History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 139

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490

USA > Ohio > Washington County > Marietta > History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 139

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Here Franklin exhibited to his scientific friend many interesting objects-a glass ma- chine for representing the flow of the blood in the arteries and veins of the human body, a copying press, a long artificial arm and hand ( his own invention ) for taking books down

from high shelves, and other devices and curi-

Dr. Cutler. in the summer of 1788, visited the infant settlement which he had been instru- mental in founding, for the purpose of attend- ing a meeting of the directors of the Ohio Company. He left Hamilton, in his sulky, July 21st, and arrived at Marietta August 19th. On the 25th of the month he performed the burial service for a child of Maj. Nathaniel Cushing, the first funeral among the settlers here. He preached on the Sabbath in the hall at the Campus Martius; and was present in the same hall September 2, 1788, at the opening of the first court held northwest of the river Ohie. under the forms of civil jurisprudence, officiating as chaplain on that occasion. He was greatly interested in examining the ancient mounds, squares and other earthworks at Mar- ietta, which he thought were a thousand years old, and were made by some nation more civil- ized and powerful than any Indians known to exist in America. After his arrival in Massa- chusetts he wrote to Gen. Rufus Putnam : " On my return home I found several letters from different parts of Europe. The most of them request me to send a particular account of the ancient works found in North America. These works seem to have engaged the attention of the literati in Europe, and I wish to gratity those with whom I have the honor to corre- spond, as far as possible. I must beg you to forward to me the surveys of the works at Marietta. Accurate measurements I find to be of consequence in their minds. Pray attend to the width of the openings, and the distances and relative situations of all the works to one another. ' Dr. Cutler gives an account of these remarkable earthworks in a note to his charge at the ordination of Rev. Daniel Story.

Dr. Cutler at one time contemplated remov- ing his family to the new purchase, but after this visit he writes that he could not do so without making great sacrifices, and. although the country equalled, and in some respects much exceeded his expectations, especially as a grazing country, and he felt the warmest in- terest in the success and prosperity of the set- tlement, he finally abandoned the plan.

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

Soon after the peace made by General Wayne with the western Indians, in 1795, Pres- ident Washington tendered to Dr. Cutler a commission as judge of the Supreme Court in the Ohio Territory, which he declined.

Although Dr. Cutler was not of the pioneers at Marietta, two of his sons, Ephraim and Jer- vis, were, and a third, Charles, was also an early resident of Ohio. Another son died in infancy. Temple, the youngest of the four who lived to maturity, never removed to the West, and died in New England in 1857. Dr. Cutler had three daughters : Mary, who be- came the wife of Dr. Joseph Torry, of Ham- ilton ; Elizabeth, who married Fitch Poole and lived in Danvers: and Lavinia, who married Captain Jacob Berry.

In the autumn of 1800 Dr. Cutler was elect- ed a member of Congress, and again in 1802, when, having served two terms, he declined a re-election. His people entertained a high es- timate of his talents and patriotism, and he ac- cepted the honors conferred with the modest diffidence which true dignity inspires. Whether at home or abroad, his mind was intent on pro- jecting great and good plans, consulting the benefit of generations to come; and his per- severing genius rarely failed of carrying them into effect. In politicse Dr. Cutler was a Fed- eralist.

This great and good man having nobly ful- filled his life duty passed away July 28, 1823. at the ripe age of 81 years.

In the village burying ground of Hamilton, Massachusetts, is a monument to. his memory bearing the following inscription :

REV. MANASSEH CUTLER. LL. D. He died July 28, 1823, in the 8Ist year of his age. He was beloved for his domestic and social virtues. His talents were of a high order. He was eminent for his Botanical. Medical. Political and Theological knowledge. He was a member of literary and scientific societies in both Europe and America. After a useful ministry of fifty-two years in this place, he expired. with a firm and peaceful reliance on his Redeemer. "They that trust in the Lord shall be as Mount

Zion. which cannot be removed but abideth for- ever."

This stone is erected to his memory by his church.

On the reverse side is the following :

Sacred to the memory of MRS. MARY CUTLER, Consort of Rev. Dr. Cutler, who deceased Nov. 3, 1815. in the 73d year of her age. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord."

GEN. BENJAMIN TUPPER.

The important part taken by Gen. Benjamin Tupper in the measures leading to settlement at Marietta, makes his personal career a subject of general interest. He was born at Stough- ton, Massachusetts, in 1738. While yet quite young his father died, and he was apprenticed to a tanner named Whitherton, in Dorchester. He left Dorchester at the age of 16, and lived on a farm at Easton.

