USA > Ohio > Biographical and historical memoirs of the early pioneer settlers of Ohio, with narratives of incidents and occurrences in 1775 > Part 14
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42
His health was poor when he arrived at Marietta, having for some time been threatened with a lung complaint. The long journey and change of climate, no doubt led him to
.
180
J. M. VARNUM.
expect would effect a favorable change in his disease ; but his health gradually declined after his arrival, so that by the set- ting in of cold weather, he was quite feeble, and evidently in a deep consumption. During the summer and autumn he was able to attend to the duties of a director in the meetings of that board, and no doubt his fine taste for the beautiful was exerted in promoting the resolution for the preservation of those ancient remains erected on the present site of Ma- rietta, as memorials of that departed race of men who once inhabited the valley of the Ohio. He also had made prepara- tion for opening a farm; and a clearing of several acres, made by him, a mile or two east of the town, was, for many years, known by the name of Varnum's clearing, and now oc- cupies the center of one of the finest farms in this vicinity. He assisted Gov. St. Clair and Gen. Parsons in forming a code of laws for the government of the Northwest Territory, twenty-six of which were promulgated during his life; the last of them being signed on the 21st of December. About this time he addressed the following letter to his wife. It is written with that entire truth, honesty, and deep sensibility, which all more or less feel at the approach of death; but which few have the ability to express in such fervent and beautiful language. It was published in 1791, in the Amer- ican Magazine, as a fine specimen of elegant composition ; but is now copied from his life, as a memorial of the heart and soul of Gen. Varnum.
"MY DEAREST AND MOST ESTIMABLE FRIEND: I now address you from my sick chamber, and perhaps it will be the last letter that you will receive from me. My lungs are so far affected that it is impossible for me to recover, but by exchange of air and a warm climate. I expect to leave this place on Sunday or Monday next for the falls of Ohio. If I feel myself mend by the tour, I shall go no farther; but if not, and my strength should continue, I expect to proceed to
181
J. M. VARNUM.
New Orleans, and from thence, by the West Indies, to Rhode Island. My physicians, most of them, think the chances of recovery in my favor; however, I am neither elevated nor de- pressed by the force of opinion, but shall meet my fate with humility and fortitude. I cannot, however, but indulge the hope that I shall again embrace my lovely friend in this . world; and that we may glide smoothly down the tide of time for a few years, and enjoy together the more substan- tial happiness and satisfaction, as we have already the de- sirable pleasures of life. It is now almost nineteen years, since Heaven connected us by the tenderest and the most sacred of ties; and it is the same length of time that our friendship hath been increased by every rational and en- dearing motive; it is now stronger than death, and I am firmly persuaded will follow us into an existence of never- ending felicity. But my lovely friend, the gloomy moment will arrive when we must part; and should it arrive during our present separation, my last and only reluctant thoughts will be employed about my dearest Martha. Life, my dear- est friend, is but a bubble; it soon bursts, and is remitted to eternity. When we look back to the earliest recollections of our youthful hours, it seems but the last period of our rest, and we appear to emerge from a night of slumbers, to look forward to real existence. When we look forward, time appears as indeterminate as eternity, and we have no idea of its termination, but by the period of our dissolution. What particular relation it bears to a future state, our gen- eral notions of religion cannot point out; we feel something constantly active within us, that is evidently beyond the reach of mortality ; but whether it is a part of ourselves, or an emanation from the pure Source of existence, or re-ab- sorbed when death shall have finished his work, human wis- dom cannot determine. Whether the demolition of the body introduces only a change in the manner of our being,
