USA > Ohio > Butler County > A history and biographical cyclopaedia of Butler County, Ohio, with illustrations and sketches of its representative men and pioneers. Vol. 1 > Part 2
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Mering, David, 399; John
Merz, Karl. Methodist Churchics,
567, 575, 377 Methodist Church A 426; of Oxford, 917; Scipio
Methodist Prot. want Chin 639 Kever, John . BUS
Maclean soldiers, reception ci at MRconville 06; War . 199
Miatal Bridge Company, 100; stone
388 iran . . 110
View Catal. 186; proposals for construction 199: firstexcavation
made. 14l ; boats running on . . 146 Miami Country, Erst account of. . 56 Miami Democrat . . . 117 Mianei Gazette. prospects of . . 111 Mirmi. Great, 50, 625 : discovery of, 1: navigation of the, :09; ship- menis on the, 110: occupation of. 1 ; oHt ralices of the . 273
Mamat Herahi 113
Viaici Intelligencer, b grinning Minne Medical Coller
Miami Paper MINH 26
Miami University, 5%: location of, 58; organizarbm of board of trustees, ES; lamis ci, how to be least, 50; Amonmar school opened. 30; creator stone laid. 0; efort to remove to Cincinnati. 51 : Robert H. Bishop appointed prodivat of. We trust boord of Fresters, 02: opening of 12 Best faenity, 62; by-to- of. AU. Birst catalogue of stehenip, 53: coarse of study in 1525. 03, progress of, t4 : account of be Prot erott. 67,
mil of honor of. Ti: lavone of, 7: badfor of, f2; baldings ti.
Lindley, John . 413 sassimation of . 265
Line, Benjamin .
Lina, Adam, 408;
Linther, Lorenz.
Literary Focus 511
Literary Register 17,514
PARE.
Liberty Township, erection of,
Liberty Party .
324
MeFarland. Dr. Jont B.
183
Lincoln. death of, how received 249
--
Krouskopi, Charles,
487
-
IX
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Middlecamp, Frederick . 5$6
Middletown, 627 ; incorporation of. 1831 J13 Poppel. Joseph . 558 Population ot Hamilton and Hoss-
534; Journal, 623: Signal .
Milford Township, 862; erection vi, 54 Nickel, John R. 117 ville . 294
Military range
Milda companies
Milholland, George ING Miller, Abrain, 288; Charles,
Michael C., 654: S. C., 556 ; li-
iam C., 366; William M. .58%
Millville .
Mbltonville, 507 : Cemetery
Minor. Colonel John .
Mission Ridge, battle of
Mistler, Frederick
Moebus, John
Money lent by city to Oberadli, Georg
volunteers . 2is Observer . 113
Monfort, Francis, biography of . 160
Monroe, 639; Catholic Church, 042 Cemetery. .
Monterey, battle of 200 Ogleton 414 Mooney, Joseph 054 Oglesby, 6,66 Oglesby & Barniez . €34
Moore, Jobe, 619; Robert, 417, 585; Thomas 051
Millikin, Abel, 187; Andrew, 17 ;
Dr. Dan, 160; Dr. Daniel, 104, 150; James, 132; James, IST; James ET., ISA: John AL, 185: John, 198: Jolin 31, 332; John
M., 344, Joseph, lon; Minor. 115; Minor, 186; death of, 219; Dr. Robert B., 187; Robert B., CDS; Dr. Samuel, 187; Sammel, 185; Thomas, 137, 386; Williao. IL . . 873 Morey, Heury L., 232; 3. E.
Morgan Towneinn, erection of .34;
description of. .
Morgan, John. 240; raid, 240 ; COD- ture of, by Major Rus 13
Morgantown 429
Mormons 645
Morris, Evan, Senior, 435: Griffith, 435; Jacob, 115; Phebe. tomb- stone of, 509 ; Oliver I., 416; Dr. Robert D., 545; Robert D., 524: T. B., 40S; Issac K. .
Morton, Rev. John B. 636
Mosiman, Christian .
Moudy, Henry .
$81
Parrish, Oakey Y
Mound-buildery
70
Patchell, James .
Mound, great, of Butler County 274
Mound Cemetery. . 64
Mount Pleasant United Presbyte- rian Church 641
Mt. Pleasant Cemetery 590
Mt. Tabor Church . 26
Mt. Zion Church .
