History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume I, Part 29

Author: Lee, Alfred Emory, 1838-; W. W. Munsell & Co
Publication date: 1892
Publisher: New York and Chicago : Munsell & Co.
Number of Pages: 1202


USA > Ohio > Franklin County > Columbus > History of the city of Columbus, capital of Ohio, Volume I > Part 29


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).


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In 1814 the first markethouse, a substantial frame about fifty feet long, was erected. It was built by voluntary contributions, and located in the middle of High Street, a short distrance south of Rich, where it remained until 1817, when the transfer of the market to some other locality was proposed. The property owners on Broad, Town, State and Rich Streets all contended for it as a prize, and offered to donate sites for a new building. The Broad Street people deemed it a strong point in their favor that their thoroughfare was so wide, and it is said that in 1816 Joseph Miller erected the front part of the brick edifice afterwards known as the Buckeye House, where the Board of Trade building now stands, in the confident expectation that the Markethouse would be located in front of his premises. But


217


THE FOREST SETTLEMENT.


the town authorities decided otherwise, and closed a contract with John, Shields to erect a new twostory market building, brick below and frame above, on State Street, immediately west of High. As a consideration for his performance of the contract, Shields was permitted to use or rent the two upper rooms for his own benefit ; consequently one of them became occupied as a printing office, and the other, occasionally, for religious services. Finally Shields sold his interest to John Young, who appropriated the apartments to gaming and its adjuncts. The first billiard table in the town was here made use of. "About the year 1829 or 1830," says Martin, " the Council bought out Young's interest, and the building was removed, and a larger markethouse, without any rooms above, was erected on the same site, Elijah Ellis contractor. This building continued until the erection of the present markethouse on Fourth Street."


Columbus passed the first two years of its existence without a newspaper of its own. The first paper printed within the present corporate limits of the city was the Freeman's Chronicle, issued weekly, or rather occasionally, in Frankhnton, by James B. Gardiner. After an existence of about two years, the Chronicle expired, and its able and independent editor betook himself to tavernkeeping. Its place as a local news and advertising medium was supplied by the Western Intelligencer, which was removed thither in February, 1814, from Worthington. Its proprie- tors were Joel Buttles, P. H. Olmsted and Ezra Griswold, Junior. After coming here the Intelligencer took the additional name of Columbus Gazette, and was pub- lished, at first, in part of the building occupied by the City House Tavern, on the southeast corner of High and Town Streets. Of its history, aud that of its succes- sors in the journalism of the capital, a circumstantial account will be given in the chapters on The Press.


Of the beginning of the Medical Profession in the new settlement the Freeman's Chronicle of March 11, 1814, made this announcement: "Dr. John M. Edmiston has commenced the practice of Medicine and Surgery at Columbus. His shop is on High Street, near Mr. Green's store." Doctors John Ball, Lincoln Goodale and Samuel Parsons were among Doctor Edmiston's carlier colleagues.


By or before 1815 the Legal Profession was represented by David Smith, Orris Parish, David Scott and Gustavus Swan, who were soon joined by John R. Parish, T. C. Flournoy, James K. Cory, William Doherty, and others of later prominence. An cecentric Justice of the Peace named Shields is said to have been both droll and expert as a pioneer in the administration of justice. The quarrelsome boatmen of the "War Office " kept in active exercise his talents both as a jurist and a wag. On Sundays Esquire Shields officiated as a volunteer clergyman. Being a poet, as well as a preacher, he wrote his own hymns. Justice Shields was a native of Ireland, and by fundamental occupation a bricklayer. Among the other early justices were James Marshall, Michael Patton, Eli C. King, William Long and Messrs. Townsend, Nichols, Martin. Richardson, Deshler and Wood.


During the winter of 1813-14 a subscription school was kept in a cabin on the public square. Among the earlier teachers of the public schools of Columbus, all of which were maintained by voluntary donation, were Uriah Case, John Peoples, a Mr. Whitehill and W. T. Martin.


The churchgoers of the new settlement attended the services conducted by Doctor Hoge in Franklinton until a cabin for church purposes, about twentyfive


218


HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.


by thirty feet in size, was built on a lot donated by Doctor Hoge, near the corner of Spring and Third Streets, in the spring of 1814. Religious services were held in this cabin, as well as at the Franklinton meetinghouse, until 1818. Such was the beginning of the First Presbyterian Church of Columbus. A Methodist Society was organized in 1814, and erected a hewed log church, with a shingle roof, on Town Street. The building thus provided was used for school as well as church purposes until 1824, when the society erected a new church on the same site. The ground is now occupied by the Public Library building.


