USA > Ohio > Biographical and historical memoirs of the early pioneer settlers of Ohio, with narratives of incidents and occurrences in 1775 > Part 34
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
454
JOSEPH BARKER.
bow at the presence of civilized man. The cherry trees were not yet set, as they intended to remain a day or two longer; but old Pedro notified them one afternoon that danger was near. With the hair erect on his back, he would rush into the thick woods on the side of the clearing, threat- ening instant attack on some unseen enemy, but which his acute olfactories enabled him to detect; then returning to his master, seemed to say, "It is time to be off." This was repeated at intervals for several hours, until near night, when the party thought it would be more prudent to go. In the meantime, as the apple-trees were not all set, when the dog began his warning, two of the party stood on the watch with their guns ready, while the third one finished the work by setting the remaining trees near the bank of the river, further from the edge of the woods, and from the concealed danger, whatever it might be. They now stepped on board the canoe with their faithful watch-dog, just at evening, and by the aid of a rapid current and the vigorous application of their paddles, they reached Stone's garrison, a distance of nineteen miles, before ten o'clock that night.
In May, Mr. Barker returned to his farm and cleared an additional piece of woodland, making in all about three acres, which was planted in corn. He visited the little field two or three times during the summer, to dress the corn and witness its progress. Once he came alone, and staid three nights, lodging as before in the block-house. These early fields were planted without plowing. The seed-corn being committed to the rich, loose, vegetable soil, grew with as- tonishing vigor ; and where it received plenty of sunshine, yielded fine crops. His little field produced about one hun- dred and twenty-five bushels, which very fortunately escaped the ravages of the squirrels and raccoons, there being an abundant supply of food for them that year in the forest. · The final articles of peace were signed in August, 1795.
455
JOSEPH BARKER.
As soon as the intelligence reached the garrisons on the Ohio and Muskingum, their inmates prepared to leave their rude fortresses, where they had suffered much from the three greatest scourges of the human race, war, famine, and pestilence.
In December following, Mr. Barker, with his wife and three children, left the garrison and landed at his new home on the 18th of the month. The first thing that attracted the notice of little Joseph on their going ashore at the new farm, now the old homestead, was the fresh cut stumps of the small willow trees that lined the water's edge, the work of the half-reasoning beaver. These sagacious animals had a lodge behind an island about a mile below, and another a short distance above, at the mouth of Rainbow creek. They were the last families of the race seen in this part of the country, and were in a year or two after caught by that venerable old trapper, Isaac Williams. The new dwelling- house of the Barkers was a log-cabin sixteen feet square. One side of this was occupied by a corn-crib four or five feet in width, made of poles, containing the crop of the little clearing. On entering the future home of the family, in a cold December night, it may be safely said that no future visitors of the dwelling of Mr. Barker, ever met so cold a reception as they themselves did, on that long-remembered evening. The nearest neighbor was at Marietta, seven miles below; the next at Waterford, fifteen miles above. The fortitude and perseverance requisite to meet the hard- ships and privations of a settlement in the wilderness, were found centered in this family. Mrs. Barker possessed pa- tience, resolution, industry, and good sense; all needed, in no small degree, in trials of this kind. During that winter the clearing was considerably enlarged, and two hundred peach-trees were added to the orchard in the spring. Mills for grinding were scarce and remote; and the hand-mill at
456
JOSEPH BARKER.
the block-house across the river, was their only dependence for meal; but with a good crib of corn, and this resource, famine was kept at a respectful distance.
In the following year, or 1796, the families of Capt. J. Devol, John Russel, and Israel Putnam, moved into Wise- man's bottom, and lessened by their vicinity the sense of loneliness, as they were all social and well informed per- sons. During the year, he put up a convenient hewed log- house, with a brick chimney, a degree of refinement to which but few new settlers arrive short of several years.
In January, a serious accident befell him, which was sensi- bly felt for a long time. The little cabin which they had recently left, accidently took fire, and was destroyed. It was occupied as a work-shop, store-house, &c., and contained a large stock of carpenter's tools, while in the loft was stored away the crop of well rotted flax, ready for dressing, and on which, before the introduction of cotton, the inhabitants depended for their domestic cloth, and was a very important article in every family. On one side of the building was the pen containing the fat hogs, and were saved from the flames with difficulty. In their fright they fled across the river on the ice, into the woods, and were not found until they were much lessened in value. All his bread-stuff for the ensuing year was destroyed, as well as his tools brought from New England. The intrinsic value of the articles was not great, but to him was a serious affair, as it took away his whole stay of bread and meat, with his main dependence for clothing, and was a more afflicting loss than the burning of a whole block of buildings, filled with goods, would be to a rich Wall-street merchant.
