USA > Ohio > Ohio in the time of the Confederation > Part 14
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I have the Honour to be With the greatest respect & Esteem your Excellency's most obedient and most hble Servant Tho : Hutchins
New York 9th May 1787 [Indorsed:]
Letter May 9th 1787 Thomas Hutchins respecting a sum of Money advanced to the Surveyors
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Read May 9th 1787
Referred to the Board
of Treasury to report - Acct Monies advanced to Surveyors Marked A - sent to board of treasury
Octo. 16th 1787
returned Oct. 22
XLVII
BENJAMIN TUPPER TO CONGRESS (1787) 103
To the Honorable the Congress of the United States of America.
The Memorial of Benjamin Tupper Surveyor (on the part of Massachusetts) of the western territory, respectfully sheweth.
That your Memorialist has made several attempts in the last and present year to execute the Ordinance of Congress of May 20th 1785.
That from experience he finds the two dollars per Mile is by no means adequate to the unavoidable expences attending the same, as will clearly appear by the accounts of the gentlemen who made the sur- veys the present year; and as the expences will in- crease with the distance your Memorialist may be from any supplies, it is impossible for him to pro- ceed on the business, without inevitable ruin to him- self. He therefore humbly requests that Congress will be pleased to order a reimbursement of the pres- ent years expences, and make such other compensa-
103 From the Papers of the Continental Congress, no. 41, x, 263.
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tion as your Honorable body may think reasonable for the time expended in your service.
You[r] Memorialist is emboldened to ask this from the confidence that Congress cannot permit their servants to suffer in their own fortunes, while exerting themselves in promoting the public interest, and a consciousness that they have used their utmost endeavors to effect the surveys in the western coun- try upon the most extensive scale.
Your Memorialist having been under the necessity of applying to the Geographer of the United States for considerable sums of money to defray his un- avoidable extra expences, he prays that your honor- able body would enable him to discharge the same.
Your Memorialist as in duty bound shall ever pray. -
Benja Tupper.
Ohio
Nov 10th 1786
[Indorsed:] Nº 27
Mem1 B. Tupper
Read 20 March 1787 Referred to the Board of Treasury to report. - see. Journal Oct 3ª 1787
[P.S.]104 An Account of my Expenditures while endeavouring to Execute Surveys in the Western Territory of the United States agreeable to the Ordi- nance of Congress of the 20th of May 1785. -
To Sundry disbursements on my Journey to Pitts-
104 From the Papers of Continental Congress, no. 41, iv, 307.
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burgh the place of rendezvous appointed by the Geographer to the United States Viz. -
Dols
To my Expences from the 12th of July to the 15th of August at 1 Dollar and 30 pr Day 4930
90
To Boarding while at Pittsburgh 35 Days 47 44 90
To the hire of one horse from the 6th Day of August to the first of October and three horses from that time to the 18th of October at 18 of a Dollar pr Day 2336
To the Wages of 5 Men 17 Days
90 2528 90
To flour and other necessaries purchased for the Support of myself and five men while Encamped at the mouth of Little Beever Creek 31 Days
3641
The amount in Dollars 60
17787 90
To other expenditures while adjusting our ac- counts when returned to Pittsburgh from our encampment at the mouth of Little Beever Creek
11 86
90
A true account errors excepted 18920 90
Benj Tupper
[Indorsed : ]
Benjamin Tuppers
accot for 189
Dollars 27/goths
PART THREE
A JOURNAL &C [OF JOHN MATTHEWS, 1786]105 Monday July 10th 1786. Left home this morning in- tending to visit the Ohio River found Capt Mills at Maj. Cushing in Brookfield, from there proceed- ed on the Journey in company with him Crossed Conecticut River at Springfield put up for the night at Maldens in West Springfield.
Tuesday, July 11th. Continued our Journey this morning from Malden took the road through Granvel Little Malborough &c. to New Windsor put up at night in Sanderfield at Lucuses. Wednesday July 12th Proceeded on our Journey this day as far as Chamberlaines in the Edge of York State.