The first white person born on the present site of Columbus was Keziah Ilamlin, daughter of John and Mary Hamlin, who dwelt in a cabin said to have been the first one erected on the territory now embraced within the limits of the city, on the east bank of the Scioto. The Hamlin domicile stood near the present location of the Hoster brewery. Some of the Indians then encamped on the low- lands of the vicinity seem to have been much interested in the advent of the little stranger, for one day, not long after its birth, they carried the infant away to their wigwams, and kept it until evening, when they returned it with a pair of beauti- fully worked moccasins on its dimpled feet. The date of Keziah Hamlin's birth was October 16, 1804. On December 19, 1822, she was married to David Brooks, of Princeton, Massachusetts, one of the later landlords of the White Horse Tavern. The late David W. Brooks, of this city, was her son by this marriage.


In February, 1814, Mr. George B. Harvey was wedded to Miss Jane Armstrong. This was the first matrimonial alliance solemnized in the Columbus settlement. Joseph Dillo and Miss Polly Collett soon afterward celebrated the second. The first death is not recorded.


The Scioto River not being usually fordable at that period, intercourse be- tween Columbus and Franklinton was maintained chiefly by means of a ferry, kept by Jacob Armitage. To mitigate the inconvenience of this mode of erossing, the General Assembly passed an act, February 15, 1815, authorizing Lueas Sullivant and his associates, " if any there be," to build a bridge at the foot of Broad Street, and authorized collection of the following rates of toll :


For each foot passenger, three cents; for every horse, mule or ass one year year old or upwards, four cents; for each horse and rider, twelve and one half cents; for every chaise, riding chair, gig, cart, or other two wheeled carriage, with two horses or two oxen and driver, thirtyseven and one half cents; for the same and one horse and driver, eighteen and three fourths cents ; for every coach, charriot or other pleasurable carriage, with four wheels and driver, drawn by four horses, seventyfive cents ; for the same carriage and driver, drawn by two horses, fifty cents ; for every waggon with two horses or oxen and driver, thirtyseven and a half cents; and for each horse or ox in addition, six and a fourth cents ; for every horse, mule or ass younger than one year old, two cents ; for every head of neat cattle, six months old or upwards, two cents ; for every head of cattle younger than six months old, and for every head of sheep or hogs, one half cent.


All " public mails," and all troops and artillery of the State and United States, were passed free. The franchise was granted for the term of sixty years, but the right was reserved to change the rates of toll after 1831.


Pursuant to this charter, Mr. Sullivant erected a roofless wooden toll bridge in 1816.18 As its direction formed a right angle with the course of the river, it touched the west bank at a point several rods below the ford, making necessary the opening of a new road across the fields to Franklinton. After the lapse of eight or


219


THE FOREST SETTLEMENT.


ten years, this bridge became infirm, and in 1826, was replaced by another with its western terminus at the original landing. Like its predecessor, it was destitute of roof or cover.


A census of the settlement taken by James Marshall in the spring of 1815, showed a population of about seven hundred. The more prominent stores at that time were those of Alexander Morrison, Joel Buttles, Henry Brown, Delano & Cutler and J. & R. W. McCoy. The Franklin Bank, the pioneer institution of the kind, was incorporated in February and organized in September, 1816. An ac- count of it will be found in the chapter on Banking.


Until this time little attempt at street improvement had been made In 1816 a fund of about two hundred dollars was raised by private subscription to clear some of the stumps from High Street, and about the same time something was done to disincumber Front Street of logs and other debris. In following the crooked paths which led through the village clearings, the nightly pedestrian found the use of a tallow-dip, or the rarer luxury of a lantern, extremely necessary when the moonlight failed. Trees, logs, stumps and ponds of water alike hedged his way.


Such was the capital as a forest settlement.


NOTES.


1. Major William Rutledge.


2. These buildings continued to be used as the seat of justice of Ross County until 1853.


3. The following extracts from the document here referred to are taken from an original printed copy bearing date February 12, 1808, and entitled an "Address of the inhabitants of the town of Worthington relative to the seat of government." The author is indebted for this copy to Miss Emma Jones, of Columbus, a granddaughter of Hon. James Kilbourn.


