USA > Ohio > History of the Upper Ohio Valley, with family history and biographical sketches, a statement of its resources, industrial growth and commercial advantages, Vol. I > Part 22
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" Ohio county, State of Virginia on this 20th Day of October 1789, personally appeared before me one of the Justices for said County, the above named John Wells acknowledged the above bill of articles on Negroes to be the Right title and property of the above Named Richard Wells.
Acknowledged before Me,
" RICHARD WELLS.
"A true Copy from the Originall.
"The above bargain and Sail was Proven to Court by Richard Wells the Subscribing witness at November Term, 1789 and ordered to be recorded.
Test. MOSES CHAPLINE Clk."
First Marriage License .- "I do hereby Certify that I have this day solemnized the Right of Marriage between Mr. John McIngtur and Miss Sarah Zane agreeable to an act of assembly in such case made and provided.
"Witness my hand this 11th day of January, 1790.
"A Copy Test.
RICHARD YEATES. MOSES CHAPLINE Clk."
At the succeeding court sixteen persons were fined for retailing liquors without license, and nine persons were fined for one oath or as common swearers. Another person was ordered to be imprisoned three months for speaking disrespectfully of the court and as being disaffected toward the commonwealth.
The second levy was for £352, 10, O.
Four hundred and seventy tithables were taxed 15 shillings each.
In March, 1780, John Briggs was granted a license to keep an ordi- nary, he complying with the law and giving Charles Hedges as his surety. James Gillespy also obtained a license for the same purpose. Several soldiers " proved their services in the wars in Virginia, in 1758, and prior to 1763."
On Tuesday, June 6, 1780, the court proceeded to settle the rate for ordinary keepers, viz .: For half pint of whiskey, $6; for a break- fast or supper, $4; for one dinner, $6; for lodging with clean sheets, $3; for one horse to hay one night, $6; for pasturage one night, $3; for one gallon of corn, $5; for one gallon of oats, $4; for half pint of whiskey with sugar, $8; for one quart of strong beer, $4.
On Tuesday, August 8, 1780, the ordinary keepers were ordered to sell at the following rates, viz .: For half pint whiskey, $6; for half pint whiskey with sugar, $8; for breakfast or supper, $6; for din- ner, $10; for lodgings with clean sheets, $3; for one horse to hay
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twenty-four hours, $6; for pasturage twenty-four hours, $3; for one gallon of corn, $5; for one quart strong beer, $4. The foregoing is to be understood as the tariff of prices in continental currency.
On Tuesday, November 4, 1783, the rates as ordered by the court were as follows, viz .: For half pint of spirits or West India rum, IS, 6d .; for half pint of common rum, Is .; for half pint whiskey, 8d .; for one dinner, Is. 3d; for one supper or breakfast, Is .; for one bed, 4d .; for one horse to hay one night, Is .; for one horse to pasture one night, 6d .; to one gallon of oats or corn, IS.
On May 3, 1784, the court ordered the following rates: For break- fast or supper, Is. 3d .; dinner Is. 6d .; half pint whiskey, 9d.
The third levy was for £74 8s., and the tithables were taxed IO shillings each. The fourth levy was for £85 16s., and the tax upon each tithable was 6 shillings. The items of the levy were, viz .: The sheriff, for one year's extra services, £7 13s. 9d .; the sheriff, for one year's extra services £7 13s. 9d .; Peter Cox, for one wolf's head 15s .; Samuel McColloch, one wolf's head, 15s .; Jacob Fowler, one wolf's head, 15s .; David Shepherd, Gent., four wolves' heads, £3; Peter Fleming, one wolf's head, 15s .; John Whitsell, one wolf's head, 7s. 6d .; Andrew Zane, three wolves' heads, {2 5s .; David Bradford, Esq., Com'lth Atty., £30; Joseph Ogle, for making socks, £2; James Mc- Mechen, for his records, £8; James McMechen, for extra service, 65 12S. 6d .; to dobbing the court house, to be paid B. Davis, £2; sheriff, for ball'e of last year's, amt., {10 8s .; Zacharia Sprigg, Gent, £2 5s. 6d.
