USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > Cincinnati in 1841 : its early annals and future prospects > Part 3
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Vth Ward, extends from Main to Plum street, and from Sixth street to the corporation line.
VIth Ward embraces that part of the city from Sixth street to the river, and from Western-row to Mill-creek.
c 2
30
CLIMATE.
VIIth Ward, includes the space from Sixth street north, and Plum street west, to the corporation lines.
CLIMATE.
The climate of Cincinnati and vicinity, is such as might be expected in its appropriate latitude. It differs from the same parallel at the Atlantic, only in being rather more variable in the range of the thermometer, and in the greater frequency of rain in the winter months. Indeed, a fall of many degrees in the thermometer, in the course of but a few hours, is not uncommon in this city, at any period of the year. The cold weather in winter is of intensity equal to that at the east, and perhaps the north, but severe frosts are less frequent in their occurrence, and of briefer existence. Snow rarely lies long enough to furnish sleighing, and the constant alternation of freezing and thawing renders the traveling through unpaved streets, in the winter season, very unpleasant.
On the whole, as may be seen by comparing our bills of mortality with those of other cities, there is reason to believe this to be as healthy a place, as can be found in the United States, of any thing like equal density of population and pe- riod of existence. At the same time, a city laid out to afford a ventilation as free, and a drainage as efficient as ours, must keep pace improving in health, in a degree commensurate with its other improvements.
Table of Mortality.
Deaths in 1828
647
1
in 37
1831
820
1 34
1833
1,170
1 27
1835
926
1 37
1836
928
1 40
1837
968
1 39
1838
1,356
1 33
1839
1,282
1 35
1840
1,323
1
35
Average mortality, 1 in 35.
31
CLIMATE.
Various circumstances connected with this subject must, however, be taken into account in forming an estimate of the health of Cincinnati. Numbers, in the successive stages of pulmonary disease, have been sent out by their friends at the east, to derive benefit from the milder winters of the south- west. Quite a large class, who are received at our marine hospital, are river-characters from various points of the west- ern country ; and strangers from all quarters, who are destitute of relatives and friends, are left here to enjoy the benefits of that noble institution ; benefits afforded to these two classes freely and without expense. Various reasons also induce per- sons residing outside the city, to bury within its limits ; and the German population to a considerable distance, with the Irish laborers on the neighboring canals, who are principally Roman Catholics, would naturally desire to be buried in con- secrated ground. All this variety of cases serves to swell the list of deaths, or rather burials in this city, with persons who never formed any part of our population. Last year's re- turns-1840-will serve, in part, to illustrate this. The bu- rials here were 1,323. Of these 97, as ascertained by the hospital books, were strangers. There can be no doubt that as many more were brought here to the Roman Catholic bu- rying-ground, among the 401 reported as buried there, during the last year; for the German population is nearly as dense immediately outside the city as within its limits. Thus, with- out including other portions of the community in like circum- stances, but of less consequence in numbers, the deaths pro- per to the city would be reduced to 1,129, or 1 in 39, which would be about a fair statement of the proportions in the case, not for the year only, but for the last five years.
This is a degree of health equal to the average of the Unit- ed States, and decidedly more favorable in its complexion than our large cities exhibit. In Boston, the proportion is 1 in 38; New York, 1 in 37; Philadelphia, 1 in 36. In Europe, the deaths are-Naples, 1 in 28; Paris, 1 in 33; London, 1 in 39; and Glasgow, 1 in 44.
POPULATION.
Census of Cincinnati-1840.
WHITE MALES.
Ward I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
Total.
Under 5 years
. . 669
370
455
365
729
435
427
3,450
5 to 10 years
. . 360
240
225
218
486
290
247
2,066
10 to 15 years
. . 297
215
227
202
434
223
218
1,816
15 to 20 years
· . . 358
290
390
291
457
209
226
2,221
20 to 30 years
. 1,281
786
1,996
1,156
1,084
473
545
7,321
30 to 40 years
· · 750
382
744
431
758
359
376
3,800
40 to 50 years
. . 251
163
260
180
336
134
173
1,497
50 to 60 years
· . . 117
78
85
82
156
65
90
673
60 to 70 years
54
47
24
79
26
34
303
70 to 80 years
12
12
8
24
12
14
93
80 to 90 years
·
· ·
. . 3
0
0
1
4
3
5
16
90 to 100 years
·
. . 1
0
0
1
1
0
1
4
over 100 years
. 0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
4,137
2,590
4,441
2,960
4,548
2,229
2,356
23,261
.