To repair this disaster, Mr. Barker set to work at his trade, like a sensible, resolute man, and followed the business of a house-carpenter for several years in Marietta, erecting dwelling-houses for the Hon. Paul Fearing, William Skinner,
457
JOSEPH BARKER.
Rev. Daniel Story, and many others, with the Muskingum academy. In 1799 and 1800, he built the splendid mansion of Mr. Blennerhassett, on the island since called by his name.
About this time, ship-building commenced at Marietta and on the Muskingum river, where many a tall oak which had flourished for ages on its banks, two thousand miles from the ocean, was destined to toss upon its waves, and to visit far distant lands. In this new business, Mr. Barker took an active part, and in 1802, built two vessels at his farm. One was the Brig Dominic, for Messrs. Blennerhassett and Woodbridge, and named for Mr. B's. oldest son. The other was a schooner for E. W. Tupper, called the Indiana. In 1803, he built a brig called the Louisa, for the same man.
During the autumn of 1806, he was employed by Mr. Blennerhassett to build fifteen large batteaux, to be used in the famous Burr expedition. After having been so exten- sively employed, by the former gentleman, as an architect, and to his entire satisfaction, it was very natural for him to select Mr. Barker for this purpose, of constructing boats so necessary to the enterprise. They were calculated for the ascent of water-courses, and were doubtless intended to transport troops and munitions of war up Red river, to Natchitoches, from which point a short land journey would reach New Mexico, then a province of old Spain. To revo- lutionize the Mexicans, was, beyond controversy, the object of that ardent, bold, and restless man, Aaron Burr. The result is well known to history.
As early as 1799, Mr. Barker was commissioned, by Gov. St. Clair, as a justice of the peace, for Washington county, at that time embracing a large portion of the southern ter- ritory of Ohio. He also received a captain's commission from the same source, and was advanced, from time to time, through the various grades of promotion, to that of colonel
458
JOSEPH BARKER.
of the regiment. These were offices of distinction and honor in those days, when every citizen deemed it his duty to ap- pear on parade, armed and equipped according to law. It was during this period in our history, that the present sen- ator, in Congress, from Michigan, Hon. Lewis Cass was or- derly-sergeant in Capt. Burlingame's company of militia at Marietta.
In the year 1800 the House of Representatives in the ter- ritorial Legislature, issued an address to the citizens, re- questing them to assemble in county conventions, and instruct their representatives on the question of forming a state government. It was a subject on which there was great division of sentiment. At a meeting of the citizens of Adams township, Col. Barker was chairman of a com- mittee to report on this measure, at a subsequent assembly. He wrote a very full and able report in opposition to the question, which received the approbation of the committee. On the 17th of June, 1801, the delegates met at Marietta, as follows : for Marietta, Paul Fearing, and Elijah Backus ; Belpre, Isaac Pearce, and Silas Bent; Waterford, Robert Oliver, and Gilbert Devol; Adams, Joseph Barker; New- port, Philip Witten, and Samuel Williamson; Middletown, (or Athens,) Alvin Bingham; Gallipolis, Robert Safford. Gilbert Devol was chairman, and Joseph Barker, clerk. Col. Barker presented his views in a well written argument, in opposition to the policy of entering into a state government; especially setting forth the injurious effects, of the measure, to the settlers in the Ohio Company's purchase. They had been struggling with the hardships of first opening the wil- derness, since the year 1788; and for a large part of the time, pressed by the merciless savage to the extremes of want, danger, and even death. The population was sparse, and generally poor. The expenses of government would be heavy in proportion to the inhabitants, while the advantages
-
459
JOSEPH BARKER.
of a state government, over the territorial, would be few, perhaps none, in their present situation. The taxes to sup- port it, would fall on the actual settlers and landholders, as the Ohio Company lands would all be brought on the tax list, while Congress lands, daily becoming more valuable by the improvements of the settlers, were to be free from taxation. These, with various other reasons, were used in support of the position taken, and were so 'satisfactory to the convention, that the report was unanimously adopted, and the following resolution passed :
" Resolved, That in our opinion, it would be highly impol- itic, and very injurious to the inhabitants of this territory, to enter into a state government, at this time. Therefore, we, in behalf of our constituents, do request that you would use your best endeavors to prevent, and steadily oppose the adoption of any measures that may be taken for the purpose."
