USA > Ohio > Licking County > Granville > The history of Granville, Licking County, Ohio > Part 4
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44
ON THE VILLAGE SQUARE.
night with the body of the emigrants within the limits of their own purchase.
The next day, Wednesday, Nov. 13th, (1805), they drove on and camped on the village square. Lemuel Rose urged his oxen past the wagon of Dea. Rose, that was driven by Martin Root, and had become entangled in the brush ; and was the first to drive upon the town site. There was 110 work of human hands to greet their eyes except the little aboriginal mound of earth standing just in front of where the Town Hall now stands, and the surveyors marks upon the trees. They selected a very large beech tree, a little south of the center of the public square, and proceeded to cut it down. Mr. Coe, the surveyor, was present and as- sisted. All the men took turns in swinging the axes. While this was being done, Mr. Hiram Rose, either to have the prestige of cutting the first tree, or to prepare a support for the other, seized his axe and cut down a small, leaning hol- low tree, and the other fell upon it. According to the letter, the hollow tree was the first one cut, but accordingly to the spirit the beech was the first.
Four families at once pitched their little tents beside it,- the three Roses and Hillyer. They set stakes a few feet off, put poles across, and from them to the prostrate tree. These were covered with brush and blankets; and thus they lived until some temporary cabins could be hastily thrown up and covered. Their fires kept wild beasts at bay, the snakes had gone to sleep for the winter and troubled them not. The ground was damp, but they could sleep on brush heaps. They were exposed to the rain and cold. But they suc- ceeded, and thus our village was begun.
45
THE SYMMETRICAL LOCATION.
CHAPTER IX.
Having seen them encamped upon the land they have purchased for their future homes, let us find a point of ob- servation on the hill beyond the stream to the south of them and take a more distant view of the spot they have chosen for their village. It is a singularly symmetrical locality. Our northern horizon is bounded by the line of hills that lie just beyond their camp. The valley between us and the hills is three-quarters of a mile, wide, and lies in two benches, or shelves, the first being but little above the banks of the creek, and sometimes subject to overflow. The second lies from ten to forty feet higher. Just beyond their camp, and in front of us as we look, the hill is bold and projects toward us. To the left it recedes from us about sixty rods and sinks somewhat in height. Then coming forward again it rises in another prominence to the height of the first. This is the hill with its two prominences that came in after times to be called the Hill of Science. In earlier times it was called Prospect Hill. To the right the ridge is broken by a valley through which courses the brook, fed by living springs among the hills, which the settlers named Clear Run. Just before us, the one to the right, the other to the left of us, rise two buttes, or isolated peaks. That to the west is well formed and rises nearly as high as the ridge beyond. The emigrants named it Stone Hill, but it came afterward to be known as Sugar Loaf. Between it and the ridge, the valley bends northward and into the ridge, and in this pass the val- ley is only a trifle higher than the rest of the second level. The butte to the right of us is a little larger and not so sym- metrical, but its western face is very similar to that with which Sugar Loaf confronts it. This peak was afterward known as Mt. Parnassus.
There on the second level, bounded by the ridge on the
Old names of streets are inside. New names outside.
GRANVILLE and VICINITY.
References
a
a .= College Buildings
Spelmans
Bill of
science.
f-The Town Spring. 5 .- The Cold Spring.
A .= Brick Academy. i. = Ware Houses. K.2 Old Reservoir.
Race
m > Ponds. Q = Quarries V. = Hotel Granville
Flour Mit
W= Buxton House x. > Academy. Now, church,
Reservoir to. supply the mill.
1
To Worthington.
2 77
Broadway-
Mound
Centerville St.
Safar Loaf
W.
Mulbe
ST.
St.
8+
Main St.
Prospect
Liberty st.
Pearl
Parad
Map
old
Mourning St
Cemetery.
Maple Grove
Steam pump, For hydrants planing Will
Flow Mill,
T. and O. C
R. R
Cut Off
Floodwood.
FirstMiu.
Raccoon
Feel
¿
To Butter's Ford.
Minister Lot
Clear Run
Granger St.
Hill.
6t.
Prost
pr St.
ater
Bowery
2
St.
Prospect
V
Green
CO
Morning St.
Addition.
Barclay. St
Cherry
St.
Chantal
issus.
amound 1 1
I . T. Rose 2z L.Rose, .
Pair St.
Equality
Si
Case
9
+ Mulberry
3 = H. Rose. 4 . Munson Stillyer 5 = Kelley. 6 = Gilman & Mitchell. 7. : Gavit 8 : Linnoll. q = Cornell.
