Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio. Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the county and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy families and individuals, Part 7

Author:
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642

USA > Ohio > Muskingum County > Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio. Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the county and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy families and individuals > Part 7

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the Iroquois or Six Nations of Indians, who

The charter of Massachusetts, upon which claimed to have conquered the whole country that state's title was based, was granted within from the Atlantic to the Mississippi, and from less than twenty-five years after the arrival of the lakes to Carolina, and hence were its the Mayflower; and that of Connecticut, bear- owners, and authorized to dispose of it.

ing date March 19, 1631, both embracing terri-

By conquest and treaty stipulations, Great tory extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific; Britian came into possession in 1763, and sub- and that of New York, obtained from Charles stantially retained it until the close of the II, on March 2, 1664, included territory Revolutionary war, when, by the treaty of that had been previously granted to Massachu- peace concluded at Paris in 1783, and ratified setts and Connecticut, hence, the conflict of by the American congress in January 1784, claims between those states, their several char- ownership was vested in the government of the ters covering, to some extent, the same terri- United States, which in October, 1784, by the tory; and hence, also, their contest with terms of the treaty of Fort Stanwix, extin- Virginia as to a portion of the soil of Ohio. guished the title of the Six Nations to the Ohio Probably the titles of some or all of the afore- valley, and which, from time to time, by treaties said contesting states were in some way affected concluded at various times and places, extin- by the provisions of treaties with the Iroquois, guished all other Indian titles, and thus ac- or by the fact of their recognition by them, quired full right to the soil, and complete and as appendants of the government of New undisputed territorial jurisdiction. By the York.

New York's deed of cession was favorably held respectively in January, 1785, and 1786, all reported upon by a committee of congress Indian titles to Ohio territory were extin- May 1, 1782; and by like acts of patriotism, guished, except that portion situated chiefly between the Cuyahoga and Maumee Rivers.

magnanimity, and generosity to those of New York and Virginia, Massachusetts and Connecti-

New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut, cut soon followed by similar acts of relinquish- after the ratification of the treaty of peace, in ment of title or by corresponding deeds of 1784, between Great Britain and the United cession to the United States. The legisla- States, and for some time before, had asserted ture of the state of Massachusetts, on the claims to portions of the territory now compos- 13th day of November, 1784, authorized her ing the state of Ohio, and Virginia claimed delegates in congress to cede the title of title to the whole of it and much more, even to that state to all. the territory west of the the "entire extent of the territory northwest of western boundary of the state of New York to the river Ohio," organized four years there- the United States, and the measure was consum- after. Virginia had asserted ownership, and ex- mated in 1785. Connecticut, in September, ercised a nominal jurisdiction over the territory 1786, ceded all her claim to soil and jurisdiction of the state, by establishing the county of west of what is now known as the Western Botetourt, in 1769, whose western boundry was Reserve, to the United States. Five hundred the Mississippi river. The State's claim was thousand acres of the western portion of the founded, as heretofore stated, upon certain Western Reserve was set apart for the relief of

treaties of Forts McIntosh and Finney alone,

HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

the Connecticut sufferers by fire during the west end, the State of Connecticut gave to Revolution, since known as the "Firelands"; certain sufferers by fire in the Revolutionary the Indian title to which was extinguished by war. A part of the ceded lands lying along the treaty at Fort Industry (now Toledo), in the Ohio river, including the mouths of the 1805, Charles Jouett being the United States Muskingum and the Hockhocking rivers, was commissioner, and the chiefs of the Shawnees, sold by the old congress to the Ohio Company. Wyandottes, Chippewas, Ottawas and some This was the first sale of lands before the minor tribes representing the interests of the present constitution of the United States was Indians. The remainder of the Western Re- adopted. It was sold for one dollar anacre, pay- serve tract, amounting to about three millions able in congress notes, at twenty shillings in of acres, was sold, and the proceeds dedicated a pound, whereas the interest on these notes to educational purposes, and has served as the made them worth twenty-eight shillings and basis of Connecticut's common school fund. sixpence on the pound at that time. These Jurisdictional claim to the Western Reserve securities were funded under the constitution was ceded by Connecticut to the United States of the United States, and became a part of the May 30, 1801.

