History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 48

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728

USA > Ohio > Jefferson County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 48
USA > Ohio > Belmont County > History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley > Part 48

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" The undersigned assisted Molly Scott in placing the powder in her apron, and to this she is willing to be qualified at any time. "Elizabeth Zane, for whom has long been claimed the credit of this heroic feat, was at that time at the residence of her father, near the present town of Washington, Pa.

"At the time of its occurrenee, the achievement was not con- siderel very extraordinary. Those were emphatically times when woman's heart was nerved to deeds of no ordinary kind. We all felt it was then 'to do or die,' and the undersigned does not hesitate to say that more than one within the little stock- ade at Wheeling would have accomplished the fcat with as mueh credit as the one whose name seems destined to an im- mortality in border warfare.

"But the undersigned does not wish to detract from the heroism of that feat; she only desires to correct a gross error- to give honor to whom honor is due. This she deems impera- tive, that the truth and justice of history may be maintained.

"The undersigned disclaims all unkind feeling toward any one, in relation to this statement. Elizabeth Zane was one of her earliest acquaintances, whom she knew to be a woman, brave, generous and single-hearted.

"Given under my hand and seal this 28th day of Novem- ber, 1849.

"LYDIA S. CRUGER, [Seal]."

With this must also be connected her statement to DeHass and published in his account, that her father, Captain Boggs, was commander of the fort at this time and had charge of the stores ; which should explain her expression about occupying the "Captain's house," and herself, as the oldest child, being delegated to get the powder, but which is shown to be ineor- rect by the documents published on pages 125 and 127.

APPENDIX B.

The following is the introduction to the article from the Scioto Gazette, published in Appendix A. and which, as it has no bearing on the question there discussed, is published here, chiefly on account of the amusing anecdote it contains :

BRAVE WOMEN OF OUR FRONTIER.

" The people of the eastern states have very little realization of the hardships endured, or the many deeds of valor that have been performed by the noble women of our western frontier. Should the many incidents be gathered, in which our women have rendered effective service in the protection of their homes and children from the attacks of ruthless savages, they will fill volumes of history. Several of these have been published, in which a woman has wielded an axe, and split open the skull of a savage, with the intrepidity and the skill of a veteran knight in the days of feudalism.

"On the 13th of March, 1791, when the Indians had killed Joseph Rogers within a mile of Marietta, and pursued his com- panion, Edward Henderson, so close to the fort, the alarm was quickly spread throughout the settlement. Every man's duty

was to repair to his post with his rifle, while the women rushed to the block-house with the children, and articles of value that could be carried. If money or valuable papers were in the chest, the women of the house took care to secure them, and rushed to the fort with them in her arms. One woman carried her bed and child, another a bundle of clothes, another a teapot, another the Bible, and so on. When all had gathered within the block house, an old mother was missing. A party was at once sent out for her, who found her busily engaged fixing up things in her house, and sweeping the floor. She told them she could not think of leaving her house, 'even if the Indians were coming to scalp her,' until all was rid up and things put in their place. This old lady had seen so much of border life, that an alarm of the coming of the Indians had ceased to fright- en her."

CHAPTER XVII.

NOTED CHARACTERS OF THE FRONTIER SETTLE- MENT AND EVENTS OF BORDER WARFARE.

EBENEZER ZANE.

S no little interest naturally attaches itself in this locali- ty, to the life and character of the first white men who are known to have descended Wheeling creek to its con- fluence with the Ohio, and the first to erect a civilized habita- tion in this entire section, we have devoted considerable re- search and labor in compiling an accurate history of Ebenezer Zane and his brothers.

The family is of Danish origin, but at an early day moved to France, thence to England, and toward the close of the seven- teenth century, emigrated to America. One branch of it set- tled in New Jersey, nearly opposite Philadelphia; the other in Virginia. The subject of our notice sprung from this latter branch. He was born on the south branch of the Potomac, in Berkeley county, Virginia, Oct. 7, 1747. The spirit of restless energy, which so distinguished the old Norseman, was not long in exhibiting itself in some of his Virginia descendants.

