USA > Indiana > Vigo County > History of Vigo county, Indiana, with biographical selections > Part 26
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The women and children of the early pioneer class have been left to an unmerited obscurity. To my mind they stand so distinct in the history of our country that it is seriously to be questioned if they are not much more in that upon which present civilization rests, deserving of the highest niche in the temple of fame. He who thinks these women were all coarse and ignorant, unkempt in person and mind, is exploiting his own ignorance of his own history, and is liable to give evidences of his own mental degeneration. It has been said that a man may be great to all the world, except his valet. Here his shams and pretentions are uncovered, and the follies and weaknesses laid bare and excite secret contempt. While the great women -- more especially the pioneer women, are only great in their homes, in tlie seclusion of their families, where shine
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those qualities of the true, the beautiful and the good. The manly man may be truly great whether he be king or coal-heaver. The womanly woman is great in her greatest obscurity, in her little kingdom of the heart where she protects and cares for those about her, not for fame or applause, but because she is a true woman.
Sophia Ramsdell was born at Hartford, Conn., June 18, 1795; married Benjamin C. Fuller, February 5, 1815.
In the fall of 1820 Mr. and Mrs. Fuller, with their only child, the late Mrs. Burt, then in her fourth year, traveled in their own conveyance from Hartford to Wheeling and from there to Evans- ville in a flatboat, taking with them their horses, wagons and goods. They crossed over to Mount Carmel, Ill., where they remained until February, 1821. They then removed to Roseville, where their old friend and former neighbor, Chauncey Rose was engaged in the milling and mercantile business, and who had invited them to that place. Here Mr. Fuller purchased a farm on which they resided until 1847, when they came to Terre Haute, and built their resi- dence on the corner of Seventh and Mulberry streets. Having purchased thirty acres of land on the Bloomington road, now Poplar street, and made a permanent home on that property, where Mr. Fuller died in 1858 leaving a good estate, which was divided equally between the mother and daughter. Here Mrs. Fuller spent the remainder of her days and died May 31, 1880, within a few days of the age of eighty-five years.
Mrs. Fuller had enjoyed good health for one of her age to within the last year of her life, when she commenced gradually to fail, and during the last month it was evident to those about her that the end was near. Until she became unconscious, about a week before death, she fully realized that her life was closing, and if there ever was one who simply drew the drapery of their couch about them to indulge in pleasant dreams this was evidently the one. There were neither fears nor solicitude, any more for the future than for the past. Her day's work was done and she simply went to sleep.
She left her sister, Mrs. Bull, who had been her loved compan- ion for twenty-six years, the only survivor of the family. One of her sisters, Mrs. Wadsworth, settled in Maysville, Ky., at an early day. Her son, William H., became a noted lawyer of that place and a member of congress.
I have said that Mrs. Sophia Ramsdell Fuller was a great woman. Although one of the pioneers she had read well the best literature of the times; a strong and close observer of men and things, with a mind eminently practical, and an intellectual strength equal in my judgment to that of Margaret Fuller, whose fame will never cease to grow.
When Sophia Ramsdell was a young girl she formed the habit
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of jotting down certain things that she saw, heard or thought, not with the idea of keeping a diary, but simply to put them on paper and perhaps lay them away or destroy them, and that some scraps were forgotton by her and fell into the hands of those who held them sacred because she had made them, are we indebted for the rare privilege of examining them. As the rarest picture ever seen we give some extracts from her jottings about coming to the new country-a pioneer woman's story of the experiences and im- pressions written down at the moment. Such as can now be found are scattered and meager, but they are enough to whet the appetite for more and to cause a great regret that she had not written and given us a complete diary of her whole life. It is, however, enough to give us an inside view of the early woman pioneer life to make it one of the most valuable relicts of the century. Seventy years ago she wrote:
1819. Husband sells stock in trade, closes business and returns delighted with the (to him) new world, the love of adventure in- creasing every day of his journey I think; but poor me would rather stay.
1820. This is an eventful year of our lives; we break up, sell goods and chattels, leave friends, home, all, to seek our fortune in the far West; we hardly know where, but expect to live in Cincin- nati. Our purse contains thirteen hundred dollars; we have a pair of horses, a neat wagon, our wearing apparel and bedding; and these constitute all of this world's goods that we possess. Oh! if I had health, my friends, I would not leave you with so heavy a heart, but I know and feel that the same God who has hitherto supplied all my wants will never forsake me in my need-farewell.
