USA > Ohio > Adams County > Caldwell's illustrated historical atlas of Adams County, Ohio. 1797-1880 > Part 1
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Gc 977.101 Ad17~ 120.
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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01786 4262
GENEALOGY 977.101 AD17A
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/caldwellsillustr00arms
The demand for Cald- well's Illustrated Atlas of Adams County has grown in recent years. Since most of the original books have become de- teriorated because of age and handling, I decided to reproduce the Atlas in a smaller form which would be more easily handled.
Reproduction from three original copies has been made by photo- graphing the pages and printing by offset press. You will note that page numbers are not consecutive and in some instances are repeated. It was thus in the original. Some of the pictures were faded and in some places the printing was not too clear.
Attention is called to the fact that the scale on some of the maps is wrong, especially those which state so many rods or feet to the inch. The maps in the original were much larger and of various sizes so that when they were reduced, the scale was incorrect.
I have reproduced the Atlas in reduced form as nearly as possible even to an exact copy of the wording on the cover. I extend my thanks to the Piatt family, Harlan, Mrs. Bernice Hazelbaker and Mrs. Evelyn Gault, for the loan of the Adams County Atlas which had belonged to their late uncle B. D. Piatt, for use in this reproduc- tion.
Also to Elo Freeman for the loan of his Atlas for a section of the view of Manchester from the Kentucky side of the Ohio river and the table of contents page.
August, 1962
A. C. Mitchell
ILLUSTRATED
HISTORY
CALDWELL'S
ILLUSTRATED HISTORICAL ATLAS
THE OLD COURT HOUSE WEST UNION.
ADAMS COUNTY, SOFE
1797. OHIO.
1880.
Compiled from Actual Surveys by Professional Engineers, by Order of County Commissioners.
JACOB LEAMON, HISTORIAN.
WALTER F. ARMS MANAGER.
F. R. ROBJOHNS, ARTIST.
Published by J. A CALDWELL, Newark, 0.
mitchell -$15.00
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1208947
BIOGRAF : 31 - KETCHES.
Liberty . .. 128 .Conroe
67
Meigs .. .
187 .liver.
139
Burwell, Samuel.
45 Boyle, Sarah ..
45
Brookover. R. C .....
51 Bayless. F D.
48
ants ; French Title English Title; The Ty .roth United States ... .
wradr.ed D. M ...
6. Berry, J. S .. 57
VIEWS.
( HAPTER 1] .- J and Grants.
.n.r. "ames.
35 Corsell, Hon. Ja -. L 13
Ashenhust, Roush & Co.
75
. CHAPTER ITE .- The Prospect before the First. Settlers :
Allen, Wm. C.
146
Allison, David
183
Col'to .
20
Cluxton, J. /
Brown, Mrs.
17
Bradford, David M
167
Brookover. R. C.
173
( HAPTER IV .- Organization of Ceantic ; Adams Ceanfi
73
Its Boundaries; Topography, Soil ; Connty Seat. Question ...
Downey T. C
Duffey, W. R. 50
77
( DAPTER V .- Territorial Townships: Zane's Early Records.
Bylar .Jose. M
45
Ellis, Hon. Jesse 53
133
( HAFTER VI .- Reminiscence: 01 or fut gel
127
Crawford, Jout
73
t'vity of Israel Donaldso .....
Coryell, Hon. J. L.
77
CHAPTER VII .- Scott Town.hip
13
Grossinan, Dr. John
5G
Gilpin, George. 30
Criswell, J. H. B
80
CHAPTER LA .- Meigs Tow . rganization.
18
Hook, 3. W 48
lliner, JJames.
59
CHAPTER X .- Monroe Tor : " Organization
18
Harsha, Martha. 26
Harris, David 30
Claxton, Jolin A.
10
CHAPTER XI .- Tellerxen " aship ...
189
CHAPTER XII .- Warne T' wasbip ...
Court House
17
CHAPTER XIII .- Liberty Township.
Crissman, J. 1I.
169
CAP LR XIV .- Oliv . Township.
25
Kenyon, Daniel
29
Kincaid, J. 11 2.
Dailey, R. S
Kane, D. L.
56
Lewis, A. C ... 56
Duffey, W. R.
3
TER MY. - Greene Township.
27
Loughery. 30
23
McClanahau, James. 21
Eylar, David S.
16
CHAPTER XVIII .- History of Meuchester. 31-36
175
IA TER XIX -Tiffin Township. 36
Mckenzie, Peter. 38
Mason, J. W. 48
141
CHAPTER XX .- West Union ....
