USA > Ohio > Pioneer history : being an account of the first examinations of the Ohio valley, and the early settlement of the Northwest territory ; chiefly from original manuscripts > Part 15
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" 14th. Decamped at seven A. M. and proceeded to the west on the south boundary of the second township, fourth range. About two o'clock, P. M. overtook the troops at the south-west corner of the second township, fourth range.
" Sunday, 15th. At sunrise Major Sargent and myself, with two men, left the party to find the west boundary of the fifth range, at a point eight miles south of the geogra- pher's line. (It will be recollected that Mr. Hutchins was directed to run the east and west line through the ranges.) At ten A. M. we struck the line seven and a half miles south of the geographer's. After striking the line, we fol- lowed it south to the second mile post on the second town-
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ship, where we began work. Run one mile and returned to camp, which was pitched about eighty rods east of the line."
For many succeeding days, Mr. Mathews notes with much care the state of the weather and the temperature of the air by Mr. Sargent's thermometer, at three periods of the day, which it would be interesting to preserve were it not for the fear of being tedious and prolix to the reader.
" Monday, October 30th. Cloudy and rained all day. We lay still in our camp. About noon our pack-horsemen returned from looking after their horses, and informed us that they were not to be found, and that the Indians had stolen them, with the exception of one poor horse, which was evident from several corroborating circumstances. The Indians were about six in number. They lay part of the night within eighty rods of our camp, and we suppose took our horses about eleven o'clock in the evening. They also stole a buckskin out of a brook within a hundred yards of us. It was evident they had been watching us for several days. When the commander of the escort, Captain Hart, was informed of the loss of our horses, he immediately commenced building a block-house on the most advanta- geous ground in the vicinity of our camp.
"31st. We this morning dispatched a man for Major Hamtramck's camp, on Wheeling rivulet, informing him of our situation, and requesting more horses, so that we might proceed on our range. Although we were apprehensive of danger, we finished the west boundary of the seventh town- ship this day. On our return to camp, we found the block- house in such a state as to afford a good shelter in case of an attack from the Indians.
" November 1st. Major Sargent, thinking it improbable that horses would be sent out sufficient to enable him to go on with the range, determined to run the south boundary of the seventh township on our way in. We run two miles
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of it this day, and returned to camp at the block house at night.
"2d. Tarried in the camp all day waiting a return from Major Hamtramck, which did not arrive.
"3d. The man who was sent to the major returned, with only three horses, which will not be sufficient to move our baggage without going twice.
" 4th. Major Sargent this morning concluded to leave the woods as soon as he can run the south boundary of the seventh township.
" 5th. We finished the remainder of the south boundary of the seventh township, but fell short of the west bounds of the fourth range, two chains and ninety links, and came on the line fifteen chains and ten links north of the south- west corner of the seventh township, fourth range. Our camp has moved on to the fourth range, where we expect to wait until more horses arrive to carry in our baggage.
" Monday, 6th. This morning Major Sargent concluded to load a part of our baggage on one horse, and proceed to Major Hamtramck's camp, which from the best informa- tion we can get is in the south-east part of the third town- ship and third range. At eight o'clock left Captain Hart's camp; kept on the south bounds of the seventh township to the south-east corner of it; thence we kept a north-east course, and in about four miles fell on to a large rivulet, which we supposed to be the main branch of Indian Wheel- ing, and followed it down, expecting to strike the camp. Night coming on, and finding, we began to think, we were on Mr. Mahan's rivulet, we built a fire and lay all night near the south boundary of the seventh township, third range, but were uncertain whereabouts on the line we were.
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" Tuesday, 7th. Discovered this morning that we were two miles west of the south-east corner of the seventh town- ship, and on Mr. Mahan's rivulet. From thence we traveled in a north course, and struck Wheeling creek five miles
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below the camp ; which proves that we were misinformed as to the major's situation. When we struck the creek we met with some soldiers, who informed us that Captain Hutchins was gone into Wheeling; upon which we pro- ceeded immediately to the river, and crossed over to Esq. Zane's, where we found Captain Hutchins. After dinner left Wheeling in his company to go to Esq. M'Mahan's, which is about sixteen miles above. Proceeded about half a mile, and tarried all night.
"Wednesday, 8th. At eight o'clock, A. M. embarked in a canoe, and proceeded up the river. At sunset arrived at the mouth of Buffalo, one mile from Esq. M'Mahan's, and tarried all night.
