USA > Connecticut > Incidents of pioneer life in the early settlement of the Connecticut Western Reserve > Part 9
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menced at points widely apart from each other, and of course, far away from civilization and the facilities of obtaining the comforts of civil- ized life. There were no roads or guides of travel, except blazed trees, and here and there an old Indian trail. The number of mechanics who had settled in the country were "few and far be- tween," and still less was the number of phy- sicians and other professional men.
The early settlers, without regard to unforseen casualties, commenced their career in the "lone wilderness" by clearing off the land and tilling the soil; and in accomplishing this arduous work, suffered not only inconveniences and per- plexities of daily occurrence, but almost incredi- ble trials and hardships. Not unfrequently were entire families prostrated with fever and ague, or other diseases incident to a new country. In addition to this, it often happened that danger- ยท ous wounds were accidentally inflicted, bones broken, or women subjected to maternal perils, to say nothing of the many other ills to which the human family is subjected, requiring the prompt attendance of a physician or surgeon ;. yet neither could be readily obtained, for the reason that none could be found, except in the older settlements, and often at great distances. . It was equally difficult, and for similar reasons, to procure mechanics to repair farming utensils,
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or obtain the milling of breadstuffs, supplies of dry goods and groceries, or other necessaries. Consequently the early pioneers adapted them- selves to circumstances, and became to a good extent their own doctors, mechanics and manu- facturers. For calomel, they substituted a decoc- tion of butternut bark; for a tonic, a mix of wild cherries and whisky; and for physic, stewed elder blossoms or berries. If needful, the men could build a house, mend a plough, or make an ox-yoke, with no other tools than an axe, auger. hand-saw and jack-knife; while their helping wives could not only brew and bake, but could manufacture cloth with a reed loom, cut and make the wearing apparel, and care for the many little wants of the rising generation. It is indeed a matter of wonder that these hardy adventurers, accomplished so much as they did under so many embarrassing circumstances. They were certainly a generation of men and women whose pluck, patience and perseverance have rarely, if ever, been equaled.
The high lands of Geauga were originally clad with heavy forests, and subject as now to severe winds and occasional hurricanes. A pioneer by the name of John Miner, first located at Burton, where his wife died and left him with a family of young children. He then removed to Chester with his children and occupied a log cabin in the
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midst of the woodlands. This was in 1804. On the first night after removing to his new home there arose a violent storm of wind, which swept over the land, prostrating the larger trees of the forest in every direction about his cabin. He directed his children to creep under the floor for safety, and then stepped to the door to look at the effects of the gale outside, and while he was in the act of opening the door three large trees fell on the cabin and killed him instantly.
This disaster occurred early in the evening. The darkness and desolation of the hour, to- gether with the crash of the falling timber, struck terror into the hearts of the motherless children, who had taken refuge beneath the cabin floor. As soon as they had sufficiently recovered from the shock, they called from their hiding place for their father, but received no response. Fearing to leave their seclusion amid the darkness and uproar of the night, they listened to catch the sound of their father's foot- steps, but in vain, and finally fell asleep.
In the morning, they awoke and crept out from under the floor, when they beheld with astonishment and overwhelming grief the crushed remains of their father beneath the huge trunk of a fallen tree. There were three of the chil- dren, the oldest a girl. She was less than ten years of age. There was no one to help them.
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The nearest neighbor resided some three miles away. The little girl, however, appreciated the situation, and enjoining the younger children to remain where they were, hastened through the woodland paths to the nearest neighbor, and related the dire calamity which had befallen her father and crushed their cabin home. The good neighbor proceeded at once to the sorrowful spot, gathered the remains of the unfortunate father, and received the children into his own home, where they were kindly cared for until suitable homes could be provided for them. The remains of their father were returned to Burton, and buried with appropriate funeral services. This is but one of the many sad catastrophies of pioneer life.
