USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > Centennial souvenir of Marietta, Ohio; settled April seventh, 1788, celebration, April seventh, 1888 > Part 5
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The Pioneer Society of Washington county hope to secure a Me- morial worthy the commemoration of the events herein mentioned. This, to perpetuate the memories of the soldiers of the Revolutionary war, who came here also as first settlers, of those who assisted in the enactment of the Ordinance which stands as the event pre-eminent in the history of this nation, of the founders and defenders of the State and frontier, of the first settlers, and as a recognition of the many sac- rifices made that the present generations might live in peace and pros- perity. May they secure a tribute worthy the cause, and worthy the vast populace it will represent.
The men in activity a hundred years ago have builded their own monument, greater, grander than others can possibly achieve; for the
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opportunity, such as theirs, passed by with their lives. It is only left for their fellow-men, their descendants, to join hand in hand in the perpetuation of their memory. Let such a Memorial be given unto the watchful care and keeping of those familiar with the lives of these men, who remain as descendants, on the spot made hallowed by their memory.
The Centennial Monument Association has been incorporated under the laws of the State, and is engaged in raising funds for a monument to the Pioneers. During the exercises of the Centennial celebration, an hour will be set apart, on Saturday, April 7th, for the laying of the corner stone of this Monument, by the President of the United States.
The Board of Trustees of the Association consists at present of the following gentlemen:
Douglas Putnam,
Henry Fearing,
I. W. Andrews,
George Dana,
Wm. P. Cutler,
E. R. Alderman,
Beman Gates,
John Mills.
The officers are: Douglas Putnam, President; Beman Gates. Treas- urer; R. L. Nye, Secretary.
In order to assist in carrying out an entertaining programme for the Centennial Celebration, the ladies of Marietta have organized a Wo- man's Auxiliary to the Pioneer Association, and are actively engaged in securing funds to meet the expenses of that event.
THE PIONEERS-17SS.
"God speed," in the homes of New England, "God bless you," the earnest reply,- Then, cheer upon cheer, gladly echoed A thrilling farewell and good bye.
The Pioneer band then departed,-
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The steady, the strong and the great,- Westward, the watchward, accepted
With firmness, a New England trait. Great in manhood and bitter privations, With strength to endure to the last, They battled with sturdy convictions, Wherever their fortunes were cast. In descending the beautiful river On a mission, the motive sublime, Their boat guided fearlessly onward To an epoch, recorded by Time. Their boat held the pulse of a nation A nation to them yet unborn, They endured, for the sake of their offspring, And pity, they treated with scorn. They came to the river Muskingum, Then hidden almost from their view, They felled the dense forest about them, They toiled in the sun and the dew. By the stroke of the ax and the hammer, By toil, to these men,-not a dream- Their gardens bloomed forth in their grandeur By the banks of the beautiful stream. In the Autumn the harvest was golden, Out-sprung from the rich virgin soil, -- The workers were pleased with their effort, Well repaid for the summer's hard toil. Men, with their wives and their children, Came here, and enjoyed in their way Their homes in the cabins and forest
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Which are gone now, to dust and decay. Hard struggles ensued with the savage
So treacherous, that no one could tell If the day would bring sadness upon them Or, whether in peace they might dwell. They cleared up these far-reaching valleys, These hills, and the more fertile plain, - Their churches, and schools, to defenders It is hoped will forever remain. Let us meet, and sincerely revere them, Their memory keep sacred and true; While their ashes lie buried around us Revive thus their spirits anew.
[1883.]
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MARIETTA COLLEGE.
This college was founded in the year 1835. The charter provides for the establishment of a seat of learning; a general clause which · covers the whole scope for a liberal diffusion of knowledge says: "For the education of youth in the various branches of useful knowledge." There has never been but one slight amendment to its orignal charter, which was in regard to the increase in the number of its trustees, and possibly in the manner of electing officers.
The buildings are located on high ground in the most desirable and central part of the city. The grounds consist of one full city square or block.
