History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 25

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 25

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DOUGLAS PUTNAM, JUNIA JENNINGS, D. P. BOSWORTH, THOS. W. EWART, CHAS. HUMPHREYS, WYLLYS HALL. Committee of Arrangements.

SOCIETY FOR THE PROMOTION OF TEMPERANCE.

CONSTITUTION OF THE MARIETTA SOCIETY FOR TIIE PRO- MOTION OF TEMPERANCE.

June 7 1820 .- Preamble .- Believing that the use of intoxicating liquors for persons in health, is not only unnecessary. but hurtful-being injurious to health and vigor of body, the property, reputation and happiness of indi- vidual: and families, as well as to the moral character of society in general; therefore, resolved, that both for our own good and the benefit of the community in which we live, we the subscribers form ourselves into a rociety and adopt the following Constitution :

Article 1. The Society shall be known by the name

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of the Marietta Society for the Promotion of Tem- perance.

Article 2. The Society shall consist of all those persons of sixteen years old and upwards, who will sign this Preamble. Constitution and Pledge.

Article 3. The officers of the Society shall be a President. two Vice-Presidents, a Secretary and Trea -- urer. in Executive Committee of four members, who together shall form a Board to devise such means and prosecute such measures as they may deem ex- pedient to promote the general objects of the Society as expressed in this Constitution, with power to fill all vacancies in their own body.

Article 4 It shall be the duty of the President, and in his absence. a Vice-President, to preside at all meetings of the Society, and of the Board, and to call special meetings when requested by the Board or any Sve menibers of the Society.

Article 5. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep a copy of the Constitution in a book for that purpose, record the names of the officers and members, record also the transactions of the Society, and con- duct its correspondence.

Article 6. The Society shall meet annually on the second Monday in April when the Officers shall be chosen by ballot.

Article 7. Nine members of the Society shall con- stitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Article 8. We, the subscribers, pledge ourselves to abstain entirely from drinking ardent spirits, except as a medicine, and that, in all suitable ways, we will lend onr influence for the promotion of temperance.

Article 9. This Constitution may be altered or amended by the concurrence of two-thirds of the mem . bers present at any annual meeting.

"The Society of Marietta for the Promo- tion of Temperance was organized .April 13. 1829. The foregoing constitution had been adopted as the constitution of the Society at a very large and respectable meeting of the cit- izens of this place previously held. The num- ber of members at present is about 125, with the prospect that many more will yet be added. The success of the Society thus far has tran- scended our most sanguine expectations. . \ great change has been wrought and is still taking place in relation to the subject of tem- perance and the high importance of using ev- ery means to promote it among ourselves and in the community in general. And we are not alone. A general excitement prevails upon this subject throughout our land. The nation begins to awake to the evils which threaten us as a people. Enquiry is aroused -public opinion is undergoing a rapid change and the press has become a most powerful

auxiliary to the good cause. Societies have been formed in almost every part of the Union for the promotion of temperance, with a view of checking the evils of intemperance which have come in upon us like a flood and which have threatened to sweep away the bulwarks of our free institutions. The only safety of our republic is in her publie virtue. Without this our government must fall. With out this our beloved land will become one wide waste of moral and political desolation. The appeal of the temperance cause is to the very heart of every patriot and every lover of his coun- try and of her free institutions, because its sole object is to diminish the causes that threaten to undermine and corrupt the virtue of the community.

"We understand that three other temper- ance societies are already formed in this cotti- ty. We hope other places will follow imme- liately the example, until one is formed in every township in the county. Other counties in this State are moving forward nobly to this work; and surely Washington-the old- est county in the State -- should not be the last in a cause which commends itself to the appro- bation of every thinking man.

"Let but the community in general awake to the importance of this whole subject to the vital interest of the present antl future genera- tions, and the five hundred societies which al- ready exist would soon be increased to five thousand-and five times five thousand.

"The Board of Directors of the Marietta Temperance Society have taken measures to procure some of the ablest productions on the subject of temperance which have been lately published, and probably will be able to fur- nish individuals or societies with a few cop- ies, aside from those which they hope to cir- culate among their own fellow citizens."

NOTICE.

July 10. 1830.

