By Mrs. J. F. GilbertSepta Fillmore and Eunice Edgerton were married in Norwich, Conn., in 1797. Grandfather came in 1799 and Grandmother in the winter of 1800, her father bringing her as far as Middlebury, Vt., in a sleigh and grandfather meeting her there. They were both from homes of comfort and perhaps luxury at that time. Leaving brothers and sisters and a father's home to make a home in Chazy, then called the Five Nations, and almost a wilderness., I have heard grandmother say that if her father had known to what hardship and privation she was coming, he would never have given his consent.
Grandfather built a log or block house with a roof' over only one side and a dirt floor. This I believe was just back of where the hotel, (Chazy House), now stands. The cooking was then done before an open fire or in t kettle hung on a crane. I have often heard old people wish they could cat some of the good things cooked in that way.
With the woods and wild beasts around them, grand-mother was sometimes left alone for two or three days when grandfather was obliged to go to mill, taking his grist and that of' his neighbors to Chazy Landing and from there in a canoe to Noix where there was a wind mill. She would take her two babies up the ladder nights and pull it up after her, as there was only a blanket for a door below and the wolves were so plenty they fighted pine knots to keep them awav. (The people carried torches when they went out at night). One can imagine that there could be little sleep for a mother with little children under such circumstances. After a few years grandfather built the main part of the present hotel where they lived several years, and where he died. What is now the front piazza, was then enclosed and made into several bedrooms, which some of you may remember. There was a bake house where all of the cooking was done. For months before the battle of Plattsburgh many of the officers boarded at the hotel, which made lively times and hard work. At one time they were obliged to bake several hundred loaves of bread and band them out of the window as fast as baked to the soldiers who were (in their way to Plattsburgh and stopped there for rations.
Grandfather was a captain and expected to be ordered to his regiment at any time.While everyone was waiting in suspense a man came dashing through the place saving, "The British are corning - the British are coming.,, This proved to be a false alarm. At the time grandfather was putting on his shoes and stockings. He left one stocking behind, kissed his wife good bye, jumped upon his horse and rode for dear life as there was danger of his being killed BV those in hiding, most of the way being a wilderness and filled with Indiana and scouts sent out by the British.The British had sent out a proclamation that all who would remain quietly and peaceably at home should not be molested. Grandmother thought at first she would be brave and remain, but after grandfather had gone and she was left with her little family and the care of the hotel, she became frightened at the fearful hooting and howling at night. Fearing for herself' and children she decided to attempt to reach Plattsburgh. She piled bedding, clothing and several little children on a big wagon and sent them on ahead. Then she took other things and followed, leaving her house filled with supplies of all kinds and all that they had gathered together in the few years of their married life.
When they reached the old Woodruff place, about four miles this side of Plattsburgh, the road was blocked with felled trees, but Esq. Woodruff came out and let them through, and for the first time she felt safe. They went on to Peru, where they had friends, and grandmother was prostrated by the great anxiety and the effort she had made. When the news came that the British flag had struck, there was no more sickness for her, only suspense, as she did not know whether her husband was killed or not.When the battle was over and the British had "marched back to Montreal, Sir," she returned to find only the bare shell of a house; not an article of furniture, no food, all the supplies taken or destroyed, not a whole pane of glass, the front door riddled with bullets, a perfectly bare and desolate place. The only article found was an iron kettle up in the field. Every tree of the young orchard which grandfather had set out was cut down. Only the Free Mason sign upon the house prevented its being burned. Thus they were obliged to begin life anew. Grandmother said they never recovered the great loss of property as her husband did not live many years and there was no one to look after her interests with the government.
After the battle several of the inhabitants were taken prisoners, among them old Dr. Carver. He was attending some of the sick and wounded at a hotel which stood just across the rood from where the Cummings live. He was taken for an army surgeon. They took him to Montreal and kept him two months. Grandfather was there at the time and was told to get into bed with the sick soldiers, which he did boots and all, and often laughed at how he escaped being taken prisoner. Capt. Fillmore was Colonel by brevet.
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