105 The importance of this minute journal of the young Yankee surveyor-school teacher, John Matthews, in primeval Ohio cannot be over-estimated. It was the most careful report as to soil and climate of the region of the proposed Ohio Company purchase that came back to New England. Perhaps no influence was exerted of equal magni- tude in securing shareholders in the Ohio Company. A number of omissions are made, indicated by stars, as the records of many days are monotonously alike. It must be remembered, however, that it was this very monotony in the description of uniformly valuable land that gave the journal its power. Its greatest merit is in the simplicity and sanity of its record; this gave it credence and an influence beyond that of studied efforts of other writers to arouse an artificial enthusi- asm. For data concerning John Matthews and persons mentioned in the record, see the index in vol. ii of this series.
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Thursday 13th Continued our Journey this day and arrived in the evening at Fishkiln Landing too late to cross the Ferry.
Fryday 14th Cross'd the North River to New Wind- sor this morning Made inquiry for Mr. Ansel Tupper and some other gentlemen who was to meet us their found they ware not arrivd from ther went to Newburgh & put [up] at M' De Groves and waited for them.
Saturday 15th Waited for M' Tupper untill 9 o'clock this morning they not arriving we thought best to procede on our way put up at night at Cannidas in Florida.
Sunday 16th Proceded on our way this day and put up for the night at the Widow Sniders 6 miles from Sussex.
Monday 17th Still continued on our Journey put up at night at Whites in Greenwich 10 miles from Eastown [Easton].
Tuesday 18th Proceded to the Delaware this morn- ing crossed the Ferry and Breakfasted in Eastown (on this road from New Burgh to Eastown the land in general is of an ordinary Quality the soil light and something stony (except on runs &c) but produces very good wheat) after Breakfast left Eastown stoped at Bethlem [Bethlehem] 12 miles from Eastown and refreshed our horses &c. Bethlem is a small town very handsome built of stone and pleasantly situated on a large run of water is inhabited by a Society of Moravians road from Bethlem to Allentown this afternoon and put up for the night.
Wednesday 19th Left Allentown this morning Break-
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fasted at Swairses 8 miles from Allentown. Dined at Maj. Baldes put up for the night on the E bank of the Schoolkiln River 5 miles from reding [Read- ing].
Thursday 20th Ford the Schoolkill this morning the water being about 31/2 feet deep Breakfasted in Reding &c put up for the night in Lebanon.
Fryday 21st Rode 10 miles this morning and put up tel the next day to refresh our horses.
Saturday 22nd Continued our Journey this morning took Breakfast at Lincolns in Hummelstown abot noon crossed the Susquehannah at Harreses Ferry [Harrisburg] (the Susquehannah here is about one mile wide the water shole not exceeding 4 feet in the deepest the country through which we came betwene the Delaware and the Susquehannah Riv- ers is in general Rich and level producing excellent wheat and other grains and watered by large spring which forms fine runs of water bordered with very good medows) put up this night in Car- lile.
Sunday 23ª Left Carlile this morning and continued our Journey Dined at Shipingsburgh 21 miles from Carlile. from Shipingsburg we turn'd to the right out of the waggon road to Pittsburgh in order to cross the north mountains put up at night at Clearks at the foot of the mountains.106
Monday 24th Left Cleark about 6 this morning got across the mountains into the main road by 11 be- ing about 9 miles (the road across the mountains
106 Matthews was following the road taken two years later by the Ohio Company pioneers. It was at this point (Clark's) that they were compelled to abandon their wagons. Cf. vol. i.
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is very bad but by coming this way we save 19 miles in the distance from Shipingsburg to Little- ton) refreshed our horses at Burds in Littleton put up for the night at McDonnels at the foot of Sidling Hill.
Tuesday 25th Crossed Sidling hill this morning Breakfasted at Col. Martains at the crossing of the Juinatta River from this we made no Stop till we arrivd at Bedford where we put up for the night. From Cleark at the foot of the mountains to Bedford the country is Mountainous rocky and barren except Lands bordering on the runs and betwene the mountains.
