USA > Ohio > Miami County > Piqua > The first century of Piqua, Ohio > Part 2
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In 1886 we found a six-pound cannon ball imbedded near the heart of a large elm tree in the cemetery at Upper Piqua, and one of the same size was found in the creek at the foot of the hill by Jos. Usserman in 1863. There is an uncertainty as to the time these balls were fired. They may have been shot from Fort Piqua in 1794, or by the soldiers at Camp Wash- ington in 1812. Some are disposed to regard them as relics of that last battle of the French and Indian War in 1763. The farm of Col. Johnston at Upper Piqua was the point of so many happenings in our early history, that of the many relics found in that vicinity, it is almost impossible to give them their proper historical period.
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FIRST SETTLEMENT BY THE WHITE MEN
CHAPTER II FIRST SETTLEMENT BY THE WHITE MEN
W E now come to the third and last people to make an actual settle- ment on the site of our town. After Wayne's Army at Green- ville was disbanded, a man named Job Gard, who had acted as sutler to the army, came to the abandoned fort at Upper Piqua and made it his home during the winter of 1796-7. The following spring Gard put in a crop of corn in the cleared land of "Piqua Bend", which had been used for the same purpose by the Indians. During the summer of 1797 he tore down the old fort, and picking out the best material, floated it down the river and used it in the construction of a cabin near what is now the corner of Harrison and Water streets. This cabin stood on the brow of the hill just east of Harrison street, and with the cultivated lands adjacent constituted what was called an "Improvement", being the usual way of settling on land before the government had made a survey. Early in this same year (1797) John Hilliard, with his sons Charles and Joseph, and accompanied by the families of Job Garrard, Shadrach Hudson, Jonathan Rollin, Daniel Cox, Thomas Rich, and a man named Hunter, came here from North Bend, on the Ohio river, and settled in what is now known as Huntersville or East Piqua. At that time the land east of the river belonged to that immense tract sold to John Cleve Symmes by the government in 1786. Symmes failed to make his specified payments and this land soon reverted to the government, but Hilliard and others held their homesteads by preemption rights. These families spent their first season here, living in pole and bark Indian huts, with no white neighbors except Gard, who lived just across the river. Gard sold his "Improvement" to John Manning in 1799, and all trace of him after this date has been lost. Manning and his brother Ed- ward came from England and settled at Losantisville (Cincinnati) about 1795, and here built one of the first grist-mills north of the Ohio. John came to Piqua in 1799, and after buying out Gard returned to Cincinnati, brought his family here and lived in the old Gard cabin until a larger house was com- pleted. Another log cabin was built and occupied by his brother Edward the following year. The first white child born in Piqua was Elias, son of John Manning, the date of his birth being May 22, 1800. This boy, like his father became a millwright, and after working at his trade in Piqua for some years, moved with his family to Elkhart, Indiana, in 1833. Other settlers coming in, and realizing the inconvenience of getting their grain made into flour and meal, (which was either done with hand mortars or corn-crackers, or necessitated a trip to the Patterson Mill south of Dayton) John Manning commenced the erection of a grist-mill in the spring of 1804. This mill stood on the south side of what is now Water street, between Har-
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
rison and Manning, and the power for grinding was furnished by what was known as a "breast wheel". The burrs were made of granite boulders, and to procure the bolting cloth he had to make a horse-back trip to Lexing- ton, Kentucky. The mill was completed and in operation in the autumn of 1804, and was the first power mill in the county. In the spring of 1807, eight families were living in log cabins which were grouped without much regularity on what is now Main and Water streets, and in the vicinity of the big spring on the river bank south of the present Lock Mill. This spring supplied water for the residents of that part of town for many years, but was destroyed when the canal was built. Main street at that time was just a part of Gen. Clark's old trail, and Water street was only a path leading to the mill.
