The St. Clair Region in 1815

by Aura P. Stewart

The following is an excerpt from St. Clair County, Michigan, its history and its people; a narrative account of its historical progress and its principal interests, Jenks, William Lee, 1856-1936, pages 159 - 178.

The St. Clair Region in 1815

by Aura P. Stewart

"For many years, I saw but little of Michigan, except that portion bordering on the shore of Lake and River St. Clair. I came from an inland and thickly settled district, and had seen no flowing water save brooks and rivulets; I had seen no forests but in the distance, and though but a boy of twelve years of age, I could not but feel impressed with the wild beauty of my new home. The dense and almost impenetrable forests, the magnificent River St. Clair, the countless number of every variety of waterfowl flying over my head or resting and sporting on the bosom of the beautiful waters, the howling of wolves at night, the constantly passing and repassing canoes of the strange looking Indians, their stealthy tread through the woods and their unintelligible shouts as they passed each other, and last but not least, the merry songs of the French voyageurs toiling at the oar, propelling their boats swiftly over the blue waters - these were new scenes to me, and called forth my wonder and delight. I have now (1876) entered upon the seventy-second year of my life - nearly sixty years thus far have been spent in Michigan. I have witnessed the improvements made in the county of St. Clair; flourishing towns have sprung up, and a large portion of our older settlers have become wealthy; all have shared in the conveniences of modern improvements and comforts, but yet, for my own part, I could enjoy no greater pleasure than for a short time to see Michigan as I saw it in 1815, wild and romantic as it then was; to traverse its dense forests, to paddle my canoe over its waters, surrounded by game of every description on river, lake and shore; and at night, while partaking of a supper of game taken through the day, hear the howling of the wolves, the hooting of owls and other voices of the night. Fancy ofttimes leads me back to the dear old primitive days, and then I am a boy again. Alas! the vision lingers not! I am an old man with increasing infirmities, and nothing is left to me but the memories of the past.

It appears that there were no permanent settlements made on the River St. Clair prior to the conquest of Canada by the British forces, but immediately following that event lands were located and permanent residences made. At Point aux Trembles, there were four families; on Stromness Island (Dickinson's) there were three families;  and three also, on Harsen's Island; between Point aux Trembles and Recor's Point were fourteen, and five families were settled between Recor's and Black river. The names of the residents on Point aux Trembles were Chortier (Shirkey), Minnie, Basney and William Hill. Mr. Chortier appears to have been the most prominent man of the Point aux Trembles settlement. The names of the residents of Harsen's Island were William Harsen, Jacob Harsen, Francis Harsen and Mary Stewart, formerly Mary Graveraet. Captain Peter Laughton was the first settler on Stromness Island; he was a retired British naval officer, and had selected the island as a part of the land he was entitled to draw from the British government. Mr. James Harsen and his son-in-law, Isaac Graveraet, were the first settlers on Harsen's Island. Mr. Harsen was a gunsmith and Mr. Graveraet, a silversmith; they came from the city of Albany, N. Y., for the purpose of dealing with the Indians, and selected Harsen's Island as their place of business; they purchased the island from the Indians, under the sanction of the British government.

The first settlers on the River St. Clair, in what now comprises the township of Cottrellville, were Captain Alexander Harrow, Cottrell, William Thorn, Pascal, Robertson, William Brown, Joseph Minnie, and some others whose names I have forgotten.

It appears that the British were very liberal, in that day, in the distribution of wild lands to the officers of their army and navy, and Captain Harrow, of the navy, located all the land on the river extending from the present site of Algonac to Belle river. After the United States government came in possession of the Northwest territory, embracing the state of Michigan, congress passed an act limiting individuals to one section, and Captain Harrow was compelled to make his selection in accordance with this act. The lands selected by him are now embraced in the township of Clay, and extend from Abram Smith's mill in Algonac to the mill of W. C. & W. S. Roberts, at Roberts' Landing."

Mr. Aura P. Stewart's memories of: