(cheerful music) - [Narrator] Major funding for Discovering Jefferson County is provided by the Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation, dedicated to improving the well-being of communities by helping disadvantaged children and families.

Online at dmjf.org.

(gentle music) The William G. Pomeroy Foundation, committed to helping people celebrate their community's history by providing grants for historic markers and plaques nationwide.

More about grant and partnership opportunities at wgpfoundation.org.

And by T. Urling and Mabel Walker.

Additional support provided by these sponsors, who believe in the educational and cultural mission of WPBS-TV.

(gentle upbeat music) (cheerful music) - That's quite a piece of history you have there in your hands.

- What is it?

- That is one of the first sale ledgers kept by the shopkeeper that established the original storefront here in Jefferson County over 100 years ago.

This used to be a grocery store.

- Wow.

There's some pretty amazing stuff in here.

Everywhere, actually.

I'm new to Jefferson County and some of the buildings and homes are beautiful.

I thought it would be neat to find pieces of history to take back home with me.

- Well then, welcome to the North Country.

You've come to the right place.

Lots to look at and learn.

Been to Sackets Harbor yet?

The war of 1812 was fought there.

But Jefferson County's history dates back long before the Revolutionary War.

In fact, this county has a fascinating history.

From the hardships early settlers faced, to the establishment of a major center for industrialization, to the gilded age mansions of the 1000 Islands.

- Were there native Americans here?

- Oh, yes.

The resources here were essential to the Native's everyday way of life.

In fact the area was plentiful of with wildlife, and forest, and freshwater, and agricultural land.

(gentle music) - [Narrator] Jefferson County was untouched land, full of timber for building shelter, wild game for sustenance, and countless numbers of lakes, rivers, and streams which provided plenty of fish.

Waterways like Lake Ontario and the Saint Lawrence River were also used as avenues of transportation for indigenous peoples.

The area served as hunting ground for Oneida, Iroquois, and Algonquin tribes in the summer.

They traveled south during the harsh winters.

But it was their knowledge and experience with these lands that was essential in forming relationships with the European settlers.

- The first European who is credited with landing on Jefferson County soil is Samuel Champlain.

He is reported to have landed in Jefferson County in 1609 and this was during his raids on the Onondaga further south.

- [Narrator] Samuel Champlain was born into a family of mariners, and by the summer of 1567, he learned how to navigate the waters and draw nautical charts.

Champlain first voyaged to North America on a fur-trading expedition with Francois Grave Du Pont in 1603.

During this time, he drew a map of the Saint Lawrence.

Champlain returned to France in the fall of that same year, and after publishing an account of his experiences, set out again in the spring of 1604.

This expedition, led by Pierre Dugua de Mons, focused on areas south of the Saint Lawrence.

- Well, it's interesting we had Europeans in our area even before the settlers.

The route coming down from Black Lake through the Indian River and connecting to the Black River has been a very, very ancient transportation corridor.

And in fact we recently learned that the French used that as their invasion route to central New York in the 18th century.

So, there have been Europeans crossing our area even before actual settlement.

Our earliest settlers tended to be French, and they were encouraged to come here by James Le Ray de Chaumont, who was one of our earliest landowners and land developers.

- [Narrator] The French alliance with Americans during the American Revolution is ultimately what urged James Le Ray de Chaumont, and other Frenchmen like him, to come to the area.

James Le Ray's father, Jacques Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont, invested in the American Revolution, providing money for weapons and supplies.

Sadly, he lost the family fortune with that investment.

After the war, the new United States government gave Jacques Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont land in payment of war debts.

His son, James Le Ray, also purchased thousands of acres in northern New York.

That acreage is known today as The Town of Le Ray and Chaumont in New York.

It also includes the borough of LeRaysville in Pennsylvania, also named after him.

Another man looking to make money after the American Revolution was Alexander Macomb, merchant, land speculator, and fur trader.

Following the Revolutionary War, the new State of New York was struggling financially, and to recover, offered tracts of land for sale.

In 1791, Macomb purchased 3,670,715 acres in New York, for eight cents an acre.

Macomb's Purchase would make up much of Lewis, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence counties, as well as part of Oswego County.