The succeeding levy was as follows, to wit: David McClure, for extra services as clerk, £17 13s. 9d .; Robert Carpenter, for one wolf's scalp, for B. Davis, 15s .; Matthew Kin, for one wolf's scalp, for B. Davis, 15s .; Jacob Sprigg, high sheriff, for F. James, £4 6s. 3d. David Bradford, Esq., £20; Lawrence Buskirk, one wolf's head, 15s .; Thos. Orr, one wolf's head, 15s .; William Boggs, one wolf's head, 15s .; Jacob Whiehill, one wolf's head, 15s .; William Shepherd, two wolves' heads, £15 IOS .; Moses Shepherd, one wolf's head, 15s .; Sam- uel McClain, one wolf's head, 15s .; Richard Markland, one wolf's head, 7s. 6d .; Elizabeth Tomlinson, wolf's head, 7s. 6d .; Nathan Masters, one old wolf's head, 15s .; Isaac Williams, one wolf's head, 15s .; Robert Carpenter, one wolf's head, 7s. 6d .; Charles Hedge, £I IOS .; Silas Hedge, for extra services, £4 7s. 6d .; Zach Sprigg, for extra, £3 2. 6d .; Robert Edgar, by am't, Ios .; total £55 12s. 6d .; David Stephens, 7s. 6d.
On the 6th of February, 1786, the petition of Col. David Chambers was laid before the court, concerning a water grist-mill. It was ordered that the sheriff summon a jury to meet on the premises on the 15th instant, and make a report under their hand seal and under the hand and seal of the sheriff.
On the 6th of March following, the records show: The jury ap- pointed to lay off an acre of ground agreeable to the petition of Col. David Chambers, has returned their report to court. Judgment, and ordered that the verdict be recorded.
«We infer from an entry in the order book, made at the June term
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of court in 1793, that the old court house had filled the original pur- pose of its erection and therefore a new one was found to be necessary, as follows :--
" The court having taken into consideration the propriety of build- ing in the town of West Liberty, for the use of Ohio county, and whereas, a plan of said house having been produced to court for their consideration, the court after examining said plan, approved of the same, and do order that the sheriff of this county do advertise in the Pittsburgh Gazette, and at four of the most public places in the county immediately, that the buiding said house will be set up at public sale in the town of West Liberty, the 27th instant (June), and sold to the lowest bidder, taking bond with sufficient security, payable to the present court and their successors for the use of Ohio county, in the penal sum of {1,000 from said purchaser, that he will complete the said house within eighteen months from the date thereof, and the said court also ordered that whatever the building said court house is sold for shall be laid in the county levy at November term next except {100 which has been heretofore laid for the purpose of being appropriated toward building a court house and now lays in the hands of John Boggs, late sheriff, which sum is to be considered as part for the use aforesaid, and that the said sum be paid to the said purchaser, when he shall have completed his said contract, except the aforesaid sum of £100, which sum, or so much as remains in the aforesaid Boggs' hands unappropriated shall be paid by said Boggs to the afore- said purchaser as soon as the court can collect the same from the said Boggs, and that said court house be built on Liberty street in the aforesaid town, about the space of six feet north of the present court house. John Henderson came into court and entered his protest to the above order."
It appears, however, that there was a " hitch" in carrying out the foregoing order, and that then as now, all public officials were not trustworthy, and sometimes forfeited the confidence reposed in them, for at the following term of court held in July of the same year, the following entry appears:
" Whereas, it appears that Andrew Archbold, deputy sheriff, and Isaac Meek, Esq., from the testimony given in court this day by Richard Brown and Charles Prather, has acted improperly in con- ducting the contract or sale for the court house in said county, we therefore order that the proceedings for building said court house shall be stopped and delayed until further order of said court, and we also order that a summons shall issue for said Archbold to appear at August court next, to show cause why an information should not be filed against him for a misdemeanor in his conduct as aforesaid."
We find, however, from the records that from the time of the mak- ing of the last order in 1793 no active measures were taken for the erection of the court house, but at a term of court held on the 5th day of June, 1797, the following entry appears among the proceedings of that day: "Ordered, that the commissioners who were appointed on behalf of this county to erect public buildings at West Liberty be
OHIO COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA. 18I
authorized to cancel their agreement made with Samuel Beck and that they do desist from further prosecuting said buildings until further order." The agitation of the removal of the county seat to Wheeling was at this time claiming the attention of the people and this may have been the reason the court was induced to order the cancellation of the agreement above referred to as it was removed to Wheeling in the year 1797 where the court was first convened at the public inn of John Gooding on the 7th day of May, 1797. In its day West Liberty was an important place, but on the removal of the court house it soon lost its prestige as well as prominence as a business point.