·
·
· · 11
This table, with those which follow on the next pages, is a transcript of the sixth census of the United States, and the dates, unless otherwise stated in the various population statistics, refer to June 1st, 1840.
POPULATION.
32
·
· . . 39
33
Census of Cincinnati-1840.
WHITE FEMALES.
Ward I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
Total.
Under 5 years
. 634
356
420
401
754
389
404
3,358
5 to 10 years
· 369
240
265
269
454
267
242
2,106
10 to 15 years
. 340
284
248
224
446
233
237
2,012
15 to 20 years
. 462
459
365
320
552
277
276
2,711
20 to 30 years
. 956
693
715
716
1,093
524
541
5,238
30 to 40 years
. 542
305
332
323
598
303
320
2,723
40 to 50 years
. 261
171
190
168
301
178
184
1,453
50 to 60 years
. 114
99
91
71
175
71
110
731
60 to 70 years
. 57
53
47
48
79
51
46
381
70 to 80 years
. 23
19
14
16
21
14
19
126
80 to 90 years
· .5
2
1
3
4
3
5
23
90 to 100 years
.0
0
0
1
0
0
0
1
3,763
2,681
2,688
2,560
4,477
2,310
2,384
20,863
·
.
·
POPULATION.
The disparity between the males and females, in the same wards, is principally noticeable in the fourth and fifth lines of this, and the preceding table. It may be referred to two causes : first, many persons among the males, emigrating, precede their families, for the purpose of testing the advantages of the measure at the least expense; and, in the second place, numbers of young and unmarried men, from the eastward, are continually arriving here in search of employment, most of whom remain in the city.
34
Census of Cincinnati-1840.
COLORED MALES.
Ward I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
VII.
Total.
Under 10 years
. . 87
8
16
43
41
7
5
207
10 to 24 years
. . 131
14
31
69
37
2
9
293
24 to 36 years
. . 162
9
36
76
29
1
5
318
" 36 to 55 years
. . 64
4
9
38
22
3
7
147
55 to 100 years
14
2
3
21
6
1
1
48
over 100 years
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
458
37
95
247
135
14
28
1,014
COLORED FEMALES.
Under 10 years
. . 119
6
21
74
44
5
10
279
10 to 24 years .
. . 173
32
36
92
58
8
16
415
24 to 36 years .
· . . 130
13
31
84
52
6
10
326
36 to 55 years
·
· · · 71
9
45
18
4
9
163
55 to 100 years
· · · · 18
4
4
25
9
1
0
61
511
62
101
320
181.
24
45
1,244
RECAPITULATION.
White . . . . . 7,900 Colored . · · · 969
5,271
7,129
5,520
9,025
4,539
4,740
44,124
99
196
567
316
38
73
2,258
·
·
-
-
POPULATION.
35
POPULATION.
Hamilton County .- Townships.
Anderson
· 2,311
Symmes
1,033
Colrain
2,272
Delhi
1,466
Sycamore
3,207
Storrs 740
Columbia
· 3,022
Greene · 2,939
Fulton
1,505
Miami .
· 2,189
Mill-creek
· 6,249
Springfield
· 3,092
Crosby
· 1,875
Whitewater
· 1,883
33,783
White males
18,058
females
15,390
Colored persons
· 335
33,783 1348166
Comparative Table.
Cincinnati.
Louisville.
Pittsburg.
New Orleans.
