USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > Centennial souvenir of Marietta, Ohio; settled April seventh, 1788, celebration, April seventh, 1888 > Part 1
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Gc 977.102 M34a 1791028
M. L.
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02280 2398
GEN
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/centennialsouven00alde_0
Centennial Souvenir
OF
MARIETTA, OHIO
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
SETTLED APRIL SEVENTH, 1788
CELEBRATION,
APRIL SEVENTH, =1888.
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It is to commemorate the first settlement, not of Marietta, not of Ohio, even, but of the great North West .- Dr. I. W. Andrews.
E. R. ALDERMAN & SONS, PRINTERS
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1791028
F 89253 .025
V [ ALDERMAN, Mrs. L A 3
vCentennial souvenir of Marietta, Ohio, settled April seventh, 1738, celebration, April seventh, 1888. [ Marietta, O. ] E. R. Alderman & Sons[ 1888]
101p. front., illus., map. 19cm.
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50-1672
SHELL CARD
ICN 50-421'
a) : 1 -
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F 89253 .025
19202
Copyrighted February, 1887, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, Washington, D. C., by Mrs. L. A. Alderman.
All rights reserved.
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50-1672
THIS volume is merely a hand-book for hasty readers. The con- tents are culled from history already written. References have been made, chiefly, to Dr. S. P. Hildreth's works and the writings of Dr. I. W. Andrews. Five of the illustrations are reproductions in part from plates in Hildreth's Pioneer History. The outline, of what is often termed "romance in reality," of the story of the Blennerhassetts is much more closely allied to the early history of Marietta than is herein por- trayed. Blennerhassett Papers, by W. H. Safford, are very complete upon this subject.
No attempt is made in biography, hence the absence of much, that might be said, in reference to the characteristic traits of the early set- tlers of Ohio, the founders of the State. L. A. A.
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HERE, where but late a dreary forest spread, Putnam, a little band of settlers led. And now behold, with patriot joy elate The infant settlement become a state; See fruitful orchards and rich fields of grain, See towns and cities rising on the plain, While fair Ohio bears, with conscious pride, New laden vessels to the ocean's tide. [Harris' Journal, 1803.]
[Will murray.
Illustrations:
Junction of Ohio and Muskingum rivers and partial view of Marietta and Harmar. Map of Ohio Company's purchase. Map of Northwest Territory.
Fort Harmar 1785.
Campus Martius 1791.
Marietta in 1792.
Farmer's Castle, Belpre.
Robinson's Mill, 1875. Blennerhassett Mansion.
Mound at Marietta.
Ancient Earth-works.
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The First Settlement
OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY MARIETTA OHIO APRIL 7, 1788.
N ESTLED among the foot-hills of mountains whose summits arc less than one hundred miles away, and hemmed in, in happy seclusion, by two rivers, is a country town of historic name and fame. Half hidden by these hills, it is dreamily sleeping mayhap on the banks of the streams, the Ohio and Muskingum rivers. The former winds its way, in and out, between the hills of West Virginia and Ohio in a manner truly picturesque. The latter, after searching in many direc- tions, for a pathway to the sea, greets the Ohio here, and ever after joins in silent communion with its waters. The town, Marietta, effem- inate in name, being an abbreviation of Marie Antoinette, stands the peer of all other cities so called, this name being selected in honor of the Queen of France, in acknowledgment for her friendly and courte- ous manner towards Dr. Franklin, at that time Minister to France, representing the United states at the Court of Louis XVI. When she received the intelligence of this and the purport of the message was fully understood, she ordered, in recognition of the name, a bell, to be sent to the new settlement, for a public building. The bell never reached its destination, having been lost at sea, though there has long
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been a delusion in connection with Marietta history that the bell on the Court House is the gift of Queen Marie Antoinette.
The preparation for a celebration of more than usual interest, in April, 1888, has aroused public notice until many are asking,
" What of Marietta? "
" Why this celebration? "
The completion of a century, and the outgrowth of that period in history since the first settlement of the State, together with the mark ing of these by the hundredth yearly mile-stone, are events well worthy the notice of every citizen of the State. These, indeed, would be strong inducements, but there are other reasons, of State and National importance, for an interesting celebration here.