There are some very interesting facts connected with the early judicial proceedings of Geauga County. Among them it may be mentioned that, in order to comply with the law in pub- lishing legal notices in a newspaper, it became necessary to send such notices for publication to Chillicothe, Steubenville, New Lisbon, or Erie, Pa., as there was at that day no 'newspaper published at a. nearer point. The principal business of the courts of the county then con- sisted in hearing petitions of insolvent debtors, under the act providing for their relief. The debts they owed, however, were comparatively
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small. Yet the scarcity of money made it in those days almost impossible for men of ordinary means, to pay even small debts. There were then but few lawyers, and though their fees were small, usually from three to five dollars a suit, yet they were at this insignificant rate often paid, it was thought by their clients, more than their professional services were really worth. The court in criminal cases appointed, at each term, some member of the Bar to act as Prose- cuting Attorney, fixed the amount of the fees he should receive, and ordered the same to be paid from the county treasury. This appointment was much sought by members of the Bar. The compensation, allowed by the court, varied from five to fifteen dollars, in accordance with the im- portance and character of the case.
The court records show that, in 1806, the Judges of the County Court, consisted of Calvin Pease as President Judge, and Aaron Wheeler, John Walworth, and Jesse Phelps, as Associate Judges. There were in those days but few civil suits, and still fewer criminal prosecutions. Among the early prosecutions was the case of Robert Meeker, who was indicted for larceny, and arraigned at the March term, 1809, for trial. He heard the indictment read, charging him with stealing certain articles of goods from the store of Wm. A. Harper, to the value of one dollar
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and fifty cents, to which charge he pleaded "guilty," and put himself on the "mercy" of the court.
But Judge Pease, well knowing the character of the offender, did not allow his "bowels of compassion" to be much moved in behalf of the veteran thief, and ordering him to stand up, sentenced him "to be publicly whipped ten stripes on the naked back, and to restore the property stolen from the owner, pay him the value thereof, $1.50, and also pay a fine of $3, into the county treasury, with costs of prosecu- tion, and be committed to prison for twenty-four hours, and stand committed until the sentence be complied with."
The sheriff then took charge of the prisoner and conducted him from the presence of the court, when the Judge, with a comical expres- sion of, face, remarked to his associates on the Bench, in regard to the severity of the sentence he had just pronounced, that
" If Meeker should need any more, Let him take it from the store!"'
The truth was, Robert Meeker had become a persistent petty thief, and the Judge had deter- mined to make a "public example" of him. But whether Meeker, in consequence of the sen- tence he had received, became "meek as
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Moses," or meeker, and afterwards led an honest life, does not appear. Yet he doubtless became convinced that the "way of the trans- gressor" is, "like Jordan," a hard road to travel.
There are other reminiscences connected with pioneer life, in Geauga County, which have never been recorded, and which are either lost, or exist only in fragmentary traditions. They doubtless possess equal interest, at least many of them, with those which have been preserved in an enduring form. In fact, it is to be much regretted that some local antiquarian has not made it a "labor of love" to collect and pre- serve in print, these "lost incidents" of a heroic pioneer life. And here it may be asked: "Has oblivion a right to the past ?"
CHAPTER XVIII.
Ravenna-Its Founder, Benj. Tappan-His Experiences-His Reply when asked for a Church Subscription-Lewis Day's arrival at Deerfield-Want of Supplies-First White Child - Matrimonial Engagement - Messenger sent to Warren for a Justice of the Peace to "Tie the Knot."
THE county of Portage purloined its territory from the domains of Trumbull, and derived its name from the fact that it embraces a high region of land, intervening between the head-waters of the Cuyahoga and Tuscarawas rivers, known as the " portage," over which the Indians and early traders transported their commodities on horse- back. Ravenna, the county seat, is indebted for its classic name to Italy; and when selected as the "grand center," consisted of three log cabins, one of which was built and occupied by Benj. Tappan and family. His was the first cabin built, and he was the first settler in the town. The public business of the county was transacted for several years, at his cabin, for want of other accommodations.
