History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 21

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 21

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

E. C. Darees.

"In the issue of Tuesday, the writer stated that the three prisoners, Loraine, Garner, and Thomas, confined in the Parkersburg Jail were discharged but failed to give details as to how they were discharged ; not deeming it of interest to the general reader.

"The facts were. that the Court of last re- sort at Richmond, not desiring to commit it- self on the question raised in the case, de- sired that the prisoners be discharged, on mere nominal bond, which was done and the Court never did decide the case, because the prisoners were never again called to appear.

"For some reason the State and Federal courts have nearly always found it convenient to dodge the question of the Southern bound- ary of the Northwest Territory between Ohio and Virginia, which boundary is fixed. under the grant of the State of Virginia, to all the territory 'northwest of the River Ohio.' The question which has vexed the courts is what is meant by the 'river Ohio?' Is it the center of the navigable stream, the north side at low- water mark, or does it extend to high-water mark? If to the latter mark, then these men were in Virginia, and amenable to her laws; but the Court shrank from giving this much desired construction (desired by Virginians) and had it so decided, the able counsel for de- fendant ould have carriekl the case to the Supreme Court of the United States, where a settlement of the question would no doubt have released the prisoners, and then rendered the commonwealth and its officers liable for false imprisonment, a complication

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and probability the Virginia courts were glad to avoid by withholding their decision.

"In later years, we have had some deci- sions in interior courts of the States which would scarcely pass muster as sound doctrine.

"In one instance, a Common Pleas judge in Ohio held that a burglary committed by breaking into a wharf-boat moored to the Ohio shore was not within the State of Ohio, be- cause the breaking was on the outer side of the boat, next to the channel of the river; and a West Virginia case from Jackson County was even more absurd than this; in that case the sale of liquor on board a shanty-boat, moored to the Ohio shore at high-water line opposite Ravenswood, West Virginia, was held to be a violation of the law's of West Vir- ginia, but these cases scarcely rise to the dig- ity of strong precedence.

"So much for the legal aspect of the case. Now, as to the unfortunate victims of the il-

legal imprisonment, and what became of them. Mordecai E. Thomas soon became blind after being released, and still lives at Quaker City, Ohio. Peter M. Garner died at Columbus. Ohio, many years ago, and Creighton J. Lo- raine died at Franklin County, Nebraska, last winter. They all left the filthy and damp prion much impaired in health, and never fully regained their former strength.

"Had they, for the time being, forgotten their Quaker extraction, on the memorable night, and vigorously used the weapon Nature gave them, as did some of their comrades, the Virginians would have gone home with both eyes n mourning and empty-handed.

"Other parties were present 'on that occa- sion: just how many we know not, but we think Titus Shotwell, Borden Staunton, Ham- ilton Cottle. Jonathan Plumley, and others, most of whom are now dead, could give some facts if living."

CHAPTER VII.

EDUCATION.

EARLY TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS-THE FIRST SCHOOL HOUSES -- IMPROVEMENT IN SCHOOL HOUSES-AGITATION FOR BETTER EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES-THE FIRST SCHOOLS --- EXAMINERS OF COMMON SCHOOLS-EDUCATIONAL NOTICES-SCHOOL DIRECTORS --- TEACHERS' INSTITUTES-WASHINGTON COUNTY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION MINUTES-WILL- IAM SLOCOMB-TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOLS-OTHER MEANS OF EDUCATION-WASHING- TON COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY-THE MARIETTA LIBRARY ASSOCIATION-THE MARIETTA LYCEUM-FIRST MECHANICS' LYCEUM-A HINT ON HOME-TRAINING SABBATH-SCHOOLS -SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF TEMPERANCE-MARIETTA FEMALE SEMINARY-ART SCHEMES FOR THE BETTERMENT OF MANKIND-EDWARD POSTLETHWAYT PAGE-WASH- INGTON COUNTY CHILDREN'S HOME-HISTORY OF CHILDREN'S HOMES.

If education be, as some have defined it, the conscious influence of one generation upon the next to produce conformity to an ideal, then education. intellectual, moral and relig- ious, began as soon as New England families had settled in the Northwest Territory. Among these settlers were many who had been well educated for the day. even enjoying a liberal education.

