Harvey Hawley and his wife Louisiana died in January, 1822. He was 28 and she was 18. In The Liverpool Legend Thetis Group describes their tragic death.

“In 1821, when young Harvey Hawley was 28 years old, he married Louisiana Mathews who was 18 years old. They had been married but a few months when they met their death together. Mr. Hawley was a partner of Jonathan P. Hicks in a store on the southeast corner of First and sycamore sts. He had a beautiful spotted horse but it was at times unmanageable. In driving him toward Salt Point one day, the horse fell and impaled himself a foot or so on the stump of one of the saplings cut off along the road. The horse had to be killed.

Frank Toles, who was with Hawley when the accident occurred, suggested that he take the hide to Salt Point and have trunks made one for each of them. This was done.

In January 1822, Hawley and his bride planned to start on a long sleigh ride to Johnstown in Fulton County where they expected to arrive in time for the wedding of her brother John. The Hawleys had just built a home and they decided to spend one night in it so they could tell the folks in Johnstown that they had started housekeeping.

The morning of January 2, 1822, they took breakfast at Johnathan Hick’s and started out. In one short hour, the cold waters of Onondaga Lake had covered them.

A month later, Mr Gilchrist of Salt Point was coming from cold springs on the ice, accompanied by a boy. When they were near the mouth of Onondaga creek, the boy said, “What is that white heap on the ice?” Gilchrist investigated and found it was a horsehide trunk. He recognized it as one being made near his place in Salt Point. Also on the ice near the trunk was a man’s hat. Mr. Gilchrist and the boy started on towards home and soon met Mr. Hick’s. Mr. Gilchrist asked him where Hawley was and was told that he and his bride started about a month before for Johnstown. Her folks had been expecting them for the wedding and had written to inquire why they had not come. They also inquired of friends im Michigan. Mr. Hicks said, “I am afraid they are drowned. They started out on the ice.” Word spread and in an incredibly short time, the ice was covered with men. In the afternoon, the horse and cutter were found under the ice and lying on the thills, back of the horse tangled in the rains was Louisiana’s body. She looked as though she were sleeping. Hawley’s body was not recovered until between 9 and 10 that night. A dozen tar barrels furnished light for the searchers when they found Hawley, his face, according to Mrs. Keziah Lee who told this story, “was kicked all in lumps as though by horse, and was black as stone.”

The ice for some distance in that area was a darker shade of blue than ordinarily. Louisiana had been taking six pounds of indigo dye to her mother.

The waters of Onondaga Lake have claimed many in its history but an event more tragic than this cannot be imagined.”

They were lovely and pleasant in their (sic) lives and in their (sic) deaths were not divided.

Drowned in Onondaga Lake 1/2/1822

Transcribed by:

Quentin G. and J. P. P.

Biographical Sketch

Harvey Hawley lived 1794-1822 and Louisiana Hawley lived 1803-1822. They got to witness Liverpool become Liverpool. Harvey was alive when our town was named Liverpool in 1797. A village was laid out by the state’s surveyor general that had been known before as Little Ireland. It was called that because most of the people who lived in the nine log cabins in the village were of Irish origin. They both saw many new settlers arrive during the first decade of the 19th century. After their arrival Liverpool became a much better town because of their devotion to it. New streets were laid and new schools were built. They even saw the first church organized--a Methodist-Episcopal congregation with 11 members. They watched 9 log cabins turn into a whole town but died before they could live long lives together in it. Louisiana and Harvey were also alive during some important US history events. Louisiana may have been named after the Louisiana Purchase. Americans were excited about America doubling in size at such a low price. Her mother may have decided to name her daughter after the event. They were also alive during the war of 1812 and that was something all Americans were talking about. The Indians' could no longer resist American expansion east of the Mississippi River.

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