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 16
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" 28th. Collected our horses and prepared to start for
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JOURNAL OF JOHN MATHEWS.
the river. At one o'clock, completed their loading. At sun-set encamped within about sixteen miles of the Ohio.
"29th. Arrived at the river about three o'clock, P. M. We were much surprised to hear that three men had been killed and one taken prisoner by the Indians, about ten miles up Cross creek, who were out after ginseng on Sun- day last. Two of the party made their escape. They had also killed a family the week following, up Wheeling creek, and done considerable other damage. While we were out, we were very careless and came on their trail, but very for- tunately they did not fall in with us. I feel very happy that I have reached my old quarters, and will give them liberty to take my scalp if they catch me after ginseng again this year.
"October 12th. This evening McMahan returned from over the river, where he had been with a party of men in pursuit of some Indians, who yesterday morning killed an old man near Fort Steuben. He did not discover them, but by the signs ; thought them to be seven or eight in number.
" November 30th. A part of this month I have been on the west side of the Ohio, with Mr. Simpson and Colonel Martin, assisting them in the survey of the lands they bought at the public. sales in New York. Last evening I returned from Pittsburgh, where I have been to settle my accounts with Britt & Co., which I have accomplished. While there, I saw Colonel Meigs, of Connecticut, who has lately come on to this country. He belongs to the Ohio company, and informs me that the surveyors, workmen, &c., will be on this winter. I was gratified to learn that, by the resolve of the company, I had been appointed one of the surveyors."
January Ist, 1788. He speaks of the weather as very cold and snowing. Also on the 2d. On the 28th, he notes : " Since the 2d of this month, the weather has been remark- ably cold, and snow deep. Set out this morning for Wash- ington, and was informed at Southerland's mill that a
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number of the mechanics (of the Ohio company) had arrived at the mouth of the Yohiogany river, from New England." He remained at Washington with Mr. Anselm Tupper, until the 1st February, completing some plats of the late surveys, when they left for mouth of " Yoh."
" February 2d. A fine day. Crossed the Monongahela at Parkerson's ferry, and arrived at Sumrill's ferry on the Yoh. at evening, where we found Major White, with twen- ty-two men from New England. 'He informs that General Putnam, with about thirty more men, will be on by the 10th of this month.
"3d. Rainy in the morning ; snow in evening. Left Sumrill's for Pittsburgh."
From this to the 6th the weather was very cold, and river so full of ice, that it was with great difficulty he got across to Pittsburgh. On the 8th, the river was frozen over so strong that horses crossed on the ice. From thence he went to Greathouse's, his first resting place. By the 13th the weather had become mild, and the creeks very high. " This afternoon I left Greathouse to go to Sumrill's ferry, where I expect to find General Tupper and Colonel Sproat, with a party arrived from New England.
" 14th. Went to the store houses at Mingo and Coxe's bottom, to make inquiries as to the price of provisions, that I might give information to the New England party. Tar- ried all night at Esquire McMahan's.
" 15th. Cloudy and snowy. Rode to Washington. Mr. Tupper will go with me to-morrow to Sumrill's ferry.
" 16th. Day warm. Just as we reached Devore's ferry, on the Monongahela, the ice began to come down with amazing rapidity, so that we could not cross. Tarried all night at Parkerson's.
" 17th. It was twelve o'clock before we could cross the river. In the afternoon arrived at Sumrill's, where I had the pleasure of seeing my honored uncle, General Putnam, by whom I received a number of letters from my friends.
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JOURNAL OF JOHN MATHEWS.
"18th. Set out for Pittsburgh in company with Esquire Foster, who belongs to Brookfield, Massachusetts. He is sent out by General Putnam to purchase provisions, and I am requested to attend on him, and consider myself in the company's employ.
" 19th. Found great difficulty in crossing the river, on account of floating ice.
" 20th. Went to Washington, but could make no contract for provisions, and left there for the country on Buffalo creek and the Ohio river. At Absalom Wells's mill made a par- tial contract for flour, and with Spear & Sutherland for six thousand pounds of pork, to be delivered on the Ohio, at four dollars fifty cents per hundred. Also for sixty barrels, probably for flour, at two shillings and sixpence, or forty- two cents."
