USA > Ohio > Hamilton County > Cincinnati > The Cincinnati miscellany, or, Antiquities of the West, and pioneer history and general and local statistics. Volume II > Part 8
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Territorial Marriage Licences.
The following document, among the papers of Col. Thomas Gibson, who solemnized the marriage referred to, relates to the lady whose brief history may be found in the last Advertiser. It is one of those remarkable coincidences which baffle all calculation and probability, that my narrative had hardly gone to press, when this licence came to light.
BY HIS EXCELLENCY,
ARTHUR ST. CLAIR, EsQ., Governor of the Terri- tory of the United States North West of the Ohio.
PERMISSION of MARRIAGE is given to John Downs and Lucy Virgin, both of Hamilton county, and the honorable the Judges of the Territory aforesaid, the Justices of the Courts of Common Pleas, or any of them, or any other person authorized by the Statutes of the Territory aforesaid to solemnize MARRIA- GES, are hereby empowered, upon application to them made by the parties aforesaid. to join them together as HUSBAND and WIFE.
GIVEN under my hand and seal at Cincinnati the twentieth day of September, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred.
ARTHUR ST. CLAIR.
Relics of the Last War. CINCINNATI, Feb. 14th, 1813.
DEAR SIR :
I have the pleasure to inform you that the detachment of militia has marched for Dayton in good health and spirits. The batall- ion from my division will consist of five compa- nies, between three and four hundred strong .- I have had uncommon difficulties to encounter in organizing and marchiing them, the Brigade Major having notified me of his resignation at a time when his services was most wanted, and Gen. Findlay not having official notice of his exchange, and Brigadier General Wingate, Col. Mills, and Major Kain never joining until yesterday, so you may judge of my situation, having the sick, lame, lazy, and worst of all, the ignorant, to attend to, and had not Mr. Thomp- son taken some part of the arrangement off my hands in the Quarter Master department, I could not have got them on the march so soon. They are now completely equipt-I made them pur- chase blankets &c. with their advance pay, and have several engaged that I have hired to make up cartridges, as we could get none at the Ar- senal. I shall send a load of ammunition to Day- ton on Tuesday-have kept a guard for that pur- pose. The cartridges made are the best I have ever seen. I got buckshot moulds made, and as I got them for eight dollars, which is very cheap, I shall not put them in Bryson's account as they are very useful for the State, some 9 and some 12 buckshot in each cartridge, and by ex- periment, I find they will answer much better than ball cartridges; though I have had some of them made-I have them put up in dozens, and completely packed -- about 60 dozen in each tight keg, that will not admit the wet to injure the ammunition. I have sir, been indefatigable in my exertions on this occasion, and hope my transactions will nieet your approbation. I send a greater supply of unfixed ammunition than the detachment will require, which will be wanted in advance as I presume, and knowing the diffi- culty of obtaining buckshot, I will order the man to go on casting a quantity, that by giving a short notice, may be forwarded to your order to any point on the frontiers. We have a rumor in town that Gen. Harrison has had an engage- ment and been victorious, God grant it may be true. I am sir in very great haste, which will apologise for this confused scrawl.
From your most ob't. humble ser'vt.
JOHN S. GANO. His Ex. Gov MEIGS.
St. Marys, May 28th, 1813.
Maj. Gen. J. S. GANO.
Sir-A company of riflemen, under the
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command of Captain David E. Hendricks from the division under the command of Major Gen. Whiteman has recently been ordered to this place, and perhaps they never could have render- ed more essential services than at this time as there is not a man for duty here. I expect a part of said company here to day . The Captain came in last evening, He states that the company is extremely reluctant to come on without assu- rance of receiving one month's pay ; I have prom. ised they should be paid one month's wages in advance, and notwithstanding, you may consid- er it as not coming within your jurisdiction, yet under existing circumstances, I thoughtit my duty to call on you to intercede with the District Paymaster, to send on the money with Captain Hendricks. I hope you will use every exertion with Mr. Hunt or Mr. Taylor, (as the case may be.) I have wrote to Mr. Hunt on the occasion. The money may be enclosed to me, I will make any arrangement he may direct, or he may authorise any other person that may seem just to him. Paymaster Smith has gone to the Rapids, and will be gone a considerable time before he can return. Something is ne- cessary to be done, or I shall have command of a garrison without an individual to do duty, my- self and staff excepted.
