Removed to Canada with his family in 1793
At the commencement of the French war Gideon enlisted as a soldier in the service of his country, and was assigned to the company commanded by Capt. Doolittle. During his three years service he passed through
this region of country several times, and whenever he came in sight of the valley of the Otter Creek we are informed that he expressed his highest admiration of it.
At the expiration of his term of enlistment he received his discharge, and returning on the military road from Crown Point, when he had arrived near Otter Creek he followed the old road up the west side of it till he was on the high bluff a few rods west of the present Gorham Bridge, and standing there he remarked to a comrade, " That," pointing to the broad expanse below, "is the place for me."
But he returned to Greenwich, married Elizabeth Osborn of that town, in October, 1758, and resided there till the spring of 1766, when he came to Pittsford to make a more thorough exploration of the country which had so long flitted before his mental vision. By a more critical examination of the land in the vicinity of what is now known as Sutherland Falls, he discovered some seventy acres on the east side of the Creek, jutting in towards the Falls on the west and the high lands on the east, and covered with shallow water retained there by a dam which had "Been constructed by beavers". He was convinced that by cutting this dam and draining the land, he might soon have a fruitful field.
This to him was a coveted spot; and he therefore applied to his friend Capt. Doolittle for a deed of it. The Captain having a large interest in the township and being anxious to effect its settlement, promised him
one right of land as a gift, on condition that he would improve and occupy it, or in other words become a bonafide settler; and to make the promise sure he gave him a bond for a deed.
Thus encouraged Mr. Cooley hastened to Greenwich to get his younger brother, Benjamin, to accompany him to Pittsford and assist him in making improvements upon his land. But Benjamin being only nineteen years of age his father refused to give him his time. It was finally agreed that Gideon should remain in Greenwich and work for his father one year, in compensation for a year of Benjamin's time. Gideon's share of the
contract having been performed, early in the summer of 1767, the two brothers, taking a package of provisions, axes, shovel and hoe, set out on horsebackf to make for themselves a future home in the wilderness. They had but one horse.
Arriving in Pittsford, after making a rude shelter they commenced a clearing, and in a short time
began to build a log house. In this they paid but little attention to the rules of architecture, but gave to it such shape and proportions, as appeared to them best adapted to their more urgent necessities. This house stood about fifteen rods north east of the present residence of Samuel B. Loveland, and on the east side of the present highway. The only vestige of it now remaining is a small excavation in the ground, which once
constituted the cellar. Their living consisted mostly of game with which the woods abounded, though the streams contributed no insignificant part from their living tenants.
With the exception of one or two trips to Bennington to procure a few of the necessaries of life, they spent the summer here. They enlarged their clearing, completed the house and made such general arrangements as would enable them to resume their improvements another year to better advantage. In the fall they went back to Greenwich where they spent the winter.
Early in May the next year they returned to Pittsford, bringing with them the seeds for a future harvest.
Up to this time Benjamin had supposed that he was to share equally with his brother, in the land they had taken up, and in the improvements. But now, to his great disappointment, he learned that Gideon had both the land and the improvements secured to himself. This produced some alienation of feeling, and Benjamin left his brother, went to the township of Addison and took up a lot of land on the border of Lake Champlain.
Gideon, however, remained in Pittsford, and with the assistance of a hired man, continued the improvements upon his land, and during that season raised some corn, potatoes and other vegetables, and got his place ready for the reception of his household the following year. He returned to Greenwich in the fall, and during the winter made the necessary arrangements for the removal of his family.
At the commencement of the French war Gideon enlisted as a soldier in the service of his country, and was assigned to the company commanded by Capt. Doolittle. During his three years service he passed through
this region of country several times, and whenever he came in sight of the valley of the Otter Creek we are informed that he expressed his highest admiration of it.
At the expiration of his term of enlistment he received his discharge, and returning on the military road from Crown Point, when he had arrived near Otter Creek he followed the old road up the west side of it till he was on the high bluff a few rods west of the present Gorham Bridge, and standing there he remarked to a comrade, " That," pointing to the broad expanse below, "is the place for me."
But he returned to Greenwich, married Elizabeth Osborn of that town, in October, 1758, and resided there till the spring of 1766, when he came to Pittsford to make a more thorough exploration of the country which had so long flitted before his mental vision. By a more critical examination of the land in the vicinity of what is now known as Sutherland Falls, he discovered some seventy acres on the east side of the Creek, jutting in towards the Falls on the west and the high lands on the east, and covered with shallow water retained there by a dam which had "Been constructed by beavers". He was convinced that by cutting this dam and draining the land, he might soon have a fruitful field.