Let us hasten back one hundred years and search for motives that resulted in the first authorized settlement of the Northwest Territory at Marietta. A halt is made among the years close following the Revolutionary War. A rich inheritance had been gained in the free- dom and independence of the people of our commonwealth. But those who had fought valiantly to preserve the principles of their Gov- ernment, found the treasury, when the war closed, in absolute bank- ruptcy, without a dollar, and men failed to receive their pay for services rendered. The suspense, to some, was languishing in its nature, to others, disappointment gave way to impatience and restlessness. Lead- ing men, in and out of the Colonial Congress, had their best thoughts put to a severe test in trying to devise means for the payment of its soldiers. At the same time, they were also planning some method for the settlement of a vast and almost unexplored wilderness ( which the Government owned, ) called the Western Empire. The two proved serious and vexing questions, and greatly troubled Washington and other leading men.
Along the Eastern sea coast, in the vicinity of Boston, were many of
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the men, who had been schooled in army life and discipline, restless for their pay, and ready for other and greater achievements. They had been given " Continental currency " or certificates redeemable at the option of the Colonial Congress. That body of men were con- tinually considering measures for their relief, and fully recognized the importance of their claims. These certificates, or promises to redeem, did not satisfy the majority, and other methods were devised to allevi- ate their needs, none of which were entirely satisfactory.
This vast unbroken wilderness, to them, far beyond the Alleghany mountains, traversed only by Indians, where wild beasts roamed at will, was in the possession of the general government; farther than this, but little was known. The boundaries had not been established, portions of the empire, as it was called, were still claimed by individual states. Massachusetts and Connecticut claimed rights by titles vested in colonial charters, New York, by certain treaties with the Indians. England was claiming the Ohio river as her southern boundary, and treaties with the Indians were pending. To adjust the right of own- ership and settle boundaries proved a tedious task. The authorities of Maryland agitated the advantages of a general government over all the states, also over the Northwest Territory. The State of New York acquiesced in this idea and was the first to cede her claims to the government. The boundary between England and the United States was established through the chain of lakes. Questions of importance were yet unsettled and the continental certificates still unredeemed.
Two important events might be noted here. First, the formation of the Ohio Company of Associates. Second, the passage of the famous ordinance of July 13th, 1787, providing the laws governing the terri- tory Northwest of the river Ohio.
After due deliberation by men, who had for some time contemplated the possibility of it, the idea was at last openly advanced of exchan :-
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ing the certificates, for lands in the Ohio country-the Western Em- pire. In January, 1786, after a midnight conference, at Rutland, Mass., two gentlemen, Rufus Putnam and Benjamin Tupper, Generals in the American Army, issued a call, styled "Information," asking cit- izens to meet at places named, to elect delegates, to meet the first of March, in Boston, at the "Bunch of Grapes Tavern," there to form a company, the object of which was "to raise a fund for the sole purpose, and to be appropriated to the entire use of purchasing lands in the Western Territory for the benefit of the company."
The citizens of several counties met and elected their delegates in pursuance to this call. At this meeting, after a deliberate discussion of two or three days, an orpanization was perfected, after which they adjourned to meet again in one year; but with the understanding that they immediately set to work to raise funds for the purchase of lands, by selling shares, cach share to represent one thousand dollars in cer- tificates, and ten dollars in gold to be paid by each share-holder for de- fraying expenses soon to accrue. The first call was to citizens of Massa- chusetts, but many from other states were willing to take shares, pro- vided a colony could be established on lands intact. At a second meeting, March 1, 1787, at Bracket's Tavern, Boston, it was shown that two hundred and fifty shares had been disposed of, which was deemed sufficient for further proceedings. A committee of five were selected to draft a plan for the approbation of the convention. . These were Messrs. Putnam, Cutler, Brooks, Sargent, and Cushing. The company thus formed was known as the "Ohio Company of Associ- ates." Winthrop Sargent was clerk of these meetings. This Associ- ation is known at present as the Ohio Company.