CHAPTER X.
BLACK'S CABIN- FIRST SETTLERS-BLACK AND HOOD VISIT REDSTONE TO OBTAIN PROVISIONS-ARE LOST ON THEIR RETURN - DISCOVERED BY CURTIS -CURTIS PROPOSES TO RETURN TO BERKELEY COUNTY, AND UN- DERTAKES TO DO SO-IS MET BY VANMETRE AND TURNS BACK - SHORT CREEK COUNTY SETTLED BY MARYLANDERS, VIRGINIANS AND NORTH CAROLINIANS -PROMINENT EARLY SETTLERS- ABSALOM RIDGE- LEY-CONFUSION OF NAMES OF FORTS-THE BIGGS FAMILY - IM- PROVEMENTS MADE BY SOME OF THE EARLY SETTLERS -THE LONGEV- ITY OF SOME OF THE EARLY SETTLERS-THE EARLY SETTLERS FOND OF FUN-AN INDIVIDUAL WHO LIVED AT BEECH BOTTOM -NO MUR- DERS BY INDIANS IN THE EASTERN PART OF THE COUNTY -SOME FRIGHTS, HOWEVER -INSTANCES.
LACK'S CABIN, which originally stood on the site on which was subsequently erected the court house in West Liberty, was so called from having been erected by an in- dividual of that name who came to that section sometime between the years 1770 and 1772. He was from Berkeley county, Virginia, and was an apprentice to Abraham Van- metre, of the same county and state, and was by him sent to the west to select and locate land, and to take the necessary measures for establishing a "claim." The superior character of the country around West Liberty attracted his attention, and he resolved to look no further. He at once proceeded to erect a cabin on the land he proposed to "take up." Notching the trees to indicate the boundar- ies of one's claim (such claims being limited to 400 acres) and cutting the initials of claimant's name in the bark of a tree, some- times several trees, constituted what was called in early times " a toma-
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hawk right." Such a claim among the pioneers was sacredly recog- nized and respected, and woe to him who dared to infringe upon these rights. In those early times custom established precedents which were clothed with all the sanctity of law.
In a short time after the advent of Black, one Morgan, of Berkeley county, sent out James Curtis for the same purpose for which Black had been sent out. The tract located by this last named person is still known as the Morgan farm and is the same on which his descend- ents have continued to reside ever since.
Black and Curtis, together with one Hood, who had come out about the time that Curtis had, or immediately afterward, usually kept close company both for the sake of mutual protection and companionship, as neighbors were few and Indians many. On one occasion when pro- visions had grown scarce and it was necessary to obtain a fresh supply, it was arranged among the three that two of their number, Black and Hood, should go to Redstone for this purpose, while Curtis was to re- main behind and exercise a general surveillance over the respective possessions of the parties. They made their necessary preparations for departure, and on leaving told Curtis that should they fail to re- turn by a time named, he might conclude that they had been waylaid and had fallen victims to the fury of the savages, or carried away as captives by them, and for him to take such precautionary measures for his own safety as might be deemed by him to be proper.
After the lapse of a long and weary period of waiting the time having elapsed which they had fixed for their return, Curtis becoming apprehensive for his own safety, decided to abandon his trust and go to Redstone and ascertain if possible the fate of his companions and friends. There, too, he would be more secure should Indians be roaming in the adjacent country. Carefully fastening the door and openings of his cabin, he wrote with a charred stick upon the face of his cabin door, the announcement that he had departed for Redstone, so that in event of the unexpected return of his friends they would be advised as to his whereabouts, and their alarm at his absence be explained.
He therefore set out on his solitary tramp through the wilderness, and succeeded in nearly reaching the Monongahela river, when to his great surprise, he unexpectedly met the young men. The surprise was mutual, and was followed by an explanation of their long de- lay in returning to their cabins. It appears that having obtained the provisions they had gone in search of, on their return journey they indulged in the pursuit of game. In the eagerness and excitement of the chase they had lost the trail and had become involved in the inextricable mazes of the forest and had wandered about for several days unable to recover it, or to determine the course which they ought to take for that purpose. Curtis assured them that they were already in the right way, and with high spirits and joyful hearts they retraced their steps in company, glad at the prospect of once again reaching their cabins. Not long after this occurrence Curtis became dissatisfied and was anxious to return to Berkeley county. Having
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made his decision to do so, he was not long engaged in making the necessary arrangements for his departure. Gathering together his few household articles and utensils, he strapped them upon the back of his cow, and commenced his slow, toilsome and lonely journey.