" To the honorable, the General Assembly of the State of Ohio :


" We, the undersigned, citizens and proprietors of Worthington and its vieinity, in Franklin county, understanding that the present general assembly will have it constitution- ally in their power to fix the permanent seat of government of this state, and provide for the ereetion of public buildings, for the accommodation of the legislature and the officers of state ; and as this or a succeeding legislature will fix upon a place for the permanent seat of govern- ment, beg leave respectfully to represent.


"That in our opinion, the town of Worthington is more eligibly situated for the seat of government, than any other town now settled, or any other position which can be chosen in this state.


"The situation of this town will be perfectly eentral for business, taking all matters into consideration, and is almost so as it respects territory.


"The centre of Worthington is in the third quarter of the second township in the eigh- teenth range of the United States' military lands, and about one and a quarter miles south- westerly from the centre of said second township.


" By refering to the state map, it will be seen that this town is exactly in a middle posi- tion, between the Ohio river at the mouth of Scioto, and the Sandusky bay, west of the Connecticut Reserve; varying therefore, so far only from the middle of the state, south, as the north-east corner of said Reserve, and the country west of Lake Erie, about the Miami of the Lake, would carry it, which cannot, we apprehend, exceed nine or ten miles, by the best calculation.


"On an east and west line from the Ohio river to the west boundary of the state, Worth-


220


HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.


ington is about twelve or thirteen miles from the centre, west; but when the slant made by the Ohio river on the south-east part, is compared with the projecting north-west corner, about the said Miami of the Lake, it will be found that this town is not more than seventeen or eighteen miles south and west of the real centre of the state.


" It will also recollected by the legislature, and admitted by all, that the western part of this state, from the more even surface of the country, and better quality of the soil, generally, has and must always have, a greater population than the eastern, according to the extent of territory.


"Worthington is situated on the east side of the main cast branch of Scioto, (com- monly called Whetstone river) nine miles from its confluence with the west branch.


"This river is a fine navigable stream as far up as this town, equally so with the Scioto at Franklinton ; for although the Whetstone is not quite so large as the other branch at high water, it is a more enduring stream, and has full as much water as the west fork in the dry season, in proportion to its size. This river is also as much narrower than the main Scioto, as it has less water, and has higher banks, and of course is of equal depth at least with the main river below the forks; and being very straight, of an easy and gentle current, and of sufficient width (from ten to twelve rods) is fully sufficient for the largest Orlean boats to descend, or large keel boats to ascend, to and from the town in the proper seasons.


" Another very important advantage is derived from this river, at this particular point. Immediately above the centre of the town, there begin and continue north ward up said river, for several miles, a succession of falls, made by bars of solid rock, running across the stream, which furnish a number of the best mill seats in this state, a principal part of which are now improved and improving for various kinds of mills and water works; and this accommo- dation is found in the centre of an extensive, rich body of land, equal to any, without excep- tion, in the western country.


" Above these falls the river becomes still and gentle again, and continues so, and of about nine or ten rods in width, entirely to the Sandusky plains, there approaching very near to the east branch of the Sandusky river ; so that, by erecting locks and slopes at the three or four mill-dams upon the highest of those falls, (which from the solidity of the foundation might be done at no great expence) salt, goods, &c., might be brought from the Lakes by water. to this town, with a very short portage. And thus might the mill-dams now made and erecting upon the river, while they answer the first important end proposed, be also sub- servient to the better navigation of those falls.


" There are now in operation, at and above this town, three saw-mills, two grist-mills, and several other useful water machines, and three other mills are now building. By means of so early attention being paid to these important erections, the settlements in this vicinity have progressed in building and other improvements beyond any other settlement in this part of the state, for the time, and have for three years past supplied, and do now supply, all the towns and settlements below for more than thirty miles upon the Scioto, with all their sawed timber for building, as also with their grinding. to a great distance.


" Worthington is also situated on a high and handsome piece of ground, commanding a very extensive view of the country on all sides. In point of elegance for building ground, it is not exceeded, if equalled, by any situation in the state; and with respect to healthiness, four years' experience has proved it without a parallel.


" The road from Zanesville, by the forks of Licking, to the counties of Champaigne and Miami, and the road from Chillicothe to Sandusky, cross at right angles, in the centre of this town ; and several other important roads, from different parts of the state, intersect with them near the same point.


" From a consideration of these several particulars, (with many others of minor import- ance) we have drawn the above conclusion. That this town is a more central and eligible situation for the sent of gorernment than any other that can be found in this state.