As early as 1790 the idea of providing funds for schools was pro- mulgated, and money was then appropriated for these in Marietta, Belpre, and Waterford. In 1797 a plan was submitted by which a regular academy was established, and thus originated the Muskingum Academy, the first seat of learning in the Northwest Territory under any corporation or company. This continued until about the time of the incorporation of the present college, whose charter members were Luther G. Brigham, John Cotton, Caleb Emerson, John Mills, John Crawford, Arius Nye, Douglas Putnam, Jonas Moore, and Anselm T. Nye. Mr. Crawford and Mr. Nye soon resigning. This college is free from state influence or control, and is the out-growth of men schooled in the War for Independence and others nurtured in Har- vard, Yale, Dartmouth, Brown, and other eastern colleges. There is ample room for the accommodation of a large number of students, it is thoroughly equipped with every facility for the progress of the student, in way of libraries and apparatus for experiments in the vari- ous branches.
The first building or dormitory was erected in 1833, for the "Ma-
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rietta Collegiate Institute and Western Teacher's Seminary." Two years later a new charter was obtained, allowing the conferring of degrees, and making it more substantial, in regard to amendments and repeals. The middle building was completed in 1850. In this are the halls of the college societies. The Hildreth and Slocomb col- lections and a superior cabinet of specimens interesting to the geo- logical and natural history student; also the recitation rooms.
The upper or library building was erected in 1870 by the Alumni of the college. This contains the libraries of the college societies and the college library ; also the chapel, which is called Alumni Hall.
The Alumni of this college, with few exceptions, have not been men of wealth; consequently through that source it has not increased its endowment fund rapidly, neither have bequests been frequent. Benevolent men have supported it generously, so that with a careful fore-sight of its worthy President and the frugal management of its Trustees, there has been a safe and steady increase of funds that has been very satisfactory to the friends of the college, the alumni and citizens of Marietta who have a just pride in this seat of learning.
The first President was Rev. Joel H. Linsley, D. D., from 1835 to 1846. He was succeeded by Rev. Henry Smith, D. D., LL. D., until 1855, when Rev. Israel Ward Andrews, D. D., LL. D., accepted and held the honored position for thirty years, with great judgment, honor and distinction. In 1885 Hon. John Eaton was chosen, and is now the President; an educator of wide reputation in this country and abroad.
A resident of this city, William D. Emerson, in 1836, penned the following :
Here, where two meeting rivers fringe the plain
O'er which the semi-circling green hills tower, The Pioneer City stands; its streets a chain,
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In grace, enfolds each cottage tree and flower; Here, learning loves to build her shady bower, And like a magnet, draws the mind from far; Giving that mind its own magnetic power, Freighting the mental and the moral car,
And sprinkling all the West with many a radiant star.
This college, like all others, suffered greatly, in the breaking up of . classes, during the War of the Rebellion; the average number not again appearing until 1870. There cannot be a more fitting tribute to the student soldiers than was given, in an address, by the President, I. W. Andrews, entitled "Marietta College in the War." An extract is here given :
"Of those who settled on the lands of the Ohio Company within the first few years, probably sixty had held commissions as officers in the war for independence. It was by the descendants of these men that the college at Marietta was founded, and they have been its most generous supporters. Twelve, at least, of its Trustees have been the lineal descendants of the pioneers. The atmosphere of the place was thus of necessity historical, and the students of the institution, gradu- ates and undergraduates, in responding so heartily to the call for troops in 1861, exhibited that patriotic loyalty which might have been ex- pected from those who had been educated under such influence. The descendants of the pioneers will not be ashamed of the deeds and sac- rifices of those of their number who went forth to battle in behalf of their country. The college will never cease to cherish the memory of her youthful sons who attested the sincerity of their patriotism with their blood. And she will ever hold in high honor those whom a kind Providence has spared amid all the perils of war, and permitted to re- turn and enjoy the rich blessings of that Union which their valor helped to secure."
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THE MARIETTA ACADEMY.
The building is situated on the college campus, and is under the direct supervision of the Trustees of the college. It is a college pre- paratory school, and the students can have access to the libraries, lab- ratory and museum of the college. The Professors are Martin R. Andrews, M. A., Principal, assisted by Allen E. Beach, B. A., as · tutor in Latin and Greek.
MARIETTA OBSERVATORY.
In the summer of ISSo several gentlemen of Marietta formed an association for the purpose of securing to this city, an observatory of sufficient accuracy for astronomical researches and correct calculations. The carrying out of their plans in the construction and equipment of the building was given to one of their number, Mr. W. C. Gurley.