national debt from that time forward, until paid

The Indian treaties by which the lands in off. So the Ohio Company made a very bad Ohio were purchased are thus set forth by bargain for themselves with Congress. John Atwater: "By the treaties with the Indians of Cleves Symmes, of New Jersey, was the next 1785-6, congress acquired the lands watered by purchaser of land in Ohio. He bought of the old the Muskingum, Sciota, Little and Great Miami congress the land lying between the mouths rivers. In 1788, another treaty was made, by of the two Miamis, and extending northerly so Symmes gave which the country was purchased, from the as to contain 600,000 acres.

mouth of the Cuyahoga river to the Wabash, sixty-six cents an acre for his land. On the 13th lying south and east of a certain line mentioned day of July, 1787, congress assumed the juris- in the treaty. The Indians were dissatisfied diction of this territory, and passed an ordinance with this treaty, and 'it was not relied on by our for its government, by the provision of which government. In 1795, twelve tribes attended ordinance the territory was to be governed by on General Wayne, and treated with him for a governor, secretary and three judges. The the sale of a considerable portion of the now president appointed these officers. These territory included within our limits. In 1805, persons were to make the laws and execute seven tribes sold to the United States all that them. This form of defective government was part of New Connecticut lying west of the to continue until the Northwestern territory Cuyahoga river. In this treaty the Connecticut contained 5,000 free white male inhabitants people joined, and paid $4,000 to the Indians, over 21 years of age, when the people were and agreed to pay them $12,000 more. In authorized to elect a legislative house of 1807, that part of Ohio which lies north of the assembly. The house of representatives of Maumee, and east of the meridian line, passing the United States congress were to nominate a through the mouth of the Auglaize river, was legislative council,, and the assembly were purchased of the Indians. In 1808, a strip of authorized to appoint a delegate to congress. territory, two miles wide, was acquired by This second grade of colonial government was treaty, running from the western boundary of to continue until the population of each part the Western Reserve to the Maumee river at of the Northwestern territory, into which it the rapids. And in the same treaty, another was eventually to be divided (not less than strip, 120 feet in width, was acquired, also run- three nor more than five states), amounted to ning along the bank of the Maumee. These 60,000. Then this colonial government was to cessions were intended for roads. By all these cease, and such territory was to become a state, several treaties, the United States acquired four- and be admitted into the Union on the same fifths of this State. That portion of the ceded footing with the original thirteen states. This tracts above latitude 41º north, extending act of the old congress of 1787 contained other from Pennsylvania, on the east, to the western provisions of the greatest value. By that

limits of Sandusky and Seneca counties, was ordinance there was never to be either slavery given by Congress to Connecticut, and is called or involuntary servitude in the territory north- the Western Reserve, or New Connecticut. It west of the Ohio river. All the larger streams extends 120 miles from east to west, and on an were declared forever to be highways, and average is 50 miles in width, from north tosouth. remain free from all obstructions to all who Its area contains about 3,800,000 acres. Five wished to navigate them. They were declared hundred thousand acres of this tract, off the to be highways, and so to remain forever.

TYPE OF PIONEER LOG CABIN.

HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

These are the most material provisions of this and disembarked at the site of Marietta on ordinance of the old congress. Virginia had April 7, 1788, and thus by forty-eight men was reserved the lands lying between the Scioto begun the settlement of the State of Ohio and and Little Miami rivers, which she gave to her of the Northwest territory. Following this and soldiers of the revolution belonging to the other events previously referred to, settlements continental army as a reward for their services. were rapidly established at other points.

