Recollections of the Early Settlement of the town of Greene
Chenango American, Greene, NY, December 3, 1857
Part 2
Capt. Joseph Juliand, to whom reference has already been made, was born in the city of Lyons, in the then kingdom of France, January 17, 1749, and in early life received a good academical education. His father intended that he should devote himself to the medical profession and he pursued his studies so far as to acquire a very good general knowledge of the science, which in after life was turned to good account as the commander of a vessel's crew, as well as a pioneer in a new country; both of which positions he was destined to occupy. Being a man of great energy of character, bold and adventurous, he abandoned the study of medicine and adopted a maritime life at an early age. He passed through all the subordinate grades usual in that profession until he attained the rank of a commander of a vessel in the mercantile marine of France. In this capacity he made several voyages across the Atlantic, principally between the ports of Nantes and Bordeaux in France and Boston and Philadelphia in the United States. While spending some time in this country, on the occasion of his periodical visits he traveled in the interior, mingling freely with the people. He lost no opportunity to learn the language as well as the manners and customs of the country. It was on one of these occasions while spending some time in the vicinity of New Haven, Ct., that he made the acquaintance of Hannah Lindsley, the daughter of a respectable farmer, who afterwards became his wife. It is probable that this circumstance had a great influence in changing all his future plans of life After closing his commercial operations, he abandoned the sea and determined to adopt this country as his future home. This determination might have been accelerated by the political troubles which were then beginning to agitate France, and which afterwards deluged that fair country with the blood of its own citizens. His native city of Lyons became one of the most conspicuous and sanguinary theaters for the enactment of the bloody drama of the Revolution. He was married in 1788, and soon after removed to a farm near Greenfield, in Massachusetts, where he resided several years. Having heard of the establishment of a French colony here, and having been solicited to come, he made his arrangements to join it.
After disposing of his property he set out on his journey with his small family then consisting of a wife and two children. He penetrated the then unbroken wilderness in the expectation of finding a new home and congenial society. Leaving his family in that part of the town which is now included in the town of Coventry until he could provide a dwelling and make permanent arrangement here, he visited the settlement. But what was his surprise to find it broken up; several families having already left and others preparing to follow. Nothing daunted by this discouraging circumstance, he purchased the very land, including the town plot which had just been abandoned by his disheartened countrymen, and thenceforth made it his residence during his whole future life. It was in 1798 that he assumed the possession of this property. Here he reared a family of five sons and one daughter all of whom are now living [in 1857] and reside in this vicinity, and are heads of families and occupy respectable positions in society. After living many years to enjoy the fruits of his enterprise and to witness the improvement and prosperity of the country, he died on the 13th of Oct. 1821, in the 78th year of his age. Capt. Juliand was a man of medium status, rather inclined to fullness. He possessed a remarkable degree of energy and vivacity, blended with wit, intelligence and politeness of manners, all of which are so characteristic of the nation and country of which he was a native. It was these traits of character which enabled him to conform to the circumstances in which he was placed, and to enjoy the greatest amount of happiness of which his condition was susceptible. He was ever the sympathizing friend of the poor and oppressed, and nothing would excite his indignation sooner than the exhibition of a spirit of intolerance and oppression.
To be Continued
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