History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 8

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 8

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19th. Decamped and marched for Little Beaver. Our whole party consisted of about fifty men about 36 of which was troops.

On the 25th and 26th Mr. Mathews was go- ing down the Ohio to see his friend. Wm. Greathouse, who seems to have lived on the Virginia side, not far from Mingo.

27th. Arrived at Mr. Greathouses about one o'clock P. M. He has a good farm and lives de- cently. The country through which I came is hilly except on the river and creek bottoms but in general rich and capable of producing Indian corn, hemp, flax, wheat, rye, oats, barley, etc .. likewise large quantities of excellent good mowing. It is considerably settled and though the inhabitants do not yet live in afflu- once they have a great plenty of the immediate neces- sities of life.

Oct. 3rd, 1786. This day I had an offer of teaching school the ensuing winter and considering the im- probability of the surveyors going to business again this year I though best to accept it.

5th. I went to Esqr. McMlachans (which is about six miles below Mr. Greathouses) and found that the surveyors were principally collected there and were determined to continue part of the rainges and was to be escorted by the whole of Maj. Hamtramck's de- tachment. Having an inclination to take another tour in the woods and a school house not being ready. I engaged to go with Major Sargent to the 5th raing.

Ilth, 10 o'clock A. M., crossed the Ohio one mile

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

below the old Mingo town and took the route of Crofford's trail which leaves the river at the upper end of the Mingo bottom. Encamped at night about 2 miles from Mingo town. Our party consisted of the surveyor and his assistants and a captain and 24 men as escort. The Mingo bottom contains some thousands of acres and is very fine land. Indian Cross Creek runs through it. After ascending the point of the ridge from the bottom the land is exceedingly rich, and forms gentle inequalities and most beautiful sit- uations for farms.

12th. Proceeded still by the route of Crofford's trail in nearly a N. W. direction.

For the next two weeks they were survey- ing on the branches of the Stillwater and slowly working southward.

30th. About noon our packhorsemen returned from looking after their horses and informed that they were not to be found and that the Indians had stolen them (except one poor horse) which was evident from sev - eral corroborating circumstances. The Indians who stole our horses were about six in number. They lay part of the night within about 80 rods of camp and we sup- pose took our horses about eleven o'clock in the evening. They likewise stole a buckskin out of a brook within one hundred yards of camp. It was evident they had been lurking round us for several days. On information of our horses being stolen, Capt. Heart in . mediately began building a blockhouse on the most advantageous ground in the vicinity of our camp.

31-1. We dispatched a man this morning for Major Hamtramck on Indian Weeling rivulet informing of our situation and requesting more horses so that we mnight proceed on our raing.

Nov. 3d. The man who was sent to Major Ham- tramck's camp arrived with only three horses, which will not be sufficient to move our baggage without go- ing twice. Major Sargent proposes proceeding on the south boundary of the township on the morrow.

4th. Major Sargent this morning concludes to leave the wood as soon as he has run the south boundary of the 7th township. The land we run this day is level and excellent wheat land, principally timbered with white oak. The waters are the branches of Me- Machan's rivulet which empties into the Ohio be- low Weeling.

Nov. 7th. After dinner I left Weeling in company with Capt. Hutchens to go to Esqr. MeMachans which is about 10 miles above Weeiing.

Sth. At sundown we arrived at the mouth of Buffalo one mile from Esgr. MeMachan's. Capt. Hutchens camped at the river and 1 went to Esgr. McMachan's where I tarried all night.

IIth. I went to Mr. Harmon Greathouses. father of my good friend Mr. Wm. Greathouse, where I found a number of the neighbors seated in social glee found a heap of corn. The inspiring juice of rye had en- livenel their imaginations and had given their tongues such an exact balance that they moved with the greatest alacrity, while relating scenes of boxing. wrestling. hunting, etc. At dusk of evening the corn was finished and the company retired to the house

where many of them tool such hearty draughts of the generous liquor as quite deprived them of the use of their limbs. Some quarreled, some sung, and others laughed, and the whole displayed a scene more divert- ing than edifying. At 11 o'clock all that could walk went home and left three or four round the fire hugging the whiskey bottle and arguing very obstinately on religion, at which I ieft them and went to bed.