This we call the Virginia Military tract. And

A Virginian, named Duncan, clad in buck- the United States had promised her soldiers skin, appeared on the banks of the Muskingum, who had served during the war of the revolu- near the Indian village known as Old Town. tion lands for their services, so congress laid His life, exploits and death and the naming of off a tract for that purpose, lying south of New the falls near the present site of Taylorsville in Connecticut, extending from the Ohio river on his honor, are elsewhere referred to. The need the east to the Scioto on the west. This is the of a known route, along which the settler might United States Military tract. There were some proceed to find for himself a home in the for- refugees during the revolutionary war, from Nova ests, induced congress to pass a law, in May, Scotia, to whom congress gave a stripofland, ex- 1796, authorizing Ebenezer Zane to lay out a tending from the Muskingum, opposite Zanes- road from Wheeling, Va., to what is now Mays- ville,to the Scioto at Columbus; it isseveral miles ville, Ky. In 1797, Zane, in company with his in width. The remaining parts of the state were brother, Jonathan Zane, and his son-in-law, surveyed by congress, and are now ( 1838) mostly John McIntire, experienced woodsmen, sur- sold. That portion of our state, not until then veyed the desired road, and the latter two pro- purchased of the Indians, was ceded to us ceeded to cut out obstructions, so as to make during Mr. Monroe's administration, except the route passable on horseback. To remune- some small reservations. In the United States' rate Mr. Zane for locating this road, congress lands, the Virginia Military, and in p rt of gave him the privilege of selecting three sec- Symmes' purchase, the original owner obtains tions of military land, each one mile square. his patent from the United States' land office. The first of these was located where the "Zane Lands ceded to Ohio by congress, on condition trace," as the road was called, crossed the Mus- of making certain canals, are deeded to pur- kingum river, the second at the Hockhocking chasers by our governor and secretary of state." river, and the third at the Scioto river. A dis-

On the first of December, 1787, the advance tinction is made between an actual grant and a detachment of the Ohio Company's first band permit to locate on unappropriated lands. The of pioneers departed for the West from Dan- law clearly indicated the latter. Duncan's falls vers, Mass., under the command of Maj. Haf- was the first point chosen for a crossing of the field White, being sent ahead to build boats Muskingum, but the immense and valuable upon the Youghiogheny, a small affluent of hydraulic power furnished by the falls at the the Monongahela, in Western Pennsylvania. present site of Zanesville, induced Zane to Another party, including the surveyors and a cross at that place, and thus gain the privilege member of the Ohio Company, under Col. Ebe- of locating the section of land including the nezer Sproat, left Hartford, Conn., January I, falls. For their assistance in making the trace, 1778. Gen. Rufus Putman, who was to have Jonathan Zane and John McIntire received the commanded the march, was detained in New Muskingum section, on which they laid out York, and overtook the company in Eastern nineteen squares of the present city of Zanes- Pennsylvania on the 24th of the month. On ville. The place was first given the name of the 14th of February they arrived at Sumrill's Westbourne, and was so known until a post- ferry, on the Youghiogheny, where they met office was established, under the name of Zane- the men who had preceded them. The re- ville.

mainder of February and the whole of March

In 1797 two old frontier scouts from Vir- were consumed in the building of boats, and on ginia squatted at the mouth of the Licking, and the Ist of April the united company, embark- erected the pioneer cabins Their names were ing upon a little flotilla, consisting of three log Elias Hughes and John Ratliff. A number of canoes, a flat boat and a galley of fifty tons families joined them in 1798, and the "Mouth of burden, called originally the "Adventure Gal- Licking" settlement grew in importance. These ley," but afterward the" Mayflower," left Sum- two remained but a year, and then removed rill's ferry, and floating down the Youhiogheny twenty miles up the Licking. Among their to the Monongahela, was borne onward to the carly successors was John Channel, a noted Ohio. Peacefully and uneventfully the great hunter, who, likewise, in 1804, moved up the river swept them southward. They arrived, Licking. In 1798 three pioneers came on from 3

HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

Virginia, accompanied by wives and children. The following incidents of pioneer life and The Blands started with four children from mention of pioneers and early conveniences Pendleton county, Va., to find a northwestern and improvements are from the storehouse of home. Hundreds of miles they rode on pack- the memory of many an old resident of the horses, along blind bridle-paths, over the Alle- county and were penned by one long familiar ghany mountains to Marietta, thence up to the with Muskingum and its history. Pioneer "Mouth of Licking." No cabin stood ready to adventures and settlers' journeys, early cus- receive the travelers, and rest was taken in a toms and rude structures are priceless legacies sugar-camp. Before Bland had a cabin ready to the later generations, and the simple remin- to occupy, a son was born to him, and Silas iscences of Muskingum's first residents are Bland, the child of the sugar-camp, was rocked pleasant reading and valuable reference.