A special meeting of the Marietta Society for the Promotion of Temperance, will be held at the Method ist Meeting House on Wednesday, July 14. 1830, at five nielock, P. M. An address will be delivered. Members are requested and citizens invited to attend.

E. EMERSON, President.

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY.

July 31, 1830 .-

"It was found upon thorough and minute investigation, that, during the year which preceded the formation of this Society, ac- cording to the most accurate estimate that could be made, not less than 790 barrels of ar- dent spirit were sold by wholesale and retail to the inhabitants of this town and county, and were consumed within these limits. The wholesale cost of this amount of ardent spirit was estimated at not less than $5.600.

"In this estimate no account was made of the ardent spirit sold at retail in the gro- ceries and taverns of the town. If this had been reckoned there is no doubt the quantity cost of the whole would have been very much increased. We have reasons to doubt that the estimated amount of sales was much below the truth as it was then reported.

"Within a few days last past the Board have taken measures to have a minute and very exact investigation of the amount of sales within the last year to the town and county, from all stores. taverns and groceries in Mari- etta who deal in the article; and from the most accurate estimate, that can be made, they find that the whole number of barrels sokl to the town and county within the last year is 310. The cost of the whole, reckoning it an average wholesale price, namely, 20 cents a gallon, the same price at which the former es- timate was made, is $2,170, showing a reduc- tion in the sales of $3.430. And they have reason to believe that this whole sum has been actually saved to this town and county within the past year."

MARIETTA FEMALE SEMINARY.

December 18, 1841 .-

"We know not when we have passed a more agreeable hour than on the morning of Tuesday last, at the school room of our friends. Mr. Lionel Tenney and his accomplished lady, the distinguished principais of the Fe- mnle Seminary of this city. We had availed ourselves of the courtesy of an invitation to

be present at the Examination with no slight anticipation of pleasure: for we had heard many things to the credit of the institution: but we must confess we were by no means prepared for much that we listened to and wit- nessed. Did our limits permit, it would afford us pleasure to detail in order all the exercises of the Examination. As is the case, how- ever, we have space to refer only to the "Scrap Book," in which were recorded some of the literary productions of the young ladies of the Seminary, both in verse and in prose; and we must be permitted to observe, that some of the articles to which we listened would orna- ment the columns of any periodical in the land. The subjoined, which we are suffered to lay before our readers, and for which we are sure of their thanks, is a perfect gem, in its way. It is hardly inferior to the celebrated lines of Caroline Bowles on a subject similar. It is from the pen of a young lady of this city who, if she choose, may win a bright and enduring fame. Our columns are always open to her.

LINES.

Suggested by the Corpse of a Motherless Infant.

They have closed his mild eyes-his sad wailings are o'er, --

He will need the kind watching of strangers no more: They have laid him asleep in his coffin to rest.

With his little cold hands gently clasped on his breast.

His fair brow wears a sadness so chastened and mild. One would know that he gazed on a motherless child. Oh! why was that mother thus hurried away.

From the tender mercies that courted her stay ?

Had Love's power no magie to loosen the clasp

That was freezing her heart by its withering grasp? Could not that babe's wailing the mother have stayed? No! the summons had come and it must be obeyed.

With a calm resignation she yielded her breath. And triumphantly trod the "dark valley of death." Like a fair smiling blossom she passed in an hour, And the bud in its freshness soon followed the flower.

Me thought as it breather its young spirit away. That a fair bright-winged seraph bent over his clay :-- That she tuned in its ear a glad song of the blest. And then bore the sweet cherub away on her breast." -FLOR.A.

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ART.

A CARD

Exhibition of Miss Martin's Paintings.

August 21. 1841 .-

The public of Marietta. Harmar. and vicinity, are respectfully informed that on Monday next, August 23d. the exhibition of Miss A. M. Martin's Paintings will commence in Marietta, in the house lately occupied by Charles Sullivan. Esa .. on Second street, where it will continue for a short time only, previous to proceeding down the river. The rooms will be opened every day. between the hours of 10 and 12 A. M. and 2 and 4 P. M. There will also be an evening exhibition twice a week. on Mondays and Thursdays, from 7 till o. when Music will be in attendance.

Admission tickets, 25 cents during the day. 3752 cents for the evening.