20T loo1105
W.
Maple
Furnace Race
Furnace
Depo
mude 1876
Columbus
Dant
Creek.
Dami of Sycamore Loge
The Plat as originally surveyed was 178 rods x 106, and contained 117 acres, 3 roods, 17 rods.
First Cabins
Rose
51.
L. - Burton Hall .. C. = Flight of Steps. d . The Beach Tree. e. : The Log School House.
47
TOPOGRAPHY.
north, and by these peaks on either side, and on the south by the bank that descends here about forty feet to the bottom lands of the first level, and about eighty rods dis- tant from the stream, is the site of the future village. The plat is 178 rods by 106, and contains a fraction less than 118 acres.
Let three-quarters of a century pass, and look again. There, in these after-days, she sits, full grown, like a little queen upon her throne. Her churches, her schools of every grade, her business houses, her dwellings, are all of good appointment. She has had her share of prosperity and of disaster, but has held on her way with a quiet, even develop- ment and true dignity. Her children arise up and call her blessed.
Denison University has chosen a beautiful site upon the second prominence of the ridge, and it is now proposed to retain both the names that have been used in times past. Let the eastern prominence, against which Prospect Street abuts, remain as "Prospect Hill," and the summit on which the University stands appropriate the other, "The Hill of Science."
At the northern base of Sugar Loaf is the reservoir, fed from a distant spring, which supplies the citizens with pure water; and at the southern base of Mt. Parnassus is the new and well-kept cemetery.
Broadway is sketched with quadruple lines. Through the middle runs the drive-way. It is bounded on either side by a lawn. Next this is the sidewalk, lined with shade trees. Within the walk are the front grounds of the dwellings, used only for shrubbery, flowers or grass plots.
The Ohio Central Railroad, from Toledo to the coal fields of Perry County, having, also, a branch to Columbus, passes just under the bank, south of town. The youth of the re- gion roundabout are entrusted to the care of these literary institutions ; and many are they who seek a resting place in this quiet retreat.
48
ODE TO GRANVILLE.
It was this view of the village that inspired the following Ode to Granville, with which one of the memorial papers of the Seventy-fifth Anniversary closed :
THE VILLAGE OF THE HILLS.
1. Bright is the dawn of morning When peace, like dew, distills; And bright thy morning waking, Thou Village of the Hills! Thy lot in pleasant places By Providence was cast; Rich harvests thou art reaping From labors of the past.
2. Patient in care thy matrons; Thy men for toil were strong; Thy sons went forth with laughter, Thy daughters with a song. Thy sun has neared its zenith, Thy morning toil was blest; Thy sons take up thy burdens That thou from toil inay'st rest.
3. Among thy hills enjoying Thy heritage so fair, Thy queenly form is resting In Nature's "old arm chair." Old " Prospect Hill " supports thee, The " Hill of Science " near, Whence learn'd professors whisper Their lore into thine ear.
4. Fair landscapes spread around thee, Enchanting to the sight; " Parnassus " holds thy left hand, And " Sugar Loaf " thy right. At last, the track of Commerce Seeks out thy quaint retreat, And daily treasures bringing, She lays them at thy feet.
5. Thy right hand shields the fountain Whence hydrant streams are fed; Thy left is gently guarding The slumber of thy dead.
49
ODE TO GRANVILLE.
Thy neighbors prize thy vantage, Thy vigilance they see; They bring their sons and daughters, Entrusting them to thee.
6. Then hail! thou queenly matron, Renowned for comeliness; To-day thy works do praise thee, · Thy children rise and bless. May God's right hand still lead thee, And guard thee from all ills; May thousand birthdays greet thee, Thou Village of the Hills.
7
50
THE FIRST WEEK.
.
CHAPTER X.
Returning now to our emigrants, we find them busily oc- cupied in providing for their families a temporary shelter until their lands can be divided, and they can proceed to erect their permanent homes. In putting up their shelters they built chiefly within the square, so as not to be in each other's way after the lots were drawn. Dea. Rose built north of the road near the east side of the square, just by the east line of the Methodist church as afterward built. Lemuel Rose was just back of him and Hiram Rose a little west and where the Town Hall now stands. Jesse Munson built where the Congregational Church afterward stood, Justin Hillyer just west, and Hugh Kelley just north of him. Joseph Linnel built a little west of the corner so long occupied by Mr. A. P. Prichard's drug store, Elias Gilman near the town spring, and Sylvanus Mitchel a little south of him. Wmn. Gavit built on the corner south of Jesse Munson, across the street and near the lot where his residence was for many years. Gideon Cornell built near Sugar Loaf and probably not until after he drew his lots which lay on the back street. Samuel Thrall, George Avery, and Timothy Spelman also spent the winter in town, perhaps not building until the lots were drawn. Other members of the company were accom- modated in the old cabins until the lands were divided, when they bent their energies upon improvements on their farms.