" Thursday, 9th. Went to day to Mr. Greathouse's, my old quarters.
" Friday, 10th. Attended a sermon delivered by a meth- odist preacher."
From the above fact, it appears that this zealous and en- terprising sect had commenced their labors of love at an early period in the wilderness region west of the Alleghany. A scene which Mr. Mathews soon after witnessed, and is by him quite graphically described, would lead us to conclude that their services were as much needed to rebuke the vices of the residents of the border west of the mountains, as those of the older settled portions of the country near the Atlantic coast.
"Saturday, November 11th. Being disappointed in my expectation of teaching a school this winter, I went to Har- man Greathouse, the father of my friend William. Here I found a number of the neighbors seated in social glee around a heap of corn. The inspiring juice of rye had en- livened their imaginations, and given their tongues such an exact balance, that they moved with the greatest alacrity, while relating scenes of boxing, wrestling, hunting, &c. At dusk of evening the corn was finished, and the company retired to the house, where many of them took such hearty
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draughts of the generous liquor, as quite deprived them of the use of their limbs. Some quarreled, some sang, and others laughed; while the whole displayed a scene more diverting than edifying. At ten o'clock, all that could walk went home, but left three or four round the fire, hugging the whisky bottle, and arguing very obstinately on reli- gion ; at which I left them and went to bed.
"Sunday, 12th. In the morning, found the neighbors who had tarried all night still at their cups; and, at eleven o'clock, others came in to assist in drinking up the whisky that remained from the carousal of last night. I left them and returned to William Greathouse's.
" 14th. Went to Esq. McMahan's and settled my account with Major Sargent.
" 15th. This morning, engaged with Mr. Simpson, to as- sist him in protracting his survey.
"Wednesday, 22d. This day, General Tupper left this place for Massachusetts.
"Sunday, December 3d. This day, Colonel Sproat and Mr. Simpson left this for their respective homes: Colonel Sproat for Providence, in Rhode Island, and Mr. Simpson for York county, Pennsylvania."
Mr. Mathews concluded to spend the winter at Great- house's, and pursue his studies in surveying.
On the 5th, he notes the snow to be eighteen inches deep. The weather was cold and stormy; and, on the 10th, he says the snow was thirty inches deep.
On the 18th, he notes, "I am this day twenty-one years of age, and free, by the laws of my country. I am nearly six hundred miles from my native home, and poor enough- the whole pittance that I can call my own does not exceed fifty dollars. But while I have my health, I feel no anxiety about getting a living, and hope by honest industry to sup- port that independency of spirit which is requisite to hap- piness."
And full well did this noble spirited man carry out in
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after life his youthful resolves. He became one of the most useful, active, and clear-headed men that Ohio ever claimed as a citizen. Soon after the close of the Indian war, in 1796, he married a daughter of Judge Woodbridge, of Marietta, purchased a large tract of land on Moxahala creek, in Mus- kingum county, and erected a large flouring mill. Here he became a scientific cultivator of the soil, and an early pro- pagator of the finest fruits-having introduced an extensive variety of the most valuable kinds from the nurseries east of the mountains, as early as 1806. But to return to the journal, from which I shall make occasional extracts, to show the hostility of the Indians to the encroachments of the whites.
"Saturday, January 27th, 1787. Captain Hutchins, the United States geographer, left here for New York.
"February 3d. This evening I received a letter from Major Hamtramck, requesting me to come and take charge of the commissary department at Fort Steuben, which is three miles above the mouth of Indian Cross creek, on the west side of the Ohio.
"Sunday, 4th. I went to Fort Steuben, in company with Mr. Ludlow, one of the surveyors, and engaged to be ready to take charge of the stores on Wednesday next.
" Fort Steuben, Thursday, 8th. This morning Mr. Peters delivered the stores in his charge to me. I am now enter- ing on business with which I am unacquainted, but hope that use will make it familiar to me. I have to issue pro- visions to about one hundred men."
From this time to the 10th of April, his journal is made up with remarks on the weather, the state of the river, and the progress of vegetation.
On the 10th, he writes, " Captain Martin and Mr. Ludlow left this for the woods, to continue and complete the survey of the ranges.
" 17th. Mr. Smith left this place for the woods.
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"21st. Mr. Simpson left here for the woods." Mr. Simp- son was the surveyor for Pennsylvania.