In traveling through New Jersey they were both taken sick and detained five weeks. Of this she writes:
October 24. This infortunate delay took from our purse one hundred dollars. Thanks to our Heavenly Parent that we are able to prosecute our journey. Our little daughter is quite well and anxious to be on the wing.
October 25. Rode ten miles this day; met kindness and sym- pathy as we traveled among strangers; are recognized as the unfor- tunate young couple who were sick at Mr. D.'s tavern, -- too young they say to go to the far West. The manifestation of so much good feeling cheers us on our way.
26th. Gaining health and strength every day, and the innocent prattle of our little daughter as we ride over a delightful country drives dull care away.
27th. Drove twenty miles this day; shall probably average that to Wheeling.
November. Arrived at Wheeling in good health ; put up at a
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hotel, but old friends from Hartford soon learned of our arrival and we spend a few days with them; meantime make preparations for descending the Ohio river. It seems like fate's decree to unite us in friendship with a family from New Jersey, emigrants like our- selves, but destined to Mt. Carmel, Illinois. Dr. Ezra Baker and family invite us to accompany them down the river. Our plan is to put our horses and baggage on the boat of Mr. Bissell, from East Windsor, Connecticut, as freight, and Mr. B. is to lash his boat to the Doctor's.
November 10. Leave the shores of Wheeling pleased with our new friends. Ho! a steamboat approaches; my husband hails her and obtains a passage for myself and child to Maysville, Kentucky, to visit sister Mary. I can probably stay with my friends three days or more before the flatboat can reach there.
November 16. Boats arrive all safe. Our new friends have prevailed upon my husband to abandon the idea of locating in Cincinnati; we are to proceed with them to Mt. Carmel. This ar- rangement afflicts me; it seems to destroy my last hope of being near my dear sister Mary, my only relative in the western country. She is comfortably settled, and suffers few privations except the loss of friends-must I go so far from her and for what? A few acres of land on the beautiful prairie among the hunters and back- woodsmen. But sighs and regrets avail nothing; dearest sister farewell-I feel as if we part forever. Mrs. Baker is kind and tries to comfort me. She said to me: Your family is small; should you not be pleased you can return to Cincinnati after visiting with us in our abode. The Doctor had purchased a section of land, prairie skirted with timber, no improvement upon it except a log cabin, and but one family within two miles of us; yet I think I shall be contented and pleased. We shall store our goods at Mt. Carmel, and we shall get along with the log cabin until we can build a larger house. Come, dry your tears; you will, I hope, think so well of this lovely spot and me as not to wish to leave it. The Doctor says he is anxious to have Mr. Fuller buy land adjoining us.
I replied: I will try hard to be cheerful.
At Cincinnati my husband bought a small boat, put into it our traveling baggage, purchased some articles such as pots, kettles, dishes, tinware, etc .; we made a bedstead of our wagon bed, and a table of our goods' case, seats of our trunks, etc. Our horses remain on Mr. Bissell's boat and our small boat is lashed to Dr. Baker's large one. With this arrangement we leave Cincinnati for Louisville. Dr. Baker sends his man ashore to kill game as we glide slowly but safely down the Ohio. Wild turkey and squirrels are in great abundance.
Reached Louisville in safety ; spent one day there and proceeded
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on our way to Evansville, which we reached with weather cold and unpleasant. We there disposed of our boats and traveled in our wagons to Mt. Carmel, where we arrived December 20, 1820, and remained here until February. We leave this wild looking country and the people, the men mostly dressed in buckskin, for the Wabash. Stopped a few days in Vincennes -- a pleasant town; stop a short time at Honey Creek and then on to Terre Haute.
This is a beautiful spot of earth; rivers on the west side and east so far as the eye can reach, delightful. Three frame houses and a few log cabins are all that is to be seen. Our destination is yet fifteen miles ahead to the mills of Brooks, Robbins & Rose- the two latter natives of the same town with my husband.
We reached the mills, a wild romantic looking place, situated on Raccoon Creek, Parke county. There are but few white inhabitants ; most of the population is on Henry's prairie. Several tribes of Indians are near; many of them come to the mill every day, bring- ing their venison, wild turkeys, honey, etc., and the squaws their baskets to exchange for flour and other things.
