History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 69

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 69

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).

BUILDING OF THE BLOCK-HOUSES.

Early in the summer. Capt. Jonathan Devoi was employed in furnishing timber for the corner block-houses; he erected two saw-pits

on the bank of the Muskingum, near the upper end of the present corn-field where a good spring comes out under the bank. Two sets of sawyers were employed. They furnished hewed poplar logs, which were whip-sawed into four-inch planks, of which the block- houses were constructed. He built a house for hintself of the same material, on the south side of the Campus Martius, which received his family in the summer of 1789. I presume "the Garrison" was begun in 1788, and finished in the summer of 1789, as it was apparently completed -- that is, that part which was built by the Ohio Company-when I arrived, in No- vember, 1780. Governor St. Clair and his family arrived in January, 1790, and occupied the Southwest Block-house which was called the "Governor's Block-house," which was fin- ished with good, smooth, poplar floors, doors, casings, &c., and a brick chinmey, with three fire-places below, and three above.

In August, 1790, I was employed by Gen- eral Putnam with two hands, Owen and Flagg, to line the pickets between the houses, with four-inch ash stuff, pinned on to the pickets so high as to cover a man, perforated with embrasures convenient for a musket. Likewise the plank of the block-houses had been sawed in a proper direction for embrasures which had not been cut out ; they were cut out and filled with plugs, which could be taken out and put in as occasion required. I moved into the Campus Martius the Ist of December, 1790, after which some further repairs were made.

BIG BOTTOM MASSACRE.

Lots had been surveyed and drawn for by a number of persons who had associated to make a settlement at Big Bottom, who, about the beginning of winter, determined to go on and cultivate their land ; those best acquainted with the Indians, and those best capable of judging from appearances, had but little doubt that the Indians were preparing to commence hostilities, and strongly opposed the settlement going out that fall, and desired that they re- main until spring, by which time, probably,

487

AND REPRESENT.ITITE CITIZENS.

the question of war or peace would be settled. Even General Putnam and the directors of the Ohio Company, who gave away the land to have it settled, thought it risky and imprudent, and strongly remonstrated against venturing out at that time : but the young men were im- patient-confident in their own prudence, and ability to protect themselves, and sanguine in the hope of success, they went. They put up a large block-house, which might accommodate the whole on an emergency, covered it and laid puncheon floors, stairs, &c. The house was made up of large beech logs and rather open, and it was not chinked ; this job was left for a rainy day, or some more convenient sea- son; here was their first great error: here their building of Babel stopped, and the gen- eral interest was lost in that convenience of each individual, and with this all was lost. The second great error was that they kept no sentry : the Indians had got an Indian lad about 18 years old, who was born and brought up in Rhode Island, whose name | forget: he had been enticed by the Ohio Indians with- out the settlement and then restrained from coming back: they took him to Sandusky and round in their hunting parties and came on to the Muskingum about Christmas ; they came down within about 20 miles of Big Bottom. and struck a camp for hunting; this lad had been employed to keep camp and do chores, but was seldom left alone; they told him he must stay and keep camp a day or two-that they were going to look for a better hunting- ground, but still wished to keep their present camp until they could find a better; the In- dians proceeded down the westerly side of the Muskingum, opposite the block-house, where there was a high hill near the river, from which they could view as much of the bottom as was not obstructed by trees, see how every man was employed, and what was transacting about the block-house. As was Tervel. the general business of fortification and se- curity had been suspended : stopping the cracks between the logs of the house, and picketing and a sentry had been neglected : in system . f defense and discipline was intr aleved : their 28