The water taking a rise in the St. Mary's and Auglaize, and believing it indispensibly neces- sary, that the provision should descend the riv- er the first opportunity, as we cannot expect an- other flood, I sent every man on with the boats from this post, and left but a Sergeant's com- mand at Amanda, You may therefore judge our situation, We have no news only what you must have heard. Please write me when con- venient. And permit me to close with my best wishes for your welfare &c.,
JOHN WINGATE, Brigadier General.
Cincinnati, May 31st, 1813.
own use, which he will account for in his pay The better way will be to pay one month's pay and have all the rolls complete for the month ; it will save trouble.
I am sir, in great haste,
Your friend and humble serv't.
JOHN S. GANO,
Gen . JOHN WINGATE.
Franklinton, Sept. 26th, 1813. DEAR GENERAL :
I have the honor to report myself to you as Maj. Gen. Commandant of the Ohio Militia in service, under your command. I have order- ed two companies of upwards of eighty to St. Mary's. The one commanded by Capt. Josepli Carpenter, I presume Major Whistler took on to Fort Wayne, and Cap :. Titus' company ordered to report to, and receive orders from the com- manding officer at St. Mary's. I have in addi- tion, a regiment commanded by Col. Delong on their march to Seneca, and ordered one hun- dred men properly officered to Fort Meigs, from his regiment, which is about 800 strong. I have one regiment from my division here of 8 compa- nies, and 600 strong, though some are about to be detailed or engaged in the Quarter Master's employment. I have a regiment here upwards of 600 strong -- they will march to- morrow for Seneca. Unless I receive your orders to the contrary, I will leave this on Wednesday morn- ing for that place, with my staff which is small, Maj. A. A. Meek, aid, and Maj. Joseph Vance, and await your orders. The Governor consid- ered Fort Findlay as a post of no importance, as the stores have been removed-though I will send a small detachment from Upper Sandusky on my arrival there as I think it of importance to keep open that communication. I shall be happy to hear from you and receive your orders which shall be promptly obeyed at all times .- I only regret I could not be with the first to cross into Canada with you.
I am sir, yours with respect and esteem,
DEAR GENERAL :
I received your letter by Capt. Hendricks and immediately attended to your request. I JOHN S. GANO, Maj. Gen . Com'dt. O. Militia, Gen. WM. H. HARRISON. called on Mr. Hunt who informed me he was instructed by the Secretary of war to make no payments in advance. I then called on Gen- Felix G. M'Connell. Harrison, who informed me he wished to accom- With much of the manner of Crockett, he is by far his superior in intellect. I would place implicit confidence in his judgment. Some of his colleagues have informed me that in his sec- tion of country he is invincible before the peo- ple, and respected by all who know him. Ma- ny anecdotes, which I cannot write out, have been related pertaining to his canvass for Con- gress, in which he was opposed by a Whig gen- tleman of great ability as speaker. Let me tell one, although it loses its force wlien put on pa - per. At a great gathering of the people of his modate the men, I then proposed if he would sanction it I would make the advance, which he said he would, and I send by Capt. David E. Hendricks five hundred dollars, which you will please to have paid out on regular muster pay, and receipt rolls in the name of your pay master Smith, as I have thought best to attach them to Col. Mills' regiment. Out of the five hundred dollars I have given Capt. Hendricks forty for his | district on the 4th of July last, to hear the com -
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petitors for Congress express their views, his op- ponent, after discussing various points of politi- cal moment, concluded his address with an elo- quent appeal to the ladies, hundreds of whom, from all parts of the district, had assembled up- on the occasion. The concluding part of his op- ponent's speech seemed to strike home, which McConnell, who was watching its effects, in- stantly perceived. When he took the stump, after replying to the prominent political allusion of his competitor, he haid it was not in him to do injustice to any one; but as the gentleman had alluded to that tender passion called love, he must say comparatively with himself he knew no more about it than did an old aunt he bad in North Carolina, who lived to the age of 150. and after all died