This, with the usual preamble, was signed by the chair- man, and sent to their representatives.
In the Legislature as well as among the people, there was a great division on this important question. Those who were fond of office and expected promotion, with a share of the loaves and fishes of the new dynasty, were the leaders in favor of the measure, and clamorous for its adoption, while the sober, judicious, and thinking men, were opposed to it. The advocates of the proposition, however, succeeded in rallying sufficient force in the Legislature, to carry the measure, and the eastern portion of the territory became the state of Ohio. So anxious were the ambitious men of the territory for the change, that they relinquished the right of taxing the lands owned by Congress until five years after they had been sold and in the possession of the purchaser; when, in equity, they should have been liable to taxation as soon as they were in his occupancy. The apprehensions
460
JOSEPH BARKER.
of the evil results to the Ohio Company settlers, were soon realized, as the taxes for the support of the new government fell very heavily on them, and were very oppressive on the inhabitants of this district, as well as Symmes' purchase and the Connecticut reserve. This inequality remained until the year 1825, when the ad valorem system took place, and removed this long continued injustice.
Although an unaspiring man, yet Col. Barker was called by his fellow citizens to hold many stations of trust and honor during his life. In 1818, he was elected a representa- tive for Washington county, in the state Legislature. He served for a number of years as a county commissioner, and planned the model for the new court-house, built in 1822, which is considered both a convenient and beautiful edifice.
He was often called on to deliver Fourth of July orations and agricultural addresses, in all which he acquitted himself with much credit. He possessed a good share of poetic genius, as well as imagination, and wrote a number of pieces quite well adapted to the occasion. One of these, for the Fourth of July, 1815, abounds in humor, and is well worth preserving as coming from the backwoods. It appears much better when sung than in simply reading.
THE BIRTHDAY OF UNCLE SAM.
TUNE OF GOOD QUEEN BESS.
Will you hear me, my friends, if I jingle in rhyme § On the day Uncle Sam was first out of his prime, sir, If I sing of the times, and the deeds he has done,
How he dress'd, how he fought, how the battle was won, sir § Hail to the memory of old Uncle Sam, Merry be the birthday of old Uncle Sam !
The family was young, and the farm rather new ; They had their odd notions like us, not a few, sir,
:461
JOSEPH BARKER.
Had full faith in witches, gave conjurors devotion, And to the oldest boy they gave a double portion, sir. Proud be the birthday of old Uncle Sam, Long live the memory of old Uncle Sam.
Our grandsires wore buckles on their shoes for to please; Their jackets and their breeches both came to their knees, sir, With a wig on the head and a cue tail so trim, Nine inches on a hat was a fashionable brim, sir. These were the boyish days of old Uncle Sam, Long live the memory of old Uncle Sam.
Our grandmothers, too, were the patterns of good taste, Three-quarters of a yard was the length of a waist, sir ; A cushion on the head, and a cork on the heel, With a hoop in the gown quite as broad as a wheel, sir. Such were the minor days of old Uncle Sam, Long live the memory of old Uncle Sam.
They were tenants at will of the famous Johny Bull, Who demanded high rents and collected them in full, sir; He tax'd them direct for each article they wore, While his army and his stamp act vex'd them very sore, sir. These were the sorry days of old Uncle Sam, Merry be the birthday of old Uncle Sam.
" He'd a right to tax the colonies," so Johnny Bull declared, " In any case whatever." Uncle Sammy thought it hard, sir, But when he tried to make them pay a tax on their tea, 'Twas steep'd in Boston harbor, for the fishes in the sea, sir. These were the spunky days of old Uncle Sam, Long live the memory of old Uncle Sam.
Then Johnny Bull was wrath, and to give his passion vent, He fell on Uncle Sam, and at fisticuffs they went, sir. The squabble lasted long, and it proved very sore, For Johnny Bull was pelted both behind and before, sir. These were the fighting days of old Uncle Sam, Long live the memory of old Uncle Sam.
Every farmer owned a short gun, and if he had good luck, Could bring down a redcoat as easy as a buck, sir.
-
462
JOSEPH BARKER.
And when they fell in with Burgoyne and his men, They took them as easy as turkeys in a pen, sir. Proud be the birthday of old Uncle Sam, Long live the memory of old Uncle Sam.
