USA > Ohio > Biographical and historical memoirs of the early pioneer settlers of Ohio, with narratives of incidents and occurrences in 1775 > Part 31
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The Binghams were natives of Litchfield county, Conn., and although quite young, they were volunteers at the cap- ture of Ticonderoga, by Ethan Allen, in 1775. Silas was with the army which invaded Canada, and both served most
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of the time during the Revolutionary war. Judge Bingham was a substantial, clear-headed man, sober and dignified in his manners, stern and uncompromising in his sense of right. Silas was full of anecdote and humor, social and kind in his feelings, a man of excellent sense, and a terror to evil doers. The promptness with which these men acted in enforcing the laws and in protecting the rights of the weak, had the effect to rid the settlement of a large portion of this disor- derly population; and Athens, many years ago, established its character as an orderly and respectable community, em- bracing as much intelligence and refinement as any other town of equal size. For this happy result, it was in no small degree indebted to Dr. Eliphaz Perkins. Few men were better calculated to introduce a mild and refined state of manners and feelings. He was a native of Norwich, Conn., born in 1753, graduated at an eastern college, and removed to Athens in 1800, the time when a disposition to trample on the laws prevailed. The services of a physician were greatly needed in the settlement, and his arrival was hailed with joy. By his attention to the sick, skill in his profession, and by his urbanity and kindness, he at once be- came popular. The influence thus acquired, he exerted in the most salutary and unostentatious manner, while he frowned upon every breach of law and decorum. His own deportment was a bright and living example of purity and benevolence. He was truly a patron of learning. He did much to establish and sustain common schools in that region. He contributed liberally to the Ohio University, was early appointed a trustee, and for many years was treasurer of the institution. He died, much lamented, on the 29th of April, 1828, in the lively exercise of that Christian faith of which he had been many years a professor. His descend- ants are numerous and highly respectable; seven of them have graduated at the Ohio University.
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Soon after the settlement of Athens and Ames, the ven- erable Elder Quinn, then a young man, found his way through the wilderness, with little more than blazed trees to guide his steps, induring like a true soldier of the cross, ex- trerne toil and privation. He may be regarded as the founder of the Methodist church in that county.
MAJ. JERVIS CUTLER.
" MAJ. JERVIS CUTLER was the son of the Rev. Manassch Cutler, who for fifty-two years was pastor of the Congre- gational church in Hamilton, Mass. He was also the ne- gotiator with Congress in the year 1787, for the purchase of a million and a half of acres for the Ohio Company, by means of which the settlement of the now great state of Ohio was effected. From the year 1800 to 1804, Dr. Cutler was a representative in Congress from the Lynn district in Massachusetts.
Maj. Cutler was born at Edgarton, on Martha's Vineyard, in the year 1768. Being educated for the mercantile busi- ness, he was placed, at the age of sixteen years, under the care of Capt. David Pearce, of Gloucester, who sent him on a voyage to Havre de Grace, in France. If the father deserves the credit of paving the way for the settlement of this then savage wilderness, the son is entitled to be con- sidered a pioneer of the settlement itself. In the year 1788, when only nineteen years old, he joined the little band of forty-eight, who emigrated from New England, under Gen. Rufus Putnam, and pitched their tents at
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Marietta, in the center of the Indian country. He has been often heard to say that he was the first to leap on shore at the mouth of the Muskingum, on the seventh of April, and actually cut the first tree to make a clearing for a habita- tion in the new settlement. Of that little band of hardy pioneers, not more than one or two are now living." * The following summer he taught a school about four miles from Simrel's ferry, on the Youghiogheny river, and was there when his father made his visit to Marietta in August, 1788. In 1789 he returned to Marietta, and aided in forming the settlement of Waterford, being one of the first associates, but did not long remain there.
In the autumn of that year he joined a party of the Ohio Company land surveyors, not as a regular hand, but out of curiosity to see the country, who were running the east and west township lines of the fourteenth and fifteenth ranges, between the Big Hockhocking and Raccoon creek. It con- sisted of twelve men, of whom Daniel Mayo, of Boston, was one, and Benoni Hurlburt, afterward killed by the Indi- ans, was the hunter. The following interesting sketch of his being lost in the woods, was taken from his own lips, about three years before his death, and is a specimen of the exposures to which the early settlers were all liable.
