Miscellaneous, Legends of Our Valley, Part 3, 1884

Legends of Our Valley - Part 3

More of White Store

Chenango Union, Mar. 6, 1884

 

On the marble headstones in Evergreen Cemetery [White Store, Chenango Co., NY] are many names which are only faint memories in the minds of the older portion of the inhabitants of our valley.  Among them are the names of Rev. Daniel Eastwood, and John, his brother, who resided on farms on the east side of the Unadilla, and at whose homes the first settlers met for religious worship before churches were built in the valley.  The inscription on the headstone of Rev. Daniel reads:  "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."  A fitting inscription.  In the fall of 1882 I chanced to meet in a city in the western part of the State, a lady of over four score, yet a bright and active as many at sixty.  She said musingly, one morning:  "Seventy years ago to-day Daniel Eastwood preached in my father's dooryard in Chenango county, and Alice Trask and Jonathan Bush went home singing and shouting.  They were converted at that meeting."  Alice Trask was Mrs. Rev. Dr. John Mitchell, of sainted memory, and the other a minister of the gospel, long since passed away.

 

John Eastwood was the hero of many thrilling adventures among the Indians, having at one time during the Revolutionary war been taken prisoner by them, and dragged to Montreal, from whence, some months later, he escaped with a comrade, and made his way through the dense forests to Schenectady.  All the way, only a few hours behind him, were Indians in pursuit, who were not misled by  the signs which he purposely left in his path to turn aside pursuers.  He reached his home in safety, to find that his friends had long mourned over his death.

 

The plowman on the east side of the Unadilla often turns up the flint arrowheads of the ancient dwellers in the forest, for this was a favorite camping ground for the wandering tribes.  Mrs. J. Reid, of Fredonia, N.Y., a daughter of John Eastwood, related to me an incident which she said would never fade from memory, although when it occurred she was but a mere child.  The children came running into the house, saying that several boatloads of Indians were landing on the river bank below the house.  Were they friends or foes?  That was the question.  "I will go and meet them," said Mr. Eastwood.  "When you see us coming, if they put me in front, run for your lives, and hide away;  but if I am walking around among them, have no fears."  With trembling, the frightened family watched for the coming of the Indians, but no sooner did they come in sight than they saw Mr. Eastwood walking around in the most unconcerned manner, and chatting pleasantly with all.  Then, instead of hiding, the tables were loaded with food, and the dusky visitors entertained in the most hospitable manner.   They soon left in the best of humor, and went on the hunting expedition which was their destination.  The birch bark canoes in which they came were left in the river, as new ones could be made whenever needed.  The red men were frequent visitors at Mr. Eastwood's who always gave them a kindly welcome.

 

Deer were plentiful in those days, and wolves were a great annoyance; and often bears ventured so near the homes of the settlers that they were killed, their flesh being esteemed quite a luxury.  The river did not then occupy its present narrow boundaries, but often overspread the valley.  White Store in those days was larger than Norwich [Chenango Co., NY], which only numbered two or three houses.  The years have not fulfilled the early promise, and the little hamlet remains as it was nearly a century ago.