USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Centennial history of Cincinnati and representative citizens, Vol. I, Pt. 1 > Part 54
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Bedsteads were made of poles held by two outer posts. The ends were made firm by in- serting the poles in auger holes bored in a log in the wall of the cabin. Across this were stretched skins which served as the chief cover- ing. In the loft or half-story above, which was usually appropriated to the children, the bed would be a heap of dry leaves or possibly a pile of skins. The sleeping place was reached by pegs driven in the wall by which the younger members climbed to their place of rest. It was usually. without a window and frequently the floor extended but partly over the story below.
The clothing as seen in the quotation above from the Directory of 1819 was frequently home- spun linsey-woolsey or tow-linen made by the settlers themselves. More frequently raccoon and bear skins furnished the caps and moccasins took the place of shoes. This was the costume more than a quarter of a century afterwards of young Abraham Lincoln in his early days in Kentucky.
Such clothes as were spun were colored with the bark of the butternut. Sun bonnets were the most elaborate articles of toilet for such of the women as felt they needed protection for the
head. The money that was used was at first raccoon skins and other skins. Rabbit skin was work a five penny bit or six and one-fourth cents; the coon skin twice as much and a fox skin four times as much; the deer skin was worth as much as fifty cents. The soldiers brought Spanish silver dollars. The change was made by cutting these into quarters and eighths. The eighthis were called "sharp shins" from their wedge shape. This was not a free and unlimited coinage either, for the smith that did the cutting got in the habit of making five quarters, one of which he kept for himself and the others of which passed for full value. These were used quite generally.
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One transaction in 1806 is reported in Mr. Cist's book where a Kentucky merchant brought in one hundred pounds of cut silver to a busi- ness house in Philadelphia which was sent up on a dray to the mint for recoinage, much to the disgust of the merchant. Change for smaller sums were made by pins and needles and writing paper. John Bartle, the storekeeper at Front and Broadway, had a barrel of copper coins made in 1794. This so exasperated his fellow storekeepers that he was almost mobbed. The feeling against the small' copper money continued for many years. The time is within the memory of many now living when anything smaller than a nickel would not be taken for change and when three-cent postage stamps or a penny stick of candy cost five cents. The same is true to-day in many parts of the West. Afterwards "ob- longs" as they were called succeeded "sharp shins;" these were three dollar United States notes made in that denomination to pay the soldiers whose pay was three dollars a month. The coin used for large transactions was the "joe" which was an abbreviation for "johan- nes." This was a Portuguese gold coin of the value of eight dollars, named from the figure of King John which it bore.
Wiseman in his narrative concerning the at- tack on Colerain Station speaks of being offered by the lieutenant two half joes for going to Fort Washington for assistance. He indignantly refused any pay however.
The food of the settlers, as has been spoken of frequently, consisted of course of game and of such corn and vegetables as they could raise. Fried venison, buffalo or bear meat or roast wild turkey washed down by Monongaliela whiskey were common at all the households. Cornmeal was the staple cereal. Johnny cakes baked on a board three feet long and one foot
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wide and corn dodgers and hoe cakes and even ash cakes were all very popular. Whenever wheat could be obtained it is certain that pies in large quantities were added to the cuisine. Despite the disclaimer of Dr. Jones, there can be no question that the early pioneers had taken their cue from the soldiers and were much ad- (icted to the use of stimulants. Monongahela whiskey was found in every house and offered to all guests. In the summer it cooled the harvest- ers and in the winter it warmed the traveler. It formed a basis of much of the physic and, in combination with tansy, rue, or most any kind of old weed so long as it was bitter in taste, was regarded as a specific against almost every kind of ill. Dr. Jones cannot forbear reporting the following story :
"Old Jonas D. was a dear lover of 'Old Mo- nongahela,' and generally kept a good supply on hand, buying it by the barrel. On one occasion Jonas went into a store, where he usually dealt, and told the merchant that he wanted a barrel of whiskey; it was at that time selling at sixteen dollars a barrel. 'What?' said the merchant. 'Jonas, you certainly do not want another barrel of whiskey for your own use; it is not three months since you bought the last one.'