Nov. 22nd. This day Gen. Tupper left this place for Massachusetts, by whom I had the pleasure of send- ing a number of letters to my friends.

On February 4th, 1787, Mr. Mathews went to Fort Steuben, to act as commissary, He had to issue supplies to about 100 men and this duty seems to have left him little time to keep a journal, but there are brief entries, -chiefly about the weather, until April 21st, when the record closes abruptly. In April, 1788, he was one of the pioneers to begin the settlement at the mouth of the Muskingum and in 1796 he removed to what is now Mus- kingum county.

Note B .-

"On the 25th day of January, 1786, ap- peared in the public prints a piece styled "In- formation," with signatures of the Generals Putnam and Tupper, of the late American army, in substance, as follows:

INFORMATION.

The subscribers take this method to inform all ofheers and soldiers who have served in the late war, and who are by an ordinance of the Honorable Congress to receive certain tracts of land in the Ohio Country, and also all other good citizens who wish to become ad- venturers in that delightful region: that from per- sonal inspection, together with other incontestable evi- dences, they are fully satisfied that the lands in that quarter are of much better quality than any other known to New England people. That the climate, seasons, produce, etc .. are, in fact, equal to the most flattering accounts which have ever been published of them. That being determined to become purchasers, and to prosecute a settlement in this country; and de- sirons of forming a general association with those who entertain the same ideas, they have to propose the following plan, viz .: That an association by the name of the Ohio Company be formed of all such as with to become purchasers, etc .. in that country (who re- side in the commonwealth of Massachusetts only. or to extend to the inhabitants of other States, as shall be agreed on).

That in order to bring such a company into exist- ence. the subscribers propose, that all persons who wish to promote the scheme should meet within their respective counties (except in two instances herein -. | after mentioned ). at ten o'clock A. M. on Wednesday

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

the 15th of February next and that each county or meeting, there assembled, choose a delegate, or del- gates, to meet at the Bunch of Grapes tavern in Boston, Essex. At Captain Webb's, in Salem. Middlesex ; at Bradish's. in Cambridge, Jiampshire; at Pomeroy's, in North Hampton, Plymouth ; at Bartlett's, in Plymouth, Barnstable. Dukes and Nantucket counties: at How- land's. in Barnstable, Bristol; At Crocker s. m Tan- ton, York; at Woodbridge's in N. York, Worcester : at Patch's. in Worcester, Cumberland and Lincoln : .. t Shattuck's, in Falmouth. Berkshire: at Dibble's, m Lenox.

RUFUS PUTNAM. BENJAMIN TUPPER.

RUTLAND, January 10, 1780.

"In consequence of the foregoing. on the Ist day of March. 1786, convened at the Bunch of Grapes tavern, in Boston, as delegates from several of the counties of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, to consider of the expedien- cy of forming an association or company to purchase lands and make a settlement in the western country, the gentlemen whose names are underwritten :

County of Suffolk-Winthrop Sargent, John Mill -. County of Essex-Manasseh Cutler.

County of Middlesex-John Brooks, Thomas Cuch- ing.

County of llampshire-Benjamin Tupper. County of Plymouth-Crocker Sampson. County of Worcester-Rufus Putnam. County of Berkshire-John Patterson, Jahlaliel Woodbridge.

County of Barnstable-Abraham Williams.

"Elected General Rufus Putnam, chairman of the convention, and Major Winthrop Sar- gent, clerk.

"From the very pleasing description of the western country given by Generals Putnam and . Tupper and others, it appearing expe- dient to form a settlement there, a motion was made for choosing a committee to prepare the draught or plan of an association into a com- pany to the said purpose, for the inspection and approbation of this convention. Resolved in the affirmative.

"Also, resolved, That this committee shall consist of five. General Putnam, Mr. Cut- ler. Colonel Brooks, Major Sargent, and Cap- tain Cushing were elected.

tion met, and the committee reported as fol- lows :

Articles of agreement entered into by the sub- scribers for constituting an association by the name of the Ohio Company.

The design of this association is to ra'se a fund in Continental certificates, for the sole purpose, and to be appropriated to the entire use of purchasing lands 11 the Western Territory (belonging to the Umted States), for the benefit of the company, and to pro- mote a settlement in that country.