The telescope, for general observation is not large, the aperture is six and one-half inches, with a focal length of nine feet. This is un- surpassed in faultless definition, and is exceedingly satisfactory. It was mounted, temporarily, and first used in the observation of the transit of Venus, December 6, ISS2. There is every facility offered for astronomical observations, a Diffraction, Spectroscope, a four inch telescope with finder, mounted on a tripod, a solar prism, and all the etcetera for complete calculations in the siderial heavens. The Driv- ing Clock is surperior in workmanship and operation. To all these have been added a Siderial Clock, purchased of Marietta College; a clock of the same make --- Kessels-is the standard time keeper in the National Observatory, Washington, D. C. The rooms are furnished as parlors or for study, and are pleasant and comfortable.
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NEWSPAPERS.
The first newspaper in the county of Washington, was published November 30, ISO1, called the "Ohio Gazette and the Territorial and Virginia Herald." In 1805, the name was changed to the Ohio Ga- ette and Virginia Herald. It had a succession of names and proprie- tors for a number of years. In 1839, Beman Gates, still a resident of this city, with others, began the publication of the Intelligencer, which in 1842 absorbed the Gazette and its property. The Gazette was the successor to the first paper published. Thus the Intelligencer came to be heir to the succession. In 1862 the property passed into the hands of R. M. Stimson, also a resident of this city, and the name was changed to The Marietta Register. In 1872, the Register was purchased by E. R. Alderman, who has associated his sons, E. S. and A. D. Alderman. It has been published as a semi-weekly since 1883, and has always advocated the principles of the Republican party. The office has in its possession still a portion of the press on which the paper was printed in 1801.
The Marietta Times was established in 1864, by Walter S. Hood, who was suceceeded in 1871 by S. M. Mc Millen, the present proprie- tor. It is successfully managed, and is an exponent of the Democratic party.
The Marietta Zeitung, conducted in the interest of the German population of the county, has been since 1869 under the management of Jacob Mueller, the firm now being Jacob Mueller & Son.
The Marietta Leader was established in ISS1, is Republican in pol- itice, and now controlled by T. F. Davis.
The College Olio, edited by students of Marietta College, is the channel for educational topics. It is published semi-monthly during the college term.
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HARMAR CEMETERY.
Not far from the banks of the Muskingum river, a few paces north of the town, and the site of Fort Harmar, is a burial place known as the Harmar cemetery. It is a secluded spot of not more than four acres of ground, lying at the base of a rugged hill that rises abruptly far above it. The marble shafts stand out in bold relief summer and winter, the deep, dark green of fir and spruce and the grassy slope ever forming a contrasting back-ground for the white purity of the marble.
Aside from its natural beauties there is little to attract strangers within the gates, until it is known that this is the oldest cemetery in the State of Ohio, and-thereby in the " Territory Northwest of the Ohio," -- that was formally reserved for such a purpose and is still in use. This plat of ground was so reserved by the Ohio Company in the year 1796. Ground was reserved in Marietta at the same time, but the bodies there laid to rest were long ago reinterred, and the place abandoned as a cemetery.
Many of the pioneers and early settlers, who sleep the sleep of un- numbered years, lie in the Harmar cemetery. Among them Paul Fearing, Joseph Gilman, Joseph Bosworth, and Christopher Burlin- game. Recently a handsome granite shaft has been erected to the memory of B. D. Fearing, Brigadier General in the war of the Re- bellion. The first interments on the frontier were of soldiers whose deaths occurred while they were stationed at Fort Harmar; where these graves were located or discovered the remains were re-interred in other burial lots, that of Englehard Hopper in Oak Grove.
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MOUND CEMETERY.
The spot of ground so-called was first reserved and intended as a public park, to be designated as Marie Antoinette Square. Commu- nications were sent to the Queen of France, asking the privilege of so commemorating her name and kindly interest in this country and gov- ernment. Ill health caused a final delay in her reply so it was after- wards called Mound Square.
View of Mound Cemetery.
In 1791, Joseph Gilman, Rev. Daniel Story, and Jonathan Hart
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were appointed a committee to lease the public squares to individuals designating the care and ornamentation to be bestowed upon them.