" "That's all right, Robert, it ain't three months, but what in the deuce is a barrel of whiskey in a family where there is no cow?' But he was an exception. The whiskey was rye and pure, and must be seven years old at least before it was considered fit to use."
The Doctor tells us that burnt dried peaches were used to give flavoring and color to the whiskey and that they also charred the inside of the barrel. At the auction the auctioneer would offer a dram to the next bidder. At corn huskings, captains were chosen who took sides alternately from the persons present and thereupon they were all set to husking the corn. The one that finished first got the bottle and he that husked the first red ear kissed the prettiest girl in the party. These merry makings con- cluded with a dance and supper. After a wed- ding, a reception or infair was held at the groom's house and as the company including the married couple would approach on horseback the home of the groom the younger men would "run for the bottle, riding over hills, hollows and fences at breakneck speed, and the first to arrive at the home of the groom was handed the bottle and rode back in triumph, holding aloft his prize to treat the bride and groom." ("Early Days of Cincinnati" by Dr. A. E. Jones.)
CHAPTER XXI.
FROM NATIONAL TO SELF GOVERNMENT.
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY-WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, SECRETARY OF THE TERRITORY-THE FIRST TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE-HARRISON, DELEGATE TO CONGRESS- BYRD, SECRETARY OF THE TERRITORY-THE DIVISION OF THE TERRITORY -- ST. CLAIR REAP- POINTED-THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AT CHILLICOTHE-THE CHILLICOTHE MOB-THE INCORPO- RATION OF CINCINNATI-THE CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION-THE REMOVAL OF ST. CLAIR- ST. CLAIR'S SUBSEQUENT ILL TREATMENT-THE CONSTITUTION OF 1802-THE ERECTION OF HAMILTON COUNTY-THE ERECTION OF OTHER COUNTIES-THE FIRST OFFICIALS-THE LEGIS- LATIVE COUNCIL-THE MILITIA-CINCINNATI TOWNSHIP-SOME TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
The time from the landing of Governor St. Clair in January, 1790, at which time he erected the county of Hamilton and made the settlement at Cincinnati the county town, until the date of the incorporation of the settlement as a village in 1802 covers practically the entire life of the Northwest Territory. The political history of that Territory, which during twelve years was the supreme authority for the settlement which was its seat of government, is so wrapped up with the history of Cincinnati as to make some narrative of it necessary in a work of this char- acter.
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
The organization of the Territory, its of- ficers and its courts have already been described and the earlier part of its history and the at- tention of its officials was largely given to the Indian wars and to the settlement of the new country and its proper organization. Much of St. Clair's time was taken with his duties on the Mississippi and in the West. His unfortunate campaign had been a serious blow to him and his ambition.' He began to feel that possibly he had made a mistake in cutting himself off from the East where he had obtained so splendid a position by reason of his ability and promi- nence in, the War of Independence. The task
of molding a great territory, as yet an unde- veloped wilderness infested with savages and lacking all the attractions of a more cultivated community, seemed a discouraging one. Just at this time an opportunity seemed to offer which would enable him to reenter public life in a more congenial field. The representative in Congress from his home district seemed to be in doubt as to making the canvass for a reelec- tion and St. Clair's Federalist friends suggested that he should make the canvass. After some discussion however he felt that it was wisest to abandon this idea and by so doing he cut him- self off forever from the life that was most con- genial to him. This determination of his friends and of himself was a very great disappointment to his wife and family who had never reconciled themselves to the abandonment of their Pennsyl- vania home for the hardships of a new country. This episode in the life of the Governor oc- curred in the summer of 1792, a large part of which St. Clair spent in Philadelphia. During this summer he obtained from Congress an act authorizing the Governor and judges to repeal laws made by them. From this power resulted a complete revision of the laws which resulted in the establishment of a system in 1795, which Salmon P. Chase says was "not without many imperfections and blemishes; but it may be
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doubted whether any colony at so early a period after its first establishment ever had one so good."