Mr. Foster returned to Sumrill's, while Mr. Mathews remained to see to the collection and delivery of the articles, and to make contracts for flour. On the 25th contracted with Mr. Buchanan for three thousand weight of flour, two thousand of which was at nine shillings a hundred, and one thousand at ten shillings, or one dollar sixty-six cents. He also bought of Mr. Wells seven thousand pounds, at one dollar sixty-six cents per hundred, and several bushels of beans at one dollar per bushel. On the 26th, received a letter from Mr. Foster, saying the party would not be down under twelve or fifteen days. 27th. Clear and very cold. The month of March was very cold, as he notes in his jour- nal, which is omitted until the 2d of April; when he notes as follows: "A fine pleasant day ; the snow is not yet all melted. The month of March has been remarkably cold. Since the 27th February I have been employed in collecting provisions in this quarter, and have had the stores all ready for three weeks past, daily expecting the party down the river. This day Colonel Sproat and Mr. Foster arrived at my quarters, and informed that the boats will be down on the morrow.
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JOURNAL OF JOHN MATHEWS.
" Thursday, April 3d. Cloudy morning. From ten o'clock, A. M., until night, hard rain. General Putnam ar- rived with boats at the mouth of Harman's creek, before sunrise ; and not being acquainted, fell some below the landing. Esq. Foster and myself attended to getting the provisions to the river, and a very disagreeable time we had of it, on account of the rain. I am to take General Put- nam's horse by land to Buffalo on the morrow.
" Friday, 4th. I left Greathouse's in the morning. Found Colonel Sproat at McMahan's, and rode with him to Wells's mills, and hurried on the provisions to the landing. From thence we went to the mouth of Buffalo, where the boat had arrived. She will not be loaded to day ; therefore I returned to McMahan's and staid all night with Colonel Sproat.
"Saturday, April 5th. Clear and warm in A. M. At one o'clock a shower with thunder, and a heavy thunder shower in the evening. Our boats tarried all day in the mouth of the creek, and we have every thing to put on board in the morning. They also took in here a quantity of poplar boards for the erection of temporary huts, until more sub- stantial buildings could be built.
" Sunday, 6th. Cloudy and rainy all day. At half past eight o'clock, A. M., every thing on board, and we started for Muskingum, with one large boat of fifty tons, a flat, and three canoes.
" At four o'clock, P. M., came too at "Round bottom," and propose waiting until nine or ten o'clock in the eve- ning, in order to arrive at Muskingum in the forenoon to morrow. At half past nine got under way, and run all night without meeting with any accident.
" Monday, April 7th. Cloudy and rain a part of the day. At twelve o'clock arrived at Muskingum, and encamped on the upper side of its mouth. Our whole party consists of forty-two men, surveyors and all. We found about seventy Delaware and Wyandot Indians, including women and
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children, who are here to attend the treaty, and appear very friendly.
" Tuesday 8th. High wind and scattering clouds from the south-west. The party busy all day in unlading the boats, making shelters to live in, &c. Colonel Sproat and myself are to begin surveying on the morrow."
Here we shall close the extracts from the journal of Mr. Mathews, although it is continued for some time longer, but only relates to the incidents of the survey in the eighth range, and not to the history of the progress of the Ohio company. Many of the sentences already quoted may seem trivial, and of little account to some persons ; but in the dearth and paucity of the written records of the proceed- ings of the early adventurers of the Ohio company after reaching the head waters of the Ohio, anything in the form of a manuscript, and written daily on the spot, is of real value and ought to be preserved. His details of the settled hostility, and marauding propensities of the Indians, are interesting records that may be trusted in as facts in the early history of the west.
The large boat which was built at Sumrill's ferry, under the direction of Captain Jonathan Devoll, was forty-five feet long and twelve feet wide. She had a deck roof, and her model was that of a galley, raking at the bows, so that she could be sailed, or rowed up stream. During the following summer she, by the aid of sail and oars, made two or three voyages to Buffalo, or Charleston, as it was soon after called, to bring down emigrant families. Subse- quently running boards were built on the sides of the boat, so as to push her up stream with poles, similar to a keel boat; which mode was found to be much more expeditious, than trusting to the uncertain and variable nature of the winds in the numerous bends of the Ohio. She was called the " Adventure Galley" by the first pioneers, but was afterwards named the "Mayflower," in rememberance of the " forefathers'" little bark at Plymouth.