Having quite a relish for hunting, and expert with the rifle, he one day went out with Hurlburt in quest of provis- ions for the party, whose supply was nearly exhausted. He ascended one side of a large creek, and his companion the other, which would give them a chance for mutual assist- ance in killing the game, as it crossed from bank to bank. Mr. Cutler, not being accustomed to the woods, presently left the main stream, and followed up a large branch. He soon discovered his mistake, and retraced his steps, but
* American Almanac, 1845.
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could find no signs of his trail. Just at night he met a fine bear, which he shot at and wounded. A small dog, now his only companion, gave it chase, but as the bear declined taking a tree, as they usually do, he soon gave up the pur- suit. Finding that he was actually lost, he fired his gun several times, in hopes the party would hear it and answer his signal of distress. Night now rapidly approaching, he prepared to encamp, and selected a dead, dry beech-tree, the top of which was broken off about twenty feet from the ground, against which he kindled the fire. He laid down on some leaves before it, and being excessively tired, dropped into a sound sleep. The flame soon ran to the top of the dry beech, and a large flake of the burning wood, aided by the current of air, dropped on to the breast of his hunting-shirt, burning his skin severely. With some effort he succeeded in extinguishing his burning garment, and slept at intervals during the night. He rose at daylight, directing his course eastwardly, with the hope of striking the Hockhocking, which he knew lay in that direction. All that day he traveled diligently, with the little dog by his side, without discovering the object of his search. That night he encamped near a small stream of water, but without fire, as he dreaded a repetition of the last night's accident; besides, he had nothing to cook for supper, and the weather was not cold. The night was passed quietly, with the little dog coiled up at his feet. The third morning he started early, and saw many signs of buffaloes, but no animals; and traveled all day without seeing any game. Toward evening the little dog, which seemed aware of his master's necessities as well as his own, ranged either to the right or left of the course, in search of game; and toward night, barked vehemently at something he had discovered. Mr. Cutler hastened up to the spot in expectation of at least seeing a fat bear, but only found a little, poor, starved opossum. Thinking this
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better than no meat, he killed and dressed it, roasting it by his camp fire. A part of it was offered to the dog, but he declined partaking such poor fare, and his master consumed the whole of it. It was now three days since he left his companions, and this was his only meal. On the fourth morning, after a sound night's sleep by his fire, he felt quite refreshed, and pushed manfully onward, as he thought on an easterly course, but doubtless making many deviations from a right line. Soon after getting under way, his faithful companion started up a flock of turkeys, the sight of which greatly animated his spirits. His gun was soon leveled and discharged at one of the largest, not more than thirty feet distant. In the agitation and eagerness of the moment, he missed his mark, and the bird flew unharmed away, much to the chagrin of the little dog, which looked quite astonished and mortified at his master. His first impression was that his gun had been bent or injured, and would not shoot with any accuracy. Despair now succeeded to his recent joy, as he thought he must inevitably starve before he could escape from the woods. After shedding a few tears over his hopeless condition, and resting awhile on a log, he carefully wiped out his rifle and loaded it with great nicety. In the mean- time the turkeys had all disappeared but a solitary one, perched on the top of a high tree. He now rested his gur. against the side of a tree, and taking deliberate aim, he fired once more, and to his great joy the turkey came tumbling to the ground. A fire was soon kindled, the feathers pulled, and the bird roasted on the coals. A hearty meal was then made, of which the little dog now readily partook. This food was the sweetest he had ever tasted, and put fresh courage into the wanderers. The remains of the turkey were stowed away in the bosom of his hunting-shirt, and he pursued his solitary way more cheerfully. Soon after, in passing up a ridge, a fine deer 27
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came round the point of the hill, which he shot. From the skin of the animal he formed a kind of sack, which he slung to his shoulders, with strips of leatherwood bark, filled with the choicest pieces of the meat. He now traveled on quite cheerily, in which the little dog also participated, knowing he had food for several days, or until he could reach the settlements. That night he camped by the side of a little run, made a cheerful fire, roasted his venison, and ate his supper with a fine relish. After sleeping soundly, he awoke - with renovated strength and spirits. This was now the fifth day of his wandering, and luckily, a little before noon, he , came on to the Hockhocking, at a place which he at once recognized as being about a mile and a half below the point from which the surveying party had started out on their work. He felt so much animated at the successful termination of this adventure, that instead of going down stream to the cabin of John Levins, seven miles below, he determined to go up to the line of the surveyors, and follow that until he found them. It was easily distinguished by the blazes, or marks on the trees, and before night reached the camp they had left two weeks before, and found a little fire still smoking in a dry sugar tree, which retains fire longer than any other wood. Feeling weary and low spir- ited, he proceeded no further that night, but slept on the old camping ground. In the morning, knowing where he was, and freed from the harassing feelings known only to those who have been lost in the woods, he started with fresh vigor on the trace. His little companion seemed to understand their more hopeful condition, and capered along ahead, barking heartily for joy. He now killed as much game as he needed, without leaving the trail, and on the eighth day of his solitary ramble, came up with the sur- veyors. There was great joy in the party at meeting their lost companion, but as they supposed he had gone back to
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the settlement, not being a regular hand, they were not so much alarmed at his long absence.