After providing in general for the regulation of society and adopting a procedure, the common law of England and the general statutes in aid of the common law enacted prior to the fourth year of James I were declared in full force within the Territory. The General Court was fixed at Marietta and Cincinnati and a circuit court was established "with power to try in the several counties, issues in fact depending before the superior tribunal where alone causes could be finally decided." A single judge of the General Court was empowered in the absence of the others to hold the terms. This had seemed to St. Clair a source of danger, especially by reason of the fact that two of the judges were interested in the lands of the Territory. Judge Putnam was the director of the Ohio Company and Judge Symmes the sole manager of the Miami Com- pany ; both were members of the Supreme Court. "Every land dispute will be traced to some trans- action of the one or of the other of those gen- tlemen, and they are to sit in judgment upon them. It must, I think, be acknowledged that this is not a groundless cause of apprehension, for though they are both of firm character (and delicacy would prevent their decision in any case where they were themselves parties) the people have but a slender security for the impartiality of their decision. Interest hangs an insensible bias upon the minds of the most upright men." (St. Clair to Jefferson, December 14, 1794.)
St. Clair as we have already seen was involved on several occasions in controversies with the judges. Judge Turner particularly seemed un- able to get along with the Governor and for a . time impeachment was contemplated. Another difficulty arose from the appointment of his son, Arthur St. Clair, Jr., as attorney-general of the Territory. The compensation of the office was so small and so precarious that no fit person could be induced to accept it and finally in 1796 young St. Clair who was practicing in Pittsburg was induced to remove to Cincinnati and accept the position. This naturally aroused much criti- cism at a later time. Arthur St. Clair, Jr., seems to have been a man of ability and fine character and he won the respect of the people of the Territory.
WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON, SECRETARY OF THE TERRITORY.
In 1798 Winthrop Sargent, who had been
Secretary of the Northwest Territory, was pro- moted to the governorship of the Mississippi Territory and William Henry Harrison was ap- pointed Secretary in his place. Sargent and St. Clair had in the main agreed very well. Ac- cording to Judge Burnet, the two were very different in their type. "He (St. Clair) was plain and simple in his dress and equipage, open and frank in his manners, and accessible to per- sons of every rank. In these respects he ex- hibited a striking contrast with the Secretary, Colonel Sargent; and that contrast in some measure increased his popularity; which he re- tained unimpaired until after the commencement of the first session of the Legislature." ( Bur- net's Notes, p. 375.)
Despite this difference in temperament, each had very great respect for the other, combined with friendly feeling, although on several oc- casions St. Clair felt that Sargent was lacking in tact. This was notably so in the matter of the organization of. Wayne County. "Between the Governor and the new Secretary ( Harrison) there were no such ties-no bond of sympathy. They belonged to opposite schools. The one was growing gray ; was accustomed to deference from others; and held tenaciously to the political opinions formed amid the surging elements of revolution in the camp of Washington. The other, young and ambitious, was ready to sym- pathize with any movement that had for its ob- ject the changing of the old for a new order of things. Hence, it soon came to pass that the Secretary formed plans about which he did not consult the Governor." (St. Clair Papers, Vol. I, p. 208.)
Sargent, who disappears from the history of this section at this time, subsequently made his home at Natchez where he married a widow of wealth and became a planter. He was reported a year later by General Wilkinson as being fat and happy. He died at New Orleans June 3. 1820. Winthrop Sargent was a man of the highest cultivation and deeply interested in scientific and historical study. He was a mem- ber of the American Academy of Art and Science and the American Historical Society and con- tributed a number of papers on the subject of American antiquities to the publications of these societies. He lived just north of the fort cast of Broadway and north of Fourth street; the entire square had been enclosed and a respect- able frame house erected by him. This house and grounds, the best improved in the vil- lage were occupied by Hon. Charles Wylling
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Byrd, his successor in office. The house referred to was about where Fifth street now runs. This street was afterwards called Byrd street from Judge Byrd who was the first United States judge of this district.
The Sargent family was a most distinguished one and among its members are such distin- guished names as those of John S. Sargent, probably the greatest living portrait painter, Epes Sargent, one of the most prolific of Ameri- can editors and writers, and Charles Sprague Sargent, America's greatest arboriculturist.
The appointment of Harrison was not at all acceptable to St. Clair and he once more contem- plated making the canvass for Congress from his home county. This purpose was however finally abandoned as it was thought that the Federalists would have no chance of an elec- tion.
