USA > Ohio > Cuyahoga County > Cleveland > Early history of Cleveland, Ohio : including papers and other matter relating to the adjacent country : with biographical notices of the pioneers and surveyors > Part 10
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On the 18th, PORTER and myself went on the ' creek in a bark canoe, a fishing, and caught only three little ones.
Sunday, 19th June .- Left Buffalo in WINNEY's boat, for Chippewa, had a fair wind down, and arrived about one o'clock at Chippewa, dined at FANNING's, found our goods were not at the Gore, in Chippewa, and was obliged to go to Queenstown after them, and as I could not get a horse was obliged to walk. I got to Queenstown before night and lodged at Col. INGERSOLL's, next morning set out for Buffalo. On the way I stopped to take a view of Niagara Falls. That river, a little above Fort Slusher, is two and one half miles wide. Soon after this the water is very rapid, and continuing on, is hurried with amazing impetuosity down the most stupenduous precipice perhaps in nature. There is a fog continually arising, occasioned by the tumbling of the water, which, in a clear morning, is seen from lake Erie, at the distance of thirty or forty miles, as is the noise also heard. As the hands were very dilatory in leaving Chippewa, we were obliged to encamp on the great island in the river. We struck a fire and cooked some squirrels and pigeons, and a
176
TREATY AT BUFFALO.
young partridge; two I eat for supper. I slept very sound all night, between a large log and the bank of the river. The next day arrived at Buffalo. About two o'clock this afternoon, the council fire with the Six Nations was uncovered, and at evening was again covered until morning, when it was opened again, and after some considerable delay, Captain BRANT gave General CLEAVELAND a speech in writing.
The chiefs, after this, were determined to get drunk. No more business was done this day. In the evening, the Indians had one of their old ceremo- nial dances, where one gets up and walks up and down between them, singing something, and those who sit around keep tune, by grunting.
Next morning, which was the 23d, after several speeches back and forth, from RED JACKET to Gen- eral CLEAVELAND, Captain CHAPIN, BRANT, &c., &c.
General CLEAVELAND answered Captain BRANT'S speech. In short, the business was concluded in this
way. General CLEAVELAND offered BRANT one thousand dollars as a present. BRANT, in answer, told General CLEAVELAND that their minds were easily satisfied, but that they thought his offer was not enough, and added this to it, that if he would use his influence with the United States, to procure an annuity of five hundred dollars par, and if this should fail, that the Connecticut Land Company should, in a reasonable time, make an additional
3
177
RED JACKET'S VIEWS.
present of one thousand five hundred dollars, which was agreed to. The Mohawks are to give one hun- dred dollars to the Senecas, and CLEAVELAND gave two beef cattle and whisky, to make a feast for them.
Thursday, June 23d .- FARMERS BROTHER, RED JACKET, and LITTLE BILLY, and GREEN GRASS HOPPER dined with the Commissioners. In the course of conversation RED JACKET gave his sentiments upon religion, which were to this purpose. You white people make a great parade about religion, you say you have a book of laws and rules which was given you by the Great Spirit, but is this true? Was it written by his own hand and given to you? No, says he, it was written by your own people. They do it to deceive you. Their whole wishes center here, (pointing to his pocket,) all they want is the money. (It happened there was a priest in the room at the same time who heard him.) He says white people tell them, they wish to come and live among them as brothers, and learn them agriculture. So they bring on implements of husbandry and presents, tell them good stories, and all appears honest. But when they are gone all appears as a dream. Our land is taken from us, and still we don't know how to farm it.
Monday, June 27th .- At five minutes after eleven o'clock we left Buffalo creek. Wind fair when we started, but soon came ahead. We went forward to
178
LEAVE BUFFALO.
