Chapter XVI: Appendix: C

THE WHISTLER FAMILY.

ACCORDING to Gardner's Military Dictionary, Captain John Whistler was born in Ireland. He was originally a British soldier, and was made prisoner with General Burgoyne at the battle of Saratoga, in 1777, where our General Henry Dearborn was serving as Major. The captives were conducted to Boston, where, by the terms of the capitulation, they should have been paroled; but for some reason (which the English, by considered no sufficient excuse for not complying with the military agreement) the Continental Congress held them as prisoners of war until the peace of 1783.

John Whistler did not return to England, but joined the American army and became first sergeant, and then won his way to a captaincy in the First Infantry, in which capacity he came, in 1804, and built the first Fort Dearborn. He was brevetted major in 1812, and served with his company until it was disbanded after the close of the war (June, 1815). He died in 1827 at Bellefontaine, Missouri, where he had been military storekeeper for several years. John Wentworth (Fort Dearborn; Fergus' Historical Series, No. 16, p. 14) says:

Some writers contend that had Captain Whistler been in charge of the
fort instead of Captain Heald, the massacre would not have taken
place. Captain Heald has had no one to speak for him here. But he was
appointed from Massachusetts a second lieutenant in 1799, and could
not be supposed to have that acquaintance with the characteristics of
the Indians which Whistler had, who had been in his country's service
ever since Burgoyne's surrender in 1777, and principally against the
Indians, and frequently participating in the campaigns of General
Arthur St. Clair, in one of which he was wounded.

Of him Captain Andreas says (Hist. Chi. Vol. I, p. 80):

After the war he married and settled in Hagerstown, Md., where his
son William was born. He enlisted in the American army and took
part in the Northwestern Indian War, serving under St. Clair and
afterward under Wayne. He was speedily promoted, rising through the
lower grades to a lieutenancy in 1792, and became a captain in 1794.
He rebuilt the fort in 1815[AN] [after the destruction and massacre
in 1812] and removed to St. Charles, Mo., in 1817. In 1818 he was
military storekeeper at St. Louis, and died at Bellefontaine. Mo., in
1827. He was a brave and efficient officer, and became the progenitor
of a line of brave and efficient soldiers.

[AN] Apparently an error. The second fort was built by Captain Hezekiah Bradley, who was sent here for that purpose with two companies of infantry, arriving July 4, 1816.

His son, George Washington Whistler, was with Captain John when the family came to Chicago, being then three years old. This is the Major Whistler who became a distinguished engineer in the service of Russia. Another son. Lieutenant William Whistler, with his young wife (Julia Ferson) came to Chicago with Captain Whistler. He will be mentioned later as one of the last commandants of Fort Dearborn, holding that post until 1833. He lived until 1863.

Julia Ferson, who became Mrs. William Whistler, was born in Salem, Mass., 1787. Her parents were John and Mary (La Dake) Ferson. In childhood she removed with her parents to Detroit, where she received most of her education. In May, 1802, she was married to William Whistler (born in Hagerstown Md., about 1784), a second lieutenant in the company of his father. Captain John Whistler, U. S. A., then stationed at Detroit. (Fergus' Historical Series No. 16.) She visited Chicago in 1875, when, at eighty-seven, her mind and memory were of the brightest, and conversation with her on old matters was a rare pleasure. Mrs. General Philip Sheridan is her grand niece, and cherishes her relationship as a patent to high rank in our Chicago nobility. No portrait of John Whistler is known to exist. For likenesses of Major and Mrs. William Whistler see pages 58 and 59.

KINZIE (1891).]

A daughter of William and this charming old lady was born in 1818, and named Gwenthlean. She was married at Fort Dearborn, in 1834, to Robert A. Kinzie, second son of John Kinzie, the pioneer. Mrs. Gwenthlean Kinzie is now living in Chicago, and has been consulted in the preparation of this narrative.[AO]

[AO] On mentioning to Judge Caton that Mrs Robert Kinzie was again living here following a long absence, the venerable Chief-Justice, after a moment's thought, sad: "Yes, I remember the marriage, and that the bride was one of the most beautiful women you can imagine. I have never seen her since that time. Ladies were not plentiful in this part of the world then, and we were not over particular about looks, but Gwenthlean Whistler Kinzie would be noted for her beauty anywhere at anytime." And on looking at the lady herself, one can well believe all that can be said in praise of her charms in her girlish years--sixteen when she was married.