He served as a private soldier in the French war most of the time for about three years. About this time he also taught school at Eas- ton two or three winters.

He was married November 18, 1762, to Huldah White, of Easton. She was a woman of much strength and beauty of character, and was well fitted to be the companion of a public man during a trying epoch of history. A short time after their marriage they removed from Easton to Chesterfield, which continued to be the family residence until they came to Mari- etta.

Mr. Tupper, at the opening of the Revolu- tion, was lieutenant in a militia company at Chesterfield. and under command of Major Halley, of Northampton, participated in pre- venting the Supreme Court from sitting un- der authority of the British crown. He thus early joined the illustrious line of revolution- ists. When the war had actually begun, he entered the service with the rank of major, and was an actor in the events which took place at Boston harbor.

Mr. Tupper was promoted to the colonelcy in 1;76. He participated in the battle of Long Island. During the campaign of 1777. he served under General Gates. In 1778, he was under General Washington, and had a horse killed under him at the battle of Monmouth. In 1-80 he served in the army of the Hudson. About the close of the war he was promoted I to the rank of brigadier-general by brevet.

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When the war had closed, he returned to his family at Chesterfield.

The circumstances which brought him to the valley of the Ohio, the survey under the ordinance of 1785. his visit to Fort Harmar. his conference with General Putnam and its result, are already known to the reader.

General Tupper's last military services were in the suppression of Shays' rebellion, in Mas- sachusetts, in which he performed an important part.

General Tupper came to Marietta with the first company of families, August 19, 1788. He served as judge of the Court of Quarter Ses- sions until his death in June. 1792. His wife died at Putnam, Ohio, February 21, 1812.

Their family consisted of three sons and four daughters. Maj. Anselm Tupper died at Marietta, December 25, 1808: Col. Benjamin Tupper died at Putnam in February, 1815: Gen. Edward W. Tupper died at Gallipolis in 1823: Rowena, the oldest daugliter of Gen- eral Tupper, and wife of Secretary Winthrop Sargent, died at Marietta in 1700: Sophia, wife of Nathaniel Wilys, Esq., of Connecticut, died in October. 1780; Minerva, wife of Col. Icha- bod Nye, died at Marietta in April, 1836; the other daughter died young, before the family emigrated to Ohio.

DESCENDANTS OF GEN. BENJAMIN TUPPER IN WASHINGTON COUNTY, OHIO.

I. Miss Laura Virginia Nye, Marietta.

2. Mrs. Mary Hayward Leonard, Marietta.

3. Miss Bessie May Leonard, Marietta.

4. Miss Stella Rhu Leonard. Marietta.

5. Miss Josephine Ann Hayward, Waterford.

6. Mr. Benjamin Dana Shaw, Waterford.

Miss Panthea Georgiana Shaw, Waterford.

8. Miss Augusta Caroline Shaw, Waterford.

9. Miss Ellen Rebecca Hayward, Waterford.

IO. Mrs. Sarah Nye Lovell. Marietta.

II. Miss Mary Cram Nye, Marietta.

12.

Mr. James Walker Nye, Marietta.

13. Miss Katherine Parr Nye. Marietta

14. Miss Rebekah Dodge Nye. Marietta.

15. Mrs. Maria Nye Buell, Marietta. 16. Miss Rowena Wyllys Buell. Marietta 17-20. Mr. Anselm Tupper Nye (three minor chil-

dren of Anselm T. Nye), Marietta.

21-22. Mrs. Ellen Lewis Buell (one minor child). Marietta.

23. Mr. Benjamin Harry Nye, Marietta.

24. Miss Helena May Nye, Marietta.

25-31. Mr. John Dana (six minor children), Belpre. 32. Mr. William Fisher Dana. Belpre.

33-35. Mrs. Grace Holbrook (Dana) Devol (two minor children ), Beverly.

36-37. Mr. Charles Sumner Dana (one minor child ), Marietta.

38. Mrs. Frances Bancroft Mckay, Marietta.

39. Miss Agnes Dana Mckay, Marietta.

40. Mr. Donald Dana MeKay, Marietta.

41. Mrs. Rowena Putnam Stone. Belpre.

42. Mr. Anselm Tupper Stone. Belpre.

43-45. Mrs. Mary Nye Stone McGee (two minor children), Belpre.