Cataragus creek, which is thirty-six miles by land, but not more than twenty-eight by water, where we encamped on the beach for the night. Early in the morning of the 28th we left Cataragus with a fair wind, but had not sailed one hundred rods before it came plump ahead, and we returned into the creek again, and pitched our tents for the day. The wind continued to blow very hard from the north-west, so long that we were obliged to remain there till the first of July. On Friday morning we left Cataragus creek with a fair wind, which lasted till about ten o'clock, when it came more ahead, but we continued rowing, and encamped the next night past the Penn- sylvania line, and about sixteen miles from Presque Isle. Next morning run into Presque Isle harbor, by a quarter after ten in the morning-viewed the fort building there by the United States, and the old French fort which was built before the French war. It is now entirely demolished, and a town laid out upon the place. The wind sprang up and we could not land at the landing place, so we run over the bay about one mile to the peninsula and en- camped. Here we lay till the next day at evening when we went up the bay to [wanting.]
FROM THE JOURNAL OF SETH PEASE.
June 21st .- I set out from Niagara fort, or New- ark, went on foot to the landing above the falls, visited the cataract of Niagara; it takes a stone
179
ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATIONS.
three seconds to fall from the top of the rock to the bottom.
June 22d .- We went on as far as Buffalo creek. The council began 21st, and ended Friday following. The present made the Indians was £500, New York currency, in goods. This the western Indians re- ceived.
To the eastern Indians they gave two beef cattle and one hundred gallons of whisky. The western also had provisions to help them home. The Indians had their keeping during the council.
Saturday, June 25th, 1796,-Sun's meridian :
Alt. Lower Limb, O,
70° 15' 30"
Dip. Sub.,
0 1 25
Parallax +,
0 0 2
Refraction,.
0 0 18
O, ¿ Diam. +,.
0 15 47
Declination,
23° 22 49
1
1
1
1
1
1
Sun, ..
47º 6' 30"
Latitude,
42° 53' 30"
1
E
1
1
1
1
I
1
1
1
1
1
1
I
1
1
1
1
of Buffalo Creek about thirty five rods north of the mouth.
Monday, June 27th .- We started from Buffalo creek at 11 o'clock, A. M., to cross lake Erie. Steered south, 34º west. Our latitude at noon, forty-two, twenty minutes North. Got to Cataraugus, a con- venient harbor.
Tuesday, June 28th .- We got under way about a
1
1
1 1 1 1
1
180
REACH PRESQUE ISLE.
mile, the wind sprang up ahead; we tacked about and made the harbor; high wind and some rain.
Friday, July 1st .- We started from Cataraugus. Camped on the lake shore; our latitude forty-two degrees, fourteen minutes. Night calm and clear.
Saturday, we got to Presque Isle about 10 o'clock, A. M. In the afternoon we crossed the bay and camped on the beach. Sunday, wind a-head.
Sunday, July 3d .- On examination of the quad- rant, we found that one hundred and eighty degrees measured one hundred and eighty degrees and four minutes, by the octant. We went on as far as the portage, got our boats and loading over and camped.
Monday, July 4th, Independence Day .- I traveled by land; good walking on the shore and bank; high springs and streams very plenty and good. We discovered Pennsylvania north line about 3 o'clock, P. M., a stone marked on the north side, and on the south, Pennsylvania forty-two degrees north latitude, variation, seven minutes thirty seconds west, &c.
Monday, July 4th, 1796 .- We that came by land arrived at the confines of New Connecticut and gave three cheers precisely at 5 o'clock, P. M., we then proceeded to Conneaut at 5 hours 30 minutes ; our boats got on an hour after ; we pitched our tents on the east side.
Tuesday, 5th. - At camp. 6th. -- Traversed the Lake shore from the stone at forty-two degrees north
-
181
ARRIVE AT CONNEAUT.
latitude, to the stone at the north end of Pennsyl- vania line.
Thursday, 7th. - In the afternoon we began to measure the east line of New Connecticut. We run about two miles south and encamped by a pond in a swamp. Plenty of gnats and mosquitoes ; poor water.
Friday, Sth. - We run about five miles. We crossed creek Independence. Land about middling. Went back one mile to camp; poor water.