We are heartily welcomed and stop at the house of Mr. and Mrs. Brooks.
March 22. Leave our friends' house only to be neighbors; they have built for us a snug log house with three rooms and a shelter to cook under, besides a small house in addition for our meat, flour, etc. My friend, Mrs. Brooks, is untiring in her efforts to make me contented; she is indeed a friend. Mr. Rose and Mr. Robbins have taken their abode with us.
July 10. Taken sick-
Now it is December, 1821, and I am just able to move about the house. My husband has the ague yet occasionally and is quite as feeble as myself. Oh! I would we had never seen the Wabash; our little darling prattler is our greatest joy; she is always happy and never tired of play.
February, 1822. Have purchased a small farm of eighty acres, with the hope of adding the other eighty when it shall be in market.
On the 22d moved to our farm; have a very good hewed-log house and a good log barn-thirty acres under fence.
1824. Buy a farm of 160 acres on Little Raccoon; have good health; have become quite happy, but work very hard.
1827. Visit my New England home. Mother Fuller, Mr. Blinn and Cornelia returned with us and settle in Terre Haute.
These are meager extracts, but they are a fine pen picture of the pioneer wife's western life, crowned with the words-"have become very happy."
These are picked out solely with reference to that part of her
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life referred to her coming to the West. Had she written a full account of each day of what in looking back now we can only think of as a succession of days of dreary monotony, it would have made, touched with the genius of the fair writer, an instructive and inter- esting book.
Here are some extracts of herself:
In 1856 she wrote: I am no longer young, yet I may pass o'er some years. I know they can not be many. Several times in my life sickness has come upon me. I did not think I could live. I have met many I thought grievous afflictions in my young days, and in my short-sighted folly for the time being have thought, Oh, that I could die and be at rest; but as all was wrong I regret it, for many times my griefs all turned into blessings, and as I now look over my past life, I find no disappointment, no sorrow I could well lose, for the cloudy morning has often turned out the fairer day, and my past trials and little grievances have done me good. They were comparatively light, and I bless our Heavenly Father for His loving kindness to me all the days of my life.
In 1859 she wrote: One year ago we followed the mortal re- mains of my husband to the cemetery; there we laid him away to rest in the silent tomb. Well, time that seems everything to man has not even an existence with God; in Him I trust now and for- * ever. * * * My time is swiftly passing, I know, yet I enjoy life every day, for it is beautiful, but I am admonished to be ready to die. I hope to have my reason and power of speech in my last moments, come when they may, for they will come in God's own good time. I hope to die at home, surrounded by family and friends. * There is a place left for me by the side of my husband. After life's fitful fever we shall sleep well.
Again alluding to her husband's death, she wrote: It was hard for him to contemplate the laying aside of the well loved needs of earth for a future state of existence, not having the faith as strong as mine; but he yet did not fear to meet his God. To me it seems that death comes to none except to bring a blessing; yet life is sweet. My husband's last words were, " You have been my good wife always." This remembrance will solace my declining years. February 5, 1870, she wrote: This day brings me to the Fifty-fifth anniversary of my marriage.
" When all thy mercies, oh, my God, My rising soul surveys, Transported with the view I'm lost In wonder, love and praise."
Here is a glimpse of her philosophy of life: I willingly concede to every one what I claim for myself -- the freest range of thought and expression, and am perfectly indifferent whether the sentiment
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of others on speculative subjects coincide or differ from my own. Instead of wishing or expecting that uniformity of opinion should be established, I am convinced that it is neither practicable nor desirable; that varieties of thought are as numerous and strongly marked, and as irreducible to one standard as those of bodly form, and that to quarrel with one who thinks differently from ourselves would be no less unreasonable than to be angry with him for having feat- ures unlike our own.
" As those we love decay, we die in part; String after string is severed from the heart, Till loosened life at last but breathing clay, Without one pang is glad to fade away."
Mrs. Fuller was not a member of any religious society. Strong, pure, liberal and tolerant, her life was the gentle woman, her relig- ion that type of philosophy calmly contemplating the great cause.
May 24, 1877, she made her will, disposing of her large prop- erty, giving liberally to her surviving sister and grandchildren, she provided for the founding of a Home for Aged Females, to be built and maintained on that portion of her property designated in the town of Terre Haute.