Article ist .- That the fund shall not exceed one million of dollars, in Continental specie certificates, exclusive of one year's interest due thereon (except as hereatter provided), and that such share or sub- scription shall consist of one thousand dollars, as afore- said, and also ten dollars in gold or silver, to be paid into the hands of such agents as the subscribers may elect

Article 2d .-- That the whole fund of certificates raised by this association, except one year's interest due there- on, mentioned under the first article, shall be applied to the purchase of lands in some one of the proposed States, northwesterly of the river Ohio, as soon as those lands are surveyed, and exposed for safe by the commissioner, of Congress, according to the ordinance of that honorable body, passed the 20th of May. 1785; or on any other plan that may be adopted by Congress, not less advantageous to the company. The one year's interest shall be applied to the purpose of making a settlement in the country, and assisting those who may be otherwise unable to remove themselves thither. The gold and silver is for defraying the expenses of those persons employed as agents in purchasing the lands, and other contingent charges that may arise in the prosecution of the business. The surplus, if any. to be appropriated as the one year's interest on the cer- tificates.

Article 3d .- That there shall be five directors. a treasurer and secretary appointed, in manner and for the purposes hereafter provided.

Article Ith. -- That the prosecution of the company's designe may be the least expensive, and at the same time, the subscribers and agents as secure as possible, the proprietors of twenty shares shall constitute one gran i division of the company, appoint their agent, and in case of vacancy by death. resignation, or otherwise, shall fill it up as immediately as can be

Article 5th .- That the agent shall make himself ac- countable to each subscriber for certificates and moneys received by duplicate receipts (one of which shall be lodged with the secretary ) ; that the whole shall be appropriated according to those articles of associa- tion, and that the subseriler shall receive his just divided according to quahty and quantity of lands purchased, as near as possibly may be, by lot drawn in person or through proxy ; and that deeds of conveyance shall be executed to individual subscribers. by the agents, imilar to those he shall receive from the directors.

Article 6th .- That no person shall be permitted to hold more than five shares in the company's funk -.

"On Friday, the 3d of March, the conven- | and no sab-cription for less than a full share will

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY.

be aduntted; but the is not meant to prevent those who can not. or choose not, to adventure a full share from associating among themselves, and by one of their number subscribing the sum required.

Article 7th .-- That the directors shall have the sole disposal of the company's fund, for the purposes be- fore mentioned ; that they shall. by themselves or such person or persons as they may think proper to entrust with the business, purchase lands for the benefit of the company, where, and in such way, either at public or private sale, as they shall judge will be most advan- tageon, to the company. They shall also direct the application of the one year's interest, and gold and silver mentioned in the first article, to the purposes mentioned under the second article, in such way and manner as they shall think proper. For those pur- poses, the directore shall draw on the treasurer from time to time, making themselves accountable for the application of the moneys, agrecably to this association. Articl- 8th .- That the agents, being accountable to the subscribers for their respective divisions, shall ap- point the directors, treasurer and secretary, and fill up all the vacancies which may happen in these offices respectively.

Article 9th,-That the agents shall pay all the cer- t'ficat:s and moneys received from subscribers into the hands of the treasurer, who shall give bonds to the agents, jointly and severally, for the faithful discharge of his trust; and also, on his receiving certificates or moneys from any particular agent, shall make himself accountable therefor, according to the condition of his bonds.

Article ioth -That the directors shall give bonds. jointly and severally, to each of the agents, conditioned that the certificates and moneys they shall draw out of the treasury shall be applied to the purposes stipu- Ited in these articles : and that the lands purchased for the company shall be divided among them within three months, from the completion of the purchase, by lot. in such manner as the agents or a majority of them shall agree: and that, on such divisions being made. the directors shall execute deeds to the agents. respec- lively. for the proportions which fall to their divisions, correspondent to those the directors may receive from the commissioners of Congress.

Article urth .- Provided, that whereas a sufficient number of subscribers may not appear to raise the fund. to the sunis proposed in the first article. and thereby the number of divisions may not be completed. it is therefore agreed that the agents of divisions of twenty shares each shall, after the 17th day of October next, proceed in the same manner as if the whole fund pro- posed had been raised.

