USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > Centennial souvenir of Marietta, Ohio; settled April seventh, 1788, celebration, April seventh, 1888 > Part 4
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For many blissful moments there I've known; Too many hopes have there met their decay, Too many feelings now forever gone, To wish that thou wouldst e'er again display The joyful coloring of thy prime array. Buried with thee, let them remain a blot; With thee, their sweets, their bitterness forgot.
And O, that I could wholly wipe away The memory of the ills that work'd thy fall; The memory of that all eventful day, When I return'd and found my own fair hall Held by the infuriate populace in thrall; My own fireside blockaded by a band, That once found food and shelter at my hand.
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My children, (O, a mother's pangs forbear, Nor strike again that arrow through my soul,) Clasping the ruffians in suppliant prayer, To free their mother from unjust control; While with false crimes, and imprecations foul, The wretches, vilest refuse of the earth, Mock jurisdiction held, around my hearth.
Sweet isle! methinks I see thy bosom torn, Again behold the ruthless rabble throng, That wrought destruction, taste must ever mourn. Alas, I see thee now, shall see thee long, Yet ne'er shall bitter feelings urge the wrong; That to a mob would give the censure duc, To those that arm'd the plunder-greedy crew.
Thy shores are warm'd by bounteous suns in vain, Columbia, if spite and envy spring To blast the beauty of mild nature's reign, The European stranger, who would fling O'er tangled woods refinement's polishing, May find (expended every plan of taste,) His work by ruffians rendered doubly waste.
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ISAAC AND REBECCA WILLIAMS.
One hundred years ago, March 26th, 1787, Isaac Williams and his wife moved into a little log cabin, near where Williamstown now stands, opposite this city, in Virginia. The town being named for him. Isaac Williams was a trapper and hunter, and he would hunt and make entries of land, by seeking out a desirable spot, girdle a few trees, plant a patch of corn, and the small amount of time and labor consumed, entitled the person so doing it to four hundred acres of land.
These entries were called "Tomahawk Improvements." It is said that an enterprising man could secure a number of these titles in one season, and would sell their "rights and titles," to persons who came into the country afterwards.
These were sold for a few dollars, in cash, but generally the equiv- alent in traffic of some sort; a rifle was thought a fair price for a four hundred acre tract, at any time, as lands were not then valued for any- thing except hunting grounds. The greatest advantage in securing these titles was that it gave the holder of them the right of entering one thousand acres of land ajoining these claims, by the payment of a small sum per acre to the State of Virginia, these titles being designated pre- emption rights.
Lands were entered along the Ohio in this State-at that time Vir- ginia claimed a tract in Ohio which was afterwards ceded back to the United States. Mr. Williams married Mrs. Rebecca Martin, daughter of Joseph Tomlinson, of Maryland. She was at the time living with her two brothers, as their house keeper, they, also being fond of hunt- ing, and when off on these expeditions, she would be left entirely alone, but was fearless, and had the courage of man. She would sometimes visit a sister who lived fifty miles farther up the Ohio. On her return from one visit she grew fatigued with paddling her canoe and went
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ashore and rested until the moon came up, as it was too dark to see dis- tinctly. On her return to the canoe, and in the act of leaping into it, her naked foot rested on the cold dead body of an Indian. She did not lose any time in fainting spells or anything of the sort, saying on her return home "she was very thankful he was not alive."
Her brothers, in consideration of service rendered them, entered four hundred acres of land in Virginia "directly opposite the mouth of the Muskingum," girdling trees on four acres, fencing this and plant- ing it to corn, and building a cabin. This was in the summer of 1773. They spent the summer there, staying so long that their provisions ran low, and they subsisted for two or three months on the boiled meat of turkeys without bread or salt. It was sometime before they could again relish salt in their food. That winter, after a hunt on the Ka- nawha, they were long detained in their journey home by a great flood in the Ohio, 1774, said to have been equal to that of 1832. The In- dians so frequently molested them on Grave Creek that Mr. Williams determined to leave that region, and as there had been a fort, Fort Harmar, erected opposite the land belonging to his wife, he thought
this a safe place and came to search it out.
He found the clearings
that her brothers had made thickly grown over with saplings, which were easier to remove than the large forest trees. He again cleared a spot for a cabin, built it during the winter, and the spring following occupied it with his wife. By the dates it is seen that Mr. and Mrs. Williams, and possibly a few others, have the advantage of one year previous to the settlers of the Ohio Company's purchase. The people of Virginia settling their lands under very different auspices from the early settlers of Ohio.