"The first three nights there fell an abundance of rain which not only came through the brush and blankets " under which they were sleeping, but ran on the ground into their shelters and under the beds which were spread on the ground. Some were driven in the night to their wagons.
Amid their labors the Sabbath came, the 17th of Novell- ber, a memorable day. They had arranged to have public worship in the open air beside the large beech tree. At the
51
THE SONG IN THE DESERT.
appointed hour the horn gave the signal and all came to- gether, a goodly congregation numbering ninety-three .. Two sermons were read by Mr. Rathbone, one of which was Dr. Cooley's serinon preached a few months before at the organ- ization of the church. The prayers were offered by Dea. Timothy Rose, Lemuel Rose and Samuel Thrall. The scene is described as an affecting one. The memory of their old homes and house of worship rushed upon them in vivid con- trast with their present circumstances,-in the wild forests, on the frontier of civilization, no floor under their feet save the damp earth, no covering over their heads but God's can- opy, no seats but those improvised for the occasion out of logs and blocks and what their wagons afforded, no pulpit but the stump of that beech tree, and no pastor at all. They prayed, and their hearts went out in genuine gratitude and trust. They listened to the sermons read and grew stronger in their undertaking. They sang and their voices floated out among the trees and arose above them, wafted far out on the autumnal air. But the accents were sometimes tremulous. Silent tears coursed down their cheeks and sobs mingled with the song. God heard themn; and, as they learned afterwards, an unknown neighbor heard them.
Theophilus Rees, who has been mentioned as settling a . mile or two northeast of the incipient village, had occasion that morning to look for some cattle that had strayed from his herd. Being drawn by the lowing of the company's oxen, knowing nothing of the presence of settlers so near him, he had approached toward them so near as the point of Prospect Hill. Standing there listening to catch some sound from the cattle, there fell upon his astonished ear the strains of sweet music. They seemed wafted to him from the tree tops or from the sky. "He thought of angels sent to earth to minister to men and stood in rapt bewilderment. Then coming on a little nearer and around the point of the hill, the song burst upon him more clearly. He followed it up until through the trees and underbrush he could make out what
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52
THREE - SIDED CABINS.
was going on. Then he retraced his steps without making his presence known. He hastened home to tell his wife that they had got some new neighbors and she need not be afraid of them, for they had got the ark of God among them. Then, using a Welsh proverb, he said, "The promise of God is a bond." He had seen the silent wilderness becoming vocal with the praise of Jehovah. Long after, though he could neither speak nor understand English, he regularly presented himself a worshiper among them, sometimes lead- ing them in prayer, but in his own tongue; and was a true neighbor and fast friend.
Before the next Sabbath came, Deacon Rose and his hired man had raised his three sided cabin, which was their place of worship for several succeeding Sabbaths. As the first cabin put up in the village or by any of the company ; as a sample resi- dence of the people during that winter, which, providentially, was an open one; as a Council House or Town Hall for the company's business meetings ; as a hotel; and as the first house of worship, all combined, this cabin deserves the best description that can be given of it.
It was about twenty feet wide and twenty-eight long, hastily made by rolling up great beech logs three high, with enormous cracks, chinked in with other logs and stuffed with the heavy moss from the forest trees. The logs of the rear end were interlapped with those of the sides, cabin fashion, but the front ends of the side logs were built up with puppies -so log-architecture designates them-that is, blocks fitted between and across the logs, to hold them firmly in place. Thus, the two sides and back end were built up closely, or solid, and to a reasonable height. It was covered with split shingles, or clapboards, rived out of ash, and six feet long. These were laid on ribs, and held in place by weight-poles, with knees between them. It would shed a great deal of the rain ! The front, which was toward the south, was all open. But after leaving space for a passage way in and out, the rest was occupied by a great blazing log heap, kept burning
.
THE FIRST HOUSE THAT SHELTERED A FAMILY IN GRANVILLE TOWN.
54 .