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Mr. Tappan arrived and built his cabin in 1799. At this time there was but one man who had preceded him and settled within the limits of the county. His name was Honey; but he and his family thought they had had anything but a "sweet time" since their arrival. Mr. Tappan, while on his journey to this land of the forest, overtook David Hudson with his family, who was "westward bound," as well as himself, and who founded the town of Hudson, in Summit
county. They became friends at once, and trav- eled in company, mutually assisting each other and sharing each other's burthens. They came by the way of the Lake Coast, ascended the Cuyahoga river in a boat, and landed at the new town called Boston. Here they parted, Hudson to found the town of Hudson, and Tappan to found the town of Ravenna. Tappan was a young lawyer. He placed his family and goods in a tent near the town, there to remain while he, with a hired man, proceeded to explore the wood- lands, and mark out a road to his point of destination. This done, he constructed a rude dray-cart from saplings, to which he attached a yoke of oxen, recently driven from Connecticut, which he obtained as a favor from Mr. Honey, who had preceded him as a settler in this region, and by the aid of which he undertook to remove his goods and family, from the "tented field" near Boston, where he had left them.
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After transporting his first load, consisting of his family and a few goods to his new home, he returned for the remainder of his effects, but found the tent abandoned, and most of its con- tents stolen by the Indians. Though much vexed at this unfortunate occurrence, he "struck his tent," placed it with his few remaining goods on the dray-cart, and started on his return to his family, at Ravenna. But while on the way one of the oxen became over-heated and fell dead. This mishap left him in a condition, which" seemed almost hopeless, in the midst of a dense forest, and a hundred miles or more away from any town or settlement where he could obtain the requisite aid. Here he was with a dead ox at his feet, and with his last dollar in his pocket.
But being a man of heroic temperament, he resolved to "conquer circumstances." He at once dispatched his hired man, with nothing to guide him but a pocket compass, to Erie, Pa., a distance of nearly one hundred miles from the scene of his misfortune, to request of Capt. Ly- man, the commandant of the fort, a loan of money, while he, himself, following in the lines of townships, which had been marked by the surveyors, found his way to Youngstown, where he made the acquaintance of Col. James Hill- man, who sold him an ox on credit, which sup- plied. the vacancy in his team, and enabled him
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to complete the transportation of his goods to Ravenna. In fact, this ox team, which was the only one in that region, was indispensable to him and others in "preparing the way," and in secur. ing the comforts of civilized life, in an unbroken wilderness. Except for ox teams, which soon came into general use among the first pioneers, they could hardly have sustained themselves, or made their efforts a success, in subduing the wild lands which they had selected and intended to occupy as permanent homes.
The unexpected delays which Mr. Tappan had experienced in reaching his destination, prevented his arrival in time to clear and cultivate any part of his lands that season, in consequence of which he was left destitute of the necessary provisions to sustain himself and family, during the ap- proaching winter. He was, therefore, obliged to trust to "hunter's luck " for securing his meat, and to "Providence" for his bread. His faith in his rifle was quite equal, if not superior, to his " faith in Providence." He had no difficulty in shooting a sufficiency of wild game, but found it very difficult to procure his breadstuffs, which he was obliged to transport from Western Pennsyl- vania, at great cost.
He and his family remained in camp, and lodged in the tent they had brought with them, until the ensuing January, when he
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erected for their better accommodation a spacious log-cabin. He then gave to his hired man, who had accompanied him into the country and ren- dered him faithful service, a hundred acres of land on condition of becoming a settler. The generous gift was accepted. In the course of the year 1800, which followed their advent into this wild region, several more immigrants arrived and settled in the same locality. Thus the infant town continued to increase in population, from year to year, under the auspices of its pro- jector, until it acquired an enviable reputation as one of the most promising towns in the Reserve.
Benjamin Tappan, the founder of Ravenna, was a talented man. Though born of Puritan parentage and educated in Connecticut, he still had an abiding faith in himself and in his ability to take care of himself. This faith induced him to emigrate, while yet but a young man, from the land of "steady habits" to the land of " golden promises " in what was then called the "Far West." He was possessed of an iron will, and seldom failed to conquer adverse circumstances. He carved his way in the wilderness, and laid. the stepping-stones by which he reached a proud eminence, both as a jurist and statesman. He was eccentric in his style of manners and expres- sions of thought, and famous for his wit, humor and sarcasm. He entertained a much higher re-
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gard for the interests of State then for the suc- cess of the church. There are still many unre- corded anecdotes afloat concerning him.