guns were lying in different places, without erder about the house : about 20 men in com- pany in the block-house and each individual and me -- cor ked for themselves ; one end of the block-house was appointed for a fire-place, and when the day closed in, all came in, built a large fire, and commenced cooking and eating their supper ; the Indians from the opposite hill had watched their motions; the ground was frozen, the river was frozen over and strong, und covered with snow. When it began to grow dark, the Indians slipped across the river. surrounded the block-house, and each had a deliberate aim at the inmates through the door and the cracks in the logs. Part of the In- dians rushed in at the door, others kept up the fire from without, and secured those who attempted to escape. Those who were not crippled at the first fire endeavored to escape by getting into the chamber, and some got though the roof, and jumped down, but were all killed or taken. Two Mr. Bullards had a small camp back in the Bottom, which probab- ly had escaped the notice of the Indians, who on hearing the guns at the block-house, made their escape and got into Waterford and gave the alarm: the Indians took up the puncheon Hoor and built a fire, und attempted to burn the slain and the house ; but, as the wood had been recently cut, and was all green, the fire sub- sided burning some so as to disfigure them- others partially-the arm of William James was found, clinching a piece of Indian bread in his right hand, which he was probably eat- ing at the time he was shot; Mr. James was the largest and supposed much the strongest man in the colony ; six feet and four inches high, and very strongly built ; two or three sizes larger than his brother, John James of Pike County, whom you know, or his sister. Mis. Bennett Cook; but physical power is lost whe i prudence and science are neglected.

These men, no doubt, had the power to de- fend themselves against the Indians, but they hid no Revertionary officer to plan and direct their defense: mad they spent a few days in Fi keting their Rock house and chiaked well Between the logs, and kept one sentry, which

488

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

would have required service from each of but i stones. In March following, in company with one day in 20, the Indians would never have |a number of neighbors from Marietta, I went attacked them. They had no stock or other to Wolf Creek Mills, which had been in opera- plunder to induce an attack; nothing but dry , tion a few days; we had a large pirogue and fighting could have been expected, at which , 60 bushels, principally of corn; we landed the Indians have no relish, except on the most , within half a mile of the mills at 10 o'clock ; a advantageous terms. The Rhode Island In- four-ox team took our grain to the mills, and dian hoy suspecting they were on the Mus- kingum, made his escape, and after a day or two got in very much alarmed, and in con- tinual fear lest the Indians should get him again. He embraced the first opportunity and returned to Rhode Island.

WOLF CREEK MILLS.

The destruction of Big Bottom was a sig- nal for all the settlements to move into gar- rison, and fortify themselves against the In- dians. The settlement of Wolf Creek Mills was the most of an outpost. Col. Richard Oliver, Maj. Haffield White and Capt. John Dodge and a few more families resided there. This being the only mill in the county, and re- sorted to from all the settlements- for bread. was given up with reluctance, but as no pecun- iary inducement offered to induce people to stay, they were obliged to abandon it. Colonel Oliver and Captain Dodge went to Marietta, and the rest to Waterford garrison, of which I know very little.

Wolf Creek Mills were built in the summer and fall of 1789 by Col. Robert Oliver, Maj. Haffield White and Capt. John Dodge. all from Massachusetts. The machinery was brought by two brothers by the name of Potts from Pennsylvania, who afterward built a mill on Mill Creek a little above William McFarland's. which was nearly completed when burnt by the Indians in the spring of 1701.

In January, 1790, the company were tak- ing their millstones up in a small keel-boat : through carelessness of the hands, the water rose in the night and took the boat off, which was taken up by Captain Stone next morning at Belpre : it was followed by Major White, he being on a visit to Belpre. I assisted Major White up to Marietta with his boat and mill-

returned the meal, and we had all ground and started for Marietta at two and arrived at Ma- rietta before sun-down. I saw a bushel of corn ground in those mills in two minutes by a watch. As there was no one living at the mills during the Indian War, the people set a day for grinding, and everyone went with his grist and his gun, and kept the guard while the mills were grinding.

PROVISIONS FOR DEFENSE.

In Marietta, the Campus Martius was sufficiently strong to offer security to the in- habitants in that quarter ; but "the Point" had no blockhouse or pickets for defense. Ar- rangements were immediately adopted for the erection of a fortified enclosure, which would include a large portion of the inhabitants, with a sentry-box. A large block-house was erect- ed on Front street, near C. Humphrey's house, where McLane now lives. Then a line of pickets extended westerly by Judge Cotton's to the bank of the Muskingum, where there was a small block-house with a sentry-box on top, which was occupied by some families ; thence from the center block-house ( the lower story of which was occupied by the guard and the upper story accommodated two families and a large sentry-box on the top, guarded with bulwarks to protect the sentry ) a line of pickets extended southerly on a line diverging east from the east line of Front street, so as to include the old red Buell house, where Mr. Holden's store now is, to the bank of the Ohio River, where a small block-house with a sen- try-box was occupied by some families, near which, on Ohio street, a strong gate was erect- ed, sufficient to pass teams, and another the same size near the bank of the Muskingum, which were all the gates which led into the