The Mound Square was leased to General Rufus Putnam for twelve years, provided "he would surround the whole square with mulberry trees, with an elm at each corner. The base of the mound to be en- circled with weeping willows, with evergreens on the mound. The circular parapet outside the ditch to be surrounded with trees, all within the square to remain undisturbed by the plow, and seeded down to grass, the whole enclosed with a post and rail fence." It might also be added here that the greater part of the ancient earth works, of which the mound is a part, were so reserved for a great many years; and two large elevated squares of pre-historic origin are still the property of the city and handsome specimens of the race known as the Mound Builders. Trustees were appointed to carry out the de- sign of the Ohio Company until such a time as the town would be incorporated, and take charge of and care for them.
Whether the transactions were ever carried out by General Putnam or not is left for the inference of the reader, as there are no indications now of trees being planted as designated by the lease. Dr. Hildreth elsewhere says that Mound Square was reserved by the Ministerial Trustees of Marietta at an early day and leased to the town, with about four acres of ground, as a public burying ground; the first in- terment taking place September 30, ISO1, that of the body of Colonel Robert Taylor. Captain Josiah Munro, a Revolutionary soldier, died one month earlier and is now buried in Mound Cemetery, but was re- interred from an abandoned lot. The mound is near the centre of the square, is a perfect circle at the base, which is one hundred and fifteen feet in diamiter, with a parapet encircling it, broad enough for a carriage way. This leaves a ditch or moat between the base of the mound and this circle, about sixteen feet broad. Large forest trees
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grow upon every part of it. Stone steps have been placed upon the North side, so that persons can ascend to the top with ease, and can there secure a fine outlook; scanning a portion of the Ohio river, the extreme points visible being nearly seven miles apart. The perfect proportions, the great size, the peculiar formation, might be all there is to admire. This is not all, to citizens who have beheld it a life- time. They confess an admiration for its perfect symmetry a sincere pride in its existance, and justly consider it the monument of two dis- tinct races: The time and activity of the builders not clearly known, and of the other, sooner forgotten but for this conspicuous reminder, around whose base in encircled the burial place of the heroes of four wars. It is then the Nation's pride, the pride of the State, of the com- monwealth, emanating from the Northwest Territory, as well as a place reserved by the citizens of this county and city. There is not, in all probability, a cemetery, aside from those in close proximity with the battle grounds, where rest so many soldiers, and especially soldiers of the Revolutionary War.
Would that it could be told in whispers, some of these men died too poor to provide their own tomb-stones; no fault of theirs, and no dis- honor, but rather a credit that has long stood in their favor, and should ever be recognized. The best years of their lives were spent in defense of their country. Their families impoverished by the cause and con- tinuation of the war. They accepted this western wilderness as a compensation for services rendered their country, were soon involved in war here, with the Indians, and in their last efforts to provide for their families gave up their lives, and lie buried within the limits of Washington county, half of the names here given, in Mound Ceme- tery. The list is not complete, but given as far as has been ascer- tained.
Revolutionary Soldiers-Mound Cemetery: Commodore Abraham
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Whipple, General Rufus Putnam, General Joseph Buell, General Benjamin Tupper, Major Ezra Putnam, Colonel Ichabod Nye, Col- onel Ebenezer Sproat, Colonel William Stacey, Captain Josiah Munro, Captain Nathaniel Salstanstall, Captain William Mills, Lieutenant Joseph Lincoln, Mr. Nathaniel Dodge, Mr. Ephraim Foster.
General James M. Varnum, Colonel Robert Oliver, Captain Joseph Rogers, and a number of others-names unknown-re-interred in Oak Grove cemetery, near by. In Harmar cemetery are Christopher Bur- lingame, Joseph Bosworth, and others, names not ascertained.
Belpre :- Major Robert Bradford, Major Oliver Rice, Colonel Na- thaniel Cushing, Colonel Daniel Fisher, Colonel Silas Bent, Colonel Israel Putnam, Captain Zebulon King, Captain William Dana, Cap tain Jonathan Stone, Captain Nathan Goodale,* William James, Ben- jamin Miles, Lieutenant Jonathan Haskell, Sherabiah Fletcher. Wa- terford :- Major Haffield White, Major Asa Coburn, Major Dean Tyler, Lieutenants Neale McGaffy, William Gray, Benjamin Con- verse. Newport :- Colonel Ebenezer Battelle, Oliver Woodward. Barlow :- Samuel Chapman. Muskingum Tp .:- Captain Jonathan Devol. Watertown :- Daniel Davis. Captain Benjamin Brown probably at Amesville, formerly in Washington county.