Census of 1800
750
600
1,565
9,650
1810
2,540
1,350
4,768
17,242
1820
9,602
4,012
7,243
27,176
1830
24,831
10,306
21,412*
46,310
1840
46,382
21,214*
36,478*
102,294
These census returns, so far as respects Cincinnati, embrace residents within its corporate limits only. If we connect Cov- ington, Newport, Fulton and the adjacent parts of Mill-creek township on the north, which may be included as suburb pop- ulation to Cincinnati, with as much propriety as Allegheny city and Pitt township are with Pittsburg in the 36,478 giv- en above, this city has, in that case, at least 60,000 inhabit- ants. The same allowance must be made in comparisons with most other places ; which, it will be found on scrutiny, em- brace within their reputed population the surrounding neigh- borhoods, to considerable extent. Thus, Philadelphia, with- in its corporate bounds, has 98,773 inhabitants, while such an
* Including suburbs.
36
POPULATION.
extent of adjacent territory is usually included in reference to that city, as to swell its numbers to 258,922. Other cities- Louisville and New Orleans, for example,-since 1810, have also been greatly enlarged in their territorial limits.
At the same time it must be borne in mind, that Cincinnati, as is manifest from the above parallel, derives little-population considered-from immediate neighborhoods, compared with other places. We have more than one half the number of inhabitants of Philadelphia, and twice that of Pittsburg, if we exclude suburbs.
The only example of growth, which can equal or surpass that of this city, is New Orleans. A reference to the com- parative table which heads this article, shews that this last city, the great in and outlet of the Mississipi valley trade, has increased in thirty years, from 17,242 to 102,294 inhabitants. Now, though it is probable this number was found there on the 1st day of June last-the date of the census of 1840,- yet it is a qualifying circumstance, well known to all who know any thing of New Orleans, that in that city there are at all times-the sickly season perhaps excepted-a propor- tionate population of strangers, and transient residents, un- common elsewhere. And there can be little doubt that thous- ands have been embraced in the late enumeration there, who have been taken in various places at their proper homes, al- though absent at the time. The votes polled in New Orleans, after making due allowance for restrictions in suffrage, fully warrant this view of the case.
Without insisting, however, on this point, it will be seen that while, in 1820, Cincinnati had only one half the popula- tion of New Orleans in 1810, in 1830 ours had nearly equal- ed theirs of 1820 ; and in 1840 we have exceeded their return of 1830, thereby gaining steadily upon that city, census after census. Whether Cincinnati shall gain in the same, or a greater ratio, for the future, is of course only conjecture.
It is but justice to ourselves, to state that, heretofore, there has been no prospective estimate of our population which has
37
POPULATION.
not fallen far short of actual numbers, when the period to which reference was made had arrived. In 1820, an old res- ident and an influential and intelligent member of society, gave his opinion, that in 1830, the city population would prove 20,000; in 1840, 35,000; and in 1850, 50,000. He lived long enough to find his estimates, although pronounced at the time they were made, visionary and extravagant, far below the fact, as revealed by the respective official returns of 1830 and 1840.
The colored population here, in 1826, amounted to 690, the white inhabitants being then 15,540. Of course they formed, at that time, about one in twenty-four of the commu- nity. The present relative numbers, with sufficient accuracy, may be stated as one to twenty. This gain on 1826, is en- tirely owing to additions to these people from other places. The late Cincinnati returns-and the fact is probably general in its character-abundantly prove, that the ratio of increase, by births, to population, corresponds to the length of settle- ment of a given place. The colored population are greatly deficient in children, that class under ten years of age being to the adults, as one to four ; whereas one child to three per- sons over that age, averages the proportions in the families of the whites. The difference would be greater but for the fact, that in this last estimate are included the families of Germans, who, under the operation of this law of statistics, have fewer children than their older fellow residents.
The Germans, with their wives and children, a share of which are natives of this country, amount to 14,163 persons. They may be apportioned to the different wards as follows.
First Ward,. . 3,630 Fifth Ward, . .. 4,320
Second «
1,137
Sixth 695
Third "
1,912
Seventh " 1,473
Fourth "
996
Total,
14,163
D
38
POPULATION.
Increase of Population.
Year.
Population.
1795
500
1800
750
1805
960
1810
2,320
1813
4,000
Year.
Votes.
