History of the settlement of Upper Canada (Ontario,): with special reference to the Bay QuintéCanniff, William
History
History of the settlement of Upper Canada (Ontario,): with special reference to the Bay Quinté
Canniff, William
Ontario -- History; Quinte, Bay of (Ont.)
He finally settled in Sophiasburgh, while it was yet considered by the
infant colony as the backwoods of the settlement. He was a man of
liberal education for the times, and was conversant with the Dutch and
French languages, and understood the Indian dialect. From his former
connection with the Johnson settlement upon the Mohawk, and his close
contiguity to the Mohawk Indians upon the Bay, he held a high place in
their regard. He often visited them; and their chiefs as often paid him
state visits. They often called upon him to settle their disputes, which
he never failed to do by his sternness and kindness combined. His
presence was sufficient to inspire awe amongst them when disposed to be
troublesome, which was increased by his long sword which he would hang
to his side.
Henry Hover was quite a boy when the rebellion was progressing, being
about sixteen when the Declaration of Independence was signed. Living
along the Hudson, near New York, he went out one day for the cows, when
he was caught by some rebels and carried to Lancaster jail. After being
in prison for some time he was released, and permitted to go to New
York. He some time after, by some means, enlisted in Butler’s Rangers,
and set out, with four others (one his brother), to traverse the wide
country on foot, from New York to Fort Niagara, the head-quarters of the
company. Lying one night under the trees, they were suddenly attacked by
a scouting party of rebels, by being fired upon. One was killed, and the
rest taken prisoners. Henry Hover remained in prison, in chains, until
the close of the war, nearly two years. The hardships and cruelties he
endured were, indeed, terrible. When he was taken prisoner he had on a
pair of linen trowsers; no others were ever given him; and when he was
released these were hanging in shreds upon him. They had nothing to lie
upon but the cold brick floor, two persons being chained together. Years
after, a stranger called one day at Hover’s in Adolphustown. Hover not
being at home, the man wrote his name, “Greenway,” the man to whom Henry
had been chained for many a weary day and month in prison. Hover being
released at the close of the war, reported himself at Niagara, and was
discharged with the rest of his company. He received all his back pay,
while in jail, and a grant of land at St. Davids; but his father, Casper
Hover, a refugee, had settled in Adolphustown, having come in Major Van
Alstine’s corps. Henry wished to see his parents, from whom he had been
so long separated, and sought a chance to go down from the Niagara
frontier. He entered on board an old “hulk,” an old French vessel coming
down the lake, and so got to Kingston, which place he reached soon after
Van Alstine’s company had settled in the fourth Township. Henry set out
from Kingston on foot, along the bay, through the woods. In time he
arrived at the third township. He was misdirected across to Hay Bay.
Following its shores, he met Holland’s surveying party, who told him
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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