The eight men, nearly all with families, comprising this small nucleus of the town, were John Manning, Edward Manning, Benjamin Leavell, Alexander Ewing, Armstrong Brandon, Nathaniel Whitcomb, Casper Hen- derschott, and Joseph Porquette. A glance at our map of 1807 will show the location of their different cabins. The biographical histories of these early people is very hard to find, but of the few preserved I will quote as fully as possible. Of the Mannings, John and Edward, little more can be learned than is printed in connection with the early history of the town. Benjamin Leavell was a carpenter by trade, and did most of the building of the log cabins of the new town. He was born July 17, 1781, in Culpepper County, Virginia, and came to Piqua in 1805 where he built a cabin on what is now the south-west corner of Main and Water streets. In the fall of 1807, he married Martha McCorkle, whose father and family had located just below town in 1805. This is said to have been the first wedding in Miami County. He was the first treasurer of Washington Township, and also served as Quartermaster in the war of 1812. In 1825 he moved to Williams County, where in connection with H. G. Philips, of Dayton, established the town of Defiance. He was one of the Associate Judges of Williams County for sev- eral years, and also laid out the town of Napoleon. In 1831 he came back to Piqua and built a tavern on the east side of Main street, between Greene and North. After several years of this business he retired and built a fine residence on Wayne street afterward owned by Dr. W. S. Parker. Here he died in 1860, honored and loved by the citizens of the whole town.
Alexander Ewing settled here about 1806, and built the first log tavern north of Dayton. It stood on the lot just north of the present Lock Mill, and just west of the canal lock. He sold this tavern to Daniel Landon in 1812, and built a double log tavern on the west side of Main street just north of the Blacke corner at Wood street. Here he kept a small stock of merchandise and traded with the settlers and Indians. This was probably the first store in town, and Ewing's two sons followed the trading business for many years with success.
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FIRST SETTLEMENT BY THE WHITE MEN
Of Nathaniel Whitcomb we know very little, except that he carried on the cobbling business in his cabin on the west side of Main street below Leavells.
Armstrong Brandon came from North Carolina in 1805. Being not only a preacher and civil engineer, but something of a promoter as well, it was not long before he discovered that Piqua was to become an important point on the wilderness map. It was through him that Manning and Caldwell were induced to plat and lay out the town-site, and to give him an interest in the same for surveying and recording the plat. He married one of the McCorkle girls, and in 1808 was appointed County Surveyor. He was identi- fied with the early history of the town for several years, becoming the first postmaster in 1811, when the weekly mail route was established between here and Dayton. He afterward went to Corydon, Indiana, and published a newspaper, dying at this place Sept. 6, 1827.
Jospeh Porquette (pronounced "Por-kay") was a Frenchman. He came here in 1804 and built a cabin and copper shop on that triangular strip of land bounded on the west by Main street; on the north by Sycamore, and on the east and south by the Miami river. Before the canal was built this tract contained about one-half an acre, and was known for many years as the "Devil's Half Acre". In connection with his cooperage Porquette sold whiskey in unlimited quantities, and any unusual disturbance in the town could generally be traced to this place. About 1808 a bleksmith shop was built at the north end of this tract and was run by a man named William Stewart for a number of years.
The Henderschott Family came here from Kentucky late in 1806, and spent the following winter in a pole and bark house which had proably been built by the Indians. It stood on the bank of the river where the Orr Felt and Blanket Mill is now. They soon afterward bought ground where Foun- tain Park and adjacent property now lie.
While this is primarily intended as a history of Piqua only, it will be necessary to digress to the extent of including the early pioneers who set- tled in the vicinity, for they were undoubtedly as much of an element in the early growth of Piqua as the citizens of the town itself. Of those who were located on the west side of the river and within the limits of the present Washington Township, were Mathew Caldwell, Shadrach Hudson, George Statler, Wm. Mitchell, Joseph McCorkle, James Brown, and possibly one or two others. Those on the east side in Springcreek Township were, Wm. Mckinney, John R. Mckinney, Henry Dilbone, Wm. Frost, Mathias Scud- der, John Hilliard, Jonathan Rollins, and John and George Cavin.