1815
6,000
1809
227
1820
9,602
1810
327
1824
12,016
1814
411
1826
15,540
1820
850
1829
22,148
1821
732
1830
24,831
1822
1,597
1831
26,071
1823
1,861
1832
28,014
1827
2,349
1833
27,645
1833
3,995
1835
29,000
1834
4,007
1839
42,500
1836
4,385
1840
46,381
1838
4,573
184]
50,000
1840
6,340
Elements of Population.
The population of Cincinnati is made up of various ingre- dients. Its first settlers were, as would be naturally expected, emigrants from New Jersey, in whose footsteps successively followed Pennsylvanians, Virginians, Marylanders, New York ers, and lastly New Englanders. Among these, the first two predominate in numbers, Pennsylvania supplying the largest element of native American residents. First in order of time of the foreigners, are our English and Scots citizens, and, in point of numbers, the Germans. Of our adult population, these last may form nearly one third, and from their numbers and nationality, constitute the most important ingredient in the community. Ireland and Wales have also contributed a due proportion of immigrants to our city, the first being rather be- low, and the second greatly above their average proportion in the Atlantic cities. The following list may serve to indicate the various component parts of our population. Males only are referred to in the table.
39
POPULATION.
Natives of the United States.
Pennsylvania,
1,210
Indiana, 60
Ohio, .
1,112
North Carolina, 45
New Jersey,
795
District of Columbia, 36
New York,
672
Tennessee, 22
Virginia, 519
South Carolina, 22
Maryland, 537
Georgia, 18
Massachusetts,
414
Louisiana, 17
Kentucky,
349
Mississipi, 12
Connecticut, 230
Michigan, . 10
Vermont, 118
Illinois, 10
Maine, .
96
Alabama, 4
Delaware,
90
Missouri,
3
New Hampshire, 70
Arkansas,
1
Rhode Island, 62
Total, 6,594
Foreigners by Birth.
Germanic states, · 3,440
Spain, .
4
England,
786
Atlantic Ocean, 4
Ireland,
742
Isle of Jersey,
4
Scotland,
360
Russia, .
3
France,
125
Sweden,
2
Wales, . .
84
Belgium,
2
Canada & Nova Scotia, 38
Madeira,
2
Switzerland,
31
Candia, 1
Italy,
25
Malta, 1
Holland,
14
Portugal,.
1
Poland,
14
Mexico, 1
Denmark,
7
Isle of Man,
1
Norway,
6
Total,
5,698
Constituent Proportions.
America,
54 per cent.
Germany,
28
Great Britain,
16
France and Italy,
1
All other states,
1. -100
These lists determine two facts ; that of the adults, nearly one half are foreigners; and that every state of the Union, and almost every part of Europe, are represented in the pop- ulation of this city.
40
DWELLING-HOUSES AND STORES.
DWELLING-HOUSES AND STORES.
THE building of ware-houses and dwellings, has been car ried on for many years in Cincinnati, as a regular department of domestic industry, second only in importance to our pork operations. But, although hundreds of tenements have been thus added, year by year, to the accommodation and enlarge- ment of the city, there has been no period within the last twenty years, in which the supply has overtaken and kept up with the wants of the community. In 1826, it was an ordi- nary occurrence for a stranger who had selected Cincinnati as a residence, to be kept waiting at public houses, under great expense, for weeks, before he could procure a habitation for his family. This, it may be said, was a period of uncommon prosperity : yet amidst all the vicissitudes of business since- during the memorable pressure of 1834, and all the paralyses of 1837 to 1840, the case has been the same. Houses still are-as they have been for years-contracted for by renters, while in progress of building ; and houses already under rent, engaged for new tenants, months before the existing occupants were ready to remove.
The first regular enumeration made and on record, of the buildings of Cincinnati, was in July, 1815, when they were found to number 1070: being of stone, 20; of wood, 800; and of brick, 250. Of these, 660 were tenanted by families ; 410 public buildings, shops, warehouses and offices, making up the residue.
In March, 1819, the dwelling and ware-houses in the city were again numbered, and found to be,
Of brick and stone, two, three and four stories, . . 387 Do. do. one story, 45
Of wood, two or more stories, 615
Do. one story, 849
Total, 1,896
41
DWELLING-HOUSES AND STORES.
