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Gc 977.1 C22h 1539221
M.
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
L 3 1833 02324 088 7
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
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Lippincott's
Cabinet Histories of the States.
OHIO.
ARTHUR ST CLAIR,
LIPPINCOTT'S
CABINET HISTORIES.
1
F
CHIO
THE
HISTORY OF OHIO,
FROM ITS
Garliest Settlement to the Present Cimr.
EDITED BY
W. H. CARPENTER, AND T. S. ARTHUR.
PHILADELPHIIA:
J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO. 1858
F 892.15
1539221
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1864, by T. S. ARTHUR AND W. H. CARPENTER, it the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
STEREOTYPED BY L. JOHNSON AND CO. PHILADELPHIA.
2829
T223SST
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PUBLISHERS' PREFACE.
THERE are but fow persons in this country who have not, at some time or other, felt the want of an - accurate, well written, concise, yet clear and reliable history of their own or some other state.
The want here indicated is now about being sup- plied ; and, as the task of doing so is no light or superficial one, the publisbers have given into the hands of the two gentlemen whose names appear in the title-page, the work of preparing a series of CABI- NET HISTORIES, embracing a volume for each state in the Union. Of their ability to perform this well, we need not speak. They are no strangers in the literary world. What they undertake the public may rest assured will be performed thoroughly; and that no sectarian, sectional, or party feelings will bias their judgment, or lead them to violate the integrity of history.
The importance of a series of state histories like those now commenced, can scarcely be estimated. Being condensed as carefully as accuracy and interest of narrative will permit, the size and price of the volumes will bring them within the reach of every family in the country, thus making them home-read- ing books for old and young. Each individual will,
PUBLISHERS' PREFACE.
in consequence, become familiar, not only with the history of his own state, but with that of other states : -thus mutual interest will be re-awakened, and old bonds cemented in a firmer union.
In this series of CABINET HISTORIES, the authors, while presenting a concise but accurate narrative of the domestic policy of each state, will give greater prominence to the personal history of the people. The dangers which continually hovered around the early colonists; the stirring romance of a life passed - fearlessly amid peril; the incidents of border war- fare; the adventures of hardy pioneers; the keen watchfulness, the subtle surprise, the ruthless attack, and prompt retaliation-all these having had an im- portant influence upon the formation of the American character, are to be frecly recorded. While the progres- sive development of the citizens of each individual state from the rough forest-life of the earlier day to the polished condition of the present, will exhibit a pic- ture of national expansion as instructing as it is inte- resting.
The size and style of the series will be uniform with the present volume. The authors, who have been for some time collecting and arranging materials, will furnish the succeeding volumes as rapidly as their careful preparation will warrant.
PREFACE.
THE materials which compose this, the first con- nected history of Ohio ever offered to the public, have been drawn from a variety of sources, and required a patient examination of many volumes and numerous documents. The collation of the facts and incidents, and their arrangement into a consecutive narrative, have necessarily been attended with more than ordi- nary labour.
Settled originally by the members of an Association whose intelligence and respectability were warmly com- mended by Washington, the increase of Ohio both in wealth and population has been, for half a century, without a parallel in history.
A state which, in 1800, numbered but forty-five thousand souls, exhibits, in 1850, a population of two millions, owning nearly ten millions of acres of improved land, and occupying, in civil and political position, the third place in the Federal Union.
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PREFACE.