Maley . 131
Muller, Jacob F.
Murfreesboro, battle
Murray, John L.
11
Phelps, Dr.
192
97
Murders by the Indians
20
Murphy, Peter .
8.400
Mmiphy, Edward, 997; William ..
340
Mutual Protection Company
211
Myers, Joseph, 358; Joseph V
Thomas S., murder of
263
en-toms
NEAL, JAMES E. 367
Fipo, Capt , an Indian chi
445
Neideraner, Henry
:30
Pisgah .
Plannett. Adani:
5.58
Wilan, Jobn F. 118, 340
Neuner, Anton . 472 Nog Even Virreit. st Episcopal Church . . Pocock John
New London, 4?5 ; burying- 427 New River, formation of . 108
News, Hamilton and Ressville
. . 117
of 1810.
PAGE.
Newspaper publishing, expenses in
New York, cession of lands b
Nicol, John . .
656
Port Union
575
Postinsisters, 200, 417, 489, 418, 459 476, 528, 558, 869, 575, 600, 512 . . 627 Post-orlice and public mails, 200; the old. 399
Possibilities of Butler County . . 129
Potter, Aaron, 220; Ezra. 368: 1,- cins B .. 400; Invius B., letter from, 222; Moses, 628; Dr. S. H . 301 Powell, William A. 057
Prairie at Winnilton, 283; Litdie . . 623
Prather, Dr .. .
191
Proble County, formation of 32
Peremption to lands on Symises's purchase .
Presbyterian Church,
571, 568, 013, 814. 130 11-
ice, 454; of Oxford, 519 ; at Reily . 416 Press, il1; daily 117
Oglesby, Moore & Co
630)
P'richett, mnnider :
202
Ohio Company, groot of land to Price. A. W., killing by of by India 21 Okeana . . 400
Princeton
Probate judges
107
Prosecuting attorneys
Pragh, Charles I .. 565
Pugh. Alexander, 390 Jar
5-48; Jobb
Ordinance of 1787
22
O'Reiller, Henry .
27
Pathoft, Freuerick b. .
59
Overpeck, Lucien C.
QFIRE, CORDELIA $03
RADER JOHN F.
Raftrond opening at Oxford
2733
Railroads.
263
Rainfall
277
Behigh, B. E.
311
Rapid traveling.
314
Rebellion
207
Reporters
107
685: Thomas C., 625; Thomas E ..
626
Beformed Church
355
Reid, Whitelow
115
Reily, John. biography of, 79; re- toval to Hamilton, &t ; death of, $2; dlerkt, 36: mention of 256: Joseph 1., St; James, 84; Bob- ert. - 84, 238
Refle Village, H, Baptist Church,
-15; Towr-bip, 409; erection of. 34 Reister. Jacob . . 895
Kellef committees, 247 ; to familles of volunteers 215
Rentsebler, George Allem 358
Philanthropy, 424; postoffice,
417
Posene of a Inglive slave .
Philanthropist newspaper.
113
Reatti, Herman
Phillips, Alfred 1, 236; homer , . 809
Revailes, Jola P.
Physicians practicing in
Butter
Rialto
426
County, 19; of Oxford . 190
Pierson, More's R. 119
Pioneer Association, 842 Te and
Rigon, Francis L
Rige -. Robert Ii. 54%
Bem, Henry C4 358: William H.
Pib, Jobs G.
657
Rolersos. Jour
:12
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PAGE.
Polste:, John G.
Nixon, Dr. Alex. B., 190: John, 448; Richard W., 580; William 448 Potatoes . . 125
North Bend . .. 30
Northrup, Lot D.
16, 303, 512, 667,
569, 636; in Venice, +3; in
Sario 124
Oliver. Dr. David .
Uze Hundred and Sixty-seventh Regiment, 240; list of officers of . 247 Orens . 115 Oreutt. DaHus C.
Oxford A. M. E. Charch,
Bank, Sit; Fecale Colleon
Cemetery, 515 ; Circuit. 518; Cir-
cuit, M. S. Church, 55; Cifix 314: laid out by James Heaton,
59, lands soll, 50; notice of in
1516, 56; soldiers buried in, 253; township, 500; erection of, 85;
Theological bendbary, 027; vil- lage 508 Reed, ! A. Lee, 594; Davat, 525; D -. R C. Stockion. 378; Jolin,
PADDY'S RUN, 422, 450; posi-ofice
Paper Mills .