38-43
Mulleo, T. J.
49
McColm Family 19
161
CHAPTER XXI .- Business of West Union 44
Gilpin, George.
99
Glasgow, Robert
146
McMasters, Gilbert 30
Martin, Isaac.
17
Naylor, W. C .. 49
Naylor, W. T
49
Oursler, llenry
29
O'Neil, Mark 49
CHAPTER XXV .- The Mound Builders
49
CHAPTER XXVI .- Sprigy Township.
50-54
CHAPTER XXVII .- Winchester Township.
54-56
Pence Family
53
Pollard, M 54
Pollard, Mrs. E. J
54
Patton, N. C. 27
14:
Patton, G. A.
27
Pile, Jacob 21
Hiatt, Rees
18.
Roush, Wm. 52
Rice, James H 30
57
Kincaid, Johu II
68
Simpson, Wm. H 52
Stephenson, Dr. R. A.
35
Kirker, C. E. and W. C.
102
Shinn, J. W .. 49
Scott, Henry
45
Kenyon, D. & Son
107
Starrett, John 52
Shelton, Thos. J.
52 Kanc, D. M
130
Seaman, Frank ... 38
Stout, Jolm K .. 29
. Lòng, William
Taylor, John ... 45
48
Truitt Family 52
Treber Family
37
Wasson, T. C.
22
Mckinley, James.
109
McGovney, Thomas
11:
Wood, John H
46 Wilson, G. S. 53 McGovney. Wm
113 C8
Moore, Richard
GENERAL MAPS.
Outline map of Adams Co ...... 61 State map
90-91
Scott Township.
63
Tiffin Township ..
64
Franklin Township
64 64
Bentonville.
79 Blife Creek 134
Commercialtown
134 Cedar Mills. 116
Contervillo
128 Dunkiusville .. 100
Eckmansville.
66 Elizabethtown 132
Evertonville ...
116 Fairview 101
Florida.
132
Harshaville 112
Stewart, Mrs. E ....
65
Locust Grove
101
May Hill.
Scott, Henry. 66
133
Mouroe Township.
67
68
TOWN DIRECTORIES.
West Union ..
63
Locust Grove
64
Winchester.
64
West Union. 96- 97
Wamsleyville
96
Bentonville
65
Youngsville P. O.
100
Jacksonville ..
6G
Manchester ..
TOWNSHIP MAPS.
Bratton
137 Franklin ..
115
Wikoff Mahlon
150
Eckmansville ..
68
Green
122 Jefferson
159
Wilson, G. S
...
Scott. ....??. . ..
75 Sprigg. 163
171
Wayne. .
78
Winchester. 131
Billings. John K. 48 Brown, W. B 26
43 Comja on. Join C 18
Organization of the Territory ; First Officer Secon . Grade of Territorial Government; Early 5%
Courts ; Early Settlements ; First Settlemmi tin Adams County.
Doc , vel
noulson. Irei ..... .. 3;
Just. James
Daily Family.
.. ingto. . John N.
Boje, W. B .. 2.w. F. D ...
76
Evans. ('. .
Ellison Family. 36
03
Donaldson : John Ellison; _. a! i
Full o. G ..
60 Gregg, W. B.
17
Grimes Family 51
Gore, S. Edwin 59
CHAPTER VIII. - Braiton Town '' rganization.
17
Glasgow, Robt. Anderson .. 59
Griffith, S. N 48
Cross, Wash
87
Collins, Elliott H.
10:
20 Hall, Jesac. 56
21 Harrison, Wm 52
Hughes, P. M. & T. M. 59
23 Irwin, C. E 45
Kirker Family 23
. TYPER AV .- Mo "long and Clark Families, Olivy own Sip ...
26
Little. Ja
36, Loughridge, JJ. 1 35
Eylar, J. W.
1
Ll: XVI ..- Biographical Sketches, Gre.ne Tp. 29
McNer:, Sal. nel.
MeGorney, Wmu. & Thos. 94 Murphy Family. 18
Ellis, Jesse.
Morrison, Robert. 60
McClung, Jane ... 26
CHAPTER XXII .- Biographical Sketches ; West Union 45
Mckinley, Jas .. 29
McMasters, Mrs. Pauline. 30
Grimes; Samuel
150
Gore, S. Edwin
177 93
Harsha, Mrs. M.
