica by the workmen. Danforth acquired a saw and brought it "on his back" from old Fort Schuyler.
The following spring, in 1793, Danforth began his grist mill. At the raising of the structure, every able-bodied man within a radius of 25 miles (40.2 km) attended. They numbered sixty-four, and it took them a week to raise the roof.
The colony began to grow and Danforth was considered the chief business man of the neighborhood, "to be consulted upon all questions of importance."
Later years
In 1794, his brother, John Danforth, settled in Liverpool, New YorkLiverpool, New York
Liverpool is a village located in Onondaga County, New York, United States. The population was 2,505 at the 2000 census. The name was adopted from the city of Liverpool in the United Kingdom...
with his three sons where he established a tavern. Later, he began the manufacture of salt on the shore of Onondaga Lake
Onondaga Lake
Onondaga Lake is a lake in Central New York located northwest of Syracuse, New York. The southeastern end of the lake and the southwestern shore abut industrial areas and expressways; the northeastern shore and northwestern end border a series of parks and museums. Although it is near the Finger...
.
Asa Danforth served as county judge in 1797 and later as judge of the Court of Common Pleas in the Western District. He was also superintendent of the Onondaga Salt Springs and presided at the first town meeting which was held at his home in April, 1798. He was a member of the Assembly from 1801 and 1802, and was New York State Senator in 1803.
The first court in town of Onondaga was held in Danforth's home. By 1805, the county court was held in an unfinished building on Onondaga Hill.
During all his years of service in the miltia, he ascended the ranks several grades from Major to Major General. Danforth was a member of Onondaga Lodge No. 98. The building still stands on Seneca Turnpike.
Asa Danforth Sr. died on September 2, 1818 at his residence in Onondaga Hollow at age 72 and was mourned by an extensive circle of family and friends.
Recognition and memorials
Danforth was incorporated as a village in 1874 and was named in honor of the pioneer Judge Asa Danforth. Years later, both Danforth School and Danforth Street in Syracuse, New YorkSyracuse, New York
Syracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
were named in his honor.