Mr. Hurlbut (Chicago Antiquities, p. 83) gives the following spirited account of a visit made in 1875 to Mrs. Julia (Ferson) Whistler, wife of William and daughter-in-law of old John, the whilom soldier in the army of General Burgoyne. (It will be observed that Mr. Hurlbut slightly mistook his war record).

Very few of the four hundred thousand reasonably adult individuals
now residing in Chicago are aware that the person of whom we
are going to speak is now a visitor in Chicago. After so long a
period--since early in the century; before those of our citizens
who have reached their "three-score years and ten" were born, when
she came, a trustful wife of sixteen, and stepped a shore upon
the river-bank--it is not a little remarkable that she is to-day
again passing over and around the locality of her early home. Under
the gentle supervision of this married maiden's blue eyes our
stockade-fortress, then so far within the wilderness, was erected.
Yet, of all those who came in that summer of 1803; the sailor-men
of that vessel, the oarsmen of that boat, the company of United
States soldiers, Captain and Mrs. Whistler and their son, the
husband and his bride of a year; all, we may safely say, have bid
adieu to earth excepting this lone representative. These are some
of the circumstances which contribute to make this lady a personage
of unusual interest to the dwellers here. A few particulars in the
life of Mrs. Whistler, together with some of the facts attending
the coming of those who arrived to assist in the building of Fort
Dearborn, will certainly be acceptable.

It was a coveted pilgrimage which we sought, as any one might
believe, for it was during the tremendous rain-storm of the evening
of the 29th of October, 1875, that we sallied out to call at Mrs.
Colonel R. A. Kinzie's, for an introduction to the lady's mother,
Mrs. Whistler. When we entered the parlor, the venerable woman was
engaged at the center table, in some game of amusement with her
grand-children and great grand-children, seemingly as much interested
as any of the juveniles. (We will remark here that five generations
in succession of this family have lived in Chicago.) She claimed
to enjoy good health, and was, apparently, an unusual specimen of
well preserved faculties, both intellectual and physical. She is
of tall form, and her appearance still indicates the truth of the
common report, that in her earlier years she was a person of uncommon
elegance. A marked trait of hers has been a spirit of unyielding
energy and determination, and which length of years has not yet
subdued. Her tenacious memory ministers to a voluble tongue, and we
may say, briefly, she is an agreeable, intelligent, and sprightly
lady, numbering only a little over 88 years. "To-day," said she,
"I received my first pension on account of my husband's services."
Mrs. Whistler resides in Newport, Kentucky. She has one son and
several grandsons in the army. Born in Salem, Mass., July 3rd, 1787,
her maiden name was Julia Ferson, and her parents were John and
Mary (LaDake) Ferson. In childhood she removed with her parents to
Detroit, where she received most of her education. In the month of
May, 1802, she was married to William Whistler (born in Hagerstown,
Md., about 1784), a second lieutenant in the company of his father,
Captain John Whistler, U. S. A., then stationed at Detroit. In the
summer of the ensuing year, Captain Whistler's company was ordered
to Chicago, to occupy the post and build the fort. Lieutenant James
S. Swearingen (late Col. Swearingen of Chillicothe, O.) conducted
the company from Detroit overland. The U. S. Steamer "Tracy," Dorr
master, was despatched at same time for same destination, with
supplies, and having also on board Captain John Whistler, Mrs.
Whistler, their son George W., then three years old [afterwards the
distinguished engineer in the employ of the Russian government]
Lieutenant William Whistler, and the young wife of the last named
gentleman. The schooner stopped briefly on her route at the St.
Joseph's river, where the Whistlers left the vessel and took a
row-boat to Chicago. The schooner, on arriving at Chicago, anchored
half a mile from the shore, discharging her freight by boats. Some
two thousand Indians visited the locality while the vessel was here,
being attracted by so unusual an occurrence as the appearance, in
these waters, of a "big canoe with wings." Lieutenant Swearingen
returned with the "Tracy" to Detroit.