Hiner, Capt. James
93
Harris, David
103
CHAPTER XXVIII .- Frankliu Township 57-58
CHAPTER XXIX .- Miscellaneous and Biographical .- Jeff- erson Township, 58; Meigs Township, 58; Scott Township, 59 ; Greene Township, 59; Bratton Town- ship, 53; Liberry Township, 60 .; Wayne Township, 60. ADDENDA .- First Court of Quarter Sessions, 61; First Court under the State Government, 61 ; Early Laws, Whipping Post in West Uuiou, 61; Morgan's Raid, 61; Population and Statistics; Comparative State- ment of the Population of Adams County, 62; Land, 62; Crops in 1878, 62; Stock, 62; Tax Duplicate, 62; Furnaces and Iron of Adams County ; Brush Creek Furnace, 62 . Steam Furnace, 62 ; Marble Furnace, 62 : Brush Creek Forge, 62; Tobacco, 62; Adams County Infirmary, 63; Early Marriages, 63.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY OF ADAMS COUNTY, OHIO, BY TOWNSHIPS.
United States map.
70-71 Map of the world 180-181
TOWN MAPS.
Patton, G. A Pattou, C. S.
13 73 80
Greene Townshlp.
64
Bratton Township.
65
Liberty Township.
65
Oliver Township.
65
Sprigg Township.
65
Meigs Township.
66
Jacksonville 111
Louisville 100
Loudeu 132 Starrett, Jolin
130
Marblo Furnace .. 128
Manchester, town & twp. 84- 85
Newport. 111
Norih Liberty.
131
Palestine.
112
Rockville.
13-
Rome.
74
Tranquility
139
Unity.
66
Shelton, Thomas
183
Truitt. S. B
10. 120
Thompson, D.
Taylor, Johu
130
Wasson, T. C.
118
Wright & Co., Bank Hotel. 1336
North Liberty
Winchester 152
Wrightsville . 74
333 150
Simpson, W. H
Sonmon, Franklin
175
Oursler, Henry.
130
Puntenuey, G. H. portrait.
177
Pence, Alford
102
Patton, N. C.
Peyton, W. T ....
133
Pollard Morris. 150
Roush, William
Roberts, Isaac
169 65
Jefferson Towuship
66
Wayne Township.
Wella, J. M 49
Wikoff, Mahlou. 60 Mckenzie, Peter ..
Young, T. M ..
56
( IAFTER XXIII .- History of the Newspaper Press of Adams County. 46-47
CHAPTER XXIV .- Adams County Bar 48
Puntenney Family. 59
Peyton, W. T 35
Perry, Abraham. 35 49
Pettit, G. W.
Harsha, W. B 138
Hughes, Phillip M
Kirker, E. T. printing office.
Roush, Alex. 35
Roberts, Isaac.
Thomas, D. W 49
Manchester
13: 6-7 87
Thompson, L.
McMasters, Mrs. Panline
Wamsley, Jesse. 21 Wright, S. M. 45
Francis, J. Y
Fultou, George G
Iliatt, Recs. 56 Coleman, John and Robert.
McClanahan, John 21
Ellison, Robert H
53 Faulkner, A. F 48
Berry, Dr.
29 Crisswe o :1. R. 21
Cork will, Col. lo . It ..
v Tiffin
logical Formatio: .; Primitive MME found Build- ers ; Tilles to Ohio : Indians , Ohio .. . Tuhabit-
Ashonh.si, Oliver 35 Baldwin, M. 38
HAP : AR I .- Dnio Emergen LUXOR
1
Winchester Township.
Stout, John K.
Stephenson, Dr. R. A ..
PREFACE.
While the gathering and writing of local history is an im- ant matter, and to the man of tastes sulted to the work, an resting and pleasant task-yet, after all, it is a tedious, labo- is and difficult business. The patient care and research, ossary to reconcile the thousand and one contradictory and licting statements given by men equally honest and ap- 'ntly well qualified to give truthful and correct accounts of incidents of carly times, the fixing of dates, etc., can scarcely inagined by those who have thought but little on the subject. fact, years, instead of months, might be well spent in com- ing, perfectiug and bringing into symmetry and systematic c, all the details of a history of this kind. Works of this are never perfect, and we don't expect that ours will be an ·ption.
We have had additional difficultics to encounter.
Ist. We have not had the opportunity to read the proof we might correct verbal errors, should they occur.
2d. Instead ot completing our work and then revising and uging it in systematic order as a whole, we have had to send manuscript to the printer, in detached portions, as fast as ared.