EARLY TEACHERS AND SCHOOLS.

John Mathews, one of the pioneers, had at one time been engaged to teach in the Virginia settlement near Wheeling: but oth- er duties called him away before he had be- gun his school. In the colony the division of labor soon began, and one was employed to teach the children, while the rest continued the farming and the building.

From the best attainable evidence, it ap- pears that the first school in the new settlement

was taught in the northwest block-house by Maj. Anselm Tupper, in the winter of 1788- 89. Dr. Jabez True also taught in the block- house and Jonathan Baldwin, who afterward settled at Waterford. Bathsheba Roush, of Belpre, was the first recruit in the great army of earnest women who have labored for the education of the youth of our country. She taught at Belpre in the summer of 1789. Dan- iel Mill, a graduate of Cambridge University, taught for some years at Farmers' Castle. Jonathan Baldwin, who has already been men- tioned, also taught in the same place before he removed to Waterford.

The schools of that day and those that were kept up for many years later were sup- ported almost exclusively by the subscrip- tion of the patrons. For a long time there were no houses built exclusively for school purposes. At an early day Mr. Curtis taught a school at Marietta in a cooper shop. The first school near the present site of Amesville

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was taught in a room in the house of Ephraim Cutler in 1801. William Slocumb and Benja- min F. Stone were among the very early teach- ers at Marietta.

There was a little revenue for school pur- poses arising from the rent of Section 16 and perhaps the earliest corporation created by legislative enactment was one to take charge of the revenue arising from these lands. For a long time school laws in Ohio were simply permissive; the township might create dis- tricts, and the districts might build school houses but there was no obligation to do this unless the people of the township took the in- itiative. The people, not only of Washing- ton County, but also of the whole State, owe a debt of gratitude to Ephraim Cutler and Dr. S. P. Hildreth for their untiring efforts to se- cure means for popular education in every dis- trict. Mr. Cutler especially labored to secure better school laws while he was a member of the General Assembly, and Dr. Hildreth was a member of a committee to prepare a report on education for the consideration of the Assem- bly

TIIE FIRST SCHOOL HOUSES.

The first school houses built were rude log structures, very similar to those in which the majority of the settlers were then living. One end of the school house was almost entire- ly occupied by the huge chimney, where great roaring wood fires were kept in the winter time. The best of these had a single hori- zontal row of panes of glass to serve for a window. Against the wall beneath this win- dow, a long board supported by wooden pegs driven into the wall served as a desk for the older pupils who were learnig to write. This long desk was not exactly reversible, but the pupils were, for by clambering over the bench on which they sat they could reseat them- selves and have the edge of the board as a support for their backs. Houses substantial- ly of this form continued to be used in some parts of this county within the memory of men still living.

In the other means for public instruction, designed not simply for the youth but for the whole community, the pioneers were ever alert.

In February, the agents and the proprie- tors passed the following resolution :

Resolved, That the 7th day of April be forever con- sidered as a day of public festival in the territory of the Ohio Company. as their settlements in this country commenced on that day; and that the direc- tors request some gentleman to prepare an oration to be delivered on the next anniversary.

From the first year, the Fourth of July was celebrated with due ceremony and usually an oration was delivered to perpetuate in the hearts of the young the sentiments of patriot- ism, which had inspired so many of the found- ers and nerved them to offer their lives in de- fense of independence. It was also provided that the memorials of another race should be carefully preserved for the instruction of fu- ture generations. The elevated squares, the mounds, the Sacra L'ia were to be preserved for public use. Early attempts were made to secure libraries, and it is worthy of mention that the books selected for these libraries, or owned in families, were of a serious nature- historical and theological works. Life with the pioneers was a serious matter and they had no time or taste for lighter literature. Even the poetical works read by them were of a se- rious and contemplative character.

IMPROVEMENT IN SCHOOL HOUSES.

The second grade of school buildings, such as were standing in this county about the mid- dle of the igth century, were a little better than the first; both in size and in furnishings. A typical example of the school house of 1850 is recalled by one of the boys, who learned in it his first lessons in reading and writing. It stood by the roadside near a spring. It was built of hewed logs and contained three win- dows, each having eight small panes of glass. Instead of the huge fireplace, a coal stove stood in the middle of the room. The board for a desk still decorated three sides of the wall and between these desks and the stove

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were three long low benches on which the smaller scholars sat and very often roasted, especially if the weather was very cold.