September 4. 1841. (For the Gazette. )

"Mr. Editor :- I had the pleasure, the oth- er evening, of visiting Miss Martin's paintings. which are now being exhibited in this place. I had heard them spoken of in terms of high commendation before, and of course was pre- pared to expect a delectable treat. But I must admit that my anticipations were more than realized. The singularly judicious taste with which they were got up-the neat arrangement -together with all the minute shades and col- orings of the various parts-display ingenui- ty and skill (if I should be the judge), rarely surpassed, especially for one of her years and opportunities-or rather want of opportuni- ties.

SCHEMES FOR THE BETTERMENT OF MANKIND.

From time to time the public have been enlightened about various schemes for the bet- terment of mankind. On the 14th of June. 1825, Robert Owen, an enthusiastic philan- thropist and a friend of the poor and toiler. arrived in Marietta. By request he delivered a discourse at the Court House, which was very interesting. He explained, as much as possible in the limited time, his new system of society which he was about to introduce into this country. Mr. Owen at that time was about to found a new society . at Harmony

where all might have equal advantages. The design was worthy of the generous founder, but human nature with its sloth and selfish- ness proved stronger than his benevolent theo- ries.

EDWARD POSTLETHWAYT PAGE.

In the intellectual development of a com- munity, the eccentric genius who is usually considered a "crank" may sometimes perform a useful service. He may at least awaken curiosity. The following is a fair sample of notices which were published by Mr. Page in 1822; and occasionally for many years there- after :

REASON NO TREASON.

I have consecrated a free church in Marietta by bowing seven times to the intellectual Sun. 1 invite a general attendance of enrolled members at the Court House every Sunday and Wednesday evening at carly candle light. Controversy is inadmissible; but cach member in rotation may ( unless he declines it) sing, preach, or read from any book he pleases, and in umion with any religious opinions, he may entertain. during his fifteen minutes. The church government is a pure democratic level. Much and various music is expected.

Given under my hand and seal of charity at Aurora's Temple of Knowledge opposite the Elevated Square (of Truth ).

EDWARD POSTLETHWAYT PAGE.

ANOTHER NEW THEORY.

August 16, 1826-

There is at present a person in this city. calling himself by the name of Edward Postlethwayt Page. who wear- a long and ample black gown, an unshaven beard. and sub-it. after the manner of the priests of Bralima, upon cold vegetables and water. He professes the sciences of Astrology. Magi- and Geometry, and 1- confident he can remove the thick veil of ignorance which has been held before the eyes of the world for centuries. He lays great stress upon his discoveries of the numerical exposition of the Chaldee Astrologer's Alphabet. in his opmion the most grand and invaluable mystery of the famous Zodiac of Dendera. We have been favored with several of his essays, which however we have dechned publishing. because we are not willing to lend currency to that which is beyond the limits of our comprehension. Ile term- himself. "High Priest of Nature," and holds a regular or irregular doctrine termed "The Elevemian Code " All the truth, which the ancient Egyptians knew. he professes to un lerstand. Ile has lately been traveling over the U. States. last a the new settlement of the Valley Forge making converts, and inter Is journeying on in his work with patience and industry He is about to publish several works, to which several learned and scientific profes- I anes of New York and Philadelphia have subver red :

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY.

amongst others. we observe one with the following title-"The Jew's Harp of Nature-opening the Sibil -- our Bible's terrible Books-announcing the death of Christendom in seven years." Mr. P. himself informed us, the results of his sciences are so terrible in their nature, that we desire to learn nothing more of them. The world has now something else besides Capt. Symmes to talk of .- Philadelphia Freeman's Journal.

March 12. 1828 .-

Mr. Prentiss :- In 1824 a little prior to Rober. Owen's first arrival in America, I went to Washington. distributed my printed memorial to each member of that Congress, for a grant of a million acres of land in Eat Florida in behalf of my "Scientific Common- wealth." When read in the Senate. it expired for need of breath. I then embarked for St. Domingo, intend- ding to petition Boyer : but was wrecked by a gale and lost $650 With the remainder of my damaged cargo, I visited South America, and found it a paradise for communities, But those superstitions people could not estimate how unity gives knowledge; knowledge, wealth ; wealth, power and felicity.