Wednesday 26th Proceded on our way from Bed- ford refreshed our horses at the foot of Allegany Mountain Crossed the Mountains this afternoon found the Mountains not so bad to cross as several other hills which we have crossed. Put up for the night at Black's at Stony Creek, in Comeing this way we left the Pennsylvania road on the right and came what is cal'd the Glade road.
Thursday 27th Proceded on our way this morning took Breakfast and refreshed our horses at Beans at the side of Lawrel Hill proceded on our way over Lawrel Hill found the road mirey and rock but no where very steep put up for the night at Capt Williamses in Leganear [Ligonier] Vally.
Fryday 28th Left Williamses this morning crossed chesnut ridge Put up for the night 24 [miles] from Pittsburgh.
Saturday 29th Arriv'd at Pittsburgh about 3 o'clock P. M. found the Surveyor had gown down the Ohio to Little Beve [Beaver] creek receiv'd directions
STAGES FROM N. WINDSOR TO PITTSBURG
PLACES NAME
INKEEPERS
DIST.
PLACES NAME
INKEEPERS
DIST.
Florada
Cannadas ..
22
Shipingsburg
21
Hogless
14
The Gap ...
| Clearks
10
Snider
6
Foot Sidling Hill.
.
McDonnels
7
Sussex
Willet
6
Crossing of the
Hope Moravian.
16
Juniatta
Martains
10
Grenwich
Whites
12
Bedford
McGoughy
14
Eastown
Stannon
10
Foot of the Allegany
19
Bethleham
12
Stony Creek. ..
Blacks
10
Allenstown
Dishlers
6
Foot of Law Hill. ..
12
Great Spring.
Swyers
8
Liganier Valley. .
|Williames
131/2
Myers ...
34
Reding .
Seltzer
14
Lebanon
Grenaway
14
Ballem
Ballem
10
Hummelstown
Lincoln
7
Harrestown
Hunter
9
Carlile
17
17512 |From Carlile to Pittsburg. 397 From N. Windsor to Pittsburgh.
2111% |From N. Windsor to | Carlile
Ohio in the Time of the Confederation
191
·
.
|Baldes
14
141% |Pittsburgh
|Dinkins
12
Middletown
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from Gen'l Tupper by Col. Shairman 107 to go down the river Col Shairman being to set out emediately for Bevaer Creek we cross the Monongahela river and road about a mile and 1/2 and put up for the night.
Sunday 30th Proceded down S. E. side of the Ohio river for Bever Creek put up at within 4 miles of Camp.
Monday 31st Arrived at Camp on the E. bank of the Ohio this morning where the Surveyors ware wait- ing for the Troops from Mingo who are to escort them on there Survey. Thinking it not safe to go on without.108
Tuesday [August] 15th Foggy morning 9 A. M. fog cleared away and a fine day follow'd cross'd the river this day with Capt Hoope 109 to begin the 2d raing of Townships Camp'd 5 miles from the Riv- er on the E. and W. line on coming on line I found the land hilly and uneven except near the Ohio and of an excelent Quality many of the side hill moist fit for grazing and the tops of the ridges level and excelent for wheat.
Wednesday 16th Cloudy morning 9 A. M .- De- camped 11 arrivd at the end of the 1st raing the land uneven but good for wheat rye Indian corn flax hemp &c. the groth white red and black oak; hickory &c. likewise innumerable specias of weads which make excelent food for horses run this day on the E. and W. line 48 chain the land in general
107 See note 77.
108 See doc. xxxiv.
109 Mentioned in doc. xxxviii.
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Ohio in the Time of the Confederation
good for wheat rye flax &c. except the tops of some rid [g]es which is dry but good wheat land. Cloudy the remainder of the Day.