Soon after this adventure he returned to New England, and resided for some time with his brother Ephraim, at Kil- lingly, Conn., where he married Miss Philadelphia Cargill, the daughter of Benjamin Cargill, who owned, at that time, valuable mills on the Quinebog river, the site of the present Wilkinson factories and village in Pomfret. His roving pro- pensities led him to spend some months in Carolina and Virginia; but his brother having removed to Ohio, he came again to Marietta, in the year 1802, with the intention of establishing a tin manufactory; but meeting with little en- couragement at that early day, he went to Chillicothe, and finally established himself at Bainbridge, on Paint creek, and engaged in the fur trade.
In the years 1806 and 1807 there was great excitement respecting Louisiana, and Aaron Burr's expedition ; the mi- litia were organized, and he was elected a major in Col. McArthur's regiment. His fine personal appearance, and some experience in military affairs in Connecticut, enabled him to fill the post with great credit. When additional troops were raised for the purpose of taking possession of New Or- leans, he received the appointment of captain, and soon enlisted a full company of men. He was stationed at New- port, Ky., and for some time had the command of the post at that place. In the spring of 1809 he was ordered, with his company, to New Orleans. A French gentleman, engaged in the fur trade on the Missouri, and toward the Rocky mountains, was taken on board his boat, as they descended the Mississippi, as a passenger. Being able to speak the French language fluently, he obtained from him much val- uable information, which he carefully noted down, respect- ing these regions. In 1812 he published a work, being a a topographical description of that country, including much
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of Ohio, with an account of the Indian tribes residing therein. His two subaltern officers, Jessup and Cutler, have since attained the rank of general officers in the army of the United States. At New Orleans he had a severe attack of yellow fever, which reduced his strength and health so much, that he left the army, and returned to New England, where he remained until 1818, when he removed his family to Warren, near Marietta. Here he lost his wife, in 1822.
Two years after he married Mrs. Eliza Chandler, of Evans- ville, Indiana, and soon after moved to Nashville, Tenn., where he was engaged in engraving copper-plates for bank notes, for the banks of that state, and for Alabama. He possessed great taste for the fine arts; sketched remarkably well, and made some very creditable attempts at sculpture. With much versatility of talent, he lacked that singleness of purpose, and perseverance in one pursuit, necessary to success. He possessed a well cultivated mind, and was an acute observer of men and things.
He died at Evansville, the 25th of June, 1844, aged sev- enty-six years.
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A HISTORY OF THE FIRST SETTLEMENT OF AMESTOWN, IN ATHENS COUNTY, OHIO, WITH SKETCHES OF THE EARLY INHABITANTS.
BY EPHRAIM CUTLER.
IN the summer of 1797, Ephraim Cutler, the proprietor of several shares in the Ohio Company's purchase, ascertain- ing that a considerable amount of his lands were situated on the waters of Federal creek, in the sixth township of the thirteenth range, accompanied by Lieut. George Ewing, ex- plored a way through the wilderness, and cut out a pack- horse path, twenty miles in length, from Waterford to Federal creek. They returned, and accompanied by Capt. Benjamin Brown, made a second and more thorough exploration. They found the lands exceedingly fertile, with rich limestone hills and valleys, and chestnut ridges ; which afforded a plen- tiful supply of food for animals of every description, and promised an abundant reward to the labors of the farmer. The Indians had not yet quite exterminated the buffalo and elk ; the bear, deer, wolf, and panther abounded, while the wild turkeys were innumerable. Mr. Cutler proposed to fur- nish them with land, if they would unite with him in form- ing a settlement. They accordingly made their selection ; and about the 1st of March, 1798, Lieut. Ewing removed his family, and in April, 1799, Cutler and Brown went over to build their cabins, and make preparation for the accommo- dation of their families. On their way back to Waterford, they found Wolf creek impassable, from recent heavy rains.