These early pioneers of Virginia, soon endeared themselves to the Ohio settlers, by their unfailing interest in their welfare, and noble acts of charity which were continually bestowed.
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The season of 1789 was short. The early frosts injured the un- ripened corn, much of it being made unfit for use. In the spring and summer of 1790, the settlers at Marietta suffered for food, especially bread-stuff. This was the year designated by the pioneers as the "Famine," many families having to grind their moldy corn in hand- mills, and often going many days without even this. Many were glad to get this poor stuff, grind it as aforesaid, make it into mush or por- ridge, made of sap instead of water.
The story has often been told of Mr. William's benevolent way of distributing his corn, of which he had a large and excellent crop of ripe, sound grain. It does not lose in interest. The unripe corn readily sold as high as two dollars per bushel, and was so scarce that instances are spoken of where children would watch for grains that fell to the floor from the hand-mills, and eat them as if they were delicate and sweet. Mr. Williams proportioned his corn out according to the number in the family, and only took fifty cents a bushel for it, the same price that corn sold at in good seasons when it was plenty.
He was fond of hunting in his old age and often enjoyed the sport of his early manhood.
During the Indian War, from 1791 to 1795, he remained unmolested, building a stockade about his home, for the protection of himself and others. He died in 1820, at the age of eighty-four years, and was buried under the oaks on his own farm. The descendants of the pioneers still cherish the memory, handed down to them of this venerable couple.
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TWO OF OHIO'S GOVERNORS.
JOHN BROUGH.
" Cleona Farm," as it was formerly called, has its fertile fields lying along the Ohio river on one side and a pleasant country road along its inland frontage on the other. The distance from Marietta is less than one mile. The old homestead on the farm still stands, shaded by ma- ples, and the avenue leading from the farm gate at the road to this, is thickly shaded in summer by maples standing closely together on either side.
On this farm one of Ohio's War Governors, John Brough, was born, in 1811. His father was an Englishman by birth and his mother, who lies in Mound cemetery, was a native of Pennsylvania. After receiv- ing a good English education he added to this latin and the law. He afterwards drifted into the editing and publishing of a newspaper, first at Parkersburg, Va., then Marietta and finally at Lancaster, Ohio. He was Auditor of State, beginning in 1839. Was afterwards in the private capacity of his own affairs, being most of the time in office, in connection with Railroads. He was elected Governor of Ohio in IS63, filling the office for the term beginning 1864, but he did not live to complete the full term of office. He died in Cleveland, Ohio, August 29th, 1866.
RETURN JONATHAN MEIGS, JR.
This gentleman was born at Middletown, Connecticut. Soon after his marriage in 17SS, he came to Marietta, where he always resided, except when called away by professional duties, or in response to an election to office. He was the first postmaster at Marietta, thus making him the first in the territory. He served two terms as Governor of Ohio, from the beginning of the term ISio, to the close of the year
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1814, thereby covering the period of the war of 1812. He retired to Marietta after the fulfillment of his official duties and died here in 1825. The epitaph on his tombstone records the prominent events of his life, as well as his virtues:
Here lies the body of RETURN JONATHAN MEIGS, Who was born at Middletown, Connecticut, 1765, And died at Marietta, March 29, 1825. For many years his time and talents were devoted To the service of his country.
He successively filled the distinguished places of Judge of the Territory Northwest of the Ohio, Judge of the Supreme Court of the State of Ohio, Senator in Congress of the United States, Governor of the State of Ohio, and
Postmaster General of the United States.
To the honored and revered memory of An ardent Patriot, A practical Statesman, An enlightened Scholar, A dutiful Son, An indulgent Father, An affectionate Husband, This monument is erected by his mourning widow, Sophia Meigs.
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PIONEER ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON COUNTY.
This association, with short intervals of suspension has existed since the anniversary of the settlement of the territory. In February, 1789, men belonging to the Ohio Company of Associates, called a meeting, the purport of which was to arrange for a celebration the seventh of April of that year to commemorate the event of the first authorized settlement of the Territory the previous year. The order of exercises were arranged and the following resolution adopted:
Resolved, " That the Seventh of April be forever considered a day of public festival in the Territory of the Ohio Company, as their set- tlement in this country commenced on that day; and that the directors request some gentleman to prepare an oration to be delivered on the next anniversary."