Thursday 17th Cloudy til 10 in the morning then cleard and warm continued our line this morning to the 1st mile then returned to camp to breakfast the Remainder of this mile is much of the same Quality the former but rather more level and if any difference in point of soil better after Break- fast continued the line. at 24 rod crossed a small brook on the sides of which some very good mow- ing mite be made quit at 1/4 of a mile from the 1st mile post from the last mentioned brook is a gentle rising and the land excelent for wheat.
Friday 18th-Cloudy morning half past 7 began where we left off last night the first 20 chains through rich land gently rising on each side and a small run of water betwene the rising ground the timber all kind of oak hickory rock and white maple ash and &c. the next 50 rod crosses a ridg with rising ground on the South the ridge where we cross'd and the rising ground to the South is dry and in some places Stony tho very good wheat land 30 rod further crosses the head of a vally which runs to the S. W. the ridges running dif- ferente directions widens as it extends to the S. W. and appears to be an excelent cut of land 20 chain further concludes the 2ª mile the last 20 chains is a gentle Desent to the N. W. and most ex- celent wheat land the line pases a little to the Northward of the ridge and the land on the South Side is of an equal quality with the other. the 1st 20 chains; in the 3ª mile : crosses poor points of
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ridges, and up a rocky side hill 20 rod further quit for the day about 2 P. M. broke away and weather pleasant the remainder of the day.
Saturday 19th A fine pleasant morning wind in N. W. half past 7, A. M. began to survey the 2ª 20 chains of the 3ª mile through rich level land the timber all kinds of Oak hickory Dogwood &c 3ª 20 chains good wheat land and Desending to the N. W. and rising ground on the Southward which is light-soil'd and stony the last 20 chains ridgy and lite soil'd except a bottom 8 rod wide with a brook running through it and will make very good mowing the 1st 20 chains of the 4th mile a little de- sending to N. E. and very rich the timber all kinds oak and hickory growing very tall and will pro- duce all kinds of grain likewise clover and all other kinds of upland grass in the greatest abundance the 2ª 20 chains poor and stony the 3ª 20 chains level and good wheat land.
Sunday 20th Clear and warm the whole Day.
Monday 21st A Beautiful Morning and a prospect of a fine day for Business half past 7 A. M. began our work the last 80 rod of the 4th mile much of the same Quality with the Preceding the 1st part of the first 20 chains of the 4th mile crosses a very good bottom for meddow then rises a hill the fase of which is stony then on to level good land the 2ª 20 chains very rich land a little ascending to the W. and fit for Indian Corn hemp &c. and will make good upland mowing 3ª 20 chains gentle inequal- itys and very little inferior to the last the last 20 chains of the 5th mile not so good as the rest be-
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Ohio in the Time of the Confederation
ing on a ridg where the soil is lite but midling good for wheat 40 rod from the 5 mile quit for the day the whole day fair and warm.
Thursday 22ª Haizy morning 7 A. M. began work the 1st 20 chains desends to the W. timber white oak and hickory the soil lite excep the last part at the foot of the ridge the 1st part of the 2ª 20 chains across a good bottom for mowing the other part cross a ridg lite soil'd on the top but good wheat land the 3ª 20 chains rich and level the last part good mowing the last 20 chains runs obliquely along a side hill which is moist and rich to the top then along the top of the ridge which is lite soild but good for wheat the mile conclude just at the bottom of the ridge which conclude the 2ª raing where we quit for the day The middle and latter part of the day clar and warm.
Wednesday 23ª Clear and cool morning half past 7 A. M. began where we left off last night the 1st 20 chains desend to the S. except the last part which crosses a good bottom for mowing 2ª 20 chains uneven and litish soild but midling good for wheat 3ª 20 chains good wheat land the last 20 chains of the 1st mile on the S. line ridgy and dry except the valleys betwene the ridges at 10 outs from the 1st mile quit for the day in the evening had a heavy thunder shower.
Friday Sepr 1st 1786 Clear weather the whole day Maj" Hoops having been for some time in a bad state of health and growing more unwell Conclud- ed this morning to leave the line and return to
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Camp at Little bever accordingly decam'd at 9 A. M. and got as far as the 5th mile post on the N. boundary of the 2 raing.