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They cut a large bitter-nut hickory tree, that stood on the bank, peeled thirty feet of bark from the trunk, sewed up the ends with leatherwood, and launched it upon the stream ; when themselves, with two young men, who accompanied them, embarked in this frail vessel. They had proceeded bnt a short distance down stream, when they discovered a large bear on the bank of the creek, which was shot, and taken on board. This Indian canoe, with its passengers and freight, performed the voyage of fifteen miles, to Water- ford, in safety. The goods and furniture of the two families were put on board pirogues, and sent down the Muskingum and Ohio rivers, to the mouth of the Big Hockhocking and. up that stream to Federal creek, a distance of eighty miles; while the women and children were taken on horseback, through the wilderness, and over the rough hills, to their woodland abodes. The creeks were much swollen, and dif- ficult to pass. One large stream was crossed on a raft of drift-wood, at great peril. They reached the place of des- tination on the 6th of May. About the year 1800, Deacon Joshua Wyatt and family, with Sylvanus Ames and his ac- complished and intelligent wife, joined them, making a very pleasant addition to the little colony. Other settlers also came, but the increase was small until 1804.
After the arrival of Deacon Wyatt, public worship on the Sabbath was established, by reading a sermon, and prayer. The settlers very early entered into an agreement, not to use ardent spirits on any public occasion, such as raisings, 4th of July, &c., which was strictly adhered to for several years. Schools of an elevated character were soon established. Two gentlemen, graduates of Harvard University, Moses Everett, son of the Rev. Moses Everett, of Dorchester, Mass., and Charles Cutler, taught successively for several years. During a number of years, the youth enjoyed no other means of acquiring knowledge. But one newspaper was taken,
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the United States Gazette, and that, except by accident, did not arrive much oftener than once in three months.
In the autumn of 1804, the settlers of Dover, Sunday creek, and Ames were convened in public meeting, to devise means to improve the roads. At this meeting the intellec- tual wants of the settlement became a subject of remark. In their isolated position, the means of acquiring informa- tion were extremely limited. It was suggested that a library would supply the deficiency. But the difficulty of obtaining money, to make the purchase of the books, presented an insuperable obstacle. Josiah True, Esq., of Dover, proposed that they should collect furs, and send on to Boston, to ef- fect the object. This project was acceded to by acclamation. The young men of the colony had become expert hunters. Surrounded by a vast wilderness, with a boundless ocean of woods and prairies, inhabited by savages, who still re- garded it as their favorite hunting grounds, their fatherland ; amidst dangers and privations, unknown in more cultivated regions, a hardy and adventurous character was early devel- oped. John Jacob Astor employed agents in this country, to purchase furs, especially bear skins. At the commence- ment of winter, the bear seeks a hollow tree, or a cavern amongst the rocks, for his winter's sleep. The entrance of those cavities in which this animal takes refuge, is generally small. These were often entered by the hunters, and the bear dispatched, by shooting, or stabbing with the knife. In one instance the bear being wounded, determined to sur- render his fortress, and retreat. The young man who had entered the narrow aperture, had no other resource than to lie flat upon his face, and let the animal squeeze his passage over him. At the outlet of the den, another hunter stood with his rifle, and shot him through the head; young Brown soon crawled out, covered with blood from the wounded
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bear, saying, that "Bruin had given him a harder squeeze than he ever had before."