All these people made application for patents, or deeds, for their se- lections at the Land Office at Cincinnati and in due time received the docu- ment, signed by the president of the United States. In many cases these old deeds were not placed on record when first received, and until the origi- nal owners or heirs attempted to sell the property this was unknown or for-
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
gotten, making it necessary to hunt up the old parchment document, and place it on record in order to give a clear title.
The copy here inserted is a good sample of the original grants.
THOMAS JEFFERSON, PRESIDENT OF THE U. S. OF AMERICA
To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting:
Know, Ye, That Mathew Caldwell of Kentucky, having deposited in the Treasury a certificate of the Register of the Land-office at Cincinnati whereby it appears that he has made full payment for the fractional lot or section number eighteen, of township number six, in range number six (east of meridian line drawn from the mouth of the Great Miami river) of the lands directed to be sold at Cincinnati by the act of Congress, entitled "An act providing for the sale of lands of the United States in the Territory north- west of the Ohio, and above the mouth of Kentucky river", and of the acts amendatory of the same, There is granted, by the United States, unto, the said Mathew Caldwell the fractional lot or section of land above described; To have and to hold the said fractional lot or section of land, with the appurtenances, unto the said Mathew Caldwell his heirs and assigns forever.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have caused these Letters to be made PATENT, and the Seal of the United States to be here- unto affixed.
SEALS
Given under my Hand at the City of Washington, the fifth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight, and of the in- dependence of the United States of America the thirty-third.
BY THE PRESIDENT
THOMAS JEFFERSON
JAMES MADISON, Secretary of State.
By the act of a constitutional convention at Chillicothe, and by permis- sion of Congress, Ohio became a state Nov. 29, 1802.
Miami County was organized Jan. 16, 1807. It was formed from the north portion of Montgomery, and included Darke and Shelby up to the Indian treaty line. On Jan. 3, 1809, Darke County was separated from Miami, and Jan. 7, 1819, Shelby took all that part of Maimi north of its present limits.
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
Washington Township originally included both townships of that name in the two counties, but the separation in 1819, left our township the smallest one in Miami County.
We now come to the real beginning of "The First Century of Piqua". This was on June 29,1807,when Armstrong Brandon began surveying and plat- ting the one hundred and one lots that comprised the nucleus of our city. John Manning had made application for a deed to the whole of fractional Section 17, which included all ground east of the present Wayne street, with the river on the north and east, and the section line or South street on the south. This deed, or patent was signed by President Madison on Sept. 28, 1811, and although Manning probably sold some of these lots previous to this time no regular transfers were made until after this date. Mathew Caldwell procured Section 18, directly west of Manning, and also the east half of Section 19, to the south of 18. Caldwell's north line was our present Camp street, and the west line was on the hill west of the hydrau- lic. The original plot of the town was on both Manning's and Caldwell's land, the lots containing about one-half acre each. ] Brandon is said to have received every alternate lot for his services, but the county records do not show it. The grounds known as the Public Square was alleged to have been be placed thereon, which was not done.
donated by John Manning on condition that the county buildings should These grounds were a "Common" ac from 1807 to 1834, when the Manning heirs caused enclosures and buildings to be erected, and claimed ownership. The case of Brown vs. Manning and others was taken before the Supreme Court of Ohio, which was decided that the Public Square was as much the property of the town as the streets and alleys which were laid out and donated by the original owners of the plat. The size of the Public Square originally was 24634 feet each way, including the streets.
The proprietors of this new town named it Washington, but this name seems to have been unpopular with the residents, for about 1816 the State Legislature was petitioned to restore it to its old Indian name of Piqua, which was done. After the town was laid out in 1807 quite a number of new residents made it their home, and a number of settlers took up land in the township. Among the latter were John, George, and Alexander Moffett, who came with their brother-in-law, Hugh Scott, in 1808; John and James Johnston, and Stephen Winans in 1811; Joseph Hunter, John Widney, and Jos. McIntire also came about this time.