By this time Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Virginia had ceded their territory back to the United States, with exceptions of small reservations; but treaties with the Indians were still unsettled. Th:
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circumstances were such that it was deemed advisable to urge the im- mediate action of Congress, then in session in New York City, to al- low the purchase of lands for the Company. The gentlemen appointed to confer with Congress were General Rufus Putnam, Gen. Samuel H. Parsons and Rev. Manassch Cutler, with Major Winthrop Sargent as Secretary. To these were afterwards added General James M. Var- num, of Rhode Island, and Richard Platt, of. New York, as Treas- urer. Their first agent to visit New York was Gen. Samuel H. Par- sons. The Congress then in session had under consideration the laws that were to govern the territory of which this purchase was to be a small portion. They adjourned without any action in regard to the purchase by the Company, and did not meet again until in July, when Dr. Cutler visited New York, and went directly before the commissioners with his requests and was successful in a short time in contracting for one and a half million acres at two-thirds of a dollar per acre; the final contract, however, closed for something over nine hundred and sixty- four thousand acres, represented by eight hundred and seventeen shares. The contract was signed by Samuel Osgood and Arthur Lee, on behalf of the Board of the Treasury of the United States, and by Manasseh Cutler and Winthrop Sargent for the Ohio Company. It will be noticed that the famous Ordinance of July 13th, 1787, was passed simultaneously with this purchase of lands by the Company.
The contract for the purchase was, however, not finally concluded until in October, 1787. In November of that year the Ohio Company decided to send, at its own expense, a number of men, members of the Company, to their new purchase, expecting them to prepare the way for others who were soon to follow with their families. To assist these were surveyors, carpenters, boat-builders, and men for all kinds of work. They assembled at two places. A part of them, under the management of Major Haffield White, met at Danvers, Massa
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chusetts, and others, with General Rufus Putnam as superintendent, at Hartford, Connecticut.
Those who met at Danvers came first over the mountains, through the wilderness, toward the Western Empire. The early part of the year 1788 was spent at Sumrill's Ferry, in the wilds of Pennsylvania, building the boats that were to carry them to their destination. They were joined by General Putnam and his men, and left their winter quarters April 2, landing at Marietta-which was then designated as "The country on the banks of the Ohio and Muskingum,"-
APRIL SEVENTH, 17SS.
Below are the names of these Pioneers, the first settlers of the Northwest Territory :
GENERAL RUFUS PUTNAM, Su- perintendent of the Settlement and Surveys,
MAJOR ANSELM TUPPER, JOHN MATHEWS, Surveyor, MAJOR HAFFIELD WHITE, Steward and Quartermaster, CAPTAIN JONATHAN DEVOL, CAPTAIN JOSIAH MUNRO, CAPTAIN DANIEL DAVIS, CAPTAIN JETHRO PUTNAM, CAPTAIN WILLIAM GRAY, PEREGRINE FOSTER, EsQ., SAMUEL CUSHING, ISAAC DODGE,
ISRAEL DANTON,
EARL SPROAT,
ALLEN DEVOL,
COLONEL EBENEZER SPROAT,
WILLIAM MASON,
COLONEL RETURN J. MEIGS,
EDMOND MOULTON,
BENJAMIN SHAW,
EZEKIEL COOPER,
JARVIS CUTLER, OLIVER DODGE,
SAMUEL FELSHAW,
HEZEKIAH FLINT, JR., JOSIAH WHITRIDGE, BENJAMIN GRISWOLD, THEOPHILUS LEONARD, WILLIAM MILLER, DANIEL BUSHNELL, PHINEAS COBURN,
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HESEKIAH FLINT,
AMOS PORTER, JR.,
JOHN GARDNER, ELIZAR KIRTLAND,
JOSEPH LINCOLN,
DAVID WALLIS, GILBERT DEVOL, JR., JONAS DAVIS,
JOSIAH WHITE, HENRY MAXON,
JABEZ BARLOW,
WILLIAM MOULTON,
EBENEZER CORY,
SIMEON MARTIN,
ALLEN PUTNAM,
PELETIANI WHITE.
JOSEPH WELLS,
There were forty-eight of the Pioneers, Return J. Meigs arriving the 12th of April. The last meeting of the share-holders of the Ohio Company was held in Massachusetts in March, 1788. They ad- journed to meet on the lands of the Company in July of that year, which they designated as "the settlement on the Ohio and Muskingum rivers," they not then knowing it by the name, Adelphi, as the settle- ment was first called by the Pioneers. ( The Marietta College Library possesses the original contract for the purchase by the Company-or rather by the agents.) It is hoped, that by this detail of the prepa- ration for the settlement at Marietta, to instill into the minds of the younger readers the important fact that the events herein outlined are worthy a careful investigation which may precede or follow the cele- bration now contemplated. Carefully consider these long and con- tinued transactions that at last secured such glorious results. May the memory of the men who participated in them be ever cherished by all the generations that follow.