EXTRACT FROM THE JOURNAL OF GENERAL MOSES CLEAVELAND.
On this creek ("Conneaught") in New Connecti- cut land, July 4th, 1796, under General MosEs CLEAVELAND, the surveyors, and men sent by the Con- necticut Land Company to survey and settle the Connecticut Reserve, and were the first English people who took possession of it. The day, memor- able as the birthday of American Independence, and freedom from British tyranny, and commemorated by all good freeborn sons of America, and memorable as the day on which the settlement of this new country was commenced, and in time may raise her head amongst the most enlightened and improved States. And after many difficulties perplexities and hardships were surmounted, and we were on the good and promised land, felt that a just tribute of
182
FIRST CELEBRATION.
respect to the day ought to be paid. There were in all, including men, women and children, fifty in number. The men, under Captain TINKER ranged themselves on the beach, and fired a Federal salute of fifteen rounds, and then the sixteenth in honor of New Connecticut. We gave three cheers and christened the place Port Independence. Drank several toasts, viz :
1st. The President of the United States.
2d. The State of New Connecticut.
3d. The Connecticut Land Company.
4th. May the Port of Independence and the fifty sons and daughters who have entered it this day be successful and prosperous.
5th. May these sons and daughters multiply in sixteen years sixteen times fifty.
6th. May every person have his bowsprit trimmed and ready to enter every port that opens.
Closed with three cheers. Drank several pails of grog, supped and retired in remarkable good order.
July 5th .- Wrote letters to the directors and my wife. Two boats were dispatched under the direc- tion of TINKER to Fort Erie, to bring the remainder of stores left there. The Conneaut is now choked with sand. The stream is capable of admitting boats the greater part of the year, up beyond the Pennsylvania line, which in a straight line cannot be more than four miles.
July 7th .- Received a message from the Paqua
183
HOLDS A TALK WITH PAQUA.
Chief of the Massasagoes, residing in Conneaut, that they wished a council held that day. I prepared to meet them, and after they were all seated, took my seat in the middle. CATO, son of PAQUA, was the orator, PAQUA dictated. They opened the council by smoking the pipe of peace and friendship. The orator then rose and addressed me in the language of Indian flattery, "Thank the Great Spirit for pre- serving and bringing me there, thank the Great Spirit for giving a pleasant day," and then requested to know our claim to the land, as they had friends who resided on the land, and others at a distance who would come there. They wanted to know what I would do with them. I replied, informing them of our title, and what I had said to the Six Nations, and also assured them that they should not be disturbed in their possessions, we would treat them and their friends as brothers. They then pre- sented me with the pipe of friendship and peace, a curious one, indeed. I returned a chain of wampum, silver trinkets, and other presents, and whisky, to the amount of about twenty-five dollars. They also said they were poor; and as I had expressed, hoped we should be friendly and continue to be liberal. I told them I acted for others as well as for myself, and to be liberal of others property was no evidence of true friendship; those people I represented lived by industry, and to give away their property lavishly, to those who live in indolence
184
HIS ADVICE.
and by begging, would be no deed of charity. As long as they were industrious and conducted them- selves well, I would do such benevolent acts to them as would be judged right, and would do them the most good, cautioned them against indolence and drunkeness. This not only closed the business, but checked their begging for more whisky.
July 10th .- Went with Capt. BUCKLAND about eight miles up the beach; wind ahead. Stopped at Jay creek, then went about three miles farther ; part of the way slate rock, and trees had tumbled in ; the surf high, making very hard walking on my return ; lost one stocking; dined on the beach ; went two miles farther and turned in, took a berth with great-coat under a hemlock.
July 11th .- Returned to Port Independence; a storm of rain coming on made it uncomfortable, and wet us very decently.
July 12th .- Dispatched STODDARD with four men to join PORTER, &c.
LETTER OF AMZI ATWATER.
MANTUA, Jan. 25th, 1846.