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In the present work, much greater prominence has been given to the incidents connected with the domes- tic history of the people than to their political inclin- ings. In what manner they lived in the olden time, how bravely they fought, and how nobly and success- fully they persevered, this history will show.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
The valley of the Ohio -- Its primitive aspect-Its great fer- tility-Existing indications of an ancient and semi-civilized race-Indian villages on the banks of the Ohio-Cause of their desertion-English colonial settlements - First account of the Ohio Valley-Exploration of the mountain passes by Governor Spottswood-Origin of the first Ohio company -- Claims of Great Britain to the Ohio region- Counter claims of France-Discoveries of La Salle -- The extent of Louisiana-French settlements-Celeron sent to take possession of the Ohio Valley-Explorations of Gist on behalf of the Ohio company-Singular Shawanese custom-The Miamies-Attacked by the French for pro- tecting English traders -- Virginia alarmed-Indian council at Logstown-Movements of the French-Measures of Pennsylvania and Virginia-Journey of Washington to Fort le Bœuf-His return-Virginia calls upon the colonies for Assistance in repelling invasion-Fort commenced at the forks of the Ohio-The colonial governors ordered to repel force by force-The French descend the Alleghany-Cap- ture of the English works Page 19
CHAPTER II.
Treaty of Fontainebleau-Territorial cession by France to Great Britain-English traders-Their activity -- The Ohio
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CONTENTS,
company-Preparations for emigration-Indian troubles -- Speech to Post-Conspiracy of Pontiac-Its success-Kis appeal to the Indians -- Fatal unconsciousness of the Eng- lish-Massacre of the traders -- Michilimackinac captured by a stratagem-Ball play of the Indians-Carelessness of the garrison-Surprise and massacre -- Detroit assaulted ---. Besieged by Pontiac-Fort Miami captured -- Artful strata- gem of an Indian woman-Its commander slain-Sur- render of the garrison-Fusillanimity of an English officer in command at Presque Isle -- Fort le Bœuf assaulted. ~ Escape of the garrison-Massacre at Venango-Investo ent of Fort Pitt-Devastation of the frontiers of Pennsylvania and Virginia-Terror of the inhabitants-March of Bou- quet-Attacked by Indians -- Relief of Fort Pitt-Trouble in the confederacy -- Revival of old feuds-Pontiac retires Page 32 to Illinois -- His death
CHAPTER III.
Indiscriminate settlement disallowed-Expeditions of Brad- street and Bouquet-Treaty at Detroit-Bouquet marches against the Shawanese towns on the Muskingum-Is met by deputies entreating peace -- Delivery of prisoners-Af- fecting conduct of the Indians --- Speeches of Lawaughqua -Croghan visita the Illinois -- The Monongahela settlers -Their disregard for the claims of the Indians-Project of Sir William Johnson-Applies for a grant of lands south of the Ohio-Treaty at Fort Stanwix-Organization of the Mississippi company - Exploration of Kentucky-John Firley -- Daniel Boone-Colonel Knox-Surveys by Bul- litt, M'Affe, and others-Quarrel between Pennsylvania and Virginia-Pittsburg besieged by Connolly-Instigates a jealousy of the Indians-Atrocious conduct of Captain Cresap-Massacre by Greathouse-Indian war.
41
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IV.
Expedition organized against the Indians on the Scioto --- McDonald marches to the Muskingum-Destruction of In- dian villages-Retaliatory invasions-Dunmore's expedition --- March of Lewis to the Ohio-Battle of Point Pleasant --- Dunmore advances on the Scioto-Propositions for peace -Lewis ordered to return to Point Pleasant-Treaty at Camp Charlotte-Warlike preparations of Great Britain and the colonics-British emissaries among the Indians- Congress organizes an Indian department-How the cause of colonial revolt was explained to the Indians-Colony of Christian Indians on the Muskingum-The Moravian mis- sionaries, Post, Heckewelder and Zeisberger-Morgan ap- pointed Indian agent at Fort Pitt-Hamilton governor of Detroit-His influence with the north-westeru tribes-Un- satisfactory conference with Indian delegates at Fort Pitt -McIntosh ordered to the west-Expedition organized against Detroit-Forts McIntosh and Laurens built -- Hos- tilities of the Shawanese and Wyandots Page 54
CHAPTER V.