History should be preserved and studied, beeanse it is the light we have to guide us in the future. Bv ats ligbt we trace and understand the measures by which nations have vn to prosperity and power, and their people been made y and prosperons, or we can trace the causes that have led ie downfall of governments and Empires, and reduced their bitants to poverty, degradation and misery.
It was from the history of the nations of the past, that we gained the knowledge that has enabled us to form the best system of Government the world has ever known. Without the light thrown on our pathway by the history of goue by ages, the world would be left to grope its way in darkness, withont a ray of light to guide it through the flight of future years.
The importance of preserving the local and early history of Nations, States and communities can hardly be estimated. The facts thus preserved will enable the future historian to account for many things that might otherwise appear obscure. The origin of the character of Nations, States or communities may often be explained by tracing back their history, to the influence exerted upon them by somne one or more individuals, who have imparted this character to them in their commencement.
Besides this, it is a duty we owe our forefathers who have borne the toil and hardships of clearing away the forests and established institutions that have given us the best government ever known to man, to preserve and keep their names and deeds in everlasting remembrance. Their bones are mouldering to dust, but their memories should live. The man with a soul so small or a miud so uncultivated or indifferent as not to desire to perpetrate or preserve the names and works of these forefathers, who have left him such a priceless heritage, hardly deserves to enjoy the blessings bequeathed to lim.
To the man of cultivated taste or appreciative mind, there is no purer, better pleasure, than to recall to mind the carly scenes
that transpired In his neighborhood, perhaps ou the very ground he occupies. In his imagination he sees how the forests can see the old pioneers at their work, clearing up their farms, and see how their cabins looked. He can visibly view the actual locali- ties made memorial by the deadly assault of the Indian, or the capture of some early settler by the wily savages. Local history, if preserved, would point out the localities of all the adventures and incidents of the carly pioneers, bringing before the cultured mind a vivid panorama of the scenes of other days.
We hope, with all our imperfections, that we may have been the means of gathering up aud saving from annihilation some of the many incidents in the history of the country, which were fast fading into the night of oblivion. If we shall have partially succeeded in this, we will feel content.
In conclusion wo beg to tender our Kindest thanks and ac- knowledgements to the good people of Adams county, for their generous kinduess and hospitality, and for the aid they have so uniformly extended to ns in the proscention of our work. We would be glad to mention by name those who have taken so deep an luterest in onr work, but the number is so great it would occupy too much space to mention all their names. We hope, therefore, they will accept this general acknowledgement which is none the less sincerc.
To the county officers about the Co:it-house, one and all, we specially desire to return our thanks for their courtesy and kind- ness, and their aid in giving us access to the public records.
1791
V.M.NONJONAS
AR
HOTEL.
HOTEL
ETMODIST
OY J.A. CALDWELL, NEWARK , OHIO.
protec- claimed neaster, six Na-
· settled ly wars reaty of at Brit- he Ohio
ce to the depend- isdiction
rom the
territory
signed at a formed
: bonnd- pemlen- eles, Mr. er as the indomit- ams, one. position. obability eceded to
id grauts
d for the the titles
Congress appropri- mon ben-
ern lands
mment, to servations
stated.
le title to c of Ohio. had to be
its within ir respect- also to be
Fort Stan-
it's of the Tuscaro- ions ceded
a line cx-
from the
also con- Wyandot. ore acces-
TERRITORY
ar, several ess of this gland, pre- it- several vely April f Virginia over. that " the ordi- hio." when l act estab- tiver as it- "Whereas. Is of Bote-
mbers are
PREFACE.
While the gathering and writing of local history is an im- ant matter, and to the man of tastes sulted to the work, an resting and pleasant task-yet, after all, it is a tedious, labo- is and difficult business. The patient care and research, ssary to reconcile the thousand and one contradictory and licting statements given by men equally honest and ap- utly well qualified to give truthful and correct necounts of incidents of carly times, the fixing of dates, etc., can scarcely magined by those who have thought but little on the subject. fact, years, instead of months, might be well spent in com- ing, perfecting and bringing into symmetry and systematic e, all the details of a history of this kind. Works of this are never perfeet, and we don't expect that ours will be an ption.
We have had additional difficulties to encounter.
Ist. We have not had the opportunity to read the proof we might correct verbal errors, should they occur.
2d. Instead of completing our work and then revising and uging it in systematic order as a whole, we have hnd to send manuscript to the printer, in detached portions, as fast as ared.