Paulin. Jeremiah
Peabody Helen
Pearce, Michael
Prek, HI. P. K., 116 ; J
P. P.
Poters, Hannal
Pettit, Jonathan J.
Petri, Frederick C.
Phares, Jemes R. C .. 619; Sar ne! A., 619; William C .. 319; W. D., 610: W. W.
Pioneers and .
Poe, Mism .
041; camp: ign
Nicolay, Silas J ..
Nichols, Witham A 307
Niederman, Jacob .. 468
Ninety-third Regiment . 35
Northwest Territory, opening of 2
OATS
197
Murray's recollections, 237 Vill-
ium . .
Hamond, Levi
321
Riadton. Pr. Ivanmi
400
1
Purchase of the Miami country
Overpeck's .
654
x
CONTENTS.
TAGE.
Robison, James M., 657; Captain William 311
Rocky
Rocky River ,283 lage . . .614
Rogers, Daniel 434
Rosemond, Fred L.
118
Ross, 450; Township, erection of,
Ross, Henry G .. .
Roseman, Jomes, 394 ; C: piai. il
Captain William C.'s company . 215
Rossville, laid out, 257; Hydraulic, 342 : Presbyterian Church . $02
Rothenbosh, Philip . 305
Rothermel, David. 119
Rudolph. Major Michael
Rue, Major George W. 243
Runaway apprentice
Ruoff, Christopher
Rupp, Jacob, 4 4; John
Rushart, Nicholas
Rusk, Baltis B. .
Russell, Stephen !
Rvan, M. C. .
,337
Ryan & Witherby
15
Rye
27
SADLER, ELIJAH
.543
St. Aloysius Catholic Church 430
St. Charles Cemetery 412
St. Clair, General Arthur, nis
phy of, $5; Arthor, Jr., 254; At-
thur, third, 254; campoigu, 80;
defeat, 86: papers, Ss; expedi-
tion, 4; army, defeat of, 6: eres- tion of fort 21; Township, crec-
tion of. 33; Township, acecast of, 551
St. John's Church . . 355
St. Paul Evangelical Church 537 St. Peter's Lutheran Church 553 Shan, Dr. 179
St. Stephen's Church
Salem M. E. Church 503
Sales of jaml . 268
Salice, Joha G. . 403
Salmon, W. D. .
419
Salmon's Ran .
489
Salsman, Anthony
if)
Samuels, Ezekiel, 619; Lathemen Church .. Sargeant. George, 256; Mich B 258 Sayre, Pierson . 177 Schaffer, Jacon
Schaik, John T. 69
Schellenbach, Michael
Schelley, John . 402
Schenck, Jaunes ML., 800; Jonathan, 600; Peter P., 056; William, 609; Willian. J. . 659
Scheurer, Edward 404 Soil Soldiers' Ail Fair, com Miami
Schildwache 115 Schlenk, Moritz . 19 Schlosser, Henry
School Examiners
23
Schools at Venice, 453; it
town . . 635
Schorr, Caspar
Scipio, 423; Cemetery 25 Somhar, William
Scobey, F. H. . 116
Scott, David C., 550; John B. 400; Doctor, 191; Prof. John W., 521,
524; his account of Miami Uni- versits .
Sendder, Benjamin, 500 Trx. A. M. 405 Sebald, Williama .
Second Presbyterian Church of Cx- fort
Sofcon, Henry
Seifert, Valentine
Selby, John, 009; Samici
Seltice, Henry C., 199; Hul
Settlement of Symmes's Purchase. 23
Seven-mile Creek, 551, 552, 566; Presbyterian Church, 555; vil-
Seventy-second Regime 239 Seward, John 404
Shafer, Clemence 629 Stickcls, Henry 590
Shafer, Henry. 20 Shaffer, Frank H. .
Shafor, John R., 660; Peter, 100; William, 641; Lieutenant Will- fam, diary of during War of 1812,
99; trial for sleeping on post, 102; commission . 102
Shaw, Rev. Knowles . 435
Shayler, death of son of Captain 20 Straub, Joseph . 402
Sharer, W. H., letter from . 224 Strauss, Meyer 403
Sheely, William .