After experiencing many trials and encountering a number of diffi- culties, he had almost succeeded in accomplishing half the distance in his journey when he met his master, Mr. Vanmetre, coming out with an abundant supply of provisions, ammunition and various use- ful commodities. He was compelled to face about, and in company they returned to the place he had deserted.
That portion of the country known as the "Short Creek Country," attracted the early attention of those who were seeking locations in the west, because of the fertility of its soil, the abundance and var- iety of its timber, and the quantity and quality of its game. It was principally settled by Virginians, Marylanders and North Carolinians who brought with them the manners and customs of the sections from whence they emigrated. During the period of the revolution the name of West Liberty was substituted for that of "Black's Cabin," and it was so called from its then extreme western location, and from that love of liberty which patriotism had implanted in the breasts of these hardy pioneers. The very name itself being music to their ears.
Prominent among the early settlers of this region we find the names of Benjamin Biggs, George McColloch, James Caldwell, John Boggs, Joseph Tomlinson, Moses Chapline, John McColloch, John Wilson, Solomon Hedges, John Williamson, David Shepherd, Archibald Woods, Zachariah Sprigg, James McMechen, Alexander Mitchell, Absalom Ridgeley and Daniel Harris. When Absalom Ridgeley came from Baltimore to West Liberty, he brought with him a pack- horse laden with a small stock of such goods as were adapted to the wants of the settlers. Upon his arrival he opened his package of merchandise and displayed it for sale on a stump near the court house which served him as a place of business. At that early day there were no stores of a public character in which trade was carried on as the wants of the people were few and simple, and almost everything they needed was the product of their own industry. The advent of Ridgeley with his stock of goods was a new experience to which the . settlers had theretofore been strangers, and in a short time he had disposed of all his available goods. The venture proved to be so successful that it was repeated by him again and again, until in the course of time it became an established and regular business with him.
The fort stood upon an elevated site above Black's Cabin, and was erected as nearly as can be ascertained about the year 1777, and was called indifferently the " Court House Fort" and " Vanmetre's Fort." In later times this gave rise to some confusion; as many located the last named fort at West Liberty, whereas Fort Vanmetre was located about four miles below West Liberty, on the waters of Short creek, on what has since and is now known as the Ridgeley farm. This last named fort was erected on land originally owned by a son of Abra- ham Vanmetre. In illustration of the uncertainty with which one
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has. to contend, when in search of authentic information, we may here state that it was only after several months of diligent investigation that we were able correctly to locate Fort Vanmetre and to account for the similarity of names by which the two forts were designated - so soon are the important points and places of local history forgotten by those who ought to be familiar with them. But it is a fact that the descendants of those men who made the early history of this section, know less concerning it than those who are strangers to it, but who have interested themselves in efforts to preserve it. One would sup- pose that personal interests in their ancestors, combined with local pride, would have prompted them to have made themselves acquainted with the history of the past and the lives and deeds of their forefath- ers. But this is not the case.
One of the most notable and efficient families living at West Liberty, in these early times was the Biggs family, in which were six sons, all of whom were distinguished for their brave and adventurous spirit and daring. They were named respectively, William Biggs, Benja- min Biggs, Joseph Biggs, John Biggs, Thomas Biggs and Zaccheus. All of them were more or less known as Indian fighters, and bold and successful scouts. Benjamin, commonly went by the designation of Gen. Biggs. He had been a captain in the Revolutionary war, where he had won distinction by his courage and devotion to the cause of independence and was promoted at the age of twenty-three to the command of a company. After the close of the revolution he became an Indian fighter. He was in his seventy-first year at the time of his death, which occurred at West Liberty on the 2nd day of December, 1823, and was buried in the old cemetery in that village. His tomb- stone bears the following inscription:
" He was firm and decided as a Patriot, Fearless and faithful as a friend to the public, He loved his country, and served it as a captain during her struggle for independence, and adhered to her cause in the darkest hour of her struggle against oppression."
Joseph, called Capt. Biggs was in command of Kirkwood's cabin, situated on the Ohio side of the river, opposite to Wheeling, and held it successfully at the time the Indians made their attack upon it.