COMMODIOUS QUARTERS.
night and day. It needed neither door nor window, and the floor was earth. The cracks and fire gave light enough, and if the smoke blew in, it blew out again. The top logs were stayed in place, so as not to spread with the weight of the roof, by saplings pinned across overhead. On these the boys used to perch during public service.
A number of cabins were made, with some variations from this pattern, that accommodated the families for that first winter. They were not yet practiced in log architecture. Instead of an open end, some laid up an angle of shorter logs, which they lined with stones, leaving room at each side to drive a yoke of oxen in and out, for the purpose of draw- ing in logs and rolling them upon the fire.
Their beds were sometimes spread on brush, and somne- times more artistically made by boring into the logs for rests for poles, on which their beds were laid. If any think a brush heap a rough place to sleep, let them go from ordinary packed mattresses, and try one. The soldiers, when cam- paigning, used to think themselves favored if they could find one ready made, whereon to throw themselves, without any intervening bed; and let it be remembered, our emigrants had now been campaigning about two months.
In quarters like this, and even less commodious, families of eleven, ten, nine or less, some of them with hired men, or "boarders from the East, locating land," spent that memorable winter. The same room was bed-room, parlor, nursery, kitchen, dining-room, office, work-shop and store- house - a complete caravansary, except the stable.
A picture drawn as faithfully as can be done from the descriptions given by the few now living who saw the cabin, must tell the rest. It is so nearly true to its original, that it is recognized with pleasure by the few who could judge of its accuracy.
.
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55
BUSINESS.
CHAPTER XI.
The last entry of the company's minutes made in old Granville, reads thus :
" Voted that this Meeting be Adjourned to the first Monday of December Next at Nine O'clock in the Morning to Meet on the Hardy Section Which the Co. purchased in the State of Ohio for the purpose of Making the first Devision of Lands the Company Owns in Sd State."
True to adjournment, they met Monday, December 2, at Deacon Timothy Rose's new cabin. Lieutenant Buttles, the President of the company, had died at Worthington, in the interim, and Timothy Rose was appointed to the office in his place.
Members continued to be received to the company, but only in place of such as had lost or resigned their connection with it; some even having come on from the East with the company in confidant expectation of such changes. Roswell Rowley, Daniel Wadsworth, Phineas Rowley, James Thrall and Thomas Spelman were received to membership after the adjournment of the company, by action of the Executive Committee, before leaving Massachusetts. In Ohio, the com- pany received Jeremiah R. Munson, Esq., in place of Jesse Rice; Martin Root in place of one right of Josiah Graves ; Elias Gilman in place of Ephraim Howe, Jr .; Jolın Johnson in place of Hugh Kelley, for his sister, and David Butler in place of Solomon Noble.
A few days' delay in the division of the lands was occa- sioned by the surveys not being completed. Samuel Thrall and Cornelius Slocum were made a committee to act with Timothy Spelman, already appointed, " to complete the mill and do the surveying necessary to the first division."
The corn that had been raised during the summer was held for sale at two shillings (thirty-three cents) a bushel. , The fod-
56
ROADS- RESERVATIONS.
der was distributed, each man getting about as much as he could carry home on his back for a single share. The cattle and tools and " all other articles" belonging to the company were held for sale. These matters were entrusted to a com- mittee consisting of Samuel Thrall, James Coe and Win. Gavit. Roads were laid out and opened by direction of the company in expectation that in due time they would be es- tablished by proper authority and become permanent; one to Owl Creek (Mt. Vernon), another to Worthington, and a third to Lancaster. Jeremiah R. Munson, Elias Gilman, and Lemuel Rose were a committee "to furnish Supplies pack Horse Chain Men and an Ax Man to Wait on the Viewers and Run a Road from Lancaster to Granville Settlement from thence to Owl Crick." Afterward, Job Case, Hugh Kelley and Joshua Kindall were made a committee to superintend the work in opening the roads.
Certain reservations were made in addition to those already made, which will be understood by the following extract from the company's records. Under date of Dec. 5, 1805, it is recorded, as follows :
"5 Voted that four Acres in Square form be taken Out of Lot No 15 3d Range at the North West Corner & Reserved for public Use. [Summit of Sugar Loaf.]
"6 Voted to Establish the Bureying Ground a[s] Layed Out at the North West Corner of Lot No. 14 3d Range South of the Town plat [The old cemetery.]
" 7th Voted that the Lot No. 11 in the 3d Range be Appro- priated for the Seport of the Gospel [ First lot S. E. of Lancas- ter bridge.]
" 8th Voted that Lot No 15 in the 2d Range be appropria- ted for the Seport of a School [on Centerville St., half a mile east of town.]