However, Macomb was unable to sell his land fast enough; an issue exacerbated by the Panic of 1792, which slowed land sales.

As a result, Macomb found himself in Debtor's Prison.

- Wow, what about the battles that happened here during the American Revolution?

Where did they take place?

And were there soldiers stationed here at that time?

- Well, during the Revolution, this area was pretty much all wilderness.

Which means the land was perfect terrain for unsuspecting raiding parties to move through.

- And some of the raids in Cherry Valley and Central New York, those were mobilized from Carleton Island.

They took the old Smuggler's Route, which is basically the road from Millen's Bay down through Watertown and then south and actually then brought prisoners also back along that route.

If you recall, I mentioned that that old black river route is an important one.

So, the only Revolutionary War activity really would be raiding parties going through the region.

There was a Revolutionary War fort in the Thousand Islands on Carleton Island.

It's called Fort Haldimand.

And so we do have Revolutionary War ruins in our county.

(upbeat music) - [Narrator] As far as soldiers stationed here, just off the coast of Cape Vincent is Carleton Island, home to what was once Fort Haldimand.

Named after Frederick Haldimand, the Governor of the Province of Quebec, the British fort was built in 1778 and occupied mostly during the American Revolution.

Anywhere between 150 to 700 British soldiers lived there until 1783 when it was largely replaced by Fort Ontario to the south.

- This was an incredibly active area during the American Revolution.

It was very much a way station for support of British settlements farther into the Great Lakes, places like Niagara, Detroit, Michilimackinac all relied upon the supplies, materials, and personnel that came through Carleton Island.

So they would come from Montreal and Quebec, upriver in small boats.

They would end up here at Carleton Island, they would transfer to larger ships and so forth, they would take them across to Niagara, and then subsequently farther into the Great Lakes and the interior of North America.

So it was an incredibly important junction on a very vital transportation route for the British.

It was one that did not have really any military battles or significant military action in that way.

But if you look at things like, say, engineering records and treasury records and so forth, the British invested more in this post than in any other post west of Montreal during the American Revolution.

- [Narrator] The island also became home to Loyalists, those who remained loyal to King George during the Revolution.

Often forced out of their homes, Loyalists came to Carleton Island and other Canadian strongholds seeking refuge.

Many took up arms and formed Loyalist regiments.

Between the time of the American Revolution and the War of 1812, the British held onto the island, leaving a very small detachment of soldiers there.

- In the years leading up to the War of 1812, there wasn't a great deal of military activity going on at Carleton Island.

- There're still British on Carleton Island.

- Do you believe that British and not believe that.

- [Narrator] But, when war broke out, and American Revolutionary War veteran over in Millens Bay, New York, by the name of Abner Hubbard, and his friends, were upset over the fact that the British still had any presence on Carleton Island.

- Yeah.

- Absolutely.

- [Narrator] And they rode over one evening and took the fort without a shot fired.

- The British are here.

(playful music) - And there were apparently about a half a dozen soldiers and two of their wives here that day, and that was the more or less unceremonious end to the British occupation of Fort Haldimand.

(all cheering) (cheerful music) (gentle music) - [Narrator] There are three known burial grounds located on the island: a military burial ground on the north side, an indigenous burial ground on the northwest shore, and a civilian burial ground east of the fort.

The ruins of Fort Haldimand can still be seen on the southwest end of the island along the northeast side of North Bay.

The Fort Haldimand site is owned and protected by the Thousand Islands Land Trust.

- Fort Haldimand is a unique resource because so few 18th century military sites are as preserved as this.

We're incredibly fortunate to have the Thousand Islands Land Trust protect this as a privately held, but significant historic site here in northern New York.

It was a source of protection for the British people who were here during the American Revolution and in the years leading up to the War of 1812.

It has a great deal of importance in Canadian history as well.

Many people see this as the founding area for upper Canada.

But it also was incredibly important to northern New York in establishing what became the national boundary following the treaty that ended the War of 1812.

- So the British had a presence here.

Can you tell me more about the French and their presence?

- Ah, yes.

The French connection came about because of the American Revolution.

And, believe it or not, this area almost became the home of Napoleon Bonaparte.

- You're kidding.