THE FIRST TERRITORIAL. LEGISLATURE.
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The census of the Territory taken in 1798 dis- closed the fact that it contained a population of five thousand free white male inhabitants of full age and that therefore it was entitled to enter upon the second stage of government provided for in the Ordinance of 1787. The Governor therefore ordered an election of representatives to the first General Assembly to meet at Cincin- nati. Only freeholders in fee simple of fifty acres within the Territory had the right to vote and no one could be eligible as a representative who was not a freeholder of two hundred acres. In accordance with the proclamation of the Gov- crnor, the representatives assembled at Cincin- nati on February 4, 1799. Their duty at this meeting was to nominate ten persons from whom there should be selected by the President of the United States five, who commissioned with the advice and consent of the Senate should act as a Legislative Council. The members selected for the first Territorial Legislature were almost in every instance the strongest and best men in their respective counties. Party influence which was so strong in the East was not felt in local affairs and, says Judge Burnet, "it may be said with confidence that no Legislature has been chosen under the State government which contained a larger proportion of aged, intelligent men than were found in that body. Many of them it is true were unacquainted with the forms and prac- tical duties of legislation ; but they were strong minded, sensible men, acquainted with the condi- tion and wants of the country and could form correct opinions of the operations of any measute
proposed for their consideration." (Burnet's Notes, p. 289.)
In this Legislature, Hamilton County (the Miamis) had seven representatives; Washington (the Muskingum) two; Ross (the Scioto) four ; Adams (Virginia Military District) two; Jeffer- son (Upper Ohio) one; Wayne (Detroit ) three; St. Clair, Randolph (Illinois) and Knox (In- diana) each one. The Western Reserve or New Connecticut was not represented and St. Clair knew but one man in the district. Among the representatives from the counties other than Hamilton were such men as Thomas Worthing- ton, Samuel Findlay, Edward Tiffin, Return Jonathan Meigs, Paul Fearing, Joseph Darling- ton and Nathaniel Massie. The Hamilton Coun- ty representatives were as follows: William Mc- Millan, John Smith, Robert Benham, Aaron Cad- well, William Goforth, John Ludlow and Isaac Martin. All of them, to quote Judge Burnet, were intelligent, substantial men. Judge McMil- lan has already been referred to at length and the same is true of John Smith of Columbia.
Benham, an officer of the Revolutionary War, was in the Rogers party which was destroyed at the mouth of the Licking and he it was who with broken thigh with the assistance of a comrade with shattered arms was able to maintain his life and that of his comrade for many weeks until they had recovered the use of their limbs. He was one of the first to come to the Symmes purchase and served in the expeditions under Harmar, St. Clair and Wayne. "He was pos- sessed of great activity, muscular strength and enterprise-had a sound discriminating judg- ment and great firmness of character-and was a safe and useful member of the Assembly. He was the grandsire of the accomplished Mrs. Har- riet Prentice of Louisville." (Burnet's Notes, p. 293.)
Judge Goforth and John Ludlow have also been referred to elsewhere.
The representatives in due form nominated ten persons from whom the five members of the Leg- islative Council should be selected and adjourned to meet at Cincinnati on September 16th. The Governor transmitted the names to the President and in due time, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, President Adams appoint- ed "Jacob Burnet and James Findlay of Cincin- nati; Henry Vanderburgh of Vincennes; Robert Oliver of Marietta; and David Vance of Vance- ville ; to be the members of the Legislative Coun- cil of the territory of the United States, north: west of the river Ohio," and their selection was
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duly announced by the Governor by proclama- tion. James Findlay, one of the members from Hamilton County, was a native of Pennsylvania. He was one of the early pioneers in the West and settled at Cincinnati during the time of the Indian wars. In 1801 he was appointed United State marshal for the District of Ohio, being the first to hold that office. After Congress had es- tablished a land office at Cincinnati he was ap- pointed receiver of public money, which position he held for many years until he resigned it. He volunteered to serve under General Hull and commanded one of the regiments at Detroit. After Hull's surrender, he returned to his home. He was elected in 1825 to Congress, succeeding James W. Gazlay, and served in that position until 1833, when he was succeeded by Robert T. Lytle. He was for many years major-general of the first division of Ohio militia. Judge Jacob Burnet was a native of New Jersey and grad- uated at Princeton College and was a lawyer by profession. "During the long period of his pro- fessional labors at the bar both in the Territory and State he was placed by common consent among the most respectable of his professional brethren. He was brought up in a school of politicians who had been active agents in com- mencing and sustaining the Revolution. He was taught to confide in the wisdom, and purity of Washington, and his confidential associates, who stood at the head of the Federal party." (Bur- net's Notes, p. 297.)