In December, 1767, Col. Zane, in company with some others, started on an expedition to the Ohio river, but they were com- pelled to abandon it, on account of the severity of the weather. The next spring, 1768, he removed his family to Red Stone, Old Fort, and in the early fall of 1769, he made a more extended search; he reached the head waters of Wheeling creek, descended that stream to its junction with the Ohio, and upon a bright morning in September, 1769, he stood upon the high bank of the Ohio, just above the confluenee of Wheeling creek, and gazing upon the widespread landscape of island, hill and river, his en- raptured vision comprehended all, and more than realized his most extravagant expectations. The scene before him was one of perfect repose. The morning mist just lifted from the bosom of the calm, clear river, was gliding slowly upward, revealing to the lone pioneer a panorama of unsurpassed loveliness. Not a breath of air disturbed the glittering dew drops which hung upon the forest leaves, but all was the unbroken stillness of nature, save when an occasional feathered songster sent his shrill notes through the cchoing vale. But our young adven- turer was not the man to look upon such a scene with a painter or a poet's eye. He saw at a glance the great advantage of. the point, and at once resolved to make there his home. This act showed him to be a man of much judgment and sagacity. At that early day, he saw all the advantages presented by the locality. He clearly realized in his mind's eye the prophetic line of Bishop Berkeley; and that some point on the Ohio, near where he stood, must eventually become an important place through the trade and travel of the west. How well that conception has been fulfilled, let the most flourishing city in the state attest.

Building a cabin, and remaining one season on the Ohio, Mr. Zane returned for his family, and having induced a few reso- lute friends to accompany him, moved west in the spring of 1770. Deeming it unsafe to carry his family direct to their new abode, lie had left them at Redstone in 1768; and, in eom- pany with his brothers, Jonathan and Silas, and two or three others, proceeded to take possession of his rights in the west.

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO.

He removed his family to Wheeling in the spring of 1770. At that time there was not a permanent Anglo-Saxon settlement from the source to the mouth of the Ohio. The valley of the Mississippi, with its mighty river sweeping through an im- mensity of space, was as little known as when Ponce de Leon sought there for the fountain of perennial life, which was to re- store to his veteran limbs the vigor and freshness of youth. Behold it now! Did the magic wand of the magician ever work greater wonders in the kaleidoscope of his mystic art !

With their sturdy arms, the Zanes soon opened a "clearing," letting the sunlight into the heart of the forest, and in due time had the satisfaction of gathering a good crop of corn. Completing his cabin, and making other preparations for the safety of his family, Mr. Zane visited Redstone, and that fall effected a final removal. With the opening of 1773, came quite a number of settlers front the South-branch, and then was per- manently formed a settlement which has grown to a city of many thousands.

Mr. Zane married Elizabeth MeColloch, sister to the daring borderers, whose services on the frontier we have described in other portions of this volume. She was his junior in age about a year, having been born October 30, 1748. She bore him thir- teen children-Catharine, born June 27, 1769; Ann, born May 27, 1771; Sarah, born February 23, 1773; Noah, October 1, 1774; Rebecca, born October 19, 1776; Noah, born October 23, 1778; John, born April 30, 1780; Samuel, born May 12, 1782; Samuel, born February 26, 1784; Hetty, born October 8, 1786; Daniel, born October 25, 1788; Jesse, born October 5, 1790; Daniel, born August 3, 1792. Of these the first Noah, Samuel and Daniel, died in infancy. Ann, John and Jesse, also died about the time they reached maturity. Nearly all the rest lived to very advanced years.

Of the daughters, Catharine married Capt. Absalom Martin, of the United States Army; Sarah married Capt. John McIn- tire, and, after his decease, married Rev. David Young, of Zanesville, O .; Rebecca married John Clarke, Esq., and removed to Belmont county, O .; Hetty married Mr. Elijah Woods.

Mrs. Zane was a woman of remarkable character, full of ac- tivity, and of indomitable energy. She was equal to every emergency that arose in a life full of startling incident. Her thrift, management, industry, intelligence and untiring labors, were noted characteristics. "She was as brisk as a bee," said one who knew her well, she could turn her hand to anything. She was the surgeon of the neighborhood, becoming quite an adept in the art and was called upon to perform difficult and serious operations. She was also a skillful nurse, and had nerve to undertake the most difficult enterprises when necessity de- manded. In 1785, a man named Mills was shot by the Indians while spearing fish at night, some distance above the fort, Rising in the canoe with his torch to throw the light in the right direction, he received a whole volley from a party of In- dians on the shore. He was brought to Wheeling, and Mrs. Zane extracted seventeen bullets from his body, cutting them out with a razor as nicely as a surgeon with his delicate instru- ments. Mills was nursed and cared for by her and a Mrs. Wil- liams, fully recovered, and lived for many years, a monument to the skill and care of these women.