an old maid "I grant," said McConnell, "that my Whig friend is a fine look- ing man, just forty, and not yet married-look at him ladies, and assure yourselves I do him no discredit. But I do say that men must be judged by their acts -- a fine looking man just forty, and not yet married! Look at that picture," pointing down upon his competitor, "and now look at this!" (Here the speaker drew himself to his full length, and running both hands through his fine bushy beard, gazed around and around upon the audience, and continued.) "I am, I think, a pretty considerable good looking man for my age and inches, and I have one of | the best and prettiest little wives, a straight and strict member of the Methodist persuasion, that this or any other country ever produced. And why did I get her? Because I possessed that! passion which my more polished friend rubbed out years ago-yes, years ago-four hundred and sixty moons have shone upon him and yet unmarried! When I discovered that the con- sent of her father could not be obtained -- and he, by-the by, was a good old fellow, although a Whig -- like a man, I entered beneath the roof of her parents, and like a man, I bore her upon my shoulders from the house to the bridal altar, chased by dogs howling, barking and biting, to the portals of the Church. A happy wife, three little McConnels, and an easy con- science, are the fruits of the tender passion as I possessed it. If he can say as much, Felix Grundy McConnell backs out from the canvass --- if not, let him forever hold his peace." My informant says, nothing could have been more effective -- the ladies waived their white 'ker- chiefs in very ecstacy of delight -- the men shouted and stamped as men never shouted and. stamped before -- and the county gave the ec- centric McConnell an overwhelming majority.
The Bright Side of Human Nature.
In aletter published in the Lynn [Mass.] Pi- oneer, giving a description of the fire in Pitts- burgh, we find the following passage :
"The big church below me kept the flames in check, and not until the buildings beyond me had done their worst did my house take fire. I was sitting upon a trunk, my wife beside me, and Jesse behind us in the open cross street a little east of our house, when four or five of the mass came to me and asked where my house was. I pointed to it, and accordingly they went DEATHS. to work and cleared every room in that house, bringing out every thing, I believe, that it con- tained, the kitchen furniture only excepted ; they brought out every bedstead, every bureau; they brought my, lipsalve, my tooth brush, all my p. and M. Wilson, aged 18 months.
books and papers, every straggling pamphlet and newspaper; and, finally, pulled my sign off the window-shutter. Nor did they stop at this; but they procured a dearborn wagon, and never stopped till they had carricd every article to a place of safety, taking glasses and breakable ar ticles in their hands. I do not know the name of one of them. Two black girls of fourteen or fifteen years of age carried out a good furniture wagon load of articies, taking them up to the new court-house and watching them till they were finally removed, and all refused not only compensation or wages, but they refused to ac- cept presents, . To one man I presented a man- tle clock, becausé Fbelieved it could not be sav- ed but by being carefully carried to the country. He took it away. Yesterday I left my office door open; and, when I came back, the clock was on the mantlepiece keeping time and ex- actly right. My goods were carried to six or seven different places upon the hill above the town; they have all been returned to me I be- lieve. and all that I have paid for trouble taken was two dollars to the wagoner. Yesterday a colored woman brought home our first washing of white clothes since the fire, and begged that we would accept the trifling favor from her, be- cause we had done so much for 'her kind of peo- ple .' Mrs. E. saw a bundle of her clothes upon a cart on the evening of the fire as she was go- ing up on the hill ; she took hold of it, and the cart went on, leaving the heavy bundle on the road with her. Two little ragamuffin boys, less than twelve years old, came to her assistance, and carried it a great way to the house of an ac- quaintance; when she took out her purse to pay them there was not a cent in it. It was a hand . some bead purse ; she offered it to them. No, indeed,' said one of them, 'we'd be ashamed to take any thing from you at such a time as this.' There were your regular alley blackguards."
