FRENCH SETTLERS

WHO KNOWS?

 An Interesting Reminiscence and Inquiry

BERKSHIRE, N. Y., Nov. 26, 1889

   Benj. J. Lossing in his Pictorial History of the New York and Erie Railroad speaks of a French colony settled about 1780 up the Chenango river as follows:

   "Some distance up the Chenango river a colony of French settled in 1790.  Talleyrand visited the spot in 1795 and took his private secretary from that place.  The colony was afterward broken up and scattered."

   I have long had a desire to know more about that little band of French pioneers on Chenango's side.  Where was located that little French colony which so much attracted the curiosity of the great eccentric Talleyrand and his private secretary from the banks of the wild but charming Chenango?  Is there anything, relics or tradition, remaining to show the curious traveler where that little villa was nestled, how far up the river and how far from the banks of the Chenango?  What broke up the settlement and scattered the settlers?

   "Talleyrand has left memoirs which are not to be published till 1890."  Will those memoirs mention that almost classic spot?                                                          

                                                                                                   Louis P. Legg