The following is the
ORATION, DELIVERED AT MARIETTA, APRIL 7, 1789. BY SOLOMON DROWN, M. D.
"The expectation of so polite and respectable an audience, excited by the novelty of the occasion on which we are assembled, that of cele- brating the first anniversary of the settlement of a new and widely extended. territory, cannot fail to be productive of diffident emotions in him who has the honor to address you. Feeling his inability to perform, in the manner he could wish, the task allotted him in this day's solemnization, he will, however, strive to re-assure himself from the consideration of the candor he has already experienced, and this last mark of your favorable opinion; an honor to be cherished in his memory with the most affectionate gratitude.
Permit me then most cordially to congratulate you on the auspicious anniversary of the 7th of April, 1788, a day to be remembered with annual festivity and joy; for then this virgin soil received you first:
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alluring from your native homes, by charms substantial and inestimable.
A wilderness of sweets; for Nature here
Wantoned as in her prime, and played at will,
Her virgin fancies, pouring forth more sweet.
Wild above a rule or art,-the gentle gales
Fanning their odoriferous wings, dispense
Native perfumes, and whisper whence they store Those balmy spoils.
Hail glorious birth-day of this western region! On such a day, in the same beauteous season, ancient poets feigned the earth was first created.
"In this soft season let me dare to sing
The world was hatch'd by Heaven's Imperial King In presence of all the year and holidays of spring; Then did the new creation first appear;
Nor other was the tenor of the year;
When laughing Heaven did the great birth attend, And eastern winds their wintry breath suspend.
Then sheep first saw the sun in open fields; And savage beasts were sent to stock the wilds; Nor could the tender new creation bear
The excessive heats or coldness of the year;
But chilled by winter or by summer fired
The middle temper of the spring regained When warmth and moister did at once abound, And Heaven's indulgence brooded on the ground."
First, let us pay our grateful tribute of applause to that firm band, who, quitting their families and peaceful habitations, foregoing all the endearments of domestic life, in the midst of a severe winter, set out on the arduous enterprise of settling this far distant region. And here
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my inclination would lead me to point their unexampled perseverance in that inclement season; their numerous toils and dangers in effecting the great business of unbarring a selected wilderness, and rendering it the fit abode of man; did not the presence of their worthy leader* prevent me from indulging it.
But of these worthies who have most exerted themselves in promo- ting this settlement, one, alas! is no more; one whose eloquence, like the music of Orpheus, attractive of the listening crowd, seemed de- signed to reconcile mankind to the closest bonds of society. Ah! what avail his manly virtues now! Slow through yon winding path his corse was borne, and on the steepy hill interred with funeral honors meet. Wliat bosom refuses the tribute of a sigh, on the recollection of that melancholy scene, when, unusual spectacle, the fathers of the land, the chiefs of the aboriginal nations, in solemn train attended; while the mournful dirge was rendered doubly mournful mid the gloomy nodding grove. On that day even nature seemed to mourn. O Varnum! Varnum! thy name shall not be forgotten, while grati- tude and generosity continue to be the characteristics of those inhabit- ing the country, once thy care. Thy fair fame is deeply rooted in our fostering memories, and,
Non imber edax, non Agnito impotens, Posit divinese, aut innumerabilis,
Annorum series, et fuga temporum."f-HOR.
The origin of most countries is lost in the clouds of fiction and ro- mance; and as far up as you can trace their history, you will find they were generally founded in rapacity, usurpation, and blood. It was not
*General R. Putnam.
tThe force of boisterous winds and moldering rain,
Year after year, an everlasting train,
Shall ne'er destroy the glory of his name.