Abram Rogers in his account of the siege of 1777, ascribes very great credit to Mrs. Zane in that affair, not only for her zeal, activity and usefulness, but in her encouragement and exhortations to the men engaged in the defence.

Of her generosity, devotion, hospitality and unnumbered charities and good offices to others there is abounding testi- mony. Her piety was fervid and zealous, but characterized by a true humility. The life she led and the well trained family she left is the highest tribute which can be paid to her char- acter and worth.

The clearing of Col. Zane embraced about ten acres, compre- hending that portion of the present city of Wheeling, lying along Main and Market streets, from the brow of the hill to a point above where the suspension bridge crosses. It was girdled on every side by the dark green forest, save on the west, where swept the beautiful river.

Col. Zane's intercourse with the natives having been marked by mildness, courtesy and honorable dealing, his hamlet es- caped the fury of the savages, and nothing occurred to mar the pleasure of his western life until the fall of 1777. Having elsewhere noticed in detail the attack on Fort Henry, in Sep- tember of that year, it will be unnecessary to say more at this time, but pass on to the consideration of our personal history.

Col. Zane received, from time to time, various marks of dis- tinction, from the colonial, state and national governments. He was a disbursing officer under Dunmore, and enjoyed under

the commonwealth numerous eivil and military distinctions. He always preferred, however, the peace and quietude of his own home to the bustle and pomp of public place. He was as generous as brave; strictly honorable to all men, and most jeal- ous of his own rights. He possessed, in an eminent degree, the constituents of a true gentleman-the disposition to render unto all their due-the quick, delicate, accurate perception of others' rights and others' elaims. His temperament was nerv- ous-bilious-quick, impetuous, and hard to restrain when ex- cited. He was, in short, a plain, blunt man, rude of speech but true of heart, knowing nothing of formalities, and caring about little else than his family, his friends, and his country.

The personal appearance of Col. Zane was somewhat remark- able: dark complexion, piercing black eyes, huge brows and prominent nose. Not very tall, but uncommonly active and athletic, he was a match for almost any man in the settlement, and many are the incidents, in wood and field, told of his prow- ess and his strength. He was a devoted hunter, and spent much of his time in the woods. But few men could out-shoot, and fewer still out-run him. In illustration of his skill with the rifle we will give an incident. About the year 1781 some of the whites in the fort observed an Indian on the island going through certain personal movements for the especial benefit of those within the fort. Col. Zane's attention having been drawn to the indelieate performances, declared he would spoil the sport, and, charging his rifle with an additional ball, patiently waited for the chap to reappear. In a moment his naked body was seen emerging from behind a large sycamore, and, eom- mencing anew his performances, Col. Zane drew upon him a practiced aim, and the next instant the native harlequin was seen to go through a peculiar gyration, believed not to have been "in the bills."

Colonel Zane was a man of true courage, as is exemplified by his almost single-handed defense of his own dwelling, in the fall of 1782.

The government of the United States, duly appreciating his capacity, energy and influence, employed him by an act of Con- gress, May, 1796, to open a road from Wheeling to Limestone (Maysville.) This duty he performed in the following year, as- sisted by his brother Jonathan, and his own son-in-law John Mc- Intyre, aided by an Indian guide, Tomepomehala, whose knowl- edge of the country enabled him to render valuable suggestions. The road was marked through under the eye of Colonel Zane, then committed to his assistants to cut out. As a compensation for the opening of this road, Congress granted Colonel Zane the privilege of locating military warrants upon three sections of land; the first to be at the crossing of the Muskingum, the second at Hock-hocking, and the third at Scioto. Colonel Zane thought of crossing the Muskingum at Duncan's falls, but fore- seeing the great value of hydraulic power created by the falls, determined to cross at the point where Zanesville has since been established, and thus secure this important power. The second section was located where Lancaster now stands, and the third on the east side of the Scioto opposite Chillicothe. The first he gave, principally, to his two assistants for services rendered. In addition to these fine possessions, Colonel Zane acquired large bodies of land throughout Western Virginia, by locating patents for those persons whose fear of the Indians deterred them undertaking personally so hazardous an enterprise