182
J. M. VARNUM.
or leaves it to progress infinitely, alternately elevated and depressed, according to the propriety of our conduct, or whether we return to the common mass of unthinking mat- ter, philosophy hesitates to decide. I know, therefore, but one source from whence can be derived complete consola- tion in a dying hour, and that is the divine system contained in the gospel of Jesus Christ. There, life and immortality are brought to light; there, we are taught our existence is to be eternal, and, secure in an interest in the atoning merits of a bleeding Savior, that we shall be inconceivable happy. A firm and unshaken faith in this doctrine, must raise us above the doubts and fears that hang upon every other sys- tem, and enable us to view with a calm serenity, the ap- proach of the king of terrors, and to behold him as a kind and indulgent friend, speeding his shafts only to carry us, the sooner, to our everlasting home. But should there be a more extensive religion beyond the vail, and without the reach of mortal observation, the Christian religion is by no means skaken thereby, as it is not opposed to any principle that admits of the perfect benevolence of the Deity. My only doubt is, whether the punishment threatened in the New Testament, is annexed to a state of unbelief, which may be removed hereafter, and so a restoration take place; or whether the state of the mind at death, irretrievably fixes its doom forever. I hope and pray that the divine Spirit will give me such assurances of an acceptance with God, through the merits and sufferings of his Son, as to brighten the way to immediate happiness. Dry up your tears, my charming mourner, nor suffer this letter to give too much inquietude. Consider the facts at present as in theory ; but the sentiments such as will apply whenever the change shall come. I know that humanity must and will be indulged in its keenest griefs, but there is no advantage in too deeply anticipating our inevitable sorrows. If I did not persuade
183
J. M. VARNUM.
myself that you would conduct with becoming prudence and fortitude, upon this occasion, my own unhappiness would be greatly increased, and perhaps my disorder too ; but I have so much confidence in your discretion, as to un- bosom my inmost soul. You must not expect to hear from me again, until the coming spring, as the river will soon be shut up with ice, and there will be no communication from below ; and if in a situation for the purpose, I will return as soon as practicable. Give my sincerest love to all those you hold dear; I hope to see them again, and love them more than ever. Adieu, my dearest friend; and while I fervently devote, in one undivided prayer, our immortal souls to the care, forgiveness, mercy, and all-prevailing grace of Heaven in time, and through eternity, I must bid you a long, long, long farewell. JAMES M. VARNUM."
His fast declining health, and the rapid approach of win- ter, prevented his making the attempt to remove to a warmer climate. It was fortunate he did not, as he would have died amongst strangers, with no one on whom he could lean in his last moments ; while in Marietta he was surrounded with warm and devoted friends who did all in their power to alleviate his sufferings and make his final passage as easy as mortality will allow. He died on the 10th of Janu- ary, 1789, the day after the signing of the treaty with the Indians at Fort Harmer, which accounts for the attendance of the chiefs at his burial, and in less than eight months after his arrival. The funeral took place on the 13th, and was attended with all the ceremony and respect due to so distinguished a person. On this occasion Dr. Drowne from Rhode Island, delivered a funeral oration, a copy of which is attached to the appendix .*
* The following order of procession is copied from the original manuscript, in the handwriting of Winthrop Sargeant, secretary of the territory, and found among the papers of Griffin Greene, in 1846.
184
J. M. VARNUM.
"Early in life Gen. Varnum married Martha, the eldest daughter of Cromwell Childe, of Warren, in Rhode Island, a family of very considerable distinction. Mrs. Varnum was an amiable, virtuous, and high minded lady, and one of the most cheerful, sociable, and best of wives. She sur- vived her husband forty-eight years, and died at Bristol, without issue, October 10th, 1837, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years.
The career of Gen. Varnum was active, but brief. He graduated at twenty; was admitted to the bar at twenty-two; entered the army at twenty-seven; resigned his commission at thirty-one; was member of Congress the same year; re- sumed practice at thirty-three, and continued four years,
ORDER OF PROCESSION.
THE MILITARY.
MARSHALS.
MARSHALS.
Mr. WHEATON, bearing the sword and Mr. LORD, bearing the civil commission military commission of the deceased on on a mourning cushion. a mourning cushion.
Mr. FEARING, bearing the insignia of masonry on a mourning cushion.
Mr. MAYO, with the diploma and order of Cincinnati on a mourning cushion.
PALL-HOLDERS.
PALL-HOLDERS.
GRIFFIN GREEN, Esq.,
Judge TUPPER,
THE SECRETARY.
CORPSE.
Judge CRARY, Judge PUTNAM. Judge PARSONS.
PRIVATE MOURNERS.
CHARLES GREENE and RICHARD GREENE. FREDERICK CRARY and PHILIP GREENE.
Doctor SCOTT and Doctor FARLEY.
DEACON STORY and DOCTOR DROWNE.
Private citizens, two and two.
Indian chiefs, two and two. The militia officers.
Officers of the garrison at Fort Harmer. The civil officers. The Cincinnati. The Masons.
Messrs. Clark and Leech, Mr. Stratton and Mr. Balch, were requested to super- intend the order of the procession. In returning from the grave the order was the same, preceded by the military under Capt. Zeigler.