As will be seen by this self-characterization, Judge Burnet was a man of most decided opinions. He became the chief adviser and sup- port of the territorial administration and also the historian of the Northwest Territory. He had been in the Territory but two years and was at this time but 28 years of age, but from the start in influence and usefulness he stood head and shoulders above all others in the Legislature and was then and for many years afterwards the leading member of the bar.
Judge Carter in his reminiscences speaks of him as one of the most expert and learned, and able lawyers of the bar and justly esteemed the pioneer lawyer of the "Old Court House" whose name deservedly stands at the head of the list of its members of the bar. He was subsequently a member of the Supreme Court of the State from 1821 until 1828 and Senator of the United States from 1828 to 1831, succeeding in this position William Henry Harrison. He retired from active practice in 1825. Judge Burnet ex- ercised the largest influence in the molding of
the new settlement and to him the public is in- debted for many of its most beneficent laws. He it was who devised the scheme by which in 1820 the hopelessly indebted Western settlers were enabled to save part of their lands. To him in a great measure is due the success of the canal sys- tem of Ohio. His "Notes on the Northwestern Territory" is one of the most valuable books con- cerning our early history and, as Rufus King says, "without it St. Clair's administration and the early settlement of the Ohio would hardly be intelligible." Its accounts of the life of the carly settlers and the experience of the early members of the bar are most graphic and present a picture of the times such as is preserved of the early days of but few settlements. Judge Burnet sur- vived until the age of 83, dying in 1853, and until his death he was one of the most notable figures of the city. "Tall and dignified in his appearance he retained the styles and manners of the olden times. He wore the old-fashiioned queue and in public assemblies his grave stately deportment inspired, if not awe, at least respect. In his opinions and judgments he was decided. He did not believe in anything half way, but al- together, nor did he hesitate to state his views, when occasion required, and they were so stated as to be completely understood. Having been judge of the Supreme Court, United States Sen- ator, and a public man all his life, and being in affluent circumstances, he was the most prom- inent citizen of Cincinnati. His hospitality was generous, and his home a hostelry for the stranger. No one had appreciated fully the merits of the city, unless they had sat at his board and there would be encountered the most distinguished men of the country. The vener- able mansion (at the northwest corner of Sev- enth and Elm), formerly so long his home, has sheltered beneatlı its roof General Lafayette, Daniel Webster, Henry Clay, William Henry Harrison, Lewis Cass and many others whose lives are ended but whose names remain. There has been in the Queen City no other residence within whose walls have been gathered so many who have been illustrious in their day. But lie selected his company. Judge Burnet's father and brothers were intimate acquaintances of Colonel Burr during the Revolutionary War and when Burr visited Cincinnati he expected to receive the courtesies so notoriously and so liberally ex- tended to almost every man of prominence. Judge Burnet, however, peremptorily refused to make his acquaintance and with that vigor with
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which he entertained his views and that per- spicacity with which he expressed them put his refusal upon the distinct ground that he 'consid- ered Colonel Burr a murderer.'" (Judge Wright in Nelson's Cincinnati, p. 166.)
The five unsuccessful nominees were Arthur St. Clair, Jr., and Richard Allison of Hamilton ; William St. Clair of St. Clair; William Patton of Ross; and Joseph Darlington of Adams. Ar- thur St. Clair, Jr., was, of course, the son of the Governor and of him and Mr. Burnet, St. Clair, in . transmitting the nominations to the President, spoke as two young gentlemen of the. bar and of handsome abilities. Mr. Findlay, ac- cording to St. Clair, was "in trade." Mr. Allison is the well known Dr. Allison of the fort.
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