General Richard Butler deemed him an intelligent, cautious, prudent man, as will be seen by reference to his journal- of his expedition down the Ohio in the year 1785. General Butler also speaks of Colonel Zane's Island farm opposite the mouth of Wheeling creek. He says it contains about four hundred acres of most excellent land, and is a situation not only of great profit, but real beauty. He says he sells to the amount of £300 per annum of the products of this farm for cash, exelusive of the other advantages by traffic.

A fair idea of Col. Zane's reputation for shrewdness and good judgment may be formed by reading an anecdote related by the writer of a "View of Ohio," which appeared in the American Quarterly Review, of March, 1833, p. 100. He says:

"The Ohio Company had their first choice within this rich and ample domain, but unfortunately selected the poorest tract in its whole compass. An anecdote is told, which, if true, would seem to indicate that their shrewdness, for once, over- reached itself. It is said that when the party arrived at Wheeling, on their way to the settlement, they met with Eb- enezer Zane, afterward the proprietor of Zanesville, and at that time familiar with the Ohio country. They asked his opinion as to the best place of location, and he, in honest simplicity, named several, either of which would have verified his recom- mendation. He did not, however, mention the tract about the

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HISTORY OF BELMONT AND JEFFERSON COUNTIES, OHIO.

mouth of the Muskingum. What could be the reason ? Possi- bly he had an eye to it himself, and, if so, it must be the best. The party at once took up their line of march, and, without looking further, planted themselves there."

Thus according to this writer, securing the region coveted be- cause Zane had not mentioned it.

Another version is given of Col. Zane's possible influence in fixing the location. General Samuel H. Parsons, one of the Ohio Company's directors, who strongly urged the location be- tween the Muskingum and Scioto, had been appointed by the old congress a commissioner to treat with the Indian tribes of the west, and in the discharge of that duty visited that coun- try in 1785 and 1786. A writer in the North American Review (vol. 47), who states that his information was received direct, General Putnam, says :

"As Gen. Parsons had examined the country immediately about the junction of the Muskingum with the Ohio, he pro- ceeded up the valley of the former that he might have a view of the interior. Having gone many miles, he met one of the Zanes, four of which family were among the most noted of the frontier rangers. Zane was probably engaged in salt making at Salt creek, which runs into the Muskingum about ten miles below the present town of Zanesville. Parsons, well knowing that the man he had chanced upon knew, from an acquaint- ance of fifteen years or more, the whole of what now forms the State of Ohio, asked his advice touching the location of the purchase which the Ohio Company proposed to make. Zane, having pondered the matter, and consulted with some of the old Delaware Indians that lived thereabout, recommended the General to choose either the Miami country or the valley of the Scioto in preference to that which he was then examining. What it was that made Parsons doubt the good faith of the pioneer, we know not; but he came to the conclusion that Zane really preferred the Muskingum to any other point, and wished to purchase it himself when the sales should begin in a few months. This impression did away with what little doubt still remained in his mind; and, returning to the East, he laid his proposal to contract with Congress for all the land along the Ohio, between the seventh range of townships and the Scioto, and running back as might be afterward agreed upon, before the directors of the Company of Associates."

The Rev. Joseph Doddridge, writing of a proposed biography of Col. Zane, says: "This work will be no more than a measure of justice to the memory of a man who held such an important and perilous station as that which fell to the lot of Cof. Zane, and who filled that station with so much honor to himself and advantage to our infant country as he did."

Col. Zane's mental endowments were of a high order. His judgment in all matters that came under his notice was re- markably aceurate. Whether in affairs of business, or in mili- tary exigencies, or in counsel to others, his conclusions were considered so correct that he was constantly referred to in every public and private emergency for his opinion. One of his sons-in-law, many years after his death, spoke of him as one of the wisest men he ever knew, though he was always quiet and moderate in tone; and that his judgment was so cor- rect as to be almost infallible. His wise advice to Cresap, had it been taken, would doubtless, have saved the border from the Indian war of 1774, and in the last siege at Wheeling his pre- caution and the admirable conduct of the defence of the gar- rison without the loss of a man, notwithstanding the skill of the British officer in charge of the besiegers and the overwhelm- ing odds against them.