to sleep in a sugar-trough, and began his long Reuben Atchinson was engaged as principal and honorable career in the hardships of a sav- chainman to Mr. Buckingham in 1802, and age life. Henry Smith was a justice of the from then till 1812 aided in the survey of peace, appointed by Gov. St. Clair in 1799; his Muskingum and other counties. About half wife, born at Hagerstown in 1770, lived fifty a mile down the Muskingum river, and sepa- years on the frontier, and died at the age of rated from South Zanesville by a bluff, is ninety-seven. The third of the Virginians, the Putnam. The land on which it stands was Priests, lived several years at the "Mouth of purchased at Marietta in 1801, at the first Licking," and thence removed to a settlement public sale of United States lands held in this established at the mouth of the Wakatomaka, county, by Rufus Putnam, Increase Mathews now Dresden. As an evidence of hardship, and Levi Whipple. During the same year they associated with energy, it may be said that Mrs. laid out the town, and in 1802, the first houses Priest walked from Culpeper to Muskingum, were erected. The name of Springfield was 400 miles, carrying an infant. The entire fur- given to the place, and retained till 1815. The niture and the five elder children were con- early settlers of this part of Zanesville were veyed on pack-horses. The journey was of from New England, and among them lived Mr. thirty-two days' duration, and Winchester and Atchinson, of the surveying party. He used to Wheeling were the only villages worth noting tell of traveling down the old Marietta and on the route. Mrs. Priest lived to the age of Zanesville trail, blazed through the woods when

one hundred and two years. In 1801, two not a single clearing existed on the way. When pioneers occasionally visited the little village starting upon the trip, he would place a blanket of Zanesville; one was Maj. Cass, from Waka- and pack-saddle upon a horse, mount and ride tomaka; the other, Squire Reeves, from Salt on till night or weariness overtook him, then creek. The former secured a tract of 4,000 camping by the way, he would build a fire as a acres of rich bottom lands between the Waka- defense against the wolves while he slept. When tomaka creek and the Muskingum, and there nights were bright and moon-lit he could see closed an eventful life. He was the father of wolves trooping and capering along the hill- Gen. Lewis Cass. The latter crossed the mount- sides, while their howling made hideous discord ains, an adventurous pioneer, and located on on the air. In 1815 he located on the west Salt creek in 1801. He was of that enterprising branch of Wills creek, and was a school- and manly class to whom, in a great degree, is teacher as early as 1817. to be ascribed the later successful development The log cabin is an American habitation. Its history is associated with all the dear old of the county.

Further details of the settlement of the memories which cluster around the life of a county will be found in the several township pioneer. Its roof sheltered the noblest citizens histories. The dates of settlement in each of the broad State. Its school or church is township may be thus given approximately, at dear as the scenes of our childhood. To raise least, in all cases, exactly in most: Falls, 1790; the cabin was a duty and pleasure. The new Muskingum, 1797; Newton, 1797; Harrison, settler notified the pioneers within a circuit of 1798; Jefferson and Cass, 1799; Madison, 1800; eight or ten miles. These promptly assembled Salt Creek, 1800; Washington, 1801; Adams, at the site. Ox-teams hauled the logs, while 1801; Perry, 1802; Springfield, 1802; Wayne, choppers cut them in right lengths. Some 1802; Licking, 1802; Hopewell, 1803; Union, split clapboards of oak for the roof, each six 1803 to 1806; Blue Rock, 1805; Rich Hill, 1805; to eight inches wide, four feet long, and half Meigs, 1807; Highland, 1808; Monroe, 1810; to three-fourths of an inch thick. When all Salem, 1810; Brush Creek, 1810; Clay, 1812; was ready, a good axeman stood at each corner Jackson, 1815. to notch the logs, while others shoved them

HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

into position. A story completed, straight pioneers never felt better than when keeping saplings were placed across to rest a clap-board time to the merry old chime of the violin upon loft. From the second story the logs were cut the puncheon floor shorter and the ends tapered to form a roof by