In order to obtain the proposed library, the settlers, during the ensuing winter, procured a sufficient quantity of raccoon and other skins to make the desired purchase. Samuel Brown, Esq., who was returning to New England that spring in a wagon, took charge of the skins. He was furnished with letters to the Rev. Thaddeus M. Harris, and the Rev. Dr. Cutler, who accompanied Mr. Brown to Boston, and selected a valuable collection of books. It is worthy of note, that this was the first public library in Ohio, and per- haps the first west of the mountains, and certainly was the first incorporated in the state. It has since been divided, after accumulating several hundred volumes, and part taken to Dover. Both branches are still in a flourishing condition. About sixty youth have been reared under these influences, and gone forth to the world with fully developed physical powers, uncorrupted morals, and well cultivated minds ; but as most of them are now in active life, it would appear in- vidious to mention them. It may perhaps be proper to say that ten of them have graduated at the Ohio University. Many others have received more or less instruction at that institution. Two have been professors in colleges, three ministers of the gospel, and five lawyers, of established reputation. All of them occupy respectable, and many of them responsible stations in society.
The Hon. Ambrose Rice, son of Mr. Jason Rice, of Ames, attended the institution at Athens in its earlier stages. He manifested great aptness in mathematical science, solving the most difficult problems, almost by intuition. He settled in the northwest part of this state, where he occupied sta- tions of trust and profit. His reputation as a man of pro- bity and talent was high. He died leaving a large fortune.
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The first physician in Ames was Dr. Ezra Walker, a na- tive of Killingly, Conn. He still lives, at an advanced age.
Mrs. Cutler was a woman of uncommon fortitude and great excellence of character. Though in feeble health, and reared amidst the quiet and peaceful scenes of a New England village, she never shrunk from the dangers and hardships of frontier life. In the early days of the settle- ment the Indians were in the habit of encamping within a mile of her house. Her husband was obliged to be absent four times in a year, to attend the courts at Marietta. On one of these occasions several Indians came to her house. Two hired men, or striplings, being alarmed, caught up their guns and ran over to Capt. Brown's, leaving her and the children unprotected. One of the Indians ap- proached Mrs. Cutler with threatening gestures, brandishing his tomahawk, and pointed to a decanter of brandy upon the cupboard. She knew if they tasted the liquor her life was in danger. With the spirit of a veteran, she seized the fire- shovel and ordered him to set down the bottle and leave the house. The Indian told her, "She was brave squaw; he would give her some meat." They left the house and re- turned to their camp. She was much relieved by the speedy arrival of Capt. Brown, who came immediately on hearing of the unwelcome visit of the Indians. This incident is mentioned to show the trials and dangers to which the fe- males of this settlement were exposed. She was a member of the Congregational church in Marietta, and an exemplary Christian. She died of consumption, in 1809.
Mrs. Wyatt was an intelligent, pious woman. Her maiden name was Shaw. She died some years after Mrs. Cutler.
Mrs. Ames was the daughter of a New England clergy- man. She still lives, honored and cherished by her numerous and respectable family.
It may be proper to give some sketch of the lives of Lieut.
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Ewing and Capt. Brown, men whose history belongs to that of their country. It was the efforts of such men, under the blessing of God on their labors and daring, that brought our country into existence as a distinct nation of the earth. They have already been mentioned as the individuals who first commenced the settlement at Ames, a movement which, considering the attendant difficulties and perils, required no little courage and perseverance. It seemed like plucking an inheritance from the mouth of the lion, situated as it was, in the heart of the Indian hunting grounds, much valued and often visited by them in large parties until 1812: lit- erally a frontier settlement, isolated and unsupported.
Lieut. George Ewing was a native of Salem county, N. J., and though but a youth at the commencement of the Revo- lutionary war, when his native state was invaded, and the sound of battle heard, he took his stand to defend it to the last. He was soon noticed for his bravery and good con- duct, and received the commission of a first lieutenant in the Jersey line of the army, a proud mark of distinction thus to be placed in that noted corps, the Jersey Blues. He continued in the army until the return of peace, when it was disbanded. He soon, with his wife and young family, left New Jersey for the west, and resided a few years near Wheeling, Va. In 1793, with other families of that vicinity, he removed to Waterford, the frontier settlement on the Muskingum, in the midst of the Indian war. They were entitled to lands on the tract donated by Congress to those who, at that period, ventured their lives to defend the frontiers from the savage foe, and made a selection about four miles above Fort Frye, at the mouth of Olive Green creek, on the bank of the Muskingum river. They prepared a stockade garrison, to which they removed, and commenced improving their lands. The Indians watched them closely, and one of their number was killed by them, but with
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