The chinks between the logs were filled with mud, from the road, which had been thoroughly kneaded by the horses and vehicles, and one of the tasks which the boys especially enjoyed was that of patching up the walls and filling the crevices, on some mild winter day. when the road had been thawed. The only ventilation afforded in this room was caused by the accidental breaking of a window pane, and as the school house was a long way from town it usually happened that two or three such apertures were to be seen. In extremely

cold weather, these were sometimes stopped up with a hat or a piece of paper.

Another picture of a school house of that time is given by Miss Harriet Warren :

THE OLD SCHOOL HOUSE.

O'er shadowed by the lofty trees. Where happy birds are singing ever. And wild flowers scent the summer breeze Beside a gently flowing river- An ancient cabin states alone. Its roof with moss and grass o'ergrown.

For three score years that time-worn pile Has firmly braved the wintry blast. And three score spring, with merry smiles. And sunny days too bright to last- Have showered their sweetest offering there In wild profusion rich and rare.

When the first rustic latch I raised. And then the door I opened quite : So many eyes upon me gazed. I wondered at the curious sight, Then took my seat with bashful look. And studied in my spelling book.

With school-mates there so dearly loved 1 spent full many happy hours. At noontimes through the woods we roved. And hunted for our favorite flowers, With merry langh and joyful song. While swiftly How the hours along.

That little band i- scattered now Upon the world's oft changing stage, Some wear fame's laurel on their brow. The poet, statesman, and the sage. Ard some have found ? peaceful grave Where bending willows sadly wave.

Fond memory often brings to mind The image of my teacher dear, With smiling face and actions kind In heart and word alike sincere. But I will check the rising sigh. A rich reward she reaps on high.

The old school house-I love it well. 'Twas there in early days 1 met With one who words of love did tell, And one who truly loves me yet. The dear companion of my way. Through life's prolonged and weary day.

Deserted now. its tottering walls Into decay are falling fast. And oft when twilight's shadows fall. I haste me there, and on the past 1 muse. until it all doth seem A beautiful, Lut fleeting dream.

AGITATION FOR BETTER EDUCATIONAL FACILI- TIES.

In 1822, Governor Trimble appointed Ca- leb Atwater, Lloyd Talbot. Dr. S. P. Hildreth, J. Barber. N. Guilford, James Hoge and John Collins as commissioners "to collect, digest, and to report to the next General Assembly a sys- tem of education for common schools."

This committee made a report to the State Legislature of 1822-23 in which they speak of the "prejudice which narrow-minded and ava- ricious men will endeavor to excite against any system of education which will compel the rich man to pay more towards defraying the ex- penses of erecting school houses, &c., than the man who is not worth a dollar." but they ex- press the hope that familiarity with the plan proposed "will be the great means of removing all hostility to its adoption." They call atten- tion to the fact that the population of Ohio rep- resents almost every part of the world and that many of our fellow citizens are unacquainted with any system of public education.

A few months later "Philodemas" in the American Friend discusses the subject and de- plores the fact that while Ohio has within 30 years risen from nothing to be the fourth State in the Union, "the progress of literature has not kept pace with her other acquirements." He complains that the frequent change of teachers prevents any continuity of work and

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thinks that "with proper instructors and proper books it is possible for the scholars to learn grammar, geography, geometry and algebra. in the same time which they now waste to ac- quire a smattering of reading, writing and arithmetic." He commends the educational labors of Noah Webster but thinks that "Web- ster's Spelling Book," now in general use in the county, "is not at all adapted to the use of beginners."

At a meeting of the Ohio Annual Confer- ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church, held in Marietta in September, 1822, three repre- sentatives of the Wyandot Indians-John Hicks, Monoque, and Between-the-Logs- were present and made short speeches. They thanked the conference for the school estab- lished among their people and for the unselfish labors of Rev. James B. Fruley. This mission originated in the pious efforts of a colored Methodist named Stewart, who had gone from Marietta to the Indians in 1817. About the same time Cyrus Kingsbury writes to his friends in the Marietta Congregational Church (who had helped to support his work), telling of his schools among the Choctaws, of the hearty support he was receiving from the chiefs, and of the sneering way in which some members of Congress spoke of the missionary work as a farce.