57,353
streamis, course of
Shesley. William D. 663 Strecke-, J. J. 40
Sheets, Martin . 859 Snlobur Spring 50-4
Sheep. . 134 Supper, Fiel of Sunday Morning Ne 118
Supprime Court, first text county in
Sute, James
Sutherland, J.un Futpbin. Abraham. 055; Josen 659; Joseph 4: Son
Sutphin & Wrenn 630
Swantp Creck Branch 641
Sholer, Asa, 401; Christian A. 402 swearingen, George W., 590; Isaac 5., 500; John D. , 591
Simpson, Abrabar, 658: Michael Sinop, William 55.9 650 Sites, Jantes R. Sixty-ninth Regio officers 401 Synes, Americas, 392; Captain John Cleves, 171; Celadon, 304; Daniel. 264; Judge John Cleves, Skinner, John 20; character of, 21: biography of, 20; expedition of in Ohio, 20; Benimma R. 465, Jewenh C., Sayback, Dr., 187; John E. 849 405; Corners, ATO; pareband, 43; Simanager, -Christian K. 195 survey of, 24; theory, defence of, 175 Synagogue. Jewish 356
TALLEL HRERY . 407
Tammany, history of, 105; Society 104 Truscott, Grunge W .. 353; J. B. . Tavera prices in 121. 3 Taxation is Damil.on
Teschers, carly, in Butler County . 123
Te-wighte-wa River. 325
283
Temple, Jacob, Sen. 510
Thirty -ditt Regiment, 221; out of, 225 . officers of 225
Thomas, Alfred C .. : 50; Benjamin. F., 295; John, 393. Marcellus, 100; Rov. Thomas, 420; Shem.
Thompson, Albert H., 403; 620
tais, lotter fruta, 259; U'reeman B
Timberman, Cari-
Titles an der Svannes's.
Taalbiater.
II.
Spellmith James' Stenvar O. M. 15 Trier I nr
Spies, agreement with
Sponsler, wrid of for marler Squirrel Boat. rs .
Stage between Cincinnati an. ton, 814: fare
Fishle. C. U.
500
Yeni, Jatn. s
Steintada, Jaenl
PAGE,
PAGE.
Stephan-, Jobn II .. . 403
Stephens. Edward T., 573; James A., 573 Stevens, Colonel Willian, 420; Dr., IN2; Dr. Joshua 195
Sicwart. Charles. 830; Wiliam E .. 510,549
Stillwell's Comers 440 Stinipson. Joseph 401
Stokes, Franklin, 115, James 620; Sammel, 820; 225
death of
Stony River 283
Store dealings Stout, M ... Claro, 065; James F. 573
Shepherd. Charles H., 501 ; David. 374; Peter W .. 499; W. C., 401: William F. 591 Shern, Joho. 5-49 Cherias 106
Shields, James, bio; raj by vi
Shiloh Church 613
Shoemaker . 375
Shrover, Jolin, 484; Thomas
Sinkey. John .
Smith. Charles K., biography of,
161; Chanes K. , Dr. Alanson, 550; Dr. I. W., ISS; Ge. rge C, 405; Geule J. 958; John H., 419; John L., 404; Jobu T., 5449; John W., 120; Kirby. bis advance en Cincinnati. 239; Mrs. Fjeanor A .. 368; Palivor W., 540; Sheriff James, 558: Thomas H., 420: William H.
Smoves, Frederick 57 Tai: 2 Oliis Infantry 215
Suaptown 4.6
Spyder, Daniel C. 659
Sohn. Christian Henry, 356, John
Soil of the county
University Somerville 50 Timpe trex .
Sommier, David
Eurg. P. J. & Co. 633
Sorghum .
123
Tobacco
Sortman, Daniel, 894; Jol 110
Eravis, Porv D.
Treniley, Amos Trenma. 505, cemeteries 500
1.79
True Toleran 116
-----
-
287
1
Tytuis, Francis J. . .061 Tytus Paper Company 630
UNION CHURCH . 613
Union Corners . 476
Union Library Association
Union Loan Association
Union Medical Society .
Union meeting at Collinsville, 212; at Okeana 219
Union Township, 674; Cemetery. 580; erection of. .
United Brethren Church . 459, 599, 014
Universalist Church .