Article 12th .- Provided, also. that whereas it will be for the common interest of the company, to obtain an ordinance of incorporation from the Honorable Congres", or an act of incorporation from some one of the States of the Union (for which the directors shall make application), it is therefore agreed, that in case such incorporation is obtained, the fund of the company (and, consequently, the shares and divisions thereof ) may be extended to any sum, for which pro- vision shall be made in said ordinance or act of incor- poration, any thing in this association to the contrary notwithstanding.

Article 13th -- That all votes under this association may be given in person, or by proxy, and in numbers justly proportionate to the stock holden, or interest represented.

After adopting the articles of association. which constituted the Ohio Company, a com- mittee of three was appointed, "to transact the necessary business of the company until the directors are chosen."

Note C .-

At a meeting of the agents and directors of the Ohio Company, held at "Cromwell's Head" tavern, in Boston, the 21st day of No- vember. 1787. it was resolved, among other things, "That the house lots shall consist of ninety feet front and one hundred and eighty feet in depth." and "that the centre street cross- ing the city be one hundred and fifty feet wide." At this meeting it was ordered "That no more subscriptions for shares be received after the first of January: and that they ad- journ to the first Wednesday in March next, to meet at Providence, Rhode Island, for the purpose of drawing the eight-acre lots, which are directed to be surveyed by that time."

At a meeting of the directors of the Ohio Company, at Bracket's tavern in Boston, No- vember 23, 1787. it was ordered, "that four surveyors be employed, under the direction of the superintendent, hereinafter named; that twenty-two men shall attend the surveyors: that there be added to this number twenty men, including six boat builders, four house carpenters, one blacksmith, and nine common workmen, in all forty-eight men. That the boat builders shall proceed, on Monday next, and the surveyors rendezvous at Hartford, the Ist day of January next, on their way to the Muskingum; that the boat builders and men, with the surveyors, be proprietors in the company ; that their tools, one axe and one hoe to each man, and thirty pounds weight of baggage, shall be carried in the company's wagons, and that the subsistence of the men on their journey be furnished by the company : that upon their arrival at the place of destina- tion, and entering upon the business of their employment, the men shall be subsisted by the

AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS.

company, and allowed wages at the rate of four dollars (each) per month, until discharged : that they be held in the company's service un- til the Ist day of July next, unless sooner dis- charged; and if any of the persons employed shall leave the service, or wilfully injure the same, or disobey the orders of the superinten- dent, or others acting under him, the person so offending shall forfeit all claim to wages; that their wages shall be paid the next autumn in cash, or lands, upon the same terms as the company purchased them ; that each man fur- nish himself with a good small arm, bayo- net, six flints, a powder horn and pouch, prim- ing wire and brush, half a pound of powder. one pound of balls, and one pound of buck- shot. The men so engaged shall be subject to the orders of the superintendent, and those hie may appoint as aforesaid, in any kinds of busi- ness they shall be employed in, as well for boat building and surveying, as for building houses. erecting defenses, clearing land, and planting or otherwise, for promoting the settiement. And as there is a possibility of interruption surveyors shall be allowed twenty-seven dol- lars per month and subsistence, while in act- ual service, to commence upon their arrival at the Muskingum ; that Colonel Ebenezer Sproat. from Rhode Island, Mr. Anselm Tupper, and Mr. John Mathews, from Massachusetts, and Colonel R. J. Meigs from Connecticut, be the surveyors ; that General Rufus Putnam be the superintendent of all the business aforesaid. and he is to be obeyed and respected accord- ingly : that he be allowed for his services forty dollars per month and his expenses, to com- mence from the time of his leaving home."

To enable General Putnam to execute the business of the company, the directors furn ished him with a commission, embracing full power to do and transact all matters necessary for the progress of the settlement. A meet- ing of the directors and agents was held on

the 5th day of March. 1788, at Rice's tavern, in Providence, Rhode Island.