4
8
2
Muskingum
Duck Creek
.
5
Little
Muskingum
Hockhacking River.
Little Kankawa
-
Ohio River.
.
Gr. Kenhawa
Raccoon Cr.
A. sketch Of the Ohio Company's
Purchase.
Garrisons in the Ohio Compy's Settlements. 1 Block House at Big Bottom. 2 Wolf creek Mills. & Fort Faye - Waterford. 4 Campus Martins _ Marietta. S Fort Harmer 6 Farmers Castle - Belpre.
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THE OHIO COMPANY.
CHAPTER VIII.
First notice for formation of Ohio Company .- First meeting, March, 1786, at Boston, Mass .- Names of the Delegates .- Committee appointed to draft Association. - Articles adopted. - Second meeting of the company, 1787 .- Three directors chosen .- Dr. Cutler employed to contract with Congress for land .- One and a half millions at sixty-seven cents. - Location of pur- chase. - Boundaries .- Reservations. - Winthrop Sargent aids Dr. Cutler in the purchase. - Meeting of Company .- Dr. Cutler's report. - A city to be laid out at Muskingum .- Four surveyors appointed, and company of men to go out and take possession. - General Putnam to be superintendent .- Early provision for schools and religious instruction .- Rev. Daniel Story employed .- Party leave Massachusetts, December, 1787 .- Boats built at Sumrill's ferry .- Embark on the river .- Downward voyage .- Land at Muskingum, 7th April, 1788 .- Names of the first pioneers.
Extracts from the records of the Ohio Company .- Origin of the Ohio Company.
" On the 25th day of January, 1786, appeared in the pub- lic prints a piece styled "Information ;" with signatures of the Generals Putnam and Tupper, of the late American army, in substance, as follows :
"INFORMATION.
"The subscribers take this method to inform all officers and soldiers, who have served in the late war, and who are by an ordinance of the honorable Congress to receive cer- tain tracts of land in the Ohio country, and also all other good citizens who wish to become adventurers in that de- lightful region; that from personal inspection, together with other incontestible evidences, they are fully satisfied that the lands in that quarter are of a much better quality than any other known to New England people. That the climate,
13
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seasons, produce, &c., are, in fact, equal to the most flattering accounts which have ever been published of them. That being determined to become purchasers, and to prosecute a settlement in this country ; and desirous of forming a gen- eral association with those who entertain the same ideas, they have to propose the following plan, viz : That an asso- ciation by the name of the Ohio Company be formed of all such as wish to become purchasers, &c., in that country (who reside in the commonwealth of Massachusetts only, or to extend to the inhabitants of other states, as shall be agreed on).
" That in order to bring such a company into existence, the subscribers propose, that all persons who wish to pro- mote the scheme should meet within their respective coun- ties (except in two instances hereinafter mentioned), at ten o'clock, A. M. on Wednesday the 15th day of February next; and that each county or meeting, there assembled, choose a delegate, or delegates, to meet at the Bunch of Grapes tavern, in Boston, Essex. At Captain Webb's, in Salem, Middlesex ; at Bradish's, in Cambridge, Hampshire; at Pomeroy's, in North Hampton, Plymouth; at Bartlett's, in Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket counties ; at Howland's in Barnstable, Bristol ; at Crocker's, in Taun- ton, York ; at Woodbridge's, in York, Worcester ; at Patch's, in Worcester, Cumberland and Lincoln; at Shattuck's, in Falmouth, Berkshire ; at Dibble's in Lenox.
" RUFUS PUTNAM, " BENJAMIN TUPPER.
" Rutland, January 10th, 1786.
"In consequence of the foregoing, on the 1st day of March, 1786, convened at the Bunch of Grapes tavern, in Boston, as delegates from several of the counties of the commonwealth of Massachusetts, to consider of the expe- diency of forming an association or company to purchase
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lands and make a settlement in the western country, the gentlemen whose names are underwritten :
" County of Suffolk - Winthrop Sargent, John Mills.
" County of Essex - Manassah Cutler.
" County of Middlesex -John Brooks, Thomas Cushing.
" County of Hampshire -Benjamin Tupper.
" County of Plymouth - Crocker Sampson.
" County of Worcester - Rufus Putnam.
" County of Berkshire-John Patterson, Jahlaliel Wood- bridge.