"9th Voted that 2 Acres in the Lot No. 11 in the 3d Range be Reserved a public Road to the Saw Mill [Lying along Clear Run, from Centerville St. to the Creek.]
" IO Voted that the Spring on Block No 2 in the Town plot be Reserved for publick Use & put Over to A futer Meeting" [Near Esq. Gilman's lot, and known as the Town Spring.]
57
THE COUNTY SEAT - SCHOOL.
It had been thought by some of the company that their village would be laid out further to the east, on the plain through which Centerville Street runs, with the confident ex- pectation that it would also become the county seat when by a new division another county should be set off. This mat- ter of the county seat led to some difference between the Granville and Newark people on the subject. A petition concerning the bounds of the county had been sent to the General Court; that is, the Legislature; and a counter peti- tion went up from the Licking Company, Jeremiah R. Mun- son, Esq., being appointed a committee to present it.
A little experience with dams and floods in the western streams seems to have discouraged the company in estab- lishing their mill. They therefore offered at public sale their reserved inill seat at the mouth of Clear Run, together with the mill, machinery and all the appurtenances.
Early action was taken to secure a school for the winter. Samuel Thrall, Lemuel Rose and Elias Gilman were made
THE FIRST SCHOOL HOUSE. 1806.
a committee on this behalf. It resulted in the building of a large log school house on the south side of the public square, a little east of where the Baptist Church now stands. "This was a magnificent building," is the language of one who was privileged to attend the school taught the latter half of that winter by Mr. Rathbone. The windows were of oiled paper, the seats were shaved puncheons laid on blocks, and the 8
58
SALE OF LOTS.
desks were of the same, fixed to the logs of the house at suitable height by pins set in auger-holes. The house was also used for religious meetings and for town gatherings. The entrance was near the northeast corner. The chimney was on the east end and the fire-place was just to the left as one entered.
The day's wages of a man at this time was four shillings, (sixty-seven cents,) and the same sumn paid for the use of a yoke of oxen for a day, with chains enough to work them.
The meetings of the company were often held on Sunday evening. In explanation of this it should be said that the universal custom among them at that time was to begin their Sabbath at sundown on Saturday evening, and close it at sundown Sunday evening. They therefore felt at liberty to transact secular business on Sunday evening, but they would by no means do it on Saturday evening.
Another remarkable fact is that whisky is several times mentioned as being called for and used at their business meetings. It is to be remembered that the light of the Tem- perance Reformation had not then dawned. All men drank freely as they listed. It was but a universal custom.
On Tuesday the Ioth of December, (1805), the sale of lots began at vendue; Jaines Coe, Noadiah Holcomb and Joab Griffin being a committee to receive the money paid by the bidders each for his choice, the aggregate of which was to be equally divided among the members of the Company according to the quantity of land he purchased. The town lots were first sold, and next day the farın lots. No bid on the village lots less than ten cents was accepted, and on the farm lots less than one dollar. Those who were absent were permitted to be represented by others in the biddings.
For the choice of town lots, the highest bid would appear · to have been inade by Samuel Everitt, Jr. He paid seventy dollars for one on Broad Street, near Prospect-one of the best lots- and seventy dollars for one lying on the hillside, and one of the least desirable. But no other bid rose higher
·
59
INDIVIDUAL BIDS.
than $25.25, which sum Deacon Timothy Rose paid for his lot at the corner of Broad and Pearl Streets. The one next east of Mr. Everitt's-northwest corner of Broad and Prospect Streets- sold to Justin Hillyer for $20.50, and the one next west to William Slocum for $16.30. This is not explained. It may be that the fact that Mr. Everitt drew up the parti- tion deed without charge may have something to do with it, no further pay for his lots being required of him, and that service being considered worth the sum he is said to have paid for them.
In bidding for the farm lots, half a dozen bids ranged over $300 each, and in the following order : Job Case, whose farm was a mile west of town, where the Loudon road leaves the Worthington road, $344; Noadiah Holcomb, midway on Loudon Street, $341 ; Levi Hayes, the last farm in the com- pany's purchase on the east, and to the north of the Newark road, $337 ; Cornelius Slocum, for the farm long occupied by Captain Joseph Fassett, three-quarters of a mile east of town, $331 ; Samuel Thrall, for the McCune farm, long oc- cupied by Mr. Joseph Linnel, a mile and a half east of town, $317; Lieutenant Jesse Munson, the farm where the Jones cabin stood, $313.
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