" With respect to accommodations for the members of the legislature during their session, should the general assembly think proper to change the seat of government at the next session, (which, however, we do not expect) and should fix it at this town, we can say with


221


THE FOREST SETTLEMENT.


confidence, that the houses now built, and building, (that will be finished within one year) will be fully sufficient for that purpose.


"We would also state, for the information of the general assembly, that a large and commodious building is now preparing for an academy, in which will be three spacions rooms, either two of which will be of full capacity to accommodate the two branches of the legislature, and which, when furnished, will be offered for the use of the state, in the proper season, until the state buildings can be erected. This house will be ready as soon as required. Also, an eligible lot for the erection of said public buildings, shall be furnished upon the publie ground.


"Being also informed, that the citizens of several of the towns have opened subserip- tions for the purpose of offering to the legislature, private contributions toward the expences of erecting the publie buildings for the accommodation of government; - although we have thought there was reason to doubt the propriety of such a measure, yet, from present circum- stances, we have been induced to follow the example, as the following subscription will show ; and we confidently trust in the candor of the legislature, that they will not attribute the tender of this our proposed contribution, to improper motives. We disclaim the idea of purchasing, or offering to purchase, those privileges which of right might belong to another part of the state, or which the public interest would require to be elsewhere established. On the contrary, conscious as we are, that the true interest of the state will be best promoted by that, which our interest and sense of propriety has induced us herein to suggest to the con- sideration of the general assembly, we have no other motives in this offer, than to render more secure what we deem a natural privilege, and to manifest to the legislature, and to the state, that the citizens of this town, and its vicinity will not be behind their neighbors in contributing, according to their abilities, in the infant state of their town and settlement, to lessen the public expences to the citizens of the more remote parts of the state, who cannot partake so fully the benefits of a central position. (which is the only consideration, we con- ceive, to justify those who first introduced this mode of procedure) as also, to counteract, in some degree, an undue weight, which might otherwise operate against the joint interest of the state and this town.


"All which we respectfully submit to the consideration of. the general assembly, in full confidence that a concern so important to the state, will be justly weighed, and that the advantageons situation of the town of Worthington for the permanent seat of the state gov- ernment, will be duly noticed, notwithstanding the present infaney of the settlement.


" Therefore we, the undersigned, citizens and proprietors of Worthington and its vicinity, in Franklin county, do each of us in his individual capacity, and for himself, promise and en- gage, to pay to the treasurer of the state of Ohio, for the time being, the sum or sums annexed to onr names respectively, for the purpose of erecting a state house in said town, for the ae- commodation of the legislature and other officers of the government, provided this offer shall be accepted by the general assembly, and the seat of government of this state be permanent- ly fixed, by law, at Worthington, within two years from the rising of the present assembly, and not otherwise.


"The sums so subseribed, to be paid in four equal annual installments; the first instal- ment thereof to become dne at the end of one year from the acceptance of the subscription, and the passage of the law, fixing the seat of government as aforesaid, and the other three in annual snccession thereafter, subject to such other restrictions only, as shall be immediately annexed to our respective signatures : The money, or other property so subscribed, to be ap- plied to the building of a state house in said Worthington, and to no other purpose .- Dated Worthington, January 29, 1808.


James Kilbourn $2000


do. for Norton & Kilbourn . 1000


do. for Jed. Norton 2000


James Kilbourneash, for J. Dayton 1000 in land,


Ezra Griswold . 500 1500


Lemnel G. Humphry 100


Adna Bristol 100


5000


Charles Thompson 100


Aaron Strong 120


George Case 100


500


William Watson 101


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HISTORY OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS.


Joseph Sage


1000 David Buell 100


William Robe


200


Roswell Tuller 100


Moses Maynard


300


George Case, jur 50


Timothy Lee


200


Bela Goodrich 75


Asa Gillet


200


Elias Vining


50


Amos Maxfield


100


Daniel Munsee


25


Samuel Willson


100


Jesse Andrews


50


Daniel M. Brown


100


Trueman Case


100


Asahel Hart


100


Robert Justice


50


John Goodrich 2000


Isaac Bartlet


25


Noah Andrews


1000


Jeremiah Boardman


75


Joel Buttles


100


Avery Power


80


Glass Cochran


200


Nathan Carpenter 60


Josiah Topping


200


John Carpenter


30


Chancey Barker


100


John Patterson


100


David Bristol


100


Thomas Brown


100


Azariah Pinney


150


Azariah Root


100


Jophar Topping


300


Orlando H. Barker


10


Ebenezer Brown


50


Moses Byxbe


800


Joseph C. Matthews


200


Moses Byxbe, jur


400


Roswell Willcox


200


Ralph Slack


8


Thomas Palmer


200


Jacob Ay


6


William Thompson to be paid in lands


400


Discovery Olney 20


10


Abial Case .