. 336, 520
Urinston, David, Jr., 486; Edinund
K., 486; Mandeville T., 420: No !-
son A., 420; Samuel . 420
VAIL, DANIEL B., 662: Hogh P
662; Isaac, 500; Shobal . .
Vallandigham, C. L., 116; sprech on return from banishment, 246; accidental shooting of,
death of .. 287
Valley Chapel 474
Vance, Elijait- .258
Van Cleaf, Thomas .
485
Van Derveer, F., 222 ; presentation of sword to, 201, 116; Dr. Peter. 191 Van Hire, Nehemiah, 501; William, 578; W. L. .
Van Hook, William E.
Van ScoyE, John . . 600 Webb, Elias .
Vau Swearingen, John 591 Weber, Feter . 662
Vaughn. Williamo .
Vegetable gardening
129
Venice, 452; Cemetery, 453; ML. E. Church 455
"Venus 162
Vinnedge, F 495; George,
Moore P. 070 John Weller, Charles J ... 115, 650 B. . . 100, 258 Virgin Brice 500
Virginia, cession of lands by
Vitzedom, Jacob
119
Volunteer
.117
Voorhees, Daniel W.,
480; Henry
T. . 593
WACHTER. 110 Wade, Melancthon 469; the-
iniah .
459
Whitaker,
PAGR,
Wagoner killed by Indians
Wallle, Dr. Carlton . 193
Walker Brothers, 40; Ezekiel 259 Walker Chapel M. E. Church 412
Waller, Tyler. S. 610
Wannenwetsch, Andrew 665
War, end of the late, 248; meeting in Hamilton, first, 208; second,
200; 01 1812, 93; volunteers from Morgan. . . . 432
Ward. John: F., 421; T. J. 634
Wordlaw, Thomas & Co. 630 Warren County Canal . 150
Warvel, Rev. George P. . 400
Warwick. Genesee, 560; Jeremiah, 559; N. E .. . . 391
Washington Fort .
Washington Methodist Episco
Church . 11 Wingate. John . 299
Washington's birthdo
314
Winton, 476; Matthew
611
Wasserman Leonhard
450
Witch, reputed .
$28
Waterhouse, Dr. 192
Wax figures . . 313 Wayne's urmy, arrival of at Fort
Hamilton, 10; campaign . 77 Wayne Tornstip, olt; erection of . 34 Wayne, General Anthony, blogra- phy of .
Weaver. Henry, 622; Jobo 0 William
Webster, George T
116: Taylor. 115, 8:8: William
Webster Bay Company
Wehr, Johr G 593
Weikle, Jacob 611
Welly, De. John .
IST
Welliver, P. J. D. 121
Welsh settlement in
Morg
Westchester
Western Female Seminary
525
Western Telegraph
115
Wheat . .
Whipping, public
Whitewater Congr tional Church 420
if)
PAGR.
WInte, George G., 392; George W. 261 Whitehead, William R.
Walke, Henry A .. .391 Wicke, Frederick . 593 Wickoff, Joseph .662 Wilcox, Edward . 001
Wall, Thomas 488 Wilkinson and Armstrong, corre spondence between 9
Wilkinson, Ghleon, 421 ; Mrs. Gen- eral . . .. 9. 19
Williams, Charles M., 682; Hugh, 484; Israel, 407: Micajak T., re- port of on canal, 136; Nelson . . 408 Williams & Egry . . . 115
Willemsen, Absalom, 010; Angus- tine E., 501; Dr. Henry 1., 436; Dr. James H., 486; Silas , 500
Willisina's Store .
Wilson, Burns, 622; George, 562; John W., 302; Josiah 550
Wilson & McCallay 633
Witherby. Oliver S. 280
Withrow, James, 611; John, 611; Robert D. 23
Wood mnocession
Woods. John, 104: 113; 114; 257
biography of, 153; John 272
Woods's Station. . 414
Won.imansec, James 501
Withrow, James D., 621 : John .021
Wolverton, Isane, 621 ; William . . 621
Woodruff, Natbaz .. 550; Rouben . 437
Woodsals . .
508
Wreck on the Miami
Wrenn, Alten S. 002
YEAROR. WILLIAM.
Year 2150 anticipated
174
Yerein, Willen
450
623
Yourmas Perer .
426
Young, Andrew P., 374; John W. . 374
ZEFLER, SAMUEL 470
Zeigler's Ban .