The will was contested successfully by the heirs, but was the means of finally securing the establishment of the present Old La- dies' Home.
Old Settlers' Meeting, 1885 .- Anotherinteresting meeting of the early settlers was held in Naylor's Opera House in 1885, and from the records we extract the following:
The meeting was organized by the election of Col. R. W. Thompson as chairman, and Col. R. N. Hudson, secretary. On being called to the chair, Col. Thompson stated that he was ad- vertised to make a speech. They had certainly been misled. The Colonel then related many interesting incidents of old times. When he came to Terre Haute, forty years ago, there was no building where the Opera House stands, nor a building between the cor- ner opposite and the Terre Haute House. The old spinning wheel factory, built by John Reynard & Wood, was considered a marvel. Business was confined around the square. Mr. Farrington lived in what is now considered the south part of the city, and it was thought to be a great ways out to his house. One of the best gardens the Colonel ever raised was west of Third street. Charley Noble was clerk of the court. We used to get together and discuss politics and settle the affairs of the nation every day, and sometimes twice a day. The Colonel referred to the enterprise of the early settlers, but they have nearly all passed away. There is not a minister or a lawyer living here and practicing his profession who was here then. Some one said that the Hon. Harvey D. Scott was, but the Colonel
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said that Mr. Scott studied law with him. There was only one mail a week. Then the government gave them a mail carried by boys on horses who had relays every ten miles. Terre Haute people then began to think they were increasing their importance, and devised schemes to advance the interests of the town. He gave an account of the building of the Wabash & Erie canal, and of the impetus thus given the town. Then the National road was projected and started, but the great impetus came when the Terre Haute & Indianapolis railroad was built, through the energy of Chauncey Rose. The first three times the Colonel came west was on horseback, and he made the trip twenty or thirty times by stage. He believed the city has 30,000 of as intelligent and cultivated people as can be found any- where.
Rev. Aaron Wood, of Yountsville, offered prayer. He then gave an interesting account of his coming to Terre Haute sixty years ago. He rode from Merom without his dinner, and stopped with "Dr. Modesitt, sir." (This was a favorite expression of the Doctor's, and it caused considerable laughter. ) He asked if there were any others in the audience who were here in 1826 besides Mrs. Chauncey Warren. Messrs. J. O. Jones, C. T. Noble and Wolsey Barbour said they were. He related many interesting anecdotes of early days, particularly of the interesting congressional race between Col. Blake and John Osborn and Dr. Shuler for Congress in 1860. Terre Haute was behind in church organization. He was pastor of Asbury church in 1854-58. He remembered the Rev. Mr. Jewett and the founding of the Congregational church.
Capt. James Hook said he had been here forty-eight years. During that time there has not been a house on Main street from the river to the fair grounds that he has not helped to build or saw it in course of construction. There are but four men engaged in the same business now who were here when he came. They are Samuel Musselman, harness maker; Dr. Pence and P. M. Donnelly, druggists, and William Clark, barber. Mr. Clark shaved him forty- eight years ago. He remembered Mr. Wolsey Barbour and Col. Blake.
At the time Col. Thompson introduced Mr. Wolsey Barbour he said they practiced law together forty years ago. Mr. Barbour said he would speak briefly as he was suffering from partial paralysis of the left side. He came here from New York with his father in 1817. They landed in London, Ind., on the Ohio, from a flatboat. His father and Dr. Durkee went to Vincennes on horseback. At Vincennes they were directed to come to Fort Har- rison, which was considered the place to locate. Land was held at from $10 to $15 an acre. They did not purchase land on the prairie, but went to Fayette township. The family remained a while in Fort
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Harrison. Mr. Barbour is sure it was Joseph Liston who carried the news of the peril of the fort from Indians to Vincennes. He left the fort secretly, and slipped away, going down the bank until well out of danger. He gave a vivid account of the battle of Fort Harrison, as told him by those who were in the fort.
Mr. J. O. Jones, ex-postmaster was next called for. Mr. Jones came to this section in 1816, where he remained until his parents died, when he was taken to New York by an uncle, and remained there until he was nearly twenty-one. He then returned to Terre Haute. He spoke of the bad health of the early settlers; of the miasma and fevers. Game was plenty and very cheap. Mr. Jones declared himself a Hoosier, and expressed a determination, God willing, to die in Terre Haute.