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Map of the Purchase of the Ohio Company of Associates.
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THE ORDINANCE OF 1787.
As one seems a compact or part of the other, so it is proper to follow with a brief allusion to this ordinance.
It has been truthfully said, that this Ordinance would never have existed but for the formation of the Ohio Company, or gentlemen representing it before the Colonial Congress then in session in New York city, and just as truly was it said that the final settlement of claims against the Government, by these share-holders in the company, "would not have been completed but for this Ordinance." This was a provisional government enacted for the Northwest Territory, gov- erning first, the settlers of the Ohio Company, as they were in advance of all others. A hasty review will be made, in order to show the wisdom of the enactments, hoping it may lead to a more careful study of them by such as are interested in the laws yet governing that ter- ritory, or rather the States that have emanated from the territory, for which these laws were made.
First .- No person demeaning himself in a peaceable and orderly manner, should ever be molested on account of his mode of worship or religious sentiments in said Territory.
Second .- This article provided for the benefits of habeas corpus, jury trial, and the fullest protection of the individual under a just government.
Third .- " Religion, morality and knowledge being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of education shall forever be encouraged." This article also asks for good will towards the Indians; advises not going to war with them, only as it is sanctioned by Congress; and laws are prom- ised founded upon the principles of justice and humanity, in order to govern peaceably if possible. To carry out this article properly, made
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WISCONSIN
KHURON
NYSTHSIW.
HIGAN
SERIE
ILLINOIS
OBANA
OHIO
Map of the Northwest Territory.
the long delay in settling the Indian war from 1791 to 1795. More severe measures in the outset might have saved much suffering, anxiety and expense. The leniency of the government made it necessary for the settlers themselves to carry on the war at their own expense. They
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disbursed over fourteen thousand dollars, eleven thousand of which, according to excellent authority, was never refunded to them by the Government.
Fourth .- This article had to do with levying taxes for the support of the territorial and general government, also for the free use of all navigable streams of the territory.
Fifth .- There shall be formed in said territory not less than three nor more than five states, the western states to be bounded by the Mis- sissippi river, &c.
Sixth .- "There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the territory otherwise than the punishment of crime after convic- tion." The stigma of slavery was never to be placed upon the statutes governing the territory or of any of the states thereafter formed.
On the question of slavery, Mr. Lawton, who has descendants in Barlow, wrote in 1819, a poem, from which the following is an extract :
"Confusion strange, to grasp in the same hand
The blood-stained scourge, the peaceful olive wand.
Hail Marietta, thou, my native town,
I'll sing thy praise, for freedom there is known. No petty tyrants tread thy peaceful streets, No mourning slave the passing stranger meets; Blessed be thy name, while fair Ohio's waves, . Shall part thy borders from a land of slaves .* May well-frought barges ever line thy shores And smiling plenty rest within thy doors,"
*Virginia and Kentucky were then slave States.
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That this Ordinance has been well tested the people of the United States can fully and earnestly substantiate. To the fact that it has proved an unqualified success for a century, they can readily attest. The fore-sight and wisdom shown, in the foregoing enactments, far exceeded the most sanguine expectations of the promoters of the laws. The commemorating of the ordinance, is then, an event for rejoicing. It became a law July 13, 1787, and soon thereafter the contract with the Government, by the Ohio Company, was made final, and measures were immediately taken for occupying their claims by the share- holders of the Company. It is plainly portrayed in the annals of history, that the participants in the adjustment of governmental affairs, after the close of the Revolutionary War, were men who proved themselves worthy of any trust. This has been further verified by the success and continued prosperity of the country opened to civiliza- tion, by their joint efforts, at that time.
The settlement at Marietta had many advantages; these settlers were men possessed of the best possible knowledge then attainable at the leading Eastern colleges, men versed in military tactics and trials of war, many of them being officers and soldiers of the Revolutionary war; men already disciplined for hardships and trials, men of great courage and fortitude, of marked intelligence and refinement.
They had been the means of assisting all in their power to thwart England's determined supremacy over them or their government, and in saving this territory to the possession of the United States. They had, in a measure, assisted in the formation of the laws that were to govern it. They showed themselves willing to purchase and accept a portion of it as their own and again to redeem it, by war with the Indians, carried on at a most inconvenient time-ever after to live in peace, as law-abid- ing citizens under the protection of such laws as they had reasons to fully understand.