History should be preserved and studied, because it is the light we have to guide us in the future. Bv ats light we trace and understand the measures by which nations have vn to prosperity and power, and their people been made y and prosperous, or we can trace the causes that have led te downfall of governments and Empires, and reduced their bitants to poverty, degradation and misery.
It was from the history of the nations of the past, that we gained the knowledge that has cuabled us to form the best system of Government the world has ever known. Without the light thrown on our pathway by the history of gone by ages, the world would be left to grope its way in darkness, without a ray of light to guide it through the flight of future years.
The importance of preserving the local and early history of Nations, States and communities can hardly be estimated. The facts thus preserved will enable the future historinn to account for many things that might otherwise appear obscure. Tbe origin of the character of Nations, States or communities may often be explained by tracing back their history, to the influence exerted upon them by some one or more individuals, who have imparted this character to them in their commencement.
Besides this, it is a duty we owe our forefathers who have borne the toil and hardships of clearing away the forests and established institutions that have given us the best government ever known to man, to preserve and keep their names and deeds in everlasting remembrance. Their bones are mouldering to dust, but their memories should live. The man with a soul so small or a miud so uncultivated or indifferent as not to desire to perpetrate or preserve the names and works of these forefathers, who have left him such a priceless heritage, hardly deserves to enjoy the blessings bequeathed to hin.
To the man of cultivated taste or appreciative mind, there is no parer, better pleasure, than to reenll to mind the early scenes
that transpired in his neighborhood, perhaps ou the very ground he occupies. In his imagination he sees how the forests can see the old ploneers at their work, clearing up their farms, and see how their cabins looked. He can visibly view the actual loenli- ties made memorial by the deadly assault of the Indian, or the capture of some early settler by the wily savages. Local history, if preserved. would point out the localities of all the adventures and incidents of the early pioneers, bringing before the cultured mind a vivid panorama of the scenes of other days.
We hope, with all our imperfections, that we may linve been the means of gathering up and saving from annihilation some of the many incidents in the history of the country, which were fast fading into the night of oblivion. If we shall have partially succeeded in this, we will feel content.
In conclusion we beg to tender our Kindest thanks and ac- knowledgements to the good people of Adams county, for their generous kindness and hospitality, aud for the aid they have so uniformly extended to us in the prosecution of our work. We would be glad to mention by name those who have taken so deep an Interest in onr work, but the number is so great it would occupy too much space to mention all their names. We hope, therefore, they will accept this general acknowledgement which is noue the less sincere.
To the county officers about the Court-house, one and all, we speelally desire to return onr thanks for their courtesy and kind- ness, and their aid in giving us access to the public records.
.4 ......
188
2.9
1876
S MAIL
BONANZA
٠٢٠
ONJOHNS.A .. ...
BOAZ.
F ..
HOTEL.
NOTE
OY J.A. CALDWELL, NEWARK, OHIO.
MANCHESTER,
ADAMS CO. OHIO'
CAPTO
İLE'S
While the ant matter, resting and is and diffi ossary to rer ilicting state ently well qu incidents of magined by fact, years, ing, perfecti. e. all the d are never pe ·ption. We have h2 1st. We ha we might ce 2d. Instead nging it in s manuscript 1 ared. History sho light we hr trace and u vn to prosp y and prosi te downfall o bitants to po
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF ADAMS COUNTY, OIIIO.
CHAPTER I.
ORO AS IT EMERRED ABOVE THE WATERS-GEOLOGICAL FORMA- TIONS-PRIMITIVE RACES-MOUND BUILDERS-TITLES TO Omo -INDIANS-OMIO WITHOUT INHABITANTS-FRENCH TITLE- ENGLISH TITLE-THE TITLE OF THE UNITED STATES.
When the territory of Ohio emerged from the ancient waters of the carboniferons period. it presented the appearance of an ex- tended monotonous plain. It has not been materially changed since that period, in a topographical sense, except by the exenva- ting power of the streams. There are no geological uplifts, or mountain ranges, or peaks.
In Ohio no primitive rocks are found in place. Her rocks are all sedimentary and stratified, and as they are horizontal, the strata that appear at the surface nre few. 'Hler geology is there- fore very simple . nd easily understood, especially when we com- pare it with that of New York or Pennsylvania, where a much greater variety of formations is seen.