Saturday Sept. 2ª Clear the whole day Arrived at Little Bever at 3 o'clock P. M. Found the sur- veyors had all left camp except Gen'l Tupper, Capt Morris 110 and Mr Duffey.
Sunday 3ª Clear and warm the whole day.
Monday 4th Clear and warm.
Tuesday 5th Stormy and southwardly winds
Wednesday 6th Fair weather, made arraingments to go on with Gen'l Tupper to begin the Eighth raing of Townships.
Thursday 7th Clear and warm Crossed the River with our Baggage and about 2 o'clock P. M. got our horses loaded and started for the woods Camped at night 4 miles from Bever Creek.
Friday 8th Clear and warm 7 o'clock A. M. de- camped and about 6 P. M. Camped 4 miles on the 3ª Raing
Saturday 9th Clear the greatest part of the day This morning we was detained untill 10 o'clock a looking for one of our Horses but not finding him we loaded our Baggage on the other Horses and proceded on our way Camped at the end of the fourth Raing.
Sunday 10th 7 o'clock A. M. decamped 4 o'clock in the afternoon camped near the end of the 6th Raing Maj" Sergents 111 he came to our camp and in-
110 See note 77.
111 Winthrop Sargent, later secretary of the Ohio Company and sec- retary of the territory under General St. Clair. Major Sargent's activity in this work of surveying and exploring comes out vividly in this journal.
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Ohio in the Time of the Confederation
form'd that one of his hands had left him which very much embarresed him. Gen'l Tupper not being reddy to begin work (as the Geographer had not got through the 6th Raing) I went with Maj" Sergents to assist him for a few days and Gen'l Tupper promised to send his sone 112 (who was gone on as far as the geographer camp) the next day on my way to this place after leaving the 2ª raing I found a great part of the 3ª Raing poor and uneven the Timber Pitch Pines and small oak the 4th Raing is very good wheat land in general. the 5th Raing is excelent for wheat Likewise sev- eral large Glades or swamps shaded with Willow Elder Alder wine Bark &c. which will make excel- ent Low Medow.
Monday 11th Clear and warm for the Season Got on as far as the Second mile post 3/4 of the 2ª mile is through a large swamp coming from the S. E. and running Northwestwardly the soil deep and mirey in many places but when clear'd will make Excelent Low Medow M' Anselm came to us about 10 o'clock and he and my self carry'd the chain.
Tuesday 12th Scattering clouds and a fresh breeze from the N. W. and cool run 2 miles this day the land through which the line past forms gentle en- equalities and is excelent wheat Land Timbered with White red and Black or Yellow Oak Hickory dog wood &c.
Wednesday 13th Clear and very cool morning for the Season I observd the frost had nip'd the