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but by means of wars, horrid wars! that the Israelites gained posses- sion of their long sought promised Canaan; driving before them the nations who had occupied that charming country. Rome itself, im- perial Rome, the mistress of the world, was founded by a lawless and wandering banditti, with Romulus at their head, who was continually embroiled with one or other of his neighbors, and war the only em- ployment by which he and his companions expected either to aggran- dize themselves, or even to subsist. Singular, then, and before unheard of, are the circumstances of your first establishment, in this extensive territory ; without opposition, and without bloodshed. How striking the contrast between such a manner of conducting an important enter- prize, and the barbarism of the so much extolled heroic ages! The kind and friendly treatment of the Indians by the first settlers, has conduced greatly to the favorable issue of the late treaty. Such humane conduct, so easy to practice, cannot fail to have great influence, even on savage minds. Nor less the unwearied attention and patient equa- nimity of his excellency, Governor St. Clair, amid the attacks of a painful disorder, and the delays naturally arising from the discordant interests of unconnected tribes. And here let us commemorate the virtues of the unassuming and most benevolent Mr. John Heckeweld- er, Moravian missionary among the Delawares. Such is his ascendan- cy over the minds of the christianized Indians, that to his kind offices in striving to effectuate the above happy event, no small share of praise is to be ascribed. But to whom is this settlement more indebted than to the generous chieftain and other worthy officers of yonder fortress, distinguished by the name of Harmer. With what cheerful- ness and cordiality have ye ever entered into every measure promotive of the company's interest. Important is the station ye fill in every re- spect, and not least in this, that you seem reserved to exhibit mankind a specimen of that military splendor, which ornamented the arms of
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America, and would do honor to the troops of any potentate on earth.
The gentle influence of female suavity are ever readily acknowledged by all who make the least pretenses to civilization. Happy in this re- spect, if we see the least spark of ferocity kindling in our breast, from the wildness of our virtues, to quench the savage principle, and restore us to humanity. Enough cannot be said in commendation of your fortitude and generous resolution, my fair auditors, who apparently made so great a sacrifice in quitting your native homes and endeared connections, to settle in this remote wilderness, while those connections loth to part, were fondly urging every dissuasion from the enterprise, and conjuring up a thousand difficulties that would obstruct your pro- gress, or meet you here. But your laudable perseverance and equa- nimity have surmounted them all, and instead of being surrounded with howlings of wild beasts, and horrid yells of savages, which ye were warned to expect, on the delightful banks of the Muskingum, ye are favored with the blandishments of polished social intercourse. Are we indeed in a wilderness ? The contemplation of the scene be- fore me would almost lead me to distrust my senses. No wonder the gentle Spenser feigned such mingled beauty and elegance, by virtue brightened, could "make a sunshine in the shady grove."
It would take up too much time to detail minutely your progressions - in thus far affecting an important settlement. The marks of industry observable on every hand since your arrival, particularly the buildings on Campus Martius ( forming an elegant fortress ), do you great honor, and lead the admiring stranger to entertain a very flattering opinion of your growing greatness.
All is the gift of industry : whate'er
Exalts, embellishes, and renders life
Delightful. Pensive winter cheered by him, Sits at the social fire, and haply hears
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The excluded tempest idly rave along;
His harden'd fingers deck the gaudy spring,
Without him summer were an arid waste; Nor to the autumnal months could e'er transmit The full, mature, immeasurable stores.
Thus fair is the first page of our history, and may no foul blot here- after stain the important volume which time is unfolding in this west- ern world. But may it prove worthy, fraught with worthy deeds, to be rescued from the final conflagration, by some bright cherub's favor- ing arm, and displayed to the view of approving spirits in the realms of bliss.
This country will afford noble opportunity for advancing knowledge of every kind. A communication with all nations will enable you to introduce the most useful and excellent scientific improvements, which are to be found in every kingdom and empire on earth. Effectual measures have been taken by congress for cultivating and diffusing literature among the people, in appropriating large tracts of land for the establishment of schools, and a university. The institution of a public library would be of great benefit to the community, not only by affording rational amusement, and meliorating the disposition, but by giving those who have not a liberal education an opportunity of gain- « ing that knowledge which will qualify them for usefulness. * *
But that for which this country will ever be most estimable, is, that under the auspices of firmly established liberty, civil and religious, and . the mild government of national laws, every circumstance invites to the practice of husbandry, that best occupation of mankind, which is the support of human life, and the source of all its true riches. Delighful region ! bordering on the majestic Ohio, the most beautiful river on earth, watered also by other large and navigable streams ; favored with an excellent climate and fertile soil, which well cultivated, is a
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rich treasure to every family that is wise enough to be con- tented with living nobly independent. It is in such charming retreats, at a distance from the tumultuous hurry of the world, that one relishes a thousand innocent delights, and which are repeated with a satisfac- tion ever new. In those extensive and delightsome bottoms, where are seen so many different species of animals and vegetables, there it is we have occasion to admire the beneficience of the Great Creator. There it is, that at the gentle purling of a pure and living water, and enchanted with the concert of birds, which fill the neighboring thickets, we may agreeably contemplate the wonders of nature, and examine them all at our leisure. It is amid such happy, rural scenes, fanned by gentle breezes, wafting fragrance o'er the blossomed vale, that health and rejuvenescency of soul are indulged to mortals-the choicest of the favors of heaven."
