Sangimaux
Mose Sagemore is supposed to have been the first settler at Chazy Lake. Uncle Wilfred King knew him and had a picture of him that he shared with Richard King, identifying him only as the first settler and by his local nickname of Sangimaux.
Legend has it that there was a lead mine in the Lyon Mountain area known to the native Indians and very few others, including Mose Sagemore, according to this entry at the very nice blog about Chateaugay Lake.
Uncle Wilfred was my great uncle, son of Séraphim Roy (“Old” Sullivan King). His brothers were Xavier, David, Patrick, and maybe others. He showed me this photo thirty-some years ago. I copied the print using an SLR so it is a bit blurry. He told me that Old Sangimaux lived in a dugout with logs on some sides, and, yes, he is supposed to be Chazy Lake’s first settler. He made a living of sorts by catching lake trout and carrying them over Dannemora Mountain to sell there perhaps in what was sometimes called “Little Siberia”. Uncle Wilfred said that he eviscerated the trout using his strong, sharp thumbnail. Uncle Wilfred also told me that he helped pioneered his side of the lake He lived close to the pump house, and, of course, the road is named after him. More about Uncle Wilfred later.
cleadslinger32 said this on February 24, 2008 at 12:05 am |
I have researched St Germain’s in Clinton County. In one book about Clinton County there is reference to a “half breed” named Moses St. Germain. His English was not very good and he was referred to as “san je mo”. He was my great great grandfather. I believe this to be the same man. There is also a photo of him at his cabin, that housed many hunter/fisherman during season. It looks to be in the same spot the pump house now stands. I was fortunate enough to have visited Chazy Lake during the summer of ‘08. Tried to do some research, but it was over the 4th of July weekend, and The Historical Society in Malone was closed. Hopefully will get back some day. If you have any other info or stories about Sangimaux, I would love to hear them.
debbiesaint said this on January 26, 2009 at 1:30 pm |