JOHN BARR, EsQ.,-Dear Sir :- I received your letter of the 10th inst., requesting some information respecting the landing at Conneaut, of the first sur- veying company on the Reserve, and the appearance of the harbor, &c. I have no means of informing
185
PORT INDEPENDENCE.
you except from frail memory. But it appears to me the view was so stamped in my mind, that if I was a painter or engraver, I could give a good view of it as it then appeared. I think the following is as good a representation as I can now give:
PLAN OF THE MOUTH 1796.
HEAVY TIMBER
TIMBER
HEAVY TIMBER
LIGHT
LIGHT TIMBER
C
LJ
a
0
3
LAKE ERIE
a,-Boats. b,-Tents.
c,-Store House.
The lake at that time was very low, the beach was wide, and the lake calm. There was a wide space between the shore and the high bank, to the east of the mouth, which had resisted the force of the current and the waves, until there was consid- erable of a grove of midling sized timber grown on
13
186
CAMP AND STORE HOUSE.
it. The south west wind had so long prevailed, that it had driven the creek back, and formed a wide sand bar down to the grove of timber, where it turned short into the lake. There was a considera- ble space left, between the creek and the high bank, which was covered with small timber and bushes. On this space the tents were pitched and the encampment established, until the store house was built. The store house was built at the end of the grove, near the short bend in the creek.
The boats were taken into the mouth of the creek, and lay along the south bank near the bend. The timber above the high bank, was in appearance like that of the lake shore generally, not very large, but tolerable straight and handsome. It was of a great variety, consisting of almost all the trees common in our country, except evergreens, which were very scarce on our lake shore. If an engraving should be made I wish there might be two. One to represent the appearance of the creek and surrounding shore, with three boats in the creek on the south side, and one entering the creek near the bend, with a group of men driving pack horses and cattle up the beach, near the creek. On the other the boats side by side, on the south side of the creek, near the bend, and further back, and a little up stream, the tents, and in front of them, the agent and surveyors holding the council with the Indians. But I am not a painter or an engraver, and can't direct.
187
POWERS OF THE AGENT.
I am well satisfied that the view which I herewith send is correct, except it may be not in a proper proportion, as to the length and breadth of the sand bar and beach. But I know they were then very wide.
Yours,
A. ATWATER.
INSTRUCTIONS OF THE DIRECTORS TO THEIR AGENT.
To MOSES CLEAVELAND, Esq., of the county of Wind- ham, and State of Connecticut, one of the Directors of the Connecticut Land Company, Greeting :
We, the Board of Directors of said Connecticut Land Company, having appointed you to go on to said land, as Superintendent over the agents and men, sent on to survey and make locations on said land, to make, and enter into friendly negotiations with the natives who are on said land, or contiguous thereto, and may have any pretended claim to the same, and secure such friendly intercourse amongst them as will establish peace, quiet, and safety to the survey and settlement of said lands, not ceded by the natives under the authority of the United States. You are hereby, for the foregoing purposes, fully authorized and empowered to act, and transact all the above business, in as full and ample a manner as we ourselves could do, to make contracts in the
188
LIST OF THE PARTY.
foregoing matters in our behalf and stead ; and make such drafts on our Treasury, as may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing object of your appointment. And all agents and men by us employed, and sent on to survey and settle said land, to be obedient to your orders and directions. And you are to be accountable for all monies by you received, conform- ing your conduct to such orders and directions as we may, from time to time, give you, and to do and act in all matters, according to your best skill and judgment, which may tend to the best interest, pros- perity, and success of said Connecticut Land Com- pany. Having more particularly for your guide the Articles of Association entered into and signed by the individuals of said Company.
OLIVER PHELPS, r HENRY CHAMPION,
ROGER NEWBERRY, SAMUEL MATHER, Jun. -
Directors.
SURVEYING PARTY OF 1796.
General MOSES CLEAVELAND, Superintendent.