Perhaps some of us in 1902 have heard a little of the same kind of talk. Those who steal from the Indians do not wish to have mis- sionaries or teachers on the reservations.

THE FIRST SCHOOLS.

The first school reported in Adams township was taught by Enoch Wing in his own cabin in 1797. In Aurelius township Nancy Dutton was teaching in 1809 and 1810. The first school house. a log one of course, was built near where Dexter now stands, in 1815. The first school house was built in Barlow township in 1808 and the first teacher was John T. Dem- ing. Oliver Root was one of the pioneer teach- ers in Decatur township, bu tthe date of his first school is not known. In Dunham township, a school was built on the Goddard farm in 1814 -Ethelinda Clark taught here in 1816. In Fairfield township, a school house was built in 1819. in which Oliver Miller was teacher. Charles Shipman taught a school in Fearing township about 1804. As early as 1810 a small circulating library had been purchased, which served a very useful purpose for a few years; finally the books were distributed among the share owners. One of the earliest school houses in Grandview township was at the month of Mill Creek, taught by Mr. Edington, and about the same time or a little later Mir. Flack taught at Grandview. The first school house in Independence township was built in 1835, but William Cathers had taught a sub- scription school in that community about 1823. The first school house in Lawrence township. near the mouth of Cow Run on the Little Mus- kingum, in 1810, had for its teacher, Mr. Dunkin. Miss Doffet taught a subscription school in Liberty township. but the first log school house was not built until 1838. In Lud- low township Miss Daily taught a school in 1816. In Muskingum township, Miss Levings first taught in a log school house at an early date, but the exact time is not known. Caleb Greene taught a school at his own home in 1801. in Newport township. In another part of that township, in what was then known as the "hill neighborhood." Miss Annie Plumer was the first teacher. In 1805 and 1806 in a cabin built for a dwelling but not occupied, Russel Darrow taught the first school in what is now Palmer township. John True taught a school in Salem in 1807. In 1809 John Brown taught

It is difficult to state with absolute certainty when the first school was established in each township, for the reason that, the organization being so simple, no records have been kept. When two or three families of settlers had be- gun work in the wilderness, they soon found it convenient to have one of their community, perhaps, an older son or daughter, make a be- ginning at a school. A room was found some- where or somehow and this school was begun. The teacher received perhaps not more than one dollar or two dollars a week for services. a school in a room of Judge Cutler's house.

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The next year a log school house was built in benefit of those who chose to subscribe for the that ( Warren) township. In Watertown same. township, which was then known as Wooster, Nathaniel Gates taught a private school as EXAMINERS OF COMMON SCHOOLS. early as 1799. The first log school house in Wesley township was built in 1819-Miss Hewitt was the first teacher.

The law of 1817 permitted the forming of districts in the townships and the building of school houses. Some of our townships speedily availed themselves of this permission ; in others a beginning was not made for more than a quarter of a century.

As in all other counties, the supporting of the schools was gradually assumed by the public. At first the patrons furnished the school house, such as it was, with all its equip- ments, that were necessarily very meager, and paid the wages of the teacher. If any parents were too poor to pay the expenses of tuition. it was provided for by private benevolence and at a very early date we find that in some town- ships a committee was appointed to collect do- nations to meet such cases.

NOTICE.

January 20. 182" .-

The Meeting of the Citizens of Marietta. for the purpose of forming a Society to aid in educating in- digent children stands adjourned to Friday evening next (2d Feb. ) 6 o'clock. at the School house in the Ist District, at which time Articles of Association will be reported. As it is contemplated to extend the ben- efits of the Society throughout the Town-hip. it is hoped a general attendance will be given. JAMES M. BOOTH, Clerk.