46. Mrs. Grace Winifred Stone Athey. Belpre.

47. Miss Elizabeth Curtis, Newbury. 48-50. Mrs. Dolly Putnam Druly ( two children), Rockland.

51. Mrs. Laura Guthrie Curtis Preston, Marietta.

52. Dr. Harry Norvell Curtis, Marietta.

Miss Helen Moore Curtis, Marietta.

53.

54. Colonel Reuben Linnel Nye, Marietta.

55. Miss Calista Putnam Nye, Marietta.

50. Mrs. Lucy Holmes (Nye ) Davis, Marietta.

57. Miss Grace Davis, Marietta.

58-59. Mr. Northrop Stone ( one child ), Belpre.

60. Miss Huldah Putnam, Rockland.

COMMODORE ABRAHAM WHIPPLE. 1

In the Mound Cemetery at Marietta is a tombstone bearing the following inscription :

Sacred to the memory of COMMODORE ABRAHAM WHIPPLE, whose name. skill, and courage will ever remain the pride and boast of his country. In the late Revolution he was the first on the seas to hurl defiance at proud Britain, gallantly leading the way to wrest from the mistress of the ocean her scepter. and there to wave the star-spangled banner. He also conducted to the sea

the first square-rigged vessel ever built on the Ohio. opening to commerce resources beyond calculation .*

While Ohio is pointing with pride to her many great sons, she should not neglect to know the life, and honor the memory of the brave men who planted ripe civilization on hier savage soil. The high position of so many of these among the celebrated men of the Rev- olution is a source of pride and congratulation.

Abraham Whipple, a descendant of John Whipple, one of the original proprietors of the Providence plantations, was born in Prov-

*This inscription was written by Judge Ephraim | Cutler, his warin friend and admirer.

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

idence, Rhode Island, in 1733. In early life

tained to the command of a vessel engaged in the West India and St. Croix trade. He fol- lowed the sea for many years before the Revo- lution, during which he acquired a practical knowledge of navigation and an intimate ac- quaintance with the ocean and its harbors. Near the close of the French war he was given command of a privateer. During this period he exhibited qualifications which brought him into notice. He was brave and confident and his ready inind was never at a loss for an ex- pedient. The reputation acquired during the French war drew him into the incipent acts of the Revolution. In 1772 he headed a company of his townsmen who burned an odious Brit- ish schooner, stationed at Narragansett Bay, for the purpose of forcing oppressive mari- time laws. One thousand pounds was offered' for the detection of the leader, and five hun- dred pounds for any member of the company. But England was at that time so universally hated that although more than fifty knew the secret none were found willing to inform. Historians generally consider the burning of the "Gaspee," June 17, 1772, by Captain Whip- ple and the Providence Company, the overt act of the Revolution.

Little Rhode Island was first to renounce allegiance to the British crown, and the first to send to sea under legislative authority a vessel of war. Two days before the battle of Bunker Hill, two sloops were purchased and armed, one with 12, the other with eight guns. The larger was placed under command of Captain Whipple, with orders to clear the bay of British tenders to the frigate "Rose" under command of Sir James Wallace, who block- aded the harbors and rivers, preventing a large number of homeward bound vessels from en- tering the port. Captain Whipple sailed on the 15th of June, down Narragansett Bay and attacked two of the enemy's traders. He forced one to retire and took the other a prize. This bold stroke cleared the bay and entitles Whipple to the honor of having fired the first gun at the British on the sea, in the opening of the Revolutionary War.

But to narrate the life of Commodore he was drawn into ocean commerce, and at- ! Whipple during the next seven years would be teiling an important part of the naval his- tory of the Revolution, and belongs to a book of wider scope. Our purpose here is to give the citizens of Washington County an idea of the national importance of one of the found- ers of society in their own State and commun- ity. 1790%

In 1872 he was excused from the service and returned to his farm at Cranston. He was given command, in 1784, of one of the first merchant vessels sent to Great Britain af- ter the peace. "To Commodore Whipple was given the honor of first unfurling the Ameri- can flag on the Thames." After his return he again retired to his farm, and was a member of his State Legislature during the first rage of the paper money lunacy.