The day was held in almost sacred reverence, and duly kept for many years succeeding the settlement, at least until the rapid increase of population lessened the interest in the event, because a majority of the citizens were of those who came, after the trials by war, famine, and pestilence had ceased. There was always a public feast and address, after these all maaner of innocent sports were indulged in, such as base-ball, foot-ball, shooting at a mark, foot-racing, wrestling and dancing. The young people often exchanged visits between Belpre and Marietta, and making the journey by boats. These and similar amusements, are yet in vogue at some of the Pioneer celebrations of to-day, -. thereby aiming to carry out the idea of amusements in days of Lang Syne. The day was always considered a holiday for the giving and returning social visits, and in IS38, a general and enthusiastic meeting was held, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the settlement.
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In 1841, there was organized the Marietta Historical Association with Ephraim Cutler, President,
William R. Putnam,
Arius Nye, Vice President,
John Mills, Curators. Caleb Emerson, Cor. Secretary. Arius Spencer Nye, Rec. Sec'y.
A. T. Nye,
The object of this association was " to establish a library, cabinet, and repository worthy the oldest settlement in Ohio." This organiza- tion continued many years, the members devoting much time in col- lecting historical facts and incidents, some of which give us the only history we have of the early days of the settlers. The college finally became the receptacle of such as was in this way collected, this being under constant care and a place for safe keeping.
In 1866, Frances Dana Gage wrote a poem, dedicated "to the living members of the Pioneer Association of Washington county." Her birth-place is but a short distance up the Muskingum river. As a tribute to her, as well as other Pioneers, extracts of the poem are here given :
Oh, a monument the grandest Is Ohio now I ween, Of the power of human progress That the world hath ever seen; For the children's feet that pattered O'er the cabin's puncheon floor
Now walk her marble State House, We, two million souls or more.
Who hath felled the mighty forests? Who hath reaped the golden grain? Who hath sent the thundering rail-car
Through the mountain, o'er the plain?
in
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Who hath built the people's school-house, Filled with music every dale, Where once the Indian's war-whoop Heard its echo in the vale.
All honor to the heroes Who, with hearts so strong and true, Conquered forest, beast, and Indian In these Western wilds, when new. Not with wicked, vain ambition Not with war-shrieks, fierce and wild But with reaping-hook and plow-share Making home for wife and child.
With ax, and plow, and hammer, With reaper and the mill, The school-house and the church-spire Tell of Progress, onward still. Opening wide to every nation Every door to wealth and fame; Making tyrants fear and tremble,- The oppressed ones bless their name.
The Pioneer Society, as now existing, was organized in 1870, with W. F. Curtis, Recording Secretary, which office he has since held. The officers at this time-1887-are: Douglas Putnam, President ; William Glines, Vice President; W. F. Curtis, Recording Secretary ; R. M. Stimson, Corresponding Secretary ; F. A. Wheeler, Treasurer.
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There has been a meeting on each anniversary covering this period, Mr. A. T. Nye, Col. John Mills, Col. William R. Putnam and Samuel Shipman, manifesting untiring interest until their deaths .- Other members remembered as always present, were William Glines, Henry Fearing, Dr. I. W. Andrews, Col. E. S. McIntosh, Beverly, William P. Cutler, L. J. P. Putnam, and Dr. B. F. Hart. The Pion- eer Society of Marietta covers an interesting period of time. The one hundred years of its existence is a grand epoch on the pages of history. Its members, the lives of a few, covering nearly a century, and a number of them counting three-fourths of a century as their years, have seen the Northwest Territory redeemed from a wilderness, by the rapid increase of population, and all that follows with this; not only the Northwest Territory, whose western boundary was the Mississippi river, but on and on the triumphal car of civilization has rapidly penetrated the west to the broad Pacific, connecting the ex- tremes of this continent. From this country, with its vast sea coast, richly laden vessels traverse the mighty waters east and west to every seaport of the globe.
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