The "Scientific Commonwealth," over which I pre- side (and Sol. like the head of anybody, must guide the rest of the planets ), has commenced at Emblem Town. seven miles from Marietta between Duck Creek and Muskingum River; and several families are now in tuil co-operation, one for all :- ali for one !- My school begins this week. We receive scholars to board. & ... on moderate terms: mutual instruction our method, with its monitorial liscipline .- But we inculcate no other religion than that of nature, and reverence to the Great Spirit of the Universe; by which we learn to love each other, and do all the good we can.

Do me the favor to publish this communication. Not that we seek members. Too many, alas! will seek us. The Community I was three months associated with at Valley Forge. near Philadelphia, was over- whelmed by a rush of importunate applicants, and there was not fortitude enough to refuse them. All that have failed have been surcharged in the commencement. EDWARD P. PAGE.

IN BEHALF OF THE FLEUCINEAN COMMONWEALTH.

August 30, 1828 --

By my retraining from all hot and animal food ; and from milk. butter. cheese, eggs, inebriating bever- ages, foreign tea, coffee, and all tobacco. I prove, that this diet is best for the studious (if their wheat bread, like mine, be coarse or brown ) ; I ordain the revival of Prince Triptolemus's Eleucinean Mysteries as explana- tory of Symbol Divinity .- Our College is forming. not amid the noxious fogs of Ohio's water-courses ;- but on my healthy and level hill farm. called Emblem Place, by the new road, five miles from Marietta, ex- actly. ] shall apply for a charter. I grant to this Col- lege near 500 acres of land in Fearing Township, ( 150 under fence) during my natural life, rent free. Each member works half the day and studies the other half. I invite from among all nations the youths of either sex, who by this diet are eligible.

EDWARD POSTLETHWAYT FAGE. (Life President of this E: C:)

August, 1828.

P. S. Surely all newspaper editors will oblige me by giving this publicity. E. P. P.

May. 1820 .-

As introductory to the establishment of Halls of Science throughout Ohio, similar to Miss Frances Wright's at New York, I shall deliver her Oration, adapted to all such occasions, at the Court House (if those in charge of the same permit), on Monday next, at sun down.

EDWARD P. PAGE.

A CARD.

18.30 -

E P. Page to the Public .- Greeting. - With the will of God (whose Church our priests and priestesses of Theismi are about to establish )-on each future Sunday, during the hours of the divine service, I shall appear at the School-house nearest our Town Point: then and there to officiate as high priest of the Theists .- The Bible will be read in due order, a Latin verse first, and then its English verse. ( The great John Locke said, that a mother might teach herselt and children Latin by such a method. ) The prayers, psalms, and hymns, and sermons will be cautiously selected from other Churches, that no trumpery trash may be imposed upon the audience. Music when practicable. Astrology and Magis are purely the science of analogy, applied to the Emblems, or picture language of nature. But the tre- mendous depth of this science forbids that the vulgar should be taught it until they can understand it. On these occasions I shall exclude these twin sisters. They appertain to our initiated members.

To the Faculty of Marietta College.

Gentlemen :- My regard for good manners, arising .mor(. ] think. from 'a native benevolence, than from adventitious circumstances, has checked my movements toward you, at least until your college became, as now, an established institution of learning.

Lukewarm 1 permit you no longer to be towards my discovery. Either declare it true or false in a pub- l'c and official manner.

Justice to Science-justice to the public, to your scholars, and to me, demands that ere I leave Marietta to impart my system. I obtain of you some credential is a testimonial that my science of sciences is genuine, and is a part of the ancient oracles, that was lost and is found.

In the name of Truth, I exhort you to investigate my Oracle of the Millenium, now in the Press; and if by remissness and a cold indifference. you indirectly omiit to perform that sacred duty to your God. your country, and to me,-Then I pledge myself to declare war against your college, as unworthy the station it has isstimed.

As individuals 1 esteem yon :- but as a collective body, I only respect you when conservators of science. I have been patient long enough. Is my astronomical discoveries true or false? Answer that.

If you say false. prove it .- If you say true, then I demand a letter to that purport from you collectively, addressed to the Faculty of every other college. There i is no alternative.

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With due respect and high consideration, I have the honor to be your obedient humble servant.

EDWARD P. PAGC. Marietta, March 23rd. 1840.