In a pitiful petition to Congress, in 1786, he sets forth his financial condition. His griev- ances are similar to those of many others who took part in the battles for freedom, and in this age of pensions the prayer of the petition may not be uninteresting. After setting forth his military services, he says :

Thus having exhausted the means of supporting myself and family, I was reduced to the sad necessity of mortgaging my little farm, the remnant I had left, to obtain money for a temporary support. The farm is now gone, and, having been sued out of possession, I am turned into the world at an advanced age, feeble and valetudinary, with my wife and children, destitute of a house or home that I can call my own, or have the Ileans of hiring. This calamity has arisen from two causes, viz. : First, from my disbursing large sums in France and Charleston. In the former I expended in the service of the United States to the amount of three hundred and sixty French guineas-a large part of that sum was appropriated to the pay of marine, the other part for sea stores to accommodate a number of gen- tlemen passengers sent on board by the commissioners to take passage for America, and for which I have never been recompensed ; and, secondly, my having served the United States from the 15th of June, 1775, to December, 1782, without receiving a farthing of wages or subsist- ence from them since December, 1776. My advances in France and Charleston amount in the whole to nearly seven thousand dollars in specie, exclusive of interest. The repayment of this, or a part of it, might be the happy means of regaining the farm I have been obliged to give up, and snatch my family from misery and ruin."

The whole amount due from the United States was about $16,000. He received in

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final settlement securities the nominal amount expended in France. He was forced to sell these securities at a discount of 80 per cent. This amount, however, enabled him to regain his Cranston farm, which he sold in 1788 and came to Ohio. During the Indian war he lived in comparative quiet in the house of his son-in-law, Colonel Sproat. He, indeed, con- sidered the whites aggressors in the Indian country, and was inclined to deal with the red men as peaceably as possible.

In 1796, in his 63rd year, he removed with his wife to a farm of 12 acres, located on the Muskingum, two miles from Marietta, and de- pended upon its productions and his own la- bor for a livelihood.

In 1811, when failing health and reduced circumstances were oppressing him, he fol- lowed the advice of friends and applied to Congress for a pension. In answer to his pe- tition he was allowed halt the pay of a cap- tain, which was at that time Soo a month. The remaining years of his life were free from anx- iety.

The following note which appeared in the Western Spectator in 1811 tells its own med- est story :

My thanks to the gentlemen of Marietta for their subscriptions to enable me to purchase a horse. If I am never able to make restitution. that the great Gov- ernor of nature, who created us all. may do it, is the wish of an old, worn-out officer of the United States. ABRAHAM WHIPPLE.

His sympathetic life companion was Sarah Hopkins, sister of Governor Hopkins, of Rhode Island. Their family consisted of two daughters and one son. The oldest daughter married Col. Ebenezer Sproat, and the young- er. Dr. Comstock, of Rhode Island. She never came to Ohio. John, the only son, left Marietta at an early period and followed a seafaring life. He never married, and with him the family name became extinct.

Mrs. Sarah Whipple died in October. 1818. in her Soth year. Commodore Whipple died May 20, 1819, on his farm. He was a lead- ing actor from beginning to end of that trying struggle which resulted in the establishment of our nation. Impoverished, he struggled

in later life in the midst of the events incident to the first settlement of the Northwest. It is pleasant to reflect that his last years were spent in ease and contentment.

COL. ROBERT OLIVER.

It is a fortunate circumstance that so many of the colony of first settlers were men of su- perior character and ability. One of the most useful members of the Ohio Company was Col. Robert Oliver. He was born in 1738 in the north of Ireland. His parents moved to America while Robert was young, and settled on a farm in Worcester County, Massachu- setts. His education was as good as the schools of that period afforded.

He entered the Revolution as a lieutenant, but at the close of the war had advanced to the position of colonel He served under Gen. Rufus Putnam in the campaign against Bur- goyne, and was highly complimented as a disciplinarian. After the close of the war he again settled on a farm, where he lived quietly until 1786, when he volunteered to assist in putting down Shays' rebellion.

Upon the formation of the Ohio Company he invested in two shares of their land and came to Marietta in the summer of 1788. The formation of the Millsburg colony and the erection of Wolf Creek Mills is fully noticed in another chapter.

In 1790 Colonel Oliver was elected to fill the vacancy on the board of directors of the Ohio Company caused by the death of General Parsons. His services in that capacity were of great value, especially during the trying per- iod of the Indian war.

Colonel Oliver was the colleague of Colonel Meigs in the first Territorial Legislature, and was selected as one of the Council, which was composed of five representatives, nominated by the Governor and commissioned by the Presi- dlent of the United States. In 1800 he was chosen president of the Council. He served as colonel of militia, and judge of the Court of Common Pleas. He served his township as magistrate until his death, which occurred in May, 1810.