- [Narrator] It all started with a man named Jacques Donatien Le Ray de Chaumont.

He, along with other wealthy Frenchmen, loaned money to the new American government to help finance the American Revolution.

His son, James Le Ray de Chaumont, came to America to collect the money owed to the family.

The new Congress had very little money, so instead, James Le Ray was given vast tracts of land, and he purchased additional land in Jefferson County.

In 1789, James married a woman from New Jersey and became an American citizen.

He settled mainly in Cape Vincent.

(cheerful music) Formed in 1849 from the northern part of the Town of Lyme, and located on the Saint Lawrence River, Cape Vincent was originally settled at an area then known as Gravelly Point around 1811, by James Le Ray De Chaumont and named in his son Vincent's honor.

- He settled mainly in Cape Vincent, but he also built a home in Luray, New York and one in Shamal.

He had land offices and he had tracts of land that he gave to French settlers that were followers of Napoleon.

- [Narrator] But Napoleon Bonaparte's move to Cape Vincent never materialized, he was exiled to Saint Helena's instead.

Before his exile, many of his soldiers and officers settled in Cape Vincent, constructing a house for the French military leader in anticipation of his arrival.

The design of the Cup and Saucer House was spearheaded by Napoleon's prefect of police, Count Real in 1818.

The original building was destroyed by a fire in 1867, but the foundation still makes up part of the Cape Vincent Community Library today.

French influence in Cape Vincent can also be seen in much of the architecture.

Sturdy structures like The Stone House, built in 1815 by James Le Ray, is just one example.

The historic, iconic mansion is still a marvel to look at.

Visitors to The Cape Vincent Historical Museum may not realize it was originally a barracks in the War of 1812, but it was, as were several churches and residential properties around the village.

(gentle upbeat music) Back in those early days, anyone needing to get to and from neighboring islands took what was considered an innovative mode of transportation at the time, the ferry.

- The first ferry to Wolfe Island from Cape Vincent, was around 1809, and that was done by a Mr. Putnam, out of what was called Port Putnam, which was about two miles east of the village of Cape Vincent now.

Eventually there was a settlement in Cape Vincent which was first called Gravelly Point.

A Mr. Kelsey started the ferry there, and then eventually a Mr. Hinckley and then into the Horne family, which still runs it to this day.

- The ferry still functions today.

It's been a boon to the village's tourism and trade for over 200 years and will continue to be.

So there you have your French connection.

- Well, that certainly explains why there are so many towns with French-sounding names in Jefferson County like Cape Vincent, Chaumont, LaFargeville, Le Ray.

And as you said earlier, this area has a strong connection to the War of 1812.

- Oh, yes.

Sackets Harbor was the site of not one, but two battles of the War of 1812.

It was also the destination of the Great Cable Carry.

- The Great Cable Carry?

That sounds interesting!

Tell me about Sackets Harbor first.

(bright drumming music) - [Narrator] Beautiful Sackets Harbor, located on the border of British-controlled Canada, was significantly involved in the War of 1812.

The presence of soldiers there was key to the creation of Madison Barracks, housing for soldiers, and eventually lead to the establishment of what is now Fort Drum.

Augustus Sacket, in whose honor the village is named, founded the village in 1801, as a potential site for trade with Canada.

But his little village on the harbor soon became the center for military activity during the War of 1812 instead.

Sacket was a lawyer from New York City.

He was also an entrepreneur and land developer.

Like so many others at the time, Sacket saw the potential of developing land in Northern New York.

After seeing the area, he and his business partners bought several parcels of land and began selling them off.

Sacket built his house there, which still stands today, as the visitor's center.

The founder eventually moved from the village to Pennsylvania where he purchased and developed more land there.

He never returned to the village named after him.

In any event, The War of 1812 was very much on the doorstep of Sackets Harbor.

With plenty of timber and a protected harbor on Lake Ontario, Sackets Harbor had long established a strong shipbuilding industry.

The attributes that enticed Augustus Sacket and other settlers to the harbor, were the very same that brought conflict to its shores.

- The USS Oneida was here, and the crew and the troops were to manage the embargo which was here along the border with the British-held Canadian side.