At this period pioneer sociability reigned supreme. There were house- raisings, log-rollings, quilting and husking bees, and the "Golden Rule" was carried out much more completely in those early days than at present. This spirit of mutual generosity among the people, especially in the coun- try, continued for many years, and it was not until after the civil war, when the period of "Landlord and Tenant" was ushered in, that a change in
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FIRST SETTLEMENT BY THE WHITE MEN
in social condition became noticeable. Today it is every fellow for himself est and the devil take the hindermost.
At this time (1807) there were many Indians in this vicinity, principally Shawanoes, who had camps on both sides of the river and on several of the larger creeks. Unless under the influence of liquor these Indians were not troublesome except as beggars. Whiskey was used by nearly all the set- lers, and the family jug was almost considered a family necessity. At first it was necessary to go to Dayton to replenish the supply, but in 1808 Henry Orbison started a distillery just across the river from the Manning Mill, and it is said that the entire output was absorbed by local talent. Orbison took trade for his whiskey, but his retail price per pint was six and one-fourth cents. He closed his plant in 1812 and joined Harrison's army which was then camped at Upper Piqua.
Money was very scarce, nearly all business being done on a basis of ex- changing commodities, though a limited amount of Spanish milled dollars an'd quarters were in circulation. When small change was needed the quar- ters were cut into four pieces, and were known as "Sharp-shins" on account of their propensity for cutting holes in the pockets of their owner. These pieces were also sometimes called "Cut Money" and the value estimated according to size; one piece being called a Fip, (674c); two pieces a Bit, (1272c); and three pieces a Fip-and-a-Bit, (1834c). About 1813, when State Banks were organized, this form of money was abandoned and bank script substituted. About the only expenditures in those early days that required actual cash was the taxes, and immediately after these were taken up by the tax collector, who went from house to house, the people began saving for the next year.
On account of the conspiracies of the Indians in the North under the in- fluence of Tecumseh and his brother, members of the tribes in our vicinity became very restless, and sometimes insolent to the settlers. So it was determined to build a block-house, within which the people could collect and defend themselves in case the Indians should become aggressive. This was done about 1810. The building was of heavy logs, and was about where the present laundry stands at the south-west corner of Water street and the canal. There must have been a stockade surrounding it for evidence of this was found when the canal was dug, and also when Water street was graded some years ago. Rumors of Indian outbreaks were frequent in the next two or three years, and the fort was crowded with settlers several times, but was never attacked by the red men.
In October, 1811, Gen. Wm. H. Harrison, at the head of an army of regulars and volunteers, marched through Washington (Piqua) on their way to the Indian towns of northern Indiana. This army came up the east side of the river from Troy, crossed the Miami river at the ford
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
just east of Manning's Mill on east Water street, and then on north-west to the Wabash river, where they defeated the Indians at the battle of Tippe- canoe.
Though our town was called Washington at that time, all the early histo- ries and the government documents refer to it as Piqua, so hereafter it will be designated by that name.
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GEORGE BUCHANAN CAPTAIN OF MIAMI COUNTY VOLUNTEERS, 1812
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PIQUA IN THE WAR OF 1812
CHAPTER III PIQUA IN THE WAR OF 1812
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HE United States declared war against England on June 18, 1812, and there was great fear throughout the Miami valley of the Indians in this vicinity joining the British, and going on the war-path. Nothing gave the government more embarrassment at this time than the proper management of the tribes in this part of Ohio. President Madison refused to employ them as allies in the war, but was anxious to prevent them from joining the British. Soon after war was declared the President appointed Return J. Meigs, Senator Thomas Worthington, and Representa- tive Jeremiah Morrow commissioners to treat with the Indians on the Ohio frontier, and to take steps to secure their neutrality during the continuance of the war. Meigs being governor of the state, and Worthington serving as an officer of the Army in Ohio, Morrow was thus for a time left alone as commissioner at Piqua, where most of the councils were held. The follow- ing letters relating to these councils and other matters of that date will prob- ably give an adequate idea of the conditions existing at that period.
LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY OF WAR
War Department, July 1, 1812. To His Excellency, Return J. Meigs, the Honorable Thomas Worth- ington, and the Hon. Jeremiah Morrow.