On one occasion, while a member of the U. S. Senate, he was visited by a rural clergyman, who requested a donation to aid his parish in building a church. "Old Ben" heard the re- quest with a patient, but dignified indifference, and civilly declined to contribute. The clerical gentleman attempted persuasion on the score of duty, urging that it was the "Lord's cause," and that the Lord owned all the wealth the rich possessed, even "the cattle upon a thousand hills." "Well, then," replied Old Ben, dryly, "if the Lord needs money, why don't he sell his cattle and build his own churches ?" This adroit application of the clergyman's logic induced him not only to retire from the presence of Senatorial dignity, but furnished him with "food for reflec- tion."
Early in May, in 1799, Lewis Day and two or three other individuals, with their families, emigrants from the East, arrived at Deerfield, in this county, after a long and fatiguing jour- ney. They brought with them a horse and wagon, which they employed in transporting their children and supplies needed on the way. The wagon was the first that had been seen in this region. During the summer and fall of that
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year, several other emigrants arrived at Deerfield. They were all destitute of adequate supplies, and, when winter approached, suffered severely for want of provisions. They were compelled to transport their breadstuff's on horseback from Western Pennsylvania, and in doing this ex- perienced long delays and grievous hardships. In several instances before supplies arrived, they were reduced almost to a state of positive starva- tion. But still, under all their trials, they trusted in Providence and submitted to the severest privations with heroic fortitude. In their lives, they practically learned the lesson-
" Know how sublime a thing it is To suffer, and be strong."
And yet, however discouraging their prospects might seem, from some source or other relief always came in the "nick of time," and crowned their fears with the sunshine of heart-felt re- joicings.
It was during this memorable "winter of dis- content," in the year 1799, that the first white child was born at Deerfield. It was a daughter; its mother was Mrs. Day; and the child was hailed as the dawn of a "brighter day" in this far away forest land. This happy event was soon followed by another equally happy, that of the first wedding. John Campbell and Sarah
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Ely, had concluded that their hearts were ever destined to "beat as one," and therefore resolved to consummate their unison in lawful wedlock. But here they encountered an impediment. There was no "official" residing nearer than Warren, some twenty miles away, who was authorized to solemnize marriages. They deter- mined:to overcome this difficulty by naming the "happy day" and sending to Warren for the proper officer to "tie the knot." The messenger reported that he had secured the services of Cal- vin Austin, Esq., a young man who had but recently been elected a Justice of the Peace, to be present and officiate. This was the first time young Austin had been invited to perform the wedding ceremony. He felt greatly embarrassed as to the form of words to be used on such an occasion. He therefore sought advice from a promising young lawyer, by the name of Calvin Pease, who was his intimate friend, and who agreed to accompany him and give him the
proper "formula."
In view of this arrangement with his confidential friend, Austin felt quite relieved of his fears, and awaited the coming event with a feeling of assurance that he would be able to discharge his official duty, on so momentous an occasion, with propriety and be- coming dignity.
RST
CHAPTER XIX.
Arrival of the Young Magistrate and his Legal Adviser from Warren -- Performance of the Nuptial Ceremonies-Mer- riment of the Festivities-Characteristics of the "Two Calvins"-Horse Trade with the Indians-Troubles which grew out of it -- Mohawk shoots Daniel Driver-Flight of the Indians-Nicksaw and Mohawk overtaken and killed -- Trial of their Associates and acquittal.
The real reason why a special messenger was sent from Deerfield to Warren, soon became "noised abroad." It related to an event of gen- eral interest, it being the first novelty of the kind known in that region. The affianced pair had agreed that the following Wednesday should be the "happy day," because custom, or the god " Woden," from whom Wednesday derives its name, had consecrated that day to nuptial cere- monies.
Early in the morning of that auspicions Wed- nesday, the young justice, Calvin Austin, and
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his young legal adviser, Calvin Pease, left War- ren on foot and traveled all day through the dense woodlands, over hills and valleys, guided in their direction by blazed trees, and after a weary trip of nearly twenty miles, arrived at Deerfield, as the dusk of evening began to ap- proach. They were hardly conscious of fatigue, as they had beguiled their "weary way" with an interchange of amusing anecdotes in connection with the instructions which Pease, who was "born a wag," had imparted to Austin, relative to the "formula" of words he should employ in sol- emnizing the marriage contract. Austin, with implicit confidence in his friend, repeated the words of the formula, until he felt sure of his ability to discharge his official duty on the occa- sion, in strict accordance with legal usage.