185
J. M. VARNUM.
was elected to Congress again at thirty-seven; emigrated to the west at thirty-nine, and died at the early age of forty. From what researches have been made, it conscien- tiously can be stated that he was a man of boundless zeal, of warm feelings, of great honesty, of singular disinterest- edness; and, as to talents, of prodigal imagination, a dex- trous reasoner, and a splendid orator. He was a man made on a gigantic scale; his very defects were masculine and powerful, 'and, we shall not soon look upon his like again.'"
1
SAMUEL HOLDEN PARSONS.
BY HIS GRANDSON, S. H. PARSONS, ESQ., OF HARTFORD, CONN.
MAJ. GEN. SAMUEL HOLDEN PARSONS was born at Lyme, in the county of New London, and state of Connecti- cut, May 14th, 1737, and was the third son of the Rev. Jonathan Parsons, a distinguished clergyman, who removed from Lyme to Newburyport, Mass., in 1746. His mother was the sister of Gov. Matthew Griswold, of Lyme, lineally descended from Henry Wolcot, of Windsor, the ancestor of all of that eminent name in Connecticut.
He graduated at Harvard College, in 1756; and after completing his professional studies in the office of his uncle, Gov. Matthew Griswold, he was admitted to the bar of New London county, in February, 1759, and settled at Lyme in the practice of law. [NOTE A.] In September, 1761, he married the daughter of Richard Mather, of Lyme, a lineal descendant of the Rev. Richard Mather, who was born in Lawton, Lancaster county, England, 1596, and set- tled as the first clergyman of Dorchester, Mass., Aug. 23, 1636, where he died, April 22d, 1669. In 1762, at the age of twenty-five, he was elected a member of the General Assembly of the colony of Connecticut, and was succes- sively re-elected until his removal to New London in 1774. During this period he received repeated proofs of public confidence in various appointments of honor and trust.
In May, 1768, he was appointed by the General Assembly, auditor, " to settle and adjust the colony accounts with the treasurer and all others who have received any of the moneys that belong to the colony." In 1769, the same appointment
187
S. H. PARSONS.
was continued, with " further powers to renew, and better secure the moneys and estate due on mortgages, bonds, or other securities, belonging to this colony, which are in dan- ger of being lost."
In October, 1773, under an act of the general court, "con- cerning the western lands, so-called, lying westward of Del- aware river, within the boundaries of this colony," he was appointed and associated with the Hon. Matthew Gris- wold, Eliphalet Dyer, Roger Sherman, Wm. Samuel John- son, Silas Dean, Wm. Williams, and Jedediah Strong, Esqrs., a committee with full power to assist his honor, Gov. Trum- bull, in stating and taking " proper steps to pursue the claim of the colony of Connecticut to said western lands ; and any three of said committee were authorized and directed to proceed to Philadelphia to wait on his honor, Gov. Penn, in the subject, and to treat with Gov. Penn and the agent or agents of the proprietaries of Pennsylvania, respecting an amicable agreement between the colony and the aforesaid proprietaries concerning the boundaries of this colony and the province of Pennsylvania, to agree upon and as- certain the boundaries between this colony, and the claim of said proprietaries, and such agreement to lay before the General Assembly for confirmation : but if said pro- prietaries shall prefer joining in an application to his majesty for commissioners to settle said line, then the said committee are directed to join in behalf of the colony in such application. The committee were likewise empow- ered to treat with said Gov. Penn with respect to the peace of the inhabitants who are settled upon said lands, and to agree upon such measures as shall tend to preserve good order, and to prevent mutual violence and contention while the boundaries between this colony and the said province shall remain undisturbed." In January, 1774, the same committee were "appointed and empowered to assist his
188
S. H. PARSONS.
honor, Gov. Trumbull, in collecting and preparing all ex- hibits and documents necessary to pursue and prosecute the claim and title of the colony to the lands lying within the boundaries of the grant and charter of the colony west of the Delaware river, at the court of Great Britain, and to make a proper statement of said cause, to be transmitted to Great Britain for that purpose ; and to report to the General Assembly, from time to time, of their proceedings thereon." Mr. Parsons was an active member of this committee, and contributed materially by his abilities and unwearied dili- gence in promoting the important object of the appointment.