Cottons, calicoes and other goods were placing straight logs three or four feet apart as costly. Home manufacture supplied the want. rests for the clap-boards, the last log of the Flax was heavily raised by the early settlers, main round jutting over for the eaves, upon who of the linen made general wearing apparel. which was placed a log for the first course of Mixed with wool, it was known as "linsey-wool- clap-boards. Each course was secured by a sey," and worn by both sexes. The men wore roof-pole, supported by blocks extending from hunting-shirts, which had a cape, a belt and pole to pole. The chimneys were very large. fringe upon the edges, and were a favorite On the outside they were built of split timber, garment of that day. The women were no lag- and lined with stone and clay. A section of gards, and every rude home contained a wheel, the logs was cut out for a door, chimney and a and most housewives could use the loom. window or two. The floor was made of split Young men and women gathered to scutch the timber, called puncheons. Many of the cabins flax. The straw was broken, the shives sep- had only earth floors for several years. Gen- arated and prepared for spinning and weaving. erally the settler was influenced in his location The work done, a pleasant dance concluded by the vicinity of a fine spring. The cabin all. being finished, congratulations followed, and Roads were prime necessities, and we have all hands dispersed. Their homes, built by seen the bounty paid to Zane for brushing out generosity, were ever the abode of hospitality, a trace. The first road was the Zanesville and and the pioneers of Muskingum passed in them the happiest of their many years.

Marietta highway. It kept along the ridges eastwardly at the head of the three valleys.

Names and dates will make the following Roads were opened up the valley to intersect apply to many a scene in the early days of old this road as early as 1816. In 1804 Andrew Muskingum. The dense forest yielded to the Crooks opened a wagon-road to Jonathan's united strength of the settlers. Custom assem- creek, Newton township, and, locating at the bled the pioneers for miles to cut and heap the point where it crossed Zane's Trace, opened a logs. To secure advantageous work the hands public house, which was known for many years were divided into squads, and, aided by ox- as Cook's tavern. The acts of commissioners teams, the piles were made ready for firing. are chiefly relative to the survey and location, These loggings required strength, and the strong on petition, of roads to convenient points. backwoodsmen competed for the champion- The early road was but ten or twelve feet wide. ship. With rugged frame, the pioneers were Brush was cut and piled beside the road. full of fun and frolic. Often when the rolling There were too few to keep the roads in order was done a foot-racc, a wrestle or a boxing- for them to be good. The road-master was a match was in order. If blows followed, hands public benefactor and a person of importance. had to be shaken, a mutual drink taken and the Logs were cut, ruts were filled and bridges parties agree to be good friends. It was held made, and much hard labor donc. Slowly and cowardly to hold resentment.

with difficulty loaded teams proceeded, and

The finest enjoyment of the youth was at the journeys over the routes to Marietta or to corn-huskings, flax-scutchings and quiltings. Pittsburg are still a memorable portion of the The corn was broken from the stalk, hauled early history of other than the Muskingum and piled in a long row, and an invite sent out. pioneers.

When gathered captains were chosen, who The first settlers found the woods filled with selected their hands; the pile was measured game. They obtained meat, grease for cook- and a rail marked the centre. The captains ing, skins for bedding and much exciting took positions next the rail to see fair play. pastime by hunting. In the winter of 1792 "Husk!" is the signal for a lively, exciting two hunters from Marietta, named Hamilton rivalry. A song, a drink of whisky, shouting Kerr and Peter Nighswonger, killed six buff- and hurrahing were all in keeping. Some hid aloes. In one day these men killed forty-five away unhusked corn, and, if undiscovered, were deer in Washington county, and afterwards esteemed shrewd. Work done, supper was secured the venison. The bear and the wolf called, and then the women folks were found disappeared from Muskingum about 1820. to have had a good time quilting and prepar- Among the last bears killed was one which ing a bountiful meal. Then came the "French made its appearance near the home of Joshua Four" and the "Old Virginia Reel"; and the Brown. It was seen by a party of men at work

HISTORY OF MUSKINGUM COUNTY.

on the roads and killed with their tools. Deer The channels of commerce were then un and turkeys remained as late as 1840, but few opened, no rattling freight train bore eastward of either are seen now east of the Black Swamp, the products of Muskingum, no steamboat's in the northwest part of the State. The disap- puff was heard upon the river, and the National pearance of certain animals was the signal for road had no existance, even as an idea. The the arrival of others. The gray fox appeared only outlet for trade was by flat-boats down and became numerous. In time this animal the Muskingum, Ohio, and Mississippi to gave way to the small, active red fox. New Orleans, a journey then equal to one now

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Biographical and historical memoirs of Muskingum County, Ohio. Embracing an authentic and comprehensive account of the chief events in the history of the county and a record of the lives of many of the most worthy families and individuals, Part 7

Author: Publication date: 1892 Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 642

Author:
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: Chicago, Goodspeed Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 642