The Hon. Barnabas Hobbs, of Parke county, was introduced. Although not a resident of Vigo county, he was an early settler of Indiana, and had watched the State grow from a wilderness to the present position. Mr. Hobbs reviewed the early amusements, com- paring them with those of the present time. He compared the education of the present time to that of the early days. People then believed in ghosts and witches, signs, etc. Education has almost banished such foolish beliefs.
Mr. C. T. Noble gave exceedingly interesting reminiscences. He came here in 1823, and was classed as one of the old settlers. He has lived here as resident since 1825. There are only two who can equal him, Harry and John Ross. He has seen the city grow from a very small village to its present size. He passed his early life as a teacher, and had taught Mr. C. W. Barbour. He wanted it understood that Mr. Barbour was one of his pupils, and he would say further that Mr. Barbour was a good boy at school. He taught in the first Sunday-school started in Terre Haute. Two sisters of John Cruft came here in 1829 or 1830 full of Yankee ideas. He related many interesting reminiscences connected with the school. The Misses Cruft brought with them Sunday-school tickets of various colors, which were given out to those who committed verses of the Bible to memory. In 1831 or 1832 Zenas Smith came here and also established a Sunday-school. In 1829 Mr. Noble took the census of the village to learn, for his own curiosity, the number of inliab- itants. He found in October, 1829, that there were eighty-three families in Terre Haute, and 558 inhabitants. In August, 1835, a bet of $15 on a side was made on the population. One contended that the town had a population of 1,500, and the other that it did not. Mr. Noble took the census, and found 183 families, and a population of exactly 1,200. He got the wagers for his labor. Mr. Noble also taught in the Terre Haute schools. He thinks the schools of to-day do not equal those of the early days. When he
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came here there were only two praying men in town, Thomas Par- sons and John F. Cruft. Mr. Noble has a remarkably clear mem- ory.
Capt Boord gave evidence of remarkable memory for a man of his years. He came to Indiana in 1815. He knew all of the men, with one exception, who composed the company that laid out Terre Haute. He came here in 1821. The Indians were troublesome. He related an incident told him by Johnny Green, an Indian chief. Several Indians went to a cabin below town with the intention of killing the settler and his family. Two of the Indians were sent to the cabin to reconnoiter. They gained a position where they could see into the house. They were in time to see the settler lead in evening prayer. This impressed them greatly, and they returned to their chief and told him the settler was a good man, and that they heard him talking with the Great Spirit. The Indians did not molest the settler.
Col. Thomas Nelson was called for, and responded. Capt. Potter desired to know when the Colonel came to Terre Haute. During his remarks the Colonel said he came here forty-one years ago, and hereafter when anyone asked the Captain how old he ( Col. Nelson) was, the Captain could reply "41." The Colonel said he could boast of having brought the first can of fresh oysters into Parke county, the first piano and the first bottle of champagne. (Col. Thompson-"Whisky was there before you came.") The Colonel's reminiscences were listened to with marked attention.
Capt. Potter spoke for a few minutes, giving accounts of early business life, of the adversities and "booms."
The following is the list of old settlers who attended the meet- ing: Edward Cruft, born in Terre Haute, January 30, 1830. William W. Goodman, born in Louisville, near Vincennes, Septem- ber 9, 1814; moved to Vigo in September, 1819; farmer. Richard Watson, born in Spencer county, Ky., October 7, 1826; came to Vigo in 1828; his father, Scarlet Watson, with family settled in Prairie Creek township, which has been his place of residence since ; farmer. Thomas B. Carr, born in Spencer county, Ky., July 13, 1816; came here October 29, 1824; residence and post-office Terre Haute; merchant. John L. Dickerson, born in Butler county, Ohio (forgets when); came to Vigo county October 7, 1839; teacher. Charles T. Noble, Jr., born in Terre Haute on November 2, 1842; lived here always; book-keeper. Samuel H. Jackson, born in Vigo county, February 11, 1823; farmer; post-office, Terre Haute; residence three and one-half miles southeast of the city Ebenezer C. Edmunds, born June 10, 1836, in Vigo county; son of Samuel Edmunds, former county commissioner, probate judge and justice of the peace; one of the early pioneers of the county ; farmer.
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