" County of Barnstable - Abraham Williams.
"Elected General Rufus Putnam, chairman of the con- vention, and Major Winthrop Sargent, clerk.
" From the very pleasing description of the western coun- try given by Generals Putnam and Tupper, and others, it appearing expedient to form a settlement there, a motion was made for choosing a committee to prepare the draught or plan of an association into a company to the said pur- pose, for the inspection and approbation of this convention. Resolved in the affirmative.
" Also, resolved, That this committee shall consist of five. General Putnam, Mr. Cutler, Colonel Brooks, Major Sargent, and Captain Cushing were elected.
" On Friday, the 3d of March, the convention met, and the committee reported as follows :
" Articles of agreement entered into by the subscribers, for constituting an association by the name of the Ohio company.
" The design of this association is to raise a fund in con- tinental certificates, for the sole purpose, and to be appro- priated to the entire use of purchasing lands in the Western Territory (belonging to the United States), for the benefit of the company, and to promote a settlement in that country.
" Article Ist .- That the fund shall not exceed one million of dollars, in continental specie certificates, exclusive of
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THE OHIO COMPANY.
one year's interest due thereon (except as hereafter pro- vided), and that such share or subscription shall consist of one thousand dollars, as aforesaid, and also ten dollars in gold or silver, to be paid into the hands of such agents as the subscribers may elect.
" Article 2d .- That the whole fund of certificates raised by this association, except one year's interest due thereon, mentioned under the first article, shall be applied to the purchase of lands in some one of the proposed states, north-westerly of the river Ohio, as soon as those lands are surveyed, and exposed for sale by the commissioners of Congress, according to the ordinance of that honorable body, passed the 20th of May, 1785; or on any other plan that may be adopted by Congress, not less advantageous to the company. The one year's interest shall be applied to the purpose of making a settlement in the country, and as- sisting those who may be otherwise unable to remove themselves thither. The gold and silver is for defraying the expenses of those persons employed as agents in pur- chasing the lands, and other contingent charges that may arise in the prosecution of the business. The surplus, if any, to be appropriated as the one year's interest on the certificates.
" Article 3d .- That there shall be five directors, a trea- surer, and secretary, appointed, in manner and for the pur- poses hereafter provided.
" Article 4th .- That the prosecution of the company's designs may be the least expensive, and at the same time, the subscribers and agents as secure as possible, the pro- prieters of twenty shares shall constitute one grand division of the company; appoint their agent, and in case of vacancy by death, resignation, or otherwise, shall fill it up as immediately as can be.
" Article 5th .- That the agent shall make himself ac- countable to each subscriber for certificates and monies received by duplicate receipts (one of which shall be lodged
1
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THE OHIO COMPANY.
with the secretary); that the whole shall be appropriated according to those articles of association, and that the sub- scriber shall receive his just dividend according to quality and quantity of lands purchased, as near as possibly may be, by lot drawn in person or through proxy ; and that deeds of conveyence shall be executed to individual sub- scribers, by the agents, similar to those he shall receive from the directors.
" Article 6th .- That no person shall be permitted to hold more than five shares in the company's funds, and no sub- scription for less than a full share will be admitted; but this is not meant to prevent those who cannot, or choose not, to adventure a full share from associating among themselves, and by one of their number subscribing the sum required.
" Article 7th .- That the directors shall have the sole dis- posal of the company's fund, for the purposes before men- tioned; that they shall, by themselves, or such person or persons as they may think proper to entrust with the busi- ness, purchase lands for the benefit of the company, where, and in such way, either at public or private sale, as they shall judge will be most advantageous to the company. They shall also direct the application of the one year's in- terest, and gold and silver mentioned in the first article, to the purposes mentioned under the second article, in such way and manner as they shall think proper. For those purposes, the directors shall draw on the treasurer from time to time, making themselves accountable for the appli- cation of the moneys, agreeably to this association.
" Article 8th .- That the agents, being accountable to the subscribers for their respective divisions, shall appoint the directors, treasurer and secretary, and fill up all the vacan- cies which may happen in these offices respectively.
" Article 9th .- That the agents shall pay all the certificates and moneys received from subscribers into the hands of the treasurer, who shall give bonds to the agents, jointly and
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THE OHIO COMPANY.
severally, for the faithful discharge of his trust; and also, on his receiving certificates or moneys from any particular agent, shall make himself accountable therefor, according to the condition of his bonds.