The lowest visible rock in Ohio, is the blue limestone, of Cin- cinnati, which is also the lowest in a physical as well as in a geo- logical sense. We have no means of ascertaining the thickness of the blue limestone, for we have not penetrated through it to the rocks beneath ; yet it is estimated at more than 1000 feet, 600 to 700 of which are visible.
If we group the rocks of Ohio according to their lithological characters, there are five distinct divisions, that any person will discover on examination. The difference in appearance, hard- ness, color and composition is so marked that no more natural division could be made.
Ist. Limestone, visible thickness in Adams county, according to Dr. Locke. 772 tect
2dl. Black shale, thickness at same place .. 251 «
3d. Fine grained sandstone, thickness. 343 " ' 4th. Conglomerate 200 4
5th. Coal series, estimated = .2,000 “
Thickness in Ohio. .3,566 “
This is dividing the rocks, not according to strict geological rules, but according to external appearances.
A person traveling from the west line of Adams county east- ward, to the Little Scioto, in Scioto county, would pass over the out-cropping edges of all these rocks, and would see all the forma- tions in Ohio.
They dip eastward at the rate of about 37 4-10 feet per mile ; consequently, the cliff limestone, the upper member of the great limestone deposit, which at West Union, is 600 feet above the river at Cincinnati, at Brush creek, six miles east, is found to be only about 350 feet above the same level.
And the tine grained sandstone which caps the hills cast of Brush creek, and west of the Scioto, as we approach the Little Scioto, sinks to the base of the hills and disappears beneath the conglomerate. This inclines continually to the river surface and plunges the coal.
This out crop forins a continuous but crooked line from the Ohio river to Lake Erie.
PRIMITIVE RACES OF 01110.
It is not determined whether we have yet discovered the original or first people who occupied the soil of Ohio. Modern investigations are continually bringing to light evidences of carlier races. Since the presence of man has been established in Europe as a cotemporary of the fossil elephant, mastodon, rhinoceros, and the horse, of the later drift or glacial period, we may reasonably anticipate the presence of man in America in that- era. Such proof's are already known, but they ure not of that conclusive character that amounts to a demonstration. It is however known that an ancient people inhabited Ohio in advance of the red man, who was found bere near four hundred years ago, by the Spanish and French explorers.
Five or six hundred years before the arrival of Columbus, the Northnoen sailed from Norway, feelind, and Greenland, along thu Atlantic coast as l'ar sonth as Long Island. They then found In- dian tribes in New England, closely resembling those who lived upon the coast and the St. Lawrence, when the English and French came to possess those regions.
These red Indinns have no traditions of a prior people, but there are over n large part of the Lake country, und of thu valley ol' the Mississippi, earth works, mounds, pyramids, ditches, and
forts, the works of a more ancient race, and a people far in ad- vance of tho Indian. If they were not civilized, they were not barbarians. They were not mere hunters, but had fixed habita- tions, cultivated the soil, and possessed mechanical skill. Wo know them as "Mound Builders," because they erected over the mortal remains of their principal men and women memorial mounds of carth or unhewn stone-of which hundreds remain to our day-many of them so large and high, that they give rise to an impression of the numbers and energy of their builders such as we receive from the pyramids of Egypt.
TITLES OF OHIO.
The territory that now constitutes Ohio was,"first of all, so far as we can judge, in full possession of the race of Mound Builders ; afterwards (but still in pre-historic times) its sole occu- pants and owners, for some centuries, were unquestionably those Indian tribes or nations, found here by the Europeans. They as well as the Mound-Builders, held titles acquired probably by pri- ority of discovery-by conquest-by occupaney, or possession. Possessory titles they might be appropriately termed.
OHIO WITHOUT INHABITANTS.
After the destruction of the Eries by the five nations in 1656, and nutil 1700, or a little later, what is now the State of Ohio was uninhabited-a silent wilderness. The Miami Confederation, inhabiting the southern shore of Lake Michigan, extended south- easterly to the Wabash. The Illinois Confederacy extended down the castern shore of the Mississippi to within about eighty miles of the Ohio. Hunting .parties of the Chickasaws roamed up the eastern shore of the Mississsppi to about where Memphis now stands. The Cherokees occupied the slopes and valleys of the mountains about the borders of what is now East Tennessee. North Carolina and Georgia. The great basin, bounded north by Lake Eric, the Miamis, and the Illinois, west by the Mississippi, eust by the Alleghanies, and south by the head waters of the streams that flow into the gulf of Mexico, seems to have been nuinhabited and scarcely visited except by war parties of the Five Nations.
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