.A little later the funds from the rent of Section 16, and still later the money collected by special local taxation, were applied toward paying a part of the teachers' wages. The re- mainder was made up by the payment of the patrons in proportion to the number of days school received, and one of the tasks of the teacher between 1830 and 1850 was the com- putation of the amount due from each of these patrons, and the collection of the same. Some- times the public money was expended in paying the teacher for a very short term. perhaps not more than two months and the teacher was then permitted to continue the school for the

As we have shown in another part of this chapter, some of the earliest teachers were men liberally educated in the East, and as settle- ments multiplied it was impossible to find thoroughly qualified teachers for all the schools. The following notice, first appearing April 1, 1825. marked a new step in the educational progress of this county :

In pursuance of the law "To provide for the sup- port and better regulation of Common Schools." passed at the last sesion of the Legislature of this State. the following gentlemen were appointed Ex- amirers of Common Schools for the County of Wash- ington, at the late term of the Court of Common Pleas, Viz. :

Mr. Wilham Slocomb, of Marietta. Mr. William P. Putnam, of Belpre. Anselm T. Ave, E-q. of Waterford.

The section of the law requiring this appointment makes it their duty to examine every person wishing to be employed as a teacher, and if they find such person qualified and of good moral character, to give a certificate to that effect.

We are requested to state that the Examiner, of Common Schools propose meeting at the Muskingum Academy in Marietta, on Saturday the oth of April next. at one o'clock. P. M .: and subsequently on the third day of each term of the Court of Common Pleas for this county.

When it was first propoesd to add English grammar to the list of enumerated branches required of teachers in public schools, one of the best teachers then in the county said that it would be impossible to supply the schools. if this requirement were rigidly exacted. However, from 1825, a county certificate has been demanded of those teachers who were to draw from the public funds, except for the short period when by the law of Ohio every township was permitted to elect its own ex- aminers.

March, 1826 .-

"An act to provide for the support and better regulation of Common Schools," passed February 5. 1825. makes it the duty of the trustees of each incorporated township to lay

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off the same into one or more school districts. It also provides, that no township shall be entitled to receive any part of the moneys collected for school purposes, until the same shall be laid off into districts, etc. We would suggest to the trustees of townships that have not complied with the law in this respect, the propriety of causing the same to be done as soon as practicable. It is essential to the in- terests of the rising generation that the requi- sites of this law be strictly attended to." -Ohio State Journal.

1831 .-

At a meeting of the Examiners of Com- mon Schools in Washington County, held at the court House in Marietta on the first day of November, 1831, there were present, Will- iam Slocomb, William Pitt Putnam, John Brown, John D. Chamberlain, Caleb Emer- son of Douglas Putnam. William Slocomb was appointed chairman and Douglas Putnam. clerk.

The following regulations for the govern- ment of the Examiners were adopted :

I. The Board of Examiners will hold an Annual Meeting at Marietta, on the second day of the Fall Term of the Court of Common Pleas in each year.

2. The Examiners for the several Townships shall meet for the examination of Teachers on the first Saturday in April. June and October

3. Each Examiner shall keep a record of all per- sons to whom he shall grant certificates and of the several branches in which they are authorized to teach : and shall return a Report of the same to the Cle-k of the Annual Meeting.

4. Every person applying for examination, who is not personally known to the Examiners, shall produce satisfactory evidence of good moral character.

5. Every person shall apply to the Examiner or Examiners in the Township where he or she may re- side. or where he or she proposes to teach school : and in case there is no Examiner in such Township. then application shall be made to the Examiners in one of the Townships adjoining.

6. No Examiner shall grant a certificate to a per- son from a Township where any other Examiner re- sides, unless said certificate shall be first signed by the Examiner in such Town. or unless sufficient cause is shown to rerder such examination necessary.

7. The Examiners shall require from all Teachers the following qualifications, viz., a knowledge of Reading, Writing and Arithmetick, at least so far as to comprise the Rule of Three.

8. The Examiners shall visit the Schools in their respective Townships from time to time as they shall

deem expedient: and in ordinary cases, at least as often as once in each quarter.

9. These regulations may be altered or amended at any Annual Meeting of the Examiners by a vote of a majority of the Examiners present.

It was decided that for the current year, the Examiners of the several townships should meet on Saturday, the 19th of No- vember, for the examination of teachers. It was ruled that teachers might be examined either at the Annual Meeting, or at the quar- terly meetings of the Examiners in the several townships.

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History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 21

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