" May Sth. This day three of the surveyors and their assistants or parties arrived from the woods, viz .: Captain Martin, Mr. Simpson and Mr. Ludlow ; they arrived at Wheeling the 5th instant. Their coming in was in con- sequence of information from Esq. Zane, that the Indians had killed three persons at Fishing Creek, and taken three more prisoners, on the 25th day of April. Mr. Smith is yet in the woods, and nothing has been heard from him since he left this place, as he did not come up with Mr. Ludlow on the seventh range as was expected ; but, by comparing circumstances, I apprehend no misfortune has befallen him.
" Thursday, 10th. Mr. Smith and party returned from the woods, and all is well.
" 12th. We have intelligence this day, that the Indians had murdered a family on the night of the 11th, about fifteen miles below this place. On my way to Esq. McMahan's, I saw several persons from Wheeling, who informed me that there was one man and two children killed, and two children taken prisoners, and the woman badly wounded.
"14th. Left McMahan's for Pittsburgh, in company with Messrs. Ludlow, Simpson and Crane. Passed the night at Elliott's, about a mile below Pittsburgh.
" 15th. After breakfast went to Pittsburgh, and saw Colonel Sherman who had just arrived. He brings no news of importance from below, only that Congress are deter- mined to go on with the surveys this season.
" 16th. Left Pittsburgh in company with Mr. Sherman, Ludlow and Simpson, and arrived at the fort on the 17th.
" Wednesday, 23d. I was ordered by Major Hamtramck to engage a number of pack horses to go into the woods with the surveyors and escorts, to carry the provisions. Went up Buffalo creek about ten miles, in search of horses. There are several mills on the creek, and the best farms I have seen in this country.
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" 24th. Rode to the court house in Ohio county. There is a town laid out here, and about twenty of the lots occupied.
"25th. About two, P. M., arrived in the fort, not having very good success in procuring horses, but a prospect of completing what I want. A part of the troops stationed at Steuben had left here during my absence, being ordered to Muskingum, and the remainder immediately to follow. Their further destination is not known. Major Hamtramck informs me that the stores in my charge will be moved to Wheeling, and I am to go with them. This place will probably be the rendezvous of the surveyors and their escorts this summer.
" 30th. A party of the troops left this post for Mus- kingum, and I have made arrangements to go to Wheeling in the morning.
"31st. At ten o'clock, A. M., left fort Steuben, with a canoe deeply laden, and no one on board but myself. At two o'clock, was obliged to lie by on account of the wind. ' At four it abated, and I got as far as the mouth of Short creek. Here I found Mr. Wheaton and Mr. McFarlane, and was induced to stay all night.
" June Ist. We embarked and arrived at Wheeling at nine A.M. Landed the provisions and proposed pitching my tent near Esq. Zane's store.
"Saturday, 2d. The surveyors all arrived on the other side of the Ohio, and pitched their tents near the mouth of Indian Wheeling creek, where they are waiting for their escorts to arrive from Muskingum, or Fort Harmer.
" 5th. Rode into the country, up Wheeling creek and between that and Short creek, in search of pack horses and saddles.
"6th. The troops arrived from Muskingum.
" Friday, 8th. The surveyors all left the Ohio about sun- down, and encamped two miles up the creek, fully supplied
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with pack horses, &c., excepting the lack of one man and horse, which I shall forward in the morning.
" 9th. Went in the morning with the man and horse to the surveyor's camp, and about twelve o'clock they all got under march for their respective ranges.
" 23d. The troops from Fort McIntosh passed this place on their way down the river. The Indians have lately done mischief about ten miles above Wheeling ; they have also been seen near here; and from many circumstances I fear the summer will be a troublesome one."
From the 23d of June to the 30th of July, Mr. Mathews omitted to keep a journal, or else it is lost. On the 30th he was at Wheeling, and says that on the 9th of that month he went to Pittsburgh to settle his accounts, as commissary, with the contractors ; but Mr. Britt, agent for the company, was absent. From thence he returned to McMahan's and spent eight or ten days with the surveyors, who, it seems, a part of them at least, had returned from the woods. While at Wheeling, he notes in his journal : " The Indians have been seen in this quarter lately, and have stolen sev- eral horses. About ten days past, the signs of a party were discovered near Short creek, and were followed by a party of our people, who came up with them four miles below Wheeling-killed one and wounded two more of the In- dians, who were eleven in number. Our party consisted only of eight men. The Indians were attacked unexpect- edly in their camp, and fled with precipitation, leaving their blankets and moccasins behind them. It is supposed they were Chippewas." On the 31st he returned to McMahan's. " August 4th. About one o'clock, P. M., the people living on the bank of the river against this place were alarmed by the screaming of a person begging for life, and the report of two guns. A party of men armed themselves immediately and crossed the river where they found one man killed and scalped at the lower end of " Mingo bot- tom." The Indians were pursued, but could not be over-
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taken. The party consisted of only two Indians, who were seen by some people engaged in fishing at the mouth of Cross creek.