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THE MAYFLOWER.
In the cold wintry days of 1620 there lay at its moorings, on a rocky Massachusetts sea-coast, the Mayflower, that had brought the Puritans to their new home, the wilderness of America. Whipped by the waves and lashed by storms of the winter months, it looked a com- fortless in the spring-time as the shores had been to the little Pilgrim band; there was little that was inviting on either ship or shore.
In trying to establish their colony these people had withstood hard- ships with a zeal and undaunted courage never equaled. The warmth of the sun in the spring days was wished for, looked for but came not. Their courage faltered, they questioned their judgment in choice, if choice it was, of location. They pondered upon their prospects, and won- dered if this was to be the cold, bleak world they had so far found it.
An incident of unseeming moment took place which gave them re- newed courage. The voice of Nature announced to them that the warm rays of the sun were already quickening to life the wild-flowers of the forest, and they hailed with delight the pale unassuming bloom of the Mayflower, or Trailing Arbutus, with its exquisite fragrance. Then they exclaimed "Our God is with us, He will not desert us."
Not altogether different was an occurrence nearly two hundred years later. After a winter of severe trials, fatiguing work and anxiety, there was set afloat, on a small stream at Sumrill's Ferry, in Pennsyl- vania, another boat, another Mayflower, accompanied by other smaller craft, whose destination was to a wilderness, "on the banks of the Ohio and Muskingum rivers," but to the occupants of this river craft, their destiny was not foretold; the veil of futurity hung heavily before them. With nothing of romance in their journey down the Ohio, they reached their new prospects with scarcely an incident recorded.
It was not long until the April sun shone out and revealed a scene
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not altogether desolate. To the observant eye, here, too, could be found the sweet, fragrant little Mayflower-Trailing Arbutus-break. ing the crusty dead leaves and searching the sunlight, offering its quiet welcome to the few strangers who had come hither to prepare the way for many more. A little later on, the wild roses burst from their con- finement and bade, in their way, these settlers a double welcome or greeting. All nature put on an air of gayety as if to dispel sober mo- ments and scatter them, anywhere, never to be again remembered.
What was all this display of nature to men who had a heavy task before them, whose first thought was shelter from storms, and protec- tion for the nights? These pleasant surroundings were trivial, indeed, to such mem, and the last to be recognized, perhaps, yet, their silent voice and influence were beneficial, for the tidings that went back to the homes in New England were: "We are greatly pleased with the prospect." These encouraging words reached the listening cars of those who were already active in their preparation for a journey to the new country.
After the first successful voyage of the Mayflower, boatmen returned many times to the " Ferry " to meet others who came thus far over- land, and by them were transported to the new settlement. Once here the Pioneers were greeted with cheers, and welcomed to their new home in the wilderness.
It is accredited by some that, after the first salutes of welcome, by the soldiers at Fort Harmar, had died in faint echoes among the hills, and a tent had been pitched for General Putnam and his assistants, a code of laws were established and fastened upon the trunk of a tree for general reference.
As many of the men were officers and soldiers of the Continental Army, well versed in and accustomed to military discipline, this pre- caution for good conduct could readily be supported. No mention,
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however, is made of any such forethought until the 4th of July of that year. They then enacted laws-temporary, by resolutions-and these were " tacked up on the smooth bark of a beech tree." Governor St. Clair arrived the 9th of July, and had power, vested in authority from the Congress, of which he was President when he was appointed Governor of the Territory, to execute the laws enacted by that Con- gress, embodied in the Ordinauce of 1787, so that the temporary laws were not greatly needed. The town or settlement was called Adelphi until the arrival of St. Clair, when by formal resolution, the name was changed to Marietta.
THE STATE OF OHIO FOUNDED.
The forests were felled, cabins erected and seed planted for the crops of the season. The two most important occupations were those of the surveyors, in the measurement of lands, and guards whose duty it was to give the alarm, when there were any suspicious signs, or presence of Indians. The Indians bade the Pioneers a hearty welcome, but afterwards proved very treacherous and unreliable, char- acteristics they ever possessed. These traits did not surprise General Putnam. He had noted treaties made and treatses broken, and also had observed that the Indians were not pleased to see the land cleared and houses built. He demanded a vigilant watch, and as soon as pos- sible, ordered the erection of forts, block-houses and stockades, for the better protection of the settlers and their possessions.
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