The public lands-Action of New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland- New York cedes her claims to Congress-Reso- tions adopted by the latter -- Invasion of Kentucky by Co- Ionel Boyd-Clarke's expedition against the Ohio Indians -- The Moravian Indians-Suspected by both parties -- Given by the Iroquois to the Ottawas and Chippewas- Wyandots agree to remove them-The Indian villages on the Muskingum abandoned-Capture of the missionaries --- The Moravians settle at Sandusky --- Return of & party to the Muskingum-Massacred by the Americans-Craw-
12
CONTENTS.
ford's expedition against the Moravians at Sandusky- Gathering of the Wyandots and Delawares-Battle of San- dusky Plains - Retreat of the Americans - Capture of Crawford-His horrible death-Bryant's Station in Ken- tucky invested by the Indians-Battle of Blue Licks- Clarke's second expedition against the Miami towns -- Its Page success.
66
CHAPTER VI.
Putnam's memorial to Congress-Virginia cedes her lands north of the Ohio-Putnam and Tupper propose & settle- ment in the West-Originate the second Ohio company- Plan of the association-Connecticut relinquishes her claim to western lands-Dr. Cutler negotiates a grant for the Ohio company-Symmes' grant-Ohio company locale their giant between the Muskingum and Hockhocking Rivers-Reasons for so doing-North-west territory organ- ized-St. Clair appointed governor -- Provisions of the terri- torial ordinances-Settlers land at the mouth of the Mus- kingum-Education and religion promoted by the Ohio company-Meet west of the mountains, and name the new settlement Marietta-Ancient fortifications preserved -- Temporary laws -- Arrival of St. Clair-Washington county organized-First court-Difficulty with Indians -- Progress of the settlement-Description of the "Campus Martius" -Symmes and Stites in the Miami valley-Columbia, at the mouth of the Little Miami, settled-Great food-Lo- santiville settled-Treaty with the Indians at Fort Harmar -Feast on that occasion-Scarcity of provisions-Death of Judge Varaum
SO
13
CONTENTS.
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CHAPTER VII.
A desultory Indian war-Surveying party attacked-Capture of Gardner near Waterford-His escape-St. Clair calls upon Congress for assistance-Is authorized to call out the frontier militia-Death of Judge Parsons-Increase of settlements in Ohio-Belpré, Waterford, and Millsborough founded-Fort Washington commenced at Losantiville- Cincinnati named by St. Clair-Famishing condition of the Ohio settlers-Isaac Williams-His noble and disinter- rested benevolence -- Indian outrages-Harmar's expedition against the Maumee towns-Defeat of Colonel Hardin --- Second defeat of Colonel Hardin-Return of the army to Fort Washington-Strictures on the conduct of Harmar and Hardin -- Massacre at Big Bottom - Millsborough Page 93 threatened-Indian declaration of war
CHAPTER VIII.
Disastrous consequences of Harmar's campaign - Bolpré and Waterford fortified-The rangers-General Putnam requests additional military support from the government --- Military preparations at Waterford-An Indian strata- gem-Independent conduct of the people of Kentucky- General Scott's expedition against the Indian towns on the Wabash-Colonel Wilkinson's expedition against the Eel River Indians-Design of the campaign under Ge- neral St. Clair-St. Clair's army commences its march- Desertion of the Kentucky volunteers-St. Clair's de- feat-Courageous conduct of St. Clair during the battle- Hlis honourable acquittal from the charges preferred against him-The appearance of St. Clair's battle field after the defeat.
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CONTENTS.
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CHAPTER IX.
The United States attempt negotiations with the Indians -Putnam's mission-Public dinner given to chiefs-Pre- parations of the settlers for defence-Backwoodsmen and rangers-Adventure of Neil Washburn-Capture and es- cape of Moses Hewitt-Attack on Fort Jefferson-Captivity and escape of Davis-The blockhouse schools -- Amuse- ments of the settlers while confined within the blockhouses
Page 118 -Bird Lockhart.