In May, 1773, he was appointed by the House of Repre- sentatives of the Connecticut colony, one of the " Standing Committee of Correspondence and Inquiry, to obtain all such intelligence, and to take up and maintain a correspondence with our sister colonies respecting the important considera- tions mentioned and expressed in certain resolutions of the patriotic House of Burgesses of Virginia in March last. [NOTE B.] Mr. Parsons was an energetic member of this committee, and entered zealously into the cause of the col- onies. He had previously corresponded on these subjects with the prominent leaders of the sister colony of Massa- chusetts. Among the number was the eminent patriot, Samuel Adams, who, says his biographer, (American Quar- terly Register, February, 1841, p. 2,) originated the sugges- tion of assembling the first Congress, which subsequently met at New York-an act which led, at a later period, to the continental Congress, to the confederation, and that great chain of events connected with the war of independ- ence. "The writer of the preceding paragraph was not probably aware that among the manuscripts of Samuel Adams, (in the possession of Hon. Mr. Bancroft,) an orig- inal letter exists, written March 3d, 1773, by Samuel Holden Parsons to Mr. Adams, originating the suggestion above
189
S. H. PARSONS.
stated, the honor of which has been heretofore attributed to Mr. Adams-a letter so full of fervent patriotism it may not be amiss to insert entire, as follows :
"SIR: When the spirit of patriotism seems expiring in America in general, it must afford a very sensible pleasure to the friends of American liberty to see the noble efforts of our Boston friends in the support of the rights of America, as well as their unshaken resolution in opposing any, the least invasion of their charter privileges. I was called to my father's on a very melancholy occasion, and designed to have seen you before my return, but some unforeseen diffi- culties prevented. I therefore take the liberty to propose to your consideration whether it would not be advisable in the present critical situation of the colonies, to revive an insti- tution which had formerly a very salutary effect-I mean an annual meeting of commissioners from the colonies to consult on their general welfare. You may recollect this took place about the year 1636, and was continued to 1684, between the united colonies of New England. Although they had no decisive authority of themselves, yet here everything was concerted which will be easily suggested to your mind. If we were to take our connection with Great Britain into consid- eration, it would render the measure convenient, as at pres- ent our state of independence on one another is attended with very manifest inconvenience. I have time only to sug- gest the thought to you, who I know can improve more on the subject than is in my power, had I time. The idea of in- alienable allegiance to any prince or state, is an idea to me inadmissible; and I cannot see but that our ancestors, when they first landed in America, were as independent of the crown or king of Great Britain, as if they never had been his subjects; and the only rightful authority derived to him over this people, was by explicit covenant contained in the
190
S. H. PARSONS.
first charters. These are but broken hints of sentiments I wish I was at liberty more fully to explain.
I am, sir, in haste, with esteem, your most obedient servant,
SAM. H. PARSONS.
To Mr. Samuel Adams, in Boston.
Forwarded by Mr. Howe."
In November, 1773, he was appointed "king's attorney for New London county," and in May, 1774, was also ap- pointed by the General Assembly, "agent for the governor and company of the colony, to receive, sue for, and recover, all such debts or demands as were due to the governor and company of the colony, on bonds, notes of hand, or mort- gages, deeds, from persons residing in the county of New London ; as also to sue for and recover the possession of all such lands within said county of New London, that belonged to said governor and company and detained from them, with full power to appear before any court or courts of judicature, -and represent said governor and company for the purpose aforesaid. All these duties were faithfully and satisfactorily performed. The limits of this brief sketch will just permit a detailed view of his arduous labors as a member of the committee of correspondence.
The following letter, addressed to the committee of Bos- ton, on the 17th of May, 1774, (original among the manu- scripts of Samuel Adams,) evinces an eagle-eyed vigilance, and a fixed, determined spirit of resistance to oppression, and a bold, daring patriotism, peculiar to the times that tried men's souls.
" HARTFORD, May 17, 1774.
GENTLEMEN : This moment a post from New York arrived here, on his road to Boston, with intelligence of the spirit and firmness with which the inhabitants of that city concur
19]
S. H. PARSONS.
with the friends of America, in support of the cause of our country : we cannot suffer him to pass, without informing you, who immediately feel the effects of ministerial despot- ism, that the American cause, the state of the town of Bos- ton in particular, and the effect and operation of the late detestable act of an abandoned venal Parliament, were this day brought before our House of Assembly for considera- tion ; and, on discussing the matter, there is no reason to doubt a hearty, spirited concurrence of our Assembly in every proper measure for redress of our wrongs. A com- mittee is appointed to report proper measures to be pursued, and make drafts for the declaration of our rights, &c., which will probably be reported and passed this week; a copy of which will be transmitted as soon as possible. We consider the cause the common cause of all the colonies, and doubt not the concurrence of all to defend and support you. Let us play the man for the cause of our country, and trust the event to Him who orders all events for the best good of his people. We should not have written you at this time, and when no more of our committee are present, but that your distressed condition requires the aid of every friend for your relief. We cannot be warranted in having this made pub- lic, as from our committee, there not being a quorum present, but you are at liberty to use it, as from us personally, if it can, in the least, tend to strengthen the hands and encour- age the hearts of those in distress.