Every boat was a ship, every ship was a fleet ; Every boy was a sailor, every fisherman a mate, sir ; And then if the British but peep'd from their holes, They hook'd them as easy as cod from the shoals, sir. Proud be the memory of old Uncle Sam, Long live the memory of old Uncle Sam.
Uncle Sam now obtained some allies and a fleet, Some bayonets and men, with some rations to eat, sir ; Then in taking Cornwallis, so light was the job, That they shelled him as farmers do corn from the cob, sir. These were the proud days of old Uncle Sam, Long live the memory of old Uncle Sam.
At length, Johnny Bull thought 'twas best to make a peace; For in fighting for the feathers, he had lost all the geese, sir. Then each made a promise they would do no more harm, So he left Uncle Sam and his boys with the farm, sir. Proud be the birthday of old Uncle Sam, Long live the memory of old Uncle Sam.
In the year 1830, Col. Barker was elected an associate judge of the Court of Common Pleas, and at the expiration of the term in 1837, was again re-elected, which post he held until his declining health led him to resign in 1842. The duties of this office were discharged with great dignity and propriety, while his intimate knowledge of the princi- ples of law enabled him to give correct and satisfactory decisions when his opinion was required.
His acquaintance through the state of Ohio was extensive, and his friends numerous. In hospitality, he was unsur- passed; fond of social intercourse, gifted with a ready flow of language, and a mind well stored with historical facts, his conversation was both instructive and interesting: This
463
JOSEPH BARKER.
rendered his society very pleasing to both young and old. From the time of his settlement on the Muskingum, in 1795, to the period of his death, in 1843, nearly half a century, his house was open to receive the weary and destitute emi- grant, the transient traveler, or the familiar friend; ever delighting in the opportunity of rendering a kindness to his fellow-man.
He was the father of ten children, four sons and six daughters, who, all but one, were living at his death, and most of them have large families of children, making nu- merous descendants to bear onward the family name.
Mrs. Barker died in 1835.
Nearly all those with whom he had "stood shoulder to shoulder" during the Indian war, and the trials incident to a new country, had been called away before him, and he felt that he was somewhat alone in the world, but he still retained the vigor of mind incident to younger days.
He died in September, 1843, aged seventy-eight years.
In person, Col. Barker was tall and commanding, with a stout, muscular frame; finely formed features, of rather a Roman cast, indicating manly firmness and intellectual vigor. His manners were easy, naturally graceful and gen- tlemanly, with the appearance and bearing of a man of superior mind and talents; born to lead in the councils, and to command the respect of the community in which he dwelt.
HAMILTON KERR.
THIS bold, active, and enterprising borderer, was one of the spies, or rangers, employed for the defense of the Ohio Company settlements during the Indian war. He was a finished backwoodsman, an adept in all the wiles and craft of the hunter, as well as in the arts of partizan warfare. He possessed the coolness and caution of old Isaac Wil- liams, with the bravery and activity of Lewis Wetzel, having been trained under the instruction and example of both these noted pioneers.
Matthew Kerr, the father of Hamilton, was of Scotch de- scent, from one of the northern counties of Ireland. He immigrated to America, before the Revolutionary war, and lived in Philadelphia, where his son Hamilton was born. Soon after the close of the war, he moved his family west of the mountains, and settled on Chartier creek, below Pitts- burg. After staying here a short time, he removed to Wheel- ing, and lived in the vicinity of the Wetzels for several years. In 1787 he transferred his residence to the island, just above the mouth of the Muskingum, and Hamilton, then in the prime of manhood, engaged as a hunter for the garrison of Fort Harmer, supplying them with wild meat.
While living on Wheeling creek, he was often the compan- ion of Lewis Wetzel, the most famous hunter, and killer of In- dians, in all that region ; having killed, it is said, thirty-seven in the course of his life. His athletic frame, and bold bear- ing when a boy, won for him the good-will of Lewis, and he promised to give him the first opportunity that occurred, of firing at an Indian, provided he felt certain that he could " draw a sight" at one, without trembling. The well-grown lad, then in his eighteenth year, answered, fearlessly, that.