Zeitung. National
118
Zion Church .
. 335
Zwick, Charles H.
103
XI
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGF.
BLACK, F. D. . STEEL PORTRAIT 343
BUTLER COUNTY MAPS
125, 642
CAMPBELL, JAMES E. STEEL PORTRAIT 337
CORWIN, JESSE.
259
FALCONER, CYRUS. STEEL PORTRAIT 318
275
HAIR, B. W. . STEEL PORTRAIT 354
HALSTEAD, MURAT
403
HAMILTON, FORT
5
HUGHES, J. B. STEEL PORTRAIT
338
KEELY. ISAAC I.
540
MARKT. CONSTANTINE
260
MILLER, WM. C. 366
MOREY, H. I ... STEEL PORTRAIT
330
MCBRIDE, JAMIES :6
169
McCLUNG, D. W. ..
115
McDONALD, J. E. 6.
476
MCKEMY, J. C. 16
362
NEILAN. J. F. .
PATCHELL, JAMES. ..
.:
575
RENTSCHLER, GEORGE A.
358
SOHN, JOHN W.
SOHN, HENRY 256
ST. CLAIR, ARTHUR
SYMEMES GENEALOGICAL TREE. 29
WAYNE, ANTHONY
Frontispiece.
WHITE, GEORGE W.
SIEEL PORTRAIT
66
FORTIFIED HILL.
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
OCCUPATION OF THE MIAMI VALLEY.
AT the beginning of history in the West the lower part of the Miami Valley was deserted. It was in the nom- inal possession of the Shawnees, but they had no villages npon the ground. Vast herds of elk and deer roamed through the forests; beaver, built their dams, and wolves, bears, and foxes preyed upon the weaker animals of the waste. The Indians near the Ohio were in a state of con- tinval confliet, and the epithet of "dark and bloody ground," now appropriated to Kentucky, might well have been extended to two days' journey northward of the Ohio. The French missionaries have left no account of visits to this region, amit the only whites, with one or two exceptions, who were here before St. Clair's expedition, were those whose unhappy lot had made them captives to their enemies.
In the fall of the year 1750. the Ohio Land Com- pany * appointed Christopher Gist, of Virginia, an agent to explore the regions west of the mountains. He went to Logstown, on the Ohio. River, below Pittsburgh, thence : proceeded to the Maumee River, where he found a vil-
lage of the Ottawas, friendly to the French, and a num- ber of Wyandots, divided in sentiment. Thence be mct George Croghan, a deputy sent out from Pennsylvania by Sir William Johnson, the British Indian agent.
In concert they held a coaneil with the chiefs, and received assurances of the friendship of the tribe. Next they passed to the Shawnee towns on the Scioto River. and received assurances of friendship from them, and then came to the Miami Valley. They crossed the Great
Miami River, on a raft of logs, in the vicinity of the trading-house, near to where the town of Piqua now is. and there made treaties with the Piquas and represent atives of the Wea Indians. 'Croghan then returned, and Gist descended the Miami River in a canoe, passing by where Hamilton now is. to the mouth , thence down the Ohio River, and returned by way of the Kentucky River and over the high lands of Kentucky to Virginia, where he arrived in May, 1751.
Early in the year 1752, the French having heard of the trading-house on the Miami. sent a party of souliers from Canada, accompanied by a band of Chippewa and Ottawa Indians as allies to the Miami Indians, demand- ing the surrender of the English traders, as intruders on French lauds The Miamiaus refused. a battle ensued, and after , severe fight, in which fourteen of the Miami Indians were killed and others wounded, the tradline-house As early as the year 1749, a company of English: traders from Peunsylvania established a trading-house among the Twightewee Indians, on the west bank of the was taken and burned. and the traders either killed or carried away to Canada. From the appearance of the ground and excavations at this place. when the couany --- Miami River, on the first high ground below where Lo- ; afterwards became settled, the establishment must have : ramie's canal empties into the river, which they called Pickawillany. This was the first point of any English settlement in Ohio of which we have any record. been of considerable extent. The Province of Pronsyl- vania afterwards made a gift of condolence to the Miami or Twightewee Indians, in consideration of those alain in defense of the traders.