So, in Sackets Harbor, they already knew that this was the best natural port on Lake Ontario on the American side.

Therefore, Sackets Harbor became the headquarters for the Army, the Navy, and the Marines.

- [Narrator] Two battles were fought at Sackets Harbor.

The second, and more significant battle, occurred in 1813.

In an attempt to destroy the American shipyard, a British-Canadian force launched an attack on May 29th.

At that time most American forces were across Lake Ontario attacking Fort George.

The British saw an opportunity to take control of the harbor and swooped in.

The historic battle lasted only three hours.

(cannon banging) - At that time, most of the troops were in the Niagara frontier.

The British commanders realized and understood that the community of Sackets Harbor was not well defended.

They felt it was a good time to come over and capture Sackets Harbor.

- [Narrator] The remaining Americans drove off the enemy, but their narrow victory was marred by a fire that destroyed their military stores.

During the remainder of the war, Sackets Harbor was an active station where naval ships were constructed and supplied.

This is where the Great Cable Carry comes in.

With the British controlling the waters of Lake Ontario, the American warship USS Superior sat unfinished in the shipyards of Sackets Harbor, waiting for a giant hemp cable that would be crafted into her rigging and anchor ropes.

Made in the shipyards of Boston, the giant cable stretched nearly 600 feet, measured 21 inches around, and weighed almost five tons.

Unable to reach Sackets Harbor by water, the Americans landed their supplies in Ellisburg, New York, where they successfully ambushed the British in the pivotal Battle of Big Sandy on May 29th and 30th, 1814.

After the battle, it was deemed too dangerous to return to the lake.

The supplies, including the massive hemp rope, would have to be taken the remaining 20 miles by land to Sackets Harbor.

Far too large for any wagon, the five-ton cable would have to be carried by shoulder.

In a feat true to the American spirit, local soldiers, farmers, and merchants banded together to help carry the rope, in an event that would later become known as the Great Cable Carry.

In 2014, on the 200th anniversary, North Country volunteers re-enacted the event, carrying a less-heavy version of the rope along the same trail used two centuries ago.

- By carrying the cable and the cannon after the Battle of Big Sandy, now we had the biggest ship on the lake.

Now we had superiority, we had the largest ship and that meant that no longer could the British freewheel on the Lake.

So now we had control of the Lake.

They went back to Kingston and stayed for the rest of the war.

It was something that was necessary for us to win the war.

We had to have that superiority.

- [Narrator] In December 1814, the Treaty of Ghent officially ended the War of 1812, and the Lake Ontario fleet was placed in storage at Shiphouse Point.

- I had no idea Jefferson County had such an amazing history.

My husband is military, that's why we're here.

I am absolutely humbled to learn of the county's involvement in the War of 1812 and all of its proud military past.

- It's that military past, along with its location in one of the coldest and snowiest parts of the country, that led to the establishment of Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division moving here.

Another little tidbit, in 2015, a lady by the name of Diana M. Holland became the first female General at Fort Drum, as well as the first woman to serve as a Deputy Commanding General in one of the Army's light infantry divisions.

- That's amazing.

I am so proud of the progress women have made in the Armed Forces through the years.

I'm sure many have made their mark at Fort Drum and will continue to do so.

I'm taking this home with me today.

I have to admit, I so enjoy talking with you.

Do you think I can come back again?

I have a feeling we've barely scratched the surface and I have a lot more to learn.

- It would be my pleasure!

- [Narrator] On our next visit to Discovering Jefferson County, we'll dig into the history of Fort Drum, how the Industrial Age helped the north country flourish, and how fire and flame actually created a new era for the some of the smaller towns and villages.

- [Narrator] Major funding for Discovering Jefferson County is provided by the Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation, dedicated to improving the well-being of communities by helping disadvantaged children and families.

Online at dmjf.org.

(gentle upbeat music) The William G. Pomeroy Foundation, committed to helping people celebrate their community's history by providing grants for historic markers and plaques nationwide.

More about grant and partnership opportunities at wgpfoundation.org.

And by T. Urling and Mabel Walker.

(gentle music) Additional support provided by these sponsors, who believe in the educational and cultural mission of WPBS-TV.

(gentle upbeat music) (orchestral music)