Long and Short.
An amusing anecdote is related of the late Sir Charles Williams, who for many years trav- eled the western circuit, and had a full share of business. Being a diminutive man, he pre- sented a striking contrast to another counsellor Williams, who went the same circuit, and who was a very tall person. It happened, on one oc- casion, at Exeter, that some irregularity among the counsel called for the interference of the Judge, to whom the persons of the two barris- ters were unknown out of court. Mr. Williams the little was addressing the court, when the judge requested him to stand.
"My lord, I am standing," exclaimed the as- tonished counsel.
"Then," continued his lordship, addressing the other, "Mr. ohn Willianis, I will thank you to sit, sir ."
"My lord, I am sitting," said Mr. Williams the tall.
MARRIAGE.
On Wednesday the 18th inst., by the Rev. Mr. Wil- son, Mr. THOMAS GIBSON to Miss FLORILLA GRAHAM, all of this city.
On Monday the 16th inst., Mrs. RUTH DAVENPORT, consort of Cyrus Davenport.
On Tuesday the 17th inst., REBECCA C. CLOPPER.
On Thursday the 19th inst., ANNA, infant daughter of
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Wonders of Art.
Some time since I referred to a master piece of name punching, bearing in circular form, the stamp, "7th Annual Fair of the Ohio Mechan- ic's Institute," which was so minute that four of these circles could be laid upon a dime. Eve- ry letter was distinctly formed, duly proportion- ed, and visible to the naked eye. This piece of work was executed by Mr. Sheppard of the firm of Sheppard & Davies, gold pen manufacturers, Main between 7th and 8th streets, and was ex- hibited at the last fair of the Institute. I thought the performance wonderful, and did not suppose it could be surpassed as a piece of delicate and accurate engraving.
What will my readers think of an engraved circle so small that it covers no more space than the wreath circle of a half dime, and yet presents in that space a well defined copy of "The Lord's prayer, and the ten command- ments" with their respective titles? This was executed in the establishment of Toppan, Car- penter & Co., and handed me by Mr. C. A. Jew- ett, who has charge of their branch in Cincin- nati. It may be seen at my office by the curious in such matters.
The First Church in Cincinnati.
The original proprietors of Cincinnati, when they laid out the town, dedicated four in-lots, numbered 100, 115, 139, and 140, for the use of a church, grave yard, and school; this was in 1789. In that year the property was occupi- ed as a burial ground. In 1790, Rev. David Rice of Kentucky, a Presbyterian Clergyman, came to Cincinnati and organized a Presbyterian Society, which hascontinued ever since, and is now represented by the First Presbyterian Soci- ety of Cincinnati.
In 1791, a number of the inhabitants, formed themselves into a company, to escort the Rev. James Kemper from beyond the Kentucky Riv- er to Cincinnati; they accompanied liim hither and on his arrival, a subscription was set on foot to build a meeting house. Before this time the trees upon a portion of the lot, at the corner of Fourth and Main streets, had been partially cleared, and within a small circle, seated upon the logs-the people met for worship, in the open air, with their rifles by their sides. In 1792, the meeting house was erected, and the whole tour lots were enclosed with a post and rail fence. The timber for the building was ta- ken from the spot upon which it' was erected.