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

MAJ. HAFFIELD WHITE

Died at Wooster, Washington County, De- cember 13, 1818, at the age of 80 years. He was a soldier in the French and Indian War and in the Revolution took part in the battles of Lexington, Bunker Hill, Trenton, Prince- ton and Saratoga, and continued in the patriot army to the close of the war. He received the thanks of Washington for valuable assis- tance rendered at the crossing of the Dela- ware. The last 30 years of his life were spent in making a new home for himself on the frontier of the country which he had defended from his youth. That country never repaid him for the arduous toil of many campaigns nor even for the private property he had sac- rificed in the cause of liberty.

COL .. EBENEZER SPROAT.

A distinguished character in the early his- tory of Ohio is the tall sheriff who headed the procession at the opening of the first court in the Territory, and whose imposing figure so impressed the Indians that they gave him the name of "Hetuck" ( Big Buckeye). There is a tradition that from this circumstance the term Buckeye came to be applied to all Ohio- ians.

Colonel Sproat was born in Middleborough. Massachusetts, in 1752. He had the advan- tage of early education and became familiar with the principle and practice of surveying. He assisted his father on the farm and was remarked for his strong vigorous frame. He stood erect six feet four inches tall. At the opening of the Revolution, Mr. Sproat was given command of a company but soon rose to the position of major in the Tenth Massachu- setts Regiment, under Colonel Sheppard. In 1778 he became lieutenant colonel in Glover's brigade. It has been said that he was not only the tallest man in the brigade, but also the most complete disciplinarian. At the close of the war he retired to Providence and em- ployed himself at surveying. While here he became attached to Catharine Whipple, whom he married. Colonel Sproat now turned his

attention to mercantile pursuits, for which he was singularly unfitted. He was fond of com- pany and freehanded, and as a natural result failed after a short period, losing his own for- tune and his wife's patrimony. In 1786, Col- onel Sproat was given an appointment on the survey of the seven ranges, and the following year was made one of the surveyors of the Ohio Company's Purchase. In. the fall of that year he led a detachment to Simrell's ferry, where he superintended the building of the "Mayflower." Colonel Sproat continued as surveyor for the company until 1791, when the Indian war prevented further operations. He held the position of high sheriff, under con- mission of Governor St. Clair, for 14 years. He invested the office with all the dignity of ancient ceremony, which his commanding presence gave a peculiar effect. He always carried a sword as the badge of office. Dur- ing the Indian war, he served as paymaster of the troops. The family of Colonel Sproat consisted of his wife and one daughter, who came to Marietta with Commodore Whipple. His daughter married Solomon Sibley, Esq. Colonel Sproat was a friend of General Wash- ington and an acquaintance of La Fayette. He was a stanch Federalist and saw the fall of huis party with regret. He took a live interest in agriculture, particularly gardening. His garden covered nearly an acre of ground and was tastefully laid out in squares and walks. He died suddenly in February, 1805.

COL .. RETURN JONATHAN MEIGS.

Another of the celebrated spirits of the Revolution and one, too, who figures promi- nently in the early history of Ohio, was Col. Return Jonathan Meigs. He was apprenticed a hatter in early life and afterward had a shop in his native State of Connecticut.

Mr. Meigs was a member of the Colonial military company, of Middletown, and when the war became imminent was chosen captain. After the news of the first bloodshed at Lex- ington, Captain Megs volunteered and was re- ceived into the service with the rank of major. After his release he again signified his will-

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ingness to enter the service, and was commis- sioned colonel by Congress. He raised a reg- iment of volunteers, known in history as the "Red Cap Regiment." The expedition of this regiment against Sag Harbor, Long Island, is celebrated, and its conduct at Stony Point highly honorable. After the war Colonel Meigs returned to Middletown, where he re- mained until the formation of the Ohio Com- pany. His services were engaged by the com- pany as a surveyor, and in the spring of 1788 he entered on the duties of his office. Before the Territorial officers had arrived Colonel Meigs had drawn up a code of rules, which served for the government of the Territory. After the organization of the government, un- der the ordinance of Congress, he was made one of the associate justices and justice of the peace. He was also commissioned clerk of the Court of Quarter Sessions and prothonotary of the Court of Common Pleas.

Colonel Meigs was commissary of the clothing department during the treaty of 1795, at Greenville. It was through his exertions that Joseph Kelly, the boy captive, was restored to his mother.

Washington County was ably represented in the first Territorial Legislature by Colonels Meigs and Oliver. This was an important session, and Colonel Meigs' intimate knowl- edge of affairs made him a superior member.

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History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 139

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J Publication date: 1902 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1490

Author: Andrews, Martin Register, 1842-; Hathaway, Seymour J
Publication date: 1902
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1490