William Biggs had settled in Illinois about the year 1787 or 1788, and one day was taken prisoner by a party of Kickapoo Indians. He never wore a military title. After his capture he was adopted into the tribe, and was treated with great kindness and consideration, and remained with them for the period of three years, when he was ran- somed along with other prisoners, at Detroit. At the time of his cap- ture he was on horseback, and was journeying toward the French settlement of Kaskaskia. As he was confidently pursuing his way the silence was suddenly broken by the sound of a rifle shot which was sped by the rifle of a concealed foe, which struck his horse. Three other shots followed in quick succession, all of which took effect on his horse, which resulted in its death. At the moment of the attack
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upon him he was leaning forward, and as his horse fell he was thrown with great force over his head, and for a moment was dazed by his contact with the ground, but only for a moment. On arising he lifted his overcoat which he had slung across his saddle, and putting it on, and over this hastily placed his powder horn. Starting to run and finding his progress greatly impeded by the weight of his great coat, and made futile and unsuccessful attempts to remove it, which he was prevented from accomplishing by the belt of his powder horn. Seeing that the Indians, who were in pursuit, were rapidly gaining upon him and that all hopes of escape were hopeless, he determined not to be killed while running, and at once and suddenly stopped, prepared to meet the worst. His life was spared, and he was carried away a prisoner. After his return from captivity he wrote an inter- esting pamphlet in which he gave an account of his experiences, but we think there is no copy of it now extant. One of these experiences has been related to us by an individual who at one time had a copy of the pamphlet in which it was recorded.
A young squaw became smitten with him and paid him marked at- tentions, so much so as to attract the notice of the Indians. His cap- tors proposed to him to take her to wife, but having one already, he declined the proffer. When he was about to be removed from one village to another, the dusky maiden put in her appearance and did not want him to be removed. His captors started with him at a rapid lope, followed by the squaw, who was provoked by the laughing and whooping of the Indians at her as she followed, which she con- tinued to do until they had reached their destination. That evening he found her at the door of his cabin and the Indians around making fun of her and taunting her with her want of success. Although the Indians urged him to take her as his wife, he persistently refused. She remained for several days and nights in the hope of overcoming his scruples and obtaining his consent to the marriage. It is said that he described her as a beautiful girl about eighteen years of age, with finely chiselled features, a full and rotund figure and almost white.
John Biggs was one of the scouts and guides which accompanied Crawford in his unfortunate campaign against the Indians and fell a victim to savage fury at the time of that defeat.
About the year 1832 is the last knowledge we have of any of the Biggs visiting Ohio county. Captain Joe Biggs, at the time a resi- dent of Monroe county, in the state of Ohio, during the last named year returned to West Liberty temporarily on a visit to his relatives and friends, and stopped at the house of Allen Biggs, who at the time kept an inn in the village, but who on the occasion of his visit was absent from home on business. He had left in charge of his business during his absence a young man whom Mrs. Biggs took aside and instructed to give to the visitant the best liquor there was in the bar, and whenever he called for it, which instructions the young man faithfully followed. After indulging in two or three drinks the cap- tain walked on to the porch in front of the house, and shrugging his shoulders (a habit common to him and in which he unconsciously in-
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dulged on all occasions), turning to the young man who had accom- panied him to the porch, he pointed in the direction of Wheeling and remarked: "I have been in seventeen fights and engagements with Indians at different times between here and Wheeling." He gave no description of their character. nor entered into any details concerning them. He then inquired whether an old friend of his was still living and the directions to his house, he set off to find him. With him he spent several hours in recalling past events and talking over former incidents and reviving old memories. This was his last visit to Ohio county. He died in the year 1833 or 1834. Thomas Biggs, another brother, was killed on the Tuscarawas by the Indians while engaged on a scout.
Zaccheus Biggs was a surveyor in the employment of the govern- ment, and lived and died in Steubenville, Ohio .. He surveyed the first quarter section of land surveyed in the state of Ohio. This survey was made near Steubenville, in Jefferson county. Before leaving Ohio county he entered one of the finest pieces of land in the county, which had hitherto escaped the keen search of his neighbors, and which in the end proved to be quite a valuable " find." He was ' the brother-in-law of Rev. Obadiah Jennings, a distinguished Presby- terian minister of his day.
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