The subscription paper for the erection of the Church is still in existence-it is dated January 16th, 1792. It is headed as follows :
"We the subscribers, for the purpose of erec- :ing a house of public worship, in the village
of Cincinnati, to the uses of the Presbyterian denomination, do severally bind ourselves, and executors, firmly, and by these presents, the several sums of money, and commutations in labor, respectively annexed to our names, to be paid to John Ludlow, Jacob Reeder, James Ly- on, Moses Miller, John Thorpe, and Wm. Mc- Millen, or either of them, their heirs or adminis- trators, trustees appointed for the business of superintending the building aforesaid, payments to be made as follows:
One third part of our several subscriptions, to be paid so soon as the timbers requisite for the aforesaid building may be collected on the ground, where the said house is to be built .--- Another third, when the said house is framed and raised. And the other third part, when the aforesaid house may be under cover, and weath- er boarded.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto sub- scribed our names, on the day affixed to our names."
Here follow the names of the subesribers, which are given, that we may cherish the mem- ory of the generous dead, and furnish an exam- ple to the living.
John Ludlow Isaac Felty
Jacob Reeder James Wallace
James Lyon Robert Caldwell
Moses Miller Jona Davies
John Thorpe Thomas Ellis
Wm. McMillen
Daniel Shoemaker
John B Smith John Blanchard
David E Wade Benjamin Jennings
James Brady
Jno Gaston
Joel Williams Jonas Seaman
Levi Woodward Reuben Roe
Wm. Woodward John Cummins
Jeremiah Ludlow
Elliott & Williams
James Dement
Thomas McGrath
Richard Benham
James Bury
John Cutter Thomas Gibson
Joseph Lloyd
Henry Taylor
Nehemiah Hunt
Elias Waldron
Cornelius Miller
Thos. Cochran
Abram Bosten
James Richards
Gabriel Cox
John Bartle
Samuel Pierson
J Mercer
Daniel Bates
I] Wilson
Benj. Fitzgerald
James Kemper
James Reynolds
Isaac Bates
Thomas Brown
John Adams
Matthew Deary
Wm. Miner
James McKnight
James Miller
John Darrah
Seth Cutter
Samuel Martin
S Miller
Dan'l. C Cooper
John Lyon
Moses Jones
James McKane
Francis Kennedy
William Harrison
Israel Ludlow
Margaret Rusk
J Gilbreatlı
Benjamin Valentine
James Wilkinson
Asa Peck
Winthrop Sargeant
Robert Hind
Richard Allison
Robert Benham
Mahlon Ford
Samuel Dick
John Wade
Josepli Shaw
M McDonogh
6
Wm. Miller
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Samuel Kitchell Matthias Brant
J Mentzies
Joshua Shaylor
Samuel Williams
Wm. Peters
James Kremer
Jabesh Wilson
W M Mills
David Logan James Lowry
H Marks
David Long
Matthew Winton
Alex. McCoy
Ezekiel Sayre
Joseph Spencer
Samuel Gilman
David Hole
W Elwes
James Blackburn
John Dixon
James Cunningham Daniel Hole
On the 11th June, 1794, another subscription was circulated for the purpose of further finish- ing the Presbyterian meeting house in Cincin. nati, and also for paling the door yard and fen- cing in the burying ground, to be paid to the same persons named as Trustees.
To this paper, in addition to those who had al- ready subscribed to build the meeting house, and who again contributed to its completion, we find the names of
Ezra F Freeman
Jno Brown
David Zeigler
Joseph Prince
C Avery
Andrew Park
Oliver Ormsby
John Riddle
Job Gard
Patrick Dickey
Robert Mitchell
A Hunt & Co.
Martin Baum Peter Kemper
G Yeatman
When the property was dedicated by the pro- prietors, they held the equitable title only ; the government held the legal estate, but had con- tracted with John Cleves Symmes, to convey to him a large tract of land which included the town plat of Cincinnati ; the proprietors claimed under Symmes. In 1794, the President of the United States issued a patent to Symmes, who was thus invested with the legal estate; and af- terwards on the 28th December 1797, conveyed the lots to Moses Miller, John Thorpe, John Ludlow, James Lyon, Wm. McMillen. David E. Wade and Jacob Reeder, Trustees for the Pres- byterian Congregation of Cincinnati. The title thus conferred, has been fully confirmed by the Supreme Court of Ohio in Bank, in 1838-39, in their decision in the case of the city of Cincin- nati against the 1st Presbyterian Church.