Of these were dwelling-houses, 1,003 Shops, ware-houses and public buildings, . 887
'The next enumeration of houses was made by Messrs. Drake and Mansfield, for their publication "Cincinnati in 1826," towards the close of that year, when there were found 18 stone, 936 brick, and 1,541 frame buildings. Of these, 650 were one story, 1,682, two stories, and 163 three and four stories in height; making an aggregate of 2,495 tene- ments, being all places of abode or business. In all these statements, every description of out-building is excluded, and no additions to houses previously erected, are taken into account.
There has been no enumeration since, nor any estimate giv- en to the public ; but assuming the fact that houses and inhab- itants bear the same relation of numbers to each other in 1841, which they did at any of the three periods referred to, there would now be about 6,800 edifices, private and public, a much greater proportion of brick being in this number, than in any previous statement.
The following list, taken from official reports, furnishes the buildings of 1827 and 1828.
Brick, of one story, .8
66 two stories, 131
66 three do. 77
four do. .1
-217
Frame, of one story,
29
two stories, 250
-279
Total, . 496
In 1829 and 1830, an addition of 475 buildings was made to the city, and in 1833, of 321. Of these last, 200 were brick and 121 frames. In 1839, there were 394 new build- ings added, of which 280 were brick and 114 frames. There were built in 1840, as follows :-
D 2
42
OCCUPATIONS, TRADES AND PURSUITS.
Wards.
1st. 2d.
3d.
4th.
5th.
6th.
7th.
Total.
Brick,
47
17
31
12
76
33
44
260
Frame,
13
1
14
3
43
18
54
146
Total,
. 406
If we estimate the buildings for the intervening periods, which cannot be ascertained otherwise, at the rates of the ad- jacent years, the growth in buildings may be thus arrived at.
Prior to 1827
2,495
1831
250
1836
365
In 1827
217
1832
300
1837
305
1828
279
1833
321
1838
334
1829
270
2834
300
1839
394
1830
205
1835
340
1840
406
Total, .
· 6,781
It is manifest from this statement, that the proportion of brick buildings is increasing, while that of frames is in the same measure falling off. The disparity between these is es- pecially great in the central and business parts of the city. It may be remarked also, that the dwelling and ware-houses put up during the last two years, while they are in greater num- bers than for any equal space of time before, greatly surpass those previously erected, in value, elegance and convenience.
OCCUPATIONS, TRADES AND PURSUITS.
I. The Bar, Pulpit, Faculty, Literature, Science and the Fine Arts.
Attorneys, authors, architects, civil engineers, clergymen, designers and draughtsmen, editors, engravers, musicians, miniature, landscape and portrait painters, surveyors, teach- ers,
· 434 persons.
II. Commerce and Navigation.
Booksellers, brokers, book-keepers, clerks, commission, produce, dry-goods and hardware merchants ; dealers in boat- stores, iron, queensware, glass, wood, coal, variety and fancy
43
OCCUPATIONS, TRADES AND PURSUITS.
goods, furs, ice, lumber, paints, shoes, and umbrellas ; drug- gists, fruiterers, pedlars, river traders, steam-boat characters, 2,226 persons.
III. Manufactures and Mechanic Arts.
Brick-makers, brass-founders, blacksmiths, basket-makers, brick and stone-masons, boiler-makers, butchers, burr mill- stone-makers, book-binders, bakers, brewers, box and ice- chest-makers, beef and pork-packers, britannia-ware-makers, button-turners, brush-makers, carpenters, clock-makers, coop- ers, chair-makers, confectioners, cabinet-makers, caulkers, copper, sheet-iron and tin-plate-workers, comb-makers, coach- painters and makers, carpet-weavers, cart and wagon-makers, dyers, desk-makers, distillers, engine-builders, engineers, edge- tool-makers and grinders, finishers, founders, gilders, glass- cutters, gold and silver-smiths, hatters, jewellers, lock-mak- ers, looking-glass and picture-frame-makers, machinists, mill- wrights, milliners, marble and stone-workers, moulders, mat- ress-makers, millers, musical, optical, philosophical and sur- gical instrument-makers, oil-cloth-makers, plasterers, plane- makers, printers, pattern-makers, planers, paper-stainers and hangers, pump and block-makers, potters, plough-makers, plumbers, rope-makers, steam-boat-builders, shoe-makers, sad- dlers, sausage-makers, stereotypers, sash, door and blind- makers, soap and candle-makers, tailors, tobacconists, turners, trunk-makers, type-founders, tanners and curriers, and wire- workers, · 10,866 persons.