AUGUSTUS PORTER, Principal Surveyor and Deputy Superintendent.
SETH PEASE, Astronomer and Surveyor.
AMOS SPAFFORD, JOHN MILTON HOLLEY, RICHARD M. STOD- DARD and MOSES WARREN, Surveyors.
JOSHUA STOW, Commissary.
THEODORE SHEPARD, Physician.
189
EMPLOYEES.
EMPLOYEES OF THE COMPANY.
JOSEPH TINKER, Boatman. JOSEPH M'INTYRE,
GEORGE PROUDFOOT,
FRANCIS GRAY,
SAMUEL FORBES,
AMOS SAWTEL,
STEPHEN BENTON,
AMOS BARBER,
SAMUEL HUNGERFORD,
WILLIAM B. HALL,
SAMUEL DAVENPORT,
ASA MASON,
AMZI ATWATER,
MICHAEL COFFIN,
ELISHA AYRES,
THOMAS HARRIS,
NORMAN WILCOX,
TIMOTHY DUNIIAM,
GEORGE GOODING,
SHADRACH BENIIAM,
SAMUEL AGNEW,
WAREHAM SHEPARD,
DAVID BEARD,
JOHN BRIANT.
TITUS V. MUNSON,
JOSEPH LANDON,
CHARLES PARKER,
EZEKIEL MORLY,
NATHANIEL DOAN,
LUKE HANCHET,
JAMES HALKET,
JAMES HAMILTON,
OLNEY F. RICE,
JOHN LOCK,
SAMUEL BARNES,
STEPHEN BURBANK.
DANIEL SHULAY,
No. of Employees, - - 37
ELIJAH GUN, and ANNA, his wife, came with the surveyors and took charge of STow's castle at Con- neaut.
JOB P. STILES, and TABITHA CUMI, his wife, were left in charge of the company's stores at Cleveland.
NATHAN CHAPMAN and NATHAN PERRY furnished the surveyors with fresh beef, and traded with the Indians. .
There were thirteen horses and some cattle, which completes the party of 1796.
MODE OF EXECUTING THE SURVEYS.
Soon after the celebration of the 4th of July, 1796, had been completed, the surveyors with their parties entered upon their duties. A plan of survey deter- mined upon by the company, was first to lay out upon the ground, the forty-first parallel of latitude, as a base line. From thence they were to run lines of longitude five miles apart, due north to lake Erie.
These were to be crossed by east and west lines, also five miles apart, all of which constituted the boundaries of townships, five miles square.
The townships were to be numbered as Ranges, counting from the Pennsylvania line as a meridian, westward, to the number of twenty-four; making one hundred and twenty miles. From the base line they are numbered northward, as Towns; to the shore of lake Erie. Thus Cleveland before it had a name as a township, was designated as No. 7, in the twelfth Range, being twelve townships west of the Pennsylvania line; and seven townships north of the forty-first parallel of latitude.
192
THEY COMMENCE WORK.
Port Independence at the mouth of the Conneaut river, is only a couple of miles within the State of Ohio.
In a few hours they found the west line of Penn- sylvania, which had been run and cleared only a few years previous. A stone was set up where this line came to the lake, on which was marked the latitude ; and which was barely within the limits of the State of Connecticut on the north, according to her grants and charter. Her claims under these instruments, were limited to the parallel of forty-two degrees and two minutes north; on which the lines of Connecti- cut and Pennsylvania are now fixed. The parties proceeded down the Pennsylvania line, measuring as they went; in order to assist them in finding the forty-first parallel, and also to determine the varia- tion of their compasses. Mr. HOLLEY's journal is so complete a narrative, that I insert it almost without abbreviation.
HOLLEY'S JOURNAL-CONNEAUT TO THE SOUTH EAST CORNER OF THE RESERVE.