CHAPTER X.
Wayne's preparations for the Indian campaign-Wayne com- mences operations-Death of Lieutenant Lowry-Kentucky volunteers-Exploits of Josiah Hunt-General Wayne's spies-A remarkable escape-Captain Wells preserves the lives of an Indian family-Attack on Fort Recovery -- Fort Defiance erected-Wayne's last offer of peace to the In- dians-Little Turtle opposed by Blue Jacket at the Indian council-The battle of the Fallen Timbers-Major Camp- bell and General Wayne. 138
CHAPTER XI.
John Davis killed by the Indians-John James pursues and encounters the murderers-Death of Sherman Waterford -Wayne's treaty of peace-Settlers leave their garrisons -Increase of population-North-western forts surrendered -- Salt springs-Sufferings of two of the first salt makers -- Chillicothe founded-Death of General Wayne.
153
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CONTENTS.
--
CHAPTER XII.
Proceedings of the Ohio company-Blockhouse schools- Amusements at Farmer's Castle-Pioneer life in Ohio- Description of a log cabin-Scarcity of domestic utensils illustrated -- The mode of effecting a clearing-The settler's table -- Difficulties in grinding corn and in procuring pro- visions-Schemes of hunters to elude the vigilance of their game-The winter's hunt-Indian hunters-Their mo le of transacting business with the fur-traders-A winter even- ing in the log cabin Page 16.
CHAPTER XIII.
Wolf-hunting -- A hunter caught in his own trap-Bears, panthers, and wild-cats-Pioneer mode of dressing and making purchases-A cure for drunkenness-Social in- tercourse of the settlers-Their kindness to the sick- Their hospitality to strangers-An Indian subdued by generous treatment-A scena in the log cabin of Minor Spicer-Description of a " log rolling," or the raising of a log cabin-Marriage ceremony in the backwoods-Mode of settling disputes 180
CHAPTER XIV.
Adams county formed-First territorial legislature-William Henry Harrison-Indiana territory organized-Formation of the state of Ohio-Character of the constitution of Ohio --- Provision for establishing and maintaining public schools -- Proceedings of the first General Assembly under the
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CONTENTS.
-m
state constitution-Indian title to lands in Ohio gradually extinguished by treaty-First court in Greene county -- Mistake in the administration of an oath-Conspiracy of Aaron Burr-Council at Urbanna Page 189
CHAPTER XV.
Settlers on the fire-lands-Distress of & family in the woods -Proceedings of Tecumseh-Execution of Leatherlips for witchcraft-Tecumseh's reply to the neutral Indians -Patriotism and bravery of Colonel Johnson-General Hull's scandalous surrender of Fort Detroit-General Harrison appointed commander-in-chief-Plan of opera- tions-Winchester defeated at Frenchtown-Fort Meigs erected-Its successful defence --- Cool and deliberate bravery of one of the militia-Fatal results of insubordinate valour -Indian deputation-Death of Logan ... 205
CHAPTER XVI.
Second invasion of Fort Meigs-Stratagem of Tecumseh -- Major Croghan receives orders to abandon Fort Stepben- son -- His reply to General Harrison - Colonel Ball's skirmish with the Indians - Fort Stephenson bravely and successfully defended-Blue Jacket attempts to as- sassinate General Harrison at Fort Seneca -- Perry's vic- tory on Lake Erie-The interment of the dead after the engagement- Biography of Tecumseh in Ohio-Battle of the Thames 221
CHAPTER XVII.
Council at Dayton-Peace with England-Columbus made the capital of the state-Extinction of the Indian title
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CONTENTS.
-Treaty with the Delaware and Wyandot Indians- Banking in Ohio-Contest between Ohio and the Bank of the United States -- Nullification in Ohio-Last days of Arthur St. Clair-The Ohio and Miami canals-His- tory of common schools in Ohio-School and canal laws passed - Seneca Indians - Execution of Seneca John for witchcraft-Departure of the Senecas for the far West. 245
CHAPTER XVIII.