" 5th. Mr. McMahan, with a party of volunteers, about twenty in number, crossed the Ohio river, intending to come up with the Indians who killed the man. They are determined to range the Muskingum country, where they hope to fall in with some party of Indians, or come to their trail and follow them into their settlements.
"6th. At nine o'clock, A. M., embarked on board of a boat, for Muskingum, in company with Captain Mills, Lieutenant Spear, and Doctor Scott. Twelve o'clock, stop- ped one mile above Short creek, on the north-west side of the river. At this place are about ten families collected,. and are determined to stand it out against all opposition, either from the Indians or the troops. (N. B. Squatters were forbidden to settle on the lands of the United States, and the troops had been ordered to remove them.) After a drink of good punch, proceeded on our way. At six ar- rived at Wheeling and tarried all night. Here we were informed that five Indians were seen last evening between this place and Ohio Court House.
"7th. Left Wheeling at six o'clock. "At nine o'clock, the mouth of Grave creek, twelve miles below. At twelve, Captina creek on the west side of Ohio. At sun- down, cloudy and rainy. Stopped one mile below the mouth of Fishing creek. The rain makes our lodging uncomfort- able-four of us sleeping under a narrow awning in the stern of the boat.
".8th. At one o'clock this morning we were suspi- cious that the Indians were about us; on which account we pushed off our boat and rowed moderately down the river. At daylight entered the "Long Reach" -morning foggy and shower at nine A. M. At three P. M. passed the mouth of Little Muskingum on the north-west side of the Ohio ; at five o'clock arrived at Fort Harmer. The
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Ohio was very low; in many places not more than three feet deep, the whole way across, which rendered the navi- gation inconvenient. The Ohio often rises thirty feet above its present stage ; consequently a vessel drawing twenty or twenty-three feet, will pass without difficulty at such a time. Fort Harmer is built just below the mouth of Mus- kingum. The fort is a regular pentagon, whose sides are made of log barracks, for the accommodation of the troops, and has a picket bastion at each corner.
" 9th. Day showery. Spent a part of the day in view- ing the garrison and gardens contiguous. The gardens are well stored with culinary and ornamental plants, which flourish with great luxuriancy. The officers have an abun- dance of melons in fine perfection.
"10th. Clear and warm."
From this period to the 23d, the journal is missing. On that day, he notes, " Captain Mills left this place for post St. Vincent. Nothing material has taken place since I came here. I have not accomplished the business on which I came, and am now waiting for a boat to return up the river. I went with a hunter, Mr. Carr, about three miles into the country, between Duck creek and the Muskingum river ; the land is rich and finely timbered. Went to view the Indian works, which are about a mile from the fort. They extend for about half a mile on the second bottom ; are co- vered with as large timber as any part of the country. The walls of the works are of earth, fifteen feet thick, and five or six feet high. In the eastern part is a mound, about thirty- four feet high. About twenty yards from the foot of the mound is a ditch and breastwork encircling it. The Indians can give no account respecting them, and say their fathers do not know how they came. Doubtless, when the country is settled, and lands cultivated, many discoveries will be made that will throw light upon the subject, and help histo- rians and philosophers to form reasonable conjectures about the original inhabitants of this country.
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"31st. Since the 23d there has been a good deal of rain, and the Ohio river high for the season. At six, A. M., left Muskingum in a boat bound up the river, in company with Captain McCurdy, Doctor Scott and Mr. Cochrane- the river in good order for going up it. At twelve it began to rain, and continued moderately all the afternoon until sundown. In the evening we encamped on an island in the " Long Reach," having made about thirty miles. Imme- diately after lying down, there came on a heavy rain, which continued all night; from which we had no shelter but the bushes.