The agents then present represented 1,000 shares and they proceeded to draw for the eight-acre lots which had been surveyed in the vicinity of the new city, at the mouth of the Muskingum River. At this meeting it was resolved. that a committee, composed of Rev. Mr. Cutler, General Varnum and Colonel May. "consider and report upon the expedi- ency of employing some suitable person as a public teacher, at the settlement now making by the Ohio Company." They reported- "That the directors be requested to pay as early attention as possible to the education of youth, and the promotion of public worship, among the first settlers: and that for these im- portant purposes, they employ, if practicable, an instructor eminent for literary accomplish- ments, and the virtue of his character, who shall also superintend the first scholastic in- stitutions, and direct the manner of instruc- tion, and to enable the directors to carry into execution the intentions expressed in this res- from enemies, they shall also be subject to or- volution, the proprietors, and others of benevo- ders as aforesaid in military command, dur- , lent and liberal minds, are earnestly requested ing the time of their employment. That the i to contribute by voluntary donation to the

forming a fund to be solely appropriated there- to."

Under this resolution the directors au- thorized Mr. Cutler to search out and employ some suitable person to fulfill the intentions of the company. He engaged Rev. Daniel Story, then a young man who had been but a short time in the ministry, to go on to Ma- rietta, as a preacher of the gospel, where he arrived in the course of the next year.

Note D .-

General Harmar 2, General Kur.

FORT PITT, April 20. 1,88. SIR.I am now upon my tour to Venango, and shill ascend the Alleghan tommorrow, in order to visit Captain Heart's post. I left Muskingum en the 6th instant ind on the 7th met General Putram ant part of the Ohio Company. Be assured, Sir, that every assistance and protection that is in our power shall " renderel to the company. I make not the last

HISTORY OF MARIETTA AND WASHINGTON COUNTY,

doubt but a flourishing settlement will soon take place, as they are industrious, and quite a different set of people from these frontier men. I waited with great impatience for the arrival of General Putnam, and it would have afforded me peculiar pleasure to have been personally present with him, but Major Doughty, who commands during my absence. will (agreeably to your letter of instructions) give them every necessary assistance.

I have the honor, etc .. - Jos. HARMAR.

General Putnam to Rev. Manasseh Cutler.

ADELPHI, May 16, 1788.

Your favor of the zoth of February came to hand a few days since, and I find by its contents that Mr. Plumer has alarmed the people with respect to the Indians very much, and perhaps he is not to blame. for had 1 given heed to the opinion, at least pretended opinion, of people at Pittsburgh and its vicinity. I certainly should not have come down without an army for my protection. However, we made no delay on that account : that the Indians are dissatisfied on account of Congress or the Commissioners of Congress at the several treaties which have been held considering these lands as the property of the United States in consequence of the part the Indians took in the war and the treaty of peace with Great Britain is true ; they have told Congress so in a spirited, manly letter addressed to that honorable hody by Joseph Brant, in which he assures them that unless the wrong; are redressed and the lands fairly purchased, the Indians will certainly go to war (and I believe they will be as good as their word).

In consequence of this application of Brant's, Con- gress has promised them a treaty which was to have been holden about this time, but I am told that the Indians have informed Governor St. Clair that they are to hold a great council among themselves about the middle of June near St. Dusky. From these circum- stances it is probable Governor St. Clair will not be able to see them till July, when I have no doubt every- thing will be settled to general satisfaction.

At present we do not think ourselves perfectly se- cure from them on account of a few lawless banditti made up of Mingoes. Shawnees and Cherokees who reside at present on the waters of the Scioto. . They are a set of thieves and murdering rascals, but from any other quarter we are under no apprenhension at pesent. The Delawares and Wyandots visit us al- most very day and appear very friendly; relying on it, as 1 believe, that Governor St. Clair at the treaty will have power and inclination to do them complete justice.

You wish to be informed if it will be prudent for familles to move on in the spring and summer. I answer. by all means: for let the treaty end how it may, the sooner they get in the way of cultivating then land and raising provisions the better. The constant coming in of new settlers and the troops which will be kept in the country by Congress will give us a good market for many years. The little

scouting parties of Indians, if they are never won to be our friends, can never do any considerable in- jury : on the other hand, should there be a general Indian war this will be a place of general rendez- vous for an army. So that in all human probabil- ity the settlement can never fail of the protection of government.

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History of Marietta and Washington County, Ohio, and representative citizens, Part 8

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