489

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

garrison : a four-pound cannon was placed on the Ohio, and a four-inch howitzer at the cen- ter block-house: these pieces were fitted with cartridges, filled with cut pieces of iron, and ounce lead balls : this garrison was guarded by three sentrys-one on the center block-house, by day; and the same on each block-house by night. The enlisted men kept one sentry day and night on the center block-house-No. 4- the other was taken by routine from the in- habitants ; alarm posts were assigned for all the inhabitants within, to which they were to repair in case of an attack or alarm; these alarm posts were-first. the block-houses. next such of the dwelling houses as were best forti- fied, or made so, against an attack by the In- dians. The firing of a cannon was to be the signal for each one to repair immediately to his alarm post with his arms ready for defense; the cannon were fired in the daytime when news came of Indians in the neighborhood. and of the discovery of Indian signs in the vicinity, to put all persons out of the garrison on their guard; we had several alarms of this kind, but nothing like a serious attack.

INDIAN ALARM.

In the spring of 1791. a party of 20 or 30 Indians were in and hanging In sely upon the skirts of the settlement at Waterford, then at Marietta, then at Belpre. On a very rainy. dark night, the sentinel from the bastion of the Campus Martius saw by the help of a flash of lightning an Indian skulking almost under him: the cannon was fired. answered at "the Point," but nothing further was seen of the Indians, but plenty of their tracks in the morn- ing. Some short time after, Capt. Joseph Rogers from Pennsylvania, and one of the men with him, were killed and scalped on the hill in the Indian path leading from Mill Creek to the Campus Martins. Edward Henderson. from Massachusetts, another spy who Was with Rogers-although a number of balls passed through his clothes- made his escape. was followed by the Indians, but being an ath- letie man he outran them and. taking a cir-

cuitous route over Duck Creek, came in on the Ohio, and about 12 o'clock made the gate on Ohio street. He was immediately recognized by the sentry: Colonel Sproat was called-a cannon was fired, and answered at the Campus Martius and Fort Harmar. The story ran through the garrison, and from the simple statement that Captain Rogers was killed, and Henderson had been chased, it rose to that the Indians had chased him into the garrison, and were at the gates, making the attack. All was consternation, but everyone made immediately for his aların post. Some little circumstances served to mark the propinquity of different individuals; the first person for admittance at the central block-house was Colonel Sproat with a box of papers: then came some young men with their arms: then a woman with her bed and children. Then came old William Moulton-from Newburyport-aged 70, with his leather apron full of old goldsmith tools and tobacco; his daughter. Anna, brought the China tea-pot. cups and saucers : Lydia brought the great Bibile, but when all were in, mother was missing. "Where is Mother ?" She must be killed." "No," said Lydia. "Mother said she would not leave the house looking so: she would put things a little to rights, and then she would come." Directly mother came. bringing the looking-glass, knives, forks and spoons, &c. Soon the sengers were exchanged with the Campus Martius and ne appearance of hostilities were discovered. All returned to their homes in the morning. A party from "the Point" and the Campus Martius went out about 10 dielock and brought in Captain Rogers, and buried him in Second street on the east side. a little north of the large brick house Built by Waldlo Putnam last year.

THIE GARRISON AT "THE POINT."

In the spring of 1,92. a party of United States trops were stationed at "the Point." commanded by Lieutenant Tillinghast from Rhode Island. why erected the block-house. which, after the war, was occupied by the county as a court house and jail : it was built

490

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

by the United States troops, superintended by a carpenter from the citizens, paid by the U'm- ted States : it was built of hewed logs 18 inches thick, the lower story 20 feet outside, with a suitable projection in the upper, and a well- guarded sentry-box on the top; well-chinked. good puncheon floors, and a bullet-proof door. &c. This house was set in the line of pickets. partly in, and on the east side of Front street, not far from where Mr. Buck's house now stands. This house was occupied by the United States troops, who kept a sentry and assisted in guarding the garrison uutil ordered down the river with General Wayne.