100


John Murphy


50


Demmon Coe


100


John Helt


25


William Goremly


50


Michael Eli


5


William M'Curdy


100


Eli Manvell 200


50


Alexander Morrison, jur 400


Cephas Cone


20


James Russell, jun'r


100


William Fancher


3


James Russell


50


Enoch Domigan 10


Cruger Wright


150


Gilbert Carpenter 40


Samuel Sloper


100


Daniel Weeks 10


Israel P. Case


100


Gilbert Weeks


6


Israel Case, to be paid in boards and other property


150


Joseph Latshaw 30


Preserved Leonard


500


Nathaniel Landon


10


John B. Manning


50


David Landon 10


William Morrison


100


Samuel Landon 10


Simeon Wilcox .


350


Jona. Williams 20


Bela M. Tuller 150


200


Ezekial Benjamin


25


Abner P. Penney


100


Nathaniel Disbury


10


William Vining .


200 Moses Carpenter


5


Daniel Benjamins


50


John Welch


4


Benjamin Chapman


150


Nathaniel Hall


50


Obed Blakely


100 John Johnson


20


Seth Watson


100 David Lewis


6


Samuel Beach, jun'r 100 Philo Hoadly 20


John Case


150


Isaac Lewis 20


50 Chester Lewis


20


Levi Goodrich


Jeremiah Curtess 50


Alexander Morrison


100


Thomas Butler


30


Isaac Case


200


Benjamin Carpenter


Eliphalet Barker


James H. Hills 100


Daniel Alden 15


Isaac Fisher to be paid in lands


200


Augustus Ford


223


THE FOREST SETTLEMENT.


Amasa Delano, payable in land ont of the


third township and third Section, 18th


range. when the builing of the state house shall commence


1000


Ezekiel Brown 50


Daniel Weeks, jun'r


50


Wm. Luce .


225


Stephen Maynard .


100


Silas Dunham 25


Eber Maynard


100


James Harper 15


Joah Norton


300


Heetor Kilbourn 35


Edward Phelps 100


John Wilson 30


Oliver Clark


50 Anijah Royce 50


Renben Carpenter


50 Nathaniel W. Little


100


Samuel Beach


150 John Topping 150


Levi Pinney


50 136 subscribers $25.334


" At a general meeting of the citizens of Worthington and its vicinity, for the purpose of collecting subseriptions towards erecting a state house, in said town, (in case the permanent seat of government should be there established ) Major James Kilbourn was unanimously elected agent, to present the address adopted by this meeting to the honorable, the general assembly, as also to tender to government, on behalf of said eitizens, their proposed contribu- tions for the purpose aforesaid.


WM. RonE, Clerk.


" Worthington, February 3d, 1808.


" The agent appointed as above begs leave to observe, that for want of time this subscrip- tion had not a full eireulation, and that there is good reason to ex peet considerable additions - also that the subscribers are many and the sums small and there is none who is not able and willing to pay his subscription in ease the end is obtained.


JAMES KILMOURN."


4. An act to provide for fixing the permanent seat of government. Passed February 20, 1810. Ohio Laws, Volume S.


Section one and two provide for the appointment of five commissioners by joint ballot of both houses of the General Assembly, a majority of the board to be necessary for the rec- ommendation of any particular site.


" SEC 3. That after the commissioners shall have taken an oath or affirmation faithfully to discharge the duties enjoined on them by this aet, they shall proceed to examine and select the most eligible spot, which in their opinion will be most central, taking into view the natural advantages of the state ; Provided ; It shall not be more than forty miles from what may be deemed the common centre of the state, to be ascertained by Mansfield's map thereof.


"SEC. 4. That after the commissioners shall have fixed on the most eligible spot, they shall make up a report of their proceedings and sign the same, seal it up and direct it to the speaker of the senate, and forward the same to the senate, within ten days after the com- meneement of the next session of the general assembly ; and if it shall appear to the satisfac- tion of the next general assembly, that the place fixed on is the most eligible place, they shall confirm the report of the commissioners, and proceed to take such further order thereon as to them shall appear most advantageous and proper




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