Judge Burnett, in speaking of the Marietta colony of which the above list is a part, says :
"After having spent the most valuable period of their lives in the army, enduring every species of exposure, fatigue and suffering; they were dismissed to their homes, if they were so fortunate as to have any, with nothing but empty promises, which have never been realized; and most of them with broken or impaired constitutions. The cer- tificates they received as evidence of the sums due them from the country were almost valueless. They were bought and sold in the
*Captured by Indians.
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market at two shilling and six pence for twenty shillings; and as late as 1788, they were only worth five shilling in the pound. They were honorable, high-minded men, whose feelings rebelled at the thought of living in poverty among people of comparative wealth, for the pro- tection of which, their own poverty had been incurred. Under the influence of that noble feeling hundreds of those brave men left their friends, and sought retirement on the frontiers, where no invidious comparisons could be drawn between wealth and poverty; and where they became involved in the hazardous conflicts of another war."
The friends and descendants of a number have paid fitting tributes to their dead, by the erection of tablets to their memory, replacing those gone to decay, and in many ways manifesting an interest in the preservation of their deeds of valor and patriotism.
The soldiers of the war of 1812 are well represented in this ceme- tery, among them, Governor Return J. Meigs, Jr., ( War Governor from 1810 to 1814), Col. John Thornily, Major Alexander Hill, Major William Hart, Major John Clark, Captain Timothy Buell, Jason Curtis, Joseph L. Reckard, Sen., Wyllis Hall, Jasher Taylor, Stephen Daniels, Harry Cogswell, Robert Wells.
The long list of names of the soldiers of the war of the Rebellion, would only revive heart-aches if here published; their names have been preserved, and will stand out as boldly a hundred years hence, as they do to-day. The citizens of this county have erected a fine monument to their soldiers who fell in the late war.
Soon after the close of the war of the Rebellion, in 1865, there was an association of gentlemen organized for the purpose of erecting a monument to the soldiers of Washington county. A charter was granted and immediate action taken, for securing funds for the erection of a monument. One year from that time, something over sixteen hundred dollars were reported as in the treasury. Subscriptions con- tinued to increase until 1873, when over four thousand dollars had
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been secured. The monument was completed at a cost of five thou- sand dollars, and stands on the City Park, as a handsome testimonial of the citizens of Washington county to her deceased soldiers for whom it was erected. There were over four thousand soldiers en- listed during the war from this county. Two camps for the enlist- ment and rendezvous of soldiers at Marietta, Camp Putnam, named for Gen. Rufus Putnam, and Camp Tupper, for Gen. Benjamin Tupper.
Through the patriotism of its soldiers, and the loyalty of its citizens, the principles of the founding of this government, were preserved and a national independence maintained such as does not exist on another portion of this globe.
There were sixty commissioned officers among the early settlers of Marietta. It is shown that in Mound cemetery, in this city of the dead, rest soldiers of the war for Independence, the promoters of the Ordinance of 1787, the men of the Ohio Company who were the ad- vance guard of a vast commonwealth, soldiers of the war of 1812, of the Mexican war, and heroes of the last war, soldiers and civilians all equal in death, lie side by side, at the base of the majestic mound whose sphinx-like silence reveals not the history of the past. Some have fitting monuments to mark their graves, others have none. The gov- ernment and the people representing it, and enjoying its provisions, know their just obligations. Like these men, now resting from their labors,-the nation was poor which was its excuse for withholding that which it was willing to bestow upon from those deserving its recognition. May it now be considered a privilege to assist in one grand monument to their memory that will be imperishable in the coming years, and serve as a reminder of the valor and patriotism of the heroes of one hundred years ago now sleeping in Ohio soil.
A few selections have been made from tomb-stones, to show the character of the departed.
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These men, associates in Massachusetts, also, in the formation and carrying out of the plans of the Ohio Company, now rest in the same cemetery :
GEN' RUFUS PUTNAM, a Revolutionary officer and the leader of the colony which made the first settlement in the Territory of the Northwest at Marietta April 7, 1788. Born April 9, 1738. Died May 4, 1824.
GEN' BENJAMIN TUPPER, Born At Sharon Mass' in 1738 Died June 7, 1792 aged 54 years.
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