The President having been pleased to appoint you commissioners to meet the chiefs and head men of the several Indian tribes from the western frontier in council at Piqua town, in the State of Ohio, on the 1st of August next, I have the honor to communicate his pleasure that you, or any two of you, explain to them the views of the President in ordering the council. He has heard of their determi- nation to preserve peace with the United States, and he is desirous of saving them from the destruction which would invariably ensue in case of their hostility. The conduct of some of them would justify him in lifting his hand against them and destroying them, but he is informed that the tribes disapprove of what has been done, and he will not punish the innocent with the guilty. You will hear all their complaints, and learn from them the course they desire to pursue in the war with Great Britian. You will inform them that the President stands in no need of their assistance. For their own sakes he desires them to remain quiet and to pursue their usual occupa- tions. In case they shall give satisfactory assurance that they will pursue peace with good faith they may be assured that the President will take them by the hand-that he will protect them-that they shall have their annuities according to treaty-that their lands shall
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THE FIRST CENTURY OF PIQUA
be held sacred, and that, being at peace with the United States, they will be reconciled to and will preserve the chain of friendship with all their Governors and Agents. It must be distinctly explained to them that the chiefs will be held responsible for the good conduct of their tribes, and if a single murder be committed on the frontier the murdered shall be forthwith delivered up, or the tribe to which he belongs shall be driven beyond the Mississippi, their lands shall be forfeited, and their annuities shall cease forever. Upon a perfect understanding of the agreement to these several points the goods sent to Piqua as presents may be delivered, in whole or in part, ac- cording to the discretion of the commissioners. Twelve or fifteen chiefs may be invited to visit the President, and receive from his own mouth a confirmation of your engagements, and have them formed into a regular treaty. If, on the contrary, they are not disposed to friendship, or there is good reason to doubt the sincerity of their professions, the council will be immediately broken up, with a warning of the consequence. With these instructions, the commissioners will exercise their own judgment and discretion in such manner as may be best calculated to promote the public in- terests. Should a proposal be made, as proof of their friendly disposi- tion, to give their consent to cut a road from Ohio to Indiana, the proposal may be accepted.
W. EUSTIS, Secretary of War.
LETTER OF COL. JOHN JOHNSTON.
Piqua, Ohio, July 18, 1812.
Capt. George Buchanan, Stillwater.
Dear Sir: I send you for perusal a letter which I last night received from the Shawanoes Indians. It appears that a war party was seen near Recovery, you will of course take proper measures to prevent mischief happening to any of our citizens or their property within your command. I think an officer and 10 or 12 men from your company or VanCleve's should occupy Capt. Perry's Block House, a few of the men could sleep in my barn at night to guard the United States goods. The property is too valuable to remain as it is, now that we are at war with the British. You will please to return to me Mr. Duchouquet's letter by the bearer, Mr. Bush. I have hired him to carry you the information.
Your obedient servant,
JOHN JOHNSTON.
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PIQUA IN THE WAR OF 1812
LETTER OF COL. JEROM HOLT.
Fort Greenville, July 20, 1812.
Capt. George Buchanan, Stillwater.
Sir: In consequense of orders received this day from Gen. Munger, which is agreeable to the order which he has received from the Governor, ordering for to dismiss all the men stationed, that is stationed on the frontiers west of the Miami toward the Wabash, (viz) your company, Capt. James I. Nesbit and Capt. VanCleave's companyes and they are dismissed from further servis unless some Hostile occurrence should require their servises. The great council with the Indians being postponed until the 15th of August at which time you will notify your Company for to rendezvois at Troy on the 13th day of August next and to join the other Companyes to march to Piqua and there for to remain until the consill is over. The General did not intend to dismiss any of the Companyes until after the counsil was over, but the time being so long that he thinks it not prudent for to keep them any longer at the expense of the State As the Governors Orders are positive. I have also received orders for to take command of all the troops at the Counsill and hope you will be very punctual in your attendance with your company Completely equipped at Troy on the day by 10 O'clock a. m. I am Sir your obedient Servt.
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