This to him was a coveted spot; and he therefore applied to his friend Capt. Doolittle for a deed of it. The Captain having a large interest in the township and being anxious to effect its settlement, promised him
one right of land as a gift, on condition that he would improve and occupy it, or in other words become a bonafide settler; and to make the promise sure he gave him a bond for a deed.
Thus encouraged Mr. Cooley hastened to Greenwich to get his younger brother, Benjamin, to accompany him to Pittsford and assist him in making improvements upon his land. But Benjamin being only nineteen years of age his father refused to give him his time. It was finally agreed that Gideon should remain in Greenwich and work for his father one year, in compensation for a year of Benjamin's time. Gideon's share of the
contract having been performed, early in the summer of 1767, the two brothers, taking a package of provisions, axes, shovel and hoe, set out on horsebackf to make for themselves a future home in the wilderness. They had but one horse.
Arriving in Pittsford, after making a rude shelter they commenced a clearing, and in a short time
began to build a log house. In this they paid but little attention to the rules of architecture, but gave to it such shape and proportions, as appeared to them best adapted to their more urgent necessities. This house stood about fifteen rods north east of the present residence of Samuel B. Loveland, and on the east side of the present highway. The only vestige of it now remaining is a small excavation in the ground, which once
constituted the cellar. Their living consisted mostly of game with which the woods abounded, though the streams contributed no insignificant part from their living tenants.
With the exception of one or two trips to Bennington to procure a few of the necessaries of life, they spent the summer here. They enlarged their clearing, completed the house and made such general arrangements as would enable them to resume their improvements another year to better advantage. In the fall they went back to Greenwich where they spent the winter.
Early in May the next year they returned to Pittsford, bringing with them the seeds for a future harvest.
Up to this time Benjamin had supposed that he was to share equally with his brother, in the land they had taken up, and in the improvements. But now, to his great disappointment, he learned that Gideon had both the land and the improvements secured to himself. This produced some alienation of feeling, and Benjamin left his brother, went to the township of Addison and took up a lot of land on the border of Lake Champlain.
Gideon, however, remained in Pittsford, and with the assistance of a hired man, continued the improvements upon his land, and during that season raised some corn, potatoes and other vegetables, and got his place ready for the reception of his household the following year. He returned to Greenwich in the fall, and during the winter made the necessary arrangements for the removal of his family.
Removed to Canada with his family in 1793
At the commencement of the French war Gideon enlisted as a soldier in the service of his country, and was assigned to the company commanded by Capt. Doolittle. During his three years service he passed through
this region of country several times, and whenever he came in sight of the valley of the Otter Creek we are informed that he expressed his highest admiration of it.
At the expiration of his term of enlistment he received his discharge, and returning on the military road from Crown Point, when he had arrived near Otter Creek he followed the old road up the west side of it till he was on the high bluff a few rods west of the present Gorham Bridge, and standing there he remarked to a comrade, " That," pointing to the broad expanse below, "is the place for me."
But he returned to Greenwich, married Elizabeth Osborn of that town, in October, 1758, and resided there till the spring of 1766, when he came to Pittsford to make a more thorough exploration of the country which had so long flitted before his mental vision. By a more critical examination of the land in the vicinity of what is now known as Sutherland Falls, he discovered some seventy acres on the east side of the Creek, jutting in towards the Falls on the west and the high lands on the east, and covered with shallow water retained there by a dam which had "Been constructed by beavers". He was convinced that by cutting this dam and draining the land, he might soon have a fruitful field.
This to him was a coveted spot; and he therefore applied to his friend Capt. Doolittle for a deed of it. The Captain having a large interest in the township and being anxious to effect its settlement, promised him
one right of land as a gift, on condition that he would improve and occupy it, or in other words become a bonafide settler; and to make the promise sure he gave him a bond for a deed.
Thus encouraged Mr. Cooley hastened to Greenwich to get his younger brother, Benjamin, to accompany him to Pittsford and assist him in making improvements upon his land. But Benjamin being only nineteen years of age his father refused to give him his time. It was finally agreed that Gideon should remain in Greenwich and work for his father one year, in compensation for a year of Benjamin's time. Gideon's share of the
contract having been performed, early in the summer of 1767, the two brothers, taking a package of provisions, axes, shovel and hoe, set out on horsebackf to make for themselves a future home in the wilderness. They had but one horse.
Arriving in Pittsford, after making a rude shelter they commenced a clearing, and in a short time
began to build a log house. In this they paid but little attention to the rules of architecture, but gave to it such shape and proportions, as appeared to them best adapted to their more urgent necessities. This house stood about fifteen rods north east of the present residence of Samuel B. Loveland, and on the east side of the present highway. The only vestige of it now remaining is a small excavation in the ground, which once
constituted the cellar. Their living consisted mostly of game with which the woods abounded, though the streams contributed no insignificant part from their living tenants.