After the defeat of General St. Clair, Cap- tain Haskell was ordered to "the Point." and took command of the garrison and military government. The gates were closed at sun- down and sentries set on the adjacent block- houses, which prevented any passing until sun- rise next morning. This produced some con- fiet between the military and the citizens. . 1 number of families who had stock, houses, &c .. outside the garrison, went out by day and re- turned by night : this made it difficult to con- form to the strict policy of the garrison, as the citizen had to divide his own rations while the soldiers were fed by the public. Many necessary circumstances prevented the citizen from so arranging his business as to be in gar- rison before sunset : several families moved ouit to the houses in the vicinity of the garri- son, and staid out at the risk of the Indians.

A considerable of land was cultivated about the Court House, and around by Mr. Słocomb's, and out on Hart street. People who were out there and about the Campus Martius were not disturbed by the Indians, and staid out until peace.

INDIAN TROUBLES.

About the time General Harmar was sent out. Matthew Kerr, a native of Ireland, had located himself and family immediately above the mouth of Duck Creek ; he had three sons- Hamilton, George and Matthew. all expert woodsmen-and a son-in-law, Peter Neiswan-

ger : their principal occupation was hunting. Hamilton Kerr hunted to supply General Har- mar's garrison. They had cleared and culti- vated a small field which supplied vegetables for the family, and feed for their stock ; on the taking of Big Bottom, they all moved into the garrison, but left their cows, horses, hogs, corn and vegetables above the Creek. where they went daily in a canoe, and fed their stock and brought away such vegetables as were wanted. Late in the spring of 1791, the old gentleman got into his canoe, and went up and fastened it in the mouth of the Creek, and after taking care of the stock returned to his canoe with some potatoes ; he had got into his canoe with his gun and pushed off when the Indians, who were secreted in the bush, shot three or four balls through him-run down-caught the canoe-and took his scalp and gun and fled, after shoving off the canoe. A party immedi- ately pursued but did not overtake them; the canoe floated down the river, and was taken up a little above the garrison. The people standing on Ohio street heard the report of the Indians' guns, saw them run down the bank and take his scalp, and heard their yell of vic- tory. Not long after, some of the young men went up to look after their stock, and found 'that the Indians had been there that morning. killed a large hog, and taken a part , with some potatoes, turnips and cabbage, and had gone. They came immediately back : a party was soon assembled from the Campus Martius and "the Point." Those who attended public preach- ing were required by law to carry their arms ; it was about the middle of the forenoon ser- vice. The young men jumped to their arms. left the meeting, and were immediately in pur- suit of the Indians. They followed them from the mouth of Duck Creek a few miles up the Little Muskingum, then they saw a smoke arise up a run, where the Indians had built a fire, commenced cooking, having their camp- kettles over the fire, filled with pork, potatoes. turnips. &c., and were in high spirits, enjoy- ing the prospect of a good breakfast. Edward Henderson headed the party ; he took a number of men and proceeded up the run under cover.

491

AND REPRESENT.ITILE CITIZENS.

with a view to flank or get beyond the camp; but the concert of action was not such as to command success: when the first party got within gunshot, Henderson fired and wounded an Indian mortally, but not so as to prevent his running a quarter of a mile : the Indians- seven in number-sprung to their arms, and were out of sight in an instant : the rest of the party fired promiscuously, while the Indians were in motion, probably wounded one badly. as he threw away his blanket, but was assisted by the others and got over the hill and out of sight. The one first shot was assisted and exerted himself to near the top of the hill. where they left him with his gun loaded that he might have his revenge, but he was too far exhausted to use it to effect. They got one Indian-his arms-two blankets-the camp- kettles and their dinner-and some other small things, which were sold at auction for the ben- efit of the party, and returned withont injury. In the summer of 1791. a cow belonging to 'Squire Russell came in to the Campus Martius with an arrow sticking in her side: the arrow was hickory with a tri-angular piece of tin fastened in the end. A scout was immedi- ately raised, consisting of 20 citizens, led by Hamilton Kerr. and 22 U. S. troops who were stationed at Fort Harmar, commanded by a Lieutenant. This party proceeded directly to Shepard's Mills-now Robinson's. Another of 12 was ordered up the Muskingum to ascer- tain if the Indians had driven off the cattle. We found the cattle along by and above 'Squire Putnam's, and the trail of 20 or 30 Indians- fresh made-going up. They crossed Mill Creek and kept to the month of Second Creek. turned short round under the hill-lower side of Second Creek-and went up and. as was afterwards ascertained, went directly over the hill to the aforesaid mill, where they met the party of 40 from the Campus Martius. Sproat and Shepard had built a log cabin near where Robinson's house now stands, and cleared the land about 70 yards toward Marietta. A.s Kerr and his party arrived at the edge of the clearing. within 70 yards of the house, they saw the Indians coming up through the weeds