Tornado in Ohio -- Incidents illustrative of its violence- Great flood in Ohio-Proceedings at Cincinnati for the relief of the sufferers-Mormonism at Kirtland - De- scription of the Mormon temple-Failure of the Mormon bank -- The Ohio and Michigan war 250
CHAPTER XIX.
Boundaries and extent of Ohio-Its physical geography- Soil and productions-Rivers-Climate-Government and judiciary-Indian mounds and ancient fortifications - Human remains at Circleville-Population-Colleges and public schools 269
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HISTORY OF OHIO.
CHAPTER I,
The valley of the Ohio -- Its primitive aspect-Its great fertility -Existing indications of an ancient and semi-civilized race -Indian villages on the banks of the Ohio -- Cause of their desertion-English colonial settlements --- First account of the Ohio Valley -- Exploration of the mountain passes by Governor Spottswood-Origin of the first Ohio company- Claims of Great Britain to the Ohio region-Counter claims of France-Discoveries of La Salle -- The extent of Louisi- ana-French settlements-Celeron sent to take possession of the Ohio Valley-Explorations of Gist on behalf of the Ohio company-Singular Shawanese custom -. The Miamies -Attacked by the French for protecting English traders- Virginia alarmed-Indian council at Logstown -- Movements of the French-Measures of Pennsylvania and Virginia- Journey of Washington to Fort le Bouf-His return- Virginia calls upon the colonies for assistance in repelling invasion-Fort commenced at the forks of the Ohio-The colonial governors ordered to repel force by force-The French descend the Alleghany-Capture of the English works.
SIXTY-SIX years ago the territory comprised within the limits of the present state of Ohio was an uncultivated wilderness; to-day, from its wealth and population, it ranks third in import- ance among the confederated republics of North
20
HISTORY OF OHIO.
[1787.
America. History furnishes no parallel to a growth so wonderful.
The primitive aspect of the noble and fertile region watered by the Ohio, was singularly at- tractive to those pioneers of civilization, who, to the red man's love of freedom and the chase, united a sturdy energy and an indomitable per- severance peculiarly their own. The " Beautiful River," which gave easy access to this magnifi- cent domain, was bounded by gently sloping hills, presenting no obstacles to cultivation, and extending in irregular ranges for many miles into the interior.
These undulating lands were overshadowed by one unbroken forest. The autumnal fires of the Indians, during a long series of years, had de- stroyed every vestige of woody undergrowth. From hill to hill, through the dim sylvan aisles, the hunter gazed with surprise upon the large herds of deer and buffalo, which here found pasturage on the luxuriant vines and grasses that sprung up from the fertilizing ashes of the annual fires. In the autumn, when the wind shook down the abundant fruit of the chestnut, the beech, and the oak, countless flocks of wild turkeys afforded food to the hunter of the most delicious character. To attract the agricultu- ralist, in addition to the excellent wheat lands of the hills, were the maize lands of the bottoms. Seldom touched by frost, and rarely subject to
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ANCIENT INHABITANTS OF OHIO. -
1787.]
disastrous overflow, their rich deep black loam offered a generous reward to the labours of the husbandman.
That a people, far superior to the nomadic tribes encountered by the earlier pioneers, had anciently occupied this fertile valley, is evident from the numerous traces of fortified cities whose ruins have not yet wholly disappeared. Of this people, and of the works which testify to their former existence, the traditions of their Lavage successors do not speak. Who they were, whence they came, and in what manner they disappear- ed, are mysteries which still continue to baffle the researches of the historian, and the patient scrutiny of the antiquarian.