" Article 10th .- That the directors shall give bonds, jointly and severally, to each of the agents, conditioned that the certificates and moneys they shall draw out of the treasury shall be applied to the purposes stipulated in these articles ; and that the lands purchased for the company shall be di- vided among them within three months, from the completion of the purchase, by lot, in such manner as the agents or a majority of them shall agree; and that, on such divisions being made, the directors shall execute deeds to the agents respectively for the proportions which fall to their divisions, correspondent to those the directors may receive from the commissioners of Congress.
" Article 11th .- Provided, that whereas a sufficient num- ber of subscribers may not appear to raise the fund, to the sums proposed in the first article, and thereby the number of divisions may not be completed, it is therefore agreed that the agents of divisions of twenty shares each shall, after the 17th day of October next, proceed in the same manner as if the whole fund proposed had been raised.
" Article 12th .- Provided, also, that whereas it will be for the common interest of the company, to obtain an ordinance of incorporation from the honorable Congress, or an act of incorporation from some one of the states in the Union (for which the directors shall make application), it is therefore agreed, that in case such incorporation is obtained, the fund of the company (and, consequently, the shares and divisions thereof), may be extended to any sum, for which provision shall be made in said ordinance or act of incorporation, any thing in this association to the contrary notwithstanding.
"Article 13th .- That all votes under this association may be given in person, or by proxy, and in numbers justly pro- portionate to the stock holden, or interest represented."
199
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THE OHIO COMPANY.
After adopting the articles of association, which consti- tuted the Ohio company, a committee of three was ap- pointed, "to transact the necessary business of the com- pany until the directors are chosen."
The next meeting of the associates was held at Bracket's tavern in Boston, on the 8th March, 1787, called by special advertisement. At this meeting it appeared that two hundred and fifty shares had been subscribed in this "com- pany's funds," and "that many in the commonwealth of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Hamp- shire, are inclined to become adventurers, who are restrained only by the uncertainty of obtaining, a sufficient tract of country, collectively, for a great settlement." It was resolved that three directors be appointed for the company; who shall make immediate application to Congress, for a private purchase of lands. General Samuel H. Parsons, General Rufus Putnam and the Rev. Manassah Cutler were chosen. Major Winthrop Sargent was elected secretary. The other two directors and treasurer were postponed until the next meeting.
This board of directors employed Doctor Cutler, to make a contract with the " Continental Congress," for a tract of land in the "Great Western Territory of the Union." In July following, the Doctor visited New York, where the American Congress were then sitting ; and after a tedious and lengthened negotiation, succeeded in contracting for a million and a half of acres for the Ohio company, at two thirds of a dollar per acre. From the failure of some of the associates to pay for their shares and other causes, they finally became possessed of only nine hundred and sixty four thousand, two hundred and eighty five acres. By the advice of Thomas Hutchins, Esq., "geographer of the United States," this tract was located on the Ohio and Muskingum rivers ; he considering it "the best part of the whole western country," and he had visited it from Penn- sylvania to Illinois. The boundaries of this purchase are
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THE OHIO COMPANY.
as follows, viz: "From the seventh range of townships, extending along the Ohio south-westerly to the place where the west line of the seventeenth range of townships would intersect that river; thence northerly, so far that a line drawn due east to the western boundary of said seventh range of townships would, with the other lines, include one million and a half of acres of land, besides the reserves." One half the purchase money, or five hundred thousand dollars, was to be paid at the time of the purchase, and the other moiety of the million of dollars, the sum to which the land amounted, one month 'after the outlines of the tract should have been surveyed in behalf of the United States, " in gold or silver, or in securities of the said United States."
The reserves, above noticed, were as follows, viz: Two full townships of land for the benefit of a university. Sec- tion, or mile square, lot of six hundred and forty acres, number sixteen, in every township, or fractional part of a township, was given perpetually for the support of schools within said township. Section number twenty-nine in the same manner for the support of religion. While sections, or lots, number eight, eleven and twenty-six, were reserved for the future disposition of Congress. In the North Ameri- can Review, No. 113, will be found a very interesting nar- rative of this negotiation from the original manuscript journal of Dr. Cutler.
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