Thursday, July 7th, 1796 .- Left Conneaut creek in company with AUGUSTUS PORTER, SETH PEASE, and five other men for the south east corner of New Connecticut. We came to the north corner of Penn- sylvania, and ran down about five or six rods west of the line. At four miles and sixty-six chains, crossed
193
2
PENNSYLVANIA LINE.
the Conneaut creek. The banks here are steep. To the end of the eighth mile the land is very similar to the first four or five, not well watered at all. To the end of the thirteenth mile, the land has every appearance of being over flowed in the wet seasons. On the fourteenth mile the land rises and falls, and of course is better. At sixty chains we stop and encamp on high ground for the night. Here, by a · very good observation of the Polar star at its greatest eastern elongation, we took the variation of the needle, (which was one degree, thirty-five minutes east elongation of the star.) By a second observa- tion, next morning with the ranges it appeared to be one degree, thirty minutes, (the stars elongation.) The needle varied fifty-three minutes east. PORTER'S compass and mine varied alike. Major SPAFFORD'S ten minutes less. The land to the end of the nine- teenth mile is ridgy and better watered, covered with almost all kinds of timber. On the twentieth mile an open Tamarach swamp, twenty-eight chains wide. To the end of the twenty-third mile the land is indif. ferent, swampy.
Monday, July 11th .- We were stopped by the rain, and encamped near an excellent brook, which we considered a very favorable circumstance. The next morning we left this place and went on to the end of the twenty-fifth mile, through the most abom- inable swamp in the world. The twenty-sixth mile is part of good bottom land, if it can be kept from
1
1
194
CROSS THÍE PYMATUNING.
over flowing in summer, which I doubt some. On the twenty-seventh mile is a creek (Pymatuning) about sixty links wide. The water before this had all ran north, but when we first came upon this stream the course was north east, then a little way and it was south west, then crooked again and ran south east, and continued on pretty much this course. It is a smooth stream five or six feet deep, and navi- gable for batteaux. The land on each side is rich, but to all appearance is covered with water the greater part of the year; where we came upon the creek the second time we crossed upon a beaver dam, which was quite a curiosity. The dam con- sisted of some large sticks or trees thrown across the stream, and filled in with thousands of willows and other small wood; which was so compact as to make considerable of a pond above, from which, through a rich soil was cut several canals and arms, where they live now, as is evident from fresh tracks and newly cut chips and brush.
Tuesday, July 12th. - In the morning we break- fasted in our camp by the little brook, and left the pack horse men to come on after us, but when we had proceeded about a mile, we sent back a hand to tell the men to go round the swamp with the horses, but the swamp continued, and we ran on till night. Here being a hemlock ridge, we were in hopes the horses would be able to find us, but alas ! we were obliged to make a little camp of boughs, strike up
195
THEIR TROUBLES AND TRIALS.
a fire, and go to bed supperless. In the day time I had eat raspberries, gooseberries, wintergreen berries and wintergreens, and in the night I began to grow sick at my stomach, and soon after vomited up every thing that was in me. Mr. PEASE too had a turn of the cramp, in consequence of traveling all day in the water. We all arose early in the morn- ing, with meagre looks and somewhat faint for want of eating and drinking, for where we camped there was no water, though we had a little rum.
On the morning of the 13th we continued our course down the Pennsylvania line two hundred and sixty rods, through an alder swamp, till we came to a ridge of oak, beach, pine, &c., where we determined to stop and wait the coming of pro- visions. Mr. PORTER and Mr. HALL took the com- pass, and were to travel east twenty minutes, to try and find the horses' tracks if they had passed. Mr. PEASE and Mr. SPAFFORD took my compass, and were to do the same to the west, while I stayed on the line. I made up a fire, and was clearing a spot to lie down, when to my joy and surprise I heard a voice back of us, which I quickly answered, and found to be JOSEPH LANDON, one of the pack horse- men (and a good fellow too,) coming with a back load of provisions. We called PORTER and PEASE back as soon as possible, and all partook of a most cheerful and much needed breakfast. After this was over, Mr. PORTER, HALL and LANDON Went to
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