In the list of subscribers for building the meeting house, we may notice James Wilkinson, then a Colonel in the army, and commandant of Fort Washington, and the Gen. Wilkinson of later American history.
Winthrop Sargeant Adjt. Gen. of the North Western Army, afterwards Secretary of the N. W. Territory and subsequently Gov. of Missis- sippi.
Richard Allison, Surgeon Genl. of St. Clair and Wayne's armies. Mahlon Ford, a Captain in the regular service, and who was afterwards dreadfully wounded in St. Clair's defeat.
Captain Shaylor and Peters, officers in St. Clair's
armny, John Thorpe, Superintendent of artificers.
Mr. Elliott, one of the partners of Elliott and Williams government contractors, was the fa- ther of Commodore Elliott, of the U. S. Navy, and was killed between Springdale and Hamil- ton by the Indians in 1794. His body was in- terred near the corner of Main and Fourth sts., in the Presbyterian burial ground, and was re- moved some years since to the Cemetery beyond the canal, where his son has erected a handsome monument to his memory.
Relics of the Past.
FORT WASHINGTON, July 10th, 1792. DEAR SIR :
1 will thank you to spare the rifle horse, as much as may consist with due caution. They have a hard tour before them, and I wish to have the horses in vigor.
Yours, JAS. WILKINSON, Brigadier General.
JNO. ARMSTRONG, Com'dt. Ft. Hamilton.
N. B. I have expected Ashton some days with three hundred men, but have given him up .- He means to resign, poor Smith is dying-Free- man killed-what then? J. W.
Capt. JOHN ARMSTRONG.
Fort Washington, July 14th, 1792. DEAR SIR :
I have this moment received your letter by Serj't. Policy, and send out Ser'jt. Arm- strong and a party of the horses for the two pris- oners, who have escaped from the enemy. You will mount them on two of the Quarter Master's best horses, and let thiem move under cover of the night. I cannot leave this post until I take their examination and transmit it to the Sec'y. of war, and therefore the sooner they arrive the better.
Should the enemy attempt to pull down your bullock pen, or to fire your hay, during the sea- son of darkness; Capt. Peters and a Sub, are to sortie with fifty men, and with or without flints, as you may judge proper. The gates to be in- stantly shut, and your works manned in the most defensive manner your force may admit. I go upon the possibility that circumstances may in- duce you to have his command, some where or some how within your walls.
Capt. Barbee is not to move before he receives further orders, but is daily to keep out light re- connoitring ·parties, on foot or horseback, in ev- ery direction.
My respects to Barbee. In haste, yours,
JAS. WILKINSON, Brig. Gen. Commanding.
JNO. ARMSTRONG,
Capt. Com'dt. Ft. Hamilton.
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Fort Hamilton, July 17th, 1792. BRIG. GEN. JAS. WILKINSON.
DEAR GENERAL :
Your letter of yesterday came duly to hand. The distressed situation of the settlers on the Little Miami, and in short every where on the frontiers calls loudly for the aid of Gov- ernment. Is it not probable that you may be au- thorized to call into" service from Kentucky, a body of horse sufficient to justify an enterprize against some of the Indian towns. Perhaps that on Auglaize river, or at its mouth. The savages are certainly very poor, and the destroying their eornfields would make them more so. This in my opinion would have a better tendency to bring about a peace, than to expend - dollars in presents at a treaty. Some of Capt. Barbee's men being sick and their horses lame, the great- er part of the infantry being on fatigue, was I to detach any part of the former, who are employ- ed for the safety of the workmen, the objects you have in view could not be accomplished in due season ; and indeed with all my exertions, unless additional workmen are sent forward, it will be winter before the house I have began will be finished. Two carpenters, two sawyers, with whipsaw files could be employed to public advantage.
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