When the trying hour arrived, and the invited guests had assembled, and all were ready for the nuptial ceremony, the young magistrate, with an air of stately dignity, assumed a standing pos- ture, while Pease took a position on his right with a roguish twinkle in his eye, watching the proceedings, as the happy couple approached and were directed by Austin to take each other by the right hand, when he gravely said to the bridegroom : "Do you take this woman whom you hold by the right hand to be your lawful wife, and promise to love and cherish her in
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health and in sickness, for better or for worse, in prosperity and in adversity, and prefer her to all others, until death do you part ?" "I do." Then addressing the bride, he said : "Do you take this man whom you hold by the right hand to be your lawful husband, and promise to love, cherish and obey him, in health and in sickness, for better or for worse, in prosperity and in ad- versity, and prefer him to all others, until death do you part ?" "I do." "In the presence of these witnesses, and by the authority of the law of the land, I now pronounce you man and wife. Whom God has joined together let no man put asunder, and may God have mercy on your souls-amen."
The closing words of the ceremony were re- ceived by the assemblage, with a comical expres- sion of surprise, yet with evident enjoyment. Pease could not restrain himself, and as a natural result, convulsions of laughter and applause followed. Austin was petrified with astonish- ment; but on casting a glance at Pease, he per- ceived at once that he had been made the inno- cent victim of a "huge joke;" yet, prompted by a forgiving spirit, he gracefully joined in the general hilarity of the guests, who thought it not only a "good joke," but a very sensible and appropriate appendage to the usual formula of the nuptial ceremony. This prelude of merri- ment was crowned with a "feast of fat things," and followed with music and dancing, greatly
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enlivened by liberal potations of "old rye." The festivities continued until a late hour, when the guests took leave of the happy pair, with many congratulations and a kindly repetition of the "last words," which were employed in the mar- riage ceremony.
Austin and Pease were fast friends, and knew how to estimate each other. They were willing not only to share each other's burdens, but could bear each other's jokes with perfect equinimity. They each rejoiced in the baptismal name of Calvin, and were often spoken of as the "two Calvins." As they advanced in life, Austin embraced the "Calvanistic creed," while Pease preferred a "creed" of his own construction. Austin became a "pillar" of the church, a Colonel of militia, a member of the Legislature, and a man of wealth, and of course a man of influence. Pease acquired eminence as a lawyer, and was soon elevated to the Bench, and finally advanced to the Chief Justiceship of the State. They both lived to a good old age, and died, leaving behind them an enviable record --
" Let Grief be her own mistress still. She loveth her own anguish deep More than pleasure. Let her will Be done-to weep, or not to weep; I will not say God's ordinance Of death is blown in every wind;
For that is not a common chance
That takes away a noble mind."
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In the winter of 1806, several Mohawk Indians encamped at Deerfield. One of them, whose name was Nicksaw, acting as agent and spokes- man for the others, was induced by John Driver, a white man and notorious horse jockey, to swap horses. Soon after the exchange, the Indians claimed they had been deceived by Driver in regard to the soundness of the horse, and a serious altercation occurred between the parties. Nicksaw endeavored to pursuade Driver to re- exchange, and thus settle the difficulty. But Driver declined. Nicksaw applied to Lewis Day, a Justice of the Peace, to give him redress. The Justice advised him to see Driver again and demand a re-exchange of horses, or payment for the difference in value. Nicksiw replied that he "no speak to Driver," and sullenly withdrew.
This happened on the 20th of January, and on the evening of that day a convivial party of sleigh- riders convened at Driver's house, and were engaged in a merry dance, when Nicksaw, with several other Indians, abruptly entered the room. They were evidently excited by the influence of whisky, and soon manifested their insolence. Daniel Driver, the brother of John, met them in a pleasant way and desired them to remain quiet. Knowing Daniel to be a true friend, they com- plied with his wishes, and assumed an air of friendship and reconciliation. They then at-
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