With the exception of one or two trips to Bennington to procure a few of the necessaries of life, they spent the summer here. They enlarged their clearing, completed the house and made such general arrangements as would enable them to resume their improvements another year to better advantage. In the fall they went back to Greenwich where they spent the winter.
Early in May the next year they returned to Pittsford, bringing with them the seeds for a future harvest.
Up to this time Benjamin had supposed that he was to share equally with his brother, in the land they had taken up, and in the improvements. But now, to his great disappointment, he learned that Gideon had both the land and the improvements secured to himself. This produced some alienation of feeling, and Benjamin left his brother, went to the township of Addison and took up a lot of land on the border of Lake Champlain.
Gideon, however, remained in Pittsford, and with the assistance of a hired man, continued the improvements upon his land, and during that season raised some corn, potatoes and other vegetables, and got his place ready for the reception of his household the following year. He returned to Greenwich in the fall, and during the winter made the necessary arrangements for the removal of his family.
At the commencement of the French war Gideon enlisted as a soldier in the service of his country, and was assigned to the company commanded by Capt. Doolittle. During his three years service he passed through
this region of country several times, and whenever he came in sight of the valley of the Otter Creek we are informed that he expressed his highest admiration of it.
At the expiration of his term of enlistment he received his discharge, and returning on the military road from Crown Point, when he had arrived near Otter Creek he followed the old road up the west side of it till he was on the high bluff a few rods west of the present Gorham Bridge, and standing there he remarked to a comrade, " That," pointing to the broad expanse below, "is the place for me."
But he returned to Greenwich, married Elizabeth Osborn of that town, in October, 1758, and resided there till the spring of 1766, when he came to Pittsford to make a more thorough exploration of the country which had so long flitted before his mental vision. By a more critical examination of the land in the vicinity of what is now known as Sutherland Falls, he discovered some seventy acres on the east side of the Creek, jutting in towards the Falls on the west and the high lands on the east, and covered with shallow water retained there by a dam which had "Been constructed by beavers". He was convinced that by cutting this dam and draining the land, he might soon have a fruitful field.
This to him was a coveted spot; and he therefore applied to his friend Capt. Doolittle for a deed of it. The Captain having a large interest in the township and being anxious to effect its settlement, promised him
one right of land as a gift, on condition that he would improve and occupy it, or in other words become a bonafide settler; and to make the promise sure he gave him a bond for a deed.
Thus encouraged Mr. Cooley hastened to Greenwich to get his younger brother, Benjamin, to accompany him to Pittsford and assist him in making improvements upon his land. But Benjamin being only nineteen years of age his father refused to give him his time. It was finally agreed that Gideon should remain in Greenwich and work for his father one year, in compensation for a year of Benjamin's time. Gideon's share of the
contract having been performed, early in the summer of 1767, the two brothers, taking a package of provisions, axes, shovel and hoe, set out on horsebackf to make for themselves a future home in the wilderness. They had but one horse.
Arriving in Pittsford, after making a rude shelter they commenced a clearing, and in a short time
began to build a log house. In this they paid but little attention to the rules of architecture, but gave to it such shape and proportions, as appeared to them best adapted to their more urgent necessities. This house stood about fifteen rods north east of the present residence of Samuel B. Loveland, and on the east side of the present highway. The only vestige of it now remaining is a small excavation in the ground, which once
constituted the cellar. Their living consisted mostly of game with which the woods abounded, though the streams contributed no insignificant part from their living tenants.
With the exception of one or two trips to Bennington to procure a few of the necessaries of life, they spent the summer here. They enlarged their clearing, completed the house and made such general arrangements as would enable them to resume their improvements another year to better advantage. In the fall they went back to Greenwich where they spent the winter.
Early in May the next year they returned to Pittsford, bringing with them the seeds for a future harvest.
Up to this time Benjamin had supposed that he was to share equally with his brother, in the land they had taken up, and in the improvements. But now, to his great disappointment, he learned that Gideon had both the land and the improvements secured to himself. This produced some alienation of feeling, and Benjamin left his brother, went to the township of Addison and took up a lot of land on the border of Lake Champlain.
Gideon, however, remained in Pittsford, and with the assistance of a hired man, continued the improvements upon his land, and during that season raised some corn, potatoes and other vegetables, and got his place ready for the reception of his household the following year. He returned to Greenwich in the fall, and during the winter made the necessary arrangements for the removal of his family.
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