We are, gentlemen, (the post waiting,) your friends and countrymen, the Committee of Correspondence at Hartford.
SAMUEL H. PARSONS. NATHANIEL WALIS, JR.
To the Committee of Correspondence, at Boston." [Superscribed to Samuel Adams, Boston.]
By a resolution of the House of Representatives of the colony of Connecticut, passed June 3d, 1774, the Committee
192
S. H. PARSONS.
of Correspondence were empowered, on application to them made, or from time to time, as might be found necessary, to appoint a suitable number to attend a congress, or conven- tion of commissioners, or committee of the several colonies, in Boston, America, to consult and advise on proper mea- sures for advancing the best good of the colonies ; and such conferences, from time to time, to report to the House of Representatives. [NOTE C.] In pursuance of the above reso- lution, the Committee of Correspondence met on the 13th of July, 1774, at New London, and nominated the Hon. Eli- phalet Dyer, the Hon. Wm. Samuel Johnson, Erastus Wol- cot, Silas Dean, and Richard Law, Esqs., either three of whom were authorized and empowered, in behalf of the colony, to attend the General Congress of the colonies, pro- posed to be held at Philadelphia, the first day of September. Three of the above-named gentlemen, viz .: Messrs. John- son, Wolcot, and Law, by reason of previous engagements and the state of their health, declined the nomination. The committee met at Hartford, the ensuing month of August, [NOTE D,] and nominated, in their place, the Hon. Roger Sherman and Joseph Trumbull. The first-named gentle- man, with the Hon. Eliphalet Dyer, and Silas Dean, Esq., represented the colony of Connecticut in the first Congress, assembled at Carpenter's Hall, Philadelphia, September 5th, 1775.
The passing of the above resolution was immediately communicated, by the Committee of Correspondence, to the committee at Boston and the House of Representatives of Massachusetts; they, therefore, on the 17th of June, adopted a similar resolution, upon the motion of Samuel Adams. [NOTE E.] To the colony of Connecticut, therefore, belongs the honor, (heretofore claimed by Massachusetts,) of first suggesting, and first acting upon the important subject of the first National Congress of the American colonies. The first
193
S. H. PARSONS.
suggestion having been made by Mr. Parsons, in his letter to Mr. Samuel Adams, March, 1773, and the first action taken by the Connecticut Legislature, June 3d, 1774, of which Legislature Mr. Parsons was a prominent member.
Believing that the possession of Ticonderoga and Crown Point, and the consequent command of lakes George and Champlain, were objects of essential importance in the ap- proaching conflict, Mr. Parsons, with a few Connecticut gentlemen, formed the bold design of seizing the fortress by surprise. Accordingly, soon after the battle of Lexing- ton, they borrowed on their individual credit the requisite funds from the colonial treasurer to enable them to carry on the enterprise. As success depended upon secrecy and dis- patch, and it would be difficult to march any number of men through the country without discovering their plans, they de- termined to proceed with a small body of volunteers, whom they dispatched immediately on the 27th of April, under Edward Mott, of Preston, a captain in Col. Parsons' regi- ment. He proceeded to Bennington, where he met Col. Ethan Allen, a native of Connecticut, who readily entered into their views, and agreed to conduct the enterprise. After having assembled at Castleton about two hundred and sev- enty men, Col. Allen assumed the command, and success- fully completed the whole plan; capturing the forts, and making prisoners of the garrison without the loss of a single man. This was the first blow-the first offensive blow struck by the colonies. At Concord and Lexington the Americans acted on the defensive, but this was the first act in which our countrymen were the assailants-the first attack planned and successfully executed- an enterprise highly important in its glorious results, and tending to inspire the Americans with additional confidence in themselves. It was planned by Connecticut, executed under her instructions, and paid for and maintained by her men and treasury. [NOTE F.]
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.