which were high, round the lower corner of the house : as they came up. one after another- eight or 10-they kept their eyes steady, exam- ining the house, without noticing the party who stood directly facing them. The party could gain nothing by moving, and stood wait- ing for orders until Mr. Kerr fired and shot an Indian through the heart : the Indians dropped instantly down into the weeds and were ont of sight, and soon down under the bank of the creek. George Kerr fired about the same time. but only one Indian was killed. A promiscu- ous fire issued from the rifles and muskets when there was nothing to be seen : the wound- ed Indian dropped his bow and arrows, and jumped down the bank, and ran through the high weeds 10 or 12 rods before he fell dead. The Indians ran across Duck Creek and over toward 'Squire Hobby's. The whites did not think proper to follow them, and came in with- out the Indian Kerr had killed, but in the after- noon they augmented their strength, procured a horse, and returned. and brought in the In- dian whole. The party who scattered up the Muskingum as far as Barker's Ford, thought it imprudent to return by the river, and took back over the hills, over Tupper Creek and Mill Creek, and fell in with the party going out for the Indian, about where Sampson Cole's house now stands, on the top of the hill on the road to Duck Creek, and sent out with them, and all came in together.

In the spring of 1792. Robert Wharff. a citizen residing in Fort larmar, was shot while chopping on a log below the garrison, near where Mr. Fearing's house stands, and scalped by the Indians, who made their escape without being detected. until their mischief was completed.

In July the late Governor Return J. Meigs was returning from an eight-acre lot which he cultivated. a little below the garrison, on "the lower Point." with his hired man and a mulatto hoy about 12 years old ; while walk- ing upin the westerly side of the run to cross Lack to the Campus Martius, where his family lesi led. when shout half way up. he was fired upon ly two or three Indians, who lay con-

492

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

cealed near their path. The man-Joseph and inhabitants in company in March, 1791. In consequence of the large number of Indian moccasin tracks around some large trees on the top of a hill, opposite the Campus Martins, on the west side of the river, a consultation was held by our white chiefs, who came to the conclusion that there must be a large party of Indians encamped in the neighborhood, who probably had or woukl have some British with a small field-piece, who would throw rockets from that hill and burn the Campus Martius ; all hands were set to work-soldiers and eiti- zens to cover the roofs with mud, to prevent the fire: they split white oak lath, one inch square, and io or 12 feet long, and nailed Simmons-was shot through the left shoulder, and instantly jumped down the bank and swam the river: an Indian pursued him to the river but did not think it prudent to follow him in deep water. While this was transact- ing, the boy got the path and ran to the Campus Martius : he had got up to opposite the upper end of the corn-field, on the east bank. below Washington street. He ran down the bank into the river to get across -- the water being shoal on the sand-bar, to where it was about two feet deep-when the Indian overtook, tomahawked. and scalped him. There were men on the eastern bank but with no guns at the time. When he had got the ! them within one foot of each other across scalp. the Indian swung it over his head, gave all the roofs, and then carried up mud and a shout of victory and ran up the bank, but men had run down and several guns were fired at him before he got into the bushes but without effect.

'covered all the roofs, about one inch thick. Had the covering been of good clay, it would have lasted some time: but as it was only of common earth the first heavy rain washed the whole off. But the British never came.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 69

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