After a life full of adventure and vicissitude, the subject of our notice died of jaundice in 1811, at the age of sixty-four.

JONATHAN ZANE

was, also, born in Berkeley county, Virginia. He accompanied his brother, Ebenezer Zane, to the West in 1769, when they ex- plored the surrounding country, and located the town of Wheel- ing. He also made explorations in the summer and fall of 1771, in company with Silas Zane, up and down the Ohio- soon becoming familiar not only with the regions east of that river, but also the wilderness beyond. He was perhaps, the most experienced hunter of his day, in the frontier country.

It would have been difficult to find a man of greater energy of character-of more determined resolution, or restless activity. He rendered efficient service to the settlers about Wheeling, in the capacity of a spy, and a guide to direct the forces through the wilderness in several of the important campaigns from the commencement of the Dunmore war until the elose of the Revolution. He was a guide in the Wakatomica campaign of

1774. He also accompanied General Brodhead in the same ca- pacity, in the expedition up the Allegheny against the Mun- sies and Senecas in 1779, in which he was wounded .* In the memorable campaign of Crawford against Sandusky, Zane was again one of the guides to direct the army through the wilder- ness, and was a confidential advisor of the cammander, with whom his opinions had great weight. It is plain, too, that if his adviee had been promptly acted upon, the terrible calamity that befell the unfortunate expedition would have been averted. When the army had reached the Sandusky- plains and found a deserted town, Zane advised an immediate return, and Col. Crawford knowing him to be exceedingly well versed in Indian strategy, was strongly impressed with his views and felt per- sonally inclined to adopt them. Zane urged that the absence of any sign of the Indians on the plains was a certain indica- tion that they were concentrating at some point not far dis- tant for determined resistance. He also reasoned that a further march into their country was only giving the savages time to gather reinforcements at their place of rendezvous, and that they would be able to coneentrate against the Americans an overwhelming force. But when the council of officers was held Zane's warning was not duly heeded-the officers and men did not want to return without firing a gun-the army continued its march until the Indians were met-and the lamentable dis- aster followed.

Jonathan Zane was remarkable for earnestness of purpose, an energy and inflexibility of will which often manifested itself in a way truly astonishing. Few men shared more of the con- fidence or respeet of his fellow men than Jonathan.

He was one of the best marksmen upon the border. He pri- ded himself particularly upon his skill in shooting. He was once returning home from hunting his horses, when, passing through some high weeds near the bank of the river at a spot within the present limits of the City of Wheeling, not far from his house, he saw five Indians jump into the stream and swim for the island in the Ohio, opposite the place. Having his rifle with him, he rapidly took aim at one of the savages-fired, and the Indian sunk. Loading and firing in quick succession, three more were killed before reaching the opposite bank. The fifth and last one, seeing the fate of his companions, concealed himself behind a "sawyer," near the shore of the island, hoping thus to escape the deadly aim of the white man. After several ineffectual attempts to dislodge him, the effort was about to be abandoned, when Zane noticed a small portion of his body pro- truding below the log. Drawing a fine sight on his rifle, it was discharged, and the fifth savage floated down the river. He piloted expeditions against the Indians ;- in the one under Colonel Brodhead, up the Allegheny, in 1779, he was severely wounded. He was one the pilots in Crawford's expedition, and, it is said, strongly admonished the unfortunate commander against proceeding ; as the enemy were very numerous, and would certainly defeat him. He died in Wheeling, at his own residence, a short distance above the present site of the First Ward Publie School. He left large landed possessions, most of which were shared by his children.

The children were Catharine, Eliza, Cynthia, Sally, Hannah, Nancy, Isaac, Asa and Benjamin.

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History of Belmont and Jefferson Counties, Ohio, and incidentially historical collection pertaining to border warfare and the early settlement of the adjacent portion of the Ohio Valley, Part 48

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 728

Author: Caldwell, J. A. (John Alexander) 1n; Newton, J. H., ed; Ohio Genealogical Society. 1n
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Wheeling, W. Va. : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 728