"September 1st. Morning cloudy and cool. We were in a very uncomfortable condition. The water has risen nearly two feet during the night. Left the island before sunrise. The water continued to rise, which much impeded our progress. Just after sundown, encamped five miles be- low Fishing creek, having made about twenty-four miles. We kindled a good fire, dried our clothes and blankets, and made ourselves very comfortable.
"2d. Proceeded on our voyage before sunrise ; the wa- ters falling. At eight o'clock reached the mouth of Fish creek. Here Mr. Willis and Mr. Carr, two men that were along, and myself left the boat, and walked about four miles. We passed several plantations that were deserted, which are some of the lowest between Wheeling and Muskingum. At twelve o'clock we left the boat again at the lower end of "Round bottom," four miles below the mouth of Grave creek by land, and seven miles by water. This bottom lies on the southeast side of the Ohio, contains about one thou- sand acres, and belongs to General Washington. Stopped and refreshed ourselves at Mr. Williams's house, from which he moved last spring. Above the mouth of this creek is a noble body of flat land, upwards of two miles square. On this flat are many marks of ancient civilization, and an amount of population far exceeding the present race of In- dians. There are many mounds of various sizes; the
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largest is about seventy feet in hight, and between two and three hundred yards in circumference ; the top is about forty feet across, and settled down, which forms a basin. It is supposed to have been their grand receptacle for the dead, as some bones have been dug from the sides of the mound. It is doubtless a subject which the curious will . thoroughly investigate."
N. B. About forty-five years after this period, the great mound was thoroughly explored by Mr. Towlinson, the owner of the land, and many curious things discovered; an account of which was published in the " Pioneer," a work devoted to the early history of the west.
" At sundown, arrived within six miles of Wheeling, and put up at a Mr. McMahan's, who was here making prepa- rations to move his family down from Wheeling, where they . had been for a long time, on account of danger from the Indians.
" Monday, 3d. Started at two, A. M., and arrived at Wheeling before sunrise. Took breakfast at Esq. Zane's, at nine o'clock. Left Wheeling soon after ; river still rising. At twelve o'clock, reached Woodfort, four miles above. The river is so rapid that it is very difficult to make progress with the boat. Under these circumstances, I left the water and walked as far as Esq. McMahan's, reaching there about sunset. Here I learned that Messrs. Simpson and Ludlow had left this place the week before, for their homes. Messrs. Wheaton and Smith were to leave in a few days.
" Tuesday, 4th. Went to Mr. Crawford's, where the boat was to stop. It arrived about eleven o'clock, A. M. Dined and spent a few hours with the gentleman who came up in the boat. About two o'clock they set out for Pittsburgh."
From this time to the 20th of the month he remained at Esq. McMahan's. A small party then proposed to cross the Ohio, and go out into the woods for a few days to dig gin- seng. In those early times when the plant was plenty, it was a source of profit to the frontier inhabitants, who had few
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articles to give in exchange for money, or the more valua- ble articles of merchandise brought out by the traders. It proved to be rather a hazardous trip, as the Indians were hostile, and killed all the white men they could, especially if found on their hunting grounds.
" A little before sunset the squire and myself crossed the Ohio, and went about two miles and tarried all night at a house which was left by the inhabitants.
"21st. At eight o'clock, four men joined us and we set off by " Williamson's route" or trail, a little before sunset. We encamped half a mile beyond the "Big Lick," on the head waters of Short creek, in the ninth township of the fourth range.
" 22d. Left our camp at sunrise, and moved about five miles to the west, and encamped about half a mile to the east of the dividing ridge, between the waters of Muskin- gum and Short creek. Here we dug ginseng until Thursday, 27th. It grew here in great abundance. Men accustomed to the work, could dig from forty to sixty pounds a day. The roots were generally very large. The biggest grow where the land is very rich and open to the sun. Many roots of ginseng of a medium size appear to be twenty.or thirty years old, which is ascertained from the number of joints, or escars, on the top of the root, every year producing one ;. but I found roots of a good size not more than three or four years old. From the fact of it being found the largest in open lands, I am led to think that cultivation would be friendly to it, and that a few years, with proper attention, will bring it to maturity. I have collected a considerable quantity of the seed, and am determined to try it. Our camp is on the head of Short creek, in the fifth township, fifth range, in the north-east part of township. It is an excellent body of land, and extends eight or ten miles north and south, along the east boundary of the fifth range, and about two and a half miles to the west of it.
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