112 Mr. Anselm Tupper.
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weeds in many places Continued cool the whole day wind from the N. W. and Cool Showers run 2 miles this day which Concluded the West boun- dary of first Township 5th Raing The Land on these two miles much the same in point of Soil as the last mentioned but more level and is Excelent wheat Land
Thursday 14th Clear and Cool Morning the remain- der of the day Pleasant and moderate 9 o'clock A. M. M' Tupper and myself with a hunter left Maj" Sergents Camp in order to fall in with Gen'l Tupper on the Geographers line who we found En- camped near the end of the 6th raing the rought we took from Majr Sergents Camp was thro the first Township of the Sixth raing the Land where we came through this Township is Considerable uneven and points of ridges stony Likewise large bodys of falen timber where the ridge is very Brushy but much good wheat Land and Several Small Brooks on which is very good medow Land. Friday 15th Clear the whole day 10 o'clock A. M. decamped and moved to the westward about 5 miles where we joind the Geographers Camp on Sandy Creek a large branch of Tuskarawas The first 3 miles of the North boundary of the 7th raing is hilly and Brushy but the Soil capable of produc- ing good wheat Then through a rich Bottom on a Small Brook which falls into Sandy Rivlet half a mile wide then through a large oppen Glade one mile and a half wide and accor[d]ing to accounts of the Hunter 7 or 8 miles long the greatest part of this Glade is dry land the Soil of the Mearly [mar- ly?] kind and I think would produce good wheat
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Ohio in the Time of the Confederation
it is mostly cover with low brush and a kind of wild grass but very few trees the s[w]ampy or wet part of it is eithe [r] covered with Elder Alder wine bark or wild grass which grows very thrifty be- twene the Glade and the Creek the Bottom is about 100 rods wide and excelent for medow
Saturday 16th Cloudy Morning and remaind cloudy the greatest part of the day The North bounds of the 7th raing not being compleeted Gen'l Tupper could not enter upon business this day I spent part of the day in vewing the adjacent Country the Rivulet comes from the N. E. and runs to S. W. beautifully meandering through rich and exten- sive Bottoms the uplands are level and very fine
Sunday 17th Cloud and rain wind S. E. this morning I went to a camp of Indians who ware returning from Ft McIntosh to there towns they ware en- camped 8 rods above us on the Creek they ware about Eighteen in number men and women they had rum with them and had a drunken frolic the night before but appeared decent and friendly
Monday 18th Foggy morning haf past 10 cleard away and continued fair the remainder of the day 10 o'clock Gen'l Tupper began his raing and our camp moved to west about 3 miles to another large Branch of the Tusarawas call'd Nineshilling After we had run 3/4 of a mile an express arrived from Maj" Hamtramchs Camp at Little Bever and brought information that the Indians was assem- bling at the Shawanees Towns and Intended mak- ing a general attackt on the Surveyors.113 Capt Hutchins and Gen'l Tupper thought it unsafe to
113 Cf. doc. xxxix.
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procede any further Information was immedi- ately sent to Capt Morris who had got about one mile and a half on the West boundary of the 7th raing and we all returnd to the ground from we left this morning where we tarryed this night Tuesday 19th Clear and warm the whole day 9 o'clock A. M. decamped and marched for little Bever our whole party consisted of about 50 men about 36 of which was troops under the command Leut. Cersy Encamped at night near the 1st mile post on the 6th raing
Wednesday 20th Pleasant and warm 7 o'clock A. M. decamped and encamped again at night near the 1 st mile post on the 4 raing
Thursday 21st Foggy morning about 8 A. M. Fog broke and warm 3 o'clock P. M. a Small Shower from W. after which we had a pleasant evening 9 o'clock A. M. decamped and marched to Eastward one o'clock we met Majr Hamtramck with the whole of his detachment on there way to meet us near the 3 mile post on the 3ª Raing where we en- camped on an eminance near the line
Friday 22ª Clear and warm the whole Day in the Night we had a heavy Shower and Thunder from the west 3 o'clock P. M. decam [p]ed and marched about 3 miles to the East
Saturday 23ª Clear and warm the whole day 10 o'clock A. M. decamped and marched for the Ohio encamped in the evening on the Ohio 5 miles below Little Bever Creek where we are to wait until the Surveyor [s] return from their respective rainges. Sunday 24th Fair weather the whole day M' Sim- son returned from his raing which was the 6th Monday 25th Cloudy and raind part of the day.
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Ohio in the Time of the Confederation
Tusday 26th Cloudy the fore part of the day and clear the after part. The Surveyors not having returnd and business in Suspense I left Camp in order to go down the river as far as M' Wm Great- houses 114 near the Mingo Bottom (with whom I had contracted an acquaintance in the woods and appears to be a reputable man) and then wait till I know what is to be done I put up at night at Mr Croxens about 18 miles below Bever when I met with very good entertainment
Wednesday 27th Clear and very warm arrived at Mr Greathouses about one o'clock P. M. he has a good farm and lives decently 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 Berly &c. likewise large quantities of excelent good Mowing it is considerably Settled and tho the inhabitants do not yet live in affluence they have a great plenty of the emediate necessarys of life
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