In the year 1780, Colonel Byrd. an officer in the British service in Canada, with an army of six hundred Indian and Canadians, with two pieces of artillery, made an incursion into Kentucky, and captured Riddie's and Martin's stations, at the south fork of Licking River. The expedition proceeded principally by water, up the Maumee and St. Mary's Rivers ; theu crossed to the head waters of the Big Miami, and descended it to the mouth ; thence up the Ohio to the mouth of Licking River, and up that stream to the forks. After having accomplished the object of their expedition they returned by the same route. As they appeared before Ruddle's station, on the twenty-second of June, they ouist have descended the Miami River in the month of May, or early in June.
In the year 1785 there was a fost built at the investh of the Great Miami River, called Fort Finney # was situated on the level that below the point of the bill. on ground subject to be overflowed nt high-water. helge I Symmes states, in his pamphlet of " Terms of Sale
3 This was not the company which purchased land at the month of the Mustingun, but a company composed of gen- lemon of Virginia and Maryland, who obtained a grant from the crown of Great Britain, in 17-15, for half a million of acre -. to be taken principally on the south side of the Ohio River, between the Monongahela and Kanawha Rivers.
1
2
HISTORY OF BUTLER COUNTY.
and Settlement of Miami Lands," published at Trenton, in the State of New Jersey, in 1787, that the fort was standing at that time.
In the Summer of 1785 George Rogers Clark; General Richard Butler, of Pennsylvania (who was killed in St. Clair's battle, on the fourth of November, 1791); and General Samuel Holden Parsons, of Connecticut (who was afterwards one of the judges of the Northwest Ter- ritory), were appointed commissioners to hold a treaty with the Indians, at the mouth of the Great Miami River. It was with considerable difficulty that the Indians could be induced to assemble and brought to treat at all. But after some difficulty a treaty was concluded between the comoissioners, and signed on the thirty-first day of July, 1786. But the advantages derived from this agreement were transitory. The Indians could not be prevented from outbreaks whenever it suited their purposes, and as soon as the whites appeared on the Ohio warfare followedl.
The impression has generally prevailed that Judge John Cleves Symmes and his party were the first white persons who explored the Miami Valley. This idea is in- correct. As early as the year 1785, three years before the landing of Judge Symmes, a portion of the bottom lands of the Great Miami River were explored up as far as Hamilton, and opened, and marks made to designate the most eligible spots for the purpose of establishing pre- emption rights, by a party from Washington County, Pennsylvania. One of that company, John Hindman. who afterwards lived a short distance from Hillsborough, Ohio, gives an account of the expedition, as follows :
"My father, John Hindman, was a native and resident of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where I was born in 1760, and at the age of twenty years left that neighbor- hood for Washington County, where I remained four years. In the month of March, 1785, I left the State of' Pennsylvania, taking water at the mouth of Buffalo Creek, with a party consisting of William West. John Simons, John Sept, and oldl Mr. Carlin and their fandlies. We reached Limestone Point (now Maysville) in safety, where we laid by two weeks. The next landing we . made was at the month of the Big Miami. We were the first company that had landed at that place. The Indians had left two or three days before we landed. We found two Indians buried, as they were laid on the ground, a pen of poles built around them, and a new blanket spread over each one. The first landing we found was near the mouth of Whitewater.
"Soon after we landed the Ohio raised so as to over- flow all the bottoms at the mouth of the Big Miami. We went over, therefore, to the Kentucky side, and cleared thirty or forty acres on a claim of a maan by the name of Tanner, whose son was killed by the Indians some time afterward, on a creek which now bears his name. Same time in May or June we started to go up the Big Miami, to make what we called improvements, so as to secure a portion of the lands, which we selected out of the best
and broadest bottoms between the mouth of the river and where Hamilton now stands.
" We started a north course, and came to Whitewater. Supposing it to be the Miami, we proceeded up the creek ; but Joseph Robinson, who started from the mouth of the Miami with our party, and who knew something of the country, from having been taken prisoner with Colore! Laughery and carried through it, giving it as his opinion that we were not on the main river, we made a raft, and crossed the stream, having the misfortune to lose all our . guns in the passage. We proceeded to where Hamiltou now is, and made improvements wherever we found bot- toms finer than the rest, all the way down to the mouth of the Miami. I then went up the Ohio again to Buffble, but returned the same Fall, and found Generals Clark, Butler, and Parsons at the mouth of the Big Miami, as commissioners to treat with the In-lians."
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