Our genial and public spirited friends, Dr. H. B. Shipman, who has recently been called away from us, has left the following sketch of Mr. Page:

"There died in Marietta May 17, 1857, a man of fine presence, robust, sturdy and purely English in physique, of high culture and fitted by education to adorn any society, but hope- lessly insane on figures.

"Edward Postlethwayt Page, High Priest of Nature and Emperor of the Sun and Moon, was a remarkable man. A gentleman in ev- ery respect, affable, courteous, exceedingly kind and polite, an intelligent talker on almost all subjects, until suddenly he would strike off upon his one absorbing topic, squaring the cir- cle and its accompanying vagaries.

"In early life he had gone to Calcutta in the employ of the East India Company and there, of full habits, he was stricken down with sunstroke. He had a purely mathemat- ical mind and was much given to the study of Brahmanic and occult science. As the result of this sunstroke, Mr. Page became. what we knew him here for many years. a wreck of a bright intelligent man.

"His home was on the corner of Sixth and Warren streets. under the shadow of that mag- nificent elm tree still standing. He called it 'Emblem Place.'

"His wife, too, was insane, and for years he kept her confined in a small brick house standing back of the dwelling. The writer of this article well remembers her rushing into the College Chapel with disheveled hair and the clanking of chains (for she had an iron clasp about her ankle and a chain attached ). poorly dressed and beseeching us to protect and hide her. She was followed by her hus- band, who almost rudely took her away, scold- ing and upbraiding her.

"This unhappy wife soon after died and Mr. Page in later years married Miss Jane Carter. This last union proved a happy one. "Sometime, perhaps in 1856, conscious of

the infirmities of age and wishing to continue the authority and title he claimed for himself he called together a few of his best friends ahong the young men, and in the bookstore of W. H. Gurley formally abdicated his great office of High Priest of Nature and conferred the title upon the blushing writer of this ar- ticle. It was done with gowns, caps and cowles and in a dark room, the door guarded by one of the number with a musket.

"Mr. Page was a man of more than ordin- ary poetic talent and of fine imagination. This was evident in all his conversation, however erratic, and if once he saw your appreciation and pleasure, he became doubly interesting from this sense of your recognition. He was uncommonly genial and pleasant, especially when, as he thought, he had discovered some new idea in his mystic lore. Then all of his nature flamed out and his conversation was rapid and excited, often running into poetic and fanciful couplets.

"At a time in his early life in Marietta (I cannot get the exact date of it) he wrote an amatory poem, 'The Love of Nature,' quite a long one in six cantos and in which are some really fine things, though occasionally drop- ping into his eccentric language and figures. It was impossible for him to continue a sus- tained, sensible thought.

"His portly figure, fine presence and genial manners, courtly ever, made him a distinguish- ed person upon our streets for many years.

"He was born in England, July 13. 1782.

WASHINGTON COUNTY CHILDREN'S HOME.

The citizens of Washington County have for many years taken a just pride in the bean- tiful Children's Home on the Muskingum, a mile above the city. But not all of them are aware that as a county home. it is the pioneer of all similar institutions in the State. Its in- ception is due to the unselfish labors of one whose life is briefly sketched by Seymour J. Hathaway in the following :

Memorial Address.

Catharine Fay Ewing, familiarly known

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HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

as "Aunt Katie Fay," was born at Westboro, Massachusetts, in the year 1822 ; she was mar- ried to .A. S. D. Ewing in 1862; died April 4, 1897. If there was nothing more to say of Mrs. Ewing than to give these dates and state that she lived a noble, religious life, or that she was a woman of a benevolent turn and determined purpose in life, if this was all, there would be no reason for my standing here today to speak of her career. No, my friends, what we want to know is not the sim- ple annals of a well spent life. We want to know what this woman has done to advance the condition of humanity, or what addition she has made to the total sum of human pro- gress.

TURNING POINT IN HER LIFE.

Her ancestors hailed from Plymouth Rock. Her family came to Ohio when she was a child. At the age of 20, she became a missionary among the Choctaw Indians, where she la- bored for 10 years. While engaged in this work, a tragic incident occurred, causing the death of a homeless child, which aroused all the sympathies of her nature, and she resolved to do what she could to rescue dependent chil- dren from suffering and degradation.

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History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 25

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