IV. Miscellaneous.
Agents, bar-keepers, barbers, boarding, eating and coffee- house-keepers, carters, cooks, draymen, gardeners, hotel and tavern-keepers, pavers, stage-drivers, · · · · 1,025 persons.
44
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
Courts of Judicature.
BESIDES the administration of justice by township magis- trates, residing in Cincinnati, and the mayor, who derives his authority under the city charter, there are three courts held here ; the Supreme Court, the Court of Common Pleas, and the Superior Court.
1. The Supreme Court of Ohio holds its session here in the month of April, annually. It has, by law, exclusive juris- diction in all cases of divorce ; original jurisdiction-concur- rent with that of the common pleas-in all civil cases, both at law and equity, in which the cause of action exceeds one thousand dollars ; and appellate jurisdiction from the decisions of the court of common pleas and superior court, in all cas- es in which those courts have original jurisdiction. It can, also, issue all writs necessary to enforce its authority, in the due administration of justice.
2. The Court of Common Pleas for Hamilton county, is held once in three months for the trial of criminals, and once in four months for the settlement of the civil docket. This court has original jurisdiction in all civil cases, both in law and equity, where the matter in dispute exceeds the jurisdic- tion of a justice of the peace; and appellate jurisdiction from decisions of the mayor and justices. It has also cognizance of all crimes, offences and misdemeanors, for which the sta- tutes of Ohio provide punishment .* It has sole jurisdiction of all matters of a probate or testamentary nature. It appoints guardians, and issues all writs, except those of error and man- damus. It has likewise authority to appoint its clerk, com- missioner of insolvents, masters in chancery, and inspectors of flour, salt, pork and beef, oil and whisky. It issues li-
* By the laws of the state, no crime is punished capitally but murder in the first degree. In cases of this offence, the accused can elect to be tried by the supreme court.
45
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
censes to ministers to solemnize marriage, and auctioneers to hold sales, and for ferries out of the city.
3. The Superior Court was established in 1838, for the purpose of facilitating the despatch of business on the civil docket in the court of common pleas. It has concurrent ju- risdiction with the court of common pleas, of all civil cases at common law and chancery, in which that court has original jurisdiction. Its sessions commence on the first Mondays of January, April, July and October.
4. The mayor, in his judicial capacity, has exclusive au- thority in all causes for the violation of city ordinances, be- sides possessing such criminal jurisdiction and powers as are vested in justices of the peace.
5. Justices of the peace. Of these there are six in the city. They are conservators of the peace, and can examine witnesses, and admit to bail or commit for trial, all persons charged with a breach of the laws. Their jurisdiction in cri- minal cases, extends throughout the county, but in civil cases is limited to the city, and does not exceed in amount one hun- dred dollars, except in voluntary confessions of judgment, in which case it extends to two hundred dollars, and is co-exten- sive with the county.
Supreme Court.
Peter Hitchcock, Ebenezer Lane, Frederic Grimke and Reuben Wood, Judges. Isaac G. Burnet, Clerk.
Court of Common Pleas.
N. C. Read, President Judge; Henry Morse, Richard Ayres and Israel Brown, Associates. J. W. Piatt, Clerk. John C. Avery, Sheriff. J. T. Crapsey, Prosec. Attorney.
Superior Court.
David K. Este, Judge. Daniel Gano, Clerk.
Master Commissioners in Chancery.
Edward Woodruff, Adam N. Riddle, William B. Caldwell and Benjamin B. Fessenden.
46
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
Justices of the Peace for Cincinnati Township.
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