465
HAMILTON KERR.
he would. It was not long before Lewis, in one of his hunt- ing trips, fell on the trail of a party, and traced up their camp. He directly hastened back for his young friend, whom he found ready and willing for the attack. They crept silently up to within a sure distance of their camp fire, and at the dawn of day, each selecting his man from a party of five or six, who were sitting in a circle round the fire, having just risen from sleep, fired at the same time. Hamilton's victim was sitting on a log, eating a roasted goose egg, and fell dead, into the ashes ; while Wetzel's man was mortally wounded, but fled, and secreted himself in a tree-top. They immediately rushed out from their covert, and with loud yells, calling out, "Come on, boys, come on ; why don't you head 'em;" as if there were quite a number of white men in the attack. The remaining Indians took to flight, without waiting to count their foes, and secreted themselves in the thickets. After taking the scalp of the dead Indian, they left the ground; and coming out the next day with a larger party, traced the wounded Indian by his blood, and found him dead in the spot where he had hidden. This was Kerr's first adventure with the Indians, and might be construed as an omen of future success ; although his next rencounter was less propitious.
The time of a large portion of the young men who lived on the frontiers, was occupied in hunting and trapping; lit- tle attention being paid to cultivation of the earth, beyond the wants of the family for bread, which was chiefly made from corn meal. There was no market for produce ; while there was a steady demand for skins and peltry, by the traders, who collected them at various points along the wa- ter-courses, and transmitted them, on pack-horses, across the mountains, to Baltimore or Philadelphia. This manner of dealing, made hunting a regular employment, like farming in these days.
30
466
HAMILTON KERR.
In the spring of the year 1784, before Fort Harmer was built, or any settlements made by the whites, between Ba- ker's station and the mouth of Big Kenawha, a party of young men left the post in a large canoe on a trapping and hunting expedition. It was composed of Lewis and George Wetzel, John Greene, Hamilton Kerr, and one other man. They dropped down the river as low as Muskingum island, where they encamped. The next day at evening they went over to the mouth of the Muskingum, and set their traps for beaver, returning to the island as a safe place for their camp, against the attack of the Indians. The follow- ing morning they went down again, and thirty or forty rods above the mouth, landed two of their party to reconnoiter, and examine the woods for signs of an enemy, while the other three remained in the canoe, and went into the Mus- kingum to examine their traps. They directly discovered that several of them were missing, and immediately con- cluded that a party of Indians had discovered their marks, and stolen them. George Wetzel soon returned to the canoe, and reported that he had seen no Indians, but plenty of signs of bears, which had been wallowing and tearing down the weeds in several places. This confirmed their suspicions that they were in the vicinity of a large party of Indians. Taking George on board, they pushed up the Ohio, and had proceeded twenty or thirty rods on their re- turn, when four Indians stepped on to the bank, and from behind trees fired upon the men in the canoe. George Wet- zel was shot through the head, and fell dead into the boat. Kerr was shot in the left arm above the elbow, splintering the bone, and received a bullet at the same time through the fleshy portion of his side. His dog, a noble, large an- imal standing by his master, was also killed. The other two men escaped injury; and pushing out into the stream before they could reload, were soon out of danger.
467
HAMILTON KERR.
John Greene, who rambled farther into the woods than George, had returned to within a few rods of the bank, when the Indians fired, and hearing the report of their rifles, rushed up to see what his comrades had shot at. As he ap- (proached within twenty yards of the bank, he saw an In- dian behind a tree, in the act of pushing down a bullet in his rifle. Comprehending at once the condition of the par- ties, he instantly raised his piece, fired, and the Indian fell dead, tumbling headlong down the bank, near the brink of which he was standing, and rolled close to the water's edge. The other Indians, hearing the report of the shot, and see- ing their dead companion, came rushing upon their new enemy before he could reload. His only safety was now in flight; and running toward the swamp a short distance back from the river, in the windings and turnings of the pursuit, counted not less than ten or twelve Indians, whom the shots and the war-cry of the savages had called into the chase. After wading in the water for some time, and seeing no chance for escape by flight, he secreted himself under the tops of a fallen tree, whose leaves and branches shel- tered him from observation. As a further precaution, he buried himself beneath the water, leaving only so much of his face uncovered as allowed of respiration. This was a common mode of eluding pursuit, practiced by the natives, as well as cunning white men. The Indians, a few rods behind, traced him by the turbid appearance of the water, and walked directly on to the trunk, beneath whose top he lay concealed. Looking up through his leafy covert, he plainly saw his enemies, peering into every crevice, and be- hind every twig for their victim, vociferating in angry tones their vengeful thoughts, and pointing with their gun-sticks to the recent signs of his flight. Greene lay perfectly quiet, hardly daring to breathe, fearing lest even the beating of his heart should agitate the water; watching with intense
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.