At a later day, the red man planted his vil- lages along the shores of the Ohio; but when the European trader first visited that river, these, with one or two exceptions, had disappeared. For sixty miles back the wilderness was left un- touched even by the tillage of the Indians. Lands of extraordinary fertility were used only as vast hunting-grounds, where the warriors from the towns high up the tributaries of the Ohio, solitary, or in parties, followed the pleasures of the chase. To account for this change from comparative populousness to solitude, the tradi- tions of the Indians relate that, for a long series of years, fleets of canoes, manned by the fierce warriors of the Iroquois, came down annually
22
HISTORY OF OHIO.
[1748.
from the head waters of the Alleghany, carrying death and desolation through the entire valley of the Ohio; and, at length, driving its inha- bitants to seek a more secure refuge far in the interior.
During the early half of the eighteenth cen- tury, the attention of the Anglo-American colo- nies, which as yet had extended their back set- tlements to but little over a hundred miles from the Atlantic, began to be attracted by reports of a beautiful country west of the Alleghanies. The glowing accounts given of the Ohio Valley by the fur traders, who alone had visited that region, naturally produced a desire for its occu- pation. As early as 1710, Spottswood, the go- vernor of Virginia, with much pomp and a great retinue, explored the mountain passes leading to it ; and Logan, from 1719 to 1731, the wise and energetic secretary of Pennsylvania, constantly urged the necessity of securing the Ohio terri- tory to the English.
At length, in the year 1748, Thomas Lee, a member of the Virginia council, associating him- self with several other gentlemen of that pro- vince, and with certain London merchants, ob- tained a grant of half a million acres of land, to be taken, however, principally on the south side of the Ohio between the Monongahela and Kanawha Rivers. This was the first " Ohio Land Company," and its object was the establish-
23
RIVAL CLAIMS.
1748.]
ment of an English settlement beyond the Alleghanies.
The right of Great Britain to grant these lands was founded, in part, on her prior disco- very of the North American continent through the Cabots; by which it was contended that the whole territory was truly hers. But the princi- pal ground upon which she based her assumption was, that the Iroquois or Six Nations, by right of conquest owned the Ohio valley, and had placed it, along with their other lands, under her protection.
France, however, advanced a counter-claim. Following up the discovery of the Mississippi by the pious and enthusiastic Marquette, Robert de la Salle, a chevalier of France, the first of white men to sail the waters of Lake Erie, had pushed his way to the three outlets through which the " Great River" pours itself into the Gulf of Mexico. Here, on the 9th of April, 1682, he took formal possession of the whole Mississippi valley, in the name of his royal master, Louis XIV.
The territory thus added to the dominions of France, presently received the name of Louisi- ana, and was expressly declared, so early as 1692, to extend "to the head springs of the Alleghany, including the Laurel Ridge, the Great Meadows, and every brook that flowed into the Ohio."
During the period that elapsed from La Salle's
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HISTORY OF OHIO. [1751.
discovery till near the middle of the eighteenth century, the French enjoyed entire and almost undisputed, though not unquestioned possession of the west. Besides establishing flourishing set- tlements at Detroit, Peoria, Kaskaskia, Vincennes, and New Orleans, they had erected between forty and fifty forts, missionary stations, and trading posts, in various parts of the country. Upon the fact of this occupation, and of the discove- ries. of Marquette and La Salle, France based her claim to the valley of the Chio. To render this title still more valid, Galissoniére, the go- vernor-general of Canada, in the summer of 1749, before the Ohio company had surveyed their lands, despatched Captain Louis Celeron, with a detachment of three hundred men, to bury leaden plates, on which were inscriptions setting forth the claims of France, at the mouths of the principal streams flowing into the Ohio. Celeron was also instructed, at the same time, to take possession of the country by a formal " process verbal," and to warn all English tra- ders from its limits. This proceeding was, however, but of little avail; for, during the same year, an English trading house was esta- blished on the banks of the Great Miami.
While the French, in 1751, were busily forti- fying certain points on the head waters of the Alleghany, the Ohio Land Company sent their agent, Christopher Gist, to make explorations
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