There were then here, says Mrs W., but four rude huts or traders'
cabins, occupied by white men, Canadian French with Indian wives; of
these were Le Mai, Pettell and Ouilmette. No fort existed here at
that time, although it is understood (see treaty of Greenville) that
there had been one at a former day, built by the French, doubtless,
as it was upon one of the main routes from New France to Louisiana,
of which extensive region that government long held possession by
a series of military posts. [It is said that Durantaye, a French
official, built some sort of a fortification here as early as 1685.]

Captain Whistler, upon his arrival, at once set about erecting a
stockade and shelter for their protection, followed by getting
out the sticks for the heavier work. It is worth mentioning here
that there was not at that time within hundreds of miles a team of
horses or oxen, and, as a consequence, the soldiers had to don the
harness, and with the aid of ropes drag home the needed timbers.
The birth of two children within the fort we have referred to
elsewhere. Lieutenant Whistler, after a five years' sojourn here,
was transferred to Fort Wayne, having previously been made a first
lieutenant. He distinguished himself at the battle of Maguago, Mich.,
August 9th, 1812; was in Detroit at the time of Hull's surrender,
and, with Mrs. Whistler, was taken prisoner to Montreal; was
promoted to a Captain in December, 1812, to Major in 1826, and to
Lieutenant-Colonel in 1845. At his death he had rendered sixty-two
years continuous service in the army, yet Mrs. W. says she remembers
but six short furloughs during the whole time. He was stationed at
various posts, besides those of Green Bay, Niagara, and Sackett's
Harbor; at the last named post General Grant (then a subaltern
officer) belonged to the command of Colonel W. In June, 1832, Colonel
Whistler arrived again at Fort Dearborn, not the work which he had
assisted to build twenty-eight years before, for that was burned in
1812, but the later one, erected in 1816-17. He then remained here
but a brief period.

Colonel William Whistler's height at maturity was six feet two
inches, and his weight at one time was 250 pounds. He died in
Newport, Kentucky, December 4th, 1863.

Captain John Whistler, the builder and commandant of the first
Fort Dearborn (afterwards Major W.) was an officer in the army of
the Revolution. We regret that we have so few facts concerning his
history; nor have we a portrait or signature of the patriot. It is
believed that when ordered to Chicago he belonged to a regiment of
artillery. He continued in command at Fort Dearborn until the fore
part of 1811, we think, for we notice that his successor. Captain
Heald, gave to the Pottowatomie chief "Little Chief" a pass to St.
Louis, dated July 11, 1811. Mrs. Whistler expressed to us her opinion
that had Captain W. been continued in command, the Chicago massacre
would not have happened. Major John Whistler died at Bellefontaine.
Mo., in 1827.

Colonel James Swearingen was a second lieutenant in 1803, when
he conducted the company of Captain Whistler from Detroit across
Michigan to Chicago. The regiment of artillery, with which he was
connected, is understood to have been the only corps of that branch
of defence. Lieutenant Swearingen continued in the service until
about 1816, attaining the rank of colonel, when he resigned his
commission and made his residence in Chillicothe, O., where he died
on his eighty-second birthday, in February, 1864.

Mrs. Julia (Ferson) Whistler died at Newport, Ky., in 1878, at the ripe age of ninety years.

James McNeil Whistler, the eccentric and distinguished London artist, is descended from old John, the Burgoyne British soldier, through George Washington Whistler, the great American engineer in the Russian service.

It is interesting to observe that both our old leading families, the Whistlers and the Kinzies, have furnished successive generations of soldiers to their country. The heroic death of John Harris Kinzie, second, will be noted in the Appendix D, which is devoted to the Kinzie family. Of the Whistlers, some of the name have been constantly in the military service, and when the two families joined by the marriage of Robert Kinzie and Gwenthlean Whistler the racial tendency continued.

General Garland Whistler, son of Colonel William Whistler, was a graduate of West Point, and a soldier in the war for the Union. He is now on the retired list. His son. Major Garland Whistler, also a graduate, was in the late war and is still in the service. Major David Hunter Kinzie, son of Robert (uniting the two families), left West Point for active service in the Union war. He is now at the Presidio, California. Captain John Kinzie, another son of Robert, is stationed at Omaha.